Readme file for Set Norn v1.0
-----------------------------

This file is the readme for the v1.0 release of Set Norn. The file
Set10.zip contains this readme text, an egg agent file, and the raw
genome for Set Norn 1.0. Hopefully these three files will provide for all
your needs using the Set Norn v1.0 in your worlds. Please note that
to use the egg agent file you must have the latest version of Creatures
3. This is usually accomplished by downloading the patch upgrade from
the Cyberlife website, and running it.
-----------------------------


Description
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The Set Project was a back burner goal I had, of one day creating a guard-type
species of Norn. On the first attempt, I found that no matter what I did, my
efforts were fruitless; Norns just wouldn't attack Grendels!

I dropped the issue for about 2 weeks, and then summoned enough courage to try
it again, this time swearing I would achieve some form of success. Well, I
stuck to my guns, and was successful, at least in large part. The result I
named "Set", after the vicious, evil brother of Osiris. As Egyptian legend goes,
Set tricked Osiris into climbing into an ornate chest during a celebration
where he who fit the chest exactly would claim it as his own. You see, Set had
actually made the chest to fit only the body of his brother Osiris.

Osiris did indeed fit just great inside the chest, and as he proclaimed his
ownership of the wonderful piece of craftsmanship, Set shouted "You shall have
it forever!", and nailed it shut, trapping Osiris inside and eventually killing
him.

The Set Norn is actually not that much different in behavior. A seething, vicious
creature, Set will passively lay in wait, and strike violently against both
Grendels and Ettins. Unfortunately, Set is also known to lash out against other
Set Norns, Osiris Norns, and other Norn species, although these attacks are rare.


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Issues
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As was said, Set may attack Norns, including other Set Norns. It may be best to
maintain a watchful eye over your Set Norns, much as you would watch your
children around a dog trained to attack strangers. Don't punish Set, as such
treatment may diffuse his interest in attacking Grendels and Ettins, but do
get your Norns out of his way if he strikes at them. Set can kill very quickly.
Observations have shown Set can kill an adult Grendel of good health in 8
seconds or less.

Having said that, it bears mention that Set may, for many reasons, not attack
at all when a target makes itself available. If Set gets a fever, for instance,
Set may simply lay down, or even run away in hysterics.

Set will not mate, and this is done on purpose. The blending of instincts between
Set and other Norns could create a real mess. My suggestion is that you lay two
Set eggs, and place one in your Norn terrarium, and the other in the jungle. Two
or three is really all you'll want of these devils IMHO.

As time goes by, Set may become disinterested in attacking anything. Although
MUCH work has gone into fixing this problem, it may still arise. If it does,
you can either retire (heh heh heh) the offending Set Norn, or you can try to
re-program him by first teaching him english, then ordering him to attack a Grendel,
(say "hit grendel"), and then rewarding him heavily if/when he does. This problem
lies in the learning nature of thier brains.

Set can get stranded by hitching rides from fleeing Ettins and Grendels. You
may have to check up on thier positions from time to time, and help them back
to thier guard areas. Set has very very limitted instincts, and almost never
uses elevators and doors on his own.

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So what is Set, really?
-----------------------------------

Set is a hybrid between Grendel and Norn genetics, the former being the greatest
influence. Set has the vicous tendencies of the Grendel, while maintaining the
smell of the Norn, as well as a usually amicable temperment towards other Norns.

Set has the following special traits:

* Exponentially growing musculature when exposed to Grendel odor
* Ability to withstand long periods totally underwater
* Complete invulnerability to injury due to disease or attack
* Unusually violent response toward Grendels and Ettins
* Inability to reproduce prevents Norn gene pool polution
* Life regeneration when attacked causes near immunity to old age
* Completely reworked instincts limit "elevator abuse" and wandering habits
* Set will consume anything edible when hungry, including bugs
* Extremely rapid aging results in adult phase in approximately 5 minutes

In other words, the genetic super-soldier of the Norn world.

-----------------------------------------

This will likely be the only release of Set, unless something amazing happens.
I've already put some of Set in Osiris 1.5, and odds are if I make a good
improvement on the attack genetics, the new stuff will go into Osiris 1.6 and
beyond. Who knows though, maybe if things go right, a Set 2.0 could actually
happen someday :-)

Opinions? Questions? Hate mail? Two ways to cuss me out:

nite417@xoommail.com

and

alt.games.creatures

Hope you like Set, and hope also that he doesn't kill your babies :-)

