This picture was originally posted on Nerull by Moofyman with the artist's permission.
Read JobDog.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Art: The Librarian
Artist Alexander Swenson asked Moofyman what to draw the other night. Moofyman requested a Librarian, and I'm so happy he did. Heres the result! To see more of Swenson's art, take a look at his online comic, JobDog. JobDog is absolutely one of the most refreshingly bizarre and humorous comics I've ever read. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
Picture is property of Alexander Swenson.
This picture was originally posted on Nerull by Moofyman with the artist's permission.
Read JobDog.
This picture was originally posted on Nerull by Moofyman with the artist's permission.
Read JobDog.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Add Mob: Librarian Post 2 "Expanding the Whisper"
By rolling three times on the Astral-Spiritalist's Motives chart I determined the underlying facets of Librarian psychology in my campaign. Before reading any more of this post, please read my first post on the Librarian. Keep in mind, depending on what you roll, the Librarians in your game might be rather different than in mine.
I've also avoided physical stats. Librarians come in many sizes and shapes, so stats differ. Customize these stats as you see fit in your own campaign. In my campaign, opening the "coffin" in open space destroys the fragmentary human tissues enabling Librarian life. Therefore the challenge is not killing a Librarian, but in actually finding it.
I've also avoided physical stats. Librarians come in many sizes and shapes, so stats differ. Customize these stats as you see fit in your own campaign. In my campaign, opening the "coffin" in open space destroys the fragmentary human tissues enabling Librarian life. Therefore the challenge is not killing a Librarian, but in actually finding it.
18 "You are the whisperer's avatar." Every Librarian believes they have achieved a divine state in an evolved religion. A "ticking" whisper is the first sound a Librarian hears after a successful Librarian surgery. The ticking whisper reaches deep into the Librarian consciousness and never ceases. A sense that this ticking is a divine message is fundamental to a Librarian's sense of identity. A Librarian's mechanical "heartbeat" inside the coffin constantly reconfigures in an attempt to match the often unpredictable beat of the whisper. Only Librarians hear the whisper as a ticking.
20 "The whisper is not alien, not god, nor ghostly." The majority of the human population believes the whisper to be an urban legend. Those psychic humans who do believe in the whisper, usually see it as either divine or alien. But Librarians hear the whisper as a ticking of a grand device. Librarians spirituality is focused on determining a mathematical formula to predict the tick. Librarians believe a new golden age will follow the discovery of this truth. They believe this device, when explained, will offer the fundamental order of the universe. Most Librarians have ceased considering who might have created such a device. Instead, Librarians are intent on perceiving what the device is actually saying. Ultimately all Librarian pursuit of knowledge stems from this desire to discover the mathematical formula of the golden age.
10 "Spread the word."The Librarians are active recruiters. Some mortals are easily enticed with immortality, even an altogether unfathomable one. Those who spend the majority of their realities on cyberspace are perhaps the easiest targets to recruit. Some humans desire psychic powers, and are willing to undergo Librarian surgery just for the expansion of consciousness alone. Most sane humans abhor Librarians and the associated surgery. But that hasn't stopped Librarians from recruiting those who don't want to be recruited. Those of impressive intellect or psionic gifts are particularly attractive to Librarian bodysnatchers. These bodysnatchers believe it is their duty to bring those of high potential into their ranks if only to expedite the discovery of the golden age formula. Adventurer's are often eased into the Librarian surgery process over years of cybernetic enhancements from a Librarian sponsor.
Power: After the Librarian surgery is completed, the new new Librarian gains the psionic ability to connect to any electronic device within 100 miles of the coffin. Librarians may use computer and hacking skills as normal. Of course once connected to a computer, the entirety of the galactic-spanning internet is only a step away. Many Librarians see to it that their coffins are placed in remote storage with a nearby computer. The ability to tap into other devices spans also to robots. Many Librarians own several robotic shells which they use for physical chores. A Librarian may only utilize (i.e. "possess/ body ride" one robot at a given time). Lastly a Librarian is effectively immortal. With the ability to copy and store their personality on any number of databases, it is very difficult to destroy a Librarian whose "coffin" is out of physical reach.
