Galanus

Basic Species Description

The galanus are a species of advanced gastropods evolved and mostly living on Kardas, one of the two inhabited moons of the gas giant Ostherrim. While the gas giant itself is uninhabitable at all on the surface, Kardas may have terrible winds and extreme storms but there are patches of solitude and verdant land here and there, as well as an assortment of flora and fauna that have adapted to life on the surface, under the cloud lines. Most tend to live underground, atop plateaus above the cloud lines, or in protected land, hidden valleys, canyons and craters, or in tall spires of architectural and technological genius that use the power of the storm to energize shields pushing the storms and winds away from their towering heights. The galanus use cybernetics typically, but do have many genetic advantages that help them survive not only in their own harsh home moon of Kardas, but in other locations they have spread out to. Galanus eat a lot, needing high caloric diets. They have back vents for biochemical thrusting which legs them glide long distances in low gravity and in higher gravities like their own home moon it lets them slow their descent. They have thick tendril hair, and three eyelids protecting their sole natural eye. Slender manipulative fingers though body is massively muscular otherwise. Most galanus are fairly arrogant and cocky but wise enough to recognize when tactics are needed more than bluster, being fairly competent fighters typically, just by their nature and culture, and some are even more so. They have four highly dexterous hands, the ability to absorb toxins and electricity, and depending on the ethnicity, utilize a fair deal other means to aid in their survival and continuation of the species.

History of the Species

The galanus, in their highly adaptive nature, are capable of surviving for long stretches on the windswept rocky plains, being able to eat even the few rare and toxic flora that survive amidst the storms, and showing a great tendency toward enhancing themselves through technology throughout their history, even up to the modern era with cybernetic implants earned once old enough, being known by many other species as one of the metalbond, along with the Abeoden and other cybernetic species. As they evolved from scavengers to ambush predators to stamina predators and finally sapient, the galanus have largely stayed away from any sort of religion that asks much of them, most tending if worshiping any numina, to be followers of Byn.

Base Species Genetics

The genetics for galanus are as follows:

(D5) Dextrous Four Armed: This individual has four arms of the same strength and dexterity. +1 Sleight of Hand, +2 Crafting, +1 Repair, +1 Grip, +2 Might, and +1 Swim/Dive.

(D5) Toxic and Electric Pouches: Those with this trait gain +1d10/2 Daily Toxic Domain Absorption, +1d10/2 Daily Electric Absorption and the 'Toxic Pouch' and 'Electric Pouch' abilities. From scarce food and drink choices they've gained a strong resistance against toxins and ability to not only survive but use them as a biological weapon.

Toxic Pouch Rank I:
(Self, Sphere, None)
(Standard, Halved, Toggle)
(Natural, 80% Stability, EP Blowback)
(Toxin [Strategem], Flesh [Vim])
(4 Cost, 2 Attempts, Lung Check)
This ability allows the user to consume and breath toxins safely until toxin pouch is full, and then they may expel them through their pores in a spherical pattern.
Toggle: Store up to (Rank + Dice Pool + Check) * 2 Kg Toxins.
Toggle: Spew up to (Rank + Dice Pool + Check) * 2 Toxin Damage.
Conditions: May deal max of stored toxins only, does not affect the user.
Prerequisites: Galanus species genetics.

Electric Pouch Aura Rank I:
(Self, Aura, None)
(Standard, Halved, Toggle)
(Natural, 82% Stability, EP Blowback)
(Electricity [Strategem], Flesh [Vim])
(4 Cost, 5 Attempts, Lung Check)
This ability allows the user to consume and release electricity safely until electric pouch is full, and then they may expel them through their pores in an aura
Toggle: Store up to (Rank + Dice Pool + Check) * farads of electrical capacitance.
Toggle: create an aura of (Rank + Dice Pool + Check) * 2 Electricity Damage.
Conditions: May deal max of stored electricity only, does not affect the user.
Prerequisites: Galanus species genetics.

(D3) Normal Electric-Sensing Eye: This trait allows the individual to see electric current in entities, objects and in the environment with the same proficiency as their normal vision.

(R4) Amphibious Lungs: Capable of breathing water without additional aids.

(R4) Slow Gliding: Able to glide distances slower than walking but useful when falling or traveling to areas walking or other movement is difficult. -1 MP while gliding.

Ethnicities

The ahreko galanus are usually mostly blue with silver and black lines and some black splotches. They usually live in swamps, fast-moving rivers and by geysers, being very fast, especially while swimming.

(E-8) Strong Swimming Body: This ethnicity is faster than most of their species, and even faster while swimming. +2 MP, +2 MP while swimming and +1 to Swimming Checks.

(E-2) Weak willed heart: -2 to Courage Checks, -2 WIL during Mating Season, and has 'The Look' ability.

