In 2389, humanity benefits from advanced genetic engineering, and other forms of modification. The process begun in the early 21st century continued as Terran science advanced, then accelerated rapidly once humans began trading with aliens. Technology transfer from the Ammonites and Jovians resulted in great strides for human bioengineering, in spite of UNISTAR's best efforts to the contrary.
The creation of a viable "alternative human genome" is expensive, time-consuming and risky, yet over the last three centuries, a number of successful new types have been brought into existence. The all-important fact to be considered in each case is that, at the time they were created, there was an excellent justification for the expense involved. The following examples are the most common, successful, and easily adapted human variants in Terran space.
All of these "Alternates" are fully viable humans, capable of interbreeding with normal humans, or with each other. When both parents are of the same type, the alterations breed true. If parents of different types interbreed, the child will only express one genome, carrying the other traits as recessives. These recessives may be passed on to subsequent generations and expressed in the event that a grandchild interbreeds with an alternate of the appropriate type. Obviously, this could get complicated if it became commonplace, but it's actually quite rare. Most alternates have a strong preference for their own type.
Gemini type: homo sapiens prime (15pts)
The Gemini type is the latest iteration of genetically upgraded human, engineered for superior health. A Gemini never suffers from ill health, disease, tooth decay, cancer, senility, poor eyesight, athlete's foot, halitosis, etc., and so on, ad nauseum. They're disgustingly clean, healthy, and well-adjusted. Gemini types suffer from somewhat less prejudice than other variant humans, although their reputation for "superiority" causes problems; employers expect more from them, while coworkers and competitors consider them to be unfair competition. Most Gemini types don't advertise their origins, and outwardly physically resemble normal humans.
+2 Con; +2 Com; Life support: Immune to disease (not versus bio-weapons); +1 vision; +1" running
Distinctive features: Tailored genome
Social limitation: 8- (prejudice versus alternates)
Reputation: 8- (homo superior)
Aries type: martian terraformers (20pts)
The project to terraform Mars was well under way by the end of the 22nd century, and the Red Planet had become marginally habitable. The Aries type genome was created to survive unaided there, in order to advance the terraforming project. A few Aries types left Mars after the Proxima drive came to Terra. Although no Earth-like worlds had ever been found, they hoped to find other planets like Mars which could be terraformed, and use the expertise they had acquired on Mars. Now there are thriving populations of Aries types on several candidate worlds in the early stages of terraforming, although none are as "hospitable" as Mars was. Aries types tend to be tall and thin, with enlarged lung cavities, and nicitating eye membranes. Their adaptation to thin atmospheres causes them to suffer from labored breathing in normal atmospheric pressures.
+3 Con; Life support: Extended breathing (1pt); Low pressure; Intense cold; Immune to dust poisoning; Flash def-5 (only versus dust); Survival; SS: Terraforming (or KS, or PS)
Distinctive features: Tailored genome
Physical limitation: Impaired in normal atmospheres (Frequent/slight)
Social limitation: 8-; Prejudice versus alternates
Aquarius type: ocean colonists (25pts)
The Living Universe Foundation made extensive use of aquatic colonies on earth, and developed the Aquarius type genome for those settlements. The Foundation also had space colonies which used water for radiation shielding, and the Aquarius types allowed more efficient use of those facilities. Aquarius genome types have webbed digits and dorsal gill vents, nicitating eyelids and thick, insulated skin.
+2 Con; +2" Swim; Talent: Aquatic movement; Life support: Expanded breathing, High pressure, Intense cold; Flash def-5; -1" Run; +1 w/all aquatic skills
Distinctive features: Webbed digits / gills
Physical limitation: Impaired on dry land (Frequent/slight)
Social limitation: 8- ; Prejudice versus alternates
Mensae type: the intellectuals (30pts)
This genome originated as part of a military project on old Terra, but was only partially successful. Creating a superior military intellect proved to be impossible, but the project did eventually yield some civilian applications. Mensae types have found many niches for themselves, in corporate think-tanks, academic circles, and private consulting firms. They have acquired a not-undeserved reputation for being superior and difficult to work with. Their appearance is that of normal humans.
+5 Int; +1 Ego; Cramming; Deduction; Scholar/Scientist/Linguist (pick one); Eidetic memory; Lightning Calculator; Speed reading
Distinctive features: Tailored genome
Psychological limitation: Arrogant (Common/moderate) -- or similar psych lim.
