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Transfinite: Humanspace Design Notes - Responses to DHBoggs

2011-07-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

More Humanspace design notes in the form of addressing some questions by DHBoggs from this post.

DHBoggs wrote:

Adventurer –
Should NOT be allowed any psychic ability; and conversely, should be allowed any skill level in other areas. This is going to be a very typical class type featuring a wide range of characters. As in real life, they should not be limited in how far they can progress in non psy, or non warrior areas of expertise. Anyone with PSY ability is (or should be) automatically either a magic user er, scientist, or they can join one of the mystic navigator/astronaut churches, er guilds.

There is no reason a person could not be an advanced geneticist or engineer or what have you and have no PSY ability. In fact I would assume most members of the scientific an academic community to have no psy ability.

Astronaught (cleric) – should be described as members of a guild or better, of competing guilds (churches whatever) where they receive their navigational and Psy training like in Dune or as the “pilgrims” in Wing Commander, and to some extent, the Jedi. Otherwise looks good so far. Pilgrims, if you are not familiar: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_Commander_(film)

Scientist – please, please consider renaming – maybe Psytechs? Scientist does not work because it will be very confusing to talk about “regular” scientists, engineers and such, without getting them confused with the psy powered “magic user" type that make up the class.

The Adventurer class in Humanspace Empires was based on Glenn Rahman’s Adventurer class for EPT that appeared in Dragon Magazine #31. Rahman intended that Adventurers would allow for the simulation of heroes of literary fantasy that like Moorcock’s Elric were wizards with warrior abilities or like Karl Edward Wagner’s Kane were warriors with some access to magic. The same philosophy applies to the Humanspace Adventurer and, as such, access to PSY powers seems a necessary part of the Adventurer class. Further, the skills are not intended to be so vital to the game that access to a wider range of skills would justify the existence of the class.

As the rules are written in the playtest draft, a minimum PSY score of 9 is needed for the use of any PSY powers and a PSY score of at least 12 is needed for the more powerful (higher level) powers. This means that about 30% of all characters would have no PSY powers. I’ve considered raising the minimum PSY score to 10 or 11 which would limit PSY powers to around 50% of characters and revising the Scientist Skills/Powers table to further limit the number of Scientist characters with access to PSY or Super-Scientific powers. I’ve also been looking at various schemes to give Scientists special abilities that are not PSY related. Even without these changes, at least 30% of scientists would have no PSY ability. I suppose that my contention in the setting is that, during this period, the goal of science has focused, to a degree, on the use of the mind to tap into inter-planar power sources.

Although it may be a bit of a stretch, the Humanspace Scientist was partially inspired by Dr. Morbius from Forbidden Planet. Although Morbius was a philologist by training, he was (in the grand space opera tradition) a brilliant multi-disciplinary scientist that embraced the idea that focusing mind powers to alter reality was the greatest goal of science. Consider also the nexialists from Van Vogt’s Voyage of the Space Beagle. The Nexialists sought to unify all the sciences and mental powers were an important aspect of their training.

I definitely like the idea that Astronauts with PSY powers (like Scientists, at least 30% of Astronauts will have no PSY abilities) are members of competing cults or orders and this has been an area that I’ve intended to flesh out for some time. The Pilgrims of Wing Commander are interesting and very similar to my original conception of PSY powered astronauts in Humanspace but I was not previously aware of them.

DHBoggs wrote:

Drune, are you aware of Dragons at Dawn? I'd be happy to hook you up with a pdf if you don't have one. I think there is a great deal on the Blackmoor boards you would find of interest too in terms of the Arneson/Barker context under which the EPT rules were birthed. AIF also, may be of particular use to you in developing your variant skill system.

I’m aware of Dragons at Dawn but haven’t read it. Sounds very cool and I’d love a pdf copy.

Russ Nicholson's Regulan

2011-07-02T18:40:00.000-07:00

Russ Nicholson, one of my favorite illustrators, has graciously contributed the above illustration for use in the forthcoming Humanspace Empires rules. Pictured is a Regulan or Vleshgu, perhaps the most inimical of man’s intergalactic foes. I have been waiting for a suitable illustration to complete an article detailing this race so look for that in the near future.

The Humanspace rules, like the playtest draft, will be primarily illustrated with public domain science fiction illustrations from the pulp era but I feel that it is very important that some illustrations of classic EPT aliens be included and I would love it if a few were done by artists that have previously illustrated Tékumel publications. Although best known for his work in the Fighting Fantasy series, the original Fiend Folio and in various Warhammer books, Russ’ art was featured in several issues of the 1990s Tékumel zine, the Eye of All-Seeing Wonder.

I want to take this opportunity to ask for additional artistic contributions for this project. I need illustrations of spaced out Ahoggyá, Hláka, Hlüss, Mihálli, Páchi Léi, Pé Chói, Pygmy Folk, Ssú, Swamp Folk, Tinalíya and Urunén or any of the various EPT monsters for the Humanspace Space Monsters book. Netherwerks have the Shén covered…

As Humanspace is a free, not for profit fan project with no budget, I am not able to commission art but I will try to compensate artists in some way, perhaps with a bound copy of the Humanspace book(s) in which their art appears.

Thanks again Russ!

Digging Out

2011-06-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

I've been struggling to find time to write, game, run the Humanspace PbPs, post, or comment on blogs lately. This unfortunate situation has arisen out of a period of overwork at the day job (that's me excavating in the cellar of a 19th century house that served as a Union cavalry HQ and field hospital), several annoying annoyances on the homefront (like broken AC during a streak of 100 degree days), and a new addition to the family (a really cute but bloodthirsty killer kitten!).

Hopefully things will calm down soon and allow for a return to more weird science fantasy fun. I'm still aiming for a release of the first Humanspace book this summer and the Space Monster and Campaign books by the end of the year. Other projects are in the pipeline as well.

Sorry, especially to the PbP crowd for my lack of alacrity.

Transfinite: More Humanspace Empires Game Design Notes

2011-06-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

In his Gamma World cover to cover series at Grognardia James Maliszewski noted: "I can't help but notice both the vagueness and the ad hoc sub-systems created to patch over holes where D&D provided no rules or no model on which to make rules. I don't think this is a bad thing by any means. Indeed, I think I prefer this approach all things considered. However, it's definitely one that is alien to so much of contemporary game design and the culture of play that's grown up around it."

I definitely want to emulate this in Humanspace Empires...particularly the vagueness. The lack of detail for many of the skills has been one of the major criticisms from playtesters and reviewers. Although I can see that a more thoughtful approach to skills and more clarification is needed, I don't want to lose vagueness and I don't want the importance of skills overstressed in the game. I've started working on somewhat more detailed descriptions and a few changes in the Scientist skill set. These will be posted in the near future.

I found one bit in Dungeon Crawl Classics that I liked quite a bit and plan to include in the final Humanspace rules to replace the somewhat artificial and arbitrary limits on the number of times that psychic and super-scientific powers can be used each day. Excepting a few powers already noted in the Humanspace rules as being so draining that their use limits access to all psychic or superscientific powers for x days, there will be no limit on the number of times that an individual may attempt to use powers; however using any power will incur a cumulative -1 penalty per use on subsequent power success rolls until the character is fully rested, typically after a period of at least 8 hours sleep. I will begin using these rules in the PbP games immediately and see how it works.

The Imperial Academy of Science

2011-06-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

Founded on ancient Terra, the Academy of Science in the 621st century is represented by numerous Universities and Halls throughout Humanspace. The most important centers include the massive pyramidal Ancient Academy on Terra, the towers of the Science University of Alpha Centauri on Zán, and the sprawling Institute on Tázkant, the planetary metropolis of Sirius 7.

Throughout Humanspace, the Academy operates as both an educational and social institution, acting to control the development and dissemination of technology. The organization has many detractors, who feel that Academy interference actually limits technological innovations and that a super scientific utopia would be possible without the Academy’s entrenched support for the status quo.

The most brilliant offspring of the wealthiest and most powerful families of the Empire gather together in the Academy to unveil the deepest secrets of the universe. Students and members of the Academy rise through a number of degrees or Phazes. Any number of scientists may rise to degrees below the 14th, but there are only 64 Master Polymaths of the 14th Phaze, eight Arch-Viziks of the 15th Phaze and one Grand Vizik of the 16th Phaze. Admission to the lower Phazes is proficiency-based; admission to the higher Phazes is much more politicized. Typically, members of progressively higher Phazes are more aligned with the ideals and goals of the Academy.

Tuition for Academy training varies between the institutions but averages CR 100,000 per standard year. Dues for post-graduate and other members are CR 1000 per standard year. Scholarships and grants are often awarded by planetary lords to qualified students unable to afford the tuition.

The Academy will license a scientist within the disciplines he, she or it has qualified as long as dues are paid. Licenses may be suspended for ethical transgressions, criminality, and sometimes political reasons. Practicing science without a license is illegal throughout Humanspace.

The Academy provides many services to its members including facilities, protection, education, and access to political power. Such power is great though curtailed by byzantine and often vicious internal politics within the organization. Within Humanspace, the Academy is authorized to manufacture and attune lenses, collect dues, discipline members, issue scientific edicts, and regulate super science and scientists.

The Academy offers a 20% discount to members on the prices stated in the Humanspace rules for instruction in technical and expert skills related to the sciences. Additionally, instruction in super-scientific powers is available and, at great cost, experimental hypnotic teaching devices may be used to greatly decrease the time necessary to learn such skills and powers.

Academy activities may also serve as the basis for an adventure or an entire campaign. The Academy operates research centers on many strange alien worlds, controls a fleet of interstellar laboratory ships, and organizes expeditions to explore the weird mysteries of the galaxy.

Credit to Il Male™ for a vision of the Academy in his Junkyard Alpha Doom post which includes several other great ideas too.

Roll percentile dice and let's see what you get

2011-06-02T22:19:00.000-07:00

It's been said of Professor Barker's Tékumel games that he used a very rules light approach...basically "roll percentile dice and let's see what you get."

I've been experimenting with this in the PbP Humanspace games and I'm thinking of writing it into the rules to handle unplanned WTF kind of situations.

Currently, in the Ancient Astronauts campaign, the party was on the run from a group of cold blooded Shen assassins. migellito came up with this plan:

"Quickly scanning above and around the shen as they step out of the dust, Sungam looks for a structural element to hit with his old disruptor. Will he find a way to bring down a bit of the Old Quarter on top of their pursuers? Perhaps he can at least put some rubble between them, buying the impromptu group some time to lose the shen in the bazaar."

I was a bit skeptical of this plan and wasn't clear on what Martian architectural elements might be overhanging the street so I left it up to the Professor's "roll percentile dice and let's see what you get" mechanic.

The roll was "02" so I decided something pretty favorable should happen. It turns out the Shen were standing next to a parked standard utility marked "Abuzek's Best Liquid Oxygen."

Too much fiat? Does anyone use this or a similar method in their games? What about building this into the Humanspace rules for certain situations?

The Rahmú

2011-05-29T23:20:00.000-07:00

The Rahmú are a fierce and militaristic race of blue-skinned human mutants; descendents of a lost First Empire colony coreward of Aldeberan. Their language is an ancient dialect of Sunuz.

Although the original colony world is now unknown, they maintained an advanced, though fragmented and unstable, civilization and controlled a small interstellar empire before being conquered and reassimilated into Humanspace in the early years of the Third Terran Empire.

The Rahmú are known as great warriors, traders, mentaliks and artists and even by the standards of the Humanspace Empire, they are considered cruel and devious. Their sadistic sense of humor is legendary. They are hot tempered, nihilistic and place little value on life. Rahmú traditions include the zchivú- eh-zchiv, a complex code of honor that demands a duel to the death for even slight offenses. On Rahmú controlled worlds, justice is harsh and punishments are often ironically linked to the crime. Torture is considered a form of art.

Males and females are considered equals in Rahmú society and they are, sexually, very libertine and engage in group marriages. Sybaratic sects are popular and these are rumored to be amongst the most extreme in known space. Sunuzlāmic mysticism and Astronaut cults are also quite common.

They love display and decoration and their devices are typically ornate and covered in complex geometric designs and grinning demonic faces. The effect is so disorienting than anyone unfamiliar with Rahmú technology suffers a -2 penalty when attempting to use their equipment. Rahmú art and architecture appears to have been influenced by the psionic alien Vrilú. A population of degenerate Rahmú were found on Aldebaran 4, a Vrilú world.

The Rahmú Empire engaged in eugenics programs and genetic manipulation that, although crude in comparison to that of the Clone Masters of the Second Terran Empire, have resulted in the sub-species being somewhat stronger, hardier and more psychic than average humans; Rahmú characters must have STR, CON and PSY scores of at least 10. They tend to be extremely self absorbed and abrasive; Rahmú characters will have a CHA no greater than 15. They are not limited in choice of class or in advancement within any class.

Sand Men of Canopus 3

2011-05-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

The Ayákin, or Sand Men, are a humanoid species descended from ancient human colonists on the desert planet Rakú (Canopus 3). Typically, they are tall and slender with golden skin, blue eyes with epicanthic folds and a functional nictitating membrane to protect them against wind-blown sand.

The Reydayákin, the Sand Men of the deep deserts, are tribal nomads devoted to survival in the harsh wastelands but also honor, feuds, raids, and mystic worship of the sandworms that serve as their mounts. Some are employed by the more civilized Ayákin and Imperial domains as mercenaries.

The civilized space faring Feydayákin maintain a super-scientific culture, control several cities on the planet and have accumulated great wealth from the offworld trade of Slan, an anti-synthetic narcotic drug with life extending and psi-enhancing effects.

Most Ayákin, barbaric and civilized, share certain common cultural traits. They are practitioners of Zúfshala, an ancient mystical Sunuzlāmic faith that has incorporated veneration of the Ayá , they wear still suits, veil their faces and dye their skin blue with Slan and are divided into a rigid structure of three functional castes: Jiyá, Zúf, and Tzcán.

Image above copyright Michael Whelan. Fair-use as parody.

Jiyá are warriors and warrior-mentaliks and dress in black. They are masters of both the traditional weapons of the Sand Men and super-scientific weapons. They also serve as the secular leaders of the Ayákin and as traders and ambassadors. Zúf are scholars, scientists, and priest- mentaliks and dress in white. They are supreme in matters of religious life, keep the sacred writings of the people and control the water supplies, the sand worms and the flow of Slan. Tzcán are children and outcasts who join neither the Jiyá nor the Zúf, and dress in brown. The most hated of the Reydayákin are the Dune Raiders, savage Tzcán outcasts that mercilessly prey upon Imperial colonists and other Ayákin.

Jiyá Feydayákin are suitable as a Player Character species. They must have a CON of 9 or more and a PSY score of at least 11. They are unlimited in their advancement as Warriors, Astronauts and Adventurers; however the Adventurers may not select Scientist powers.

Dune Raiders (Tzcán Reydayákin)

No. Enc.: 2d8 (6d20)

Alignment: Inimical

Movement: 120’ (40’)

Armor Class: 7

Hit Dice: 2

Attacks: 1

Damage: by weapon

Morale: 9

The Dune Raiders of Canopus 3 are brown robed savage outcast Sand Men that live a brutal and harsh nomadic existence in the deep deserts of Canopus 3. They have forsaken Ayákin traditions and beliefs, ride desert mites and are hostile to all.

One of every four Dune Raiders encountered will be a veteran armed with an advanced or super-scientific weapon, usually a laser or wavium rifle, and will have 1d4 additional hit dice. Instead of the gracefully curved space swords and psi-swords favored by other Ayákin, the Dune Raiders are typically armed with zturji sticks, staff like ad hoc weapons about 4 feet in length, usually forged from scavenged duranium alloys. These weapons, named for the blood drinking birds of Rakú, feature a heavy mace on one end and an awl or beak on the other. There is a 50% chance that any zturji stick has been treated with poison or contaminated waste of some type.

zturji stick 1d8 damage weight: 4lb.

In addition to the obvious sources, check out the Vanthan Beaked Battle Stick at No Signal!.

Serve the Empire

2011-05-22T22:27:00.000-07:00

One of the players in the Humanspace Empires PBP Spaceswords and Glory had to drop out recently. He was playing Krútai Málakal, the Executive Officer of the Humanspace Empire starship Deeds of Glory.

Anyone out there in ix-land that would like to join the game and take over the role of the XO comment below. You'd need to respond to 2-3 posts per week.

DOOMQUEST TO IGNORANCE

2011-05-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

I'm still working to complete the much delayed Kingdom of Ignorance micro-campaign for Doomquest. Below are some of the new monsters, loot, and hit location tables that will be included in the book.

