Aftermath - Boxed Set PDF

le Plavina Game set in -.
Post-Holocaust world
henry christen (order #23380) 2

Actual Age Recog. Fanor
looks Personal ENC
Talents (15 + 2D6 = -points to allocate
Bus ltlocmrd Current
Charismatic -
Combattve - - __
Communlcatlve -
Esthetic
Mechanical
---
Natural ---
Scientific ---
I Encumbrance
Maximum value carried with status
Enter Armor Value on Location covered ISkills
Off-hand Dexterity
BCS
Brawling
Survival,
In Pack or Bag (Capacity )
Item Caveroae Farmnt fade AV E N C I
Weapons Survival
Type length Formal Value WDM ENC
I ENC Carried
Worn Total
A
I
ATTRIBUTE GROUP CHART I
Attribute Ratlng 0 1-4 5-14 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74
GroupNumber 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
EffectDls none 1D3 1D6 lDlO 2D6 2D10 2D10+1 2D10+2 2D10+2
REACTION TABLE
01. 6 This is a very hostile reaction It usually indtcates the mtiation

of action if the overall reaction is unfriendly Iftheoverall reaction
is friendly it lends to indicate a lack of interest in continuing to
deal with the Player Characters
This is a negative reaction It can indicate growing hostility
This 1s a negative reaction It signals a deteriorating
relationship
Negative Indifference - An undecided reaction with leanings to the negative
i reaction indicates no leanings i n one direction or t

In negotiations. it might call for a Deriod l o consider t
uaiton
An undecided reaction with leaninqs t o the positive
This is a positive reaction It can signal an in

ationship
This is a positivr -"ction ltindicatesgrowing fri--*'..

willingness to a
linaness
., e aid is
- ._
offered free' --j before it is requested
EN- ---3ANCE VALUE CHART
HVY
i 01
0.1 06
0.3 1.o
0.6 15
1.o 35
3.5 50
7.0 10 0
BULK es, iongoows, poiearms,

VSm . .very small able to be hidden in a hand, isbows, rifles. etc
such as a coin, gem, smatl greater than 6 feet long and
jewelry, etc. bulky, usually requires two
Sm can be held and used with one HG1 mattress, small giant.
hand and does not project far
from the hand, such as knives, 2: horses, carts, small car,
candles, clubs, lanterns, etc. etc. and so on
Med . . medium.. held and used in one hand but
significantly larger than the
The mosi common mount for a man IS the horse The hand, such as short swords, VLt .. . very light wood, paper, feathers, cloth,
torches, etc. etc
statistics for an average horse are given here.
STR DFT SPD HLH eAP MNA PCA CDA DRT Lg ....I .... usable in one hand and up to
Lt ..... light ......... flesh, IeRther. water, heavy
6 2 60 woods, etc
30 14 24 24 12 2 about a meter in length, such as
swords. large tools, bundles,
Hvy . . . heavy .. . . . . .. stone, gemstones, iron, brass.
SF ENCCAP MASS AV etc.
12 12 32 3 etc. VH' very hear lead, silver, etc
Attack modes. WDM Length BCS Notes
.
VLg . .very large .. . able to be held or carried in one MS massive,
. MS1. aold. Dlatinum. etc.
Teeth 15L S 7 minus1 STR Group hand but usually requiring two MS2 iranium. plutonium. etc
hands to use properly, such as and so on
Hoof, unshod 1.5C 2 attacks when used
Hoof, shod 1.7C and a WDA equal
h
to 3
VARIATION IN CHARACTER STANCE DUE T O POSITIONING ENCUMBRANCE STATUS

Status Deftness Speed BCS
Presented Frontal Unencumb I
up to 1/2 ENC CAP * * no modifications ***
Partially Encumbered
up to 314 ENC CAF -25% -25% -1
Fully Encumbered
up to full ENC CAF -50% .2
A character may carry:

1 "thing" on his back.
1 "thing" up to Very Large in each hand.
Rear Rear 1 "thing" slung over each shoulder.
10 "things" on a belt.

8

Copyright y Robert N. Charrett
I INHERENT ACCURACY TABLE
Weapon
Uaed Size
Inherent
Accuracy
Gun Actions and Rates
Gun Action Shots per Action
and Paul R. Humt
ss
SNUB
SHT
STD
-1
+0
+1
SA
BA
1 Shor per Action
1 Shot per Action
&
1 Shot and reload for n $t sho
Damage Capability
The number of damage dice a round will do against the
LNG +2 LA Armor Value of a struck target, and t 3T if it penetrates, is
XLNG +2 PA based on the BDG. The Damage D )r a bullet strike are
DA 1 or 2 Shots per Action. Firer's choice calculated as follows:
Rifle + 4 AL 1 , 2, or 3 Shots per Action. Firer's choice
number of D10 of Damage equals dDG/'^ "p.
Shotgun Slug +2 FA Variable number of Bursts' per Action
Shot +4 AB 1 , 2, or 3 Bursts' per Action plus Damage Points equal BDG/lO. near
Aulofiie 2 a weapon for aut1 * In automatic fire, Bursts are fired rather than individual
lnherer xracy normally accoroea rne weapon Dy 2 rounds as with other Gun Actions. The majority of
For eat I Burs1 fired add 1 to the Inherent Accuracy weapons fire Bursts of 3 rounds each. Some of the new MISSILE SPECIAL EFFECTS TABLE
Malch Weapons I1 the Feature is used then Match Weapons "super-automatic" gunsfireBursts of 6. See Autofire rules D100 RESULT
add 3 to the normal Inherent Accuracy of Ihe weapon below for details 1-20 N o special effect
21-30 Flesh wound: damage is adjusted to
only if the Armor Value on the target location is
Range 1 ita exceeded
31-45 Minor wound: 1 point of damage caused.
supercwes any normal results. This effect GII a
SHT FF LNG EXT n Critical Hit results in normal damage.
46-65 Normal damage and Stopping
1BL : SNUB io 100 66-75 As 46-65 plus a Daze effect (see Critical Hit Effect
SHT 19') Explanations).
STD 76-85 As 66-75 plus a Stun effect (see Critical Hit Effect
LNG 2-3 Explantions)
XLNG ! 320 86-95 As 76-85 plus s roll on the Critical Effect Table
96-00 As 86-95 but add 30 to the roll on thecritical Effects
Long Guns Table
IO00
!OOO
STOPPING
Au The effect number for Stopping is equal to the Adjusted
500 BDG (used to determine if a Special Effect would occur) or
)
the Damage Potential for muscle powered missile weapons
and Impalements divided by the Mass of the target.
Shotguns IF>l Knock back for 203 meters. A Deftness Ability
Slug Load Saving Throw is required to prevent being knocked
down. Each two meters of knock back will drop a
t '1 Shot Load Full Choke
Modified Choke I
target one category for purposes of stopping
forward motion.
IF>5 As above but a Critical Saving Throw is required for
50 the character to keep his feet.
BCS Modifiers minus 2 minus 5 IF>lO As above but knock down is automatic.
BDG Modifiers C.-l - ....,.-" ,-Oh minus 25% minus 50%
IF< 1 The % chance of getting a result as if the effect
number were equal to 1 is the Adjusted BOG (used
To use the Range Table, simply note the range to the target t o determine if Missile Special Effects would occur)
in meters on the combat display Locate the Range Step * Unless weapon is specified as having another divided b y the Mass of the target multiplied by 100.
under which this figure fails on the Table This is the Range barrel length
Step for that shot
CRITICAL MISSES
BASE BDG TABLE FIREARMS, BLACK POWDER
DlOO RESULT
I CENTERFIRE PISTOL CENTERFIRE LONG GUN SHOT SHELL AMMUNITION . .- .Nn
1-10 .- affect
-. .- - ..
AMMUNITION AMMUNITION Shot Shotgun 11-40 Primer flash. Primer is expended but the round is
Caliber BDG Caliber BDG Size Gauge 10 12 16 20 ,410 2- still good.
22 Jet 4 22 Jet 8 41-70 Main load is a dud. Primer and powderforroundare
221 Fireball 8 222 13 6 4 2 expended. Gun must be reloaded.
25 ACP (6 35mm) 1 223 (5 56m11) 20 10 8 6 71-85 Cook-off. Appears to beadud round. It will gooff on
256Magnum 10 222 Magnum 14 16 the bookkeeping phase. There is a 50%chance of it
30 (765mm) 6 22-250 18 going off if there is an attempt t o remove it before
32 Short 2 243 21 Action Phase 0. If it goes off, treat as if it were a
32 Long 6mm 24 chamber explosion as below.
4-3 Buck 22 18 18 18
32 ACP 25-06 25 86-95 Chamber explosion. Burst effect of BDG of the
2-1 Buck 28 24 22 20 1
32-20 3 25-20 6 round/30, nearest. Burst effect minus the Durability
00 Buck 36 32 30 x X
357 Magnum 11 25-35 15 of the weapon is the number of DlOs of Lethal
9mm Parabellum 5 250 18 Slug X 7 23 17 X Damage done to the character's Location that is
9mm Short 2 256 Magnum 20 nearest to the breech of the gun. If the number of
* These are very fight. small shot pellets. often rererred to a:
38Long 5 257 18 DlOs is less than 1 , reduce the Durability of the gun
38 Special 10 6 5mm Magnum 25 "birdshot." Ony any target massing over 2 Enc, they do E
type damage (half lethal. half subdual). by 1 and treat as if the main load was a dud. If the
38 Short 264 Magnum 31 number is greater than or equal to 1 (the chamber
380 ACP 270 28 * * Again. these are fairly light loads. At any range beyond
actually doesexplode). thegun is Disrepaired with a
38 SuperAuto 280 28 SHT. they also do B damage. chance (equal to the number of DlOs) in 6 of it being
38-40 284 28 x Indicates that no Shot Shell of that type is made for the Junked.
41 Magnum 7mm Mauser 25 Gauge in question. 96-00 Chamber explosion as above but burst effect is BDG
44 Special 7mm Magnum 36 of the round/20. nearest.
44 Magnum 30 Carbine 12 Note that certain rounds appear on both the Centerfire
44-40 30-30 21 Pistol and Centerfire Long Gun Tables. The are: 22 Jet,
45LongColt 30-06 26 32-20, 38-40, 44-40. and 44 Magnum. These are identical
45 ACP 11 30-40 Krag 24 rounds. but are widely popular both as Pistol and as Long
300 Magnum 38 Gun loads. They are entered on each Table for easy
303 23 1 reference. Some Players may favor usino Action to manually clear the round. Other types
RIMFIRE AMMUNlTlOL 308 (7.62mm NATO: 27 Caliber BDG weapons which all chamber the same clear with the next round, no special action is
22 Short 1 32 Special 21 375 45 caliber. as such standardization can necessary.
22 Auto 2 32 17 358 28 offset some of the problems in maintain- 41-70 Jammed round. Requires 2 Actions to clear
22 Long Rifle 4 32-30 6 38-40 8 ing an ammo supply manually. A weapon with an extractor will clear in 1
22 Stinger 6 8mm Mauser 25 44 Magnum 42 The Encumbrance of cartridges is also Action.
22 Long 2 8mmMagnum 40 444 Marlin 36 based o n their Caliber All Pistol ammo of 71-85 Cook-off. See Black Powder firearms.
22RF Magnum 6 338 Magnum 41 44-40 12 30 0: less, and all Rimflre ammo, has an 86-95 Chamber explosion. Burst effect is BDG of the
5mm Magnum 5 35 20 45-70 GOVt 16 ENC value Of 01 Other Pistol ammo (32 round/30, nearest.
350 Magnum 35 458 Magnum, 51 Caliber or larger). Long Gun Ammo, and 96-00 Chamber explosion. Burst effect of the round is
351 15 460Magnum 81 Shot Shell, has an ENC value of 02 BDGI20. nearest.

The sun hangs low on the horizon illuminating the ruins of
civilization with a bloody light. Is it the sunset of the earth o r
the sunrise of a brave new world? You can decide as you
boldly stride the rubble strewn streets of the
The Game is for 2 to 6 players and a referee i n search of a

different kind of adventure. It is a role-playing excursion into a
post-holocaust world.
The Players create characters, designed by themselves, to face

the challenges and dangers of life after things fall apart.
The Referee is provided with everything he needs to detail the

world in which the players will adventure.
Aftermath! is not a game for the faint at heart. Ruined cities,

dread diseases, despair and broken dreams are a part of the
characters' daily lives. Still hope survives, for mankind still
survives. Rise up, meet the challenge and overcome!
Aftermath! contains:
Basic Rules book with multiple examples
and illustrations of play.
Players' Handbook detailing construction
of characters, equipment and life after the Ruin.
Referee's Handbook detailing construction of the
environment and running the game.
Introductory Scenario to allow you t o start play easily.
Aftermath! provides a solid basic play mechanic that has been over2 years in playtesting. Rules are provided
l o r m o d e r n firearms, NBC weapons a n d protections, mutations, survival, h i g h technology a n d more. T h e
game is structured to allow the referee t o decide the nature of the holocaust that destroyed the w o r l d In
w h i c h play will occur. Aftermath! is a step forward in the art of role-playing games.
P.O.BOX 1082
GILBERT, ARIZONA 85234

CREDITS
Game Design: Paul H u m e and B o b Charrette
Illustrations and Graphics: B o b Charrette
Typesetting: Liz Johnson, Dan Bress,
Mat Roswurrn, and G r y p h o n Graphics
Special Developmental Assistance: Jason Krause,
Bill Colbert, Charlie Crickenberger,
Peter Adarns, James Polk, and
Nick B u c h h o l z
Playtesters: Jason Rein, Sean Morris,
John McGuire, Uwe Behrrnann,
Mike Johnson, T o m Johnson, Rich Altman,
and all the others w h o put u p with us.
Special Thanks to Scott Bizar for having faith.
L I

TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Is a Fantasy Role Playlng Game? .. 1 Time and Movement ................... 18 Jumping on Horseback ............. 35
Forewqd ........................... 1 Strategic Time Scale ................. 18 Unseating a Rider .................. 35
Fantasy Role Playing Game ............ 1 Tactical Time Scale .................. 18 Damage. Health and Healing ............ 36
Who's Who in the Role Playing Game ... 1 Detailed Action Time Scale ...........18 Healing Damage ..................... 36
The Gamesmaster .................. 1 Real Time Scale ..................... 18 Modifications to Healing Rate ...... 36
Player ............................. 2 Down Time Scale .................... 18 Immediate First Aid ................ 37
Characters ......................... 2 Combining Time Scales ..............19 Restoration of Lost Attribute Points . 37
The Campaign ........................ 2 Movement i n Tactical or Strategic Time19 Restoring a Character t o
Meet the Game ....................... 2 Movement Modifiers Chart .........
19 Consciousness .................. 37
Some Conventions used in the Text .... 3 Forced March ....................... 19 Infection .......................... 37
Reading the Rules .................... 3 The Fast March ................... 19 Diseases .......................... 37
Defining the Character ..................
4 The Long March ................... 19 Disease Symptons ............... 38
Attributes ............................
4 Detalled Action Time .................. 20 Dealing with Disease ............. 39
Attribute Group Chart ...............
4 Effects of Pre-emption and Surprise ...
20 Crisis Point of the Disease ........ 39
Temporary Alteration af Attributes 4 ... The Detailed Action Time Display .....
21 Doctors and Disease ............. 39
Wit ................................
5 The Character on the DAT Display ....
21 Antibiotics and Disease .......... 40
Learning Rate ....................
5 Position on the DAT Display' Recovery from Disease ........... 40
Detecting Hidden Things ..........
5 Modification 'Table .............. 22 Immunity from Disease (Option) . 41
Will ................................
5 Restrictions and Distractions .........22 Poisons ........................... 41
Strength ...........................
5 Movement ........................... 23 Effects of Poisons ................ 41
Weapon Damage .................
5 Continuity of Motion ............... 24 Lethal ......................... 41
WeaponsUse .....................
5 Stopping Forward Motion ..........24 Narcotic ...................... 41
Deftness ...........................
6 Stopping Forward Motion Table ...
24 Depressant .................... 41
Maximum Number of Actions 6...... Charging .......................... 24 Treatment of Poisoning .......... 42
Speed .............................
6 Movement Through Occupied Hexes 24 Encoding a Poison ............... 42
Base Action Phase ................
6 Treacherous Ground and Movement 24 Character Improvement ................ 43
Health .............................
6 Climbing in Detailed Action Time ...
25 Improving Skills ..................... 43
Healing Rate .....................
6 Climbing Movement Table ........
25 Learning-by-Doing .................. 43
Saving Throws .....................
6 Entering the Zone of Influence ......
25 Study and Skill Improvement ......... 44
Talents ..............................
7 Engaged Status .................... 25 Table of Learning Rate Modifications 44
Psychological Profile ...............
7 Performing Actions ................ 25 Initial Score in New Skill (Option) ..... 44
The Basic Talents ...................
7 Simple Actions .................. 26 Improvement of Attributes Through
Raw Talent Use ......................
7 The Last Shot Option ..............26 Learning (Option) ................. 44
Special Talent Abilities ..............
8 Firing While Moving ................ 26 Increase of TalentsThrough Learning
Additional Talent Benefits ...........
8 Communication in DAT ..............26 (Option) .......................... 44
Abilities..............................
8 Combat Procedure ................... 27 Improving Attribute Scores ........... 45
Freely Improvable Skills .............
9 Conducting an Attack .............. 27 Effects of Age on Attributes ........... 45
Damage ResistanceTotal ...........
9 Situational Modifiers ...............27 Improving Off-hand Dexterity ......... 45
Combat Dodge Ability ...............
9 Situation Modifier Table ..........27
Quantifying the Environment ........... 46
Phases Consumed in Action .........
9 The "Hopeless" Attack .............27
Barriers ............................. 46
Encumbrance Capacity .............
9 Adjusted BCS Equal to 1 ...........27
Barrier Factor of Materials Table .... 46
Off-hand Dexterity ..................
9 Adjusted BCS Greater than 1 .......
27
Doors and Locks ................... 46
Physical Characteristics ..............
10 Results of a Hit.................... 27
Tools and Their Use ................ 47
Physical Aspects Chart .............
10 Hit Location Tables .............. 28 Sample Locking Mechanisms ....... 47
Personal Encumbrance Chart .......
10 Damage Potential .................. 29
Fire and its Effects ................... 47
Recognition Factor ................
10 Damage Done ..................... 29
Fire and Armor Materials ........... 48
Skills ...............................
11 System Shock ..................... 29
Fire and Barriers ................... 48
........................... Types of Damage .................. 29
Formats 11 Smoke and its Effects .............. 48
Basic Chance of Success ...........
11 Impalement ....................... 29
Acid and its Effects .................. 48
Effect Numbers ..................
11 Missile Special Effects .............29
Acid Special Effects Table .......... 49
................. Missile Special EffectsTable ...... 29
Averaging Skills 12 Splashing Results .................... 49
Raw Talent VersusTrained Skill .....
12 Stopping .......................... 29
O n Being a Player ...................... 50
Prerequisites to Skills ..............
12 Critical Hits....................... 30
......................
Combat Skills .....................
12 Critical Hit Enhancement Tables 30 . Read the Game
Being Born ..........................
50
Positioning Due to Skills Use 12 ..... Critical Misses ..................... 30 50
Primary and Secondary Attacks 12 ... Critical Miss Effects Tables ...... 30
Growing U p ......................... 50
General Notes on Combat Procedure 31 Getting Your Head On ................ 51
WeaponsDefenseAbilityin Combat 13
Aim with a Combat Skill ..........
13 "The Clash of Weapons" (Option) ...
31
Being a Hero ........................ 51
Control Throws During Combat 14 ... Bashing ............................. 31 O n Being a Gamesmaster .............. 52
The Thrust in Combat ...........
14 Special Effect (Option) .............31 Before Play .......................... 52
Encumbrance .......................
14 Deliberate Knock Down ............31 Reading it ......................... 52
Encumbrance Value Chart .......... 14 Grappling ........................... 32 Planning the Campaign ............ 52
Distribution of Encumbrance 14....... Falls in Detailed Action Time ..........
32 The Scenario ...................... 53
Encumbrance Status ...............
15 Effects of Water on Movement and During Play ......................... 53
Access to Stored Items .............
15 Combat ........................... 32 Enjoying Things ................... 53
Personal Mass .....................
16 On the Water ...................... 33 Running the Session ............... 54
Location and Armor ..................
16 In the Water ....................... 33 The Other Guys (or Girls) .......... 54
Bipedal Hit Location Map ...........
16 Going Under .................... 33 AfterPlay ........................... 54
Quadrupedal Hit Location Map 16 ..... Floating ......................... 33 Keeping Your Balance .............54
Enhanced Armor Values (Option) 16 ... Under the Water ................... 33 It's a Big. Wide. Wonderful World ... 55
Armor Formats ....................
17 Other Notes on Water .............. 34 Housecleaning .................... 55
Reinforcing Armor .................
17 Combat on a Moving Vehicle .........34 L'Envoi ............................. 55
Leather and Hides as Armor ........
17 The Character and His Mount .........34
Improvising Armor Materials ........
17 TheHorse ......................... 34
Use of Armor to Prevent Damage 17 .... Horse and Rider in DAT Display ....
34
Average Armor Value ..............
17 Mounted Movement Through an Appendix 1: Reaction Table ............. 56
Destruction of Armor (Option) ......
17 Occupied Hex ................... 35 Appendix 2 Combat Procedure Flowchart 57

WHAT IS A FANTASY ROLE PLAYING GAME?
FOREWORD
You are reading the introduction to a rulebook for GAME: The fantasy of the role playing has limits placed
something called a Fantasy Role Playing Game. If you have upon it, and thus we define the last term in Fantasy Role
never been involved in one of these Games before, it can Playing Game. It is a Game, with rules governing what
seem confusing at first. The various rule books, the charts, players (or their characters) can and cannot do. The rules
maps, funny dice, just what are they for? How do you play give the methods for deciding how successful a Character is
this dumb game, anyway??? when he fights, or attempts to be acrobatic, or does anything
Role Playing Games are very different from almost every requiring a particular amount of skill or knowledge. They
other type of game in the world. What we are going to give the values by which a player knows how strong his
examine here are the basics of how they are set up, played, character is, or how smart. Rules also deal with Things:
and so on. In the rest of this book are articles giving more weapons, armor, tools, magical items or scientific wonders,
specific guidelines on how to play a Role Playing Game, with vehicles - how they work in the game. For these Games are
detailed illustrations of how the rules are applied. modelled on a particular sort of reality. and thus all the
devices and ideas one is likely to meet in that reality should
be handled in the rules, so that players know what they can
FANTASY ROLE PLAYING GAME d o with them.
The person who decides what will happen in the Game,
First off, what do we mean by Fantasy Role Playing according to the rules and his own imagination, is called a
Game? Well, takenseparately, the words themselves give us Gamesmaster. Every Role Playing Game will have at least
a clear picture of the terms meaning. one of these individuals running it, for reasons set forth
FANTASY: This implies that the Game deals with a world of throughout these books.
high adventure, of heroes and villains, danger and treasure, So we have a definition of a Fantasy Role Playing Gameas
brave warriors or explorers, cunning scientists, battle, a Game, having definite rules and structure, setting up an
victory and life, or the dusty death of defeat. The dull and atmosphere of high adventure in a fantasy world, where
workaday world, even on the cutthroat level of high finance players control single characters by playing Out roles as
or armies at war, is left behind. In a Fantasy Game, we are those characters. That is the thumbnail view. Just how are
concerned with the individual hero, in an evnironment where people involved in this process? Read on.
great deeds must be performed daily.
Among the scores of Role Playing Games now on the
market, rules can be found for Games set in milieus such as
Sword and Sorcery adventure, interstellar travel and WHOS WHO IN
exploration, wild west shoot-em-ups, the France of the T H E ROLE PLAYING GAME?
Three Musketeers, Samurai Japan, and worlds that never
have existed outside of the dreams of their designers. Almost There are several individuals involved in playing a Role
any adventure setting desired can be found in a Role Playing Playing Game. Some are real (i.e. inhabitants of 20th
Game somewhere. This broad scope is the reason the Role Century Earth, having existence outside the Game), while
Playing Game hobby has grown so, since its inception some others are not or at least do not exist outside the Game world.
10 years ago: it allows the players to actively take part in their
fondest fictional adventures almost as if they were
THE GAMESMASTER
characters in their favorite book or film.
We have referred to this person before. Every Role Playing
ROLE PLAYING: To be a player in a Role Playing Game, one Game must have a Gamesmaster, also known as a Referee,
plays a part just as an actor would. One has chosen a role in Judge, etc. We will call him the Gamesmaster from now on.
the Game-world and will operate in that environment as i f he In the last section, it was remarked that everything that
were really the character involved! This is the central happens in the Game is described to the Players as if it were
concept in Role Playing Games-the Players do not move really happening to them. Aha! Who do you think does the
pieces around a game board, but react in the Game by des- describing? Right-the Gamesmaster. Using the rules and a
cribing and/or acting out the actions that thecharacters they series of maps, notes, charts, and scenarios of his own
control are performing. In turn, everything that happens in design, the Gamesmaster is the one who lays out the Game
the Game is described as if it were really happening! If, in the before it is played. He is responsible for setting up everything
course of exploring a cave, the Characters find a dragon, that the Characters will encounter while playing, either in
Players are told this as if their eyes were actually beholding advance with loving detail, or at random during the course of
the beast. play. When something develops in the course of the Game
There is a lot to say about the identification of the player that the players should not know about, the Gamesmaster
(Joe Smith, gamer, who is playing this Game) and his operates to keep it that way.
Character (Roald the Bold, a brave warrior/wise As for Role Playing, consider this: players need only act
magician/intrepid spaceman/vicious killedetc.). Roald is a the parts of their individual characters. The Gamesmaster
unique individual, with his own strengths and weaknesses, plays the role of every other being encountered in the Game.
areas of expertise or ignorance, dreams, fears, and Some of these are not even human! In a typical, fast paced
motivations. When Joe is playing, he must try to react to evening playing a Sword-and-Sorcery based Game, the
every situation as if he were Roald. We will be discussing the Gamesmaster may be playing a wandering knight one
very special relationship between a player and his character moment and a raging dragon the next! The job of
in a later article in this book (On Being a Player, p.50). Gamesmaster is so important to Role Playing Games that a
1

separate article later in this book will go into the concept of and reward that exist there, the laws, customs, religion, and
being a Gamesmaster in detail. (On Being a Gamesmaster, all the factors that go into the fully designed Campaign to
p. 52). give it a feeling or reality that makes for enjoyable play.
Some Campaigns are small in scope, perhaps limited to a
PLAYER single piece of territory with a base for Characters to operate
As is already obvious, players are the flesh and blood from as they carry out raids on some huge maze-like place of
people who sit around and play a Role Playing Game. They danger and treasure. Other campaigns cover whole con-
are able to participate in the Game by pretending to be, and tinents, or planets. Some (and this is not limited to science
controlling the actions of, one or more Characters, fiction Games by any means) comprise many worlds in the
individuals who live in the World where the Game takes Campaign-universe. The size and complexity of a Campaign
place. is limited only by the imagination and energy of the
A player has designed a Character for himself, sometimes Gamesmaster and the desire of the players for new worlds to
using random numbers and sometimes allocating an explore.
assigned number of points, to develop a clear model of what The Game, as such, is the rules package, the system for
this alter ego is like. The physical and mental ability of the playing. It is the Campaign that is actually enjoyed by the
Character, what skills he will have studied and how much group, a never-ending story of heroic adventure. The books
time he has given to each of them, all of these are under the you have in your hands are written to allow you to join in
players control. When the character is actively adventuring those epics. The only thing ittakesissomeofyourtimeanda
in the Game, the player will decide when he fights and when lot of your imagination. We hope you will enjoy playing this
he flees, and is, usually, in full control of the characters Game, in your unique Campaign, as much as we have
actions for better or worse. enjoyed writing it for you.
So it is up to the player to know how the rules work for
those things he has designed his character to do (combat, MEET THE GAME
magic, medicine, whatever). It is also best if the player can
In this Game you will find the following components:
think with the characters head. This means, look at a
situation in the Game and react properly for the Character The rulesbooks, one of which you are reading now. They
according to his personality and cultural background. A should be read carefully. Players (unless they arealso acting
character who has dedicated himself to one set of ideals will as Gamesmaster in another campaign) should not read
hardly act in a way contrary to those beliefs just because the books specified as for the Gamesmaster. The Gamesmaster
situation offers some benefit for so doing. A crude peasant is should, however, read all the material herein.
unlikely to leave behind a purse of gold in order to retrieve a The information in each book is laid out to cover the main
rare artwork from a treasure trove. The player should work areas which make the Game special: cultural data, social
out the behavior pattern for a character and keep to it as institutions of the Campaign world, special skills in the
much as possible. Game, etc. There are also separate charts for quick reference
on things like combat and weapons, general rules, etc.
CHARACTERS 0 An introductory scenario, a fully designed adventure,
Unlike the Gamesmaster and players, characters do not taking place in one possible type of Campaign setting. This is
really exist. Any entity (man, manlike being, intelligent provided to give the Gamesmaster an example of how to set
creature, animal, self-aware computer, spirit, you-name-it) up a scenario, and to allow play to begin sooner, if the
that takes an active part in the Game is a character. Those Gamesmaster and players are anxious to get going. Again,
designed by or under the control of a player are called Player players should not read the scenario package. If they know
Characters. All the rest, usually under the control of the everything that is going to happen before they start to play,
Games master, are called Non- PIayer-C haract e rs , the whole atmosphere of the Game will suffer.
Taken all together, the Characters make up the cast of this
great big dramatic event called a Role Playing Game. Some THE DICE
will be heroic, champions of good, saving damsels, This game uses two kinds of dice as detailed below. Such
distressed communities, etc., as a matter of course. Others dice should be available in your local gaming store or can be
will be villains, dealing in destruction and casual death. Most ordered direct from Fantasy Games Unlimited.
will be a combination of both, as different conditions arise in
play. TYPES OF DICE
6-Sided Die: Called a D6. This is an everyday cubical die,
numbered from 1 to 6.
THE CAMPAIGN 20-Sided Die: Called a D20. It is numbered from 1 to 10 (or
1 to 20) and can be used for many types of die rolls.
A Campaign is the particular version of a Role Playing
Game as it is played by a given Gamesmaster and group of All the dice rolling called for in a Role Playing Game can
players. No two sets of garners will play in exactly the same be very confusing for new garners. Consider this: no matter
way. Characters, especially Player Characters, are all how detailed the set-up for a given action by the character
different, and the adventures designed by one Gamesmaster may be, eventually the question must be answered, Did he
will rarely resemble those set up by another. succeed? In our Games (and most others) this is
It often amazes new gamerson the Role Playing scene that determined by calculating a chance of success expressed as
the same Game, identical rules, same setting, can be played a number, and then rolling a die. If the score from the die roll
in so many different ways. But this is part of that tremendous is such that the rules say it means success (based on the
flexibility mentioned before, the ability of a good Role calculated number) then all goes well. If it falls into the range
Playing Game to allow the participants to fulfil their special ascribed to failure by the rules, then whatever was being tried
fantasy. did not work. See the definition of Basic Chance of
Of course, the main thrust in a Campaign is designed by Success on p. 11.
the Gamesmaster. Using the rules, he will be the one to
decide on the political climate of the countries in the Game- Many different ranges of numbers are used for determing
world, the locations of those mysterious sites where much probabilities in this Game.The die rolls used are always
adventure is to be found, as well as the specific kinds of risk expressed as follows:
2

xDy In this expression the x stands for the number of SOME CONVENTIONS USED IN THE TEXT
dice thrown. The y stands for the type of dice used.
306 means you should roll three6-sided dice, and total Often in the text, the formula for calculating some number
their scores to get your result. xDy+z means that the will be followed by (up), (down) or (nearest). This
number z should be added to the total of xDy to get the means that the result obtained should be rounded,
resuIt. respectively, up to, down to, or to the nearest whole number.
Some rules will be identified by the word OPTION in the
These rules will sometimes call for odd types of dice to heading of the section. These rules are not necessary to the
be rolled, such as D3, D10, D20, and D100. All these can be play of the game. Some are intended to provide greater detail
generated by using a 6-sided and a 20-sided die, as follows: or more realism to the game; others simply allow variety in
0 03: Roll a D6. Divide the number rolled in half, rounding the way certain game situations can be handled. The players
fractions up. This gives a result from 1 to 3. and the Gamesmaster should agree on which options will be
used in their campaign.
0 D6: Roll a D6. Although the masculine pronoun is used in the general
D10: Roll a D20. Read a 0result as 10. text, it is not intended to indicate the characters are assumed
or required to be male.
D20: Roll a 020. To get a result from 1 to 20, you will need
to distinguish between the lower range (1-10) and the
upper (11-20). One way is to color one set of faces of the
die (0-9) different from the other (so that, for instance, a READING THE RULES
red 3 would be read as a 3, and a black 3 would be
read as 13). Another way is to roll a control die (D6) When reading these rules, you should not try to absorb
with the D20. A result of 1-3 on the control die puts the D20 everything at once. Skim the rules once to get a general idea
roll in the lowers range; a result of 4-6 puts it in the upper of the system. Then read them thoroughly. It is not necessary
range. to be fully conversant with all the details in order to start to
play. Diseases and poisons, for example, might not come
0 D30: Roll a D20 and a control die. If the control die is a 1- into play for many game sessions.
2, the 020 result is read as 1-10; if the control die is 3-4, the Players should remember to avoid any section of the rules
020 result is read as 11-20; if the control die is5-6, the 020 or game components not labelled as being for the players
result is read as 21-30. use. You will spoil your own fun and that of the other players
D100: Roll two D20, to get a result of 1-100. Multiply the if you read the material that is intended forthe Gamesmaster.
roll of one D20 by 10, and add to it the roll of the second Gamesmasters are advised to be familiar with the sections
D20 to get your result. Read a result of 00as100. D20s of the rules that cover the things that they have planned for
of different colors are very helpful for this. the current adventure. Careful planning of adventures will
allow the Gamesmaster to introduce various portions of the
The DlOO is a very important type of roll. With DlOO rules gradually, as play progresses. This will allow you as
(percentage) rolls, you can easily determine Gamesmaster to familiarize yourself with the details of each
probabilities that may not be specified in the rules. If you section. It will also allow you to begin play more quickly.
feel there is a 60% chance of something happening, roll As you read through these rules, dont be upset if a term is
D100. A result of 60 or less means it happens. A higher presented without immediate explanation. The game
result means it does not. mechanics are interlocked in such a fashion that sometimes
We will go into dice in more detail later on in this book and a term must be used prior to the section in which it is fully
in the others. One important thing to keep in mind: explained. Dont worry-it will eventually be explained. Also,
dont be put off by our extensive use of abbreviations and
A die roll made to see if something happens means it did acronyms. As you become familiar with the system, they will
occur if the result is less than or equal to the needed number. become second nature.
A result greater than the needed number means it did not
occur.
If dice are not available, an ordinary deck of cards and a
little ingenuity can be used to generate the various random
numbers used in the game. Good Gaming!

DEFINING THE CHARACTER
In order to determine just what acharactercan and cannot When creating a character, a player will receive a certain
do, and how good he is at doing it, the character will be number of points to allocate among the characters
endowed with certain Attributes, Talents, Abilities and Skills. Attributes. He may distribute them among the six Attributes
The character will also possess quantified Physical as he likes, so long as the character has no rating less then 1
Characteristics. These values allow the Gamesmaster to or greaterthan40 in any Attribute.Heshouldthenenterthese
arbitrate game situations easily and consistently. ratings on his Character Record Sheet, in the Allocated
All characters have the same Attributes and Talents, but column of the Attributes section.
each character will have his own personal scores in each As play proceeds, a character may improve the initial
category. A characters Abilities are derived from his ratings of his Attributes, or suffer permanent Attribute
Attributes and, in some cases, from his Talents. Choice of a losses. When this occurs, the player should enter the new
characters Skills is, for the most part, leftto the player. Initial rating in the Permanent column of the Attributes section.
scores in these Skills are based on the characters Attributes Otherwise, the Permanent is the same as the Allocated
and Talents. rating. For details on improving Attributes, see Character
A characters numerical ratings in the above mentioned Improvement, p. 43.
categories will be used to determine his success of failure During play, a character may experience a temporary
when he attempts some action. The rating represents a alteration of an Attribute rating. The new, temporary rating
number which the player, rolling the appropriate dice forthe should be entered on the Character Record-Sheet, in the
situation, must roll less than or equal to in order for his Effective column of the Attribute section. Otherwise, the
character to succeed. This basic number may be modified by Effective rating is the same as the Permanent rating. If any
the situation, in which case it is the modified number to ratings were loweied by wounds, disease or other damage,
which the dice roll is compared. the player can see how many points must be healed to
A characters Physical Characteristics are used primarily restore his characters ratings to Permanent level. See
to add color to the character. If a player already knows Healing Attributes on page 37.
what his character looks like, and it is agreeable to the Ranges of Attribute ratings are arranged in Groups, as
Gamesmaster, he may choose ratings which fit his character listed below. The Effect Die noted for each Group represents
as he conceives him. the effectiveness of proper application by a character of a
All these ratings are entered on the Character Record Skill governed by that Attribute. Attribute Groups are also
Sheet (CRS) and kept handy for reference during play. This used to calculate other values relating to characters. These
helps both the players and the Gamesmaster; the players will be dealt with as they arise.
have a better idea of their chances of success, and they can
supply the Gamesmaster with the numbers he needs to TEMPORARY ALTERATION OF
determine the results of actions as they occur. We ATTRIBUTES
recommend that entries on the CRS be made in pencil, since Various situations that may arise in play call fortemporary
values may alter during the course of play. reductions, expressed in percentages, of a characters
Attributes. This may be due to wounds, encumbrance,
poisons, drugs or many other factors. Such reductions are
usually made in two steps: 25 percent and 50 percent.
ATTRIBUTES Subtract the required percentage from the characters
current Effective rating in the Attribute, to get the new
Attributes are the basic mental and physical .components Effective rating.
that make up the character. They define such things as how When a character moves from astateof lesser reduction to
hard he hits, how fast he runs, how well he retains what he a greater reduction, the procedure is somewhat different.
learns, how well he resists disease, and many other things. Subtract the lesser percentage from the greater percentage,
These rules use six Attributes: Wit (WT), Will (WL), Strength and use the result as a percentage reduction.
(STR), Deftness (DFT), Speed (SPD) and Health (HLH). The For example, a character who is Wounded (25% reduction
first two are Mental Attributes; the last four are Physical of Deftness and Speed Attributes) becomes Seriously
Attributes. Wounded (50% reduction of both Attributes). In this case
Normal human ratings range from 1 to40. A character with subtract 25% (50%-25%) from the current (Wounded)
a rating of 1 in an Attribute is severely handicapped in the Attribute rating to obtain the new Effective rating.
areas that Attribute governs. With a rating of 40 he is, in that Of course, if an unwounded character becomes Seriously
regard, a peak specimen of human development. The Wounded in one step, simply apply the 50% reduction.
mythical average man would have a score of 10 to 12. A If a reduction in Basic Chance of Success (BCS) is to be
character with a rating less than 1 in an Attribute is totally applied to a character who has already suffered some
non-functional in that area. A rating greater than 40 is not reduction in BCS, apply the new reduction directly.
possible for a human without mechanical, cheinical or Various categories of situations which can came
supernatural aid. temporary alterations of Attribute ratings are treated
ATTRIBUTE GROUP CHART

Attribute Rating 0 1-4 5-14 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74
Group N u m b e r 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Effect D i e none 1D3 1D6 1D10 2D6 2D10 2D10+1 2D10+2 2D10+2

independently. Within a given category, followtheguidelines meant that none of the characters could have
noted above. Details are given later in the rules. discovered the hidden compartment.
WIT WILL
The Wit Attribute is not a measure of the characters Will is a measure of the strength of a characters mind. This
intelligence. The native intelligence of a character includes the characters drive and determination, and the
depends on that of the player. The player may decide that his strength of mental resistence his mind is capable of putting
character is smart of dumb, as he likes. Wit, however, has an up. Things that can attack the Will of a character include the
important effect on the characters ability t o learn. Wit is also strange mental powers of mutants, magical powers, and the
a measure of the characters ability to discover Hidden mind-numbing effects of certain chemical compounds. In
Things and, in general, to observe and interpret things that general, Will can be regarded as the Mental equivalent of the
are out of the ordinary. Health Attribute.
LEARNING RATE
A characters Learning Rate is the base used t o determine STRENGTH
how much he may add t o a Skill rating as a result of a learning
Strength is a measure of the sheer physical power of the
session. Learning Rate is equal to the characters Wit Group.
character. This Attribute is particularly important in
The specifics of learning are dealt with under Character
determining with how much force he can wield a hand-held
Improvement, page43.
weapon. It also affects how much recoil from a gunpowder
DETECTING HIDDEN THINGS weapon he can sustain without suffering loss to his BCS in
When there is a Hidden Thing to discover, the firing.
Gamesmaster secretly rolls 1D20 and asks the players whose
characters are in a position to discover the Hidden Thing for WEAPON DAMAGE
their Critical Saving Throw scores. The Gamesmaster may The characters Strength Group will determine the Effect
modify the score needed bya number related to thedifficulty Die to be rolled (see chart, p. 4). Since weapons are treated
of discovering the Hidden Thing. Any character whose as mechanical devices, the result of the Effect Die Roll will be
modified score equals or exceeds the Gamesmasters die roll multiplied by the weapons Damage Multiplier to yield the
will have spotted the Hidden Thing. The Gamesmaster can Damage Potential of the characters attack, if successful.
then inform those players of what they have found and they Naturally, a character with a high Strength Group will tend to
may or may not have their characters reveal this knowledge do more damage when he makes a successful attack.
to other characters who are present.
The die roll is made secretly so that the players will remain
uncertain: is there nothing there, or is there something they WEAPONS USE
A characters Strength Group determines what kinds of
failed to discover? The Gamesmaster should go through this
weapons he may use when attacking with a Hand-to-Hand
procedure as a deception, at least as often as he uses it for
Combat Skill. All Hand-to-Hand weapons are rated by the
actual Hidden Things.
If the secret die roll is a20, the Gamesmastershould inform Strength Group required to use them without difficulty. A
some or all of the players of the discovery of a false Hidden character may freely use any Hand-to-Hand weapon rated
Thing. The Gamesmaster is urged to be creative, and have equal to or less than hisstrength Group. A character may not
fun, when his players discover things that are not there. use a weapon whose rating exceeds his Strength Group by2
or more.
If a character uses a weapon with a rating 1 greater than his
The adventurers (Characters) are exploring a Strength Group, he must use the Effect Die listed for the
ruined castle and havegatheredin what wasonce the Group 1 lower than his actual Group.
study. The players decide to have their characters If a weapon noted as a 1-1/2H(a hand-and-a-half type
search the room for hidden compartments (there weapon) or 2H (a two-handed weapon) is used one-handed,
actually is one to be found, as the Gamesmaster its rating goes up by 1. That is, a character would need t o be
knows). The Gamesmaster rolls 1020, with a result in a Strength Group 1 higher to use such a weapon one-
of 20. Thinking quickly, he picks the number 3, and handed than he would to use it normally.
asks the players i f any of their characters have a Wit When a character is using the Two Weapon Combat Skill,
Critical Saving Throw of 3 or higher. Several do (as and the rating of one weapon exceeds, or that of both equals,
the Gamesmaster already knew). He informs those his Strength Group, then the effective rating of each weapon
players that their characters have discovered signs is increased by 1.
of a hidden compartment i n a desk. The penalties noted in the preceding two paragraphs are
The players are now set up; they will probably cumulative. Note that a character using the Two Weapon
waste quite a bit of time trying to force entry into Combat Skill may find, due to cumulative increases in
the hidden compartment. The Gamesmaster may weapon ratings, that he is totally unable to use one weapon.
let them try everything they can think of, until they
give up in disgust; or he may allow an arbitrary Jo the Strong is a character with a Strength of 35.
length of time to pass-say five minutes-then tell He is thus in Strength Group5, and his normal Effect
the players they were wrong. Die will be 2010. He wishes to use a two-handed
Undaunted, the characters continue to search the sword with a Strength Rating of 5. He may do so
room. The Gamesmaster again rolls 1020. This time freely, if he wields it with two hands. I f he tries to
the result is a 5. One of the characters has a Wit swing i t one-handed, its effective Strength Rating is
Critical Saving Throw of 5, and discovers an actual raised to 6. Jo can use i t this way, but his Effect Die
hidden compartment in a bookcase. Since the will be that of Strength Group 4 or 206.
character with the Wit Critical Saving Throw of 5 I f Jos Strength were less than 31 he would be in a
had the highest Wit rating of the characters present, Strength Group lower than 5, and he would be
a secret die roll of6 by the Gamesmaster would have completely unable to use the sword one-handed.
5

Sal of the Sharp Blade prefers to fight with a when the action to be attempted is very difficult. The number
weapon in either hand. She has a Strength of 75, needed for a successful Saving Throw should be calculated
putting her in Strength Group 3. I f she tries to use for each Attribute, and entered on the Character Record
two weapons, each with a Strength Rating of3, each Sheet.
weapons would have its effective Strength Rating Saving Throw numbers are always calculated using the
raised to 4 . She would be able to wield them, but characters effective Attribute rating.
her Effect Die would be that of Strength Group 2 - Attribute Saving Throw (AST) equals Effective Attribute
1 D6.
ratingM (down)
I f she uses one weapon with a rating o f 3 and one
with a rating of 2, she will incur n o penalties, and use Critical Saving Throw (CST) equals Effective Attribute
her normal Effect Die, 1010. rating/3 (nearest)
I f she foolishly trieds to use a 1-1f2H weapon with
a rating of 3 in one hand and a weapon with a rating Unless the rules specify otherwise (and even then, if he
of 2 in the other, the latter will not be affected, but chooses) the choice of requiring an AST or a CST is left to
the former will have its rating increased by 1 for the Gamesmaster. He should base his decision on the
being used with one hand, and again increased b y 1 difficulty of the situation or the action attempted. On
for being used with one hand, and again by 1 occasion, at the Gamesmasters discretion, modifiers can be
because i t then exceeds her Strength Group. This added to or subtracted from the number needed for a
gives the weapon a rating of 5,2 greater than her successful Saving Throw.
Strength Group. She discovers that she cannot use To determine if a Saving Throw is successful, the player
the 1-1f2H weapon at all, when using the Two must calculate the number needed, add or subtract any
Weapon Combat Skill. modifiers, and roll 1020. If the result is greater than the
number needed, the character has failed his Saving Throw
DEFTNESS and must face the consequences.
A die roll of 1 signifies greater success than was hoped for,
Deftness is a measure of a characters manual dexterity and a roll of 20 signifies a disastrous failure. The exact results
and reaction time. It is used to determine how often a of such critical success or failure are left to the creativity of
character may act in a given situation, and whether he can the Gamesmasrer.
complete a task requiring dexterity. When characters are making Saving Throws in particularly
stressful situations, the Gamesmaster may levy acharge in
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ACTIONS subdual points (see p. 29) for each attempt, whether or not it
The Maximum Number of Actions (MNA) refers to the succeeds. This prevents characters from throwing
number of Actions (see Detailed Action Time, p 20) that the themselves at locked doors all day-eventually they will
character may initiate and complete in a Combat Turn. batter themselves senseless, if the door is stronger than they
Maximum Number of Actions = Deftness Group. can overcome, and even eventual success would have its
price. A die roll of 20 would call for double subdual damage,
or perhaps for a point of lethal damage in addition to the
SPEED subdual damage. The Gamesmaster must decide whether to
exact such penalties, and to what extent.
Speed is a measure of a characters agility and rapidity of
action. It is used to determine when a character may act in a
given situation. Speed also determines the characters rate of Elsie Smith, survivor of the Ruin, is fleeing for her
travel. life through rubbled streets. She is desperate. The
Gamesmaster tells Elsies player to make a Wit CST.
The roll succeeds. The Gamesmaster announces
BASE ACTION PHASE that Elsie has spotted a fire escape in an alley. The
The Base Action Phase is the first point in a Combat Turn
player has Elsie move into the alley and make a jump
in which a character may initiate an Action. The Base Action for the ladder. The Gamesmaster requires a
Phase (BAP) is equal to half the characters Speed (down). Deftness AST for Elsie to make a successful grab at
it. Elsies player rolls a 1 on the 020. The
Gamesmaster decides that Elsie has not only
HEALTH grabbed the ladder but has swung her body weight
in such a way that the rusted ladder has come free
Health is a measure of a characters constitution, and Elsie may climb i t on the next Combat Turn. I f
resistence to disease and recuperative powers. non-critical success had been indicated by the die
roll, the Gamesmaster might have required Elsies
HEALING RATE player to roll a Strength AST to unstick the rusty
ladder.
Healing Rate is the basic amount of damage, expressed in As Elsie climbs the fire escape, she hears the
points, that a character can heal in a period of time. groan of tortured metal. The player, realizing rhat
Applications of Healing Rate are explained in Damage, the lire escate may collapse, says that Elsie is
Health and Healing, p 36. hastening to find a way off the fire escape. Since the
Healing Rate equals Health Group. player recognized the danger, the Gamesmaster
requires a Speed AST (rather than a CST) for Elsie
to clear the collapsing fire escape. Again the die roll
is in Elsies favor, and she enters the building just as
SAVING THROWS the fire escape crashed down into a pile of twisted
When a player wants his character to perform an action metal.
which lies in the province of an Attribute, or when the rules Elsie lands in a heap as she leaps through the
call for it, the Gamesmaster will ask the player to make a window. Dust billows about her as she rises in the
Saving Throw (ST). This may be an Attribute Saving Throw deserted room. The Gamesmaster tells Elsies
(AST) or a Critical Saving Throw (CST). The CST is used player to make a Health AST. Fearful that Elsie may
6

have encountered a dangerous biological agent, the In keeping with his plans for the character, he
player makes the die roll. This time the result is adds 13 points to Combative fo raise it to t 1 1 , and 9
greater than the success score for Elsies Saving points t o Nautral to raise it to t17 as well. He adds
Throw. The Gamesmaster thanks the player and the remaining point to Esthetic, raising it to 1. This
asks for Elsies next actions. This request for a will allow the character to Learn-by-doing with a
Saving Throw was a deception-there is no Skill whose Governing Talent is Esthetic.
dangerous biological agent in the room. The Johns character, whom he now nicknames The
Gamesmaster is following the Golden Rule: Keep Hunter, has some special abilities. Due to his
em guessing. The players never feel entirely safe, Combative Talent score, he has an 1 1 % chance to
never know when danger is lurking around the gauge his opponents skill with a Weapon. He can
corner. also estimate compass direction with an 11%
Ignoring the clue (the unsound fire escape) to the chance of success, because of his Natural Talent
less than perfect structural integrity of the building, score. Because of the nature of the Combative
Elsie enters the corridor outside the room and runs Talent, The Hunter will have a base BCS of 2 (1 1
toward the stairwell. The Gamesmaster, having divided by 5, down) in any weapon form.
previously determined that the floor of this corridor
would give way under a persons weight, announces THE BASIC TALENTS
that Elsie has fallen through. Since she had no T h e seven basic Talents, and the general areas
warning, the Gamesmaster requires a Speed CST, governed by each are:
and because she was moving at fullspeed, subtracts
2 from the score needed to succeed. Not Charismatic: Basic persuasiveness, and the ability t o
surprisingly, the die roll indicates that Elsie failed to lead others.
grab onto anything that could have arrested her fall. Combative: Aggressiveness, the will t o win, and
The Gamesmaster requires a Health AST for Elsie to
raw fighting ability.
remain conscious when she hits the floor below
(adding 1 to the score needed, since she will land in Communicative: Facility with languages, and the general
a large pile of windblown leaves). Elsies luck takes a ability to communicate an idea.
turn for the better; she is conscious. A quick check Esthetic: A p p r e c i a t i o n and performance of
for damage done by the fall shows that Elsie has artistic endeavors.
suffered 4 points of Subdual Damage, with no Mechanical: Affinity for technology and its products.
critical effects.
Natural: Affinity for the natural environment.
OPTION
An alternate method for modifying difficulty: Scientific: C a p a c i t y f o r reasoned a n a l y s i s ,
T h e Gamesmaster may assign a die with a greater or lesser preception of cause and effect.
range than 1 D20 to be used for the Saving Throw, instead of
modifying the number needed for success. If he wishes t o RAW TALENT USE
increase difficulty, for example, he might require the Saving In the absence of acharactertrained in a required Skill, the
Throw t o be rolled on 1 D30 instead of 1 D20. Gamesmaster may allow the character with the highest score
in that Skills Governing Talent to try to use the Skill. His
score in the Governing Talent is used to determine his Basic
TALENTS Chance of Success (BCS). T h e BCS, of course, may be
modified according to the difficulty of the situation. If the
Talents are a measure of the characters aptitude and raw required Skill has a Prerequisite Skill in which the character
ability in the areas specified. Talents can modify the has no score, then his Governing Talent score is effectively
characters Learning Rate and enable him to learn by the halved for purposes of computing the BCS. T h e
successful application of his Skills. For specifics on these Gamesmaster should require a character using raw Talent to
functions, see Character Improvement, p. 43. perform a task t o use more game time than would a character
A Talent has a maximum score of 20 and no minimum using the appropriate Skill. If the character succeeds by
natural score. A score of less than 1 indicates that the using raw Talent, he is then able t o learn from it in the usual
character has no native aptitude at all in that area. A score fashion.
greater than 10 indicates significant aptitude. Situtations may arise in which the Gamesmaster decides
that a required Saving Throw is more in the province of a
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE Talent than of an Attribute. In such a case the player should
Each character will have apsychologica1 profile when he roll 1020, a roll less than or equal to his characters score in
is created. the method is detailed in Book 2. This profile gives the appropriate Talent indicating success. As usual, a roll of
the base starting values for the character in eachTalent. T h e 20 denotes failure, even if the characters Talent score is 20.
player will then roll 2D6 + 15. The result isa numberof points Quill, a medical technician, is trapped in a
which he may allocate among the variousTalents. N o initial decompressing space station. All doors have been
score may be lowered in order to add points to another sealed, and he is on the wrong side of the door to the
Talent. No final score may exceed 20. Any Talent score may escape craft hanger. He has no electronic skills at
be left at its initial value, even if that value is negative. all, and must short circuit the doors mechanism in
John Smith, player, is creating a character. He order to escape. However, he does have a BCS of 18
wishes the character to be a fighter, who is at home in High Technology Use Skill, and a Mechanical
in the outdoors. After determining his characters Talent of 15. The Gamesmaster decrees that Quill
psychological profile, he finds that the characters can open the door if he makes both a successful roll
Talent scores are. charismatic -2; Combative -2; for his High Technology Use Skill and a raw Talent
Communicative + l ; Esthetic 0; Mechanical t l ; roll using his Mechanical Talent. The player rolls 5
Natural +2; Scientific t1. on 1020-Quill is halfway there. He has popped the
John rolls 2 0 6 t 15. The roll is 8, so he has 23 panel over the wires and identified the ones he
points io allocate among his characters Talents. thinks control the door. The player now rolls 1020
7

against his raw Mechanical Talent. The result is 3, The Charismatic Talent interacts with three of the other
and he breathes a sigh of relief. But the Talents to yield a combination ability. These Talents are
Gamesmaster has decided that the attempt will Communicative, Esthetic and Natural. The effects of the
cause Quill to be hit with 2 units of electricalcharge. combination ability for each are listed below:
As Quill crosses the wires, sparks fly and he is Charismatic plus
knocked back across the chamber. Fortunately, he Communicative: T h e character, upon successfully
was wearing insulated gloves, which eliminate one communicating with the personage
of the units of charge. The Gamesmaster checks for being swayed, will get him to react as
damage, rolling 4 on 1 D10. He tells the player that desired. Note: This represents
Quill has taken 4 points of Subdual Damage. Quill persuasive argument. It is not a form of
picks himself up, shakes his head to clear it, and mind control. A character could only be
bolts through the open door to the escape craft. persuaded to suicide if he were already
in a self-destructive frame of mind.
SPECIAL TALENT ABILITIES Esthetic: T h e character, upon successfully
When a character has a Talent score greater than 10, he is performing with his artistic Skill, can
assumed to have a Special Talent Ability related to that implant simple ideas, emotions and
Talent. In general, his percentage chance to use the special sentiments in those who are affected by
ability is equal to his score in the Talent. Only one attempt to the artists work.
use a special ability may be made in any one situation. Natural: The character is responsive to animals.
As usual, a die roll in the range 96-00 denotes failure, and He may calm or excite them and get
probably an unexpected backfiring of the attempt. them to do simple things within their
The special abilities associated with each Talent are: limitations. Note: Thisdoes not allow the
Charismatic: The character may add his Talent score character to stop an animals attack
divided by 5 (down) to NPC reaction once begun, although he might disuade
rolls, provided he can communicate with it from attacking as long as none harm it.
the NPC he is trying to influence; or he Also he can not communicate with
may choose to subtract from the animals as i f they h a d h u m a n
reaction roll. Note that this special intelligence.
ability does not require a D100 roll.
Combative: The character may attempt to gauge ADDITIONAL TALENT BENEFITS
his opponent-discover his opponents Some of the Talents have additional benefits. These are
Skill score with the weapon he is using. peculiar to the Talent involved and any character with a
He may make only one attempt per positive score receives such benefits. The specifics are listed
opponent. below:
Communicative: The character may attempt to pick up
Combative: The character may use his Talent score
the general sense of something spoken as a Skill score in any Combat Skill in
in a language he does not understand. which his score is less than his Talent
Alternatively, he may attempt to convey
score. From this a Basic Chance of
a general concept to another character
Success may be calculated and to the
or NPC. Note that specific detail cannot
Basic Chance modifications due to the
be conveyed across a language barrier. situation and the weapons in use will be
Esthetic: T h e c h a r a c t e r may a t t e m p t t o
added. Note: This may not be used with
compose on the spot. It must be in an averaging Combat Skills if at least oneof
artistic form that he knows-that is, he
the scores to be averaged exceeds the
must have a score in theskill governing
Talent score.
that form.
Mechanical: The character may substitute his Talent
Mechanical: The character may attempt to estimate as a Basic Chance of Success for the
the mechanical complexity of a Skill of Technology Use. This Skill is
technological artifact (e.g. a lock) or the basic familiarity with tools, devices and
structural soundness of a construct (e.g. simple machines.
a door). Scientific: The character may use his Talent
Natural: The character may attempt to use his score/5, down as a Basic Chance of
sense of direction to estimate compass Success modification, positive or
directions, or avoid becoming lost. Note negative at whim, when dealing with
that once a character has failed in such games of chance which involves
an attempt, he will be unable to do it shifting odds, such as card games.
successfully until he has reoriented
himself by some indicator such as a
compass, the sun or a familiar star field.
Scientific: The character has an analytical ability
with which he may attempt to solve ABILITIES
conceptual problems such as codes and Each character has certain Abilities which are derived
riddles. from a combination of his Attributes. They are aspects of
If a character qualifies for special abilities in more than quantifying the character before play begins. Once the
one area he will receive all appropriate abilities. In addition, values have been calculated, they should be entered in the
some Talents in combination yield additional abilities. The proper place on the Character Record Sheet. Each of these
percent chance of success for these combination abilities is Abilities will be introduced and explained below.
the average of the Talent scores in the areas in question. If a characters Ability values should be altered in the
Remember that both of the Talents involved must have a middle of a turn in Detailed Action Time, the new values will
score that exceeds 10. not be applied until the bookkeeping phase of that turn.
a

. .
FREELY IMPROVABLE SKILLS a character to perform a simple function. The specific

A character may designate a number of Skills equal to the applications of this value are dealt with in the section on
combined score of his current Wit and Will as Freely Detailed Action Time on page 20.
Improvable Skills. Whenever a character is studying a Skill Phases Consumed in Action equals
which is not one of his designated Freely ImprovableSkills, Base Action Phase/Maximum Number of Actions, down
he is suffering a Hindrance to learning which will reduce the
number of points he may add t o his score as a result of that ENCUMBRANCE CAPACITY
Study period. The Encumbrance Capacity (ENC CAP) is a measure of
The Skills in which a character receives initial scores are how much the character can wear, carry and use without
not necessarily counted against this number. If the player getting in his own way. Acharacterwhose Encumbrancetotal
doubles the initial score of a characters Skill, that Skill is is less than or equal to his CAPM, nearest is considered to be
a::slJmed to be one of the characters Freely tmprovable Unencumbered and receives no modifications.
Skills. If more Skills than are allowed by the quota are A character whose Encumbrance Total is greater than
doubled, the player may decide which are to be considered CAP/:! and less than or equal to (3 x ENC CAP)N nearest, is
Freely Improvable Skills. considered to be Partially Encumbered. This character will
Skills will be added to the characters quota as they are have his effective Deftness and Speed lowered by 25% and
studied. It is not permissable, before the character has will suffer a Basic Chance of Success modification of -1 to all
reached his quota, to claim a new Skill, or a Skill which the endeavors requiring physical exertion.
character improves for the first time, is not a Freely A character whose Encumbrance Total is greater than
Improvable Skill. It is to be counted against the quota. All (3 x ENCCAP)MisconsideredtobeFullyEncumbered. lnthis
Freely Improvable Skills should be marked as such o n the state, effective Deftness and Speed will be lowered by 50%
Character Record Sheet by underlining, circling or some and he will have a modification of -2 instead of -1 for physical
other method agreable to the players and the Gamesmaster. endeavors.
Should a characters Wit or Will change permanently, his A character may not have an Encumbrance total that
Freely Improvable Skills quota will alter to reflect the new exceeds his Encumbrance Capacity.
values. I f it goes up, the character will add the next Skills A character may lift up to 150% of his Encumbrance
studied to the list of Freely Improvable Skills. If it goes down, Capacity for a very short time only. A Strength Critical
the player may choose which Skills will no longer be Saving Throw which is required to be made o n each Combat
c o n s i d e r e d Freely I m p r o v a b l e . S h o u l d his t o t a l Turn is a good way of determining how long a character can
subsequently go up, the character will regain those removed lift such a weight. The Gamesmaster is urged to levy subdual
from the list before designating other Skills as Freely points for actions of this kind. One point per turn for each
Improvable. 10% over the characters Encumbrance Capacity is a good
scale.
DAMAGE RESISTANCE TOTAL A character may shift, without lifting, an Encumbrance
The Damage Resistance Total (DRT) of a character is Total equal to twice his Encumbrance Capacity. It is
equal to his Permanent Health plus YZ Permanent Strength suggested that this kind of action be subject to the same
plus lh Permanent Will. This is a measure of how much penalties and limitations as the rule for lifting above.
damage, inflicted upon him by chance or his enemies, he is
The concepts of Encumbrance are dealt with in the
able to take before he collapses.
section on page 14.
Damage done to the character is measured in points.
Encumbrance Capacity equals
Any points of damage the character receives are totaled 3 plus Strength Group plus Deftness Group
together to give a current damage total. When the current
These values are taken from the Permanent values of the
total of damage points exceeds one half of the Damage
characters Attributes.
Resistance Total, the character is considered Wounded. He
will suffer a 25% loss to Deftness and Spesd. This will change
the effective values of those two Attributes and alter such OFF-HAND DEXTERITY
things as the characters Base Action Phase, Maximum Characters are assumed to favor one hand with regard to
number of Actions, Combat Dodge Ability and Phases manual dexterity. For convenience, the Gamesmaster may
Consumed in Action. Additionally, the character will suffer a wish to assume that the characters favored hand is thesame
-2 modification to all Basic Chances of Success. When the as the players favored hand, unless the player specifies
current total of damage points exceeds 75% of the Damage otherwise before the character enters play. All Skills using
Resistance Total, the character is considered Seriously the hands will be assumed to be using the favored hand in
Wounded. He suffers a 50% loss to Deftness and Speed and their primary applications. Should the character be brought
suffers the attendant problems. He also receives a -4 to the point where he must attempt to utilize such a Skill and
modification to all Basic Chances of Success. These his favored hand is disabled or absent, he will have to
modifications remain in force until the character is healed of average his Basic Chance of Success in that Skill with his
the damage taken. See Health and Healing on page 36. Off-hand Dexterity score. The Off-hand Dexterity score will
never raise the Basic Chance of Success above the value the
COMBAT DODGE ABILITY character would have is he were performing normally with
The Combat Dodge Ability (CDA) is the characters the Skill.
capacity to move his body out of harms way while in combat. Off-hand Dexterity can be increased as detailed in the
This is his basic defense factor. It is subtracted from his section on Character Improvement on page 43. The initial
opponents Basic Chance of Success. The base value of the value is based on the characters Attributes and a random
Combat Dodge Ability is given below although the actual factor. This value is calculated from the Allocated Attribute
value may vary according to the situation. (See the Target scores and will not be affected by changing the Attribute
Movement Rules in Book 2.) scores.
Combat Dodge Ability equals Off-hand Dexterity equals
(Effective Deftness plus Effective Speed)/20, nearest (Wit plus Will plus Deftness)/G, nearest plus 2D3
Kelson is left handed and has a Pistol Combat
PHASES CONSUMED IN ACTION Skill with a BCS of 72. He has been wounded in the
This is a measure of how long, in relative terms, that it takes left arm and cannot use it. Groggily, he picks up his
9

pistol with his right hand. Fortunately, he has For Size, Bulk and Looks, roll separately using 1 D1OO.The
increased his Off-hand Dexterity to 17. Averaging resulting number and description from the Physical Aspects
his Pistol BCS and his Off-hand Dexterity score will Chart should be recorded on the Character Record Sheet.
yield 14.5. This is rounded down to 14. Since the Off- The descriptions for Size and Bulk should be cross-
hand Dexterity score cannot increase the BCS of indexed on the Personal Encumbrance Table and the
the Skill being used, i t is reduced to 12 which number found there entered as the character's Personal
happens to be his normal base BCS. Encumbrance.
I f Kelson's scores had been reversed (his Pistol The Physical Characteristics of Size and Bulk are
BCS 17 and his Off-hand Dexterity score 12), important in determining if the Character can wear
averaging would have yielded 14.5 which would scrounged clothing or scavenged armor. The Personal
have been rounded to 14 to give the base BCS for Encumbrance is used in calculations for Bash attacks and
using the pistol with his off-hand. other things where mass is important.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS RECOGNITION FACTOR

The Recognition FaFtor is used by the Gamesmaster to
The quantification of the physical aspects of the character determine if the Player Characters are recognized, for good
is on a completely random basis, unlike the Attributes, or ill, by the Non-Player Characters with whom they interact.
Talents and Abilities. As a result, any player who can present The Player Character's base factor is the sum of the
a convincing case to the Gamesmaster as to why the Reconition factors he receives for Size, Bulk and Looks. This
character he is playing should have certain specified is modified by the Gamesmaster for such things asdistinctive
statistics should be allowed to use those statistics rather clothing, identifying marks, reputation and whether the
than rolling randomly to determine them. character announces his name.
I PHYSICAL ASPECTS CHART

Description Average
Equivalent Weight
D i e Roll (1D100) Size & Bulk Looks Recognition Value Height for Height
01 Very Low Ugly 3 under 5'4" 71-100 Ib.
02-05 Low Homely 2 5'418-5'5" 101-120 Ib.
06-26 Below Average Mediocre 1 5'6"-5'7" 121-140 Ib.
27-74 Average Average 0 5'8"-5'10" 141-160 Ib.
75-95 Above Average Above Average 1 5'1 1"-6' 161-180 Ib.
96-99 High Comely 2 6'1 "-6'2" 181-200 Ib.
100 Very High Handsome 3 over 6'2" 201-230 Ib.
To find weight for a

character with non-average
up or down Bulk move a
n u m b e r o f s t e p s , as
appropriate, equal to the
Recognition value for Bulk.
PERSONAL ENCUMBRANCE CHART

BULK
Very Below Above Very
Low Low Average Average Average High High
SIZE
Very LOW 3.0 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.9 4.0
Low 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.9 4.0 4.1
Below Average 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.3
Average 3.5 3.7 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.3 4.5
Above Average 3.7 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.3 4.5 4.7
High 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.3 4.5 4.7 4.9
Very H i g h 4.0 4.1 4.3 4.5 4.7 4.9 5.0
OPTION
To Personal Encumbrance add (Strength -10) x .l.
10

Lockpicking Skill is a Format 1 Skill. The score
SKILLS ranges from 0 to 100. The BCS is the score divided
A major aspect in the quantification of the character is the by 5, rounded down. The Average BCS is the normal
concept of Skills. Functionsof importto the game that do not BCS divided by 2 rounded down.
involve the simple exercise of body or mind by the character Stealth Skill is a Format 2 Skill. The score ranges
are governed by Skills. The Skill score is a quantification of from 0 to 100.The Skill has Rural and Urban areas of
the characters expertise and ability in a given area. The expertise. I f a characters principal area of expertise
characters score in a Skill represents his basic competency is Rural, his BCS when using Stealth Skill in a rural
in the area or areas covered by the Skill. This is hard-won, environment will be the score/5, down. When in a
ingrained knowledge and is not to be gained from casual urban environment, the BCS will be the scorell0,
instruction or undisciplined study. down. The character may at any time elect to treat
If a character does not have the Skill required to perform a the Urban area as a separate Skill and any
function, he is usually thrown back on his Talents or improvements to the score (which will start at one
Attributes. These are a poor substitute for rigorously half the score in the principal area) will be separate.
acquired expertise. Though a characters initial scores in the Once the areas are separated into Skills, they will
Skills with which he begins the game are based on become as Format 1 Skills except that the two
appropriate Attributes and Talents, he can improve the Stealth Skills will only count as one Skill with regard
scores by diligent study and significant, successful to the characters Freely Improvable Skills.
application of those Skills. Single Weapon Combat Skill is a Format 3 Skill.
Certain Skills cover things that anyone can do. This does The score range is from 1 to 200. The normal BCS
not mean that a character who does not have a score in that for use o f the Skill is the score in the first 100 points
Skill can not perform in that area. It does mean that when the divided by 5 and rounded down. The average BCS is
situation is such that a character has difficulty performing in total score divided by 10,rounded down. The BCS
the area governed by the Skill, a character without a score in derived from the second 100 points in the Control
the Skill will almost certainly fail. For example, anyone can Throw. The score in the 100 points divided by20 and
ride a horse, but a character who does not have a score in rounded down is the number of contiguous
Beast Riding Skill will probably fall off if the horse gallops Locations by which the target Location may be
and will almost certainly fall off if the beast bucks. altered. This function is not allowed when an
The very choice of initial Skills often defines the Average BCS is being used.
characters past and hischances in the future. In this fashion, Thus.a character with a Lockpicking Skillscore Of
the player may tailor his character t o suit whatever 48 has a BCS of 9.A character with a Stealth Skill
conceptions he has about that character. score o f 48 and a principal area of Rural has a BCS
Skills, as presented in Book 2, are given in a particular of 9 in a rural environment and a BCS of 4 in an
format. The name of the Skill is followed by the calculation urban environment. A character with a Single
for the initial score. The first Attribute in the formula is the Weapon Skill score of 148 has a BCS of 20, an
Governing Attribute and the first Talent is the Governing Average BCS of 14, a Control Throw of 9 and a
Talent. These come into play with regard to character Location alteration of 2.
improvement. If the Skill is a Combat Skill, the Positioning of
a character using the Skill is placed in parentheses after the BASIC CHANCE OF SUCCESS
name of the Skill. The initial score formula is followed by a The Basic Chance of Success (BCS) is determined by
number indicating the Format of theskill. If theskill requires dividing the characters score in the Skill to be used by 5 and
any prerequisite Skills, they are listed in parentheses under rounding down. This will yield a number from 0 to 20. The
the Skill name. A description and pertinent rules concerning number yielded by the calculation is considered the Base
the Skill will follow. BCS. This will be modified by various factors to give the
Adjusted BCS. It is this number that the player must roll less
than or equal to on 1D20 in order for the character to be
successful in using that Skill.
FORMATS When dealing with Format 3 Skills only the first 100 points
Skills are presented in three basic formats. Most Skills are generate the Basic Chance of Success to average with the
in the first format which is the simplest. All other non-combat Averaging Skill BCS for the modified BCS. The Control
Skills are in the second format. The third format is reserved Throw BCS is also averaged in the same way. To determine
for Combat Skills. the characters ability toaim, average his norrrral number of
alterations to the Location with the score in the Averaging
Format 1: The values for the score in this format range Skill divided by 20 and round down. As with normal
from 0 to 100. averaging, this will not increase the characters aim ability.
Averaging is always rounded down.
Format 2: The principal values range from 0 to 100 but The use of the Basic Chance of Success in combat isdealt
the Skill has a secondary area of expertise with at length in the section on Detailed Action Time on page
which has a value equal t o one half the 20. From the rules players can see how the concept of BCS
principal score. This secondary area may be works and can extrapolate its use for situations not
improved independently of the principal area. specifically covered.
Once it is raised independently, it essentially A player can be asked to make a BCS roll for his character
becomes a separate Skill of format 1 and the when the character is attempting t o do something within the
principal area does the same. province of one of his Skills or when he is searching his
memory for some piece of information relating to the field in
Format 3: This type of Skill acts as a format 1 Skill, but which the Skill is used.
there is a second range of value beyond the
score of 100. This range goes from 101-200. EFFECT NUMBERS
Score in the second range can not be In order to gauge the results of an application of some
accumulated until the score in the first range Skills, an Effect Number is used. The Effect Number is the
equals 100. difference between the Basic Chance of Success die roll
11

result and the modified Basic Chance of Success. This an inherent BCS modification of plus 3. His Basic
number is then used in a way which will bespecified with the Chance of Success derived from his Talent score is
description of the Skill that uses an Effect Number. 4. Thus Jos base BCS with the carbine is 7. This will
be modified by Restrictions, Distractions, and other
AVERAGING SKILLS Situational Modifiers as would any normal Basic
Some Skills are designated as Averaging Skills. This Chance of Success.
means that a character attempting to utilize another Skill When Jo finally gets to learn Rifle Combat Skill
while operating in the province of an Averaging Skill will use
and his score exceeds 35 which gives a BCS of 7, he
a modified Basic Chance of Success. The scores that the
will be using the Basic Chance of Success
character has in the Skill he is attempting to use and in the
generated from the Skill score. He will n o longer
Averaging Skill are added together. They are then divided by
receive the benefit o f inherent modification for the
5 and rounded down to yield the modified BCS. This BCS
carbine. Until then however, his BCS will be 7 due to
may not exceed the normal BCS of the Skill that the
Talent and the weapon. This can be thought of as
character is attempting to use, although it may exceed the
sort of a minimum base BCS built from the
normal BCS of the Averaging Skill unless the Averaging Skill
characters raw ability and the ease of use and
is a Combat Skill.
quality of the tool in use.
When dealing with a Combat Skill as the Skill that the
character is attempting to use, any BCS after averaging that
exceeds 20 becomes the characters modified Control PREREQUISITES T O SKILLS
Throw. This will also affect his aim. A simple rule is that he Some Skills are designated as requiring a Prerequisite
will have 1 point of Location modification for each 4 points of Skill. This means that a character must have a score of at
modified Control Throw. least 25 in the Skill or Skillsspecified as being prerequisiteto
the Skill he wishes to learn before he can acquire a score in
Beast Riding Skill is designated as an Averaging
that Skill.
Skill. This means that when a character wishes to
use another Skill such as Single Weapon Combat
while mounted on a horse, he must average his COMBAT SKILLS
scores in Single Weapon Combat and Beast Riding There are several things peculiar to Combat Skills and so
Skills. they are dealt with in this section. Combat Skill will, when in
Hawk Jensen has a score in Single Weapon use, result in the character having a certain positioning. This
Combat of 62 (BCS equals 12) and in Beast Riding is used as a modification to the exact Location of a hit in
of 94 (BCS equals 18). His opponent, Jake the combat. It is particularly pertinent in determining which arm
Shiv, has values of 152 (BCS equals 20; Control or leg is hit. Also, Combat Skills have chances for Aim and
Throw equals 10; Aim equals 2 ) and 40 (BCS Control Throws arising from the second range of score.
equals 8), respectively. Hawk would have an
effective score to determine his BCS of 15612 or 76. POSITIONING DUE TO SKILL IN USE
This yields a BCS of 13. Phis is greater than his Each Combat Skill will be specified as frontal, presented or
normal BCS with Single Weapon Combat of 12. refused. Frontal positioning indicates a 50-50 chance of
Therefore his modified BCS is lowered to 12. He is at either side of the character being hit when struck through a
no disadvantage for being mounted. Jakes average Front or Rear hex. A 70% chance of hitting the side that the
score is 19212 or 96 yielding a BCS of 19. This leaves attack is coming from occurs when the strike is made from a
Jake still superior to Hawk in Combat Skill but Jake Side hex.
has lost his Control Throw and his Aim. Presented and refused each have a 70% chance of striking
I f Jakes Beast Riding Skill had been 66, his the weaponed or non-weaponed side respectively when the
averaged score would have been 21812 or 109. This attack is made through a Front hex. An attack from a Side
would have given him a BCS of 20, a Control Throw Hex has a 50% chance of striking either side of the character
of 1, but still n o aim. I f he had been a superb when successful. An attack from a Rear hex reverses the
horseman with a score of 100, his averaged score probability of the Front hex attack. That is an attack against a
would have been 25212 or 126 yielding a BCS of 20, a character in Presented positioning has a 70% chance of
Control Throw of 5 and an Aim of 1. striking the non-weaponed side and against the character in
Refused positioning it has a 70% chance of striking the
weaponed side.
RAW TALENT VERSUS TRAINED SKILL A character with Presented positioning is attempting to
As noted in the section on Talents, if a character does not keep his body in profile to his opponent with his primary
have a score in a Skill that he wishes to perform, he may use weapon between him and his opponent. A character will hold
his score in the Governing Talent forthat Skill as if it were his his primary weapon in his favored hand unless otherwise
score in the Skill. To that Basic Chance of Success that is specified. This side is considered the weaponed side. The
derived from that number, he may add any inherent BCS other side is referred to as the non-weaponed side.
modifications that arise due the tools required to perform the A character with Refused postioning is also attempting
Skill. The most common kind of inherent modification comes to keep his body in profile to his opponent but he holds the
from the use of a gun. weapon in his favored hand away from his opponent with his
Once the characters score in the Skill is such that the body between it and his opponent. A character using this
Basic Chance of Success exceeds the Basic Chance of positioning usually has something else to interpose between
Success that he would have by using the BCS generated by his body and his opponent such as a shield.
the Governing Talent and any inherent BCS modifications,
he must use the BCS generated from his score in the Skill. He PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ATTACKS
will no longer receive any inherent BCS modifications. They Some weapons are noted as being capable of secondary
are only compensations for a person untrained in the proper attacks. The use of such an option is left to the player
use of such things. controlling the character. It is not required. If it is to be used,
Jo thestrong does not have Rifle Combat Skill but the attempt to make a secondary attack must be specified to
his Combatative Talent is 20. He finds himself in a the Gamesmaster when the character is initiating his Attack
firefight with a carbine in his hands. The carbine has Action. During the phases that pass while the character is
12

VARIATION IN CHARACTER STANCE DUE TO POSITIONING
Presented Frontal Refused
Percentage Breakdown of exact hit Location for attack coming from surrounding hexes
70% Right 50% Right 30% Right
70% Right 70% Right 50% Right 50% Right 30% Right 30% Right
30% Left 50% Left 50% Left 70% Left 70% Left
50% Right 50% Right 30% Right 70% Right 50% Right 50% Right
50% Left 50% Left 70% Left 30% Left 50% Left
30% Right 50% Right 70% Right

70% Left 50% Left 30% Left
conducting the Attack Action, he is considered t o b e without

benefit of his normal Weapon Defense Ability. The ALTERATIONS DUE T O AIM
secondary attack will have an effective score, to convert to
Basic Chance of Success, of one half the total score in that The Dot Pattern connects contiguous Locations on the Body
Combat Skill. For example a character with a score of 150 Map.
would derive the BCS and Aim for a primary attack from a
score of 150 and a secondary attack from a score of 75. Deliberate Miss
WEAPONS DEFENSE ABILITY IN COMBAT

A character using a Hand-to-hand Combat Skill has a
Weapon Defense Ability (WDA) against opponents using
Hand-to-hand Combat Skills to attack him. Thevalue forthis
Ability is subtracted from the opponents Basic Chance of
Success. When a character using a Missile Combat Skill is
engaged by an opponent using a Hand-to-hand Combat
Skill, he may use a skilled or unskilled unarmed-combat
Combat Skill t o generate a Weapon Defense Ability. When
doing this the character will suffer a negative modification to
his own Basic Chance of Success when he resolves his
missile attack. This modification will be equal to the Weapon
Defense Ability used by the character with the missile
weapon.
The Weapon Defense Ability is calculated from the first
one hundred points of score in thecombat Skill. It can easily
be different for each Hand-to-hand Combat Skill that the Deliberate Miss Deliberate Miss
character has score in. It is equal to the score in the Skill (first
100 points only) divided by 20 and rounded to the nearest.
AIM WITH A COMBAT SKILL

When a character had gained enough skill in a Combat
Skill he will begin to be able to aim. For each point of Aim,
the Location of a hit on the body map may be altered by one
Location. These must be contiguous Locations and follow
the transference lines on the accompanying diagram. The
use of Aim points is not required and, if used, all need not be
expended. Aim points are not cumulative from attack to
attack.
Aim is calculated similarly to Weapon Defense Ability
except that the second 100 points of the score in thecombat Deliberate Miss Deliberate Miss
Skill are used. That is,
Aim Points equal (Score-100)/20, down.
13

CONTROL THROWS DURING COMBAT ENCUMBRANCE
When a character in combat rolls a 20, he is subject t o a
Critical Miss. However, the player may attempt to make a The encumbrancesystem isa way of measuring how much
Control Throw for his character to avoid the effects of the of a load the character iscarrying and how thedistribution of
Critical Miss. If the throw is made, there will be no Critical that load will affect the character when he attempts to
Effects to the miss. I f not, the Gamesmaster will roll on the perform various actions while carrying the load. Each
Critical Miss Effects Table to see what has happened to the character has an Encumbrance Capacity which is the
hapless character. maximum value of Encumbrance (ENC) that the character
Control Throw equals may carry o n any kind of a sustained basis. The
(Score-100)/5, down and is treated Encumbrance value of any item is rated on an abstract scale
as if it were a normal BCS. which compares the bulkiness of an object to its mass. A
When used with Missile Combat Skills this Control Throw simplistic expression of this is presented in the
indicates that the character has been careful before hand Encumbrance Value Chart below. This chart will yield a
and has not used inferior or defective equipment or rough figure for the object being considered which may then
ammunition. In such cases treat as a normal miss. With such be adjusted by the Gamesmaster as he feels properto reflect
things as bullets, have the player remove an additional round the Encumbrance value of the item. In general, an item
from the characters total of ammunition since the Control designed to be handled or stored conveniently will have a
Throw indicates that the round in question was discarded as lower ENC value than an item of the same mass and bulk
defective. which has many protrusions or is of an awkward shape.
Representative examples of each bulk and mass
classification are given following the chart.
THE THRUST IN COMBAT For items which are presented in the weapons, armor or
Any weapon classified as capable of a thrust may be used equipment lists, we will give a specific ENC value. These
to deliver one. The player must specify that the character is values can be used by a Gamesmaster as a guideline in
using a thrust before the attack is resolved. A thrust will add 1 tailoring specific Encumbrance values for items which are
to the Basic Chance of Success but will lower the effective
introduced to the campaign.
Strength Group by 1 for purposes of determining the Effect
Die. A thrust has a percentage chance of achieving a special DISTRIBUTION OF ENCUMBRANCE
effect equal to the Damage Potential. If this occurs it is A character has a limited amount of space over which he
treated as a Missile Special Effect. may distribute a load upon his person. This is broken down
ENCUMBRANCE VALUE CHART
MASS
BULK VLt Lt HVY VHvy MS1 MS2 MS3
VSrn 0.001 0.05 0.1 0.6 1.o 2.0 3.0
SM 0.05 0.1 0.6 1.o 1.6 3.5 5.0
Med 0.1 0.3 1.o 1.6 2.0 5.0 7.5
Lg 0.3 0.6 1.5 2.0 3.5 7.0 10.0
VL9 0.6 1.o 3.5 4.5 5.0 10.0 15.0
HG1 2 3.5 5.0 6.0 8.0 16.0 22.0
HG2 4 7.0 10.0 12.0 16.0 32.0 44.0
HG3 6 10.5 15.0 18.0 24.0 48.0 66.0
BULK staves, longbows, polearms,

crossbows, rifles, etc.
VSm ...... very small.. . able to be hidden in a hand,
HG ....... huge .... greater than 6 feet long and
such as a coin, gem, small
bulky, usually requires two
jewelry, etc.
hands to carry
Sm ....... small . . . . . . . can be held and used with one HG1: mattress, small giant,
hand and does not project far coffin, etc.
from the hand, such as knives, HG2: horses, carts, small car,
candles, clubs, lanterns, etc. etc. and so on.
Med ...... medium.. ... held and used in one hand but
MASS
significantly larger than the
hand, such as short swords,
VLt ...... very light.. ... wood, paper, feathers, cloth,
torches, etc. etc.
Lt . . . . . . . . light ...... flesh, leather, water, heavy
Lg . . . . . . . . large.. . . . . . . usable in one hand and up to woods, etc.
about a meter in length, such as Hvy ...... heavy ........ stone, gemstones, iron, brass,
swords, large tools, bundles, etc.
etc. VHvy.. ... very heavy ... lead, silver, etc.
V L g . . . . . . . very large ... able to be held or carried in one MS . . . . . . massive . . . . . . MS1: gold, platinum, etc.
hand but usually requiring two MS2: uranium, plutonium, etc.
hands to use properly, such as and so on
14

into areas such as his hands, his back, at his belt and slung He then takes u p a quarterstaff in his right hand
from his side. The character may wear or carry containers at for an additional Encumbrance of 1. The final
these locations which will hold other items. Each container Encumbrance Total is 6.27.
will be rated according to the maximum ENC value it will hold Yusof has a Strength Group of 4 and a Deftness
and the maximum bulk grouping which will fit into the Group o f 2. This gives him an Encumbrance
containers opening. Once an item is placed into a container Capacity of ( 3 x 4 ) t 2 or 14., Thus, load he is
its effective ENC will be halved. This half value is what is carrying will put him at Partially Encumbered status.
assessed against the characters Encumbrance Capacity. If he rids himself of the staff before going into action,
However, the items full ENC value is what is assessed he will be in Unencumbered status.
against the containers maximum capacity. Containers such
as backpacks, when worn properly merely occupy space and ACCESS TO STORED ITEMS
do not count against the total Encumbrance value that the In order to get an item which has been stored i n a
character is carrying. container, the character must get access to the container,
A character may carry: open it and sort the desired item out from the other items in
1 thing on his back. the container. The time taken in doing this can be of serious
1 thing up to Very Large in each hand. importance if this is being done in the middle of a desperate
1 thing slung over each shoulder. situation. The player should state that the character is
10 things on a belt. beginning to get an item and inform the Gamesmaster of
It should be noted that athing may actually occupy more where it is kept. The character will then be engaged in the
than one position on a belt. For example, a tool kit designed process for a number of Actions. The exact number should
for belt wear is only one thing for determining its ENC be known only totheGamesmaster.Thewil1 announceto the
value but it will take up about 5 places on a belt. player that he has found the item sought at the end of the
Armor and clothing that is worn should have the total ENC Action on which it is found.
value of each garment or item calculated and the total of the T o determine which item the desired one will be when
ENC value for all the garments and items is the ENC value items in a container are gone through, the Gamesmaster will
that will be assessed against the characters Encumbrance roll a die with a range equal to the number of things in the
Capacity. Any garments or items of armor that are carried container. If the number of things is not equal to oneof the
rather than worn will have their ENC values doubled. standard ranges, the Gamesmaster should roll the die with
the next largest range and reroll if the result is outside the
range determined by the number of things. The result of
ENCUMBRANCE STATUS the die roll will indicate which item the desired one will be. A
Once a player has calculated his characters Encumbrance character may sort through a number ofthingsequa1 to his
Capacity and the Encumbrance Total of all gear carried and Deftness group in each Action.
worn, the characters encumbrance status may be The method of closure used on the container may also
determined. The requirements for each status and its effects affect the time involved. A container that is unsealed or
are listed in the table below. closed only by a snap or Velcro-type seal will not add to the
time involved. A button or buckle will add 1 Action for each
Status Deftness Speed BCS button or buckle involved. If the container is closed by being
Unencumbered tied, it will add 3 Actions.
up to 1/2 ENC CAP ** no modifications **
OPTION
Partially Encumbered A character may cut the overall time down by making a
up to 3/4 ENC CAP -25% -25% -1 Deftness Saving Throw. The results of the throw are kept
Fully Encumbered secret by the Gamesmaster since it will affect when the
up to full ENC CAP -50% -50% -2 character finds the sought after item. If the die roll result is in
the characters Ability Saving Throw range, the time will be
As with other percentage modifications t o Attribute scores cut by 1/3,rounded to the nearest Action. If the result is in the
the percentage is taken from the effective score. The BCS characters Critical Saving Throw range the time will be cut
modification applies only to Skills which require physical in half, rounded to the nearest.
exertion or the exercise of dexterity. They do not apply to any
Skills which are cerebral in nature. Yusof of the previous example is in Detailed
Action Time and finds that he needs some of his
medical supplies. With his Deftness Group of 2, he
Yusof Strongarm is getting ready to go will have two Actions per Combat Turn. He will
adventuring and is packing up his gear. Into a pack spend the first turn taking off his pack, since it
(ENC CAP 10) go: a bag with field rations ( 10 at 0.1 requires two Actions to do so. The backpack is held
each), a bag with 10 bandages (0.05 each) and 5 closed by two buckles so it will take Yusof another
units of medical supplies f.1 each), a bag with a turn to open the pack. Because all the items in the
hammer (.6) and 5 iron spikes ( . 4 each), and a full5 pack are in separate bags, the Gamesmaster rules
liter water skin ( I ) . This has a total Encumbrance that there are 4 things in the pack. The
value of 5.6. He shrugs the pack into place o n his Gamesmaster rolls 1 0 4 (Roll 1 D6 and ignore results
back. Once there it will add 2.8 to his Encumbrance over 4 ) and the result is 3. Since Yusofs Deftness
Total. Group is 3.he willget the right bag on the first action
The value for the clothes and armor that he is of sorting. Because there are two bandages to each
wearing is 0.1 7 . This brings his Encumbrance Total unit of supplies. there is a 1 in 3 chance that each
to 2.97. thing gone through in the small bag will be a unit
Yusof belts on his sword (.7) and stuffs a pistol(.3) of supplies. Yusof can check up to 3 things per
into his belt. He slings a coil of rope( 1 ) over his right Action. The Gamesmaster starts rolling l D 3 for
shoulder and a shoulder bag over the left. The bag each item sorted. The second die roll is a 1 so the
contains 10 spare rounds for the pistol (.01 each) thing is a unit of supplies. The total number of
and a repair kit for the gun (.5). In the bag, they have Actions would be six. Yusof is in a hurry so the
an effective Encumbrance of .3. This new gear player elects to attempt a Saving Throw to cut the
raises his Total by 2.3 to 5.27. time. The Gamesmaster rolls 1020. The die result
15

falls in Yusofs Ability Saving Throw range. This A quadrupedal body is also represented by 30 Locations
means that the time in terms of numbers of Actions but in a different fashion. When a level on the body is
will be cut in half, to three. The Gamesmaster will indicated the third LOC listed represents the underbelly of
announce that Yusof has a unit of supplies in his the animal. The percentage determinations for the exact
hands at the end of the third Action from the time Location works in much the same way as for bipedal forms.
that the player announced that Yusof was beginning The specifics along with the Hit Location Tables are
the attempt. I f interrupted, Yusof would have to pick presented on page 28.
up the process again from where he left off. A new
calculation of the time reauired should be made.
QUADRUPEDAL HIT LOCATION MAP
PERSONAL MASS
A characters mass must be known to determine the
Encumbrance Total for any mount the character may ride
and for calculations involving Bash effects. Personal Mass is
equal to the characters Personal Encumbrance plus one
third his Encumberance Total, rounded down.
A character who is charging will increase his Personal
Mass by 50%. An unconscious character will have his
Personal Encumbrance increased by 50% before the
Personal Mass calculation. A struggling character trying to
avoid being carried off will have twice his normal Personal Belly locations are
Encumbrance for purposes of making the Personal Mass
caluculation.
LOCATION AND ARMOR

This system has the human body divided into 30 areas.
Each is refered to as a Location (LOC). When a character is
successfully attacked, 1D100 will be rolled to see where the
attack landed on the Location map. Generally, a level on the
body will be indicated. A die roll of 20 indicates LOC 4/5. If
the character struck is presenting either his front or back to
the direction of the attack there is a 50% chance that LOC 4
will be struck, and, if LOC4 is not indicated, then LOC5 .is
struck. When the character is facing in such a direction that
one side of his body is closer to the direction of the attack,
there is a 70% chance that the side facing the direction of the
attack will be the one that is struck. In the caseabove, if the
attack had been coming from the characters left side, there
would have been a 70% chance that LOC 5 would receive the
attack. If the die roll was greater than 70 on 10100 than LOC Once the exact Location of the strike from a successful
4 would have been the target. attack is known, the protection on that Location must be
checked. This protection may be from hide, clothing or
BIPEDAL HIT LOCATION MAP armor. It will be rated for an Armor Value or AV. This Armor
Value will be subracted from the Damage Potential derived
from the attack to determine the actual damage done to the
character receiving the attack.
Armor and clothing materials are rated for their Armor
Value as well as their ENC for each point that they cover.
From these values the protection of the garment and its total
ENC value can be calculated. This has already been done for
items in the lists of standard gear. It is important that armor
and clothing be treated as garments and not just isolated
pieces.
Only the best Armor Value that a character has covering a
1\
given Location is used to subtract from the Damage
Potential. However the total ENC value for all items worn is
assessed against the characters Encumbrance Total.
OPTION
ENHANCED ARMOR VALUES
20 Under this Option a character receives ttie Armor Value of
19
additional layers worn on top of or underneath his best
armor. He does not, however, receive the full value. Each
extra layer will have an Armor Value equal to its normal value
divided by 4, rounded down. The character is still subject to
the full encumbrance values of the extra layers.
16

This Option is a more accurate reflection of reality but USE OF ARMOR T O PREVENT DAMAGE
tends to make the game less sporting. It is only Against most forms of attack, the Armor Value of the
recommended for detail fanatics who wish even more material covering the Location which is hit will be subtracted
calculations. from the Damage Potential. In the case of constriction
attack, the format of the material will affect its Armorvalue. A
Rigid format material will have an effective Armor Value of
ARMOR FORMATS twice its normal value until this doubled value is exceeded by
Each of the various types of armor that a character can the Damage Potential on one phase. At this point, the armor
wear is specified as having a format. These formats are Rigid Value will be effectively 0 since the material is considered
( R ) ; Semi-Rigid (SR); Flexible, Hard (FH); Flexible, Soft crushed beyond use. A character will receive an additional
(FS) and Flexible, Quiltable (Fa). The format of an armor is amount of points of Subdual damage equal to the normal
important for determing its use when an armor is reinforced Armor Value of the Material when the material is removed.
and when the character is subject to damage due to This must be done before any healing can be done to the
constriction. injured area.
Semi-Rigid, Flexible Hard, and all Reinforced materials
REINFORCING ARMOR will have their normal Armor Value against the first
All Flexible, Quiltable materials may bequi1ted to yield a constriction. On successive turns their value will be reduced
more protective armor. This increases the Armor Value by 1 by half, rounded down, until the source of the constriction is
and doubles the ENC value for each Location the garment removed. A second constriction o n thesame Location allows
covers. This process may be done properly by any character the process to begin again.
with Tailor Skill. T o indicate that the armor has been treated All other formats of armor materials provide no protection
in this fashion the designation Q- is placed in front of the against constriction at all. They have an effective Armor
code for that type of armor. Thus Heavy Cloth with a Value of 0.
designation of HC, a format of Flexible, Quiltable and an
ENC value of .0008per Location would, when quilted have a
designation of Q-HC, the same format and an ENC value of AVERAGE ARMOR VALUE
.0016 per Location covered. It would also have its Armor The Average Armor Value is used to defend against attacks
Value increased from 2 to 3. upon the character made by multiple small objects such as
All Flexible, Soft and Flexible, Quiltable materials may be occur with fragmentation type effects. It is also the basic
Reinforced. The Reinforcing will raise the Armor Value by rating of the character in the Tactical Combat System.
one third the Armor Value of the Rigid format reinforcing Average Armor Value is calculated by summing the best
material rounded to the nearest. The ENC value per Location Armor Value on each Location, dividing the result by 30 and
will be raised by the ENC value of the Rigid format material. rounding to the nearest.
The format of the resultant armor will be Flexible, Hard. A Yusof of the two previous examples is wearing
given armor may only be Reinforced once, although a armor and clothing of the following characteristics:
Flexible, Quiltable material may be both Quilted and
Reinforced. I f the example above were to be Reinforced with Location Armor Total
bronze studs (Designation: BP; Format: R; ENC: .06), its new Item Coverage Code Value ENC
designation would be A(BP)-Q-HC. Its new Armor Value Steel helmet 1 SP 9 .07
would be 3 + (6/3) or 3 + 2or5 and its ENC value per Location Clothing 4-18 & 21-28 H C 2 .01
would be ,0016 + .06 or .0616. Any character with Armorer Heavy Leather
Skill may Reinforce armor. Torso Armor 4-12 HL 4 .07
Only those armor materials dealt with above may be Light Leather
reinforced in any way. Calf Boots 17-20 LL 3 .02
This yields a total Encumbrance value of .17
LEATHER AND HIDES AS ARMOR To determine the Average Armor Value only the
Any character with Leatherworker Skill can properly cure best armor on each Location is considered. On
Location 1, there is 9. On Locations 2 and 3, there is
a hide to yield the standard Armor Value for the type of hide
being worked. These values are specified in the Armor
0. On Locations 4 to 12, there is 4. On Locations 13
to 16, there is 2. On Locations 17 to 20, there is 3. On
Materials Listing in Book 2. A character who fails his Basic
Locations 21 to 28, there is 2. On Locations 29 and
Chance of Success roll or one who does not have
Leatherworker Skill will get a badly cured version of the hide
30,there is 0.
that will have an Armor Value of 1 less than normal. It can not This gives one Location with 9, nine Locations with
4, four Locations with 3, twelve Locations with 2 and
be later hardened.
four Locations with 0. The total of the Armor Values
Any leather that is of Flexible, Soft format may be
is 9 t ( 9 x 4) + (4 x 3 ) + ( 1 2 x 2 ) t (4 x 0 ) or 9 +36 t 12 t
Hardened by a character with Leatherworker Skill to
increase the Armor Value by 1. This will add H- to the
24 + 0 or 81. This is divided by 30 to give 2.7. This is
materials designation and change its format to Flexible, rounded to the nearest to give an Average Armor
Hard. It will not alter its ENC value per Location, A material Value of 3.
may not be Reinforced after it is Hardened nor may it be
Hardened after it is Reinforced. OPTION
IMPROVISING ARMOR MATERIALS DESTRUCTION OF ARMOR
Any character may improvise armor. A character with
Armorer Skill whodoes not have the properfacilities will only If the Damage Potential or BDG of an attack exceeds the
be Improvising. Improvised armor will only have one half of armor Value by three times its value the armor on that
its normal Armor Value. This rule is designed t o deal with Location is considered destroyed starting on the next phase.
things that were not originally meant to be used as armor After combat a characterwithanappropriateSkillforworking
being pressed into service by a character who is without the material may restore it to one half Armor Value until
useful armor. repairs can be made to restore it to full value.
17

TIME AND MOVEMENT
Once the characters adventuring careers have begun, DETAILED ACTION TIME SCALE
time in the game will pass at different rates. Thetimescale in Detailed Action time scale is used when determining the
use in any particular instance depends on several things. results of such intricate interactions as combat, death traps,
How the characters are travelling, what they are trying to do confrontations, etc. Since the most common use of Detailed
and what is happening around them all have bearing on the Action Time (DAT) is combat, a turn is refered to as a
time scale to be used. The Gamesmaster will make the Combat Turn. The actual time represented by a Combat
decision as to which scale is to be used. He will then ask for Turn is about 6 seconds. Each Combat Turn is divided up
appropriate responses from the players with regard to their into Action Phases. This is done to break down the complex
characters actions and intents. The scales for the passage of interpenetration of complicated actions occurring almost
time in the game which are defined here are: Strategic, simultaneously into sort of a slow motion where each
Tactical, Detailed Action Time, Real Time and Down Time. action can be considered and resolved in the light of the
other actions taking place around it. The specifics of
STRATEGIC TIME SCALE Detailed Action Time are involved and are treated in their
Strategic time scale is usually used when the characters own section on page 20.
are doing longdistance travelling. A day is divided into two
Strategic Turns, one for the day and one for the night. The REAL TIME SCALE
characters are assumed to travel during one of the turns and Real Time scale is a variation of Detailed Action Time in
rest during the other. If the players wish to have their that it is a short time scale and is used to handle short,
characters travel for more than one consecutive Strategic complicated interactions such as conversations or unusual
Turn, they will be subject to the Forced March rules on page actions not accounted for in the standard rules. When Real
19. Time is invoked, it is the players rather than the characters
During each Stategic Turn the Gamesmaster will make a who are consuming the time in the game. That is to say, that
check to see if the characters have an Encounter. The however long it takes players to complete their conversation
procedure for this is presented in Book3. If the characters do or whatever, is how long it will take the characters to finish
indeed have an Encounter, the Gamesmaster will probably the same conversation. Naturally, things will continue to
switch to one of the other time scales in order to resolve the happen around the characters. If something that would
interaction between the characters and whatever or whoever impinge upon the senses of the characters happens, the
they have encountered. Gamesmaster should inform the players of this at the point it
As the characters travel, the Gamesmaster should happens as if the characters noticed it while they were
describe to the players the nature of the terrain through performing their actions.
which the characters are travelling. This would include the The Real Time scale is where much of the role playing in a
nature of the vegetation, any significant geographical Role Playing Game comes from. Here players frequently act
features and any man-made structures. If a location or a as their characters in a literal sense. Some players even
feature is well hidden or off the direct route that the develop accents or characteristic methods of speech so the
characters are following, the Gamesmaster may wish to roll other players will know when it is the character speaking
1D20 to see if the travellers will discover theHidden Thing. instead of the player.
Locations that are preplanned by the Gamesmaster may
well have guards, outposts or some kind of outlying group DOWN TIME SCALE
that might interact with a traveling group of adventurers Unlike the other timescales, Down Time is not used during
when they draw near. The Gamesmaster should make a an adventure. It is used between adventures. The game time
special encounter check for this. Such things may lead the consumed can vary from days to weeks to months to years.
characters onto an unplanned adventure, unplanned by This is the time scale to be used when the characters are
them that is. Studying, Researching, Rebuilding, etc.
The Gamesmaster, unless specifically requested by the
TACTICAL TIME SCALE players, should always allow the characters to have some
Tactical time scale is most flexible with regard to the Down Time between adventures. During Down Time, the
length of a Tactical Turn. The exact length of aTactical Turn usual hazards of the town, ruins, or wilderness are consider-
is left to the Gamesmasters discretion and can vary from one ably reduced or, if the Gamesmaster is in a good mood,
turn to the next. It is intended that the Tactical scale cover nonexistant. When a regular campaign is being run, a good
time periods ranging from 10 minutes to 1 hour. scale to use is a week of actual time between gaming
Tactical scale should have the length of its turn reflect the sessions corresponds to a month of game time. This allows a
complication of the action to be resolved. The more greater flow of time in the game and players can thus see
complicated it IS, the shorter the period should be. Thus, their successful characters live out a lifetime in something
when characters are travelling through something like a less than the players own lifetimes.
ruined city in which the Gamesmaster has located several As noted above the flow of time in Down Time Scale is
prepared areas but has not mapped the whole city in close flexible and the Gamesmaster may wish to vary the Down
detail, a turn of an hours length would beappropriate. When Time between adventures to be more suitable to the
the characters reach one of the predesigned areas, the time campaign or the particular series of adventurers that the
scale should be altered to turns lasting 10 or 20 minutes. characters have embarked upon. When the time in this scale
A variation on Tactical time scale is used with the Tactical extends much beyond a month and the players wish to have
Combat rules and is presented with those rules in Book 3. their characters engaged in constant Study or Research, the
18

Gamesmaster should take human nature into account.
Characters will get bored or exasperated with what they are MOVEMENT MODIFIERS CHART
doing and will not apply themselves fully. In this fashion, not On Good Road ............................ .200%
all the time will be available for the characters to increase On Poor Road.. ............................ 100%
their Skills or build things. Sometimes, even a character will On Ruined Road ........................... .50%
need a vacation from the constant hard schedule that a In Ruined City.. ............................ ,259'0
player will outline for him. The Gamesmaster might require In Built-up Area ............................ .50%
the character to make a'Will Saving Throw, at various In Open Terrain ............................ 100%
intervals, in order for the character to remain dedicated to In Rough or Impeding Terrain.. ............. .75%
the player's regimen of studies or other procedures. In Woods, Hills or Desert ................... .50%
During some adventures the gaming session will end In Forest, Swamp, Jungle, or Mountains ..... ,25%
before the particular scenario is completed. In such cases, At Night without light.. ..................... .25%
it is best to "freeze" the action in place. The positions of all At Night with Dim light ..................... .50%
characters should be carefully noted along with what they At Night with Good light.. ...................75%
were doing when the action was "frozen." At the next game In Light Rain or Fog ........................ .75%
session the action may be resumed where it left off at the last In Heavy Rain or Fog or Light Snow.. ....... .50%
session. When this occurs frequently, the Gamesmaster may In Dense Fog or Heavy Snow ............... .25%
wish to allow a longer than usual period when next heallows
Down Time. On Day After
Heavy Rain (day 1) ... 75% (day 2 ) . ..
100%
COMBINING TIME SCALES Light Snow (day 1) ... 50% (day 2 ) . ... 75%
There will come times in the course of a campaign when Heavy Snow (day 1) ..25% (day 3 ) . ...75%
the Gamesmaster will find that a combination of more than (day 2) .. 50% (day 4 ) . .. 100%
one time scale will prove a superior way to handlea situation.
A fight that uses missile weapons at ranges over 50 meters is Prolonged Snow: for each additional day of snow
a good example. Characters can still resolve their actions as add 1 day at the worst penalty
if they were in Detailed Action Time for purposes of what
For calculation purposes remember that 75% is
they can do and when they can do it. For movement if
equal to .75, 100% is equal to 1.0. etc.
characters are trying to close the distance between the
hostile groups, the use of Tactical Scale movement is
recommended. The Gamesmaster may keep track of such
actions by noting the positions of all involved parties o n his
Tactical Scale map and only shift to the Detailed Action Time FORCED MARCH
Display when the opponents are about 20 meters apart. Forced March entails the character pushing himself
Often when doing this, the Gamesmaster may wish to beyond the pace assumed in the travel rules. This can be
represent each party as if they were on the DAT Display and done in one of two ways: the Fast March or the Long March. If
use a Tactical Display where each hex is 10 meters (or some either form is attempted on a second consecutive day, a
other appropriate number). A marker on theTactica1 Display Health Ability Saving Throw is required for it to be used. On
would be used to indicate each of the Tactical Display hexes the third day, a Health Critical Saving Throw is required. O n
that has one or more characters in it. This technique aids the following days, a Health Critical Saving Throw at one half the
players' grasp of the tactical situation. It is recommended normal value is required. If the Saving Throw is not made, no
when feasible. Forced March is allowed o n that day. Normal travel is
allowed. After one day at normal pace, the ability to Force
MOVEMENT IN TACTICAL OR march is regained.
STRATEGIC TRAVEL
Each character will have a movement rate fora day's travel. THE FAST MARCH
This rate assumes ten hours of travel and includes proper This form allows the character to move at double the base
rest breaks. A character wishing to exceed these rates is hourly rate. The doubled base rate is still subject to terrain
subject to the Forced March rules. The basic rates are modifiers. The maximum number of hours during which the
subject to modifiers due to terrain and weather conditions. character may move at this rate is equal to the character's
A character's basic traveling rate is equal to 10 plus his Healing Rate. Each hour, or fraction thereof, that the
effective Speed in kilometers. This is for oneday's travel. For character is moving at this rate beyond the safe limit will do
the hourly rate, simply divide by 10. 2D10 of Subdual Damage to the character. This damage is
When calculating the modified travel rate, all the treated like normal subdual damage and may be recovered
percentages in the chart below should be treated as decimals from in the usual fashion. (See Damageand Healing on page
and multiplied consecutively by the basic travel rate. 36.) This damage may lower the base movement rate. Once
the character has passed out from the strain of the Fast
J.J. Jones is travelling through hills ( x 5)on a Good March, he may not use Forced March for the rest of the day.
Road(x 1.0) on the seconddayaftera LightSnow(x
.75). With a Speed of 32, her daily travel rate is 42 THE LONG MARCH
kilometers and her hourly rate is 4.2 kilometers. A This form allows the character to continue moving at his
day's travel under the conditions above, therefore, normal base rate for more than the normal 10 hours. The
will be 42 x .5 x 1.0 x .75 or 15.75, rounded to 16 maximum number of safe hours that he may do this is equal
kilometers that day. This also means her hourly rate to his Healing Rate. Each hour, or fraction thereof, beyond
will be 1.6 kilometers an hour. the safe limit does 2D10 of subdual damage as in Fast March.
19

DETAILED ACTION TIME
The scale of play known as Detailed Action Time (DAT) is When a character on a Detailed Action Time Display (see
used for situations where the specific actions of the below) is moving at less than 1 meter per phase, the marker
characters and the time that it takes to resolve such actions should not be moved from one 1 meter hex to another until
are followed in close detail. The most common use of this the character has accumulated sufficient movement to
scale is combat. Therefore one turn in this scale in known as account for the 1 meter change on the Display. It is the
a Combat Turn. One Combat Turn approximates 6 seconds responsibility of the controlling player to keep track of all
of real time. Each Combat Turn is broken down into a partial movements of this nature.
variable number of Action Phases. Each action taken during
a Combat Turn will occur on a particular Action Phase. EFFECTS OF PRE-EMPTION & SURPRISE
During the Combat Turn the Gamesmaster will count down
If a character initiates an Action and thereby causes the
from the highest numbered Action Phase in which one of the
Gamesmaster to declare that Detailed Action Time is
involved characters may act. When the countdown reaches
neccessary, the Gamesmaster may decide that the character
the phase in which a character may act, the controlling
has "pre-empted" the other characters involved. This means
player must inform the Gamesmaster of the character's
that the countdown of the Action Phasesforthe first Combat
actions. Action Phase 0 is the bookkeeping phase and NO
Turn of the Detailed Action Time will begin on the Base
characters may act in this phase.
Action Phase of the character who initiated the Action which
Various Abilities are involved in the character's execution
caused Detailed Action Time to begin. Any characters who
of actions under the rules of Detailed Action Time. These
have higher Base Action Phases are treated as if they had
Abilities are recounted here along with their specific
done nothing until this point in thecountdown. This situation
appliactions.
prevails only on the first Combat Turn. All subsequent turns
Base Action Phase (BAP) equals Speed/2, begin, as usual, at the Base Action Phase of the character
Down. This is the highest-numbered phase in the with the highest BAP.
Combat Turn in which the character may initiate When a character is in a position to surprise another
actions in accordance to the Movement and character and thereby initiate Detailed Action Time, the
Action rules. The character with the highest BAP controlling player may choose the Action Phase on which
in a given Detailed Action Time determines the the countdown will begin in the first turn of Detailed Action
starting point of the countdown. That point is Time. Once the phase is chosen the Combat Turn proceeds
equal to the character's BAP. as if a character had pre-empted the situation and the pre-
empting character's Base Action Phase was the phase
0 Phases Consumed in Action (PCA) equals chosen by the player whose character has achieved surprise.
BAP/MNA, down. This is the number of phases A surprised character may only use his Weapon Defense
that it takes the character to perform an Action Ability if the phase of initiation is higher than the surprised
during Detailed Action Time. If the numbers of character's Phases Consumed in Action number and the
phases left in a Combat Turn is less than the character makes a Speed Ability Saving Throw.
character's PCA, then the character may not
initiate an Action during that Combat Turn. The Crafty Old Sam is hiding in the shadows of an alley
character may, however, move in accordance waiting for a victim. A figure appears and begins to
with the Movement rules for the rest of that move down the alley. Sam elects to let him pass and
Combat Turn. then jump out to attack. The playerofSamstates that
Sam will initiate this action on Action Phase 5 which
0 Maximum Number of Actions (MNA) equals is Sam's Base Action Phase. The Gamesmaster
Deftness Group. This is the greatest number of begins the countdown at 5. Sam's intended victim
Actions that the character may initiate and has B A P of 7 and MNA of 1. Thus, his PCA is 7 and
complete in a Combat Turn. A character with an there are not enough phases left in the Combat Turn
MNAofO takes twoCombatTurnstocompletean for the character to get his Weapon Defense Ability
action. He has a PCA of 2 x BAP.
into play. Since Same began an Attack Action on 5.
0 Base Movement Allowance (BMA). This is an the victim is in engaged status. He must make a
ability which is inherent in the species of the Deftness Ability Saving Throw In order to turn and
character. The BMA of a human is 1. If MNA is face Sam. The Gamesmaster rolls 1020 and the
equal to 0, then BMA is equal to .5. If a species result is 17. This is well out of range for the
has a BMA which is different from human BMA, it character. O n Action Phase 1 Sam will resolve h/s
will be given in the listing of the statistics of that Attack action with the positive modification of 10 for
species. The Base Movement Allowance is the attacking from a Rear hex. The victim can only
distance the character may cover in one phase of subtract his Combat Dodge Ability from Sam's
normal movement. This movement is measured adjusted BCS.
in meters. O n Phase 4 however. footsteps are heard in the
alley. Two men begin to run towards Sam. They had
been following the man who Sam is attacking. The
If a character is crawling (moving while in a prone or Gamesmaster had secretly made a Wit Critical
kneeling position) he will have an effective Base Movement Saving Trhow to see i f Sam would discover the
Allowance of one-half his normal value. The "run" increase "Hidden Thing" of the two men. He did not. They
to BMA is not allowed. could see Sam begin the attack on phase 5. Phase 4
20

was the first phase on which they could act in CHARACTER WITH A SHORT
response to Sam's actions. B y moving, they are using OR AVERAGE WEAPON
the rest of the Combat Turn to close the distance
between themselves and the fight. Havingstarted 10
meters from Sam on phase 4 they will be 3 meters
away on phases 1 . They will move 1 meter on Phase
4 and 2 meters per phase for 3 phases. Sam had
better kill the first man when he resolves his Attack
Action or h e is in big trouble.
If a character should achieve complete surprise or execute
ACTIVE ZONE
a proper ambush, he should be allowed to perform at least
one Action or move for a number of phases equal to his
Phases Consumed in Action number. This would be followed PASSIVE ZONE
by the normal Combat Turn routine with the countdown
begun at its normal place.
This procedure represents the initiative gained by the
ambushing character and his ability to take advantage of the V
situation. If desired by the Gamesmaster, this method may
be used instead of the one given above. CHARACTER WITH A LONG OR
EXTRA LONG WEAPON
THE DETAILED ACTION TIME DISPLAY
In order to keep track of the position of characters during
Detailed Action Time, the players should use a DAT display.
This will consist of a hexagonal gridded sheet on which
markers representing the characters are placed. The Display
should also contain indications of features of sugnificance to
the characters, such as walls, doors, furniture, treacherous
footing, etc. These indications can be in the form of
additional markers or may be drawn onto the Display or a
clear sheet covering the hex grid.
All characters should be represented by markers which
may be moved on the Display. Anything small enough to fit
in the hexes will do. We have found that miniature figures,
painted to indicate the charcter depicted, add to
identification with the character and to the general fun of
play. If figures are not available a cardboard square marked
to indicate which character it depicts is the second best
choice. Remember that all markers used to represent
characters must be able to denote which of the surrounding
hexes is the character's central Front hex.
The recommended ground scale for the Display is 1 hex
equal to 1 meter.
Sample Character Marker
THE CHARACTER ON THE DAT DISPLAY

E
1 CHARACTER IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION
Under normal circumstances a characer on the DAT
Display will occupy one hex and be able to exert influence on
the six hexes immediately surrounding the hex he occupies.
A
If the character is utilizing a Long or Extra-Long Hand-to-
hand weapons, an additional ring of hexes around the
standard Influence Zone must be considered. Those objects
classed as Restrictions which are present in these zones will
hinder the character in executing a successful attack. A
character's Active Zone is considered to be the hex he
occupies and any Front of Long Front hexes. A character's
Passive Zone is any Rear, Side and Long Side hexes. The
importance of these zones and the impact of the character's
positioning on any combat in which he is involved will be
dealt with in the appropriate sections.
Up to two active characters may occupy the same hex.
Each will act as a Restriction to the other. Any other
character making an attack into or through that hex has an
even chance of striking either character. The one struck
should be determined randomly.
A character in a horizontal position, for whatever reason,
will occupy two hexes on the DAT Display. If he is conscious
he will still have a Zone of Influence but it will be modified as
shown in the accompanying illustration.
21

RESTRICTIONS AND DISTRACTIONS
POSITION ON DAT DISPLAY The various components of the environment which will
MODIFICATION TABLE affect a character's Basic Chance of Success in combat are
All 0 DIFI CAT I0N divided into the non-mobile, physical Restrictions and the
mobile or non-physical Distractions. The former always
TO STRENGTH GROUP apply while some of the latter may be voluntarily ignored.
Target in The accompanying diagram illustrates the Restrictions
Long Front, imposed on a character in a given hex if he is using a Short or
WEAPON Character Front, Side Long Side Average length weapon. These restrictions are only those
LENGTH hex Rear hex hex posed by walls and doors. If the character were using a Long
weapon, he would be subject t o the restrictions of the space
Extra-Long -1 0 0" he occupies plus one-half of the total of restrictions in the
Long -1 0 -1
hexes i m m e d i a t e l y s u r r o u n d i n g h i m . I n these
Average 0 0 Not Allowed circumstances, a hex which has no available floor space
Short 1 0 Not Allowed counts as 1 Restriction. A character using an Extra-Long
No secondary strike allowed. weapon is subject t o the Restrictions of the space he
occupies plus the total of Restrictions in the hexes
Non-human species might not occupy the DAT Display in immediately surrounding him.
the same way as a human would. Variations will be indicated
where the statistics for the species are presented. Other Restrictions are counted if they are present in the
character's zone of influence. Any solid object with a height
of .5 to 1.5 meters can be considered a Restriction. Each hex
occupied by an object such as a table, chair or pillar has an
EXAMPLE OF LONG AND additional Restriction of 1.
EXTRA-LONG WEAPON RESTRICTIONS Dead or unconscious bodies in the character's own hex
count as 1 Restriction each. Bodies may be stacked u p to
Character A three high in an adjacent hex before becoming a Restriction.
Own hex Restrictions (1) The main source of Distractions is the occupation of hexes
Total Surrounding Restrictions (5) in a character's Zone of Influence by friendly characters or
Restrictions on Long weapon (1 + 5/2 = 4) friendly characters within 1 hex of the line of fire. Each hex SO
Restrictions on Extra-Long weapon (1 + 5 = 6) occupied counts as 1 Distraction. This type of Distraction
22

Characters 6.C. and D are waiting for their opponent.Character A. for him. Character C continues around the column at a run.
to show himself. Characters B and C have a BAP of 12 and Charac- Character 0 decelerates to avoid a collision with Character C on the
ters A and 0 have a BAP 019. Characters B and C make no movement following phase.
on Action Phases 12 through 10. On Phase 9 Character A begins On Phase 2 Character A moves away from the wall to have room to
movement by turning in place by 120 degrees. The other characters use weapons. Character B moves to a halt near the edge of the wall.
continue to wait until Character A becomes visible to them. On While Character C continues his run around the column, Character
Phases 8. 7. and 6 Character A moves forward to the edge ofthe wall. D follows at a cautious walk.
He is now visible to the other characters and they will react by Phase 1 finds CharacterA turning to face the direction from which
moving toward him on the next phase. he expects his enemies to come. Character B is waiting by the edg.?
On Phase 5 Character A begins to move to his left Side hex while of the wall. not wishing to advance without enough phases left in the
dodging to make himself less vulnerable to missile fire. This will Combat Turn to perform a Combat Action and not wishing to move
take two phases and will be completedon Phase4. Characters B and into a space where a hidden opponent might get a free attack. Char-
C begin to move toward the edge of the wall. Character D moves out acter C continues his run to swing wide of the edge of the wall to
his left Front facing to gain room for the maneuvering to come. On avoid an attack by being too far from a hidden enemy at the edge.
Phase 4 Characters B. C. and D all accelerate to run. Since he has run on Phase 7. Character C must move on his f i r s t
On Phase 3 Character A moves along the side of the wall away available phase of the next Combat Turn. Character D continues to
from his opponents. Character B decelerates to avoid running past move slowly ahead. At the end of the Combat Turn, CharacterC has
the edge of the wall where his opponent might be waiting in ambush passed into Character As line of sight.
may be voluntarily ignored; by doing so the character will Base Movement allowance of 1 can move 12 hexes in a
receive no negative modifications to his Basic Chance of Combat Turn.
Success. This course can be dangerous. If such Distractions A Character may change his facing by spending one
are ignored, a Critical Miss, which would normally have had Action Phase doing so. When this is done while in Engaged
no effect, will automatically strike one of the friendlies. The Status, the character must make a Deftness Ability Saving
exact target should be determined randomly and damage Throw or suffer a free attack.
done should be calculated as for a normal successful attack. A character has the option of running while moving on
If a normal miss occurs, the number of friendlies ignored is an Action Phase. This means that he will be able to travel
the chance in 10 that the character must execute an attack twice his Base Movement Allowance in a given Action Phase.
against one of the friendlies who is determined at random. p if a character elects to run at any point in the Combat Turn,
This attack is a free attack and is subject to all normal he will be subject to the rules governing the stopping of
positional and situational modifiers. forward motion given in section on page 24.
Other Distractions are highly variable. They should be In order to be able to run the character must have
adjudicated by the Gamesmaster. He should decide if they moved either at walk (normal BMA) or a dodge on the
are present, what value they have, whether they can be previous Action Phase.
ignored and, i f so, the consequences of ignoring them. Additionally a character may opt to dodge. This will add
Examples of Distractions include objects flying at a to his defensive capacity with regard to missile weapons but
character, things hampering a fighter by crawling on him or will reduce his Base Movement Allowance by one-half. A
things grasping a character.
character may dodge while using normal movement or
while running.
MOVEMENT A character may move sideways or backwards. When
The basic rule of movement in Detailed Action Time is that doing this the figure on the display is placed in the Side or
a character may move a distance equal to his Base Rear hex at the direction of the controlling player, but the
Movement Allowance on each Action Phase in the relative facing of the character is not changed. Each time in
countdown beginning with his own Base Action Phase. This one turn that the characters accumulated movement in a
movement is through one of the hex sides between the hex sideways andfor backwards fashion exceeds his Combat
the character is in and one of his Front Hexes. Once the Dodge Ability (explained in the section on combat) he must
character has entered a new hex his facing will be adjusted make a Deftness Ability Saving Throw or fall. This
so that the hex he has just vacated will be his Rear hex. This accumulated distance is in hexes covered and is only
means that a character with a Base Action Phase of 12 and a accumulated through each separate Combat Turn.
23

A character performing an Action may move 1 meter in any CHARGING
direction without being subject to falling. It should be noted In order to be eligible for charging benefits, the character
that this one meter of movement is all the movement that the or his mount must have moved for a minimum number of
character is allowed to make during the phases in which he phases equal to 10 minus his Speed Group at arun.This
performs the Action. This one meter of movement may be movement must be essentially in a straight line but the
taken on any one phase of the phases during which the Gamesmaster may, at his discretion, allow deviations in the
character is performing the Action and allows a sixty degree path due to circumstances such as a character attempting to
change of facing. Specific Actions may have variations on charge to the intersection with the path of another character.
these general rules. Naturally such intent must be made known to the
CONTINUITY OF MOTION Gamesmaster, although he may or may not reveal it t o the
Any character who moves on Action Phase 1 of a Combat second character. (Is he watching the first character or is he
Turn will be considered in motion on his Base Action too busy running?)
Phase of the following Combat Turn. This is primarily of Obstacles in the way of a charging character will be
concern for stopping of forward motion and for missile fire subject to a Bash (see page 31). A successful Bash against
directed at the character before his Base Action Phase. the charger or an unsuccessful Bash against the obstacle
A character who completes a Combat Action on Action will break the charge and subject the charger to the rules for
Phase 1 of a Combat Turn is considered in motion for stopping forward motion. Each such successive result will
purposes of any missile fire directed at him before his Base reduce the stopping category by 1. If the charger wishes to
Action Phase. Note that this means that a character continue to charge he must satisfy the conditions for a
performing a Combat Action such as Attack or Defend is charge as if he were starting all over again. If the obstacle to
always considered in motion with regard to missile fire the charging character is a weapons set against the charge
directed at him. and the character controlling the set weapon makes his BCS
roll for the weapon Skill, the weapon will haveitschancesfor
STOPPING FORWARD MOTION a special effect doubled and the charger will be subject to a
Once a character has exceeded normal movement speed Bash with achance in twenty equal to his own effective Mass.
or has begun dodging, he is subject to the following If the set weapon has a longer effective length than the
conditions. He must continue moving for the distances and chargers weapon, this will occur before the charger can
times as required in the table below. This movement is attack. I f not, the chargers attack will be resolved first.
mandatory and must be made into a Front hex. Obstacles in
the characters path may have a deleterious effect on the
character.
MOVEMENT THROUGH OCCUPIED HEXES
Normal movement through an occupied hex may be
A character who makes a Speed Ability Saving Throw will
opposed or unopposed. Any attempt to move through an
reduce the additional movement required by one category. occupied hex at greater than normal movement speed is
A character riding an animal must make his Beast Riding automatically opposed. If the movement is opposed, use the
Basic Chance of Success roll AND the animal must make its Deliberate Knockdown rules on page 31. The opposing
Saving Throw in order to reduce the requirement by one character gets the normal chances at a free attack as
category. explained in the sections on Entering and Leaving the Zone
A character must stop his foward motion before initiating of Influence. If the movement is unopposed, both characters
an Action. The one meter of movement allowed during an are required to make a Deftness Ability Saving Throw.
Action may not be used to stop forward motion. A character Success means that the character making his roll has no
who is at the last stage of stopping and makes his Saving problems. Failure indicates that the character is prevented
Throw may move a meter and initiate an Action. from moving or initiating an Action for a number of phases
equal to his Phases Consumed in Action number. Critical
failure indicates a fall by the character rolling thetwenty and
STOPPING FORWARD MOTION TABLE a second Saving Throw is required of the other character.
Category 3:
achieved by running for a full Combat Turn or
Charging. Character must move on a number TREACHEROUS GROUND & MOVEMENT
of phases equal to his PCA at his normal BMA A character moving on Treacherous Ground using
after which he will be at category 2. All dodge, run, or dodge-run type movements puts himself
movement must be out of the central Front in danger of slipping. The former two options each give the
hex. character a 1 in 20 chance while the dodge-run option
Category 2: yields a 2 in 20 chance. For each phase spent in this motion
achievea by moving at a dodge-run or by the chance of a slip is increased by the basic chance. Thus,
reduction from above. Character must move after three phases at a dodge-run a character has a 6 in 20
one phase at his normal BMA after which he chance of slipping. The die roll for a slip is made on each
will be at Category 1. All movement must be phase.
out a Front hex. Once a slip is indicated, the character must make a Speed
Ability Saving Throw to avoid a fall. If the Saving Throw is
Category 1: made, the character is automatically considered to be
achieved by moving at a dodge or a run or by dodging on the next phase and he will move one meter.
reduction from above. Character must move This is involuntary movement and no actions may be
for one phase at his normal BMA after which attempted. If this causes the character to enter an enemys
he will beat Category 0. All movement must be Zone of Influence, the enemy will be allowed a free attack.
out a Front hex. The involuntary movement does not require a check for
Category 0: slipping.
achieved by moving at a walk or by reduction When the character has had a Saving Throw to make and is
from above. Character is subject to normal able to continue movement, the chance of slipping is
rules for movement in DAT. reduced to the basic chance and will be increased again ifthe
character had just started movement.

