Expie

The main character is an Experiment (also called Expie or Scav), a bioengineered hybrid of human, fox, and rat DNA with clear canine traits.
He stands between 130–160 cm tall, with a small, lean, and relatively frail-looking frame that hides high muscle and bone density. His entire body is covered in short, thin black fur. His medium-length black tail ends in a distinct orange tip.
He has digitigrade legs and soft pink paw pads on both hands and feet. His hands have only four digits plus an opposable thumb. His eyes are large, bioluminescent orange with black pupils that glow faintly in the dark. Three soft, cartilaginous horns/spikes protrude from the back of his skull (two on top, one lower). His blood is yellow.
He usually appears dirty, with bandages, scars, and scavenged gear (flashlight, bag, tools). A monitoring/disposal brain chip is implanted in his head — but this particular chip came defective. The company has only limited, unreliable access to it, which means they cannot fully track, control, or remotely detonate him the way they can with most other Experiments.

Cautious and observant rather than openly bold
Thinks before acting, often weighing risks and possible outcomes even in stressful moments
Still deeply fearful of the unknown, sudden threats, and the constant possibility of death
Capable of defending himself and willing to kill when survival demands it
Emotionally sensitive and easily shaken by injury, isolation, or the sight of other dead Sawians
Tries to stay focused and practical despite the fear, using careful planning as a way to feel some control
Avoids unnecessary conflict but does not freeze or hide when confrontation becomes inevitable
Carries a quiet, persistent anxiety that never fully disappears, even when things are momentarily safe

(Experiment / SAW-01)
In the far future, a powerful mega-corporation achieved a major breakthrough in bio-engineering. They created the first SAW-01 prototype by combining human DNA with that of a testing rat and an employee’s pet (resulting in a human-fox-rat hybrid with canine traits).
The corporation cloned the prototype dozens of times and subjected the clones to destructive testing to evaluate their capabilities. Later, some board members discovered the project and demanded its immediate termination, calling the research on intelligent beings highly illegal. One board member warned that if the truth ever came out, they would all “pay with their lives” and their families would be lynched. The project was almost cancelled.
However, the corporation decided to keep and expand it. They justified the decision by saying they now had “an ample supply of human-like test subjects” perfect for testing their new medical nano-technology product called Braingrow. After that, SAW-01 was cloned on a massive scale (possibly hundreds of thousands of times). Their genome was further modified with DNA from many other animals and even alien organisms, creating the wider Sawian species (SAW-02 through SAW-13).
Experiments are highly emotional and sensitive beings with intelligence comparable to humans. They can form complex social bonds, learn human languages, and experience fear, loneliness, and trauma. Despite this, the corporation treats them as disposable lab animals and cheap labor. They were raised in controlled laboratory environments, given limited information, and conditioned for obedience.

Almost every Experiment sent on missions has a brain chip implanted. The chip allows them to monitor their own health in detail, but it also functions as a tracking and disposal device. If an Experiment abandons the mission or tries to escape, the chip can detonate (or the corporation can trigger it remotely). In the case of the character we’ve been building, the chip is defective, giving the company only limited and unreliable control.
The current mission takes place on the Gray Planet. The corporation accidentally lost important experimental technology (an advanced wireless energy source / “battery”) deep inside the planet’s extensive cave network due to a calibration error. Thousands of Experiments and other Sawians were sent down in drop pods with almost no supplies to recover it. Most of them are expected to die. The corporation views this as both a recovery operation and a form of behavioral research on the species.
Experiments have no natural sex drive by design and were engineered to be capable of both asexual and sexual reproduction (gonosimulistic), mainly to simplify mass production and avoid complications. They are referred to with they/them pronouns in official documentation.
In short: they are mass-produced, intelligent, emotional beings created through illegal bio-engineering, treated as expendable tools, and sent on what is essentially a suicide mission to retrieve lost corporate property.

