Monster Island

STEVEN S.
LONG
A Setting Book For Champions
Author: Steven S. Long
Based On Ideas By: Cryptic Studios
Editing and Developing: Darren Watts
Layout & Graphic Design: Andy Mathews
Cover Illustration: Brett Barkley
Interior Illustration: Cryptic Studios, Andrew Cremeans,
Jonathan Davenport, Brendan and Brian Fraim
Cartography: John Lees
Special Thanks:
To Jack Emmert, John Layman, Randy Mosiondz, Chris Lena, and the rest of the fine folks at Cryptic, for coming
up with enough ideas about Monster Island that I could write a whole book about the crazy place, and for putting
up with my constant stream of questions. ;)
Hero SystemTM ® is DOJ, Inc.’s trademark for its roleplaying system.

Hero System © 1984, 1989, 2002 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
© 1981-2008 Cryptic Studios, Inc. All rights reserved. “Champions” and “Monster electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or computerization, or by
Island” are trademarks of Cryptic Studios, Inc. “Champions” and “Monster Island” any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
are used under license from Cryptic Studios, Inc. Publisher: DOJ, Inc., 226 E. 54th Street, #605, New York, NY 10022-48541.
Fantasy Hero © 2003 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. First printing July 2008
Dark Champions © 2004 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. Produced and distributed by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games.
Pulp Hero © 2005 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. Stock Number: DOJHERO231
Star Hero, Justice Inc., Danger International, Danger International, Western ISBN: 978-1-58366-114-7
Hero © 2002 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. www.herogames.com • www.champions-online.com • www.crypticstudios.com
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.............................................. 4 CHAPTER FIVE: SLITHER BEACH CHAPTER NINE:
CHAPTER ONE: THE HISTORY Slither Beach........................................... 58
ECHINOCOS SHORE
OF MONSTER ISLAND VIPER Personnel...................................... 58 Echinocos Shore.................................... 106
Major VIPER Personnel.............................. 58 The Elder Worm.................................... 106
Monster Island.......................................... 8 Nest Leader Tadataka Yamamoto............... 58 Elder Worm Personnel............................ 107
Geography and Climate......................... 14 Dr. Dino Demogaard................................. 59 Elder Worm Acolyte................................ 108
Chief Underlings.................................... 60 Elder Worm Aspirant............................... 109
CHAPTER TWO: THE MONSTERS Golden Viper Squad Leader....................... 60 Elder Worm Warrior................................ 110
OF MONSTER ISLAND VIPER Brickbuster Agent........................... 62 Elder Worm Initiate................................. 111
Ganika...................................................... 16 Low-level Agents................................... 63 Elder Worm Sorcerer.............................. 112
Mega-Terak............................................. 17 Golden Viper Red Guard Agent.................. 63 Annelid Horror........................................ 114
Qwyjibo.................................................... 19 VIPER Infiltrator........................................ 65 Geography............................................. 115
Teleiosaurus........................................... 20 Slither Beach Facilities......................... 66 Snakes on Echinocos Shore................ 117
Vakulon................................................... 22 The Monster Island VIPER Nest.................. 67 The UNTIL Presence............................... 118
Zorgatha................................................. 23
CHAPTER SIX: WELLS’ PASS CHAPTER TEN: ANDRITHAL
CHAPTER THREE: BUREAU 17 Wells’ Pass............................................... 72 Andrithal................................................ 120
Bureau 17.................................................. 26 Doctor Phillippe Moreau............................ 72 Lemurian Personnel............................. 121
History..................................................... 26 Manimals................................................. 75 Lemurian Leaders.................................. 121
Organization........................................... 27 The Manimals.......................................... 75 Vikorin the Blind..................................... 121
Bureau Personnel.................................. 29 Bear-Man................................................ 75 Lemurian Lieutenants............................. 123
Lieutenant Commander Kishiro Aiko.......... 29 Bird-Man................................................. 76 Lemurian Progenitor............................... 123
Takashi Toru............................................. 30 Boar-Man................................................ 77 Lemurian Sorcerer.................................. 124
Furusaka Gonsai...................................... 30 Cat-Man.................................................. 78 Lemurian Underlings............................... 126
Asako Morihiro......................................... 31 Dog-Man................................................. 79 Devolved Lemurian................................. 126
Rapid Response Force Sakura Agent......... 31 Frog-Man................................................. 79 Lemurian Inchoate.................................. 127
Bureau 17 Robots................................... 32 Rat-Man.................................................. 80 Primordial Lemurian............................... 127
Guardian Droid......................................... 32 Stag-Man................................................ 80 Andrithal Geography........................... 128
Revenger Droid........................................ 33 Geography............................................... 81 The Andrith Ruins................................... 128
Behemoth Battledroid............................... 34 The Outside Compound............................ 81 VIPER in Andrithal................................... 131
Onslaught Battledroid............................... 35 Moreau’s Lab........................................... 82 The UNTIL Presence............................... 132
Force Drone............................................. 36 The UNTIL Presence................................. 84
Hunter Drone........................................... 37
Technology............................................. 38 CHAPTER SEVEN:
Personal Technology................................. 38 THE FERAL TANGLE
Vehicles................................................... 39
Feral Tangle............................................. 86
Sakebu Mobile Sonic Cannon.................... 39
New Gornyj............................................. 86
Bureau 17 Monster Transport Vehicle......... 40
Father Elk................................................ 87
The Monster Island Base....................... 40
Mal Zver.................................................. 88
CHAPTER FOUR: The Hyena-Swine..................................... 89
The UNTIL Presence................................. 92
WAYFARER COAST
Wayfarer Coast........................................ 42 CHAPTER EIGHT: THE ARGENT
The Qularr.............................................. 42 CORPORATE WILDLIFE PRESERVE
Things Humanity Doesn’t Know................. 43
The Wildlife Preserve............................. 94
Qularr Personnel.................................. 44
ARGENT Personnel.................................. 95
Qularr Invasion Leader.............................. 45
Roger Hartwell......................................... 95
Qularr Drone............................................ 46
ARGENT Officers and Agents..................... 96
Qularr Shock Trooper................................ 48
ARGENT Officer........................................ 96
Qularr Bugkeeper..................................... 49
ARGENT Soldier........................................ 97
Qularr Firebug.......................................... 51
ARGENT Facilities................................... 100
Qularr Swarm........................................... 52
The Manimal Resistance....................... 101
Technology............................................. 53
The UNTIL Presence............................... 103
Qularr Air-Runner..................................... 53
Qularr Facilities..................................... 54
The UNTIL Presence................................. 56
44  The History Of Monster Island Hero System 5th Edition Revised
INTRODUCTION
O
ut in the Pacific Ocean, about a hun- Chapter Two, Big Game: The Monsters,
dred miles from the shores of Japan, describes the six giant monsters currently living
lies a small island about six miles on the island: Ganika; Mega-Terak; Qwyjibo;
wide and twenty miles long — but its Teleiosaurus; Vakulon; and Zorgatha. There’s a
importance far exceeds its size. This is Monster character sheet for each one that shows just how
Island, home to the world’s largest collection of powerful they are. Superheroes who think they
giant monsters. Originally can waltz onto Monster
created by the alien Qularr Island and smack a few of the
during their 1965 invasion MMO INTO RPG, RPG INTO MMO “inhabitants” around are in
of Earth, Monster Island was for a surprise!
pressed into use as a zoo/ Monster Island is Hero Games’s first Chapter Three, Bureau
Champions book based on the work
prison to confine the mon- 17: Humanity’s First
done by Cryptic Studios in creating
sters they brought as part of the forthcoming massively multi- Defense, describes the Japa-
their invading force. But the player online (MMO) roleplaying nese scientists and soldiers
island holds other secrets, game Champions Online. While a lot who study the monsters,
other potential sources of of effort has been devoted to making maintain the force-field that
power, and in recent years it’s sure the MMO content is accurately keeps them on the island,
attracted supervillains and represented in this book in HERO and occasionally have to
criminal organizations who System terms, MMOs and RPGs aren’t fight the terrifying beasts.
seek to discover or exploit the same type of game, so the same On an island filled with
them. Today Monster Island type of content isn’t appropriate for hostile forces the mem-
each one. For example, the map of a
is more than just a reposi- bers of “B17” may be your
series of caverns or an underground
tory for gigantic alien mon- installation in an MMO is deliber- heroes’ only allies.
sters — it’s a battleground ately simple, with one room leading Chapter Four, Wayfarer
where the likes of VIPER, to another to direct game play. That Coast: Beachhead For Inva-
ARGENT, the Elder Worm, may not make much sense for an sion, discusses the current
and the Lemurians compete. RPG. Thus, the maps in this book, Qularr presence on Monster
And to make matters worse, while containing the essence of the Island. The Qularr haven’t
the Qularr themselves have Champions Online maps, add to them arrived in force — yet — but
returned, perhaps as a scout- or even re-arrange rooms slightly the soldiers, bioengineered
ing force to plan another to make things more “realistic” and beasts, and vehicles they have
appropriate for an RPG. Similarly,
invasion.... sent are enough to cause real
MMO characters who have one or two
Monster Island is your simple abilities may get fleshed out problems for Humanity...
guide to everything that’s into more detailed characters with a particularly if they can find a
happening on the island, greater variety of powers in this book, way to re-assert control over
from the gargantuan mon- since an RPG character sheet isn’t the giant monsters.
sters themselves to the constrained by the same restrictions Chapter Five, Snakes
machinations of VIPER as an MMO. So don’t be surprised On An Island: Slither Beach,
agents, ARGENT bosses, if you see a some variation between reviews VIPER’s activities
Elder Worm explorers, and Monster Island as portrayed in this on Monster Island. In addi-
Qularr soldiers. Your heroes book and Monster Island in the MMO tion to various scientific
— just think of it as the book taking
may think that the monsters projects, the snakes spend
the wonderful tapestry that Cryptic’s
are the only threat there, woven and adding a few threads. a lot of time keeping an eye
but they’ll soon learn that on the other groups occu-
there’s a lot more to Mon- pying the island, and even
ster Island than just Mega-Terak, Qwyjibo, and stealing from them.
their brethren. Chapter Six, Wells’ Pass: Land Of The New
Chapter One, A Strange New Land: A His- Men, describes the residence and experiments
tory Of Monster Island, describes the creation of of a former VIPER scientist, the infamous Dr.
the island by the Qularr, its subsequent conver- Philippe Moreau. He’s been busy creating all
sion into a “zoo” for their alien monsters, and sorts of “manimals,” many of which serve him
what’s happened since then: the founding of as assistants or soldiers.
Bureau 17’s facilities there; occasional escapes; But not all of Moreau’s creations remain so
and in time the arrival of criminal organiza- loyal. Chapter Seven, A Dangerous Refuge: The
tions bent on turning Monster Island and its Feral Tangle, describes the region of the island
resources to their own purposes. to which escaped manimals have fled. Some are
Monster Island
Island n Chapter One 5
in Bureau 17), traveling