Albert is runningo n Treacherous Ground. O n his A character able to engage in combat while climbing must
Base Action Phase of 10, he starts. A die roll Of 4 on average his BCS in the Combat Skill in use with his BCS in
1020: n o slip. On phase 9, his chance is 2 in 20 for a Climbing Skill to get an effective BCS. This will then be
slip. The die roll is 1 . He makes his Speed AST. On subject to normal Restrictions, Distractions, Situtational and
phase 8 he involuntarily moves forward 1 meter. On Com bat modifiers.
phase 7 he continues to run. His chance of slipping
has been reduced to 1in 20. The die roll is 12 so he is ENTERING THE ZONE OF INFLUENCE
safe. On phase 6 he changes pace to a dodge-run. A character entering any hex of the Active or Passive
His chance of slipping is 3 in 20 and a die roll of 16 Zones of a hostile character who is capable of attacking is
leaves him safe. He continues on phase 5 and the subject to a free attack. Characters who are stunned,
uncounscious or otherwise physically incapable of attacking
chance is up to 5 in 20. A die rollof4 indicates a slip.
This time he fails his Speed AST and falls. He must are not allowed free attacks. Actions normally preventing
make a Health Saving Throw. The die result is in his an attack by the character still allow him to make a free
Ability Saving Throw range so he will be Dazed until attack. Additionally, a character who enters that hostile
phase 5 on the next Combat Turn. His phases characters Active Zone must cease movement for that
Consumed in Action number is 5 so he can not Combat Turn. A character entering these Zones under the
execute an Alter Position Action to get up this Turn. influence of the rules for stopping forward motion may be
He decides to crawl forward for the rest of the turn. subject to mu1tiplefree attacks for each hex entered but he
This does not require any checks for slipping but his is not subject to the rule requiring cessation of movement.
Base Movement Allowance is reduced to .5.During (He is not really in control, so he cannot stop when he enters
the next four phases he will cover 2 meters. the danger area, unlike the rational man assumed by the
basic rule.)
CLIMBING I N DETAILED ACTION TIME There are ways of avoiding free attacks and moving
Under some circumstances it will be important to know within a hostile characters Active and Passive Zones, but
how fast a character can climb a given distance. The effects they are not accomplished using the standard rules of
of climbing, broken down by the method of climbing or the movement. As explained in the section on Performing
surface being climbed, are given in the table below. As a Actions, a character may make a one meter move while
general rule, a character may not run while climbing performing an Action. This one meter move, which is the
although he may dodge. only movement allowed during a number of phases equal to
Sheer or almost sheer surfaces require Climbing Skill to the characters Phases Consumed in Action number, may be
negotiate. The Gamesmaster should roll at the beginning of referred to as a Combat Move. If the character entering a
the characters movement. If thecharacter does not make his hostile characters Active or Passize Zone is making i z
BCS roll, he will slip at some point in the turn. The Combat Move, he is not subject to a free attack. By making
Gamesmaster can roll a die with a range equal to the Combat Moves, the character may move through the hexes
characters Base Action Phase to determine which phase of of the hostile characters Active and Passive Zones without
the turn the slippage will occur. If the characters Base incurring a free attack. The character may continue to
Action Phase does not fit in one of the ranges norally covered move in this fashion as long as there are sufficient phases
by a die, the Gamesmastershould use the next highest range remaining in the Combat Turn for him to perform Actions.
and reroll if the result falls outside the range under ENGAGED STATUS
consideration.
A character who is in the Active Zone of a hostile character
If the character is operating under safety precautions
who is capable of attack, is in Engaged status. It is important
when the slippage occurs, they will take effect. Characters
to note that some Actions can not be undertaken while
who are roped to a secure position in the climbing surface
Engaged. Others will require a Saving Throw to complete.
will not fall further than the length of rope attached.
Still others, particularly actual combat Actions, are under no
Characters roped together when one falls will have to makea
penalty.
Strength Ability Saving Throw to keep their grip when the
character on the rope next to them falls. This Saving Throw PERFORMING ACTIONS
will be reduced if the total mass of falling character(s) When the character wishes to do something other than
exceeds their own Mass. The extent of the reduction is left to simply move during the Combat turn, he must perform an
the Gamesmaster. Action. Simple Actions require a number of Action Phases to
A character climbing by rope or ladder will have a chance complete equal to the characters Phases Consumed in
to make a Deftness Ability Saving Throw to grab the ladder Action number. If there are insufficient Action Phases
again. The character who is successful in doing this will lose Consumed in Action number. If there are insufficient Action
one meter of height and be unable to perform any other Phases left in the Combat Turn for the character to complete
Actions till the end of the Combat Turn or for a number of the Action, it may not be initiated in that Combat Turn. More
phases equal to his PCA number, whichever is shorter. complex Actions will require the character to continue
performing the Action at successive opportunities which
CLIMBING MOVEMENT TABLE may go on for several Combat Turns beforeenough time has
Method been spent to resolve the Action.
or The basic rule for resolution of an Action is that it will be
iurface BMA Notes rolled for on the last of the Action Phases consumed by its
performance. An Action initiated on Action Phase 7 by a
Simple Maximum height in meters equal to
.1 character with a PCA of 3 will be resolved on Action Phase5.
rope Strength CST plus Strength Group Effect The same character can not initiate an Action after Action
Die roll. Requires two hands. No other Phase 3, although he could still move subject to normal
Actions allowed. movement rules.
Knotted .1 As above but substitute AST for CST. A character performing most Actions is allowed a one
rope BCS modification of 2 while o n ladder. meter move. This move may be in any direction and may
Ladder .25 Treacherous Ground. involve a facing change of 60 degrees. When in, entering, or
Stairs .5 Treacherous Ground. Running allowed. leaving the Active of Passive Zone of a hostile character, this
movement is known as a Combat Move. This may take place
25

on any phase during which the Action is performed. Certain The Gamesmaster can calculate the distance covered
Actions allow no movement and these will be specified as during each phase in the characters Action by dividing
they arise. the total distance covered by the characters PCA
The resolution of an Action usually requires the rolling Of a number. Players should be required to commit their
Basic Chance of Success die roll, if a Skill is in use, or of a characters to jumping before they roll the Critical Saving
Saving Throw, if an Attribute is being put to use. Throw to see if they will get any extra distance.
-
Alter Postion This Action is performed when a character
SIMPLE ACTIONS changes position from prone, kneeling or sitting to
Most of the simple Actions are involved with combat, while standing. It is also used when a character changes
more complex ones are usually not directly related to position from standing to prone and used thus eliminates
cornbat. the necessity for the character to a Saving Throw against
Attack - This Action is used for armed and unarmed Hand- winding himself. A character not using this Action to go
to-hand combat utilizing an appropriate Skill for the prone is subject to the rules for falling. No movement on
character. This Action may only be initiated if an the DAT Display is allowed. The character is assumed to
opponent is already in range or the characters Combat stand in the hex in which his feet are located. During the
Move will bring the opponent into range when initiating phases in which the Action is performed a character is
the attack. If the opponent leaves the Zone of lnfluenceof considered moving for the purposes of any missile
the character before the attack is resolved and the weapons targeted at him. This Action requires a Speed
character cannot move to keep the opponent in his Zone, Ability Saving Throw if utilized while Engaged.
the attack is resolved on the phaseon which theopponent Perform a Function - This Action allows the character to
moves. The character may not move or initiate another apply any Skill other than a Combat Skill. As with
action until the usual Phase. Reloading, the number of times the Action must be
Defend - This Action allows the character to increase his applied will vary. This should be adjudicated by the
Weapon Defense Ability to 150%of its normal value forthe Gamesmaster.
duration of the Action. No attack allowed. Reloading, drawing or sheathing a weapon, and such
Fire Weapon - This Action is required when using missile other simple functions as are allowed by the Gamesmaster
of any kind if negative modifiers due to motion are to be may be attempted while moving instead of using an Action to
avoided. Muscle-powered weapons resolve at the end of perform them. At the phase on which the character would
the Action, and single-shot non-muscle-powered have resolved the Action, the character must make a
weapons in the middle, although the character may not Deftness Saving Throw in order to besuccessful.The level of
move or initiate another action until the usual phase. the Saving Throw and any modifiers to it areat the discretion
Multiple shots are spaced as evenly as possible through of the Gamesmaster.
the available phases used by the Action. In these cases,
fractional values should be rounded down. This Action
requires a Deftness Ability Saving Throw while Engaged. THE LAST SHOP OPTION
Reload Weapon - The number of times this Action must If a character who has a loaded and ready missile weapon
be performed before the weapon is ready to fire again will finds that he is going to be put in Engaged status by another
vary by weapon type. This Action requires a Deftness character before his Base Action Phase. the missile-armed
Ability Saving Throw while Engaged. character may elect to fire using the last shot option when
Exchange Weapons - This Action covers the return of a the character who is closing in on him enters the Point Blank
weapon to its holster, sheath, or carrying place and the range for the weapon. This shot will be resolved at that point.
drawing of a new one. Some pieces of equipment (shields, The character who elects this option will thereby already be
polearms, etc.) may require longer and this is adjudicated committing himself to a Fire Weapon Action as the next
by the Gamesmaster. A weapon can be voluntarily Action he undertakes. He must begin it on his Base Action
dropped without difficulty in the space of an Action. This Phase. He essentially does nothing because his Action has
Action requires a Deftness Ability Saving Throw while already occurred. The missile firing character will receivea
Engaged. modification to his BCS equal to the difference between the
-
Survey and Command This Action allows the character to phase that the shot is resolved on and his Base Action Phase.
The last shot option does not apply to characters who
observe what is going on around him. Normally a
character will observe only what is in front of him. This initiate a Fire Weapon Action and who will be Engaged
Action also allows the character to make a short coherent before their shot is resolved. If they are in Engaged status by
statement to other characters without using the normal the time the phase for resolution arrives in the countdown, a
rules for communication in Detailed Action Time. This Deftness Ability Saving Throw is required for the character
Action may not be performed while Engaged. to be able to get off the shot. If the characters planning
Jump - This Action allows the character to execute a jump allowed an enemy to get that close at that point in time, the
under the following restriction: To qualify for a running character must pay the price.
version of a jump the character must satisfy the
conditions of charging. The character does not get the FIRING WHILE MOVING
normal one meter move associated with an Action. The Characters using guns and crossbows are allowed to fire
character may add the result of a Strength Group Effect while moving. Shots arespaced as i f thecharacter had used a
Die roll to his Current Strength for the distance Fire Weapon Action. All shots are subject to the hip fire
calculation i f he makes a Strength Critical Saving Throw. penalty and an additional penalty based on movement. For
specifics see the Gun rules in Book 2.
Vertical, standing STR AST/(6 x Mass), up
Vertical, running STR/(9 x Mass), UP
These distances are in meters above the COMMUNICATION IN DAT
characters head. Once DAT is begun characters must utilize appropriate
Actions to communicate information among themselves. TO
Broad, standing STR AST/Mass, up simulate the confusion and independent action common to
Broad, running STR/mass, up people in stress situations the Gamesmaster should rigidily
These distances are in meters. enforce these communication limitations. I t gives a more
26

realistic result than allowing the players ten minutes t o SITUATION MODIFIER TABLE
coordinate acitons which will be happening in a game time HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT
frame of six seconds. Such attempts on the players part SITUATION BCS
should result in the tactical discussion by the players being Each Distraction ............................... -1
taken out of DAT and put into Real Time where such Each Restriction ............................... -1
discussion timed and added to the game time that the players Target is prone. ............................... +2
are consuming. Attacker is prone.. ............................
-10
The Survey and Command Action allows the greatest Target is sitting or kneeling ....................
+2
freedom of communication. The player should be allowed to Attacker is sitting or kneeling ...................
-5
communicate a coherent sentence. Most other Actions will Attacking to a Side or Long Side hex ............
-5
allow a character to communicate one word per phase. When Attacking from a Side or Long Side hex ........ +5
the character is, in one phase, moving distances greater than Attacking to a Rear hex,. ......................
-10
his base BMA much more than one or two words should not Attacking from a Rear hex ....................
+10
be allowed for each PCA period of phases. The player may Attacking from a superior position such as
state whether such communications are shouted, spoken or a table or stairs, etc............................+1
whispered. The Gamesmaster should be careful to take into Attacking from an inferior position such as
account prevailing conditions and how they will affect the the reverse of the above ........................
-1
stated communication. Gunfire in a confined space is In Dim light ................................... -3
notorious for putting a damper on polite conversaton. In Poor light*.. ................................. -5
In Darkness or Partially blind*. ..................
-9
COMBAT PROCEDURE Totally blind.. ................................-12
The basic procedure for Combat is straightforward. The Attacker is over 50% wounded. .................
-2
attacking characters Basic Chance of Success in the Attacker is over 75% wounded. .................
-4
Combat Skill that is being applied is modified by These also apply when using missile weapons.
Restrictions, Distractions, Situational Modifiers and the MISSILE WEAPONS
opponents Defensive Ability. The player then rolls 1D20. If Situation BCS
the number falls in the modified range the opponent has Hip fire .........................use Average BCS
been hit. I f not, he has been missed. Oncetheopponent is hit Damaged in that Combat Turn .
-(damage taken/2)
the player determines his Damage Potential white the Firing a gun in each hand.. .........
-1 to all shots
Gamesmaster determines the Location of the hit. The Armor Surprised ...................................... -2
Value of the protection that the opponent is wearing is Shooting at a newly acquired target ............. -2
subtracted from the characters Damage Potential and the In firing stance.. .............................. +1
result is the damage applied to the opponent. Braced weapon (requires firing stance) .........
+1
A die roll of 1 always hits except in the case of the Sighted in (requires stance) ....................
+1
hopeless attack. A die roll of 20 always misses. Under most Shooting out a side hex.. .......................
-2
circumstances these die rolls indicate a Critical Hit and a Shooting out a Rear hex ........................
-4
Critical Miss, respectively.
A flowchart of the combat procedures is provided in
Appendix 2.
CONDUCTING AN ATTACK THE HOPELESS ATTACK

ADJUSTED BCS LESS THAN 1
-
To conduct an attack the player states to the Gamesmaster
what Combat Skill the character is using and whether any With an Adjusted BCS less than 1, the player must roll a 1
secondary strikes will be attempted. This is done when the on 1D20 to have a chance to hit. If hedoes roll a1 ,he must roll
character initiates the attack. The primary strike (the only 1D20 again. If the second die roll is less than or equal to his
one if there is no secondary strike) uses the full Basic Base BCS, he will hit his target. A 1 on thesecond die roll will
Chance of Success (BCS) and the secondary strike uses the indicate a Critical Hit.
average BCS.
ADJUSTED BCS EQUAL TO 1
This is the Base BCS.
In this case, a die roll of 1 on 1020 requires asecond roll of
The Base BCS if then modified by the Restrictions due to 1D20. If the second die roll is less than or equal to the
positioning on the DAT Display. It is further modified by an characters Base BCS, a Critical Hit is scored. Otherwise the
Distractions present. The above can be determined by the hit is only a normal hit.
player. The player and Gamesmaster jointly determine if
there are any situational Modifiers. This is done jointly ADJUSTED BCS GREATER THAN 1
because while some of the modifiers will be perfectly This is the standard case. A die roll of 1 indicates a Critical
obvious, there may be modifiers, k n o w n t o t h e Hit. A die roll less than or equal to the Adjusted BCS
Gamesmaster, of which the character is unaware. The indicates a hit on the defender. Any other roll indicates
Gamesmaster will then subtract the Overall Defense Ability failure to strike the defender. A die roll of 20 indicates a
of the defender. This yield the Adjusted BCS which i s the Critical Miss.
number which the player must roll less than or equal to on
1D20 in order to hit the defender. RESULTS OF A HIT
Once the player has made the appropriate die roll and the
SITUATIONAL MODIFIERS Gamesmaster has announced that a hit has been made, the
These Situational Modifiers are given as a guideline for the Gamesmaster will determinethe Location of the hit by rolling
Gamesmaster in determining what kind of modifications 1D100 and consulting the table and Location maps below.
should be made. It would be impossible to list all the If the Location indicated by the die roll is considered to
potential situations that characters can get themselves into have a covering barrier between the attacker and it, the
in the course of an adventure. It is up to the Gamesmaster, in attack must penetrate the barrier before any results can be
the end, to determine what Situational Modifiers apply and applied to the target. The effects of barriers on a guns Bullet
their value. Discretion is advised. Damage Group and the effective Strength Group for other
27

HIT LOCATION TABLES
BIPEDAL QUADRUPEDAL
DIOO LOC D100 LOC
1-4 1 1-4 1
5-8 2 5-1 2 2
9-1 1 3 13-20 3/4
12-20 4/5 21-28 5/6/7
21-29 6/7 29-36 18/17
30-38 8/9 37-44 20119
39-47 io11 1 45-48 22/21
48-53 12 49-56 8/9/10
54-59 21/22 57-64 11/12/13
60-65 23/24 65-72 14/15/16
66-69 25/26 73-80 24/23
70-74 27/28 81-88 26/25
75-80 29/30 89-92 28/27
81-86 13/14 93-96 29
87-93 15/16 97-00 30
94-98 17/18
99-00 19/20
a re
MOD IF1CAT1ONS Where the location result gives more than one possibility
for the exact result, 1D100 is rolled and the table below is
Bipedal consulted to give the exact location.
from above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -5
Attack from Front or Rear
from below . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5
X/Y 50% either location
Quadrupedal X / Y I Z 1-40141 -ao/gi -00
from the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -5 Attack from Side
from the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5 X/ 1-70 nearest side
These values may be altered by the Gamesmaster as he Y 71-00 furthest side
sees fit. A long quadruped might have a modification of 10 X/ 1-60 nearest side
rather than 5. Y/ 61 -70 furthest side
28 Z 71-00 underbelly
If the target is using a presented or refused positioning,
treat attacks from the side as attacks from the front or rear
and vice versa.

missile weapons and Hand-to-hand weapons are given on 0 Subdual (S) -This type of damage is not immediately
the section o n Barriers on page 46. These modifications lethal in effect.
must be made before the Damage Potential may be 0 Crushing (C) - This type of damage is done by
determined. weapons which rely on smashing power to cause
damage. The actual Damage Done is 3 points of
DAMAGE POTENTIAL Subdual and 1 point of Lethal for every 4 points
Once it has been established that a hit has been made, the inflicted. That is, every fourth point inflicted is Lethal
player may determine the characters Damage Potential for while the rest is Subdual.
that hit. If it is a Critical Hit, the normal Damage Potential is
altered. The exact changes are dealt with in the section o n 0 Combination (B) -This type of damage is done by
Critical Hits. massive weapons which has some edges or points
The calculation of the Damage Potential will vary by the such as spiked maces. The Damage Done is divided
weapon system in use. evenly between Subdual and Lethal. That is, every
second point inflicted is Lethal while the rest is
0 Hand-to-hand weapons - Each such weapon is rated
Subdual. Ode points are thus Subdual.
for a Weapon Damage Multiplier (WDM). Each
character has an Effect Die in accordance with his The effects of injury and the healing of damage are dealt
effective Strength Group. The characterk Effect Die is with in the appropriate sections starting on page 36.
rolled and the resulting number is multiplied by the A fifth type of damage known as Critical Damage may
Weapon Damage Multiplier. The result of this result from a Critical Hit. This indicates immediate disabling
calculation is the Damage Potential. damage. It is not added into the current total of damage.
Guns - Each round fired from a gun is rated for a
Bullet Damage Group (BDG). The BDG of each round IMPALEMENT
striking the same Location on thesame Action Phase is All thrusts have a chance of Impalement. The percentage
totaled. This number is divided by IO. The resultant chance is equal to the Damage Potential. If Impalement
number when rounded up yields the number of DlOs occurs the Gamesmaster will treat it as if a Missile Special
of damage and the number rounded to the nearest is Effect had occurred. See below.
the addition to the number of points of Damage MISSILE SPECIAL EFFECTS
Potential rolled on those DlOs. Whenever a character is struck by a missile weapon there is
Damage Potential equals a chance of a Missile Special Effect occurring. The percent
(BDG/10, up) in DlOs + (BDG/10, nearest) chance of an occurrance is equal to the adjusted bullet
in points of damage Damage Group if the weapon is a gun and it is equal to the
Muscle powered missile weapons - Each kind of Damage Potential if the weapon is a muscle powered missile
weapon in this category varies and the specifics are weapon. If the number rolled on 1DlOO is less then or equal
given with the description of the Skill required to use to the required number, than a Missile Special Effect will
the weapon. Bascially, the Damage Potential is occur and the table below should be consulted.
calculated as for Hand-to-hand weapons but Strength Modifications to the Adjusted BDG i n order to determine
Group is modified for range rather than for position on whether Missile Special Effects occur may arise due to the
the DAT Display. ammunition in use. Similar modifications may apply to
It is important to note that if the adjusted Damage Potential muscle powered missile weapons. Such modifications will
does not exceed the Armor Value of the target Location, be presented with the description of the ammunition or
there is no Critical Effect due to a Critical Hit or a Missile weapon.
Special Effect. MISSILE SPECIAL EFFECTS TABLE
D100 RESULT
DAMAGE DONE 1-20 N o special effect
Once the Damage Potential and the hit Location is known, 21-30 Flesh wound: damage is adjusted to 1 point and this
the actual damage done can be calculated. The Armor Value only if the Armor Value on the target location is
that the target of the hit has at the Location hit is subtracted exceeded.
from the Damage Potential to yield the Damage Done. 31-45 Minor wound: 1 point of damage caused. This
supercedes any normal results. This effect on a
SYSTEM SHOCK Critical Hit results in normal damage.
If the Damage Done exeeds the Shock Factor (SF) of the 46-65 Normal damage and Stopping.
recipient, he issubject toacheckforSystemShock Toavoid 66-75 As 46-65 plus a Daze effect (see Critical Hit Effect
System Shock, the character must make a Health Ability Explanations) .
Saving Throw. If he fails he will fall unconsciousfora number 76-85 As 66-75 plus a Stun effect (see Critical Hit Effect
of Combat Turns equal to 50 -Health of the character. Explant ions).
The Shock Factor for humans is set at 10. Player 86-95 As 76-85 plus a roll on the Critical Effect Table.
Characters and Personality Non-Player Characters may add 96-00 As 86-95 but add 30 to the roll o n the Critical Effects
their Healing Rate to their Shock Factor. T h r Shock Factor
Table.
for non-human species is given with their other statistics.
TYPES OF DAMAGE STOPPING

Each type of weapon or damage-causing attack is rated for The effect number for Stopping is equal to the Adjusted
the type of damage caused. If there is no specification then BDG (used to determine if a Special Effect would occur) or
the damage done is assumed to be Lethal. the Damage Potential for muscle powered missile weapons
and Impalements divided by the Mass of the target.
Lethal (L) -This is the type of damage done by edged I F > l Knock back for 2D3 meters. A Deftness Ability
and pointed weapons. Most weapons in this Saving Throw is required to prevent being knocked
classification may be used to produce Crushing type down. Each two meters of knock back will drop a
damage when used with the flat. When this is done target one category for purposes of stopping
the normal Weapon Damage Multiplier is halved. forward motion.
29

IF>5 As above but a Critical Saving Throw is required for automatically put the character into System Shock. A
the character to keep his feet. Health Ability Saving Throw is required for the character
IF>lO As above but knock down is automatic. to survive the cauterization.
Sever results due to things which do not cut are
IF< 1 The O/O chance of getting a result as if the effect
considered to have broken the bone. If the character fails
number were equal to 1 is the Adjusted BDG (used
a Health Ability Saving Throw, the result will be a
to determine if Missile Special Effects would occur)
compound fracture and he will be subject to bleeding to
divided by the Mass of the target multiplied by 100.
death, as if a normal Sever result had occurred.
LETHAL -To head, neck or torso: Death
CRITICAL HITS To a limb: Automatic Sever
When a Critical Hit has occurred the Gamesmasterwill roll
on the appropriate Critical Hit Enhancement Table to Player Characters and Personality Non-Player Characters
determine the increase to the Damage Potential. are allowed a Health Ability Saving Throw to lowerthe Effect
to the next less lethal category.
CRITICAL HIT ENHANCEMENT TABLES
HAND-TO-HAND AND
MUSCLE POWERED CRITICAL MISSES
MISSILE WEAPONS GUNS When the die roll for any attack is 20, there is a chance of a
Critical Miss. The Gamesmaster will request that the player
D20 Enhancement
1-9 +1 to WDM Pistol + 1DlO to BDG make a Control Throw for the character to avoid a Critical
10-15 +2 to WDM Rifle + 2D10 to BDG Miss. If the Adjusted BCS of the attack exceeded 20, the
16-19 +3 to WDM Burst all rounds hit plus number required for the Control Throw may be increased by
20 +4 to WDM the effect of 1D3 the Adjusted BCS minus 20 at the discretion of the
additional rounds. Gamesmaster. Such circumstances will; at least with Hand-
to-hand and muscle powered missile weapons, allow a
Once the Damage Done is calculated, the Gamesmaster Control Throw for a character who would not normally have
will roll on the Critical Effect Table if the Damage Potential one. If the character fails the Control Throw, theappropriate
has exceeded the Armor Value of the hit location. The Critical Effect Table should be consulted.
Gamesmaster should add the Damage Done to the DlOO that If a character is ignoring the distraction of friendly
is rolled to determine Critical Effect. characters, in his Zone of Influence if using Hand-to-hand
weapons or in the line of fire if using missile weapons, the
CRITICAL EFFECT TABLE result that normally indicates no Critical Effect means that he
D100 EFFECT has automatically scored a successful hit on one of the
1-30 No special effect. friendly characters who qualified as a Distraction. The
31-55 Daze. character to be struck should be determined at random.
56-75 Stun.
76-87 Disable. CRITICAL MISS EFFECTS TABLES
88-95 Trauma.
96-00 Lethal. ARMED COMBAT
DAZE-The characters BCS and ODA are at 1/2 value until D l 0 0 RESULT
after the Action Phase on the next CombatTurn which has 1-10 No effect.
the same number as the phase on which the effect 11-40 Character is Dazed.
occurred. 41-70 Character is Stunned.
STUN - As above but the character may not initiate any 71-80 Character falls.
attacks or fire any weapons. Additionally the characters 81-90 Weapon breaks.
Deftness and Speed are reduced to 1/2 value for that time 91-00 Character drops weapon.
period and the character will be treated as Dazed for the
following Combat Turn. UNARMED COMBAT/NATURAL ATTACK
DISABLE - This is a numbing effect. If received in a limb, the D100 RESULT
character will lose the use of that limb for the rest of the 1-10 No effect.
combat. Health Ability Saving Throws may be made each 11-40 Character is Dazed.
hour of game time in order to regain use of the limb. 41-70 Character is Stunned.
If received in the head, neck or body thecharacter must 71-80 Mode of attack (hand, foot, jaws, etc.) receives a
make Health Saving Throw. Failure indicates a System Disable result with 1D6 of Critical Damage.
Shock. Asave in the Ability range meansthecharacter will 81-00 Character falls.
be Stunned for the rest of the combat. A save in the
Critical range means that the character will be Dazed for BOW AND CROSSBOW
the rest of the combat, A Health Ability Saving Throw can DlOO RESULT
be attempted each hour of game time in order to eliminate 1-10 No effect.
these effects. 11-40 String breaks.
TRAUMA - The Damage Done is Critical Damage. The 41-80 Arrow breaks.
also receives one half the Damage Done as regular Lethal 81-00 Bow breaks.
damage. A Health Ability Saving Throw is required or the
character also receives a Disable Effect. FIREARMS, BLACK POWDER
The Critical Damage is also the percent chance of a D1CO RESULT
Sever Effect. Severs to the head or neck are Death Blows. 1-10 No effect.
All other Severs will cause the character to bleed to death 11-40 Primer flash. Primer is expended but the round is
in a number of Combat Turns equal to the characters still good.
Health Group plus 1D6 unless cauterized or bandaged 41-70 Main load is a dud. Primer and powder for round are
with a First Aid Skill BCS roll. Cauterization Will expended. Gun must be reloaded.
30

71-85 Cook-off. Appears to be a dud round. It will go off on his weapon system tostop theattack. Thesignificanceof this
the bookkeeping phase. There is a 50% chance of it will vary due to the weapon system actually used for defense.
going off if there is an attempt to remove it before A character using Weapon and Shield Skill will have the
Action Phase 0. If it goes off, treat as i f it were a shield struck in these circumstances. A character using a
chamber explosion as below. Skill involving a weapon will have the weapon struck. A
86-95 Chamber explosion. Burst effect of BDG of the character with two weapons will have the secondary weapon
round/30, nearest. Burst effect minus the Durability struck. A character using a Skill without a weapon will take
of the weapon is the number of DlOs of Lethal the blow on the forearm (usually of his offhand arm).
Damage done to the characters Location that is WEAPONS - The difference between the weapons
nearest to the breech of the gun. If the number of Survival Values is the chance in twenty that the weaker
DlOs is less than 1, reduce the Durability of the gun weapon will break. A character may continue to defend
by 1 and treat as if the main load was a dud. If the with a broken weapon but his Weapon Defense Ability
number is greater than or equal to 1 (the chamber will be halved, rounded down. Attacks with a broken
actually does explode), thegun is Disrepaired with a weapon are not allowed.
chance (equal to the number of DlOs) in 6 of it being A weapons Survival Value is the sum of two factors.
Junked. One is based on the weapons size and the other on its
96-00 Chamber explosion as above but burst effect is BDG construction. The second is a number equal to the
of the round/20, nearest. Armor Value of Plate in the corresponding material.
Wood has a value of 3 and reinforcing it with metal will
FIREARMS, MODERN increase its value according to the normal reinforcing
DlOO RESULT rules for armor. The factor based on size can begotten
1-10 No effect. from the accompanying table.
11-40 Dud round. Autoloaders and autoweapons require 1 Weapon Size Factor
Action to manually clear the round. Other types Close 0
clear with the next round, no special action is Average 1
necessary. Long 2
41-70 Jammed round. Requires 2 Actions to clear Extra Long 3
manually. A weapon with an extractor will clear in 1
Action. SHIELDS - If a shield is struck by a missile weapon, the
71-85 Cook-off. See Black Powder firearms. shield user must make a Deftness Ability Saving Throw
86-95 Chamber explosion. Burst effect is BDG of the or the weapon will become lodged in the shield and add
round/30, nearest. to the Encumbrance of the shield. Bullets will reduce a
96-00 Chamber explosion. Burst effect of the round is shield by one class if the Effective BDG exceeds the
BDG/20, nearest. overall Barrier Effect of the shield by three times its
value. Muscle powered missile weapons and Hand-to-
hand weapons will reduce a shield by one class if the
Damage Potential, when generated as if a hit had been
GENERAL NOTES O N COMBAT PROCEDURE scored, is greater than the overall Barrier Effect of the
The preceeding provides a basic guide to the procedure shield.
for combat. Certain details involving particular weapon THE BODY - If the striking weapons Survival Value
systems are presented in the section where the weapon is exceeds the Armor Value on the Location of the block
discussed. This has been done to maintain the flow of the the target character will receive the difference in Lethal
explanation of combat i n general and to keep pertinent damage.
information that is peculiar to a given weapon system i n one Missile weapons are only germaine to shields as they
easy-to-reference place. Players are strongly encouraged to cannot be defended against by Weapon Defense Ability.
be familiar with the mechanics covering the weapon systems Some shields do have an add to the Overall Defensive Ability
that they choose for their characters as this will make the and this addition functions as Weapon Defense Ability under
Gamesmasters job easier. Fledgling Gamesmasters should these circumstances.
also be advisednot to have non-player characters using
weapon systems that the Gamesmaster is not ready to
handle. It will slow play tremendously. BASHING
Other details of certain forms of combat, as well ascombat When a greater effective mass strikes a lesser, a Bash may
and movement in other environments, are also dealt with in occur. This can occur from a large animal striking a human, a
separate sections for similar reasons. These include such human striking a smaller animal, a charging horseman
things as horses and mounted combat, swimming and in or striking or overrunning an opponent, etc. The chance in 20 of
under water combat, and specific sections dealing with a Bash occuring is equal to the larger effective mass minus
optional additions to Detailed Action Time combat. the smaller. If the Bash ocurs, this samedifference is used as
an effect number and the Bashed character is treated as if he
had received Stopping from a Missile Special Effect.
OPTION OPTION
SPECIAL EFFECT
THE CLASH OF WEAPONS In human to humancombat, theGamesmaster may allow a
This section deals with the circumstances arising when an Bash to occur i f the character has successfully hit his
attack fails to strike the opponent himself and is only stopped opponent and the attackers Mass plus his weapons Size
by his skill with the weapon system he is using to defend Factor (see above) exceeds his opponents Mass. The
himself. The basic mechanic works as follows: the last thing difference would be the chance in twenty of a Bash occuring.
to be subtracted from the attackers Base BCS is the
opponents Weapon Defense Ability. If the players die roll is DELIBERATE KNOCKDOWN
such that, if the Weapon Defense Ability had not been A character may deliberately attempt to knockdown
subtracted from the Base BCS to give the Adjusted BCS,it another character. This is accomplished by moving into the
would have indicated a hit, it means that the opponent used hex occupied by the second character and comparing the
31

..... . ...... ~~ . . ~~~. . ~~
Strength Group Effect Die rolls of both characters. The He may execute an Action in an attempt to break the
character with the greater effective Mass may add the hold of the Grappler. On the last phase of the Action,
difference in the masses to his die roll. The difference in the the character must make a Strength Ability Saving
modified die roll results is treated as an Effect Number and Throw in order t o break the Grapplers hold. When his
the lower rolling character receives a Stopping Result. Ifthe is done the Grappler must make a Strength Ability
Effect Number is 0 then the characters are occupying the Saving Throw himself to maintain the hold. If the
same hex. Each will be unable to perform an Action for a Grappler fails the Strenth Saving Throw, he must make
number of phases equal to his Phases Consumed in Action a Speed Ability Saving Throw to avoid falling down. If
number or until the end of the Combat Turn whichever is the Grappler releases his hold before the victims
shorter. resolution phase arrives, the victim may abort the
In any case,if the second character was in the process of attempt to break the hold, as it is unnecessary, and he
performing an action, he will resolve that Action at the usual may initiate an Action on the phase that the Grappler
time with a negative BCS modification equal to the Effective releases the hold.
Mass of the character attempting to knock him down. He may make an attempt to break the hold using
Brawling Combat Skill at full BCS. This will only break
GRAPPLING the hold. It will not cause damage.
Grappling is a form of rough and tumble, close-in fighting. He may make an attack to cause normal damage using
A character does not need to exercise a Skill in order to Brawling Combat Skill at -5 to the BCS.
Grapple. A Deftness Ability Saving Throw is required to He may attack the Grappler using another Combat
perform a Grapple. If the player r o l l s a l when making thedie Skill. The BCS receives a penalty of 50% or -5,
roll, he may choose the general location of the Grapple. I f the whichever is greater, plus any situational modifiers. A
Grapple attempt fails, the player must make another Ability character attempting to use a Missile Combat Skill also
Saving Throw; this time using Speed; to avoid having the receives this modification to the Deftness Ability
character fall down. If the player rolls a 20 on the Grapple Saving Throw required to fire while in Engaged status.
attempt, the character automatically falls down.
When a Grapple attempt is successful, the Gamesmaster When one character has a hold on another, either may opt
will roll for Hit Location as if a normal hit had been scored. to fall down at the start of any Action. This will automatically
The exact Location and the General Location are both of bring the other character down as well. Each character must
import. That is the head, neck, torso, right or left arm and the have 1D6 rolled for him. The higher roll indicates that the
right or left leg is of signifigance. as well as the exact corresponding character has landed on top. In the case of a
Location on the body map. tie, the character who initiated the fall will be on top. The
A Grapple to the arm will allow an attempt to disarm the character on top adds the difference in the Mass of the two
target. The Grappler will roll the Effect Die for his effective characters to the number needed for his Saving Throw (See
Strength Group. The targets Armor Value on the exact Falls in Detailed Action Time, below) while the character on
Location is subtracted from the die roll. The result is the the bottom will subtract the difference from the number
chance in 20 that the target must make a Strength Ability needed.
Saving Throw in order to retain his grip on whatever he is
holding in his hand. If the target makes his Saving Throw, the
grapple is not broken and the Grappler may roll his Effect Die FALLS IN DETAILED ACTION TIME
again at the end of his next Action unless he initiates a new Whenever a character alters position from more of less
attempt to Grapple in the hope of getting a Grapple o n a vertical to horizontal without taking an Action to do so, a
more useful Location or he initiates some other Action. Health Saving Throw must be made. I f the die result falls in
A Grapple to the leg indicates a takedown attempt. Each the characters Critical Saving Throw range there will be no
characters will roll their Effect Die. If the Grappler rolls effect. If it falls in thecharacters Ability Saving Throw range,
higher, the target will fall down. I f the target rolls higher, the character will be Dazed for one Combat Turn. A Critical
there is no effect. If both roll the same number, each must roll failure, a die roll of 20, indicates that the character has lost
a Speed Ability Saving Throw to avoid falling down. The consciousness. He will remain unconscious until the
Grappler is not considered to have maintained a hold on the controlling player rolls a successful Health Ability Saving
target at the end of a takedown attempt regardless of its Throw for the character. This may be attempted o n the
results. He must initiate a new attempt to Grapple on his next bookkeeping phase of each Combat Turn, beginning on the
Action, if he wishes to continue in his efforts to subdue his turn after the one on which the character lost consciousness.
opponent by Grappling with him. Upon waking up, the characterwill be Dazed forone Combat
A Grapple to the head, neck or torso indicates a hug or Turn.
choke. A torso Location result will cover both of the Whenever a character falls more than 2 meters, he will be
Locations level of the body map. For example, a Location to subject to potentially moreserious effects. For each 2 meters
point 4 will cover both 4 and 5. The attack will be against the of fall the character will receive l D l O of subdual damage.
less effective armor covering the Locations attacked. This The number of meters fallen is chance in 20 of a Critical
kind of Grapple is a constriction attack and armor defends Effect occuring. When rolling on the Critical Hit Effects
according to the rules on page 17. Any damage done is Table, one half of the distance fallen in meters, rounded
subdual. The Grappler is assumed to keep his hold on the down, is added to the 1Dl00. I f the Critical Effect is Location
target unless it is broken or he voluntarily relinquishes it in dependant 1D100 should be rolled and the Hit Location
order to seek a new grip or perform some other Action. As Table consulted. At his discretion, the Gamesmaster may
long as the Grapple is maintained, the Grappler may roll his add to or subtract from the die roll depending on whether the
Effect Die at the end of each Action. character is falling head or feet first.
A character who has an arm Grappled may not use that
arm to perform an Action. That is he may not strike the
Grappler with it or use askill or weapon requiring two hands. EFFECTS OF WATER ON
A character whose head, neck or torso is subject to a Grapple MOVEMENT AND COMBAT
may not move. There are three general situations where water will have
When a character is considered Grappled he has several effects on movement and combat. These occur when the
options: character is ON the water in some form of boat, when the
32

character is actually IN the water, and when the character is Any attacks made using a weapon in a strike attack form
UNDER the water. will reduce the characters effective Strength by 25% for
purposes of determining the Effect Die.
ON T H E WATER
A character on the water will be on some form of platform GOING UNDER
which can range from a raft to a large ocean going ship. Whenever a character has gone under, he must make a
Whether the roll of the waves has any effect will depend on Health Ability Saving Throw or take 2D6 points of subdual
the roughness of the water and the size of the platform. As damage from swallowing water. A character who exceeds his
this is highly variable, it is left t o the Gamesmaster to decide Damage Resistance Total in this fashion will become
if the situation will call for the following rules to be applied. unconscious. If a characters die result is 20. he will
When the platform is affected by the water on which it immediately become unconscious. Once unconscious, the
rides, characters must make a Seamanship Skill roll on each character will receive 2D6 additional points of damage each
Combat Turn if the effect on the platform is significant. Combat Turn. When this additional damage exceeds the
With less significant effects, a longer time period may be value of the characters Damage Resistance Total, the
allowed between rolls. A character may substitute a Natural character has drowned.
Talent roll if he has no score in Seamanship Skill or hisTalent
score exceeds his Seamanship BCS. Once the roll is
successfully made, the character will suffer no ill effects for FLOATING
that time period. The time period for checks to see if a character has
Failure to make the roll will cause the characters.effective remained afloat will vary due to water conditions. This is left
Deftness and Speed scores to be dropped by 25%. Critical for the Gamesmaster to adjudicate. To prevent going
failure will drop them by50%. In both cases, all footing will be under, the character must make a Swimming Skill BCS or a
considered Treacherous Ground. Critical Saving Throw based on the average of the
Any character without Seamanship Skill will be subject to characters effective Strength and effective Health. The
seasickness when the platform is affected by water. A character may use whichever value will give him the best
Health Saving Throw .must be made. If the die roll is in the chance. A full life jacket will add 12 to the score needed, a life
Critical Saving Throw range, the character will feel no vest or ring will add 10 and other objects such as inflated
effects. If it is in the Ability Saving Throw range, he will have bladders, drums or wreckage will add 5.
his effective Wit, Will, Deftness and Speed Attributes
reduced by 25%. All of his Basic Chances of Success will be UNDER T H E WATER
reduced by 2. If the die roll indicates failure, those Attributes Movement under the water is the same as for movement in
listed above will be reduced by 50% and all BCSs will the water. Naturally, if the character has some sort of air
receive a -4 modification. A critical failure will indicate that supply, it will not matter if he goes under. This does not
the character is overcome by sickness for the duration of the refer to holding ones breath. A character may hold his
period in which the platform is affected. breath for a number of Combat Turns equal to:
Whenever the platform is affected and the character 6 x Health Group + Effect Die for Will Group
wishes to exercise any Skill requiring physical exertion, the The die roll for the Will Group should be made by the
characters Basic Chance of Success in that Skill should be Gamesmaster and not revealed to the player. A character
averaged with his BCS in Seamanship Skill to get a base who is active while holding his breath will use up his stored
BCS. The averaged BCS is not allowed to exceed the oxygen at the rate of 2 Combat Turns for each Combat turn
characters base BCS in the Skill he is attempting to utilize. If that he is active.
the characters Natural Talent score exceeds his
Seamanship BCS he may use the Talent score to average Jan is moving through a submerged tunnel
with the Skill BCS to give the base BCS. system. She has a Health Group of 3 and a Will
Group of 2. This means she can hold her breath fora
IN T H E WATER minimum of 19 Combat Turns while inactive and a
Movement in water will be affected by the relative depth of m i n i m u m o f 9 while active. Secretly the
the water. A check of the table below will give the depth Gamesmaster rolls 1 0 3 for her when she
groupings for water and the effect on the Base Movement submerges. The result is 2. He now knows her
Allowance. maximum time is 20 Combat Turns.
Depth BMA notes Jan swims through a tunnel for 8 Combat Turns.
to ankles 1 Treacherous Ground This puts her at the end of the tunnel. A check for
to knees 0.5 Treacherous Ground discovery of Hidden Things expends 1 Turn at
to waist 0.25 Treacherous Ground inactive rate. The roll is successful and reveals a
to chest 0.1 Treacherous Ground guard pacing the shore. Jan has now been holding
or character may swim her breath for an effective time of 17 Combat Turns.
over head character must swim The player decides that Jan will stay under hoping
that the guard will leave before she runs out of
Swimming must be performed for an Action. A character breath. By doing this she risks unconsciousness
may make one 60 degree change of facing during each and possible drowning. Two more Combat Turns
Action. A character without Swimming Skill will have a Base pass before the guard leaves. On the next Turn Jan
Movement Allowance of 0.1 but must still roll 1D20 for each surfaces, lungs aching and panting for breath.
Action spent swimming. A result of 20 indicates that the
character has gone under. A character with Swimming Under water a characters effective Strength when using a
Skill will have a Base Movement Allowance of 0.25. If, when thrusting weapon will be reduced 25%. If he is using a
he rolls 1D20 during the Action spent swimming, the result is weapon with astrikeattack form hiseffectivestrength will be
within his Basic Chance of Success, his Base Movement reduced 50%. Hand held weapons will have modifications to
Allowance will be0.5. A die roll of 20 will call for the character the Basic Chance of Success dependent on the attack form
to roll 1020 again. If the roll exceeds the characters Basic and the size of the weapon. These are listed in the table
Chance of Success in Swimming Skill or is 20 again, the below. The modifications for thrust attacks replace the
character has gone under. normal thrust BCS modifications.
33

Weapon Length Strike BCS mod. Thrust BCS mod. initiating another Action. Whenever a character attempts to
short -1 +2 use a Combat Skill while mounted, he must average hisscore
average -2 +1 in the Combat Skill with his score in Beast Riding Skill. This
long -4 +O will allow him to determine his modified BCS for the Attack
extra long -8 -1 according to the rules presented on page 11. This modified
BCS is still subject to Restriction, Distraction, Situational
OTHER NOTES O N WATER Modifiers and the opponents defense.
Visibility in the water varies tremendous according to the While mounted a riders Combat Dodge Ability is altered.
clarity of the water, motion conditions and the amount of He will have the Combat Dodge Ability value of the mount
light available. The Gamesmaster should decide on what the plus one-half of his own normal value rounded down. His
visibility will be when the characters enter the water. It will Weapon Defense Ability will be based on his averaged score.
rarely be above thirty meters and will frequently be less than A rider/mount combination moving at a Base Movement
4. A character without a face mask or goggles would have Allowance greater than 1 will not be halted by an enemys
about one half the vision range of a character who is Active Zone. Only 1 free attack per opponent is allowed in 1
equipped with such devices. Action Phase even if the path taken by the mount goes
Sound travels extremely well in water at a speed of 1.5 through more than one of the hexes in the opponents Zone
kilometers per second. Gamesmaster should take this into of Influence.
account when handling adventures under water.
For game purposes, objects with a negative bouyancy will THE HORSE
sink at a rate of 3 meters per Combat Turn. A character with The most common mount for a man is the horse. The
neutral bouyancy (properly weighted for under water work) statistics for an average horse are given here:
can move freely in either the vertical or horizontal plane. A STR DFT SPD HLH BAP MNA PCA CDA DRT
character with positive buoyancy (unencumbered) moves 30 14 24 24 12 2 6 2 60
horizontally at normal rates and will rise 2 meters per
Combat Turn. , SF ENCCAP MASS AV
Against missile weapons, water will act as a barrier. Each 12 12 32 3
meter of water will add one range step to a muscle powered Attack modes: WDM Length BCS Notes
missile weapon. The air-water interface and the first meter of Teeth 1.5L S 7 minus 1 STR Group
water will reduce a bullets BDG by 10. Each successive Hoof, unshod 1.5C A 10 2 attackswhen used
meter of water will reduce the BDG further by 5. Hoof, shod 1.7C A and a WDA equal
to 3
COMBAT ON A MOVING VEHICLE A horse has four gaits and each gait has its own Base
The effect on attempts to use a Combat Skill while on Movement Allowance. The horse may change a gait to the
board a moving vehicle is straight forward. The character next slower or faster one at the start of any Action. It must
receives a negative modifier to his Basic Chance of Success proceed at that speed until the next Action. At any gait with a
equal to the number of meters: round up, that the vehicle Base Movement Allowance of greater than 1 only one facing
moves in the phase of resolution. change of 60 degrees per Action is allowed. At these gaits,
the horse must move its Base Movement Allowance on each
Action Phase. A Speed Ability Saving Throw by an
THE CHARACTER AND HIS MOUNT uncontrolled horse will allow it to change to 2 gait classes
Being mounted will alter some of the ways a character may slower if necessary. A Critical failure will result in the horse
act and interact during Detailed Action Time. As long as a falling. When the horse is controlled, the riders Beast Riding
character is in control of his mount, his Base Action Phase Skill BCS must first be made. A die roll of 1 for the Horses
will determine when the mount will move unless the mounts Saving Throw or the riders BCS will allow the gait to be
Base Action Phase is lower. I n that case, movement will reduced a step further.
begin on the mounts Base Action Phase although the Eff. Mass
character on the animal may initiate an Action on his own Gaits BMA Mod. Notes
Base Action Phase. Walk 1 x ,251 May start and stop on any phase
If the mount is out of control it will act as if it had no rider Trot 2 x .5 2 in 10 chance of slipping per
Action on Treacherous ground
except for the effects of the riders weight. The mount is then
in the control of the Gamesmaster and he will move it on the
Canter 4 xl 4 in 10 chance as above
Gallop 6 x 1.5 6 in 10 chance as above
DAT Display.
A rider is assumed to be in control until asituation arises to
test his control. This may arise from such things are gunfire, A horses effective Combat Dodge Ability for purposes of
the sudden appearance of something, injury to the mount or incoming missile fire is his BMA times his normal CDA. A
anything else the Gamesmaster decrees. If the rider makes horse must be moving at a Walk gait before initiating an
his Beast Riding BCS roll he will retain control for that Attack Action. Fire directed at the rider suffers the same
Combat Turn. If he fails the roll, the mount will be treated as penalty.
uncontrolled beginning on the next Action Phase. The rider
must spend an Action to regain control. A successful Beast HORSE AND RIDER IN DAT DISPLAY
Riding BCS roll at the end of any Action in which the A horse (for that matter, any animal with a body length
character is attempting to regain control will return the between 1 and 2 meters) will occupy two hexes on the DAT
mount to a controlled state beginning on the next Action Display. When moving forward the front half of the horse will
Phase. The rider must now deal with the animal at its current occupy the new hex and the back half will occupy the hex
speed and direction. The Gamesmaster may apply modifiers vacated by the front half. The Zone of Influence for a horse is
to the Basic Chances of Success based on his evaluation of shown in the accompanying illustration.
the situation and the reaction of the mount. For purposes of portrayal on the DAT Display, a rider is
A rider initiating an Attack Action while moving will resolve considered to be in the back hex of his mount. The
the attack when he passes his Target. He is still constrained modifications to his Zone of Influence are shown in the
to wait the requisite number of Action Phases before accompanying illustration.

HORSE AND RIDER meters for a total jump of eight meters. Thus the horse will
O N THE DAT DISPLAY leave the group two meters in front of the obstacle and land
two meters beyond it.
The failed BCS to get the horse to jump will result in the
horse independantly attempting to decelerate as much as
possible to avoid hitting the obstacle. If the horse can slowto
a Walk, it will stop on the next Action Phase and the rider
must make a Beast Riding BCS to retain his seat. A Critical
Miss on the riders attempt to get the horse to jump will result
in the horse crashing into the obstacle. Solid obstacles will
cause a number of DlOs of B type damage to the horse equal
t o its BMA when the jump was attempted. The rider will be
thrown from the horse and is subject t o damage as indicated
below.
UNSEATING A RlbER
A rider may be unseated in a number of ways. Once
unseated he is subject to damage due to falling. See page32.
The BMA of the horse at the time the rider is unseated is
considered as the distance of the fall.
Any Critical Miss on an attempt t o control a horse will
result in the rider being unseated.
A successful Bash against the rider himself will require a
Beast Riding BCS roll where failure will indicate that he has
been unhorsed.
A successful Grapple to the legs of a rider will require a
check as if the rider had been Bashed. Such Grappling
attempts against mounted men are Critical Saving Throws
instead of Ability Saving Throws and receive a negative
modification equal to the mounts BMA at the time.
Anchoring a rider in any way will result in a check for
unhorsing as explained below. A rider can beanchored by
roping him, catching a part of his body, clotheslining him
or any other method the Gamesmaster declares will have an
equivalent effect. Once a rider has been anchored, the
effect will not be checked until the anchoring method has
been made taut, for example, a rope stretched to its limit. If
the rider has time he may attempt to remove the anchor
sever it or direct his horse in such a way that theanchor will
not become taut.
In order to see i f the unhorsing occurs, each of the
MOUNTED MOVEMENT THROUGH AN contestants will roll the Effect Die for its effective Strength
OCCUPIED HEX Group. If the riders roll is higher he will keep his seat. This
A rider/mount combination moving through an occupied means that the anchor has given way (a Grappling hold or
hex requires a check for Bash to be made. The mount will be tree limb) or broken (a rope). If the opponents roll is higher,
reduced to the next lower gait for the rest af its Action. If the the rider is unhorsed and subject to the rules for being
Bash goes against it, it will be reduced 1 gait category per 2 unseated. I f a rider is anchored to a solid object (rather
meters of Stopping effect. It need not worry about being than having another character providing the base for the
knocked over until its gait has been reduced t o a Walk. anchor), the Gamesmaster must assign a Strength Group
A footman receiving a Bash from a rider/mount for the object. This Strength Group will be the base from
combination may be trampled. The Effect Number of the which the Effect Die will be determined rather than that of the
Bash is the chance in 20 that the footman will receive damage character who attached the rider to the anchor.
as if he had received attacks from two hooves. For this type of Modifications to the basic strength Groups are given below.
attack use the mounts effective Mass as if it were the When a rider has been attached to an object, the die rolls
Strength used to determine the Effect Die. will not be made until the mount has travelled sufficient
distance t o stretch the attaching method taut. If the rider has
JUMPING O N HORSEBACK time he may attempt to remove the attaching method, sever it
If the rider makes his Beast Riding BCS, he can cause his or direct his horse is such a way that the distance will not
mount to jump over an obstacle. The horse must be moving become sufficient for the attaching method to become taut.
at a gait faster than a Walk. The total distance of the jump
(vertical, both up and down, and horizontal) is the Effect Die Situation Modification
roll in meters for an effective Strength equal to the horses character braced and ready +1 Group to the character
Strength minus the Encumbrance Total it is carrying. rider without saddle at Walk -1 Group to rider
For each meter of height that an obstacle has, the rider without saddle at Trot -2 Groups to rider
horizontal distance required to make the jump is two meters rider without saddle at Canter -3 Groups to rider
greater than the width of the obstacle. The total additional rider without saddle at Gallop -4 Groups to rider
length is split evenly on either side of the obstacle. Thus an horse at Canter, riCler saddled +1 Group to rider
obstacle that is two meters high and two long will require a horse at Gallop, rider saddled +2 Groups to rider
horizontal jump of six meters and a vertical jump of two rider in high cantled saddle +1 Group to rider
35

DAMAGE, HEALTH AND HEALING
As noted in the section on Detailed Action Time, a charac- minutes. If the character was beyond his Damage Resistance
ter can be dealt damage points of lethal, subdual or critical Total when he started healing, he will become conscious
nature. The number of points taken of the first two kinds is when the current damage total is less than his Damage
compared to the characters Damage Resistance Total to Resistance Total.
gauge how injured the character is in relation to his normal The period of hea!ing for lethal damage is one day. For
healthy state. When the total of this representation of injury convienience in playing the game, all healing of lethal and
exceed certain levels the character will register this by a critical damage is done at dawn. A characterwill subtract the
decrease in efficiency. points healed from the total of lethal or critical damage
Lethal damage represents serious injuries which take time taken. The base number of points that a character will heal in
for the body to heal. Subdual damage represents less serious a day is equal to his Healing Rate. This number may be
injuries that have immediate effects but are compensated for increased or decreased according to the characters
by the body in realtively short order. Critical damage activities, the care the character receives and the
represents very serious damage that prevents the character surroundings in which the character finds himself.
from utilizing the part of the body that receivessuch damage. The period and modifications for healing critical damage
Each type of damage heals differently in the game. are the same as for lethal damage. However, if a character is
When a character takes damage in the game, the suffering from critical and lethal damage, his healing rate will
Gamesmaster will specify how much damage is taken and be adjusted by all the appropriate factors. The adjusted
what type of damage it is. The player should enter the Healing Rate will be split in half. One half will be subtracted
amount in the corresponding section of the Character from the total of lethal damage and one half will sub-
Record Sheet. If the character has already taken some tracted from the total of critical damage. Odd points are lost.
damage, the new damage should be added to the amount Broken bones and severed stumps will take time to heal.
already taken. This time is independent of any other healing that takes
When the total amount of lethal and subdual damage taken place. A character trying to beactive during this healing time
by a character exceeds one haif of his Damage Resistance will be greatly hampered. Theexact problems he will suffer is
Total, he is considered Wounded. His effective Deftness and left to the Gamesmaster. The time required to heal such an
Speed will be reduced by 25% and all applications of Skills injury is 100 days minus 1 day for each point of Health score
will have a modification of -2 to the Basic Chance of Success. the character has at the start of the healing process. An
When the total of lethal and subdual damage exceeds three Advanced Medical Skill BCS roll is required to set broken
quarters of his Damage Resistance Total, the character will bones correctly. Healing time will be dated from the day the
be considered Seriously Wounded. His Deftness and Speed bones are set. If they must be reset the healing time will start
will be reduced by 50% and all BCS will have a modification all over from the beginning. Stumps resulting from a Sever
of -4. It should be remembered that the effects of being result must have an Advanced Medical Skill BCS roll applied
Seriously Wounded are not cumulative with the effects of to them i f they are to later accept prosthetic devices.
beling Wounded. They replace those effects. When the total
of damage taken exceeds the characters Damage MODIFICATIONS TO HEALING RATE:
Resistance Total, he is out of the fight. Patient is in the field, complete rest 0
If the attack which raised the characters current damage Patient is in the fieid, active up to one half day -1
total above the Damage Resistance Total was subdual Patient is in the field, active for full day -2
damage, the character is unconscious. If the attack Patient engages in active combat that day -1
continues to do subdual damage,to the character, he will die Patient is in restful surroundings +1
when the additional damage exceeds twice his Damage Patient receives good physical care (food, rest, etc.) +1
Resistance Total. Such damage can come from continual Patient receives medical care
beating by an attacker or prolonged exposure to electrical (character attending makes BCS roll) +1
current or other sources as decided by the Gamesmaster. I f it Patient receives good medical care (hospital) +1
was lethal damage and the Damage Resistance Total was
exceeded by greater than the characters Healing Rate, the Martin the Traveller has a DRT of 24 and a Healing
character is dead. If the difference between the characters
Rate of 3. He has been injured in a fight. He has
current damage total and his Damage Resistance Total is taken 12 points of lethal damage, 4 points of subdual
less than or equal to his Healing Rate, the character is
damage and 4 points of critical damage to his left
unconscious and comatose.
arm. He decides to rest after the fight. After 20
Critical damage to a location will prevent a character from minutes the subdual damage will be healed.
using that part of his body. Critical damage to the head, neck Looking around he decides that the climate would
or body will render the character comatose. When the critical be healthier elsewhere. He heads for the nearest
damage is healed the character will regain the use of that town. He travels for a full day and is jumped b y a
body part, or become conscious as appropriate. brigand at sunset. He kills the felon and miracuously
escapes further injury. Having traveled at full
HEALING DAMAGE movement he gets -2 to his Healing Rate. The -1 for
Subdual damage heals fairly quickly. A character may having engaged in combat reduces his Rate too. He
subtract a number of points equal to his Healing Rate from will not heal that day.
the total of subdual damage points taken for each ten The Traveller decides to spend a day resting to get
minutes of game time spent in complete rest. If the character some strength back. He avoids all encounters that
is active the recovery period will be 1 hour instead of 10 day. He therefore gets his full healing rate. H e
36

divides this between the lethal and critical damage Infection may be avoided by the application of a unit of
with the extra point being lost. He now has 1 1 points medical supplies when first aid is supplied. This unit is over
of lethal and 3 points of critical damage. and above any applied for first aid healing. Also, any
After a half days travel, Martin finds himself at a character applying a BCS roll to the infected character while
small farmhouse. He persuades the family to let him utilizing Pathology Skill will eliminate the infection. The
stay the night. Later that afternoon, a wandering attempt to apply Pathology Skill may only be made once per
physician arrives. The doctor makes his First A i d patient for each infection possibility.
Skill BCS r o l l so Martin adds tl to his Healing Rate. Once the character is infected, recognizable symptoms
The half days travel costs him 1 but the restful will appear at the next time healing would be calculated. O n
surroundings of the cottage cancel that with +l. The each successive day, the character may attempt Health
net gain of 1 allows him to reduce the total of lethal Ability Saving Throws to throw off the infection. The
damage to 9 and the critcal damage to 1. character will heal normally on the day after the infection is
thrown off.
IMMEDIATE FIRST AID OPTION
Immediately after a combat, characters may receive first If, in a characters Health Ability Saving Throws to
aid. Each of the measures listed below will allow a character eliminate an infection, a 20 should be thrown, gangrene will
to immediately subtract one point of lethal damage from the set in. Gangrene negates the characters ability to make
current total. If not applied in the space of time immediately Health Saving Throws. Gangrene has an initial Virulence
after the combat, no effect will be gained. These measures Group of 1 which will increase by 1 Group each day. Each
include: day the Gamesmaster will roll the Effect Die for the current
0 Character makes BCS roll with First Aid Skill Virulence Group of the Gangrene. When the total of the
(die roll equals 1: 2 points) Effect Die rolls exceeds the characters Damage Resistance
0 Patient is bandaged (requires bandage materials) Total, the character is dead.
0 Patient is given 1 unit of medical supplies Each day a character with Pathology Skill may attempt to
(non-cumulative) halt the progress of the disease. His Basic Chance of
Success will be halved if he does not expend a number of
units of medical supplies equal to the current Virulence
RESTORATION OF Group of the Gangrene. In addition the base BCS will receive
LOST ATTRIBUTE POINTS a negative modfication equal to the current Virulence Group
If the character has lost Attribute points due to some form of the Gangrene.
of attack, he may regain them at a rate equal to one half his Treat the accumulated results of the Effect die rolls of the
Healing Rate, rounded down, per week. His Healing Rate for Gangrene as critical damage for purposes of healing if the
this purpose is subject to similar modifications to those disease is thrown off.
received when healing lethal or critical damage. In this case,
though, the period is a week instead of a day for each
modification and the appropriate medical care is Therapy DISEASES
Skill, not First Aid Skill. All modifications are made to the Diseases can be broken down into three basic formats:
characters Healing Rate before it is halved. By this method a acute, episodic and chronic. In game formula they will be
character may not regain Attribute points lost due to aging. coded (-), (+) and (0) respectively.
Each time an acute disease has an effect, whether its first
effect of at the end of a Cycle, it will subtract the result of its
RESTORING A CHARACTER Effect Die from its target Attribute. The character must then
function at the reduced value of the Attribute. When the
TO CONSCIOUSNESS disease reduces the target Attribute to zero or below, the
If a character is unconscious due to System Shock, a
Crisis stage is reached.
Critical Effect result of having his Damage Resistance Total
When dealing with an episodic disease, a count of the
exceeded by a subdual attack, he may be restored to
cumulative result of the Effect Die rolls is kept. When the total
consciousness by another character,who mhkes his BCS roll
exceeds the Critical Saving Throw range in the target
for Advanced Medical Skill. If the character is unconscious
Attribute, the Attribute will be reduced by25% till thedisease
due to being in a comatose state, the reason for the coma
achieves its next stage. When the total exceeds the Ability
must be eliminated first. If coma was caused by critical
Saving Throw range, the target Attribute will be reduced to
damage to the head, neck or body, the critical damage must
50% for the duration of the disease. At the end of each Cycle
first be healed. If it is due to the characters Damage
of the disease, the character is allowed to make an Ability
Resistance Total being exceeded by lethal damage, the
Saving Throw with the target Attribute to avoid specific
characters current damage total must be lowered to within
episode effects. A specific episode automatically occurs
his Damage Resistance Total.
when the disease first takes effect. When the total of the
Effect Die rolls exceeds the score in the target Attribute, the
INFECTION Crisis state occurs.
A character may be subject to infection if Lethal or Critical A chronic disease will have its effect at the end of the
damage has been caused to him by the bite of a predator or Incubation Period. This effect will remain until the character
scavenger, an attack with a dirty or rusty weapon or, if the throws off the disease or the time limit on the duration of the
character does not keep himself decently clean (for example, disease runs out. If a target Attribute is specified, it will be
sleeps in his armor for days on end), any weapon that breaks decreased by the Effect Die roll for the duration of the
the skin. disease. The Attribute will return to normal at the end of the
Once the character is exposed to an opportunity for disease.
infection to set in, the Gamesmaster will make a secret If a disease has more than one main target, each will be
Health Ability Saving Throw for the character. This throw treated independently. The Crisis stage will occur when the
should be made at the next time that healing would be first Attribute satisfies the conditions for its occurrance.
calculated. If the throw is failed, the wound has become Diseases may also have specific symptoms which will have
infected. The character may not heal as long as he is subject an effect on the character. I f a disease has such symptoms
to the infection. they will be listed after the formulaic expression of the
37

disease. Such symptoms last for the duration of the disease movement as if he were on Treacherous Ground. If the
but may be temporarily alleviated by the application of terrain is truly Treacherous Ground, double his
symptomatic drugs. chances of slipping. When the advance exceeds his
Each strain of a disease will be rated for its Virulence Health AST, subtract the Virulence Group of the
Group. This is a measure of how strong the disease isas well disease from the number needed to make any Saving
as how dangerous it is. At the end of each Cycle of an acute Throws involving the character's sense of balance
or episodic disease, the Gamesmaster will roll the Effect Die such as those required for keeping one'sfeet, catching
for the Virulence Group of the disease. This will be the things, dodging, etc.
progress made by the disease for that cycle. Dystopia - When the advance is greater than the
A disease has an Incubation Period. This is the time character's Health CST, theeffective Light level for that
between exposure to the source of the disease and the first character is reduced by one step. That is Good light
appearance of symptoms. This will vary by strain. The time becomes Dim, Dim becomes Poor, etc. When the
period of the Incubation Period will be reduced by the advance exceeds his Health AST, the reduction is two
Virulence Group. This reduction will be in whatever units of steps.
time in which the Incubation Period is expressed. At the end Fainting - Faints are treated as System Shock. A
of the Incubation Period the disease will make its first attack. character who fails a Physical Attribute Saving Throw
The Vector of a disease is a description of the method by is subject to a check for Fainting. He must make a
which the character can catch the disease. If the character Health Ability Saving Throw to avoid Fainting. The
has protection from the Vector, he can not contract the number needed for the Saving Throw is reduced by the
disease. The Vectors and their descriptions follow: Virulence Group of the disease. Continued exertion
-
Aerosol The infection is airborne. Any character within may also causethecharactertocheck for Fainting. The
a number of meters equal to the Virulence Group who character's Health Group is the number of Combat
breaths the air is subject to Infection. Turns he may engage in strenuous activities such as
Subcutaneous - The infection must be gotten under the combat, running, climbing, etc., before he must makea
character's skin by such means as an animal bite, Health AST as above. If he does not Faint when he
wound, injection, etc. checks for it he may continue to exert himself for the
Gastric - Thesource of infection must be taken internally same time period before he must check again.
through such things as contaminated food or drink. Lesions - The day's advance of the disease is the chance
Dermal - Simple skin contact is required. A garment in 10 of lesions developing on a random Location. Any
that protects a character from the initial source of damage taken on that Location will expose the
infection may later cause the character to besubject to character to Infection.
infection i f it carries contamination from the original Nausea - Exertion as described in fainting or a
contact. successful attack on Locations 6 through 12 will
Within these rules a disease will be described in the require a Health AST to avoid a fit. The character
following method: experiencing a fit of vomitting will be unable to perform
Vector - Format - Target - Incubation Period - any Action for a full Combat Turn. He will remain
Virulence Group - Cycle time incapacitated until he makes a Health AST. Attempts to
throw off the fit may be made on the bookkeeping
This will be followed by any special notes including any
phase of the Combat Turn.
symptoms or specifics regarding the "episode" of an
episodic disease. Pain - The disease's advance for that day acts as a
Abbreviations in use will include the standard abbrevia- negative modifier to all BCS rolls attempted by the
tionsfor Attributesand time. Vectorwill beabbreviated asthe character. One half the value of the advance is
first letter of its name. Thus, an acutediseasewith an Aerosol subtracted from the number needed for any Saving
Vector that attacks the Wit of a character and has an Throws.
Incubation Period of 12 hours, a Cycle of 3 hours and a Paralysis - The specified extremity will take critical
Virulence Group of 4 would be abbreviated as: damage equal to the day's advance of the disease.
A - (-) - WT - 12 hr. - 4 - 3 hr. Puerpera - The character's blood is slow to clot, though
If the disease were episodic and the episode was a fit of not so bad as a case of haemophilia would make it. But
paranoid delusion it would be: he will tend to bleed from open wounds and to suffer
A - (+) - WT - 12 hr. - 4 - 3 hr. -paranoid delusion episode severe bruising from non-cutting blows. When Lethal
If the disease were chronic it would be: damage is taken, after the combat in which it was taken
A - (0) - WT - 12 hr. - 4 - 0 is over, and any medical attention is given to the
Since more than one disease may have the same game character that falls in the classification of immediate
formula, each disease should be specified by name. This first aid, total up the character's current Lethal Damage
allows one to distinguish between an antibiotic tailored for a total and calculate a Group from the total. Roll the
specific disease and an antibiotic that only corresponds on effect die for this Group and add that tothecharacter's
all principal factors. Specific diseases will be presented in total damage tally as Lethal damage. In the event that
Book 3. this drives him below 0, he will become comatose.
Under no circumstances will the additional damage kill
DISEASE SYMPTOMS him. If it reduces his DRT to the death point, it stops
This section presents typical disease symptoms and the there, and no extra damage for puerpera is assessed.
effects on the character with the disease. Not all diseases will The character is comatose from bood loss.
have symptoms as severe as these. Many diseases will have When Subdual Damage from any blow istaken tothe
these type of symptoms but their effects will not be great limbs, the total Subdual Damage done is the percent
enough to warrant an effect on the character. chance that the limb will suffer a Disable result, as
Attribute Disfunction - The specified Attribute has its described in Critical Effects. The character will lose the
effective Group lowered by the total advance divided use of the limb until a Health AST is made, rolling
by 10, rounded down. hourly. Blows to the body or head will not have any
Dizziness - When the disease's advance is greater than appreciable effect on the puerpera symptom, in terms
the character's Health CST, treat all of the character's of Subdual damage's effects.
38

Rhuematoid Condition - The effects of this symptom in the characters system, the effects of the disease will
vary by the location affected. If it affects the legs, the disappear or he will be able to start healing the effects. The
characters Base Movement Allowance will be halved exact result will be dependant o n the exact disease.
when the diseases advance is greater than his Health If the disease has a Cycle, the character is allowed to make
CST. It will be reduced to one quarter of its normal a Health Saving Throw at the end of the Cycle time before the
value when advance exceeds Health AST. If it affects diseases advance is determined. If the die roll is in the range
arms, torso or head. when the advance exceeds the for a Critical Saving Throw, the disease is thrown off. If the
Health CST all attacks that the character makes out of die roll is in the range for an Ability Saving Throw, the
his Side hexes are treated as attacks out Rear hexes disease is being held in check by the characters
and the Front hexes are treated as Side hexes. When immunoresponse system and it makes no advance for that
the advance passes his Health AST, attacks out any of Cycle. Once the disease is thrown off, the character may go
his hexes are treated as Rear hexes. If it affects the about the busines of recovering from the disease.
hands, the characters Deftness Group will be reduced When a victim is making his Saving Throw at the beginning
by the total advance divided by 10, round down, for of a day or at the end of a Cycle, he will receive modifications
determining the effects of all operations requiring to the number needed for a successful Saving Throw as
manual dexterity such as lockpicking, crafts, etc. follows:
Tinnitus - The days advance of the disease is the 0 if a character makes a Pathology Skill BCS roll,
number of distractions the character receives due to modified as usual by the diseases Virulence Group, a
ringing in his ears. Any Saving Throws utilizing his plus 1 is received.
sense of hearing will also receive this negative 0 if a broad-band antibiotic is administered, a plus equal
modification. to its strength is received.
Ulceration -
The days advance of the disease is the if a specific antibiotic is administered, a plus equal to
chance in 10 that the character will develop ulcers on a the specifics efficiency against the disease is received.
Location. This should be determined by making a Hit if the character is wounded (greater than 50% of DRT),
Location roll. I f the character receives any damage to a minus 1 is received.
an ulcerated Location he must check for System if the character is seriously wounded (greater than 75%
Shock. The character is also exposed to Infection, see of DRT), a minus 2 is received.
page37. These modifications affect both the Critical and Ability
-
Weakness When the diseases advance is greater than Saving Throw Ranges.
the characters Health CST his effective Strength,
Deftness and Speed are reduced 25% and he receives- CRlSlS POINT OF THE DISEASE
1 to all physical BCS rolls. When theadvance isgreater When an acute disease has reduced its main target to zero
than his Health AST, the penalty to those Attributes is or below, when an episodic disease has a cumulative total of
50% and -2 on physical BCS rolls. its Effect Die rolls that exceeds the characters score in the
diseases main target, or when a disease reaches a
specified stage with a chronic disease, the patient has
DEALING WITH DISEASE reached the Crisis point of the disease. The character is
When a character is first exposed to a disease, a Health allowed a last Saving Throw to eliminate the disease. This
Ability Saving Throw must be made. The number requried will be a Health Critical Saving Throw. No modifications are
for success will be modified downwards by the Virulence allowed. If the character fails this throw, he has died of the
Group of thedisease. If the throw is successful, thecharacter disease. If the throw is successful, the character may begin
has avoided contracting the disease. No further checks are the process of recovery.
necessary while he is in thevicinityof the sourceof infection.
If the character should leave the area and return on another DOCTORS AND DISEASE
day he would be subject to possible infection again. Once a patient is evidencing the symptoms of a disease, a
Once the disease has been contracted, the victim has an character with Pathology Skill may attempt to diagnose the
opportunity during the incubation period to throw off the disease by making a Basic Chance of Success roll. This will
disease before any ill effects occur. This attempt requires allow the player to know the formula, in game terms, for the
that a character make a successful Basic Chance of Success disease. This is important in choosing a specific antibiotic, if
roll using Pathology Skill. This Basic Chance of Success one-is to be used.
receives a negative modification, to the number needed, Other specific uses of Pathology Skill with regard to
equal to the Virulence Group of the disease. Once the disease have been dealt with above. In brief, a successful
Pathology Skill BCS is successful the victim is allowed to Basic Chance of Success roll will allow a character a Saving
make a Health Ability Saving Throw to rid himself of the Throw during the Incubation Period or modify the number
disease. required for a Saving Throw that the character normally
Alternatively, application of a broad-band antibiotic or a makes in the course of the disease.
specific antibiotic for the disease will allow the victim to
make the second Health Ability Saving Throw. The exact Valeria, In her career as a wandering adventurer,
drug used will add its efficiency against the disease to the has been in many places. She has also caught many
number requried for a successful Saving Throw. If a drug is diseases. Early on she caught a stomach bug fitting
applied by a character who makes a successful BCS roll the description: G - (0) - S TR - 4 hr. - 2 - 0 - 48 hr. The
using Pathology Skill, the strength of the drug will be added inn she was staying at had bad food that night. With
to the number required for the patients Saving Throw. a Health of 15 and a die roll of 1020 of 16, she failed
Only one attempt to throw off the disease may be made her Ability Saving Throw to avoid catching the
during the Incubation Period. disease. After 4 hours the disease made its first
At the end of the Incubation Period the first effects of the attack. The Gamesmaster rolled 1 D6 with a result of
disease will appear. If the disease has no Cycle, theseeffects 5. This was from the Virulence Group of the disease
will remain in force until the character makes a Health Saving being 2 and having an Effect Die of 706. Thus her
Throw against the disease or the disease runs its course. A Strength is reduced by 5 for the duration of the
Saving Throw against the disease may be made at the disease which will be 48 hours. After24 hours. that is
beginning of each day. Once the disease is no longer active 1 day, she again fails her Health AST with a die rollof

12. She has no need to roll at the end of the next 24 later, she again failed her Saving Throw and the
hour period since the disease will have run its Effect Die result was 3. Her Deftness was reduced by
course and will cease. Her Strength may then be 3 more points. This brought her Deftness to zero.
healed to its normal level. She went immediately into Crisis. The die roll for her
Several months later, Valeria was bitten by a dog last attempt to rid herself of the disease before it
which was foaming at the mouth. Again she failed killed her was a 4. It was well within the Critical
her initial Saving Throw to avoid the disease. Saving Throw range as required. Valeria survived
Fortunately for her, a companion had Pathology the disease but would be quite a while recovering
Skill with a BCS of 12. The Virulence Group of the the lost points of Deftness.
disease was 4 which reduced his BCS to 8. A die roll
of 4 o n 1020 allowed her to make another Saving
Throw during the Incubation Period. This time the ANTIBIOTICS AND DISEASE
die roll was a 7. She just barely avoided coming Various cultures will have remedies, processes, and/or
down with the disease. This disease had the drugs which will aid a person w h o is fighting a disease. T o
formula: simplify matters for the game, w e will refer t o such things as
-
S - (+) WL - 3 hr. - 4 - 4hr. - homicidal mania antibiotics. A broad-band antibiotic is designed to fight a
episode. disease by fighting its symptoms and bolstering the body's
Let us look into an alternate universe where natural defenses. A specific antibiotic is more or less tailored
Valeria's companion did not make his BCS roll. to the disase and fights the disease directly.
Three hours after infection, the Gamesmaster rolls A broad-band antibiotic will be rated for its strength. This
2 0 6 as the Effect Die for the disease since it has a is the amount it will raise the Saving Throw of the patient
Virulence Group of 4. The result is 3. Valeria has a receiving it.
Will of 23 (CST equals 8; AST equals 11).Symptoms A specific antibiotic will also be rated for strength. It will,
appear which indicate that Valeria has caught a however raise the number needed for a successful throw on
disease, but no specific effects appear because the the patient's part by its efficiency. T h e efficiency of a specific
cumulative total of Effect Die rolls is less than her antibiotic is the result of the multiplication of its strength
Will CST. She does however have an episode of times its correspondance factor. T h e correspondance factor
homocidal mania. After subduing Valeria, her is determined by comparing the formula for the antibiotic to
companion attempts to diagnose the disease by the formula forthe disease.T h e antibiotic is rated for Format,
making a Pathology Skill BCS roll. The die result is Target, Vector and each specific secondary characteristic
7. This indicates success. so the player controlling such as the nature of an episode. T h e correspondance factor
the companion is given the formula for the disease. is the nature of these :hat the antibiotic has in common with
He does not have any specific antibiotics to use the disease.
against the disease. Before the next Cycle of the Any antibiotic specified as being tailored to cure a specific
disease, he attempts another Pathology Skill BCS disease will, upon being administered t o the patient, curethe
roll to help Valeria throw off the disease. He also disease at that point. T h e character will be at the recovery
gives her a broad-band antibiotic. The BCS die roll stage of the disease. A tailored antibiotic will generally also
is a 3, so Valeria will add 1 for that and 1 for the cure any side effects of a disease.
broad-band antibiotic to the range of her CST and T h e formula format for an antibiotic follows exactly that of
AST. This means her effective scores for this Cycle a disease to facilitate comparison.
are CST equals 7 and AST equals 9 instead of 5 and
7 respectively. The die roll is 8 indicating that the For this example let us refer back to the previous
disease has been held in check and willnot advance one and the second disease which has a formula of
at this point. Valeria fails her Will AST and has S - (t) - WL - 3 hr. - 4 - 4 hr. - homicidal mania
another fit but she is restrained and harms no one. episode. Consider Valeria k companion who had
At the next Cycle, the companion fails his BCS roll diagnosed the disease. Suppose he had the
and has run out of broad-band antibiotic. The die following specific abtibiotic to give to Valeria
roll of Valeria's Health Saving Throw is again an 8 instead of the broad-band antibiotic: S - (-) - WL -
but this time it indicates failure. The die roll for the homcidal mania episode. It corresponds to the
disease i f 9 bringing the total to 13. Valeria gets to disease on three points. It would add3 instead of the
make her Will AST before the effects of the 1 added by the broad-band antibiotic. This would
disease's advance take effect. her roll is a 2 have raised Valeria's effective Saving Throw ranges
meaning that she will not have a fit this time. to CST equals 9 and AS T equals 1 1. The die roll of 8
Because the disease's advance has exceeded her would have meant that she threw off the disease at
Will AST value, her effective score in the Target that point and would not have had the second f i t of
Attribute of Will is reduced by 50% to 12 making her homicidal mania.
new CST equal 4 and AST equal 6. Remember that
the disease's advance is compared to the permanent
value of the Attribute. RECOVERY FROM DISEASE
On the third Cycle, Valeria gets a 2 for her Health When a character throws off a disease or survives a disease
Saving Throw. She has thrown off the disease. Her because it has run its course, he will receive 1D10 of subdual
Will returns to normal but the damage she t o o k damage for each Virulence Group of the disease. This is
while being subdued by her companions must be curable in the normal fashion, see page 36. T h e character is
healed. also able t o begin the process of healing any Attribute points
T w o years later, while poking her nose where is lost due to the disease. This process is dealt with o n page
didn't belong, Valeria picked up another bug, and as 37.
usual didn't make her Health AST to avoid infection. I f the disease was specified to have had side effects, the
This one was: D - ( - j - DFT - 12 hr. - 3 - 12 hr. At the character will of course be suffering from them. Whether
end of the Incubation Period, the first Effect Die roll such side effects can be healed will depend on their nature.
for the disease was 5 on 2010. Valeria's Deftness T h e process for healing reversable side effects will be
score was immediately reduced by 5 . Twelve hours detailed in the description of that disease that causes them.
40

OPTION reduced by the number of units of supplies that are
applied. In either case, the application of the wrong
IMMUNITY FROM DISEASE kind of aid will have no effect o n the action of the
Any character who has once had a specific strain of an poison.
acute or episodic disease will be immune to that strain in
the future. In game terms, this means that a character who At the end of the Incubation Period, the character must
has made his Saving Throw after the first effects of the make a Health Ability Saving Throw, assuming the poison
disease have evidenced themselves will automatically make has not been counteracted. If the Saving Throw is made, the
his Health Ability Saving Throw when exposed to the same poison will have no effect. I f it is failed, the poison will begin
strain of the disease. to take effect. The strength of the poison works as the
The bookkeeping of which strains the character has had is Virulence Group of a disease. It is used as a Group rating to
the responsibility of the player. When the character is determine an Effect Die. The proper die is rolled by the
exposed to a disease, the player should inform the Gamesmaster and the result is noted.
Gamesmaster of the strains to which the character is The main Target of all poisons is the characters Health.
immune. The Gamesmaster will take this information into When the cumulative total of the Effect Die rolls exceeds the
account but should have the player roll a Saving Throw for characters Critical Saving Throw range, first stage effects
the character anyway, since even an immune character has occur. When the cumulative total exceeds the Ability Saving
no natural automatic way of recognizing a strain of disease. Throw range, second stage effects occur. When the
cumulative total exceeds the characters Health score the
Crisis stage occurs. The effects at each stage for each kind of
poison are dealt with later in this section.
POISONS At theendoftheCycleTimeforthepoison, thecharacter is
Poisons function much like diseases since they have allowed to make a Health Saving Throw. If the die roll is in the
characteristics that resemble Vector, Incubation Period, Critical Saving Throw range the strength of the poison will be
Virulence Group, and Cycle Time. The effects that a poison reduced by one Group and no die roll will be made for the
has will depend on its type and whether it has any side poison that Cycle. If the die roll is in the Ability Saving Throw
effects. The three general types of poisons are lethal, range, no die roll will be made for the poison ,on that Cycle.
narcotic and depressant. This process will continue until the character has reduced
The Vector of a poison is the same as that of a disease. That the effective strength of the poison to zero or the poison has
is, it may be Aerosol, Subcutaneous, Gastric or Dermal. This had its Crisis stage effects.
is the method by which the poison is introduced into the Additional doses of a poison will act to restore thestrength
characters system. of the poison to its strongest level. They will not increase it
Once the poison has been introduced to the .characters beyond the maximum for its current form and strength.
system, there will be a period of time until if first shows its Additional doses do not, however, have to go through the
effects. During this time attempts may be made to remove the Incubation Period.
poison from the characters system. The exact requirements
and procedures will depend on the Vector as follows: EFFECTS OF POISONS
Aerosol - Application of an antidote is the only way to If a specific poison is listed as having side effects or
episodes they will occur at the times and have the effects
halt this type of poison before it takes effect.
Subcutaneous - A successful application of First Aid that are detailed in the description of the poison. The general
Skill will remove the poison before it causes harm. effects of each kind of poison are presented below:
-
Gastric The proper aid to apply can be one of two kinds, Lethal
induced vomitting or dilution. A successful BCS roll First Stage - The Attributes specified as targets of the
utilizing Advanced Medical Skill will determine which poison are reduced by 25%. All BCS rolls are -1.
is appropriate. In either case, a First Aid Skill BCS will Second Stage - The target Attributes are reduced by
apply the required aid. In the formercase, the recipient 50%. All BCS rolls are -2.
will be incapacitated until he makes a Health Ability Crisis Stage - The character is allowed one last Health
Saving Throw. Attempts may be made on the Critical Saving Throw. Failure indicates death.
bookkeeping phase of each Combat Turn. In the latter Success leaves the character comatose. After
case, a number of units of the correct substance recovering consciousness the character will have the
(water, acid, base, etc.) equal to the strength of the target Attributes reduced by the strength of the poison.
poison is required. If an insufficient number is avail- This damage may be healed following the rules on
able, the number used will reduce the strength of the page 37.
poison by the number administered. Application of the Narcotic
wrong aid will reduce the recipients required Saving First State - The characters Wit, Deftness and Speed are
Throw to cancel the effects of the poison from the reduced by 25%. All BCS rolls are at -2.
Ability to the Critical range. Second Stage - The characters Wit, Deftness and Speed
Dermal - The proper aid to apply may be one of two are reduced by 50%. All BCS rolls are at -4.
kinds, flushing or treatment. A successful BCS roll Crisis Stage - The character is rendered unconscious.
utilizing Advanced Medical Skill will determine which This state will naturally last for a number of hours equal
is appropriate. In the former case application of one to the strength of the poison.
liter of solvent (such as water) per Location covered by
the poison for each Strength point that the poison has Depressant
is required. I f insufficient water is avilable, the water First and Second Stage - as with Narcotic.
that is applied will reduce the strength of the poison by Crisis Stage - Character retains reduced values of the
one point for each unit amount applied. In the latter affected Attributes. All BCS rolls are at half value. This
case, an Advanced Medical Skill BCS and the condition will last for a period of hours equal to the
application of a number of medical supplies equal to strength of the poison.
the strength of the poison is required. If the BCS is Any character surviving the Crisis stage of a poison will
made and an insufficient number of units of medical have symptoms equivalent to the second stage effects of a
supplies is applied, the poisons strength will be narcotic poison at the end of the time period of the Crisis
41

stage effects. This will last for a number of hours equal t o the Jaxom is moving throught the forest. Suddenly he
strength of the poison or until the character makes a Health feels a sharp sting and looks down to see a blowgun
Ability Saving Throw. This may be attempted once per hour. dart imbedded in his arm. It is dipped in the
The character will then evidence symptoms equivalent t o following poison: S - L - DFT, SPD - 0 - 3 - 112
first stage narcotic poisoning for a number of hours equal t o Combat turn. The Incubation Period is 0 so there is
the strength of the poison or until a Health Ability Saving no time to provide treatment for the poison. At the
Throw is made. At this time the character will return to his start of this action Jaxom has a Health of 12, a
normal condition barring any side effects or damage caused Deftness of 22 and a Speed of 15. Jaxom's Health
by the poison. Ability Saving Throw attempt yields a die roll result
of 7 which is one above the necessary score. The
poison will have its first effects on the bookkeeping
TREATMENT OF POISONING
phase of that Combat Turn. The first Effect Die rollis
I f a character is poisoned, treatment may be applied t o
counteract or remove the poison as specified in the a 6 which exceeds Jaxom's Health CST value. At this
description on the Vectors of poisons earlier in this section. point his Deftness and Speed will be reduced by
25% and all his BCS rolls have a -1 modifier. Since
Once the Gamesmaster has made the first Effect Die roll for
the poison has a Cycle Time of 112 of a Combat
the poison, the only treatment allowed is for the symptoms
Turn, i t has an assumed Base Action Phase of 20
by the use of drugs or some other method that will negate the
and will do its insidious work on phases 11 and 1
effects of the poison at that level. T h e poison will continueto
work its insidious way in the character's system. Only by until it kills him or is negated.
Jaxom's next Health Saving Throw, done on
making Saving Throws can the character rid his system of
poison unless a specific antidote is available. next Combat Turn is a 3 which will reduce the
strength of the poison t o 2 and prevent it from having
Specific antidotes work with poisons exactly as specific
a n t i b i o t i c s w o r k w i t h diseases. T h e p o i n t s of further effects at this time. O n phase 6, which is
correspondance are Attributes attacked (all must Jaxom's current Base Action Phase since the action
of the poison has reduced his Speed to 12, he
correspond t o count as one factor), Type, Vector and any
initiates a Survey and Command Action to discover
specific side effects. A tailored antidote will negate the
where his assailant is and to warn his companions.
poison after completion of its own Incubation Period. See
But o n phase 4 , another dart thuds home. Jaxom's
page 40 for the mechanics of antibiotics. Antidote formulae
Saving Throw fails again restoring the strength of
follow the same format as poison formulae.
poison active in his system to 3. On phase 1 , Jaxom
will make a Health Saving Throw and fail. The
ENCODING A POISON poison's Effect Die roll is a 4 which brings the total
The procedure for encoding the game formula for a poison to 10. This exceeds the AST range and the poison
works much the same as the process forthe game formula of has its second stage effects. His Deftness drops t o 8
a disease. The basic format is: and his Speed to 11.
For the next two Combat Turns, Jaxom makes his
Vector - Type - Attribute(s) attacked - Incubation Health Saving Throws in the AST range. This halts
Period - Strength - Cycle Time - notes. the advance of the poison but does not reduce its
effects. On the next roll he fails his Saving Throw
The code for the type is the first letter of its name. Thus, a and the Effect Die roll for the poison is 4. This brings
fast acting Dermal nerve poison might have a formula as the total to 14 (which exceeds his Health score) and
follows: the Crisis stage begins immediately.
D, dilution (water) - L - DFT, SPD - 1 Combat Turn - Jaxom makes his Health Critical Saving Throw.
2 - 1 Combat Turn - Survivors have 1 Distraction He is comatose. When he finally recovers
Factor under stress due to nervous twitching. consciousness, he will be under the second stage
effects of a narcotic poison for up to 3 hours and
then will evidence first stage effects for u p to an
Specific poisons will be detailed later for the additional 3 hours. His Deftness and Speed will be
Gamesmaster. reduced by 3 until healed.
42

CHARACTER IMPROVEMENT
As the game progresses, the player will wish to see his When a character is using two Skills averaged together to
character improve his abilities, his chances of success and, gain his Basic Chance of Success, if he succeeds and is
in short, his ability to survive. Since this system contains no allowed to Learn-by-doing, he may choose which of the two
artificial level increments as a measure of a characters he will attempt to Learn-by-doing with. Multiple successes
abilities, the character must be improved in other ways. with the averaged BCS will not allow him to attempt to Learn-
Diligent study, rigorous training and learning through by-doing with both of the Skills involved.
practical experience are all valid ways for the character to
improve. Jus Dogslayer is proceeding through a occupied
The process of improvement may be rapid or slow building. He picks the lock to the cellarstairs. Check
depending on the situation surrounding the improvement for Learning-by-doing. He then locks the door
and the character himself. behind him and proceeds down the stairs. Out of the
dark, a figure attacks him. Drawing his sword and
IMPROVING SKILLS knife, Jus fights using Two Weapon form of H T H
Combat Skill. Just as he slays this man, another
A character may improve his score in a Skill in one of two
ways. These are Study and Learning-by-doing. In both comes at him. Jus wounds the second man with his
processes, it is the score in the Skill, not the Basic Chance of knife. just before having i t knocked from his hand.
Now Jus fights o n using Single Weapon form of
Success that is raised by the amount indicated. The Basic
H T H Combat Skill. He dispatches his opponent.
Chance of Success will increase when the characters score
is raised sufficiently that a new calculation of the BCS yields At this point, Jus, having used Two Weapon Skill
a higher number. Remember that a character has one point successfully against both opponents, can check for
of Basic Chance of Success for every five points of Skill Learning-by-doing for that Skill. Although he
fought two opponents, i t was during the same
score.
A Skill score may not be increased over the maximum Detailed Action Time. He may also check for
Learning-by-doing with regard to Single Weapon
score. Any extra points are lost. When a character reaches a
score of 100 (BCS 20) in most Skills, he has learned what Skill since he used that Skillsuccessfully against the
their is to know in that Skill. He is assumed to be an effective second man.
inaster of the Skill. A die roll of 20 when making a Basic Jus now hears more men approaching and opts
Chance of Success roll will still indicate failure but in most for the better part of valor. H e uses his Stealth Skill
cases the failure will not have critical effects. When using a to move silvently back up the stairs. Check for
Learning-by-doing because noise would
Combat Skill which has a maximum scoreof200 (though the
attract attention to Jus.
BCS maximum is still 20) a die roll of 20 will indicate that
critical effects occur if the character cannot make a Control Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Jus finds that
Throw (the BCS of thesecond 100 points). A character with a the door has been modified so that a key is needed
score of 200 in a Combat Skill will still feel critical effects if from either side and he, not noticing this, (he failed
the die roll on the Control Throw is a 20. his Wit CST to notice this Hidden Thing) had set
the mechanism to lock behind himself. He hurriedly
picks the lock again. Check for Learning-by-doing
LEARNING-BY-DOING since the time pressure that Jus is under constitutes
When the character has successfully utilized a Skill, he a valid execution of his Skill. Jus closes the door
may attempt to Learn-by-doing. It is the responsiblity of the behind him as he heads for the wide open spaces
Gamesmaster to decide if a s k i l l use during the game makes outside the building.
the character eligible for the attempt. The general Let us consider the same character exploring the
requirement the use of the Skill significantly advances the building when there is nothing behind the door. In
position of the characters in the game situation. Thus a this case, the Gamesmaster knows before hand that
character who spends his time between adventures rolling there is nothing in the cellar. He has also decided
his BCS in Lockpicking Skill is ineligible since there is no that anyone who picks the lock to get into the cellar
pressure on him, no significant need for locks to be picked can obviously pick to lock to get out and so a
and he is facing no new challenges. The character is successful BCS roll to open the lock the first time
effectively conducting Solo Study as detailed later in this means that the character will automatically succeed
section. the second time. He does not tell this to the player
A character is allowed to attempt to Learn-by-doing for and will still make him roll the second time to
each eligible Skill used successfully in a Detailed Action maintain suspense.
Time situation. Multiple successes in oneskill during a given Jus arrives and picks the lock. The Gamesmaster
DAT situation will not allow more than one attempt to Learn- with an abstracted comment about waiting to see i f
by-doing. Jus will survive puts off temporarily the players
To be able to Learn-by-doing the character must have a L earning-by-doing roll. Jus then using his Stealth
score greater than zero in the Governing Talent for the Skill. Skill successfully reaches the bottom of the stairs
The Governing Talent is the first Talent listed in the and finds the cellar empty. Since there was nothing
calculation for the initial score in the Skill. to sneak up on, his successful use of Stealth was not
In order to successfully Learn-by-doing, the character pertinent and he may not Learn-dy-doing. Jus
must roll less than or equal to his score in that Governing retraces his path to the door and finds himself
Talent on 1 D20. If he does so, he may add one to his score in locked in. Attempting to use his Picklock Skill to
that Skill. open it. the die result is 20. The Gamesmaster knows
43

~~
that the lock has been picked since that result was
predetermined but he informs the player that you TABLE OF
dont seem to have picked it. The player in his LEARNING RATE MODIFICATIONS
frustration has Jus kick the door which amazingly
(to him) comes open. The player is now allowed b y LEARNING AIDS VALUE
the Gamesmaster to roll for Learning-by-doing for Expert Teacher 1
the lockpicking attempt. Gifted Teacher 1
Characters Governing Talent is greater than 0 1
Character is Studying a language in current
STUDY AND SKILL IMPROVEMENT local use 1
The characters score in a Skill represents hard won and Character is Studying a firearm Skill &
ingrained knowledge and/or abilities that the character has expends one unit of ammunition
acquired. Thus, the skill represented by a Skill score is not over the required amount 1
gained by simple demonstration, casual reading or LEARNING HINDRANCES
occasional practice. The character must diligently apply Solo Study (no teacher available) 2
himself in order to make any significant gains in Skill score. Proper facilities unavailable 2
Study turns are stated to be of a weeks duration. The Character is studying an ancient language
Gamesmaster is free to alter the time period, but the no longer in use 2
Learning Rate of any characters involved should be altered Characters Governing Talent for the Skill being
to reflect the difference. The basic increase to a characters Studied is less than 1 2
Skill score after a Study period of one week will be equal to Character is acting as a Teacher during the
his Learning Rate. This Learning Rate (his Wit Group) will be Study period 3
altered by various factors. These are presented in the Table The Skill being Studied is not a
of Learning Rate Modifications. Freely Improvable Skill for the character 2
To his basic Learning rate, the character will add the value Character is Wounded for at least part of the week 2
of any Learning Aids that are applicable. This number will be Character is Seriously Wounded for at least part
divided by the sum of the values of all the Learning of the week 3
Hindrances that apply. The result is the adjusted Learning Character does not have the required score in a
Rate which is the number of points that will be added to the Prerequisite Skill tt
characters score in the Skill being Studied. Character does not make unit expenditure of
Any fractions that occur due to Learning Hindrances are ammunition while studying a firearm Skill 2
retained during the period of Study. They are lost at the end Optional Learning Hindrances
of that period. Thus a character who has a month to Study Current Skill score areater than 50 2
and an Adjusted Learning Rate of 1.7, will after four weeks, Current Skill score Greater than 75 3
add four timestheweekly rateor6.8. SincetheGamesmaster * Once per week only.
has an adventure planned for the character, he is allowed no * * Study not allowed.
more Study time and the .8 is dropped from the amount that
the character will add to his Skill score.
During a Study period, the only major functions
(Research, Rebuilding, Using Influence are all major OPTION
functions) the character may perform are related to learning. INITIAL SCORE IN NEW SKILL
A character may Study two Skills, Study one Skill and Teach When a character Studies a new Skill and has a months
another or Teach two Skills. When a character is Studying worth of Study period all together, he may acquire an initial
two Skills during one Study period his base Learning Rate is score in the Skill rather than the value that would accrue
Wit Group/2, nearest. through normal Study. Each Hindrance that applies will
A Teacher may be any character, whether controlled by a reduce the initial value by half. If the character would gain a
player or the Gamesmaster, who hasaCornmunicativeTalent higher score by using normal methods of Study, he may do
greater than zero. An ordinary Teacher has a higher score in so.
the Skill being taught than any of the students. The score of
the students may not exceed the Teachers score while they OPTION
are Studying under him. An Expert Teacher will have the
maximum score in the Skill to be taught. A Gifted Teacher IMPROVEMENT OF
has a Communicative Talent greater than 10. ATTRIBUTES THROUGH LEARNING
Some Skills require proper facilities in order to be learned Each time a character achieves another point of BCS, he
at the normal rate. Combat Skills require the weapons to be may add .05 to the Governing Attribute. No value is received
used. Knowledge-based Skills require reference books. for the fractional scores until a full Attribute point is
Equipment-utilizing Skills requiretheequipment thatwill be accumulated.
utilized. The absence of such things will act as a Learning The Governing Attribute for a Skill is the one that appears
Hindrance. It is up to the Gamesmaster to decide if proper first in the calculation for the initial score in that Skill.
facilities are available when characters are attempting to It does not matter if the score sufficient for the increase in
study a Skill. the characters Basic Chance of Success is the result of
When a character is Studying a firearm Skill, an Learning-by-doing or Study.
expenditure of ammunition is required to prevent a Learning
Hindrance. The additional expenditure of another unit of OPTION
ammunition will act as a Learning Aid. Onlyone Learning Aid
may be gained in this way during a Study week. The unit of INCREASE OF TALENTS
ammunition will vary according to the firearm Skill being THROUGH LEARNING
Studied. For non-automatic weapons five rounds are Each time a character reaches maximum score in a Skill,
required to makea unit. Automatic weapons will multiply this he has a chance of increasing his score in the Governing
figure by the average burst size of the weapon used to Study Talent. To do this he must roll 1D100 and consult the
with. Heavy weapons require a three round expenditure. Reaction Table presented in Appendix 1 of this Book. I f the
44

die roll indicates a Good or Excellent reaction the IMPROVING ATTRIBUTE SCORES
character will increase his score in the Governing Attribute Attribute scores can be improved by diligent work over a
by one point. Study period of one month. At the end of this period, the
Harmon has decided he will Study Lockpicking character will increase his score in the Attribute chosen by
Skill for the next four weeks. His current score is 32 one point. Once a character passes certain breakpoints in
and BCS is 6. Harmons Learning Rate is 3. He is still the aging process, a die roll on the Reaction Table will be
mending from his last adventure and is Wounded required. The number needed will depend on thecharacters
during the first week which gives him a Hindrance of age. The age to be considered here is the characters
2. Fortunately he was able to find a teacher. For the effective age. Use the Table below:
first week, his score is increased by 312 or 1.5. The
second week he is n o longer Wounded since he has Characters effective age required to gain the point
fully healed in the previous week. This removes the under 40 automatic
Hindrance and the accumulated increase to his 40 to 49 Mediocre resu It
score is 1.5 plus the Learning Rate for the second 50 to 59 Good result
week of 3 for a total of 4.5. The next two weeks pass 60 to 69 Excetlent result
in a similar fashion, adding a further 6 points for a 70 or older die roll of 100
final total of 10.5 points. Since the time allocated to Supervision of the characters regimen by a character (it may
study is over, the decimal is rounded down to 10 be himself) with Therapy Skill will allow a character under
points. His score in Lockpicking Skill is now 42. the age of 40 a chance at a second point of increase. The
I f the Option for improvement of attributes is in character with Therapy Skill must make his BCS roll and the
effect, Harmon will add. 1 to the governing Attribute character in training must roll on the Reaction Table as if he
of Deftness since he has increased his BCS by2. ( 2 x were 40 years old and attempting to gain his Attribute point.
.5 equal .1). If the character is already 40 or older, a successful
Later that year, Harmon acts as a Teacher for Sam utilization of Therapy Skill will add the Effect Number (the
in Lockpicking Skill. Sams Learning Rate is 3 and die roll subtration from the BCS) to the die roll on the
he is only studying with Harmon. Harmon is also Reaction Table.
studying with a Gifted Expert Teacher in Various drugs, herbal preparations and similar items or
Safecracking Skill in which Harmon already has a processes can have an effect on attempts to gain Attribute
score of 88. Points. These effects will be detailed when the specific item
Sams Mechanical Talent is 1 1 and, since i t is the or process is presented.
Governing Talent for Lockpicking Skill, he receives
a plus one to his Learning Rate. He is not suffering EFFECTS OF AGE ON ATTRIBUTES
under any Hindrances and thus has a Learning Rate At the age of 40 characters begin to show the effects of
adjusted to 4 points per week. At the end of four aginq. Once a character reaches 40, he will no longer
weeks he would have a score of 16. I f the initialscore automatically gain a point when he works to improve an
for a months study Option is in effect, Sams initial Attribute. At four year intervals beyond that, until he reaches
score would be Deftness + Wit + Mechanical. In 80, at which time the intervals are reduced to two years, he
Sams case, this would give him 10 + 15 + 1 1 or 36. he will undergo a round of aging. The effects are detailed below:
would be allowed to have a score of 36. I f Harmon
had not improved his score earlier that year, Sam Age Effects
would have been limited to 32 points since that was 44, 48, 52, 56 +2 to each Mental Attribute; -1 to each
the score of his Teacher. Physical Attribute.
Harmon,because he is Teaching and Studying at 60, 64, 68 -2 to each Physical Attribute; a Reaction
the same time, will have a Hindrance with a value of roll is made and the results are interpreted
3. His base Rate is 3. The Gifted Expert Teacher as follows:
adds 2 to the base. Since the Learning Rate plus the
value of any Aids is divided by thd value of any worse than Bad -4 to Mental Attributes
hindrances to give the adjusted Rate, Harmon will Bad -2 to Mental Attributes
have an adjusted Learning Rate of ( 3 t 2 ) / 3 or 1.7. Poor -1 to Mental Attributes
After four weeks, this totals to a score increase of Mediocre no change to Mental
6.8, rounded down to 6. His score is increased to 94. Attributes
I f the Attribute increase Option is in effect, Harmorr Good +1 to Mental Attributes
will increase the Governing Attribute of Deftness by Excellent +2 to Mental Attributes
.05.
72, 76 -4 to Physical Attributes; a Reaction roll is
I f Harmon had not been acting as a Teacher
made as above to determine the effects on
during those four weeks his Learning rate would
Mental Attributes, a -10 modification is
have effectively been 5 and in four weeks he would
made to the die roll.
have accumulated 20 points. This would have made
80, 82, 84, etc. -6 to the Physical Attributes; a Reaction
his score 108. Since Safecracking Skill is a format 1
Roll is made as above but a -20
Skill, its maximum score is 100. Harmon would not
even have had to spend the fourth week studying modification is made to the die roll.
Safecracking Skill. He could have Studied
something else and still perfected his skill. I f the Modifiers to the Attribute scores are made to each of the
Option for improving Talents is in effect, Harmon Attributes of that type. If any Attribute is redcued to zero or
would have a chance to improve the Governing below by the effects of aging, the character is consider to
Talent for Safecracking Skill which is Mechanical. have died from old age.
Harmons player would roll l D l 0 0 and consult the
Reaction Table. A die roll of 97 would be an IMPROVING OFF-HAND DEXTERITY
Excellent result and Harmon could add one to his Off-hand Dexterity is treated as if it were a Physical
Mechancial Talent. Attribute for purposes of improvement and aging effects.

QUANTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENT
There are various factors present in the adventure Fire against target behind an opaque barrier will be
environment that have to be quantified t o deal with in terms considered as if the firer were blind. Target behind a
of the game. These include barriers t o the passage of a translucent barrier or targets whose position is essentially
character or his projectiles, tools and their effects, and the known (i.e., behind a firing port) will cause the firer to have a
dangers of such things as acid and fire. Each of these will be modification as i f he were partially blind.
dealt with in this section. Any non-living thing that acts can Some materials are considered capable of completely
be rated as having a BAP, an MNA and a PCA. This covers stopping projectile fire short of heavy weapons. These
such things as elevator doors, strobe lights, falling bricks, materials are identified by a * in front of the Barrier Factor.
etc. Such things can be designed by the Gamesmaster to suit The Barrier Factor for these materials is used for rating the
the situation. strength of the material's resistance to attempts to break it
down, dig through it or penetrate it with heavy weapons fire.
Some of the materials listed below may not be present in a
BARRIERS particular campaign but are listed here for convenience of
reference.
Various materials are rated for a Barrier Factor. This When dealing with the demolition of a barrier to allow the
number represents the barrier effect of 1 inch of the material. characters access to the other side, the elimination of barrier
To determine the value of a barrier of something like awall or points equal to the strength for the appropriate thickness of
a door, determine the materials that compose it and their the material is considered to open a one meter by one meter
thicknesses. Multiply each thickness by the Barrier Factor of space. A five or ten minute Tactical Turn is suggested. Some
the material and sum the results for all the materials involved. materials such as stone or metal, will not be penetrated by
This will yield the overall barrier effect of the wall or door. characters without the proper tools. Gamesmasters are
Any gumhots that hit a barrier will have their Bullet advised to use their discretion.
Damage Group reduced by the overall barrier effect. If the
Bullet Damage Group is reduced to zero or below the bullet
will not penetrate the barrier. If it is not reduced t o zero, any
DOORS AND LOCKS
A door is considered to have a basic barrier effect equal to
target struck will only receive theeffect of the reduced Bullet
the Barrier Factor of the material times the thickness of the
Damage Group. door. This has no effect if the door is opened. I f the door is
A muscle powered missile weapon will have its effective
secured in some fashion, this barrier effect plus the barrier
Strength Group reduced by 1 for each 5 points of Barrier
effect derived from the means by which the door,is secured
Factor. This works in a fashion similarto the rangeeffects on
must be overcome in order to open the door.
such weapons.
Breaking in the door is accomplished by having characters
Hand-to-hand weapons which strike a barrier must roll Strength Ability Saving Throws. U p to two characters
succeed in penetrating a barrier. When the barrier is struck
can attack a normal sized door at once. When a character is
the damage done by the attack is assessed against the successful, he will roll his normal Effect Die. The results of
Barrier Factor. Any points in excess of the Factor may be the die roll are subtracted from the door's barrier effect. A
applied as Damage Potential to a Location on the other side character who rolls a one will add one to his Strength Group
of the Barrier to determine the Effect Die for this attack only. A character
who makes this type of attack against a door will, take one
point of subdual damage. A die roll of 20 will cause the
BARRIER FACTOR OF MATERIALS character 1D6 of subdual damage. When the total of the
Material Barrier Factor per inch Effect Die rolls exceeds the barrier effect of the door it has
Glass 5 been broken down.
Glass, safety 20 Such attacks may be directed at the means of securing the
Glass, shatter resistant 25 door, i f it is known and the die roll for the character's attack
Heavy Leather 20 falls in his Critical Saving Throw range. I f the die roll falls in
Light Leather 15 the Ability Saving Throw range, the overall barrier effect is
Metal, veneer 20 attacked instead. Should the barrier effect of the securing
Metal, light 30 method be overcome before the overall barrier effect is
Metal, heavy 40 reduced, the method of securing the door (lock, crossbar,
Metal, hardened or structural *60 wedged chair, etc.) will be presumed defeated and the door
Plastic, light 5 may be opened.
Plastic, medium 10 Locks are rated in three ways: by type. complexity, and
Plastic, heavy 20 barrier strength. The type of lock will indicate what Skill the
Plastic, structural '40 character will need to overcome it. The complexity
Sand 8 represents the amount of difficulty the character will have in
Soil variable 8 to 20 overcoming it. The barrier strength is the amount of barrier
Stone '30 effect the lock will have when used to secure a door.
Wicker 10 Standard locks that open with a key require Lockpicking
Wood, veneer 5 Skill to overcome. The complexity of the lock will be
Wood, solid 10 subtracted from the Character's Basic Chance of Success.
Wood, plywood 20 Each time the character makes a successful BCS roll, he will
roll the Effect Die for his Deftness Group. This is the amount
46

of the lock's barrier strength that is reduced. When the Gamesmaster declares that after five minutes
barrier strength is reduced to zero or below the lock will be Harmon still has not opened the lock. Harmon tries
open. again. This time the die r o l l is 4. Harmon will roll the
Combination locks require Safecracking Skill. One Effect Die for his Deftness Group. Since his Group is
successful BCS roll is required for each digit in the 3, Harmon will roll 1010. The result is 1. He is using
Combination. The complexity of the lock is subtracted from high quality professional lockpicks and these will
the character's Basic Chance of Success. Onceeach number multiply his result by 2. This gives an accumulated
of the combination has been derived, the lock is open. No effect o f 2. The lock is still not open but i t is o n its
barrier effect need be overcome. way. I f the characters attempt to bust through the
Specialized forms of locks may be present in the door at this point the lock willstilladd its full value to
campaign. These will be presented along with the skills the barrier effect. Harmon continues. A die roll of 7
needed to overcome them later in the rules. For now a indicates success again. The Effect Die result is a 6
simplified selection of sample locking mechanisms is this time and the multiplier of the tools is not even
presented below. needed. The lock is open. Harmon smiles and turns
The time involved in attempts to break down adoor or pick the handle. The smile fades when he discovers that
a lock will be highly variable. It is left to the Gamesmaster to the door will not open. They must resort to bashing
decide just how long an attempt will take. In general, the time the door down to get through.
required to make an attempt to bash a door will be less than The door h3s i t overall barrier effect reduced by
the time required to attempt to pick the lock. Only a few the value of the lock to 45.Jo (STR equals 32) and
seconds are required to hurl yourself at a door but five Sal(STR equals 15) attempt to bash the door. Each
minutes spent working at picking a lock which is not rolls a Strength AST. The die rolls are 12 and 3
particularly complex is not unusual. respectively. Both have succeeded. Each rolls the
Effect Die for the proper Strength Group, 206 and
1 D10 respectively. The results are 10 and 5 for a total
TOOLS AND THEIR USE reduction to the barrier effect of 15. The door is still
In general tools are designed to make a person's work in place. Again they try and again they succeed.
easier. The use of the proper tools in any of the operations This time the Effect Die rolls are 8 and 4. The barrier
mentioned above will enable the character to have a greater effect has been reduced to 18. A third attempt has Jo
effect against the barrier impeding him. Levers, such as succeding and rolling an Effect Die result of 9. Sal
crowbars, will act as multipliers of a character's Effect Die rolls a 20 on the Saving Throw and takes 106 of
roll when attacking the barrier effect of a door. Lockpicking subdual damage. The barrier has been reduced to 9
tools can give a modification to the BCS and act as a points. They try again. This time Jo misses his
multiplier to the Effect Die roll of a character picking a lock. A Strength Saving Throw. Sal however rolls a 1. This
device to increase the hearing of a character engaged in allows her to raise her effective Strength Group by 1
opening a combination lock will increase his Basic Chance for determining the Effect Die. For this attempt she
of Success. A shovel will act as a multiplier to the Effect Die will roll 1 D l 0 instead of 106. The die result is 9 and
roll for a character who is digging in the earth. The exact the door is burst open. Since they have made four
effects of the tools that are available will be given in the attempts, each character is given 4 points of subdual
equipment lists in Book 2. by the Gamesmaster. Sal, having rolleda20, takes an
additional 106 of subdual damage points.
The characters have found a one half inch thick I f the characters had elected to fire a bullet
door of oak. I t is closed and locked. Unknown to through the door, the BOG of the round would have
them the door is also barred on the other side by an only been reduced by the barrier effect of the door
inch thick iron rod. The door is a heavy wood itself ( 5 ) .
(Barrier Factor o f 10) and is one half inch thick for a
barrier effect of 112 times the base Factor. This FIRE AND ITS EFFECTS
yields a value of 5. The bar is of a heavy metal and is The rules concerning fire will deal primarily with its use as
one inch thick and so will add its Barrier Factor to a weapon. Fire is rated as having a strength group based on
the overall effect. This is 40 and so the total barrier its initial temperature range at first exposure. From this
effect is 50. strength group rating, an Effect Die will be derived in the
Harmon the Picklock attempts to open the lock usual fashion. A low temperature flame, such as an alcohol
using Lockpicking Skill. His BCS is 8. the flame, has a rating of 2. A normal fire hasa rating of 3. Whilea
complexity of the lock is 0 and will have n o effect on high temperature flame (temperature greater than 200
Harmon's BCS. The die roll is a 10. So the degrees Centigrade) hasa rating of 4. Simpleapplication of a
SAMPLE LOCKING MECHANISMS

Mechanism Skill needed Complexity Barrier Strength
small key lock Lockpicking 0 5
standard key lock Lockpicking 1-3 10
heavy key lock Lock picking 1-6 20
3 digit combination Safecracking 0-5 10
3 digit heavy combination Safecracking 1-5 20
4 digit combination Safecracking 1-10 20
bank vault Safecracking 11-16 50-200
digits in combination locks can vary greatly
wedged chair none allowed 10
crossbar none allowed varies by size and material of bar
rusted mechanism none allowed 5

flame will cause no significant effects unless the Armor armor material is considered to be of the type that covers the
Value on the target Location is exceeded by the Effect Die greatest number of Locations.
roll. Then the effects will vary by the type of material
involved. Continued exposure will have varied effects FIRE AND BARRIERS
depending on the type of protection being worn. The result Fire will attack barriers that are composed of combustible
of a Critical Hit by a character armed with a fire weapon will materials. On each turn of continued exposure of the barrier
be that the target Location will be subject to the rules for the fires rating will be increased by one Group.
continued exposure begining on the bookkeeping phase of When the cumulative total of the Effect Die rolls exceeds the
that Combat Turn. Damage by fire is lethal damage. barrier effect, the barrier will have burned down. The fire will
continue to burn on successive turns with its rating being
FIRE AND ARMOR MATERIALS reduced by one Group each turn until it reaches zero, at
For the purposes of how they are affected by fire all armor which time the fire will extinguish due to lack of fuel. It is
materials are broken down into groups. The basic two are suggested that a Gamesmaster use a Tactical Turn of 10
Non-metallic and Metallic. Some campaigns may have minutes in calculating the effects of fire used against
other classes of material such as Plastic, Magical, etc. The barriers.
reaction of such types of materials will be presented along
with the other specifics regarding the particular type of SMOKE AND ITS EFFECTS
material. Smoke will affect visibility and act as a narcotic poison
Non-metallic materials will stop damage from an applied with a serious effect at the Crisis stage. The rating of the
flame in the usual fashion. If however, the Damage Done by density of the smoke is left to the Gamesmaster as the
the flame attack is greater than twice the Armor Value of the variables due to air flow, materials being burned,
material, it is considered destroyed beginning on the next concentration, etc. are highly dependent on the situation.
phase. If the rating of the flame exceeds the Armor Value on A density of one yields Dim Light conditions; two yields
the Location, the character is considered to have caught fire Poor Light; three yields Darkness; and four results in
and will be subject to the rules for continued exposure. effective blindness. If light conditions are already less than
For each turn of continued exposure, the fire will increase perfect, they will be reduced further by the number of steps
its strength rating by one before determining its Effect Die. equal to the smoke density.
Armor will not protect a character who has caught fire. A Smoke, as a narcotic poison, has an Aerosol Vector. Its
character may extinguish the flame by falling to the ground strength is equal to its density. It has an Incubation Period of
and rolling about. This requires a full Combat Turn of a number of Combat Turns equal to the characters Health
activity. A character will reduce the rating of the flame by his Critical Saving Throw minus the density of the smoke. No
Maximum Number of Actions. If he begins the process in the specific Attributes are attacked. The Cycle time is one
middle of a Combat Turn, the reduction will be equal to the Combat turn. Once the character reaches the Crisis stage,
number of Actions the character could still perform in that the poison will continue to attack by causing subdual
Turn. This reduction of the fires rating takes place before the damage to the character equal to the result of the Effect Die
fires rating is increased for that Turn. Once the rating is roll. When the cumulative total of these subdual points
reduced to zero of below the fire is considered out. If a exceeds the characters Damage Resistance Total the
character is ignited in more than one Location, only the character will die of smoke inhalation. Removal of the
strongest flame need be extinguished although both will character from the smoke will halt the process at whatever
cause damage to the character. Any characters aiding a stage it is in. A Health Ability Saving Throw, attemptable
victim who is on fire will add to the chances of extinguishing each Combat Turn, will allow the character to throw off the
it. Their ability to reduce the fires strength is the same as i f effects except for any subdual points received after the Crisis
they were trying to put out a fire on themselves. Any point. This subdual damage may be healed in the normal
character attempting to aid a burning character will be way.
subject to an attack by the fire at one less strength rating i f
the fire is not out at the end of any turn on which the helping
character is involved in the process. ACID AND ITS EFFECTS
Once the fire is out, all non-metallic materials will have
their Armor Values reduced by the highest strength rating These rules deal with theeffectsofastrongacid,orforthat
the fire achieved. matter a strong base, on a character/or his clothing and
Metallic materials will resist the effects of an applied flame armor. Acids are rated for their strength and have the
as they would any normal attack. They will not ignite nor will equivalent of an Incubation Period.
they be destroyed by the flame. When a character gets acid on his person, it will have no
On continued exposure to fire, they will provide protection effect until the end of the Incubation Period. Once that
from damage until such timeas the Effect Die roll of the flame period is over, the Gamesmaster will roll the Effect Die forthe
exceeds the Armor Value. After that point, metallic material Group corresponding to the acids current strength. The die
will provide no protection from fire damage until it is cooled. result will indicate a reduction in the Armor Value of the
Once the fire is extinguished (see above) the material will material covering the target Location. Once the Armor Value
continue to cause damage as if the fire was continuing at its is reduced to zero, the character will take any further points
greatest strength. On each turn starting with the as lethal damage. The armor is permanently destroyed. The
bookkeeping phase of the turn on which the fire was acid will continue to attack in this fashion on the
extinguished, the strength rating will be reduced by 1 and the bookkeeping phase of each Combat Turn. After each attack
correct Effect Die roll will be made. When the fires strength the strength of the acid is reduced by 1. When the acid has a
is reduced to zero the armor is considered cooled off. strength of zero the attacks will stop.
Cooling agents such as water may be used to hasten the rate At any time, the application of a base will reduce the
of cooling. The exact effects are left to the discretion of the strength of the acid by its own strength rating.
Gamesmaster. After the fire is out and the metal has cooled, If a character is struck in Location 2 by acid, some special
all Armor Values will be reduced by the greatest strength effects may occur. If thecharacter has no protection from the
rating achieved by the fire. fumes, he will be subject also to an attack of the acid as a
If the characters whole body is exposed to flame the Lethal, Aerosol Vectored poison. This poison will have no
Average Armor Value is used to defend against the fire. His Incubation Period, a strength equal to the strength of the

acid minus one and a Cycle Time of one Combat Turn. The
poison has n o target Attributes. See the section on poisons
EXAMPLES OF SPLASH AND SPREAD RESULTS
on page 41 for the mechanics of dealing with poison. A
character will be partially blinded during the period that hte T - Thrower S1 - First hex of Splash
poison is active in his system. V - Target S2 - Second hex of Splash
If the character takes damage to Location 2, he will be L - Landing hexdue - hexs of spread on
subject to a roll o n the Acid Special Effects Table. Any to miss each Combat Turn
damage done to that Location will be added to the result of
the roll of 1D l O O and the result checked o n the Table.
-- Lineof trajectory
2 HEX SPLASH IN LINE OFTHROW
1 ACID SPECIAL EFFECTS TABLE

D100 Special Effect
01-30 No serious effect
31-60 Extensive scarring. Decrease the character's
Looks category by the strength of the acid when
it began its attack.
61-70 Character's sense of smell is impaired.
71-80 Character's sense of taste is impaired. Character
will also have a speech problem.
2 HEX SPLASH WITH SECOND
81-90 Character is blinded in one eye.
91-95 Character is blinded in both eyes. NOT IN LINE OF THROW
96-00 Roll twice for effects ignoring die rolls over 95.
It is left to theGamesmastertoadjudicatetheresultin
subsequent adventuresof thecharacter's impairment in
smell, taste, hearing or speech. Other effects are self
explanatory. In all cases, the character will be left with
sufficient scars to be considered a distinguishing mark.
SPLASHING RESULTS
When a character is hit by a flask of acid, flaming oil or
some other such nasty thing, it will affect the target Location
and 0-2 contiguous Locations. The number of Locations is
determined by rolling 1D3 and subtracting 1. The exact
Locations are to be determined by the Gamesmaster
according to the circumstances and the position of the
character being struck.
When such nasties impact o n the ground they will affect
the target hex and 0-2 additional hexes. The first additional
hex will be in the line of the throw. There is a50% chance that
the second will also be in the line of the throw. Otherwise it
wiil be adjacent to the first hex of splash. See illustration.
Such things will spread further on the next Combat Turn
unless eliminated by dousing or counteracting. The second
turn spread will be to all hexes contiguous to the original
hexes and have a rating for strength equal to the nasty's
current strength minus 1. If this reduces the strength t o zero
there is no spreading effect.
49

ON BEING A PLAYER
Your old buddy, Joe Gamesmaster has invited you over In designing yourearly Characters, it will be wise to try and
one evening for a session of something called a Role foresee just what abilities a high score will buy you, not to
Playing Game Whassa Role Playing Game? When you get mention what a low score will d o to your Characters survival
there, Fred and Charley are sitting on the sofa, talking about potential. It is unlikely that you will come anywhere near an
last week, when they opened the door and killed 4 or 6, optimum design in the early stages. Of course, it can be
nowaittaminnit, did they say ORCS? Joe is sitting in a corner, interesting to construct a Character who is markedly low in
half buried behind a wall of papers, charts, graphs, and some areas, with near-superhuman scores in others, just to
assorted stuff, punching his calculator and fiddling with see how far he gets. If the Gamesmaster permits multiple
some little plastic doodads that look like weird dice (at least Characters o n one Adventure, fascinating results can be
he is rolling them and looking at numbers on their sides). Of obtained by designing a team: two Characters who between
course, he always was into weird cults. Maybe this is a new them comprise a mix of high scores, in the tradition of Fritz
religious kick. What you dont see, and this puzzles you, is a Leibers Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser.
board, darts, hockey sticks, a catchers mitt, or anything else After setting the basic Attributes, most Games, including
to give you a clue as to just what kind of game a Role ours, will derive certain secondary traits from these scores.
Playing is. You may, at this point, be justified in whimpering, We call these Abilities. Again, the Player should familiarize
NOW what have I gotten myself into? himself with just what these Abilities control in play, so that
Well, it actually isnt as bad as that. First thing, if Joe is a he can fiddle them into acceptable shape. Discovering that
hardshell Gamesmaster, he probably has explained what you really murdered some Ability score may cause you to go
Role Playing is until youre ready to slug him. In any case, he back and adjust the Attribute allocation. This is perfectly
probably filled you in over the phone, and you know how legitimate at this stage of the game.
such games work, to a degree. I f not, then read the In our Game system, the next stage is the generating of the
introduction to Role Playing in this book, paqe 1. What we Talents, inherent aptitudes o n the part of the Character.
are going to look at with a bit more detail here is just what The rules governing Talents are on page 7 of this book, but
your job is, as a Player in an on-going Campaign. as stated there, the manner in which the scores are
generated are Campaign dependent, to be found in Book 2.:
READ THE GAME The Gamesmaster may have altered this system to fit his
particular Campaign, and this should be checked first.
It is probably a good start to skim through the rules, if you
Again, as you allocate the Talent scores, try and foresee how
havent done so yet. You probably cant read the wholething
they will affect the Character you want to portray. A
yet, as parts of the Game are For Gamesmasters Only! Pay
hardened warrior will, or should have, a significant
particularly close attention to rules on how to design a Player
Combatative score. The scholar will have a high score in
Character, because that is your first big job in any Role
Scientific and Communicative talent, and so on.
Playing Game.
The basic process ofbeing born as a Character covers all
of this preliminary allocation of scores to the Attributes and
BEING BORN Talents, and the derivation of the dependent Abilities. It
Ideally, the Gamesmaster should hold a special provides a rough picture of the physical and mental natureof
Character Design session before presenting the Players the Character.
with their first adventure, orScenario. At this point, he and
his Players go over the basic rules, clear up any overall
questions on procedure, and design at least one Character GROWING UP
for every Player. It is probably advisable that each Player The next step in Character design takes the Player through
have two Characters to start with, so that asad mishap part what we call the Pre-Adventure period. This can be fairly
of the way through the first scenario will not leave the Player detailed, providing for the social standing of the Character,
with nothing to do for the rest of the evening. O n the other his early training in schools or military service, or what have
hand, it may be desirable to limit the first adventure to one you. Or it may be an abstract, generating a given number of
Character per Player. years, and the things acquired in those years, which the
This will permit the participants to concentrate o n properly Player may turn intoskills, knowledge, and cash. Again, the
handling their figures without trying to keep both Characters final form is Campaign dependent, and options should be
going at the same time. The final say o n the Character to checked with the Gamesmaster.
Player ratio for a given adventure is the Gamesmasters. Opportunities will exist to improve the Attributes, and to
The first step in building a Character is quantifying his acquire Skills. See page 11 of this book for a description of
physical and mental traits. This usually includes such skills and how they work. It is at this point that the Player
characteristics as physical strength, reaction speed, needs to really think out the question of what he feels this
intellect, and so on. Some games assign a random score, Character is like: what personal goals has he set for himself,
rolled on dice, to these areas. Other, including this one, give what were his formative years like? Should he concentrate
Players a basic number of points which they may allocate on the Combat Skills, having the Character begin to acquire
among the Characters traits pretty much as they please. mastery of the arms of his culture? Or is the Character more
The idea behind this system is to permit the Player to build studious, a scholar of the mysteries of nature, science, and
what he conceives to be the ideal hero. It will soon become philosophy? has he studied the arts of the thief, mastering
apparent that you cannot make the Character above the locks and stealth, or, if the Campaign admits of such arts, the
average in one area without putting some other Attribute dark knowledge of the occult? In other Games, the usual
below the norm. See page 4 of this book for the detailed technique is to have the Player assign his Character a
rules on designing these physical and Mental Attributes. profession, which defines theskills available to him. We offer
50

the ability to pick freely what areas your Character can enter, Characters personality than one which merely follows the
and in the future, if he lives, he can branch out into other, dictates of expedience. The Gamesmaster should reward
unconnected, fields of endeavor. such consistency of Play in subtle but suitable ways.
Upon finishing the Pre-Adventure, the Character is fully
designed on the outside. He will have achieved his fullest
development in his inherent and acquired capabilities, and BEING A HERO
can only go further after entering the danger fraught world of One thing about Role Playing Games that can confuse the
an adventurer. There will remain only one step more. new Player is the fact that the Games never end, there is not
real way to lose, except to die, and no final winner, except
GETTING YOUR HEAD OM those who survive. Sometimes even a Characters death can
As mentioned o n page 2, it is the view of the authors that be a victory, if it is heroic.
It is necessary to understand that the essence of Role
enjoyable Role Playing implies that the Player tries to think
like the Character while playing, reacting to events as he Playing is autobiographical. Players and Gamesmaster are
combining to write the life history of the Characters, who
would. To do this consistently, implies that the Player has put
some thought into the psychology of his Character. are presumed to be heroic in stature. A biography may be
Now, from the design of Attributes and Talents, along with episodic, with the high points of the subjects career
such ancillary data as physical appearance and size, the providing plateaus in the storyline, but the book never ends
Player has a decent picture of what the Character looks like. until the subject is dead. In a full Campaign, where Players
From the Pre-Adventure, he knows what areas the Character have other Characters operating, the loss of one particular
has studied, what abilities he has specialized in. As stated figure ends his story, but there are others ready to fill the
earlier, the hinge-pin of all these earlier decisions is the gap, with ongoing sagas of their own, and the overall flow of
things is not interrupted.
question what do you want the Character to be able to do?
Putting all these factors together, the Player can begin to In order for the Characters to develop along these heroic
move in on the concept of what kind of person his Character lines, it will be best form the Campaign to all epic scope.
is. Not that it need encompass huge territories or immense
conflicts, but the challenges to the heroes must allow them to
The usual pattern we have seen in playtesting indicates
face and overcome greater-than-normal challenges, just as
that, at first, Characters tend to be very like the Player who
design them. But soon, for various reasons, there will spring their training gives them greater than normal potential. A
reading of heroic literature will provide the Gamesmaster
up a crop of Characters with unique personalities,
and Players with a view of what this entails. We might
sometimes diametrically opposed to the Players own values.
One of our playtesters has a Character of long-standing, suggest:
initially a fairly benign if not overly brave type, who -The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer
commited an act of cowardice in a tight spot. Surviving the -Malorys Morte DArthur, and the related Arthurian
ordeal by these means, he has since developed a number of works of de Troyes and the trouveres, and von
curious traits by betraying his initial principles, and now is Eschenbach and the minnesaenger.
quite powerful, but at the cost of his humanity. The -Modern heroic fantasy, in all its legions, led by Robert
Character in question now is motivated by a series of values E. Howard, Poul Anderson, Alan Burt Akers, Michael
foreign to the Player who designed him, and is tormented by Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, Roger Zelazny, et al.
the conflict between what he was and what he is. The All of these, and other works, illustrate the concept of the
psychological price of his achievements in terms of inherent hero in a vital and entertaining manner, and the sensitive
human characteristics has generated some actions in play reader will come away with a powerful impetus in his playing
which revolt theother participants. But theadventuresof this style, with the all-important realization that death only hurts
figure are fascinating, and his saga is not dull. I f his dilemma a little, and glory lives on forever.
does not destroy him, his future promises to be equally It is easy to slip into a one-dimensional value system in a
interesting. Role Playing Game. The term hero embraces the Bad
Now that case evolved as a Character found his original Guys as well as the Good. The latter can be narrow-minded,
values unstable in the face of stress. Sincethen, Players have callous, self-righteous and vindictive. Galahad, in the
reported equally interesting results to be obtained by various Grail legends, is such a one at times. Villains,
designing Characters who are, from the outset, completely contrariwise, can be generous, brave, noble, merciful to foes,
unlike themselves, even Characters whom they find honest and honorable. Observe the traitor, Lord Gro, and
unsympathetic, but who fit a heroic image that interests the even his necromantic master, King Gorice of Witchland. in
Player. This is an attitude that should be encouraged. If Role Eddisons The Worm Ourobouros. The greatness of heroes
Playing Games have a value beyond sheer entertainment, is proved only when they fight equally great villains.
then it is in this: Players are given some insight into the So let the Players demand the utmost of the Gamesmaster
workings of human psychology under stress, and hopefully in the challenges they face, and as long as he keeps the
come from the experience with a better and more tolerant abilities of the Player-Character in mind, let the
understanding of how they and their fellows respond to such Gamesmaster in kind. Apply courage, cunning, and honor in
stimuli. equal parts when playing, according to your Character and
So it would seem that theeffort to take a half hour or soand the Campaign, and even if you lose, you will win the Game.
work out the basic values for the Characters is well worth Because played in this light, you will find it an exhilarating
while. And even if the Campaign situation is best served by and cathartic exercise in imagination and vicarious
betraying those values, the Player will find it more enjoyable excitement. And that is how to really win in Role Playing:
to try and work out a solution in a manner suitable to the ENJOY!
51

ON BEING A GAMESMASTER
To a new Gamesmaster (and often to an old one) the need to look elsewhere, either by combining two rule
demandsof the job can makethestrongestquaiI.To beinsole systems or else designing the rules yourself. Many
charge of the way a given group plays the Game, tormented Gamesmasters find this latter course more rewarding.
by doubts as to whether one is doing it right, whether the Pay attention to the way Characters are designed and
Players are enjoying it and what to do for the next Adventure. operated in the Game. These figures, after all, are the
Its enough to give you gray hairs! principle medium by which you and your Players will
Any Role Playing Game depends in large measure on the interact. The first thing you will have to help Players do is
Gamesmaster. The rules cannot be written to cover every design at least one Character, and you will also need to
case in detail, and they should not be. The flexibility to meet prepare your own Characters to people the Campaigns
any demands placed upon the Game system by the various locales before actually playing.
requirements of the Players and Gamesmaster is what gives Now re-read the basic rules for common actions in the
a Game its attraction. For the rest, lots of notepaper, a good Game: such activities as fighting, movement, acquiring and
imagination (with some cribbing from genre literature), and using Skills, etc. The contents of this Book will provide that
patience all stand the Gamesmaster in good stead. information for this Game. You should know how such
This overview of the Gamesmasters task is broken down things work in some detail, so that a Character can have a
into three broad areas: fight or cross the street without your needing to look it up in
Before Play: The work involved in setting up the the rules.
Campaign. Planning individual scenarios for But do not let this proviso override common sense. Never
hesitate to call a halt in play to look up some rule you are
Adventures.
unsure of. The little time lost then will save a lot of time (and
During Play: Running a playing session. Fairness
doctrines. Secrets and mysterious events. Running emotion) later on when someone questions the events of 10
Non-Player Characters properly. minutes ago as being different in the rules. Another
After Play: Effects of successful Players on the Campaign. suggestion: Always let players know in advance i f the basic
The Experience question. Housecleaning the rules for the game have been changed to some variant
Campaign. system. This does not mean you should tell them that a
weapon or trap not documented in the rulesbooks is lurking
We will be dealing in generalities in this Section. Specific around the corner. That is part of your Campaign and the
cues to Gamesmasters for this particular Game will be found Players can only find out about it by experience. But if you
in Book 3. Our goal here is to help the Gamesmaster get a have designed an alternate method of Combat, the Players
handle on how to organize his work with this (or any other) MUST know how it operates if they are to use it properly.
Game, to set up a working Campaign with the minimum of Lastly, re-read this type of article, aimed directly at giving
wasted effort or frustration. the Gamesmaster a grasp of how to operate. If you disagree
with some suggestion, ignore it. Also read examples of play,
BEFORE PLAY especially those written to show what the action looks like
Lets assume you have never run a role Playing Game from the Gamesmasters point of view.
before. You have a nice, new Game, not an hour out of the PLANNING THE CAMPAIGN
store, box just opened in front of you. Now what? Once you have a grasp of the rules, it is time to start
READING IT considering the Campaign you intend to build.
Quite seriously, the first thing to do is read it. Start with This is the very heart of being a Gamesmaster: creating the
whatever book is labelled #1 and skim through the whole fantasy Campaign wherein the Player-Characters will vie
thing, all the books in order. Dont try to bash your memory for heroic honors.
into retaining all the details at this point. Try and get an First, consider the overall color of the Campaign. This is
overall picture of the following: in many ways a question of period. In some Campaigns,
Gamesmasters have decreed a great mix of cultures. but
-What kind of fantasy setting(s) idare approriate for many prefer their Campaign to center around a specifictime
this Game? in Earthly history (or the history of their particular world) i f
-Does it lack anything I really want to see done? only to keep the possibilities of the Campaign a little more
-How do individual Characters work in the system? under control.
-Does it offer any helpful hints to the Gamesmaster in the Decide roughly in what period your Campaign is set, this
rules? will provide many leads as to details of dress, weaponry,
Now, you probably would not have bought the Game armor, and what Skills and equpment are available to the
unless you wanted to run a Campaign based on what it Characters. The next step is to outline the society in which
simulates. But you wont really know how it operates until the Characters live. If your Campaign is indeed on Earth, and
you have completed this first read-through. I f you have in a historical period, a bit research in popular histories or
bought something suitable for Musketeers in the hopes of even well-written historical novels will provide all the
using it to set up a Wild West Campaign, you missed background you are likely to need. If you are designing an
something somewhere. alternate Earth, or a fictional world, you can construct the
If the Game has the potential to do what you want, then you culture to fit your needs. If you are designing a Campaign to
are halfway home. Next we look at what specific rules it has, fit a particular fictional world from your favorite books, the
what it might have left out, and what rules you dont care for source works will provide the atmosphere you want.
(too sketchy, too complex, boring etc.). If the rules do not Slavish concern for historical accuracy is not necessary. If
cover something you wanted in the Campaign, then you will you want to build a Campaign on Earth history, do not feel
52

you must be absolutely faithful to what was. Often, greater the correct approach can usually be improvised. Failing that,
pleasure may be derived in a Campaign based o n what the Gamesmaster always has the option of pointing out the
should have been. The classic example is King Arthurs error to the Players. Again, some Players take one look at the
Britain, which should, historically, be set in a Romanized horrifying prospect presented by the scenarios beginning
Celtic society around the 7th century. However, most Role and decide they want no part of it. This can cause problems,
Playing Games for Arthurian England are set in the high and often occurs early on in a Campaign, before the
medieval (14th century) which was the environment used Gamesmaster and Players are at home with each other. This
by Malory in his Morte dArthur. leads us to the whole question of Player enjoyment.
What is good enough for literature is surely good enough
for gaming purposes.
ENJOYING THINGS
There are no compelling reasons for playing games if the
THE SCENARIO participants do not enjoy themselves. Wewill not presume to
Once you have the background for the Campaign, which try and define just what appeals to you in Role Playing. The
can be as diverse or as limited as you wish although having
attractions are so varied that it is not really material what
capacity for expansion as the Campaign proceeds, it is time
turns you on to them. What is germane is the need for
to turn to the first in a series of design tasks: the scenario.
empathy among the garners. If the Players really loathe some
A scenario is the outline of an Adventure in which a group type of situation, it behooves the Gamesmaster to think long
of Player-Characters are going to try and accomplish some
and hard about using that element of the Game in his
goal. This can be fairly open or very specific. The Classic Campaign. If the Players are eager to tackle some particular
Example of the open scenario consists of sending the party
type of adventure, then the Gamesmaster is well advised to
into an elaborate Place of Mystery, (a haunted castle, lost quietly draw up a scenario along those lines.
city, derelict starship, or some other place of treasure and
danger) to try and survive while they loot the place. Such But Players should not dictate the course of the Campaign.
scenarios are useful, since once the initial design work on That is the Gamesmasters domain, and the fun he has
the place is finished, it can be used over and over, until looted planning things is the recompense he receives in lieu of the
out. The problem with open scenarioes is that if they are all swashbuckling his Players get to indulge in. If the
the Players can tackle, the Campaign tends to get into a rut. Gamesmaster plunges the Campaign world into a war, or
Specific scenarios might be described as missions. The interdicts travel in certain areas, it is improper for the Players
Player-Characters have some task to perform. Rescuing the to gripe at him for it. And, just as their Characters may decry
kidnapped princess, bearing the vital dispatches to General fate to no avail, so shall Player complaints about such
Garcia, running Damnation Alley with a truckload of anti- matters come to naught.
plague serum, are classic literary examples of specific The touchiest situation in Player-Gamesmaster relations
scenarios. The advantage is that such adventures arises when the Players can justly complain that the
give the Players a definite goal to achieve, and permit the Gamesmaster is being unfair. Not in the sense that Fate is
Gamesmaster to write a somewhat more detailed storyline. unfair when random events plague their Characters, but
Their main disadvantage is that once accomplished, the that the Gamesmaster is deliberately fudging things so that
scenario cannot be tackled again by the same players. the Characters lose (i.e. die during adventures). The
converse is equally ugly: when the Gamesmaster suspects or
DURING PLAY proves that somebody among the Players is deliberately
Once the Gamesmaster has a comfortable degree of cheating.
familiarity with the rules and has prepared a scenario (or The former situation can be due to oversight by the
decided to use the starting scenario enclosed with this Gamesmaster (Come to think of it, that really was too
Game), then he is ready to invite the Players over for a rough) or a common point of view in Role Playing which we
session. feel is not conductive to enjoyable gaming: when the
It is advisable to get your Players together prior to this first Gamesmaster feels he is competing with Players, andwins
adventuring session in order to go through designing a if he can kill off as many Characters as possible. The
Player-Character, to get the Characters outfitted, to orient Gamesmaster should preserve a detached view of the
Players to your Campaigns history and culture, and to Campaigns progress. What good the Players have
answer questions about the gaming process. If the Players accomplished should be rewarded. If they have
have not bought copies of the Game, they will need to read accomplished something particularly dumb, it should be its
this book and also Book 2, as well as any other reference own punishment with no extra salt rubbed into the wounds
materials aimed at the Players. Under n o circumstances by the Gamesmaster.
should players read Book 3 or other material marked as When Players are deliberately cheating, the rest of the
sacred to the Gamesmaster! They may have read these group must exercise its best judgement. I f the offender
materials on their own, if they also own copies of the Game, shows no signs of correcting his behaviour, then he must
but this should not happen during playing time. If something obviously be barred from further play. Be careful not to jump
occurs to allow Players direct reference to some information to the conclusion that someone is trying to pull a fast one
in Book 3, or other such restricted material, the when it may be that he is misunderstanding the rules. When
Gamesmaster can either read it to them, jot down a note, or something happens in play that should not have occurred
allow them to look up the particular reference. under the rules, the Gamesmaster and Players should calmly
So, Characters ready and armed with knowledge of their examine the result. If it is possible to roll the action back to
World, the Players wait for the scenario to begin. This can be the point where the error occurred and pick it up from there,
accomplished in an infinite number of ways. Gamesmasters this is the best solution. If such a decision will adversely
have been known to offer the opportunity to undertake a affect the sessions play, it is probably best to let things
scenario as a commission from mysterious, cloaked figures, stand. Patience and rational discussion will serve all
or by shanghaiing the Player Characters onto a ship which concerned much better than unfounded accusations. This is
eventually runs aground on a certain uncharted isle, or a GAME: that implies that it is not worth playing if the rules
otherwise contriving to put the adventure in their path, or are not followed, but likewise should preclude severe
conversely, put the Characters in the adventures path. emotional upsets if things do not always go smoothly. In
Sometimes the Players miss theclues and walk right by the any case: The Gamesmaster has the FINAL word in
opening of the scenario. A creative way to nudge them into resolving all questions of procedure during play.
53

RUNNING THE SESSION everyone in your Game world.is going to be a Player-
There can be no hard-and-fast rules for the Gamesmaster Character. There are also the NON-Player-Characters, the
in the details of running a playing session. Campaign Other Guys.
activities will bear the imprint of his own personality The Gamesmaster plays all the Characters in the
modified by the Players who interact with it. Campaign not under Player control. Ideally, he will be able to
The usual manner in which a session in a Role Playing speak/act in character for at least the major membersof his
Game runs is as follows: The Players choose their cast. There are several levels of complexity involved with
Characters for the scenario to be played. This may be afairly Non-Player-Characters. At the bottom of the list are what we
free choice, especially in the early days of the Campaign, or call Extras. These are the non-combatants. When one of
may be restricted by who is in town at that point in the them gets in harms way, he is usually doomed. Next are
Campaigns calendar, or Time Line. The decision may also those we call Rabble. Rabble are slightly more resistant to
be controlled by the past history of the Character(s) getting offed than Extras. It is usually not necessary for the
involved. In any case, the Players select the Characters Gamesmaster to get too involved with characterizations for
suited to the scenario and attend to any outfitting they need these types of Non-Player-Characters, as they do not last
and can afford. This is also the time when the Gamesmaster long enough to develop well. To be brutally frank, their main
will need to start filling them in on advance information (if purpose is to get killed fighting with Player-Characters, or
any) for that scenario. by valiantly joining them against a common foe.
Once these preliminaries are completed, the adventure Other Non-Player-Characters function exactly as do
begins to move. The Players know their Characters are Player-Characters. In general, the better developed such a
pushing beyond the boundaries of safetyand civilization and Character is, the more detail the Gamesmaster will have
into the realm of imminent danger and fantastic encounters. designed for his personality and background. At the top of
The gloves come off. the list one finds the Personality Non-Player-Characters.
The progress of the adventure is conducted by telling each These are the big-time operators designed by the
other what is happening. The Gamesmaster tells the Players Gamesmaster to fill particular niches in a given scenario or
what is happening around their Characters, and the Players the Campaign world in general. This bunch includes the
respond by telling the Gamesmaster what their Characters great heroes of the Campaign, the ones who have already
are doing as a result. Players can ask questions, seeking achieved the heights the Player-Character are after. Of
further information about their surrounding or the events course, the Personality figures also include the Bad Guys,
confronting them. The Gamesmaster can answer with more against whom most Player-Characters will find themselves
detail, relevant clues, irrelevant facts that are indeed evident opposed in the scenarioes. (Just reverse certain words in the
but have no bearing on anything important. Players cannot preceding two sentences if you are dealing with Player-
ask for information beyond the reach of their Characters Vi I lains).
senses or knowledge. A classic example is along the lines of: But besides other human beings, the Gamesmaster will be
simulating the behavior of animals and creatures falling into
GAMESMASTER: You enter the building and find the twilight zone category of monsters. In Book 3 we have
yourself facing a solidly closed door. provided data in the sections cataloging the non-human
PLAYER: is there anything on the other side? Characters as to their general personality traits (if any trend
GAMESMASTER: (With a secret smile) You tell me. exists), special fighting tactics (how is a lion likely to fight in
The Player cannot get an answer until his Character has close quarters?) and other general guides. The
opened the door and looked inside. Than and only then can Gamesmaster should familiarize himself with these.
he ask if he sees the ravening Siberian Tiger waiting there. In general, the same remarks made about Player
The traditional Listening at the Door ploy which might also consistency in portraying their Characters should be
be used at this point will succeed or fail according to the observed by the Gamesmaster.
Tigers behavior, the doors construction, and the doctrine af
Hidden Things, explained on page 5 of this book. The
Garnesrnaster will be the one who determines if anything was AFTER PLAY
heard, and if so, what. The last section of this article will try and give an overview
Play continues in this form until the session is over, of the Gamesmasters job in keeping the Campaign going
Basically, nothing that is not stated verbally or in writing is outside of the actual playing time. The care and feeding of
assumed to have happened in the campaign. This requires a Characters as they increase their abilities, the Happening
good deai of honesty and a fair memory on the part of both World the Characters live in, the retooling of scenarios in
Players and Gamesmaster. Characters who, moments the wake of an invasion by Player-Characters, these will all
before, were stated to be holding aflashlight in one hand and be touched in the other rulebooks of the set.
turning a doorknob with the other cannot have a gun in their
third hand (?) ready to shoot the critter on the other side of KEEPING YOUR BALANCE
that door as soon as it opens (unless they DO have a third Role Playing Games, unlike most other recreations, do not
hand). On the other hand (fourth hand?), the Gamesmaster really end. The results of one playing session will
must try and note the things the Players are doing that will permanently affect all subsequent sessions. The main thrust
affect their vision of things, possibly in ways that the of the Game is biographical, a dramatic creation of the
Characters are not even aware of. Assumptions in either case adventurous life of the Player-Character. As Players tackle
can be dangerous and it is really better to ask just what is the really BIG adventures, gaining resources with each one,
going on if doubt exists. As the Campaign proceeds, Players their actions will start to impact the status of the Campaign
and Gamesmasters will tend to evolve their own conventions as a whole. The Garnesmaster monitors this activity and may
for calling their actions. Newcomers to a group should be exert some control over it as he deems necessary.
briefed on such conventions, or they will tend to get For example, on an adventure to some remote place of
confused. mystery, a Player-Character finds and retrieves a nearly
invincible weapon. Consider: now the Player will not be
THE OTHER GUYS (OR GIRLS) vulnerable to any challenge resolved by combat. WOW,
The Stars of the Campaign are, of course, the Player- Great, says he! After his 50th easy victory of so, both Player
Characters. They are the bozos out to carve themselves a and Gamesmaster will note the loss of a certain charm in the
rep. If theysucceed,theywillstartgettingrecognition. But not Game. It becomes a sure thing, and what before was a
54

gamble in the face of death becomes mindless murder. The The nature of the Happening World is u p to the
killing maching the Character has become mows down all Gamesmaster and his imagination. Major news from distant
opposition. places can be a superlative means of signalling to theplayers
No problem, you may think! Just design some special that the territory in question is now available for travellers
creature that will be on a par with the Characters ability. and teeming with fresh opportunities for glory and loot. In
Then some other poor shmoe runs into the beastie and dies many cases, you will also need to work out at least a vague
without a chance. Sorta rough. history for the Campaign. How else can one explain how
The above illustration is one of the commoner problems things came to be as they are? The more your Campaign
encountered when dealing with Game Balance. As encompasses, the greater the need for a vital, living world to
Characters start out in the Campaign, they are not usually hold it, with its own stream of events. The values it can add to
equipped with the best they can get. They are not as the Campaign are incalculable.
proficient in their Skills as they might be. They are, in short,
easy prey for a really hefty challenge. The early scenarios HOUSECLEANING
should reflect this. But as they advance, the Characters will There comes a sad time in every Gamesmasters career,
become an altogether tougher proposition and their and usually it is an early experience, when the first adventure
challenges should increase proportionately. But, there is a set in his carefully constructed Place of Mystery has ended
point of diminishing returns in all this. Eventually the and he must assess the damage. A skillful (or lucky) group of
escalation will either find a new equilibrium (sort of an Players can go through the most exquisitely planned
optimum Level of heroism) of a type suitable for the labyrinth like army ants, disabling traps, slaying guards,
Campaign milieu, Or the insane arms race will continue, extracting valuables, busting in barriers, scribbling on the
until human capability and valor are incapable of meeting the walls, littering, you name it.
test. The Gamesmaster must exercise all his judgement and Now you had figured the Place to be good for half a dozen
ingenuity to help his Campaign progress smoothly to the expeditions, but the shape it is in now, a three-year-old with a
fully energized, stable level of heroism, and prevent the slingshot could knock it over. What do you do?
runaway development of invincible Characters and Your options will vary according to your Campaign. If the
unbeatable Monsters to fight them. Place has any sort of residents, with some access to
There will always remain certain areas which are not maintenance gear, they could conceivably reset traps and fix
resolvable by unaided human power. But these are the doors, move treasure and post new guards. Invaders who
extremes on the scale. The vast bulk of scenarios will deal rashly re-visit human establishments will usually find things
considerably tightened up since their last raid. If the main
with things much closer to its center. Like most other
potential trouble spots in thegroup relationships, this can be villain of the scenario avoided death or capture, he will
resolved by talking about it. I f the Players feel threatened by probably abandon the stronghold if it cannot be re-fortified.
the scenario, not because they are in danger (which is the Surely he will remember the strangers who wiped out his
holding! Likewise, loot missed the first time around will
whole idea) but because they feel they cannot win (i.e.
survive), it behooves the Gamesmaster to make sure he has probably not be there if all the defenses have been wiped out.
built an adventure resolvable by good play, or at least brave There are jackals who follow the tracks of the Players
play, rather than a pure deathtrap with no option at all. lions. Specific details will depend soley on the
The exception is the scenario which has been advertised Gamesmasters wit and whim. They will often tie in to the
as a real stinker. If the Players undertook it knowing it to be Happenings described above.
very lethal, then second thoughts are no good. One may be The same philosophy applies to the more public activities
sure the Characters are having them too, but it is a little late of the Player-Characters. Many cultures have laws regarding
for that. such lighthearted pastimesasduels to thedeath, and Players
who flout such conventions too often or too openly risk legal
sanctions. Again, this is entirely Campaign dependent.
ITS A BIG, WIDE, WONDERFUL WORLD Players often seem to forget that the Barbarian societies (so-
When you stop to consider it, Player adventurers are very called) are usually more rigorous in the adherence to custom
small potatoes as far as most of the inhabitants of the in such matters than many more civilized ones. Depending
Campaign are concerned. O h sure, the ones directly on your worlds view of such matters, it may be sheer folly for
concerned are convinced of the importance of all these Player-Characters to try and behave in a town the way they
shenanigans, but what does the larcenous activity of a bunch would on an expedition. Some fascinating possibilities are
or avaricious mercenaries have to do with the price of inherent in this concept and a wise Gamesmaster will exploit
potatoes on market day? Not a great deal. them fully.
As your Campaign grows in scope, the events in its history
will assume a life of their own, far removed from theeventsof LENVOI
the scenarios. Nations will go to war (possibly offering General discussion of the Gamesmasters task could go on
employment as soldiers or spies to the Player-Characters. indefinitely. Put two of this breed down in a corner
Plagues will ravage certain areas, closing them to free somewhere to see a convincing example of verbal perpetual
passage. Religious movements, piracy on the coasts, motion. The main precept to remember is this:
barbarian raids, a multitude of things will testify to the world You will make errors early on in the Campaign. At
outside of the adventurers experience. Hopefully, they will times you will have no idea what to d o next. It is a big
want to be a part of this Happening World and become headache of a job. But as things progress, you will
involved in the pulsing heart of affairs in your world. If not, find new ideas and fresh insights into the Game
then do not try to force them into the public eye. Not every process coming to you. It can only get more
Cimmerian is born to be a King! interesting. It is your world! G o to it.
55

REACTION TABLE
DIE RESULT DESCR lPTl O N VALUE NOTES

(D100) NUMBER
01-05 Bad -6 This is a very hostile reaction. It usually indicates the initiation
of action if the overall reaction is unfriendly. If theoverall reaction
is friendly, it tends to indicate a lack of interest in continuing to
deal with the Player Characters.
06-1 5 Very Poor -4 This is a negative reaction. It can indicate growing hostility.
16-30 -2 This is a negative reaction. It signals a deteriorating

relationship.
31-45 I Negative Indifference -1 A n undecided reaction with leanings to the negative
+O This reaction indicates no leanings in one direction or the

other. In negotiations, it might call for a period to consider the
situation.
'
56-70 \ Positive Indifference +1 A n undecided reaction with leanings to the positive.
71-85 +2 This is a positive reaction. It can signal an improving
{
relationship.
86-95 G
d
o: : : +4 This is a positive reaction. It indicates growing friendliness and
a willingness to agree.
96-00 Excellent +6 This is a very positive reaction. It tends to indicate willingness

and helpfulness. As an initial reaction it may indicate aid is
offered freely and before it is requested.
The reaction table is used as a guideline t o the reactions of cases the Gamesmaster should assign a value t o it and add or
non-player characters whose reactions are not already subtract the value from the die roll to give the result.
predicated situation. The Gamesmaster may also use it to give a In all cases it should be remembered that this table is a
finer gradation to the reactions of those non-player characters guideline only and should not b e used slavishly at theexpenseof
whose general reactions are already assured by the situation. good role-playing or the progress of an interesting adventure.
The descriptions of the results of the die roll are given in A Gamesmaster can also use the table in another way when he
general to allow theGamesmasterthefreedom totailora response is at a loss for a way to determine a result of a deliberate action or
to the particular situation in thegame. Due to the natureof dice, a a chance happening. By treating the dice as a sort of oracle, th?
reaction may swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. I f Gamesmaster may phrase a question which can essentially be
the Gamesmaster feels that a particular result is wholely answered yes or no. The result of the die roll will indicate a
unsuitable, he should feel free to reroll until he gets a result that positive or negative response. An indifferent response might
he feels is appropriate. require the dice to be rerolled. For example, the Gamesmaster
In many cases, a roll on the table to give thegeneral toneof the might ask: "Did the character's portable lantern get broken by nis
non-player character's reaction to the Player Characters, or to the fall down the stairs?" A result of "Good" would indicate that it
situation, makes interpretation of later rol!s easier. An overall was broken. An "Excellent" result might mean it was smashed
reaction of Excellent will probably not lead to an attack with a beyond repair. A "Poor" result might indicate that it survived the
result of bad unless the non-player character has in some way fall but its durability is reduced. whilea "Bad" result would mean
been betrayed by the Player Characters. that it was not even scratched. If the fall was a particularly lcng
The Gamesmaster may feel that the situation surrounding an one the Gamesmaster might have added the length in meters to
offer should havean effect on the reaction due to it nature. lnsuch the die roll.
56

APPENDIX 2 Combat Procedure Flowchart
57

Combat Procedure Flowchart (continued)
58

- -
/A

~ ~ ~~
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction. ......................... 1 Firer Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 Barter .............................. 51
Firing From Cover ...................... . 3 3 Trad ....................... 51
Kneeling 8 Prone Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 Barter Process ............................... . 5 1
Age Group.. ........... One HandITwo Hand-Offhand . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 Barter Values.. ................................ 51
Origins for Characters Surprise 8 New Targets.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 Guideline Barter Values
Development Points ..... Sighted Fire.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Clothing and Armor .
Psychological Profile and Talents ............... 2 Guns and Bullets.. ........................ 52
Initial Attribute Values ............ 2 Muscle-Powered Missile Weapons . . . . . . . . . . 5 2
Skills Determination ............ Hand-to-Hand Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2
Alterations to Attributes.. . . . Firearm Ammunition.. .................... .52
Grenades and Explosives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..5 2
Basic Clothing ...... ................... 3 Gear and Equipment 53
Initial Armor ........... Armor ..................................... . 5 3
Initial Equipment ........ Auto Repair Kits.. .......................... .53
Hand-to-hand Combat Skills ...... Batteries . . . . . ..................... 53
Muscle Powered Missile Weapons ............ . 5 ....................
BDG (Bullet Damage Group). ................ 3 5 .53
Non-Technical Physical Skills .... Damage Capability ... ......... . 3 5 Books ...................................... 53
High-Technology Physical Skills .............. 5 Missile Special Effects ......... . 3 5 Calculators.. . . 54
Final Calculations ............................. .6
Ballistic Modifiers ...... ......... . 3 6 Chemical Gear 54
dotes on Character Generation ................ . 6 Clothing ...... 54
ple Character .......... Communications Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
8 .................................. 8 Compasses 54
................. 8
Containers .................................. 54
.................0 Decontamination Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0 Drafting Equipment ............... 5 5
Combat Skills . ......................... 8
Hand-to-hand ......... ............... 8
Unarmed Combat Throw Table.. ......... 11

Muscle Powered Missile Weapons ........... 14
Small Arms ................ Jacketed Bullets
Support Weapons .......... Fragmenting Bul
Nan-Technical Physical Skills ................. . 1 7
Non-Technical Knowle
Technical Physical Ski1
Technical Knowledges ........................ .20
High Technology Physical Skills .............. . 2 2
High Technology Knowledges. ................ . 2 3 Tools ...............
Grenade Launcher.. ........
Physical Specifications ..................... .24
Barrel Length 24
Encumbrance 24
Gun Action . . 25
Folding Stock (Feature). .................. . 2 5 Operating a Vehicle
Ammunition ................................ .25
KPH to DAT Move
Caliber 25
Conversion Tab
Ball and Shot ............................ .25
Maximum Safe Sp
Magazines ................................ 26
..................... .43 Vehicle Type Safe
Other Factors Tactical Travel ............................... .58
Accidents .................................... .59
Accident Type Table
The Gun Rules
Terrain Danger Factors ...................... 59
Match Weapons (Feature). ................. 2 7 Durability Consumptio
Range Table ............................. .27 Demolition Skill .......................... .44
Explosive Rating . . .
Unskilled Use .......................... .44
Vehicle Safety Devices
Firing on Vehicles ............................ .60
Shot Spacing.. ........................... .28 Barrier Effect, of Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 0
Vehicle Critical Hit Table ................... . 6 1
Hard Targets Special Effects Table ........... 6 1
Anti-vehicle Ammunition. .................... 6 2
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles . . .
Blast Ratings.. ........

