Humanity has modified some of its basic genetic makeup into different Genotypes.
Description
As humanity spread throughout space, it encountered environments which were increasingly more hostile towards our form and function. On occasion, we may have been able to adjust these environments to suit our frail needs, but as technology continued to advance, we soon discovered that it was far easier to simply adjust humanity to suit the environment. Thus, via genetic modification, new “genotypes” of humans began to rise and spread throughout the systems.
Humanity found that we required a boost in evolution in order to survive. We decided that we could not wait around for evolution, we thus took our mutations into our own, hopefully not incapable, hands.
Introduction
A very wise and gifted old man once stated:
Mutation: it is the key to our evolution. It has enabled us to evolve from a single-celled organism into the dominant species on the planet. Its process is slow, and normally taking thousands and thousands of years. But every few hundred millennia, evolution leaps forward.
While we do have the utmost respect for the afore-quoted gentleman, the denizens of Tau Station’s ‘verse have taken a slightly more extropian approach. Born of necessity and the need to survive in the new situations that arise when one seeks to colonize new star systems with their own idiosyncratic gravities, atmospheres, and a whole host of new dangers, humanity bio-engineered its own evolution.
Read on below to discover Tau Station’s Genotypes!
As humanity spread throughout space, it encountered environments which were increasingly more hostile towards our form and function. On occasion, we may have been able to adjust these environments to suit our frail needs, but as technology continued to advance, we soon discovered that it was far easier to simply adjust humanity to suit the environment. Thus, via genetic modification, new “genotypes” of humans began to rise and spread throughout the systems.
Variety, they say, is the spice of life. Humanity found that new spices were needed and new varieties required in order for our evolution to survive. We decided that we could not wait around for evolution, we thus took our mutations into our own, hopefully not incapable hands. However, with new types of people joining the ranks of humanity, will this also bring new types of prejudices?
Baseline
These are standard humans, derisively referred to as "Basics" by those with genemods. They have no particular strengths or weaknesses compared to other breeds. The vast majority of humanity is Baseline.
All genotypes except Baseline have one stat with +5% bonus, one +2% bonus and a -5% handicap.
Belter
Originally bred to exist in low-G environments, belters have been augmented to offset the lack of natural stimulation of muscles by gravity. Belters tend to be tall and thin and often resort to bionics when in normal G environments. Some belters have gone to extremes and have no legs, whether surgically or genetically removed.
Belters are very agile. They have somewhat better than average stamina, but are not very strong.
- Agility boost: "Nimble Mover" Candy
- Intelligence boost: "Deep Thinker" Cordial
Colonist
Originally, some of the first planets colonized were high-G rocky worlds and the settlers on those worlds were modified to handle the extreme environments. They tend to be short, stocky, but not very outgoing. As most of them were planet-based, the vast majority of colonists were wiped out during the Catastrophe. They are a close-knit bunch and are strongly motivated by revenge against the perpetrators of the Catastrophe. Sometimes derisively referred to as "landlubbers."
Colonists are very strong. They have somewhat better than average stamina, but are not very social.
- Strength boost: "Muscle Pump" Paste
- Stamina boost: "Tireless" Tonic
Harsene
The Harsenes (origin of the word is unknown) have been engineered to be extremely intelligent and need less sleep than normal, having a great stamina to pursue their scientific curiosity. Culturally they tend to value knowledge and science and tend to be obsessed with finding the cause of the Catastrophe. Due to their intense focus on the Catastrophe, they get on well with the Colonists.
Harsenes are very intelligent. They have somewhat better than average stamina, but are not very strong.
- Intelligence boost: "Brain Booster" Bites
- Social boost: "Chatterbox" Shake
Mall
The word "mall" is believed to mean "mallet" and is thought to come from an extinct language. The Malls are a breed that are feared and mistrusted by most. They tend to stand around two meters tall and bred for strength and stamina, but they're not the brightest. Oddly, while they tend to be fiercely loyal to individuals who earn their trust, they have little use for politics or other forms of loyalty to society as a whole. Virtually all Malls have extensive combat training, but little military training. They mistrust those who are quick to resort to violence, a common source of confusion for others.
Malls have great stamina. They have somewhat better than average strength, but are not very intelligent.
- Stamina boost: "Last Longer" Chew bar, "Staying Power" seltzer
Patrician
Though the breed name tends to offend, the Patricians nonetheless get on well with almost everyone because they were bred to. They usually have large eyes with youthful looking features, and have a preternatural ability to put people at ease in a one-on-one environment. However, as a group, they tend to be mistrusted. They are widely discriminated against, but nonetheless, everyone is quick to say claim they have a "patsy" friend.
Patricians have excellent social skills. They are somewhat more agile than average, but are not very strong.
- Agility boost: "Quick Feet" Soda
- Social boost: "Smooth Talker" Snack