PDA

View Full Version : "Leviathan" Fabricated Animal system?



awesomessake
2010-09-01, 01:34 AM
Hi, I was just wondering about a system that allows genetic manipulation, from growing ears out of the backs of rats
Warning, slightly disturbing image. Not for the weak of stomach
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0glZ36CjsHk/TDNmxywsP5I/AAAAAAAAAI8/rUpD_vTjQ4Y/s1600/Mouse%26Ear.jpg You've been warned
Or to an even greater extreme, this....

http://www.keiththompsonart.com/images/full/leviathanapproaches.jpg

http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/chapter4a1.jpg

http://www.keiththompsonart.com/images/full/ascending.jpg
If such a system is non-existent, is such a system possible to homebrew? And if it is, will you guys help me brew it?

vicente408
2010-09-01, 01:47 AM
Love this book, and its setting.

So, basically, a rules system to standardize the creation of genetic mish-mashes? I think it would be difficult to have a very systemized and consistent method of creating things like in Leviathan, considering the sheer number of possibilities. It's not just taking X traits from one animal and Y traits from another and putting them together, many creations have biology that is created completely from scratch, such as the Flechette Bats and the Helium Sniffers.

At least, that's my take on it. If done, you probably wouldn't be able to perfectly replicate what goes on in the setting, but taking inspiration from it at least should lead to a very cool tool. Good luck!

EdroGrimshell
2010-09-01, 01:49 AM
There's Encyclopedia Arcane: Crossbreeding (http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/9/9226.phtml), its 3.0 and 3rd party, but it lets you create new creatures from existing ones using magical rituals. It would be a good start at least.

I believe its by Mongoose Publishing

awesomessake
2010-09-01, 02:07 AM
Love this book, and its setting.!

Second this. It's nice to see a WW1 alt. history instead of another WW2 one. I wonder what america's super power will be. I for one would like to see a US where we followed Tesla instead of Edison. Tesla invented things we still use in electronic devices!
I can't wait for Behemoth, or for KT to come out with artwork for it on his website!
Geekgasm over... for now...



So, basically, a rules system to standardize the creation of genetic mish-mashes? I think it would be difficult to have a very systemized and consistent method of creating things like in Leviathan, considering the sheer number of possibilities. It's not just taking X traits from one animal and Y traits from another and putting them together, many creations have biology that is created completely from scratch, such as the Flechette Bats and the Helium Sniffers.

I know. Still i did find some stuff about mutations in the d20 future (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/msrd).

Could also be another good place to begin..

Brings up another question though, would the fabricated beasts be animals or aberrations? Or living constructs?

Oh and PS, there was a really cool RPG site that was about either moogles, or halflings or something... Somethingpedia, and it had a really kick but custom creature generator. If anyone could tell me the site (if it still exists) i would be grateful.

awesomessake
2010-09-01, 02:49 AM
I homebrewed a flechette bat. The first monster i homebrewed on this site! It's not so hard because it's really basic. I don't know it's challenge rating now, so if anyone could PEACH it, i would be grateful.

Flechette Bat
Size/Type: Diminutive Animal
Hit Dice: Ό d8 (1 hp)
Initiative: +2 Speed: 5 ft (1 square), fly 40 ft. (good)
Armor Class: 16 (+4 size, +2 Dex), touch 16, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/-17 Attack: — Full Attack: —
Space/Reach: 1 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Blindsense 20 ft., low-light vision
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +2
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 4
Skills: Hide +14, Listen +8*, Move Silently +6, Spot +8*
Feats: Alertness Environment: Temperate deserts Organization: Colony (10-40) or crowd (10-50)
Challenge Rating: 1/10 Advancement: — Level Adjustment: —

Combat
Blindsense (Ex)
A bat notices and locates creatures within 20 feet. Opponents still have 100% concealment against a creature with blindsense.

React to Light: A flechette bat will become violent and eratic when it see's red light. It will attack anything that has red light shining on it.

Flechettes: If you feed a Flechette bat spikes, it will “drop” them on enemies, dealing 1d4 damage on a successful hit.
Skills

*A flechette bat has a +4 racial bonus on Spot and Listen checks. These bonuses are lost if its blindsense is negated.