Beasts of England- Batfolk

The essential Victoriana supplement “Darwin’s Catalogue: Beastmen of Britain “lists a plethora of beast folk options available for player characters. However, it excludes two famous mammals: Bats and Whales. These atypical creatures could still work in the world of Victoriana. For now, cetacean categorization has to wait. Today we look at Batfolk!

Batfolk-( May use the Attributes of Agile Beast folk  or +2 Dexterity, -1 Presence, -1 Strength)

Batfolk are unique among beastmen both for their ability to fly and their malevolent appearance.

Although only a few batfolk actually possess wings, their natural head for heights makes all batfolk valuable additions to the crews of sailing ships and build sites. Even if a batfolk is born without wings their fingers still extend a few inches longer than a human’s.

Whether winged or long-fingered, batfolk posses sinister visages with their tall pointed ears, slim bodies, and sharp teeth. Neighbors often ostracize batfolk until they look past their dour exterior. While batfolk enjoy the company of others and the bustling activity of city life, their nocturnal nature restricts many to socialize solely with other night-dwelling denizens of London.

Batfolk may choose Animal Traits or Complications from the following list along with those from the Victoriana Core rulebook.

Nocturnal Senses

Your senses explore the night world in ways others cannot understand. Your sense of smell, sight, and echolocation overcome all penalties for darkness, and reduce black dice penalties for being blindfolded, or other visual impairments by three.

Flight

You can fly! Your hands end with five elongated fingers connected by sails of leathery skin giving you wings. Whilst air born, actions requiring the use of a single hand suffer three Black Dice. Performing any two-handed actions incurs no penalty but sends you plummeting ten feet towards the ground immediately or at the end of a combat round. You have a flying speed of 5 + Dexterity x 4 yards per round.

Spooky

Bats carry a stigma across many cultures around the world both good and bad. Europeans and Americans associate bats with the macabre while other cultures revere the bat as a bodiless soul or a good omen.  As a batfolk, you carry the weight of superstition wherever you go.  Your Presence tests suffer +2 black dice when interacting with strangers or the prejudiced.

Wings in the Way

While your wings propel you to the skies, they do not make great hands. Nor do they help you move along the ground. Any skill tests using the Dexterity attribute suffer one Black Dice unless you are flying. This complication may still be taken even if you do not have wings.