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®Your Digital Guide to the Megaverse

Splicers® AdventureMegaversal Culture TablesSplicers® WeaponsRifts Santa ClausLudicrous MagicSunaj RevisitedRifts Geologyand Much More

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Warning!Violence and the Supernatural ThefictionalworldsofPalladiumBooks®areviolent,deadlyandfilledwithsupernaturalmonsters.Other-dimensionalbeings,oftenreferredtoas“demons,”torment,stalkandpreyonhumans.Otheralienlifeforms,monsters,godsanddemigods,aswellasmagic,insanity,andwarareallelementsinthesebooks. Someparentsmayfindtheviolence,magicandsupernaturalelementsofthegamesinappropriate for young readers/players. We suggest parental discretion. PleasenotethatnoneofusatPalladiumBooks®condoneorencouragetheoccult,thepracticeofmagic,theuseofdrugs,orviolence.

The Rifter® Number 0Your Digital Guide to the Palladium Megaverse®!

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FirstPrinting–May,2008

Copyright2008PalladiumBooksInc.&KevinSiembieda

Allrightsreserved,worldwide,undertheUniversalCopyrightConvention.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinpartorinwhole,inanyformorbyanymeans,withoutpermissionfromthepublisher,exceptbriefquotesforuseinreviews.Allincidents,situations,institutions,governmentsandpeoplearefictionalandanysimilarity,withoutsatiricintent,ofcharactersorpersonslivingordead,isstrictlycoincidental.

PalladiumBooks®,Rifts®,CoalitionWars®,RECON®,Nightbane®,ThePalladiumFantasyRole-PlayingGame®,TheMechanoids®,TheMechanoidsInvasion®,AftertheBomb®,PhaseWorld®,andMegaverse®areregisteredtrademarksownedandlicensedbyKevinSiembiedaandPalladiumBooksInc. BeyondtheSupernatural2,ChaosEarth,NEMA,MercTown,DimensionBuilder,Splicers,Naruni,UnitedWorldsofWarlock,ChaosWizard,LordoftheDeep,MechanoidSpace,DinosaurSwamp,Arzno,Lazlo,VictorLazlo,LazloAgency,MichaelMach,HeroesUnlimited,HU2,PowersUnlimited,Ninjas&Superspies,AliensUnlimited,MutantUnderground,TheNursery,HardwareUnlimited,GadgetsUnlimited,BeyondtheSupernatural,BTS-2,ThreeGalaxies,VoidRunners,GramercyIsland,Skraypers,AtorianEmpire,Wormwood,LandoftheDamned,TheCitadel,WolfenWars,Wolfen,Cosmo-Knights,Cyber-Knight,Dragonlands,Triax,GargoyleEmpire,FreeQuebec,XiticixInvasion,Fadetown,HammeroftheForge,SiegeonTolkeen,Psyscape,Dweomer,ARCHIE-3,NorthernGun,CoalitionStates,ErinTarn,EmperorProsek,Splugorth,Splynncryth,Mega-Damage,Skelebot,SAMAS,GlitterBoy,DogBoys,DogPack,Techno-Wizard,LeyLineWalker,Shifter,Bio-Wizardry,Psi-Stalker,Brodkil,Juicer,Crazy,‘Burbs,‘Borg,‘Bot,D-Bee,Chi-Town,Triax,NGR,andothernames,titlesandlikenessesofcharactersaretrademarksownedbyKevinSiembiedaandPalladiumBooksInc.

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The RIFTER #0Palladium Books® Presents:

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Digital Sourcebook and guide to the Palladium Megaverse ®

Credits

Coordinator&VolunteerEditor:Matthew Daye

Supervisors: Kevin Siembieda & Wayne Smith

Contributing Writers: Matthew Daye

Michael G Totton Jr Nathan BinghamRobert BatkovicJoshua T. HildenChris KlugeLinwood FosterRobert Alan Wilkison

CoverIllustration: Adam Kass

InteriorArtists: Adam Kass Phillip Hollecker

BasedontheRPGrules,characters,conceptsand Megaverse® created by Kevin Siembieda.

Special Thanks toallthevolunteerswhomadethisfanissuepossibleandtheirsupportforPalladiumBooks® in their time of need.

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Contents – The Rifter® 0Page 4 - Full Page Art by Adam Kass

Page 7 - From the Keyboard of Matthew DayeTheorganizerandeditorofRifter®0explainsthecontextoftheprojectandwhatwentintothefirstonline edition of the Rifter®

Page 8 - Culture and TraditionNateBinghamoffersussomenewtablestofurtherfleshoutyourcharacter’sbackground,orhelpGMsaddsomequickcolortotheirN.P.C.s

Page 13 - Seven Years on CerebusRobertLionheartdonatedoneamazing,hugecross-overadventureforusewithbothSplicers® and Rifts®. Thisoneisn’tjustforaoneshotmissionandcanbethe basis for an entire campaign!

Page 36 - Handheld Weapon Bio-EnhancementsChrisKlugesentinsomenewoptionsforcustomizingyour Splicers®gear.Optionsandcustomizationareaplayer’sbestfriend.

Page 48 - Full Page Art by Adam Kass

Page 49 - A Megaverse® of Skills at your FingertipsMichaelGTottonJr.musthavespenthourscompilingthis handy list of skills used all over the Palladium Megaverse®,completewithbasepercentagesandthebookstheywereprintedin.AhandytoolforanyPalladium Books© game and completely printable.

Page 63 - Full Page Art by Adam Kass

Page 64 - Known Worlds of the Megaverse®LinwoodFostercompiledhisownlistofalltheplanets in the Megaverse®,completewiththespecieson each planet. A pseudo-phone book for all your Megaverse® spanning adventurers!

Page 75 - Santa ClausJoshHildenhasfinallystattedouttheJollyFatManthateveryonelovestogetgiftsfrom.HedidagreatjobstylizinghimandhishomewhilekeepingwithPalladium Books©flavor.

Page 75 - Ludicrous Magic™ IIINateBinghamwasabusyguyandsentinthethird

installmentofspellsforthosecrazy,crazymagesweallknowandlovefromtheInfamousRifter®9½.

Page 86 - Full Page Art by Adam Kass

Page 87 - Spells of the Arch-MageMatthewDayesubmittedthiscollectionofnewspellsformagicuserswhohaveamuchkeenerunderstanding of the arcane arts.

Page 95 - Sunaj™ RevisitedRobWilkisonfleshesoutthoseevilAtlanteansandtheirevilschemes,completewiththeirownweaponryand background tables.

Page 101 - There’s Gold in them thar Hills!MatthewDayesubmittedasecondhelpinginhissparetime,inhisattempttoexplainwheretheCoalition States™ and other nations are getting all their resources.

Page 105 - Full Page Art by Adam Kass

The CoverThecoverisbyAdamKassandfeaturesaGlitterBoy™wanderingtheruinsofanoldcityasthesunsets.ThiswasthefirstpicturesubmittedbyAdamandwasaccepted(aftersomelittletweaks)andendedupbeingthereasonhewasrecruitedtosupplymostofthe art for the online issue of the Rifter® 0.Hisuseof full color computer generated art seemed only too fittingforthefirstdigitalissue.

Optional and Unofficial Rules & Source MaterialUnlikesomeofTheRifters®,whichcanfeatureofficialrulesandcontent,Rifter®0is100%unofficialandoptional.Infact,everybitofthisdigitalmagazinewasdonatedbytheoriginalcreatorsfreeofcharge!This edition of the Rifter®wasmadetohelpPalladiumoutinitstimeofneedandmanyartistsandwriterswereveryeagertohelpout.Whatdoesthismeantoyou,thereader?Well,noneofthisstuffisofficialsouseitinyourgamesandothermaterialasyouseefit,ortakeitwithagrainof salt. That is really up to the individual player and GM.However,keepinmindthatallofthismaterialwasmadepurelyfromthecontributors’kindheartssotreatthematerialwithanopenmind.There’ssomereallyspecialstuffinhereandIhopeyougethoursofenjoyment out of it.

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Coming Next Issue

The Rifter® 0.1?ThatisalwaysthedangerwhentryingtocopythenormalRifter’s® format. Will there be another one of these?Maybe.Idon’tknow.Itwilllargelydependonhowwellthisonedoes,theavailabilityofmaterialand the say so of Palladium. Rifter®0.1,orRifter® -1,or any other number of possible names may not even followthisformatandcouldendupasanynumberofthings,includingacollectionofshortstories.Whoknows?Onlytimewilltell.

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IfyouobtainedthisRifterfromanywhereotherthanthePalladiumBooksOnlinestore,pleasecontactMatthewDayeatrifter0issues@gmail.com

Palladium Books® games are found in stores everywhere

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http://www.palladiumbooks.com

Firstoff,Iwouldliketosaythankyoutoeveryoneinvolvedinthisendeavor.KevinandWayneforgivingmethegoaheadtodothisproject,thewritersandartistswhodonatedtheircontributionstothisendeavorseekingnoreward,andfinallytoyou,theonethatboughtthisfirstPDFfilefromPalladiumandmadeitallworthwhile. Letmetellyou,thisRifter® 0 shall not disappoint. Containedwithinthisdigitaleditionismaterialthatcan come in handy for players and GMs alike. All theworkinthisprojectwasvolunteeredwithoutanypromiseofanyrewardexceptafinishedcopyofthisfile.Don’tletthatfoolyou,therearesometrulyamazingentrieshere,includingsomefromestablishedfree-lancers. Thisprojectstartedwhenthecrisisoftreacherywasoriginally announced. Many members of the Forums of the Megaverse® spent several days spit-balling ideasforhowwethefanscouldpossiblyhelpoutPalladium.IwasnottheonethatsuggestedfanmadePDFcontent,andsadlyIcan’trecallwhoitactuallywas.However,astheweekswentby,itbecameclearthatwhilepeoplecameupwithideas,fewwereableorwillingtoact. However,theseedswereplantedandmanyofusdidgetinvolved.Iwaslearningtheinsandoutsofdesktop publishing from my journalism program and decidedtotossmyhatintothering.Imessaged,e-mailedandchattedwithKevinandWayneandgotthegoaheadtodotheproject.OnceIhadthat,itwasa simple announcement to the people on the message boardsandtheentries,orpromisesofentriescameinoverthefollowingtwomonths. Thatwastwoyearsago.Iapologizeforthedelay,buttherewerejustsomethingsthatcouldn’tbehelped.Ihadsevenartiststhatsignedupforthisproject.Ifyounoticedbythecreditspagethatthereareonlytwointhebook.Thisisbecausewhilemanysignedup,theydidn’tactuallyfollowthrough,thoughtherewasonethattriedbutthematerialjustwasn’tusableinthisarticle.Life(aswellasotherfourletterwords)happensandIreallydon’tholditagainstthepeoplewhocouldn’tfollowthrough. IthinkaspecialthanksshouldbemadetoAdamKass,whowasaworkhorseforme.He’stheguythathasofferedallthewonderfulcolordigitalartfoundin this online edition of The Rifter®0.HecontinuedtofillineveryrequestIhadforarttokeepthisfrom

becomingonegiantblockoftextandIcouldn’tthankhim enough. The use of color digital art really hits hometheideathatthisisthefirstdigitaleditionofTheRifter® series. Aftertheartistdelaytherewasthedelaytimeinmegettingthesubmissionforms,delayinPalladiumBooks®gettingthem,andthendealingwiththeofficialcontracts.Themailserviceonlyworkssofastafterall. Thesearenotcomplaintsorexcuses,butanexplanationthatthiswasaninvolvedeffortbyeveryone involved and not a slapped together book to bethrowntothemasses.Alotofwork,creativity,andspirit(butthankfully,nobloodortearsthatI’mawareof)hasbeenputintothisbookandItrulyhopethatyou enjoy reading it as much as the rest of us enjoyed being a part of it. Oh,forthoseouttherethatarecuriousaboutthiskind of thing Rifter®0wasputtogetherusingAdobeInDesignCS2©.