DENIZENS

Black Sun Doom Lord (Dark troll)
Sword: 18[20] Sorcery: 7[12] Social: 6 Bonuses: +3 Sword +5 Sorcery Spells: Black Fire, Countermagic, Darkwalk, Extinguish, Blood Feast Special: +8 Loot factor
HP / Armor: Head: 7/5 Left Arm: 6/5 Right Arm: 6/5 Chest: 8/5 Abdomen: 7/5 Left Leg: 6/5 Right Leg: 6/5 Lead helm, Lead ring mail, Lead shield (d3+3, AP 6 HP 18), Lead bound spiked maul (2d6+2, AP 6 HP 12), Encumbrance: 4 Move: 24’ XP: 200

Blood Sun cultists
Sword: 10 Sorcery: 10 Social: 9 Bonuses: none
Spells: Countermagic, Darkwalk, Extinguish
HP / Armor: Head: 4/2 Left Arm: 3/0 Right Arm: 3/0 Chest: 5/2 Abdomen: 4/2 Left Leg: 3/0 Right Leg: 3/0 Leather cap and jerkin, Club or long knife (d6, AP 4 HP 8), Encumbrance: 17 Move: 57’ XP: 100

Blood Sun Doom Priest
Sword: 10 Sorcery: 10[15] Social: 9[14] Bonuses: +5 Sorcery, +5 Social Spells: Black Fire, Blind, Blood Feast, Blood Rain, Blood Red, Command Spectre, Countermagic, Darkwalk, Extinguish, False Healing, Summon Black Salamander
HP / Armor: Head: 4/4 Left Arm: 3/4 Right Arm: 3/4 Chest: 5/4 Abdomen: 4/4 Left Leg: 3/4 Right Leg: 3/4 Headdress, Hand wood (d8, AP 6 HP 12), Encumbrance: 6 Move: 44’ XP: 150

Blood Sun False healer
Sword: 8 Sorcery: 10[13] Social: 7 Bonuses: +3 Sorcery
Spells: Countermagic, Darkwalk, Extinguish, Blood Red, False Healing
HP / Armor: Head: 3/0 Left Arm: 2/0 Right Arm: 2/0 Chest: 4/0 Abdomen: 3/0 Left Leg: 2/0 Right Leg: 2/0 Knife (d4, AP 4 HP 8), Encumbrance: 16 Move: 60’ XP: 130

Cinquu Sword: 13 Sorcery: 2 Bonuses: none Spells: none
HP / Armor: Head/Neck: 5/0 L Leg: 4/0 R Leg: 4/0 Hind Q: 6/0 Fore Q: 6/0 Peck (1d4) or Kick (1d6), Encumbrance: 26 Move: 70’ XP: 130

Cinquus are very large, wingless ostriches commonly used as mounts in Ignorance. They are ill tempered, stubborn, foul smelling, and frequently spit bile.

Cliff toad
Sword: 30 Sorcery: 2 Bonuses: +2 Hide in Rocks Spells: none Special: Swallow*
HP / Armor: Head: 10/4 LF Leg: 9/6 RF Leg: 9/6 Hind Q: 10/6 Fore Q: 11/6 LF Leg: 9/6 RF Leg: 9/6 Tongue (1d6) or Kick (2d6), Encumbrance: 40 Move: 40’ XP: 300
*A cliff toad will swallow anything hit by its tongue (it can swallow any creature with Sword <15). Swallowed victims suffer 1d6 acid damage per round, are immobilized, and can only use magic or divine intervention, or hope for rescue.

Mad mystic
Sword: 8 Sorcery: 12[17] Social: 11 Bonuses: +5 Sorcery
Spells: Attune Landscape, Deflect Harm, Dragon Armor, Dream Vision, Fire Breath, Heal, Mesmerize, Regrow Limb, Shed Skin, Soul Blast, Spit Venom, Sustain Life, Tattoo Matrix,
HP / Armor: Head: 3/0 Left Arm: 2/0 Right Arm: 2/0 Chest: 4/0 Abdomen: 3/0 Left Leg: 2/0 Right Leg: 2/0 Robe Staff (d6, AP 4 HP 8), Encumbrance: 15 Move: 59’ XP: 170

LOOT

Lead tablet: This heavy rectangular hunk of lead is embossed with Startan glyphs that include 1-4 spells. The number and the specific spells are determined randomly; possible spells include (d8): 1. Blind 2. Blood Rain 3. Command Spectre 4.Countermagic 5. Darkwalk 6. Extinguish 7. False Healing 8. Summon Black Salamander The spells may be cast once by any reader of Startan; however a Sorcery roll is required to cast each spell. The glyphs fade when each spell is cast. The tablet may be used in total darkness and has an ENC of 6.

Scroll: This rice paper sheet contains 1-4 spells. The number and the specific spells are determined randomly; possible spells include (d12): 1. Attune Landscape 2. Deflect Harm 3. Dragon Armor 4. Dream Vision 5. Fire Breath 6. Heal 7.Mesmerize 8. Regrow Limb 9. Shed Skin 10. Soul Blast 11. Spit Venom 12. Sustain Life A Sorcery roll is required to cast each spell. The spells may be used once by any reader of Startan and the glyphs fade when each spell is cast.

Map: An illustrated map on rice paper. The nature of the map may be determined by the GM or randomly determined; possibilities include (d8): 1. A map of the Kingdom 2-4. A map of the local region 5-8. A map to the nearby lair of a randomly determined monster. Remember, maps of the Kingdom of Ignorance actually hinder navigation.

Book: a heavy tome bound with (d6): 1. Fur 2, human skin 3. troll skin 4, brass sheets 5. wood 6. fabric. The nature of the book may be determined by the GM or randomly determined; possibilities include (d8): 1. A book of maps 2. A book of magic containing 1d6 scrolls 3. A book of Kralorelan proverbs 4-8. A book of nonsense poetry. A book has an ENC of 1d4.

Potion: A copper flask containing a randomly determined magical elixir; such as (d20):1. Deflect Harm 2. Dragon Armor 3. Dream Vision 5. Fire Breath 6-11. Heal 12-13 Regrow Limb 14-15. Shed Skin 16-18. Spit Venom 19-20. Sustain Life A potion may be used only once, will affect only the imbiber, and no Sorcery roll is required; otherwise it is treated as the spell it mimics.

Poison: Save or Die!

Antidote: Allows an additional save at +4 to counteract poison.

Salve: A small stone jar containing a sickly sweet smelling white paste . There is sufficient paste in the jar to coat 1d6 hit locations on one or more human sized users. An application heals 1d6 points of damage. The jar, regardless of contents, has an ENC of 1.

Whale fat: A large carved stone jar containing a mass of foul smelling Koromodol whale fat. There is sufficient fat in the jar to coat 3d6 hit locations on one or more human sized users. An application conveys 3 points of armor protection and lasts one day. The jar, regardless of contents, has an ENC of 4.

Tin compass: A small tin dish with a hinged lid containing a tiny enchanted tin arrow. When a small amount of water is poured into the dish the arrow floats and always points to the east. Use of the device allows an additional roll if the party is attempting to leave an area.

HIT LOCATION TABLES

Humanoids (d20)

1-3	R. Leg
4-6	L. Leg
7-9	Abdomen
10-12	Chest
13-15	R. Arm
16-18	L. Arm
19-20	Head

Winged Humanoids (d20)

1-3	R. Leg
4-6	L. Leg
7-8	Abdomen
9-10	Chest
11-12	R. Wing
13-14	L. Wing
15-16	R. Arm
17-18	L. Arm
19-20	Head

Four Legged Creatures (d20)

1-3	R. Hind Leg
4-6	L. Hind Leg
7-8	Hindquarter
9-10	Forequarter
15-16	R. Front Leg
17-18	L. Front Leg
19-20	Head

Winged /Large Tailed
Four Legged Creatures (d20)

1-3	R. Hind Leg
4-6	L. Hind Leg
7-8	Hindquarter
9-10	Forequarter
11-12	R. Wing/Tail
13-14	L. Wing/Tail
15-16	R. Front Leg
17-18	L. Front Leg
19-20	Head

Cinquus/Demi-Birds (d20)

1-4	R. Leg
5-8	L. Leg
9-12	Hindquarter
13-16	Forequarter
17-20	Head/Neck

3-Headed Dragon (d20)
front

1-3	R Front Leg
4-6	L Front Leg
7-10	Forequarter
11-12	R Wing
13-14	L Wing
15-16	R Head
17-18	C Head
19-20	L Head

3-Headed Dragon (d20)
rear

1-6	R. Hind Leg
7-12	L. Hind Leg
13-17	Hindquarter
18-20	Tail

The Plastic Actualizer or Lens

2011-05-15T22:16:00.000-07:00

In Humanspace Empires it is noted that Scientist and Adventurer class characters that receive at least one Level 1 power are assumed to begin the game with a Plastic Actualizer or Lens, a technological device that is worn on the head, or sometimes surgically implanted within the Scientist’s skull. A lens focuses the user’s innate psychic ability and allows the manipulation of other planar energies with the power of the mind.

According to the Imperial Academy of Science, antecedents of the plastic actualizer were produced as early as the 150th century A.D. in association with a marked increase in the manifestation of psychic powers amongst interstellar travelers. Although it is believed that the prevalence of psychic powers amongst humankind has waxed and waned over the millennia, the modern lens is the culmination of thousands of years of research and development aimed at harnessing the power of the mind through technology.

The modern lens is found in a variety of forms; however the most typical are the skullcap and skullframe. The skullcap lens is a tight fitting duraplast-ytterbium alloy head covering with dorsal or lateral actualization nodes. The skullframe is similar; however it utilizes additional nodes to reduce the surface area of the shell. Basic lens models are generally available on advanced and super-scientific worlds and range in price between CR 800 and CR 1500.

As noted, many scientists eventually opt for integration of the lens into their skull as a cymek device. The surgical implantation of a lens is possible on super-scientific worlds at a minimum cost of CR 5000 for models with external nodes and CR 10000 for fully internal devices.

Rare and expensive Lens models may actually provide a bonus to the Scientist’s PSY score allowing use of powers greater than would normally be allowed. Additionally, some very powerful artifact lenses have been created.

Psion Accumulating Lens (PAL) Mk 1: Lenses of this type are available on super-scientific worlds at a minimum cost of CR 4000 for skullcap and skullframe models, CR 15000 for cymek models with external nodes and CR 30000 for implanted models. The Mk 1 provides a +1 bonus to the wearer’s PSY attribute.

Psion Accumulating Lens (PAL) Mk 2: The Mk 2 is available on super-scientific worlds at twice the cost of a Mk 1 model. It provides a +2 bonus to the wearer’s PSY attribute (to a maximum of 18).

Psion Accumulating Lens (PAL) Mk 3: The Mk 3 is available on super-scientific worlds at three times the cost of a Mk 1 model. It provides a +3 bonus to the wearer’s PSY attribute(to a maximum of 18).

Scanner Lens: Lenses of this type are available on super-scientific worlds at a minimum cost of CR 2500 for skullcap and skullframe models, CR 10000 for cymek models with external nodes and CR 20000 for implanted models. The Scanner Lens has the following inherent power (A Skill/Power success roll is required for the use of the power which is used at the level of the wearer):

Holographic Scanner (3 times per day)

Lens of Power: The Lens of Power is a very potent super-scientific item, with offensive and defensive abilities. The origin and number of these items is not known; however they are usually in the form of a steely skullframe set with rare crystals. A Lens of Power provides a +2 bonus to the wearer’s PSY attribute (to a maximum of 18) and has following powers:

Heat Ray (3 times per day)

Holographic Scanner (3 times per day)

Holographic Projection (3 times per day)

Electrical Discharge (2 times per day)

Electromagnetic Pulse (Once per day)

Mind Blank (2 times per day)

Nega-Sphere (Once per day)

These powers, inherent in the lens, may be used in addition to the wearer’s own powers. A Skill/Power success roll is required for the use of any power and the power is used at the level of the wearer.

Lens of the Cymek Lords: These rare devices are believed to have been created during the short lived Cymek Empire, many millennia ago. Although most examples are dull gray skullcaps, several implant models with complex and gothic external nodes set with blood red crystals are known. A Lens of the Cymek Lords confers the following powers on the wearer:

Control Device (3 times per day)

Control Machine (3 times per day)

Electrical Discharge (Once per day)

Electromagnetic Pulse (Once per day)

Machine Empathy (3 times per day)

Scanner Jam (twice per day)

These powers may be used in addition to the wearer’s own powers. A Skill/Power success roll is required for the use of any power and the power is used at the level of the wearer.

Alliance Foundation Lens: These devices are believed to be the product of a cryptic scientific order dedicated to the restoration of the Humanspace Alliance. The Foundation Lens provides a +3 bonus to the wearer’s PSY attribute (to a maximum of 18) and has following powers:

Disbelieve (twice per day)

Holographic Scanner (3 times per day)

Holographic Projection (3 times per day)

Mind Blank (twice per day)

Scanner Jam (twice per day)

Telepathy (as the Astronaut power, twice per day)

Mind Control (as the Astronaut power, once per day)

Vrilú Lens: This artifact is rumored to be a product of the ancient Vrilú of Aldeberan 4. Its form is a complex and spindly array of delicate glassy wire and tiny sparkling multi-colored crystals. It is not worn but floats about the head of the user. The Vrilú Lens provides a +3 bonus to the user’s PSY and INT attributes (to 18 maximum) and confers following powers:

Telepathy (as the Astronaut power, twice per day)

Nexus Point (Once per day)

Monster from the Id (Once per day)

These powers require a Skill/Power success roll to take effect; however the roll is made as if the user was 10th level or two levels above his or her actual level if the total is higher than 10th level. When the effects of the powers are dependent upon level, the level of the user is also determined in this manner.

EC! ORANGE ALERT! The City-State of Irregardless Opulence (Post # 100)

2011-05-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

I have certainly been remiss in not posting about this sooner but Arcadian over at the Encounter Critical! fanblog No Signal! has launched an EC! Play by Post game. It's called the City-State of Irregardless Opulence.

I signed up because setting up and running the Humanspace PbPs left me really wishing I was playing, he's running it on a blog like the Humanspace PbPs, maybe I'll learn how to run a PbP, and I've been a fan of EC! since I found a copy at Kaybee Toys on a field trip to the Air and Space Museum in the late 70s (% liar).

Today was technically the last day to join in and there are four players but if someone really wants to explore the Phasic Realm of Vanth PbP style you might be able to slip in...

My character, T'pong Atari, the Mutant Vulkin Warrior Doxy is below:

T'Pong Atari was born on Planet Vulkin and bonded, as a child, to the famous bearded Vulkin scientist and space commander Dr. Spork (pronounced Spooork). She attended the best scientific finishing schools, learned the strange lovemaking secrets of the Star Geishas and was trained to be the perfect submissive Vulkin trophy wife.

Travelling across the cosmos on his ship the Galaga Galaxina, Spork began suffering from poon furr, or Vulkin estrus, and returned to his home planet to mate with T'Pong.

T'Pong, however, preferred Stunn and six other guys and a few girls too. She executed her right to claim kal-if-fleur at the kal-if-forn-ik-eee ceremony (a Vulkin wedding). Spork had to fight to the death for her against his spaceship captain. Spork was victorious but she claimed dun-ke-kung and spurned Spork. In his grief and rage, he lost control of his emotions and kidnapped T’Pong to his Vulkin Fortress of Science where he tortured her with Giant Space Centipedes and threw her in a dungeon. She gained her freedom from the dank cell by seducing one of the robodroid guards and fled to Spork’s lab where she escaped the fortress in his experimental time teleporter.

Something went horribly wrong. She was cast through time and space 13 years into the future on the planet Vanth and when her molecules and cells reassembled she found that her eyes had turned to blue diamonds, cranial feelers had sprouted on her head and her hair had turned bone white!

T'Pong was taken in by a band of nomadic Amazons and learned their womanly warrior ways. When the time arrived, she set out into the realm of Vanth to seek fame and fortune and cool new weapons and she dreams of finding a means of returning to Vulkin so that she might serve Spork a cold dish of revenge.

Transfinite: Humanspace Design Notes

2011-05-04T21:24:00.000-07:00

Although the two Humanspace Empires PbP games, Ancient Astronauts and Spaceswords and Glory, are just barely underway, I’m finding them extremely useful as diagnostic tools for improving the game system ahead of the planned revision of the play test draft as the final Humanspace Empires Book 1: Science Fantasy Adventures. I’m also thrilled to have a great batch of players and am already harvesting lots of good setting and design ideas from them.

The recently published Spaceswords & Glory Technical Manual might be of broad interest as it contains numerous Imperial Navy NPC characters, various robots and androids, and semi-statted play test starship and vehicles.

Clearly the skills system needs some refinement, duplicated skills need to be consolidated or differentiated, many skills need to be defined, the explanation of skill acquisition in character generation needs to be much clearer; and most importantly the rules need to convey that the skill system exists primarily to stimulate the imagination of the players and the referee and should not be overemphasized in game play particularly if doing so proves limiting rather than expansive. Overall, though, I’m pretty happy with the skills system and don’t anticipate a major overhaul being needed for the final rules.

I’m not completely happy with the Psychic and Super-Scientific Powers; however I think the current version needs expansion and refinement rather than substantial revision. My problem with Powers is intertwined with an area of setting development that has been neglected and I hope to make some progress on this in the near future.

I’m talking about the role of religion in Humanspace. I have tried to follow known EPT canon as much as possible in designing the Humanspace setting and there are several canonical references that lead me to believe that religion was of great importance in the Humanspace era. We have the star worshipping techno-priesthood in the Hierarchy of the Nóm but it is past time to crack open the Book of Ebon Bindings and begin detailing the theosophy of Humanspace; weird Astronaut cults and ancient mystical religions, Space Yoga, the Pariah Gods, VuhVedic Sunuzlām.

