species_ the extinction

Species: The ExtinctionVersion 1.1

By Charles W. Plemons III (mailto:%[email protected])Produced by the Black Falcon Aerie; http://www.wku.edu/~charles/

Version 1.0 April 28, 1998Version 1.1 May 13, 1998

We made her female so she would be more docile and controllable.~ Xavier Fitch, Species

Author’s Notes

This project is based on the films Species and Species II. Like many of my previous works, Idon't always follow the films to the letter. I have added some of my own ideas based onunexplored aspects of the films. Please visit my web page (http://www.wku.edu/~charles/) forupdates of this and other World of Darkness projects.

This may be freely distributed by anyone in any format as long as credit is given to the authorbut cannot be distributed for profit for any reason.

Known History

Encounter One:

Mankind is not alone in the universe. In January of 1993, man received instructionsfrom an unknown alien intelligence telling how to create a combined alien/human DNA

sequence. Ten human embryos were injected with the DNAsequence, and one was allowed to develop. This creature, codename SIL, grew at an astonishing speed. A decision was made toterminate the project, but SIL escaped the lab, after which thecreature matured and took on the form of a full grown humanfemale. A team was assembled to track down this woman andeliminate her.

SIL was driven by an overwhelming desire to mate. After succeeding to do so, she borea child in an amazingly short period of time. Soon after the birth, both SIL and her

Species: The Extinction

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child were destroyed. Unfortunately, the alien DNA infected a rodent and survived.What became of this alien is unknown.

Encounter Two:

In an effort to study the aliens and defend against them, another embryo was allowed todevelop. This project was simultaneous with man's first steps on Mars. A trace of alien

DNA was accidentally picked up in a soil sample. This DNA wentthrough the rapid growth typically associated with these beingsand broke free. It proceeded to infect two of the three crewmembers. Once they returned to Earth, they were discovered to beinfected, and one crew member was exterminated before she couldcause much damage. However, the other infected member, PatrickRoss, escaped and began to breed.

It was discovered that the second SIL, Eve, had a psychicconnection with Patrick. By exploiting this, a team was able to

track down Patrick and his children. Eve and Patrick succeeded in mating before Patrickkilled her. He was then destroyed using human blood with genetic defects (sicklecellanemia).

Once again, not all of the aliens were destroyed, and one of Patrick's children survived.Also, the child of the union between Eve and Patrick ripped its way from the corpse ofits mother. The fates of these beings are unknown.

Origin and Behavior

The origin of this alien species is unknown. But DNA tracesof it still exist on Mars from millions of years past when itdestroyed the then thriving planet and left it dead. If broughtinto the proper environment, this DNA will develop into a fullSIL.

Each cell of the alien's body contains its entire genetic codewhich can be injected into the cells of other beings like asuper virus. It can replicate at an amazing speed, and it cantake over a human sized host in a few minutes. Once in a host,a SIL has a variety of forms. Its natural form is a writhing massof tentacles. It can also retain the appearance of its host;

however, to a degree, the alien can alter this form at will. This altered state has a thickcarapace-like skin and long tentacles. It still retains the basic shape and residual look of itshost, but it is utterly alien. Also, a "male" SIL is much larger in this form than a "female".

Infection of a host enables an alien to breed with members of the host's species. Driven withan instinct to breed, these beings will continuously pursue this endeavor. The alien can sensegenetic defects in beings and will not mate with them. It has been proven that SIL DNAcannot adapt to flawed DNA, and it will die if exposed to it. A SIL cannot change hosts,because it bonds genetically immediately upon entering a host creature.


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No pureblood alien has yet been encountered. The ones on Earth have acted solely oninstinct, not some grand racial scheme to destroy the Earth. They live to breed and surviveand will destroy anything that tries to stop them. It is not known if there is a SIL society onsome uncharted planet or if they merely act as a virus preying on everything they encounter.

SIL Lifeform

A SIL is a very versatile creature capable of surviving in many extremes.In their natural form, a flowing pseudo-liquid with tentacles, theyappear not to require air. They also seem to exhibit the ability tohibernate indefinitely until a suitable host is found. This is how theyhave survived on Mars when other life forms were unavailable.

In natural form, this alien race cannot breed; however, it can grow at anamazing speed. In Species, one grows from the size of a single cell tothe size of a small room in minutes. Its growth limits are unknown,because it was incinerated soon after. This species is required to bondwith a host and use it to breed.

A SIL is a true symbiote, and most of its advantages come from itsability to bond with any known animal. A SIL cannot use a plant as a host. Once a host istaken, the SIL acquires the instincts and thought processes of the being possessed as well asretaining its own. It can still be mildly influenced by things that normally influence the host,but the SIL is in control, so this is a dangerous endeavor.

If two SILs were to breed (requiring that they possess hosts fertile with one another), theresulting offspring would be a pureblood. Such a creature has never been encountered byman. A pureblood has no host, but it resembles the hybrid form of its parents. This is theonly form this creature has. A pureblood is stronger and faster than its parents, and it isfertile, but only with other purebloods. Note that purebloods do not have to mate with otherpurebloods of the same host species.

