Natural Defenses

Natural Defenses

AX.C.08.01.03

Biological protection integrated into the character's body. Natural armor bonuses apply to the Defense calculation (Speed + Armor) ÷ 3 under the "Armor" value. Natural armor does not impose Talent penalties unless noted.

Thick Hide

Effect: Grants +1 natural armor to Defense calculation. Does not stack with worn armor, use whichever is higher. Does not impose Speed or Talent penalties.

Activation: Passive, always active.

Scope: Self.

Genre Note: Elephant-lineages, thick-skinned predators, subdermal ceramic plate implant, impact-resistant biological tissue.

Scales

Effect: Grants +2 natural armor to Defense calculation. Does not stack with worn armor, use whichever is higher. Does not impose penalties.

Activation: Passive, always active.

Scope: Self.

Genre Note: Reptilian lineages, draconic heritage, bio-engineered scale grafting, chitosan plate growth.

Chitinous Plates

Effect: Grants +3 natural armor to Defense calculation. Does not stack with worn armor, use whichever is higher. Imposes −1D to Speed-based Talent rolls (Athletics, Acrobatics, Stealth) due to rigidity. This penalty is reduced by 1D per 2D of Endurance, identical to the AX.C.11 armor penalty offset rule.

Activation: Passive, always active.

Scope: Self.

Genre Note: Insectoid lineages, crustacean-hybrid, full-coverage chitosan exoskeleton, rigid bio-ceramic plate growth.

Stone Skin

Effect: Grants +2 natural armor to Defense calculation. Additionally, gain Resistance to Slashing and Piercing damage, reduce damage of those types by 2 before applying to Health (minimum 0). Does not stack with worn armor for the armor bonus, use whichever is higher. The Resistance applies regardless of armor worn.

Activation: Passive, always active.

Scope: Self.

Genre Note: Earth elementals, golem-lineages, mineral-integrated biology, graphene-fiber subdermal weave.

Energy Absorption

Effect: Choose one Energy damage type at lineage creation (Fire, Cold, Lightning, or Acid). Gain Resistance to that type, reduce damage of that type by half before applying to Health (round down, minimum 0). This choice is permanent.

Activation: Passive, always active.

Scope: Self.

Genre Note: Elemental lineages, energy-adapted predators, thermal shielding biology, energy-type-specific ablative subdermal layer. Additional damage types may be added as separate perk grants by the Genre Catalog.

Regeneration (Minor)

Effect: During a Short Rest, recover an additional 1D6 Health beyond normal Short Rest recovery. This recovery occurs automatically; it does not require a Medicine roll or kit. Does not function during active combat or in the Turn immediately following taking damage.

Activation: Automatic during Short Rest.

Scope: Self.

Recovery: Functions on every Short Rest.

Genre Note: Troll-lineages, regenerative amphibian biology, nanite self-repair colony, accelerated cellular reconstruction implant.