Psychic powers are a focal point of the game and in the spirit of EPT I feel these powers should be mystical. I have envisioned the time period of the default Humanspace setting (about 60k years in the future and 50k years prior to the Cataclysm) as an era when use of early primitive interfogulators had weakened the walls of reality sufficiently that humans and other species were able to tap into interplanar power with mental energy. Inter-dimensional access goes both ways though, so n-dimensional demons are certainly slipping in. Over time, improved inter-planar devices resulted in the re-thickening of the walls of the universe (sometime well before the 100th millenia) and a more scientific less mystical Humanspace .

I’m thinking of ways to further differentiate the Scientist and Super-Scientific Powers from the Astronaut and Psychic Powers. Expanding or at least semi-defining Scientist skills and developing a system for the creation of Techno-artifacts by Scientists (similar to the creation of magic items by Magicians) might be interesting. I also want to expand the idea that Scientists are often associated with one of several Institutes or Foundations that might be something like Interstellar- quasi -Wizard Guilds.

Some recent rumination on minor and not so minor points of game design might affect the PbP players in the near future and I’d recommend that anyone actually running the game consider these rules changes:

The Disintegrator Rifle (sub-atomic) is pretty unbalanced as written and too cool, in my opinion, to keep out of the hands of players and NPCs. I will be requiring a to hit roll for anyone using the weapon in the PbP games.

The Experience Rules as written award 1 x.p. for 1 CR worth of treasure. Considering the ultra-post-modern economy of Humanspace, the costs of vehicles, starships, etc. and the relatively low amounts of x.p. needed to advance in low level play; I don’t see this rule working out. I’m considering various revisions like maybe 1 x.p. per 10 CR treasure, or only awarding x.p. for credits squandered on Aldeberan brandy, Orion slave girls, and space age lounge music. I’ll consider any suggestions on this one…

Posting here has been somewhat light during the germination of the PbP games but lots of awesome Humanspace data has been appearing at Netherwerks, the Expanse, Swords & Stitchery, and Planet Algol. The far far future's ancient past is so bright I gotta wear a visor...

Monster Planet

2011-05-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Although the Garden Worlds of the Pé Chói are amongst the most peaceful and safe destinations in known space, there is at least one exception to this rule, Hss-hsskkl, Monster Planet.

Monster Planet is a large world orbiting the red dwarf star Nn-Tchk-kka (DX Cancri). Interstellar historians believe that the planet is the result of early failed efforts in Pé Chói world shaping during a period pre-dating mankind’s emergence as an interstellar society. Millenia ago, the delicate weather control and gravitonic machinery malfunctioned. Monster Planet became nearly uninhabitable; its gravity increased to over 2 g; its axial tilt shifted resulting in severe and permanent storm systems, frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions wracked the lands and seas, and extremely high levels of mutagenic radiation became trapped at the surface.

By the time of the Second Terran Star Empire, the Pé Chói had long since abandoned the world, visiting it only with occasional scientific missions. The human gene shapers of the period; however, took great interest in the planet, and in partnership with the Pé Chói seeded it with alien monsters and terrible new life from the Martian gene vats so that they might study the effects of the harsh mutagenic world on these creatures.

Thanks to the many thousands of years of mutations, the brutal ecosystem, and the tinkering of the human Clone Masters, everything on Monster Planet is predatory and capable of killing an unwary Pé Chói or human instantly. Large exo- animals that are strong enough to destroy vehicles and spacecraft are common. All small animals have xenotoxic venom, that is often resistant to standard antt-venoms, and nearly all plants, fungi, and slimes are carnivorous.

In the 621^st century, the world has again been largely abandoned to its monstrous population; although several well guarded Pé Chói and Imperial scientific installations are maintained. Periodically, archaeological expeditions return from the world with amazing artifacts from the ancient and lost Pé Chói colonies. It is also reported that tribes of degenerate primitive Pé Chói and nature cults comprised of primitivist refugees from interstellar society may be found on the world.

The Nyaggá

2011-04-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

The Nyaggá are a sapient alien species of marine mammals native to the Alhena (Gamma Geminorum) system. Although the species maintains a super-scientific culture and a pocket star empire of a dozen or more systems in the Hyades, rimward of the Humanspace-Regulan Neutral Zone, their extreme xenophobia has left them shrouded in mystery. Even the boundaries of Nyaggá claimed space are somewhat uncertain and several human colonies in the region have been attacked and destroyed by the terrible cymek tripods of the Nyaggá. Reprisals by Humanspace naval forces have always resulted in massive casualties on both sides.

Diplomatic efforts have achieved little and the species refuses to engage in interstellar commerce; however it is believed that massive monoliths and alien sculptures found on some Hyadean worlds were left by the Nyaggá and they periodically revisit these sites to conduct some alien semblance of trade.

Few humans have seen these creatures; however the best descriptions of the Nyaggá have been reported by rare human and near human refugees from several Nyaggá client worlds. The body of the Nyaggá is a long, tapering cylinder nearly 10 feet in length, covered by smooth grey-white skin and ending in an eel-like tail. The head is spherical and bulbous, soft and convoluted like a human brain. It includes a central black-lipped mouth surrounded by a ring of six huge black eyes. Six long retractable tentacles covered with tiny suckers and cilia, which serve for hands, emerge from a ring of muscle at the juncture of the body and the head; fully extended, the alien measures over 15 feet in length. The Nyaggá are said to be excellent swimmers; however, on land they are awkward and, unless aided by mechanical devices, must drag themselves with their tentacles and by coiling their bodies. Their reproductive processes are unknown.

It has also been reported that the Nyaggá interact little with their client worlds, except to occasionally take captives and they are typically regarded as semi-divine by the mostly primitive inhabitants of these planets.

Nyaggá Cymek Tripod

No. Enc.: 2-5 (6-24)
Alignment: Neutral (Inimical)
Move: 150'(50’)
Armor Class: 0
Hit Dice: 10
Attacks: 5 (4 tentacles+Gamma ray) and special
Damage: 1d8 (tentacles)/ 3d8 (ray)
Morale: 10

These giant metal killing machines stand 20 foot tall on three spindly but incredibly strong legs. The tripod attacks with four whip-like metallic tentacles and a gamma ray projector mounted on its bulbous head. It is uncertain if the head of the tripod is a vehicular compartment for its Nyaggá pilot or if the alien is cybernetically integrated into the machine. If the tripod is severely damaged the internal Nyaggá may extend 1-4 tentacles armed with small gamma ray guns from the hatch at the top of the tripod. Such attacks are made at -4 to hit and inflict 2d6 damage. The tripods always explode as a firebomb doing 8d8 damage in a 20’ radius when destroyed.

Tau Ceti

2011-04-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Tau Ceti or Al Nánamat is a very ancient Human system in the Terran core only 12 light years from Earth. Tau Ceti 3 was one of the first worlds terraformed after Mars and was a center of Cymek machine culture during and after the fall of the Second Empire. Unfortunately, about 5000 years ago a massive meteor storm overwhelmed the planet's defenses resulting in the deaths of many millions and the collapse of the artificial ecosystem. It's been airless since, abandoned to the billions of wild robots that were left behind.

Wavium crystal mining is still a major concern in the the debris disk surrounding the star and thousands of asteroid mining settlements remain there including Syntrál, the seat of the wealthy Ket of the system's governor and Sughu City, the most decadent city in the Old Core.

Xeno-Sepoys

2011-04-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

Imperial Xeno-Sepoy (Hyadean)

No. Enc.: 10-60
Alignment: Allied
Move: 120'(40’)
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 2
Attacks: 1
Damage: 1d10 (1d8)
Morale: 10

Hyadean Xeno-Sepoys are frequently encountered in the service of the Imperial legions in colonial systems rimward of Terra including Aldeberan, Ain, and Canopus. These aliens, known as the Ghüngadyal, appear to be distantly related to the Nininyal and were originally encountered, always in a degenerate primitive state, by early Humanspace colonists on multiple Hyadean worlds. It is not known how the Ghüngadyal were so widely disseminated; however archaeological evidence indicates a possibility that they once maintained an advanced star-faring culture.

Physically, these aliens are bipedal and stand between 4 and 5 feet tall. They posses a tail tipped with a bony spike, two arms, claw-like hands with three fingers and an opposable thumb and thickly padded three toed feet. Their faces are sharp featured and dominated by a pronounced beak and a bony crest over their foreheads. They are hairless and covered by extremely thick skin that ranges in color from yellow to reddish-brown to black.

Several physiological and cultural traits of this species have resulted in their near universal employment as colonial troopers by the Imperial military. They are extremely hardy creatures adapted to live in a spectrum of harsh environments; they require little food, little air, and can tolerate levels of cold, heat, and radiation that would kill an unprotected human. Hyadean Xeno-Sepoys receive a +3 modifier on all saving throws and are able to use Control of Self three times per day. They have two sexes, male and female, that are nearly indistinguishable. The females bear live young that are capable of walking at birth and grow to maturity in a matter of months; their lifespan is; however, very short and they live an average of only 15 years. Culturally, they are natural followers and despite somewhat limited intelligence, they carry out orders with great efficiency and with an esprit-de-corps that cannot be matched.

Hyadean Xeno-Sepoys are typically armed with an enhanced vibro-glaive developed by Imperial scientists from a primitive cultural weapon. In the hands of a Xeno-Sepoy the weapon is wickedly effective and Xeno-Sepoys are particularly adept at using it to penetrate Space armor and belt shields; they receive a +1 to hit bonus against opponents with these armor types in melee. The vibrations from the weapon may also be projected as a short range (60') burst of ultra-sound doing 1d8 damage.

Players of Games

2011-04-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

The Humanspace Empires PBP Campaign blogs are live.

Ancient Astronauts

Spaceswords & Glory

Both campaigns are full and character generation is underway.

HUMANSPACE EMPIRES PBP & RESOURCES

2011-04-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

I'm ready to begin moving forward with the Official Humanspace Empires play by post play test and development campaigns. Yes, campaigns, I've decided to split the volunteers into two groups based on their stated preference for theme. I think the smaller groups will allow for greater individual involvement and minimize the lag that a large group might be unable to avoid.

I would like to have characters generated by the weekend if possible.

The looters game has been named the Ancient Astronauts Campaign. Assuming all of the players that expressed interest in the game are still on board, there are no additional spots available.

The players are:

Arkhein
NetherWerks
Kobold
Risus Monkey
migellito

Players in the the Ancient Astronauts Campaign may generate characters following the rules in the playtest draft. Any class or species should be fine. Abilities should be rolled 3d6 in order as stated in the rules. If you have a character concept that requires certain minimums keep rolling up stats until you get it and send me a copy of all the failed rolls for statistical analysis. If you really want to play an android or robot or mutant or something really odd email me at thedrune at gmaildotcom and I will try to work it out. Characters should be first level with randomly generated starting credits from which you may purchase equipment.

The Imperials game has been named:

Spaceswords & Glory

The players are:

School Master
Il Male™
Porky

At this time there are two additional spots open for this game if anyone else wants to play, comment below.

Character generation will be a little more complicated for this game as players will be the crew of a small Humanspace Naval vessel (think alternate universe Evil Star Trek bearded Spock). Once all the players are assembled we can discuss ranks, position, character level, etc. Email me with any questions.

Remember, I warned you that I've never run a pbp game but I'm thinking about running these campaigns on blogs. Let me know if you hate this idea but I think it has several advantages. I like the customization of blogs vs. message boards and I don't foresee needing any integrated features like dice rollers (we will be on the honor system) abd email may be used for secrecy when necessary.

So, let me know what you think and the Naval Forces of the Third Terran Empire are looking for a couple of good lifeforms if you missed the first chance at signing up.

Also, please note the new Humanspace Resorces page at ix. It is attempting to index all the new Humanspace material thats been bubbling up lately and will be regularly updated.

Micro-Dungeons of Ignorance

2011-04-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

Anyone wondering whatever happened to the DOOMQUEST hex-less crawl through Gloantha's Kingdom of Ignorance and the associated Skype play-test?

Un-fantastic real world work and other projects have cut into my design time a bit but the real hold up has been a sort of endless expansion to the crawl that, I believe, will ultimately result in a very useful and fun book.

The final version of the Treasure of the Amethyst Dragon will now feature over 60 classic Gloranthan monsters and original foes and creatures statted for DOOMQUEST and indexed in about 20 random encounter tables, dozens of special and unique encounters and NPCs that will drive the plot buried beneath the random tables, at least three micro-dungeons, a system for random treasure generation for DOOMQUEST using Social stat as Loot Factor, a random table of DOOMQUEST magic items including dozens of Gloranthan goodies and new weird artifacts, additional rules for Battle Magic, Spirit Magic, Dragon Magic, and Divine Magic in DOOMQUEST, and rules for Divine Intervention.

It may be another week or two to pull this all together, especially if it continues to expand. I haven't heard back from Hearts in Glorantha about publishing this beast so I'm not sure where that stands. Also, I applied for an Official License to e-publish Gloranthan material a few weeks ago and haven't heard back about that yet either.

I've enjoyed working on the project though and I think I may do a similar East Isles sea-crawl for DOOMQUEST next.

If none of this makes sense and you're curious, read these earlier posts.

Saturday Night Specials: Gigapedes

2011-04-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

Gigapede

Small

No. Enc.: 1d6
Alignment: Neutral (Inimical)
Move: 120'(40’)
Armor Class: 9
Hit Dice: 2
Attacks: 1
Damage: 1d4 (plus special)
Morale: 6

Large

No. Enc.: 1d4
Alignment: Neutral (Inimical)
Move: 120'(40’)
Armor Class: 6
Hit Dice: 4
Attacks: 1
Damage: 1d8 (plus special)
Morale: 9

The gidapede is the larval form of one of the several silicon based giant space or asteroid worms. They are often found on asteroids, planetoids or within space hulks. These creatures vary in size, ranging from about 8 feet to 20 feet in length, and have millions of tiny electromagnetically charged legs that that allow them to move very quickly across almost any surface. Gigapedes, like most silicon based life, need no air and can tolerate extreme cold. They feed on pure energy and are often attracted to spaceships and other vehicles and devices that emit high energy signals. Although they are not carnivorous, gigapedes are extremely aggressive and attack by lashing out with their sharp mandibles. In addition to any damage caused by the bite, the gigapede delivers a strong electrical discharge with the bite that causes an additional 1d8 damage and can short circuit unshielded equipment and devices. A successful save vs. energy blast results in damage being halved.

Saturday Night Specials: Space Spiders

2011-04-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Space Spiders

No. Enc.: 1-6
Alignment: Neutral (Inimical)
Move: 120'(40’)
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 5
Attacks: 1
Damage: 1d8
Morale: 7

Space spiders are inter-dimensional silicon-based spider-like life forms that sometimes infest starships in deep space. They are rabidly carnivorous web builders and ensnarement in the web of one of these creatures is treated as the effects of a Tangler gun. Space spiders are also sufficiently intelligent that they will phase into another dimension if seriously injured or after failing a morale check and will subsequently attempt to attack with surprise.

The bite of a space spider is poisonous and additionally the means by which space spiders propagate themselves. A victim that fails a saving throw vs. poison will become nauseated and essentially incapacitated for 1d4 hours. After the initial phase of the toxin passes, the victim will gradually become spider-like, growing bristly hairs on their body and sprouting additional sightless eyes and a large egg sac will form on their back. The victim suffers 2d6 hit points of damage per hour during this transformation unless treated with super-scientific anti-toxins. Upon the death of the victim the eggs will hatch and 5d4 newborn space spiders ( treat as 1 hit die versions of the creature) will devour the corpse.

Hierarchy of the Nóm

2011-04-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Hierarchy of the Nóm, is a theocratic super-scientific interstellar empire in the Coreward Beyond lying between Humanspace and the Great Shén Star Empire. Its capital is the planet Yóko that orbits Manayódsushai (known in Humanspace as Ras Algethi, or 64 Herculis), a massive red giant star. Outsiders are very limited in mobility within and access to the secretive and closed society of the Nóm.

The Nóm are a variant or mutant human race; physically quite distinct from the people of Humanspace. They tend to be very thin but relatively short, somewhat macrocephalic with sharp, triangular faces and epicanthic folds and have almost jet-black skin. Many tattoo their faces and bodies with intricate designs.

Scholars of interstellar history and linguistics debate the origins of the Nóm. It is thought most likely that they are descended from a lost Terran colony established millennia before the First Terran Empire was formed; as their language, Ónu, has little similarity to Sunúz.

Amongst the Nóm, science, government and theology are intertwined. Although little is known of their mysterious religion, it is believed that they worship stellar energy and specifically the star Manayódsushai, claiming that it is sentient and they have developed techniques that allow communication with it. All aspects of life within the Hierarchy, including civil, military and religious affairs, are completely dominated by the Techno-priests of the Star God and the Priest-Emperor, the Invisibly Radiant Hierarch.

The Techno-priesthood appears to be divided into at least four sects or orders. The Sect of Speakers communicates with Manayódsushai and conveys its messages to the remainder of society. According to the Speakers, adherence to the Infinite Nuclear Plan is necessary to avoid a cataclysmic future event. The plan specifies everything from individual morality and mode of dress to the need to rearrange the order of the cosmos, primarily through the destruction, creation, and relocation of stars. These latter tasks are the domains of the other sects, the Destroyers, the Creators, and the Transporters who use precisely calculated thermostellar explosions, Illudium space modulators, and massive contra-gravitic wave generators to carry out the will of Manayódsushai.