20 "The whisper is not alien, not god, nor ghostly." The majority of the human population believes the whisper to be an urban legend. Those psychic humans who do believe in the whisper, usually see it as either divine or alien. But Librarians hear the whisper as a ticking of a grand device. Librarians spirituality is focused on determining a mathematical formula to predict the tick. Librarians believe a new golden age will follow the discovery of this truth. They believe this device, when explained, will offer the fundamental order of the universe. Most Librarians have ceased considering who might have created such a device. Instead, Librarians are intent on perceiving what the device is actually saying. Ultimately all Librarian pursuit of knowledge stems from this desire to discover the mathematical formula of the golden age.
10 "Spread the word."The Librarians are active recruiters. Some mortals are easily enticed with immortality, even an altogether unfathomable one. Those who spend the majority of their realities on cyberspace are perhaps the easiest targets to recruit. Some humans desire psychic powers, and are willing to undergo Librarian surgery just for the expansion of consciousness alone. Most sane humans abhor Librarians and the associated surgery. But that hasn't stopped Librarians from recruiting those who don't want to be recruited. Those of impressive intellect or psionic gifts are particularly attractive to Librarian bodysnatchers. These bodysnatchers believe it is their duty to bring those of high potential into their ranks if only to expedite the discovery of the golden age formula. Adventurer's are often eased into the Librarian surgery process over years of cybernetic enhancements from a Librarian sponsor.
Power: After the Librarian surgery is completed, the new new Librarian gains the psionic ability to connect to any electronic device within 100 miles of the coffin. Librarians may use computer and hacking skills as normal. Of course once connected to a computer, the entirety of the galactic-spanning internet is only a step away. Many Librarians see to it that their coffins are placed in remote storage with a nearby computer. The ability to tap into other devices spans also to robots. Many Librarians own several robotic shells which they use for physical chores. A Librarian may only utilize (i.e. "possess/ body ride" one robot at a given time). Lastly a Librarian is effectively immortal. With the ability to copy and store their personality on any number of databases, it is very difficult to destroy a Librarian whose "coffin" is out of physical reach.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Friendly Cult Radio: Odz Manouk/ Tukaaria Split
Label - Rhinocervs
Get the album here.
Bands of Odz Manouk's and Tukaaria's calibre grant USBM relevancy. Tukaaria's songs absolutely carry you with anticipation and then delivery. Odz Manouk offers an at times bristling and at times highly dramatic listening experience. Both bands capture production perfectly for this strain of metal. Highly recommended.
Odz Manouk & Tukaaria also each offer a track on Odour of Dust & Rot.
Add Mob: Librarians "Flesh Abolishers"
Inspired by the DnD Lich & H.P. Lovecraft's "The Whisperer in Darkness."
The Librarians are an archaic and sub-human species and faction. Largely neutral, the Librarians are despised by those powerful enough to consider them untrustworthy, and feared by the majority. The Librarians were once man, but became a living-machine hybrid; achieving digital immortality.
But this all happened long before public records can confirm (due to lost data). Most Librarians resemble a large stationary coffin composed of ticking gears. At the core is the petrified fragments of human brain matter and spinal cord woven into a tapestry of whirring machine. The Librarians collect information, they have, they do, and they will always. It is their greatest weapon. That and the ability to offer their immortality through a secret surgical procedure. The price of course, is too high for most (both ethically and emotionally).
Physically a Librarian doesn't pose a threat. Most are actually immobile and in safe storage. Rather, it is the Librarian's psychic connection to machines that make them devastating adversaries. But most Librarians are non-confrontational, content with a life of internet-wave information scrounging. However the odd Librarian might appreciate a pair of legs. Enter the daring adventurer.