The Look I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Swift, None, Limiting)
(Natural, 89, EP Blowback)
(Lechery [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Courage Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid around themselves that makes those that look at them that succumb have the charmed status effect applied to them.
Condition: The individuals affected must not resist looking at the user, such as if it has been used before and they remember its effect. If they do not look at them, it does not take root in them specifically.
Condition: The individual must either attempt to charm the user first, or respond positively to their own attempts to charm them, unless it is the mating season.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Weak willed heart Ethnic Gene. (6 points from cost, 1 point per FP for up to 20, 13 points necessary for Charmed)

(E-2) Rational Diversion: +2 to Reason Checks and the 'Ink Cloud' ability.

Ink Cloud I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Lasting, Beneficial, None)
(Natural, 92, EP Blowback)
(Stain [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Lung Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid of ink around themselves that makes those within it gain a boost to their stealth.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Rational Diversion Ethnic Gene.

The temern galanus are almost entirely black with dark brown splotches on their skin, being far larger than the other galanus even when not concentrating and able to increase their size further as well as being mightier and more intimidating than most, as well as being able to manipulate water offensively. They usually live in deep oceans and lakes.

(E-8) Intimidating Strong-Sized Body: This ethnicity is mightier than most of their species, and while not concentrating, expands out another two sizes. +2 to Might Checks, and +1 to Intimidate Checks.

(E-2) Weak willed heart: -2 to Courage Checks, -2 WIL during Mating Season, and has 'The Look' ability.

The Look I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Swift, None, Limiting)
(Natural, 89, EP Blowback)
(Lechery [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Courage Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid around themselves that makes those that look at them that succumb have the charmed status effect applied to them.
Condition: The individuals affected must not resist looking at the user, such as if it has been used before and they remember its effect. If they do not look at them, it does not take root in them specifically.
Condition: The individual must either attempt to charm the user first, or respond positively to their own attempts to charm them, unless it is the mating season.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Weak willed heart Ethnic Gene. (6 points from cost, 1 point per FP for up to 20, 13 points necessary for Charmed)

(E-2) Rational Suffocation: +2 to Reason Checks and the 'Ink Cloud' ability.

Watery Grave I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Lasting, Beneficial, None)
(Natural, 88, EP Blowback)
(Flow [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Lung Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid of water around themselves that deals Rank + Dice Pool + Lung Check Flow Damage.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Rational Suffocation Ethnic Gene.

The sveyar galanus are usually mostly black with green neon splotches. Usually they live in ships which travel along the surface of shorelines, and in caverns scooping up assorted algae and bioluminescent materials which they harvest.

(E-8) Photosynthesizing Strong Body: This solely hermaphroditic ethnicity is healthier than most of their species, and while resting where there is ample ultraviolet light, heals even more quickly. +2 to HP, +2 recovery when healing by ultraviolet rays, and +1 to Might Checks.

(E-2) Weak willed heart: -2 to Courage Checks, -2 WIL during Mating Season, and has 'The Look' ability.

The Look I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Swift, None, Limiting)
(Natural, 89, EP Blowback)
(Lechery [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Courage Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid around themselves that makes those that look at them that succumb have the charmed status effect applied to them.
Condition: The individuals affected must not resist looking at the user, such as if it has been used before and they remember its effect. If they do not look at them, it does not take root in them specifically.
Condition: The individual must either attempt to charm the user first, or respond positively to their own attempts to charm them, unless it is the mating season.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Weak willed heart Ethnic Gene. (6 points from cost, 1 point per FP for up to 20, 13 points necessary for Charmed)

(E-2) Rational Diversion: +2 to Reason Checks and the 'Ink Cloud' ability.

Ink Cloud I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Lasting, Beneficial, None)
(Natural, 92, EP Blowback)
(Stain [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Lung Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid of ink around themselves that makes those within it gain a boost to their stealth.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Rational Diversion Ethnic Gene.

The poluzhe galanus are usually mostly a translucent yellow with some splotches mixed in, being able to stealth better than any other ethnicity, especially in water, and is more courageous. They typically live in frigid regions, usually underwater.

(E-8) Stealthy Translucent Body: This ethnicity is stealthier than most of their species, and when in water, stealths even better. +2 to general Stealth Checks, +2 to Stealth Checks while in water, and +1 to Courage Checks.

(E-2) Weak willed heart: -2 to Courage Checks, -2 WIL during Mating Season, and has 'The Look' ability.

The Look I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Swift, None, Limiting)
(Natural, 89, EP Blowback)
(Lechery [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Courage Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid around themselves that makes those that look at them that succumb have the charmed status effect applied to them.
Condition: The individuals affected must not resist looking at the user, such as if it has been used before and they remember its effect. If they do not look at them, it does not take root in them specifically.
Condition: The individual must either attempt to charm the user first, or respond positively to their own attempts to charm them, unless it is the mating season.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Weak willed heart Ethnic Gene. (6 points from cost, 1 point per FP for up to 20, 13 points necessary for Charmed)

(E-2) Rational Diversion: +2 to Reason Checks and the 'Ink Cloud' ability.