Host vs. Grown

A SIL that finds a host has some advantage over a SIL grown in a lab. The SIL automaticallyattains the knowledge of the host, and is aware of what it is. A SIL that is grown doesn't knowexactly what it is and is forced to live by instinct. It also must learn about behavior.Fortunately, a SIL learns rapidly, but it still takes time. If properly isolated, a SIL grown withhuman DNA will not have knowledge of human behavior or language. It has been noted thata SIL grown with human DNA can be appealled to in human terms to a limited degree. Thiswill not work in cases where instinct overrides such thoughts.

Abilities and Characteristics

Carapace: In hybrid host/alien form, a SIL has a carapace covering its body giving it anatural armor rating of 1 for resisting firearms and melee weapons. All purebloods havethis advantage at all times.

Climbing: In hybrid form, a SIL has greatly enhanced climbing abilities. The SIL in


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Species climbed and jumped with astonishing agility. The ability to climb could begreatly affected by the type of host the SIL has acquired.

Enhanced Abilities: The alien species greatly enhances the physical abilities of itshost. Add 2 points to Strength, 1 point to Dexterity, and 1 point to Stamina. The hostretains all memories and knowledge, but it will eventually lose control to the alienbeing. It takes one day per point of Intelligence before the alien asserts itselfcompletely. Meanwhile, the host slowly begins to realize that things are not right. Whenthreatened or presented with an opportunity to mate, the host blacks out and the alientakes control and subsequently the host has no memory of what occurs while the SIL isin control.

A pureblood takes most of its physical attributes from its parents. However, it is largerand more powerful than they, so add 1 point to the Strength and Stamina of the fatherSIL for the attributes of the pureblood child.

Regeneration: The SIL species; extraordinary regenerative capabilities, put even theGarou to shame. The films show the SILs being riddled with bullets yet jumping back totheir feet within seconds. A SIL has as many Health Levels as its host and canregenerate damage at 2 Health Levels per turn. All damage can be regenerated, even ifreduced to 0 Health unless the damage is aggravated. Even lost limbs can be regeneratedin record time. SILs are vulnerable to fire, acid, supernatural attacks, and particularly soto genetic defects in DNA. Such used against them causes aggravated damage. Forexample, in Species II a SIL is killed when pierced by a pitchfork tipped with bloodcontaining defective DNA.

Tentacles: A SIL can utilize its tentacles in any form. For a pure SIL with no host,tentacles are the only means of movement and attack. In human host form, tentaclesgenerally sprout from the back, the mouth, or the chest. When in hybrid form, thetentacles are on the back of the head and can sprout from the mouth, nipples, back, andpossibly other locations. These do not do aggravated damage to creatures other thanSILs. However, SILs are intelligent creatures and may well attack with fire or otherways dangerous to the supernatural. Their intense strength also gives them the ability todismember their opponents.

Toxin Resistance: A SIL is vulnerable to all toxins that affect its host. However, if itsurvives exposure to a specific toxin, complete immunity results. It is unknown if thisimmunity is passed to its offspring.

Combat


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Maneuvers: Difficulty: Damage:

Bite 5 Strength

Grapple 6 Strength

Kick 7 Strength + 1

Punch 6 Strength

Tentacle 6 Strength + 1

Use in the World of Darkness

How do you use the SIL species in the World of Darkness? This race can easily beincorporated into a chronicle, and they make a great enemy for any type of character. If theStoryteller is opposed to introducing such a dangerous creature to Earth, a Horizon Realmwould make a great place for an infestation.

Kindred: The vampires cannot become a host for the aliens. Also, the blood of theKindred acts as a poison in the same way that defective DNA does. Thus, neither canghouls become hosts to the SILs.

Changing Breeds: Unfortunately for the Changing Breeds, their DNA, although unique,is not flawed. Thus, most of the Bete can be hosts to a SIL. Certain Gifts may allow thisinfection to be stopped or slowed. The natural regenerative abilities of the ChangingBreeds resist the SILs automatically. Thus, it takes twice as long for a SIL to gain totalcontrol. The Ratkin are diseased creatures, and they will not be used as hosts. Theirblood can be used as an aggravated weapon against the SILs as well. Once totallydominated by a SIL, all Gnosis is lost as is the ability to step sideways. Gifts can still beused as long as they aren't powered by Gnosis. The ability to change forms is retained aswell.

Mages: The Awakened are susceptible to SIL infection like any human or animal. Onceinfected, the ability to manipulate True Magic is lost. Although the memory of how touse magic and its effects are retained, True Magic is now forever lost to the individual.A SIL with a mage host will acquire understanding of magic, and thus, becomes verydangerous to surviving wizards.

Wraiths: Of course, a wraith cannot become a host to the aliens. However, if a wraithobserves a friend or loved one become a host, it may feel compelled to warn the livingof this danger. A Risen cannot become a host either.

