Breachworld Quick Start

Zoltan Noll (order #7655067)

3Chapter 3.4 Places of Note --------------------- 80

Arena ---------------------- 80

Chapter 3.5 Breach Creatures ------------------86

Allosaur --------------------87 Mauler --------------------- 90

Griffin ---------------------- 88 Trapcat -------------------- 91

Imp ------------------------ 89

Open Game License -------------------------------- 92


6Some semblance of civilization has begun to crawl out of a Lost Age.

Pockets of humanity exist either in isolated villages or fortified cities. Others

survive by moving from place to place, scavenging or hunting, or trading. The

easiest way to survive is often through bushwhacking and banditry, taking by

force what precious resources are to be had. There are rumors of huge met-

ropolises, even whole nations that have survived The Fall, but it is difficult to

find someone who claims to have seen these wonders firsthand.

A resurgence of technology has fueled humankinds gradual reestablish-

ment. Fossil fuels are almost nonexistent, but there exist some scattered an-

cient power plants that are still operable. Some automated factories are still

functional as well, particularly those with their own fusion reactors. Dis-

covered caches of Golden Age wonders can make ones fortune overnight. A

handful of weapons and plenty of ammunition can make a simple man into a

king. Even after a Lost Age, mankind has proven to be resilient and innovat-

ive as it rediscovers secrets once thought lost to the past.

Through generations of careful study and painstaking progress, one great

discovery trumps all others. The Cooperative, a secretive group of research-

ers and scholars, has developed a device capable of permanently closing a

Breach. For the first time in an age, there is more for mankind to hope for

than simple survival. Now, there is a light on humanitys horizon. The Breach

Closure Device has made it possible to reclaim Earths dimensional borders,

one sealed Breach at a time. All that is left is to use it.

Awaiting you are fortune and famine. High adventure and otherworldly

horror. Epic heroics and the darkest depths of villainy. This is the world as it

exists at this instant, wide open and filled with possibilities. What happens

next, is up to you.


8formation about the world, itself. This is what many gamers refer to as the

fluff of the setting. Here you will find the history of Earth and how soci-

ety came to The Fall. You will learn about the worlds many perils, and the

alien and human beings that populate it. Introductions will be given regarding

some major players in Breachworld, and you will learn about the Civilized

Lands that form the basis of the initial setting in this RPG.

More than all of that, what I hope that you expect to find in this volume

is a fun, fast, and simple, yet satisfying gaming experience. I hope that you

expect to get together with friends, to try this new game. I hope that you ex-

pect adventure. I will do my best to provide you the means.

Common Game Terms

For gaming veterans, most of what you find here is self-explanatory.

However, what follows are some brief comments on the nomenclature of

this specific system.

Game Master (GM). This is the designation for the games narrator and

referee.

Player Characters (PCs). These are the protagonists of the game, con-

trolled by the individual players.

Non-Player Characters (NPCs). Every person in the gaming world that

is not a player character in an NPC, controlled by the Game Master.

Dice codes/pips. This game uses only six-sided dice. The number be-

fore the D is how many to roll, and any number after a + is how much

to add to the roll. The numbers after the + are called pips. For instance,

2D+2 means roll two dice and add two to the resulting total.

Each die is equal to three pips. A die code may have dice only (no

pips), +1 or +2. Going to +3 advances the die code to the next largest

die (e.g. 1D, 1D+1 , 1D+2, 2D, 2D+1 , etc.) .

Wild die. One die rolled is always the wild die, usually represented by a

die of a different color or by rolling the dice one at a time and making the

last die rolled the wild die. If the wild die rolls a six, then it is rolled again,

adding the six and the new result together. If a six comes up on the reroll,

then you add the six and reroll again! Keep doing it until the wild die lands

on something other than a six. This is sometimes referred to as an ex-

ploding die.

Target Number (TN). This is the number a player must meet or exceed

on a roll to succeed at whatever a character is attempting. General chal-

lenges are broken down into six levels of difficulty, from Very Easy to


9Rule #1

Over the course of this RPG, you will find references to Rule #1 . This is the

first and most important rule in the Breachworld RPG, and it consists of only

two words: have fun.

The Mini Six ruleset was selected to serve as the framework for the

Breachworld RPG simply because it facilitates fun. Breachworld is a very fast

and loose game where anything can happen. The core game and its supple-

ments will cover a dozen types of gaming standards, from the supernatural to

human augmentation to survival to world domination. Different player

groups will opt to be good guys, bad guys, and everything in between.

To accomplish this, the ruleset has to be streamlined and adaptable. In

Mini Six, there is one mechanic that rules just about every facet of the game,

that being that an attempt to do something is rolled versus a Target Number

appropriate to the difficulty. Great though it is, and thorough as I have tried

to be in the design of Breachworld and the adaptation of Mini Six, you will

surely find issues in your sessions that dont quite fit into the system as

presented. Dont sweat it. As a player, be creative and find solutions. As a

Game Master, make a ruling and move on. Dont let figuring out how many

dice to roll, or determining difficulty levels, or applying modifiers slow down

the game or take away from the enjoyment.

So remember, there is only one rule that actually matters: have fun.

Heroic. Combat target numbers are based on the targets defensive scores.

Sometimes two skills are rolled against each other when characters face

off against one another. In this case you must beat the defenders roll to

succeed. The TN of a given action might be modified by the GM de-

pending on circumstances.

Character Point (CP). Character Points are rewards for advancing the

story through a gaming session, with special emphasis placed on good

role-playing. CPs are used between sessions to advance player characters.

Fate Point (FP). Fate Points are in-game incentives given by the GM as a

reward for a player for engaging in superior play. They are used to turn the

odds in a characters favor, such as to improve a roll or get some sort of

deference from the GM.

Scale. Its easy to hit a tank with a bullet fired from a handgun, but hard

for that bullet to actually damage the tank. Similarly, its difficult for a

battleships main gun to precisely hit a person standing on the beach, but

if the shell does hit the mark, the person is probably toast. Scale projects

these sort of differences in Mini Six by giving bonuses to strike, dodge,

deal damage, and resist damage, as appropriate.


47

Setting the Target Number

The total from a roll of the dice is compared against a Target Number. The

higher the TN, the more difficult the task. TNs are generated by the Game

Master, following situational guidelines.

General Challenges

In most circumstances, characters roll the appropriate skill or attribute against

a set Target Number based on the difficulty of the task attempted.

Character vs. Character Challenges

Sometimes the difficulty of a challenge depends on the skill of another

character. This usually comes up in combat. Rather than the GM simply

assigning a TN based on his or her judgement, the characters TN is

determined by an opposing characters statistics.

Difficulty

Very Easy

Easy

Moderate

Difficult

Very Difficult

Heroic

TN

2-5

6-10

11 -15

16-20

21 -30

30+

Description

Nearly everyone can do it. These checks should

only be made if a success is critical to the

scenario at hand.

Player characters will seldom have trouble with

these tasks, but an untrained individual may find

them challenging.

Average characters have a reasonable chance of

failing at this level. Consistent success often

requires training in the skill or a high level of

natural ability.

Tasks at this level are truly challenging. To suc-

ceed, a character needs to be well skilled or very

lucky.

Challenges of this level fall into the domain of

masters in the skill being used; few others will

succeed at them.

These challenges are almost impossible. Only the

very lucky or true masters can consistently

succeed at them.


48

Static Defenses

Each character has a number of static defensive values that are derived from

various skills and attributes. These are used to help set Target Numbers in

combat situations and in resisting damage. They are calculated as follows:

Block = (Brawl skill dice x 3) + pips.

Dodge = (Dodge skill dice x 3) + pips.

Parry = (weapon skill dice x 3) + pips.

Soak = (Might attribute dice x 3) + pips + armor value + any Perk,

super-tech, esoteric, or other armor bonus.

Attacking a Target

The Target Number is the number needed to successfully hit the target. The

base Target Number on an attack is based on the targets static defense score,

determined as noted above. This can also be modified by the following,

particularly for Dodge scenarios.

Full Dodge: If the character does nothing except dodge until his or her

next turn, add 10 to the Dodge score, and apply range and cover as usual.

This result is applied against any number of attacks.

