Metamorphosis Alpha Roleplaying Game

James M. Ward & Jamie Chambers

Metamorphosis Alpha created by James M. Ward
System 26 game rules by Jamie Chambers

Writing & Development Team

Craig Brain, Christy Everette, Sean Everette, Lizard
Project Management: Joie Brown, Jamie Chambers
Editing: Christy Everette Development: Sean Everette Typesetting: Jamie Chambers
Cover Art: Jason Engle Starship Warden Art: Jeff Carlisle Lead Interior Art: Lindsay Archer
Cover Design: Digger Hayes, Lindsay Archer Interior Design: Digger Hayes, Ben Mund
Illustrations: Lindsay Archer, Jeff Carlisle, Josh Harris, Melanie Hayes, Young Kim, Ben Mund
Art Direction: Joie Brown, Renae Chambers
Acknowledgements: This game would not be possible without the support of 447 extremely
patient backers via Kickstarter.com. Please see the back page of this book for the credit they
very much deserve. Special recognition also to Lindsay Archer and Ben Mund for
continuing to step up and assist without even being asked.
Special Thanks: Ann Chambers-Robinson, Ben Dobyns, Nikki Crites, Don Early, Thomas Groomes,
Tracy Hickman, Roger Robinson, Sarah Supancic, Reanne Yancey, Ken Whitman, Liz Wilhelm
Jamies Dedication: This book is dedicated to my favorite little mutants
Mel, Liz, Chris, Xander, Justin, Piper, and the one we havent met yet!

METAMORPHOSIS ALPHA, its concepts, and its logo are & James M. Ward. Used with permission.
SYSTEM 26 and the System 26 Logo are trademarks owned by Jamie Chambers. All rights reserved.
Published by Signal Fire Studios LLC. 2015 Signal Fire Studios LLC. 1st Printing.
2265 Roswell Road, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30062
www.signalfirestudios.com

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . 4
1: our world has walls 8
2: basic gameplaY

Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Referee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Rules, Action, & Results . . . . 13
Character Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Action Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Traits & Dice Pool . . . . . . . . . . 15
Difficulty & Achievements . . . 15
Success & Failure . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Complex Actions . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Staying Alive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3: Mutants & Mankind

Character Building . . . . . . . . . 19
Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Humans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Mutated Humans . . . . . . . . . . 20
Mutant Animals . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Creating a Breed . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Sample Breeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Size Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Traits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Qualities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Specialties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Mutations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Choosing Mutations . . . . . . . . 26
Random Mutation Selection . . 26
Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Derived Stats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

4: Traits & Qualities

Traits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Specialties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Alertness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Artistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Brawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Crafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dexterity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Melee Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ranged Weapons . . . . . . . . . . .
Stealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unarmed Combat . . . . . . . . . .
Qualities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32
32
33
33
33
34
34
34
35
35
35
36
36
37
37
38

5: Mutations & Defects

Acquiring Mutations . . . . . . . 43
Radiation Exposure . . . . . . . . . 43
Random Mutations . . . . . . . . . 43
Physical Mutations . . . . . . . . . 46
Physical Defects . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Mental Mutations . . . . . . . . . . 56
Mental Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Plant Mutations . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Plant Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

6: Gear & Tech

Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Gearing Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Style vs. Substance . . . . . . . . . 70
Understanding Tech . . . . . . . . 71
Gear Entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
General Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Clothing & Armor . . . . . . . . . . 79
Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Sample Characters . . . 89
7: RULES

Rules & Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Traits & Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Bonuses & Penalties . . . . . . . . . 95
Group Efforts & Assistance . . . 95
Complex Actions . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Action Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Rewards of Success . . . . . . . . . 97
Levels of Success . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Mundane Failure . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Epic Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Time on the Warden . . . . . . . . 99
Initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Chases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Reach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Blocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Dodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Damage Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Resistance & Vulnerability . . . 103
Armor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Consequences of Damage . . . 104
Specialized Damage . . . . . . . . 105
Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Recovery & Healing . . . . . . . 107

8: Storyteller & referee

Role of the Referee . . . . . . . .
Running a Game . . . . . . . . . .
A Ship to Explore . . . . . . . . .
Slinging Dice . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Description & Rules . . . . . . .
Designing Adventures . . . . .
Playing the Parts . . . . . . . . . .
Tips of the Trade . . . . . . . . . .
The Starship Warden . . . . . .
Other Campaign Ideas . . . .

110
110
111
113
114
116
121
122
125
127

9: A Mutant Menagerie 130

Adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Introduction

A half-naked barbarian warrior wanders the land

with only his brawn, wits, and blade to keep him alive.
A feline beast with glowing red eyes prowls the shadows,
ready to fight or flee, since she only survives by making
quick decisions and acting without hesitation. A living tree
shambles from place to place after its original grove was
burned, quiet and gentle until its inner rage is unleashed.
Their land is a dangerous one, but also filled with
tremendous rewards. Artifacts from the old times can be
found by those determined enough to look, strong enough
to seize them, and clever enough to discover their secrets.
There is safety in numbers if you decide anyone is
worthy of trust. It is a world in which survival is no small
victory, yet it is never enough.
Something has been forgotten. If it cannot be
remembered, perhaps it can be rediscovered.
There is a word. Its meaning is known but within hides
a secret. If understood, explored, controlled the word
could change everything:

Warden

Metamorphosis
Alpha
Welcome aboard the starship Warden! This volume

contains everything you need to experience the unique

genre-blending adventure of Metamorphosis Alpha.
You can select pre-made characters and jump right
into the action or your group can create a collection of
mutants and misfits from scratch and write scenarios
wholly your own. The game is designed so the basics
are quite easy to learn but have enough depth to
keep experienced gamers engaged. Exploring the
Warden offers the action and adventure of fantasy, the
environment and technology of science fiction, and the
bizarre powers of superhero comics.

Science Fiction
Metamorphosis Alpha is all about science fiction.
Characters can discover suits of powered armor, blaster
rifles, and artificial intelligence gone haywire. The
action takes place aboard a generation ship carrying
thousands of colonists in suspended animation, set
to travel for countless years until the ship reaches its
destination. Mutagenic energy has given humans,
animals, and even plants altered appearances, strange

INTRODUCTION

powers, and horrible defects. Creatures run wild

aboard the Warden, either roaming its decks or
staking out territories and defending them without
mercy. Computers, robots, and androids all follow
programming which may aid or destroy the beings who
encounter them. Discovering high-tech artifacts in
the bowels of the ship is incredibly rewarding but also
fraught with danger.

Exploration & Discovery

Metamorphosis Alpha is all about exploration. The

Warden has levels seventeen miles long and up to nine

miles wide; some areas are open and vast, while others
are crammed with tight corridors and maintenance
hatches. Most aboard the ship dont understand the
true nature of their world, but for the curious and
determined there are countless secrets to uncover and
technology to master. Understanding mutant breeds
can make the difference between life and death, as can
understanding your own mutant powers. In the future
the true secrets of the ship will be uncovered and the
keys to its control might be mastered.

Action & Adventure

Metamorphosis Alpha is all about action and
adventure. Danger can be found on every deck and
around every corner. The small white rabbit in your
path could be a tasty morsel; however, it might
generate a life-leeching energy field and evade your
attacks with mentally-projected illusions. It isnt easy
to predict what might happen next or a given enemies
weaknesses. Your group might be running toward
somethingor just as likelyaway from it. Seemingly
ordinary situations suddenly present unexpected
challenges. Combat is swift, chaotic, and deadly. Life
aboard the Warden is never dull.

A History of Metamorphosis Alpha

Metamorphosis Alpha is the original science fiction
roleplaying game, created when Dungeons & Dragons
was still new and growing in popularity. The game was
designed by James M. Ward in southeast Wisconsin and
published by TSR, Inc. in 1976. The original gamebook
was a slim 32 pages and packed with information. It

5
enjoyed support from the fans and in early issues of
Dragon magazine, eventually inspiring an entire world
filled with mutants and technology. In the 1990s, TSR
published Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega, marrying the
concept to a new set of game rules.
In 2002, the Starship Warden was launched again
with its original creator at the helm. Fast Forward
Entertainment published a third edition in hardcover,
which marked a return to a system closer to its original
game rules. Those ideas were pushed forward in 2006
with the fourth edition published by Mudpuppy
Games. Fourth edition pushed the story of the Warden
forward when the vessel crashed into an asteroid
possessed of a fungus-based intelligence, and alien life
began to invade the ship.

What
You Need
Besides the copy of the game youre reading right

now, you only need a few things to get started.

Roleplaying games are a hobby that need only some
basic investment and offer years of fun! Be sure to have:
A group of friends to play. One takes the role of
the refereethe person who will describe the action
and encounters and is the final judge of the rules in
a given situation. Everyone else is a player, taking the
role of one character each. The ideal group size is
three to six players and one referee.
Six-sided dice. The dice can show pips or actual
numbersit doesnt really matter. While a group
could theoretically make due with a single die, it is
really best if there is at least a big handful to share if
everyone doesnt have their own.
A play space. A big table often works best, but
anywhere that is comfortable, offers a place for dice
to be rolled, and is reasonably free of distractions will
do the job.
Odds and ends. Character sheets (which can
be downloaded and printed from our website or
photocopied from the back of this book) or at least
blank sheets of paper are a must, as are writing
utensils. Other game enhancerssuch as caffeinated
drinks, pizza, and chipsare completely optional.

Whats In This Book?

While you may read this book cover-to-cover if you
so choose, you can also jump to whatever chapter
you need. This is a reference volume and set of tools
for you to have fun with your friends. Heres what is
waiting for you:
Chapter One introduces the starship Warden and
provides the kind of information that characters in
the game will most likely know. It gives an idea of the
tone and theme of a typical Metamorphosis Alpha game.
Chapter Two offers the basic rules, so youll
know what dice to roll and how to understand the
results when your character performs actions.
Chapter Three teaches you the steps to create
a character in the gamewhether it is a human, or
mutated human, mutant animal, or mutant plant.
Sample Characters show you the kinds of
characters you can generate and offers some premade if you want to start playing right away!
Chapter Four defines traits and qualities, so they
can be referenced easily.
Chapter Five lists the many beneficial and
debilitating mutations that can be found among the
life aboard the Warden and offers detailed descriptions
of how they all work in the game.
Chapter Six presents some of the gear characters
might possess and tech they may acquireeverything
from a dull knife to a laser pistol.
Chapter Seven is the meat of the gamethe
rules. While its useful for players to be familiar with
this material, its important for the referee to be able
to quickly reference this section during play.
Chapter Eight details the role of the referee and
offers advice on how to run everything from one-shot
adventures to full-length campaigns.
Chapter Nine contains some of the mutant and
artificial life that might aid, or more likely endanger, a
group as they explore the Warden.
The Petting Zoo of Death is an introductory
adventure for Metamorphosis Alpha. It offers a great
starting point to get a group of diverse characters
together and shows how scenarios are presented in
the game.

INTRODUCTION

Chapter one: our world has walls

The shaman told Scar-lock that to prove his worth as
future leader of the tribe, he must journey farpast the
wolfoid packs, through the field of leechvines, and risk
unknown dangersto reach the Great Eye. Looking into
the Eye is to risk madness as a price for wisdom. Scar-lock
was young, brave, and foolhardy; of course, he agreed. He
only needed to know where it was he could find this Great
Eye. The shaman gestured with withered, webbed fingers
and said in a harsh whisper, At the wall at the end of the
world.
The world of Metamorphosis Alpha is the starship
Warden, or at least whats left of it. Constructed and
launched as a vast colonization ship, the Warden left
Earth in search of a new planet. With all environments
and life of Earth held inside its hull, the Warden
was ready to populate a new world full of hope and
promise. However, something happened. Something
bad. Perhaps no one truly knows the answer, or maybe
the secret is hidden somewhere within the ship waiting
to be found. Whatever disaster befell the Warden killed
many of the humans, plants, and animals living on its
many decks. Of those who survived, most were forever
mutated, with each subsequent generation evolving
stranger and stranger. While horrible defects continue
to crop up, many mutations offer fantastic powers that
help the mutants survive on a tiny world of decreasing
resources and increasing danger.
The disaster left the computer systems
malfunctioning and the Warden adrift. Artificial
intelligence still maintains the primary life support and
auxiliary systems aboard the ship, but it is unable to
properly identify mutant lifemaking encounters with
robots and androids unpredictable at best and a brush
with metallic, laser-wielding death at worst.
Somewhere within the bowels of the ship,
military personnel and supplemental crew are held
in cryogenic stasis, intended to be awakened in the
event of emergency. If those systems were damaged or
mishandled by the computers, the humans inside could
be dead or suffer serious problems when roused from
their long slumber.
This is the world of the starship Warden. Within its
walls are all the hopes, dreams, and wonder of mankind
and life on Earth. However, danger, madness, and death
are dealt with equal measure.

Introducing the Warden

by James M. Ward

Far from being just a science fiction

experience, a Metamorphosis Alpha campaign
is a combination of the future and the
past. Primitive tribes with bone spears and
mutated turtle shell shields live alongside
advanced robots with integrated blaster
rifles and laser welding torches.
Players must solve puzzles as they explore
a gigantic environment. Each of the ship
levels has unique dangers and encounters.
As a colonization ship, there were many
ecological levels vastly transformed by the
terrible accident that stopped the starship
in its path to an Earth-like planet many
light years from home. Learning that the
characters arent on a normal world is
the first of many surprises. After years of
exploration they might learn a bitter truth:
Something happened to the Warden, and
they have no idea or control over where
they are going until the ship is repaired.
Players usually start as primitive
tribesmen, exploring the ship and learning
how to use the fantastic technology they
find all around them. Experienced groups
can start out as military personnel coming
alive from a cryosleep, as they were put
to sleep only be used in case of deadly
emergency. Other player groups may begin
as robots or androids with their own unique
agendas, options opening up in future
supplements for this core game.
On reading this for the first time, a player
might not realize that discovery and
exploration are key features to playing
Metamorphosis Alpha. The game may begin in
the strict confines of the walls and floors of
a spaceship, but there is a huge campaigns
worth of enjoyment to be had by players
and referees alike in playing this game.

OUR WORLD HAS WALLS

8
Life
on the Warden
Warden, the first colonization starship, left the Trans-

Plutonian Space Yards with tremendous fanfare. The

biggest structure ever built in space, the enormous
vessel was hailed throughout the solar system as an
achievement equal to the pyramids on Earth.
At the beginning of its voyage, the starship Warden
perfectly reproduced life on Earth. Many of the ships
levels duplicated environments found on the home
planet. There were areas for forests, plains, swamps,
mountains, deserts, and an ocean, as well as a large city
area, a huge section dedicated to the vessels massive
engines, and other levels for engineering. The Warden
originally had supplemental ships attached to be used as
neededa battleship, three destroyers, a battle cruiser,
and five frigates. If those vessels are still functioning
after all this time, much information and equipment
might be recovered from them or even a means of
escape.
Many colonists, military personnel, and crew were
placed in cryosleep. Robots and androids helped with
the daily operation and maintenance of the ship. A
series of artificial intelligence modules linked to the
central computer system, independently running the
operation of each deck of the ship.
There were large numbers of Earth animals placed
on board the Warden, and each was treated to be
extremely fertile. When the cataclysm struck, the
atmosphere of the ship was radically changed. The
fertility of all creatures on the ship was increased an
even greater amount, and massive mutational forces
changed the animals forever. Some wolves became
eight foot tall, intelligent humanoid creatures retaining
a savage nature. Simple robins became large savage
killers, striking from the ceiling and swooping down to
attack with surprise. Many plants became mobile and
predatory, some fully sentient and highly dangerous.
Small venus fly-traps grew to massive killers, able to
scoop up human-sized victims and dissolve them in
caustic acid-pods, turning the bodies to mush in short
order. Dandelion weeds grew to tremendous heights,
and each leaf became a razor sharp cutting machine
suitable for spilling blood.
When the reactors malfunctioned, high intensity
radiation leaked on to different areas of the ship.
Automatic safety protocols turned off the systems, but

CHAPTER ONE

the damage was done; pools of steaming, hot liquid

burned through the decks and splashed into many
levels of the ship.
Survival is the first order of business on the Warden,
as the ship is filled with vicious and powerful potential
enemies. Some are feral and attack only by instinct,
while others might prove valuable as allies, if you can
break through barriers of paranoia and xenophobia.
Tribes of mutants and even rare, pure humans have
carved out small territories on the different levels of
the ship. There is little communication and trade, as
hostilities and the needs of day-to-day survival have
long ruled. However, some have realized the value of
discovery. The secrets, technology, and other forms of
life out there are prizes waiting to be claimed by the
daring, strong, and clever. A rare few have realized
that knowledge is power. The unknown represents
terrifying potential danger, as isolated tribes and bands
of explorers never know if powerful enemies might be
around the next corner until they dare to step around
it.

9
Safety

In brief, the Warden is not a safe place, but it was

designed to be. Much like the Titanic of long-ago Earth,
the colony ship was purported to be impervious to the
dangers and energies of interstellar space. Much like
the mighty ocean-going vessel, pride in mankinds
achievements is always trumped by the forces of nature.
Like the Titanic, the Warden was doomed to suffer
tragedy that no planning committee or engineer could
have foreseen.
While a cataclysm did kill most life aboard the ship
and forever mutate the rest, the Warden did fulfill its
purpose to keep the cargo inside its massive duralloy
walls alive and maintain its own crucial systems to
sustain that life.
Though filled with danger, there are pockets of
respite and safety on the ship. Some compartments
designed for storage have remained sealed, and clever
explorers might discover the secrets to unlocking
them. Friendly tribes could be bartered with for
shelter and sustenance, though explorers must guard
against deception. Powerful tech can be uncovered
and deciphered, giving adventurers access to sturdy
protection, portable shelter, and devastating weapons
that would deter all but mindless foes.
Artificial life maintains the ship and guards protected
sections. These systems recognize humans and respond
to them according to their primary programming,
though mutant life is not in the computers data
banks. Robots and computer systems might react in
unpredictable ways.
Some sections of the ship were flooded with
radiation, gaining reputations as zones of death.
Sometimes these areas clear on their own or because
of long overdue robotic repair, leaving areas feared
by most to be quite safeassuming a party is daring
enough to confirm these facts for themselves.

Risk & Reward

A character may well begin as a tribesman from a

dirt-hut village, ignorant of the dangers and treasures
awaiting discovery. As he explores his own level, he
will encounter wonders he cannot possibly understand.
He may fight monsters and mutants firing weapons

Tech

by James M. Ward
If the characters are pure strain humans,
robots and androids are often respectful
and very willing to help, so there is little risk.
If the characters are mutants of any type,
the robots and androids can be deadly and
instantly attack, so there is great risk. Either
way, new weapons must be found or taken
from others who clearly dont need them
enough.
One of the great fun elements of the
game is learning how to use ultra powerful
weapons and equipment. Clearly a primitive
tribesman doesnt know how to use a selfcontained toaster, and they may end up
believing this toaster is a deadly heat ray
device. The same situation can happen as a
character picks up a powerful fusion blaster
rifle. Taking a risk on learning how to use
this weapon can have the adventurer shoot
himself in the chest or have him figure out
a way to send a beam of energy through a
twelve inch wall of steel.
Even when the tribesman has learned
how to use the most dramatic of power
armor with massive energy weapons, it
may not be enough. In Metamorphosis Alpha,
you could be destroying whole jungles full
of creatures and be instantly laid low by a
seven foot tall rabbit that turns all of your
armor and fine equipment to soft gray
rubber.

that can only be magic and deal with powers he is illequipped to face. His flint-tipped spear may not keep
him alive past the next hill.
Through discovery, trade, combat, and sheer luck,
a character might acquire fantastic tech weapons and
the know-how to use them properly. As she advances
in skill and equips herself for exploration and battle,

OUR WORLD HAS WALLS

10

she might become just as feared as that first pack of

wolfoids. But one should never get cocky, for the next
mutant could have powers that reduce her mighty arms
to rubber and leave her mind a quivering mass of jelly.
Sometimes the smartest thing to do in a fight is to turn
and run hard and fast in the opposite direction.

Adventuring

For those with the ambition and fortitude required

to journey beyond the safety of their own village, tribe,
pack, or grove, the dangers ahead are almost always
beyond the scope of any individual. Friends, or at least
allies, are needed to watch your back, guard your sleep,
and fight at your side. Trust is established, earned, and
easily broken.
Exploration will reveal new habitats, frightening
enemies, puzzling mysteries, dark secrets, and
incredible treasures. You only have to decide which
direction you wish to go and temper inquisitiveness
with caution. A simple field of mushrooms might pose
horrible risk, while a giant tusked sloth may be a tough
but ultimately gentle creaturethough it would be
dangerous indeed to assume this fact from the start.

CHAPTER ONE

Artificial life is not well understood by most, and it

is also unpredictable and often frought with danger. A
robot may ignore or assist a human while attempting to
cage or kill a mutant animal. Approach with caution.
New tech may present powerful possibilities, but
unlocking its secrets may involve a fair bit of danger or
leave you completely clueless as how to turn the damn
thing on. Some folk aboard the ship have learned much
tech lore and are valuable in dealing with the many
artifacts found on the Wardens levels.

Where To Next

Its recommended that you learn the basic nuts and

bolts of the System 26 rules to help you understand
whats found in the rest of the book, so proceed to
Chapter Two: Basic Gameplay. If youd like to
understand more about the setting and the role of the
referee, check out Chapter Eight: Storyteller &
Referee.

12

Chapter two: basic gameplaY

You want to fire a laser pistol at the charging wolfoid

and then use your mutant levitation ability to escape
before the rest of the pack tears you to shreds. Action
is often fast and furious aboard the Warden, and the
System 26 game rules are designed to reflect that. The
basics of the game are easy to learn, and it doesnt take
long to resolve actions quickly and get on with the
adventure.
Whether the actions are taken during the heat of
combat, the tension of negotiations, or the frustration
of puzzling out tech artifacts, the basic rules of the
game are the same. Youll be grabbing some dice
and using the rolls to determine success or failure.
In a moment youll know whether you blasted
your enemys face off, won over a potential ally, or
accidentally detonated an explosive. Uncertainty is part
of the fun, and failure can often be as interestingand
potentially hilariousas success.
Only one person at the table is required to have a
detailed knowledge of the rules, the Referee. While
being a game guru is never a bad thing at the table
(unless you try to be an obnoxious know-it-all), if you
learn the material in this chapter youll be prepared to
adventure aboard the Warden.
The main elements to learn are how to interpret the
information on your character sheet, how many dice to
roll for an action, and how to read success or failure so
the referee can tell you what happens next. Once you
learn the basic game rules, you can either jump right
into playing with your friends or read other sections of
the book. If you want to create your own character, that
information is in the next chapter.

Players
There are central characters at the heart of any good

movie, television show, or bookthe people that the

audience is following and rooting to succeed (or at
least survive) against all odds. In our game, these are
the player characters and, like the name suggests,
these are the characters controlled by the players. Their
decisions, successes, and failures are what drive the
story and keep the group entertained. If they screw up,
the characters are the ones who will have to live with
the consequences.

CHAPTER TWO

In the Metamorphosis Alpha RPG, the player

characters are humans, mutated humans, mutant
animals, or mutant plants with a variety of skills, special
powers, and acquired tech artifacts. They survive the
dangers of the starship Warden while exploring its
mysteries and uncovering its secrets. They win by
surviving and succeeding in their goals as a group,
as well as individual agendas, and lose when they are
defeated or even die facing the many hazards aboard the
ship.

Referee
While each player usually has only one character,

the referee plays literally everyone and everything

elseincluding the environment the player characters
are exploring and every living and nonliving thing
they run into along the way. He has to know the rules
well enough to both explain and arbitrate them for the
players, be able to adjust the ongoing story to react to
new decisions and situations, and bear the responsibility
for keeping the game fun for everyone.
The referee may feel like an adversary to the players,
since he spends a lot of time throwing enemies and
danger their way, but its ultimately a referees job to
keep things fun and fairor at least as fair as things get
aboard the Warden.
Anything a player character sees, hears, or even
perceives through mutant powers comes from the
descriptions of the referee. Whether hes got a detailed
adventure plan or is making things up as he goes along,
the referee must think on his feet and keep the action
moving. The referee interprets the game rules for the
entire table and is the ultimate authority on how things
resolve.

13
Dice
The S

26 rules that power the Metamorphosis

Alpha RPG use six-sided dice, the kind you can pull
out any family board game or purchase from a hobby
game store. It doesnt matter if the dice have pips or
actual numbers, so players should use whichever they
prefer. While a desperate group could share one die and
roll it repeatedly, that would be time-consuming and
slow down the pace of the game. Also, players tend to
get picky and even a bit superstitious when it comes to
their dice. There are smartphone apps to simulate dice,
and chits of paper in a jar can substitute in a pinch.
The shorthand for rolling dice in this game puts the
letter d behind the number of dice rolled. Therefore
ystem

2d
...indicates rolling two dice. The dice you roll to
generate results in the game are called a dice pool, even
if you only use one die for a particular action.

Basic Roll

2d is incidentally the default roll that a player uses

for character actions during the course of the game. If a
character is neither good nor bad at something, the roll
is assumed to be 2d. It allows the information on the
character sheet to focus on strengths and weaknesses
instead of spelling out every possibility and allows
everyone to focus only on the most interesting details
about any given character.
If any circumstances reduce the number of dice
rolled to less than one, the action is an automatic failure
or cannot be attempted, as determined by the referee.
And for standard actions attempted by a character, the
number of dice cannot be greater than fivethough it
can go as high as six dice if advanced tech or mutations
are involved.
While dice are usually rolled in multiples, the results
are not added together to create a total. Instead, each
die is compared to the level of difficulty (defined as
Easy, Average, or Hard), and achievements are counted
to determine success. All of this is explained in greater
detail below.

Rules, Action, and

Results
This is a game of fast-moving action, combining
elements from science fiction, sword-and-sorcery
tales, and superhero comics. In order to keep that kind
of excitement and pacing, the rules provide enough
structure to resolve actions but enough freedom to keep
games from becoming bogged down in endless details
and constant page-flipping.
Most Important Rule: Keep things moving. If
the rules dont seem to cover it, make it up. The firmyet-loose structure of our game is designed to handle
just about anything and make it easy for the referee to
improvise. However, no game mechanics can cover
every conceivable situation, nor are they meant to do
so. If a situation comes up and you cant find it in the
rules, the referee is encouraged to improvise and move
on. The referee is the final word on rules in the game.

Character
Sheet
We talked about characters a bit by discussing

players and the referee above, but now well show

how characters are defined in the game. The character
sheet holds all of the game information and other notes
about your character handy for reference during a play
session. It can be the official sheet in this book or just a
piece of paper with some handwritten notes.
Characters are defined by how they are special.
A character is probably normal when attemping most
types of actions, so rather than list everything, your
character sheet only shows where she differs from the
norm.

Stock

Usually, a characters stock can be determined at

a glance. A pure human is easy to distinguish from a
mutated human, which is even easier to tell apart from
a mutant aardvark or pine tree. The stocks available to
player characters are the following:
Human
Mutated Human
Mutant Animal
Mutant Plant

BASIC GAMEPLAY

14
Traits

Now we learn what kinds of actions your character is

good at and the tasks that should probably be saved as
last resorts. Traits combine natural ability, aptitude, and
training to highlight the actions in which a character
varies from the norm. The actions defined by traits
can be physical, mental, or socialalmost anything a
character can attempt.
Traits are listed as a modifier to the basic roll (2d), so
traits listed as good (+2d) mean that 4d are rolled for
that particular action. Traits in a characters weak (1d)
areas leave him with only one die to roll for an action;
any that are hopeless (2d) are automatic failures under
most circumstances, since there is no chance of success
with no dice to roll.
If it seems like too many traits to keep track of, keep
in mind that most traits are assumed to be the average
of 2d, so the only ones that need listing are the traits
that are either better or worse.
Example: Scar-lock, a human, has amazing
Discipline (+3d), good Leadership (+2d), competent
Brawn (+1d), and weak Alertness and Dexterity (1d).

Mutations

The starship Warden is an environment in which

the vast majority of people, animals, and even plants
are mutants. While some breeds of mutated life have
established themselves over generations, there is
no telling what strange powers or defects any given
character might possess. Mutations generally break
the standard rules, giving characters actions they could
not normally attempt or situational bonuses. If the
mutation is a defect, its just the opposite and makes
life a bit more interesting for the characterand by
interesting, we mean difficult.
Mutations do not have a standard format, since they
cover a wide range of possibility. Each mutation lists
how it works in the game.
Example: Lock-scar, a mutated human, has Poison
Bite (2d) and Regeneration (4d), which grant him
advantages in battle. Unfortunately, he has defects in
the form of Diminished Sense: Sight (1d) and Energy
Sensitivity: Cold (2d).

CHAPTER TWO

Traits

Alertness, Artistry, Athletics, Brawn,

Constitution, Crafting, Deception, Dexterity,
Discipline, Influence, Leadership, Medicine,
Melee Weapons, Performance, Ranged
Weapons, Stealth, Survival, Tech, and
Unarmed Combat.

Qualities

Your character could have a talent or liability in a

particular area, a bad temper, or some other defining
characteristic. Features such as these make each
character unique. We call them qualities, and they
generally offer action modifiers based on the situation.
A good quality that helps a character in certain
situations is known as a talent, while one thats more
of a disadvantage is called a liability.
Example: Scar-lock is particularly handy in dealing
damage with his sword, so he has a +2d talent in
Weapon Attack. Unfortunately he suffers from bad
vision, and lists the 1d liability of Near-Sighted.

Actions
Whether youre swinging an axe at a mutated

razorback, trying to decipher the workings of a strange

artifact, or using a mutant power to heal your own
wounds, its called an action. Most of the game is your
character trying to accomplish things or, at the very
least, survive them. The game would be tedious and
boring if you had to roll for each and every mundane
task over the course of your characters day. Most
actions are automatically successful, so you dont have
to roll to walk across the room. However, the moment
there is both a chance of failure and consequences
either way, the dice come into play. For example,
walking across a minefield would be worthy of some
dice-rolling.

Action Points

Characters possess action points to help them

succeed, fail less spectacularly, and reduce damage
to keep them alive. Every player character begins an

15
adventure with 2 points and spends them as chosen
during play. They can be earned during an adventure
by succeeding at impressive actions, coming up with
crazy plans, great roleplaying, and other rewards as
determined by the referee.

Traits & Dice Pool

When you declare an action, the referee determines if

your character has any traits that apply to the situation.
If so, you add or subtract the appropriate number
of dice from the basic roll (2d). The referee might
determine the situation warrants a bonus or penalty,
further modifying the number of dice you have for the
action. Once you have your fistful of dice, roll em!
Example: Spike has been cornered by a jackaloid, so
she decides to take a swing at it with her heavy wrench.
Spike is Good (+2d), but the wrench is not intended
for combat; the referee penalizes her for the improvised
weapon (1d). Since everything modifies the basic roll,
it comes out as 2d (the default roll) + 2d (for being
good with melee weapons) 1d (for the wrench as an
improvised weapon). Spikes player rolls 3 dice for the
action.

Difficulty & Achievements

Sad but true: Nothing is equal, let alone fair.

Depending on the nature of the action and the
surrounding circumstances, it could be a cake walk or
nigh impossible. Slipping out of a loosely-tied rope
is one thing, while escaping from a pair of plasteel
handcuffs is another. The game has three levels of
difficulty: Easy, Average, and Hard.
The difficulty is what sets the range of numbers
needed on each die to score an achievement. The more
achievements rolled for an action, the more successful.

Easy: 3+
Average: 4+
Hard: 5+
If the action is easy, any die roll above a 2 (i.e. 3 or
higher) scores achievements. If its average, a 4, 5 or 6
earns them. A hard action only gets an achievements
when a 5 or 6 is rolled.

Example: Randall, a mutant wolverine, is attempting

to rip open a secured door. Good thing he has amazing
Brawn, granting him 5 dice for the attempt. The referee
determines this to be a hard action, so at least one of
those dice must roll a 5 or 6 for Randall to get the door
even partially open. The dice comes up 2, 4, 4, 5, 6
only two earning achievements for the action.

Success & Failure

It only takes one achievement for an action to

be at least somewhat successful, but the more
achievements rolled, the higher the level of success.
A pile of achievements from a roll means the action
went very well! As a rule, here is how the number of
achievements measures an actions success:

1 Achievement: Minimum Success

The action is successful but just barely, and
the results may be only temporary.

2 Achievements: Modest Success

Its nothing to write home about,
but it gets the job done.

3 Achievements: Good Success

The action is handled successfully, even impressively.

Enhancements

Sometimes you do better than goodyou succeed

and then some. You dont just kick the ursoid, you
strike with bone-crunching force that throws him
back five feet and knocks over his denmate as well.
These benefits of extraordinary success are called
enhancements, and they occur when your action
scores more than 3 achievements. Each achievement
above 3 is an enhancement. They are counted separately
and allow you to add additional effects to your planned
action, effects that range from on-going conditions to
bonuses on follow-up actions.
The referee determines the precise results of any
enhancements rolled, but as a player you may give
suggestions as fits the action. Here are some game
guidelines:

BASIC GAMEPLAY

16
1 Enhancement

Your opponent is penalized (1d) on its next

action.
You receive a bonus (+1d) on your next roll for a
similar action.

2 Enhancements

Your opponent loses its next action, is disarmed, or

is moved against its will.
You gain a temporary bonus (+1d) while
continuing with a type of action.

3 Enhancements:

Your opponent gains a debilitating condition

(dazed, blinded), or your attack also affects its allies or
impacts the environment in your favor.
You make a discovery or change the situation
significantly in your favor.
Sound vague? This is where the referee shines
by interpreting the situation. It should never come
out so dull as a mere game bonus or clinical status
update. Enhancements are satisfying and fun, if they
are delivered descriptively. In a fight, you might
have delivered a wicked cut above an enemys eyes,
temporarily blinding him. When trying to decipher a
keypad code for a door lock, you might stumble upon a
passkey that works for the entire area. When negotiating
with a potentially hostile mutant, you might say just the
right thing to gain her trust and a potential new ally.
Some enhancements are specific to the environment,
and pre-written adventures might have notes for
possible enhancements based on the situation.

Botching

Sometimes you kick ass and take names, other

times you just embarrass yourself. Sometimes the
dice roll high, other times you get snake eyes. When
this happens in the game, its called a botch. A botch
happens whenever all the dice you roll for an action
come up as 1. You not only fail, but do so in spectacular
fashion. Your blade slips from your fingers; you fall
on your backside; you break the tech artifact youre
trying figure out. The referee will describe your exact
misfortune, though you can use an action point to turn
your botch into plain old, mediocre failure. Note that

CHAPTER TWO

botching is far more likely when you are rolling only

one or two dice, which make legendary goofs more of a
habit when you attempt actions at which your character
isnt very talented.

Complex Actions

Most of the time youre trying to do something

relatively simple: hit a foe over the head, kick down a
door, or fry a control panel with energy emanating from
your mutant eyes. However, sometimes the action is
more complicated, like performing battlefield surgery
on a badly-wounded friend, solving a complicated
puzzle, or figuring out whether a tech artifact was
meant to project your thoughts into moving pictures or
toast bread on both sides. Sometimes, the action may
involve different steps, allowing for different traits to
come in to play.
For a complex action, its often an issue of how long
something takes rather than if you will succeed or fail.
You will eventually close your friends wounds, but if
shes bled to death that wont be very helpful. You make
a series of rolls over a period of time to figure out just

17
how long it takes for you to succeed. Take too long and
the point may be moot, or you could screw up so badly
that youre forced to give up.
The threshold is the number of achievements
necessary to complete the complex action. Once the
threshold has been reached, the action succeeds
assuming you made it in time.
An increment is determined by the referee and
represents how much time elapses with each roll.
The increment could be a combat turn (3 seconds),
a minute, an hour, or even longer for something
truly complicated. Difficulty and the dice pool are
determined the same way as with simple actions, but
now achievements are tracked and accumulate with
each increment.
If you botch during a complex action, your entire
attempt is a failure. The referee will let you know the
consequences and if starting over is even an option. Just
like normal botching, an action point can transform the
roll into ordinary, boring failure for that increment.

Nuts
& Bolts
The basic gameplay here is just enough to get you

started as a player with pre-made characters. The

referee is the only one at the gaming table expected to
have a thorough understanding of the rules, so dont
sweat it if you only have the basic dice-rolling concepts
down. The important thing is to have fun and be ready
to figure out just how your character will survive the
groups latest scrape.

Staying
Alive
The starship Warden is a dangerous place. Fire,

radiation, flooded areas, and malfunctioning robots are

as dangerous as mutants battling over territory or just
plain spite. The rules offer two ways to track damage, so
you know when your character is down for the count
or pushing up daisies.
Fatigue is a combination of bumps and bruises,
exhaustion and stress, as well as luck being pushed to
its limit. When a character suffers fatigue damage equal
or greater than her limit, she falls unconscious. Fatigue
recovers relatively quickly. Once per day a character
may use an action to get her second wind and recover
1d fatigue immediately.
Wounds represent cuts, trauma, internal bleeding,
and other serious injuries. If a character suffers wound
damage equal or more than his limit, he is dying
unconscious and must make rolls just to cling to life
in hopes of receiving aid. Wounds recover slowly on
their own, but the process can be accelerated through
medical care, mutations, and specialized tech.

Where to Next?

If you want to get started with creating a character,

keep reading through Chapter Three: Mutants &
Mankind. If you want a more thorough explanation of
the rules and mechanics, flip ahead to Chapter Seven:
Rules.

BASIC GAMEPLAY

Chapter Three: Mutants & Mankind

The Warden is an enormous and thrilling place
for adventurefilled with mysteries to be solved,
mutants to be befriended or beheaded, challenges to
be overcome, and powerful artifacts to be recovered.
Your character is a window into the environment and
the vehicle through which you enter the story. Whether
you play an ordinary human scrabbling to survive
using only brain and blade or a shambling giant cactus
who can shoot beams of deadly radiation, all player
characters in Metamorphosis Alpha can be created
using one of three methods and are defined in the same
ways.
Most of the time a player will hold the reins of only
one character, making decisions and rolling the dice to
see if outcomes will end with the triumph of victory
or the squishy agony of defeat. While characters can
be played purely for the strategy and action offered
in the game, they can also be infused with as much
personality, backstory, and drama the player cares to
muster.
If youre just getting started and want to grab a readymade character to play, or want to see some examples
of characters completely finished, just flip to the end
of this chapter to see a batch of completed sample
characters.

Character Building

There are five primary steps involved in creating (and

defining) a character:
Stock - Basic Type: Human, Mutated Human,
Mutant Animal, Mutant Plant
Traits - How good (or bad) a character is at
different types of actions.
Qualities - Situational talents, quirks, and flaws.
Mutations - Special powers or unfortunate
defects.
Gear - Weapons, equipment, and whatever odds
and ends a character drags around.
Once each of these elements are defined, a character
can be transferred from whatever scratch paper
on which he started to a character sheet, finishing
notations and and filling out derived information. The
character is now ready to play!
Remember: Your referee has final approval on your
character creation methods and choices.

19

Note that the following methods are used to

create a relatively inexperienced character whos just
getting started. We call this type of character green.
The referee has guidelines on how to create a more
advanced and powerful character.

Stock

The Warden is home to a staggering variety of life,

from unaltered humans to shambling shrubberies.
The first step in the character creation process is to
determine a characters stock: human, mutated human,
mutant animal, or mutant plant. Either choose or roll
randomly, then proceed to the appropriate section
to learn more about just what your characters stock
means for her lot in life.

3.1 - Stock
d6
1
2-3
4-5
6

Type
Human
Mutated Human
Mutant Animal
Plant

Humans

Hardy and adaptable, humans can survive

the most hostile environments and rise to every
challenge.
Some humans managed to survive aboard the Warden
without succumbing to mutation. They have reverted
to an almost barbaric state, and the knowledge they
may have once possessed about technology has faded to
folklore and superstitionthough its enough of that
they possess more of a knack for tech than other types
of life.

Human Basics

15 feet standard movement

No Mutations
Qualities: Struggling to survive alongside mutant
life, humans have developed an edge in other areas.
All humans are gifted (+1d) in Radiation Resistance
and Tech Lore and possess +2d talents chosen by
the player. See Qualities later in this chapter and in
more detail in Chapter 4.

MUTANTS & MANKIND

20
Physical Characteristics

Pure humans lack the physical diversity of their

mutated brethren, but they reflect the many races of
the forgotten ancient world. However, there has been
so much interbreeding that most humans are a mix of
the ethnicities of old. The constant struggle to survive
leaves most humans in excellent physical condition, if
sometimes a bit undernourished. Most humans wear a
mix of scavenged or hand-me-down clothes of ancient
days along with more primitive homespun additions.

Playing a Human

Humans carry with them a cultural memory of

disaster and fighting against those who are different.
Many grew up with tales about how they were once
the masters of their world, and the mutated humans,
animals, and plants rose against them. This leads to
many humans being both arrogant and suspicious
of other character types, some showing undisguised
disgust at mutated humans with obvious physical
deformities.
Most humans grow up with stories and lore
about technology that make them more adept and
comfortable with it than others, and shipboard
systems and robots treat humans with a preference and
deference that no other types enjoy.

CHAPTER THREE

Mutated Humans

Marked as different from birth, mutated

humans use their unusual powers to surprise their
enemies.
Most humans died during whatever crisis changed
life aboard the Warden, but some survived and were
forever changedpassing on the capacity to mutate
to their children. Each is completely unique, both
in appearance and potentially dangerous powers.
Sometimes a mutated human crops up among the pure
humans, but it is rare for such an individual to survive.

Mutated Human Basics

15 feet standard movement
Physical and Mental Mutations

Physical Characteristics

Mutated humans resemble their pure counterparts,

except each carries the mark of mutation. Some are
grotesque with asymmetrical features or exaggerated
characteristics (over-large eyes or extra digits on
the hands and feet). They are often more primitive
than human characters, with a greater amount of
mismatched and scavenged clothing and gear.

21
Playing a Mutated Human

There has been so much death and chaos among the

mutated humans that there is not much sense of history
or culture. They are much more a people who live in
the present, struggling to survive and understand the
world and their place in it. There is perhaps greater
room for variety in terms of appearance and personality
among mutated humans than any other character type.

Mutant Animals

Whether shy or ferocious, big or small, mutant

animals carry over the powerful survival instincts
of their ancestors.
The crisis left many animals dead, and others forever
changed. Most grew in intelligence and understanding
of their environment. Many grew in size and developed
ways to handle and manipulate objects as needed.
But within those standard changes, mutant animals
reflect the incredible variety of animal life derived
from the ancient world. Reptiles, birds, mammals, and
arthropods are mutant animals.
All mutant animal characters are able to move
about and handle objects with the same ability as
human characters. Like all life on the Warden, they can
understand speech, but they cannot speak unless they
possess quality to do so.
Mutant animal characters are created by either
choosing an example Breed (which overrides the
Basics, below) or by coming up with a basic animal type
and reflecting it with a mix of mutations and qualities.
When creating a new mutant animal, the choices must
be approved by the referee.

Mutant Animal Basics

15 feet standard movement (+1d Qualities by

reducing to 10 feet, 1d Qualities by increasing to 20
feet)
Physical and Mental Mutations

Creating a Breed

With the referees approval, new breeds can be

created using the examples below as templates. Each
breed will have a standard base movement and assumed
mutations and qualities for all starting characters.

Sample Breeds

The following are just a few examples of specific

breeds that can be created to generate a consistent
type of mutant animal. No one is required to create a
character the falls into the rules of a given breed, but it
can be a good starting point. Other breeds are presented
later in the book primarily as opponents (the Wolfoid
being a prime example), but a breed could easily be
created from those descriptions as well.

Felinoid

Evolved from great cats, felinoids combine

deadly speed and fury with inborn grace.
Deadly hunters capable of surprising speed and agility
despite their size, felinoids stalk their prey with slow
patience before delivering a lightning-quick strike.
They roam either alone or in prides, preferring to
conserve their energy until the chase or battle begins.
Felinoid characters tend to have high Athletics,
Dexterity, and Stealth traits. They are often deficient in
Deception, Discipline, and Influence.

Felinoid Basics

20 feet standard movement

Breed Mutations: New Body Parts (claws, teeth).
Breed Qualities: Dim Light Vision, Restless

Physical Characteristics

Felinoids resemble great hunter-cats, but they can

vary greatly in size and appearanceaveraging 6
feet in height and weighing around 180 pounds.
Their hands and feet bear the sharp claws of their cat
ancestors, and their eyes immediately identify them as
felinoid. Felinoid bodies are covered in short fur that
ranges from simple colors to elaborate patterns.
Most felinoids walk and run on all fours, though
they can comfortably walk upright whenever necessary.
Their movements seem sloweven lazyuntil the
need for haste arises, and they burst into amazing
speed.

Playing a Felinoid

Felinoids usually share similar personality traits

with other cats. They sometimes seem lazy (sleeping
whenever the opportunity for a nap presents itself),

MUTANTS & MANKIND

22
but it is their nature to wait until action is required.
They enjoy the hunt, stealth, stalking their prey, and
pouncing at the moment of maximum advantage.
Survival and comfort are usually top concerns of
felinoids. They look for cozy, safe places to sleep, take
their meals whenever they can, flee without shame
when faced with danger, but fight without fear when
cornered. Humor is rare for felinoids but comes across
as perverse to others when it arises.
In addition to practical and predatory instincts,
felinoids are often intensely curious. Mysteries,
whether they are strange sounds in the distance or the
origins of a mysterious relic, beg to be investigated.
This generally applies to the outside world only though,
as the personal lives and relationships of companions
are so much trivial minutiae as far as most felinoids are
concerned. Their own relationships are generally more
pragmatic, and genuine emotional attachments happen
only a handful of times in the course of their livesbut
once those relationships are established, the felinoid is
fiercely loyal until death or serious betrayal.
Felinoids are happy to accept companions of any race
in typical pragmatic fashion, but the appreciate those
who provide amusement or distraction while showing
patience for their true friends.

Musteloids

Evolved from the likes of badgers, weasels, and

wolverines, they combine cunning and tenacity to
survive in a hostile world.
Clever survivors who can thrive even in extreme
conditions, musteloids are often underestimated but are
extremely adaptable. They roam from one place to the
next, managing to succeed when others fail. In battle,
they rely on maneuverability or sheer toughness to see
them through. While the breed example here focuses
on weasels and badgers, this group also includes otters,
raccoons, and skunks, which is easily reflected through
appropriate description and mutations.
Musteloid characters tend to have high Brawn,
Constitution, and Survival traits. They are often
deficient in Alertness, Deception, and Influence.

Musteloids Basics

15 feet standard movement, 1 foot burrow (granted

by quality)

CHAPTER THREE

Breed Mutations: New Body Parts (teeth)

Breed Qualities: Burrower, Specialties (Fortitude
+2d, Emotional Control 2d)

Physical Characteristics

While musteloids can differ widely in appearance,

they share some general qualities. Their bodies are
covered with thick fur that offers protection from the
elements and allows them to swim comfortably even
in ice-cold water. The color of the fur and fur patterns
range across a broad spectrum. They have short limbs
that are surprisingly strong and nimble. Their round
ears can rotate to catch far-away sounds.
Musteloids generally walk upright, though they are
capable of bounding on all fours to go over treacherous
terrain. The claws on their hands and feet are small,
but they have strong teeth and jaws that are as effective
crushing bone as they are crunching open shellfish.
They hiss or growl when threatened, and when in a
defensive posture their fur bristles sharplysignaling
they are either fearful or ready to attack.
Badger musteloids have more compact, sturdy
features and bodies that are far more broad than their
heads. Weasel-based musteloids have longer, almost
serpentine bodies and long necks.

Playing a Musteloid

Musteloids often have their next meal on the mind;

weasels are especially fond of eggs, while badgers have
a sweet tooth for honey and sugar. While they are
physically capable hunters, both use their wits to gain
an edge as predators or to gain access to hidden sources
of food. Musteloids accept allies who help them achieve
their goals, though adult badgers show little tolerance
for their own kind when not actively seeking a mate.
Badgers are stout-hearted combatants who often
show foolhardy levels of braveryready to charge in
and take on a dangerous foe. But even while brave and
vicious, a badger keeps his wits about him even while
his powerful jaws are locked on the base of a victims
skull.
More nimble than other types of musteloids, the
weasel usually favors maneuverability and strategically
placed strikes to weaken and wear down the enemy
before going in for the kill. Even while darting about
the battlefield, the weasel is always mindful of the
terrain and uses it to best advantage.

23
All musteloids demonstrate great adaptability and will
wander to find promising areas with a defendable den
and a reliable food source. The badger is almost always
alone if not with his mate or young, while weasels often
band together in packs called boogles.

Raptoroid

Evolved from predatory birds, they descend on

their enemies with calculated precision.
Graceful creatures at home on the ground or in the
air, raptoroids use their freedom of movement to avoid
danger or attack with maximum advantage. They keep
their wits about them during combat, making calculated
strikes and avoiding confinement.
Raptoroid characters tend to have high Alertness,
Dexterity, Discipline, and Performance traits. They are
often deficient in Brawn, Leadership, and Stealth.

Raptoroid Basics

10 feet standard movement, 30 feet flight (granted

by mutation)
Breed Mutations: New Body Parts (wings, claws).
Breed Qualities: Far-Sighted, Speech

Physical Characteristics

To other races, raptoroids appear to be large, slightly

humanoid birds. Their heads, wings, and clawed feet
strongly favor the avians from which they evolved
with wings that usually end with clawed hands to allow
manipulation of objects. Individual appearance may
vary widely, with some specimens strongly resembling
specific birds (eagles, hawks, owls) while others dont
much look like anything found in nature.

Playing a Raptoroid

Predatory birds like to stay on the move. They

dont enjoy staying in one location very long, and if
circumstances force this, they become agitated and
irritable. Raptors do not appreciate being stuck in
vulnerable places and prefer perches where they can
observe the surrounding terrain and approaching
enemies. They will gladly dine on a fresh kill but are
usually happy to devour any available food without
discriminationincluding things that would make
other creatures ill.

To other races, a raptoroid may seem aloof, cold, or

distant. They communicate verbally, but its a forced
process and difficult for any bird. As such, they do not
typically engage in idle chatter. Raptoroids generally
only speak when they have a specific purpose, and
they choose their words carefully. Internally, though,
raptoroids feel intense emotions and have vivid
imaginations. When they display their feelings, whether
love, anger, or joy, its often surprisingly powerful to
the few who are allowed to witness.
Raptoroids are usually distrustful of otherswhether
from another race or their own kindbut are relatively
equal in that attitude toward everyone. Those who
travel or live with others require occasional solitude,
even a simple stolen hour within sight and hearing of
their group.

Plants

Mobile and intelligent vegetable life, their

motivations are wholly alien to creatures of the
animal world.
Vegetable life that has developed intelligence and
mobility, sentient plants perceive the world in ways
animal life cannot possibly understand. They do not
possess the same need for food and shelter as other
creatures, and so their motives are often misunderstood
by friends and enemies alike.
Plant characters have the same five senses as other
character types, even if there is no obvious source for
the sensory information, and they can manipulate
objects as easily as a human character. They may
communicate with other nearby plants without
difficulty and can understand speech, but they require
a quality or use a form of sign language to properly
communicate with non-plants. The appearance of a
plant character is up to the player and the referee, with
lots of room for varietytrees, bushes, vines, and the
like are all possibilities. Plants are inherently adept in
the natural world but bad with technology. The are
often distrusted by humans and animals and usually
ignored entirely by artificial life.

Plant Basics

10 feet standard movement

Physical, Mental, and Plant Mutations

MUTANTS & MANKIND

24
Basic Needs: Sentient plants have no need of food,
requiring only four hours worth of bright light per
day. If deprived sunlight, the sentient plant must make
Endurance checks as if starving. A sentient plants air
requirements are measured in hours instead of minutes.
Its water requirements are normal.
Taking Root: Rather than sleep, sentient plants
anchor themselves in place for at least one hour to gain
the nourishment required for the day. The plant is fully
aware of its surroundings and requires only one turn to
unroot itself and return to normal activity.

Physical Characteristics

There is incredibly diversity within the plant world,

and so it is with sentient plants. Some resemble walking
trees, others thorny tangles of vines, and still others
great mounds of moss. They are usually green in color,
though some go through seasonal changes in which
they display reds, golds, or other colors. Some are
flowering, some bear cones, others fruit.
All plant characters are mobile, though the method
of movement differs between variety. One might have
a set of legs at its base, while others might move by
means of a strange shambling or slither along like a
snake. They usually communicate with the animal
world through gestures and rustling, though some are
capable of speech.
Sentient plants are usually indifferent to the presence
of other creatures as long as they do not threaten it
or its goals. It will work with others for mutually
beneficial reasons but will leave when the reasons
no longer existthough a group that has established
teamwork and problem-solving might keep a sentient
plants loyalty for a long time indeed. It has no
preference between animal- or plant-kind, and because
reproduction is handled through pollination, it does not
require the company of its kind even to produce young.
Plants might be male, female, or hermaphroditic
though the difference will be lost on everyone except
other plants.
Seeds, cones, or pods are usually dropped in a
suitable place, and the young left to grow and survive
on its own. The immature plant is able to free itself
and become fully mobile within a few months and
is physically mature within a year. The lifespans
of sentient plants differ by variety, but some can
potentially thrive for hundreds of years.

CHAPTER THREE

Playing a Plant

While humans and other animal-based life have

long had a higher understanding of the world around
them, plants are only newly a part of the higherthinking world. They do not share the same instincts
as animals, and their survival needs are quite different,
which makes each pursue highly individual goals. One
sentient plant might have a burning desire to solve a
particular mystery, while another might seek to further
the cause of its species by establishing a well-defended
grove. Others might try to defend other types of plantlife from destruction by the animal world. However,
one instinctive terror shared by all is a fear of fire.
Because their anatomies are so different and
movements so alien, most foes are continually surprised
by a sentient plants attacks. Enemies are caught offguard, not knowing which way to face the sentient
plant or where its weak points may lie. Artificial
beings, such as robots and computers, are usually not
programmed to recognize or properly deal with mobile,
intelligent plant life.

Size
Matters
Characters are generally assumed to be roughly the

size of adult humans, or Medium in game terms. But

the size of animals, plants, mutants, and robots can
vary greatlymeaning that size can be an issue. The
following are the sizes used in the game, in order of
smallest to largest, with examples:
Tiny: Cockroach, Mouse, Orchid
Small: Skunk, Human Toddler, Shrubbery
Medium: Bear, Human Adult, Elm Sapling
Large: Elephant, Giraffe, Adult Oak
Huge: Whale, Apatosaurus, Sequoia
See Chapter Seven, Size for more information about
how size effects characters specific situations.

