Campaign of the Month: January 2012
Star Trek Late Night
The Insects from Shaggai, or Shan, are a race of pigeon-sized, interstellar refugees who arrived on Earth centuries ago. The Shan hail from the planet Shaggai, a world that orbits twin emerald suns. In its heyday, the technologically advanced Shan lived in globular dwellings in huge cities. As devout worshippers of the God Azathoth, they erected pyramidal temples containing ‘multidimensional gates’ whereby ‘that from Outside’ (an aspect of Azathoth called Xada-Hgla) could enter.
One day, a mysterious object appeared in the sky. Day by day, this object drew closer to Shaggai, until the third day when the strange celestial visitor emitted a red glow that destroyed the planet. Only those Shan in their teleporting temples of Azathoth survived the catastrophe. The survivors teleported to various planets including Terra.
The Shan survive today by use of Kirlian Phasing, allowing them to pass into the skulls and brains of organic life. Once embedded into the brain they take over the victim’s mind. Their sadistic fancy is often implemented through a host, preferably a sapient one, from which they feed off the electromagnetic impulses in the brain. The relationship is completely parasitic. As long as it inhabits a human host, the Shan has some control over the host’s actions, and the longer it is there, the more control it gains. It can, however, be driven out by trepanation, or certain magical procedures.
Modern medical technology cannot detect the presence of a Shan inside a host.
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- Fitness 1(3)
- Strength -2
- Coordination 2(5)
- Intellect 2(5)
- Presence 2(5)
- Willpower +2
- Psi 1(6)
- Force 1(6)
- Essence 1(6)
- Culture: Shan 2(3)
- History: Shan 1(2)
- World Knowledge: Earth or Other Homeworld 1(2)
- Behavior Modification (Slave Training) 2(3)
- Science: Any 1(2)
- Telepathy 1
- Language: Federation Standard [Fluent/R/W] (+4)
- Kirlian Phasing (+4)
The Shan makes a standard grab attack. If it hits, the Shan phases into the skull of his opponent. A contested Willpower roll is made. If the Shan loses he is expelled from the body and must try again. If the Shan wins, he assumes control of the target and gains all the skills and attributes of his new puppet. The victim can spend a Courage Point for a new Opposed Willpower test at any time he wishes to disobey his master, but this resistance only lasts for a few minutes.
The Shan feed off of their victims and cause a debilitating sickness. The victim loses one point of Fitness per month; when Fitness reaches 0, the victim dies of cardiac arrest or stroke.