ethn_arcspawn, arcspawn, dark skin, bioluminescent pattern, floating hair, electricity, hair standing on end,
ARCSPAWN The Pole of Lightning borders on uninhabitable, not only for the obvious hazard of metal-vaporizing lightning strikes coruscating through most areas, but also the scarcity of nutri- ent veins. What few human colonies exist are small tribes of mutants lairing in shielded junction boxes, sending out their strongest warrior-gatherers through portals into the Reaches of the Pole of Metal to bring back food and supplies. Fortunately, arcspawn need only half the food and water of normal humans as a result of partially-metabolizing the ionizing radiance of their home. Away from such conditions, their bodies struggle to keep up and require much more food. This hunger alone would make them unwelcome in the Oc- tet, even if they did not also give away their heritage with strangely lithe bodies and uniquely-patterned bioluminescent skin. There is unmistakable beauty to the way these delicate creatures bob and pirouette between surging arcs of plasma without getting struck, but it is a strange beauty abhorrent to the orthodoxy of the Eight Nations. Mutations (0 points) Arcspawn Body (Pox): This mutation encompasses the race’s distinctive elongated limbs and sudden twitchy movements in the presence of lightning, as well as natural subdermal bioluminescence organs. The pattern of electricity- hued lights toggles between torch brightness and complete suppression as a reflexive action. Lightning Metabolism (Pox): Arcspawn need 50% less food and water while within the Pole of Lightning. They require 50% more sustenance away from this energy source. Percentage is based on a normal human’s dietary needs. Arc Dancer (Blight): Arcspawn add a bonus of their (Wits + Perception) to their Dodge DV for the purposes of avoiding an electrical hazard through its Evasion rating. The bonus also applies as extra dice to activate electrical portals (see p. 117). Finally, attacks based on the element of lightning are never unexpected; they intuitively feel the air sizzle in warning just before the flash. Fragile (Debility): For all their agility, arcspawn aren’t durable. Their delicate bones break easily, applying half of all bashing levels suffered in step 10 as lethal damage instead (rounded down). (rounded down). l Frail (Deficiency): Arcspawn can’t have Stamina 3+, Frail (Deficiency): Arcspawn can’t have Stamina 3+, either during character creation or in play. either during character creation or in play.