Range: Add the range modifier to the Dodge score in all cases (Point

Blank/Hand-to-Hand -5, Short +0, Medium +5, Long +10). Ranges for

various weapons are listed in the Gear section.

Cover: If the target is behind at least 25% cover, add +2 to the Target

Number. Add +5 to the Target Number for 50% cover. Add +10 for

75% cover. Its impossible to hit a target behind 100% cover. Darkness or

smoke/fog can also be considered as cover at the GMs discretion.

Example: Static Defenses

Kelsie is calculating the static defense scores for her character, Myka. Myka's

relevant skills are Brawl (2D+1 ), Dodge (5D), and Knife (3D+2). This gives

the character a Block score of 7 (2x3 +1 ), a Dodge score of 15 (5x3 +0),

and a Parry score when wielding a knife of 11 (3x3 +2).

Myka's Might attribute is 2D, and she has a set of light leather armor with a

Soak of +3. With this, Kelsie calculates Myka's Soak score of 9, as long as

she is wearing her protective suit (2x3 for the attribute, +3 for the armor).


49

Non-Combat Challenges

Other challenges that might pit a character against another character could

include a Stealth attempt versus a Search, or two Persuade skills against one

another during a negotiation. In these cases, each character rolls the

appropriate skill, and the higher total wins.

Pure skill isnt everything, however. When checking a non-combat skill, it

is possible that a character finds him or herself in either a very favorable

position or at a distinct disadvantage. Maybe the character knows that his

opponents gun isnt loaded as he tries to negotiate the terms of a standoff, or

maybe the datacards she had hoped to sell for a big profit have turned out to

be counterfeits. Situations can arise in almost any skill check that justify a

modifier to the TN, for better or worse.

Character Actions

Scenes and Rounds

A game is divided into scenes, just like in a movie or television program.

During a scene, characters may discuss a plan of action, investigate a crime

scene, have a high-speed chase, or get into a fight. The time between scenes

spent walking from place to place, doing routine vehicle maintenance, or

sleeping is skipped over because its mundane, boring, and generally violates

Rule #1 .

When things heat up, be it a firefight, trying to hack a computer terminal

before the alarms sound, or making a daring escape, then the game goes into

rounds. Each round represents about 10 seconds of real-life time, give or take

a few seconds depending on the situation. When playing in rounds, it usually

means that the action is high and bullets are flying, so every move that every

character makes must be accounted for in detail.

Modifier

-6 to -10 to TN

-1 to -5 to TN

No modifier

+1 to +5 to TN

+6 to +10 to TN

Description

Character attempting the skill has a great advantage

Character attempting the skill has some advantage

Character attempting the skill has no advantage

Character attempting the skill is at some disadvantage

Character attempting the skill is at a great disadvantage


50

Playing a Round

A round is carried out in the following steps:

1 . Declare all actions planned for the round, such as to attack, hack the

computer, duck behind cover, make a run for the door, or any combin-

ation that the character wishes to attempt.

2. Determine order of Initiative by rolling Agility for each character.

Highest goes first, then down the line according to the results of the

roll.

3. Characters take their actions in order of Initiative, making rolls for

actions they are attempting as appropriate. Defensive actions (Block,

Dodge, and Parry) are automatic and don't count as actions.

Types of Actions

The most typical action during a round is the performance of a skill or

combat maneuver, such as throwing a punch, dodging an explosion, firing a

weapon, or making a piloting check. Additionally, consider the following

during the course of a round.

Free Actions. Activities that do not take a characters full attention are

considered free actions. This includes things like walking, talking into a

radio, opening a door, and making witty retorts during a firefight. More

complex acts like running, giving detailed instructions over the radio,

picking a door lock, or actively trying to bluff someone that you have a

gun all count as actions.

Multiple Actions. Characters may attempt to do more than one thing on

a turn by withholding one die from every action they attempt for each

action beyond the first. For instance, if a character tries to shoot twice, he

or she is penalized -1D on each attempt.

Movement. A character may move up to his or her base Move in feet as a

free action or move double the base Move in feet plus the results of an

Athletics roll at the cost of one action. If the only action taken in a round

is running, the total move is doubled. The base Move for humans and

most alien races is 15; check individual Player Race templates for the base

Move score for each.

Other Movement. Some characters have ways to move beyond simply

walking or running, such as flying, tunneling, vine-swinging, or any other

type of movement. These will use their own rate of movement, given

with the characters racial description, Feat, or Perk. Most characters can

swim at a rate equal to their move. Swimming, unlike normal movement,

always takes an action. If no other action besides swimming is

undertaken, the rate is doubled.


51

Dealing and Healing Damage

Dealing Damage

When a target has been hit, the attacker rolls damage and the targets Soak

score is subtracted from the damage. The player or GM then checks the

Wound Level chart below to see how badly the target was wounded.

Wound

Level

Unharmed

Dazed

Wounded

Severely

Wounded**

Incapacitated

Mortally

Wounded

Dead

Wound

Effects

None.

-1D for all remaining actions for the cur-

rent round and the next round.

-1D to all actions until healed.

-2D on all actions until healed.

As a free action before losing conscious-

ness, the character may try to stay "in the

fight" with a Moderate (15) Stamina roll.

If successful, he or she may continue to

act, but with a -3D penalty. A failed

check means the character falls uncon-

scious for 10D minutes.

The character is near death and immedi-

ately knocked unconscious. Roll the

characters's Might each round; the char-

acter dies if the roll is less than the num-

ber of minutes he or she has been

Mortally Wounded.

The character has perished.

Damage*>

Soakby:

0 or less

1 to 3

4 to 8

4 to 8

9 to 12

13 to 15

16+

*Note: Any additional damage less than or equal to the characters current

Wound Level moves him or her up one level.

**Note: A character is Severely Wounded if the result is between 4 and 8

and he or she is already Wounded.


52

Natural Healing

If a wounded character rests, he or she is allowed a Might check, and if suc-

cessful, heals a Wound Level. The frequency of the check depends on the

severity of the characters wounds.

Assisted Healing

Characters with the Medicine skill can attempt to help others heal more

quickly. A skill check may be made once per day for each patient treated. On

a successful roll, the patient heals one Wound Level.

NaturalHealing

Wound Level

Dazed

Wounded

Severely Wounded

Incapacitated

Mortally Wounded

Frequency

1 minute

3 days

3 days

2 weeks

5 weeks

Might TN

automatic

6

6

8

9

AssistedHealing

Wound Level

Dazed

Wounded

Severely Wounded

Incapacitated

Mortally Wounded

Frequency

Immediate

1 day

1 day

1 day

1 day

Medicine TN

Easy

Moderate

Moderate

Difficult

Very Difficult


53

Stun Damage and Recovery

Some weapons do not physically harm the target, but only render a character

incapacitated for a short while. When a target has been hit by a stun weapon,

the attacker rolls damage and the targets Soak score is subtracted from the

damage as usual. The player or GM then checks the Stun Level chart below

to see how badly the target was stunned. Multiple stuns are not cumulative,

but take the worst single case.

Scaling

Not all objects are on the same scale. When dealing damage to a smaller

scaled target or resisting damage inflicted by it, the larger adds the difference

in modifiers to their die rolls or static defenses. Smaller scaled targets

attempting to dodge attacks from or actually attempting to attack a larger

scaled opponent add the difference to their dodge and attack rolls.

Stun

Level

Unharmed

Stunned

Severely

Stunned

Stun

Effects

None.

-1D on all actions for 2D rounds.

The character is knocked unconscious

for 2D minutes.

Damage>

Soakby:

0 or less

1 to 8

9+

ScaleModifiers

Modifier

None

+2D to Hit & Damage

+6 to Dodge & Soak

+4D to Hit & Damage

+12 to Dodge & Soak

+6D to Hit & Damage

+18 to Dodge & Soak

Scale

+0D: Character, Animals

+2D: Air Cycle, Car, Little Dragon, Wagon

+4D: Big Dragon, Galley, Mecha, Tank

+6D: Fighter, Lt. Transport, Heavy Mecha


54

Fate Points

Fate Points are earned through superior play and given as an incentive by the

GM to help encourage the style of action desired in a game. If a character

makes a clever quip using the in-game jargon that makes everyone laugh

without disrupting play, that may be worth a Fate Point. Unless completely

against the nature of the game played, extremely clever ideas and grand

heroic deeds should always be rewarded.

