[MCC RPG] Mutant Menagerie: Clotted One

Clotted One: Init -4; Atk unarmed +2 melee (1d4) or +4 melee by weapon type; AC 18; HD 2d10; MV 15’; Act 1d20; SV Fort +5, Ref -3, Will +2.

A Clotted One (insultingly referred to as a "Scab") is a mutated human who appears to be covered from head to toe in a leathery, glistening hide. This "hide" is actually made of the Clotted One's own coagulated blood. Due to this "hypercoagulation" mutation, the creature's thick, syrupy blood hardens into a tough, copper-red crust upon contact with the air. This scab-like skin surface (which never sloughs off) gives the Clotted One its natural armor protection.

Because the Clotted One's blood clots so quickly upon being wounded, the creature's healing metabolism is constantly working, allowing an injured "Scab" to heal 1d8 hit points overnight. (A Clotted One cannot regrow limbs in this manner though.) However, due to the thickness of the creature's blood, its metabolic processes are drastically slowed as its heart works to pump the viscous fluid through its veins. Clotted Ones move very slowly, reflected in an initiative penalty and movement rate. The nerves near and on the surface of their skin have  been deadened over the years, so they are also insensitive to pain and often unaware of when they've been hurt or wounded. (Although any injuries are immediately scabbed over as their healing metabolism takes over.)

A "Scab's" blood can also heal 1d8 hit points of damage if gathered quickly from a fallen Clotted One, rubbed on a PC's wound, and allowed to crust over. However, because the mutant's blood dries so quickly upon contact with air, there's no known way to "harvest" and store the creature's blood for future use.

Not much is known about Clotted One society as they avoid contact with outsiders (who view them as monsters anyway). Those who do venture into a Clotted One village will see that many of their traditions involve bloodletting and a "Church of Hematology." For example, upon birth, a Clotted One's parents will begin slowly scraping at the newborn's skin with thorny branches and sandstone in a ritualistic ceremony. Although this appears cruel and sadistic, it is the fastest way to bestow the protective armoring to the child.