OILKIN Seemingly normal in outward appearance, oilkin have black sticky blood that smells faintly of tar and greasy, rainbow-sheen sweat that is slippery like industrial lubri- cants. Their physiochemical adaptations make them more resistant to toxins and other chemical hazards, but they are dependent on drinking oil. Thus, they must still stick to living in air-filled biomechanoids and custodians or the jury-rigged arcologies of sealed factories jutting up from the ocean floor, intermittently traveling down into the Pole of Metal to forage or trade. Prejudice against the oilkin is less intense than other polar mutants face, chiefly due to the lack of obvious exter- nal signifiers. A surprising number live in the lowest rungs of Loran society, descended from tunnel tribes integrated into the populace during the city’s origin pilgrimage. Oth- ers picked up the mutations as a result of a lifetime spent working outside the safety of Loran’s life-support Charms. Given how dirty such jobs are, some mutants go unnoticed for years, while others remain officially ignored so long as they keep their condition to themselves. Mutations (0 points) Chemical Resistance (Pox): Oilkin add half their (Stamina + Resistance) as bonus successes (rounded down) on all rolls to resist the effects of exposure to hazardous chemicals or poisons, as well as rolls to hold their breath. This doesn’t help against poisons created by living beings, like animal venom or plant toxins. The mutation makes oilkin blood a viscous black substance, as revealed by most non-bashing damage. Oil Sweat (Pox): Whenever oilkin overheat, fail a Valor check or choose to sweat in a stressful situation, their skin oozes an iridescent slippery secretion that provides a -1 ex- ternal penalty on efforts to grapple them (unless absorbed by thick clothing). Until cleaned, the secretions are distinctly inhuman. Oil Thirst (Debility): Oilkin drink oil instead of water to stave off thirst, requiring 50% more fluid per day than normal humans. They cannot suffer harm from drinking any oil sub- stance, regardless of its toxicity or usual caustic properties. Oils extracted from plants or rendered fat suffice.