Librarian's might serve as a party's benefactor. As the players level under the tutelage of their Librarian, it might grant the PC's cybernetics and even offer Librarian surgery at high levels. Such a process will not be taken lightly, as the full Librarian from human procedure is irreversable. Some go mad with transitional shock, often becoming maniacal foes of society.
It is hard to kill Librarians, but Computer viruses seem most effective. If the "coffin" i.e. the physical component is found and destroyed, the Librarian is irreversibly gone. However these coffins are almost always hidden and protected. Perhaps the PC's are protectors of a local Librarian.
Particularly daring and charismatic leaders have attempted to "use" the unwieldy Librarians in the past. More recently, relic cults have formed to venerate collected Librarians. It is well known, Librarians were the first to hear the black hole's whisper (see Nerull). Roll a few times on the Astral-Spiritualist's Motives chart to see how the Librarians fit into your own game.
The Librarians are an archaic and sub-human species and faction. Largely neutral, the Librarians are despised by those powerful enough to consider them untrustworthy, and feared by the majority. The Librarians were once man, but became a living-machine hybrid; achieving digital immortality.
But this all happened long before public records can confirm (due to lost data). Most Librarians resemble a large stationary coffin composed of ticking gears. At the core is the petrified fragments of human brain matter and spinal cord woven into a tapestry of whirring machine. The Librarians collect information, they have, they do, and they will always. It is their greatest weapon. That and the ability to offer their immortality through a secret surgical procedure. The price of course, is too high for most (both ethically and emotionally).
Physically a Librarian doesn't pose a threat. Most are actually immobile and in safe storage. Rather, it is the Librarian's psychic connection to machines that make them devastating adversaries. But most Librarians are non-confrontational, content with a life of internet-wave information scrounging. However the odd Librarian might appreciate a pair of legs. Enter the daring adventurer.
Librarian's might serve as a party's benefactor. As the players level under the tutelage of their Librarian, it might grant the PC's cybernetics and even offer Librarian surgery at high levels. Such a process will not be taken lightly, as the full Librarian from human procedure is irreversable. Some go mad with transitional shock, often becoming maniacal foes of society.
It is hard to kill Librarians, but Computer viruses seem most effective. If the "coffin" i.e. the physical component is found and destroyed, the Librarian is irreversibly gone. However these coffins are almost always hidden and protected. Perhaps the PC's are protectors of a local Librarian.
Particularly daring and charismatic leaders have attempted to "use" the unwieldy Librarians in the past. More recently, relic cults have formed to venerate collected Librarians. It is well known, Librarians were the first to hear the black hole's whisper (see Nerull). Roll a few times on the Astral-Spiritualist's Motives chart to see how the Librarians fit into your own game.
Nerull Random Table: Astral-Spitualists & the Whisper
Cults of the Whisper
On Nerull, Moofyman and I have been discussing science fiction in an experimental free-form approach. The goal isn't to go in any particular direction, but simply to play off of each others ideas. This table can add a random psuedo-religious aspect to your science fiction game.
A black hole whispers to those who know how to listen... Human psychics all dream of the whisper, describing it as suddenly ineffable upon awakening. Psychics with clairvoyant abilities can make fragmentary sense of the whisper to predict aspects or events of the future. The masses (not psychically attumed) believe the whisper to be a malady of the mad or mere myth. But there is a truth to the whisper; it is a message. But is it a higher one?
The Astral-Spiritualist's Motives
Roll 1d20 as many times as necessary to develop character/ story details:
1 "You are prophetic."
2 "Others who hear the whisper must be protected."
3 "Others who hear the whisper must be hindered."
4 "Martial arts offer revelation."
5 "Seek a spiritual guide."
6 "Reassemble the Godhead."
7 "Destroy the Godhead."
8 "Prepare for apocalypse."
9 "Resist apocalypse."
10 "Spread the word."
11 "Hide the word."
12 "Seek mysterium tremendum."
13 "Seek atonement."
14 "Cleanse the deserving."
15 "Take a vow."
16 "Follow necessary rituals."
