Date: Sun, 06 Aug 1995 21:32:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: LOGAN1040@delphi.com
Subject: Bio-Armor
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                            Bio-Armor
     This Armor was designed to be used by a branch of elite
infiltration troops, formed of the cream of the Imperial Royal
Guard; however, most of the existing armor units have been lost.

     This armor was meant to be completely undetectable by visual
and most electronic inspection.  Originally intended to be
inorganic, the development scientists realized that to be
undetectable by most scanners, the armor must be organic.  By
carefully utilizing the most advanced genetic engineering
techniques available, and basing their creation on a number of
shape-shifting organisms, the scientists produced a symbiotic
organism, semi-sentient, that served as a protective covering
when active, but when dormant, appears to be four circular scars
on the back of the host.  These scars are located in fairly
specific locations, two between the shoulder blades and spine,
one on each side of the spinal column, and two in the lower back,
between the hips and ribs, beside the spine.

     When the organism is active, it rapidly "grows" from these
scars, covering the host completely.  The host/organism
combination looks quite intimidating, vaguely insectoid in
appearance, with one large "blade" on the head that arcs back,
and anywhere from three to five smaller "blades" on the outside
of each arm.  These blades are quite strong, and sharp, and can
be utilized as a weapon.

     This armor has one vulnerable spot, on the forehead; a 
small glassy-looking plate, behind which lies the organism's 
"brain."  If severely damaged enough, the suit will die, and 
also kills the host in a gruesome manner. Fortunately, if the 
organism is healthy, it defends this spot on it's own, preventing 
any physical contact whatsoever.  

     If the host ever dies, and the organism is dormant, in a
matter of minutes, it separates itself from the host and forms a
half meter tall, quarter meter diameter, tightly coiled cylinder. 
It is in this state that the organism lies dormant until it is
activated again.  The activation consists of the organism rapidly
unraveling itself and quickly "flinging" itself onto the new
host.  It will then form a cocoon around the host for five
minutes as it adjusts its life functions to that of it's new
host.  It will then enter the dormant stage, in a matter of
seconds.  This can be quite frightening if the host is
unprepared.
     It takes an act of will to activate the armor.  The armor
takes in vital gasses through breathing tubes where the mouth of
the host usually is, and emits the waste gas in bursts, again,
quite intimidating in appearance.

     This armor's appearance varies from organism to organism,
and the organism's appearance itself varies from host to host. 
Only a handful were ever grown before the defeat of the Empire
required those research credits elsewhere.

Bio-Armor: +2D vs physical and energy attacks, No dexterity
penalty; +2D to Lifting and Brawling; +1D to intimidation; Arm-
claws: Str+2D+1 (Maximum: 6D); Defence energy burst: 3D (only at
object threatening weak spot); Heals +2 pips per day

(While this sounds outrageously powerful, how long can a person
use it before every bit of scum in the galaxy is after the him,
to get it for themselves?)

     This is my first attempt at creating a new item for the Star
Wars universe.  Please give me some pointers on it.  This is
supposed to be an extremely rare item, so it can be a bit
powerful, I think. Whadyathink?

                              Gunner Christensen,
                                  Galactic Adventurer