Creating a Mixed Ancestry Character
Mixed Ancestry characters may pick and choose between sets of genetic traits from each of their lineage races. When choosing ancestry attributes in Neon Heat, the cumulative bonus of both positive and negative traits is +2. The total number of points worth of negative traits you may choose as once is -3. This means that you may have a maximum total of +5 for positive traits, offset by a maximum of -3 for negative traits. You may also have as little as a single +2 trait, if that is your wish.
Some ancestry attributes are grouped into “genetic packs” and can’t be broken down into separate bonuses. For example, the Nakhiir ability Terrify is composed of Natural Weapon (Bite), Power: Fear, and Skill Penalty: Stealth. Because the Terrify skill is thematically linked to the image of a Nakhiir’s maw unfolding and the rattling organ in their throat, they must be taken together.
List of Ancestries and Available “Genetic Packs”:
Human:
Adaptable (+2)
Nakhiir:
Carnivore Constitution (-1)
Low Light Vision (+1)
Terrify (+2)
Ori:
Kori-Infused Body (+3)
Edge: Nerves of Steel (+2)
Attribute Penalty (Smarts) (-2)
Hindrance (Jealous, Minor) (-1)
Vel:
Kori-Infused Mind (+3)
Edge: Danger Sense (+2)
Attribute Penalty (Vigor) (-2)
Hindrance: Phobia (Minor) (-1)
Yara:
Unusual Anatomy (+2)
Sturdy Claws (+2)
Clumsy Hands (-2)
Examples of Mixed Ancestry Characters from Neon Heat and Absolute Zero:
Deirdre “Athena” Sideris
Ori Mother and Vel Father
Attributes:
Natural Kori Link (Body) (+3)
Edge: Danger Sense (+2)
Attribute Penalty (Vigor) (-2)
Hindrance: Phobia (Minor) (-1)
Descriptors:
Physically appears to be Vel.
Has Linked abilities instead of Psionics; Athena’s Danger Sense is described as being more physical than mental due to her powerset.
Sekka Pahvi
Ori Mother and Nakhiir Father
Attributes:
Carnivore Constitution (-1)
Low Light Vision (+1)
Terrify (+2)
Descriptors:
Pahvi has smoother, scale-free skin and matching hair and eye color from her Ori parentage, but her eyes are snake-slits with full-color irises like the Nakhiir. The edges of her mouth are seamed due to her Terrify ancestry trait, and she has a rattle like all Nakhiir.
Naveen Rhozza
Yara Mother and Ori Father
Attributes:
Unusual Anatomy (+2)
Sturdy Claws (+2)
Clumsy Hands (-2)
Descriptors:
Rhozza has two additional sets of limbs protruding from her back, two fingers and a thumb on each hand, and reduced digit sensitivity like all Yara. Her hair is streaked with a green that is mirrored in both her “normal” eyes and the additional set of infra-vision eyes, just like the Ori.
The vine-like nature of her additional limbs is a product of her Arcane Background (Psiology) rather than her genetic heritage.
Boreas
Nakhiir Mother and Human Father
Attributes:
Adaptable (+2)
Carnivore Constitution (-1)
Low Light Vision (+1)
Descriptors:
Boreas does not have the large maw and rattle of most Nakhiir, and does not have the accompanying seams at the edge of his mouth. However, he does have large, blue Nakhiir eyes and bone structure. Otherwise, he appears human.
Boreas’s unusual appearance is a product of his Arcane Background (Synthesis) and personal backstory, rather than his genetic heritage.
Cevella Laza
Ori Mother Vel Father
Attributes:
Kori-Infused Mind (+3)
Edge: Danger Sense (+2)
Attribute Penalty (Vigor) (-2)
Hindrance (Jealous, Minor) (-1)
Solaire
Ori Mother Vel Father
Attributes:
Kori-Infused Body (+3)
Edge: Nerves of Steel (+2)
Attribute Penalty (Vigor) (-2)
Hindrance (Jealous, Minor) (-1)
Rahn Malu
Nakhiir and Vel
Attributes:
Carnivore Constitution (-1)
Edge: Danger Sense (+2)
Low Light Vision (+1)