Traits
A characters natural aptitude, talent, training,

schooling, weaknesses, and ineptitudes are summed up

by Traits. In short, traits define what your character can
or cannot do. If its an action, it will almost always be

25
represented by a trait that will tell you if the character
is exceptionally good or hopelessly bad at the particular
activity.
The game doesnt distinguish why your character is
amazing or embarrassing at a particular task, allowing
the player to represent it through roleplaying. Low
Influence? Your character may be awful in social
situations or has a universally-repulsive face. High
Brawn? The character might be naturally big and
strong or perhaps spends every free hour exercising
and pushing her body to the limits. The reasons can be
thought out ahead of time or made up on the fly during
play.
Traits are listed as headers on the master list at the
end of the chapter, and represent broad categories
of action. The list of words below each trait are
Specialtieswhich both detail the kinds of actions that
fall under the main trait and also more specific actions
that could be modified by Qualities (see below). For
more detailed descriptions of traits and specialties, see
Chapter Four.
At first glance, it appears there are far too many
traits to easily keep track. Remember, however, that
characters in the Metamorphosis Alpha RPG are only
defined by the ways in which they are exceptional.
Most traits will default to the standard roll (2d) and
dont need to be listed at all.

Questionnaire Trait Selection

When building a new character, think about the
character concept you have in mind, then answer the
following questions:
What is the character best at?
Pick one trait at Amazing (+3d)
What is the character worst at?
Pick two traits at Hopeless (2d)
What is the character good at?
Pick two traits at Good (+2d)
What is the character weak at?
Pick three traits at Weak (1d)
What is the character competent at?
Pick two traits at Competent (+1d)

Custom Build Trait Selection

This method takes longer but allows for a more
customized character. All traits begin at 2d. Starting
characters begin with 2 additional dice to add to the
overall trait selectionmeaning that a valid character
would Good (+2d) in one trait and no others.
You may subtract up to 2d per trait to gain extra
dice for othersmodifying no more than ten traits in
all. No trait may go above Amazing (+3d) or below
Hopeless (2d).

Random Trait Selection

Selecting random traits will create unusual characters!

Its recommended that if the random method is chosen,
it is used for all characters in the game. Go through the
Questionnaire method, but instead of making an active
choice, roll and check against the tables below.

3.2 - Trait Categories

1d
1
2
3
4
5
6

Category
Creative
Physical
Social
Combat
Mental
Preservation

3.3 - Creative Traits

1d
1-2
3-4
5-6

Type
Artistry
Crafting
Performance

3.4 - Physical Traits

1d
1
2
3-4
5
6

MUTANTS & MANKIND

Type
Brawn
Dexterity
Constitution
Athletics
Stealth

26
3.5 - Social Traits
1d
1-2
3-4
5-6

Type
Deception
Influence
Leadership

3.6 - Combat Traits

1d
1-2
3-4
5-6

Type
Melee Weapons
Ranged Weapons
Unarmed Combat

3.7 - Mental Traits

1d
1-2
3-4
5-6

Type
Alertness
Discipline
Tech

3.8 - Preservation Traits

1d
1-3
4-6

Type
Medicine
Survival

Qualities
A trait is all about how good (or bad) you are at

a particular type of actionwhether its throwing a

punch or performing battlefield first aid. A trait is static.
Qualities, are conditional. They often modify the dice
pool of traits when the particular situation arises.
A positive quality is a talent. A negative quality is
a liability. A starting character has 2 dice to use for
talents and may take 2 dice worth of liabilities to gain
more. These should be chosen, not picked at random.
See Chapter Four for detailed descriptions of Qualities.

Specialties

Many of the qualities available define your characters

talents in a more specific type of action. They can go up
to +2d / 2d but no higher or lower.

CHAPTER THREE

Mutations
With the exception of humans, all characters aboard

the Warden have at least one mutation. These give

characters unique abilities, unusual attacks, and special
powers outside the scope of traits and qualities. One
never knows whether or not the large mushroom on
the floor has the power to dominate your brain and
force you to attack your allies.

Defects

Sadly, not all mutations are about bursts of superstrength or shooting death rays from your eyes. Some
are unfortunate evolutionary drawbacks with which
characters must suffer. They can range from strange
physical characteristics that only get in the way to
radiating a strong aroma that makes the mutant smell
like a tasty meat snack to any predators nearby.

Choosing Mutations

If your group is building custom characters, the

standard method is to choose up to 6d worth of
mutations from those available to your characters
stock, optionally choosing up to 4d worth of defects to
acquired more mutations.

Random Mutation Selection

Your group may choose that all mutations are chosen

at random instead of being hand-picked. After all, who
gets to choose their own DNA? Random mutations
may also crop up during the course of play if a character
is exposed to potentially lethal doses of radiation (see
Chapter Seven, Specialized Damage).
See Chapter Five, Random Mutations to determine
mutations by roll of the dice.

Gear
There is no standard currency aboard the Warden, and
items are either scavenged, stolen, created, or obtained
through barter. The referee can go over the items listed
Chapter Six with the players and grant them anything
that seems reasonable based on their character concept
with the following guidelines:
Most characters will have only primitive gear and
generally only carry armor and weapons if they are
superior to those granted by stock or mutation. Human

27
characters may start with one tech item, either chosen
or rolled at random at the referees discretion. (See
Chapter 6, Table 6.2: Human Starting Tech).

Derived
Stats
If youve made it this far through the process, youre

done making choices! There are just a few quick pieces

of bookkeeping to make the play of the game go faster.
These derived stats define some important elements
about your character: Initiative, Dodge, Radiation
Resistance, Fatigue, Wounds, and starting Action Points.
Note that mutations and qualities might have a direct
affect on your derived stats, so double-check as you
note each on your character sheet.

Initiative

In high-pressure situations during which every

moment counts and its important to know who acts
first (see Chapter Seven, Initiative). Initiative is based
on Alertness and the Responsiveness specialty.

Dodge

The need to dodge might be either a defensive action

or a reaction to an unexpected situation. Dodge is a
specialty of the Dexterity trait and should be noted for
easy reference.

Radiation Resistance

The crisis that changed life forever aboard the

Warden also created the hazard of radiation in different
areas around the ship, as well as nasty weapons and
dangerous mutations that make use of it. Radiation
Resistance is a specialty of the Constitution trait. Note
human characters are gifted (+1d) in this specialty.

Fatigue

One of two types of damage a character can suffer,

Fatigue represents strain, exhaustion, bruises, scrapes,
and other types of minor injuries that might not bother
a character individually but when accumulated will
knock him down for the count. The good news is that
Fatigue damage recovers quickly with simple rest.

Fatigue Capacity is a flat number that starts at 10 and

adds in the total number of dice for the Athletics and
Discipline traits. The starting value of 10 represents
a minimum, so characters have at least 10 Fatigue. A
strictly average character would begin with 14.

Fatigue = Athletics + Discipline + 10

Example: Gnarl has competent Athletics (+1d for a
total of 3d) but is strictly average in Discipline (2d).
3 + 2 + 10 = 15 indicating his starting Fatigue.

Wounds

While Fatigue represents minor problems that can

go away after a long nap, Wounds are more serious.
Broken bones, deep cuts, internal trauma, and every
other injury your character hopes wont happen ever
but will anyway.
Wounds Capacity is a flat number that starts at 10
and adds in total number of dice based on Brawn and
Constitution. The starting value of 10 represents a
minimum, so characters have at least 10 Wounds. A
strictly average character would begin with 14.

Wounds = Brawn + Constitution + 10

Example: Gnarl is a beefy individual with Good
Brawn (+2d for a total of 4d) and an Amazing
Constitution (+3d for a total of 5d). 4 + 5 + 10 = 19
indicating his starting Wounds.

Where
To
Next
If you want to better understand traits and qualities,

continue reading the next chapter. If you want to study

mutations, jump ahead to Chapter Five: Mutations &
Defects. When you want to learn about equipment and
tech items, head over to Chapter Six: Gear & Tech. If
youre ready to dive into the full rules of the game, skip
to Chapter Eight: Storyteller & Referee.

MUTANTS & MANKIND

28
Traits
ALERTNESS

Awareness, Observation, Responsiveness,

Searching

LEADERSHIP

Command, Morale, Presence, Social Endurance

MEDICINE

ARTISTRY

Cooking, Painting, Sculpture, Writing

Dentistry, First Aid, Poison Knowledge, Surgery

MELEE WEAPONS

ATHLETICS

Climbing, Jumping, Running, Swimming,

Throwing

Melee Weapon Attack, Melee Weapon Defense,

Melee Weapon Knowledge

PERFORMANCE

BRAWN

Grappling, Lifting, Pushing, Smashing

CONSTITUTION

Endurance, Fortitude, Radiation Resistance

CRAFTING

Acting, Dancing, Musical Instrument, Oratory,

Singing

RANGED WEAPONS

Ranged Weapon Attack,

Ranged Weapon Knowledge

STEALTH

Breaking, Fixing, Making

Hiding, Moving Quietly, Pickpocketing

DECEPTION

SURVIVAL

Disguise, Feinting, Subterfuge

Camouflage, Handling Animals, Scavenging,

Shelter, Tracking

DEXTERITY

Acrobatics, Contortion, Dodging

DISCIPLINE

Concentration, Emotional Control, Memory,

Mental Resistance

TECH

Computer Use, Tech Infiltration,

Tech Lore, Tech Repair

UNARMED COMBAT

Biting, Clawing, Striking, Unarmed Defense

INFLUENCE

Conversation, Empathy, Negotiation, Persuasion,

Seduction, Social Defense

CHAPTER THREE

30

Chapter Four: Traits & Qualities

While stock provides a first glance at a character, it

doesnt tell us much. We have no idea if shes good with
a sword or deft in the art of diplomacy, or whether she is
clumsy and graceless or a horrible shot with a pistol. It
also provides no hint as to her background, personality,
or special skills. Traits and qualities define a character,
making her interesting and fun to play.

Traits
Traits are all about action, defining what characters can

do and whether or not they can expect impressive success

or humiliating failure. Characters default to the standard
roll of 2d for unspecified traits, with anything listed on
the character sheet showing to what degree they are
outliers.
Note the game doesnt distinguish whether a
characters knack for a type of action comes from raw
ability, inborn talent, extensive training, or implanted
muscle memory from an advanced tech facilitythose
are the kinds of details a player can decide before the
game begins or even make up on the spot. All that matters
in game terms is whether or not traits vary from the norm
and to what extreme.
Remember that the modifiers listed below are always
applied to the assumed 2d average, so a sentient fern with
Good Discipline would roll 4d for those actions.

Competent (+1d)

Youve got natural ability in this area or youve had

enough practice to get the job done.

Weak (1d)

While not an utter failure, youre perfectly aware that

these actions arent your strong suit.

Good (+2d)

If the task is easy, its all but a sure thing, and even if its
hard, youve got a fair chance at success.

Hopeless (2d)

Youve failed before you start. Unless you have some

edge to give you a fighting chance, the effort is doomed.

Amazing (+3d)

Youre better at this type of action than almost anyone,

with failure being the exception not the rule.

CHAPTER FOUR

Specialties

Traits cover broad categories of action, and many

times thats all we need to know in order to determine
just how good or bad actions are likely to go. Specialties
perform double-duty in the System 26 game; they tell us
what types of specific actions fall under the more general
umbrella of each trait and also allow some characters to
be better or worse in that area than they are for other
types of actions. (A character who is strong or weak in a
specialty is defined by his qualities, as described later in
this chapter.)

Alertness
You are sharp, aware, and responsive or you are often
clueless and constantly surprised. Alertness is used to
search for visual cues or find hidden objects. Its also used
to determine a characters awareness of her surroundings
and how swiftly she reacts to a surprise.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations that deal with new or enhanced senses

(infravision, sonar) work with Alertness, as well as
those that rely on being able to properly observe a target
(molecular disruption, pyrokinesis). Tech that enhances
any of the five senses or requires attention to detail will
enhance or make use of Alertness actions.

Specialties
Awareness is often a reaction roll to see if a
character notices a clue or otherwise hidden detail.
Observation is usually an active roll to see
if a characters study of person or object gleans
specialized information.
Responsiveness is called upon to determine
how quickly a character reacts to sudden danger or
a changing situationthough its about mentally
processing the danger rather than measuring physical
response time. Responsiveness is used to determine a
characters initiative roll.
Searching is rolled when a character is actively
looking for something in the area, be it a needle in a
haystack or hidden hatch in the floor.

31
Artistry
You are creative and capable of making things to

delight and inspire or you are dull and unimaginative.

Artistry is used for inspiring endeavors, for creating
things either temporary or permanent. This trait could
add any number of specialties related to a creative field or
endeavor.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations that use creativity or expression (Blinding

Pattern) make use of Artistry. Some tech artifacts are
sophisticated tools that could allow a character to
synthesize meals in moments, creative vivid threedimensional pictures, or otherwise enhance an artistic
ability to make use of the trait.

Specialties
Cooking is used to make the most horrid
scavengings palatable or to prepare extraordinary
cuisine. It might also be used to hide the taste of
drugs or poison in food or drink.
Painting also covers drawing and similar
techniques that put pictures on paper, canvas, etc.
Sculpture can either be carving images from
stone or using soft clay to create pottery or statues
from the ground up.
Writing covers the ability to convey printed
information efficiently, as well as craft a moving story
or structure a convincing argument.

Athletics
You are fit and physically prepared for almost any

terrain or situation or you are slow and challenged

when the going gets rough. Athletics is most often related
to movement when things arent as simple as walking
across a room. This trait could add specialties related to
specific sports or other modes of movement (flying for
winged mutants, etc.).

Related Mutations & Tech

Some mutations modify physical traits or offer new

modes of movement which relate to directly to Athletics.
Some tech artifacts offer assisted movement or enhance
physical performance.

New Specialties

Most of the situations that crop up on

the Warden are covered by the traits and
listed specialties. However, a player or
referee may feel there is a need for a new
specialty to match a particular situation or
allow a character to shine in a previously
unexplored area. Thats fine! If the referee
agrees that a players specialty suggestion
isnt already covered on the list, it can be
added and modified with a characters
qualities like any other.

Specialties
Climbing covers ascending ropes, scaling walls,
or going up a tree.
Jumping is used for vertical leaps or long,
running bounds.
Running is rolled for bursts of top speed or
maintaining speed while avoiding obvious obstacles,
opposed against other characters for races and chase
situations.
Swimming comes into play when the character
is in water or similar liquids, whether slicing through
with skilled strokes or diving below to search the
bottom.
Throwing involves lobbing, hurling, or tossing an
object toward a general area or specific target.

Brawn
You are physically powerful and able to exert your

might on the physical world or youre a puny

specimen who has difficulties opening normal doors
or lifting small objects. Brawn comes into play when
a character needs brute strength to accomplish a task
without skill being much of an issue.

Related Mutations & Tech

There are mutations modifying physical traits or

enhance physical strength, which tie in to Brawn. Tech
artifacts might offer increased physical performance or
assist with Brawn-related tasks.

TRAITS & QUALITIES

32
Specialties
Grappling is rolled when attempting to grab
or hold the unwilling or engaging in some form of
wrestling.
Lifting is used to halt a descending gate, raise a
fallen object, or pick up an injured comrade.
Pushing is for heaving a dense object or pushing
an opponent off his feet.
Smashing is for breaking something with pure
violence, smashing down a door, or knocking
someones teeth out with no self-defense.

Brawn in Combat

Skilled hand-to-hand combat makes use of the

Unarmed Combat trait and related specialties, while
wrestling and grabbing maneuvers use Brawn and the
Grappling specialty. For a character who wishes to rely on
physical strength to smash his enemies with little thought
to personal safety, he may use Brawn (Smashing) at a 2d
penalty to all defensive rolls until his next turn.

Constitution
You are hale and hearty, able to shake off physical

punishment, endure hardships, and resist disease

or youre anemic, fragile, and get sick each time
someone sneezes. Constitution becomes an issue when
determining a characters ability to resist exhaustion,
fight against disease or poison, and resist the effects of
radiation.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations that channel energy through the body often

rely on Constitution. Its used to resist many forms of
damage or outside influences and is a trait enhanced by
mutations that toughen a character. Tech that enhances
a characters ability to endure a heavy load or artificially
strengthens immune response tie into Constitution.

Specialties
Endurance is called upon for staying awake when
exhausted, to keep moving while carrying a heavy
burden, or pushing through pain enough to slog on.

CHAPTER FOUR

Fortitude reflects the bodys natural defenses

against disease, toxins, and infections, and its ability
to recover from injury.
Radiation Resistance is a characters ability to
reduce or avoid the damage and possible mutations
caused by exposure to certain types of harmful energy.

Constitution & Damage

With Wounds Capacity partially derived from a

characters Constitution trait (along with Brawn) as
well as rolls to resist poison and mutation, its especially
relevant in determining just how much punishment a
character can take. Powerful, tough characters intended to
take a beating will have a high Constitution.

Crafting
You work well with your hands (or paws, tendrils, what

have you), able to build, repair, and even strategically

break things or youre hopeless with even the simplest
of tools and cant remove a loose screw without help.
Crafting is used for repairing, breaking, or creating simple
objects and structures. This trait could add specialties
related to a specific discipline, from stone mason to
carpenter.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations rarely interact with crafting, though the

complex actions that often go with building or repair
projects might make use of mutations that make the
work go easier. Technology has always been the friend
of the crafter, and advanced tech includes tools to make
the work faster and more precise, as well as true miracle
gadgets that can create components on the fly.

Specialties
Breaking isnt about smashing something (that
falls under Brawn), but rather disassembling or
breaking something with strategic precision, as well as
bypassing mechanical locks or simple devices.
Fixing covers quick battlefield jury-rigging, as
well as intensive repair and improvement projects.
Making is the art of creating new structures or
items from raw materials, usually a complex action.

33
Deception
You can lie like an old rug, bluff your way out of

danger, and disguise yourself as another gender or species

or youve got a hopelessly honest face and obvious
nervous tick when you try to deceive. Deception is all
about a character creating convenient and believable
fiction to achieve a goal, whether faking out an enemy in
a fight, cosmetically altering his appearance, or telling a
whopper of a lie.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mental mutations that plant false information in the

receiving brain often rely on Deception. Advanced tech
can be used to alter appearance, change voice pitch, or
even plant subconscious suggestions by sound.

Specialties
Disguise can be a thrown-together change, small
cosmetic alteration, or an elaborate costume with all
the embellishments.
Feint does not only reflect a dirty maneuver in
physical combat, but any use of body movement or
language with the intent to deceive the viewer.
Subterfuge is the art of the lie, including verbal
trickery and simple bluffing.

Dexterity
You are nimble and limber, able to avoid danger, flip

over obstacles, and squeeze through a tight spot or you

can barely walk through a door without bumping into
it and often trip over your own laces with the grace of a
three-legged cow. Dexterity measures the finesse of the
body, how well and how fast it can be bent to the needs of
the moment.

Related Mutations & Tech

Some mutations enhance physical prowess or increase a

mutants speed or reflexes, which interact with Dexterity.
Tech can assist in gross and fine motor control or speed
up a characters physical reactions.

Specialties
Acrobatics is used to dive, roll, flip, or properly
land a jumpmaneuvers that come in handy during
the heat of combat.
Contortion involves bending the body in nonstandard ways, whether to escape confinement, get
through a narrow opening, or some other purpose.
Dodging is often used in combat as a defensive
measure to avoid an attack, but it can also be used to
evade danger in other situations.

Discipline
You can focus your mind with laser-like precision, keep
your emotions in check while you handle a situation
wisely, are able to recall tiny details from long ago,
and defend yourself from psychic attack or youre
easily distracted, emotionally unstable, cant remember
breakfast, and are wide open for mental possession.
Discipline is about mental self-control and all that goes
with it.

Related Mutations & Tech

Discipline is a paired trait with many mental mutations

or used to extend psychic effects. It is very often the
defensive trait against mental mutations. Some tech
can stimulate appropriate areas of the brain related to
concentration, mental balance, and memory, while other
devices can shield the mind from outside influence.

Specialties
Concentration is mental focus, keeping the mind
from wandering away from the matter at hand.
Emotional Control prevents pain, anger, pity, or
other pesky feelings from overwhelming a character.
Memory is used to recall important pieces of
information or events from long ago.
Mental Resistance is used against psychic
assaults, to overcome possession, and dispel other
cerebral influences.

TRAITS & QUALITIES

34
Influence
Youre able to win friends and sway crowds, easily

talking and reading the intentions of others, haggling and

getting your way, convincing another to give into your
desires, and standing up for yourself against accusation or
insinuation or youre dull and offensive, mystified by
contextual clues in conversation, and make your listener
want to either leave the room or slap your face. Influence
is a social trait used to achieve goals through diplomacy or
personal manipulation.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations that make the mutant more likable might

pair with Influence. Certain drugs can make their users
more susceptible to Influence, and some tech might
improve personal characteristics with which Influence
interplays.

Specialties
Conversation covers one-on-one interactions
and larger social engagements in which you attempt
to steer a topic or pursue a subtle agenda.
Empathy is the art of reading social cues to
understand someones feelings and intentions, and
it is also the ability to project the sense that the
character sympathizes, whether it is true or not.
Negotiation might be high-level diplomacy,
haggling a simple deal or a complicated barter, or a
situation of give-or-take and trying to get the better
half.
Persuasion is used to convince an individual or
audience of a point of view or course of action.
Seduction is not just about convincing another to
give into carnal desires, but it also involves any act of
convincing another to surrender higher principles in
the name of baser instincts.
Social Defense is necessary to maintain ones
reputation or standing when honor, trustworthiness,
or dignity is called into question.

Leadership
You command respect, boost flagging spirits, intimidate
with a glare, and have the social staying power that works
in politics and political structures or you inspire

CHAPTER FOUR

derision, make others feel worse about themselves,

and dont have the backbone to handle a group vote.
Leadership determines whether your character is a social
sheep or the leader of the pack.

Related Mutations & Tech

Some mutations that are about asserting ones will on

another living creature make use of Leadership. There
isnt much tech to improve an inherent social trait such as
Leadership, though some devices might alter a characters
voice to be more powerful and commanding, change the
appearance of the eyes to be more intimidating, etc.

Specialties
Command is used to convince a weak-willed
individual to obey, at least in the short term, or for
determining the effectiveness of control.
Morale is rolled when attempting to keep an allys
confidence up or maintain the positive attitude of a
group.
Presence is about having ita bearing that
stands out in a crowd or a quality that demands
attention, and it is also used for subtle intimidation.
Social Endurance is used to defend against
social slander that threatens a characters command
structure or damages his reputation as a leader.

Medicine

You understand the workings of living bodies, able to

perform emergency first aid, check for signs of toxin, or
even perform surgery on grievous wounds or you are
hopeless with the sight of blood, unable to distinguish
medical problems or evaluate pain, and would only kill
someone with a surgeons blade. Medicine is a healers
trait, one used to keep living things in fighting form.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations generally dont directly interact with

Medicine, though many that deal with healing can
work in concert with a healers talents. Tech can provide
almost anything a Medicine practitioner could ask
for, from surgical tools, fast-healing devices, helpful
pharmaceuticals, or cellular regeneration artifacts that
revive the recently dead or re-grow a severed limb.

35
Specialties
Dentistry is called upon when the problem
relates to the mouth or teeth.
First Aid is short-term measures to keep someone
alive or to keep an injury from getting worse.
Poison Knowledge offers a chance to detect
harmful toxins and what countermeasures can
neutralize them.
Surgery is the art of cutting up a living creature to
help it recover from injury or serious ailment.

Use of Medicine

The use of Medicine in helping characters heal their

injuries is covered in Chapter Seven, Recovery &
Healing. More information about poison can be found in
Chapter Seven, Specialized Damage.

Melee
Weapons
You are deadly in hand-to-hand combat, able to block

incoming strikes and discern quality weapons from the

inferior or you tend to drop handheld weapons and
are only barely able to avoid holding the sharp end of a
blade. Melee Weapons is used in close combat for attack
and defense, or outside of combat for general knowledge
about these types of death-dealing implements.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations that simulate handheld weapons pair with

the Melee Weapons trait. There are many tech offerings
of sophisticated and terrifying murder instruments, from
vibroblades to laser saws.

Specialties
Melee Weapon Attack is rolled when attempting
to slash, stab, bludgeon, or otherwise harm with a
handheld weapon.
Melee Weapon Defense is used to parry, block,
or disarm using a held weapon.
Melee Weapon Knowledge is used outside of
combat to appraise a weapons quality or recall useful
information on the subject.

Performance
You come alive for an audience, bringing nuance to

a character, dancing with meaning and beauty, playing

music that moves the soul, delivering rousing speeches,
or singing with the voice of an angel or you fumble
your lines, move without grace, are a wretched speaker,
or are completely tone-deaf. Performance is about
putting on a show and giving your audience something to
remember.

Related Mutations & Tech

Some mental mutations tie into a characters ability

to move and inform a viewer or listener, making use of
Performance. Tech might be used to magnify or improve
the quality of a characters voice, to project his image
larger than life, or allow her to project the music of an
entire symphony straight from her mind.

Specialties
Acting is used to portray a believable character,
whether in personal situations or in front of an
audience.
Dancing is used to move the body in rhythm and
time, with or without music.
Musical Instrument allows the the character to
use one or more specialized tools to make pleasing
sounds.
Oratory is the art speech, using the spoken word
to stir emotions.
Singing is used to convey the beauty of music
using only the tools with which the character was
born.

Ranged
Weapons
You are an excellent shot who can shoot the wings off

a gnat or you couldnt hit the broadside of a bulkhead.

Ranged Weapons covers hitting something thats too far
to stab, using bow, gun, or thrown rock.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations that simulate or augment ranged weapons

pair with the Ranged Weapons trait. There are
many horrible ranged tech weapons, from lasers to
disruptors.

TRAITS & QUALITIES

36
Specialties
Ranged Weapon Attack is used to pick off an
enemy without getting ones appendages dirty.
Ranged Weapon Knowledge is rolled to
determine knowledge about non-tech weapons, other
than perhaps which way to point the thing. (Tech is
used for all advanced technology, including weapons.)

Stealth
Youre able to vanish into the shadows, walk with

silent steps, and have nimble fingers able to pluck a small

prize without notice or youre a clod who has trouble
hiding behind a wall, walks with heavy footfalls, and is
burdened with fingers made of butter. Stealth is a method
of avoiding detection, sometimes (and especially) when
engaged in a clandestine activity.

Related Mutations & Tech

Some mutations enhance physical traits or aid in

stealth by making a character less noticeable. Tech can
aid in Stealth by providing camouflage, muting localized
sounds, or assisting in cutpurse activities.

Specialties
Hiding is rolled when a character attempts to use
the concealment of darkness, terrain, or whatever
large object is nearby to stay out of sight.
Moving Quietly is used for not alerting or
alarming those within earshot.
Pickpocketing is used to deftly snatch small
objects unnoticed, and other feats of sleight of hand.

Notes on Performance

Survival
You stay alive using cunning and scavenged resources,

remaining hidden from enemies and predators, calming

and taming animals, grabbing whatever food is available,
constructing a temporary refuge, or following the tracks
of potential prey or you have a hard time finding your
next meal, can barely use ready-made shelters, and have
a hard time finding your way home. Survival is about
the mundane-yet-essential tasks that keep an individual
or group alive on a day-to-day basis, making sure that
essential needs like food, water, and shelter are covered.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations that summon or control other creatures

sometimes use Survival, while others might aid in specific
Survival-related tasks, such as group camouflage, noticing
details that aid in tracking, etc. While tech rarely aids in
Survival in the broader sense, many artifacts might assist
with specific needs, such as synthesizing food or water, a
collapsable tent or shelter, or scanning for tracks.

Specialties
Camouflage is about creating a way to hide
in plain sight using the surrounding background,
though its usually less effective at close range.
Handling Animals is used to calm, tame, train,
and befriend creatures of lower intelligence.
Scavenging is about finding whatever food is
most readily available, be it plants, discarded waste, or
the recently dead.
Shelter is used to either find a suitable place to
rest or to construct one from available materials.
Tracking is used to follow a specific target over a
long distance, terrain permitting.

More than any other, the Performance trait is rather broad and covers more ground than
might be considered realistic. Its a very rare character that would be an effective public
speaker, graceful dancer, and a master on the flute, after all. However, its useful shorthand for
the game, and since it covers limited situations, there is little harm in leaving things as-is and
roleplaying out a characters talents in these areas.
Alternately, if the referee and group want more believability, these specialties can all be
treated as separate traits that do not overlap with new specialties specific to those areas. And
perhaps the group may want to make a character with a high Musical Instrument choose
specifically in which type of instrument her talents lie.

CHAPTER FOUR

37
Alternate Rule: Weapon-Specific Specialties

The listed rules make characters equally deadly or useless with all weapons based on their
traits and specialties. If the group and referee prefers, instead of having separate specialties for
attack and defense, they can refer to types of weapons: Blades, Bludgeons, Staves, etc. In this
method, its familiarity with the weapon that can be improved as a specialty, not just one facet
of hand-to-hand fighting. Both attack and defense would be rolled equally with the type of
weapon being used. For Ranged Weapons it would be Bows, Slings, Pistols, Rifles, etc.

Tech
The use of tools and technology comes instinctively

to you, allowing you to interface with mysterious

computer terminals, bypass locking mechanisms, use
your extensive knowledge to identify the purpose and use
of artifacts, and repair broken technology or youre
unsure and uncertain how these complicated devices
are supposed to work and descriptions of them sound
like an alien language. Tech is about the understanding
of items created before life reverted to simple savagery,
artifacts with purposes ranging from the mundane to the
spectacular.

Related Mutations & Tech

Mutations almost never directly interact with tech,

though some that assist in memory or the gaining of
knowledge might help indirectly. This trait is all about
the use of technology of any kind, and it is used to help
identify and figure out unknown tech artifacts.

Specialties
Computer Use is rolled when a character
attempts to use a computer terminal or remote device
to gain information or accomplish some other goal.
Tech Infiltration is used to disable electronic
locks and security systems that usually require a color
band, passcode, or special key.
Tech Lore is used to identify the purpose and
use of an unknown tech artifact, preferably without
melting ones face off. Use of this facet of Tech is
covered in detail in Chapter Six.
Tech Repair is for that sad day when a valuable
tech item breaks and needs to be fixed.

Character Tech Knowledge

The understanding and use of technology is an

especially important place to distinguish between a
players knowledge and that of the character. Most aboard
the Warden have reverted to a primitive tribal state with a
bizarre mix of hunter-gatherer knowledge and confused
lore about robots, lasers, and rooms that move with the
push of a button. At the basic 2d level, a character knows
that buttons and switches might do something, but most
clues as to an artifacts purpose are completely lost on
them. Each higher level in Tech indicates more talent and
grounding when dealing with technology, but even the
most advanced character has a primitive understanding
of how things work and what they mean, with less
understanding of technology than her player.

Unarmed
Combat
You require no weapons to be dangerous, able to lash

out with fist or foot, tooth or claw, vine or branch or

youre awkwardly terrible at hand fighting, telegraphing
your attacks and striking ineffectively. Unarmed Combat
is used for personal violence with no implements, just
fists (or paws) and fury.

Related Mutations & Tech

There are mutations that create or enhance a creatures

natural weaponry or physical savagery, making them
never truly unarmed in a fight. Tech items can enhance
hand combat, such as powered gauntlets, retractable
claws, and more.

TRAITS & QUALITIES

38
Specialties

Stock-Specific Qualities

Biting is most often used by mutant animals with

the teeth for the job, though in the right brawl even
a human can find a good place to clamp down with
painful effect.
Clawing is most often the domain of mutant
animals or humans whove evolved talons, giving
them an inborn weapon to slash a target to ribbons.
Striking is rolled for punching, whether precise
jabs or wild haymakers.
Kicking includes stomping and other violent use
of leg and foot.
Unarmed Defense is a block rather than a dodge,
effective unless the enemy is using a weapon.

Unarmed Defense vs.

Armed Attack

When fighting unarmed against a foe using a melee

weapon, its usually best to dodge, but if thats not an
option or less than effective, a character may still block.
If the defense is successful, he has canceled out the
opponents achievements, but he is still subject to the
bonus damage for that weapon.

Qualities
Traits are all about action, defining what a character

can do in broad strokes. Qualities define a character in

a more specific way either by focusing on a more
tightly-defined type of action or a situation in which he
might excel or struggle. Talents are qualities that provide
an advantage; liabilities are those qualities that present a
disadvantage.
Qualities can be a great source of inspiration for
roleplaying, offering a glimpse into the personality or
personal history of a character. Players should consider
these smaller details when deciding just what makes a
character tick.
Characters start with 2 dice worth of talents and can
take up to 2 additional dice worth of liabilities to get an
equal number in additional talents (so a character could
possess a maximum of 4d of talents, 2d of liabilities).

CHAPTER FOUR

While most qualities are available for any character,

others are available only for characters of particular
stock, as noted in the description. One of the most
basic examples of this is Speech which is assumed
for human and mutated humans but must be taken as a
talent for mutant plants and mutant animals. Otherwise,
those characters must rely on non-verbal forms of
communication.

Compatibility

Some qualities just dont go together. One cannot

have Speech and be Mute at the same time, for example.
Others might seem to disagree but could work in
concert with some creative thinking. As with so much
else, the referee is the final word if there is a question on
whether qualities are compatible or might require some
reselection.

Specialties
Are you fast runner but awkward swimmer? Do you

possess focused concentration but a terrible memory? Is

the skill of negotiation a snap for you but you are inept
in the arts of seduction? Specialties are the subset of traits
that cover a more narrow range of action and define a
characters skills and abilities more specifically.
Specialties can be found under their respective traits
earlier in this chapter. A specialty cannot be modified
more than 2d either to the positive (talented at as
descriptive shorthand) or negative (inept at), and the
normal rule of dice pools not going higher than 5d under
normal circumstances still applies.

Examples

Gnarl has Brawn at 4d, meaning with actions such

as Lifting, Pushing, and Smashing, he rolls four dice.
He is talented at Grappling however, with that specialty
receiving +1d for a total of five dice for wrestling,
grabbing, and related actions.
Iyam has a normal Discipline, the default 2d all
characters have with undefined traits. However, he is
inept at Emotional Control, suffering a 2d penalty and
suffering automatic failure (as zero-dice actions generally
do) in situations where he might let his instincts and
feelings get the better of him.

39
Talents
While not the more extraordinary abilities granted

by mutations, talents are nonetheless significant and

important abilities a character might use to survive and
thrive in a dangerous environment. They represent
situational advantages that fall outside of traits (often
affecting or interacting with them) but could otherwise be
the result of an inborn proclivity or constant training. The
window dressing of the whys and hows of a talent are a
decision for the player in the portrayal of a character.

Agile Combatant (2d)

Focusing on movement as part of combat, the character

does not suffer a multi-action penalty if moving and
attacking at once. (The benefit does not apply if the
character attacks more than once or takes other actions in
a turn.)
Note: This ability only works with either Melee or
Ranged attacks, one of which is chosen when the talent is
acquired.

Ambidextrous (1d)

The character can use any limb equally well and does
not suffer an off-hand weapon penalty.

Brutal (1d)

Talented at dealing damage, the character may reduce

1d from the dice pool of an attack, then add 1d Wound to
the damage inflicted if the attack is successful.

Burrower (1d)

Energetic digging grants the character an additional

movement type: burrow. Soft earth is the norm, and the
base speed is 1 foot per turn. Hard earth allows only halfmovement, and harder terrain may not allow burrowing
at all.
Stock: Mutant Animal. (Certain animal types are adept
at digging, making this talent available at the referees
discretion.)

Defensive (1d)

Better at avoiding damage than dealing it out, the

character receives a +1d bonus to all defensive actions
(blocking, dodging, etc.) but receives an equal penalty to
all attack actions.

Determined (2d)

The character is able to focus through pain and

wounds, not suffering a penalty for injured actions (see
Chapter Seven, Consequences of Damage).

Driver (1d - 2d)

Skill with vehicles and controlled pieces of tech come

naturally to the character, who receives the quality level as
a bonus to actions when behind the wheel.

High Tolerance (1d - 2d)

When imbibing alcohol or another ingested toxin, the

character receives a bonus to any roll to resist its effects
equal to the quality level.

Intuitive (1d - 2d)

Talented at connecting seemingly unrelated ideas,

the character receives a bonus equal to the quality level
to actions related to speculation or understanding the
unknown. (The referee must approve when this quality is
applied before the roll is made.)

Knowledgeable (1d - 2d)

Always one to know a fact or piece of history, the

character receives a bonus to any related trait roll for
simply knowing something rather than taking an action.
If no related trait applies, assume the default (2d) value
before applying the quality.

Light Sleeper (1d)

Waking up at a moments notice, the character may roll

Alertness checks to detect and respond to an unexpected
presence while unconscious.
Stock: Any non-plant. Mutant animal breeds that do
not require sleep also may not take this quality.

Literate (1d)

The character is able to understand written language

enough so as to easily understands signs, simple
directions, etc. More complicated written material might
require an action (Tech or other trait, depending on
the source) or simply be beyond the characters basic
understanding of writing.

Lucky (1d)

When an action point is spent to reroll an action, the

character gains +1d to the second roll.

TRAITS & QUALITIES

40
Mobile (2d)

The character is able to move up to 5 feet without it

counting as an action. This may be used in conjunction
with movement, attack, or other types of actions.

Resilient (2d)

The character rolls 2d to determine recovered Fatigue

when performing a Second Wind (see Chapter Seven,
Recovery & Healing).

Robotic Empathy (1d - 2d)

Possessing a knack for understanding and

communicating with robots, the character receives a
bonus for related actions equal to the quality level.
Stock: Humans, Mutated Humans

Speech (1d)

The character has developed the ability to speak, despite

others of the species being unable to do so. It might
sound like a normal voice and speech or something
so alien and stilted that it takes careful listening to
understand.
Stock: Mutant Animal. (Human and mutated human
characters are assumed to be able to speak without taking
a quality. Plants must take the Plantspeak mutation to
verbally communicate.)

Sprinter (2d)

Adept at running short distances, the character adds

5 feet to base movement whenever going faster than
walking speed.

Tough (2d)

The character adds +1 to total possible Wound capacity.

Unyielding (2d)

Unwilling to drop even when mortally wounded, the

character rolls an Average Constitution (Fortitude) check
when dying and remains conscious for a number of turns
equal to the achievements earned.

Vigor (2d)

The character adds +2 to total possible Fatigue capacity.

Liabilities
Everyone has characteristics that get in the way of a

job well done, whether related to personality or just a

minor quirk from birth. Liabilities are situation-specific

CHAPTER FOUR

hindrances that usually impair an action or a specific

element of a character. While not the level of impairment
as a defective mutation, liabilities can nonetheless make a
differencein a bad way.

Combat Rage (1d - 2d)

Damage makes the character lose self-control, and he

must succeed an Easy (1d) or Average (2d) Discipline
(Emotional Control) check or must use the next available
action to attack or move toward the source of the damage.

Delicate Stomach (1d)

Disgusting sights and horrible smells distract the

character, causing a 1d penalty to all actions for 1d turns.

Far-Sighted (1d - 2d)

Best able to see things far away, vision becomes

blurry, and the character suffers a 1d penalty on visiondependent actions for anything within 10 feet (1d) or 20
feet (2d).

Fixated (2d)

Suffering from a one-track mind, the character suffers

an additional 1d penalty for multiple actions.

Flustered (2d)

Stymied by failure, the character cannot take any

actions the turn after a botch is rolled (in addition to
other penalties).

Fragile (2d)

The character reduces possible Wound capacity by 1.

Heavy Sleeper (1d)

Difficult to rouse, the character suffers a 1d penalty

for all checks to detect and respond to an unexpected
presence while unconscious.
Stock: Any non-plant. (Mutant animal breeds that do
not require sleep also may not take this quality.)

Hesitant (2d)

Slow to react to danger, the character suffers a 2d

penalty to any action taken the very first turn of combat
or other situation in which initiative is determined.

Low Tolerance (1d)

When imbibing alcohol or another ingested toxin, the

character receives a penalty (1d) to any roll to resist its
effects equal to the quality level.

41
Mute (1d)

Whether the character never learned to speak or lost the

ability due to injury or mutilation, she is unable to make
use of verbal communication. The character must rely on
other methods to convey ideas and plans to others.
Stock: Human, Mutated Human. (Mutant plants and
mutant animal characters are able to communicate with
others of their kind, but are essentially assumed to be
mute in terms of human speech and language.)

Near-Sighted (1d - 2d)

Best able to see things close up, vision becomes

blurry and the character suffers a 1d penalty on visiondependent actions for anything more than 20 feet (1d) or
10 feet (2d).

Restless (1d)

The character becomes frustrated and unpleasant with

unchanging scenery, suffering a 1d to all social actions
if contained to the same general area for more than six
waking hours.

Shy (1d)

Uncomfortable around unknown individuals, the

character suffers a 1d penalty to all social actions for the
first day in their presence.

Slow Runner (2d)

Inept at running long distances, the character reduces

base movement by 5 feet whenever going faster than
walking speed.

Sluggish Combatant (2d)

Reluctant to move while in a fight, the character suffers

an additional 1d multi-action penalty if moving and
attacking in the same turn.

Weak (2d)

The character reduces possible Fatigue capacity by 2.

Wounded Impairment (2d)

Unfocused (2d)

The character is not able to focus through pain and

wounds, suffering 2d penalty for injured actions
instead of the standard penalty (see Chapter Seven,
Consequences of Damage).

Unhelpful (1d)

Where
To
Next
To understand mutations and how they can impact a

Easily distracted or possessing a short attention span,

the character suffers a 1d penalty for all complex action
rolls.
Not much of a team player, the character may offer a
maximum of +1d when offering assistance to another
(see Chapter 7, Group Efforts and Assistance).

Unlucky (2d)

When an action point is spent to reroll an action, the

character suffers a 1d penalty to the second roll.

character, keep reading in Chapter Five: Mutations

& Defects. If want to know all about equipment and
advanced technology, head over to Chapter Six: Gear
& Tech. To learn how traits and qualities impact the
rules in-depth, read Chapter Seven: Rules.

TRAITS & QUALITIES

Chapter Five: Mutations & Defects

A bear can be frightening all on its own. Combined
with razor-sharp spines and the ability to generate
a field of life-draining energy, you have the stuff of
nightmares. Fortunately for your life expectancy, the
beast has an extra set of limbs that only slow it down as
the ursoid terror gives chase.
Mutations are a major element in keeping residents
of the Warden on their toes, as you never know what
to expect and no two creatures have exactly the same
mutations. (And some mutants may not have toes at
all.) However, mutant creatures might also be plagued
with defects that only make their lives more difficult.
In game terms, a Mutation is always beneficial, while
a Defect is always detrimental, though everything
described in this chapter is technically a mutation.
Weve listed them separately for ease of reference.
Chapter Three details how mutants (everyone in
the game except humans) acquire their mutations and
defects during character creation. Mutations might
also crop up during play through exposure to radiation
or technology aboard the Warden and will be rolled
randomly. You never know what you might happen!

Acquiring
Mutations
Unless youre playing a pure, unadulterated human,

your character is a mutant of some kind. Most

mutations are acquired during the character creation
process as described in Chapter Three.
If the referee is allowing players to choose mutations
for new characters, they must first check the characters
stock. Mutated humans and mutant animals have access
to physical and mental mutationsalong with their
related defects. Mutant plants also have access to a small
group of mutations available to only them.
If playing a mutant animal with an established breed,
check to see which mutations you are required to select
as part of that breed. Those must be picked (and paid
for) like any other, even if the rest of the mutations are
determined randomly.
Starting mutant characters receive 6d worth of
mutations. Optionally, they may take up to 4d worth
of defects to acquire an equal number of beneficial
mutations. (For example, a player might decide to
take 2d of defects to start the game with 8d worth of
beneficial mutations.) Defects are not required for
starting characters.

43

Radiation Exposure

Mutations might be acquired during play if a mutant

character is exposed to a lethal level of radiation.
Before acquiring the damage, the mutant rolls an
Average Constitution (Radiation Resistance) check. If
successful, the character does not take the damage and
instead develops a new, random mutation that manifests
in 1d days from the time of exposure.

Random Mutations

If you are building a character with randomly

determined mutations, use the tables below; however,
you still may choose the mutation power level of the
listed mutation or defect. If you cannot afford the listed
mutation, simply choose the lowest mutation power
level available for that mutation.
If the strength of a mutation must be determined
randomly, roll on Table 5.1 and choose the lowest,
closest match to whats available for the listed mutation.

5.1 - Random Mutation Power Level

1d
1-2
3-4
5
6

Mutation Power Level

1d
2d
3d
4d

If the character is a mutated human or mutant

animal, determine his mutations using Table 5.2.

5.2 - Human / Animal Mutation

Determination
1d
1
2-3
4-5
6

Type
Defect (1d: 1-3 Mental, 4-6 Physical)
Mental Mutation
Physical Mutation
Special

If the character is a mutant plant, determine its

mutations using Table 5.3.

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

44
5.4 - Physical Mutations
dx
11
12
13
14
15
16
21
22
23
24
25
26
31
32
33
34
35
36
41
42
43
44
45
46
51
52
53
54
55
56
61
62
63
64
65
66

5.5 - Mental Mutations

Mutation
Biped/Quadruped
Extra Eyes
Smaller
Water Adaptation
Allurement
Chameleon Power
Dual Brain
Energy Absorption
Toxin Resistance
Hands of Power
Healing Touch
Heightened Speed
New Body Parts
Disease Immunity
Elongated Limbs
Infravision
Larger
Metamorphosis
Multiple Limbs
Rapid Recovery
Sonar
Universal Digestion
Anti-life Leech
Bodily Control
Electrical Generation
Gas Generation
Heightened Physical Trait
Kinetic Absorption
Poison Bite
Energy Metamorphosis
Energy Reflection
Heat Generation
Density Control, Self
Regeneration
Shapeshift
Sonic Blast

Levels
1d
1d
1d
1d
1d - 2d
1d - 2d
1d - 2d
1d - 2d
1d - 2d
1d - 4d
1d - 4d
1d - 4d
1d - 4d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d - 4d
2d - 4d
2d - 4d
2d - 4d
2d / 4d
2d / 4d
2d / 4d
3d - 4d
3d - 4d
3d - 4d
4d
4d
4d
4d

CHAPTER FIVE

dx
11
12
13
14
15
16
21
22
23
24
25
26
31
32
33
34
35
36
41
42
43
44
45
46
51
52
53
54
55
56
61
62
63
64
65
66

Mutation
Direction Sense
Telekinetic Hand
Empathy
Fear Generation
Intuition
Mental Blast
Mental Defense Shield
Mental Reflection
Molecular Disruption
Telekinesis
Thought Imitation
Pyrokinesis
Displacement
Levitation
Precognition
Telekinetic Claw
Teleport Object
Will Force
Force Field Generation
Mental Invisibility
Stunning Blast
Death Field Generation
Heightened Mental Trait
Illusion Generation
Magnetic Control
Psionic Healing
Confusion
Density Control, Others
Devolution
Mental Control
Mental Paralysis
Repulsion Field Generation
Symbiotic Control
Telekinetic Flight
Telepathy
Teleportation

Levels
1d
1d
1d - 2d
1d - 2d
1d - 2d
1d - 4d
1d - 4d
1d - 4d
1d - 4d
1d - 4d
1d - 4d
1d - 4d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d - 4d
2d - 4d
2d - 4d
2d / 4d
2d / 4d
2d / 4d
2d / 4d
2d / 4d
4d
4d
4d
4d
4d
4d
4d
4d
4d
4d

45

5.3 - Plant Mutation Determination

1d
1
2-3
4
5
6

Type
Defect (1d: 1-2 Mental, 3-4 Physical, 5-6 Plant)
Plant Mutation
Physical Mutation
Mental Mutation
Special

Special: If this mutation is acquired during play, the

referee might assign a specific mutation to the character.
Otherwise, the player may choose his mutation from
any available or strengthen an existing mutation to a
higher mutation power level.
Two-Digit Dice Rolls (dx): Note that when rolling
on the two-digit tables, you will roll two dice, with one
die chosen to represent the tens and the other the
ones. For example, if the first die roll is a 4 and the
second is a 2, the result would be 42.

If determining mutations randomly, roll on the

appropriate table. Mutations and defects are listed by
category, alphabetically, later in this chapter.

5.6 - Physical Defects

2d
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

Defect

Diminished Sense
Allergy
Achilles Heel
Energy Vulnerability
Hyperactive Metabolism
Nocturnal
Poor Respiration
Body Change
Skin Alteration
Seizures
Doubled Pain

Levels
1d - 2d
1d - 3d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d
2d / 4d
2d / 4d
3d - 4d
4d

46
5.7 - Mental Defects
1d
1
2
3
4
5
6

Defect

Levels

Phobia
Weakened Mental Defenses
Mental Block
Stress-Induced Amnesia
Multiplied Damage
Boomerang

1d - 2d
1d - 4d
2d
2d
2d / 4d
4d

5.8 - Plant Mutations

1d
1
2
3
4
5
6

Mutation

Levels

Plantspeak
Berries
Thorns
Cones
Hardened Bark
Vines

1d
1d - 4d
1d / 3d / 4d
2d / 4d
2d / 4d
2d / 4d

5.9 - Plant Defects

1d
1-2
3-4
5-6

Defect

Levels

Water Dependent
Attraction Odor
Photodependent

2d
2d / 4d
4d

Physical
Mutations
Whether subtle (like immunity to disease) or

dramatic (such as blasting bolts of energy from

outstretched fingers) physical mutations represent
changes to a characters physiology. Most physical
mutations manifest in obvious ways, though sometimes
the changes go down to the cellular level or only reveal
themselves when an ability is called upon.

Allurement (1d - 2d)

The mutant may emit a pheromone or attractive

energy that effects one chosen target within sight. If
the mutant succeeds the target is compelled to take
actions to move adjacent to the character and will
do no harm to the mutant (though his allies are fair
game). If the target is attacked or takes damage, the

CHAPTER FIVE

influence is broken. Artificial lifeforms (computers,

robots, androids) are immune to this ability, along with
one other category of creature chosen at random (1d)
when the mutation is taken: 1 - Plants, 2 - Mammals,
3 - Reptiles, 4 - Arthropods, 5 - Amphibians, 6 - Fish.
This ability may also be used in a subtle manner outside
of combat, granting the mutation power level as bonus
dice for social actions, performances, etc. when another
character or audience is being swayed.
Frequency: At will.
Paired Trait: Influence or Performance (chosen
when the mutation is taken), defended by Discipline
(Mental Resistance).
Manifestation: Normally, this mutation is a subtle
perfume, but it can be hypnotic skin patterns, alluring
music, or a psychic call not easily resisted.

Anti-life Leech (2d - 4d)

This mutation drains bio-energy from a target. When

the mutant touches any living being (including plants
but excluding artificial life), he inflicts d6 Fatigue and
recovers an equal amount. Wounds are unaffected by
this power, and Fatigue cannot recover past normal
maximum. Any action that succeeds in direct physical
contact with the target may be used for this power. If
used in a surprise situation to an adjacent target, no roll
may be required. A willing target also negates the need
for a roll.
Frequency: A number of times per day equal to the
mutation power level.
Manifestation: The mutant often has a sickly or
weak demeanor. In addition, when using the power,
there is usually a sign, such as purplish eyes or a
necrotic energy field that withers small plants and kills
tiny insects nearby.

Biped/Quadruped (1d)

This mutation permanently alters the standard mode

of locomotion for the type of creature. It changes
quadrupedal animals into bipeds or bipedal animals
into quadrupeds. The mutation does not remove the
creatures hands, but they will be integrated into its new
mode of locomotion. For birds and bats, this means
their wings have evolved into strangely shaped walking
limbs.
Manifestation: The physical change is obvious.

47
Bodily Control (2d - 4d)

By using this mutation, the character can enhance

one physical trait temporarily, adding dice equal to
the mutation power level for a number of turns equal
to Discipline (Concentration). Physical traits include
Athletics, Brawn, Constitution, Dexterity, and Stealth.
Frequency: Once per hour.
Manifestation: This often has obvious physical
effects while active, such as bulging muscles, distorted
limbs, etc. The alteration reverts to normal when the
enhancement ends.

Chameleon Power (1d - 2d)

With only a moments concentration, the mutant

can cause her skin to take on the background color
and patterns of the area. This is not a perfect disguise,
but it makes the mutant much harder to spot in most
situations. The mutation does not affect clothing
or armor, so the mutant must travel light or lose
any benefit. The mutation power level is added to
any actions that benefit from the power, and those
characters farther away than 20 feet suffer a 1d penalty
on attempts to spot the character.
Manifestation: Even when not actively using the
power, the mutants skin will often slowly shift to take
on the colors and patterns of whatever she is sitting on
or standing near.

Density Control, Self (4d)

With this potent ability, the mutant can control the

spacing of the atoms in his own body! There are two
ways to use this power.
Compression: The mutant may compress his body,
shrinking to half normal size but hardening his flesh
and providing Armor 2 protection (see Chapter
Six, Armor and Chapter Seven, Damage for more
information on such protection). Base movement is
reduced by 5 feet and a 2d penalty is imposed on any
physical actions that take place in water.
Expansion: The mutant may expand his body,
doubling in height. The mutants base movement is
increased by 5 feet and gains an additional reach of
5 feet, but he suffers a 2d penalty to Brawn-based
actions. The expanded mutant is also more buoyant
and can walk on water if not weighed down by too
much gear.

Mutation Entries

Mutations and defects are presented in

a standardized format for easy reference.
Note not all entries have every subsection
listed below:

Name (Mutation Power Level)

In addition to providing the name of the

entry, there is also a die level presented in
parenthesesthe mutation power level.
The die level defines the mutations relative
potency. Sometimes the mutation power
level is purely for purposes of game balance
and reference, while often it represents dice
that will be rolled or added to a dice pool
when the mutation or defect comes into
play.
Next is a written description of the
mutation, summarizing its nature and
providing any relevant rules for its use.
Frequency: How often a mutation or
defect occurs. Permanent mutations will
omit this entry.
Paired Trait: A mutations power is
sometimes used with an action associated
with a particular trait. For example, if a
mutant character is using Allurement in
combat, she might roll her Performance
trait (2d) plus the mutation power level of
2d, giving her 4 dice in the pool to attract
and pacify a dangerous enemy.
Manifestation: This entry describes how
the mutation can be detected by others,
whether its a permanent change or only
occurs when the mutation or defect is
activated.
Special: Any other rules or requirements
for what types of characters can acquire a
mutation or defect are listed here.

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

48
Frequency: Up to three times per 24 hours with each
use lasting for a number of minutes equal to Discipline
(Concentration).
Manifestation: Until the mutant uses this power,
there are no obvious signs. When used, the mutants
proportions tend to compress or expand slightly, along
with size.

Disease Immunity (2d)

The mutants immune system is hyper-aggressive,

making her completely immune to infection and
disease. The referee may designate adventure-specific
pathogens (an unknown or genetically-engineered
virus, some alien infection, etc.) an exception to this
mutation.
Manifestation: Other than the characters
exceptional health, there is no obvious outward sign.

