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Well tomorrow I will be starting up my experiment with using the Pathfinder rules in a Post Apocalyptic campaign. My objective is to work only from the Pathfinder rulebook. I do have other references for weapons etc., but they are pretty simple to toss in without bring those books to the table.
Here are the quick conversions I will be using.
Race: Human only
Classes: Barbarian (Raider), Bard (Gypsy), Fighter (Sec Man), Ranger (Tracker), Sorcerer (Mutant), Expert (Trader/Techie/Sage).
Note: Gypsys and Trackers are both mutants from prefall (Military experiments) but their mutations are relatively stable. Mutant genes are so unstable and mutable that, while the others have to work at getting better and more experienced, the mutants just work at trying to control their ever evolving bodies.
Skills: Everything stays the same to keep it simple. References to magic become technology (Some of the more primitive believe tech is magic so it fits in a small way). Know – Arcane & Use Magical Device are the main two that will be used as converted tech skills. Know – Planes will be one that will definitely not be used.
Feats: Add Firearms Feat (Keeping it simple, either you know how to use them or you don’t. Might add energy and other weapons later).
Change coins to Barter Points (A catch all point system I have used before. Loot breaks down into ? Bp of misc goods, gun parts, fuel, food, water, just about anything. This is then adjusted to what the buyer wants, an appraise check, and wella a trade). It is a purposely vague system that reflects the nature of the setting, i.e. a backpack will not always be 2bp, it could fluctuate depending on the situation and roll.
Magic is now mutational powers. Yes this is definitely fantasy mutations. An NPC I just drew up is an Aberrant, his acid ray bloodline power will be something he vomits up (which is why he has no teeth… Yes, I always have to add the color =), his other powers, (0lvL) Detect Technology (Magic), Mage Hand, Light, and Detect Poison, (1st) Charm Person and Disguise Self, are all either mental mutations or physical (I had a hard time with light and will have him just concentrate with a hand outstretched to give the idea it is some sort of mental mutation... Yes I will be rolling the bluff on that one =). Disguise self will be more of a mental push then an actual visual change (I’m going to try this with all illusions and is definitely ify. I will explain that the push is very simple to maintain during the duration, the equivalent of a free action).
Otherwise it looks like a pretty simple conversion. They want zombies (I’ll leave their origin vague), and I will toss in a few variant muties (just standard creatures with a new skin) to keep up the variety.
Well off to work on the adventure =)
If you want zombies, plague zombies work a little better for post-apocalytic setting, other undeads can be portraited as more advanced mutations, Resident Evil style.
Shadowrun explained certain ¨undeads¨ as different HMVV (Human Metahuman Vampiric Virus) strains, being the one that turn you into a ghoul the most common.
Humbly,
Yawar
Wicked. Please keep us posted on your progress. Love the P-A stuff.
M
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Thanks for the links Urizen! Very nice =).
Is it me or the first game of a campaign always the loooooongest. Blah blah blah blah blah... Man won't I ever shut up =) . In the past I have made my own players guides (waste of time =), and even played the PFAP where their players guides were nicer and shinier, but in the end it’s the same old blah set the setting, blah background, blah NPC’s and blah hook.
So how was the Pathfinder PA game? Great actually =). Other then the above whiny blahs, the alterations were pretty smooth. I even had to generate a quick NPC for a pit fight (the player thought it would be a great way to make some jack) and scribbled up a random mutant in under a minute (Yes the player got duly smacked down… Silly players, pits are for gladiators =).
I forgot to add Rogue – Scavenger to the above list of classes (I was working by memory and… Well… I’m old =).
We were a few players short and the group consisted of a Sec Man (Stiehl), Mutant (Fat) and a Tracker (Sam Squinty). The Barter Point system was easily conveyed and accepted and in no time they were swapping goods for things they needed and barter items that they thought were a good deal and might net them a profit later.
They were a bit bummed about not being able to start with modern firearms, and the Sec Man was bummed because he spent half the game mangled (that is what you get for pit fighting and playing with electricity =) but overall they were entertained.
One thing I did at the last moment that turned out quite well was the introduction of a mutated plant. I tossed it in because I have always been irritated at the concept of mutated plants as PC’s. I just can’t wrap my mind around why a mutated plant of any type would find value in anything that other humanoids would desire. A nice patch of soil, sun and soil and technically the plant should be content.
Which is why my contrary nature kicked in and forced me to throw one in as an NPC =). The set up was rather weak but effective, three mangy kids hooting and hollering by the village wall whacking at something with sticks. The PC’s approach, see what appear to be the remains of a pair of rust colored tumbleweeds spread across the dirt, and a partially damaged one against the wall faintly quivering. The PC’s distracted the kids and the tumbleweed meekly rolled away. Later on in the game the tumbleweed, which are locally called “Bloodburrs” followed them and befriended the Sec Man in a shy puppy dog like fashion (all nonverbal). It has followed them ever since and remains a mystery to them at the moment.
Any good DM worth his salt steals. Better DM’s steal from better sources =). For the Bloodburr I am stealing directly from “the Luggage” of the Discworld series. The tumbleweed will be loyal, have dog like tendencies, and feed on the blood of the dying (it will roll onto enemies reduced to -1 and below and drain them 1hp a round). It will be slightly helpful in combat and over all provide that fuzzy warmess that only an NPC can provide.
Until next week…
=)