GURPS Sector General

[Pursuivant]

Variation: Decadent Citizen

Spoiler:  

Variation: Decadent (-30 points).

This variant represents the negative Galactic Citizen stereotype.

Attributes: Reduce HT by 1 [-10].

Disadvantages: Choose Reputation (-1, “Lapdog for E.T. interests,” Small Group (Normals), All the Time) [-2]; Unfit [-5] and -13 additional points from Cowardice [-15*]; Delusion (“Nothing Bad Can Happen to Me,” “The Universe is a Nice Place”) [-10]; Fat, Overweight, or Very Fat [-1, -3, or -5];

Laziness [-10]; Gullibility [-10*]; Hidebound [-5]; Honesty [-10]; Incurious [-5*]; Odious Personal Habit (Naïve, Politically Correct); Pacifism (Cannot Kill or Reluctant Killer) [-5 or -20]; Selfish [-5*]; Truthfulness [-5*]; or Very Unfit [+-10].

Optional Skills: Choose Carousing, Connoisseur, Driving, and one of Artist (H); Hobby Skill (E); Musical Composition (A); Musical Instrument (H); Poetry (A); Singing (A); or Sport (A).

Variation: Heroic Citizen

Spoiler:  

Variation: Heroic Citizen (+13 points):

This variant represents the positive Galactic Citizen stereotype. Citizens of this sort are common on relatively young colony worlds, and in positions of responsibility on any planet.

Secondary Traits: Add +1 to Will [+5]; Per [+5]; and FP [+3].

Advantages: Choose Eidetic Memory [5]; Fearlessness 1 [2]; Fit [5]; Lightning Calculator [2]; and Reputation (+1, “Good in a crisis,” “Reliable”, or similar, Small Group (Local Community), 12-) [1].

Disadvantages: Choose one or more of Code of Honor [-5 or -10]; Honesty [-10]; Overconfidence [-5*]; Pacifism [Varies]; Selfless [-5*]; Sense of Duty [Varies]; Truthfulness [-5*]; or Vow [-5 or -10].

Optional Skills: Choose from one or more of Astronomy (H); Cartography/TL (A); Driving/TL (E); Electronics Operation/TL (A); Electronics Repair/TL (A); Engineering/TL (H); Environment Suit/TL (A); Leadership (A); Machinist/TL (A); Mathematics/TL (H); Mechanic/TL (A); Naturalist (H); Navigation/TL (A); Piloting/TL (A); Psychology (A); Professional Skill (A); Survival (A).

[Pursuivant]

Monitor Corps Technician

Monitor Corps Technicians are responsible for maintenance of Monitor Corps ships and equipment, including Sector General.

They actually outnumber medical personnel aboard Sector General and work constantly behind the scenes to keep the space station running.

Description

Spoiler:  

This template represents a typical Monitor Corps technician and can also serve as a template for personnel with more extensive training. Combine the template with the Astronaut, Colonist, Detective, Explorer, Scientist, Space Worker, or Technician templates from GURPS Space to design such specialists.

Monitor Corps Psychologists and Technicians don’t undergo the same training as Monitor Corps first responders and security personnel. For this reason, they have slightly relaxed standards for physical training and discipline, but also lack law enforcement powers.

Maintenance Officers can either use this template or the Monitor Corpsman template with suitable additions of Rank and Administration and Leadership skills.

Template

Spoiler:  

Monitor Corps Technician (50 points)

Attributes: ST 10 [0]; DX 10 [0]; IQ 11 [20]; HT 11 [10].

Optional Attributes: Altered ST or HT [±10/lvl]; Increased DX or IQ [20/lvl].

Secondary Characteristics: 1d-2/1d Dam; BL 20 lbs.; HP: 10; Per 11 [0]; Will 11 [0]; Basic Speed 5 [0]; Basic Move 5 [0]; FP 11 [0].

Optional Secondary Characteristics: Increased HP [2/lvl]; Increased Basic Speed or Move [5/lvl]; Increased Per or Will [5/lvl]; Increased FP [3/lvl].

Advantages: Claim to Hospitality [1]; Fit [5]; Rank (Military) 0 [0]; Social Regard (Respected) 1 [5].

Optional Advantages: Up to 20 points from improved attributes and/or: 3D Spatial Sense or Absolute Direction [2 or 5]; Acute Sense [2/lvl]; Cultural Familiarities [1 or 2 points each]; additional Languages [2 per lvl]; Ambidexterity [5]; Appearance [Varies]; Charisma [5/lvl]; Claim to Hospitality [1-9];

Combat Reflexes [15]; Common Sense [10]; Contact [Varies]; Contact Group [Varies; Cultural Adaptability [10]; Damage Resistance 1 (Limitation: Tough Skin) [3].; Danger Sense [15]; Daredevil [15]; Eidetic Memory [10]; Extra FP [3/lvl]; Extra HP [3/lvl]; Fearlessness [2/lvl];

G-Experience [1 to 10]; Hard to Kill [5/lvl]; High Manual Dexterity +1 [5]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Higher Purpose [5]; Immunity to Space Sickness [5]; Improved G-Tolerance (1 or 2 increments) [5-10]; Increased Move [5/lvl]; Increased Perception [5/lvl]; Increased Speed [20/lvl]; Increased Will [5/lvl];

Independent Income (10% of Struggling Wealth) [5]; Intuition [15]; Language Talent [10]; Less Sleep [2 per lvl]; Lifting Strength [5/lvl]; Lightning Calculator [5]; Longevity [2]; Luck [15/30]; Mathematical Ability [10/25]; Patron [Varies]; Perfect Balance [15]; Rank [5/lvl]; Reputation [Varies];

Resistance (Acceleration, Altitude Sickness, Decompression Sickness (“The Bends”), Disease, Poison, Psionics, or Radiation) [Varies]; Resistance (Disease) (+3, Limitation: Known Diseases Only, -10%) [3]; Security Clearance [5/lvl]; Single- Minded [5]; Talent (Any) [5 to 15/lvl];

Unusual Background [5 or 10]; Versatile [5]; Very Fit [+10]; Voice [10].

