Species: The Extinction

Species: The Extinction

We made her female so she would be more docile and controllable. ~ Xavier Fitch, Species Authors Notes This project is based on the films Species and Species II. Like many of my previous works, I don't always follow the films to the letter. I have added some of my own ideas based on unexplored aspects of the films. Please visit my web page (http://www.wku.edu/~charles/) for updates of this and other World of Darkness projects. This may be freely distributed by anyone in any format as long as credit is given to the author but cannot be distributed for profit for any reason. Known History Encounter One: Mankind is not alone in the universe. In January of 1993, man received instructions from an unknown alien intelligence telling how to create a combined alien/human DNA sequence. Ten human embryos were injected with the DNA sequence, and one was allowed to develop. This creature, code name SIL, grew at an astonishing speed. A decision was made to terminate the project, but SIL escaped the lab, after which the creature matured and took on the form of a full grown human female. A team was assembled to track down this woman and eliminate her. SIL was driven by an overwhelming desire to mate. After succeeding to do so, she bore a child in an amazingly short period of time. Soon after the birth, both SIL and her

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child were destroyed. Unfortunately, the alien DNA infected a rodent and survived. What became of this alien is unknown. Encounter Two: In an effort to study the aliens and defend against them, another embryo was allowed to develop. This project was simultaneous with man's first steps on Mars. A trace of alien DNA was accidentally picked up in a soil sample. This DNA went through the rapid growth typically associated with these beings and broke free. It proceeded to infect two of the three crew members. Once they returned to Earth, they were discovered to be infected, and one crew member was exterminated before she could cause much damage. However, the other infected member, Patrick Ross, escaped and began to breed. It was discovered that the second SIL, Eve, had a psychic connection with Patrick. By exploiting this, a team was able to track down Patrick and his children. Eve and Patrick succeeded in mating before Patrick killed her. He was then destroyed using human blood with genetic defects (sicklecell anemia). Once again, not all of the aliens were destroyed, and one of Patrick's children survived. Also, the child of the union between Eve and Patrick ripped its way from the corpse of its mother. The fates of these beings are unknown. Origin and Behavior The origin of this alien species is unknown. But DNA traces of it still exist on Mars from millions of years past when it destroyed the then thriving planet and left it dead. If brought into the proper environment, this DNA will develop into a full SIL. Each cell of the alien's body contains its entire genetic code which can be injected into the cells of other beings like a super virus. It can replicate at an amazing speed, and it can take over a human sized host in a few minutes. Once in a host, a SIL has a variety of forms. Its natural form is a writhing mass of tentacles. It can also retain the appearance of its host; however, to a degree, the alien can alter this form at will. This altered state has a thick carapace-like skin and long tentacles. It still retains the basic shape and residual look of its host, but it is utterly alien. Also, a "male" SIL is much larger in this form than a "female". Infection of a host enables an alien to breed with members of the host's species. Driven with an instinct to breed, these beings will continuously pursue this endeavor. The alien can sense genetic defects in beings and will not mate with them. It has been proven that SIL DNA cannot adapt to flawed DNA, and it will die if exposed to it. A SIL cannot change hosts, because it bonds genetically immediately upon entering a host creature.

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No pureblood alien has yet been encountered. The ones on Earth have acted solely on instinct, not some grand racial scheme to destroy the Earth. They live to breed and survive and will destroy anything that tries to stop them. It is not known if there is a SIL society on some uncharted planet or if they merely act as a virus preying on everything they encounter. SIL Lifeform A SIL is a very versatile creature capable of surviving in many extremes. In their natural form, a flowing pseudo-liquid with tentacles, they appear not to require air. They also seem to exhibit the ability to hibernate indefinitely until a suitable host is found. This is how they have survived on Mars when other life forms were unavailable. In natural form, this alien race cannot breed; however, it can grow at an amazing speed. In Species, one grows from the size of a single cell to the size of a small room in minutes. Its growth limits are unknown, because it was incinerated soon after. This species is required to bond with a host and use it to breed. A SIL is a true symbiote, and most of its advantages come from its ability to bond with any known animal. A SIL cannot use a plant as a host. Once a host is taken, the SIL acquires the instincts and thought processes of the being possessed as well as retaining its own. It can still be mildly influenced by things that normally influence the host, but the SIL is in control, so this is a dangerous endeavor. If two SILs were to breed (requiring that they possess hosts fertile with one another), the resulting offspring would be a pureblood. Such a creature has never been encountered by man. A pureblood has no host, but it resembles the hybrid form of its parents. This is the only form this creature has. A pureblood is stronger and faster than its parents, and it is fertile, but only with other purebloods. Note that purebloods do not have to mate with other purebloods of the same host species. Host vs. Grown A SIL that finds a host has some advantage over a SIL grown in a lab. The SIL automatically attains the knowledge of the host, and is aware of what it is. A SIL that is grown doesn't know exactly what it is and is forced to live by instinct. It also must learn about behavior. Fortunately, a SIL learns rapidly, but it still takes time. If properly isolated, a SIL grown with human DNA will not have knowledge of human behavior or language. It has been noted that a SIL grown with human DNA can be appealled to in human terms to a limited degree. This will not work in cases where instinct overrides such thoughts. Abilities and Characteristics Carapace: In hybrid host/alien form, a SIL has a carapace covering its body giving it a natural armor rating of 1 for resisting firearms and melee weapons. All purebloods have this advantage at all times. Climbing: In hybrid form, a SIL has greatly enhanced climbing abilities. The SIL in

