A New Race for SLA Industries

"Every now and then I get one who tries to understand why I do what I do. They come over hesitantly in their DeathSuits and ask why I can't just absorb flux from a gem. I often liken it to the difference between drinking water and drinking a fine wine. Flux tastes different between individuals. I tracked down a feral once in the Cannibal Sectors that had survived untainted in the wilderness. It thought I had come to save it, and I did, but only after savouring its taste. That was the closest to the first one I had. Even now I can remember the feel of the flux building in me. Unfortunately, I never got a second taste. It committed suicide whilst I was sleeping. One of these days I'll find another though and treat it nice, just sipping rather than gorging myself on it."

Mr Lock, Male Chakol Operative (Scout).

Pronounciation: chakle.

Insight:

You woke up, forcing yourself out of the Dark Lament Chrysalis, in to the cold womb of the birthing hall. Vague images of a previous life dwell under your surface thoughts but they are quickly displaced when the Necanthrope walks in to the room. You sense a hunger at the bottom of your stomach until you feel a hostile presence filling your empty thoughts. It lets you know the pain and suffering that you would feel if you were to ever try taking flux from one of Them. As his presence leaves you sense others in your room, all reacting with hunger and then fear as the Necanthrope touches each of their minds.

When everyone has been subdued the door opens again a line of small Ebons enters the room. They are docile, controlled by the Necanthrope or some ancient Ebb ability. There are exactly the right number. The Necanthrope instructs you on the Feeding, whilst the young wait patiently. One by one they are offered, and fed upon with savage hunger. The early memories of any previous life are quickly subdued by the ecstatic pleasure in sampling the flux contained within the children.

The Necanthrope is pleased as it leaves you to your feeding. Its pleasure is manifested through its aura and you feel honoured to have pleased such a venerable one. You know you are merely a pet to them, created out of an unknown desire. However, you have a role to play and if the pleasures are as pleasant as this one, it will be worth it.

Background:

The Chakol is a new development by the Necanthropes to create a creature that can be used to track down rogue and feral Ebons. Created on the Necanthrope planet of Minokesone, they were originally developed to assist the Ebon Guard. However, their development has surpassed their suspected potential and the Necanthrope Society offered up their use to Mr Slayer as Operatives.

The typical Chakol is quiet and thoughtful, lost in their private memories until they are roused by a passing flux scent. Then, unless they are already satiated, they will focus their awareness towards the source of the flux until it has moved away from them, or they have tasted upon it. Unable to rest without flux, a tired Chakol will turn hostile and mean spirited against those it passes. It will snap at any criticism or comment, recovering its thoughtful mood once it has eaten.

Although created by Necanthrope Society, Chakols are feared and disliked by both Ebons and Brain Wasters. Both races will keep their distance from any Chakols, preferring even each other's company to that of the Chakols. The Chakol takes this in its stride, ignoring the feelings of the Ebb user, whilst undertaking the task at hand. Chakols have adapted to Operative life with ease as it brings them across many people and creatures from whom they can absorb flux from. The Chakol also likes to experience new situations and tastes of flux. Chakols can successfully train in any package but they prefer either stalking their target (Investigation and Interrogation or Scout) or fighting up close to any possible source of flux (Kick Murder or Strike).

Appearance:

The Chakol is small and at first glance appears to be a human, although bald and with very pale skin. At closer glance they have unblinking eyes that are a deep midnight blue and teeth that are almost black. They have no hair anywhere, not even eyebrows, instead having a slight ridge in their bone structure above each eye. They also have nails that are blackened and naturally come to a point, especially on the index fingers. The eyes tend to lighten slightly as the Chakol absorbs more flux. Any Chakol with twenty or more flux will have light blue eyes.

Most Chakols are very thin, with a skeletal appearance to their bone structure. They have very little body fat and rely on layers of clothing to keep themselves warm. Only those who have a regular income of Flux are able to gain any weight on their body. Occasionally one will get a DNA tattoo of a glyph on their forehead, normally a single symbol reflecting their outlook on life. Examples include the glyphs for Corruption, Absorption, Infection, Contagion and Extraction.

Interaction:

Chakols on:

Humans: "So versatile and unpredictable as a race, you never know how to react to an individual. One will help you out, whilst another will curse you. Fascinating."

Frothers: "Loud, violent and unsubtle. Their reliance on drugs and their psychotic nature is undesirable. I am surprised that Sla stills permits them."

