Suliban Cabal Advanced Training Packages

[mactavish]

I'd like to use the Suliban Cabal in my impending Enterprise-era Series.

Now, I have a template for the Suliban, but it's for non-Cabal individuals. I'd like to put together either Advanced Training and/or Professional Career packages to reflect their training as well as their genetic enhancements.

I think this is simply a matter of throwing together some Attribute and Edge bonuses (and perhaps penalties, depending), Skills and Specialties, Advantages and Disadvantages. However, there are not (to the best of my knowledge) any Advantages that adequately represent many of the enhancements we've seen in Cabal members (i.e. chameleon skin, extreme double-jointedness, wall crawling, improved organ systems, eyes with compound retinas, etc.).

Now, some of these can be handled with Enhanced Vision; Excellent Balance, Chemoreception, Hearing, Metabolism, and Sight; Night Vision; Organ Redundancy; Peripheral Vision; and so on. Others, however, cannot be so easily duplicated.

So, before I work some new Advantages out to cover some of these abilities, does anyone else have some already designed?

mactavish out.

[Owen E Oulton]

Well, the disguise ability that Sarin had in Broken Bow and the ability that Silek (I think it was him) used to flatten out to go under doors could both be low-powered variations (separate ones) of Shapeshift, worth 2 or 3 points.

I don't see a problem with creating your own Advantages and Disadvantages, personally. Simply define how it works mechanically and evaualte how many points it should cost. ICON is a really flexible system that way.

Of course, don't forget Obligation (Cabal) or Patron (Future Guy), and the like.

[mactavish]

Suliban Cabal Professional Career Packages

Cabal Leadership: The character has been selected by his future masters to serve as one of their lieutenants in the present. He is responsible for a cell of Cabal operatives and has the training and genetic enhancements appropriate to his role.
Command (Cabal) 1 (2), Espionage (choose Specialization) 1 (2), Intimidation (Interrogation) 1 (2); Department Head (+2); ONE of Double-Jointed (+2), Enhanced Vision (+2), Excellent Hearing (+2), Excellent Sight (+2), Night Vision (+2), Organ Redundancy (+2) OR Toughness (+2); Obligation (Cabal Leadership) (-3)

Cabal Operative: You were brought into the Cabal, whether by accident or design, and have since received instruction in various fields and been the recipient of one or more genetic alterations to aid in your mission.
Any Military Skill (choose Specialization) 1 (2), Stealth (choose Specialization) 1 (2); any THREE of Double-Jointed (+2), Enhanced Vision (+2), Excellent Hearing (+2), Excellent Sight (+2), Night Vision (+2), Organ Redundancy (+2) OR Toughness (+2); Obligation (Cabal Leadership) (-2) OR Species Enemy (choose Race) (-2)

Cabal Pariah: You were either expelled from or chose to leave the service of the Cabal. While no longer beholden to masters from the far future, your departure from the Cabal has brought on a new set of problems.
Any two Military Skills (choose Specialization) 1 (2), Vehicle Operation (Cabal Cell Ship) 1 (2); any TWO of Double-Jointed (+2), Enhanced Vision (+2), Excellent Hearing (+2), Excellent Sight (+2), Night Vision (+2), Organ Redundancy (+2) OR Toughness (+2); Dark Secret (former Cabal member) (-3)

New Advantages

Morph (+3): The character is capable of changing his physical appearance, including (but not limited to) adjusting his height up to 10%, altering his skin color and texture, changing his eye and hair color, or even altering his fingerprints or retinal patterns. When making Disguise Tests, the Difficulty is decreased by one level (i.e. Difficult becomes Challenging, Challenging becomes Moderate, and so on). Further, he can alter his appearance without the use of cosmetics or surgery, and any alterations can be made in seconds.

Well, what do you think?

mactavish out.

[Phoenix]

Looks good over all, I have one question about the new advantage "altering his fingerprints or retinal patterns". Now is that to mimic someone else's or just to make said identifiers not match what may be on file?

One adjustment I might recommend however is with the 'Cabal Pariah'. Make it a 5 point Additional Profession rather than a 10 point starting Profession. Realistically, why would someone start out getting kicked out of the door. (sorry, it's just one of my issues with the game system)

[mactavish]

Looks good over all, I have one question about the new advantage "altering his fingerprints or retinal patterns". Now is that to mimic someone else's or just to make said identifiers not match what may be on file?

Well, I suppose that it could mean either, though to mimic someone else's prints or patterns would be a Nearly Impossible thing to accomplish.

One adjustment I might recommend however is with the 'Cabal Pariah'. Make it a 5 point Additional Profession rather than a 10 point starting Profession. Realistically, why would someone start out getting kicked out of the door. (sorry, it's just one of my issues with the game system)

Yeah, I hadn't thought of that. I was just trying to come up with more than two.

mactavish out.

[Phoenix]

Well, I suppose that it could mean either, though to mimic someone else's prints or patterns would be a Nearly Impossible thing to accomplish.

Should be more then nearly.

Yeah, I hadn't thought of that. I was just trying to come up with more than two.

mactavish out.

Soldier, scout, infiltrator - Specialize them some.

