Pollies

This aquatic race of clam-like creatures, though lacking in mental and physical speed, have immense strength and endurance of body and will. Though perhaps not as wise as humans, they are industrious and goal-oriented. Pollies are fairly small, and when in their armored suits stand between three and four feet, yet most are as heavy as two men. The armor they wear is quite solid, but once past it, pollies can’t take much of a beating. They prefer to stand and fight whenever possible, but this is more practicality than bravery. They are able to breathe in and out of water, and their many internal chambers secrete a variety of symbiotic microorganisms that can provide light, sustenance, and even some medicinal effects. Owing to their near-human intelligence and reliance on sunlight, some even join solar cults.

Their villages within the kelp forests comprise of cave structures that use the tides for plumbing and and the aeration of their bioluminescent plankton (the cold blue light of which ever suffuses their dwellings). Their cities are a mix of coastal cave networks, with various chambers. Some of water and some of air, still others a mix of the two. Albeit rank and perilous, the dry chambers in their cities can support human life. The less fortunate live in the test shells of giant urchins, whom they herd as cattle. With a marked affinity for commerce and their strange half-sunken settlements, they supply  coastal cities with seafood, pearls, soaps, paints, and varnishes. They also harvest bones from whale falls, which they use to create many arts. Their trade is often antagonized by Mermaids.

Stat Ranges

Body 3-6

Coordination 1-3

Sense 2-4

Charm 1-2

Mind 1-3

Command 1-7

Hit Boxes

Snail Maille: All pollies have a a custom armored frame which only they can inhabit. It grants 2 LAR to all locations (3 to the head) and is priceless to its owner. At a cost of 40 character points, snail maille can be 3 LAR across the whole body (requires Body 4). For a bonus of 15 character points, you may choose a weaker shell which affords only 1 LAR to all locations (and 0 to the head).

To replace a normal suit of snail maille costs +2 Wealth compared to the same value armor for other wearers, owing to the rarity of Pollies who can smith (or smiths who cater to them). A normal suit of armor can be used instead, but all Body and Coordination rolls will be at -1d.

Ambiphibious: Although preferentially water-breathing, pollies can survive almost indefinitely out of water.

Slow: Pollies move half as fast on land as other creatures of equivalent Body stats, but they move at full running speed underwater.