Disadvantages: Duty (Monitor Corps, Non-Hazardous, 12-) [-5].

Optional Disadvantages: The Monitor Corps encourages “good” traits such as Honesty and Truthfulness, as well as Codes of Honor or Senses of Duty which don’t seriously conflict with professional Duty. Other disadvantages on this list are acceptable. Choose -20 points from one or more of:

Appearance [Varies]; Bad Temper [-10*]; Chummy [-5*]; Code of Honor (Other) [-1 to -15]; Code of Honor (Police or Soldier’s) [-5 or -10]; Compulsive Behavior [-5 or -10]; Disciplines of Faith [-5 or -10]; Enemy [Varies]; Fanaticism (Galactic Federation) [-15]; Gullibility [-10]; Honesty [-10];

Insomnia [-5]; Jealousy [-10]; Lecherousness [-15*]; Light Sleeper [-5]; No Sense of Humor [-10]; Obsession [-5*]; Odious Personal Habit [-5 or -10*]; Overconfidence [-5*]; Pacifism (Cannot Kill, Reluctant Killer, or Self-Defense Only) [-5 or -10]; Reputation [-5]; Secret [-5 to -20]; Secret [Varies];

Sense of Duty (Comrades, Monitor Corps, or Galactic Federation) [Varies]; Sense of Duty [-2 to -20]; Shyness [-5*]; Stubbornness [-5]; Truthfulness [15*]; Truthfulness [-5*]; Workaholic [-5]; Xenophilia [-10*].

Primary Skill: One of Administration, Armoury/TL, Electrician/TL, Electronics Operation/TL, Electronics Repair/TL, Hazardous Materials/TL, Mechanic/TL, or Professional Skill/TL (A) IQ+1 [4] - 12.

Secondary Skills: Area Knowledge (Federation Space) (A) IQ [1] - 11; Crewman/TL (Spacer) (E) IQ [1] - 11; Environment Suit/TL (Vacc Suit) (A) DX-1 [1] - 9; Expert Skill (Xenology) (H) IQ-2 [1] - 9; First Aid/TL (Own Species) (E) IQ [1] - 11; First Aid (Other Species) (A) IQ [1] - 11.

Background Skills: 4 points in improved primary or secondary skills or one or more of Area Knowledge (E); Anthropology (H); Beam Weapons/TL (E); Carousing (A); Chemistry/TL (H); Climbing (A); Criminology/TL (H); Detect Lies (H); Diplomacy (H); Environment Suit/TL (A);

Fast-Talk (A); Forensics/TL (H); Free Fall (A); Gambling (A); Geology/TL (H); Gunnery/TL (A); Guns/TL; Intimidation/TL (A); Judo (H); Jumping (E); Karate (H); Leadership (A); Linguistics (H); Navigation/TL (A); Observation (A); Philosophy (H); Psychology (H);

Physics/TL (VH); Running (A); Savoir-Faire (Military) (A); Search (A); Sociology (H); Streetwise (A); Survival (A); Swimming (E); Tactics (H); Theology (H); Writing (A).

Features: Taboo Traits (Any antisocial or pathological mental disadvantages worth -10 points or more including: Absent-Minded, Berserk, Bloodlust, Chronic Depression, Cowardice, Delusions, Flashbacks, Illiterate or Semi-Literate, Innumerate, Intolerance, Killjoy, Kleptomania, Manic-Depressive, Megalomania, Non-Iconographic, Paranoia, Phantom Voices, Pyromania, Sadism, Short Attention Span, or Split Personality).

Taboo Traits (Colorblindness. Any physical disadvantages worth -10 points or more not included in a species template including: missing digits, limbs, or organs which can’t be replaced by prosthetics or transplants and Bad Back, Bad Grip, Blindness, Chronic Pain, Deafness, Dwarfism, Gigantism, Ham Fisted, Hard of Hearing, Klutz, Low Self-Image, Motion Sickness, Neurological Disorder, Space Sickness, Terminally Ill, or Wounded).

Taboo Trait (Social Stigma (Criminal Record, Normal, or Outlaw)).

Variation: Sector General Technician
This variation represents a Monitor Corps technician serving aboard Sector General.

Spoiler:  

Variation: Sector General Technician (+5 points).

Skills: Increase Crewman/TL (Spacer) (E) IQ+1 [+1] - 12; Expert Skill/TL (Xenology) (H) IQ-1 [+1] - 10.

Add Area Knowledge (Sector General) (E) IQ [1] - 11; Area Knowledge (Sector General Maintenance Areas) (E) IQ+1 [2] - 12; Diplomacy (H) IQ-2 [1] - 9; Free-Fall (A) DX-1 [1] - 9; Hazardous Materials/TL (Biological) (A) IQ-1 [1] - 10; Hazardous Materials/TL (Chemical) (A) IQ-1 [1] - 10; Hazardous Materials/TL (Radiological) (A) IQ-1 [1] - 10.

[Pursuivant]

Monitor Corpsman

Monitor Corpsmen are the galaxy's police, soldiers, spies, and explorers. Different divisions perform everything from space traffic control to alien first contact.

Description

Spoiler:  

This template represents a typical Monitor Corps police officer and can also serve as a template for personnel with more extensive training. Combine the template with the Astronaut, Bounty Hunter, Colonist, Detective, Explorer, Scientist, Security Officer, Soldier, Space Worker, or Technician templates from GURPS Space to design such specialists.

