A cyborg, short for “cybernetic organism,” is a being that combines organic and biomechatronic body parts or possesses a blend of biological and artificial features. This term often refers to a person or creature that has been enhanced with the use of technology or artificial devices, frequently to improve or extend natural abilities. A cyborg can be a human or animal with a small amount of enhancements, or a vast amount. Almost any creature can become a cyborg. It can involve physical enhancements or even neurological enhancements that may very well turn the creature into an entirely different and/or controlled entity.
Here is a sample set of stats:
Cyborg Warrior Stats:
Hit Dice: 6d8+6
Hit Points: 33
AC: 15
Initiative: +2
Enhanced Fists (Primary): +6 (1d6+2)
Other weapons if they can get to the Weapons Locker: +6
When a Cyborg Warriorloses 15 Hit Points all future attacks must be made with disadvantage to reflect injury to the remaining human parts and damage to the cyborg parts.
Cyborg Dog Stats:
Hit Dice: 8d8+5
Hit Points: 41
AC: 15
Initiative: +3
Enhanced Bite: +8 (1d8+1)
When a Cyborg Dog loses 15 Hit Points all future attacks must be made with disadvantage to reflect injury to the remaining dog parts and damage to the cyborg parts.
This adventure is designed to be played with Ancient Elements RPG, but you can use just about any OSR system.
“The Forest God” is intended to be a one shot that lasts about two hours. Although I have attached some pre-generated player characters I do encourage the players to make their own. Part of the fun is making your characters.
“It is a cold early Spring day, and the adventurers approach a small village looking for a few pints of ale and some food, and perhaps a place to stay. However, the village is somber and almost deserted except for a few people with downcast demeanor walking by.”
The Adventure can be downloaded for FREE at Itch.io:
The player characters are hired by a mysterious benefactor, Antonio “Tony” Russo, to steal a priceless painting from the Valmont Museum of Art. The painting is called “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh, and it is on loan from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The benefactor promises to pay each of them $1 million if they can pull off the heist without getting caught.
Canisi/Wulfaz (aka Space-Mutts and Space-Werewolves)
A race of intelligent space aliens that have abilities of mimicry and shapeshifting. Some of their main features are:
They are moderate size humanoids ranging from 120 pounds to 150 pounds who have subtle canine characteristics in their normal state.
They can mimic those around them to a remarkable extent. Upon casual observance they can blend in quite well, but upon close examination their form will seem less convincing and somewhat unsettling.
They prefer fresh meat, blood, and bone as their diet, although they will make due with vegetarian fare if that is all they can get. They also prepare a pemmican type preserved meat which they will often carry along with their other equipment.
Normal State: In their normal state, they are moderate size humanoids with subtle canine characteristics. They have a passive and philosophical nature, and enjoy learning about different cultures and species. They are friendly and curious, but also cautious and secretive about their true identity.
Stats for Normal State:
Hit Dice: 2d8+2
Hit Points: 11
AC: 12 + (plus various tech armor)
Initiative: +2
Ray Gun Attack: Two per turn/+3 (2d6)
Laser Rifle: +5 (3d6)
Hand Held Force Field: +3 to AC when activated, otherwise a small canister attached to the utility belt
Utility Belt: (has as many cool things as the GM decides is appropriate)
Mimicry: In normal state the Canisi can disguise themselves to appear as the other humanoids around. This is done partly by clever use of clothing, partly by a chemical they exude that discourages inspection, and partly by physical changes they are able to maintain to their appearance. On close inspection their mimicry can be discovered on a Skill Check DC > 14.
Werewolf State: However, in their werewolf state, they transform into massive beasts with fearsome fangs and claws. They retain their prior mental state and knowledge, but become more aggressive and assertive in character. They require a great deal more food to sustain themselves in this form, and will hunt for prey or scavenge for carrion.
Stats for Werewolf State:
Hit Dice: 3d8+4
Hit Points: 19
AC: 13 +
Initiative: +3
Claw Attack: Two per turn +3 (1d8)
Bite Attack: Once per turn +5 (1d8)
Conversion Process: The conversion process between their normal state and their werewolf state is triggered by either a planned decision or an attack from an enemy. During the conversion process, they are overcome by a primal hunger, and will increase in size and weight by 50% in a process that may appear gruesome and frightening to the uninitiated. They will require huge amounts of food to accomplish this metamorphosis; something they will often acquire by consuming their attackers if under assault. If the conversion is planned, they will have the food prepared and waiting for them. If they are unable to consume the necessary food during metamorphosis, they will fail to change, and revert back to their normal form in a weakened state until they have time to rest and eat.
