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Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9Slow HealerBonus: 10 BPA Slow Healer recuperates from wounds more sluggishlythan normal characters do, taking typically longer to heal wounds,fatigue, and pathogen and toxin effects. Apply a –2 dice poolmodifier to all Healing Tests made by or for the character, includingmagical healing.Striking Skin PigmentationBonus: 5 BPThe character’s skin takes on an unusual color, either in itsentirety or in patches. For example, a black character’s hands, feet,and face may turn Caucasian-pale, a Caucasian character mayacquire brown leopard spots across her neck, shoulders, and arms,or a character’s skin may turn entirely orange, blue, or golden. Thevalue of this quality is contingent on the striking skin color beingobvious and visible, and affecting a character’s chances of beingnoticed, recognized, or encountering prejudice.This metagenetic quality is incompatible with dermal sheathingand bioware skin augmentations.Stubby ArmsBonus: 5 BPInstead of normal arm length, the character has stubby armsresulting from skeletal dysplasia. If wielding a melee weapon incombat, reduce the weapon’s Reach by 1. In addition, the reducedlength of the arms imposes a –1 dice pool modifier for all non-Combat Tests requiring limberness and dexterity with the armsor hands (at the gamemaster’s discretion).SymbiosisBonus: 10 BPIf the character sets up residence in a certain location for asustained period of time (more than a season, though the gamemasterdetermines the specific time period) she gradually becomesattuned to the place and her surroundings. While this grants thecharacter a preternaturally intuitive understanding of the environmentand its inhabitants, the bonding can be fatal when it occursin polluted or desolate urban environments.In game terms, the character’s biorhythm and senses graduallyadapt to the environment (Essence x 500 meters) around herpermanent residence—the place where she spends most of hertime. The character has little control over this symbiotic bonding,but may resist the process each month with a successful Body +Willpower (3) Test (though such characters often feel incompleteor lost when unattuned). Once the bond is formed, it can only bebroken if the character changes her home to form a new bond.Symbiosis provides the character with preternatural insightand connection to everything living within her sphere of attunement.This grants her a +1 dice pool modifier on any Skill Testfrom the Outdoor Group as well as a modifier to all Social Testswith individuals residing within the area. In addition, the characterpossesses an intuitive grasp of what’s going on around herand is emotionally affected by the condition of the land. If a firebreaks out, she will instantly become alarmed. If all inhabitants inthe area coexist peacefully, she will be blissful and healthy. On theother hand, environmental and social problems—like drug abuse,gang violence, and pollution—will produce a somatic response inthe character, leaving her sick and depleted (treat as a persistentMild Allergy until the situation is rectified).Symbiosis should be seen as chance for storytelling as muchas a form of enhancing or impairing a character.Third EyeBonus: 5 BPA third eye appears in the middle of the character’s forehead.This eye incurs no vision modifiers, except that the character maystill perceive depth with one eye closed. Even when the third eyeis closed, an onlooker can detect its presence with a Perception(2) Test.Third Eye is incompatible with Cyclopean Eye (p. 117) andincurs social modifiers (see Freaks sidebar, p. 110).ThornsCost: 10 BPHard, sharp protrusions a centimeter long protrude throughthe character’s skin. These points resemble plant thorns. Theyare, in fact, a modified form of keratin growing naturally from asubdermal layer and painfully emerging from under the skin. Theyregrow over a few days if cracked or broken.Thorns make the character mildly more dangerous in unarmedcombat. Add +1 die to the Damage Value of any Unarmedattack. Unfortunately, the character is in constant discomfort(+1 to all Physical Tests) which varies from pain when a thornemerges through the skin to itchiness when they harden and drywith time. The character must have clothing that accommodatesher unusual physique and may require customization of certaingear (like armor).Unusual HairBonus: 5 BPThe character’s hair changes to an unusual color or texture, orgrows from her body in unusual patterns or areas. For example, acharacter’s hair may be naturally violet, or she may sport a luxuriouslion-like mane from her head down her shoulders and back, orshe may be entirely covered in a soft, downy fur like the Night Oneelven metavariant or the monkey-like Haruman.Unusual Hair is incompatible with other natural or artificialhair modifications.Vestigial TailBonus: 5 BPA normal or stumpy tail grows from the base of the character’sspine. This tail may be scaly (like a lizard), hairy (like a dogor cat) or hairless (like a rat). The tail may be wagged slightly witheffort, but has no other function.The Vestigial Tail quality is incompatible with the FunctionalTail (p. 113), cybernetic or bioware tails.new qualities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Runner’s Companion119