In recent centuries, the Sect of Transporters have attempted to relocate several stars within the boundaries of the Shén Empire resulting in periodic interstellar warfare between the Hierarchy and the Shén.

Play by Post Humanspace?

2011-04-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

I've been considering starting a play by post or pbem Humanspace Empires game. I think it would be good for some additional play-testing, setting and rules development and could be fun. Warning though, I have little experience with such games other than playing in a few over the last 10 years or so.

It would need to be pretty laid back/glacial at least for the now. I think I could manage 2-3 exchanges/turns per week.

I know of at least one potential player. Anyone else interested and if so which face of Humanspace to explore? Interstellar scoundrels/ tomb robbers/treasure hunters? Empire Navy or Scouts? Sword and Planet plus Shén on Mars? Space Legionaires on Tekumel? Orions (Áylita needs Men)? Other ideas?

Other space news...

The Treasure of the Amethyst Dragon/DOOMQUEST Micro-Campaign is taking a bit longer than expected but should be finished soon and I'm still interested in an eventual Skype play test event.

The creator of DOOMQUEST dropped by ix and he has a new blog.

At Netherwerks, the Young Space Lord's Guide to Building Solar Systems, more than a great beginning for the future pulp planetary system generator planned for Humanspace Empires: Book 3. Green Suns Included!

At the Expanse, there is an original Humanspace monster, the Necobra, inspired by a notorious Warhammer mini.

...and Cordwainer Smith's Instrumentality of Mankind discussed at Old School Heretic.

LATE EDITION UPDATE

Another new Humanspace monster, the Giant Kryptonian Tentacled Snake and more space madness at Swords & Stitchery.

Notes on the Ansible

2011-04-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

The ansible is a device capable of near instantaneous, superluminal communication across vast distances. The earliest such device used in Humanspace was invented by the Pé Chói in the 495th century AD. Since this time, ansibles have come into wide use throughout known space.

Ansible communication is in the form of contra-gravitic inter-dimensional waves. Data is always transmitted between no more than two units and one must be located in a fixed position on a body of a sufficiently great mass, such as a large moon or planet. The second ansible may be located in any situation, such as aboard a starship.

A ship travelling at a rate greater than 0.1 x the speed of light or in inter-planar space cannot transmit or receive due to space-time distortion.

Massive energy output is required to transmit messages with an ansible and a relatively large surface area containing specialized sensor cells is required for reception. An ansible is not portable.

Due to inter-planar mass interference, ansible range is limited to approximately 20 light years; however relay stations are present on most super-scientific worlds.

Although ansible communication is relatively dependable, it is subject to many forms of interference and distortion. One of the strangest forms of distortion is anti-causal contra-temporal displacement. Rarely, messages from the future are received in the past , answers are received prior to the transmission of a question, etc.

It has been reported that the Regulans are developing inter-planar death-waves based on ansible technology that might be capable of killing over vast interstellar distances.

A few ad hoc ansible rules

Asibles of various qualities are rated as Mk 1, Mk 2, etc. Superior models are designated by higher Mk numbers. The Mk number is used as a positive modifier on the skill success table when an operator attempts to transmit with an ansible. If the transmission fails the operator of the receiving unit is allowed a roll on the skill success table, modified by his or her appropriate skill and the Mk number of the receiving ansible. Success indicates that the message was saved.

Random Ansible Failure Results (d20)

1-8 Message garbled, about 50% of transmission received. No signal for d20 minutes.

9-10 Message garbled, about 50% of transmission received. No signal for d100 minutes.

11-12 Message unintelligible, about 10% of transmission received. No signal for d100 minutes.

13-14 Message unintelligible, about 10% of transmission received. No signal for 2d12 hours.

15-18 Data lost. No signal for 2d12 hours.

19 Data lost. No signal for 1d6 x 2d12 hours.

20 Original message lost, Contra-Temporal Message Received. No signal for 1d6 x 2d12 hours.

It Came From Space: The Shikkáyi

2011-04-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

Shikkáyi
Planet of origin:unknown

No. Enc.: 1-4

Alignment: Inimical

Move: 180' (60')

Fly: 240’ (80’)

Armor Class: 0

Hit Dice: 10

Attacks: 2 or 3 (see below)

Damage: 2-12

Morale: 12

The Shikkáyi are an inimical and parasitic alien race. They appear as a large bloated gray gas bag containing a shockingly human-like eye with numerous thin and fibrous tentacles stemming from the sac. They were first encountered on Mars by ancient Terran explorers. Similar creatures, including unintelligent, degenerate or un-evolved sub-species have been found on scattered worlds throughout known space and it is believed that the creature ranged across this region of the galaxy in the very distant past.

The Shikkáyi appear to possess a form of high intellect that is very different from that of most known sapients. They do not seem to possess their own technology but will adapt and utilize the science of other races in a form of technological parasitism. It was on Ancient Mars that they first adopted partial, modified human bodies for use as mounts or hosts by infiltrating genetic laboratories, enslaving the human technicians and growing these modi-bodies in the gene vats. A Shikkáyi can separate from its modi-body at will; however doing so will cause extreme trauma to the host and leave it a breathing piece of brainless meat.

They also frequently added cymek improvements to the modi-bodies such as integrated ray weaponry and the replacement of feet with contra-gravitic field generators.

The Shikkáyi are poorly understood but it is clear that they are allies to none and enemies to all. They seek to make modi-body slaves of every species they encounter. It has been reported that in at least one instance, the Shikkayi have attempted to convert an ahoggya into a modi-body mounting four of the Shikkayi linked into a powerful, quadruple gestalt. It produced a dreadful abomination capable of unleashing a massive anti-psychic field that blasted minds, crashed robot brains, purged computers, and disabled all mentaliks within range. It is feared that these horrid things might one day learn how to focus this anti-psychic effect into some sort of directed weapon.

As might be expected, there is great variability in these, fortunately, rare alien monsters. A typical specimen is shown. It attacks three times per round, once with its own tentacles, once with an alien melee weapon that delivers a powerful electrical discharge and once with its scourge-weapon, a devolved and stunted Káyi modified to serve as a living weapon. The tentacles of the Shikkáyi and Káyi deliver 2-12 damage on hit. Additionally, there is a 75% chance that the tentacles will attach to the victim doing 2-12 hit points damage and draining one experience level per round until removed.

Áylgibrá – the Orion Mutuality

2011-04-10T13:24:00.000-07:00

Áylgibrá, the Orion Mutuality, is a lesser interstellar polity in the Rimward Beyond inhabited by green skinned mutant humans. Its capital is the planet Ázor that orbits Bellatrix (Gamma Orionis), a large, bright blue-white star.

The Áylgibráns are a very ancient lost Terran colony and speak an archaic dialect of Sunúz. They maintain a Super-Scientific civilization that rivals and, in certain fields, even exceeds the technology of Humanspace. Its citizens enjoy far greater freedoms and civil rights than denizens of the Empire as the Áylgibrán government is comprised of localized semi-anarchic democratic councils known as Jámülaylgibrá. There is essentially no interstellar government in the Mutuality. Its military; however, is largely robotic, very advanced, and often tested by Hlutrgú raiders.

As in Humanspace, citizenship is not extended to the entirety of society. Only male Áylgibráns are considered citizens. As a result of an ancient war between the sexes, female Áylgibráns found on Ázor and the other major worlds within the Mutuality are enslaved.

A secondary mutation that differentiates Áylgibráns from the human norm is that the males are subject to the kwizát hárá, a mating bloodlust that arises once every seven earth-years. Stunning physiological changes accompany the bloodlust; body mass and size may double, strength increases by an even greater factor, bony spikes appear over the Áylgibrán's body, intelligence diminishes and the ability to resist the impulse to kill over a desired mate is nearly impossible to suppress.

The male Áylgibráns have embraced logic, super-science and psychic control to preserve their society. Men able to withstand the bloodlust wear a titanium skull cap and explode veins on the sides of their head as symbols of their power over self.

Females have been exiled to Ámaza, the jungle moon of Ázor, where they live as primitives. Male Áylgibráns journey to the moon to hunt and capture mates that are brought back to their home-worlds and enslaved with drugs and psychic mind control. Although, the males could continue their species through cloning, the taking of a mate is necessitated by the kwizát hárá and it has proven impossible to extend the life of any enslaved female Áylgibrán beyond seven years.

Female Áylgibráns are legendary across known space for their beauty and allure. Their mutant pheromones make them nearly irresistible to human males.

Ázor is a sunny water-world where Átlatl, Ázor City and other magnificent Áylgibrán metropolises tower on a few rocky islands or float in the sky.

Ámaza, the jungle moon of Ázor, is home to the wild, exiled Áylgibrán women and prehistoric alien monsters.

Numirál is a small and mountainous desert world rich in rare metals and crystals.

Pytzcún is an icy world known for its great centers of industry, science, and learning.

Áylita, at the edge of the Mutuality and hostile to it, is the only civilized world where female Áylgibráns rule and males are not found. The continued independence of this world may be attributed to the bravery of its warriors, the super-scientific prowess of Mystá, its ancient queen, and the lack of resolution within the Mutuality.

Pork and Plutons

2011-04-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

Ix might be in space but it's not in a vacuum.

Signals from Planet Algol have reached us regarding far-future space fantasy adventures in the Pluton Zone, inspired by Jack Vance and Dune and powered by Humanspace Empires.

Relevant transmissions may be intercepted here and here and don't miss the Random Table of Hyperspace Monster Encounters and the awesome post on Space Yoga.

Also, a fantastic bipartite review of the Humanspace Empires draft play test rules may be found at the Expanse.

The first part is here and the second here.

I hope to be completing The Treasure of the Amethyst Dragon, my DOOMQUEST Micro-Campaign set in Glorantha's Kingdom of Ignorance, this weekend. I will post the pdf as a free download as soon as its wrapped up. To the several brave people that have been coerced into a Skype play test event, there will be more details coincident with the release.

Living and Dying in Humanspace Part II: The Government and Militaries

2011-04-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

Unhurried despite the flashing alert signal and loud klaxon, Captain Gayán Visá slipped into his black skin-suit displaying the ancient human face sigil of the Váduva Tysulár, the Third Terran or Humanspace Empire. Shánü, his Orion slave and concubine, somehow managed to remain asleep, wrapped in a lush blanket of pearly mnór fur.

The view screen on the bridge of the Imperial Star Hú Jimur, afforded Visá a spectacular view of the Opiuchi 69 trinary, a cataclysmic blood red fireball in the middle distance, a deep blue star, almost violet, before it and a blazing golden orb above and beyond. A Ssú sleeper ship skirted the smoldering corona of the Opiuchi stars.

The Humanspace ship shimmered, iridescent for a moment, the fabric of space rippled and the Jimur faded to a point of white light and then nothingness only to reappear silent minutes later directly above the enemy vessel. Z-rays flicked across the Ssú transport, opening thick black wounds in its steely skin. The crippled alien ship, consumed in blue fire and crackling electricity, turned, veering toward the near purple sun.

In his mind's eye, Visá perceived the equally dire transpirations within the dying Ssú ship, a cold blasted inferno, alien death, radiation, smoke and gases fuming from cracked life support pods, a four-legged monster with skin like rolls of mottled black parchment, burning, its void dark eyes filled with hate, staring back into the Captain's mind...

The government of Humanspace may best be described as totalitarian and semi-feudal. A vast Imperial bureaucracy operates under the Mül Council of Narnyel (Lords or Archons) from the 16 great Ketyel, or Houses, the many lesser Houses, and ultimately the Galactic Emperor. Each planetary system is ruled by a Lord or planetary governor, and the great Council of Space Lords meets irregularly, at the behest of the Emperor, or as demanded by other circumstances.

The affairs of the worlds are conducted, within the strictures of the Imperial Compact, under the authority of their lords or governors. On most settled worlds, the Ket, the House of the ruling Nar, controls all trade and industry and maintains a system defense force, police, and planetary militia. On colonial worlds, many worlds at the fringes of Empire, and worlds plagued by unrest or external threats, Imperial military forces will be present in strength.

The core of the Imperial forces are the 64 Sultyat Clone Legions, men and women grown in gene vats from a cache of genetic material that had been preserved since the time of the Atomic Armageddon that decimated the Earth in the 21st century. These clone troops, engineered for enhanced intelligence and physical traits and trained from birth to be ruthless killers, are perhaps the most effective fighting force in the galaxy. The histories of these black space-armored legions are ancient and storied; the Sultyat predate the current empire by 20 millennia or more. Traditionally, the Emperor is protected by the Elite Sultyat Imperial Guard Legion.

The Empire also maintains at least 600 legions of human regulars, various Alien Legions, and numerous cadres of Xeno-Sepoys on colonial out-worlds. The legions are typically segregated by species; however some near-Humans, Pé Chói, and infrequently, Nininyal troops may be included in the Human legions.

The Imperial Navy and the paramilitary Imperial Extreme Survey are more integrated and it is not unusual to find members of several alien species in a starship’s crew. Naval forces include the red clad astronauts of the Near Space fleet and the black suits of several Deep Space fleets.

Feared throughout the Empire are the Veregyá, Imperial secret police agents, answerable only to the Autocrator. Little is known of this sinister force but rumors of terror, torture, android assassins, gene shaped super spies, and mind-snatching mentaliks may be heard on every world.

DOOM & DISMEMBERMENT

2011-04-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

I continue to be pretty excited about DOOMQUEST, the two page Runequest hack by Scott LeMein that was included in the most recent issue of Fight On! I was a bit nonplussed by the complete lack of interest in play-testing the micro-campaign crawl that I’ve been putting together. I attribute this to one of several possible factors.

Possibility 1: Your moms said that you aren't allowed to play with me. (I consider this somewhat unlikely because your mom probably doesn’t know about all the terrible things I've done.)

Possibility 2: Nobody actually reads blogs or, at least, no one really reads this one. (I consider this a viable possibility.)

Possibility 2.5: ix readers only read the Humanspace posts and/or look at pictures of green alien slave girls and Mongoese women (ditto and supported by hard data)

Possibility 3: “Runequest sucks. I play D&D.” (I hope this isn't it…)

Possibility 4: “DOOM-what? Huh?” (Likely)

Possibility 5: "Skype sucks." (Can't be discounted)

My fragile ego precludes considering several other possibilities.

In case the answer is behind Door #4:

DOOMQUEST looks awesome for old school hack and slash beer and bong play especially if you have any liking for old school RQ or Glorantha. Briefly (the rules are only two pages so a review probably shouldn’t be more than a few paragraphs), characters have three stats Sword, Sorcery, and Social. Make up your piecemeal armor and don't forget a helmet because there's hit location, Armor is heavy though and heavily encumbered folks are slow and don't sneak, jump or swim very well, Make up a weapon, size is tied to damage and encumbrance.

Roll under Sword with d20 to hit in combat. Attacks may be parried but sometimes swords are broken. There are critical and fumbles for parry and attack. You hit? Roll hit location and damage, subtract armor rating for that helmet, and apply remaining damage, you chopped off his head.

DOOMQUEST is all about decapitation and dismemberment, hacked off arms and legs, heads go flying, necks snap, blood splashes everywhere…

Magic system? Roll under Sorcery. Adapt spells from other games. I think this section needs a little house ruling but I like the basic idea a lot. I adapted spells from Runequest II-IV, Simon Phipp’s Dragon Magic rules, and Call of Cthulhu for the pre-gen characters. Fortunately I found spells for re-growing limbs or grafting somebody (thing?) else’s body parts …

Finally, includes rules for morale, experience, saving throws, searching, hirelings, experience and improvement, all in two pages.

ix: evolving into a new lifeform

2011-04-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

Great news space fans and slans. Netherwerks has joined the Humanspace Empires development team. Things are probably going to get a bit weirder around here. Has ix been assimilated into the Borg-like Nether-Regions of the ever expanding Netherwerks collective or has it just decided to embrace its inner Old School Hereticism?

I think this means exciting times are ahead for Humanspace. In the near far future, look for robot and android characters, stats and more details for the Demi-Shén of Mars, devolved man-eating Pé Choi, Mihálli teleporting on and off their vast generation ships, more space monsters and inimical alien races, cool original illustrations, rogue clone troopers. mutant Hlutrgú, secrets of the subterranean and eyeless Vrilú, super scientific traps, space treasure, mind-absorbing crystals, deadly radiation, secret psychic Astronaut cults, flying saucers, more star maps, and maybe a half dozen or more sandbox worlds.

Current projections are for the release of Humanspace Empires Book 1: Science Fantasy Adventures (final revision of the current play-test draft rules) within the next two months or so, followed by Book 2: Space Monsters and Book 3: Campaigns in Space and on Alien Planets (rules for spaceships, planetary adventures and more than a few sandbox worlds) by the end of the year.

