Elysium unicorns may be magical but even they have their faults and weaknesses, namely when it comes to their genetics! Our Elysium unicorns are no strangers to some unique colors and interesting patterns but as they say, too much of a good thing can be bad. The same can be said for our lovely custom genes.
Elysium unicorns who find themselves inheriting too many of our unique patterns and colors will be faced with some negative drawbacks. They may look fabulous but unfortunately there can be some trouble under the hood.
The same can be said about any of our playable Elysium creatures in fact! Be it Dragon, Ethereal or Elysium Unicorn, if they inherit too many coat mutations, penalties to their stats and physical health will occur.
Unicorns, Dragons and Ethereals come in many shapes and colors. In our lovely world so long as these creatures have three or fewer expressed unique genes they are in what we call the safe zone. This means they do not receive a stat cap or have any related ailments.
However, it should be noted that Unicorns and dragons who inherit multiple recessive genes are not affected by these penalties. Being a gene carrier does not result in any ailments or caps, only if the gene is expressed.
Unicorns, Dragons and Ethereals who inherit MORE than three unique genes will find themselves in the danger zone. These creatures will be met with an RNG’d stat cap and potential ailment associated with inheriting so many genetic mutations.
Playable Elysium Creatures who inherit exactly four expressed gene mutations will find themselves faced with a minor stat cap and ailment. Minor caps result in a -5 to a certain stat, capping it from reaching a certain level.
These ailments include the following:
Soft hoofed/ clawed: Unicorns are tender footed and prone to abscesses. Dragons are prone to claws breaking or cracking. (Agility Cap, disadvantage on hoof and claw attacks)
Severe Allergies: Creatures are more prone to allergens such as pollen and dust. (Stamina cap, disadvantage on stealth)
Inner Ear Issues: Creatures are naturally unbalanced and prone to dizzy spells. (Agility or Strength cap, disadvantage on acrobatic checks)
Poor Eyesight: Creatures eyesight isn’t 20-20. May have to squint to make out figures far away or details close up. (Stamina cap, disadvantage on perception checks)
Partial Deafness: Creature is hard of hearing. (Intelligence cap, disadvantage on perception checks)
Playable Elysium Creatures who inherit exactly five expressed gene mutations will find themselves faced with a moderate stat cap and ailment. Moderate caps result in a -10 to a certain stat, capping it from reaching a certain level.
These ailments include the following:
Nightblindness: Creatures have particularly poor eyesight in the dark or at night. (Stamina cap, disadvantage on perception checks in the dark)
Color Blindness: Creatures can’t see proper colors and the world appears muted. Not good for identifying poison berries! (Stamina cap, disadvantage on perception checks involving sight)
Stunted Growth: Creatures do not grow to their normal size. Unicorns grow 1 hand shorter than they normally should depending on their build. Dragons develop smaller than average. (Strength cap, disadvantage on strength checks)
Mutated Horns: Creatures' horn(s) don’t develop as they should. They are brittle, weak and prone to breakage. (Charisma cap, disadvantage on horn attacks)
Excessive Hoof or Claw growth: Creatures hooves or claws grow easily and quickly. They must be trimmed regularly. (Agility cap, disadvantage on hoof or claw attacks)
Playable Elysium Creatures who inherit six or more expressed gene mutations will find themselves faced with a severe stat cap and ailment. Moderate caps result in a -20 to a certain stat, capping it from reaching a certain level.
These ailments include the following:
Infertility: Creature is unable to reproduce. (Stamina cap)
Sensory Neuropathy: Creature lacks typical nerve sensation. They may experience pain, tingling, numbness, and loss of feeling in the legs, hooves or paws. (Agility cap, disadvantage on physical attacks)
Physical Deformity: Creature suffers from a deformity in one of its limbs. This could be missing toes, claws or improper development. May result in a permanent limp and inability to fly for creatures with wings. (Strength or Agility cap, disadvantage on strength or agility checks)
Auto-Immune Disease: Creature suffers from a weakened immune system and regular sickness. They easily fall ill. (Stamina cap, vulnerable to plague, poison, and ice damage)
Blindness: Creature can not see! (Agility cap, disadvantage on agility checks and perception checks involving sight)
Deafness: Creature is unable to hear! (Agility cap, disadvantage on agility checks and perception checks involving hearing)
Unicorns, Dragons and Ethereals may also receive stat caps if they endure a permanent injury. Losing a significant part of their tail or horn are some extreme examples. Recovering from a severe injury such as a broken bone or major laceration may result in a less extreme cap but perhaps a moderate one.
Injury caps are a little more flexible and less black and white for us as they tend to be optional. Meaning that players will encounter them as a result of giving their characters obvious injuries or scaring.
As of now, characters can recover from severe in game injuries without it resulting in an injury cap.