Gateway to the Megaverse® Iknow,Iknow.I’mashamelessselfpromoter.Butthetruthis,ifyoureadtheofficialRifter®you’dknowthatthisiswhereannouncementsaremadeandsincethisistheonlythingIcanactuallyannounceImightaswell. I’mthehostofatalk-castcalledGatewaytotheMegaverse®.It’safanproductiontoletfansbetterknowandunderstandPalladium,it’sstaff,it’sfree-lancersaswellasallowthefanstomakeanopenconnectionwiththemthatisusuallyonlyavailableatconventions. Iencourageeveryonetoparticipate.ShowshappenMonday at 6:00 p.m. Palladium Books® Standard Time(that’sEasternStandardTimebytheway).Fanscanparticipateinthechatroom,callin,orusethenewshoephonefeaturetotalkwithmeandmyguestsusing any computer headset. All the information you need can be found at:

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=50867&cmd=tc

From the Keyboard of Matthew Daye

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Culture and TraditionBy Nate Bingham Culturehassomanydifferentdefinitionsthatit’shardtodeterminewhatactuallymakesaculture;isitreligion,theclothes,thefamilyvalues?Inarole-playing game it appears as an element that encompassesallofit,buttomakethingssimpleIamgoingtofocusonhowtomakeagameuniqueandmemorable.Ihavediscoveredthroughexperiencethat it takes a little spice to make a great meal and that’swhatittakestomakememorablerole-playinggames.Thetrickistoemphasizeonesingleelementthat stands out that separates one group of people from another. IwantedtocreateatablethatsuitedtheneedsofallPalladiumfansandwastrulyMegaversal.MydilemmawasonlythattherewassuchdiversitythatperhapsIshouldcreateitonlyforPhaseWorldandRiftswhichisacultureepicenter.Thefollowingtablehasbeencreatedtoenhanceyourexperience.Pleasenote that this is optional. Also note that this article doesnotincludethepowerofreligiousdifferencesandtraditionsandthatIleaveittoanyandallG.M.stoenhancethosetraditionsaswellwiththefollowingtable.

01–07CrestsandFlags08–14Tattoos15–21Hairfashion22–28BodyPiercing29–35Clothes(style,patternandcolor)36–42MedalsandBadges43–49ScarsandBodymarkings50–56Excision57–63Plasticsurgery64–70Implants71–77TitlesorGestures78–84Gestures85–95Combination(rolltwice)96–00Combination(rollthrice)

TogiveabetterexperiencefortheG.M.tounderstandwhattheyareabouttoembark,Iamgoingto go through a brief description of each category to startthejuicesflowing.

Iwanttotellyouthatthesevariousformsofstanding out may represent a number of things and to thatnationorworldthisispartoftheirgovernment,religion,ortraditionandishardtobreakaway,especiallywhenattemptingtogobackhome.Traditionsarewhatmakeanationuniqueandoriginal.Thatarewhatsetsusapartfromothers.Everythingfromwhatwedo,towhatwewear,towhatwedonotdo.Thefollowingtableisforyourconvenienceastowhatpurposethetraditionisfollowed.Chooseorroll1D6todeterminethereasonfortheirpersonal/culturaldistinction.

1. Religion2. Race3. Position4. Tribe/Family/House/Clan/Nation/Sect5. Marriage6. Job/Career

Crests and Flags From countries and kings to clans and tribes (andinPhaseWorld,evenworlds),peoplehavedistinguished themselves though the use of a symbol thatreflectedwheretheywerefromandwhattheyrepresented. These symbols sometime become the epitomeofourstandpointandareeasilyrecognized(haveyourplayersrolltheirGalacticLoreorlorethatismostappropriate). Forthelargergovernmentsandkingdoms(suchasalargesectintheUnitedWorldsofWarlocks),thecharacterwillhavea+15%to+20%torecognizethecrest,foramediumkingdomorsectgivethebonusof+10%,andfinallyforaculturethathassmallorlittleinfluence,a+5%ornothingatall.Ifthereisagreatbonusthenitshouldshowinthecontrolthattheyhavein their little piece of space/earth. Some crests are a combination of family crests and soitbecomeshardtorecognizerightoff,especiallyiftherearealotoffamilies,clans,ortribes.Inthiscasewhereitshardertorecognizeapeopleorculturethereisusuallyapenaltyanywherefrom-5%to-20%totheirroll;thegreaterthepenalty,thesmallertheinfluencethattheyhave.

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Tattoos Tattoos appear in the Megaverse in so many differentforms.Someculturespainttheirskinwithdyes because needles cannot piece their skin and create the desired effect. Other cultures manipulate the hard to pierce skin though magic and magic inks. Yet others still go around it by manipulating the aura of that person to create a decoration that is invisible to theeyebutclearlyabletobeseenbythosewhocansee auras. The process of applying the tattoo is different from culture to culture but systematically the same. Someculturesapplyatattooasabadgeofhonor(likeasailor/pirate).Someuseitasawayofidentifyingprisoners or slaves. Whilesomecultureswillseetattoosasdisgustingandrepulsive,otherswillfinditpleasant,ariteofpassage and symbols of their heritage. Thefollowingtablewillhelpyoudeterminethenature of application and the reason for its use. For those predetermined cultures this table can be ignored. Roll1D8todeterminetheapplication.

1. Paint(somethingthatistemporary)

2. Dyes(somethingalittlemorepermanent)3. Injection4. Magic5. Psionic6. Branding7. Combination(rollagain;ignoreduplicationand

numbers7and8)8. Combination(rollthreetimes;ignoreduplication

andnumbers7and8)

Thistablewilldeterminewhythecultureusestattoos.Roll1D10.

1. Decoration2. CulturalStatus3. PrisonerorSlave4. Riteofpassage5. Nametags(Hey,somecultureshavelongnames

andwitheachneweventaregivenanewone;it’sjustamaterofkeepingtrack)andwithunusualwritings(textorhieroglyphic),itcouldleadtocooldesigns(atleastbyotheraliennations).

Hair Fashion Inaculturethereisatonofdifferentwaystostyleaperson’s“hair”ifyouhaveanyatall.Whilesomeculturesbraidedtheirhair,othersleaveitlongasasymbolofpowerorofbeauty.Otherculturesarefullof savages and have no purpose or means of cutting their hair. Toenhancetheexperiencesomehairisdecoratedbydyingitinplacesorcompletely,and/ordressingitwithitemssuchasfeathers,beads,ribbonsandthelike. Thefollowingtableisfordecorationandstyleofhair.1. Dyed2. Braided/Dreadlock(hairisbraidedintoaponytail,

pigtails(twoonthesideofthehead)orintoabunch of little braids across the scalp.

3. Cutveryshort4. Shavedcompletely5. Mohawk(allthehairiscut/shavedawaytoleave

onlyastripacrossthetopofthehead).6. Halfshaved7. Baldsaveapatchorpatchesofhairaresaved.8. Afro9. Flattop

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10.Spike(hairismadestiffandplacedinspikedbundlesonthehead).

11.Cinnamonbuns(hairisbraidedandrolledtorestonthesidesofthehead).

12.Cornrows(bundlesofhairontheheadputinapattern).

13.Beehive(allthehairisplace.Ontheheadinastackedformat.)

14.Curled15.Feathered(hairiscurledtopointawayfromthe

headandface).16.Mushroom17.BowlCut(allthehairiscutunderthe“ears”and

leftbaldorshaved).18.Logo(textisshavedintothehair)19.Dementedcombinationoftwohairstyles20.Dementedcombinationofthreehairstyles(re-roll

ignoring19and20).

There is a need to discuss the bald or nations that cannotgrowhair(insectoids,creaturesofstoneorore,andreptiloidscrestationiodetc.).Thesenationsfindalternatemeansofdecoratinganddistinguishingthemselves.Sometieribbonsontheirearsorantennae,pulling it back or at least decorating it in some form or fashion. Some people distinguish themselves by their gender,allowingonegendertodecoratetheirbaldnessandtheothertonot(70%arefemale).

Body PiercingPiercingone’sbodyisabitofacontroversy.Some

culturesthinkthatit’sbarbaricandrepulsivewhereothers say that it is a sign of enhanced beauty and charm.Thoseculturesthatfindituglywilluseitfortagging(likecattle)tokeeptrackofslaves,prisonersandindenturedservants(servantsthatowealargedebt).Otherculturesthatfinditbeautifulwilluseittoadorn their bodies. Some cultures count the number ofbodypiercingstoseehowimportanttheyare.Inallandall,someculturesfindthatdecoratingthemselvesisimportantandappealing(Roll1D10todetermineplace).

1. Ears2. Mouth3. Nose4. Loosepiecesofskin(webbing)5. Navel

6. Eyebrow7. Nailsand/orTeeth8. Multiplepiercing(re-rolltodetermineplaceonthe

body;ignore8,9,and10).9. Multipleplaces;rolltwice10.Multipleplaces;rollthrice

Clothing IntheMegaversestyleiseverything;fromthefashiontheLeyLineWalker,totheBorg,tothepeasant.Allwanttolookgoodbutwhenitcomestocultures,thereisabitofuniformtoit.Color,texture,fabrics,patternsallmeansomething,whetherit’sstatusorposition,raceornation,onewayoranotherit has symbolism. Torn clothes may signify that they have been abandoned by their nation or removed from their position. Stitched clothes may mean that their position has been restored and they are on probation or their nation has accepted them back in the fold and they have regained all their rights again. These kinds of changes may also hint that the person has changed placesorstatus,movedormarriedintoanewtraditionor family. Allthesemayshowintheformofacrestorsymbol and later represented by their colors. They maywearashawlortasselofthatcolororacoloredstoneofsorts.Insomenations,wearingacolormightbetaboobecauseitbelongstoacertaincluborgroup,clanornationorevenapositionofpower.Somenationsmayhaveapunishmentforwearingapatternortexturebecausebywearingit,theymockthosethatholditsacredorinreserve.Roll1D4todetermine

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whatisimportantaboutclothing.1. Texture(Roll1D4)

1. Leather/Fur/Armor(clothproducedbythedeathofacreature).

2. Silk(clothproducedbyaninsect)3. Wool(clothproducedbyananimal)4. Cotton(clothproducedbyaplant)

2. Pattern(Roll1D10)1. Stripes2. Spots3. Checkers4. Plaid5. Zigzag

3. Style(thisdenoteswhereitisplacedonthebody)(Roll1D10)1 Shoulder2 Hip3 Head4 Neck5 Hands6 Feet7 Legs8 Chest/Stomach9 Back10 Face(intheformofamask/transparency)

4. Color(Roll1D12)1. Blue2. Red3. Yellow4. Tan5. Purple6. Brown7. Gold8. Silver9. Pink10.Orange11.Green12.Black/White

Medals, Trophies, Ribbons and Badges (rewards) Among the more popular governments is a system thatshowsappreciation.Thesegovernmentsrewardwithproperty,wealthandgoods,butmoreimportantlyistheoutwardrewardsthatcanbeseenbyotherswhentheywalkdownthestreet.Thesepeoplehavefancy hats or apparel but more than that they have a smallsymbolofwealthandpowertoshowexactlywheretheystand.Thesesymbolsarenotusuallygiven

asapunishment(theywouldtakeitoffifitwere). The more classes and ranks that there are in the governmentthemoreawardsthereareavailable.Insome cases even the class or rank has a badge or pin. Militant governments are the biggest benefactors of thistypeofsystembecausetheyareabletoshow(outwardly)therewardsandbenefitsandtheshinytrinketsthatcomewithit.BecausethereisawidevarietyofreasonsforrewardingpeopleIamnotgoingtoputatableforageneralmeansofreward. Onsomeworlds,famouspeopleorthegeneralpublicusejewelryandtrinketstoshowtheirpositioninsociety.Eitherit’sinthedesignortheshapeorsize;somethingdefineswhotheyareandwhytheywearthejewels.Generallythereisatrinketorjewelthatdepicts their origin or heritage that they have. Another pointwouldbewheretheobjectoftheirdefinitionisplacedontheirbody.Perhapstheyhavetodealwiththepossibilityofnothavingoneandwhathappenstothosethatdonothavetheirsymbolofpower,positionorprestige.TheG.M.willwanttoknowifitwillaffectforeignersandifso,how.Generally,thereisatitlewiththereward.