Treasure of the Amethyst Dragon

2011-04-03T00:46:00.000-07:00

Yo Gloranthaphiles...the Kingdom of Ignorance: Treasure of the Amethyst Dragon DOOMQUEST crawl may be included in the forthcoming issue of the Gloranthan fanzine Hearts in Glorantha. So, while taking breaks from what I was supposed to be doing today, working overtime writing detailed commentary on digging up long dead people and their trash, I continued work on KOI.

It occurred to me that I would love to run this at as a one shot or tournament game and I made up a few pregen characters for the crawl.

The story begins with the Repairer of Roads, an ancient Dragonewt noble charged with the maintenance of the mystical dragon roads, plucking four Gloranthan adventurers and one early 20th century Scottish magician from the jaws of certain death and sending them, with his apprentice Rep Rep, off to the Kingdom Ignorance on a quest for the Treasure of the Amethyst Dragon.

I' m hoping to arrange a live playtest before sending this off to HiG but I don't think I have much time and finding six insane people willing to try this is probably impossible. Anyone interested in a Skype game in the near future?

All images wantonly looted from here and here and here and here and there, and there even. I claim fair use. Clearly this is parody.

Rep-Rep: the Representative of the Repairer

Dragonewt Tailed Priest

Sword: 13 Sorcery: 13 Social: 12 Bonuses: +2 Sorcery, +3 Sneak, Spells: Dragon Armor, Dragon Strength, Dream Vision, Fire Breath, Forced March, Heal, Lose Limb, Regrow Limb, Scorn Wound, Shed Skin, Sprout Wings, Soul Blast, Tattoo Matrix, Telepathy, Walk Dragon Road

HP / Armor per location: Head: 5/2 Left Arm: 4/2 Right Arm: 4/2 Chest: 6/7 Abdomen: 5/7 Left Leg: 5/2 Right Leg: 5/2 Scales, +2 Dragonbone breastplate, +2 Dragonbone klanth (d8+2, AP 8 HP 16), Encumbrance: 19 Move: 53’ XP: 2000

Winged Form

HP / Armor per location: Head: 5/2 Left Arm: 4/2 Right Arm: 4/2 Left Wing: 4/2 Right Wing: 4/2 Chest: 6/7 Abdomen: 6/7 Left Leg: 5/2 Right Leg: 5/2

Professor Edison Leer: the Owl

Scottish Magician and Adventurer

Sword: 16 Sorcery: 4 Social: 3 Bonuses: +6 Sorcery, +4 Social +2 Parry Spells: Bring Haboob, Compel Flesh, Create Curse Whistle, Detect Enchantment, Dream Vision, Graft Flesh, Mind Exchange, Soul Singing, Spectral Razor, Summon/Bind Hunting Horror

HP / Armor per location: Head: 6/1 Left Arm: 5/1 Right Arm: 5/1 Chest: 8/1 Abdomen: 6/1 Left Leg: 6/1 Right Leg: 6/1 Thick skin, Sword cane (d8, AP 6 HP 12), Webley Self-Extracting Revolver Mk VI (d10 +1), Owl Bone Whistle, Encumbrance: 28 Move: 56’ XP: 10000

Jade Alynx: the Pussycat

Vithelan Sorceress

Sword: 10 Sorcery: 10 Social: 9 Bonuses: +3 Sword, +4 Sorcery, +5 Social, +3 Parry Spells: Attune Landscape, Deflect Harm, Dragon Armour, Dream Vision, Fire Breath, Great Swallow, Heal, Mesmerize, Regrow Limb, Shed Skin, Soul Blast, Spit Venom, Sustain Life, Tattoo Matrix

HP / Armor per location: Head: 4/0 Left Arm: 3/0 Right Arm: 3/0 Chest: 5/0 Abdomen: 4/0 Left Leg: 4/0 Right Leg: 4/0 +2 Sword “Green Dream Dragon Claw” (d8+2, AP 8 HP 32), Encumbrance: 18 Move: 58’ XP: 12000

Wu Kung

Kralorelan Monk

Sword: 15 Sorcery: 5 Social: 4 Bonuses: +3 Sword, +5 Sorcery, +3 Social, +5 Acrobatics, +5 Sneak Spells: First Strike, Forced March, Grasshopper Armor, Heal, Heroic Leap, Scorn Wound, Suspend Life, Sustain Life

HP / Armor per location: Head: 5/0 Left Arm: 4/0 Right Arm: 4/0 Chest: 6/0 Abdomen: 5/0 Left Leg: 5/0 Right Leg: 5/0 Grasshopper Style x2 (d8), Encumbrance: 30 Move: 60’ XP: 11000

Red Tonja

Redlands Lunar Warrior

Sword: 13 Sorcery: 7 Social: 6 Bonuses: +2 Sword, +2 Sorcery, +8 Social, Spells: Scimitar Sharp, Detect Enemies, Fireblade, Heal, Protection

HP / Armor per location: Head: 5/0 Left Arm: 4/0 Right Arm: 4/0 Chest: 6/5 Abdomen: 5/5 Left Leg: 5/0 Right Leg: 5/0 Chainmail bikini, silver scimitar (d8, AP 6 HP 12), iron shield (d3+3, AP 6 HP 18), Lunar bow (d8), Encumbrance: 15 Move: 51’ XP: 12000

Murloc the Man-Bat

Bat Hsunchen Shaman

Sword: 10 Sorcery: 10 Social: 9 Bonuses: +3 Sword, +3 Sorcery Spells: Banish spirit, Dark Wall, Paralyze, Summon Spirit, Torpor , Transform into Man-Bat

HP/Armor per location: Head: 4/2 Left Arm: 3/2 Right Arm: 3/2 Chest: 5/4 Abdomen: 4/4 Left Leg: 4/2 Right Leg: 4/2 Bat fur cap and cloak, cuirboilli, Fetch stick and ground stone bat ax (d8, AP 6 HP 12), sling (d4), Encumbrance: 9 Move: 49’ XP: 6000

Man-Bat Form

Sword: 19 Sorcery: 1 Social: 1 Bonuses/Spells:none

HP / Armor per location: Head: 7/4 Left Arm: 6/4 Right Arm: 6/4 Left Wing: 6/4 Right Wing: 6/4 Chest: 8/4 Abdomen: 7/4 Left Leg: 7/4 Right Leg: 7/4 Thick skin, Bite (d8), Claws x2 (d8), Encumbrance: 38 Move: 80’

The Many Faces of IX

2011-04-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

IX, Petty God of Sun Bleached Bones

Vampire Planet IX

The Fantastic City of IX

Wandering Monster in the Megadungeon of IX

It is very dark in IX. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

IX is great. The penis is evil.

Space Conquistadors of IX

First Man on IX

Toxicodendron septia ixia

Ixia vulvata dentata

Ix, Planet of the Prehistoric Green Slave Girls

Saturday Night Specials: The Trárkku

2011-04-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

Trárkku

No. Enc.: 1d20 (10d20)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 120’ (40’)
Armor Class: 8 (4 vs. primitive weapons)
Hit Dice: 4
Attacks: 1
Damage: by weapon
Morale: 7

Trárkku are brutal human mutants native to the fallen colony world Ain 4 in the Hyades. These large fierce monsters average almost seven feet tall and their muscular bodies are covered with pale blue fur. Their form is animalistic, tusks grow from the lower jaws of both males and females, their hindquarters and legs are goat like, and their feet are large, padded and clawed. They typically wear heavy iron masks over their tusks, carry iron shields and wear primitive iron armor.

Trárkku are very aggressive and they are rarely without their huge war axes. Their society is primitive, tribal and fanatically religious. Their religion might be described as a cargo cult; they worship alien and Humanspace technological artifacts and will trade or go to war to acquire such items. Space axes are particularly desired by these creatures. These religious obsessions have resulted in strained relations with the other inhabitants of Ain 4.

One of every five Trárkku encountered will be a holy warrior armed with an advanced or super-scientific weapon, usually a Space axe or sword. One of every ten will carry an advanced or super-scientific energy or projectile weapon. These holy warriors will have 1d4 additional hit dice.

The Trárkku were created thanks to the post Unnamed Monster: You Do The Stats at Netherwerks. The original image was officially declared Public Domain/OGL/Open Gaming Content/Copyleft--whatever. Same goes for the text and image above.

Additional details on the Trárkku and Ain 4 may be found here.

SHEN BLOG

2011-04-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

Nevermind the Silver Suits or the black ships coming over the pole. The secret but ferocious-looking yet mildly friendly SHEN BLOG is alive. It's the latest affront to public sanity spawned from within that nexus point of weirdness administered by those provocateurs of the Old Surrealist Revolution that are heretofore irresponsible for Zalchis, Old School Heretic, Riskail, Netherweks, ad infinitum. Just don't tell that guy over at Hill Cantons. He has no sense of humor.

The SHEN at SHEN BLOG seem to be engaged in various anti-humanistic activities, MONKEYSPACE EMPIRES, for example:

Stupid monkeys completely misled by Shen Telepaths from Bureau of Business Accomodation and Annexations. Also most monkeys like to think that Shen no have psychic powers because most egg groups encountered on backwater worlds are warrior-shen, not thinkerer-shen. No let them out much-often. They make messes. Kind of messes that make Empress send out much-many hoo-biggy-huge starfortresses and largerer ships to smack things around until it all okay for Shen again.

I never did trust those reptilians...

Humanspace Empires GaryCon Playtest Report

2011-03-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

School Master here, back from GaryCon! I must say that this is the sort of convention I like: small, intimate, and with an emphasis on actually gaming than on what's for sale in the vendor’s section.

Now, about that HSE game…

For a short time, I thought the game was going to be a complete wash. Since the “Open Gaming” area was far from the main gaming rooms, I didn’t think anyone was going to notice me. I made up some fliers and I got the attention off a couple or teenage boys, but I wasn’t sure that I was going to get enough people interested. Fortunately, my friend Victor Raymond was at the con and was aware of my plight, so he was able to send a few more players my way. Out of all the playtesters, only two had previous knowledge of the setting. We had a party of 5 that created the following list of characters: A Pé Chói Astronaut, a Human Adventurer, a pair of Human Warriors, and a Tinalíya Scientist.

I had created a three-level asteroid/dungeon and created a bestiary of creatures inspired on basic Labyrinth Lord monsters (I think I’ll post them up latter), but “tweaked” to reflect a pulpy sci-fi setting. I didn’t expect to get too deep into the scenario, but we had some fun role-playing opportunities where I hinted on Pariah God cult activities. Due to some lousy wandering monster rolls, we were only able to get in one combat session before a combination of a charity auction and players having to leave for other games forced me to cut it short.

While playing the game the following things came to light :

One player pointed out that limiting certain races to certain class levels (e.g. having Tinalíya warriors maxing at Level 8) would necessitate multi-classing. I’m not sure that would really be an issue since there are caps the classes in OD&D, but I thought I’d bring it up.
What’s the difference between Medic and Physician skills?
One complaint that was voiced by many were the rules for non-human PCs. They didn’t like that you had to have certain stat requirements before you could play a Pé Chói or a Shén, especially since the 3D6 rolls for this group tended to be rather mediocre. Stat requirements make sense for classes, but not for races. I actually recommend a traditional method for creating character races with Ability modifiers (i.e. +5 Strength, -2 Intelligence for alien X for example) along with the “perks” and “flaws” that come with that species.
Speaking of developing races, other than being an interesting role-playing option, there is no benefit to playing a Tinalíya. You might as well be playing a weak Con human.
I wasn’t sure if we were allowed to buy multiple instances of Class skills like background skills. If so, then I think there ought to be some clarification somewhere.
Personal thought: One of the things that I thought made little sense from original EPT was that when your character receives additional class skills upon leveling up, that you had to choose the “lowest” skills had to be bought first? I can see limiting their basic skills to a certain number at the beginning, but I fail to see any justification for making a Warrior learn “primitive weapons (Sword)” or “Primitive Weapons (Axe)” when they already know how to use a Space Sword and/or space Axe.

That’s all that I can dredge up for now. In the meantime, I’m going to clean up my scenario a bit and unleash it on my semi-weekly AD&D group and possibly Victor Raymond's Madison Traditional Gaming group quite soon.

Kingdom of Ignorance: A Hex-Less Crawl for DOOMQUEST (Part IV)

2011-03-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

Continued from Part I, Part II, and Part III

Rather than wrapping up this crawl through Ignorance with Part IV, as I had originally intended, and due in large part to the overwhelmingly positive response received, and in no small part to the high time I've had with these posts and in equal parts to the fact that I've only scratched the surface of the voluminous notes that I had previously compiled and to the realization that I've still quite a bit to say about Ignorance, including the addition of a meta-plot for the campaign (a search for the Treasure of the Amethyst Dragon); I've decided to compile what has come before and what is yet to be written within a booklet that will be made available on this site as a free digital download rather than blogging on and on and on about…Ignorance.

I will try to have this booklet finished in the very near future but considering the unlikely contingency that some of you were hoping to do some DOOMQUESTING in Ignorance sooner rather than later, I've included, below, DQ stat blocks for several of the various fiends that might be encountered; though only those of vaguely human-like form that don't use magic. I've still a few things to work out…

Baboons
Sword: 10 Sorcery: 5 Social: 4 Bonuses/Spells: +2 to Move silently, Athletics, Tracking
HP / Armor per location: Head: 4/1 Left Arm: 3/1 Right Arm: 3/1 Chest: 5/1 Abdomen: 4/1 Left Leg: 3/1 Right Leg: 3/1 Bite (d8), Encumbrance: 20 Move: 60’ XP: 75

Cave trolls
Sword: 25 Sorcery: 5 Social: 4 Bonuses/Spells: none
HP / Armor per location: Head: 9/3 Left Arm: 8/3 Right Arm: 8/3 Chest: 10/3 Abdomen: 9/3 Left Leg: 9/3 Right Leg: 9/3 Tough hide, Huge club (2d8, AP 6 HP 12), Encumbrance: 50 Move: 56’ XP: 270

Children of the Maize
Sword: 10 Sorcery: 5 Social: 4 Bonuses/Spells: +2 to Move silently, Athletics, Tracking
HP / Armor per location: Head: 4/0 Left Arm: 3/0 Right Arm: 3/0 Chest: 5/0 Abdomen: 4/0 Left Leg: 3/0 Right Leg: 3/0 Bite (d8), Encumbrance: 20 Move: 60’ XP: 75

Ignorant bandits
Sword: 10 Sorcery: 8 Social: 7 Bonuses/Spells: +2 to Move silently, Tracking
HP / Armor per location: Head: 4/2 Left Arm: 3/0 Right Arm: 3/0 Chest: 5/2 Abdomen: 4/2 Left Leg: 3/0 Right Leg: 3/0 Leather cap and jerkin, sword (d8, AP 6 HP 12), short bow (d8) Encumbrance: 13 Move: 53’ XP: 100

Ignorant city folk
Sword: 7 Sorcery: 8 Social: 6 Bonuses/Spells: none
HP / Armor per location: Head: 3/0 Left Arm: 2/0 Right Arm: 2/0 Chest: 4/0 Abdomen: 4/0 Left Leg: 3/0 Right Leg: 3/0 knife (d4, AP 4 HP 8), Encumbrance: 14 Move: 60’ XP: 80

Ignorant savages
Sword: 10 Sorcery: 5 Social: 4 Bonuses/Spells: +2 to Move silently, Tracking
HP / Armor per location: Head: 4/0 Left Arm: 3/0 Right Arm: 3/0 Chest: 5/2 Abdomen: 4/2 Left Leg: 3/0 Right Leg: 3/0 Furs and skins, War Club or spear (d8, AP 4 HP 8) sling or blowgun (d4), Encumbrance: 17 Move: 57’ XP: 100

Ignorant thieves
Sword: 9 Sorcery: 6 Social: 5 Bonuses/Spells: +2 to Move silently, Picking pockets
HP / Armor per location: Head: 3/2 Left Arm: 2/0 Right Arm: 2/0 Chest: 4/2 Abdomen: 3/2 Left Leg: 2/0 Right Leg: 2/0 Leather cap and jerkin, long knife (d6, AP 4 HP 2), sling or blowgun (d4) Encumbrance: 15 Move: 57’ XP: 90

Ignorant villagers /farmers
Sword: 9 Sorcery: 6 Social: 5 Bonuses/Spells: none
HP / Armor per location: Head: 3/0 Left Arm: 2/0 Right Arm: 2/0 Chest: 4/0 Abdomen: 4/0 Left Leg: 3/0 Right Leg: 3/0 Club, pitchfork or spear (d8, AP 4 HP 2), Encumbrance: 14 Move: 58’ XP: 80

When awful darkness and silence reign

Over the great Gromboolian plain,

Through the long, long wintry nights; --

When the angry breakers roar

As they beat on the rocky shore; --

When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights

Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore: --

Then, through the vast and gloomy dark,

There moves what seems a fiery spark,

A lonely spark with silvery rays

Piercing the coal-black night, --

A Meteor strange and bright: --

Hither and thither the vision strays,

A single lurid light.

Slowly it wander, -- pauses, -- creeps, --

Anon it sparkles, -- flashes and leaps;

And ever as onward it gleaming goes

A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

And those who watch at that midnight hour

From Hall or Terrace, or lofty Tower,

Cry, as the wild light passes along, --

"The Dong! -- the Dong!

"The wandering Dong through the forest goes!

"The Dong! the Dong!

