Skinwalker

by The Mad Arab (gable@redrose.net)

Sanguisuga mutabilis (debated)

Skinwalkers, known to the Hopi Indians as Yee Naaldlooshi (literally, “those who go about with it”) are a race of vampiric creatures dwelling in the Mojave region (deserts in Ute, Pueblo, CalFree and Texas). In their natural form, they appear as small, werewolf-type humanoids armed with prodigious claws. From the astral, a skinwalker or a person possessed by one appears as a gaunt, skeletal being, with long, stringy, black hair and weather-beaten skin.

The debate as to what the skinwalkers are rages on. The old taxonomy was SANGUISUGA MUTABILIS, but that taxonomy has recently come under fire from a number of parazoologists who feel that that classification implies a relationship with humankind. These parazoologists hold that the skinwalker’s scientific designation should be UMBRA MUTABILIS, as they feel it is a by-product of the Great Ghost Dance. Some designate the skinwalker as a proto-horror (whatever that means). Still others, like the Hopis, believe that the skinwalkers were always there.

Statistics

Attributes

Body: 4
Quickness: 5 x 3*
Strength: 4
Charisma: none natural; as possessed individual
Intelligence: 7
Willpower: 6
Essence: 6
Reaction: 7

Combat

Attacks: 4S
Powers: Essence Drain*, Fear
Weaknesses: Allergies (Severe, to Fire and Iron)

*multiplier when running is 3

Special Abilities

Essence Drain

Any character killed by the skinwalker’s Essence Drain attacks has his skin taken by the ‘walker. Thereafter, the ‘walker can masquerade as the character. The masquerade can’t be detected visually, but an Intelligence (12) Test can see through the disguise once the ‘walker begins to talk. A skinwalker can memorize a number of skins equal to its Essence, and assume any of the memorized skins at will.

>>>>>[ Like the Wraiths, these things are horrors. It's that simple. They
should all be eradicated.]
   --H-- (14:37:57)