Octopode

The Octopodes of Earth are a unusual race (consisting of many separate species) of soft-bodied, eight-limbed, mechanically-inclined aquatic mollusks. Adult specimens range from mere inches across to a span of 30-feet (arms outstretched). Most notable is their adaptation to their aquatic requirements: mechanical mobile habitats. These Suits are deeply personal, created piece by piece from larvae, and considered as much a part of the Octopode's identify as their biological body.
Each Octopode has an Obsession (reflected in their Hook). This manifests in their Name (personally selected upon reaching adulthood) and Suit design (continually build and tinkered with throughout life). This Obsession can be anything, from a cultural mythology to a field of medicine to a particular technological device.
They developed intelligence alongside the similarly-aquatic Cetacea, and terrestrial Humans, though the latter was unaware until combat between the Cetaceans and Octopodes starting causing collateral damage for the Human's endeavors to explore and exploit Earth's Oceans. Unified against a common rival, the oceanic alliance struck out at the ever-increasing invasions. Their efforts were rebuked, and the casualties high. Humans won every skirmish due to their fire-based technology. Diplomatic efforts by the Cetacea resulted in a broad peace and shared technological advancement. Octopodes found common cause with the distant Borians: both races are highly technically-minded, one at home in expansive waters, the other pining for waters long gone.
Typical names: Octopode choose personal names upon reaching adulthood. This choice reflects their chosen Obsession. Ex: Leo, Magellan, Cathedra, Vega, Charity, Xerosis, Oculus, Ichthyes
Designs: The aquatic sentients of Earth work with a singular technological goal, adapting the works of other Species for aquatic biomes. This results in very similar technologies, with necessary adaptations. Octopode do not have a creative bone in their body. Their design always mimic natural life: sleek piscine lines, deft tendrils, and a sometimes-fatal lack of understanding of gravity. Dolphins, lacking hands, leave all the design work to the much more dexterous.

Statistics

Size: Variable
Attributes: END +1, INT +1, PSI +1
Skill choices: [artistic], [crafting], ambidexterity, mime, piloting, stealth, swimming, tactics

Exploits:

Obsession. Each Octopode naturally gains ranks in one skill of their choice, equal to their Grade.
Aquatic functionality. Suits are designed to be as functional above water as below. While the individual Octopode can't stay out of water for more than 30 minutes, their Suits allow them to act above and below equally.
Mechanical Vulverabilities. The combination of aquatic and mechanical nature of the suits results in certain vulnerabilities.

• Vulnerable to Electricity (2d6)
• Vulnerable to Ion (2d6)
• Vulnerable to Sonic (2d6)

Chromatophore communication. Octopode's natural communication is through color-changing skin pigments. This allows for silent communication within visibility.
Water shield. Octopodes are immune to radiation, thanks to their water bubble.
Extra limbs. Octopodes can dedicate extra limbs to perform an additional action each round, but it cannot be used to attack or move.
Age. Select one of the following:

• Short-lived: Unless medically altered, Octopode do not live particularly long lives. When creating an Octopode character, divide all career durations by five, rounding up. Adulthood is reached at 6, and Old age at 20.
• Ageless: Octopode can choose to undergo a change that significantly slows their tissue degradation. A complex operation is required, but results in sterility. Adulthood is reached at 18, and Old age at 60.

Custom suit. Each Suit can vary in size greatly, from a ball only large enough to contain the individual to a walking mech weighing over a ton.

• Small: +3 M/R DEFENSE, -1 SPEED
• Medium: +2 SPEED
• Large: -3 M/R DEFENSE, 2d6 unarmed

Suit Customization. Choose one of the following:

• Aquajets. Water-adapted jets and streamlined profile enable the Suit to move freely underwater. It has SWIM speed equal to its normal SPEED.
• Armor. The Suit is plated with thick armor, giving it SOAK 5. The Suit's weight is doubled, and it cannot SWIM.
• Armor, improved. Improvements to the Suit's armor gives +1 SOAK per upgrade. This exploit can be taken multiple times.
• Carrying capacity. The Suit doubles its carrying capacity.
• Chromatophore system. This system allows the Suit to change color to match surroundings, granting it +1d6 to stealth-based attribute checks.
• Durable. The Suit gains 1d6 HEALTH.
• Extra legs. The Suit ignores difficult terrain.
• Integrated equipment. Gear like communicators, communicators, sensors, etc can be integrated. Gear must be at least one Size smaller than the Suit.
• Integrated weapon. The android has an integrated melee weapon. Choose one weapon worth 100cr or less, and is of equal or lower Size. This exploit can be taken multiple times to add additional weapons or double the value of the weapon.
• Mimicry. The Suit's voice synthesizer is customizable, and can be used to mimic any sound or voice.
• Reflective skin. The Suit has a surface coat that grants it +5 SOAK vs heat damage.
• Rocket Boosters. The Suit's JUMP scores increase to 30' horizontally and vertically.
• Wheels. The Suit moves on wheels instead of legs. This reduces its SPEED to 2 across difficult terrain, but increases its SPEED by 2 on normal terrain.
• Wheels, tracked. The Suit's SPEED is no longer penalized in difficult terrain.