"The Dong with a luminous Nose!"

-from Edward Lear’s “the Dong with a Luminous Nose”

Kingdom of Ignorance: A Hex-Less Crawl for DOOMQUEST (Part III)

2011-03-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

Gazetteer of Ignorance
Continued from Part I and Part II.

The Shan Shan Mountains are a range of magnificent, nearly impassable peaks, lying between the Wastes to the west and Kralorela and Chern Durel in the east. The Kingdom of Splendor maintains impregnable iron forts in the mountain passes to guard against incursions by Pentan raiders and chaos fiends. The higher peaks remain snow covered year round and icy winds blow through the mountain valleys.

Encounters in the Shan Shan (d20)
1-2 1d4 cliff toads
3-4 1d4 snow leopards
4-5 1d4 yaks
6 2d6 mounted Pentan raiders
7 2d6 Kralorelan soldiers on patrol
8 -9 1d4 cave trolls
10-11 2d6 feral broos
12-13 1d6 hsunchen (roll d6: 1-day bat or night bat, 2-spurred deer, 3-cloud leopard, 4-eagle, 5-wild pig, 6-combed sheep)
14 1d4 nupiter piffkin
15 1d6 wind children
16 1d4 spectres
17 1d4 Huan To
18-20 Roll on the Special Encounters in the Shan Shan Table

Special Encounters in the Shan Shan (d20)
1-2 1d8 spectres
3-4 1d3 yeti
5-6 1d4 nandis
7-8 1d6 cave trolls
9 1d6 hopping vampires
10 Huan To village
11 Caravan of Lunar traders
12 3d6 Black Sun cultists and 1d4 Priests or Priestesses at Hidden Shrine
13 Lofty tower of a mad mystic
14 Pentan raider camp with 6d6 Pentan warriors
15 1d6 Wind children warrior monks
16 1d8 dragonewts
17 Iron fort with 6d20 Kralorelan soldiers, 3d6 rocketeers and 1d4 Mandarins
18 1 dream dragon
19 the Dong with a Luminous Nose
20 the ghost of Sunstorm’s third eye

Shchyphth is the holy city and provincial capital of Chern Durel. Despite its size and relatively great population many of the city’s streets are deserted. The streets of Shchyphth are actually thronged with specters, many of which are invisible. Most buildings are cut from massive blocks of stone, have few doors or windows and are covered by vines and trees growing from the rooftops. The greatest architectural works in the city are the inverted open step pyramids excavated deep into the ground. These include the Temple of the Black Sun, the Temple of the Earth Eater, the water-filled Temple of the Secret Waters, the Temple of the Shadow Cancer, and the Temple of the Star Permutator. The latter pyramid houses a massive underground observatory at its base where intricate astrological machinery is lubricated with blood. Bizarre rituals, sacrifices and bloodydeath games are held within the other pyramids and often spill over into the city streets. City politics are complex, though crude and brutal. Alliances and feuds amongst the cults are common and ever changing and each maintains well armed contingents of temple guards. The Kralorelan troops tend to remain within the Zone of Bliss, a heavily fortified complex that houses the palace of the Exarch Can Shu, usually found within the southwestern quadrant of the city.

Numerous dirty and overpriced brothels, inns, shops and markets may be found in the city. Availability of goods is uneven; however owls, carts, rice, cranberry tarts, hives of silvery bees, pigs, green Jack-daws, monkeys and bottles of Ring-Bo-Ree are usually available. Ignorant sages, apothecaries, physicks and other such specialists may be found here.

Encounters in Shchyphth City (d20)
1 The streets are more deserted than usual
2-3 1d8 spectres
4-5 2d6 Ignorant city folk
6-7 1d8 Ignorant thieves
8 Ignorant merchant caravan
9-10 2d6 trollkin
111d6 stingworms
12 1d6 giant ticks
13 1d6 giant rats
14 1d6 trolls
15 -16 1d8 cultists (Roll d6 1-2 Black Sun, 3-Earth Eater, 4-Secret Waters, 5-Shadow Cancer, 6-Star Permutator)
17 2d6 cultists (see above) and 1d2 Priest or Priestess
18 3d6 Kralorelan soldiers (25% accompanied by a Mandarin)
19 -20 Roll on the Special Encounters in Shchyphth Table

Special Encounters in Shchyphth City (d20)
1-3 3d6 spectres
4 1d4 nupiter pipkins
5 1d4 Kralorelan mystics
6 2d6 Dark trolls
7 1d2 Black Sun false healers
81d6 black lotus pushers
9 1-2 city spirits
101d8 dragonewts
11 Lunar trading caravan
12 1d4 Wind Children warrior monks
13-14 2d6 Temple guards (Roll d6 1-2 Black Sun, 3-Earth Eater, 4-Secret Waters, 5-Shadow Cancer, 6-Star Permutator) and 1d2 Priest or Priestess
15 -16 3d6 cultists (Roll d6 1-2 Black Sun, 3-Earth Eater, 4-Secret Waters, 5-Shadow Cancer, 6-Star Permutator) desperate for human sacrifices
17 5d6 cultists (see above) and 1d4 Priest or Priestess conducting a rite
18 5d6 Kralorelan soldiers (50% accompanied by a Mandarin) collecting taxes
19 1 dream dragon
20 Can Shu with 10d6 Kralorelan soldiers and 3d4 Mandarins

The Torrible Zone may be less a place than a state of being. It may appear as any other area but a great sense of fear and doom is felt by those passing through.

Roll again on the Random Ignorance Locations Table, if a 17 is rolled, ignore and roll again. The Torrible Zone will resemble the area indicated, Roll encounters on the Special Encounters Table for that area or twice on the Encounters Table for that area if no Special Table is available.

Underednu is another filthy town somewhat larger than Qyp. Its buildings are of small clay bricks and its streets are narrow and dusty. An inverted Black Sun pyramid is located in the town. Underednu also possesses a village metal smith, an Ignorant sage, several brothels, and an evil-looking tavern.

Encounters in Underednu (d20)
1-2 The streets are more deserted than usual
3-5 2d6 Ignorant villagers armed with clubs, pitchforks and spears
6 1d4 Ignorant thieves
7 Ignorant merchant caravan
8-9 2d6 trollkin
10-11 1d6 stingworms
12 1d6 giant ticks
13 1d4 giant river rats
14 1d4 trolls
15 1d6 Black Sun cultists
16 2d6 Black Sun cultists and 1d2 Priest or Priestess
17 1d8 Black Sun temple guards
18 1d6 Kralorelan soldiers
19 1d4 nupiter piffkin
20 1d4 spectres

The Western Sea is a large shallow and salty body of water often found in the regions of the Jankley Bore.

Encounters on the Western Sea (d20)
1-3 Roll on the Encounters in the Jankley Bore Table
4-6 1d6 Ignorant farmers basking on the beach
7-8 2d6 stingworms
9-10 2d4 giant river rats
11-12 1d6 cinquus
13 1d6 deer hsunchen
14 1d6 day bat or night bat hsunchen
15 1d2 snagarl
16 1d4 Secret Waters cultists
17 1d6 Secret Waters cultists and Priest or Priestess
18 2d6 Kralorelan soldiers on a black lotus barge
19 Can Shu’s Golden Pleasure Barge
20 Roll on the Special Encounters in Jankley Bore Table

The Zemery Fidd is usually associated with the eastern coastal regions of Chern Durel. The eastern sea laps at the smooth gray rocky beaches and oblong oysters are present in great quantities.

Encounters in the Zemery Fidd (d20)
1-2 1d6 Ignorant farmers basking on the beach
3 1d4 spectres
4-6 2d6 stingworms
7-8 2d4 giant river rats
9-10 1d4 snagarl
11-12 2d6 hunting Koromodol trolls
13 1d4 Secret Waters cultists
14 1d6 Secret Waters cultists and Priest or Priestess
15 1d4 killer whales
16 1d4 leopard seals
17 1 sea monster
18 2d6 Kralorelan soldiers on a black lotus barge
19 1d4 ships (Roll 1d6, 1-3 Karalorelan, 4 East Isles, 5-Teshnan, 6-Vadeli)
20 Roll twice on this table

(to be concluded)

Kingdom of Ignorance: A Hex-Less Crawl for DOOMQUEST (Part II)

2011-03-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

Gazetteer of Ignorance
Continued from Part I.

Kuwai Tan Kang (Kuwai River) is a great stream with its source in the Shan Shan Mountains. It ultimately flows to the southeast in Kralorela.

Roll for encounters on the Encounters on the River Table.

Mount Oggodoggo is a great snow covered peak often found in the Shan Shan Mountains or the Jankley Bore. It is known that a golden temple of Wind Children warrior monks stands at its summit where the five winds meet.

Encounters on Mount Oggodoggo (d20)
1-3 1d4 cliff toads
4-5 1d4 yaks
6 2d6 Ignorant savages
71d8 Ignorant bandits
8 -9 1d4 cave trolls
10-11 1d8 feral broos
12-13 1d6 hsunchen (roll d6: 1-day bat or night bat, 2-spurred deer, 3-cloud leopard, 4-eagle, 5-wild pig, 6-combed sheep)
14 1d4 nupiter piffkin
15 1d6 wind children
16 1d4 snow leopards
17 1d4 Huan To
18-20 Roll on the Special Encounters on Mount Oggodoggo Table

Special Encounters on Mount Oggodoggo (d20)
1-3 1d6 spectres
4-5 1d12 spectres in a Hall of Bones
6-7 1d4 nandis
8-9 1d6 hopping vampires
10 1-2 Earth spirits
11 Petroglyph on a rocky spire "YBB loves LJJ"
12 3d6 Earth Eater cultists and 1d4 Priests or Priestesses at Hidden Shrine
13 Lofty tower of a mad mystic
14 1d8 Orlanthi pilgrims
15 1d6 Wind children warrior monks
16 2d20 Wind children warrior monks at monastery
17 1d8 dragonewts
18 1 dream dragon
19 the Dong with a Luminous Nose
20 the ghost of Sunstorm’s third eye

Tan Kang (Jam River) is another great stream with its source in the Shan Shan Mountains. It ultimately flows to the southeast in Kralorela.

Roll for encounters on the Encounters on the River Table.

Qyp is an insalubrious town of muddy streets and crude mud encrusted stone houses. Few people are seen in the streets and those present tend to scuttle through the mud like rats. Qyp possesses a village metalsmith and two establishments where travelers might stay: a brothel, and an evil-looking tavern.

Encounters in Qyp (d20)
1-3 The streets are more deserted than usual
4-6 2d6 Ignorant villagers armed with clubs, pitchforks and spears
7 1d4 Ignorant thieves
8 Ignorant merchant caravan
9-10 2d6 trollkin
11-12 1d6 stingworms
13 1d6 giant ticks
14 1d4 giant river rats
15 1d4 trolls
16 1d4 Black Sun cultists
17 1d6 Black Sun cultists and Priest or Priestess
18 1d6 Kralorelan soldiers (25% accompanied by a Mandarin)
19 1d4 nupiter piffkin
20 1d4 spectres

River Dargul is a lesser stream and mushrooms grow tall on its banks.

Roll for encounters on the Encounters on the River Table.

(to be continued)

Kingdom of Ignorance: A Hex-Less Crawl for DOOMQUEST (Part I)

2011-03-26T22:52:00.000-07:00

I picked up a copy of the most recent issue of Fight On! today primarily because it is the Runequest theme issue and I really wanted to take a look at Scott LeMein's DOOMQUEST RQ hack. Although DQ is probably a bit too rules light for my tastes it is still a pretty great idea and might work very well with a few modifications. Mike D. at Sword +1 is already looking into hacking the hack.

Anyway, DOOMQUEST inspired me to start organizing lots of old notes from an RQ II campaign I was working on years ago set in Chern Durel or the Kingdom of Ignorance, a little known corner of Glorantha located north of Kralorela.

What follows is a part the first of a hex-less crawl for DOOMQUEST or compatible games. I will post the remainder of the campaign as soon as I pull it together and maybe some explanatory details if anyone is interested. In the spirit of DOOMQUEST, if any portions of these rules are insufficient, steal from another game or make it up yourself.

CHERN DUREL

Chern Durel, the Kingdom of Ignorance, a bitter wasted land of rolling hills and twisted woods, ruins of inhuman civilizations dot the land ignored until a cult of twisted magic meets there and peoples it with adulating crowds, mobs of sacrifices, and flocks of lost and hungry dead.

Once a powerful troll empire which rivalled Kralorela, [ Chern Durel ] is now a land of dark, blood-soaked ruins ruled by malignant humans and their even more malignant gods. Some trolls remain, warriors or hunters, who serve human masters and their dark designs.

from People of Glorantha - Trolls

The culture of the native peoples of Chern Durel is somewhat analogous to ancient cultures of Meso-America such as the Toltecs, Maya or Aztecs. Human sacrifice is practiced widely and maize is the staple crop. The Ignorants are; however, a very backward people; hateful, lazy, inhumane, amoral, cruel and filthy. The land has been ruled as a province of Kralorela, the Kingdom of Splendour, for many years; however life amidst the desolate terrain and demonic madness of the land has taken a toll on both the natives and the occupiers.

The geography of Chern Durel is uncertain and changeable. The relative locations of cities, towns and natural features vary from time to time. Each day roll 1d6, on a roll of 1-3, the party continues in the area. On a roll of 4-6 a randomly determined area or physical feature is encountered. Attempts to intentionally leave an area, excepting Grombul, the Jankley Bore, Shan Shan Mountains, Shchyphth City or the Zemery Fidd allow an additional roll unless the party is foolish enough to consult a map.

Random Ignorance Locations (d20)
1 Booloobil
2 Great Grombulian River
3-6 Grombul
7-9 the Jankley Bore
10 Jam Tan Kang (Jam River)
11 Kuwai Tan Kang (Kuwai River)
12 Mount Oggodoggo
13 Qyp
14 the River Dargul
15 Shan Shan Mountains
16 Shchyphth City
17 the Torrible Zone
18 Underednu
19 the Western Sea
20 the Zemery Fidd

Roll d4 daily for number of certain encounters in village or city. Roll d6 each day for encounters in wilderness areas. An encounter will occur on a roll of 4-5 in such areas, 1d2+1 encounters occur on a roll of 6. The referee may determine the timing of all encounters relevant to MGF.

Gazetteer of Ignorance

Booloobil is a small and filthy village of crude pine and bong-wood huts on the floodplain of the Great Grombulian River. The village is at the center of a great maze of maize. The Ignorant locals are always interested in sacrificing strangers in order to drain their blood for watering the crops. Beware the feral children of the maize.

Encounters in Booloobil (d20)
1-6 2d6 Ignorant villagers armed with clubs, pitchforks and spears
7-8 2d6 Children of the Maize
9-10 2d6 trollkin
11-12 1d6 stingworms
13 1d6 giant ticks
14 1d4 giant river rats
15 1d4 trolls
16 1d4 Black Sun cultists
17 1d6 Black Sun cultists and Priest or Priestess
18 1d6 Kralorelan soldiers (25% accompanied by a Mandarin)
19 1d4 nupiter piffkin
20 1d4 spectres

The Great Grombulian River meanders through Grombul. Its waters are murky, muddy and sometimes bloody after the maize planting time.

Encounters on the River (d20)
1-3 Roll on the Encounters in Grombul Table
4-6 1d6 Ignorant farmers lazing on the river banks
7-8 2d6 stingworms
9 2d4 giant river rats
10 1d2 duocanths
11 1d2 river spirits
12 1d6 cinquus
13 1d3 dinosaurs
14 1d6 deer hsunchen
15 1d2 snagarl
16 1d4 Secret Waters cultists
17 1d6 Secret Waters cultists and Priest or Priestess
18 2d6 Kralorelan soldiers on a black lotus barge (75% accompanied by 1d2 Mandarins)
19 Can Shu’s Golden Pleasure Barge
20 Roll on the Special Encounters in Grombul Table

Grombul or the Grombulian Plain is the inland flats of the Kingdom of Ignorance. Much of the territory is desolate and covered in twisted pine barrens or groves of twangum and bong-trees. Grombul is icy cold in Dark Season but thick crops of pumpkins grow on stout vines in Earth Season and the plain flowers beautifully in Fire Season.

Encounters in Grombul (d20)
1-2 1d6 giant ticks
3-4 1d6 stingworms
5 1d6 cinquus
6 2d12 Ignorant savages
7 1d8 Ignorant bandits
8 1d6 Ignorant farmers
9 2d12 mounted Pentan raiders
10 2d6 baboons
11 1d4 trolls and 2d6 trollkin
12 1d4 nupiter piffkin
13 2d6 feral broos
14 1d6 Jumblies
15 2d6 Kralorelan soldiers on patrol (25% accompanied by a Mandarin)
16-20 Roll on the Special Encounters in Grombul Table

Special Encounters in Grombul (d20)
1-3 1d4 spectres
4-5 1d12 spectres in a Hall of Bones
6-7 1d4 jack-o-bears
8 1d4 nandis
9 1d4 dinosaurs
10 1d6 Black Sun cultists
11-12 3d6 Black Sun cultists and 1d4 Priests or Priestesses at Hidden Shrine
13-14 Lofty tower of a mad mystic
15 4d6 Kralorelan soldiers and 1d4 Mandarins guarding a black lotus field
16 the King of the Cranes and Princess Dell
17 Jiboo Sarn
18 the Yonghy-Bongy-Bò
19 Can Shu with 10d20 Kralorelan soldiers and 1d6 Mandarins at a black lotus dust processing camp
20 the Dong with a Luminous Nose

The Jankley Bore are a range of mostly barren rocky iron rich hills and towering brown mountains with lumps of greyish trees huddled in gloomy valleys. It is sometimes found at the western edge of Grombul and east of the Shan Shan. It is the legendary home of several defunct gods; the ghost of Sunstorm’s third eye and the Dong with the Luminous Nose may be found wandering these accursed and lonely lands.

