The Blighted (Merika Supplement)

Blighters are the twisted progeny of men warped by the taint of magic that permeates the world. They have become increasingly common in recent times. Some are born able to pass for human save for a tiny deformity or inhuman mark such as a cleft lip or patch of strange skin concealed by clothing, others are monstrous - huge and bestial with skin like stone, or small and twisted with long, many-jointed fingers and eyes like insects.

Whatever form they take these wretched creatures are usually cast out into the wilderness or left in alleys to fend for themselves. Those that survive grow up lean and mean. Sometimes they live singly on the outskirts of human civilization or in the run down and abandoned parts of large cities, others are found young by packs of blighters who have banded together to form tribes and societies of their own.

It is amongst these tribes that true monsters are found. Each successive generation amongst themselves brings a mingling of already tainted blood, their inhuman traits increasing exponentially. It is said that some of the most dangerous horrors of the waste were spawned from blighter stock.

Blighter Racial Traits

Blighters are almost always unique. For player character they fall into three different "Archetypes" known as Norms, Brutes, and Skulkers.

• Norms gain a +4 to constitution and a -2 to charisma. They are exceptionally hardy but their nature leaves them reserved and disconnected from others.
• Brutes gain a +4 to Strength and constitution and a -4 to intelligence and charisma. They are exceptionally powerful and hardy, but bestial in mind and mannerisms.
• Skulkers gain a +4 to dexterity and a +2 to constitution and a -4 to charisma. Skulkers are exceptionally agile and very hardy, but their inhuman forms make them unsettling

All Blighters share the following traits:

• Monstrous Constitution: The blighted can gain sustenance from just about anything organic and are exceedingly resistant to environmental poisons. They gain a +4 to saves versus inhaled and ingested poisons and diseases.

• Darkvision: Blighters can see in the dark up to 60'.

Norms Gain:

• Hidden Deformity: Norms may pass as human with concealing clothing or other precautions.

• Normal Speed: Norms have a base speed of 30 feet.

Brutes gain:

• Normal Speed: Brutes have a base speed of 30 feet.

• Powerful Build: The physical stature of Brutes let them function in many ways as if they were one size category larger. Whenever a Brute is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), the Brute is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him. A Brute is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. A Brute can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, his space and reach remain those of a creature of his actual size. The benefits of this racial trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject’s size category.

• Natural Armor: Brutes gain a natural armor rating of +4.

• Natural Weapons: Brutes gain one natural attack mode based on form such as a bite, claw, or gore attack, that deals 1d6+strength bonus in lethal damage.

• Unusual Anatomy: Brutes can never purchase "off the rack" armor, nor will most found armors fit them. In most cases such items will cost double their normal value.

Skulkers gain:

• Small Size: Skulkers are Small creatures, and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.

• Normal Speed: Skulkers have a base speed of 30 feet.

• Skuttle: Whenever a Skulker would be granted a 5 foot step, they instead may move 10 feet.

• Wall Crawler: Skulkers have a climb speed of 10 feet.

• Unusual Anatomy: Skulkers can never purchase "off the rack" armor, nor will most found armors fit them. In most cases such items will cost double their normal value.

Table: Blighter Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
12 years	+1d4	+1d6	+2d6

Table: Human Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
35 years	53 years	70 years	+2d20 years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Brutes Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	6’ 10”	+2d12	320 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
Female	6’ 6”	+2d10	285 lb.	× (2d4) lb.

Table: Norms Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	4’ 10”	+2d10	120 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
Female	4’ 5”	+2d10	85 lb.	× (2d4) lb.

Table: Skulker Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	3’ 10”	+2d4	60 lb.	× (2) lb.
Female	3’ 8”	+2d4	50 lb.	× (2) lb.

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