Metavariants

Here is a list of the Metavariants listed in Runner's Companion if anyone wants a rundown of other races to play. Keep in mind the Build Point cost for picking one of these races, as well as the social ramifications for playing a character that is rare amongst the rare:

HUMAN METAVARIANTS

The single known human metavariant, the Nartaki, emerged about a decade ago following the mana level spike due to the passing of Halley’s Comet that activated the dormant metagenes in a small group of humans, sparking a partial Goblinization event.

Nartaki
Metavariant Cost: 25 BP

Otherwise human-looking, Nartaki possess blue, red, or golden skin colors and two Shiva-style pairs of arms (for a total of four arms). These extra limbs are symmetrical, fully articulated, and hinged below the usual human shoulder joint. Troubled by the sudden and unexpected transformation that
placed them in the public eye, and the restrictive Brahmin lifestyle foisted on them by India’s caste system, a rare few Nartaki have escaped their dharma into the shadows of India’s megacities and
even beyond.
Abilities: Shiva Arms, Striking Skin Pigmentation

DWARF METAVARIANTS

While all dwarf metavariants share the same short statures and robust constitutions, they are quite distinct from another in terms of their abilities and appearance.

Gnomes
Metavariant Cost: 25 BP

Gnomes are the smallest of all dwarf metavariants and the rarest. They are most common in Central and Eastern Europe with smaller populations in Asia Minor. Social exclusion, due to their small size and immature features, means gnomes often find themselves outcasts of mainstream society. Their resistance to magic and their inconspicuous stature (often mistaken as children) often lead them to work as negotiators, informants, or spies for European powerbrokers or among the shadows.
Abilities: Arcane Arrester, Neoteny, Thermographic Vision

Harumen
Metavariant Cost: 50 BP

Native to the Indian subcontinent, harumen are a monkey-like dwarf variant with a prehensile tail and short, downy fur. Although harumen favor rural and wilderness areas over the concrete jungles of India’s overcrowded sprawls, a fair number were born or driven to the cities by poverty and misguided hope. Their unique traits make them imminently employable as infiltrators, thieves, and cat burglars in the shadows.
Abilities: Low-Light Vision, Metagenetic Improvement (Agility), Monkey Paws, Prehensile Tail, Unusual Hair (Body Hair)

Koborokuru
Metavariant Cost: 35 BP

This Japanese dwarf metavariant is about the same height as the basic metatype and shares most of its metatraits, but possesses profuse body hair and a dexterity uncommon in its sister species. Koborokuru are highly uncommon outside Japan, Korea, and parts of Indonesia. Though discrimination is still rampant, most koborokuru consider themselves Japanese first and foremost and
face considerable culture shock outside the archipelago.
Abilities: Celerity, Resistance to Pathogens/Toxins (2), Thermographic Vision, Unusual Hair

Menehune
Metavariant Cost: 25 BP

This subspecies is the dominant dwarf variant in the South Pacific and the Kingdom of Hawai’i. Short in stature but more wiry than the common dwarf, menehune have luxurious body hair, a blunt nose, and strong, ropy muscles. They are also particularly suited to their ocean-locked habitat and are generally excellent swimmers. Micro-populations can be found in many sprawls around the Pacific Rim.
Abilities: Resistance to Pathogens/Toxins (2), Thermographic Vision, Underwater Vision

ELF METAVARIANT

Although elves are the third most common metatype after humans and orks, metavariants of the nobilis species are relatively rare and often unfamiliar to the common man.

Dryads
Metavariant Cost: 45 BP

The dryad is the most uncommon variant of the elf and isn’t native to any particular region or environment. Originally thought to be somehow related to Faeries given their symbiotic relationship with their environment and preternatural charisma, it appears that these abilities are metagenetic in nature. Dryads occur in all baseline elf populations, but only as offspring of two elf parents.
Abilities: Glamour, Low-Light Vision, Symbiosis

Night Ones
Metavariant Cost: 35 BP

An oddity even in the sprawls of its native Europe, this elven metavariant is characterized by acute senses, a vibrant dark colored vellum, sensitivity to light, and nocturnal biocycle. Finding it difficult to keep “office hours,” night ones are often marginalized becoming entrepreneurs, freelance talents for hire, or carving out their niche among the local nightlife and criminal underworld.
Abilities: Allergy (Sunlight, mild), Low-Light Vision, Keen-eared, Nocturnal, Unusual Hair (Colored Fur)

Wakyambi
Metavariant Cost: 35 BP

Wakyambi are black-skinned elves native to Southern Africa, known for their long slender limbs and great height (comparable with a troll). Though rarely found outside their close knit tribal culture, they have been seen farther afield, in African sprawls and tribal lands, in recent years. Of course, some wakyambi do travel overseas and immigrate to other sprawls for reasons of their own (education, employment, wealth).
Abilities: Celerity, Elongated Limbs, Low-Light Vision