[mactavish]

Okay, here's a minor update:

Suliban Cabal Professional Career Packages (10 pts)

Cabal Leadership: The character has been selected by his future masters to serve as one of their lieutenants in the present. He is responsible for a cell of Cabal operatives and has the training and genetic enhancements appropriate to his role.

Command (Cabal) 1 (2), Espionage (choose Specialization) 1 (2), Intimidation (Interrogation) 1 (2); Department Head (+2); ONE of Double-Jointed (+2), Enhanced Vision (+2), Excellent Hearing (+2), Excellent Sight (+2), Night Vision (+2), Organ Redundancy (+2) OR Toughness (+2); Obligation (Cabal Leadership) (-3)

Cabal Operative: You were brought into the Cabal, whether by accident or design, and have since received instruction in various fields and been the recipient of one or more genetic alterations to aid in your mission.

Any Military Skill (choose Specialization) 1 (2), Stealth (choose Specialization) 1 (2); any THREE of Double-Jointed (+2), Enhanced Vision (+2), Excellent Hearing (+2), Excellent Sight (+2), Night Vision (+2), Organ Redundancy (+2) OR Toughness (+2); Obligation (Cabal Leadership) (-2) OR Species Enemy (choose Race) (-2)

Cabal Infiltrator: You are a Cabal infiltration expert with genetic enhancements tailored to your role.

Disguise (choose Specialization) 1 (2), Espionage (choose Specializations) 1 (2) (2); ONE of Double-Jointed (+2), Enhanced Vision (+2), Excellent Hearing (+2), Excellent Sight (+2), Night Vision (+2), Organ Redundancy (+2) OR Toughness (+2), Morph (+3); Obligation (Cabal Leadership) (-2) OR Species Enemy (choose Race) (-2)

Additional Profession (5 pts)

Cabal Pariah: You were either expelled from or chose to leave the service of the Cabal. While no longer beholden to masters from the far future, your departure from the Cabal has brought on a new set of problems.

Any Military Skill (choose TWO Specializations) 1 (2) (2); any TWO of Double-Jointed (+2), Enhanced Vision (+2), Excellent Hearing (+2), Excellent Sight (+2), Night Vision (+2), Organ Redundancy (+2) OR Toughness (+2); Dark Secret (former Cabal member) (-3) OR Sworn Enemy (Suliban Cabal) (-2) AND Vengeful (Suliban Cabal) (-1)

New Advantages

Morph (+3): The character is capable of changing his physical appearance, including (but not limited to) adjusting his height up to 10%, altering his skin color and texture, changing his eye and hair color, or even altering his fingerprints or retinal patterns. When making Disguise Tests, the Difficulty is decreased by one level (i.e. Difficult becomes Challenging, Challenging becomes Moderate, and so on). Further, the character can alter his appearance without the use of cosmetics or surgery, and any alterations can be made in seconds.

mactavish out.

[Dan Gurden]

If its any use during season 1 of Enterprise I came up with a Suliban template (standard Suliban and Cabal) which I passed over to Owen.

But here it is;

Suliban
By DanG

Species Name: Suliban
First Encountered: 2151

Description and Background Notes:

No more advanced than Human, the Sulidan are a reptilian, humanoid Alien Species. They have achieved interstellar capabilities far before their human counterparts, and are an accepted part, if considered minor, of established Stellar travel. Many Suliban have colonized extensively, often settling peacefully alongside other species.
History once recorded them as a minor species. No threat, and one that would fade into obscurity. That was before the Cabal seemed to appear out of nowhere in 2151.
The Cabal represent an elite minority of the Suliban peoples, A group determined to garner power anyway possible. Led by a Suliban named Silik, they were enlisted by a stranger, they accepted advanced technologies and above all advanced genetic manipulation that made the members of the Cabal physically far superior to all. In return they would do their benefactors bidding, and gain power for themselves, throwing the Alpha Quadrant into disarray.
Not all Suliban chose the Cabal, some remained as they were, gathered in their colonies, proud of their heritage, and wishing no more than peaceful existence, however the activities of the Cabal coloured the views of many others, causing distrust and even hostility towards Suliban that were not of the Cabal. In fact this was even a factor of Silik's long term plan, the very same discontent, breeding amongst those of his species and driving more recruits to the Cabal, to undergo genetic manipulation and join the ranks of his loyal soldiers.
Not all members of the Cabal are loyal however, a small number grow dissatisfied with the treatment of their people, including both the Cabal, and the original Suliban in their considerations, and feel that this treatment steams directly from the actions of the Cabal, and of Siliks disdain for those that did not choose to change themselves. This small dissident movement works against the Cabal, from within and out. Trying to restore an element of trust that had been lost by the Suliban as a whole.
The Suliban are tall humanoids, with a mottled green skin and no body hair. The Suliban of the Cabal however also have many genetic traits added through their manipulation, among other traits this includes a chameleon like ability to appear in any form, or even disappear entirely Total night-vision, along with enhanced strength and reflexes
Their established future as one of the minor players in Alpha Quadrant politics lost. Who knows what role the Suliban will eventually play in the Grand scheme of things.