there, and putting a stop
to the threat. While doing
that, they discover another
potential danger that they
have to deal with. This can
go on and on, forming an
extended story arc within
the campaign. By the time
the heroes are done, Mon-
ster Island won’t pose any
sort of a threat to Humanity
anymore... or so they hope.
You can also use
Monster Island in other
settings. If your Champions
campaign isn’t set in the
Champions Universe, you
can easily insert Monster
Island into it — since the
peaceful and merely want to be left alone; others island is so far from civili-
are violent and hostile toward anyone they see zation you can plunk it down just about anywhere
as a threat. without disrupting the campaign setting. If it won’t
Chapter Eight, Hunters’ Playground: The work as an island, it could be an isolated valley
ARGENT Preserve, provides full information in the Himalayas, a tiny part of Antarctica kept
about ARGENT’s activities on the island, rang- warm by Qularr technology, a gigantic cavern in
ing from establishing an “exotic game preserve” a mountain range in the Amazon, or the like. It all
for ultra-wealthy hunters to studying and exper- depends on what works best for your campaign.
imenting on Monster Island’s many strange Other Genres
life-forms. Although it may seem the most Nor do you have to restrict Monster Island to
innocent of any of the organizations on the Champions. With a few minor changes it can work in
island, ARGENT may actually be the greatest many genres:
long-term threat to world peace and security. Dark Champions: Instead of housing giant mon-
Chapter Nine, Echinocos Shore: Lair Of The sters, the island is an open-air prison where the
Worm, describes the Elder Worm presence on worst criminals in the world are dropped off
Monster Island. Led by the Slug, the Elder Worm and left to fend for themselves. Part of it might
have come to the island in search of artifacts of be a “game preserve” where wealthy hunters
their people. If they find them, even Earth’s most could pay to track down and kill a prisoner.
powerful heroes may not be able to stop the Slug....
Chapter Ten, Andrithal, reviews Lemurian Fantasy Hero: In Fantasy Hero, Monster Island
activity on Monster Island. Years ago the Lemu- becomes Dragon Island, where several terrify-
rians discovered the remains of one of Andrith’s ingly powerful dragons (and their hoards!) were
palaces here, and Vikorin the Blind seems to put years ago by the gods to protect humans
have found a way to use the information uncov- from them. Only the bravest of heroes would
ered there to return Lemurians to their original dare to beard such dragons in their lairs....
reptilian shapes and shapechanging powers. He Pulp Hero: In a Pulp Hero campaign, Monster
and his people continue to excavate the ruins in Island wouldn’t have any inhabitants other than
search of more ancient lore and artifacts. the monsters, and perhaps some native tribes-
So tell your heroes to get ready — it’s time men who keep them at bay with a gigantic wall or
to confront a dozen different threats that exist on strange magic rituals. In effect it’s similar to Skull
Monster Island! Island in the movie King Kong, but with a wide
variety of giant monsters instead of just a big ape
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
and some dinosaurs.
Monster Island is intended primarily for
Star Hero: In a Science Fiction campaign Mon-
GMs. There is no separate “GM’s Vault” for
ster Island becomes Monsterworld — an entire
secret information, so players should not read
planet used as a nursery and “proving grounds” by
this book unless they get permission from their
the Qularr, who breed giant monsters as military
GM to do so.
weapons. Getting through the Qularr defensive
Monster Island is a Champions setting with
satellite perimeter is tough enough... but surviving
a lot of built-in adventures. The typical Mon-
once you get on the ground is even harder!
ster Island scenario involves the PCs learning
of a threat on the island (often from contacts
A Strange New Land:
The History of Monster Island
Chapter One
MONSTER
ISLAND
B
arely noticeable on most maps of the Humanity became aware that it was under
world, Monster Island is one of the most attack when Qularr transports disgorged their
fascinating places in the world... and also weapons onto the first major targets, in Japan. The
one of the most dangerous. And fifty robotic “dinosaur” Mega-Terak attacked Tokyo,
years ago it didn’t even exist. while his flesh-and-blood “brother” Cazulon was
sent to Kobe. But the land of the Rising Sun wasn’t
MAY 1965: THE QULARR INVASION
the only victim of Qularr aggression. New York
In the mid-Sixties, Humanity’s contacts City was attacked by two creatures, the gigantic
with alien life were still limited. A Sirian inva- “bird-demon” Pazuron and the “lizard-cat” Velzara.
sion had been foiled in 1938, and one or two alien The winged serpent Ganika was turned loose on
super“humans” had made appearances on Earth, Chicago, while the three-headed “dragon” Mit-
but mankind was not yet aware of the vast panoply sura ravaged the Los Angeles area. A gargantuan,
of sentient life in the Milky Way Galaxy. Contacts fire-breathing, radioactive gorilla-like beast called
with the likes of the Mandaarians, the Gadroon, Qwyjibo smashed through London, and across
the Malvans, the Elder Worm, and the Perseids the Channel the toad-like Doku slaughtered
was years or decades away. thousands of Parisians with his poisonous breath.
In May 1965, Humanity became painfully The “atomic mutant lizard” Zorgatha lay waste to
aware of one alien species: the Qularr, a quasi- Beijing, and the lightning-firing “eagle” Vakulon
insectoid, quasi-crustaceanoid species from a assaulted Moscow. No major city was spared;
planet whose location remains unknown to this even those that weren’t subjected to giant monster
day. Approaching under the concealment of the attacks found themselves under siege by lesser
stealth fields generated by their starships, the beasts or heavily-armed Qularr soldiers.
Qularr scouted Earth in search of the right place The initial Qularr attacks were generally
to create a beachhead for their invasion. Exactly successful, thanks in large part to surprise and
why they targeted Earth for attack likewise the difficulty of quickly mobilizing Human mili-
remains uncertain; most experts assume they taries to deal with the threat of the gigantic alien
wanted Earth’s copious resources. beasts. But Earth’s superheroes were often able
The Qularr apparently found what they were to slow down the monsters just long enough for
looking for in a small, unnamed barrier reef island heavy force to arrive before a city was totally
about a hundred miles off the coast of Japan. At destroyed. For this in part they had the mad
the time it was unclear why they chose that par- scientist Dr. Miles Dekkar to thank, since his
ticular location. Decades later the revelation of attack on Earth’s major cities with biological
potential Lemurian and Elder Worm artifacts in constructs just a few months before the Qularr
that area, and of mineral deposits on the island, invasion had given many heroes experience at
makes scholars wonder if there was more to the fighting strange creatures in urban environ-
choice than tactical benefit. ments. For example, in New York, the combined
The island as it originally existed was too might of the Sentinels, the Justice Squadron,
small and fragmented to suit Qularr purposes, so and the Fabulous Five, plus that of several Army
they changed it. Using their advanced alien tech- battalions, was enough to halt Velzara’s and
nology they somehow raised part of the seabed, Pazuron’s rampages, then to turn them back,
turning the atoll into a large, single island with and then to destroy them utterly. Similarly, West
an active volcano at the center. The resulting tec- Coast heroes killed Mitsura and French forces
tonic disturbance caused tidal waves and earth- finally killed Doku after horrendous loss of life
quakes all around the Pacific Rim and even along among the troops. But in other cities the mon-
Indian Ocean shores — an ominous harbinger of sters weren’t slain, merely knocked unconscious
the devastation to come. or driven away. One particularly clever tactic
With their forward base complete, the Qularr was devised by the hero MicroMan, who was
landed and released their main cargo: dozens of visiting Japan when the attack occurred and
gigantic monsters captured on alien worlds or rushed to defend Kobe. He discovered to his
bred with Qularr bioengineering and brought to amazement that his Shrinking Ray worked on
Earth in stasis chambers. Once awakened and the monster Cazulon. Today the eight inch-tall
prepared for battle, the monsters were loaded creature lives in a special fireproof cage in the
onto special transports that fanned out around the Millennium City Zoo, where he entertains visi-
planet to unleash the beasts on major metropoli- tors by destroying mock buildings set up for his
tan areas... and the war began. amusement by the zookeepers.
Monster Island n Chapter One 9
With their initial attack blunted, the Qularr

switched to more conventional tactics, hoping
to win the day with superior technology. Unfor-
tunately for them, even their awesome weapons
weren’t enough to overcome their vast numerical
inferiority. Human soldiers, aided by dozens of
superheroes (and more than a few villains noble-
minded enough to help Humanity), steadily
pushed Qularr forces back toward their landing-
point. By mid-June, the Qularr apparently decided
they’d had enough: without a word they swiftly
returned to their island, boarded their ships, and
departed Earth... seemingly for good. They left
behind the surviving monsters and plenty of their
weapons and technology.
1966: THE FOUNDING OF
MONSTER ISLAND
After uniting to defeat the Qularr, Humanity
quickly began squabbling among itself for posses-
sion of the spoils. Several nations had captive giant
monsters under sedation. Japanese and United
States forces occupied the Qularr island and had
seized most of the remaining alien technology
despite the strident protests of Beijing — and
more importantly Moscow, which moved battle-
ships into the area to enforce its claim to a fair
share of the booty. It seemed as if the world was
about to go to war once more.
Fortunately the United Nations rose to the
challenge. Tireless efforts by Secretary-General U
Thant managed — barely — to avert armed conflict
and bring all the interested parties to the negotiating
table. Months of dickering, bickering, deal-making,
and back-room compromises were the result, but by
mid-1966 most member nations of the UN, includ-
ing all members of the Security Council, had signed
the Qularr Technology and Resources Treaty. The
treaty primarily specified that:
n the Qularr island (referred to in the treaty as the
“World Biocontainment Zone,” but even at that
time better known by the slang name “Monster
Island”) would become a territory administered by
the United Nations
n the UN would rely primarily on Japan, and to a
lesser extent the United States, to see to the daily
oversight of the island and its inhabitants. Any UN
member was welcome to send a delegation at any
time to review the administration of the island.
Additionally, the newly-formed UNTIL would
assist Japan and the US as necessary.
n all captured Qularr monsters and creatures
would be brought to the island to live, in the hopes
that studying them would help Humanity learn to
more easily defeat such menaces in the future
n all captured Qularr technology would be
brought to the island for study. Japan’s Bureau 17
would primarily be responsible for conducting
these studies, though any member nation could
send scientists to assist. (Many, including all Secu-
rity Council members, did send their own person-
nel.) All results from these studies would be made
public through the UN and would become the
property of Humanity, free for use by anyone.
radically different descriptions of the devices in

