Sepic Warrior RCC

The Sepic tribe lived relatively primitively before the coming of the European settlers, but adapted quickly. They managed to coexist with the settlers without losing any of their own rich and varied culture, and several important ceremonies survived through the years. Even after the modernization of the island nation, the Sepics (for the most part) stayed in their small villages and lived as hunters and sugar cane farmers.

Throughout the modern age, their rituals and ceremonies remained a comfort to them. The most important of these was the Ritual of Crocodile Skin. This semi-mystical ceremony was the initiation rite for young Sepic warriors. In it, through a process never revealed to outsiders (or even the non-warriors of the tribe) a young man would have his flesh pierced hundreds of times with a small blade to simulate the markings of the crocodile, a highly respected and loved creature in their culture. It was believed that this ritual made the soul of the warrior and the spirit of the crocodile one; their strength, speed, and endurance (both mental and physical) would be joined forever. To accomplish this, the young warrior (usually male, but a few female warriors have been known) would have to sit utterly still and silent for hours on end while the incisions were made--without anesthesia. Afterwards, a natural antiseptic would be used to cleanse the wounds, one that hurt almost as much as the cuts themselves.

Even through the age of super-technology before the Coming of the Rifts, the Sepics remained the same. This resilience and reliance on tradition meant that when the Rifts came, the Sepics were as unaffected as ever. With the breakdown of the few modern luxuries they had enjoyed, they went back to the land, hunting and gathering as always. They did keep several fields of sugar cane as snacks and flavoring (raw sugar cane is tough but very sweet).

There were some effects to the rest of New Guinea, however. The island is rich in ley lines, and it was little time before monsters and D-Bees of all sorts were migrating to it (whether purposely or not). A few enclaves of humanity survived, but most were either wiped out by monsters or reduced to barbarism when their technologies failed. The highest level of technology that currently exists on New Guinea is roughly equal to the 17th century (black powder weapons, swords, horses, etc.).

And thus, the Sepics are in a unique position, one that they have not been in for over seven centuries: the single most powerful force for humanity on New Guinea. This is not because of technology or magic--the Sepics spurn both in favor of their natural abilities. Because of their long affiliation with (and near-worship of) the crocodile, the Sepics have developed great powers. These include the strength and speed of the crocodile, empathy with reptiles, and even a limited transformation into their animal brother! Those that undergo the Ritual of the Crocodile Skin (almost all tribe members anymore) become mega-damage creatures with hunting prowess to rival the toughest and most skilled opponents.

(Author's Note: The Sepic tribe of Papua New Guinea and their reverance for the saltwater crocodile are both very much real! While they are real people, everything relating to Rifts in this context is made up. If you want to learn more about the Sepics and their Ritual of the Crocodile Skin, look them up in your local public library or see the National Geographic special on deadly predators.)

Sepic Warrior RCC

1. Nightvision: 100 feet.
   
   
2. Reptile Empathy: While believed to be a psionic ability, this actually transcends the mental aspect of psionic powers and seems to tap directly into the spirits of the two beings (Sepic and reptile). Because of their association with the crocodile spirit, no reptile (animal) will ever willingly attack the Sepic. Nor will they react to the Sepic's presence, treating him/her as though they were one of the animal's species.
   If under mind control and ordered to attack the Sepic, the reptile receives a saving throw with a +5 bonus to refuse the command. If a natural 20 is rolled on the save, the reptile actually attacks its controller!
   Large reptiles, including dinosaurs and silonar, (but never the crocodile) can be ridden at a skill of 85% +2% per level. Reptile riding beasts will always be docile and gentle to their rider, following his orders willingly (unless suicidal, but no true Sepic would ever kill or allow to be killed a reptile cousin).
   Intelligent reptilian beings (including the Eandroth and Lyvorrkians) will instantly like and respect the Sepic warrior, treating him as though his MA were 20! Through some sort of semi-telepathic link, Sepics can understand and be understood by all reptilians as though they were proficient in the listener's language at 98%.
   Sepics, in their turn, will never intentionally harm or allow to be harmed a reptile or reptilian D-Bee/mutant/alien. If forced into a confrontation, they will avoid killing their opponent, instead trying to disarm or subdue the creature. If nothing else is possible, they will kill the creature to save themselves (unless it is a crocodile), but will spend weeks atoning for its death (praying to the crocodile spirit, making offering into bodies of saltwater, etc.).
   Crocodiles consider Sepic Warriors to be blood kin! They will never harm a Sepic for any reason unless mind controlled, and then they have a +10 bonus to break free. If the save is a natural 18, 19, or 20, then the crocodile turns on its controller. Crocodilians, Tautons, and similar beings will adore Sepics and do anything within their power to protect them. Sepics feel the same way, and will gladly sacrifice themselves to save their "brothers."
   
   
3. Crocodile Transformation: This is the most devastating power of the Sepic Warrior and the one that their opponents fear most. Once a day, for five minutes per level, the Sepic Warrior may set free the portion of the crocodile spirit housed within them. The transformation takes one melee (15 seconds). At the end of it, the Sepic is gone, replaced by an enormous crocodile. The beast is twenty feet long from snout to tail and weighs in at nearly half a ton!
   The downside to the transformation is that the release of the beast makes the Sepic's mind become more bestial as well. Things seem black and white in this form: friend or foe, food or not food, attack or stay still, kill or die.
   Bonuses in Crocodile Form: +10 PS; +5 PE; +350 MDC (damage is taken from this bonus MDC first and only carries over to human form if is exceeded). Bite inflicts 3D6 MD plus supernatural strength and engulfs any creature smaller than man-size on a natural 18-20; claws cannot be used; tail lash does 2D6 MD and knocks down any creature of man-size or smaller (50% to knock down creatures 10-20 feet tall); running ram does 4D6 MD plus supernatural strength, but takes two actions to use. +4 to strike; +1 to dodge; +1 attack per melee; +4 vs. magic; impervious to poisons, toxins, gases, radiation, disease, possession, and mind control; half damage from energy attacks. Can run at double Spd for one melee, but Spd is half on the following round. Can swim at three times the Spd attribute (+5 to dodge underwater; can hold breath for duration of change).
   Penalties: Reduce MA to 0 and IQ by half. If the IQ is reduced below 6 in this manner, the beast is no longer intelligent enough to distinguish friends from enemies. It will attack enemies first, but must save vs. psionics with no bonuses to avoid turning on friends when the enemies are finished. The crocodile-warrior fights to the death! It does not know retreat, surrender, or cowardice--nothing short of death can stop it from reaching its prey. Reduce land speed to 75%. The beast has no skills except Hand to Hand: Expert, and only uses it to determine combat bonuses. No combat moves except bites, tail lashes, running rams, and (in the water) entangle can be used.
   
   
4. RCC Bonuses: +3 vs. poison and disease; +1 vs. magic; +1 to strike, parry, and dodge; +2 to roll with punch; +2 vs. mind control. Impervious to physical transformation and the vampire's slow kill bite.