Encounters in the Jankley Bore (d20)
1-2 1d6 giant ticks
3-4 1d6 stingworms
5 2d6 baboons
6 2d12 Ignorant savages
7 1d8 Ignorant bandits
8 2d12 mounted Pentan raiders
9 1d4 trolls and 2d6 trollkin
10 2d6 feral broos
11 1d6 hsunchen (roll d6: 1-day bat or night bat, 2-spurred deer, 3-cloud leopard, 4-eagle, 5-wild pig, 6-combed sheep)
12 1d4 nupiter piffkin
13 1d6 wind children
14 1d4 spectres
15 2d6 Kralorelan soldiers on patrol (25% accompanied by a Mandarin)
16 1d6 Huan To
17 1d4 dinosaurs
18-20 Roll on the Special Encounters in the Jankley Bore Table

Special Encounters in the Jankley Bore (d20)
1-3 1d6 spectres
4-5 1d12 spectres in a Hall of Bones
6-7 1d4 nandis
8-9 1d6 hopping vampires
10-11 1d6 Earth Eater cultists
12 3d6 Earth Eater cultists and 1d4 Priests or Priestesses at Hidden Shrine
13 Lofty tower of a mad mystic
14 1d4 Lunar spies
15 Mostali mining camp
16 Huan To village
17 the Yonghy-Bongy-Bò
18 the Dong with a Luminous Nose
19 Chaos nest
20 the ghost of Sunstorm’s third eye

(to be continued)

Secret of the Ssú

2011-03-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

The above image, a detail from the Richard Hescox illustrated cover for M.A.R. Barker’s 1985 novel Flamesong, features, aside from the curious green Ssú, a nice depiction of an ancient tube car.

You know how some folks really like a certain alien race or monster from Tékumel, like the Shén or Pé Choi; I have to admit that I am absolutely crazy about the Ssú and I have some plans for them in Humanspace that go beyond being just some lasgun wielding interplanetary primitives pushed around by the armies of the Veritable Autocrator.

But what's up with the green Ssú ? According to an old Blue Room comment by Professor Barker:

It is indeed reported by explorers of the southwestern seas beyond Livyánu that there are enclaves of greenish-grey and reddish-brown Ssú there. The same is said to be true of islands in the seas to the east of the farthest coasts of Salarvyyá (territory occupied by the jet-black humans called the Nom). These different kinds of Ssú are just as hostile and just as tough as the grey Ssú of Ssúyal. There were obviously various "races" of Ssú in ancient times, just as there are of us Terrans. The biggest and toughest are the Black Ssú, who dwell on an island off the western coast of the Tane region far beyond the Plain of Towers.

Humanspace: Mars

2011-03-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

Red and troubled, the Martian landscape, its deserts, craters and ancient cities, filled the starship’s view screen. Aboard was Tlixlála Túrjan, daughter of sub-Nar Thulzá Túrjan, Warlord of Jakár. The transport glided on the thin atmosphere, bound for her ancestral home.

A blinding flash, the golden ship was ripped apart by the diambrite charge that had been secreted in its engine room. The burning tail section spiraled and splintered on the rocky desert floor as the sun sank behind the mountains and a dismal indigo twilight fell beneath the two moons. Tlixlála Túrjan emerged alone from the wreckage engulfed within the black globe of a Nega-Sphere. Her hand fell to her swollen abdomen and she prayed that her eggs were intact.

A squadron of heavily armed Shén clones mounted on Gakúz, great striped Martian lizards, appeared amidst the smoke and debris. One of the tall black scaled warriors leapt to the ground directly in front of the Martian woman. He lashed his tail and pounded his chest with a heavy fist.

“Mistress, we have come to take you home.”

As Terra is a glittering jewel amongst the many worlds of Humanspace, Mars is a burned out ember. Millennia past, during the dynasties of the Clonemasters, Mars rivaled Earth in wealth and power and stood as the stronghold of Ket Túrjan, greatest of the Gene Shaper houses. Nowhere in known space were the mad biological experimentations of the era as prevalent as on Mars. Even now, many bizarre and mutated creatures, products of the Martian gene vats, roam the desert sands of the red planet. It is also believed that the Nlyss and the genetically engineered Imperial Sultyat Clone Legions may trace their origins to Mars.

The long decline of the red planet began with the fall of the Second Empire. Although the noble house of Túrjan was spared dissolution, the fate of many Shaper houses, their power was forever broken. Ket Túrjan became a house divided. It split into warring factions and its members established themselves as feuding warlords of crumbling super-scientific city states.

Once a verdant paradise, the first world remade by earthmen, Mars was reclaimed by desert as the great subterranean terraforming machinery went unmaintained. The air grew thin and tainted, the nights colder, the days hot and dusty and most Martians with the means to do so abandoned the planet.

Some wonder how the magnificent Humanspace Empire tolerates this failed world that sparkles red in the night skies of its capital. Perhaps, the Lords of Humanspace fear the rise of a unified Shaper house and see the chaos of Mars as an answer to this dilemma or one might consider the many death arena games so popular on Mars and throughout the Empire. The strife and wars of Mars may be great entertainment.

In recent centuries, the elites of Mars have become obsessed with the alien Shén and the ancient gene vats have been used to breed great numbers of cloned Shén warriors. Many serve in the armies of the various warlords and many more have escaped into the desert zones. Members of the human nobility have adopted aspects of Shén culture, some have even transformed themselves into Shén and all fashionable wealthy Martian ladies are mutated egg layers.

Image above is the Einstein Intersection copyright Peter Elson. More of Elson's work may be seen at his official site.

Cold Text Files

2011-03-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Part 8 of Cold Text File C1, a series of amazing posts essentially deconstructing and analyzing "The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan," one of my favorite AD&D modules has just been posted at Lord of the Green Dragons. I discovered this only recently and if you're not experienced, I recommend getting a cup of coffee and reading these now.

Sub-Space Interference or the Humanspace Skype Playtest

2011-03-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

As some of you may recall, ckutalik of Hill Cantons ran the first known playtest of Humanspace Empires via Skype on March 18. He mentioned that a playtest report is in the works.

I played Nómek Kan, a human Martian 2nd level Adventurer, scoundrel and xeno-archaeologist.

The other playtesters were:

School Master who played Chwé Ek Kt'tet, a Pé Chói scientist. He posted a brief AAR on his blog yesterday.

Mike D. who played Yarm'ar Dubois a Warrior and bloodthirsty space assassin.

Aos who blogs at the Metal Earth. He played Jak Mogan, a Terran Astronaut.

Dan Scale of far Melbourne played Stinky the Ahoggya Warrior. He seemed much more clear headed than most of the other playtesters, perhaps because it was mid-day down under and late night for every one else.

Brian Murphy of Tentacled Monkey in Exile and Brad played, I believe a human Warrior and a Shen but didn't post their character sheets.

I'll leave some details for the referee's report but the game was beset by some pretty serious Skype problems and got underway about an hour and a half late. We fought our way past a few ill tempered cargo-bots, metallo-tentacled wall traps, and a golden robot with chainsaw arms to destroy the rogue asteroid and save the imperiled planet. Despite the sub-space interference I had a good time. I think the rules held up pretty well and I fielded some rules questions and spotted a few things that I want to clarify or change in the final books (or next playtest draft revision?).

I really enjoyed chatting with the few brave souls willing to fly this new game and hope a good time was had by all. I'd like to thank everyone that played. Post a comment here or email me at thedrune at gmaildotcom with your name as you would like it to appear as a playtester in the book's credits. Same goes for any other playtesters in the multiverse that I may not even know about.

Living and Dying in Humanspace Part I

2011-03-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

Nómek Kan slipped through the closing tubecar doors as the vehicle lurched into motion; the two veregyá, imperial secret police agents, were left behind in Dar Püz Station under the twin great white suns and the sprawling blue ixlélatl trees. They had pursued Kan from the Museum of Man down the narrow cobblestone streets of Old Urtek and across the rooftops of the Alien Quarter, racing with the black shadows of starships and system-ships ascending from the nearby starport.

Kan loosened his grip on the Z-ray pistol in the pocket of his overcoat and slid into a seat next to a void eyed ancient astronaut lost in some mystic trance. The spherical car was crowded to capacity with diverse denizens of Sirius 7 and Humanspace travelers – spacers on shore leave, gray proles commuting to and from the factories, shipyards and power plants that ringed the space port, a many legged cluster of bone white Pé Chói tourists, a party of hooded and robed Nininyal trade collectivists, a beautiful black tressed human woman, a Citizen, in a see through blue brassiere and blood red cloak…

The many complexities and variability of life in the Humanspace or Third Terran Empire in the 621st century AD defy summation; however a number of generalities may be drawn and a fundamental understanding of key socio-political structures and institutions may assist the reader in imagining the milieu.

At this time in history, the vast Humanspace Empire consisted of over 700 populated systems, bounded by a zone of Beyonder worlds and the great Shén Star Empire in the direction of the Galactic Core and by the Rimward Beyond and Hokun space, in the vicinity of Canopus, toward the rim of the galaxy. Spinward of Terra are the Neutral Zone, Regulus and Algenubi, homes of the ancient enemies of man and the Pé Chói before, the Vleshgá and Hlutrgú. Trailing of Terra is a great expanse of Humanspace colony worlds extending past Mirach to the Outker Beyond and the regions of far Deneb.

Interstellar travel is made possible by the use of starships equipped with the NAFAL (Nearly as Fast as Light) Three-Light Drive and Interfogulator inter-planar drive. For millennia, the speed of communication in Humanspace was limited to the speed of light and travel was limited to 99% of light speed. As a result of the dilation of time, star travelers would age only several years while decades or even centuries passed on the worlds of their origin and destination. The inventions of the ansible, or inter-dimensional radio, in the 495th century and the inter-planar star-drive in the 530th century, freed travel, trade, and communication from the limitations of light speed.

Few denizens of the Empire; however, have journeyed beyond their native worlds. In fact, it is estimated that less than one sixth of the population of Humanspace are considered Citizens. Citizenship is not a birthright but a privilege that may be won through military service or success in the gladiatorial arenas, granted by the Lords of Humanspace, or purchased outright. At the base of Imperial society are slaves and Proles, non-citizens that perform the great array of menial and unpleasant labor required by the Super-Scientific society. Although robots and androids are utilized for many such tasks, it has been found that the use of enslaved or Prole labor is more economical in many situations.

Throughout Humanspace, Prole life is organized to promote maximum productive efficiency. Proles march in step with each other, wear nearly identical jump-suits color coded to their mode of production or technical designation, and live in immense public housing complexes.

Citizens have numerous advantages over slaves and Proles in Humanspace; their basic rights are, at least nominally, protected under the Compact and they are generally allowed to move freely about the various planets and across space. Citizens may legally purchase and possess weapons and vehicles (including space ships), own slaves, employ labor and earn profits from their business ventures.

A shadowy class exists between Prole and Citizen; criminals, smugglers, black marketers, adventurers and scoundrels that pose as Citizens, and individuals, often with the assistance of a Citizen-patron, that are working toward Citizenship.

Next: Part II :The Government and Militaries of Humanspace

The government of Humanspace may best be described as a vast bureaucracy operating under the council of Narenyel (hereditary Lords or Archons ) from the 16 great Ketyel, or Noble Houses, the many lesser Houses, and ultimately the Galactic Emperor. Each planetary system is independently governed, usually by a Lord or planetary governor, and a great council of Lords (held at different locales from time to time) meets as needs demand...

Talkin' 'bout my character generation

2011-03-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

AFAIK, ckutalik de los Hill Cantons will be hosting a Humanspace Empires playtest Skype game on March 18.

See here and here.

I plan on joining the party and I've created a character: Nómek Kan, a human Martian 2nd level Adventurer. Kan is something of a Space Age da Vinci; xeno-archaeologist, expert in interstellar antiquities, troubleshooter, treasure hunter, scoundrel, author and thief.

I noticed a few gaffs in the most recent Humanspace Empires playtest draft that will need repair, some of the prices for super-scientific bombs and grenades are omitted and the weights and prices for some gear may need adjustment (e.g. the weight of a backpack will be reduced from 5 pounds to 2 pounds). I noticed that weight of gear and encumbrance might cause problems for character's with average or lower strength. I actually like the way this works out, it seems realistic and makes outfitting the character a bit more interesting and challenging.

I also noticed that characters in the playtest are given only CR 1000 to purchase equipment rather than 3d6 x CR 200 stated in the rules. CR 1000 doesn't go very far in Humanspace. I generated Kan's starting cash by the book and his equipment cost almost CR 2400. If the Referee has some reason to limit equipment to the bare minimum or can't be convinced to up the amount, I'll need to return a lot of super-scientific jank at Galactic Outfitters...

If anyone has any questions or comments on character generation reply to this post or email me at thedrune at gmail dot com.

The Veritable Autocrator

2011-03-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

The Veritable Autocrator and Emperor of Humanspace was born Muád ZaMún on Aldebaran 4 circa 61127 AD. Although his parentage is undocumented, the Galactic Emperor named his father as the deceased Nar-General Viz ZaMún, Planetary Governor of Aldebaran. Little is known of the Autocrator’s childhood on Aldebaran 4. It is believed that after the mysterious destruction of the Imperial Mission and garrison, the orphaned future Autocrator was taken in and nurtured by the subterranean and eyeless alien Vrilú.

Although various rumors and reports have incriminated the Mihálli, Regulus, and several local alien factions in the disaster, it may be most likely that the enigmatic and psychically powerful Vrilú were directly responsible for the death of the Autocrator’s family and the massacre of the Humanspace settlement on that world. The Vrilú had, for millennia, spurned all contact with interstellar society and protested any incursions on their vast, lush and primordial world. Regardless of their culpability, their reasons for adopting the young ZaMún remain unknown.

By the year 61145 AD, the young Autocrator had returned to Humanspace and was enrolled briefly at the Science Academy at Procyon. Drawn to the stars, the Autocrator stayed on no world for long. Backed by a powerful Nininyal trade collective, he explored Deep Space in the regions of far Deneb, returned with an extravagant fortune and placed himself at the head of Ket ZaMún, the House of ZaMún amongst the Imperial Archonates. In these acts, it became clear to his associates and enemies that the future Autocrator was a mentalic of extraordinary, perhaps unprecedented power. Within five years of his installation as a Lord of Humanspace, he deposed the Emperor Zurák and ascended to the Duranium Throne. In the first years of his reign the Autocrator launched a massive attack on Aldeberan 4 resulting in the extinction of the Vrilú.

The Veritable Autocrator, Emperor of Humanspace, rules from a grand palace on the terraformed and near deserted sixth moon of Jupiter in the company only of his many concubines and elite Sultyat Clone guard.

MICRODOTS

2011-03-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

Back around the time that I formulated the Synthetic 75 system and started putting the draft playtest rules together for Humanspace Empires, I prepared a few notes for another game that I’d like to write and play. The working title is MICRODOTS: The Retro RPG of Inter-dimensional Espionage.

I see this game as kind of a mash-up of TSR’s Top Secret, Paranoia, and Lacuna from Memento Mori running on rules similar to those used for Humanspace Empires. Characters would be inter-dimensional agents, spies, and assassins from a continuum similar to the worlds of 1960s spy films.

Here's a preliminary Appendix N:

Literature

William S. Burroughs-Naked Lunch, The Soft Machine, The Ticket that Exploded, Nova Express

Michael Moorcock-The Final Programme, A Cure for Cancer, The English Assassin, The Condition of Muzak, The Adventures of Una Persson and Catherine Cornelius in the Twentieth Century

Films, Television, and Other Media

Alphaville
The Avengers
Danger Man
Diabolik
Fantomas
It Takes a Thief
Mission: Impossible
The Prisoner

Broos not Orcs and Hot Elf Chicks

2011-03-12T18:54:00.000-08:00

A recent post at Grognardia asked how various iconic D&D monsters have been re-imagined in readers' campaigns. The orc was presented as a case study. I found this interesting as I have never really liked orcs, particularly those of more porcine nature. Additionally, I have always avoided Tolkienesque tropes in my fantasy games, preferring more exotic and gritty swords and sorcery milieus.

At some point around 1979, after picking up a copy of 2nd edition Runequest, orcs were replaced with broos in most of the D&D campaigns that I ran. Below is a description of broos for use with Labyrinth Lord or compatible retro-clones. The following text is Open Game Content. The image above is copyright either Chaosium or Issaries and is probably in violation of the Glorantha fan publishing policy. It will be removed if requested.