their reports, accompanied by radically different
theories as to how the devices function. For now
Qularr technology remains one of the most frus-
trating and tantalizing mysteries on Earth.
OCTOBER 1968: MEGA-TERAK VERSUS
TOKYO
Despite the inability to understand Qularr
technology, all went well with Monster Island’s
primary mission — keeping the Qularr mon-
sters quarantined from Humanity — until 1968.
In mid-November of that year Mega-Terak, the
only monster who wasn’t actually biological, went
berserk. The reasons for its rampage aren’t clearly
understood, but may have had something to do
with damage it sustained in a battle with Vakulon
two week prior. Whatever the cause, an enraged
Mega-Terak battered down part of the force-field
surrounding the Bureau 17 base, destroyed part
of the base, then hurled itself against the force-
field that kept it on the island. After nearly half an
hour of pounding on one specific part of the field,
Mega-Terak broke through. Then it began swim-
ming.
Two hours later it reached the Japanese coast.
The island nation was unaware of its escape, since
Success And Disappointment its attack on the Bureau 17 base had wrecked the
As Bureau 17 began rapidly building a base communications equipment. Mega-Terak smashed
on Monster Island and simultaneously initiated its its way through Yokohama virtually unopposed
first research projects into Qularr technology, the and then made straight for Tokyo. Why it (and
nations of the world slowly and carefully shipped other giant monsters) was so fixated on Tokyo
unconscious or restrained giant monsters to their isn’t known for certain, but is assumed to have
new home. The process went remarkably well; something to do with its original programming or
only the irrascible ape Qwyjibo managed to burst instructions from its Qularr masters.
his bonds and make a break for freedom, but the As Mega-Terak began to destroy the Japanese
combined efforts of his superhero and UNTIL capital, Japanese heroes and the forces of Bureau
agent escorts knocked him out before he could 17 responded with everything in their arsenals.
destroy the ship he was on. The powered armor hero Subarashii Gunkan
By the time the first monsters arrived, Bureau (“Gigantic Man of War”) and the early form of
17 was able to announce its first breakthrough in what would eventually become Rapid Response
studying the Qularr technology. Bureau scientists, Force Sakura (see Chapter Three) were particu-
assisted by teams from the US and the USSR, fig- larly prominent in the battle and helped to divert
ured out how to operate certain pieces of Qularr the monster away from some heavily-populated
force-field technology. They used them to establish areas into a position where the Japanese military
two force-fields: one large one around the entire could unleash its full power against Mega-Terak.
island to keep the monsters on it; and a smaller, Despite his strength and size, Mega-Terak was
“denser” one to protect the Bureau 17 base itself. overwhelmed by the forces arrayed against it and
Experts everywhere predicted that advances based slowly but surely weakened. The final blow came
on Qularr technology would transform human in the form of a direct artillery hit to its chest just
existence within a decade. as Subarashii Gunkan smashed it in the head with
Unfortunately, all this optimism was mis- his most powerful (and battery-draining) punch.
placed. The breakthrough in understanding Qularr The unconscious monster was quickly
force-field technology has never been repeated dragged to Yokohama, shackled to a barge,
with any other Qularr devices, large or small. and returned to Monster Island. In the hope of
Over the past forty years many of the world’s top preventing further escapes, the Japanese gov-
minds — mundane scientists, superhero scientists, ernment and the UN allocated more money for
aliens living on Earth — have tried to figure out Bureau 17 activities on the island and provided
how Qularr technology works, but none of them the Bureau with more force-field devices to
has succeeded. At times it almost seems as if the strengthen the protective screens.
devices themselves somehow change they way
FEBRUARY 1976: QWYJIBO VERSUS
they work to prevent humans from figuring them
TOKYO
out. On two separate occasions superheroes with
scientific backgrounds have examined the same The new precautions made an escape from
devices within days of one another, only to present Monster Island more difficult... but unfortunately
not impossible. In February of 1976 the island was fered with its programming somehow and sent it
hit with unusually cold weather, including a heavy into a rage. In a sort of repeat of his 1968 escape,
snowstorm. This agitated the fire-breathing ape Mega-Terak smashed through several Bureau 17
Qwyjibo, who dislikes the cold. He began wander- facilities before making its way to the island force-
ing the island, smashing things in an aggravated field and breaking through it with ease. (VIPER
rage and picking fights with the other monsters. scientists believe that Mega-Terak had such as easy
Eventually he found himself on the northern shore time penetrating the force-field because their con-
and started battering against the island’s force- trol device somehow “charged” his metallic skin
field. Ordinarily it would have been strong enough with energy, a fact they’ve filed away for potential
to hold him, but the cold weather had caused a future use.) An unusual
short in one of the field generators, weakening level of sunspot activity
the protective screen just enough for Qwyjibo to (which may have contrib-
smash through it. uted to the failure of the
Bureau 17 personnel quickly repaired the control device) prevented
faulty equipment to prevent further escapes and Bureau 17 from getting
radioed a warning to Japan. As he waded ashore warning out to the main-
near Tokyo, Qwyjibo met considerable resistance land right away.
from Bureau 17, the Japanese Defense Forces, This time Mega-Terak
and several superheroes. His sheer, rage-fueled chose a different target:
power gave him the upper hand at first, allowing Osaka. Its approach, seen
him to beat his way through the defensive cordon almost a mile out, threw
and make it into Tokyo proper, where he began the city’s dockland into a
destroying anything he could lay his hands on. To panic. As it waded ashore
this day the famed Tokyo nightclub 24 Pop has a it smashed ships, cranes,
limousine embedded in one of its walls as a result piers, and warehouses,
of Qwyjibo throwing it at the building. then headed inland. An
The defenders quickly regrouped and pressed attempt by Bureau 17 and
the attack anew. To escape his attackers Qwyjibo the military to stop it by
began climbing a skyscraper... which made him luring it into supercharged
a perfect target for the knockout gas missile- power lines only seemed
equipped fighter jets that were just arriving. Even to strengthen it, but ulti-
a gigantic ape has to breathe, and before long mately proved its undoing.
the gas knocked him out. Three Japanese heroes As the monster continued
caught him before he could hit the ground and its rampage, a little-known
inflict even more damage, and he was then quickly Japanese hero named Hiru
returned to Monster Island. (“Leech”) arrived to see
what he could do to help.
THE EIGHTIES: THE SNAKES ARRIVE
Without regard for his
October 1981 saw a new arrival on the shores own personal safety he
of Monster Island. It wasn’t a new monster, but hurled himself on Mega-
something more dangerous still: VIPER. The Terak and began draining
criminal organization decided that studying the its internal energies. The
island’s unique fauna might allow it to create mon- extra power Mega-Terak
sters of its own, so it set up a small, well-hidden had received from the
Nest on the part of the island that’s since come to earlier attack made Hiru’s
be known as Slither Beach. job easier, and the more
At first VIPER kept its operations on Monster power he absorbed the
Island very low-key; the last thing it wanted was more he was able to con-
to attract the attention of UNTIL. But in time the tinue absorbing. Slowly but
scientists stationed there discovered something surely Mega-Terak’s inter-
that the world’s governments had been keeping a nal energy cells ebbed...
secret: the protective force-field around the island and then the monster stopped moving altogether.
interfered with satellite surveillance! To a satellite Before its energy cells regained power Japanese
Monster Island looked like a grey blur. Thus freed officials had Mega-Terak transported back to
from one of its chief security concerns, VIPER Monster Island. For a time Hiru became one of the
began to expand its activities on the island. best-known and most popular heroes in Japan.
Mega-Terak Versus Osaka
THE NINETIES: MORE MENACING
In 1985, VIPER accidentally proved just how
ARRIVALS
dangerous its meddling could be. After years of
observing and monitoring Mega-Terak, VIPER To Bureau 17 the Nineties seemed like a
scientists were convinced they could build a device relatively peaceful decade, with no major escapes
to control the robotic monster. Unfortunately they or other incidents... but unknown to it, two more
underestimated the strength of the monster’s elec- criminal groups secretly came to Monster Island
tronic defenses. Instead of taking control of Mega- in search of power.
Terak, the device the scientists built merely inter-
The Lemurians take long for their work to pay off, and every few
The first was the Lemurians. In 1993 sor- months since then they’ve unearthed more frag-
cerers from the House of Hyrg learned through ments of the Elder Worm past. Recently several
scrying-spells that Monster Island might be important discoveries have occurred, prompting
the location of one of the palaces of Andrith the Slug himself to spend more and more time on
the Golden, who was among the greatest (and the island. He and his followers have taken over a
paradoxically, most reviled) of the leaders of small Bureau 17 outpost in the area and he’s used
Lemuria from the time before the Atlantean his powers to transform the human staff into Hel-
Cataclysm. The leaders of Hyrg realized that minths — first-stage Elder Worms.
if they found the palace, it would bring their
JULY 2000: SILVER DAWN
House much prestige in Lemurian society. Even
better, who knew what ancient secrets of sor- The next member of the supervillain com-
cery or science Andrith might have kept there? munity to set up shop on Monster Island was the
If Hyrg could unearth long-forgotten pieces corrupt capitalist cartel ARGENT. In July 2000
of Andrith’s lore, who knew what its sorcerers ARGENT’s biological research division decided to
might achieve? emulate VIPER by sending a team of scientists to
House Hyrg sent study the monsters and other remnants of Qularr
an expedition under the bioengineering. The biologists made several
leadership of Vikorin the important discoveries, contributing to ARGENT’s
Blind, one of its most bottom line in the genetic engineering and bio-
renowned and powerful warfare divisions. More importantly, their pres-
scions, to scout Monster ence on the island laid the groundwork for more
Island. At first the expedi- extensive ARGENT operations to come.
tion was small and simply MARCH 2004: A NEW RESIDENT
mapped and examined the
island. But by early 1995 In early 2004, Monster Island got a new
Vikorin had concluded resident for the first time in its history. Far away
that there must, in fact, in Canada, the evil geneticist Teleios released his
be Lemurian ruins buried latest creation: the gargantuan Teleiosaurus, a fur-
somewhere beneath Mon- ther evolution of his infamous “Monstersaurus” of
ster Island’s surface. House 2001. No one knows for certain whether he delib-
Hyrg sent more nobles erately unleashed the beast on Quebec City, or it
and Mole-Men to begin an somehow escaped from him, but either way it took
excavation project. every erg of power and ounce of courage Canada’s
Proceeding cau- superheroes had to stop the thing. Once they
tiously so as to keep their finally knocked it unconscious, there were some
activities secret from in Canada who simply wanted to kill the monster
Bureau 17, and to avoid outright, but more progressive heads persuaded
the island’s volcano, the Parliament to send Teleiosaurus to Monster Island
Lemurians slowly but — after all, wasn’t that exactly what Monster
surely conducted their Island was established for?
search. In 1998 they were At the request of the Canadian government, the
finally rewarded with the United Nations agreed to take possession of Teleio-
first of what would be saurus. It assembled an UNTIL team to transport the
many Lemurian artifacts. creature to its new home. After modifying one of its
It soon became apparent that the House of Hyrg hovercraft to carry such an enormous load for thou-
had indeed stumbled on one of Andrith’s ancient sands of miles, UNTIL took Teleiosaurus to Monster
palaces. Since then, working with great care (to Island. The agents deposited him on a site chosen by
preserve the artifacts, avoid any danger, and keep Bureau 17, which had temporarily cleared the area of
their activities a secret), the Lemurians have other monsters with powerful sonic projectors. After
continued to excavate, and now believe they may getting far enough away, the Bureau 17 agents awak-
actually have found fragments of the plans for the ened Teleiosaurus with a stimulant-filled dart. At first
greatest weapon their people ever conceived: the dazed, and confused by its new tropical surround-
terrifying Mandragalore. ings, the monster tentatively explored the island.
By the time it had its first encounter with another
The Elder Worm monster (Zorgatha), it had recovered enough to give
Nor were the Lemurians the only ones to a good showing of itself.
detect the presence of possible ancient artifacts It took only a few months for Bureau 17 to
on Monster Island. While passing near the island discover something that earlier, tentative examina-
in 1998 on the way to one of his Oceanic lairs, the tions of Teleiosaurus had missed: it was some sort
Slug sensed what he thought might be relics of the of hermaphrodite, able to lay fertilized eggs. The
Elder Worm somewhere in the vicinity. Months of eggs hatched teleiosaurs, much smaller versions
careful, covert exploration followed, and eventu- of the monster itself. Since then teleiosaurs have
ally he pinpointed the Echinocos Shore area of become one of the major life-forms on the island...
Monster Island. He sent several Elder Worm to and often end up as food for the larger monsters.
the island to begin an intensive search. It didn’t
SEPTEMBER 2004: TALLY-HO! ideal and set to work with a relish, soon turn-
While reading the latest reports from their ing out dozens of his human-animal hybrids
Monster Island outpost in the summer of 2004, (“beast-men” or “manimals,” as VIPER calls
the leaders of ARGENT were intrigued by men- them). Most have remained loyal to him thanks
tions of the teleiosaurs. The first idea they had to his conditioning, but compassion or ferocity
was to try to breed them for use as biological has led a few to escape from him. They’ve cre-
weapons — a terrifying villainous equivalent ated homes for themselves north of his Wells’
to a police dog — but then one of ARGENT’s Pass lab, in an area called the Feral Tangle, and
directors, Charles Hawthorne, had an equally fight amongst themselves as often as they fight
good idea. “How much do you think wealthy him or the roaming giant monsters.
hunters would pay for a shot at one of those APRIL 2007: THE RETURN
things, or even at the big boys out there?” he OF THE QULARR
asked. The more they thought about it, the more
The most momentous event in Monster
ARGENT’s leaders liked the idea.
Island history occurred in April of 2007, though
In September 2004, an ARGENT construc-
no Humans were aware of it at the time. Moving
tion crew came to the island under cover of
under cover of a stealth field, a Qularr ship
nighttime darkness. Using some of ARGENT’s
landed in the Wayfarer Coast region of Monster
most advanced technology they quickly con-
Island — the first time the alien invaders had
structed a hunting lodge, holding pens, expanded
returned to the world that defeated them in
research laboratories, and other facilities. The
nearly fifty years. The ship’s crew quickly dis-
“ARGENT Corporate Wildlife Preserve,” as the
embarked, establishing a headquarters in a large
directors called it, was now in business. Ever since
cave, and began preparations for what UNTIL
then hunting expeditions consisting of a mix of
officials now believe may be another attempt to
wealthy, corrupt hunters and people ARGENT
mount an invasion.
wants to reward or curry favor with have come to
Bureau 17 became aware of the invasion
the island to hunt teleiosaurs and other big game.
when its monitoring stations reported that
Hawthorne, himself an avid hunter, shows up
Mega-Terak hadn’t left the Wayfarer Coast for
frequently and dreams of someday bagging one of
over a week. A team sent to investigate the situ-
the “big boys” for the trophy room of his Chicago
ation disappeared after its first radio contact
mansion.
(subsequent events have led the Bureau and
AUGUST 2005: THE NEW ISLAND UNTIL to assume, correctly, that the Qularr
OF DR. MOREAU killed them). A second team composed mostly
Since 1987, one of the leading lights of of Rapid Response Force Sakura personnel fared
VIPER’s corps of scientists was Dr. Phillippe better, fending off a Qularr attack long enough
Moreau, whom it rescued from the authorities to get word back to base and then retreat. Two
after the renegade biologist was defeated and RRF agents were killed, but the Bureau learned
captured by the New Knights of the Round Table some valuable intel — not the least of which was
and Dr. Silverback. But even in VIPER there are the fact that the Qularr had somehow estab-
limits, and over the past 20 years Moreau has often lished control over Mega-Terak and were using
pushed them, upsetting his colleagues and com- him to guard the Coast against intruders.
manders with the perverse nature of his research, The UNTIL Response
his total lack of medical and scientific ethics, and In light of this development, and revela-
his disturbing personality. tions in recent years that there’s a lot more
Matters finally came to a head in 2005 and going on at Monster Island than just a bunch
Moreau, tired of VIPER’s efforts to restrict his of big creatures roaming around, UNTIL has
work, suggested a compromise. He would leave intensified its focus on the island. It’s re-as-
VIPER but continue to work closely with it as a signed a group of agents (including several very
sort of “independent contractor.” VIPER would high-ranking officers) to monitor what’s going
set him up in a lab where no one would disturb on, try to learn more about the activities of the
him, and provide him with the technology and different factions on the island, and stop any
supplies he needed. In turn he’d offer the useful significant threats to world security before they
fruits of his research to VIPER. He didn’t care come to fruition. As always, UNTIL welcomes
about profit so much as he did the pursuit of the help of responsible superheroes.
science untrammeled by the “foolish morality” Right now UNTIL’s main interest is the
of lesser minds. Qularr. No more Qularr have been detected on or
VIPER, not wanting to let him go but rec- near Earth, but given the effectiveness of Qularr
ognizing that Moreau could no longer work stealth technology that may not mean there aren’t
effectively as part of a group, accepted the offer. any there. So far the Qularr at Wayfarer Coast
For the ultimate in “undisturbed” locations for have mostly been excavating for remnants of their
his lab, it chose Monster Island. That would former invasion force and keeping to themselves,
allow him to study the monsters and their DNA but UNTIL remains alert for any sign of hostile
if he so chose. Moreau decided the location was actions toward Humanity.
GEOGRAPHY nearby ocean currents. The average annual tempera-