Characters start with 1 Fate Point. Fate Points provide a variety of

options, but once spent the point is lost. Some possible Fate Point effects

include:

Strong Roll. Gaining a +6 to any single roll; up to 3 points may be used

at one time when using this effect. Note that the Fate Point must be spent

prior to the roll.

Just a Flesh Wound. Once per combat a Fate Point can be used to

reduce the severity of a characters wounds by one level.

Get Lucky. Make a small, fortuitous change to the characters location

(e.g. locating an unlocked window, finding a can of WD40 and a roll of

duct tape, etc.) .

Get a Clue. Sometimes players are at a loss or think they might have

missed something. This gives them the option to find that detail that they

would have otherwise missed.

Character Advancement

At the end of each session, the GM awards each character a number of

Character Points (CPs). The number of points given per session typically

varies from 3 to 7 depending on drama, danger, success, and fun! CPs are

used to improve skills and attributes, and represent a characters development

and growth over time. Full rules for advancement are found in the complete

RPG.


56

Performing Feats

All Feats have a Target Number (TN) listed in their descriptions. Epics roll

the Epic skill to determine success. Only one Feat may be attempted per turn.

Success on the roll means the Feat is successful; see each Feat description for

the exact effect achieved. On a failed roll, the Epic temporarily suffers a -1D

penalty to his or her Epic skill. Further failures increase the penalty. One hour

of rest with no interruption removes all penalties.

Feats Requiring Multiple Actions

Some Feats require additional actions to be taken after activating. For ex-

ample, throwing a fireball requires the Epic to activate the Feat with one ac-

tion, and then hit the target by making a Throw skill check with a second

action. The Epic may wait until the next turn to throw the fireball or may opt

to suffer the -1D penalty for multiple actions and do both in one turn.

Concentration

Some Feats require the Epic to maintain concentration for the Feat to remain

in effect. Each Feat maintained counts as one action for the purpose of de-

termining penalties for multiple actions.

Beginning Feats & Learning More

As discussed in Step 3 of the character creation process (Chapter 1 .1 ) , a new

Epic immediately knows any two Aether Feats of choice. Learning a new

Feat costs 4 CP, and an Epic may learn any Feat of his or her choosing. A

maximum of one new Feat may be learned after each session.

Aether Feats

The following descriptions group various Feats into general categories (Air

Manipulation, Heat Manipulation, Space-Time Manipulation, etc.) for the

sake of organization. Generally speaking, any Epic can learn any Feat without

restriction, though some Perks may make the character better at some types

than others, and some Complications may restrict the availability of Feats.

Stat blocks include the following:

TN: The Target Number that must be met or exceeded for the Epic to

successfully perform a Feat.

Duration: How long a Feat lasts before it fizzles out. A duration of in-

stant means that it occurs in a moment, while a duration listed as con-


57

Air Manipulation

A combination of the manipulations of matter and energy, the air and atmo-

sphere can be controlled or altered by the will of an Epic.

Fog

TN: 12

Duration: 20 minutes

Range: 50 foot (15 m) radius

Resisted: None

The Epic creates a thick fog around him or herself, reducing visibility and af-

fecting cover as appropriate.

Shriek

TN: 8 + Resist Roll

Duration: Instant

Range: 50 feet (15 m), line of sight

Resisted: Might

This Feat manipulates the Aether making up the air around the Epic to amp-

lify his or her scream, resulting in a piercing shriek directed at a single target

within line of sight. The sound is loud and intense enough to disorient the

target, causing it to be Stunned for 1D+2 rounds if failing to resist.

Sphere of Silence

TN: 11

Duration: Concentration


Resisted: None

The air molecules in the radius around the Epic are prevented from vibrating,

resulting in absolute silence. No noise can be made, spoken, or heard.

centration allows the Epic to maintain the Feat so long as his or her fo-

cus is not interrupted.

Range: At what distance the Epic may perform the Feat. A range of

self indicates that it may only be performed on the Epics own person.

A range of touch requires physical contact with the target.

Resisted: How a target can attempt to prevent the Feat from taking place.

This usually applies to supernatural effects being placed on a person

against the targets wishes. Some Feats, such as Laser Blast, cannot be res-

isted, but can be dodged or otherwise defended.


58

Biochemical Manipulation

Because Aether makes up all matter and energy, that includes things like

neural impulses and physiological responses. These Feats involve an Epic

manipulating that Aether in a person or creature, or even the Epics own

Aether, to achieve some sort of biological or neurological effect. Feats may

induce a certain feeling in the target, link two minds, or even allow the Epic

to control the body of another person.

Beast Tongue

TN: 19


Range: Self

Resisted: None

The Epic can communicate with animals via a crude sort of telepathy; this is

not an ability to command or control. The animal can give and receive im-

pressions and some basic information, but only within the limits of its natural

perception. This limits their abilities as scouts or agents of the Epic, as com-

plex thoughts and the interpretation of instructions are beyond most animals.

Heal

TN: Special

Duration: Instant

Range: Touch

Resisted: None

The Epic must concentrate for 6 rounds before using this Feat. The TN is 15

when attempting to heal anyone Wounded or Severely Wounded, 19 for In-

capacitated characters, and 23 for those Mortally Wounded. Success reduces

the Wound Level by one. If used more than once per day on a target, the

Target Number of additional checks increases by +10 for each attempt.

Telepathy

TN: 15 + Resist Roll


Range: 50 feet (15 m)

Resisted: Charm

When cast, the Epic can hear the thoughts of any one person within range,

as well as project his or her own thoughts to that person; language is no bar-

rier to communication.


59

Electricity Manipulation

By utilizing these Feats, an Epic can convert free Aether to electrical energy

and back again.

Electric Field

TN: 20

Duration: Instant


Resisted: None

A field of electric energy is generated around the Epic, potentially injuring

any caught within the radius with a moderate electric shock. The damage is

not usually lethal, but is often enough to daze or wound those affected. Tar-

gets within the radius are denied an opportunity to Dodge. A successful hit

inflicts 3D damage and bypasses conventional body armor.

Lightning Bolt

TN: 23

Duration: Instant


Resisted: None

A bolt of lightning arcs between the Epics hand and a single target within

line of sight; targeting requires the use of the characters Throw skill. Targets

may make a Dodge check to avoid being hit. A successful hit inflicts 5D

damage and bypasses conventional body armor.

Power Electronics

TN: 15


Range: Touch

Resisted: None

The Epic generates enough electricity to power an electronic device. The

amount of power generated is equivalent to that available from a wall outlet

or small generator, able to power most commercial appliances, computer

hardware, or the minimal functions of an electronic vehicle.


60

Heat Manipulation

These Feats allow the Epic to exert control over heat and cold by transform-

ing free Aether into heat energy, or vice versa.

Chill

TN: 12

Duration: 20 minutes


Resisted: Might

This Feat causes the target to instantly become chilled to the bone and must

make a Might check against the Epics Epic skill or be Stunned for the dura-

tion; add +2D to the Epics skill roll if the Feat is administered by touch.

Dedicated effort to warm the target cuts the duration in half.

Fireball

TN: 23

Duration: Instant


Resisted: None

The Epic creates a ball of fire energy, which he or she may then hurl at a tar-

get using the Throw skill. The target may attempt to Dodge to avoid damage.

A successful strike does 5D in damage and sets combustibles aflame.

Spontaneous Combustion

TN: 15

Duration: Instant


Resisted: None

The Epic creates enough heat energy to cause flammable materials to sud-

denly ignite.


61

Kinetic Manipulation

Aether is converted into kinetic energy, introducing forces of movement to

an object or to the Epic. Likewise, kinetic energy may be transformed back

into Aether to suspend motion or arrest momentum.

Accelerate

TN: 10

Duration: Instant

Range: Self

Resisted: None

By converting Aether into kinetic energy, the Epic can throw something

much harder than he or she normally could. Add a bonus of +1D to the

damage of any thrown object.