Monitor Corps Psychologists and Technicians don’t undergo the same training as Monitor Corps first responders and security personnel and use the Sector General Psychologist or Sector General Technician templates.

Template

Spoiler:  

Monitor Corpsman (85 points)

Attributes: ST 11 [10]; DX 11 [20]; IQ 11 [20]; HT 11 [10]. 60

Optional Attributes: Altered ST or HT [±10/lvl]; Increased DX or IQ [20/lvl].

Secondary Characteristics: 1d-1/1d+1 Dam; BL 24 lbs.; HP: 11; Per 11 [0]; Will 11 [0]; Basic Speed 5.5 [0]; Basic Move 5 [0]; FP 11 [0].

Optional Secondary Characteristics: Increased HP [2/lvl]; Increased Basic Speed or Move [5/lvl]; Increased Per or Will [5/lvl]; Increased FP [3/lvl].

Advantages: Claim to Hospitality [1]; Fit [5]; Legal Enforcement Powers 1 [5]; Rank (Military) 0 [0]; Social Regard (Respected) 1 [5].

Optional Advantages: Up to 20 points from improved attributes and/or: 3D Spatial Sense or Absolute Direction [2 or 5]; Acute Sense [2/lvl]; Cultural Familiarities [1 or 2 points each]; additional Languages [2 per lvl]; Ambidexterity [5]; Appearance [Varies]; Charisma [5/lvl]; Claim to Hospitality [1-9];

Combat Reflexes [15]; Common Sense [10]; Contact [Varies]; Contact Group [Varies; Cultural Adaptability [10]; Damage Resistance 1 (Limitation: Tough Skin) [3].; Danger Sense [15]; Daredevil [15]; Eidetic Memory [10]; Extra FP [3/lvl]; Extra HP [3/lvl]; Fearlessness [2/lvl];

G-Experience [1 to 10]; Hard to Kill [5/lvl]; High Manual Dexterity +1 [5]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Higher Purpose [5]; Immunity to Space Sickness [5]; Improved G-Tolerance (1 or 2 increments) [5-10]; Increased Move [5/lvl]; Increased Perception [5/lvl]; Increased Speed [20/lvl]; Increased Will [5/lvl];

Independent Income (10% of Struggling Wealth) [5]; Intuition [15]; Language Talent [10]; Less Sleep [2 per lvl]; Lifting Strength [5/lvl]; Lightning Calculator [5]; Longevity [2]; Luck [15/30]; Mathematical Ability [10/25]; Patron [Varies]; Perfect Balance [15]; Rank [5/lvl]; Reputation [Varies];

Resistance (Acceleration, Altitude Sickness, Decompression Sickness (“The Bends”), Disease, Poison, Psionics, or Radiation) [Varies]; Resistance (Disease) (+3, Limitation: Known Diseases Only, -10%) [3]; Security Clearance [5/lvl]; Single- Minded [5]; Talent (Any) [5 to 15/lvl];

Unusual Background [5 or 10]; Versatile [5]; Very Fit [+10]; Voice [10].

Disadvantages: Duty (Monitor Corps, 12-) [-10].

Optional Disadvantages: The Monitor Corps encourages “good” traits such as Honesty and Truthfulness, as well as Codes of Honor or Senses of Duty which don’t seriously conflict with professional Duty. Other disadvantages on this list are acceptable. Choose -20 points from one or more of:

Appearance [Varies]; Bad Temper [-10*]; Chummy [-5*]; Code of Honor (Other) [-1 to -15]; Code of Honor (Police or Soldier’s) [-5 or -10]; Compulsive Behavior [-5 or -10]; Disciplines of Faith [-5 or -10]; Enemy [Varies]; Fanaticism (Galactic Federation) [-15]; Gullibility [-10]; Honesty [-10];

Insomnia [-5]; Jealousy [-10]; Lecherousness [-15*]; Light Sleeper [-5]; No Sense of Humor [-10]; Obsession [-5*]; Odious Personal Habit [-5 or -10*]; Overconfidence [-5*]; Pacifism (Cannot Kill, Reluctant Killer, or Self-Defense Only) [-5 or -10]; Reputation [-5]; Secret [-5 to -20]; Secret [Varies];

Sense of Duty (Comrades, Monitor Corps, or Galactic Federation) [Varies]; Sense of Duty [-2 to -20]; Shyness [-5*]; Stubbornness [-5]; Truthfulness [15*]; Truthfulness [-5*]; Workaholic [-5]; Xenophilia [-10*].

Primary Skill: Law Enforcement/TL (A) IQ+1 [4] - 12.

Secondary Skills: Area Knowledge (Federation Space) (A) IQ [1] - 11; Beam Weapons/TL (E) DX [1] - 11; Crewman/TL (Spacer) (E) IQ [1] - 11; Environment Suit/TL (Vacc Suit) (A) DX-1 [1] - 10; Expert Skill (Xenology) (H) IQ-2 [1] - 9; First Aid/TL (Own Species) (E) IQ [1] - 11; First Aid (Other Species) (A) IQ [1] - 11; Guns/TL (Pistol) (E) DX [1] - 11.

Background Skills: 7 points in improved primary or secondary skills or one or more of Administration (A); Area Knowledge (E); Armoury/TL (A); Anthropology (H); Carousing (A); Climbing (A); Criminology/TL (H); Detect Lies (H); Diplomacy (H); Electrician (A); Electronics Operation/TL (A);

Electronics Repair/TL (A); Environment Suit/TL (A); Fast-Talk (A); Forensics/TL (H); Free Fall (A); Gambling (A); Intimidation/TL (A); Judo (H); Jumping (E); Karate (H); Leadership (A); Linguistics (H); Mechanic/TL (A);

Navigation/TL (A); Observation (A); Philosophy (H); Psychology (H); Running (A); Savoir-Faire (Military) (E); Search (A); Sociology (H); Streetwise (A); Survival (A); Swimming (E); Tactics (H); Theology (H); Writing (A).