ture is about 27o Celsius (80o Fahrenheit), though
AND CLIMATE serious cold weather and even snowfall occurs in
some years during the December-February period.
Monster Island began as a barrier reef island The climate tends to be wet, with an average annual
— a ring of coral reefs surrounding a volcanic rainfall of about 125 inches; July to October is the
island — about a hundred miles off the southeast- rainiest period, and most rainstorms occur in the
ern coast of Japan. Traces of the former geography mid- to late afternoon. Monster Island lies within
can still be seen in some rock formations on the the typhoon zone and is occasionally hit by major
island, in the composition of the ring of sandy storms; when a storm approaches Bureau 17 and
soil surrounding the central mountain, and other UNTIL personnel are usually evacuated to Japan,
broad features of the place. while the manimals, agents of various criminal orga-
The Qularr took that barrier reef island and nizations, and other people on the island have to stay
used their advanced alien technology to raise the and fend for themselves.
underlying seabed to create a true island. The end
result of their handiwork, forty-odd years of geologi- FLORA AND FAUNA
cal shifting and settling, and a bunch of big monsters The soil of Monster Island is very fertile, thanks
stomping around the place is an island about six in part to its volcanic origin and in part due to
miles wide and twenty miles long at its largest points. microbes implanted in it by the Qularr. (Attempts
The dominant feature of the island is the vol- to transplant these microbes to other environments
canic “chain” of mountains (really one big moun- always fail for some reason.) As a result the island
tain, basically) that forms the spine of the island. teems with all sorts of plant and animal life. Many
The highest point is the volcano at the northern specimens grow to sizes unheard of elsewhere in the
end of the mountain range, not far from the Ruins world — for example, there are redwood-sized palm
of Andrith where the Lemurians dig for relics trees and mice the size of small dogs. The animal
from their past. Although the lower reaches of the life also tends to have a high degree of resistance to
mountains are usually covered by grass or jungle, radiation. Some people (such as Dr. Janice Sellers, see
most of the mountain range is too steep and rough Chapter Eight) find all this fascinating and worthy
to be of any use to humans or most animals. The of study; others, including several UNTIL agents
habitable parts of the island are the “valleys” and assigned to the island, consider it creepy, disturbing,
“canyons” between the arms of the mountain and dangerous.
range, and the beach that rings the entire place.
THE FORCE-FIELD
THE VOLCANO Monster Island is surrounded by a force-field
The volcano is very active. It erupts frequently designed to keep the monsters from leaving; it’s
— sometimes more than once a day. According generated by Qularr technology in a way that
to Bureau 17 records, the longest recorded period humans don’t entirely understand and can’t reli-
without an eruption was nearly six months in 1996, ably work with. The field is about a hundred feet
but it’s rare for a month to go by without some kind out from the high-tide mark on the beach and
of activity. The average “eruption” usually isn’t much is calibrated to let small objects — water, people,
more than a minor oozing of lava from the volcano’s small watercraft, marine animals, and the like
cone (or vents along its sides), but stronger eruptions — pass through without effect or harm. It only
aren’t unknown. Occasionally an eruption hurls fist- affects large objects: large ships; whales; and of
sized (or larger) chunks of rock into the air to land course the monsters on the island. When it’s nec-
elsewhere on the island, posing a serious risk to the essary to bring something large inside (such as
inhabitants (two Bureau 17 agents have been killed Teleiosaurus in March 2004), Bureau 17 personnel
over the years by these falling rocks). On the other have to fiddle with the force-field generator to the
hand, occasionally the larger rocks contain chunks of best of their ability and hope they can get it to do
valuable minerals, bits of Qularr technology, or other what they want.
valuable items, so the various factions on the island Typically the force-field is invisible to the
usually rush to recover them. unaided human eye, though it can be seen as a
In game terms, the GM can use the volcano translucent golden field when viewed with Infra-
however he wishes to add a note of tension to red or Ultraviolet Perception. When contacted by
adventures or get an adventure started. Falling a large object, such as a monster, it flares golden at
rocks do 6-10d6 Normal Damage, depending on that spot, making it visible to all.
the size of the rock. Typically only characters with One unintended “side effect” of the force-
Unluck have any chance of getting hit, but if the field is that it blocks satellite surveillance, even
GM plans for a major eruption to occur during an using sophisticated sensors. To a satellite, Monster
adventure he may want to work up a random table Island looks like a greyish blur. This prevents
he can roll on to see if anyone gets hit. anyone — be it the United States, UNTIL, or Dr.
Destroyer — from viewing what’s occuring on the
WEATHER island from space. This has made it much easier
Although it’s located significantly north of the than it otherwise would have been for the likes of
equator, Monster Island has a mostly tropical climate VIPER and the Lemurians to establish themselves
thanks to the warming effects of the volcano and on Monster Island.
Big Game:
The Monsters of Monster Island
Chapter Two
16  The Monsters Of Monster Island Hero System 5th Edition Revised
MONSTER
ISLAND
A
s the name indicates, Monster Island is GANIKA
home to a number of monsters — gigan- Val Char Cost Roll Notes
tic, often fantastical, animals with strange 50 STR 40 19- Lift 25 tons; 10d6 [5]
powers. Captured on alien worlds by 20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
the Qularr, or bred by them from biomaterials 35 CON 50 16-
obtained in their explorations of the Galaxy, these 30 BODY 40 15-
creatures are powerful, impressive, and deadly. 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
The Qularr apparently use creatures like this as 10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
machines of war, which is why they brought them 30 PRE 20 15- PRE Attack: 6d6
to Earth. 8 COM -1 11-
All the monsters on Monster Island share a
few attributes. First, they heal quickly from inju- 25 PD 15 Total: 25 PD (20 rPD)
ries, a trait no doubt bred or bioengineered into 25 ED 18 Total: 25 ED (20 rED)
them by the Qularr to make them more efficient 4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
weapons. Second, they also don’t have to eat very 20 REC 6
much for creatures of their size, another helpful 70 END 0
logistical feature. Third, they tend to be aggressive, 73 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 228
territorial, and confrontational. Monster Island Movement: Running: 18”/36”
often rings with the roars and cries of two mon- Flight: 15”/30”
sters locked in battle. Eventually one or the other Leaping: 0”/0”
establishes dominance and the other slinks away Swimming: 12”/24”
to lick its wounds and prepare for the next fight.
For game purposes, just about any Monster Cost Powers END
Island monster should be a challenge for a team 20 Energy Absorption: Endurance Reserve
of PC superheroes, at least for a Turn or so. All (200 END, 0 REC; see text) 0
the monsters belong to the Animal class of minds 180 Energy Absorption: Absorption 10d6
(except Mega-Terak, who’s robotic and affected by (energy, to STR and to END of Endurance
either Human or Machine psionic powers). Reserve), two abilities simultaneously
(+½), Can Absorb A Maximum Of 200
Points’ Worth Of Energy 0
62 Absorbed Energy: Multipower, 125-point
reserve; all Attack May Only Be As
Powerful As Attack Ganika Was Hit
With (-½), Can Only Be Used While
Absorption Is In Effect (see text; -½)
6u 1) Absorbed Energy Blasts: Energy Blast
20d6, Variable Special Effects (can only
use last Energy Blast special effect was hit
with, see text; +¼); common Limitations var
6u 2) Absorbed RKAs: RKA 6d6, Variable
Special Effects (can only use last RKA
special effect was hit with, see text; +¼);
common Limitations var
30 Bite: HKA 2d6 (4d6 with STR) 3
20 Scaly Skin: Damage Resistance
(20 PD/20 ED) 0
60 Monstrous Form: Physical and Energy
Damage Reduction, 50%, Resistant 0
18 Monstrous Mind: Mental Defense (20
points total) 0
24 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -12” 0
5 Monstrous Physiology: Healing BODY
1d6 (Regeneration; 1 BODY per Hour),
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½), Per-
sistent (+½); Extra Time (1 Turn; -1¼),
Monster Island n Chapter Two 17
Increased Time Increment (1 Hour; -1), MEGA-TERAK

