+=======================================================================+
+ Racial Bonus: Endurance +2 Racial Deficit: Willpower -2 +
+ Movement: 40 Base Health: 14 Skill Point Multi: 5 +
+=======================================================================+
Racial Benefits
Sixth Sense: The Skaythain have an extra sense for danger. They gain a +4 bonus to their Defense as an Intuition Bonus. Normal factors that would remove or negate Intuition Bonuses do not negate this ability.
Vibration Sensitivity: The Skaythain can sense subtle vibrations in the ground and air. They gain a +12 to Awareness and +12 to Sense Skill Assessments.
Dervish: The Skaythain race is born to protect the Hive and do so with an almost feverish dance. They gain the Two Weapon Fighting Perk at Character Creation.
We are one. One are we. There is no I, there is no me, there is no individual, there
is no self. There is only the Hive. And this one...and all ones...will die for it.
-- Hive Guardian Set
Children of the Hive
One of the most secretive and enigmatic of all of the galactic races, the Skaythain, are a race of insectoid humanoids that are part of a mysterious organization known as The Hive. Unique among the galactic species, there is no 'self' or individuality among the Skaythain and one of the least genetically diverse races, there is almost no deviation among their people. Difficult to understand and even more difficult to bond with, the Skaythain inhabit the galaxy as part of some greater design for their Queen.
Appearance
Being an insectoid race, they closely resemble upright and humanoid earth Mantodea or mantis. With large eyes compound eyes, antennae, clawed hands and feet, they have a bulbous abdomen that sticks out from their backside, as well as vestigial wings and bladed arms that are usually tucked closely to the thorax. Every Skaythain looks like this except for slight deviations in certain proportions. The only major deviation Skaythain have is color ranging from copper, to brown, to green, gold, emerald, and very rarely, blue or black. The Skaythain are unique among the galaxy in that their maximum lifespan is only about ten galactic cycles before they experience total cellular breakdown. Despite this, Skaythain can be found in great numbers all throughout the galaxy. A typical Skaythain has a purely static height of exactly six feet tall. They have no auditory or olfactory organs, instead sense these things through their antennae and through conversations with The Queen.
Personality
The Skaythain have long been a source of academic study all throughout the galaxy for their unique personality. Skaythain, unlike other races, do not use personal pronouns such as 'I', 'you', 'he', 'she', or any other pronoun that revers to itself or one of its own race as an individual. Instead, every single Skaythain refers to itself in the plural format, such as 'we' or 'us'. In certain instances, when referring to itself, most Skaythain will simply refer to themselves as 'this one'. It is difficult to bond with a Skaythain as they effectively have no personality. They are simply templates that are molded based on individual circumstances, events, and experiences. Despite this, one a Skaythain makes a friend, that person is that Skaythain's friend for life. They are kind, naive, and gentle, though if this is simply instilled in them from birth or from some other natural predilection is unknown. One thing the Skaythain are known for is their savagery in combat, especially when protecting their friends or if the individual believes The Hive is threatened.
Pathers
Skaythain Pathers are common but confusing as Skaythains will suddenly request to join existing Paths for seemingly no reason or any reason at all and will sometimes leave that Path, never to be seen again, just as quickly and without warning. Skaythain are often Outlaws, Scouts, and Psionics, and rarely, Juggernauts.