Reloading Timetables. ............ Description 01 Explosive
Starvation.. . . .
Who Can Fire a Girn'. .................... . 3 0
Water .......................
Ready Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0
Otiick Draws (Option) . . . About Cannibalism ............................ 65
Handlinq Untamiliar Weap Survival Skill ............... . 6 5
Inherent Accuracy Table.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 t
Weat her. . . . . . . . .
Firinq Stance., ........................... . 3 1 Hand Grenades ............... 4 8 Player Characters A
Fiill Stance.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 t When Time is Out
Present Stance . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Character and the Promise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7
Hip Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Practical Considerations ............... 6 8
Weapon Modiliers ........................ . 3 1 Land Mines ....
Ranqr! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Pressure Plate Appendix 1: Character Generation Checklist. .... .69
Tolescopic Sights (Option) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 2 Claymore Mines Appondlx 2 Skills List.. ........................ .69
Recoil ................................ .32 "Bouncing Betty Appendlx 3: Armor Materials
Recoil Rediiction (Option) Appendix 4: Weapons Listing
Featiires Enhancing BCS . . . . . . . . . Appendlx 5: Shields ............................ .74
Firer Action- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Booby Traps .......... ... Appendlx 6: Firearm Features.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7 4
'Appendix 7: Sample Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 5
Brace Weapon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Special Triggers.. .........
Rrst Weapon.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 Appendlx 8: Glossary.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

INTRO DUCTlO N
This is the first book of the rules as they specifically relate
to an Aftermath! campaign. This book deals with the crea-
tion of characters, the Skills available to them, and rules for
dealing with life after the Ruin.
Detailed character creation and the equipment available
are based on certain premises. These are that civilization
continued to develop until sometime in the late twentieth or
early twenty-first century. Things then began to fall apart or
were ripped asunder. The time is now about twenty years
after the collapse of organized society as we would come to
know it. The nature of the collapse is left unspecified. This is
the Gamesmasters province and should be specific to his
campaign.
If the Gamesmaster does not wish to accept the basic pre-
mise as detailed above, modifications should be made to the
character generation system and the level of equipment
available. The game as designed can be used to simulate a
wide variety of ruined worlds and can be set in the recent
past, the present, or the near, or even far, future.
CHARACTER GENERATION _,I

In this section of the rules we deal with the generation of The player may determine the characters actual age by
characters intended for play in an Aftermath! campaign. The adding the results of 2D5 to the base age. This information is
various steps in this process are presented in the order in entered on the Character Record Sheet.
which they should be performed. Each section is accom- The characters Age Group will affect much of the rest of
panied by a reproduction of the part of the Character Record the generation process. Each Age Group will receive certain
Sheet on which the pertinent information is recorded. initial skills and other benefits and/or detriments. Each Age
The specifics noted for characters in this generation pro- Group is dealt with separately below.
cess apply to a campaign set approximately twenty years af-
ter the final collapse of civilization. If the Gamesmaster
wishes to set the campaign at another point, various things Group 0-Character receives an initial score in Post-Ruin
should be altered. These include initial Skills available, ori- Culture and 1 non-Firearm Combat Skill of the players
gins for the different age groups, initial equipment availa- choice. The character also receives 2D5 Attribute
bility, the chance of a character being a mutant and possibly Increase Points. (These are dealt with later.) The
even the age groupings. character has a 2 in 6 chance of being Changed. The
If the Gamesmaster so desires, he is operating within his player must check on the Origins Table on page 2.
authority to specify that a beginning character is in a specific
Age Group, has specific origins, and has access to a limited Group 1-The character receives an initial score in Post-
array of Skills and/or equipment. This is usually done when Ruin Culture, 1 non-Firearm Combat Skill, and the
the Gamesmaster has a specific place of origin for the char- players choice of Literacy or Technology Use. The
acters in his campaign or a player is replacing a lost charac- character receives 2D5 Attribute Increase Points. The
ter in the middle of an adventure. character has a 1 in 6 chance of being Changed. The
player must check on the Origins Table on page 2.
AGE GROUP Group 2-The character receives initial scores in Literacy,

Each player should roll 1D20 to determine his characters Technology Use, and 1 non-Firearm Combat Skill of the
Age Group. If a player strongly desires to play a character in players choice. The character also receives a score in
a given Age Group, the Gamesmaster may allow this with- Culture but the player may specify whether the prime area
out recourse to a random die roll. is Pre- or Post-Ruin. The player must check the
The results of the die roll are checked on the table below. Development Point Table on page 2.
Group 3-The character receives an initial score in Pre-Ruin

AGE GROUP TABLE Culture and the players choice of any 2 non-Firearm
D20 Age Group Base Age Combat Skills or 1 Firearm Skill. The character also
1-5 0 13 receives doubled initial scores in Literacy and
6-10 1 22 Technology Use. The player must check the Development
11-14 2 31 Point Table on page 2. The character may suffer aging
15-17 3 40 effects. (These will be dealt with later.)
18-19 4 49
20 5 58 Group 4-The character receives doubled initial scores in
I Literacy, Technology Use, Pre-Ruin Culture, and the
1

~
players choice of 1 Firearm Combat Skill. The player

must check the Development Point Table on page 2. The DEVELOPMENT POINT TABLE(D10)
character will suffer aging effects. Die
Group 5-The character receives initial scores as Age Group Roll
4 plus an initial score in a Survival Skill. The player must i 1-3 No increase i n points.
check the Development Point Table on page 2. The 4-6 Receive 2D3 Attribute Increase Points.
character will suffer aging effects.
7-9 Receive 2D5 Development Points.
All characters will receive an initial score in Brawling Com-
bat Skill and i n 1 Survival Skill. 10-12 Receive 105 Development Points and 1D3
Attribute Increase Points.
Specific Skills received should be noted in the Skills sec-
tion of the Character Record Sheet. Any Attribute Increase 13-15 Receive 2D5 Development Points and 2D3
Points should be noted to one side of the Attribute section on Attribute Increase Points.
I I
the CRS.
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE AND

TALENTS
The psychological profile of the character gives an initial
value to each of his Talents. These initial values may be
ORIGINS FOR CHARACTERS IN GROUPS 0 AND 1 altered following the rules given in Book 1. For each Talent,
The specific source of training and knowledge available to the player should roll 1D10, consult the table below and enter
a character in his formative years will modify what Skills are the result in the Allocated column of the section for Talents
allowed to him. To determine the characters origins roll on the Character Record Sheet.
1D10, add the characterk Age Group to the result and con- The player will then roll 2D6 and add the result to 15. This
sult the table below. is the number of Talent Points which he may allocate among
the characters Talents. Remember that no score may
~~
ORIGINS TABLE (D10) exceed 20. The adjusted scores for the Talents should be
Die entered on the Character Record Sheet.
Roll Any changes after this point will be entered in the Current
Column. If no change is made the Allocated value is the
1-2 Wild upbringing: the character has primarily been o Current value.
his own for most of his life. He has had no formal or
rigorous training. The character may not begin with
any Technical or High Tech Skills PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE TABLE (D10)
Die Roll Talent Initial Rating
3-4 Tribal upbrining; the character has been raised in a
1 -2
group reduced to a tribal level of society. The charac-
2-3 -1
ter may not begin with any High Tech Skills and Tech-
nical Skills have doubled cost for him. 4-6 0
7-8 1
9 2
10 3
, I
I Talents (15 + 206 =-points to allocate

Charismatic
Combative
- --
lu
- --
UWd CurrmI
Communicative - --
Esthetic
Mechanical
- --
- --
Natural ---
Scientific ---
INITIAL ATTRIBUTE VALUES
The beginning character in Aftermath! receives 75 points
to allocate among his Attributes. These are distributed as the
player desires among the six Attributes. No score may be
less than 1 or more than 40. When the player has decided on
DEVELOPMENT POINTS the distribution of these points, they should beentered inthe
Each character will have some Development Points. These Allocated column in the Attribute section of the Character
can be used in two ways. They can be used as Skill Pointsto Record Sheet.
buy Skills or they can be used as Attribute Increase Points
to buy increases to the characters Attribute scores.
Each character receives a number of Development Points
equal to his base age. These may be split as the player de-
sires between Skill Points and Attribute Increase Points
Characters in Age Groups 2 through 5 should roll 1D10,
add their Age Group to the result and consult the Develop-
ment Point Table below.
Whensthedivision of the total Development Points is made,
the total Attribute Increase Points and the total Skill Points
should be noted in the margin of the Character Record
Sheet .
2

SKILLS DETERMINATION Attribute Increase Points are the voluntary method of Attri-
At this point the player should decide what Skills the bute increase before the beginning of play. The total number
character will possess. Ski1lsarebought using Skill points. of Attribute Increase Points is the number of D3s that the
The cost in Skill Points for each Skill is given along with the player may roll. The sum of these die rolls is the number of
Skill and its initial score i n Appendix 2. A character with in- points that the player may distribute among the characters
sufficient Skill Points to pay the cost of the Skill may not Attributes. These increases may be used to counteract the
begin with that Skill. effects of age or mutation or toenhance such of those effects
A Skill may be bought at twice the norma1costin order as the player considers beneficial.
for the character to receive a doubled initial score in that When these modifications have been made, the new
Skill. This is the maximum initial score that a character may Attribute scores are entered in the Permanent column of the
have. Character Record Sheet. Any subsequent changes to the
Some Skills have Prerequisite Slfills. The character must Attribute scores which are not specified as permanent
have all Prerequisite Skills with a iminimum score of 25 in changes will be entered in the Current column. If no such
,
each if he is to acquire theskill which has such prerequisites. change has occurred, the Current score will be the
A character who does not have the Prerequisite Skills or Permanent score.
whose score i n the Prerequisite Skills is less than 25 is not
allowed to begin play with the Skill in question.
The values used for any calculations of an initial score in a
Skill are taken from the characters Allocated Attribute
Skijlsc-oRE
scores and the Allocated Talent scores.
The name of each Skill and thecharacters initial score in it
should be entered on the Character Record Sheet in the
,y;on for
Off-hand Dexterity
Brawling
- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
---
Survival,
The player will roll 1DlOO for each of the following charac-
* - - - - A - \- teristics: Size, Bulk and Looks. The category for each is
r------T-T--
entered on the Character Record Sheet and the total of the
recognition factors for each characteristic is entered as the
Base Recognition Factor.
The player may cross-index the characters Size and Bulk
groupings on the Personal Encumbrance Chart to determine
ALTERATIONS TO ATTRIBUTES this value. It should also be entered on the Character Record
Attribute scores may be altered before play in any of three Sheet.
ways. These alterations can be due to aging effects, The necessary Table and Chart are found i n Book 1 on
Changed status or Attribute Increase Points. page 10.
The effects of aging are given in Book 1 on page 45. The
character is assumed to undergo the effects of each break- b6mP lkrrC Adulb Ihcog.Ficlw
point up to and including his current actual age. sue Bulk LDdu patolul EWC
Changed status may or may not affect Attributes

depending on the nature of the mutation. This information BASIC CLOTHING
will be provided by the Gamesmaster. He has the rules Each character will begin with some basic clothing. To
concerning mutants in Book 3 and will inform the player of determine what the character begins with, the player should
the nature of the characterk mutation and its effects on the roll 1D10, add the characters Age Group and consult the
character. table below.
BASIC CLOTHING TABLE
Die
Roll (D10) Itern Coverage Code Total ENC Armor Value/Location
1 Shorts 10-12 HC .003 2
Sandals 17-20 LH .016 2
Shirt 4-9,21-22 LC .004 1
2-5 Pants 10-18 HC ,009 2
Sneakers 19-20 HC .002 2
Shirt 4-9,21-28 HC .014 2
6-10 Fatigue Pants 10-18 HC .009 2
Combat Boots 17-20 LL .016 3
Shirt 4-9,21-28 LC .007 1
Field Jacket 4-1 1,21-28 HC .016 2
11-13 AS 6-10 PIUS
Hat 1 HC .001 2
Gloves 29-30 LL .008 3
14-15 As 11-13 except
Pants PC .0135 3
Boots SY .04 5
Jacket PC .024 3
plus Steel pot 1 SP .07 9

INITIAL ARMOR any subsequent Skills the die is 1D20. The first failure to
Each character receives a number of Barter Pointsequal to receive a firearm prevents any further rolls. If this roll
twice clis Base Age which the player may use tobuyarmor. indicates a firearm and the Utility Number roll indicates
Guideline Barter Values are on page 52 and in Appendix 3. nothing, the firearm is currently Disrepaired. Roll again for
All prices are base prices and these Barter Points may only its Utility ignoring Utility Numbers less than 1.
be used for acquiring armor for the character. Any extra Any firearm will come with 3D6 rounds of the correct
points are lost. caliber.
Armor acquired in this fashion should be in the form of The Gamesmaster may have specific tables for the availa-
some real sort of armor. Each item and the pertinent infor- bility of various items of equipment which mayaltertheavail-
mation concerning it should be entered on the Character ability of some of the equipment listed below. In any case,
Record Sheet in the Armor section. The best ArmorValueon the Gamesmaster is the final arbiter of the exact nature of all
each Location should be entered on that Location on the initial equipment.
Body Map provided on the Character Record Sheet
The Total Encumbrance Worn may now be calculated. UTILITY NUMBER TABLE
The Average Armor Value is calculated following the rules Die Utility
on page 17 of Book 1 and entered on the Character Record
Roll Number Explanation
Sheet.
1 Utility-0 Very low utility; for initial equipment it
usually means that none is received.
2-4 Utility-1 Low utility; poor initial equipment.
5-7 Utility-2 Average utility; standard quality initial
equipment.
8-9 Utility-3 High utility; above-average quality initial
equipment .
10 Utility-4 Very high utility; high quality initial
equipment; often indicates a high tech
item.
HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT SKILLS

For most Hand-to-Hand Combat Skills the player may
choose a weapon from the Weapons Listing in Appendix 4
that has the Utility Number generated (oralesserone) and is
usable by that Skill. Exceptions are noted below. If the Skill
allows a character to use two of the weapons, a Utility
Number one higher than that called for by a weapon will
allow the character to have a pair of the weapons. In any case
a higher Utility Number than the weapon of choice will
indicate that the weapon is a improved version. For an
improved version, roll 1D6. On 1-3 the weapon has a WDM
increase of .1 times the result of 1D3 and on 4-6 the weapon
has a decreased ENC of .1 times the result of 1D3. If a player
wishes to choose a weapon rated 1 Utility Number higher
than rolled, he may but the weapon will be inferior. It will
have the WDM decreased by .1 times the result of 1D3, the
ENC value increased by .1 times the result of 1D3 and the
Survival Value halved.
The indication of a High Tech item (Utility Number4 where
the highest available weapon Utility is a 3) will mean that the
INIT1AL EQUIPMENT weapon is electrocharged. Such weapons require an E-5
All characters will receive certain basic equipment. This is battery. Each time they hit they will discharge one charge
listed on the reverse side of the Character Record Sheet. If a into the target. This occurs even if the armor is not
die roll is indicated the player should roll the appropriate die penetrated by the weapon but is subject to the rules for
or dice and record the number on the CRS. This collection of electrical attack given in Book 3. An electrocharged weapon
initial gear is known as a survival kit. In addition to this has an ENC value increase of .2plus the ENC of the battery.
gear, a charactei will receive a container in which to carry The player need not accept an electrocharged weapon.
things. The player will roll on the Utility Number Table and With Hand-to-Hand weapons there is a 50% chance that
may choose any container of the indicated Utilityfrom those the weapon is a reproduction weapon if such is available for
listed in the container section of gear and equipment on page use by that Skill.
54. Brawling: Brass Knuckles are only received with Utility 3.
Various Skills are noted as having the possibility of initial Two Weapon: Any weapon, subject to the strength rules,
equipment. For any Skill so noted the player should roll1 D10 usable with one hand can be used by a character with this
and note the number indicated on the Utility Number Table. Skill. If the character has Single weapon Skill as well, the
This will indicate what i f anyequipment is received for that weapon for that Skill will be determined first and will be
Skill. Later in this section such Skills and the appropriate the characters primary weapon for Two WeaponsSkill. A
starting equipment are listed. second weapon may be chosen but its Utility Number will
When checking for a Small Arms Skill, a special roll must be reduced by 1.
be made before checking for the Utility Number. Forthe first Unarmed Combat: This Skill usually does not use weapons
Small Arms Skill that the character has, the player must roll but a Utility 4 roll will give the character a pair of karatands
less than or equal to the characters Age Group for him to if such items are allowed by the Gamesmaster. They are
have a firearm appropriate to that Skill. The die rolled in this made of Rigiplast and have an effective Armor Value of 7.
case is 1D6. For the second such Skill, the die is 1D10. For See the Gamesmaster for more specifics on Rigiplast.
4

Weapon and Shield: If the character has Single Weapon or character to begin play with a basic Magnatuner and the
Two Weapon his weapon will be gotten from those Skills. E-1 battery to power it.
The Utility Number times the result of 2D10 will be the Lockpicking:
maximum Barter Point Value of the shield the character U-1 Crude lockpicks. ENC equals .2. Efficiency factor
has. These points are only applicable to the shield and equals .8. BCS modification equals -2.
only 1 shield may be bought. Values and types of U-2 Standard lockpicks. ENC equals 2. Efficiency factor
shields are given in Appendix 5. equals 1.
U-3 Quality lockpicks. ENC equals .25. Efficiency factor
MUSCLE POWERED MISSILE WEAPONS equals 1.2.
For most of these Skills two Utility Number rolls must be U-4 High-quality lockpicks. ENC equals 3. Efficiency
made, one for the deliverysystem and one forthe projectiles. factor equals 1.5. BCS modification equals 1.
First Aid:
Archery U-0 1D10 Bandages.
U-1 Medkit 1 with 2D5 bandages.
Bow (Pound Pull) Arrows
U-2 Medkit 1 with 2D5 bandages and 205 units of medical
u-0 None None supplies.
u-1 2D2 x 10 Totally improvised U-3 Medkit 2 with supplies as U-2.
u-2 2D3 x 10 Shafts only improvised U-4 As U-3 plus roll 1D10:
u-3 3D2 x 10 Standard construction 1-3 1D3 units of Panomycin
u-4 4D3 x 10 Fiberglass shafts 4-6 1D3 units of Polycellulac 3
7-9 Roll 1D6 for type but double
The Pound Pull indicated is the maximum. The value may quantity
be reduced to whatever level desired. Acharacter who re- 10 2D3 of each drug
cieves a bow will also receive 3D6 arrows. The choice of
heads for the arrows is at the players discretion. Avolun- HIGH-TECHNOLOGY PHYSICAL SKILLS
tary reduction of the Utility Number will allow thecharac- Safecracking: A Utility Number of 4 will allow a character
ter to have a fiberglass bow which has an ENC value of to start with a stethoscope. This will add 1 to his BCS. It
75% of the normal value. has an ENC value of 5.
A character also receives a quiver (ENC 1) which may
If the Gamesmaster is starting characters with a particular
be slung on his back or at his side. It will hold 20 arrows.
scenario, he may provide them with additional initial equip-
Blowgun: Utility 1 or 2 indicates a short tube which will ment.
reduce ranges given in the Skill description by half. This Characters are not allowed tollbarter off initial equipment
tube has an ENC value of 5.Utility3 or4 gives a long tube in attempts to improve their lot. This must be done in the
with an ENC value of 1. A character who receives a blow- course of the campaign.
gun will also receive 3D6 darts. The initial equipment that a character receives does not
u-0 Improvised darts necessarily represent the best that the character has ever
u-1 Fire hardened darts had in his life. It is intended to reflect the results of the most
U-2 & 3 Metal darts recent turns of fortune. The character with high scores in
u-4 Metal darts and 2D10 units of anesthetic Firearm Combat Skills who begins withoutagun has run into
poison of Strength equal to 103. a string of bad luck resulting in his losing whatever firearms
Bola: The Utility Number is the number of balls in the he had.
characters Bola. All gear received should be distributed, by the player,
Crossbow: The Pound Pull is determined as for bows;the about the characters person.
multiplier is 20 instead of 10 but no fiberglass models are
available. The bolts and their number are determined in
exactly the same way as arrows. The character also
receives a case (ENC .8)which holds bolts as a quiver
holds arrows.
Sling: The character receives a sling. The Utility Number
is the number of six-sided dice used to determine how
many non-improvised sling pellets the character will start
with. Each has an ENC value of ,001.
Slingshot: The Elasticity of the weapon is equal to the
Utility Number. A Utility of 0 has an Elasticity of .5. The
number of sling bullets is determined in exactly the
same way as for Slings.
Throwing: The character may choose 1D6 weapons from
the Weapons Listing in Appendix 2 which are eligible for
use with Throwing Skill and have a Utility Number equal
to or less than the Utility Number rolled. Superior and
Inferior quality weapon rules apply as for Hand-to-Hand
weaponry.
NON-TECHNICAL PHYSICAL SKILLS

Gambling: The character with a Utility Number of 1
through 3 starts with a pair of dice or a pack of playing
cards. A Utility Number of 4 starts with both.
Handicraft: The starting equipment is at the discretion of
the Gamesmaster and will reflect the type of handicraft.
Magnalock penetration: A Utility Number of 4 allows the
5

FINAL CALCULATIONS A result ot a 020 die roll is 11, indicating an Age Group of 2.
Having determined the equipment received by the charac- This gives the character a base Age of 31. A die roll of 2D5
ter, the player must make the final calculations of various gives a result of 6, which when added to the Base Age gives
numbers and enter them on the Character Record Sheet. an Actual Age of 37.
The Encumbrance Total for the character is made from the Being of Age Group 2, the character will receive initial
ENC carried and the ENC worn. This is checked against the scores in the Skills of Literacy and Technology Use. Jack de-
characters Encumbrance Capacity to see if he is Partially or cides that Post-Ruin Culture is most appropriate t o the
Fully Encumbered. If he is, it will affect his Current score in character, For his non-Small Arms Combat Skill hechooses
the Deftness and Speed Attributes. Archery.
Ability scores should be calculated according to the He also will receive an initial score in Brawling Combat
appropriate formulas. Remember that some of these may Skill and oneSurvival Skill. HechoosesSurvival in theurban
change if the characters Attribute scores change. Environment.
The Basic Chance of Success for each of the characters The next step is to determine the characters Psycho-
Skills should be calculated now. Having these numbers pre- logical Profile. Jack rolls for the Talents in order. Each D10
calculated will save time during actual play. is rolled and the results are checked on the Psychological
After conferring with the Gamesmaster the player will be Profile Table. The results are entered on the CRS. Jack de-
able to enter the characters base Recognition Factor on the termines the number of points he has to allocate among the
Character Record Sheet. Talents. The roll of 2D6 yields a 7 for a total of 22 points.
These are distributed among the Talents and the addition is
done to the values as shown on the CRS reproduction.
The 75 points are distributed among the Attributes. These
are recorded in the Allocated column of the Attribute
section.
Jack is using 6 of his Development Points as Attribute
Increase Points. The rest are used to purchase Skills. He
Maximum value carried with status buys the Skills listed on the CRS. All are at base cost since
mwcrlnkrcd partiallyE~ IIII~EK Jack has decided that the character is a jack-of-all-trades but
not a masier of any and has not sought to double any of his
initial scores.
Having bought the Skills, he now determines his initial
scores in them using the formulas presented with the Skills.
Once the initial Skills are determined, Jack rolls 6D3. He
had used 6 Development Points as Attibute Increase Points.
Each one of these Points is worth 1D3 of Attribute Points.
The result of the roll is 13. Jack adds 6 to Wit, 1 to Will, 4 to
Deftness and 2 to Health. These modified scores and the
unchanged scores for Strength and Speed are entered in the
Permanent column.
The character is too old to be Changed and too young to
experience aging effects. Thus no further modifications are
made to his Attributes.
The characters Physical Characteristics are now
determined by rolling 1D100 for Size, Bulk and Looks. The
die rolls are 25.51 and 64, yielding results of Below Average,
Average and Average, repectively. Cross-indexing Size and
Bulk on the Personal Encumbrance Chart shows that the
character has a base Personal Encumbrance of 3.9. The
Strength modification to this is (8/10) x .1 or .08,for a final
NOTES ON CHARACTER GENERATION Personal Encumbrance of 3.98.
All through the process the player should give thought to The base clothing die roll is a 2 to which is added the
the character that he is creating. The values of the various characters Age Group of 2. This gives an initial clothing of
numbers can be used to reflect the players conception of shirt, pants and sneakers.
this character. Beyond the areas covered on the Character The character has his base Age times 2 in Barter Points
Record Sheet, the player should give thought to the with which to buy armor. This gives him 31 x 2 or 62. Jack
characters mental processes, likes, dislikes, fears, goals and buys a helm of Plated Macroplast at a cost of 24 Barter
dreams. All these things would affect how the character will Points. He buys a Synthiplast gorget for 5 Points andbody
react in a situation. Knowing these things and having the protection of Plasticloth for 33 Points. This totals to 62
character act according to them is the essence of role- Points exactly. In keeping with his conception of the char-
playing. The game rules provide a clear picture of the acter, Jack has bought only plastic armor and clothing
characters appearance and abilities. It is up to the player although he could have gotten materials with a higher Armor
to provide the view of the characters nature. Value i f he had purchased metallic or non-metallic armor.
At this point the character is ready for play. The rest of this Jacks Skill choice gives him only 5 Skills which may start
book presents rule sections concerning various aspects of with initial equipment. For Brawling Skill the result of his
the campaign world and the things in it. Utility Number roll is a U-3 so he will start with Brass
Knuckles. The number for his bow is U-2. The result of the
called-for roll of 203 is a4. 4 x 10 yields a40-Pound Pull bow.
SAMPLE CHARACTER The character will start with 3D6 arrows. The die roll is 10, so
he puts the arrows in his quiver. The Utility Number roll for
Jack Smith is creating a character for an Aftermath! the arrows gives a U-3 which is standard construction
campaign. He envisions a man who longs for the lost tech- arrows. Jack decides that 5 of the arrows will be Target
nology and strives to retain it whenever possible. Arrows and 5 will be Hunting Arrows.
6

To determine if he receives any firearms, Jack first rolls
1D6. The result is a 2, which is equal to his Age Group. This
means he will receivea modern pistol, since Pistol. Modern is
the first Small Arms Combat Skill listed. He now rolls 1D10 t o
see if he receives a weapon for his Pistol, Primitive Combat
Skill since that is the next listed. The result is a 4 which is
greater than his Age Group. He will not receive a primitive
pistol and may not roll 1D20 to see if he would receive a
modern rifle for his other Small Arms Skill. The pistol is a .45
caliber AL Standard barrelled pistol. His 3D6 roll gives him
10 rounds of ammunition.
Jack also makes the appropriate die rolls for the gear in his
survival kit.
Having selected a knapsack as his Utility 2 container, Jack
has all the equipment that his characterwill start with. He to-
tals this to get the Encumbrance total, which is the sum of
that Worn and that Carried. His total Encumbrance Worn
adds up to ,1055, which is rounded off to .11. The total En-
cumbrance Carried is as follows: In the knapsack is all of the
suvival kit except the canteen. This totals .29 but since it is
in a properly worn container its effectivevalue is .15.On or in
the belt are the canteen and the pistol, which now holds 7
rounds of ammunition. This has an ENC value of .2 plus .4, or
.6. The quiver with arrows hasavalueof (1/2+ (lox .05)/2) or
.75 and the bow a value of .4. His three extra rounds are
placed in a pocket where their ENC value is halved t o 0.15
and rounded to .02. The Brass Knuckles are also placed in a
pocket for a halved encumbrance of .05. This all totals 2.02
ENC Carried. The total Encumbrance is thus 2.02 plus .11, or
2.13. This is well within the characters Encumbrance
Capacity, so he will be Unencumbered.
All ability values and BCS scores are calculated now. Jack
informs the Gamesmaster that the character has no dis-
tinguishing marks and does not wear distinctive clothing.
The characters base Recognition Factor receives no modifi-
cation and is thus the sum of the factors noted for his Phy-
sical Characteristics. They were 1 plus 0 plus 0, or 1.
Choosing the name of Hank Snowden for the character,
Jack informs the Gamesmaster that his character is ready for
play.

SKILLS
Characters will have the Skills chosen for them by their SKILL DESCRIPTION
players. These will allow the characters to function in the The Skills presented in this section are a cross-section of
game environment. Besides the basic functioning of Skills as skills available to a character in Aftermath! world. The
explained in Book 1 some Skills can be used to perform Gamesmaster may add additional Skills or eliminate some
tasks. that are presented here in order to tailor the game to hisown
campaign. Players should always check on the availabilityof
TASKS Skills with the Gamesmaster.
A Task is a job involving a Skill which can not be resolved Skills are presented as follows: The name of the Skill; the
by a simple die roll in Detailed Action Time. A given Task is Positioning if a.Combat Skill; a letter code; the initial score
rated for a Task Value (the number ofrask Points required to for the Skill; and a number indicating the Format on the first
complete it) and a Task Period at the end of which a line. I f the Skill is Format 2, the number will be followed by
character accumulates Task Points. the names of the areas the Skill is broken down into. The
At the end of a Task Period, the length of which is second line will contain in parentheses any prerequisite
determined by the Gamesmaster, a character will make a Skills required by the Skill. Following this will be the
BCS roll for the Skill Involved. A successful roll will allow the description of the Skill.
character to roll the Effect Die for a specified Attribute, Once a player is generally familiar with what the Skills can
usually Deftness or Wit. A critical success (die roll of 1 when do he can consult the Skills Listing in Appendix 2 when
the BCS is greater than 1) raises the characters Attribute constructing a character. This listing does not contain
Group by 1 for that die roll. This die roll result is the base descriptions but does contain the cost of a Skill in Skill
number of Task Points that the character will finish in that Points.
Task Period. Failure o n the BCS roll will mean that no
progress is made during that Period towards finishing the LETTER CODES FOR NOTES
Task. A critical failure (adie roll of 20) will result in thetotal of A-This Skill has an Averaging function.
finished Task Points being reduced. The base reduction is T-This Skill always requires tools or some other equipment
determined in the same way as the base progress is to be used in its primary form.
determined. S-This Skill sometimes requires tools or some other
If a Skill requires tools, equipment or facilities, they will be equipment in order to be used in its primary form.
rated for their Efficiency Factor. This Factor will be E-A character with this Skill may start with some initial
multiplied by .1 times the Effect Number (the difference equipment pertinent to the Skill.
uetween the die roll and the characters BCS). The modified
Efficiency Factor is multiplied by the base Task Points COMBAT SKILLS
finished. These are added to the total finished if the BCS roll
was successful and subtracted i f the result was a critical HAND TO HANDE
failure. Brawlinb (Frontal)s STR + DFT + Combative 3
With some Skills, units of supplies are necessary to This is unskilled, knock-down and drag-out style fighting
produce the finished product. For these the type of material The fighter may strike with a hand and receive a secondary
required will be specified. Some Skills will result in a smaller strike or he may strike with a foot and make only the one
number of units of finished product than of initial material. attack. Hand attacks receive -5 to the Hit Location roll and
The method for calculating the percentage of original are considered Short length weapons. Foot attacks receive
material turned into product will be given with the Skill +5 to the Location roll, are considered Average length
Description. In these cases round fractions down. weapons, and add the Mass of the fighter to his Strength for
Occasionally one Skill is needed to determine what is to determining the Effect Die to be rolled for a successful
be done and another is used to do it. A BCS roll is made with attack.
the first Skill, with success meaning that the character knows The fighter has a Weapons Damage Multiplier of 1 plusthe
what to do. Failure means he does not know what to do and Armor Value of the Location with which hestrikes divided by
critical failure means he thinks he knows what to do. In the 30, rounded to the nearest. Damage done is 75%subdual (C
latter case, performance of the task will proceed normally type) except on Critical Hits when it is 50% subdual (B type).
but the end product will be wrong. Such boondoggles waste For details of the effects of blows on armor see Unarmed
time and materials and, in some cases, can be downright Com bat Skill.
dangerous. Brawling Skill covers the use of improvised weapons such
For the most part the formulation of the difficulty of aTask as bottles, broken bottles, chairs, table legs, etc. The fighter
is left to the Gamesmaster. He has the final say as to the uses an Average BCS in these cases to resolve his attack.
number of Task Points required to finish the Task and the When the ravening hordes are closing in and there is no
length of the Task Period. Some guidelines are given in the better option, a fighter may utilize a rifle or pistol butt as an
Skill descriptions where the products are not so variable as improvised weapons and attack with an Average BCS
to be beyond space limitations. A Task with a short Period using Brawling Skill.
but a high number of Task Points may beas difficult and time
consuming as one with a longer Period but a lower number of Fencing (Presented)T SPD + DFT + Combative 3
Task Points. The Gamesmaster may make a Task more This Skill is a refined form of Single Weapon Skill. Its
difficult by imposing a negative modification to the BCS. difference from that Skill lies in the Positioning used and the
This can be done to reflect the character dealing with an Attributes involved. Fencing Skill operates as a normal HTH
obscure or unusual or very difficult application of the Skill. Combat Skill.
8

Flexible Weapon (Frontal) DFT t STR t Combative 3 Action or do something else. If a hold is maintained the target
This Skill governs the use of flexible and jointed weapons. is limited to 1 meter moves for each Action even if he is
Some of these weapons are capable of a special form of performing none. That is, he may not move freely. The user
attack called Entanglement. It must be stated which type of will roll his BCS at the end of his Action. This BCS is his base
attack is being made before the attack is resolved. BCS and will determine the Effect Number to be used forthe
In all cases an Entanglement attack may also do some results of this Actions attack.
subdual damage. The user of the weapon makes his Effect A target may break a hold by attacking the weapon t o
Die roll in the usual fashion but the effects of the armor on the destroy it (treat the weapon as having the users Overall
Location struck are affected by its Format. R format armor Defense Ability); making a Strength Ability Saving Throw
will stop all of the damage; SR type will reduce the damage with a free hand t o rip the weapon free; or incapacitating or
by its normal Armor Value; and all other formats will reduce killing the user.
the damage by one-half their normal Values rounded
nearest.
Some of the effects of an Entanglement attack are Knife (Frontal) DFT + SPD + Combative 3
dependent on the Location struck. The Effect Number of the This Skills is also a specialized form of Single Weapon
successful attack is cross-indexed with the Location on the Skill. It governs the specialized use of short, edged weapons
chart below to get the special result of the Entanglement which are held in one hand, such as knives, daggers, broken
attack. A Critical hit will add 10 to the Effect Number. bottles, razors and short bayonets.
Once a flexible weapon user has gotten an Entanglement Due to the training i n this Skill, there is no penalty when
effect, he may attempt to maintain his hold on the target. This using the Off-hand to make an attack. This is not a TWO
requires a matching of Deftness Effect Group Die rolls. If the Weapon Skill, however, so a character attempting to fight
users is higher he maintains the hold, and, if the Targets is with two knives is subject to the rules for two weapon
higher, the user must attempt to get a new grip for his next combat.
I Effect
Number
Head & Neck
LOC1-3
ENTANGLEMENT EFFECT CHART
Torso
LOC4-12
Leg
LOC13-20
ArmZ
LOC21-30
I
0-1 Distraction No Effect Distraction Distraction
2-3 Multiple Distraction Abort Action Abort Action
Distraction
4-6 AS 2-3 PIUS Multiple Dazed Dazed
Check for Daze Distraction
7-9 AS 2-3 PIUS AS 4-6 PIUS Knocked over Stunned
Dazed Check for Daze
t o & up Stunned AS 4-6 PIUS Knocked over AS 7-9 PIUS
Dazed plus check for Check for
Fall results Knocked Over
Distraction The target receives 1 Distraction to all Abort Action The target must abort any Action in
BCS for a Combat Turn. progress that is not resolving on the Action
Phase on which the Entanglement attack is
resolved. If able under the normal rules
Multiple The target receives the users Deftness
Group in Distractions for a Combat Turn. for initiation of Actions, the target may
Distractions
reinitiate his Action on the next Action
Phase.
Check for The target compares his Health Group
Daze Effect Die roll to the users Strength Group Knocked The target is knocked from his feet and is
Effect Die roll. If it is higher there is no Over subject to the rules for falling. The targets
effect other than the Distractions. lower half is in the hex he had been
Otherwise he is Dazed as well. occupying and his upper half is in the one
most directly away from the weapon user.
Dazed The effect is the same as the critical
Knocked As above plus the target is at least Dazed.
effect Daze. Over plus
Stunned The effect functions as the critical effect Check for The target and user compare Strength
Stun except that the target functions Knocked Group Effect Die rolls. If the users is higher
normally on the next Combat Turn. Over the target is Knocked Over.
In order to achieve an effect against one of these Entanglement effect on an arm. A critical hit will get both
Locations the flexible weapon must at least be of Long arms.
length. When one of these Locations is hit by such a weapon,
the target and the user should compare Deftness Group 21f one of these Locations is hit on a man in Stance with a
Effect Die rolls. If the users is higher he gets to make a missile weapon all benefits of Stance are lost. He is treated as
second BCS roll subject to all the modifiers present for the if he were Engaged for purposes of getting off a shot and all
1 first one. If the roll is successful he will also have scored an fire is treated as Hip fire.

Some of the weapons governed by this Skill allow the Defense Ability, the Sai user may exercise this ability. Each
fighter to make a second attack without forfeiting his character will roll his Strength Group Effect Die. If the Sai
Weapons Defense Ability. If the fighter chooses to make a users result is higher, the opponent is disarmed and the
third sttack with such a weapon in one Attack Action, he will weapon will land 1D3 meters away in a random direction.
forfeit his WDA for the number of phases required to If using the Option Clash of Weapons, whenever the
complete the Action. circumstances arises that a clash is called for, the Sai user
may attempt to disarm his opponent. Failure to disarm his
will subject the Sai to chances of being broken.
Longsword (Frontal)T STR + DFT + Combative 3
This Skill governs the use of two-handed edged weapons
such as longswords and greatswords. Non-edged weapons Single Weapon (Frontal) STR + DFT + Combative 3
such as pipes and staves may also be used but suffer a This Skill governs the use of one handed weapons in
modification to the BCS of (users point of aim minus 6). combat. Any weapon designated as one-handed may be
Such weapons will have a secondary strike only if they used. The user usually has his off-hand empty.
normally do and they are not Extra Long in length.
This Skill allows a specialized secondary strike with some Two Weapon (Frontal)T STR + DFT + Combative 3
weapons. The fighter must declare that a secondary strike The user of this Skill holds a one-handed weapon in each
will be made. He will lose the benefit of his Weapons Defense of his hands. The weapons allowable due to weight and
Ability during that Action. If the first attack misses he may wieldiness are dependant on the characters Strength as
immediately roll fora second attack using an Average BCS. If detailed on page 5 in Book 1.
the first attack hits, no secondary strike is made. With this Skill a second, not secondary, attack is allowed.
This Skill allows a fighter to use a sword that is normally The fighter will lose the benefit of his WDA during the Attack
one-handed if the handgrip is long enough to get two hands Action. The first attack is assumed to be made with the
on it. When using such a weapon with Longsword Skill he will weapon in the favored hand. It receives a -1 to the BCS. The
increase the weapons WDM by his Strength Group divided second attack is assumed to be made with the weapon in the
by 10. off-hand. The BCS is averaged with thecharacters Off-hand
Dexterity and receives a modification of -1 before any other
Nunchaku (Frontal)T DFT + STR + Combative 3 modifiers are applied.
This Skill governs the use of the Nunchaku, a short flail, When not using it to attack the fighter is assumed to be
The user of Nunchaku Skill is trained to useeitherone or two using the weapon in the off-hand for parrying.
weapons. Tonfa (Frontal)T DFT + STR + Combative 3
Use of two weapons is subject to Strength Rating This Skill governs the use of the Tonfa, a weapon
limitations. Each nunchaku is capable of a secondary strike. resembling a billy club with a short handle, at a right angle to
Use of the secondary strike when using a single nunchaku the shaft, at one end. The user of this Skill is trained in using
costs the character the loss of his Weapons Defense Ability one or two of the weapons. When using two Tonfa, the
for that Action. With two nunchaku in use, the Weapons standard rules for Two Weapon Skill apply. As this is a
Defense Ability is not lost unless both are used to make specialized Skill, thecharacter may not useotherweapons in
secondary strikes. the manner of Two Weapon Skill unless he has that Skill.
Nunchaku may be used in the same fashion as Tonfa with Besides making normal weapon attacks, the character
regard to Unarmed Combat Skill Grapples and Counters. with Tonfa Skill may use it in another fashion. The score in
The WDM of a nunchaku in this use is 1.5. the Skill is averaged with the characters score in Unarmed
Combat Skill. This allows the character to perform Unarmed
Grapples as presented in Unarmed Combat Skill. When
Polearm (Frontal)T STR + DFT + Combative 3 using one Tonfa in this fashion the characters WDM for the
This Skill governs the use of hafted weapons requiring two Grapple is increased by 1 . This technique uses one Tonfa
hands such as halberds, spears, rifle and bayonet and afree hand. This averaged BCS also allows the character
combinations, etc. Such weapons are usually allowed a to attempt Counters in defending against attacks using
secondary strike known as a butt stroke. Secondary strikes
Unarmed Combat Skill.
of this type are not allowed to be made into Long Front or S
Long Side hexes. The butt stroke has a WDM of 1 and does C Unarmed Combat (Characters option)
type damage. DFT + SPD + Combative 3
This Skill represents a no-holds-barred conglomeration of
modern martial arts techniques. There are three different
Sai (Frontal)T DFT + STR + Combative 3 techniques available to the character using this Skill:
This Skill governs the use of the Sai, a dagger-shaped, Striking, Throwing and Grappling. Both of the characters
non-edged steel rod. This weapon is pointed at the tip and hands must be free to use the latter two techniques. When
has two long tines curving down from the hilt along the fighting an opponent who is using Unarmed Combat Skill or
blades. The Sai may be used to Strike doing C type damage Brawling Skill, a character does not receive the Situational
with a WDM of 1.7. It may also be used to Thrust with a WDM Modifier penalties for attacking to a Side or Rear hex or those
of 1.2 doing Lethal damage. for prone or kneeling position.
The user of the Sai Skill is trained to use one of two of the STRIKING TECHNIQUES
weapons and the BCS of the second Sai is subject to These attacks are made with the hands or feet. They
averaging with the characters Off-hand Dexterity score. normally do C type damage but, on a Critical Hit, they will do
When using one weapon a secondary attack is allowed only B type.
when making a Strike attack. Secondary attacks when using HANDBLOWS: One handblow may be made with each
two Sai follow the rules for Two Weapon Skill. Hand in an Action. The second blow is averaged with
When utilizing a Defend Option a character with Sai Skill the Off-hand Dexterity score and causes the character
may either gain the increase in Overall Defense Ability or to lose his Weapon Defense Ability for that Action,
retain his normal value and gain a special ability. This ability When only one hand is used for striking, the character
allows the user to attempt to disarm an opponent attack him is assumed to be parrying with his other forearm, or
with a Hand-to-hand weapon. If the attack made by his hand. Handblows are treated as Short length weapons.
opponent would have hit the Sai user i f hk had had no Overall They have a WDM of 1 + (AV on the hand/20) or 1 +
10

(Aim score in Unarmed Combat/lO), whichever is
greater. A handblow receives +5to the Hit Location roll.
KICKS: Normally one kick per Action is made but the
character may elect t o make a second attack in the
same fashion as is done with Longsword Skill. Even
with a single kick the characters Weapon Defense
Ability is halved and rounded to the nearest. Kicks are
dealt with as Average length weapons and their WDM is
calculated as for handblows. For purposes of
determining the Damage Potential a character using a
kick will have his effective Strength increased by 1
Group. I f a kick is parried (a miss falling into the range
of the targets Weapon Defense Ability), the attacker
must make a Speed Ability Saving Throw or fall down.
Kicks receive a -5 t o the Hit Location roll.
BLOWS AGAINST ARMOR: Rigid armor halves the Dam-
age Potential of handblows and kicks and makes all
damage received subdual only. Other armors act
normally. If the Armor Value of the Location struck
exceeds the Armor Value on the attacking characters
hand or foot, the attacker will take the difference
between them in subdual damage. A character with Facing of Thrower and position of victim.
Unarmed Combat Skill has a minimum AV of 1 + his
Aim score in the Skill for the purpose of comparing sweep resulting in afall fortheopponent. Hefallsawayfrom
these Armor Values only. It does not act as armor the attacker. The thrower may attempt a Grappling
against incoming attacks. Technique free attack with a Deftness Ability Saving
LEAPING KICKS: This is a specific tactic. It must be Throw. Treat as a thrown character if the hex into which he
declared when the Action is initiated. The charactw falls is occupied.
may execute any Jumping Action available to him at The full result of an effective throw does not occur simply
that time. He will resolve a single kick at the end of the with a successful BCS roll. The Effect Number must be
Jump Action. The character has a Combat Dodge determined and compared with the table below. Note that an
Ability of 1 greater than his normal value and no Effect Number of at least 4 is required for the opponent to be
Weapons Defense Ability. Against missile fire he has actually thrown. A Critical Hit will add 10 to the Effect
twice his normal CDA. He will resolve the kick using an Number. Treat the plus with Critical Hits as the WDM for any
average BCS in Unarmed Combat Skill and will receive subdual damage incurred by the thrown character. Critical
a negative modifier of -1 for ever 2 meters or fraction Effects of Sever are treated as broken bones.
thereof traveled in the Jump. If thetarget moves before BREAKFALLS: A thrown character who has Unarmed
the Jump would be resolved, it will be resolved in the Combat Skill may attempt to use that skill to lessen the
standard fashion of missile attacks whose target effects of a throw. The character will make a BCS roll
disappears before resolution. A successful attack gives using an average BCS. If successful he will reduce the
the character a +2 (1 for Jumping and 1 for kicking) to throwers Effect Number by the Effect Number that he
his effective Strength Group for determing his Damage has just generated. If this reduces the throwers Effect
Potential. If the leaping kick misses the character must Number below 0 then the character scheduled to be
make a Speed Critical Saving Throw to avoid falling. If thrown will receive no effects from the attackers
the kick is parried or a Critical Miss occurs the actions.
character will definitely fall.
THROWING TECHNIQUES UNARMED COMBAT THROW TABLE
A character may attempt to throw an opponent in his own Effect
hex or any of the adjacent hexes. He receives a +1to his BCS Number Outcome of Throw
when the opponent is in the same hex. Only one throw attack 0-1 The throw is incomplete. Target must abort any
may be made in an Action. Action in progress that does not resolve that
A Hit Location of the head, neck, torso or arms, (LOC 1-12 Action Phase. If able under the normal rules for
and 21-30) indicates a full throw where the opponent is lifted initiation of Actions, he may reinitiate the Action
bodily and thrown to the ground. Normally he will land 180 on the next Phase.
degrees away from the hex which he just vacated. His upper 2-3 Target is treated as Dazed (see Book 1, page 30)
half will be in the hex nearest the thrower. The thrower may for a full Combat Turn. He remains on his feet.
change this hex by 60 degrees per point of Aim. The 4-6 Target is actually thrown. He will be proneon the
thrower has the option of maintaining his facing or turning t o
next Action Phase. He is also subject to the
face the hex into which the opponent was thrown.
results of an Effect Number of 0 or 1 and must
The thrower also has the option of keeping or releasing his
make the usual Saving Throw to avoid theeffects
grip. If he keeps it, a Deftness Ability Saving Throw will allow
him to make an immediate free attack using Grappling of a fall (see Book 1, page 32).
7-9 As 4-6 above and the thrown character will take
Technique. If he releases his grip, a Strength Ability Saving
Throw will allow him to hurl his opponent 1 meter through subdual damage equal to the throwers Strength
Group Effect Die roll. Armor will not reduce this
the air before he lands.
I f a thrown character is made to occupy a hex which damage but each level of Blast Buffering will
eliminate 5 points of it.
already has a character in it, they are treated as i f the thrown
lG+ As 7-9 above plus the victim must make an
Character was attempting a Deliberate Knockdown of the
immediate Health Ability Saving Throw or
other character except that the throwers Strength is the one
used to make the Effect Die roll. See Book 1, page 31. succumb to System Shock. Blast Buffering will
A Hit Location to the legs (LOC 13-20) indicates a foot add twice its level to the number needed.
11

GRAPPLING TECHNIQUES Rigid armor will prevent a Choke from being
These techniques represent cunning grips on limbs, successful and Semi-Rigid armor will subtract its
chokes designed to render an opponent unconscious or Armor Value from damage done. Other armor Formats
simple pinning holds. They are intended to disable or subdue have no effect on a Choke.
an opponent. Normally they may only be used against a DEFENDING AGAINST GRAPPLING TECHNIQUES
prone enemy or one in the same hex. Once the opponent has established a Grappling hold, a
Against a prone oponent the character may perform a character may only attempt to get free. He may not use a
Change Position Action as part of an Unarmed Combat Grappled limb. If the hold is a Pin or a Choke, he is treated as
Grappling Attack Action. The attack is resolved at the end of if he were onestep moreencumbered. If this makes him more
the Action. If the character has succeded with a Deftness than Fully Encumbered he will lose an additional 25% from
AST following a successful throw, he is assumed to have his Deftness and Speed and his BCS roll will have a modifier
done this as his free attack. of -8 to the score needed for success. The character has the
If the character makes his Unarmed Combat BCS roll following options:
when using Grappling Technique, the hold is in effect and Assuming the correct limbs are free, he may make an
will remain so without necessity for further BCS rolls until attack with any availableHand-to-hand Combat Skill at
the character releases the hold or his opponent breaks it. a penalty to the BCS of 50% or -5 whichever is greater.
Damage is resolved at the end of the Action during which he For Effect Die determination his Strength Group will be
maintains that grip. Damage done by Grappling Techniques reduced by 1 in addition to any modifications due to
is 50% subdual and 50% psuedo-damage which is only weapon length.
accumulated to determine when a Grapple is complete. He may attempt to make a successful average BCS
The Hit Location indicates the type of technique being with his Brawling Skill. This will break the hold but will
applied. A Hit Location to a limb (LOC 13-30) indicates a cause no damage to the grappler.
Limblock. One to the torso (LOC 10-12) indicates a Pin and He may attempt to make a successful Unarmed
one to the head or neck (LOC 1-3) indicates a Choke. Combat Skill BCS roll. This will break the hold but
LIMBLOCKS: Limblocks do damage with a WDM equalto cause no damage. If the result is a Critical Hit, he is
1 + the characters total score in the Skill divided by 20 allowed an immediate free attack with that Skill.
and rounded to the nearest tenth. The victim is unable Situational modifiers due to positioning do not apply in
to move except at the grapplers whim. If the Limblock these attempts and the grappler has his full Overall Defense
is on an arm, the grappler may force the victim to move Ability.
at a maximum rate of a walk. If the Limblock is on a leg
the victim will be held motionless. This mastery is OPTION
achieved when the total damage done by the Limblock COUNTERS IN UNARMED COMBAT
exeeds the victimsstrength. Thevictim ofasuccessful When a character using Unarmed Combat Skill is attacked
Armlock must release anything held in that hand. and the opponents attack fails in the range of the characters
If he wishes the grappler may attempt to disable the Weapon Defense Ability, the character is allowed a free
limb when voluntarily releasing a Limblock. He rolls a attack against the attacker. He may use any Technique but
Strength Saving Throw. I f the result is in his Critical the type must be declared before the BCS is rolled. The free
Saving Throw range, the limb is broken. I f it is in his attack is subject to the normal modifiers.
Ability Saving Throw range, the limb will take critical If the character using Unarmed Combat Skill is utilizing a
damage. I f the throw is in neither range the limb Defend Action, any attack which misses will allow the
receives damage which will disable it but the damage character to make a free attack on his opponent.
will heal as if it were subdual damage. A critical failure
means that the victim receives no damage from the
attempt at all. The damage done by such a technique is Weapon and Shield (Refused)? STR + DFT + Combatative 3
determined by the grapplers Strength Group Effect The user of this Skill holds a one-handed weapon in his
Die roll. Such a release requires an Action to perform. favored hand and has a shield on his off-hand arm. The
PINS. A Pin result against a non-prone opponent is character is treated as if he were using two weapons in terms
treated as a miss! A successful Pin means that the of weapons and shields allowable due to weight and
opponent is held motionless on the ground by the wieldiness. Use twice the Shields ENC value as a weapons
grappler. To be successful the accumulated damage Strength Rating for this purpose.
must exceed the victims Strength. Once successful A secondary attack is allowed using theshield. It issubject
the accumulated damage must exceed the victims to the usual rules for such attacks. The WDM for a shield
Strength. Once successful, the grappler may only used i n this way is theshield Factor divided by 10. Damage is
continue t o hold his victim motionless or try toshift his C type.
grip. Shifting grip requires a new BCS roll. The Large shields add to a characters Overall Defense Ability
grappler will receive an extra point of Aim even if he in Hand-to-Hand combat and all shields add to the Overall
normally has none. If the new BCS roll fails, the Pin is Defense Ability against any missile attacks coming in
lost and the opponent is free. Unless he has Unarmed through the characters Front hexes.
Combat Skill (when he will add hisWDA) thevictim will A shield is struck by an attack when the attack is
only have his Combat Dodge Ability to oppose the BCS successful and the Hit Location is covered by the shield or
of an attempt by a grappler to shift his grip. when the die roll for an unsuccessful attack is in the
CHOKES:Chokes are treated as Pins with the following range protected by the shield. The range protected by the
exceptions. The accumulated damage is measured shield is equal to any additions the shield gives to the
against the victims Health. When his Health is characters overall Defense Ability and, in the case of a
exceeded he will be unconscious as if he had Hand-to-Hand attack, the characters Weapon Defense
succumbed to System Shock. If the Choke is Ability.
maintained past this point, all damage done will be A missile attack that falls into the range protected by the
subdual. For each successive Action of Choking the shield still has a 50% chance of attacking the character It it
grappler will now increase his effective Strength group does the missile weapon will still be reduced by the Minimum
by 1 for determining damage. He will eventually kill the Barrier Effect of the shield. Roll for Hit Location normally.
victim by subduing him to death (see Book 1, A shield struck in a successful attack must be penetrated
page 36). before any damage can be applied to penetrating the armor
12

of the target. Bullets will have their BDG reduced by the is attacked in Hand-to-Hand combat, he will add this
minimum Barrier Effect of the shield. This yields the effective Weapon Defense Ability to his Combat Dodge
BDG used t o determine the die t o be rolled for the Damage Ability to get his Overall Defense Ability. Since he is
Potential. Arrows and crossbow bolts will have their effective using a Class 4 shield he will add an additional 1 to
Strength Group reduced by 1 for every 10 points or portion this for a total Overall Defense Ability of 7. (His
thereof of Barrier Effect. Other muscle powered missile Combat Dodge Ability is 2).
weapons and Hand-to-Hand weapons have their normal An opponent's attack could miss him totally,
Damage Potential determined. From this is subtracted the strike him cleanly, strike the shield, or hit him o n a
minimum Barrier Effect of the shield. T h e result is the portion of his arm covered by the shield. If his
effective Damage Potential which may then beapplied to the opponent's Basic Chance of Success were 15 it
target. Any time that the normal Damage Potential of a would be determined like this:
successful attack exceeds the overall Barrier Effect of the Die roll less than or equal to 15 minus 7 (that is
shield that shield is reduced to the next lower class. BCS minus ODA) means Kelly has been
A shield struck by an unsuccessful attack will be attacked. successfully struck. Hit Location is rolled for
Bullets will reduce the shield by one class if their effective normally. If the Hit Location die roll indicates that
BDG upon striking the shield exceeds the overall Barrier the attack is to be resolved against one of the
Effect of the shield by 3 times its value. Arrows and crossbow Locations stated as being covered by the shield
bolts will not reduce the shield but will stick in theshield and (see chart on this page) the shield itself must be
add their ENC value to the shield's value. Other muscle penetrated as well as any armor o n that Location
powered missile weapons will attack the shield as Hand-to- before damage is assessed against Kelly.
Hand weapons do and will stick in the shield to add their ENC Die roll between or including 11 and 15 (that is
value if the shield user does not make a Deftness Ability the range covered by Kelly's WDA and any pluses
Saving Throw to dislodge them. Hand-to-Hand weapons will to ODA given by theshie1d)means that theshield
reduce the shield class by one if damage done is twice the itself has been struck. Damage against it is
minimum Barrier Effect of the Shield. assessed as indicated above.
It requires 1 Action to remove a shield and 2 Actions to put Any other die roll indicates a clean miss. Note
on, sling or unsling a shield. that results of 9 or 10 are misses due to Kelly's
Consider Kelly and his old police shjeld. The shield CDA.
is Class 4 and is made of one-half inch of heavy Missile attacks against a character carrying a
plastic. The upper third is clear. The Barrier Value of shield are resolved in a similar fashion. Of course
the plastic is 20. the character may not apply his Weapon Defense
Minimum Barrier Effect is 112 times 20 or 10. Ability against a missile attack but his Combat
Overall Barrier Effect is the Class (4) divided by 2 Dodge Ability may be enhanced by the type of
times the Minimum Barrier Effect (10) for a value of movement in which he is engaged. Any attack die
20. The ENC Value is the Overall Barrier Effect (20) roll falling in the range "protected" by the shield's
times the shield's factor (15 for Class 4 ) times the plus to the Overall Defense Ability is considered to
thickness ( 3 inch) times a constant (.005 for attack the shield. Thus, in Kelly's case, against an
plastics) yielding a value of .75 ENC. opponent with a BCS of 15, the shield adds 4 to his
Kelly's Skill score in Weapon and Shield is 80 ODA. Any attack die roll from 12 to 75 would attack
giving him a Weapon Defense Ability of 4. When he the shield.
Basic Statistics on Shields:

+ t o O D A vs. + to ODA In
Class missiles HTH Combat Factor Locations Covered Description
1 1 0 2 30 Very Small
2 2 0 5 28,30 Small
3 3 0 10 26,28,30 Medium
4 4 1 15 24,26,28,30 Large
5 5 2 25 22,24,26,28,30 Very Large
Minimum Barrier Effect = (Barrier value of material x thickness)
Overall Barrier Effect = (ClassM, u p ) x (minimum Barrier Effect)
ENC value = (overall Barrier Effect x Factor x thickness x K)
K = .005 for plastics; .02for metals; and .01 for other materials.
13

MUSCLE POWERED MISSILE WEAPONSE*T
Archery (Refused) DFT + WT + Combative 3
This Skill governs the use of a bow of any sort. The Basic
Chance of Success is modified by the strength of the bow,
the range of the target, the type of arrow being fired, and the
situation. Bows have no Weapon Damage Multiplier. This is
dependant on the type of arrow fired. The Strength Group
used to determine the Effect Die rolled is also range
dependent. The percentage chance of an arrow hit
achieving a Missile Special Effect is equal to the Damage
Potential.
Bows are rated by their Pound Pull. This will determine
their Range Factor, Durability and Encumbrance value.
Range Factor (RF) = Pound Pull/lO, rounded nearest.
Durability (or DUR) = Range Factor/2, rounded nearest.
Encumbrance (or ENC) = Range Factor/lO, rounded
nearest tenth.
Thus, a bow with an 80 Pound Pull has a Range Factor of 8, a
Durability of 4 and an Encumbrance of .8.
How far a bow will throw an arrow, how clean the shot will
be and how long the bow takes t o draw will be dependent on
the character attempting to use the bow.
Strength of Bow versus User Strength:

Bow Range Factor greater than or equal to results in BCS mod. Actions to Reload
4x STR Grp unusuable by character
3x STR Grp -4 2
2x STR Grp -2 1
1x STR Grp +O 0
Thus an 80 Pound Pull bow is unusable by a character with

aStrength Groupof 1 or2. Acharacterwithastrength Group
of 3 or 4 may use the bow with a BCS modification of -2 and
one Action must be spent in loading and drawing the bow
before it may be fired. A character with a Strength Group O f 5
would fire the bow with no modifications due to the strength
of the bow and could fire an arrow o n each of his Actions.
An arrow may be held nocked and ready to fire for a
number of Actions equal to the users Strength Group.
Range Modifications for Bows

Category Distance in meters BCS mod. Eff STR Grp for Effect Die
Point Blank 5 +1 +1*
Effective RF x STR Grp +O +o
Long 5 x RF x STR Grp -1 -1
Maximum 10 x RF x STR Grp -2 -2
Extreme 20 x RF x STR Grp -5 -3
Modification to Weapon Damage Multiplier of .1 x STR Grp.
Should a characters Effective Range be less than 5 meters, 5 OPTION
meters becomes the upper limit on his Effective Range and Wind Effects to archery
the value calculated for his Effective Range becomes his Head Wind -1 to STR Grp for range calculations
Point Blank Range. Tail Wind +1 to STR Grp for range calculations
Modifications due to arrows Crosswind
In use: BCS mod. WDM
Target arrow +O 1.8
Armor piercing arrow +1 1.5
Hunting arrow -1 2
Barbed arrow -2 2.5
Improvised head as appropriate l/i normal
Improvised shaft -1
Improvised fletching -2
Aluminum or Fiberglass shaft +1
Mopdifications due to situation
Situation BCS mod.
Archers ring +1
No bracer -1
Interfering clothing -2
Sights in use +1
14

Blowgun (Frontal) HLH + WT + Combative 3 Crossbow (Frontal) DFT + WT + Combative 3
A blowgun is a delivery system for darts carrying some This skill governs the use of all crossbow type weapons.
kind of drug. Dart damage is calculated for penetration The Basic Chance of Success is modified by the range to the
purposes only. Darts will never damage shields. The Effect target, the type of bolt being fired, and the situation. The
Die for determing the penetration is based on the users Weapon Damage Multiplier is, like bows, dependent on thc
Health Group. The die result is multiplied by the WDM of the type of bolt being fired. Unlike bows, the range and damage
dart. If the result is greater than or equal to the Armor Value done is based on the weapon rather than thecharacter using
on the Location hit, the substance of the dart will be it. Crossbows have a recoil effect which may affect the users
introduced to the targets system. chance of hitting his target. The percentage chance of a bolt
Range Modifications hit achieving a Missile Special Effect is equal t o the Damage
Distance Eff. HLH Grp Potential.
Category in meters BCS Mod. for Effect Die Crossbows are rated by their Pound Pull as are bows. The
Point Blank 2 meters +1 +1 Pound Pu11/2, nearest is used for crossbows as the users
Effective HLH CST +O +o Strength is used with bows, to determine ranges and the
Long HLH AST -1 -1 effective Strength Group for Effect Die determination. Thus,
Maximum HLH -3 -2 a crossbow with a Pound Pull of 120would haveaStrength
If a characters Effective range is less than 2 meters, 2 of 60 and a Strength Group of 7 with an Effect Die of 2010 +2.
meters becomes his effective range and the calculated value This Strength Group would be used to make the range
becomes his Point Blank range. calculations and would receive the modifications due to
Modifications due to darts range for determining the Effect Die to be roiled.
In use: BCSMod. WDM The Range Factor, Durability and Encumbrance valuesfor
improvised -2 0.8 a crossbow arecalculated in afashion similarto that done for
fire hardened wood -1 1.o bows.
metal +o 1.3 Range Factor = Pound Pull/lO, rounded nearest tenth
Modifications due to wind Durability = Range Factor/3, nearest
Light -1 Encumbrance = Range Factor/5, nearest tenth
Moderate -3 Thus, a crossbow with a Pound Pull of 120 has a Range
Strong -6 Factor of 12, a Durability of 4, and an Encumbrance of 2.4.
Gusty doubled strength value of wind The recoil effect of a crossbow will give the usera negative
modification to his BCS. If the recoil effect calculation yields
Bola (Frontal) DFT + WT + Combative 3 a negative number there will be no effect to the users BCS. It
This weapon system requires 1 Action to prepare and a does not give a positive modification.
minimum of 1 Action to windup to toss. For each additional
Action spent in windup the range groupings will be modified
-
Recoil Effect = (RF/2, nearest) Strength Group
For determination of effects to BCS and for the Weapon
by a multiplier of .5 per Action to a maximum of 3. Thus, after
Damage Multiplier to use, bolts function in all ways as do
4 additional Actions of windup the upper limits of all range
arrows.
groupings will be multiplied by 2.
Use of this weapon requires a clear area around the A crossbows Point Blank range is 10 meters, not 5 as with
character. The minimum radius of clear space is 1 meter. a bow.
Each additional Action of windup will increase this radius Unlike a blow, a crossbow must be cocked. Once cocked,
by .5 meters. Any obstruction that occurs during the windup it may be carried loaded and ready to fire. A crossbow
will abort the attack with the bola. The object or character requires a number of Strength Points equal to its Pound Pull
that aborted the attack will receive a Strike attack from the in order to be cocked. For each Action spent cocking the
bola. crossbow, a character may apply his Strength in Strength
A character may maintain a bola in windup for a number of Points toward cocking the crossbow. If the crossbows
Combat Turns equal to his Strength. A character Pound Pull is greater than or equal to 4 times the users
maintaining a windup may only move 1 meter per Action. Strength, the user will be unable to cock the crossbow
This weapon has two forms of attack and the form in use without the aid of a mechanical device. If the mechanical aid
must be specified before the attack is resolved. Strike is an is incorporated into the crossbow, it will take one additional
attack to damage. The Gamesmaster, using a flat curve, will Action before the weapon is reloaded. If the aid is separate,
determine how many of the balls in the bola strike. Each ball two additional Actions will be required. If the multiplier for a
has a WDM of 1.5C and an ENC value of .2. The Effect die is separate mechanical aid does not put the characters
rolled separately for each ball that strikes. Capture is an Strength into the range where he would be allowed to cock
attack which does not directly damage. Again the the weapon if that were his natural Strength, that crossbow
Gamesmaster determines how many of the balls actually may not be cocked and a more powerful aid or a stronger
affect the target. The total number striking is multiplied by .5 character is required.
to get the WDM to be multiplied by the Effect Die roll. This Mechanical aids:
will yield an Effect Number for use with the Entaglement separate: Belt hook x 1.5
Attack rules given with Flexible Weapon Skill. Goats foot x2
The Damage Potential is the percentage chance of a built in: Cranechin x 1.8
missile special effect occurring. A Flesh Wound result for a Windlass x2
Capture attack requires the target to make a Speed Ability Crossbows have an inherent BCS Modification of +3. As
Saving Throw to avoid a fall. with all inherent BCS modifications, once the characters
Range Modifications Eff. STR Grp BCS in the governing Skill exceeds the sum of his
Category BCS Mod. for Effect Die Combative Talent and the Inherent Modifications the
Point Blank STR CST +O +O modification is no longer used.
Effective STR AST -1 +O A character in Stance with a crossbow may sight in.
Long STR -2 -1
Maximum 2 x STR -4 -2 Sling (Frontal) DFT + WT + Combative 3
If the characters calculated range lies within the radius of The sling is a simple sling of David. The rules governing
his windup, he may not attack at that range grouping. its range and the increase of range by longer windup are the
15

same as for Bola Skill. The WDM that the sling imparts t o its Throwing Range Modifications STR DFT
bullet will depend on the number of turns spent in windup. A Distance Grp. throw required
character has an effective upper limit on the numberof turns Category in meters BCS mod. mod. if not using Skill
spent in windup of his Strength Group. This is for purposes Point Blank 2 +1 +1 2 x AST
of determining the WDM only. It does not apply to range. Effective STR CST +O +O AST
Actions in windup 1 2 3 4-5 6-7 Long STRAST -1 +o CST
WDM C type damage: .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 Extreme STR -2 -1 CSTM, down
Maximum 2 x STR -4 -2 1
Improvised bullets such as pebbles will give a -2 ---penalty shift value -8 -3 1 followed by CST
modification to the Basic Chance of Success. -1 6 -4 1 followed by 1
The percentage chance of a missile special effect is equal will not hit will not hit
to the Damage Potential.
Slingshot (Frontal) DFT + WT + Combative 3 When throwing heavy, non-aerodynamic objects reduce
Slingshots are rated for Elasticity. The effective Elasticity all ranges by 75%.
of a slingshot is the actual elasticity or the user's Strength The percentage chance of a missile special effect with a
Group, whichever is lower. The upper limit on the range thrown, non-explosive weapon is equal to the Damage
groupings is multiplied by the effective Elasticity. Potential.
Range Modifications A character may utilize his throwing Skill BCS of his
Deftness in making a throw, whichever will give him the best
Distance Eff. STR Grp.
in meters BCS Mod. for Effect Die chance of success.
Point Blank 3 +1 +1 When a character fails to hit his target with a throw, the
Effective 5 +O +O object thrown is subject to landing somewhere else. This is
Long 10 -1 +O particularly pertinent when the character is tossing hand
Extreme 15 -2 -1 grenades. An object which misses will fall 2D3 meters from
Maximum 20 -4 -2 the target in a direction randomly determined by 1D6. The
hex in the target's Zone of Influence that is intersected by the
The WDM of the slingshot is equal to the effective line drawn between the center of the thrower's hex and the
Elasticity divided by 2. The damage is C type. BCS center of the target's hex is considered to be 1 and the
modifications for ammunition are the same as for slings. numbering proceeds clockwise from there. For simplicity,
The percentage chance of a missile spec'ial effect is equal treat the object as if it were travelling from the target's hex to
to the Damage Potential. determine the destination hex. If the object encounters an
Throwing (Frontal) DFT + WT + Combative 3 obstacle before it has covered the required distancefrom the
This Skill represents a trained ability to throw weapons. It result of a throw of 2D3 (a Critical miss will double this
is required for the successful throwing of such things as distance), it will bounce according to the laws of physics.
knives, small axes and spears but such things as rocks, hand That is, its angle of reflection will be equal to its angle of
grenades, and chairs may be thrown without recourse to this incidence. This is a guideline for handling misses. It should
Skill. In thelattercase,acharacterwith theskill ismorelikely not be used if the results yield patent absurdities. The
to hit his target than one without it. Gamesmaster is advised to follow the spirit and intention of
To be thrown without penalty, the Strength Rating of the the rule rather than being slave to its letter.
weapon must be less than the Strength Group of the
character. For each point over this number there is one
penalty shift on the range table. The BCS modification, the
Determination of Direction
Strength Group modification and the throw required for
Deftness are shifted to the next most difficult category for Example assumes a missed BCS roll by
each penalty shift. Distances do not alter. Thus, a character the attacker (A is using Throwing Skill to hit
attempting to throw a weapon with a Strength Rating of 5 target T). The margin of miss is 3 meters
while he has a Strength group of 3 will receive a penaltyshift (from 2D3). The path to determine where
of two. If the target were 6 meters away (within his normal the weapon falls is indicated by the solid
Long range) he would have the BCS and Strength Group line. A critical miss, doubling the margin of
modifications as if it were two range steps further away miss, is indicated by the dashed line.
(Maximum range).
4 5 6
16

SMALL ARMS Boating STR + WT + Natural 1
The details of the use of firearms are given i n the section on This Skill governs the running of small sail or oar powered
guns on page 24. It is noted here that a character possessing vessels. It also serves to allow a character to function as a
the skill t o fire a given format of gun such as a pistol may fire crew member on a large vessel of the type covered.
any loaded and ready pistol. The Skills are separated into Climbing STR + DFT + Natural 1
Modern and Primitive to deal with the preparation before This Skill governs the climbing of sheer surfaces or man-
firing, drill while firing and basic maintenance after firing. made edifices. The rate of climb is the result of a Deftness
The Skill can also be used as a measure of the characters Group Effect Die roll multiplied by a factor representing the
ability to recognize specific weapons covered by the Skill. difficulty of the surface. This factor is at the discretion of the
Pistol, Modem Gamesmaster. A Critical Failure on the Basic Chance of
(standard: Presented) DFT + WT + Combative 3 Success roll indicates a fall. A normal miss requires another
Pistol, Primitive same as Pistol, Modern BCS roll with another miss indicating a fall. A successful roll
Rifle, Modern (Refused) DFT + WT + Combative 3 indicates no progress.
Rifle, Primitive same as Rifle, Modern When climbing natural formations Climbing Skill is also
usef u I.
SUPPORT WEAPONS Various pieces of equipment can be useful in aiding the
Autowea ponA DFT + WT + Combative 1 BCS roll, increasing the distance climbed or preventing falls.
This Skill is dealt with in more detail in thesection on guns. See also Climbinq in Detailed Action Time on page 25 of
It is primarily designed to deal with fixed mount automatic Book 1.
weapons. It also is used to average with the appropriate Fishing DFT + WT + Natural 2(Trap/Hook)
modern Firearm Skill if the character is using a weapon This Skill allows tne cnaracter to acquire food from the
which has automatic or burst fire capability and is operating water. The character must be using some form of equipment
it in such a mode. and will use his BCS for the type in use. If using a net he
Breech Loading Artillery DFT + WT + Combative 1 would use his Trapping BCS.
This Skill covers serving as a member of a gun crew for a The character will acquire a number of man-days of
modern style breech loading artillery piece. As with many of rations equal t o the result of an Effect Die roll times a
the Support weapon Skills it has little place in the standard multiplier representing the abundance of fish in the area.
rules which are designed for man-to-man conflict but is This factor is at the Gamesmasters decree. With Trap form,
included in the Skills listing as a guileline. use characters Wit Group and with Hook form use his
Direct Fire Cannon DFT + WT + Combative 1 Deftness Group to determine the Effect Die t o be rolled.
This Skill is intended to cover such weapons as recoilless Acquiring these rations will take the whole day. Any travel
done that day will reduce the characters base BCS to one
rifles, anti-tank artillery and tank main guns.
half. More than a half days travel will prevent him from
Grenade Launcher A DFT + WT + Combative 1 practicing this Skill.
This Skill covers the use of such weapons as the M-79 When Trapping a plus 1 will be added to the multiplier for
grenade launcher and also has an averaging function with each set trap. When using Hooking methods, a failure
such things as rifle grenades. When a miss occurs with one of indicates the loss of 1D6 hooks whileasuccessful roll means
these weapons use the procedure for a miss with a thrown the loss of only 103 minus 1.
weapon but the destination hex will be 2D10 meters away
Gambling DFT + WT + Charismatic 1
from the target hex instead of 203.
This Skill can provide a source of income to the character
Missile Launcher WT + OFT + Combative 1 if he is successful. The Effect Number of the characters roll
(Technology Use) indicates the multiplier to the base bet if he should win. If he
This Skill covers the launching and subsequent control of fails his BCS roll the difference between the die roll and his
non-portable missile systems whether for surface-to-surface BCS is the multiplier to the base bet used to determine his
or surface-to-air systems. losses. The characters opponent will also make a Gambling
Mortar DFT + WT + Combative 1 BCS roll. i f he makes it the Effect Number will be subtracted
from the characters BCS before he rolls. If the opponent fails
This Skill covers serving as a member of a mortar crew.
his roll, the difference between the roll and the BCS will be
Muzzle Loading Artillery DFT + WT + Combative 1 added to the Player Characters BCS before he rolls.
This Skill covers serving as a crew member for a primitive Initial equipment for this Skill will be dice or playing cards
cannon. at the players option.
Primitive Seige Engine WT + DFT + Combative 1 Handicraft (specify)s DFT + WT + Talent 1
This Skill governs the design and employment of such This is a grouping of Skills rather than a single Skill. A
seige engines as catapults, rams, onagers, etc. character will have a specified handicraft such as rope
Rocket Launcher DFT + WT + Combative 1 making, basket weaving, pottery making, etc. A character
This Skill covers the use of man-portable rocket and may have more than one Handicraft Skill. The Gamesmaster
will adjudicate which Talent is the Governing Talent for a
missile systems such as bazookas, LAWSand other portable
anti-tank or anti-aircraft guided missiles. particular Handicraft.
Any initial equipment would depend on the Handicraft in
question and it is left for the Gamesmaster to decide what if
NON-TECHNICAL PHYSICAL SKILLS anything would be received.
Beast Riding A
This Skill governs the riding and controlling of horses. SeamanshipA HLH + DFT + Natural 1
This Skill represents the characters sea-legs and his
Bicycle Riding*A DFT + STR + Mechanical 1
general knowledge of the sea and its ways. For details of the
Allows operation and minor repair of bicycles, tricycles, effects of this Skill in Detailed Action Time see Effects of
and mopeds. A character making his Bicycle Riding BCS
Water on Movement and Combat on page 32 of Book 1.
when under fire may add his Skill score divided by 20 and
rounded down to the Combat Dodge Ability acquired for the Survival (specify) HLH + WL + Natural 1
speed of the vechicle. This Skill represents a characters basic capability to fend
17

for himself in a specified environment such as Rural, Urban, The Gamesmaster should make the Stealth BCS rolls as
Artic, Desert, or Oceanic environments. A successful BCS the character would only know he was discovered if any
roll will allow a character to gather enough food for a day in noise he made had been heard. A failed BCS means that the
the environment where his Survival Skill operates. A die roll noise made by the character is a Hidden Thing. A Critical
of 1 allows a Wit Group Effect Die roll to determine the Failure requires a second BCS roll. Success this time means
number of man-days of rations acquired. that the Hidden Thing is discovered on an Ability Saving
This Skill can also allow a character to recognize danger in Throw instead of a Critical Saving Throw and failure
the environment if a succesful BCS roll is made. indicates that the character has been heard.
SwimmingA HLH + STR + Natural 1
Any character may play in the water but this Skill is used to
forestall drowning and to swim in dangerous waters. Details NON-TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGES
of the effects of Swimming Skill on movement in the water Advanced FarmingT WT + DFT + Natural 1
are given on page 32 of Book 1. (Dirt Farming)
Combat Skills used while in the water are usually averaged This is a reconstructionist Skill dealing with proper farm
with the characters Swimming Skill. planning and scientific methods of maximizing production.
Tracking WT + Natural + Natural 1 A successful roll will increase the crop yield multiplier by .1
This Skill allows a character to follow a trail. A BCS roll times the Effect Number. A failure will decrease the
must be made at each decision point (anywhere the trail may multiplier by the Effect Number. Critical failure results in the
lead in more than one direction). The older the trail is, the loss of the crop.
harder it will be to follow. The exact difficulty is left to the Soil analysis equipment, almanacs and weather forecasts,
Gamesmaster. A basic difficulty might be -1 to the baseBCS chemical fertilizers, etc., are needed to perform with this
for every 3 hours that have passed since the trail was made. Skill.
Trails can also be obscured using this Skill. A successful Bowyer DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
BCS allows the character to roll the Effect Die for his Wit This Skill allows a character to produce arrows and bows.
Group. This result is the negative modifier to the BCS of With the proper materials and equipment, the character may,
anyone trying to use Tracking Skill to follow the trail. in a day, produce arrows or work on a bow. The character
Hunting* DFT + WT + Natural 2(Trap/Shoot) can produce a number of arrows equal to his Deftness Group
In form this Skill operates exactly like Fishing Skill except Effect Die roll. The production work on a bow wi!l take a
that it operates in a non-watery environment. number of days equal to 15 minus his Deftness Group Effect
When using Shooting, 1D6 rounds will be expended for Die Roll. In the case of a bow using wood in its construction,
each BCS roll whether or not it is successful. If the missile the wood must be cured and prepared. This process will take
weapon in use has reusable ammunition, the character may 2D6 weeks but does not require the constant supervision of
recover a number of rounds equal to his Wit Group Effect Die the Bowyer.
Roll. A unit of arrow type material (whether for heads, shafts, or
fletching) will serve for 10 arrows. The tools needed for this
Search WT + WT + Natural 2(Urban/Rural) Skill are found in aTool Kit 1. A simple knife is sufficient but
This Skill represents a practiced ability to locate will triple all working times.
something significant. It is used for locating a useful item in a
pile of junk, ascertaining the structural soundness of CarpentryT DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
something like a staircase or a log over a chasm, and Using various tools with this Skill, the character may build
discovering things which have been hidden. various things of wood. A job should be rated by the
In general, one character will lead a search and his BCS Gamesmaster as to how many units of material i t will take, its
will be modified by the number of other characters who are Task Value and Period.
under his direction. This Skill utilizes the basic Task mechanic. Finished Task
The Gamesmaster will decide if a particular application of Points are based on the characters Deftness.
the Skill requires Urban or Rural form. Commerce
A
WL + WT + Charismatic 1
Stealth DFT + WT + Natural 2(Urban/Rural) This Skill is used in the barter process in attempts to get a
This Skill allows the character to move and/or perform better price, for either the good offered or those sought. It
actions quietly. Outside of Detailed Action Time, a character is averaged with the characters best Skill governing the use
may move a distance in meters equal to his Base Action of the item sought or offered. In this case of averaging, the
Phase before having to check his Stealth BCS again. In modified BCS may not exceed the BCS in Commerce
Detailed Action Time, the checks are made on each Combat although it may exceed that in the other Skill. Any Skill that
Turn. deals with the item being bartered may be used to average
with Commerce. For details of the barter process and the
appropriate uses of the Commerce Skill see page 51.
Culture
WT + Communicative + Esthetic 2( Pre-/Post-Ruin)
This Skill represents the characters familiarity with the
popular culture. It covers such things as slang, social
conventions, general knowledge of local groups, etc. In its
Pre-Ruin form it is also concerned with history and general
knowledge of the situations and circumstances prevailing at
the time of the Ruin. In campaigns set long after the Ruin, the
Gamesmaster may declare Post-Ruin culture as the Skill
available to all characters and treat Pre-Ruin Culture as a
harder-to-obtain Skill that is really History. He may also, in
such circumstances, create another Skill of Legendry which
deals with the popular notions of what it was 1ikeback then.
,
Such a Skill would be more easily attainable than History.
18

Dirt Farming HLH + DFT + Natural 1 Masonrys DFT + DFT + Mechanical 1
This Skill allows a character t o raise a crop. Hoes, plows, This Skill allows the character to perform such tasks as
gathering equipment and seeds are needed. The basic yield bricklaying. The Gamesmaster will assign a Task Value and
is the characters Wit Group Effect Die roll divided by 2 and the character may perform it following the basic Task rules.
rounded to the nearest tenth. This is multiplied by the units of This Skill may also be used to gauge the strength of a wall
seed in cultivation to get the units of crop. or man-made edifice.
Fermentation WT + Natural + Natural 1 Nutritionist WT + Scientific + Natural 1
This Skill allows a character to produce such things as This Skill allows a character to determine the edibility of
beers, wines, and meads. The Effect Die roll of the Group for foodstuffs. This allows contaminated food to be avoided.
the characters combined Wit and Deftness times 10 is the Repair, Muscle powered vehicles DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
percentage of the starting materials that is transformed into (Carpentry)
liters of potable product (to a maximum of 100%). The This Skill represents the characters knowledge of such
maximum percentage of alcohol present is equal to the things as carts, sledges, wagons, and other such
Effect Number. This may be reduced to any level below the conveyances. A BCS roll is made to determine the job to be
maximum that the character desires. done, which is then accomplished with Carpentry Skill.
A Character may work with a number of units of raw
materials (yeast, water, and fermentable material) equal to Salvage Food WT + DFT + Scientific 1
his Deftness times 2. Exercising this Skill is usually done in (Nutritionist)
weekly turns. The character may perform other long-term This Skill allows a character to salvage a portion of
actions during the week but he will be Hindered by his contaminated foodstuffs. A successful BCS roll allows the
activity using this Skill. character to make a Wit Group Effect Die roll. This result is
multiplied by 5 to give the percentage of the food that is
Foreign Language (specify) WT + WL + Communicative 1
salvaged.
This is the ability to speak a foreign language. The exact
language must be specified. Literacy in the language is a Tactics WT + Combative + Communicative 1
separate Skill. This Skill allows a character to make observations of the
tactical situation, causing the Gamesmaster to give the
InterrogationS WL + WT + Charismatic 1 player information regarding thesituation that the player has
This Skill allows a character to interrogate another to get not figured out for himself. Such things as where the leader
information from him. The Gamesmaster will present the is, the possible presence of snipers or flanking forces, the
interrogator with conclusions drawn from the information implications of an observed move on the part of an enemy,
gotten from the subject. A Critical Miss will result in incorrect etc., can be learned. The exact knowledge given out is at the
conclusions being drawn. discretion of the Gamesmaster and should be considered
For each period of interrogation, the interrogating ca refuIIy.
character will roll the Effect Die for the Group of the sum of
his Wit and Will. This will give a base number of interro- Tailor DFT + DFT + Esthetic 1
gation points. The subject will make a Will Saving Throw. A This Skill allows a character to produce garments in
critical save (die roll of 1) means that he will never break in Flexible, Quiltable materials. Garment production follows
this interrogation although the Gamesmaster need not that presented with Leatherworking Skill.
inform the players of that fact. A roll in his Critical Saving
WeaverISpinner DFT + WT + Esthetic 1
Throw range will divide the base number of interrogation
points by 3, round down, and a roll in the Ability Saving With this Skill a character can produce fabric from raw
Throw range will divide them by 2, round down. When the materials. The raw materials are rated by the Gamesmaster
total of interrogation points exceed the subjects Will in units which will provide a unit of fabric that may then be
Attribute score he has broken and will tell the interrogator used with Tailor Skill.
what he can. If the subjects Will Saving Throw is a 20 at
any point, he is considered to have broken in that session. TECHNICAL PHYSICAL SKILLS
Application of sophisticated methods of physical or
Automobile Driving DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
psychological torture will act as multipliers to the base
(Technology Use)
interrogation points. The exact value of such things is left
This Skill governs the operation of cars and trucks.
t o the fiendish imagination of the Gamesmaster.
Alternatively, they may make the interrogation period Basic Research WT + WT + Scientific 1
shorter, or make it both shorter and more effective. This Skill represents the characters ability to get
A basic interrogation period of 1 hour is recommended as information from research materials. It is a basic Skill
a starting point. required for some sciences. In cultures with computer
storage of such materials, the additional use of Technology
LeatherworkingT DFT + WT + Esthetic 1
Use will allow a character access to such materials.
Leatherworking Skill allows a character to produce well-
tanned hides with a successful BCS roll. A failed roll results Heavy Equipment DrivingT DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
in poorly-tanned hides. The character may make hides into (Technology Use)
garments. This requires 1 unit of hide per Location to be This Skill governs the operation of such things as
covered and has a Task Value equal to the Armor Value on bulldozers, cranes, and other earthmovers. It also governs
one Location times the number of Locations to be covered. the driving of military vehicles such as tanks and armored
The process of Hardening leather takes a week. A personnel carriers.
character with Leatherworking Skill may supervise the
Hardening of a number of garment equal to his Wit Group. Lab Technique DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
(Technology Use)
Literacy (specify) WT + WT + Communicative 1 This Skill represents the characters ability to perform
This Skill governs the reading and writing of a language. functions in a laboratory environment. It is used to perform
When using a book the character must make a Literacy BCS tasks which require chemical synthesis or analysis.
roll to receive any benefits. The language(s) in which the This Skill is required for many advanced scientific
character is literate must be specified. knowledges.
19

LockpickingTSE DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 This Skill is also a basic requirement if a character wishes
The name of this Skill explains its nature. The rules for to make metal armor although the actual Task is
locks and lockpicking are found in Book 1 on page 46. accomplished using an averaged BCS.
Practice of this Skill requires a forge and blacksrnithing
Magnalock PenetrationTpE DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
tools.
(Technology Use)
Magnalocks are locks using card-keys. They require Botany is WT + Scientific + Natural 2(Pre-/Post-Ruin)
power to be operative. If they are operative, a character with This Skill allows the character to recognize plant life. I f the
this Skill, who also has a magnatuner, can attempt to open plants involved have specific functions in the game, the
them. They operate like combination locks (as presented on Gamesmaster would inform the player of the nature of those
page 46 in Book 1) in that they have numbers in the functions.
combination which must be separately achieved.
Chemistry WT +. Scientific + Mechanical 1
Motorcycle DrivingTpA DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 This Skill is a basic science required for the basic
(Technology Use) performance with Skills requiring chemical knowledge.
This Skill governs the control of motorcycles. It can also be
used for controlling mopeds. Computer ScienceS
Powerboat Pilot DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 (Technology Use) WT + Scientific + Mechanical
(Technology Use) 2( Programming/System Design)
This Skill governs the control of motor-powered small Each of the areas of this Skill works differently.
craft. For each 20 points of Programming the character acquires
Technology UseS DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 1 computer language. A character must know the correct
language for a program in order to apply Programming Skill.
This is a basic Skill required for most technical Skills. It
Either a character knows a language or he does not.
represents the characters ability to deal with mechanical
Variations on a language are treated as negative modifiers to
contrivances and the rationale behind them. For example,
his BCS roll. Computer languages are numbered 1 to 5 for
to operate an elevator correctly a character would require
convenience. Any Gamesmaster wishing to get into more
Technology Use Skill.
specific detail is encouraged to do so, but he should
remember that some of his players may not have the same
expertise with modern computers that he does.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGES With Programming, a character may write new programs
Aerial Recon InterpretationS WT + Scientific + Esthetic 1 for a computer as a Task. Cracking acomputers security isa
(Technology Use, Basic Research, and Mathematics) lengthy Task and should have increased turn lengths on the
A successful use of this Skill allows correct interpretation order of a week per turn, as opposed to a normal
of aerial reconnaissance photographs and other similar Programming turn of a day.
intelligence materials. System Design is the Skill used to coordinate the
Advanced MedicalS WT + DFT + Scientific 1 programming of a computer with the various peripheral
(Lab Technique and First Aid) devices which will execute the program and perform the
Many of the applications of this Skill are given in the functions called for in the program. The proper design for
sections on damage and healing in the first book. integrating all this is treated as a Task.
ArchitectureS WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1 DecontaminationS WT + DFT + Scientific 1
(Technology Use, Basic Research, and Mathematics) (Lab Technique)
Besides allowing a character to perform the Task of This Skill represents the characters ability to cope with
designing structures, this Skill allows a character to gauge decontamiation of persons and things with regard to
the structural soundness of a man-made construction. nuclear, biological, or chemical contaminants. Proper
technique may require equipment. A successful BCS roll will
ArmorerT DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 mean that the character knows the proper technique. A
(Blacksmithing for metal armors/Plastics Forming for plastic second roll, and the proper supplies or equipment, are
armors) necessary to complete the process.
This Skill allows the character with the proper tools to Defusing Explosives AS DFT+ WT + Mechanical 1
produce armor in the same way that a character with (Technology Use)
Leatherworking Skill produces garments, except that his The name of this Skill is self-explanatory. T o perform with
score in Armorer Skill is averaged with his score in the Skill it, a character must average his score in this Skill with the
governing the material being worked in order to determine score in the Skill governing the type of explosive to be
the characters BCS for performing theTask.This BCS is not defused in order to determine his BCS. At the
to exceed the lower of the two normal Basic Chances of Gamesmasters decree the Task of defusing an explosive
Success. device may require tools. The Task Periods may be as short
This Skill requires a forge and the proper tools for
working the materials involved as 1 Combat Turn.
A failure will mean the device will explode at its planned
Automobile MechanicT DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 time. A Critical failure will cause it to explode immediately. A
(Technology Use) character with a BCS of 20 will avoid the critical failure i f he
This Skill allows a character to make repairs on cars, can make a Deftness Critical Saving Throw.
trucks, motorcycles and other land vehicles. Repairs are Demolitions A;r DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
treated as a Task. Details of Repairing vehicles are found in (Technology Use)
the section on Vehicles on page 62. This Skill governs the placement and use of explosive
Blacksmithing DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 substances. A character will average his score with his score
(Technology Use) in the Explosives Skill governing the type of explosives in
This Skill allows the character to make useful items out Of use. Details of use of this Skill are given in the section on
metal. Each item is treated as a Task and the Gamesmaster explosive devices on page 44.
must decide on the required amount of raw material and the DistillationT WT + Mechanical + Scientific 1
number of Task Points involved. (Technology Use)
20

This Skill allows the character to distill alcohol, either for maximum number of rounds that may be reloaded in that
consumption by humans of for vehicles. The percentage of period. A single round requires 1 primer, 1 cartridge of a
starting materials turned into liters of usable alcohol is the specific caliber, 1 bullet compatible with the cartridge, and a
sum of the characters Wit Group and Deftness Group Effect number of grains of powder equal to the BDG of that
Die rolls multiplied by the Efficiency Factor of the still. A caliber.
character may work with a number of units of raw materials A round may be loaded with twice the normal powder to
equal to his Deftness plus his Wit. Exercising of this Skill is achieve a Hi-V round.
usually done in weekly turns. This Skill requires the The Efficiency Factor of the Handloading Kit will be
characters full attention. altered by the results of the characters BCS roll. I f
A home-made still built by a character with Distillation successful, the Effect Number times .1 will be added to the
Skill will have an efficiency factor of .1 times the sum of that Factor and, if unsuccessful, the Effect Number times .1 will
characters Effect Die rolls for his Wit and Deftness Groups. be subtracted from it. A Critical failure means that the
No still will give more than a 90% efficiency. expected number of rounds are completed but, when fired,
they will automatically indicate a Critical Miss. Control
Electrician DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 Throws will be applicable at that point.
(Technology Use)
A character with this Skill may perform electrical repairs Internal Combustion Engine
and rework circuits. Such attempts are Tasks and will be (Physics and Mathematics)
treated as such. Some operations will require tools but the WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1
simple tracing of a circuit will not. Thisskill does not include This Skill represents the characters facility with
the design of new electrical circuits, although it will allow a understanding and designing internal combustion engines.
character to build a new one from a circuit diagram and the Design is, of course, a Task and weekly turns are usual. This
proper materials. is not a repair Skill.
Encryption WT + Scientific + Esthetic 1 Machining DFT + WT + Mechanical 1

(Basic Research) (Technology Use)
Decoding and encoding messages are Tasks. Decoding This Skill is a metal-working Skill allowing a character to
requires a successful BCS roll to achieve the characters Wit produce metal artifacts when using at least a Tool Kit 2. Each
Group Effect Die roll inTask Pointsfinished. Critical success artifact will be rated by the Gamesmaster as a Task.
indicates the code is broken and critical failure seems to This Skill can also govern woodworking with power tools.
indicate the same thing but the message will be read
Marine Mechanic DFT + WT +Mechanical 1
incorrectly. Encoding does not require a BCS roll but the
(Technology Use)
character still requires time to perform the Task.
This Skill functions as does Automobile Mechanic except
A code will subtract its Difficulty from the BCS roll of any
that it deals with vehicles which move on the water.
character trying to break it. A character can produce a code
as aTask. In weekly turns,thecharactermayfinishanumber Mathematics WT + Scientific + Communicative 1
of Task Points equal to his Wit Group Effect Die roll. For This is a basic scientific Skill and is also required if a
every 20 points thus accumulated,the character will give the character is to perform mathematical computations.
code a difficulty of 1. The maximum difficulty that a
Mechanically Generated Power
character may give to the code is equal to twice his Wit
(Technology Use and Physics)
Group.
WT + Mechanical + Scientific 1
Firearms Repair, ModernT DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 This Skill represents the characters understanding and
(Firearms Repair, Primitive and Machining) familiarity with such things as windmills, waterwheels, and
This Skill allows a character to restore Durability to other devices used to gain mechanical advantage. It also
firearms given time, equipment, and parts. It also allows a covers his ability to design such devices.
character to lay down specifications for parts of firearms to
be produced using other Skills such as Machining. Operational Command
Each point of Durability requiresa unit of parts, aTool Kit2 (Tactics) WT + Combative + Scientific 1
and the accomplishment of 10 Task Points. This Skill is used by the commander of a side in Tactical
Level Combat as explained in Book 3. It representstheability
Firearms Repair, PrimitiveT DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 to command large groups of men in military endeavors.
(Blacksmithing or Machining)
This Skill functions as the Modern form except that it is Pathology WT + WT + Scientific
(Chemistry and Advanced Medical)
1
used for primitive firearms.
This is the medical Skill which deals with diseases. Details
First Aid * WT + DFT + Scientific 1 are given in the section dealing with diseases in Book 1 .
This Skill covers basic medical treatment on an immediate
level. Specific applications are given in the section on
Pharmacy WT + DFT +Scientific 1
(Chemistry and Lab Technique)
damage and healing in Book 1.
This Skill represents the characters knowledge of the
Handloading DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 techniques necessary to produce particular drugs. A
(Technology Use) successful BCS means that he has remembered the tech-
This Skill allows a character to reload spent centerfire nique correctly. Critical failure means that he only believes
cartridges when he has the tools, supplies, and time that he has, and the end product will be something else
necessary. enti rely.
Handloading Kits are classified as pistol, rifle, or shotgun. The actual production of a drug requires the exercise of
They are also rated for an Efficiency Factor. Cartridges and Lab Technique Skill. Each drug should be rated as a Task
bullets are specific to a given caliber. Primers are and Task Periods are usually a day. Once the Task is
interchangeable and powder is allocated according to the finished, the number of units of drug will be determined. A
BDG. For each reloading period of an hour, a character may potential unit of drug will consume a number of units of
assemble a base number of rounds equal to his Deftness chemical supplies. The maximum number of potential units
Group Effect Die roll. This base number is multiplied by the controllable by a character is equal to his Wit Group times
modified Efficiency Factor of the Handloading Kit to give the the Efficiency Factor of the Lab, round nearest. The
ai

percentage of potential units of drug that are actually made except that its area of expertise deals with telegraph
into usable drug is equal to the characters Wit Group Effect communications.
Die roll multiplied by 10 and then multiplied by the modified
Telephone Communications WT + DFT + Mechanical 1
Efficiency Factor of the Lab in use. The maximum conversion
(Technology Use)
rate is 90%. Any fractional units are lost. The Efficiency
This Skill functions as does Radio Communications Skill,
Factor of the Lab is modified by the characters Pharmacy
except that its area of expertise deals with telephone
BCS rolls Effect Number in the usual fashion. This roll is
communications.
separate from the roll to determine if he knows the correct
technique. Television CommunicatlonsS WT + DFT + Mechanical 1
If any of the Lab Technique rolls should be a 20, the (Technology Use)
resultant drugs will actually be poisons. The formula is left to This Skill functions as does Radio Communications Skill,
the Gamesmaster but it is suggested that it reflect the except that its area of expertise deals with television
formula or effects of the drug that was supposedly being communications.
synthesized. A Pharmacy BCS roll, modified by the Effect Therapy WT + DFT + Scientific 1
Number from the roll which produced the poison, will detect (Advanced Medical)
it at the end of the process. This advanced medical Skill deals with restoration of lost
Physicss WT + Mechanical + Scientific 1 Attribute points and maintenance of current scores. Details
(Mathematics) of applications of this Skill are given in Book 1 in the sections
A basic scientific Skill required for advanced techniques. on damage and healing and in the section on the effects of
Plastics Forming DFT + WT + Mechanical 1

aging.
Weaponsmithing DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
(Technology Use)
(Blacksmithing or Machining for metal; Machining or
This Skill allows a character with the tools and units of
plastic stock to produce artifacts of plastic. Each artifact will Carpentry for wood)
be rated by the Gamesmaster as aTask for the amount of raw This Skill is the weapon-producing counterpart of Armorer
material to be consumed, time period required, and number Skill. The prerequisite Skill will depend o n the type of
of Task Points. weapon to be made. The Task Value of a weapon is its basic
Practice of this Skill requires the use of a Plastics Forming WDM times its Survival Value and the basic Task Period is a
Kit. Such Kits will be rated for weight of plastics that they can day.
deal with and for the type of forming that may be done with When aweapon ha5 a wooden shaft and a metal head, each
them. part must be made separately and not necessarily by the
same character. The Task Value of the head is twice the
Radio CommunicationsS WT + DFT + Mechanical 1 WDM and the Value of the shaft is twice the Survival Value.
(Technology Use) A die roll of 1 during the process will add .1 times the
This Skill represents the characters understanding of the characters Deftness Group to the WDM or subtract that
principals and mechanics of radio communication and the value from the ENC Value at the weaponsmiths choice. A die
devices used in it. Electrician Skill is required to make repairs roll of 20 will both add to the ENC value and subtract from the
or build such devices but a character with Electrician Skill WDM a number equal to .1 times the Effect Number.
must follow the directions of a character with this Skill to do Machining metal for an edged surface (a weapon which
so. does L type damage) will reduce the WDM by .1 times (6
Design of radio communications is a Task that is governed minus the characters score in Machining divided by 20 and
by this Skill. rounded down).
Simple ExplosivesS DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
The characters score in Weaponsmithing Skill is averaged
with his score in the Skill covering the material being worked
(Chemistry and Lab Technique)
on to determine thecharacters BCS for performing theTask.
This Skill functions with respect to producing simple
explosives such as TNT, nitroglycerine, blasting caps, etc., The tools required for this Skill are those required for the
Skill being used on the particular material.
as Pharmacy Skill does with respect to drugs.
Initial critical failure on the Simple Explosive BCS roll will Zoologys WT + Scientific + Natural 2(Pre-/Post-Ruin)
result in an inert substance. The explosives equivalent of a This Skill is the counterpart of Botany Skill. It deals with
poison is an unstable substance which will explode at the the characters knowledge of animals. A successful BCS roll
end of the manufacturing process. The Simple Explosives would allow the player to view the entry for the animal in
BCS roll to identify such a failure may br made before the Book 3, if it is a standard one, or the entry in the
explosion, allowing the character to aborr the process with Gamesmasters notebook, if it is one he has added to the list.
only the loss of time and materials.
This Skill also represents the characters ability to
assemble simple detonation devices and the proper HIGH TECHNOLOGY PHYSICAL SKILLS
placement of explosives of the type covered by the Skill. (All these Skills require Technology Use)
Strategic Command WT + Scientific + Combative 1 Aviation MechanicT DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
(Operational Command) (High Technology Use)
This Skill is a higher powered version of Operational This Skill is the counterpart to Automobile Mechanic but is
Command Skill. It is called into play when the Gamesmaster used for aircraft.
wishes to resolve the results of a whole series of Tactical
High Technology UseS DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Level Battles forming a military campaign in short order. If he
This Skill allows the character to deal with highly
is using the military campaign rules presented in Book 3, this
technological devices that are not covered by a specific Skill.
Skill has a different function which is explained in detail
In some cases, it will also allow him to use devices that are
there. Simply put, it may affect the size of the forces covered under a particular Skill, although hewill not have the
involved.
facility with them nor will they have the versatility normally
Telegraphy DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 accruing to them that a character with the proper Skill will
(Technology Use) have. This latter case applies to ECM devices, control
This Skill functions as does Radio Communications Skill, boards, and other equipment.
22

Pilot, Fixed Wing' DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 Plastic Synthesizatlon' WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1
This Skill governs the operation and control of fixed-wing (Chemistry and Lab Technique)
aircraft. This Skill allows a character, with the proper equipment
Pilot, Submersible ' DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 and the raw materials, to produce plastic stock. The
process works as the production of drugs using Pharmacy
This Skill governs the operation and control of small
underwater vehicles such as mini-subs. Skill. The equivalent to the production of a poison is a
useless batch which only costs time and raw materials. Fora
Pilot, Rotary Wing ' DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 Lab, a Plastics Synthesization Kit is substituted. These are
This Skill governs the operation and control of rotary- rated according to Efficiency Factor and type of production.
winged aircraft such as helicopters.
Power Generation, Electrical
Pilot, Spacecraft' DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 (Physics, Mechanically Generated Power, and Electrician)
(Zero-G Training and High Technology Use) WT +Scientific + Mechanical 1
This Skill governs the operation and control of small to This Skill is concerned with the design and operation of
medium spacecraft such as the shuttle. power plants t o generate electrical energy from fossil fuel or
Pilot, Variable Wing' DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 hydroelectric sources. Design of such plants is a very large
This Skill governs the operation and control of VTOL or Task.
STOL aircraft such as the Hawker Harrier. Power Generation, Nuclear WT +Scientific +Mechanical 1
SafecrackingTsE DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 (Power Generation Electrical)
This Skill governs the opening of combination locks This Skill is similar to the one above but deals with nuclear
without having the combination. Combination locks are energy sources.
dealt with on page 47 of Book 1. Power Generation, Solar WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1
SCUBA DivingAsT DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 (Physics and High Technology Use)
This Skill governs the use of underwater breathing This Skill is similar to those above but deals with solar
apparatus. It may be used to substitute for Swimming Skill energy sources.
whenever it is called for in the rules for operating underwater Productionof Fuel, Hydride' WT +Scientific +Mechanical 1
in Detailed Action Time on page 33 i n Book 1. (Chemistry and Lab Technique)
A diver may add a number of combat turns (equal t o his This Skill allows a character, with the proper equipment
score in the Skill divided by 20 and rounded down) to the and the raw materials, to produce metallic hydrides which
maximum time he may hold his breath. release hydrogen to be burned as fuel in certain engines.
Zero-G Training A SPD + DFT + Natural 1 This process works as the production of drugs using
This Skill is used in a zero-G environment in much the Pharmacy Skill. The equivalent of a poison is a labexplosion
same way that Swimming Skill is used when the character is with a blast effect equal to the Effect Number of the roll which
in water over his head. All physical Skills must be averaged produced it. This explosion will, in any case, destroy that
with it to determine the base BCS, which in thiscase isnever batch and the raw materials Involved. The total damage done
higher than the BCS in whichever Skill has the lower BCS. is the percent chance that the Lab will be totallydestroyed. If
it is not destroyed it will be Disrepaired (40% chance) or
Junked (the other 60%).
HIGH TECHNOLOGY KNOWLEDGESS Production of Fuel, Petroleum'
Complex Explosives DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 (Chemistry and Lab Technique)
(Simp le Explosives) WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1
This Skill is an advanced form of Simple Explosives Skill This Skill allows a character, with the proper equipment
and operates in the smae way but deals with more advanced and the raw materials, to produce fuel petroleum. This
explosives such as plastic explosives and other such process works as the production of drugs with Pharmacy
wonders of modern technology. Skill. The equivalent of a poison is a lab explosion as detailed
Computer Design WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1 above.
(Computer Science, Mathematics, and High Technology
Use)
This Skill allows the character to design computer
hardware as a Task. Once designed, it must be built and
powered before it can be operated. This Skill isalso useful in
figuring out a computer layout, if one should be found, and
determining what would have to be done to get it functioning
again.
ECM Operation' DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
(High Technology Use)
This Skill allows a character who has access to Electronic
Counter Measure equipment a chance t o increase its
efficiency by the Effect Number of his BCS roll. He may
decrease it if his BCS roll fails.
Laser Technology WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1
(High Technology Use)
This Skill represents the character's understanding of
laser technology for the purposes of working with it,
repairing it or designing it. Any repair or construction work
would be in the province of an appropriate Skill but the
knowledge of what to solder where, for example, would
come from this Skill. Designs or other working diagrams are
a Task.
23

FIREARMS
Characters may well be said to live (and die) by the Gun. BARREL LENGTH
Current estimates place millions of weapons and billions of Up to a given length, the longer a barrel is, the faster its
rounds in this country alone. With modern storage bullet will travel. Longer weapons are more accurate (as a
techniques, guns and ammo broken out of factory packaging rule) than shorter ones. This is one reason why rifles have
will almost certainly work as well 20-30 years after greater range than pistols, and fire with more power. But of
manufacture as they do fresh from the maker. course, the longer a barrel is, the bulkier the weapon will be,
Garners with firearms experience will find some rules here making for higher Encumbrance, and requiring two handsto
that they disagree with (if we may judge by the response from fire properly.
our playtesters). As always, the Gamesmaster may cer- The standard abbreviation for Barrel Length is BBL. The
tainly choose to modify the rules for his campaign in any way standard BBL values are as follows:
he sees fit. We would like to point out that more authen-
PISTOLS
tic gun rules may be difficult for Players who do not share
Snub-nosed (SNUB): BBL less than 3 (7.62cm).
his experience with such weapons, and counsel prudence in Short (SHT): BBL 3-4 (7.62-10.16cm)
any such expansions.
Standard (STD): BEL 4-7 (10.16-17.78cm)
This chapter is divided into several sections: Long (LNG): BBL 10-12 (17.78-25.3cm)
A brief introduction to the workings of modern firearms. Extra Long (XLNG): BBL 10-12 (25.4-30.48crn)
Rules for the operation of guns. Pistol Carbine BBL 12 (30.48crn) o r more
Rules for ammunition and gunshop effects. All of the Pistol sizes arefired using PISTOLSkill; however
Other fixearms (machine guns, black powder weapons, it requires TWO hands to properly handleany weapon with a
heavy weapons, mortars, etc.). Pistol Carbine BBL.
Appendices appear at the end of Book 3, containing Long guns will rarely run shorter than about 16 in length.
examples of real weapons translated into Aftermath! terms LONG GUNS
and a Gun List for the Gamesmasters use.
Carbine: Any Long Gun with a BBL of 20 (50.8cm) or less
Rifle: Any Long Gun with a BBL of over 20 (50.8crn)
HOW GUNS WORK Also included in this class are Shotguns and certain
This section is primarily intended for those who requirean
automatlc weapons, called Sub-Machine guns. It requires
overview of how firearms function, and to provide readers two hand to properly fire any Long Gun.
with the underlying rationale behind the Aftermath! gun In keeping the playing record of any firearm, the class of
rules. BBL must be noted, as it will be referred to often.
A firearm is any weapon using the force generated by
igniting gunpowder to fire a projectile.Thisdefinition covers
everything from early cannon-locks to M-16, from derringers ENCUMBRANCE
to howitzers. The Encumbrance of a gun is drawn from the weapons
The firearms we will be concentrating on in this section size and the weight of the real model being adapted to the
and the weapons most often used in Aftermath! are classified game system.
as SMALL ARMS. By this we mean weapons which are A Base ENC is assigned to the form of the weapon, to
designed to be carried easily and used by a singlecharacter. which its real weight in kg/lO is added.
Heavier weapons, such as machineguns, mortars, bazookas, Pistol SNUB or SHT: Base ENC equals .2
etc., are classified as SUPPORT WEAPONS, and are Pistol STD or LNG: Base ENC equals .3
discussed on page 37. Pistol XLNG: Base ENC equals .5
There are two primary forms of Small Arms: Pistols and Pistol Carbine or Carbine: Base ENC equals .7
Long Guns, the latter also called Shoulder Arms. The Rifle: Base ENC equals 1
Revolver is the commonest example of the Pistol, and the Shotgun: Base ENC equals 1.2
Rifle is the obvious example of the Long Gun. The only real Riot Gun (Sawed-off Shotgun): Base ENC equals .8
effect theseclassifications have in thegame if thequestion of
which Skill is used to fire the weapon in combat: PISTOL Eg. the M-1 Garand Rifleof WWll i s a BIG gun. Weighing in
Skill applies to Pistols, and RIFLE Skill to Long Guns. at 4.4 kg (9.5 Ib.) it will have an ENC of 1 (Base ENC for Rifles)
A Pistol is defined as being small enough to fire easily in plus .4, or 1.4.
one hand, although two may be required in the case of very Contrariwise, a little 32 ACP caliber autoloading pistol, a
long ones. Their other distinguishing feature is the fact that Saturday Night Special, weighing barely 10 oz., has an
they are held by a pistol grip, or butt, having no shoulder ENC of .24.
stock.
Long Guns are usually possessed of barrels over 18
(50cm) and are fitted with a Shoulder Stock. This latter
feature is their main distinguishing mark. They are generally
heavier and fire more powerful ammo than Pistols, with
greater range, accuracy and hitting power.
PHYSICAL SPEC IFICAT I0NS
In these rules we will be quantifying a number of physical
characteristics of real weapons for purposes of
constructing a game model. 357 Magnum
24

GUN ACTION in close combat is achieved by firing short bursts of 3-4
The Gun Action is the internal mechanism of the weapon, rounds each. However, under stress, many a dogface will
controlling how often it fires, the manner in which it clears clamp down on his trigger, spraying bullets wildly and
the spent cartridge casing, prepares a new cartridge, cocks, emptying his clip to no profit. Thus, many new assault
and fires again. rif!es and sub-machine guns incorporate an intermediate
setting between AL fire (semi-automatic) and FA, or Full
There are three major classes of Gun Action:
Automatic. This is the Auto-Burst. The weapon will fire a
SINGLE SHOT ACTIONS: The weapon requires manual set number of rounds (usually 3) every time the trigger is
action by the firer to prepare for each shot. The principal pulled. This permits the use of automatic weapons without
forms of Single Shot Actions are as follows: wasting shots or causing unforeseen jamming.
Single Shot (SS): The weapon only holds one cartridge at a It should be mentioned that automatic fire can befound as
time. After it is fired, the gun must be reloaded. a Gun Action in several different forms of gun. Modern
Single Action (SA): The weapon must be manually cocked military rifles and carbines generally have autofire
after each shot. This type of Action is usually found in the capability. There are also the Sub-Machine Guns, orSMG.
six-shooters of the Old West, although modern replicas which come in two sizes. The larger is classed as a Carbine,
of these guns may also be made with Single Action the smaller as an XLNG Pistol.
mechanisms. As noted in the description of Autoweapon Skill (p. 17) the
Bolt Action (BA): Usually found only in rifles, a bolt mounted user of a weapon firing FA or AB must average that Skill with
at the back of the barrel must be worked manually to eject the one governing the use of that sizelshape of gun. Thus,
the spent shell, chamber a new one for firing, and cock the firing a Pistol form SMG would require averaging
weapon. Autoweapon and Pistol Skills. The use of a larger SMG, or an
Lever Action (LA): The famous Winchester carbine is the automatic Carbine or Rifle, averages the Rifle Skill with
classic example of a Lever Action rifle. A lever mounted Autoweapon.
around the guns trigger must be pumped to perform the
eject-chamber-cock cycle needed for the next shot. Feature
Pump Action (PA): This is also called Slide Action, or even Folding Stock
Trombone Action. A sliding sleeve is mounted along the Many SMG and some other weapons have this Feature, a
bottom of the gunstock, along the barrel. The firer must shoulder stock which can be removed or folded out of the
pump this forward and then back in order to eject, way. When this stock is extended, the weapon is fired using
chamber, and cock the weapon. Rifle Skill in combination with Autoweapon to derive the
BCS. When the stock is folded up, the Skill used is Pistol.
MULTI-SHOT ACTIONS: These firearms are designed SO
that all the user needs to do for his next shot is pull the
trigger. The principal forms are: AM MUNIT10N
In discussing the specifications of a gun, only two aspects
Double Action (DA): Found only in revolvers, as a rule; the of the ammunition it fires need be taken intoaccount: WHAT
trigger pull also cocks the weapon and turns the cylinder does the weapon fire, and HOW is it loaded?
to present the fresh cartridge for firing. Further discussion of ammunition and its effect will be
Autoloading (AL): Also called Semi-Automatic. This type found in the section entitled Bullets and Ballistics (P. 34).
of weapon is often referred to as an Automatic, but this is
CALIBER
a misnomer. An automatic weapon fires a continuous The question What does the gun fire relates to the
stream of bullets as long as the trigger is held down. See particular cartridge it is designed to use as ammunition. Asa
below for more details. The classic AL pistol is the Army rule, if a gun is made to use one type of cartridge, it cannot
Colt 45 M1911A1. In rifles, the M1 Garand of the WWll fire any other round at all. Trying that will only get you an
infantryman stands out in ones memory. Autoloaders exploding weapon in your hands. Most unpleasant.
carry their ammo in aspring-fedclip. When the gun fires, Many people are aware that cartridges are measured by
part of the force generated is channelled to throw the their Caliber. Most also know that Caliber is a measure of
weapons bolt, ejecting the old cartridge. The clips spring the bullets diameter either in inches or in millimeters. Giving
then snaps a new one in place. Meanwhile, the bolt is things a bit of thought, it becomes apparent that a 45
recovering from the effects of the last shot, but instead of Caliber slug cannot be 45 inches across, and the reason
coming back to the fully closed position, it stops in the why it is properly written as .45 becomes clear. But what
cocked position. All this takes mere fractions of a second, most people do not know, unless they are familiar with guns
with the result that all the firer is aware of is that each time to some extent, is that there are about 3 different kinds of .45
he pulls the trigger, the gun will fire. Caliber ammunition in existence, none of which are
interchangeable. Likewise, such arcane facts as the
AUTOMATIC WEAPONS: As stated above, the term similarity between NATOs 7.62mm cartridge and the ,308
Automatic refers to weapons capable of fire which
Winchester load (they are the same) are not in everybodys
continues as long as the trigger is depressed. There are two general body of knowledge.
forms of Automatic Gun Action found in Small Arms. It is not enough to call a gun a 45. If one speaks of a45
Automatic, then it is a safe bet that the ammunition in
Full Automatic (FA): The weapon fires Bursts of bullets,
question is .45 ACP (for Automatic Colt Pistol), the round
instead of single rounds as non-automatic guns do. Such
designed by Colt Firearms for use with that weapon. But a
Bursts can be long or short, but generally Small Arms
38 Revolver might load any one of several cartridges;
cannot be built durableenough toallow unlimited autofire.
which is the proper type of .38 caliber ammo?
The longer a Burst is maintained, the greater the chance
that the weapon will jam, as some element of its It must be clearly understood when describing a gun just
what exact ammo it can use.
mechanism falls out of synch with the murderous rhythm
of the discharge. BALL AND SHOT
There are two types of Small Arms ammunition to be
Auto-Burst (AB): The Autoburst feature is a recent considered. The usual type referred to by such terms as
development in firearms design. Military doctrine has long cartridge or round is called Ball Ammunition. This is a
maintained that the maximum efficiency of automatic fire metal bullet encased in a brass jacket, or case. But there is
25

another form of ammunition, equally common: the Shot Box Magazine (Box): The true Clip. A small metal box,
Shell. Such shells are fired by Shotguns and contain either a holding a variable number of rounds. When reloading the
single heavy slug or numerous small pellets of lead or steel weapon, the old clip is simply removed and a new one
shot enclosed in a paper or shell. inserted. The first round must then be chambered
The section of page 34 will describe the two forms of manually, and the Gun Action takes over from there as
ammo. What is important to remember here is that Shotguns described in Autoloader Action. This is the fastest
cannot fire Ball Ammo. reloading weapon in the system, but has the disadvantage
MAGAZINES that the clips are not usually interchangeable. That is, the
Magazine refers to the part of thegun in which theammo clip from your Detonics Snub-Nosed 45 Autoloader will
is carried for firing. In some firearms, this is an integral part of not serve to load your Colt Combat Commander, although
the weapons structure, In others, a removab1eclip is used. both weapons are clip-fed autoloaders using 45 ACP
The particular type of magazine is very important in at least ammo.
one common situation in Aftermath!: reloading an empty
Stripper Clip (Strip): Also known as the en bloc clip. The
weapon in the middle of a fight.
best example of a Strip weapon is the M1 Garand rifle,
INTEGRAL MAGAZINES which loads an 8 shot Stripper Clip of 30-06 ammo. Most
Also called Non-detachable magazines. These are all of Strip loading weapons eject the empty Stripper when
a piece with the gun itself. the last round in it is fired. As with Box Magazines, the
Swing-out Cylinder (Swing-Cyl): Found only in revolvers. Stripper for weapon A will rarely fit weapon 6, even when
The cylinder swings out at the touch of a small release. Calibers and capacities are the same.
Empty cases are ejected in the same motion. New rounds
are loaded in by hand, or in a group if using a Quick In recording the magazine statistics on a given weapon,
Reload device, a small spring clip holding a full load of the capacity of the magazine must be noted. Most guns allow
ammo. The cylinder is then snapped closed and the gun is the option of carrying a round in the chamber. I.e., in an
ready to fire. autoloading pistol with a 7 round clip, an eighth round may
Snap-out Cylinder (Snap-Cyl): Again found only in be carried already in the firing chamber, ready to fire. EUT-
revolvers. Very similar to Swing-Cy1 weapons, except that this may lead to accidental discharge of the weapon if it is
the cylinder is remover completely, instead of swinging dropped or struck! The Gamesmaster may apply his
out on a non-detachable axle. Thus, it is possible to carry a discretion in such matters. If the question arises, 1D6should
spare cylinder already loaded, eliminating the need to be rolled. If the score rolled is greater than or equal to the
reload rounds into the removed one. guns DUR, it goes off. If the safety of the gun is on, add 1 to
Portal Cylinder (Port-Cyl): Found only in replicas of Old the effective DUR.
West revolvers. The cylinder does not come out. Spent An autoloading or automatic weapon which does NOT
rounds are removed and new ones loaded through a small have a round in the chamber is not ready to fire. In such a
portal mounted to the right of the guns trigger. This is case, the action must be worked once, manually, to chamber
the slowest reloading revolver in the system. that first round and cock the weapon. Thereafter, fired
Portal Magazine (Port-Mag): Formally known as the Non- rounds will provide the impetus needed to cycle the gun for
Detachable Staggered Box Magazine. This is a standard its next shot.
magazine found in rifles that dont use clips. It is loaded
through a small portal mounted under the gunstock, in
front of the trigger guard. The usual capacity is5 rounds of
standard ammo or 3 of Magnum ammo. OTHER FACTORS
Tubular Magazine (Tub-Mag): Similar to Port-Mag, but There are several miscellaneous factors in iirearms design
rounds are loaded in through a side port, being held in a under the headings of Durability and Features.
long, tubular magazine mounted under the barrel. Almost DURABILITY
exclusively found in lever-action weapons and Shotguns. This is an abstract figure from 1 to 5, expressing the
Falling Block (Fall-Block): A breech-loading system found in weapons overall quality and strength of construction. It has
many Single Shot pistols and rifles. A small lever rolls out many applications under the rules to follow. Under somecir-
the firing chamber, the round is inserted, the gun is closed, cumstances the weapons Durability (or DUR) may be
and is ready to fire. reduced. When the DUR falls below 1, the weapon is in a state
Break Loading (Break): Found mostly in Single Shot or of Disrepair, and must be worked on by a Gunsmith under
Double Barrelled Shotguns, and in some Single Shot ball the proper circumstances if it is to function again.
firing weapons. The gun is broken, hinged between The general meaning of a DUR value can vary, reflecting
stock and receiver, to open up and eject the spent casing. the initial quality of craftsmanship that went into the gun, or
A new round is inserted, the gun is closed, and ready to conversely the lack thereof, or simply the shape it is in after
fire. years of hard use (or abuse). The base DUR score is like a
characters DRT. While it may be reduced, the proper action
DETACHABLE MAGAZINES will restore it. The Gamesmaster may exercise his discretion
There are only two real types to consider. The box clip, in decreeing that such damage be comes permanent if not
described briefly in the outline of Autoloading Action, and tended to within a given time.
the stripper clip, a metal or plastic spring enclosing the
DUR values as we see them may be categorized as follows:
weapons load, which is inserted in one movement into the
gun. Broken. Gun will not work. Repairs required.
Low-quality weapons, especially handguns. The cheap
Saturday Night Special type of gun. Antique arms that
have not been maintained well also fall into this
category.
Cheap weapons, or very much abused ones. Dime
Store sporting arms, inexpensive replicas, mass-
produced pistols, again of the Saturday Night Special
variety.
PA, Port-Mag Rifle
26

