Bigfoot
(Cryptozoological creature)
Context
The bigfoot is the most famous North American cryptid . This profile proposes possible stats for it as simply an undiscovered primate.
There are many fictional versions of bigfoot that are tougher. So the profile will also have materials for more supernatural versions of bigfoot, capable of holding their own in a comic book world.
Background
- Other Aliases: Sasquatch, Sequalitch, Skookum, Meh-Teh, Old Man of the Woods, Mountain Devil, Grassman, Hairy Man, Elder Brother, Albatwich, many others depending on the culture referencing them.
- Marital Status: Depends on the Individual.
- Known Relatives: Other Bigfoots, Yeti, Yowie, Yeren, Almas, Woodwose, Orang Pendak (related species).
- Group Affiliation: None generally, Individuals may be members of a tribe or family unit.
- Base Of Operations: Generally, the Entire North American continent in wilderness areas.
- Height: Between 6’ and 12’. Weight: 400 to 800 lbs .
- Eyes:Generally brown, luminous green or yellow at night. Hair:Various shades of brown, black, or red; white and blond individuals are not unknown.
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Powers and Abilities
Bigfoots are large and powerful animals compared to humans (in DC Heroes RPG terms, STR, Growth), though not generally what is considered “superhuman”. They are exceedingly heavy for their size (Density Increase). Being covered with hair are resistant to cold temperatures and the environmental conditions in which they are usually found (Cold Immunity).
They are known to move incredibly quickly (Running) and quietly when they wish (Obscure, Thief (Stealth)). They have outstanding physical senses, and, seemingly mostly nocturnal, are able to see very well at night. They also have been, according to some reports, able to resist gunfire to some extent (Skin Armor).
Strangely, although they use almost no technology themselves, other than rocks or sticks, they seem to be able to recognize human technology quite easily. Thus, they avoid trail cams, video recorders, and most photography equipment as a matter of course.
It has been theorized that they also can see into the infrared spectrum as they seem to evade IR night vision gear rather easily.
Description
As might be expected of an entire race of an unknown humanoid primate, the Bigfoot varies widely in size, weight, coloration, hair length, and individual behaviors.
Generally though, people describe a tall, heavily built humanoid with very broad shoulders, long arms, short, powerful neck, cone-shaped head, heavily muscled and covered with (usually) glossy dark hair, but with a very humanlike face with a flat nose, wide mouth, and heavy brow ridges.
Its feet are of course the most usually described feature, as often footprints are discovered where the animal itself is not seen. Vaguely humanlike, they are distinctive mostly in their size, from 16 to 21 inches in length and very broad compared to human feet.
There is evidence of a very flexible nature relative to human feet, with a mid-tarsal hinge that makes the foot flex while pushing off, creating distinct features to (un-hoaxed) footprints.
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Personality
Bigfoot is generally thought to be shy and retiring, very skittish of human contact. Most reports of humans encountering Bigfoots demonstrate that it usually immediately leaves the area once it becomes aware of a human presence.
However, certain reports also imply that they are very curious in regards human activities. They have been known to spend hours in quiet observation of humans, especially children at play.
Once discovered, they quietly fade into the concealing woods. Several reports describe Bigfoots following humans, believing themselves unobserved, darting from tree to tree and leaning out to “peek” at the ones they are watching.
They are known to wander into human camping sites at night, investigate things quietly, and then leave without disturbing anyone.
Other traits
There have been encounters that describe them acting in a hostile manner. But mostly this is limited to remaining concealed and throwing sticks or rocks, or shaking brush and breaking limbs. Or roaring loudly to frighten off the intruding human.
There are exceedingly few reports of actual attacks on humans. And these are usually limited to humans who have actually injured or attacked one of them.
They are known to be intolerant of loud, aggressive animals like dogs. There are reports of bigfoots actually killing them, especially large dogs such as German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, or Rottweilers. It is much more likely though, based on reports, that they frighten most dogs into cowering or hiding when they are near.
DC Universe History
I am unaware of any use of the Bigfoot in the DCU, but I prefer the mystical Bigfoot for use in a comic universe. The Bigfoot in the DCU should be a peaceful, highly intelligent tribal society that lives partially in and partially out of our continuity.
Occasionally a member of the tribe either becomes lost in our world or goes bad and intentionally comes here to wreak havoc. Various (usually mystically oriented) heroes have encountered them.
Bigfoot apparently exists in the DC Animated Universe. In the Justice League Unlimited episode Fearful Symmetry, a large poster of the Bigfoot from the Patterson-Gimlin film (see illos) features in the Question’s diagrams of the worldwide conspiracy that he is obsessively investigating…
It would be interesting to investigate exactly how a Bigfoot figures into “The” Conspiracy.
