[Space] [Racial Templates] Really Alien Aliens

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by SydneyFreedberg

* New skill: Navigating underwater, largely by ocean currents and seafloor "landmarks." Defaults to Submarine-5.

I've got a similar house-rules version of Underwater Navigation. It's very different from regular sea navigation, especially if you're swimming rather than riding in a submarine.

Originally Posted by SydneyFreedberg

I almost gave the Armstrongs "Leadership" as well, but I realize that conflicts with them having Mild Shyness as a default trait... maybe I should make that a Common Optional trait so they can have leader-types?

Leadership should probably the optional trait. A species composed entirely of (potential) leaders seems unlikely, or at least a lot more competitive.

Create a leader caste that doesn't have Shyness or which has Mild Shyness and a Perk that allows them to use Leadership skill without penalties. You can define them as a "variation" to the standard species template.

Originally Posted by SydneyFreedberg

Also, I revised the male Strider as per Pursuivant's suggestions: Charisma bonus drops from +3 to +2 (still impressive considering it's the minimum a functional adult can have)

That seems more reasonable and fits the species better. An entire species of sophants with Charisma +2 is still going to be devastatingly effective as merchants, politicians, diplomats, entertainers, etc. Effectively, every Strider is going to be a natural ambassador for their species, which translates into massive amounts of "soft power."

Other species might fear their power, but they're just so damned likeable . . .