Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Mutants: Anatomids

Some of the simplest mutations aren't cross-breeds between species or orders of life, but merely deformed from the main line and passed down through generations. These mutants usually manifest as anatomical anomalies, making them Anatomids.

Anatomids  come in many forms and may not carry the same exact mutations from one generation to the next, but generally there are strains. Below are some tables should you not have a specific design in mind and want to randomly roll up a tribe or individual:

Mutation Expression (1d6)
  1. Oversized (by factor of xd6)
  2. Undersized (by factor of xd6)
  3. Multiples (by factor of xd10)
  4. Displaced (creator's choice)
  5. Combination (creator's choice)
  6. Single anatomy (Thing from Addams family)
Governing anatomical feature (1d12)
  1. Head
  2. Face only
  3. Eye(s) only
  4. Ear(s) only
  5. Nose only
  6. Tongue only
  7. Neck
  8. Hand(s)
  9. Foot/feet
  10. Combination of 2
  11. Conjoined at hip
  12. Conjoined at neck

Additional appendages/mutations (1d12)
  1. Antlers
  2. Elongated claws
  3. Exposed bone or shell
  4. Horns
  5. Limbs
  6. Pouch
  7. Tail(s)
  8. Tendrils
  9. Tentacles
  10. Tusks or oversized teeth
  11. Unidentified 
  12. Wings

These are only ideas of course, a player may be free to design their own PC's form or GM to design a tribe per the parameters of a given setting.

Note: Gamma World Orlens fall into this category.

Armin Zola is an example of an Anatomid techno wizard that's mastered the secrets of the ancients!


Underground lairs, forests, and secluded hideways are typical habitats for Anatomids, but they can be found anywhere.

This guy is definitely a chieftain...

What kind of culture would a society of Things be like? Artists, technicians, or healers with no eyesight or hearing....

Anatomids are allowed for PC and NPC use.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

1990s Planet of the Apes meets Alien Nation comes sooooo close...


...but no cigar. Still, it's at least worth noting this article up on io9 about a forgotten, 1990s Alien Nation / Planet of the Apes crossover comic called Ape Nation. At first glance, appears to have "Gamma World War!" written all over it. Here's the rundown:
Long story short, a Tenctonese vessel from Alien Nation time travels to Earth's apish future. Unlike the movie, these Newcomers have conquest on the mind.
Promising, right? Just to be sure, let's check it against the GWW litmus:
  • Mutants? CHECK. Ape-men are def. mutants.
  • Aliens? CHECK. L.A. County is chock full of space invaders.
  • Humans? CHECK. Doesn't look like they're featured, but still technically part of the PoTA universe.
  • Global post-apocalypse setting? CHECK. Just regular, old PoTA world though.
According to the article the story seems to focus more on power struggles (snore!) and getting aliens drunk on sour milk.

My heart pines for a true successor to the GWW title--something that really expands on the aliens coming to clean the clocks of humanity and mutant-kind leftovers. If only....

The Silent City: Post-apocalyptic web series!



The Silent City web series is a Kickstarter project wrapping up tonight, and though they've already recieved funding to do the project, they're still accepting backers for the next 8 hours. If there's one thing this world needs it's more homebrew post-apocalyptic video.

Synopsis
When an unexplained event decimates the human race, the survivors fight for their lives in the ruins of a once mighty civilization.

A decade later, the dangers of the new world have taken their toll. Hopelessness and isolation have felled many of the original survivors, and now one man walks alone, determined to endure against all odds.
The fun part of this one in particular is that Backers will have the chance to influence the story. New Yorkers will even have a shot at being extras in a zombie horde scene!


There's only a few hours left and lots of cool rewards including artwork, DVDs, and more!

Kickstarter page