From: [i--bl--e] at [eskimo.com] (Innocuous Appellation)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.archives
Subject: SUPPLEMENT: Hero: More beasties for Fantasy/SciFi
Date: 25 Jan 1995 11:51:28 -0500
Here are descriptions of five more creatures suitable for use in a HERO
Fantasy or Sci-Fi setting. Haven't had the opportunity to try them out
yet, but I will soon... >:->
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Disclaimer: HERO System is a trademark of Hero Games, Inc. Any reference
to HERO, the HERO System Rulesbook, or any of the HERO System supplements
should not be construed as a challenge to the trademark status. The author
is not affiliated in any manner with Hero Games, Inc. You can distribute
this product freely, but you can not charge more than a minimum delivery
fee. Copyright 1995, All rights reserved.
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This series of supplements can be used to expand those available in the
Fantasy HERO books from HERO Games, Inc. They can not be used without
reference to the HERO System Rulesbook. This material is a mix of original
designs and adaptations from other game systems. The official archive site
is 'ftp.cs.pdx.edu' in the directory '/pub/frp/hero/fantasy-hero'.
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CINDERLINGS
Native to the plane of Lava, these faintly glowing, egg-shaped
rocks fly in small packs looking for a warm place to nest. Their
small size, combined with a swift, darting flight pattern, make
them especially difficult to strike. They will drive off anybody
who disturbs their home by ramming the intruders with their
scorching hot bodies.
When not in their native plane, Cinderlings are commonly found
near active lava tubes, hot springs, and other sources of geologic
heat. Naturally, cool water or cold weather conditions can be
quite lethal to these beings.
Val Char Cost Val Char Cost
-----------------------------------------------------------------
5 STR -5 2 PD 1
21 DEX 33 3 ED 0
15 CON 10 4 SPD 9
14 BODY 8 4 REC 0
5 INT -5 30 END 0
8 EGO -4 50 STUN 25
6 PRE -4
4 COM -3
Cost Abilities END
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53 Shrinking (40 pts), Persistent, Always On
(-8 to others' PER, +8 DCV, +12 KB)
20 -10" Knockback Resistance (+2" total)
20 1d6 Energy HKA, 0 END Persistent, Damage Shield,
Personal Immunity, Always On, No Knockback,
Reduced Penetration - Heat
26 Tunneling 3" through 10 DEF, Closes Behind,
Only through stone (-1). 1/5"
15 75% Resistant Energy Damage Reduction,
only vs. fire (-1)
11 Life Support (Doesn't eat or excrete, Immune to
Disease, Intense Heat)
15 Flight 5", 0 END
12 +4 PD/ +4 ED Armor
6 +2 w/ Unarmed Combat
5 Infrared Vision
3 Bump of Direction
2 AK: Geologically Active Areas 11-
75+ Disadvantages
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15 Phys. Lim: No fine manipulation
15 Phys. Lim: No sense of hearing or smell (Always, Slightly)
10 Psych. Lim: Defend nesting grounds (Uncommon, Strong)
5 1.5x Effect from Earth/Fire Manipulating Powers (Uncommon)
20 2x Effect from water or cold (Common)
10 3d6/Hour in freezing environment (Common)
15 1d6/Turn from cold water (Common)
12 1" Running (1" total)
2 0" Swimming (0" total)
25 Distinctive Features (Not concealable)
-49 Creature Bonus
OCV: 7(9); DCV: 15; Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
Points = 65 + 188 = 253 = 178 + 75
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GIBBER-BEASTS
These howling, jabbering abominations were created in the heart
of chaos and exist only to destroy. Gibbering packs relentlessly
haunt the barren lands, looking for any creatures to consume,
regardless of how small or pitiful a meal they may provide.
When their numbers grow too great for the land to support, the
Gibbering instinctively form great hordes and advance out of their
lands destroying all in their path. Insane beyond measure, these
hordes will flow forth without stopping to feast or rest. They
will not stop until they are all slain or have starved to death.
Fortunately, major invasions of this type are quite rare, only
happening every few centuries. More often their numbers are culled
by constant wars between the packs.
As creatures go, Gibberings are both revolting and terrifying to
behold. Their tapered, fang-filled maws dominate their over-large
heads. Small, beady eyes are set atop the head, with inadequate
ear holes just behind. The body tapers from front to back, with
powerful front shoulders and peculiarly small hammocks. Thick
plates of cartilege along the back provide protection to the neck
and back, favorite targets of rival Gibberings. A pathetic looking
tail, bearing a small tuft at the end, drags along behind.