--
3 Average quality for pistols, and for inexpensive but The following Table gives the Range Steps for each class
serviceable rifles and shotguns. of firearm. There are six Range Steps to be considered in the
4 High quality sporting arms, older military weapons. system:
5 Custom made firearms, competition class handguns, Point Blank Range (PER)
and top-quality military weapons comprise this elite of
Short Range (SHT)
the gun world. Effective Range (EFF)
These are arbitrary guidelines and Gamesmasters
Long Range (LNG)
expanding the gun inventory in their campaigns will have t o
Extreme Range (EXT)
make judgement calls on the DUR in most cases. One Maximum Range (MAX)
possible rule-of-thumb is to base ones assigned Durability
values on the market price o f the gun being used for the Also given are the Modifiers to the Basic Chance of
game model. But this can lead to low scores for well-made Success and Bullet Damage Group for shots fired at these
but inexpensive models, not uncommon in the firearms Ranges.
market.
FEATURES Feature
Throughout this chapter, various devices which will Match Weapons
enhance the use o f firearms are inserted under the heading A Feature available on some firearms will be Match quality.
of Features. Features are elements in the design of a weapon These weapons are designed for use in international
allowing better aim, faster fire, .more flexible use, etc. competition and have incredible accuracy. Weapons having
When a Feature directly affects the application of a rule, it this Feature add 50% to the distance defining their Range
is inserted following that rule in the text. A full list of Steps.
Features, including some not found in the rest of the text, Eg., a Match Rated LNG Pistol will have the following Rage
appears in Appendix 6. Steps: PBR 7.5, SHT 15, EFF 60, LNG 90, EXT 180, MAX 360.
Match Weapons also have an Inherent Accuracy bonus of
1 in the hands of unskilled users(see p.31 for the Inherent
THE GUN RULES Accuracy rules).
Having established the basic qualities of firearms, we here
give the specific rules governing their use in play. This
includes those factors determined by the weapon itself and RATE OF FIRE
those depending on the human firing it. The Rate of Fire is directly based on the Gun Action used.
It defines the number ofshotsthat thecharacter may fireina
RANGE single Action, as defined in Book 1 on p. 25. If a gun has a
Range is a function of the size and type of gun being used. Rate of 1 Shot per Action and is being used by a character
The range to the target affects the firers chance to hit and the with an MNA of 3, he may fire up to3shots per CombatTurn,
amage potential of the bullet. if all he does is fire the gun.
Range Table
Weapon
PBR SHT EFF LNG EXT MAX
Pistols
BBL : SNUB 2 10 15 25 50 100
: SHT 4 10 20 30 60 120
: STD 5 10 30 50 100 200
: LNG 5 10 40 60 120 240
: XLNG 5 20 60 80 160 320
Long Guns
Carbine 10 25 50 250 500 1000
Rifle 10 30 100 500 1000 2000
Autofire
Carbine 10 15 25 125 250 500
Rifle 10 20 50 250 500 1000
SMG 5 10 20 40 80 160
Shotguns
Slug Load 10 20 50 100 200 400
Shot Load Full Choke 10 25 30 60 100 150
Modified Choke 5 20 30 40 80 120
Open Choke 5 10 20 30 60 90
Riot Gun 5 10 15 20 30 50
BCS Modifiers plus 1 plus 1 plus 0 minus 1 minus 2 minus 5

BDG Modifiers plus 10 plus 0 plus 0 minus 10% minus 25% minus 50%
To use the Range Table, simply note the range t o the target
in meters on the combat display. Locate the Range Step
under which this figure falls on the Table. This is the Range Unless weapon is specified as having another
Step for that shot. barrel lenath.
27

defined as Odd Shots. The first Odd Shot fired in a given
Gun Actions gnd Rates
Action is resolved on the last Action Phase, along with the
Gun Action Shots per Action Shot normally fired then. Separate BCS rolls are made for
ss 1 Shot and reload for next shot both of them, but their recoil effects will penalize both rolls. If
SA 1 Shot per Action there is a second Odd Shot, resolve it in this manner but on
BA 1 Shot per Action the middle Action Phase. If there is a third Odd Shot,
LA 1 Shot per Action resolve it on the first Action. Repeat this process until all
PA 1 Shot per Action Odd Shots have been given an Action Phaseon which they
DA 1 or 2 Shots per Action. Firers choice will be resolved.
AL 1, 2, or 3 Shots per Action. Firers choice
FA Variable number of Bursts per Action OPTION
AB 1, 2, or 3 Bursts* per Action Squeeze Off Shots
The tradition of the dead eye marksman includes the
In automatic fire, Bursts are fired rather than individual ability to slo-0-owly squeeze off shots, for significant
rounds as with, other Gun Actions. The majority of increases in aim. The Gamesmaster may allow this to be
weapons fire Bursts of 3 rounds each. Some of the new done in the following manner.
super-automatic guns fire Bursts of 6. See Autofire rules The firer takes TWO Actions to compete afiring routine. In
below for details. effect, he doubles his PCA. For example, a character with an
I MNA of 2 and BAP of 10 has two Actions available per
Combat Turn, with a PCA of 5. If he elects to squeeze off a
SHOT SPACING routine of 3 Shots, firing semi-automatic, he will initiate the
Firing a gun is an Action, and thus will consume a PCA as routine on Action Phase 10 and resolve his first Shot, resolve
set down in the basic Combat rules. The exact Action Phase his second Shot on Phase 5, and his third on Action Phase 1.
on which shots are resolved will depend on the firers PCA In other words, he will fire as i f his PCA were doubled, for a
and the number of shots he is firing in that Action. score of lo!
Firing 1 Shot (or Burst): Firer will initiate Action on the first Characters with an MNA of 1 must spread this option out
Action Phase of his PCA. The Shot is resolved (ie., a hit over two Combat Turns. The real slowpokes, with an MNAof
rolled for) on the middle Action Phase. The firer recovers 0, would require 4 Combat Turns to squeeze off a firing
from the shooting routine on the last Action Phase of the routine.
Action. The character must be in Full Stance (see below) to
Squeeze Off shots.
Firer has 6AP of 10 and PCA of 5. His first act in the Squeezing off your shots will add the Deftness score to the
Combat Turn is firing a gun. He initiates Action on Action firers Skill Score with the weapon, If this increases the first
Phase 10. He resolves the Shot on Action Phase 8. He 100 points only, the BCS to hit benefits. If the second 100
completes the routine on Action Phase 6. points of Skill are raised, the Location alteration is improved.
If the bonus increases the Skill beyond 200, this is allowed,
Firing 2 S h o k F i r e r will initiate Action o n first Action Phase. being reflected by greater-than-normal Location movement.
He resolves first shot on his middle Action Phase. He Skill increase in the first 100 points does not improve Control
resolves second Shot and ends the firing routineon his last die rolls!
Action Phase. Our example from above would open fire on
Action Phase 10, resolve first Shot on Action Phase 8, Two points to clarify in the above rules are:
resolve second Shot and end Action on Action Phase 6. Shot: The term Shot refers to the normal discharge of the
Firing 3 ShotsrAction is initiated and first Shot is resolved on weapon. This may be a single Round, as with non-
first Action Phase. Second shot is resolved on middle automatic weapons, a Burst of rounds, when firing auto-
Action Phase. Third Shot is resolved and routineended on matic, a blast of shot from a shotgun, or the beam from an
last Action Phase. The example character would resolve energy weapon, i f your campaign uses such devices.
Shots on Action Phase 10, 8, and 6 if firing 3 Shots. Other meanings include rifle grenades, mortar shells,
40mm grenades from a launcher-in short, any projectile
ODD SHOTS launched from a firearm.
This rule is used when MIDDLE Action Phase:There may be some confusion as to
the exact Action Phase which falls in the middle of an
Firing more than 3 Shots. This can occur using FA Rate of Action. If the PCA is odd, the middle Action Phase falls
Fire, or a non-automatic weapon equipped with the Hair directly in the center of the sequence. It is a number of
Trigger Feature (see below). phases into the PCA equal to PCAl2, up.
0 Character is firing more Shots than he has PCA. Eg., a If the PCA is even, the middle Action Phase falls in the
character with PCA of 2 firing 3 Shots from an Action a number of Action Phase equal to (PCA/2) plus 1.
Autoloading weapon. Thus, two characters start an action on Action Phase 10.
Shots may be left over in the spacing formula when all The first has a PCA of 5, the other a PCA of 4. The first
available Action Phases have been allocated. Such Shots are character will reach his middle Action Phase on Action
28

Phase 8, since 5/2 equals 2.5 which rounds up t o 3. the Optional Jamming Rule above is used, they may well
Counting from the phase of initiation, as is always done in cause the weapon t o jam.
Aftermath! combat, the sequence runs 10 (initiate)-9-8
(third Action Phase in the sequence)-7-6 (fifth Action
Phase in sequence, thus ending the routine). DUDS AND JAMS
For the second character, with the PCA of 4, the middle In the course of time, any gun will jam. In the world of hap-
Action Phase falls on Action Phase 8 also, since (4/2) plus hazard weapon care and old ammo of Aftermath! this occurs
1 equals 2 plus 1, or 3. The countdown is the same as for more frequently than today. A"dud" bullet o r a jam will affect
the first character. different Gun Actions in different ways.
SS, SA, %A,LA, PA, and DA weapons: Treat "duds" (rounds
that do not go off) as if the weapon had fired. In other
Feature words, the dud does not impede the weapons next shot.
Hair Triggers AL, FA, and AB weapons: Duds must be cleared manually,
Hair Triggers are adjusted to allow ultra-rapid fire, with the working the action by hand, which takes an Action. If firing
mechanism of the Gun Action similarly treated for fast shot FA or AB, a dud in mid-Burst aborts the rest of the Burst.
recycling. It increases the Rate of Fire by 1 Shot per Action. The maximum number of Rounds in that Burst which can
SS weapons do not have Hair Triggers. hit the target is the number that actually fired.
When the weapon actually jams, it requires a full Action to
AUTOFIRE clear it. Then treat weapon as if it had a dud. t.e., all Single
Full Automatic fire from small arms has several unique Shot Actions, and DA weapons, can fire with no delay, but
rules attached to it. In firing any other weapon, 1 Shot autoloading and automatic weapons must be manually
discharges 1 bullet (or charge of shot, if using a shotgun). chambered.
Firing on automatic, a weapon will discharge aset number of
Rounds per Burst. As stated, the usual number is 3 rounds. Feature
This has two major effects. First, the recoil of firing the Autoextractor
weapon is equal to the number of Rounds per Burst times the This Feature is a small lever operating a plunger insidethe
ammo's base BOG. Second, the damage potential of the gun. It will allow jams to be cleared by the end of the Action in
Burst will vary. A die of the typeappropriate to the number of which they occur. It causes jams to be treated as if they were
Rounds per Burst is rolled, a D3 for a gun firing 3 per Burst, a simply duds.
D6 for weapons firing 6 per Burst. The indicated number of
rounds will hit the target on the same location, adding their
individual BOG to get the total. This can make even the low-
power slugs from some automatics quite lethal.
Remember to deduct all the rounds in the Burst from the
weapon's magazine load, even if all do not hit the target.
Likewise, Recoil for Bursts is calculated on the basis of how
many rounds are fired, not how many hit.
OPTION
Full Automatic Jamming
When firing FA, there is no strict limit to the number Of
Bursts which may be fired in an Action as such. The limit
comes from the tendency of automatic weapons to jam
during sustained fire. A single Burst can always be fired with
no fear of this happening (hence the development of Auto-
Bursts to circumvent the problem in later designs). But if
more Bursts are fired in an Action, the chances mount
rapidly. RELOADING TIME
The tendency to jam is limited by the gun's Durability. If Digger popped his head up from behind the
firing multiple Bursts, roll dice of the type appropriate to the embankment. BLAM! Another ghoul hit the dust. From
Rounds per Burst for the gun, 1such die per DUR point. For a several locations, return fire kicked up dust as the
gun firing 3 Rounds per Burst, with a DUR of 3,3D3 would be cannibals tried to bag their "meat."Digger drew a bead on
rolled. The number rolled indicates the round which will jam one of his hunters. CLICK! Click?
after the first Burst. A score of 3 would indicate a jam on the Digger's continued career in Aftermath! has just
third round of the second Burst fired that Action. If two become dependent on one vital question: can he reload
Bursts were indeed fired, the second would jam. If the score his piece before the ghouls turn him into cold cuts? The
had been 4, indicating a jam on the first round in the third time this is going to take depends on his native speedand
Burst, and only two Bursts were actually fired, then no jam the type of magazine his gun has.
would occur.
In any situation such as this, the first thing that must be
OPTION asked is, does the character have more ammo, ready to
Fumbling Bursts load, in an accessible place? A glance at the rulesfor pawing
One of the problems with FA fire is that the firer needs to through your backpack or pockets shows the unwisdom of
exercise great control to stop shooting when he wants to. storing spare loads there, unless you carry nothing but fresh
The high rate of fire may cause shots to be wasted. TO cartridges in that locale. The wisest course is an ammo
simulate this, the Gamesmaster may require those using FA pouch, or bandolier, which will allow you to flip open the
to make a Deftness AST. If the Saving Throw fails, then roll a container and pull out your rounds without fumbling past all
die appropriate to the Rounds per Burst, and the indicated the other junk stored there.
number of extra rounds were fired. As such shots are not Once you have the cartridges ready to go- the rest depends
well-controlled by the firer, they will not hit any target, and if on your gun.
29

LOOSE ROUNDS weapons requiring closing, the character may attempt to do
If the weapon does not use a clip, stripper, or similar device so at once. This requires a Speed AST at a penalty equal to
allowing the new ammo to be placed inside in one mass, then the number of rounds handled that Action. If made, the
the Loose Round Rule applies. In one Action, the character weapon is closed by the end of that Action. If failed, the
can handle a number of rounds equal t o his Deftness Group. weapon must be closed as the next Action.
This handling can consist of taking out a spent round or OPTION
putting in a new one.
Quick Chamber Rule
Likewise, in a weapon requiring chambering, thecharacter
R ELOADlNG TIM ETABLES may attempt to do this in the Action in which the last round
The timetables for reloading the magazines described earlier was reloaded. The same rules apply as those governing the
are as follows: Quick Close. If the Quick Close option has been used in that
Swing-Cy1 or Snap-Cyl: Action already by the character, a Speed CST is needed, at
the same penalty as always for the number of rounds
1 Action to break open cylinder. Empties are ejected in handled. This rule can also be used in the event of trying to
same motion. properly align the cylinder on a partially reloaded revolver.
Load new rounds under Loose Round Rule. If using a
Quick Reload Device or a spare, reloaded Snap-Cyl, then it FIRING THE WEAPON
requires only 1 Action to insert this. We have now developed a fairly comprehensive system for
determining how guns work. Let us examine how they are
1 Action to close cylinder, Gun is now ready to fire. used.
Port-cy1 WHO CAN FIRE A GUN?
As all character actions are controlled by the possession of
Old rounds must be removed and new rounds loaded the appropriateskills, you may besure thequestion will arise
using Loose Round Rule. If weapon not fully reloaded, 1 of what happens when someone with no Gun Skill picks up a
Action required to be sure to get fresh cartridge under firearm in combat, or moreconfusingly, how well acharacter
hammer for firing. Chance of blowing this and getting a
who is a deadly Pistol shot handles a Rifle, when he has never
spent round (ie.,adud) inthefirst position isthenumberof
fired one before in his (game) life.
such rounds left in a gun or less on a D6.
ANYONE can fire a gun which is in a Ready state, He may
Port-Mag or Port-Tub not be much of a shot, but he can use it in combat to some
degree. Doing other things to the gun (reloading it,
Load using Loose Round Rule. N o empties to worry maintaining it, etc.) requires some knowledge of how it
about, as these have been ejected during firing. works, i.e., a score in the appropriate Skill; but even here, the
Falling Block characters common sense can replace acquired ability.
1 Action to open Gun Action, ejecting empty casing. READY WEAPONS
A Ready weapon is defined as a gun which is:
1 Action to load new round in.
@Loaded,with a round in the chamber for firing, cocked,
1 Action to close weapon. Gun is now ready to fire. and with the safety off. In other words, if the trigger is
pulled, the gun will fire.
Break
@In the firers hands, properly held for use. A character
1 Action to open gun. Empties are ejected by this
carrying a Rifle in one hand and a flashlight in the other
movement.
does not have a Ready weapon, as he needs both hands to
Load using Loose Round Rule. fire the gun. A Pistol that has just been used to conk a
1 Action to close gun. Gun is now ready to fire. guard over the head is not being held ready to fire.
Obviously, holstered or slung weapons are not ready. It
Box will normally require 1 Action to ready such a weapon.
1 Action to remove old magazine.
If the gun is carried in a closed holster (strapped or
buttoned down flap) or in any other kind of container, this
1 Action to insert fresh clip and chamber first round if this must be opened and the gun found according to the normal
is desired at that time. If round not chambered during the rules for such activity.
reload, it will take a separate Action to do so later on.
Once first round is chambered, gun is ready to fire. OPTION
Note: If it is necessary to reload the clip itself during Quick Draws
Detailed Action Time, this is done using the Loose Round Pistols or Rifles can be drawn and fired in the same Action
Rule. in certain cases. The former weapon must be in an open
holster, or in the carriers belt. Long Guns cannot be drawn
Strip if they are slung over the carriers back or shoulder, but if
1 Action to load in new Stripper (empty clip was ejected on they are being carried, the option may be tried.
last shot). A Pistol can be Quick Drawn from a holster i f the user
makes a Deftness AST. From the belt or waistband a CST is
1 Action to chamber first round for firing. needed. The use of special, fast draw holsters will add a
Gun is ready to fire when round is chambered. bonus to the score needed. The Gamesmaster may impose
penalties if the circumstances warrant.
Note: Reloading the Stripper clip itself is handled thesame Quick Draws with Long Guns require a Deftness CST.
way as reloading empty Box clips: use the Loose Round If the Fast Draw Saving Throw is made then a single shot
Rule. may be fired at the end of the Action. All other modifiers
apply and such shots are always assumed to be Hip Fire (see
OPTION p. 31).
Quick Close Rule The Gamesmaster may feel freeto introduceaQuick Draw
In the Action in which the last round is reloaded, with Skill, if he finds it appropriate to his campaign. The use of the
30

Skill instead of the Saving Throw would allow the weapon to INHERENT ACCURACY TABLE
be brought to the Present Stance, rather than Hip Fire. See Weapon Inherent
the rules on Firing Stance for an explanation of this Used Size Accuracy
difference. Pistol: SNUB -1
HANDLING UNFAMILIAR WEAPONS SHT +o
There are two major points to deal with here: firing them, STD + 1
and minor operational points, lumped under the term LNG + 2
servicing. XLNG +2
As with any unfamiliar weapons form, the base BCS is Long Guns: Carbine +3
derived from the users Combative Talent. This is used as Rifle + 4
an inherent Skill score, so that a character with a20 will have Shotgun: Slug + 3
a BCS of 4 in any weapons form he tries to use. However, Shot + 4
guns do a lot of the work for you in combat. Even a novice
Autofire: Using a weapon for automatic fire reduces the
knows that if you point it at the target and pull the trigger, it
Inherent Accuracy normally accorded the weapon by2.
will shoot at that target.
For each full Burst fired, add 1to the Inherent Accuracy.
Therefore, firearms have an Inherent Accuracy which is
Match Weapons: I f the Feature is used, then Match
added to the Talent-based BCS of the inexperienced user. I t
Weapons add 1 to the normal Inherent Accuracy of the
is based on the overall class of weapon and its BBL.
weapon.
If the users own BCS in the weapon, based on a Gun Skill,
exceeds the score derived from his Combative Talent and
the Inherent Accuracy, then it is used instead of that score.
Inherent Accuracy is effective only for those who are NOT Action to assume Full Stance, and the firer must refrain from
trained in using the weapon! shooting during this Action. He must be in Present Stance
As regards Servicing the weapon, when dealing with (see below) when starting the Action. Full Stance has the
Small Arms, if the user is confronted with some simple act, following advantages:
say reloading the weapon, he must make a Wit CST to figure 0 A plus 1 to the BCS is received.
out what is needed, and all steps in the procedure take twice
as long as normal. Say an unskilled character is trying to 0 Allows the use of certain modifiers (Sighting, Bracing
reload a Box magazine. It will be borne in upon him that it is Weapon, Squeeze Off, etc.) which are only allowed while
empty when it refuses to fire. He must try t o make a Wit CST in Stance.
to figure out how t o reload it. He takes 1 Action per attempt, Restrictions on Full Stance are:
succeeding on his second try. At double the normal value, it 0 Shots may only be fired out of the characters Front Hexes.
will take 2 Actions to remove the old clip and 2 more to No movement of any sort is permitted, including the
fumble in the new magazine. Combat Move.
The Gamesmaster may modify these restrictions to fit the
case. A well-trained Pistol user will probably know how to 0 T h e firer may not speak, or otherwise concentrate on
service a Rifle in most cases, but will still do so slowly. anything except his shot.
The rules on Servicing weapons apply to all characters Present Stance
who have less than 5 points (a BCS of 1) in the relevant Skill. Any character who is not moving, is not Surprised, and has
FIRING STANCE a Ready gun, may assume Present Stance at will. No
There are three basicstances for use when firing. They are modifiers apply to Present for good or ill, as it is assumed to
as much a matter of mental focus as of physical placement, be the basic firing position, neither below average like Hip
being linked to the degree of concentration and control the Fire, nor above average like Full Stance.
firer is bringing to bear on his shot. The Stances are: Advantages are:
0 Fire permitted out of Side Hexes as well as Front
Full Stance: Or just Stance for convenience. The braced
position allowing the firer maximum control of his aim. 0 Normal rules governing communication in Detailed Action
Present Stance: Also called Presented or just Present Time apply
(as in Present Arms, not Birthday Present). The basic Disadvantages are:
firing posture, allowing some freedom of movement.
0 Only the Combat Move is permitted.
Hip Fire: A loose stance, allowing full movement, but
0 Certain modifiers requiring Full Stance are not allowed.
lacking a good deal of control over the weapon.
In the main, characters can adopt any Stance they choose Hip Fire
no matter what is going on, as long as they restrict their As the name implies, the weapon is held low, braced
actions to those permitted that Stance. If, for example, a against the body for support, rather than high ,,lough to
character is running down the street while firing, he can only allow even a minimal sighting technique to be used. Hip Fire
be using Hip Fire, as only that Stance allows such movement. is assumed when no other circumstances cover the
A character with a ready weapon who fires without conditions under which the gun is fired.
announcing any special change in his Stance, is assumed to Advantages of Hip Fire are:
be in Present, as that is the best Stance for such shooting. 0 Character may perform any movement: Walk, Run, Dodge,
Full Stance cannot be assumed without conscious effort and Change Position, you name it.
the Gamesmaster need not allow its benefits (or restrictions) 0 Fire is permitted out of any facing: Front, Side, or Reir.
to those who have not announced that they are using it. If a
character has been using aStance, and then does something Disadvantages are:
which is not permitted to that Stance, the Gamesmaster may 0 Use Average BCS to resolve Hip Fire shooting.
automatically require that he adjust his Stance t o the
0 Further restrictions available to modifiers for firer.
optimum one permitting such action.
Full Stance WEAPON MODIFIERS
The firer assumes a posture as if he were firing on a target Several of the weapon design factors discussed previously
range, instead of in the middle of a hot firefight. It requires 1 have direct bearing on the BCS when firing the weapon.
31

Range Features Enhancing BCS
The Range Step affects the BCS as follows: Among the features which may directly affect the BCS, we
find:
PBR plus 2 to BCS Tunable Guns: Certain firearms are designed to allow the
SHT plus 1 to BCS user to tune the guns handling characteristics, stock
EFF no effect on BCS length, balance, trigger pull, and so on, to conform to his
LNG minus 1 to BCS
optimum physical specifications.
EXT minus 2 to BCS
It requires a weeks study time, expending rounds as
MAX minus 5 to BCS
required for normal learning, but otherwise free of either
hindrances or bonuses, to tune the gun. No Skill points are
Feature gained for this weeks study. Once the gun is tuned, it will
Telescopic Sights add 1 to that users BCS, but will penalize other users by-1.
The use of Telescopic Sights will serve to reduce the I f someone else acquires the gun, he may retune it by the
effective Range as far as its effects on BCS go. Effects on same process.
Bullet Damage Group are not modified. Simply divide the HandedPistol Grips: Customized grips can be mounted on
actual Rangeof sighted shots by the magnifying power of the Pistols, or in some models are included, which are
scope. The resulting figure is the effective Range, used to specially formed to allow a very firm, comfortable, and
determine the Range Step to be used. precise hold on the gun. Such grips are handed, ie.,
shaped for the left or right hand specially. Using such a
Recoil
Pistol in the correct hand adds 1 to the BCS. Using such a
All cartridges are rated as to their Bullet Damage Group
Pistol in the wrong hand gives a -2 to the BCS.
(BDG) and, besides indicated how much damage they can
do to a target, this BDG also determines the recoil suffered FIRER ACTIONS
by the firer.
The firer will often be in a position to improve or worsen his
BCS by certain actions during his firing routine. Some of
To measure the Recoil penalty (if any) proceed as follows: these are things the character must perform deliberately,
Take BDG/10, up. This is the Recoil base. others are natural by-products of specific events.
0 From this base, subtract either the characters Strength Brace Weapon
Group or his Location alteration score with that firearm, The firer may assume a Brace with the weapon if he is in
whichever is higher. If this sum is positive, subtract it from Full Stance. Both hands must be used, whether firing Pistol
the firers BCS as a penalty. If it is negative, it has noeffect of Long Gun. With the former, both hands are used to hold
on the BCS one way or another. the butt, as in standard police firing stance for handgun use.
If multiple rounds are fired in the same Action Phase, as With a Long Gun, the Brace also requires that the weapon
occurs when firing Bursts or resolving Odd Shots, then the be equipped with a sling, or carrying strap. This is wrapped
BDGs of all rounds fired in that Action Phase are added around the forearm of the hand supporting the forward
together for calculating Recoil, and all resolutions rolled that gunstock, under the barrel.
phase will be affected by any penalties accrued. It requires 1 Action without firing to assume a Brace, and
the firer must be in Full Stance before commencing the
Action.
Armed withe 45 ACP autoloading pistol, Marsha
is pumping out 3 shots at a charging Master Rat. Feature
Her PCA is 2, starting o n Action Phase 3, so she will Swivel Sling
resolve her first shot on Action Phase 3, and her last The sling on a Long Gun can be mounted with universally
two shots on Action Phase 2, under the Odd Shot jointed swivels. These speed up the Bracing process so that
Rule. it may be performed in the same Action as the one in which
45 ACP has a BOG of 71, so its Recoil base is 2. the firer assumes Full Stance.
Marsha has a Strength Group of 2, and is a good
shot, with 2 points of Location in Pistol Skill. So Rest Weapon
either way, she can reduce Recoil by 2. Therefore, The firer rests the weapon on a stable, horizontal surface.
her first shot is at no penalty due to Recoil. This surface must be at a level between the firers sternum
On Action Phase 2, however, Marsha is resolving (LOC6-7) and face (LOC2). The firer must be in Fu!l Stance
two shots, each with a BDG of 11. Thus, the Recoil but may not Brace the weapon if using the Rest option.
base for her shots on Action Phase 2 is equal to Firer Movement
22/10, up. or 3. Subtracting her relevant scores, the It is generally agreed that firing a gun on the run is tricky!
differhnce is 1. Marsha gets -1 o n both of these shots The rules reflect this.
fired on Action Phase 2, as she cannot completely As stated in the rules on Firing Stance, Present Stance
control the bucking pistol. allows the firer to make only a 1 meter Combat Move during
his firing Action. Any greater degree of movement
Feature
Recoil Reduction automatically drops the firer into Hip Fire. The Gamesmaster
There are a variety of Features to be found in firearms should enforce this rigorously.
which have the express purpose of reducing the effects of Besides limiting Firing Stances, any movement reduces
Recoil. On Long guns, the simplest form known is simply a the BCS directly as follows:
pad, fitted to the butt of the stock. Other firearms use Combat Move (lm): -1 to BCS
carefully crafted weighting in the barrel, special vents that Walking: Use Hip Fire and -2 to BCS
release some of the force of the propellant explosion, and so Running: Use Hip Fire and -4 to BCS
on. Dodging: Use Hip Fire and double penalty for basic
Weapons equipped with Recoil Reduction other than a movement being used
Pad will be noted as having 1, 2, or 3 factor. That is, they Changing Position: Kneeling down, standing up, hitting
reduce the Recoil base by that number. the deck, etc. A flat -10 to the BCS. If the move is being
Recoil Pads always reduce Recoil base by 1. performed in 1 Action Phase, i.e., the character is doing so
32

without taking an Action, the Gamesmaster may require removes the lower body from the field of returning fire) and
him to avoid the Fall effects before allowing him to even try when firing down at a target and over some cover, such as
to shoot. Also, remember that the gun may be dropped if the edge of a roof. Again, the Gamesmaster will modify the
the faller is stunned, or may go off unintentionally if it was effects of Prone firing to reflect the angles of fire involved.
ready to fire. The position used, standing, kneeling, or prone, has no
The question will arise regarding fire during an Action i n direct effect on the BCS. It merely provides a means of
which the character is using different rates of speed. This is maximizing the protection of available cover, which can
not easy to define completely and each group will, to some effect the BCS.
extent, have to work out its own conventions. According to
ours, unless the character has started his Firing Action in Hip One H a n d n w o Hand-Offhand:
Fire, he is not allowed to make a move greater than 1 meter. There are several possible ways that the hand used to hold
I n Hip Fire, his BCS penalty for a given Action Phase of the gun, or the number of hands used, will affect play.
resolution is based on the highest rate of movement Normal Pistol use requires only the gun hand to be free,
achieved in the Action up to that point. This prevents walking unless the Brace Weapon modifier is being used by the
for 3 Action Phases, then stamina
. . on the Dhaseof resolution
1 character. If firing a Pistol with a BBL of the Pistol Carbine
to avoid the BCS penalty. size, both hands are needed.
IfSlimy Sammy initiates a 3 Shot firing routine in Hip Firing a Long Gun with one hand is not easy! For a Rifle or a
Fire, standing still for the first Action Phase, when he full-sized shotgun, asling must beattached tothegun, which
resolves his first Shot, he receives no special penalty. On the character must wrap around the forearm of his firing
the next Action Phase, he walks a meter, and does hand.
likewise on the Action Phase after that, when he resolves This takes 1 Action if his other hand is free to help. If it is
not, a Deftness AST is required.
his second Shot. He has moved more than 1 meter, and is
Firing aTwo Handedlgun with only one hand will have the
walking, so he takes a -2 to the BCS. Under a hail of
following effects:
returning fire, he breaks into a run for the next Action
Phase, which continues into the last Action Phase in his 0 Only Hip Fire may be used.
Action, so that he fires that Shot at -4. Had he started
dodging the bullets, his last shot would have suffered -8 0 A penalty to the BCS is suffered. This equals (2 x ENC
(double the runningpenalty). Had he stopped for the last of gun) rounding fractions up.
Action Phase, to return fire while standing still, he would 0 All recoil values are doubled
still have suffered -2, since his fastest movement during
the Actron was still a Walk. 0 And if firing any weapon with the characters off-hand,
the Off Hand Dexterity Rule is enforced!
Firing From Cover
If the firer has grabbed some cover, and is trying to keep Surprise and New Targets: While Surprised, characters can
its protection while shooting, he may be presumed t o be at best get off shots from Hip Fire. Only when they have had a
somewhat distracted from making his best shot. chance to react to thesituation can they upgradetheir stance
Firing from Cover entails two types of restriction. First, a to Present.
flat penalty to the BCS of -5. If the Gamesmaster wants to A similar situation will occur when a firer opens fire on a
make this a sliding scale, the penalty may be (number of given target. It will require 1 Action to draw a bead on that
Locs covered)/6, down. target, although this may be done while firing, or changing
On a more complex front, assuming Cover will dictate a Stance, or what have you. Put simply, for the first Action in
number of restrictions to the firers activities: which firer is concentrating on a given target, his BCA will
get a -2. Thereafter, this penalty will vanish until the firer
Firing over cover: The firer must be exposed from his switches to another target, or loses contact with the old one.
sternum (Locs 6-7) to his Face (LOC2). If firing a Pistol, the It is possible to draw a bead on a given spot, which will
whole of the Firing Arm is exposed. If firing a Long Gun, all allow penalty-free fire at new targets entering that area. The
of both Arms is exposed. Gamesmaster should requiresome exactness in such a case.
Firing around cover: The side of the body holding the gun is One cannot draw a bead on a football stadium. One can do
exposed. This is all of the head and throat (Locs 1-3) and so on a door or window, a small area of floor, a manhole, etc.
the leg and hip on that side (unless lower cover there offers Sighted Fire: As stated, a character in Full Stance may take
protection). If firing a Pistol, only the Firing Arm and its an Action to Sight his shot. This is possible on any gun
side of the torso are exposed. If firing a Long Gun, both having Iron Sights or other forms of sighting mechanism, but
Arms and all of the chest and abdomen are exposed (Locs not on those without sights. Sighted Fire derives from any
4-7). bonuses, Features, or Options inherent in the particular type
h e e l i n g and prone position: A character standing behind a of sights on the gun.
1-meter wall is covered onlyfrom thegroin down (Locs 12-
20). If he kneels behind such a wall, he is covered to the Spraying Autofire: The Bursts of automatic weapons need
sternum. The Gamesmaster must apply judgement to the not be directed solely at one target. The firer may spray, or
exact levels of protection offered. He will find a Random hose down, an area, or split fire among multiple targets.
Cover table in Book 3 on page 20. This will offer a The total number of hexesseparating his targets isadded up,
sampling of the available cover to be found in a given area. including those containing figures. All figures in theaffected
Firing from a Kneeling position is principally of use in area are subject to fire. A separate BCS is rolled for each
firing over some low cover while maximizing protection. vulnerable figure. The BCS for each target is divided by the
Firing from a Prone position will expose the shooters total number of hexes covered by the spray. Likewise, the
head, neck, and chest (Locs 1-5),the Firing Arm(s), and BDG impacting a given target is divided by the number of
anything else the Gamesmaster rules to be exposed, to the hexes in the target area. It may be convenient for the
attackers angle of fire. It is generally worse than uspless Gamesmaster t o require that all targets of spraying fire be
against fire from superior height. Its primary purpose is for within a 20-meter area, and to adjudicate that spray fire may
maximum protection in firing around corners (as it never hit more characters than the number of rounds that
33

were fired. On the positive side, the BCS penalty should be BULLETS AND BALLISTICS
reduced in firing into a press, where characters are packed
closely together. Having established a pretty extensive picture of how the
gun gets its projectile to the target, let us know turn to the
Luther is being charged by mad dogs from two projectiles themselves: the ammunition.
doors, three meters apart. Assuming no other
modifiers apply to his 6CS of 16, his spray attack MODERN CARTRIDGES
will be resolved as follows: A cartridge, or round, is made up of the following
Total area covered is two meter-wide doors and 3 components:
meters of intervening space. 5 meters. Case: A brass cylinder. closed at the bottom, into which all
His BCS vs. the two Dogs is 1615,for an effective3 the other parts fit snugly.
(round down). Their CDAs while charging will Primer: The igniter for the main powder charge. A small
reduce this to less than 1 , to be resolved as amount of fulminating powder, i.e., powder which goesoff
described in Book 1 . if struck.
By sheer good luck, he hits one of the Dogs! Charge: The charge of gunpowder which provides the
Rolling the number o f hits, he scores a 2. He is propellant and gases for the shot.
firing rounds with a BDG of 11, so the normal total
that would affect the Dog is 22. Dividing this by 5, Slug: Also called the bullet. Theactual projectile fired from
the gun.
we get 4. His effective BDG against one mutt is
only 4, probably only a wound. Meanwhile, the Shot shell differs somewhat in construction, although it is
foaming jaws of the unscathed animal are quite similar in most respects. The Case is of laminated
snapping at his jugular! cardboard or plastic. The Primer fulfills the same function as
it does in Ball Ammo rounds, as does thecharge. Instead of a
single slug, the Shot Shell will haveeithera massofshotor
TARGET ACTIONS
While the firer is doing his best to maximize his chance of one very big rifled slug. The differences in Range and
hitting power of these loads are discussed at theappropriate
hitting the targets, most targets (if of the fragile, organic
points throughout these rules.
kind) will be doing something to mess him up.
Shot Shell is measured not in Caliber, by inches or
Target Movement
millimeters, but by Gauge, an antiquated measure dating
The movement rate of the target at the Action Phase when
from the days of muzzle-loading weapons. A 12-Gauge
a shot is resolved will determine this modifier. It is always
shotgun has a barrel of such dimensions that 12 lead ballsof
expressed as a multiple of the targets CDA, as follows:
the same diameter would weigh one pound.
0 Target not moving, in combat, or taking
Combat Move: CDA x 1 TYPES OF ROUNDS
Specifications for cartridges vary widely according to size
0 Target Walking: CDA x 2 (Caliber), bullet weight and shape, type of primer used
0 Target Running: CDA x 3 (Centerfire or Rimfire), etc.
0 Target Dodging: Increase multiplier by 1 CALIBER
This has been partially discussed on p. 25. I n discussing
0 Target Falling (Changing Position Downwards): Caliber as a quality of the cartridge, the salient points to keep
CDA x 3 in mind are these:
Target Cover 0 Caliber is measured in fractions of an inch (as in .45 ACP)
This does not often affect the BCS. Cover defends against or in millimeters (as in 7.62mm NATO).
gunfire by stopping bullets (one hopes). But there is a class 0 In general, the bigger the caliber, the more powerful the
of cover classified as Visual Cover. ammo. There are some notable exceptions, as you will see.
Visual Cover will effectively reduce the visual contact that
the firer has with the target, with effects according to the 0 Different rounds are not interchangeable! 38 Short is not
prevailing light conditions. This type of cover is the same as 38 Special. 9mm Short and 9mm Parabellum
usually gotten from heavy brush, loose rubble, etc. It will do not go into the same gun. Again, there are exceptions.
rarely offer Barrier protection against bullets. What it does Some weapons are specially designed to fire more than
do is reduce the Light for the firer by a number of steps. one type of ammo. Some ammo is used interchangeably
These combine with prevailing visual conditions to between Pistols and Long Guns.
determine the effective eye contact for the shot. For CENTERFIRE OR RIMFIRE
example, Visual Cover with a rating of 1 would have the same
The two forms of primer used in modern cartridges are:
effect on a shot in Good Light as the firer would suffer in
Dim Light. If it is dusk, when prevailing light is Dim, the Rimfire: The primer is contained in a soft rim around the
Target is in Poor Light. And so on. The firer can offset this base of the casing. This is struck at the bottom of its
cover by making his Wit ST. If his die roll is in the AST range, circumference by the pin, igniting the primer which in turn
it reduces the rating of the Visual Cover by 1. A CST reduces sets off the main charge.
it by 2. A Critical Save negates it altogether. Targets moving Centerfire: The primer is contained in a small cap, in the
in Visual Cover reduce its effect on their behalf by 1 per level center of the casings bottom. The firing pin on CF-loading
of movement used (i.e., -1 for a Walk, -2 for a Run). Ifthey use guns is set to strike here.
Stealth successfully, this is negated. Target firing from
Visual Cover will be spotted by any observer who makes a Rimfire ammo comprises the immensely popular .22
Wit AST on a DlO! caliber ammo, generally low-power but the commonest
single caliber in the world today. Not much of a manstopper,
but you will find weapons loading the RF 22 in any sporting
goods store. Rimfire ammo WILL interchange between
Pistols and Long Guns, and many weapons are made to
FN Rifle (FA) accept ANY RF 22 cartridge: Short, Long, Long Rifle, etc.
34

Centerfire ammo is almost always more powerful than MISSILE SPECIAL EFFECTS
Rimfire. It is the standard round for hunting, police, and The chance of Missle Special Effects occurring when a
military weapons. Ranging from popgun loads for small bullet hits the target is equal to the BDG of the round as a
Pistols up to the cannons used for big game, it is more percentage. I.e., a round with BDG of 20 has a 20% chance of
versatile and certainly preferable in combat. causing Missile Special Effects.
Centerfire ammo can also be Reloaded. That is, used The rules governing Special Effects are in Book 1.
again. Cases can be cleaned, new charges and bullets All BDG-based effects are subject to modifications which
inserted, and a new primer affixed, thus recycling theammo. can raise or lower its effective value. See Ballistic Modifiers
This is not possible with Rimfire ammo. on page 36.
The following Table gives the Base BDG of all the ammo
BDG (BULLET DAMAGE GROUP) used in Aftermath! It is divided into several headings:
All cartridges have a rating called their BDG. This defines Centerfire Pistol Ammunition (CF Ball Ammo primarily used
that rounds damage potential in several specific areas: in Pistols), Centerfire Long Gun Ammunition, Rimfire
Ammunition, and Shot Shell.
DAMAGE CAPABILITY You will note that the BDG for Shot Shells is given in a
The number of damage dice a round will do against the slightly different form than the Ball Ammo. The Gauge of
Armor Value of a struck target, and his DRT if it penetrates, is the gun is cross-referenced with the size of Shot used in the
based on the BDG. The Damage Dice for a bullet strike are shell. The figure on the matrix is the BDG in question. I.e., 00
calculated as follows: Buckshot in a 12-Gauge Shell has a BDG of 32.
The Slug figure is the BDG for a rifled shotgun Slug fired
number of D10 of Damage equals BDG/10, up. from a weapon of that Gauge. Shot Shell slugs are treated as
plus Damage Points equal BDG/10, nearest. any other Ball ammo.
Caliber figures given that are just a number, like222,32-20,
Thus, a bullet with BDG of 33 would do 4D10 plus 3 to a etc., are always to be read ds Caliber inches. Only calibers
character it hits. 33/10 equals 3.3. Rounded up, this equals4. given as mm are metric. Note that some rounds are widely
Rounded to the nearest whole number, it is 3. used both in Europe and in the US., being measured in
With a BDG of 35 or more, 4D10 plus4 would be the bullets caliber inches here and in millimeters there. There is no
Damage roll, as 35/10 is 3.5, which rounds nearest to 4. difference between the metric and American measured
BASE BDG TABLE

CENTERFIRE PISTOL CENTERFIRE LONG GUN SHOT SHELL AMMUNITION
AMMUNITION AMMUNITION Shot Shotgun
Caliber BDG Ca I iber BDG Size Gauge 10 12 16 20 .410 28
22 Jet 4 22 Jet 8
221 Fireball 8 222 13 12-9 12 10 8 6 4 2
25 ACP (6.35mm) 1 223 (5.56mm) 20 8-5 16 14 12 10 8 6
256Magnum 10 222 Magnum 14 4-BB 20 18 18 16 16 14
30 (7.65mm) 6 22-250 18
32 Short 2 243 21 Buckshot
32 Long 4 6mm 24 4-3 Buck 22 18 18 18 x X
32 ACP 5 25-06 25 2-1 Buck 28 24 22 20 x X
32-20 3 25-20 6 00 Buck 36 32 30 x x X
357 Magnum 11 25-35 15
9mm Parabellum 5 250 18 Slug x 27 23 17 6 X
9rnm Short 2 256 Magnum 20
38Long 5 257 18 * These are very light, small shot pellets, often referred to as
38 Special 10 6.5mm Magnum 25 birdshot. Ony any target massing over 2 Enc, they do B
38 Short 2 264 Magnum 31 type damage (half lethal, half subdual).
380 ACP 5 270 28 * * Again, these are fairly light loads. At any range beyond
38 SuperAuto 6 280 28 SHT, they also do B damage.
38-40 4 284 28 x Indicates that no Shot Shell of that type is made for the
41 Magnum 16 7mrn Mauser 25 Gauge in question.
44 Special 6 7mm Magnum 36
44 Magnum 21 30 Carbine 12 Note that certain rounds appear o n both the Centerfire
44-40 6 30-30 21 Pistol and Centerfire Long Gun Tables. The are: 22 Jet,
45 Long Colt 6 30-06 26 32-20, 38-40, 44-40, and 44 Magnum. These are identical
45 ACP 11 30-40 Krag 24 rounds, but are widely popular both as Pistol and as Long
300 Magnum 38 Gun loads. They are entered on each Table for easy
303 23 reference. Some Players may favor using
RIMFIRE AMMUNITION Caliber BDG weapons which all chamber the same
308 (7.62mm NATO) 27
22 Short 1 32 Special 21 375 45 caliber, as such standardization can
22 Auto 2 32 17 358 28 offset some of the problems in maintain-
22 Long Rifle 4 32-30 6 38-40 8 ing an ammo supply.
22 Stinger 6 8mm Mauser 25 44 Magnum 42 The Encumbrance of cartridges is also
22 Long 2 8mm Magnum 40 444 Marlin 36 based on their Caliber. All Pistol ammo of
22RFMagnum 6 338 Magnum 41 44-40 12 30 or less, and all Rimfire ammo, has an
5mm Magnum 5 35 20 45-70 Govt 16 ENC value of .01. Other Pistol ammo (32
350 Magnum 35 458 Magnum 51 Caliber or larger), Long Gun Ammo, and
35 1 15 460 Magnum 81 Shot Shell, has an ENC value of .02.

rounds; they are identical e.g., ,308-inch and 7.62mm NATO Feature
are the same cartridge. High-Power Firearms
These are simply firearms reinforced to allow use of High
Power ammo without suffering the increased risk of a
BALLISTIC MODIFIERS Critical Miss.
The BDG values given in the Table are the base values. High-Power Shotshell: There is no danger of overloading a
This is the inherent BDG of a given round and is subject to shotgun. Shells are physically incapable of fitting into a
modification before an effective BDG is applied to the target. magazineforanotherGaugeortypeofShel1,Thereare High-
Ballistics, the study of projectile motion, is divided into Power, or Magnum, Shot ShelkThese run3 inches in length
three stages, which suit our needs here exactly. These are: rather than the normal 2.5 inches. Magnum Shot Shells are
packed with more shot and more powder. They increase
Internal Ballistics: The study of ballistic conditions the base BDG by 50%.
pertaining from the moment the charge ignites until the
bullet leaves the gun barrel. EXTERNAL BALLISTIC MODIFIERS
External Ballistics: The study of the bullets flight from the There are two factors which influence External Ballistics:
moment of leaving the barrel until a target is struck. Range and Barriers.
Terminal Ballistics: The study of ballistic conditions Range and BDG
,pertaining when the bullet hits the target. The Range Step will raise or lower the BDG. This is the
Range Step directly from the Table. Use of Sights to reduce
At each stage of its flight, the bullet will be subject to
Range for BCS purposes will not affect the ballistics of the
different forces which may affect the BDG.
shot. Match Weapons do enjoy their Range modification in
this connection. Range modifiers to BDG are:
INTERNAL BALLISTIC MODIFIERS
The Base BDG is directly modified by Internal Ballistics. PBR: plus 10 to effective BDG.
Only two factors come under this heading. One is due to the
SHT or EFF: No modifications to BDG.
BBL of the gun. The other is obtained by using specially-
made cartridges. LNG: minus 10% to effective BDG.
BBL E X T minus 25% to effective BDG.
Modify the base BDG as shown:
MAX: minus 50% to effective BDG.
Pistol SNUB: reduce BDG by lo%, rounding to nearest.
Barriers and BDG
Pistol SHT or STD: No effect on BDG. As specified in Book 1 , a bullet penetrating a Barrier will
Pistol LNG or XLNG: Increase BDG by lo%, nearest. have its BDG reduced by the Barrier value of the material in
question. This reduces the effective BDG.
Pistol Carbine or Carbine: The effect depends on the
BDG Table used. Pistol rounds fired from Carbines have a TERMINAL BALLISTIC MODIFIERS
BDG increase of 50%, nearest. Long Gun rounds fired from These factors control the effective BDG at the moment of
Carbines suffer a 25% BDG loss to the figures from that impact. It is this final value which is used to determine
Table. damage and Special Effects. There are several factors based
on the type of bullet used, and of course the effects of a
Rifle: The BDG from the Long Gun Table is the Base BDG Critical Hit will increase the effective BDG, often drastically.
for rounds fired from Rifles.
Critical Hits
The general formula for adapting Pistol Ammunition to Apart from their other effects, Critical Hitswith a bullet will
firing from Long Guns, or Long Gun Ammunition tofire from increase the effective BDG, varying by the type of weapon
weapons shorter than a Rifle, is: used:
0 Carbine BDG equals 1.5 x Pistol BDG Firing Pistol: Add D10 to the BDG.
0 Rifle BDG equals 2 x Pistol BDG Firing Long Gun: Add 2D10 to the BDG.
Pistol BDG equals .5 x Long Gun BDG Aufofire: All the shots in the Burst will hit their target, and
0 Carbine BDG equals ,751 x Long Gun BDG their total BDG is increased as if a D3 more rounds
impacted with them. E.g.,a Critical Hit is scored with a
Shotgun Ballistics: The only distinction is between a SMG firing 9mm Parabellum. These have a base BDG of 5.
normal shotgun BBL and a riot gun, or sawed-off Fired from a Pistol XLNG,_thedefault BBL for SMG, they
shotgun. This is handled as if the normal gun is the Rifle add lo%, for 5.5, or 6. The gun fires a Burst of 3 rounds.
and the shorter one the Carbine, from the rules given just Thus, all 3 rounds hit, for an effective BDG of 18, and
above. rolling a D3 for 2, 2 x 6 is added, or 12, for a total of 30,
doing 3D10 plus 3.
High-Power Ammo
Special ammunition exists, and is rather common in some Hollow-Point Bullets
cases, in which the powder charge has been increased to These are specially-made bullets with hollowed, cupped,
give the bullet a higher muzzlevelocity. Such ammo receives or flattened tips. There are also bullets designed to expand
a 50% increase to the base BDG given on the table. upon striking a target. All such bullets are designated as
The stress of firing this souped-up ammunition can be Hollow Points for convenience.
risky for the gun. The odds of a Critical Miss are increased by The effective BDG for Hollow Points is not affected for
a number equal to 5 - DUR of weapon. In otherwords, firing a purposes of determining damage, but when checking for
cheap pistol with DUR of 1 while using High-Power ammo Missile Special Effects, double the effective BDG to derive
increases the chance of a Critical Miss by 5 - 1, or 4. the percentage chance.
Thus, while a normal Critical Miss occurs on a die roll of 20 When hitting a Barrier, the Barrier value is also doubled for
on the BCS roll, in this case the Miss occurs on a die roll of the Hollow Point bullet. A 10-point Barrier would reduce the
20 - 4 (or 16), or higher! effective BDG of a Hollow Point by 20.
36

Jacketed Bullets OTHER FIREARMS
These are the direct opposites of Hollow Points. Coated
with steel to allow maximum penetration, Jacketed rounds In previous sections we have dealt with the two main
will suffer only half the Barrier value as a BDG reduction, but classes of Small Arms: those firing Ball Ammo and the
their chance of causing Special Effects is likewise halved. shotguns. This covers about 80% of the weapons you will
find in an average Aftermath! campaign. But it is not the
Fragmenting Bullets
The very latest in lethality. These nasty little slugs are whole ball game. There is considerable firepower, heavy fire-
designed to fragment on hitting a target, propelling several power, available in the form of heavy machine guns, various
slivers of metal in an expanding pattern through the wound. gun-propelled grenades, mortars, and so on, which will be
The Special Effects probabilities of Fragmenting rounds floating around a post-Ruin world. These are classified as
are not altered. However, they will increase their Damage roll Support Weapons in the Skill system.
by a factor of 1.5. In effect, these bullets have a WDM of 1.5. Moving back through time, we also have Black Powder
Fragmenting rounds suffer the same, doubled Barrier firearms to consider. There are a lot of advantages to a gun
effects as Hollow Points. which uses good old smokygunpowder, does not have many
carefully crafted moving parts in it, and needs no fancy
Shot Shell Ballistics contained cartridges. Of course, your first shot had better
The ballistic behavior of a charge of shot, rather than a count!
single bullet, is what makes shotguns unique. As the pellets
travel further, they spread out, exposing a wider area to SUPPORT WEAPONS
attack, albeit with reduced damage potential.
The controlling factor in this slow spread is the Choke of The Gamesmaster will need to exercisediscretion in using
the gun barrel. The tightest Choke is Full, and an Open Support Weapons in the campaign. When directed against
Choke is the loosest. The Choke is a tube implanted in the Player-Characters, they will tend to lead to a new character
end of the barrel, usually permanently, that chokes or design session at the end of the adventure. Used by Player-
compresses the stream of shot leaving the gun. Characters, they tend to take a lot of the challenge out of
combat (by slaughtering the opponents at a range of, say,
LINE 1000 meters). We do not provide the same extensive data on
Out to the end of SHT Range, the shot is in Line. It is a Support Weapons as we have for Small Arms. The models
tightly compact mass, affecting only 1 possible target, and given here will serve as guides to the Gamesmaster in adding
acting like Ball Ammo for game purposes. other specimens to his campaign, should he wish todoso.
SPREAD Many Support Weapons are capable of use against
From EFF through LNG Range Steps, the shot pattern armored vehicles. For applications of firearms against
spreads out, affecting a front 3 meters wide. This front moves vehicles, see the Vehicle rules starting on p. 57.
along the line of fire, and each hex of it will menace the first MACHINE GUNS
target in that line. Thus, a Spread pattern of shot could hit True Machine Guns differ from Sub-Machine Guns in
one target at EFF Range, and still attack two others out to several ways. They are not man-portable, requiring a mount
LNG Range, if they were also i n the line of fire. Once the of some kind (bipod, tripod, or vehicular). They are capable
Attack has been resolved for a given hex of the Spread front, of sustained autofire, laying down a hail of bullets very
that particular hexs worth of shot is gone creating a sort of effectively, even when the firer is spraying an area. They are
shadow. deadly weapons in most tactical situations.
The BDG used against a target in one of these Spread
hexes is the effective BDG of the Shot Shell divided by 3. Light and Heavy MG
Machine Guns (abbreviated as MG) come in two sizes:
LOOSE Light (LMG) and Heavy (HMG). This is an overall
At EXT or MAX Range, the shot pattern is still moving in measurement based on the Caliber of the MG and its ENC.
that 3-meter front, but has lost impetus and some of its The commonest MG calibers are:
pellets. Calculate theeffective BDG of theshot, and divide by LMG: 30 Browning, 7.62 NATO, 5.56mm
6 for the final BDG used on a target. HMG: 7.62 x 39mm, 20mm, 40 or 50 Caliber
The 7.62mm and 5.56mm rounds shown are the same as
Double Barreled Shotgun those listed in the Long Guns Ammunition Table.Theothers
are used only in MGs. Their BDGs are:
MACHINE GUN AMMUNITION

Caliber BDG Caliber BDG
30 Browning 20 7.62 x39mm 35
7.62mm NATO 27 40 Cal. 60
5.56mm 20 50 Cal. 90
20mm 100
Shotgun blast with a riot gun

The ENC value of an MG is determined by its weight in given, less than or equal to the guns stated Rate. Values
kilograms divided by 10. lower than the Under 500 RpM may not be selected.
Using MGs: The rounds fired in the Action will be as stated on the
The Autoweapon Skill is used alone (no averaging with Table, even i f the effective Rate changes during the
anything) to fire Machine Guns. This extends to servicing the Action.
weapon, aim, and control rolls. Select a Target Hex: A given point on the DAT Display
must be declared a Target Hex by the gunner. To zero in
Range on theTarget Hex requires an Autoweapon BCS, subject
These are divided into LMG and HMG Range Steps to all relevant modifiers not due to Target Action. The
gun is aimed at a space, not at any particular occupant of
PBR SHT EFF LNG EXT MAX
that space.
LMG 50 125 250 500 1000 2000 The roll to hit the Target Hex is made on the first
HMG 50 250 500 1000 2000 4000 Action Phase of the gunners Action. A miss means his
fire is not on target. He may try again on each Action
OPTION Phase of his PCA, but his effective Rate Factor will drop
Tracers 1 step per retry. He may continue to roll for the Target
The use of Tracers, bullets loaded with a flare powder Hex until his PCA runs out, his Rate Factor drops below
which causes them to show a thin path of flame, will increase the minimum permissible level, or he Critically Misses,
the BCS of the firer by 1 . Maximum efficiency suggested by which will also have its usual nasty effects. He may opt to
military doctrine is achieved when every 10th round is abort the attempt at any time, which will still require him
Tracer. Less will not give the bonus. More will not increase it. to refrain from other action until his PCA runs out, but
will cut the ammo costs for the Action in half.
Rate of Fire Declare Traverse: Once the Target Hex is hit, the gunner
The MG can lay down heavy fire over an extended target must declare if he is Traversing the MG, and if so, how
area (thats what its for), Built to take punishment, it is much Traverse he is using. Traversing means moving
capable of sustained fire without the jamming that plagues the gun barrel in an arc, to cover more area around the
Sub-Machine Guns. Target Hex. The gunner has a good deal of freedom in
All MGs have an assigned Rate of Fire, drawn from the how to go about this.
Specifications of the real weapon. This determines the The basic Lethal Zone for an MG burst is a 1 x 3
Machine Guns Rate Factor and the number of rounds it fires meter area (1 hex wide by 3 long), centered on the Target
in 1 Action. Hex. The gunner may declare this basic Zone to consist
of the Target Hex and any two contiguous hexes which
Actual Rate in Rounds Fired
are 180 degrees apart, so that the Lethal Zone is a line, 3
Rounds per Minute Rate Factor per Action hexes long. This may lie at any angle to the line of fire
Under 500 RpM D6 x .5 20 and requires a Travers of 0 (ie., none).
500-750 RpM 2D3 x .5 30 For every additional Traverse declared, the gunner
751-1000 RpM D10 x .5 40 may lay down a second Lethal Zone, also 1 x 3 hexes,
Over 1000 RpM 2D5 x .5 50 either joining the end of a second Zone to the end of
another (creating a line of hexes with a length increasing
The firer may elect to use any lower Rate he wishes, to by multiples of 3),or widening an existing Zone by 1 hex
conserve am munition. in any direction, as long as all three hexes of the second
To determine the effects of a hit by an MG, calculate the Zone are contiguous with all three hexes of the other.
effective BDG for 1 round of the ammo used, applying all Each additional Zone increases theTraverse by 1 . The
relevant modif iers. Traverse equals the number of steps the effective Rate
Roll for damage based on the effective BDG. Roll the dice Factor is reduced.
indicated by the Rate Factor. Multiply the two scores. This is
the damage done by the hit. Hitting Targets: Any target in a Lethal Zone when the
For Missile Special Effects, a number of rolls equal to the Target Hex is hit, or any target entering a Zone during
Rate Factor are made, using the effective BDG as the the term of the gunners Action, is exposed to an im-
percentage chance. If the Rate Factor is fractional, the last mediate attack by the gunner. i f this occurs, the gunner
such roll i s at half value. If any of these rolls succeed, the rolls an Autoweapon BCS, subject to all relevant
target suffers Special Effects. For example, a hit from a LMG modifiers (Range, Visual Conditions, and Target
firing 5.56 ammo at a rate of 400 RpM is suffered. The Actions), to see if he hits the target. If he does, damage is
damage roll for the round (BDG of 20) is madeon 2D10, for a rolled as described above.
12. The Rate Factor is 1 D6 x 5 .A 3 is rolled for a Rate Factor
of 1.5.
A character who leaves one Zone to enter another is
The damage potential of the hit is 12 x 1.5 or 18. Two rolls
subject to attack again.
are made for Missile Special Effects. The first is at full value
A vehicle subject to attack for entering a Zone which
(20%) and the secohd at half (1O0/o). occupies two or more hexes simultaneously, is subject to a
Various modifiers may increase or decrease the Rate separate attack for each Zone occupied.
Factors beyond the ranges on the Table. The progressions in A target traveling into 2 or more Zones in a single Action
question are: Phase is likewise subject to a separate attack in each Zone in
LOWER: D3 x 5 , D2 x 5 , 1 x .5 quest ion.
HIGHER: D12 x 5 ,2 0 6 X .5, D20 x 5 , 2D10 x .5
MG Construction
Modification beyond the extremes given is not possible. As you may have gathered, Machine Guns are big, heavy,
rugged weapons. But nothing is perfect and even the most
Zones of Fire
durable weapon will tend to jam i f firing at MG rates for long
TO fire a Machine Gun, the firer follows this procedure
periods.
Declare Rate of Fire: This may be any value from theTable If the gun is fired for a consecutive series of Actions
38

greater than its durability, it may jam. A rest of 1 Combat Magazines
Turn will drop the tally back to 0, at any time.(l.e.,a weapon Most Machine Guns, designed to fire from a fixed postion,
with DUR of 4 may be fired safelyfor4 Actions, then not fired with a two-man operating crew, do not limit their huge
for a full Combat Turn, etc., and will not jam unless a Critical appetite for ammunition to simple clips or boxes. Ammo in
Miss says it does). long, linked belts feeds endlessly into the guns receiver.
For every Action of firing after a rest is due, a D6 is rolled. If Belts are of the fabric or non-disintegrating type, or the
the die roll is greater than or equal to the DUR of the gun, it metal, disintegrating link type. The former is a long canvas
jams. Clear the jam as for any automatic Small Arms. strip with loops for the cartridges. The latter is compsed of
individual metal clips, hooked together, which are ejected
OPTION from the gun singly as it fires. Both are re-usable. If it really is
Changeable Barrels necessary to try to reload or rebuild a belt in Detailed Action
The working life of a Machine Gun is limited by the barrel, Time, use the Loose Rounds Rule. In a looser time frame,
which has a distressing tendency to warp under the allow a character to reload his DFT Group x MNA x 20 rounds
tremendous heat generated by sustained fire. into a belt in 1 minute.
There are two ways to measure this operating lifespan. There are also various box magazines used on some
One deals with the immediate effects of overlong firing lighter Machine Guns. Treat these as any other Box clip.
periods, and the other with the slow effects of even normal Reloading prepared magazines or belts into an MG is
use. handled under the Box magazine rules for Small Arms.
In the first case, it posits that the gunner has been firing In closing on Machine Guns, Appendix 1 of Book 3
well past the period requiring a rest to avoid possible jams. includes a sample of some half-dozen current models, both
If the DUR roll has been made for a number of firing Actions U.S.-made and European. These should give the
equal to the DUR value of the gun, then a failed roll will Gamesmaster enough help to add his own designs to the
indicate barrel warpage, instead of a simple jam. I.e.,an MG campaign.
with a DUR of 4 has been fired for 8 consecutive Actions,
without allowing a 1 Combat Turn rest. It has obviously had
to make the DUR roll for the last 4 Actions, or it would have MORTARS
jammed. If this concentrated fire continues, and the DUR roll Mortars are essentially big tubes, firing explosive shells in
fails, the gun is kaput until a new barrel is mounted (an high, arcing trajectories (Indirect Fire) to drop onto a target
operation requiring 5 Actions if one has a new barrel handy). area. The effects of Mortar Shells are given in the section on
Over the long term; a Machine Gun can fire a total number Explosives.
of rounds equal to its DUR times the Roundsfired per Action A Mortar gives a shell afixed velocity. Aiming the weapon
at its maximum Rate times 100. consists of angling the tube so that this velocity will propel
For example, a Machine Gun with DUR of 4, a maximum the shell in an arc terminating at the desired point. Mortars
RpM of 800, firing 40 rounds per Action, will have a minimum range in size from man-portable weapons with roughly a
barrel life of 4 x 40 x 100 or 1600 rounds, or 400 Actions at 60mm diameter, up to wheel-mounted monsters, 120mm in
maximum rate. This is probably too tedious to bother with diameter, requiring a vehicle or animal tow to move. All
unless it is desired to cut short the lifespan of an MG for some Mortars are fitted with a butt plate which restson theground,
reason. transmitting the recoil of the discharge directly to earth.
As MGs are always fired from some kind of mount, it is
impossi ble to either assume Full Stance or drop to Hip Fire. If Encumbrance
the gun is not properly mounted, it cannot be used. If it is, the There are three classes of Mortar: Light, Medium, and
rules governing Present Stance always apply, although the Heavy. Light and Medium Mortars will break down into three
gunner cannot exercise the Combat Move option, since he parts, Buttplate, Mount, and Tube, for man-carrying. Heavy
must be positioned behind the gun. Mortars will not.
Lt. Mortars: 60mm diameter. Tube ENC of 2. Mount ENC of
Initial Machine Gun . ~ ~~A 1. Buttplate ENC of 2. Total ENC assembled of 5. Shells
Lethal Zone ENC of 5.
Med. Mortars: 80mm diameter. Tube ENC of 4. Mount ENC
of 2. Buttplate ENC of 3. Total ENC assembled of 9. Shells
ENC of .7.
Hvy. Mortars: 120 mm diameter. They do not break down
for carrying. ENC of 12-16. Shells ENC of 1.
Range
Mortars have a Minimum Range as well as a Maximum. The
Examples of MG Lethal Zones weapons angle of fire can be varied only so much from a
given position. Firing (or trying to) at shorter ranges than
Traverse 0 Traverse 1 Traverse 2 minimum can be suicidal, putting the mortar crew inside the
lethal zone of their shells explosions.
Lt. Mortar (60mm): Minimum Range: 75 meters. Maximum
Range: 1500 meters.
Med. Mortar (80mm): Minimum Range: 100 m. Maximum
Range: 3000 m.
Hvy. Mortar (120mm): Minimum Range: 150 m. Maximum
Range: 6000 m.
As Mortars use Indirect Fire, they may shoot over
obstacles between them and the target. Maximum height of
such obstacles may not exceed (Maximum Range- Rangeto
Target)/20. Firing a Medium Mortar at a target 1200 meters
39

away allows fire over an obstacle (3000-1200)/20 equals Shell. See the Explosives rules for a full description of this
1800/20, or 90, meters high. effect.
Firing the Mortar At any time, the Gunner may spend his 2 Actions to lock
A Mortar is best handled with a crew of three characters. on target. Thereafter, any Shells fired will land exactly
Each will use his Mortar Skill to fulfill his function to the where the shot before them did, until 1 Action is spent to
maximum of efficiency. Crew members are: unlock the adjusting mechanism.
Critical Misses
Observer: Requires 1 Action t o sight in on Target. If not If the Loader did not make his Control throw, a Critical
equipped with optical gear (telescope, binoculars, etc.) Miss (indicated by a 20 on the Gunners BCS roll) is handled
capable of reducing effective Range from his position to differently from Small Arms Criticals. A No Effect result
target to 1000 meters or less, his BCS is halved. He must means a dud Shell. It lands harmlessly in the indicated area.
perform an Observe and Command Action after each shot, Any other result indicates a jammed Shell, lodged in the
in order to try to use his BCS. tube. This presents an effective Barrier value of 20 to
Gunner: Actually aims the Mortar. His BCS is used to attempts to remove it. Due to the awkward wedging of Shell
determine the location of the hit. It requires2 Actions to rein tube, a Strength CST is needed to try to extract it, rolling
adjust the Mortars settings. once per Action (only one character may work on the jam at
one time).
Loader: Loads in the Mortar Shell, which automatically
Only on a roll of 100 when checking Critical Miss effects
fires the weapon. His BCS is used to set shell for air burst,
does the Shell blow up in the tube, exposing the crew to a
if desired. This increases the effective range of the Shells
blast with its effects reduced by half. Even with this reduction
fragmentation pattern (see Explosives). I f BCS is made,
such a result is usually lethal.
Shell bursts in air. If not made, it bursts on the ground.
It requires 1 Action to load the Mortar. The weapon fires RIFLE GRENADES
at the end of the Action. Rifle Grenades are explosive projectiles designed t o be
The Loaders BCS is also used as a Control roll in the fired from a military rifle. Early models required special
event of a Critical Miss on the Gunners BCS roll. ammunition in the gun and bulky adapter mechanisms.
Modern grenades dovetail with standard designs on most
You will note that one man may operate a Mortar, as he assault rifles and carbines to permit firing with no special
may fulfill all three Crew functions, but his rate of fire will be
operations required.
much slower than a fully-trained Crews would be. The effects of Rifle Grenades on a target area are
discussed in the Explosives section. What concerns us here
Hitting the Target is how the projectiles are fired. A characters BCS for firing
Mortar fire is directed at a Target Hex, like Machine Gun Rifle Grenades is determined by averaging Rifle and
fire. Due to the nature of the Mortars ballistics, thefirst shots Grenade Launcher Skills.
directed at a given target are penalized, slowly approaching Types of Rifle Grenades
an optimum as the Observers data is applied by the Gunner We may break this down into severalsub-categories. First,
to bring Shells in on target. what is the propulsion system? There are two types: Ballistite
In deploying the Mortar to fire a shot, calculate the range and Live Ammo. They may be fired with an adapter or by a
from Mortar to target. The initial penalty is the difference launcher.
between this range and either the Maximum or the Minimum
BALLISTITE grenades require that a special, blank
Range for the Mortar, whichever isless. Dividethe difference
cartridge be chambered into the gun, usually necessitating
by 100 and subtract that from the Gunners BCS.
the removal of the weapons normal clip. This triggers the
On subsequent shots at thesame target, the Observer will
launching charge in the grenade. Ballistite rounds are thus
try to use his BCS to reduce this penalty. If he makes it,
cumbersome to use, but give the grenades designed to take
reduce the penalty by his Wit Group. If he fails, reduce the
them more range than the grenades launched using live
penalty by 1. If his BCS roll scores a Critical Hit, eliminate the
ammo.
entire penalty. If it is a Critical Miss, increase the penalty by
LIVE AMMO grenades require no special round for
(6-W it Group) .
If the Mortar switches targets without altering its location, launching. The guns normal load of Ball Ammo is sufficient
to send them their merry way. They lack the range of
the penalty calculation is made anew. However, besides
Ballistite models.
determining the difference between the new targets range,
ADAPTER grenades require that a special adapter
the Maximum, and the Minimum, the Gamesmaster should
mechanism be fitted t o the gun. It is useless for normal fire
also determine the difference between the new targets range
while so configured. It is rare to find such grenades in
and the previous targets range. The new penalty is the least
modern weaponry. The two models used in Aftermath! are
of these three possibilities.
the US Army M-1 and M-14 Rifle Grenades, made for the
At the end of the Loaders Action, theGunner rolls his BCS
famous weapons of WWll and Korea. They are exclusively
to see where the Shell actually lands.
Ballistite-launched weapons.
If BCS indicates a HIT: Determine Effect Number. Subtract 22mm LAUNCHER grenades are the modern form of the
this from penalty. If result is greater than 0, a precise hit weapon. Almost all military riflesand carbinesdesigned after
has not occured. Multiply difference by roll of 2D10, 1960 have a 22mm Grenade Launcher built into the flash
determine a vector with a D6. Shell actuallyfell in indicated hider. This is an integral part of the gun. Any 22mm Rifle
spot.The near miss maydoquiteaswellasadirect hit,this Grenade can be launched from a gun with this Feature. Some
being in the nature of high explosive fragmentation shells. of the 22mm grenades use Ballistite, others Live Ammo.
Other than these operational questions, it will be
If BCS indicates a MISS: Subtract effective BCS from score necessary to keep track of what the grenades function is.
rolled. Add penalty (if any left). Multiply by roll of 2D10 as The commonest classes are:
indicated above, determining direction with a D6. Again, a HEAP: H i g h Explosive Anti-Personnel. Powerful
near miss may do the job quite satisfactorily, painful fragmentation grenades, like super hand grenades.
though this may be to the purist of mass destruction.
HEAT: Hiqh Explosive Anti-Tank. T i m e d with shaped
On a Critical Hit, the Shell lands exactly on the target. The charges, these are used as infantry Support Weapons
Gunner has his choice of an Air Burst or normal hit for the against armored vehicles.
40

W P White Phosphorus incendiary grenades. The effects of The first is an integral part of an assault rifle, slung under the
WP weapons are described in Book 3, along with other gun barrel. When using this type, the BCS is determined by
incendiary weaponry. averaging Grenede Launcher and Rifle scores.
Grenade Ranges Next we have a completely separate launcher, looking like
a stubby shotgun. Such Grenade Launchers are usually
This varies among Ballistite-fired, Adapter-fired, and Live
Ammo types. fitted with shoulder stocks, but are fired using only the
Grenade Launcher Skill.
The last type of launcher is a pistol-grip affair, but may be
GRENADE TYPE either fired mounted to an assault rifle or used on its own,
PBR SHT EFF LNG EX1 MAX albeit requiring two hands to steady. This last is the most
Adapter 20-30 50 75 100 200 300 modern design.
22mm Ballistite 20-30 75 100 300 500 700 Also to be considered are those new launchers which carry
22mm Live Ammo 20-30 50 100 250 400 650 a clip of 40mm grenadesfor a slow version of semi-automatic
fire. The vast run of Grenade Launchers are single-shot
Note: Point Blank Range (PBR) for RifleGrenades is rated as weapons. They operate as Break Action weapons for
starting at 20 meters. This is because Rifle Grenades are reloading purposes.
fitted with safety devices which do not arm the grenade until The clip-fed Grenade Launchers carry a Box magazine of 4
it has traveled 20 meters from its firing point. Thus, shots at grenades, firing 1 shot per Action.
targets closer than 20 meters are not possible. Types of Grenades
Hitting the Target Any 40mm Launcher will accomodate any 40mm grenade.
As with Mortars, the Rifle Grenade is aimed at a specific The specific effects of the projectiles are described
area, not an individual target, With a less pronounced arc of elsewhere, but in general terms they are:
fire, they are not as difficult to aim, using the averaged scores HEAP: As Rifle Grenades. This is essentially a Hand
in Rifle and Grenade Launcher Skills t o derive the BCS. Grenade. See the Explosives section.
Shots are resolved as with normal gun fire, but a / /fire is from
presented stance, and every shot is subject to a -2 penalty to WP: White Phosphorus. See Fire Weapons section
cover the lower general accuracy of the Rifle Grenade. CANISTER: A close combat round, essentially using the
Note that a Critical Miss on this shot does not mean that Launcher as a giant shotgun, firing a mass of fragments.
the grenade is faulty. It is handled as for any firearm and See the Explosives section.
refers to the rifles performance, not the grenades. Treat
GAS: A gas shell is fired, which explodes in contact with
No Effect results as dud rounds. When the firer recovers
the ground. See Gas rules in Book 3. The Tear Gas
from the Critical effect, i f the gun is ready to fire, he may try to
launchers used by police are generally 40mm Launchers.
launch the grenade again.
In the event of a normal miss, the Gamesmaster Grenade Launcher Ranges
determines the result as with Mortar fire. Thus, close The Grenade Launcher is a limited weapon, compared to
enough can be more than sufficient. the mighty Mortars or lordly Rifle Grenades. It can put any of
In the event of a Critical Hit, the firer may choose to make its loads except Canister out to distances as follows:
the grenade hit an Air Burst, with effects as described in the PBR: 20-30 meters
Explosives rules. SHT: 50 meters
Rifle Grenade Timetable EFF: 75 meters
The handling of the Rifle Grenade is cumbersome at best. LNG: 125 meters
The following Manual of Arms lists the steps required to EXT: 250 meters
load and fire such a projectile in order. Simply delete the MAX: 500 meters
steps that do not relate to the type of grenade being used t o Canisters hideous effect is limited to about a 30-meter
derive the particular timetable for you. The procedure is: maximum as described under Explosives.
1 Action to clear magazine for Ballistite round. Firing the Launcher
1 Action to mount 22mm Grenade or 2 Actions to mount The appropriate Skill or averaged Skill is used. Treat this
Adapter device. as Rifle Grenade use in all respects.
1 Action to mount Adapter grenade.

BLACK POWDER FIREARMS
1 Action to load Ballistite round.
From the heights of modern firepower, we now turn back
1 Action to prepare to fire. to an altogether earlier form of weapon: the Black Powder or
1 Action to fire. Muzzle-Loading weapon. While this class takes in every
firearm from the early Renaissance to the late 19th century,
1 Action to remove Adapter device. we will confine our study to two of the most recent models:
Reloading another grenade would pick up at the Mount the flintlock and its more modern successor, the percussion
Grenade Action. Switching the rifle back to normal cap firearm.
configuration requires the same number of steps it took to The Muzzle Loader is a very straightforward gun. A long,
prepare the gun in the first place, plus however long it takes usually smoothbored barrel is solidly strapped to the
t o reload, if a ballistite grenade was used. gunstock, almost completely closed at the back end except
for a small hole connecting to a priming pan. In the flintlock,
GRENADE LAUNCHER this pan holds a small amount of loose gunpowder (Primer).
In a percussion model, this has been replaced by anipple
Unlike the Rifle Grenade, which is to an extent an attempt over which a Percussion Cap is fitted. The explosive in this
to turn rifles into Support Weapons, Grenade Launchers are cap goes off on impact from the hammer, flashing a spark
special weapons designed to toss a 40mm projectile for a into the main powder charge in the gun barrel. BANG!
limited distance. The Muzzle Loader recreates a giant model of the
Types of Launchers compact, self-contained cartridge of today. First, if recently
40mm Grenade Launchers come in three configurations. fired, the barrel is swabbed, cleaning the remains of old
41

charges out. A new charge is then inserted and rammed in, ENCUMBRANCE
packing it tightly. The bullet is then wrapped in a wad, and Unquestionably, the old firearms bulk more than the sleek
dropped in on top of the charge. Another wad is rammed killers of today. In the absence of hard data on actual
tightly over it all, to seal the powder in and confine its burn, weights, assume standard Encumbrances for the weapons of
so as to build up the pressures needed t o fire the weapon. .4 for all Pistols and 1.5 for all Long Guns.
The gun is now loaded.
Theprimer charge or percussion cap is now placed on the
pan, and the gun is cocked. It is not ready to fire, if nothing
goes wrong.
le
MUZZLE LOADING TIMETABLE
The following Manual of Arms gives the Actions involved
in preparing to fire a Muzzle Loader.
BLACK POWDER B D G
If weapon has been fired already, 1 Action to swab.
The BDG for a bullet from a Muzzle Loader is dependent
1 Action to load in charge. (3 Actions if charge is not, on the Powder Charge and the Caliber. The powder loaded
premeasured) . into the gun is measured in Drams (of which there are24to
1 Action to ram charge in tightly. the ounce). The Caliber is, of course, in fractions of an inch.
1 Action to wrap bullet in a wad. The base BDG for a given load in the gun is equal to 10 x
(Charge in Drams) x (Caliber in inches). This is the BDG
1 Action to ram bullet into barrel. from Long Guns. Pistols halve this just as they do in modern
1 Action to wad the whole thing. guns.
1 Action to put rammer away (it may be dropped, of Please remember that the Caliber value must be in
course). fractions of an inch. For a 45 Caliber weapon, usepoint45 as
a factor-45flOOths of an inch!
1 Action to prepare primer or percussion cap. This is used as the base BCS, subject to all the usual
1 Action to prime with a Cap or 2 Actions to prime with Ballistic modifiers.
loose Powder.
ABOUT POWDER CHARGES
1 Action to cock. It is unsafe just to stuff gunpowder into the gun until it is a
The gun is now, finally, ready to fire!!! veritable cannon. The upper limit on the number of charges
is the Durability of the weapon. For every Dram over this limit
MUZZLE LOADER WEAPON SPECS
that is loaded, increase the chance of a Critical Miss by 1. I.e.,
As with most firearms. these come in Pistol and Long Gun in a DUR-4 gun with 4 Drams of powder in the charge, the
models. They are by no means as finicky about Caliber as chance of a Critical Miss is on a natural die roll of 20, as
their modern descendants, but still limit the sizeof Bullet that always. Load 5 Drams in, and the Critical Miss occurs on a
may be used within about a .05-inch range. We will be doing die roll of 19-20. Load in 6 Drams, and the chance is on a roll
this marvelous class of weapon little justice in this of 18-20; and so on.
abbreviated view, but will take the following Calibers in both
sizes as the standard Aftermath! models: 45, 50, 65, 70. Due OPTION
to the low muzzle velocity achieved by Black Powder fire, Charge Loading Rule
large slugs were the order of the day to achieve adequate If desired, the Actions spent in loading a Charge can vary
stopping power with the one shot usually allowed hunter or according to the size of the Charge. The maximum number
soldier with these weapons. of Drams that cah be loaded in 1Action is the users Deftness
Group. The use of pre-packaged paper cartridges allows the
loading a 1 Cartridge in 1 Action, but only one such Cartridge
Black Powder Ranges may be in the gun at a time. A Cartridge contains a
The ranges are set by the overall size of the gun. premeasured Charge and a prewrapped Bullet. bullet.
PBR SHT EFF LNG EXT MAX FLASHES IN THE PAN
Pistol 5 10 15 30 60 90
Apart from the omnipresent danger of a Critical Miss, the
Long Gun 10 20 50 100 150 200
I
Primer presents a question when firing Muzzle Loaders. Will
it go off and trigger the main Charge?
Feature Using loose powder as a primer gives a base 1 in 10 chance
Rifled Barrels of a misfire. Add the roll of 1D6 to this if it is raining, and
It was not until the 17th century that someone noticed that increase by 1D6 for every minute that the gun is out in the
spinning projectiles hit harder and fly truer than those that wet. Also, if the primer has not been changed in the last few
do not spin. The way to get bullets to do this was by rifling the hours, the Gamesmaster should feel free to roll 1D3 for an
gun barrel, incising grooves in a long spiral along the inside addition to this penalty.
to impart this spin to the projectile as it rushed u p the tube. Percussion Caps do not care if it is wet, or how long they
Rifled gun barrels increase the range steps of the weapon are on the pan before firing.They haveaflat 1 in 20chanceof
by 50%, just as Match Quality weapons do with modern guns. misfiring, subject to no adds under most circumstances.
42

EXPLOSIVES
This Section deals with chemical explosives: dynamite, floor in a second Fall after he has bounced off the obstacle.
plastic explosive, blasting powders, and the weapons made See p. 32 in Book 1 for Fall effects.
from them: hand or rifle grenades, mortar shells, mines, etc. 0 All cnaldcters exposed to Blast suffer Subdual Damage to
We do not discuss atomic explosives (Gamesmasters will their whole system (Le., no Location is rolled for). They
find some ideas on nukes in Book 3, but frankly, theyre not reduce this damaqe by their Average AV. The amount of
our thing). Subdual Damage equals 2 x effective Blast.
These rules govern the use of explosives in two roles: anti-
personnel (i.e. against characters) and demolition (i.e. 0 Blast may deafen characters with unprotected ears. The
against the Barrier valueof structures). The useof explosives base chance of this occurring for a character is 2% x effec-
against Vehicles is specifically outlined at the end of the tive Blast. If this DlOO roll indicates Deafening, thecharac-
section. ter must make a Health CST. Failure to make the Saving
Throw will deafen the victim for (50CombatTurns- Health
Score). If Deafening affects a character already suffering
RATING EXPLOSIVES such a result, the indicated time is added to the period he
All explosive materials generate a concussion effect when will remain deaf.
detonated. This is called Blast. It is effective against both
characters and Barriers. Jose spun around as a hissing, sparking something
Most explosive weapons will produce a fragmentation crashed through the window. A bundle of dynamite
effect as well. This is called Frag (for Fragmentation). It is delivered by Air Mail, a present from his pursuers! He
produced by sheathing an explosive charge with a metal or dove for the sputtering package of death, but a hail of
plastic jacket, which is smashed into shards by the force of rifle fire from outside drove him away from the
the explosion andhurled outwards like a hail of bullets. windows line o f sight. Desperately, he ran for the door,
In codifying explosives or explosive weapons, the format sickly aware that he would be too late. Suddenly, the
NAME BLASTjFRAG is used. NAME is the name of the world seemed to turn into a volcano, a nova, a
material or the weapon. BLAST is its Blast rating. FRAG thundering chaos of noise and pain. A giant bludgeon
is its Frag rating. slammed into Joses body, and everything went dark.
An explosive will almost always produce Blast, but not The above scene illustrates the effects of Blast o n a
necessarily Frag. Thus, an entry like TNT 10 is assumed to character. Jose is some 10 meters away from a three-
mean a charge of TNT, or Dynamite, with a Blast of 10, but n o stick bundle of TNT. Each stick has a Blast o f 10, fora
Frag. The entry Hand Grenade 5/5 would indicate a total of 30. The effective Blast is thus 30 (the rated
grenade with a Blast of 5 and a Frag of 5. value of the explosive) minus 10 (Joses distance in
There are some exotic exceptions (see Claymore Mines meters from the explosion) for a total of 20.
later in this section), but they represent special cases. First, Jose is hit by a Stopping Effect of 20. His Mass
is about 5 , so the effect number is 2015, or 4. This will
BLAST EFFECTS toss him 203 meters away from the explosions
location, and requires a Deftness AST i f he is to avoid a
These operate on two fronts: against characters in range,
knockdown. Unfortunately, Jose got close enough to
and against structures and items either deliberately or the door that the Blast will pitch him into it. The
incidentally exposed to significant Blast ratings.
Gamesmaster rolled a 5 for the distance of the
BLAST VS. CHARACTERS Stopping knock-back. Jose was only 2 meters from the
The base Blast rating of an explosion determines the door (so near, yet so far). He slams info the door as i f he
maximum range at which it can affect a character. For every had fallen 5 meters. He rolls for Fall effects. There are
meter of distance between the center of the explosion (the none. He now rolls his Speed AST to stay o n his feet
hex in which it takes place) and the character, reduce the after the Stopping Effect. He makes it! OK Jose!
effective Blast by 1. However, the Blast also does Jose twice its effective
value in Subdual Damage. This is 40 points (for an
0 All characters exposed to Blast suffer a Stopping Effect, effective Blast of 20) and Jose is only in an Average A V
as described in Missile Special Effects in Book 1. with a of 4, for a total of 36. The poor slob must try to resist
force equal to the effective Blast. This figure is divided by System Shock ( i f the whopping concussion has not
their personal Mass to derive the Effect Number of the simply blown his damage total past his DRT). Joses
Stopping Effect. system evinces its disgust at these outrages by
refusing to succeed at a Health AST, and he goes down
Among other things, this Effect will hurl the character for the count. The only good thing about all this is that
away from the center of the explosion for the indicated any Deafening results from the Blast will have worn off
number of meters. I f his path is blocked by a solid obstacle, by the time Jose comes to.
before he has moved the indicated distance, then he will
suffer a Fall result, hitting the obstacle as if he had fallen
onto it from a height equal to the distance rolled for the DEFENSES AGAINST BLAST
Stopping Effect. Immediate check is made for Fall results. Hard cover is good protection against Blast. If it is beyond
Should he survive these, he will usually have to save the Blasts ability to knock down (see Demolition rules
against falling down due to the Stopping Effect. This is following) it will protect the character against all but the
carried out normally. Thus, a Blast can slap a character up Deafening attack. It had better be solid, though, or the
against an object, simulating a Fall, and/or drop him to the character may find himself buried under his cover.
43

If the character can put a 90 degree corner between him- DEMOLITION SKILL
self and the explosion, the Blast will be cut in half. Each such The Demolition Skill described in part in the Skills section 1
turn halves the effective Blast yet again. will simultaneously enhance the destructive power of a
charge in a controlled manner (i.e., vs. the desired target
Crazy Isaiah bellows, Seek Ye the Justice o f the Lord,
SINNERS! and tosses a grenade down the corridor. only) and at thesame time reduce its Blast effects on the area
Being crazy does not mean hes stupid, so Isaiah ducks around the obstacle.
back around a corner. The grenade goes off with a base When a charge is set to knock over a Barrier, it will receive
Blast of 10. The blast front travels down the corridor to a multiplier to the effective Blast against that Barriers value.
Isaiahs turnoff. I t has an effective Blast o f 6. But to Unskilled Use
Isaiah, flattened against the wall around that corner, The character has not used Demolition Skill to set the
the effective Blast is reduced to 3. charge. Just plopping a bundle of TNT down by a door falls
into this category. The Blast directed at the Barrier is equal to
Certain forms of Integral Armor (Military and Police suits,
the effective Blast multiplied by a factor equal to the roll on a
protective coveralls for Disaster workers, racing drivers, etc.)
D3 times .5.
will provide a protection called Blast Buffering.
When the wearer of Blast Buffered armor is hit by an Rocco runs up to a door, finds i t locked, and being in
explosive effect, the effective Blast is reduced by the value a hurry, decides to blow i t down. He arms a hand
assigned to this Blast Buffering. grenade with a Blast of 10, drops i t by the obstruction,
Character actions will not overly affect Blast. Hitting the and runs like a bandit for cover. KA-BLAM! The
Deck (changing position by the end of the Action Phase in grenade had rolled about 1 meter away, so the effective
which the explosion goes off) will serve to reduce the Blast for the door is 9. Rolling a 03,the Gamesmaster
effective Blast by the characters CDA. He may expose gets a 2. Thus, 2 x .5equals 1, so the doortakes9points
himself to Fall results if he does not take a full Action to get o f damage to its Barrier value. Even assuming i t to be a
down, of course. Characters trying this maneuver in the flimsy wooden door with only 15 points to start with, i t
same Action Phase as the detonation must make a Speed remains in place, leaving Roccos path still obstructed.
AST to get the defensive bonus from it. Skilled Use
Soft Cover can also soak up some Blast, usually giving up Under normal circumstances, small-scale demolition (i.e.
the ghost in the process. Heavy draperies, piles of cloth, doors, portions of walls, locked areas, rubble, etc.) requires
mattresses, loose boxes, etc., can reduce Blast for those 10 minutes work to properly set the charge when using
sheltering behind them. The Gamesmaster will often have to Demolition Skill. The Gamesmaster may require the
assign some arbitrary value (roll 1D3 if you need a good possession of certain tools, such as drills, picks, shovels, or
range) to such protections. what have you, to make holes into which the explosives will
And, of course, hurling your own body (or someoneelses) be placed. Working without such tools will reduce the
across the explosive before it goes off to drastically reduce effective BCS for the Demolition worker. Also recall that the
Blast (for everyone else). character must average his Demolition Skill with the
The base Blast used in this case is divided by the Mass plus Explosives Skill appropriate to the type of material being
Average AV of the hero on top of it. But he will suffer twice the worked with. Explosives on the Table below are divided by
base Blast rating with no reductions, both as a Stopping the Skills governing their manufacture and use.
Effect and in calculating the Subdual Damage. For example, If the Demolition user makes his BCS (rolled when he
jumping on top of a Grenade 10/5,the sacrifice character triggers the charge) then the multiplier for Blast will be his
takes a Stopping Effect Number of 20, and 40 points of Wit Group Effect Die roll but he will at least get to roll a 03,
Subdual Damage. The Frag effect will probably finish him should he be afflicted with a Wit Group of 1. If the BCS fails,
off, but that is discussed later. His armor and mass do not then use the die roll specified for Unskilled use. A Critical Hit
reduce this damage. increases the effective Group by 1. A Critical Miss indicates a
Using inanimate objects (mattresses, spare corpses, tarps, bum charge, doing only half the base Blast value to the
etc.) in this manner will only subtract their value from the Barrier as damage.
base Blast rating (Yes, self-sacrificing heroes get a bonus Skilled Demolition work also can reduce backblast from
toward saving their comrades). a charge. This is simply the normal Blast effect occurring on
the characters side of whatever he is trying to blow up. If the
BCS is made, the base Blast for determining the effects on
characters in range is divided by the Demolition workers
DEMOLITION Effect Number. Roll a separate BCS for this, also at the time
Any structure or object exposed to a good-sized Blast is the charge is triggered.
not going to benefit by it. But this can be glossed over by the
OVERKILL
Gamesmaster in normal play, when the bombs are flying for
I t is desirable to havesome ideaof just how much Barrier is
anti-personnel reasons, rather than working out the effects
being faced when setting a demolition charge. If the base
on every stick of furniture in the room. The Gamesmaster
Blast of the charge is more than twice the value of the Barrier,
may destroy items in close range by fiat, and likewise decree
any Blast in excess of twice the Barrier value is called
any minor architectural changes wrought o n the
Overkill. Overkill may do just a bit more damage than
surroundings. Light doors, windows, etc., will probably go
anticipated.
away. Heavier features will probably survive. If there is too
It is difficult to give more than guidelines in how to handle
much indiscriminate use of explosives in tottering buildings,
this situation. All we can do is illustrate the way several
the site of the explosions can conveniently be made to cave
particular cases might go, as asignpost to other solutionsfor
in, the chance in 20 being equal to the Base Blast Rating
the Gamesmaster.
minus the buildings Structural Stability rating, that the room
in question has just dropped its ceiling in. 0 Demolishing a doorway, wall, or other interior feature of a
However, controlled use of explosives to demolish an building: The amount of Overkill in the base Blast Factor is
particular barrier or structure is another thing entirely. While the chance in 20 of collapsing the roof of the room or
any dolt can charge up to a door, lay an armed grenade by it, building, for a radius around the center of the explosion
and run like blazes for cover, it is not automatically going to equal to the base Blast rating (all of it) divided by the Struc-
remove the door for him. tural Stability of the building. Only the Gamesmaster is
44

likely to know what the Stability actually is (from 1 to 10, FRAGMENTATION EFFECTS
with 1 meaning nearly gutted, 10 meaning no structural
weakness). Using a charge with Blast of 50 t o open a 20- Fragmentation is a purely anti-personnel effect, measured
Barrier-point door leaves an Overkill of 10. There is a 10 in by a Frag rating. This number determines the damage
20 chance of bad results. The Gamesmaster rolls a 6 on a potential of a Frag hit in the same way that BDG does for a
D20, indicating problems, and announces that the buIIet.
doorway previously closed by the door is now blocked by Frag rating is equal to thenumber of DlOof Lethal Damage
the room from upstairs (a 50-meter radius turned out to be done by a hit. A bonus is added to this die roll equal to the
more than enough, as the building had a stability of only3, Frag rating. Thus, a Frag 5 weapon will do 5010 plus 5 in
for a 16-meter collapsed area). Lethal Damage when it hits.
As with bullets a fragment may get Missile Special Effects
0 Opening a safe, vault, or lockbox: The Overkill will directly when it hits. The effective chance of this is 10% x Frag rating.
attack the Barrier (or whatever) of every item in the A hit from a Frag 5 weapon has a 50% chance of causing
container. This will certainly destroy any papers,
Missile Special Effects. Note: the effects of a single explosive
machinery, electronic gear, or what have you. There is a
will only get one Stopping Effect on a given target. The
percent chance equal to the Overkill that the container will Stopping Effect for a fragment hit isnot applied tothosewho
simply be pulverized by the confined fury of the Blast.
have taken Stopping from the Blast.
0 Blowing up a large section of ground: There is no real risk When a character is within the range of a weapon's Frag
here unless working with an unstable formation (liketrying effect, the Gamesmaster will roll a BCS for the fragment to
to clear a blocked cave mouth). The Overkill result would see if it hits him. Normally, only one such attack is made on a
be an avalanche proportionate to the magnitude of the target per explosion.
overage.
FRAGMENTATION RANGES
It is t o be hoped that these limited examples will be helpful
The base Range for fragmentation effects is determined by
to the Gamesmaster faced with adjudicating the outcome of adding the Blast and Fragmentation ratings of theexplosive.
overenthusiastic use of explosives. The specific ranges derived from this figure and their effects
are as follows: Primarv Zone: Base Ranae/?, down.
Burst Range of a Fragments havekCS of 16.
U.S. Mk. 8 Secondary Zone: Base Range
Defensive Gren Fragments have BCS of 12.
uter Zone: Base Range x 2.
Fragments have BCS of 10.
45

Thus, if a Grenade 5/5 goes off, it has a Base Range of operation of the latter. All of the materials given here fall into
5 plus 5, or 10. Its Primary Zone is 5 meters. Targets within two categories:
that radius of the explosion must avoid a BCS of 16 tododge Industrial Explosives: Materials manufactured under fairly
fragments. Its Secondary Zone is between 5 and 10 meters. controlled conditions using a Lab. This class includes
The BCS for fragments here is 12. The Outer Zone extends Dynamite, Plastique, and Blasting Powder.
from 10 to 20 meters. Fragments here have a BCS of 10. All
fragments have a Fragmentation rating of 5 . Home-Cooked Explosives: Materials which can be made in
any situation providing the necessary equipment and
CRITICAL EFFECTS O F FRAG HITS ingredients. Many of these can be and are manufactured
A Critical Hit by a Fragmentation weapon indicates that more copiously or more efficiently under Industrial
two fragments have hit the target. Roll location separately. conditions. Others are purely improvisational but effective
Treat like simultaneous hits by bullets. for all that.
A Critical Miss on the Frag BCS (not the weapons users
BCS) negates any other attacks the fragments have coming.
If this occurs on the first such BCS roll, the weapon was a EXPLOSIVES TABLE
dud. It is thus advisable to roll for targets exposed to Frag Blast Charge
effects in order of their nearness to the center of the Name of Material Rating Size
explosion. Simple Explosives:
A grenade exposes AI, Charley, and Bob to Frag Dynamite (or TNT) 10 1 stick
effects. A I is closest, then Bob, and Charley is farthest Nitroglycerine 15 1 deciliter
from the explosions center. The BCS roll against A I is (about 3 fl. 02.)
made first, and hits him. The roll against Bob is a 20, a Nitrocellulose (Guncotton) 10 1 kg
Critical Miss. Therefore, no roll is made against Black Powder (Gunpowder) 5 1 kg
Charley. Ammonium Nitrate 5 1 kg
Complex Explosives:
DEFENSE AGAINST FRAGMENTS Plastique Varies 1 kg
Defense from fragments is similar to that from bullets. But Blasting Powder 15 1 kg
the target movement does not enhance the CDA. Cover is Mercury Fulminate See Primers
handled the same, and hitting the deck will double the CDA.
When a fragment hit is indicated, it will attack only one
Location, and must overcome the Armor Value to do BLAST RATINGS
damage. The exception occurs when the explosion is in a
In general, if 1 unit of explosive produces a Blast of X, then
confined space, such that the area is smaller than the
2 units produce a Blast of 2X.
weapons Outer Zone. All those in the area will be attacked
twice (Le., two BCS rolls are made for fragment hits). Treat as Plastic Exploslves
separate attacks. The Table ascribes a variable Blast to Plastic Explosive (or
Diving onto the Grenade (or whatever) is enshrined in the Plastique, as it is also known). This form of explosive is, after
heroic literature of modern combat. When someone pulls Dynamite, the most common Industrial Explosive used
this stunt (Instant Medal of Honor in military slang), he is today. It is found in engineering and mining applications as
almost certainly dooming himself to save others. Such a well as military and intelligence uses. A given formula of
character will take the full force of the grenades Plastique is codified as Plastique X , where X is the Blast
Fragmentation rating, none of it traveling past his body. He rating for 1 kg of explosive. Plastique 20 indicates a type of
will take double the damage rolled for the hit and defend Plastic Explosive with a Blast of 20 for a 1 kg charge. To find
against it with his Average AV. If the Gamesmaster wishes an out how much Plastique will produce a Blast of 1, divide 1000
alternate system, assume that a Critical Frag hit is sustained, by the Blast per Kilo figure, yielding an amount in grams.
treating it as a Critical bullet hit. Still use the Average AV for Plastique 20 will produce a Blast of 1 per (1000/20) grams.
defense. There is no absolute limit to the maximum rating for
Plastique. Assume that the heftiest formula around runs to
AIR BURSTS about Plastique 100, in explosives designed for military or
Air Bursts, the detonation of Mortar Shells, Rifle Grenades, intelligence use. This is the approximate strength used in
Artillery Shells, etc., at a given height above the ground, will such terrorist ploys as letter bombs, where a standard charge
double the Base Range of Fragmentation effects. runs to about 500 grams (about 1 pound).
The Blast is treated normally, so that in general, an Air
Burst sacrifices this effect for more penetrating fragment
DESCRIPTION OF EXPLOSIVES FROM TABLE
dispersal.
Dynarnife
To determine the height of an Air Burst, the Gamesmaster Also called TNT. Nitroglycerine is soaked up by sticks of
will roll 2D10, add 5 meters to the result, and get the height in charcoal to produce dynamite. Unlike Nitre, this form of
meters of the explosions center. explosive is quite stable. It can be burned, hit with a hammer,
even fired into without detonating. Only afulminating primer
CONFINED BURSTS (see below) will set it off.
When the explosion of a fragmentation weapon occurs in Dynamite stored where it can be exposed to extremes of
an area which is smaller than the Outer Zone of the temperature can sweat out the Nitroglycerine, coating the
Fragmentation Range, then all characters exposed to it will sticks with pure crystals of this substance. Such degraded
be attacked by two fragments instead of one. Roll BCS TNT is very unstable, reacting likethe Nitro described below.
separately for each such attack, using the BCS for the Nifroglycerlne
characters range from the explosions center. This compound is the basis for other materials in the list:
dynamite, nitrocellulose. In the pure form it is shockingly
easy to make and equally easy to detonate.
Nitroglycerine, or Nitro, is an oily liquid obtained by
EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS & FUSES heating glycerine, nitric acid, and other chemicals. Once
We will separate the discussion .of explosives and manufactured, it remains potent, even if dried out into
explosive weapons, since the former provide the basis for the crystals.
4&

Nitro will explode if exposed to Black Powder
.extreme heat, open flame, or electrical spark Good old gunpowder. Made (as almost everyone knows)
from charcoal, sulphur, and saltpeter. I t is important to note
.any significant shock, jolt, or impact that Black Powder must be tightly confined to generate a
.excessive vibrations, or even the shock waves of a loud Blast. If just poured over something and touched off, there
noise will be a flare, and you might :tart a fire, but there will be no
explosion.
In other words, look at it cross-eyedand it will gooff. Rules Black Powder will ignite if exposed to heat, open flame, or
governing these factors are hard to formulate completely, electric spark. Impact does not affect it. If you have some of
but here are some examples. this material, you can also use it to charge a muzzle-loading
I f carrying Nitro, movement must be limited to a BMA of .5. firearm, but not to make bullets.
Faster rates require a Deftness Saving Throw. For movement Ammonium Nltrate
at a normal walk (BMA of l ) , roll a Deftness AST each A simple chemical treatment with a substance so common
Combat Turn. Roll a CST each Combat Turn in which we are not really sure we should mention it will turn any
movement over a Walk was used, no matter how briefly.
ammoniated nitrate fertilizer into a very efficient explosive.
Dropping the Nitro, Falling, Changing Position, or Jumping
The fertilizer is sold in 25 kg sacks, which should be
will set it off (Gamesmaster may allow a Deftness CST if he is
soaked in kerosene (kerosene is not the correct material)
feeling charitable). Weapon hits against the carrier will
and allowed to dry. Use of a fulmiating primer (see below)
probably detonate his lethal burden. will set it off. Extreme heat will cause it t o ignite and burn, but
Gunfire or other loud noises within a meter of Nitro will not explosively. It is otherwise completely stable.
have a 10% chance of setting it off unless it is packed for
safety. Plastlque
Carrying the Nitro in a vehicle allows a maximum safe The Blast on Plastiquevaries as stated above. Note that the
speed of 10 kph on a good road, and half that on rougher formulae used to make it in the lab may be different for
surfaces. If driving faster, a Driving BCS is required. Divide Plastiques of different strengths.
600 by the speed i n kph to determine the number of Combat Plastique is portable, malleable, completely stable (it will
Turns between BCS rolls. Any accident will detonate the not detonate unless a proper primer is used), and resistant to
Nitro. Rapid acceleration or braking should probably require water, temperature changes, etc. It is potentially the ideal
a separate Driving BCS, before recalculating the time explosive for almost applications in Aftermath!
between rolls for the new speed. Most military explosive weapons (grenades, mines, HE
Any Explosives Skill user can package Nitro for safe shells) use a Plastique charge for their explosive component.
carrying. This, of course, will require packing materials and a Blasting Powder
container of some sort. The package has a Safety Factor This is simply the smokeless gunpowder used in modern
equal to his Effect Number on the roll. If the package is ammunition, acting in explosives exactly as Black Powder
exposed to any stimulus capable of detonating the Nitro, it does.
has a Saving Throw equal to this Safety Factor. If the roll is If you want to figure the amount of Blasting Powder you
made, then no explosion occurs. It requires 1 hour to can get out of your cartridges, figure the average round of
package the Nitro safely. Ball Ammo or Shot Shell will yield about 1 gram.
Nltrocellulose
Also known as Guncotton. This is simply cellulose (plant PRIMERS
fibers, cotton) which has soaked up a batch of nitroglycerine The most efficient way to detonate any charge is by
(1 kg of fiber will absorb 1 deciliter of Nitro). Wadded into a exposing it simultaneously to extreme heat and high impact.
mass, it will serve as an explosive in its own right. In strips or In other words, it takes a small boom to make a big BOOM.
ropes, it is a fast-burning fuse. Guncotton will ignite if The standard means of achieving this is by using Primers,
exposed to heat, open flame, or high impact (hitting it with a also called Blasting Caps. The Primer is also known as a
heavy hammer will do fine, or the Blast from another Fulminating Primer, indicating that it blows up in a gout of
explosive, with an effective rating of 1 or more). flame, and also referring to the material that gives the Primer
Guncotton holds the Nitro i n a more stable configuration this quality: Mercury Fulminate.
than the pure chemical. It is generally immune to the dangers This highly volatile substancewill go off if exposed to heat,
of undesired detonation that make pure Nitroglycerine such pressure, impact, electrical current, or flame. A Primer
an uncomfortable companion. generates a Blast of 1, sufficient to trigger any explosive on
the Table when the unit is in contact with the main charge.
Fulminate also releases a burst of intense flame, level 4 as fire
is rated in the basic rules in Book 1, to trigger explosives with
more control.
Primers can be attached to the end of a stick of dynamite,
or a bundle of sticks (maximum of 12 sticks per primer). They
can be imbedded in a lump of Plastique, dangled in a flask of
Nitro, or just shoved into containers of Powder or
Guncotton. They will detonate by one of three methods:
.a fuse laid to the Primer and lit
.an electrical signal from a remote trigger (which may be
wired to the Primer or radio controlled)
.a timing mechanism of some kind, or other trigger device
as described in the Booby Trap section
These all presuppose that some obliging and expendable
type cannot be prevailed upon to go up and hit the primer
hard with a hammer.
A compressed wad of Guncotton can be called into service
47

as a Primer, but it requires a special Demolition BCS to set Electrical timers are accurate to the second. They
this up, and if that fails, the charge will automatically suffer a consist of a small timer, a clock if you will, and a battery
Critical Miss when triggered, with the reduced Blast leading to a Primer, either built into the device or part of a
efficiency described above. constructed charge.
The classic electrical timer is the alarm clock with two
FUSES & TIMERS wires connected to it: one at the hour desired for
A good-quality fuse is simply a length of stiff cord or detonation, the other to the hour hand. The hand reaches
the designated spot, the wires connect, closing a circuit
celluloid impregnated with gunpowder, leading from some
place of safety to the charges Primer. You light it, it burns at between a battery and the primer, and BOOM!
a preset speed, reaches the Primer, and voila! Instant The clockface timers cannot be set more than 12 hours
explosion. in advance unless using a 24-hour clock. The other, more
modern form of electric timer uses a settable, elapsed
Fuses and other forms of triggering devices operate as
time fuse. It is usually good for up to 24 hours. After the
follows:
designated time has passed, it simply releases current
Cordite: This is the commonest form of the classic, into the primer.
burning fuse. Simply connect one end to the Primer, or
insert it into the charge if using an explosive that goes off
in the presence of flame, and light it. EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS
Cordite is rated in terms of how many meters it will burn The subject here is specifically such goodies as Hand
in 1 Combat Turn. For example, a 1-meter length of Grenades, Rifle- or Launcher-fired Grenades, Mines, and so
Cordite 1, lit on Action Phase 5 of a Combat Turn, will on. It does not seem necessary to discuss such simple do-it-
burn totheend by Action Phase5ofthenextCombatTurn yourself efforts as a bundle of TNT with a fuse of the right
If such data is needed, assume a BAP equivalent of 20 for length attached. These are the military firecrackers, usually
all Cordites. Thus, to have a piece of Cordite 1 lit on Action using both Blast and Frag to spread death from the point of
Phase 5 go off on Action Phase 1 of that same Combat the explosion.
Turn, a length of .25 meters must be used. 5 Action Phases HAND GRENADES
of burning time is one quarter of the 20 Phases in a full These are meant to be lobbed at the enemy by hand, using
Combat Turn of burning, and that full Turn will burn 1
Combat Throwing or raw Deftness to get the bomb there.
meter, so use a fourth of that meter, ergo .25 (or 25 The models used in Aftermath! are:
centimeters). In other words, 1 divided by the Cordite
rating is the number of Combat Turns required to burn a Grenade Blast Frag
meter of the fuse. 20 times that figure (l/Rating) is the US Mk.1 5 5
number of Action Phases which will elapse between US Mk.6 10 5
lighting the fuse and detonation, assuming a BAP of 20 if US Mk.7 Defensive 10 10
more than one Combat Turn is involved. US Mk.8 Offensive 5 2
High-tech versions of Cordite exist which require no Concussion 15 0
oxygen to burn (impregnated with self-sustaining
combustibles) or can function underwater (magnesium- The use of grenades is fairly obvious: you throw it, it blows
based fuses). Also, ultra-fast-burning fuses, such as up. The grenades listed are all standard US Army models,
Cordtex, which would be rated as Cordite 100, exist. The current from WWI, in the case of the Mk.1 (the famous
standard types of Cordite are rated from about .5 to 20. Pineapple), to the close-combat Defensive grenades
Guncotton as a fuse is the rough equivalent to Cordite50. developed for Viet Nam.
All Hand Grenades have a 1 Combat Turn chemical timer
Electrical Igniters: A small heating element, which will go for a fuse. This is armed when the Pin is pulled and the Spoon
to red heat in a fraction of a second, is placed in contact is released. The former is a small Pin which locks an arming
with the Primer, or with heat-sensitive explosives. I f handle, or Spoon, in place on the grenade. When the Pin is
current is fed into the igniter, the charge is detonated. removed, releasing the grip on the grenade by throwing it
This may be done via a direct wire connection to a battery lets the Spoon fly off, arming the fuse. Of course, one can let
case (the E-5 or better is needed when calibrating this to the Spoon fly off and wait to throw the grenade, lowering the
Aftermath! battery types, or a packet of 5 E-1 batteries), or oppositions chances of getting to cover. But dont wait too
by using a specially made radio control. In the latter case, long! If the Spoon is held in place until the grenade is thrown,
a battery must be attached to the receiver of the setup, the usual procedure, then the Action Phase used to
placed at the site of the charge. It consumes 5 charges of determine when the explosion will occur is the Phase, in the
electricity to trigger the primer. next Combat Turn, following the one on which theThrowing
Action is initiated.
Timers: There are two standard types: chemical and
electrical. Chemical timers simply release a slow acid RIFLE GRENADES AND
through a thin metal capsule to trigger a Primer built into GRENADE LAUNCHER PROJECTILES
the timing fuse. They are not very accurate, being set for a The use of Rifle Grenades is described in the Firearms
Section. The effect of a Rifle Grenade going off is just the
given period (a chemical times set for 10 Combat Turns,
same as a Hand Grenade, only worse.
i.e. 1 minute, will only be good for a 1 minutesetting), and
having a 10% error margin either way. The Gamesmaster Grenade Blast Frag
should roll a D30. Scoring 1-10 indicates the percentage M-1 Adapter 10 5
of time to subtract from the timers setting. A score of 11- M-14 Adapter 15 5
20 means no error is present: timing will be exact. A roll of 22mm Rifle Grenade 15 10
21-30 will increase the timing by a percentage equal to the 40mm Launcher Grenade 5 5
die roll minus 20. Therefore, a roll of 25 would add 5% to 40mm Canister Special.
the set time. See below.
The minimum time on a chemical timer is 1 Combat Note that Adapter Grenades are specific to the Rifle
Turn, and is used on such things as hand grenades. The designated. You must have an M-1 semiautomatic rifle to
maximum practical time for a chemical timer is about 1 take the Adapter device for the M-1 Rifle Grenade. Thesame
hour. applies to the M-14 model.

22mm Grenades are essentially the same for all weapons, forthe hit is needed, rollaDlOandaddlOtotheresult,which
no matter if they are Ballistite or Live Ammo launched. will give a Location number from the Hips (10-11) totheFeet
The 40mm fragmentation Grenade is basically a Hand (19-20). It is usually fatal.
Grenade in a 40mm package. Ah! But the Canister round! There are smaller, nuisance mines, which use Blast only,
This little monster flies 3 meters from the launcher and with a rating of only5. They work much thesame way, but are
then blows up in a shapedpattern! It hurls a negligible Blast less lethal.
(5 points) but a Frag of 10, in a front 3 meters wide, for double As for the effects on the rest of the area, a Land Mine
the base Ranges. In the event of a miss, the time fuse is functions as does any other explosive weapon, but its base
assumed to have malfunctioned. The scatter effect is rolled Ratings are halved, as are the BCS scores for its Frag attacks
for as with Rifle Grenades, but rerolling if scatter is indicated on those within range.
as coming toward the firer. PRESSURE PLATES
MORTAR SHELLS The mine is designed to go off in the Action Phase it is
These are the big babies delivered by Mortars, as stepped on. The Pressure Plate triggers a very short-term
described in the Firearms rules. Their effect is based on their Chemical Timer. But there is a variable in this. Roll a D20. On
diameter. a 1-10, it goes off at once, as planned. On an 11-19, it goes off
in 1 Combat Turn. On a 20, i t is a dud, and will not go off at all.
Caliber Blast Frag All mines count as Hidden Things. Electromagnetic Mine
60mm 15 5 Detectors, the pancakes on a stick used today by treasure
80mm 20 10 hunters, will detect a mine within a 3-meter radius, if the
120mm 30 10 mine has any metal in its makeup. Mine Probes, 1-2 meter
Again, the effects of being in range of one of these sticks tipped with thin rods, are used t o prod the ground at a
monsters is pretty obvious (also unfortunate). sharp angle, theoretically hitting the side of the mine, which
will not be triggered by such contact. Their use gives the
LAND MINES searcher a Wit AST on finding the Hidden Thing (i.e., the
Unlike most explosives weapons, which a user actively Mine) rather than the usual CST.
directs at a target area, the Land Mine sits and waits for a Proper use of any mine detection gear requires the
target to come by. Most of the Mines in Aftermath! are of the concentration of the character using it and halves his normal
classic anti-personnel type: one buries them a few Base Movement Allowance. It is possible to improvise a Mine
centimeters under the surface, leaving a pressure plate Probe by crawling along a proposed route using a knife for
exposed, or barely covered. When someoneenters the hex in the purpose.
which the mine is buried, it goesoff, usually with very painful Characters expending 2 phases can safely pass through a
results for the victim. hex holding a mine that they know is there.
It is difficult to give a Table of Land Mine types, since any
reasonable charge may be used to provide a Blast, and for
Frag if desired, many mines have optional casings of CLAYMORE MINES
fragmented iron. The standard Land Mine is about 1 kg of These are not buried. They resemble squat cylinders with
Plastique, say a Blast of 10-30. If provided wilh a fragmenting an opening in one face, covering a 30-degree arc. When
casing, it will have a Frag of 5. But because the explosive is triggered, they act like very large 40mm Canister rounds,
buried, its force will be somewhat shaped. Most of the hurling a mass of steel ball bearings out along this line of fire.
damage goes straight up. This mass of shot covers a 5-meter front, centered on the hex
Whoever steps on the Mine will be exposed to double the designated as the front of the Claymore. it has a maximum
Blast and will always take a fragmentation hit which attacks range of 60 meters. Both the BCS and the Frag of the mass
his Average AV, if the mine is equipped for Frag. If a Location are reduced as the range increases.
Pattern of a Claymore Mine
49

Task Period. Once the Trap is built, it must be concealed at
Range 0-10 meters: BCS of 18. Frag of 10. its chosen location. If the appropriate Stealth BCS is made, it
will count as a Hidden Thing with a penalty to the Wit CST
Range 11-20 meters: BCS of 14. Frag of 8. needed to find itequal to the setters own Wit Group. Only
Range 21-40 meters: BCS of 12. Frag of 6. one such BCS roll is permitted when setting the Trap. If the
Booby Trap is very bulky, or is otherwise hard to find, the
Range 41-60 meters: BCS of 10. Frag of 5.
,Gamesmaster may penalize the Stealth BCS.
The Claymore puts out a Blast of only 5 , radiating equally Once the Trap is installed, a final Demolition BCS (no
from the site of the Mine. For a true simulation of this deadly averaging) is allowed, to trap it against overt attempts to
device, the Frag hits should attack the targets Average AV, disarm it. The Booby Trap has a Complexity Factor equal to
rolling for location only in the event of a Critical Hit. This may the Effect Number of the roll divided by 4, down. This Factor
be too cruel for the Gamesmasters taste, and he may freely will modify the Defusing Explosives BCS of any character
choose to treat the attack as a normal Frag effect. attempting to disarm the Booby Trap. One roll is made; if
Claymores may be triggered by remote control, a popular failure is due to the Complexity Factor, the Trap will go off.
application when they form part of an established defensive SPECIAL TRIGGERS
setup, or by tripwires, as can the next device on our list: Assuming a simple time bomb is not used, whereby a
Bouncing Betty. concealed charge is set to go off at a given time or after a
BOUNCING BETTY MINES given interval, the Booby Trap may be tied in to one of a
This is the nom de guerre for a special type of mine. number of triggers.
Triggered by tripwire or remote controls, a small propellant Mechanical Trigger: The Trap is set to go off if some
charge pops a grenade 2 meters into the air, where it action is performed: opening a door or case, moving some
proceeds to explode. This gives it Air Burst modifications. A item, etc. The object in question is wired to a Chemical
5/5 grenade is usually used, although larger models with a Timer, and moving it in the prescribed way activates the
10/5 rating are known. timer. Or the motion may close an electrical circuit, or
About Tripwires: The two previous Mines may be triggered remove a breaker from one, which will immediatelyset off
by Tripwires, that is, thin wires or cords extended from the the bom b. The latter type of fuse requires aspecial Task to
explosive and stretched some inches above the ground prepare, using the Electricial Skill (and needing tools and
where a victim is likely to trip over it. This triggers the Mine. components).
Let us assume it takes 1 minuteto lay 1 meter of wire, using Pressure Trigger: Similar to that used in Mines. A
Stealth of the appropriate sort to conceal it. If the BCS is footplate in concealed in a hex and wired to the Trap.
made, the wire is a Hidden Thing.
Anyone entering a hex crossed by a Tripwire at a rate Altimeter Trigger: An electrical trigger set to go off if the
greater than a Walk, or at any speed at all if it is an atmospheric pressure reaches a given level. Used for
undiscovered Hidden Thing, may trip over it. A Deftness AST Booby-Trapping aircraft.
will dodge known wires, a Deftness CST dodges unknown Photoelectric Trigger: Used for trapping rooms, tunnels,
ones. Known wires may be stepped over safely if the etc. The alteration of the light level triggers the bomb
character is walking. (Electrician Skill is needed to build this trigger).
Assume that the maximum length of a Tripwire is about 30
meters, and only 1 turn in the wire is permitted. Heat or Impact Triggers: Often used in Pipe Jobs,where
the Trap is set in the muffler of a car. The heat of the
ANTI-VEHICLE MINES exhaust and the vibration of the engine combine to set off
These are treated much as normal Land Mines, but they the Trap.
are usually buried deeper (about 50cm to 1 meter) and have Basically, the Gamesmaster and Player must put their
Pressure Plates set to go off only when pressed by objects of heads together to decide what will trigger a Booby Trap and
greater than human or animal mass (tanks, cars, etc.). For how it is to beconstructed. Almost anything can bedesigned
their effects, they are similar to other mines except that the as a Trigger, and when designing Traps that the Player-
chance of Vehicle Special Effects is not halved and, if no Characters will encounter, the Gamesmaster can let his
Special Effects occur, there is a flat percentage chance equal imagination run free.
to the base blast that the vehicles motive system is
destroyed.
EXPLOSIVES VS. VEHICLES
Any explosives not specifically designed for such use will
BOOBY TRAPS attack the vehicle with a VDG rating equal to one-half of the
There are so many ways to set a Booby Trap that one effective Blast rating. Since such things are considered high
cannot give hard and fast rules for dealing with them. explosive charges, the chance of a Vehicle Special Effect is
Assume that Demolition and the appropriate Explosives Skill halved also. Explosives put into a vehicle will, of course, have
are averaged to give the BCS needed to construct the charge the ususal effects on characters within the vehicle of any
and prepare the trigger. The Gamesmaster decides on the contained explosion of the particular type of explosive
Task Points needed to finish the job, and establishes the device.
50

BARTER
With civilization in ruins, mans monetary systems are also operating in a city is known throughout the city. A trader
likely to go down the drain. A currency is only worth travelling through the countryside might be known over an
something in this day and age if people believe in it. With a area with a radius of 1 to 300 kilometers depending on his
collapse of organized governments, man will probably revert goods, services, mode of transport, and the density of the
to a barter economy. The value of an item to a person will be population. If the Gamesmaster designs a Personality Non-
related to the persons needs and wants, in that order. Player Character for a trader, he should establish the
Any attempt to classify all the possible items and their characters trade route and stock.
values to defferent people with different priorities would be Sometimes the reason for not being rough with a trader
hopelessly doomed before it was begun. The entire process will be immediately obvious. He may travel in a tank. For
of bartering, as presented here, is a guideline. The activity of whatever reasons, players should be aware that traders are in
bartering for goods and services is variable by its nature. A many ways the heralds of the reawakening civilization.
good trader will get a better deal than a poor trader but the Heralds have a traditional immunity when they are
price in one town might be cheap, in another expensive, performing their duties. Players should know what they are
and in a third the item may be totally unavailable. doing if they contemplate attacking a trader. The
When the Gamesmaster allows the players to have a barter consequences, even if not immediate, can be lethal.
session, he should be aware that it can get very involved.
Players are always on the lookout for the best possible deal BARTER PROCESS
or arrangement for their characters. This may result in The barter process consists of establishing the price and
involved sessions where the players are constantly asking either meeting it or not. To establish the price, the
the prices of items to figure out the arrangement most to Gamesmaster will first determine the overall attitude of the
their advantage, reneging on earlier arrangements because trader in the transaction. By making a roll on the Reaction
they have thought of something better, and attempting t o Table, and multiplying the Value Number by 5%, the
trade back something they have just bought because a Gamesmaster will get a modification to the base Barter Point
friend traded for something else they find more attractive. value of all goods or services in the transaction. This applies
This sort of thing will get on the Gamesmasters nerves. It is a only to the traders evaluation of the Player-Characters
safe bet that it would also get on the nerves of the non-player offered trading stock.
character represented by the Gamesmaster in these Both sides will roll a Cdmmerce Skill BCS. If individual
curcumstances. Such traders may refuse to make further items are being bartered, a roll will be made for each
deals in that session and would certainly raise the value of transaction. In this case the Commerce score will be
any other items that they offered. averaged with the score in a Skill which governs the use of
When there is a lot of trading to bedone, the Gamesmaster the items in the transaction before the BCS is calculated.
may wish t o obtain from the players a list of what the The value of the Player-Characters goods will be altered
characters have available to trade. He should put a value on by a factor. This factor is 1% times a number, whether
the items on the list. Totalling all the values will yield a positive or negative, arrived at by subtracting the Effect
number of Barter Points available to the Player-Characters. Number of the traders BCS roll, if successful, from the
These can be treated as money to buy items and/or services Player-Characters Effect Number, i f his BCS roll was
from the trader at prices set by the Gamesmaster. Doing successfu I .
things this way is less colorful than dickering x e r e a c h item, These modifications are not added together but are done
but will avoid spending the hours required to do just that. successively. If the traders reaction was Excellent, the
basic values of the Player-Characters goods is increased by
TRADERS 25%(+5 times 5% means an increase of 5 x 5% or 25%). If the
Traders are a vital link between survivor communities. traders Effect Number was 12 and the Player-Characters
They carry goods, services, and news between such was 2, the net Effect Number is-10. Multiplied by 1%, this will
holdings. As this is the case, the communities would not take give a negative modification of 10%. If the base Barter Point
kindly to their being killed or robbed. Characters who think value of the item was 100, the first modification would raise it
that it might be easier to kill a trader and take what they want by 25% to 125. The second modification would reduce it by
should keep this in mind. Traders generally haveestablished 10% or 12.5, rounded to the nearest yielding 13, for a Barter
routes where they are known. This gives them a Recognition Point value for the item of 112. Note that his is not the same
Factor which is applied to the goods that th?y carry. Any result that would be obtained if the two modifications were
character seen carrying or using the goods of a trader who added together. Such a process would give a modification of
has been robbed or killed will be immediately suspected of the baseof 2~0/~-100/~or1~0!o,andafinalvalueof 115%of 100,
the deed. or 115 Barter Points.
This Recognition Factor can bedetermined by the Games-
master with the roll oy 2010. He may add to this any BARTERVALUES
modifications he deems appropriate due to length of time on The actual Barter Point value of an item can vary widely. In
the trade route, distinctiveness of material, any certifiable any barter economy the price of an item or service is
markings on the goods, etc. This Factor is the chance in 20 directly dependent on need. The value of a curativedrug t o a
that goods will be recognized. For each week since the sick man is well above the base value of the drug. The value
discovery of the traders loss the Factor will be reduced by 1. of a .38 caliber round to a man with a .45 caliber pistol is
The Gamesmaster should remember that this sort of thing minimal. The Gamesmaster is the final arbiter of the base
will only apply within the territory of the trader. value of an item. It may not have the same value at the next
The Gamesmaster can probably assume that a trader trading session.
51

Various factors will affect the value. These include the Action Value Format Value
immediate usefulness of the item or service, its continued ss 0 Pistol 1
usefulness, its rarity, its condition if an item or quality if a SA, BA, LA. PA 1 SMG 5
service, and the reaction of the buyer to its nature. The DA 2 Carbine 4
latter can have consequences outside the barter area. One AL 2.5 Rifle 3
need only look t o classic stories where a person is thought a FA, AB 3 Shotgun 5
sorcerer or witch because of the artifacts of technology he is Feature Value
carrying. Such things can lead to ones being made an Match Weapon 2
honored guest at the bonfire...or the honored fuel. Target Weapon 2
Multi-Round Capable # of rounds
GUIDELINE BARTER VALUES (use highest BDG for base value)
Clothing andArmor:Such things have a basic value which Other features values are at Gamesmasters discretion.
is modified by the material of which they are made. The Thus, a gun that fires a round with a BDG of 15, with a
base value is the number of Locations covered by the Durability of 3, DA Action, and a Pistol Format will have a
garment times the Armor Value of the material. This base base value of 15 and a Factor of 3 + 2 + 1 or 6, for a total
is then multiplied by a figure dependent on the general value of 15 x 6, or 90.
class of the material: Muscle-PoweredMissile Weapons: Such weapons tend to
Cloth, Leather, Hide x .5 have a Value equal to the Weapon Damage Multiplier.
Metal x l Bows and Crossbows would have a Value equal to one-
Metal with AV over 9 x 1.5 half the Pound Pull.
Plastic x l Hand-to-Hand Weapons: Such weapons have a base
Plastic with AV over 5 x 1.5 value equal to the Weapon Damage Multiplier. This is
Plastic with AV over 10 x2 multiplied by a factor based on the type of damage done
Special properties of clothing or armor will increase the by the weapon, added to a factor based on the weapons
value. length.
Damage Type Factor Length Factor
Blast buffering increases base value by 10 L type 3 Short 0
per factor B type 2 Average 1
Lazab (Laser Ablative) increases base value by 10 c type 1 Long 1.5
per factor Extra Long 2
Fire resistance +2 per Location for each Thus a weapon doing L type damage, with a WDM of
factor 2.2, would have aValueof2.2x(l + 31,or8.8, rounded tog.
Electrical insulation +2 per Location for each Firearm Ammunition: The base value of ammunition is the
factor BDG of the round divided by 20 and rounded up to the
nearest whole number. The value of a magazine would be
Thermal insulation +2 per Location for each its capacity times 2.
factdr
Grenadesand Explosives: A unit of explosives has a value
If capable of protection +lo0 per vector protected equal to a base value times a factor based on the type of
against Chemical Weapons against explosive. The base value is equal to 5 times the sum of the
If capable of protection +200 per vector protected Blast and Frag ratings.
against Biological Weapons against Explosive Type Factor
If capable of protection +lo0 per 50 REM reduction Grenade 1.5
against radiation Dynamite (TNT) 1.5
Plastic Explosive 2
HE Shells 2
Gunsand Bullets: Guns havea basevalueequal totheBDG Other 1
of the round which they fire. This basevalue is multiplied by These are quantifications for only a few types of items. The
a factor which is the sum of all the applicable factors Gamesmaster will also find suggested values in the section
concerning its Durability, Action, Format, Features, etc. on gear and equipment on page 53 and in the listings of
Durability Factor is equal to Durability rating. weapons and armor in the appendices.
52

GEAR AND EQUIPMENT
Various kinds of gear and equipment are available to the

character in Aftermath! The variety is so great that only a
small portion is described here. In many cases a thing is 3 -- Non-mobile. Represents a fully-equipped
described in generalized terms. Specific details may be (1000 BPI auto repair shop, requiring a Light Industrial
added by the Gamesmaster. Some things are described as power line or equivalent to operate,
kits. A kit is a collection of things which allow a character consuming power at a rate of 2 kilowatts.
to perform a function and/or increase his efficiency in Efficiency Factor of 3.
performing a function. The Gamesmaster should feel free t o
BATTERIES: In Aftermath! we have posited the development
design any equipment desired. Such equipment may be
of a no-leak, rechargeable storage battery, known as the
extrapolated from the various types included in the rules.
Equipment and gear are represented by category and Eternabattery. An Eternabattery is designated by the
specific piece. Suggested Barter Point value is placed i n abbreviation E- followed by the number of 100 watt-hour
parentheses after the name. A description and detailsfollow. charges it can hold at maximum levels of charge. A small
meter on the battery casing indicates the amount of power
hald in to at any given time. Standard sizes used for various
ARMOR: Various types of armor are available. Simple appliances and tools, or to power independent units, are the
metallic and nonmetallic armors will certainly be available.
E-1, E-5, and E-10. A larger size, delivering current of a
Plastic armors will be available in some campaigns. For the slightly different nature, is specially designed for vehicles
most part these materials function as other armor materials and other large units. Designated Ev-, the sizes run at Ev-
with regard t o Format, Reinforcing, and stopping damage. 10, Ev-50, and Ev-100. The Encumbrance of batteries is
Fire will affect plastics in a special way. When the Strength determined as follows: E-type at .01 times its charge
Rating of the fire, applied to the plastic, equals the Armor capacity, and Ev-type at .1 times its capacity.
Value of the plastic, it will melt. This effectively destroys the The Barter Value of an Eternabattery is 2 times its capacity
armor on the Locations where the fire has been applied. It for E-types, and 5 times its capacity for Ev-types.
will also cause additional lethal damage to the character Eternabatteries are charged by connecting an induction
equal to the former Armor Value of the plastic material. transformer, colloquially known as a leech. to a source of
Also available is a ballistic cloth material which will act asa electrical current. Its workings are referred t o in Book 3, but
Barrier to incoming missile fire. This will reduce BDG of basically it will convert available power into stored charges
gunpowder weapons and effective Strength Groups of at the maximum possible rate. Ev-type batteries have a built-
muscle-powered missile weapons before they attack the in leech. The portable units used for E-type batteries havean
characters Armor Value on a Location covered by this ENC of .5and a Barter Value of 50. A leech can be connected
material. to 1 battery at a time for charging. Larger units exist for use
Some sample pieces of armor are presented below: with larger numbers of batteries. These may be designed at
Item Coverage Format Code AV ENC the Gamesmasters pleasure, in either semi- or non-portable
Army Helmet 1 R SP 9 .07 forms, at Barter Point costs of 50 per battery of capacity.
Chainmail Shirt 4-12 FH M-SP 6 .936 BLACKSMITHING TOOLS: Blacksmithing requires a
Flak Jacket 4-1 2 SR LP-AA 6 .468 forge which includes a furnace, an anvil, a quenching bath
Flak jacket, plastic 4-12 SR LP-MP 8 ,288 and tools. Efficiency will vary. Roll 2D2 and multiply the
Motorcycle helmet 1-2 R SY 5 .02 result to get a forges Efficiency factor.
Police riot helmet
A portable forge is possible with an ENC value of 24. It may
with gorget 1-3 R MP 9 .072 be broken down into four units of 6 ENC each. They are Huge
Hardened leather 2 in bulk.
body armor 4-1 2 FH H-HL 5 .072 An improvised forge is possible. It will be only half thesize
of the portable forge but no armor material greater than 9 in
AV may be worked and any weapons made will be inferior
AUTO REPAIR KITS: These kits permit repairs t o be made to quality at best.
most standard vehicles. A special military issue kit is Electric Forges add 1 to the random Efficiency Factor.
required for work on AFV, at least those equipped with They consume 100 watts x the total Efficiency rating in
special engine systems (multi-fuel, nuclear, etc.). These kits power.
allow maintenance work to be done, but do not manufacture BOOKS Books by their very nature are varied. They fall into
the necessary parts. the following game classifications: Fiction, References,
Kit # ENC Notes Texts, and Manuals.
1 1 Contains hand tools for work on vehicles. Fiction has no direct application in the game but may
(50 BP) Efficiency Factor of 1. prove useful as a trading item.
2 2 Contains some powered tools. If no power is References will be specified as to the Skill with which they
(100 BP) available then treat this as a Kit 1. If being correspond. Reference books count as the proper facilities
used in powered mode, it is rated for 500 for study with regard to Skills. A literacy BCS will add 1 to a
watts (5 Charges per hour) power characters Wit Group when performing a design Task if he
consumption. It is designed to operate on has access to an appropriate reference work.
either standard or Heavy Household current Texts, again specified as to Skill, will be rated for a range of
(see Technologysection, Book 3). Efficiency points within the Skill. In the absence of a Teacher, a
Factor of 2. successful BCS roll with Literacy will allow the Text to
53

function as a Tescher. This is only allowed if the characters range by half (75 BP) but will operate for 5 hours on an E
current score is within the range of the Text. The upper limit charge (20 Watts). A base station will have an ENC of 5 , a
of the Texts range works in the same way as a teachers range of 50 km, a Barter Point value of 500, and requires 5 E
upper limit. It may not be exceeded in a Study Session. If a charges to operate for an hour (500 Watts).
Teacher is available, the successful Literacy BCS roll will Military and police units are comparable in structure but
grant the reader a +1 to his learning Rate for that week due to have double the range and Barter Point valuesof 150% of the
use of the Text. comparable civilian version.
Manuals, specified as to Skill, are rated as having a BCS in A small short-wave radio (250 BP) with an ENC of 2 will
that Skill. A character making a Literacy BCS roll may have a range of about 200 km and will be degraded less by
operate as if he had a score in the Skill which would give him man-made constructions.
the BCS Rating of the Manual. All Task Periods or Action Due to interference problems, the effective range in an
required are doubled when operating this way. A character urban environment will be reduced by 2D10 times 5%.
with a BCS in the Skill less than the Manuals BCS may use it COMPASSES (5 BP) Allow a character to determine the
in this way but the increase in required time isonly by50%. A compass direction.
character whose BCS exceeds that of the Manual will receive
a +1 to his BCS if the Literacy BCS roll is made. CONTAINERS: A large variety of containers is available.
Books come in many forms and the exact ENC value of a Samples are presented below:
book is left to the Gamesmasters discretion. Barter Point ENC Capacity Barter
value will vary just as wildly. Non-fiction books will be a Item Utility Collapsed (Max. Bulk) Value Notes
valuable commodity if the subject is a useful Skill. small sack 0 ,1 1 (Small) 1
large sack 1 ,2 3 (Medium) 1
CALCULATORS: Such devices will increase the Wit Group satchel 1 ,5 5 (Medium) 2 1
of a character performing a design Task if a Mathematics shoulder bag 2 ,3 5 (Medium) 2 2
BCS roll is made. Size will vary from .01 ENC to .6ENC. knapsack 2 ,4 5 (Medium) 2 3
CHEMICAL GEAR: Besides various forms of Lab, chemical backpack 3 .5 10 (Medium) 3 3
gear will consist of units of chemical supplies. In general the camping pack 3 ,5 10 (Medium) 4 3,4
exact nature of the chemicals is not specified. A unit would large light-
have an ENC value of about .3 and might be noted as being in weight packs 4 .5 12 (Medium) 10 3,5
a fragile or sturdy container. Barter Point value would be bullet belt 3 .2 100 rounds 5 6
about 20 per unit. cartridge belt 3 .4 10 clips 5 6
belt pouch 2 .1 .5 (Small) 1 7
Notes vial 2 .1 1 deciliter 3 8,9
This is basically a home chemistry lab. Its
flask 2 .3 5 deciliters 4 8,9
Efficency Factor is .5. bottles 3 .5 1 liter 5 8,9
A more complete but portable lab with an Notes
Efficiency Factor of 1. 1 Must be carried
A full educational lab. About half the equipment 2 Worn side-slung
is non-portable, but that which is would yield 3 Worn on back
two Lab 2 sets. Such a Lab usually requires 4 Has 2D2 large pockets
power (Wattage Rating of 1500) and has an 5 4 large and 2 medium pockets
Efficiency Factor of 2. 6 Snaps shut over clips
An industrial production lab. Breaks down as a 7 Snap, button closure
Lab 3. This lab requires power (Wattage Rating 8 Fragile glass. Plastic not fragile U-3 and twice Value
of 3000) and has an Efficiency Factor of 3. 9 Liquid container ENC values are constants
Containers only count against a characters total
CLOTHING: Various types of clothing are avilable. In Encumbrance value if they are holding less than their
contruction they are similar to armor but are usually less collapsed ENC value inside. When worn in a proper fashion
rugged. Almost any type of clothing can be constructed as the ENC value of an item inside is only counted as half its
long as the designer remembers that the garment must ENC value in the characters Encumbrance Total. The items
function as a garment. Clothes usually fit a body. They are full value is counted against the containers capacity.
not held on with glue. Some sample garments are presented
below: DECONTAMINATION EQUIPMENT: Decontamination
equipment is rated by the maximum number of cubic meters
Item Coverage Format Code AV ENC Notes which will be decontaminated by the equipment at full
Field jacket 4-12, 21-28 FQ HC 2 ,016 1 charge. Equipment is also rated as Biological, Chemical, or
Pants 10-11 FQ HC 2 ,009 2 Nuclear Decontaminant. One charge will decontaminate 1
Leather jacket 4-9, 21-28 FS HL 4 ,112 3 cubic meter or 15 Locations on a character. Equipment
Street Suit 3-18, 21-28 PX FQ 6 .48 4 comes in lo-, 50-, and 100-charge sizes. ENC value is one-
Winter jacket 4-12, 21-28 Q-HC Q-FQ 3 ,032 5 half the maximum charge value. Barter Value on the
Notes equipment is equal to the charge size. Each charge has a
1 This garment has 4 large pockets. Barter Value of 10.
2 This garment has 2 medium and 2 small pockets. Detection equipment comes in binary and analysis-
3 This garment may have 2 small pockets. capable forms. It is rated by type of contaminant detected.
4 Such garments have from 2 to 6 medium pockets. Range is 5 meters. Binary forms have an ENC of .6 and a
5 Such garments have 2 large pockets and are rated for 1 Barter Value of 50. Analysis-capable forms have an ENC of
factor of thermal protection. 1.2 and a Barter Value of 50 base plus 25 for each part of a
formula they will show to the character. Radiation counters
COMMU NICATlONS EQUIPMENT: Citizens Band type only come in binary forms.
equipment (100 BP) operates for an hour on an E charge Analysis will only be made of contaminants in the units
(Power Rating of 100 Watts) and has an effective range of 10 solid-state memory banks. Mutant strains and unclassified
km. It has an ENC value of 1. Hand units reduce ENC and substances will read as Unknown.
54