17 "Sacrifice for the deity."
18 "You are the whisper's avatar."
19 "The whisper is a demon."
20 "The whisper is not alien, not god, nor ghostly."
On Nerull, Moofyman and I have been discussing science fiction in an experimental free-form approach. The goal isn't to go in any particular direction, but simply to play off of each others ideas. This table can add a random psuedo-religious aspect to your science fiction game.
A black hole whispers to those who know how to listen... Human psychics all dream of the whisper, describing it as suddenly ineffable upon awakening. Psychics with clairvoyant abilities can make fragmentary sense of the whisper to predict aspects or events of the future. The masses (not psychically attumed) believe the whisper to be a malady of the mad or mere myth. But there is a truth to the whisper; it is a message. But is it a higher one?
The Astral-Spiritualist's Motives
Roll 1d20 as many times as necessary to develop character/ story details:
1 "You are prophetic."
2 "Others who hear the whisper must be protected."
3 "Others who hear the whisper must be hindered."
4 "Martial arts offer revelation."
5 "Seek a spiritual guide."
6 "Reassemble the Godhead."
7 "Destroy the Godhead."
8 "Prepare for apocalypse."
9 "Resist apocalypse."
10 "Spread the word."
11 "Hide the word."
12 "Seek mysterium tremendum."
13 "Seek atonement."
14 "Cleanse the deserving."
15 "Take a vow."
16 "Follow necessary rituals."
17 "Sacrifice for the deity."
18 "You are the whisper's avatar."
19 "The whisper is a demon."
20 "The whisper is not alien, not god, nor ghostly."
Friendly Cult Radio: Rhinoservs' Odour of Dust & Rot
Favorite track - Rythms of the Feast by Unknown
Label - Rhinoservs
Get the album here.
When I haphazardly delved into Rhinosorvs' material, I didn't realize at first how greatly the internet-gods had graced me. Odour of Dust and Rot offers a hiss layered submergence. Breathe deep, and you will be treated to a cutting black metal fugue without peer.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Join The Reddit Conversation
My tech-savvy friend recently got me hooked onto Reddit. We don't live in close proximity to each other anymore, so he suggested we keep in touch by generating a sci-fi universe together. I'd love to have you join the conversation. This is a largely informal exercise and fun is really the only aim. The project is called Nerull.
I'm posting as SpaceLordDinoKiller.
I'm posting as SpaceLordDinoKiller.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Where is Rusty Station?
In space of course. What is Rusty Station? Well the short answer is, "a science fiction megadungeon." What is a "spanner?" A wrench. I have always enjoyed dungeons, whether playing them or running them. But I've never had any experience with a megadungeon before. Sure, I've read about them. The head chef at my workplace teaches tai chi, and he was kind enough to lend me some of his books on the subject. When I thanked him, he said (quoting his own teacher) "read all you want and you'll make an excellent armchair-martial artist." The point being, nothing beats doing. So thats the short of it. I'm going to develop a massive space-station megadungeon and post the good stuff here. But this project is really an experiment, I have no idea how it's going to end up. Exciting?
Credit Where Credit is Deserved
I dabble. I'm a dabbler. Vornhein: The Complete City Kit has been a go-to source of mine for a while, even though I generally prefer storytelling Sci-fi games. The presentation and tables in Vornheim are inspiring. As are the tables and the concept of "tagging" in Stars Without Number. These games have been a huge inspiration on my campaign as well as the tables I've presented in the previous posts.
It should be mentioned that the playtest draft of Humanspace Empires has offered the most fun I think I've had with a group in ages. It should also be mentioned that I'm a complete newcomer to Tekumel. The only Tekumel I've read about is from this very game, and so perhaps my vision of the setting is slightly colored by inexperience. For better or for worse. But I should underlie, ones lack of experience with the setting will NOT tarnish the fun factor.
Why am I using Xplorers? I love the open-ended yet simple system that demands more "in character moments" than dice rolls. I also love the potential for customization. Elegant. But I recommend any and all of these games/ kit.