ScarsSomepeoplehaveasickwayofshowing

appreciation but to some this is a common and welcomeoccurrence.Scarsareappreciatedandusedtodenotepower,honorandvalor.Theymayreceivetheminwar,aspartofaritualortrialandthemorethemerrier.Onthealternative,scarringmaybeusedto make people unattractive or to punish them. These peoplewillbeshunnedbysocietyoroutcast.1. Decorationorreward2. Counting(victims,victories,almostanything)3. Punishment4. Brandingofslavesorprisoners

ExcisionThisistheprocessofremovingexcessskinfor

decorationpurposes.Examplesofthiswouldbetrimmingbackadorsalfinortrimmingbonetissueto appear less threatening. All sorts of trimming and filingmayoccurtoappearmorecivilorintimidating.Roll1D4todeterminewhytheexcisionisoccurring.1. Thecharacterswanttoappearmoreintimidating2. Thecharacterswanttoappearfriendlier3. It’ssociallyacceptable

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4. It’staboonottoPlastic Surgery

Peoplearenotsatisfiedwiththeirappearancesothey alter their faces and/or bodies to look like the socialnorm.Eithertheirbodiesarealteredtolooklargerthennormalorsmallerthannormal.Humansarepopularwithdoingthisjusttolookliketheperfectspecimen.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,hairimplants,finimplants,hairextensions,mildnipandtucks,boneorcartilageprosthesistoeitherappearlongerorshorterortoputitthereinthefirstplacewhenamutantdoesnotdevelopitduringtheirgestation.Forthemostpart,however,thesocietyonawholeintheirefforttofindperfectionwillhavethisareaalteredtofitwhatissociallyacceptable.Roll1D12todeterminewherethesurgeryoccurs.1. Head/Scalp2. Neck3. Face4. Shoulders5. Arms6. Hands7. Fingers8. Chest9. Abdomen10.Loins/Hips11.Legs12.Feet/Toes

ImplantsThe people have a desperate need to improve

beyond just plastic surgery to make themselves more versatile and useful or to restore lost body parts because it is either socially acceptable to look normal andtabootolookotherwiseorthatthisisaninthingandonlythepopularandwealthydoit.Thelastalternative is to keep track of the villains of the solar communitybyreplacinglimbsandtaggingthemwithobviouslyalteredlimbs;roll1D4todeterminewhatthe popular implant/prosthesis is.1. Bionic2. Cybernetic3. Synthetic(complexplastics)4. Bio-systems(grown,artificial)

Titles Everyonehasatitleandthosethatdonotarenoteasilyrespected.Theyusetitlestoshowtheirtalent,

strength,leadershipetc.;thelongerthetitlethemoretherespect.LongtitleswouldbelikeHeadLordMasterX,KeeperoftheFaith,RegentofX,WeilderoftheXandSaviorofX.Wordsthatwouldbeusedare descriptive nouns and adjectives that describe their exploits,weapons,trinkets,jewelsandadventures.Alittle bit of their family origin or history may also be included such as the name of their family and position in their family. Another thing about these types of people is that theywillwanttoknowabouttheforeigner’sposition;thesmallerthetitle,thelessrespectthattheywillreceive unless they have a famous name that has its ownreputation. Thebestwaythatyouwillbeabletotelltheirpositionisthoughasuffixorprefixthatisattachedtotheirname.Thiscanbeusedtoshowtheirnumberandsomeculturesuseanumberwhileotherculturesusealetter or sound. Roll1D12todeterminetheirpositionintheirhouseorfamily.1. Firstborn2. Secondborn3. Thirdborn4. Fourthborn5. Fifthborn6. Sixthborn7. Seventhborn8. Lastof8+1D4children9. Twinamong2+1D6children10.Tripletamong4+1D4children11.Quadrupletamong6+1D4children12.Bastard/Orphan/Ward

GesturesWhen it comes to gestures it can be something

ascomplexassignlanguagetosomethingthatisculturally small such as a touch to the face or some other body part. These touches or gestures could mean anythingfromachallenge,actofwar,oreventojusthavethemrelaxoragestureofpeace.RollonthePlasticSurgerytabletodeterminewhereonthebodyisthetouchorgesturedirectedtoward. Sothereyouhaveit,atabletoaddadditionalcolor to your campaign and make your aliens more uniqueandexciting.Enjoy!Remembertonotmakeitsoweirdthatyourcharacterscannotrelatebutjustenough that it is memorable.

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A Rifts® / Splicers® Campaign writtenbyRobertLionheart

“Let me get this straight,” said the dragon. “We are trapped on a planet dying of leprosy. A living planet possessed by a schizophrenic goddess. And our fearless leader is a Coalition accountant. Yeah baby, I can work with this.”

Introduction OperationAlphaBeaconwasaCoalitionconvoytransferring3000DogBoysfromLoneStartoastaging area near Tolkeen during the last days of the siege.TheconvoywasambushedinavalleynorthofChillicothebyaninsurgentcadreofvolunteers,renegadesandmisfitscalledtheTolkeenIrregulars.AwarblingRiftopenedduringtheirbattle,sendingtheentirevalleyacrossthreegalaxiestoaverystrangemoon.Thatiswhereourstorystarts!ThecampaignbeginsastheIrregularsaresparedexecutionandimprisonedinanabandonedXiticixhivenetworkthatisnowthebasecampforAlphaBeacon.Ihavedetailedover30eventsthatmayoccurinthefirstsevenyearsasspringboardsforyourownadventures.

SEVEN YEARS ON CEREBUS The Books You Need The Seven Years on Cerebus campaign is designed so players and Game Masters only need the core books for Rifts and Splicers to play the entire campaign. Additional Palladium books willbereferencedtoaddtothefun.AttheGM’sdiscretion,theplayersmayaccessresourcesfromRiftsSourcebookOne,CoalitionWarCampaign™,Federation of Magic™,LoneStarandanyCoalitionWars® book.

Player Characters TheGMisencouragedtohaveplayerscreatetwocharactersandruntwosimultaneouscampaignsthatdealwithissuesfacingtheCSAlphaBeaconandtheTolkeenIrregulars.ThisgivestheGMtheoptiontoflipbetweensidesoftheconflictandsometimeshaveamixedgroupwhenappropriate.Ihopethiscreatesmanyexcitingrole-playopportunities,actionanddrama for you and your players.

The Strange New Moon “Another story!” begged the upright canine. Dozens of yelps and barks sounded in agreement.

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The Rogue Scholar smiled, “Have you ever heard of Cerebus, the Dog Boy who guards the gates of hell?”

History CerebusisalivingworldcreatedbyevilspacemagesdeepwithintheThundercloudGalaxy.ThedarkcovenwastryingtorecreateWormwoodandmayhave used genetic material from that famous sentient planetforthisexperiment.Thecovengrewasingleorganismacrosstheentirerockysurfaceofanexistingicemoon.ItisasupernaturalS.D.C.creatureandeachcubicfoothas100HitPoints.Theorganismfedoffthemoon’sminerals,baskedinthesun’swarmthandconvertedtheiceintosurfacewateranda breathable atmosphere. The dark coven summoned theAhaugr,adocileslaveraceusefulforsacrifices,tosculptthesurfaceoftheworld.TheAhaugrareunusually artistic and they designed terrain and structuresofexquisitebeautyoverthenextcentury. Meanwhile,thecovenusedtheplanetasamassiveP.P.E.batteryforthousandsofvileandwickedspellcastings,includingincursionsintotheinfernaldimensionsofHadesandDyval.Theevilmagesburnedthroughthemoon’sP.P.E.atanalarmingrate.Itwasdecidedthatbindingasubservientgodintotheorganismwasthebestsolution for their energy needs. The coven avoided themajorpantheons,searchingtheMegaverseforanintelligencewithoutallies.Theyfoundanamazinglypowerfultechnologicalentitywhichhadrecentlygainedsentienceonahumanworld(theMachinefromSplicers).Thepowermadwarlocksrippedawaytheentity’sastralsoulandboundthespiritintothelivingmoon. Then their insane plan completely unraveled before their eyes! The binding of the immortal being caused the breathingworldtoconvulsewithuntoldmagicalpower.LeylinesandRiftsexplodedacrossthesurface.Thiswasatechnologicalintelligencecreatedbysciencenotsorcery.Thenewbornbeinginstantlyhadtodealwithitsownsentience,itssuddenbondingto a living creature and the reality of magic and supernaturalissuesthatcompletelywipeditsoriginalprogramming.Theentity’smindwentinsane,splittingintosevenwarringgoddesspersonalities,noneabletoacceptorgraspwhathadoccurred.Thebirthrageflungtheleylinesacrossthemoonandintospace,causingadangerouschainofsolarflares.

Rifts originating from Cerebus have an interesting characteristicbestdescribedaswarbling.TheseRiftsdonotjustcreateportals,butinsteadrollacrossanareaandabsorbeverythinginawideradius.Onthesurfaceandinorbit,Riftstoinfernalrealmsgavevengeful demons the opportunity to slaughter the dark covens. Dyvals dragged screaming mages into hell dimensions for payback after generations of torturous summonings.Warlocksinorbitingspacecraftfledthegalaxy,deeplyfearingthewrathoftheircreation.Therushofmagicquicklyrecededaftertheinitialeruption,strandingsomedemonsandtrappingmanyinsidetheleylinesofthemoon.Howsuchpowerfulimprisoningmagicwascastisunknown.Thiseventtookplace37yearsago. Thegoddessesquicklygainedtheirownpowerfulindividualconsciousness,buteachpersonalitywasriddledwithdisorders.SothustheimmortalEve,Freya,Gaia,Hecate,Ishtar,KaliandLilithwereborn onto Cerebus. They are nearly identical to the Machine personalities as presented in Splicers. The surviving Ahaugr retreated into beautiful palacesbuiltfortheirdreadwarlockmastersandheldagainst the remaining demons. Some Ahaugr cried forhelpandthegoddesseslistened,utterlyentrancedbytheconceptofdevotedworshippers.Thusbeganthe unfortunate symbiosis of the Ahaugr and the variousimmortalpersonas.ThisquicklyledtothedevelopmentofWarMounts,HostArmorandotherbio-technological marvels as the artistry of the Ahaugr combinedwiththegoddesses’supernaturalmasteryofthebio-energygenepoolsscatteredacrosstheworld.Theimmortalsguardthesepoolswithterriblejealousy.These sacred places are used to create the bio-monster avatarswhichmanifesttheirwillupontheworld.Intheend,theAhaugrneverbecamegoodworshippers.Most feel betrayed because the goddesses altered the Ahaugr genetic pattern to serve in their never-ending crusadesbetweenthesplitpersonalities. Oneofthegoddessescreatedaflesheatingbacteria,ablendbetweenleprosyandEbola,sometimeduringtheirraceforgreaterbio-weaponry.Itisunknownifthisdevelopmentwasaccidentalorpurposeful. All the personas blame their sisters and escalatedtheirwarsagainsteachother.Meanwhile,thebacteriumspreads,infectinghundredsofsquaremilesoftheworldwithdiseasedfoulness.Cerebusisrotting and dying.

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Planetary Data

Cerebus is a large moon orbiting a stormy green gasgiantlocatedinthehabitablezoneofayellowmainsequencestar.Themoon’sgravityishalfthatofEarth.ThegasgianthastwodozenmoreplanetoidsandCerebusrestsinthefarouterorbit.Therearesixotherplanetsoutsidethehabitablezone.Therearenoother settlements in the system. A day on the moon lastsonly12hoursandoneyearpassesinonly32weeks(about8weeksperseason). TheequatorialareaofCerebusispronetoD-shifting.Wideswathsofland(D20squaremiles)appear as infernal dimensions or other strange areas forD6hours.Weatherinhealthyareasisdry,exceptforseasonalsnowatthepolesandrainstormsalongtheequator.Volatilethundercloudsfollowtheleylines and Rift activity results in local climate changes. Solarflaresoftenresultinunstablepressurezones,causingwindstormsandtornados. Cerebusdoesnothaveoceans,buttheAhaugrcraftedmanyponds,lakesandstreams.Mostareshallowandnearsettlements.Therearehillsbutnomountains.Spiralingpillarsandhightowersdotthelandscape.Often,anartisticlandscapedesigncanonlybe seen properly from these heights. Some hills are pilesofrocks,leftoversfromthemanyasteroidsusedin the construction of the planet. The healthy surface oftheplanetresembleshardenedclayoradobe,roughwithhighlightsofcolorandsmoothceramic. Twocommonsurfacefeaturesarepiccolo reeds and melon trees and neither is a plant. Piccolo reeds arethemainfoodsourceformostcreatures,originallyintended to nourish the Ahaugr as they moved along designingoneterraintothenext.Thereedsgrowinhugeclustersofthin,rubberytubes,2to4feet(0.6-1.2m)high,formedfromthesameproteinastherestoftheplanetaryorganism,buteasiertochewanddigest.Ifveganburgersaresupposedtotastelikebeef,thenpiccoloreedstastelikecalamaripretendingit’scelery.MelonTreesareactuallyanorganicpumpingmechanism.The“trunk”slowlydrawsBio-Efluidtothesurfacefromthedeeptissueofthelivingorganism.Thelifejuicesspreadacrossthe“branches”anddripsintosacks.Theseinfusedsacksgrowintolarge,teardropshapedfruitwithathickrind.Themelonmeatisextremelynutritious,verysweetandholds the secret of Splicer biotechnology. The dark

covens never developed biotechnology. The evil space magesknewthesecretofusingthemelonfluidtoincreasetheirownP.P.E.andenhancetheP.P.Eoftheirsacrifices.Grovesofmelontreesarecommonlyfoundnearpalaces.TrueplantlifeonlyexistsintheRiftedterrains,algaeinthewaterwaysandwithinthepristinegardens of the Ahaugr. The diseased areas of Cerebus are starkly oppositetherestoftheworld.TheGMisencouragedto present the curiously sculpted alien beauty of the livingmoonandcontrastthiswiththenightmareepidemicthatiseatingtheworld.Tractsoflandintheearlystageofthediseasearediscolored,soggyandmaysweatnoxiouspus.Later,theseexpansesbegintorot.Massivepressuresoresformwheretheplanetaryskinpeeledaway,revealingbloodyinfectedstriations.Thestenchfromthesewoundscarriesduringwindydays,drawingdemonicscavengers.Thefinalstageofthesicknesswithersawaytheconnectivetissues,leavinggrowingpondsofputrid,stinkingfilth.Thesepondsactasbreedinggroundsfor the disease. Theafflictionispropagatedbyaphenomenoncalled Meat Tornadoes.Thevolatilesolarflareactivity causes atmospheric temperature and pressuredisturbances.Thesideeffectistheswirlingwindstormsthatplaguethemoon.Atornadothatcutsthroughaninfectedwoundpondwilltravelformiles,spreadingtheplagueandflingingthecontagionintothehighatmosphere.Thepestilencerainsdownhundredsofmilesawayinabloodysplatterofchunkypus,leadingtonewinfection.Sofar,theGoddesseshavelittleunderstandingofthesickness.13%ofthesurfaceareahasbeeninfected,primarilynorthoftheequator.Worse,Kaliactivelyspreadsthediseaseanddisrupts any attempt to discover a cure.