Basic Suliban Template
Attributes
Fitness 2 [5]
Coordination 2 [5]
Intellect 3 [5]
Presence 2 [5]
Psi 0 [5]
Skills
Artistic Expression (Choose Specialisation) 1 (2)
Athletics (Choose Any) 1 (2)
Culture (Suliban) 2 (3)
History (Suliban) 1 (2)
Language
Suliban 2
Settled World 1
Science, Any (Choose Specialisation) 2 (3)
World Knowledge (Settled World) 1 (2)
Typical Advantages/Disadvantages
Outcast -1


'Cabal' Suliban Template
Attributes
Fitness 3 [5]
Coordination 3 [5]
Reaction +1
Intellect 3 [5]
Presence 2 [5]
Empathy -1
Psi 0 [5]
Skills
Athletics (Choose Any) 1 (2)
Culture (Suliban) 2 (3)
History (Suliban) 1 (2)
Language (Suliban) 2
Science, Any (Choose Specialisation) 2 (3)
World Knowledge (Settled World) 1 (2)
Choose one of the following skills:
Stealth 1
or
Disguise (Chameleon) 1 (2) *
Typical Advantages/Disadvantages
Double-Jointed +2
Chameleon +4**
Night Vision +2
Obligation (To the Cabal) -2 or Fanatic -2
Outcast -2

* The specialization of Stealth or Disguise represents the individual Suliban's use of their new-found Chameleon like abilities, how well they can look like a member of an alien species, or how difficult it is to remain unseen against a wall
** Like the +6 Advantage Shapeshifter, Chameleon allows a character to use species specific abilities that are fine-tuned by skill use.



EDIT: I will of course be adding this information to my copy of the word file, like I did with Eric R's (cor, theres a name from the past) Magna Roman stuff.

[Dan Gurden]

One adjustment I might recommend however is with the 'Cabal Pariah'. Make it a 5 point Additional Profession rather than a 10 point starting Profession. Realistically, why would someone start out getting kicked out of the door. (sorry, it's just one of my issues with the game system)

I dont entirely agree.

The template shows the development of a PC at the point that said Character begins play, and as such is an arbitary mechanism that develops the characters skills and abilities gained to the point of play.

So its not the the character starts by getting kicked out, but rather that the character served a period as an operative, and for whatever reason broke connection with the Cabal at some point before that period in the characters life was over.

If i remember correctly the packages were supposed to represent 1D4+1 years?

[mactavish]

I've thought about Dan's Chameleon (+4) Advantage, and - while I like it - I think that a.) not all Cabal members possess it, and b.) it's separate from the Cabal shapeshifting ability.

Realistically, what does this Advantage do? It makes the character invisible to both normal sight and [most] sensors. I'd say that such an Advantage should essentially make Stealth tests easier by a degree or two, or make the Difficulty of detecting them (whether with senses or sensors) tougher by a degree or two. I also think that it should allow for a kind of "hide in plain sight" ability whereby the character can vanish without the need for shadows or cover.

I also believe that this Advantage should be separate from the Morph Advantage. Just because they can become [more or less] invisible doesn't mean that they can change their appearance (or vice versa).

What I plan to use is:

Imperceptible (+4): The character - thanks to genetic enhancement and biomimetic garments - can become effectively invisible to normal vision as well as most standard sensor suites. When making Stealth Tests, the Difficulty is decreased by one level (i.e. Difficult becomes Challenging, Challenging becomes Moderate, and so on). Further, the character can instantly vanish from sight even under direct observation.

The non-detectability by sensors increases the Difficulty of locating the character by one level (i.e. Moderate becomes Challenging, Challenging becomes Difficult, etc.), and this ability is always active and cannot be "turned off" by any means short of reversing the genetic enhancement and removing the biomimetic attire.

Yet another Advantage I plan to use is:

Wall-Crawling (+3 or +4): Whether by experiment or by natural design, the character is a natural wall-crawler. Something - suction cups, microscopic hooks, etc. - allows the character to automatically succeed at all Tests involving climbing up to Difficult. Characters with the +3 version of this Advantage climb at their normal speed.

Further, characters with the +4 version of this Advantage can cling to and climb along walls and even ceilings as easily as a ladder, and may do so at their normal speed.

This Advantage is also possessed (in the +3 form) by Denobulans.

mactavish out.

[Owen E Oulton]

I'm not sure I'd go the route of having separate Templates for standard and Cabal Suliban - all the Cabal stuff should really be in the Cabal Operative Overlay - to represent the elite aspects of being a Cabal operative, I'd make it a 54-point Overlay like most other military carrers.

[Dan Gurden]

I'm not sure I'd go the route of having separate Templates for standard and Cabal Suliban - all the Cabal stuff should really be in the Cabal Operative Overlay - to represent the elite aspects of being a Cabal operative, I'd make it a 54-point Overlay like most other military carrers.

The main reasoning there was the series 1 episode3 where it was made very clear that non cabal Suliban had no genetic modifications at all, and in fact were very similar to Humans.

Meanwhile (at the time of writing), the Suliban Cabal guys were running about playing the funky tricks and basically mrunning rings around the standard characters.