Deflect Projectile

TN: 10 + Attack Roll

Duration: Instant


Resisted: Special

The kinetic energy of a projectile such as a bullet, arrow, baseball, or other

such object is partially affected by the Epic, effectively deflecting it away from

its target and sending it off harmlessly in another direction. This is achieved

through a contested roll. The Epic must roll his or her Epic skill to beat the

TN of 10, plus the attackers roll to strike (e.g. Mavis the Terrible throws a

spear at Apoc Bill. Maviss Throw total is 1 1 , so Bill needs a 21 or better to

deflect the strike). The Epic may attempt to deflect a projectile aimed at an-

other person, or something aimed at the Epic.

Push

TN: 15

Duration: Instant


Resisted: Might

The Epic mentally shoves another person or object, potentially knocking the

target over. The force of the Push is equal to a Might check equal to the

characters Epic skill.


62

Light Manipulation

These Feats involve taking raw Aether and converting it into light energy, or

reverting light energy back into Aether. This can allow an Epic to exert some

measure of control over light and darkness.

Flash

TN: 10 + Resist Roll

Duration: Instant


Resisted: Might

A brilliant flash of light emanates from the Epic, capable of stunning anyone

that sees it. Anyone within the effective radius that fails to resist is Stunned

for 2 rounds.

Lantern

TN: 10

Duration: 1 hour

Range: Self

Resisted: None

The Epic creates a hand-held orb of light with brightness equivalent to a lan-

tern. Just like a real lantern, it can be dimmed, moved about within arms

reach, or placed somewhere and left behind. Only the Epic (or another Epic

with this Feat) can manipulate the light.

Snuff Light

TN: 11


Range: 100 feet (30 m) line of sight

A single source of light, be it a campfire, flashlight, street lamp, or infrared

targeting system, is immediately made dark. The object will continue to emit

no light as long as the Epic concentrates on the source.


63

Matter Manipulation

Matter is made up of Aether, and so can be controlled by the Epic. Objects

can be created or altered, or even disintegrated by dispersing the Aether that

forms them.

Aether Weapon

TN: 19

Duration: 1 hour

Range: Self

Resisted: None

The Epic creates a powerful hand-held weapon made entirely of Aether. It

has physical form and density, but also courses with a sort of unrefined en-

ergy. The type of weapon is determined by the Epic, but is usually a sword,

axe, or spear. Regardless of the type of weapon, it does +3D damage. The

weapon requires physical contact with its creator, so it cannot be thrown,

dropped, or lent to another.

Create Food

TN: 15

Duration: Permanent


Resisted: None

The Epic must concentrate for 6 rounds to use this Feat. The character can

conjure edible food from the Aether. It comes in the form of a nutrient-rich

loaf, like very dense and flavorless bread. The Feat creates one small loaf,

which provides sufficient nutrition for one meal for one adult.

Disintegrate

TN: 25

Duration: Instant

Range: Touch

Resisted: Body, Might, or Armor Value as applicable

The Epic attempts to turn matter back into free Aether, causing damage to

the object; only inanimate objects are affected. To determine the damage

done, the Epic rolls his or her Epic skill versus the Body of the object. If the

object does not have a Body score, scores such as Might or Armor Value may

be used to resist.


64

Space-Time Manipulation

The Aether that makes up the flow of time or regulates spatial, or even di-

mensional relationships can be worked to the Epics will. The passage of time

can be sped up or slowed down, and the space between dimensions can be

secured or rendered meaningless. This includes the manipulation of Aether

that is not natural, meaning that it has been altered by another Epic.

Dispel Aether Feat

TN: Special

Duration: Permanent


Resisted: None

The Epic undoes any single Feat or Aether effect. The target number is five

higher than the Feat being targeted (e.g. Hasten has a TN of 23, so to dispel

that Feat requires a TN of 28). Some things cannot be dispelled, such as

healing, resurrection, or the conjuring of permanent physical objects.

Hasten

TN: 23

Duration: 5 rounds

Range: Self or Touch

Resisted: None

The Aether that forms space-time around the target is altered, resulting in

improved response time for anyone affected. Targets have their multiple ac-

tion penalty reduced by 1D. The effects of multiple Hasten Feats dont stack.

Sense Breach

TN: 14


Range: Varies

Resisted: None

Breaches are tears in space-time, making them relatively easy to detect at a

distance for a trained Epic. To detect a Breach within 1000 feet (300 m), the

base TN of 14 applies. Add +5 to the TN for every doubling of the effective

range (e.g. TN of 19 for 2000 feet, 24 for 4000 feet, 29 for 8000 feet, etc.) .


66

That change would come very suddenly in the winter of 2012 and would

be credited with triggering a global Golden Age for humanity.

Gates and the Golden Age

On December 22, 2012, an international team of scientists introduced the

world to a method for safe and instantaneous transport across vast distances

using a new technology dubbed Gates. The specific science of how these

devices operated is well beyond my ability to relate to you, but the debut of

this new technology and the practice of its use are the best documented as-

pects of the times in our records.

Simply put, each of a matched pair of these archways could be placed

thousands of miles apart, where they acted like the entry and exit points of

an infinitely short tunnel. Someone could step through a Gate in New York

City and out of its counterpart in New Delhi as easily as stepping over the

threshold of his or her own front door.

The world was a bed of tinder for change and Gate travel was the spark

that lit the fire. Life was immediately and permanently changed by what social

commentators called the dawn of the Golden Age. So efficient and inex-

pensive was this new technology that it was quickly implemented across the

globe. The world was suddenly a single community where distances no longer

separated cultures or isolated peoples. The propagation of art, science, and

business exploded to the benefit of all. The world became a more peaceful,

enlightened, and prosperous place with a thirst for even greater change.

Within three years of the discovery of Gate travel, government-operated

Gate Centers existed in every major city in the world. In eight years, Gates

overtook air, land, and sea freight as the principal means of transporting

goods over long distances. Within another decade, human Gate traffic ex-

ceeded airline traffic. By 2040, the perfect safety record for Gate travel led to

its worldwide deregulation, immediately after which independent commercial

Gate Centers sprouted up in smaller and smaller communities and in busy

industrial and business complexes until Gate travel became a local conveni-

ence. By 2055, a Gate could be found within 100 miles (160 km) of 90% of

the worlds population, with most people living within 25 miles (40 km) of at

least one Gate Center.

Unanswered Questions

In the Spring of 2063, a small coalition of scientists began to voice concerns

over the use of Gate travel. These critics pointed to what they perceived as a

lack of genuine understanding by the international scientific community

about how the Gates operated. There were just too many questions, they said,

that remained unanswered.

Their principal concern was that as Gate traffic increased over time, doc-


67

umented variances began to manifest in the reliability of the devices. Where

travel was originally instantaneous, a lag began to appear in the passing from

one Gate to another. This time gap, imperceptible to the traveler, varied from

a few seconds to a few minutes, and in isolated instances, a matter of hours.

This abnormality was first noted in the largest Gates used to convey cargo,

but was soon observed in Gates of all sizes. The lag did not appear to correl-

ate to any other known variable, such as distance traveled, the manufacturer

or operator of the Gates, or the frequency of their use. The scientific com-

munity was at a loss to explain these variances.

On November 28, 2065, the 100 percent safety record of Gate travel was

lost when three travelers stepped through a Gate in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

bound for Doha, Qatar and were never seen again. Early the next year, a

cargo shipment was lost in transit between two Gate Centers in California.

Another two travel instances were thought to be failures before it was dis-

covered that the travelers and cargo simply arrived at wrong locations. There

were certainly other troubling incidents of which we have no surviving re-

cord, but it is clear that this was more than a few isolated accidents, even if

the failures did constitute only a tiny fraction of a percentage of overall Gate

travel.

The critics pointed to these failures and loudly protested the continued

blind use of an unstable technology. They recommended that Gate opera-

tions be scaled back to cargo only, abandoning human transport while the

unexplained inconsistencies were thoroughly researched and the cause identi-

fied. Society had forever changed, however, and people could no longer ima-

gine a life without the convenience of Gate travel. The dissenters were

shouted down as malcontents and instigators, and left to conduct their re-

search in isolation from their peers while business continued as usual.

Breaches and The Fall

On May 19, 2066, every Gate on the planet spontaneously severed its ter-

restrial pairings and instead opened permanent, random portals to hundreds

of thousands of locations across the vastness of interdimensional space.