It should be mentioned that the playtest draft of Humanspace Empires has offered the most fun I think I've had with a group in ages. It should also be mentioned that I'm a complete newcomer to Tekumel. The only Tekumel I've read about is from this very game, and so perhaps my vision of the setting is slightly colored by inexperience. For better or for worse. But I should underlie, ones lack of experience with the setting will NOT tarnish the fun factor.
Why am I using Xplorers? I love the open-ended yet simple system that demands more "in character moments" than dice rolls. I also love the potential for customization. Elegant. But I recommend any and all of these games/ kit.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Storyteller Tools 1.3
1.3: Space Colony/Station Generator Tables
Type: Roll 1d6
1-2 Corporate Controlled
3-4 Corporate Contested
5-6 Anti-Corporate
Intent: Roll 1d6
1-2 Sympathetic
3-4 Antagonistic
5-6 Neutral
Traits: Roll 1d10
1 Decadent
2 Failing
3 Haunted
4 War-Torn
5 Governing Council
6 Dictator
7 Secret
8 AI-Led
9 Non-Euclidean
10 Captured
Culture: Roll 1d10
1 Divided
2 Discontent
3 Slavery
4 Criminal
5 Pacifist
6 Barbaric
Example Colony:
Outcast Colony
Type 3 Corporate Contested (between the **"UCNP," and my own Martian Outcasts).
Intent 6 Neutral
Trait 4 War Torn
Culture 3 Slavery (The martian outcasts are being imprisoned)
Bio As wild and rugged as it gets in space. Is it true that the outcasts are hiding a rogue AI? Perhaps this is why the **"UCNP" is heightening their efforts against the criminal populace to new extremes.
** The "UCNP" is from X-Plorers, page 27.
Storyteller Tools 1.2
1.2: The Quick Sandbox Rules and Tables: These tables provide a minimum structure, the rest is up to the storyteller's discretion. Some storytellers allow players to roll on these tables and choose story components. A Bio is a short, one to five sentence length detailing.
Corporation Generation Tables:
Type: Roll 1d6
1 Choose one and Roll again
2 Conservative
3 Privately Run
4 Publicly Owned
5 Risky
6 Government
Intent: Roll 1d6 and refer to the Expanded NPC Encounter Tables.
Example Corporations:
Scilic Systems
Type 2 Conservative
Intent 6 Unpredictable
Bio Run by a computer. This company primarily deals with robotic tech, but has quietly expanded into illegal avenues.
Cyric
Type 5 Risky
Intent 2 Benevolent
Bio A pharmaceutical company devoted to tapping mankind's hidden psionic potential. Cyric often sponsors X-Plorer teams.
Storyteller Tools 1.1
Storyteller Tools
Rusty Station Spanner Storyteller Tools 1.1:
Tables can be potent tools in a storyteller's arsenal. I've created several to help me generate my own campaign. These tables were designed with enough simplicity to be used on the fly. Feel free to use my examples in your own game or for inspiration. Remember, random is fun.
Expanded NPC Encounter Tables:
Type: Roll 1d6
1-4 Corporation Human
5-6 *Abomination
Intent: Roll 1d6
1 Neutral
2 Benevolent
3 Wary
4 Opportunist
5 Agressive
6 Unpredictable (Re-roll every encounter)
* If "Abomination" was rolled, continue with the following chart:
Type 2: Roll 1d6
1 Evolver [A]
2 Ingenious [A]
3 Ooze [B]
4 Infector [B]
5 Extra-Dimensional [C]
6 Quasi-Detity or Deity [C]
Category:
[A] 2 Special Abilities
[B] 1 Special Ability, +1 BHB
[C] 3 Special Abilities
Example NPC Forces:
Martian Outcast
Type 2 Corporate Human
Intent 6 Unpredictable
Bio Fringe-dwellers. A tight-knit conspiracy in illicit markets. Whether in the market for mercenary hire, illegal AI modifications, or for the fastest computer virus, just know that your deal must pass through Outcast hands, first. Worshippers of the Wyrm.
