Author's note: Gargoyles are still a subject of dispute among scientists around the world. Some refuse to even believe they are anything more than myth, despite numerous reportings and photos. No one is sure exactly where they come from, though the general consensus is that they are not a "goblinized" form of human like Orks, trolls, Elves and Dwarves are, nor are they an awakened form of animal, like the basilisk or the hell-hound. Theories connect the Gargoyles with the gargoyles from North America and Europe presented in Previous Patterson's Guides, but no solid connection has been made, as several traits are missing between the two, such as intelligence and the Stone Hibernation.

I've had the chance to talk with several Gargoyles from the New York area, so I know they do exist. There are several interesting traits that almost seem racial, rather than based on their society.

Gargoyles are very territorial, for one thing. They will "adopt" an area to be their home. Most Gargoyles consider themselves to be Protectors of their homes, and have a strong sense of right and wrong, and of honor. One Gargoyle did admit that their are Rogues out there that have no honor, but these are considered Clanless and to be outcasts, and the enemies of "Normal" gargoyles.

They also have a strong sense of Family, and Clan. Most Gargoyles live with their clan their entire life, with very few exceptions. When a clan grows too large, it will split into two clans, each clan having strong ties to each other. All Gargoyles consider each other family, with the exception of the Rogues, and clans can often call upon each other for help.

Gargoyles can wield magic with ease. However, there are no indications of Physical Adepts among the gargoyles, and most gargoyles consider cyberware to be an abomination, and from what I understood, cyberware and bioware is not compatible with the Gargoyles Stone Sleep.

Another note is a distinct dislike in modern weapons. Gargoyles have natural claws, and will often use ancient weapons, such as swords and staves if they wield a weapon at all. Rarely do gargoyles wield guns.

Identification: While Gargoyles vary vastly in size and in shape, There are primarily two types of Gargoyle.

One is a Canine like Gargoyle. they re fairly intelligent and strong, but not as intelligent as a human and lacking any sort of speech capability. It weighs around 300 pounds in it's flesh form, is quick, very strong, and very loyal to it's "clan" of Gargoyles.

The second is the more common and Humanoid Gargoyle. These always stand upright, like a human, and possess a pair of wings that enable it to glide, despite it's bulk. However, for whatever reason, the appearance and placement of the Gargoyle wings can vary greatly.

The more common appearances for a Gargoyle is a semi-demonic looking face, sometimes with horns. The wings are often leathery in appearance, similar to Dragon Wings, though these as well vary, and are sometimes membranes between the arm and torso of the gargoyle, or even feathered and bird like.

Tails are a common trait of Gargoyles, though not every gargoyle has them. Skin color also varies wildly, though is usually a darker color. Deep reds, blues and gray's are common, though almost every color has been reported.

They have a variable number of teeth, ranging from 20 to 48, with fairly sharp and slightly elongated canines.

Most have hair like humans, but this too is variable, as are most characteristic. Some are hairless, while others are covered in fur, or even feathers.

Their hands and feet end in three fingers and three toed claws. These claws are strong, and often capable totearing into stone and even steel. Most gargoyles do not use their claws as weapons, though considering this dishonorable. The most common use for the claws is climbing, where their strength allows them to dig furrows and hand holds into the sides of stone and plasticrete building, letting them climb up to gliding heights.

The Humanoid Gargoyles range in size from several feet tall, to seven feet tall, with substantial bulk do to their muscle mass. Despite rumors, however, they re not made of stone, at least not at night. During the daylight hours, however, they transform into a stone-like substance that is very much like granite.

Habitat: Gargoyles most often prefer to "sleep" in their stone form on rooftops, looking much like their namesakes, the traditional Gargoyle Statue. However, during the night, in their flesh form, they can reside almost anywhere, though they do prefer large, open structures, usually on the top of large buildings.

Habits: As noted above, Gargoyles are active during the night only. From sun-up to sundown, they are trapped in a Stone Hibernation. This transformation is not reliant on being in sunlight, as even gargoyles underground away from any sunlight still transforms. This has led scientists to believe the transformation is magical in nature.

Their life span is, as of yet, unverified, though it is estimated to be slightly longer than a normal human lifespan, from 100 to 120 years. This is possibly due to their stone hibernation, and that they may not age while they are stone.

Gargoyles lay eggs, which take around 10 years to hatch.

Young: Female Gargoyles can lay between 1 and 8 eggs, though the average is three. Puberty occurs when the gargoyle is around 18 to 20 years.

Commentary: Gargoyles appeared around 30 years ago in New York. Since then, there have been scattered, rumored sighting around the world, with most recent sightings placing a clan in Seattle. Gargoyles are rare, and according to the gargoyle I interviewed, they were almost wiped out during the Dark Ages.

GAME STATS:

There are 3 playable types of Gargoyles: The Small, Medium, and Large Gargoyle. Each has different advantages and disadvantages to them, so I'll cover them in turn. The Canine Gargoyle is not a playable character, but can make an interesting NPC. Canine Gargoyles are not pets, and no Gargoyle would consider them as such. They are simply a different type of gargoyle, slightly less intelligant than a metahuman, but still possessing a sentiance beyond any animal.

