Specialist Parahuman Template

[sir_pudding]

On the Flat Black colony Esbouvier the society has been genetically and memetically engineered into a caste system. The Specialist caste was designed to serve as physicians, scientists and technicians. They are modified for maximum intelligence and versatility while still remaining tractable.


Specialist (TL10)
44 points


Attribute Modifiers: IQ+2 [40].
Advantages: High Manual Dexterity +2; Resistant to Disease (+8) [5]; Single Minded [5]; Versatile [5],
Disadvantages: Curious* [-5]; Self-Destruct [-10]; Susceptible to Pheromones 4 [-4]
Quirks: Broad-Minded [-1]; Humble [-1]; Imaginative[-1].
Perks: Sanitized Metabolism [1]
Features: No Appendix [0]; Taboo Traits (Aggressiveness, Genetic Defects,
Mental Instability, Unattractiveness).
Availability: $64,000. LC3.

[Icelander]

Nice, I like it.

One suggestion, though. Are all specialists identical or can they vary a bit in what they are good at? Because if they can, it might be nice for each one to have a Talent relating to their specific field.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Icelander

Nice, I like it.

One suggestion, though. Are all specialists identical or can they vary a bit in what they are good at? Because if they can, it might be nice for each one to have a Talent relating to their specific field.

I suggested that but Brett rejected it. He says that the castes on Esbouvier aren't that specialized; there are only 4 or 5 of them.

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

I suggested that but Brett rejected it. He says that the castes on Esbouvier aren't that specialized; there are only 4 or 5 of them.

Okey-dokey.

[Peter Knutsen]

If they are to be given expensive training, taking a decade or more after secondary education, why not give them a level of Extended Lifespan, or at least Longevity?

Of course one argument against that is that science marches on, and a 80-90year old surgeon won't be able to keep up with progress, so one might as well retire him: Very old dogs can't learn new tricks.

Still, it seems reasonable to assume that the pace of progress slows down after TL9 or so, and so it would make economical sense to give them Extended Lifespan. A really cynical society would Limit the Extended Lifespan to a government-produed drug, so that the government can withhold the drug from those scientists whose lives turn out not to be worth extending. Not sure what that is, though? -20% or -40%? Or more?

[Flyndaran]

Anyone think a thread on home brew parahuman templates might work?

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

If they are to be given expensive training, taking a decade or more after secondary education, why not give them a level of Extended Lifespan, or at least Longevity?

Of course one argument against that is that science marches on, and a 80-90year old surgeon won't be able to keep up with progress, so one might as well retire him: Very old dogs can't learn new tricks.

Still, it seems reasonable to assume that the pace of progress slows down after TL9 or so, and so it would make economical sense to give them Extended Lifespan. A really cynical society would Limit the Extended Lifespan to a government-produed drug, so that the government can withhold the drug from those scientists whose lives turn out not to be worth extending. Not sure what that is, though? -20% or -40%? Or more?

They'll get anti-agathic drugs, but is that an advantage?

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

If they are to be given expensive training, taking a decade or more after secondary education, why not give them a level of Extended Lifespan, or at least Longevity?

I considered this, but the society is based in part on Brave New World which had a state mandated lifespan. I'm not sure if Esbouvier does this as well, but it might.

Alternatively, Esbouvier's elite caste might choose to maintain a monopoly on Life Extension.

Of course one argument against that is that science marches on, and a 80-90year old surgeon won't be able to keep up with progress, so one might as well retire him: Very old dogs can't learn new tricks.

I had also considered this, especially in light of the whole paradigm shift model of scientific advancement. If your society depends on innovation (which biotech exporting Esbouvier certainly does) then do you want the stodgy old guard hanging around long after they had any original research?

On the other hand the Template include Versatile so this may not be a problem, perhaps they remain competitive throughout a long life.

[Agemegos]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

I considered this, but the society is based in part on Brave New World which had a state mandated lifespan. I'm not sure if Esbouvier does this as well, but it might.

It provides Eugerione to age 100 and then suddenly withdraws it. Euthanasia upon request typically follows within ten years.

[nick012000]

Personally, I'd have given them Attentive instead of Imaginative, since the latter actually deducts from the various Gadgeteering rolls.