Features: Taboo Traits (Any antisocial or pathological mental disadvantages worth -10 points or more including: Absent-Minded, Berserk, Bloodlust, Chronic Depression, Cowardice, Delusions, Flashbacks, Illiterate or Semi-Literate, Innumerate, Intolerance, Killjoy, Kleptomania, Manic-Depressive, Megalomania, Non-Iconographic, Paranoia, Phantom Voices, Pyromania, Sadism, Short Attention Span, or Split Personality).

Taboo Traits (Any physical disadvantages worth -10 points or more not included in a species template including: missing digits, limbs, or organs which can’t be replaced by prosthetics or transplants and Bad Back, Bad Grip, Blindness, Chronic Pain, Deafness, Dwarfism, Gigantism, Ham Fisted, Hard of Hearing, Klutz, Low Self-Image, Motion Sickness, Neurological Disorder, Space Sickness, Terminally Ill, or Wounded).

Taboo Trait (Social Stigma (Criminal Record, Normal, or Outlaw)).

Variation: Cultural Contact Division Officer

Spoiler:  

Cultural Contact Division Officer (+50 points).

This variation represents a member of the Monitor Corps Cultural Contact Division, an elite unit responsible for making first contact with newly-discovered alien species, assessing their suitability for Federation membership, and serving as liaisons between the Galactic Federation and newly-joined species. While they retain their Monitor Corps authority, Cultural Contact Division personnel are primarily diplomats and social scientists. Background skills related to those professions are common. Most have the nominal rank of Lieutenant but only have command authority when regular Monitor Corps personnel are detailed to assist their mission.

Attributes: IQ 12 [+20].

Secondary Traits: Will 12 [0]; Per 12 [0].

Advantages: Rank 1 [5]

Primary Skills: Anthropology (Comparative) IQ [4] - 12; Diplomacy (H) IQ [4] - 12; Psychology (Comparative) (H) IQ [4] - 12; Sociology/TL (Comparative) IQ [4] - 12.

Secondary Skills: Electronics Operation/TL (Communications) (A) IQ [2] - 12; Leadership (A) IQ-1 [1] - 11; Linguistics (Comparative) (H) IQ-2 [1] - 10; Navigation/TL (Land) (A) IQ-1 [1] - 11; Observation (A) Per [2] - 12; Survival (A) Per [2] - 12.

Variation: Medic

Spoiler:  

Variation: Medic (+25 points).

This variation represents a Monitor Corps medic trained both as a combat medic and a civilian first-responder. Medics like this usually only deal with emergencies involving Monitor Corps personnel, but can be dispatched to assist local authorities in the event of a mass disaster or to assist Monitor Force personnel with combat casualties. They might visit Sector General for training or to deliver patients.

Primary Skills: First Aid/TL (Comparative) (E) IQ+2 (E) IQ+2 [4] - 13; First Aid/TL (Own Species) (E) IQ+2 [4] - 13; First Aid/TL (Species 1) (E) IQ+1 [2] - 12; First Aid/TL (Species 2) (E) IQ+1 [2] - 12. 12

Secondary Skills: Crewman/TL (Spacer) IQ+1 [+1] - 12; Diagnosis/TL (Own Species) (H) IQ-2 [1] - 10; Environment Suit/TL (NBC Suit) (A) DX+1 [4] - 12; Expert Skill/TL (Disaster Relief) (H) IQ-1 [2] - 11; Hazardous Materials/TL (Chemical) (A) IQ-1 [1] - 10; Hazardous Materials/TL (Radiological) (A) IQ-1 [1] - 10; Pharmacy/TL (Comparative) (H) IQ-1 [2] - 10; Soldier/TL (A) IQ-1 [1] - 10.

[Pursuivant]

Nidian (DBDG) (Nidia, Milky Way Galaxy)

Nidians are ill-tempered, teddy bear-like aliens. They were one of the first species discovered by Earth-Humans.

Their low template cost and lack of defining psychological or physiological limitations makes them a good choice for player characters. Their lack of ST limits their usefulness as fighters, however.

Description

Spoiler:  

Humanoid, stocky build, seven-fingered hands, overall coat of dense, tightly-curled, red fur. Tightly-curled facial fur. Fur on older individuals tends towards gray around mouth and ears. Tiny, dark eyes almost hidden by fur. Clothing typically isn’t worn, but equipment harnesses are common. Sashes are used to indicate rank, department, or job title. Speech sounds like growling and barking. Vaguely resembles an outsized rodent. Fur ranges from light to dark red.

Native speech sounds like staccato barks. Insults and complaints are generally delivered in a loud voice. One Nidian epithet is “Crutath-accursed.”

Nidians are a warm-blooded, oxygen-breathing species native to the same solar system as the Orligians. The two species might be related. Their planet is vulnerable to sudden cooling climate swings and periods of glaciations. They evolved intelligence, as well as thick fur coats, during one of these periods.

They have two sexes, but, at least to aliens, there are no external differences. Children have hair color and/or texture which easily distinguishes them from adults. Puberty is marked, among other things, by adult fur growing in.

Their metabolism is very similar to that of Earth-humans, although mass and lung volume is about half the Earth-human norm. They consider themselves to be tall if they stand more than a meter high.

As with humans, they are prone to cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

They are capable of moving very quickly despite their small size. They move with a waddling gait, reminiscent of “a hyperactive teddy bear.”

Nidians psychologically fairly similar to Earth-humans. They are peaceful and both culturally and technologically advanced. They are particularly noted for their advanced super-hard plastics. They tend to be businesslike and prefer to speak bluntly, although they are capable of deception.

