Hiding Physical Deformities

Many mutations come with physical deformities. Some mutations are easy to hide, while others are harder to conceal. For those familiar with d20 Future game or the SRD you will notice the table has been altered to make cosmetic mutations drawbacks. The truth is that in the universe of Warhammer 40,000 visible mutation is a very real drawback. Non-mutants are very prejudiced and afraid of mutation and may behave violently or irrationally towards you. For this reason any cosmetic mutation counts as a 0.5 point drawback.

 

Any mutation that alters a creature’s physical appearance imposes a penalty on the creature’s Disguise checks. For creatures trying to conceal multiple physical deformities or alterations, the penalties stack. Each cosmetic drawback imposes a –1 penalty on Disguise checks, while a minor or major mutation imposes a –2 penalty on Disguise checks unless otherwise specified. Non-cosmetic drawbacks do not apply penalties to Disguise checks. Chaos gifts incur a –4 penalty on Disguise checks unless otherwise specified.

 

Hiding mutations from an active observer is generally a DC 15 disguise check or an opposed Disguise/Spot check.

 

Mutation Descriptions

Minor Mutations: A minor mutation not only changes a creature’s appearance in some fashion but also grants it a beneficial (if minor) special ability or useful feature, such as darkvision or gills. A minor mutation costs 1–3 MP and can usually be offset by a single drawback.

Major Mutations: A major mutation fundamentally changes the genetics and physiology of a particular creature. Moreover, it grants the creature a beneficial special ability or feature it couldn’t otherwise possess, such as telekinesis or the ability to fly. A major mutation costs 4 or more MP and must be offset by one or more drawbacks.

Cosmetic Mutations: The simplest and least mechanically complicated mutation is a cosmetic mutation. A cosmetic mutation has no consistent game effect other than to change a creature’s appearance in some fashion thus imposing a penalty on disguise checks. It can however alter peoples behaviours. Depending on whom you interact with however the GM might rule that non-mutants start with a worse category of attitude (see Diplomacy skill) towards you.

Drawbacks: A creature with minor or major mutations generally also has drawbacks to offset them. Drawbacks are special disabilities or vulnerabilities that negatively affect a creature. Each drawback has an MP value, and a creature can spend these MP on minor and major mutations to offset the negative effects of the drawback.