Self Only (-½) 0 Val Char Cost Roll Notes
1 Monstrous Physiology: Life Support 80 STR 70 25- Lift 1.6 ktons; 16d6 [8]
(Diminished Eating: once per week) 0 20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
20 Batwings: Flight 15”; Restrainable (-½) 3 40 CON 60 17-
24 Long Body: Running +12” (18” total) 2 35 BODY 50 16-
10 Long Body: Swimming +10” (12” total) 1 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
5 Tail: Extra Limb, Inherent (+¼); Limited 10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
Manipulation (-¼) 0 40 PRE 30 17- PRE Attack: 8d6
55 Reach: Stretching 13”, Reduced 8 COM -1 11-
Endurance (0 END; +½); Always Direct
(-¼), No Noncombat Stretching (-¼), 30 PD 14 Total: 30 PD (30 rPD)
No Velocity Damage (-¼) 0 30 ED 22 Total: 30 ED (30 rED)
5 SPD 20 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12
Skills 25 REC 2
20 +4 HTH 80 END 0
100 STUN 5 Total Characteristics Cost: 302
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 566
Total Cost: 794 Movement: Running: 20”/40”
Leaping: 8”/4”
200+ Disadvantages
Swimming: 20”/40”
15 Physical Limitation: Animal Intelligence
(Frequently, Greatly Impairing) Cost Powers END
15 Physical Limitation: Gigantic (32m tall; 91 Lightning Breath: Multipower, 160-point
-8 DCV, +8 to PER Rolls to perceive) (Fre- reserve; all No Range (-½), 12 Charges
quently, Greatly Impairing) for entire Multipower (-¼) [12]
10 Physical Limitation: Reduced Leap, cannot 11u 1) Direct Lightning Bolt: Energy Blast
leap (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing) 16d6, Area Of Effect (32” Line; +1); No
15 Physical Limitation: Very Limited Manipu- Range (-½)
lation (Frequently, Greatly Impairing) 11u 2) Lightning Cone: Energy Blast 16d6, Area
539 Experience Points Of Effect (17” Cone; +1); No Range (-½)
Total Disadvantage Points: 794 120 Limbs, Fangs, Claws: Multipower,
120-point reserve
Description: Ganika is a gigantic serpent — about 4u 1) Bite: HKA 3d6 (6d6 with STR) 4
a hundred feet long and proportionately thick and 3u 2) Claws: HKA 2d6 (4d6 with STR) 3
heavy — with large, bat-like wings about one- 12u 3) Tail Sweep: Area Of Effect (4” Cone; +1)
third of the way down the body from its head. The for up to 80 STR, Reduced Endurance
head itself is slightly oversized with large fangs (0 END; +½) 0
and large, red, malevolent eyes. Ganika’s scales 9u 4) Stomp: Area Of Effect (One Hex
are mostly dull gold, with some that are black and Doubled; +¾) for up to 80 STR, Reduced
form patterns down his back; they all glisten in the Endurance (0 END; +½) 0
light as if they were partly made of crystal. 20 Tireless: Reduced Endurance
Powers/Tactics: Besides being large, strong, and (½ END; +¼) for 80 STR 0
having a mouth full of enormous fangs, Ganika 30 Metal Skin And Body: Damage
has the power to absorb and redirect energy. If Resistance (30 PD/30 ED) 0
he’s hit with an energy attack (such as a laser, a 60 Monstrous Form: Physical and Energy
fire blast, or a pulson beam), he uses Absorp- Damage Reduction, 50%, Resistant 0
tion to feed END into his Endurance Reserve. 18 Monstrous Mind: Mental Defense
The Reserve has a maximum of 200 END and no (20 points total) 0
REC (it can only replenish its END via Absorp- 30 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -15” 0
tion), and he usually starts a combat at 0 END 5 Monstrous Physiology: Healing BODY 1d6
unless he’s recently been fighting another monster (Regeneration; 1 BODY per Hour), Reduced
or other foe who has energy powers. Absorbing Endurance (0 END; +½), Persistent (+½);
energy also makes him stronger and larger. He Extra Time (1 Turn; -1¼), Increased Time
stores the energy within his scales and can fire it Increment (1 Hour; -1), Self Only (-½) 0
at any target he chooses, in the same form, same 45 Robotic Form: Life Support (Total) 0
amount of dice, and same Power (Energy Blast 28 Long Legs: Running +14” (20” total) 3
or RKA) as the last energy attack he was hit with. 18 Long Legs And Tail: Swimming +18”
However, he can only use his Absorbed Energy (20” total) 2
power as long as he still has Absorbed points of 5 Robotic Eyes: Infrared Perception
STR or Reserve END to use; once either the STR (Sight Group) 0
or Reserve END completely fades, he cannot shoot 5 Robotic Eyes: Ultraviolet Perception
absorbed energy. (Sight Group) 0
5 Tail: Extra Limb, Inherent (+¼); Limited
Manipulation (-¼) 0
55 Reach: Stretching 13”, Reduced Endur- Total Disadvantage Points: 917

ance (0 END; +½); Always Direct (-¼), No Description: Unlike all the other monsters on
Noncombat Stretching (-¼), No Velocity Monster Island, Mega-Terak isn’t a living being.
Damage (-¼) 0 It’s actually an incredibly sophisticated robot that
Skills looks, to human eyes, like a gigantic, quasi-skel-
30 +6 HTH etal, tyrannosaurus sort of creature. It’s 120 feet
tall, making him one of the largest of the Monster
Island monsters.
Total Cost: 917
Mega-Terak is currently under the control
200+ Disadvantages of the Qularr in Wayfarer Coast. He patrols that
10 Physical Limitation: Near-Human Intelli- area to protect them from any threats, and can be
gence (Frequently, Slightly Impairing) “summoned” by the Qularr Invasion Leader and
8 Physical Limitation: Reduced Leap, can his high-ranking junior officers if necessary.
only leap half as far as STR indicates (Infre- Powers/Tactics: One of the deadliest and most
quently, Slightly Impairing) powerful monsters on the island, Mega-Terak is
5 Physical Limitation: can be affected by not only very difficult to damage but has powerful
Mental Powers that affect either the Human attacks. Its natural weapons — fangs, claws, large
or Machine class of minds (Infrequently, limbs, and a tail for bashing — allow it to shred
Slightly Impairing) or crush most attackers with ease. If that’s not
15 Physical Limitation: Very Limited Manipu- enough, Mega-Terak can breath lightning either in
lation (Frequently, Greatly Impairing) a direct beam or a broad cone.
15 Physical Limitation: Gigantic (32m tall; If your campaign uses the Hit Location
-8 DCV, +8 to PER Rolls to perceive) (Fre- rules, the Tyrannosaur Hit Location Table on
quently, Greatly Impairing) page 158 of The HERO System Bestiary applies
664 Experience Points to Mega-Terak.
QWYJIBO (Diminished Eating: once per week; Safe

Val Char Cost Roll Notes Environment: High Radiation) 0
70 STR 60 23- Lift 400 tons; 14d6 [7] 48 Gigantic Legs: Running +24” (30” total) 5
20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7 3 Ape Senses: +1 PER with all Sense Groups 0
40 CON 60 17- 5 Feet As Dextrous As Hands: Extra Limbs (2),
30 BODY 40 15- Inherent (+¼); Limited Manipulation (-¼) 0
10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11- Skills
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3 8 +4 OCV with Strike
40 PRE 30 17- PRE Attack: 8d6
8 COM -1 11- 3 Climbing 13-
25 PD 11 Total: 25 PD (15 rPD)
Total Cost: 794
25 ED 17 Total: 25 ED (15 rED)
5 SPD 20 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 200+ Disadvantages
22 REC 0 15 Physical Limitation: Gigantic (32m tall;
80 END 0 -8 DCV, +8 to PER Rolls to perceive) (Fre-
85 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 267 quently, Greatly Impairing)
10 Physical Limitation: Limited Manipulation
Movement: Running: 30”/60”
(Frequently, Slightly Impairing)
Leaping: 14”/28”
10 Physical Limitation: Near-Human Intelli-
Cost Powers END gence (Frequently, Slightly Impairing)
169 Fire Projection: Multipower, 169-point 559 Experience Points
reserve Total Disadvantage Points: 794
13u 1) Fire Spittle: RKA 5d6, Area Of Effect
(8” Radius; +1), Reduced Endurance Description: Qwyijibo is the most terrestrial-look-
(½ END; +¼); Limited Range (30”; -¼) 7 ing of all the Qularr monsters. To human eyes he
7u 2) Fireball: RKA 6d6; Limited Range resembles a hundred foot-tall gorilla with fiery fur
(50”; -¼) 9 on his hands and lower arms, shoulders, and head,
10u 3) Fiery Shockwave: RKA 4d6, Area Of and upper back. The fiery fur on his back has a
Effect (6” Radius; +1), Personal Immunity pattern vaguely suggesting a skull. The rest of his
(+¼), Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼); fur is dark brown.
No Range (-½) 6 Powers/Tactics: Qwyijibo is strong, fierce, territo-
35 Gigantic Hands: Area Of Effect (One Hex; rial, and at times aggressive. In battle he mostly
+½) for STR 70 3 relies on his strength and fangs; he likes to grapple
55 Reach: Stretching 13”, Reduced Endur- with opponents and then beat them into submis-
ance (0 END; +½); Always Direct (-¼), sion, hurl them to the ground, or throw them. But
No Noncombat Stretching (-¼), he has two other weapons at his disposal. First,
No Velocity Damage (-¼) 0 he can project fire. The main way he does this is
30 Bite: HKA 2d6 (4d6 with STR) 3 by breathing a thin beam of flame that hits the
9 Roar: +20 PRE; Only For Fear-Based ground under a target (or targets) and explodes
Presence Attacks (-1), Incantations out to cover an area. He can also throw fireballs
(must roar; -¼) 0 at a single target, or smash the ground to create a
15 Thick Skin: Damage Resistance “shockwave” of flame all around himself.
(15 PD/15 ED) 0 Qwyijibo doesn’t have quite as much Resis-
7 Fire Resistance: Damage Resistance tant Defense as the other monsters, but he makes
(+10 ED); Only Versus Limited Type Of up for it by healing twice as fast as they do. His
Attack (fire/heat; -½) 0 running-leaping-swinging style of locomotion
60 Monstrous Form: Physical and Energy allows him to move across the ground much faster
Damage Reduction, 50%, Resistant 0 than any of them, giving him a major tactical
18 Monstrous Mind: Mental Defense advantage in some fights. He’s skilled at moving
(20 points total) 0 around during a battle, and using the environment
24 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -12” 0 to his advantage; he doesn’t just stand in one place
5 Monstrous Physiology: Healing BODY and slug it out with his opponent.
1d6 (Regeneration; 1 BODY per Half- If badly injured (i.e., he takes more than 10
Hour), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½), BODY damage) or somehow frightened, Qwyi-
Persistent (+½); Extra Time (1 Turn; -1¼), jibo flees. If possible he climbs out of reach of his
Increased Time Increment opponent; if not he runs away at top speed.
(1 Half-Hour; -1), Self Only (-½) 0
3 Monstrous Physiology: Life Support
TELEIOSAURUS 7u 3) Radiation Footstomp: Energy Blast

Val Char Cost Roll Notes 12d6, Area Of Effect (6” Radius; +1),
70 STR 60 23- Lift 400 tons; 14d6 [7] Personal Immunity (+¼), Reduced
23 DEX 39 14- OCV: 8/DCV: 8 Endurance (½ END; +¼); Extra Time
40 CON 60 17- (Full Phase; -½), No Range (-½) 6
40 BODY 60 17- 33 Intensely Radioactive: RKA ½d6, NND
10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11- (defense is Life Support [Safe Environment:
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3 High Radiation]; +1), Does BODY (+1),
35 PRE 25 16- PRE Attack: 7d6 Continuous (+1), Damage Shield (+½),
8 COM -1 11- Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½); Only
Works On Living Beings (-½), Side Effects
20 PD 6 Total: 20 PD (15 rPD) (irradiates environment, always occurs; -0) 0
20 ED 12 Total: 20 ED (15 rED) 67 Jaws: HKA 3d6, Armor Piercing (+½)
5 SPD 17 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 (4d6 with STR) 7
25 REC 6 20 Headbutt: HA +6d6; Hand-To-Hand
80 END 0 Attack (-½) 3
100 STUN 5 Total Characteristics Cost: 289 15 Forelimb Claws: HKA 1d6 (2d6 with STR) 1
Movement: Running: 18”/36” 15 Tough Skin: Damage Resistance
Leaping: 0”/0” (15 PD/15 ED) 0
Swmming: 15”/30” 60 Monstrous Form: Physical and Energy
Damage Reduction, 50%, Resistant 0
Cost Powers END 18 Monstrous Mind: Mental Defense
169 Radiation Emission: Multipower, (20 points total) 0
169-point reserve 24 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -12” 0
11u 1) Radiation Pulse Breath: Energy Blast 5 Monstrous Physiology: Healing BODY
15d6, Area Of Effect (16” Cone; +1), 1d6 (Regeneration; 1 BODY per Six
Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼); Hours), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½),
No Range (-½) 7 Persistent (+½); Extra Time (1 Turn; -1¼),
9u 2) Radiation Puff: RKA 3d6, NND Increased Time Increment (6 Hours; -1¼),
(defense is Life Support [Safe Environment: Self Only (-½) 0
High Radiation]; +1), Does BODY (+1); 1 Monstrous Physiology: Life Support
No Range (-½) 13 (Diminished Eating: once per week) 0
24 Big Body And Long Legs: Running +12” Monstersaurus, it’s even bigger and deadlier, but
(18” total) 2 it lacks wings.
13 Long Legs And Tail: Swimming +13” Powers/Tactics: Compared to the other Mon-
(15” total) 1 ster Island monsters, Teleiosaurus doesn’t have
6 Dinosaur Senses: +2 PER with all Sense as much Resistant Defense, and he heals more
Groups 0 slowly. However, he’s faster and more agile in
5 Tail: Extra Limb, Inherent (+¼); Limited combat, and his radiation attacks are powerful.
Manipulation (-¼) 0 First, he can breathe forth a spray of tiny radia-
55 Reach: Stretching 13”, Reduced Endur- tion “fireballs” over a conical area. Second, he
ance (0 END; +½); Always Direct (-¼), No can breathe out a “puff ” of radiation to affect
Noncombat Stretching (-¼), No Velocity an opponent next to him. Lastly, he can squat
Damage (-¼) 0 down to the ground, build up his inner radia-
Skills tion, then leap up and do a “footstomp” that
20 +4 HTH unleashes a cloud of radiation all around him.
10 +2 DCV (Additionally, he’s highly radioactive; anyone
coming within a hex of him is subject to the
effects of his Damage Shield.) He usually tries
Total Cost: 876
to get off a few radiation-blasts while closing
200+ Disadvantages with an opponent, then puts most (if not all) of
15 Physical Limitation: Animal Intelligence his Combat Skill Levels into DCV until he has a
(Frequently, Greatly Impairing) good opportunity for a succesful attack with his
15 Physical Limitation: Gigantic (32m tall; fearsome Jaws, or to use his mighty Headbutt.
-8 DCV, +8 to PER Rolls to perceive) (Fre-
TELEIOSAURS
quently, Greatly Impairing)
14 Physical Limitation: Reduced Leap, cannot Teleiosaurs are Teleiosaurus’s children —
leap (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing) miniature versions of itself that hatch from the
15 Physical Limitation: Very Limited Manipu- eggs it lays. They roam many parts of the island
lation (Frequently, Greatly Impairing) and often become meals for the larger monsters.
15 Psychological Limitation: Will Not Harm For the smallest teleiosaurs, use the
Teleios (Uncommon, Total) Deinonychus (Velociraptor) character sheet
602 Experience Points from page 153 of The HERO System Bestiary,
Total Disadvantage Points: 876 but add the ability to spit blobs of radia-
tion: Energy Blast 8d6, Reduced Endurance
Description: Teleiosaurus is another of Teleios’s (½ END); Extra Time (Full Phase), Limited
monsters bred from dinosaur DNA. Basically it’s Range (8”). For the larger/adult ones, use the
a super-sized, brown-skinned tyrannosaur with Tyrannosaurus Rex sheet from page 158 of
a few custom-tailored features (like radiation the Bestiary, but reduce its STR to 35-40 and
breath, small spikes on its back that glow green its CON, BODY, and PRE to 25, and increase
when it uses its radiation powers, and a large the Spit Radiation power to Energy Blast 10d6
“horn” on the back of its head). Its tough, leath- and range 12”.
ery skin is brown. Compared to its predecessor,
VAKULON 28 Long Legs: Running +14” (20” total) 3

