Centauriods

[Nowhere65]

I was out walking my dog the other day when I thought:

If winged creatures can spend some BioE and get an extra set of arms, why couldn't our 4 legged friends do something similar and spend 5-10 BioE and buy an extra set of arms.

Whether the additional arms branch off the normal torso or an extended torso (like a mythical Centaur) would vary.

also, is there a speed bonus for 4 legged creatures or do any GM give one of these under a set of house rules?

[Gomen_Nagai]

I'd charge 20 Bio E for a Centauroid chasis, and I'd triple running speed. and the usual hodgepodge stuff for having Half a horses's ass...

[Marrowlight]

Hrm do the Centauroids allow for beings that are lower part animal and upper part animal humanoid? Like the Liontaurs and Panther(taurs?) From the old Quest for Glory games?

[Nowhere65]

I was thinking that any four legged creature could do this. Why should they all change to a 2 legged stance.

Any creature with four legs could go through this mutation. The extra set of arms could extend from a very pecular front shoulder joint. Or The creature could have a human like torso that extends from the animal torso like a traditional centaur.

Examples:

Arm shoulder option: http://www.sfsite.com/gif/9806/inflg.gif

Centaur Option: http://www.ponyhome.com/gal/cen/image.php?pic=centaur1

[gordyzx9r]

I'm not a big fan of getting carried away with the mutations...that's what Gamma World was good for.

[Rali]

Here are some Centaur Links:

The Origin of "The Centaur"
Wikipedia entry for Centaur
Wikipedia entry for 'taurs
Mythical Beasts: Centaurs

You are talking about making a creature that is normally four-limbed into a six-limbed creature. With birds that costs 20 Bio-E. The cost should be heftier, because of the benifits the character will get.

Looking at placing 'taurs in AtB, the natural Bio-E of most creatures (mostly horses) causes a problem... There just isn't enough. The best recourse (IMHO) is to classify 'taurs as "Genetic Chimera" like the spider-goats [AtB 2nd Ed, pg 114]. After all, they are - technically - 'taurs.

(ROUGH DRAFT 07/25/2005)
Centaur (Genetic Chimera)
Centaurs (as with all other ‘taurs) are not naturally occurring mutations in the world. The unnatural aspect of these creatures has caused an inbreeding of numerous psychoses and neuroses, as well as a tendency for alcoholism. Centaurs tend to be reclusive, living in small communities of feral horses, and other centaur. They will either fear or mistrust anyone other than another centaur (even mutant horses).

Taurs HATE humans, and anyone who can pass as human. This is because 'taur were bred to have a low birth rate (30% or less) to keep their numbers down. (Characters automatically gain Phobia: Xenophobia)

Size Level: 18
Build: Medium

Mutant Changes & Costs
Total BIO-E: 5 for Centaur Powers, and Psioics only
Attribute Bonuses: +30 Spd, +10 SDC, +5 P.E., +5 P.P.

Human Features
Hands: Full
Biped: None
Speech: Full
Looks: Wierd ('taur)

Natural Weapons
Hooved Feet (Automatic): Hind Kick 3D6 damage (+ P.S. damage bonus), front hooves kick 2D6 (+ P.S. damage bonus)

Mutant Animal Powers
5 BIO-E for Beastly Strength
10 BIO-E for Crushing Strength
5 BIO-E for Advanced Hearing
10 BIO-E for Extraordinary M.A.
10 BIO-E for Extraordinary P.E.
15 BIO-E for Extraordinary P.P.
5 BIO-E for Extraordinary P.B.

Disadvantages (Limit of 3)
[Use tables in any recent Palladium Book's manual for dealing with Phobias, Psychoses, Neuroses, or Addictions. I recommend "Beyond the Supernatural" 2nd Ed.]
-5 BIO-E for Phobia: Vertigo
-5 BIO-E for Neurosis: Darkness
-10 BIO-E for Phobia: Fire
-10 BIO-E for Addiction: Alcoholism
-10 BIO-E for Random Psychosis
-10 BIO-E Psychosis: Deification

Note: Giant Animals (Size Level 15 or bigger) can sell I.Q. & M.E. and/or P.P. & Spd attribute points to get extra BIO-E points without sacrificing size. See Giant-Animals Characters in the creation section under Grouth Steps [AtB 2nd Ed., pg 23]
(ROUGH DRAFT 07/25/2005)

[Nowhere65]

Very Nice!

I was thinking of something that was across several species:

Taur: (additional hands option)
Available to any animal starting with Biped: None, and must remain Biped: None.

Choice 1:
Adds an additional set of limbs, arms and hands, to the front shoulder of the animal. Partial human hands bring the total to 10 Bio-E, while full human hands are 15 Bio-E.

Choice 2:
Adds a human-like torso to what is typically the neck area of the animal torso. The human-like torso comes with a set of arms and hands. The torso portion of this animal is able to wear standard human torso equipment/clothes/armor with no or little modification. Partial human hands bring the total to 15 Bio-E, while full human hands are 20 Bio-E.

However, the animal head remains unless the Human Looks: are altered.