Marvel Universe History
Sasquatches apparently already exist in the Marvel Universe, but as a much larger, stronger, more aggressive species. It would not be hard to insert this version; possibly they are sub-species of each other.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Bigfoot
| Dex: 04 | Str: 06 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: To Be Left Alone |
| Int: 02 | Wil: 02 | Min: 02 | Occupation: Cryptid |
| Inf: 02 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 000 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 010 |
Powers:
Density Increase: 02, Growth: 01, Running: 04, Extended Hearing: 02, Ultra Vision: 04, Skin Armor: 02, Cold Immunity: 02, Obscure: 04
Bonuses and Limitations:
- All Powers save for Obscure are Form Function (-1).
- Density Increase. Growth: Always On (-1) and Already Figured In (+1).
- Obscure is vs. Detection Gear/Recording Devices/Photography Equipment Only (-1).
- Obscure is a Skilled Power.
Skills:
Accuracy (Perception): 06, Thief (Stealth): 06, Charisma (Intimidation): 06
Advantages:
Area Know (Territory or Range), Scholar (Survival), Expertise (Long Distance signal communication), Local Hero (Pacific Northwest), Ultra Luck.
Connections:
Family Group (High).
Drawbacks:
Distinct Appearance, SIA to Avoiding Detection/Human Contact, MIA toward Curiosity, Hunted, Attack Vulnerability (-1CS) to Tracking attempts (From the huge footprints), MPR: Leaves Huge Footprints.
Abominable-r snowmen
Ultra or Powered Versions might have :
- STR 07 or 08.
- BODY 10.
- Invisibility: 06 or Thief (Stealth): 12.
- Dimension Travel: 04, Teleportation: 04, or Self/Linked Spirit Travel: 06.
- Growth of up to 3 APs.
- Occultist (Ritual Magic, Shamanistic): 08.
More Bigfoot Variants
Gentle Giant
The version seen on Harry and the Hendersons had STR 08 and Thief (Stealth): 08. He was entirely a vegetarian and very peaceful in nature.
Mostly this would be used as a foil for PCs to protect and try to get back to his safe habitat when it inadvertently wanders into a populated suburb or is captured by ruthless scientists.
Southern Fried Bigfoot (aka Redneck Sasquatch)
According to the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy, the typical Northwestern Bigfoot “wears Birkenstocks and listens to the (Grateful) Dead… While Texas Bigfoots wear combat boots, listens to AC/DC and will rip your f***ing head off.”.
Mostly its a matter of personality and tactics. But apparently the Southern Bigfoots, found in Texas, Louisiana, and other deep South states, are less likely to fade away when confronted and much more likely to be hostile. Southern Bigfoots have Martial Artist: 06 and an MIA toward Scaring the Hell Out of People.
Swamp Creatures
The “Skunk Ape” of the Florida/Gulf Coast area are generally smaller than other types, having no Growth Power. But they are famed for their incredibly foul Odor. They might actually have Chemical Attack: 02, and presumably are even easier to track than common Bigfoots, so that their Attack Vulnerability to Being Tracked is -2 CS.
Spirit Man
The tribes of Native Americans across North America tell tales of the Sasquatch as being a Guardian totemic animal as much spirit as temporal, physical being. It walks the spaces between the worlds of Gods and Men, seemingly a little of both, like a ghost walking between Life and Death.
Such a being has Self Link Spirit Travel: 08, Invisibility: 06, Possibly Speak with Dead: 10, and Connections among the Ancestral Spirits of the tribe he is associated with and with the tribal Gods and Totems (Particularly Raven and Coyote). Usually it will also have SIA: Protecting his Associated Tribe, but such spirit Men are easily offended and have an MIA to Offerings of Tribute.
Alien Scout
Certain encounters with Bigfoots involve UFOs. Stranger than most encounters, such Bigfoots often have three-toed footprints instead of the usual five-toed variety, and exhibit such strange behaviours as Teleportation: 04 (Only when Attacked), Flash (Steady illumination only): 02, and Air Walking: 03.
Alternate Reality People
Apparently a race that exists outside reality, but occasionally wanders into our reality and back out again.
Such creatures might actually speak to the ones they encounter, sometimes have various Telepathic Powers (Telepathy: 05, Empathy: 08, Mind Probe: 06, or Mental Illusion: 09), often have Dispersal: 08, and, of course, Dimension Travel: 02.
Gigantopithecus
A more “animalistic” version of the Standard Bigfoot, which seems to be of near-human intelligence, the Gigantopithecus is a decendant of primal giant apes from Prehistoric China. They have lower Mental and Mystic Stats, more in keeping with animals than NPCs.
Helper(s): Dr. Jeff Meldrum (Associate Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology, Idaho State University), Dr. Grover Krantz (Professor of Physical Anthropology at Washington State University), Loren Coleman (Cryptozoologist), Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization , Bigfoot Discussion Forums , Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society , Bigfoot/Sasquatch FAQ .
Source of Character: American Folklore/Popular Culture