Dual Brain (1d - 2d)

The mutant develops a second brain, though not

a second head. The secondary brain acts as a backup
system, constantly mirroring the characters primary
brain for thought and memory. This grants a bonus
equal to the mutation power level for any attempt to
recall a pertinent fact, as well as to resist mental attacks.
However, the real utility of this mutation occurs when
the character is stunned, mind-controlled, mentally
paralyzed, or otherwise loses control. After one turn the
secondary brain becomes the primary and the mutant
is able to resume normal actions. (If the second brain
is itself subject to attack, it is handled and tracked
separately.) As long as at least one of the brains is
uncontrolled, the character may act normally.
Manifestation: The character might possess a
grossly enlarged cranium, though its possible for the
second brain to be in an enclosed hump on the spine, in
the chest cavity, or another logical place. It will usually
be visible as a growth or protuberance, which might be
hidden under loose clothing.

Electrical Generation (3d - 4d)

The mutants body generates and can discharge a

shocking amount of electricity. He may either use it as
reaction to anything that comes into physical contact
(most often an attacking enemy) or as an attack against
an Easy target with the mutation power level rolled
as bonus Fatigue electricity damage. Alternately, the

CHAPTER FIVE

mutant may release a bolt in a straight line up to 60

feet as a ranged attack with the mutation power level as
bonus electrical damage. At the referees discretion and
the characters understanding of tech, he might be able
to recharge electrical devices by using the mutation.
The mutation grants a constant resistance to electrical
damage equal to the mutation power level.
Frequency: Once every four hours.
Paired Traits: Constitution (Endurance) for
discharge; Alertness (Awareness) for bolt.
Manifestation: When using the power, the mutant
is crackling and glowing with energy. When passive,
the mutant still has a powerful static field that causes
harmless electrical shocks but might have minor effects
on tech.

Elongated Limbs (2d)

The characters limbs (arms or legs, chosen when the

mutation is acquired) are elongated, and the muscle and
bone structure have altered to compensate. Elongated
legs increase base movement and overhead reach by 5
feet. Elongated arms grant an additional reach of 5 feet
and a bonus to grappling actions equal to the mutation
power level.
Manifestation: The oversized arms or legs are
obvious and difficult to disguise.

Energy Absorption (1d - 2d)

The mutants body hyper-metabolizes or otherwise

absorbs a particular type of damage chosen when the
mutation is acquired (cold, electricity, fire, radiation,
sonic) and has a constant resistance to that damage type
equal to the mutation power level.
Manifestation: The mutant often displays a subtle
hint as to the type of energy he is resistant to, such
as being cool or warm to the to the touch, has oddly
textured skin, etc.
Special:If circumstances allow this mutation to
increase in power level, the mutation shifts to Energy
Metamorphosis or Energy Reflection using the
same type of energy. If a mutant already has Energy
Metamorphosis and this is chosen or rolled, the
mutation must use a different type of energy.

49
Energy Metamorphosis (3d - 4d)

The mutants body hyper-metabolizes or otherwise

absorbs a particular type of damage chosen when the
mutation is acquired (cold, electricity, fire, radiation,
sonic) and has a constant resistance to that damage type
equal to the mutation power level. In addition, he may
recover Fatigue as a reaction to contact with the listed
energy type, equal to achievements rolled with a dice
pool equal to the mutation power level.
Frequency: Fatigue recovery once every four hours.
Manifestation: The mutant often displays a subtle
hint as to the type of energy she is resistant to, such
as being cool or warm to the to the touch, has oddly
textured skin, etc. She radiates a strangely-colored aura
(indicative of the energy type) when recovering fatigue.

Energy Reflection (3d - 4d)

The mutants body hyper-metabolizes or otherwise

absorbs a particular type of damage chosen when the
mutation is acquired (cold, electricity, fire, radiation,
sonic) and has a constant resistance to that damage type
equal to the mutation power level. In addition, he may
discharge the energy type as a bolt in a straight line
up to 60 feet on his next turn immediately after the
resistance was applied.
Frequency: Whenever the energy type is resisted;
however, using it as a ranged attack is an action and
only possible on the following turn.
Paired Traits: Alertness (Awareness) for the bolt
attack.
Manifestation: The mutant often displays a subtle
hint as to the type of energy he is resistant to, such
as being cool or warm to the to the touch, has oddly
textured skin, etc. He radiates a strangely-colored aura
(indicative of energy type) just before releasing a bolt.

Extra Eyes (1d)

The mutant has a pair of eyes in the back of her

heador a strange pair of eyes that are out of place for
a plant character. This allows a character to see in all
directions at once and makes it impossible for others to
use facing as an advantage for sneaking. The character
also gains a bonus to avoid blinding attacks equal to the
mutation power level.
Manifestation: The extra eyes clearly visible, though
they might be disguised without difficulty.

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

50
Gas Generation (2d - 4d)

The mutant exudes a cloud of gas, the type chosen

when the mutation is acquired (chosen at random on
1d when the mutation is taken: 1 - Sleep, 2 - Corrosive,
3 - Obscuring, 4 - Blinding, 5 - Hallucinogenic,
6 - Toxic), which spreads out in a sphere centered on
the mutant. The cloud has a radius of 10 feet per die of
the mutation power level. For example, if the character
has the mutation at 3d, the cloud of gas would be a
30-foot sphere. The cloud remains stationary once
generated. The mutant who generated the cloud is
immune, but otherwise it affects friend and foe alike.
Sleep: This gas must be inhaled to be effective.
Anyone breathing it must fight to stay conscious
as if they were at zero Fatigue (see Chapter Seven,
Consequences of Damage), though no actual damage
is taken. Any damage will immediately wake those
unconscious in the cloud, and the effects are negated
if physical removed from the area. Plants and artificial
life are immune.
Corrosive: This is a cloud of acid. It affects organic
and inorganic beings and it does not need to be
inhaled. Anything inside the cloud takes 1 Fatigue
acid damage on the first turn of exposure as if a
successful attack was rolled. This damage repeats and
increases by one step each continuous turn inside
the cloud (see Chapter Seven, table 7.4 - Damage),
reaching a maximum at the mutation power level.
The damage stops immediately once outside of the
cloud.
Obscuring: This is an opaque gas that obstructs
vision. Anything more than five feet away is difficult
to see, making attacks and other actions requiring
sight Hard. The cloud does not obscure other types
of vision (heat signatures, echolocation, etc.).
Blinding: This gas directly affects exposed eyes, and
any vulnerable characters are blind while inside the
cloud (see Chapter Seven, Conditions). Those who
leave the cloud suffer a 1d penalty to all vision-based
actions for one minute. Plants (unless they have an
eye mutation) and artificial life are immune.
Hallucinogenic: The gas disrupts the ability to
interpret sensory information, causing an affected
being to see anything moving as an immediate threat.
An affected character must succeed a Hard Discipline

CHAPTER FIVE

(Emotional Control) check or attack the closest

moving thing. The effects of the gas continue 1d
turns after exposure ends. Artificial life is immune.
Toxic: The gas is a lethal airborne contact poison.
This is identical to the effects of a neurotoxin (see
Chapter Seven, Toxins). Artificial life is immune.
Frequency: Once every 8 hours, the gas cloud
lasting for a number of minutes equal to Constitution
(Fortitude).
Manifestation: All of the gasses are clearly visible
when emitted. The mutants gas generation organs are
fairly small and obscure, but they can be found on close
inspection.

Hands of Power (1d - 4d)

The mutant can shoot a bolt of damaging energy

from his extremities, firing in a straight line up to 60
feet as a ranged attack with the mutation power level as
bonus dice in the attack (and may exceed the normal
maximum of 5d). The type of damage caused by this
mutation is chosen when the power is acquired (cold,
electricity, fire, radiation, sonic).
Frequency: Once per hour.
Paired Traits: Alertness (Awareness).
Manifestation: The characters hands display
unusual growths that are the source of the energy used
for attacks.

Healing Touch (1d - 4d)

The mutant may channel powerful bio-energy by

touch that heals another living being in an instant.
The target rolls Constitution (Fortitude), healing both
Fatigue and Wounds equal to achievements rolled. The
healing is applied as if time had passed (meaning fire
damage only heals half and other modifying conditions
apply). The mutation can only be used on others and
has no affect on artificial life.
Frequency: A number of times per day equal to the
mutation power level. A recipient may only be healed
by this power once per day.
Manifestation: The mutant is surrounded by a
momentary halo of bright light during use. Otherwise,
the mutation is not readily detectable.

51
Heat Generation (3d - 4d)

The mutant can raise her body temperature to

extreme levels. The heat builds each turn, starting at 1d
and raising to a maximum equal to the mutation power
level. The mutant can hold the heat generated for up to
ten minutes or can be ended early at will, cooling down
at the same rate. She may use it as a reaction to anything
that comes into physical contact or as an unarmed
attack. As a reaction it counts as an automatically
successful attack with a number of achievements equal
to the mutation power level. As an attack the mutation
power level is added as bonus achievements to a
successful attack. All damage caused by this mutation is
fire damage. At the referees discretion, the mutant may
be able to focus the mutation into a useful noncombat
purpose (boiling water, melting soft metals, etc.), but
such use might require the use of an appropriate trait.
The mutation grants constant resistance to fire damage
equal to the mutation power level.
Frequency: Once every four hours.
Paired Traits: Unarmed Combat (for use as an
attack).
Manifestation: Even when calm, the mutants body
temperature is very high relative to her stock (around
110 degrees for a mutated human). When the power
is active, the mutant glows with an aura of intense
heat, and flammable gear in contact with her body may
ignite.

Heightened Physical Trait (2d or 4d)

The mutant receives a permanent enhancement

to a physical trait equal to half the mutation power
level, with the trait chosen at the time the mutation is
acquired (Athletics, Brawn, Constitution, Dexterity, or
Stealth). For example, if a character receives heightened
Brawn at the 2d power level, his trait would increase
by 1d. Increases from this mutation can go beyond the
normal dice pool limit of 5d, and all derived stats are
changed as well.
Manifestation: The characters body physically
changes to reflect his enhanced status (lean muscle for
Athletics, thick build for Constitution, large muscles for
Brawn, cat-like movement for Dexterity or Stealth).

Heightened Speed (1d - 4d)

The mutants base speed increases by 5 feet per die

of the mutation power level and gains an equivalent
dice pool bonus for reactions involving fast movement
or avoiding attacks. At the referees discretion, this
benefit can also translate into quickly finishing tasks
that involve repetitive work, either reducing the time
required or adding dice for complex actions, though
the character will be Weary for an hour afterward (see
Chapter Seven, Conditions).
Paired Traits: Alertness (Responsiveness), Dexterity
(Dodge), when the mutation is relevant.
Manifestation: The mutant generally moves
noticeably faster with inhuman reaction times. She is
likely to have an increased appetite and is usually of a
lean build.

Infravision (2d)

The mutant can switch his vision into a mode that

detects the infrared spectrum. This allows the mutant
to essentially see in the dark or detect otherwise
invisible beings within 60 feet if their temperature
varies from the background. The mutant cannot
distinguish fine details, but he will be able to make out
size and general shape. Humans and animals stand out
brightly with infravision, plants and artificial life less so
but still easily detectable.
Manifestation: The mutants eyes will be strangely
colored or oddly reflective, or he may have antennae or
skin pits that serve as heat sensors instead of eyes.

Kinetic Absorption (2d or 4d)

Using this power enables the mutant to reduce

kinetic energy from physical attacks (punches, bullets,
claws, etc.). Wound damage is reduced from physical
attacks equal to half the mutation power level,
including damage from falling. A character with this
power also gains bonus dice equal to the mutation
power level on any attempt to resist being pushed or
pulled.
Manifestation: The characters skin is often strange
and rubbery, and physical impacts sound oddly muted.

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

52
Larger (2d)

The character is one size category larger than is

usual for her species (Medium becomes Large, Small
becomes Medium, Tiny becomes Small) with all the
benefits and drawbacks of that size (see Chapters 3, Size
and Chapter 7, Attack for more information).
Manifestation: It is often obvious that the character
is oversized, such as a wolf-sized raccoon or a horsesized skunk.
Special: This may be given at no cost to mutant
animals of a small species (at the referees discretion) to
make them playable with human-size characters. If it
is used to enlarge a Medium-size character to Large, it
costs normally.

Metamorphosis (2d)

This potent power allows the mutant to transform

into an outwardly identical copy of any being of
roughly equal size (up to 25% larger or smaller) he
touches (alive, or dead for less than one hour). His
physical traits temporarily alter to match the target,
though he does not gain any additional mutations
beyond purely physical changes such as wings, teeth,
claws, etc. The process takes 1d turns to complete, and
the mutant is essentially prone and immobile during
the painful process. The metamorphosis lasts until the
next time the mutant sleeps, loses consciousness, or
wills the process to reverse. The change is only physical
and grants no other means to imitate a target or its
abilities.
Frequency: Once per day.
Manifestation: This power is only obvious during
the time of transformation.
Special: If circumstances allow this mutation to
increase, the mutation changes to Shapeshift.

Multiple Limbs (2d)

The character has an extra set of arms or legs (chosen

when the mutation is acquired). Extra legs increase
the mutants speed by 5 feet and provide a bonus to
acts of balance and athleticism equal to the mutation
power level. Extra arms do not grant extra attacks, but
they do allow for two-handed weapons and shields
to be employed with a single set of limbs or allow the
character to hold extra items.
Manifestation: The extra limbs are clearly visible.

CHAPTER FIVE

New Body Parts (1d - 4d)

The characters body has mutated to grant her body

parts normally found on other species, chosen when
the power is acquired.
Quills (1d): The mutant has grown thick quills
which inflict 1W to any enemy attempting to grapple.
Every four hours, the character may hurl quills up to
10 feet as a ranged attack with +1W bonus damage.
Wings (4d): The character has fully-functional
wings, granting flight speed equal to twice her normal
ground speed. If the character is Injured (suffered
more than half possible wounds, see Chapter Seven,
Consequences of Damage), she cannot fly.
Claws (2d): The characters fingers end in sharp
claws, which she can use in unarmed combat with
+1W bonus damage.
Bite (3d):The character has gained large, sharp,
rending teeth or a powerful beak, granting her a fierce
bite in unarmed combat with +2W bonus damage.
Carapace (2d): The character has a hard, bony shell
covering most of her body, granting armor equal to
the mutation power level but reducing base speed by
5 feet.
Gasbag (2d): The character can inflate like a
pufferfish once every four hours, producing a lifting
gas. This allows her to float and descend freely, but
he is at the mercy of air currents or handholds for
locomotion. When partially inflated, the bag allows a
bonus on all jumping or swimming checks equal to
the mutation power level.
Antlers or Horn (2d): The character has a bony
horn or set of antlers; these can be used as offensive
weapons (+1W in stationary combat or +2W when
used in a charge).
Hump (1d - 2d): This mutation creates a fatty
hump, like that of a camel, which can provide all
nourishment for three days per die of the mutation
power level.
Pincer (2d): One of the characters hands is
replaced with a large, crab-like claw. This can be
used in unarmed combat (+1W) and provides a
+1d bonus for actions in which the claw provides
an advantage, but the claw cannot be used for fine
manipulation in the manner of a hand.

53
Tentacles (1d): This mutation grants two tentacles
in addition to the characters arms. They are 10 feet
long when stretched out and fully prehensile, though
they are too weak to be used as offensive weapons.
They may hold small items, reach into confined areas,
and deliver the power of touch-based mutations.
Manifestation: Normally, the new body parts are
very obvious, but some might be hidden or disguised.

Poison Bite (2d or 4d)

The mutant produces a toxic venom delivered by bite

and gains a slightly altered tooth and jaw structure to
accommodate if necessary. The turn following the bite
the target suffers the effects of the poison, a paralytic
at the 2d mutation power level, a neurotoxin at the 4d
level (see Chapter Seven, Toxins).
Frequency: Once every four hours.
Paired Trait: Unarmed Combat (Bite).
Manifestation: The mutant might have an unusual
colored pattern on its skin or large fangs that secrete
venom.

Rapid Recovery (2d)

The mutant recovers from Fatigue far more quickly

than others. With light activity, the character recovers
1 Fatigue every minute and is fully restored with one
hour of rest. A character with this power may recover
Fatigue equal achievements rolled with a dice pool
equal to the mutation power level when gaining a
second wind. Wound damage is unaffected by Rapid
Recovery.
Manifestation: The mutant seems to never be out of
breath, while bruises and bumps heal themselves within
moments.

Regeneration (4d)

The mutant recovers from Wound damage more

quickly than others. With light activity, the character
recovers 1 Wound every 30 minutes, and with
exertion, he recovers 1 Wound per hour. A mutant
with regeneration never needs to roll to recover even if
Injured. Fatigue is unaffected by Regeneration.
Manifestation: The rapid closure of wounds is
obvious when it occurs. When not actively using the
power, the only sign is a lack of even the smallest scars
or scratches.

Shapeshift (4d)

The mutant could become the consummate spy,

able to take on the physical appearance (but not the
traits or mutations) of any being of the same stock and
roughly the same size (within 25% of body mass). This
disguise includes simulations of physical mutations
such as fangs or armor, but they are ineffective if used.
The mutant with this power can look like any being
they imagine, or like any being theyve studied upclose for at least a minute. The process takes 1d turns
to complete, and the mutant is essentially prone and
immobile during the somewhat painful process. The
shapeshift lasts until the next time the mutant sleeps,
loses consciousness, or wills the process to reverse. The
change is only physical, and grants no other means to
imitate a target or its abilities.
Frequency: Once every six hours.
Manifestation: This power is only noticeable during
the period of transformation.
Special: If circumstances cause this mutation to
decrease, the mutation changes to Metamorphosis.

Smaller (1d)

The mutant is one size category smaller than most

members of its species (Large becomes Medium,
Medium becomes Small), giving it all the benefits and
drawbacks of that size.
Manifestation: Its often obvious that the character
is undersized, whether its a man-sized grizzly bear or a
child-sized human.
Special: At the referees discretion, this mutation may
be granted at not cost to mutant animals who would
normally be too large to work well with a group of
otherwise human-sized characters.

Sonar (2d)

This mutation allows a character to discern images

using sonic echolocation, essentially allowing him to
see in the dark (or while blinded) or to provide bonus
sensory information even under normal circumstances.
While sonar cannot offer fine detail, it will show
obstacles, terrain features, and beings in a 30-foot
radius. Rolls to distinguish things farther away are at
the referees discretion. Sonar provides a 360-degree
field of view, so it is very difficult to sneak up on the
character. Extreme sound in the area, such as anyone

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

54
using a sonic attack, will negate the characters sonar
for one turn. As a drawback, the mutant suffers a 1d
penalty to defense rolls against sonic attacks.
Paired Trait: Alertness (Awareness) for sensing
farther than 30 feet.
Manifestation: Usually the character has large ears
which catch the sounds, and he emits a hypersonic
chirp to generate the echoes he senses. The chirp can be
heard by beings with any enhanced hearing.

Sonic Blast (4d)

This mutation allows a character to emit a powerful

burst of focused sound in a cone 60 feet long and 30
feet wide at the end. All characters caught in the cone
take sonic damage, and any character who takes 2 or
more Fatigue are also deafened for 1d turns. Crystalline
or metallic structures suffer a 2d penalty to their
defense.
Paired Traits: Defended by Constitution
(Endurance), attack roll equal to the mutation power
level.
Frequency: Once every four hours.
Manifestation: The mutant will often have an
enlarged or distorted larynx or have a very strange buzz
or twang to his speaking voice.

Toxin Resistance (1d - 2d)

The mutant receives a bonus to all rolls to resist the

effects of toxins equal to the mutation power level and
gains a resistance to damage from toxins at the same
level.
Manifestation: This mutation is rarely obvious; if it
is, the mutation takes the form of an additional organ or
growth that handles the processing of toxins.

Universal Digestion (2d)

The mutant can eat anything organicno matter

how normally indigestible or disgusting. Bark, leaves,
bone, lichen, fur, and hide are just a few examples. This
mutation grants immunity to all ingested toxins and any
diseases normally caught from consuming rotting meat.
It does not allow the character to ingest rocks or metal.
Manifestation: The characters jaw structure is
enlarged, and his teeth strangely shaped. Unusual
eating habits may leave the mutants smell offensive,
and watching her eat may sicken some observers.

CHAPTER FIVE

Water Adaptation (1d)

The mutant has gills, usually along his neck or the

sides of his face. He can breathe water as easily as air
and can see underwater without difficulty. Webbing on
his hands and feet grant a bonus to swimming-based
actions equal to the mutation power level and a 5 feet
increase to base swimming speed.
Manifestation: The gills and webbing of the hands
and feet are normally visible, but they can be disguised.
Special: Fish or amphibian mutants might have an
equivalent land adaptation variation with functional
lungs and ability to move on dry ground.

Physical
Defects
The yang to mutations ying, physical defects

represent the downside of DNA going haywire. While

they can be simply extreme versions of mundane
issues such as allergies, they often represent noticeable
abnormalities or significant weaknesses.

Achilles Heel (2d)

Some location on the mutants body is especially

sensitive and vulnerable, chosen when the mutation is
acquired. While the location is Hard for an enemy to
target, it causes +1d Fatigue and +1 Wound each time
the spot is struck. Anytime an enemy gains 2 or more
enhancements on an attack, he hits the weak spot by
blind luck.
Manifestation: The target area is usually not obvious
to casual inspection, though it may bear the signs of
many wounds or scars.

Allergy (1d - 3d)

The character is highly allergic to a common

substance chosen when the mutation is acquired,
causing the mutant to suffer a 2d penalty to all physical
and mental traits for 30 minutes while coughing,
wheezing, or dealing with a flaring rash. Details of the
allergic reaction are up to the player and referee. At the
1d level, the allergy is to an ingested substance (gluten,
nuts, dairy, shellfish, etc.). At the 2d level, the allergy is
from touch (plastic, rust, leaves, fur). At the 3d level,
the allergy is airborne (feline or canine dander, pollen,
mildew and mold, dust mites).

55
Manifestation: When the defect is active, the
character will sneeze, cry, or suffer hideous rashes and
boils. Even stranger effects, such as skin color changes,
are possible.
Special: Plants cannot have this defect.

Body Change (2d or 4d)

While almost all mutants have some cosmetic

indications of their status, this mutation covers those
that affect the characters life or ability to perform
tasks. Pick the nature of the deformity (having only
one cyclopean eye or possessing legs with no knees, for
instance), then pick two relevant traits (Alertness and
Ranged Weapons for having only one eye, Athletics
and Dexterity for having no knees) which each suffer
a 1d penalty. At the 4d level, this trait either penalizes
four traits at the 1d level or two traits at a 2d penalty.
The referee must approve the traits and may impose
additional small penalties related to your characters
deformity (such a 5 feet penalty to base speed for
having no knees).
Manifestation: A deformity of this nature is usually
hard to hide and rather obvious, though in some cases,
it might be disguised.

Diminished Sense (1d - 2d)

One of the mutants primary senses, sight or hearing,

is in some way limited. Possibilities include no color
vision, no night vision, narrow band of hearing, or
no ability to gauge the direction of sound, chosen
when the mutation is acquired. The character suffers
a penalty to Alertness when relying on either sight
or hearing (depending on which is affected) equal to
the level of the defect. The penalty doubles when the
specific limitation applies to an action or reaction.
Manifestation: The affected organs are likely to be
smaller, misplaced, oddly colored, or otherwise indicate
that theyre the focus of mutation.

Doubled Pain (4d)

The mutants nervous system is over-sensitive to

painful stimuli, making the smallest bump feel like a
sledgehammer smash. The character suffers +1 Fatigue
anytime damage is suffered, and she suffers the penalty
of being Injured (see Chapter Seven, Consequences of
Damage) if she has taken any Wound damage at all.

Manifestation: The mutant quickly learns to walk

carefully and gingerly, lest she stub a toe or scratch a
finger. She will tend to overreact to very small injuries,
such as touching a hot surface or nicking her finger
with a knife.

Energy Vulnerability (2d)

The mutant is particularly vulnerable to one category

of energy (cold, electricity, fire, radiation, sonic). An
enemys attack gains an additional achievement every
time the character is injured by this energy type.
Manifestation: Attacks of vulnerable energy leave
nasty scars, larger wounds, or otherwise show more
damage than they should.
Special: It is possible to possess this defect in
addition to Energy Absorption, Energy Metamorphosis,
or Energy Reflection, as long as the types of energy
affected are different.

Nocturnal (2d)

The mutant normally functions best during night

cycles, sleeping during the day. This can cause
scheduling problems with daytime allies and lead to loss
of sleep. If forced to operate during the day, especially
in bright sunlight, he is Weary (see Chapter Seven,
Conditions) as if having gone 24 hours without sleep,
and the character is drowsy and lethargic. Extremely
bright light makes the mutant temporarily Blind (see
Chapter Seven, Conditions). Plants cannot take this
defect.
Manifestation: The mutant will usually show
obvious signs of his nocturnal status, such as pale skin,
larger eyes, aversion to bright light, etc.

Hyperactive Metabolism (2d)

The mutants internal system inefficiently burns off

energy at an extraordinary rate, increasing his need for
food with no offsetting benefits. He must eat at least
one normal meal every 8 hours or becomes Starving
(see Chapter Seven, Conditions) with additional
penalties occurring every two hours thereafter.
Manifestation: The mutant is noticeably thin
despite eating often and is constantly thinking about
food.
Special: Mutant plants cannot receive this defect.

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

56
Poor Respiration (2d)

The mutant suffers from undersized lungs or some

other physical deformity that makes breathing difficult.
Every ten minutes of hard physical exertion makes the
character Weary (see Chapter Seven, Conditions) as if
he had gone 12 hours without rest, though 30 minutes
of low activity restores the character to normal. The
intensity of combat, even for a shorter amount of time,
counts as ten minutes of exertion, though the effect
does not occur until combat is concluded.
Manifestation: The mutant is constantly wheezing
and short of breath, and even minor physical activity is
tiring.

Seizures (3d - 4d)

When the mutant takes damage she might suffer a

fit. At the 3d level, this only occurs if the mutant takes
Wound damage; at the 4d level seizures are a possibility
if he suffers any type of damage. She must make a
Constitution (Fortitude) check or fall prone, twitching
uncontrollably for 1d turns. The check is normally
Easy but becomes Average if the mutant is Injured (see
Chapter Seven, Consequences of Damage).
Manifestation: None until a triggering incident
occurs.

Skin Alteration (2d or 4d)

The mutants skin has changed in a detrimental

manner, chosen when the defect is acquired.
Water-soluble (4d): The mutant takes 1 Wound for
each turn he is submerged or doused in water. Heavy
rain or the equivalent causes 1d Fatigue per turn.
Any dampness on the skin causes so much pain the
mutant is penalized as if Injured (see Chapter Seven,
Consequences of Damage).
Photosensitive (4d): Exposure to bright light causes
1d Fatigue per turn. Exposure to bright light from a
more limited source (a fire or a beam of light) inflicts
1 Fatigue per turn. Only dim light or darkness is
tolerable, but this defect grants no vision powers to
compensate.
Inflexible (4d): The mutants skin is thick and
inflexible but provides no additional protection.
Base speed is reduced by 5 feet and affected actions
(including those using Athletics and Dexterity) suffer
a 1d penalty.

CHAPTER FIVE

Anti-Chameleon (2d): The mutants skin shifts

color and pattern in a way to make him extremely
obviousbecoming bright red against a white
backdrop, for example. This makes the character Easy
to see under such conditions.
Manifestation: The characters skin will have a
strange texture or coloration and feel unusual to the
touch.

Mental
Mutations
Often thought of by humans as psychic phenomenon,

mental mutations expand the mind beyond its normal

evolutionary limits and manifest as subtle gifts or
extraordinary powers. Generally speaking, they are less
obvious than physical mutations, though their effects
can often be impossible to ignore. Some groups and
individuals become suspicious or even paranoid of
telepaths or mental manipulators, leading some mutants
to work hard at concealing their abilities from others.

Blinding Pattern (1d - 4d)

The mutant creates fields of flashing multicolored

light within a 30-foot radius. She may create one field
per mutation power level, each for a specific target. If
the attack succeeds, the target takes 1d Fatigue psychic
damage and is blind (see Chapter Seven, Conditions)
as long as the pattern is maintained. Maintaining the
patterns counts as one action per turn, but any or all
may be released at willthough all of the patterns still
count as one action to maintain. This is a psychic attack,
and an enemy closing his eyes will not defend it against
the effect.
Frequency: Once every six hours.
Paired Trait: Artistry or Performance (chosen when
the mutation is acquired), defended by Alertness
(Awareness).
Manifestation: Those not explicitly targeted detect
faint lights and colors but suffer no ill effects. Those
targeted see an all-consuming, ever-shimmering,
eternally fascinating kaleidoscopic array and nothing
else.
Special: Plants and artificial life are unaffected by
this mutation, along with any other creature lacking
standard animal visual centers in the nervous system.

57
Confusion (4d)

A pulse of psychic energy disrupts the targets ability

to perceive and respond to stimulus, causing him to
act somewhat randomly. If the psychic attack succeeds,
the target suffers 1d Fatigue psychic damage, and for
1d plus the mutation power level in turns, he acts
randomly, based on rolling at the beginning of each
turn and subject to the referees interpretation.

1d
1
2
3
4
5
6

Confused Action
Takes no meaningful action.
Retreats in a random direction.
Attacks nearest creature.
Drops anything he is holding.
Attacks the mutant who used this mutation.
Acts normally for one turn.

Frequency: Once every eight hours.

Paired Trait: Discipline (Concentration), defended
by Discipline (Mental Resistance).
Manifestation: There is no visible manifestation of
this mutation other than the behavior of the target.

Death Field Generation (2d or 4d)

This dread power allows the mutant to emit a blast

of energy that kills living cells. The blast has a 50-foot
radius and causes psychic damage to anyone within
that area, including the mutant herself. The damage
is Wounds rolled at half the mutation power level (1d
Wounds at the 2d power level, 2d Wounds at the 4d
power level). Weaker creatures and non-sentient plants
die instantly and noticeably wither and decay when the
power is used.
Frequency: Once per day.
Manifestation: The area ravaged by the psychic blast
is filled with the corpses of small creatures and insects.
Those still alive after the blast appear unhealthy and
withered until they recover.

Density Control, Others (4d)

This power allows the mutant to alter the density

of other beings, by telekinetically expanding or
compressing the atomic structure of their bodies.
An unwilling target may defend with an opposed

Constitution (Fortitude) roll against the mutations

power level to avoid the effects entirely. There are two
ways to use this power:
Compression: The mutant compresses the targets
body, shrinking it to half normal size but hardening
the flesh and providing Armor 2 (see Chapter
Six, Armor and Chapter Seven, Damage for more
information on such protection). Base movement is
reduced by 5 feet, and a 2d penalty is imposed for
any swimming-based actions.
Expansion: The mutant can expand the targets
body, doubling in height. The targets base movement
is increased by 5 feet, and he gains an additional reach
of 5 feet; however, the target suffers a 2d penalty
to Brawn-based actions. The expanded mutant
is also more buoyant, and he can walk on water
if not weighed down by too much gear (referees
discretion).
Frequency: Up to three times per day, each use
lasting for a number of minutes equal to the Discipline
(Concentration) trait of the mutant using the power.
Manifestation: This power is not detectable until
used.

Devolution (4d)

Through processes not clearly understood, the

mutant temporarily reverses changes to a targets
genetic makeup, removing mutations and reverting the
target closer to an ancestral form. The power requires
physical contact, necessitating a touch attack for a
non-willing target. If the target is a mutant (human,
animal, or plant) and fails his check, she loses access
to her most powerful mutation. If the target has more
than one mutation at the highest power level, one is
selected randomly. Humans suffer a 1d penalty to all
mental traits and gain a +1 penalty to all physical traits.
Physical changes related to those affected by this power
are determined by the referee, which may include
additional game effects. The changes reverse after 1d
days.
Paired Trait: Defended by a Hard Constitution
(Fortitude) check.
Frequency: Once per day.
Manifestation: The loss of mental or internal
mutations is not always obvious, but the loss of physical
mutations is sudden and dramatic.

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

58
Direction Sense (1d)

The mutant always knows which way he is facing,

even without any signs or landmarks. The mutant can
always find north (the prow of the ship) by instinct.
In addition, she can mentally anchor a location or a
number of locations equal to Discipline (Memory),
and she always knows the precise direction to each of
them. She can choose to forget one location to anchor
another. The mutant also gain a bonus to checks and
actions related to directions, avoiding getting lost, etc.
equal to 1d plus the mutation power level.
Paired Trait: Discipline (Memory).
Manifestation: The mutant may feel a slight
tingling, sense of warmth, or just a gut feeling that tells
her when she is facing the correct direction.

Displacement (2d)

When the mutant is facing deadly danger (can survive

3 or less Wounds in further damage and still in combat,
falling, suddenly exposed to lethal radiation or toxic
gasses, etc.), his subconscious automatically teleports
him to the nearest safe location, if such a spot exists
within 300 feet. The destination need not be visible
to the mutant; the mutation and the referee select it.
The mutation only affects the mutant and items in his
physical possession. Displacement works to safeguard
the mutant even when unconscious and sometimes
against his will. The final determination of when it
activates is at the referees discretion.
Frequency: Once every six hours.
Manifestation: None until the mutant suddenly
vanishes.

Empathy (1d - 2d)

The mutant can read the emotions of one chosen

target, even feelings the target wishes to conceal.
The mutation is extremely useful for bargaining,
manipulation, and other social situations. The mutation
power level adds to any action in which the ability to
understand the targets feelings and intentions come
into play, as well as learn general feelings and responses
(anger, pain, lust, sorrow, etc.). The alien mind of
sentient plants and fungi are impossible to read, leaving
them completely immune to this mutation.

CHAPTER FIVE

Manifestation: The mutant sees the emotions of the

target as colored auras that he instinctively understands
as emotional states. Other than noticing how attentively
the mutant is watching a target, there is no outward
sign of this ability.

Fear Generation (1d - 2d)

The mutant stimulates survival reflexes in a target,

often causing it to flee for a number of turns equal
to the roll of the mutation power level. If the psychic
attack is successful, the target retreats in the least
obviously dangerous route possibleconsidering the
mutant the largest threat. If anything blocks the targets
retreat, it will fight with ferocity until it can escape.
Frequency: A number of times per day equal to the
mutation power level, but only affects a single target
once per day.
Paired Trait: Deception (Subterfuge), defended by
Discipline (Emotional Control)
Manifestation: The fear generated by this power
is primalthe flight side of the fight-or-flight reflex.
There is no obvious cause for the fear perceived by the
target, though the targets escape is seen by all.

Force Field Generation (2d - 4d)

This mutation allows the user to create a transparent

ellipsoid barrier of protection. While active, the force
field prevents the mutant from making any attacks
(physical or mental) and movement is limited to half
walking speed. The force field ignores Fatigue damage
and can absorb up to 15 Wound damage per turn,
resetting each turn it is active. If damage exceeds the
protection, the mutant receives a backlash of 1d F
electrical damage and the force field does not reset until
the beginning of the mutants next turn. The force field
lasts for 30 seconds (10 turns), and may be maintained
with a Discipline (Concentration) action for each turn
after 10, with any failure ending the force field.
Frequency: A number of times per day equal to one
less than the mutation power level (2d meaning once
per day, 4d indicating 3 times per day) and never more
than once per hour.
Manifestation: The field is a transparent bubble that
flickers with energy, though if the mutant chooses, it
can be colored or more visible. When the field absorbs
damage or backlashes against the user, there is a loud
crackling and a flash of light.

59
Heightened Mental Trait (2d or 4d)

The mutant receives a permanent enhancement to a

mental trait equal to half the mutation power level, with
the trait chosen at the time the mutation is acquired
(Alertness, Discipline, Tech). For example, if a character
receives heightened Discipline at the 4d power level, his
trait would increase by 2d. Increases from this mutation
can go beyond the normal dice pool limit of 5d, and all
derived stats are modified as well.
Manifestation: Unless the mutation pushes a trait
over the normal maximum, the mutant just seems
smart. If the increase goes beyond normal limits,
the mutant might have a distinctly alien air, drawing
conclusions out of thin air and having seemingly
impossible insights.

Illusion Generation (2d or 4d)

The mutant may create visible illusions (2d) or

visible and audible illusions (4d) within line of sight
that observers might easily believe are real. Use
of the mutation counts as an action each turn it is
active and allows the mutant to create an illusion in a
radius of up to 5 feet times the mutation power level.
Simple illusions (a stationary object) are automatically
believable, while more complex ones (a specific
living creature) might require a check. The illusion
will be seen as real by all observers unless there is
a logical reason to doubt, such as fire that does not
burn or a wall one can pass through, allowing a check
to disbelieve and cancel the illusion. Illusions affect
robots, sentient plants, and any being with the power
to see and/or hear. The illusions cannot cause physical
harm. They last for up to 30 seconds (10 turns) and
can be maintained longer by making a check each turn
without incurring an extra action.
Frequency: Once every 12 hours.
Paired Trait: Deception (Subterfuge), maintained
by Discipline (Concentration), disbelief attempts use
Alertness (Awareness).
Manifestation: The mutation affects anyone who
can observe its effects unless he has successfully
disbelieved it.

Intuition (1d - 2d)

The mutant picks up on tiny psychic clues that allow

him to sense enemy actions before they begin. The
mutation power level applies as a bonus to all defensive
actions to avoid conscious attacks and to any checks to
avoid surprise, ambush, etc. It does not apply to any
offensive actions, mechanical traps, or the attacks of
artificial life (robots, armed computer systems, etc.).
Manifestation: The mutants ability to know exactly
when to step, duck, or dodge quickly exceeds anything
that can be explained by simple training, especially
when attacks come from behind or from hidden foes.

Levitation (2d)

The mutant may float slowly, ascending or

descending at half normal speed with no forward or
backward movement. There is no limit to the duration
of levitation, but if the mutant takes any damage,
she must succeed a Discipline (Concentration)
check or fall. This mutation may also be used as a
reaction to an unexpected fall, requiring an Awareness
(Responsiveness) check to activate in time.
Manifestation: There is no obvious manifestation
until the power is activated.
Special: If the mutant has the power of flight through
stock (a bird-based mutant animal, for instance)
or another mutation (New Body Part: Wings), the
mutation power level can be added to actions related to
ascending quickly.

Magnetic Control (2d or 4d)

This mutation allows a character to move or

manipulate metal objects within 100 feet and in line
of sight. At the 2d power level, the mutant may only
focus on one object at a time and uses Discipline
(Concentration) in place of Brawn or Dexterity in
terms of controlling the object in question, which must
be large enough to be easily visible yet have a total mass
no more than twice the mutants own. At the 4d power
level, the mutant may either split between two metal
objects as described or one object up to four times the
mutants own mass. A mutant with this ability may also
damage a robot or cyborg as if performing an unarmed
attack, one that cannot be dodged or defended against,
using the mutation power level as the trait.
Paired Trait: Discipline (Concentration).

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

60
Manifestation: The powerful magnetic fields this
mutant generates when using her power can sometimes
be felt and might cause mild headaches or dizzy spells
in those nearby. Sometimes the mutants power is
visible, appearing as lines of force that stretch from her
to the objects she controls.

Mental Blast (1d - 4d)

The mutant attacks a target within line of sight with

a blast of psychic energy, attacking with the mutation
power level and is automatically defended if the target
is aware of the attacker. Bonus damage is half the
mutation power level (rounded down) as Wounds
of psychic damage. For example, at the 3d level, this
mutation would grant a 3d dice pool on the attack
action with +1W psychic damage if successful; at 4d
level, it would be a 4d dice pool and +2W as the bonus
damage. Enhancements on such an attack often stun or
otherwise mentally incapacitate a target.
Paired Trait: Defended by Discipline (Mental
Resistance)
Frequency: Once every 5 turns (15 seconds).
Manifestation: This power usually appears as
a visible bolt of psychic energy with the specific
color, shape, and form determined by the mutants
subconscious preferences.

Mental Control (4d)

This powerful ability allows the mutant to completely

control a living creatures body. The mutation is
activated by focusing on a target within 50 feet and in
line of sight, attacking with mutation power level. If
the attack is successful, the mutant is in full control
of the the target and unlimited by rangeusing the
targets traits for physical actions but the mutants own
traits for all other types of actions. While controlling
a target, the mutants own body is vulnerable, able to
perform only the most basic functions and speak slowly
and deliberately. All other actions are performed at 1d
trait levels, and the mutant is unable to use any other
mutations or abilities until mental control of the target
is released.
The target may attempt to regain control of his body
once per hour or any time he suffers Wound damage,
re-rolling the results of the initial attack.
Paired Trait: Defended by Discipline (Mental
Resistance).

CHAPTER FIVE

Manifestation: The mutant doesnt gain access

to the victims memories or knowledge, so it might
be obvious to people who know him that hes
being controlled. Anyone who contacts the victim
telepathically will immediately know of the control.

Mental Defense Shield (1d - 4d)

The mutant possesses an internal resistance to mental

attacks and psychic damage. The mutation power level
adds to defense rolls against any mental mutations or
mentally-based tech. A mental defense shield also acts
as armor against psychic damage equal to the mutation
power level (see Chapter Six).
Manifestation: An attacker with mental mutations
will sense the presence of the defense shield, but it
otherwise goes unnoticed and may be outside of the
mutants own knowledge.

Mental Invisibility (2d - 4d)

Not true invisibility, the mutant clouds the minds of

observers and redirects their attention elsewhere. For 15
seconds (5 turns) per die of the mutation power level
(4d indicating 1 minute, or 20 turns) the power allows
the user to be undetectable to anyone not actively
looking. If someone is actively searching the area (a
guard or someone searching for the mutant), she may
add the mutation power level to other stealth measures,
and the difficulty is automatically Hard for those
searching. This mutation affects artificial intelligence
but not simple detection traps (motion control or
a trip-wire with a bell attached). Mental means of
detection ignore this power, but physical means (sonar,
smell, etc.) are affected, as bodies receive the data but
the minds ignore it.
Frequency: Once every 12 hours.
Manifestation: To anyone unaffected, the mutant is
fully visible while those nearby look through, around,
or otherwise ignore her.

Mental Paralysis (4d)

By overpowering the will of a living target, the

mutant temporarily disconnects conscious motor
functions to one target up to 50 feet away. If the
attack is successful, the target may not move or take
physical actions for 30 seconds (10 turns) per die of the
mutation power level, after which the power may be

61
maintained by a Discipline (Concentration) action each
turn. If the target takes Wound damage, he may repeat
the initial opposed roll to attempt to break free.
Paired Trait: Leadership (Command), defended by
Discipline (Mental Resistance).
Manifestation: The mutation requires a small
amount of focus and concentration; a keen observer
might notice the mutant staring intently at the target.

Mental Reflection (1d - 4d)

Instead of defending against a mental attack normally,

the mutant uses this ability to potentially deflect the
power and use it against the attacker. Add the mutation
power level to defense against the mental attack, and if
succesfully defended the attack reflects backforcing
the attacker to suffer the attack as it had been rolled
against him in the first place.
Manifestation: Any visible effect which
accompanied the attack will likewise accompany the
return volley.

Molecular Disruption (1d - 4d)

A truly terrifying power, this enables the mutant to

disrupt the bonds holding matter together. Roughly
one half-pound of dense matter is affected per die of
the mutation power level. If the attack roll is successful,
damage is rolled using the mutation power level and
expressed in Wounds. Use of this power is highly
taxing, and the mutant suffers an equal amount of
Fatigue damage based on the roll for damage. The
mutant may lower the dice rolled for damage if he
chooses.
Paired Trait: Alertness (Observation), defended by
Constitution (Fortitude).
Frequency: Once every 12 hours.
Manifestation: A destroyed object explodes in a
cloud of dust; a living being dissolves into a wet mist.
Larger objects and strong living creatures will exhibit
obvious damage or horrible wounds, but there is no
obvious connection to the mutant other than a brief,
intense gaze.

Precognition (2d)

This ability offers a glimpse into a possible future.

With difficulty based on how many variables might
affect the outcome, the mutant concentrates for a full
turn (no other actions), silently stating an intention,

then rolls the mutation power level as an Easy action.

Each additional achievement over the first indicates a
clearer picture of what may lie ahead. The intention
must be clearly defined (I intend to enter that door
not I intend to look around this area) in order to
receive a vision. Going through a door might show
a vision of an ursoid leaping from the shadows and
attacking. The vision is based on what would happen
if the power was not invoked, never includes any
foreknowledge, and is only a possible future, not a
certainty. The referee may simply describe the vision to
the player, or it may be played out as if it were reality
and require additional action rolls.
Frequency: Once every two hours.
Manifestation: The character gets small glimpses of
a second or two ahead without being fully aware of it.
She may reach for a cup an instant before it is knocked
over, or he may answer a question before someone asks
it.

Pyrokinesis (1d - 4d)

The mutant agitates molecules to the point of

generating noticeable, even damaging heat. The target
can be an object or creature within 50 feet or line of
sight. On the first turn, the object is noticeably warmer
than surrounding environmental temperature. After
that point, the heat is increased each turn until it
reaches a maximum level equal to the mutation power
level1d indicating uncomfortable heat, 2d scalding
or blistering heat, 3d the heat of open flame, and 4d the
white-hot of molten metal. Objects will react and suffer
damage accordingly. Living creatures automatically
defend against the attack, but they will take +1W
bonus fire damage equivalent to the current level
of the power each turn the attack is maintained if its
successful. The power can be maintained at maximum
level as long as the mutant continues to make an action
each turn and can still observe the target.
Frequency: Once every 6 hours.
Paired Trait: Alertness (Observation), defended by
Constitution (Fortitude).
Manifestation: There is no outward sign of this
power other than the mutants concentration and the
effects on the target. Any observation that detects heat
signatures and temperature might notice a strange field
that radiates from the mutant to the target, as well as
the unexplained spike in temperature.

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

62
Psionic Healing (2d or 4d)

The mutant may use psionic energy to heal his

body at a fantastically accelerated rate as well as to
overcome pain and fatigue. After one hour of rest and
meditation, the mutant heals as if he had rested a full
day and heals additional Wound damage (a dice pool
equal to half the mutation power level). He may use
the ability to cleanse his body of a toxin with a full turn
of concentration using the mutation power level as the
dice pool of the action (difficulty determined by the
referee based on the strength of the toxin). At the 4d
level, the mutant may also heal 1d Wounds as a second
wind action (see Chapter Seven, Restoring Fatigue and
Trauma).
Frequency: Once every 8 hours.
Manifestation: The concentration of the mutant and
results of his healing are visually obvious.

Repulsion Field Generation (4d)

Similar to force field generation, the mutant creates a

bubble of transparent energy up to 10 feet in diameter
that materializes around a target up to 50 feet away
and within line of sight. The bubble both protects and
traps the target inside, allowing the mutant to move the
target with the bubble. The repulsion field lasts for 30
seconds (10 turns) and may be maintained afterward
with a check each turn, with any failure ending the
repulsion field. The field can be moved up to 15 feet
per turn while active if the total weight is 100 pounds
per die of the mutation power level or less. The
repulsion field ignores Fatigue damage, can absorb up
to 15 Wound damage per turn, and resets each turn it
is active. If damage exceeds the protection, the mutant
receives a backlash of 1d Fatigue electrical damage,
and the repulsion field ends. The field does not block
mental attacks.
Frequency: Once every 12 hours.
Paired Trait: Discipline (Concentration) to maintain.
Manifestation: The field is a transparent bubble
flickering with energy, though it can be colored or
more visible at the mutants discretion. When the field
absorbs damage or backlashes against the mutant, there
is a loud crackling and a flash of energy.

CHAPTER FIVE

Stunning Blast (2d - 4d)

The mutant releases a burst of mental energy in a

50-foot radius that affects all living beings (computers,
robots, and other artificial intelligence are immune).
Each target must succeed a check (Easy at the 2d
mutation power level, Average at 3d, and Hard at 4d) or
take 1d Fatigue psychic damage and are stunned for a
number of turns equal to the mutation power level.
Paired Traits: Defended by a Discipline (Mental
Resistance) check.
Frequency: Once every six hours.
Manifestation: The mutation may manifest as a
psychic scream, psionic static, or a similar effect.

Symbiotic Control (4d)

By making physical contact a mutant might establish

physical control of a living targetmaking it essentially
a puppet. Once physical contact has been made, the
mutant asserts dominance using a mental attack. If
successful, the mutant may dictate the physical and
combat actions of the target until physical contact is
brokensomething that must be voluntary on the
part of the mutant or the result of a Hard action to
separate the two. The mutant uses one action per turn
to maintain control, but she cannot read the targets
mind nor force it to use actions using other types of
traits. The target may resist by repeating the original
roll every 5 minutes or if ordered to take an obviously
self-destructive action.
Paired Trait: Leadership (Command), defended by
Discipline (Mental Resistance).
Manifestation: The mutants extremities may
contain partially-hidden organs which become probing
nerve tendrils tipped with lamprey-like mouths or some
similar physical trace of their power. Its also extremely
obvious when the power is being used; attempting
to disguise it and still maintain constant contact will
require a successful Deception (Disguise) action.

Telekinesis (1d - 4d)

Sheer mental force allows the mutant to physically

manipulate a single target (living or inert) from a
distance. The mutant may not target himself. The
manipulated mass is equivalent to 1d plus the mutation
power level as if it were the Brawn trait but from
up to 300 feet away and within line of sight. Only

63
actions applicable to the Brawn trait can be used with
telekinesis, as finer manipulation of objects (such as
pulling the trigger on a gun) are not possible. Actions
against unwilling targets are opposed and resolved
accordingly. The power cannot be used to directly
assault a target, though it could be smashed into a wall
or another object to cause damage.
Frequency: At will, though if the mutant uses it
more than once every two hours he becomes Weary
(see Chapter Seven, Conditions) as if he had gone 24
hours without sleep.
Manifestation: There are sometimes visible lines
of force which show telekinetic manipulation. The
mutation may manifest as ghostly hands lifting and
moving object or similar odd effects. Rarely does the
mutation show no outward signs other than the results
of the telekinesis itself.

Telekinetic Claw (2d)

The mutant may generate a telekinetic attack that is

very similar to a claw or talon. It may be used on any
target within 30 feet and line of sight. A successful
attack has +1W bonus damage and leaves wounds as if
a large claw had slashed at the target.
Frequency: Once per turn.
Paired Trait: Alertness (Awareness), defended as
normal against physical attacks.
Manifestation: The mutant decides what form the
claw takes. It may resemble an animals talon, a small
cutting weapon, a ball of sharp spikes, or anything else
of similar size.

Telekinetic Flight (4d)

The mutant gains the power of flight through pure

mental effort. She may move her normal speed in
any direction (and may increase movement normally
as if on the ground), with special maneuvers and
complicated stunts resolved with Dexterity and
appropriate specialties. If the character is Injured (more
than half total wounds suffered), she must succeed
a Discipline (Emotional Control) check or fall
which happens if the mutant is stunned or knocked
unconscious during flight.
Frequency: At will, though if the mutant uses it
more than an hour every 8 hours she becomes Weary
(see Chapter Seven, Conditions) as if she had gone 24
hours without sleep.

Manifestation: The flight is obvious. The mutant

might radiate a glowing aura or manifest partiallytransparent wings. Some mutants with this ability show
no other sign than the flight itself.

Telekinetic Hand (1d)

The mutant creates a mentally-projected appendage

within 50 feet that may be used to manipulate small
objects. It may push buttons, carry small objects, pull
triggers, etc. This projection uses the mutants own
traits as if he were using his own hand, but any Brawnbased actions use the mutation power level. The hand
is destroyed if it suffers any Wound damage, and the
mutant suffers 1d Fatigue psychic damage.
Frequency: At will, though if a telekinetic hand is
destroyed, the mutant cannot create another for 24
hours.
Manifestation: The psychic hand appears as a
translucent replica of the characters normal hand or
appendage.

Telepathy (4d)

The mutant is able to both send and receive thoughts

within a range of 100 feet. The mutant is automatically
aware of any sentient living creatures presence within
range, unless somehow concealed from psychic
detection. The simplest active use of this power is to
act as a relay, allowing willing allies (up to as many as
the mutation power level) to communicate wordlessly
between each other. The mutant may also detect the
surface thoughts of a target, which can be done without
a check unless the target is actively attempting to shield
his thoughts, requiring a successful psychic attack.
Probing for memories is a complex action with a 1 turn
increment and is automatically resisted by the target.
A botch when using telepathy results in 1d Fatigue of
psychic damage for the mutant.
Paired Trait: Alertness (Awareness), defended by
Discipline (Mental Resistance).
Manifestation: Telepathy rarely has a visible
manifestation. Anyone who is aware of telepathic
contact will feel a buzzing or other unwelcome sound
or sensation in his mind.

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

64
Teleport Object (2d)

By focusing on an object within 100 feet and line of

sight exclusively for one turn, the mutant may teleport
an object with a mass less than 10 pounds per die of the
mutation power level to any other open space within
that range. If the object is being actively held by a living
creature, a mental attack is necessary to successfully use
the power.
Frequency: Once per hour.
Paired Trait: Alertness (Observation), defended by
Discipline (Concentration).
Manifestation: The most common manifestation of
this power is a brief colored flare which appears around
the target object and mutant.

Teleportation (4d)

This mutation allows its user to physically vanish

from one space and instantly reappear in another. She
may teleport freely to any open space within line of
sight, taking any gear she is wearing or carrying. The
mutant may also teleport to any other location she
can visualize very clearlyeither a very familiar place
or requiring a Discipline (Memory) check. Using
the mutation correctly is taxing, causing 1d Fatigue
psychic damage; a failed memory teleportation causes
both Fatigue damage and 1d Wound damage, leaving
the mutant stunned for 1d turns (see Chapter Seven,
Conditions) and unable to use the mutation again for
24 hours.
Frequency: Once every 8 hours.
Manifestation: Teleporting may be a quick vanishing
and rush of air, a fadeout and fade-in, or the creation of
a portal through which the mutant may step.

Thought Imitation (1d - 4d)

The mutant is able to remember and duplicate a

damage-causing mental mutation used against it. The
mutant may copy the ability regardless of whether the
attack was successful or not. The mutation must be
copied within one minute of being attacked. The power
is identical to what was used, although functioning at
the mutation power level of the thought imitation, and
is under the same limitations. The mutant may choose
to forget one mutation in order to copy another.
Frequency: At will, though only one copy may be
maintained at a time. The memory fades after 24 hours.

CHAPTER FIVE

Manifestation: A copied mutation manifests

identically as it was originally used.