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Species climbed and jumped with astonishing agility. The ability to climb could be greatly affected by the type of host the SIL has acquired. Enhanced Abilities: The alien species greatly enhances the physical abilities of its host. Add 2 points to Strength, 1 point to Dexterity, and 1 point to Stamina. The host retains all memories and knowledge, but it will eventually lose control to the alien being. It takes one day per point of Intelligence before the alien asserts itself completely. Meanwhile, the host slowly begins to realize that things are not right. When threatened or presented with an opportunity to mate, the host blacks out and the alien takes control and subsequently the host has no memory of what occurs while the SIL is in control. A pureblood takes most of its physical attributes from its parents. However, it is larger and more powerful than they, so add 1 point to the Strength and Stamina of the father SIL for the attributes of the pureblood child. Regeneration: The SIL species; extraordinary regenerative capabilities, put even the Garou to shame. The films show the SILs being riddled with bullets yet jumping back to their feet within seconds. A SIL has as many Health Levels as its host and can regenerate damage at 2 Health Levels per turn. All damage can be regenerated, even if reduced to 0 Health unless the damage is aggravated. Even lost limbs can be regenerated in record time. SILs are vulnerable to fire, acid, supernatural attacks, and particularly so to genetic defects in DNA. Such used against them causes aggravated damage. For example, in Species II a SIL is killed when pierced by a pitchfork tipped with blood containing defective DNA. Tentacles: A SIL can utilize its tentacles in any form. For a pure SIL with no host, tentacles are the only means of movement and attack. In human host form, tentacles generally sprout from the back, the mouth, or the chest. When in hybrid form, the tentacles are on the back of the head and can sprout from the mouth, nipples, back, and possibly other locations. These do not do aggravated damage to creatures other than SILs. However, SILs are intelligent creatures and may well attack with fire or other ways dangerous to the supernatural. Their intense strength also gives them the ability to dismember their opponents. Toxin Resistance: A SIL is vulnerable to all toxins that affect its host. However, if it survives exposure to a specific toxin, complete immunity results. It is unknown if this immunity is passed to its offspring. Combat

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Maneuvers: Bite Grapple Kick Punch Tentacle

Difficulty: 5 6 7 6 6

Damage: Strength Strength Strength + 1 Strength Strength + 1

Use in the World of Darkness How do you use the SIL species in the World of Darkness? This race can easily be incorporated into a chronicle, and they make a great enemy for any type of character. If the Storyteller is opposed to introducing such a dangerous creature to Earth, a Horizon Realm would make a great place for an infestation. Kindred: The vampires cannot become a host for the aliens. Also, the blood of the Kindred acts as a poison in the same way that defective DNA does. Thus, neither can ghouls become hosts to the SILs. Changing Breeds: Unfortunately for the Changing Breeds, their DNA, although unique, is not flawed. Thus, most of the Bete can be hosts to a SIL. Certain Gifts may allow this infection to be stopped or slowed. The natural regenerative abilities of the Changing Breeds resist the SILs automatically. Thus, it takes twice as long for a SIL to gain total control. The Ratkin are diseased creatures, and they will not be used as hosts. Their blood can be used as an aggravated weapon against the SILs as well. Once totally dominated by a SIL, all Gnosis is lost as is the ability to step sideways. Gifts can still be used as long as they aren't powered by Gnosis. The ability to change forms is retained as well. Mages: The Awakened are susceptible to SIL infection like any human or animal. Once infected, the ability to manipulate True Magic is lost. Although the memory of how to use magic and its effects are retained, True Magic is now forever lost to the individual. A SIL with a mage host will acquire understanding of magic, and thus, becomes very dangerous to surviving wizards. Wraiths: Of course, a wraith cannot become a host to the aliens. However, if a wraith observes a friend or loved one become a host, it may feel compelled to warn the living of this danger. A Risen cannot become a host either. Changelings: The fae are prime hosts for the SIL, as are most humans. However, once a Changeling becomes a host, all memory of the fae self is lost. The faerie soul is not destroyed, but it will not reawaken in this lifetime.