Today we refer to this event as The Fall, and to these uncontrolled doorways

through space-time as Breaches.

Through these interdimensional portals poured alien beings, otherworldly

environments, and all manner of monsters. Some of these were strange and

new, while others resembled mythical or historical creatures from Earths

past. Some were as bewildered and helpless as the Earthlings witnessing this

flood, while others were clear aggressors with no thought or agenda other

than violence.

No portion of the planet that we know of was left untouched by The

Fall, so widespread were the Gates and so complete was our forebears loss


68

of control over them. The world was instantly changed in a way that no one

was prepared for. All semblance of government, society, and order imploded

to such a degree that following the initial reports of the massive Gate failures

of May 19, 2066, we have no consistent, verifiable record of what transpired

for at least the next several hundred years. These centuries, perhaps even a

millenium of darkness, is truly the Lost Age.

Our World Today

This has led us to where we are, today, some centuries later. In the past sev-

eral generations, after ages of anarchy, we have managed to rebuild

something of a society from out of the darkness. In our corner of the world,

at least, we are scattered, but surviving. Many of us live hidden away in small

communities, others build thick walls to hold back the terrors of the world,

and still others migrate from place to place. Some humans enjoy only the

company of other humans, while some communities are a mix of a dozen

intelligent races. Many live free and many are subjugated. Aliens may be

friendly, but far too often are violent invaders. Some communities, large and

small, trade and politic with one another. Others are isolationists. We can only

assume that our experiences are repeated around the globe.

The world has become a place of strange wonders, even beyond the pres-

ence of alien beings and relics of a long-destroyed society. Many beings, both

human and alien, possess powers that can only be categorized as supernatur-

al. Some individuals have an innate or learned ability to influence the minds

of others, or to conjure energies or objects from out of nothing like a sor-

cerer from an old storybook. The most learned among our ranks say that this

is accomplished through the manipulation of a mysterious substance that

they call Aether, which forms the building blocks of all energy, matter, time,

and dimensional space. Our Breach scientists theorize that an overabundance

of Aether in our reality is directly linked to the operation of Gates, the pres-

ence of Breaches, and cause of The Fall.

Our understanding of the present day world is limited to how far we can

send scouts and cartographers, what we can gather about the lay of the land

from the Historical Record, and what information we can acquire from hu-

mans or aliens that we encounter.

Whatever our various ideologies and ways of life, and whatever steps for-

ward we have taken in recent generations, one thing that is certain is that the

human population has dropped dramatically since The Fall. Based on

everything we have collected, we believe that there are a few tens of thou-

sands of humans still living within 200 miles (320 km) of us, and roughly that

many aliens. That would be a reduction of 95% or more from the population

during the height of the Golden Age.


69

Our World Tomorrow

Now we stand at a crossroads for humanity. After generations of study and

observation, we finally may have a chance to undo the damage to space-time

done by our forebears. The breakthrough we have worked so hard to achieve

is known as the Breach Closure Device, or BCD. Using this miracle of Gate

engineering, we now know that it is possible to permanently close a Breach,

to forever seal a tear in the fabric of time and space. This is not conjecture or

theory, but fact. We have already used it to close several small, isolated, and

relatively inactive Breaches. Its not hard to see the ultimate potential for this

device. With the BCD we can finally reclaim our dimensional borders, one

sealed Breach at a time.

This new hope to tame the savage forces which have controlled our world

for untold ages is a very slim hope, but is real hope. To accomplish this, we

will have to venture beyond our familiar lands and into the wild. We cant

possibly truly know what awaits us in the dangerous zones of interdimen-

sional turmoil that surround most every Breach. Very few have dared to ex-

plore the areas near the ancient Gate Centers, where Breaches exist by the

dozens or even hundreds. We have rarely ventured into the ruins of the cities

that stand as a legacy of our forebears and are now home to horrors from

thousands of other worlds. Of those few who have undertaken such a chal-

lenge, fewer still have had the courage and strength to survive what theyve

found there. It will be dangerous, but many of us are anxious for the chal-

lenge. For the first time in our lives, or even the lives of our great-great-

grandparents and beyond, we can devote ourselves to a purpose other than

simply surviving.

It is time to rebuild.

Cross-references:

CDoc HIST-010-1p3k, A Historical Primer For Native Humans

CDoc CURR-018-0w0x, Cultural Survey of the Civilized Lands v30


70

Breaches

Breaches are the tragic legacy of the Golden Age, the holes in space-time left

by the worldwide collapse of the global system of Gates. That collapse in

turn led to the global catastrophe known as The Fall.

Breaches display a number of particular, consistent behaviors that bear

particular mention, such as:

Breaches exist as a defined plane, in generally the shape and size of the

Gate that once stood in its place

Looking into a Breach is like looking through a door into an adjacent

room, but into another world

Observation of beings on the far side of Breaches suggests that those

on the other side cannot see through to Earth

Gates are one-way, only leading into our dimension, not back out

Hot Zones

The mile or so around a Breach is often referred to as a Hot Zone. Its called

this for a number of reasons, such as:

This is the most likely area in which to encounter alien monsters

Alien environments often cross over from Breaches, creating wild and

dangerous landscapes

Proximity to a Breach can create a physical sensation or emotional un-

easiness in many people

Breaches and Aether

Contemporary minds have deduced the correlation between Breaches and the

mysterious, theoretical substance known as Aether. For more information on

Aether, its effects, and the paranormal Feats that can be performed by har-

nessing its power, see Chapter 2.2.

Breach Closure Device (BCD)

The Breach Closure Device is a rare scientific device created by the Cooper-

ative that is capable of permanently closing a rip in space-time.

It is rather large and heavy, and typically breaks into parts to allow for

easier transportation

It is most commonly carried by the Cooperative's elite Breach Research

and Closure (BRAC) teams

Plans for construction and instructions for use are sometimes distrib-

uted to others


71

World Overview

Giving a true overview of the entire world would be a little much for this

volume. Instead, what is presented in the following pages is a general under-

standing of the explored region that sets the stage for Breachworld, and

some tidbits about what lies beyond. Far more detail is available in the full

RPG and its supplements.

A New Wilderness

It has been hundreds of years, and some speculate as many as a thousand

years, since the Golden Age came to its catastrophic end. During that time,

virtually everything built by man fell into ruin and decay. Most of Earth as

your characters will know it is a true wilderness, only sparsely smattered with

towns, villages, and the occasional advanced settlement to break up the open

country.

Traversing the Wild

Surface roads are gone, broken down and swallowed up by vegetation after

generations without maintenance or repair. Ruins of Interstates, bridges, and

overpasses built above the grade of the earth with masses of concrete survive

in stretches, but even these are treacherous, unstable, and difficult to pass.

Only the most secure and heavily-traveled routes are marked by so much as a

dirt road. Even under the very best of circumstances for the average adven-

turer on foot or with a mount, traveling 100 miles (160 km) is a perilous

journey, often requiring many days or weeks.

What Survives

Sturdy structures built during the Golden Age with modern concrete and

high-tech metals are particularly likely to survive as shadows of their former

glory. Fiberglass, plastic, and composite materials are often recoverable and all

make valuable salvage, in addition to whatever metals havent corroded away

with the centuries. New construction is very often built on the bones of ru-

ins. Lucky settlers find buildings intact, unoccupied, and ready to be repur-

posed into new homes, storehouses, or workhouses for equipment repair or

sometimes even new manufacturing.

Golden Age factories and industrial complexes have survived the centur-

ies with remarkable frequency. These pre-Fall facilities serve as the basis for

many of the most successful communities of Breachworld. Compared to the

wilderness that surrounds them, these settlements are paradises with many of

the trappings of a relatively modern life.


72

The Civilized Lands

The primary game setting is set in the Civilized Lands. This territory includes

a portion of what was once Texas, in the old United States, though the names

of places from before The Fall have lost their relevance. Most places of sig-

nificance are named by locals and on recently-constructed maps for promin-

ent features or their reason of importance. Maps and other documents refer

to places such as Three Hills Lookout, North River Landing, Trade Post, or

Vee Lake. Towns and villages generally have names that suggest some feature

such as Arena or Wheat Town, or carry the proper name of a significant per-

son or scrap of out-of-context history such as Hood, Marks Town, or Coke

Farm.

