CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE-Antro's, Monsters, Replicants

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Overview Index

Background Index

ANTHROPOMORPHIC HUMANOIDS

Other sentient hominid race can exist in this setting, but it’s assumed that they exist only in relatively small numbers.  Their community is likely fairly insular, even if they’ve geographically dispersed.

The Anthropomorphic (sentient animal) races, such as Gnolls, Lizardmen, Kobolds, Mermaids, and others are usually seen as devolutionary throwbacks or ancient, failed magical experiments.  Their specific origins have been lost to time.  Even the Humanoid races see them as utterly alien creatures.  Like most other sentient monsters in the Modern day, they’ve been nearly exterminated out of existence.  They are generally seen as creatures of fantasy stories. 

A few isolated warrens in inhospitable, inaccessible areas harbor what remains of their of kind.  Still, they have some intelligence, coupled with savage ferocity.  Unscrupulous individuals have been known to capture and use Anthro’s for nefarious purposes.  They would mostly be kept out of sight and used sparingly, but could also be right out in the open and get plenty of publicity.  (Educated Gnoll bodyguards have been a fad among some celebrities.)  

      

Only one Anthro race has successfully adapted to the future, the Rakshasa or Cat People.  They are fierce, cunning warriors, mostly living in a recently formed country of their own kind, Kzin.  However, they are very intelligent and are capable of being quite sociable, and, dare we say, playful.  Expatriated Raks can be found anywhere in world, in many different capacities.  Many find their way into martial careers, but many are also successful entertainers in various media.

MONSTERS

Creatures of magical aberration, whether naturally occurring or created, intelligent or not, have been for the most part, exterminated.  The modern world holds few inaccessible places where they can live.  Dangerous, Humanity-eating monsters, when encountered, have been hunted down without mercy.  Unintelligent ones that are left may only live in the remotest places, zoos/preserves, and private ownership (sometimes acting as exotic personal security).  Intelligent non-Humanity creatures are usually in hiding of some sort, physically hidden or changed like a dragon shape-changed into human form. 

Monsters of the supernatural still occur, such as ghosts and other insubstantial haunts.  The presence of magic in the world creates them naturally under certain circumstances.  Most knowledge of the Old Ways to create undead creatures is gone and forbidden by international law.  However, advanced genetic therapy combined with a supernatural element has created creatures that are functionally the same, if not improved.  (Much more about Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies later.)

REPLICANTS, SUPERMEN, AND CLONES

20 minutes into the future the goals of racial supremacists are finally just about within reach.  Genetic manipulation has reached a level of sophistication that physiologically ideal specimens can be created, nearly.  Of course, this is really expensive.  Even treatments which could eliminate common genetic diseases are rare, much less completely engineering from scratch a member of a “Master” race. 

Most cloning is for replacement organs and body parts, not full clones.  Dwarves have done well with their clones.  The Elves, with their inherently low birth rate, were very keen on the possibility bio-engineered progeny, but that didn’t work out too well.  Humanoid groups are frantically working away on a “Super” Humanoid.  (Of course, the different species of Humanoids are natural rivals in these projects.)  Full Human clones are called Replicants.  Some are bio-engineered in an attempt at some form of superiority.  These guys often have a history of mental problems and don’t turn out well.  Of course, there have been celebrity clones, vanity clones, and creepy clones of loved ones made by wealthy Elitists.  They’re never the same as the original and a waste of money.