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From: Armage Bedar  <gregory@e...>
Date: Sat Jun 17, 2000 10:19am
Subject: SPOILERS: Observations in NJO - Dark Tide II: Ruin - part I (long)


As always, here's my customary dissertation of the book along with the usual
stats. Oh, and this time, if someone doesn't like the stats, would they just
say so (ONCE) and give reasons why rather than turn it into a useless argument?
Thanks - I'm sure everyone will appreciate that...

(Note: this is the SECOND time I've tried to send this. The first time it was
refused for being WAY too long ;-)

---

Obviously, I liked DT:R, simply because it offers a much-needed contrast to the
relative "everlasting happiness" that seems to pervade the earlier SWU. This
book is fairly bloody and the battle scenes are (as is Stackpole's style) quite
descriptive.

And one Stackpole's characters dies (as seems to be the custom in thee books):
Elegos A'Kla. Not only is he killed, his bones are shipped back to Corran Horn
as a message. This, along with other information, lends some interesting
insight into Yuuzhan Vong society.

My list of pros and cons for Ruin are essentially the same as for Onslaught
(posted to the list on 2/5/00), since it's the same author. Han is looking
better, though he still is not nearly the man he once was...

Before getting into the stats, I'd like to say this: if this is how the series
is going after the third book (and only the first major book), the NJO story arc
is going to be a bumpy ride...

---

Now, as for the stats...

We are introduced with an elaboration of the Yuuzhan Vong control systems on p.
1. It allows the user to simply put it on (no implants necessary) and "see what
the ship sees and know what it knows". It can also access what serves as a
central memory core for Yuuzhan Vong warships (and most likely worldships as
well), which holds memories of every living thing attached to the ship,
including slaves, other Vong, and the ship itself. The ships also have neural
tissue, which means that they actually get hurt when they are damaged. This
puts to the rest the theory that a ship are literally the dead husk of whatever
grew it.

Cognition Hood
Model: Custom Engineered Yuuzhan Vong Cognition Hood
Type: Genetically engineered neural network control terminal
Skill: Yuuzhan biotechnology: cognition hood
Difficulty: Very Easy
Scale: Character
Availability: 4
Game Notes: The cognition hood gives +1D to the user when interfacing with ship
systems. For example, if interfacing with a ship's sensors, the user receives
an extra +1D to his sensors roll. This item may only be used on Yuuzhan Vong
ships (or with an appropriate interface as determined by the GM). It also gives
the user the ability to think orders - and if there is no damage to the main
neural backbone of the ship, the warriors on the ship will receive the
appropriate orders.

Some societal differences are revealed on p.2. Vong society is definitely
caste-based (as one would expect with genetic engineering). The castes in
descending order are: priests (prefects), shapers (unknown, maybe a combo of
intendants and priests?), intendants (politicians; Praetorite Vong), warriors,
(slaves). The warriors and the intendant (political) castes are at odds. The
slaves are not truly in a caste (they are probably equal to the "untouchables"
of the Hindu caste system). Vong warriors routinely engage in the Embrace of
Pain as a way to "cleanse impurities" (I guess it's like their hour of
church...)

Embrace of Pain
Type: Genetically engineered pain booth
Scale: Character
Availability: 4
Damage: Special
Game Notes: The Embrace of Pain causes varying types of pain to the subject,
ranging from nerve firings to dislocation of arms. The setting range is
unknown, but it would seem that it can be set to standard or lethal. Standard
causes 3D damage every 1D minutes; if the user becomes Mortally Wounded, the
device heals the user back to Wounded status, and the process begins anew.
(Note: this device cannot be used to heal damage sustained outside of it.) The
lethal setting causes 6D damage every round until the subject dies. This device
is often used for punishment, but some engage in it as a recreational or
religious pastime.

Oh, the Vong have claws, so I'll add that to the NJO Stats File.

Special Abilities:
- Claws: Damage: STR+2D.

The Vong has a clan-based societal structure along with their caste system.
These clans are called "domains", and act as the surname of the Vong in
question. A Vong's full name follows this format: Rank, Proper Name, "Domain",
Domain Name. Thus, Shedao Shai's full name would be: Commander Shedao Domain
Shai.