Major Players

Breachworld is full of ever-changing dynamics of political power, military

might, roving threats, and social order. There are too many groups, factions,

and upstart nations to list, but a smaller number play the largest role in shap-

ing the region.

The Cooperative is a network of historians, scientists, and other thinkers

spread across the explored world, but isolated in secret cells and hidden away;

even independent cells have no knowledge of the whereabouts of others.

They produce maps, educational texts, and copy works of literature and his-

tory to be distributed. Perhaps most importantly, it is the cumulative efforts

over many decades of many different Cooperative cells that led to the devel-

opment of the Breach Closure Device.

Breach Research and Closure (BRAC) Squads move throughout the

region, studying and mapping Breaches, and trying to close as many of them

as they are able.

The Resistance is a loose affiliation of native humans dedicated to elim-

inating all alien presence on Earth. They view the planet as being under oc-

cupation by invading foreign forces, and the Resistance is the heroic

underground army dedicated to reclaiming humanitys birthright. Resistance

influence varies from small, isolated cells to the control of entire settlements.

Reptilian Raiders are alien raiders and bandits that travel the region in

large bands, looting and pillaging as they go. They are easily identified as

green-brown scaled humanoids most often seen riding what look like huge

jungle cats, known as Trapcats.

Rose Armaments isnt precisely a political or social power, but is an actor

in the Civilized Lands with much influence, in any case. Its representatives

claim that Rose Arms is a manufacturer of weapons, armor, and the equip-

ment needed to survive in a harsh world. Others claim that they are simply a

very lucrative salvage and repair operation. Either way, the traveling salesmen


73

bearing the Rose banner have the very best in offensive and defensive imple-

ments to offer for sale, with much of the gear being pristine pre-Fall techno-

logy, or replicas of such quality that they might as well be.

Dregs are a subset of society that exists in various forms all across

Breachworld, but particularly in the bones of ruined towns, industrial areas,

or other concrete jungles, or on the streets of larger communities. These are

the burnouts and anarchists that do little more than cause problems for

everyone else.

Distant Lands

Rumors persist of what lies beyond the borders of the Civilized Lands, both

hopeful and terrifying. The most common sources of these rumors are trav-

eling outsiders that claim to have originated from some far-off place.

Far to the north, there is a monastery that exists outside of normal

time, where no one ages or dies. It has existed since long before The

Fall, and stands witness to all of Earths forgotten secrets.

Along with the varieties of dinosaurs seen roaming parts of the Civil-

ized Lands, primitive humans have also been encountered.

From the northeastern part of the continent, contact has been made

with an alien race that pilots huge machines into battle, each capable of

destroying whole armies.

The mountains to the northeast are full of cannibals. Stories vary as to

whether they are human or alien.

There are vast underground caverns in much of the Civilized Lands,

where live a race of Changelings. Each one looks exactly like one hu-

man on the surface, and each seeks to find, kill, and replace his or her

double.

North of the Civilized Lands there is a city that was called Fort Worth

Dallas that is home to tens of thousands of Breaches, so many that due

to their collective glow, nights within the ruins are lit up like day.

A Breach in what was once Houston brings to Earth a cult of alien

crusaders of many races that seeks to convert or kill those who do not

believe in its dark pantheon of gods.

To the southwest, there is a growing kingdom of hostile races from 100

different worlds, unified in their purpose to take Earth for their own.

A huge Breach to the southwest can be seen to be slowly expanding.

The lakes and rivers of the hill-covered country to the west are full of

half-fish humanoid aliens. Those aware of the old myths suggest that

they are identical to the Mer-People of ancient legend.

Many areas to the north are home to towering monsters bigger than

houses and can easily step over city walls.


76

Types of Communities

Whether a single family or a group of collaborative strangers, denizens of

Breachworld band together in the interests of self-preservation. Successful

groups tend to grow in size by taking in outsiders with useful skill sets, or

through good, old-fashioned breeding. While any fledgling village, town, or

tribe must see to a wide array of needs to provide a life, be it constructing

shelter, providing for defense, or collecting food, most eventually settle into a

primary mode of sustenance. If successful and prosperous communities are

close enough to one another, specialization can even lead to healthy trading

relationships, which only reinforces the pursuit of a specific type of lifestyle.

Farming is perhaps the most common method of survival for anyone

living in the Civilized Lands, especially for humans.

Hunting and gathering are popular means of survival for anyone that

stays on the move as scavengers, explorers, trade caravans, or simple nomads

in the fashion of some ancient Native Americans, following migrating game

throughout the year.

Fishing is a major contributor to life as well, particularly as a supplement

to either farming or hunting and gathering.

Raiding mainly targets small villages and homesteads and either make off

with stolen goods in secret, or use the threat of force to get what they need at

the barrel of a gun.

Bushwhacking is another method for humans and aliens to use violence

to satisfy needs, but is done along the trails, waterways, and footpaths of the

wilderness.

Trades

Rather than focus on growing or collecting for basic needs, an increasing

number of inhabitants of Breachworld take up an occupation that allows for

them to trade a unique set of skills to others in exchange for what they need

to thrive.

Exploring has become more common as humanity starts to take deeper

root back into the world and the struggle to survive is not as much a day-to-

day proposition.

Scavenging is a potentially fruitful occupation near towns or trading

posts in need of raw materials. goods.

Smithing is a common trade and there is a booming business in any sort

of metalworking skills.

Mercenary trades are fruitful for experienced combatants with the means

to bear arms.


77

Economy

There is no universal currency in Breachworld. No dollars. No credits. No

bottlecaps. Some communities may use some sort of token system or even

use paper money to trade among themselves, but the economics of Earth

now rely almost entirely on bartering. One upshot to this is that almost noth-

ing has a set price. A chicken may be worth a days labor when chickens are in

abundance, but a week later it may take three days work to earn that same

bird. Blankets are in high demand when its cold, but harder to trade in the

summer. In the proper situation, a spare magazine of 5.56mm assault rifle

ammunition may buy a house, a barrel of wine, a spouse, or all three.

The hottest trade of the day is in information. Tidbits of data can go a

long way toward the rediscovery of forgotten caches of wealth or remnants

of a past cultural identity. Of particular interest are maps, or pieces of his-

torical data from before The Fall. This has also led to a banner trade in for-

geries and counterfeits, so buyers have learned to be careful when things look

too good to be true.

From a game design perspective, in the pages of this RPG you will find

precious little information about what something costs. At most, some

equipment and other goods will list a general equivalence in trade, but even

that is to be taken as an imprecise estimate. Below are listed some generally

accepted values for certain goods and services.

One day of labor will almost always grant the worker a good meal and,

if available, someplace to rest that is out of the elements.

A few days of labor is generally enough to be fed and housed for the

duration, and sent away with some extra basic provisions.

Animal hides, preserved meat, and other animal goods are all major

sources of tradestock.

Small, live animals are often given in male-female pairs as gifts or in ap-

preciation for a significant service. Chickens are even more highly val-

ued, given their sturdiness and proclivity for laying eggs.

Perishable items are valuable, but often some of the first things to be

traded because of their short shelf life.

Cattle and horses are among the most valuable assets anyone can have.

Weapons are usually too valuable to be traded in most circumstances.

Bullets make for good trade stock because they are easy to transport,

are in constant demand, and can be divided into any size lot.

Vehicles with electric motors are among the most salvaged items in the

world.

Precious metals, gems, and jewelry are not significantly valuable to most

people trying to survive in the world.


79

worlds. Beyond basic, primitive weapons, there are a number of major classi-

fications somewhat commonly available to player characters.

Firearms are conventional weapons that use gunpowder, ranging in

sophistication from homemade muskets to vehicle-mounted auto-cannons.

Tech weapons are a broad classification of advanced weaponry that

either survives from the Golden Age or was brought to Earth by aliens. Most

often included are directed energy weapons such as projected lasers and stun-

inducing ion weapons, plus many varieties of alien weaponry.

Slugthrowers are a middle ground between firearms and tech weapons

that are in some ways the best of both worlds. They uses electromagnets to

propel solid slugs as a firearm would, but without the use of gunpowder.