Will Force (2d or 4d)

The mutant can channel his force of will into

physical energy. He may voluntarily reduce Alertness or
Discipline by 2 or 4 dice and increase one physical or
combat trait (Athletics, Brawn, Constitution, Dexterity,
Melee Weapons, Ranged Weapon, Unarmed Combat)
by half the number of dice sacrificed. The mental
trait may not be reduced below 1d, but the enhanced
physical trait may go beyond the normal 5-dice limit.
Frequency: Once every six hours with each use of
the mutation lasting no more than one hour or ended
voluntarily before that time.
Manifestation: After a moments concentration,
the mutant becomes noticeably more powerful in the
chosen area while seeming somehow distracted or
otherwise less mentally acute.

Mental
Defects
Psychic energy and scrambled brains dont always

result in beneficial abilities, and it should come as no

surprise that there is often a serious downside. Some
mental defects present in ways similar to brain damage
or serious psychological problems, while others are
psychic powers working against the mutants best
interests.

Boomerang (4d)

The mutants psychic energy center has grown

so strong that it pulls failed mental attacks back in a
harmful fashion. If the mutant fails a mental attack, it
will rebound, causing her to roll defense as if the attack
had been made against her in the first place. The referee
determines choice-based repercussions based on the
attackers intentions for the original target.
Manifestation: The mutant is likely to utter a short
expletive when the target of his power resists or avoids
the attack, followed by a short scream of pain.

Mental Block (2d)

The mutant exhibits a complete inability to perceive

a single type of entitycategory of animal, plant, or
class of robot. (Examples: Wolfoid, mutant kudzu,
maintenance robot.) The mental block is so pervasive

65
that the mutant cannot even conceive of the notion of
such a being, and he cannot detect one by any physical
sense or psychic ability. Interactions and even damage
from the blocked entity are rationalized away or come
as total surprise. To the mentally-blocked mutant,
companions interacting or fighting the listed entity
seem to be hallucinating or otherwise acting bizarrely.
Manifestation: None other than the strange
behavior caused by this defect.
Special: Humans and mutated humans are not
normally included in this defect due to how common
they are aboard the Warden, but if chosen, they
represent a 4d-level mental defect.

Multiplied Damage (2d or 4d)

The mutants mind is hypersensitive to pain and

disruption, and it magnifies the impact of damage.
Either mental or physical damage is chosen at random
or by the referee when this defect is acquired. Each turn
the multiplied damage type is suffered by the mutant,
she rolls half the number of dice of the mutation
power level to determine additional Fatigue damage.
Additional damage suffered on the same turn does not
cause multiplied damage.
Manifestation: The mutant appears to be a complete
wimp to physical pain or otherwise prone to constant
headaches with occasional nosebleeds. The mutant
tends to shy away from the type of damage to which she
is sensitive.

Phobia (1d - 2d)

An irrational, subconscious fear of something makes

the mutants life more difficult. The mutant must make
a check anytime he encounters the object of his fear.
Otherwise, he tries to get away from it by any means
necessary or becomes unable to take any constructive
action. The check covers one minute (20 turns) of
time before it must be repeated, and even if successful,
the mutant suffers a die penalty to actions equal to
the mutation power level. The referee determines
or approves the type of phobia, which can include
creatures (spiders, wolfoids, robots), situations (crowds,
rain), objects (blood, guns), or even abstractions
(darkness, a particular color). A phobia shouldnt be
something the mutant would encounter in his everyday

life, but also it is not so rare that he would never expect

it to become an issue at all. Something more common
might justify a higher die level.
Paired Trait: Discipline (Emotional Control).
Manifestation: Only the mutants reactions reveal
the existence of this defect.

Stress-Induced Amnesia (2d)

High-stress situations such as combat often cause

the mutant to experience short-term amnesia. In these
situations, the mutant must succeed a check or be
stunned for one turn and lose all memory of the last
3d hours. The difficulty of the check is determined by
the referee based on the amount of danger or stress
the mutant is facing. The mutants ability to identify
locations, enemies, and even allies is forgotten, and she
acts accordingly.
Paired Trait: Discipline (Emotional Control).
Manifestation: There are no obvious signs of this
defect other than the mutants strange reactions or
admissions under pressure. The mutant might develop
habits, such as writing in a journal, to help offset this
condition.

Weakened Mental Defenses (1d - 4d)

The mutants mental defenses do not function

properly, causing him to suffer a die penalty to all
mental defense rolls equal to the mutation power
levelsometimes leaving the mutant completely
vulnerable to such attacks.
Manifestation: Attackers will recognize the
weakness, as will anyone with telepathic abilities.

Plant
Mutations
The physiology of a plant is different enough

from animal life that it lends itself to some unique

mutationsjust another perk for being able to
metabolise light and water into energy.

Berries (1d - 4d)

Each day, the mutant plant grows 1d large berries,

whose properties vary depending on the mutation
power level. The plant can choose the next days variety
equivalent to the mutation power level or lower. The
berries benefit any animal-based creature, human or

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

66
otherwise, that consumes them and take effect one
minute (20 turns) after consumption. Only one berry
of any kind can benefit a recipient per day.
Mental Enhancing (1d): For one hour after taking
effect, the beneficiary receives a +1d bonus to
all actions making use of mental traits (Alertness,
Discipline, Tech).
Physical Enhancing (1d): For one hour after
taking effect, the beneficiary receives a +1d bonus
to all actions making use of physical traits (Brawn,
Constitution, Athletics, and Stealth).
Battle Enhancing (2d): For one hour after taking
effect, the beneficiary receives a +1d bonus to all
actions making use of combat traits (Melee Weapons,
Ranged Weapons, Unarmed Combat).
Invigorating (3d): The berries relieve exhaustion
and heal bruises and scrapes. 1d Fatigue damage is
healed.
Healing (4d): The berries stop bleeding, close
wounds, and repair internal injuries. 1d Wound
damage is healed.
Frequency: Each day, any previous berries lose their
potency and visibly shrivel, eventually falling off as a
new cluster of berries grows in their place.
Manifestation: The berries grow in appropriate
places on the mutant plant, sometimes invoking
snickering and jokes among its companions that it will
never understand.

Cones (2d or 4d)

Each day, the mutant plant grows 1d

cones roughly the size of a human
fist, whose properties vary depending
on the mutation power level. The
plant can choose the next days variety
equivalent to the mutation power level
or lower. The cones can be detached
by the mutant plant or by an ally.
Cones can be unwillingly taken from
a mutant plant, requiring an opposed
Brawn check. A cone loses potency
after one minute (20 turns) once it is
detached. Each cone may be thrown up
to 20 feet.
Stun Spores (2d): The cone erupts with
tiny spores in a radius of 10 feet from the
point of impact. Every breathing creature

CHAPTER FIVE

within the area takes 1d Fatigue damage. If a potential

victim knows to hold his breath, he can reduce the
effects with an Alertness (Responsiveness) reaction,
with each achievement lowering the damage by 1
(minimum 1 damage taken).
Explosive (4d): The cone explodes in a ball of fire
with a radius of 10 feet from the point of impact.
Each creature within the area takes 1d Wound fire
damage. If a potential victim knows to avoid the
oncoming explosion, he may reduce the damage by
making a Dexterity (Dodging) reaction, with each
achievement lowering the damage by 1 (minimum 1
damage taken).
Frequency: Each day, any previous cones lose their
potency and drop off as a new group of cones grows in
their place.
Manifestation: The cones grow randomly along
the mutant plants body, but never in such a way as to
impede its senses or movement.

Hardened Bark (2d or 4d)

The exterior layer of the mutant plant is hardened

to the point of offering increased protection. At the
2d mutation power level, the hardened bark is stiff
and leathery, offering Armor 1 protection. At the 4d
power level, the bark is as hard as metallic plating that
provides Armor 2 protection. (See Chapter Six, Armor
and Chapter Seven, Damage for more information on
such protection.)
Manifestation: The protection grows out of the
plants body and looks natural.

Plantspeak (1d)

The mutant plant has developed a means of

generating modulated sound approximating
human speech. The mutant plant is able to
verbally communicate.
Manifestation: The mutant plant may
develop a crude mouth and approximate
vocal cords, or it may generate the speech
by grinding together bark in a specific
way. To human ears, the speech will
sound strange and possess an odd
rhythm.

67
Thorns (1d, 3d, or 4d)

Sharp thorns protrude from the mutant plants

extremities, ensuring it is never unarmed. The thorns
can be used in combat with a +1W bonus damage.
At the 3d power level, up to 8 thorns per day may be
hurled up to 15 feet. At the 4d level, the thorns also
contain an injected neurotoxin, requiring any opponent
who takes Wound damage on a thorn attack to succeed
an Average Constitution (Fortitude) check to avoid
its effects (see Chapter Seven, Specialized Damage,
Toxins).
Paired Trait: Melee Weapons for personal combat.
Ranged Weapons for hurled thorns.
Manifestation: The thorns are large, sharp, and
easily visible. Venomous thorns are literally dripping
with poison.

Vines (2d or 4d)

The mutant plant sports vines which grant a 10-foot

reach and the ability to manipulate objects with natural
strength and the precision of human hands. They arent
dense enough to make unarmed strike attacks, but they
can be used to grapple an opponent at a distance. At the
4d level, the vines secrete a paralytic contact poison,
requiring a successfully grappled target to succeed
an Average Constitution (Fortitude) check to avoid
its effects (see Chapter Seven, Specialized Damage,
Toxins).
Paired Trait: Brawn (Grappling) when used to hold
an opponent.
Manifestation: The vines generally match the
structure and appearance of the plant to make it look
like natural growth. Poisonous vines ooze a sticky saplike substance.

Plant
Defects
While some plant mutations can be highly

beneficialincluding the potential for throwing

exploding pine conessome demonstrate distinct
disadvantages, often related to a normal plants very
means of survival.

Attraction Odor (2d - 4d)

The mutant plant emits a powerful pheromone that

attracts creatures of lower intelligence. The reach of
this defect is 250 feet per die of the mutation power
(meaning 500 feet at the 2d level, for example).
Depending on the psychology of those attracted, the
character might smell like food, a rival, or a threat
but he is a target one way or another. Any group with
such a mutant has an increased likelihood of being
attacked by local wildlife. In combat situations, given
a choice, animals and sentient plants will attack the
mutant with this defect first. Intelligent creatures are
not overwhelmed by this scent, but the mutant suffers
a 1d penalty to all social traits. Artificial life is not
affected by this defect.
Manifestation: The odor itself is the manifestation;
the mutant plant might smell like well-done steak to a
carnivore or lush flowers to a nectar-sucking insect.

Photodependent (4d)

A lack of light makes it difficult for the mutant plant

to function. In dim light, the character suffers a 1d
penalty on all actions using mental and physical traits.
In total darkness, the character must succeed an Average
Discipline check to make any actions (though reactions
are unaffected). Others might have to drag the character
through the darkness.
Manifestation: The mutant plants reaction to any
drop in ambient lighting is usually obvious (wilting,
sluggish movement, etc.).

Water Dependent (2d)

The mutant plant has internal systems highly

dependent on moisture, multiplying its water
requirements. It must be exposed to a source of water
at least once every 8 hours or become Starving (see
Chapter Seven, Conditions), with additional penalties
occurring every two hours thereafter.
Manifestation: The mutant plant is generally
focused on meeting its water needs and easily distracted
from other goals when a source of water is found.

MUTATIONS & DEFECTS

69

Chapter Six: Gear & Tech

Built to transport the future of an entire world, the
Warden is filled with vast storage sheds and warehouses of
equipment. Some was scattered, ruined, misused, or lost
while much remains locked away, waiting for anyone smart
or lucky enough to find it.
In Metamorphosis Alpha, equipment is crucial to
survival. Finding out how to use a device can mean the
difference between life and death for characters. Each new
piece of gear represents a challenge, opportunity, or potential
danger. Identifying tech and figuring out its proper use is the
difference between recovering an enemy-crushing weapon
and melting your face off.
This chapter deals with gear of all kindsfrom the most
mundane tool or weapon to a technological relic that must
be understood before it can be safely used. The descriptions
of items offered here not only describe the function of
the equipment but give the players and referee possible
inspiration for more.
The tech aboard the Warden isnt just sitting around. There
are facilities and robots capable of repairing, recharging, or
even building items as needed by those capable of issuing
the proper instructions. The items listed in this chapter only
scratch the surface of the possibilities that exist among the
ships many decks.

Economy on
Warden
the
A holdover from a dimly-remembered time, there is a

unit of currency known as the domar. Once it was used as a

centerpiece for a simulated economy aboard the ship; values
placed on goods and services established levels of scarcity and
rewarded those aboard for hard work and needed expertise.
While the real value of domars is now questionable at any
given moment, the cultural memory has lingered in these
more savage and primitive timesbolstered by the fact that
some computer and robotic systems still accept them as a
means of exchange. Thus some individuals and tribes place
high value on domars, while others ignore them entirely.
Physically, the domar is a small rectangular card made
of nearly indestructible plastic, bearing the hologram of
a human face identifying them as some past figure of
importance, such as Arneson, Gygax, or Ward. The domars
come in different colors, depending upon denomination.

6.1 - Currency
Denomination
1 domar
5 domars
10 domars
20 domars
50 domars
100 domars
1,000 domars

Color
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet

The true value of hoarded domars comes to light when

encountering artificial intelligence that is programmed to sell
valuable resources or tech for the correct price. Suddenly, the
bits of plastic left behind last week as so much junk could
be worth a perfectly-functioning disruptor pistol or a nearunlimited supply of food. They could allow for the rental of
a security robot for personal protection or a comfortable and
safe place to sleep. Just hope that you arent misidentified
as a former colonist deeply in debt or your stash could be
seized against bills that were never paid (and never will be,
thanks to centuries of accumulated interest).
For most aboard the Warden, there is only a primitive
economy at best, barter being the primary method of trade.
Interactions become more sophisticated among some
human and mutated human tribes that still use the domar
system out of cultural habit and have enough currency for
the system to work.
Being a savvy trader is a combination of having what
the other party needs and excellent haggling skills. Almost
anything can be traded, from the most mundane staples to
the most unsavory forms of service. And in such a violent
world, it pays to be able to protect your property with claw,
fist, or laser rifle.

Gearing
Up
Characters dont usually have more than the clothes

on their backs when they begin a Metamorphosis Alpha

campaignwith a reminder that clothes arent always worn
and mutants may not even have a back. While other games
possess concrete and carefully balanced rules that allow
starting characters to purchase equipment, adventuring
on the Warden can start in so many varied ways that the
following are only guidelines. The ultimate decisions are
left to the referee.

GEAR & TECH

70
Adventures aboard the Warden are often about scarcity
punctuated by sudden windfalls of resources and
opportunity, which in turn make the newly-wealthy
characters targets for anyone with reason to covet the
discovered treasure.
Characters who begin their career as primitives (be they
human or mutants) generally have the following:
A basic weapon (knife, club, or bow)
Rudimentary protection (clothing or simple
armor if they dont have a protective mutation)
Survival gear and tradable resources (food,
tools, a few domars)
Human characters usually start the game with one tech
item, chosen by the referee or rolled.

6.2 - Human Starting Tech

1d
1
2
3
4
5
6

Gear
Doctors Bag
Color Band (Red)
Yellow
Metasystem Goggles
Vibroblade (Knife)
Laser Pistol

Technology can easily lead to overconfidence, as powerful

weapons or extremely potent items can make previously
difficult challenges seem like a breeze. But nothing is more
temporary than a piece of tech, as it can run out of energy,
malfunction, break, or be taken away. The feast-or-famine
cycle is all part of the fun!

Getting Weighed Down

You never know what you might need, so its tempting to

take everything and the kitchen sink (assuming you can find
a kitchen and tear the sink out of the wall). The problem
with such an approach is that its exhausting to haul so much
stuff around all day. You wont perform at your best, and
youll tire more quickly.
Characters may carry 20 pounds of gear for each of their
Brawn dice without any problems, the totals reflected on
Table 6.3 for easy reference.

CHAPTER SIX

Ignoring
Encumbrance
The style of adventure aboard the Warden
is fast-paced action filled with surprises,
which doesnt always fit with tracking
weight carried along with the math to
figure out how much gear a character has
slung over his mandibles. Some referees
choose to not worry about carrying
capacity, and instead just use a commonsense approach to determining how much
a three-eyed human or shambling cactus
might haul around. If this is the case in
your game, enjoy one less thing to worry
about but dont abuse the privilege. If you
have a club, a knife, two swords, a pistol,
two alternate armor types, and a portable
kitchen set, you might get slapped with
arbitrary penalties, and youll deserve them.
Carrying capacity is not a reflection of the maximum
weight possible, just what can be hauled around without
impeding the character. When carrying beyond normal
capacity up to twice that weight, the character is burdened
and suffers a 1d penalty to all physical actions. If continued
for more than an hour without rest, the character becomes
weary and incurs an additional penalty (see Chapter Seven,
Conditions). A character may carry up to three times the
normal amount to be considered encumbered, with a 2d
penalty to physical actions and becoming weary after only
15 minutes. A character may spend an action point to ignore
those penalties for one hour, but carrying beyond three
times the basic weight is not allowed.

Style
vs. Substance
The descriptions in this chapter are relatively

straightforward, offering the information about an objects

function in the game and any necessary rules. Its up to the
players and referee to provide the context and description to
make the insane world of the Warden come to life.

71
6.3 - Carrying Capacity
Brawn

Normal

Burdened (1d)

Encumbered (2d)

1d

20 lb.

40 lb.

60 lb.

2d

40 lb.

80 lb.

120 lb.

3d

60 lb.

120 lb.

180 lb.

4d

80 lb.

160 lb.

240 lb.

5d

100 lb.

200 lb.

300 lb.

6d

120 lb.

240 lb.

360 lb.

Much of the primitive equipment used each day by

tribal humans and mutants is actually repurposed objects
that were once used quite differently. An axe used in combat
may have been cobbled together from the handle of an
airlock and a sharpened metal plate from a defunct robot
secured with a section of power transfer cable. A shield
might be a directional sign ripped from its post.
Its highly encouraged that players give a moment to
offer their most-used gear the kind of description that
makes things fit the post-spaceship-apocalypse setting and
gives each character some memorable flair. A prized piece
of jewelry might be a necklace strung with old computer
chips. A heavy club might be three baseball bats bound
together with duct tape. A shamans mantle of station might
have once been a plaid terry cloth bathrobe. Even the most
mundane details can be used to emphasize the style and
personality of the setting.

Understanding
Tech
Discovering a potentially useful technological wonder is

the first step. Figuring out how to use it without breaking

it or leaving a smoking hole in the ground where your
character once stood is the next step. The good news is that
a character who has used or has been properly trained with
a particular gadget will be good to go if she gets an identical
piece of tech in the future.
Deciphering large or intricate technologysuch as
specialized computer systems, dormant robots, widget
factories, or power rerouting stationswill involve complex
actions or even minor adventures decided upon by the
referee. But for tech that has been won on the battlefield or
otherwise purchased or scavenged for the first time, there is a
standard procedure for deciphering its function and use.

Tech items have a complexity level that reflects the

number of achievements needed with a complex Tech trait
action (see Chapter Two, Complex Actions) to successfully
understand the item and use it normally. But there is danger
along the road to using technology, and a difficulty based on
the items ease of use. (A straightforward weapon might be
Easy to figure out, while a food synthesizer with touchscreen
controls might be Hard.) The increment for figuring out
tech is usually 1 minute per roll.
Once you get half the needed achievements
you get a basic understanding of the items
purpose. (For example, if its a toaster you understand
that this object makes use of heat.)
If you succeed you understand the item
without any hindrances!
If you roll three failures in a row youve
broken the item and it must be repaired by someone
who has a clue what shes doing.
If you botch not only do you break the item,
but Something Bad Happens. It might melt, explode,
shoot you in the face, or otherwise cause problems
determined by the referee.
While an item is being examined, the referee may provide
descriptions and the player may offer explanations for what
she is doing to try and figure things outpossibly getting a
bonus for a clever idea.

GEAR & TECH

72

Gear
Entries
Below is a template for gear entries in the game, though

not every item will have the need for each category and
different types vary as noted. Note that the names listed here
are those that might have once been used on the Warden
by the trained and educatedand still might be learned
by those with sufficient Tech. However, most would call
a flashlight a cold torch or a light stick or some other
descriptive nickname.

Item Name

Following the items name is the main description, which

includes any game information needed.
Inspection: This tells how many achievements are
needed to properly understand the items function, and how
difficult the complex action is for each roll under normal
circumstances. Next are a few ideas for the referee on what
might go wrong if a botch is rolled during the process.
Power: If the device requires a replaceable or external
power source, its listed here along with how much use is
granted by any finite power supplies.
Weight: Expressed in pounds.
Special: Any noteworthy information related to how the
item might work and under what circumstances.

General Items

Miscellaneous is usually the largest category. This section

is where youll find items that arent about protection or
dealing damage. These include a large selection of tools
and items both for everyday use and specific, specialized
purposes.
Note that there are hundreds (if not thousands) of items
that may be found aboard the Warden that are not listed
here. Mundane items such as backpacks or water bottles are
around to be scavenged or even re-created by those with
the necessary skills. Only items that require explanation or
require game rules are listed here.

CHAPTER SIX

Acid

Once used for many operations aboard the ship, acid

is stored in 18-inch tall bright red canisters marked with
a yellow skull. While it can (and should!) be used for
noncombat actions, it can be sprayed up to 5 feet away
and up to a 10-foot wide arc for a single discharge. When
spraying in a wide arc targets are generally Easy to hit, and
the caustic acid inflicts bonus damage of 2d Wounds on
metal targets, or 1d Wounds on all other types. Each canister
holds 25 sprays, with no normal means to refill.
Inspection: 6 (Easy) Mishaps include accidental discharge
on self or an ally, or causing the canister to detonate and
spraying acid in a 20-foot radius.
Weight: 8 lb.

A.I. Disabler

Designed to deactivate robotic units without damaging

the hardware, this small handheld device can be used on
any computer-base system within 10 feet. Robots take 2d
Fatigue and are Stunned for 1d turns, with other artificial life
suffering similar effects as determined by the referee.
Inspection: 4 (Average) Mishaps include local artificial
intelligence to go artificially haywire or causing an electrical
surge that inflicts 1d Fatigue damage to a nearby character.
Power: Small Hydrogen Power Cell (10 uses)
Weight: 0.5 lb.

Android Sticky Flesh

Designed as a non-violent method to subdue dangerous

animals, this device is a 36-inch tall cylinder that is set on
the ground or floor. It lasts for up three full days on a single
charge. It ignores humans or plants, but activates at the
presence of a mutated human or mutant animal up to 100
feet awaythe canister launching a glob of white goop
as a 5d attack on the target. If the material hits the target it
adheres and absorbs moisture from the air and grows in the
space of one turn and becoming a 200-pound coiling mass
of grabbing, spongy flesh, which grapples the target at 5d

73
until he is able to break free. The sticky flesh ignores Fatigue
damage and may sustain 20 Wounds before dissolving into
loose red gel.
Inspection: 8 (Hard) Mishaps include accidental
discharge on self or an ally, or accidentally resetting it to
activate on the presence of a different variety of life.
Power: Small Hydrogen Power Cell (72 hours of
dormancy), cylinder is one-use only.
Weight: 5 lb.

Aquatic Breather

Designed to fit a human-shaped face, the device will attach

snugly until the release-button is depressed. The breather
allows for normal breathing underwater but is useless as a
gas mask or filter, and only fits over the mouth and nose
offering no protection to eyes or ears. The mask interferes
with speech.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include the mask strapping
on without being able to remove without cutting, or
functioning incorrectly and causing Fatigue damage due to
inhaling an unsafe air mixture.
Power: Small Hydrogen Power Cell (12 hours)
Weight: 1.5 lb.

Atomic Torch

Capable of cutting through any material, the torch has an

adjustable cutting point of up to 1 to 12 inches away from
its business end. Though not designed as a weapon, if used
as one it inflicts 1d Wound as bonus damage (improvised
weapon penalties apply, and the wielder must be within close
reach of the target).
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include accidental discharge
on self or an ally, or causing a critical overheat that melts the
device into slag.
Power: Small Chemical Power Cell (5 uses, up to 5
minutes each)
Weight: 2 lb.

Autosurgeon

An artificially-intelligent device created to treat injuries, the

autosurgeon is a coffin-shaped container that can hold and
will respond to the presence of one humanoid that lies inside
and correctly activates the device. It will use a combination
of integrated instruments and non-technology to efficiently
assess and treat the occupant. Nothing happens if the
occupant does not have any Wound damage. Otherwise it
heals 1d Wounds, at a rate of 1 per 10 minutes of time
though the process is exhausting, causing 1d of Fatigue. The
autosurgeon ignores plant life.

Creating Tech Items

Science fiction can be great inspiration
for creating new tech items. A referee need
only decide on game effects and how
easy or hard it will be for semi-primitive
characters to figure out. One way to quickly
come up with fun tech is to flip through the
mutations in this book (see Chapter Five), as
many such abilities could be accomplished
with technology.
For example, need a syringe-delivered
poison? Look no farther than Poison Bite. A
jet pack works very similarly to Telekinetic
Flight. Sonic Blast could easily be ported
into a portable sonic weapon. These ideas
also offer human characters tech-based
options to compete more evenly on a giant
spaceship filled with mutants.
Inspection: 10 (Average) Mishaps include changing its
settings to use incorrect procedures that injure instead of
heal, or accidentally resetting it to activate on the presence of
a different variety of life.
Power: Must be physically connected to a power station
to function.
Weight: 400 lb.

Chemical Defoliant

Contained in a canister with a handle on top and an

attached hose with a nozzle, this is a terrible poison to all
plant life. Contact with the defoliant is the equivalent of a
neurotoxin (see Chapter Seven, Specialized Damage). Its
toxic for animal life to injest this poison, and it will cause 1d
Wounds within an hour of consumption if not immediately
vomited up.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include accidentally
ingesting the chemicals or puncturing the canister and
causing a small, damaging explosion that also sprays the
chemicals everywhere nearby.
Power: Each canister holds enough for 25 uses.
Weight: 8 lb.

GEAR & TECH

74
Color Band

A colored bracelet coded to radiate at a unique frequency,

color bands act much like a key or security cardpermitting
access to otherwise restricted areas on the Warden and
allowing certain tech to be activated. The bands color
denotes areas and levels of access: blue (command), green
(horticultural), red (security), brown (general, for families),
gray (engineering), white (medical). Any entrance requiring
clearance has a small rectangle matching the color of the
band, and simply placing the band within six inches will
open the door or activate the locked device.
Each band also has a built in communicator activated by
twisting an area near the clasp, allowing voice contact to all
other bands of the same color within a one-mile radius on
the same deck. The unique signature of each band allows it
to be located by computer systems, artificial intelligence, and
anyone possessing the right kind of tracking device.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Note that a bands primary function
or opening doors and activating technology can only be
revealed through experimentthough there is enough
knowledge and rumor that an Average Tech (Tech Lore)
check can at least reveal a solid guess as to their function.
Mishaps include accidentally activating the communicator
or breaking the tiny power supply inside, rendering the color
band inert.
Weight: 0.25 lb.

Command Ring

Only four of these rings existone for each captain of the

Wardenand appear as a metallic red-and-blue ring sized to
fit an average human finger. They function identically to a
Color Band except they have universal access to any area and
all technology on the ship. They glow in alternating pulses
of red and blue if within 150 feet of another command ring
and may communicate with others across the entire ship on
any deck.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Note that the rings primary
function or opening doors and activating technology can
only be revealed through direct experiment. Knowledge of
command rings is quite rare, requiring a Hard Tech (Tech
Lore) check. Mishaps include accidentally activating the
communicator or breaking the tiny power supply inside,
rendering the ring inert.
Weight: Inconsequential

CHAPTER SIX

Cryo Chamber

These huge coffin-shaped containers are designed to hold

one human in suspended animation. A control panel at
the base monitors the occupant and can be used to activate
either a normal revival procedure (an 8-hour process) or
the emergency alternative (10 minutes, but a chance of
permanent physical or mental damage to the occupant). The
chamber is sealed shut unless a revival procedure has been
completed, as abruptly opening the chamber will kill the
occupant.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) to identify; 6 (Average) to
understand the revival procedures. Mishaps include putting
the chamber in lockdown for 24 hours (preventing all
attempts at revival) or deactivating the chamber and killing
anyone inside.
Power: Must be physically connected to a power station
to function.
Weight: 1,500 lb.
Note: A former crew member or colonist suffering
amnesia from an emergency revival procedure is a possible
origin for a human character.

Doctors Bag

This is a collection of simple tools, bandages, and

medicine designed to assist a doctor or field nurse in treating
injuries. It provides a +1d bonus to most uses of the
Medicine trait. It also includes a broad-spectrum antitoxin (5
doses) that will neutralize almost any poison and a canister
of liquid flesh that closes and sterilizes cuts and lacerations,
for up to 20 Wounds of healing (requiring 1 turn per point
healed).
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include emptying either
the antitoxin or liquid flesh unintentionally, injuries
mishandling the tools, or breaking the equipment to the
point of uselessness.
Power: Doses of medication must be re-stocked.
Weight: 4 lb.

Duralloy

The same ultra-lightweight metal the Warden is

constructed from, duralloy can sometimes be found
(especially in engineering sections) in four-foot triangular
pieces that can be clamped or welded togetherthough it
requires specialized equipment to do so. Duralloy is nearly
indestructible, and aside from being used in construction
some individual pieces are made into makeshift shields for
melee combat.

75
Inspection: 2 (Easy) Mishaps are not catastrophic, though
its lightness can cause some to not realize how hard the
material is and hit themselves or someone else.
Weight: 0.5 lb.

Energy Flooring

Stored as a sphere with a three-foot diameter, energy

flooring unspools to cover a flat area of 900 square feet that
adapts to the shape of the area (circular if open, otherwise
extending down a more narrow corridor or to fit the shape
of a room). The flooring can be set to activate under a
specific set of conditions and can recognize the difference
between human, animal, and plant life, though not
individuals. It takes 10 points of Wound damage to disable
the flooring (Easy to hit, but it is equivalent to Armor 4).
When the flooring activates, it delivers a shock of 2d
Fatigue electrical damage. Anything receiving any damage
must roll an Average Constitution (Fortitude) check to
avoid being paralyzed for 1d turnsotherwise the character
is stunned for an equivalent time unless he gets at least 1
enhancement. A botch means the character is unconscious
instead. (See Chapter 7, Conditions more information.)
Inspection: 6 (Average) Mishaps include damaging the
spooling mechanism that allows the flooring to retract and
expand, or interfering with the parts that allows the flooring
to be selective when administering shocks, or even delivering
a spontaneous shock to whoever is holding the sphere.
Power: 100 individual small hydrogen power cells, 2 of
which are spent per discharge.
Weight: 30 lb.

Engineering Kit

This kit includes sophisticated diagnostic software and

integrated tools to both identify and repair physical problems
with most machinery and shipboard systems. If the user
understands how to properly use the kit, use of Tech for
repair purposes becomes one degree easier in difficulty
meaning Hard actions become Average, Average become
Easy, and Easy repair tasks are automatically successful.
Note that only items programmed into its database gain this
benefit, so improvised items gain no benefit.
Inspection: 8 (Average) Mishaps include causing an
energy surge and draining the power cells or corrupting the
database and making the kit less useful (only +1d to repair
tasks for its use).
Power: 2 medium chemical batteries for up to 72 hours
of use.
Weight: 3 lb.

Gas Mask

Designed to fit a human-shaped face, the device will

attach snugly until the release-button is depressed, while a
hood protects the head and neck. The mask filters all types
of contamination from the air and offers the wearer a normal
oxygen-nitrogen ratio, but will no function underwater or
in a vacuum. The filter is self-cleaning as long as there is
available power. Speech is slightly muffled, but otherwise a
wearer may communicate normally.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include the mask strapping
on without being able to remove without cutting, or
functioning incorrectly and causing Fatigue damage due to
inhaling an unsafe air mixture.
Power: Small Hydrogen Power Cell (12 hours)
Weight: 2 lb.

Goggles, Metasystem

This eyewear is offers alternate modes of assisted viewing,

including infrared, night vision, radiation detection,
telescopic magnification (x 50), and microscopic zoom
(x 1,000). This might offer any number of advantages as
determined by the referee.
Inspection: 4 (Average) Mishaps accidentally locking
the brightness level to zero (making the image from the
goggles nothing but black), pushing the brightness level so
high a wearer sees only blinding light (blind for 1d turns), or
causing a short that causes the goggles to cease functioning.
Power: Small hydrogen cell (24 hours).
Weight: 1.5 lb.

Goggles, Night Vision

As long as there is even the tiniest source of ambient light

(and aboard the Warden there almost always is) these goggles
allow you to effectively see in the darkalthough the images
are monochrome and its not always easy to distinguish the
details. A character suffers a 1d penalty to Alertness-based
actions that require observing something using night vision.
Inspection: 6 (Easy) Mishaps include accidentally locking
the brightness level to zero (making the image from the
goggles nothing but black), pushing the brightness level so
high a wearer sees only blinding light (blind for 1d turns), or
causing a short that causes the goggles to cease functioning.
Power: Small Hydrogen Power Cell (48 hours)
Weight: 1 lb.
Special: Infrared goggles function in a similar way, but
instead translates the infrared spectrum. This functions
identically to the Infravision mutation.

GEAR & TECH

76
Holographic Computer Necklace

A metallic torc of adjustable size that fits around the

neck, this device creates a holographic computer interface
directly in front of the wearer. It may be activated by either
a vocal command or twisting a specific section. The unit is
wirelessly connected to the ships computer system, allowing
access to general information and commands and requiring
specialized access (by either worn color band or passkey) for
more sensitive parts of the structure. Note the computer
system on the Warden is damaged and it may not respond
logically to commands or requests. The voice user interface
of the device imprints on the first primary user, copying
voice and speech patterns and leaving a distinct impression
of talking to a ghost.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) This is only to identify how to wear
and activate the device. Interacting with the computer system
beyond that involves roleplaying and additional actions
determined by the referee. Mishaps include causing the
size adjusting matrix to shrink around the neck, potentially
choking the wearer, or sending a stream of gibberish to the
computer that remotely disables access to the network until
repaired.
Power: The device functions on broadcast power paired
with data streaming, and will function normally anywhere
inside the ship.
Weight: 0.25 lb.

Identifier Rod

This 8-inch metallic rod is a simple emergency beacon,

calling to artificial intelligence for help. Local systems will
attempt to aid, and a nearby robot will be dispatched to assist
if one is closeprepared to offer defense, medical assistance,
or transportation to a user identified as human. Otherwise
the identifier rod will be confiscated and deactivated.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include causing the
device to surge and inflict 1d Fatigue or prematurely
activating the device without an actual emergency, causing a
summoned robot to misunderstand the situation and react
inappropriately.
Power: Small Hydrogen Power Cell (30 hours).
Weight: 1 lb.

Laser Fuser

This device is designed to bind two equivalent materials

together, like a welder, automatically adjusting to conform
to the needs of its target. Almost any material (including
metal, plastic, flesh) can be fused, though the process is slow
(30 seconds per foot of material). There is no heat involved

CHAPTER SIX

and the fusing process does not cause damage, though a

living creature that tears or cuts itself from another to which
it is fused to will certainly cause injury (at least 1 Wound,
depending on the points of fusion and the judgment of the
referee).
Inspection: 6 (Average) Mishaps include accidentally
fusing items or allies together or reversing the settings so it
disrupts nonliving structures and cause things to unravel and
fall apart.
Power: Small Hydrogen Cell (10 hours).
Weight: 2 lb.

Liquid Flesh

Contained in a spray canister that might once have held

hairstyling product in a bygone era, liquid flesh can be used
as a quick way to repair wounds on any human- or animalderived character. The liquid sprays on like loose foam but
quickly seals, anesthetizes, and repairs wounds and within
a few hours looks just like an old scar. The downside is that
it only works for cuts and other surface wounds and cannot
repair broken bones or internal injuries. Each dose heals
1d Wounds in one turn, though only one dose can be used
on a character within an hour to any beneficial effect.
Inspection: 2 (Average) Mishaps include mistaking
it as an edible food source (which it is, but disgusting),
accidentally spraying a dose in a random direction, or
accidentally puncturing the can (1dF damage to the
inspector, foamy flesh everywhere).
Power: 6 doses per cannister.
Weight: 0.5 lb.
Special: Liquid flesh has no effect on plants.

Medical Analyzer & Healing Kit

Intended as a portable field kit for trained medical

personnel, this unit is programmed to assist even a novice to
provide first-aid treatment and even on-site surgery. If the
kits functions are properly understood, use of Medicine for
most purposes becomes one degree easier in difficulty
meaning Hard actions become Average, Average become
Easy, and Easy repair tasks are automatically successful. Note
that only human anatomy is programmed into its database
(meaning animal and plant characters will not be helped
unless a variant unit designed for veterinary medicine or
botany is discovered). The kit also includes anti-radiation
spray (5 doses, heals 5 points of Wounds from radiation
damage at a rate of 1 per hour) and stimulants that reverse
exhaustion and eases pain (5 doses, heals 5 points of
Fatigue in moments). The included vibroscalpel suffers

77
improvised weapon penalty if used in melee combat (and is
attached/powered by a retractable cable from the kit only up
to 5 feet away) but offers a +3W damage bonus.
Inspection: 6 (Average) Mishaps include accidental injury
with the vibroscalpel, breaking the device, changing the
language setting to something unintelligible, or incorrectly
overloading the sonic scanner to deliver 1d Fatigue damage.
Power: Two small chemical power cells for up to 24 hours
of use. Doses of medication must be re-stocked.
Weight: 6 lb.

Nano-Fix Gel

Contained in an unassuming tube that should not be

mistaken for toothpaste, this green gel is teeming with
nanitesmicroscopic robotic units that work in tandem
to repair damaged circuitry. This will automatically repair
minor damage to robot or computer systems or provide a
+2d bonus to Tech actions for more difficult jobs. Each dose
repairs up to 2 Wounds of damage to robotic life, otherwise
the number of doses depends on the extent of the damage to
be repaired.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include misidentifying the
gel as something edible (1d Fatigue and nearly a full day of
feeling horrible and suffering, 1d penalty on all actions) or
inadvertently emptying the tube in a place it will have no
useful effect.
Power: 10 doses
Weight: 0.25 lb.

Onalogic Force Field Generator

The generator is only the size of a human fist, but using

a few simple buttons and voice commands, it is capable of
generating a force field as either a sphere with a 5-foot radius
centered around the generator, or as wall projected up to 20
feet away that stands 10 feet high and 20 feet long. The force
field ignores Fatigue damage and can absorb up to 15 Wound
damage per turn and resets each turn it is active. If damage
exceeds the protection, there is a backlash that overloads the
unit and it will not be able to generate a replacement force
field for 1d turns.
Inspection: 6 (Average) Mishaps include spontaneously
generating a field without understanding how to switch it
off, causing an overload that electrocutes anyone touching
the generator (1d Fatigue electrical damage), or causing a
feedback cycle that could cause an explosion.
Power: Medium Hydrogen Cell (48 hours).
Weight: 1 lb.

Optic Bot

A small robot designed for scouting, it is incapable

of independent thought or action. It is generally paired
wirelessly with a pair of goggles for both commands and
transmittingthough an optic bot may be configured
to work with other control systems or even a more
sophisticated robot. The optic bot is a one-foot wide cube
mounted on a small set of tracks that can navigate on
horizontal surfaces (25 feet per turn) and can climb almost
anything (10 feet per turn). It can focus on even small
details from one mile away can switch to low-light vision
or infrared with the correct commands. If detected by an
enemy its not difficult to damage or destroy, with protective
plating (Armor 4) and can sustain 10 Fatigue before
temporarily deactivating and 10 Wounds before shutting
down past the point of repair.
Inspection: 6 (Average) Mishaps include damaging the
bots movement tracks (causing it to travel in weird arcs until
repaired), permanently locking its visual mode to infrared
or night vision, or damaging its primary logic circuits to the
point where it will never behave as intended.
Power: 2 Small Hydrogen Cells (48 hours).
Weight: 35 lb.

Pain Block

Each dose is a self-contained tiny self-injecting syringe

that contains a cocktail of drugs that severely reduce feelings
of pain in any human- or animal-derived character for a
duration of 4 hours. This temporarily reverses 2d Fatigue
damage and removes any action penalties for being Injured
(see Chapter Seven, Consequences of Damage). Once the
medication wears off, however, any Fatigue damage that
has not since healed will immediately take effectpossibly
knocking the character unconscious.
Inspection: 2 (Average) Mishaps include accidental
injection (and potentially wasting the medicine), opening the
seal and spilling the medication, or breaking off the springloaded needle held inside.
Power: Each dose is one-use only.
Weight: Inconsequential
Special: The medication has no effect on plants.

Portable Energy Lamp

The size of a small briefcase, a PEL can generate either an

intense pinpoint beam of light or brightly illuminate an area
in a 500 foot radius.

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Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include temporarily
blinding the user or overloading the unit and frying the
power cells.
Power: 2 Medium Chemical Cells (24 hours).
Weight: 7 lb.

Power Cell, Atomic

Atomic power cells are portable self-contained cold-fusion

reactors that produce a tremendous amount of energy. These
are all designed to be rechargeable (by restoring the necessary
nuclear material) and come in three sizes: small (blue
cylinder about 6 inches in length), medium (a thick cylinder
roughly a foot in length), and large (barrel-shaped and 3 feet
in height).
Inspection: 6 (Hard) Mishaps include initiating a failsafe
that permanently renders the power cell inert, triggering a
radiation leak that can cause radiation damage (see Chapter
7, Specialized Damage), or triggering an intense explosion
that can cause severe damage to anyone in the vicinity.
Power: Hydrogen power cells may be restored to full use
at a power cell recharger requiring a varying amounts of time
for small (2 hours), medium (8 hours), or large (1 day).
Weight: 2 lb. (small), 8 lb. (medium), or 50 lb. (large)

Power Cell, Chemical

These are the most primitive form of battery power

available, but completely adequate for the power needs of
many devices. These are all designed to be rechargeable, and
come in three sizes: small (coin-like disk), medium (small
cylinder barely over an inch in length), and large (human
fist-sized and comparatively heavy).
Inspection: 6 (Easy) Mishaps include ruining the power
cell or causing a leak that might cause small burns and
irritation for minor Fatigue damage. Note these types of
mishaps may also occur if the power cell is struck in combat
or other dangerous situation.
Power: Chemical power cells may be restored to full use
at a power cell recharge requiring a varying amounts of time
for small (15 minutes), medium (45 minutes), or large (90
minutes).
Weight: n/a (small, medium), or 2 lb. (large)

Power Cell, Hydrogen

Not strictly a battery, hydrogen power cells make use of an

internal reaction to generate power. These are all designed to
be rechargeable (by restoring the necessary fuel) and come
in three sizes: small (flat rectangle similar in size to a domar),

CHAPTER SIX

medium (cube shaped, small enough to be held in the palm

of a human hand), and large (a thick cube about the size of a
human head).
Inspection: 6 (Average) Mishaps include ruining the
power cell or causing a small but damaging explosion that
can cause minor Wound damage to those nearby. Note these
types of mishaps may also occur if the power cell is violently
struck.
Power: Hydrogen power cells may be restored to full use
at a power cell recharge requiring a varying amounts of time
for small (10 minutes), medium (30 minutes), or large (2
hours).
Weight: n/a (small), 1 lb. (medium), or 6 lb. (large)

Power Cell Recharger

These large charging stations can be found throughout

the ship (though they are highly valued) and will recharge
power cells of all types. In addition to a drained or empty
power cell, the recharger requires a supply of nuclear
material for atomic power cells or appropriate chemicals
chemical and hydrogen fuel cells . The amount of time
necessary for a full recharge depends on the exact type (listed
in those entries).
Inspection: 8 (Average) Mishaps include destroying
gear that was placed in the recharger incorrectly or causing
a radiation leak that might damage (or mutate!) anyone
exposed. Note these types of mishaps may also occur if the
power cell is struck in combat or other dangerous situation.
Power: Must be physically connected to a power station
to function.
Weight: 300 lb.

Radiation Decontamination Gel

Contained in 18-inch tall canisters, this is a green goop

that completely absorbs and neutralizes all radiation
contained in a 100 square-foot area (10 x 10) per
application. Within 30 seconds after the gel is applied the
local radiation is negated and the gel crumbles away as a
harmless red dust.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include mistaking the
gel as edible (no damage but intense digestive discomfort,
meaning a full day of 1d penalty to all actions) or otherwise
completely misidentifying the gels purpose.
Power: 25 applications.
Weight: 8 lb.

79
Smartpad

Appearing to be little more than a small rectangle of black

glass, when activated it is revealed as a portable touchscreen
computer (which can also perform many tasks using verbal
commands) that is capable of many functions. Its original
memory was wiped by the long-ago disaster as well as the
links to the shipboard network, but its built-in functions
work just fine. The device can record sound, take pictures,
keep notes, perform calculations, set time-based alarms,
and perform other simple tasks as a digital portable assistant.
The smartpad is waterproof up to 20 feet but is otherwise
somewhat fragile.
Inspection: 6 (Easy) Mishaps include accidentally
wiping the units internal memory (rendering it useless),
permanently locking the device into a parrot mode in
which it repeats all phrases spoken nearby, or causing it to
completely short out for 1F electrical damage to whoever is
holding it and bricking the unit forever.
Power: The device functions on broadcast power and will
function normally anywhere inside the ship.
Weight: Inconsequential

Clothing & Armor

While some mutants are lucky enough to adapt to the

environment or are born with protection from a hostile
world, most require a little extra help in that department.
The items listed in this section include noteworthy clothing
and other worn pieces of tech, as well as everything
from primitive to sophisticated armor. Note that mundane
clothingwhether tanned leather or machine-spun
synthetic cotton scavenged from old crew quartersis not
listed here but absolutely exists aboard the Warden.
The weight and general notes about armor and clothing
are made with humans in mind, and anything modified
or built for larger or smaller individuals would vary (as
determined by the referee). Note that armor has an
additional notation about the specifics of the protection it
offers, along with any penalties to movement or actions. See
Chapter Seven, Armor.

Cloth Armor

Often made with tightly packed cloth, such protection

could also be constructed of scavenged padding or soft hide.
It only offers minimal protection, but it can be made quickly
as needed and does not slower the wearer down.
Protection: 1
Weight: 8 lb.

Combat Gauntlet

Appearing as a loose metallic arm-length glove, a combat

gauntlet adapts to almost any arm-like appendage of roughly
human size. It offers both the ability to block melee attacks
without injury (like a shield) and a +1d to any Athletics,
Brawn, or Unarmed Combat actions that make use of the
affected arm.
Some combat gauntlets include a mounted laser pistol that
requires its own power source (see Weapons).
Protection: +2d to Melee Weapons (Weapon Defense)
actions for active blocking.
Inspection: 6 (Easy) Mishaps include tightening around
the arm uncomfortably (1F damage per turn), powering
on and swinging wildly in random directions and possibly
striking the wearer or others nearby, or the gauntlets shorting
out and unspooling into a random pile of metallic strips.
Power: 1 Medium Hydrogen Power Cells (10 days)
Weight: 4 lb.

Combat Leggings

A set of metallic combat leggings will adapt to legs of

almost any size and shape, molding to the wearer. They
provide a small amount of combat protection in the lower
area, but are also prized for enhancing movement (adding 5
feet to base speed) and offer a +1d to any Athletics, Brawn,
or Unarmed Combat actions that make use of the legs and
feet.
Protection: 1 (unless attack specifically targets upper half
of the body)
Inspection: 6 (Easy) Mishaps include tightening around
the legs uncomfortably (1F damage per turn), powering on
and running the wearer in a random direction (Hard Brawn
check to resist), or the leggings shorting out and unspooling
into a random pile of metallic strips.
Power: 2 Medium Hydrogen Power Cells (10 days)
Weight: 10 lb.

Energy Absorption Suit

These lightweight suits were built for working in

dangerous areas, not offering any protection from physical
damage but able to negate up to 10 damage of all energy
(electricity, fire, radiationWounds negated first, then
Fatigue) per turn while powered on. It can also allow the
user to pass through weaker force fields as if they were
not even there. The suit is self-repairing under most
circumstances, but if the wearer takes enough Wounds to
risk dying the suit is ruined beyond the point of repair.
Protection: See Above

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Inspection: 4 (Average) Mishaps include causing the suit
to glow in bizarre colors and patterns while active, turning
on its normally disabled audible geiger counter (which
means at the very least a constant annoying hissing sound
aboard the Warden), or causing the suit to leak radiation to the
wearer (1W radiation damage each minute worn).
Power: 3 Small Hydrogen Power Cells (10 hours)
Weight: 8 lb.

Invisibility Suit

Designed for camouflage, the suit was build to adapt to

human shapes from small and slender to tall and thick by
stretching or retracting its fibers. The web-like filaments
that comprise the suit bend light and heat around the
wearer when activated, making her effectively invisible to
both normal vision and infrared. The suit is self-repairing
under most circumstances, but if the wearer takes enough
Wounds to risk dying the suit is ruined beyond the point of
repair. The suit has a secondary benefit of offering a +1d
bonus to radiation resistance (see Chapter Seven, Specialized
Damage), because of the shielding built in to protect the user
from its own ambient energy.
Protection: 1
Inspection: 4 (Average) Mishaps include causing the
suit to shrink while worn (1F every turn until its corrected
or cut off), causing the suit to flash with white-hot light
(blinding those nearby), or causing the fibers to unweave
into a useless pile of multicolored thread.
Power: 2 Medium Hydrogen Power Cells (3 hours)
Weight: 10 lb.

Leather Armor

Made with strictly primitive methods, hardened leather

armor can easily be manufactured with the correct
materials and tools. It protects vital areas without impairing
movement, but unfortunately offers little protection.
Protection: 2
Weight: 10 lb.

Personal Force Field

This small cube can be strapped to a belt or anywhere

else within easy reach. Once properly set up for the size and
shape of its wearer, a forcefield can be activated with the
touch of a button. The force field ignores Fatigue damage
and can absorb up to 10 Wound damage per turn and resets
each turn it is active. If damage exceeds the protection, the
field goes down and takes 1d turns to reset. Each use of the
device lasts for ten minutes before requiring a reset, and if
the field is knocked out that counts as a use as well.

CHAPTER SIX

Inspection: 6 (Average) Mishaps include spontaneously

generating a field without understanding how to switch it
off, causing an overload that electrocutes anyone touching
the device (1d Fatigue electrical damage), or causing a
feedback cycle that could cause a small explosion.
Power: Small Hydrogen Power Cell (6 uses)
Weight: 4 lb.

Powered Armor, Heavy

Combining duralloy construction with servos and motors

for movement and activity along with enhanced combat
functionality, this armor is designed for survival and intense
combat situations. The suit can be fitted to most humanlike shapes and allows for thruster-based flight (movement
25 feet, no ability to go any faster). It offers a complete seal
and an internal environment that can function anywhere
(even a vacuum). By switching visual modes, the wearer
may activate low-light vision, infrared, or to detect radiation.
Powered armor also enhances base ground movement by
5 feet per turn, offers +1d to Brawn-based actions, and
provides +2d bonus to radiation resistance (see Chapter
Seven, Specialized Damage).
Some suits of heavy powered armor include a personal
force field generator or an arm-mounted laser pistol that all
work with the same power supply.
Protection (Penalties): 6 (1d to Athletics, Dexterity,
and Stealth actions).
Inspection: 8 (Average) Mishaps include causing the
armor to heat to uncomfortable levels (1F every turn until
shut off or removed), causing it to seal without activating
environmental filters (risking suffocation), or causing an
overload that delivers a potentially fatal electric shock.
Power: Medium Atomic Power Cell (100 days)
Weight: 150 lb.

Powered Armor, Light

Constructed from flexible bands of duralloy and other

advanced materials, light powered armor can be fitted to
most human-like shapes. The suit offers thruster-based
flight (movement 25 feet, no ability to go any faster). It offers
a complete seal against the outside environment, can filter
air and has a built-in underwater adaptionbut does not
offer the ability to breathe in a vacuum. By switching visual
modes, the wearer may activate low-light vision, infrared,
or to detect radiation. Light powered armor also provides
+2d bonus to radiation resistance (see Chapter Seven,
Specialized Damage).

81
Some suits of light powered armor include a personal
force field generator or an arm-mounted laser
pistol that all work with the same power
supply.
Protection (Penalties): 4 (1d
to Athletics, Dexterity, and Stealth
actions).
Inspection: 8 (Average)
Mishaps include causing
the armor to heat to
uncomfortable levels (1F
every turn until shut off
or removed), causing it
to seal without activating
environmental filters (risking
suffocation), or causing an
overload that delivers a potentially
fatal electric shock.
Power: Medium Atomic Power
Cell (200 days)
Weight: 100 lb.

Radiation Suit

Lightweight suits designed for humans, these offer

complete protection from radiation. Internal monitors
track the levels with a readout on the the left arm. If the
wearer takes enough Wounds damage to become Injured
(see Chapter Seven, Consequences of Damage) the suits
protection is compromisedcausing an alarm to sound and
only 5 turns before any radiation-based effects or damage
will be suffered normally; if the wearer takes enough
Wounds to risk dying the suit is ruined beyond repair. Lesser
damage can be repaired quickly with patches that adhere to
the legs of the suit (3 per leg).
Protection: See above.
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include causing an
accidental small tear, triggering the alarm, or removing all of
the repair patches and sticking them in inappropriate places.
Power: 3 Small Hydrogen Power Cells (10 hours)
Weight: 5 lb.

Shield, Duralloy

Repurposed from special spare plating intended to

patch the hull of the Warden, duralloy shields are prized
because they are deceptively lightweight while being nearly
indestructible and deceptively hard. Duralloy is clearly a
metal but cannot be reproduced, only repurposed. Simply
carrying a duralloy shield in a way that partially blocks the

body offers light cover against ranged attacks, and by

crouching behind it (preventing other actions
on the same turn) the shield may be used
as heavy cover against ranged attacks.
Protection: +2d to Melee
Weapons (Weapon Defense)
actions for actively blocking
attacks.
Weight: 2 lb.

Shield, Large

Offering greater protection

than its smaller counterpart,
a large shield can sometimes
slow down a combatant.
Shield may be constructed
from many different materials
or repurposed from items of the
right size and shape. Just carrying a
large shield offers light cover against
ranged attacks, and by crouching behind it
(preventing other actions on the same turn) the
shield may be used as heavy cover against ranged attacks.
Protection: +2d to Melee Weapons (Weapon Defense)
actions for actively blocking attacks / 1d to Athletics,
Dexterity, and Stealth actions.
Weight: 10 lb.

Shield, Small

Whether built specifically for protection in mind or

cobbled together from scrap, a small shield is lightweight
and gives the user an advantage in blocking attacks in handto-hand combat. In addition to its normal use, by crouching
behind the shield (preventing other actions on the same
turn) a shield can be used as light cover against ranged
attacks.
Protection: +1d to Melee Weapons (Weapon Defense)
actions for actively blocking attacks.
Weight: 5 lb.