Seasons on Cerebus Cerebushassignificantseasonalchanges,especiallyinregardstoweather,temperatureandsunlight.EachseasonlastsD4+5weeks.Springiswarmandbright,summeristhetimeofwindstormsandfallhaslong,drearyshadows.Winterisspentbehind the gas giant and there is barely any sunlight orheatreflected,droppingtheclimatetosub-zerotemperatures.

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Places of Adventure

There are many destinations for adventure across Cerebus.TheGMisencouragedtodesigntheirownworldmapsandallowtheplayerstoslowlylearnaboutthemoonthroughexplorationbytheirheroes.

Gene Pools Thereareonly17genepoolsleftonCerebusandonewillbelosteachyearasthediseaseravagestheworld.WhilemelontreesleechsmallamountsofBio-EfromthelowerlayersofCerebus,theraregene pools are directly connected to the vital life nodesofthelivingworldorganism.Everygoddessconsidersanewgenepooltheultimateprizebecausethey increase the rate of development for her War MountsandSplicertechnologyforherwarriors.Gene pool productivity is enhanced by the creation of anEngineer.OnCerebus,anEngineerisanAhaugrwhohasbeensacrificedintoagenepool.Theyarebondedtoboththepoolandagoddess.TheEngineercandrawuponthenearlyunlimitedP.P.Eofthelivingmoon to fuel his Sculpt Bio-Mass spells and he can organizeteamsofAhaugrArtisansforthecreationofWarMounts.Inmechanicalterms,assumethatthepresenceofaEngineercaneffectivelydoubletheproductivityofupto100Artisans.IfanEngineerisslain,thegenepoolcanbeclaimedbyanothergoddess. Most goddesses have a gene pool at their Great HouseandanotherhiddenelsewhereguardedbyWarMountsandhermosttrustworthyAhaugr.LifeforCSAlphaBeaconwillbeevenmoredangerouswhenanygoddesslearnsthattwogenepoolsarehiddenwithintheXiticixHive.EveandLilithsuspectthegenepoolsexist.OnceeitherunderstandsthedivisionbetweentheCoalitionandtheIrregulars,theywillleadeachsideinasearchforagenepool.Evewillbeinterestedinseeinghowsciencevs.magicresultsinnewbiotechnology.Lilithwilljustenjoyarmingbothsidesandthrowingthemintothefray.

GreatHouses

TherearesixGreatHousesoftheAhaugracrossCerebusandallbeganasamightypalace.Eachis

devoted to a particular Goddess and the architecture reflectsthereigningpersona.Allhavetheirowngenepool.Unliketheprivatepalacesofthevilemages,theGreatHouseswerebuilttohousethousandsofAhaugr.Theyarefortresstownsbuilttowithstandnever-endingwarfare.Still,eachisanamazingworkofbio-technical art and stunning design. An average Great HouseofAhaugrwillhaveD100x10ArtisansandD20x10BerserkersandD6-3Engineers(minimum1)plusanadditionalD100WarMountsbeyondthecommonridinganimals.AnotherD100BerserkersalliedtotheHousegoddessmaybewanderingthemoonatanytime,mostlyalonebutsometimesinlarger forces for missions. ThequalityoflifeinaGreatHousedependsonthe patron goddess. The Ahaugr consider themselves slavesmorethanworshipers.Ingeneral,theArtisansare independent and rarely obey unless their home is threatened.ItistheunhappyBerserkerswhokowtowtotheinsaneimmortals.Eventheyhavenothingbuthateforthegoddesses.Sadly,thetwistedinsanitiesof each particular goddess become ingrained in her Ahaugr,bothyoungandold.ThereareonlysixbecausetheGreatHouseofEvewasdestroyedbythe combined effort of several sisters. The result of their cooperation further incensed their paranoia as everyoneissuretheyarethenexttargetofamassassault.WithoutaGreatHouse,EveinsteadtriestoinfiltratethesixotherstothwarthersistersandallyanAhaugr resistance.

NecropolisConfiguration

Atoweringgreenstructureshapedasawrithing,coiledsnakesitstwomileseastoftheWitchingSprawl.Theserpentedificeiswrappedarounditselfand no head is obvious. The entire structure takes up mostofasquaremileandsomecoilsriseupover30feethigh.Theouterwallispurejadewithriversofmoltensilvercoursingthroughthestonework.Thereisnoentranceanywhereonthesurface.Thewallsareverythick(100M.D.C.)andregenerate1D6x10M.D.C.permelee.Everyinchpulseswithderangedevil. Thenefariousandignoblewizardsofthedark coven conducted many dangerously failed experiments.TheNecropolisConfigurationwassummonedasaprisonforwhateverwentwrongthat

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couldnotbeeasilydestroyed.SometimesawalkingatrocitywaskeptintheNecropolisforlateruse.Aninfernal chant causes the serpent superstructure to uncoil,revealingthemassiveheadwhichwouldsnatchandswallowwhateveritwastoldtodevour.Onceinside,themistakewouldneverescapetobotheritscreator.Anymortalmonsterstrappedwithinwouldbelongdead,butghostsandvampiricentitiesremainintorment.TheNecropolisConfigurationcouldbeacampaigndestroyer,sobecarefulwhatyouplaceinsidethisplacebecausetheywillgetout.Eve,GaiaandHecatewantitdestroyed.Freyatreatstheentireareaasaholyshrine.KaliandLilithwouldlovetoopentheNecropolis.NoAhaugrwillgonearthe place.

NexusandLeyLines Both the southern and northern poles of the planet arenexuspointsandleylineactivityisalsoactiveattheequator.TheGMisencouragedtocreateacalendarfortheplanettotracktheequinoxesandotherP.P.E.flux.IftheGMwantstoopenaRifttoEarth,heisencouragedtomaketheearthlocationseemasalienasanotherworldandtrynottogivetheplayercharacters’sanyideatheyarebackhome.Suchrevelationshouldbetheresultoftheirownactions.ARiftdeepwithinMadhaven,theDinosaurSwampsortheVampireKingdomswouldallbeexcellentchoices. AbizarrephenomenonpossiblyuniquetoCerebusisthedemonstrappedwithintheleylines.IftheleylineistappedforP.P.E,thereisachanceoneofthecreatureswillescapetheirenergyprison.RollD100undertheamountofP.P.E.tappedfromaley line to determine if something breaks free. Blue ZoneDemonsfromChaosEarthormonstersfromtheHadesorDyvaldimensionbookswouldbegreatchoices for trapped demons.

Palaces AlmosteveryMystic,ShifterandTechno-Wizardinthedarkcovenwasanarrogant,self-aggrandizingegomaniacwithaninferioritycomplex.TheenslavedAhaugr did not build simple homes for these villains. Theybuiltpalacesofuntoldgrandeur.Everypalaceisuniqueandrepresentstheambitions,thefearsandtheinsanitiesoftheirowners. The organic palaces usually rise several stories outofthesurface,sprawlforhundredsoffeetand

oftenhaveprivatelakesandgardenswithinhighwalls.FreyadefendsthesanctityoftheseplaceswithherWarMountsandBerserkersofherGreatHouse.Thisleadstobloodyconflictwhenthepalacelieswithintheperceived territory of another goddess. PalaceswillcontainsomemagicalloreandTWitems and mundane technological goods. Any oddity from Phase World could be gaining dust in some palace.Afewmayholdmonstroussurprises.Manypalacesareadornedwithskullmotifs,sometimesidentical to the Coalition death head. Surely this is a coincidence!

Rifted Terrains ThewarblingRiftsfromCerebushavebroughtsome strange terrains to the moon. These terrains havearadiusof1D1000x1D1000feetandusuallynomorethan1D100feetindepth/heightworthofmaterialisbroughtalong.ThisfeatureallowstheGM to put interesting and maybe surprising resources infrontoftheplayers.Examplesincludebigpilesofdirt,achunkofalienforest,tenmilliongallonsofwater,andthebasementofaSplugorthwarehouse.The Ahaugr Artisans have great interest in Rifted terrains. They provide unusual resources and artistic inspiration.Mostgoddessesviewtheterrainsasanuisance,exceptLilith.Sheunderstandstheconceptsoftrade,greedandbriberybetterthanhersisters.HerGreatHousesearchestheworldfornewandinteresting arrivals.

Thunder Bug Storms Cerebusispronetowild,tumultuouslightningstorms. A colony of Bugs from Systems Failure survivesbyfollowingandridingthesethunderstorms.ThereisonlyoneLightningBug(Tier3)onCerebusandnomorethan800TierOneBugsand200TierTwoBugsbrokenintocoloniesof40-200creatures.IfyoudonothaveSystems Failure,anyarmyofgiantflyinginsectmonsterswillsuffice,suchastheparasitesfromWormwood.AnotheroptionistousetheArchangelO.C.C.andtheZephyrwarmountasyour bug template. A bug storm should head for the Alpha Beacon base at least once during your campaign!

TheWitchingSprawl InSplicers,Freyaismurderouslyobsessedwith

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GhostTowns.OnCerebus,hertownistheWitchingSprawl.Herbio-abominationsguardthecitywithunheraldedferocity.ThiswasthefirstcommunitycreatedbythedarkcovensonCerebus.Thereare69uniquebuildingsinatwomileradius.TheWitchingSprawlwastheprimaryoutpostwhiletheAhaugrmovedoutacrosstheprimordialplainsoftheworldorganism.Itwasthecenteroftheirunholysocietyandthesiteofconstantpowerstruggles.Mostmagesbuilttheirpersonalpalacesfarawayfromthecutthroatcompetitionasnewregionsoftheworldwerecompleted. TheWitchingSprawlisatreasuretroveofmagicalknowledgeandTWdevicestentimesmorethananypalace.ItisaCoalitionofficer’sworstnightmareandabountyforanyuserofmagic.InthecenterofthesprawlisaTWStarport.Thereareseveral short-range teleporters to move cargo from orbiting vessels and a landing circle for TW aircraft. Ifanyspacecraftarestillinorbit,theyareprobablyairlessmausoleumsstillstalkedbyfiends.ATechno-Wizardmaybeabletoreprogramtheseteleporterstotargetanyplaceontheplanet.ItisdoubtfulthatanydarkwizardssurviveintheWitchingSprawl,buthideousthingshideintheshadows.Afewoftheeldritchcabal’smonstrousslavesstillendure.Theseremainders understand they are safe inside buildings andknowhowtoavoidFreya’spatrols.NightbanewouldmakeuniquemenacesandinterestingNPCstomeetwithinthecity.HorrorsfromRiftsMadhaven,suchasCaterpillarMenandToothbackWallcrawlers,wouldalsobeathomeintheWitchingSprawl.

XiticixHiveNetwork The most important location at the start of the campaignisthevastabandonedXiticixhivenetwork.The insectoids chose this solitary location south of theequatorbecauseitwasfarfromanydiseasedareaorotherplaceofinterest.TheXiticixswarmleftinamassmigrationjustafewdaysago.Theirqueengrewtiredofthegoddesses’infightingandrefusedtoallywithEveaswell. Thehivenetworkconsistsofonehundredmushroomtowersconnectedbyhollowbridgesspreadacrosstwomiles.Eachtowerstandsbetweenfourtoeightstoriestall.Theentrancestothetowersare located near the top of the structure. The entire cityisformedfromsolidifiedresinssecretedbythe

XiticixandrepresentsoneoftheveryfewstructuresonCerebusthatwasnotbuiltbytheAhaugr.Mosttowerscanwithstand100M.D.C.beforecollapsing.Rifts World Book 23: Xiticix Invasion has maps of a hive and more background on the species. There are plenty of surprises still left inside the empty hive. The queenwasfascinatedbytorturingdemonsandshehadmanyencasedinastasisjelly.UnbeknownsttotheGoddesses,theXiticixwereabletocreatetheirowngene-pools using the nearby melon trees. The strange insectracewasexperimentingwiththegene-pools,andtheincompleteresultsmaystillstalksometowers.AgreatmonsterwouldbeaverystrangeHostArmorwithoutapilot.

