Ninja Cats

What could I say about this commercial? I love the bit where he distracts the cats with the swinging light. LOL

Natural Technological Genius (New Psionic Power)

(this is a modification of the Natural Mechanical Genius as found in the 2nd Edition core After the Bomb book)

Range: Special
Duration: Unlimited
Minimum ME: 10
Saving Throw (Reliability): 25% +5% per level
Cost: 10 BIO-E

Much like the Natural Mechanical Genius, this character has an uncanny affinity for computers and electronic devices. Instead of having to study skills like Computer Operation, Computer Repair, and Basic Electronics, the character just senses what is wrong with electronic devices. The devices seem to respond to the character's presence and attention and begin operating again at 100% reliability. Better yet, this character seems to be able to fix problems by just being near the device or with any spare electronics parts that are handy.

But with all things there is a down side. The "fixed" devices only seem to continue running properly as long as the psychic stays within 250 feet (76m) of them. As soon as the psychic leaves, the device is likely to break down again (75% chance; roll once every 30 minutes of use). Even if the device continues to work it won't work as smoothly or effectively (slow file access, strange noises, programs become unresponsive) as when the Natural Technological Genius is around.

Because their work breaks down after they leave, Technological Geniuses tend to have a bad reputation. Ironically, characters with this power believe they do superior and permanent repairs, and can not be made to believe that their handiwork is due to some psychic link between them and devices they fix. Thus, they blame others for "mistreating" the computers, radios, and other electronic devices they "fix".

NOTE: Unlike the Techno-Mind, this character cannot communicate directly with these devices. Also, just like the Natural Mechanical Genius, after the Genius has performed a half dozen "repairs" on the same device, it becomes completely dependent on the psychic character to work. After the sixth repair, 2D6 minutes after the character leaves, the device will blow have a meltdown, disabling the device, and requiring a real technician or engineer to completely rebuild the device. Making maters worse, for all the Geniuses work, all future repairs will be done with a -20% skill penalty and take 1D4 times longer than normal.

Apocalyptic Island

Speaking of images to help set the scene and use as inspiration, I remember stumbling across some images of an abandoned Japanese island mining village some time back, and found it again today.

The level of decay is quite impressive for this site since it's only about 35 years old.

See the full set of photographs to get a better idea of what some ruined cities might look like in AtB.

After the Bomb & Fallout

I picked up a copy of Fallout 3 last Friday and have been hard pressed to put it down since. Now, you may wonder how this relates to AtB other than that they both take place in a post-apocalyptic world. Well, both take place in an alternate reality: Fallout in a retro-tech wasteland, and AtB in a post-golden age of science wasteland.

I like to look at the way the populace in Fallout have scrounged together the remnants of the old world and use it to work in their post-apocalyptic situation. Also, if you've had a chance to see or play Fallout 3, it could give you a good idea of what the ruins of the old world might look like.

I've a visual person, and really appreciate game books that include illustrations and artwork that help give the reader of a sense of what the author(s)of a game setting is trying to convey. Fantasy games already have a great deal of artwork to use as examples, but there aren't many post-apocalyptic artists to draw from, and even fewer post-apocalyptic anthropomorphic art examples. And since Erick has passed, we no longer have the original author to call upon.

I'll be interested to see if Palladium revisits the AtB setting some time down the road, and in what direction they take it and who they get to take the helm. However, since AtB is such a niche game setting, it's doubtfull that it will see a reemergence in the next decade.

But my fingers will be crossed.

Shane! Come back!

Techno Chicken

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. The RPOL game has been moving rather slowly, and I've been having a hard time solidifying some of my ideas into anything I can post. In other words I've gotten a bit rusty...

To make up for the lack of posts I give you, TECHNO CHICKEN!


Okay, it's not as good as a game related post, but I'm going to work on that.