Ebons: "Meek, mild and pathetic. Overly emotionable, they have the greatest potential but are too self-absorbed to realise it."

Brain Wasters: "The true masters of the Ebb even if they are a little volatile. I have great respect for the skills and the taste of their flux is exquisite."

Shaktars: "Full of purpose and direction, they are thoughtful and considerate of their actions. Pity that they do not have an excess of Flux."

Wraith Raiders: "We are both hunters and yet we can never seem to accept each other. Maybe it is a competitive thing."

Stormers: "A perfect design of rage and brutality. I would love to see what Dark Lament could do to enhance them."

Vevaphons: "Their focused control of every cell is impressive, but their actual purpose is questionable."

Evolved Carrien: "Quiet, watchful, adaptable. There is much to learn from them."

Base Skills:

Detect (CONC) 2, Martial Arts (DEX) 1, Persuasion (CHA) 1, Intimidate (DIA) 1, SLA Info (KNOW) 1, Evaluate Opponent (KNOW) 2.

System Notes:

STR 5-8, DEX 5-10, DIA 5-11, CONC 5-10, CHA 5-9, COOL 5-12, FLUX 0 (see Abilities)
Breaking Point: COOL x2

Movement: Walk 1, Run 2, Sprint 3 (+0.3 for running skill)
Encumbrance: M 13+2xSTR, PM x2, NM x3
Height: Min 1.65m, Av 1.80m, Max 1.95m
Weight: Min 52.5kg, Av 60.5kg, Max 72.5kg
Disadvantage: Bad Reputation 2, Ebons and Brian Wasters.

Abilities:

Flux:

Chakols are one of the few sentient races that have 0 FLUX. They require at least 1 FLUX during the time they are awake, otherwise they become stressed and can not sleep. Preferably they require more than 1 FLUX, especially if they are stressed or injured. It is impossible for a Chakol to sleep if they are still at 0 FLUX.

Absorb Flux:

Chakols have the ability to absorb flux from sentient creatures. Besides a basic amount of food and water, Chakols effectively live off flux. They can absorb flux by touching any wounded person. Direct contact must be made between the Chakol's body and either the wound or a line of fresh blood leading to the wound. For people with more than one point of flux, it is absorbed at a rate of one point per phase of contact. The Chakol can also absorb flux within the radius of their Sense Flux ability, but only if the person has died within the last four minutes (and the flux has not been absorbed by any other Chakol).

Sense Flux:

The Chakol has an innate ability to sense Flux within a 1.5m radius. The Chakol also gains an indication of the amount of Flux, be it Normal (1 FLUX), Ebon (10+ FLUX) or Vast (30+ FLUX). This is a passive ability for them and can only be blocked by full environmental armours or structures. The Chakol is unaware of the direction of the flux, but can attempt a Diagnose roll to determine the specific person (2d10+DIA; 20+ required). Chakols with an excess of FLUX can increase the range of their sensing by a further 1.5m for each 1 FLUX they spend. This increased range last for their CONC in minutes and the FLUX is lost at the end of the duration. A Chakol can not increase the range if this would use their last point of FLUX.

Healing:

Chakols do not heal naturally and are not affected by Kick Start.Instead a Chakol must use flux to heal. Ebb healing works as normal and is the only way a Chakol can absorb flux from an Ebon, without it causing stress to the Ebon. Otherwise the Chakol can use any Excess flux they have gathered to heal themselves. Each point of flux will heal first one wound, then one location hit, then one total hit. Healing takes 1 round per wound or hit point. Additionally each wound requires a CONC test (2d10+CONC; 20+ required) to be successful. Numerous attempts can be made, but each requires 1 round of concentration.

Drugs:

The Chakol are subjected to the following restrictions on drugs.

Combat Drugs: The Chakol dislikes taking any Combat Drugs as they block the Sense Flux ability for the duration.

Soft Drugs: The Chakol see Soft Drugs as a distraction, which they are unlikely to indulge in unless they have gained their required 1 FLUX. Drum is an exception which the Chakol try to stay clear of as it destroys any flux they have, but doesn't re-set the time since they last slept. For example a Chakol who has been awake for 16 hours and who takes Drum, would recover from the drug but would count as being awake for 19 hours (and take stress accordingly).

Medical Drugs: The Chakol does not benefit from any strain of Kick Start, although they can use any of the other Medical Drugs to full effect. Kick Start Karma is a poison to Chakols, causing one Total Hit and +1 P.S. (Potential Stress) for every dose injected.

