Re: What makes a species

[Jevan Furmanski <furmansj@expert.cc.purdue.edu>]

On Wed, 15 Jul 1998, Kris Ames wrote:

> 
> > 
> > [Daniel Lawrence]  There is NO mention of added abilities. The
> description
> > specifically improves an existing species... it does not change
> the target to
> > a different speices.
> 
> Just a quick question,  what in AQ defines a separate species.  In
> reality land two animals are considered separate species if they can
> not interbreed and produce a viable offspring (sometimes distance
> (i.e. the two will never meet) is the only thing that makes this
> so).  Obviously in AQ this is not the defining point.  I mean elves
> and humans are separate species, but they can interbreed (i.e. half
> elves).  So for game purposes what makes something a separate
> species?  I guess my feeling is that if you have been mutated 5
> times for lets say iron skin, wings, gills, webbed feet, and breed
> true I would no longer look at them and say human.  If I understand
> Dan correctly, this person would still be considered human (assuming
> they started that way).  Just wondering.
> 
> 
> -Kris
> 


I just want to point out that we are once again arguing rules and
semantics.

It has been said that mutate actually changes the DNA of the target, hense
it cannot be reversed without a reverse mutation.  This change in DNA
would seem to be a divergence in Species, if a different creature will be
born when the target breeds.  I have upheld that those who get mutated too
many times will become sterile, like in real life when fetuses are
irradiated and become mutated.  This may not stand because in AQ lizards
can breed with a totally alien strain of DNA, which is 6 million years
more developed.  

Result:  mutate changes the whole target, race and all.

I really don't care how the mutate thing comes out, I originally just
wanted a ruling from Dan (see my first post).  I know we can't retcon, and
I was just giving Wright a hard time about playing a Muto, and I believe
in some cases there are physiological changes that are obvious.  That is
however in the hands of the adjudicating GM, and should not be open to
interpretation by just anyone.  


This is my spew, and I hope a consensus is reached so we can get more
consistancy in the campaign.

Jevan