Arrand's Chosen
Background
Whether the mutated forms, be they aquiline or grotesque, of the group that has come to be known as Arrand's Chosen constitutes a Sub-Lineage, a new Strain, or something else entirely is a matter of ongoing scientific debate within the academic circles of Dominus Columbia. What isn't up for debate, however, is the increasing number of scientists and madmen who flock to the J. Andrews Technology Enclave with promises of Immortality and Power, as well as the increasing numbers of 'rejects' who, either as successful 'test subjects' or former residents of the Enclave who were cast out, now dot The Bailey and occupy a few small isolated settlements.
While these wretches technically have all of the same benefits, their forms are often twisted into more monstrous, predatory forms, their very flesh trying to become the mindless hungry monster the Infection keeps at bay. Naturally, this is distressing, both for the formerly 'normal' people who now horrify their friends and family, as well as for those same friends and family who see what was once a loved one now turned into a cold, ravenous corpse of a person that seems to look at them more as meat to be devoured with every passing day...
For most, this arrangement becomes unbearable, and many flee their former lives (or, indeed, never return to them in the first place), instead taking up reclusive residences or trades where they can revel in their newfound powers and hungers.
Costume and Roleplay Requirements
Most of the 'deliberate' Arrand's Chosen make no efforts to hide their Undead appearance, embracing it as the next step of Adaptive Evolution, and as a result have pallid, sunken flesh that is often hardened with desiccation and weathering. Their Undead nature must be clear through the use of makeup and prosthetics and, other than their often immaculate outfits, they are often difficult to distinguish from the ravenous dead. As a result, many of Arrand's Chosen choose to either accentuate their deathless nature, performing horrific body modifications on themselves and their fellows in the name of aesthetics and utility that would be infeasible to those with working metabolisms or nervous systems.
On the reverse side, those who have been turned into this particular type of monster against their will often show great distress at these changes, and may take great steps to either cover themselves in horror, becoming nearly formless under layers of flowing, formless fabric, or instead engage in some other over-the-top attempt to conceal or misrepresent their Lineage to a casual onlooker, almost invariably to (accidentally) horrific effect.
Mechanics
Supreme Legion
Arrand's Chosen are immune to all sources of Radiation (both Damage and Disease), and cannot be infected by most Diseases that require a Living Host.
In addition, most Undead are not able to distinguish them as a member of the Living; while more clever Undead can detect the Chosen through behavioral cues or even outfit and gear for the most observant, most will leave the Chosen alone provided they make a reasonable effort to behave and blend in like one of the Zombie.
- You may spend 5 Points (0.5 Levels) of Exhaustion to hold out a hand palm-out and call "Legion: Undead Ignore Me.", causing most Undead that hear it and can see the Chosen to ignore them. Attacking a Zombie or taking other action that distinguishes the user, such as talking, moving normally, using items, etc causes the 'Legion' effect to fail until the Chosen calls it again. Chosen who posses the Basic Stealth skill may spend the normal cost of the skill to activate Stealth while remaining within arms reach of at least 2 Zombie Targets in addition to Basic Stealth's other uses.
However, this lack of Living metabolism is not without cost. Arrand's Chosen cannot benefit from the effects of any uses of the Medical Skill Tree, or be targeted by any beneficial effects from Items that require any level of the Medical Skill to use. They always respond to any uses of Basic Medical to Diagnose with a state of "Dead" in addition to any other information gained.
Lastly, Arrand's Chosen feel a much stronger call of the Grave which manifests itself both in the form of an intense, smoldering hunger for living flesh as well as greater susceptibility to Gravemind Phenomena. If a member of Arrand's Chosen has been in play for at least one full (12 hour) 12's period without consuming the flesh of a Lineage Target as part of a Killing Blow (per the Gorger Lineage Advantage), they begin to suffer from a self-inflicted call of "Psionic Compulsion: Consume the Living" once per hour (they may choose the specific timing so long as they self-inflict at least one call per one hour block, e.g. 1pm-2pm) until they do so. Certain other abilities and calls in the game space may also specifically exempt Arrand's Chosen from being able to call counters, as the Grave has a stronger influence on their minds.