They appear to good at clerical tasks and can be found on the Sector General administrative staff working in the medical records and reception departments.

They are prone to Bad Temper, sarcasm (Odious Personal Habit), Stubbornness, and Workaholic behavior. On the positive side they tend to be pragmatic (Common Sense) and Single-Minded.

Nidians reverence their dead. They have funerary rites and customs and memorials which honor the dead. Some dislike being around blood or dead flesh, possibly making them Squeamish.

Many are curious about aliens, possibly giving them Curiosity or Xenophilia traits as disadvantages or quirks. The Retlin starport has been described as the Federation’s largest extra-terrestrial zoo.

Like Earth-humans they can engage in casual or transactional sex. Some might have Lecherousness or similar disadvantages.

They dislike violence and public disorder, although individuals might have disheveled appearance or prefer to live in messy surroundings.

They appreciate art and beauty. Nidians enjoy table decorations and decorative vegetation on the walls of their living quarters. More salacious individuals appreciate erotic illustrations of members of the opposite sex.

Template

Spoiler:  

Nidian (DBDG) (Nidia, Milky Way Galaxy) (-30 points)

Furry, Teddy bear-Like Aliens, Height: 3-4’. Mass: 60-90 lbs.

“The Nidians as a species, it was said by their many critics, were not particularly strong or intelligent or in possession of effective natural weapons that had enabled them to become dominant on their home planet; they had got there purely through their sheer, bad-tempered impatience to evolve.”
- Galactic Gourmet

Attributes: ST 6 [-40]; DX 10 [0]; IQ 10 [0]; HT 10 [0].

Optional Attributes: Altered ST or HT [±10/lvl]; Increased DX or IQ [20/lvl].

Secondary Characteristics: Damage 1d-3/1d-2; BL 7 lbs.; HP 6 [0]; Will 10 [0]; Per 10 [0]; FP 10 [0]; Basic Speed 5.0 [0]; Basic Move 5 [0]; Size -2.

Optional Secondary Characteristics: Altered HP [±2/lvl]; Increased Will or Per [5/lvl]; Altered FP [±3/lvl]; Increased Basic Speed or Basic Move [5/lvl].

Advantages: Damage Resistance 1 (Limitation: Flexible, -40%; Tough Skin, -40%.) [1]; High Manual Dexterity 1 [5]; Temperature Tolerance 2 [2].

Optional Advantages: Acute Hearing [2/lvl]; Acute Smell & Taste [2/lvl]; Acute Vision [2/lvl]; Allies [Varies]; Charisma [5/lvl]; Combat Reflexes [15]; Common Sense [10]; Contact Group [Varies]; Contacts [Varies]; Empathy or Sensitive [5 or 15]; Extended Lifespan [5/lvl]; Enhanced Dodge [15];

Fearlessness [2/lvl]; Hard to Kill [2/lvl]; Hard to Subdue [2/lvl]; High Pain Threshold [10]; High Manual Dexterity [5/lvl]; Indomitable [15]; Intuition [15]; Longevity [2]; Pitiable [5]; Reduced Consumption [2/lvl]; Resistant (Disease or Poison) [Varies]; Single-Minded [5]; Talent [Varies].

Optional Disadvantages: Bad Temper [-10*]; Bully [-10*]; Code of Honor [Varies]; Compulsive Behavior [-5* or -10*]; Curiosity [-5*]; Impulsiveness [-10*]; Intolerance [-10]; No Sense of Humor [-10]; Obsession [-5 or -10]; Odious Racial Habit [-5 or -10]; Overconfidence [-5*]; Phobia [Varies];

Selfless [-5*]; Selfish [-5*]; Shyness [Varies]; Squeamishness [-10*]; Stubbornness [-5]; Vow [Varies]; Workaholic [-5].

Quirks: Nudity Preferred [-1].

Optional Perks: Acceleration Tolerance [1]; Honest Face [1].

Skills: Area Knowledge (Home World) (E) IQ [1] - 10; Computer Operations/TL (E) IQ [1] - 10.

Optional Skills: Acting (A); Administration (A); Driving/TL (Type) (E); Electronics Operation/TL (A); Electronics Repair/TL (A); Engineering/TL (H); Fast-Talk (A); Intimidation (A); Leadership (A); Mathematics/TL (H); Mechanic/TL (A); Navigation/TL (A); Piloting/TL (A); Stealth (A); Survival (Type) (A); Swimming (E).

Languages: Nidian (Native) [0].

Cultural Familiarities: Nidian [0].

Features: Reddish Fur. Teddy Bear-like features.

Physiological Data: Physiological Classification: DBDG. Gravity: Unknown, presumably 1.0 G. Pressure: Unknown, presumably 1.0 ATM. Preferred Temperature: Unknown, presumably 15-90 °F comfort zone, preferred temperature: 65 °F. Height: 3-4’; Mass: 60-80 lbs. Lifespan: ~100 years.

[Pursuivant]

Orligian (DBDG) (Orligia, Milky Way Galaxy)

Orligians are very similar in appearance to Nidians, but are considerably taller. Due to their high ST, they make good fighters, but are suitable for just about any role. Along with Nidians and Earth-Humans, they make up the bulk of the Monitor Corps space fleet personnel.

Long ago, Earth-Humans fought one of the very few interstellar wars against the Orligians, due to a tragic misunderstanding brought about by the fact that humans bear an uncanny resemblance to an Orligian predator known to feed on children.

They bear some uncanny similarities to a certain large, hirsute species native to the planet Kashyyyk in a galaxy far, far away, but James White did them first.

