The following list of templates are the general templates of their category that are found throughout the Verge and Bleed; it doesn't matter what planet you go to, odds are good that you'll find more than one of the following templates on it. Alternatively, these are templates that aren't tied to any one specific planet, culture, or meta-empire and rather, are seen as ubiquitous in some manner. When selecting a template, remember that you have to pay full cost, but disadvantages on the template don't count towards the hard limit on disadvantages as whole (unless removed and replaced; then they count towards the hard limit on disadvantages).
Stacking TemplatesIt is possible - indeed, it's very likely and it happens all the time in genetic facilities - to stack some of the templates. In general, the genetic upgrades can be freely stacked with one another and can be stacked with the parahuman templates. While the genetic upgrades may be used for androids or bioshells it's relatively rare; generally, parahuman templates are preferred for that. Obviously, the uplifted, neogenic, and many animal templates can't be stacked because their physiologies are so different, although the GM has the final word. |
MEta-Traits
The following section details meta-traits, most of which are new for this game.
Basic BiomodsBasic biomods are the suite of modifications that all individuals get as a consequence of existing in the modern world. These are often mandated by medical insurance plans and often required to enter many space stations for health and safety reasons. they consist of a suit of geneticially modified bacteria, nanoviruses, and other microorganisms that alter the human microbiome in a number of beneficial ways, as well as a number of implanted nano-hives. Many of the more basic of these mods are included in some templates, but the overall meta-trait represents the whole suite of implants. Individuals with basic biomods have Pan-Immunity, do not develop cancer, are resistant to bio-nanomachines and nanovirusees, can regulate their own reproduction and fertility, and have a fully sanitized metabolism, along with other advantages like an extended lifespan and permanent teeth and skin care. Add Immune to Cancer [5], Immune to Known Bacteria [5] Immunity to Known Viruses [5], Resistant to Bio-Nanomachines (+8) [2], Reproductive Control [1], Sanitized Metabolism [1], and the 0-point features Extended Lifespan 1, Teeth don't require maintenance, and doesn't get skin blemishes [0]. 19 points.
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Basic CybermodsBasic Cybermods are a suit of cybernetic modifications that are available to all citizens in most of the developed world. These modifications are actually more rare than biomods simply because biomods are required to enter many habitats and for insurance purposes while cybermods are not, and the overall suspicion towards cyberwear and rumors of cyberwear hacking during the Ascension Crisis/Swarms (as well as stories about how Nariac abuses implants) leaves many suspicious of them. Older individuals may still have the implants, though, and all pods and cybershells come with them pre-installed. They consist of a computer with a DNI, radio communicator, and several other features that most citizens prefer to use wearables for. Add Accessory (Biomonitor) [1], Accessory (Tiny Computer) [1], Cable Jack (XP, +80%) [9]; Photographic Memory (Temporary Disadvantage, Electrical, -20%; Recorded Data Only, -20%) [6], Radio (Reduced Range, x1/10, -30%; Secure, +20%; Temporary Disadvantage, Electrical, -20%) [7]. 24 points.
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Cortical StackThe cortical stack is a piece of equipment that resembles a egg inserted at the base of the neck. It's covered in a coating of hardened diamondoid and transparent alumina, and is kept isolated from other pieces of cyberwear. Once installed, it distributes a network of nanomachines through the brain that monitor changes within the brain, reporting any changes over the course of the day. Every 12 hours, it creates a full backup of a person's consciousness, so if they happen to met with an unhappy ending, the stack can be removed from their body and their brain copy uploaded into another digital device. The cortical stack itself also keeps a copy of the individual's DNA, as well as a list of their modifications and a blueprint of their body in case parts need to be regrown. Repair vats access the stack to repair damage to the body. However, the nanites are not shielded, so if they're exposed to a strong electrical field, it deletes the original backup and a new one has to be made which means it takes twice as long. Add Accessory (Cortical Stack) [1], Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -40%; Temporary Disadvantage, Electrical, -20%) [5]. 6 points.
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Android BodyAndroids are biogenically produced humanoid organisms that are born as adults and often undergo extensive deep learning techniques in order to give them the tools that they'll need to learn how to navigate the worlds. Many androids are younger than the look, and while they look human, most have some very obvious features that give them away, with the perfect facial symmetry being the most obvious. Others are designed to be obviously non-human deliberately. Androids cannot reproduce and are all sterile, and a close analysis of their genome reveals things like copyright information in the intron sequences that the designers left in, as well as artificial chromosomes with "slots" for genetic modules to be implanted and other signs of artificiality, like implanted nanofactories that produce the proteins that weren't coded into the artificial genome. Add No Deterioration in Zero-G [1], Unusual Biochemistry [-5], and the 0-point features Intro Messages (copyright data) [0] and Sterile [0]. -4 points.
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Cybercore BodyA cybercore is an android body that is grown but lacks a brain, or is grown with a non-functioning brain that is subsequently removed. In its place technicians put a computerized digital brain, also called a cyberbrain, which has the software that it needs to run the virtual machine that digital mind emulations are loaded into and ran off of. The cybercore is one of the most common variants of bodies, since there are so many digitals in the Verge and Bleed that need bodies and the act of imprinting and copying a conscious from a computer to a biological brain takes hours, and it's faster to simply upload from a computer onto a different computer. Cybercores are functionally indistinct from their biological counterparts with the exception that they never have to worry about trauma to the brain. Add Accessory (Tiny Computer) [1], Android Body [-4], Electrical (Partial; Skull hit locations only, -70%) [-6], Immunity to Metabolic Hazards (Partial; skull hit locations only, -70%) [9]. 0 points.
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Pod BodyPods are mass produced cybercores. Rather than take the time to grow one body a time, pods are grow parts of the human body in an assembly line fashion, and then piece those parts together using cybernetics once the pod is completely grown. Pods were originally very controversial during Le Belle Epoque since it the resources existed to just grow bodies, but in the wake of the Nanoswarms and the Ascension Crisis, and with the hundreds of trillions of infogees, it's become economical Pod quality tends to be hit or miss; some pods are exquisitely designed and high quality, while others are low end and specious. And then there are the pods derived from alien genetics, which really skew the average. Pods are distinguishable because they have "seams" where they were fit together that makes them look very artificial. Add Absolute Direction (Requires Signal, -20%) [4]; Android Body [-4], Immunity to Metabolic Hazards (Partial, Skull hit locations only, -70%) [9]; Vulnerability (Electricity x2; Fatigue Only, -50%) [-15]. -4 points.
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AI Meta-TraitAI Meta-trait appears on page B263 and is included here for the sake of completeness. Add Absolute Timing [2], Digital Mind [5], Doesn't Sleep [20], Intuitive Mathematician [5], Photographic Memory [10], and Reprogrammable [-10]. 32 points.
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Cybershell BodyThe cybershell body meta-trait includes a number of features that are unique to cybershell. This must be taken with the Machine meta-trait. Note that while cybershells often have necks, these are functionally no different from the rest of the torso, hence the advantage. Add Injury Tolerance (No Neck) [5] and Electrical [-20]. -15 points.
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MAchineMachine Meta-trait appears on page B263 and is presented here for completeness. Add Immunity to Metabolic Hazards [30]; Injury Tolerance (No Blood, Unliving) [25]; Unhealing (Total) [-30], and several 0-point advantages including an eight-hour energy reserve instead of needing to eat that can be modified by appropriate advantages and disadvantages; does not possess and cannot spend fatigue points; and does not age but instead wears out. 25 points.
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