A Conversation with Methuselah

UPDATE 20-Nov-11: I’ll keep reposting this whenever there’s a new response from Methuselah.

Within a regeneration pod in the Eden Prairie Vault Complex, a shrunken and wizened form clings to life. More than a century old, the life of this man (nicknamed ‘Methuselah’) has been sustained for decades only by high-tech medical assistance. His metabolism is reduced to a crawl, but he can still communicate – s l o w l y – with others. The Central Computer of Eden Prairie must process and translate for Methuselah, but it is possible for the PCs to converse – if given enough time.

Current Characters

UPDATE 07-Jun-11: Check out this post for Bart and Xavier.

Here are stats for the currently active PCs, collected together for easy reference.

The Lau Storeroom

UPDATE 16-May-11: Contents have been updated to reflect the outcome of the East to Eden session. Lots of TU available to outfit a new expedition!

One key element of my Tempora Mutantur campaign is the ‘Lau Storeroom’. This is where PCs can exchange swag scavenged in the wastes for Experience and Trade Units. Characters can of course choose to keep any of the relics they find, but then do not receive XP or TU. Items turned over to the storeroom remain available for future expeditions, but must be repurchased – and the cost to buy back is higher than the original compensation given. In addition, characters receive reduced reward for items that are broken or not yet identified (all relics automatically identified once sold to the storeroom).

Because the primary mission objective of Scavengers is to return spare parts to keep Lau running, increased experience is provided for mechanical and electronic parts. This is intended to be a key source of XP for character advancement.

‘Experienced’ Characters

I am currently getting in touch with folks who were part of my older games. I am planning on rewarding/bribing players who have stuck with me through previous campaigns by transfering existing XP into Tempora Mutantur.

I will use the following conversion rates:

• Ground Zero: 600 XP.
• Scorched Earth: 1000 XP.
• Barrier Peaks: 500 XP.
• Dwarven Glory: ½ of earned XP.
• Mutants & Magic: ½ of earned XP.

Such ‘experienced’ characters are assumed to be members of previous Surface Expedition Teams who have signed up for a second ‘tour of duty’. Since I plan on recycling some previous adventure locations in this campaign, your knowledge from previous games may be an asset. (Though note that I will make significant revisions to reflect the nature of Tempora Mutantur.)

Players can choose to split this XP between multiple characters, or lump it all into a single PC. Experienced PCs add +1 piece of equipment per rank (including 1st). Characters who start above rank 1 may have pre-existing Creep contamination; roll rank – 1d4 to determine contamination level. Alternatively, if you wish the character may start with contamination equal to his rank. (Reroll any disfiguring mutations – you must be pure-strain or near-human.)

Player Recruitment

Do YOU have what it takes to brave a savage land of radioactive waste crawling with mutant creatures?

I am currently recruiting new players for Play-by-Skype, Play-by-Comment, and Tabletop sessions of Tempora Mutantur.

The PCs in my current Skype game have discovered a vault complex that is begging to be delved, but they need additional manpower (and firepower) to do so.

If you think you might have what it takes, download the Core Rules and Mission Overview, then leave a comment here or send me an e-mail at k-slacker@shaw.ca.