Description

Spoiler:  

Tall, broadly-built, hair-covered humanoids, vaguely reminiscent of bears. Adults typically stand approximately 10 inches taller than humans. Soft-looking, furry arms. Large, hairy, four-fingered hands. Long furry ears. White teeth are visible when speaking or expressing strong emotions. Other facial features are obscured by fur.

Thick brown fur covers the body, with exact coloration ranging from reddish brown, to grayish brown, to dark brown. Males have thicker and spikier fur than females. Fur on the face and body becomes streaked with gray in elderly individuals. Fur can be twitched either voluntarily or involuntarily.

They don’t typically wear clothes, but often wear equipment harnesses which carry devices such as personal biomonitors or translators. Orligians serving as part of a multi-species spaceship might wear uniforms.

Speech consists of low barks, growls, and whines. They whine softly when upset.

Template

Spoiler:  

Orligian (DBDG) (Orligia, Milky Way Galaxy) (29 points)

Large, hairy humanoid aliens. Height: 6-7’. Mass: 150-250 lbs. Size 1.

Attributes: ST 13 (Limitation: Size -1, -10%.) [27]; DX 10 [0]; IQ 10 [0]; HT 10 [0].

Optional Attributes: Increased ST or HT [10/lvl]; Increased DX or IQ [20/lvl].

Secondary Characteristics: Damage 1d+2/2d-1; BL 33 lbs.; HP 13 [0]; Will 10 [0]; Per 10 [0]; FP 10 [0]; Basic Speed 5.0 [0]; Basic Move 5 [0].

Optional Secondary Characteristics: Increased HP [±2/lvl]; Increased Will [5/lvl]; Increased FP [3/lvl]; Increased Basic Speed or Basic Move [5/lvl].

Advantages: Damage Resistance 1 (Limitation: Flexible, -40%; Tough Skin, -40%.) [1]; Temperature Tolerance 2 [2].

Optional Advantages: Acute Hearing [2/lvl]; Acute Smell & Taste [2/lvl]; Acute Vision [2/lvl]; Charisma [5/lvl]; Claim to Hospitality [1 to 10]; Combat Reflexes [15]; Common Sense [10]; Contact Group [Varies]; Contacts [Varies]; Damage Resistance (Limitations: Tough Skin, -40%; Flexible, -40%.) [1/lvl]; Danger Sense [15]; Empathy or Sensitive [5 or 15];

Extended Lifespan [5/lvl]; Favors [1 each]; Fearless [2/lvl]; G-Experience [1 to 10]; G-Tolerance [Varies]; Hard to Kill [2/lvl]; Hard to Subdue [2/lvl]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Increased TL [5/lvl]; Indomitable [15]; Intuition [15]; Longevity [2]; Parabolic Hearing [4/lvl]; Rank [5/lvl];

Resistant (Poison or Disease) [Varies]; Single Minded [5]; Status [5/lvl].

Perks: Acceleration Tolerance [1]; Fur [1].

Optional Perks: Alcohol Tolerance [1].

Optional Disadvantages: Bad Temper [-10*]; Charitable [-15*]; Chummy or Gregarious [-5 or -10]; Clueless [-5]; Code of Honor [-5 or -10]; Compulsive Behavior [-5 or -10*]; Curious [-5*]; Dependents [Varies]; Duty (Extended Family) [Varies]; Guilt Complex [-5]; Hidebound [-5]; Incurious [-5*];

Impulsiveness [-10*]; Intolerance [-10]; Low Empathy [-20]; No Sense of Humor [-10]; Odious Racial Habit [-5 or -10]; Overconfidence [-5*]; Pacifism [Varies]; Selfless [-5*]; Sense of Duty (Friends, Family, or Extended Family) [-5 to -15]; Workaholic [-5].

Quirks: Emotional [-1]; Increased Consumption [-1]; Large Ears [-1]; Loud Noises Block Speech [-1]; Nudity Preferred [-1].

Optional Quirks: “Do Things Well or Not At All” [-1]; Dislikes Earth-Humans [-1]; Enjoys partying [-1]; Likes Nidians [-1]; Likes Earth-Humans [-1].

Skills: Area Knowledge (Home World) (E) IQ [1] - 10; Computer Operations/TL (E) IQ [1] - 10.

Optional Skills: Brawling (E) DX [1]; Camouflage (A); Carousing (A); Connoisseur (E); Driving/TL (Type) (E); Electronics Operation/TL (A); Electronics Repair/TL (A); Engineering/TL (H); Expert Skill/TL (Psionics or Xenology) (H); History (H); Judo (H); Karate (H); Mathematics/TL (H);

Mechanic/TL (A); Navigation/TL (A); Piloting/TL (A); Religious Ritual (A); Running (E); Savoir-Faire (E); Singing (E); Theology (H); Wrestling (A).

Cultural Familiarities: Native Culture [0]

Languages: (Native Language, Native, Spoken/Written) [0]

Features: Can be poisoned by the fruit of the Etlan pessith tree. Can twitch fur. Consider Earth-humans to be ugly. Four-fingered hands. Mentally mature before physically mature. Try to be nice to Earth-humans.

Physiological Data: Physiological Classification: DBDG. Gravity: Unknown, presumably 1.0 G. Pressure: Unknown, presumably 1.0 ATM. Preferred Temperature: Unknown, presumably 35-90 °F comfort zone, preferred temperature: 72 °F. Height: 6-7’ Mass: 150-250 lbs. Lifespan: ~100 years.

Edit: Fixed mistake with template.


Variation: Historical Orligian
Description

Spoiler:  

This variation represents an Orligian from nearly a millennia ago, before first contact with the Earth-Humans and the end of the Orligian-Earth-human war.

Treat the traditional Code of Honor as being an even more restrictive version of the social codes observed by historical conservative and tradition-minded human societies such as feudal Japan. Tenets might include: Obey the family patriarch without question. Do nothing which brings dishonor to the family. Do not lie to other family members or conceal the truth from them. Support other family members when asked to do so. Honor Family traditions.