Screens

Screens are one of the most widespread pieces of Golden Age technology

available in the time of Breachworld. Before The Fall, screens served as mo-

bile entertainment and communication devices, a natural extension and evol-

ution of the smartphone and tablet computer that were so ubiquitous in the

early 21st century. They have no moving parts and were constructed of

highly resilient composite materials, so many vintage screens are now carried

even after the Lost Age. Further, a few automated fabrication plants

throughout the Civilized Lands specializing in these devices continue to op-

erate, producing a limited number of units every year.

Datacards

Datacards are portable repositories of digital information, analogous to a

computer disk or memory card of the 21st century.

Cells

In application, cells are the Golden Age version of a battery, though they do

not rely on a chemical reaction to generate electricity, instead storing energy

within an electric field. They are highly efficient and can store large amounts

of power with very little bleed-off, and can be used and recharged virtually

without end.

Breach Closure Device (BCD)

This recently invented device is, as discussed elsewhere in this RPG, a game-

changer. It can effectively and permanently seal a tear in space-time.


81

Intelligence: The community of Arena is well established and stable.

The surrounding ruins have been thoroughly cleared of

resources and artifacts. No great political or military

leanings, and though proximity to Hood invites the

influence of the Resistance, the citizens have benefited too

greatly from alien cooperation to turn it away. Cooperative

agents are encouraged to use this town as a temporary

staging and recovery point for travel up and down the

remnants of Interstate 35, and for travel to and from the

cluster of communities of interest to the east.

Summary

Arena is a classic example of the new repurposing the old. For over 50 years,

human and alien settlers have made a home inside the ruins of an ancient

football stadium, building homes right into the former seating areas, locker

rooms, and concourses, while farming and ranching the land inside and

around the old athletics venue. Ranching includes the noteworthy inclusion

of a large, red, cow-like animal known as a Vaca, which has been successfully

domesticated. Its fatty meat is delicious and nourishing, and greatly prized.

The makeup of the community is a relatively common mix for successful

villages of its size. It is predominantly human, but welcoming of any being

that can contribute. The attitude that rules the hearts and minds of Arenans

is one of common good.

This open attitude has yielded two very useful fruits in particular. First, a

small family unit of Minotaur have made their home in the lower levels of

the old stadium. They were welcomed in by the community with due caution,

but without the prejudice that these hulking alien beings often experience. In

return, the Minotaur have shared their considerable farming knowledge with

their neighbors, to the benefit of all.

Secondly, an unusually large group of Machine Men has set up camp

within the walls. Originally just a pair of the mechanical beings settled in to

study the community and to lend a hand where they could, but its central

location eventually attracted a number of other Tinmen to join them. They

tell the citizens of Arena that most will be moving on within a few months,

but the assistance provided by their expertise in science, medicine, and even

combat have all benefited the town.

Arena is not ruled by any formal government, but by general

consensus. Everyone expects their neighbors to be helpful and not to

antagonize. The physical area is large enough that if squabbles pop up, the

offended parties can generally avoid one another. Violence is not tolerated

and leads to offenders being drummed out and banished by the general will

and action of the people. Common defense is provided militia-style, with all


82

families and individuals expected to take up whatever arms they have to

protect the town from monsters, raiders, or any other threat.

Points of Interest

Arena's well-fortified walls have allowed community to bloom and prosper

inside. It is commonly visited by travelers who know the Civilized Lands as a

place to rest up or restock, or even to settle down.

1. Guard Tower. Five guard towers rise above the makeshift settlements

of Arena, manned day and night by dedicated volunteers. Alarms are

sounded by ringing makeshift bells or gongs made from cast metal.

2. Minotaur Lair. The clan of Minotaur, led by a grey bull named Mados

that have taken up residence in Arena have made themselves at home in

the old catacombs under the stadium ruins. They occupy a series of old

offices and a backstage area.

3. Exterior Wall Repair. Settlers of Arena long ago patched this cave-in

of the exterior wall with boulders and rubble.

4. Cartographer. Jenn Apple, a merchant and transcriber of maps, runs

her shop from a house amidst the homes of other residents. While not a

member of the Cooperative, independent agents regularly trade maps and

descriptions of surrounding territory with her; providing a new bit of in-

formation or salvaged bit of map will buy you more of the same in ex-

change. This makes her combination home and business a center of

information for travelers of all types.

5. Howard Residence. The Howard family, one of the largest and most

prominent clans in Arena, makes its home in what was once a locker

room in the stadium. From here, the family patron, Dane Howard, oper-

ates the livestock operations that take place inside the city walls, consisting

of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and Vaca.

Dane is a near-human. His unusual traits include a set of antennae

protruding back from his jawline, a flat nose, and green stripes in his black

hair. He lives and works closely with his two wives, a woman of his own

race named Emera, with whom he has two teenage boys and a young girl,

and an Earthling wife named Tamara, with whom he has a grown daugh-

ter, two teenage girls, and a baby boy. His half-Earthling offspring all have

broad noses and bright green hair.

6. Traveler Apartments. Dwellings for temporary residents are found at

ground level in an area once reserved for luxury field-level suites. Travel-

ers and visitors are allowed to use them on a limited basis so long as they

are conducting business in the town and cause no trouble.


83


84

7. Sarra Residence. A heavily scarred man named Elias Sarra lives and

works in this relatively large home, most of which is taken up by work-

space, spare parts, and scrap junk. He is rumored to have been a mercen-

ary before settling down in Arena to work as a gunsmith and do-it-all

mechanic. One of the local Machine Men, who goes by the name of Eta,

is often found helping Sarra in his tasks.

8. Vaca Barn. Dane Howard technically owns this piece of property, but

it is used to house the Vaca of other ranchers as well as his own. The alien

livestock go through periods of a sort of hibernation every five months,

and have been trained to use this barn to nest up. Inside, up to 30 of the

132 head of Vaca may be found sleeping in cozy piles like huge kittens.

9. Tradehouse. Originally a single, one-roomed house, this center of

trade has been expanded many times over the years. It now serves as a

marketplace where citizens and visitors can barter, buy, and sell goods

from loaves of bread to leather jackets to energy weapons. Availability

changes literally every day.

Perhaps the single most popular and regular exhibitor is a woman that

the locals just call the Grenade Lady. Over 60 years old, she arrives in

Arena every week to ten days, always with a pack full of explosives, ran-

ging from harmless flares to landmines to dynamite. She haggles for food,

domestic goods, and other basic supplies until her stock is exhausted, and

then heads back south of the river, always on her own.

10. Community Armory. The townspeople collectively employ a dozen

fighting men and women to maintain two stores of weapons, ammuni-

tion, armor, and other implements of battle. These mercenaries (of a

sort) are paid in free room and board, kept comfortable and fed by the

townspeople. A number have wed into the community and legitimately

call Arena their home.

Most of the stored items belong to town residents and are stored in

lockers when their owners are inside the walls. The weapons are generally

very simple, with nothing more exotic or rare than a bolt-action rifle or

handgun with a few rounds of ammunition, and more commonly bows

with quivers of arrows, spears, makeshift swords, and leather helmets and

jackets. These are all kept in the event of an attack, and as a bonus are

well maintained by the staff.

11. Ferry Launch. A small boathouse and dock are used by those travel-

ing up and down the river. Passage on short journeys or just to cross the

river can be easily bartered during daylight hours, but is less reliable at

night. The nearest easy ford is many miles away, whether headed upriver

or down.

12. Loren Farm. Named for the founder of the farm, the land is now


85

worked by Loren's son and daughter, Devante and Victoria. They primar-

ily grow corn, and fish in the river, and generally live a normal, if relatively

prosperous life. They are noteworthy, however, because they do not ever

enter Arena, and only Victoria deals with visitors or patrons looking to

buy from their stock. Devante never speaks to or even comes near anyone

but his sister.

Local legend says that Loren left the community of Arena after she

was cursed by an invisible, demonic, ethereal being from beyond a Breach.

The monster would attack anyone who so much as approached Loren,

forcing her into solitude with her two young children. With Loren's death,

the monster is said to now haunt Devante.


87

Allosaur

It is more than clear that we dont understand everything about the

relationship between dimensional travel and the flow of time. No more

evidence is needed than the existence on Earth today of species that have been

extinct for the whole of human history.

