Diva RCC


a conversion for Rifts and Phase World
based on the Luc Besson film The Fifth Element





"And now we enter what must be the most beautiful concert hall in all the universe--a perfect replica of the Old Opera House... but who cares! To my right, a row of ministers more sinister than sinister. To my left, Baby Ray, star of stage and screen; he's not gonna get much out of this concert 'cause he's stone deaf! And here, Roy von Bacon--king of laser ball. Over there, the emperor of Kodar Japhet and his lovely daughter..."
--Ruby Rhod,
describing the Diva Plavalaguna's last concert

"Plava... uh, Plava- Oh. I welcome... that is, I, uh... This is your... I am... security... Uh. Tall..."
--Fhloston Paradise Security Agent,
welcoming the Diva Plavalaguna


Some species are born good, some become good, and some have goodness thrust upon them. The Divas can truly be said to fit into all three categories.
Evolving on a world somewhere in the Pleiades, the Divas never developed what could be called language. Instead, they communicated with each other by means of music combined with pure thought. Their world, smaller and brighter than Earth, allowed them to evolve without interference from any other native life, all of which was benign or beneficial. The world of the Divas was as close to a true paradise as any planet could be. Their entire society (such as it was, for the Divas never developed notions like "property" and "government") was based wholly on artistic achievement and personal development.
And then the stars began to die.
The stars of the entire constellation, mostly blue-white stars of extreme youth, started to burn themselves out prematurely. The Diva star-gazers noticed that the stars, which had always burned so brightly and beautifully through the night, were dimming and disappearing. The individual Divas, anarchistic to a fault, had no idea of what to do or why it was occurring. A few developed the idea that the stars were being destroyed by an outside source and spread the idea through the species at large.
The Divas were shocked; never having known anything other than themselves, it was hard to accept that there were other people outside of their world. Even harder to accept was the idea that someone might want to destroy something as beautiful as the stars. The idea that such an action was "immoral" or "evil" never occurred to them; their lives, based only on beauty and art, were completely alien to morality, seeing only the inherent beauty or ugliness of a thing.
As it turned out, the dimming of the stars in the cluster (leading to the destruction of roughly three-fourths of the stars in the Pleiades) was a result of an extended battle in the Wars of Light and Darkness. The two sides, each composed of billions of warriors and millions of ships, had turned to absorbing the life-essences of stars to power their war machines; while the Light only took enough to dim stars slightly, and only stars with no planets, the Dark utterly destroyed every star they could get to.
In the end, the two sides got to the Divas' star system at the same time, the Dark intending to suck the life from their star and the Light knowing that they had to stop the Dark at any cost. It is not known which side won that battle, but Diva legend states that the "skyfires" burnt for almost a year before they stopped. Dozens of wrecked or damaged starships crashed on the Divas' world, sparking a new age of advancement and learning that completely destroyed their simple, joyous way of life forever.
Adapting the information gleaned from the alien computers to their own usage and belief system, the Divas decided that what they called beauty was the concept other species thought of as "good," which made ugliness "evil." Fortunately for the universe at large, they realized that beauty and ugliness were not always physical; sometimes they were ideas or spirituality or even abstract thoughts. And good, they realized, was always beautiful. So, as an artistic experiment of epic proportions, the Divas decided to take their idea of "good equals beauty, and beauty equals good" to the stars. This noble quest lasted all of a decade. Regarded as foolish and even sometimes as psychotic, the Divas were spurned by virtually every species they brought their message to. Most grew tired of the constant ridicule and returned home.
The only species that would listen to the Divas were the Mondoshawan, the Guardians of Light. Seeing this philosophical belief as proof of their own, similar beliefs, the Mondoshawan decided to subsidize the few Divas that continued to wander the galaxy, but not for any altruistic purpose. Recognizing their usefulness as spies and diplomats, the Mondoshawan made a conscious decision to use the Divas. The Mondoshawan used their genetic engineering knowledge to amplify the inherent psychic abilities of the Divas, turning their "mindsongs" into both communication arrays and weapons.
The Divas didn't see that they were simply tools, only that the Mondoshawan were good and that they had been given a great gift. The portion of the species that stayed members of the galactic community gladly became couriers, agents, and go-betweens for the reclusive Mondoshawan.


