Mimic: The Judas Breed

Mimic: The Judas Breed

Version 1.0 By Charles W. Plemons III (mailto:%20black.falcon@home.com) Produced by the Black Falcon AerieC; http://www.wku.edu/~charles/
Version 1.0 April 5, 1999

Can I eat it or will it eat me? ~ Dr. Gates, Mimic Author's Note This work is based on the film Mimic and attempts to bring a dangerous new foe into the World of Darkness. Unlike many antagonists, the Judas breed is especially horrifying because man brought this plague upon himself. Please visit my web page (http://www.wku.edu /~charles/) for updates of this and other World of Darkness projects. This may be freely distributed by anyone in any format as long as credit is given to the author but cannot be distributed for profit for any reason. Known History In the late 1990's, Strickler's disease swept through New York City. The disease only affected young children and was fatal in nearly all cases. In only a few months, an entire generation was wiped out. For some reason, the disease remained isolated to New York City. Doctors and scientists worked frantically to find out how the disease spread. Eventually they discovered that the roaches living in the sewers of New York were the only carriers of Strickler's. Being around these roaches infected the children, but the disease could not spread from human to human. Thus, this plague was isolated to the city. After discovering the source of the sickness, research was begun in an effort to stop its spread. Realizing the futility of trying to use a chemical to destroy the roaches, another approach was initiated. A young scientist, Dr. Susan Tyler, had the idea of creating a breed of insects that would kill the roaches. A new species of insect was genetically designed using roach and mantis DNA. This species, the Judas breed, would live in the same environment as roaches, and they would release an enzyme that would kill them. The Judas breed was engineered to die in six months, and they were all female. Rather than introduce new vermin, the Judas breed would die off after completeing their goal. Nature finds a way. Three years after the elimination of Strickler's disease, Dr. Tyler discovered a large insect. She began studying it, and she realized that it was a highly evolved Judas. The Judas breed not only survived, they thrived. They developed the ability to breed, and they bred at an astonishing rate. In fact, they had gone through thousands of generations in the past three years. In that time, they became the top of their food chain and adapted to mimic their only threat, man.

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Mimic: The Judas Breed

A massive colony of Judas breed was discovered beneath New York City in the old subway systems. An explosion caused by Dr. Peter Mann (another scientist involved in their creation) destroyed the colony and the king. The area was scoured for surviving members of the colony, but none were found. Nature finds a way. Physiology The Judas breed has members of both male and female sexes. The majority of a colony is female. Females are six foot long, six legged, winged insects with a dark brown carapace. Like a roach, they can walk on all six legs, but they also have the ability to stand on their two hind legs. The Judases have evolved to where they resemble humans when they stand erect. Their wings envelope their torso and resemble a trench coat. They have a carapace that covers their head which resembles a human face. Up close or in bright light, they are obviously inhuman. They are, however, nocturnal so they can easily pass for human to someone not paying special attention. The Judases are a warrior species, and they have developed razor sharp edges along their forelegs. They use such to stab and slash at opponents. They also have fully developed wings allowing for rapid flight. A Judas can easily carry the weight of a fully grown human and maintain flight. These insects have developed an audible means of communication. By issuing various clicks with their mandibles, the Judases can identify themselves and communicate basic ideas. Judases are not more intelligent than normal insects, and their behavior is much like ants or bees. The males of the species are slightly larger than females and are lighter in color. Males do not have wings, but they do have the dangerous forelegs like the females. Colony Much like ants, Judases live in a colony or hive. A colony will comprise many females and a single male. All of the females are fertile, so there are many eggs in a colony. Judases live underground. In a large city, such as New York City, they can live in the sewers and subways. If such is not available, they will dig many tunnels and warrens. Important chambers, such as food, breeding, and the male's area are all located in the center of the hive. Such large insects require a lot of food, and thus, their colonies will be located near a large food supply. Judases are omnivorous, and they will stockpile food. Living creatures will be snatched and taken to the center of the colony to be left until a hungry Judas comes along. If brought to the hive uninjured (Judases are not gentle), it may be possible to escape; however, that is no easy feat. Abilities and Characteristics

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Mimic: The Judas Breed

Flight: Female Judases have powerful wings that allow them to fly up to 30 mph even when encumbered with the weight of a fully grown human. How long they may maintain flight is undetermined. Forelegs: The forelegs of the Judas breed end in razor sharp spines that can shred through wood and metal. Judases have been known to tear into a metal train car to get after their prey. Heightened Senses: The Judases do not have very good eyesight and can basically only detect movement. Their sense of smell is tremendous, and the scent of blood and sweat will draw all Judases within 200 yards towards it. Dr. Tyler discovered that by smearing the viscera of a Judas on the human body, a person can mask their own scent and be "invisible" to a Judas. Mimic: The facial carapace of the Judases allow them to pass as human beings in low light or from long distances. A successful Stealth roll allows a Judas to appear human in these conditions. Combat Maneuvers Bite Foreleg Grapple Wing Buffet Difficulty 5 6 6 7 Damage Strength + 1 Strength + 2 Strength Strength + 1