Space Suit

Pressurized to allow safe activity in a vacuum, the suit

allows survival in outer space, under water, and in other
hostile environments. It offers minimal combat protection,
though getting into a fight in such an environment
is extremely dangerous as the suit might become
compromised to fatal effect. Maneuvering thrusters
assist the wearer in orienting and other actions that
might otherwise be difficult in zero-gravity, but

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82
are not intended for truly independent motion (and
are useless in ship-normal gravity). If the wearer takes
enough Wounds damage to become Injured (see Chapter
Seven, Consequences of Damage) the suits protection is
compromisedcausing an alarm to sound and only 3 turns
before its protection is gone and the wearer suffers whatever
consequences are a result of his environment; if the wearer
takes enough Wounds to risk dying the suit is ruined beyond
repair. Lesser damage can be repaired quickly with adhesive
patches on the legs (3 per leg).
Protection (Penalties): 1W (1d to Athletics, Dexterity,
and Stealth actions).
Inspection: 8 (Average) Mishaps include causing the suit
to over-pressurize (1F damage per turn worn), activating the
thrusters randomlycausing the suit to skitter about until
it is caught, or causing explosive decompression of the air
supply that destroys the suit and might damage those nearby.
Power: 3 Small Hydrogen Power Cells (24 hours) power
thrusters, small tank air supply (8 hours)
Weight: 15 lb.

Weapons

The best defense is leaving your enemies in a ruined heap.

Protecting yourself from damage is great, but even the most
powerful suit of powered armor augmented with a personal
force field can only hold out for so long. Even the most
primitive denizens of the Warden will scrounge up some
basic weaponry, whether its a misshapen club or an old steel
strut sharpened into a crude sword. Ranged weapons
especially techare particularly prized since you can riddle
your enemies with smoking holes without getting in harms
way yourself. Hokey mutations and ancient weapons are no
match for a good plasma pistol at your side.
Note that the items below include a Damage Bonus entry
to show how much extra damage is inflicted as long as at
least minimal success is rolled on the attack. If the damage
has a specific type (fire for laser, for example) than all damage
dealt by an attack from that weapon is considered of that
type, not just the bonus damage. The Special entry notes of
any unique properties a weapon might possess.

Melee Weapons

Melee is an ancient term meaning confused fight, and

nothing is more confusing than standing your ground with
a naked blade as a cougaroid is leaping for your throat. The
weapons below make use of the wielders strength and skill
to face opponents who are close enough to fight back.

CHAPTER SIX

Using Shields
While some are comfortable either
dodging attacks, relying on armor or
mutation protection, or even blocking
with a trusty weapon, a shield offers a
few distinct advantages while admittedly
suffering from a few drawbacksprimarily
because its most effective when its used
actively. A shield just hanging on your
arm is never as effective as one you put in
harms way.
Blocking: Handheld shields are used for
active defense in combat, meaning they
dont do a whole lot of good in a fight if
they are just strapped to your arm. They
are used for blocking an incoming attack,
and because they are specifically designed
for the job they offer a bonus to those
actionsenhancing the Melee Weapons
trait (Weapon Defense specialty).
Cover: If youre being shot at in an open
area the shield might be the best protection
youve got. By getting as much of your
body behind the shield it will offer at least
light cover (more if its a larger shield).
Shield Bashing: Just as a blade can parry,
a shield can be used to smash someone in
the face. It can be used as an attack action
using Melee Weapons (Weapon Attack),
with a damage bonus of +1F (small shield) /
+2F (large shield) / +3F (duralloy shield).
Breaking: Depending on the materials
the shield is made out of, they might wear
out over time without replacement or
maintenance, or break to uselessness if
an enemy rolls enhancements in combat
or the defender botches. The exception
to breaking is the duralloy shields, which
last forever without so much as a scratch
from anything other than powerful energy
weapons.

83
Axe, Large

Meant either to fell huge trees or equally dangerous

enemies, these axes are generally used with two hands and
require strength to properly wield.
Damage Bonus: 2W (+2W if at least one enhancement is
rolled, but requires an action to pull the axe free).
Weight: 10 - 12 lb.
Special: Cannot be wielded by those with a Weak (1d)
Brawn trait.

Axe, Small

While some of these items have been custom-created

for battle, others are just scavenged hatchets or small
woodcutting tools.
Damage Bonus: 1W (+1W if at least one enhancement is
rolled, but requires an action to pull the axe free).
Weight: 4 - 6 lb.

Chainsaw

While not designed to be a weapon used in combat, its

fearsome sound and horrific rending it inflicts make it an
object of fear.
Damage Bonus: 3W, +1d Wounds if at least one
enhancement is rolled.
Inspection: 4 (Average) Mishaps include disconnecting
the chain and rendering it useless until reattached, jamming
the motor and causing the tool to be inert except for a
strange hum, or causing a short-circuit that fries the batteries.
Power: 2 Small Hydrogen Power Cells (100 days of
occasional use)
Weight: 10 lb.
Special: Incurs improvised weapon penalty.

Club / Staff

Whether fashioned from a thick tree branch or is simply

an old, repurposed broom handle, this type of weapon is
often wielded with two hands and used as a bludgeon.
Damage Bonus: 1F
Weight: 3 - 4 lb.

Knife

Any small blade is treated the same way so the individual

characteristics of a knife are highly varied. Whether it was
originally a kitchen tool, old-fashioned shaving instrument,
sharp piece of a portable toolkit, or sharpened from materials
lying around youre still holding a knife. Weaker materials
mean there is more of a chance the knife will wear down to
uselessness or break suddenly.

Improvised Weapons
Plenty of the weapons used on the
Warden are cobbled-together from bits
and pieces that were pulled from corpses,
raided from rooms, or scavenged from trash
pilesyet have been customized to be fully
functional. Many situations, however, might
find a mutant grabbing anything from a
rusty old wrench to a nearby rock. These
are Improvised Weapons.
The referee determines the properties of
an improvised weapon, usually by finding a
near equivalent among the official weapons
in this chapter. But using an old letteropener as a knife or a jagged metal strut
as an axe is not ideal, so use of Improvised
Weapons comes with a penalty.
Most of the time the Improvised Weapon
penalty is 1d for the action; extremely
cumbersome or exceptionally unwieldy
objects incur a 2d to the action. Some
items will simply prove useless in combat
except to distract or amuse otherwise
deadly enemies.
Damage Bonus: +1W if at least one enhancement is
rolled.
Weight: 0.5 - 1 lb.
Special: Knives made for throwing have the same damage
bonus with a range increment of 10 feet. Other knives can
also be thrown but suffers the improvised weapon penalty.

Long Blade

Comprising long swords that can still be swung with

one hand to huge blades that are held in two, a long blade
delivers more damage but requires more strength and room
to wield.
Damage Bonus: 2W
Weight: 5 - 10 lb.
Special: Cannot be wielded by those with a Weak (1d)
Brawn trait.

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84
Sap / Brass Knuckles

Either a small bludgeon held in one hand or a hardened

shell to add impact to an otherwise unarmed attack, such
weapons are small and easily concealed.
Damage Bonus: +1F if at least one enhancement is
rolled.
Weight: 0.5 - 1 lb.
Special: Brass Knuckles (or equivalent item) still make
use of the Unarmed Combat (Striking) trait. A sap is still a
Melee Weapons (Weapon Attack) action.

Short Blade

Including long knives and short swords, or perhaps

machetes that double as weapon and brush-clearing tool,
short blades are held in one hand and light enough for
quick, decisive strokes. Their size allows fighting in confined
spaces.
Damage Bonus: 1W
Weight: 2 - 3 lb.

Spear, Short

While some of these weapons might be sharpened and

fire-blackened pointy sticks, others are carefully fashioned
and meant for battle.
Damage Bonus: 1W
Weight: 3 - 5 lb.
Special: +2W if at least one enhancement is rolled, but
requires an action to pull the spear free. Can be thrown with
a range increment of 15 feet.

Spear, Long

These spears are not useful in close combat, but with

someone offering protection they can allow for stabbing
opponents that would normally be out of reach.
Damage Bonus: 1W
Weight: 8 - 10 lb.
Special: +2W if at least one enhancement is rolled, but
requires an action to pull the spear free. Reach of 10 feet;
attacks against adjacent opponents suffer a 1d penalty.

Vibroblade

Unpowered it appears only as a simple handle, but when

activated with a tight grip and button press a glowing blue
blade-shaped force field with a mathematically perfect edge
appearsits size based on type. A vibroblade is capable of
truly gruesome wounds and cuts through most armor like it
wasnt even there.

CHAPTER SIX

Any blade weapon (knife, short blade, long blade) has

a vibroblade versionthough their lethal potential makes
each one highly prized and valuable. If used unpowered,
they useless as a weapon.
Damage Bonus: Equal to the blade type +1W, +1d
Wounds if at least one enhancement is rolled. Vibroblades
ignore armor, but not force fields.
Inspection: 4 (Average) Mishaps include shorting out the
power cells (creating a cloud of foul smoke), misaligning the
vibration causing the blade to swing wildly and potentially
cutting those nearby, or causing an overload that warps and
ruins the blade permanently.
Power: 2 Small Hydrogen Power Cells (50 days of
occasional use)
Weight: Same as blade type.

Ranged Weapons

There is a school of thought (some call it sensible) that

says the best way to take an enemy down is from a safe
distance. The only problem is that the safer the distance, the
more difficult the shot. It takes a skilled marksman or a bit of
luck to hit a target from long range. Whether slinging a rock,
loosing an arrow, or firing a rifle, the weapons listed here
are all about dealing damage without getting uncomfortably
close.

Bow, Long

Tall enough and with enough tensile strength to offer an

arrow more range and damage potential than a shortbow,
it can nonetheless be crafted from a variety of materials.
Arrows much be either replaced or retrieved from the
targetassuming they are not damaged.
Damage Bonus: 2W
Range Increment: 50 feet
Weight: 3 - 5 lb.

Bow, Short

Whether built from wood and cord or other materials, the

short bow is light and portable and can fire arrowswhich
must be replaced or retrievedat an unlucky target.
Damage Bonus: 1W
Range Increment: 25 feet
Weight: 2 - 3 lb.

85
Damage Bonus: 3W fire
Range Increment: 40 feet
Inspection: 4 (Average) Mishaps include accidentally
firing the weapon in a random direction, firing a lowerintensity beam that sets something nearby on fire, or causing
an overload that burns anyone holding it (1W fire) and melts
the pistol into slag.
Power: Small Hydrogen Cell (12 shots)
Weight: 2 lb.

Pistol, Plasma

Pistol

While simple and easy to understand, these weapons

still deal impressive damage from a distance with a loud
crack and some recoil. An individual pistol might hold 6-14
bullets before requiring an action to reload assuming more
ammunition is available.
Damage Bonus: 2W
Range Increment: 30 feet
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include accidentally firing
the weapon in a random direction, causing it to jam, or
causing a misfire that destroys the weapon and injures the
one holding it.
Power: 1 bullet per shot (revolvers or clips hold 6, 8, 10,
12, or 14, depending on type)
Weight: 2 - 3 lb.

Pistol, Laser

As a handheld energy weapon thats lighter than a

projectile pistol and deals more damage at greater range,
these weapons are prized and shots are saved for when
needed unless a ready supply of power cells are available.

The plasma pistol looks like a comically oversized toy

weapon, but its no joke. The pistol converts locallycondensed moisture into superheated gas contained in
a miniature decaying force field that is propelled toward
a target at terrific speed. The weapon delivers terrifying
wounds that resemble scorched holes. The need for a rare
atomic power cell makes this deadly weapon coveted and
highly prized.
Damage Bonus: 4W fire, +1d Wounds if at least one
enhancement is rolled.
Range Increment: 50 feet
Inspection: 4 (Hard) Mishaps include damaging the
condensers (forcing the small water chamber to be refilled
manually after every other shot until repaired), generating
a localized force field around the weapon that will quickly
drain the power cell, or activated a plasma overload that
overwhelms the safeguards and causes a 4d Wounds fire
explosion (10 feet increment).
Power: Small Atomic Cell (20 shots)
Weight: 3 lb.

Pistol, Protein Disruptor

Causing flesh and muscle to break down animal protein

structures into a semi-liquid state, a protein disruptor is not
only a lethal weapon but one that often strikes terror into
anyone whos seen the results. It resembles a fat-bodied
laser pistol with a strange lens array affixed to the firing end.
Such weapons are rare and make those who carry them both
hated and fearedexcept by sentient plants who understand
they are immune to disruptor energy. Just witnessing the
weapon used is sickening to most humans.
Damage Bonus: 2d Wounds
Range Increment: 20 feet

GEAR & TECH

86
Inspection: 4 (Hard) Mishaps include accidental firing at
self or ally, locking the safety mechanism in place and locking
the weapon semi-permanently, or triggering an overload
with a 10 second beeping warning before a 2d Wounds fleshmelting explosion (increment 10 feet) occurs.
Power: Small Atomic Cell (5 shots), power cell is
destroyed if fully drained.
Weight: 2.5 lb.
Special: Protein disruption only affects humans, animals,
and related mutants. It has no effect on plants, artificial life,
or other objects.

Pistol, Stun

Using a concentrated sonic pulse that capable of

scrambling the nervous system, the stun pistol was designed
to primarily subdue targets rather than kill. Unfortunately
sonic weapons generally do not have the range of other
energy weapons.
Damage Bonus: 3F sonic, if at least one enhancement is
rolled target must succeed a Hard Constitution (Fortitude)
check or be stunned for 1d turns. Ignores armor but not
force fields.
Range Increment: 25 feet
Inspection: 4 (Average) Mishaps include misaligning the
sonic projector (causing a 1d penalty to firing it until fixed),
activating a high-frequency shriek that deafens any nearby
for 1d minutes, or causing a sonic explosion that stuns those
in a 25-foot radius (equivalent to the enhancement effect).
Power: Small Hydrogen Cell (15 shots)
Weight: 2 lb.

Rifle

Designed to fire a devastating projectile at long range with

accuracy, the rifle makes use of pre-made bullets and has
sights on the barrel to assist with aim.
Damage Bonus: 3W
Range Increment: 60 feet
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include accidentally firing
the weapon in a random direction, causing it to jam, or
causing a misfire that destroys the weapon.
Power: 1 bullet per shot (clips hold 10, 20, or 30
depending on type)
Weight: 10 - 15 lb.

Rifle, Laser

With no recoil and excellent range, the laser rifle is an

excellent alternative to the projectile version. It fires a searing
beam of intense heat.
Damage Bonus: 4W fire

CHAPTER SIX

Range Increment: 80 feet

Inspection: 6 (Average) Mishaps include accidentally
firing the weapon in a random direction, firing a lowerintensity beam that sets something nearby on fire, or causing
an overload that burns anyone holding it (1W fire) and melts
the rifle into slag.
Power: Medium Hydrogen Cell (20 shots)
Weight: 10 lb.

Rifle, Plasma

Resembling a heavy plastic novelty squirt gun but but

betrayed by a surprisingly heavy weight, a plasma rifle is
deadly serious business. It functions much like the pistol
versionsending superheated gas in a concentrated burst
toward an unlucky targetbut with superior punch and
range. A plasma rifle can reduce an enemy to a smoldering
ruin from a safe vantage point.
Damage Bonus: 5W fire, +1d Wounds if at least one
enhancement is rolled
Range Increment: 100 feet
Inspection: 4 (Hard) Mishaps include damaging the
condensers (forcing the small water chamber to be refilled
manually after every other shot until repaired), generating
a localized force field around the weapon that will quickly
drain the power cells, or activating a plasma overload that
overwhelms the safeguards and causes a 5d Wounds fire
explosion (10 feet increment).
Power: 2 Small Atomic Cells (35 shots)
Weight: 15 lb.

Rifle, Protein Disruptor

Appearing to be a fat-bodied laser rifle with cascading clear

lenses attached to the firing end, a protein disruptor rifle
melts human and animal flesh and can often reduce either
to a sticky pile of disgusting goo. The differences between
the animal and plant kingdoms protect the latter from
gooification. They are power-hungry weapons that destroy
the batteries that make them function, but they inspire
such fear that even the threat of firing one can intimidate an
enemy into unconditional surrender.
Damage Bonus: 4dW
Range Increment: 35 feet
Inspection: 6 (Hard) Mishaps include accidental firing
at self or ally, locking the safety mechanism in place and
locking the weapon semi-permanently, or triggering an
overload with a 10 second beeping warning before a 4d
Wounds flesh-melting explosion (increment 10 feet)
occurs.

87
Power: 2 Small Atomic Cells (10 shots), power cells are
destroyed if fully drained.
Weight: 18 lb.
Special: Protein disruption only affects humans, animals,
and related mutants. It has no effect on plants, artificial life,
or other objects.

Rifle, Stun

Firing a long-distance punch of sonic energy, this weapon

can effectively knock a target unconscious without having to
get close. The weapon hums but makes no obvious sound
until the shockwave hits.
Damage Bonus: 4F sonic, if at least one enhancement is
rolled target must succeed a Hard Constitution (Fortitude)
check or be stunned for 1d turns. Ignores armor but not
force fields.
Range Increment: 50 feet
Inspection: 4 (Average) Mishaps include misaligning the
sonic projector (causing a 1d penalty to firing it until fixed),
activating a deafening shriek that deafens any nearby for 1d
minutes, or causing a sonic explosion that stuns those in a
50-foot radius (equivalent to the enhancement effect).
Power: Medium Hydrogen Cell (30 shots)
Weight: 2 lb.

Shotgun

Pre-manufactured shells blast a target with rending force,

making the shotgun a devastating weapon at short range.
They come in either a single or double-barrel variety,
allowing an attacker to fire one or both.
Damage Bonus: 3W (per barrel)
Range Increment: 20 feet
Inspection: 4 (Easy) Mishaps include accidentally firing
the weapon in a random direction, causing it to jam, or
causing a misfire that destroys the weapon and injures the
one holding it.
Power: 1 shell per shot
Weight: 8 - 10 lb.
Special: If both barrels are fired the damage bonus is
doubled to 6W but the weapon is emptied. An action is
required to reload each barrel individually.

Sling

While a basic sling can be thrown together in a pinch (and

would be considered an improvised weapon), one intended
for regular use is crafted with rope or tightly wound cloth
and makes use of smooth stones or specialized bullets (clay,
stone, metal spheres, dense plastic, etc.) to hurl at an enemy.

Damage Bonus: +1F if at least one enhancement is

rolled
Range Increment: 20 feet
Weight: Inconsequential

Slug Thrower

The term slug thrower is a catch-all for variants of any

of the traditional bullet-firing firearms (pistol, rifle) but use
special rubber bullets designed to subdue a target rather than
kill.
Damage Bonus & Range Increment: Equivalent to
weapon type, substitute all Wound results with Fatigue.

Explosives

Some warriors prefer precision, choosing the exact place

for damage to be dealt. Others enjoy a ball of fiery death that
incinerates everything in a huge area without discrimination.
Explosives can be used as a tool, a trap, or in the heat of
battle.

Grenade, Frag

Easily held and thrown, once the pin is pulled there are
three seconds before detonation and flings shrapnel in every
direction to potentially rip enemies to shreds.
Damage: 4d Wounds
Explosion Increment: 10 ft.
Throwing Range: 30 ft. increment
Inspection: 4 (Average) Because grenades are such simple
devices, the primary mishap is accidentally detonating it at
close range. If the casing is dismantled during inspection, a
more mild mishap is simply rendering the weapon a dud.
Weight: 1 lb.

Grenade, Plasma

This horrifying weapon explodes in white hot flames and

lays waste to a large areawhich is why its generally thrown
as far away as possible, since accuracy isnt always the point.
Damage: 6d Wounds fire
Explosion Increment: 10 ft.
Throwing Range: 25 feet increment
Inspection: 4 (Average) Because grenades are such simple
devices, the primary mishap is accidentally detonating it at
close range. If the casing is dismantled during inspection, a
more mild mishap is simply rendering the weapon a dud.
Weight: 1.5 lb.

GEAR & TECH

88
Grenade, Smoke

Unlike most other grenades, this one doesnt injure. It

emits a large cloud of colored smoke (indicated by the color
of the grenade). Upon detonation the smoke spreads to a
radius of 10 feet and grows by an additional 10 each turn
until it obscures in a 40-foot radius from the grenade. The
smoke lasts for 2d minutes.
Throwing Range: 30 ft. increment
Inspection: 4 (Average) Because grenades are such simple
devices, the primary mishap is accidentally detonating it at
close range. If the casing is dismantled during inspection, a
more mild mishap is simply rendering the weapon a dud.
Weight: 1 lb.
Special: One variant is a tear-gas grenade, in which the
smoke not only obscures but causes 1d Fatigue and blinds
any exposed character with eyes for 1d minutes or until they
receive helpful treatment.

Grenade, Stun

This small explosive is meant to leave foes unconscious

but without causing serious injury. It unleashes a burst of
electrical energy in all directions.
Damage: 4d Fatigue electric
Explosion Increment: 10 ft.
Throwing Range: 30 ft. increment
Inspection: 4 (Average) Because grenades are such simple
devices, the primary mishap is accidentally detonating it at
close range. If the casing is dismantled during inspection, a
more mild mishap is simply rendering the weapon a dud.
Weight: 1 lb.
Special: There is a variant stun grenade that uses highfrequency sound to generate the same effect, but the damage
is sonic rather than electric.

Multipurpose Explosive

Looking like thick, gray clay wrapped in a specialized

multi-layered paper and generally comes with a timerdetonator that is inserted before use. The timer can be set
for up to a full 24 hours in the future, or if properly set can
be triggered remotely by radio. A full charge detonated is a
huge explosionthough it can be cut into smaller pieces.
Damage: 1d Wounds per charge, 6 charges per kit
Explosion Increment: 10 feet
Inspection: 6 (Average) Mishaps include ruining the
explosive compound entirely, misidentifying it as edible,
prematurely detonating the bomb.
Power: One-use detonator
Weight: 0.5 lb.

CHAPTER SIX

Ammunition

While energy weapons make use of the same

power cell types as other devices aboard the
Warden, projectile weapons require good oldfashioned bullets. And while tracking specific
calibers is beyond the scope of this game, it is
generally assumed that pistols and rifles use
ammunition specific for those types.
The referee might decide to simplify things and
declare that, on the Warden at least, a bullet is a
bullet and any you find will work with any gun.
But youll still need to find shells for that shotgun,
though!

Lobbing Grenades

While it would be priceless to bean someone

youre meaning to kill right in the face with the
grenade that will then explode right next to him
with grenades and other hurled objects that create
zones of effect you just need to know how close
you got to your intended spot.
Grenades can be thrown using Athletics
(Throwing) for as many range increments as
the one hurling has dice in Brawn. Hitting your
mark is Easy within the first increment, Average
on the next, and Hard for anything beyond that.
If you score at least 3 achievementscongrats!
Your hurled object landed where you wanted.
Otherwise roll 1d, double the result, and use it to
determine the direction of the miss as it were a
clock face centered around the intended target
area. The object landed 10 feet away if you only
scored 1 achievement, 5 feet if you scored 2.
If you miss, you still need to determine where
the grenade landed. Use the same 1d doubled
clock method, but begin with 10 feet distance
and a die roll of 1d and add an additional 5 feet
per number on the die rolled. A little luck and the
intended target will still be in the zone of effect.
If you botch, there is a chance you dropped the
grenade, forgot to pull the pin, or it turns out to be
a dud.

Scketre
human, distrustful warrior

15 ft.

movement
initiative

3d

dodge

2d

radiation
resistance

5d

TRAITS
amazing
(+3D)
good
(+2D)
competent
(+1D)
weak
(-1D)
hopeless
(-2D)

Constitution
Discipline, Melee Combat

WOUND CAPACITY

18

Alertness, Brawn
Influence, Crafting, Survival
Artistry, Performance

FATIGUE CAPACITY

15

UNIQUE FEATURES

mutations

qualities
gear

n/a
Brutal (1d), Talented at Tech Lore & Melee Weapon Attack (1d);
Uhelpful (1d)
Long Blade (2W), Vibroblade (1W*)

NOTES
He lost most of his family at a young age, and the man who raised him taught him caution and not to trust,
which was reinforced with brutal discipline. Scketres harsh upbringing has made him physically gifted,
cautious, and tough. But years of isolation have left him lacking in social skills. He prefers interaction with
others to be brief and pragmatic, but hes grown to realize he may need information and allies in order to get
what he truly wants. More than anything, Scketre wants to find and kill the man who raised him, the man
who murdered his entire family.

Scarface

mutant animal (musteloid/badger), explosives enthusiast

movement

15 ft., Burrow 1ft.

initiative

1d

dodge

1d

radiation
resistance

3d

TRAITS
amazing
(+3D)
good
(+2D)
competent
(+1D)
weak
(-1D)
hopeless
(-2D)

Athletics

WOUND CAPACITY

17

Brawn, Crafting
Constitution, Tech
Alertness, Dexterity, Medicine

FATIGUE CAPACITY

Discipline, Stealth

15

UNIQUE FEATURES

mutations

qualities
gear

Biped (1d), Larger (*), New Body Parts (claws 2d, teeth 1d),
Rapid Recovery (2d)
Burrower (1d), Speech (1d), Talented at Fortitude (2d);
Inept at Emotional Control (2d)
Knives (3, 1W*), Frag Grenades (2, 4dW Explosion)

NOTES
As a bipedal honey badger who stands taller than most humans, Scarface would be intimidating enough
without his obsessive love of knives and shredding explosives. (His name was given to him for the scars he
enjoys giving to others, not for his own sleek-furred face.) The huge badger is a creature of excess, who loves
the company of others and eating until his belly aches. Hes always looking for a bigger experiencebe it a
hellacious battle, a gigantic stash of loot, or a celebration that lasts for days.

waht-am

mutant animal (musteloid/otter), inquisitive explorer

movement

15 ft., Burrow 1ft.

initiative

4d

dodge

2d

radiation
resistance

2d

TRAITS
amazing
(+3D)
good
(+2D)
competent
(+1D)
weak
(-1D)
hopeless
(-2D)

Survival
Alertness, Athletics

WOUND CAPACITY

12

Ranged Weapons, Unarmed Combat

Influence, Leadership, Tech
Brawn, Deception

FATIGUE CAPACITY

16

UNIQUE FEATURES

mutations

qualities
gear

Dual Brain (1d), Force Field Generation (2d), Larger (*),

Levitation (2d), New Body Parts (teeth 1d)
Burrower, Literate (1d), Lucky (2d), Speech (1d), Talented at
Swimming (2d); Inept at Jumping (2d), Unfocused (2d)
Knife (1W*), Sling (10 stones, 1F*); Shoulder bag (rations)

NOTES
Huge for an otter but small for a human, Waht-ahm has somewhat adopted a humanoid look at dignity and
nudity, so he scrounges for clothes that will fit his small frame. He is always curious about whats around
the next corner, over the holographic horizon, or why that robot is firing lasers at him. While Waht finds most
tech beyond his understanding, he has knack for repurposing items for more primitive use. The toaster he
once used as a flail lasted a whole week before it was eaten!

SPIKE

mutated human, curious mechanic

15 ft.

movement
initiative

3d

dodge

4d

radiation
resistance

2d

TRAITS
amazing
(+3D)
good
(+2D)
competent
(+1D)
weak
(-1D)
hopeless
(-2D)

Alertness
Melee Weapons, Tech

WOUND CAPACITY

14

Crafting, Medicine
Influence, Performance, Unarmed Combat
Deception, Leadership

FATIGUE CAPACITY

14

UNIQUE FEATURES

mutations

qualities

gear

Infravision (2d), Intuition (2d), New Body Parts-Quills (1d),

Telekinetic Hand (1d)
Knowledgeable (1d), Literate (1d), Talented at Fixing (1d);
Far Sighted (1d)
Sword (2W), Wrench (tool, -1d to attack, 1F),
Nano-Fix Gel (6 doses), Scavenged mechanic tools & clothes

NOTES
Always curious past the point of caution, Spike enjoys figuring out how things work and has a knack
for fixing broken tech. Having barely survived a childhood encounter with a wolfoid pack she is initially
distrustful any canine mutants, but once a companion gets past her prickly nature she is a loyal friend. Spike
has heard legends about the tomb of the sleepers and will chase even vague rumors to find this mythical
place.

94

Chapter SEVEN: RULES

The badgeroid has already taken several hits from the

maintenance bots cutting laser, and hes steeling himself
to rush it. The human used the keycard recovered from
the Tomb of the Sleeping on the hatchway, but it requires
an additional code! If things werent bad enough, howls
and the sound of claws on metal mean the wolfoid pack is
drawing close. If the pair doesnt escape through the hatch,
theyll have to make a stand with their backs to it.
The action is often intense in Metamorphosis Alpha,
but the rules bring order to the chaos. Chapter Two
covers everything a new player needs to get started,
including understanding the information on a character
sheet, rolling actions, and figuring out just what the
dice mean.
If you want to be a referee, or if you are a player who
wants a more in-depth understanding of the game, this
chapter provides the full rules for handling pretty much
anything. Just always remember that the rules are here
to facilitate fun, not get in its way. If you cant figure
out how to resolve an action or situation using the
guidelines here, the referee should improvise and move
on.
Youll find some information repeated from Chapter
Two, but this is a complete rules reference, with the
previous chapter intended for new players.

Rules
&
Action
The rules are the structure which provide fairness

and allow everyone at the table to know whats going

on. At their best, the rules will fade comfortably in to
the background, and the scenes will be remembered
as if they were from a page-turner novel or an intense
action movie. The players are the focus and hold the
key decision-making points in the story, as the actions,
reactions, abilities, and luck of the player characters are
most important. Most scenes played out in the game are
some combination of the following elements:
Problem Solving: Whether its figuring out the
difference between a toaster and a three-dimensional
object replicator, solving a riddle, or deciphering a
coded message, there are plenty of times the player
characters are trying to figure things out. Solving
problems within the game is often a combination of the
players coming up with a solution as well as relying on
the traits and other abilities of their characters.

CHAPTERRULES
SEVEN

94

Roleplaying: Sometimes its about negotiation,

talking your way out of an unwinnable fight, or turning
an enemy into a friend. Whether using hard-edge
diplomacy or trying to coax secrets out of a mutant
wombat over a shared mug of foul-tasting hooch,
roleplaying actions are another element of game play
that combine the players performance and the game
information written on a character sheet.
Combat: In the real world, its almost always best
when punches arent thrown and guns arent drawn.
However, on the Warden, violence is a regular part of
life and one of the elements that make it a great place
to find adventure. In a combat scene, the players make
quick decisions, and the dice do the talking depending
on just how talented the characters are with tooth, claw,
gun, and blade. Sound tactics and clever ideas can make
a big difference, as a combat that boils down to a series
of traded dice rolls would be as much fun as watching
static on a damaged vidscreen. Fair fights rarely happen
on the Warden, as those who entertained romantic
notions were ripped to bloody ribbons long ago.
While many scenes played out during the game focus
on one element almost exclusively, the best adventures
alternate between them and a single scene can include
all three. Imagine trying to convince a former enemy
to assist you as your friends fend off attackers, while
another ally attempts to activate a weapon that could
turn the tide of the battle.
One important idea to remember that a player should
never be punished for not having a talent when his
character does, while a character should always benefit
from a player coming up with a clever idea or engaging
in some great roleplaying. If a player cant solve a
puzzle, a smart character should be allowed to roll for
it, while a character with pathetic social skills should
receive a bonus if the player impressed the whole
group with some great roleplaying. When in doubt,
its best for the situation to favor the players and their
characters. Theyre the stars of the show, after all.

Traits
& Actions
Anytime a character is trying to accomplish

something, it is called an action, and those actions are

governed by traits. Characters are defined by how they
vary in relationship to the baseline of a typical human
with no particular strengths or weaknesses. If there

95
is no reason a character cant do something (such as
an action that requires special training or tools the
character doesnt have), the roll automatically defaults
to the average: 2d.
Traits modify that baseline by telling us the actions at
which the character is truly awful or amazing and those
that fall in-between. Everything is listed as a modifier to
the basic roll (2d), so traits listed as Good (+2d) mean
that 4d are rolled for that particular action. Traits in a
characters Weak (1d) areas leave him with only one
die to roll for an action, while any Hopeless (2d) are
automatic failures most of the time.
Difficulty for an action defines which numbers
on the dice score achievements. Easy actions score
achievements for a result of 3 or higher. Average actions
score achievements on a 4 or higher. Hard actions score
achievements only on a 5 or 6.
Success for an action depends on the number of
achievements rolled, with one achievement meaning
the action wasnt a failure or a setback but barely
qualifies as a success. Two achievements indicate
modest success. Three achievements show that the
action was a success by anyones standards.
Enhancements are earned beyond three
achievements, and the more earned by a character
for an action mean spectacular success and additional
opportunities for things to happen in his favor as a
result.
If all dice in the pool come up as a one, the character
has botched, which leads to embarrassing failure and
some form of setback as determined by the referee.
These concepts are explained in greater detail in
Chapter Two.

Requirement-Based Actions

Characters can try whatever they want, but the

referee might determine that some actions are doomed
to fail without needing a roll. If an attempted action
defies the laws of physicsstepping over a chasm with
the hope of floatingwithout the benefit of a mutation
or necessary tech well, the most perfect roll isnt
going to help the situation.
Some actions can be attempted only with the
appropriate background or training. Anyone can
perform battlefield first aid, but open heart surgery
requires specialized training as well as equipment and

RULES

minimum conditions. Anyone can fire a blaster once

they figure out its basic workings, but reprogramming
environmental controls can only be attempted by
someone whos learned how to code. Anyone can try to
kick down a door, but picking a lock requires at least an
improvised tool for the job.
Whether its a lack of training, gear, or proper
conditions, the referee enforces which actions are
inappropriate under the circumstances and discusses
possibilities with the player. Special training usually
doesnt change a characters traits, but it will allow
certain kinds of actions and should be noted on the
character sheet.

Unspecified Difficulties

You may see certain actions, checks, or other required

rolls with no listed difficulty. In these cases, assume the
difficulty is Average unless otherwise determined by
circumstance and the referee.

Bonuses & Penalties

The difficulty for a particular action covers a lot and

is pretty easy to wrap your head around. If something is
Easy, youll rarely fail. If something is Hard, its tough
to succeed. Average actions fall right in the middle.
If the situation changes for the character making an
action, the referee adjusts the difficulty accordingly.
If there is a situational advantage, the active character
receives a +1d or +2d bonus to her dice pool (to a
maximum of 5 dice under most circumstances). These
can be the result of an enhancement from a previous
action or a situational edge (firing a ranged weapon
point-blank or attacking melee from higher ground).
Of course, if things are not quite in a characters favor
(using an improvised weapon, acting while temporarily
shaken), its a 1d or 2d penalty, and anything that
reduces the dice pool to zero results in an actions
automatic failure.

Group Efforts & Assistance

Characters dont always have to go it alone;

sometimes you have a little help from your friends.
Assistance makes certain kinds of actions easier,
though there are two different kinds.

96
Group Effort: All characters are making a direct
contribution toward getting the job done, such as
several characters surrounding a heavy object and lifting
it together. Simply add together all achievements to
determine success.
Assistance: If another character is offering advice or
some other kind of indirect aid, such as one character
trying to talk another through how to remove a power
cell from a device without breaking it, an assisting
character offers a bonus die to the pool for every 2 dice
in his own trait for the action to a maximum of 5 dice
for the character attempting the action.

Complex Actions

For actions that cannot be resolved in a short period

of time or require more than one step, complex actions
determine how successful an elaborate action turns
out to be, and just as importantly, how long it takes to
complete.
The threshold is the number of achievements
necessary to complete a complex action. Once the
threshold has been reached, the action succeeds
assuming you made it in time.
An increment is determined by the referee and
represents how much time is taken up by each roll. It
could be a turn (3 seconds), a minute, an hour, or even
longer for something truly involved. Difficulty and the
dice pool are determined in the same manner as simple
actions, but achievements accumulate with each roll.
A botch during a complex action ruins the entire
attempt. The referee determines the consequences and
declares if starting over is even an option. An action
point can transform it into ordinary, boring failure for
that increment only.
While some complex actions might be successive rolls
of the same trait, others might involve an unordered
collection or predetermined path of different traits
necessary to solve the problem. Such situations can
involve a single character or might involve teamwork
with different characters contributing.

Examples of Complex Actions

Water supply to an entire area has been mysteriously

shut off, and a tech-savvy character has decided to tackle
the problem. This involves dealing with a complicated
maze of plumbing and electronics, even as a group of

CHAPTER SEVEN

sentient but immobile mutant trees are in danger of

dying from lack of moisture. The referee determines
that each increment is a 4-hour block of time, and the
problem requires 2 achievements to diagnose and 4 to
repair. Diagnosing the problem allows for one use of
Alertness as well as Tech, while repairing it allows for
one use of Discipline as well as Tech. The referee also
decides that one of the sentient trees will die every 8
hours until the water system is repaired.
The group has taken a wolfoid hostage, hoping to
learn about the mysterious object they are guarding.
However, if the questioning goes on too long, the pack
might track them down and crash the party. The referee
says that each increment is five minutes of gametime and allows the players to decide on interrogation
approach (and relevant trait is involved). Secretly, its
determined that the pack will arrive in 30 minutes, and
the threshold to get the information is 4 achievements.
The questioning can make use of Deception (lying
to the prisoner), Influence (to gain his trust), or
Leadership (to intimidate) as opposed rolls against the
wolfoids own traits. A combination of roleplaying the
interrogation and rolls involved will determine if the
players succeed in time.

Action
Points
Life is brutal on the Warden, and characters have

another resource to help them survive and succeed.

Action Points can give a character another chance
when an action might otherwise have failed, can be
used to add achievements to make an action even more
successful, and also be used to cancel out damage that
would otherwise knock a character straight out of the
fight. The points represent inner strength, resolve, and
force of will to overcome the odds.
Re-roll: The character may re-roll the entire dice
pool for the cost of 1 Action Point, but he must accept
the results of the second roll and may not spend
additional points to re-roll again. More points may be
spent to add achievements, however.
Achievements: A character may add achievements
to the results of an action at a cost of 1 Action Point per
achievement.
Damage Reduction: A character may roll 1d per
Action Point spent to reduce damage, using the total
rolled to determine the amount of damage negated.

97
Wounds are reduced first, followed by Fatigue, with any
excess points lost if the total roll exceeds the damage.
Damage may only be reduced with Action Points
immediately after it is taken, before other characters
take actions and represents extraordinary effort upon
part of the character to avoid (or at least survive) the
injury. They do not indicate healing.

Action Point Awards

The referee awards Action Points during the course

of play as rewards for good roleplaying, completing a
challenge, or achieving important goals. One or two
points are the standard awards, with specifics at the
discretion of the referee.

Rewards
of Success
If a character rolls even a single achievement in the

dice pool, he has managed at least to not fail. The

degree of success depends on how many achievements
are scored, leaving the possibility for amazing results or
spectacular and embarrassing failure. Whether you fall
straight on your backside or catapult to glory depends
on the size of your dice pool and how much the odds
are in your favor.

Levels of Success

No matter how hard an action may be, the level of

success depends on just how many achievements you
roll.

1 Achievement: Minimum Success

Youve barely scraped by and are amazed that you

didnt fail. You graze your target; you barely make
it to the other side of the pit youre leaping over;
you manage to find a decent handhold in the wall
youre climbing. This action may not make your
parents proud, but it sure beats the alternative. For
some actions, the referee may require an action with
minimum success to be attempted again or followed up
with some other kind of action to get the real result you
were hoping to reach.

RULES

2 Achievements: Modest Success

You managed to demonstrate basic competence. Its a

solid hit but not a bullseye; you safely clear the pit over
which youve jumped; you manage to scale a section of
the wall. Whatever you were doing, this is solid enough
work that no one should make fun of you, even if no
ones going to be talking about how great you are at
dinner. The referee will interpret the exact results of
your action, but the important thing is you got the job
done.

3 Achievements: Good Success

Well played! Your action was executed with style.

Your shot gets near the bullseye even if its not perfect;
you vault to the other side of the pit with room to
spare; you speed up the wall like a spider monkey. Your
action is the kind that makes your allies grateful that
youre on their side. The referee will explain exactly
why your action was awesome.

Enhancements

Its one thing to do something well. Its another thing

to kick ass, take names, and write the names down with
your off-hand at the same time. Enhancements are
the ways in which you can produce really spectacular
resultsor some grisly deaths if youre in more of
a killing mood. With enhancements, an action can
have intended or even unintended consequences in
a characters favor, so sometimes the effects will be
caused by unadulterated skill or pure, dumb luck.
Some enhancements might be specific to the area
or circumstances in which the action took place or
a result of other factors. These are always up to the
final determination of the referee, but at minimum,
there should always be something positive in the
rolling characters favor. Here are a few examples of
enhancements in different situations:

1 Enhancement

Combat: Your enemy is startled or distracted by

your attack and suffers a 1d penalty on its next action;
you may take a quick non-attack action, such as halfmovement, reload a weapon, or use a non-offensive
mutation or piece of tech.

98
Exploration: You quickly find a sought-after item or
notice a hidden detail instead of taking the normal time
involved; you pick up a detail that grants you +1d to
the next time you attempt a similar action.
Roleplaying: You impress, anger, or intimidate the
object of your action, giving you the temporary upper
hand, which is represented either by the referees
roleplaying or a 1d on the next opposing roll.

2 Enhancements

Combat: You knock your enemy prone, disarm it,

or drive it to a location of your choosing (within half of
your movement); you attack with such swift fury you
may take an additional attack action with no penalty
(using the same dice pool you just rolled) or make a
standard move.
Exploration: You not only immediately find what
you were looking for or notice the hidden detail, but
also you gain +2d to a relate action for either searching
or following up on what you have discovered.
Roleplaying: Youve made an impression that lasts
through the short-term, both to your target and any
witnesses that may be nearby. The difficulty of opposed
rolls is reduced by one level (from Hard to Average,
Average to Easy) for the remainder of the encounter.

3 Enhancements

Combat: Your enemy is grievously wounded (no

additional wounds but something permanent); your
enemy gains a debilitating condition (dazed, blinded);
your attack strikes a secondary target.
Exploration: You are on a roll and gain a +1d bonus
to similar actions for the remainder of the game session;
you gain automatic surprise on a hidden foe or an extra
chance to overcome a trap or obstacle.
Roleplaying: Relationships are permanently defined
or changed by your words or actions (enemy, friend, or
even an amorous relationship); you sway a large group
to your side; you enrage a potential enemy, so he attacks
in a blind fury.

Failure
While few are fond of failure, it certainly keeps life

interesting. If at first you dont succeed you might

get your skull smashed. The results of a failed action
might be more interesting than success.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Mundane Failure

If you dont score a single achievement when an

action is rolled, the result is failure. Whatever action the
character attempted didnt succeed. The opportunity
is lost, at least for the moment. The character might
get another chance if circumstances permit but must
endure the consequences. While sometimes not
succeeding is bad enough (for example, if youre trying
to stop a bomb on the verge of detonation), there arent
any direct negative consequences for simply failing an
action.

Epic Failure

Sometimes every die in your pool comes up with a 1.

This unfortunate run of bad luck is called a botch, and
it means your character really screwed up. You tripped,
dropped your knife, your gun misfired, or you just
broke something you were trying to handle carefully. In
other words: Oops.
The exact results of a botch depend on the
circumstances and the determination of the referee.
The penalty for a character should never be severe
but indicates a temporary setback. Here are a few
possibilities a referee may use as guidelines:
Combat: You lose your footing and are driven up
to a half-movement in the direction of your enemys
choosing; your ranged weapon misfires and may
require an action to restore it to functionality; you drop
a melee weapon and will require an action to pick it
up; you are momentarily disoriented and suffer a 1d
penalty to your next action.
Exploration: You not only fail to notice something,
but you accidentally distract others, causing them to
suffer a 1d penalty to their actions; you are oblivious
to an enemy or other hazard, causing a 1d penalty to
initiative or some other reaction.
Roleplaying: You insult, offend, frighten, or anger
the object of your action. You suffer a 1d penalty to
future opposed rolls until the mistake is corrected.
If you dont want to suffer the consequences of a
botch, an action point can be spent to make things
less bad. One point transforms a botch to an ordinary
failure. In pure game terms, a botch is 1 achievement,
which can be modified by other factors.

99
Time
on the Warden
The ship came from Earth of long ago, and it operates

on cycles of time based on the days, months, and years

of old that ultimately mean little in the void of space.
But with computer-operated calendar cycles, many of
the simulated environments still have artificial day and
night with the hours and minutes in between.
In the game, the tracking of time can shift between
vague and fluid to extremely specific, depending on the
needs of the current scene. If a group is resting, healing,
or puzzling over the latest tech artifacts, a day might go
by with only a few minutes of discussion at the game
table. When the tension and action ramp up, it suddenly
becomes extremely important to know exactly whats
going on and when everything happens. It may not be
important to know who finished their dinner first at
camp, but its awfully important to know whether or
not the mutant melts your face with radiation before
you rip out his throat with your claws. So while the
referee keeps track of time on the larger scale with
simple description, the game makes use of turns when
things get hairy.

Initiative

When combat or some other tense sequence begins,

the referee determines who takes the first actions. Its
usually going to be whoever started the trouble, so if
there are tense negotiations and one party decides to
end the talks by unexpectedly belching poisonous gas,
he would get to take the first action. Characters with
special qualities or mutations might get to act or react
immediately in these situations.
Once initial actions are resolved, the referee
establishes an order of action using the initiative scores
of those involved going from highest scores to lowest.
Initiative is based on Alertness and the Responsiveness
specialty. By counting down from 6 to 1 each character
or group gets the chance to act, with anyone on the
same initiative acting at roughly the same instant.
Sometimes its crucial to know who acted a splitsecond before another. In those cases roll Dexterity as
an opposed reaction, with the winner beating out the
other. A tie in this case means complete simultaneous
action with whatever that might imply.

RULES

The order is repeated each turn. New characters

introduced to the scene act on their initiative the turn
after their arrival and are added to the order. A character
can voluntarily delay action later in the turn, with
initiative restored to normal once the turn is over.

Turns

A turn represents roughly 3 seconds of time in the

game, enough for a character to accomplish one simple
action with any degree of focus or up to 3 that are
rushed and sloppy. A character who is highly gifted in
the action theyre attempting (a crack shot firing a gun,
for instance) might not mind the penalty for rushed
actions, while one of limited talents may not be able
to rush an action without automatically failing. The
penalties apply to all actions that require a roll.

3 Seconds, 3 Actions

With only 3 seconds to accomplish things with

tension and danger present, each character has limited
options. Do one thing well or multiple things badly (or
at least less well). Multiple actions carry a die penalty
that applies to all actions within a turn. One action
is no problem, but each additional action attempted
incurs a 1d cumulative reduction.

7.1 - Rushed Actions

No. of Actions Per Turn
1
2
3

Penalty
n/a
1d
2d

When the fur and bullets are flying, its not easy to
walk and chew gum. There are many types of actions a
character may attempt on a given turn.

Response

There are many times when a character is reacting

rather than making a wholly independent action.
Whether its diving out of the way of a volley of quills
fired by a rage-filled mutant or resisting an enemys
psychic mind control, these sorts of things are known
as a response. Defending against an attack is by

100
far the most common, but there are many others that
occur in play. Some responses are nonactions (for
example, checking to see if you are affected by a toxin),
while others (blocking or dodging) are considered
actions which will count against total actions taken on
the next turn.
The referee may use poker chips, gaming stones,
or some other marker for an easy note on how many
extra actions will go into a characters following turn.

Variant Iniative

If the group prefers to mix things up with

a bit more randomness, the referee may
choose to roll the dice for determining
initiative instead.
Every character must roll initiative at
the start of conflict to establish the order
of actions. This is a special roll and one
of the rare times you roll dice to obtain
a total instead of scoring achievements.
Every character rolls Alertness (with
Responsiveness as the relevant specialty)
and carries a total result. Characters act in
order of initiative from highest to lowest.
Ties are resolved by favoring characters
with the highest Dexterity and re-rolling
only between those characters if those
attributes are the same as well.

Movement
Movement is always considered one action within

a turn, though moving with greater speed brings on

increasing penalties that affect all other actions taken
during the turn. A walk is base movement (15 feet for
humans) and brings no penalty; a hustle (double base
movement) incurs a 1d action penalty; a run (triple
base movement) incurs a 2d action penalty; a sprint
(quadruple base movement) incurs a 3d action penalty.

7.2 - Movement
Movement

Speed

Penalty

Walk

Base Movement

None

Hustle

x2

1d

Run

x3

2d

Sprint

x4

3d

A mutant character might have access to other modes

of movement (flying, swimming, even burrowing) that
are described by their mutation. Climbing and jumping
are usually determined by appropriate rolled actions as
determined by the referee.

Chases

Its not all walking around and fights to the death on

chosen killing grounds. Sometimes the person, beast,
or shrub you seek is running away; other times youve
encountered a problem youre not prepared to handle,
and discretion is the better part of getting the hell out of
there alive. Thats when chases come into play.

The following rules cover one individual chasing

another. For groups that are running together, they
must go at the speed of the slowest member or break
apart and be handled separately.
For every 5 feet of movement one side has over the
other, apply a 1d cumulative penalty to rolls involved
in the chase to the group with lower movement.
There are three abstract distances within the chase:

Close Near Far

The referee determines the starting distance and the
difficulty of the action depending upon the terrain,
and the chase is on. Both sides make opposed actions
to gauge their relative distance to each other, often
Athletics but could be others depending on the terrain
and described actions within the chase.
If both sides of the chase succeed or fail equally, the
status quo is maintained for that turn. If one succeeds
and other other fails, one side advances (the pursuer
getting one step closer, or the one fleeing getting farther
away). A botch causes an additional advance, depending
on which side rolled it. Enhancements on either side
can be used to create opportunities in favor of the
side that rolled them at the discretion of the referee
hazards or obstacles to slow down the opposing side.

CHAPTER SEVEN

101
When the two sides are Close, one can attempt an
action to end the chaseusually by beginning combat
or doing something to stop the others movement. If
the two sides are Far and the pursuer loses the opposed
action, the chase ends as the one fleeing has gotten away
for now. Of course, there might be a trail or other way
to keep up the pursuit, just not in a direct chase!

Attack
Whether its slashing with a blade, blasting with a

laser, or swiping with claws, an attack action is resolved

using the appropriate trait determined by the referee
Brawn , Melee Weapons, Ranged Weapons, and
Unarmed Combat being most often employed. (Note
that fighting with Brawn to smash opponents with
brute strength incurs a 2d penalty to defensive actions.
See Chapter Four, Brawn.) However, shooting at a tree
isnt the same as an ursoid thats lunging out of the line
of fire, just as slicing your blade at a control panel isnt
the same as an enemy whos blocking with a jagged
length of pipe. Most of the time, an attack is going to be
opposed with a defense action that makes it trickier to
land a hit.
The base difficulty needed to score achievements for
an attack action is based on circumstance.
Theres nothing quite like taking a cheap shot at an
unmoving target. Not only is it an Easy action, the poor
sap doesnt even know enough to dodge or block, so
theres a fair chance your sucker punch will score some
damage.
Sometimes youre toe-to-toe with an enemy who is
trying to tear your face off with no thought to its own
safety. If you are attacking an enemy whos standing

still, hes still Easy in terms of difficulty, but you must

contend with whatever defenses he is putting in your
way. Then its an opposed action (see Defense, below).
If youre attacking a moving enemy or one thats
consciously trying to avoid your blows without making
an active defense, the situation gets a bit trickier, and
it ramps up to being an Average action. If the enemy is
actively dodging or blocking, those actions will oppose
your attacks. Alternately, if youre attacking an enemy
behind light cover (less than half), the same applies.
It shouldnt come as a surprise, but sometimes
fighting is Hardthe difficulty of attack actions against
a target thats difficult to see (near-invisibility or from
cloaking darkness), moving quickly (a Run or Sprint,
see Movement), or has most of its body is behind cover.
The referee is always the final judge of action
difficulty, and simultaneous circumstance may make
an action easier or harder than it might be otherwise.
An enemy walking behind a chest-high wall would be
Hard, since hes moving and behind light cover.

Range

Distance attacks add a small level of complication

to matters, whether you are firing a gun or shooting
poisonous quills from your barbed tail. Base difficulty
is determined using the factors listed above, but the
dice pool is modified based on distance. Its generally
easier to hit a target thats closer than one far away, and
its also true that a more skilled marksman has a chance
at actually tagging the enemy disappearing into the
distance. Thats where range increments come into play.

7.3 - Attack Difficulty

Target is

Difficulty

unmoving, unaware, or prone

Easy

moving, avoiding, or behind light cover

Average

difficult to see, moving at high speed, or behind heavy cover

Attacker is

Hard
Modifier

... injured (more than half of Wounds capacity)

1d

... fighting with off-hand

1d

RULES

102
Any target within the range increment of the weapon
uses the attackers full available dice pool (not including
any other modifiers). For each additional increment,
the attackers die pool receives a cumulative 1d
penalty. As usual, if the action reaches zero dice, it
will automatically fail. A target thats within 5 feet is
point blank and earns the attacked a +1d bonus to
the attackthough firing a ranged weapon so close also
earns the target an opportunity to attack with any melee
options available as a response (see above).

Reach

Some creatures have greater reach than others.

They can attack in hand-to-hand without being
within the normal five foot distance required for close
combat. Whether its because of exceptional size, long
appendages (such as tentacles, vines, etc.), mutations,
or technology, reach simply extends the distance from
which a combatant can launch melee attacks. It is noted
in terms of five foot increments (10, 15, and so on).

Size

Many of the creatures and objects that come into

play aboard the Warden are Medium in game terms
(see Chapter 3, Size), from a short human adult to
a grizzly bear. When creatures and objects that exist
on a different scale interact, its all about just how
much bigger or smaller one is than the other. The size
categories are:

Tiny Small Medium Large Huge

It is more difficult to hit a smaller target if its moving
or dodging, increasing the difficulty by one (from Easy
to Average, Average to Hard as a maximum difficulty)
for each degree smaller the defender is from the
attacker. However, any successful attack receives +1
achievement toward determining damage for each
degree of difference.
The inverse is true as well. Its easier for something
small to hit something larger, with each degree of
difference making it progressively easier but when
determining damage a penalty of 1 achievement per
degree of difference makes it extremely challenging for
a mouse to damage an elephant.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Defense
Sometimes youre the one getting shot at or your face

slashed with wicked claws. Whoever said that the best

defense is a good offense likely was not in the sights
of a blaster rifle. Cover and movement make life more
difficult for the enemy trying to rip out your insides,
but you might want to leap out of the way or block a
deadly swing with your own bladeactions collectively
known as active defense.
The good news? You dont have to declare your
defense in advance if you so choose. The bad? Active
defenses are still actions and still count against you in
terms of multiple actions. Consolation: A chosen active
defense counts as only one action until your next turn
unless you make a change before your turn begins.
(For example, if you declare a dodge and decide later to
switch to blocking, that would count as two actions.)
Essentially, you enter your turn with an action deficit,
having already taken your first action in the coming
turn and incurring multiple action penalties.
While an active defense only counts as one action, it is
rolled independently against each attack.

