Rebel Roleplayers Alliance

Proteans

Proteans are silicon-based lifeforms native to Nathas I - a cold, airless world in the Questal sector. They appear as amorphic blobs of clay-like matter, approximately 80 to 150 kilograms in mass depending on maturity. They ingest all essential elements by surrounding their meal and absorbing it into their matter. There it is broken down into constituent molecules that the Proteans need to survive. Waste particles are exuded in a fine liquid slime that gradually evaporates.

Like many lifeforms, Proteans use oxygen to help fuel their metabolism. On their airless world, they synthesize the oxygen trapped in the rocks, using their great strength to crack open and grind the stones into a fine powder. Proteans use this absorption technique to both "breathe" and fee.

While they can survive in a vacuum, Proteans cannot do so indefinitely. They require gravity to maintain their shape. A Protean stranded in space will eventually expand beyond its limits, tearing apart its nerve and circulatory cluster in a slow organic explosion.

The Proteans were studied briefly by Imperial scientists when the world was first surveyed, but since Nathas I has no strategic value or emarkable ores, it was soon passed over.

Attribute Dice:	13D
Attribute Minimums / Maximums:
DEXTERITY:	1D / 3D+2
KNOWLEDGE:	1D / 2D+2
MECHANICAL:	1D / 2D+2
PERCEPTION:	3D / 4D+2
STRENGTH:	3D / 5D
TECHNICAL:	1D / 2D+2
Size:	80-150 kilograms in mass
Move:	9 / 10
Homeworld:	Nathas I
Source:	Alien Encounters p.118-120

Special Abilities:
Chemical and Tactile Communication:		Although they can vocalize, Proteans communicate through touch and chemical exchange. They cannot communicate to non-Proteans.
Shape-Shifting:		A Protean can alter its shape. It cannot alter its mass. It can reform its shape to fit into a space as small as 30 centimeters wide. It can mimic most rocky materials. A shape-shifter that performs an Easy shape-shiftingcan produce a weapon from its form, with added spikes, which increase brawlingdamage by +2D. When a Protean conceals itself as a rock-like form, passers by must make successfulPerceptionor searchrolls against the Protean's shape-shiftingto detect it. The Protean receives bonus modifiers if the searchers are unfamiliar with the nature of the Protean or the native rocks.
Special Skills:
Shape-Shifting (A):		Time to use: Varies, depending on the shape; generally 1-10 minutes. This is an advanced skill (A). The Protean can assume complex shapes. Simple geometric shapes, like cubes or spheres, are Very Easy to replicate. A basic humanoid form is Difficult to replicate, additional details add more modifiers to the difficulty. Proteans roll this skill when assuming the new form. They don't have to roll to maintain the new form or to resume their normal state.
Story Factors:
Primitive:		Beginning Protean characters cannot place any dice in Mechanicalor Technicalskills. They are limited in their selection of Knowledgeskills as well.

Gamemaster Notes:

It is recommended that player characters do not play Proteans.

Notes:

A favorite attack of a hungry Protean is the smother attack. The Protean typically hides as a rock form, lying in wait for unwitting prey. If a potential meal comes within reach, the Protean strikes, enveloping it.

To simulate this tactic, have the Protean make a successful brawlingattempt against a character's dodge. If it succeeds, the Protean does no damage, but has trapped the prey. It then smothers the character, who must make three Difficult Strength attempts to break free. If the victim fails the three attempts, the Protean begins dealing STR damage. If the Protean is having difficulty subduing the enveloped prey, it will grow "teeth" (Easy shape-shiftingroll), increasing it damage by +2D.

Note that the enveloped victim will eventually suffocate if he doesn't break free. A difficult Strength or Dexterity is needed to draw any weapons. An Incapacitated total against the Protean forces it to release its victim.

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