Copyright (c) 1996 by J. Jackson From the Gea campaign (see the Gurps FTP site for Gea info), here are four races. The Kurgan, the Beaveriks, The Kanga, and the Volgans : KURGAN +13 points DX + 1, IQ + 1, DR1, Overconfidence. Kurgans can best be described in appearance as "wookies" (from Star Wars fame). They are not wookies, but that gives a good short-hand description of appearance. Resemble tall elves on steroids, with three inch fur.They are 10% taller and heavier than normal humans for a given ST. Their fur varies in coloration from black, dark brown, honey brown, and dark indigo. Their furs are valuable, and can be tanned and cured to make PD3, DR3 leather armor. The leather is very distinctive, and most unpopular with Kurgans. Ownership of such leather is illegal in some parts of society. Kurgans are a gregarious people, but prefer to live isolated from the other races. They prefer to build communities in the woods and forests. Often they will settle near a large mixed-race city and interact and work in the city. The race was historically a very violent and blood-thirsty group, eating sentients, raping, pillaging, the works. Then 300 years ago they met Saint Kurgan, a priestly warrior mage, who taught them "manners" and brought the race from the brink of extinction (the other races had lost their patience with Kurgans). The Kurgan race was so thankful for this service, that they all adopted the uber-clan name of Kurgan. Since it was the only uber-clan left, it also became the name of the race. Kurgans have now gained acceptance with most of the other races, especially the elves who feel some mystical 'soul bond' with the Kurgans. Elves react to Kurgans at +1, Orcs and Kobolds react at -1 due to past grievances that neither side wants to forget. BEAVERIKS 3 points Beaveriks are like large bipedal sentient beavers with opposable thumbs in appearance. They dwell in trees, caves, or in underground buildings. They love the water and have been known to build underwater lodgings. They are artisans of great wonder in painting, cooking, and music. They are fairly chivalrous, and honest to a fault (literally). Names are chosen by the paternal grandparents, and given once the Beaveriks cubs hatch, usually in litters of 5. Advantages: DR 1, +2 FT, ST +1, Swimming Skill Bonus + 2, Law @ IQ+1 Disadvantages: Pacifist-Self Defense Only (-15), Honest (-10) KANGAS (d sub-race) +14 points Kangas are a race of sentient marsupials. They look like giant kangaroos. They stand about 6-7 feet tall, and are covered in a soft fur, d-Kanga fur is dark red with a blonde belly and often blonde paws. Kanga society is loosely organized, but very entertaining. Kangas enjoy life to the fullest, but despite their reputation, they can knuckle down and accomplish amazing tasks. When perturbed, they are fierce warriors, and can attack with their feet with no disadvantage to skill. They can also do a tail sweep in hand to hand combat, much like a sweep in Karate. In Kanga dominated societies, Kangas generally go for a flexible style of government. Though many are feudal, the king usually doesn't have absolute power, and relies on a cabinet to take over affairs of state when he wants to take vacations. A large informal parliament often helps the King run things. Kanga justice systems are the model of efficiency (though not always of fairness). Many non-kangas have come to rue the day they were sentenced in a Kanga court, and their legal systems have become known as Kanga Rue Courts. The d race of kangas is not as playful as the other members; they are stoic and stand-off-ish. The other sub-races are NPC only, and usually have compulsive playfulness and/or combat paralysis. The d-race quickly became the ruling race. Some researchers believe there are two disctinct d-races, one with Luck, and one with Combat Reflexes, though many specimens have both. Advantages: IQ +1, DX +1, [Luck (15 pts) OR Combat Reflexes (15 pts)] +2 to Kicking maneuvers, Tail Sweep Maneuver at DX Disadvantages: Overconfidence (-10), Stubborn (-5), Short Attention Span (-10) VOLGANS Cat-Men, largely omnivores, coloration varies from Siamese, Black, Gray, Tabby, Blue, White or Purple, Kzin-like in stature. Hold order very highly. Hate change and chaos. Logical thinkers. Hold dry humor in high esteem, love puns, hate slap-stick comedy (especially Hobbit-style). 10% taller than human norm of same ST, 10% lighter in weight. Volgans must buy off their Code of Honor to be impulsive. An impulsive Volgan will be killed quickly in a Volgan society. While Volgans esteem logic almost as highly as the vulcans did in Star Trek, they are not unemotional, and nowhere near the peaceniks that vulcans were. When a Volgan decides its logical to kill someone, they can be very cold blooded about it! Volgans are naturally biased in their honest belief that they are the superior race in existence. This quirk is often found as a full-blown intolerance. This hasn't exactly made them popular with other races at times... +20 pts - ST+1, IQ+1,DX+1, Night Vision, Truthfulness, Honesty, Double-Jointed, Code of Honor (Logical). Quirk - view other races as slightly inferior.