Blocking

Be it a fancy parry delivered with flourish and style

or simply placing a sturdy plank between you and
the enemys swing, blocking is an active defense to
deflect an enemy attack. Roll the appropriate trait
and it becomes the opposing action the enemy must
overcome to deliver damage.
Blocking unarmed is better than nothing, but if
you win the opposed action, you still suffer any base
weapon damage.
Distance attacks cannot be blocked under normal
circumstances, though mutation, tech, etc. can break
this rule. Cover and distance are generally the best way
to avoid getting shot.

Dodging

While sturdier combatants may enjoy trading

blows with a worthy adversary, others prefer being
quick to getting dead. A dodging action means youre
weaving around using movement to avoid the attacks

103
7.4 - Damage
Achievements Over Defense

Damage

1F

2F

3F

4F+1W

5F+2W

6F+3W

7+

Etc.

of enemies. You cannot actively dodge attacks from

unknown enemies, so run really fast to make it harder
for the enemies you cannot see.
Like blocking, dodging is a characters opposed action
against attacks. If the dodge wins against an attack, no
damage occurs.

Damage
The whole point of fighting is to put the enemy

down. Whether theyre dead or simply out for the

count, youll leave them bleeding, bruised, burned,
crushed, mangled, or disintegrated. The attack is the
means; damage is the ends. The downside is that
sometimes the one left in a crumpled heap to feed a
colony of sentient mushrooms is you.
Fatigue and Wounds are explained in Chapter Three,
but here they are once again in brief:
Fatigue is result of pushing oneself in action or
combat, exhaustion and strain, along with any minor
number of bumps, bruises, cuts, and scrapes. When a
characters accumulated Fatigue approaches maximum
capacity, the closer she is to falling over on the spot.
Additional Fatigue damage suffered by a character
already at maximum accumulates as Trauma, which
could leave a character out of the action for quite some
time. Fatigue recovers relatively quickly through rest
and other means.
Wounds are the kind of injuries not taken lightly.
This type of damage indicates serious businessdeep
cuts that bleed, bones fractured or broken, internal
injuries that wont heal quickly without intervention.
When a character reaches maximum Wounds capacity,
he could easily die. Injured characters perform poorly.

RULES

Since attacks are opposed actions, the amount of

base damage is a function of how many achievements
the attack succeeded over any defense. Success always
indicates Fatigue damage, with each enhancement
indicating 1 additional Wound. Finally, apply any bonus
damage from the weapon itself.
A well-struck blow with a high-damage weapon can
ruin the targets entire week or leave another broken
corpse on the decks of the Warden. Of course, the right
protection can make even a powerful attack completely
survivable.

Damage Type

In game terms, damage is no more than additional

flavor to describe whats happening. A mutant chicken
doesnt care of its decapitated, roasted, or beaten to
death. However, there are times when armor, mutation,
or tech might interact with specific types of damage.
Whether its reduction of the given damage type or
an amplification of it, the damage type is a keyword
that lets everyone know whether special circumstance
applies to the damage dealt.

Resistance & Vulnerability

With the right mutation or handy piece of tech,

you might have resistance to a particular category of
damage: cold, electricity, fire, radiation, or sonic. Your
resistance score reduces the number of achievements
rolled by the opponent before any other factors are
applied. Of course, if youre unlucky, you might be
vulnerable to a particular energy type, meaning
the attack gains one or more achievements with

104
those attacks, and it sucks to be you. Flat numbers not
determined by achievements are either reduced (for
resistance) or increased (for vulnerability) by 1 for each
level.

Armor

A giant mutant lobster might be a tempting target, but

he wears an extremely tough shell around his delicious
innards. Even a squishy human might be savvy enough
to cobble together some protection against the many
things on the ship that might do her harm.
Armor reduces damage based on its armor rating
eliminating some or all damage from a given hit.
Wounds are reduced first, followed by Fatigue, with
any excess points lost if the armor rating exceeds the
damage. Worn armor (not a result of natural biology
or mutation) might slow a character down and reduce
mobility (see Chapter Six) but could still be worth it in
the long run. Some types of armor may offer specific or
additional protection to a particular type of damage (see
below).
Armor cannot usually be specifically bypassed by
an attack, as its assumed that any attacker is trying
to get around his opponents protection. However,
enhancements used to make called shots against an
unarmored area (a head or appendage, for example)
ignores the listed protection.

Consequences of Damage

Getting hurt is never a good thingthough certain

mutations might channel the pain and fear into
something useful. Like any other rules, the following
are subject to modifications and exceptions for
mutations, qualities, and tech.

Fatigue Damage: Unconsciousness

A character is on the verge of passing out when

Fatigue damage reaches the characters capacity, the
combination of sheer exhaustion and any minor
injuries overwhelming the characters will to stay
awake. When a character reaches maximum Fatigue, he
must make an immediate Easy Discipline roll to stay
conscious. At the beginning of every subsequent turn,
he must make the check again, the difficulty raising
to Average and then Hard (where it will remain until

CHAPTER SEVEN

Breaking Stuff

Suppose youre a hulking brute and want

to smash something thats not technically
alive. How is that resolved? Most of the
time the referee simply assigns the action
a difficulty and appropriate trait (Brawn,
Crafting, depending on the nature of the
breaking that youre trying to accomplish.)
Other times it might take a while to break
something down, and the referee will rule it
a complex action (see above) to be resolved
appropriately.
Note that some materials (like duralloy)
aboard the Warden are beyond the abilities
of most characters to have much of an
effect onso lacking a specific mutation or
tech, smashing such objects will have about
the same effect as yelling at them.
the character either falls unconscious or gains back
Fatigue). All actions performed at maximum Fatigue
damage are Hard. Any additional Fatigue damaged is
counted separately as Trauma (see below).

Wound Damage: Death

Wounds are serious business, and a character

whose total Wounds equals her full capacity is in
immediate danger of dying. The character instantly
falls unconscious. For every 30 seconds of game
time (ten combat turns) the character must succeed
a Constitution (Fortitude) check to stay alive, the
first check being Easy, the next Average, and all the
rest Hard. A dying character can be kept alive with
an Average Medicine (First Aid) action (see Medical
Assistance, below), which will stabilize him enough
where the survival check is only necessary every 30
minutes of game time. Further intervention is required
for a character on deaths door to recover any more (see
Recovery & Healing, below).
Sometimes a character is killed in a particularly
overwhelming and grisly manner and nothing can be
done. If a character receives twice his total Wounds in
damage, he is completely dead and probably little more
than a greasy smear or a pile of charred remains.

105
Injured Actions

Slogging on after youve left half your blood on the

floor is no walk in the park. A character is considered
injured if she has taken half or more possible Wounds,
and suffers a 1d penalty to all actions until he has
recovered. Special drugs or mutations that eliminate
pain might remove this penalty.

Specialized Damage

Most of the time youre being ripped apart with tooth

and claw or bludgeoned by clubsthe mundane stuff.
But some types of injuries are extra-special and require
further game rules to cover the many reasons your
character needs to be clever, fast, or tough to survive.

Burns

Whether from being shoved into a tribal bonfire or

seared with the laser of a rampaging robot, a burn is
a particularly nasty injury that doesnt heal as quickly.
Any fire damage suffered heals at half the normal rate of
recovery (see Recovery & Healing, below).

Disease

The unforgiving conditions and constant struggle

aboard the Warden have bred hardy creatures that shrug
off most germs and minor illnesses. But there are
horrible viruses and flesh-eating bacteria that give even
the mightiest cause for concern. Most disease is resisted
by a Constitution (Fortitude) reaction, with difficulty
and consequences varying depending on the variety.
Some viruses are just inconvenient, resulting in action
penalties while others may genuinely attack the body
and cause increasing damage until fought off or cured.

Falling

Gravity is a harsh mistress. Birds, bats, and flying

squirrels are less worried, but for everyone else that
sudden stop at the end leads to injury. Falling is treated
literally as if the ground is attacking you, with Dexterity
used as a defense. Every 10 feet of the fall is considered
an achievement to be overcome, with the weapon
damage of a fall generally being 1d F (or worse
depending on whats waiting at the end of the fall).

RULES

Explosions

An explosion is a terrifying and unique

event that is always worse the closer you
are. Each explosion has damage that is
expressed in dice and type (4dW) and an
Explosion Increment as a unit of distance
(10 feet).
First the damage dice are rolled, then
damage is assessed based on the location
of anything within the first increment
(distance from the center of the explosion).
For each increment after the first, remove
one die from the damage dealtfrom
highest-value dice to lowest. This continues
until all the damage dice have been
removed and anything in the radius of the
explosion has been effected.
Light cover reduces the damage by 1d,
Heavy by 2d, the same as distance. Armor
and damage resistance apply normally.

Inhospitable Environment

Uncomfortable environmental conditions pose

long-term dangers for creatures exposed to them.
Everything being relative, it could be anything from
a normal human exposed to excessive heat or cold to
an amphibian not having access to adequate water at
least once a day. The referee must determine the exact
effects, but as a guideline for unusual conditions
for a human character, every half-day exposed to such
conditions causes 1d F damage. Adequate protection or
innovative methods (which might involve related traits
such as Survival) to endure the environment might
eliminate the damage entirely. Extremely incompatible
conditions (penguin in a desert) might make the
frequency of the damage based on an hour or minute.
Extreme Environment: There is a difference
between uncomfortable and deadly. If exposed to
the vacuum of space or some other condition that poses
instant harm to a character, he suffers 1d W for every
turn exposed. Specialized gear or other methods might
mitigate some or all of this damage.

106
Radiation

The invisible but potentially lethal energy known

as radiation is a dual-edged threat aboard the Warden.
Reactor leaks, areas unshielded against the naturallyoccurring radiation in space, and some biologically
generated by mutations expose characters to damaging
or life-changing doses. Characters have a resistance to
radiation as explained in Chapter 3, Derived Stats.
Exposure to radiation is an attack, the intensity
and timing specific to the situation. Minor background
radiation may accumulate 1 achievement per half-hour
of exposure against the character (making it harder
to avoid damage the longer exposure occurs), while
a concentrated blast of radiation might result in an
immediate 1d achievement attack against the character.
Damage is determined normally plus 1 Wound, healing
at half-rate (equivalent to a burn, see above).
Human characters are only harmed by radiation,
though theyve generally developed a higher resistance
against it. If a mutant character receives radiation
damage thats more than Wounds capacity, a special
check is required to see if they instead develop a new
mutation. See Chapter Five, Radiation Exposure, to
determine if mutation occurs. If a character is instead
mutated by the radiation, continued exposure to the
same source does no further harm. That does not make
them immune to the same radiation, however. If they
encounter it again after a one day lapse they will be
subject to potential damage normally.

Suffocation

Every living creature requires a source of oxygen,

whether its air or water (for fish and amphibians).
When denied the chance to breathe, life becomes
uncomfortable very quickly. The first 30 seconds
without oxygen is not a problem, but after that
it becomes an attack against the character of 1
achievement cumulative per turn, defended by
Constitution check. Damage is determined normally
until the character is unconsciousafter which the
damage is +1 W until the character is freed of the
situation or dies. Plants need air as well, but they check
every 5 minutes instead of 30 seconds.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Toxins

Some substances arent particularly healthy to

ingest, inject, breathe, or even touch. Whether its
strong-smelling hooch distilled by a mutant tribe and
swallowed on purpose or the potentially lethal bite of a
viper, you may need to find out exactly how you fared
against a foreign substance in your body. The difficulty
and effects of a given toxin are specific to the situation,
but the following are a few examples. Unless otherwise
determined by the referee, all toxins are resisted by
Constitution (Fortitude).
Alcohol: For each drink consumed, the character
must succeed a Hard check. Each failure results in a
1d cumulative penalty to all actions, and three failures
indicates the character falls unconscious for 1d hours.
Paralytic: Depending on the strength of the toxin,
the character suffers 1d F and must succeed a check of
varying difficulty. Failure means the character suffers 2d
Trauma and cannot move until it has been recovered.
Neurotoxin: These deadly poisons attack the body
from within. The character suffers 1d F immediately
and must succeed a Hard check or take 1d W as well.
For every minute of game time, the character must
make another check or continue to suffer equal damage
each time until he has succeeded three concurrent
times or the toxin has been somehow neutralized.

Conditions

If all the ways you might get shot, stabbed, mangled,

burned, or jettisoned into the vacuum of space werent
quite enough, there are other ways your character
might suffer. But if youve been knocked to the ground
and are leaking some vital fluid, at least youre alive.

Bleeding

Lots of wounds will leave you bloody, but this

condition referes to a major blood vessel severed and
you are bleeding out. A bleeding character loses 1
Fatigue each turn (3 seconds), and then 1 Wound each
turn when Fatigue reaches zero. Applying pressure to
an external bleeding injury can slow it down (every 10
turns, or 30 seconds), while an Average Medicine (First
Aid) action is required to stop the bleeding (see Medical
Assistance, below). Internal bleeding requires different
actions, mutations, or tech.

107
Plants cannot suffer this
condition.

Unconscious

If youre snoozing in a
dangerous situation, its
the game equivalent of
being prone and paralyzed
at the same time. If youre
merely sleeping you can
wake up and act normally
after a one-turn period of
being stunned (see above).
If you are unconscious for
some other reason then
you might be in serious
trouble.

Blind

Not being able to see

means you are an Easy
target in close combat and
2d for physical actions
that normally require
sight. Ranged attacks
automatically miss unless
circumstances and the
referee dictate you may
attempt with the penalty.

Paralyzed

Weary

If you cant move, youre

an Easy target in close
combat and cant move or
take other physical actions.

Prone

Laying on the ground

makes you more difficult
to hit at a distance (1d to
anything out of reach) but
it makes you an Easy target
for close combat and makes your own attacks Hard.

Starving

A characters basic needs are determined by its stock

(see Chapter 3), though these might vary depending on
mutations and qualities. If a characters food needs are
not met, he suffers the same penalties and damage as
being Weary (below), except these cannot be reversed
except by getting sufficient nourishment. Lack of water
is more serious, with the penalties beginning after 24
hours and getting worse every 6 hours after that.

Stunned

Your bell has been rugn and you are dizzy, fuzzyheaded, or otherwise disoriented. A stunned characters
base movement is reduced to 5 feet and may only
attempt one action per turn, suffering a 1d penalty on
all actions until the condition is removed.

RULES

If a character has been

pushed beyond normal
limits without rest or has
been through exertion or
trauma that leaves him
exhausted, he is considered
weary. For most human
and animal characters this
means staying up for more
than 24 hours. For every
12 hours after that he suffers 1 point of Fatigue that
cannot be recovered without rest. Base movement is
slowed by 5 feet and all actions suffer a 1d penalty, and
these penalties accrue for each 24-hour period without
rest. Extreme exertion can be counted as equal to a 12hour period for terms of determining just how weary a
character may be.

Recovery
&
Healing
If youre one of the lucky ones youll get to crawl

away from combat with a chance to lick your wounds

and patch yourself up. That which does not kill you
may come back and try to kill you againso get
whatever rest and healing you can, while you can.
While resting up is the slow-but-sure method of
recovery, field medicine, mutations, and tech can speed
up the process and get you back in the fight.

108

Recovering From Wounds

keeping someone alive and doing some basic patching

up isnt all that difficult. Stop the flow of blood (or
sometimes sap), set breaks, keep conscious, etc.
If a character is bleeding, they can be stabilized with
an Average Medicine (First Aid) action that takes 1d
turns to complete. (Sometimes its as simple as tying a
tourniquet to stop one point of bleeding, sometimes its
more involved.) Success means the patient is no longer
bleeding. The exact same type of action can be used on
someone who is dying, but its a Hard action instead.
Someone whos all-the-way dead cannot be revived
without extraordinary intervention. Once a character is
stabilized, they can begin healing on their own.
A first aid action can be made simpler (+1d) by
possessing the right supplies or conditions, whereas
battlefield chaos or makeshift tools might make the job
more involved (1d).
Medical Tech: Speaking of extraordinary
intervention, there is advanced healing technology
about the Warden if one knows how to find it and
decipher its use. Everything from spray-on bandages to
limb regeneration and full-on cloning could be found,
though such artifacts are prized and often guarded
jealously if they are understood at all. The more
prevalent medical tech is listed in Chapter Six, while
the rare and truly unusual must be encountered during
the course of adventure.
Mutations: Some creatures from nature possess
remarkable abilities to heal from damage and even to
regrow severed limbs. Fortunate mutants exhibit these
traits or even more rapid regeneration, and might be
able to recover in hours what would take weeks for
others. Such abilities are discussed in Chapter Five.

Medical Assistance

Where
To Next
If you arrived here after reading Chapter Two:

Restoring Fatigue & Trauma

Fatigue recovers quickly. Six hours of uninterrupted

rest removes all Fatigue damage. Otherwise it recovers
at a rate of 1 point per hour of light activity. A character
who has accumulated Trauma must succeed an Easy
Constitution check at the end of each hour spent
unconscious to remove a trauma point.
A character who is Injured (see Damage, above)
recovers Fatigue at half the normal rate.
Second Wind: Once per a day a character may take a
moment to shake off some of the exhaustion and push
harder. Second wind is the only action that may be
taken during a turn, and allows 1d worth of Fatigue to
be restored.
When youve got Wound damage, youve been more
seriously messed up. Your body needs to knit bone,
mend organs, or at least recover sap and grow more
bark (if, for example, you happen to be a tree). Its a
much bigger deal.
As long as youre not Injured (see Damage, above)
youll recover on your own at a slow but steady pace: 1
per day.
If you are Injured, your body has to fight hard
(or requires help) to begin a true healing process.
After a full day of rest you must succeed an Average
Constitution check to begin healing at the above-listed
rate. If the check fails, you need another full day of rest
to try again. If you botch the check, your body is losing
the fight and you take 1 Wound damage per day until
you succeed the check to just to stabilize the situation
(then must rest to attempt actual recovery once more).
It sure would be nice to face-crawl to safety after
a battle and simply rest until youre all better. But
chances are youll be in your next fight before you
could heal up from the last oneat least without a bit
of extra help. The natural way to heal up is usually a
last resort rather than the first choice.
First Aid: Most now living aboard the Warden dont
have sophisticated medical expertise, and the diversity
created by mutation makes it truly difficult to have an
advanced understanding of anatomy and biology of all
intelligent life. Thats the bad news, but the good is that

CHAPTER SEVEN

Basic Gameplay to get the full rundown on the game

system, we recommend Chapter Three: Mutants
& Mankind to learn character creation. If youd like
to learn about the Warden or want to become a referee,
jump to Chapter Eight: Storyteller & Referee.

110 Chapter Eight: Storyteller & referee

The refereesometimes titled Game Master, Judge,
Storyteller, Director, or even more fanciful names in
other roleplaying gameshas a highly rewarding role at
the game table. Its a role that may seem complex, even
overwhelming at first, but its not as hard as it looks.
If youre new to roleplaying games in general, this
section will give you the basics of how to be a referee.
If youve run games before, or have been a player in
other games and want to try your hand at running one,
this section also goes into detail on the specific features
of Metamorphosis Alpha that a referee, experienced
or otherwise, needs to understand. Adventures aboard
the Warden borrow from other genres to create a unique
blend that youll want to have in mind so your game
sessions are fun and memorable.
That said, this book and the rules themselves are
just tools for you and the players to have fun. You are
encouraged to customize the setting, the style, and even
the rules to fit the kind of game you enjoy running and
that keeps your players coming back for more.

Role
of the Referee
As a combination of host, rules judge, narrator, and

actor, the referee is a vital ingredient to a successful

Metamorphosis Alpha game session or campaign. A
good referee is a conduit to the world of the game, in
our case the decks of the Warden, acting as the eyes and
ears of the characters (along with any other senses and
information gleaned from mutations and technology).
The players make decisions for their characters, and its
the referees job to say what happens next, relying on
both the rules and personal judgement to figure it out
as the game progresses. The situation keeps changing,
and the referee continues to narrate, resolve actions,
and keep the excitement going, whether its exploration,
diplomacy, or desperate battle.
In between game sessions, the referee crafts new
adventure ideas, designs new allies and opponents, and
creates new sections of the Warden ripe for exploration.
Even published material needs be studied so its familiar
for play, and at best is customized for an individual
groups needs.
Its up the referee to set the stage but then allow the
stars, the characters as guided by their players, to make
decisions that drive the action forward. Its good to have
an idea of where things are going but flexibility and

CHAPTER EIGHT

fallback ideas if events take an unexpected twist. Players

make surprising decisions and dice will occasionally
yank the rug out from under the best-made plans.
A referee should hold fairness and objectivity as two
of the most important traits to keep in mind. Decisions
should be based on the rules and the overall fun of the
game but without favoritism or emotional attachment
to a player or non-player character. Judgment calls
should be consistent and reasoned to keep things
moving and the entire table enjoying the game.

Running
a
Game
Its a job that balances out the most power at the

gaming table with the most responsibility. The referee

must juggle several jobs seamlessly, and aside from the
one implied by the title (judging the rules impartially),
the storytelling aspects can generally be divided into
two areas.

Narrator

Without the referee giving effective description of

areas, events, people, creatures, or things encountered
along the way, the humans and mutants portrayed
by the players would be blind and deaf. Whether
its detailed descriptions of a new room or a quick
summation of a long stretch of uneventful time, the
referee gives tone, detail, and emphasis to spur the
players toward their next set of actions.
For example:
Referee: The small room you entered has finally ceased
vibrating madly. The doors slide open again, but instead of the
steaming jungles youve known all your life as home, you see a
blinding field of bright light reflecting off something crystalline,
and you feel a rush of cold such as you have never known
before. Still blinking from the sudden flare, you notice that
the glowing lights that formerly lined the room have gone dull
and grey. (In this case, the players entered an elevator
which took them from a jungle level to an arctic level
and also drained the elevator of power.)
The referee should describe all features which are
immediately obvious to a quick inspection: visibility,
ambient sounds and odors, anything moving.
Items that are likely to arouse interest should be

111
highlighted: There are some rocks that are an unusual
color, or There are glints of something reflective in the
woods. Players may ask lots of questions in response to
the initial description (though you should keep your
descriptions as brief as possible). If the answers are
self-evident (What color at the leaves? How warm is it?),
just tell them. If the answers may be hidden or obscure
(Is anyone hiding in the woods? How old is that burned-out
campfire?), you may call for a the appropriate trait to be
rolledAlertness (Observation) in this caseor you
may decide another action is required, such as moving
closer.

Actor

While each player usually only has one character to

portray and keep track of, the referee literally takes
on the role everyone and everything else. How you
go about these portrayals is a matter of personal style.
Some referees prefer to handle things in the third
person. (The wolfoid snarls some threats at you and demands
you leave his lands.) Others prefer direct first-person
roleplaying. (You dare to trespass on my hunting grounds,
hairless weaklings? Flee now, or I shall make toys for my cubs
from your bones!) And of course, its fine to switch styles
as appropriate for the situation. Trivial or mundane
interactions can be glossed over if desired. (You spend
an hour negotiating and reach a deal with the merchant.)
When running allies and opponents with which
the players must interact, the referee should always
consider their motivations, abilities, and knowledge.
Some will fight to the death; some will surrender or try
to negotiate; some will flee. Some will be natural allies
against a common foe. Some may be treacherous.
The most important thing to remember is that the
player characters are the stars. Non-player characters
should never be run as the referees personal character.
Having useful allies is fine, but the game should always
center on the decisions and actions of the players
characters.

AEvenShip
to Explore
more than most other roleplaying games,

Metamorphosis Alpha is a game of exploration. A

typical game session or campaign begins with characters
who do not even understand that their world is

actually a ship. The contained yet varying areas of

the Warden are natural environments for exploration
and discovery. The nature of the Warden allows for an
amazing variety of places to find within short distances
of each other. There are oceans and deserts, tropical
jungles and fertile plains, vast automated industrial
complexes and abandoned high-tech cities, dense
under-corridors and maintenance hatchways, and even
areas open to the black void of outer space.
Exactly how easy or difficult it might be to get from
one area to another is very much up to the referee.
There may be many still-functioning transit tubes and
lifts, or it may be an arduous struggle through the ships
engineering and interdeck areas to move around.
The referee should feel free to create any setting that
is even vaguely plausible for the Wardenremembering
it was intended to serve as a safe home for a large
number of people for hundreds of years. Entertainment
areas inspired by the Holodeck or Westworld,
laboratories where genetic experiments took place,
industrial or residential areas shrouded in overgrown
hydroponics, areas where the artificial gravity has
been turned off (or was never turned on), cryogenic
chambers with frozen colonists who are unaware of the
disasterthe possibilities are limitless. This is how to
make the ship yours.

Genre & Concept

Metamorphosis Alpha defies genre pigeonholing, but

you might think of the game as science-fantasy. That
doesnt mean robots and wizards, but that absolute
scientific accuracy is simply less important than ideas
that are simply cool and given enough pseudoscientific
gobbledygook to fit. Bizarre mutations, nanotechnology
that ignores issues of heat dissipation and energy
sources, sentient plantsits all good.
This is also a game of high adventure, exploration,
and excitement. While you certainly can focus on
personal relationships, the meaning of life, and other
other deep issues, Metamorphosis Alpha is often at
its best when the focus is on discovering the wonders
of the setting. Metamorphosis Alpha is not about the
human heart in conflict with itself. Metamorphosis
Alpha is about the mutant with two hearts in conflict
with a laser-eyed, flying grizzly bear.

STORYTELLER & REFEREE

112
That said, many of the novels and other media that
inspired Metamorphosis Alpha did focus on a higher
level of conflictthat of knowledge vs. ignorance, with
the main characters discovering the truth of their world
and its history and having to deal with the cultures that
denied it, cloaking the past in myth and superstition.
This is a theme that often emerges organically in
Metamorphosis Alpha games, as the characters try to
tell others what theyve found and are met with doubt
or outright violence.

Tone & Mood

The exact tone of a campaign is ultimately up to the

referee and the players, but there are a couple of general
defaults that fit the history and mechanics of the game.
Each of these can be adjusted and ignored as the gaming
group sees fit:
Gonzo (but not wacky): Metamorphosis Alpha
features lots of high weirdness, bizarre characters,
and gruesomely slapstick deaths from misapplied
technologybut its not a fully comedic or satirical
game. A flying rhino generating clouds of sleep gas is
gonzo. A flying rhino dressed as a Japanese schoolgirl
is wacky. Stick to gonzo.
Deadly: Theres no plot immunity, no story
to be told that requires the heroes survive. Life is
cheap and short, and theres plenty of ways to die
instantly on the Warden. This doesnt mean the
referee should go out of his way to rack up a body
count, but he shouldnt be overly concerned with
precisely balanced encounters and ways for the player
characters to always come out alive. Players should
be given a lot of choices as to what to do, and if they
choose a high-risk path, so be it.
Free-Roaming: While theres lots of options
for a game setting in a single level or region of the
Warden, the traditional Metamorphosis Alpha game
is one of travel and exploration. There are few longterm relationships and recurring villains. Moving on
means leaving the old behind and having the new just
around the next corner.
Discovery & Wonder: Big Dumb Object is an
affectionate term in science fiction fandom for the
kinds of stories that involve people exploring some
immense artifact, such as Ringworld or Rendezvous with

CHAPTER EIGHT

Rama. Metamorphosis Alpha is very much this sort

of setting. There should always be something cool,
creative, fun, or inexplicable to stumble across. The
size and scale of the Warden should be emphasized:
Engineering sections packed with quarter-mile-high
machines, warehouses that store supplies for the
colonization of a world, wilderness zones which take
days to cross by foot. Manhattan Island (13 miles long
and 3 miles wide), along with its tallest buildings,
could easily fit into one of the Wardens larger decks
with plenty of wilderness or parkland surrounding it.
Technology Is Mysterious: The technology of
the Warden is centuries ahead of our own, and it is as
likely to resemble modern devices about as much as
a tablet computer resembles a 1950s movie depiction
of a futuristic computer. The natives of the Warden
have even less of a grasp on what strange artifacts
may do, and many of the things they find will be
malfunctioning or used for purposes other than those
intended. Every encounter with a machine can lead
to surprising discoveries and the chance of serious
injury or even death.

Humans & Mutants

The world of the Warden is one where life has

changed in countless ways and the rules of heredity
are more like polite suggestions (which life forms are
free to ignore). In some ways, pure humans seem to
have the worst of it, with no special powers or abilities.
However, they have some advantages to keep in mind.
The systems of the ship are designed for them to use,
both in terms of physical access to controls and the
systems security protocols recognizing them. Robots,
in particular, will generally have strong (though
not absolute) built-in protections against harming
something they recognize as being human. And by
having resisted mutating energies, humans have
become tougher than their ancestors and adaptable
enough to survive in such a chaotic environment.
The referee must decide how humanocentric his
Warden is going to be or if it varies from one area to
another. It may be that most of the inhabitants are
human, and mutated humans and sapient mutant
animals or plants are rare freaks. It may be that some
regions of the ship were exposed to higher levels
of mutating energy than others, and those areas

113
are considered mutant territory. Another option is to
have villages or settlements where humans, mutated
humans, and mutant animals work together.

interpret the results. Chapters 2 and 7 go over the rules

in terms of playing, but there are a few things worth
noting when running games.

Tech & Powers

To Roll or Not

Technology and mutant powers provide multiple

ways to solve problems or overcome obstacles.
Balancing these in a game can be complex. While
Metamorphosis Alpha is not as obsessed with balance
as some other games, trusting the referees judgment
and the luck of the dice to balance things in the long
haul, it is still the case that a game where all problems
are trivially solved by the right machines or mutations
is not going to be fun for long.
Technology is the greatest resource on the Warden,
and its particularly helpful for humans who lack any
mutant powers to gain an edge. The referee needs
to provide enough tech to keep the game fun and
exciting, while not letting the characters turn into
walking storage cabinets, bedecked with devices that
can handle any challenge. Machines break, attract
thieves, or simply run out of juice. Sometimes an item
which seemed trivial or cosmetic turns out to have an
unexpectedly clever application. Reward players for
being smart, but dont let such discoveries take over the
game.
The above philosophy applies to mutant powers.
Many of them are flexible and can be applied in ways
not explicitly mentioned in the description but which
seem logical and plausible. Again, the referee should
reward intelligence and creativity, but not permit a great
idea to turn into a rote solution. The best way is to
discuss this with the playerexplain that this particular
tactic is boring and he should try something new. If the
player doesnt care, the myriad radiation fields, medical
droids, and unusual diseases of the Warden can have all
sort of unexpected interactions with a mutant, altering
his powers in various ways.

Slinging
Dice
The S
26 rules were designed to be quick to
ystem

learn and easy to understand. The game only uses one

type of dice (six-siders), only three degrees of difficulty
(Easy, Average, Hard), and a fairly intuitive system to

Even more important than how the dice mechanics

work is understanding when theyre needed at
all. Rolling dice is fun, and the sound of hardplastic clattering around on a tabletop becomes the
background sounds for tensions, success, failure,
laughter, cheers, and wails of disbelief which is why
you shouldnt waste them on dull moments.
As a referee you should remember one rule: Dice
should only be rolled when something interesting
is going on.
There should be tension, uncertainty, or a chance
of unpleasant failure to warrant the musical dicesound. An action roll should never be required for
walking across the roomunless instead of walking the
character is sprinting away from a bloodthirsty cheetoid
or gingerly avoiding hidden mines. Many character
actions should just simply happen, such as flipping the
lights on, cooking a simple campfire meal, conversing
with a friendly guard, or sharpening a sword. Dont
cheapen how awesome dice-rolling can be by pairing it
with snore-worthy actions.

Problems of Probability

While the dice mechanics that form the backbone of

the game were intended to be straightforward, they are
also the secret weapon for a referee to get a rough idea
of how likely a player might succeed or fail on a given
roll. A player with one measly die for an action has
better than even odds, while one whos sitting pretty
with five dice has only a tiny chance at screwing things
up. A character must be at least Good at something
to even have a shot at scoring an enhancement. That
said, the dice are fickle; if they behave like you expect,
they are just lulling you into a false sense of security.
You never know what might happen when the plastic
bounces around, and thats part of the fun. Here are
things to keep in mind when assigning difficulty to
actions.

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Easy Actions

Easy doesnt mean automatic; it means that for most

this kind of action wont present much of a challenge.
If real life were a System 26 game, most of our daily
tasks would be Easy. If theres no tension or real
consequences for failure (as discussed above), there
is no reason to roll the dice. But when there are real
stakes, dice should be rolled even when the action is on
the easy side.

Average Actions

Remember that average for us in the mundane, real

world would be Easy on the scale we use in our game.
When we say an action is Average, were talking middleof-the-road for an action hero who leads a life of danger
and adventure. The Warden is filled with hazards and
dangers, so when a challenge is neither a walk in the
park nor a sprint across a moving iceberg, its likely
Average. To keep up the analogy, an Average action is
jogging across loose gravel without falling down. Note
that the chance to botch is exactly the same as Easy
actions.

Hard Actions

If youve seen those action movie moments where

a skilled badass accomplishes something ridiculously
difficultbe it leap over a huge chasm, put an arrow
through a distant bullseye, or drive a fast-moving
vehicle through an obstacle course with fiery boulders
crashing down from abovethen youve got a handle
on Hard actions. Even characters who know what
theyre doing and have the backup of mutations or tech
will still only attempt a Hard action if theyre feeling
cocky or (usually) have little choice. Botching chances
are always the same and suck just as bad no matter how
difficult the attempted action.

When Not To Roll At All

While the dice should not be rolled when the action

is boring, its because success is assumed. The opposite
end of that scale is when there is no rolling because
failure is assured. There are generally two reasons for
this:
0d: If the dice pool is modified by unfortunate
circumstance down to a big, sad zero, its game
overfor that action anyway. The action really cant

CHAPTER EIGHT

even be attempted, and if the player insists on giving

it a shot anyway, there is one recourse for that (see
sidebar) or you can just describe the embarrassing
failure in a manner that amuses you.
Requirement-Based Actions: The majority of
actions a player wants the character to perform will
be covered under traits and can be rolled, though
sometimes with a dice pool modified by how well
the attempted action matches up to the character. But
some actions are simply impossible without some
requirement, such as extensive training (delicate
surgery on a major organ) or specialized gear (tools
for mechanical repair). This was covered in Chapter
Seven, Requirement-Based Actions, so dont let the
players whine too much.

Description
& Rules
Which sounds more exciting? Your action point

eliminates 4 of the Wounds you would have taken; your 3

achievements and bonus damage max out the mutant animals
wounds, dropping him. Or, Scar-lock bats the hyenoids
axe aside and drives the blade straight into his throat! He dies
choking and thrashing. For most of us, its the second.
The game mechanics and dice-rolling serve to flesh out
the scenes the referee and players create together, but in
the best cases the rules fade to the backgroundleaving
only exciting action set to a kick-ass soundtrack in our
memories.
A great way to keep the game engaging is to let the
rules guide your descriptions of success and failure,
victory and defeat. The dice-rolling mechanics at
the very heart of the game are already your baseline.
Actions are either easy, hard, or in-between. Success
is either minimal, standard, or solideven perhaps
amazing! Failure is either unremarkable or an awful
setback.
Weve tried to work descriptions in to other elements
of the game throughout the book. Traits are written
to suggest the type of characteristics that go along
with them (high Brawn indicates muscle and physical
power, low Discipline could mean someone with a
short attention span). Both mutations and tech are
written not just to say how they work, but how they
might look and function beyond the rules. Next are a
few suggestions on describing other elements of the
game.

115
Qualities

While written to be short and sweet, its worth

remembering that some qualities can guide roleplaying
for a player (with helpful suggestions from the Referee,
of course) and also serve as hooks for how those
characters interact with the world and are perceived
by others. While Light Sleeper is advantageous in the
game, it still might indicate restlessness or someone
who is never able to relax and let her guard down. A
Knowledgeable character could be a curious know-itall. Someone who is Hesitant might be prone to panic
and indecision, while a character with Combat Rage
might have a legendary temper that leads others to
watch their words carefully.

Action Points

Serving as the oxymoronic way to legally cheat the

normal rules of the game, Action Points are there to let
characters succeed more spectacularly, soften failure,
and dodge death a little longer. They alter the results
and dont truly represent anything concrete in the game
worldthough one could say they are a combination
of grit and luck. The best way to handle them
descriptively is to just roll with the changes. Avoided
damage could be narrowly dodged or just shrugged off
with sheer toughness; dodged failure could mean an
unexpected reversal, while added success could bring a
lucky break into play.

Enhancements

Achievements are about getting the job done.

Enhancements are when awesome happens. Chapter
Seven offers guidelines as to what might happen in
general terms when enhancements are rolled (including
possible game effects). But as enhancements arent the
norm, you should make sure to embellish and turn
them into cool and memorable moments. Delivered
wounds should be devastating and leave permanent
scars (if the enemy survives at all), activating technology
might reveal a previously unknown and limited
function, or a mutation flares up with terrifying power.
While you should stay in the ballpark of the listed

Doing the Impossible

Every once in a while a player is going to

want to try something no matter how crazy,
no matter how unlikely it is. You are under
no obligation to do more than smile at
their moans of protest, but if youre feeling
especially generous, you can give them that
snowflake-in-the-reactor-core chance of
pulling off the impossible.
Allow the player to roll a 6d dice pool.
They can succeed if they get all sixes, and it
will be considered that many achievements!
But if they roll even a single one, its a
botch. Dont let this happen oftenonce
per game session is the recommended
limitbut it will at least give them that tiny
chance of doing something amazing. And
if the statistically impossible happens (and
it sometimes does!), make that player buy
drinks later, as theyre probably winning the
lottery at some point.

examples, dont just say opponent disarmedsay

how the barbarian speared the mutants club with his
sword and sent it flying away.
Its also important to remember the scenery when
coming up with possible enhancements. Exposed
power cables, open maintenance hatches, slippery
floors, and more can provide inspiration for how
enhancements play out. When designing areas and
scenarios, it might be worth making notes of some
possibilities ahead of time; when the scenery, story, and
game rules interact, it keeps things fun and interesting.
Plus its always a good laugh for a character to scream
THIS IS ENGINEERING! before kicking an
enemy down an elevator shaft.

Specialized Damage

Not all damage is created equal, and the type that

has to be noted separately is worth giving some extra
descriptive attention. Burns are nasty and usually leave
nasty scars long after they heal. Disease can cause

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mewling and helplessness in the most powerful warrior.
Environmental dangers might leave characters gasping
or disoriented. Poisons might manifest as mysterious
effects from an unknown source, or they might be a
devastating secondary consequence of an enemy. The
cultural memory of the long-ago disaster leaves most
residents of the Warden fearful of radiation, so even
the rumor or possibility of a flooded zone will keep
humans and mutants away until it has somehow been
confirmed as safe.

Designing
Adventures
Part of the referees job involves coming up with

exciting and challenging scenarios in which the players

can test their mettle and characters amid the strangely
logical chaos of the starship Warden. While we provide
a starting adventure in this book and more planned for
the future, eventually youll need to take off the training
wheels and create one of your own.
This may seem like a daunting task, but the good
news is that it doesnt have to be! While published
adventures have fully written descriptions and game
statistics and a bit of polish, a good adventure only
truly lives in the experience of the group thats playing
through it. If the players have a blast and come away
with memories of laughing, rolling dice, palm-sweating
excitement, and stories of epic moments, your job was
well done even if you showed up with a half-sheet of
badly scribbled notes and just decided to wing it.
The important thing to start with as the referee
preparing an adventure for the next game session is
understanding your own strengths and limitations. At
least try to imagine how your game group might react
to what youre throwing at them. Make sure your level
of prep matches what you can handleso if youre
highly organized and perform your best when there is
lots of written material to fall back on, go with a more
thorough approach, while if youre comfortable with
improvisation, just come up with a plot, some locations,
and a few challenges and make things up as you go
along.
What follows are some guidelines in creating
adventures for Metamorphosis Alpha. Experienced
gamers whove done this sort of thing before might
be fine just skimming this section and focusing on
the unique elements of the game, while those new

CHAPTER EIGHT

to adventure creation might benefit from giving the

upcoming material some serious thought when putting
an adventure scenario together for the first time.

Adventure Concepts

Writers of any stripe are often asked, Where do

you get your ideas? An excellent response might be
a diner, hardware store, or Dimension X. Inspiration
might come from anywhere, and the seeds of a
Metamorphosis Alpha adventure could come from
books, television, or moviesbe they sci-fi, adventure,
action, or horror. Ideas often develop with the players
themselves. (I wonder if those mutant salamanders by the
lake are guarding something interesting! Or, It would be
really cool if we ever found that someone had bioengineered
dinosaurs on the ship!) The evolving story of an ongoing
campaign might create natural springboards for a new
scenario, whether its success (someone coveting a
powerful tech relic hard-won by the group) or failure
(by not shutting off an AI production facility, a swarm
of dangerous robots flood onto a deck and threaten
everyone there). By looking around inside the game
and the real world, the only trouble might be deciding
which fun idea to explore first!
Some adventures may be written specifically for
the characters in the group, while others are about
interesting ideas or locations to explore on a giant halfruined spaceship. Either approach is just fine, and some
of the best adventures make at least some use of both. A
location or concept-based adventure can benefit from a
personal touch directly related to one of the characters.
A more personal story, be it revenge or redemption,
can be amplified by a unique location or element that
explores the core ideas that build Metamorphosis
Alpha.
The elevator pitch approach can help narrow
down a basic adventure concept. Come up with a onesentence summary that gives you a starting point. A few
examples:
A tribe of mutant amphibians jealously guard a
small lake in a semi-tropical deck habitat, but instead
of their eggs, its actually an aquatic source of strange
energy that allows their offspring to mature at rapid
pace with stronger mutations.

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As the group hunts the thief who stole their
artifact, they learn his motivations may have been
more pure than their ownas his parents are hostage
to a strange android that demands technological
tribute that it keeps grafting to its body.

Adventure Structure

As creativity explores boundless imagination, the

importance of structure may seem counterintuitive. But
once you let your mind wander and come up with your
great ideas, a solid structure will set you free to explore
them in constructive ways, a skeleton upon which you
can flesh out your ideasmutations and all!
Any type of story needs to have a beginning, a middle,
and an end. While its completely unnecessary to follow
a rigid Hollywood-style three act structure, its useful to
define these points when writing your scenario.

Establishment

Whats going on that gets the characters involved? It

could be as straightforward as them being attacked by
a previously unknown enemy. A new area of the ship
might represent the beginning of a new situation that
the player characters will have to confront. Or they
could follow a trail, riddle, or other clues to lead them
on a journey. Either way, you want to define the nature
of the problem to be solved or the goal to be achieved.
If necessary to draw the characters in, you might
need to come up with a few enticementsdifferent
introductory possibilities that will set things in motion.
Example: The characters are ambushed by
amphibious mutants who attempt to subdue rather than
kill and are able to heal incredible injuries with the use
of strange blue-glowing orbs that dissolve into so much
smoke when used. Its impossible to know whether
or not this is a result of some strange mutation or if
the healing orbs are created by powerful technology.
Perhaps by following the trail of an escaped survivor of
the battle, the characters will be able to learn the truth
and obtain this ability for themselves.

Action

The meat of the adventure lies in the middle, where

the characters attempt to solve the problem or confront
the challenge. While the individual encounters will
hold the specific details, youll want to sketch out

the major ways in which events can unfold, noting

important antagonists, potential allies, perils, and
opportunities for refuge and additional information.
There should be opportunities for the three main
elements of a good roleplaying gamecombat, problem
solving, and roleplaying.
Identifying the action beats in a well-defined
adventure means understanding who (or what) opposes
the player characters, the general terrain and specific
important locations, and often what will happen over
time independent or in reaction to the characters. Its
okay to jot down ideas and loose notes. Some referees
can run a solid adventure just off a few barely-legible
words scratched onto paper. But preparation can often
be your friend, so its not a terrible idea to already
have the major ideas for encounters when defining the
middle of your adventure structure.
Example: The amphibians maintain a strange village
in concentric rings that seem to radiate out from and
protect a perfectly circular pond with disgusting,
sludge-ridden water and a huge mound of shapeless
flesh that could be plant, fungus, or some kind of
animal mutated to the point it is unrecognizable.
There are too many potential enemies to confront, but
they encounter a potential ally in the form of a female
amphibian who is unhappy with her tribes way of
life. There are two elements needed for the creation of
the healing orbs. The first is a steady supply of animal
life that is sacrificed to their god in order to supply
the life-essence needed. The second are living eggs
from the amphibians themselves. Unfortunately, the
orbs are specific to the biology of the amphibians and
would be useless to anyone else. But the blobby god
is growing at a rapid pace and its hunger only increases.
What happens when it spills out from its birthing
pool? Encounters include combat with sentries, stealth
infiltration deeper into the village, roleplaying with
the unhappy female, and observing clues as to the
true nature of the situation. If the characters get close
enough to the pond, they observe hideous, slimy
tentacles of multi-colored flesh covered with ears and
eyes and mouths and fingers, writhing and pulsating
in pain and hunger, ready to snatch anyone who steps
too close. If they linger too long or are not careful, they
will be captured and will be the next sacrifice to the
shapeless god.

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Resolution

The characters either run out of time or run out of

options. Events come to a head and will resolve one way
or another. Many Metamorphosis Alpha adventures
might finish with a climactic battle or intense action
scene, though thats not always the case. Sometimes
the story ends when the characters escape from danger
by the hairs of their chinny-chin-chins (perfectly
possible with mutations). Negotiation or creative
problem solving may eliminate the potential danger, a
desired goal may be obtained, or the clock may strike
midnightthe end of a time-specific situation that may
have fantastic or horrific consequences for everyone
involved.
Its not unusual for resolution to come with potential
setup for whatever is next. Did a vindictive foe escape?
Does a potentially amazing tech artifact require a
missing piece? Are there unanswered questions just
waiting to be explored? These adventure seeds can
grow into entirely new and exciting stories to explore in
the depths of the Warden.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Example: The characters may decide the shapeless

god is not their problem and attempt to get out of
townthough an abandoned ally may turn on them
and make escape problematic. They could realize that
others may be unhappy turning their offspring to
medicine in the belly of a hideous beast and quietly
raise a revolution. The characters could be captured and
must use cunning and opportunity to escape becoming
the next sacrifices. Or they could disrupt a nearby oil
pipe to literally set the water on fire and destroy the
shapeless god once and for all.

Encounters

Like scenes in a play, an adventure is broken down

into bite-sized chunks we call encountersseparating
individual significant pieces. These establish the
important moments and action that build toward
the overall story, while each has its framework with
beginning and end points.

119
What this means is that constructing an encounter has
the same skeletal framework as an adventure but with
a more narrow scope and smaller scale. Youll need to
figure out what establishes the encounter, what action
might occur in the midst of it, and the ways it might
be resolvedand where things will go from there into
other encounters. And while there are no hard rules
on how an encounter might be defined, here are a few
commonly used in adventure design.

Location

A location-based encounter can be confined to a small

room or sprawled across a large (simulated) outdoor
area, as long as what occurs in the encounter is linked
together to make it one related event in the course of
the ongoing adventure. Whether there are enemies
in wait, shelter to be found, important clues to be
revealed, treasure to be discovered, or hazards to be
overcome, these encounters dont take place until the
characters reach a specific place.
Examples: Guards wait outside a treasure hut, but
the artifacts inside are decoys smeared with contact
poison to trick the greedy. An open area simulates blue
skies and bright sunlight, a field covered in strangecolored flowers that give off hallucinogenic spores.
A sealed passage in the bowels of the ship is flooded
with radiation, risking death or mutation to those who
venture insidebut incredible tech might wait where
no one has dared venture.

Timed

Even as the player characters explore and fight,

retreat and rest, regroup and carry on, the rest of the
Warden goes ongenerally not giving a twisted power
coupling about the struggles of humans and mutants.
Some events happen on their own timetable, with
their effects or consequences spilling over onto the
events of the adventure. A timed encounter might play
out quite differently depending on the location and
circumstances of the characters when it occurs. An
explosion may be only a strange noise in the distance or
it may be the last sound one ever hears.
Examples: A jackaloid pack finally catches the party
and alerts them with the sound of incessant laughing,
the alphas son determined to earn his bones by slaying
the most dangerous character alone. A malfunctioning
communications relay goes critical, broadcasting

conflicting, overriding signals that cause all artificial

intelligence to go haywire until the unit is destroyed or
its power supply is cut. Artificial night falls on the deck,
allowing a dangerous albino mutant to resume stalking
the characters who wounded it long ago.

Triggered

While timed events happen independently of

character actions, triggered events are a direct response
to them. Sometimes nothing bad happens until
someone pushes the big red button that should never
be pushed. (But someone always, always pushes
the big red button.) Triggered encounters are about
consequencesgood, bad, or indifferent. The most
interesting ones are usually bad.
Examples: The death of the green-eyed armadillo
frees the human from its mind control, and her
knowledge of the robots override commands may save
the village from destruction. The party believed it was
being stealthy, but the simple tripwire alerts a grotesque
group of spear-wielding guards. The group couldnt
understand why the large hatch had so many layers
of protection to prevent it from opening, but as they
finally coax the ancient doorway open, a rushing wind
threatens to blow them into an empty, dark void full of
stars.

Random

Not every adventure needs or should have random

encounters, but sometimes they add a bit of fun
uncertainty to the game and allow even the referee to
be surprised. They might relate to the events of the
overall adventure, while some represent the chaotic
nature of life and death about the Warden.
The referee decides whether random encounters
occur based on a length of time elapsed or area
reached and the odds of one occurring. A random
encounter might be only 1 in 6 chance or an even 3 in
6. The possible encounters are often written out on a
table with enough notes to play out the results. The
encounter may be significant or just an oddity hinting
at larger events.
Example: 2 in 6 chance, rolled once per hour of
game time.
1-2: A tiny, wounded wolfoid cub who is clearly
starving and injured but shows only aggression to any
who approach.

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120
3-4: A robot is smashed to pieces on the floor,
hammered by something immensely strong, wires
still sparking and smoking.
5-6: A small sub-pack of 4 wolfoids stalks the area,
sniffing and searching for something thats more
important to them than prey.

One-Offs & Series

Sometimes your group just wants to play for a few

hours unrelated to anything else, or perhaps just one
self-contained adventure. Gamers lucky enough to have
a dedicated game night might enjoy the continuity that
comes with a long-term campaign. There is no wrong
way to play if it means everyone is having fun, but its
nice to consider your options.

Event

An event doesnt even qualify as a full adventure.

It might be one large encounter or a short string of
thema few hours of action-packed gaming. Its best
used for a group that can rarely get together but wants
a memorable experience that takes full advantage of the
fast pace of the System 26 rules.
Pros: Events are easy to put together. Pre-generated
characters (such as the ones included in this book) can
be used since they will only be used once. And since
there is no intention to pick up the action later, it can be
intense and brutal. Character death is no big deal, and
failure might be just as entertaining as success.
Cons: An event can only give a taste of what
Metamorphosis Alpha has to offer, usually by showing
off action and combat sprinkled with mutations and
technology. There isnt a chance to tell a real story or
get a feel for the characters and their personalities.

Adventure

A proper adventure follows the structure and grouped

encounters as described above. A short adventure might
contain 4-8 encounters and be squeezed in to a 4-hour
time block (as is often the case at conventions or those
played in hobby game stores), but most adventures take
several linked gaming sessions to reach the conclusion.
The group decides on a stopping point then resumes

CHAPTER EIGHT

the adventure right where things left off next time,

unless the referee decides down time for the characters
happened in between sessions.
Pros: A full adventure tells a (potentially) satisfying
story with a beginning, middle, and end. It allows
for an agreeable mix of encounter styles to allow for
roleplaying, problem solving, and frantic combat with
the possibility for each character to shine.
Cons: A standalone adventure can only reveal an
isolated piece of the larger puzzle that is the starship
Warden. The sense of discovery, unraveling larger
mysteries, and seeing a character succeed and achieve
over time is something that only happens through
serialized play.

Campaign

A Metamorphosis Alpha campaign is a series of

linked adventures making use of the same characters
though some will undoubtedly need to be replaced
if individual characters or even entire groups are left
as ruined corpses. (The Warden is and should be a
dangerous place!) This allows for a sense of continuity,
the chance for a larger story to be revealed over time,
long-term enemies to be faced and eventually defeated,
large questions to be answered, and a real sense of
attachment to characters. A group of players who
experience a long-term campaign will have shared
experiences and stories that theyll discuss to the
confusion of others for years to come!
The referee running a campaign can decide if there
is one larger story playing out with its own overriding
themes and structure (much like a trilogy of novels)
or if its just a serialized group of unrelated adventures
strung together. Either approach can be equally fun!
Pros: Characters can improve over time, acquiring
additional mutations and more powerful technology.
There is a real sense of achievement for long-term
goals met and discoveries made. Campaigns allow for
the different aspects of Metamorphosis Alpha to be
fully explored.
Cons: It can be difficult to get a game group together
on a regular basis with hectic schedules and real life
interfering. Some players may want to try different
kinds of characters or get the itch to experience
different kinds of games entirely. The defeat of a

121
group or the death of a favorite character might be
extremely frustrating after months or even years of
investment.

To the players it should feel like the Warden is a living

place and that every character encountered has a
detailed backstory just waiting to be explored.

Playing
the Parts
Its not only the referees job to describe places and

Important Characters

interpret the rules into descriptive action, there is

also the role of an improv actor to consider. A referee
takes on the role of everyone and everything in the
game thats not a player character. That means that
in the course of an evening the referee might portray
the croaking leader of a hoard of burbling frog-men,
a sultry mutated human attempting to trick the party,
and a malfunctioning maintenance robot only able to
answer questions with five pre-programmed responses.
Its one of the most vital and challenging parts of the
job, taking a handful of notes and number and creating
memorable characters that take on life in the players
imaginations.
A first piece of advice for new referees is dont be
self-conscious when portraying non-player characters.
Be expressive, take on a different voice, adopt alternate
posture and body language! When prepping an
adventure its worth taking a moment to think how a
given character might sound or act. With experience the
acting duties of the referee will become second-nature.

Stock Characters

The majority of beings encountered aboard the

starship Warden are very much background players in
any given adventure. If it was a television series, they
would be extras or those with only one line. While
its important to give them description and a hint
of personality, there is no need to work on unique
characteristics (or define detailed game stats if they are
not expected to be combat threats). They are there to
support the overall theme and feel you are trying to
create in this portion of the adventure. Village warriors
might be stoic and disciplined in one instance, or
grubby and hostile in another.
You should be ready, however, to add additional
details and a sense of personality if the players
unexpectedly focus on an otherwise unimportant
character. If necessary, have a few names and random
details jotted down and ready to use if the need arises.