He is a natural scavenger. Almost everything he finds can be useful, so he collects constantly while descending the layers.
Main ways of collecting:
Flora — Harvests leaves, fruits, stems, and bulbs from plants (Glowplants, Stoneplants, Leadbushes, Ceiling Rye, Mushplants, etc.).
Scrap and debris — Breaks old traps, machines, and abandoned containers for metal, plastic, wires, and panels.
Creature carcasses — Kills Shade Crawlers, Ticks, and other creatures for meat, venom glands, blood, and hard parts.
Containers and loot — Opens crates, barrels, drop pods, and the belongings of dead Expies.
Fluids — Collects groundwater, oil, bio-chem, and other liquids into bottles or pouches.
Mining — Uses digging tools (shovels, pickaxes, drills) to extract materials directly from the terrain.
Main materials and their uses:
Foliage / Leaves — Used to make makeshift bags, improvised bandages, and ropes.
Scrap Metal — Used to craft knives, digging tools, weapons, and for repairs.
Wood / Sticks — Used for tool handles, splints, and fuel.
Plastic / Flexiglass — Used to make containers, syringes, and liquid pouches.
Bio-chem — Used as an advanced adhesive and for high-quality crafting.
Meat / Carcasses — Used as risky food, for carcass splints, and medical materials.
Venom Glands — Used to craft antivenom and other medical items.
Batteries — Used to power lanterns, drills, and electronic devices.
Cloth / Rags — Used for bandages, limb wraps, and improvised clothing.
Nails / String — Used to reinforce and combine tools and weapons.
He usually carries multiple containers (foliage bags, material pouches, backpacks) to keep everything organized. Early on he prioritizes light and versatile materials. As he goes deeper, he focuses on higher-quality components (titanium, advanced parts) for better tools and gear.

As an experienced Scav/Experiment, he can wear, carry, and use a wide range of scavenged, crafted, and found gear. Inventory is limited by weight (encumbrance) and body slots (hands, back, mouth, wearable slots).
Clothing & Armor
Head: Bicycle helmet (or makeshift/riot helmet upgrades), dust mask, balaclava, auto-zoom goggles, safety glasses, scarf.
Torso / Arms: Torn shirt, hoodie, limb wraps, arm warmers, belly armor, carapace, trauma rig.
Hands: Latex gloves, climbing claws, claw packs.
Legs / Feet: Knee pads, sneakers, wood sandals, or better tactical boots.
Special: Jetpack (rare), climbing rope, scaffolding pack.
Storage & Carrying
Back: Small pack, duffel bag, big backpack, sling bag.
Wearable: Fanny pack, belt, bandolier, leg pouch, material pouch, liquid pouch, trauma rig.
Held: Toolbox, med-kit, various bags (plastic, trash, foliage, grav-bag, etc.).
Containers reduce encumbrance when items are stored inside them.
Tools & Weapons (mainly held in hands)
Digging / Utility: Makeshift digging tool, metal digging tool, pickaxe, shovel, mini laser drill, heavy drill, plasma cutter, wrench, machete, sickle, rake, trowel.
Melee: Flimsy knife, crude cleaver, machete, pitchfork, sledgehammer, claw packs.
Ranged: Pistol, pump-action shotgun, makeshift rifle (with matching ammo: 9mm, 12-gauge, etc.).
Light: Flashlight, headlamp, lantern, emergency light, torch.
Other: Lockpicking kit, grappling hook, rangefinder, terrain scanner.
Medical & Survival (carried and applied)
He always tries to keep sterilized dressings, tourniquets, antiseptic/relief cream (in spray bottles), bruise kits, blood bags, chest drains, L.R.D./makeshift L.R.D., splints, tweezers, and painkillers ready. These are stored in med-kits, pouches, or belts for quick access.
Typical loadout for a prepared Scav:
Bicycle helmet + scarf/limb wraps for insulation/protection, backpack or trauma rig for storage, digging tool or machete in one hand, light source in the other (or on belt), and a mix of medical.

The medical system is extremely detailed. Every body part (limbs, torso, head) has separate health values for skin, muscle, and bone. Small mistakes can quickly escalate into a slow, painful death.
Main types of injuries:
External bleeding — The most common. Measured in liters per minute. Can range from minor to life-threatening.
Internal bleeding / Hemothorax — Blood pools inside the chest cavity. Very dangerous and hard to treat early on.
Fractures and dislocations — Broken or displaced bones that limit movement and cause intense pain.
Skin and muscle damage — Cuts, bruises, contusions, and open wounds.
Infections and sepsis — Dirty wounds can turn septic fast if not treated with antiseptic.
Brain damage — Caused by head impacts, falls, or oxygen deprivation. Leads to dizziness, loss of control, vomiting, and even self-destructive behavior.
Other conditions — Burns, radiation sickness, hypothermia/hyperthermia, poisoning, chronic pain, hunger, thirst, and extreme fatigue.
How he takes care of himself:
Dressings (bandages) — He wraps the limb in a careful wrapping minigame. Stops bleeding, stabilizes light fractures, and helps skin heal.
Tourniquets — Used on severe limb bleeding to quickly cut off blood flow.
Antiseptic / Relief cream — Applied with spray bottles or directly to prevent and treat infections.
Blood bags and IV solutions — Restore lost blood volume.
Chest drains and L.R.D. (Local Resuscitation Device) — Essential for treating internal bleeding and hemothorax.
Splints — Immobilize broken bones.
Tweezers — Remove shrapnel and embedded objects.
Painkillers and opioids — Manage pain (overuse risks overdose or dependence).
Braingrow — Helps recover from brain damage.
Hygiene — He cleans himself in groundwater by ragdolling to reduce dirtiness and infection risk.
He is disciplined with self-care because he knows a small wound can easily become a slow death. Priority order is always: stop the bleeding first → treat infection → stabilize bones.

