Basic History

Proto-Talusians were genetically modified humans who suffered great and terrible injuries to their body due to either disease or war during the 21st century of the First Era. Using the sciences of the time, these humans were altered using DNA of an endangered creature that could regenerate its body parts and organs. It was the hope at the time that this regeneration ability would transfer to these humans, restoring their body. While it did restore their body, it changed them greatly. These humans began to lose color and their body parts seemed to change at random into different things. The people of the time attempted to keep these changed humans locked away for further study.

These mutated humans can with great effort control some of their shapeshifting, with second and third generations being able to force a shapeshift at will. First generation mutants tend to shapeshift at random, usually under periods of great stress. The most common shapeshifting tends to be limb transformation instead of full body transformation.

This branch of mutants would later become the Talusian race. The race here will be 3rd generation to 5th generation. This race name is yet unaccepted by many.

Positives & Negatives

Proto-Talusians are as a race developing shape shifting abilities. Most only master limb or minor transformations, but later generations seem to be adapting this ability better, developing indeed full body transformation. It is yet a stable art though, requiring a great deal of focus and maybe a little luck. They also have no real strengths, and cannot take the strengths of those they resemble.

Proto-Talusians are shape shifters and their shape shifting skills make them great spies, adventurers, and treasure hunters.

Racial Skills

Talusians start with the following racial skills.

Skill	Stat Cost	Description	Level Effects	Cost to Acquire
Poker Face	5 Soul	+10 to Luck to lie to someone and have them believe it.	Level 1: +10 to Luck; 5 Soul Level 2: +20 to Luck; 10 Soul Level 3: +30 to Luck; 15 Soul Level 4: +40 to Luck; 20 Soul	This is a Tier 1 skill Level 1: 25/50 Level 2: 50/100 Level 3: 75/150 Level 4: 100/200
Polymorphous Enlightenment	10 Soul	Allows you to learn one observed racial skill at 25%. You must take the form of the target to learn the skill and practice the skill, but you can use in any form once mastered if you have the anatomy needed.	N/A: only one level	This is a Tier 2 skill Level 1: 50/100

Talent	Effects	Requirements	Handicap Cost
Limb Transfiguration	The Proto-Talusian can transfigure his or her arms or legs to become something else. For example, they can make their legs become fins or their arms wings. The changed form must be biological. This requires a Focus check with a 5 penalty. To revert back simply requires a Focus check.	Must be a Proto-Talusian of the 1st Era.	N/A
Minor Shape Alterations	The Proto-Talusian can affect minor parts of his or her body, such as eye color, hair color and length, and small changes to height, weight, and perceived built. To do so, the Proto-Talusian must focus. This requires a successful Focus roll. A successful Focus roll is also needed to revert back to original form.	Must be a 1st era Proto-Talusian	Forgotten True Form: By doing a lot of these transformations (10+) the proto-talusian will no longer have knowledge of what they were born with. For example, if the proto-talusian keeps changing his or her eye color, they will have no knowledge of their original eye color. For all they will know, the eye color they have now is theirs. This is a handicap that cannot be removed.
Polymorphing	This allows the Proto-Talusian of a 3rd generation or later to completely change form into something that he or she has experienced. This other form must be a living form, however the shape and size of the form aren't as important. The player of the Proto-Talusian must first attempt this when seeing a form that they might want to change into later. If successful, he or she should record this information. Each future transformation will add a +1 bonus to the Focus check. This does require a Focus check... Same size and shape: Focus check 10 penalty Same size different shape: Focus check 15 penalty Different size same shape: Focus check 15 penalty Different size and shape: Focus check 25 penalty	Must be a Proto-Talusian of the 1st Era and must be 3rd generation or later.	Forgotten True Form: By doing a lot of these transformations (25+) the proto-talusian will no longer have knowledge of what they were born with. For example, if the proto-talusian keeps changing his or her eye color, they will have no knowledge of their original eye color. For all they will know, the eye color they have now is theirs. This is a handicap that cannot be removed.

Lifespan

Proto-Talusians have three stages of life. The first stage, which last from child-birth until they reach the age of 13, is called their childhood. During this time they are completely dependent upon their parents for support, and are still developing certain skills needed for survival.

The second stage, which last from 13 until 21 is their adolescence. It is at this stage in their life they begin trying to develop just who they are, and where they fit into this world. They also become anxious and seek more and more independence and tend to rebel against their parents. Though they are not yet considered full-fledged adults, some leave their parents in this stage.

Their final stage, adulthood, last from 22 until death. During this stage most talusians are already separated from their parents and rarely keep close ties with them. They generally have become more matured and stopped their growing and developing by now. Their death can be painful or painless.

Appearance

Proto-Talusians are tall and skinny in their main adapted form. They typically all resemble a generic human, bearing any human eye and hair color, however those colors are muted.

Living Habitat

Proto-Talusians live in the same areas humans do, and generally resemble them, making them hard to spot. They love to explore and learn more about other cultures and histories.

Food & Sleeping Requirements

Proto-Talusians require one meal every three days, though can and usually will eat several times a day. They need to sleep at least 6 hours (one 1/2 cycle) every night or suffer from fatigue.

Culture

Proto-Talusians tend to mimic the culture they are living among, which most time is humans. They even follow the naming practices of the culture that they are mimicking.

Racial Relations

Proto-Talusians often try to work well with other races, even when the other race distrusts them. They are even willing to work with xodians when others wouldn’t be so willing. They are distrustful of the Dark Elf.

World Movement Rate

Proto-Talusians have a normal gait and average speed.