CATS AND LIZARDS: A SYMBIOTIC RACE-PAIR                  2-25-89
    by Caradon

Approximately 750 light years closer to galactic center, circling a yellow- 
white star, is the planet Tkiff. This planet is unusual, because it is the 
native world to not just one sapient race, but two: the Halzden and the 
Tyborians. Since before recorded history, these two races have been living in 
symbiotic harmony.
       The Tyborians (Tybors for short) are the powerhouses of the pair, 
having great strength and amazing constitution. Yet they are slow, both 
mantally and physically. They resemble huge humanoid lizards, covered with
thick scales.
       As a contrast, the Halzden are extremely intelligent and quick, but 
their very small size (about as big as a Terran housecat) makes them weak and 
fragile. In fact they highly resemble their Terran counterparts, with the 
obvious difference that they have six legs.
-----------------
HALZDEN: 15 pts.               TYBORS: 20 pts.
-4 ST                  -30     +3 ST                    30
-2 HT                  -15     +2 HT                    20
+3 IQ                   30     -4 IQ                   -30
+3 DX                   30     -2 DX                   -15
Chemical Dependency*   -10     Chemical Stimulation*    30
Move +1                  5     Scales (PD 1, DR 1)      20
Telepathy**             25     Berserk                 -15
Prehensile Tail          5     Honesty                 -10
Mute                   -25
Peripheral Vision       15
Overconfidence         -10
1/2 Carrying Capacity   -5
 
* - The Tybors' attributes can be increased temporarily when a Halzden injects 
certain chemicals from its body to the Tybor's (+1 ST, +1 HT, +2 DX, +2 IQ). 
This increase diminishes at a rate of +1/attribute/hour (after the first hour, 
there will only be a bonus of +1 to DX and IQ) unless the Tybor remains with a 
Halzden (not necessarily the same one), who can give him another injection.
       For their part, the Halzden require certain chemicals in order to 
remain healthy. When the stimulating chemicals enhance a Tybor, they change 
into the chemicals vital to the Halzden. Without these chemicals, the Halzden 
lose HT at a rate of 1 pt./24 hours. This damage cannot be healed by normal 
means. Cheap replacement chemicals are available ($5/dose), but they only slow 
the loss down to 1 pt./48 hours. Only about an ounce of chemical-laced Tybor 
blood is required. A Halzden will normally ride about on a Tybor's shoulder, 
near the base of the neck which is the optimum place for chemical 
injection/removal (the area, naturally, has no pain sensors). The injection 
and removal is performed with a hollow, sharpened tube, located under a 
Halzden tongue.
 
** - The Halzden are Telepathic (see GURPS Horror or Horseclans for more 
info), but this ability is limited; they have a Power of TP7 when 
communicating with other Halzden, but a Power of only TP3 when communicating 
with other races. As against this, a Halzden can temporarily "take over" 
another being's vocal chords in order to be heard over a distance. This takes 
no skill roll if the subject is willing; otherwise it requires a Telesend roll 
at -6.

Normally, Halzden and Tybor children are "bonded" shortly after birth. 
A bonded pair normally remain together for all their lives, but may go 
separate ways if they so choose. Due to their relatively low intelligence and 
speaker/steed double function to the Halzden, Tybors are usually referred to 
as "mounts" by persons of all races (i.e. "that Halzden and his mount..."). 
They are, however, capable of individual thought, although they sometimes 
prefer their Halzden rider to do the thinking for them.
       Halzden are not able to carry much equipment; their Encumbrance ratings 
are reduced to one-half normal (No encumbrance=ST pounds, Light=2*ST, etc.) A 
Halzden's prehensile tail is able to lift objects up to ST pounds, and is 
easily able to manipulate such objects (a laser pistol, for instance...).
Halzden normally remain on all sixes, though they can stand upright 
for short periods of time. Their front paws are capable of fine manipulation 
of objects (+2 to Surgery and Lockpicking skills). Also, their long necessity 
of climbing up to a Tybor's shoulder (among other things) has given them a +2 
to Climbing skill.