Of course, this lends little perspective into the Vong ranking structure (just
that Commander seems to be a very high rank - enough to lead a Vong fleet).

On another note about ranks, Vong ground formations seem to be organized thusly:

One Vong warrior and 12 Chazrach form a squad.
Three squads from a triad.
Three triads (one point, one reserve, one core) form an ennead.

Those familiar with Greek history will know that an ennead means "a group of
nine" - which is exactly what a Vong ennead is. Perhaps we'll see Vong
phalanxes soon enough...

The "reptoids" now have a name: the Chazrach (p.2). They are a conquered and
altered species, which makes sense given what they've been doing to the captured
populations of the SWU. Here are some stats:

Chazrach
Type: Genetically altered reptilian slave race
Attribute Dice: 12D
DEX 2D/4D
KNO 0D/2D
MEC 1D/3D
PER 0D/2D
STR 3D/5D
TEC 1D/3D
Move: 11-12
Special Abilities:
- Claws: Damage: STR+1D+2
Story Factors:
- Slave Race: The Chazrach are a captured species, totally subservient to the
will of the Yuuzhan Vong. They are given no special rights in Vong society, and
are considered slaves.

These Chazrach typically carry a coufee (a large, two bladed knife) and a
shorter amphistaff that functions as a standard one does, save the whip ability
(which, for some reason, Chazrach cannot master).

Coufee
Model: Custom Engineered Chazrach Coufee
Type: Genetically engineered sword
Skill: Melee weapons
Difficulty: Easy
Scale: Character
Availability: 4
Damage: STR+2D

Amphistaff
Model: Custom Engineered Chazrach Amphistaff
Type: Genetically engineered staff
Scale: Character
Skill: Melee weapons: amphistaff
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: NAFS (equivalent Invisible market value: 425,000 credits)
Availability: 4
Range (venom): 0-20/40/80 (can also be used in a biting attack)
Damage: STR+3D (staff), 4D per hour over 1D hours (venom)
Game Notes: This weapon cannot be used as a whip.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for: vonduun crab armor! Yes, that
amazing armor that can shrug off blaster bolts and lightsaber strikes with
impunity! There appear to be two varieties: a set that's black with silver
highlights (what Nom Anor is wearing in the Crimson Empire comics) and a set
that's cerulean- or blue-colored. I assume that the black set is standard armor
for warriors, while the blue set is for officers (or the Vong equivalent -
probably the best-skilled of a ennead). I noticed that Corran said that "this
is the serious stuff" when referring to the blue armor.

Vonduun Crab Armor (black type)
Model: Custom Engineered Yuuzhan Vong Vonduun Crab Armor (Warrior's)
Type: Genetically engineered living armor
Scale: Character
Cost: NAFS (equivalent Invisible market value: 425,000 credits)
Availability: 4
Game Notes:
- Armor: +3D physical, +3D energy. Is destroyed when it ingests bafforr tree
pollen, an Ithorian specimen that is now a rarity with the destruction of Ithor.
Capsule: Black vonduun crab armor is a potent set of personal armor It can
resist blaster bolts and lightsaber blades, and requires a concerted attack or
multiple energy beams to bring a wearer down for good. And this is only the
STANDARD armor...

Vonduun Crab Armor (blue type)
Model: Custom Engineered Yuuzhan Vong Vonduun Crab Armor (Officer's)
Type: Genetically engineered living armor
Scale: Character
Cost: NAFS (equivalent Invisible market value: 425,000 credits)
Availability: 4
Game Notes:
- Armor: +5D physical, +5D energy. Is destroyed when it ingests bafforr tree
pollen, an Ithorian specimen that is now a rarity with the destruction of Ithor.
Capsule: Blue vonduun crab armor is the strongest form of personal armor known.
It can resist heavy blaster bolts and lightsaber blades with ease, and requires
a concerted attack or multiple energy beams to bring a wearer down. It is still
not resistant to bafforr tree pollen, but that is due to be fixed in the next
revision.