Culture, Society, and Appearance

The Divas are a strange-looking species of humanoids; but however odd their appearance, their psychology and behavior strike humans and near-humans as almost incomprehensible.
As previously mentioned, the Divas hold beauty as the highest aspiration of any species and equate beauty with good. This near-obsession with beauty in all its forms holds sway over even the strongest-willed Diva; this results in an unwillingness to destroy anything that has beauty. Since the Divas hold that everything is beautiful in its own way, this makes them unwilling to destroy anything, resulting in a seemingly pacifistic attitude. Most Divas will not fight except to preserve life, and none will kill for any reason; the most stringent Divas are what humans would call vegans (won't eat any animal product, only fruits and vegetables). Accidentally killing any living thing will call for a period of atonement and a genuine attempt to make it up to the dead being's family or species.
Divas do not have a language of their own, instead speaking directly to one another's minds through directed thought and musical notation. Having no spoken language, the Divas also have no written language. Divas pick up languages at an astounding rate, written somewhat slower than spoken, and so have no real problems with inter-species communication.
Due to their aptitude for spoken language, musical inclination, and love of beauty, most Divas are entertainers of the first caliber, renting out their services as performers and songwriters for sums that would be considered exorbitant for anyone else. These jobs are both genuine jobs (being the source of the Divas' income) and their covers (as agents for the Mondoshawan). Divas tour only rarely, and when they do the show is doubtless sold out before tickets are printed. (The Diva Plavalaguna actually held only one concert every ten years, and such concerts were usually sold out nine years in advance.) Their optic chip albums are always best-sellers and the royalties alone are enough to buy a small planet. Despite the fact that they could hire an army to do their missions for them, Divas prefer to handle such matters themselves, partly out of the desire to do good and partly out of a need for action.
Divas are exceedingly tall, usually topping seven feet in height. Their skin tone is entirely blue, though the shades can range from cerulean to sky to azure to turquoise and every blue in between. Divas' heads are elongated, their skulls curving back on themselves like a cornucopia. Most of their skull is hollow, pocked with small amounts of cartilage and bone; this acts as a sounding board, permitting them to make sounds that most humanoids are incapable of. Divas' brains are structured differently from those of humans, the most notable differences being the expanded temporal lobe and the absence of a moral center. The face is almost human, except for the skin tone and the eyes, which are unnervingly dark and expressive. Divas have flat, white teeth, suitable for grinding plants but not for meat-eating. Divas have five digits per limb (their nails are solid black); their lips are a shade or two darker than their skin tone.
The primary choice of clothing for traveling are veils and heavy robes, due to the unsettling effect a Diva's true appearance has on people. They wear little clothing among themselves, and wear skin-tight, stylized outfits for their concerts. These outfits are almost always the same color as the Diva's skin, being quite plain except for the headdress, collar, and cuffs, which are made of a faux-bronze alloy and carved into extremely elaborate shapes. The headdress is made of the same faux-bronze alloy and often possesses a number of long, skin-tone tentacles descending from it; these tentacles act like stops on a musical instrument, dampening sound in one place and amplifying it in another. They also act as a substitute for hair; that is, they provide another medium of expression as well as being fashionable.
The Divas evolved on a world with an Earth-like atmosphere, but lighter gravity and orbiting a star that produced greater amounts of light and radiation.

Note: Divas should not be permitted as player characters, due to their alien mentality, defined role as the servitors of the Mondoshawan, and the fact that most of them are richer than Croesus. If anything, the player characters might be hired as bodyguards for a traveling Diva; after all, they can't fight but they have no compunctions against letting others fight for them. This is also a good adventure hook because plenty of people would want to kill a Diva (though not anyone in their right mind), from evil assassins to some guy that didn't like their last album.


Diva RCC


Alignment: Any, but almost all are Good or Unprincipled. Those that have gained a worse alignment still think of themselves as "good," but are using the Diva system of "beauty equals good" to make this determination. Diabolic Diva are almost unheard of, and they still dislike killing, but they have decided that for the universe to be beautiful, it must be cleansed of ugliness--by any means necessary.
Attributes: IQ 3D6; ME 2D6+10; MA 3D6+12; PS 2D6 (3D6 on light-gravity worlds); PP 4D6; PE 2D6; PB 2D6+12; Spd 3D4 (3D6 on light-gravity worlds)

Hit Points: Standard; PE plus 1D6 per level
SDC: 10, plus physical skill bonuses

Awe Factor: 14; 9 when in their concealing robes

Magic: None. Divas never developed this particular Art.
PPE: 5D6
Psionics: All Divas are master psionics; see below for details.
ISP: see below

Height: Six to eight feet
Weight: 160-250 lbs.


