Functional Tail
A tail grows from the base of the character’s spine; this may be scaly (like a lizard), hairy (like a monkey), or hairless (like an opossum’s tail), and it is fully developed and functional, unlike the Vestigial Tail (p. 123, RF).
The character’s clothing must accommodate the tail to gain any of the above effects. Sitting in certain positions for long periods of time will be uncomfortable and cause a –1 dice pool modifier to all actions while the character is sitting on his tail. The Functional Tail quality is incompatible with any other tail modification or quality. Characters with the Functional Tail quality suffer social stigma and modifiers (see Freaks sidebar, p. 123, RF).
Balance (6 Karma): Usually between one and two meters long, a tail used for balance is not under the character’s conscious control. Instead, it functions instinctively by twitching, swaying, and even wrapping around things at random in order to improve the character’s balance. Characters with a balance tail receive a +1 dice pool modifier for all Balance, Climbing, Gymnastics, or Jumping-related tests.
Paddle (4 Karma): This broad and scaly beaver-like tail can be used to steer and paddle when swimming, granting a +2 dice pool modifier for all Swimming Tests.
Prehensile (6 Karma): This tail functions like the Balance tail, except that the character can consciously manipulate it as if it were an extra limb. The tail can pick up items, though it lacks digits and has difficulty with fine manipulation. Apply a –4 dice pool modifier to any attempt at fine manipulation of an object with the tail, such as pressing a button or pulling a trigger. The tail has an effective Strength equal to half the character’s unaugmented Strength (round down), but it can hold the character’s entire body weight if he chooses to hang from it. Prehensile tails do not provide an extra attack.
Thagomizer (5 Karma): This powerfully muscled prehensile tail ends in an array of dermal spikes and can be used for a melee attack using the Exotic Melee Weapon (Thagomizer) skill, with the following stats: DV (STR + 3) P, Reach 1, AP –1.