Breach ScienceTechnicalIntroduction (CDocBRSC-00c-01kk)

The Cooperative

Seemingly a real-life monster from Earths historic past, the predatory Allo-

saurus, or simply Allosaur, once again stalks the planet. The ancient dino-

saurs precise Breach of origin is unknown, but along with the presence of

other dinosaur-like creatures, the very existence of Allosaur on post-Fall

Earth raises all types of questions about everything from mass extinctions,

the linearity of time, and the Breaches, themselves.

Allosaurs can most often be found hunting alone, but have been observed

in packs if game is abundant. They feed primarily on easy, meaty prey such as

cattle, horses, Vaca, wild goats, and other dinosaurs, and are not above chas-

ing other hunters away from fresh kills or scavenging from old corpses or

large quantities of garbage.

The average allosaur is 25 to 30 feet (8 to 9 m) long, standing at about

half that height. Its tough hide is covered in fine feathers along its undercar-

riage, with slightly longer, more decorative feathers over the top of its head,

back, and tail. Its large head is full of hundreds of razor-sharp teeth designed

for tearing at flesh to be swallowed whole. The largest are capable of taking

the upper half of an average-sized human in one lightning-fast bite.

Scale: +2D

Might: 4D

Brawl 6D, Stamina 5D

Agility: 2D+2

Athletics (Run) 4D+2,

Dodge 4D+2, Stealth 3D+2

Wit: 0D

Charm: 1D

Static:

Dodge 14, Soak 16

Move: 18

Perks:

+4 Armor (included in Soak)

+2D Teeth

Allosaur


88

Griffin

We increasingly observe that old legends may be more than fairy tales, after all.

WildlifeCodex #1

The Cooperative

This beast appears to be the creature of legend from Earths past, with its

body, hindquarters, and tail of a lion, and the head, wings, and front legs of

an eagle. Despite some surviving stories of Griffins being magical beings,

perhaps even capable of speech, all indications are that the Griffin is merely a

fantastic animal, though very intelligent and perceptive.

Solitary creatures except when mating, Griffin are most commonly found

in high, sheltered places. Ruined apartment buildings and mid- to high-rise

buildings are ideally fit for the purpose, though hilltop hollows or abandoned

homes keep them closer to humanoid populations and their livestock, which

are a Griffin's favorite prey. Cubs are born in pairs, one male and one female,

and mature rapidly; they are almost immediately abandoned by their parents.

Ancient myths regarding these animals and their propensity for guarding

vast hordes of riches have been taken to heart by many adventurers and

treasure hunters, and their territories and nests are often sought out by those

looking to take the animals supposed hoard. The head, wings, or claws of a

Griffin are also sometimes sought out by religious or mystical practitioners as

elements of potions or as protective amulets.

Scale: +0D

Might: 3D+2

Brawl 5D, Stamina 6D

Agility: 3D+1

Dodge 5D+1

Wit: 1D

Charm: 2D

Static:

Dodge 16, Soak 11

Move: 20

Perks:

Fly (60 ft/18 m per round)

+1D Talons

Griffin


89

Imps

Imps are Breach demons, mischievious creatures that seem to have spawned

from some hellish dimension to wreak havok and sow misery for mankind.

They lack full human reasoning abilities, but are clever enough to be

incredibly efficient in making trouble for intelligent beings throughout the

Civilized Lands and beyond.

There are a wide variety of types of Imps that have been observed, each

creating its own particular brand of trouble for residents of the Civilized

Lands. Regardless, they seem to serve no greater purpose or have any goals or

needs other than to be a thorn in the collective side of society.

They vary slightly in appearance, each conveniently identifiable to the type

of mayhem that it likes to pursue. All are small, roughly a foot (0.3 m) in

height. All types of Imps have four eyes placed around their head and some

type of horns, exact location and description depending on the specific

breed. They have a sort of hunched posture with a tail and long feet for bal-

ance. They communicate through some sort of chattering language, with a

great deal of what sounds like laughter.

Yellow Imps are nourished by flames, and therefore delight in setting fires

so that they may gorge on the energies that are produced; as such, they are

immune to fire and heat. They are perhaps the most common type of Imp. A

yellow Imp's head is spherical, with its four eyes clustered together all in the

front of its face above its grinning, toothy mouth, while a dozen tiny horns

protrude from all over its head.

Green and Black Imps are detailed in the complete Breachworld RPG.

Scale: +0D

Might: 2D

Brawl 3D

Agility: 5D

Athletics 6D, Dodge 7D

Wit: 1D+2

Charm: 1D

Static:

Block 9, Dodge 21 , Soak 6

Move: 11

Perks:

May perform the Aether Feat

of Spontaneous Combustion

once per hour as a natural abil-

ity. Is immune to damage by fire

and heat.

Imp (Yellow)


90

Maulers

Our knowledge of the wide world is very limited. We have no evidence, or

even a rumor, of any Breach so large that it could usher such a monster into

our dimensional plane.

WildlifeCodex #2

The Cooperative

Long believed to be a myth, confirmed sightings of two different Maulers

within the known territory in recent years have placed these massive mon-

sters firmly in the world of fact. They stand over 20 feet (6 m) tall atop two

massive legs and dragging tail, with two small arms sprouting from their mid-

section. It is the beasts two massive primary arms, however, that give this

monster its name. One ends in a huge, clawed hand, and the other in a giant,

bone-encrusted fist, permanently clutched tight to be used as a massive club.

A Mauler is a sort of scavenging predator, roaming the wilds in search of

easy prey. Its normal method of hunting involves intimidating people or an-

imals into seeking shelter in buildings, vehicles, and other confined spaces,

which it then tears and smashes open with its claws and club-fist, respectively,

picking out dead or wounded prey with its smaller, more dexterous arms to

feed. A Mauler can turn even a sturdy building to rubble in a matter of

minutes, and peel open an armored personnel carrier like a tin can.

Maulers are extremely aggressive, made more so by the fact that they dont

keep a regular hunting ground, but roam aimlessly in pursuit of their next

meal, constantly bringing new settlements into danger.

Scale: +4D

Might: 5D

Brawl 7D

Agility: 2D

Athletics (Running) 4D,

Dodge 3D+1

Wit: 0D

Charm: 1D

Static:

Block 21 , Dodge 10, Soak 17

Move: 17

Perks:

+2 Armor (included in Soak)

+1D Claw Arm

+2D Club Arm

Complications:

-1D on Might checks using

smaller secondary arms

Mauler


91

Trapcats

If you find yourself being pursued by a Trapcat, you can turn to face your at-

tacker, or else flee into the jaws of the three that are laying in wait.

WildlifeCodex #1

The Cooperative

The infamous mounts of the Reptilian Raiders are known as Trapcats, both

for their feline appearance and for the tactics they use when hunting.

The cats are honey-and-white, with long hair, black eyes, and notably

fierce teeth that protrude and grin like menacing bear traps. They are the size

of a small horse, though stand lower to the ground thanks to their flexible,

catlike hips. They move like the large predatory felines of Earth, bounding

forward off powerful rear legs in an efficient, smooth motion that results in

great speed across the open ground. They are capable, but not excellent

climbers, and prefer open pursuit after a short stalk, like a cheetah, over pro-

longed stalking ending in sudden ambush like a panther.

Trapcats are also far superior cooperative hunters than native Earth spe-

cies, using a level of strategy that verges on a limited intelligence. Using their

tails, which always end in a bright white tip, they communicate basic signals to

each other across fields or open areas within line-of-sight to coordinate their

attack. For example, when a group of Trapcats is stalking prey from different

sides, one of the pride will call the ball with an indication of its tail that it

will lead the attack, which signals the others to be ready to pursue after the

target attempts to flee.

Scale: +0D

Might: 4D

Brawl 5D, Stamina 5D+1

Agility: 4D

Athletics 5D+1 , Dodge 5D,

Stealth 5D

Wit: 1D

Charm: 1D+2

Static:

Dodge 15, Soak 12

Move: 25

Perks:

+1D Claws

+2D Teeth

Pack Intelligence (Trapcat

gets a +1D bonus to Brawl and

Stealth when hunting in a group

of 3+)

Trapcat(Wild)


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