CONVERTING SPLICERS The Seven Years on Cerebus campaign represents mythoughtsonhowtobringtheabsolutecoolnessofCarmenBellaire’sterrificSplicersRPGintotheawesomeworldofRifts.MymaingoalwasforGMstogetmaximumusageoutoftheirgamebookswithminimumconversions.However,someconceptshavebeenalteredtofitourcampaign.Mostimportantly,thenano-plaguedoesnotexistonCerebus.

THEMACHINE The Machine from Splicers has been transformed intoanimmortalbeingboundwithinthemoonCerebus.ThisentityhasnomemoryofitsexistenceontheSplicersworldandithasnoskillswhatsoeverinvolvinghightechnology.Instead,ithastheabilitiesofaLibrariantocreatebiotechnology.Itnowbelievesthatitisnotone,butsevenseparateimmortalgoddesses. The Machine does not have any robots on Cerebus.Instead,thegoddessescreateWarMountsandinterfaceswiththeminthesamewayasrobotsareusedinSplicers.Also,thegoddesseseachhaveaGreatHouseofAhaugrtodotheirbidding.

EVE,theCaregiver Eveisstillthemostsaneandsupportiveofthe personalities. She is very concerned about the spreadingdiseaseandthefateoftheAhaugr.Eve’sownGreatHousewasdestroyedandhersurvivingAhaugr have scattered. Some became spies for her withinotherGreatHouses,butmostarejustonemistakefromapainfuldeath.EvetriedtoallywiththeXiticix,buttheinsectqueenchosetofleethemoon

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instead.EvewillbefascinatedwiththenewarrivalsfromRiftsEarthandseekthemasalliestohercause.

FREYA,MistressofOrder Freya is obsessive-compulsive about maintaining theWitchingSprawlandthePalaces.Sherefusestobelievethe“goodandnoblemages”aredeadandgone.Instead,Freyaassumestheyareinsidethevariousbuildingsgoingabouttheir“fineandhonorablestudies“andsheisdevotedtoprotectingthem.Thus,sheisfanaticalaboutmurderinganythingthatapproachestheseplaces,butshewillnotbotheranyonewhoisinside these structures. Freya wouldnotbeamajorproblemexceptsheconsiderseveryGreatHouseandanynewcreationbytheAhaugrtobe“homesofthewondrousmagi.”FreyadoesnotcareabouttheXiticixHiveoranyRiftedterrain.However,ahumancapableofmagicmaybereceivedas“oneofthechosen.”

GAIA,MotherNature Gaia is the sentient embodiment of the Cerebus organism. She feels the disease acutely and she is the mostactiveintryingtominimizethedamage.Gaiaisobsessedwithbreeding.Shewantstogrowandexpandherorganismtotheothermoonsofthegasgiant. The key to her reproduction are the seedlings created at her gene pools. Gaia is fanatical about controlling more gene pools to increase the speed of herfertility.JustlikeinSplicers,GaiahasnaturepreservesonCerebus.HerAhaugrhavesculptedforestsofhighlyproductivemelontreeswhichlooklikefieldsofbobbingoilrigstosiphonadditionalBio-Energyfromthemoon.Thesepreserveswouldmakegreat plunder for anyone and thus Gaia must defend them viciously.

HECATE,theCrafter Hecateonlyseekstobringperfectiontoherworld.Shefeelsthateverysquareinchofthelivingmoonwasmadeincorrectlyandneedstobefixed.Herbenchmarkforperfectionis“anycreationoverseenbyHecate.”SheistheonlygoddesstohaveamajorusefortheAhaugrArtisans.HecateconsidersRiftedterrains to be annoying litter purposefully brought to Cerebustodefacehergloriousperfection.TheXiticixHiveisonherlisttobedestroyed,butHecatehasfouryearsworthofpriorityprojectstocompleteuntilthat

task comes due.

ISHTAR,theWarrior Ishtarhasonegoal:destroyhersisters.HerfirstvictorywasagainstEveandsheisgunningforGaianext.ThewaytokillagoddessistocrushherGreatHouseandstealhergenepools.Ishtarisconvincedshe can cure the disease once she is the last goddess standing.SheknowsEveisseekingnewallies.Shehasnotdecidedwhethertolaunchapre-emptivestriketopreventthehumansfromchoosingpoorly;orwhethertomakethenewcomersintoalliesforherself.Onlyyourcampaignwillanswerthatquestion!

KALI,theBringerofDeath KaliisaninsanemurderessandshehascorruptedthespiritoftheAhaugrofherGreatHousemorethananyothergoddess.Sheisalsosuicidal,rejoicingin the disease spreading across the moon even as she suffers from the agony as part of the living organism. Caravans of Ahaugr carrying tons of the sicknesstravelaboutCerebuslikedementedJohnnyAppleseedsplantingdeathanddecay.Kaliwillbeveryinterestedtohearhowhumansscream,bleedanddie.

LILITH,theGreatDeceiver Lilithhasaplanknownonlytoherselfanditdoesnotinvolvethesurvivalofhersisters.UnlikeIshtar,shehasnointerestindirectconfrontation.EverycreatureonCerebusisapawninhergame.Lilithcanbefoundhelpingandthwartinghersisters.Shegreatly enjoys impersonating the other goddesses to sewconfusionandpoisonanyalliances.SherarelyusesheavyWarMountslikeBehemoths,preferringStriders,ZephyrsandGorehounds.LilithfavorsHostArmorsbuiltforstealth,intimidationandassassination.

Splicers Technology The human resistance in Splicers has been perfecting their bio-technology for centuries. The goddessesonCerebushaveonlybeenworkingfor37years.TheHostArmorsoftheAhaugrarelessdeveloped and their culture has not developed the specializedO.C.C.ssuchasArchangels,OutridersandDreadguards.IftheGMfeelsthattheSplicertechnologyistoopowerful,hereisanoption.Loweralldicebyonedietypeforbio-weapons,armor

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and enhancements. All MDC bonuses in regards to armorordurabilitycouldbereduced.Examples:1D10becomes1D8,1D6x10becomes1D4x10,and3D8+20becomes3D6+10instead.DragonScalearmoronCerebuswouldhavemainbodyMDCequalto2D4x10+40insteadofthenormal2D6x10+80. TheCSAlphaBeaconandtheTolkeenIrregularswilllearntodevelopsomebiotechnologyovertheyears.However,theHostArmorsandmostWarMountscanonlybecreatedbyaGoddesswithherAhaugrs.Thehumans’developmentswillbelimitedtolivingbodyarmors,portablebio-weaponsandlaterBioticsandScarecrows.Ifthehumansre-establishEve’sGreatHousewithagenepool,yourplayercharactersmaybeabletogettheirownHostArmors!Ormaybetheywillallywithanothergoddess?

THE AHAUGR The Ahaugr are a race of emotional and artistic humanoidsnotnativetoCerebus,butsummonedhereasslavestoshapetheworld.TheirculturehasbeenledastraybythegoddessesandnoweachGreatHouseis devoted to a separate sister. The young Ahaugr buildtheirweaponsandtheoldonesfighttheirwars.The Ahaugrs have mastered all the biotechnology found in the Splicers core book. A middle-aged AhaugrwillspendtimecraftinghisHostArmorforthedayhebecomesaBerserker.Thisisasad,mournfultask.Theyoungartisansarenotfightersand generally fear violence.

Appearance:TheAhaugraretall,stockyhumanoids.The head slightly protrudes over the shoulders and the long face is almost entirely part of the chest. They haveawidenoseandabroad,expressivemouth.Theyhavelargemultifacetedeyes,sixoftheminfact,locatedontheirshoulders,backandtwoontheirhead.Manyhaveverylong,pointedgracefulears,oftenmorethanafootinheight.TheAhaugr’sphysiquechangesthroughlife.AyoungAhaugrwillbethinandnimblebecomingmuchstrongerandsquatteras they age. They have no gender and they can not reproduce.

Culture: Ahaugr culture revolves around artistic creation.Ahaugrsdelightinmusic,painting,poetryand sculpture. Their devotion to art is apparent inalltheiraccomplishmentsfromclothing,food

andarchitecture.Sadly,allthisislostastheyage.Ahaugrslosetheirhearingastheyage,becomingcompletely deaf. Their remarkable vision dulls until they can only see in the infrared. Their bodies bulk out,leavingthemwithfingersthatcannolongerplayinstruments and legs incapable of dance. Their once lovely voices are choked and raspy. A middle-aged Ahaugroftensuffersfrommelancholyanddepression,stillabletotakesomejoyoutofhislife,butdeeplyfearing the inevitable that lies ahead. An old Ahaugr isapsychopathwhoisdrivenbyangerandmadnesstodestroy everything he once loved. The Ahaugr psyche doesnotallowthemtocommitsuicide,butself-abuseiscommonastheygrowolder.AhaugrsocietyinsidetheGreatHousesiscompletelydivided.TheyoungArtisanslivewithinthecenter,usuallydivorcedfromthe goings-on of the older Berserkers.

AHAUGR ARTISAN R.C.C. The young Ahaugr Artisans are terrible worshippers.Mostdisdainthegoddessesasmuchas they fear them. Many feel the goddesses have shortenedtheirlifespan,causingthemtoagequicklyand enjoy less of their artisan years. The Artisans wouldrallyaroundsomeonewhowouldshowtheAhaugrhowtolengthentheiryouth.

Alignment: Any,butmostAhaugrArtisansareUnprincipled(55%)orAnarchist(30%).FewareAberrant(10%)orotherevil(5%).Attributes: I.Q.2D6+7,M.E.2D6+1,M.A.3D6+5,P.S.2D6+3,P.P.2D6+6,P.E.2D6+10,P.B.2D6,Spd2D6+3MDC: 1D6x10M.D.plusP.E.attributenumber.Addanadditional1D6M.D.C.perlevelofexperience.P.P.E.: 2D6x10+P.E.attributenumber.TheAhaugrhavenoideatheirkindwasoriginallybredforsacrificeonanowdeadworldsomewhereinanothergalaxy.I.S.P.: M.E.attributenumber+1D6perlevelofexperience.Horror Factor: NoneSize: Height7-8feet(2.1to2.4m);Weight:300to400lbs(135-180kg).Life Span: Shouldliveto200,butthecurrentagingissuesputtheaveragelifeexpectancyat2D6+64.Average Level of Experience: 1D6+2.Playercharactersstartatleveloneortwo.

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Natural Abilities:1. Ahaugr Artisans are Mega-Damage beings. They recoverlostM.D.Catarateof1D6pointsperhour.2.Ahaugr Artisans are Minor Psychics. They may choosetwopsi-powersfromeithertheHealing,Physical or Sensitive lists. 3.Ahaugr Artisans have instinctive Magic. Their specieswasenchantedtobethesculptorsofthisworld.TheycaninnatelycastthespellsFlesh of Cerebus and Sculpt Bio-Mass.AfewAhaugrArtisanmaybefascinatedtolearnadditionalmagic,butmostfear magic to be the great evil that corrupted their masters. 4.Ahaugr Artisans can not reproduce. The Ahaugr werecreatedforsacrificesanddonothaveawaytobreedamongtheirownkind.Attacks per Melee Round: HandtoHand:BasicBonuses (in addition to attribute bonuses): +2tosavevsHorrorFactor,+4tosavevsmindcontrol,+2savevsmagic,+2tosavevspossession,and+4tosave vs poison.R.C.C. Skills: All Ahaugr Artisans are devoted to artisticandcreativedevelopmentswiththefollowingskills:

Art(+20%)Astronomy Bio-CommsCook(+5%)Dance IdentifyPlants&FruitsLanguage:Dragonese(native)Literacy(+20%)Lore-Goddess(sameasMachineLore)OperateBio-EquipmentPlayMusicalInstrument(+15%)PublicSpeaking(+5%)Sing(+10%)

Secondary Skills: SelectsixSecondarySkillsfromDomestic,Medical,ScienceorWildernessskillsetsplusoneadditionalSecondarySkillatlevels2,4,6,8,10,12and14.Theseareadditionalareasofknowledgeanddonotgettheadvantageofthebonuslisted in the parentheses. All Secondary Skills start at the base skill level. Technology & Gear: Ahaugr Artisans may be found wearingLeatherbackArmorandcarryaBorePistol

andaConcussionStafffordefenseorwhentraveling.MostwillhaveaBio-Comm,FaceWrapand1D4SlapPatcheswhenventuringfarfromtheirHouse.Theywillalmostalwayshaveamusicalinstrument,paintsorcoloredchalkwiththemaswell.TheycoulduseTWweapons,butmostAhaugrwillnottouchanythingthat once belonged to their slave masters. Allies: AhaugrArtisansaregenerallyfriendlywithothersartisans.TheyarealliedwithBerserkersfromtheirownHouse,butrarelyhaveanythingtodowiththem. Enemies: Ahaugr Artisans are hunted by Berserkers andWarMountssworntoanothergoddess.Habitat: Ahaugr Artisans live in gorgeous organic castleswithmajesticspiresanddozensoftowers.MostoftheseHousesareneareitherthesouthernornorthern magnetic pole of the planet. Money: 2D6x100intradablegoodsthatmayincludeartwork,handcraftedjewelry,musicalinstrumentsandpearls. Experience Table:UstheRiftsRogueScholar

AHAUGR BERSERKER R.C.C. AhaugrBerserkersaremiserable,unhappybeingsdoomedbymadness.TheywandertheplanetseekingouttheAhaugrandwarmountsofothergoddessesandkillingthem.Unlessinstructedotherwisebytheirowngoddess,aberserkerwillhavenocuriosityaboutnewcomerstotheworld.Ifattacked,theberserkerwillfighttothedeathwithnochanceofsurrenderorretreat.AgoddesscannottakecontrolofanAhaugr,butshecantakecontrolofhishostarmor,leavingtheAhaugrinsidetosimplywatch.VeryfewAhaugrknowanythingabouttheworldsbeyondtheirown.AhaugrBerserkersprobablyhavewanderedintorifts,but none have returned.