Stress:

Chakols gain stress in the usual ways with the following alterations.

* If no Flux gained within 18 hours of waking +1 P.S.
* If no Flux gained within 24 hours of waking +1 A.S. +1 P.S.
* For every 6 hours without Flux beyond 24 hours +1 A.S. +1 P.S.

The Chakols suffers from an additional +1 A.S. in the following situations:

* Meeting a Necanthrope who is angry
* Entering a FoldShip
* Meeting a Necanthrope who hates you
* Being attacked by a Necanthrope

The Chakol is not affected by the following stressful situations:

* Running out of Flux
* Not seeing any friends for a week
* Not seeing any members of your race for a week

The Chakol can not recover Stress through the use of Drum, getting drunk or stoned, binge eating or shopping for any non Dark Lament item. A Chakol will recover 1 Stress if they go to sleep with 10 or more Flux. An additional 1 Stress is recovered for every point of Flux beyond 10.

Extras

Further Interaction:

Humans on Chakols: "They are unnatural, you can tell it in eyes. Especially from the way they stare at you. Mind you I'm glad I'm not an Ebon."

Frothers on Chakols: "They're a bit quiet and always look down on us because of our drugs, but otherwise I don't really have a problem with them."

Ebons on Chakols: "They are unnatural, but if they have the blessing of the Necanthropes I guess they are okay. I wish they wouldn't keep staring at us though."

Brain Wasters on Chakols: "I caught one staring at me once. I smashed a glass through its hand."

Shaktars on Chakols: "They are mysterious creatures. I am not sure how to treat them yet. Their habits are disturbing."

Wraith Raiders on Chakols: "They are like parasites, living off their prey endlessly. I keep away from them."

Stormers on Chakols: "They are loyal to Dark Lament. I am loyal to Karma, but we are both loyal to Mr Slayer. I also know I could rip their heads off if needed."

Vevaphons on Chakols: "I don't know why Dark Lament bothered."

Evolved Carrien on Chakols: "Sinewy. Go for the plump ones they taste better, once gutted and steamed over a low heat for a few hours."

The absorbing of Flux by a Chakol is quite traumatic. Most races will suffer from +1 P.S. from the Chakol absorbing their flux. If they know that the Chakol is living off their life essence this is increased to +2 P.S. Ebb users who loose flux suffer from +1 A.S. +1 P.S. This applies even if the Ebon is letting the Chakol have their flux willingly. If they run out of Flux they also suffer from the standard +3 P.S. Anyone who is at zero flux will be at -2 to any CONC or DIA tests versus the stat or any related skills. The Flux is recovered once they have slept.

Dark Lament Equipment:

With the Chakol, Dark Lament has released a range of clothing for them. The Chakols suffer from feeling the cold, especially in the mornings when they have just awoken. They prefer to wear numerous layers of tight clothing, concealing their whole bodies except for the hands and faces. They also don't like being restricted inside of conventional armours as it prevents them from absorbing flux by touching their victims. Their preferred type of clothing is thin and tight to the skin.

Dark Lament has created a range of clothing, made from inert Science Friction material, that allows the Chakol to absorb flux through the material. Most of the clothing is black or very dark coloured, and is often skin tight with few pockets. Some have additional straps which can be wrapped around limbs and the torso, keeping the clothing tight to the Chakol and also allowing for equipment to be placed under the loops. The clothing is also slightly armoured. Multiple layers can be worn, but after a few layers it becomes a bit too cumbersome. Non Chakols can wear the clothing, but the inert Science Friction material will feel uncomfortable and restricting, especially to Bio-genetics and those used to wearing a DeathSuit.

Cost: 100c per layer. Each layer has ID(Torso) 3, ID(Arms) 2, ID(Legs) 2. It also has PV of +1, which is cumulative only with other inert Science Friction clothing. Example: Kol has five layers of SciFri clothing giving him PV 5, ID(Torso) 15, ID(Arms) 10, ID(Legs) 10.

Each layer beyond the fifth layer reduces DEX by one point. Chakols can also wear DeathSuits, but as they do not have access to any Ebon Guard abilities they have to pay for their upgrade at a Dark Lament store (1000 credits per each evolution and 5 credits per ID point of repair. Additionally the suit will never be bonded to the Chakol or gain sentience.