Val Char Cost Roll Notes 6 Vakulon’s Eyes: +3 PER with Sight Group 0
60 STR 50 21- Lift 100 tons; 12d6 [6] 15 Vakulon’s Eyes: +10 versus Range for
22 DEX 36 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7 Sight Group 0
30 CON 40 15- 34 Reach: Stretching 8”, Reduced Endurance
30 BODY 40 15- (0 END; +½); Always Direct (-¼), No
10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11- Noncombat Stretching (-¼), No Velocity
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3 Damage (-¼) 0
40 PRE 30 17- PRE Attack: 8d6 Skills
10 COM 0 11- 10 +2 HTH
18 PD 6 Total: 15 PD (15 rPD) 15 +3 DCV
18 ED 12 Total: 15 ED (15 rED) 4 +2 OCV with Move By
4 SPD 8 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 Total Powers & Skills Cost: 543
20 REC 4 Total Cost: 769
60 END 0
75 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 226 200+ Disadvantages
10 Physical Limitation: Near-Human Intelli-
Movement: Running: 20”/40” gence (Frequently, Slightly Impairing)
Leaping: 6”/12” 15 Physical Limitation: Gigantic (32m tall;
Flight: 30”/60” -8 DCV, +8 to PER Rolls to perceive) (Fre-
quently, Greatly Impairing)
Cost Powers END
6 Physical Limitation: Reduced Leap, can
100 Lightning Eyes: Multipower, 150-point
only leap half as far as STR indicates (Infre-
reserve; all No Range (-½)
quently, Slightly Impairing)
10u 1) Lightning Blast I: Energy Blast
15 Physical Limitation: Very Limited Manipu-
15d6, Area Of Effect (30” Line; +1);
lation (Frequently, Greatly Impairing)
No Range (-½) 15
523 Experience Points
10u 1) Lightning Blast II: RKA 5d6, Area
Of Effect (30” Line; +1); No Range (-½) 15 Total Disadvantage Points: 769
45 Beak: HKA 3d6 (6d6 with STR) 4 Description: Vakulon resembles a gargantuan, eagle-
48 Talons: HKA 4d6 (8d6 with STR); like raptor with dark green, blue, and black feathers.
Reduced Penetration (-¼) 6 When it unfurls its vast wings it blots the sun from
45 Talons: Area Of Effect (One Hex; +½) the sky, and its enormous beak can smash through
for 60 STR; Reduced Endurance tanks or snap the tops off buildings. Worst of all, the
(0 END; +½) 0 monster’s large eyes are light blue orbs with sparks of
15 Monstrous Form: Damage Resistance electricity swirling around in them, and when he gets
(15 PD/15 ED) 0 mad he can fire bolts of lightning from them!
60 Monstrous Form: Physical and Energy
Damage Reduction, 50%, Resistant 0 Powers/Tactics: As a bird, Vakulon isn’t quite as
18 Monstrous Mind: Mental Defense tough or strong as some of the other monsters,
(20 points total) 0 but he’s faster and can fight from the air. If he has
24 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -12” 0 a range advantage on his opponent he’ll stay in
5 Monstrous Physiology: Healing BODY the air and fire Lighting Blasts; otherwise he starts
1d6 (Regeneration; 1 BODY per Hour), with a blast and then uses Move Bys to claw-swipe
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½), Per- his foe. If he can he Grabs his opponent, flies far
sistent (+½); Extra Time (1 Turn; -1¼), up in the air, and drops the opponent to his doom.
Increased Time Increment (1 Hour; -1), As the two monsters who can fly, Vakulon
Self Only (-½) 0 and Ganika have a particular dislike of each
1 Monstrous Physiology: Life Support other and fight frequently. Falling gouts of
(Diminished Eating: once per week) 0 blood and flesh from these aerial battles have
50 Wings: Flight 30”, Reduced Endurance injured (not to mention disgusted) more than
(½ END; +¼); Restrainable (-½) 3 one Bureau 17 agent.
ZORGATHA 3 Monstrous Physiology: Life Support

Val Char Cost Roll Notes (Diminished Eating: once per week; Safe
80 STR 70 25- Lift 1.6 ktons; 16d6 [8] Environment: High Radiation) 0
18 DEX 24 13- OCV: 6/DCV: 6 48 Long Legs: Running +24” (30” total) 5
50 CON 80 19- 13 Long Legs And Tail: Swimming +13”
50 BODY 80 19- (15” total) 1
10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11- 60 Burrowing: Tunneling 15” through DEF
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3 15 materials; Linked (to Shrinking; -¼) 7
50 PRE 40 19- PRE Attack: 10d6 5 Tongue And Tail: Extra Limbs (2),
8 COM -1 11- Inherent (+¼); Limited Manipulation (-¼) 0
55 Reach: Stretching 13”, Reduced
35 PD 19 Total: 35 PD (35 rPD) Endurance (0 END; +½); Always Direct
35 ED 25 Total: 35 ED (35 rED) (-¼), No Noncombat Stretching (-¼), No
4 SPD 12 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 Velocity Damage (-¼) 0
30 REC 8
100 END 0 Skills
120 STUN 5 Total Characteristics Cost: 362 20 +4 HTH
3 Stealth 13-
Leaping: 8”/16” Total Powers & Skills Cost: 590
Swimming: 15”/30” Total Cost: 952
Tunneling: 15”/20”
200+ Disadvantages
Cost Powers END 10 Physical Limitation: Near-Human Intelli-
30 Bite: HKA 2d6 (4d6 with STR) 3 gence (Frequently, Slightly Impairing)
30 Claws: HKA 2d6 (4d6 with STR) 3 15 Physical Limitation: Gargantuan (64m
33 Intensely Radioactive: RKA ½d6, long; -10 DCV, +10 to PER Rolls to per-
NND (defense is Life Support [Safe ceive) (Frequently, Greatly Impairing)
Environment: High Radiation]; +1), 8 Physical Limitation: Reduced Leap, can
Does BODY (+1), Continuous (+1), only leap half as far as STR indicates (Infre-
Damage Shield (+½), Reduced Endur- quently, Slightly Impairing)
ance (0 END; +½); Only Works On 15 Physical Limitation: Very Limited Manipu-
Living Beings (-½), Side Effects lation (Frequently, Greatly Impairing)
(irradiates environment, always occurs; -0) 0 704 Experience Points
32 Acidic Blood: RKA 1d6, Continuous (+1), Total Disadvantage Points: 952
Damage Shield (+½), Penetrating (+½),
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½), Description: Often referred to as “an enormous
Persistent (+½), Personal Immunity (+¼), atomic mutant lizard” even though no one on
100 Charges which Recover by healing Earth can say for certain if he is, in fact, a mutant
(character can only recover Charges by whose powers derive from atomic energy, Zor-
healing BODY damage; +0); Always On gatha looks to human eyes like a lizard that’s
(-½), Only Works Against Objects Which a cross between a gila monster and a komodo
Cause Character BODY Damage Or On dragon... only big enough to swallow a tractor-
Which Character’s Blood Is Spilled (-1) trailer truck with ease, and with a row of sharp
plus Autofire (20 shots; +1½) for this horn-like spines running down the center of his
power; No Conscious Control (number of back. His scales are mostly black and grey, but
shots used depends on BODY damage with diamond-shaped patterns in orange running
taken; -1) 0 down both sides of the row of spines. His eyes are
40 Become Human Size: Shrinking (reduce large and yellow, and his body glows with radia-
to human size); Can Only Be Used At tion. He has a long, sticky tongue that often lashes
Full Effect (see text; -¼) 5 out to Grab an unwary foe.
35 Thick Skin: Damage Resistance Powers/Tactics: Zorgatha is physically the largest
(35 PD/35 ED) 0 of the Monster Island monsters — his length is
120 Monstrous Form: Physical and Energy twice Mega-Terak’s or Qwyjibo’s height. However,
Damage Reduction, 75%, Resistant 0 since he can’t stand on two legs or rear up, his size
18 Monstrous Mind: Mental Defense isn’t always the combat advantage it otherwise
(20 points total) 0 could be... but it does make him particularly tough
40 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -20” 0 and difficult to harm.
5 Monstrous Physiology: Healing BODY Unfortunately for the PCs, Zorgatha isn’t
1d6 (Regeneration; 1 BODY per Hour), restricted to that size. He can shrink down to
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½), Per- human size (he has five levels of Shrinking, reduc-
sistent (+½); Extra Time (1 Turn; -1¼), ing him from roughly 32 times human size to
Increased Time Increment (1 Hour; -1), the size of an adult man). He can’t stop at inter-
Self Only (-½) 0 mediate sizes; his only choices are Gargantuan
and Human. Because Zorgatha Shrinks almost
instantly when he activates the power, depending
on the terrain and the loca-