Please note that the Judas breed have no natural aggravated attack. Use in the World of Darkness Kindred: Vampires and ghouls are treated just like humans by the Judases, they eat them. As the Judases are genetically altered, not supernatural, they can be ghouled just like any other animal. A vampire with Animalism and a ghouled (and Blood Bound) king would be extremely dangerous with his own army of monster insects. Note that a Judas that eats a vampire will become a ghoul. Changing Breeds: The Changing Breeds are particularly aggressive against the Judases, as they are such an obvious affront against nature. Judases have no special enmity against the Changing Breeds, they are just another source of food. While Judases do not inflict aggravated damage, being eaten is a little bit of a hinderence to regeneration. Bone Gnawers and Black Spiral Dancers are the most likely to encounter the Judas breed. Mages: It is entirely possible that Technocrat mages be the source of the Judas breed in a Chronicle; accidents occur all the time. The Awakened are more likely to survive an encounter with the Judases than a human being, and the Judases cannot detect the difference between a human and a mage.

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Mimic: The Judas Breed

Wraiths: Wraiths are likely to encounter Judases, as the insects take up residence in hidden out of the way places, great places to find wraith Haunts. The Judases have no ability to detect or affect wraiths. Changelings: Going into the heart of a colony of giant insects to save a comrade sounds like a glorious quest, no? Mummies: The rarity of both of these species makes it very unlikely they will ever meet. If they do, the Judases will simply try to kill or eat the mummy. Gypsies: To the Judases, there is nothing special about gypsies. Their blood powers may help them survive such an encounter. Fomori: Mutant freaks and genetic monstrosities, not so different. It would not be too much of a stretch to see Pentex creating the Judas breed in an effort to fight Gaia. Controlling such creatures would be a neat trick. Immortals: Of all supernaturals, the Immortals are the most likely to survive an encounter with the Judases. The insects are not known for decapitating their prey. As most prey is put into "storage" before being consumed, an Immortal is likely to survive. It may take several "deaths" as she tries to escape, but it is possible. Xenomorphs: The aliens from the Alien films (see Aliens: The Breeding), the insects and the bugs would surely be natural enemies. Judases would have difficultly fighting the Xenomorphs, as the acidic blood would destroy them. Keep in mind that the Judases would sacrifice any number to protect the Hive, so a few deaths won't stop them from fighting the Xenomorphs. Yautja: The Predators (see Predator: The Hunt) would love to encounter the Judases, while not as dangerous as Xenomorphs, they would be challenging prey. It would be feasible that Yautja take Judas eggs and "seed" worlds with them to allow them to Hunt. A great way to spread the Judas plague anywhere in the universe. Chronicle Ideas Plague The Judases were created exactly as in the film. However, they were not all destroyed in the explosion, already splinter colonies had left New York City. The characters discover the bugs exist and must hunt them down. Their camouflage and dangerous demeanor makes an interesting enemy. The troupe may have to get humans to mobilize against the threat, and they may even have to convince Garou, Kindred, and other supernaturals to work together against the insects. The Hunt The Judases don't have to be created by man in your Chronicle, they can simply be a race of giant insects naturally occuring somewhere else in the universe. They make great antagonists for the Yautja to Hunt, a nice diversion from those used to Hunting Xenomorphs. They are

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different enough to require different tactics and add some new flavor. Bio-Weaponry Xenomorphs are destroying the Earth, and in a desperate measure, scientists create and release the Judas breed. As the two species share habitats, it is only a matter of time before they collide. Both races breed extremely rapidly, and soon a full scale war could rock the Earth, with humans in the middle. If one side destroys the other, will man be strong enough to clean up the remains of the other? The mobility of the Judases gives them a dangerous advantage on a battlefield, but the Xenomorphs are far more intelligent. Such a Chronicle is ideal for the apocalyptically minded players. Statistics Female Judas: Strength 6 Dexterity 4 Stamina 5 Talents: Alertness 3 Athletics 4 (Flight) Dodge 3 Intimidation 5 (Physical) Brawl 5 (Forelegs) Skills: Survival 4 (Underground) Stealth 3 Hunting 4 (Scent) Willpower 8 Male Judas: Strength 7 Dexterity 4 Stamina 6 Talents: Alertness 3 Athletics 3 Dodge 3 Intimidation 5 (Physical) Brawl 5 (Forelegs)
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Charisma 1 Manipulation 3 Appearance 0

Perception 4 Intelligence 1 Wits 3

Charisma 1 Manipulation 3 Appearance 0

Perception 4 Intelligence 2 Wits 3

Mimic: The Judas Breed

Skills: Survival 4 (Underground) Stealth 3 Hunting 4 (Scent) Willpower 9 Bibliography Without these sources, this work would not have been possible. Movies Mimic
Last Modified April 5, 1999 Copyright 2000 Black Falcon Aerie. All Rights Reserved. Web Design by Charles W. Plemons III

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