Gorgons, Jötunn and Dvergar oh my!, Creatures of legend, with out the contagion. Options

[BRodda]

Been a busy few weeks, so here is my rough draft for a new type of infected I've been working on. I know the description's need some work and they are in no way intended to be used as PCs as there are still some balance issues.

The new Infected (HMHVV-H):

Description of virus
HMHVV-H is a mutation of the standard HMHVV-1 virus combined with the swine flu virus (H1N1). Those who become sickened by it suffer from normal flu symptoms with only 1% of the victims transforming into a new form of the Infected. Like the H1N1 virus, the victims are only contagious until symptoms appear. After that period of time they are no longer contagious and can not spread the disease. There have been some debates as wither the virus it self may be Awakened or if it activates latent metagenes. There are no known Ork variants for this virus.
Note: The new Infected still follow the rules of regular Infected on pg 76 of Runner’s Companion with the exception that they are all non-carriers.

New infected types

Gorgon (Human):
Description: Gorgon’s are humans infected with HMHVV-H. After the symptoms pass their skin starts to turn grey in color and stat to harden into a marble like texture and color. The hair suddenly falls out an a number of snakes (between 2 and 15) erupt from the head. Interestingly enough the type of snake is always venomous, but the actual species will always be of a local viper. In areas where there are no vipers the snakes are always Asps. Gorgons are generally very attractive and alluring, despite their rather horrific appearance.
Powers: Dual Natured, Glamour, Granite Shell(Marble), Innate Spell (Petrify), Venom
Weaknesses: Allergy (Silver, Severe), Critter Spook, Unusual Hair (Snakes)


Jötunn (Troll):
Description: Jötunn are trolls or troll meta-variants infected with HMHVV-H. They tend to grow shaggy hair all over their bodies and shun hot environments. Their nails grow long and shard and are easily able to rend fleas or steel with ease. They also gain a preternatural ability to heal quickly like the trolls of legend. They were first discovered after an outbreak in Norway and were named after the frost giants of old.
Powers: Natural Weapons (Claws/Bite: Str/2+1P, AP 0), Regeneration, Insulating Pelt, Immunity to Age
Weaknesses: Allergy (Sunlight, Mild), Vulnerability (Fire)

Dvergar (Dwarf):
Description:Dwaves infected with HMHVV-H are called Dvergar. They become hunched creatures of unusual grace and speed. They become even more adapted to living in an underground environment and grow long digging claws that enable them to construct dens and bolt holes with their bare hands. Those that are infected tend to seek out others like them, they can often be found in the company of Goblins, Dvergar or even Ghouls.
Powers: Catlike, Digging claws, Dual Natured
Weaknesses: Allergy (Sunlight, Severe)

Døkkálfar (Elf):
Description: Next to the Gorgons’ te most radical change is to Elves infected with HMHVV-H. Their skin turns jet black and their demeanor becomes as dark as their skin. Their faces elongate and their teeth turn to sharp little points of bone. Their nervous systems mutates at a base level and enables them to become faster than a normal human (or elf). They radiate an aura of viciousness and violence that surrounds them like a cloak
Powers: Celerity, Dual Natured, Nasty Vibe, IP+1(Max of 4).
Weaknesses: Allergy (Sunlight, Severe), Impaired (Charisma-3), Striking Skin Pigmentation (Jet Black)

[AKWeaponsSpecial...]

Interesting take here, but why is it that three of the mythical creatures created by HMHVV-H are Norse in origin, but one is Greek? The inclusion of the Gorgon among frost giants, duergar and dark elves was rather shocking. Also, I don't recall the gorgons having stone skin, but I haven't intensively studied Greek mythology, so I could be wrong. I haven't studied EITHER mythology extensively, actually, so unfortunately I can't add anything particularly constructive on their abilities....
However, I have a couple friends who could help, I'll ask around.

[BRodda]

Interesting take here, but why is it that three of the mythical creatures created by HMHVV-H are Norse in origin, but one is Greek? The inclusion of the Gorgon among frost giants, duergar and dark elves was rather shocking. Also, I don't recall the gorgons having stone skin, but I haven't intensively studied Greek mythology, so I could be wrong. I haven't studied EITHER mythology extensively, actually, so unfortunately I can't add anything particularly constructive on their abilities....
However, I have a couple friends who could help, I'll ask around.

I was trying to get legendary with the Infected names, the Ork was going to be from South America. Problem is I didn't want to use the term Dark Elf ( read as Drow). I did go a lttle more Nordic then I intended too. Any name suggestions?

[AKWeaponsSpecial...]

I'm afraid in my group of friends, I'm the least knowledgeable in the way of mythology, and what I know has mostly been covered, unless....well, one could consider Celtic mythology, but all I know that could work as races at ALL would be the Fir Bolg and the Tuatha De Danaan.... and I don't know if either is used in SR yet.

[Tanegar]

The Tuatha de Danaan form a major part of the mythology of Tir na nOg and the dominant magical tradition there (the Path of the Wheel, Street Magic p. 40). Dunno if it would necessarily be a good idea to have an Infected variant with that name.

What does the "-H" in HMHVV-H stand for?

[FriendoftheDork]

I'd try to add the Black Annis from English/Irish mythology/fairie-lore.

[BRodda]

What does the "-H" in HMHVV-H stand for?

The H stands for H1N1. The full name is HMHVV-H1N1, but its a mouth full. In game we referred to it as the Oslo Strain as that was the first place it struck.