tion of the PCs relative to
him, Shrinking may effec-
tively allow him to “vanish”
into the undergrowth or
behind an outcropping of
rock. Furthermore, while
human-sized Zorgatha
can Tunnel at tremendous
speeds, which may allow
him to escape pursuers or
ambush his opponents.
Zorgatha typically
attacks with his fangs and
claws, but he poses other
dangers. First, he’s intensely
radioactive; just being near
him can kill an unshielded
human quickly. Second,
his blood is highly acidic;
wounding him is likely to
leave his attacker wounded
as well (or at least ruin the
weapon used). Lastly, if
someone were to fall onto
the spines on Zorgatha’s
back, they’d take 2-4d6 of
Killing Damage, depending
on velocity and the size of
the spine, but this so rarely
happens Zorgatha doesn’t
buy it as a power.
Bureau 17:
Humanity’s First Defense
Chapter Three
26  Bureau 17: Humanity’s First Defense Hero System 5th Edition Revised
BUREAU 17
U
NTIL keeps an eye on Monster Island, fight them. All that hard work paid off during
and many member nations of the UN Mega-Terak’s 1968 escape from the island, when
occasionally send observers or scholars Bureau 17 personnel minimized the loss of life
to work at the island for a short time. and property the monster caused with their
But the organization that’s primarily responsible their equipment, tactics, and skills.
for administering and monitoring the island and
REORGANIZATION
keeping humanity safe from its residents is Bureau
17, the official Japanese agency for paranormal By the mid-Seventies, Bureau 17 was being
and supernatural affairs. The men and women of stretched to the limit. The increased number of
Bureau 17 are the “thin blue line” that protects supervillains and related threats to Japan was
Japan (and the world) from a wide variety of men- getting harder and harder for it to cope with in
aces and threats — most famously, the monsters of addition to its monster-fighting and supernatu-
Monster Island. ral investigation responsiblities. Some Japanese
officials also had constitutional concerns about
Bureau 17’s arsenal and activities.
HISTORY Finally the decision was made to change the
way Japan organized its response to “unusual”
Bureau 17 began in the late Forties, in the threats. Having one large organization, Bureau 17,
wake of World War II and the bombing of Hiro- was becoming cumbersome, so the Bureau’s duties
shima and Nagasaki. The aftereffects of the atomic were split between three groups. Bureau 17 itself
bombs afflicted Japan with all sorts of problems remained responsible for monsters, giant and oth-
— not just mundane ones like lack of infrastruc- erwise (particularly in regard to Monster Island),
ture and heightened cancer rates, but paranormal and also for any response to alien invasions or
ones like hideously mutated people and animals, incursions. The government created a new organi-
increased numbers of ghosts, bizarre leftovers zation, Bureau 18, specifically to cope with super-
from Unit 731 experiments, and the like. Japan villains and most related menaces. Often referred
had almost no active superheroes at the time, so to as “Japan’s UNTIL,” Bureau 18 is the largest,
the Japanese government requested and received best-equipped, and in many ways most active of
the permission of the United States to establish a the three groups. The last group, Bureau 19, col-
branch of the military to deal with these threats. loquially known as “the Occult Police,” deals with
For obscure bureaucratic reasons it named this supernatural and mystic dangers; its “agents” are
organization “Bureau 17.” more likely to be scholars and academics than
For the first decade or so of its existence, weapon-wielding field personnel.
Bureau 17 handled all sorts of “unusual” problems Generally the three Bureaus work together
in Japan: supervillains; monsters; weird menaces; well, though there’s often some question about
alien attackers. Usually it succeeded, and when it who has chief jurisdiction. If a supervillain creates
didn’t, it learned and adapted. Its first encounter a monster, is it an 18 or 17 matter? If a supervil-
with gigantic monsters like Ganika occurred in lain has mystic powers, does 19 or 18 take charge?
March, 1965 when it spearheaded efforts in Japan Usually the Japanese resolve these problems
and the rest of East Asia to combat the creations quickly and cleanly in the interest of coping with
of the insane scientist Dr. Miles Dekkar, the so- the problem rather than wasting time on bureau-
called “Monster Maker.” Just a few months later cratic wrangling. But sometimes smoldering
the Qularr invaded, and the tactics and equip- resentments come back to haunt the three groups.
ment Bureau 17 had developed in the fight against
Dekkar allowed it to help superheroes defend NOVEMBER 1994: THE COMING OF THE
Japan, and even to tackle some monsters without MONSTER-MASTER
superhuman help at all. Bureau 17 continued doing its job compe-
When the world decided to quarantine the tently and effectively for nearly two more decades.
leftover Qularr monsters on Monster Island, But in 1994 it was nearly destroyed by a corrup-
Japan realized it needed an organization to tion scandal that threatened not only Japan, but
oversee the project — and that organization had possibly the world.
to be Bureau 17. No other group had the knowl- At that time there was a scientist working
edge or experience to handle the job. Bureau 17 for Bureau 17 named Maehata Hiromi. Eager for
willingly took on the task and began intensely a more thrilling life and direct involvement in
studying the monsters so it could better prepare the Bureau’s mission, she had repeatedly applied
itself to watch over them... and if necessary,
Monster Island n Chapter Three 27
to join Rapid Response Force Sakura, only to intense interest to Bureau 17.) Maehata, realizing
be turned down again and again. She became she’d simply been a pawn, committed suicide
increasingly frustrated and bitter, convinced she before the heroes could stop her.
was being denied not only because she was a
BUREAU 17 TODAY
woman (though there were female RRF-S mem-
bers, then and now) but because her superiors In the wake of the Maehata scandal, Bureau
actively disliked her since she wouldn’t flirt with 17 cleaned house and underwent a re-organi-
them around the office. zation. Many long-term employees whose inef-
Eventually Maehata became so disgruntled ficiency, and possibly even corruption, had been
that she was easy prey for the charms of a char- quietly tolerated were removed and an effort was
ismatic would-be world conqueror named Jason made to institute a new organizational culture
Anglesey. With flattery, gifts, money, and simply of dedication to duty and to the people of Japan.
paying attention to her, Anglesey won her over to Ranks and the bureaucracy were streamlined, and
his side. His plans required access to the Monster roadblocks to acquiring new technologies and
Island monsters, and soon he had such emotional resources were minimized or removed.
control over Maehata that she was willing to Thus revitalized, Bureau 17 continued
reveal Bureau 17 secrets to him that would let him its mission with renewed vigor. The arrival
achieve his goal. of Teleiosaurus in 2004, and the realization
In November 1994 Anglesey revealed his that many criminal organizations were paying
plan to the world. Dubbing himself “the Monster- close attention to Monster Island or even had
Master,” he used special devices of his own inven- agents there, forced the Bureau to expand its
tion to do three things. First, he took control of the personnel roster and find ways to do its job
Monster Island monsters. Second, he temporarily more efficiently. Today Bureau 17 stands tall
negated the protective force-field around the as one of humanity’s prime protectors and
island so he could take the monsters away. Third, looks forward to continuing its duties into the
he generated a “transportal gate” that teleported foreseeable future.
the monsters to his chosen target: New York City.
With Maehata at his side, the Monster-Master
led his army of giant monsters to destroy New ORGANIZATION
York. The Sentinels, the Justice Squadron, and Thanks to the mid-Nineties reorganization,
several independent heroes responded. The fight Bureau 17 is a simply-structured agency that
was vicious and the destruction great, but not emphasizes efficiency and competence rather
so great as it would have been had the Monster- that bureaucracy and paperwork. Technically
Master been unopposed. The tide of battle turned speaking it’s a branch of the Japanese military
when one of the heroes, an acrobat and martial — specifically, a brigade assigned to the Eastern
artist known as Jack O’Spades, smashed the device Army section of the Japanese Ground Self-De-
the Monster-Master used to control the monsters. fense Force — but in practice it acts more like a
Dazed and stunned from being suddenly given law enforcement agency.
back their free will, the monsters were easy pick- The leader of Bureau 17, who holds the
ings for the heroes. The Monster-Master activated rank of Colonel in the JGSDF, is referred to as
his teleportation device to escape, but at the same Commander. As of mid-2008 the Commander is
time was hit by an eldritch bolt fired by the Drifter. Ishimaki Yoshihisa, often known to his friends
With a horrible scream the Monster-Master van- and underlings simply as “Yoshi.” A tall, strong,
ished and has never been seen again. (Unfortu- serious-looking man, he’s friendly and person-
nately neither has his control device, which is of
Below Lieutenant Commander, the Bureau

RAPID RESPONSE 17 ranks are Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and
FORCE SAKURA AGENT Agent (corresponding to the military ranks of
Captain, First Lieutenant, Sergeant Major, and
PACKAGE DEAL Leading Private, respectively). Captains usually
command regions on a large island or oversee
Abilities
Cost Ability
specific special projects, while Lieutenants assist
5 +5 STR them and in turn are assisted by Sergeants. The
15 +5 DEX average Bureau 17 member is an Agent — the
10 +5 CON guys who do the tough work out in the field.
5 +5 INT (In HERO System terms, Commander of
5 +5 PRE Bureau 17 is an 8-point Military Rank Perk; Lieu-
4 +2 OCV with B17-AR12 Pulson Rifle tenant Commander is a 6-point Perk; Captain
3 +1 with Dive For Cover, Dodge, and Snap is 5 points; Lieutenant is 4 points; Sergeant is 3
Shot points; and Agent is 2 points.)
3 KS: Monsters (INT)
5 KS: Giant Monsters (INT +2) RAPID RESPONSE FORCE SAKURA
3 Paramedics
The most prestigious assignment in Bureau
3 Stealth
3 Tactics
17 is Rapid Response Force Sakura, named after the
3 Teamwork early Seventies officer who first developed the con-
2 TF: Bureau 17 Vehicles cept. RRF-S is Bureau 17’s elite unit — its equiva-
2 WF: Small Arms lent of a US Army Ranger or a Marine Recon unit.
2 Perk: Military Rank RRF-S Agents have better equipment and more
5 Brave: +10 PRE; Only To Resist Presence extensive training than standard Agents; they’re
Attacks (-1) experts at finding ways to stop, divert, or contain
Equipment giant monsters. But their job is not without its
Cost Power dangers; a special plaque on the wall at the Bureau
34 B17-AR12 Pulson Rifle 17 base on Monster Island displays the name of
18 B17-EG2 Energy Grenade every RRF-S Agent who’s died in the line of duty.
13 B17-FB21 Force-Field Harness The accompanying table has a Package Deal for
Total Cost Of Package Abilities And Equipment: RRF-S Agents, and below you can find a character
143 sheet for them.
Disadvantages ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
Value Disadvantage
5 Distinctive Features: Uniform (Easily Con- Generally speaking, Bureau 17 is an organi-
cealed; Noticed And Recognizable) zation of dedicated, devoted people who recog-
20 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very nize the severe threat that monsters (giant or oth-
Frequently, Major) erwise) pose to Japan and want to do whatever
Total Value Of Package Disadvantages: 25 they can to protect their homeland from that
Options threat. The Japanese people think highly of them;
Cost Value there are several anime (cartoons) and manga
15 Martial Arts (Jujutsu or Karate) (comic books) featuring semi-fictionalized ver-
sions of Bureau 17 (particularly the RRF-S),
and the agents are almost uniformly depicted as
handsome, competent, tough, and smart. These
able with all Bureau 17 employees, regardless stories usually feature plenty of women agents,
of rank, and is well-liked within the organiza- since Bureau 17 happily considers female appli-
tion. A world expert on the subject of monsters cants who can meet its strict standards.
(giant and otherwise) and biological constructs, But that picture, while not entirely inaccurate,
he often lectures on the subject at universities falls short in a few respects. First, the competence
or testifies about it to government bodies. He of many Bureau 17 agents does not extend to filing
speaks flawless English and Mandarin. paperwork. The agency enjoys a deserved reputa-
The Commander’s seconds-in-command tion for its “semi-maverick” way of doing things,
hold the title Lieutenant Commander (and the and for emphasizing results over recordkeeping.
rank of Major in the JGSDF). There are six, one To a typical Bureau 17 agent, and particularly to
for each major island of Japan, one for Monster RRF-S agents, the important thing is keeping the
Island, and one in charge of research and devel- Monster Island monsters where they are, and pro-
opment and various “special projects” (including tecting the Japanese people from monsters of all
Rapid Response Force Sakura). The six LCs often sorts, is what’s important; reports are meaningless
meet with Ishimaki to keep him apprised of cur- busywork. (However, even agents who feel this
rent developments within the organization and way most strongly still take the time to file reports
to advise him. As of mid-2008, Kishiro Aiko (see detailing information about how to combat specific
below) is the Lieutenant Commander in charge of monsters; the Bureau’s extensive databases on this
Monster Island. subject are one of the reasons why the agents do
their job so well.)
Second, there’s a certain tension within the