Contrasting the stock characters are those who

are important to a particular adventure or possibly
relevant to the course of an entire campaign. These are
significant allies, dangerous enemies, love interests,
quirky recurring characters, and others who stand out
from the crowd as the player characters explore and
adventure across the ship. Using the television analogy
above, important characters would be the guest stars
either for one episode (adventure) or might recur many
times over. Long established non-player characters will
become significant to the group, and the death of one
might become a significant event almost to the point of
a player characters loss.
These characters should be well-defined, with a
backstory that explains their motivations and helps
you as the referee to decide their plans, reactions, and
dialogue. Their personalities should be well-defined,
and ideally the players can identify them by your
adopted voice and gestures if theyve encountered this
individual before.
For roleplaying, its best to come up with just a few
hooks on which to hang a character: An accent or
style of speech, a repeated gesture, or a catchphrase.
This becomes the acting shorthand by which the
players will recognize the character and you will be able
to get into character quickly.
A villain is a specialized and fun important
characterone who acts as antagonist to the player
group. It could be a brutish wolfoid alpha mail
determined to acquire a powerful weapon, it could
be a scheming mutant human manipulating the party
into her dirty work, or might even be an artificial
intelligence system that is fulfilling its programming
with an imperfect understanding of the situation that
causes it to thwart and endanger the group. Villains
should be memorable and fun to hate. Over time a
recurring villains defeat will become a personal mission
more than just an obstacle to overcome, and success
will be a cause of celebration at the table.

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Monsters & Robots

While there are many personalities aboard the

Warden with complicated agendas and interesting
things to say, there are also some who are delightfully
simple. Monster is an old roleplaying game term
that applies here to mutants with simple goals and
limited vocabularies. It could be a predator hunting for
food, a beast guarding its young in a lair, or a roving
gang of mutants who want nothing more than to
dominate a territory and acquire useful tech. Monsters
are memorable for the threat they pose more than a
nuanced personality or developed backstory. Put your
energy into physical descriptions and the excitement of
the inevitable combat.
Robots are an interesting case because they might
range from being metal monsters themselvessimple,
single-minded individuals who are a challenge to
overcometo complex beings with real personality.
When portraying a robot its important to remember
that even the most complex is not truly alive and will
revert to its primary functions and goals within the
boundaries of the rules that have been set for it. Robots
tend to be very task-oriented, plowing ahead with their
short-term goals and only very in actions in response to
things that interfere with them.
For example, a robot may be tasked with maintaining
and guarding a backup power generator that long since
cased functioning. It will tirelessly prevent anyone from
entering the area and will not use lethal force against
a pure human character, but might indiscriminately
murder a mutant animal who is holding a piece of tech
that might be useful toward the generators repair.
Androids are a special case for artificial life. They are
designed to be complex and even humanlike in their
responses. With more exposure to social interaction
they will become increasingly unique in personality
and adept in picking up social cues, able to alter their
own goals and missions based on the situation but
its best to remember that there may be secret missions
or pre-programmed reactions buried beneath the
surface. An android might be helpful and subservient
for months, but it might react to a certain threat with
terrifying and deadly force.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Breaking the Mold

One way the referee can keep an ongoing

campaign interesting is to break up the
regular sessions with another type of
adventure or different game! This might
allow for the referee to take a break and
let another player assume the duties for a
session or two, and the figurative change in
scenery can keep the appreciation for the
regular campaign strong.

Tips
of the Trade
The two best ways to learn the art of the referee are

observation and practice. Take the opportunity to be

a player in someone elses game and pay attention to
how the referee or game master handles her table. And
even more importantlyjust dive in! Like most things,
on-the-job training is the best kind. Youll get a feel for
running a game quickly and your table will ultimately
be unique and memorable. Dont worry about getting
every detail or rule right or handling every situation
perfectly. Were all here to have fun, and if you keep a
smile on your face everyone else will likely follow suit.

Pacing

There is so much going on aboard the Warden its very

important to remember to focus the attention when
needed and to gloss over when detailed descriptions
arent necessary. If its unimportant to the adventures
story and otherwise boring, sum it up and move on.
We dont need to follow each agonizing step of an
archer crafting a new bow and fletching each arrow.
Downtime between adventures need not be described
in more than a few sentences. Dont obsess over
minutiae or waste everyones time with descriptions of
the unimportant. Skip ahead to the fun and interesting
stuff!
When there is a challenge to be overcome, a puzzle
to be solved, danger to be faced, or enemies to battle,
these are the times when you want to get the details
right. This is why a month of village life might be
covered in five minutes of game time at the table but
a battle with ursoids might take half an hour.

123
Its important to note that even though dangerous and
interesting situations need more detail, you dont want
the game to grind to a halt. You always want to keep the
action moving forward and in dangerous situations you
want a feeling of limited time and forward momentum.
The characters dont have ten minutes to think on an
immediate threat, so neither do the players. Push the
action forwardeven if you judge that an indecisive
player means the character is paralyzed with indecision
for a turn. (Such an event usually happens only once,
as players do not enjoy losing out on their characters
chance to act.) Make sure you always have a handle on
what each players immediate plans are for a character
and move back and forth so that everyone is engaged.

Develop Your Own Style

Some referees focus more on the narrative and have a

signature flow to the way things unfold in their games.
Others keep their own descriptions brief and encourage
the players to hold the spotlight. A referee might be
bare-bones with dice and paper and words, another
might like to use miniatures and background music and
special props. And all of them could be excellent games.
Dont be afraid to try new things as you get your sea
legs underneath you as referee. Find those elements
that feel natural, the ones you most enjoy, and those to
which the players respond strongly. Everyone needs to
be having fun at the game tableand this absolutely
starts with the referee. If the person running the game
isnt having any fun, its unlikely anyone else will.
As referee you will eventually become comfortable
with doing things a certain unique wayand thats
absolutely fine. Its why its your game, not ours.

Learn From Your Players,

But Run Your Game
As referee you hold godlike power over the starship
Warden and everything inside of it. The lives and fate
of the player characters can be changed with a brief
decision or simple judgment of the rules. But with
great power comes a great ability to lose all your players.
Your job is to provide a fair and entertaining table for
adventure, where its always challenging but there is
always a fighting chance for survival and victory.

In addition to the balancing act of keeping the tension

high while not wiping out the party with one robotic
juggernaut, you should listen to your players. Dont be
afraid to explicitly ask what their favorite parts of the
game might be. Make note of which rules they disagree
with, or in which situations the fun seemed to dry up
for a while. And if you can read people with the skill
of a decent poker player, keep tabs on how things are
going in the middle of the action. All of these things
will not only teach you how to run a better game in
general terms, but will help you specifically tailor a
great experience for your group. Some groups favor
subterfuge, diplomacy, and stealth, while others want
guns and explosions and spectacular mutant powers. We
say all of these are fantastic, so run with whatever keeps
the game fun at the table!
All of the above said, the balance of power tips to the
referee for a reason. While you should absolutely listen
to your players, listening doesnt equate to bowing to
every whim and wish. Be fair but firm and keep the
game moving. The players need to respect you as well
as like you. Some players may push a bit to gain the
advantage, but remember whos in charge.

Act Versus Tell

Metamorphosis Alpha is a tabletop roleplaying game,

which means everyone is sitting down and rolling dice
and talking. This makes the concept of action even
more important than a live-action roleplaying game
(of which many involve folks mostly standing around
and talking). Even if the players are passive, the events
in the game and the interaction at the table should be
lively and engaging.
If the largest percentage of game time is spent with
the referee reciting long paragraphs of text with a little
dice-rolling in the middle, the chances of everyone
having as much fun as possible are on the low side.
Absolutely be descriptive, but use words for impact and
make them count.
Character action should be the center of gravity when
it comes to description. So it should setting the stage
to find out what the characters are going to do, seeing
how those actions immediately play out, and what the
other consequences of those actions might be. This
is good advice for many roleplaying games in general,

STORYTELLER & REFEREE

124
but especially so in Metamorphosis Alphaa game
with a fine tradition celebrating fast-paced action and
adventure.

Disruptive Players

While we cant promise you wont ever experience

a total jerk at your table, most of the time a disruptive
player is a temporary situation. Sometimes its a player
whos had one too many, or one whos become bored
and just trying to stir things up. Others wont let their
objections go over a final call over the rules (I shouldnt
have died from fire since I have that mega-awesome mutation
of fire immunity!). Every once in a while a player wont
separate his knowledge as a player (Its a toaster!) from
that of a character (Its a strange metal box with two slots
and a sliding button.) Or perhaps an out-of-game grudge
(You drank the last root beer!) gets brought to the table.
The first strategy is usually to keep the focus on
whats going on inside the game. If you can get
everyoneincluding the bozo causing troubleback
to paying attention to the ticking bomb and the endless
hordes of sentient mushrooms surrounding them the
problem may just solve itself. If a player seems bored
or otherwise distracted, make a point to make sure
there is something interesting for her character to deal
with. Someone who is engaged is less likely to be a
troublemaker.
If the former tactic isnt going to work, a general
announcement that out-of-game issues or conversations
about anything except whats happening at the table
right now should be shelved until later might help. The
players who are trying to keep their attention on the
game and enjoy themselves will likely back you up. And
if the problem goes beyond that, its probably worth it
to take five and ask for a private chat with the problemplayer. Youre hosting a game, remember, so try to keep
things positive and focus on how you can make sure
the player is having a good time. But if someone isnt
having fun and only emphasizing how misery loves
company, that player might need to take the rest of the
session off.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Rules Debates & Arguments

The System 26 rules were meant to be relatively

straightforward and intuitive. Weve done our best to
organize the rules so its easy to find things. And its
also a delightfully easy game to run on the fly and just
wing it when necessary. But every roleplaying game out
there has to deal with the rules lawyerthe player who
obsesses about the letter of the law and tries to game
the system to his advantage.
The most important rule is that the referee runs her
table and is in charge. Her judgment calls supersede
the written word of this book. Any rules discussion
shouldnt take more than a few minutes at most. If the
players are unhappy with a ruling or you just arent sure
its the best way to handle it, declare thats how youre
doing things for this session and youll review and
discuss it in between games to finalize that particular
point.

Keeping Everyone Alive

Its okay to kill people. And mutant aardvarks. The

Warden is a deadly place and encounters arent designed
with a detailed point-system to make sure things seems
challenging but predictable. There is no guarantee that
they wont walk into a room filled with deadly radiation
and a rampaging guardian robot perfectly capable
of reducing the entire party to ash. Adventuring is
rough business. Players who get into the game should
understand their characters could run into things that
are incredibly dangerous, and that running and hiding
are sometimes prudent and wise tactics.
The above said, a game in which everyone creates a
bunch of exciting new characters and they get mauled
by giant beavers and killed in the first encounter may
be good for a chuckle, but makes for a lousy roleplaying
game session. Like other forms of storytelling, there
should be rising stakes and tension that progresses.
Some encounters should be written so the players
feel like badasses and trounce the opposition, others
fair fights that can be won through clever ideas and
teamwork, while a rare few should be deadly but
survivableeven if only by finding a way to retreat. Its
always better to look for ways to keep characters alive

125
rather than kill them, and sometimes offer subtle (or
sledgehammer-obvious) suggestions on how the players
can take advantage of such opportunities.
Long-time referees and game masters know the
initialism TPK (total party kill), but it should be the
rare exception rather than the rule. When designing
encounters you should think not only of the characters
abilities that help their odds of victory and survival,
but offer refuge, healing, or escape if things go bad.
Also remind players that one of the great uses of
action points is to turn a deadly injury into something
survivable, and that keeping one or two in the bank for
that purpose isnt a terrible idea.

Character Death

Everyone dies. Humans take dirt-naps, frogs croak,

and mutant daisies push themselves up eventually.
In Metamorphosis Alpha characters might be killed
unexpectedly and brutally, after a long struggle, or even
after some heroic act of self-sacrifice. Death sucks,
though. Players can get attached to certain characters,
especially after many adventures and a successful career.
Most of the time its best just to deal with the
consequences of character death in-game and move on.
Encourage the player to create a new character, perhaps
with some interesting ties to the ongoing action that
will be fun to play. This sort of carrot will help the
player get into the spirit of things with a new character.
The Warden is a crazy science-fiction setting with
a touch of comic-book sensibility, however, and if
theres a good reason to bring a character back there is
zero reason why it cant happen. Cellular regeneration
technology could restore the recently-deceased to life,
or a tissue sample might make it possible to create an
identical-copy clone. You can get weirder, of course,
and reveal that the dead character was actually an
enemy mutant disguised as a member of the party. A
shapeshifting blank-slate android might stumble on
the corpse and decide to mimic the old characters
appearance and mind-map his memories. Perhaps the
character is from a near-identical family in which the
oldest member holds responsibilities that must be
assumed by the next in line.
One thing to keep in mind is that resurrection should
have a cost, in storytelling terms. If the group decides
they want to bring their friend back from the dead,

that goal should be a difficult quest all on its own. If

you want to use another method to bring a character
back, make sure there are long-term consequences and
fallout. Death should always remain a big deal.

The
Starship Warden
For all intents and purposes, the Warden is the

entire world for the characters, their enemies, their

allies, and everything that lies in their future. Its a
vast ship filled with simulated environments and
habitations and factories, wrecked and rebuilt and
repurposed, swarming with mutated and simulated
life. For a referee its a playground in which you can
throw almost any idea from books, film, television, or
comics and find a place for it. Despite being physically
smaller than a planet-sized campaign world in other
roleplaying games, the Warden offers more variety than
most settings and has shorter travel-times between the
characters and the adventure.
This book throws certain assumptions about the ship,
its environment, and current state of affairs at you, but
whether you run with them or not the incarnation of
the Warden you create through play will be unique and
different than anyone elses. Its your ship, so customize
it and have fun!

History

There is plenty of mystery in the standard

Metamorphosis Alpha campaign. Most characters
are relatively primitive and their understanding of
the world and its history is through the lens of
misunderstood oral traditions, legend, folklore, and
rumor. And like the saying goes, those who do not
learn from history are doomed to walk into a radiationflooded zone and grow prehensile tails.

Standard Knowledge

There is no standard knowledge of the past aboard

the Warden. Each group or tribe usually has garbled,
confused legends of their origins that generally involve
them being a superior or chosen people. Some are
so desperate in their daily struggle that they give no
thought to the past at all, looking instead to their next

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126

meal or a place of refuge. But there are bits and pieces

of truth that often fall into the small pockets of culture
aboard the ship.
Our ancestors journeyed from their home
(Human, Mutated Human): There is often some
vague cultural memory that during a glorious, golden
age of peace and prosperityeverythings relative
brave ancestors left their homes in order to journey to
a promised land or tame a wild frontier. Some attach
specific names of leaders or heroes that might belong to
members of the original crew or important colonists.
Our ancestors were prisoners or slaves (Mutant
Animals): Those descended from the animal life being
transported aboard the Warden carry a cultural memory
(and resentment) of being kept in confinement.
Whether in contained sanctuaries or literal cages, the
animals raised with these stories have an inborn dislike
of being contained.
Our ancestors woke from an ancient sleep
(Mutant Plants): The biology of plants was and is
so different, that they dont have an understanding of

CHAPTER EIGHT

the past that quite relates to members of the animal

kingdom. They know that some among them became
different than their cousins, able to move and think
and communicate. Plants tend to be creatures of the
present moment and do not dwell on the past, and
their beliefs on their origin tend to be highly personal,
incomprehensible to animal life, or nonexistent.
A disaster, cataclysm, or calamity nearly killed
us all: Whatever cultural traditions exist aboard the
Warden, most include references to a terrible event
that nearly wiped out all life. Much how the tradition
of a great flood is reflected in many western cultures
in the real world, the basic idea of a great disaster
are common while the specifics and details are quite
different. Sometimes its a horrible plague, other times
its described as an evil army or the nameless wrath of
a cruel god. People and animals died, plants withered,
and most of those who survived were forever changed
or even cursed. This is the event that created the
difficult world in which the player characters live.

127
Enlightened Knowledge

The oral histories and traditions of most small

cultures aboard the Warden are much like playing the
telephone game, distorted almost the point where
it couldnt easily be reconciled with the truth. But
some either inherited a less filtered version of history
or pieced it together through a process of discovery.
Enlightenment reveals some of the truth that most
would choose not to believe.
There is no meaning behind the disaster:
Most legends create a villain or otherwise cast blame
from what ruined the world and killed so many. But
whatever the truth behind it all may be, no one figure is
responsible. Nothing is more cruel than terrible luck.
Our world is no world: Most of the Wardens
residents have no idea a world isnt supposed to have
walls and elevators and ceilings. Its just the way things
are. But some have retained or rediscovered the truth
that they are still on their ancient journey to a new
home, and that they simply live on the vast boat that is
taking them there. There might even be an idea of the
command deck and how the ship might be brought
under someones control.
Artificial life has somehow gone wrong: There
are stories of a time in which computers and robots
served those aboard the ship, providing for their needs
and obeying commands. An enlightened view realizes
there is a fundamental problem, one that could perhaps
be repaired and restore order.

The Truth

The truth of the Wardens history is whatever you as

the referee would like it to be, and ideally will include
your own smaller details that tie into an ongoing
campaign. But here are a few details that include
standard assumptions.
The world got used up: The ancient home-thatwas, Earth, was facing a long-term crisis of diminishing
resources, increasing population, and/or unstable
climate. Whether it was a forward-thinking solution
or one borne of panic, the idea of sending humans and
the life of Earth to settle other, habitable worlds was
created. The Warden was either a unique vessel for this
purpose or simply one of many arks sailing through the
stars to new homes.

The journey was intended to last many generations:

The Warden was not built for a short trip, but rather one
that would last multiple lifetimes. Traveling shy of the
speed of light, it would be forever cut off from Earth
and would need to sustain itself and carry the life and
cultures of its origin to its new home. It was designed
to be a miniature world that reflected the diversity of all
life on Earth, assisted by the most sophisticated artificial
intelligence and robotic technology of its day. The ship
is almost a living thing, able to absorb radiation and
cosmic dust and continually repair and renew itself
indefinitely.
The disaster was unforeseen: For all technical
brilliance, the ancient people who ran the ship and
the computer systems that assisted them were caught
unprepared for the disaster when it struck. Whether it
was a radiation cloud, a mutating virus, or something
else entirely, the disaster struck quickly and with no
warning. There was so much death and so many
malfunctioning systems that only the resilience of the
ships design and lifes ability to always find a way that
allowed anyone to survive at all.
A new home is still out there: The Warden might have
already reached its destination, and is patiently orbiting
and awaiting instructions to begin the next phase of
its mission. Or perhaps the ship still has a century left
in its journey. The disaster might have damaged the
navigational systems to the point in which it has veered
off course until it crashes into a planetoid or into a
black holeor it reversed course and is journeying back
to Earth. Either way, at some point in the future the
residents may want to finally get off of the boat.

Other
Campaign Ideas
There is endless variety to be found in the standard

campaign aboard the Warden. But if you want to mix

things up even more, there are plenty of ideas to choose
from. These ideas are often best revealed in the course
of an extended campaign.

Tricking the Players

A fun tradition going back to the very first edition

of Metamorphosis Alpha is one in which the players
know absolutely nothing about the game in which they
are playing. This is tricky to pull off, as it means the

STORYTELLER & REFEREE

128
referee must help create characters and hand out game
information without giving them a copy of the book to
speed things up. But it offers some fun surprises and a
big reveal to pay off the extra work.
In this setup, you tell the players you are going to
run a post-apocalyptic campaign in which they can
play primitive mutants. You start them in a simulated
environment in which there is no reason for the players
to suspect they arent somewhere on Earth. A few red
herrings might even have the players building an idea
in their minds about just where the characters are in
the real world, but clues will build up to the moment
in which they find the wall at the end of the world, an
elevator, or even a porthole looking out into space.
Their blown minds and mouths hanging open can be
all the reward a referee needs to manage the setup for
this campaign scenario. The groups expectations and
understanding of a larger in-game mystery will inform
the rest of the campaign as the players become more
interested in understanding what happened and how
they can take over the ship.

A Different Ship

The Warden is simply one incarnation of a giant ark

in space. You can design an entirely different ship from
scratch, map it out, decide how its various zones and
decks and regions work and what inhabits them. It
could be more modern, more primitive, or include
pockets of both. Perhaps computer subsystems (Life
Support, Security, Command) broke away from each
other with competing interests and have become
gods that attempt to manipulate life aboard the
vessel to accomplish their aims. Maybe there are no
pure humans left aboard and those that seem to be are
android reconstructions who dont understand their
true nature. You can either come up with overriding
themes to guide the design of your unique ship or
throw figurative spaghetti at the wall and enjoy all the
crazy ideas bouncing off each other inside a giant metal
box floating through space.

Crashing the Warden

This can either be a campaign-starter or a way to

change everything in the middle of a long-running
game. Crash the ship! If you use this idea as part of

CHAPTER EIGHT

an ongoing game, it will offer the players an entirely

new environment to explore and new forms of life to
deal with. Whether its a benign alien world or a huge
asteroid housing a hostile form of fungal life, it will
instantly generate new goals for the party and new
challenges to face.
The flipside of the crash-concept comes by creating
characters who live on whatever unlucky world the
Warden comes crashing down in. Supposing it makes
a (somewhat) soft landing means there might be only
one small hull breech or accessible hatch by which to
enter. Brave explorers might venture inside to discover
its secrets and inhabitants and find a chaotic and
dangerous environment inside. Just what kind of world
the player characters start in determines their approach
and tactics, whether they are fantasy adventurers or a
modern military.

A Mutant World

A more extreme shift to the assumptions of

Metamorphosis Alpha would be to ditch the spaceship
entirely. The rules in this book could easily be adapted
for use in a post-apocalyptic science fiction world.
Instead of the contained environs of the Warden, there
is an entire world to be explored and conquered. Part of
the fun in games set in a post-apocalypse setting is that
you can adventure in your own backyard or include
notable landmarks. The clash between character and
player knowledge makes for memorable moments and
offers easy inspiration for adventures.

Where
To Next
If you read straight through after Chapter Seven: Rules

then its likely time to familiarize yourself with some

sample challenges and threats in a Metamorphosis
Alpha campaign, as well as tips on how to create your
own: head to Chapter 9: A Mutant Menagerie. If youre
interested in running an adventure right away, look
ahead to our sample adventure: The Petting Zoo of
Death. If you want to understand the bigger picture of a
referees role before getting into character creation, its
time to head back and understand how it all works in
Chapter Three: Mutants & Mankind.

130

Chapter Nine: A Mutant Menagerie

A comprehensive list of the mutants and artificial life

that one might find aboard the starship Warden could
easily fill a large volume. And while some stable breeds
exist and there are standardized types of robotic life, it
is quite rare for two forms of life to be exactly alike.
This chapter provides the referee with easyto-reference challenges and enemies for a group
of characters, and far more importantly serves as
inspiration for the thousands of possible variations.
Remember not every entry in this chapter should
be presented as a straightforward, bloody battle. Some
are challenges best avoided, allies to be won over, or
puzzles to be solved.

Format
The entries presented here follow the same structure

as player characters, including traits, mutations, and

qualities. And many creatures have breed notes on
how they might be used as a player character type.
Note that the rules for how player characters are
generated do not apply to the mutants in this chapter,
which is why some might seem unbalanced by those
standards.

Black One

Attacks

Electric Bolt: 4d attack, +3F electricity.

Unarmed: Grapple, Web (5d), Bite (+2W and paralytic
toxin).

Description

Feared predators of dark regions of the shipdense

forests and jungles, or sub-decks where the lights have
failedthese spiders the size of adult humans easily
disappear inside their shadowy lairs. They appear just
as their tiny ancestors but on a terrifyingly large scale,
adapted to breathe effectively despite their size. They
spin immense webs in their territories up to 100 feet
across, which they rarely leave. Even the slightest
touch to a strand of web alerts the Black One of the
presence of potential prey, and it prefers to use stealth
and ambush tactics to gain a meal. They do not plan or
think in the traditional sense, but have highly-tuned
instincts from millions of years of evolution.
Solitary unless seeking a mate, a Black One dwells
in a lair filled with an increasing number of desiccated
husks wrapped in silk, with old bones and trinkets
littering the ground. It cares nothing for goods and
technology, making their lairs attractive for the foolish
and greedy.

Spinnerets & Webs

Medium mutant animal (spider)

Move 25 ft. Initiative 4d
Dodge 5d Armor 2 (natural)
Fatigue / Wounds 15 / 17
Hopeless (2d):

Influence, Leadership,
Performance, Tech

Weak (1d):

Competent (+1d):

Athletics, Constitution, Survival

Good (+2d):

Alertness, Brawn, Stealth,

Unarmed Combat

Amazing (+3d):

Artistry (web only),

Dexterity

Mutations: Electrical Generation (3d), Multiple

Limbs (2d), New Body PartsBite (3d), Carapace (2d),
Spinnerets* (2d) Poison Bite (2d)
Qualities: Agile Combatant, Talented at Camouflage
and Hiding (+1d). +2d bonus for Acrobatics, Climbing,
Jumping, Running (multiple limbs mutation).

130

Black Ones and other spiders have several glands

on the abdomen that produce webs. They are
sticky, breaking away requires a Grapple against
the Constitution trait of the creature that produced
itor special measures such as fire, tools, or specific
chemicals. A spider can move along its own web as if it
was on the ground.
If a spider has a creature in a grapple, it can wrap the
victim in a silky cocoontaking one action for a small
creature and an additional action for each size category
larger. (Truly small creatures are beneath its notice,
and it will avoid huge foes.) Once fully enveloped,
a creature must complete a Hard complex action to
break freewith required achievements equalling
the Constitution trait of the spider who created the
web. Outside help can free a trapped creature quickly.
Alternately it may attempt to envelope an unwilling
targetbut cannot take any other actions on that
turnas an unarmed attack. Prey paralyzed by a
spiders bite is wrapped up for later consumption.

ACHAPTER
MUTANTNINE
MENAGERIE

131
Variations

The Black One can be used as the basis for many

different types of giant spider. In many cases, only the
description and one or two changes can be made to
create giant tarantulas or black widow spiders. One
notable variation is the Brain Spider, below.

Tactics

A Black One stays in its shadowy lair and waits,

preferring to strike from the darkness. It will generally
stun prey with a burst of electricity and then attempt
to use its paralytic bite and wrap it in a silken coffin. If
fighting multiple targets it prefers to isolate and carry
off the weakest among the group, taking full advantage
of its ability to scurry along its massive web.

Notes

Paralytic Toxin: Victim takes 1d Fatigue and must

succeed an Average Constitution (Fortitude) check.
Failure means the character suffers 2d Trauma and
cannot move until it has been recovered.
Arachnid Mind: The nearly-alien arthropod brain
makes any attempt to use mental mutations by humans
or animals on them is automatically Hard.

Brain Spider

The normal Black One is effectively mindless. A rare

few, however, are demonically clever at the sacrifice of
the arachnid mind advantage against psychic attack. The
referee can create a Brain Spider with improved mental
traits and mental mutations such as telepathy and
mental control. Such a creature will dominate prey and
lure them into its lair for consumption.

Buzzer

Small mutant animal (bee)

Move 20 ft., fly 40 ft. Initiative 3d
Dodge 4d Armor
Fatigue / Wounds 8 / 8
Hopeless (2d):

Deception, Tech

Weak (1d):

Competent (+1d):

Alertness, Unarmed Combat

Good (+2d):

Dexterity, Ranged Weapons

Amazing (+3d):

Mutations: New Body PartsStinger (2d), Wings (4d),

Stunning Blast (2d)

Attacks

Unarmed: Sting (+1W stationary, +2W charging).

Ranged Weapons: Stunning Stinger (Range 10 ft., +2W
fire, see below)

Description

Buzzers appear as bees the size of house cats, and

represent several enlarged varieties of ancestral bees
from Earth. They are sensitive to psychic energies used
by outsiders within half a mile of their colony, and the
use of mental mutations will summon an angry swarm
of buzzers to kill or drive away the offenders. A small
group (1d or 2d) will move against those on the outer
edge of a buzzer hives territory, but will send more if
the source of the disturbance grows closer.
Buzzer hives are massive and the buzzing from
within can be heard from a distance.

Variations

Some buzzers have evolved away from the colonies.

They live in small groups (2d individuals) and
reproduce more in the manner of normal animals
rather than the traditional hive caste structure. These
free buzzers often exist in symbiosis with plants
or small groves, feeding off honey and nectar, and
protecting their homes from mental predators.
Buzzer queens are larger and tougher specimens,
more intelligent, and have mental mutations.

Tactics

Buzzers evolved to protect the colony from psionic

attack, and they focus on the most powerful user of
mental mutations in the area. Buzzers will swarm and
attempt to stun their intended target and then focus on
its allies. They will unhesitatingly sacrifice themselves
in their instinctive defense of their hive, and fight to
the death. They generally ignore plants unless those are
actively attacking or using mental mutations.

Notes

Stunning Stinger: A buzzer has a specialized use

of the stunning blast mutation, delivered through its
stinger and must be within 10 feet of a single target. A
successful attack damages as above, but the target must
succeed an Easy Discipline/Mental Resistance check or

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additionally take 1d Fatigue damage and be stunned for
2 turns. It may use the stunning blast attack up to once
every other turn, but takes 1 Wound for each use. A
buzzer may use its stinger as an unarmed attack.

Eyeball Fungus

Each eyeball fungus is a unique specimen, as its

number of eye stalks and specific mental mutations
vary depending on its success as a hunter.

Tactics

Medium mutant plant (fungus).

Move 5 ft. Initiative 5d
Dodge 3d Armor 1 (natural)
Fatigue / Wounds 14 / 18
Hopeless (2d):

Crafting, Performance, Tech

Weak (1d):

Athletics

Competent (+1d):

Brawn, Dexterity

Good (+2d):

Constitution, Unarmed Combat

Amazing (+3d):

Variations

Alertness, Discipline

Mutations: Confusion (4d), Extra Eyes (1d), Hardened

Bark (2d), Infravision (2d), Stunning Blast (2d), Vines (2d)
Qualities: Ambidextrous, Unyielding

Attacksttacks

Unarmed: Eyeball Smash (10 foot reach, 4d attack, +2F

damage)
Confusion Ray: (5d attack, +1dF psychic damage +
confusion, once per combat)
Stunning Blast: (2d attack against all living targets
within 50 feet, +1dF damage and possibly stunned for 2
turns, once per combat)

Description

A strange aberration that grows near toxic and

radioactive areas throughout the Warden, this fungus
can survive even on bare metal for extended periods. It
is a strange collection of soft fungal tissue and spores
with tentacles snaking out that end in large crystal-hard
eyesstolen from consumed victims and grown into
both bludgeoning weapons and power sources for its
mental mutations. As an eyeball fungus consumes new
prey, it grows additional eye stalks and acquires new or
enhances its existing mental powers. It cares nothing
for gear or technology, and if it dwells in the
same area it simply leaves discarded items
laying around to be found by others.

CHAPTER NINE

Able to see in the dark and shift its body shape

as needed, it is a silent and patient hunter who will
overwhelm a victim with multiple bludgeoning and
grappling attacks, then consumes the decomposing
body. After its feasting is done, only the eyes remain
grown unnaturally large and hard as part of a new stalk.
Its intelligence is instinctive and quite alien to other
forms of life.

Notes

Fungi are not technically plants, and do not share the

nourishment requirements of mutant plant characters.

133
Grabber

Variations

Particularly dreaded are walking grabbers, which can

move at a slow pace (5 or 10 feet movement). While
unlikely to chase down an enemy, the fact they can
move at all can be a deadly surprise to anyone who
thinks theyre safe just out of range.
Clubbers are similar to grabbers, but use larger,
heavier limbs to smash prey into unconsciousness
or death, and then use smaller vines, not suitable for
combat, to drag the food in.

Large plant (willow tree)

Move 0 ft. Initiative 5d
Dodge Armor 2 (mutation)
Fatigue / Wounds 17 / 22
Hopeless (2d):

Artistry, Tech

Weak (1d):

Competent (+1d):

Good (+2d):

Amazing (+3d):

Alertness, Discipline,
Unarmed Combat

Incredible (+4d):

Brawn, Constitution

Mutations: Hardened Bark, Heightened Physical Trait

Brawn (2d) & Constitution (2d), Thorns (1d), Vines (*)
Qualities: Ambidextrous (1d)

Attacks

Unarmed: Vines (+1W, grapple)

Special: Acidic Maw (1d Fatigue, 1 Wound per turn)

Description

Grabbers are usually found hidden among less

aggressive plant life. (Some speculate a grabber spawns
many immobile children to surround it and disguise
it.) They resemble large willows, with their drooping
branches covered in heavy thorns, but are otherwise
unremarkableuntil they strike. When one attacks,
the hundreds of limbs come alive, lashing furiously at
anything in range, raking them bloody, then encircling
them and dragging them back to its acidic maw.
The area around the base of a grabber is usually rich
with discarded weapons, armor, and gear. All organic
matter, down to the bones, is digested.
Some animals have evolved pheromones that make
the grabber ignore them; this gives them a secure place
to stay when sleeping or nesting. A few go further, and
lure predators back to the grabber, creating a symbiosis.
Some communities have planted grabbers along likely
entrances to their settlements and using a secret path
known only to their tribecreating a living, terrifying
trap.

Tactics

Grabbers grab. When potential food gets within

range, the vine-like limbs lock in on a creature,
relying on noise and body heat rather than sight, and
simultaneously slash it (to weaken it so it cant fight
back) and entangle it. Once a creature is gripped,
the grabber hauls it back to its mouth, where it will
be digested. It can only eat one creature at a time, so
additional enemies will simply be attacked until the first
one is fully dissolved.
While they have hundreds of limbs, they can really
only coordinate two at a time. It only takes 2 Wounds
damage to sever a vine but there are far too many to
effectively disarm a Grabber.

Hillfolk

Medium mutated human

Move 15 ft. Initiative 2d
Dodge 2d Armor 2 (Leather)
Fatigue / Wounds 14 / 15
Hopeless (2d):

Artistry

Weak (1d):

Discipline, Medicine, Tech

Competent (+1d):

Athletics, Constitution

Good (+2d):

Melee or Ranged Weapons,

Survival

Amazing (+3d):

Mutations: Kinetic Absorption (2d), New Body Part

Hump (1d)
Qualities: Determined (2d), Unfocused (2d)

Attacks

Unarmed
Melee Weapons: Club (+2F)

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Description

Hillfolk are so-named because theyre most

commonly found in the simulated uplands on some of
the Wardens decks, living in huts made from scavenged
materials and using their intimate knowledge of the
narrow paths, dead ends, and dense forests to waylay
travelers. Many of the locals will make a two day detour
around a hillfolk stronghold, rather than cut across.
They are xenophobic to the extreme, distrusting anyone
outside their clan. Rarely, two or three clans will share
a territory and work together, but there is always some
level of suspicion and a high chance of betrayal. Clans
never forgive or forget, and feuds between hillfolk can
last for generations.
They appear as mutated humans, in wide variety,
but all are twisted and marked in some way. They tend
towards oversized teeth, clawed hands, and mental
deficiencythough they are also known for brutal
cunning and surprising skill at ambushes and trap
making. By nature, they are scavengersnot builders
so their clothing, armor, and weapons tend to be
battered and worn.
The stats above represent a standard warrior
member of a hillfolk clan, a baseline that a referee can
use to quickly generate several individuals.

Variations

Leaders: Hillfolk leaders are those whove survived

twice as long as their kin and learned plenty of tricks.
They keep the more rambunctious and violent of their
clan in check, and can plan out complex strategies.
They usually have higher mental and social traits, as
well as mental mutations.
Brutes: Most hillfolk are rather savage, but a brute
takes it to the extreme. A clan will do everything it can
to keep a brute happy, and will loose them on enemies
so they can laugh at the carnage. These folk specialize
in combat and physical traits, and have physical
mutations that make them terrifying in combat, capable
of absorbing or healing massive amounts of damage.

Tactics

Hillfolk hate a fair fight. Their typical tactics are to

send out a scout to make sniping attacks from a safe
distance, luring the victims into a trap. At this point, the
rest of the clan will take out the survivors. They prefer
to capture, rather than kill, so they can torture their

CHAPTER NINE

victims for a few days while devouring them. They will

use technological items if they have them on-hand, but
theyre kept in poor repair and dont see much use.
If forced into an open confrontation, they will seek
to escape, or pretend to surrenderbut they will never
truly submit. However, if they see one of their own
killed they will go insane with bloodlust.

Breed

Any mutated human character with the appropriate

background could be from a hill folk clan. Such
characters would generally be exiles, though, cast out
for not following the xenophobic rules of their elders.

Hisser

Medium mutant animal (caiman)

Move 20 ft., swim 30 ft. Initiative 4d
Dodge 2d Armor 2 (natural);
2W to physical attacks (mutation)
Fatigue / Wounds 15 / 17
Hopeless (2d):

Tech

Weak (1d):

Competent (+1d):

Athletics, Brawn

Good (+2d):

Alertness, Constitution,
Unarmed Combat

Amazing (+3d):

Mutations: Achilles Heel (2d), Energy Metamorphosis

Electricity and Fire (4d), Kinetic Absorption (4d), New
Body PartsBite (3d) & Tentacles (1d), Poison Bite (2d)
Qualities: Talented at Striking (+1d)

Attacks

Unarmed: Bite (+2W)

Unarmed: Paralytic Tentacle (delivery method of poison
bite mutation but not other damage)

Description

Resembling small alligators with longer legs, hissers

are actually the mutated descendants of caimans from
South America. They average four feet in length from
nose to tail-tip and on land run with an almost feline
gait. Their scales shimmer in odd patterns, hinting both
at the protective armor and resistance to energy. They
have a vulnerable spot on their lower throat but a
hisser instinctively guards it.

135
Hissers are generally solitary and rarely attack larger
preybut all bets are off during mating season, in
which they become aggressive to the point of frenzy.
During this time groups of hissers (from a few
individuals to more than a dozen) might leave watery
areas and rampage. A frenzied hisser swarm will tear
through anything even as the males fight each other in
nonlethal contests to impress potential mates.

Variations

Spinetail Hissers: These lack the tentacles or

poison of their cousins, but instead possess a cluster of
spikes on their tail which they can use as a weapon and
are even more physically dangerous. (+1d Unarmed
Combat, +3W piercing damage).
Brood Hissers: Most hissers lay eggs in sandcovered nests, but a subspecies has evolved that carry
their young in skin pouches. For a few weeks the young
are able to leave the pouch but rest there, but 1d young
will burst out to bite prey. (Treat these as Tiny versions
of the adults, with 1d to all physical and combat traits
and only +1W damage on all attacks.)

Tactics

Since they lack the intense jaw strength of other

crocodilians, hissers use their paralyzing tentacles
and then tear prey apart while its still alive. Whether
in water or on land, they prefer to observe a group
while perfectly still and then grab a straggler or weaker
member. Unless frenzied during mating season, they
will quickly withdraw rather than risk serious injury. A
frenzied hisser will fight to the death.

Savape

Medium mutant animal (gorilla)

Move 15 ft. Initiative 2d
Dodge 3d Armor
Fatigue / Wounds 18 / 19

Mutations: Confusion (4d), Mental Invisibility (2d), New

Body PartsBite (3d) & Tentacles (*)
Qualities: Brutal (1d), Vigor (2d)

Attacks

Unarmed: Spiked Tentacles (+2W, reach 10 ft.)

Unarmed: Bite (+2W)

Description

As gorillas are not far behind human intellect, it is

not surprising many mutated so as to gain full sapience.
But in one place aboard the Warden a tribe of intelligent
apes found themselves infected with a symbiotic fungus
that mutated them into even stranger creatures. The
fungus fully integrated itself with the gorillas bodies,
and manifests as a discolored lump just below the back
of the head and two long, dark tentacles covered with
sharp spikes that grow from the gorillas shoulders.
Normal gorillas are relatively peaceful creatures,
but the infected savapes are aggressive, brutal, and
relentlessfully worthy of their name. They live in
small villages in jungle and forest regions, or have taken
over some abandoned settlements. Scouting parties
search the rest of the ship for useful tools; over the
decades, some of these groups were cut off and could
not return. Now savapes can be found in almost any
environment.
Savape hunting grounds often reveal mauled corpses
covered in pulsating purple fungus that is normally
harmless but could infect any badly wounded human,
mutated human, or animal character who touches it
slowing Wound healing by half and causes the character
to grow strange discolored patches all over her body.
Only advanced medicine tech and expertise can cure
the fungal infection.

Variations

Hopeless (2d):

Stealth

Weak (1d):

Deception

Competent (+1d):

Dexterity, Melee Weapons,

Survival

Good (+2d):

Athletics, Constitution,
Unarmed Combat

Amazing (+3d):

Brawn

Savapes have as much chance of additional mutation

as any other creature. A particularly common variant
is the Puff Ape, which is covered with fungus growths
that look like grey-black boils. When struck in melee,
it emits a cloud of spores, a specialized form of Gas
Generation. These will be either randomly be one of
two types determined by a 1d roll: hallucinogenic (1-3)
or toxic (4-6). The nature of the spores wont be known
until the Puff Ape is struck.

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Tactics

Savapes attack as directed by their fungal symbiote,

their first goal being to infect the target with their
tentacles. They use mental invisibility to gain surprise
and then strike with their tentacles, infecting enemies
if they become injured. Once theyve inflicted damage
with their tentacles, they will revert to whatever tactics
bring victory. They like to keep enemies off-guard and
then use all their brutality to ensure a kill.

Breed

Savapes who can control their impulses (possibly due

to a further mutation) can work as a breed. The fungus
is not quite its own character, but it exists almost as a
demon whispering in the characters earone with its
own strange and malicious agenda.

Sword Bush

Medium plant (fern)

Move 15 ft. Initiative 2d
Dodge 3d Armor
Fatigue / Wounds 14 / 14

can wield with consummate skill. In addition to those,

three flexible vines are placed equidistant around the
torso, giving it considerable manipulative skillit can
hold a gun or type on a keypad.
Neither particularly malicious nor friendly, sword
bushes are intelligent and capable of speech, and
will bargain with, attack, or ignore other creatures as
appropriate. Their precognition and teleportation helps
them avoid battles they do not wish to join.

Variations

Swordflinger: Some sword bushes have evolved the

capacity to telekinetically launch their bladed leaves,
giving them a ranged attack (modified version of Quills
in the New Body Parts mutation). This is painful to do,
causing it 1 Fatigue damage, but it can be worth it to
take out an enemy if they cant teleport away or close
the distance. They possess dozens of fronds, but are
reluctant to fling more than a few.

Tactics

Hopeless (2d):

Weak (1d):

Brawn

Competent (+1d):

Constitution, Dexterity

Good (+2d):

Amazing (+3d):

Melee Weapons

Mutations: Force Field Generation (2d), New Body

PartsBlade Fronds (4d*), Photodependent (4d),
Precognition (2d), Speech (1d), Teleportation (4d)
Qualities: Agile Combatant (2d), Ambidextrous (1d), Slow
Runner (2d)

Attacks

Melee Weapons: Blade Fronds (+2W)

Description

The sword bush appears as a roughly man-sized,

vaguely spherical collection of sharp, pointy fronds,
capped with a bulbous tuber-like sense organ. Its brain
hides within its core, and the creature perceives the
world as a mix of temperature, vibration, and life
energy. A number of its leaves have become strong
and sharp-edged, making them deadly weapons that it

CHAPTER NINE

Sword bushes are roughly as clever as humans,

which means they may or may not make wise decisions
about combat. Generally peaceful, they will attack in
self-defense, or to achieve a goal, but will rarely do so
without some provocation. (There are exceptions, and
Barleycorn Bob, a sword bush bandit and raider, has
earned a fierce reputation on several levels of the ship.)
They will use energy weapons if theyve found them,
but most will not be so lucky, and will attack with
the bladed leaves that give them their name, always
ready to teleport away if the fight goes against them.
When meeting new beings, they will usually keep
their force field up until theyre sure things are going
well. Because they can play dumb and pretend to
be stationary plants, sword bushes can often overhear
valuable information from passers by and use such
knowledge as a bargaining chip.

Breed

A sword bush is a workable, if unsual, player

characterlikely with a less impressive suite of
mutations (perhaps Displacement instead of full
Teleportation) and will usually vary from the norm in
other ways. Its photodependency is a drawback, but one
that clever players will not find insurmountable.

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Ursoid

Medium mutant animal (bear)

Move 20 ft., bipedal 15 ft. Initiative 2d
Dodge 2d Armor
Fatigue / Wounds 13 / 17
Hopeless (2d):

Weak (1d):

Discipline

Competent (+1d):

Constitution, Crafting, Survival,

One Combat Trait (Melee
Weapons, Ranged Weapons, or
Unarmed Combat)

Good (+2d):

Brawn

Amazing (+3d):

Tactics

Mutations: New Body PartsClaws (2d), Bite (3d), 4d of

mental mutations (chosen or rolled randomly)
Qualities: Combat Rage (2d), Inept at Emotional Control
(1d), Talented at Grappling (+1d)

Attacks

Unarmed: Claws (+1W), Bite (+2W)

Melee or Ranged Weapons: Varies

Description

The powerful ursoid is actually a catch-all for a

number of bear species that have mutated and thrived
on different decks and many climates of the Warden.
Adaptable and clever, groups and individuals might be
found just about anywhere. They strongly resemble
their bear ancestors, but with feet much more capable
of manipulating weapons and tools and more articulate
mouths. Most will have primitive weapons crafted by
hand, and rarely might possess scavenged tech.
Ursoids live in family groups or small packs, almost
never growing beyond a dozen or so adults. They
are ferocious in their loyalty to true (or perceived
family. With enough time to settle and grow, multiple
packs may form loose trading and defense alliances
respecting each others territories for the time being.

Variations

Skinchanger: A small number of ursoids have

an inherent, specialized form of the Metamorphosis
mutationallowing them to assume the form of an
unmutated human. Some hunt and eat within human
society, while others simply live peacefully among them
in secret.

No two ursoids are alike, each prone to individual

mutations (often a surprising mental ability). Basic
appearance is a function of its ancestral stock (brown,
black, or polar bear for instance).

An ursoid is clever as well as strong, capable of

crafting basic weapons and armor. They also use their
mental mutations to greatest advantage in a way to
surprise an enemy. But they can often lose themselves
to the anger in combat and forgo tactics in favor of
brute strength.

Breed

An ursoid player character is generally strong, smart,

and loyalwith a lack of self-control being a drawback.
They can be too literal and easily insulted, going from
jovial companion to frothing lunatic in the space of a
heartbeat.
20 feet standard movement, bipedal 15 feet
Breed Mutations: New Body PartsClaws (2d),
Bite (3d).
Breed Qualities: Combat Rage (2d), Inept at
Emotional Control (1d), Talented at Grappling (+1d)

Winged Biter

Small mutant animal (coral snake)

Move 15 ft., fly 30 ft. Initiative 2d
Dodge 4d Armor
Fatigue / Wounds 9 / 8
Hopeless (2d):

Crafting, Tech

Weak (1d):

Brawn

Competent (+1d):

Alertness, Deception, Survival

Good (+2d):

Dexterity, Unarmed Combat

Amazing (+3d):

Stealth

Mutations: New Body PartsWings (4d), Poison Bite

(4d), Precognition (2d)
Qualities: Agile Combatant (2d), Talented at Camouflage
(+2d)

Attacks

Unarmed: Bite (+2W, neurotoxin poison)

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Description

About three feet long and decorated with brilliantly

colored feathers, the winged biter is a common sight
in jungle and swamp regions. They rest curled among
branches, their features blending with bright flowers,
then fly to attack when they spot prey.

Variations

Some winged biters have truly superior camouflage

abilitieswith either physical or mental mutations
that allow them to become invisible for all practical
purposes. Rumors persist of others that grow to
tremendous size and constrict prey rather than poison.

Tactics

Fly, bite, eat. The winged biter is a straightforward

hunter that will attack anything that looks edible but is
rarely interested in battle. Medium-sized creatures are
too large to be sources of food (since they swallow prey
whole) but will attack if frightened. Mated pairs guard
their nest until hatching, and baiting winged biters has
become custom in some areas because the snakes raised
from hatchlings can be trained to guard a specific place.

Wolfoid
Medium mutant animal (gray wolf)
Move 20 ft. Initiative 3d
Dodge 2d Armor
Fatigue / Wounds 15 / 20

Description

Hopeless (2d):

Crafting

Weak (1d):

Influence, Ranged Weapons,

Stealth, Tech

Competent (+1d):

Alertness, Athletics, Discipline,

Unarmed Combat

Good (+2d):

Brawn, Constitution, Survival

Amazing (+3d):

Mutations: Biped (1d), New Body PartsClaws (2d), Bite

(3d), Rapid Recovery (2d)
Qualities: Tough (2d), Unfocused (2d)

Attacks

Unarmed: Claws (+1W), Bite (+2W)

CHAPTER NINE

Descended from fierce timber wolves and made

strong by weeding out the weak and sick, wolfoids are
terrifying foes individually who use pack tactics and
teamwork to bring down prey and secure their territory.
Most specimens are over seven feet tall, appearing as
bipedal wolves with almost humanlike hands. Wolfoids
have an inborn hatred of humans and a taste for their
flesh. If a wolfoid pack discovers a cryo chamber they
will tear it open to get at the sleeping meal inside.

Variations

This entry is an average (and unarmed) member of

a wolfoid pack, though there will often be specimens
with unique mutations and scavenged weapons and
armor. They usually shun utilitarian tech and focus on
gear thats useful in the hunt. A pack leader is invariably
the strongest, with increased combat-useful traits and

139
mutations. A wolfoid pack might also contain several
adolescent cubs that are learning the hunt, with weaker
traits.

Tactics

When hunting, wolfoids pick off the weak and

the slow to grab the easiest meal. If fighting alone, a
wolfoid will spring on the strongest foehoping that a
brutal victory will demoralize allies. As a pack they use
hit and run tactics, aiding each other with instinctive
teamwork honed by daily practice, often disabling
opponents to reduce their mobility, vision, or anything
else that grants an advantage. Even wolfoids who hate
each other individually will protect one another against
outside threats.

Breed

A wolfoid player character is often a lone wolf,

either rejected from her pack or a sole survivor who
must learn to cooperate with other species in order to
remain aliveeven if her natural tendencies often cause
friction. Once trust is earned, however, a wolfoid will
be loyal unto death to its new packmates.
20 feet standard movement.
Breed Mutations: Biped (1d), New Body Parts
Claws (2d), Bite (3d)
Breed Qualities: Tough (2d), Unfocused (2d)

Movement

Artificial Life

The Warden was launched during a period of high

technology and artificial intelligence that was selfprogramming and self-correcting. Overseen by a
primary computer system, the ship teemed with robots
and androids who were designed to carry out most of
the ships functions so that only minimum crew were
required to make decisions and oversee operations.
The rules define constructscomputers, robots,
and androidsin much the same way it does living
characters, with a few clarifications and additions.

Reasoning

thought, and if it has a personality (whether it is one

that is simulated or self-generated). Each level of
reasoning builds upon the previous one.
Literal A.I. understands everything in terms of hard
facts and takes all statements and commands at face
value.
Interpretive intelligence allows a robot or android
to follow contextual clues to see its current directives
through to completion.
Analytical reasoning allows commands to be
deconstructed into individual steps and for memories
of past explanations and experiences to inform a current
goal.
Deductive reasoning enables a thinking machine to
combine observation, history, context, and probability
to solve problems and succeed.
Rational intelligence expands upon deductive
reasoning by allowing logical thought, progressing past
the present and anticipating challenges and solutions.
Personality includes motives that go beyond logic,
preferences, and a style of communication that seem
more life-like to living creatures.
Creative is the ultimate expression of artificial
intelligence, capable of making intuitive leaps and
the spontaneous creation of new ideas. Artificial
intelligence at this level is often hard to distinguish
from a living mind.

While traits define what dice to roll and give the

referee a sense of how strong or weak a particular A.I.
might be in a given area, Reasoning is included as a
short-hand for understanding how capable the robot or
android is at interpretation of new information, creative

Movement is defined for constructs the way it is for

other creatures, though a parenthetical notation quickly
defines the precise way they are getting around.
Antigrav allows for hovering in place and levitation
to any height (using its speed to go in any direction it
chooses).
Flight refers in this case to a combination of wings
and thrusters that allow the construct to slow before
crashing, but only allows one turn of hovering before
movement resumes or its forced to land.
Legs work for artificial life exactly as they do for
living creatures, and are suitable for most terrain.
Submersible constructs are sealed and protected
against liquid damage, and usually make use of powered
jets to propel it quickly through the water.
Tracks allow negotiation of many types of terrain
while being less fragile than legs. Only steep angles and
impassable obstacles taller than the tracks will stop it.

A MUTANT MENAGERIE

140
Wheels are ideal for smooth terrain and are included
for artificial life intended for such areas and have a need
for speed.

Communication & Sensors

Almost all constructs are capable of sight and hearing

through standardized cameras and microphones.
They also house sound projection systems for at
least basic notifications and warnings while some can
synthesize speech with ease, depending on the design
and reasoning level of the system. Other modular
systems allow for additional senses and means of
communication.
Air Analysis is effectively a sense of smell, but is
capable of breaking down the molecular makeup of an
air sample and can identify even trace particles.
Infrared allows it to track heat signatures that
stand out as either hot or cold against the baseline
temperature.
Microscopic vision allows the construct to see a
tiny area in incredible detail, some down to the cellular
or atomic levelsgenerally only seen for scientific
and medical robots, or engineering robots designed to
monitor nanobots.
Radar uses radio waves and specialized echo-location
to determine the location and size of objects outside its
visual range.
Telescopic vision uses a sophisticated blend of lenses
and digital enhancement to see at great magnifications
and distances.
Wireless communication systems use specific
radio frequencies to communicateeither to a living
creature holding a receiver or (more frequently) other
computer-based systems aboard the ship.

Mutations

Some artificial life is given mutation listings. These

are functions of tech, not biology, but ultimately work
in the same manner as the listed mutation with any
exceptions provided in the description.

Faceless One

Medium construct (android)

Move 20 ft. (Legs) Initiative 3d
Dodge 3d Armor 2 (natural)
Fatigue / Wounds 21 / 20

CHAPTER NINE

Hopeless (2d):

Medicine, Melee Weapons,

Ranged Weapons

Weak (1d):

Competent (+1d):

Alertness, Dexterity, Tech

Good (+2d):

Athletics

Amazing (+3d):

Brawn, Constitution,
Discipline

Reasoning: Literal
Communication & Sensors: Wireless
Qualities: Determined (2d), Fixated (2d),
Vigor (2d)

Attacks

Unarmed: Grapple

Description

Androids come in many models, each type intended

for a specific purpose or function, and born with
complete knowledge of how to do that job. Androids
were designed with a lifespan of only two years, and
hard-coded instincts against ever harming a human
(unless their job was security). However, with the
Wardens systems badly damaged, the manufacturing
facilities that produce androids may give birth to
some with no built-in death clock or primary laws
preventing the harm of humans.
Androids appear as men and women of average size
and build, with those intended for highly physical jobs,
such as cargo handler or construction worker, being
larger. They have the full range of human skin tones
and hair colors, but their faces are featureless, with
speech coming from a synthesized organ behind the
artificial skin. Some androids that are specifically built
for human interface (such as those built for diplomacy,
childcare, etc.) have a flat screen for a face that projects
an uncannily-real face with full range of expression.
Androids were not designed to be creative thinkers,
outside of whatever insight or originality might be
needed to do their jobs. An engineering android might
be brilliant at jury-rigging a broken vehicle, but will
be unable to cook a meal given a set of ingredients.
Recently produced androids tend to be defective, and
may have surprisingly adaptable minds. (Or particularly
limited ones.)