Special Abilities and Bonuses

  1. Mindsong: Divas naturally possess a number of powers that are similar to psionics; these "pseudo-psionics" work by sonically stimulating the brain functions of other beings. Telepathic powers work by transmitting large amounts of information in musical notes; telekinetic ones work by sonically manipulating objects; the more arcane powers (see the invisible, see aura, etc.) work by finding a "resonance" with the target and rebounding to the Diva.
    Though the powers still require ISP to activate and work in ways identical to psionic powers, these abilities (collectively known as mindsong) will not work without a musical component. This means that beings which have increased or reduced effect from sonic attacks also have the same change in effect from mindsong powers. Artificial means of blocking sound (earplugs and the like) will not work unless the character's entire body is sealed from sound; likewise, simple deafness will not prevent the working of a mindsong although the destruction of the aural lobe will. If a given mindsong produces a physical effect (ie: telekinesis, mind bolt, bio-manipulation, etc.), that power will have full effect.
    All Divas are masters psionics and have the mindsong equivalents of the following psionic powers (individual alterations will be dealt with below): Deaden pain; induce sleep; mind block; empathy; telepathy; bio-manipulation; empathic transmission; group mind block; hypnotic suggestion; one super-kinesis power of choice (telekinesis, pyrokinesis, hydrokinesis, or electrokinesis).
    At levels 4, 8, 12, and 15, choose two powers from the following list: Exorcism; increased healing; psychic diagnosis; psychic purification; psychic surgery; see aura; sense evil; see the invisible; telekinesis (super); pyrokinesis; hydrokinesis; electrokinesis; mind bolt; mind bond; mind wipe; PPE shield; telekinetic force field; telemechanics.
    Any power with a duration has that duration changed; the power now lasts for as long as the Diva continues singing! Divas can sing for a number of melees equal to their Physical Endurance attribute, plus one melee per level of experience. Powers with a duration of instant still occur instantaneously; trance durations are now how long the Diva must sing before the power takes place. ISP costs are unchanged.
    Range is a special case; all powers can be used from as far away as the given range, plus (the Diva's PE attribute)x10 in feet. This reflects the power and strength of the Diva voice. Note that characters with exceptional hearing can be affected from twice the distance, and those that can hear into the ultra- or subsonic ranges can be affected from three times as far!
    Divas may use mindsong to speak to one another at no cost, at a range of one mile (if sound can pass that distance).

  2. ISP: All Divas are master psionics, batteries of psychic might. As such, they have a large ISP base, though they gain ISP at a somewhat slower rate than usual. Base ISP is equal to the character's ME attribute plus 2D6x10; add 5 ISP per additional level of experience. ISP is regained at the rate of 2 per hour of activity or 12 per hour of sleep.

  3. Aural Aptitude: Divas are master singers and musicians, songweavers of the first caliber; even the least talented member of the species could put the most talented human singer to shame. This gives them the mindsong equivalents of many psionic powers as well as giving them an incredible proficiency at mundane music (though no one who has ever heard a Diva sing would call their voices "mundane"). By this same token, the Divas have extraordinary hearing and mimicry abilities.
    Divas have better hearing than human beings, as well as having greater vocal range. Hearing is 25 decibels above and below the human range, as well as having twice the range of human hearing (slightly odd, considering that Divas do not have external ears). Also, Divas can hear sounds in the ultrasonic and subsonic ranges with little difficulty, but range is reduced to 100 feet.
    A Diva's vocal range is indicative of ability and experience level. All Divas are accomplished musicians and vocalists, not only imitators and critics, but lyricists and songwriters. A first level Diva has a vocal range of six octaves and can raise their voice up to 10 decibels above the human norm. Likewise, they can extend their vocal range into the ultra- and subsonic levels. This vocal ability increases at one extra octave per three levels and five extra decibels at levels 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15. (Note: Mariah Carey's vocal range is eight octaves, the same as most opera singers.)
    Divas are not limited to the sounds within normal human ability and can imitate almost any sound they hear, as well as making their voices the equivalent of an electronic synthesizer. This and their incredible hearing range gives the Divas the following powers: Imitate sound (50% +3% per level); imitate voice/impersonation (25% +3% per level); imitate musical instrument (15% +5% per level); identify sound (50% +5% per level); recognize person by voice (75% +5% per level); estimate the distance and speed of a sound (55% +3% per level).

