Neom

From Cf

Current revision as of 08:57, 28 February 2007

Neoms are one of the player races available for play in the Codex Futurum roleplaying world. They are also known as transhumans.

Evolution

After millions of years with little change, humans had to leave their home world to spark another revolution in their genetic evolution. After a series of global environmental disasters, the human race started colonizing the orbit of their moon's big planetary mother. Large, orbital, city-sized space stations were built, that harnessed energy and resources from the massive gas-giant. These emigrants gradually severed their ties with their old home, becoming permanent inhabitants of an artificial, low-gravity environment. The result of this radical environmental change was another big leap in human evolution. Humans became neoms. While the human brain already had the capacity for extraordinary intelligence, and even latent psionic capabilities, they remained locked or dormant for the most part. Although Neoms couldn't develop larger brains than humans, they became able to employ their capacity much more efficiently by having a much greater extent of electrical synapses. This increased the speed of processes in the brain immensly. Over a quite short period of time, the neoms learned how to manipulate their surroundings through sheer mental force; mastering the art of psionics. While psionics can be tought to humans and other humanoid creatures, it is a gift that comes quite naturally to the neom population.

Description

Neoms are tall, standing to about 8 or 9 feet. However, their muscle- and bone structure is not adapted to an environment with a normal gravitational pull, making them weaker and more brittle than their human kin. Their fair skin is entirely hairless, with a slight translucency. Neoms are very thin with a somewhat androgynous appearance. As in humans, the females have slightly rounded hips and breasts, but the differences between the neom genders are much less distinct. Furthermore, neoms have long and thin arms, and fingers without fingernails. Among their own, and in their artifical environment, neoms wear little clothing. Then again, they find exposure to wind and natural weather disagreeable, and cover themselves with jumpsuits or long robes in such natural conditions, although most neoms find these clothes rather uncomfortable.

Society

In many ways neoms consider themselves the classic definition of the ûbermensch. They know they have evolved from humans, and in many ways consider themeselves as superior to man, as man to ape. They are organized in six factions, that corresponds to one of six orbital cities around the gas planet. A 7th city was recently destroyed in a fiery explosion. Members of each faction have strong ties, even if they have hardly ever met, and they consider neoms of other factions as friendly competition. On Kroyus, they are organized in the same manner, having split the surface in six equal parts that they claim sovereignty over. Each faction have deomocratic elections to choose two people to act as their representatives. One is the ruler of their region, the other is elected to a common council for the entire neom population. Over the last few years the neoms have established a regime on Kroyus, where they control most of the population through guile and fear.

Culture

A great portion of neom culture adheres to the cycle of the planet Kreya, instead of the moon Kroyus, including the manner in which they count the passage of days and years. They are fond of art, music and philosophy, but have disbanded all forms of organized religion and personal spirtuality. Their design and architecture is serene, minimalistic and inorganic, favoring tall buildings and spires. Their music is vibrant and operatic with little rythm.

Relations with other races

Neoms consider themselves superior to all other races, with the notable exception of the shades. They have enslaved parts of the human and wark population, using them as forced labor. Nonetheless, in a lot of areas they have let minor human societies keep their human leaders and local administrations. Insert more about the relations with the other races here...

Racial features

• Ability scores: +2 intelligence, -2 strength, -2 constitution.
• Medium: As medium creatures, neoms have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Speed: Neom base land speed is 30 feet.
• Extended reach: Just like many large-sized creatures, neoms have a natural reach of 10 feet. They are for all other intents and purposes considered medium sized.
• Naturally psionic: Neoms gain 2 bonus power points at 1st level. This benefit does not grant them the ability to manifest psionic powers unless they gain that ability through another source, such as levels in a psionic class.
• Skill bonuses: +2 racial bonus on Concentration and Sense motive checks.
• Automatic languages: Neom standard. Bonus languages: Any (non-secret).