Val Char Cost Val Char Cost
-----------------------------------------------------------------
16 STR 6 4 PD 1
11 DEX 3 2 ED 0
10 CON 0 3 SPD 9
14 BODY 8 10 REC 10
5 INT -5 40 END 10
6 EGO -8 25 STUN -2
25 PRE 15
1 COM -4
Cost Abilities END
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30 1d6 Energy RKA, Continuous, Uncontrolled, Penetrating,
Sticky, Reduced by Range, Extra Time: Phase - bile 5
18 1d6 HKA (2d6 w/ STR), Armor Piercing, Continuous,
Reduced Penetration - bite 2
13 1d6+1 HKA (2d6+1 w/ STR), Reduced Penetration (-1/4),
only when biting (-1/4) - claws 2
8 +4" Running (10" total)
4 1/2 END while running 1/10"
3 +4 PD/+2 ED Damage Resistance
10 +15 Mental Defense, Only when berserk (-1/2)
10 Tracking Scent
10 +2 w/ H-to-H Combat
3 Tactics (Pack) 10-
3 Survival 11-
75+ Disadvantages
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15 Phys. Lim: No fine manipulation
20 Distinctive Features (Not concealable, Major Reaction)
15 Psych. Lim: Must slay creatures (Common, Strong)
5 Psych. Lim: Form horde when starving (Uncommon)
20 Berserk while in combat (Common, 11- Berserk, 11- Recover)
-5 Creature Bonus
OCV: 4(6); DCV: 4; Phases: 4, 8, 12
Points = 43 + 112 = 155 = 80 + 75
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SILVER FLOATER
These huge, floating bags closely resemble a flying Man o' War
Jellyfish. They hunt by floating over a target, then reaching down
to grab the victim with their flexible tendrils. Once captured,
the victim is repeatedly jolted with electric shocks, then drawn
into the sack for digestion. Floaters only hunt for food, and will
depart after capturing a live meal.
Silver Floaters sense their prey by the electrical emissions,
allowing them to hunt in total darkness. Since they make no noise,
Floaters will often gain complete surprise for their strike.
However, they are not well armored against attack, relying on
their height and extension to remain out of reach of ground
beasts. Electric stinging cells on their outer sack protect them
against birds and other flying predatory. Floaters sometimes hunt
in packs, communicating via tiny electrical flashes.
Val Char Cost Val Char Cost
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15 STR 5 1 PD -2
16 DEX 18 4 ED 2
12 CON 4 3 SPD 4
4 BODY -12 10 REC 10
5 INT -5 36 END 6
2 EGO -16 18 STUN 0
12 PRE 2
5 COM -2
Cost Abilities END
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41 1d6 RKA, NND (Insulated), Damage Shield, 1/2 END. 2
20 Invisible to Sound Group, 0 END Persist, Always On.
10 50% resist Damage Reduction, Only vs. Electric (-2).
13 5" Flight, 0 END Persistent, Always On.
6 2" Stretching, Only downward (-3/4).
5 Extra Limbs (3d6 Hanging Tentacles)
10 Clinging (normal STR)
24 Electrical Sense, Discriminatory, Targeting, Not when
raining or snowing (-1/4).
3 Life Support (Intense Cold)
8 +4 w/ Grab
0 ES: Climbing 8-
75+ Disadvantages
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8 Large Volume Sack (3" radius, -4 DCV, +4 to other PER)
5 x2 Knockback from Wind
15 Distinctive Features (Not concealable)
15 Physical Limitation: No fine manipulation
10 -5" Running (1" Total)
2 -2" Swimming (0" Total)
6 -2 to all Perceptions (except Electrical Sense) 8-
-18 Creature Bonus
OCV: 5(9); DCV: 1; Phases: 4, 8, 12
Points = 14 + 140 = 154 = 79 + 75
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SPINE FLAYER
This enormous gastropod is equally at home on land and at sea,
but prefers damp, marshy terrain, such as a sewer or swamp. The
organism closely resembles a slug, with a tapered tail and a
single clinging foot running the length of the body. A clump of
flexible tendrils is mounted atop the back where the shell would
be located, and each arm is equipped with a potent bundle of
stingers. Victims grabbed by the stinging limbs are drawn into a
flexible gullet, there to be slowly dissolved by gastric juices.
Spine Flayers are resistant to most toxins, and their thick,
rubbery flesh protects them from attackers. They are omnivorous,
feeding primarily off weeds, slime, and muck dwellers, plus any
live game that happens their way. They can cling to almost any
surface, even walls and ceilings, and slide along in complete
silence. Their flesh is poisonous, as the yellow flesh tones
clearly warn any would-be predators.
