[Basic] Realistic Low Tech Challengers

[Tuk the Weekah]

Originally Posted by A Ladder

TL0
Neanderthal Hunter
ST: 13 HP: 13 Speed: 5.50
DX: 11 Will: 10 Move: 5
IQ: 10 Per: 11
HT: 11 FP: 10 SM: 0
Dodge: 8 Parry: 9 DR: 1* (See notes)
Weapons (12): Axe (2d+1(0.5) cutting), Light Club (2d crushing), or Spear (One hand 1d+3(0.5) impaling or two hands 1d+4(0.5) impaling).
Traits: Dislikes Strangers, Dislikes large groups, Distinctive features: Neanderthal brow, Dull, Damage Resistance 1 (Skull Only), Feature: Temperature comfort zone is much lower than ordinary humans, the zone is somewhere around 25* to 80*.
Skills: Either Axe/Mace-12, Broadsword-12, or Spear-12. Area Knowledge-10; Armoury (melee or ranged weapons)-10; Camouflage-11; Machinist-10; Naturalist-11; Navigation-10; Stealth-11; Survival-11; Tracking-11.
Notes: The hunter only has one weapon, choose between an Axe, Light Club, or Spear. Axes and Spears are made of stone (p. B275). Neanderthals have an additional 1 DR on the skull.
Noteable gear includes: Fur Loincloth and Tunic (covering groin and torso), $35, 2 lbs. Personal Basics, $5, 1 lb. Sleeping Fur, $50, 8 lbs. And their weapon of choice.

I'd not include Dull if you're looking at a realistic representation. There's zero evidence that Neanderthals were in any way mentally deficient when compared to modern humans.

Here's an interesting thought, however; Neanderthal males were highly asymmetrical in their upper bodies, with up to 50% asymmetry between right (bigger) and left (smaller) sides. Modern humans are typically 4-13% asymmetrical. (I am one of the 'most right-handed people' my physio has ever met, according to her; and I barely tip the scales at 9% asymmetry.) It's theorized that this could be a muscle specialization--left hand for delicate tasks, right hand for brute strength tasks--but the simpler explanation to my mind is the theory that it is an artifact of constant use of the one-handed scrapers that are the iconic Neanderthal tool find. Female Neanderthals also show signs of right-handed asymmetry; but the small sample sizes for females makes it difficult to be certain if this is reflective or an accident of sampling.

This asymmetry would suggest that they scraped right-handedly, and used swinging weapons right-handedly, but used thrusting weapons left-handedly. The asymmetry would suggest that they get a base ST 11, but add several levels of (3pt) Arm Strength (right side only). The lack of symmetry would also suggest that they would not get the Off Hand Weapon Training perk or skill, as it suggests being equally proficient with both hands, which would be clearly inaccurate, given that high a level of asymmetry.

Oh, and the fact that their right-handedness is even more prevalent than in humans suggest that they were a highly co-operative society.

I do not understand the rationale behind the one-weapon rule; it seems irrational. A hunter would carry a scraping tool, a knife, and some type of bush tool (a hand axe, for instance). Once you've killed the animal, you have to bleed it, then butcher it. Even if you don't use fire, you'll still need to clear brush for a shelter.