Ink Cloud I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Lasting, Beneficial, None)
(Natural, 92, EP Blowback)
(Stain [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Lung Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid of ink around themselves that makes those within it gain a boost to their stealth.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Rational Diversion Ethnic Gene.

The okrasa galanus are usually mostly a red color with splotches of orange and black, having the ability to morph between the different sexes and being more charismatic and witty than the other ethnicities. They are usually fairly nomadic, traveling along underground rivers, across underground oceans, and are the most actively enthusiastic ethnicity during their mating season rather than seeing it as primitive urges going beyond intellect and romanticism.

(E-8) Charming Mutable Strong Body: This ethnicity is able to switch up to both sex genes by 1 variation, or one by 2 variation when concentrating, and is more charismatic. +2 to Charisma Checks, and +1 to Wit Checks.

(E-2) Weak willed heart: -2 to Courage Checks, -2 WIL during Mating Season, and has 'The Look' ability.

The Look I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Swift, None, Limiting)
(Natural, 89, EP Blowback)
(Lechery [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Courage Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid around themselves that makes those that look at them that succumb have the charmed status effect applied to them.
Condition: The individuals affected must not resist looking at the user, such as if it has been used before and they remember its effect. If they do not look at them, it does not take root in them specifically.
Condition: The individual must either attempt to charm the user first, or respond positively to their own attempts to charm them, unless it is the mating season.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Weak willed heart Ethnic Gene. (6 points from cost, 1 point per FP for up to 20, 13 points necessary for Charmed)

(E-2) Rational Diversion: +2 to Reason Checks and the 'Ink Cloud' ability.

Ink Cloud I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Lasting, Beneficial, None)
(Natural, 92, EP Blowback)
(Stain [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Lung Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid of ink around themselves that makes those within it gain a boost to their stealth.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Rational Diversion Ethnic Gene.

The belsin galanus are usually mostly a white color with splotches of purple and blue, and is four sizes smaller than the majority of other galanus ethnicities. but if they concentrate they may expand themselves up two sizes larger, still smaller than the other ethnicities, but creating an intimidating show of force. They usually live in small caverns and secluded crater lakes, preferring to keep to themselves mostly, being fairly solitary outside of their mating season.

(E-8) Intimidating Weak-Sized Body: This ethnicity is two sizes smaller than most of their species, and while not concentrating, drops another two sizes. However, they tend to be a lot faster even when concentrating to increase their size, and their overall demeanor and sudden increase in size may be intimidating. +2 MP and +3 to Intimidate Checks.

(E-2) Weak willed heart: -2 to Courage Checks, -2 WIL during Mating Season, and has 'The Look' ability.

The Look I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Swift, None, Limiting)
(Natural, 89, EP Blowback)
(Lechery [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Courage Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid around themselves that makes those that look at them that succumb have the charmed status effect applied to them.
Condition: The individuals affected must not resist looking at the user, such as if it has been used before and they remember its effect. If they do not look at them, it does not take root in them specifically.
Condition: The individual must either attempt to charm the user first, or respond positively to their own attempts to charm them, unless it is the mating season.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Weak willed heart Ethnic Gene. (6 points from cost, 1 point per FP for up to 20, 13 points necessary for Charmed)

(E-2) Rational Diversion: +2 to Reason Checks and the 'Ink Cloud' ability.

Ink Cloud I:
(Self, Cuboid, None)
(Lasting, Beneficial, None)
(Natural, 92, EP Blowback)
(Stain [Perception])
(2 Cost, 1 Attempt, Lung Check)
The user of this ability creates a cuboid of ink around themselves that makes those within it gain a boost to their stealth.
Prerequisites: Galanus Species Genetics and the Rational Diversion Ethnic Gene.

Sexes

While galanus do have all six potential sex genes presenting the nine combinations feasible, primarily the intersex and neuter sexes are more common. Those with more masculine traits tend to have more capability of escape. Those that have feminine traits have more leaping power. Those of more neutered traits having the tallest size, and more athleticism overall.

(m1) Mighty Escapes: +2 on Might Checks, +2 on Escape Checks. [Galanus]

(m2) Tech-Savy: 2d10 Daily Mundane Advantage. [Galanus]

(f1) Leaping Strength: +2 on Might Checks, +2 on Leaping Checks. [Galanus]

(f2) Highly Tech-Savy: 2d10 Daily Abeyant Advantage. [Galanus]

(n1) Athletic Strength: +2 on Might Checks, +2 on Athleticism Checks. [Galanus]

(n2) Highly Tech-Savy: 2d10 Daily Abeyant Advantage. [Galanus]

For the sake of this playtest, the rules for food and drink that are optional are not being utilized, and respiration is utilizing the two-fail check mechanic for reducing from one level of respiration to another, rather than the more advanced mechanic.

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