genetic engineering

[wrathgon]

Tampering with the basic structure of a living being has long been the subject of science fiction, from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeand The Island of Dr. Moreau to Resident Evil and Spider-Man. In roleplaying games, genetic engineering offers a way to alter many of the basic tenets upon which a character or creature is founded. A character who dabbles in genetic engineering has the power to effect great change on the most basic levels, twisting or modifying another organism to suit his purposes. Access to genetic engineering gives players not only great power but many new character options as well; players may choose to play a genetically-enhanced version of a standard character race (human, alien, or otherwise), while other more entrepreneurial players might focus their character’s natural intelligence into the field of genetic manipulation, creating new life forms or bestowing party members with beneficial mutations and subtle alterations to their genetic structure. Whether the player’s interest in genetic engineering is purely selfish, benevolent and for the benefit of the party (or the galaxy), or simply a passing fancy, this chapter presents several new options for genetic enhancement in science fiction roleplaying.

One of the most common methods of genetic engineering is the slow process of gradually altering a living being’s genetic structure. Gene therapy combines many different forms of genetic alteration, usually requiring an extensive amount of time and effort. Unlike cloning or selective breeding, gene therapy can alter the genetic structure of an existing character or creature, making it possible to make changes without having to wait for a generation of offspring to grow and come of age. Every creature possesses a unique genetic blueprint, known as a genome, that provides the instructions on the reproduction and growth of members of the species. This genome is essential to the process of reproduction but, more importantly to this topic, is a vital collection of data required to genetically manipulate any creature.

Before a character can genetically alter another character or creature, that character must first possess accurate and complete knowledge of that species’ genome. Researching the genome is just like performing other types of scientific experimentation, with the exception that mapping a genome takes far longer than performing a simple experiment. The character must gather organic samples from the creature to be altered and then analyze that data over a period of 3d10 weeks before genome mapping can begin. Mapping a genome requires a high-end computer (Wealth DC 30) capable of analyzing and storing the vast amounts of genetic data present in the genome. The computer must then spend a certain amount of time processing data in order to accurately map the genome. The length of time necessary depends on the complexity of the organism, and the Progress Level of the technology used to map the genome.

Table 2–1: Mapping GenomesGenome Type PL 5 PL 6 PL 7 PL 8 PL 9+
Virus, Simple 30 minutes10 minutes1 minute1 round1 round
Virus, Complex 2 hours40 minutes3 minutes15 seconds2 rounds
Bacterium 5 days38 hours3 hours15 minutes1 minute
Ooze2 weeks 1.5 days12 hours1 hour2.5 minutes
Fungus 1 month3 days1 day2 hours5 minutesInsect9 months3 weeks5 days18 hours45 minutes
Elemental 1 year1 month1 week1 day1 hour
Animal 5 years 6 months1 month4 days4 hours
Magical Beast 8 years10 months6 weeks6 days6 hours
Humanoid 10 years 1 year 2 months 1 week 8 hours
Fey 20 years2 years4 months2 weeks16 hours
Aberration 50 years5 years10 months5 weeks1.5 days
Dragon 100 years10 years20 months10 weeks3 days
Outsider 250 years25 years4 years6 months8 days
Plant 430 years43 years7 years1 year2 weeks

DNA Splicing

DNA splicing allows a genetic engineer to combine specific genetic material with the genome of an existing character. This process allows a character to gain the benefits of certain natural attributes found in these creatures. Essentially, the geneticist removes the DNA segments that provide the unique ability or physiology from the animal and then insert that information into the DNA strands of the subject whose genome is being spliced. Like other forms of gene therapy, this is a
slow process that requires several days’ worth of manipulation and experimentation, a process that can wound or even kill the subject being enhanced. The process of long-term DNA splicing requires several days’ worth of treatments, during which time the subject is bombarded with radiation, infused with animal DNA, and injected with retroviruses in order to permanently alter the character’s genetic structure. This process always takes either a number of days equal to the number of successful treatments required by the splicing process. Each day, the subject of the splicing must make a Fortitude save (see below); failure causes the subject to suffer 2 points of Constitution damage, while success counts as a single successful day of treatment. Each DNA splicing procedure requires a certain number of successes before the process is complete. After enough successful days of treatment, the character permanently gains the chosen attribute being spliced into his or her genetic code.
Alternately, temporary DNA splicing may become possible at Progress Level 7 or higher, allowing short-term infusions of animal abilities. A short-term treatment automatically takes effect in 1d4 minutes and lasts for 1d3 hours

At the end of that time, the character reverts to his normal state, is fatigued, and suffers 4 points of Constitution damage(temp). A successful Fortitude saving throw (see below) reduces Constitution damage to only 2 points (though the fatigue remains). Such short-term splicing requires access to a genetics lab (Purchase DC 31) and requires a Craft (biological) check DC 10 + the Fortitude save of the spliced attribute.

[wrathgon]

Inducing Mutation

Genetic manipulation can also be used to induce common mutations over the course of several weeks of gene therapy and genetic alteration. Inducing a mutation is just like performing any other sort of gene therapy or experimentation, requiring several days’ worth of work and Fortitude saves on behalf of the recipient to successfully accept the mutation. Additionally, in order to induce a mutation through experimentation and genetic manipulation the character must have the Craft Mutation feat (see Appendix A) and access to a laboratory with sufficient materials (Purchase DC 26). Only once these prerequisites are met can the mutation be bestowed upon a subject. The process of inducing a mutation is almost exactly like genetic manipulation or DNA splicing. The process requires 3d10 weeks of work (or however many days it takes to achieve the required number of successful Fortitude saves for the mutation to become permanent, whichever is longer). Before work can begin, all raw materials must be purchased (these include things like mutagenic compounds, radioactive materials, and the costs of researching the genetic blueprints for the mutation) and a Craft (biological) check must be made (DC determined by the Mutation Point cost of the mutation). If the Craft check fails, the character fails to create the appropriate biological material and all raw materials are ruined, requiring that the process begin anew. If successful, the character may then begin the treatments necessary to induce the mutation.

[wrathgon]

When doing any kind of gene effects two things are clear:

Any interference of magic ruins the attempt, even some tech so when treatment is done you are completely naked.

Any healing that speeds up the normal process ruins the process.

 

So it's just you and your rolls no modifiers.