When they convert back from the werewolf state into their smaller humanoid form, they will expel the surplus flesh and blood in a manner that many will find distasteful. They appear to vomit the substance in a congealed format that is actually a metabolic production that is quite nutritious and highly prized by the Canisi themselves. They call it congelate, and over time it becomes firmer and less pungent. It is also edible by humans, if not terribly palatable by them.
Culture and Name: Although Canisi/Wulfaz familiar with the human legend of the werewolf do not take offense at being referred to as Space-Mutts or Space-Werewolves, they prefer Canisi or Wulfaz depending on their chosen form. They have a rich and diverse culture that values harmony, wisdom, and adaptability. They are often found as explorers, traders, diplomats, or spies among other species.
With a name like this I really think it should have poisonous eels coming out of the tree as you reach to grab a fruit. Roll to save; if you fail you get pulled into the trunk where you take 1d6 damage each round until you are saved or… If you succeed, you stagger away poisoned; take -2 to STR (if you are a dick GM make that a 1d4 or higher) until poison is gone and roll damage of 1d4-1 each round for 1d6 rounds.
PS 18 JULY 2023: I have gotten some feedback about the cover art, and some of these comments/criticism seem to involve a misunderstanding of the purpose of the game system. That is of course my fault. Above, I state the purpose as “remove all reference to the OGL 1.0a and any content that falls under it”. In this regard I think I was successful (but again if you see something that could somehow be attacked under copyright or other basis please let me know). However, my ultimate goal was to create an open source set of rules that can be used to play OSR type games by creative GMs looking for something to build adventures upon, and game designers to use to create their own games. So I did not pay a lot of attention to art or imagery. I just punched a few words into an AI art generator and picked the brightest colors available. The fact that some hate the cover art so much as to reject the content is a head scratcher for me, but since I did not intend it for commercial sale… oh well — I never claimed to be a good judge of art or style. Notwithstanding the cover art which many find offensive, I hope you find the rules useful.
The John Carter of Mars Core Rulebook is a tabletop role-playing game based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter of Mars series of novels. The game is published by Modiphius Entertainment.
The game uses a pulp-action inspired variant of the 2d20 System. Players can take on the role of heroes such as John Carter, Princess Dejah Thoris, or the Thark warrior Tars Tarkas, or create their own heroes from a variety of options. The game includes detailed chapters on Barsoomian technology, creatures, and cultures, as well as a step-by-step character generation system.
The 2d20 System is a dynamic, narrative system designed to produce varied and interesting results from dramatic and action-packed situations. It is used in several role-playing games published by Modiphius Entertainment, including John Carter of Mars, Mutant Chronicles, Conan Adventures in an Age Undreamed of, and Star Trek Adventures.
In the 2d20 System, characters roll two d20s, attempting to roll as low as possible on each one. The more dice that roll low, the more successes the character scores. The system is designed to emulate and celebrate action-packed, story-driven fiction. It thrives when paired with a setting or theme where competent, determined, often larger-than-life protagonists face tense and perilous situations, and where collaboration and teamwork are vital to success.
John Carter of Mars Core Rulebook does a great job of taking players through the different novels and discussing how the concepts in the books can be turned into gaming content while providing an over-the-top pulpy feel where the characters can confidently take on all challenges.
Basic Roleplaying (BRP) is a universal game engine that serves as the foundation for a variety of tabletop roleplaying games. Originally created by Chaosium, it is a rules system that prioritizes flexibility and adaptability, allowing players to delve into various genres and settings.
Some of the RPG games based upon the BRP system:
Call of Cthulhu: Created by Chaosium, Call of Cthulhu is a horror roleplaying game set in the world of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos. It focuses on investigation, mystery, and the horrors of cosmic entities. The BRP system serves as the foundation for the game’s mechanics, emphasizing sanity, skill-based challenges, and character progression.