Xapiri Thëpë
Metavariant Cost: 40 BP

Xapiri thëpë are a recently identified elven variant indigenous to the Amazonian jungles. While these elves usually avoid civilizations due to their high sensitivity to pollutants, some have migrated to Latin American cities (and beyond) and abandoned their native natural ways.
Abilities: Allergy (choose pollutant, Mild), Allergy (choose a second pollutant, Mild), Low-Light, Photometabolism

ORK METAVARIANTS

Ork metavariants are quite exotic and deviate from the common ork significantly. Because of this difference, ork metavariants rarely identify themselves with the Or’zet cultural movement that has infused the ork metatype with a common cultural heritage.

Hobgoblin
Metavariant Cost: 20 BP

Hobgoblins are stereotyped as an ill-humored and surly ork variant, native to the Middle East. Wiry and less bulky than the common ork, hobgoblins possess a volatile temperament and an aggressive streak that comes to the fore when they are slighted.
Abilities: Fangs, Low-Light Vision, Poor Self Control: Vindictive

Ogre
Metavariant Cost: 20 BP

Ogres are a burly European variant that is best known (though inaccurately) known for their voracious appetite. Shorter, stockier, and with less body hair than the common ork, ogres are less brutish in appearance, though they share all of the remaining physical and biological traits of the baseline species.
Abilities: Low-Light Vision, Ogre Stomach

Oni
Metavariant Cost: 25 BP

This Japanese ork variant earned its name from the striking resemblance to the demons of Japanese folklore. Oni boast vibrant skin colors, twisted horns, and protuberant eyes that make them daunting
even when they aren’t trying to intimidate you. Under the new Japanese emperor, oni have slowly begun to shed the negative image that has plagued them in Japan and are finding employment as ronin and bodyguards among the shadows and non-racist underworld.
Abilities: Low-Light Vision, Striking Skin Pigmentation

Satyr
Metavariant Cost: 25 BP

Another ork variant with remarkable parallels to a mythological critter, the satyr is native to Greece and the Mediterranean region. Their odd goat-legged and horned appearance conceals many similarities with the brawny and hardy common ork. While typically outgoing and gregarious, satyrs owe this more to Mediterranean culture than genetics.
Abilities: Low-Light Vision, Satyr Legs

TROLL METAVARIANTS

Troll metavariants are often as striking and outlandish as the basic metatype. While the known metavariants do not posses the dermal deposits of the baseline species, each has its own distinctive
features that make them easily identified as troll metavariants—aside from their sheer size and impressive body mass.

Cyclops
Metavariant Cost: 45 BP

Cyclops, named after the mythic giants they resemble, sport a single great eye in the middle of their foreheads. This rare subgroup is native to Greece and the Aegean Isles. Cyclops are typically broad shouldered and heavily built with Mediterranean skin tones and little body hair. Some possess a single small horn above their eye. Though the single eye can prove a handicap, cyclops are fierce and vigorous opponents in close combat. Several have made names for themselves around the Mediterranean as outstanding bodyguards and pit fighters.
Abilities: Cyclopean Eye, Metagenetic Improvement (Strength), +1 Reach

Fomori
Metavariant Cost: 45 BP

Native to the British Isles, fomori can be physically mistaken for young common trolls due to their smaller size. Since they lack dermal deposits, they are often perceived as less daunting than their cousins, but, in fact, they are comparatively more robust and vigorous than they appear. Fomori are also reputed to possess some innate resistance to magic.
Abilities: Arcane Arrester, Metagenetic Improvement (Body), Thermographic Vision, +1 Reach

Giant
Metavariant Cost: 40 BP

More so than any other metavariant, giants have great difficulty assimilating into society thanks to their size (they are, on average, 3 meters tall). While their build is relatively slender, more humanlike, and less stout than that of normal trolls, they are easily recognized by their leathery skin that possesses a bark-like texture.
Abilities: Dermal Alteration (Bark), Thermographic Vision, +1 Reach

Minotaur
Metavariant Cost: 45 BP

Similar in many respects to the legendary beast, troll minotaurs have several bull-like features such as broad noses, a short furry pelt, and a pair of symmetrical horns that can be used to gore a foe. Their fearsome appearance is often at odds with an otherwise peaceful nature, but those minotaurs that do cash in on their brawn and intimidating looks find ample work as mercenaries, bouncers, bodyguards, or underworld enforcers.
Abilities: Goring Horns, Metagenetic Improvement (Body), Thermographic Vision, +1 Reach