141
Androids will be given appropriate clothing and tools
when they leave the production center, but depending
on how long theyve been loose on the ship, may be
equipped with almost anything.
The above statistics are for a Labor android designed
to tirelessly complete repetitive, physical work.

Variations

There are hundreds of different android specialties,

broken into broad categories:
Warrior: Android soldiers are strong, agile, and
knowledgeable about many weapons and combat
styles. They are programmed to do the minimum harm
necessary to achieve their goalsbut not to hold back if
it means failure.
Labor: Labor androids are large, strong, and tireless.
Given orders to do some task, such as digging a ditch,
they will do it until ordered to stop or they run out
of power. This has led to incidents both comical and
tragic.
Technical: Technical androids are programmed with
a great deal of knowledge about a narrow subject, and
the skills needed to perform tasks in that area. They
were designed to assist human workers, rather than set
their own goals.
Infiltration: These androids shouldnt exist. They
were banned decades before the Warden left Earth.
Somehow, the data for creating them was stored in
the Wardens computers, and after the disaster, some
systems began to manufacture them. Infiltration
androids are indistinguishable from normal humans,
and are both creative and clever. They are spies and
assassins, and many have come to understand the world
they were built to function in does not exist, and have
decided to build a place for themselves in the new one.
Mad: A number of androids, confronted with a world
totally unlike the one they were built for, simply went
insane. Some went catatonic; some became violent
berserkers; others somehow transmuted their madness
into a form of free will and self awareness, and now
travel the ship, pursuing strange goals with the singleminded dedication they were built for.

Tactics

An androids tactics depend on its job. Other than

Warrior or Infiltrator types, most will not fight at all, or
limit themselves to self-defense.

Warrior Android

Medium construct (android)

Move 20 ft. (Legs) Initiative 3d
Dodge 3d Armor 2 (natural)
Fatigue / Wounds 19 / 20
Hopeless (2d):

Weak (1d):

Crafting, Medicine

Competent (+1d):

Alertness, Dexterity, Tech

Good (+2d):

Athletics, Brawn,
Unarmed Combat

Amazing (+3d):

Constitution, Discipline, Melee

Weapons, Ranged Weapons

Reasoning: Analytical
Communication & Sensors: Infrared, Wireless
Mutations: Force Field Generation (4d)
Qualities: Agile Combatant (2d), Tough (2d)

Attacks

Melee Weapons: Duralloy Sword (+2W, integrated)

Ranged Weapons: Laser Rifle (+4W fire, integrated)

Defense Borg

Large construct (robot)

Move 20 ft. (Antigrav) Initiative 4d
Dodge 1d Armor 4 (natural)
Fatigue / Wounds 23 / 23
Hopeless (2d):

Stealth

Weak (1d):

Dexterity

Competent (+1d):

Tech

Good (+2d):

Alertness, Discipline

Amazing (+3d):

Constitution, Ranged Weapons

Reasoning: Rational
Communication & Sensors: Infrared, Telescopic, Wireless
Mutations: Telekinesis (5d, twin tractor beams that can
function simultaneously and independently)
Qualities: Agile Combatant (2d), Determined (2d), Tough
(2d), Vigor (2d)

Attacks

Ranged Weapons: Laser Rifles (+4W fire, 3 placements of

5 rifles each)
Ranged Weapons: Assorted Grenades (5 each; frag,
plasma, smoke, stun)

A MUTANT MENAGERIE

142
Description

A floating disc 30 feet across and 5 feet thick, a

defense borg is placed to guard areas from intrusion or
instructed to patrol a specific area on a fixed schedule.
Due to its size, it is rarely seen in regions in-between
main decks, except in storage or manufacturing areas
with plenty of open space. It is bristling with gun
emplacements in multiple turrets, and has two pairs
of long metal tentacles sprouting from the upper and
lower surfaces of its saucer-shaped body. They are
among the deadliest beings on the Warden, easily capable
of slaughtering a small army in short order.
Defense borgs have a synthetic brain at their core
not quite a human brain, but a complex structure of
living neural tissue that guide their intelligence.
Combining this with the speed and accuracy of tech
makes them exceptionally dangerous enemies.

Variations

Different weapon load-outs are common. Some

truly ancient defense borgs needing to engage in
unauthorized self-modification. Very rarely, their
organic components may gain mental mutations.

Tactics

A defense borg is direct and to the point. A borg

will usually provide a perfunctory warning to leave its
protected area, and then attack without a moments
hesitation if the warning is ignored. It is possible,
though difficult, to engage one in conversation. A
defense borg will continually analyze its enemies, and
adapt its tactics moment-by-moment to deal with them.
Other than a rare few who have achieved true free will,
most will not leave their post even to save themselves.
Depending on its programming, it may first use its
tractor beams to push an enemy back, or stun grenades
to knock them unconscious or it might employ
lethal measures immediately.

Repair Bot

Medium construct (robot)

Move 10 ft. (Antigrav) Initiative 5d
Dodge 3d Armor 2 (natural)
Fatigue / Wounds 12 / 19

Hopeless (2d):

Weak (1d):

Competent (+1d):

Good (+2d):

Brawn, Constitution, Dexterity

Amazing (+3d):

Alertness, Crafting, Tech

Reasoning: Analytical
Communication & Sensors: Microscopic, Wireless
Mutations: Telekinesis (Telekinesis (6d, tractor beam)
Qualities: Talented at Tech Repair (+1d) & Fixing (+1d)

Attacks

Ranged Weapons: Welding Torch (+4W fire)

Melee Weapons: Cutting Tools (+2W) or Tentacle Lashes
(+1W, 5 ft. reach)
Note: It may use up to 3 weapons simultaneously per
turn without penalty.

Description

Repair bots are floating spheres, 10 feet across,

fitted with three 8-foot-long manipulative tentacles,
and a wide array of retractable and adjustable tools
suitable for virtually any routine maintenance task.
They have a tractor beam projector which can lift
incredible weight, and a short range (5 feet) fusion
torch for welding and cutting jobs. Their tentacles end
with micro-manipulators that can handle extremely
delicate operations on mechanisms as small as a grain
of sand. Not intended for human interaction (indeed,
they mostly were assigned to regions humans couldnt
travel, due to high radiation, vacuum, or extreme
temperatures), they seem cold and implacable.
Originally, they had many layers of code designed
to keep them from accidentally injuring a human, and
would instantly stop work if a fragile creature got in the
way of their assignment. Many repair bots still roaming
the ship have lost or misinterpreted these directives,
and will blithely weld a metal sheet into place right on
top of a screaming victim who fell asleep in the wrong
nook. Others had their programming twisted to the
point where they will guard an area, and attack any
vandals who damage it.

Variations

There are hundreds of specialized models, created

to do particular tasks. Normally, they would be
disassembled back to raw materials, but now, many

CHAPTER NINE

143
still roam the ship, the job they were built for longforgotten. Some have extra-long arms; others spray
powerful adhesive; still others carry swarms of
much-smaller worker bees that spread out around
a damaged area to perform a dozen repair operations
concurrently.
A rare few have had full consciousness accidentally
uploaded into their systems by the malfunctioning
computer network. These self-aware models make
their way through the world, doing what they can.
Many bargain their ability to fix broken weapons or
technological gear for access to power, lubricant, and
the raw materials they need to make replacement parts.

Tactics

Normally, repair bots are non-hostile if those nearby

do not interfere with it work. If somehow triggered
into combat, a repair bot will use its tractor beam to
drive back one enemy while using its tentacles to drag
another into range of its torch and cutting tools.

Veterinary Bot

Medium construct (robot)

Move 10 ft. (Tracks) Initiative 3d
Dodge 3d Armor 2 (natural)
Fatigue / Wounds 12 / 18

Veterinary bots were created to assist human animal

doctors in everything from routine diagnosis to
administering treatments to complicated surgeries. The
animal life aboard the Warden was considered precious
cargo and keeping them healthy was a priority.
They have a vaguely humanoid shape, but move
about on 2-foot high treads with a cylindrical body
sporting six spindly appendages each capable of fine
motor control. Its head contains a binocular pair of
cameras capable of switching between multiple modes.
A veterinary bot understands speech but only directly
obeys those with appropriate credentials or an override
code, but only communicates in beeps while feeding
information to a nearby computer system.
Most veterinary bots are assigned to work in a
particular facility, though some will roam a given
area looking for animals that are sick or injured.
Unfortunately, its programming was not designed to
understand heavy mutation and it will generally identify
a mutant animal as disfigured and attempt to treat it or
surgically alter it in order to restore it to a condition
that matches the Earth-normal standards.

Variations

Hopeless (2d):

Weak (1d):

Competent (+1d):

Alertness, Dexterity

Good (+2d):

Brawn, Constitution, Melee

Weapons, Tech

Amazing (+3d):

Medicine

Some veterinary bots were designed to be huge

lumbering surgical facilities that will fully engulf
a subject, tranquilize it, and perform any needed
operations. Others were designed to work on larger
creatures or submerge to treat marine life. A rare few
have been modified to understand and treat human
injuries, though its dangerous for mutated humans to
interact with them.

Tactics

Reasoning: Analytical
Communication & Sensors: Infrared, Microscopic,
Wireless
Mutations: Electrical Generation (2d, touch only), Poison
Bite (2d, injection)
Qualities: Talented at First Aid (+1d) & Surgery (+1d)

Attacks

Description

Brawn: Grapple
Melee Weapons: Laser Scalpel (+1W fire), Electric Prod,
Sedative Injector

Generally veterinary bots are programmed to do no

harm, and will attempt to fulfill their functions in a
firm but gentle manner. If badly damaged, the bot will
attempt to retreat for recharge and repair. They will
use two of their arms to grapple a struggling patient
and then tranquilize it before continuing the exam. A
creature who does not struggle against an initial exam
will suffer various indignities, such as being probed
with a rectal thermometer and having various fluids and
tissues sampled.

A MUTANT MENAGERIE

144

The Petting Zoo of Death

A Metamorphosis Alpha Adventure
by Jamie Chambers

Introduction
The Petting Zoo of Death is a short adventure for

Metamorphosis Alpha using the System 26 roleplaying

game rules intended for new players, and can serve as as
starting point for campaign play. It quickly establishes
some important elements of the setting and the types of
action that await on the decks of the starship Warden.
The adventure text is intended for the referee only,
who should be thoroughly familiar with the basic rules
(Chapter Two: Basic Gameplay) and have a passing
knowledge of the more detailed rules (Chapter Seven:
Rules). Players can jump in completely new to the
game, though access to the basic rules is helpful.

Players & Characters

This adventure is intended for 3-6 green characters

(created using the standard creation rules). The pregenerated characters found earlier in this book would
be a perfect fit. The player characters can be human,
mutated human, mutant animal, or mutant plant.
If playing with a smaller or larger group, the referee
should adjust the challenges accordingly.

Refereeing This Adventure

If this is your first time running a roleplaying game,

keep a few things in mind. Your primary mission is to
host an enjoyable game in which everyone has fun!
The job of the referee is to narrate the action, provide
descriptions, and answer questions based on what the
characters can perceive or understand (which is often
quite different than the players).
While a referee plays the mutants and robots the
group encounters during the adventureto sometimes
deadly effectyou are not an opponent. Play each
encounter logically, using rules and your best judgment,

ADVENTURE

but dont go out of your way to kill characters or

stack the desk against the group. A good adventure is
challenging but the player characters usually win, or at
least survive!
The basic game mechanics are designed to be easy to
make judgment calls when a character takes an action.
Decide which trait applies to what is being done and
then decide if its of Easy, Average, or Hard difficulty.
The dice decide how well a character succeeds, or how
spectacularly he fails! This is a game of fast action, so
dont be afraid to wing it and make things up to keep
things moving. The referee is the final word on what
happens at the game table.

Background

The starship Warden simultaneously held countless

colonists asleep in cryostasis, but also held thousands of
active crew, scientists, and support personnel and their
families to keep the ship in top repair and its precious
cargo of Earth life in good health for the ultimate goal
of settling a new world.
Children were born and grew up on the ship, and
among the many educational and enrichment activities
available to them was the starship Petting Zoo. It was
designed to house some of the more harmless animal
life and allow young people and families to tour
simulated environments to match those once found
on Earthand also housed supply stations with food
and veterinary care for animals, and containment for
diseased or dangerous creatures. Computer and robotic
systems handled most upkeep automatically with
human staff overseeing the attraction.
When the disaster wrecked so many things aboard
the Warden, most life in the Petting Zoo died and the
localized computer systems shut down. The entrance
was hidden behind debris for an unknown period of
time, a darkened tomb memorializing a gentler time.

145
One day a maintenance bot performing its endless
duties cleared away enough debris to reveal the
entrance and inspected the facility. It restored power
to the Petting Zoos localized computer system,
which within nanoseconds became corrupted by the
Wardens primary computer core. The Petting Zoo
computer defensively cut its network off from the rest
of the ship, but it was too lateit now had a fractured
understanding of its function and the purpose of the
Zoo. The computer took control of the maintenance
bot and began restoring the Zoo.
While the simulated environments could be repaired
easily enough, a Zoo requires living exhibits. The
computer instructed the maintenance bot to rebuild
itself for the purpose of wrangling living creatures to
be placed into the various exhibits. For at least a dozen
years, unwilling victims have been brought into a
Petting Zoo that is happy to allow visitors in, but will
not let exhibits escape.

Overview

The Petting Zoo of Death is a straightforward

location-driven adventure (with some possibility
for triggered and random encounters). The player
characters find themselves inside a strange place in
which the landscape changes quickly and different types
of creatures have established territories. A dangerous
robot will prevent them from easily leaving.
After the player characters enter the Zoo, they must
explore and overcome obstacles, challenges, and
inhabitants of the exhibits to find a possible exit.

Establishment

There are a few different ways to introduce a group to

The Petting Zoo of Death, and with different types of
characters its possible to use more than one method at
the same time.
Abduction: Each character has only vague
memories of blinding white-hot pain, and wake up in
Containment (Area 1). The Wrangler stunned them
senseless and dragged them to the area. Mutant animals
and mutated humans are put in the cages while normal
humans are simply tossed on the floor when the
computer identified them as such, while mutant plants
were unceremoniously tossed in the compost heap.

Every character should roll a Constitution (Fortitude)

check to see who wakes up first, with each character
still suffering 1 Fatigue damage and not feeling quite
100% at the outset of the adventure.
Accidental Entry: The Wrangler still spends some
of its time on system repair, and has recently reactivated the old lift in Administration (Area 3) and sent
it to another deck. When the characters step inside it
has been programmed to override other directives and
bring them back to the Zoo and then cut the power.
Theyll have to pry open the doors from the inside,
otherwise wait for the Wrangler to return in 1d hours to
pull them out and drag them to Containment (Area 1).
The Rescue: In this version (best for an alreadyestablished party) its a close friend or ally of at least
one of the charactersor perhaps the character of an
absent playerwho has been abducted by the Wrangler,
as above. They follow the robotic trail back to the
entrance to the Zoo and find it easy to gain entrance,
and must work their way back to Containment (Area
1) where they might find their friend alive in a cage or
already eaten by the mutant that nests in the wall. And
though the computer will let anyone into the Zoo, it
will take every possible measure to prevent them from
leaving.

When the Adventure Begins

Regardless of how you decide to begin the adventure,

make sure you give the time for the following:
Have the players describe and introduce their
characters if they do not yet know each other.
Make sure you know how each character reacts to
the opening situation.
Nudge the players to make short-term goals for
their characters, and possibly as a group, to guide
their actions.

Encounter 1: Containment

Location. Area 1. This is a holding area for live

specimens before they are placed in specific exhibits
and a dumping ground for everything else. Its also
become the feeding ground for a mutant animal that
enjoys having its food delivered.

THE PETTING ZOO OF DEATH

146
Note: If using the Abduction scenario to establish
the adventure, mutant animal and mutant humans will
be in spread among the four energy cages (A), humans
in the middle of the room (B), and plants dumped
unceremoniously in the compost heap (C).
Description: This large room is mostly metal and
construction-grade plastic, constantly lit by lights inset
in the 15 ft. high ceiling. The four main corners of the
room have tiny aligned holes in the floor and ceiling
that activate to create energy cages as needed to contain
new specimens. A smaller, open side-chamber is used as
a compost-heapcontaining plants, bones, and random
junk. One wall of the main chamber has been carved
open by claws to form a small, jagged cave, the den of a
dangerous creature.
A. Cages. There are two energy-cages, each 10 ft. x
15 ft., in the corners of the room. Every half houror
at the touch of a lighted blue buttona section of wall
will rotate to offer a basin of purified water (except one,
which is malfunctioning, and reveals only brownish
stains). Every 8 hours another section of wall rotates
and reveals a large, shallow bowl filled with a nearly
tasteless but nutritional feed appropriate for carnivores
and omnivores (except one that reveals the old,
mangled remains of an animal that found its way into
feed containment and got caught in the machinery).
The bars of the cage are composed of blueish
energy and are spaced about 18 inches apart. Large
creatures are unable to get out of the bars at all, while
Medium can try to squeeze through with a Hard
Dexterity/Contortion action (Average for Small
creatures, Easy for Tiny). Success allows the character
to escape confinement but they still get singed for 1
Fatigue damage. Failure means 1d Wound fire damage
and being driven inside the cage. A creature simply
flinging itself through the bars will suffer 2d Wound
fire damage but will be free.
B. Main Room. The room is mostly empty, save for
sliding double-doors for exit, requiring either a keycard
within 5 feet of the control panel or a code manually
entered on the touchpad next to it. A section of wall
seems black and glassy, but will activate at a touch to
reveal a computer panel that can potentially be used
with a Tech/Computer Use action to deliver food and
water to the cages (Easy), open the door (Average),
or deactivate the cages (Average). A Botch on any of
these actions will shut down power to the entire room,

ADVENTURE

plunging everything into darknessbut deactivating

the cages!for ten minutes. Without power, the exit
door can be pried open manually with a Hard Brawn/
Pushing action.
C. Compost Heap. This is a smelly, bug-ridden
heap containing dead plants (mostly mundane, but a
few of the sentient variety), garbage, bones (broken
bits barely identifiable as human or animal), and
miscellaneous garbage. A successful Average Alertness/
Searching will reveal a useful piece of tech from the pile
after 20 minutes, with each Enhancement reducing the
search time by 5 minutes. It can be anything small
hydrogen power cell, laser fuser, even a grenade.
D. Horrors Den. The armored horror (a large
mutant armadillo, see Encounter Statistics) has used
its claws to carve a hole in the wall and has made itself
a small lair. It hides in the den from the Wrangler but
takes full advantage of the humans and animals brought
here. It will watch the group from the darkness of its
den but will eventually find a moment to try and take
down a character as its next meal. It will also violently
defend its lair if a curious character comes snooping
before it makes a move.

Conclusion

Once the threat of the armored horror is dealt with

the room can be explored for some time with no
further problems. If the group waits a truly long time,
however, the Wrangler (see Encounter Statistics) will
enter the room and dump a smoking dead corpse of
an unintelligent animal into a cage, and if characters
are not where it left them it will attempt to subdue or
drive them back to those places until they are ready for
processing. Other than that, the group is free to rest
here if anyone is badly hurt or wants to recover a used
mutant power.
There is only one way in or out of this room, leading
to Area 2.

Encounter 2: Trip to the Vet

Location. Area 2. This area was used for the

examination and care of the animals in the petting zoo,
originally with a human veterinary specialist assisted
by a robot. Without the human doctor, the VetBot has
now taken over and become overzealous in pursuit of
its duties.

148
Description: This large room is mostly metal and
construction-grade plastic, constantly lit by lights inset
in the 15 ft. high ceiling. A large examination table sits
3.5 feet off the floor, and a blue-colored area of the
floor near the wall has a readout screen that serves as a
scale and takes basic three-dimensional measurements
which are displayed on the wall along the computers
best-guess at identifying the specimen. One side of the
room has a desk that is built in as part of the wall, and
includes a computer terminal, drawers and shelves that
are all locked (Average Tech/Tech Infiltration action to
open by using the computer terminal, or Hard Brawn/
Smashing action to rip things open). If opened, the
supplies can be cobbled together for the equivalent of a
Doctors Bag (see Chapter 6). If the exam history of the
computer is searched (Easy Tech/Computer Use) they
can see many different types of animals that relate to
those that can be encountered in this adventure, plus
others that didnt survive.

The VetBot

Triggered. If any mutated human or mutant animal

steps on the scale, a section of wall slides open,
revealing an alcove just big enough to house a Medium
robot that rolls out on a small caterpillar track (treads
like a tank) and approaches the nearest mutant animal
(if in the room) or mutated human (if there are no
animals). The VetBot (see Veterinary Bot, Chapter 9)
completely ignores plants and human characters and
tries to go around them. It has a humanoid torso but a
flat head with cameras and sensors that can rotate in any
direction, and has six spindly arms that can be used
to manipulate objects and produce more than a few
medical instruments.
Without violence, the Vetbot will use Grappling to
seize a chosen character and take it to the exam table
if it puts up a fight. A willing subject will be treated
with gentle care. Once taken to the examination table,
it will begin to study its subject and the main readings
will be displayed at the computer terminal on the desk.
The VetBot will conduct a visual inspection,
checking the surface area for injuries and
imperfections. A terrible wound (if the character is
injured) will be cleaned and bandaged immediately,
healing 2 Wounds. Otherwise it will simply note the
injuries and scars.

ADVENTURE

It will take a hair sample if available, then swab a

moist spot to gather DNA for later analysis.
It will conduct physical measurements using
visible but non-harmful lasers to measure the
subjects size, mass, and density.
It will produce a thermometer from one of its
extremities and take the subjects temperature
rectally.
Using frankly upsetting devices, it will attempt to
gain both a urine and stool sample.
If a character willingly undergoes this process, all that
is lost is 1 Fatigue and 100% dignity. The VetBot will
completely ignore the actions of all other characters
during an examination unless they attack it. It is
programmed to defend itself only by grappling and
avoiding injury. Its an Easy target to attack during
examination mode, Average during defensive mode,
and it will attempt to grapple the most dangerous
assailant. If badly injured (see Chapter 7), the Bot will
attempt to retreat to its alcove to repair and recharge,
which will require the intervention of the Wrangler
(also a repair bot).

Conclusion

Once the VetBot is endured or disabled and the room

examined (or plundered) to the groups satisfaction,
they can decide which of the two exits they wish
to take. One leads into a hallway, the other into the
administrative offices.

Encounter 3:
Administration & Feed
Locations. Areas 3 & 4. The administrative offices of
the zoo are abandoned and sit in ruins, yielding little
useful information or items. The lift has been repaired
but is controlled by the local Zoo computer. They are
briefly described below.
3A. Hallway. Once a generic, business-like hallway,
marks on the floors and walls might reveal (Hard
Alertness/Observation or Easy Survival/Tracking) that
many animals were dragged against their will through
this area. Any enhancements show that some came
from the double doors in the middle of the hallway

149
and go into Area 2, while others come from the Lift.
The artwork still hangs on the wall in permanently
mounted frames, howeverdrawings of adorable
animals (bunnies and billy goats and cows and such)
made with crayon by the hands of young children.
An old bloodstain on one picture of a donkey is only
slightly disturbing.
3B. Administrative Offices. There are a few desks,
tables, chairs, and evidence of cracked and ruined
computer access panels. It appears that some huge beast
raged through here at some point, as there is evidence
of damage with a large faded bloodstain on the floor
near the executive office and a scorch mark on the wall.
(Any character with an electricity-based mutation can
identify it as caused by a powerful electrical discharge.)
3C. Lift. The cylindrical elevator rotates and the
doors are built into its shape and slide outward. It is
controlled by the Zoo computer system and currently
deactivated and rotated so the door is inaccessible. This
can only be changed by deactivating the computer
itself (see Encounter 6). Note that the Lift might be a
possibly entry point for the adventure.
3D. Access Hallway. This hallway leads out to the main
portion of the Zoo, both doors easily opened.
4A. Feed Fabricator, Storage, & Mechanism. The Fabricator
chamber has no actual door but can be accessed
through a maintenance crawlspace with a Hard Tech/
Tech Infiltration action. This machinery converts base
compounds into various feeds distributed throughout
the Zoo. The Storage area is just that, where dry feeds
are stored until they are distributed, which is why the
access door is locked (locking mechanism broken,
requiring a Hard Brawn/Smashing action or Average
Crafting/Breaking to trip the mechanical components
of the lock itself without power). Nothing inside but
food, though. The Mechanism is what sorts, portions,
and distributes the food. The door is locked but opened
with an Average Tech/Tech Infiltration check, and if a
character gets too cozy she might have to dive out of
the way before being mangled in the works. Its why
safety indicator signs line the room.

4B. Supplies contains the leftover cleaning supplies,

including a broom, mop, and various solvent chemicals
which could possibly be used creatively.
4C. Bathrooms. The plumbing is still functional only
in the female bathroom. There is a cluster of more than
a dozen plasma bats chewing on a loose power cable
in the male bathroomtiny mutant bats with green
glowing eyes. The lights are on and all is normal unless
someone steps too close, then the bats detach and
swarmmaking hideous high-frequency screeches and
fly about the suddenly black room with glowing green
eyes. No damage but the referee might make some
characters succeed an Average Discipline/Emotional
Control check to avoid fleeing or freaking out. The
little bats are delicate but agile, Hard to hit but killed by
any damage.

Conclusion

The area offers clues, but the real action lies outside.

Encounter 4:
The Great Outdoors
Locations. Areas 5 9. The same systems that
create vast simulated Earth-like environments and
entertaining illusions on the rest of the ship are
compacted here to make small habitats that combine
real and artificial life, holographic visions, and prerecorded looping sounds to make each area seem
both believable and far larger than they truly are. The
illusion fades near the edge and the path is always easy
to see as long as you dont wander too far. A referee
might require some checks or actions if a character
decides to go exploring too far on her own.
If any character steps too close to the pond, note that
they might make themselves a target for the hissers
that have claimed it. See Encounter 5 (area 12) if that
happens or for a better description of the pond.

Area 5: Billy Goat Turf

This area is ruled with an iron fist and tiny horns by

three gruffoids anthropomorphic billy goats that
come in three sizes (in game terms): Small, Medium,
and Large. A small gruffoid emerges from behind

THE PETTING ZOO OF DEATH

150
a boulder and demands the surrender of adequate
treasure (in his adorable bleating voice) if they wish
to pass through the area. He brings out his brothers,
one larger and one (apparently) smaller to emphasize
the point. While the gruffoids are greedy and always
hungry, they might be fooled or negotiated with
otherwise there is a fight on everyones hands and at
least a few surprises waiting.

Area 6: The Marshians

The path leads through a realistic swamp, right down

to the noises of bugs and the constant smell of wet rot.
While there are some largebut harmlesssnakes and
other swamp critters who reside in this zone, there is
only one event of note. Once fully inside the group will
notice (on an Easy Alertness/Awareness check) sharp
thwacking sounds and what seems like a low-pitch
moan of fear or pain more details based on the level
of success on the roll.
The source of distress is a mutant tortoise with more
human-like appendages and the power of speech. He is
currently fully retracted inside his shell as a group of 8
small, violent bipedal dogmenimagine a schnauzer
standing on two legs at 2 1/2 feet tall. They cannot
speak, but seem to enjoy tormenting the tortoise by
beating him crude small clubs.
Tommy (Tortoise): Large. Influence +1d, Survival
+2d, Tech +1d; Speech; Larger; New Body Part
Carapace). Hes a fearful pacifist, hiding within his shell.
Schnauzeroids (8): Small. Alertness +1d, Athletics
+2d/Swimming +3d, Brawn 1d, Constitution 1d,
Discipline 1d. Club +1F. They are initially aggressive
but their bark is far worse than their bite. They will
gang up on a solo target but will quickly flee at the sign
of strength, and they are physically fragile and easy to
kill. They are accomplished swimmers, and capable of
diving into the swampy water to scatter and hide.
The little mutant dogs will continue to bully the
tortoise unless the group intervenes. The little dogs
will bark fearsome warnings and shake their sticks
threateningly, but any damage/death to one of their
own or even an intimidating show of force will cause
them to scatter in fear. Non-lethal Wound damage will
cause one to fall over, screaming in pain and sounding

ADVENTURE

very much like a hurt little puppy. (The referee is

encouraged to have fun with how the group reacts to
the schnauzeroids, whether they are a nuisance or even
bullied or charmed into service.)
If rescued, the tortoise will thank them but seem
cautious as he has been mistreated by every other
creature hes come in contact with for at least a dozen
years. Good roleplaying and good rolls (Influence and
related specialties) might cause him to reveal more,
and say that he was brought into this strange place
many years ago and has grown. He left the pond when
the hissers were brought in. With especially good
roleplaying or enhancements, Tommy declares he has
thank you gifts hidden inside his shell, and produces
a protein disruptor pistol with 2 charges left as well and
a small passkey that can be used to open any door in the
facilityincluding the exit. The tortoise does not know
what either item is or how they work (see Chapter
6 if anyone decides to experiment with the protein
disruptor pistol).

Area 7: Bunny Warrens

Near the pond there is a small area with prebuilt rabbit nests and soft grass. One small, white
rabbit nibbles on clover near its shelter. The rabbit
is completely ordinary, though at this point paranoid
players might make a big deal out of the rabbit and
offer obligatory jokes. Other bunnies will emerge
from the warrens laterthough a Hard Alertness/
Observation check might offer insight that the bunnies
are careful not to get closer to the water, nor allow
themselves to be within easy line of sight of the water
unless they are farther away from the shore.

Area 8: Cleaned-Out Pig Pen

A sign in the shape of a pig indicates the intended

occupants of this small enclosure. There is a trough,
mud, and a lot of dried feed sitting uneaten, and no
evidence of any pigs. The hissers got their fill of ham,
pork chops, and bacon long ago, before the survivors
fled and dug their way into the Aviary (Encounter 5,
Area 11). If the characters go into the pen to investigate
and get too close to the water, or try to pass beyond
it (an Easy Athletics/Climbing feat) they risk being
attacked by the hissers lurking in the water (see
Encounter 5, Area 12).

151
Area 9: Hokey Smoke, A Dark
Forest!
The Forest Zone is really just a grove of trees,
but once past the bench and into the treelike it seems
impossibly vast and large and exists in perpetual
twilight. A few mutant flying squirrels known as
colugoids that were brought into the area ended
up carving out a territory by harassing and driving
away other creatures who wander in. They maneuver
between the trees and shoot slings and screech awful
warnings, their leader uses a fearsome sonic attack.
Colugoid Leader. Identical to the others except
Alertness +3d, Leadership +2d; Sonic Blast (4d). His
mutation (only usable once) emits a powerful burst of
focused sound in a cone 60 feet long and 30 feet wide
at the end. 4d attack vs. Constitution/Endurance, all
damage is sonic, and any character who takes 2 or more
Fatigue are also deafened for 1d turns.

Conclusion

The group may be focused purely on their goal

likely escapeor they may choose to more thoroughly
explore the Zoo and get into trouble. But their
wanderings will eventually take them near the pond
(Encounter 5), into the aviary (Encounter 6) or to the
Robotics & Automation Center (Encounter 9).

Encounter 5: Gators, Cows,

& BirdsOh My!
Locations. Areas 10 14. The pond and the aviary
are two dominant features of the Zoointended to
showcase animals that glide through the air and swim
in the water. The northern section also includes two
grazing areas once intended for cows and sheep. The
holographic technology here still simulates a cheerful,
sunny day but keeps these features of the Zoo open and
visible from normal distances.

Area 10: Angry Pigs

The Aviary is essentially a huge dome-shaped cage of

plasteel to contain flying critters. Back when the Zoo
was functional it only had harmless, chirping examples

that would have been well suited to serenading cartoon

princesses. But since the computer systems restocking,
it now contains a number of predatory mutant avians
that have struck up a loose alliance against a common
foe. Pigs (and abducted boars brought from the
outside) were massacred by the hissers from the pond,
and survivors burrowed their way down and inside the
aviary. Since then the Aviary has become a battle ground
of mutant bird vs. mutant pigwith the hogs stealing
and devouring eggs and the birds launching kamikaze
assaults on their belly-dragging foes.
The gates to the Aviary are locked with rotating
randomly-generated alphanumeric codes by the
computer system. Characters could theoretically
hack the gates with sufficient Tech, break them by
some means, or even tunnel under themthough
this encounter is meant as an obstacle and a spectacle
rather than a direct encounter. A party skirting the edge
of the aviary will be forced to the edge of the pond
(see below) and might be ambushed by hissers while
gawking at a pig-bird skirmish. Some clever player
characters might try to climb the dome, which is only
of Average difficultythough irritated birds might peck
and scratch at the climbers to trigger a tumble down the
side and into the water filled with hungry reptiles.
Referees are encouraged to flesh out the aviary if
inspired, creating a few examples of mutant pigs and
raptoroids and deciding just how intruding characters
might be caught up in the conflicta mini-adventure
inside the Zoo!

Area 11: On Olden Pond

The pond once sported clear blue waters and a variety

of freshwater fish and amphibians. But the filtration
systems have degraded it to a murky dark green and
the water (up to 8 feet deep) is now home to four
hissers (see Chapter 9) who survive on maturing
fish and the creatures that venture too close to the
waterand sometimes leaving the pond to drag prey
back to be devoured later. The creatures are Hard to
spot in the water, as they are able to float with eyes
just barely emerging from the water. The hissers will
quietly stalk the group, taking the opportunity to strike
anyone who gets close to the water or might arrange
an ambush on the bridge (with 1 hisser on each end of
the bridge when the party reaches the middle) and then
attempting to grapple or shove characters into the water

THE PETTING ZOO OF DEATH

152
to be eaten by those waiting below. They will attempt to
grab anyone on the Lily Pads by dragging them into the
water and then tearing them apart.
The Bridge is sturdy and virtually indestructible,
but the walls are only four feet high to allow for easy
viewing of the water below. The Lily Padsanchored
in place and able to hold virtually any weightare Easy
(Athletics) to cross and the water below is only 3 feet
deep, though the hissers might make falling in a much
more dangerous proposition.
The stream leading off the north end of the pond has
a current that gets increasingly strong (going from Easy
to Average to Hard) to swim against before it reaches a
grate below the surface that pulls the water and might
trap a creature up against it until it drowns. The hissers
avoid the stream.

Area 12: Needs More Cowbell

Once a grazing pasture for gentle cows, the hissers

made meals of them long ago. Now its just soft grasses
and the illusion of gentle blue sky. A character might
find a lone cowbell hidden in the grass attached to a
ripped leather thong.

Area 13: Snake in the Grass

Very similar to 13, above, except that its a handful

of gentle hills and slightly taller grass. While the chief
predators in the area (the hissers in the pond) have
cleared out the sheep this area was intended to house,
a venomous snake slithers through the grass. (Use the
stats for Winged Biter but without the ability to fly.) It
will be an opposed roll against the snakes ability to hide
(3d) to spot it, though depending on the circumstances
it might be quite Easy for the Snake and Hard for those
not looking for it (Average if someone is trying to find
something in the grass). Its not interested in being
killed, but it may try to take out an edible character with
venom and then run and hide, hoping to return later to
claim its prize.

Area 14: My Little Sad Pony Corral

A cheerful little tune tune plays from an unknown

source in this area as an automated wheel turns in
intervals (5 minutes on, 5 minutes off) to pace ponies
who have not offered rides in this attraction for a very

ADVENTURE

long time. A sign on the fencepost near the area shows

an abstract picture of a young horse being ridden by a
small human wearing a cowboy hat.

Conclusion

Its very likely the group will focus on escape, and

the arch revealing the primary exit from (and entrance
to) the Zoo is within sight of the pony corral. Further
down on the map are the automated educational
attractions and the building that houses the computer
and robotic systems that maintain the Zoo.

Encounter 6:
Robotic Education
Locations. Areas 15 18. If the characters are unable
to escape through the exit, isnt distracted by dinosaurs,
doesnt stop to take in a play, they might discover the
source of the automated systems that have turned the
Zoo into a deathtrap.

Area 15: Exit Arch

The archway is decorated with etchings of the various

types of animals the Zoo once containedalong with
the red-glowing letters E-X-I-T that have retained their
meaning even for those who dont know how to read.
Just beyond the arch is a set of huge double reinforceddoors that can only be opened with a passkey, an
override code (rotating and randomly-generated by the
computer, much like the doors to the aviary), or if the
computer system itself is shut down entirely.
Triggered. If the exit door is opened while the
computer system is still active, the Wrangler is
summoned and will arrive in short order to subdue the
characters and return them to Containment.

Area 16: Cretaceous Playground

This terrifying-looking area is (relatively) harmless.

From the path holographic images project a background
that appears to go into the far distance, showing
huge duck-billed dinosaurs eating from bushes and
pterosaurs gliding in lazy patters in the sky. In the
immediate area is a triceratops threatening a downyfeathered tyrannosaur, the two foes circling each other
but none ever striking. Keeping a safe distance are two
squawking velociraptors, the feathered dinosaurs

153
not even reaching the waist of an average human. The
scene is intimidating, but a soothing male voice rattles
off facts about the ancient, extinct animals and assures
visiting children that the exhibit is completely safe.
(Spared no expense.)
Triggered. If the computer system has determined that
rogue specimens are loose in the Zoo or attempting to
escape, it can override the endlessly-repeated pattern
of the dinosaurs. The T-Rex will suddenly turn and
attempt a bite on a character within reach (which
is Hard to avoid, inflicts 1d Fatigue damage from
blunted teeth, and is an opposed 5d Grapple to escape).
Sufficient damage to the fake dinosaur will cause it to
spark and crackle and release the creature caught in its
jaws. The other dinosaurs do not change their behavior
but can be destroyed if the characters are so inclined.

Area 17: Lair of the Thespians

Curving bench seats orbit an outdoor auditorium.

The stage is open, but connected to an enclosed
backstage area that houses holographic projection
equipment, old costumes, and controls for lighting and
sound.
Triggered. If at least three individuals occupy the seats
for a few minutes a timer will appear on the stage,
counting down from 5 minutes to the beginning of
the show. Two holographic human children appear
on-stage, a boy named Billy and a girl named Susan.
Through conversation and song they tell about ponies
and bunnies and the other animals that once inhabited
the Zoo. The projected-children exhort that some
animals are okay to pet, that others are just for looking
(Look with your eyes, not with your hands!) and
tell them to ask their Mommy or Daddy if they have
questions. To make things extra-creepy, the human
children seem speak to someone who is not there on
the stage, pausing to listen and agree to unspoken lines.
(Human staff once interacted with holographic children
during the presentation.) The show ends with a gleeful
little song as the children fade into non-existence.

Area 18:
The Bots Youre Looking For
This building is in obvious disrepair, as the computer
and robotic systems were intended to be maintained
by living personnel while the automation attended to

the Zoo itself. It is covered in creeping vines and the

door shows signs of being dented and clawed. Once
protected by a powerful lock that is now broken, its
simply wedged shut and forced open when needed
requiring a Hard Brawn action to open it.
Inside the first room is the robotics facility that
includes the non-functional remains of two robots
connected to now-useless charging stations. The
third station holds the Wrangler when not pursuing
its duties. (Alternately if the party has disabled the
Wrangler in an earlier encounter, another might still
be functional here.) There are a number of electronics
repair tools in the room, as well as a laser fuser (with 2
hours still available on its power cell, see Chapter Six).
The second room hosts the computer core for the
Zoo. Damage to the Warden isolated this system from
the rest of the ship and its been left to its own devices
for centuries. It exists as a dust-covered touchscreen
panel overlooking a large desk. Monitors to the side
alternate with top-down views of different areas inside
the Zoo.
Disabling the computer system using Tech is
extremely difficult, a Hard complex action, 1 minute
increments, requiring 10 achievements to succeed.
Less imaginative means (smashing, breaking) are
only of Average difficulty and each increment is only
30 seconds. Either way, the lights, locks, and other
systems in the Zoo begin to noticeably shut on and off
as the computer system desperately tries to keep itself
functional and summon its robotic defense.
Triggered. The computer was never intended to
interact directly with humans or communicate with
potential exhibits, so it cannot talk and has no way to
even express its intentions. It can, however, sense the
danger of humans and/or animals entering this room
and it will summon the Wrangler to defend it.

Optional Encounters

If the characters are having an easy time of it, the

referee might introduce random encounters in different
areas to keep up the challenge. A raging ursoid might
be roving the Zoo attempting its own escape, but will
only attempt to murder the party if they dont flee from
it immediately. The empty cow pasture might hold a
small hive of buzzers. The computer control room may
host an eye fungus that acts as an unwitting guardian.

THE PETTING ZOO OF DEATH

154
Encounters can also be used to keep tension and
pacing during the course of the adventure. If the group
tends to stop, rest, and regroup after each and every
time something happens use an existing or improvised
encounter to mix things up and encourage the players
to keep their characters moving. The Wrangler might
patrol looking for escapees from Containment, or any
number of mutant animals may go looking for a snack
of lounging characters.

Concluding the Adventure

For most groups, simply escaping the Zoo is more

than enough victory though if the Zoo is still
functional the Wrangler will continue to abduct
creatures from nearby sections of the ship. Perhaps
later they will launch a second expedition to explore
and shut down the Zoo (providing the referee an
opportunity to mix things up to offer new hazards and
surprises).
Defeating the Wrangler (or both if the referee
introduces a second bot) removes the threat of anyone
else being forced into the Zoo against their will, while
leaving the Zoo still otherwise functioning in the
background. (That doesnt mean the computer might
not be able to eventually enlist the assistance of a roving
repair bot to put everything back to normal.)
Complete victory means deactivating or destroying
the primary computer system. While the computer
doesnt sing Daisy, it does indicate its distress as the
systems go increasingly haywire before its lights go out
forever. Once the computer is gone, a number of things
happen immediately:
All electronically controlled doors immediately open
as a safety protocol, including the entrance/exit. All
automated and holographic systems shut down forever.
This means that the feed will no longer be generated,
the birds in the aviary can easily escape, the theater and
dinosaur exhibits stop functioning, etc.
Shutting down the Zoo makes the starship Warden
a slightly less terrifying place though for the player
characters it might just be a walk in the park compared
to what awaits them in the future.

ADVENTURE

Encounter Statistics
Armored Horror

Medium mutant animal (armadillo)

Move: 15 ft., burrow 1 ft. Initiative: 2d
Dodge: 1d Armor: 2 (resist electricity 3)
Fatigue / Wounds: 19 / 14
Weak (1d):

Dexterity, Discipline

Competent (+1d):

Athletics

Good (+2d):

Brawn, Constitution, Unarmed

Combat

Mutations: Larger (*), New Body PartsCarapace &

Claws (*), Electrical Generation (3d)
Qualities: Brutal, Burrower, Tough

Attacks

Unarmed: Claws (+1W)

Electric Bolt: 2d ranged attack up to 60 ft, +3F
electricity, 1 use only

Description

The horror is an oversized armadillo with

comically-large and steel-hard front claws and crackling
with static electricity with every movement.

Tactics

The creatures primary motivation is hunger, as its

accustomed to food being deposited on a semi-regular
basis but it has not fed in some time. Its instincts prefer
arthropods (insects) but will gladly eat any animal or
human but only attack plant or artificial life defensively.
Watching from its den, it will choose preferred
preyeither the weakest-looking or an isolated
member of the group. It will then charge and attempt
to take it down quickly and then drag it back inside the
den, which is small enough to force only one character
a time to face it. If the chosen victim looks like it needs
to be softened up, it will get just close enough to use
its electrical generation mutation and then go in for the
take-down. If injured it will retreat to its den and fight
only defensively.

155
Gruffoid, Little

Weak (1d):

Discipline

Small mutant animal (goat)

Competent (+1d):

Athletics, Brawn, Dexterity

Move: 20 ft. Initiative: 2d

Dodge: 4d Armor:
Fatigue / Wounds: 13 / 14

Good (+2d):

Unarmed Combat

Amazing (+3d):

Melee Weapons

Weak (1d):

Brawn

Mutations: Biped (*), Kinetic Absorption (2d), New Body

PartsHorn (*)

Competent (+1d):

Deception, Ranged Weapons

Qualities: Speech (1d), Vigor (2d)

Good (+2d):

Dexterity, Melee Weapons,

Unarmed Combat

Attacks

Amazing (+3d):

Leadership

Mutations: Biped (*), Fear Generation (2d), New Body

PartsHorn (*), Smaller (*)
Qualities: Agile CombatantMelee (2d), Speech (1d)

Melee Weapons: Knife (+1W damage if at least one

enhancement is rolled)
Ranged Weapons: Sling (+1F damage if at least one
enhancement is rolled)
Unarmed: Horns (+1W stationary, +2W if charging)

Description

The middle brother follows the smallest ones lead.

Attacks

Melee Weapons: Knife (+1W damage if at least one

enhancement is rolled)
Ranged Weapons: Sling (+1F damage if at least one
enhancement is rolled)
Unarmed: Horns (+1W stationary, +2W if charging)
Fear: 3d psychic attack vs. Discipline/Emotional Control,
causes target to flee, 2/day)

Description

A gruffoid is small anthropomorphic goat capable of

speech in halting, adorably bleating voices. This is the
smallest of the trio, but is actually the leader of the pack
by sheer ruthlessness and force of personality and his
mental mutation. He is greedy, his primary motivation
being food and stuff the shinier the better.

Tactics

The smallest gruffoid uses its agility and size to inflict

wounds and keep moving, keeping opponents offbalanceall while screeching orders to his two larger
brothers since he is the smartest of the three.

Tactics

His tactics are solely based on the orders and style of

his little brother, and would be unsettled without him.
They work in tandem, alternating between ranged and
melee to weaken and intimidate enemies, letting the
biggest brother be the biggest surprise of them all.

Gruffoid, Biggest

Large mutant animal (goat)

Move: 20 ft. Initiative: 2d
Dodge: 1d Armor: 2 while Small (mutation)
Fatigue / Wounds: 15 / 19
Weak (1d):

Dexterity

Competent (+1d):

Athletics, Ranged Weapons

Good (+2d):

Constitution, Melee Weapons

Amazing (+3d):

Brawn, Unarmed Combat

Mutations: Biped (*), Density ControlSelf (4d) Larger

(*), New Body PartsHorn (*)
Qualities: Speech (1d), Unyielding (2d)

Gruffoid, Bigger

Medium mutant animal (goat)

Move: 20 ft. Initiative: 2d
Dodge: 3d Armor: 1 against physical attacks (mutation)
Fatigue / Wounds: 15 / 15

Attacks

Melee Weapons: Long Blade (+2W)

Ranged Weapons: Small Rock (+1F), Large Rock (+1W)
Unarmed: Horns (+1W stationary, +2W if charging)

THE PETTING ZOO OF DEATH

156
Description

This is the hulking, largest brotherwho uses his

ability to shift in density to appear slightly smaller than
even the smallest of the trio.

Tactics

Staying small until his little brother tells him

too, he allows himself to seem the smallest threat
purposefully seeming like less of a threat by not fighting
at full potential even while small and playing up initial
injuries as more serious. Then when the order is given
and hes in the middle of opponents who underestimate
him, hell shift to normal sizeroughly 8 feet tall of
furry, horned muscle and fury.

Colugoids

Medium mutant animal (Asian flying squirrel)

Move: 20 ft. Initiative: 2d
Dodge: 3d Armor:
Fatigue / Wounds: 15 / 13
Weak (1d):

Brawn, Constitution

Competent (+1d):

Athletics, Alertness

Good (+2d):

Dexterity, Stealth, Unarmed

Combat

Mutations: Larger (*), New Body PartsClaws (*), Wings

Qualities: Agile Combatant (2d), Mobile (2d)

Attacks

Ranged Weapons: Sling (+1F damage if at least one

enhancement is rolled)
Unarmed: Claws (+1W)

Notes

The wings (actually just a membrane of skin)

granted to this mutant animal allow gliding only. They
must climb or catch air currents in order to achieve lift.

Description

Colugoids are mutated descendants of southeast

Asian flying squirrels. They can be utterly silent but
will begin squealing in a high-pitch cacophony as a
group then go quiet, using noise for distraction. Their
goal is to drive others out of their forest territory.

ADVENTURE

Tactics

They will attempt to frighten and harass, not

interested in any kind of pitched battle but attempt to
drive intruders out of the forest. If badly injured their
membranes are torn or limbs broken to where they
will fall to the floor, moaning in near-helpless pain.
Teamwork tactics are used to isolate, injure, and scare
enemies. If presented with an obviously superior foe,
they will retreat and hide in the trees.

Wrangler Bot

Medium construct (robot)

Move: 15 ft. (Tracks) Initiative: 5d
Dodge: 2d Armor: 2
Fatigue / Wounds: 12 / 19
Good (+2d):

Constitution, Melee Weapons,

Ranged Weapons

Amazing (+3d):

Alertness, Crafting, Tech

Reasoning: Analytical
Communication & Sensors: Telescopic, Wireless
Mutations: Telekinesis (Telekinesis (4d, tractor beam
projector)
Qualities: Agile Combatant, Mobile

Attacks

Ranged Weapons: Electric Bolt (+2F electricity), may fire

2 per turn at different targets
Melee Weapons: Stunning Prod (+1dF electricity, target
must succeed Hard Constitution check or be stunned
for 2d turns, requires 10 minutes to recharge)

Description

A bastardized cross between a repair and veterinary

bot on fast-moving treads, the Wrangler bots are
specifically intended to use non-lethal means to stun
and relocate animal life. Their nonlethal intent is not
apparent in their efficient use of force and lack of
caution in the pursuit of their duties.

Tactics

If attempting to subdue multiple targets, the Wrangler

will attempt to rush the most obvious threat and use its
stunning prod to full effect, then use its mobility to fire
electric bolts from a distance and even using its tractor
beam to relocate troublesome adversaries. It will
defend the computer core to its destruction.

BIOLOGICAL
ANALYSIS
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

ROUGH APPROXIMATION

player
concept
stock
breed

OBSERVED TRAITS
amazing
(+3D)

WOUND CAPACITY

good
(+2D)
competent
(+1D)

FATIGUE CAPACITY

weak
(-1D)
hopeless
(-2D)

MOVEMENT

PERSONAL EFFECTS

INITIATIVE

DODGE

NOTES

RAD. RESISTANCE

OBSERVED MUTATIONS

OBSERVED QUALITIES

GAME BASICS
A standard action roll is 2 dice (2d).
Traits modify the number of dice rolled. The normal maximum is 5 dice (5d).
Achievement Thresholds
Easy: 3+ Average: 4+

Hard: 5+

Index

Achievements 15, 97
Acrobatics 33
Acting 35
Actions 14, 94
Requirement-Based 95
Rushed 99
Action Points 14, 96, 115
Adventures 116, 120
Alertness 30
Amazing 30
Ammunition 88
Androids 139
Armor 104
Artificial Life 139
Artistry 31
Athletics 31
Attacking 101
Attack Difficulty 101
Awareness 30

Basic Roll 13
Biting 38
Bleeding 106
Blind 107
Blocking 102
Botch 16, 98
Brawn 31
Breaking 32
Breaking Stuff 104
Breed 21
Burns 105

Camouflage 36
Campaign 120
Carrying Capacity 71
Chases 100
Clawing 38
Climbing 31
Command 34
Competent 30
Complex Actions 16, 96
Computer Use 37
Concentration 33
Conditions 106
Constitution 32
Contortion 33
Conversation 34
Cooking 31
Crafting 32

Damage 17, 103

Specialized 115
Dancing 35
Deception 33
Defense 102
Dentistry 35
Derived Stats 27
Dexterity 33

Dice 13
Dice Pool 15
Difficulty 15, 95
Discipline 33
Disease 105
Disguise 33
Dodge 27
Dodging 33, 102
Doing the Impossible 115
Domars 69

Economy 69
Emotional Control 33
Empathy 34
Endurance 32
Enhancements 15, 16, 97, 98,
115
Event 120
Explosions 105

Failure 98
Falling 105
Fatigue 17, 27, 104, 108
Feint 33
Felinoid 21
First Aid 35, 108
Fixing 32
Fortitude 32

Gear 26
Clothing & Armor 79
General Items 72
Ranged Weapons 84
Starting 70
Weapons 82
Good (Trait Level) 30
Grappling 32
Grenades 88

Handling Animals 36
Healing 107
Hiding 36
Hopeless 30
Human 19
Human, Mutated 20

Improvised Weapons 83
Increment (Time) 17, 96
Influence 34
Inhospitable Environment 105
Initiative 27, 99
Injured Actions 105

Jumping 31

Kicking 38

Leadership 34
Liability 14
Lifting 32

Making 32
Medicine 34
Melee Weapons (Trait) 35
Memory 33
Mental Resistance 33
Morale 34
Movement 100
Movement, Types 139
Moving Quietly 36
Musical Instrument 35
Musteloids 22
Mutant Animal 21
Mutations 14, 26
Defects 14, 26

Negotiation 34

Observation 30
Oratory 35

Painting 31
Paralyzed 107
Performance 35, 36
Persuasion 34
Pickpocketing 36
Plants, Mutant 23
Poison Knowledge 35
Presence 34
Prone 107
Pushing 32

Qualities 14, 26, 38, 115

Stock-Specific 38

Radiation 106
Radiation Resistance 27, 32
Range 101
Ranged Weapons 35
Attack 36
Knowledge 36
Trait 35
Raptoroid 23
Reach 102
Reasoning, Artificial 139
Referee 12, 110
Resistance 103

Response 99
Responsiveness 30
Robots 139
Running 31

Scavenging 36
Sculpture 31
Searching 30
Second Wind 108
Seduction 34
Shelter 36
Shields 82
Singing 35
Size 24, 102
Smashing 32
Social Defense 34
Social Endurance 34
Specialized Damage 105
Specialties 26, 30, 38
Starving 107
Stealth 36
Stock 19
Striking 38
Stunned 107
Subterfuge 33
Suffocation 106
Surgery 35
Survival 36
Swimming 31

Talent 14
Talents 39
Tech 9, 37
Infiltration 37
Lore 37
Repair 37
Understanding 71
Threshold 17, 96
Throwing 31
Time 99
Toxins 106
Tracking 36
Traits 14, 24, 30, 94
Trauma 108
Turns 99

Unarmed Combat (Trait) 37

Unarmed Defense 38
Unconscious 107

Vulnerability 103

Warden 125
Weak 30
Weary 107
Wounds 17, 27, 104, 108
Writing 31

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