RuneQuest: Also developed by Chaosium, RuneQuest is a fantasy roleplaying game set in the mythic world of Glorantha. It explores a wide range of cultures, magic, and epic quests. The BRP system provides the mechanics for character creation, combat, and skill resolution in this high-fantasy setting.
Stormbringer/Elric!: Based on Michael Moorcock’s Elric of Melniboné novels, Stormbringer (and later Elric!) is a sword and sorcery roleplaying game. It focuses on the adventures of the brooding anti-hero Elric and his struggle against the forces of chaos. The BRP system is used to facilitate gameplay in this dark and dangerous world.
Mythras: Previously known as “RuneQuest 6,” Mythras is a standalone roleplaying game that evolved from the BRP system. It offers a comprehensive and customizable set of rules for various genres and settings. Mythras provides detailed mechanics for combat, skills, magic, and character development, making it suitable for a wide range of campaigns.
One of the strengths of the Basic Roleplaying system is its simplicity. The rules are designed to be intuitive and easy to grasp, making it accessible to both newcomers and experienced players. Character creation is straightforward, with players allocating points to various attributes and skills to define their character’s abilities.
The mechanics of BRP are based on percentile dice rolls. When attempting an action, players roll percentile dice and try to roll under their skill or attribute score to succeed. This simple resolution system keeps gameplay flowing smoothly and encourages players to focus on storytelling and problem-solving rather than complex rules.
The flexibility of BRP allows it to accommodate a wide range of genres and settings. Whether you want to play a gritty investigation game in the 1920s, a high-fantasy epic, or a science fiction adventure, the BRP system can adapt to suit your needs. This versatility is enhanced by the availability of numerous supplements and adaptations that provide additional rules, settings, and guidance for different genres.
Additionally, the BRP system emphasizes realism and immersive gameplay. It includes rules for detailed combat, skill-based interactions, and handling various challenges. This focus on realism can add depth and tension to gameplay, but it may also require more bookkeeping and attention to detail compared to more streamlined game systems.
One potential drawback of the BRP system is that it may require some additional work from the Game Master (GM) to fully customize and adapt it to their preferred setting. While the core rules provide a solid foundation, GMs may need to create or modify rules and content to match their specific genre or campaign. This can be seen as both a strength, allowing for creative customization, and a potential challenge for those looking for a more plug-and-play experience.
Basic Roleplaying is a flexible and accessible system that provides a solid foundation for tabletop roleplaying games. Its simplicity, realism, and adaptability make it a great choice for players and GMs who value creativity, storytelling, and a wide range of genres. With the availability of various supplements and adaptations, the BRP system offers a wealth of options for those looking to explore different settings and play styles.
I recently ‘updated’ my home rules KOOKS system by changing the d20 system to a 2d10 system; along with other small changes. Tonight we did a one shot where the players were given very powerful 5th level Characters with very high level armor. They were to fight against a lot of lower level NPCs and a few higher level NPCs, but none that could be considered equals or superior.
The game was a route. The two high level Player Characters just waded through the masses of low level opposition and demolished them.
Why?
Because the 2d10 system creates a Bell Curve. It is very unlikely that anyone will roll a very high roll or a very low roll within their range of possibilities. With PCs that each had Defense Modifiers of 18+ it was just about impossible for a lower level NPC to hit them.
The first time I experimented with this idea was in a wargame I made called ‘C’est la Guerre‘ where instead of using a 1d6 I used 2d6 creating a bell curve of options. Two infantry units blasting away at each other with musketry were very unlikely to do anything more than cause low level incremental damage. Throw in some artillery and that damage gets higher but not overwhelming. It is at that point that you send in your cavalry to charge or some fresh infantry to do a bayonet attack. That was the only way of breaking those stubborn infantry units.
The two dice versus one changed the dynamic of the game tonight. The two powerful PCs dominated a group of 8 lower level guards and a higher level captain. Then when they confronted three enemies who were close to parity, but not equal, they had a bit of a fight on their hands. But again it was very difficult even for the bosses to hit the two PCs.
If I had wanted to create a real challenge, then I would have needed to add something much more powerful to the mix. Perhaps a ‘boss’ possessed by a high level demonic force? Or perhaps a magic user with access to very high level spells? Or an NPC with a very high level protector?
The primary difference between the original and 2nd Edition is the removal of all ‘open game content’ as defined by the OGL 1.1 and the removal of the OGL 1.1 itself.