DRAFTING EQUIPMENT: A simple (25 BP) kit has an ENC of A candle will burn for 30 minuter per inch of length; asmall
2, and an Efficiency Factor of 1. A complex kit (50 BP) hasan tin of sterno for 2 hours; a kerosene lantern or Coleman lamp
ENC of 6 and an Efficiency Factor of 2. Drafting equipment is for 1 hour per deciliter of fuel; a match for 1D3 + 1 Combat
required for a design Task. Design Tasks of simple things Turns. A prepared torch burns for2 hours, but an improvised
without using a Drafting kit is allowed but the character will one for half that long. A flare is good for 3 hours, but has
have an Efficiency Factor of .25. twice the Encumbrance of a torch when lit because of its
ELECTRICIANS K I T Required for any electrical work. highly irritating fumes and the hot chemicals it drips.
Electric Light This mostly applies to portable light sources.
Klt # ENC Notes Full overhead illumination such as modern office buildings
1 2 Requires power for most functions but does will provide Good Light for the whole room it is in, if fully
(50) include a meter for detecting active current at operational.
a range of 20 m. Efficiency Factor of 1. An electric light has a Wattage Rating. One half the
Power Rating of 100 Watts. Wattage represents the radius it will illuminate with Good
2 2 Similar to Kit 1 but powered equipment works Light if the light is shed in all directionsevenly. If a reflector is
(100) on batteries. used, as with a flashlight or spotlight, increase the distance
to which Good Light is cast by a factor of 2 (double the
3 10 Powered equipment for small and delicate
range). Assume that this isfora reflectorcasting a30-degree
(300) work. Efficiency Factor of 1.5, Power Rating of cone of light. If the cone is wider, reduce the multiplier; if
50 Watts. narrower, increase it. If it is wider than about 90 degrees, no
FABRIC GEAR: A Spinning Kit (20 BP) will turn raw wool into significant increase in range is achieved. If narrower than
thread with an Efficiency Factor of 1 and an ENC of 3. A about 10 degrees, then the multiplier grows no larger.
Powered Spinning Kit (50 BP) has double the Efficiency Some standard sources of electric light are:
Factor and ENC value.
Pocket Flashlight: ENC: .1 Wattage: 4 Power Source: One
Weaving kits are the same as Spinning Kits except they
E-1 Barter Value: 5
take thethread, as produced by Spinning Kits, and turn it into
One of the small, disposable units sold at most stores
cloth. It requires 10 units of thread to produce 1 unit of cloth.
today. Has a 30-degree reflector, giving it a beam rangeof
One unit of cloth will cover one Location.
4 meters of Good Light.
Sewing kits (5 BP) are used to turn cloth into garments.
They follow the pattern for Spinning and Weaving kits but a Small Flashlight: ENC: .25 Wattage: 10 Power Source:
simple kit hasand ENCof .3. It requires 1 unit of thread (2 BP) One E-1 Barter Value: 10
to turn 5 units of cloth into garment(s). Standard flashlight, although it operates off of one
Eternabattery instead of the two or three dry cell units
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: This gear comes i n small (5- used today. Equipped with a 30-degree reflector, it has a
charge), medium (20-charge), and large (50-charge) They range for Good Light of 10 meters.
are rechargeable. An extinguisher has an ENC value of .1
times its maximum charge and a Barter Value equal to 5 Heavy Flashlight: ENC: 4 Wattage: 10 Power Source: One
times its capacity. A unit of charge has a Barter Value of 10. E-1 Barter Value: 50
One charge will reduce the strength of a fire by 1 in 1 cubic The larger model of the standard unit. Casts a beam of
meter. Good Light for 20 meters.
HANDLOADING EOUIPMENT: Handloading kits are Campers Flashlight: ENC: .6 Wattage: 30 Power Source:
specified as Pistol, Rifle, or Shotgun. The Efficiency Factor One E-5 Barter Value: 75
will be .5times the result of 103. The ENC of a kit is 1 and the Long-barrelled, with a heavy, adjustable reflector, this
Barter Value is 100 times the Efficiency Factor. unit can be set for a multiplier to the base illumitation of
A unit of primers (25 BP) will do50 rounds and has an ENC between 2 and 4, for a beam of 30-60 meters. It is heavy
of .3. enough to use as a Club (WDM of 1.2), but hasa chance in
A unit of smokeless powder (1BP) is 20 grains and has an 20 of breaking equal to the damage potential of a hit. One
ENC of .001. such breakage will Desrepair it, and a second Junks it. A
A bullet (1 BP) and a cartridge (1 BP) each have an ENC of third time leaves you with a very shiny club.
.001. Campers Floodlight: ENC: 1.2 Wattage: 200 Power
A swage will be rated for the type of bullet it produces. Its Source: 2 E-5 Barter Value: 120
Barter Value is equal to the BDG of the bullet it will produce. A small spotlight mounted on a battery pack. It has a60-
The ENC is .5 and its Efficiency Factor, from 10 to 100 (1 D10 degree angle of beam, for a Good Light range of 150
x l o ) , is the numberof bulletsproducesfrom 1 unit (10 BP) of meters.
lead (ENC of 1) in an hours Task Period.
LEATHERWORKING KITS: Work the same as Sewing kits LOCKPICKS: See initial equipment on page 5.
but the ENC of a Simple kit is 1. MAGNATUNER: This device allows a character with
Magnalock Penetration Skill to pick a lock of that kind. The
LIGHT SOURCES Fire or electrical light are the two
improved version (100 BP) uses an E-5. has an ENC of 1 and
commonest forms of illumination in AftermatMThe chemical
an Efficiency Factor of 2, and adds 1 to the characters BCS.
Cold Light sticks used by campers arestill around also, but
See initial equipment on page 5 for the basic model. Uses .5
harder to find.
Charges per BCS attempt.
Any light source will be rated in terms of how large an area
it can cover with Good Light (daylight levels). For 5 meters
beyond the boundaries of this area, any light source will
provide Dim Light, and for 5 meters beyond that, Poor Light.
Fire: A small flame (candle, sterno, match, kerosene lamp)
provides 1 meter of Good Light unless magnified by a glass
chimney. This will bring it up to 5 meters. A wooden torch, or
a railroad or traffic flare, will provide 5 meters of Good Light.
MAG NATU NER
A large fire (campfire or bonfire) provides 10 meters of Good
Light.
55

MEDICAL GEAR: Drugs are dealt with in Book 3. Other TOOLS: Various Tool Kits are available.
medical gear is listed below:
Item ENC Notes
Item ENC Notes
Kit 1 1 Hand tools of varying sorts. Efficiency
Bandage .01 Allows character to recover from 1 point
(20 BP) Factor of 1.
(5 BPI of Lethal damage.
Medical Kit 2 2 Kit 1 plus power hand tools. Efficiency
supplies .05 Uses vary. (50 BP) Factor of 1.5.
(10 BP) Kit 3 2 As Kit 2 but tools use E batteriesat the rate
Medkit 1 .5 (100 BP) of 5 Charges per hour of operation.
Adds 1 to BCS of user in First Aid
(50 BP) Kit 4 5 Heavy power tools as well as Kit 2.
Medkit 2 2 (1000 BP)units Efficiency Factor of 2. Power Rating of
Used for most applications of Advanced
of 6 1000 Watts.
(100 BP) Medical Skill. Has a carrying capacity of 1
(Small). This is a doctors black bag. Tool kits are designed for working wood. When working
metal reduce the Efficiency Factor by .5 unless the Kit
Medcomp 2 The computer is a portable micro-
specified as a metalworking kit.
(1000 BP) processor with permanent memory
holding diagnostic programs and UNDERWATER GEAR: Various kinds of gear can be used
telemetry interpretation programs. It is in and under the water. Some examples are listed below:
connected to a patient by several wire
Item ENC Notes
leads. It will analyze his general condition
(DRT score, effective Attribute levels, age, Wet suit .05 Has Thermal Factor of 1. Covers 1 to 28.
etc.). It hhs a BCS of 15 in analyzing SCUBA
diseases or the presence of drugs, it adds tank 3 Holds a half-hour of air.
2 to the BCS roll of a Pathologist in any (100 BP)
situation. Consumes 1 Charae Der 10
uses. It uses an E-5 for pokerunder Weight
normal circumstances. belt 2 Worn in place of normal belt. Allows
(25 BP) character to adjust Encumbrance status to
Surgery - Adds 2 to Advanced Medical BCS. Power 1 step lower when in the water.
(2500 BP) Rating of 1000 Watts.
Flippers .01 Doubles Base Movement Allowance when
PLASTICS EQUIPMENT: Rigid plastics require molding (10 BP) swimming. Halves it on land.
gear for production. The production of plastics stock also
requires heavy equipment. Specifics are left to the Spear Gun 1 Similar to an elasticity-3 slingshot with a
Gamesmaster. Such equipment is not really portable. (70 BP) Strength of 30 behind it. It requires the
application of 30 Strength points to cock it
Item ENC Notes in the fashion of a crossbow. Ranges areas
Plastics a slingshot but all BCS modifications are
Repair Kit 1 1 Can be used to repair plastics up to AV doubled. Underwater ranges are halved.
(25 BP) 5 which are not based on a Rigid The missile is treated as having a WDM of
Format. 1.5L.
Kit 2 1 Can be used for plastics up to AV 9. Mask .03 Allow maximum visibility under water.
(50 BP) (20 BP)
Kit 3 2 Can be used for any plastics. Depth
(100 BP) gauge/
Repair charge .05 watch .01 Allows the character to monitor his air
One charge will repair 1 Location by 1
(100 BP) supply and safe rate of ascent.
(5 BP) point of AV. Thus it takes 5 charges to
repair 1 Location that had AV 5. WATCHES (50 BP): Allow characters to coordinate action
when out of communication with each other. If a party out of
SHIELDS: These are dealt with in Appendix 5. communication is attempting to coordinate actions with
SURVIVAL GEAR: These are the components of a survival another group, it will miss by the Effect Number gotten
kit. from a Wit CST of the leader of one of the parties. If the Effect
Item ENC Notes Number is negative they will act before the other party. Each
point of Effect Number indicates a 1 Combat Turn difference.
Match .01/5 Has 90% chance of igniting when struck.
(1 BPI Requires an Action.
Flint &
Steel .01 Has 40% chance of igniting tinder when
(1 BP) struck.
Chalk .01
(.01 BP)
Snare .05
(2 BPI
Magnifying
Lens .01 Will ignite tinder in 2D3 Combat Turns
(2 BP) (usable on sunny day only).
Space
Blanket .1 Used as a bed roll. Has a Thermal Factor
(10 BP) of 2.
56

VEHICLES
The intention of this section is to provideguidelines forthe The Area of a vehicle is the number of hexes o n the DAT
inclusion of vehicles of varyina sorts into the world of Display that are occupied by the representation of the
Aftermath! Vehicles, by their very nature, are difficult to deal vehicle. Thus, a vehicle that is 2 hexes wide and 3 hexes long
with in the same scale that one is dealing with a single man. has an Area of 6.
The Gamesmaster will probably find that he must use a The Damage Resistance of a vehicle is based on its
combination of Detailed Action and Tactical Scales to Structure and one half its Area. The product of these two
handle situations involving vehicles. numbers is the vehicles Damage Resistance. Thus, a vehicle
Vehicles are only dealt with in general terms. The with a Structure rating of 2 and an Area of 6 would have a
Gamesmaster is left to provide specific details of vehicles Damage Resistance of 2 x 3 or 6. When a vehicle is damaged
that he wishes to include in his campaign. Provided in in combat, each time thedamage done to it reaches thevalue
Appendix 7 is a selection of some sample vehicles to give the of the Damage Resistance, the vehicle will lose 1 point of
Gamesmaster, or player, a better idea of the transition from Durability. Thus, our sample vehicle, if it took 4 points of
the generalized guidelines presented in this section to the damage, would lose 2 points of Durability. When it takes 4
specifications for a particular vehicle. more points of damage it will lose another point Of
The Gamesmaster is warned that these rules are not Durability.
designed to handle situations with large numbers of The type of Fuel System used by a vehicle will affect such
vehicles. If he wishes to devise situations which will result in things as its maximum speed and its efficiency in utilizing
the use of large numbers, he is advised to work out a fuel. In the chart below are presented four Fuel Systems.The
compromise between Aftermath! and some other rules Velocity Efficiency is a percentageof the top speed specified
designed to deal with the complex interactions of many for a vehicle using a Petroleum fuel. This percentage is taken
vehicles. The rules as presented deal primarily with ground of the top speed given for a Petroleum fueled version of a
vehicles though adaptation to aircraft and boats is minimal. vehicle such as can be found in whatever reference source is
being used by the Gamesmaster for his statistics on the
QUANTIFYING VEHICLES vehicle. This yields the top speed for that version of the
Each particular vehicle is described by a listing of its vehicle at its maximum Durability. The Mileage percentage is
specifics in relation to certain categories. These categories applied in a similar fashion to the statistics for a Petroleum
include Durability, Structure, Area, Damage Resistance and Fueled base vehicle.
Fuel System. Each of these categories will be dealt with in A model vehicle with a maximum speed of 120 kilometers
turn. per hour which gets 10 kilometers per liter (thats72 mph and
The Durability of a vehicle is a measure of its condition. 25 mpg) is designed to use Electric power. I t would have a
Durability ratings run from 1 to 20. A vehicle with a Durability maximum speed of 48 kph and get 5 kilometers out of 1
of 20 is in absolute top condition while a vehicle with a charge. If the model vehicle had run on diesel fuel the
Durability to 1 is barely able to function. When a vehicles kilometers per charge figure would have been 4.5.
Durability reaches 0, it is considered to be Disrepaired. If the
vehicles Durability reaches a negative value beyond its
Structure rating it is considered Junked. Beyond twice its
Structure rating, the vehicle is considered totally destroyed FUEL SYSTEMS
and is even useless for parts. Thus, a vehicle with a Structure Mileage*
rating of 2 is Disrepaired if its Durability rating is in the range Velocity Efficiency Kilometers per Liter
from 0 to -2 and Junked if the rating is from -3 to -4. If the System Kelometers per Hour or per Charge
rating is -5 or less, the vehicle is totally destroyed. Petroleum 100% 120%
The Durability will also affect the maximum speed that the
vehicle is capable of achieving. The Durability rating times Gasoline 100% 100% (85%)
10% (maximum value is 100%) is the percentageof thestated
top speed after modification for Fuel System, that the
vehicle, in its current state, is capable of reaching. Note that
1 Alcohol2 60% 80% (70%)
this speed is not the same as the Maximum Safe Speed. Hydrogen3 50O/o 60% (50%)
The Basic Structure rating of a vehicle is based on the
ruggedness of its construction. The values run from 1 to 5. Electric4 40% 50% (45%)
Each general class of vehicle may have any rating assigned
Notes
to it by the Gamesmaster that falls into the general range for
that class. The availability of vehicles using these Fuel Systems may
__ soon become limited in the real world. Their availability in a
ruined world may be non-existent.
STRUCTURE RATINGS
General Vehicle Class Rating 2This is a system burning ethyl alcohol as the combustible.
Vehicles designed for 3This system uses metallic hydrides to store hydrogen
road use 1-2 which is released as the combustible. It is stored ascharges.
Vehicles designed for
off-road use 2-3 4This system uses power stored in a battery. It is stored as
Heavy-duty vehicles or charges.
light combat vehicles 3-4 If the model vehicle operates on diesel fuel use the
Heavy combat vehicles 4-5 number in parentheses for calculation of the Mileage.
57

KPH TO DAT MOVEMENT CONVERSION TABLE
KPH m/ct m/AP RoundedValue
120 192 9.6 10
OPERATING A VEHICLE 115 184 9.2 9
A character driving a vehicle is committed to driving the 110 176 8.8 9
vehicle for a whole Combat Turn. During that Combat Turn 105 168 8.4 8
he will have his Base Action Phase altered to 20. This is the 100 160 8.0 8
Base Action Phase of any vehicle. This BAP will be used to 95 152 7.6 8
calculate the characters new Phases Consumed in Action 90 144 7.2 7
Number which will be in effect as long as the character is 85 136 6.8 7
driving the vehicle. 80 128 6.4 6
At the beginning of any of his Actions, all of which are 75 120 6.0 6
Drive Vehicle, the character may alter the direction of the 70 112 5.6 6
vehicle. The turning radius of a vehicle is one vehicle length 65 104 5.2 5
per 10 kph of current speed. The Gamesmaster must use his 60 96 4.8 5
discretion in applying this if the vehicle is being represented 55 88 4.4 4
on a DAT Display. A Driving Skill BCS roll will alter the 50 80 4.0 4
effective speed used in thiscalculation by the Effect Number, 45 72 3.6 4
subtracting from it or adding to it according to the success of 40 64 3.2 3
failure indicated by the roll. 35 56 2.8 3
The speed of a vehicle may be safely decreased by 5 kph 30 48 2.4 2
per Action Phase. On the Action Phase that the driver 25 40 2.0 2
declares that he is decelerating, the vehicle will move at the 20 32 1.6 2
speed at which it had been travelling. At theend of that phase 15 24 1.2 1
it will be moving at the new speed. On the following phase, it 10 16 0.8 1
will move at its new speed. This process continues until the 5 8 0.4 1
vehicle is at the speed desired by the driver or its speed is
reduced to zero and it has come to a stop.
Eva is driving at 20 kph. A figure darts out in front of
her about 12 meters down the road. Eva decelerates MAXIMUM SAFE SPEEDS
but does not slam o n the brakes. Eva starts the A vehicle will have a Maximum Safe Speed depending on
deceleration on Action Phase 6 which is the first its exact type and the weather and terrain conditions. In
time she can react since she did not see the figure some cases the base Safe Speed presented in the chart
until Action Phase 7. For Phase 6, the vehicle is below will exceed the maximum speed of the vehicle. This is
moving at 20 kph and will cover 1.6 meters. On intentional. It represents the vehicles ability to negotiate
Phase 5, i t will be moving at 15 kph and cover 1.2 difficult conditions in relative safety.
meters. On phase 4 , the speed is 10 kph and the To determine the vehicles Maximum Safe Speed, multiply
distance covered is .8 meters. Action Phase 3 will the vehicle types base Safe Speed by the modifiers for
reduce the speed from its current 5 kph to 0 but the terrain and weather conditions used for Tactical Scale
vehicle will cover an additional .4 meters. The movement. This is done in the same way Tactical Scale
vehicle will not be moving on Action Phase 2. The movement rates are calculated. The value thus determined is
total distance covered since deceleration was the Vehicles Maximum Safe Speed for the prevailing
started is 1.6 plus 1.2 plus .8 plus .4 equals 4 meters conditions.
which is well short of the figure in the road. If a vehicle not rated as Off-road Capable is operating off-
road, it will have its base Safe Speed halved before it is
As shown in the example, the distance traveled by a modified to yield Maximum Safe Speed.
moving vehicle in one Action Phase is related to the speed at
which it is traveling. The basic rule is that a vehicle will cover
1.6 meters per Combat Turn per kilometer/hour of speed. To VEHICLE TYPE SAFE SPEEDS
find the distance covered in a single Action Phase at a given Vehicle Type Base Safe Speed
speed, divide the number obtained for the entire Combat WPh)
Turn by 20. Biycle/Tricycle 8
A vehicle may accelerate at 1 kph per Action Phase. If the Motorbike 60
Gamesmaster wishes, he may designate a vehicle as having a Car, bus 80
higher or lower rate of acceleration. For convenience. the Truck, Recreational Vehicle 90
Gamesmaster may wish to only deal with speeds in 5 kph Wheeled ATV 100
increments. Tracked ATV 120
If a given movement calls for a fraction of a meter and there
is doubt as to which hex of a DAT Display a vehicle will
be in, round up to the nearest meter to avoid arguments. TACTICAL TRAVEL
The table on this page gives calculated values for various When vehicles are used for travel in Tactical Scale, the
speeds. driver determines the speed at which the vehicle will travel.
If a character wishes to decelerate at a rate faster than Consideration should be given to the terrain over which the
5 kph per Action Phase he will find himself subject to the travel is taking place, as this will affect the Maximum Safe
rules for Slamming on the Brakes. Speed at which a vehicle can travel. The Gamesmaster may
I f the weather conditions are less than optimal the safe rate use the kph chosen by the driver to determine how far the
of deceleration will be reduced. For example, in the rain the characters will travel in an hour. If asudden change in terrain
safe rate may only be3 kph per Phase and on ice it might only occurs and the driver cannot slow the vehicle in time, an
be 1 kph per Action Phase. accident may occur. In an attempt to avoid an accident, the
58

driver may Slam on the Brakes. This is defined as 0 When the vehicle loses one or more Durability points.
deceleration of more than 5 kph for each meter between the The BCS receives a negative modification equal to the
point where the driver can react and the danger. Durability lost.
When Slamming on the Brakes the driver must make a 0 When the driver takes any damage. The BCS receives a
Driving Skill BCS. For each 10 kph, or fraction thereof, over negative modification equal to the damage taken by
the speed which may be safely eliminated, the driver will t h e driver.Remember t o i n c l u d e a n y B C S
receive a modification of -1 to his BCS. A successful BCS roll modifications due to the drivers condition if he is
will allow a stop without incident. A failure will indicate an Wounded or Seriously Wounded.
Accident. When the driver is killed or rendered uncounscious. In
Eva is travelling on a Good Road at 100 kph. this case, the speed in kph is the percentage chance of
Rounding a curve she sees that the bridge is out. an Accident. This should be checked on each Action
She is, at present, 15 meters from the yawning Phase and is cumulative. Thus, a vehicle travelling at 20
chasm. She could safely cut herspeed by 75 kph ( 1 5 kph would have a 20% chance of an Accident on the
meters at 5 kph per meter for 75 kph safe first Action Phase on which it was uncontrolled and a
deceleration). This still leaves her travelling at 25 40% chance on the second.
kph when she reaches the gap in the bridge. This Once it is determined that an Accident will occur, the
gives her a -3 to her BCS (25kphllOkph for a Gamesmaster will roll 1DlOO and consult the table below. If
modification of 2.5 or 3). With a BCS of 12 modified he deems it appropriate, the Gamesmaster may add or
to 9, i f she rolls a 9 o r less, she will safely stop the subtract a value to the die roll which he feels reflects the
vehicle. A roll of 10 or higher will indicate an danger, or lack thereof, in the specific situation.
Accident. This may or may not result in the vehicle
hurtling over the edge depending on the type of CRASHES
Accident. If a vehicle crashes, a Crash Factor will becalculated.This
is important in determining the results of the crash.
ACCIDENTS The base Crash Factor is equal to the speed of the vehicle
Vehicle accidents can occur under any one of the at the time of the crash in kph minusthecurrent Durabilityof
circumstance slisted below. Thedriver of a vehicle may make the vehicletimes itsstructure minusthedriversSkill score in
a Driving Skill BCS in an attempt to avoid the accident. Driving Skill divided by 10 and rounded to the nearest, if he
Movement, when in Tactical Scale, at a speed which makes his BCS roll. In pseudo-mathematical terms this is
exceeds the maximum safe speed for the terrain and -
[kph (Durability x Structure) - (Skill score/lO, nearest)].
weather conditions. A Driving Skill BCS roll must be The base Crash Factor is multiplied by the Terrain Danger
made each hour. The drivers BCS receives a Factor to yield the adjusted Crash Factor. If the terrain
modification of -1 for each 5 kph, or fraction thereof, in Danger Factor is 0 or less, the crash is reduced to the results
excess of the maximum safe speed. equivalent to a die roll of 61-85 o n the Accident TypeTable.
When the terrain or weather conditions change to The Terrain Danger Factors are given on the chart below.
lower the maximum safe speed and the driver does not TERRAIN DANGER FACTORS
alter his speed to a safe level. The check for an accident Good Road 1D3 minus 2 Hills 1D10/2
should be made when this occurs. The BCS receives Poor Road 1 0 2 minus 1 Desert 1D2 minus 1
modifications as above. Ruins 1D10/2 Mountain 2D6/2
Slamming o n the Brakes and failing the BCS roll to Open 1D3 minus 2 Marsh 1D2 minus 1
stop safely. Scrub/Rough 103 minus 1 Swamp 1D3 minus 1
When the driver is attempting a high speed manuver. Woods 1D6/2 Forest 1D10/2
This is defined as any manuver at a speed which *Retain fractions.
exceeds, in kph, the total of the drivers Deftness and
Speed. The drivers BCS receives a modification of -1
The effects of the crash on the vehicle and the passengers
for each 10 kph, or fraction thereof, by which the
are based on the adjusted Crash Factor.
vehicles speed exceeds that value.
The Durabilityof thevehicle is reduced by the Adjusted
Crash Factor.
ACCIDENT TYPE TABLE The adjusted Crash Factor is the number of six sided
Die dice of damage taken by the passengers. This is C type
Result Type of Accident damage unless the vehicles Durability has been
01-20 The vehicle fishtails. No serious effect occurs. If reduced to 0 or less. If so, the damage is all lethal type
the vehicle does not have an active driver, it is damage.
subject to further accident possibilities as The adjusted Crash Factor is the percentage chance
outlined in the last of the accident causing that the Fuel System will ignite if Petroleum, Hydrogen
circumstances listed above. or Alcohol. If the Fuel System is Electric, the batteries
21-60 The vehicle stalls. It will lose all motive power and will lose their charge. The adjusted Crash Factor
move in a straight line decelerating at 5 kph per becomes the chance in 20 that the batteries themselves
meter moved. Slick surfaces woul increase the will be ruined.
distance to 1.5 meters and icy surfaces to 2 If the Fuel System is ignited, the vehicle will burn.
meters. The vehicle will lose 1D3 points of The fire will reduce Durability at a rate dependent on its
Durability. type. Once the vehicle is totally destroyed, it will
61-85 Thevehiclespinsout. Itwillturntofacearandom explode at the bookkeeping phase of the following
direction (roll 1D6 and treat the hex which it Combat Turn. I f the vehicle was considered totally
normally would have entered as 1 and number destroyed at the time of ignition, it is considered to
clockwise from there). Thevehicle isthen treated have a pseudo-Durability that the fire will consume.
as i f it had received a result as with a die roll of This pseudo-Durability is equal to the result of 1D3.
21-60. Explosions of vehicles are created as if the vehicle
86-00 The vehicle crashes. See below. were a grenade. Any character still within a vehicle
which explodes will be killed.
59

DURABILITY CONSUMPTION RATES O F FIRE modification but would still be subject to a random
AND EXPLOSIVE RATING determination as to whether the vehicle or a passenger is
attacked.
Fuel System Rate Explosive
Petroleum 1D3 per 5/53 To determine if a passenger is attacked, dividethe number
of characters in that portion of the vehicle by the result of
Combat Turn
multiplying .01 by the Area of the vehicle in that portion plus
Alcohol 1D2 per 2/3 1, rounded to the nearest.
Combat Turn
Hydrogen 1D2 minus 1 1/o Sepp is firing at a stationary compact car. I t has an
per Combat Turn Area of 6, being 2 by 3 meters on the DAT display.
He is firing at the front seat to try to get the driver.
The Area of the front seat of the vehicle is 2. See the
illustration. There are two men in the front seat.
VEHICLE SAFETY DEVICES AND THEIR EFFECTS
Thus, the calculated chance of attacking one of
Various safety devices can reduce the effects of a crash
them is 2/(.01x (2 plus l)),nearest, or 66.6, or67%.
with regard to the passengers. Escaping from such devices
The Gamesmaster rolls lDl00 with a result of 35.
requires a conscious character or undistracted aid from
Thus, one of the characters will be attacked. The
another character, if the one restrained by the device is
Gamesmaster designates the driver as 1 and the
unconscious.
other man as 2,and rolls 102 with a result of 2. The
SEAT BELTS cancel the effects of 1 point of adjusteci man next to the driver is hit.
Crash Factor. It requires a Deftness Ability Saving throw to
release them in 1 Action Phase. Otherwise, thecharacterwill Once a character has been hit, the Gamesmaster should
be free in 2 Action Phases. determine where he has been hit. Incoming missile attacks
A CRASH SUIT or BLAST BUFFERING will cancel the will be impeded by the Barrier Effect of any portion of the
effects of 1 point of adjusted Crash Factor for each level of vehicle that gets in the way. This is left up to the
effect that the suit has. Gamesmaster to decide (what is in the way) as the styling
CRASH BAGS wil cancel the effects of 2D6 points of and variations possible in vehicles create a range fartogreat
adjusted Crash Factor. They will deflate of their own accord to even attempt to catalog. A guideline of Barrier Values is
in 3 Combat Turns. A character can escape in 1 Combat Turn presented below, along with an illustration of the cover
with a Speed Critical Saving Throw. I f the characters roll was provided to a character seated in an automobile.
in his Ability Saving Throw range, it will take 2 Combat
Turns. Otherwise, he must wait until they deflate. ~~~~ ~~~~ ~ ~
The AVERAGE ARMOR VALUE worn by a character will BARRIER EFFECTS OF VEHICLES
also have some effect. For each 2 points, round down, the Material Barrier value
effects of 1 point of adjusted Crash Factor will be cancelled. Safety Glass window 10
Light metal 20
FIRING ON VEHICLES as in small cars
Sooner or later, vehicles will be fired on. The resultsof this Medium metal 30
fire will depend on what is being fired and the nature of the as in average cars and light truck bodies
target. Vehicular targets are placed in one of two categories:
Hard or Soft. Hard targets are those vehicles which are Heavy metal 40
armored against incoming fire, such as tanks and other as in big cars and standard truck bodies
combat vehicles. Soft targets are all those other vehicles Engine blocks 100
whose tasks generally involve more peaceful pursuits.
FIRING O N SOFT TARGETS
If a character is firing on a stationary target, he may choose If there are no characters in the portion attacked or if the
which portion of the vehicle he is firing on. If it is a small part characters are missed, the vehicle itself will beattacked. The
of the target such as a light, he should receive a significant Barrier Values will have their effects on incoming missile fire
negative modification to his BCS (about -10). A somewhat and the damage done will be counted against the vehicles
larger target such as a wheel or tire would have a smaller Damage Resistance. As noted before, each time the Damage
modifier (about -5). Gas tanks, as protected as they usually Resistance is exceeded the vehicle will lose 1 point of
are, might require a Critical Hit. Other portions of a vehicle Durability.
such as the drivers area (front seat, cab, etc.) and body A Critical Hit when firing at a vehicle will attack thevehicle.
(passenger seat, truck body, etc.) would not receive a It will also call for a roll on the Vehicle Critical Hit Table.
, ,
Hypothetical Cover Provided by a Compact Car.
r
,------
60

VEHICLE CRITICAL HIT TABLE (DlOO)
(if moving, check for Accident)
Die
result Effect
01-20 No significant effects occur.
21-60 The vehicle receives an additional Durability loss of
1D6.
61-00 The vehicle receives the extra Durability loss as Hit with a weapon rated for VDG will also cause this table to
above and receives the appropriate additional effect: be checked.
The adjusted VDG divided by 10 and rounded to the
61-65 Steering loss occurs. The vehicle cannot be nearest is the number of points of Durability lost by the
controlled. If moving, treat as an unconscious or vehicle. In addition, a vehicle will receive damage from the
killed driver. VDG in the same way that a character receives damage from
BDG. That is, theVDG is divided by 10 and rounded up; that
66-70 The brake system is shot away. The vehicle cannot is the number of DlOs that will be rolled. TheVDG divided by
be decelerated if moving. 10 and rounded to the nearest is the number of additional
71-75 The vehicles electrical system is shot away.This will points of damage that will be added to the result of the DlOs
eliminate any lights the vehicle is using. rolled. If such damage indicates additional Durability loss, it
occurs in the normal fashion.
76-80 The driver is attacked. The firer will roll his base BCS.
If the vehicle loses Durability due to a hit of this sort, the
If the roll is successful, the driver receives a Critical
number of Durability points lost is the number of D6s of C
Hit. If not, the driver receives a normal hit.
type damage taken by each member of thecrew. The number
81-85 The vehicles engine has been hit. Treat the vehicle is reduced in the same way as crash suits, blast buffering,
as if it had received an Accident result of 21 -60. It will and Average Armor Value reduce the effects of an adjusted
not run until repaired. Crash Factor.
86-95 The vehicles motive system (tires or what have you) The Durability Loss is also the chance in 20 that the Fuel
has been hit. It will not run properly until repaired. If System will ignite or lose charge. Some fighting vehicles will
the vehicle is moving, check again for an Accident have fire control systems which will reduce the chance by
and add 10 to the die roll. their rating.
96-99 The Fuel System is attacked. The damage done is the
percentage chance that the fuel will ignite or the
batteries will discharge. If thevehicle is moving, treat HARD TARGETS SPECIAL EFFECTS TABLE (D100)
also as if it had received an Accident result of 21-60. Die
Result Effect
00 The damage done is the percentage chance of 01-20 No significant effect occurs.
immediate explosion of the Fuel System. If the
explosion does not occur the Fuel will ignite. 21-35 The shot was glancing. No direct Durability loss
Otherwise treat as 96-99 above. occurs and damage done to the vehicle is cut in half.
If this still results in a Durability loss, the loss due to
damage will occur.
36-00 System loss detailed by the breakdown below:
I f the vehicle is moving, certain of the above situations are
altered. A character may not choose the portions of the 3 6 4 5 A system (at the Gamesmasters discretion), other
vehicle at which he will fire. The chance of a character in the than one listed below, is knocked out. If no system is
vehicle being hit is calculated using the Area of the whole available, an additional loss of 1D6 Durability
vehicle instead of just the Area of the portion in which he is occurs.
located. 46-55 Communications systems are knocked out.
I f moving, the vehicle itself will have a Combat Dodge
56-60 The electrical system is knocked out.
Ability to be used against incoming fire. This CDA has a
value of 1 for each 10 kph of speed, or fraction thereof, at 61-65 The main armament is knocked out.
which the vehicle is traveling when the fire is resolved. 66-75 The motive system (treads, wheels, etc.) is knocked
Additionally, a driver may maneuver to increase this if he out. If moving, the vehicle will be treated as if it had
makes a Driving Skill BCS roll. Remember that if the vehicle received an Accident result of 21-60.
is moving at what are considered high speeds for the driver,
there will be a check for an Accident. If the driver makes his 76-80 The power plant is knocked out. If moving, the
BCS roll to make the dodging maneuver, he will add a vehicle will be treated as if it had received an
number to the CDAequal to his Driving Skill scoredivided by Accident result of 21 -60.
10 and rounded down. 81-85 The ammunition is hit. The adjusted VDG is
multiplied by 2 to get the percentage chance of
FIRING ON HARD TARGETS immediate explosion.
Fire on a hard target with small arms or muscle-powered 86-95 The Fuel System is hit. The basic chance of ignition
missile weapons will have no appreciable effect. Guns and is doubled.
weapons capable of destroying a hard target are rated by 96-00 The vehicles Fuel System is ignited or discharged.
their VDG, or Vehicle Damage Group. The adjusted VDG is the percentage chance of an
TheVDG will be reduced bythevehicle ArmorValueof the immediate explosion.
target in the same way that a barrier reduces BDG. The
adjusted VDG is the percentage chance that Hard Target
Special Effects will occur. If this happens, the Gamesmaster Explosions will add the explosive value of 1D10 rounds of
will consult the Hard Target Special Effects Chart. A Critical the vehicles ammunition to the grenade effect of the
61

~- - ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~
vehicle's Fuel System. The blast value of 1 round is equal to REPAIRING VEHICLES
the VDG of the round divided by 10 and rounded to the A character with the proper Repair Skill may repair
nearest.
vehicles. Each point of Durability isaTask. TheTaskValue is
Moving hard targets get the same Combat Dodge Ability as equal to the vehicle's Damage Resistance. It requires 1 unit
soft targets. The character firing on a hard target may never
of partsfor each Durability point. A Disrepaired vehicle of the
choose which portion of the vehicle he is firing upon. The same type will yield 2D3 units and a Junked vehiclewill yield
only exception to this is fire directed at an exposed or
1D3 units. If a particular system has been destroyed, the
partially exposed character such as a tank commander
Task Value is triple the Damage Resistanceand it will require
standing in the turret hatch. Even small arms can be used for
2D6 units of specific parts in order to make the system
this kind of attack. If the Hit Location roll indicated that the
function again. Repairing a system is a separate Task from
portion of the target that IShit is covered by the vehicle, the repairing the vehicle's Durability. The Task Period is a day.
vehicle will be attacked instead. This means that small arms
will have no effect.
Weapons rated for VDG will always attack the vehicle.
There is no need to check to see if a character is attacked. A
successful attack on the vehicle that penetrates its armor will
automatically attack the crew.
If a weapon rated for VDG fires on a soft target, treat the
target as if it had a Vehicle Armor Value of 2
Vehicle-level armor is rated on a scale similar'to that used
for the armor worn by the characters. Materials have
the same rating but are much heavier, thicker, denser, etc. If
non-VDG-rated weapons are used against them they have an
effective Armor Value of 10 times the rating of the material
when used by a character, and will act as a Barrier. As you
will see, this effectively stops most rounds not rated as anti-
vehicle.
ANTI-VEHICLE AMMUNITION
Tank or APC rounds Infantry weapons Artillery Rounds
Round VDG Recoilless Rifle Round VDG
152mm HEAT 51 Round VDG
105mmHEAT 15
120mm APDS 55 106mm 50
Non-HEAT Treat as exdosions
105mm HEAT 48 90mm 40 to exposed crew.
Machine gun BDG x .01 x Rate Factor Non-AP Vehicle takes VDG
105mm APDS 44 hit of 1/2 explosion
90mmHEAT 42 with AP ammo BDG x .02 x RF s t r e n g t h at i t s
30mm AP 12 LAW 36 range from the
ground zero.
20mm AP 9 3.5 " Bazooka 33
40mm Grenade Launcher 6
HEAT receives -10 when rolling for Hard Target Special
Effects.
HE/HESH (artillery rounds) receive a -20.
AP and APDS rounds lose 1 point of VDG per 100 meters of
range. They add 5 under 100 meters and add 10 under 50
meters.
ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILES

Range (m) BCS modification of ranges to*
Type VDG Min. Max. 300m 500m lOOOm 1500m Max.
Cobra 60 400 2000 - -8/-9 -6/-8 -2 +O
Into or through cover
Swingfire 60 150 4000 -a/-9 -51-6 +O +O +O
-50% of base BCS
TOW 90 65 3000 -2 +O +O +O +O
TOW(imp) 90 65 4550 -2 +O +O +O +o Into or through smoke
-50% of base BCS
HOT 90 75 4000 -5 -2 +O +O -1
Remote control unit in use
Shillelagh 90 aoo 5500 - - +O +O -1
-2 to BCS
MILAN 60 25 2000 -5 +O +O +O -1
Dragon 60 65 1000 -2/-5 +O/-2 +0/-5 - - 'stationary/moving

I
_I
SURVIVAL
In between fighting for their lives, characters i n the the farming communities, but stop to consider this: Without
Aftermath need to eat, just likeeverybody else. Besides fresh access to high-technology agricultural materials and
ammo, they need to procure clothes, shoes, and so on. How equipment, the average yield of crops and the raising of food
do they go about this? beasts is going to decline. After the first few waves of starving
city refugees hit the rural areas, thefarmersaregoing tostart
EATING meeting any strangers with rifles and shotguns.
The first thing to go in urban areas after a general collapse QUANTIFYING THE DAYS TAKE
will be food. Unlike rural locales, which can become self-
supporting in such matters, the city provides no arable A party of Characters running out of food may opt to hunt,
acreage, at least not without some lengthy preparations. fish (if a body of water is present), or forage for their food.
The city survivor has several options: This posits that they do not havean Encounterwith anything
edible. Their locale will affect the take on Hunting.
He can hunt. Since AHefmafh! generally assumes a few
decades between the Ruin and the start of play, there will
be game present in the urban environment. And, as the Hunting Effect Die
inhabitants of any wartime city would tell you, some game Terrain Type BCS Modifier Modifier
abounds from the start. City, ruined or built up -3 -1 Group
Rattus Rattus Norvegicus, the Black Norway Rat, is Open rural -1 No change
edible, even nourishing, and has long been known as a (Plains, Farmland)
staple for starving civic populations. During the last year +2 +1 Group
Forest, Woods, Foothills
of WWII, the city of Berlin was almost 100%de-ratted, as
the people eked out their sub-starvation level rations by Mountains, Desert +1 No change
hunting the grey residents of their sewers and walls. Man,
backed into a survival corner, still seems able to make a
cornered rat look like a day-old kitten when it comes to Fishing is unaffected by the type of environment. Lake,
savage survival potential. Cats, dogs, pigeons, and the river, stream, or ocean, the differences tend t o even out in the
other passengers on the citys bounty would also become long run.
fair game. Foraging is campaign dependent. Book 3 covers the basic
Foraging rules, and the Gamesmaster will set up the actual
a The average city can feed its full population for only a day situations.
or two on stored, preserved foods. But if war or disaster Of course, finding a community or even an individual or
has eliminated most of that population, the situation is small group with food to spare can also feed the characters.
altered. As long as food stocks last, they will feed the Depending on their ethics, they may try to take the supplies
survivors. In this as in much of Affermafhl we have made a or they may engage in a Bartering session, either of which
basic assumption about packaging. We are not far from is played out on the spot, rather than being handled on a
developing commercial packing techniques for edibles fixed doctrinal basis. Small groups of wanderers are not
that will last indefinitely. Chemically inert plastic likely to trade food, nor are communities that have to
containers, 100% effective sterilization techniques for scrounge it themselves. Farming communities, or groups
preserved food, freeze-drying , effective vacuu m-pac king, with large stockpiles of preserved goods, may very well be
all would produce a stored treasury of foodstuffs that into trading food for other goods, if the characters comport
would be edible after centuries. themselves properly.
So, just as they search for guns, ammo, machinery, and OPTION
So on, the characters can scavenge food, luxuries like Hunting Out an Area
tobacco and liquor, and such necessities as medical The Gamesmaster may choose to decree that the area
supplies and drugs. Positing that the increased need to chosen for hunting operations will tend to get sparser if it is
save energy and prevent waste during the pre-Ruin years used constantly. For everyday after their first that characters
leads to a highly developed technology of storage and stay put in one locale, hunting, reduce the BCS used by 103.
preservation, the extrapolation is not outrageous. It will take a 10 km move to get into new territory, where the
game has become less wary.
.Besides doctrinal Hunting and Fishing, using the
appropriate Skills, or using Survival Skill to feed oneself
on a day-to-day basis, the character may be able to eat
such beings as come out on the short end of afight. In the TYPES OF FOODSTUFFS
Animal descriptions in Book 3, we give figures as to the For purposes of calculating bulk, there are several broad
edible portionsof the larger creatures that characters may classifications of edibles.
encounter. That lion you shot in Central Park may also
Natural Foods (1 BP/Ration): Enough t o keep a man
keep you fed for a couple of days. going for 1 day at full efficiency bulks 1 ENC. These are
In the country, the same options are available to the fresh (relatively) animal foods, grain or grain products, or
hungry character. The game is more plentiful, and there will vegetables.
be fewer stores of packaged foods to raid, unless one goes Preserved Natural Foods (2 BP/Ration): Dried meat,
bandit, hitting farm communities for supplies. Fresh vegetables, hard-breads (the jerky, gorp, and hardtack of
agricultural products and animal foods will be available in the backpacker) run to .7ENC per days rations per man.
63

Packaged Foods (5 BPhation): The standard food exceeds his safe period of total fastina Since he is
containers of the pre-Ruin. Canned or vacuum-packed eating nothing, he suffers a Group 2 effect, taking a D6
goods. A days rations bulks .5 ENC of Advance up his Health. A 2 is rolled, so Frank is still
Freeze-Dried Foods (10 BP/Ration): The LURPs of unaffected (but very hungry). Three days later he is
military issue, campers foods, trail rations. Dried and doing very poorly. Day8 gave thestarvation a Group of
packed in a vacuum at freezing temperatures, these will 4 (twice the previous days Group, a 2). He took 206 of
keep for up to 5 years with modern, imperfect packaging Advance, scoring 8 for a total o f 10. The next day, a
techniques. Picture their life-span with the posited super- Group of 8 hit him. He rolls a 5,the minimum possible
packaging systems we spoke of. Requiring water and score o n 2D10+3, which slams him over his Health
sometimes heat t o be reconstituted, these compact CST, and totals 15 points against his Health. Any more
rations Encumber one .3 per days eating. loss will put him into Full Fatigue. But he catches a rat,
providing half a days rations. So on day 10, the Group
Super-K Rations (15 BPIRation): The ultimate in is only 1 higher than on day 9,for a Group of 9. Rolling
preserved nutrition. Developed from formulae used in the 2010+4, he takes an Advance o f 10, totalling 25.He is
space program, these squeeze-tube-held pastes provide a Fully Fatigued but not dead yet. Desperately ploughing
full days rations from a quantity bulking only .25 ENC. through a deserted, rubble-filled storefront, he finds a
They are not the most appetizing meal in the world, but case of 12 packets of Packaged Food, each providing a
then things are rough all over. days ration. He starts eating again. He recovers 4
points of Advance per day, and will throw off the
All of the above are assumed to provide a sufficiently Starvation completely when he has reduced i t past 10.
balanced diet t o prevent rickets, beriberi, scurvy, etc., etc. This will take 4 days, since his Healing Rate is 4, and
Gamesmasters with a more rigorous background in dietetics that takes the Advance back to 9 points, whereupon i t
may provide for deficiency diseases, but frankly, the world of goes away.
Aftermath! is hostile enough without that. Close, but if the character can procure food, or be fed if he
is unable to forage for himself, Starvation isquickly reduced.
Special medical preparations, using Advanced Medical
STARVATION Skill, can accelerate this process: a glucose drip bottle,
A character can go on half rations for a number of days feeding the character by intravenous needle, will add 1 to his
equal to twice his Healing Rate before it really starts to slow Healing Rate when recovering from Starvation, and add 2 to
him down. He can go without food for a period equal to the it if the doctor makes his BCS in theskill. High-energyfoods
Healing Rate on the same terms. After that, he will start to will add 1 to the rate of recovery, as will certain drugs i f they
starve. are used in conjunction with proper eating.
Starvation acts like a Disease in some ways. It has a base
Virulence of 1 on the first day after the safe period is over if WATER
on half rations. It has twice that if fasting completely. Each The need for Water is handled much like that for Food. At
subsequent day of half-starving will add 1 to the Virulence random, when characters state they are looking for water,
Group. If the character is not eating at all, each day doubles the Gamesmaster may require that they spend an hour doing
the Group. Starvation advances up HLH. When the advance so. This requires no BCS or Saving Throw, but will allow
exceeds the HealthCST, the victim is in a permanent state of them to find any local source of freelv available water (or
Partial Fatigue. When the AST is exceeded, this becomes other liquid that will do the job). If this fails, there may yet be
Full Fatigue. When the Health is exceeded, the character water available, but it is a Task requiring the use of the
passes out. He will die in a number of hours equal to his appropriate Survival Skill to find. The Gamesmaster will set
Health Group Effect Die roll. the Task Points needed, and the Task Period is set by the
Getting a days rations into the victim will arrest the terrain type. The chances of locating Water are given on the
process at any time. For each day of proper eating, the following Table.
character will reduce the Advance by his Healing Rate. Once
it is restored t o a point past his Health AST, the episode is Water
over, the rest of the Advance simply goes away, and if
necessary the character could go on short rations again.
Findable
Going off full rations before reaching this point starts the Free by Survival No Chanceof
Advance from the point reached in the healing process, at Terrain Type Water Skill BCS Water Contamination
whatever initial Virulence is appropriate forthe new level of City (Intact) 1-4 6-9 0 30O/o
intake (Le., half rations or no food). City (Rubbled) 1-3 4-8 9-0 50%.
During the Incubation period before Starvation starts its
advance, should the character go from half rations to no
Open Rural 1-6 7-0 - 05%
food, his safe period becomes his Healing Rate. Should he Forest, Woods,
do the reverse, his safe period would become twice his Hills 1-7 8-0 - 10%
Healing Rate. If hesuffersthe reduction in period after he has Desert 1 2-6 7-0 10%
been on short rations for more days than his Healing Rate, he -
starts to starve at once. If, during this time, he eats half- Swamp 1-0 - 80%
rations, then that days Virulence Group is increased by 1
over the previous days. If he fasts the next day, then the Free Water: Defined as a noticeable supply of apparently
Group doubles, based on the adjusted Group. drinkable water.
Frank, with a Health of 30 (Healing Rate ofrl), has three Water Findable by Survival Skill: May require digging for a
days Rations. Sensing that things are getting tight, he spring, locating an old cistern, finding a case of sealed
parcels this out to last for 6 days, going on half rations. water bottles, etc.
H e was right: there is nothing to be found that is even
remotely edible. On half rations, he can go for8 days (2 No Water: There is no water to find within a 5 km radius.
x Healing Rate, which is 4). But on day 7 he can eat Contamination: Drunk without purification processes, the
nothing (nothing is left), so he starts to starve then, as i t water will carry some disease. Boiling will allow a reroll of
ti4

the Chance percentage. If the die roll is greater than half will infect us. Fish is quite safe for humans to eat raw: it is not
the original percentage, the water has been purified at all like human tissue. Pork, a very close twin of our own
(although characters will not know this without some structure, requires extensive cooking to eat safely.
testing gear). Therefore, human meat will be a risky dish for human
The Super Halzone tablets in the Equipment section consumption.
will eliminate any contamination. It is an ugly question, but it must be dealt with by each
Obviously, if the characters are next to a river or stream on Campaign. Who goes Ghoul, and what does it cost him in
the Game Map, they do not need t o worry about finding mind and soul?
water. The Gamesmaster can apply his judgement i n the
matter. If it has been raining for two days, there will be SURVIVAL SKILL
plentiful water available. Whenever faced with a survival problem (this includes
Assume that an unlimited supply of water exists when it dead cities), the character can always be given a last-ditch
can be found at all. solution by making his Survival Skill BCS. The Gamesmaster
THIRST will be the final a r b k r o f what applications are permitted this
Skill, but we offer these possibilities:
Anyone with a background that includes getting lost in the
wild will tell you-thirst kills you faster than hunger. 0 Find 1 days food of some sort.
The mimimum daily ration of water is 1 liter (1 quart) per 0 Find a liter of water somewhere.
day. If fresh food is plentifully available, we can assume that
about half of that will be obtained from the water content of 0 Survive the effects 3f exposure for 1 night.
fruits and vegetables, or animals juices. The Safe Period for 0 -
Get a fire started in 60 minutes a Wit Group Effect Die roll.
Thirst is equal to the Healing Rate on less than full rations. It
0 Get a compass bearing.
is only 1 day if no water is available. Thirst kills just as
Starvation does, but allvalues for its Advance are doubled. In 0 Generate a signal visible/audible for a radius of kilometers
effect, Thirst is Starvation with a WDM of 2! equal to the Effect Die roll.
However, if a character at any point in dying of Thirst can The ex-Boy Scouts or Green Berets among our readers
get a liter of water into him, all effects of the Thirst are wiped will doubtless have other ideas along these lines. Only one
out immediately. attempt per day to accomplish one of these things is
ABOUT CANNIBALlSM permitted, although each of them can be tried during that
day. This is used when there has been no other means of
We might as well get this problem out in the open. It is
doing the desired thing found: Le., the Hunter who blows his
highly likely that humans driven to the wall by hunger in the
Hunting BCS can still get enough to feed 1 man by making
collapse of their civilization will turn to cannibalism. It has
his Survival BCS. Whether he will share it with his buddiesor
happened in less widespread disaster situations, and there is
gobble it down himself is up to the Player.
no logical reason to suppose it wont happen in the
Aftermath.
Players and Gamesmasters must discuss such things until
WEATHER
a mutually satisfactory answer is found. In Playtesting, the We do not deal with Weather much. Since the ideal
universal response has been a preference for starvation. Affermathf campaign is in the Gamesmasters home
Several Players designed Characters who killed cannibals territory, he knows better than we what theclimate is like. An
on sight, or upon first learning of their diet. The usual reason all-embracing weather rule that fits the Middle Atlantic
was a Character History that included losing loved ones to states, where we are writing this, will freeze characters in the
the roving Ghoul gangs, the slang nomenclature we used ruins of Miami, but leave the survivors of the Fall of Toronto
to designate cannibals. in shirt-sleeve comfort.
Our own feeling is that the impact upon a human being Unless you are in Death Valley, great heat is not really a
who turns to eating his own kind for food will be such that he problem. The blanket rules for hot climate can be summed
will tend to lose much of his humanity, becoming a predator up as requiring a Survival BCS each day, or else the
by nature and a ravening threat to his fellows. The overall character needs twice as much water that day.
ethos of the survivor communes and wanderers in the Cold weather will not bother characters warmly dressed
playtest Campaign was that Ghouls, as their nickname (quilted cloth over half their bodies, and at least light cloth
implied, had become a form of monster, set in eternal enmity everywhere else). Gamesmasters setting an adventure in
with the rest of the race. arctic conditions can require special clothes, likewise those
In the Bibliography, we recommend several novels that having characters assault mountain peaks. Characters not
deal with the cannibal problem in an aftermath. It is acentral dressed for winter will suffer from Exposure. They are
plot element in Lucifers Hammer, by Larry Niven and Jerry always Partially Fatigued when in the cold for over 10
Pournelle, and also appears in such works as Some Will Not minutes times Healing Rate. If forced to spend the night
Die by Algis Budrys, A Canticle for Liebowitz by Walter exposed t o the elements, they must use Survival Skill to
Miller, and numerous works of Post-Holocaust fiction. protect themselves, or risk catching Pneumonia, which is
On the pragmatic side, we give the nutrifive values of described in the Gamesmasters rule book under Sample
human flesh on the Tables in Book 3.We would like t o point Diseases.
out that the closer a food animal is t o our own cell structure, If Climate is a more central element of your Campaign, you
the more likely its meat is to carry germs or parasites which will have to elaborate on these foundations for yourself.
65

PLAYER CHARACTERS AMONG THE RUINS
We have discussed the mechanics of designing a Player The Player who built Chip, or Chipper as his associates
Character in some detail, and have directed general call him, has built asolid, righteoussoutherner, holding on to
comment at less quantifiable aspects of such design: putting his humanity in thesavage world of the Ruin by dint of a basic
on the characters mask, or thinking with his head. code of ethics. Rolling the bodies of dead children violates
But what specific guidelines can we give you for running a that code, to the disgust of the characters with less restraint.
character in Aftermath!, the game set in a world where all On the flip side, an interesting juxtaposition exists in the
the old rules died with the civilization that spawned them. By playtest campaign. One of Chips current companions is
now, it is probably crystal clear to most of you that an Tater, who is a couple of years younger than the rifleman.
Aftermath! campaign can get pretty sickening, if you Tater ran with the Pagans (an East Coast counterpart to
follow some of the implications of world collapse to their Hells Angels). He is a cycle freak, a graying biker in a world
logical conclusions. How do you keep the campaign from without cops. When things fell apart, we shudder to think of
degenerating into a mindless series of gunfights between what Tater must have done. He is a vicious gangster. It is a
ruthlessly amoral Player and Non-Player Characters? safe bet that he lived by preying on those less lethal than
It is all very well to say it is the Gamesmasters job. But that himself. He appreciates the survival value of the group that
poor jerk has an awful lot on his mind already, and in this area operates about Chip, but our Gamesmaster suspicions see
especially the full cooperation of the Players is necessary to a showdown when the almost inevitable time comes that
keep things alive. Tater tries to pull something that Chipper will not stand for.
When the campaign is getting off the ground, perhaps after These two cases sketch the process by which widely
the first few scenarios, when people are getting comfortable variant Player characters can evolve and interact in
with the rules, a session discussing the state of the world and Aftermath! Initially, the Player who runs Chip decided to
looking at possible goals for Player Characters is in order. build a stereotypical redneck, charter member of the NRA,
What is the known state of the country? Is Europe still alive, outdoorsman, afficionado of good homebrew. As Chip has
or Asia? Are the characters lone wolves, fighting just to developed through the cenarios, he has emerged as a rock
survive, or are they part of a community, struggling to keep a solid survivor, staying alive as much by his cunning as a
spark of the old civilization burning, or to bring the seeds of a tactician as by his accuracy with a rifle, and emerging from
new tomorrow to fruition? the maelstrom of the Ruin with a deep-seated sense of
The answers to these questions provide the foundations decency that may get him killed but has saved an awful lot of
for ongoing character motivation in the campaign. On a lives along the way.
more personal level, Players should consider the following: Tater has demonstrated a valuable lesson to the Players.
You were 24 years old when the Ruin fell, and slammed He is an essentially sterile character, for all his ruthless
mankind back intoasecond Dark Age. Nowyouaregoing on survival talent, and the other Player characters, including
50. You used to think of yourself as a decent kind of person. some controlled by the same Player, trust him like lions trust
Since things fell apart you have done some things to survive jackals.
that dont bear thinking of. You face a giant dilemma every
day you decide to stay alive: do you throw every ethic you WHEN TIME IS OUT OF JOINT
ever held dear overboard, or is there some basic code of While the main thrust of Aftermath! posits a campaign
behavior that is going t o keep you sane and human through set 20-30 years after the Ruin, this is not a solid limit. We have
all this? experimented in the playtest with a 200 Years After
We have seenOldsters, characters who were adult by the campaign. Lost is the sense of immediacy, and thesimplicity
time of the Ruin, draw weapons on fellow Player Characters of dealing with technological material when everyone is
when confronted by some act their Players had decided was assumed to be moderately familiar with it. Some items, like
intolerable to the character. firearms, will probably remain fairly common, although the
Scene: A dark room, the inner chambers of a great museum, Muzzle Loaders are likely to replace the modern weapons as
now a tomb dating back two and a half decades. A party of they break down, and ammo runs out. But the products of
schoolchildren died here, caught by the disaster that killed a industrial chemistry, the manufactured goods, and all the
world. A group of people move carefully around the corner, powered equipment, might slowly become the magic of the
holding makeshift torches. Two of the younger members see new primitives. While isolated enclaves may preserve theold
the tiny, half-mummified corpses. Check em out for good knowledge, most communities will be in a state of neo-
stuff. The pair starts to move in. The snick of the safety catch barbarism, poised at the beginnning of the climb back to
seems awfully loud in the still, marble room. Idont expect civilization.
you fellas to understand this, but i f you damn ghouls touch The characterizations in such campaigns may operate on
those kids, Im going to kill you. The quiet conviction in the a different level than those in the First Generation system.
rasping, age-husky voice freezes the two in their tracks. You are Vinz of Twobomz Valley. The raid on the Horz
A w, Chipper, you got some crazy ideas, complains one of People was a great success and Rik, Warchief of the Horned
them. But they back up, very slowly, and with their hands Riders, the finest warrior-clan in all the Bul people, called
held well clear of their own holsters. Theyve seen the old you Brave Lance! But in the midst o f all the fighting, your
man march a stream of slugs from that rifle up a mans chest foolish mind, that got you all those beatings from Rojur when
and into his face, firing at 100 yards. H e is barely 10 feet he tried to pound the sagas into you, kept asking, Why do we
away. As the tension subsides, the party moves on. The always fight the other tribes?
glimmering torchlight fades, and the brief disturbance sinks It is hard to ask such questions. A l l men know we fight to
into the uncomplaining forgetfulness that is the special keep the land that is ours. We fight because all who are not of
hallmark of the dead. our blood, our lineage, are enemies. So has i t always been,
66

since the Blast came and made the World-As-lt-Is. The You are Bill Ericson. Once, ten years o r ten lifetimes
Shamen say it, and they are wise and MUST be right! ago, you were a salesman with a wife, a daughter, a few
But when others die, their blood is just the same as dreams. But that was before the Martians came back,
ours, although their skins are pale and mine is dark. Are they just as they did around the turn of the century, the way
not then of our blood? Wells history tells it. Only this time they won. The
Why does my head hurt with asking things i t cannot Earth is a shattered slave-planet, ruled by the
answer? Ishall go upon a Travelling to the old, dead God- octopoidal aliens and their human Quislings. They
Cities, the places of Those- Who- Were-Before- The-Blast. took away all you had: a wife who burned in their heat
Maybe there, Iwill find out why men must fight those who are ray three steps from the culvert that saved your life; a
strangers, and how i t was in the Old Times. Surely THEY did little girl who died asking for a drink of water that you
not do such things. didnt have, a little water to cool the fever born of the
First Generation campaigns lack something that is Mars-bred virus that was killing her. If i t is all I do
central to a setting in the farther future: legends. before Ijoin them, i f there was any mercy left by God
The old legends are dead, buried in the rubble of the fallen before he went away, just let me hurt the damned
civilization. The new legends are not yet formed, for the monsters once! you cry.
exploits of the Player-Characters are the proto-legends o f
the new world! This is the Age of Heroes which will fuel the
campfire speech of the characters great-grandchildren.
Eminent scholars among their many-times-great-great
grandchildren will seek the truth behind their myth of
Chi-per, the Bul Peoples God of Righteousness and Justice,
He Who Strikes the Hearts and Eyes of the Evil Ones.
The potential richness of the campaign is so great i n both
types of setting that whatever decision the Gamesmaster
makes, we feel that Players will find many and varied origins
which they may ascribe to their characters, promoting a
realistic diversity in the personalities in the campaign.
Vinz demonstrates one particular approach to what we
have perceived as the most rewarding motivation in an
Aftermath! campaign: the promise of new birth.
THE CHARACTERS 81 THE PROMISE
In most Role Playing Games, the Player Character is as
much the misfit as he is the hero. He has forsaken growing
old by his hearth for the life of one driven by some
consuming desire; glory, an ideal or crusade, revenge,
wealth, whatever. The classic definition of the hero includes
the willing acceptance of moira, a Greek term roughly
meaning fate, karma, or doom. Young Achilles, offered
a choice between a long, honorable, but uneventful life, and
a short, glorious career, unhesitatingly chose the latter. In
Homers Iliad, he is the premier warrior of the Greeks,
unstoppable in his rage, but foredoomed to die, his heroic
invulnerability flawed at the Achilles Heel, where a
poisoned arrow cuts short his glorious life.
The majority of Player Characters in Aftermath! have
tended to undertake the heartbreaking task of supporting the
rebuilding of a new civilization on the ashes of the old. Frail
scientists have mastered fighting skills to preserve their
knowledge for the young ones in their group. The Kids
often show a superstitious awe of this Old Knowledge,and There is nothing uplifting about Ericsons pain. It will
the foundations for Vinzs Shamen are laid. Even if they die torment the character as long as he cares to keep on living.
without fulfilling their dream, the Promise is passed on, to But it is a driving force that can impel him to rise above the
slumber in embryo, until a young warrior asks how Others normal limits of human endeavor to drive the Martians from
can be so different if they bleed the same blood as he himself the planet, and echoed in the agony of spirit of a legion of
does. those whose lives were blasted by the invasion, it welds a
There are the flawed heroes too, Player or Non-Player bond of action that is more frightening than all the polished
Characters who failed to learn the lesson of the Ruin. They drill of more conventional armies.
husband the resources of technology to rule by force, by On the other side of the coin, imagine the potentials in
inspiring superstitious fear of the magic of science. playing a party of Quislings, out to extend the rule of their
Ruthlessly they turn their knowledge into new ways t o extraterrestrial masters. As with the despicable Tater, this
destroy, rather than a means of rebuilding the results of their choice may lead to things the Players might have preferred to
civilizations own propensity for such abuse. leave undone. But again, the motivations and reactions of
Currently, these positions are held by Non-Player such characters provide a fascinating contrast for garners
Characters in the campaign, usually at enmity with the who tire of the Me Good Hero/Rotten Villain roles that can
Players. But given time and resources, there are Player stultify a Role Playing Game.
Characters who would overthrow them only to replace them No matter what period of the Aftermath is chosen, and no
with tyrannies of their own. matter what particular kind of Ruin caused it, thecharacters
Other types of campaign may pose their own obstacles to relationship to the Promise is a central pole of his
the Promise. It is not necessarily going to be by our own personality. He may embrace it, oppose it, even twist it to his
efforts that the Ruin strikes. We may have help. own ends, but he cannot ignore it.
67

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
We think enough grist has been provided for the mill in breath and chalk it up to experience. When it all goes
terms of things to consider in building the characters right, just ask yourself this: how worried was I?When that
personality. Now how about playing the game? last sword blow knocked me to within a hair of death, and
The general caveats to garners in Book 1 speak to the then I had to beat that guard to the draw, did the
overall task. Familiarize yourself with the rules enough to be gooseflesh rise, did the back of the neck chill at the
able to flow in a fight, or any other common situation, without vicarious breath of the dark angel? If you can say yes,
constant hesitation or rule-questioning. If the Players find even if only fora moment, then you should be enjoying the
something really unplayable, offensive, or just loathesome blazes out of things!
for indefinable reasons, they should let the Gamesmaster For the first, the very first little old character you build in
know it. If they want to expand on some ideas, the same Affermathl, try this on for size.
applies. Assume civilization collapses tomorrow. Decide what you
Remember several things: would do. What Attributes would you cultivate and what
0 Nobody is an expert in everything. It is blatantly unfair and would you let go? What new Skills would you acquire and
rude to snarl at the Gamesmaster or another Player what old ones would you increase? Develop the basic
because he makes a slip in working with some area you character design along these lines. Then ask yourself how
have expertise in. Expect the same courtesy from them would you survive? What attitudes would you adopt? DO you
that you give. just watch out for Numberone, orareyou willing togive your
heart to the Promise? Could you go Ghoul in a final
0 Likewise, no simulation can cover every detail of a extremity, or would you kill cannibals on sight? Can you trust
complex process, or foresee all the eventualities of a anyone? Or is the world forever a hostile environment? Put
situation. The rules here areour approach to the problem. yourself in the characters shoes and play your story in the
Our system is designed to allow the maximum flexibility in Aftermath!
adapting the probabilities to fit the vicissitudes of real life. We think you will be surprised by the intensity of
Take advantage of this by really playing the role, thinking identification this idealized self-character will get from you.
terms of real actions, rather than trying to break The immediacy and impact of play is immeasurably
everything down into the abstract math of scores and increased. And if and when your luck runs out, or you make
points. If you want to be a hero (and in this hobby, who your last mistake, the impact of the loss is as thrilling as it is
doesnt?) then, by the glory, be a hero! Take risks, accept poignant. It hurts, but the final question is put to you: did he
the challenge of the short life but the glorious one. You die accepting hismoira? Was the hero true to the last? And
may not die in bed, but really, did you want to? if you have put yourself into the play wholeheartedly, then
.A good test of the quality of play in a campaign is this: if the answer you get back makes it all worthwhile.
you wrote out a log of an adventure in decent narrative The Gamesmasters Book contains the various facets of
form, would it make good adventure fiction? In some different types of campaigns. He will inform you of the basic
scenarios, admittedly, everything seems to go stale. The assumptions of your particular system. But without a
encounters fall into a rut, nobody can seem to stay in creative response to equal his own labors, the thing will not
character, rules get blown, tempers fray, nothing take off. Meet him halfway, and the hours of enjoyment can
happens or everything happens wrong. Take a deep be endless.
68

APENDIX 1
CHARACTER GENERATION CHECKLIST
1. Determine Age Group and note information due to it on CRS.
2. Determine actual age.
3. Determine psychological profile.
4. Distribute 15 + 206 points among the Talents.
5. Distribute 75 points among the Attributes.
6. Determine which Skills the character has for initial scores.
7. Determine the initial scores and Off-Hand Dexterity.
8. Apply the effects of Age, "Changed" status and Attribute Increase
points.
9. Determine the character's Physical Characteristics.
10. Determine base clothing.
11. Determine the character's armor.
12. Determine the character's equipment.
13. Calculate Encumbrance Total.
14. Calculate Abilities, Basic Chance of Success scores and base
Recognition Factor.
15. Inform the Gamesmaster that you are ready to play.
APPENDIX 2
SKILLS LIST
May have initial equipment
Always requires tools or weapons
Sometimes requires or uses tools or weapons
Has an "averaging" function
SKILL COST INITIAL SCORE FORMAT SKILL COST INITIAL SCORE FORMAT
COMBAT SKILLS, HTH ' *
Brawling 1 STR + DFT + Combative 3 Swimming 1 HLH + STR + Natural 1
Fencing 1 SPD + DFT + Combative 3 Tracking 1 WT + Natural + Natural 2 (Urban/Rurrl)
Flexible Weapon 1 DFT + STR + Combative 3 Hunting 1 DFT + WT + Natural 2 (Trap/Shoot)
Knife 1 DFT + SPD + Combative 3 Search 1 WT + WT + Natural 2 (Urban/Rural)
Longsword 1 STR + DFT + Combative 3 Stealth 1 DFT + WT + Natural 2 (Urban/Rural)
Nunchaku 1 DFT + STR + Combative 3 KNOWLEDOES
Palearm 1 STR + DFT + Combative 3 Advanced Farming 2
Sai 1 DFT + STR + Combative 3 (Dirt Farming) 2 WT + DFT + Natural 1
Single Weapon 1 STR + DFT + Combative 3 Bowyer 2 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Tonfa 1 DFT + STR + Combative 3 Carpentry 1 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Two Weapon 1 STR + DFT + Combative 3 Commerce 2 WL + WT + Charismatic 1
Unarmed Combat 1 DFT + SPD + Combative 3 Culture 0 WT + Communicative +Esthetic 2 (Pre/Post Ruin)
Weapon and Shield 1 STR + DFT + Combative 3 Dirt Farmlng * 1 HLH + DFT + Natural 1
MUSCLE POWERED MISSILE WEAPONS * Fermentation * 2 WT + Natural + Natural 1
Archery 2 DFT + WT + Combative Foreign Language (specify)
Blowgun 2 HLH + WT + Combative 1 WT + WL +Communicative 2 (Spoken/Written)
Bola 2 DFT + WT + Combative
Crossbow 2 DFT + WT + Combative Interrogation 8 3 WL + WT + Charismatic 1
Sling 2 DFT + WT + Combative Leatherworking 2 2 DFT + WT + Esthetic 1
Slingshot 2 DFT + WT + Combative Literacy (specify) 1 WT + WT + Communicative 1
Throwing 2 DFT + WT + Combative Masonry 3 1 DFT + DFT + Mechanical 1
SMALL ARMS 1 * Nutritionist 2 WT + Scientific + Natural 1
Repair, Muscle powered vehicles
Pistol, Modern 3 DFT + WT +Combative
Pistol, Primitive 3 DFT + WT +Combative (Carpentry) 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Rifle, Modern 3 DFT + WT + Combative Salvage Food 2 WT + DFT + Scientific 1
Rifle, Primitive 3 DFT + WT + Combative (Nutritionist)
SUPPORT WEAPONS * Tactics 2 WT + Combative+ Comm
Autoweapon 4 DFT + WT + Combative Tailor 2 1 DFT + DFT + Esthetic
Breech Loading Artillery 4 DFT + WT + Combative Weaver/Spinner 2 1 DFT + WT + Esthetic
Direct Fire Cannon 4 DFT + WT + Combative
Grenade Launcher 4 DFT + WT + Combative TECHNICAL, PHYSICAL SKILLS
Missile Launcher 4 DFT + WT + Combative Automobile Driving 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
(Technology Use) (Technology Use)
Mortar 4 DFT + WT + Combative Basic Research 3 1 WT + WT + Scientific 1
Muzzle Loading Artillery 4 DFT + WT + Combative Heavy Equipment Driving'2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Primitive Seige Engines 4 DFT + WT + Combative (Technology Use)
NON-TECHNICAL, PHYSICAL SKILLS Lab Technique 2 1 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Beast Riding4 1 WL + DFT + Nature 1 (Technology Use)
Bicycle Riding 2 1 DFT + STR + Mechanical 1 Lockpicking I 2 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Boating 1 STR + WT + Natural 1 Magnalock Penetration' 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Climbing 3 1 STR + DFT + Natural 1 (Technology Use)
Fishing 3 1 DFT + WT + Natural 2 (Trap/Hook) Motorcycle Driving 2 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Gambling 1 DFT + WT + Charismatic 1 (Technology Use)
Handicraft (specify) 5 1 DFT + WT + Talent 1 Powerboat Pilot 2 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Seamanship 1 HLH + DFT + Natural 1 (Technology Use)
Survival (specify) 3 1 HLH + WL + Natural 1 Technology Use 2 1 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
69

SKILL - COST INITIALSCORE FORMAT SKILL COST INITIAL SCORE FORMAT
KNOWLEDGES
Aerial Recon Interpretation 2 WT + Scientific + Esthetic 1 Simple Explosives 3 2 WT + DFT + Mechanical 1
(Technology Use and Basic (Chemistry & Lab Technique)
Research and Mathematics) Strategic Command 2 WT + Scientific + Combative 1
Advanced Medical 3 WT + DFT + Scientific 1 (Operational Command)
(Lab Technique and First Aid) Telegraphy 3 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Architecture 3 WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1 (Technology Use)
(Technology Use and Basic TelephoneCommunications 3 WT + DFT + Mechanical 1
Research and Mathematics) (Technology Use)
Armorer 3 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 Television Communications 3 3 WT + DFT + Mechanical 1
(Blacksmiting for metal/ (Electrician)
Plastics for Forming plastic) Therapy 3 WT + DFT + Scientific 1
Automobile Mechanic 2 3 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 (Advanced Medical)
(Technology Use) Weaponsmithing 3 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Blacksmithing 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 (Blacksmithing. Machining or
(Technology Use) Carpentry-according to
Botany 2 WT + Scientific + Natural 2 material)
(Pre-/Post-Ruin) Zoology 3 2 WT + Scientific + Natural 2
Chemistry 2 WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1 (Pre-/Post-Ruin)
Computer Science 2 WT + Scientific + Mechanical 2
(Technology Use) (Programming/
System Design)
Decontamination 3 WT + DFT + Scientific 2 HIGH TECHNOLOGY SKILLS 2
(Lab Technique) (Biological &Chemical/ (All require Technological Use)
Radioactive) PHYSICAL SKILLS
Defusing Explosives3 2 DFT 7 WT + Mechanical 1 High Technology Use 1 DFT + Wt + Mechanical 1
(Technology Use) Pilot, Fixed Wing 3 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Demolitions ' 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 Pilot, Submersable 3 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
(Technology Use) Pilot, Rotary Wind 3 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Distillation 2 WT + Mechanical + Scientific 1 Pilot, Spacecraft 4 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
(Technology Use) (Zero G Training &
Electrician 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 High Technology Use)
(Technology Use) Pilot, Variable Wing 4 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Encryption 2 WT + Scientific + Esthetic 1 Safecracking 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
(Basic Research) SCUBA Diving ' 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Firearms Repair, Modern 1 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 Zero G Training ' 3 SPD + DFT + Natural 1
(Firearms Repair, Primitive & Aviation Mechanic 3 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Machining) (High Technology Use)
Firearms Repair, Primitive 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
(Blacksmithing or Machining) KNOWLEDGES '
First Aid 2 WT + DFT + Scientific 1 Complex Explosives 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Handloading 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1 (Simple Explosives)
(Technology Use) Computer Design 4 WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1
Internal CombustionEngine 3 WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1 (Computer Science 8
(Physics 8 Mathematics) Mathematics & High Technology
Machining 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical Use)
(Technology Use) ECM Operation 2 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical 1
Marine Mechanic 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical (High Technology Use)
(Technology Use) Laser Technology 4 WT + Scientific + Mechanical
Mathematics 2 WT +Scientific + Comm 1 (High Technology Use)
Mechanically Generated 2 WT + Mechanical + Scientific 1 Plastic Synthesization 3 WT + Scientific + Mechanical
Power 3 (Chemistry 8 Lab Technique)
(Technology Use & Physics) Power Generation
Operational Command 2 WT +Combative + Comm Electrical 3 WT + Scientific + Mechanical
(Tactics) (Physics, Electrician 8
Pathology 3 WT + WT + Scientific Mechanicall Generated
(Chemistry & Advanced Medical) Nuclear 4 WT + Scientific + Mechanical
Pharmacy 3 WT + DFT + Scientific (P.G., Electrical)
(Chemistry & Lab Technique) Solar 3 WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1
Physics 3 2 WT + Mechaical + Scientific (Physics & High Technolgy Use)
(Mathematics) Production of Fuel
Plastics Forming 2 2 DFT + WT + Mechanical Hydride 4 WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1
(Technology Use) (Chemistry & Lab Technique)
Radio Communications 3 2 WT + DFT + Mechanical 1 Petroleum 4 WT + Scientific + Mechanical 1
(Technology Use) (Chemistry & Lab Technique)
70

APPENDIX 3
ARMOR MATERIALS LIST
MATERIAL CODE FORMAT ENCILOC ARMOR VALUE BARTERVALUE
PLASTIC PER LOCATION
Plasteel PS R .04 15 3C
Armorplast AM R .036 13 26
Plated Plasteel LP-PS SR ,052 13 26
Denisplast DP R .03 11 22
Plated Armorplast LP-AM SR ,046 11 22
Mesh Plasteel M-PS FH .06 11 22
Macroplast MP R ,024 9 14
Plated Densiplast LP-DP SR .04 9 14
Mesh Armorplast M-AM FH ,054 9 14
Plated Macroplast LP-MP SR ,032 8 12
Mesh Densiplast M-DP FH ,046 8 12
Plastex PX FQ .02 6 9
Mesh Macroplast M-MP FH ,036 6 9
Synthiplast SY FQ .01 5 5
Plastihide PH FQ ,002 4 4
Plasticloth PC FQ .0015 3 3
Heavy Plastisheet HP FQ ,001 2 2
Light Plastisheet LP FQ .o005 1 1
NON-METTALLIC
Natural Armor Leather AL FH .02 5 3
Hardened Heavy Leather H-HL FH .008 5 3
Heavy Leather HL FS ,008 4 2
Scaled Leather SL FH ,008 4 2
Natural Armor Hide AH FS .02 4 2
Light Leather LL FS ,004 3 2
Heavy Hide HH FS .008 3 2
Scaled Hide SH FS .008 3 2
Heavy Cloth HC FQ ,001 2 1
Light Hide LH FS ,004 2 1
Light Cloth LC FQ ,0005 1 0.5
METALLIC
Carballoy CA R .072 14 21
Plated Carballoy LP-CA SR .08 13 20
Macrosteel MS R .07 12 18
Mesh Carballoy M-CA FH .09 11 17
High Quality Steel as R .07 10 15
Plated Macrosteel LP-MS SR ,092 10 15
Steel SP R .07 9 9
Plated High Quality Steel LP-as SR ,092 9 9
Mesh Macrosteel M-MS FH ,104 9 9
Light Ferrous Metal FP R .06 8 8
Plated Steel LP-SP SR ,092 8 8
Aluminum Alloy AA R .04 7 7
Plated Ferrous Metal LP-FP SR ,078 7 7
Mesh High Quality Steel M-QS FH ,104 7 7
Bronze EP R .06 6 6
Plated Aluminum Alloy LP-AA SR .052 6 6
Mesh Steel M-SP FH ,104 6 6
Mesh Ferrous Metal M-FP FH .09 6 6
Plated Bronze LP-EP SR ,078 5 5
Mesh Aluminurn Alloy M-AA FH .06 5 5
Mesh Bronze M-EP FH .09 4 4
Ballistic Cloth
This material presents an effective barrier to bullets but still does not
perform as well against hand held weapons. To determine the Ballistic Cloth's
Armor Value when struck by a hand-held weapon, divide the Barrier Factor by
10 and round to the nearest whole number. If the character sfruck is wearing
other armor that has a higher Armor Value than thecloth. thisotherarmorwill
be used to subtract from the Damage Potential.
MATERIAL CODE FORMAT ENCILOC ARMOR VALUE1 BARTER VALUE

BARRIER FACTOR PER LOCATION
Empilon BC5 FQ ,001 1f5 10
Fabulon EClO FQ ,002 1/10 15
Armorlon EC20 FH .01 2/20 25
Hercuweave EC35 FH .025 4/35 50
71
APPENDIX 4
WEAPONS LISTING
Each of the weapons listed is presented in an abbreviated format to save allowed under the usual rules for such, and T means a second attack is allowed
space. The meaning of each statistic and the abbreviations used are noted in a Single Action.
below. Some weapons will haveadditional notes regarding their nature or use. Surv.: This is the Survival Value of the weapon if the Clash of Weapons
These will have footnotes to be found at the end of the listing. Option is in use.
Weapon: The name of the weapon is listed here. Format: This details whether or not the weapon may be used to thrust. T
Skills: The Skill(s) for using the weapon. Any weapon usuable by Single means thrust only, S means a normal striking attack, and E meansan Entangle
Weapon Combat Skill may be used with Two Weapon or Weapon and Shield attack allowed.
Combat Skills. Abbreviations used are: Length This is the length category of the weapon. It will affect the Zone of
Single Weapon - SW Longsword - LS Influence. the Strength Group used for the Effect Die and other things as
Knife - Kn Brawling - Br described in Detailed Action Time.
Throwing - Th Nunchaku - Na S-Short
Polearm - PI Unarmed Combat - UC A-Average
Flexible Weapon - FW L-Long
Utlllty: This is the Utility number value of the weapon. XL-Extra Long
STR: This is the Strength Rating of the weapon. ENC: This is the Encumbrance value of the weapon.
Hand This is the number of hands normally used to control the weapon. 1 is WDM: This is the Weapon Damage Multiplier of the weapon. It is followed
a weapon used in one hand, 2 is a weapon requiring two hands to use properly, by a letter indicating the kind of damage done.
and 1%is a weapon that may be used with one or two hands. L is all Lethal
S&.: This isan indicationof whethertheweapon allowsasecondstrike ora C is 75% Subdual and 25% Lethal
secondary attack. N means none is allowed, S means a secondary attack is D is 50% Subdual and 50% Lethal
WEAPON SKILLS UTILITY STR HAND SEC. SURV. FORMAT LENGTH ENC WDM BARTER
VALUE
Ax, fire 6 sw, PI 2 3 1% s 6 S L 1 1.EL 5
hatchet SW. Th 1 1 1 N 4 S S .4 1.lL 3
hand l 3 sw 2 2 1 N 5 S A .6 1.3L 4
lumber PI 2 4 2 N 7 S XL 1.1 1.EL 5
Baseball bat sw, PI 1 2 1% N 4 S A 0.9 1.3c
Bat with nails 5 sw, PI 1 2 1% N 4 S A 1 1.58
Bayonet, short t 3 Kn 2 1 1 S 9 T S 0.3 1.3L 7
long Kn 2 2 1 N 10 S.T A 0.4 1.5L 8
Belt Buckle 2 FW 1 1 1 N 3 E.S A 1.16
Brass Knuckles t 3 Br 3 1 1 6 S S 0.1 1.38 2
Chain e 3 FW 2 3 1 N 10 S,E A 1 1.58
Club 5 3 SW, Th 1 1 1 S 3 S S 0.5 1.1 (1)C
Cudgel 5 l 3 sw 2 2 1% N S A S 0.7 2c
Hammer 5 13 sw 1 2 1 N 4 S S 0.5 1.2c 2
Knife, belt l 2 Kn, Th 1 1 1 S 8 S.T S 0.3 1.1L 2
bowie l 3 Kn, Th 2 2 1 S 9 S,T S 0.3 1.3(1.5)L 5
jack l2 Kn. Th 0 1 1 T 7 S,T S 0.1 1L 1
Kukrij Kn. Th 2 2 1 S 9 S S 0.3 1S(1.3)L 5
switchblade i2 Kn. Th 1 1 1 T 7 S.T S 0.2 1.2L 3
throwing 13 Th 2 1 1 0.2 1.5L 5
trench l3 Kn 3 2 1 S 9 ST S 0.4 1.4L 6
Knife-spear l 3 PI2 1 2 2 S 4 T XL 1.1 1.5L 3
Nunchaku, wood Nn, Fw 3 2 1 S 3 S S 0.4 1.5c 3
metal Nn, Fw 4 3 1 S 8 S S 0.6 2c 5
Pipe Light sw 1 2 1 N 7 S A 1 1.6C 1
PI 1 3 2 S 8 S L 1.5 2c 2
heavy sw 2 3 1 N 9 S A 1.5 2c 2
PI 2 4 2 S 10 S L 1.7 2.3C 3
Pick ax PI 2 3 1% N 5 T L 1.1 1.5L 5
Pistol butt Br. SW 2 1 N S S 1 +(ENCof -
Pitchfork l 3 Gun) C
Rifle butt PI 2 2 2 N 5 T L 1.2 1.3L 1 4
Rope Br, PI 2 2 N S L ENCofGun -
Sai Sai 3 3 1 S 9 S.T S 0.4 1.7C/1.2L 5
Sap special 1 2 1 N 2 S S 0.3 special
Shuriken lo Th 3 2 1 0.2 1.6L 8
Sledge hammer sw, PI 2 3 1h N 6 S L 1.5 28 4
Staff. crude l 3 PI 1 3 2 S 3 S XL 1 1.8C
hardened 5 PI 2 3 2 S 4 S.T XL 1 2c 2
Straight razor Kn 1 1 1 T 3 S S 0.2 1.2L 1
Sword, ceremonial l3 sw 2 2 1 N 8 S,T A 0.8 1.7L 9
machete sw 2 2 1 N 10 S A 1 1.EL 9
saber sw 3 2 1 N 10 S.T A 0.9 1.EL 9
trench sw 3 2 1 N 10 S,T A 0.8 1.7L 9
Tonfa Tonfa 4 2 1 S 3 S S 0.6 1.3c 6
Whips
Rope, hemp FW 1 2 2 N E XL 1 05/m
nylon FW 2 2 2 N 109 E XL 0.8 1/m
cable FW 3 3 2 N 1 S. E L 1.2 0.8 l/m
weighted version FW +1 +1 2 N +S +0.3 +1 +1
Whip, leather FW j2 2 2 1 N 4 S, E XL 0.6 1.2 4
steel tip version FWl3 3 2 1 N 4 S.E XL 0.6 1.5 5
cable FW2 3 3 1 N 10 S.E L 0.8 1.7 6
72

-
. ___~ -
IMPROVISED WEAPONS (Any improvised weaporls may be thrown)

Bottle, whole ' l 2 Br 1 1 1 N 1 S S 0.4 1.2 1
broken' l 2 Kn, Br 1 1 1 S 1 S.T S 0.3 1L
Chair, small Br 2 2 N 3 S A 2 2c
medium Br 3 2 N 4 S A 3 2.3C
large Br 4 2 N 5 S L 4.5 3c
Table, very small Br 2 2 N 3 S A 2 2c
small Br 4 2 N 5 S XL 4 2c
medium 6r 6 2 N 8 S XL 7 2.5C
large6 Br 7 2 N 10 S XL 15 3c
REPRODUCTION WEAPONS
Ax, battle sw, PI 2 4 1'h S' 8 L 1.2 2L 10
Dagger I 3 Kn 2 2 1 N 9 S 0.5 1.4L 7
Main Gauche6 Kn 3 2 1 N 9 S 0.7 1.4L 8
Flail, wood I 3 Fw 3 3 2 N 6 XL 1.2 2.2c 4
metal FW 3 4 2 N 11 XL 1.5 2.4C 6
Mace, ball sw 2 2 1 N 8 A 0.9 1.7C 4
spiked sw 2 2 1 N 8 A 0.9 1.98 6
Maul, ball sw, PI 2 3 1'h S' 9 L 1.4 2c 4
spiked s w , PI 2 3 1'h S' 9 L 1.4 2.28 6
Polearm, halberd PI 3 4 2 S 9 XL 1.6 2.5L 8
glaive PI 3 4 2 S 9 XL 1.5 2.5L 7
Spear, boar PI2 2 2 2 S 8 XL 1.2 1.5L 5
trident I 3 PI2 3 2 2 S 8 XL 1.3 1.5L" 8
yari PI2 3 2 2 S 8 XL 1.2 1.6L 6
Sword, broad sw 2 3 1 N 10 A 1 2L 10
great LS 3 5 2 N 12 XL 2 3L 15
katana LS. sw 3 3 1'h S 11 L 1.2 2.5L 14
long LS, sw 2 4 1'h S 11 L 1.5 2.5L 12
rapier sw 2 1 1 N 90 A 0.9 1.7L 9
tulwar sw 2 2 1 N 10 A 0.9 1.9L 10
' Second strike is only available when using Polearm Skill.

* May also be used with a shield but no second strike is allowed.
Has a hand guard with AV = 4, SR.
Used on rifle will add .3 to WDM but will not add to ENC of rifle. Polearm
Skill required.
Weapon must check for breaking if used against Rigid armor greater than
AV6 or Semi-rigid or Flexible, Hard armor greater than AV8. A die roll greater
than or equal to the Survival Value on 1D20 indicates that the weapon has
broken. Any damage done by that attack will be halved, as the final adjustment
to the Damage Potential.
As note 5 but armor Values requiring check are 8 and 10 respectively.
Hand guard functions as Brass Knuckles.
Weapon subtracts .5from its WDM when thrusting.
Survival Value is the Barrier which must be cut to destroy weapon.
l o A character may throw more than one at a time. Maxir,ium number isequal
to the character's Deftness Group. Each one thrown will receive a negative
modification to the 6CS equal to the number being thrown if it is more than 1.
Each is rolled for separately.
2i Maximum Armor Value that the weapon can penetrate is 2 times user's
Strength Group.
j3 Maximum Armor Value that the weapon can penetrate is 4 times user's
Strength Group.
73

APPENDIX 5
SHIELDS
Shields may be made out of almost any materialthat a man can get his hands Wicker will ignite if the Strength Rating of the fire or-less is rolled on 106.
on. For convenience we list a variety of shields in the table below. FACINGS Wood will ignite if the Strength Rating of the fire or less is rolled on 1D10.
may be added towoodenshields.They add to the Barrier Effect (minimum and Leather will ignite if the Strength Rating of the fire orless is rolled on 1D20.
overall). ENC value and Barter Point value. If a player or the Gamesmaster These may be totally (60% chance) or partially clear.
finds he wishes to have a characterwho uses a shield not on the list, it may be
constructed.
The minimum Barrier value is the BAR value of the material times its
thickness.
The overall Barrier thickness is the shield Class divided by 2, rounded up,
multiplied by the minimum Barrier value.
The ENC value is the overall Barrier value times the Shield Factor times the
thickness times a constant. This constant is .005 for plastics, .02 for metals. APPENDIX 6
and .01 for wood, wicker and leather.
To get an approximate Barrier value for armor materials,multiply the Armor FIREARM FEATURES
value by 5. In the firearm rules and the Gun List we have discussed Features hereand
The Batter Point valueis one quarter the overall valuetimesthe Shield Class, there. When a Featurepotentially affected a specific rule, it wasspelledouton
nearest. Plastics are doubled, Wicker is halved. the spot. But the immense creativity of firearms designers has spawned
numerous remarkable devices and processes in their search for increased
MATERIAL CLASS OVERALL ENC BARRIER lethality. There are some that require a section of their own.
BARRIER POINT
VALUE About Slghtr
W Wicker' 1 7 0.16 1 "If I can see it, I can hit it." This boast is often true for the shooter who has a
2 7 0.4 2 decent Set of sights on his gun. There are two kinds of sights: Iron Sights,
3 10 0.76 4 referring to non-magnifying sights, used to indicate the precise direction of
4 10 1.12 5 the gun's line-of-fire, and Telescopic Sights. There are also special sights
5 15 1.88 10 permitting fire in the dark. by enhancing low light levels (Star-Light Scopes) or
W' Plywoodz 1 5 0.06 1 by using invisible frequencies in the spectrum, the Infra-Red Scope.
2 5 0.12 3 Iron Sights: As the name indicates. these are metal sights, usually an
3 10 0.50 8 open notch at the back of the gun, and a corresponding bead,
4 10 1.76 10 barleycorn. or other convex form at the front of the barrel. Ordinary
5 15 1.88 14 Iron Sights are always present on a gun unless specifically noted
W Plywoodz 1 10 0.2 2 otherwise in its Spec Sheet. They permit Sighted Fire as described in
2 10 0.26 5 the firearms rules (Sighting Modifier).
3 20 1.00 15 Click Sights: Guns can be fitted with adjustable "Click' sights, set with
4 20 3.00 20 a micrometer knob to compensate for windage and elevation. Such
5 30 5.50 36 sights add +1to the firer's BCS when using Sighted Fire.
U" Plywood' 1 15 0.46 4 Peep Sights: These sights use a small bead centered in the sighting
2 15 1.12 8 aperture.to be lined up on the target's body. This will increasetheAim
3 30 2.26 23 of the shot (Hit Location alteration) by *1, even if the firer has no Aim
4 30 3.38 30 normally.
5 45 5.62 56 Match Sights: These precision instruments combine the features of
W Bronze 1 8 0.16 2 Click and Peep Sights, allowing +1 to the BCS and to Aim when in
2 8 0.40 4 Sighted Fire.
3 16 1.60 12 LED Sights: These can be used as normal Iron Sights during the day,
4 16 2.40 16 and in light levels of Dim or better. If the light level is Pooror Dark.they
%" Iron 1 10 0.20 3 have another effect. The sight consists of a small. LED (Light Emitting
2 10 0.50 5 Diode) serving as thesight element on the front of thegun barrel. When
3 20 2.00 15 firing from Full Stance in Poor Ligpt, the user is only penalizedas if for
Plastic Police Dim Light. In Full Darkness, he is only penalizedas if for Poor Light. I f
Shield' 2 11 0.14 11 he wishes, he may assume normal. Sighted Fire and receives all the
4 22 0.82 44 benefits normally accruing to such an Action. This is not permitted to
Streetsign 2 6 0.18 3 Characters in bad light with normal Iron Sights. The LED Sight is
3 12 0.80 9 powered for 1 year by an E-1.
Trash can lid Laser Sight: This device is an oblong box, about 3" wide by 8" long by
Metal 2 4 0.1 2 1" thick. (75mm x 200mm x 25mm). It will operate for 10 "shots"on 1
Plastic 2 3 0.02 3 Charge of electricity. It can be charged with either an E-1 or E-5 and
Furniture varies varies varies by piece has an ENC value of 5. The Laser Sight projects a low power laser
Small table as Class 3 W Plywood beam which appears as a bright red dot when it hits a solid object, and
Stool as Class 2 Plywood this dot is visible at ranges of up to 1500 meters.
Small chair as Class 2 W' Plywood Used with a non-automatic weapon, it allows. in essence, two BCS
FACINGS' rolls for the first shot in the firer's Action. The basis of aiming of the
%" Leather 1 5 0.08 1 Laser Sight is the DFT AST of the firer, subject to no modifiers of any
2 5 0.12 3 kind. If this is made. the 1st shot fired will automatically hit. If firing an
3 10 0.50 8 automatic weapon with the Laser Sight, the first burst will hit if the AST
4 10 0.76 10 is made. The firer must declare that he is using the Sight at the
5 15 1.88 19 beginning of this Action. and will resolve the DFT AST when he
1/10 Bronze 1 3 0.2 1 resolvedhis first shot. If the Sight misses (i.e. AST fails) he still can fire
2 3 0.6 2 normally at the target i f he wishes.
3 6 0.24 5 The laser dot is not visible in Good Light, unless the user is wearing
4 6 0.36 6 special goggles. It is also not as useful in thick smoke or fog. its
5 9 0.9 11 effective range being cut to 500 meters.
1/10'' Iron 1 4 0.4 1 Star-Light Scope: These are Telescopic Sights with an extra bonus.
2 4 0.08 2 They can utilize the lowest light levels to allow the user to see without
3 8 0.32 6 difficulty. Unless the firer is in pitch blackness (say a completely
4 8 0.48 8 lightless cave or basement) he will have no penaltyto sighted fire using
5 12 1.20 15 this device.

Infra-Red Scope: Similar to the Star-Light Scope, but this sight UMM Rlfled Barrels: This is only a feature in dealing with Muzzle Loading
the invisible frequency of the infra-red spectrum (heatwsves) tosee, weapons, as ALL modern guns am rifled. The use of rifling in a gun
boosting them electronically into visible images. Thew are tricky to barrel will Increase the weapons Range Steps by 5oJ6, just as Match
adjudicate. Any contrasting heat fields will stand out in high contrast a Weapons do in the more advanced weapons.
man against the sky, or a building, for instance. On the other hand, a
few meters of forest cover will effectively jam the scopes pickup. As a
rule of thumb, I-R can locate living targets in a non-vegetable Foalurn NOT In tho Flnmn R u k r
background no matter what the light level is. A fire or hot spotlight will Some of these are given in the Features entres on the Gun List. Others are
tend to be as distractingto the I-R scope as it is to the naked eye, if the not all that common, but may be included at the Gamesmasters option.
target is backed by it. 357 Magnum Cross Load: Most 357 Magnum weaponscan also use38
In general, think of objects emitting light in proportion to their body Special.
heat. Ifthey arecold (concreteatnight, forexample) theyareverydark. 44 Magnum Cross Load: Most 44 Magnum weapons can also use 44
I f animal life, they areslightly luminous. If very hot, they arevery bright. Special.
Compare this image to the background of the target, and if they High Security Safely: When the safety catch is engaged, the gun
contrast by very much, then a clear sighting has been obtained. CANNOT fire. Use it as a hammer or to crack nuts: it will not go off.
As long as these conditions are satisfied. fire using an I-R scope is Pistol Forearm Braces: Lock the gun into the most favorable position
Pretty much exempt from penalties for less-than-Good Light. for proper aim. If only 1 Shot perAction is fired from a gun so provided,
* Telescopic Sights: These are thoroughly described in the Firearms it receives the same benefit as the Squeeze Off option gives: the firer
rules and the text at the end of the Gun List. adds his DFTto his weapon Skill score. If this brings his Aim past 5 then
so be it.
F..tum Doscrlbod In the Flnrrm R u k r In odor of appeamnw Rotary Magazine: This extremely sturdy magazine is almost failure
Match Weapons: Add 50% to the distance of their Range Steps. proof. Add +3 to the Control BCS against Critical Misses when using
Hair Trigger: Allow an addition of 1 ShoVAction to maximum weapons with this type of magazine.
allowable Rate of Fire. Unless this is on a gun with an adjustable No Iron Sights: Or, no sights built into the gun. This is the case with
trigger, the presence of a Hair Trigger is always in force. The many rifles. They cannot use sighted fire until Iron or other sights are
Gamesmaster should enforce a SPD AST upon Characters with Hair installed on them.
Trigger weapons who start to set up a shot and then try to abort it. If Changeable Chokes: Many shotguns may be provided with inset and
they miss the AST they must fire. changeable tubes which can be used to alter Choke without changing
Autoextractor: Weapons with an Autoextractor level will clear jams at barrels.
the end of the firing Action in which they occured. A separate Action to Variable Choke: A device is mounted on the end of the barrel which
clear the jam is not required. allows the Choke setting to be selected at will in 1 Action. This is
Recoil Reduction: Ranging from a recoil pad on the buttplateof a Long usually a rotating sleeve.
Gun to fancy venting systems and brakes, Recoil Reductionsystems Bipods: These usually go on Military Issue weapons. A Prone firer
reduce the penalty (if any) due to Recoil by their rated factor. A Recoil assuming Full Stance (yes, it does sound odd) may assume the Rest
Pad always has Recoil Reduction of 1. Other systems are given a Weapon modifier in the same Action.
Rating in the Feature notes on their Spec Sheets. * Winter Triggers: Outsize triggers, snapped on over the normal one,
Tunable Guns: These firearms permit the user to adjust them to his which protrude well below the trigger guard or snapdown trigger
personal anatomical and behavioural needs as a shooter. It requires 1 guards. This allows fire in mittens or bulky fingered gloves.
week of practice as if studying the Firearm, expending the minimum That about wraps up the main ones. Several unique Features are in the Gun
amount of ammo needed to learnwithout a Hindrance, to tune thegun. List, but they are specific to the weapons involved, not something one could
No skill points are acquired when this is done. At the end of that week, apply widely.
thegun will increase the users BCS by+l,andreduceanyotherusers
by 2, unless retuned to him.
Handed Guns: In the rules, we refer only to Pistols but there are also
handed Long Guns. Using a handed weapon in the correct hand Addlng Features
gives +1 to BCS. using a handed gun in the other reduces BCS by 2. If A skilled Gunsmith can modify firearms toincludefeaturesthey didnot have
the gun is also tunable, it must be of the same handedness as the when they came from the plant: Changed BBL. Recoil Reduction, remounted
user. Iron Sights or a Scope Mount where one was not before, etc. The
I f a handed gun is found there is a 60% chance it will be a right Gamesmaster must assign a base Task value to such jobs.
handers weapon and a 40% chance of a southpaws shooting iron. A rule of thumb is 10 points per point of BCS or other advantage gained by
Swivel Swing: This allows a Long Gun to be braced using the sling the Feature for the firer (use maximum possible values). The Task Period is
strap in the same Action the Firer assumes Stance. Normally, this based on the guns OUR. Assume a base Period of 20 Hours, divided by the
requires a separate Action. weapons Durability score.
* Hi-Power Firearms: Or more formally, High Power Firearms. These The workman must have the necessary parts and tools. One can hardly
weapons can fire High Power cartridges without risking the increased mount a Click Sight which one does not have on a gun when one has no tools
chance of a Critical Miss prescribed by the Firearms rules. with which to work.
APPENDIX 7
SAMPLE VEHICLES
The vehicles included in this appendix are not intended t o b e the Maximum Speed: 100 kph
only versions o f the prototype vehicles that can b e used in the game. Safety Devices: Seat Belts; Crash Bags
Different versions o r models will have varying statistics. These can Notes o n Barrier Effects: Window: 10; Body: 20
be determined using the rules in the chapter o n vehicles. Each Special Features: Carries 5 passengers (inc. driver); has a trunk
vehiclein the appendix is given with the pertinent data. Following the (ENC Cap 15, up to Large)
list is a sample Vehicle Record Sheet which may be photocopied for
use in your campaign.
Vehicle: Compact Car (1986)
Classification: On-road Car Soft Target
Base Safe Speed: 80
Fuel System: Gas
Mileage: 20km/l
Capacity: 60 1
Structure: 1
Area: 2 x 3 = 6
Damage Resistance: 3

Vehicle: Van (1990) Structure: 5
Classification: On-road Truck Soft Target Area: 4 x 7 = 28
Base Safe Speed: 90 kph Damage Resistance: 70
Fuel System: Elec. Maximum Speed: 48 kph
Mileage: 4 km/char. Notes on Barrier Effects: Vehicle Armor Value: 10;
Capacity: Ev-50 impervious to small arms fire
Structure: 1.5 Special Features: Crew of 4 (driver, gunner, loader and
Area: 2 x 4= 8 commander); 105mrn Direct Fire Canon; Carries 63 rounds for
Damage Resistance: 6 main gun (APDS, HEAT. HE or WP); Coaxial 7.62mm MG
Maximum Speed: 58 kph (M60 MG equivalent); Carries 5.950 rounds for coaxial MG;
Safety Devices: Seat Belts for driver and passenger in front seats One .50 caliber Browing M2 machine gun in commanders
Notes on Barrier Effects: Window 10; Body: 25 turret; Carries 900 rounds for commanders MG: IR main gun
Special Features: Cargo area (ENC Cap 70, up to Huge 1) or sight (effective to 2,000 meters); Turret turns at 120 degrees
6 people, seated. per Combat Turn (electrically powered): Military quality radio;
This is based on a gasoline powered van with a top speed of Can be sealed against biochemical agents.
144 kph that gets 7.6 km/liter of fuel.
Vehicle: Jeep (mllltary ton truck)

Classification: Off-road Car Soft Target
Base Safe Speed: 80 kph
Fuel System: Gas
Mileage 6.9 km/l Vehicle: Bicycle
Capacity: 50 1 Classification: On-road Sicycle Soft Target
Structure: 2 Base Safe Speed: 8
Area: 2 x 3 = 6 Fuel System: Muscle
Damage Resistance: 3 Structure: 1
Maximum Speed: 88 kph Area: .5 x 2 = 1
Notes on Barrier Effects: Body: 25 Damage Resistance: .5
Special Features: Carries driver, co-driver and 3 passengers of Notes on Barrier Effects: None
a cargo load (ENC Cap 33; Special Features: Maximum Speed is equal to one half the users
Speed in kph. It is able to be used for a number of Combat
Turns equal to users Strength Group times 2. Normal speed
is equal to one quarter of the users Speed in kph. It is able to
be used for a number of hours equal to the users Strength
Group times 2. For each two hours spent pedalling the user
will have his Speed reduced by 5. Speed is recovered by
resting at the rate of 5 points per hour. This reduction is only
in effect if the character moves at all in a turn.
Vehicle: M-113 Armored Personel Carrier
Classification: Heavy Combat
Base Safe Speed: 120 kph Hard Target
Fuel System: Diesel
Mileage: .5 km/l
Capacity: 960 1 Vehicle: Rowboat
Structure: 4 Classification: Boat Soft Target
Area: 3 x 4 = 12 Fuel System: Muscle
Damage Resistance: 24 Structure: 2
Maximum Speed: 67 kph Area: 1 x 3 = 3
Safety Devices: None Damage Resistance: 3
Notes on Barrier Effects: Vehicle Armor Value: 7; Notes on Barrier Effects: Wood: 5
Barrier Value: 70 Special Features: Carries 3 persons; maximum ENC carried
Special Features: Carries 13 troops (inc. driver); Standard before sinking is 20
armament is 2 Browning M2 .50 caliber machine guns; Carries Moving: Maximum speed is equal to one half the rowers
up to 2000 rounds for the MGs; Military quality radio; can be Strength in kph. It is able to be used for a number of Combat
sealed against biochemical agents. Turns equal to the rowers Strength Group. Normal speed is
equal to one quarter of the rowers Strength in kph. It is able
to be used for a number of hours equal to the rowers
Strength Group. The rower will have his Strength reduced by
5 for each hour or fraction spent at rowing. This loss is
recovered at the rate of 5 points per hour of rest.
Vehicle: M60A3 Main Battle Tank

Classification: Heavy Combat Hard Target
Base Safe Speed: 120 kph
Fuel System: Diesel
Mileage: .3 km/l
Capacity: 1400 1
76

Vehicle: Single Engine Passenger Airplane Vehicle: industrial Passenger Helicopter
Classification: Aircraft Soft Target Classification: Aircraft Soft Target
Base Safe Speed (taxi): 100 kph Fuel System: Aviation fuel
Fuels System: Aviation fuel Mileage: .5 km/l
Mileage 3 km/l Capacity: 400 1
Capacity: 500 1 Structure: 3
Structure: 3 Area: (2 x 3) + 7 = 13
Area: (1 x 8) + (1 x 10) = 18 Damage Resistance: 20
Damage Resistance: 27 Maximum Speed: 219 kph
Maximum Speed: 315 kph Safety Devices: Seat Belts
Minimum air speed: 50 kph Notes on Barrier Effects: Window: 10; Body: 16
Safety Devices: Seat belts Special Features: Carries six passengers (inc. pilot); Has a
Notes on Barrier Effects: Window: 10; Body: 16 baggage compartment (ENC Cap of 8.5. up to Large; Can take
Special Features: Carries 6 passengers (inc. pilot); Has a an optional external cargo sling allowing it to lift up to
baggage compartment (ENC Cap of 39. up to Large) 49 ENC mote, up to Huge 1.
Aftermath! VEHICLE RECORD SHEET

Vehicle Block out Areas of the Vehicle
Classification Soft/Hard Target
Base Safe Speed
- Mileage
Fuel System Capacity -
Structure - Area
Damage Resistance - Current Durability
Maximum Speed ~Current Max. Speed -
Damage taken not yet

accounting for a Durability loss
Safety Devices
Notes on Barrier Effects
Special Features
77

APPENDIX 8 B: Code Letter (short for Both). Refersto weapons or attacks deing
50% Lethal and 50h Subdual Damage.
GLOSSARY
A Code letter for a Disease, Poison, or other form of contaminant BAP See Base Action Phase.
with an Aerosol Vector. See Vector. BAR See Barrier Value.
AFV: Armored Fighting Vehicle. Generic term for any armored BBL: Abbreviation of Barrel. Refers to the length of gun barrels.
combat vehicle such as a tank, armored car, personnel carrier,
etc. BCS: See Basic Chance of Success.
A P See Action Phase. BDG: See Bullet Damage Group.
AP 0: Action Phase 0. The final Action Phase in a Combat turn. No BMA See Base Movement Allowance.
character Actions or movement take place in AP 0. It is used for B P See Barter Point.
such bookeeping as is needed in the campaign at that time
(effects of drugs, acid, fire, etc.). Barrier Value: A measurement of the resistance of materials to
damage or force. This can be expressed as a figure per inch of
APC Armored Personnel Carrier. A specific type of AFV. thickness, as when calculating the Barriers resistance to
missiles, or a figure representing Task Points needed to force
A S 1 See Attribute Saving Throw. passage past the Barrier (a lock, bolted door, gate, cave-in, etc.).
ATGM: Standard military abbreviation for Anti-Tank Guided Barter Point: A rough estimate of the trade value of some item or
Missile. A projectile guided by radar, laser-display, wire, or other commodity. Barter Point values fluctuate according to the
control, designed to be effective vs. hard targets (qv). acumen of the traders, the condition of the goods, and the utility
ATV: A l l Terrain Vehicle. A class of vehicle designed for use on or off of the item for the would-be purchaser.
the road in a variety of terrains and conditions. This class Base Action Phase: The number of the first Action Phase in a
includes tracked vehicles, 4-wheel drive vehicles, and such Combat Turn on which a character may initiate movement or
advanced devices as Ground Effect vehicles, which use a cushion Actions. It is equal to effective Speed/2, down.
of compressed air as a means of locomotion.
Base Movement Allowance: The number of meters a character can
A V See Armor Value. move in one Action Phaseat a Walking pace. For normal Humans,
Ability: A score representing some physical Or mental charac- this is one.
teristic, directly derived from an Attribute or Attributes.
Base Safe Speed: The maximum safe speed for a particular vehicle.
Action: Some option or action performed by a character. It requires The effectivefigure 1s modified by the terrain, weather, light, etc.
a number of Action Phases equal to PCA to perform a simple Basic Chance of Success: Abbreviated as BCS. This is determined
Action. by dividing the score in a Skill by 5, round down. It can never
Action Phase: A segment of a Combat Turn (qv). There is an indef- exceed 20 (but see also Effective BCS).
inite number of Action Phases in each Combat Turn.
Blast: A measurement of the concussive force of an explosion.
Action Zone: The Front facing hexes of a character on the Detailed Bookkeeping Phase: see APO
Action Time Display. May vary in size according to the Length of Bullet Damage Group: Measure the Damage Potential (qv) of
the characters weapon. firearm projectiles (i.e. bullets). This is equal to lDlO per
Adjusted BCS: This number is derived by applying all relevant BDG/10, up, plus 1 point x BDG/10, nearest.
modifiers to a characters BCS. This is the scorewhich isapplied Also determines the percent chance of Missile Special Effects
to the die roll to see if the action attempted succeeds or fails. If resulting from a bullet hit.
the score rolled is less than or equal to the Adjusted BCS, the C: Code letter short for Crush. Refers to weapon or attack doing
attempt has been successful. 25% Lethal and 75% Subdual Damage.
Advance: A measurement of the progress of a drug, disease, or CDA See Combat Dodge Ability.
other progressively worsening state or condition. Such Advances
may be Up an Attribute or other score, achieving effects as they CRS: See Character Record Sheet.
match given proportions of the total score, or Down, in which CST: See Critical Saving Throw.
case the Advance representsa reduction of the score in question.
Carblne: A Gun barrel length, applicable to Pistols or Long Guns.
Allocated Attribute Score: The value of the Attributes as originally It denotes a BBL of more than twelve inches and lessthan twenty.
designed by the player.
Character: Any being encountered in the game: humans, animals,
Armor Value: A measure of the ability of a given material to stop monsters, robots, you name it. See Player-Character, Non-Player
harmful force from blows, missiles, heat, electrical current, etc. Character, Personality Non-Player Character.
The Armor Value is subtracted from the DamagePotential (qv) of
an attack striking the character on the Location covered by that Character Record Sheet: Annotated log sheet containing informa-
armoring material. tion on a character. It should include phsycial characteristics.
Skills and other abilities, and a list of equipment. The Character
Attribute: A number greater than 1, measuring a characters Record Sheet (CRS) should beon hand foreasy referenceduring
physical and mental capabilities. The usual range for human
Attributes is from 1 to 40. play.
Charge (Electric): A measurement of electrical power. usually
Attribute Saving Throw: (Abbr. AST) A Saving Throw calculated by stored power equal to 100 watt-hours.
dividing the relevant Attribute score by 2, round down. See
Saving Throw. Combat Dodge Ability: Governs ability to evade attack (reducing
attackers BCS). Equal to effective (Speed plus Deftness)/PO,
Autoloader: A form of Gun Action, automatically ejecting spent nearest.
cartridges and chambering new ones for firing. Also called semi-
automatic. Combat Turn: The basic unit used to measure time in Detailed
Action Time scale, 1 Combat Turn equals approx. 6 seconds. It
Average Armor Value: An abstract figure representing the overall does not necessarily involve actual fighting.
armor protection for a character. Calculate as follows: Total the
best Armor Values on each Location of the Character and divide Combative Talent: One of the Talents, governing will-to-win and
by 30, round nearest. general aptitudes combat situations.
Avong. BCS (maximum score possible/lO) to derive this BCS. It is Control BCS: Some Skills, notably the Hand-to-Hand and Small
then subject to normal modifiers to derive the effective BCS for Arms Skills, have a Control BCS derived from scores about 100
the Skill use in question. Average BCS is generally used in cases points. All Skills of Format 3 allow such BCS rolls in the event of
where the attempted task is more than usually difficult. a Critical Miss.
70

Countdown: The sequence of Action Phases in a Combat Turn, as Encumbrance Total: Also called Encumbrance Status. This is the
called by the Gamesmaster. It begins with the number of the BAP amount of Encumbrance currently being carried by a character.
of the character with the highest score in that Ability and Engaged Status: A character who is in the Active Zone of a foe who
proceeds down from that number to 0. is able to cause him harm. Generally refers to being in the range
Critical Effect: The special effects, if any, suffered by a character of a hand-to-hand attack by a conscious enemy. EngagedStatus
who has taken damage from a Critical Hit. These are rolled foron limits the movement of the cbaracter.
the Critical Effects table.
Critical Hit: Occurs when a BCS, Saving Throw, or similar die roll Fatigued A condition applying to characters who have suffered an
on 1D20 scores a natural roll of one. Indicates that the action overexertion or debilitating disease or poison effect. Two levels
being attempted has achieved a more than ordinary degree Of of Fatigue exist: Partial and Full.
success. In a combat situation, the Damage Potential of the Freely Improvable Skills: The maximum number of Skills in which
attack is increased and the target may suffer special effects (see the character may study without a Hindrance (qv).The number of
Critical Effects). Freely Improvable Skills equals the sum of the Current Wit and
Critical Miss: Occurs when c BCS, Saving Throw, etc. scores a die Will.
roll of a Natural 20. Indicates a more than usually inept failure, Full Fatigue: A condition in which the sufferers Effective values
possibly with severe consequences. Some Skills allow a Control in Deftness and Speed are reduced by 50% and all BCS and
BCS attempt (qv). Saving Throw scores receive a penalty of minus 2.
Critical Saving Throw: A Saving Throw (qv) derived from an Fully Encumbered A character with an Encumbrance Total
Attribute by the following formula: effective Attribute/% nearest. exceeding 75% of his Encumbrance Capacity is Fully
Its use is similar to the AST, but is reserved for situations of Encumbered. His Effective Deftness and Speed are reduced by
greater peril or difficulty than normal. 50% and all BCS and Saving Throw scores receive a penalty of
Current Attribute Score: The value of an Attribute at a given point minus 2.
in the campaign, allowing for changes in the Allocated value due
to Self Improvement, Age, etc. GEV Abbreviation of Ground Effect Vehicle. See ATV.
DAT: See Detailed Action Time. GPMG: Abbreviation of General Purpose Machine Gun. An inter-
mediate level of weapon between Light and Heavy Machine
DFT: Standard abbreviation of the Deftness Attribute. Guns.
D P See Damage Potential. Gamesmaster: The campaigns referee. The final arbiter of all game
DRT: See Damage Resistance Total. matters.
Damage: A figure generated by weapon blows, natural hazards, Governing Attribute: An Attributewhichcomprises part of the Initial
high falls, and other dangers to life and limb. There are several Score in askill. It isdesignatedas theGoverning Attribute, which
types of Damage: Lethal, Subdual. and Critical. has certain effects in Self improvement.
Damage Dice: Alternate term for the Effect Die of a characters Governing Talent: A Talent which comprises part of the initial score
Strength Group. See Group. in a Skill. It is designated as the Governing Talent, which has
Damage Potential: Damage Potential measures the total damaging certain effects on Self Improvement. The raw score in a
effect of a hit or other hazard before any of the targets defenses Governing Talent may also, at the Gamesmasters Discretion, be
can reduce the damage that the target will actually suffer to his used as a score in any Skill it governs, in the absence of any
DRT. In hand-to-hand and muscle powered missile attacks, the character trained in that Skill.
Damage Potential equals the score rolled on the Damage Dice Group: A central concept in the game mechanic!A Group is a figure
(qv) times the Weapon Damage Multiplier (qv) of the weapon generated from any number (usually an Attribute). The Group
used. figure may be used itself to determine some event, or an Effect
Damage Resistance Total: The amount of Damage (Lethal or Die roll may be generated from it. The breakdown of numbers
Subdual) which a character can suffer before dying or losing into Groups is:
consciousness.The DRT is the sum of the characters Health plus Number 0 1-4 5-14 15-24 25-34 35-44
half his Strength plus half his Will in most cases, although some Group 0 1 2 3 4 5
Non-Player-Characters have special formulae for determining
DRT. EffectDie None 1D3 1D6 1D10 2D6 2D10
A Group can be calculated by dividing the number by 10.
Detailed Action Time: A Time Scale used to keep track of action in adding one, and rounding to the nearest whole number. For
Aftermath! Time in DAT is measured in six second Combat Groups higherthan5, the Effect Dieis2DlOplusafigureecrual to
Turns (qv) and distance is measured on a 1 meter hexagonal grid the Group minus 5. E.g., for a value of 77, the Group would be9
display, call the DAT Display. DAT is invoked by the Games- and the Effect Die would therefore be 2D10 plus (9-5), or plus4.
master in all situations in the campaign where activity must be
kept track of in minute detail. The usual situations in equestion Gun Action: Generic term for the operating mechanism of a firearm.
include combat, triggering traps, encounters, etc. It is not The Gun Action specifically controls the rate of fire, that is the
restricted to violent situations. number of shots a character can fire in a single Action during a
Combat Turn.
Durability: An abstract measure of the condition of an artifact
(vehicle, tool, weapon). When Durability is below the normal H E Standard abbreviation for High Explosive.
value for an item, its functions are impaired. When the Durability
is reduced below 1, the item ceases to function (Disrepair) and HEAP Standard abbreviation for High Explosive Anti-Personnel,
may be irreparably damaged (Junked). referring to explosive weapons designed for use against human
(or at least living) targets.
EHectlve Attrlbute Score: The Current Attributescore (qv) allowing
for temporary alterations due to wounds, Encumbrance, dis- HEAT: Standard abbreviation for High Exploive Anti-Tank, referring
eases, poisons, etc. Used for calculating all Saving Throws or to Rifle Grenades and other man-portable weapons designed for
other Attributes based values at a given moment. use vs. AFVs.
Encumbrance: A system measuring both the weight and bulk of HLH: Standard abbreviation of the Health Attribute.
objects for purposes of calculating carrying capacities in the HMO: Heavy Machine Gun.
campaign. These values are measured in ENC.
HTH: Hand-to-Hand. May refer to a form of weapon or style of
Encumbrance Capacity: Encumbrance Capacity measures a char- combat.
acters load bearing ability. The ENC CAP equals (2 +characters
Strength Group) plus his Deftness Group. This is the maximum Hard Target: used in determining the effects of Vehicular Combat.
amount of Encumbrance he may carry. Refers to an armored vehicle.
79

Healing Rate: The base figure governing the recovery of lost DRTof Player-Character: A character designed and/or controlled by a
the reduction of other forms of damage. It is equal to the Player. The Player-Characters are (at least theoretically) the
characters Health Group. stars of the campaign.
ICBM: For Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile. The most useful form Pound Pull: A term indicating the spring-strength of a bow. The
of delivery for large tactical or strategic nuclear weapons. Not higher the Pound Pull, the greater the range potential of the
man-portable. weapon, but the higher the Strength neededto use it effectively.
Incubation Period: The length of time between exposure to an RPG: Standard abbreviation for Role Playing Game.
infection, drug, or other poison or pathogen and the first onset of
its effects. Range Factor: A figure used in archery. It is equal to the Pound
Pull/lO, nearest.
L: A weapon or form of attack doing 100% of its damage as Lethal Rep: A system for determining the reputation enjoyed by a given
Damage. character in the campaign at large, and how likely he is to be
recognized by strangers as a result of his deeds.
L A W For Light Anti-Tank Weapon. Refers to man-portable, single
shot, disposable missile launchers, firing powerful HEAT rounds. Reputation Zone: Area in which a characters Rep is generally
known.
LMG: Standard abbreviation for Light Machine Gun.
Restriction Zone: The area within which a character is subject to
LOC: Also spelled as LOC.See Location.
Restrictions in combat, based on the DAT Display.
Lb.P.: See Pound Pull.
Rifle: A Long Gun with a BBL of greater than twenty inches.
Learning Rate: The base figure governing the rate at which the
character will gain Skill points in a period of study (usually S Code for weapon or attack doing 100% Subdual Damage. Such
measured in points per week). It is equal to the characters Wit Damage is non-lethal except in large amounts, and is usually
Group. quickly healed.
Location: A portion of a characters body, designated ona Hit SCUBA: Standard term for underwater breathing gear. Stands for
Location chart. Alternativeiy, the number of such parts that may Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.
be covered by some form of protection, clothing, or armor.
SMG: Standard abbreviation for Sub-Machine Gun.
Long Gun: A firearm used with both hands, usually fired from the
shoulder. S P D Standard abbreviation of the Speed Attribute.
STOL: Standard abbreviation for Short Take-Off and Landing.
M N A Standard abbreviation of Maximum Number of Actions. Refers to aircraft which require minimal runway space fortaxiing
Maximum Number of Actions: The greatest number of Actions a for take off or braking after landing.
character may perform in a single Combat turn. The MNA is equal STR: Standard abbreviation of the Strength Attribute.
to the characters Deftness Group.
Shotgun: Usually a Long Gun. It fires a mass of small pellets (Shot)
NPC. See Non-Player-Character. rather than a single bullet. Can also fire single, large caliber
Slugs.
Non-Player-Charactec A character in the campaign controlled by
the Gamesmaster. An NPC need not be a human being. As a rule, Soft Target: Used in determining the effects of Vehicular Combat.
all characters not created and controlled by Players are Non- Refers to an unarmored vehicle.
Player-Characters. Structural Stability: An abstract value applied to buildings and other
structures. It measures their general condition and the danger of
O D A See Overall Defense Ability. violent action while inside. The figure also serves to determine
Overall Defense Ability: The total defensive ability of a character random accidents while traversing such buildings.
under attack. It is the sum of his CDA and WDA (if applicable).
The ODA is subtracted from the attackers BCS to hit the target. Talent: A score measuring the inherent capability of the character
in some general area. The maximum score in a Talent for a
P C See Player-Character. normal human is20. Scores above 10 representsignificant Talent
in that area.
P C A See Phases Consumed in Action.
Task An activity or task to produce some product or change some
PNPC: See Personality Non-Player-Character. condition. The Gamesmaster assigns a value in Task Points to the
Partial Fatigue: A condition in which the sufferers Effective values job and when the character(s) involved have generated that
in Deftness and Speed are reduced by 25% and all BCS and number of points, the Task is completed. A Task Period is also
Saving Throw scores receive a penalty of minus one assigned, which governs how often they may generate more
points on that Task.
Partially Encumbered: A character with an Encumbrance Total
between 50-75% of his Encumbrance Capacity is Partially Treacherous Ground Any surface which does not provide sure
Encumbered. His Effective Deftness and Speed are reduced by footing for characters in motion upon it: ice, rubble, mud, etc.
25% and all BCS and Saving Throw scores receive a penalty of
minus one.
Passive Zone: Refers to a characters Side and Rear hexes of the
DAT display.
Personality Non-Player-Character A Non-Player-Character with
a fully designed history, psychology, motivation, etc. The major
NPCs in the campaign. They may be of major status (known
widely in the game world) or important only in a given scenario.
They are not necessarily hostile to Player-Characters.
Phases Consumed in Action: The number of Action Phases it takes
for a Character to perform an Action. The PCAequals BAP/MNA,
down.
Pistol: A handgun. Specifically refers to firearms used with one
hand.
80

Movement above a given rateon Treacherous Ground may cause Refers to aircraft which can take off in a straight-up line, without
the character t o fall down. taxiing.
Unencumbered: A character whose Encumbrance Status is less W D A See Weapon Defense Ability
than or equal t o 50% of his ENC CAP is unencumbered, WDM: See Weapon Damage Multiplier.
unaffected by the burdens he is carrying.
WL: Standard abbreviation of the Wit Attribute
Unengaged Status: A character who does not satisfy the require-
ments for Engaged Status is Unengaged. Weapon Damage Multiplier: The value assigned a handweapon, or
mechanical or muscle powered missile weapon, by which the
Utility Number: An abstract figure used as a guide to assigning a character using it will multiply his damage die roll to determine
value and level of usefulness to items found, bought, or other- his damage potential.
wise obtained during the campaign. The higher the Utility
Number, the more valuable or useful the item is. Weapon Defense Ability: Represents the ability to parry and dodge
in HTH combat using a given Combat Skill. WDA is equal t o the
VTOL Standard abbreviation for Vertical Take-Off and Landing. the first 100 points of the Skill in use, divided b y 20, nearest.
NOTES
81

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Running an Aftermath! campaign....... . I Elephant ................................... . 2 7 Tactlcal Battler and Large Scale Combats . . . . . . ..53
This is the Way the World Ends ................ 1 Mutant Animals .............................. . 2 7 The Course of the Battle., .................... .53
Pre-Ruin Unrest .............. ............... 1 Rodents.. .................................. .27 Modifications to the Die Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Primary Kill .................. ............... 1 Insects.. ........... Results of the Battle Determination.. . . . . . . . . ,54
Secondary Kill ............... ............... 1 Apes.. ............. Morale Failure.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
The Dogs of War ............... 1 Usefulness of Animals ........................ .30 Ending a Battle.. ....... . . . . . . . . . . .54
Conventional ................. 1 The Non-Player Character ...................... .31 Strength Determinations . . . . . . . . . . ,54
Biochemical .................. 2 Handling Non-Player Characters .............. . 3 1 Loss Modification Char . . . . . . . . . . .54
NBC War .................... 3 Too Many Characters.. ....................... . 3 2 Military Campaigns ........ . . . . 55
The Hammer of Nature ......... 3 Non-Player Character Quality ... Logistics .............. , .................... .56
The Aliens ..................... .............. . 3 Expertise .............32 Army Movement.. .......................... . 5 6
A Twist in Space ............... .............. . 3 Armor Kits Positional Battles.. ......................... .56
The Years to Come ................. 4 SampleSh Custom Armies.. ............................. . 5 6
Long After the Ruin ......................... .4 Using Multiple Characters .................. .33 Calculating Values for a Custom Army., . . . . .. 5 6
HoDe for the Future ......................... .5 Technoloav In the Aftermath .................... .34 Custom Armv Values Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., 5 7
Pacing Thing 6 .. . 3 4 Example of a Custom Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 7
The Unexpec 7 .34 ..
Custom Armies after the Batt
Creating the Environment.. ...................... .8 Measuring Electricity ....................... . 3 4 Characters in a Tactical Battle
The City Map .................................. . 8 35 Battle Results for Characters
Enclave City ................................ .8 .. . 3 5 Fortunes of War Table .................... .59
Boss City ................................... .8 35 Critical Battle Resutts Table.. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..59
The Condition of the City. 35 After-Battle Results ....
The Residential Areas . . Wind and Water Power ..................35 The Changed . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Commercial Areas ....................... 9 Motorized Generators .. . 3 6 Physical Mutations ........................... . 6 1
The lndustr s .... ......... 9 Fuel Cells ................... ........ 36 Strongs . . . . . . . . .
Communities ...... ......... 9 Solar Screens ............... ........ 36 Ouicks . . . . .
Territory . . ...... ......... 9 Nuclear Power ........................... .36 Toughs ....
Size ........................................ . 9 Salvaging Electricity .... 36 lmmunes ...
Military Strength ............................ .9 Wattage Output Ta
Resources ................................... 9
. .38Psionic Powers.. ........................... .64

Projected Powers.. ....................... 64
Receptive Powers ........................ 64
Systems Control.. .......................... .38 Telepathic Powers,, . . . . . . . . . . . .64
............... 12 Computer Resources ....................... .38 ESP Powers.. ............................. 56
............... 12 .38 Psychokinetic Powers .................... . 6 7
Robots. ............ 39 Precognitive Powers.. .................... .68
Determining Mutations., ..................... 69
Robot-Controlled Devices. . . . . . . Mutation Generation Ta . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Artificial Intelligence.. .......... Psionic Function Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
FueVPower . . . . . Animatrons .................... .. . 4 0 Physical Mutation Table . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Clothes/Armor . Animatron StatiStiCS by Model.. ........... . 4 1 The Changed in the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Tools/Kits., ............................... 14 Animatron Critical Hit Table .............. 4 1 Reputation ...................................... 70
Medicine.. ................................ 14 Repair and Reprogramming ................. . 4 1 Earned Reputation. ............................ 70
High Tech Weapons . . 4 1 positional Reputation ..... ..... . . . 71
Recognition and Reputation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
...............14 Laser Trauma (Option) .................... 4 2 variations on Reputation Due to Location.. . . . . . 71
Sample . 4 2 Reputation Carryover Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7 1
Lazab.
............... Electrowe
Tasers ............................
Exotic Firearm Ammo
Sabot Rounds . . . . .
Class of Encounter ........................ 16 Explosive Rounds .......................
Men Encounters.. ......................... 16 Incendiary Rounds ....................... .43
Origins/lntentions of Groups.. ............. 17 Flame Weapons ............................ . 4 3
Rat Encounters. ........................... 18

Event Encounters Nuclear Weapons. ..... ............ . 4 4
Contamination Encounters.. ..
Stability., ................................... 19
Hazard Special Effects.. ................... 19
Beasts ......................................... .21

Hostile Animals .............................. .21
Bears . ..................... .21 Modified Diseases ........................ .47
Cats ............................... ....................... .40
Dogs .............................. ....................... .48
Reptiles. ................................... .24
Sharks , . . , . . .............. . 2 5
Non-Hostile An ............... 2 6 Medicine ..............
Razorback ........ ......... . 2 7 Drugs ....................................... 50

Medical Technology ........................ .52

Running an Aftermath! Campaign
Well, by now you have certainly come to the conclusion their prime motivation, the ones who will stand to their
that you have an awful lot of work to do in runningAftermath! station until the end. There will also be skeptics, the ones
We have admittedly been pretty free in our use of such who do not believe all that hogwash, who will ignore the
statements as At the Gamesmasters Discretion, or The oncoming ending of things because they have common
Gamesmaster Must Determine the Details for His sense. But wedo notthinktheywill beenough tostemthetide.
Campaign. It would have streamlined your job a lot if we had The Pre-Ruin Unrest phase will lead to an increase of
decided to just publish one of our campaigns from the weapons and high-security sites in cities, as crime runs
playtest instead of going into the means by which the design rampant. Depending on its length, the men of good will may
work is done. But that is not the intent of this game. Some also prepare in their way for the Ruin. Colonies in remote
playing groups will really get off on the idea of an After the areas may be established. Such locales may be the cradles of
World Ends game set only a few years into the Aftermath. the rebirth that we hope follows from any Aftermath!
Others will prefer the campaign which starts centuries later. campaign. Here the old technology may be preserved,
The questions of how the Ruin came, just what it was, what although in secret in those worlds where the mob blames
level civilization reached before it ended, etc., all provide science for the downfall of the world it knew. These are the
totally different worlds depending on the answer that fits priests and magicians of the generations to come, until the
your vision of the post-Ruin environment. day mankind is ready again to share freely the knowledge of
So this is a very free-form set of rules. If it pleases garners, how things work.
there will be campaign-oriented materials to follow, to buy or
Primary Kill
not as they prefer. All the information you need to set up a
This is the actual Ruin itself. Whatever form it takes, we
campaign is here, in this set. Everything else is just window posit that it will wipe 90% or more of the population from the
dressing. face of the globe, and directly or indirectly shatter the major
Confronted by all this data: gun rules, hand-to-hand
edifices of mans culture into the bargain. The Ruin may be
combat systems, the specs on a hundred different factors i n
over in a matter of hours or it may drag on for years. But when
the game, it may be difficult to decide just where to start on it is over, the Earth will seem an alien and savage world.
your own campaign, We found that the essential foundation
of any coherent campaign was the question What was the Secondary Kill
Ruin? When civilization collapses, think of what will go with it. The
first to die will be those whose lives directly depend on its
THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS resources: diabetics, others on major medical support, city
dwellers cut off from food and water, light and power, those
There are numerous apocalypses in the literature dealing
who survive in remote areas only by virtue of supplies from
with post-Ruin survival (not all of them fiction by any means).
more plentifully endowed markets. Famine will stalk our
The commonest of them all is war: man blowing himself back
overpopulated nations as support from the agricultural
to the caves. The forces of nature are not far behind. Novels
powers is cut off. Plagues will sweep thesurvivors, no longer
and speculative works of science have posited catastrophes
able to tap the mighty resources of modern hospitals, and
based on climatic changes, hits by comets or asteroids,
living in the carnage following the Ruin. This wave of death
alterations in the conditions of space around Earth, oceanic
and destruction is the Secondary Kill. It will probably slay
changes, etc. Lately, the possiblity has been raised, again by
novelist and scientist alike, that we are polluting ourselves
50% or more of those who lived through the Ruin. It will also
complete the assassination of the works of mankind. Fires
into a Ruin. And these represent only part of the list of
will tear through vast areas of the deserted cities. Battles for
possible endings to humanitys latest chapter i n the roll call
food and resources between groups of survivors will ravage
of fallen civilizations.
the land. Earth as we know it, alreadyacorpse, will be kicked
In any universal calamity, there will be three phases, of
to shreds by the final spasms of the Secondary Kill.
varying intensity and duration. Sometimes one dill overlap
When it is done, the fall of civilization will be complete.
another. In some cases, there will be no clear dividing line
From now on those who live at all will do so in the Aftermath!
between phases. But they will always be present t o some
degree.
THE DOGS OF WAR
Pre-Ruin Unrest
The length of this phase directly depends upon the time First on our list of possible Ruins, we have the threat of one
between the first solid proof that the Ruin is coming and its last, global war. For various reasons, we do not assume a
actual occurrence. Threats of war, the sighting of an strategic, nuclear spasm war to have occurred. If it did, there
oncoming planetary collision, the beginning of the ultimate is no one left to play the game, right? But let us discuss the
eco-catastrophe, all will trigger a social upheaval as people main possibilities.
vent their fears and furies in a culture where the force of law We perceive the best war-based Ruinsfora campaign to be
is abrogated by the impending demise of the system that either Conventional, Biochemical, or NBC (Nuclear,
created it. Riots, huge migrations from danger areas in Biological, and Chemical).
search (usually forlorn) of some safe place, outbreaks of Conventional
impulse crimes on an unprecedented scale will plague the It is very unlikely that aconventional war could put modern
last days of mans culture. How effective a deterrent is the civilization into an Aftermathlsituation. It does just fine in the
death penalty in a world where everyone lives under the Secondary Kill, but the world today seems too large, too
same sentence? What will keep police or other safety decentralized, for the limited capabilities of chemical
workers on the job when all they are doing is keeping things explosives and mass armies to be enough to destroy it. Oh,
@
tidy for the final break-up? There will be the men with duty as such a global war could cause widespread suffering, local
1

collapses of order, but not a Ruin. This option is offered for When it is all over, the world is fast sinking into the new
those fans of H. G. Wells, Stanley Weinbaum, Edgar Rice dark age. Only God knows when it will rise again. The
Burroughs, et al. who foresaw, in the almost innocent days survivors move through a plague-blasted, germ-laden
before there were atomic bombs, a massive conventional war environment, seeking only one day of life at a time.
which would shatter the structure of world society, hurling
people back to a primitive level of culture within a few
generations. While most of these visions foresaw the use of
biological weapons as well, they were just the frosting on the
cake, and had no lingering effects o n the world of the
Aftermath.
The heroes in these campaigns will, if they follow the
pattern of the above-mentioned authors, be splendid
specimens of WASP masculinity, who call their companions
Fellows, or even Chaps. They may be members of
civilized enclaves, exploring the ruined outer world, or
simply members of primitive societies, driven by inner
memories of a finer, nobler time. The advantage of such
campaigns, once cleared of some of the more dated racial or
sexual concepts of their authors, is that a clear-cut code of
the Good Guys exists, so that an ethical standard can be
maintained should the nihilistic possibilities of a more
modern setting distress you. The disadvantage is that
considerable research and retuning of the technology used
in the rules will have to be done, to flavor the campaign with
the usually unwieldy brand of technology foreseen by the
writers who generated the source works for the campaign.
Biochemical War
Sometime in the late 20th century, the nations of the world
finally came t o an agreement regarding nuclear
disarmament. To unbounded relief and rejoicing, the big
bombs were dismantled, fired into space, or converted to
peaceful uses. The era of world peace and safety was at
hand! The first plague bombs fell about ten years later.
If we posit that nuclear conflict does not happen, the above
scenario is a very real possibility. Nations that never could
have mounted the expensive support needed for nuclear
expansion can easily handle the modest bill for biological
research. With recombinant DNA studies a reality today, any
ethical cripple with a good research facility can produce a
mutated virus or bacterium that modern medicine cannot
recognize, and send it on its merry way via aerial sprays,
small missiles, or even an agent with a flask of the culture in a
briefcase. Release a few dozen rats carring fleas infected
with Bubonic Plague into New Yorks waterfront area, and in
a week you will see that city tottering on the path todeath, its
populace fleeing madly out, some of them bognd to be
carriers. Now multiply that by several hundred seaports all
over the world. In the middle ages, successive pandemics of
plague reduced the population of Europe by up to 90% in
some places. Overall, two persons in three had died when the
Plague Years ended.
If a long period of building international tension, with afew
brushfire wars that bear home the feeling that the end is in
sight for modern civilization, is posited in the Pre-Ruin
period, then a Phase of Unrest will begin the events of the
campaigns history. After a few years of this initial death
agony, the final war breaks out. Laboratory-spawned
plagues will sweep the globe. A s fast as medicine finds one
cure, a dozen new pathogens are released from the military
research centers, or, far more likely, spawned by unforeseen
mutations in the old organisms. Genetically unstable, the
virus that one nation meant as a non-lethal means of
incapacitating an enemy force is suddenly transformed into
a raging pestilence that strikes down friend and foe alike,
ignoring vaccines prepared to deal with its original form.
Amidst the almost-deserted cities, riots break out. The
scientists who caused it all are lynched in their hundreds.
The madness spreads. He knows how machines work, so
string him up. Hewasa politician, burn him! He knows howto
read, kill him!!!
2