[BRodda]

I'd try to add the Black Annis from English/Irish mythology/fairie-lore.

That's the problem, the Black Annis is already a critter. (Running Wild pg. 141). All the low hanging fruit has been picked when it comes to mythology. I'm trying to not use anything that is in Cannon already. (Yes there is Gorgon, but its a form of Dragon.)

[Delarn]

Oslo Strained elves could be called the Bogeymans. They are creepy and nasty !

[X-Kalibur]

Do we have a Grendel yet in canon?

[BRodda]

Do we have a Grendel yet in canon?

I thought of that. Grendel is on pg 67 of Running Wild. The grendel is an ork Infected with HMHVV II so that stole even more of my thunder.

[X-Kalibur]

Sirens? Harpies? Erinyes? Kappa? Hopping Vampires?

[Delarn]

HMHVV Demonis, Angelicus ? LOL

[Bitten the Bug]

What about the Jaettir, the aesirs and vanirs eternal foes? Or is that what you mean by Jötun?? Or is it the oldfashioned troll with a tail and all? You mean Svart alfar when you speak of Dock alfar, right?

Howsabout the Nokkir/Nøkken? A sometimes benign, but mostly not, waterspirit that plays his fiddle in the streams of Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland), thus luring youngsters and children into a watery grave. Depending on the tale teller, the nokkir takes the bullies and those who are malicious, capricious and drown them. Sometimes he drowns those who are goodlooking. Meaning he takes them down to his halls in the lake/stream...
I am plenty curious, because this is right up my alley, since I know some mythology of Scandinavia..

Which reminds me..
The Huldra, the alluring hollowbacked woman who lures young men into the woods, then kills them. Basically sucking the life energy from them during the hunt. The only way you can escape her, is to see her back. A maliscious woodspirit she is. Or she could be an infected human woman...

Ohhh, this is fun!!!

[Delarn]

What about the Jaettir, the aesirs and vanirs eternal foes? Or is that what you mean by Jötun?? Or is it the oldfashioned troll with a tail and all? You mean Svart alfar when you speak of Dock alfar, right?

Howsabout the Nokkir/Nøkken? A sometimes benign, but mostly not, waterspirit that plays his fiddle in the streams of Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland), thus luring youngsters and children into a watery grave. Depending on the tale teller, the nokkir takes the bullies and those who are malicious, capricious and drown them. Sometimes he drowns those who are goodlooking. Meaning he takes them down to his halls in the lake/stream...
I am plenty curious, because this is right up my alley, since I know some mythology of Scandinavia..

Which reminds me..
The Huldra, the alluring hollowbacked woman who lures young men into the woods, then kills them. Basically sucking the life energy from them during the hunt. The only way you can escape her, is to see her back. A maliscious woodspirit she is. Or she could be an infected human woman...

Ohhh, this is fun!!!

Infected Dryad would fit better !

[Bitten the Bug]

Of course it would. But we are talking scandinavian mythology here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Delarn]

Dryads that live in scandivania and that are infected by the HMHVV-H would be that wood spirit.

[BRodda]

What about the Jaettir, the aesirs and vanirs eternal foes? Or is that what you mean by Jötun?? Or is it the oldfashioned troll with a tail and all? You mean Svart alfar when you speak of Dock alfar, right?

Ohhh, this is fun!!!

The Jötun were meant to be the foes of Asgard foes and kin of Loki. (and surprisingly enough the wife of Thor.) I haven't thought about the trolls that hunt down gnomes in Danish folklore (I'm 1/2 Danish so I grew up with those trolls and the gnomes with the little hats).

And I'm glad people are having fun with this. It helps me get ideas. I might just have to stat out your old woman as a critter/spirit for fun.

[BRodda]

Sirens? Harpies? Erinyes? Kappa? Hopping Vampires?

Sirens might work. I could make them the Orc variant; semi-aquatic of course. Considering the only official siren is a pterodactyl of all things I think I can avoid confusion.

Erinyes are workable. Might have to call them Furies though. Not sure if that would be a type of infected or some sort of primordial spirit though.

Kappa are always fun, but making rules for that little bowl of water would be annoing. Might as well stat out Tegu if I was going to do that.

The Harpy is taken sadly. (RW pg.103).

[Jaid]

actually, furies as a form of HMHVV would make all kinds of sense.

they even have a pre-included emotion (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

heck, you could even make it the first strain of HMHVV to cause someone to shed their physical form and fully become a spirit-like entity.

[Bitten the Bug]

Jaettir, as a rule, do not have furry hides. They look like every creature imaginable, since they have the ability to change shape and form as they wish. Remember the story about UtgardsLoki?

Some of the Jaettir are quite beautiful and the wives of the aesir.
Frey's wife Gerd is from Jotunheim as is Tyr. That is the only jaettir woman I know of in Asgard. Ahh, apart from Røskva, of course.
Sif is aesir, I think, maybe vaenir, but not jaettir.

I was weaned on these tales and stories. And yes, I am also asatrue.

[lonewolf23k]

You know, I think that at some point, Sixth World Biologists will run out of mythological references, and be forced to come up with original names for all the newly discovered meta-critters.

[hobgoblin]

You know, I think that at some point, Sixth World Biologists will run out of mythological references, and be forced to come up with original names for all the newly discovered meta-critters.

technically its the press and local societies that match name to beast, as the biologists stick to the latin groupings.