Family group Allies typically have the same point cost as the main character but individual family members can vary in point cost as long as the average point value for group members works out to be the same. Family patriarchs, more senior family members, and highly trained individuals will typically be built on a greater number of points. Juvenile, injured, sick, and elderly family members should be built on fewer points. Family Patriarchs might have an Ally Group of individuals based on 50-75% of the main character’s point cost, but with a higher frequency of appearance.

The nuisance effect associated with the family group is a terrible, if temporary, drawback. Should any member of the family die or be seriously injured (i.e., suffer a crippling injury or reduced to 0 HP or less) all the other family members must roll vs. Will at avoid suffering the effects of Chronic Depression for days equal to their Margin of Failure. Grief doesn’t take the form of moping and social avoidance, however. Instead, it represents communal grieving, worry, and spending time in vigil for the victim.

Grief, familial Duty, and Sense of Duty will also provoke family members to demand justice if the victim was injured or killed by another person’s actions or negligence. This will provoke demands for compensation and possibly trigger a feud.

Template

Spoiler:  

Variation: Historical Orligian (+1 point).

Advantages: Add Ally Group (9-, Family (Averages 100% of points. 11-15 individuals (x8), Limitation: Nuisance Effect (Temporary Chronic Depression if family member is killed or seriously injured.), -10%.) [36].

Disadvantages: Code of Honor (Traditional Orligian) [-10]; Duty (To Family. Non-Hazardous. 12-) [-5]; Gregarious [-10]; Hidebound [-5]; Sense of Duty (Family) [-5].

Variation: Juvenile

Spoiler:  

Variation: Juvenile (-10 points)

This variation represents a late juvenile or adolescent Orligian which has reached mental maturity but hasn’t yet gotten its adult growth spurt. They are physically more agile than adults and might be more mentally agile as well. They stand 3-4 feet tall and mass approximately 50-70 lbs. To humans, they look vaguely like teddy bears. Small juveniles should be built on even fewer points, using the templates for human children (see GURPS Basic Set, p. B20).

Attributes: ST -5 [-50]; DX +1 [20].

Optional Attributes: Altered ST [±10/lvl]; Increased DX [20/lvl].

Secondary Traits: Basic Speed 6 [+15]. Size -1.

Optional Secondary Trait: Increased Basic Move [5/lvl].

Advantages: High Manual Dexterity 1 [5]; Social Regard (Revered) [5]

Optional Advantages: Enhanced Dodge [15]; Double-Jointed or Flexibility [5 or 15]; Pitiable [5].

Disadvantages: Social Stigma (Minor) [-5].

Optional Disadvantages: Bad Temper [-10*]; Bully [-10*]; Compulsive Behavior (Play) [-*5]; Cowardice [-15*]; Curiosity [-5*]; Duty [Variable]; Fearfulness [-2/lvl]; Gullibility [-10*]; Impulsiveness [-10*]; Jealousy [-5]; Odious Personal Habit [-5 or -10]; Shyness [Varies]; Stubbornness [-5].

[Pursuivant]

And the star of the show . . .

Sector 12 General Hospital Class Space Station

Sector 12 General Hospital is a massive space station built over a period of decades, both as the galaxy’s premier multispecies hospital and as a monument to interspecies solidarity.

This template pays lip service to GURPS Starship design, but takes considerable liberties with the system in order to cope with the inconsistent descriptions of both Sector General and its technology. (Mr. White clearly thought that in-universe continuity was one of those high-falutin professional writer tricks . . .)

Basically, it's a humongous, overcrowded, space-going multi-species hospital which can be turned into a formidable military space station with suitable preparation.

Crew requirements are based on canon descriptions and reasonable guesses as to patient-staff ratios. From there, minimum space required per person was used to calculate approximate volume and dimensions. Many systems described in this template aren't in continuous use, but exist as backup equipment in case the station is somehow cut off from resupply.

Spoiler:  

Front Hull System
[1] Light Alloy Hull (Reinforced dDR 500 (2))
[2] Hangar Bay (100K tons total, 5,000 tons launch rate, 300 workspaces)
[3] Battery, Tertiary (30 tractor beams, 30 workspaces (highly automated)).
[4] Habitat (3,000 cabins (total life support), 2,000 luxury cabins (total life support), 250 establishments (shops, restaurants, gyms, recreation areas, classrooms) (750 workspaces), 500 major labs (Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physician, Physiology, Surgery), 500 offices (Administration, Anthropology, Computer Operation, Computer Programming, Expert Skill (Epidemiology), Expert Skill (Xenology), History, Psychology, Research, Sociology), 1,500-bed sickbay (Automed), 400 robofacs ($400M/h), 400 Hibernation Chambers, 60,000 tons cargo. 1,050 workspaces.
[5-6] Open Space - 40 acres of recreation levels, large species wards. (600 techs).