Alignment: Any,butmostAhaugrBerserkersareDiabolic(50%)orAnarchist(35%).VeryfewareScrupulous(10%)orothergood(5%).Attributes: I.Q.2D6+7,M.E.3D6+1,M.A.1D6+5,P.S.2D6+13,P.P.1D6+6,P.E.3D6+12,P.B.2D6,Spd2D6M.D.C.: 1D6x10+30M.D.plusP.E.attributenumber.Addanadditional1D6M.D.C.perlevelofexperience.P.P.E.: 1D6x10+P.E.attributenumber.TheAhaugrhavenoideatheirkindwasoriginallybredfor

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sacrificeonanowdeadworldsomewhereintheThundercloudGalaxy.I.S.P.: M.E.attributenumber+1D6perlevelofexperience.Horror Factor: NoneSize: Height6to7feet(1.8to2.1m);Weight:350to500lbs(158-225kg).TheAhaugrbecomestockierand more compact as they age. Life Span: Shouldliveto200,butthecurrentagingissuesputtheaveragelifeexpectancyat2D6+64.Average Level of Experience: 1D6+2.Playercharacters start at level one. Natural Abilities:1.Ahaugr Berserkers are Mega-Damage beings. They recoverlostM.D.Catarateof1D6pointsperhour.2.Ahaugr Berserkers are Minor Psychics. They may choosetwopsi-powersfromeithertheHealing,Physical or Sensitive lists. 3.Ahaugr Berserkers have no Magic. Oddly,theysufferfromPowerbyAssociationandtheyareconvinced that the elderly can not cast magic used in their youth. 4.AhaugrBerserkerssufferfromInsanity. Most suffer frommanicdepressivedisorder.Allstartwithoneinsanityatfirstlevel.Berserkersgainanadditionalinsanityatlevels4th,8thand12th.5.Ahaugr Berserkers have diminished senses. Most arecompletelydeafandnearlyblindwithlittlesenseofsmell,tasteortouch.However,theyhavesharpinfravision and can track by radiant heat plus their HostArmorhasavarietyofsensesaswell.Attacks per Melee Round: HandtoHand:BasicbutmayupgradetoHandtoHand:ExpertforoneSecondarySkillandifevil,mayupgradetoHandtoHand:Assassinfortwosecondaryskills.Bonuses (in addition to attribute bonuses): Twoadditionalattackspermelee,+1D6M.D.C.damageinmelee,+6tosavevsHorrorFactor,+2savevsmagic,and+6tosavevspoison.R.C.C. Skills: AllAhaugrBerserkerslivetoinflicttheir anger and melancholy. They have developed thefollowingskillstosurviveandmurdertheirmanyenemies:

Bio-CommsBlindFighting(+20%)HostArmorCombatLanguage: Dragonese

Lore-Goddess(+15%)Prowl(+5%)Wilderness Survival W.P. Any Melee W.P. Bio-Weapons: LightW.P.Bio-Weapons:Heavy

Secondary Skills: SelectsixSecondarySkillsfromDomestic,Medical,ScienceorWeaponProficienciesplusoneadditionalSecondarySkillatlevels4,8,and12.Theseareadditionalareasofknowledgeanddo not get the advantage of the bonus listed in the parentheses. All Secondary Skills start at the base skill level. Technology & Gear: EveryAhaugrBerserkerhasaHostArmor.Manyhaveanadditionalbio-techmeleeorrangedweapon.SomehaveapersonalWarMountorGorehound.TheycoulduseTWweapons,butAhaugrwillnottouchanythingthatoncebelongedtotheirslavemasters.AlmostallhaveaMega-Horseunless they have another War Mount. Host Armor: The Ahaugr Berserker is genetically bondedtohisownHostArmor.Nooneelsecanusehisarmor.Itcanhaveanymetabolism,exceptHerbivoreorLithovore.TheBio-EnergypointsavailabletobuildtheHostArmorareequaltoM.E.attributeplustheP.E.attributenumber+1D6x10inadditiontoanybonusBio-Egainedbythemetabolism.Eachlevelofadvancement,startingwithleveltwo,getstheAhaugrBerserkeranadditional2D6Bio-EtoaddtothecapabilitiesofhisHostArmor.Allies: Ahaugr Berserkers have no friends anymore. TheyarealliedwithberserkersfromtheirownHouse,butrarelyhaveanythingtodowiththemunlessundercommand from his goddess. Enemies: Ahaugr Berserkers are hunted by those Berserkerssworntoanothergoddessalongwithmostpredators and demons. Habitat: Ahaugr Berserkers are generally found wanderingthemoononsomequestfortheirGoddessordefendingtheirGreatHouse.Money: None. Ahaugr Berserkers could not care less for trinkets. Experience Table: Usethe Splicers Roughneck

AHAUGR ENGINEER R.C.C.

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Appearance: AhaugrEngineerswereArtisanswhoeithersacrificedthemselvesorwereforciblydrownedinagenepool.ThentheAhaugrwasreworkedintoa multi-tentacled monstrosity connected to the gene pool.Engineersdonothavelegs,insteadtheirlowerlimbstraveldownwardintotheheartofthegenepooland Cerebus itself. Disposition: AhaugrEngineersareoftenparanoidmegalomaniacswhosehubrisresultsintheeventualbetrayal of their goddess or slaughter at the hands of their subordinates. Alignment: AhaugrEngineersmimicthealignmentofthegoddessbondedtotheirgenepool.Eve’sengineeris(mostly)Scrupluous.FreyaandGaiahaveAnarchists.Hecate’sandIshtar’sengineersareMiscreants.Kali’stwistedbio-architectsareDiabolicandLilith’sownshareherAberrantbehavior.Attributes: I.Q.2D6+7,M.E.2D6+8,M.A.1D6+5,P.S.3D6+3,P.P.2D6+6,P.E.2D6+10,P.B.1D4,SpdzeroMDC: 3D6x10plusP.E.attributenumber.Addanadditional1D6M.D.C.perlevelofexperience.Eachtentaclewillhave1D4x10MDCaswell.P.P.E.: 2D6x10+P.E.attributenumber.TheAhaugrhavenoideatheirkindwasoriginallybredforsacrificeonanowdeadworldsomewhereinanothergalaxy.AhaugrEngineerscantapintotheunlimitedP.P.EoftheirgenepoolswhencastingSculptBio-Mass. Theygainanadditional1D6P.P.Eperlevel.I.S.P.: M.E.attributenumber+2D4perlevelofexperience.Horror Factor: 14Bio-Energy Enhancements: AdvancedEyes,EnhancedSight,ExtraEyes,EyeStalks,Macro-Vision,Bio-Comms,threepairsofTentacles(withnopenalties)plusanumberofBio-EpointsequaltotheirP.E.attributeplus1D6Bio-Eperlevel.Size: Height:14-15feet(4.3-4.6m)plustentacles;Weight:850to1150lbs(383-518kg).Life Span: Unknown.AhaugrEngineersdonotagebecause they are completely immersed in the bio-regenerating gene pools. Average Level of Experience: 1D6+2.AhaugrEngineersareonlyNPCsbecausetheyareattachedtotheir gene pools. Natural Abilities:1.AhaugrEngineersareMega-Damagebeings. They

recoverlostM.D.Catarateof4D6pointspermelee.Additionally,theyhaveSplicerP.S.duetotheirunionwiththegenepool.2.AhaugrEngineersMinorPsychics. They may choosetwopsi-powersfromeithertheHealing,PhysicalorSensitivelists.UnlikeotherAhaugr,Engineersoftendevelopadditionalpsionicabilities.Theygainanadditionalminorpowerwitheachnewinsanity. 3.AhaugrEngineershaveinstinctiveMagic. They can innately cast the spells Flesh of Cerebus and Sculpt Bio-Mass. 4.AhaugrEngineerssufferfromInsanity. They startwithD3rollsontherandominsanitytables.Engineersgainanadditionalinsanityatlevels3rd,6th,9th,12thand15th.5.AhaugrEngineerscannotreproduce. The Ahaugr werecreatedforsacrificesanddonothaveawaytobreedamongtheirownkind.Attacks per Melee Round: HandtoHand:BasicBonuses (in addition to attribute bonuses and bio-enhancements): +6tosavevsHorrorFactor,+4tosavevsmindcontrol,+4savevsmagic,+4tosavevspossession,and+4tosavevspoison,+3toentangle,+2torollwithpunch.R.C.C. Skills: AllAhaugrEngineersarebio-warlocks,geneticresearchersandassemblylineforemenwiththefollowingskills:

ArtBio-CommsBiology(+10%)Chemistry(+10%)Language:Dragonese(native)Literacy(+10%)Lore-Goddess(+20%)OperateBio-Equipment(+20%)Public SpeakingResearchToxicology

Secondary Skills: SelectsixSecondarySkillsfromDomestic,Medical,ScienceorTechnicalskillsetsplusoneadditionalSecondarySkillatlevels4,8,and12.Theseareadditionalareasofknowledgeanddo not get the advantage of the bonus listed in the parentheses. All Secondary Skills start at the base skill level.

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Technology & Gear: AhaugrEngineersliveintheirgenepoolsandusuallyhavenogearoftheirown.However,theyhaveaccesstoanythingimaginablegiventhetime.Ifcornered,anengineerwilluseanybio-weaponattheirdisposable,probablyoneineachtentacle! Allies: AhaugrEngineersareoftentooinsanetohavetrue allies. Most are too self-important to treat their Artisansasequals.Manydeeplyhatetheirforcedsubservience to their goddess. Enemies: AhaugrEngineershateallotherEngineers,especially if they are forced to share their gene pool withanother.Habitat: AhaugrEngineersliveinthemurky,bubblingbio-regeneratinggenepools,surroundedbyAhaugr Artisans to do their bidding and War Mounts to guard them from danger. Money: noneExperience Table: UsetheSplicersSaintO.C.C.

Ahaugr Magic Spells

FLESHOFCEREBUSRange:Fivefeet(1.5m)Duration: Permanent TimeRequired:Oneminuteofconcentrationperonecubic foot. SavingThrow:NoneonCerebusP.P.E:10pointsperonecubicfoottransformed. The character can rearrange any structure created fromthelivingfleshoftheworld.ThisdoesnotincludeWarMountsorbiotechnology,justtheinertsurface of the living moon. This ability enables the spellcastertocreatenewroads,palaces,melontrees,piccoloweedsoranyotherstructureimagined.

SCULPTBIO-MASSRange:Fivefeet(1.5m)Duration: Permanent TimeRequired:Onehourofworkper1Bio-E.SavingThrow:NoneonCerebusP.P.E:10pointsper1Bio-E. The character must use an active gene pool to castthisspell.Thecastercancreate1Bio-Eworthofmaterialor200creditsworthofSplicersbio-technologyinanhour.AnAhaugrmayspendweekscreatingaWarMountorHostArmor.

THEALPHABEACON InthefinalweeksoftheSiegeofTolkeen,aCSconvoywasattackedbyamagicalstrikeforceneartheintersectionoftwoleylines.TheP.P.E.eruptionduringthebattleopenedaRiftwhichengulfedthevalley,swallowingboththeCSforcesandtheTolkeenIrregulars.Whathappensnextisthemeatofyourcampaign.Letuslookatbothsides,theirhistoryandtheir heroes.

