RPGs
Mechanics
What you'll find here is a cross between fluffy expansion on the settings that I enjoy and the crunchy mechanics of the various rule systems. Game mechanics will cover anything from classes, races, feats, and/or skills. Check how an article is tagged to see if it's for the system you're looking for. It might not be, but can hopefully be adapted easily.
Setting Expansion
What follows is the result of a lot of discussions, years of gaming, and running campaigns. If I came up with a unique location, be it a city, faction, guild, or other such fictional group, you'll find details in the following articles.
Archetypes
Archetypes for a variety of characters and settings can all be found here. Genres range from fantasy to science fiction settings and everything in between.
Allies & Adversaries
The style of these characters varies wildly from a quick paragraph and basic stat block to full-blown character sheet. The reason is that some are actual characters I've played (or planned to play and never got the opportunity) and others were NPCs that I used during the course of a campaign, but there was never any direct conflict so full stats weren't really necessary. I find it handy to have a bunch of names and basic backgrounds on hand during a session because, inevitably, a player will ask what the shop keeper looks like even when it's not really relevant. Far from a bad thing, but it's caught me off guard.
Adventures
What follows are simple Hook/Line/Sinker adventures, complete campaign story arcs, or minimal nuggets that have popped into my head as the result of some player action. Some I have used, others I never got around to, but all could serve as some inspiration for your own campaigns.
Mechanics
Savage Rifts: Woodland Druid Edges
The England of Rifts Earth is home to a number of ancient orders, including those who selflessly care for the woodland homes and Millennium Trees which grow in many of the old forests. These woodland druids are skilled with creating salves and potions from the bounty the forest has to offer. …
Mechanics
Savage Rifts: Other Resources
When working on my Savage Rifts campaign and coming up with new frameworks and critters, I try to re-use elements which others have already created and are available, rather than re-invent the wheel. To that end, I've begun compiling a list of mechanics, particularly Edges, from other settings and…
Mechanics
Savage Rifts: Tattooed Man
Tattooed men, or T-men, are warriors imbued with superhuman abilities granted by a special form of magic. A T-man may access any powers (including Mega Powers), while others confer specific abilities or protections instead rather than powers. Most T-men are covered in at least six unique mystic…
Mechanics
Power: Protection
Rank: NovicePower Points: 2Range: SelfDuration: 3 (1/round)Trappings: A mark or tattoo, a faint aura This power grants the character bonuses against a monster, creature, or character of a single type, such as Undead, Good, Evil, etc. Once activated, the character gains +2 to any trait test (+4…
Mechanics
Savage Rifts: True Atlanteans
[UPDATED 8/20/2017] An ancient cousin to humans, Atlanteans have been transformed through centuries of mystic study and dimensional travel. Most are scholarly and generally peaceful, seeking to aid younger races in achieving enlightenment and combat forces of darkness. Mystical Heritage: All…
Mechanics
Savage Rifts: Tattoo Magic
Tattoo Magic is a special kind of magic with a special Arcane Background and some associated Edges. What follows is more information regarding the Arcane Background and additional Edges available only to arcane characters and Tattooed Men. Iconic Edges Tattoo Resilience Requirements: Vigor d6+,…
Adventures
Challenges: Broken Down
Challenges will present a scenario that can be used in most any context. This is the first in a series intended to make overland travel a bit more interesting that just getting from point A to point B. Each challenge will include a brief setup of the events, the appropriate genres (if any), and…
Adventures
Shades of Grey
I've been road tripping for the past week, riding my motorcycle up from the Southwest to the Pacific Northwest. Over the almost 1900 miles, I went through plenty of wilderness and parks and I was struck with an interesting idea for a campaign. I'm going to start this out with some basic ideas and…
Mechanics
Advanced Class: Cyborg
Before The Fall, advanced prosthetics were used for many reasons - from military to hard labor. While the technology to manufacture advanced robotic limbs is extremely limited, as is anyone with the knowledge to properly attach and maintain the cybernetic links with the host body, there are still…
Mechanics
Cyborg Perks & Complications
The Cyborg Advanced Class comes with a unique array of perks and complications, granting these augmented creatures abilities beyond those around them. Perks and Complications represents the sacrifice the individual has made to acquire enhanced strength or abilities. These are passive and will…