Central Hull System
[1] Light Alloy Hull - Reinforced (dDR 500 (2))
[2] Hangar Bay (100K tons total, 5,000 tons launch rate, 300 workspaces)
[3] Battery, Tertiary (30 tractor beams, 30 workspaces (highly automated))
[4] Habitat - 3,000 cabins (total life support), 2,000 luxury cabins (total life support), 250 establishments (shops, restaurants, gyms, recreation areas, classrooms) (750 workspaces), 500 major labs (Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physician, Physiology, Surgery) (+$500M), 500 offices (Administration, Anthropology, Computer Operation, Computer Programming, Expert Skill (Epidemiology), Expert Skill (Xenology), History, Psychology, Research, Sociology), 1,500-bed sickbay (Automed), 400 robofacs ($400M/h), 400 Hibernation Chambers, 60,000 tons cargo. (300 workspaces) 1,050 workspaces total
[5] Open Space - (20 acres of recreation levels, large species wards, 300 techs)
[6] Power Plant, Reactor (300 workspaces, 1 power point, de-rated)
[core] Communications Array (Array level: 17, Workspaces 30 (Highly automated), FTL Communications Array)

Rear Hull System
[1] Light Alloy Hull - Reinforced (dDR 500 (2))
[2] Hangar Bay (100K tons total, 5,000 tons launch rate, 300 workspaces)
[3] Battery, Tertiary (30 tractor beams, 30 workspaces (highly automated))
[4] Power Plant, Reactor (2 power points, 600 year lifespan, 300 workplaces)
[5] Cargo Holds
[6] Fuel Tanks
[core] Control Room (Complexity C11, Comm/sensor: 15, Control Stations: 60, Workspaces: 300)

Features: Artificial Gravity, FTL Communications, FTL Sensors.

Personnel:
Administrative & Training: 500.
Maintenance & Supply: 2,200.
Medical: 6,000.
Researchers: 1,000.
Miscellaneous Service Workers: 500.
Technicians: 900.

Notes

Spoiler:  

The design assumes that Sector General’s Size is SM 19, with Load, ST/HP, DR, and cost based on the larger size, but with most other systems based on values for a ship with SM 15. The smaller capacity represents the massive redundancy of Sector General’s life support and docking facilities and the need to simultaneously recreate and maintain at least 7 major planetary environments.

Batteries: These represent the numerous tractor-pressor beams mounted around Sector General’s docking facilities. In times of war they can easily be uprated to major batteries with just a few weeks advanced notice and sufficient manpower.

Communications Array: This system stands in for the hospital’s Translator computer and its hyperspace radio equipment, as well as its medical records, database, and network servers.

Control Room: This system stands in for the gravity control computers deep in the hospital’s core, as well as actual control and sensor systems such as the space traffic control center in Reception.

Habitat: The number of cabins, luxury cabins, and other facilities aboard Sector General are estimates based on stated crew size, reasonable medical staff to patient ratios, and the need to have research laboratories, libraries, and operating rooms dedicated to the needs of 70 or more different species. It is assumed that junior Monitor Corps personnel and medical trainees and junior staff share rooms. Luxury cabins represent more spacious quarters given to larger species and senior staff. Robofacs represent automated fabrication and repair facilities as well as food and drug synthesis devices.

Habitats designed for various oxygen-nitrogen breathing terrestrial species accounts for about 70% of the hospital’s total space, with about 10% of total oxygen-breather space dedicated to low-gravity species and 30% dedicated to large high-gravity species. Chlorine-breather habitats account for about 20%, and habitat for other species accounts for the remaining 10%. Habitat for the tiny but highly-radioactive Telfi is integrated into the hospital’s secondary reactor. Habits for the ultra-cold Vosan and superheated Threcaldians are isolated from the others.

Hanger Bays: These represent docking ports, docking bays, and cargo bays scattered across the space station’s surface rather than actual internal hangars.

Hull: Sector General has a double hull and has repeatedly shown its ability to take massive damage and survive.

Open Space: This category represents large, open areas like the Chalder (AUGL) wards, the main warm-blooded oxygen breather dining hall and recreation decks, and their other-species equivalents.

Power Plant: The de-rated powerplant serves as both the hospital’s auxiliary powerplant and the “hot” ward for radiation-consumers. The larger powerplant provides heat and power as well as supplying the massive amounts of energy required for Sector General’s hyperspace radio array.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by Pursuivant

This template pays lip service to GURPS Starship design, but takes considerable liberties with the system in order to cope with the inconsistent descriptions of both Sector General and its technology. (Mr. White clearly thought that in-universe continuity was one of those high-falutin professional writer tricks . . .)

I met Jim a few times. His writing was about ideas and people, not numbers. The whole series can be considered as a protest against the politics of Northern Ireland.

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by johndallman

I met Jim a few times. His writing was about ideas and people, not numbers. The whole series can be considered as a protest against the politics of Northern Ireland.

I love his writing and I deeply understand his point of view, otherwise I wouldn't have spent so much time converting into an RPG.

[Rant]
But, you'd think that he would have made some simple sketches and diagrams of important species and bits of gear and kept a notebook of character sketches.
Admittedly, not every writer is J.R.R. Tolkein or J.K. Rowling, with thousands of pages of in-universe history and background material that never sees print, but there are limits.

Things like how many wings Prilicla has or what various minor species look like vary from book to book, and the number of Monitor Corps personnel with the surname "Williams" makes one think of the Welsh/Irish village joke ("Oh, it's Jones/Murphy the Spy you're wanting!").

And, even though she appears in just about every book in the series, Murchison, the one female human character, never gets a given name or a back story, has randomly shifting hair color, and is primarily defined by her breast size. This despite the fact that she's a member of an elite space rescue team when she isn't working as a senior scientist at the galaxy's premier medical institution. Yeah, it's sort of cute the first time that a Kelgian asks how she manages to walk without falling over, but it doesn't age well.[/Rant]

I get that White was nearly blind, so probably not big on visual aids, but you won't believe the amount of time I've spent trying to fix continuity holes.

[SydneyFreedberg]

Thanks for writing these up — these are some neat aliens, especially the candid fuzzy caterpillars, and your description makes me want to read the series. I will say that I find the format confusing : the way optional traits are mixed in with mandatory ones makes it harder to see at a glance what the essential nature of the species is like. I’m also curious how the Orligians can have the “missing finger” disadvantage, which implies they normally have five but all lost a finger in a species-wide wood shop accident….

[Refplace]

Rather wish I still had my books for this series.