Transhuman Space Templates

DISCLAIMER "Some of the material presented here is my original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.  GURPS is a registered trademark of Steve Jackson Games, and the art here is copyrighted by Steve Jackson Games. All rights are reserved by Steve Jackson Games. This material is used here in accordance with the Steve Jackson Games online policy. Template descriptions and GURPS Third Edition statistics are copyrighted by Steve Jackson Games, and are reproduced here with permission."


Upgrades

Genetic upgrades are the product of eugenic genetic engineering.  A genetic upgrade is completely human, but his genes were selected to emphasize particular traits.


Alpha 41 points
 Attribute Modifiers: DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Appearance: Attractive [4]; Longevity [2]; Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]
Features: No Appendix; Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Mental Instability
Description: The Alpha was the first commercially successful genetic upgrade certified to be error-free. It has been widely licensed and pirated. Careful eugeneering ensures an attractive, athletic, healthy individual. There are 40 million living Alphas.
Reference: Transhuman Space Page 115.



Germline Improvement Modification (Pre-Alpha) 7 points
 Attribute Modifiers: HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Longevity [2]; Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]
Disadvantages: Low Pain Threshold (Adult Onset) [-10]
Features: No Appendix; Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Mental Instability
Description: An obsolete human genetic=upgrade design, the Germline Improvement Modification - commonly called the "pre-Alpha" - is found all over the world. A simple genemod, the side-effect of extreme pain sensitivity does not emerge until maturation. While the technique has long been superseded by the Alpha upgrade, unscrupulous doctors in the developing world sometimes use the pre-Alpha process but charge for an Alpha, knowing they will be long gone before the side-effects become apparent.
Reference: Transhuman Space Broken Dreams Page 120.



Hamas (Beta Version) 47 points
 Attribute Modifiers: IQ +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: Per +1 [5]
Advantages: Combat Reflexes [15]; Longevity [2]; Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]; Single-Minded [5]
Disadvantages: Impulsiveness (12) [-10]; Overconfidence (12) [-5]
Features: Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects
Description: One of the genetic upgrade models the Islamic Caliphate is considering as a way to make better citizens, the Hamas series (Hamas roughly means "zeal") is intended to create people to be willing and able defenders of Islam. The upgrade line is not generally available, but 1,000 test subjects have been born in the last 10 years. The current conclusions are that the design still needs work.
Reference: Transhuman Space Broken Dreams Page 120.



Han Chinese Alpha Variant 21 or 23 points
 Attribute Modifiers: HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Appearance: Attractive [4]; Longevity [2]; Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]; Women only: Easy Childbirth [1]; Light Menses [1]
Features: Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Mental Instability
Date: 2055                Cost: $40,000
Description: The Han Chinese are the most common ethnic group in China, and among the upgraded on Mars, this is the most common genotype. It's also used as a baseline for many types of bioroid and parahuman. Licensed from Biotech Euphrates by Xiao Chu, this specific variant has a few additions for women, but lacks the heightened dexterity of the original Alpha upgrade. Han Alphas generally do not regard themselves as a separate society. They're common enough on Mars that they think of themselves as "Martian" first, "Chinese" second, and "Alpha-Series" third or lower.
Reference: Transhuman Space In the Well Page 85.



Helot 12 points
 Attribute Modifiers: HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]
Disadvantages: Broad-Minded [-1]; Humble [-1]; Staid [-1]
Features: Taboo Trait: Aggressiveness; Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Mental Instability; Taboo Trait: Unattractiveness
Description:
Reference: Transhuman Space Fifth Wave Page 118.



Helot II 12 points
 Attribute Modifiers: DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: Will –4 [-20]
Advantages: Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]
Disadvantages: Broad-Minded [-1]; Humble [-1]; Staid [-1]
Features: Taboo Trait: Aggressiveness; Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Mental Instability; Taboo Trait: Unattractiveness
Description:
Reference: Transhuman Space Fifth Wave Page 118.



Ishtar 33 points
 Attribute Modifiers: ST -1 [-10]; DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Alcohol Tolerance [1]; Appearance: Beautiful/Handsome [12]; Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]; Voice [10]
Disadvantages: Overconfidence (12) [-5]; Jealousy OR Selfish (6) [-10]
Features: Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Unattractiveness
Description:
Reference: Transhuman Space Page 116.