Allies & Adversaries
Misunderstood Hulk: Olaf
Olaf is physically imposing, as are most Tusks, standing over seven feet tall and looks to be nothing more than a hulking brute. The Tusk was forced to flee his hometown and leave his family behind after being falsely accused of crimes. He spent many years living a solitary, nomadic life in the…
Allies & Adversaries
Stat Block: New Caldera Infantry
The backbone of the New Caldera Defense Forces is the infantry. In addition to standing watch at the perimeter of New Caldera Valley, the infantry units are responsible for policing and protecting the fledgling city-state and are the first to respond when a Breach Creature is spotted in the…
Mechanics
Rifts Vampire Redux
If you're not a fan of Palladium's answer for every elder evil (alien intelligence), then this might be right up your alley. I created an alternate set of vampire rules and abilities that took into account the creatures age and generally left the concept of alien intelligences out of the mix…
Adventures
Adventure Seeds
While going through a slew of old notes, I came across this gem. Apparently, at some point, I considered using GURPS to run a Phase World campaign. Clearly that never made it off the ground, but here's the story arcs I was developing for that campaign. Perhaps you can find a use for them Plot #1:…
Allies & Adversaries
Malethar, Litorian Bounty Hunter
Malethar’s origins are a mystery, even to him. The Litorian race is one not seen in Turmish before and, except for Malethar, to this day. The Bounty Hunter was found by a party of woodcutters as an infant and spent his childhood raised by the Gildenglade Orphanage. Malethar grew up amid…
Allies & Adversaries
Daine Andel Nailo
Daine was born in the eastern-most territories of the Elven empires, growing up with a family with a great deal of heritage in the empire’s military. Each of Daine’s ancestors did their part in the defense -- his father in cavalry, mother in the War Mage’s division, grandfathers in the Griffon…
Allies & Adversaries
Stat Block: New Caldera Recon Patrol
Anyone coming within a hundred miles of New Caldera is likely to encounter one of their pro-human patrols. The long-range patrols tend to be the most lenient when it comes to non-humans and Breach Creatures so that they may maintain their cover as travelers and drifters. If a member of this unit is…
Allies & Adversaries
Stat Block: Imperial Enclave Patrol
The dragon noble houses need to keep their conquered subjects in line and what better way to do that than an armed presence in major cities? I created this organized unit to patrol Hollowfaust's Enclave as antagonists to the players operating as part of a rebellion. Roving Patrols There are 10…
Setting Expansion
New Caldera Valley
Shaun Prescott was a charismatic man leading a small group of mercenaries. He has waged a personal war of vengeance ever since he was a teenager. Following the sadistic and brutal murder of his family at the hands of a particularly monstrous Breach Creature, Prescott became obsessed with pushing…
Adventures
Invasion: Scarn
Originally intended as the beginning of a “legacy” campaign for Dragonstar, I started running through some aspects of this campaign in Of Darkness & Light and staged the invasion of Scarn by one of the Dragon houses. I felt it best to bring the characters up in levels (at least five, preferably…
Mechanics
Player Race: Sebekans
Sebekans are brutish, reptilian creatures with thick limbs and an elongated snout. Their facial structure makes it difficult to pronounce many words common on Earth, giving them the appearance of low intelligence. On the contrary, Sebekans are highly intelligent strategists, with a keen intellect…
Allies & Adversaries
Dagmar Tempesti, Vagabond
Dagmar was born in the darkest reaches of space in the Three Galaxies… Aboard a freighter, of course. He and his littermates came to be nineteen of your years ago on board a garbage scow bound for the United Worlds of Warlock - the last galactic empire to tolerate the Ratanoid presence. Dagmar…
Mechanics
Player Race: Hoots
Hoots get their name not from any sound they make, but from the close facial resemblance to Earth owls. Hoots are a humanoid avian race, incapable of flight. They are believed to originate from a breach in what was once Northern Colorado, and have spread west into the rugged mountains. Their upper…
Mechanics
Breach Creature: Harriers
I'm tellin' ya, Sarge. I ain't never seen a Tusk tore apart like that, flailin' about even as the things cut him to ribbons.- Corporal Jonathan Fisher, Hood 3rd Infantry Group, After Action Report #FH-9862-689-03 Harriers are bird-like creatures that hunt in packs. Their exact color varies, but…
Allies & Adversaries
Key Figures in Queen's Ranch
Queen's Ranch was first home to the Queen family and has continued to be so for generations after the Fall. The family's story is both tragic and heroic. These are the stats I created for the Queen family that you can use to get started with the family as an antagonist to your player…