Convoy Alpha Beacon TheColonel’sordersweresimple.Leadare-supply and personnel convoy from Lone Star City to the rear guard of the Tolkeen staging area. The convoywaswell-guarded,butmostlyconsistedoftruckscarryingDogBoysandMREcrates.Therewasatotalof3,800individualswhentheconvoyleft.Theywereattackedby620TolkeenIrregularsjustnorthofChillicothe.AlphaBeaconincluded3000DogBoysand800humansofafullCSbattalion.Only1/3oftheCShumanforcearecombattroops.Therestweredrivers,cargohandlers,maintenancestaff and some medical specialists. The main CS force wasnewlycommissioned,untestedrecruitsescortingveryyoungDogBoyscomingfromaquestionablebreedingproject.TheprojectwasderisivelyreferredtoasOperationPuppymillbecauseLoneStar‘snormalqualitycontrolswereabandonedtospeedupthegrowthprocess. 2,630CSand479IrregularssurvivedthroughtheRift.About15%ofthesesustainedsomeinjuryinthefirefightandtheaftermath.TheremainingCSforcesincludetwothousandDogBoyswhodesperatelylooktoanyhumanforleadership.Overall,thehumansare70%maleand30%femalewhichwilleventuallyleadtoproblemsofitsown.TheDogBoysareroughly60%male. AllDogBoys(exceptplayercharacterheroes)fromOperationPuppymillsuffer-1perdietoallabilityrollsand-10%fromallskillsduetotheacceleratedbreedingtechniquesusedintheirgestation. These Dog Packs did not fully complete theirbasictrainingandonlywentthroughhalfoftheir indoctrination cycle. These Dog Boys are less skilled,lessdisciplinedandmoreferalthanwhatmostcommanderswillexpect.Themasterplanwastousethem as disposable front-line fodder in a mass assault

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on Tolkeen.

Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Arthur Alignment: PrincipledO.C.C.: CoalitionTechnicalOfficer,6th levelAppearance: The Colonel is meticulously groomed withastarcheduniformandpolishedDeadBoyarmor.Hehastightlycurledblondehair,largedarkeyes,andpronouncedfacialbonesfromhismixedancestry.Hehasnobionicsandnoscars.Wheninthefield,the Colonel prefers to ride a Sky Cycle and trusts the momenttomomentoperationstohistrustedofficers.Description: Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Arthur is aprincipledman.HebelievestheCoalitionStatesdefendhumanityagainstimpossiblenightmares.Heisgenerallyreferredtoas“TheColonel”bytherankandfile.HedoesnothateorautomaticallydistrusthumanswithmagicalpowersorpsionicsorD-Bees.Arthursupportsa“separatebutrespected”statusforthe inhuman. TheColonelmaybethewrongmantobeincommandbecauseheisalogisticsandsupportperson,

notacharismaticleader.Heismeticulous,exact,concernedaboutsystemsandqualitycontrols,buthehasneverlivedwithoutahigherchainofcommandand operations support. Hissuperiorofficerssawhispotentialandweaknessesearlyinhiscareer.Arthurwasnotoriouslyhesitantwhencommandingseekanddestroymissions.Itwasnotcowardice.Hismindconstantlyweighscostvsbenefitforeveryactionandheshowednoneofthebattlelustofmostfieldcommanders.AstheEmperor’ssonnoted,“IfthesituationwerereversedandwewerefightingthesiegeonChi-TownagainstTolkeenattackers,IwouldwantMelvinArthurincommandofourdefense.Nobodywouldgowithoutameal,abunkandafreshE-CliponArthur’swatch.”LieutenantColonelArthurwasassignedasaconvoyleaderformajorsupplymovements.Hequicklyearnedasterlingreputationforgettingwhateverwasneededtoexactlywhereitwasneededjustwhenitwasneededmost.Arthurwasnotaheroiccommander,buthewasrespectedforhisefficiencyandfairness.

TheColonel&theIrregulars TheColonelhasnorealhateforhisenemy.HefirmlybelievesthattheCoalitionisNorthAmerica’sbesthopeforthesurvivalofthehumanrace.Hebelieves that psychics and mages are actually just humanlookingD-Beesandnotpartofhisownspecies.HethinksthefutureisbestservediftheD-Beesandhumansweretoliveseparateanduninvolvedlives.Thiswillbehislong-termsolutionforthecrisison Cerebus and this decision may result in a horrifying disaster. TheColonelwillnotagreetoanyslaughterorpardonoftheIrregulars.However,herecognizestheirworthaspowerfultoolsandcreatureswhowanttosurvivejustasmuchastruehumans.HeviewsthemasresourcesandtheColoneldoesnotsquanderresources. The problem is that Arthur has never operatedindependently.Hisentirelifehasbeenastringofcommandssentdownbyhissuperiors.Hislack of personal initiative has kept him at Lieutenant Colonelrankandhehasalwaysbeencontenttobeacoginthegreatermachine.OnCerebus,onlyafirmdecisionmakerwillbethekeytosurvivalandourpoor Colonel lacks the DNA of a successful tyrant.

THETOLKEENIRREGULARS

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GarethBleobaris,aLeyLineWalker,vehementlydisagreedwiththeleadershipofTolkeenovertheirtacticsagainsttheCoalition.Hesetoutintothecountryside and raised a small army from people abusedbyProsek‘sdecrees.Hisgoalwastostrikesupplyroutesandconvoyswithquickhitandruntactics.Bleobarisknewwarswereoftenwonbylogisticsandanarmydeprivedofsupplies,rationsandreinforcementswouldretreat.Henamedhiscadre“TheTolkeenIrregulars”eventhoughonly40%wereTolkeencitizens. Bleobarishadnocluehowtocommandanarmy and the arbitrary assigning of ranks did little tohelpmorale.TheTolkeenIrregularsdrewallsortsofmalcontents:D-Bees,Juicers,Crazies,escapedslaveBorgs,roguepsychics,powermadmagesandafewdemons.Everyrecruitwouldundergosee aura,telepathy and an object reading of a personal item to weedout(most)Coalitionspies.Thelargenumberoftelepathsshouldhavemadecoordinatingeasier,butthe absurd number of egos and glory hounds negated this advantage. Bleobaris kept the battle goals simple: disrupt the convoy.HeknewthatdirectconfrontationwithCSforceswouldgethiscadreslaughteredsohecontentedhimselfwithdestroyedtrucksandimposinglengthydelaysontheCSconvoys.TheIrregularsretreatedintothewildsafterabattleandneverstruckthesameroutetwice. Afteranattack,theCSwouldBunkerdown,quicklysalvagewhattheycouldandpressonward-usuallyintoadditionalroadtrapssetbytheIrregulars.Mostconvoys,afraidofafullassault,leftdamagedvehiclesbehindandfledthearea.Sometimesdriverswouldpanic,allowingtheIrregularstopickoffadditional vehicles in the ensuing confusion and retreat.AlthoughtheIrregularsalwaysachievedtheirgoals,casualtieswereashighas20%.Thisdeathratemeantthatnewrecruitswouldreceivelittletraining,excepttrialbylivefireduringtheirnextraid.Also,thenoble and egalitarian principles of the Tolkeen founder weretestedwhenBleobariswasforcedtodealwithdangerous antics of his cadre. WorstamongtheIrregularswereacontingentof200fromtheFederationofMagic.ThesemageshadexceptionaltalentsanddeephatredoftheCoalition,alongwithadisturbingpenchantforhumansacrifice.TheyofferedthenewborndragonMabonagrainand

Bleobaris accepted them against his better judgment. Hesilencedhisownconsciencewithahopethattheendwouldjustifythemeans. TheIrregularswouldpickthroughwhateverwasleftbehindafterabattleandsellwhattheycouldtonearbysmalltownsinexchangeforfoodandsupplies.Mosttownswerethankfulforthetrade,butasthecadregrew,Bleobarislostcontroloftheirbadbehavior.Drunkenbarfightsbetweenlocalfarmersand psychic Bursters resulted in torched homesteads. TherewaslootingevenwhenvillageswelcomedtheIrregulars. Afewmonthsago,twochildrenwereaccidentallykilledinavillageintheoutskirtsofKingsdaleandBleobarisdraggedhisarmyawayinangeranddisgust. Twoweeksago,thingsgotmuchworse.TheircampwassurprisedbyaCSheavymechanizedreconplatoon.Abrutal,deadlyfirefightlefttheCSforcesbrokenandadozengruntsandDogPackcaptured,but37Irregularswerekilledand110injured.Bleobarisquicklybrokethecampandrushedhiscadreintothenearestvillage.Unfortunately,thatvillagewasthebasecampoftheCSreconplatoon.TheIrregularsswarmedtheareaandBleobarismetwiththelocalelderstotradefortemporarysanctuary.Hishonorguardenteredtheelders’councilandBleobarisacceptedthekindlyembraceofanoldrobedwoman.Then she pulled the pin on her plasma grenade bandolier.Everyoneandeverythingfor30feetwasinstantlyvaporizedinaflashofscreams. Inavengefulpanic,theIrregularsrazedthevillage.GuanHamara,oneofthelastsurvivingofficers,desperatelytriedtorestoreorderamidstthechaos. Finally she begged Mabonagrain to assume command.Theyoungdragonwasdelightedandbydawn,theIrregularsweremarchingonward.ItwaswhisperedthattheFederationofMagicroguemagessacrificedtheCSprisonersduringtheconfusion.TheIrregularschangedafterthatnightforbetterandworse. TheinternalpowerstrugglesfadedquicklyasevenJuiceregosweretemperedbyoneglancefrom the imposing Fire Dragon. Many assumed MabonagrainwouldpromotehisoldFederationcomradesintorolesofpower.Instead,thedragon’sinnercirclewereTolkeencitizensandhelistenedwithgreat intensity to tales about a city he has never seen. However,thedarkmagesbecamehisbattleleaders

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and their tactics often included taking prisoners for purposes best not discussed. Mabonagrain wasnotinterestedintradingwithvillages.Townswerechosenfortheirstrategicadvantageandthenlooted,butnotslaughtered.Generally,thesewereCS refueling outposts so only the most scrupulous Irregularsvoicedanyconcernsforthelocals.Thedragonshruggedoffcriticism,alwayspromisingthatthingswouldbedifferentafterthewar.Yesterday’sbattleplantoassaulttheAlphaBeaconconvoywasflawlessandtheIrregularswereexcited.However,manyillomensshowedbythatdawnwithnervouswarningsfromthepsychicsthatsomethingwasdreadfully wrong.Thedragon,asusual,ignoredthem.

IMPORTANTNPCS There are four major NPCs on each side of the conflictinadditiontotheColonel.EachNPCshouldgain a level each year of the campaign to represent theirowngrowthandexperiences.TheGMisencouraged to create game statistics as necessary.

Major Isabella BelakaneAlignment: AberrantO.C.C.:CoalitionMilitarySpecialist,4th level. IsabellaBelakaneisatall,beautifulandathleticwoman.SheadoresEmperorProsekwithafanatic’sglee.BelakaneisaveryeffectiveatS&Dmissionsand famed for her killer instinct. She is shocked by theColonel’srefusaltoexecutetheIrregularsandbeingawayfromherbelovedCoalitionhasmadehernumb.Belakanehasnoleadershipskills,charismaorcommonsense.Sheisacombatmonsterwhoneedsorders to obey.

Captain Peter Dagonet Alignment:UnprincipledO.C.C.:CoalitionGrunt,3rd level.PeterDagonet(pronounced“dag-oh-nay”)isatraitortotheCoalition.HeisaD-Beesympathizerandhe is absolutely fascinated by magic. Dagonet has moveduptheranksbyfeedingintoMajorBelakane’sCoalitionfanaticism.Hepretendstobeherco-conspirator,butheactuallyusesherasamarionette.Aninternalsecurityofficerfoundhisstashofforbidden books just before the convoy left Lone Star. Dagonet shot the snoop and locked the corpse in his

room.HisplansweretousetheconfusionatTolkeentomakehisbreakfortheManistiqueImperium.Thus,heisquitegladtobeawayfromEarth.DagonetwillbegivenchargeovertheIrregularsandhehopesto use his position to learn more about becoming a wizard.

Lieutenant Rion Morgan Alignment: DiabolicO.C.C.:Psi-Stalker,3rd level. RionMorganleadsaveteransearch&destroyDogPackplatoon,buthereallydreamsofbecomingtheultimatepowerbehindthethrone.HeisutterlydisgustedbytheColonel’smercyupontheirenemies.Morganwillcarefullyandquietlyworktounderminethe Colonel and rally other CS hardliners to supporting acouptoinstateBelakaneasthenewleader.Morganplans to use her as his puppet to slaughter every IrregularandD-BeeonCerebus.

Sergeant Arrock GrevauntAlignment: ScrupulousO.C.C.:PartialConversionCoalition‘Borg,4th level. SergeantArrockGrevauntisthechiefpettyofficerforAlphaBeacon.HewasapatrioticcripplefromIronHeartwhovolunteeredforanewpairoflegsandpurpose.Arrockwillbefoundatthefrontofalmosteveryassaultandbehindeveryretreat.HeisafraidofwhatmayexistonCerebus.Hedoesnottrustthedragon,butheisrelievedthatmercywasofferedtotheIrregulars.ArrockhasenormousadmirationfortheColonelandaburningflameforMajorBelakane.Theinevitablecoupwillbeextremelydifficultforhim.