NBC War uncaring heel of an alien invader. Humanityskulks in the ray-
.
Tnis offers
- the Gamesmaster several handy options. If he blasted, bomb-cratered ruins of its cities or the returning
wishes to avoid the potential complexities of having largely forests in the countryside, struggling to survive until i t is
intact cities available for character exploration, he may posit strong enough to drive the overlords off the planet, making it
that strategic nuclear strikes were made with arsenals free oncemore.Theclassic, albeit dated, workoffiction which
reduced by partial disarmament treaties only on major deals with this idea is H.G. Wells War of the Worlds. In one
military and civil targets. The rest of the destruction Was of our playtest campaigns, the basic premise of the Ruin was
biochemical. One campaign run independently of our main that the Martians, as Wellsdescribed them, returned. Finding
playtests used a unique variation on this theme. humanity on the verge of world war, they fomented this
The Player Characters were all members of one divisiveness, stoking human passions to further the ends of
Community, moderately well-established in a large cavern their own gigantic and passionless intellects. When the
system outside Washington, D.C. The War was 20 years ago. nations had set each other reeling in a dozen brushfire wars,
Nuclear strikes and biological contamination had turned the Martian missiles were launched from translunar orbit,
cities into hellholes of radiation and viral poisoning. But now, striking at targets in both superpowers territories. Each
in the last few months, travelers are coming through who government assumed that the other was responsible. WWlll
report that it is possible to trespass in the cities and survive, broke out, but within days it wasovershadowed by Planetary
although hostile mutants, diseased bandit tribes, and the War II, as the great Martian landers touched down,
still-lethal pollutants in many areas makes it risky, to say the disgorging the tripodal battle machines familiar from Wells
least. Characters are sent out to forage for desperately history of the first conflict. With almost a century of
needed supplies in the ruins of the nations capital. They find continued research and development, the Martians
hair-raising adventures and much useful loot, although most possessed even more potent weapons than before. Their
of their finds must be turned over to the community. The own experience of germ warfare, at the hands of Earths
dilemma they face is whether to return to the caverns from a biosphere in their former invasion, had led them to develop
given trip, or try to survive on their own with what they can human-compatible bio-weapons of their own for this return
get. It has its good points as a campaign, especially in the match. Alien fevers scythed down the dazed survivors of the
early stages, when the Gamesmaster can maintain pretty human war.
tight control over what is obtained by the characters, and Now the planet is a wasteland, a wilderness. Martian
what they can find in the city, as well as having well-defined centers dot the globe, each widely removed from the other.
lists of available Skills and resources in the community for Between them, amidst the ruins, men fight to live, and await
learning or trade. the day when they are strong enough to arise in rebellion
In many ways, the use of the NBC war is the best scenario against the masters.
for your campaign, always assuming that war was the Here and there, men have turned their coats with a
manner of the Ruin in the first place. completeness never before recorded in the annals of
treason. The Hunters serve the Martians, Janisaries who
THE HAMMER OF NATURE carry out the missions the aliens do not wish to undertake
Have you ever considered the possible results of a New Ice themselves. Why Hunters? You will recall that Wellss
Age, one that starts tomorrow and is in full swing within a history intimates that Martians are carnivores. He was right.
century? Contemplate the Pre-Ruin Unrest inherent in that The alien conquest campaign may not appeal to everyone.
situation! If we manage to melt the polar ice with a Players have reported feeling intense helplessness when
Greenhouse Effect, not much, say 5% in the next 50 years, confronted with the monolithic power of the Martians. But it
with a little help from some theory that does not pan out (say provides two important factors to the campaign: alien
using nuclear warheads to clear a trans-polar channel, or technology allows the Gamesmaster to introduce artifacts
some equally harebrained scheme), do you care to picture beyond our own ability to develop, and a single goal
the resulting rise in sea level and its effects on our society? confronts those Players who have undertaken to follow the
Or just drop a decent-sized celestial traveler onto the Earth, Promise of new birth: cast out the invader!
or swing some massive cosmic hitchhiker through the The Alien campaigns will require a bit of rule-writing by the
system on a course too close for comfort. Bang! No more Gamesmaster: what kind of alien is involved, their goals,
civilization. how their devices work, and which ones, if any, can be take
The major attraction of this type of Ruin is also its major over by humans. The Martian Campaign has evolved a whole
disadvantage: the world is reshaped by the catastrophe. series of designs for various models of the tripods, for
Seas lie upon shorelines that do not now exist, at least not as example, each with its special strengths and weaknesses. We
waterfront properties. Cities are pilesof rubble in the wake of have found that the time invested in this activity will beamply
earthquakes. Mountain ranges may change their addresses. repaid by a fast-moving, very unusual campaign.
The Gamesmaster must take a correcting pencil to his Atlas
if he is going to play in this league. But, especially if setting A TWIST IN SPACE
the campaign in the far future (the 200 Years After Earth swims silently through the endless cosmos. Infinite
Campaign), when humanity is getting used to its remodelled in scope, can we say that its secrets will ever reveal
domicile, the Gamesmaster can build fascinating histories of themselves fully? Can we be sure that fate, or our own ape-
what had been just waiting for his Players to unravel their curious probings of those secrets, will not one day alter life
mysteries. Or picture the Players portraying the first few on Earth into a new form, shattering the old life forever?
generations of survivors: Well, 1-66 should cross the Should our world violently transmigrate into a new
Mississippi here, but theres this inland sea in the way ... dimension or a twist in space, suffering outrageous stresses
If the main attraction for you in running an Aftermath! upon its very fabric, triggering quakes, storms, mountainous
campaign is confronting the 20th-century folk who are waves, thiswould in itself bea Ruin in thegrand tradition. But
Playing with the changes in 2lst-century America, using as the battered survivors drag themselves out from beneath
their Preconceptions about how it will be to surprise and the rubble of their civilization, there are other changes to
challenge them, then such a Ruin may well serve your needs. consider.
They share a world with the creatures of dream-or
THE ALIENS nightmare! Vampire shapes flit on bat wings through the
The less-likely campaign premises include at least one night. Dragons dwell beneath theearth. The Little People are
classic: Earth enslaved, a conquered world under the a folk-tale no more, but a living reality. Dormant within
3

humanity since the elder days, the forces we call magic are campaign retain any knowledge of the old ways? Is
now there for those who would plumb their dark secrets. A electricity familiar, sacred, taboo, or forgotten? The more
force of enchantment is loose in the world and shall not be fragile devices of the pre-Ruin time will be mostly junk,
put back. unless newly retrieved from sealed and near-perfect storage.
This may sound far-fetched, but at least one post-Ruin The cities will probably be places of awe, dangerous with
trilogy. Fred Saberhagens Changling Earth books, (now outlaws, mutants, ancient contaminations, and the rest. If
collected as Empire of the East), is set in exactly this kind of gunpowder is not a lost material, the best a character can
world. The protagonists of this series use the forces of magic hope to find of local manufacture will be a muzzle-loader.
and the ancient, mysterious technology to combat the Themodern firearms, and the ammunition forthem, will be
despotic Empire of the East. coveted prizes brought back by the adventurers who dare the
Those of you who prefer the scintillating charms of a old sites in search of treasure.
traditional fantasy campaign to the harder-edged world of As the generations pass in the mutagen-filled post-Ruin
a realistic Aftermath! game should consider the hours of environment, the Changed, human and otherwise, will have
fascinating play to be had by combining the two concepts. grown in power and development. Psionic abilities undreamt
As with most of the more exotic scenarios, this will require of will manifest themselves. Beasts will be altered in a
some extra homework. An occult science will have to be hundred wonderful ways. To take only one example, the
designed or adapted from an existing Role Playing Game. Master Rats will doubtless be well on their way to becoming a
Scores must be worked out for fantasy creatures, and their major competitor for Homo Sapienss place in the sun. As
powers carefully quantified. The Gamesmasterwill probably uncontested rulers of the cities in some areas, they may be
want to edit the technology available to the characters, SOaS heir to more of the ancient technology than its blood
to preserve a balance between the new magic and the old descendants, living in tribal communities or crudely-walled
science. Each set of Skills should have areas of competence cities on the distant plains.
denied to the other, so that sorcerer and engineer alike have The 200 Years After Campaign permits many of the
unique abilities, granting great power to the man who can factors of a pure fantasy campaign (chivalric codes, heroic
combine knowledge in both fields. ideals, swashbuckling) t o be combined with the
technological wonders of Aftermath! The Gamesmaster may
construct his game-civilization without reference to the
culture that spawned it, for apart from certain old sayings
and obscure name derivations, the primitive world of the
campaign is created out of whole cloth.
The bibliography contains numerous listings of books set
in such cultures, as it does works dealing with all the topics
we have covered so far.
A description of a medium-sized 200 Years After
Community may help illuminate some aspects of such a
campaign.
The Bul People: the Story
Living in the East Central portion of Twobomz Valley, an
area bounded on all sides by high mountains or lethal Blast
Barrens, where the Demons of the Fawlout still seek the
lives of men, the Bul People number about 2500. They are
As you can see, Aftermath! need not be limited to the Masters of Trade among the Valley tribes in the fields of
modern survivor scrabbling grimly through the ruins of his animal products from their great riding Buls (mutated cattle)
old world. The Gamesmaster can fit his campaign to hisown and fine glass, produced from the silicates of the nearby
view of what will provide an exciting game for the group desert. This latter technique is a closely-guarded secret of
under his guidance, mixing the concepts listed above and their Guildmen. Armed primarily with Lance, Bow, and Axe,
adding his own creative genius to the stew, stirring with the Warmen of the tribe are also noted for their skill with
patient testing, adding more spice of adventure, to deliver a Musket and Pistol, but such weapons are not used in inter-
finished dish to the table capable of pleasing the most tribal conflicts, being accounted as cowardly weapons for
demanding Role-Players taste. combat between warriors.
The Bul People worship a pantheon with several principal
gods leading it: Volta, God of Lightning, whose priests have
THE YEARS TO COME magics that sometimes make the old devices found by
Long After the Ruin travelers work again; Telgraf, whose priests seem able to
Once the Gamesmaster has decided what the Ruin was, he send news across the valley in hours, their temples being
must decide when it was! The standard period used for most regarded as inviolate centers of information in all the tribal
Aftermath! designs in the basic rules posits what we call the cities; Rengen, God of Protection, who warns of the
First Generation Campaign. This usually places the Ruin presence of the Demons of the Fawlout. Those gaining the
about 20 years or so in the past, so that older characters are favor of the priests of this latter deity may be given amulets
yet living who remember the pre-Ruin world in all its glory. for use when penetrating the Blast Barrens in serach of the
But the apocalyptic literary tradition abounds with works set old magic. These amulets scream when the Demons are
generations after the Ruin they speak of. In the absence of near, warning the bearer to flee for his life lest they curse him
organized centers preserving the old knowledge, or an with the Sickness.
environment where public avowal of such knowledge is Vinz, of the Bul People, is a young Warman, trained in the
tantamount to suicide, due to an anti-intellectual backlash fighting and hunting arts of his people. He owns several
(Its the Scientists fault! Lets kill em all!) then in only a few pieces of the ancients magical armor, heirlooms in his
generations mankind could slip back into barbarism. We family, a fine WarBul for riding, and assorted handweapons.
have spoken to this briefly in the Player Essay in Book 2. The On the last tribal raid on their neighbors, heacquired a brace
Gamesmaster who undertakes such a campaign has extra of flintlock postols, with powder and ball for over a dozen
work to do. He must decide how much of the ancient science shots. He is a well-respected young fighter, but there is
is still known, and by whom. Do the normal cultures of the doubt about his sanity. He continually asks about things that
4

any well-balanced individual takes for granted. It comes as form of the Eye mutation, allowing full night vision
no surprise t o the tribal elders, the Shamen, that Vinz has without the attandant sensitivity to normal light), and the
volunteered to the a Scout, one of those who search the Blast Jonzons have pure white hair. Vinz might have oneor both
Barrens for old magic, to give the tribe more mana by the of these traits, as well as any other Changes thecampaign
possessing of ancient artifacts. As his presence i n the city is allows to characters.
a worry to some of the more orthodox leaders, he will Mutated humans living in savagery (Blast Demons, in the
probably be allowed to undertake the task, but if there is valley parlance) would pose a threat to the tribal cultures.
indeed some hope that he will perish in the dangerous Strange mutations among plants and animals could also
mission. he may not receive some of the special magics that make life somewhat exciting for travelers. But the genetic
will better his chances of survival. juggling following the war will also throw up a few
The Real Story of the Bul People blessings. The Buls from which Vinzs people take their name
The Bul People and their neighbors live in a valley formed are huge cattle, with shaggy coats (Armor Value 5), great
by the tectonic activity triggered by nuclear warheads on strength and endurance, and two wickedly sharp, hard
local fault lines. This area was not exposed to direct attack horns, which act as lances in the full charge favored by the
nor to the weather patterns carrying deadly fallout. They are Warmen. These creatures provide food, clothing, fuel for
the descendants of survivors of an NBC war, reverted to a fires, building materials, etc., to the tribe, as the buffalo did
tribal society and generally low technology. They do possess for the Plains Amerindian of the pre-settler Western U. S.
gunpowder, and the knowledge of metallurgy to make In beginning such a campaign, the Gamesmaster will do
muzzle-loading firearms, as well as good steel weapons and well to build one tribe (or other culture) in detail, assuming
armor. Certain other skills (such as glassblowing) have also all Player Characters to be natives of that society. A small
been preserved. area should be mapped out. including one or more
High technology is regarded as magical. The only places neighboring tribes, and several places of mystery or
where some understanding of its operation survives are in interest, such as a small ruined city from before the Ruin, an
the various temples (Volta, God of Lightning, is the front area haunted by bandits, astretch of mutant jungle filled with
for a small Solar Screen power station; Telgrafs priesthood strange creatures for the young heroes to hunt, and perhaps
maintains working telecommunication between his temples; an ancient military base or other site of much magic, where
Rengens cult sprang from a civil defense group who still the characters can pit their wits and courage against the full
have some geiger counters and nuclear decontamination might of the old technology, say under the control of some
gear). The priests use this knowledge to hold their positions advanced security computer, with a few working robots
of power, and do not react well to laymens attempts to study (Spirit Warmen) to make life interesting. As he feels ready
the ancient skills. to extend the campaign beyond the confines of thisarea, the
Vinz is a misfit. A well-trained warrior, he has the itch to Gamesmaster can start rumors of great adventures in more
learn how things were before The Blast (TwobomzValleys distant lands, send caravans from far-off places traveling
term for the Ruin). This does not endear him t o the through, entice the characters onto automated rapid-transit
priesthood, who are overjoyed that he wants to go out into systems that just happen still to be working, etc.
the radioactive hell beyond the valleys mouth. They will not Great care should be taken in the early days of the
aid him in his quest, and if he returns with too much campaign to describe technological artifacts in terms that
knowledge, they may well try to cast him out oreven kill him, the characters would use. They will probably recognize a
as a heretic. modern gun as a firearm if they have similar weapons
The Gamesmaster in this campaign posited the following themselves, but they would not necessarliy recognize a
things: mortar. Nor will they be adept at operating even familiar
items at first. A magic rifle that fires many times is great in a
0 In the murderous competition for arable, radiation-free fight, until you have to try t o figure out how to reload. And
land after the war, the survivors combined into small what is the steel box with soft wheels for? If you have never
groups, possibly several familes that had lived close seen an ignition key, how long do you think it will taketo get a
together before the Ruin. They gravitated toan area in the car started?
newly-formed valley, which must have been a hellishly Such research should be assigned a Task Point value
hostile landscape in the first days of its existence, but one and a Task Period based on the number of potential false
which was free of fallout or bio-contamination, dug in, starts in solving the problem. If thedevice has asimpleon/off
and held off all outsiders. This tradition, that all strangers button, it will not be too long a Task to figure out that if you
are dangerous because they compete for limited survival push it, something will happen. If the control panel happens
resources, has held to the campaigns time; hence the to belong to a 747, the Task Period could be weeks at a time,
fierce raids on other tribes, and the equally fierce if it is not just impossible without some source of outside
insularity opposed to intrusions. knowledge.
0 Since the early survivor groups, the proto-tribes, had In the 200Years Afterlcampaign, knowledge is power in a
almost no intercourse with other groups, only those skills very real sense. The Gamesmaster should be pretty
which could be passed from one member of the group to generous with old books, active computerized teaching
another survived. This has led to small amounts of trade in machines, crazy old hermits with technological training,
recent years, the Bul People trading the glass which is and so on. Mastery of the old knowledge should be difficult,
their monopoly to, say, the Gorge Folk up the valley, who but not impossible.
make the finest steel in the area.
0 Mutations in the inbred tribes were strongly reinforced in
Hope for the Future
the early generations, with the culling process ruthlessly We discussed the Promise at some length in the Players
applied by both men and nature t o weed out the contra- article in Book 2. The Gamesmaster must also come to terms
survival changes. It would be quite normal for a group of with this idea. If Players are working along lines of
strains to exist tied to certain bloodlines, so that a reconstruction i n the campaign, even if it is less organized
characters ancestry would determine what his chances of than it might be, as will certainly be the case for early
having a given mutation were. Vinz, for example, is of the characters in a 200 Years After campaign, it behooves the
Smits family line, with links to the Jonzon family. The Gamesmaster t o be somewhat supportive of their efforts. He
Smits have a dominant trait of Night Eyes (an advanced should allow them to engage in such activities as locating
5

and occupying personal holdings, areas they can use as a Of course, Players may also be interested in setting up
base of operations, and around which they can potentially less-than-enlightened groups themselves. The methods
set up Communities. they use to gain population or resources can extend with
The challenges in such activity will be many: food and ease to robbery, Troll work, slavery, etc. This idea may not
water must be available for the group, the location must be be appealing to some.
defensible, skilled technicians must be enticed to join to In operating the campaign, the Gamesmaster will soon
support the artifacts used for power, medical facilities are find that some goal, some reason to survive, is a necessity.
needed, etc. This is something that can be gradual, an effort The Promise is the most viable of the many possibilities, and
that the Player Characters must maintain over years of game can itself take many forms. The footloose adventurers who
time, if it is to haveany lasting result. Sincethe Promise is the want to know what there is to knaw in the new world fulfill the
work of generations, it is not likely that a dull era of peace Promise as much as those who try to save only a few square
or new civilization will end the adventures of the campaign miles of it from the darkness. Those who give their energies
due to the characters efforts. It is not the kind of result that is to fulfilling any ideal, noble or not, will find that it fuels their
going to come about rapidly. Characters will fight and die for character motivations to an extent that simply trying to
the Promise without ever seeing it happen. All they can try to survive cannot. The Gamesmaster should encourage such
do is give it a start. It took western civilization almost 300 play with scenarios designed to let characters follow through
years to start growing again after the Fall of Rome, a blow of on their dreams, and by writing the plot of the campaign to
much less earth-shattering consequences than the Ruin. tell stories with room for those goals in them.
Gamesmasters who do not want to get into the full
ramifications of such Player activity may wish to set up one
or two centers of new growth that the characters may throw PACING THINGS
in their lots with. Since he is in full control of the progress of The overall view of the campaign is one thing, but when it is
these enclaves, the Gamesmaster can set up raids by other boiled down into its basic components, any Role Playing
groups, famines, plagues, etc., without automatically Game consists of a series of discrete adventures, which will
engaging the Players in such activities, as would be the case relate to an overall history according to the campaigns
if the Players were in full control of the community. But culture and the deeds of the Player Characters. These are the
Players who are prepared t o d o the logistic work in setting up scenarios. At first they should be fairly short and to the point:
a center should be allowed to do so. They must account for
There is a bunch of bandits holed u p in theold warehouse
feeding their population, acquiring tools, weapons,
on the south side of town.
medicine, etc., along lines laid down by the Gamesmaster,
and be ready to do the bookkeeping for such expansion. They say that old Army base has some good weapons still
The driving force in bringing new characters, Non-Player in it. If the Master Rats there havent found them.
Characters, into the community, will be the Charismatic As the Players and Gamesmaster gain familiarity with the
Talent of some Player Character. Such a leader figure should rules, and the driving concepts behind their campaign
be a person that people can follow, an organizer, someone to become less nebulous, the scope of the scenarios can
inspire his people. The Player should get some idea of what expand:
kind of experience the leader must have, if he is trying to
build such a character, and he and the Gamesmaster should That bunch of goons you wiped out last month? They
go over the idea in some detail. It should not be possible to belonged to the Cartel, over in New Jarvis. Theyve put a
start a character in this shape. He may be designed to have price on your head.
the right Attributes and Talents, but the Reputation and The Regis Commune is offering a reward for anyone who
Skills that will fit him for the job must be acquired in the can supply them with Solar Screens.
course of play, as are the resources necessary to establish
There is a trader caravan hiring guards to head out to the
the community.
Lake Communities.
As the group increases its numbers and wealth, it will
become more and more noticeable to the human predators Such challenges can impel the characters to travel to the
who haunt the ruins. Attacks by bandit groups, expansionist new locations the Gamesmaster has prepared, either
Communities, and plain old hordes of scavengers will because their current one is getting unhealthy, or because
become a probelm. As the numbers and firepower involved there are greener pastures in the new site. Of course, either
increase, the size of the conflicts will grow into the Tactical the local threat or the distant attraction can be nonexistent,
Battle scale. The military leadership of the community must founded on the hyper-active rumor mill of the inhabitants of
be quantified, and the Gamesmaster can fairly insist that the the Aftermath.
construction of the army and the handling of battles bedone A scenario can be a straight challenge, or have a definite
by the Players. Thus, the various Military Command Skills mission attached. In either case, risks overcome should
should not be neglected by those who would set up their own carry proportionate rewards, although this is not an absolute
Communities. rule. If you knock a 75-year-old guard over the head, he
It is hardly sporting to throw enormous forces of Non- should not turn out to be protecting a years supply Of
Player soldiers at the new community. The Gamesmaster Polycellulac-4. If you have to fight your way through 50
should roll Reaction Dice to gauge the danger of the TSP of heavily-armed fanatics, they would not have been defending
attackers Force when compared to the Player-controlled 3 flat tires and a copy of Newsweek. In terms of loot,
Army, whether or not it is a Custom Army. especially combat gear, keep in mind that winning the fight
Communities in such campaigns as the Alien Conquest can indeed lead directly to commensurate reward. Unless
will also be in danger of attracting the attention of the you had to blow the opponent up to kill him, his armor and
invaders. This should be set up as a probability derived from weapons will usually be intact. Stripping the fallen of their
the technological level of the community, its size, and the gear can swiftly enrich the characters beyond any need on
amount of overt action it takes against the aliens. the Gamesmasters part to add more goodies to the pot. This
Character can fit into an existing community in various can lead to further complications in itself. Lugging a small
ways. Goals might be in complete agreement or arsenal around for later barter will impede the characters
diametrically opposed. Advancement within the community considerably. They may have to face Hobsons Choice,
might come easily or be opposed. Sometimes the constraints leaving valuable goods lying around where they are certain
placed on the Player Characterswill be unacceptabletothem. to be snapped up by scavengers, or carrying them around so
6

that they are easy prey for robbery, as the characters stagger The Vampires
full-loaded around the hazard-infested Ruins. The need for a These mutants, altered by biological agents or radiants,
place to store or trade goods on an organized basis should are not the supernatural creatures their names would lead
motivate most Players to seek a Community or personal one to expect. They are gifted with extreme strength and fast
stronghold that will maintain fairly good relations on a reaction time. They have both the Eye and Ear mutations
constant basis, so that they can dispose of loot as it given in the Changed rules. Membranous growths along
accumulates. their sides allow them to glide, rather like flying squirrels, at
As characters increase in power (firepower or otherwise), an airborne BMA of about 3,losing 103 meters of altitude per
it is important that the scenarios they face grow in 30 mleters of distance covered (they can lose altitude faster if
complexity. Situations where guts and cleverness are more they desire).
important than brute force are not difficult to contrive. They have extremely high DRT, and are immune to all
Limited space, or foes who are resistant to gunfire, coupled known biological weapons and diseases. They wear little
with some kind of mystery, can pose a greater challenge that armor, since they cannot encumber their wings, but will
simply upping the ante i n terms of how many guns they face use helmets and can buckle protection over Locations 8-12,
in their next firefight. where the arrangement of the membranes allows some
constriction.
THE UNEXPECTED WT WL STR DFT SPD HLH
We will close by pointing out that the demands made upon 15 15 60 25 30 50
the Gamesmasters creative imagination are continuous in a BAP MNA PCA CDA DRT Shock Factor
Role Playing Game. Scenarios should not be different 1 5 3 5 3 110 20
versions of the same basic plot, with new backgrounds; they (The above statistics represent the average vampire. Add
should be entirely new experiences. The proliferation of l D l 0 or even 2D10 for Leader types among this race.)
strange new phenomena and creatures can aid in keeping The vampires are not a large group yet. Their infection may
the Players in a constant state of both curiosity and be passed on by their bite, as in the old legends, but this is a
apprehension, as can new and weird physical locations. We disease, formula 1-(+)-1 Day-3-3 Days. Its symptoms
give several interesting types of threat below, to spark the are Weakness, sensitivity to light (treat as an Eye once the
imagination of Gamesmasters in designing their own Advance exceeds the Health AST), and coma once the
strange inhabitants for the Aftermath. Advance exceeds the Health CST. Crisis will cause death in
The Burning Ones the normal sense, but the body will regain consciousness as
Mutated humans (?) who are impregnated with intense a Vampire-mutant 1D3 days after death.
radiation. They evince no fixed purpose but are, as far as The victim who is killed by the vampire (or anyone else)
fragmentary studies by post-Ruin science can tell, dead before the disease runs its course is just dead. Since the
creatures motivated by the impulses impregnating their Vampires are usually hungry, they do not often expand their
nervous systems. They exhibit an uncanny ability to locate race, preferring to finish the meal completely. They will seek
organic, animal life. They will attempt to eradicate thesource to render their victim unconscious, or even dead if they can
of this attraction. Burning Ones are not possessed of DRT as do it without wasting too much of his blood. When dining
such. They must be hacked to pieces to be stopped, and even off a victims veins, roll l D l 0 0 to see how much of his blood
then the tissues are still intensely hot. they drain. The score rolled is the percentage of the victims
full DRT (not effective DRT) they will take. If losing that many
WT WL STR DFT SPD HLH points will kit1 him, the victim dies. If hesurvives, check to see
- - 30 10 10 - if he is infected.
BAP MNA PCA CDA DRT Most of the Vampires will use weapons doing Crush or
5 1 5 1 - Combination damage, to avoid too much blood loss in their
victims. They do like Lasers, since these cauterize their
They will bludgeon at a figure using Brawling, with a BCS of
wounds, avoiding the wastage of food.
10. They use no other weapons. The Burning Ones radiate a
Some Vampires see themselves as the homo superior,
field of (10100 x 10) + 500, or 510-1500, REM per Hour, t o a
the next step in mans evolution. These will tend to control
distance of 10 meters. When struck on any Location of a limb
their hunger better, in order to make more like themselves.
and taking 10 points or more of Lethal Damage, the limb will
be severed. The creature will only stop moving towards living Gizmos
things when both arms and legs are gone. Severing the neck These are automated devices of any kind which have
will not reduce its insensate drive to move toward other suffered program change or degradation. The Cybernetics
beings, nor do its perceptions seem to require the use of its section (p. 38) discusses the heavier forms of such
eyes. It will keep moving and attacking. The Burning machinery, with deliberately programmed changes. Gizmos
Ones have a base BMA of 1, which is reduced by .25 per limb are, say, automated vacuum cleaners, industrial size, which
severed. have become programmed to attack anything with dirty feet.
Characters have a 10% chance of being contaminated At some 5-10 kph, they will zoom along a corridor to bash a
when they strike a Burning One. They will be exposed to 10% newly arrived intruder with dusty boots.
of its total REM per Hour score, until they havediscarded the Depending on the level of automation achieved in the pre-
contaminated item or washed thoroughly in running water. Ruin culture, Gizmos can be anything from televisions to
Roll 1D100 when striking. A score of 01-50 means the buses, rampaging around the city or lying in wait for the
weapon is contaminated; a 51-75 means a random Location unwary, only needing the strange trigger that the
has been spattered, contaminating the piece of armor Gamesmaster has designated to send them into a weird
covering the Location; 76 or higher, both the weapon and a attack on the characters. More than one character in the
random Location are spattered. Each item or location will playtest has been knocked silly by a contrary, automatic
carry a 10% charge of radiation, so that 3 such door slamming shut in his face after opening invitingly.
contaminations means that the character is exposed to 30% The strange creatures listed above partake more of the
of the Burning Ones total score of radioactivity. nature of fantasy than of science fiction, and are included in
Subdual Damage or missile damage of any kind these rules to reassure those who might otherwise hesitate to
(mechanical or firearms) does not affect Burning Ones. introduce such factors into their campaign.
Lasers will slice them up as they can do to any target. If it reads well, do it!
7

CREATING THE ENVIRONMENT
The maintenance of the post-Ruin environment, the Especially important are police and military installations,
destroyed cities, the deserted countryside, are a major part major transport nexi, subway stations if the city has such a
of the Gamesmasters job. If the characters are wandering system, etc. The more color and detail that is available, the
and searching at random through the city, must he prepare better it is for the design of adventures, which need
maps of every block in detail? No, this kind of effort is only clearly-defined sites and borders for the detailed and
called for when an area contains some prepared adventure tactical maps.
or place of interest. How then to measure the probabilities of
Room: The map should be on stock that will allow the
finding some useful (or useless) item ready for salvage in a
Gamesmaster to write his own notations. The print should
randomly-selected city block?
be clear enough to show through an overlay of
highlighting color, since color-coding is the easiest
The City Map method for differentiating areas as Residential,
A separate Scenario Pack is available from Fantasy Commercial, etc., or for putting a forest, totally rubbled
Games Unlimited. It is asmall city, Littleton, mapped out to area, or what have you, on the map.
show principal communities, and locations known to contain Convenience: The map, or map book, should be of a size
features of interest. If the Gamesmaster is using thescenario .and layout allowing the Gamesmaster to follow the
city to start his campaign, he should divide the city into characters progress on it easily, with a minimum of
Commercial, Residential, and Industrial areas, noting the fumbling or squinting.
divisions carefully. Random search in a particular area will
have particular results. Having procured a suitable map, sit down and think about
There will come a time when the Campaign outgrows what overall situation you want to exist there. Is it anenclave
Littleton. The Gamesmaster will know it has come when he city, where the survivors hold their communities in
feels ready to tacklea real city with the techniques used in his isolation, venturing out only at need, or do such survivors as
Littleton. The archetypical Aftermath! campaign is centered dwell there move freely? We would advise discretion in
on the Gamesmasters home city, or a city he knows well. scattering organized communities about in great numbers.
This permits him to run a flowing, easy-playing session, and Suddenly, adventurers are only an hour from succor in one
to bestow strange fates upon those places he dislikes. A s he direction or another. Consider this: the resources available
has 10-20 years of pre-Ruin development to build into the in a given area of city are limited. If two communities come
city, he can alter enough of it to prevent the players from into contention for these resources, they must either join
knowing everything about the citys layout. Hecan introduce forces or fight. The results, as we see them, will run toward
locations not currently in existance (armories, government one of two extremes:
reservations, and so on) which will be the sites of character Enclave City
foraging in the scenarios. Small, widely separated communities. Each is fiercely
No matter the size or complexity of a city, the first step to independent, although trade and cooperation are not
setting up a campaign based there is procuring a fairly well- impossible. Four such enclaves in the D.C. campaign are
detailed map. Street maps made from aerial photographs are signatory to a treaty providing protection for the medical
best, especially i f they show schools. museums, police community based at D.C. General Hospital. Inhabitants of
stations, monuments, etc., etc. All such unique locales are enclaves are generally reluctant to become involved with
grist for the scenario mill. affairs outside their turf,and the wastes of the city combine
Most of the testing for Aftermath! was conducted in two with this to constitute an effective barrier to travelers, with
campaigns, running concurrently. One was set in rural New the notable exceptions of Player Characters, bandits and
England, the characters moving through several cities as other human predators, and weirds.
transients, but spending significant time in only one major
municipality. The other confined its activity to Washington, Boss City
D.C. Some group or individual occupies a central power
The D.C. campaign was played on a 25-page street map of position in the city. This is usually a result of superior survival
thecity, at2000tothe inch (1 kmtoabout4cm).Thescaleis planning ability and/or firepower. The upshot of such a
about 25000:l. This proved quite satisfactory for overall situation may well be an incipient feudal society, the Boss
mapping. The same scale was used in the map for the New and his men being the aristocracy, offering protection, order,
England campaign, played from a national road atlas and a and military defense to those who in turn proffer obedience
thick spiral-bound campers map of Rhode Island, which had and a tithe of their products. The footloose adventurers who
the added advantage of showing contours and other major seem to be the bulk of Player Characters are unlikely to be
geological features not included in the Washington map. Be very happy as permanent citizens of such a regime, although
that as it may, the desirable features for the campaign map if they can establish good relations with the inhabitants, such
are: cities would provide a useful base from which to operate on
expeditions into other territories.
Size: The scale should be such that details are clear. The
larger the better, really. U.S. Geodesic Survey maps, The Condition of the City
cheaply available from the Government Printing Office, Having established the overall nature of the parts of the
are ideal as far as scale goes, but lack certain other city that survive as human communities, the Gamesmaster
features. must deal with the rest of it. One of the premises used in the
Details: Street names, the location of special features and D.C. campaign was that the rate of growth of forest land was
sites, both are quite useful to the Gamesmaster. increased by a factor of 5 to 10 by the action of unforeseen

combinations of biowar agents. Thus, parks became thick on some slightly crazy ideal. Many will be downright nasty,
forests or jungles, and extended their boundaries for blocks. run by gangsters or worse, tight little oligarchies or mini-
In some areas, questing tendrils of the jungle grew together, police states. In one playtest, we have built military
extending a barrier between parts of the city. Since dictatorships (two of them, one run by a National Guard
Washington is possessed of a very extensive zoo, this forest colonel who thinks hes George Patton, and the other a real
is the habitat of a number of animals, both in their natural snake pit run by elements of the American Nazi Party);
condition and with mutants among them. Lions roam the politically extreme communes of the Left (the United Maoist-
streets of the city, and charging rhinos have tried Trotsky Free University Peoples Cosmic Commune) and the
conclusions with jeeps. Right (the little-known but much-feared group in Langley,
Certain areas of the city will be leveled, a wasteland of Virginia, centered around the CIA Headquarters complex,
empty shells and rubble. This is not necessarily a product of whose roving brigades of Commie Stompers are the dread
the Ruin itself, for a primary element of Secondary Kill will be of scuzzy, longhaired adventurers all over D.C.); religious
fires, raging out of control in cities with neither fire fighters groups (a military school run by a certain winemaking order
nor water supplies. Rioting also accounts for a good deal of of priests and brothers has a nasty reputation as street
the wasting of real estate. fighters); and so on. There are sane, straightforward
It then remains to designate neighborhoods or larger organizations around as well.
districts by one or more of several gradations: Forest, Communities can be places where the Player Characters
Rubble, Residential, Commercial, Industrial, etc. This is best stop to rest, safe, for the time being, from the unremitting
handled by lightly overlaying the map with color-coded hazards of their world. They can be centers of trade, where
highlighter, permitting the original streets and their names, barter can turn things the characters dont need into valuable
and other map features, to show clearly through the colored weapons, ammo, and food.
inks. Pastel or lightly saturated colors should be used. A red The only limits to the nature of the communities in the
overlay is a very clear marking, but may cause red-inked map campaign are the space involved and the Gamesmasters
inscriptions to disappear unless a very light shade of imagination. But there are factors he will want to categorize
highlighter is used. for simclicitys sake in his records, and we will address these
So now our city map is ablaze with colors, having special here.
locations marked out. Large communities have boundaries
Territory
drawn in, covering whole blocks of territory.
This is the actual home ground occupied by the
If the campaign is based on a ruin which left behind long-
Community. It should be outlined on the Campaign map,
term, widespread contaminated areas, any such should also labelled so he knows who it is at a glance. Communities will
be shown on the map, possibly by another color code. A generally maintain a watch on their borders, according to
large radioactive zone, for instance, would fall into this their powers, and react to insure that approaching strangers
category. pose no threat. This can be as simple as sending an official
The Residential Areas greeter to meet the strangers, or setting up a mortar to cover
These were sections of the city devoted to family dwellings them and hailing them via bullhorn with a warning to stop
and apartments before the Ruin. Their individual nature will and drop their weapons. It will depend a lot on the
depend much on the actual city and the culture of the pre- psychology of the Community.
Ruin society. Manhattan will be mostly high-riseapartments, Size
probably fitted with very hefty internal defenses by 2000. A simple population figure will do, to get an idea of how
Northwest Washington is mostly single-family houses of many mouths there are to feed, and how large a population
varying designs. the characters are likely to see o n the streets of the groups
They will tend to besources of light tools, Household Lines territory when they come to call. A corollary of Size is the
for salvaging electricity, commercial small arms, books, etc.
next factor to be considered.
The small stores and other commercial ventures in such
areas are probably well-looted, although there might be a lot Military Strength
of good picking hidden under the rubble. This figure should be given in the number of TSP points
the Community can field in a battle. The Military Strength
The Commercial Areas
an arbitrary figure which the Gamesmaster can assign to fit
These are the main business districts: larger stores,
his own conception of what kind of fight the Community can
offices, government buildings, etc. They produce much of
put up, or can work out as a Custom Army. Our feeling is
the same sort of thing as the Residential Areas, as well as
that 3O-8O0/o of the total population will be able to bear arms in
more diverse manufactures, scientific equipment, and
a general war.
(unlikely as such things really are) such intriguing finds as
The value of a TSP can be adjusted up or down to reflect
still-live computer access points, working small factories,
construction gear, and so on. the power of the weapons available to the Cgmmunity.
Special note should be taken of any uniquc .dchines the
The Industrial Areas Community can field: artillery, tanks, catapults, chemical
The large plants, where heavy tools, high-power electrical weapons.
sources, vehicles, and other large finds of machined parts
can be located. Often such areas form the hideouts for the Resources
more technologically-oriented survivors, who may be Does the Community produce or control some special
keeping one of the installations running to produce items for resource? Farming groups are of course rich in food, but
use or trade. how about manufactured products? The medical staff of the
D.C. General Treaty Hospital were the areas prime suppliers
Communities of medical supplies and expertise, but were almost always
Not every survivor is a lone wolf. Human nature is such that short of certain fuels for their diminishing fleet of copters and
within months of the collapse, there will be social groups ambulances.
springing up amid the ruins of civilizations. Some will be This entry should concern itself with special strengths or
pragmatic organizations, devoted to survival and preserving weaknesses of the Communitys economy. General
the members lives in some comfort. Others will be motivated considerations come in the next entry.
by strange drives, holding on to the last shredsof their sanity Trade
by their fingernails, probablyat thecost of unhealthy fixation Is the Community interested in trade at all? If so, are they
9

pretty sharp or are they easy marks for a smooth line? The bunch of expansionists, held back from their
Gamesmaster should note the following: lebensraum dreams by the well-armed Pentagon
e Expertise of the Communitys chief traders. BCS scores survivors on the river bank to their north, and the
should be generated in Commerce. fiercely independent Mormons who are building a
farming community on the west. Travelers are not
.Areas in which they will not trade. generally allowed in the Community limits, being put
eThe percentage chance of having a given item. This can be up at the half-collapsed Howard Johnsons down route
based on the Utility classifications in the Search rules. Let 1-95.
us say that they have a 40% chance of having any kind of The elite of the Community are the Party members,
weapon. The characters ask about 45 ACP ammo. Roll led by the Rockwell, their Fuehrer. With a slave
1D100. Score equals 73. Sorry, buddy, nothing for a economy, they are a bad group to deal with except
while in that caliber.Howabout223fortheM-l6? Dieroll from a position of strength. Raids on distant groups are
gives a 22, so its in stock. Using the ammo generation not unknown, although the Hitlerville leadership is
rules from the Gun List, we find that they have a box of careiul not to be too blatant about it closer to home.
the ammo in stock.
Example 2:
And so it goes. Things that the Community is noted as
using itself will cost much more than the basic barter values. Name: The Aggies Slze: 400
Junk they have been keeping just to trade will be cheap. Military Strength: Nil
Things they really need will often get a better price than the Resources: The Aggies occupy the old University
characters expected. They may refuse to trade at all in items Experimental Farm complex. They are the primary
essential to their survival or outside of their areas of interest. breadbasket for the whole city. Like the Treaty
Hospital, they do not maintain troops of their own, and
General Reactions are protected by combined elements of neighboring
This is a flat modifier to dealing with outsiders, added to Communities, who recognize the Aggies value to their
the Reaction Die rolls. A very suspicious, hostile enclave will own survival.
have a negative modifier. An outgoing community, one Trade: The Aggies will trade out only foodstuffs,
devoted to trade, let ussay, orwith a numberof commissions although they have a packaging plant in operation on
for freelance adventurers, will tend to have a decently high the grounds, and can produce any form of food from
positive modifier. fresh out of the ground or off the steer, to Freeze-Dried.
They will not accept payment in weapons, being an
Background essentially pacifistic group, although ruthless with
A few brief paragraphs or pages of detailed description. food thieves.
This is a text outline of the principal characters in the General Reaction: +15
Community, the type of rulership maintained, the overall Background: The survivors who started the Aggies
thrust of the group, and any notable adventures to be found were of the old Farm Communephilosophy, but with
within its borders. It fleshes out the bare bones of the other an apprieciation for modern agronomy as a science.
data to provide an atmosphere uniquely the Communitys They are not fanatics on the subject of organic farming
own. or natural foods, but use the best technology they
Example 1 can get to work their immense acreage. They are
Name: Hitlerville Size: 1200 known to have a Solar Screen installation of
Military Strength: 250 indeterminate size, from which they get power to
2 Commando Armored Cars operate their farm equipment, which is mostly electric.
Resources: Busy industry, producing explosives, They will pay double price for parts for such gear,
including some hand grenades. Runs very skilled which is getting harder to come by each year.
Search groups, composed of slave labor under well- Only rarely will an Aggie leave the territory of his
trained guards, on scavenging runs into Northwest group. They are clannish in the extreme, with very
D.C., producing mixed amounts of material for internal intricate social rituals. But non-hostile strangers will
use and some trade. find them affable enough. They will never refuse The
Trade: will not export weapons, except light sporting Three Squares to a starving traveler, for they find the
rifles (Rimfire or Shotguns). 30% chance of most gear idea of starving to death repugnant. Those in such
being available, but payment in anything but armament plight will be offered 1 days rations at no charge.
is at 1.3 times base value. They willpay double the base
value for gasoline for their Armored Cars. The The simple outlines that the Gamesmaster starts with will
Community also maintains a small fleet of trucks and grow as his Players interact with the Communities. The neo-
motorcycles, for which they will buy alcohol fuel at 50% Nazis of Hitlerville have crossed the paths of our Player
above base value if it is in appreciable quantity (say 10 Characters more than once, and we now have developed the
gallons or more). standard uniform and equipment of their soldiers, the usual
General Reaction: -20 (dont tell me youre surprised) systems of slave treatment they use, and hints of the
Background: Run by the local survivors of the Rockwells master plan to take over his side of the river, as
American Nazi Party, the Community is a frustrated elements of the D.C. campaign.
10

SEARCHING AND FORAGING
The Players must designate the scope of their search: a yet. After their second hour, the points amount to 13
single building, a house, a city block. Let us say that a block from the last period, and rolls totalling 17 from this one.
represents the largest feasible unit for a given search That is 30, or two Tasks worth, so they will make two
attempt. The basic operation involved in completing a search Search rolls. Frank is the Search leader, since he has
is handled by treating it as a Task. The Task Points involved the best score. With two helpers, one Skilled herself
are equal to the area of the searched area i n square meters and one not, the Gamesmaster decides to be
(round the actual measurements to any convenient sum in moderately generous and give him +2, for an effective
the right neighborhood). The average city block is 100-150 BCS o f 20. But since the search has a Task Value of 15,
meters long. Multiply this by a constant based on the type of there is a 15/70, nearest, or 2-point penalty attached.
environment: So Frank is using his base BCS of 18. His first roll is 4,
so they got something out of it. His second roll is a 20.
Forest or other Rural Environment: 2D6 + 5
The Gamesmaster may let this go as a simple nothing
Rubble: 1 + 1D3 result, or toss them a find they can do without (Were
Residential: 1D10 (representing the range of space you actually looking for that lion?) for the Critical
between single houses and apartments) Miss. Likewise, a Critical Hit might mean that they find
two items, or a better kind of item. If they were looking
Commercial: 3D6 for something specific, such as the first food they have
Industrial: 2D6 seen in days, he might adjudicate that that is what they
found.
Divide this figure by the total sum of the Search BCSs of all
those characters involved in the search, multiplied by the
number of minutes i n one turn of searching, a time-scale to
be set by the Gamesmaster and the players. This represents Cleaning Places Out
the number of Task Points to be fulfilled before Search Skill
rolls are made to see if anything has been found. Base a BCS Based on the type of area and the size of the search zone,
equivatent on the characters Natural Talent (as a score, not a the Gamesmaster may assign an arbitrary number of
BCS) if he lacks the Search Skill. possible finds to it. A house-to-house search in a Residential
In one turn of searching, each member of the party area might find 0-2 items per house. A day-long run through
engaged in the activity will roll a Wit Effect Die, totalling the a block in a Commercial area might hold a D10 + 10 potential
scores to see how many Task Points they have totalled in that finds, though that is not to say that the characters will locate
period. When the accumulated points indicate that the Task them all.
has been finished, a Search Skill BCS roll is made by the As the city is a constantly fluid environment, old caches of
leader of the search. See Search Skillon page 18 of Book 2 gear being salvaged daily, characters dying to leave their
for modifications. Additionally, a BCS penalty equal to the own supplies lost in a hideout somewhere, there is no
Task Points/lO, nearest, is applied to the roll. If it succeeds, guarantee that what was empty last month will be so today,
the party has found something. If multiple parties are being or the stash that the characters left behind yesterday hasnt
used on the same chunk of territory, they go through this been hit today. There would logically be a class of scavenger
process individually, building up their Task Points and that moves with search parties, gleaning their trails clean of
rolling for finds (and perhaps having encounters) on their left-overs.
own. The Gamesmaster need feel no compunction on allowing,
say, 1 Search attempt per area for Rubble zones. If that does
Frank, Irene, and Jumbo are out foraging. They have not find anything, then there is nothing to find. Moreover, he
decided to tackle a block of office buildings in the may find before the first Search turn is done that the site
Commercial district. The building they have chosen is, holds no loot. He can let the characters hunt until they drop,
the Gamesmaster decides (purely at random, based on without feeling obligated to inform them that the reason they
his personal knowledge of that part of his city), a big cant find anything is because anything isnt there.
one, half a block on a side. At a standard scale o f 100
meters per block, that is a building a 50 meters per side,
for a 2500 square meter search area. In a Commercial
area, this is multiplied by the roll of 306. The die roll
result is a 10, for a total of 25000. Now, Frank has a
Search, Urban BCS of 18. Irene, a very survival-wise
kid who grew up in the mean streets, has a BCS o f 7.
Jumbo, with a country upbringing (he drifted into town
when a biker raid wiped out his farming community),
has no Search Skill, but a Natural Talent o f 17. for a
BCS equivalent of 3. This totals 28 (18 + 7 + 3). They
decide to search in 1-hour Turns, which are, o f course
60 minutes. 60 x 28 = 1680. 25000/1680 = 14.88,
rounding to 15. At the end of 1 hour of searching, they
roll their Wit Effect dice (1010, 106, and 103
respectively). The total rolls add up to 13, so they have
not achieved a significant chance to salvage anything
11

UTILITY
We discussed Utilityas a concept in the various Equipment
rules in Book 2. It carries over to the quality of finds made in
foraging. Regrettably, the vast range of possible finds makes
it impossible for us to give overmuch detail here. The
following rules will act as a guide to the Gamesmasters
imagination in deciding what the characters have found.
Gamesmasters are encouraged to expand the Utility lists.
A Sears Roebuck catalog, or some similar map of the vast
array of possible goodies our technology can provide for
those who are picking its bones, will beof tremendousvalue.
CLASS OF FIND TABLE (Roll D100)
Die Rolls:
Class of Find Rural Rubble Residential Commercial Industrial
Food 01 -20 01 -05 01-15 01-10 01 -05
Luxuries 21-25 06-10 16-30 1 1-25 06-10
Weapons 26-40 1 1-25 31 -40 26-40 1 1-20
FueVPower 41-45 26-35 41 -55 41-45 21-30
Clothes/Armor 46-50 36-40 56-65 46-55 31 -35
Tools/Kits 51-65 41 -50 66-70 56-65 36-50
Medicine 66-70 51 -55 71-75 66-70 51-55
Data/Communications 71-72 56-65 76-85 71 -85 56-70
Transport 73-80 66-80 86-90 86-90 71-85
Environment 81-90 81-95 91-95 91-95 86-95
Survival 91-00 96-00 96-00 96-00 96-00
These are only the crudest approximations, of course.

Other classifications of area types might include
Government, Military, Mining, Waterfront, etc., each with its
areas of wealth and poverty in potential loot.
Having determined the class of material found with the
above table, it only remains to roll to determine the Utility of
the item.
UTILITY TABLE (Roll D20)

Hazard
Die Roll Result A dangerous situation has been encountered. This might
1 Hazard located be a structurally unsound building, a dangerous beast,
hostile men or other characters encounter, a contaminated
2 -4 Utility 0 Die roll modifiers: area, etc. The possibilities will be discussed more fully in the
5-7 Utility 3 Rural +O Dangers section o n page 16.
8-10 Utility 2 Rubble -2 Cache
11-13 Utility 3 Residential +O A treasure trove has been discovered. This represents a
hidden stock of various items, a working shop of some kind, a
14-17 Utility 4 Commercial -1 lab, a firing range with weapons, etc. The Gamesmaster must
18-19 Utility 5 Industrial +O fill in the blanks according to the kind of area and the Overall
20 Cache nature of the find, although this latter area need not limit him.
A Food Cache might also include contamination detectors
and purification gear, for instance.
OPTION
Ownership
Especially when some valuable item has been found, or a
Cache, there is a chance that it was stashed there by
I
someone else. The Gamesmaster should construct a person
or persons, or other logical owner (a Master Rat, perhaps) to
whom the goods belong. He will have a 40% chance of
discovering the characters busily looting his material;
otherwise he will come upon the carnage of his hideout and
,
track the thieves. The owner has a 5% chance per day
cumulative probability of overtaking the characters. That
means that, on the day they steal the goods, a Dl00 roll less
than or equal to 05 indicates an avenging owner catching up
to them. The next day, the chance is lo%, the day after that,
15%, and so on. Roll the chance of the owner catching them
at the location of the stash once every hour that they are on
the site.
12

CATALOGUE WEAPONS
Generally, only one or two actual weapons are found.
The next set of lists are idea sheets for what the searchers Ammunition and other supplies can be quantified in one of
have actually come across. If quantity is needed, roll a D20. the ways given in the Appendices or this section.
The score represents a Group. The Effect Die roll for the
indicated Group is the number of Units, or ENC, or items, or Utility 0 Hand-to-Hand weapons. Select a weapon from the
days worth of material, or what have you, that the characters lists under Equipment. The WDM is reduced by the
have found. Caches double the Effect Die roll at least. Of weapons Utility x .1, since it is an inferior model. A
course, if a working Lab or similar installation has been Junked firearm. Dud ammo-it will not fire.
found, then there is usually only the one unit. Utility 1 A Utility 1 Hand-to-Hand weapon.
If firearms or ammo have been found, their specific A disrepaired gun.
determinations have been given in Appendix 2. Faulty ammo. Critical Miss occurs o n a roll of 18-20
when firing.
FOOD Weak ammo. Halve the BDG.
Quantity determinations are in Days Rations for 1 man. Materlals to make a home-brewed explosive.
Water supplies are assumed to be as much as they need, but
the supply may not be there later. Utility 2 A Utility 2 Hand-to-Hand weapon.
Saturday Night Special: A working gun with a
Utility 0 Spoiled foods. A portion of the food found is permanent Durability of 1.
contaminated (1DlOO determines what proportion Rimfire ammo.
is spoiled.
Contaminated Water source. Utility 3 A Utility 3 Hand-to-Hand weapon.
A normal working gun.
Utility 1 Pure Water source. Ammunition (standard Ball Ammo or Shot Shell)
Utility 2 Fresh stock of natural foods (recently-killed animals Working explosives.
or freshly-gathered or gatherable vegetable food). Utility 4 A Utility 4 Hand-to-Hand weapon.
Utility 3 A stock of preserved natural food. Hi-Power, Hollow Point, or Fragmenting Ammo.
Grenades, Mines, Rifle Grenades, and other
Utility 4 Freeze-Dried food.
explosive weapons.
Utility 5 Super-K Ration. Features for firearms: Sights, Scopes, etc.
Stocks of High-Energy Glucose solution, in
disposable plastic packs. Used to speed recoveryof Utility 5 Laser weapons.
starvation or dehydration victims. High Tech ammo (explosive, incendiary, etc.).
Flame weapons.
Anti-Tank weapons.
LUXURIES Hand-reloading kits, and supplies of bullets, cases,
Non-essentials that may have considerable trade value or powder, a swage unit, etc.
may actually fall into other categories of goods.
Machine Guns, Mortars, Cannon, etc., are not o n the list.
Utility 0 Junked household appliances or office supplies. They are included in finds when and if the Gamesmaster
Phonograph records. Stereo sets, etc. Bad liquor: feels ready to allow them in the campaign.
causes Nausea for 1D3 hours if drunk.
Utility 1 Home-fermented liquor (post-Ruin stock)-wine,
beer, mead, not suitable for fuel. Jewelry. Objets
dart. Working appliances.
Utility 2 Home-distilled liquor, not suitable for fuel. Athletic
equipment (not overly useful) such as tennis gear, F UE L/POW ER
pool table, etc. Stocks of chemical fuels for vehicles, sources of electrical
power, and so on. The Gamesmaster may have to juggle
Utility 3 Pure grain alcohol (drive it or drink it). Packaged, types and quantities to make the find logical for the area of
pre-Ruin tobacco products. Working portable tape the search.
player and cassettes, or similar usable, battery-
powered entertainment equipment. Luxury foods Utility 0 Dry and unrotted wood for fires. Also suitable for
(caviar, nuts, candies). improvising torches.
Utility 4 Pre-Ruin liquor (bourbon, scotch, etc.). Useful, Utility 1 Irreparably damaged batteries.
non-technological sporting gear: low value plastic Crank-operated manual generator.
:armor such as football pads, baseball bats of Sterno or similar portable fire.
wood or metal, camping gear, mountain-climbing Utility 2 Bicycle-operated generator.
equipment. E-type Eternabatteries.
Utility 5 A still (distilling apparatus) is found. Efficiency Utility 3 Treadmill generator setup.
Factor of 1D3. Converts 5 units of corn, potatoes, Alcohol fuel (also drinkable with safety).
etc., into alcohol equal to 1 liter per Efficiency Ev-type Eternabatteries.
Factor per hour. Double-distilled alcohol can be
Utility 4 Salvageable electricity (live circuits) of wattage
used as fuel.
suitable to area of search.
Electronic vices. Narco-headsets inducing sleep.
Motorized generator.
Induction devices stimulating the pleasure centers Working wind or water generator, or parts for same
of the brain. These have trade value, or can be used if there is no logical reason for one to be set up.
as pain killers, or modified to stimulate the pain
Gasoline or Hydride fuels.
centers (torture devices.) High technology sporting
goods: guns (at the Gamesmasters discretion), Utility 5 Leech transformer.
SCUBA gear, hang gliders, boats, skydiving gear, Fuel Cells.
racing equipment, etc. Solar Screen panels.
13

CLOTHES/ARMOR Utility 3 Reference books.
Prepared designs for various devices and
Utility 0 Light cloth stock.
processes. Can be used to build the item with
Material which can be improvised into armor or
proper resources and Skills, with all design
shields.
factors already done.
Utility 1 Stored clothing (Natural Materials). Max. Armor Advanced Texts. Range is from 1 to 30 plus the roll
Value of 4. of (D6 x 10).
Utility 2 Heavy leather armors, light metals. Max. Armor Manuals with BCS D10 + 6.
Value of 7. Utility 4 Calculators.
Utility 3 Metal Armors up to Armor Value 10. Mini-corn puters.
Full Range Texts (01-100 point range).
Utility 4 Heavier metallic Armors. Manuals with BCS of D10 + 10.
Plastics of Flexible or Semi-Rigid types.
Utility 5 Computers or Data Access Points, terminals tied
Utility 5 Rigid Plastic Armors. into working remote systems.
Integral Suits of Police and Military Armor.
Protective Armors, Lazab and Anti-radiation spray- TRANSPORT
on units. If the characters are deep in the center of a building block,
TOOLS/KITS they will just not find a transport system lying around, unless
the Gamesmaster cares to adjudicate that they have floated
This is very free-form. The Gamesmaster should try to into the garage in the basement. And isnt it a shame that the
come up with a logical reason for the type of kit to be there. driveway up to the street is choked with rubble?
See the closing section on Favorable Finds for ideas.
Utility 0 Completely totalled, unsalvageable cars.
Utility 0 Crowbars, hammers, axes, and other miscellaneous Roller skates, skate boards.
tools. Pogo sticks.
Utility 1 Repair and manufacture Kits of type 1. Utility I Muscle-powered vahicles: bicycles, tricycles. 40%
Crude lockpicks. chance that they are in kids sizes.
Utility 2 Kits of type 2. Utility 2 Low-speed powered vehicles: mopeds, electric
Good lockpicks. scooters.
Stethoscope for safecrackers. Junked car, parts are salvageable.
Utility 3 Magnalock tuner. Utility 3 Partially working or Disrepaired automobile. Low
Kits of type 3. Durability i f it works at all.
Utility 4 Kits or shops of type 4. Utility 4 Working vehicle, No fuel in it.
High-quality tools for lockpicking, etc. Memory A horse (how did he get here?).
storage Magnalock tuners. Horse-drawn conveyances.
Utility 5 Full-scale shops, Labs, even working plants if the Utility 5 Working vehicle in good repair.
Gamesmaster so desires. Such finds, or Caches in High Tech vehicles: rocket packs, mini-copters,
such locations, would probably also hold a stock
of finished products of such a plant.
ENVIRONMENT
MEDICINE The term applies to devices or materials which analyze or
Utility 0 Stocks of bandages. otherwise affect the characters environment.
Utility 1 Medical Supply units. Utility 0 A Junked or Disrepaired item from a higher Utility
on this list.
Utility 2 First Aid Kit.
Utility 1 Matches, detergents, other household goods.
Utility 3 Medical Kit.
Utility 2 Optical gear (telescope, binoculars).
Utility 4 Drugs. Mine probes.
Medical Computer. Defibrillator. Other Medical Candles, oil lamps, other non-electrical light
Technology devices. sources.
Utility 5 Surgery setup. Utility 3 Flashlights, other electrical light sources.
Mobile surgeries (ambulances with clinical gear). Binary Detector gear (Yes/Nodetection of various
Encephalographic Educators. radioactive, chemical, or biological
D ATA/C 0M M UN ICAT IO NS contaminants). Mine-detecting equipment.
Chemical testing kits for water, soil,etc., quality and
Again, a rationale for what is found should be developed. contamination.
The Gamesmaster will need to assign Skills and ranges to
instructional materials. Utility 4 Detailed readout detectors (detect presence and
give formula of or intensity for the hazard).
Utility 0 Fiction. Newspapers, magizines, etc. Used Various forms of intruder-alert systems (portable or
computer punch-cards. non-portable). Burglar alarms, smoke detectors,
Utility 1 Maps (until Player Characters have found a map of etc.
the campaign city, the Gamesmaster may forbid Utility 5 Radar installations.
them to use such a document as Players). Enhanced Vision Optical devices (Star-Light or
Popular texts. Rated for 01-05 in their respective Inf ra-Red).
Skills. H i g h - s e n s i t i v i t y l i s t e n i n g devices, e i t h e r
Utility 2 Beginners Texts. Have range starting atOl, plus roll microphonic (bugs) or remote (like a shotgun
of (D6 x 10). mike, capable of picking up a whisper at 100
Manuals with BCS D6 + 6. meters).
14

Seismic alarms, triggered by the vibrations of Rain gear.
footsteps on the ground at ranges of up to 500 Life preservers, inner tubes, etc.
meters. Utility 3 Mountaineering rope. Other climbing gear.
SU RVlVAL Highway (or Railroad) flares.
Sleeping bags, backpacks, pack frames, rucksacks,
This is a bit of a catch-all category. The Survival materials etc.
include such goods as winter clothing, camping gear, rope, Other containers, bottles, satchels, etc. Canteens.
cookpots, canteens, etc. Compass.
Utility 0 Frayed thermal underwear (Thermal Factor 1.5). Utility 4 Backpackers tents, at half the Encumbrance of the
Gunny sacks. normal type.
Twine or string. Good thermal underwear (Thermal Factor 2). Light
Old blankets (ENC of .4 bundled up). Cloth equivalent.
Utility 1 Small carrying sacks. Baggies. Light rope or Hiking gear: foam instep pads (+5 toeffectivespeed
clothesline. for Strategic Movement), alpenstock, etc.
Heavy cloth overgarments for winter (Q-HC). Axes, machetes, brush knives, collapsible saws, etc.
Thermal Factor of 2. Utility 5 Flare guns or other long-distance signalling
Mess kits. Eating utensils. Large glass bottles, devices.
flasks, jugs. Electrically-heated underwear.
Utility 2 Heavy rope. Shoulder bags. Web belts. Space heaters, electrical (uses E-5 at 1 Charge per
Heavy cloth tents (1.2 ENC broken down for hour).
carrying). Holds 2-6 characters. Inflatable life rafts, canoes, kayaks.
It goes without saying that these lists are a fraction, a supplies, is not the answer). The fastest method of getting
microscopic minimum, of the possible finds a search Can into the correct frame of mind to play Santa Claus is by
turn up. All we can do in the space available is give the rolling Reaction Dice. The better the Reaction, the more
Gamesmaster fuel for his imagination in dealing with such useful the find. This can even bea justification for increasing
events. The campaign depends on his ability to go through the amount of goods found, or their general utility to the
the mental operation of they found something like this- group as a whole.
where are they-lets say theyre in a police station-Utility 1 For example, a party with decent hand-to-hand weapons
Environment in a Police Station?-Aha!-Okay, folks, you but no guns gets a Weapons find. In such a case, the
have found a valise with a fingerprint detection kit in it. Gamesmaster might just roll Reaction dice first. If it comes
This is not too hard (nowhere as hard as it sounds), for out Good or better, just assume that they have found a
those who can free themselves from a need for detailed firearm or two, and probably some ammo for it. A Mediocre
tables and charts in determining loot. We are in the position roll would require that their Utility roll allow them to find
where a whole city is there for the taking. If only a fraction of guns. A Bad roll or worse would insist that, if they find a
its former wealth remains, that is still a staggering diversity of Weapon, it be something that none of them have the Skill to
goods. use well.
Dont be afraid to make up the story as you go along. Even The overall concept here is: is this just good for the
i f you are later inconsistent, the flow of play will forgive characters, really great for the characters, or frustrating,
much. So the place was too rich to clean out a week ago. That mean, rotten, and crummy for the characters?
stuff they hid in a sub-basement will not necessarilystayput. LOGIC OF FINDS
Do the Players think they have the only competent Let us say it just once more: try and provide a reason (even
scavengers in the city in their group? Oh, no, not by a long if it is only in your own mind) for the goods located being
shot. The cache they left behind is fair game, and when the where they are. Fill in some cheap fiction to flesh it out. If the
buildings are burning down almost weekly, why should they first couple of findsform a pattern, assume that it will hold for
even expect the block to look the same when they come the rest of that search (a Medical Supply find might decide
back? the Gamesmaster that they are looting a medical office
No, in the fluid world of Affermath! it is no problem to live building). This can, in turn, give background to the
for the moment in calling the shots. For every moment could encounter they have next turn. The table says its a bunch of
be the characters last! Ghouls. Well swell, but this way they are all crazy doctors,
perverting their surgical skill to butcher their meat, and
QUALITY OF FINDS armed with anesthetic dart guns instead of normal firearms.
The simplest way to narrow down the choices as to just This kind of thing turns random searching from a rather
what kind of goodies a search has turned up is to slant it boring way to gain doctrinal treasures into an organic
toward what the characters need and can use (this (sometimes overly organic) part of adventures in the world of
presupposes that something anyone can use, like medical the Aftermath.
15

ENCOUNTERS AND HAZARDS
The many hazards we have already described in disadvantage of encounter tables it that they can become
Aftermath! can be met in as many forms. Our own opinion is static. The same combinations of events keep occurring.
that the hands of men bear more dangers for the Player Creative interpretation can offset this to a degree, but there
Characters than the claws of beasties, but admittedly, a will be times when the fourth straight appearance of giant
raging tiger or bear is not exactly a kitten. The environment roaches is enough to make Players and Gamesmaster alike
itself, especially in the cities, is inimical to life: the crumbling scream in agony.
buildings offer as many traps as they do resources to The encounter deck is another tried-and-true system. The
preserve life, the very air may bear the invisibledeath of virus Gamesmaster prepares a number of index cards in advance,
or gas, the good earth may radiate the cell-tearing poison of each one listing the details of a mini-scenario, or at least the
nuclear contamination. If they are to live to bear the promise numbers and vital statistics of an encountered group of
of renewal to future generations, the characters must characters, or a solo encounter. When an encounter is
overcome all these. needed, the Gamesmaster draws a card at random. The
The dangers of the Aftermath may be met in several ways: advantages are diversity, since each encounter card can be
as unique as desired, and standard cards listing simple,
Random Encounter: As they travel overland (Strategic
Time Scale) there is a chance that the characters will run clear-cut scenarios can be shuffled back into the pack after
use. Since the card can also indicate that a large scenario has
into some group, individual, orevent. Theencounter need
not be hostile. There may be opportunities for mutual aid. been encountered (Pull out file on The Ghouls of K
trading, or simply companionship, rather than combat. Street), thedeck has the added advantage of allowing more
elaborate encounters to be plotted than can easily be
Local Condition: The Gamesmaster has designated some generated on a table. The single biggest disadvantage to
local condition as existing on the map in the area entered encounter decks is that they are never completed. They
by the characters. This can be a Community, a require a fairly continual amount of work to keep fresh. This
contaminated area, a local gang or tribe, etc. may not appear as a disadvantage to many Gamesmasters,
Prepared Adventure: Actually, it need not be all that who prefer to update their campaigns constantly in order to
prepared. The Gamesmaster has placed a scenario on maintain freshness.
the map at that point. This may be the headquarters of A fairly short sample Encounter Table follows, both to
some major Non-Player Character into which the provide a model for the Gamesmaster to use in constructing
characters have blundered, it may be the scenario his own, and to give him something to use until that job is
specially designed for that nights playing session, which done.
the Gamesmaster has simply decided to put in their path SAMPLE ENCOUNTER TABLES
to get things started, or it may bean improvised encounter
of some degree of complexity, created on the spot. This For every day of Strategic Scale Travel, or of encampment
latter type of adventure can be very rewarding. In one in the open during the night or day, roll 1D20. A score of 1-3
playtest campaign, the characters took shelter from a indicates that an Encounter has occurred.
contaminated rainstorm in an old motel. While waiting for
the rain to stop, it was determined that they had had a
CLASS OF ENCOUNTER (Roll 1D20)
random encounter. The tables for this showed that they 1-8 Men
had met a pack of feral dogs, led by an intelligent mutant 9-15 Beasts
dog. Unable to resist the possibilities, the Gamesmaster
created the motel on the spot, laying out a crude floorplan 16-18 Event
and designating the building as the headquarters of a 19 Contamination
pack of organized canines, who kept several human
20 Phenomenon
pets. These pets allowed the dogs to have such
defenses as tear gas canisters hooked up to the old
sprinkler system in the motels ceiling, and smaller dogs MEN ENCOUNTERS (Roll 1D100)
who were forced to carry radio-detonated satchel charges
01-30 Group-Small (2D3 men)
strapped to their backs, as suicide troops. In a final burst
of madness, the leader animal was made telepathic, so 31-40 Group-Medium (3D6+10men)
that his sardonic comments could be broadcast to the 41-50 Group-Large (3020 + 20 men)
characters. What had started as a minor, random
encounter was turned into a major adventure with the 51-55 Solo Traveler
application of five minutes of imaginative thinking. 56-70 Duo Team (2 members). Roll 1D6.
1-3 2 humans
RANDOM ENCOUNTERS 4-5 Human and Tame Animal(s)
There are several traditional gaming techniques for
determining when characters will have a random 6 Human and Mutant Anirnal(s)
encounter, and just what that encounter is. The usual one is a 71-80 Personality Non-Player Character
table, keyed to various die rolls, to generate a particular
81-85 Maniac
encounter situation. It has the advantage of availability: it is
there when you need it. The considerable effort in 86-90 Disease-carrying Maniac
constructing it has been done, and all that is needed to 91-00 Special
generate an encounter is the time to roll the dice. The
16

ORIGINS/INTENTIONS OF GROUPS (Roll 1020) GROUP ORGANIZATION (Roll 1D100)
1-3 Wild Group: Nomadic and semi-primitive. Often 01-10 All Extras (DRT of 1)
composed largely of kids who grew up without any 11-25 All Rabble (DRT of 10 or 1D10)
adult care.
26-30 Extras with Rabble Leaders
4-6 Tribal Group: Members of primitive Tribe, a low-
technology form of Community. 31-60 All Average Men
7-9 Community: Members of one of the established 61-70 All Rabble with Average Leaders
Communities in the campaign. If they are far from 71-90 All Average with Superior Leaders
their territory, they will have some form of transport.
91-00 As 71-90 above with a Heroic Overall Leader
10-12 Street People: Groups of semi-crazed scavengers who
form mobs for self-preservation. Leaders occur in a ratio of 1 Leader per 10 other characters.
13-14 Ghouls: Cannibal groups.
15-16 Monos: Groups with some fixation: pre-Ruin politics, BEAST ENCOUNTERS (Roll 10100)
religion, culture (Samurai, Western, Medieval, etc.). 01-03 Lion
There are Mono Communities. 04-08 2D3 Lions
17-20 Bandits: Those who prey on others. 09-11 Tiger
12 D3 Tigers
NOTES ON MEN ENCOUNTERS
13-14 Gator: On land, 1. Near Water, D3
The encounters with people are the biggest potential
headache for the Gamesmaster, since such figures can be 15-18 Gator: On land, D3. Near Water, 3D3
every bit as diverse in Skills and equipment as the Player 19-30 Small Game (see page 26)
Characters themselves.
31-35 Black Bear. 30% chance of Mother with Cub
It will be very useful to have pre-fabricated samples of
group encounters, solos, and so on, made up beforehand. (extremely dangerous)
Then, i f an encounter with such characters is indicated, just 36-38 Grizzly Bear. Same chance as above
whip out the paperwork and you are all set. 39-40 Kodiak or Polar Bear. Same chance as above
The encounter with a Personality Non-Player Character
can be as significant as the Gamesmaster wishes it to be. It 41-55 Dogs. A pack of 3D3 (60% chance) or a large pack of
allows him to slip an equalizer into weak parties heading into 4D6. Roll 1D10 for Size of each dog, or group of dogs.
dangerous scenarios (equalizers are non-player characters Score of 1-7 indicatesequivalent Size grouping. Score
with more ability than the Player Characters, used by the of 8-10 means Attack Dog. Roll D3+4forSizeof Attack
Gamesmaster to even the odds in their favor when they are in Dogs. 20% chance per animal of being Rabid
over their heads). He can be a famous figure in the local 56-60 Wolves. Pack of 4D6 animals
folklore (or an infamous one, according to your tastes), or
he may just be a fairly well-fleshed-out character, there to 61-62 Giant constrictors. 2D3 appearing
provide some color for the campaign He may at least know 63-64 Rattlesnakes 60% chance of 1, in path of some
where the characters can find a safe place for the night He member of group, as a Hidden Thing If not seen it is
can also be used to lead the Player Characters to the stepped on and will attack Otherwise, a nest of 1DlOO
scenario for the playing session snakes is found, but dangerous only if disturbed
Maniacs and Diseased Maniacs are mostly filler on the list 65 Pack of Feral Cats (3D3)
One is a harmless madman The other carries some
disgusting and communicable infection There are many 66 Pack of Rabid Feral Cats
possible variations on this theme 67 Rhinoceros
A Special is just that. some unique human (or semi-
human) encounter that fits in your campaign I n playtest, 68 Rhinoceros, 1D3
this has included run-ins with human Quislings working for 69 Elephant
alien invaders, ninjas in the employ of the insidious Doctor 70-72 Razorbacks
Fu-Manchu (who has come through the Ruin quite well and
is currently holed up in a secret base somewhere in the 73-88 Game (see page 26)
Rocky Mountains), and a real vampire Do not overlook the 89-00 Rats
potentials of releasing the manlike monsters of fantasy upon
the defenseless world of the Aftermath Several short stories
in the genre have done so with great success. as have a
number of comic books
When dealing with large groups of humans, it is
convenient to assume that the bulk of the crowd is made up
of Extras, Rabble, or Average Men, with a number of leader
types of the next-highest type A usable table for the chances
of such a mix i s given here
17

RAT ENCOUNTERS (Roll D20) 86-95 Locate the residence of some individual or small
1-6 2D6 Mobs of Rats group. Treat as a Men encounter
7-11 2D10 Mobs of Super Rats 96-00 Gamesmasters choice.
12 2010 Super Giant Rats
CONTAMINATION ENCOUNTERS
13-16 2D6 Ruin Rats. Armed with long spikes (WDM of 1.5).
This is hard to quantify. The type of contamination in
There is a 60% chance that these weapons are coated
with some low-grade form of poison. In any case, they question depends on the campaign. Radioactivity is not likely
will be filthy and expose those hit to infection if no atomic weapons were used in the Ruin. It boils down to
this: what kind of contamination is encountered (atomic,
17-18 Super Mob. Roll on this table with 1DlO. That type of biological, or chemical), is it passive (only endangers
Rat is encountered, but the number of Mobs rolled is characters if they walk into it) or active (it comes to them, like
doubled plague carried by a victim)? If the characters have detectors,
t9-20 Master Rat. Roll 1D6 for circumstances they should be able to avoid the encounter. As Such
encounters can be extremely deadly and very hard to game
1-2 Solo Master Rat. Armed with Random Pistol. 20% fairly outside of DAT display, you may not wish to include
chance of having his lair nearby, with a chance of
them in your Encounter Table as such.
technological loot i n it
3 Solo Master Rat as above, but also controlling PHENOMENON ENCOUNTERS
2D6 Mobs of normal Rats. There is a 30% chance
that these will be Super Rats instead Another tricky one. In general, it means a significant
environmental change or condition. But the exact type
4 As above, but controlling 1D10 Super Giant Rats depends on your campaigns climate and the nature of the
instead Ruin. Are earthquakes common in the campaign? Then they
5-6 Mated pair of Master Rats, armed as 1-2 above. should appear on this table. Lightening Bolts? Then let
40% chance of their lair being nearby. random strikes with a given BCS attack thecharacters. doing
1D6 Charges of electrical damage. Is the rain likely to carry
Gamesmasters who wish to try something interesting with contamination? If so, then what kind? When you have a
Master Rats are invited to create Genius Rats, Master Rats clear picture of these factors, you can build your table.
with even greater levels of intelligence than their fellows. Examples of Phenomenon Hazards are:
Such mutants might well havedefinite plansabout the fate of
mankind. In playtest, at least one such creature existed, Earthquake: Small or large tremors. I f in theopen, theonly
holed up in an abandoned museum. She had enslaved a real danger is from falls. A Strength CST prevents this.
number of technicians (humans, that is) who were forced to Tremors are assigned a Force (score rolled on 1D6 x 5). If
develop intricate defenses for her. Adding some telepathic inside a building with Structural Stability less than this
capability to allow the Rat to communicate with humans can number, all are exposed to Structural Hazards (see page
also be interesting. They should not be overlooked in the 19). If the campaign is in a heavy quake area (West Coast,
quest for unique non-player characters. Hawaii, etc.) the Force die roll can be increased.
Contaminated Rain: If the water is radioactive, assign the
rainfall a REM per Hour figure, just as you do for other
EVENT ENCOUNTERS (Roll 10100) sources of nuclear contamination. If it contains a
biological or chamical contaminant, assign it a rate factor.
01-10 An opportunity for Search Skill is found. If BCS made, This represents the concentrations of contaminant in the
a find is generated as if the characters had been water. Rate factors should be on the order of Virulence
Foraging (see Foraging, page 11) Groups per Hour. Since the contaminating agent has an
11-15 Characters hear a firefight break out several blocks inherent Virulence, when the characters have been
away exposed to the rain for a sufficient period of time for it to
generate that Group they must save against exposure to
16-25 Characters see a combat occurring some blocks away the contaminant. Thus, a storm carrying a Group 2
26-35 Characters come across a source of campaign biological agent (a disease) starts, with a rate factor of 1
background: political information, location of some per hour. For every two hours of exposure, thecharacters
scenario, information about a major Non-Player will have t o save against catching that disease.
Character, etc. Acid rains will have a maximum level, and will attack
36-50 Characters observe some open-ended situation: the characters as Acid does for every hour of exposure, at
Ghouls getting ready to butcher their victims, that level. These are mostly encountered in campaigns
attempted rape, lynch mob getting the rope ready, where civilization polluted itself into the Ruin.
woman going into labor, someone in imminent Y o u r E n c o u n t e r T a b l e s h o u l d a l s o have
danger, etc. Can escalate into a mini-scenario uncontaminated storms in it, to keep Players guessing.
51-55 Aircraft of some kind flies overhead Windstorms: Very high winds are assigned a value once
they exceed 30 knots (about 50 kph). For every 20 kPh
56-65 A vehicle of some kind drives by at high speed above 50, they will add 1 to the effective Encumbrance
66-70 A Sniper opens fire at 200-meter range with a rifle. He Status of characters forced to move through them. They
will fire until spotted and then run away (probably also wipe out sounds beyond a range of about 2 meters, if
escaping) that much. Tornadoes and other such high-powered wind
storms will apply a Blast effect to characters in their area
71-75 Characters wander into a minefield. Gamesmaster
of influence (a touchdown within 50 meters). This should
should distribute 2D6 mines on the map around the be about 2020 + 10 of Blast. They will affect buildings as
characters, at random or in a pattern of his choice. Use Earthquakes do. A hurricane or direct hit bya tornado W i l l
DAT display for this situation have a Force in this regard of about 1D10x.5.
76-80 Characters see a UFO Flash Floods: These expose the characters to a situation
81-85 Phone in nearby booth or building rings where they must swim for their lives, to the nearest point
18

of safety the Gamesmaster designates (say 1 D50 meters Gamesmaster should roll this percentage before applying
to reach some kind of safety). The flood is given a score of the damage to the character, as the Special Effects may alter
1D3, or 1D6 if it is a nasty one, which is subtracted from the effects of the Hazard.
tlie swimming BCS.
HAZARD SPECIAL EFFECTS (Roll 1D100)
These are the principal forms of dangerous natural 01-10 Narrow escape! Take only 1 point of Subdual Damage
phenomena to be encountered in Aftermath! Since the most
that characters can do when confronted by such attacks is to 11-30 No special effects either way
try to survive, it is not advisable to use them too liberally. 31-50 Disabling Damage to random Location. Unable to use
affected part of body until Health AST made (check
LOCAL CONDITIONS every hour). Disable to Head or Torso means
unconsciousness
These will not usually be the kind of thing encountered
without pre-planning. As far as the more fixed and generally 51-70 Conked on the head! Out cold until Health AST made
known Local Conditions in the campaign go, they will be the (check hourly)
major Communities and tribal or gang territories, major 71-85 Buried! Task Points equal to damage potential
contaminated areas, and places having reputations as required to dig victim out. Strength AST needed to dig,
strange or dangerous. This is assuming that the Player with a Task Period of 1 Combat Turn. Victim may dig
Characters are all natives of the area in question. Locals himself out, but uses Strength CST and is minus 1
would know where you do not want to go in their territory- effective Strength Group
just ask your host the next time you visit New York City (if
you already live in New York, you know what I mean). 86-90 Buried!! As above, but victim is subjected to
Of course, there are Local Conditions that no one is really Constriction attack by the debris each Combat Turn
sure of. That bandit gang is likely to start staking out new he is in there. Applied vs. Torso at a base value equal to
areas once everybody gets the word about their old turf. The Hazards Group as Strength Group
contaminated rain might leave a new section of town 91-95 Fall! Take a Fall result from an effective height equal to
unhealthy for humans. Such things would receive the Hazards Group in meters
Gamesmasters attention from time to time, as he does the
96-00 As Fall, but effective height is equal to Hazard Group
housekee pi ng on his c a mpaig n .
Effect Die roll
STABI LITY When applying this system in Strategic, Tactical, or the
The Structural Stability is a score measuring the physical variable scale used for Foraging, roll 1D10 to determine the
condition of a given building, buildings, or even least-safe Structural Stability to be encountered in that turn,
neighborhood. It is expressed as a number from 1 to 10, for purposes of calculating the Hazard. If you do not wish to
where 1 means that the building is little more than ashell and make such events very common (a good idea in many
10 implies that it is as solid as the day it was built. Some campaigns-theyre hazardous enough), use 2D10 to
buildings (earthquake-proof or hardened sites) will have a determine random Stability, thus eliminating frequent
higher score than 10. Exposure to fire, explosives, storms, occurrences of unsafe structures.
and the inexorable passage of time all tend to lower the In Detailed Action Time Scale (DAT), since the action is
Structural Stability of a building. When the Characters enter mapped out, and individual buildings are dealt with rather
a building with a score of less than 10, they are in danger of than whole blocks at a time, assign each building involved a
encountering a Building Hazard. Structural Stability. If structural Hazards are not in tune with
In larger time scales than Detailed Action Time, each turn the scenario being played, assumea valueof 10. Then simply
(of whatever length) spent moving in a building with a less- indicate dangerous locations (flights of stairs, fire escapes,
than-perfect Structural Stability requires a check for rotted floor areas, crumbling walls or ceilings) on your map
Hazards. Roll lD10: if the die roll is greater than the of the building.
Structural Stability of the building, a Hazard has been If you want some variety, you can vary the Structural
encountered. Stability of the building. Say it has an overall score of 9,
This will expose the members of the party who fail to make making long treks through it pretty safe. But the doorway
a Search, Urban BCS roll, minusa penaltyequal to lodivided (the locked one) has a Stability of 4 , if it is forced open, while
by the Structural Stability, nearest, to an attack by the that landing has a score of 6, not to mention the hole in the
Hazard. The BCS for the Hazard is equal to 18 minus the wall over there, lurking with a score of 1, waiting for some
Structural Stability score. Characters can defend against idiot to try crawling through it. Hazard encounters in DAT are
this only with their CDA, reducing the BCS by that amount. If aimed only at the character(s) who trigger them, not the
they make a Speed AST, they will double their CDA. A CST whole party, unless they are all in on the decisive action.
will triple it. A Critical Hit will avoid the Hazards attack In calling Hazard situations in larger scales, it will add
entirely. immeasurably to play i f some plausible event is used to
If the Hazard hits a character, he is exposed to a damage describe the misfortune, rather than a dry announcement
potential in Crush type damage equal to the Effect Die roll for that so-and-so has just taken so many points of damage.
a Group determined by subtracting the Structural Stability Creative Player reactions to such calls should be rewarded
from 10, multiplied by a random WDM equivalent. This is by better odds of escape. Dumb player response should
determined bv rolling 1D6 and multiplying that score times probably be proportionately punished, but we leave this to
.5. This attacks the victims Average Armor Value. the Gamesmasters mercy (his what??).
A building with Structural Stabilityof 3 will havea Groupof
7, for an Effect Die of 2D10 + 2, and rolling the D6, the
Gamesmaster gets a 5, for a WDM of 2.5. This is the kind of
RANDOM COVER
damage potential that a Hazard in that building would levy Another element of creating the environment that Player
against a character. Characters may evince a keen interest in from timeto time, is
The damage potential of a given Hazards attack on a the availability of some form of cover from missile fire. As
character is also the percentage chance of Hazard Special they wander a wilderness peopled by trigger-happy
Effects, some quirk of the situation that may redound to his neighbors, the ability to get ones person out of harms way in
good or ill. After generating the damage potential, the a hurry may be of critical importance.
19

The chances of locating cover i n a given type of terrain are
given on the table below. Simply roll 1D20, cross-reference
the score rolled with the typeof terrain in which thecharacter
finds himself, and the resulting cover situation is available
within 2D3 meters of the character. If the roll indicates "No
Cover," a Search BCS of the appropriate type may be roiled
for, If it is made, then a second try for locating cover may be
made. The cover, if any is found, will be 2D10 + 5 meters away.
If "No Cover" is again the result, there is no chance of any
more beina found until the Character has moved at least 25
meters f r o k his present position.
RANDOM COVER TABLE
Rubble City Suburbs Open Forest Swamp
No Cover 1-3 1 1-2 1-4 1-3 1-3 1-5
Visual Cover 1 4-5 2-3 3-5 5-8 4-7 4-8 6-9
Visual Cover 2 6-7 4-6 6-9 9-10 8-1 1 9-13 10-11
Prone Cover 8-12 7-8 10-13 11 12-15 14-16 12
1 m. Cover 13-15 9-12 14-16 12-17 16-17 17-18 13-18
Chest Cover 16-18 13-16 17-18 18-19 18-19 19 19
Full Cover 19-20 17-20 19-20 20 20 20 20
Visual Cover 1 and 2 are described under Target Cover i n the
\
Firearms Rules (Book 2, p. 34).
Prone Cover will afford cover to a prone character. He may
fire over this as described in the Firearms Rules (Firing
from Cover; (Book 2, p. 33).
1 m. Cover is some form of Cover extending about 1 meter
high.
Chest Cover will cover a standing man from Location 6
down. He may fire over it from a standing position, crouch
behind it to be completely covered, or kneel to fire around
the corner of it.
Full Cover will cover a standing man completely. He may fire
around the corner from behind it. It may be a wall or
building, a thick tree, etc.
Unless the Gamesmaster decrees otherwise, solid cover is
assumed to be some material not penetrable by bullets. He
may choose to make it of some logical material based on
terrain (stone, brick, construction plastics in urban areas;
wood, stone, or old brick in more rural ones).
This rule is designed for use in Strategic or Tactical Scale
situations where the Gamesmaster does not have a detailed
map of the area. In Deatiled Action Scale, cover or its lack will
be based on what the map shows.
20

BEASTS
The clash between man and beast is a classic situation of Due to the multitude of factors involved, no set pattern of
fantasy adventure. Many tales of Post-Ruin worlds postulate Saving Throws involving Wit is given for animals. The
the release of animals in zoos and their subsequent re- Gamesmaster should evaluate his opinion of the animals
adaptation to the wild and proliferation in the city owning the capabilities and the situation, and decide on a value for a
zoo. This allows a Gamesmaster to present the adventuring Saving Throw. Such a value would be used in that situation
characters with encounters involving beasts not native to the only; remember that a given animal is rarely fooled in the
country in which the campaign is set. Many Post-Ruin same way twice.
scenarios also posit the return of native animal species to Animals are capable of moving at a higher-than-normal
former numbers and habitats. speed, or Run, in the same way as humans.
In a world of reduced resources, encountered animals Unless specified otherwise, the resolution of Hit Location
may also prove to be a valuable food resource for characters on an animal will be done using the quadruped table and
short on rations. The preceding, of course, assumes that the body map. Similarly a beast will occupy two hexes on the
animals do not first make the characters into rations to feed DAT display in the manner of a horse.
the wife and cubs. The letter appearing after an animals BCS is an evaluation
Beasts are presented in two categories, the hostile of the weapon length for determining Zones of Influence
(carnivores, omnivores, and scavengers which might attack and Effect Die modifications due to range.
a man as a food source) and the non-hostile (herbivores
which would rather flee or hide than fight).
Most animals operate according to programmed response HOSTILE ANIMALS
patterns. A deer, for example, will run when threatened
The kinds of hostile beasts are grouped according to the
unless it is cornered, or believes itself cornered. The
kind of animal (cat, dog, etc.). A general description is given
Gamesmaster is provided with some guidelines for the
of attack and response patterns. This is followed by a listing
responses of the animals detailed later in this section.
of specifics for some beasts in that grouping.
Animals are, however, notorious for doing the unexpected.
This should be kept in mind by the Gamesmaster to be used
when Players let their characters get too confident. BEARS
Each detailed animal is presented with a set of statistics Bears are omnivores and do not really hunt prey of a
similar to those used for humans. These are a collection of substantial size. They have been known to attack men when
abilities, characteristics, and skills. In many cases, the wounded, threatened, frightened, protecting young, or
derivation of an animals Ability is not the same as for a denied something they want, such as a picnic lunch. Bears
human. If an animal is required to make a Saving Throw for are given two Base Movement Allowances, one for
zome reason, the number to be used can bedetermined from quadrupedal and one for bipedal stance. They will move
the statistics given. I f a Deftness or Speed Saving Throw is about quadrupedally, but will tend to attack men in bipedal
required use the beasts Base Action Phase times 2 as its stance. Use the appropriate Hit Location Table.
Attribute for the Throw. Treat its Mass as its Strength for Bears favor attacking with their paws. Such blows have
Saving Throws involving that Attribute or for determining an incredible power behind them and a check fora Bash should
Effect Die, if a matching of Strengths is needed for any be made when a Paw attack is successful. If the bear scores
reason. For Health Saving Throws,Hostile animals will have a two successful Paw hits on the body of acharacter, there isa
value of one-third their Mass. This is used for both Critical 50% chance that the attack will become a hug. Damage for
and Ability Saving Throws. Non-hostile animals have a only one of the paws is delivered to the character, but he will
percentage Saving Throw equal to their Shock Factor. be held as if he had received a Pin from a character using
Most animals are not particularly intelligent, as we use the Unarmed Combat Skill. The character need not be prone to
term, but are crafty and wary. Their keener senses prevent receive this result. Once the bear has a character in a hug, it
them, in many cases, from being fooled as easily as a man. will attempt to bite him on each Action. It will also do
constriction attacks on each Action. The Mass of the bear is
used to determine the Effect Die to generate the constriction
results.
Black Bear
BAP: 10 Bite BCS: 6(S) WDM: l , L
MNA: 2 Paw BCS: 12(A) WDM: 1.5,B
PCA: 5 Damage Die: 1D10
BMA/quad.: 1 1/4 Mass: 20
bi.: 1
AV: 5
WDA: 2
CDA: 2
DRT: (3D6 + 15) x 2
SF: 20
21

Grizzly Bear rolls are compared. If the cats is higher, the victim will fall
BAP: 8 Bite BCS: 6(S) WDM: l , L and is treated as if he had fallen from a height equal to twice
the CDA multiplier gained by the speed at which he was
MNA: 1 Paw BCS: 14(A) WDM: 2.5,B traveling. That is, a character Running (CDA modifier is 3)
PCA: 8 Damage Die: 206 will be treated as falling 2 x 3 or 6 meters.
BMNquad.: 1 1/2 Mass: 40 BAP: 16 Bite BCS: 15(S) WDM: 1.5,L
bi.: 1 MNA: 3 Damage Die: 1D6
AV: 5 PCA: 5 Mass: 4
WDA: 2 BMA: 2
CDA: 1 AV: 3
DRT: (406 + 15) x 2.5 WDA: 2
SF:25 CDA: 4
Polar or Kodiak Bear DRT: (1D6 + 10) x 2
BAP: 8 Bite BCS: 6(S) WDM: 1.2,L SF: 10
MNA: 2 Paw BCS: 14(A) WDM: 3.5,B Feral Cat
PCA: 4 Damage Die: 2D6 BAP: 15 Bite BCS: 12(S) WDM: 1.3,L
BMNquad.: 1 1/2 Mass: 55 MNA: 3 Claw BCS: 12(S) WDM: 1.5,L
bi.: 1
PCA: 5 Damage Die: 1D2
AV: 5
BMA: 1 Mass: 1
WDA: 2 AV: 2
CDA: 1
WDA: 1
DRT: (4010 + 15) x 2.5
CDA: 4
SF:35 DRT: 2D10 + 3
SF: 5
CATS
Cats are hunters capable of silently stalking their prey. The Puma or Leopard
usual tactic is t o approach quietly, if possible, then to leap BAP: 14 Bite BCS: 16(S) WDM: 1.5,L
upon it to drag it down and kill it. Most cats are solitary
hunters though some will hunt in pairs. MNA: 2 Claw BCS: 14(A) WDM: 1.7,L
A cat may pounce. This involves making a Jump Action PCA: 7 Damage Die: 1D6
at the end of which an attack is resolved. The animal can
BMA: 2 Mass: 10
cover a maximum distance equal to its PCA times its BMA in
the leap, if moving, and half that from a standing start. The AV: 3
attack at the end of the leap will consist of a Bash and two WDA: 2
Claw attacks. These claw attacks do half the normal damage
but serve to let the cat grip its victim. Once gripped, the CDA: 3
victim will be encumbered by the cats Mass. The cat will then DRT: (1 D6+10)x2.5
either bite (60% chance) or claw with the hind feet in an SF:15
attempt to disembowel the prey. The claw attacks receive a
-10 to the Hit Location roll. A bite attack has a Hit Location Lion
die roll modifier of +lo. If a bite is successful on Locations 1
Lions operate in prides of 2D3 which cooperate in hunting.
or 2, the cat and the victim will match Strength Effect Die
rolls. If the cats is higher, the victim must make a Health BAP: 12 Bite BCS: 17(S) WDM: 1.5,L
Saving Throw as if he had fallen. A die roll of 2Owill requirea MNA: 2 Claw BCS: 15(A) WDM: 1.8,L
save as if the character had received aTrauma Critical Effect
at that Location. A successful hit by thecat on Location 3 will PCA: 6 Damage Die: 1D6+2
allow it to attack as if it were a character achieving a Choke BMA: 1 1/2 Mass: 18
with Unarmed Combat Skill.
Cats killing for food will make a single kill. Some will then
AV: 3 except for males: Locations 3-7 have AV 4
remove the victim from the site preparatory to eating. Like WDA: 2
most animals, cats will fight to the death in defense of young. CDA: 3
Unlike many animals, some cats will hunt even when a food
supply is available. DRT: (2D6 + 15) x 2.5
Cheetah
The cheetahs attack methods follow those of dogs more
than those of cats. For one Combat Turn while at a Run, a
cheetah may increase his BMA to 8.After this Combat Turn,
the cheetah must decelerate to a stop. It may not use this
burst of speed again for one-half hour. This burst will
damage the animal by 1 point of subdual damage for each
Action Phase on which it was moving at the special BMA. If
the cheetah achieves a successful bite attack while pursuing
(it may make this attack while moving), Strength Effect Die
22

Tigers Attack-trained dogs have their BCS increased by 2 and their
BAP: 11 Bite BCS: 18(S) WDM: 1.5,L Damage Die increased by one step. The step after 1D6 is
1D10.
MNA: 2 Claw BCS: 16(A) WDM: 2,L
Wolf
PCA: 5 Damage Die: l D l O + 1
Bap: 15 Bite BCS: 15(S) WDM: 1.7
BMA: 1 1/2 Mass: 18
MNA: 2 Damage Die: 2D3
AV: 3
PCA: 7 Mass: 4
WDA: 2
BMA: 2 112
CDA: 3
AV: 3
DRT: (4D5 + 10) x 2.5 WDA: 2
SF: 20
CDA: 3
DRT: 4D10 + 20
DOGS SF: 15
Dogs are primarily chasers. They tend t o hunt in
cooperative packs. The most powerful dog is usually the
leader of the pack.
Some members of a pack will attack the victim in an
attempt to get a grip. If the bite BCS die roll is under 50% of
thescore neededfora hit (12 neededand6orless rolled), the
dog will have gotten a grip and his Mass will encumber the
victim. Other members of the pack will attempt to kill the
encumbered victim. Onceadog hasagriponavictim, itdoes
not need to roll for an attack. It will do its damage to a victim
in each Action. Armor will make all damage received up to its
Armor Value act as subdual damage. All damage beyond that
is lethal.
If the victim is standing or moving, the dogs will attempt to
bring him down. This is checked for on the bookkeeping
Phase. This is accomplished by matching the Effect Die rolls
for the combined Strengths of all the dogs which have a grip
and for the victim's Strength. If the dogs' is higher, the victim
will be brought down. The victim will be treated as if he had
fallen from a height equal to the CDA multiplier gained for
the speed at which he was moving.
Dogs achieving Hit Locations of 1-3 are treated as cats
who achieve the same Locations when they make a
successful bite.
Feral Dogs
Statistics will vary by the size of thedog. A pack may easily
be composed of dogs of various sizes. The smaller dogs are
often the ones "assigned" the task of encumbering the
victim. Dog sizes are given a classification (I, II, Ill, etc.) to
identify the size grouping. Dogs only occupy 1 hex on the
DAT display. Dogs I and II may have as many as 3 in one hex
without restriction and Dogs Ill may have 2 in one space
without restriction.
Dog I (5 kg) II (10 kg) 111 (15 kg) IV (20 kg) V (30 kg) VI (40 kg) VI1 (over 40 kg)
BAP 16 14 12 12 10 12 12
MNA 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
PCA 8 7 6 6 5 6 6
BMA 1/2 1 1 1/2 2 2 2 2
AV 0 1 2 2 3 3 3
WDA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
CDA 5 4 4 4 3 3 3
DRT 1D6 2D10 + 3 4D6 + 3 306 + 8 2D10 + 10 3D10 + 15 3D10 + 20
SF 2 4 6 8 12 12 15
Bite BCS (S) 8 9 10 11 1.2 13 14
WDM: L 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.7
Damage Die 1 point 1 point 1D2 1D3 1D3 1D6 1D6
Mass .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 4
23

REPTILES A character may make a Strength AST to attempt to throw
off a coil. This allows him to compare Strength Effect Die
Reptiles are for the most part non-aggressive toward man rolls with the serpent. If the character's roll is higher, thecoil
but are included here for their dangerous potential and is thrown off. One coil may be thrown off per Action.
popular appearances i n fiction. The snake may attempt to throw additional coils on a
Alligator victim to the maximum of three. Throwing additional coils
does not interfere with its constriction attack of coils that are
The alligator is generally inoffensive to something thesize
already lapping the victim.
of a full-grown human, although its relative the crocodile will
Any attempts to attack a constrictor which is coiled on a
attack a man. Alligators will defend their nests and attack
character will require the attacker to make a Deftness CST or
threats if they cannot escape from them.
An alligator will occupy 3 hexes on the DAT display. A the attack will be made against the character in the snake's
coils. Characters attempting to help who have both hands
character entering the Tail Zone of the alligator (see
free need not make the Strength AST in order to match Effect
illustration) is subject to a free attack from the tail. An
alligator may attack targets in his Tail Zone as well as regular Die rolls with the snake for removing coils. The Effect Die
rolls are matched if the helping character simply declares
targets in one Attack Action without negative modifiers for
that he is spending the Action attempting to remove a coil,
the two attacks.
A character in a snake's coils will be encumbered by 1/3 of
the serpent's Mass for each coil which it has on the victim.
Constrictors, as well as other snakes, are given two BAP
numbers. The first is the one used by the snake if it is moving.
The second is used when the snake is initiating a striking
Attack Action. In the case of a constrictor, it would attempt to
TAIL ZONE bite a victim on Action Phase 16 (resolving on Action Phase
8) and could attempt t o throw coils, ifthe bite was successful,
on Action Phase 7 (resolving constriction on Phase 0).Once
securely anchored on a victim, the serpent can attempt to
coil on each Action, and it will use the BAP for moving to
control its actions.
For purposes of Hit Location, only a roll of 01 to 05 will hit
Alligator on land the head. All other attacks strike the body. Constrictors are
4 + 203 meters long, but only occupy 1 hex when coiled.
BAP: 8 Bite BCS: 12(S) WDM: 2,L BAP: 6 (16) Bite BCS: 14(A) WDM: 1.3,L
Damage Die: l D l O MNA: 1 (2) Damage Die: 2D3
MNA: 2
Tail BCS: 10(A) WDM: 1.8,C PCA: 6(8) Coil BCS: l 8 ( S ) WDM: 1.5, constriction
PCA: 4 Damage Die: 1D6 plus Bash attack Damage Die: 1D6
BMA: 1/2
Mass: 15
BMA: 1/2 Mass: 13 AV: 3
WDA: 2
AV on Locations 17 to 28: 4
7, 10, 13, 16, 29, 30: 5 CDA: 2
4: 3 DRT: 4D6 + 25
other Locations: 6 SF: 25
WDA: 1 Rattlesnake
CDA: 1 The rattler is the most common poisonous snake found in
North America. It normally attacks only when disturbed.
DRT: (3D6 + 10) x 2.5 It follows the strike/movement pattern presented with
constrictors, except that it does not coil around a victim. It
SF: 20 has the same Hit Location pattern as constrictors, with a 1- to
2-meter length.
Alligator in water has the following changes A rattlesnake will have 303 units of its poison when
encountered. Each unit is an equivalent of a Strength Rating
BAP: 10 PCA: 5 CDA: 2 of 1 for the poison. Additional doses are cumulative. The
Larger alligators are possible. They would do more snake will inject 1D2 units per successful bite.
damage and have a greater Mass but would not necessarily BAP: 6 (18) Bite BCS: lO(S)' WDM: 1.5,L
be slower. MNA: 2 Damage Die: 1D6 plus poison
Constrictor PCA: 3 (9) Mass: .5
Although they do not really attack prey as large as men, BMA: 1/2
giant constrictors have always been held to do so in
AV: 2
adventure fiction. Thus they are included here.
Constrictors often wait above their prey in order to drop WDA: 2
down upon it. The snake will first attempt to strike the victim CDA: 2
and get a grip on him with its mouth. This works as for dogs
except that once the grip is gained no more damage is done. DRT: 2D6
Once a grip is gotten, the snake will loop 1D3 coils around its SF: 10
victim. These coils will do constriction damage at 1D6 per
coil per Action. Coils are thrown at the start of a snake's * A character's WDA is not applicable against this attack.
Action once the serpent has a grip. Damage Done is only calculated for purposes of determining
24

whether the armor is penetrated for the poison to be injected. Super- Rat
If it is, the character will take 1 point of lethal damage. BAP: 17 Bite BCS: 12(VS) WDM: 1.5,L
Rattlesnake poison: S-L-DFT.SPD-2D3 hours-per unit MNA: 2 Damage Die: 1D3
injected- 1 hr.-Nausea Rats per Mob: 6 BCSfRat: 3
PCA: 8
WDM: .3/Rat Damage Die: 103+2
RODENTS BMA: 1/4
Mass: .3
Rodents, although small, are dangerous in large numbers. AV: 1
They may also carry disease and therefore pose a serious WDA: 1
hazard.
More than one rodent may occupy a DAT display hex CDA: 6
without Restricting the other rodents in the hex. The exact DRT: 2
number is specified in the rodent description. Rodents are SF: -
not affected by most kinus of Treacherous Ground.
Rodents are capable of mass attacks. This form of attack is
called Mobbing. The number of rodents required to initiatea SHARKS
Mob attack will vary according to the type of rodent. A Mob
has a BCS of 20. Each rodent in the Mob that is killed will Sharks are killing machines of an unpredictable nature.
reduce that BCS by the BCS/Rodent factor. The full Overall A shark may make one attack per Action but it may make it
Defense Ability may be applied against a Mob attack. The at any point in the Action. Sharks are always moving and the
damage inflicted bya Mobattack will beapplied tothe lowest minimum move per Action Phase is the BMA. Sharks usually
AV the character has. move a high speed during an attack run, but at low speed at
A Mob must be in the same hex as the victim in order to all other times.
attack. If the victim moves, the Mob will stay with him. Mobs Hit Location on a shark uses a special table:
can be restored to full strength by the arrival of more of that
type of rodent. HIT LOCATION TABLE FOR SHARKS
An attack made against a Mob by the Mobbed character is Die Roll Location
subject to a number of non-ignorable Distractions equal to 01-30 Head (1)
one-half the number of surviving rodents, rounded up. A 31-65 Body (2)
successful attack will apply the damage done to all the 66-70 Right Fin (3)
rodents in the mob to a maximum of the characters MNA. 71-74 Left Fin (4)
Thus, a character successfully attacking a Mob of rodents 75-78 Dorsal Fin ( 5 )
with 2 points of DRT each and doing 7 points of damage 79-00 Tail (6)
would slay three of the vermin if his MNA was 3, but only two
if his MNA was 2. If the rodents had 8 points each, he would
not even have slain the first one,
With regard to Overall Defense Ability, a Mob has the
Defense Ability of a single rodent of that type.
A character attempting to help a Mobbed character faces
the same problems in attacking as when attempting to aid a
character in the coils of a constrictor. Individual rodents may
be pulled off with a Deftness CST and thrown away. A
strength AST will stun the vermin thrown and a CST will kill
it. One attempt may be made per Action although i f both
hands are free, the helping character may grasp for two
rodents with the number required for each grasp reduced by
1.
Rats
BAP: 15 Bite BCS: lO(VS) WDM: 1.5,L
MNA: 2 Damage Die: 1D2
PCA: 7 Rats per Mob: 10 BCS/Rat: 2
BMA: 1/4 WDM: .2/Rat Damage Die: 1D3+1

AV: 1 Mass: .25
WDA: 0
CDA: 6 Acharactermayawait asharksattack inordertostrikeit in
DRT: 1 an attempt to abort the attack. A Strength AST allows a
percentage chance of aborting the sharks attack which is
SF: - dependent on the sharks size. A Strength CST doubles this
chance.
A specially-designed anti-shark weapon known as a bang
stick has a chance of killing a shark almost instantly. The
weapon is a pole which has a 00 shotgun shell at the end.
When struck on the shark at Location 2 it will explode. The
BDG is the percent chance that the shark will be killed. This
is reduced by the sharks size classification. A Deftness CST
is required to land the attack successfully. If the die roll was
in the characters Ability Saving Throw range, thecharge will
go off but it will do only the normal damage to the shark.
25

Sharks are notoriously hard t o kill. A shark will continue to
operate for 2D6 Actions after its DRT has been exceeded by
damage done.
The sharks size classification is its chance in 20 of a
Critical Hit. This is rolled for separately on each successful
hit. A die roll of 1 on the attack roll indicates a Critical Hit as
usual and this roll need not be made.
The sharks size classification is also the chance in twenty
that it will shake its victim, doing an additional 1D3 of lethal
damage per size classification.
Sharks are capable of going into frenzy. When
circumstances apply, a die roll greater than the sharks size
classification on 1D10 will cause a shark to go into frenzy.
Circumstances that may trigger frenzy are excessive
amounts of blood in the water or large numbers of feeding
sharks in the area. Once a shark is in frenzy, its BAP has
203 added to it, its MNA is doubled, its CDA is halved, and it
is allowed to make a second attack if the first misses. This
second attack has one-half the.BCS of the first attack.
Sharks tend to fixate on a victim. They will often push past
obstructions and people in their way in order to strike again
at a victim that they have already attacked.
Shark I ( 1 m) II (2 m) 111 (4 m) IV (6 m) VI (over 8 m)

BAP 14 13 12 11 10
MNA 3 2 2 1 1
PCA 4 6 6 11 10
BMA 4 3 3 4 4
AV 4 4 5 5 6
WDA: none
CDA 9 7 5 3 2 2
DRT 2D5 x 2 (2D5+5)x2 (2D 10+5)x2 (2D10+10) x2.5 (3D10+1O)x2.5 (4D10+15)x3
SF 10 20 30 40 40 50
Bite BCS 12 12 16 16 18 18
WDM 2,L
Damage Die 1D3+3 1D6+1 lDlO+l 2 D6 2D10 3D10
Mass 1 2 8 24 72 72 +
Attack abandonment 70O/o 60% 50% 35% 20% 10%
percentage
NON-HOSTILE ANIMALS
For the most part, non-hostile animals will appear in the
course of play simply as Game, a food source. To this end,
whenever t h e c h a r a c t e r s e n c o u n t e r Game, t h e
Gamesmaster should consult the table below. It will require
the expenditure of a round of ammunition and a successful
BCS roll to acquireeach animal. Reusableammunition, such
as arrows, may be recovered if the BCS roll is successful. The
BCS will receive a negative modifier of 206 for the first shot
and an additional -2 for each shot thereafter until all the
game has been shot or missed. Only one attempt is allowed
per animal.
GAME TABLE Hide Available
Die roll Classification Mass In Locations (Armor Material)
01-1 5 Small Game 1D3x.5 103 (LH)
16-55 2D6 Small Game
56-69 Medium Game 1D3x1.5 2D3 (LH)
70-79 2D3 Medium Game
80-93 Large Game 2D6x2.5 1D3 (LH); 2D6 (HH)
94-95 1D3 Large Game
96-99 Very Large Game 2D6x5 1D6 (LH); 2D10 (HH)
00 1D3 Very Large Game
26

Some specifics are given for some interesting but normally
non-hostile animals.
MUTANT ANIMALS
The mutagen-rich world of Affermafh! will undoubtedly
Razorback produce changes in the fauna of earth. Most mutations will
This is a pig which has reverted back toward the wild boar be harmfvl but some will be beneficial and someof these will
of its ancestry. Such animals are well-known for the become established in the gene pools of species. Such
tendency to hunt a hunter who has wounded them. When processes are lengthy in terms of generations.
engaged in such activity, they show considerable cunning. New species arising from mutations due to the Ruin will
These can be very dangerous game. first be seen in animals with a short generation period. The
BAP: 12 Tusk BCS: 14(S) WDM: 2,L plus Bash effects of such mutations can be widely varied. A
Gamesmaster who wishes to include mutant animals in his
MNA: 3 Damage Die: 1D10 campaign should design a mutation that suits him. Peshould
PCA: 4 Mass: 15 keep in mind that fantastic powers will not appear overnight.
Such things take time to prove their worth and increasetheir
BMA: 1
strength.
AV: 3 Some examples of possible paths of mutation are provided
WDA: 3 in this section. The Gamesmaster should guide himself with
realistic parameters, but should also not allow himself to be
CDA: 3 trapped by them if he feels that an improbable mutation will
DRT: (2D10+10)x1.5 make the game more exciting.
SF: 15
Rodents
Rodents are notorious for their short generation periods.
Rhinoceros Suggested here are some variations o n rats which could
A large brute which will charge anything it thinks is worth plague the survivors of a Ruin.
charging; that is to say, anything. Poor eyesight is part of the Giant Rats
reason behind this behavior. The rhino's hearing and sense
of smell are reasonably good, as is its ability to detect These monsters resemble regular rats in most particulars,
motion. A rhinoceros will move through a character's hex although they arevery large. They occupy asingle hex on the
and subject him totrampling possibilitiesas a horsedoes but DAT display. Weighing in at about 10 kilograms, they are the
the damage done will be different. This will occur if the strike size of a small dog.
with the horn does not succeed. If the horn strike succeeds, a Super Giant Rats are further along in the evolutionary
character will be thrown 2D3 meters from the rhino. He will, process and are even larger. They mass about 20 kilograms.
of course, be subject to falling results as if he had fallen the They do not use Mob attacks.
distance he was thrown. A thrown character will not be Giant Rat
trampled at that point although the animal may return to
trample him. BAP: 12 Bite BCS: 14(VS) WDM: 1.5,L
MNA: 2 Damage Die: 2D3 + 1
BAP: a Horn BCS: 12(A) WDM: 1.5,L (thrust)
Rats per Mob: 3 BCS/Rat: 6
Damage Die: 2D6 PCA: 6
MNA: 1 WDM/Rat: .6 Damage Die: 2D3
PCA: a Trampling damage: 3D10,B i f trampled BMA: .33
Mass: 1
Mass: 100 AV: 2
BMA: 2
WDA: 1
AV: 5
CDA: 5
WDA: 0
DRT: 2D3x2
CDA: 2
SF: 5
DRT: (1D20 + 40) x 3
SF: 35
Elephant and
Elephant Rhinoceros on
An elephant's principal form of attack will be either by
trampling a character or by grabbing him with the trunk and
flinging him through the air. Flung characters will travel 206
meters.
Elephants occupy several hexes on the DAT display as
shown in the illustration.
BAP: 10 Trunk BCS: 12 WDM: none
MNA: 1 Trample damage: 4D10,B
PCA: 10 Mass: 200
BMA: 1
AV: 4
WDA: 1
CDA: 1
DRT: (2D10 + 60) X 2.5
SF:40
27

Super Glant Rats INSECTS
BAP: 8 Bite Bcs: 13(S) WDM: 1.6,L Various insects will undoubtedly be changed by the Ruin.
MNA: 1 Damage Die: 203 + 2 Only one is given attention here, the redoubtable cockroach.
PCA: 8 Mass: 2 Giant Cockroaches
BMA: 1 These noxious insects are basically scavengers. They
AV: 2 cause little damage to an active character but an
unconscious character is in serious danger.
WDA: 2 Five of these monsters can cover 1 Location on a
CDA: 4 character. If the character is unresisting, thosefive will cause
him 1 point of lethal damage per Combat Turn regardless of
DRT: (206 + 5) x 2 armor. If the character is in completely environmentally-
SF: 12 sealed armor, they will begin to chew through the gaskets at
the joints at the rate of 1 point of AV per hour. These vermin
Ruin Rats only attack in Mobs of five.
These monstrosities followed a different path from the BAP: 20 Bite BCS: lO(VS) WDM: l , L
giant rats. They are beginning t o develop intelligence. Their MNA: 5 Damage Die: 1D3/Mob of 5
manipulative abilities are still poor, although they can use
simple tools. I n times of stress, they tend to revert to animal PCA: 4 Mass: .1
instincts and lose the benefits of their semi-intelligent status. BMA: .5
Ruin Rat AV: 0
BAP: 12 Bite BCS: 12(VS) WDM: 1.5.L WDA: none
MNA: 2 Damage Die: 1 0 3 + 1
CDA: 6
PCA: 6 Hand-use BCS: 9 WDM: variable
DRT:
Damage Die: 1D5
BMA: .33
Mass: 2
SF: -
AV: 2 A character making a successful attack against these may
WDA: 3 eliminate 1 Location worth for each point of MNA he has.
Brawling Combat, Unarmed Combat Skills areappropriate,
CDA: 4 as is a Deftness Ability Saving Throw. The character may
DRT: (10 3 + 5) x 1.5 use whichever will give him the best chance.
SF: 5
APES
Master Rats A successful series of tales deals with a Post-Holocaust
world in which much of what remains is held by apes which
These take the Ruin Rats a step further. Though incapable
have reached human levels of intelligence. If a Gamesmaster
of human speech, they are of near-human intelligence. They wishes to set his campaign in such a world, we provide the
have difficulty dealing with non-concrete ideas and
following guidelines.
concepts, but can easily use mans devices. Their forepaws
A campaign set in such a world could deal with any oneof a
are developed to such a degree that they can even use
number of periods, which will involve humans in various
handguns, although their body structure does not allow
stages of evolutionary or devolutionary progress. An
them to use long guns.
advanced-period campaign will have bands of wild humans
Master Rats can move bipedally, though they will drop to
who are at best semi-intelligent and who have lost the power
all fours for rapid travel.
of coherent speech, as well as small groups of mutated
It is possible to allow Master Rats the capability of
humans hiding in the ruins of devastated cities. Such
commanding lesser forms of rats. This makes them
mutants are heavily into the path of psychic mutation and
formidable opponents, even if they never personally enter
almost all have severe cosmetic disorders.
the fray.
Master Rats would present a danger to the supremacy of
man in adepopulated world, for their breeding time isshorter
than mans though considerably increased over that of
normal rats. Fortunately for man, at this stage they do not
cooperate with each other except in the mated pair, as they
seem to be extremely territorial.
BAP: 10 Bite BCS: 9(VS) WDM: 1.5,L
MNA: 2 Damage Die: 1D3 + 1
PCA: 5 Skill Use: variable, almost
any physical Skill I
BMA/quad.: 1
bi.: .5 Strength Damage Die: 1D6
WDA: varies by Skill Mass:
CDA: 4
DRT: (1D6 + 10) x 1.5
SF: 10
AV: 2, some have been known to use scraps of armor which
adds to their natural AV.
20

The apes, of course, vary by type. Three species have concepts. The ruling council is usually comprised of Orangs
developed: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Orang-utans. Each and its authority, through smaller specific councils, extends
has his area of expertise and special characteristics. All have throughout ape society.
learned to walk exclusively in a bipedal fashion. All wear Orang-utans have a Hindrance and reduction regarding
clothes and armor. Combat Skills as do Chimpanzees.
Apes standardly consider humans as simply animals.
The Gorillas Ape Society
The Gorillas are the warriors of the new order. They In general, the apes tend t o bellback-to-natureltypes who
provide the generals and the soldiers for the ape armies. have little to do with the mechanical devices of mans world.
They are incapable of dealing with the arts and sciences, and The Gorillas, however, gladly use weapons, including
thus tend to resent such thingsand those who practice them. firearms. Some manufacturing capability exists, but mostly
They hate men and will hunt them for sport. The Gorillas the apes rely on found and maintained tools of man.
represent about 40% of the ape population. Humans are used as pets, slaves, and houseservants. It is
considered in very poor taste to dress a human.
The Chimpanzees As mentioned before, a council rules although all are
The Chimpanzees are the scientists and artisans of the theoretically allowed to speak before it. The greatest law of
new order. They are pacifists and prefer to let others decide the apes is ape shall not kill ape. This does not, of course,
their own courses, rather than forcing one upon them. apply to the naked ape, man.
Chimps consider the martial Gorillas uncouth and Most details of the society are, and rightly so, left to the
obnoxious but, following their general philosophy, rarely gamesmaster. Even the details given in sourceworks will
bring this hostility into the open. The Chimps often use vary, as they are set in different historical periods.
humans as laboratory animals, since the latter are so close to
the structure of the higher species of apes. The Characters in a World of Apes
Chimpanzees comprise about 40% of the ape population. Characters for this type of Post-Holocaust world will
Chimpanzees will always have a Hindrance when studying receive initial values in Attributes and Talents. Talents are
Combat Skills are receive only one-half the initial score still subject to the psychological profile results. If an
value. Attribute has an initial value less than 1 it must be raised to 1
The Orang-utans before the start of play.
The Orang-utans are the politicians and leaders of the Characters would start at Age Group 1. Apes and Wild
apes. They are notoriously conservative and are fully Humans would not be Changed but all city men would.
capable of warping the truth to their own ends. They tend Wild Humans are poor for Player Characters due to their
toward a scientific bent and, though few are warriors limitations, but are included to give the Gamesmaster an idea
themselves, they often have a good command of strategic of their statistics
Attribute Modification Chart

Initial values are given. The number in parentheses is the
maximum value for the Attribute if that has been changed
from 40.
Wit Will Strength Deftness Speed Health
Gorillas -5(30) -5 +8(50) 430) -(30) -(50)
Chimpanzees 3
- - +2 -1 +1(45)
Orang-utans +5 +2 +2 -5(30) -5(25) +1(45)
Wild Humans -5(10) -5(10) 430) -(30) - +2
City Men +5 +5 -5(30) - - -5(30)
Talent Modification Chart

Charismatic Combative Communicative Esthetic Mechanical Natural Scientific
Gorillas -3 +4 +O -2 -2 +O -2
Chimpanzees +O -2 +o +3 +4 +o +3
Orang-utans +O -4 +O +3 +3 +o +4
Wild Humans -2 -2 -10 -2 -1 +10 -5
City Men +O -3 +5 +2 +1 -5 +5
: I,,
i I.,
i c(

USEFULNESS OF ANIMALS
Beasts will have uses to a man in the Aftermath. The Flesh
is food, and the hide may be turned into clothing or armor.
Each kind of animal, and in some cases a specific animal, is
rated for the amount of edible mass in the body, the chance
of contamination, the food value of the edible mass, and the
amount and kind of hide available from the carcass. These
values are found on the chart below.
EFFECTIVE FOOD VALUE O/o CHANCE

ANIMAL OIo OF BODY I N MAN-DAYS OF OF IT BEING NUMBER OF LOCATIONS OF HIDE
MASS EDIBLE RAT1ONS/ENC CONTAMINATED (ARMOR MATERIAL)
Hostile
Bear 25% 2 25% 20 of HH
Cat, large 25O/o 2 25% 3 o f LH 1 0 o f HH
feral 25% 2 30% 3 of LH
Dog 33% 4 15% number equal to Class of LH

Reptiles
Alligator 25% 30% 2ofHH 5ofSH 5ofAH
Snake 50% 20% number equal to 112 Mass of SH
Rodent 50% 50% l/Mass of LH
Shark 25% 25O/o number equal to 1/2 Mass of HH
Non-hostile
Game 10% variable
Razorback 60% 8 of HH
Rhinoceros 15% 25 of AH
Elephant 15% 50 of HH
Other
Man 3 80% 15 of LH
Cockroach 5 50% none
Horse 3 100/0 10 of LH
30

THE NON-PLAYER CHARACTER
In the course of a game campaign, the Player Characters Thus, in order to use a character, the Gamesmaster must
will meet and interact with a bewildering variety of other know the characterk Attribute scores, the values of the
characters. These are all non-player characters in the abilities used in Detailed Action Time, the characters BCS in
control of the Gamesmaster. In some campaigns, the a pertinent Skill, the armor worn, the weapons and gear
Gamesmaster will have friends run some of the characters available, and any pertinent special data.
for him. This allows him to function purely as a referee. The expression of Attribute and Ability scores is simple. A
Non-player characters are any beings that the Player listing of pertinent Skills will follow. The characters BCS in
Characters meet. Most of them will be human. Many will the Skill is placed after the Skill name and in parentheses. If
simply be members of the faceless mob, but others will be the Skill is a Combat Skill and the character has a score
Personality Non-Player Characters. These are designed by greater than 100, the BCS of the second 100 points follows
the Gamesmaster with as much detail as the players put into the BCS. This second number is the characters Control
their own characters. All the statistics are known and the Throw. Each four points in this second number represents a
character is given a definite personality. point of Aim. The Weapon Defense Ability of a character will
Non-player characters can appear in the campaign as depend on the weapon Skill in use. This has a value of 1 for
adversaries, friends, flunkies, acquaintances, superiors, or in every 5 points of BCS.
any other position relative to the Player Characters that the The armor worn by a character is listed in garments. Each
Gamesmaster can think of. Some will be dumb, some smart, garmenr has the Locations covered and the material of the
some helpful, some dangerous. I n short, they wiil come in as garment presented inside parentheses. Weapons are listed
great a variety as real people and the characters of fiction. It in order of the characters preference for use. I f the weapon
is the job of the Gamesmaster to bring life to these uses some form of ammunition, the information on the
characters. The more real they seem, the more life they will amount available will be listed at that point. A gun is assumed
bring to the game. to have a full load and any rounds listed are those available
When playing a non-player character, the Gamesmaster for reloading.
should remember that the character does not have the Any special notes o n the character will follow. This can
omniscient knowledge of the Gamesmaster himself. The include patterns of behavior, distinguishing marks, other
character will only be able to make decisions using data that equipment, concerns, relationships with other characters,
would be available to him. This is sometimes a difficult task. preferred tactics, etc.
Planning a non-player characters action for a turn before This entire description is headed by the characters name.
asking the players to announce the actions of their This can be followed with a brief description of his position
characters will help to maintain the separation of or way of life. If important, the characters age can be placed
Gamesmaster and character knowledges. This can lead to in parentheses at the end of this line.
the demise of the Gamesmasters favorite Personality Non- An example of such a character summary is presented
Player Character, but if the players have managed to get below. If the Gamesmaster has a number of such characters,
things to go their way through good play, the Gamesmaster each could beenteredon aseparate3~5cardand theentire
should be prepared to let his character meet his fate. stock kept in a file box until needed.
John Sample, survivor of the Ruin, loner (43)
HANDLING WT WL STR DFT SPD HLH
NON-PLAYER CHARACTERS 12 12 12 12 12 12
Most of the Gamesmasters characters will be humans. As BAP MNA PCA CDA DRT
can be seen by simply looking at a Character Record Sheet, 6 2 3 1 24
there are a great number of statistics involved in quantifying
a character. For the purposes of simple non-player Skills: Rifle, Modern (20/5); Brawling (15); Automobile
characters, these can be reduced somewhat. Several Mechanic ( 7 )
assumptions are made. Armor: Fatigue jacket (4-11, HC); Pants (10-18, HC); Boots
0 The Attribute statistics in use for a non-player character (17-20, LL)
are those appropriate to whatever Encumbrance Status Weapons: Rifle R1 with 15 rounds of 30-06 in a bullet belt;
the character is at, due to whatever armor he is wearing Trench Knife
and gear he is carrying. Notes: Prefers to run away from a fight if possible. He has
Non-player characters do not Learn-by-Doing and thus survived by not getting involved. He has a deathlyfear
need no Talent scores. of being bitten by a rabid dog.
.If a non-player character is noted as having a Skill John Sample is 43 years old. His Attribute scores can
requiring a prerequisite and the prerequisite Skill is not simply be read. His Ability scores will be needed for Detailed
listed. the character is assumed to have the Drereauisite Action time can also be read. He has a BCS of 20 with a
Skill at the minimum possible value: that is. a score of 25 modern long gun, a Control Throw of 5 , and 1 point of Aim.
for a BCS of 5 . When using Brawling Skill, he will have a WDA of 3. The
0 Non-player characters often have Skills other than those notation of Automobile Mechanic Skill implies that he also
listed in their description. Only those most likely to be used has Technology Use Skill. Since no score is given for that
or those important in defining the character are listed. The Skill, he is assumed to have the minimum necessary to use
Gamesmaster may add Skills to the characters repertoire the Automobile Mechanic Skill for which Technology Use is
as he thinks appropriate. a prerequisite. Thus, he has a Technology Use BCS of 5 .
31

As an example of interpreting the armor designations, we Heroic. Each will give a character a specific set of Attribute
will use the Fatigue jacket. The garment is indicated as and Ability scores.
covering Locations 4 to 11 on the Body Map. That means its
WT WL STR DFT SPD HLH
Armor Value, i f it is the best on the Location in question,
will be subtracted from the Damage Potential of any attacks Average Quality 11 11 11 11 11 11
which are targeted on that Location. The ArmorValuecan be Superior Quality 21 21 21 21 21 21
determined by finding the material represented in this
designation by its letter Code on the Armor Material List Heroic Quality 31 31 31 31 31 31
which is Appendix 3 in Book 2. The Format for that material
BAP MNA PCA CDA DRT
can also be gotten from the list. As familiarity with the system
grows, the Gamesmaster will be able to tell the Armor Value Average Quality 5 2 2 1 22
and Format of a material simply by knowing what the material Superior Quality 10 3 3 2 42
is.
A Rifle R1 (the designation is from the firearms listing Heroic Quality 15 4 3 3 62
which is Appendix 1 in Book 3) can come in a number of In addition, a character may be specified as Increased.
calibers. The ammunition listed indicates that the rifle is of This will add 5 to the specified Attributes and adjust the
30-06 caliber. Since that rifle will hold 4 rounds of 30-06 pertinent Abilities. Thus, an Increased Average: WT would
ammunition, Samples total ammunition is 19 rounds. The have a WT score of 16 and no Ability scores would be
notation concerning where the spare ammunition is kept altered. If the character had SPD designated as the
allows the Gamesmaster to determine the time necessary for Increased Attribute, the BAP would be changed to 8 and the
Sample to reload. All data on the rifle can be gotten from the PCA to 4. Multiple Increases are certainly possible A group
gun list. of weight-lifters might will be designated as Increased
The Trench Knife without Knife Skill implies that Sample Average: STRx5, giving them a STR score of 36 while all the
uses the blade for utility work but may take advantage of the other Attribute scores remain at 11.
Brass Knuckle function of the knife when he is in a brawl. Characters, especially those that make up the bulk of a
The notes are self-explanatory. They add some color to the large force attacking a group of adventurers, may be
simple listing of statistics. designated as Rabble or Extras. Rabble have half the number
of points in their DRT as are indicated by the normal
TOO MANY CHARACTERS calculations. Extras are even less resistant to injury. If the
Damage Potential of an attack against an Extra is not
When the Gamesmaster is running a scenario involving completely reduced by the Extras armor, he will be killed if
large numbers of characters, he may find himself lost in a the damage was lethal or rendered unconscious if it was
morass of numbers. If hefeelscapableof handling individual subdual damage.
statistics for each and every character, he may go right
ahead and try. The players will have little problem, as they EXPERTISE LEVELS
have only one or two sets of statistics with which to concern
themselves. For the harried Gamesmaster, we have evolved The most common application of Expertise Levels is in
the concept of typical characters. regard to Combat Skills. The characters primary weapons
A typical character will have a given set of statistics. Any are used with the BCS for the Expertise Level for which the
number of characters in a given Detailed Action Time character is rated. Secondary weapons are used at a lower
situation can be designated as belonging to a given grouping level of Expertise. The Gamesmaster may find it simplest
of typical characters. This allows the Gamesmaster to handle always to use the next lower level of Expertise rather than
several characters at once in an Action Phase. When designate tertiary, quarternary, etc., Skills.
resolving Actions of such characters he can almost treat a The Expertise Levels are:
grouping of characters as he would a single character. At Green BCS 5
least, he can determine the start of their Actions all at once
Novice BCS8
instead of having characters initiate Actions on widely
varying Action Phases. Trained BCS 11
TO further simplify a multitude of characters, they are Veteran BCS 14
rated for an Expertise Level. Each Level has a BCS
associated with it. The character will have certain Skills Elite BCS 17
specified as primary Skills. He will have the same BCS with Heroic BCS 20 +
all his primary Skills. Secondary Skills will have a lower
If a character is designated
Expertise Level.
Heroic with a Combat Skill, he will
Characters will be assigned an Armor Kit appropriate to
have a Control Throw of 2D5. Aim,
the situation. Thus, a Gamesmaster need only have the
if available, will be determined
specifics of one set of armor and clothing which can be
from this second BCS.
referred to for several characters. This is much easier on a
Gamesmaster than referring to separate descriptions of each Thus, a Trained character whose primary weapons are a
garment for each character when there are a number Of rifle and a knife, and whose secondary weapons are the
characters involved. bayonet on the rifle as a polearm, Brass Knuckles, and a
The Gamesmaster may also find it convenient to have Ceremonial Sword, would have a BCS of 11 if Rifle, Modern,
several characters armed with the same weapons. The and Knife Combat Skill. He would also have a BCS of 8 in
problem of keeping track of ammunition expended has no Polearm, Brawling, and Single Weapon Skills. It is assumed
such easy solution. Such armaments could be referred to as that he will be classified as Green with any other Weapons.
Weapons Kits. I f the weapons listed are not broken down into primary and
secondary, the Gamesmaster may assume that the first
weapon listed is the primary and all others are secondary. A
NON-PLAYER CHARACTER QUALITY weapon listed in the notes section indicates that the
Non-player characters, who are not specially designed, character has a Green Expertise with theskill governing that
have three basic levels of Quality: Average, Superior, and weapons use.
32

ARMOR KITS Superior Rabble, Trained
Skills: Tailor (12); WeavingEpinning (12)
Armor Kits may be simple or complex. They may consist of Armor: Kit 1 plus Helmet (1, SP) and Gloves (29-30, HC)
many or only a few garments. The Gamesmaster should keep Weapons: Kit 1 less grenade
a careful note of what garments he designates as comprising Notes: Would rather be at home. Carries Mk.6 grenade.
an Armor Kit. Characters may also be designated as having Although they are not listed, the character has the
an Armor Kit plus some other garments in addition to those following Skills: Rifle, Modern (BCS 11). Knife (BCS 8), and
in the Kit. If a character is specified as having a garment that Single Weapon (BCS 8). As a Superior Quality character, all
could not be worn over a specific Location along with a the Attribute scores will be 21. All the Ability scores have
garment noted as being in the Kit, the garment in the
standard values except the DRT. This will only have a value
character description can be assumed to replace the of (21 + 10.5 + 10.5)/2 or 21 since the character is designated
garment in the Armor Kit for that character only.
as Rabble.
A sample Armor Kit might be the one presented as the
Armor for John Sample on page 31. If the Gamesmaster has USING MULTIPLE CHARACTERS
more than one non-player character in a group wearing this Playtesting has shown that most Gamesmasters could
type of clothing, he can designate it as Armor Kit 1. A deal with 2 to 4 sets of statistics within a given group. A
character with a steel army helmet in addition to the fatigues popular combination was a Personality Non-Player
could then be specified as having Armor Kit 1 plus Helmet Character with individual statistics, one or two tough
(1, SP). standardized characters, three or four of medium difficulty,
and the rest fairly easy-to-take. Often the latter category was
SAMPLE SHORT FORM CHARACTER classed as Rabble or Extras.
The Gamesmaster should always try to balance the
Let us assume a character designated as Superior Rabble. challenge. I f he is facing the players with something that
The character is given an Expertise Level of Trained. This their characters will not be able to beat in a direct
character is one of five in the group that the Player confrontation, he should leave them a way to escape
Characters are about to meet. Each of the non-player annihilation. I f he consistently fails to do this, his players will
characters is wearing essentially the same outfit. Each has lose interest and all his work on the campaign will go to
the same basic armament. The typical member of this group waste.
wears a Fatigue jacket (4-1 1, HC), Pants (10-18, HC), Boots We have also found that the occasional encounter with a
(17-20, LL), and a Flakjacket (4-12, LP-AA). He isarmed with large number of Extras allows the players to achieve results
an M-14 rifle with two spare clips and three loose rounds of resembling the massive victories so common in literature.
ammunition, a Trench Knife, a Ceremonial Sword, and a Such free-for-alls can be great fun for both the players and
Mk.6 Grenade. the Gamesmaster. However, note the word occasional. A
The specific character in question does not haveThrowing steady diet of such simple victories is every bit as boring as
Skill with which to use the grenade. The character does have constant encounter with the unbeatable. Variety is the goal
a steel helmet and a pair of gloves. Thus the short form of of a good Gamesmaster. Variety can be achieved in the type
character listing would be: of characters encountered as well as in the basic adventure
Joan Sample, reluctant soldier (28) itself.
33