Broo

No. Enc.: 2d4 (1d6x10)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120’ (40’)
Armor Class: 6 (25% at 5)
Hit Dice: 1
Attacks: 1 (weapon or the horns)
Damage: weapon or 1d6
Save: F1
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: XIX
XP: 13

Broos are bestial creatures with humanoid bodies and the heads of a variety of horned animals, most commonly goats, deer, or antelopes. They have reddish eyes and usually wear heavy leather armor boiled in the blood of their victims; however, a few in each group will wear scavenged piecemeal metal armor. They are typically armed with spears or clubs but may be found with various melee and ranged weapons. Their equipment is always filthy and poorly maintained. They may attack with their horns for 1d6 damage if unarmed.

Broos are monsters of primal chaos, exceedingly cruel and rapacious and known to worship gods of rape, murder, and disease. The population is 90% male; however they can father children on almost any animal or being including humans and hot elf chicks. A broo will have a randomly determined chaos feature (see below) on a roll of 1 on 1d6. All broos are immune to poison and disease and there is a 50% chance that each will carry a randomly determined disease.* A large group of broos will have an exceptionally strong leader with 8 hit points and a 50% chance of possessing a chaos feature. He also receives a +1 bonus to weapon damage rolls.

Many broos are feral, more primitive beasts that have developed in isolated subterranean or wilderness locations; however, a large minority are tribal and somewhat more sophisticated. A broo tribal chief will be a powerful 4 HD monster with a weapon damage bonus of +2. There is a 60% chance that any tribal group consisting of 20 or more broos will have a shaman with the abilities of a 3rd level cleric. It is believed that, in a vile wasteland somewhere in the world, there is a great broo king, a demi-god with the head of a unicorn.

Optional Rule: Females baring broo spawn will either need to find some means of aborting the fetus, or face a difficult month-long pregnancy. At the end of the month, the victim will have to go through a bloody, agonizing labor that will deal 4d6 damage unless they make a saving throw against death, damage halved on success. School Master

* In lieu of disease, the very cool Dungeon Funk table from Gorgonmilk could be consulted.

While on the Gorgonmilk tip, I prepared the following partial table of random chaos features adapted from the Runequest SRD. Anyone like to suggest additional nasty broo-tations?

Chaotic Features (1d20)

01 Blessed by Chaos:Roll twice on this table.

02 Many eyes: The creature has numerous eyes on its head and various parts of its body. It is surprised only on roll of 1 on 1d8. There is a 20% chance that the creature also has multiple eyestalks and is surprised only on a roll of 1 on 1d10.

03 Cyclops: The creature only has a single eye. It suffers a –2 penalty to attack rolls.

04 Copper skin: The creature is completely covered by a thick skin of copper giving it a -3 AC Modifier.

05 Cloud of biting flies: A swarm of bloated biting flies surrounds the creature. All opponents within 5 feet suffer a -2 attack penalty.

06 Corrosive blood: Anyone within 5 feet of the creature takes 1d4 damage from splashing acidic blood if it is wounded.

07 Exploding death: When killed the creature explodes doing 2d6 damage to all in 1d4 x 10 foot radius, save vs. breath attacks for half damage.

08 Diseased: Any creature making physical contact with a Broo must make a saving roll or contact a wasting disease (-1 to Con per day until death or magically healed). Akrasia

09 Regeneration: Broo heals 1d6 hit points per round. Akrasia

10 Tentacles. 1d4 long, slimy, squid-like tentacles sprout randomly from their body. The creature may make a single additional attack for each tentacle. If the successful, the tentacle does 1d4 damage and the target is entangled in its grasp. If the character is not freed, the character will take 2d4 damage each turn thereafter. Optional Rule: There is also a 25% that a tentacle is actually an mutated, prehensile phallus. A female character who is ensnared has a 40% chance of being impregnated rather than taking additional damage, then released. The broo will no longer attack an impregnated female. Male characters are similarly violated for role-playing purposes (the broo is not particular), but only take the 2d4 damage. School Master

11 Spell reflection: The creature reflects first-level spells back at the caster. ckutalik

12 More spell reflection: Broo reflects first-and second-level spells back.ckutalik

13 Over-powering stench. All in 5' space around the creature must save vs. breath weapons or be nauseated for 1d4 rounds (-2 to attack).ckutalik

14 Anti-Magic Field: The broo generates a field of reality warping chaos that cancels out all magical energy. Spells and magical items within a 1d4 x 10 foot radius of the creature will not function until it is slain. School Master

15

16

17

18

19 Golden viscera: The creature has a randomly determined internal organ made of solid gold and worth 1d4 x 50gp.

20 Bejeweled: The creature has 1d3 random gems embedded in random parts of its body. Female broos with this feature are always vajazzled.

New Super-Scientific Powers

2011-03-10T04:25:00.000-08:00

I noticed an error on the Psychic Power Scores table in the Revised Playtest Draft. The table states that a character with a PSY score of 9-12 is unable to use PSY powers from Group I-III.

It should read: "a character with a PSY score of 9-12 is unable to use PSY powers from Levels 2-6."

Below are a few new Super-Scientific powers.

New Super-Scientific (Scientist) Powers

Level 1

Repairing Ray (I): This power allows the user to project a ray to a range of 30 feet that will repair one damaged or non-functioning advanced or super-scientific device. The device repaired can weigh no more than 30 pounds and must be self-contained and not a part of a complex system. The power can be used once per day.

Level 3

Contra-Gravitic Ray: This power allows the user to project a ray upon himself or another being at a range of 30 feet. The ray empowers the target with the ability to fly, with up to 250 lbs of additional weight, at a speed of 120 feet per round for 3 turns per level. The flier may rise to a height of 180 feet. The power can be used only once per day.

Repairing Ray (II): This power allows the user to project a ray to a range of 30 feet that will repair one damaged or non-functioning advanced or super-scientific device. The device repaired can weigh no more than 300 pounds and must be self-contained and not a part of a complex system. The power can be used only once per day.

An Adamantine and Superbly Proud Character Sheet

2011-03-09T21:36:00.000-08:00

Il Male, l'autore di the ever weird and excellent blog, the Yaqqothl Grimoire, has created a new, shiny, ready-to-print and use Humanspace Empires Character Sheet!

Il Male's character sheet is much slicker than the generic and utilitarian five minute sheet that was included in the playtest draft and if you haven't seen it or followed any of the other inspired goings on at the Grimoire...check it out.

The art used on the sheet was taken from El Eternauta ("The Eternaut"), an Argentinian comic scripted by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and illustrated by Francisco Solano López that was published between 1957 and 1959 in the Hora Cero magazine.

I had never heard of this comic before but it seems pretty great, Evidently, the story begins with a sudden deadly fluorescent snowfall killing nearly everyone in Buenos Aires. Juan Salvo and a few of his friends and family members survive because they were shut in playing truco. They cleverly craft a few hazard suits that allow them to roam about the post-apocalyptic world that's filled with the deadly snow, crazies, and the alien invaders that are responsible for the disaster. Salvo is drafted into a resistance army fighting the invaders and eventually attempts escape with his wife and daughter using one of the alien spaceships. The plan does not go well; however, Salvo accidentally activates a time travel device and he and his family members are separated, trapped in different dimensions of time. Salvo becomes El Eternauta, a voyager of eternity, searching for his family across the continuums.

I find this particularly interesting; the comic, or at least several of the sequels, evolved into a critique of reactionary, military governments and US imperialism. A quote by Oesterheld, a radical leftist, probably disappeared by the government of Argentina in 1976, may provide a clue to a hidden Marxist ideology at the core of a near universal trope of rpg gaming...the party (perhaps the word itself is telling?)...

Oesterheld wrote:

Now that I think about it, I believe that perhaps it is because of that lack of a central hero, that El Eternauta is one of my stories which brings me more pleasure to remember. The true hero of El Eternauta is a collective hero, a human group. And so it reflects, even if it wasn't my intention, my inner feelings: the only valid hero is the hero "in group", never the individual hero, the lone hero."

Don't forget to take a look-see at Il Male's excellent Humanspace Empires character sheets comrades. Here is the preview:

Long Live Grand Admiral Ald'oh!

2011-03-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

Ckutalik of Hill Cantons fame has announced that he will be running the first one-shot Humanspace playtest Skype game in this Universe on Friday March 18 at 20:00 CST (or GMT -6). I plan on flying this mission and I think there might be a few spots left so check out the details here.

Need more convincing? Here's the back cover blurb:

Driven mad by an imperial cock-up that killed his special lady friend, Grand Admiral Ald'oh has been hatching various nefarious plans to exact his revenge.

Seizing control of an asteroid “generation ship”, the Admiral has set the star drives on a collision course with the small colony world of Marb IV. Only you and your band of space rowdies can penetrate the defenses of the asteroid ship's control complex and save Marb.

Revised Humanspace Empires Playtest Draft

2011-03-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

DOWNLOAD

Revised Humanspace Empires Playtest Draft

I have revised the draft posted yesterday, fixing various issues including quite a few typos, formatting problems, and a few errors or omissions in the text. The revised draft is linked above as a free PDF download. I have also attempted to increase the image quality of the illustrations; however this was not possible for several images. I fixed the OGL to include copyright information for Labyrinth Lord. The very fine Labyrinth Lord text file that was recently released was used extensively in the preparation of this draft.

I prepared an errata for the original draft that may be downloaded from the link below. This file may be useful for those that downloaded and printed the original draft and would rather not reprint the entire booklet. I apologize for any inconvenience. The errata includes all of the major fixes from the revised draft.

DOWNLOAD

Errata for Original Draft

My thanks to all that downloaded, read, and/or commented on the draft rules.

Humanspace Character: Kúrchek Urlirésh

2011-03-05T20:53:00.000-08:00

With the release of the playtest rules, I thought I'd dive right in and create some characters based on my earlier vignette. Here's the fearless Kúrchek Urlirésh, formerly of the Imperial star legions, now a soldier of fortune with a fast ship, a stalwart crew, and a fully charged blaster.

(Yes, I'm using HeroMachine 2.5 for my character pics. I can't draw to save my skin!)

Name: Kúrchek Urlirésh

Class/Level: Warrior/1

Race/Sex: Human Male

Age: 29

Homeworld: Promaxia 3

Strength: 13 +1 To Melee Hit and Damage and Force Rolls.

Dexterity: 12

Constitution: 16 +2 Hit Point Modifier/Hit Die, +2 Saving Throw Mod.

Intelligence: 10

Psychic Power: 8 Unable to use psychic powers.

Charisma: 9 4 Retainers, Retainer Morale: 7

Hit Points: 15

AC: 4 (Light Space Armor)

Background Skills: brawler, survivalist, driver, air pilot, accountant, electrician, astronomer, jack, security.

Class Skills: Space Swordsman, Space Axeman, Energy Pistol, Energy Rifle, Space Armor, Projectile Pistol, Projectile Rifle, Grenades, Heavy Weapons, Demolitions.

Languages: Sunuz

CR: 350

Gear: Lt. Space Armor, Z-Ray pistol, Space Sword, Utility Belt, Communicator, Translator Orb.

Humanspace Playtest Draft Rules

2011-03-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

Download
Humanspace Empires Playtest Draft

I have edited the download link above to access the Revised Draft Rules.
Errata for the original draft may also be downloaded.

The draft playtest rules for Humanspace Empires, science fantasy adventures in the star-faring ancient past of Professor M.A.R. Barker's Tékumel, are linked above as a free pdf download.

These rules include character generation, PSY and Super-Scientific powers, and sufficient combat and adventuring rules to get a party through a space dungeon. The system is essentially an iteration of my Synthetic 75 Science Fantasy Retro Roleplaying concept, a mash up of (what I consider) the best from the hottest RPGs of 1975, Dungeons & Dragons and Prof. M.A.R. Barker's Tekumel: Empire of the Petal Throne.

Rules for robot and android characters have not been included in this draft. I'm still not quite sure how to implement this class but I will post rules for the class on this blog or in a revised version of the playtest draft in the near future. Also, rules for starships, starship combat, wilderness or planetary adventures, and additional setting material will be gradually posted here and included in future publications.

I still envision the complete game pretty much as described in this post. The draft playtest rules will be expanded with additional material and will constitute Book 1: Science Fantasy Adventures. Book 2: Space Monsters will include a selection of inimical alien fiends, bug-eyed monsters, inter-dimensional horrors, and other terrible creatures and a system for randomly generating new space monsters. Until this book is completed playtesters may use the Saturday Night Specials, create their own original space monsters, or modify creatures from Labyrinth Lord or broadly compatible games to serve as foes for the players. Book 3: Campaigns in Space and on Alien Planets will include starships and system ships, spaceship combat, vehicles, more detailed rules for planetary adventuring, encounter tables, and substantial setting material that will detail the worlds and star-faring civilizations of the 621st century AD.

Editing of the playtest draft was pretty minimal as the booklet was sort of rushed into production, hopefully to allow for some playtesting at an rpg con in the near future. Please let me know if you spot any problems or issues (I know of a few already) and I'd really like to hear any playtest reports.

I'm hoping that these rules will stir up some more interest in this project and enable a greater exchange of ideas on generalities and specifics as work continues on the game. I would also appreciate any contributions of rules, setting material, original art depicting the various species of Tekumel as they appear in the 621st century AD. As this is a free fan publication, no moneys will be involved, but you will certainly gain my gratitude and credit in the published work.

So please download, read, play, enjoy, and let me know what you think. Stay tuned to IX for more of Humanspace in the coming days...

Humanspace Empires Preview

2011-03-01T21:38:00.000-08:00

I'm running a few days behind schedule on the Humanspace Empires Playtest Draft rules due to a mad mad week, long hours at work, busy weekend, and having to spend most of this evening editing a friend's term paper and writing a grad school recommendation for a former co-worker.

Still, the playtest draft is nearly finished. The current document runs about 45 pages and covers character generation, psychic and super-scientific powers, and combat. A few basic rules for Space Dungeon exploring are also included.

I fully expect to have a copy on-line tomorrow...or maybe the next day. In the interim, check out a few of the extracted pages...

Out of the Drum My Henchmen!

2011-02-24T20:49:00.000-08:00

OUT OF THE DRUM MY HENCHMEN!

ALL MANNER OF EVIL POWERS WALKED THE EARTH

DANIEL WAVED HIS SWORD

HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT FOR THAT HORSE?

IVAN GOLIK DREW THE BOW

THE TSAR WENT OUT INQUIRING OF HIS PEOPLE

IF ANY HAD BEEN WRONGED

THE WIND CAME AND SWEPT ALL OF HIS CORN AWAY

THE GIRL DROVE THE HEIFER OUT TO GRAZE

THE TSARIVNA AROSE FROM HER COFFIN

THE RULERS OF HELL LAID HANDS UPON

THE OVERSEER STRAIGHT AWAY

HIS WIFE CARESSED AND WHEEDLED HIM

SUDDENLY SAINT PETER APPEARED TO HIM

A discussion about illustrating C. Kutalik's Domain Game rules at Hill Cantons reminded me of Noel Nisbet's illustrations from Cossack Fairy Tales and Folk Tales (1916). I think Nisbit's work is really evocative and fantastic plus there are the representations of various themes that I associate with the Domain Game-demonic beings, agriculture, horse trading, vampires, odd headgear, a winged Tsar, and a drum full of henchmen.

One Small Step

2011-02-23T21:27:00.000-08:00

Posting has been somewhat sparse lately as I'm struggling to finish a dissertation scale report at work and I've been trying to put together some draft play-test rules for Humanspace Empires. I'm nearly finished writing the character generation, weapons, armor, and equipment rules. I need to tie up loose ends with these sections and write enough of the combat and adventuring rules to get a party through a space dungeon. I've added the Adventurer class, based on the optional Adventurer class for EPT that, I believe, was published in Dragon magazine. I'm struggling with how to handle robot and android characters and it seems that they may work best as yet another class; as such, the five character classes would be Adventurer, Android/Robot, Astronaut, Scientist, and Warrior.

I'm hoping to have the draft finished over the weekend and I will make it available for download as soon as possible. I've generated the first character: Zád Áxáqan, a young human astronaut from the desert planet Canopus 3. He grew up on a moisture farm in the highland wastes and managed to sign on as a crewman with a nefarious local space smuggler. He's an excellent starship pilot for his age and has natural, untrained PSY power.

Zád Áxáqan

Class: Astronaut Level: 1
Race: human Sex: male
Age: 20
Homeworld: Canopus 3

STR : 7 (-1 melee damage/ force)
DEX: 13 (-1 AC /+1 attack)
CON: 10
INT : 9
PSY: 14 (+1 PSY saves)
CHA: 12

Background Skills
driver, moisture farmer, scavenger, survivalist
air pilot, alien contact, smuggler, thief, jack, poet

Astronaut Skills
turret gunner, space swordsman, energy pistol, navigator,
pilot +1

PSY Powers
PSY luck (1/day)

Languages: Sunuz

HP: 10
AC 4

Armor
skin-suit (AC 5) with bubble hood

Weapons
space sword 2d6
Z-ray pistol 2d8

Gear
utility belt, contra-grav belt, communicator (medium range),
translation orb (local Canopus, Ahoggyá, Hokun, Nininyal, Pe Choi, Tinalíya), backpack , 100’ rope, trade goods, waterskin

CR: 310