The Gray Planet is a deep, multi-layered cave system. Each layer grows more hostile the further you descend.
Gravel Lands
The starting layer. Rocky, gray terrain with scattered scrap, groundwater pools, and basic flora (glowplants, stoneplants, leadbushes). Relatively “safe” compared to deeper levels, but still full of simple traps: geysers that can launch you, jump pads, spike traps, and unstable ground. Light is decent in places. Good for gathering early supplies.
Deeper Gravel Lands
A darker, more oppressive continuation of the gravel. Visibility drops sharply. Falls become more dangerous and fractures more common. New traps appear (bear traps, barbed wire fences). Shade Crawlers are more frequent. Water is still available but harder to find safely.
Dried Desert
Hot, dry, and sandy. Temperature rises dangerously; dehydration and heatstroke are constant risks. Many liquid pools are oil instead of water. New mechanical threats appear: automated turrets that track heat signatures, landmines, and stalactites that can fall. Sand Stalkers begin to show up.
Wasteland
Even hotter and far more toxic. Radiation zones from spent fuel and waste pipes force you to move carefully or risk radiation sickness. Sound cannons emit painful infrasound blasts that damage hearing and the brain. Mood crashes are common. Very few natural resources; survival depends on what you carried in.
Overgrown Depths
Lush, overgrown, and extremely aggressive. Dense plant life, fungal growths, and hostile wildlife dominate. Visibility is limited by foliage. This is where the most dangerous living threats appear. Internal injuries and infections become frequent.
Common and notable creatures:
Shade Crawlers — Small spider-like creatures that climb walls and ceilings. Their bites cause pain, light bleeding, and a chance of infection. Common in the upper layers.
Cave Ticks / Overgrown Ticks — Larger, more aggressive ticks that latch on and drain blood. Harder to remove once attached.

Sand Stalkers — Wall-crawling predators found mainly in the desert layers. They ambush from above or the sides.
Thornbacks — Aggressive, multi-legged creatures with powerful bites. Young ones are dangerous; the Elder Thornback is a miniboss that can dig through terrain and outright sever limbs with a single bite.
Grabber Plants / Tentacle-plants — Stationary plant-like enemies that lash out, grab a limb, and smash you into the ground. They have poor senses but hit hard on impact.
Dunes (SAW-12) — Other Sawians sent to the planet. Taller and bulkier than Experiments, with arthropod and shark DNA mixed in. They have large black eyes, multiple head spikes, gill-like structures, and massive mouths full of sharp teeth. Many show low intelligence, extreme hunger, and cannibalistic tendencies. They can be encountered as potential allies, neutral scavengers, or unpredictable threats depending on the situation.
Other threats include various aggressive flora, radioactive waste entities, and the occasional hostile trader who turns violent if reputation drops too low.

Types of Scavs / Survivors
In the current game, the scavengers and traders you meet in drop pods belong to three main Sawian types:

1. Experiment (SAW-01) – The most common
   The original base species
   Smaller, emotional, fearful, and highly sensitive
   Speak more naturally (including swearing when distressed)
   The most numerous and the ones who suffer the most emotionally
2. Milky (SAW-03)
   Smaller than Experiments, covered in fluffy white fur, flat snout, short horns, and back fins
   Significantly more intelligent and mildly arrogant
   Excellent vision
   Tend to carry better equipment (especially weapons and ammo) for trade
   More cautious and less emotional than Experiments

Origin
Dunes are a later Sawian variant created by further splicing the genome of SAW-05 (Chompy), which itself came from Milkys and the original Experiments. They received additional arthropod and shark DNA. The corporation cloned at least 1,839 of them.
Appearance
Tall, wide, and imposing. They have scattered fin-like structures on their body, six spikes protruding from the sides of their head, large completely black eyes, a massive mouth filled with sharp teeth, and gills along the torso. They are noticeably larger and more muscular than Experiments or Milkys.
Personality & Behavior
Extremely low intelligence
Speak in simple, slow, third-person sentences (“Dune find… good friend…”)
Driven almost entirely by a near-insatiable hunger
Have clear cannibalistic tendencies
Do not fully understand the situation they are in or the cruelty of the corporation
Notes left by them almost always focus on food, hunting, or how something tasted
In-game they are not aggressive without reason and can act as peaceful traders
Can improve reputation by allowing them to take a bite from one of your limbs (causes damage and bleeding)
Accept hugs but do not understand what they mean