Small Gargoyles: These are the Smallest and weakest of the Gargoyles. however, they are also the fastest and the smartest of the gargoyles. Most Gargoyle Mages come from this category. These gargoyles are usually between 3 and 5 feet tall.

Advantages: +2d6 initiative, +2 Quickness, +1 Intelligence, +1 Charisma, Low light vision, Gliding WIngs, Claws

Disadvantages: -1 Strength, Stone Hibernation, Bioware/Cyberware Restrictions.

Medium Gargoyles: This is where the majority of Gargoyles fit in. These are usually between 5 and 6 feet tall.

Advantages: +2d6 Initiative, +2 Body, +1 Strength, +1 Quickness, Lowlight Vision, Gliding WIngs, Claws

Disadvantages: Stone Hibernation, Bioware/Cyberware restrictions.

Large Gargoyles: These are the rarest of all the gargoyles. They are also usually the leaders of their clans, and are powerful warriors.

Advantages: +1d6 Initiative, +3 Body, +3 Strength, Lowlight Vision, Gliding Wings, Claws

Disadvantages: -1 Quickness, -1 Intelligence, Stone Hibernation, Bio/Cyber Restrictions.

POWERS:

Gliding Wings: Gargoyles can fly, after a manner, by gliding on air currents. They cannot actually fly, though, so must launch themselves from above the ground, usually off a building or such. While flying, their Quickness multiplier is 5. Minimum height for gliding is 15` off the ground.

Claws: The claws allow the Gargoyles to make shallow cuts and grooves in even the hardest materials like steel and stone. If used in combat, they deal (Strength)M Damage. Keep in mind that most Gargoyles will not resort to using their natrural claws as weapons, though.

Stone Hibernation: Wherever they are in the world, gargoyles will transform into stone from as soon as the sun rises to just when it sets. This transformation is not dependant on sunlight, and will occur even if the Gargoyle is somewhere that Sunlight can not penetrate. This is a magical transformation, and cannot be prevented except through magical means (i.e., the enchanted amulets Worn by the gargoyles in the Amazon in one episode).

Stone Hibernation has the added benefit of healing almost any wound the gargoyle may suffer.

The Stone that the gargoyles turn into is very resilient and tough. Treat it as having a barrier rating of 6.

Bioware/Cyberware Restrictions: Gargoyles are very magical in nature, and because of this, combined with their transformation into stone each day, they are unable to alter their body structure in anyway, as the new body part will not transform, and can cause problems, especially in the case of Bioware.

(NOTE: In case someone wants to bring it up, Coldstone was a special case. he was built from the remains of three shattered gargoyles and brought back to life with magic. In essence, he was Cybermanced with Blood Magic. He doesn't count.

NOTE 2: Yes, I know that in the "Future" episode of Gargoyles, Lex had some cybernetics. As of now, no one has figured out a way to cybernetically enhance a Gargoyle.)

Magic Note: Gargoyles can be magicians, and are almost always Hermetic in tradition, though not always. Phys Ad powers are VERY rare in Gargoyles and should not be allowed in PC Gargoyles, as combined with their already powerful natural abilities (Especially the natural Initiative bonuses), they can be quite abusive. this is also the main reason for disallowing Cyberware.

The gargoyle can be a powerful Character, and as with all my Optional Metatypes, should only be allowed into a game with care. They can present a terrific new flavor to a game, and can be great fun to role-play. However, they can easily be abused by the local Munchkins (Though one dork with a hammer can take care of them during the day:)), so use them with care! :]

PLAYING A GARGOYLE PC:

Gargoyles have far more benifits than penalties, so using the point cost generator from the companion, they cost 20 points instead of 10 for a normal Metahuman. If using the Priority System from SR3, they are priority A.

CROSSOVER INFO:

The events from the first 2 (and a half) seasons of the show happen in 2030, instead of 1994 (or whatever the show date was :)). David Xanatos runs a AA Corporation that so far has been strong enough to avoid being bought out by the AAA Corps. It is based in New York, and Xanatos Enterprises has worked on several occasions with Ares Macrotechnology. Rumor has it that Ares is an ally of Xanatos Enterprises, and that the Megacorp has aided Xanatos in avoiding a takeover. Xanatos Enterprises most often bumps heads with Aztechnology and Saeder Krupp.

The Children of Oberon are all unique free spirits from a Metaplane called Avalon. Avalon physically borders the real world, and as such there is an entrance on Earth to the metaplane. However, the entrance seems to be mobile, so that you don't find Avalon unless it wants to be found. Most beings that find Avalon simply think of it as a magic island rather than a metaplane.

Goliath's clan currently resides in New York, and recently a second generation of Gargoyles from Avalon have made their way into the outside world. (This is where the PC's will most likelycome from).

Despite the appearance of Awakened Beings (Elves, Dwarves, Orks, Trolls, Dragons, etc), the Gargoyles are still leary of letting the outside world know they exist, and as such are still hiding and protecting in the shadows. The very existance of all the other Races and Creatures in the Shadowrun World, though, has helped keep the secret, because they shock Metahumans much less than they would (and do) in the show. Thus Gargoyles are often dismissed as Trolls with a Jetpack or Hang Glider or the Unintelligent version of the creatures from the Paranormal Animals of North America and Europe books.

For a great source of Gargoyle Fiction past the short lived Series, check out Christine Morgan's Gagroyles Fan Fiction!