  4. Linguistic Assimilation: Divas, perhaps due to their affinity with sound, have little difficulty in learning new languages. Simply hearing a language spoken will give the Diva character a proficiency in the language equal to the number of hours exposed to the language, multiplied by three! The maximum proficiency possible by this method is 75%, which never increases; greater proficiency can be gained by taking a language skill. Only one language can be learned at a time by this method, but the Diva need not hear the same language continuously (that is, if a Diva hears someone speak in English for six hours, then that person leaves, at any later time the Diva may listen to someone else speaking English to increase the percentage).
    Interestingly enough, the Diva can also gain proficiency in the written component of a language in this manner, presumably through some sort of pseudo-psionic resonance. The Diva must be near (not necessarily speaking to) an individual literate in a given language to gain proficiency in that language's literacy; in this method, a Diva may gain proficiency in that written language equal to the number of hours spent near that individual. The maximum proficiency possible is one-half the individual's literacy percentage or the Diva's proficiency in the spoken language, whichever is lower. A Diva may only gain one literacy at a time by this method, and if the individual being learned from is taken away prematurely, the literacy rate is permanently fixed at whatever level it was when the individual left.

  5. Other Abilities and Penalties: Divas cannot be blinded by bright light due to a nictating membrane ("third eyelid") covering their eyes; this is also the reason for their eyes' strange appearance. Divas have extremely poor low-light vision and are virtually blind in near-darkness and darkness; in shadowy or dim areas, Divas have their vision reduced to 50 feet, while near-darkness reduces it to 10 feet. Divas are completely blind in full darkness.
    Divas suffer double damage and effect from sound-based attacks. Divas do not take heat exposure damage until 120 degrees Fahrenheit, but start suffering cold exposure at 55 degrees. Divas take half damage from heat (not fire) and 150% damage from cold.
    Divas are from a light-gravity world and see their Spd and PS reduced on worlds with near-Earth gravity. See Attributes for details.


RCC Skills
Language/Literacy: three of choice (+25%)
Basic Math (+10%)
Sing (+30%; professional quality)
Dance (+15%)
Writing: Songwriting/Lyrics (+15%)
Art: Musical Composition (+15%)
Performance (+15%)
Play Musical Instrument: two of choice (+10%)
Hand to Hand: Basic may be selected in place of two "other" skills and may not be increased to any other hand to hand form.

RCC Related Skills: Choose eight other skills from the following list, plus add one at levels 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15.
Communications: Basic Radio and TV/Video (+10%) only
Domestic: Any (+5% to Play Musical Instrument)
Electrical: Basic Electronics only
Espionage: None
Mechanical: Basic Mechanics only
Medical: First Aid, Holistic Medicine, and Paramedic only (the last counts as two skills)
Military: None
Physical: Athletics, Climbing, Gymnastics, Prowl, Running, and Swimming only
Pilot: Any
Pilot Related: Any
Rogue: Concealment and Palming only
Science: Advanced Math, Biology, and Botany only
Technical: Any (+10%)
WP: None (Divas can use weapons for self-defense, but cannot be proficient in them)
Wilderness: Preserve Food and Identify Plants and Fruits only

Secondary Skills: Select four skills from the previous list. These skills are additional areas of knowledge that do not receive the bonuses in parentheses.

Money and Equipment: Most Divas are extremely rich, and would be capable of living off of their royalties forever if they chose to, but most are devoted heart and soul to the cause of good. Divas will have several houses, a small spaceship, a huge wardrobe, and just about anything else a celebrity could ever want. A Diva will have 1D4x1000 credits on his or her person at any given time (for tips and sundries), plus a credit account of 3D4x10,000 credits. Not to mention the fact that no hotel or restaurant in their right mind would actually charge a Diva for their patronage (it's more profitable to advertise that the Diva was there). Divas will also receive 1D4x10,000 credits per year from their album royalties and songwriting privileges. It's good to be a Diva.

Cybernetics: Divas can receive cybernetic systems, though most choose not to unless they suffer a deforming or crippling injury. The most common non-lifesaving system are secret compartments, almost always placed in the lower torso since Divas' major organs are clustered in the upper chest.

XP: Use the Techno-Wizard experience table


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