Sunday, April 14, 2013

It's Not Easy Being Green (Ssraad)


GREEN SSRAAD
No. Appearing: 2-12
AC: 5
HD: 5
Saving Throw: 12
Attack Bonus: +7/+6/+6
Damage: 1d4 tongue slap (+poison, see below) or 1d8 bite; or by weapon 
Movement: 30’
Morale: 12

The green ssraad control the ancient habitats in orbit around Sirius A. Intensely xenophobic, the only non-ssraad they allow in the system are their slaves (and future meals). From Sirius, they stage raids on other systems and engage in a protracted war with the blue ssraad.

The green are the smallest ssraad species (2.13 m), but also the most intelligent. They believe themselves to be the closest in form to the zurr, whom they worship as their semi-divine progenitors. Of all the ssraad, the green most closely resemble anthropomorphic toads. Their plump bodies and thin limbs make them appear much less threatening than the reds or blues. Appearances can be deceiving.

The green ssraad generate a paralytic biochemical that they can deliver via their sticky, extensible tongues. Anyone hit on exposed skin by their tongue must make a Physical Effects saving throw (Toxicity 10 Interval 1 hour Virulence 2) or be paralyzed. Three failed saves means a victim's breathing has also been paralyzed and he or she begins to suffocate without respiratory support. Other ssraad aren’t paralyzed, but instead become docile and submissive. The green can also deliver a cocktail containing hormones and plasmids which trigger parthenogenesis in any ssraad species. The genetic material in the plasmids causes all offspring produced to be born as green ssraad. Greens refer to ssraad undergoing forced parthenogenesis as slrnn meh (“breeders”) and they automatically lose status in ssraad society. Greens cover their skin with an ointment made from human endocrine elements and other ingredients to insulate themselves against such assaults by rivals.

7 comments:

The Angry Lurker said...

They look like the creature from Farscape, little buggers!

Gothridge Manor said...

I need to start breaking out my medical dictionary when reading your posts. Interesting race. What kind of society hierarchy do they have? For some reason I have this image of Planet of the Apes in my head.

Trey said...

You know, I thought about some a little standard dictatorial strongman, but your PoTA suggestion has legs!

satyre said...

Oooh, barrier cream for plasmid infection made from endocrine secretions. Classy stuff.

I expect these bad boys farm humans and red ssraad - potential for explosive mayhem there. A hack of the Slavelords series using them would be interesting...

I imagine greens using all kinds of dirty tricks to turn a rival green into slrnn meh (aiming for eyes or orifices, using their tongue to coat darts or similar). The fact breeding is a slur suggests a deeply repressed society focused on acquisitive war.

Admire how you've got so much data into so few words. Wonderful.




Chris C. said...

So basically we're just walking contraceptive dispensers to the green Ssraads. Yikes! :)

Trey said...

@satyre - Thanks. I tried to suggest a lot of things without going into a whole bunch of detail.

@Bard - I suppose there are worse things, but probably not many.

garrisonjames said...

Nicely icky, and with loads of intriguing adventuring opportunities.