That should suitably scare your players ;-)

There are few Vong characters that need be known at this point: Shedao Shai
(deceased) and Deign Lian (deceased). Even though they're dead, I'll still post
their stats...

Shedao Shai
Type: Yuuzhan Vong task force commander
DEX 4D+1
Brawling parry 7D+1, grenade: thud bugs 6D, melee combat 9D+1, melee parry 8D+2
KNO 2D
Intimidation 5D+2, tactics 4D+2
MEC 3D
CS gunnery 5D+1, CS piloting 4D+2, Yuuzhan biotechnology 6D
PER 2D
Command 6D, hide 5D+1, search 5D, sneak 6D+1
STR 4D+1
Brawling 8D+1, stamina 6D+2
TEC 1D
Special Abilities:
- Claws: Damage: STR+2D.
- Force Insensitivity: These creatures cannot feel or manipulate the Force
whatsoever. They cannot be detected as life, nor can their mental intents be
sensed. It is not known if they even have midichlorians.
Story Factors:
- Self-Mutilation: Yuuzhan Vong of all types tend to mutilate their body as a
sign of worship towards their gods. It is common to see Yuuzhan Vong with their
bones broken in several places, ears missing, etc.
- Hatred of Inorganic Technology: Yuuzhan Vong hate inorganic technology. They
consider them abominations, and much prefer using organic tools. They will even
go out of their way to destroy such technology.
- Ignorance of the Force: They also hate the Force (because they can't
understand it), and consider Force-sensitives/users to be targets of destruction
(and sometimes curiosity).
- Warrior Caste: Warriors make up the warrior caste.
CP: 25
Move: 11
Equipment: Amphistaff (STR+3D [staff], 4D per hour over 1D hours [venom]),
blorash jelly (8D opposed STR rolls), thud bugs (5D), ceremonial mask

Deign Lian
Type: Yuuzhan Vong commander's aide
DEX 4D
Brawling parry 7D+2, grenade: thud bugs 6D+1, melee combat 8D, melee parry 7D+2
KNO 2D
Intimidation 5D, tactics 4D
MEC 3D
CS gunnery 5D, CS piloting 4D, Yuuzhan biotechnology 5D+2
PER 2D
Command 6D, hide 5D+1, search 5D, sneak 6D+1
STR 4D+2
Brawling 7D+2, stamina 6D+2
TEC 1D
Special Abilities:
- Claws: Damage: STR+2D.
- Force Insensitivity: These creatures cannot feel or manipulate the Force
whatsoever. They cannot be detected as life, nor can their mental intents be
sensed. It is not known if they even have midichlorians.
Story Factors:
- Self-Mutilation: Yuuzhan Vong of all types tend to mutilate their body as a
sign of worship towards their gods. It is common to see Yuuzhan Vong with their
bones broken in several places, ears missing, etc.
- Hatred of Inorganic Technology: Yuuzhan Vong hate inorganic technology. They
consider them abominations, and much prefer using organic tools. They will even
go out of their way to destroy such technology.
- Ignorance of the Force: They also hate the Force (because they can't
understand it), and consider Force-sensitives/users to be targets of destruction
(and sometimes curiosity).
- Warrior Caste: Warriors make up the warrior caste.
CP: 18
Move: 11
Equipment: Amphistaff (STR+3D [staff], 4D per hour over 1D hours [venom]),
blorash jelly (8D opposed STR rolls), thud bugs (5D), ceremonial mask

I've altered the standard Yuuzhan Vong information in the NJO Stats File with
updated Special Abilities (notably the claws and "Force Insensitivity"). I've
also modified the entries of Nom Anor, Yomin Carr, and Prefect Da'Gara to
reflect the fact that they were part of the Praetorite Vong intendant caste task
force rather than Shedao Shai's warrior caste task force.

See part II...

Armage Bedar [ The STATS Man ]
IMS [ http://ims.terrandesigns.com ]
HoloNet [ http://www.terrandesigns.com/holonet ]
HoloMail [ ims@t... ]

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