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Mummies: A mummy cannot become a host to the SIL. Although they are still living humans, they have been altered in such a way that they are unsuitable for bonding. However, mummy blood is not toxic to the aliens. Gypsies: Like the Changing Breeds, Gypsies have genetic differences, but they are not flawed. Thus, a Gypsy can be possessed. Bonding with a SIL destroys the Rom blood powers, but understanding of them remains. Fomori: These poor creatures are at least safe from the host hunting SIL. They are so riddled with disease and decay that no SIL would attempt to bond with one. Their blood is not poisonous to a SIL, unless the fomor has the power Toxic Secretions. Immortals: The Quintessence of the immortals prevents a SIL from establishing a symbiotic bond. This, however, does not make the blood of an immortal dangerous to SILs. Djinn: The Djinn (see Djinn: The Wishmasters), being of a spiritual nature, cannot be bonded with. Living Dead: The living dead (see Zombies: Night of the Living Dead) have passed beyond life and therefore are unsusceptible to bonding with a SIL. If bitten by a living dead, a SIL's natural immune system will destroy the contagion. Lycanthropes: These beings (see Lycanthrope: The Changing) are flawed to the SIL, and their blood is toxic to the aliens. Xenomorphs: The Xenomorphs, also known as the Kainde Amedha, are the monsters from the film Alien ( see Aliens: The Breeding). A SIL can bond with a Xenomorph without problem, but such a creature would be sensed by the Hive and hunted. The blood of a Xenomorph, which is highly acidic, is dangerous as an acid to the SILs, unless the SIL has a Xenomorph host. Yautja: These are the creatures from the film Predator (see Predator: The Hunt). The Yautja are susceptible to bonding with the SILs and would result in a creature of tremendous strength. It is probable that the Yautja, if aware of the existence of the SILs, Hunt them like they do the Kainde Amedha. Chronicle Ideas Invasion The Earth is in trouble, the alien species is spreading like wildfire. Anyone could be an alien. All life is threatened, and any combination of characters could come together to fight the creatures. A great way to involve characters of all different types. Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My! People are disappearing from a rural area. The evidence points towards a large predator of some sort. However, none of the well armed hunting parties have returned. Of course, this predator is host to a SIL, and it is breeding. A great rural chronicle for Garou or Gangrel.
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Mad Scientist Like in the first film, scientists create a SIL and it breaks free. The troupe could either be the ones asked to hunt it, or they encounter the being in its quest to breed a planet of aliens. Unless told what they are dealing with they could have a very difficult time tracking and killing the creature. Red Planet Perfect for a Void Engineer or Garou chronicle, the characters go to Mars. However, as in Species II, one or more of the explorers are infected by the alien being. This is a perfect way to see how long before the troupe turns on one another as they begin to suspect one another. Statistics Sil - Female Human/SIL: ~ Species Strength 6 Dexterity 4 Stamina 5 Talents: Alertness 3 Athletics 4 (Jumping) Brawl 4 (Tentacle) Dodge 2 Intimidation 2 Seduction 4 (Alluring) Skills: Disguise 2 Drive 1 Stealth 3 Survival 3 Security 1 Knowledges: English 5 Enigmas 4 (Discovery) Investigation 2 Willpower 7 Eve - Female Human/SIL: ~ Species II Strength 6 Charisma 4 Perception 4 Charisma 4 Manipulation 3 Appearance 5 Perception 4 Intelligence 5 Wits 5

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Dexterity 4 Stamina 5 Talents:

Manipulation 3 Appearance 5

Intelligence 5 Wits 5

Alertness 3 Athletics 4 (Jumping) Brawl 4 (Tentacle) Dodge 2 Intimidation 2 Seduction 4 (Alluring) Skills: Stealth 3 Survival 3 Security 2 Knowledges: English 5 Enigmas 4 (Discovery) Investigation 2 Medicine 1 Science 1 Willpower 6 Patrick Ross - Male Human/SIL: ~ Species II Strength 8 Dexterity 4 Stamina 6 Talents: Alertness 3 Athletics 4 (Jumping) Brawl 5 (Tentacle) Dodge 2 Intimidation 4 (Physical) Public Speaking 3 Seduction 3 Skills: Drive 2 Etiquette 4 (Military) Firearms 1
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Charisma 3 Manipulation 4 Appearance 5

Perception 4 Intelligence 5 Wits 5

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Melee 2 Pilot 5 (Spacecraft) Stealth 3 Survival 3 Security 2 Knowledges: Computer 3 English 5 Enigmas 4 (Discovery) Investigation 2 Medicine 1 Politics 3 Science 3 Willpower 7 Bibliography Without these sources, this work would not have been possible. Movies Species Species II
Last Modified March 30, 1999 Copyright 2000 Black Falcon Aerie. All Rights Reserved. Web Design by Charles W. Plemons III

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