'Breed

'Breed are probably the most hated and truly despised life form on all of Tharkold. The Race feel that they are yet another degradation at the hands of the demons. The Tharkoldu see them as the Race's attempt to weaken the demons as a whole. Neither side will accept them, and both call them an abomination. The 'Breed are hated by both sides because they are of both sides: 'Breed is a derogatory abbreviation for Half-breed. They are a mixture of both Race and Tharkoldu, both human and demon. How this came about is unknown. It should be impossible for humans and demons to interbreed, much less interbreed true. But the very existence of the 'Breed proves that humans and demons _are_ compatible, at least in genetics if not in ideologies.

This hatred has placed the 'Breed in an interesting position in the War. Being living proof that human and demon can work together, the 'Breed are the only beings on Tharkold that belive in peace, understanding, and equality. This alone is reason enough for Race and Tharkoldu to destroy them on sight.

Due to the interaction of human and demon, the flesh of the 'Breed is not as stable as that of the parent races. The 'Breed are more prone to genetic disorders such as albinism, physical deformities, or even flesh so sensitive that normal water will eat away at it like acid. Most 'Breed are horribly deformed, with human, demon, animal, and unknown features mixing in a most haphazard way. It is a very rare 'Breed that can pass for human for long.

But while flesh is their curse, it is also their strength. All 'Breed possess a limited form of shapeshifting that grants them a second and more powerful "Wild Form." The "Wild Form" usually enhances one of the physical stats, though mental enhancements are common among 'Breed magicians. Less common is a spiritual enhancement - there have only been three in recorded 'Breed history. (It should be noted that 'Breed live much longer than humans, possibly as long as demons.) Charisma is never enhanced in the "Wild Form". In fact, in their "Wild Form" the 'Breed actually becomes more monstrous, as their natural abilities and appearance is enhanced to make them more fierce. In areas with a magic axiom below 12, the 'Breed lose their "Wild Form" and all its benefits. They also lose any disabilities due to their mixed parentage such as damage from light or water. They do retain their standard form though, with all of its deformities.

Core Earth has stories of creatures of the night stealing human children and leaving monster babies behind. In Tharkold, these stories of "changelings" run much deeper. Since the more human-looking 'Breed may walk among the Race undetectable in the low magic zones that the Race call home, many of them do so, and will marry, and even have children. Though technically 'Breed, these children appear perfectly normal and exhibit no magical abilities for as long as they reside in the low magic areas. Many a Race soldier has heard stories of two buddies finding shelter during a fight only to discover that the current occupant has "changed" in the heat of battle into some horrible flesh eating beast, killing one before dying at the hands of the other. Most of these stories can be attributed to battle fatigue, guilt over desertion, and the willingness of the Race to see those that are different from what they are as evil. But the actual number of the "changelings" is higher than the Race leaders are willing to admit, even to themselves...

Domain: Due to the fact that they can survive in areas of low magic and are usually capable of defending themselves from the occasional demon hunting party, 'Breed can be found anywhere on Tharkold, from the heart of the Free Nations to the center of Dzis itself. Due to the fact that they are not well liked in either of these regions, the 'Breed are most often found in the most desolate of the Dead Lands, avoiding most other sentients out of fear. Many 'Breed have made their way to the realm on Core Earth in an attempt to escape the oppression of their home cosm.

Standard 'Breed

DEXTERITY 8
Dodge 11, Melee weapons 10, Unarmed Combat 10, Stealth 12
STRENGTH 10
TOUGHNESS 15
PERCEPTION 8
Find 10, Languages 9
MIND 8
CHARISMA 7
Taunt 10
SPIRIT 9
Faith (Peace) 10, Intimidate 12
Additional Skills: two at +2 adds
Possibility Potential: some (20)
Natural Tools: Most 'Breed exhibit some form of claws or fangs or horns in their normal form, and some 'Breed will gain natural weaponry only in their "Wild Form", while he more human-looking 'Breed have them in neither form, damage value STR+3/13

Note: These numbers are for the 'Breed in normal form. In "Wild Form", the 'Breed adds one package (three points) to a single stat, also increasing the skills based on that stat. This stat is chosen before play, and once set, it never changes. Possibility rated 'Breed may have more than one package in their "Wild Form" at a cost of one possibility per adventure. These enhancements are due to the Law of Ferocity, and while in "Wild Form", the 'Breed must act accordingly: all attacks MUST be all out, and all other interactions will be violent in the extreme. This is why physical enhancements are the most common. It requires one full round of concentration to change between forms, something many 'Breed have difficulty with (Willpower DV 12) in their "Wild Form". The thing to remember with the 'Breed is variety. No two should look alike. Many of them may be similar, and all of them are basically humanoid in standard form, but there will always be something that makes them different from the rest.

Return to the Creatures Page

Return to the TORG page

Return to the Home Page