Flayers are solitary creatures, meeting only to mate.
Val Char Cost Val Char Cost
-----------------------------------------------------------------
45 STR* 20 10 PD 4
9 DEX -3 6 ED 1
25 CON 30 2 SPD 1
23 BODY* 20 10 REC -2
1 INT -9 50 END 0
6 EGO -8 55 STUN* 4
20 PRE 10
0 COM -5
*Bonuses for growth already figured in.
Cost Abilities END
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20 Growth (15 pts), Persistent, Always On, (800 KG,
-2 DCV, +2 PER Against, +1" Reach, -3 KB).
17 2d6 DEX Drain, Recover 5/Minute (+1/4), Only after
target is grabbed (-1/2) - Toxic Stingers 2
5 2d6 EB, NND (Acid Proof), No Range, Only after target
is paralyzed (-1), Extra Time: 1 minute (-1-1/2) 1
7 1d6 BODY Drain, Continuous Uncontrolled (+1+1/2),
Gradual Effect (every turn, -1/4), Only when eaten
uncooked (-1), 4 charges (-1) - Poisonous Flesh
12 +15 Power Defense, Only versus poison (-1/4).
4 5 rPD/3 rED Damage Resistance
5 Life Support (Breathe Underwater)
24 +2 Scent PER, Targeting
10 Clinging
4 +2 w/ Grab
9 Stealth 14-
-8 -4" Running (2" Total)
75+ Disadvantages
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20 Physical Limitation: Blind (All the time, Greatly)
15 Physical Limitation: No fine manipulation
15 Psych. Limitation: Fear of heat (Common, Strong)
10 Susceptibility: 1d6/minute when hot and dry
10 Vulnerability: x1.5 damage from heat or fire
5 Leaves distinctive slime trail
15 Distinctive Features (Not concealable)
-7 Creature Bonus
OCV: 3(5); DCV: 1; Phases: 6, 12
Points = 63 + 117 = 180 = 105 + 75
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SPRATLING
These diminutive beings live their lives at such an accelerated
pace that they are all but impossible to perceive by normal
beings, unless they stand in one place for a time. They migrate
along historical trails in small clans, constantly seeking new
game to replentish their supercharged metabolism. Spratlings live
for only three to five years, but their perceived life span is far
longer, surpassing that of most humans.
The Spratling resembles a deep violet-colored fairy race, with
enlarged eyes and ears. They are very wiry and sleek in physique,
with very little body fat. Their hairless flesh is covered in many
long, thin, twisting folds of white flesh, which form unusual
patterns across their bodies and serve to radiate excess heat.
The culture of the the Spratling is primitive but rich, as is
their buzzing language. When they meet other Spratling clans on
migration, they join together for a time to sing, dance, tell
tales, and trade. They have little patience for interaction with
the slower races, however, and usually avoid their uncomfortable,
smelly places of residence. Only when great destruction is being
wreaked upon their tribal hunting grounds will Spratlings seek
retribution.
Val Char Cost Val Char Cost
-----------------------------------------------------------------
5 STR -5 1 PD 0
14 DEX 12 2 ED 0
10 CON 0 12 SPD 96
4 BODY -12 3 REC 0
9 INT -1 20 END 0
10 EGO 0 12 STUN 0
10 PRE 0
10 COM 0
Cost Abilities END
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15 Shrinking (10 pts) (-2 PER against, +2 DCV, +3 KB),
Persistent, Always On.
20 Invisibility to Sight w/ Fringe, 0 END,
Not when stationary (-1).
6 +2 to Sight and Hearing
9 +2" Running, x2 Non-Combat (8" total, 32" Non-combat)
1 Familiarity w/ Spear, Knife, and Club
3 +1 w/ Spear, Knife, and Club
3 One of: Navigation, Paramedic, Survival, Trading
1 Perk: Member of Spratling tribe
1 KS: Game hunting and stripping
0 Language: Spratling
0 AK: Tribal hunting trails
0 ES: Climbing, Conversation, Deduction, Trading
75+ Disadvantages
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2 -2" Swimming (0" total)
15 Avoids interaction with slower races (Common, Strong)
10 Distinctive Features (Concealable with Major Effort)
5 1d6/hour without food (Common)
5 1d6/minute when wearing extensive covering (Uncommon)
5 Movement creates noticeable draft (Common)
5 Short lived (3-5 years)
-27 Creature Bonus
OCV: 5; DCV: 7; Phases: 1-12
Points = 102 + 47 = 149 = 74 + 75
--
Bob | Multitusking: What happens when the Elephant
[i--bl--e] at [eskimo.com] | stops worrying and learns to love the mouse.