Reputation: 8-/extreme; Difficult to work with
Social limitation: 8- ; Prejudice versus alternates
Ursa types: the peacekeepers (20pts)
When UNISTAR commissioned a new genome for peacekeeping duty in their interstellar colonies, their specification called for superior strength and toughness, as well as reduced life-support requirements. To meet these apparently conflicting requirements, the UN scientists spliced genes from Terran bears: strong, tough, and capable of prolonged hibernation at need. The resulting subjects were huge, massing between 150 and 200 kilos. While this would normally make them extremely expensive to transport, their ability to hibernate vastly reduces the need to carry consumables on Ursa troop ships. Today, descendants of the original Ursas have spread throughout Terran space, and not all of them are in UN service any more. The typical Ursa is about 220cm tall, with extensive body hair and heavy musculature.
+5 Str; +4 Con; +1 Body; -1" Knockback; +1 Scent; Life support: Eat once/season, Survive intense cold (concentrate, totally unaware); Extended breathing/3 (Con roll, -1 per 5pts)
Distinctive features: Ursine appearance
Physical Limitation: Bulky physique
Social limitation: 8- ; Prejudice versus alternates
Leo types: the warriors (30pts)
When Terran Interstellar Operations began its expansion into space, UNISTAR had the advantage, and didn't let anyone forget. They constantly harassed TIO shipping, and during boarding actions, their Ursa troopers were unstoppable. TIO commissioned the creation of a new alternate type to match the Ursas, and in a controversial move, used gene-splices from Terran great cats. The result was frighteningly effective. Leos are the only human alternate with carnivore genes. As such, they suffer from more prejudice than other alternates, and a not-quite-deserved reputation for violent tendencies. Leo types appear to be mostly human, with subtly catlike features, except for their eyes, which have slit pupils like a cat's.
+3 Dex; +1 Spd; +1" Run; +1" Leap; Talent: Perfect balance; Night vision; +1 w/any 3 agility skills
Distinctive features: Cat's eyes
Reputation: 11- ; violent behavior (undeserved)
Social limitation: 11- ; prejudice versus alternates
Aquila type: micro-gee adapted humans (25pts)
The Aquilae are based on one of the oldest modified genomes in existence, with many successive adaptations to life in micro-gravity. They don't suffer from bone or muscle degeneration in zero-g, and their feet are somewhat adapted as a second pair of hands. Aquilae are very good at moving in micro-gravity, but extremely awkward in normal or spin-gravity. More recently, their genome has been altered for short-term vacuum survival, up to five minutes in emergencies. They appear as normal but tall humans, with long, thin limbs and grasping feet. Aquilae have been around so long that most people no longer feel the same prejudice against them as against other types of alternates.
-3 Str; +2 Dex; -1" Run; +4" Leap (only in zero-g); Double jointed; Zero-g movement; Extra limbs (limited manipulation); Flash def-5 (only versus energy, 5min fuel charge), Life support: Immunity to zero-g degeneration; Life support: Vacuum/intense cold/radiation (5min fuel charge)
Distinctive features: Micro-gee physique
Physical limitation: Impaired in gravity fields (Frequent/greatly)
Cygnus type: humans in flight (20pts)
After contact with the aliens, genetic engineering became much less expensive, and new projects could be contemplated which would previously have been impossible to justify. One of the most famous of these is the alternate Cygnus genome: a winged human, capable of true flight, at least within the low-gravity environs of the domed craters of Luna, or the core areas of spinning habitats. Their flight ability has a variable endurance cost; multiply the local gravity by ten. This is the number of endurance points per phase needed to fly. Thus, in a full one-gee field, a Cygnus can hardly fly at all, but in a quarter-gee or less, they can soar for hours. Aside from having a huge pair of wings, Cygnus types appear to be completely normal humans.
+2 Str; +2 Dex; +2 Con; Flight 6" (variable End cost; -1/2 lim)
Distinctive features: large wings
Physical limitation: large wings (Infrequent/slight)
Social limitation: 8- ; prejudice versus alternates
Virgo type: the forbidden (30pts)
When genetic engineering made customized phenotypes a reality, many unscrupulous individuals dreamed of using the new technology for erotic purposes, but such an expensive project would have attracted the wrong kind of attention. Several off-world labs made the attempt, but UNISTAR shut them down. After alien contact, some unidentified sleaze-hound sold humanity's genome to a Jovian, in return for the very first custom-made Virgo. For its part, the Jovian is still producing Virgos for those who can find it, and are able to pay. The Virgos, however, are fully sentient (contrary to the Jovian's opinion) and usually escape their buyers as soon as possible. Virgos appear as normal humans, (of either gender) albeit with unnatural beauty. Their reputation as objects of pleasure, together with their alien origin, creates somewhat more prejudice against them than other types of alternates.
+2 Dex; +2 Con; +5 Pre; +10 Com; Double-jointed; Resistance +2; +1 w/any 3 interaction skills; Life support: Longevity (200yrs)
Distinctive features: Virgo physique
Reputation: 8- / extreme; object of desire
Social limitation: 11- ; prejudice versus alternates<
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