TECHNOLOGY IN THE AFTERMATH
The technological wonders available in a campaign the society that produced them. If such a movement were to
depend upon two factors which the Gamesmaster must gain credence among the consumers of the pre-Ruin world,
decide on as he is laying the first foundations of the game- it could well lead to the gift of preserved goods passed on to
world: the scavengers of the Aftermath.
What level did technology reach in the pre-Ruin world?
How much of it is still present in usable or repairable form?
ELECTR ICITY
When you come down to it, the single most important
There is a dilemma in this.Aftermath! is designed for use in resource in modern technology is energy, usually in the form
cultures which do not much exceed our own in technological of electrical energy. The bulk of our electricity today (as we
development, though there is no reason not to build a more are all too well aware) come from petrochemicals: oil mainly,
science-fictiony campaign if you want to. However, some followed by coal. But there is study going forward in
of the basic postulates we will be making about the available alternate forms of energy, sources of electricity that need not
pre-Ruin technology are not valid unless our progress here die when our civilization does. Someof thesecould continue
and now (1981) is assumed to be farther along in Someareas to operate via automated control and maintenance, or by the
than it actually is. Otherwise, the date of civilizations fall is efforts of dedicated bands of survivors who feel an obligation
pushed further and further into the future. Our own playtests to keep their part of the old knowledge alive. Other sources
set it at around 2000. might be reproduceable by survivors on a local basis.
However you choose to settle this, we will here set forth Electricity might be something scavenged from the ruins,
rules covering a number of basic areas defined as High like food or weapons, or something that can be homebrewed,
Technology material. Much of this material is very complex like alcohol for your truck (or for a cold winter night).
in the real world. Indeed, much of it is beyond the authors
comprehension, even after considerable research. Readers MEASUR ING ELECTRICITY
knowledgeable in electricity, for example, will no doubt cry
How do we measure the amount of electricity a character
aloud in horror at some of the rules governing that
phenomenon. On the other hand, players do not need an has available from some source, or the amount he must
expend to operate some device? There are two forms of
Electrical Engineering degree to use them.
electricity to consider:
PACKAGING Stored Power: Electricity held in a battery until needed. It

may be released in a continuous flow or in large jolts. In
The mundane-seeming question of packaging is central to Aftermath? we have posited the development of highly
the use of High Technology in Aftermath! This stuff is going durable Eternabatteries, or E-batteries. Their capacity
to be sitting around for years, decades, even centuries in for current is rated in Charges. Let us assume a value of
some campaigns. Characters should be able to mine the about 100 watt-hours (see below) as constituting a
ruins for usable manufactured resources, things their own Charge.
culture is unable to produce. This is hardly worth theeffort if
Current Electricity being generated, flowing along a
the goods are not to be found in edible-wearable-shootable-
circuit, is current. It will be rated in watts, for ease in
otherwise usable shape.
converting it into Charge values and vice-versa.
As we discussed briefly in the Survival section of Book 2,
we are positing an improved system of packaging in the pre- These are terms of convenience, and relate to their actual
Ruin civilization. Plastics technology and a more rigorous meanings in electrical work only in the most abstract way.
method of eliminating contaminants, chemical or bacterial, To turn watts into watt-hours, it is necessary to
from the packaged substance, point the way t o a means of measure the flow of current over a period of time. A 1-watt
sealing anything from foodstuffs to industrial machinery current will generate 1 watt-hour of electricity in 1 hour. 1
away from the effects of passing years. watt-hour battery could provide a 1-watt current for 1 hour.
Small items: food, liquor and tobacco, light machines, To build up 1 Charge in a battery, you must have a 100-watt
clothing, medical supplies; all could be vacuum packed, or current flow into the battery for an hour. A 50-watt current
sealed in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) for will need to flow for 2 hours. The formula is: Watts x Hours =
storage. Larger items would be sprayed in an epoxy-like Watt-Hours.
resin which would solidify into a time-proof outer skin. Apply A 100 watt-hour Charge will keep a 100-watt light bulb
a solvent, attach a power supply, and bingo! It works again as burning for 1 hour. It will keep a 50-watt bulb burning for 2
if it were just off the assembly line. New silicone lubricants hours, or a 10-watt bulb going for 10 hours. The formula is:
would replace grease as a preservative and greasing Hours of Operation = (Charges x 100)/Watts consumed.
medium, much more resistant to the passage of time than the The Gamesmaster may approach rating the wattage of
petroleum compounds used today. devices in several ways. He may assign wattages to them
But why should such a packaging renaissance happen in (e.g., portable 2-way radio, 20 watts; searchlight, 1500 watts;
the first place? We can see one possible rationale emerging and so on). Much of this information is available in
today. Western Civilization is developing an increasing catalogues for such merchandise. In fact, on most
horror of wasting resources. Yet much of what our industries household appliances, federal law now requires a sticker
produce is never used! It sits on the shelf, or i n the giving the wattage rating. This approach is best for large-
warehouse, until it is not useful any longer, and then it is consumption deveices that will be operated for long periods
thrown away. But is something could be produced, and of time, from hours on up.
stored until needed, a week later, or a year, or ten years, then For very low-power devices that will be used in an on-and-
it becomes logical that stockpiles of goods will long outlast off manner (flashlights, walkie-talkies, calculators,
34

watches, etc.) the most convenient solution seems to be a magnetic field of that core, causing electrons to move in a
statement that 1 battery (usually an E-1) will keep the thing given direction. The result: current.
working for 1 year. This way, it is only necessary to record The enormous generator-turblnes, powered by oil- or
whe,? the battery was last replaced, instead of the tedious coal-burning furnaces, are not likely to survive the Ruin, if
process of bookkeeping involved in recording every minute they have not been replaced by some other power source by
usage of power, to the second. then. But several other forms of mechanical generator are
Lastly, for devices used on a one large shot basis, the very likely to be useful to the characters.
Gamesmaster may rate the drain on the battery in Charges. Man-Powered Generators
This is the obvious approach to electrically-powered The three most common types are cranked models
weapons (Lasers, Electro-weapons), as well as fiash units on (worked by hand), treadmills (which pool the work of several
cameras, or tailored articles (this electric camp stove takes 1 men to turn the shaft), and the bicycle generator.
Charge to cook 1 ration). A variant is the device which uses Hand-cranked models are useful primarily for recharging
significant fractions of a Charge, like the electric vehicles, batteries in emergencies, or for providing power to small
getting so many kilometers to the Charge. Go half that many devices on the spot. They are generally provided as a back-
kilometers, use half a Charge, and so on. up power supply on military radio sets. The current
ETERNABATTERIES generated by a crank generator is equal to the Strength
The use of the Eternabattery is classically simple in most Group of the user, in watts. He can maintain this rate of work
cases. To charge it, hook it up to any source of current via a for a period of time equal to 20 minutes times his Health
leech, or induction transformer, to give it its formal name. Group. After that, he becomes Fatigued. He can then
When the connection has existed long enough for the continue cranking at an effective Strength Group 1 less than
wattage of the current to reach 100 x the Charge rating of the his normal score, for a number of minutes equal to his
battery, the leech shuts down, and the battery is charged. Health. He then becomes Fully Fatigued and cannot turn
Unless physically destroyed, the battery is indefinitely the crank any longer.
rechargeable. Treadmill models are not portable, unless carried
The only real difficulty in getting the power out of an piecemeal. A description, of a Rube Goldberg sort of
Eternabattery occurs when it is being used t o supply the treadmill generator is found in Walter Millers novel A
electricity for some device that is not.designed to use E- Canticle for Liebowitz. Their current has a wattage equal to
batteries. This constitutes a Task, to be assigned a value by the total Strength Groups of the characters on the treadmill.
the Gamesmaster. The average Task Point range would be The Gamesmaster should assign a maximum wattage to the
about 10-50, for fairly small conversions. The same applies to generator, as there is a point of diminishing returns to such
linking several smaller Eternabatteries together in series, to addition. The characters can keep the generator going on
provide the necessary current to operate a device normally the same basis as they can keep walking, as i f they were
requiring a larger type of battery. For example, preparing a traveling in Strategic Scale. Fast March can be used to
battery pack of ten E-5s to run a vehicle normally operated increase the current for a short period, doubling the output.
by one Ev-50: the relevant Skills would be Electrician, Long March can be used to put out more power in the day.
averaged with any relevant types of Mechanic or other It should be mentioned that unscrupulous communities in
related field of endeavor, and the usual Task Period would be need of power might turn to a slave economy to turn
on the order of 10-20 hours. Tools of some kind would be a treadmill generators.
necessity. The movie Soylent Green features the late Edward G.
Robinson pumping a bicycle generator at one point. These
ACCUMULATORS are more in the line of an exercycle. The bike does not
When dealing with large amounts of power, theoutput of a travel, but turns the shaft of a small generator. The base
regional plant for instance, then another type of storage current is equal to the characters Strength Group in watts,
battery comes into the picture: theaccumulator. This is a big, with a multiplier of 2-3 for the bikes mechanical leverage.
fixed installation, holding hundreds or thousands of Bicycle Skill is not required to use it.
Charges. If you use an analogy of electricity as water, then Constructing a generator of one of these types requires
Eternabatteries are canteens. Accumulators are the materials (and a bicycle if you are making the third kind). The
reservoirs. When power is being generated, it is a use-it-or- relevant Skills are Electrcal Power Generation, Mechanical
lose-it situation. Accumulators are designed to take the Power Generation, and any other Mechanical Skill that the
surplus current and hold it as Charges. When the power is Gamesmaster feels is relevant. Task Points run from about
needed later, it is tapped and fed into the distribution system. 50 to build a crank generator, to 100 or more for a large
They will generally be found in power plants, in factories, as treadmill. Task Periods are in 1-day increments.
auxiliary power supplied in small municipalities or rural Hooking the generator up to anything but a leech
areas, or in the holdings of technologically-oriented transformer for Eternabattery charging, or some device
survivors. The Gamesmaster may assign any value he wishes designed to be powered by a small generator, is a Task for
to the accumulator, but in situations where the defenses a the Electrician.
non-player character is bringing to bear upon the Player
Characters are electrically powered by an accumulator, the Wind and Water Power
Gamesmaster may wish t o limit the opponents resources to The mechanical energy derived from the swift passage of
give the Players a chance to wear down his reserves. air or water is a potential source of power, one recognized
Controlling accumulators, or working with them in any today by the enormous hydroelectrical plants of the power
decisive way, is under the jurisdiction of the Power utilities and the small windmills of the farmer and commune
Generation, Electrical Skill. Such operations will be on an dweller alike.
industrial scale, requiring long Task Periods, and extensive There is no real way to work out a consistent formula for a
tools and resources. windmills output. I f the only figures of significance are
Charges generated over a given period (say a week) then
GENERATORS 1DlOO f 20 seems a decent amount for a small unit.
With Generators, we pass from electrical storage to If the current being generated at a given moment is
systems which convert one form of energy into electrical important, roll 1DlOand 1D6. Read theOon theDlOasazero,
current. A generator is, specifically, a machine which not a 10. Multiply the two rolls. That is the current being
converts mechanical energy into electricity. A shaft runs generated at that time. Roll again every hour to deal with
through a magnetic core. Turning the shaft interrupts the changes in the weather, unless there is some reason to
35

assume a longer or shorter period of stability. 24 hours if the weather is clear. I f overcast, raining, at the
Hydroelectric power is more constant. The Gamesmaster North Pole, or what have you, divide the figure by 2.
must assign a value to the flow of the body of water being If you wish the hourly values of the current in watts, here is
used. Small streams or natural small waterfalls would have a a table figuring sunrise at 0600 and sunset at 1800 hours.
value of 1D6 x 100. The generator must be designed before it 0600-0900 50 watts per Screen used
is built a Task requiring Skill in Electrical Power Generation
and Physics. When the design Task is done, the 0900-1500 100 watts per Screen used (max. efficiency)
Gamesmaster should roll 1020 until he scores less than the 1500-1800 50 watts per Screen used
Average BCS in theseSkills.The Effect Numberfrom this roll
divided by 10 will provide a factor of efficiency for the Again, halve thesevalues if it isan overcast day. If anything
generator. This factor times the water sources constant cuts off the light entirely (like a thick coating of snow, spray
value is the current that will be generated by the device. It is paint, etc.) cut the current to 0.
then built using the appropriate construction Skills. Setting up Solar Screen arrays, rigging them to feed
There may be seasonal fluctuations in the waters normal power supplies, and other such manipulations, are in
constant, based on rainfall and local climate. This is the province of Solar Power Generation Skill.
completely up to the Gamesmaster and his sense of detail. It NUCLEAR POWER
is probably not worth the trouble except for campaigns This subject is not going to be treated exhaustively here, it
where Players are running whole communities, and getting is just too darn big. Suffice it to say that in the authors
into simulations of the ecological factors which govern their opinion, if large power plants can be kept alive by automated
lives. controls or survivor groups, they will probably be nuclear
Motorized Generators rather than other types that we have today. At that, modern
Any internal combustion engine can be rigged to turn a fission reactors may not outlive the technology that bore
generator shaft. So can an electric motor for that matter, but them by long, requiring too many external facilities (fuels,
to prevent Players from exploiting loopholes in the following waste disposal) to survive in the jungle of the Aftermath. But
rules, we shall decree that such a hookup will generate we can always assume cleaner reactor designs have been
electricity at exactly half the rate that theengine consumes it! introduced. Moreover, nuclear fusion provides a very
The Maximum Safe Speed for the type of engine being hopeful picture, producing minimal wastes, and possibly
used is the basis for the currents wattage. It will generate requiring less complicated rare fuels to operate.
power equal t o that figure times 10 watts, consuming fuel as Building such plants is not within the scope of the Nuclear
if traveling at that rate. This is probably over-generous. Power Generation Skill. This is an operators knowledge of
Unless using a motorized generator that was made for the such plants: how to handle routine maintenance, minor
purpose, substantial modification to the device is called for. troubleshooting, and ongoing production of energy.
It will certainly not be able to run as a vehicle while so altered. The main reason for keeping a nuclear capability in the
The relevant Skills for the conversion are Power campaign is to provide a rationale for the next section.
Generation and the Mechanic Skill for the type of vehicle. It
can then be hooked up as Eternabatteries are, with
Electrician Skill. The Task Points will be on the order of 50-
SALVAGING ELECTR IClTY
100, with a Task Period of about 1 hour. Tools are needed. I f an area, probably a city, is still in theservice network of a
Changing your car back into a car is a Task of half theTask large power plant, presumably nuclear, then there may yet
Point cost for the switch from vehicle t o generator. be live electric circuits in its buildings. If this is thecase, then
electricity becomes another resource to be scavenged by the
FUEL CELLS characters.
Fuel Cells are the first of several power sources we will This power is available over one of four types of line:
examine that produce current by non-mechanical means. Household, Hvy. Household, Lt. Industrial, Hvy. Industrial.
They derive electricity from the chemical action of breaking The wattage available from such lines is based on the voltage
down certain substances (water, methane, oil) in a manner of the line, controlled by its construction, and the amperage,
that we confess we do not quite understand. But as research controlled by the type of fuse or circuit breaker used on the
in forging ahead on these, lets posit the desigr; achieved line.
before the Ruin as something like this. Voltage x Amperage = Wattage. Attempting to draw more
Water is passed through a specially designed membrane power than this at any one moment will cause the fusing
that chemically separates the hydrogen and oxygen i n it, device to blow out. If it is a standard fuse, it must be
tapping the small amount of electricity which derives from completely replaced. If it is a circuit-breaker switch, it must
the reaction. The fuel cell is a small cube, 50cm on a side, be manually reset. Such switches are not always in the same
weighing about 2 ENC, and designed to be hooked u p in area as the outlets that were used. In large Offices Or
series to produce any desired current. Each fuel cell apartment complexes, they may be in someentirely different
produces a current of 10 watts, running for 1 hour on .5 liter part of the building.
of water. This should be distilled or filtered water, to avoid
clogging the membrane with debris.
SOLARSCREENS 1 WATTAGE OUTPUT TABLE
If you wish to use true solar power (i.e., photovoltaic Voltage Amperage Current
power, electricity derived directly from sunlight), here is a
system designed for use in Aftermath! Household 110 20 2200 watts
A screen-like device was discovered shortly before the Hvy. Household 220 30 6600 watts
Ruin. Cheap, easily transportable, and completely modular,
it is manufactured in 1-square-meter units, and was widely Lt. Industrial 440 50-100 22-44 kilowatts
distributed before the end came. Hvy. Industrial 1000 100-200 100-200 kilowatts
A single Solar Screen weighs 1.5 ENC. It will convert about
10% of impinging sunlight into current. This works out to
about 100 watts under ideal conditions. To figure the daily Household Lines may be used directly to power
output in a lump sum of watt-hours, multiply the area of the appliances, small power tools, anything that would be run on
screen in square meters by900. This representstheoutput in normal current today.
36

Hvy. Household is used to operate large appliances technology, or are they using the cloak of religion to
(washers, deep-freezes, air conditioner or ventilating preserve and protect the old knowledge until it is time to
pumps) and heavy duty equipment (commercial radio release it to the world again?
transniitters, large spotlights, heavy shop tools). It is a safe bet, in a campaign where old devices abound
Light Industrial Lines provide the power for large printing that do not function for want of power, that characters who
presses, assembly lines, any large industrial plants heaviest achieve some ability in generating electricity will be able to
eq uipment. parlay this into significant prestige. As the majority of
Hvy. Industrial Lines are not used directly. They are desirable high-technology artifacts in use will be battery-
feeders from the even higher voltages used in transmission powered, the campaign can probably do very nicely with no
lines to carry power from generator plant to users. One power available except from portable crank generators,
would expect to find this kind of line feeding into the sub- treadmills in cities, and so on. Of course high-technology
station at an industrial site. places of mystery (old security bases and such) will need
An Electrician can convert thecurrent from any higher line some kind of constant power supply if their magical
into two of the next lower lines. I.e., a 440-volt Lt. Industrial dangers and defenses are to function. This feature alone may
Line could be run through a transformer to generate current be sufficient justification for the characters to risk
for two 220-volt Hvy. Household Lines. One of these could, in penetrating such dangerous spots. Legends might develop
turn, be converted into two 110-volt Household Lines. The about the lost magic of the old tools, recoverable only by
process can be reversed in the same way. confronting the demons of the lost cities.
A useful rule of thumb for figuring theTask Points on this
job is to give it a number of points equal to the difference in ELECTROCUTION
voltage between the lines used, divided by 10. The Task When dealing with electricity, the subject of electrocution
Period is based on the more powerful of the two lines must be mentioned. A character may be exposed to this
involved. Hvy. Household: 1 hour; Lt. Industrial: 5 hours; Hvy. hazard by accident (a Critical Miss while working with a hot
Industrial: 10 hours. circuit), carelessness (messing with a hot circuit without
The Task Points or Period may be modified down if the proper tools or Skills), or attack (electroweapons, electrified
necessary circuitry is all intact, and simple reconnections fences, lightning bolts, etc.).
are needed. The base values assume the Electrician is If the damage is being put out by a battery, i.e., dumping a
cobbling a transformer station together. bolt of power out in one shot, the base damage is 1D10 per
USING SALVAGED CURRENT Charge.
There are two ways in which this may be used, or rather, I f the shock comes from a live wire, one carrying current,
two ways to keep track of power drains on the line. then the base damage is derived as if the line wereattacking.
I f electricity is being tapped for storage in a battery, the An Effect Die is calculated as if the Strength of the line =
only significant question is how long it will take to put a full Voltage/lO. The Effect Die roll receives a multiplier, like the
Charge into the device. The formula is: Hours = (Battery WDM, equal to the Amperage/lO. Thus, a 110-volt line with a
Capacity in Chargesx lOO)/WattageoftheLine.Thusa2200- 20-amp fuse will have a score of 110/10, or 11, for a Group of
watt Household Line will fully charge an E-5 in 500/2200 3,and will therefore roll a base damage of 1D10. This die roll
hours, or slightly under .25 hours. receives a multiplier of 20/10, or 2.
I f using the power in continuous drain, the Players and Electrocution does Subdual damage, capable of killing
Gamesmaster should be aware that the maximum wattage in only if it exceeds the DRT, as specified in Book 1.
devices that may be operated off of it at any one time is equal OPTION
to the wattage rating for the line. One can run 2000 watts
Burn Damage
worth of equipment on a 2200-watt Household Line with no
The Gamesmaster may specify that the hand/hands
problem. 2300 watts on the linewill blowthe fuse. If charging grasping the wire, if that is how the damage was taken, idare
batteries from a line which has steady drainage from disabled with burns. The character will suffer Critical
equipment of it as well, the leech transformer will draw only
Damage to his hand(s) equal to 10% of the Lethal damage
the surplus power. I f 2000 watts of current are being used to done by the shock (i.e., of the damage done in excess of the
run equipment, the battery will take only 200 watts. This will DRT). A Speed CST allows him to have released his grip
naturally increase the time needed to run up a Charge. before the burns had this effect and only the normal damage
Overloading a line will blow out the breaker or fuse as is suffered.
stated above.
INSULATlON
ELECTRICITY IN THE 200 YEARS AFTER Insulation can be derived from specially-designed
CAMPAIGN materials, which reduce the base damage of electrical shock,
The prevalence of electrical knowledge and resources in or from protective clothes or armor designed to stop more
such a campaign is not something that can be legislated by material hazards, but which provide some protection.
the rules. If the Gamesmaster decides that some large plant If using, say, insulated gloves to handlea line, weare in the
(almost certainly nuclear if it is still operating) is still first case given above. Such insulation is rated as class 1,2,3,
producing power, then it will exist. If he wants to posit the and so on. It will stop 1 Charge per point of insulation if the
smaller generators as being in the body of common shock derives from a battery, or reduce the base damage
knowledge, that is also completely feasible. Temples Group by 1 per point i f a current is being used.
dedicated to the Sun God, who makes the old magic work If the protection is from armor, the Armor Value reduces
again (i.e. a Solar Screen installation) are a distinct the points of damage done by the shock. Plastic armor
possibility. The potentials in such a setup are very receives its full Armor Value against such damage. Natural
interesting. The priesthood of such a temple can be sincere materials (cloth, leathers) receive half their Armor Value
believers, maintaining the plant by rote from the instructions (round up). Metal armor does not impede electrical shock at
in their Holy Books (maintenance manuals). Or they might all.
know the truth of what they are doing. If so, are they In manipulating electrified objects, a piece of plastic or
unscrupulously perpetuating the myth of the Sun God to wood will be quite safe. Metallic items, unless insulated for
achieve power in their society, with impressive and very such use, will be exposed to current. If a character is
authentic miracles engineered by their preserved touching the base metal at the other end of the item, he will
37

receive a shock. Read MarkTwainsA Connecticut Yankee in SYSTEMS CONTROL
King Arthurs Court for a homily on the unwisdom of trying to
Programming is used to set up the Task for the automated
hack through an electrified fence with asword whiledressed
shop or other system as specified above. The System
in full plate armor. Designer then performs his Task of tying in the various
devices to proper computer control.
COMPUTERS Linkages between the computer and the device must be
The big machines are perhaps the single most pivotal built if they do not already exist.
change in human resources in the late 20th centurys
impressive list of such marvels. COMPUTER RESOURCES
The principal uses of Computers in Aftermath! are:
These are the capabilities the Gamesmaster has designed
Data Storage: Material of all kinds can be retrieved by into the computer system. The categories are:
proper use of the system, according to the
Gamesmasters decision as to what is in there in the first Task Points per Hour: Used to see how fast the system can
place. In playtest, we posited a number of access points run through Process Models. The default value is 100
(terminals) tied into a Public Data Bank, which could Task Points of simulated work per hour. Mini- or Micro-
produce hard copy from libraries, news services, etc. Computers will be much slower (by up to a factor of 10).
Mack Reynoldss novellprojection Looking Backwards Big systems (IBM 370) will be much faster, about as fast as
From the Year 2000 shows the capabilities of such a you care to name in most cases.
system when fully supported by a working technology. Power Consumption: Like any other electrically-powered
Processing of Models: The Programmer sets up a model device, computers have a wattage rating. Normal systems
of some Task on the computer and has it run through a draw from a Lt. Industrial Line at 5000 watts. Mini-
simulation of the process. In any Task where possible Computers use Household Lines at 800 watts.
errors exist, or variable efficiency due to design can Memory: A figure expresing how much data can be stored
occur, this allows the character to do the Task o n the in the system. Really big systems you dont have to worry
computer first, and keep a record of the processes. When about. Theyll hold what they are given (the total human
he finds a method that suits him, he may proceed to do it body of literature cannot fill them to capacity). Smaller
for real, and will be able to reproduce that outcome units will be rated in terms of how many Skill points (not
exactly, as long as he has all the resources that were in the BCS points) they can store. A 1000-point unit (quite
computer model. small) could store all of the data to give Reference BCS
Systems Control: The System Designer creates a scores of 20 (i.e., Skill scores of 100) in 10 Skills.
program and servomechanism system allowing the The Gamesmaster will be the one to assign the chances of
computer to control some process or device. Highly a malfunction in the computer. A fairly stingy rule is: after
sophisticated applications of this type maintain completing a given Task on the computer, there is a
automated power plants, factories, and defensive percentage chance equal to .1 times the Memory, Task
systems. The character in this way creates a Robot Points, or what have you, processed in that Task, that the
Controlled Device. computer system will develop a bug and shut down. Systems
fitted with automated maintenance controlled by backup
DATA STORAGE systems will repair themselves at some fixed rate, while
Requires a Programming BCS. Locating a given piece of others will require human attention.
information is a 10-Task-Point job for every level of
specification, with a 10-minute Task Period. So a Character
wants printout on a Reference manual: find Reference CYBERNETICS
section of data bank (10 points). Next, find Skill or Cybernetics, as used in this game, covers several topics
Knowledge in question (10 points). Activate printer now if often used in Science Fiction: Robots, Robot-Controlled
you want a copy of the text. If you are looking for a specific Devices, and Artificial Intelligence. Robots are machines
reference only-that is, the answer to only one query-then designed to perform some function on their own without
that is another 10-point Task. When it is finished, the answer human guidance. They can range from industrial robots for
prints out. Hardcopy devices are quite valuable, since they welding car frames to surveying robots such as have been
allow the work retrieved to be taken with the character. As sent to Mars to the utility devices commonly found in SF
paper is going to be hard to find, the Gamesmaster can avoid stories. We distinguish robots designed to look like humans,
a sudden wealth of books from developing by limiting most and often to stand in for humans, by the name of Animatron.
terminals found to the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) type, where Robot-Controlled Devices are machines or mechanisms
data is displayed on a T.V. screen. normally controlled by a human or several humans, but
which have been put under the control of a robot brain. Such
PROCESSING MODELS machines may be simple or complex. The after-hours walk-
Programming Skill is used, averaged with the Skills up window used by many banks is a good example of this
governing the process being simulated. The Programming kind of device.
job has 5 times the Task Cost of theactual work understudy,
and a l-day Task Period as a rule.
Once the program is completed, however, it can run
through probable outcomes of the Task under study at a rate
of 100 Task Points per hour, or faster (see Computer
Resources below). I t requires 1 hour and a System Design
BCS to interpret the printout back into the terms of the actual
Task. Once a satisfactory way to do the job has been found,
the Task will always come out that way when done according
to the computers instructions.
This is valuable in that it allows the character to avoid
processes which might produce dangerous or inert
materials.
38

Artificial Intelligence is used to cover the concept of commands such as Stop, Lift, Lower, Release, etc. I t is
machines that think for themselves. This is intended to also connected to a control board by which its actions
represent machines that deal with a wide variety of may be directed b y a human operator. The brain of the
circumstances beyond a limited pre-programmed range. device will hold 22 units of memory. Each command
Chess-playing computers do not qualify under this uses 1. The manual override function uses 2. The
definition. Artificial Intelligences usually have the capability motion control circuitry which allows i t to move back
of changing their programming in response to new data. For and forth across the room takes 5. The programming
game purposes, a robot or computer that will be treated as if allowing i t the basic operations of lifting and opening
it had a human or near-human capability to think will be and closing the hand takes 10. Besides the commands
classed as an Artificial Intelligence. specifically mentioned, the Robot c o u l d b e
programmed for another simple command.
ROBOTS Now consider this Robot reprogrammed to sinister
Robots can be built in many ways toserve many functions. ends. The manual override is removed, as are the
They may or may not be mobile. They may or may not havea verbal commands. Two units of memory are used to
self-contained power source. In general, they will only be allow i t to locate audio sources in the room. Three units
capable of a certain number of functions which will be are used to allow i t to move toward motion and attempt
guided by a basic set of programmed instructions. to grasp and squeeze anything that moves. The last two
Robots will tend to be large, bulky, and awkward. Power units are used to let i t beat moving objects that i t is
will generally be supplied by cable to non-mobile Robots holding against a wall until they stop moving. The
and, while mobile Robots often are battery-powered, they Robot has become a dumb but dangerous guardian of
will usually contain an adaptor to allow them to draw power the room.
from a live circuit.
The exact specifics of a Robots design will be left t o the The Gamesmaster is the final arbiter of the amount of
memory the instructions for a task will fill. Healso will decide
Gamesmaster, as many such things are still prototypes and
one-of-a-kind items. Production Line Robots will tend to be on power expenditure to fulfill a task. Some guidelines are
presented in the chart below.
simple, rugged, dumb, and basically harmless. The
Gamesmaster is enjoined to consider such things as power
sources and demands on that source. Difficult or complex ROBOT-CONTROLLED DEVICES
tasks will require the Robot to expend more power. If the Such devices could be almost anything. I f the device does
Robot has a limited power source, it will eventually run down. not use its own power to function, the Robot Controller
If it has a limit on the amount of power that it can draw on, would have tosupply powerforthedeviceas well as for itself.
some tasks will be beyond its power. Such devices are usually maintenance units allowing a
Also consider the nature of the device and the tasks for human controller to leave and still have whatever the device
which it is programmed. A Robot will have a limited number does continue even though no human is there to supervise.
of tasks which it may be programmed to perform. Simple Alternatively, a Robot Controller would be used to control a
tasks would not take up much of the Robots memory device or mechanism which will go wherea human controller
capability, while complex tasks or tasks requiring many cannot or will not go. Such a device would have to carry its
decisions to be made during the execution will often take own power supply with it.
large amounts of memory capacity. Robot Controllers would be constructed by the
A Robot is designed for a laboratory as an aid to Gamesmaster in the same way as regular Robots in terms of
power and memory considerations.
scientists. I t is to lift and hold objects and move them
about the room. I t is given motion sensors to respond A n example o f a Robot-ControlledDevice might be a
to hand signals for activation of the system. I t is given Cybernetic Tank. Such a device would operate exactly
audio receptors to respond to a limited range of verbal like a vehicle crewed by men. The capacity of the
ROBOT TASKS
Function Memory Power
Perform an action variable by .2Charge per
complexity Action spent
Perform a Combat Action based on Skill .5 Charges per
Action
Use a Combat Skill 2 per BCS point see above
Knowledge Memory 1 per point .5 Charges times
of BCS in the Effect number
knowledge of die roll when
knowledge used
Knowledge Integration 10 Simple tasks: 1 E
with Performance of Skill charge per hour.
More complex tasks
will vary by the
Gamesmasters
evaluation
Maintenance function 3 .01 Charge per hour
allowing Robot to be
aware and wait for a
specific signal to return
to full operation.
39

Cyber-tank to respond would be based o n the Robot reflect this. The basic types are:
Brain. Such a device would fill the tank, precluding
Demonstration: This kind is generally non-mobile. It is
human control. I t could be programmed to conduct used in stores, amusement parks, and in a receptionist
maneuvers, fire the weapons, call for resupply of fuel
capacity by businesses.
and ammunition, and report enemy actions visible to
its sensors Servant: The principal function of this type is expressed in
A more advanced version, probably requiring the name. Servant modelsare usually limited to one type of
Artificial Intelligence, would be able to make tactical service, although more expensive and complex models
decisions regarding its own safety on the battlefield can serve in more than one capacity.
and evidence a better ability to select suitable targets. Simulation: This type is used for testing purposes in such
Such devices would probably have a power source research as into the effects of automobile crashes on
separate from the vehicles powersource. Damage that humans. Some are non-mobile and simply record effects
would affect the crew would affect the Robot Brain. on the body. Others are mobile and are programmed to
respond in specific ways to thecircumstance being tested.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE This series is also used at certain high-priced fantasy
No hard-and-fast rules will be given concerning Artificial parks where customers pay to live out fantasies. The
Intelligence. The Gamesmaster must decide on the choice of this model for such use is based on its ability to
limitations and power requirements of such things. A system simulate damage received as if it were human. This
of computers simulating a living intelligence, if it could be includes System Shock and efficiency reductions due to
built today, would be quite large. With the advances in damage.
computer technology that are occurring even today, such a Surrogate: This type is designed to perform functions
system might be smaller by a power of ten in twenty years or normally done by humans, but in environments which
less. might be hazardous to human life due to the nature of the
An Artificial Intelligence should be given goals to environment or the length of time required to perform the
accomplish and parameters inside which it will function. function.
Traditionally, such things are emotionless.
The Gamesmaster will have to decide if the general Wardroid A self-explanatory purpose. Still expensive and
opinion of the populace and/or the legal system sees prototypical at the time of the Ruin. It was not yet cost-
intelligent machines as entities due treatment as any other effective, so humans were still used as soldiers.
intelligent entity, or if they are considered non-persons. Animatrons can be programmed to move, act, and perform
Although such things may not be possible in the near as a human. Each 5 points of Attribute score require 1
future, they can make for an interesting scenario if handled memory unit. Animatrons do not require Will and Health, and
properly. Wit is only pertinent for determining the sensors ability to
distinguish Hidden Things. Most models are limited to
ANIMATRONS human maxima. Wardroids have maxima of 50.
Animatrons are Robots designed to function and look like The number of memory units available to an Animatron
humans. A prototype of such machines can be seen in the will vary. If the brain is external, it may be any size. If
audio-animatronic creations of Walt Disney Enterprises. internal, the usual capacity will depend on the generation
These represent a first generation of device. The power of the brain. For game purposes, 50 times thegeneration
source and brain are not included in the body of the Robot. number will give a good base.
Motions and actions are preprogrammed and restricted to a Animatrons do not take damage as humans do. Each
fairly limited repertoire. These Robots are effectively non- portion of the body has a Damage Resistance Total. That
mobile. portion will continue to operate until the total damage
We postulate several generations for each major system received exceeds the Damage Resistance Total. Subdual
in Animatron construction. These are presented in brief in damage from weapons does not affect an Animatron.
this chart: Except for thesimulation type, Animatrons are not subject to
FIRST SECOND THIRD System Shock.
GENERATION GENERATION GENERATION Different models have different Armor Values for the
MOBILITY Non-mobile Limited mobili- Fully mobile covering of the body. This basic Armor Value will add to the
ty to the length AV of any armor or clothing worn by the Animatron.
of a power cord Construction of Animatrons follows the basic design Of
humans. Sensors are in the head and the power source is in
POWER External source External main Internal power the body. If the sensors are destroyed, the Animatron will be
so u r c e w i t h source equiva- blind, and if the power source is destroyed, it will cease to
limited internal lent to an Ev-150 function.
emergency Critical Hits against an Animatron are resolved on a
supply equiva- special table. A Missile Special Effect against an Animatron
lent to an Ev-20 uses the usual table. A Daze or Stun result against an
BRAIN Pre-program- Limited Wide rangeof Animatron will only last for a number of Action Phases equal
ed specific response but response with- to the machines Phases Consumed in Action number.
instructions some decision- i n a r e a s o f
making capa- programming
bility
A fourth-generation brain would be Artificial Intelligence. ......:-
W
The brain in all cases need not be incorporated into the

Robot body. It may be connected by a transmission cord or
have its instructions relayed to the body by radio,
microwave, or some other form of wireless communications.
Animatrons are designed in several models. Each model is
intended for a specific type of duty and is constructed to
40

ANIMATRON STATISTICS BY MODEL
REPAIR AND REPROGRAMMING
Damage The Gamesmaster who incorporates Cybernetic devices
Resistance Structure Armor Mass into his campaign may also wish to add a Skill in Robotic
Model Total Rating Value Design, which would function similarly to Computer Design
Skill.
Demonstration Head: 15 5 5 8 Repair is accomplished as repair for vehicles, but
Body: 25 Electrician Skill is used to do the work once the repair
program is laid out by a qualified designer, that is, a
Limb: 10
character who has whatever Skill the Gamesmaster has
Servant Head: 15 5 5 8 designated as capable of understanding Cybernetic devices.
Each portion (head, limb, body) is treated as a separateTask.
Body: 25
Repair is accomplished as a Task. The repair program
Limb: 10 must first be laid out as a design Task to determine the
repairs to be made. Each portion of the Cybernetic device is
Simulation Head: 20 5 1 8.4 treated as a separate Task. This includes head, limb, body,
Body: 35 and brain. Losses due to critical system loss must be
repaired following a program similar to that used when
Limb: 15
repairing a vehicle with a system loss. Once the repair
Usually contains sufficient blood to simulate 20 program is laid out, a character with Electrician Skill and an
wounds. Animatron Repair Kit may proceed on theTask of repair.The
Surrogate Head: 30 7 9 9 Task Value is twice the damage sustained. Task period will
be by the day. Besides the time required to perform the task,
Body: 50 a repair Task will require a minimum of 2D6 units of parts.
Limb: 20 A Cybernetic device is Disrepaired when its Damage
Often incorporates special equipment specific to Resistance Total is exceeded by the damage taken. Then its
Structure Rating plus its DRT is exceeded, it is Junked. When
its job.
its DRT plus twice its Structure Rating is exceeded it is
Wardroid Head: 50 10 15 10 destroyed beyond repair. Desrepaired and Junked units
yield parts as the corresponding non-functional vehicles.
Body: 80 Reprogramming a cybernetic device is possible, but will
Limb: 30 be limited to the functions that the device can perform and by
IR and light amplification sensors standard. Fre- its memory capacity. Reprogramming is a Computer
quently contains a self-destruct device to prevent Science, Programming Task. The Gamesmaster may
capture. assign whatever Task Value he deems appropriate. A value
of 5 or 10 per memory unit would be reasonable. Some
devices such as Wardroids or security devices would have
anti-tamper mechanisms that could do anything ranging
ANIMATRON CRITICAL HIT TABLE from self-destruction to simply requiring a Task, albeit a
Die difficult one, be performed before the character could begin
Roll Effect reprogramming. Such a Task would represent breaking the
devices security systems and could have a Task Value in the
01-10 No effect
hundreds for a well-protected device.
11-20 Daze
21-40 Stun
41 -60 General Efficiency reduction. Attributes reduced
HIGH TECH WEAPONS
by 10% and BCS by 2 There are several potential developments in arms
manufacture which are just coming off the drawing boards
Systems loss:
now, or are still on them in some cases, which the
61 -64 Fine Control. Unit must make a Deftness AST Gamesmaster n a y or may not wish to include in the
to perform any function requiring fine
campaign. Some represent improvements on existing
coordination. This includes such things as
weapons, others totally new concepts in destruction.
firing a gun
65-68 Identification. Unit will not recognize normal LASERS
controllers or deactivation orders
If a workable ray gun is going to evolve from our present
69-72 Logic. Unit effectively acts in a random technology, it will be based on the Laser principle. While
fashion there are several ways in which Laser action can be
73-75 Manipulative. Unit may not manipulate simulated, the simplest one we have found posits that the
objects amount of power used to generate the beam, modified by the
tightness of the beams collimation, determines the
76-77 Motive. Unit is frozen where it is. It may not weapons damage potential.
move on the DAT display or change facing
Assume Lasers eat power in Charges. If fitted with a power
78-80 Sensory. Units sensory apparatus is source drawing current, they must recycle between shots
destroyed until the desired amount of power has built up in a capacitor
81-95 Power outage. Unit goes on reserve power or as Charges. The Lasers base damage potential is 1D10 per
ceases function Charge. The weapons should be assigned a maximum
number of Charges per shot by the Gamesmaster, an upper
96-00 Destructive dysfunction. Unit is junked. A limit on how much they can pump out at one time. The
40% chance of destruction beyond repair collimation of the Laser acts as a WDM for this power. It may
be fixed or adjustable. Laser fire is handled as if it were a
Single Action firearm: 1 Shot per Action is fired, resolving
41

the BCS on the middle Action Phase of the firers PCA. The Leather, so her clothes do not catch fire. But as the
Skill used to aim and fire is the Small Arms Skill appropriate damage done exceeds three times the Armor Value, the
to the form of the Laser gun (it is shaped like a Pistol or a armor o n Location 22 is destroyed. Since Winifred
Rifle). But a permanent bonus equal to the users Deftness suffered 26 points of damage, she has a 26% chance of
score is added to the Skill score. If the user has no Firearms suffering Laser Trauma. I f this occurs, her shoulder
Skill, he will still have a BCS derived from his Combative takes 13 points o f Criticaldamage, which has a flat 13%
Talent plus his Deftness. chance of severing the arm.
Firing Stance does not affect Lasers, as there is no recoil
and the beam goes exactly where you point it. Likewise, no SAMPLE LASER WEAPONS
bonuses to BCS derive from Brace Weapon, Rest Weapon, or U.S. Army XLM-2: Max. Charge per Shot = 2.
other steadying modifiers. Collimation = 2.
Range with Lasers boils down to Short (10 meters), A Laser pistol loading two E-5 batteries in a clip-type
Medium (100 meters), and Long (over 100 meters). These are magazine. ENC of .7. DUR of 2.
qualities of human vision rather than the weapon. The BCS
modifiers for Range are +1, +0, and -1 respectively. As there U.S. Army XLM-3: Max. Charges per Shot = 1.
is no BDG, no ballistic modifiers apply as such. Collimation = 2.
A Laser will shed 1 Charge forevery500 metersof distance Lighter version of the XLM-2, for riot control and police
traveled: out to 500 meters it is at full power; from 500 to 1000, use. Carries a single E-5 for power, loaded into the handle
it is down 1 Charge; and so on. Thus, a 3-Charge Laser hasa as in an autoloading Pistol. ENC of .4. DUR of 2.
maximum range of 1500 meters. U.S. Army XLMR-4: Max. Charges per Shot = 4.
This is the situation in comparativelyclearair. Light rain or Collimation = 3.
misty air will alter the distance from 500 meters to 100 A Laser rifle drawing power from a backpack-type
meters. Heavy rain will knock it down to 50 meters. A Smoke harness, containing an Ev-50. ENC of 1.2 for the gun and
grenade cloud or similar dense smoke concentrations will 1.5 for the backpack. DUR of 3.
reduce Laser fire traversing it by a factor of 1 Charge per (10
Eastlnghome Mining Laser Drill: Max Charges per Shot = 5.
meters/Smokes rating). A cloud of Smoke rated 1, Le., Collimation = 1.5.
reducing Light conditions 1 step, will knock 1 Chargeoff of a
Laser beam for every 10 meters it travels through the cloud. A fixed-mount device, about 2 meters long by 1.5 meters
Smoke rated at 2 will do so for every 5 meters traversed. high. The relevant Combat Skill for its use is Direct Fire
If the Gamesmaster wishes to introduce Smoke charges Cannon. The weapon can draw power from an Ev-50 or
specifically designed to limit the effectiveness of Lasers in a from a direct source of current. It contains a capacitor
battlefield situation, then the Beam will suffer the attrition as adjustable to complete charging at number of Charges
given for normal Smoke, but does so if it traverses any from 1 to 5. DUR of 4.
fraction of the stipulated distance, instead of only after it has LAZAB
traveled the entire distance. A special bonded, spray-on material that will takeon any
When a Laser hits a flammable material, it will have a plastic armor or clothing, or a Rigid non-plastic armor.
chance of igniting it as open flame does. It has a Strength Dispensed in 100-unit sprayers; 1 unit of this materia1,called
Rating for this purpose equal to the Group derived from its Lazab (for Laser Ablative), will coat 1 Location on the
damage potential times the collimation. Use the fire rules in users person.
Book 1, page 40. 1 layer of Lazab will reduce the Collimation of impinging
Maintenance, repair, and modification of Laser devices is a Laser fire by 1. Each such reduction also evaporates the
function of the averaged Skills of Laser Technology and layer. The material functions by subliming intoavaporwhich
Electrician. breaks up the coherent light beam of the Laser. A character
OPTION treats a plastic breastplate with 3 layers of Lazab. He is later
Laser Trauma hit on a chest Location by a beam from a Laser with
The effects of a high-energy Laser beam passing through a Collimation 2. The Lazab cancels both points of Collimation,
human body are pretty gruesome. The heat of the beam will leaving 1 layer still on that Location. A subsequent hit on the
blast the water in the tissues into steam in micro-seconds, same Location is also at Collimation 2. 1 factor of this is
causing extensive damage. There is a chance of taking an cancelled, so that the impinging beam has a multiplier of 1
automatic Critical Hit effect of Trauma to the affected for its damage potential. The Lazab on that Location is now
Location. This is a percentage equal to the damage that gone.
penetrates the Armor Value on that Location: the actual Optionally, the Gamesmaster may simply rate various
damage suffered. pieces of treated armor as having a given Lazab factor, ifthe
If the percentage roll indicated Trauma, half the total potential bookkeeping problems involved in the spray-on
damage done is the amount of damage taken as Critical system dismay him. A constant divisor might be a betterway
Disabling damage. The victim should be permitted a Health of measuring its protective value in this case, so that
AST to resist this effect. complete immunity to Laser fire is never achieved by wearing
Note: Sever effects due to Laser Trauma are cauterized by Lazab with a greater value than most Collimations. Lazab 2
the beam. Bleeding to death is not possible. would halve the Collimation, Lazab3 reduce it to 1/3 of its full
value, and so on. This saves a good deal of record-keeping. If
So Wild Winifred is potted by a Laser-firing sniper on the Laser still manages to eliminate the Locations armor
a housetop. The weapon is a 4-Charge Laser Rifle with despite the reductions of the Lazab, then both the ArmQr
Collimation of3. That willdo4D10 of base damage with Value and the Lazab value are gone.
a WDM of 3. Winnie is hit! The Laser pulse sizzles Alternatively, an armor material with integral Lazab may
through her shoulder (Location 22) where she is have its Armor Value reduced by the Collimation of the hit. If
wearing heavy leather (Armor Value of 4). The damage this method is used, the Lazab need not be rated for strength
roll scores a 10, with a multiplier of 3 that gives a factors.
damage potential of 30. Wild Winifred will take 26
points of damage from the Laser hit. 30 points of
damage gives the fire effect of the Laser a strength
group o f 4. That is not twice the Armor Value o f the
XLMR-4
42

ELECTROWEAPONS Tasers may be fitted with quick-retrieval systems, which
will reel back the harpoon if it is not stuck in somethina, or
These are hand-to-hand weapons developed from the may require manual rewinding (1 Action/lOm). It takes 1
cattle prod. The theory is simple: modify a handweapon to Action to load the harpoon back into the gun barrel when the
deliver an electric shock in connection with a physical blow. wire has been reeled in. Critical Hits add 2D5 to the
Any standard weapon in the Gear section can be found in penetrative force when it hits. Critical Misses are treated as
Electroweapon form. The most common are: Mace, Baton for arrows. A String Breaks result means that the wire has
(Club), Sword, Knife, Spear. Military models were in field test broken. Assume that the wire has about 10 points of
when the Ruin struck, for both Electroweapon bayonets and resistance to being severed by cutting or breaking in the
trench knives, although Pentagon sources admited that victims hands if he tries to disable the Taser that way.
these were principally intended to improve troop morale, The relevant Skill for shooting aTaser is the Pistol, Modern
rather than to increase fighting effectiveness. Skill, but Average BCS is used due to the lower accuracy of
The standard Electroweapon carries an E-5 in its haft or the Taser. Repairing a Taser, or making one, is a Task
handle. When the shock function is switched on (requiring 1 combining the Gunsmith and Electricial Skills.
Action), the weapon will emit a 1-Charge jolt of power The Gamesmaster may want to develop larger, more
whenever it hits a grounded object. The Gamesmaster will powerful Taser-type weapons for use in special situations.
have to determine if the object is really grounded or not. One playtest gimmick that worked rather well was a little
If the weapon hits the target (i.e., the BCS is successfully servomechanism on a wheeled base that scooted around
rolled) then the Charge does damage in one of two ways. If under tables and behind crates shooting a Taser with a 3-
the normal damage for the blow penetrates the armor at that Charge jolt behind it.
Location on the targets body, the 1D10 of electrical damage
is added to the damage that penetrated. I f the damage
potential was insufficient to penetrate the armor, the EXOTIC FIREARM AMMO
electrical damage is rolled separately in an attack upon that Another form of optional high tech weaponry we will
armor. This i s defended against by the armor as described discuss are cartridgesmed in small arms to enhance bullet
under Insulators in the Electrocution rules (p. 37). damage or other ballistic factors, or to produce other effects.
It is therefore possible for a steel breastplate, Armor Value
9, to completely stop the damage from the sword blow of an SABOT ROUNDS
Electrosword, but presenting no defense against the A cartridge case is loaded with a bullet of smaller caliber
electrical current, expose its wearer to the full value of the than the cases. Surrounding the bullet is a plastic sheath, or
sabot. The force of the burning powder can impart a much
damage die for shock.
Remember that the electrical damage done will be higher velocity to the lighter bullet, so that it maintains its
Subdual damage, no matter what kind of damage the speed far longer than do ordinary projectiles. Since the
weapon does as a physical weapon. velocity is higher, the BDG is not appreciablyaffected bythe
use of a smaller slug.
Firing a sabot round will have the same effect as the Match
TASERS Weapons feature: 50% increase in the Range Steps for the
A form of Electroweapon is use today, in limited
weapon. This reflects the lack of BDG loss over longer
circumstances, is the Taser. This is a small air gun,
rounds and the flatter trajectory of the bullet.
modified to fire a short harpoon, a missile fitted with a
barbed point. The harpoon is attached to the gun by a fine EXPLOSIVE ROUNDS
wire. Once the weapon has hit thetarget, the firer can pressa The bullets are made of a high-impact-triggered explosive,
stud which will release current into the wire and thus the producing a Blast of 1 for a 1-meter radius. If theshot misses
victim. its target, roll for scatter as for a miss with any missile weapon
(roll a D6 for direction of scatter) with a distance off target
Specifications for the Taser as it is used in Aftermath! are:
equal to the effective BDG in meters times 1D10. Read a roll
Skill Used: Pistol of 0 as zero, not ten. If the hit is within 1 meter of a character,
ENC: .5 Single Barrel .75 Double Barrel he gets the Blast 1 effects. If the bullet hits the target, add
1DlO to the damage roll for the effective BDG. If the bullet is
Range: 25 meters stopped by cover, apply the Blast effect to the cover, as if
using explosives in an Unskilled manner. Also, the target will
The weapon can be pumped up to firing pressure (5 Task experience the Blast 1 effects if any part of his body is not
Points required to charge it with enough air pressure to fire behind the cover, i.e., if he is not completely behind it.
once). The reservoir holds 20 Task Points of air at a time. A
Strength AST allows the pumper to put Task Points equal to INCENDIARY ROUNDS
his Effect Die roll into the reservoir and the Task Period is 1 The bullet is packed with a high-temperature incendiary
Action. Air guns using Con cartridges can fire 10 shots on compound. On impact, it does not do normal bullet damage,
one cartridge. A battery case holding an E-5 is attached t o but spatters into an small areaof intensely hot fire, which will
the gun, providing power for the electric effect. burn for 1 0 3 Combat Turns.The initial strength group of this
The Tasers harpoon is about pencil-sized and barbed. It fire is 4. Use the fire rules from Book 1.
will hit the target with 1DlOof force, and if it penetrates, it will
sink its nasty head into the victim. This only causes 1 point Of
actual lethal damage. He must expend an Action to try to pull
it out. To do so, he must roll a score on his Strength Effect Die FLAME WEAPONS
that is higher than the damage done by the dart when it hit
These are the flamethrowers, white phosphorus shells and
him. This will do him another D3 of damage as the barbs tear
grenades, napalm bombs, and so on.
loose.
Meanwhile, once the barb is sticking in the target, all the FLAMETHROWERS
firer need do is press a button mounted on the battery case. These are capable of squrting a stream of napalm for a
He may continue doing this until he runs out of power or the maximum distance of about 100 meters. No Skill directly
victim pulls the barb out. If the victim is still holding on to the governs their use, the BCS (if needed) being derived by
barb when the Charge is sent, he may take the shock i n his adding the users Combative Talent and Deftness as ascore.
hand. Actually, if you know how to operate it, all that need be done
43

is to point the muzzle of the weapon in the general direction Weapons using White Phosphorus are:
of the target and pull the release trigger. Any non-moving Hand Grenade: 1 Combat Turn fuse, like explosive
target in range can be hit if all you want to do is t o splash the grenades. Scatters phosphorus for 203 meters from point
outside. If firing at a small part of the target item (a machine of explosion with a BCS of 12 to hit characters in range.
gun slit i n a pillbox, for example), roll the BCS to do so. This is subject to Target modifiers for movement and
Against targets in the open, or moving targets, roll the Location rolls are subject to cover.
BCS. A miss will scatter. Roll the 0 6 for the direction of
scatter and place the end of the spray in that direction at a Mortar Shell: Scatters phosphorus over a radius of 20
number of meters equal to the Effect Number of the die roll. meters, with a BCS equal to 1410 hit exposed characters i n
Once an area has been hit by the spray, the user can range. Again, target movement will increase CDA against
traverse the end of the stream one meter per Action Phase this attack.
as long as he keeps triggering the flamethrower. He may do Rifle Grenade: Scatters phosphorus to a radius of 10
this as if moving normally, but is himself limited to a l-meter meters with a BCS of 12.
move per Action while firing. There is no Stance or aiming
Air Bursts will double the effective radius of the scattering
modifier to consider with the flamethrower. Just point and
effect, but the phosphorus will not start reaching the ground
shoot.
The weapon operates like a garden hose. T o fire at more for 1 full Combat Turn after detonation, at which point the
distant targets, you lift the nozzle, and thestream splatters to BCS rolls for hits are made.
thegroundfartheraway. Lowerthenozzleand thearcof fluid Anyone facing the direction of a White Phosphorus
detonation within a range of 50 meters must make a Speed
moves closer to you. Where the stream comes to earth, it will
spatter napalm for a radius of 2 meters. AST to cover his eyes or be blinded by the intense actinic
The average flamethrower consists of a long, rifle-sized light such weapons give off. If he does not make his roll
sprayer, attached to a backpack harness holding tanks of successfully, he will be blinded for 1010 Combat Turns.
napalm and a pressure tank t o push it out. It has sufficient
fuel for 10 normal shots, or 20 Action Phases of traversing. 2 NUCLEAR WEAPONS
phases will consume 1 shots worth. ENC of sprayer is 1.5, of
backpack 2. How much higher can the technology behind a weapon
get? The first major assumption to be made is that no matter
FLAME RIFLE how you ended the world in your campaign, there are not a
Functions as does the Flamethrower, but lacks its bulk and lot of strategic nukes left. If you want the characters to find
its capacity. The maximum range is only about 20 meters, the (or at least seek) a legendary last big bomb in a silo
splash radius where the stream hits the ground is only 1 somewhere, then fine. But there is really no reason to put
meter, and the Flame Rifle does not have traverse capability. them in possession of a city-killer more than once.
It has an ENC of 2. No backpack for fuel is needed. Small This leaves us the tactical stuff, including the so-called
canisters of pressurized napalm are loaded under the barrel, neutron bomb. Even here, unless you are positing some
providing fuel for 5 shots. If a shot misses, check scatter as pretty remarkable weapons research breakthroughs, the
with the larger weapon. smallest delivery system around will be a 105mm howitzer.
In the event of a Critical Miss, a scatter result with either The Gamesmaster will have to do the research on this
weapon which shows the stream landing with the firer in subject in terms of delivery systems.
range is allowed. Otherwise, such a scatter cannot occur. Our concern here is the potential destructiveness of
Roll again for the vector in such a case. nuclear explosives. Even a small nuke will reduce most
buildings to rubble for a radius of almost 1 km. It will put out
NAPALM lethal levels of gamma radiation to the same distance,
Napalm is the incendiary fuel made for f!amethrowers, sentencing the unprotected to slow death. For a slightly
flame rifles, and aerial napalm bombs. I t can beextinguished greater radius, exposed individuals will suffer third degree
by rolling or smothering, by chemical extinguishers, and in burns from the heat pulse of the weapon, which is almost
water it will float off the victim if he can immerse himself certain to bring death within hours at the most. And that is for
completely, although if he surfaces into a patch of floating a 1 kiloton weapon-almost picayune by modern standards.
napalm it will cover him again. I f hit by napalm splatter from a The new Neutron bomb, or Enhanced Radiation, Reduced
flame weapon, the victim is assumed to be fairly evenly Blast (ERRB) in polite company, does not, as popular belief
covered by the stuff. It will attack his Average Armor Value would have it, noiselessly emit a blast of radiation which
for purposes of doing damage, and the fire effects on armor sweeps people down in windrows while leaving buildings
are applied to everything he is wearing. At the intact. I n fact, it puts out blast effects equivalent to that 1
Gamesmasters option, a Location roll may be made, and kiloton weapon we described. Lethal radiation, however, is
that part of the body (limb, torso, or head) is what isattacked present at out to 3 kilometers! Significant radiation hazards
by the fire. are encountered as far away as 6 or 7 km. Within the primary
Napalm has an initial strength Rating of 4 for fire effects, radation zone, even personnel protected by the heavy steel
and will burn for 203 Combat Turns before going out on its armor of tanks would suffer serious overdoses of gamma
own, if not extinguished earlier. radiation. Unshielded individuals would almost surely suffer
a killing dose.
WHITE PHOSPHORUS The rule of thumb for exposure to a nuclear blast is: within
Powdered white phosphorus burns fiercely once ignited, the total destruction area of the blast, there will be no
settling over an area in a fine drift of dust. Roll for the survivors, unless in a hardened site or a tank or othervehicle
Location hit by exposure to White Phosphorus and apply the hardened to withstand the weapons effects. Within an inner
effects to the part of the body indicated, as was suggested radius of thezone (say half its overall radius) there will beno
for napalm. White Phosphorus will burn for 206 Combat chance of survival. Beyond this, anyone inside substantial
Turns or until extinguished. It has an initial Strength Rating coverage (concrete buildings, dugouts, tanks) will ride out
of 3 for fire effects, but it increases that figure by 2 for every the detonation of the device fairly safely. Exposed personnel,
Combat Turn of burning, instead of by l! however, will suffer casualties out to the full radius of nuclear
White Phosphorus can be extinguished by rolling or frightfulness.
smothering, or by chemical extinguishers. Water has no These are the tactical nukes (with the exception of the 1
effect on it. megaton warhead, which represents a fairly small strategic
44

RANGE EFFECTS O F NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Weapon Total Major 3rd Degree 2nd Degree 1st Degree 500 200 100
Size Destruction Destruction Burns Burns Burns REM REM REM
1 kiloton .25 km .5km .75 km 1.5 km 2.0 km .5 km .75 km 1.0 km
100 kiloton 1.0 km 2.0 km 3.0 km 10 km 15 km 1.0 km 2.5 km 5.0 km
1 megaton 4.0 km 10 km 15 km 25 km 50 km 10 km 20 km 25 km
ERRB (Neutron) .2 km .5 km .6km .8 km 1.0 km 3.0 km 5.0 km 8.0 km
weapon). Pace off a brisk stroll of about 5 minutes length Fourth Degree (1000 REM): The same as Third Degree,
from the center of your home city. If your starting point is but the Virulence of the condition if 4, and the Advance is
Ground Zero for a 1-kiloton blast, everything you have down the Health: when the effective health is reduced to
passed will be either flattened, or a tottering hulk if it is very the current AST, Full Fatigue results. At the CST, delirium.
solidly ccnstructed. The sights you pass in the next 5 When Health is reduced below 1, Crisis.
minutes will still be standing, but severely weakened. Frame During every week that a Character avoids further
houses will probably still be rubbled. Solid structures exposure to radiation, his system will purge itself of REM
probably have had their Structural Stability knocked down to equal to his Health score. A physicians care can increase
5 or so. Another five minutes walk brings you to the end of this figure by the doctors Wit Group Effect Die roll, if daily
the main heat pulses range. All unprotected individuals you attention can be given to the case. Roll the Advanced
have passed will be dead of extensive third-degree burns in a Medical Skill BCS at the end of the week, when the REM
few hours. The rubble is probably starting to burn. purged are calculated. The use of 1 Medikit Unit per day in
As you can see, there is not a whole lot of purpose in trying the week will increase the BCS by 1 and the effective Wit
to stage a defense against nuclear strikes on an individual Group by the same.
character basis. The bomb does not care. Special drugs are also available which can increase the
The only real game factor that is of general interest in purge rate if properly administered.
Aftermath! when it comes to nukes is the question of If the character can reduce the degree of Radiation
radiation, specifically of lingering contamination. How does Poisoning to First or even down to none between the time of
that invisible killer work? How can you stop it? the symptoms described in First Degree Poisoning and the
Well, actually, you cant stop it. If you are exposed to x more severe symptoms of higher Degrees, then the
amount of radiation, so many REM, then you have such-and- advanced forms of the affliction will not manifest themselves.
such a chance of dying. This is (in game terms) boring. For Gamesmasters who wish to use the device, we end this
Let us assume that areas of radioactive contamination still section with a Neutron Grenade. God only knows how the
exist. Some authorities state that they will be with us for thing works.
centuries; others are equally sure that the effects will It is a Rifle Grenade, 22mm type, available in Ballistite-
become insignificant within a few years. launched forms only. It has a Blast of 50 and no Frag. The
The Gamesmaster should assign a value to such weapon also generates 1500 REM at the point of detonation.
contamination in REM per Hour. When the characters have This is reduced by 50 per meter from Ground Zero.
absorbed a given number of REM, they will contract the
appropriate degree of Radiation Poisoning.
First Degree (200 REM): The character will become Fully GASES
Fatigued and show the Nausea symptom given in Book 1 Gas weapons may be delivered by hand grenade, 40mm or
after a number of hoursequal to his Health Group plus the 22mm grenades from launchers or rifles, artillery shells, or
roll of 1D10. He will remain in this state for a number of aerial bombs. They range from the ubiquitous but essentially
hours equal to 30 minus his Health AST. There are no merciful Tear Gas and other riot control substances, to the
further symptoms. Nerve Gases (Sarin, VN, and their lethal kin).
Second Degree (500 REM): The character evinces First Any Gas delivery system will be rated for base volume and
Degree symptoms as given above. He will than be duration. These terms refer to how much Gas they will put
apparently normal for a number of weeks equal to his out in a Combat Turn, and how many Combat Turns they will
Health Group. After this time he will show the next set of continue to give off Gas. A 5/5Tear Gas Grenade will put out
symptoms. Hair will be lost, hewill displaythesymptom of a cloud of Tear Gas to the radius of 5 meters, and will do so
Purpura, and he will suffer a lowered white blood cell for 5 Combat Turns. Each Combat Turn after the first will
count, so that any wound can cause infection. He will be in extend the radius of the Gas by the volume figure, so that
a state of permanent Partial Fatigue, and further stress will after the full 5 Combat Turns, a cloud of gas will extend from
Fully Fatigue him. the grenade for 25 meters in all directions, wherever space
He will remain in this state until he can make a Health exists for it.
AST, rolling daily. He will then recover within a numberof Some standard Gas deliver systems are:
days equal to 6 minus his Health Group.
0 Police Tear Gas H a n d Grenade: ENC of .2,
Third Degree (750 REM): The character evinces the same Volume/Duration of 1/10, 2/5,or 5/5
symptoms as in Second Degree Radiation Poisoning, but
the second onset of the symptoms is accompanied by an 0 40mm Launcher Grenade: ENC of .4, Volume/Duration of
Advance up Health. When the Advance reaches the CST, 3/10
the character is permanently Fully Fatigued. When it 0 22mm Rifle Grenade: ENC of .8, Volume/Duration of 10/3
reaches the AST, he will become delirious and feverish. At
an Advance equal to the Health score, Crisis occurs. The 0 105mm Shell: Volume/Duration of 20/3
Virulence of the condition is 3. 0 30 Kilogram Aerial Bomb: Volume/Duration of 50/2
45

NON-LETHAL GASES will contract it.
Tear Gas (C-type) The vesicant action of Mustard Gas acts as an acid on the
The mainstay of riot control the world over. The gas will victim as long as he is in the cloud. It does not attack armor,
impose 1D10 of non-ignorable Distractions and Partial but will eventually penetrate any clothing or armor not
Blindness on anyone in the cloud area without a gas mask of sealed or otherwise treated to resist chemical warfare. It is
some kind. It will add 1D10 to the Distractions every Combat not impeded by materials rated to protect only against riot
Turn of exposure. When the total Distractions are greater control gases. When, in any Combat Turn, the Gas damage
than the victims Will score, he will be seized only by the for acid attacks exceeds the Average Armor Value of the
motivation to get out of the cloud. If he cannot make a Will victim, it will do all further damage directly to thecharacters
AST, he does not even get to pick the direction of flight, but DRT as Combination Damage (half Lethal and half Subdual).
will charge blindly off in a randomly :olled direction. He will As long as the victim is in the cloud, the acid group of the
not change direction until he runs into something. A attack is 5, rolling 2D10 for damage. If the face is unprotected
character in the cloud with no protection can resist the first by a gas mask, the Gas will immediately do the Acid Special
Combat Turn of exposure if he makes a Health AST. He can Effects given in Book 1 on page 49.
resist the second Turn if he makes a CST, and if he rolls a 1 on All vesicant action ceases upon leaving the Gas cloud.
the D20, he can hold out for a third Turn. After that, the Gas
takes effect normally. A makeshift mask of wet cloth held or Sarin
tied over the face will hold off the effects of the Gas for 1D3 A Nerve Gas, acting to destroy directly the function of the
Combat Turns. victims central nervous system. It can be breathed in, or
absorbed through the skin. Personnel not wearing gas
Retch Gas (CL-type): Acts as Tear Gas, but also causes
masks and protective clothing rated to defend against war
violent Nausea. It advances up the Health score,
gases will be affected. Sarin is both colorless and odorless,
immobilizing the victim with cramping heaves and vomiting
being detectable only by devices or chemically treated
when that figure is exceeded. The gas advances by 1D6 per
paper, which turns different colors in its presence.
Combat Turn of exposure. The victim is subject to the
In the first Combat Turn of exposure, all unmasked
Nausea symptom when the accumulated advance exceeds
characters will be affected, and masked characters without
his Health AST.
protective clothing will resist the Gas with a Health AST, to
Mace Gas (CN-type): Also called Pepper Gas. Tear Gas in which their Average Armor Value has been added. On the
which the chemical Mace is in suspension. This will expose next Combat Turn of exposure, such characters receive an
victims to the effects of Mace (see p. 47) on all unprotected unaugmented Health AST. On the third Combat Turn, they
portions of their bodies. Any Location not covered by armor receive only a CST as a chance of resisting exposure, and on
or clothing of some kind is subject to attack. The stuff will the fourth Combat Turn, only a die roll of 1 will save them.
penetrate clothing not sealed against Gas after a number of Thereafter, they are exposed.
Combat Turns equal to the Average Armor Value of the
Sarin: A,D-(+)-HLH-1 to 4 Combat Turns-4-
wearer in any case. It will proceed to affect the body moving
inward from the extremities (head, hands, feet) toward the 10 minutes
center of the torso. When Advance exceeds Health CST, the victim becomes
Fully Fatigued, his vision is affected, reducing his perception
Smoke
of local Light conditions one step (Good to Dim, Dim to Poor,
Any of the above Gases can be mixed with a Smoke
etc.), and severe confusion doubles the characters PCA
compound. Smoke charges in this application do not act as
since he must concentrate harder to accomplish an Action.
Narcotic poisons, but only reduce visibility. They have a
When the Advance exceeds the Health AST, the previous
normal density of 2. Smoke charges also are loaded into Gas
systems alone, to provide visual cover for troop movements, conditions persist, and Nausea sets i n along with a loss Of
defense against lasers, and so on. voluntary motor control which halves the characters BMA.
When the full Health score is exceeded, Crisis occurs as with
LETHAL GASES Lethal Poisons.
If the victim is still in the cloud at the end of a Cycle period,
Mustard Gas there is no chance he will be allowed a Saving Throw to throw
Discovered in WWI, this nasty substance is a poison both off the effects of the Poison. This assumes he is still exposed
to breathe and to skin contact. It is not only a chemical to the Gas directly, instead of in protective gear.
poison, but a vesicant or blister gas, acting on unprotected Standard military issue today is Atropine, which acts to
flesh like an Acid. negate the effects of Sarin. It is issued in individual syrettes.
A gas mask is required to withstand the effects of inhaled Injection of Atropine before the end of the first Cycle will
Mustard Gas. cancel the poisons effect entirely. This effect will last for 10
Mustard Gas: A,(D)-(-)-HLH-1 Combat Turn-3- minutes plus the characters Health Group in minutes,
1 Combat Turn/l Hour-Lethal Poison should he still be exposed to the Gas. After that, he had best
be out of the cloud or in protective gear, because further
The two values for the Cycle represent the values when in the
injections of Atropine will act as a Lethal Poison,
cloud as opposed to those in force once out of the cloud.
While exposed to Mustard Gas, or any other poison gas, it is I-(-)-HLH-1 Combat Turn-2-5 Combat Turns
not possible to throw off the effects until out of the cloud, as it
just repoisons the victim. The Gas does its damage every PERSISTENCE OF GASES
Cycle period, with no Saving Throw possible. There are two classes of Persistence: Long and Short.
Due to the vesicant action of Mustard Gas, those who have Long Persistence Gases will clear from the air in 2D10 + 10
breathed it face a further danger once the principal effects minutes, multiplied by 10, i.e. 120 to 300 minutes. Winds or
have been thrown off: pneumonia. The effects of this rain will eliminate the multiplier. The cloud may drift in this
infection are given later in this section (Germ Warfare). The period, maintaining its overall shape and dimensions, at a
chance a Mustard Gas Victim will contract the disease is rate of 2D6 kph, in a random direction.
equal to the total Advance of the poisoning down the Health Long Persistence Gases are Mustard Gas, C-type and CL-
score, before it was thrown off, as a percentage. If the D l 0 0 type Tear Gases, and VX, a newer form of Sarin.
roll indicates that this has occurred, the character must save Short Persistence Gases will dissipate in 2D10 minutes,
as if exposed to the disease, and if he fails his Health AST, he divided by 5 in the case of high local winds or rain. They are
46

also subject to drift, albeit this is not as vital a factor underthe could have been a lab-developed trait or one which occurred
circumstances. via a random mutation after the germs were released.
Short Persistence Gases are Mace Gas, Sarin, and T-Gas, Anthrax
a special form of Mustard Gas. D or A-(+)-HLH-1 D3 Days-3-2 Days-Lesions.
MACE Nausea. Pain.
Mace is not a Gas but an aerosol spray, used in Mace Gas There is also a chance that the disease will cause the loss of
to augment its effects, or from a small spray can as a personal facial and head hair. When the disease is cured, roll a Health
weapon. In this latter form it has an optimum range of 2-3 AST. If it fails, the character is permanently bald. Once this
meters. If the target is at that range, the spray will hit i f the disease has-been overcome, the character is immune to it.
Attacker can roll a Deftness AST. From 4-6 meters, a CST will Cholera
hit. The Target may use his flat CDA to dodge, receiving no G-(0)-None-1 D3 Days-Special-1 Day
bonuses for movement since the spray covers a wide area. The victim of Cholera begins dying of thirst as described in
At 1 meter or less, the Attacker must make a Deftness CST Book 2 under Survival. This process continues until he is
just to get the sprayer in position to use. If he succeeds, he healed. He will remain at the stage of the dehydration
also uses a CST to try to hit the target as given out above. process he reached when he overcame the disease until he
A shot of Mace will hit 1 Location on the Targets body. It makes a Health AST, rolling once per day. He will then be
will automatically penetrate any Flexible non-plastic fully recovered. Cholera is generally contracted by drinking
clothing with an Armor Value of 4 or less. Plastic cloth will be impure water, infected with the bacteria of the disease.
penetrated only if it has an Armor Value of 3 or less. Boiled water will not carry the disease.
The number of Locations affected by Mace, divided by 2,
up, represents a Group. When the Group is increased, roll Pneumonic Plague
the Effect Die for that Group. Thisscore represents a number A--(-)-HLH--PDG Hours-4-2 Hours-Nausea.
of non-ignorable Distractions that the character will suffer Weakness. Fainting.
until the Mace wears off. When another increase occurs, roll Once the disease passes the Health CST in its Advance, the
again. If the new die roll exceeds the highest previous score, victim will just go into delirium until death or healing takes
that die roll is the number of Distractions in force. I f it is lower place.
than the current number of Distractions, there is no change.
A Mace Hit to a Head Location (Locations 1-3) will have GENERAL DISEASES
more pronounced effects. This is treated as a caseof System These are likely to reappear in even the healthiest of
Shock. Even if the victim makes his Health CST, to avoid regions when modern medical science is no longer
unconsciousness, he will be Partially Blinded until the Mace controlling their spread.
effects wear off. Any hit to the Head will also increase the Pneumonia
current Group of the Mace effects by 1 full point, not half a A-(-)-HLH-1 D3 Hours-3-3 Hours-Pain. Weakness.
point, as others do. The protection on these locations must
provide facial coverage for Location 2, to defend against the The victim has a chance of Infection if exposed to any kind
Mace hit. Otherwise, the armor protection described for of wound while suffering from pneumonia. There is also a
other Locations applies. much milder form of the disease, with a Virulence of 1 and all
The Mace victim may make a Health AST to throw off the the time periods above given in Days, not Hours. This is often
effects of the Mace every 5 Combat Turns. Special formulae called Walking Pneumonia.
for persistent Mace exist, requiring longer Cycles (up to 10 Victims of exposure or damage to lung tissue can develop
minutes). These are generally available only from military or the disease without any apparent exposure to a carrier, as
police supplies. most humans carry the pneumococcus dormant in their
lungs, ready to become active if the immune system of the
GERM WARFARE victim is weakened.
I f a standard Ruin due to internecine war may be said to Rabies
exist in the concepts used for Aftermath!, it is that after the I-(+)-DFT-l D3 + 5 Days-5-1 Day-Rheumatoid
major powers divested themselves of nuclear arms, they
condition of arms and legs. Nausea. Pain.
proceeded to re-arm with biological weapons: germ warfare.
The resulting conflict is quite lethal enough to clear the Rabies is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal.
Earth of the requisite population, but leaves the resources Hepatitis
available for salvage by the survivors. This is perhapsacold-
blooded sort of rationale for using Germ Warfare in your G or A- (+)-STR-1 D3 Days-3-1 Day-Weakness.
campaign, but it does allow a fairly fast flow of the Nausea. Dizziness.
characters search for survival equipment. MODIFIED DISEASES
The brief list of symptoms given in Book 1 should serve as Diseases show a distressing sameness. If we have mutated
a model for designing others. The essential nature of a people and animals, we can surely mutate the teeming
disease (natural or laboratory-bred) is toattack the system of swarms of bacilli to produce new, mad, exotic plagues. Some
the patient, displaying certain symptomsoutwardly while the of those which strike terror into our playtesters hearts
bacteria or viruses do their nefarious work. Our coding include:
system for diseases will allow the plotting of the course for
Brain Lighting
any number of conditions, from the common cold to the most
lethal plagues. The apocalyptic literature which fuels the A-(-)-WL-2D6 Hours-3-1 Hour.
concept for Aftermath! is filled with examples of diseases The sufferer will complain of hideous headaches once the
that seem tailor-made for Germ Warfare use, and we will give Advance has wiped out half his Will score. He will become
the specifications for some of these here. Also included in insane and require restraint if he is not to run madly about at
this section are common diseases likely to be suffered in the random once the disease has reduced the Attribute below its
normal course of daily life in the post-Ruin world. current CST value.
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS Eyeburn
Strains of disease bred for Germ Warfare. It is assumed
that they were mutated to sporulate, go into a form of I-(+)-WL-1 day-2-1 2 Hours-Dystopia.
hibernation, when a host is not present to be infected. This If the Crisis is not survived, the character is still alive, but
47

his optic nerve has been destroyed, leaving him permanently The Metpol (Metropolitan Police)
blinded. The disease is transmitted by the bite or claws of Patrolmans Issue Armor
infected animals. It seems to be a mutant form of Rabies,
which has become specific to the tissues of the optic nerve. Locations
Item Covered ENC Material
These two examples should put medically-inclined
Gamesmasters on the right track toward breeding their own Helmet 1-2 .048 MP
unique compendium of plagues with which to afflict their Gorget 3 ,024 MP
Players. Flak Jacket 4-12 ,288 LP-MP
Coverall 4-18, 21-28 ,046 PH
ARMOR Boots 17-20 ,016 LL
The kind you wear, not the kind you drive. We have Gloves 29-30 ,008 LL
discussed the materials pretty thoroughly in the Equipment w/Cuffs 27-28 ,070 SY
rules. However, as far as military and police applications go,
personnel will not be outfitted in piecemeal array like the Average AV: 6 Total ENC: ,450
average character is. Integral, standardized suits would be Features: When Helmet and Gorget are worn together, the
the rule, and when such suits, or certain parts of them, have protection over the Face (Location 2) locks down into the
been assembled, special capabilities will be gained. Gorget, forming a gas mask (filter type), effective against
POLICE ISSUE most standard gases but not biological contaminants.
Plastihide Coverall is specially treated to protect against
If your campaign assumes, as our test campaigns did, that contact vector irritants, as are Gloves and Boots. Thus,
a time of grievous social disorder preceded the Ruin proper, integral suit is a defense against most chemical attacks.
then metropolitan police units will be outfitted with fairly The Helmet has a built-in portable communications unit
heavy riot armor by the time the end comes. Light, quickly- (Com-Link), powered by an E-1. This is the equivalent of a
assembled suits would be dispensed to normal officers, hand-held Police radio. Reception can be switched to oneof
activated for riot control. SWAT teams and Civil Disorder three police frequencies. Transmission is by voice-activated
Units would be issued more durable stuff, since their throat mike.
standard assignments will put them in positions of greater
personal danger. The Metpol SWAT/CDU Issue Armor
Locations
Helmet 1-2 .06 DP
Gorget 3 .03 DP
Breastplate 4-9 .18 DP
Hip Guards 10-12 ,096 LP-MP
Coverall 4-18, 21-28 ,046 PH
Boots 17-20 ,016 LL
Gloves 29-30 ,008 LL
w/Cuffs 27-28 .020 SY
Joint Guards 15-16, 25-26 .280 LP-PS
Average AV: 7 Total ENC: ,736
Features: Same as Patrolmans Issue plus optional Ballistic
Cloth sheathing for Locations 4-14, looking like a short
poncho, strapped to the armor. This garment has a BDG
reduction value of 10.
Metpol trooper in Heavy Patrol Gear

with Shield and Electrobaton.
Locations
Jumper 4-1 2 .018 px
Upper Arm Guards 21-24 ,096 MP
Thigh Guards 13-14 ,048 MP
Coverall, helmet, gloves are standard Metpol issue. Patrolman SWAT Team Member
48

MILITARY ISSUE Both versions of the Mark Ill are equipped with Blast
Buffering rated at 10 and are issued with a Lazab Factor of 5
The combination of protection and lightness which on all points of the body. Camouflage coveralls are available
plastics bring to the field of personal armor may well give us as for the Mark I.
infantryment who look like medieval knights, or at least
Cromwellian lronsides. Military troop specialization will be Light Reconnaissance Unit Armor (Intruder System)
more extensive than police (unless the cities get very hostile Locations
before the Ruin hits them). Here, we give the statistics for Item Covered ENC Material
four of the most common types of armor in modern military
Helmet 1-2 ,072 AP
issue (circa 2000).
Gorget 3 .036 AP
Field Infantry Mark I
Body Armor 4-9 ,270 DP
Locations
Item Covered ENC Material Hip Protection 10-12 ,120 LP-DP
Helm 1-3 ,108 AP Fatigues 4-18, 21-28 ,460 PX
Torso Protection 4-9 .18 DP Gauntlets 27-30 ,150 LP-DP
Hip Guards 10-12 ,096 DP Boots 17-20 ,040 SY
Arm Harness 21-30 .36 M-MP Average AV: 8 Total ENC: 1.158
Leg Harness 13-20 ,288 M-MP Features: Convertible flip-up vision units on helmet
faceplate, allowing unaided, Star-Light, or Infra-Red visual
Boots 17-20 .04 SY
scans. Also contains Com-Link, Micropor filter and audio-
Joint Guards 15-16,25-26 .28 LP-PS boost aural input units. These increase effective hearing
range to about 60 meters in omnidirectional mode, or they
Average AV: 9 Total ENC: 1.352 may be tuned to a given vector for about 100-meter pickup.
Features: Helm contains military issue Corn-Link, powered Their use makes normal sounds clearly audible at these
by an E-5. Breathing intakes fitted with Micropor Mk.lV anti- ranges, and quiet noises are also possible to hear (as Hidden
viral filter, providing protection against aerosol biowar Things). Allows Wit AST when listening for noises through
agents. Also resists gas attacks by standard military or police doors, etc., instead of usual Critical Saving Throw.
gases. Undersuit available providing protection against The suits were designed for use by units on scout and
contact chemical and biological weapons. Also available is sentry duty. Options on certain experimental models
ballistic cloth oversuit, in assorted camouflage patterns released just prior to the Ruin include the Intruder
(Green, White, Sand, and Grey). Provides 15 points of BDG Chameleon, fitted with a switchable camouflage setting.
reduction. Adjusting the controls caused the specially-treated
materials of the suit to assume one of five camouflage
Heavy Infantry Armor Mark llla patterns: Green, Brown, White, Grey, or Black. Accessories
Locations also included anti-biological and chemical oversuits, and a
Item Covered ENC Material built-in Blast Buffer harness, rated at 5 points of Blast
reduction.
Helm 1-3 .12 PS
Articulated
Body Unit 4-1 2 .48 PS
Articulated
Leg Harness 13-20 .32 PS
Articulated
Arm Harness 14-28 .20 PS
Gauntlets 29-30 .08 PS
Average AV: 15 Total ENC: 1.2
Features: Articulated pieces are gasketed at flex points
(waist, joints). Overlap of rigid material at joints provides
equivalent protection to that afforded areas behind solid
plate. Due to its construction, the integral unit can be sealed
against any form of CBW attack. Suit is potentially multi-
environmental, can be equipped with breathing gear
(standard Mk.ll UAW unit) capable of providing fresh air
supply for 2 hours.
Helm equipped with Micropor Mk.lV anti-viral filter and
Corn-Link. Flip-down Star-Light filters available for use in
reduced visual conditions. All powered systems in suit draw
from two E-5 batteries carried in case at hip. At full power,
with internal air circulation, Star-Light scope, and Corn-Link
operating, suit draws 100 watts. It is thus good for ten hours
operation on one set of batteries.
The Mark l l l b version of this armor system is provided with
an exoskeleton MAMP (Man AMPlification) unit. This
provides a 50% increase in effective Strength of personnel. It
draws power from an independent power supply, consisting
of two E-10 in a backpack. It increases ENC by 1.5 and is W
rated at 250 watts. Mark I Mark llla Intruder
49

MILITARY ANTI-RADIATION PROTECTION battery case at the waist designed to hold an E-1. It counts as
Heavy Cloth.
A spray-on protection, much like Lazab. The rating of the
protection is 1 per layer applied, to a maximum of 5,and is Crash Suits
divided into the REM per hour of exposure in contaminated Designed for use by racing drivers, stunt men, etc., these
areas. The coverage breaks down by 1 factor per 100 REM af are constructed of a unique material called Rigiplast.
exposure. Partial coverage has a factor equal to the total Rigiplast is an impact-sensitive plastic, soft and malleable
number of layers divided by 30. Coverage of 3 layers on under most circumstances, with an ENC of ,005 per Location
Locations 1-10 would not effectively reduce exposure, as 3 covered. But when it is struck with any force, it will become
layers times 10 Locations is 30, and 30/30= 1. A factor of 1 is momentarily rigid, presenting an Armor Value of 7.
not effective. The first layer of such protection acts as a When worn as a suit, Rigiplast acts to provide Blast
primer, also working to absorb secondary contamination Buffering with a base value of 5. If only partial coverage is
as the shielding breaks down. This substance is usually acheived (say by a jacket or trousers), the Blast Buffering is
dispensed in 100-unit aerosols (ENC of .2). This is applied equal to 5 times the number of Locations covered, divided by
like Lazab. 30. Round fractions nearest.
Crash suits may also be provided with flame protection, as
are the Fire Protection Suits.
CIVILIAN ARMOR & HIGH TECH CLOTHES
Rigi-Gloves
These spring from one of two sources: armor and other Gloves made of Rigiplast are much favored, since they add
protective coverings developed for workers in high-risk so appreciably to the impact of blows. Such hand
environments and disaster control, and civilian protective protections will add 1 to the WDM of punches or chops, using
garments designed to meet crime in the streets during the any unarmed combat Skill (Brawling or Skilled Unarmed
grim times of the Pre-Ruin Unrest period. Combat). These are known as karatands.
Fire Protection Suit
The familiar asbestos coverall. Silvered on the outside to
reflect heat, and with room inside for self-contained MEDICINE
breathing apparatus, the suit will present an effective Armor As the technological arts of destruction are much
Value of 10 to Fire and Fire Damage, although its physical advanced, so are the healing disciplines. Wondrous drugs,
Armor Value vs. blows and other damage is only 5. remarkable devices cooperate with the skills of the physician
Antl-Radiation Suit to offset the hideous damage of wounds, the killing diseases
For use by disaster workers or plant workers in of the Ruin. Even death, if it be not too long in control and the
radioactively contaminated areas. A simple air filter keeps cause of death has left some shell into which life may flow
radioactive particles out of the wearers lungs, so no again.
breathing apparatus is needed. The exposure to local Here we give some samples of the medicinal arts that
radioactivity is cut by 100% when the suit is at full efficiency flourished before the Ruin. As with much of our material it
(Le., never before used). This protection is degraded by 5% includes things known to us now, sometimes without any
per 100 REM of exposure taken by the suit. In a 500-REM- real change in how the device operates. Other entries here
per-Hour area of contamination, the suit will be reduced 5% are developments that may be seen occurring in modern
in efficiency every .2 hours, or 12 minutes. It will be down to medicine, some laudable, some not. We will posit that they
75% after the first hour, 50% after the second, and completely were brought to fruition before the end came.
useless after a total of four hours. Its wearer will be exposed
to increasing dosages of radiactivity as his protection INJECTORS
erodes. Rips or tears in the suit negate is effect by 5% per We have stated that the advances in packaging will permit
Location torn. Used-up suits are at best n o good and drugs to be preserved without degeneration for an indefinite
should be discarded. They have a high likelihood of being period. The forms of such materials will be in pills for some
contaminated themselves (say 10-60 REM per hour) and drugs, but mainly we envision them in single-dose,
should not be handled over-much. They are Armor Value 5 disposable syrettes. Pre-loaded with the proper dosage,
vs. normal damage. sterilized and ready to inject when the cap protecting the
Civilian CBW Suit needle is removed, these little plastic hypos weigh a mere .01
A Civil Defense unit. A large coverall with hood, made of ENC.
light plastic. It has a small air tank of spun fiberglass, holding The needle can penetrate non-Rigid armors with an Armor
30 minutes of air. The suit protects against any CBW agent as Value of 4 or less. Any Location of the body may be used to
long as it remains sealed. It is designed to be used once and inject the subject, unless the specific description of the drug
destroyed. Its Armor Value is 2. states otherwise.
Street Suits DRUGS
Plastex (PX, Armor Value 6) coveralls worn by the
Polycellulac-3
inhabitants of urban areas with high crime rates. Deluxe
Heals 2D10 of Lethal Damage per dose. Must be
models incorporated Ballistic Cloth intothetorso (Locations
administered within 10 minutes of suffering the damage. The
4-12). They often came equipped with hoods of quilted
drugs action accelerates the normal healing systems of the
Plastex, with Armor Value 7, covering Locations 1-2. Gas
body tremendously. As a result, the Healing Rate is reduced
masks were also part of the suit, or its optional accessories.
by 1 per dose. When the Healing Rate is0, further doses will
Street Suits were often decorated in garish patterns, both in
have no effect. The lost Healing Rate is restored at 1 point per
obediance to the dictates of fashion, and in an attempt to
day. Note that the characters Shock Factor will be reduced
deny the grim necessities that forced the wearing of armor in
while his Healing Rate is reduced.
ones own city.
Electro-Thermal Sporting Clothes Polycellulac-4
The ultimate in winter-weather protection. A suit of Same as Polycellulac-3 but this formula is not subject to
thermal underwear including socks, wired to maintain even the time limits regarding when the damage was received. It
warmth in the iciest of conditions. It will operate for ten hours will act upon any Lethal Damage currently in the patients
continuously with 1 Charge of battery power, and has a system.

Neo-Heroin Panomycin
A very potent pain-killer. Reduces the effects of being A broad-band antibiotic. 1 Dose allows +1 to any Saving
wounded. I f the damage total taken exceeds 50% of the DRT, Throws the patient attempts against any form of disease. 1
the patient has no penalties for this state; he is effectively Dose per Saving Throw attempt is allowed.
unwounded. If over 75% of the DRT, he suffers only the OPTION
penalty for being over 50%. If his damage total exceeds his Superior Broad-Band Antibiotics
DRT by less than his Healing Rate, he is not comatose, which The Gamesmaster may introduce more powerful, general
would be normal, but suffers the penalties for wounds past remedies into his campaigns pharmacopeia. Assign a value
75% of the DRT. Damage exceeding the kill point is still fatal, of 2D3 to such drugs, which otherwise operate as does
or incapacitating in the case of Subdual Damage. The Panomycin. Alternatively, massive Panomycin treatment
patients Shock Factor is increased under the influence of can fill this function, two Doses acting to give +1 to the base
Neo-Heroin, by 5. value of the first Dose. Thus, 3 Doses give +2 to the Saving
The drug is addictive. For every dose taken, a Health AST Throw in question, 5 doses give +3, and so on.
must be made, or the user will pick up a habit. It requires72
hours of cold turkey from the drug to kick the habit. After an Tailored Antibiotic
addicts last dose wears off, he will be unaffected for hours There is, theoretically, one of these for every disease the
equal to his Health AST. He will become Partially Fatigued Gamesmaster has put in the Campaign. The antibiotic has a
after that, until the time in hours since the last doseequals his formula written exactly as is the formula for the disease. If
Health score. He will then become Fully Fatigued. He must used in a different case (i.e., for another disease) it will still
roll a Health AST and Will AST at this point (or rather, the give a bonus to the Saving Throw as does Panomycin, with a
Gamesmaster should roll for him). If he fails the first roll, he +1 for every element in its formula that matches the coding of
will collapse, delirious, after a number of hours equal to the the disease it is fighting.
Health Group Effect Die roll. If he makes the Health AST but An injection of the tailored antibiotic that exactly matches
fails the Will AST, he will retain consciousness but will do the disease code is the same thing as making the relevant
anything to get another shot of the drug during the Saving Throw. It cures the disease.
remainder of the 72-hour detoxification period. The HDAP (Hyper-dexamylophet)
Gamesmaster may dictate his actions, or let the Player A powerful amphetamine. Reduces fatigue by 1 step. I f the
control them if he can be trusted to play the addicts patient is not currently Fatigued, it will add 2D5 to Deftness
desperate craving properly. We would remind readers that a and Speed. When the drug wears off (2D6 hours later), the
junkie undergoing withdrawal is not entirely sane. He will patient will be Fully Fatigued until he has slept for 24 hours
undertake any course, no matter how slim its chance of minus his Health AST. If another Dose is taken while under
success, that seems likely to get him that next shot. the influence of HDAP or in the Fully Fatigued state that
A dose of Neo-Heroin will last for 203 hours. During that follows its use, a Health CST is needed if the drug is to have
time, it controls the wound effects as stated. When it wears its usual effect. Failure means that the patients system will
off, all wounds will revert to normal effects. not accept more HDAP at that time, and will not do so until he
Cardiacine has slept for the specified period. A Critical Failure will cause
An extremely powerful cardiac stimulator. Can restore the collapse for 2D10 hours.
heartbeat in the newly dead. The body must be intact HDAP is addictive, exactly as is Neo-Heroin. This is for
enough to support life: no severs, no enormous holes in the convenience. The detoxification period for the
guts, etc. The Gamesmaster is the final arbiter on this point. amphetamines is much more drawn-out than that of heroin.
The injection must be made directly into the heart (i.e., If the Gamesmaster is interested, there is a glut of data
Location 6 must be used to inject) within 3 minutes of available in modern books on the effects of drugs.
death. Only one shot is allowed. The patient is permitted a 8-Gamma-PCP-Ill
Health CST when injected. I f he makes it, hewill have0 DRT, Derived from the notorious drug PCP (angel dust or
and be comatose but alive. If he fails to make it, he does not KW in modern slang). It was developed by the Army in
revive, and is dead. experiments seeking a drug to increase the effectiveness of
OPTION the infantryman in combat.
Brain Damage Strength, Deftness, and Speed are all increased by So%,
This is a gruesome but accurate element of any simulation although the Strength bonusdoes not increasethe DRT. The
of non-magical resurrection. If the Cardiacine is not Shock Factor is increased by 10. Wounds are resisted as
injected within 5 Combat Turns of death, the patient will when under the influence of Neo-Heroin. The effect lasts
start to lose Wit and Will points. These losses are permanent. 3D3 hours.
The character can still gain in these Attributes, but his In stress (combat, hostile activities, personal danger, pain,
maximum possible score is reduced from 40 by the number etc.) the victim/user must make a Will AST to control himself
of points lost due to oxygen starvation while his heart was (one such roll at theonset ofthesituation isenough, unlessit
stopped. is very drawn out, in which case the Gamesmaster may
If the injection is given 6-10 Combat Turns after death, choose to require subsequent re-rolls). If he fails, he will go
1D3 of Wit and Will are lost. From 11-15 Combat Turns after berserk, attacking any apparent threat in his vicinity,
the heart stopped, 1D6 is lost in addition. From 16-20,l D10 including armed or violent-looking members of his own
more is lost. During the period 21-30 Combat Turns after party. He will not break off a fight until his opponent is
heart activity stopped, a further 1D20 is lost. After30 Combat obviously dead, and he will try to kill with no regard for other
Turns, it is irrelevant, as the 3-minute limit is up. factors. I n this state, the user will double the Effect Die rolls
If the current Wit or Will score is reduced to 0 or less, the for such things as breaking restraints, great leaps, etc. He
physical revivification of the patient i f still possible, but not will be absolutely fearless, but will view any opposition to his
really desirable, as he wili be a permanent vegetable, brain ideas as a direct attack. He is immune to Fatigue.
activity wiped out by oxygen starvation. When the drug wears off, the user must make an immediate
Health AST, as well as checking for any results of losing his
drug-given powers (wounds, pain, fatigue, etc.). I f he fails to
make the roll, he will undergoamental flashback2D12 hours
later, lasting for 10-60 minutes. His mental attitudes will be
Syrefie the same as in the berserk state, but he will have none of the
51

physical advantages of the drug. After this spell ends, he that the reflexes and muscles are adapted by the injection as
must roll the Health AST again, repeating the flashback well as the brain cells.
process over and over until the Saving Throw succeeds. Temporary Doses of the drug will endure for one week.
Anagathon MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
The pinnacle of medical research before the Ruin. The Beside the wonder drugs listed, the equipment and
drug reverses the degenerative effects of age over 40 years. resources available to the physician in Aftermath! can spell
This is not a single-dose operation. A graded series of the difference between life and death for his patients.
injections of various components of Anagathon are required Defibrillator
over an unbroken period of one month. The full set of I f the physician has this device (1.2 ENC, operating from
syrettes has an ENC of .5. Each such regimen cancels 2D3 of the charge in an E-10) he may use it in lieu of Cardiacine,
the effective age as far as the losses of physical Attributes go. subject to the same restrictions. The defibrillator is a small
As the effective age is lowered past the3-yearlbreak points valise, and if you do not recognize the name, it is used to
the reductions suffered due to age are restored. administer an electric shock to restart a heartbeat.
The patient may not exert himself during this period, his The defibrillator consumes 1Charge per use. The patients
food and water requirements are doubled, and there must be chest (Locations 4-7) must be exposed, and the device itself
no more than three days at a time lost between treatment open and turned on (1 Action to get it ready).
days or the process breaks down. Upon applying the Charge, the physician must make an
CPC (Catabolic Potential Catalyst) Advanced Medical Skill BCS. If hesucceeds, the patient may
This is a drug discovered earlier in the research that make the Health CST as with Cardiacine. Unlike Cardiacine
produced Anagathon. Following a regimen similar to that use, the defibrillator may be used more than once, until:
described for the other druq will extend the Characters 1. The physician makes a Critical Miss in his BCS roll.
prime by 1 0 3 years. In other words, after a l-month CPC
protocol, the Character will not start aging as is usual until 2. The patient makes a Critical Miss in his Health CST.
he is 43, instead of 40. A maximum 5-year extension can be 3. Brain death ensues (3 minutes after heart action stops).
maintained at one time. If the prime has been extended to
4. No more power is available.
45 years, no further treatment will have a result until the
patient is at least 41. Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
A technique, not a drug or device. I t uses pressure from
NOTE: Neither of the above drugs restoreor extend youthful external massage over the heart (Location 6) to keep it
looks. The patients still look aged, though hearty, after
pumping when it has ceased to do so on its own. It is part of
treatment. It is the effect on muscle, bone, and neural tissues
the knowledge conferred by Advanced Medical Skill.
that is combatted, not wrinkles, graying hair, and so on.
The Location must not be in Semi-Rigid or Rigid armor,
Anarad and the Armor Value may nor exceed the physicians
A chemical compound of the versene series, operating to Strength Group in any case. T o apply CPR, a BCS roll in
flush radioactive ions from tissues of the human body. A Advanced Medical Skill must be made. Success will keep the
Dose of Anarad is a series of graded injections, used daily heart beating for a number of Combat Turns equal t o the
over the course of a week. It increases the rate at which REM physicians Deftness Group Effect Die roll, after which a
are purged from the body by 20. A full set is .25 ENC. second BCS roll is needed. Each subsequent BCS attempt
Antl-REM receives a cumulative penalty of -1. That is, for the second
An injection which helps the body resist external levels of roll, a -1, for the third a -2, and so on. This applies for any
high radiation. Rated from 1 to 5, a Dose of Anti-REM will character attempting to make the roll, and reflects the
cause the actual REM rating of the environment to be patients worsening condition.
multiplied by a factor equal to (10-Drug Ratirlg)/lO. A shot of When a BCS roll is not made, then the patient will not
Anti-REM 1 will cause only 9090 of impinging radiation to be respond to further CPR.
absorbed. Anti-REM 5 halves the effects of radioactive While CPR is being applied successfully, the clock is
exposure. stopped on the results of heart inactivity. The effects of
One Dose will last for 48 hours. Multiple Doses may be oxygen starvation do not advance past the stage they had
used to add up the effects, as in taking two Doses of Anti- reached when CPR was started. This can buy valuable time
REM 1 to get the effect of Anti-REM 2, but the maximum while preparing Cardiacine or a defibrillator.
protection the drug can afford is a rating of 5. Further Doses Of course, applying CPR requires the continuous
have no effect. attention of the physician. He may attend to nothing else
while performing this technique on a patient.
Memory RNA At the Gamesmasters option, a Critical Hit when rolling
Doses are rated from 1-10, This represents a BCS in some the BCS for CPR results will permit the patient to make a
Skill. When the Dose takes effect, the character acquires the Health CST. I f it succeeds, heart activity will start up again.
specified BCS in the Skill. If he already possesses the Skill,
the figure is a bonus to his current BCS. If not, it is his total Electric Cautery/Knife
BCS in the Skill. Uses electrical current to cut or cauterize tissues. In
Alternatively, the drug may be rated with a Skill and a surgical applications gives a +2 to the Advanced Medical
score (01-30,51-75, etc.). Ifthe character does not have that BCS and to the patients saving throws if any are used to
score in the Skill, he will acquire it. He cannot use it unless he avoid bad reactions to surgery. If used to cauterize Severed
possesses a total score from 1 to the lowest point to be wounds, to prevent bleeding, the patient need not roll the
acquired. Thus, the data acquired from a Dose of Memory Health AST to survive. It does put him into shock, but the
RNA for Driving Skill, 51-80, is useless to the character until tissue damage is more controlled, and unlikely to kill the
he gains a score of his own up to 50. victim. The device is about the size of a soldering iron,
The former type is suitable for RNA Doses designed t o act attached to a control pack which can be powered off an E-10
as temporary boosts to knowledge, the latter for permanent or Hvy. Household Current. It is rated at 2500 watts (that will
implants of knowledge. consume .05 Charges per Combat Turn when operating on
It is not advisable for very physical Skills to be included in battery).
those available from Memory RNA, although some fictional Inflatable Splints
treatments of the subject use them this way. The premise is Plastic bags, inflatable in 10 Actions, which can be fitted
52

around a broken limb before being blown up, like big
balloons, to immobilize broken limbs. We will posit that the
current models have been improved by the time of the Ruin
to allow a character with a limb immobilized to moveas if the
limb were merely disabled. The splints come in three
formats: arm, leg, and torso. A deflated splint folds down into
a packet with ENC of .05.
Encephalographic Educator
A large and intricate computer and equipment complex
capable of inscribing a permanent range of Skill score onto
the memory of a character over a course of days (1 Skill point
can be transmitted per hour). The maximum daily session is
a number of hours equal to the sum of the Wit, Will, and
Health Groups.
It is a very large unit, non-portable, requiring a Lt.
Industrial Line of at least 22 kilowatts rating tooperate. It can
instruct only one subject at a time, since it must beattuned
to that individuals brain-wave pattern, a process requiring a
20-point Task by a Computer Science user.
The Task Period is one day.
TACTICAL BATTLES AND LARGE-SCALE COMBATS
In the course of a campaign, the Gamesmaster may come On each Battle Turn, 1D6 will be rolled for each side. This
to a situation which calls for combat but is too large to handle is the Battle Determination roll. The side with the higher
with the basic man-to-man rules. That is when this section modified roll is considered to be Winning This Turn. The
will become useful. lower modified roll is considered to be Losing This Turn. If
This system is deliberately designed as a shorthand the modified rolls are equal, the turn is Deadlocked.
form. No great details are given and a characters individual On a Turn when one side is reduced below 1 TSP, the
actions are lost in the overview. The principal advantage of side(s) which has (have) a TSP less that 1 is (are) considered
using this system is thequick resolution of combat situations to have Lost the Battle. The other side, if there is one, is
beyond the scope of small man-to-man battles. considered to be Victorious.
The basic rule is that two die rolls are compared and the The commander of each side (in some circumstances this
difference is the basic loss to the strength rating of the sides may be a Player Character) will make a BCS roll on the
involved. This is modified by the results of the application of appropriate Command Skill. A critical success will add the
the appropriate Skill by the commander. If the battle characters Wit Group to the D6 rolled for the Battle Turn
represents a fight with only about 20 men on a side, the results. A critical failure will subtract the opposing
appropriate Skill is Tactics. Larger battles use Operational commanders Wit Group from the result of the failing
Command Skill and the clash of whole armies over the characters Battle Determination roll, and the opposing side
course of a military campaign uses Strategic Command Skill. in considered to have made the Command BCS roll for
purposes of Loss modification to the side with the Critical
Miss. These die rolls will be used to modify the effects of the
THE COURSE OF A BATTLE Battle Turn determination.
Each side in a battle is rated for Troop Strength Points These steps are repeated until the battle is resolved or
(TSP). This is an abstract number representing the combat halted.
capability of the side.
Each Battle Turn represents about an hour. The battle will MODIFICATIONS TO THE DIE ROLL
continue until one side is reduced to zero or less Troop The Battle Determination die roll is modified for several
Strength Points, one side retreats from battle, or prevailing things. The result of the 1D6 roll is modified to get the
conditions force an end to current hostilities. number which will becompared to the modified die roll result
53

for the other side to determine the winner of that BattleTurn. When one of these cirkurnstances arises, the
These modifications are: Gamesmaster will check t o see if the sides morale will fail.
Superior Numbers: The side with superior numbers may The base percentage chance that it will fail is equal to 100
add to the die roll result. The TSP of the stronger side is minus thesides current TSP total divided by the originalTSP
divided by the TSP of the weaker and rounded down. This total, rounded nearest. This can be modified by another
gives a superiority factor which is referenced on this chart Command BCS roll made by the commander. This is called
t o get the add to the die roll. the Rally Roll. A successful Rally Roll will subtract2 times the
Effect Number from t h e percentage chance. An
Superiority Factor Die Roll Modification unsuccessful Roll will add 2 times the Effect Number to the
1 or less +O percentage chance of morale failure.
If a sides morale fails, that side will conduct a Retreat on
2 +1 the next Battle Turn. A critical failure when rolling on the
3 +2 morale check (a die roll in the 96-100 range) or a critical
4 +3 failure on the Rally Roll means that the side will Rout on the
next Battle Turn.
5 or more +4 If a morale check is called for during a Retreat, the Retreat
Critical results of the commanders die roll immediately becomes a Rout.
Retreat (see below): The side conducting the Retreat ENDING A BATTLE
receives a -1.
A battle is ended when one side loses all its TSP points,
Rout (see below): The side suffering from a Rout receives Retreats, Routs, or Surrenders. A Battle may also end by
a -2. mutual consent of the commanders. The latter case is
Other: At the Gamesmasters discretion he may apply usually due to such things as the fall of night (Command
other modifiers as he feels represent the situation. BCSs receive a -10 at night), adverse weather conditions (a
variable modifier to the Command BCS), advent of a new
RESULTS OF THE BATTLE force into the Battle (particularly if neither side knows if it is
DETER MI NAT 10N friendly), or any other circumstance that the Gamesmaster
Once both die roll results are modified, the smaller will be feels is sufficient cause.
subtracted from the larger. The result is the Base Loss of
A Retreat may be called at any time by the commander or
Troop Strength Points for that Battle Turn. If both modified
die rolls are equal, the Base Loss is 1. forced on a side by the fortunes of war. Once it is
determined that a Retreat will occur, that side will
The modification to the Base Loss is found on the Loss
participate in one more BattleTurn. On thisTurn, that side
Modification Chart below. All numbers are rounded to the
will receive a -1 modification to its Determination die roll.
nearest whole number.
After this turn, the Battle is ended. The other side (neither
In a Deadlock, only a critical success with the Command
side if both Retreat) is left in possession of the field. The
BCS will cut the Loss to one-quarter and thus, rounded
Retreating side is treated as Losing that Turn even i f it has
down, to nothing. A critical failure will increase the Loss to2.
the higher modified Battle Determination roll. It is not
In all other Deadlock situations, each side will suffer a 1 TSP
treated as if it had Lost the Battle.
Loss.
The modified Base Loss for a side is the number of Troop A Rout will occur with a severe morale failure. The
Strength Points which are subtracted from that sides total Routing side will participate in one more Battle Turn
TSP. unless already in Retreat. It receives a -2 to its Battle
MORALE FAILURE Determination roll. It is treated as Losing that Turn even if
it has the higher modified Determination result. It has lost
A side in a Tactical Battle will have to check for its morale the Battle.
in one of three circumstances.
A Surrender will occur when the commander of the
rn Loss in one Battle Turn exceeds 25% of the sides original opposing side accepts the offer of the side wishing to
TSP total. Surrender. No further Battle Turns are conducted.
*The character making the Command BCS rolls (the
commander) is killed or incapacitated. STRENGTH DETERMINATIONS
.The commander has a critical failure on his Command If a Custom Army is not in use, one side will have itsTroop
BCS roll. Strength Points determined by rolling 2D6 and adding 10.
LOSS MODIFICATION CHART

Side With Higher Side With Lower
Modified Battle Modified Battle
Determination Roll Determination Roll
Winner of Battle Turn
Made Command BCS 1/4 Base Loss Base Loss
Loser of Battle Turn
Made Command BCS 1/2 Base Loss 1/2 Base Loss
Both Sides Made
Command BCS 1/4 Base Loss 1/2 Base Loss
Neither Side Made
Command BCS 1/2 Base Loss Base Loss
54

The other sides TSP may be determined in the same way, or
the Gamesmaster may roll on the Reaction Table (Book 1,
MILITARY CAMPAIGNS
Appendix 1) and multiply the Value Number by 10%. This In the course of a game campaign, one or more military
percentage will be added to 100% to determine what campaigns may be waged. The simplest and fastest way to
percentage of the TSP of the first side is the TSP of the resolve a military campaign is to total all the Troop Strength
second. points available to each side and treat the entire military
Thus, a Value Number of -1 multiplied by 10% for -lo%, campaign as if it were a single Battle. The appropriate
indicates that the second side has 100% + (-10%) or 90% of Command Skill for this would be Strategic Command.
the strength of the first side. If the first side has a TSP of 15, A more interesting way to deal with it is to treat the military
the second side has 90% of 15 or a TSP of 13.5, or 14, since campaign as a series of battles. This requires the
the value is rounded to the nearest. Gamesmaster to make a number of decisions with regard to
The second method is advised for creating an army to face available supplies and facilities for transporting them,
a Custom Army, unless the opposing army is also a Custom continuing morale modifications, positional Battles, re-
Army. engagements, and other such details as apply to military
campaigns. The rules presented in this section are provided
Shay commands an army with thestrength of 15 TSP as a guideline for this sort of thing.
and his opponent, Thomas, has an army of 14 TSP. In a military campaign, a commander may have a large
Neither receives advantage for being significantly number of Troop Strength Points available to him. These
stronger that the other at this point. Shays Operational probably will not be all in the same location.
Command BCS is 12 and Thomass is 14. An armys TSP will be classed as Ready and Unready. If
On the first Battle Turn, Shay rolls a 3 for the used in a Battle, Unready TSP are at one-third of their value,
Determination roll and a 5 for his BCS. Thomas rolls a 3 rounded down. Thus, it requires 3 Unready TSP to equal 1
and a 19 respectively. The Battle is Deadlocked. Each Ready TSP.
side loses 1 TSP. Their new strengths are Shay 14 and All TSP, on both sides, are Unready at the end of a Battle.
Thomas 13. The rate at which they may.be made Ready will vary by how
On the second Battle Turn, Shay rolls a 1 and a 2, the side fared in the last Battle in which the particular TSP
while Thomas rolls a 6 and a 6. Thomass side is was engaged.
Winning this Turn. The Base Loss is 5. Shay, with the
lower Determination result and a successful Command A Victorious army may check for Battle-Ready TSP each
BCS, will actually lose one-half of the Base since day after the Battle. A successful Operational Command
Thomas also made his BCS. This is a Loss of 2.5 BCS roll will allow a number of TSP equal to the
rounded to 3 for a new TSP of 1 1 . Thomass Loss is commanders Wit Group Effect Die roll to be Readied.
one-quarter of the Base of 514 = 1.25 rounded to 1, Failure results in no additional TSP being Readied.
giving him a new TSP strength of 1 1 . Critical success adds 1 Group to the commanders
On the third Battle Turn, Shay rolls a 4 and a 20, while effective Wit Group and critical failure means that the
Thomas rolls a 4 and a 17. Neither has made his commander may not make a roll on the following day (in
Command BCS and Shay has Critically Missed. addition to none being Readied that day).
Thomass Wit Group is 2, so this is the modification to 0 An army which has Retreated from Battle may Ready TSP
Shays Battle Determination result. I f Shay had not in a similar fashion but the commanders effective Wit
Critically Missed o n his Command BCS, the Battle Group is reduced by 1.
would have been Deadlocked. As i t is, his side has Lost
that Turn and the Base Loss is 4 - ( 4 - 2 ) = 4 - 2 = 2. As far An army which has Routed from Battle will roll for
as Shays side is concerned, Thomass side has had a readying TSP once in a number of days equal t o 5 minus
successful Command BCS roll, even though this is not the commanders Wit Group. Otherwise they are treated
the case. Shays side will thus take the Base Loss. as if they had Retreated.
Thomass side, since neither made the Command BCS An army reduced to zero TSP has no forces to Ready.
and they Won the Turn, will take half the Base Loss or 1 .
The new strengths are Shay 9 and Thomas 10. After a Battle some of the TSP losses will be returned to a
But Shay has critically failed on his Command BCS commanders control. These are the recovered wounded, the
roll and his side must check for morale failure. His units which just lost cohesion but were not destroyed, and a
current strength is 9. This divided b y his original small pool of reinforcements. One the first day after a Battle,
strength of 15 and subtracted from 10Oohyields a base the side will receive 25% of the TSP lost. This number is
percentage chance of 40 for morale failure. Shay fails rounded down. At the end of the week following the Battle,
his Rally Roll with a die roll of 17. Two times the Effect another 25% will be received. At the end of the month, a
Number of 5 gives an additional 10% chance of failure further 10% will be received. All of these TSP are Unready.
for a total 50% chance of morale failure. The die roll is Thus, Thomas, the victor from the example of
33, indicating that Shays side has had a morale failure. Tactical Combat, had a total TSP Loss of 5. Twenty-five
i t will conduct a Retreat on the next Battle Turn. percent of that is 1.25, rounded to 1 , and 10% is
On the fourth Battle Turn, Shay rolls a 5 and another .5,rounded to 0. At the end of the day following the
20, while Thomas rolls a 3 and a 10. Shays modified Battle, he will receive back 1 Unready TSP. At the end
Determination result is 3 instead of the 4 i t would have of the week following the Battle, Thomas will receive 1
been due to the Retreat, since he has once again more Unready TSP. He will not receive any more TSP
Critically Missed. This immediately ,turns his Retreat from that Battle at the end o f a month.
into a Rout which has a -2 modifier to the On the day after the Battle, he will ready a numberof
Determination result. For Thomass Side, this makes TSP equal to his Wit Group Effect Die roll. He makes
the Battle Turn a Deadlock resulting in a Base Loss of 1 his Operational Command BCS with a die roll of 9.His
which will reduce his TSP to 9; but Shays side takes Wit Group Effect Die is 1D6 and his roll is a 3. He will
double that to reduce his sides strength to 7 TSP. Ths have 3 of his 9 TSP Ready and will add 1 TSP to his
Battle is over since Shays side Routed. Thomas has Unready TSP due to after-Battle recovery, giving hrm a
been Victorious and Shay has Lost the Battle o n this force breakdown of 3 Ready TSP and 7 Unready TSP.
Battle Turn. Thomass side is left in possession of the On the next day, his BCS roll I S a 17, so he will no:
field. ready any troops that day.
55

On the third day, he makes his BCS with a die roll of Each unit will have three values calculated for it. A
12. His Effect Die roll is a 5. His total force is now 8 Defensive TSP, an Offensive TSP, and an Offensive TSP with
Ready and 2 Unready TSP. Ammo are required. The last is used o n any Battle Turn for
On the fourth day, he again makes his Operational which the unit is supplied; the second is used when the unit
Command BCS (with a 4), and his Effect Die roll is a 6. runs out of ammunition, or if the unit is only armed with
That is more than enough, so his remaining 2 Unready hand-to-hand weapons. However, only one is used for
TSP are now Ready. calculating the comparative strengths for the Battle Turn.
Each units appropriate Offensive TSP is added to that of
LOGISTICS the other units on its side and rounded to the nearest to get
If the Gamesmaster desires, he may assign an upper limit the sides effective TSP for that BattleTurn.This is subject to
to the number of Unready TSP that may be made into Ready Position benefits.
TSP during a campaign. This is the simplest way of When Losses are taken by a Custom Army, they are
representing the resources available to a side. applied at random to individual units. The Gamesmaster will
Alternatively, a side may be given an upper limit which assign each unit a number and roll a die with a range as large
represents the stockpiled resources and a rate of production as the highest assigned number. If no die is available with a
which will raise that limit. This allows planning of campaign convenient range and a flat (equal probability for each
strategy to eliminate stockpiles, resource centers, and number) curve, he will pick the next largest range with a flat
production facilities. curve and roll until he gets a number in the correct range.
The number rolled will be the unit to first take damage. If the
ARMY MOVEMENT TSP indicated to be lost is greater than the Defensive TSP of
the unit, the unit is destroyed and the excess points are
An army, represented by even 1 TSP, has a base marching applied to another unit determined at random.
allowance of 8 kilometers a day. Vehicle-borne TSP have a I f a unit is only partially destroyed by Losses, the
base of 20 kilometers per day. This is used in Tactical Scale percentage of the units Defensive TSP lost is the percentage
travel as a characters Speed is used. of its Offensive TSP that will be lost for subsequent Battle
For purposes of using Forced March, an army has a Turns.
pseudo-DRT of 20. The reductions in Attributes called for by When assessing Losses for a Custom Army, do not round
fatigue represent the percent of the total TSP that become off the Loss. Fractional values can be significant to a Custom
Unready. If they are already Unready, one-half of the number Army, which will often have TSP values to two decimal
called for are actually lost. A completely Unready army may places.
not use Forced March. Player characters i n a Custom Army take the usual
Thomas of the previous example decides to move chances of Battle but add their available Offensive TSP into
out before he has readied all his TSP. He leaves on the the total for that side.
third day with 3 Ready and 7 Unready TSP. He travels CALCULATING VALUES
with Forced March until he accumulates 16 subdual
points. This would reduce a characters Deftness and FOR A CUSTOM ARMY
Speed to 50%. Thus, 50% of Thomass army is made In order to determine the TSP for a unit of aCustom Army,
Unready. f i f t y percent of his total of 10 is5. His3 Ready its value must be assessed. Unready units have 1/3 the
TSP become Unready but he must still account for 2 normal values.
more TSP. Since the rest are Unready, he will lose one- The value of the unit in each category (Offensive,
half o f the unaccounted-for TSP, or 112 of 2 = 1. Offensive with Ammo and Defensive) will be divided by a
Thomass army has been reduced to 9 TSP and all are number chosen by the Gamesmaster to yield values in a
Unready. convenient range for play. Divisors of 5, 10, or 20 will not
affect the scale of Battle Turns. Increasing the divisor by a
POSITIONAL BATTLES power of 10 (50, 100, 200 respectively) will double
When one side is attacking another which is holding a ammunition expenditures and the time taken by a Battle
given position, the defending side will be given additional Turn.
TSP representing the advaritage of the position. This Values for each unit are calculated separately and rounded
additional TSP should be kept separate from the defending to the nearest hundredth when the conversion to TSP is
sides normal TSP. made.
When Losses are assessed, one-half of the actual Loss will A units Defensive value is equal to the Average Armor
be assessed against the defenders normal TSPand one-half Value of a man in the unit times theTraining Rating times the
against the positions TSP. Fractions are rounded in the number of men in the unit. A crew-served weapon works the
usual fashion for the defender but are retained for the same way. A vehicle has a Defensive rating equal to its
position. Fractional position TSP are treated as having the Vehicle Armor Value converted to regular Armor Value (Le.,
Strength of the next-higher whole number. Thus, a multiplied by 10). If the vehicle is currently suffering a
positional TSP reduced to 5.5 still functions as if it were 6. reduction in maximum speed due to reduced Durability, this
Once the positions TSP has been eliminated, the Battle same reduction is applied to its Defensive value.
proceeds in the normal fashion. A units Offensive value is equal to its Defensive value, if
infantry. A crew-served weapon has no Offensive rating but
that of its crew (to be used when the ammunition is gone). A
CUSTOM ARMIES vehicle has an Offensive value equal to its Structural Rating
This section gives guidelines for evaluating a force times the crews Training rating when it carries no weapons
composed of disparate elements. It is of greatest use when a or is out of ammunition.
character acquires sufficient forces to require combat to be A units Offensive Value with Ammo only applies to units
resolved on a Tactical Battle scale. which use firearms. For these units, the value of a single
Each Custom Army will be composed of units. Each weapon is added to the base value. For infantry the Average
units is a separate entity. AV of a man is added to the value for the weapon being used,
A unit of a Custom Army is made up of all the men of one at the rate being used, and the result is multiplied by the
Training Category who are armed and armored alike. A unit Training Rating. For crew-served weapons, the BDG of the
may also be a combat vehicle or a crew-served weapon. weapon is the base. If a full crew is not present, the base is
56

CUSTOM ARMY VALUES
Rounds per
Gun Action Value Battle Turn Weapon Ratings Training Ratings Value
Black Powder 1 5 Weapon Type Value Training Category Multiplier
SA, DA, SS,PA 2 20 Hand-to-hand 0 Green (untrained) x .25
AL, SB 5 50 Bow Pound Pull x .05 Novice x .5
FA 10 100 Crossbow Pound Pull x .02 Trained x l
Machine Gun 15 1000 Firearm BDG of 1 round x .1 VeteranIElite x 1.5
x Gun Action Value Player Character/Heroic x2
Artillery 20
Artillery VDG x O/O of qualified
crew active
reduced to the percentage of the crew which is present arms, is assigned a number of rounds expended in a Battle
before being multiplied by the Training Rating. Vehicles Turn. If a character using a firearm is to get the value of that
work the same way except that the Defensive value is added firearm, he must havesufficient rounds to match the required
to the base value for all weapons able to be brought to bear expenditure. If insufficient rounds are available, the
before being multiplied by the Training Rating of the crew. Offensive Value without ammunition will be used. A
Reversing the calculations at the end of a Battle will character able to use a slower rate of fire with his weapon
indicate how many survivors there are in a unit. If a partial may do so. but he will only receive the Value for the Gun
man is indicated, assume he is wounded. If a partial vehicle is Action firing with the lesser ammunition expenditure.
indicated, determine the percentage damage and treat it asa
percentage Durability loss. EXAMPLE OF A CUSTOM ARMY
Ammunition supply is dealt with on a rudimentary scale. J. Caldwell has assembled an army. He commands
Each Gun Action or class of weapon, if larger than small 25 Trained soldiers.in AverageA V 8 , 5 0 Green troops in
Average AV 6, another 50 Green troops in Average
AV5, one Heavy Machine Gun with a crew of 2 (full
lnfantry Defensive (1 man) Offensive Offensive with Ammo

Trained Riflemen ( 8 1~) = 8 same firing 30-06 a t BDG 26, A L
((26 x . 1 x 5 ) + 8 ) x 1 = 21
Green Riflemen (6 x .25) = 1.5 same firing same as veterans
(((26 x . 1 x 5 ) + 6 ) x .25 = 4.75
Other lnfantry (5 x .25) = 1.25 same none
Caldwell (first 6 Turns) - - firing .223 a t BDG 20, FA
((20 x .1 x 10) + 10) x 2 = 60
(7th Turn) - firing .45 ACP a t BDG 11, AL
( ( 7 7 x .I x 5 ) + 10)x 2 = 31
(after 7th Turn) - (10 x 2 ) = 20 none
Heavy Machine Gun with full crew firing 7.62
NATO at BDG 27 as men: (8 x 1 ) = 8 8 ((27 X . 1 x 15) +8) x 1 = 48.5
Tank with 50% crew firing 105mm gun (no
MG) at VDG 56 and Vehicle AV 10, speed
reuction 10% (10 x 10) x 90% = 90 (5x1)=5 ((5oo/o0f56) + 90) X 1 = 118
This results in Caldwells army having units with TSP values listed below. The Gamesmaster decided to divide by 20.
Unit Defensive Value (TSP) Offensive (TSP) Offensive with Ammo (TSP)
#1 Trained Rifles
(25 men) 200 ( 10 ) 200 (10 ) 525 (26.25)
#2 Green Rifles
(50 men) 75 (3.75) 75 (3.75) 237.5 (11.88)
#3 Green lnfantry
(50 men) 62.5 (3.13) 62.5 (3.13)
#4 HMG crew
( 2 men) 16 (.8) 16 (3) 60 ( 3 )
#5 Tank 90 (4.5) 5 (.25) 118 (5.9)
plus Caldwell
Turns 1-6 60 ( 3 )
Turn 7 31 (1.55)
After Turn 7
57

crew), and a Tank mounting a 105mm gun, with 50% Veteran, they will be raised only on a die roll of 1 on the
crew. The HMG and tank crews are Trained. The first Operational Command roll used to Ready them. If the TSP
two units of infantry are armed with M-1 Garand Semi- value to be raised to Ready status was beyond what it would
Automatic rifles and the third has only Hand-to-hand take to raise the unit so elevated in status category, the
weapons. Caldwell himself is a Player Character, has excess may not be used on another unit.
an Average A V of 10, and is armed with an M-16 Assault Ammunition resupply of units in a Custom Army is
Rifle and a .45 automatic. handled separately from getting them Ready for Battleagain.
He has stockpiled enough ammunition for two Battle Such resupply problems are campaign dependent and, as
Turns for the riflemen and the tank, four turns for the such, are in the province of the individual Gamesmaster.
HMG, and 6 Turns for himself with the M-16 and 1 with Caldwell's total Losses in TSP were 9 TSP. Twenty-
the pistol. This means 7500 rounds ((50 + 25) X 50 X 2 ) five percent of that is 2.25 and ten percent is .9. O n the
for the M - l s , 40 rounds (1 x 20 x 2 ) for the tank, 4000 day after the Battle, his army receives 2.25 TSP
rounds (1 x 1000 x 4) for the HMG, 600 rounds (since he randomly assigned to Unit 1. Their Loss was only .2
will be using his M-16 at Full Automatic) for the M-16, TSP, so they are back to full strength. The still
and 50 rounds for the .45. unallocated TSP would normally be rolled for
The Battle engaged i n by Caldwell's army is randomly, but Caldwell has only one other surviving
presented only in terms of Losses to demonstrate the unit, which is Unit 5, the tank. Its TSP loss was 1.62,
procedure for dealing with them and their effects o n which is replaced, leaving .43 still to be allocated. The
the offensive ability of the army. lost units are eligible. The die roll indicates Unit 4, the
O n the first Turn, the army generates the maximum HMG crew. This is over half the TSP. The machinegun
Offensive value since all units with firearms have itself is lost since the opponent holds the field of Battle.
ammunition. This gives a TSP of 53.14 rounded to 53. Making a color call, the Gamesmaster describes this
The army is slated to take a Loss of 1 TSP. The Games- result as the machine-gunner staggering into camp,
master rolls 1D5 with a result of 4, which indicates the dragging his wounded loader.
HMG crew. The Defensive TSP of that unit is .8. It is Caldwell decides to Ready his Trained Riflemen first.
destroyed and its Offensive value will not be counted His Operational Command roll is a 1. His Wit Group is
for the rest of the Battle. This still leaves .2 TSP to be raised by 1 to its normal value (he was effectively
assessed against Caldwell's army. The Gamesmaster lowered 1 Group due to the Retreat) and the die roll is
rolls his die again and this time it indicates Unit 1. The l D l 0 with a result of 6. Six TSP of Caldwell's Trained
Defensive value of this unit is reduced by .2 TSP to 9.8. Riflemen are now Veterans and are Ready for Battle. If
This is 98% of its original value, so its Offensive value only they had ammunition! What has happened is that a
o n the next Battle Turn will be at 98% of its value, that is, new unit has effectively been created, since the
98% of 26.25 or 25.73. Training Classification of the Unit 1 riflemen has been
On the next Battle Turn, Caldwell's Offensive split.
capability is reduced significantly by the loss of the O n the next day Caldwell continues to Ready more of
HMG crew. His new total is 49.62, rounded to 50. O n his Unit 1 riflemen. His die roll is a success, but not
this Turn, the army takes n o Losses. critically so. He uses his normal Wit Group for the
Even though his army took no Losses o n the last Effect Die, which is 1D6. His roll is a 2. Two TSP worth
Battle Turn, Caldwell's Offensive power is reduced of Trained Riflemen are now Ready. This still leaves 2
greatly because his riflemen and tank are out of TSP of Unit 1 Unready.
ammunition. His total Offensive TSP is now 19.93 or20. Unfortunately for Caldwell's ambitions, his former
This is a loss of more than half of his Offensive opponent catches u p with him on the third day.
Capability. Unfortunately for Caldwell, his enemies' Unsupplied, his men still showing the effects of the
ammunition supplies were greater and he finds his previous Battle, Caldwell surrenders. He n o longer has
Offensive capability outstripped significantly. His to worry about Readying the rest of his army.
opponent thus gets an additive modification to his
Battle Determination result which permits him to inflict
CHARACTERS IN A
great casualties o n Caldwell's army. The Loss is8 TSP. TACTICAL BATTLE
The unit taking the casualties is indicated as No. 2. Characters may participate in a large-scale combat. Their
They are annihilated and 4.75 TSP are still to be fates, though related to that of the side on which they are
allocated. The next unit indicated is No. 3. They also fighting, are determined in a different way than that of the
are annihilated, and 1.62 TSP are still to be allocated. whole army.
The next unit indicated is No.5, which has its Defensive Each character should have his Offensive Value assessed
TSP reduced to 2.88. This loss is greater than 25% of if a Custom Army is in use. If the Gamesmaster feels that this
his original Defensive TSP, so the army is subject to a will involve too much work he may dispense with the
morale check. It fails and will Retreat on the next Battle calculations but should still charge the characters for
Turn. ammunition expended in the battle. This should be done for
Miraculously, Caldwell's army escapes without the rate at which the character normally fires when in
further casualties. combat. If no normal pattern is established, assume the
highest rate possible.
T h e calculated Offensive value for the characters is added
CUSTOM ARMIES AFTER THE BATTLE to the total of the side on which they fight.
Like regular armies, a Custom Army will regainTSP aftera If a randomly-generated army is in use, the characters'
Battle. These will be apportioned randomly among the units offensive capabilities are ignored, although they are still
of the army. A unit annihilated in the Battle cannot receive assessed for ammunition expenditure.
any of these replacement TSPs until all units which survived For each Battle T u r n , a character must choose a level of
the Battle are brought u p to the strength they were at before participation. A character may change from one level to the
the Battle. T h e Defensive TSP is used. next between Battle Turns. He may not change more than
Once a unit is made Ready after a Battle, the men in it will one level at once. That is, he may not go from Courageous to
have their Training Classification raised to the next higher Hanging Back or vice versa in oneTurn. He must first spend a
category if they are Green or Novice. If they are Trair?ed or Battle T u r n at Average level of participation.
50

The levels of participation are cross-indexed with the
Battle Determination result for a Turn to find the
CRITICAL BATTLE RESULTS
probabilities character being wounded acquiring loot, or Die
modifying his chance for recognition at the end of the Battle. Roll Result
These levels are: 01-30 No special result
Courageous: The character is in the forefront of the 31-60 Character must make Health AST or treat as 61-
Battle. This is a dangerous position but tends to have a 90 below
positive effect on the character's being recognized by the 61-90 Character is rendered unconscious for 1D3
commanders of a Victorious army. Battle Turns. When he is conscious again, if the
Average: The character does not seek out glory or Battle is still continuing, his level of participation
withhold himself from the conflict. He takes the normal, will be determined randomly for that first Turn.
not inconsiderable, risks of battle. He may adjust it on the next Turn. If the Battle has
ended and the enemy holds the field, he will be
Hanging Back The character does his best to avoid the captured. If his side holds the field, he will be
thick of the fighting. Although safer than the other two subject to normal After-Battle results.
levels of participation, participating in this fashion may
well bring a character to the attention of his commanders 91-00 Damage taken is critical damage. Roll Hit
in a very unflattering way. Location for results. The character will
experience a Trauma Critical Effect (see page 30
BATTLE RESULTS FOR CHARACTERS in Book 1). If Location 2 was indicated, also treat
On each BattleTurn, the Gamesmasterwill ask the players as a Critical Acid Effect (see page 49 in Book 1).
what level of participation their characters will be at during
the Turn about to happen. Their decisions are recorded and
the Battle Turn is conducted. When theGamesmaster knows If the Wounds roll was a 20, the character will receive
the status of the side on which the characters are medical care that will heal l D l O of the damage
participating, he can cross-index each character's level of accumulated so far.
participation with the status of the army for that Turn to get I f the character has First Aid Skill, he may apply it to
the die rolls to be used for determining how the character himself and any other characters in a unit with him during
fared in that Turn. the time between Battle Turns. Any character with a
Three letters will be found on the chart: W, L, and R. Each Bandage may apply it to himself.
will be followed by a number. The letter indicates the If the Wounds die roll was a 1, the character may receive
category of fortune. W is for Wounds, L is for Loot, and R is a Critical Battle Result. A DlOO is rolled and the damage
for Recognition. The numbers represent a modified BCS received that Turn is added to the result. The modified
which, when compared with the roll of 1D20, will determine D100 roll is checked on the chart above.
an Effect Number. Each category is rolled for separately. Characters may add a number equal to one-half of the
The Effect Number generated is a base number for that percentage of their total DRT accounted for by wounds to
area. This may be multiplied by a factor representing the the After-Battle die roll.
intensity or danger inherent to the circumstances. Specifics
will vary by the category. Loot: The character will maintain a running total of the
results for this category. A successful roll will result in the
Wounds: Only if the die roll is less than the number Effect Number, as modified by the correct factor, being
indicated will the character receive wounds on that Battle added to his total. An unsuccessful roll will result in the
Turn. The Effect Number of a successful roll is multiplied modified Effect Number being subtracted from his total.
by the factor for an army with the appropriate status to A negative result at the end of the Battle means that no
give the number of points of lethal damage taken by the loot was gained.
character on that Battle Turn. This may kill the character. A positive result is the Barter Point value of the Loot
FORTUNES OF WAR TABLE

Winning Losing
Victorious That Turn Deadlock That Turn Lost
Courageous w:9 W:ll W:l3 W:15* W:l7'
L:16 L:12 L:8 L:4 L:O
R:30 R:25 R:20 R:15 R:10
Average w:7 w:9 W:ll W:13* W:15'
L:l8 L:14 L:10 L:6 L:2
R:20 R:15 R:10 R:5 R:O
Hanging Back w:5 w:7 w:9 W:ll* W:ll*
L:20 L:16 L:12 L:8 L:4
R:10 R:5 R:O R:-5 R:-10
Modifying Factors
Wounds .5 1 1 1 1.5
Loot, successful roll 3 2 1.5 1 1
unsuccessful roll 1 1 1.5 2 3
Recognition, successful roll 2 1.5 1 1 .5
unsuccessful roll .5 1 1 1.5 2
The amount of damage taken that Turn is the percent
chance that the character has been captured. All captives
of a totally defeated army (TSP reduced to zero) or a
Routed army are freed.
59

gained. The Gamesmaster may wish to handle this as Sal has gotten herself involved in a Battle. On the first
ammunition for whatever firearm the character was using. Battle Turn, she decides to be Average and theside she
If the character had no firearm, the Loot may still be is on Wins that Turn. The 1020 rolls for each area are 6,
represented as easily-bartered ammunition. 18,and 19.She receives3 points of Lethal damage (9 6 -
Recognition: Recognition is calculated as Loot and a = 3 x 1 = 3). She starts with a negative Loot total of 4
running total is kept. The result at the end of the Battle is -
(14 18 = -4x 1 = -4)and a negative Recognition total of
the modification which will be made to the characters -
4 (15 19 = -4 x 1 = -4).
After-Battle ReactionRoll. On the next turn, she opts to be Courageous. This
Since officers are not supposed to throw their lives time, her side is in a Deadlock. The rolls are 1,9,and 14.
away, the Gamesmaster may wish to modify the She takes 12 more points of Lethal damage and is
Recognition BCS for characters functioning in that subject to Critical Battle Results. Her Loot total now
capacity. This modification is to the BCS indicated for stands at -6 (8-9 = -1 x 1.5 = -1.5rounded to -2 and
Recognition. raising the loss to -6).She does, however, garner 6
Some suggested values are: points of Recognition which eliminates the earlier
negative total and leaves her with a positive total of 2.
Sergeant equivalent +5
For the Critical Battle Results, she rolls 1 D5 and adds
LieutenanVCaptain equivalent +10 12 to the die roll. The result is a die roll Of 25 modified to
Major/Colonel equivalent +15 37. She fails her Health AST and is rendered
unconscious for 103 Battle Turns. The die result is 2.
General equivalent +20 For Battle Turns 3 and 4,Sal is unconsious. She will
participate in Battle Turn5 but her level of participation
AFTER-BATTLE RESULTS is determined at random. It is determined to be
There are no hard-and-fast rules to follow when dealing Hanging Back. This indicates that the tide of battle has
with the results of a Battle, but some guidelines can be moved away from where she had been knocked
presented. unconscious. The die roll results are made once the
The Gamesmaster may make a Reaction Roll for each Battle Determination is made. The side is Victorious on
character. This is modified by the characters Recognition that Turn. Sal has no chance to move to the forefront of
total. The purpose of this roll is to get the evaluation of the the Battle again. The die results are 20, 11, and 12. The
characters performance in the eyes of his superiors. The 20 indicates that she is healed for lDl0 points of
Gamesmaster knows the results of the Battle and the damage. The die roll here is a 6. She is still carrying 9
characters actions in it. Using this, he should decide points of damage. She has gained a base amount of 9
whether a character should be castigated or congratulated. Loot points which is multiplied by 3 for a result of 29
The coward in a Victorious army is often ignored, whileeven points; added to her previous negative total of 6, this
the brave man in a defeated army may face hard times. leaves her with a net of21 Loot points. Her Recognition
The Gamesmaster should also modify the results for roll gives a base loss of 2 points multiplied by .5 for a
player character officers. A defeat is harder on the officer net loss of 1, leaving her final total at 1 Recognition
corps than on the soldiers in terms of the wrath it brings from point.
an armys superiors and/or sponsors. Since her side won, there will definitely be an After-
In general, a negative result may only bring a reprimand Battle Reaction Roll. She receives a modification of +1
and a fine, or it may be serious enough t o have the character for her Recognition total and +14 for her wounds (total
brought up on charges of cowardice which could result in an damage received was 15 points, which is37.5 or38% of
execution. Player Characters should be allowed a chance her 40 points of DRT; divided by 2 and rounded nearest
for a jailbreak t o avoid such unpleasant side-effects. This can this gives 14). This is a total modification of +15.The
provide material for a gaming session. result Qf lDl00 is 57 modified to 72. This is a Good
A good result may earn the character a commendation, a result. Being a mercenary, she has her base pay
medal, or a reward in the form of more pay. A very good result multiplied by the Value Number for that reaction,
may cause the character to be promoted or t o receive an which is a positive 2. The Gamesmaster decides that
exceptional reward. this reaction also entitles her to priority medical care,
In any case, the characters should be rewarded or resulting in good, restful facilities and a doctors care
punished according to their actions and the Gamesmasters until she is healed.
view of how those actions fit in with the situation. The nature For Loot she receives 21 Barter Points worth of
of the army is also important. A Gamesmasters shrewdest ammunition. Had her Loot total remained negative, she
judgements can be called for in these situations. would have received no Loot.