Changelings: The fae are prime hosts for the SIL, as are most humans. However, once aChangeling becomes a host, all memory of the fae self is lost. The faerie soul is notdestroyed, but it will not reawaken in this lifetime.


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Mummies: A mummy cannot become a host to the SIL. Although they are still livinghumans, they have been altered in such a way that they are unsuitable for bonding.However, mummy blood is not toxic to the aliens.

Gypsies: Like the Changing Breeds, Gypsies have genetic differences, but they are notflawed. Thus, a Gypsy can be possessed. Bonding with a SIL destroys the Rom bloodpowers, but understanding of them remains.

Fomori: These poor creatures are at least safe from the host hunting SIL. They are soriddled with disease and decay that no SIL would attempt to bond with one. Theirblood is not poisonous to a SIL, unless the fomor has the power Toxic Secretions.

Immortals: The Quintessence of the immortals prevents a SIL from establishing asymbiotic bond. This, however, does not make the blood of an immortal dangerous toSILs.

Djinn: The Djinn (see Djinn: The Wishmasters), being of a spiritual nature, cannot bebonded with.

Living Dead: The living dead (see Zombies: Night of the Living Dead) have passedbeyond life and therefore are unsusceptible to bonding with a SIL. If bitten by a livingdead, a SIL's natural immune system will destroy the contagion.

Lycanthropes: These beings (see Lycanthrope: The Changing) are flawed to the SIL,and their blood is toxic to the aliens.

Xenomorphs: The Xenomorphs, also known as the Kainde Amedha, are the monstersfrom the film Alien ( see Aliens: The Breeding). A SIL can bond with a Xenomorphwithout problem, but such a creature would be sensed by the Hive and hunted. Theblood of a Xenomorph, which is highly acidic, is dangerous as an acid to the SILs,unless the SIL has a Xenomorph host.

Yautja: These are the creatures from the film Predator (see Predator: The Hunt). TheYautja are susceptible to bonding with the SILs and would result in a creature oftremendous strength. It is probable that the Yautja, if aware of the existence of the SILs,Hunt them like they do the Kainde Amedha.

Chronicle Ideas

Invasion

The Earth is in trouble, the alien species is spreading like wildfire. Anyone could be an alien.All life is threatened, and any combination of characters could come together to fight thecreatures. A great way to involve characters of all different types.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!

People are disappearing from a rural area. The evidence points towards a large predator ofsome sort. However, none of the well armed hunting parties have returned. Of course, thispredator is host to a SIL, and it is breeding. A great rural chronicle for Garou or Gangrel.


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Mad Scientist

Like in the first film, scientists create a SIL and it breaks free. The troupe could either be theones asked to hunt it, or they encounter the being in its quest to breed a planet of aliens.Unless told what they are dealing with they could have a very difficult time tracking andkilling the creature.

Red Planet

Perfect for a Void Engineer or Garou chronicle, the characters go to Mars. However, as inSpecies II, one or more of the explorers are infected by the alien being. This is a perfect wayto see how long before the troupe turns on one another as they begin to suspect one another.

Statistics

Sil - Female Human/SIL: ~ Species

Strength 6 Charisma 4 Perception 4Dexterity 4 Manipulation 3 Intelligence 5Stamina 5 Appearance 5 Wits 5

Talents:

Alertness 3Athletics 4 (Jumping)Brawl 4 (Tentacle)Dodge 2Intimidation 2Seduction 4 (Alluring)

Skills:

Disguise 2Drive 1Stealth 3Survival 3Security 1

Knowledges:

English 5Enigmas 4 (Discovery)Investigation 2

Willpower 7

Eve - Female Human/SIL: ~ Species II

Strength 6 Charisma 4 Perception 4


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Dexterity 4 Manipulation 3 Intelligence 5Stamina 5 Appearance 5 Wits 5

Talents:

Alertness 3Athletics 4 (Jumping)Brawl 4 (Tentacle)Dodge 2Intimidation 2Seduction 4 (Alluring)

Skills:

Stealth 3Survival 3Security 2

Knowledges:

English 5Enigmas 4 (Discovery)Investigation 2Medicine 1Science 1

Willpower 6

Patrick Ross - Male Human/SIL: ~ Species II

Strength 8 Charisma 3 Perception 4Dexterity 4 Manipulation 4 Intelligence 5Stamina 6 Appearance 5 Wits 5

Talents:

Alertness 3Athletics 4 (Jumping)Brawl 5 (Tentacle)Dodge 2Intimidation 4 (Physical)Public Speaking 3Seduction 3

Skills:

Drive 2Etiquette 4 (Military)Firearms 1


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Melee 2Pilot 5 (Spacecraft)Stealth 3Survival 3Security 2

Knowledges:

Computer 3English 5Enigmas 4 (Discovery)Investigation 2Medicine 1Politics 3Science 3

Willpower 7

Bibliography

Without these sources, this work would not have been possible.

Movies

SpeciesSpecies II

Last Modified March 30, 1999Copyright ©2000 Black Falcon Aerie. All Rights Reserved.Web Design by Charles W. Plemons III


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