 Jaka
Manhunter
Conversion by Brutorz Bill
Converted from Talislanta 10th Anniversary Ed. (much of the text is
straight from the book).
Special Thanks to Mark Edward Reed for providing me information on
the Jaka.
STR 4-15 INT 4-13
DEX 7-15 WIL 4-14
CON 4-14 PER 4-12
dur as CON Action Check : 12+/11/5/2
Mov: Walk 4 , Run 12, Sprint 18 # act. 2
RS: Marginal/1
Attacks:
Weapon as weapon
Defenses:
variable defenses
Free Broad Skills:Athletics, Melee Weapons, Animal Handling, Stamina,
Knowledge, Awareness.
Mutations/ Racial abilities: Catfall
(Land on feet after falls up to thirty feet), Danger
Sense, Night Vision, Heightened
Senses (smell only), Tracking (Jaka
gain a -2 step bonus to all Investigate-track skill checks, and
automatically gain 1 rank in Investigate-track for every 3 character
levels (3rd, 6th,9th, etc.) they
possess. In situations where their sense of smell can be used they
receive an additional 2 step bonus to their tracking skill checks.
Beastmasters also have the Animal Friend
Perk.
Drawbacks/ Racial Flaws: Phobia
;Ancient Tech (Jaka may react to Ancient
Tech in an irrational or superstitious manner, suffer a +1 step penalty
when triggered, also See Sidebar below).
Desc : The Jaka are a striking people, with sleek black fur, a
silvery-gray mane, and blazing green eyes. Most stand about six feet in
height, a certain lithe muscularity being a common trait of all members
of this race. Jaka dress in loincloths, with vests of toughened and
boiled leather for protection. All wear
Pendants, that the Jaka believe protect them from the "evil
eye" (See Sidebar note.)
Physical Characteristics: Sleek Black Fur, silvery-gray mane, blazing
green eyes, lithe muscularity, features a cross between a wolf and a
panther.
Height: 5'10"-6'2".
Weight: 120- 180lbs.
Cmbt: While considered by many to be savage beastmen, in truth, the
Jaka are a peaceful people, at least amongst themselves. It is unheard
of for a Jaka to hunt/attack another Jaka. It is only when angered or in
danger does the average Jaka exhibit it's more feral nature. Since most
"civilized" folk only encounter Jaka bounty hunters, the
entire race has been stereotyped as savage bountyhunters/manhunters.
Despite a dread of Ancient technology, they are nearly fearless in
battle. Stealthy fighters, a Jaka ambush is truly a frightening thing to
encounter.
Hab: Temperate to sub-tropical Forests, though Manhunters can be
found anywhere stalking their quarry.
Soc :. It is difficult to generalize about the Jaka, as they are a
fiercely independent folk who value freedom above all things. Some
prefer to live alone, or in mated pairs. Others hunt and trade in small
bands of up to a dozen or so individuals. They make no permanent
dwellings, though a group of Jaka may mark an expanse of woods or hills
as their territory and settle in the region for a time. Most prefer to
live in the wild, though some readily associate with
"civilized" peoples.
Jaka tend to be suspicious by nature, a trait that is perhaps
attributable to their uncanny acute senses. The Jaka sixth sense, which
alerts them to the presence of danger, is so acute that the creatures
occasionally evince behavior that verges on paranoia. While the Jaka are
loners at heart, they are known to make steadfast, if not particularly
sociable, companions. They are equally famous for turning on those who
seek to cross them, and are quite capable of cold-blooded murder if the
situation warrants.
Jaka fashion superior horn bows and articles of bone, hide, and furs,
decorating their wares with elaborate designs. Jaka do not play musical
instruments, though singing is an old tradition among these folk. To
most peoples, Jaka "songs" sound like the howling of
timber-beasts.
Worldview: The Jaka remain as they always have been: independent and
free to do as they wish , never bound to country/alliance or creed.
Those who are ignorant of their ways sometimes confuse Jaka with
Beastmen or other mutant races. To a Jaka, this is a grave insult.
SIDEBAR NOTE:
Superstition or Intuition?
According to the Sleeth Sage Aristocles Silverscales, it is
considered an established fact that the Jaka exhibit a deep-rooted
aversion for Ancient Relics & Artifacts, a trait that many believe
is based upon ignorance and superstition. What is not generally known is
that the Jaka do not fear Ancient Tech so much as they distrust it.
This attitude can be traced to two sources. First, the Jaka have seen
the effects that The Apocalypse had on the continent of Meriga, and are
well aware of the destructive and unpredictable forces that can be
unleashed by the misuse of Artifacts. Second and perhaps more
importantly, close proximity to powerful energies can activate the
Jaka's uncanny "sixth sense," which warns them when they are
in the presence of danger; a not altogether inappropriate response, give
the potential for mishaps and unintentional side-affects
associated with the use of Ancient Tech.
While the talismans that Jaka wear to ward against "the Evil
Eye" are believed by the Jaka to confer a degree of protection from
certain types of black magic, these devices are not worn strictly for
superstitious reasons. Instead some believe that the talismans may also
serve to lessen the Jaka's subconscious "danger response,"
enabling them to evaluate conditions on a more conscious basis when in
the presence of Artifacts & similar items. If true, then the Jaka's
aversion to Ancient Tech would seem to be based more on intuition then
mere superstition. Without his Talisman a Jaka suffers a +2 step penalty
,to all actions, when faced with energized Artifacts of the Ancients.
Special Classes:
The Manhunters: Amongst the races of Meriga few can surpass the Jaka
Manhunters' skills as a tracker. Coupled with their heightened senses,
stealth and uncanny Sixth Sense, few beings can escape a Jaka Manhunter
on his trail. Certain sages have pondered why some members of this race
leave their homeland and seek their fortunes as bounty-hunters. The
truth may be more disturbing than one might think. Certain
Restorationists have found documents indicating that the Jaka are a
creation of the Ancients! Indeed if sources can be believed, the Jaka
were genetically engineered to be a sort of super-tracker. Perhaps even
their aversion to technology is an engineered trait, to prevent the Jaka
from uprising, using technology. Though many doubt this, citing that if
the Jaka indeed pre-dated the Apocalypse, seeing first hand the effects
of such weaponry is the cause of their "fear". The debates
continue. The Jaka are not saying.
The Beastmasters: Another "specialized" class of Jaka, is
the Beastmaster. These beings have an additional perk others of their
race lack, that of Animal Empathy. Much like the Grens, Jaka
Beastmasters have an uncanny rapport with animals. They have tamed
beasts, which are considered untamable. A particular trademark
"pet" of a Beastmaster, is the Nighthawk. Though Manhunters
may have a Nighthawk companion, it was no doubt initially trained/tamed
by a Beastmaster.
The Traders: Not all Jaka are fierce hunters, animal masters,
warriors etc. some have embraced the calling of Merchant/Trader. While
not as grand or fearsome as a Beast Lord or some such, if it were not
for these rare individuals certain rare items/goods (like the Nighthawk)
would not be found in the hands of a non-jaka.
Biome: Temperate and equatorial zones.
Encounter chance: Unlikely
Group size: 1 (1-4 for a particularly difficult hunt)
Organization: Tribal
IQ: Sentient
Standard Equipment of a Jaka Manhunter; Loincloth, vest, leg and arm
bracers (all of boiled leather), talisman worn on thong around neck,
short bow with quiver of twenty arrows, longsword, dagger, rope, and
usually some form of steed.
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