Cybernetic... Race?

[PsiberDragon]

Ok... I need a little help (... ok, a LOT of help, according to my friends, but that's another story... )

I'm looking at running a new game (see elsewhere on the forums), and one of my players wants to play a race out of the D6 Space - Aliens book. Generally, this isn't too big a problem - it takes a couple of minutes for conversions, etc.

My problem is this: he wants to play a Malcharan Jedi/Student of the Force. Malcharans are a cybernetic species - think Iskalloni (*cough*Borg*cough*), but with more and better personality. They're one of the races that the Rebellion has come across in its search for allies...

Basically, the rundown on them is this: their home planet has been a biological wreck for generations, necessitating the use of cybernetics. Over the generations, it's become more and more acceptable, to where anyone who doesn't have cybernetics of some kind is looked on as being mentally deficient. Suffice to say, they're good artisans and excellent warriors.

Normally, I'd just say "No... don't think that'd work"... but, they have an example of a "technowizard" who has Metaphysics (D6 Space version of Force skills)... and it could be an interesting RP plot point...

Any thoughts?
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"Love like you will die tomorrow. Hate like you will live forever." - Unknown

[Phalanks Balas]

well... in SW RPG, Cybernetic prosthesis give affinity with dark side of the Force. The more you have prosthesis the more you have DSP...
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Phalanks

A day you will be facing the guns of the Black Pearl. You will know what means damned pirates !

[Yak Face]

Does the proposed cyber jedi gain any advantages from his prostheses that would magnify/multiply his force abilities? If not, I see no reason to deny the option. However, if the cybernetics combined with force use will make him absurdly unbalanced special measures might have to be taken. The cyber points are one approach (to at least force him to behave), but you may need to get creative in terms of making up other inconveniences for him. For example, perhaps the Empire will end up listing the natives of his blighted planet as undesirables, maybe even under quarantine, thereby causing him to attract undue attention from the authorities. Or, if he pipes sensory info into his brain from his implants, perhaps the reliance on those things will make it more difficult (+5, +10) to use force skills aimed at replacing or augmenting the natural senses. Adding difficulties of that nature to the Lightsaber Combat skill would be especially punishing...
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However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. -Sir Winston Churchill

[Ankhanu]

If the cybernetics are more of a story factor than a game mechanic, there's no issue really... just treat it like any other race. From the sounds of it, this race's cybernetics are more for maintaining life than enhancing it, so they'd take over bodily functions to allow them to behave normally... that doesn't really do anything but add some text to their descriptions.

If the cybernetics add bonuses to the character, then you get into grey territory. As mentioned before, there are rules in Cynabar's Fantastic Technology (or one of the Fantastic Technology books... I think Cynabar's may be Droids, which would be the wrong one ) covering how to deal with cybernetics and Force users. Essentially, the cybernetics hinder your ability to access the Force and make you more prone to falling to the Dark Side. The more cybernetic enhancements, the more difficult to access the Force and the more likely you are to get DSPs.

However, if the cybernetics offer too many enhancements, you're best off just saying "no".

Remember too that ion weapons could wreak havoc with those with lots of cybernetics... droid disablers and the like could cripple or kill these people
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[ifurin]

one thing that may work is to add a jedi reverence to the culture similar to what the barabels have. if the whole society has a cyber-addiction then it would become very hard to tap into the force (as Ankhandu said). they will also fall to the dark-side easer. it wouldn't really be that much of a stretch (assuming they have had enough contact with off-world jedi who don't corrupt so easy) to say that the culture also tries to prevent dark jedi, probably through rehabilitation if they have turned, or through even more rules that what the jedi order impose.

[masque]

Personally, I've never liked the anti-cyber bias in Star Wars, and usually toss it (masque likes cybertech, and wants some as soon as he can get some) but in game terms, I'm in agreement with the others. If it ain't game breaking, sounds great. Go for it.
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Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

[Xynar]

I can see why there is a bias against artificial augmentation and replacement. With medical technology available that includes bacta and cloning, there is almost no reason not to be "whole". But before I can make a stand on this race issue, can you provide stats that you will be using and your write up? Then I can put in my two cents about this with possible game balance issues.
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Xynar
The Great Adventurer

[PsiberDragon]

hmm...

Well... D6 IS open source now...

keep in mind: they don't have a set min/max listed for any of the aliens presented, so I'm extrapolating and converting...

DEX 1D/5D
KNOW 2D/5D
MECH 2D/4D
PER 2D/5D
STR 1D/5D
TECH 2D/5D

Starting dice: 12 (+6 for PC's, of course) - generally the 5D are for specialists in that area - scientists, artists, merc/raiders, etc...

THought I'd start off with one cybernetic part "for free": arms, legs, heart, lungs, etc... anything else, they'd have to buy - and they do prefer cybernetics over organic ('cuz cybernetic parts are better, you see... )

Each part would give a small bonus. Arms would give a bonus to strength (upwards of 1D - mostly for brawling damage), Legs would give faster movement, heart would give a bonus to Stamina rolls, etc...

The problem that a typical Malcharan would have is that, eventually, their parts wear out (blocking, getting hit, Ion guns/grenades...), and finding someone to fix them is: a) costly; and b) time consuming.
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"Love like you will die tomorrow. Hate like you will live forever." - Unknown

[garhkal]

Then that right there Is an issue as everything cyber as you say is granting bonuses.,.,.
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Ankhanu]

[PsiberDragon]

Well, the drawbacks would be somewhat obvious:
1 - cybernetic implants (and people that install them) are pretty rare;
2 - Being rare, the cost is gonna be expensive for the character to afford much else;
3 - Ion grenades and cannons are pretty cheap (ever tried to run with only on leg and 20 pounds of metal strapped to the other, immobile leg? )
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"Love like you will die tomorrow. Hate like you will live forever." - Unknown

[Xynar]

[masque]