Space-Wyrms
Type 6.1 Abomination, Evolver
Intent Opportunistic
Bio 14 years ago the Wyrm arrived on white wings from the earth sky proceeding to massacre the earthen population. The Wyrm dismantled society for a year before vanishing. They've arrived again, but now on Mars the same day as the last attack (August 21st). Several stages of evolution; white potbellied moth-men, "Uber-Beatle's" (more on them later), spaceship sized (and spacefaring) gastropod mollusks, and the moth goddess' avatars, Mestromestus.
Moth-men are "medium sized omnivore['s]" as in X-plorer's (page 27). In addition moth-men have the "optional movement" (flight) and "vomit" special abilities (page 26, X-Plorers).
These Expanded NPC Encounter Tables can be used to generate major forces in the galactic mix. If you would like to quickly populate a campaign world consider following the next set of rules and using my pre-made examples from the Rusty Station Spanner Universe. Optionally, a storyteller who wants more extraterrestrials in their game might opt to automatically make more "Abominations" for their game. I personally balance two Corporate Human forces per abomination to keep the non-human aspect of the game hopefully exciting if not somewhat unsettling.
Rusty Station Spanner Storyteller Tools 1.1:
Tables can be potent tools in a storyteller's arsenal. I've created several to help me generate my own campaign. These tables were designed with enough simplicity to be used on the fly. Feel free to use my examples in your own game or for inspiration. Remember, random is fun.
Expanded NPC Encounter Tables:
Type: Roll 1d6
1-4 Corporation Human
5-6 *Abomination
Intent: Roll 1d6
1 Neutral
2 Benevolent
3 Wary
4 Opportunist
5 Agressive
6 Unpredictable (Re-roll every encounter)
* If "Abomination" was rolled, continue with the following chart:
Type 2: Roll 1d6
1 Evolver [A]
2 Ingenious [A]
3 Ooze [B]
4 Infector [B]
5 Extra-Dimensional [C]
6 Quasi-Detity or Deity [C]
Category:
[A] 2 Special Abilities
[B] 1 Special Ability, +1 BHB
[C] 3 Special Abilities
Example NPC Forces:
Martian Outcast
Type 2 Corporate Human
Intent 6 Unpredictable
Bio Fringe-dwellers. A tight-knit conspiracy in illicit markets. Whether in the market for mercenary hire, illegal AI modifications, or for the fastest computer virus, just know that your deal must pass through Outcast hands, first. Worshippers of the Wyrm.
Space-Wyrms
Type 6.1 Abomination, Evolver
Intent Opportunistic
Bio 14 years ago the Wyrm arrived on white wings from the earth sky proceeding to massacre the earthen population. The Wyrm dismantled society for a year before vanishing. They've arrived again, but now on Mars the same day as the last attack (August 21st). Several stages of evolution; white potbellied moth-men, "Uber-Beatle's" (more on them later), spaceship sized (and spacefaring) gastropod mollusks, and the moth goddess' avatars, Mestromestus.
Moth-men are "medium sized omnivore['s]" as in X-plorer's (page 27). In addition moth-men have the "optional movement" (flight) and "vomit" special abilities (page 26, X-Plorers).
These Expanded NPC Encounter Tables can be used to generate major forces in the galactic mix. If you would like to quickly populate a campaign world consider following the next set of rules and using my pre-made examples from the Rusty Station Spanner Universe. Optionally, a storyteller who wants more extraterrestrials in their game might opt to automatically make more "Abominations" for their game. I personally balance two Corporate Human forces per abomination to keep the non-human aspect of the game hopefully exciting if not somewhat unsettling.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Astronauts Assemble!
"Rusty Station Spanner" is a homebrew weird-space source. Here you will find campaign material, art, and storyteller rules of a bizarre near future. My friends and I play Dave Bezio's X-plorers as a testing ground. Please feel free to drop a comment.
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