THE CHANGED
This is a brief outlineof the mutationsof human stock to be structures and tough hide in place of normal human skin.
encountered in Aftermath! Primary consideration is given to Gamesmaster or Player may wish to work out a highly-visible
the basic forms of alteration in the first five generations or so, image of this latter mutation (scales, or a wrinkled, elephant
although some comments will be made on potentials for hide appearance).
development in later generations. The Tough receives the following abilities.
PHYSICAL MUTATIONS 0 Generate a number from, say, the roll of 2D2. This will be
used in all the following operations. It is called the
These are Changed features which act upon the physical Resistance Number.
senses, the Attributes, and other features of physiological
and neural configurations, having effect upon the mind, .The Toughs skin has an inherent Armor Value equal to
body, and senses of the mutant but not significantlyallowing the Resistance Number. This figure is added to the Armor
him to act upon the exterior world. Unless otherwise Value of whatever armor he is wearing over a given
specified, Physical Mutations are always working, although Location.
some applications require specific calls to that effect by a 0 Increase the Toughs Shock Factor by the Resistance
PIaye r. Number. In addition, the period of time the Tough is
STRONGS unconscious due to Shock will bereduced by anumberof
Strongs add 10 to their Strength (i.e., they effectively go up Combat Turns equal to the Resistance Number.
a Group). Gamesmasters Option: allow Strongs to train to 50 .Add the Resistance number to all STs against
in Strength, as opposed to 40. For a more normal version, succumbing to physical damage effects such as being
allow a score greater than 40 in a Changed Attribute only if winded, knocked out by a sandbag effect, stunned by
the initial Permanent score reached such a figure. If points falls, and so on.
are lost due to healable Attribute damage, allow healing back
to Permanent Value. I f points are lost due to re-trainable .The Tough will not die, if knocked below 0 in his DRT,
damage, sllow training back to Permanent Value. until the total damage below 0 is greater than his Healing
Strongs also suffer losses i n other Attributes, Rate plus Resistance Number.
proportionately based on their gains in Strength. Interesting options with this mutation might include tying
Gamesmaster and Player may exercise options: the Resistance Number into the Power Rolls discussed
0 Reduce Deftness and Speed by 5 each under Psionics later on. The Resistance Number equals the
Toughs Power Group. Thus, the changes start in early
0 Reduce Wit by 10 (or amount of Strength increase) adolescence and continue into young adulthood. Outward
0 Allow Player to rob Peter to pay Paul. He may increase manifestations of the mutation would be less noticeable for
Strength by transferring points from Attributes at a rate those with low Resistance Numbers, but as such factors as
designated by the Gamesmaster (e.g., boost Strength by3 inherent AV increase, thecoarsening of skin, the roughening
points per 2 points reduced in Deftness) of voice as cartilage in the throat thickens, the stiffening of
joints as bone cells increase in density, will mark him for a
In any case, the principal effect of being a Strong is going Changed One.
to be based on hormonal balance altered by the mutagens in Penalties to abilities of Toughs are potentially numerous
the post-Ruin environment. This will cause increased and the Gamesmaster should balance their severity with the
production of usable heavy muscle tissue, but will tend to levels of superiority gined by the mutant. Some possibilities
reduce movility and flexibility (Deftness and Speed) or i ncl ued:
mentation (Wit and Will). The options given above are to
permit tailoring the character to an image pleasing to Player Reduce all BCS and Saving Throws based on sensitivity of
and Gamesmaster. touch or lightness of movement by the Resistance
Number. The heavy bones and thick, insensitive skin do
QUICKS not do much for such operations.
Quicks receive enhancements to Deftness and Speed in
the same way that Strongs get enhanced Strength. They may 0 Obviously, the Tough is no beauty. Figure this into the
have a boost in only one of these Attributes or in both. Changed Ones interactions with people, especially ones
Penalties are levied against them as with Strongs, but are with no love for mutants.
probably targeted at Strength and Health. This is based on 0 T h e Tough could easily lose Speed and Deftness
the image of their mutation as an increase in the basal comparable with the Strong, by some number based on
metabolic rate, permitting greater reflex speed and muscle Resistance. A 1:l ratio is certainly possible.
firing at a cost in the storage of protein as muscle and the
general ability of the system to maintain homeostasis, There are other options, too numerous to analyze in detail.
reflected by Health reductions. The Gamesmaster is free to work out details with players, as
Other requirements based on this image could include well as to design his own variants.
doubled requirements for rations by the Quick, as well as IMMUNES
player design of habits and quirks that non-Quick humans I mmunes have systems which responded to the bacterial
are likely to find highly irritating. fury of germ warfare by developing tremendous resistance to
TOUGHS subtler forms of injury than the Toughs. They also have a
Toughs resist physical damage in a gross anatomical Resistance Number,but it acts as follows.
sense. Possessed of metabolisms which fiercely resist Add to Saving Throws versus all forms of drugs and
certain forms of injury, they also have heavier skeletal poisons.
61

At the Gamesmasters option, lmmunes can be assumed by ionization of air by radioactives or, in the presence of
to be totally immune to all forms of disease, or to have a strong IR sources, see as if a visible light were present.
chance equal to 10% x Resistance Number that their The power is probably not strong enough in itself toallow
systems will eliminate a disease during incubation, with seeing things by IR signature alone.
the Resistance Number added to Saving Throws in the The receptive form of the mutation operates in a
event that it does not. different way. The Changed has catlike eyes, capable of
Also at the Gamesmasters option, transfusions of seeing clearly by low starlight levels. In game terms, the
Immune blood could act for the recipient in the same way Eye in this form receives n o penalty when operating in
as for the donor. Some interesting scenario possibilities light levels lower than Good. However, in Good light
arise that way. (defined as ranging from a well-lit room on up to bright
sunlight) the Eye is totally blind! To function in this
As to the penalties for immunes, they must fail their Health environment, he requires sung lasses or similar
Saving Throw for beneficial drugs to work on them, and i f the protection, and when wearing such, his vision is on a par
Gamesmaster feels that it is called for, their systems can with normal human capability.
oppose any medical care with a Health roll (a CST if drugs Strictly speaking, total darkness should be
are involved). A bandage, of course, would not be resisted, impenetrable to the receptive Eye as much as to the
and most forms of first aid are probably not a problem, but human norm. However, a mutant with both receptive and
the use of medkit units, Pathology Skill care, etc.. might be perceptive forms of the mutation will be able to operate in
read as an attack by the hyper-active immunoresponse total darkness as well as near-total.
system of the Immune. Rapid changes in brightness will be crippling to the Eye.
SMARTS If he is dumped from bright light to dim, of course, he need
AS you might guess, Smarts have increased Mental only remove his shades. Exposure to sudden light
Attributes. If theonly form of the mutation is a flat add t o Wit (turning on the switch in a dark room, flashbulbs, flares,
and Will, there is no reason to penalize them in any other etc.) will impact his visual centers so harshly that a Will
area. Such a change is certainly in homo sapienss main AST is needed to prevent being Dazed (as by a Critical
evolutionary stream, and increased power of mentation in Hit) for the next 1D3 minutes. Even if it is made, he will be
itself will not affect the biological balance as extremely as the in a blinded state for that period after being protected
more overt mutations do. from the glare (by closing his eyes, donning shades,
getting out of the light, etc.).
However, we can also posit the super-minds among the If an Eye is exposed to such attacks, all relevant Saving
Changed, even though we are not yet speaking of the Throws for avoiding their effects are halved. If an attack
psionically gifted ones, who whould suffer some offsetting does succeed, then the procedures above are applied.
penalty to preserve game balance. A case can be made that
this increased mental ability will adversely affect physical EARS: Ears have enhanced hearing. This also occurs in
development. perceptive and receptive forms.
For such advanced Smarts, the abilities gained could be: The perceptive Ear has a range of hearing covering a
*Hidden Thing detection by AST rather than CST wider frequency response than the normal human (30-
15000 hertz or so). This would enable them to hear such
.For Knowledges at least, a gain of the Initial Score in the things as ultrasonic alarm triggers (such as are used in
Skill every time a full month is spent on the subject. This many modern anti-intruder systems), the distant pulse of
might not apply to Skills having a strongly physical side, turbines, or the sound of sonic sensors, and to penetrate
as abstract theory is less important than reflex training white noise sound masking, hearing around the
and exercise. The Gamesmaster must apply his own view masking frequency. There is no particular penalty
of hermeneutics to the question. involved in this form of the mutation alone.
a N o limit to Freely Improvable Skills The receptive form of the mutation increases the
sensitivity of hearing as if all input were amplified many
aAllowed intuitions (hints from the Gamesmaster) on times. Normal human hearing has a lower threshold of
making a Wit CST, allowed once in a given situation 2db; the receptive Ear has one much lower. On the other
In either type of mutation, the Smart will enjoy an increase hand, the human threshold of pain is around 80db, with
of around 10 in Wit and Will, and in the case of Super- damage to neural tissue starting at 100. The Ear is much
Smarts should suffer reductions in proportion of a// more vulnerable.
Physical Attributes (say 5 apiece). It is difficult to list all the things that can endanger the
The nice thing about Super-smarts is that they present a Ear. Any loud noise above the level of a human shout will
new thought process as the mutation, without necessarily at least tend to distract him. We must let a few common
requiring a measurable increase in brain-power. This is a examples serve.
truer kind of change than a straight jump in IQ. Gunfire: Outside, any report within 10 meters will
SENSERS impose Distractions (ringing head) fora period of time.
These are mutations enhancing the physical senses and Pistols and small-caliber Rifles do 1D6 of such effect,
the neural structures devoted to their interpretation. Do not larger weapons (including some of the big pistols like
confuse them with the ESP abilities described under the Magnums) 1D10. Distraction lastsforafull Combat
Psionics. Basically, Senser abilities can run in two Turn of firing at least. Thereafter, the Ear may spend an
directions: increased power of reception (i.e., response to Action trying to get his nerves under control. A Will
lower threshold of stimulation than normal) or increased AST does so on the first try and a second Action will
range of perception (e.g., seeing farther into the spectrum, always succeed i f the first fails.
hearing higher or lower frequencies, etc.). The latter is a Indoors, if in any enclosed space up to the size of a
lesser form of the mutation and less prone to compensating large auditorium with gunfire, the Ear is exposed to this
penalties. attack. If he is within the 10-meter range, double all
EYES: Eyes have an enhanced visual sense. In the effects of the noise.
perceptive form of the mutation, the Eye can see slightly Explosions: If close enough to be attacked by the blast
farther into the ultraviolet and infrared than normal. Thus, (i.e., Concussion) the sound will knock the Ear out
he can perceive such phenomena as the U V aura caused unless he makes a Will CST. Otherwise, if the
42

Gamesmaster judges him to be in range (and that can kinesthetic sense with the following abilities as a result.
be up to a kilometer) he must still make a Will AST or 0 No penalties for movement on Treacherous Ground, or
pass out. If he saves, he is Dazed for i D 3 minutes. moving backward (other than running into something).
Continuous Sound A loud stereo can be annoying to .Double the usual Base Movement Allowance used for
normal ears. T o an Ear, it can be maddening. The climbing movement.
bombardment by constant loud sounds will have a
value set by the Gamesmaster at, for example, 1D3 for a .Strike to Side Hexes as i f Frontal and Rear Hexes as if
phonograph, 2D3 for a loud PA system, 2D6 for Side.
feedback over a powerful amp and speakers, a flat 15 or 0 Allow movement on slackwires, tightropes, branches,
20 for a stamping mill, etc. In each CombatTurn where ledges, etc., at about half his Base Movement Allowance.
the Ear is trying to do anything, he must roll a Will AST Deftness AST to move at full Base Movement Allowance
or operate under the specified Distractions. I f he without falling.
makes a CST range, he has transcended the noise and
receives no penalty. If he makes AST only, he is under 0 Allow longer fall increments for measuring danger and
half the Distractions (round up). If he fails, he cannot damage.
even move except at half his BMA. At the A Balancer has a tendency toward attacks of motion
Gamesmasters option, he may try to react to the sickness. Cars or boats on calm waters, or commercial jets,
environment if the Distraction level is less than his Will have a constant Distraction Factor a i D 6 . Rough driving,
Group, but at large penalties. heavy seas, light planes would all have around D3 +3. Worse
Constant exposure to very loud sounds will act like conditions have increased effects. Add 1 to the Distractions
explosions, attacking the Ear on every Combat Turn of per hourthat the condition continues. Resisting theseeffects
exposure until he passes out. requires a Saving Throw using the average of the Wit and
Health ASTs. It is up to the Gamesmaster to decide if
Ears can protect themselves in one of two ways: by Balancers are potentially the best zero-gravity operators Or
stopping their ears altogether (going deaf) or by wearing permanent groundhogs.
earpads or plugs designed to filter noise levels down,
such as many shooters, press operators, and airport BLENDS
ground crewmen use on the job. The Blend is equipped with a photosensitive skin, some
Total stoppage means that the Ear cannot hear at all. control over his body chemistry and involuntary muscular
Reducing plugs or pads put his hearing on a par with movements, and an instinctive sense of his surroundings.
normal human capabilities. He is essentially a human chameleon. A Blend (stripped) can
develop astoundingly effective personal camouflage,
USES OF CHANGED SENSES
When using Changed senses to find things out, for becoming a Hidden Thing.
If motionless, the Blend is afully HiddenThing, requiring a
example to find Hidden Things, the rules are as follows. Wit CST to detect (for normal human senses). He will
Attempt to find Hidden Thing using Changed sense that only assume a skin coloration matching his background, but
would normally be detectable by that sense in normal his Infrared signature, scent, etc., will not match the
form: the mutant gets a Wit AST instead of a CST. If environment.
scanning for data that would not normally be detectable, a In motion, the Blends power will still maintain visible
CST is still rolled. This latter use puts a burden on the coverage, though he must use Stealth to cover thesounds of
player: he must specify that he is pushing his mutant movement. His Infrared signature is still detectable to
senses to the limit. The Gamesmaster should then make a Infrared scans. It requires a Wit AST to spot the Blend in
secret roll for the characters Wit Saving Throw. If it is motion, with a bonus of +1 if he is running and +1 if he is
successful, the Gamesmaster must decide what, if dodging (cumulative) .
anything, such a scan will pick up. Of course, some things In close combat, the Blend is visible enough to his
will be detected that have no relevance to the situation in opponent to hit effectively, although the bewildering shifting
hand. colors and patterns of his skin will confuse attempts to strike
When using Changed senses to influenceSkills, the player precisely. If the Gamesmaster feels that this rather neutral
must specify that he is attempting to use his mutation to little mutation needs some frosting to make it appealing, the
enhance some Skill. Usually, this will be limited to Blends opponent in hand-to-hand combat needs to use his
Knowledges or Physical Skills using sensory input to Average BCS.
operate. Search will be subject to bonuses for Eyes, Missile fire against the Blend always uses an Average BCS.
Safecracking for Ears, etc. The Gamesmaster and player The penalties levied on the Blend vary and should be minor
can discuss the relevance of the sense to the Skill in the i f the heftier benefits are not used.
particular use in application. If they agree that it is relevant, The powers of the Blend do not work if he is clothed. One
the player may roll a Will CST to see if he can interpolate the might permit a breechclout in the Comics Code tradition.
input into his BCS use. If he makes it, add a relevant bonus to The heavier version of this imposes a constant irritation at
the attempt, such as his Wit Group or a Group derived from wearing an Average Armorvalue higherthan the Blends Will
his Power score. Group, due to the increased pressure sensitivity of his skin.
It is hard to say just what can be done with senses we do Blends are a Changed type that presents a challenge to the
not possess. If the Gamesmaster agrees to allow some player. A multiple Changed, such as a Blend who is an Eye,
extraordinary use of the Changed Skill, the relevant Saving might be a lethally successful night fighter, effectively
Throw is Will (to focus the perceptions on that sense) and invisible but capable of moving freely. With proper training,
should be a CST. Results of success should be worked out by he would be a near-perfect commando.
the Gamesmaster and player (or Gamesmaster alone i f
appropriate) in advance. If a Changed is exposed to his
weakness as a Senser while occupied in this act, he should PSIONICS
suffer the maximum penalty with no Saving Throw allowed. Besides changes in gross physical anatomy and body
BALANCERS chemistry, one might expect to see mental mutation in the
One could argue for putting such a mutant under Sensers, mutagen-rich wake of NBC warfare. Sections of the brain
but the Balancer is quite unique. He has a heightened now unused by Man could become active or more powerful.
63

The powers now studied by the psychic investigators could The Changed may now direct the Power in some allowed
become concrete realities for the survivors of the Ruin. manner. The direction requires 1 Action. Makea Psi AST. If it
All Psionically Changed will acquire psionic power with is made, the Power will take effect normally. If the throw is
the amount based on their ages. It is assumed that psychic not made, the Power has not taken effect. On a Critical Miss,
ability starts to manifest at the onset of puberty, based o n the the Changeds Psi score will be reduced by the Psi Group of
findings of some modern parapsychologists. Let us assume the Power projection he was attempting. The player must
a base starting age of 14 in the Aftermoth! system. That year, have declared the effective Psi power he was putting into the
and every year thereafter until the age of 26 (the average age effort before attempting the Psi AST. He has the option of
at which the growth process levels off in human beings), the using less than his full score. If no such declaration was
Changed will gain 1 0 3 of psionic power, called Psi made, the Gamesmaster may assume that the full power was
(pronounced like sigh.). The initial score in Psi will be being used.
equal to: 1D3 per year at a value of the characters age minus
Murian tries to project a Psionic Power. Her Psi is 25,
13. Thus, a 22-year-old character starting out in the
Campaign would have 22-13 or 9D3 of Psi. for a Psi Group o f 4. She rolls a 20 on her Psi AST! Not
It will be seen that at full majority the range of Psi power in only has her effort failed, but her Psi score will be
a normal Changed will be 13-39. In essence, the new ability is reduced by 4 points, to an effective value of 27! This is
treated like an additional Attribute in many ways. The two sufficient to limit her to Group 3 until she recovers
principal areas in which the Psi score functions are: some of the lost Psi.
0 The effects of certain Psi Powers (see below) are Psi is recovered at a rate per day equal to the Changeds
measured by the number generated by rolling Effect Dice, Will Group. No meansof increasing this is known to pre-Ruin
just as Damage Dice determine the effects of using science, and the Gamesmaster has discretion in allowing the
Strength. Calculate the Psi Group for the character as development of any Psionic Skills in his Campaign.
you would for any Attribute. Once the direction attempt has been made, whether it
succeeded or not, the Changed will check to see if the strain
A Psi Saving Throw should be generated, as for any of using the Power has affected his system. He must roll a
Attribute. This will determine the Changeds success in Health Saving Throw. If a CST is made, then no deleterious
using his Powers, as stipulated in the rules later on. effect occurs. I f an AST is made, the character takes half the
There are several broad categories of psychic phenomena Psi Group used for the Power in Subdual Damage. If the
recognized today. In Aftermath! these categories are called Saving Throw is not made, he takes the full value of the Psi
Functions. The are: Group in Subdual Damage. On a Critical Miss, he takes
damage as for a normal miss, and is subject to System Shock
Telepathy: Forms of psionic ability dealing with contact or as if he had taken a severe wound.
communication between two or more minds. If the direction attempt succeeded, then the Power works,
ESP: Short for Extra-Sensory Perception. Psychic even if the user passes out as a result of the strain.
phenomena in which data are gathered which are beyond Receptive Powers
the reach of the characters physical senses. Unlike the Projected Powers, these Receptive, or R-
Psychokinesis: Mind over matter. Causing changes in Powers, function continuously, doing their office fortheuser
matter by mental force. at a level of effectiveness dictated by the Changeds Psi
Precognition: Sensing events or data before they actually Group. Let us say that an R-Power gives a permanent plusto
occur or impinge upon the other senses. the Changeds score in some area, such asaSaving Throw, a
BCS, or some other Ability. The user recives such a bonus
All Psionically Changed will have at least one Psi Function. equal to his Psi Group at all times, every time the affected
It will be rare for early generations of the Changed to display Abilities, Attributes, or Skills are used.
more than one Psi Function to any great extent. The
Functions, in conjunction with his Talents, will determine TELEPATHIC POWERS
what Powers a Changed has. The Powers listed below are usable by all Changed with
For every Talent in which the Changed has ascore greater the Telepathic Function if they have a score above 10 in the
than 10, a Power will be gained, as described below. indicated Talent.
In using Psi Powers, the Effect Die roll made fortheoutput Charismatic
of such Powers will be multiplied by a factor equal to Psychic Induction (P). The Changed may attempt to take
(Talent/lO). over the mind of a victim by mental invasion. The modified
Vern has active Psi, with a Function in Telepathy. He Effect Die roll must exceed the targets Will for this to occur.
has Communicative Talent of 14 and Combative Talent The Changed may implant a strong belief, image, or
of 18. He will thus receive the Psi Powers ascribed to suggestion in the victims mind. The victim will act upon this
Telepathy in those two Talents. In using Effect Dice for as if it were his own conviction uritil he is released from
the Communicative Power, his base die r o l l will be control by psionic activity (a Psychic Induction to that end
multiplied by ( 1 4 / 1 0 ) or 1.4. In the Combative Power must generate an Effect score greater than the victims CST
the Effect roll is multiplied by 1.8. to work), or until his senses provide proof that the suggestion
PSlONlC POWERS is untrue. In all such actions the victim acts at full efficiency.
This form of Psychic Induction may be used as often as
There are two main formats governing the use of Psi
Powers in Aftermath!: Projected (P) and Receptive (R). You desired by the Changed.
may also think of them as active and passive. Alternatively, the Changed may take over the victims body
entirely. Resistance to such domination will have the effect
Projected Powers of Fatiguing the victim 1 level while under such control. The
P-Powers require active concentration by the user to work Changed will have the use of his own Skills and mental
and using them may exert a strain on his system. Attributes, but the possessed body exercises its own
The player controlling thechanged must declarethat he is Physical Attributes and Activities. The Changed may not use
trying t o use a P-Power. He then must make a Will AST to the victims Skills in this case, as they are walled away from
tune in the characters Psi abilities. This attempt requires 1 the controlling centers of the brain along with the victims
Action. Retries in theevent of failure are permitted. There are consciousness. The Changed may so control only one victim
no Critical Miss penalties or Critical Save bonuses. at a time, but he can switch from victim to victim without
64

returning to his own body. Such an attack requiresa Psi CST To read aclosed, hostile, or unknown mind without its
to direct properly. knowledge is another matter. While it also has a maximum
The Changeds own body is in an unconscious state range of Psi x 10 meters, and requires some idea of where
during the second form of this Power. It is as if he had the minds owner is in relation to the telepath, it permits no
projected his consciousness into the other form. He may sending by the Changed. A Psi CST is needed to make
return to his own form at will, and must do so when thevictim contact, and the telepath simply experiences the flow of
passes out of range, or is knocked out or killed. This takes 1 surface thoughts in his targets mind. He can maintain the
Action using the Changeds own PCA. link-up fora maximum period equal to the Effect Die roll in
Half of all damage suffered by the possessed body is Combat Turns, or until the target is knocked out or killed.
suffered by the Changed as Subdual Damage. If the victim is If the target dies while the telepath is linked up, the
knocked out, the Changed must save against System Shock Changed is exposed to System Shock but must save with
using Will instead of Health. If the victim is killed while Will, not Health.
possessed, the Changed must make aSaving Throw or suffer
GENERAL NOTES ON TELEPATHY
a fatal heart attack, again with a Will CST. In all cases of communication among open minds,
The Psychic Induction Power only functions against a whether telepathic or not, the rate of information transfer is
sentient opponent (one of more or less human intellect). greater than in speech. Assume a ratio of 1 O : l . Thus, if
Combative Detailed Action Time is involved, the participants may
Mind Bomb (P). The Changed can blast at the victims speak 10 words per Phase. Those participating in any
consciousness with volts of mental force, confusing him or involved Mental Telepathy are assumed to be in Observe
even rendering him unconscious. and Command Action. The Gamesmaster should allow
If the Effect Die roll exceeds the victims Will CST, he is fairly involved consultation among such characters without
Dazed for a full Combat Turn. advancing the Game Time very much.
If the Effect Die roll exceeds the victims Will AST, he is Telepathy transcends language barriers among sentient
Stunned for a full Combat Turn. minds. It cannot operate with non-sentient minds (animals,
If the Effect Die roll exceeds the victims Will, he is exposed plants, etc.).
to System Shock. The rate of thought reading from a hostile mind is at real
The victim will reduce the effect of the mental attack if he time values. The telepath gets the thoughts as they arise in
can make a Will Saving Throw, with a penalty equal to the the surface (sub-verbal) consciousness of the target.
Changeds Psi Group, based on the Power used. An AST Esthetic
result will reduce the severity of the effect by one step. A CST Empathy (P or R). Using it an an R-Power, the Empath is
reduces it by two steps. sensitive to emotional states of creatures (sentient or non-
Effects are cumulative. If a Changed can hit a Dazed victim sentient) in his field of vision, to a range equal to his Psi in
with another Daze before he comes out of it, the victim meters. He receives such data only as a one-word statement
suffers the Stunned result. If he Stuns a Dazed victim, the from the Gamesmaster summarizing the dominant emotion
victim may suffer System Shock. A Daze effect against a in the observed characters mind: Fear, Anger, Love, Trust,
victim suffering any effect of Mental Stun will put the target in Hostility, Hatred, Hunger, etc. He may use this R-Power on
danger of System Shock.
one character at a time, and a reading requires an Action to
Communicative become clear.
Mental Telepathy (P or R). This is pure and simple As a P-Power, the Empathy facility allows modification of a
telepathic communication: two or more minds linked targets basic emotional state.
together in an exchange of information. Range and The target must be in range as defined for the R-Power
effectiveness of communication will vary. Empathy. The Effect Die roll must exceed his Will score to
Among Telepaths take full effect, which is an overmastering emotiorial State,
If all involved in communication have the Mental flooded with a single-minded fixation on the emotion named
Telepathy Power, it may be used as either an R- or a P- by the empathic character. In applying this full-fledged
Power. force, the Gamesmaster should allow some measure of
If it is used as an R-Power, the maximum range for control to the Empath. He may specify that the emotion i S
communication is the Psi score in kilometers. directed at some particular individual or group, or tailor the
If both succeed in using it as a P-Power, the maximum condition so that he can manipulate the victim further by
range is 100 times that. This is the maximum distance playing on his mental state. I f the Effect Die roll exceeds the
which can separate any two members of the link-up, so victims AST, he will indeed be inclined along the lines of the
that relay chains can be forged across great distance by stated emotion, but remains in some measure of control. He
concerted telepathic action. The maximum duration of a will be in amood. Player Characters should be enjoined to
P-Power link-up is equal to the Effect Die roll in minutes. portray their mood honestly for the effects duration. The
Use the individual telepaths Effect Die roll to see how Gamesmaster will manipulate the responses of non-player
long he can stay in the link before trying to Project the characters the same way.
Power again.
T o A Non-Telepath One-Eyed Harry has Telepathic Function and high
The sending range to a non-telepath is more limited. T o Esthetic Talent, so he can function as an Empath.
a willing mind known to the telepath (some character in Confronted by two rough muggers in the ruined
his group of friends, close associates, etc.), the maximum streets, he tries to drive them off by empathic attack. He
range is the telepaths Psi x 100 meters. He must make a hurls a sensation of intense fear a t one of the pair,
Psi AST to initiate contact, but this does not count as rolling out a high Effect and far exceeding the victims
using Mental Telepathy as a P-Power. It merely indicates Will. The stricken robber flees, screaming. Trying the
that his signal has become readable to his contact. same tactic on the other goon, he only manages to beat
To send to a closed, hostile, or unknown mind requires his foes Will AST. Shaking but determined, the man
a P-Power use of Mental Telepathy. Some idea of the slips out a knife and closes on Harry, mouthing fearful
minds physical location is needed, and if thedirection roll obscenities. Weakened by his efforts (Harry did badly
succeeds, it is merely a request to allow communications o n his Saving Throws against strain), the mutant
as described above between willing minds. Range moves to meet him.
maximum is Psi x 10 meters. In the above case, as the thief may be fairly assumed
65

As this is under mental control, the Changed could, for PRECOGNITIVE POWERS
example, apply it to the lock on a door without needing any These powers are available to the Changed having the
special action t o focus all his energy on the lock alone. Precognition Function and a score above 10 in the
The Power also allows the Changed to lift and move up to designated Talents.
half his ENC Cap and move it at a walking pace for a
maximum number of Combat Turns equal to his Psi Group. Ch8rlBmatiC
This is allowed on any unattached/unheld item in line of Reaction Reading (R). The Precognitive Changed may
sight out to a range of 10 meters x Psi. Objects within the foresee the effects of his words or actions upon another
range for the Saving Throw use of the Power may be thrown Characters attitude. He can, in effect, alter the results of an
instead, with a Strength Group based on Psi Group (at -1 Attitude Die roll by his actions. The Gamesmaster may limit
as with all thrown missiles) and a BCS equal to the the scope of the power to one use per situation. The
Psychokinetics Will AST. Changed player must announce that he is using Reaction
As a P-Power, it enables the Psychokinetic t o Brawl at a Reading, and rolls his Effect Die for his current Psi Grouop.
range of up to 10 meters x Psi, using Psi in place of any The result may be applied in full or in part to raise or lowerthe
Attributes used in the Brawling process, including the BCS, Attitude roll in questioli. Non-Player Characters using the
for which the direction roll serves instead. The Power may be power on Player-Characters will be able to convince the
used to press an attack, once properly directed, for a number Players of whatever attitude they desire, within limits
of Actions equal to the users Psi Group. determined by the Gamesmaster on how unlikely this may
seem. A sallow-faced rogue, just swallowing a mouthful of
Natural man-flesh, will not foresea the right words to use to convince
Cellular Psychokinesis (P). The Changed can heal Players that he is not a cannibal since NO foreseeable words
wounds, restoring the Effect Die roll in Lethal or Subdual to that effect exist.
Damage, or the Psi Group in Critical Damage, by successful
use of the Power. Such an act reduces the natural Healing Combative
Rate of the recipient by 1 point per use. as it draws upon this Combat Precog (R). The Combat Precog power is similar
energy to accelerate the regeneration process. Unlike most to the Combat Sense Power enjoyed by Changed with ESP. It
drugs with this effect, however, the psionic form may be adds the current Psi Group to the characters effective CDA,
applied after the Healing Rate reaches 0. It will continue to AFTER all modifiers for movement have been calculated.
reduce the Shock Factor of the recipient, and must cease Unlike Combat Sense, it operates at full value vs. any form of
when this is at 0. Such lost points are recovered only by the attack or danger which is relevant to CDA. The user does
passage of time, at 1 per day. Until the 10-point basic Shock NOT have to know that the attack is coming.
Factor is recovered, no restoration of the Healing Rate The Combat Precog cannot apply his analytical
occurs. consciousness to the data he receives from his Psi. The
The Changed must be within 1 meter of the target and both information obtainable by Combat Sense users is not
must be concentrating on the psychic link to accomplish this available to him.
activity. It requires 10 minutes per use to complete. If Communicative
interrupted, pro-rate the healing done at 10%of rolled value Presience (P). Thepowertoforeseethefutureisgained. At
per minute spent. Fractions are lost. The check for stress on any point where the Precognitive and those with him are
the mutant is not made until the use of the Power ends, confronted by a choice of actions (e.g. to enter a building, to
naturally or by interruption. follow a given strategy, etc.), the Changed may go into a
Scientific prophetic trance, requiring one minute on the average.
Electrokinesis (P). The psychokinetic can influence the Successful use of the power is checked secretly by the
flows of electrical current in circuits, or generate a bolt of Gamesmaster, and a secret roll of the appropriate Effect Die
power for combat. isalso made.Thisgivesthenumberof minutes into thefuture
In controlling circuitry, the Gamesmaster must exercise which the psychic has seen.
his judgment. Basically, the Power can interrupt a circuit for Play then proceeds normally, with the following exception:
a maximum number of Combat Turns per use equal to the until the end of the time rolled by the Gamesmaster, the
users Psi Group. It can reduce the flow of heavy voltage in Players may decide that they did not perform the action at
electrical defenses of similar circuits by the Psi Group. Thus, the Decision Point where the Precog used Prescience. In
the Electrokinetic mutant could reduce the charge in an other words, having foreseen the events the (presumably)
electrified fence by his Group for an equal number of wish to avoid, they simply did not put themselves in a
Combat Turns. He could do the same to a power supply. situation where they would encounter them. Play is rolled
When dealing with more delicate flows, as in electronic back to the point where Prescience was used (the end of that
devices, the Changed can switch them off for a period equal one minute Trance) and the Players may undertake any
to the Effect Die roll. Lasers, radios, ignition systems, alarms, actions they wish except the one that they chose in the
sensors, or cameras are some of the possible targets. vision. The operation of the power may be summed up as a
Contrariwise, the Changed may generate power into a second chance to rectify a bad decision.
suitable storage battery (Le., an Eterna type) at .1 charge per The Players lose this option if, during the timecovered by
Effect point rolled. the vision, one of the followins thinss occurs:
In its more dramatic manifestation, the Electrokinetic may The precog who foresaw theevents is killed or knocked
alter the targets charge with respect to the earth, essentially out. This reflects the traditional theory that prophets
hitting it with a small lightning bolt. This will act as an cannot foresee personal danger or death in their
electrical attack with a Charge equal to the users Psi Group. visions.
Insulation will defend as normal. This may be directed Another precog is present in the group (if any) which
against ungrounded objects as well, doing considerable poses a danger to them. The two mutants will cancel
damage to metal and light plastics, very littleto wood. Adjust each others powers out.
the effect on Barrier values according to the Gamesmasters I f the party cannot agree on how or when to alter their
decision. course of action, i.e. to exercise the option to cancel
The maximum range for Electrokinetic phenomena is 10 the recent events or not. The Gamesmaster may
meters x Psi. impose a limit in real time on such disputations.
68

Esthetic After campaign, 5 could be added to the die roll for each
Alarm (R). The power much resembles Risk Sense, the generation since the Ruin. The Gamesmaster should feel
power derived from Esthetic Talent by those with ESP. free to adjust the modifiers to suit the rationale for his own
Unlike using the Risk Sense, the Precog will not be able to campaign.
use his Will to determine the nature of the danger. He will,
however, receive a similar bonus to his Saving Throws, BCS
rolls, or other defenses (including CDA if germane) against MUTATION GENERATION TABLE (10100)
the results of the danger. Again, Precognition is handled Die
~ ~ 1Mutation
1
here as something operating below the threshold of
conscious thought. 01-05 Actual mutation is minor. No visible signs.
06-15 Skin coloration affected. This may take the form of
Mechanical albinism, melanism, uneven distribution of pigment
Techanalysis (P). The precog can determine what a given (melanin) causing a piebald appearance, or even the
device does with a single successful use of this power. He creation of a color not previously found in human skin
can work out how t o make it work (in the sense of turning it tones such as green or scarlet.
on) by performing a Task to that end under terms set by the 16-30 Skeletal modification. The mutants skeletal structure
Gamesmaster, using the power for a BCS and his Psi Effect might be altered causing a humpbacked condition,
Die roll to generate the base Task Points achieved. When the increased or decreased fragility, or increased or
Task is completed, he knows how to handle the device. This decreased flexibility. The first might have noeffect on
does not confer skill in its use, if such is needed. as in the play, the second might alter the percentage chance
case of a weapon or vehicle. Assume a BCS in using that for a bone breaking, while the third could help or
particular device is gained. This would be equal to the hinder a character who finds himself in tight
Changeds Psi Group. This is not generalized toother similar surroundings.
devices. Thus, a Precog who has a Psi Group of 4 and who 31-40 Alteration of hair fibers. The mutant might find
uses Techanalysis to deduce the operation of a Jet Plane, himself devoid of body hair or completely hirsuite. A
has a BCS of 4 in flying the plane, ONLY while using that more extreme form might have the hair structure
Particular jet. He does NOT gain a BCS of 4 in the Skill altered to a feathery or tendrilous nature.
Fixed Wing Jet Aircraft Pilot. 41-45 Alteration of features. Disfigurement lowering the
Natural characters personal appearance would be the most
This is identical with the ESP power of Phenomanalysis. common. Extreme cases might include the loss or
modification of one of the senses located in the head.
Scientific 46-60 Limb Modification. This could be minor such as the
Process Precognition (R). The Precog can subject any loss or addition of a toe or finger. It could be more
given process (Lab Practice, Technological Task, etc.) to an extreme with the actual or functional loss of a whole
analysis which will reveal any potential dangers or critical limb. This would cause varying penalties due to
failures in his handling of it. This must be applied to Tasks circumstances. Optionally the modification could be
which the Precog is conducting personally. He cannot the addition of another limb or pair of limbs. Whether
interpret the data relating to fields in which he has no such limbs were functional and to what degree is left
knowledge. Basically, the Precog may roll a Psi AST to to the descretion of the Gamesmaster.
negate any failure he may encounter while performing some 61-75 Tailed. The mutant has a tail which could be only a
Task of a scientific or technological nature. He may attempt stump or a fully developed organ.
to do so once per failure. If the AST is made, it will turn a
76-90 Psionic mutation. The mutant has a psionic mutation
simple failure into a success, allowing the Precog to
with a Function as determined from the Psionic
accumulate Task Points, and turns a Critical Failure into a Function Table and the specific power(s) as
simple miss.
determined by his Talent Scores.
91-99 Physical Mutation. The character has a mutation as
DETERMINING MUTATIONS determined on the Physical Mutation Table. The
exact strength and nature is left to the Gamesmaster.
Consider the purely random alterations in mind and body 00 Wild Card mutation. The mutant has a unique power.
that could result from the game of mutagenic Russian The player and the Gamesmaster should get together
Roulette that will be played with man in a Post-Holocaust to design the specific power and its limitations. If
environment; as radiation, drugs, viral elements or what- such creativity is not desired or is precluded by lack
have-you act upon the deepest recesses of his cell structure. of time, allow the player to choose his mutation from
Some of these changes will be beneficial, others will be those normally listed.
deleterious. Still others will have no direct impact on his
survival capacity. In game terms this may mean the character Any mutant with a Psionic, Physical, o r w i l d Card mutation
has one of the types of mutations described later in this may also have a simpler mutation as well. There is a 40%
section, a simple change from the human norm, or no visible chance of this. If it is the case reroll on the Mutation Selection
sign or manifestation of a change in his genetic material. We Table ignoring rolls higher than 75.
make the assumption that a serious mutation that was All mutations havea50% chanceof being sterile. This need
deleterious to the organism would have killed it before the not be checked unless and until the Changed One is
beginning of play. attempting to have offspring.
For the Gamesmasters convenience, we provide a table
for selection of mutations. If he decides to alter the types of PSlONlC FUNCTION TABLE
mutations present in his campaign, he should draw up a
suitable table. For a campaign using these mutations where Die Roll Function
the setting is shortly after the Ruin or the mutagenic agents 01-20 Telepathy
are not very active, a negative modifier (say 5 or 10) might be 21-40 ESP
used on the die roll. I f the mutagenic are extremely active 41-60 Pychokinesis
(perhaps due to a deliberately designed mutation causing 61-80 Precognition
virus) or the campaign is set several generations after the 81-90 Choice of Function
Ruin, a positive modifier could be used. For the 200 Years 91-00 Two Functions. Reroll ignoring results over 90

PHYSICAL MUTATION TABLE an enormous load of mutagens into the environment could
Die lead to any result one can imagine (and quite a few one
Roll Mutation cannot). Lets assume that the tendency will be for the
01-25 Weak mutation. Reroll ignoring results less than 25. mutations to become reinforced.
The character has a weakened t r lesser version of the
rolled power(s). Combinations: Characters may be born with more than
one dominant Change. A Balancer who is also a Blend. A
26-35 STRONG Strong-Tough (do not get that one unhappy with you). A
36-40 QUICK physically Changed Psionic. Psionics with more than one
Psi Function.
41-50 TOUGH
51-60 IMMUNE Intensified Mutations: Strongs with +20 in their Strength
61-75 SMART Attribute. Psionics who get a D6, or2D3, of Psi every year.
The basic patterns given here are made stronger and
76-80 EAR more potent in later generations.
81-85 EYE
New Mutations: The introduction of a new form of Change
86-90 BALANCER is always available to the Gamesmaster. Several later-
91-95 BLEND generation powers we have experimented with include
96-99 OPTIONS: Teleports and Pyrokinetics.
A. Player picks 1 mutation without penalties applied Teleports: A Power derived from the interaction of
to his power. Psychokinesis and the averaged Scores of the Scientific
6. Roll for 2 physical mutations (ignore rolls over95). and Natural Talents. The user may teleport to any place he
C. Player picks 1 mutation and alters its abilities to can see clearly (or sense with ESP) within a range of 5
suit himself then the Gamesmaster alters its weak- meters x Psi. It requires 1 Action to focus in for the jump.
nesses t o suit himself!.
Pyrokinesis: Make a fire attack on a target with Strength
00 Player designs his own mutation with Gamesmasters Group equal to the Psi Group. Range is 10 meters x Psi. I f
aid; treat as 96-99. within a range equal to Psi score, double the intensity of
the flame attack.
THE CHANGED IN THE FUTURE
It is difficult to posit the directions evolution may take the You see the possibilities. Do not let the restraints of
successful mutations in the Aftermath. The random genetic biology bind your imagination too closely. What you want to
shuffle that hit the human race when the Ruin dumped such see in the campaign should be in the campaign.
R EPUTAT IO N
During the course of his adventuring career, a character entered in the Positive Merit column of the Rep Area to which
will acquire a reputation. In many campaigns, a the action belongs. If the character fails to perform the
Gamesmaster will treat this in a very nebulous fashion. In action, it will be entered in the Negative Merit column.
some, it will not be a factor at all. This is certainly allowable In some cases, inaction on the part of a character will result
and, in some campaigns, the play group might even find it in merit gains or losses. This is particularly the case with
preferable. For the Gamesmaster who wishes to have a more regard to the Survival Area of Rep.
concrete handle on the concept of reputation, or Rep, we For the most part, the Gamesmaster will not wish to rate
provide these guidelines. every little thing done by a character. He may wish to rate a
Reputation is gained by singular execution of a deed or by given scenario as a whole, or break it down into segments
continued performance in an area of expertise. The corresponding to particular areas in which reputation can be
performance may be successful or not. In some cases, gained. Some suggestions with regard to areas to rate are:
reputation is inherent in holding a given position.
The components of a characters reputation will affect the Combat: The Gamesmaster can rate an individual combat
way in which non-player characters will react to him and with where the character fights one-on-one with another
him. A character with a reputation as a tough fighter will find character. He may, however, wish to deal with a firefight
that pacifistic characters fear and/or respect him while as a whole and apportion the results of success among the
belligerent young punks occasionally challenge him to participating characters.
prove that they are better than he is. A man might be rated as having a figure of merit equal to
A characters reputation will add to his Recognition Factor. his DRT/PO rounded to the nearest but with a minimum Of
This represents, in some cases, the circulation of his 1. If a character engages in a specific duel with another
description along with the tales that form the basis of his specially-designed character, the base figure of merit
reputation. Thus, when a character is recognized, those might have a value added to it equal to the defeated
recognizing him will be aware of his reputation. At the least, characters Rep/lO, nearest.
they will know of thegeneral areas in which thecharacter has Dangers: A danger such as a contaminated environment
gained his reputation. might have avalueequal to thevirulenceorstrength of the
danger. This would be applied to a characters reputation
EARNED REPUTATION for survival.
The Gamesmaster will adjudicate when an action on the Other dangers such as the attack of wild animals could
part of a character is of a level sufficient to affect his affect the characters reputation as a Survivor or as a
reputation. The action will be assigned afigure of merit. If the Hunter at the discretion of the Gamesmaster. Animals
character performs the action successfully, the value will be might be rated for merit by their size and nature. A
70

herbivore would have a value equal to its Mass/30, down,
while a carnivore would be equal to its Mass/l5, down.
RECOGNITION AND REPUTATION
Particular things that increase the danger of the An increased reputation will increase the chance that a
encounter with the beast, such as its being able to use character will be recognized. When recognized, the
poison, its being rabid, intelligent or semi-intelligent Gamesmaster may assume that the characters reputation is
direction of the attack, etc., would multiply the basevalue also known. This will be the reputation as expressed on the
by 1.5. A combination of factors would add .3 t o the Character Record Sheet in the Rep section. As the
multiplier per factor beyond the first. Gamesmaster knows, this may not be the true evaluation of
the characters accomplishments and failures, but the non-
Sheer Courage: Braving a known danger or surviving any player characters will only know what is expressed on the
great danger by dint of valor, wits, and/or plain good luck
sheet. When this happens, the Gamesmaster should refresh
will tend to make people consider the character(s) some
his memory of the reputation by asking the player. to show
kind(s) of hero(es). Thus, their Rep for Bravery will be
him the Rep section of the Character Record Sheet of the
increased, or, if they run (or appear to run) from such an character who has been recognized.
encounter, decreased. A base value for such an
When dealing with a group of Player Characters, the
encounter, ifwith men, could be rated as if a Custom Army Gamesmaster may wish to save himself time and effort by
were being created. The average of the calculated only checking to see if the leader or the character with the
Offense and Defense values divided by 100 and rounded highest Recognition Factor is recognized. It may be
to the nearest whole number would give a good base. assumed that if the one is recognized, any characters who
Such a value should be divided by the value for the are usually found in association with him are recognized for
characters involved in defeating or facing the danger themselves also. New members of the group might have to be
(even those that were killed). recognized separately.
Puzzles and Problems: Characters solving such things A characters Recognition Factor will be increased by 1 for
will almost certainly demonstrate Competence in some every 10 full points of Reputation that he has acquired.
form. Such a thing should be treated as a Danger and
given a rating of merit which is divided up among the VARIATIONS ON REPUTATION
characters involved in the solution. DUE TO LOCATION
Other Sources: Other sources of gains in reputation are as Needless to say, the strongest effect achieved by a
varied as the Gamesmaster wishes. Values are assigned reputation will be in the locality where the reputation was
and success rewarded and failure chastised by the award gained. The sphere of influence of a reputation will depend
of positive or negative merit respectively. on the foms of communication in use. Mass media, if
The accomplishment of a deed is only of value to a operating, will enhance the effects of reputation.
characters reputation if it is witnessed, or if the story is The Gamesmaster should designate on his map, spheres
believed when the tale is told. Even if believed or witnessed, it of influence which are representative of communities in
may not have any significant effect o n a characters communication to such a degree that a characters
reputation. T o represent this variability, the Gamesmaster reputation will be spread within one. These can be referred
to as Reputation Zones. A Reputation Zone may be as small
will roll o n the Reaction table. One-half the Value Number
as a building or as large as a country, with steps in between at
obtained will be used as a multiplier to the merit figure. This
may change a positive value to a negative, or vice versa, but neighborhood, town/village, city, state, and regional
that is the nature of a reputation-it is not always based on networks of interacting communications.
truth. The Gamesmaster may wish to modify the Reaction When a character crosses into a new Zone of Reputation,
Roll if there are no witnesses other than the Player the Gamesmaster should make a Reaction Roll to see if his
Characters in the party. Such a modification may be a -5 if reputation has preceded him. The chart below shows what
the Player Characters have evidence to support their claims roll is needed for the Rep to remain intact. If that level of
and twice that if there is no evidence. reaction is not achieved, the character has no reputation in
When a character has accumulated 10 merit points in an that Reputation Zone. His effective Rep for Recognition
area, he will have acquired 1 point of Rep. These merit points Factor enhancement is his normal Total Rep divided by 1
may be positive or negative. Thus, a character with 5 positive plus the number of Recognition Zones between the Zone he
and 5 negative points of merit as a fighter with guns will have i s currently in and the Zone in which the reputation was
done enough that people have heard of him, but his made.
Characters who move around a lot will require players to
reputation will be as an indifferent shot with a gun.
maintain several different reputations for them. This is not
necessarily a bad thing. It can be downright advantageous
POSITIONAL REPUTATION for undercover work. This can lead to interesting
consequences if a character is recognized by a non-player
Sometimes reputation will be attached to a position. Much character who knows him by sight and reputation from one
as the marshal of Tombstone was expected to be a good shot Zone and only by reputation or positional reputation from
with a six-shooter, a position may indicate that a character is another Zone. When the non-player character puts the two
successful in an Area for which reputation can be gained. together, the fireworks may start.
Such reputation only belongs to the character as long as he
is in that position. Optionally, the Gamesmaster may allow REPUTATION CARRYOVER CHART
some of the glitter of a position to remain with a character Minimum Reaction necessary
after he has left the position. This may decay over time, or Zone to retain Reputation
simply be a constant value that is afraction of thevalue of the Reputation built in automatic
position.
The value of Rep points gained by a position may vary. The Contiguous Zone Mediocre
marshal of Tombstone gains Rep due to the fact that he is a One Zone between Good
marshal and that the town is which he is marshal is atough
Two Zones between Excellent
town. If someone is unaware that the man at the bar is the
marshal (his badge being hidden), he will not be influenced Three Zones between automatic loss
by the Rep of the position of marshal.
71

CODE P3 BEL: STD ACTION: DA
APPENDIX I MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 4 ENC: .4
THE GUN LIST CALIBER: 38 Special (1-6)
357 Magnum (7-0)
This contains almost two hundred weapons: sporting and service FEATURES: 357 Magnum model can also use 38 Special.
firearms available in the US to civilians and military. All thestatistics
needed to use the gun in Aftermeth! are included, in a format CODE P5 BEL: LNG ACTION: DA
called the Spec Sheet. This includes the following: MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 4 ENC: .45
CODE: A letter and number identification code for the weapon, CALIBER: 38 Special (1-6)
for convenience in record keeping and random gun generation. 357 Magnum (7-0)
All the Codes fall into easily generated die roll ranges. FEATURES: 357 Magnum model can also use 38 Special.
BBL The barrel length, In some cases, as in the listings for CODE: P6 BEL: STD ACTION: DA
Rifles, this is not given for every entry, since a Rifle must have a MAG: Break 9 DUR: 3 ENC: .4
BBL of over 2 0 to be in that classification. CALIBER: 22 Short (1-2)
ACTION AL, SA, DA etc. Again, in some cases this is specified 22 Long (3-5)
for a whole series of entries. Note that some single shot entries 22 Long Rifle (6-0)
are listed as SS/BA, indicating that a Bolt is the means of loading FEATURES: High quality Sights give a t1 to Sighted Fire.
and cocking the gun.
MAG: For Magazine. Gives the type of Magazine and its CODE: P7 BEL: SHT ACTION: SA
Capacity. MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 3 ENC: .3
CALIBER: The loads the gun will take. For shotguns, this ib given CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle
as GAUGE. I f the gun is manufactured in different Calibers, a FEATURES: Also fires 22 Rimfire Magnum.
Frequency number is assigned to each specific Caliber listed. COOE P8 BEL: STD ACTION: SA
This is usually a D10 roll, although forsomeweaponsa DlOO was MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 3 ENC: .4
necessary, so diverse were the possibities. When a weapon with
this type of Caliber entry is generated, roll the appropriate die to CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle
see what model you have as regards to Caliber. FEATURES: Also fires 22 Rimfire Magnum.
Shotgun GAUGE entries note whether the gun is designed for
standard; Magnum, or Slug loads.
CODE w BEL: LNG ACTION: SA
MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 3 ENC: .45
DUR: Gives the base Durability score of the weapon. The CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle
circumstances in which it is found may alter this. The Foraging FEATURES: Also fires 22 Rimfire Magnum.
Table may indicate that a temporarily reduced DUR is in effect,
until the gun is serviced. Or it may even have a DUR equal to 1, COOE: W BEL: XLNG ACTION: SA
due to poor care, or because it is a cheap imitation of the real MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 3 ENC: .6
model, a Saturday Night Special. CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle
ENC: Gives the Encumbrance of the weapon. FEATURES: Also fires 22 Rimfire Magnum.
FEATURES: Lists any Features the weapon has or may have. CODE: P10 BEL: Pistol Carbine ACTION: SA
This entry also includes any background information on thegun, MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 3 ENC: .85
special characteristics, and so on. CALIBER:22 Long Rifle
More on this feature in a Book 2 Appendix: About Features. FEATURES: Also fires 22 Rimfire Magnum.
All you need to arm your Characters to the teeth is in this List. or COOE: P11 BEL: SNUB ACTION: DA
the attached section on Military Issue Firearms, which provides the MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 2 ENC: .25
same statistics for famous weapons used from WWll to the present CALIBER:32 Short (1-4)
(and even the Future). But for all its handiness. we do recommend 32 Long (6-0)
procuring your own copy of some of the source books in the FEATURES: None.
bibliography, and working out your own gun tables from those. CODE P12 BEL: SHT ACTION: DA
Among other things, they almost always have Pictures of the MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 2 ENC: .25
weapons, which will add immensely to your Players and your own CALIBER: 32 Short (1-4)
ability to visualize the Campaign more vividly. For another, you may 32 Long (6-0)
find that you have different feelings about how a given weapon FEATURES: None.
works. Lastly, it gives a more satisfying feel to play to be able to say,
I pull my Colt Python 357 Magnum, rather than I am using my CODE P13 BEL: SNUB ACTION: DA
P51. MAG: Break 5 DUR: 2 ENC: .27
CALIBER: 38 Short
PISTOLS FEATURES: None.
REVOLVERS: CODE P14 BEL: SNUB ACTION: DA
MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .3
CODE P1 BEL: SHT ACTION: DA CALIBER: 357 Magnum
MAG: Snap-Cy1 5 ENC: .25 DUR: 3 FEATURES: Also fires 38 Special. High quality Sights give+l
CALIBER: 44 Special (1-3) to Sighted Fire.
38 Special (3-5)
357 Magnum (6-8) CODE: P15 BEL: SHT ACTION: DA
22 Long Rifle (9) MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .35
32 Long (0) CALIBER: 357 Magnum
FEATURES: None. FEATURES: Also fires 38 Special. High quality Sights give +l
to Sighted Fire.
CODE P2 BEL: SNUB ACTION: DA
MAG: Snap-Cy1 5 DUR: 3 ENC: .2 CODE: P16 BEL: STD ACTION: DA
CALIBER: 38 Special (1-6) MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: ,451
22 Lona Rifle (7-8) CALIBER: 357 Magnum
32 Long (9-0) FEATURES: Also fires 38 Special. High quality Sights give +1
FEATURES: None. to Sighted Fire.
COOE P3 BEL: SNUB ACTION: DA COOE: P17 BEL: SNUB ACTION: DA
MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 4 ENC: .25 MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .3
CALIBER: 38 Special (1-6) CALIBER: 357 Magnum (1-3)
357 Magnum (7-0) 38 Special (4-8)
FEATURES: 357 Magnum model can also be use 38 9mm Parabellum (SO)
Special. FEATURES: None.
72

CODE: P I 8 BBL: SHT ACTION: DA 357/9mm Parabellum Convertible (4)
MAG: Snap-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .4 45 Lono Colt 6-61
CALIBER: 357 Magnum (1-3) 45 Long Colt145-ACP Convertible (7)
38 Special (4-8) 44 Magnum (8-0)
9mm Parabellum (9-0) FEATURES: This is a Match Weapon. It is equipped with
FEATURES: None. Peep Sights giving t1 to BCS and t1 to Aim
CODE: P I 9 BBL: STD ACTION: DA when using the Sights.
MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 4 ENC: .45 Also, the Convertible models listed permit
CALIBER: 41 Magnum firing either of the specified rounds if the
FEATURES: None. appropriate cylinder is being used. Each
convertible weapon will accept a cylinder in
CODE: P2D BBL: LNG ACTION: DA either of the Calibers listed. Finally, all 357
MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 4 ENC: .5 models can also use 38 Special and 44
CALIBER: 41 Magnum Magnum models can use 44 Special, with no
FEATURES: None. special actions required for the switch.
CODE: P21 BBL: XLNG ACTION: DA
MAG: Swing cy1 6 6DUR: 4 ENC: .65
CALIBER: 41 Magnum AUTOLOADERS
FEATURES: None. CODE P31 BBL: SHT ACTION: AL
CODE: P22 BBL: SHT ACTION: DA MAG: Box Variable DUR: 2 ENC: .35
MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 4 ENC: .37 CALIBER: 32 ACP 8 Rounds (1-3)
CALIBER: 44 Magnum (1-6) 380 ACP 7 Rounds (4-7)
44 Special (7-0) 22 Long Rifle (8-0)
FEATURES: 44 Magnum also fires 44 Special. FEATURES: None.
CODE: P23 BBL: STD ACTION: DA CODE: P32 BBL: SNUB ACTION: AL
MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 4 ENC: .47 MAG: Box 6 DUR: 2 ENC: .2
CALIBER: 44 Magnum (1-7) CALIBER: 25 ACP
44 Special (8-0) FEATURES: None.
FEATURES: 44 Magnum model also fires 44 Special CODE: P33 BBL: SHT ACTION: AL
CODE: P24 BBL: LNG ACTION: DA MAG: Box Variable DUR: 3 ENC: .37
MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 4 ENC: .5 CALIBER: 32 ACP 12 Rounds 11-3)
CALIBER: 44 Magnum (1-7) 380 ACP 13 Rounds (4-6)
FEATURES: 44 Magnum model also fires 44 Special. 9mrn Parabellum 15 Rounds (7-0)
FEATURES: None.
CODE P25 BBL: STD ACTION: SA
MAG: Port-Cy1 6 DUR: 3 ENC: .45 CODE: P34 BBL: STD ACTION: AL
CALIBER: 357 Magnum (1-3) MAG: Box Variable DUR: 3 ENC: .37
44 Special (4) CALIBER: 32 ACP 12 Rounds (1-3)
45 Long Colt (5-8) 380 ACP 13 Rounds (4-6)
44 Magnum (9-0) 9mm Parabellum 15 Rounds (7-0)
FEATURES: Replica of Colt 45, the Peacemaker. FEATURES: None.
CODE: P26 BBL: LNG ACTION: SA CODE: P35 BBL: STD ACTION: AL
MAG: Port-Cy1 6 DUR: 3 ENC: .45 MAG: Box Variable DUR: 4 ENC: .38
CALIBER: 357 Magnum (1-3) CALIBER: 45 ACP 7 Rounds (1-6)
44 Special (4) 9mm Parabellum 9 Rounds (7-0)
45 Long Colt (5-8) FEATURES: None.
44 Magnum (9-0) CODE: P36 BBL: STD ACTION: AL
FEATURES: Match weapon. Superior Sights give +1 to MAG: Box 13 DUR: 5 ENC: .35
Sighted Fire. CALIBER: 9mm Parabellum
CODE: P27 BBL: STD ACTION: SA FEATURES: Hi-Power weapon - uses High Power ammo
MAG: Port-Cy1 6 DUR: 2 ENC: .36 at no risk. Safety catch is High Security. Gun
CALIBER: 32-20 (1) cannot discharge when safe even if dropped
38 Long (2-3) or struck.
38 Short (4) CODE P37 BBL: SNUB ACTION: AL
38-40 (5-6) MAG: Box 6, 7, or 9 DUR: 4 ENC: .3
44-40 (7-8) CALIBER 45 ACP
45 Lorig Colt (9-0) FEATURES Can use the 7 or 9 round Magazines from
FEATURES: Again, a replica of the frontier Colt 45. The ANY other 45 ACP Autoloading Pistol.
Calibers shown are historically correct
CODE: P38 BBL: STD ACTION: AL
CODE: P28 BBL: Pistol Carbine ACTION: SA MAG: Box 18 DUR: 3 ENC: .4
MAG: Port-Cy1 6 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.3 CALIBER: 9mm Parabellum
CALIBER: 45 Long Colt FEATURES: Military issue of this model has capability
FEATURES: Removable shoulder stock. A replica of the for AB Gun Action. Civilian model given here
famous Buntline Special, used by Wyatt Earp can be adapted for this use by a Gunsmith.
CODE: P29 BBL: STD ACTION: SA CODE: P39 BBL: STD ACTION: AL
MAG: Port-Cy1 6 DUR: 2 ENC: .45 MAG: Box 9 DUR: 3 ENC: .42
CALIBER: 22 Short (1) CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle
22 Long (2-3) FEATURES: Match Weapon. +1 when using Sights.
22 Long Rifle (4-7)
22 RF Magnum (8-0) CODE: P40 BBL: SHT ACTION: AL
FEATURES: None. MAG: Box Variable DUR: 2 ENC: .27
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle 9 Rounds (1-2)
CODE: P30 BBL: LNG ACTION: SA 32 ACP 8 Rounds (3-6)
MAG: Port-CY1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .47 380 ACP 7 Rounds (7-0)
CALIBER: 357 Magnum (1-3) FEATURES: None.
73

CODE P41 BBL: STD ACTION: AL CODE P51 BBL: XLNG ACTION: DA
MAG: Box Variable DUR: 2 ENC: .3 MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .62
CALIBER: 38 Super Auto 8 Rounds (1-6) CALIBER: 22 Short (1)
45 ACP 7 Rounds (7-0) 22 Long (2-3)
FEATURES: None. 22 Long Rifle (4-5)
38 Special (6-7)
CODE P42 BEL: STD ACTION: AL 357 Magnum (EO)
MAG: B o x 8 DUR: 4 ENC: .4 FEATURES: All models have t1 to AIM using Sighted Fire.
CALIBER: 30 (1-4) 357 Magnum model can also fire 38 Special.
9mm Parabellum (5-0)
FEATURES: Replica of the Luger. CODE P51 BEL: Pistol Carbine ACTION: DA
MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .82
CODE P43 BEL: SNUB ACTION: AL CALIBER: 22 Short (1)
MAG: Box Variable DUR: 2 ENC: .2 22 Long (2-3)
CALIBER:
.~ 22 Lon9 Rifle 10 Rounds (1-4) 22 Long Rifle (4-5)
25 ACP-8 Rounds (5-0) 38 Special (6-7)
FEATURES: May be equipped with conversion kit :57 Magnum (EO)
consisting of the Barrel, Clip, and Bolt of the FEATURES: All models have t 1 to AIM using Sighted Fire.
specified Calibers. This allows the gun to be 357 Magnum model can also fire 38 Special.
altered from one to the other.
CODE: P53 BBL: LNG ACTION: DA
COOE P44 BBL: STD ACTION: AL MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .65
MAG: Box 11 DUR: 3 ENC: .4 CALIBER: 45 ACP
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle FEATURES: High quality Iron Sights give t1 to Sighted
FEATURES: Luger replica. Fire BCS. Tapped for Telescopic Sight.
COOE P45 BEL: STD ACTION: AL CODE P54 BBL: STD ACTION: DA
MAG: Box 7 DUR: 5 ENC: .5 MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .5
CALIBER: 44 Magnum (AMP) CALIBER: 44 Magnum
FEATURES: The ammo fired by this gun acts as 44 FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sights.
Magnum in all respects BUT a special AMP
case is needed. Standard 44 Magnum ammo CODE P55 BBL: LNG ACTION: DA
will always Jam the gun. The weapon is MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .43
made of stainless steel and is known as an CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle (1-2)
Auto-Mag . 22 RF Magnum o(3-5)
32 Lono 16-7)
TARGET WEAPONS 38 Special (BO)
FEATURES: Tunable gun. If Tuned, and fired as a SA gun,
All the Pistols listed here are Match Weapons! the Character receives a bonus as if using
CODE: P46 BEL: STD ACTION: AL Squeeze-Off Option: adds his DFT to his pistol
MAG: Box 10 DUR: 4 ENC: .45 Skill score.
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle
FEATURES: Left or Right Handed Grips. Can be set for MISCELLANEOUS
CODE: P56 PISTOLS
BBL: Varies ACTION: SA
Hair Trigger or normal pull. Tunable Gun if MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 4 ENC: Varies
used by a Character with the same CALIBER: 38 Special (1-4)
handedness as grips. 357 Magnum (5-0)
CODE: P47 BEL: STD ACTION: AL FEATURES: EsuiDped with a special Quick Change
MAG: Box 7 DUR: 5 ENC: .45 Barrel system, the gun may be given a Barrel
CALIBER: 45 ACP of ANY size: SNUB up to Pistol Carbine.
FEATURES: Target model of famous Colt 45 Autoloader. Barrels must be of P56 type and it takes 10
t l to BCS when using Sights. Trigger Actions to accomplish change.
adjustable to Hair Trigger or normal pull. The ENC of the gun is .15 t the Base ENC
for the BEL size.
CODE: P48 BEL: STD ACTION: AL
MAG: Box 5 DUR: 5 ENC: .55 COOE P57 BBL: SNUB ACTION: SA
CALIBER: 32 Long MAG: Break 2 DUR: 1 ENC: .2
FEATURES: Tunable gun. t1 to AIM when firing with CALIBER: 22 Short (1-3)
Siaht. Conversion Kit available to switch to 38 Special (4-5)
22Long Rifle. 38 Short (6-9)
38 Long (0)
TARGET REVOLVERS FEATURES: This is a Derringer, the hideaway gun of the
COOE P49 BEL: SNUB ACTION: DA frontier gambler. It uses Over-Under Barrels
MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .32 which must be turned manually to bring the
next round under the hammer. This requires
CALIBER: 22 Short (1) an extra Action.
22 Long (2-3)
22 Long Rifle (4-5) CODE P58 BBL: XLNG ACTION: SS
38 Special (6-7) MAG: Break 1 DUR: 5 ENC: .75
357 Magnum (8-0) CALIBER: 22 Short (01-03)
FEATURES: All models have t 1 to AIM using Sighted Fire. 22 Long (04-05)
357 Magnum model can also fire 38 Special. 22 Long Rifle (06-15)
22 RF Magnum (16-25)
CODE P50 BEL: STD ACTION: DA 22 Jet (26-35)
MAG: Swing-Cy1 6 DUR: 5 ENC: .42 357 Magnum (36-50)
CALIBER: 22 Short (1) 38 Special (51-60)
22 Long (2-3) 256 Magnum (61-65) see Long Gun Ammo Table
22 Long Rifle (4-5) 45 Long Colt (66-75)
38 Soecial 16-71 30-30(76-85) See Long Gun Ammo Table
357Magnum (6-0) 44 Magnum(86-00)
FEATURES: All models have t 1 to AIM using Sighted Fire. FEATURES: The gun may be adapted to take ANY of the
357 Magnum model can also fire 38 Special. specified rounds. Interchangeable barrels are
74

needed. Gun is grooved to take a Telescopic CODE R5 ACTION: PA
Sight (Clamp Mounted) and may be provided MAG: B o x 4 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3
with a special forearm brace. If equipped with CALIBERS: 243 (1-2)
this brace and Tuned, as with Tunable Guns 6mm (3-4)
then it will allow the firer to add his DFT to 280 (5)
his Pistol Skill as if firing with Squeeze-Off 308 (6-7)
Option. 30-06 (8-0)
CODE PS BBL: XLNG ACTION: BA FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight mounts. Swivel
MAG: Falling Block 1 DUR: 5 ENC: .8 Sling feature.
CALIBER: 221 Fireball CODE R6 ACTION: PA
FEATURES: Recoil Reduction. Right or Left-Handed Grips. MAG: Port-Mag 3 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.2
If used by Character with correct CALIBER: 30-30(1-6)
Handedness it i s a Tunable gun. Tapped for 35mm (7-0)
Telescopic Sights. FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight mounts.
CODE Pal BBL: LNGlXLNG ACTION: SS CODE: R7 ACTION: AL
MAG: Break 1 DUR: 4 ENC: .55 with LNG BBL .MAG: Box 10 or 20 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.5
ENC: .7 with XLNG BBL CALIBER: 7.62mm NATO
CALIBER: 22 Jet (01-05) FEATURES: Commercial replica of M-14. Gunsmith can
221 Fireball (06-15) convert to allow FA fire. Has no provision for
25-35 (16-20) See Long Gun Ammo Table bayonet. There is a 20% chance that a
30-30 (21-30) See Long Gun Ammo Table specimen of this gun will be a Match Weapon.
22 S, L. LR (31-45) Takes government issue 4X or 6X Telescopic
22 RF Magnum (46-55) Sight.
222 (56-58) See Long Gun Ammo Table CODE: RE ACTION: LA
256 Magnum (59-60) See Long Gun Ammo
9mm Parabellum (61-65) MAG: Tub-Mag 6 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.45
38 Super Auto (66-67) CALIBER: 44-40 (1-6)
357 Magnum (7-0) See Pistol Ammo Table
357 Magnum (68-75) FEATURES: Replica of 1873 Winchester.
38 Special (76-80)
30 Carbine (76-85) See Long Gun Ammo Table CODE: R9 ACTION: LA
45 ACP (86-90) MAG: Tub-Mag 4 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.25
44 Maanum (91-96) CALIBER: 444 Marlin
45 Long Colt(97-00) FEATURES: Swivel Sling. Tapped for Telescopic Sights.
FEATURES: Another weapon with interchangeable barrels,
both as regards length and caliber. If the CODE R10 ACTION: LA
appropriate barrel is available, ANY of the MAG: Port-Mag Var. DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3
above calibers may be fired. Changing barrels CALIBER: 300 Magnum 5 Shot (1-3)
requires 10 Actions and changing from CF to 243 5 Shot (4-5)
RF ammo requires another 10. 308 5 Shot (6-8)
250 5 Shot (9)
Apart from this, the gun is tapped for 358 6 Shot (0)
Telescopic Sight mounts. FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sights. Swivel Sling.
Recoil Pad. Magazine is actually a Rotary
Magazine, extremely efficient and resistant
LONG GUNS to jams. Adds t3 to Control BCS even if user
Rifles (BBL longer than 207 has no Control of his own.
CODE: R1 ACTION: AL CODE: R11 ACTION: BA
MAG: Box Variable DUR: 4 ENC: 1.4 MAG: Box Variable DUR: 4 ENC: 1.5
CALIBER: 243 4 Rounds (1) CALIBER: 25-06 4 Round (1-2)
270 4 Rounds (2) 270 4 Round (3)
30-06 4 Rounds (35) 30-06 4 Round (4-5)
308 4 Rounds (6-7) 300 Magnum 3 Round (6-7)
7mm Magnum 3 Rounds (8) 7mm Magnum 3 Round (8-9)
300 Magnum 3 Rounds (90) 458 Magnum 3 Round (0)
FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight mounts. t1 to FEATURES: Recoil Pad. NO SIGHTS ON GUN! Iron or
Aim using guns own Sights to fire. Telescopic Sights must be mounted by a
Gunsmith.
CODE R2 ACTION: AL
MAG: Box 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.25 CODE R12 ACTION: BA
CALIBER: 223 MAG: Port-Mag 5 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.25
FEATURES: Civilian model of the M-16. Can be converted CALIBER: 30-06
to permit FA fire by a Gunsmith. Uses FEATURES: Recoil Pad. Tapped for Telescopic Sight.
government magazines, so that M-16 Box 30 Swivel Sling.
clips can be used by this model as well.
CODE: R13 ACTION: BA
CODE R3 ACTION: AL MAG: Box 3 OUR: 3 ENC: 1.2
MAG: Port-Mag 3 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.25 CALIBER: 222 (1-2)
CALIBER: 308 243 (3-4)
FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight mount. 308 (5-7)
22-250 (8)
CODE R4 ACTION: AL 6mm (9-0)
MAG: Box 4 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3 FEATURES: Adjustable trigger can be set for Hair Trigger
CALIBER: 243 (1-2) or normal pull. Tapped for Telescopic Sights.
6mm (3-4) Sling Swivels.
280 (5)
308 (6-7) COOE: R14 ACTION: BA
30-06 (8-0) MAG: Box 3 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.25
FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight mounts. Swivel CALIBER: 7mm Magnum (1-6)
Sling feature. 300 Magnum (7-0)
75

__-
FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight. Swivel Sling. CALIBER: 22 Short 20 Rounds
Trigger is adjustable for Hair Trigger or 22 Long 17 Rounds
normal pull. 22 Long Rifle 15 Rounds
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. The gun can
CODE R15 ACTION: BA fire any of the specified Calibers. The only
MAG: Port-Mag 3 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.4 difference is how many rounds of a given
CALIBER: 375 Magnum (1-6) size can f it into the Tubular Magazine.
458 Magnum (7-0)
FEATURES: Swivel Sling. CODE R25 ACTION: AL
MAG: Box 5.10 or 15 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3
CODE R16 ACTION: BA CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle
MAG: Port-Mag Var. DUR: 5 ENC: 1.2 FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. The odds of a
CALIBER: 222 5 Round (1) gun having any particular size of magazine
22-250 5 Round (2) are even. It can use any of them.
. 6mm 5 Round (3)
243 5 Round (4) COOE ,R26 ACTION: LA
25-06 5 Round (5) MAG: Tub-Mag Var. DUR: 4 ENC: 1.25
270 5 Round (6) CALIBER: 22 Short 22 Round (1-2)
. 308 5 Round (7) 22 Lona 17 Round (3-4)
30-06 5 Round (8) 22 Long Rifle 15 Round (5-9)
375 Magnum 3 Round (9) 22 RF Magnum (0)
458 Magnum 3 Round (0) FEATURES: Hi-Power weapon, using High Power rounds
FEATURES: Recoil Pad. Swivel Sling. Tapped for at no extra risk. As with R24, the gun can fire
Telescopic Sight. There is a 20% chance that any of the non-Magnum 22 Rimfire cartridges.
this gun will be a Match Weapon. It simply holds different quantities of them.
The frequency numbers given are soley to
COOE R17 ACTION: SS distinquish between the Magnum and non-
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.35 Magnum models. Also has Hair Trigger and is
CALIBER: 45-70 tapped for Telescopic Sight. Swivel Sling.
FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight. Swivel Sling.
COOE A27 ACTION: LA
CODE R18 ACTION: SS MAG: Tub-Mag Var. DUR: 3 ENC: 1.35
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.3 CALIBER: 22 Short 26 Round
CALIBER: 30-06 (1-3) 22 Long 21 Round
25-06 (4-5) 22 Long Rifle 15 Round
6mm (6) FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight. Swivel Sling As
243 (7) with other Tub-Mag Variable Capacity
22-250 (8) magazines the gun can handle any 22 Rimfire
7mm Magnum (9-0) round listed, but holds different quantities of
FEATURES Taooed for TelescaDic Siaht. Recoil Pad. GUN them
COOE R28 ACTION: LA
CODE Rl9 ACTION: SS MAG: Tub-Mag 11 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3
MAG: Port-Mag 1 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.3 CALIBER: 22 RF Magnum
CALIBER: 44 Magnum (1-7) FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight.
45-70 (8-0) CODE: R29 ACTION: BA
FEATURES: None. MAG: Box 7 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.2
COOE A 2 0 ACTION: SS CALIBER: 22 Short (1-2)
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.4 22 Long (3-5)
CALIBER: 22-250 (01-10) 22 Lona Rifle (6-0)
243 (11-15) FEATURES: G roovd for Telescopic Sight.
6mm (16-25) CODE A30 ACTION: BA
25-06 (26-30) MAG: Box 7 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.4
270 (31-40)
30-06 (41-55) CALIBER: Any 22 RF non-Magnum
7mm Magnum (56-60) FEATURES: Clip can be altered t o accomodate 22 Short,
300 Magnum (61-70) Long or Long Rifle. Grooved for Telescopic
45-70 (71-75) Sight.
30-40 Krag (76-80) COOE: R31 ACTION: BA
458 Magnum (81-85) MAG: Box 5 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.35
375 Magnum (86-00) CALIBER: 22 RF Magnum
FEATURES: Swivel Sling. NO IRON SIGHTS ON GUN' FEATURES: None.
Equipped with mounts for Iron or Telescopic COOE R32 ACTION: BA
Sights. MAG: Box 5 or 10 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.25
COOE R21 ACTION: AL CALIBER: 22 Short (1-2)
MAG: Tub-Mag 20 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.2 22 Long (3-5)
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle 22 Long Rifle (6-0)
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. FEATURES: Even chance of gun being found with either
clip. It can use both sizes. Also Tapped for
CODE R22 ACTION: PA Telescopic Sight. GUN HAS NO IRON SIGHTS
MAG: Tub-Mag Var. DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3
ON IT! Sighted fire possible only when Sights
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle (1-5) installed by a Gunsmith.
22 RF Maanum (6-0)
FEATURES: Grooved h r Telescopic Sights. CODE R33 ACTION: BA
MAG: Tub-Mag Var. DUR: 4 ENC: 1.2
COOE R23 .. ACTION: AL CALIBER: 22 Short
MAG: Box 5 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.3 22 Lono
CALIBER: 22 RF Magnum 22 L o n i Rifle
FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight. FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. As with other
COOE R24 ACTION: AL Tub-Maa rifles it can use any 22 Rimfire but
MAG: Tub-Mag Var. DUR: 4 ENC: 1.25 holds varying amounts of them.
76

CODE R34 ACTION: BA CODE: R45 ACTION: SSlBA
MAG: Port-Mag 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.25 MAG: Fall-Block 1 OUR: 5 ENC: 2
CALIBER: 22 RF Magnum CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. FEATURES: Sights give t i to Aim when using Sighted
CODE R35 ACTION: BA Fire. No provision for Sling. Tunable Gun.
MAG: Box 5 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.3 There is a fully adjustable trigger (Hair
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle (1-4) Trigger or normal pull).
22 RF Magnum ($0) DOUBLE RIFLES
FEATURES: Fully adjustable trigger, settable for Hair All of the following Guns are Double-Barreled. Single Shot weapons. A Rllle
Trigger or normal pull. Grooved for Telescopic Barrel is mounted on top of a Shotgun Barrel, or vice-versa. Caliber Is
Sight. recorded as {Top Barrel / Bottom Barrel). A "12 Ga/30-06" has a 1 2 Gauge
CODE R36 ACTION: SSlBA Shotgun Barrel on top and a Single-Shot 30-06 Barrel on the bottom.
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.2 CODE: R46 ACTION: SA
CALIBER: Any 22 Rimfire non-Magnum MAG: Break 111 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.4
FEATURES: Equipped with Sights giving +I to Aim when CALIBER: 12 Gal30-06 (1-6)
using Sighted Fire. Grooved for Telescopic 12 Gal243(7:0)-'
Sight (if so equipped, the Peep Sight cannot FEATURES: Recoil Pad.
be used). CODE A47 ACTION: SA
CODE: R37 ACTION: SSlBA MAG: Break 111 OUR: 4 ENC: 1.35
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.2 CALIBER: 12 Gal222
CALIBER: Any 22 Rimfire non-Magnum FEATURES: Equipped with changeable Choke Tubes,
FEATURES: Equipped with Iron Sights giving t 1 to BCS allowing the Choke on the shotgun barrel to
and Aim when using Sighted Fire. Swivel be changed in 10 Actions. Swivel Sling.
Sling. Grooved for Telescopic Sight.
CODE R38 ACTION: SS COO R48 ACTION: SA
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3 MAG: Break 111 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.4
CALIBER: Any 22 Rimfire non-Magnum (1-6) CALIBER: 12 Gal308
22 RF Magnum (7-0) FEATURES: Modified Choke only. Tapped for Telescopic
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. Sight. Recoil Pad. Swivel Sling.
CODE R39 ACTION: SS COOE: R49 ACTION: SA
MAG: Break 1 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.25 MAG: Break 111 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.5
CALIBER: Any 22 Rimfire non-Magnum CALIBER: 12 Gal375 Magnum (1-3)
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. 12 Ga Magnum1375 Magnum (4-6)
12 Gal458 Magnum (7-8)
CODE R40 ACTION: SS 12 Ga Magnum1458 Magnum (9-0)
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3 FEATURES: lnterchaneable barrels are available, although
CALIBER: 22 RF Magnum it requires a Gunsmith to change them (per
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. Sling Swivel. barrel: Task Points = 10, Task Period = 2
hours). Tapped for Telescopic Sight. Swivel
Sling. Recoil Pad.
TARGET RIFLES
COOE: R50 ACTION: SA
All of the following Rifles have the Match Weapon Feature. MAG: Break 111 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.3
CODE R41 ACTION: SS/BA CALIBER: 22 RF Magnuml20 Ga (1-2)
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.7 222120 Ga (3)
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle 30-30120 Ga (4-5)
FEATURES: No sling provided for. Has no Iron Sights but Any 22 Rimfire non-Magnuml410 (E-7)
can be fitted with Match Sights giving t i to 22 RF Magnum1410 (8-0)
BCS and Aim when using Sighted Fire. Also is FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight.
a Handed Gun (Right or Left). Can be used as CARBINES
a Tunable Gun by Character with
corresponding handedness. All of the following guns have BEL less than or equal to 20".
COOE: C I ACTION: AL
CODE R42 ACTION: BA MAG: Box 5 DUR: 3 ENC: 1
MAG: Strip 5 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.5 CALIBER: 223
CALIBER: 7.62mm NATO
FEATURES: Match version of M-1 but firing 7.62mm FEATURES: Civilian model of M-18 Assault Rifle. 3X
Military issue Telescopic Sight. Folding stock.
instead of 30-06. No Iron Sights but can have Can be given FA capacity by Gunsmith. Also
these or Match Sights mounted by a uses military issue Box 30 magazine.
Gunsmith. Swivel Sling.
COOE R43 ACTION: EA CODE: C2 ACTION: AL
MAG: B o x 7 MAG: Box 5, 10,20, 30DUR: 5 ENC: 9
DUR: 5 ENC: 1.4 CALIBER: 223
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle
FEATURES: Iron Sights give t i to Aim. Grooved for FEATURES: Can be converted to FA Action by Gunsmith.
Telescopic Sight but this precludes using Iron Swivel Sling.
Sights. Also has adjustable trigger (Hair CODE: C3 ACTION: AL
Trigger or normal pull). MAG: Tub-Mag 4 DUR: 5 ENC: .9
CODE: R44 ACTION: EA CALIBER: 44 Magnum
MAG: Port-Mag 5 FEATURES: Swivel Sling. Peep Sight gives +I to Aim for
DUR: 5 ENC: 1.6 Sighted Fire. Tapped for Telescopic Sight.
CALIBER: 222 (1-2)
222 Magnum (3-5) COOE: C 4 ACTION: LA
223 (6-8) MAG: Box 4 DUR: 4 ENC: 1
7.62mm NATO (9-0) CALIBER: 243 (1-2)
FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight. No Iron Sights 308 (3-6)
No provision for Sling. Some models (30%) 358 Magnum (7-0)
have Hair Trigger. FEATURES: Recoil Pad. Tapped for Telescopic Sight.
77

CODE c5 ACTION: LA FEATURES: This is a Double Carbine, having a 410 Caliber
MAG: Tub-Mag 6 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.2 shotgun barrel mounted under a 22 Carbine
CALIBER: 30-30 (1-7) barrel. It is also a skeleton gun like C15.
35 (8-0)
FEATURES: None. SHOTGUNS
CODE C6 ACTION: LA CODE SG1 ACTION: SA
MAG: Tub-Mag 4 DUR: 3 ENC: .8 MAG: Break 2 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.6
CALIBER: 44-40 (1-4) GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-6)
357 Magnum (5-0) 20 Ga Magnum (7-0)
FEATURES: None. FEATURES: None.
CODE c7 ACTION: BA CODE SG2 ACTION: SA
ENC: 1.2 MAG: Break 2 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.8
MAG: Port-Mag 5 DUR: 5
CALIBER: 22-250 (1-2) GAUGE: 10 Ga Magnum
6mm (3) FEATURES: Recoil Pad.
243 (4) CODE: SG3 ACTION: SA
270 (5-6) MAG: Break 2 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.6
30-06 (7-9) GAUGE: 10 Ga Magnum (1)
308 (0) 12 Ga Magnum (2-3)
FEATURES: Tapped for Telescopic Sight. 20 Ga Magnum (4)
CODE C8 ACTION: AL 410 Magnum (5)
MAG: Box 8 DUR: 3 ENC: .75 12 Ga (6-0)
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle FEATURES: Recoil Pad.
FEATURES: A specially designed survival and packers CODE SG4 ACTION: SA
weapon. The barrel, main body, and buttstock MAG: Break 2 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.5
of the weaoon can be broken down into GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-4)
separate pieces. The first two pieces fit into a 16 Ga (5-6)
carrying compartment in the stock. 20 Ga (7)
CODE c9 ACTION: AL 12 Ga Magnum (8)
MAG: Tub-Mag 9 DUR: 4 ENC: .9 16 Ga Magnum (9)
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle 20 Ga Magnum (0)
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. FEATURES: None.
CODE c 1 0 ACTION: AL
MAG: Port-Mag 10 DUR: 5 ENC: .9 AUTOLOAOING SHOTGUNS
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle CODE: SG5 ACTION: AL
FEATURES: Tapped and Grooved for Telescopic Sight. MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.5
Swivel Sling. GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-4)
20 Ga (56)
CODE c11 ACTION: LA 12 Ga Magnum (7)
MAG: Tub-Mag 15 DUR: 3 ENC: .85 20 Ga Magnum (8)
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle 12 Ga Slug (9)
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. 20 Ga Slug (0)
CODE c12 ACTION: LA FEATURES: Interchangeable barrels available, permitting
MAG: Tub-Mag Var. DUR: 3 ENC: 1 alteration of Choke. Must be SG5 barrel.
CALIBER: 22 Short 21 Rounds CODE SG6 ACTION: AL
22 Long 16 Rounds MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3
22 Long Rifle 15 Rounds
GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-3)
FEATURES: Swivel Sling. Tapped for Telescopic Sight. 20 Ga (4-5)
CODE C13 ACTION: BA 12 Ga Magnum (6)
MAG: Box 5 DUR: 4 ENC: .85 20 Ga Magnum (7)
CALIBER: 22 RF Magnum 12 Ga Slug (8-9)
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. 20 Ga Slug (0)
FEATURES: Recoil Pad. Swivel sling.
CODE C14 ACTION: PA
MAG: Box 5 DUR: 4 ENC: .8 CODE SG7 ACTION: AL
CALIBER: 22 Long Rifle (1-6) MAG: Tub-Mag 4 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.6
22 RF Magnum (7-0) GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-4)
FEATURES: Grooved for Telescopic Sight. Swivel Sling. 20 Ga (5-6)
12 Ga Magnum (7-8)
CODE C15 ACTION: SS 20 Ga Magnum (9-0)
MAG: Port-Mag 1 DUR: 2 ENC: .75 FEATURES: Quick-change Choke tubes inserted in barrel
CALIBER: Any 22 Rimfire non-Magnum an alter Choke setting in 10 Actions (5 to
FEATURES: A skeleton stock weapon. Made of light remove Choke, 5 t o insert new one). Recoil
alloys, the gun resembles a tube with the Pad.
outline of a stock at one end.
CODE SG8 ACTION: AL
CODE C16 ACTION: SS MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.5
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 4 ENC: .95 GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-2)
CALIBER: Any 22 Rimfire non-Magnum 20 Ga (3-5)
FEATURES: None. 20 Ga Magnum (6-7)
CODE C17 ACTION: SS Slug (8-0)
MAG: Fall-Block 1 DUR: 3 ENC: 1 FEATURES: All barrels interchangeable to alter Choke.
CALIBER: 22 RF Magnum Has built in Recoil Reduction of 1.
FEATURES: None. CODE SG9 ACTION: AL
CODE C l 8 ACTION: SA MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 5 ENC: 1
MAG: Break 1/ 1 DUR: 2 ENC: .8 GAUGE: 12 Ga Magnum (1-5)
CALIBER: 22 Long Riflel410 Magnum 12 Ga Slug (6-0)

---
FEATURES: This is a short-barrled Riot Gun, acting like a SINGLE SHOT SHOTGUNS
Carbine as regards BDG. Such weapons are CODE: SG19 ACTION: SS
legally restricted to Police in our own culture. MAG: Break 1 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.5
CODE SGlO ACTION: AL GAUGE: 10 Ga (01-10)
MAG: Tub-Mag 3 DUR: 4 ENC: .8 10 Ga Magnum (11-15)
GAUGE: 12 Ga Magnum (1-4) 12 Ga (16-45)
12 Ga Slug (5) 12 Ga Magnum (61-70)
10 Ga (6-8) 16 Ga (61-70)
10 Ga Slug ($0) 16 Ga Magnum (71-80)
FEATURES: Another Riot Gun, fitted with a Folding Stock, 20 Ga (81-85)
allowing it to be fired with Pistol Skill. A very 20 Ga Magnum (86-90)
mean looking gun, it is colloquially known as 410 (91-95)
a Room Broom. 410 Magnum (96-00)
FEATURES: Recoil pad. Changeable barrels to alter
PUMP ACTION SHOTGUNS Choke.
CODE: SGll ACTION: PA CODE SG20 ACTION: SS
MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.5 MAG: Break 1 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.6
GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-6) GAUGE: 10 Ga Slug (1-2)
20 Ga Magnum (7-0) 12 Ga Slug (3-6)
FEATURES: Recoil Pad. 16 Ga Slug (7-8)
20 Ga Slua (91
CODE SG12 ACTION: PA 410 slug (0)
MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3 FEATURES: None.
GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-4)
16 Ga (5-7) DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS
20 Ga (8-0) Gun has Two Barrels mounted one on top of another
FEATURES: t l to Aim with Sighted Fire, due to special, CODE: SG21 ACTION: SA
transluscent Sight with Peep function. MAG: Break 2 DUR: 3 ENC: 1.6
COOE: SG13 ACTION: PA GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-6)
MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.7 20 Ga Magnum (7-0)
GAUGE: 12 Ga Magnum FEATURES: None.
FEATURES: Interchangeable barrels for different Chokes. CODE: 22 ACTION: SA
Recoil pad. MAG: Break 2 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.8
CODE SG14 ACTION: PA GAUGE: 10 Ga Magnum
MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.8 FEATURES: Recoil Pad.
GAUGE: 12 Ga Slub CODE: SG23 ACTION: SA
GAUGE: 12 Ga Slug MAG: Break 2 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.6
FEATURES: Recoil pad. Beaded Sight gives t1 to Aim with GAUGE: 10 Ga Magnum (1)
Sighted Fire. 12 Ga Magnum (2-3)
CODE: SG15 ACTION: PA 20 Ga Magnum (4)
MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 5 ENC: 1.5 410 Magnum (5)
GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-3) 12 Ga (6-0)
12 Ga Magnum (4-5) FEATURES: Recoil pad.
20 Ga (6-7) CODE: SG24 ACTION: SA
20 Ga Magnum (8-9) MAG: Break 2 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.5
410 Magnum (0) GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-4)
FEATURES: Interchangeable Choke Tubes available, same 16 Ga (5-6)
models as used with SG7. Recoil pad. 20 Ga (7)
COOE: SG16 ACTION: PA 12 Ga Magnum (8)
MAG: Tub-Mag 5 DUR: 4 ENC: 1 16 Ga Magnum (9)
GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-3) 20 Ga Magnum (0)
12 Ga Magnum (4-5) FEATURES: None.
10 Ga (6-8)
10 Ga Slug (9) AFTERMATH! MILITARY ISSUE FIREARMS
12 Ga Slug (0) The following specifications quantize certain military and police
FEATURES: A Riot Gun. Swivel Sling weapons in general use in the U.S. (or available from its allies)
between WWll and the Ruin.
BOLT ACTION SHOTGUNS
COOE: SG17 ACTION: BA RIFLE, ASSAULT RIFLES, AND CARBINES:
MAG: B o x 2 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.8 M-1 Garand Rille ACTION: AL MAG: Strip 8
GAUGE: 10 Ga (1-4) CALIBER: 30-06 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.5
10 Ga Maanurn (5-7) FEATURES: Auto-extractor. Bayonet lug. Takes adapter to
10 Ga S l u i (8-0) fire M-1 Rifle Grenade.
FEATURES: Swivel Sling. M-1 Carbine ACTION: AL MAG: Box 15 or 30
COOE: SG18 ACTION: BA CALIBER: 30 Carbine DUR: 4 ENC: .9
MAG: Box3 DUR: 4 ENC: 1.4 FEATURES: Auto extractor.
GAUGE: 12 Ga (1-4) MIA1 Carbine ACTION: AL MAG: Box 15 or 30
12 Ga Slug (5-7) CALIBER: 30 Carbine DUR: 4 ENC: .9
410 Ga (8-9) FEATURES: Auto-extractor. May be equipped with Folding
410 Ga Slug (0) Stock.
FEATURES: Gun is fitting with a Variable Choke device on
non-Slug models. This permits user to set for M-14Rifle ACTION: AL-FA MAG: Box20
a given Choke in 1 Action by turning a small CAL: 7.62 NATO (308) DUR: 5 ENC: 1.4
dial around the muzzle. Swivel Sling. Recoil FEATURES: Auto-extractor. Bayonet lug. Can be fitted
pad. Slug firing models have high quality Iron with bipod for Rest Weapon Modifier. Takes
Sights given t l to Aim using Sighted Fire. Adapter device to fire M-14 Rifle Grenade.
79

M-16 Rllle ACTION: AL-FA MAG: Box 20 or 30 SUB-MACHINE GUNS
CAL: 5.56 (223) DUR: 4 ENC: 1.3
FEATURES: Auto-extractor. Bayonet lug. Can be fitted Thompson M192BA1 BEL: XLNG ACTION: AL-FA
with Bipod for Rest Weapon Modifier. 22mm MAG: Drum 50 CAL: 45 ACP OUR: 3
Grenade Launcher built into Flash Hider. ENC: 1.2
Takes military issue Telescopic Sight, Star- FEATURES: The famous "Tommy Gun," introduced late in
Light Scope, or I-R Scope. Can be fitted with WWI and beloved of both the cobs and
under-slung 40mm Grenade Launcher. robbers of the "Roaring 20s." Although it has
a Pistol size barrel. it is fired using Rifle Skill
Colt Cammando Carbine ACTION: AL-FA MAG: Box 20 or 30 (averaged with Autoweapon when firing
CAL:~5.56mm DUR: 4 ENC:1 automatic). A number of models (40%) are
FEATURES: Folding Stock. Auto-extractor. Flash Hider. equipped with the Cutts Compensator, an
M-18 Rifle ACTION: AL-FA-AB MAG: BOX 30 anti-recoil device mounted at the mouth of
CAL: 5.56mm DUR: 5 ENC: 1.2 the barrel giving a Recoil Reduction of 2.
FEATURES: Auto-extractor. Bayonet lug. Can be fitted
with Bipod. 22mm Grenade Launcher built into Thompson M1A1 Automatic Carbine ACTION: AL-FA
Flash Hider. Can take military issue MAG: Box 20 or 30 CAL: 45 ACP OUR: 4
Telescopic Sight, Star-Light Scope, or I-R ENC: 1.2
Scope. Can be fitted with underslung 40mm FEATURES: This is the later, massproduced version of the
Grenade Launcher. Date of issue - 1985. Thompson which saw extensive service in
M-22 Rifle ACTION: AL-FA-AB MAG: BOX30 WWII. It has no special Features.
CAL: 5.56mm OUR: 5 ENC: 1.3 M3A1 Sub-Machine Gun BBL: XLNG ACTION: FA
FEATURES: Auto-extractor. Bayonet lug. Can be fitted MAG: Box 30 CAL: 45ACP OUR: 4
with Bipod. 22mm Grenade Launcher. Flash ENC: 1
Hider. Takes military issue Telescopic, Star- FEATURES: Folding Stock. The "Grease Gun" developed
Light. or I-R Sights. Has Built-in LEO Peep during WWII.
Sight. Supermachine Gun rate of autofire: 06
per Burst. Can be equipped with Laser Sight
or 40mm Grenade Launcher in underslung
position. Folding Stock, allows fire with Pistol Other contemporary SMGs of note are to be found in the US, although often
Skill, but Rifle characteristics (two hands Illegally.
required for proper use). High Power Feature.
Date of issue 1995. - Uzl SMG BEL: XLNG ACTION: AL-FA
MAG: Box 25, 32 or 40 CAL: 9mm Parabellum OUR: 3
ENC: .0
lThe following 2 weapons are made by FN In Belguim. and are widely used FEATURES: Removable wooden stock or Folding Wire
by NATO forces] stocks, depending on the model. When in
FAL Assault Rifle ACTION: AL-FA MAG: Box 20 Pistol configuration, the balance of the Uzi
CAL: 7.62mm NATO OUR: 4 ENC: 1.45 permits normal, one-handed use, with no
FEATURES: Auto-extractor. Bayonet lug. penalties normally accruing to firing Rifle
class weapons in that manner. It is probably
FAR Assault Carbine ACTION: AL-FA-AB MAG: Box 20 or 30 the commonest modern SMG in the world,
CAL: 7.62mm NATO OUR: 5 ENC: .9 manufactured under license in a number of
FEATURES: Auto-extractor. Foldina Stock. 22mm Grenade countries.
Launcher in Flash Hider. Can take Bipod for
Rest Weapon Modifier. MP-40 BBL: XLNG ACTION: AL-FA
MAG: Box 32 CAL: 9mm Parabellum OUR: 3
lThe next 2 are of British manufacture. being their standard WWll and modern ENC: .9
infantry weapons.) FEATURES: Folding stock. This is the standard German
SMG of WWII. Well constructed, at least in the
Mk.4 Rifle ACTION: AL MAG: Box 10 early years of the war, a number of them
CAL: 7.62mm NATO DUR: 5 ENC: 1.4 have found their way into this country as
FEATURES: Bayonet lug. Auto-extractor. This is the "final souvenirs and collector's pieces, where loving
generation" of the old Lee-Enfield. care keeps them at their deadly best.
EM-2 Carbine ACTION: AL-FA MAG: Box20 Mk.2 Sten BBL: XLNG ACTION: FA
CAL: 5.56mm OUR: 4 ENC: 1.1 MAG: Box 32 CAL: 9mm Parabellum DUR: 2
FEATURES: Auto-extractor. Folding stock. 22mm Grenade ENC: .8
Launcher in Flash Hider. Can take military FEATURES: Folding stock. Specially made socket bayonet
issue Telescopic, Star-Light, or I-R Scopes. made for the Sten. Silencers for some models
This is a bit of speculative writing, as the are available. The Sten was the "tin tommy
weapon is currently still in trials. Date of gun" of the British infantry in WWII. Almost
issue: 1983. 250.000 were produced during the war and in
tha decade following.
MAC-10 BBL: STO ACTION: AL-FA
PISTOLS MAG: Box 30 CAL: 45ACP OUR: 3
There are only two that really need to be discussed: the Colt .45 M1911 A1 and Its ENC: .6
9mm counterpart. the Browning High Power. MAC-11
M1911A1 BEL: STD ACTION: AL Same specifications as MAC-10 but fires 9mm Parabellum
MAG: Box 7 CAL: .45ACP DUR: 5 FEATURES: The MAC-10 and 11 represent a new. non-
ENC: .4 military application of the SMG idea. The size of
FEATURES: None. an ordinary pistol. the MAC series are not
suitable for battlefield use, but are ideal for
Browlng High Power BBL: STD ACTION: AL police, security, and espionage activities.
MAG: Box 13 CAL: 9mm Parabellum OUR: 4 Both the MAC-10 and MAC-11 are equipped
ENC: .4 with Folding Stocks. and may be fitted wrth
FEATURES: High Power weapon. Some models have a an extremely efficient silencer. although
Detachable Stock, allowing Rifle Skill to be autofire through the silencer is not
used to fire the gun. recommended.
80

American 180 BBL: Carbine ACTION: AL-FA Those not oriented to a Caliber may be used
MAG: Drum 177 CAL: 22 Stinger DUR: 4 to repair other models. If necessary, one form
ENC: 1.2 of gun can be altered into another, given time
(a Task for a Gunsmith).
American 180 Machine Pistol BBL: XLNG Mauser MG1
ENC: .9 Other specs as above MAG: Disintegrating Link Belt 50 or BoxlBelt 100 (A prepared ammo
Introduced for police work i n 1974, the American 180 Carbine, or box holding a Link Belt)
its pistol-size cousin, the 180 Machine Pistol, both fall into the CAL: 7.62 NATO DUR: 3 ENC: 5.8
"Supermachine Gun" class, firing a Burst of 6 rounds instead of the RATE: 1200 RpM RATE FACTOR: 2D5 x .5
normal 3 rounds. If hit by the weapon, a D6 is rolled to see how FEATURES: Tripod mount only, in order to support that
many slugs actually got in. appalling rate of fire. This was the standard
As 22 Stinger is simply a super-high velocity 22 Long Rifle round, the MG of the Third Reich, and remains in service
weaDon can also fire that ammo, but does so as a normal SMG. in Third World and Insurgent forces today. It
(3 RoundslBurst) is a lethal engine and far from outdated.
Other Features include a Recoil Reduction of 1. Ammo is fed from
a flat Drum maaazine attached to the toD of the receiver. The gun is
specifically deigned to accept a Laser Sight, but i s equipped with These provide a sampling of the many types of Machine Guns now known.
normal Iron Sights as well. The authors have seen film clips of this The Gamesmaster should not cast these lightly into his Campaign. for their
little buzz saw in action. It was used to cut a Volkswagen in two, tremendous lethality can unbalance his scenarios beyond even his wildest
and after that, the demonstrator wrote his initials on a brick wall. fears. But they should not be ignored. Even in a "scarce ammo economy."
Longhand. the Machine Gun will have its users.
It is really a remarkable weapon.
MACHINE GUNS
These are 7 of the best known machine guns in use since WWII. They range
f
from the standard US weapons of that period to the Heckler and Koch guns
used by NATO forces. All may be vehicle mounted.
30 Caliber Browning Med. MG
MAG: Disintegrating Link or Fabric Belt 250
CAL: 30 Browning DUR: 4 ENC: 7
RATE: 450 RpM RATE FACTOR: D6x.5
FEATURES: Tripod mounted in most (80%) cases. Others
use a beefed up Bipod.
M60 GPMG
MAG: Disintegrating Link Belt 250
CAL: 7.62mm NATO OUR: 5 ENC: 5.2
RATE: 600 RpM RATE FACTOR: 2D3 x .5
FEATURES: The current standard MG used by the US
Armed Forces. Can be Bipod or Tripod
mounted.
Browing M 2 HMG
MAG: Metal Link Belt 100
CAL: 50 OUR: 4 ENC: 14.1
RATE: 450 RpM RATE FACTOR: D6 x .5
FEATURES: Mounted on tripod.
Bren LMG
MAG: Box 30 or Drum 50 or 100
CAL: 7.62 NATO DUR: 4 ENC: 4.35
RATE: 480 RpM RATE FACTOR: 06 x .5
FEATURES: Bipod fitted. Easily man portable (subject to
Encumbrance rules). A Section Support
weapon designed for mobility.
SIG 710-3 GPMG
MAG: Disintegrating or Metal Link Belt 250
CAL: 7,62 NATO DUR: 5 ENC: 4.82
RATE: 800 RpM RATE FACTOR: 0.19 x .5
SUSTAINED: 1400 RpM 205 x .5
FEATURES: One of the current NATO machine gun
systems. It can be Bipod mounted in its lower
Rate role, but the Sustained Fire requires
Tripod mounting to hold the gun sufficiently
steady.
HK 21 LMG
MAG: BOX20 or Drum 80 or Disintegrating Link Belt 250
CAL: 5.56rnm
HK 21 GPMG
CAL: 7.62 NATO
HK 21 HMG
CAL: 7.62 x 39mm DUR: 5 ENC: 3.65
RATE: 850 RpM RATE FACTOR: D10 x .5
FEATURES: The newest thing in MG systems. Usually
Bipod mounted, almost ALL the parts of the
weapon in either mode are interchangeable.
81

APPENDIX 2 Sight Ouallty and Other Characterlstka
RANDOM FIREARMS DETERMINATION When a Telescopic sight is found installed on a gun or separately,
a roll is needed to determine its construction and qualities.
Magniflcatlon-The scope has a magnifying power of 2D3x. I.e.,roll
HOW T O USE THE GUN LIST 2, you have a 2x scope, reducing the effective range to the target
The most direct use of the Gun List is quite simple: there are 60 by a factor of 2.
Pistols, 50 Rifles, 18 Carbines, and 24 Shotguns on the tables. Light Efflclency-Roll a D3. This establishes a Light Efficiency
Determine the kind of gun required on the index given below, and Level.
then roll a die of the appropriate type for the number of possible Level 1-May be used in any Light better than darkness.
choices (i.e. roll a D60 if you need a Pistol, a D50 for a Rifle, and so Level 2-May only be used in Light Level of Dim or better.
on). The die roll is the Code number from the Gun List. If other rolls Level 3-May only be used in Full Light.
need to be made, such as the Frequency roll for Caliber if the guh is Mountlng-This need not be rolled for if scope is found mounted,
made in more than one size, then roll that die. When all the extra since it will have the correct type mount for the gun it is on. For
determinants, the break down on the Gun List are as follows: scopes found separately, roll on the following table.
Plrtolr-Contains 30 Revolvers. 15 Autoloaders. 10 Target Dle
weapons. 5 Miscellaneous. Roll Mounting
Rifler-Contains 40 regular weapons. 5 Target weapons. 5 1-4 Tap Mounts. Goes on any gun Tapped for Telescopic Sights.
"Double" Rifles. 5-7 Groove Mounts. There is a 60% Chance such a scope is a " T i p
Carbines-Contains no differentiated types. off" model. That is, it can be tipped to the side allowing the
Shotguns-Contains 4 Double Barreled. 6 Autoloading. 5 Pump shooter to use his Iron Sights should he prefer to, without
Action. 2 Bolt Action. 4 Over-Under. removing the Telescopic Sight.
So if you really want a Revolver, specifically, then roll a 030 for the 8-9 Military Mounts. Fits any Military Issue Rifle or Carbine
Code number. A Dl5 plus 30gives you the Code for an Autoloader, a designated as taking Telescopic Sights.
D10 plus 45 for a Target Pistol, and so on. 0 Clamp Mounts. Can be fitted to any firearm of the correct size
(Pistol or Long Gun).
SUBSIDIARY DIE ROLLS Reticule-There is a flat 40% chance that Telescopic Sights will have
When you just want a random determination on a gun, roll DlOO a Reticule (or Cross Hairs). This allows plus one to Aim (ie. Hit
and consult this table. Location movement) when using sighted fire.
Plrtol Slghtr-There are Telescopic Sights made for Pistols as well
Dle Roll as Long Guns. I f random determination is desired, assume a 20%
01-30 Pistol chance of finding them on a gun, or that sights found separately
31-50 Rifle are Pistol rather than Long Gun sights.
51-70 Carbine Roll Die For Gun Llrt Code
71-90 Shotgun Mllltary Weapons DetermiMtlon Table
90-00 Military Issue Weapon When random determination for Military Issue weapons is
The Gun List can also be used to determine ammunition found necessary, first roll for the overall class of the gun, and then forthe
scavenging, or available for barter. Roll on the above table for the specific model.
type of ammo, then roll normally for as many kinds of ammo as you Weapon Type Tablc Roll 1D10
need. The Caliber or Gauge of the weapon is the ammo present. It Die Roll Result
then remainsto find out how much has been found and what, if any, 1-6 Rifle, Assault Rifle, or Carbine
special qualities it may have. 7-8 Sub-Machine Gun
9-0 Pistol
Ammo Ouantltler Ammo Oualltles
Die Roll Quantity Dle Roll Ball Ammo Rifle Table: Roll 1D30
01-05 1 Round. 01-60 Standard Die Roll Result
06-10 D6 Rounds. 61-75 Hollow Point 1-5 M-1 Garand Rifle
11-30 3D6 Rounds. 76-85 Jacketed 6-8 M-1 Carbine
31-60 020 plus 20 Rounds. 86-95 High Power 9-10 M1A2 Carbine
61-80 1 Box of 25 Rounds. 96-00 Fragmenting 11-14 M-14 Rifle
81-90 1 Box plus DlOO Rounds. 15-17 M-16 Rifle
91-00 D6 Boxes of Rounds. 18-19 Colt Commando Carbine
20-21 M-18 Rifle
22 M-22 Rifle
If Clips are sought. either when a clip or clips is found. or wnen 23-25 FAL Assault Rifle
they are being bartered for, roll on the Autoloading weapons Gun 26-27 FAR Assault Carbine
List of the appropriate type. If clips are found, there is a flat 30% 28-29 Mk.4 Rifle
chance of finding Military Issue magazines. Then roll to see the 30 EM-2 Carbine
model on that List. Sub-Machine Gun Table: Roll 1030
Die Roll Result
1-2 Thompson M1928A1
Shotgun Choke Determlnation 3-7 Thompson M l A l
Whenever a Shotgun is found, bartered, or otherwise appears on 8-12 M3A1 SMG
the scene, the Gamesmaster may use the following system to 13-16 UZI SMG
determine the Choke on it, unless it is a Riot Gun (always Open 17-19 MP-40
Choke) or a Slug Gun (always Slug Choke). Roll a D6 as shown 20-24 Mk.2 Sten
below. If the weapon is a Double-Barreled or Over-Under model, roll 25-26 MAC-10
again for the second barrel, adding the indicated modifier. The usual 27-28 MAC-11
pattern in shotgun manufacture is to have one barrel with a fairly 29 American 180 Carbine
loose Choke (Open or Modified) for the first, closer shot, and a 30 American 180 Machine Pistol
tighter Choke on the second, if a longer range shot at fleeing game is Pistol Table: Roll 1D10
required. Die Roll Result
Die Roll Choke 2nd Die Roll Modlfler 1-6 M1911A1
1-2 Full +1 7-0 Browning High Power
3-4 Modified +O No tables are given for other, heavier weapons, as we do not feel
5-6 Open -1 random assignment is valid in their case. If firepower like that is
This may also be applied to such as spare barrels fora shotgun, or going to appear in the Campaign, it should be as a result of careful
insertable Choke Tubes, or Choke devices. planning.
a2

has a Barrel Length o f just under 20, but we feel it operates in the
APPENDIX 3 Rifle class.)
ACTION: BA
0ESIG NING FIR EAR MS MAG: Port-Mag 5 (This is the correct classification for any integral,
This appendixgives an overview of howvalues werearrivedat, and top- or bottom-loading magazine.)
how weapons not given here may be inserted in the Campaign. CALIBER: 222 (1-3), 30-30 (4-6). 30-06 (7-0) (The frequency
numbers for the caliber are again a judgement call for the Games-
Finding The Model master. I n this case, the idea is an even split between the two
It is really necessary to locate a moderately detailed description of smaller cartridges, but giving the lions share to the30-06, the most
the gun. I n the Bibliography, we list several highly useful source- popular rifle load in the US.)
books of weapon statistics which wiH provide the information DUR: 3 (The weapon is made by a top-rated firm, but is not nearthe
necessary to work out the game-version of the gun. top of their line. It will not b e junk, but it is not going to be better
The model should provide the weapons Weight, Barrel Length, than average either. So, a 3 seems called for.)
Caliber, Rates of Fire, indications of the type of Magazine used, and ENC: 1.25 (Base ENC for Rifles is 1. The rifle weights 5.5 Ib. The
notes regarding any gamable Features. weight in kg is 5.5/2.2, which is exactly 2.5. 2.5/10=.25, therefore
One fact that is N O T going to b e found in any reference book is the the ENC of this gun is 1+.25=1.25.)
DURABILITY of a given weapon. This is entirely i n the hands of the FEATURES: The relevant ones are the Tapped for Telescopic
Gamesmaster. It is difficult to prescribe a method for determining Sights, Recoil Pad, and Swivel sling elements in the guns design.
the Durability. Any manufacturer worth his salt is going to claim his Any other unique characteristics about the weapon would be
product has a score of 5. Gun-fanciers will differ widely on the noted here as well.
subject, each favoring his ideal weapon o r most admired gunmaker. Special Weapons
For commercial guns, one possible guideline is the price. We have
There are numerous guns that, for one reason or another, do not fit
tended t o assign higher Durability to the more expensive weapons.
exactly into the Aftermath! simulation. usually, there is an
But this can result in giving too low a value to a well-made but
equivalent mechanic in the game to allow for them. For example,
inexpensive gun. For convenience, the DUR=1 is only encountered
Double-Barreled Shotguns are not exactly Single-Action
in weapons found as U-1 loot (ie. low-value treasure). The DUR=5
weapons, but as far as Aftermath! is concerned, they handle as if
score is restricted to late-model military weapons and ultra-high
they were, and they are so classified on the G u n Table.
quality commercial ones. If you need a figure in between, roll a D3
When a unique weapon is encountered, such as the American 180
and add 1. If dealing with one of the giants in the gunmakers field,
described on Page 81, it is best to do as we have done and write
Smith and Wesson, or Colt, add 2 instead. Treat rolls of over4 as 4.
rules dealing specifically with that weapon. They usually justify the
Designing The Spec Sheet trouble, in that they are special cases, giving the user some
advantage which should be carefully quantified for the most faithful
With a Durability score selected, all the rest falls neatly into place.
All the main items of information required in the model translate simulation,
directly into Aftermath! conventions. This can best be illustrated There are also cases where the thing just does not look right! The
ENC is not high enough, or the weapon should act differently than its
by taking a well-known gun and designing the Specs for it.
mere physical specs indicate, if it is to perform i n the way it should.
The best known autoloading oistol in modern use is undoubtedly
The answer here issimple: the Gamesmaster alters the Spec Sheet to
the Colt .45 Mk. IV, or M1911A1. It is a standard sidearm of the
suit the image he has of the weapon, rather than its (usually brief)
United States Armed Forces.
outline in the source book used.
Opening Modern Small Arms, by Major Frederick Myatt.
Crescent Books, 1978, we find the following information:
Length: 8.5 Weight:30oz. (1.1 kg) Barrel:5 Caliber:45ACP How We Figured Things Out
Magazine Capacity: 7. This is in the nature of Designer Noteson the Firearms Simulation,
There is more, but these are all we need for the moment. Looking inserted here to make expansions or changes by our readers easier.
at the specifications for Pistols, we find that the BBL f o r a 5 weapon The Firearms rules are far and away one of the most detailed
is STD. While the source book does not actually specify that the Colt elements of the Aftermath! system. They represent hundreds of
is autoloading, we know that it is. So the Action is coded AL. The hours of research, design, and testing. There are n o reliable figures
picture of the weapon shows us its clip, so we can indicate the on how many foot-pounds of bullet energy will make a h o l e s o many
Magazine as a Box 7, the capacity being given in the book. Caliber in inches deep in a human being, or what the chances of stopping
Aftermath! is the same as the real Caliber. The Base ENC for STD effects are on any non-arbitrary scale, though combat ballistics has
Pistols is .3. The real weight of the gun divided by 10 is (1.1kg/lO), or addressed the problem o some degree. As to asking firearms buffs
.11. This can be rounded to .1 for convenience. So the ENC of the about handling characteristics of their guns, hoo boy! Our first
weapon is .3+.1, or .4. consultant would give his stamp of approval to a rule (a former cop
The Spec Sheet for the Aftermath! model of this weapon is who still fires on a range for fun) and then our playtesterwho went to
now: West Point allows as how that rule is wrong. We though we had
NAME: M1911A1 BBL: STD ACTION: AL MAG: B o x 7 troubles with the hand-to-hand rules!
CALIBER: 4 5 A C P DUR: 5 ENC: .4 In the end, it evolved as you have read it. Here we show you the
How d i d we arrive at the maximum Durability? Well, the M1911Al clanking machinery by which the game figures are derived from the
is one of the toughest firearms in the world. It has been used under dry numbers of ballistics tables and g u n catalogues. Do with them as
the worst conditions in the field, and performed reliably. Its rugged you will.
frame is highly resistant to damage. With this knowledge, it seemed BDG-The formula for calculating the BDG is easy. Obtain a
fitting to make it DUR=5. As a principal military arm, it would at least Batlistics Table for standard ammunition (they are usually free at
have been given a 4, were the authors not familiar with its history. your local sporting goods store or gun shop. Many of the source
It only remains to check for any special Features possessed by the books in the Bibliography includeafull set). Oneofthefiguresgiven
Pistol. As it happens, the gun is as utilitarian as it is tough.Thereare is the Muzzle Enerqy of the round, in foot/oounds of kinetic
none, and so we leave the stats as they are. energy. Divide that figure by 100, a n d voila! You have the BDG. You
Lets take a more diverse weapon for an example. Opening the will note that we have altered some of the figures directly obtained by
1978Gun Digestat random, w e f i n d listed thestatisticson amedium- this method. 44 Magnum, fired from a 6 barrel on a handgun, has a
priced hunting rifle made b y a well-known firm of gunsmiths. The Muzzle Energy of 1150 ft/lb. This would give a BDG of 12
information tells us it is 5.5 Ibs in weight, has a 22 barrel, is a Bolt (1150/100=1 1.5, nearest, for 12). This is just not high enough to fill
action rifle, with a 5 round trap loading integral magazine, and is the niche in the game filled by 44 Magnum: the big manstopper slug.
made in calibers 222, 30-30, and 30-06.The brief blurb under the So we have arbitrarily juiced it u p to its current value of 21, to get it
hard-data listing indicates that the barrel is drilled and tapped for a that extra D10 of damage.
scope mount, has a recoil pad, and swivel sling mounts. The write up If it is necessary to figure the Muzzle Energy for some round for
of the Spec Sheet goes as follows: which you lack the figure, since we did not include every cartridge
NAME: Remchester BAR (for Bolt Action Rifle) known to man in the standard table, the formula for the figure is: ME
BEL: Rifle (At 22 the weapon falls into this category. At 20or less, in ft./lb.= Mass of Bullet in Grains x (Muzzle Velocity in feet per
the usual standards would call for a Carbine classification, second) x (2.22 x Remember that there are 480 grains to the
although the Gamesmaster can alter this. The M-16, for example, ounce. If you need to roughly figure the mass of a slug out, this
a3

formula may help. It is accurate only for the Mass of a Lead musket will get the mass of a cannon ball, not a bullet!
ball. It will be off the mark for modern bullets which are neither The application of these formulae will allow fine-tuned results, for
spherical nor necessarily made of lead. the detail fiends among you. Likewise, i f you decide to include such
off-the-wall guns as the British EM-2 experimental Infantry Rifle,
Mass in Grains = 1500 x (Caliber in i n ~ h e s ) ~ . with its 28 Caliber load, at a muzzle velocity of 2530 fthec, then you
As with the BDG formula for Muzzle Loaders in the Firearms rules, can work out the BDG for the gun. (It is roughly 5, or 10 to 12 from a
remember to use the fractional values of the Caliber inches, or you Rifle.)
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
FICTION Wells, H.G.
War of the Worlds
Classic novel of the invasion of Earth and the destruction of its
Anthony, Piers civilization by the Martians.
The Battle Circle
A trilogy of novels set in a curiously barbaric-cum-technological
culture, some 500 years after a nuclear war. SOURCE BOOKS
Barrett, Neal
Adair of Albion Bearse, Ray
The adventures of animal-descended heroes, seeking the lost race Sporting Arms of the World
of Man in a ruined world. The Millenia After the Ruin type of Comprehensive guide to sporting firearms, target weapons, and
Campaign. other civilian weapons in modern use.
Brunner, John Draeger, Don and Smith, Robert
The Sheep Look Up Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts.
Pre-Ruin environment in a world heading for suicide by pollution. Compact and informative guide to armed and unarmed martial arts
of the Far East.
Budrys. Algis
Some Will Not Die Gervasi, Tom
Primary and Secondary Kill through first few generations. Post- Arsenal of Democracy
plague world, tracing organization of various communities. Valuable Invaluable guide to American military vehicles, weapons, etc. made
for political view of an Aftermath! world. today for domestic use and for export. Includes aircraft, naval
vessels, small arms, artillery. etc.
Burroughs, E.R.
Lost Continent Herring, William
Also published as Beyond Thirty. Adventures of intrepid American Ballistics and The Muzzle Loading Rifle
hero exploring the savage junglesof post-Ruin Europe. Ideal outline Compact study of the ballistics of black powder firearms. Clear and
for those using Conventional Warfare as Ruin. readable.
Ellison, Harlan McGregor, Malcolm
A Boy A n d His Dog Armoured Fighting Vehicles
First Generation. A short story, available in many collections. This Survey of the tank and armored car from WWll to the present.
has also been made into a motion picture. Life among the tough Owen, J.I.H.
young survivors in a semi-ruined city. The character of Blood, the Brasseys Artillery of the World
Dog of the title, is well worth studying. Broad guide to direct and indirect fire artillery ordance in modern
Frank, Pat use.
Alas. Babylon Owen, J.I.H., Ed.
Classic novel of the challengesto survival faced by asmall town after Brasseys Infantry Weapons of the World
a nuclear war. Comprehensive reference work on military issue small arms,
Miller, Waiter machine guns, grenades, and other personal and support weapons
Canticle For Liebowitz in use by modern infantry.
200 Years After -and then some. Agood view of the climb back from Rivlere, Bill
medieval to modern level after a nuclear war. Interesting in that the The Gunners Bible
Catholic Church is seen as the conservator of the Old Knowledge, Detailed introduction to modern firearms for the beginner.
specifically of the printed page.
Smith, W.H.B. and Smith J.E.
Moorcock, Michael Small Arms of the World
The Land Leviathan A wide-ranging guide to military firearms in use from WWll to the
Novel styled on Wells, et. al., depicting struggle to survive in world mid-Sixties.
reduced to barbarism by conventional warfare.
Niven, Larry and Pournelie, Jerry
Lucifers Hammer PERIODICALS
Pre- and Post-Ruin in a world destroyed by the fall of a giant comet
onto the Earth. Detailed view of the problems facing a survivor xxi
community. Guns Illustrated
An annual digest of articles, data, and advertising. Includes an
Norton. Andre illustrated section on EVERY major firearm available for public Sale
Starmans Son in the US.
Also published as Daybreak 2250 AD. The story of a young
tribesman living in a 200 Years After the Ruin environment. xx2
Gun Digest
Pangborn, Edgar An annual publication of great value to the Campaigner who needs
Davy more data on firearms. Comprehensive listing of firearms available
Irreverent novel set in a post-holocaust America, underthe thumb of in the US.,profusely illustrated.
a know-nothing religion. Political satire in a work of interest in xx3
setting up a Campaign.
Soldier of Fortune
Hairy-chested but informative magazine often dealing with the
Still IPersist in Wondering subject of post-collapse survival. Advertising sections include
More stories from the world of Davy. publishers of many other useful works.
84

CONTENTS
Lefty's Trading Post and Flophouse ............. 2
The Situation.. .............................. . 2
Notes on Action in the Tavern Room ......... . 2
The Cast.. ................................... 2
After the Brawl ................................ . 5
The Disease.. ............................... .5
The Hideout.. ................................. . 5
Armor Kit Table ............................... .5
Closing Remarks ............................... 5
Character and Object Markers ..................5
Map of Lefty's Place ........................... 3
Map of the Hideout.. .......................... 4
Designers: Bob Charrette

Paul Hume
--
MAP KEY
---
---
-%-
Door
Door with Push Bar
-
Sliding Door
-
Elevator Door
y- See-thru Door
Window
See-thru Section of Wall
U.S. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Copyright 1981 by Robert N. Charrette and Paul R. Hume. All
rights to this book are reserved. No part of the book may be used
or reproduced In any manner whatsoever without permission,
- Counter or Railing
Stairs
except In the case of brief quotatlonsembodled In critical articles u Ladder
or reviews.
Box, cover art and all lllustratlons are copyright @ 1981 by Robert
N. Charrette. For Information regarding this game contact
----------
,--- -
Significant Line
Fantasy Games Unlimited. Inc.;
P.O. Box 182; Roslyn, N.Y. 11576
The deslgners will attempt to answer any questlons regardlng the

game. Please type the question allowing space lor the answer on
,,,$
,
I
* 1
' Significant Area
Designation for Non-standard version

Walls give an indication of their structural
the same sheet and enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. strength by the thickness of the line.
Send the letter In care of Fantasy Games Unilmlted.

SURVIVE!
An Introductory Scenario
This scenario pack is designed to allow players to get the
feel of Aftermath! movement and combat rules. The
background presented is generalized t o allow a
Gamesmaster t o fit it into his own campaign. Beginning
characters are assumed.
When the players have finished constructing their
characters, the Gamesmaster may inform them that they
have met and formed a group since their individual efforts in
not insignificant amount of spilled food. This will result in
combing the ruins have not met with much success recently.
areas of Treacherous Ground and can add a little slapstick to
The sight of their meeting is Leftys Trading Post and
the overall sober tone of the situation.
Flophouse.
Chairs are-all small and tables are all medium if anyone
Leftys Trading Post and Flophouse cares to indulge in a game of furniture toss. It is a safe
This establishment is well known in the area. I t is a haven assumption that any occupied table will have dishes and
for ruin-combers and a place to barter found goods for more drinking vessels on them if only to make a colorful clatter as a
useful items. Survivor communities in the area make use of it character goes sailing along the top after being thrown by
and have an informal agreement to protect the neutrality of another beligerant.
the establishment. It is located in the basement of a building Replacement fees and damages due to breakage from the
which, although the upper stories are gone, remains brawl are left to the Gamesmaster to adjudicate as befits the
sound structurally. value of such items in his campaign.
Leftys place allows weary adventurers a place to stay for
the night and a meal for a few barter points provided they The Cast THE CAST
follow the house rules. All firearms and explosives are Lefty, owner (48)
checked at the door. Leftys gun checkroom is well armed WT WL STR DFT SPD HLH
and armored. Patrons receive a check which will redeem 15 8 22 13 18 30
their weapons when they leave the premises. Ammunition is BAP MNA PCA CDA DRT
allowed t o remain with customers. 11 2 5 2 45
Assault of house employees is cause for immediate Skills: Brawling (20/4); Rifle, Modern (16); Commerce (17);
ejection and forfeiture of one half (or some equitable division Knife (12)
approaching half) of any weapons checked by the rowdy Armor: Denim shirt (4-9, 21-28, HC); Fatigue pants (10-18.
customer. HC); Combat boots (19-20,LL); Vest (4-9,PX)
Brawls are not forbidden but all involved are fined equally Weapons: Trench Knife
for damages. It is custom that brawls are conducted with Notes: Will only get involved i n the brawl if necessary to
non-lethal weapons and fists. Any employing lethal force protect his operation or personnel. He keeps a shotgun
without provocation are subject to the same penalty as for SGlO in 10 Gauge, behind the bar.
assaulting house personnel. Casualties of brawls forfeit half
of checked weapons to the House while the remainder is split Leftys Boys
between the victors of the brawl and any surviving members All 4 of these men are Superior Quality Veterans. Their
of the losers side of the brawl. primary Combat Skills are Brawling and Knife. All have
Lefty and his people are known for their fairness in all Secondary Skills of Rifle and Pistol, Modern and Throwing.
dealings. This is a necesity for them to continue their Their armor is determined using the Armor Kit Table at the
business. Characters should have no fear of losing weapons end of the scenario pack.
checked at the door. If anyone decided to try to smuggle Joey Whites Gang
firearms or explosives inside, he should inform the Joey himself is a Superior Quality character while the bulk
Gamesmaster of the attempt. The Gamesmaster must of his gang is only Average Quality. All areTrained level with
determine the success of the attempt and, if unsuccessful, Brawling, Knife, Throwing, and Single Weapon. Each carries
when and how the rule violater is revealed. Brass Knuckles, a Bowie Knife, and a Cudgel. Their armor
kits are determined using the table at the end of thescenario
The Situation
pack.
The player characters are sitting at atablediscussing their The gang will break off from combat if in serious danger of
plans when a group of tough-looking customers enter the losing. If Joey is seriously injured he will initiate lethal
tavern room. The new group moves t o the bar, and after combat by drawing his knife or breaking a bottle. The gang
casually assessing the crowd, approaches the table at which will follow suit to support him.
the player characters are seated. Opening the conversation The Gamesmaster should adjust the number of members
with This is our table that you scum are slobbering on, the in the gang to suit the number of player characters. Thegang
new group proceeds t o pick a fight. The player characters should outnumber them by about 30%. There will be no
have just met Joey White and his gang. They make part of firearms to be split by thevictors if Whites gang loses as they
their living by winning brawls in Leftys Trading Post and cached their weapons nearby to avoid such a possibility.
Flophouse.
The Gamesmaster: can easily escalate the brawl into Other Patrons
including most of the patrons on the premises by such The number and natureof other patrons in the tavern room
means as misthrown punches, hurtling bodies, poorly aimed is left to the Gamesmaster. This can prove to be a good way
missiles, etc. of trying out some ideas. One might be adept in Unarmed
This free-for-all is intended to get players used to the Combat or another of the more exotic Hand-to-Hand
movement and hand-to-hand combat rules. Combat Skills. Another might be the classic big, dumb guy
with a 40 in Strength but only a 2 or 3 in Wit. Be careful notto
Notes on Action in the Tavern Room overdo it because there will probably be more than enough
Remember that this is an eating and drinking statistics floating around for a first attempt at running this
establishment so that if afight startsthereis likelyto besome sort of game.

After the Brawl THE HIDEOUT
After the brawl the player characters may spend the rest of The Hideout is an old factory. All exterior doors have been
the night in peace. The next morning, however, they will broken open except the loading dock doors which are frozen
discover that one of the regular patrons died (of a terrible shut due t o lack of power. The machinery present in the main
disease) during the night. All present in the Tavern the room is considered impervious to bullets. It will take a
previous night may be presumed to have been exposed. A character 1D3 Actions to clamber t o a perch on top of a
raid was conducted on the Trading Post's medical supplies piece. Movement along the top is on Treacherous Ground.
and the possible antidote stolen. One of the raiders wasshot The machinery provides Full Cover when a character is on
while fleeing. If questioned he will reveal that Joey White's the floor. It will provide 1 Meter Cover against fire from the
gang was responsible. He will also reveal their hideout but top of other machinery and Chest Cover against fire from a
will die of his wounds before any other useful data can be character on the floor.
gotten from him. The rubble piles are Treacherous Ground but will provide
All of Lefty's boys have dontracted the disease and some of Prone Cover against opponents on the floor but no cover
the player characters are showing early signs. It is up t o the against any on the machinery.
player characters to recover the antidote in time to save The survivors of White's gang will be here. There will also
themselves and, if they are feeling noble, the other patrons of be 4 more members of the gang. These are Average Quality
the Trading Post. Novices. Other statistics are as given earlier. All members of
the gang are armed with Rifles R12 except for Joey and one
other. Joey uses an M1 rifle as a Primary weapon. Firearms
The Disease
are Secondary weapons for all other members of the gang.
If the Gamesmaster is feeling kindly, he may allow the The character without the rifle is carrying a Shotgun SG2 in
player characters t o be free from the danger of the disease. 10 gauge with 00 buck ammunition. Each member of the
He should not tell them this if it is so. Allow them to think that gang has 10 plus 2D6 rounds of ammunition.
they have it. Later those "early signs" of the disease can be At the start of the player characters' assault and/or
chalked up to paranoia. negotiations, the gang will be scattered throughout the
The disease is coded: building. Their exact disposition is left t o the Gamesmaster
A - (-) - HLH - 24 hours - 4-12 hours - and should be decided before the player characters reach
Dizziness and Deftness Disfunction. the factory. Once the gang, or its individual members, is
alerted to the presence of the adventurers, they will attempt
to warn the others and regroup with their leader to receive
orders.
Note to Gamesmaster: I f Joey has been killed in the brawl,
his function in the Hideout will be performed by "his brother
Jim". This character exists only t o provide the gang with a
leader. If Joey survived, Jim does not come into play in this
scenario.
Armor Kit Table (1010)

Die
Roll Armor Kit
1-3 Fatigues (4-18, 21-28, HC); Combat boots (18-20, LL);
Hat (1, HC)
3-6 As 1-3 plus Gloves (29-30, LL) Steel Helmet (1, SP)
7-9 As 3-6 plus Jacket (4-9, 21-28, SY)
10 As 7-9 plus Helmet (1-2, MP); Flak Vest (4-12, LP-MS)
In the case of headgear assume the best protection is the
only such item that the character has with him.
Closing Remarks
Remember that this scenario pack is for your aid and is not
in itself gospel. It was written to allow room for you as
Gamesmaster to exercise your own creativity and ingenuity.
r
Adjust it to suit you own campaign. As you add or subtract
from it, recall that balance is needed if everyone involvedis to
I enjoy the adventure.
Character and Object Markers

To use these markers, cut individual markers free and store in a container until needed. These markers are provided as
a convenience. If you have miniature figures to use go right ahead as they will surely add to enjoyment. Use as many
markers as you wish and/or need to represent the situation.

GENERATORI
ROOM
The
Hideout
SHOWER 1
MANAGER'S
OFFICE

.earnino rate
IAye Group
Size
Healing Rate
Base Age
Bulk
Actual Aye
Looks
Talents (15 + 206 = -points
Rscog. Factor
Personal EWC
to allocate
YT Group) IHLH Grouol
Bur A l l D c ~ ~ d Cuntnl
:reelv lmorovable Skills
d WLI
Shock Factor Charismatic - --
I NT (101 Healing Rate)
Combative - --
K I I I I I TR Group Damage Resistance Total
fHLH + STR + WLI
Communicative - --
---
STR1 laximum Number of Actior Damage Taken Esthetic
3FTGro Mechanical - --
I I I I
ase Action Phase
Lethal-
Natural ---
I I I I I
;PO AST)
Subdual
Total
Scientific ---
hases Consumed in Action Critical damage
SPOI l8APIMNAj.d) Changed
-
I I I Iocation amount
ombat Dodge Ability
OFT 6 SPD)/20.n)
~~ ~~~
8CS
Encumbrance
Maximum value carried with status
unencumbered partially Enc. fully Enc.
In Pack or Bag (Capacity 1
On Belt
LOC Item ENC
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Left Slung
Right Slung
Left Hand
Right Hand
Pockets
1
2
5
I
5
Average Armor Value
5
?
suns Magazine Caliber
Weapon Format Action Capacity (BDG) ENC Type length Format VOluC WOM ENC
ENC Carried Worn Total

story of current merit total current Rep total
Characters Name
Areas
Fighter, HTH
, missile
, gun
Personal Bravery
Survival, self
, others
~
Hunter, HTH
, missile
, gun
Competence
nontech skill
tech skill
high tech skill
Other
Gear ENC ENC
matches (3D6) .01/5

flint & steel (1D3 flint) .01
chalk (1 D3) .01
snares (2D3) .05
magnifying lens .01
compass .1
jackknife .1
1 L canteen .2(fu II)
space blanket .1

Actual Age Recog. Factor
Looks Personal EHC
Talents (15 + 206 = -points to allocate
Bum AllocJtId Cuntnl
Charismatic -
Combative -
Communicative -
Esthetic ---
Mechanical -
Natural ---
Scientific ---
Changed
Skills
- SCORE BCS
Off-hand Dexterity
I unencumbered partially Enc. fully Enc. Brawling
I Survival,
Average Armor Value

Guns Magazine Caliber
Yeapons Survival
Weapon Format Action Capacity (EDG) ENC we length Formal Value wOM ENC

Rep
story of current merlt total current Rep total
Character'sName
Positive
Areas Merit Merit Raling
Fighter, HTH
, missile
, gun
Personal Bravery
~ ~~ __
Survival, self
, others
Hunter, HTH
, missile
, gun
Competence
nontech skill
tech skill
high tech skill
Other
Gear ENC ENC
matches (3D6) .01/5

chalk (103) .01
snares (2D3) .05
magnifying lens .01
compass .1
jackknife .1
1 C canteen .2(full)
"space" blanket .1

IAge Group Base Age Actual Age Recog. Factor
Size Bulk looks Personal ENC
-- Learning rate Healing Rate Talents (15 + 206 = -points to allocate
I
WT Group) (HLH Group)
Bua Allocated Cunenl
WT Freely Improvable Skills Shock Factor Charismatic -
WT 6 WL)
;TR Group
(10. Healing Rate)
Damage Resistance Total

Combative -
IHLH STR WLI
Communicative - --
- --
8
laximum Number of Actions Damage Taken Esthetic

DFTGrp Mechanical - --
lase Action Phase
Lethal--
Natural - --
SPD AST)
Subdual
Tola1
Scientific ---
has6 Consumed in Action Critical damage
I(BAPIMNA).d) Changed
location arnounl
:ombat Dodge Ability
fDFT & SPDIl20 nl I
Encumbrance Skills SCORE I BCS
Maximum value carried with status Off-hand Dexterity
unencumbered partially Enc. fully Enc. Brawling
Survival,
In Pack or Bag (Capacity 1
On Belt
LOC Item ENC
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0
9
10
Left Slung
Right Slung
Left Hand
Right Hand
Pockets
I
?
I
I
b
Average Armor Value
;uns Magazine Caliber Weapons Survival
Neapon Formal Action Capacity (BDG) ENC Type lenglh Formal Value WDM ENC
ENC Carried Worn Total

Rep
story of
Characteri Name
current merit total
1
current Rep total
Poaitive I Negative
-
Overall
Areas Merit Merit Rating
Fighter, H T H
, missile
Personal Braverv
Survival, self
, others
Hunter, HTH
, missile
gun
t
Other
Gear ENC ENC
matches (306) .01/5

chalk (103) .01
snares (2D3) .05
magnifying lens .01
compass .1
jack knife .1
1 C canteen .2 (fu II)
space blanket .1

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le Plavina Game set in -.

henry christen (order #23380) 2

In Pack or Bag (Capacity )

Item Caveroae Farmnt fade AV E N C I

01. 6 This is a very hostile reaction It usually indtcates the mtiation

i reaction indicates no leanings i n one direction or t

An undecided reaction with leaninqs t o the positive

This is a positive reaction It can signal an in

This is a positivr -"ction ltindicatesgrowing fri--*'..

EN- ---3ANCE VALUE CHART

BULK es, iongoows, poiearms,

VARIATION IN CHARACTER STANCE DUE T O POSITIONING ENCUMBRANCE STATUS

A character may carry:

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

The Game is for 2 to 6 players and a referee i n search of a

The Players create characters, designed by themselves, to face

The Referee is provided with everything he needs to detail the

Aftermath! is not a game for the faint at heart. Ruined cities,

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

ATTRIBUTE GROUP CHART

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

FREELY IMPROVABLE SKILLS a character to perform a simple function. The specific

henry christen (order #23380) 2

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS RECOGNITION FACTOR

I PHYSICAL ASPECTS CHART

To find weight for a

PERSONAL ENCUMBRANCE CHART

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

Presented Frontal Refused

30% Right 50% Right 70% Right

conducting the Attack Action, he is considered t o b e without

WEAPONS DEFENSE ABILITY IN COMBAT

AIM WITH A COMBAT SKILL

henry christen (order #23380) 2

ENCUMBRANCE VALUE CHART

BULK staves, longbows, polearms,

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

LOCATION AND ARMOR

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

henry christen (order #23380) 2

THE CHARACTER ON THE DAT DISPLAY

henry christen (order #23380) 2