Istislaam (Beta Version) 44 points
 Attribute Modifiers: IQ +2 [40]
Advantages: Deep Sleeper [1]; Fearlessness +3 [6]; Longevity [2]; Single-Minded [5]
Disadvantages: Slave Mentality (Only in the presence of an alim -75%) [-10]
Features: Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects
Date: 2090                Cost: $100,000
Description: The second model genetic upgrade the Islamic Caliphate is considering, the Istislaam series (Istislaam roughly means "peaceful submission") is intended to create citizens that are devoted and obedient. As with the Hamas, the Istislaam upgrade is not generally available, but there are about a thousand test subjects in Caliphate countries. the extremely submissive behavior requires imprinting in the first 3 years of life; the test subjects were largely imprinted on religious teachers. When not in the presence of an alim, Istislaam children are bright and calm. When a teacher appears, the behave with slavish deference. The Caliphate believes that this design also needs significant work.
Reference: Transhuman Space Broken Dreams Page 120.



Mahatma 43 points
 Attribute Modifiers: DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Appearance: Attractive [4]; Autotrance [1]; Fearlessness +2 [4]; Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]
Disadvantages: Attentive [-1]
Features: Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects
Description:
Reference: Transhuman Space Fifth Wave Page 119.



Metanoia Series 51 points
 Attribute Modifiers: IQ +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Language Talent [10]; Longevity [2]; Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]; Versatile [5]
Disadvantages: Imaginative [-1]
Features: Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Unattractiveness
Description:
Reference: Transhuman Space 116.



Methuselah 15 points
 Attribute Modifiers: HT +3 [30]
Advantages: Extended Lifespan 1 [2]; Longevity [2]; Resistant to Metabolic Hazards (+3) [10]; Single-Minded [5]
Disadvantages: Epilepsy [-30]; Extra Sleep +2 [-4]
Features: Early Maturation [0]; No Appendix [0]
Description: Another of the early, obsolete human germline upgrades, the Methuselah series was meant as the first serious attempt to extend the human lifespan. In certain respects, the design worked as intended: of the 1 million surviving Methuselahs, most show little sign of their age (largely in their late 40s and 50s), appearing in most respects as adults in their mid-20s. Unfortunately the delicate neurological work required to retain brain plasticity had severe side-effects. Methuselahs need an extra two hours of sleep each night, and are prone to seizures. Standard medications suppressing the symptoms of epilepsy do not work on Methuselahs; research continues on ways to block the attacks. The design is still available, although few parents consider a life of weekly, even daily, seizures a fair price to extend their children's lives.
Reference: Transhuman Space Broken Dreams Page 120.



Olympian 74 points
 Attribute Modifiers: DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Appearance: Attractive [4]; Combat Reflexes [15]; Longevity [5]; Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]; Very Fit [15]
Features: No Appendix; Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Mental Instability
Description:
Reference: Transhuman Space Page 115.



Orion 70 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST +1 [10]; DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Appearance: Attractive [4]; Combat Reflexes [15]; Fearlessness 1 [2]; Fit [5]; High Pain Threshold [10]
Disadvantages: Attentive [-1]; Overconfidence (12) [-5]
Features: Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Mental Instability
Date: 2063                 Cost: Unknown
Description: These genetic upgrades were eugeneered with slight metabolic and glandular modifications designed to burn away excess fat, enhance physical performance, and optimize their crisis response.  A lot of Orion Upgrades find jobs in athletics, emergency services, police work, or in the military.
Reference: GURPS Bio-Tech Page 45.



Salud (Experimental) 57 points
 Attribute Modifiers: HT +3 [30]
Advantages: Immune to Metabolic Hazards [30]; Longevity [2]; Radiation Tolerance (Divisor 5) [10]; Rapid Healing [5]
Disadvantages: Increased Consumption 2 (12 meals per day) [-20]
Features: Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects
Date: 2082                Cost: $150,000
Description: The final experimental genetic upgrade from the Despues de Hombre program in the TSA, the Salud model was intended to be as resistant to toxins and environmental insults as possible. By and large the design functioned as intended, although the need to consume great amounts of food (a side effect of the toxin resistance) proved to be a problem. As the TSA program was destroyed in the Pacific War, it is unknown whether any Salud upgrades survive.
Reference: Transhuman Space Broken Dreams Page 121.



Siduri 48 points
 Attribute Modifiers: ST –1 [-10]; DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Advantages: Alcohol Tolerance [1]; Appearance: Handsome/Beautiful [16]; Resistant to Sickness (+3) [5]; Longevity [2]; Voice [10]
Disadvantages: Overconfidence (12) [-5]; Proud [-1]
Features: Taboo Trait: Genetic Defects; Taboo Trait: Unattractiveness
Description:
Reference: Transhuman Space Page 116.




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