Osteoderms: Osteoderms look just like the armor plates found on the back of the Stegosaurus. That's where the similarities end. They come in three sizes: small ones are roughly the size of a tea cup saucer (30 M.D.C. each), medium is about the size of a dinner plate (40 M.D.C. each), and large is around the size of a serving platter (50 M.D.C. each). An extra large plate (60 M.D.C. each) is available for War Mounts only. In a normal resting state they will stick out at a roughly perpendicular angle to the part of the body they grow from. But in order to save space or allow the Host Armor to squeeze into or thru small or tight areas the muscles that connect at the base of each osteoderm can be mentally commanded to lay and stay flat against the body. They are most often bought as an additional form of armor although with a lot of practice the plates can be used to aid in underwater swimming by acting like flippers or paddles.
One large plate can fit on the upper arm or thigh and one on each forearm or lower leg. Two total on the chest and stomach or back. Few Splicers will get large plates any where but they're back.
Two medium plates can fit on the upper arm or thigh and one on each forearm or lower leg. Four total on the chest and stomach or back. Not many Splicers will get them on their fronts
Three small plates can fit on the upper arm or thigh and three on each forearm or lower leg. Two rows of six total on the chest and stomach or back.
Osteoderms are very rarely grown on the chest or stomach because of the potential for interference with psychical skills. If they are grown on the front of the body the plates are always split open and laying flush to the surface and there is no additional cost. This will limit or interfere with ranged weapons such as the Omega Blaster. Osteoderms are an enhancement available for more then just Host Armors. They can be bought for War Mounts, Living Body Armor, Proto-Host Armor, Wing Packs, Gorehounds and Biotics. Archangels will occasionally purchase large or medium plates attached to lower legs of their Living Body Armor to act as stabilizers i.e. tail fins/rudders to enhance flight control at high speeds or during aerial stunts, if this is the case then the split enhancement comes automatically at no extra cost. Damaged or destroyed plates regenerates in 24 hours.
Bio-E Cost:
Small: 5 points per osteoderm
Medium: 10 points per osteoderm
Large: 15 points per osteoderm
Extra Large: 25 points per osteoderm
For an additional 2 points per osteoderm they can be made to split in half. Both halves Will be made to lay flush with the surface they are attached to. When split each half has half it's total M.D.C. (Thus small plates that are split have 15 M.D.C. per half.)
For another 3 points each they can become energy absorption panels with double the surface area when split open. This enhancement is often added to those who have the photon infusion cannon or other energy expulsion weapons.
Prerequisite: None for the basic solid plate osteoderm.
Please let me know what you think.