MabonagrainAlignment: AnarchistO.C.C.:FireDragonHatchling,2nd level.Mabonagrain is learning to become patient and dangerous.Heplanstoliveseveralthousandyears,not die in a hail of bullets. The dragon has been catapultedintotheleadershipoftheIrregularsandhewillbegreatlyhumbledbytheirdefeat…forashorttime. Mabonagrain has no political savvy because hewassousedtobeingadoredandfearedbytheIrregulars.ThedragonisfascinatedbystoriesofTolkeen and has sincerely promised to lead his people home one day.

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Gauvain LotAlignment: MiscreantO.C.C.:Shifter,5th level. GauvainLotisapowerhungrypsychopath.HeisadangerousfellowfromtheMagicZonewhobelievesheissmarterthantheAlienIntelligenceshesummons.Heislessinterestedinescapeandmoreinrevenge.Gauvainisapoliticalanimalwhocaninstigatetrouble,vanishfromresponsibilityandstealthespotlightofsuccess.However,LotisadangerousfoolandhewilleasilybeplayedbyanyGoddess.

Eric Drystan Alignment:UnprincipledO.C.C.:RogueScholar,4th level. Description:EricDrystanlookslikeamoviestarwhoisplayingahomelessbum.Alwaysrumpled,unkemptandcharming.Drystanisimpetuous,tactlessandvaluesthequestofknowledgeoverthesafetyofpeoplearoundhim.Hedoesn’tknowatenthofwhathethinksheknowsandheispronetologicleaps,conjectureandoutrightfalsifications.DrystanisthevoiceoftheIrregulars.Hebringsthecomplaintsofthe troops to the leadership and keeps up the morale.

Also,theleadersoftheIrregularsuseDrystantorepresenttheminnegotiations.Hehasbeendubbed“theDragon’sTongue.”Drystanhasnointerestinescape.Heisenjoyingthelackofworkandthesteadymeals.Prisonagreeswithhim!

Guan Hamara Alignment: ScrupulousO.C.C.:FullConversionSlave‘Borg,3rd level. Appearance:GuanHamarastandssevenfeettall,1000lbs.GuanHamarawasanidealisticD-BeerightsactivistinChi-TownuntilshewaschoppedupandslappedtogetherintoaSlave‘borgforcontractorsatLoneStar.Asaresult,shesuffersfromamanic-depressivepsychosis and a fear of darkness neurosis. As the secondincommandtoBleobaris,Guantriedtocounsel the young dragon to not emulate his Magic Zonecomrades,butshehasgrowntiredofthepompous,self-righteousIrregulars.HeroriginalidealismtosaveTolkeenislonggone,replacedby a driving need to restart her life. She is most interestedincreatingherowncadreandescapingboththeIrregularsandtheCoalitiontorestartherlifeonwhateverplanetthismaybe.Guanstillhasherhumanfaceandgenitals,cruelremindersofherprevious life.

LOGISTICISSUES ThemainproblemfortheCSofficersistheirconvoywascarryingmainlypersonnelandrations.Theydonothaveasignificantstoreofadditionalweapons,especiallylargesupportweapons.Every10E-Clipsusedupmeansonelessweaponhasanyammo.ConvoyAlphaBeaconwasalowgradeprioritydeepintheworstdaysoftheSiegeonTolkeen.Althoughtheconvoywastravelingalongway,itwasassumedthatitwouldmeetlittleorganizedresistance.TheAlphaBeaconwasmostlycomprisedof Mountaineer ATVs and similar trucks that either carried personnel or supplies. Many Mountaineers had converted cargo areas to carry additional passengersandtheirpersonalequipment.Someaddeda top turret gunner and a rear door gunner. Both gunnerswillgenerallybearmedwithaC-27HeavyPlasmaCannonorequivalentandgainpartialcoverwhenattacked.

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Theplayersareencouragedtospend200millioncreditsonvehicles,powerarmorsandroboticvehicleslikeSAMAS,SkyCycles,SpiderSkullWalkersandUAR-1s.Theplayersmayalsospend50milliononrobotslikeSkelebots.Eachvehicleorrobotwithalimitedlifespanarenotbrandnew,butallD6yearsoldbythetimethecampaignbegins.TheexceptionisSkelebotswhicharefreshofftheassemblyline.

THROUGH THE RIFT OnemomenteveryonewasfightingwithoutmercyinaChillicothevalley.Thenextsecond,cracklingblueenergysweptthemacrossthreegalaxiestoachillspringmorningunderagreengasgiantloomingacrossthesky.TheTolkeenIrregularswereoutnumbered5to1.TheColonelgavetheordertostanddownandofferedsurvivaltoanyonewhosurrendered.MostShiftersfledbacktoRiftsEarth.Outofoptions,MabonagraincalledfortheIrregularstolaydowntheirweaponsandobeytheenemy. TheRiftedterrainfromChillicothewassplatteredwiththebloodandthedyingfromAlphaBeacon.Thedragon offered his psychics and mages as healers in appreciationforthechancetosurrender.Inamovethatshockedeveryoneandangeredmany,theColonelordered his medics to deliver the most grievously woundedCoalitiontothecareoftheIrregulars.Themystichealersperformedtheirriteswithdozensoflaserriflesnervouslyaimedattheirheads.SomuchP.P.E.wasexpendedthatthehealersweretoodrainedtoattendtotheIrregulars’ownwounded,resultinginthedeathsofsixteenD-Beesandhumanspellcasters. Lifeinthosefirstfewdayswasastrangeblur.The Coalition took shelter in the nearby abandoned XiticixhiveandturnedaclusterofmushroomtowersintoaprisonfortheIrregulars.WithnowaytogetbacktoEarth,theDeadBoysdubbedtheirnewhome“CoalitionStateAlphaBeacon”andduginforthelonghaul.Oddly,theTolkeenpsychicswillbegintorefertothemoonas“Cerebus”andthenamewillcatchonsurprisinglyquickly.AfterafewRogueScholarstelltheirownCerebusmyths,thenamewillracethroughtheDogPacksandwithindays,itwillbecometheacceptednameoftheirnewhome.Theremaybesomequeasinesswhentheydiscoverthe original dark coven also called this place Cerebus. Hereiswherehistoryendsandyourcampaigntakesover.Thefollowingsectiondetailspossibleeventsthat

mayoccurinthenextsevenyears.

YEAR ONE: Settling In ThefirstyearisallaboutsettingupthesystemsforsurvivalonCerebusandexploringthevast,dangerousandsecretXiticixhive.TheCoalitionappearstobeinfullcontrolandtheIrregularsareheavilyguarded,deeplymistrustedprisoners.Sporadic violence against D-Bees may occur in the prisonconditions.TheXiticixspeciallychosethelocation of the hive far from anything interesting. Therewillprobablybeminimal,ifany,contactwiththeAhaugroranyGoddess.EveandmaybeLilithwillbewatchingandlearningaboutthenewcomersfromtheshadows.

Spring “You will obey your orders!” TheColonelwillfighthisfirstinsubordinationbattleoverhisdecisiontolettheIrregularsliveasprisoners instead of getting their richly deserved andimmediateexecution.Hisdecisionhasrippledacrossallranksandwillbecomeapointofdivisionamong the troops. The GM is encouraged to have theCoalitionplayercharactersinvolvedinthepowerstruggles as Major Belakane and other hardliners seek togainsupportagainsttheColonel.TheColonelwillalso order all the TW and magic items captured from theTolkeenIrregularsbesavedandplacedinasealedvaultwhichremainsunderheavyguardatalltimes.Theplayersareencouragedtoname20-50itemsinthevaultwithatotalvalueof500,000credits.

Spring “A need to know basis.” SAMASandSkyCycleteamswillreconthe100mileradiusareafromAlphaBeaconandreportdirectlytotheColonel.Oddly,Arthurwillimmediatelyclassifythesereportsandsweartheofficerstosilence.Theofficialannouncementistheimmediateareaisjustemptywastelands.However,rumorswillspreadaboutstrangeandbeautifulstructures and roaming demons.

Spring “Anywhere but here at any cost.” ThealienarchitectureoftheXiticixwillallowforsomesubterfugebytheimprisonedIrregulars.

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Severalmageswilljointogetherinaplottoopenarandom Rift. The Tolkeen player characters may be co-conspirators or may stand against the attempt. The plotwilleitherfailduetoinsufficientP.P.E.orsucceedinopeningaRifttosomewheredeeplyunpleasant.Eitherway,theCSgruntswillkillanyonetheyseeperformingmagic.Infact,theCSplayercharactersmayevenbetheonessenttodealwiththeproblem.

Summer “We will never be slaves again!” MajorBelakanedeclaresthatallTolkeen‘Borgsmustsubmittotheslave‘Borgprogramandberefittedfor service. Before the Colonel can countermand her order,therewillbeanattemptedescapebyateamofD-Bees,‘BorgsandJuicers.GuanHamarawillprobablybeinvolvedintheescape.Thiswillgobadlyforeveryoneinvolvedonallsides.Belakanewilltry to force the Colonel to impose punishment and restrictionsontheIrregulars.CShardlinerswillrenewcallsformassexecutions.Instead,theColonelwillpromoteCaptainDagonettoseniorofficerinchargeoftheIrregulars.

Fall “Everyone gets a puppy.” TheColonelwillannouncetheDogPackReassignment Program to place one Dog Boy as a guardian for every human in Alpha Beacon and one foreachprisoner.TheremainingDogBoyswillbeassignedtoPsi-Stalkersandinfantrysquads.ThisisahappydayfortheDogPackswhohavebeensufferingfrom increasingly feral misbehavior. The reaction amongtheIrregularsismixed.Playersshouldrollupaguardian Dog Boy for each of their player characters.

Winter “The Colonel has an unusual proposal.” TheColonelwillaskMabonagraintochooseafewIrregularstojoinaCSreconforceas“non-humanadvisors“inexchangeforextrafoodrations.TheIrregularswillnotbepermittedanyweapons,buttheywillbegivenlightriotarmor(30MDC)asprotection.TheirDogBoyguardianswillactasbodyguardsagainstanyencounteredthreats,butalsopreventanyescape.TheprimefocusofthismissionwillbefortheCSofficerstodeterminethecapabilitiesofthemostcapableIrregularsanddeterminetheirusefulness

quotientvstheirthreatfactor.EarlyreconmissionswillbetoscopeouttheentireXiticixcity,buttheremaybesomeminorexplorationintheimmediatevicinity.Thetwogenepoolswillbediscoveredatnearlyoppositeendsofthehivenetwork.TheColonelwillimmediatelysetuparesearchteamtolearnmoreaboutthepools.ThisteamwillbeledbytechnicianswithsomeexperiencewiththegeneticprogramsatLone Star.

YEAR TWO: Stepping Out Afteroneyear,theCSforceswillfeelsecureabouttheirnewhome. Thesecondyearisaboutexplorationoftherestoftheplanet,seekingoutotherRiftsandlearningaboutwhatelsethisplanethastooffer.Astheyexplore,therestofCerebuswillbecomemoreinterestedinAlphaBeacon. The hardliners from both the Tolkeen and theCSwillbesidesteppedforthemomentandbegintoplotinsecret.Laterintheyear,thehardlinersmayevenplottogether,eachbelievingtheycanusetheotherfactiontofurthertheirowngoals.

Spring “Bring back some souvenirs.” TheColonelwillhavehisadvisorsassemblesixwildernesssquadscombinedwithaDogPack.TheywillbetravelingonfootandmayhaveaSAMASorSkyCycleforrecon.Eachteamwillgoinadifferentdirectionfor1,000milestoexploreCerebus.IfMabonagrainhearsaboutthemission,hewillpetitiontosendIrregularswitheachsquad.

Spring “Greetings, will you bow to my will?” Eve,LilithandmaybeanotherGoddesswillbeginsendingavatars.ThesewillbeAhaugrBerserkersundertheirdirectcontroltospeakwithpersonsofinterestwithinAlphaBeacon.Someconversationswillgobetterthanothers.Regardless,thepromiseofbiotechnologywillsparkactivityamongtheColonel’sinner circle.

Summer “Perimeter breach! I repeat, we have a breach.” Asolareventwillunleashahostofdemonsinthe southern hemisphere. GMs are encouraged to useafewsignificantlypowerfulmonstersfromany

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Riftsbook,ChaosEarth,BeyondtheSupernaturalorNightbane(justchangeSDCtoMDC).Theseshouldnotbecannonfodderdemons,buthorrifyingthreats.SomewillhunttheIrregulars,forcingtheunarmedandunarmored prisoners to fend off these terrible threats.

Fall “I can take you home for a small price.” AgroupofCSforces,mostlynon-combatandancillaryindividuals,willquietlyinvestigateifthereare any mages capable of opening a Rift back to Earth.TheywillbefooledbyanecromancerwhowillconvincethemtheymustsacrificeasmanyDogBoy