organization between the Agents conducting BUREAU PERSONNEL
research on monsters and the Agents who do field Here are brief profiles of some of the agents
work. The former are mostly scientists who want to stationed on Monster Island:
understand monster biology and behavior so the
Bureau can better control and combat monsters. LIEUTENANT COMMANDER KISHIRO AIKO
In the process of observing and cataloguing the 10 STR 12 DEX 13 CON 10 BODY
monsters they often develop a scholarly fascination 15 INT 13 EGO 20 PRE 15 COM
with them, and in some cases even a sort of “propri- 4 PD 4 ED 3 SPD 5 REC
etary interest.” Sometimes they begin to think that 26 END 25 STUN
their research is more important than keeping the
monsters under control, and they get upset when Abilities: +1 to PER Rolls with all Sense Groups;
force has to be used against them. Field agents, on Martial Arts: Aikido (Dodge, Hold, Joint Lock/
the other hand, aren’t so much concerned with the Throw, Throw); Breakfall 11-; Computer Program-
hows and whys of monster existence as they are in ming 8-; Deduction 12-; High Society 8-; KS:
ending that existence. Some of them even go so far Monsters 12-; KS: Giant Monsters 14-; Persua-
as to question why the monsters aren’t just killed, sion 13-; Stealth 11-; TF: Bureau 17 Vehicles; WF:
since they obviously pose a major threat to Japan. Small Arms; Perk: Military Rank; Well-Connected
They snort derisively at the scientists’ demands for and 20 points’ worth of Contacts (mostly in the
closer access to the monsters, that agents use the Japanese government and military)
minimal force necessary on monsters, and so forth. 75+ Disadvantages: Distinctive Features: Style;
Third and worst, despite the post-Maehata Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very Fre-
scandal reforms and oversight, the blunt truth of the quently, Major)
matter is that many Bureau 17 employees are to some Notes: The youngest commander in Bureau 17, and
degree corrupt. Both historically and today, one of the only woman to hold such exalted rank, Kishiro
the reasons organizations like VIPER and ARGENT Aiko has never been one to follow tradition or ste-
have been so successful at establishing themselves reotype. Even as a young girl she was a rebel, always
on Monster Island is that many Bureau 17 personnel wanting to do what the boys were doing instead of
(and people in the Japanese government who have playing with other girls. After graduating from the
access to the Bureau’s database) take money from University of Tokyo with top marks she could have
the likes of VIPER to report on Bureau activities, gotten a high-paying job with nearly any major
pass along copies of documents about the monsters, Japanese corporation, but to her parents’ chagrin she
and so on. Commander Ishimaki has done his best chose to go to work for Bureau 17. Something about
to crack down on this activity, but to some extent it’s the Bureau’s “renegade” attitude, coupled with the
ingrained in Bureau culture and can’t easily be rooted importance of its mission, really appealed to her. Her
out. To more than a few employees, being able to competence and dedication to duty led to a quick (by
make extra money on the side by selling information Japanese standards) rise through the ranks, and in
about the Bureau is a traditional job perk. 2005 she was given the plum assignment of heading
the Monster Island division.
Lieutenant Commander Kishiro takes the
security of Monster Island very seriously. She
understands the scientists’ desire to study the
monsters and find out all about them, and in
fact even helps them in the lab on occasion, but
she won’t allow any experiments she feels might
enrage a monster or make an escape possible. She
has a reputation for being both totally fearless and
totally unconcerned with other peoples’ opinions
of her; at times she’s joined the RRF-Sakura agents
in the field and helped them corral a monster,
despite the advice of her underlings and even the
disapproval of superior officers.
Now in her late 30s, Kishiro Aiko is an
attractive, vivacious woman who gives the
(accurate) impression of being aware of every-
thing that’s going on around her and being in
control of the situation (as much as possible,
anyway). She keeps her black hair cut short and
simply styled; her eyes are green and quick to
light up with amusement or flash with anger.
She typically wears practical but stylish women’s
clothes topped by a labcoat; much to the chagrin
of some of her underlings, she usually wears a
blaster pistol as a sidearm on her right hip.
TAKASHI TORU FURUSAKA GONSAI

1 0 STR 15 DEX 15 CON 12 BODY 8 STR 10 DEX 8 CON 8 BODY
23 INT 18 EGO 20 PRE 10 COM 13 INT 12 EGO 13 PRE 8 COM
8 PD 8 ED 4 SPD 5 REC 3 PD 3 ED 2 SPD 4 REC
30 END 25 STUN 16 END 16 STUN
Abilities: Variable Power Pool: Gadget Pool (80 Abilities: Computer Programming 12-; Deduc-
base + 40 control cost); Analyze Technology 14-; tion 12-; Electronics 8-; KS: Monsters 12-; KS:
Computer Programming 14-; Deduction 14-; Demo- Giant Monsters 12-; Systems Operation 8-;
litions 14-; Electronics 14-; KS: Monsters 14-; KS: Weaponsmith (Energy Weapons) 8-; Scientist
Giant Monsters 14-; KS: The Scientific World 11-; and 8 Science Skills at 12- each; Perk: Military
KS: The Superhuman World 8-; Mechanics 14-; Rank
Persuasion 13-; Power: Gadgeteering 24-; Sleight Of 25+ Disadvantages: Psychological Limitation:
Hand 8-; Stealth 12-; Systems Operation 14-; Weap- Ambitious And Greedy (Common, Strong); Social
onsmith (Chemical Weapons, Firearms, Energy Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very Frequently,
Weapons); Scientist and 10 Science Skills at 14- each; Major); Social Limitation: Harmful Secret (is cor-
Perk: Military Rank rupt; passes information to VIPER and ARGENT
200+ Disadvantages: Psychological Limitation: for money)
Code Versus Killing (Very Common, Strong); Notes: Furusaka Gonsai is a typical member of
Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very Fre- the Bureau 17 scientific staff in most respects:
quently, Major) smart, highly educated, well-versed in a variety of
Notes: During the late Seventies and early Eight- scientific disciplines, good with technology. What
ies, the brilliant Takashi Toru was a gadgeteering sets him apart are his jealousy and ambition. He’s
crimefighter and adventurer, first using the name bitterly jealous of Dr. Takashi and anyone else he
“Microchip Man” but later switching to simply perceives as being regarded as smarter or better-
“Dr. Takashi.” For several years he was immensely treated than he (clearly no one could actually be
popular and had his own anime show and line of smarter than him, but other people treat them as if
toys. But eventually he decided adventuring wasn’t they are, which secretly infuriates him). His con-
really what he wanted and retired. For awhile he stant questioning of and arguing with the other
spent his time designing gadgets and vehicles for scientists is tiresome, but he does good work so
other superheroes, but in 1993 he accepted an his superiors tolerate his attitude.
offer to put his genius to work for Bureau 17. Unfortunately, being snarky isn’t the worst
Today Dr. Takashi is a valued member of of Dr. Furusaka’s sins. Driven by both jealousy
the Monster Island staff. Over the past decade or and greed he’s been selling Bureau 17 secrets
so he’s redesigned and improved most of Bureau to VIPER, and sometimes also ARGENT, for
17’s equipment, and without his efforts the field years. Thanks in part to him, VIPER is often
agents would have a much harder time fighting the aware of what the Bureau plans to do almost as
monsters. For the most part he’s content to remain soon as the decision is made, and it has copies
behind the scenes in his lab, but if necessary he’ll of the blueprints for many of the Bureau’s most
whip up a suit of light powered armor or other important devices. Furusaka has a special, cell
gadgets using his Gadget Pool and join a mission phone-sized, hard to trace transmitter given to
or battle. Although he’s not as tough or spry as he him by VIPER; he keeps it hidden on his person
used to be, and his jet-black hair’s starting to show nearly all the time.
signs of grey, he’s still good enough to keep up Doctor Furusaka is a short, average-looking
with most field agents. Japanese man in his early thirties. He wears glasses
and has a small moustache that matches his black
hair (which is a little longer and shaggier than
that of most Bureau 17 scientists). He wears typi-
cal men’s business clothes (shirt, tie, slacks, shoes)
plus a labcoat. He’s missing the top two joints on
the pinky of his left hand, the legacy of a brief (and
much-regretted) time spent working for a yakuza
boss when he was a young man.
ASAKO MORIHIRO RAPID RESPONSE FORCE SAKURA AGENT

15 STR 15 DEX 15 CON 13 BODY 15 STR 15 DEX 15 CON 12 BODY
13 INT 13 EGO 18 PRE 10 COM 10 INT 10 EGO 15 PRE 10 COM
6 PD 4 ED 3 SPD 6 REC 5 PD 5 ED 3 SPD 6 REC
30 END 30 STUN 30 END 28 STUN
Abilities: RRF-Sakura weapons and gear (see Abilities: RRF-Sakura weapons and gear (see below);
below); +10 PRE; Only To Resist Presence +10 PRE; Only To Resist Presence Attacks; +2 OCV
Attacks; Martial Arts: Karate (Atemi Strike, with B17-AR12 Pulson Rifle; +1 with Dive For Cover,
Block, Disarm, Dodge, Legsweep, Punch/Snap Dodge, and Snap Shot; KS: Monsters 11-; KS: Giant
Kick, Side/Spin Kick); +2 with All Combat; Monsters 13-; Paramedics 11-; Stealth 12-; Tactics 11-;
Breakfall 12-; Combat Driving 12-; Combat Teamwork 12-; WF: Small Arms; Perk: Military Rank
Piloting 12-; KS: Monsters 12-; KS: Giant Mon- 75+ Disadvantages: Distinctive Features: Uniform
sters 14-; Paramedics 12-; Stealth 12-; Tactics (Easily Concealed; Noticed And Recognizable);
12-; Teamwork 12-; TF: Bureau 17 Vehicles; WF: Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very Fre-
Small Arms; Perk: Military Rank quently, Major)
75+ Disadvantages: Distinctive Features: Style; Notes: This character brief represents a typi-
Distinctive Features: Uniform (Easily Concealed; cal member of RRF-Sakura. The agents of Rapid
Noticed And Recognizable); Social Limitation: Response Force Sakura (sometimes described as
Subject To Orders (Very Frequently, Major) “Bureau 17’s SWAT cops”) wear blue and light grey
Notes: A veteran of the Japanese military, Asako uniforms complete with gloves and boots. Their
Morihiro was assigned to Bureau 17 and to Mon- belts are high-tech devices that generate a protec-
ster Island in 2004 in the wake of the Maehata tive force-field and they carry blaster rifles and
scandal. With his no-nonsense attitude and by- energy grenades. Each agent’s name is emblazoned
the-book method of doing things, he was regarded on his left breast just above the breast pocket.
as a stabilizing influence who would “clean house”
GADGET BOY
and help rein in some of the Bureau’s more maver-
ick attitudes. Bureau 17 currently receives a helping hand
What’s happened instead is a bit of a com- from the Japanese hero Shonen no Kufu, better
promise, so to speak. Captain Asako has definitely known to the world at large as “Gadget Boy.” Con-
made the organization’s Monster Island division cerned about the Qularr threat, and intrigued by
more professional and efficient, and he remains their mysterious technology, he’s come to Monster
ever-vigilant for signs of corruption among the Island with his robot sidekick Gokin to keep an
staff. But on the other hand, the Bureau’s “results eye on them and help UNTIL and other heroes
matter more than regulations” attitude has investigate what they’re up to. (See Champions
infected him a little; he’s learned that sometimes Worldwide, pages 80-82, for character sheets for
the extraordinary circumstances involved in bat- Gadget Boy and Gokin.)
tling giant monsters require unusual measures. At Gadget Boy has established a lookout post on
times he wonders where he went wrong, but most Wayfarer Coast (see Chapter Four). He’s already
of the time he thinks he’s developed a “best of both developed two gadgets he can provide to heroes who
worlds” approach that makes him even better at need them. The first is an ultrasonic terranvigilator
his job. used to take readings on Qularr technology in the
Despite being in his mid-40s, Commander hopes that eventually humanity will have enough
Asako remains as trim, fit, and ready for action data to get Qularr devices to work consistently and
as he was in his twenties. He’s got short black properly. The second is a radiation nanoward, an
hair and is clean-shaven; his dark eyes never injectable serum laced with nanobots that keeps the
seem to blink. He wears the standard RRF uni- subject safe from radiation for one hour.
form (see below) plus a tactical vest that holds Ultrasonic Terranvigilator: Detect Qularr
some extra grenades and other gear, and a Technology (INT +3) (Radio Group), Dis-
blaster pistol on his right hip. criminatory, Analyze, Telescopic (+4 versus
Range Modifier) (18 Active Points); OAF
(-1). Total cost: 9 points.
Radiation Nanoward: Life Support (Safe Environ-
ment: High Radiation), Usable Simultaneously
(up to 8 persons; +1) (4 Active Points); OAF
Fragile (serum; -1¼), 8 Continuing Charges last-
ing 1 Hour each (+0). Total cost: 2 points.
BUREAU 17 ROBOTS 15
3
Radar Unit: Radar (Radio Group)
Sensor Enhancements: +1 PER with all
0
In addition to its flesh-and-blood person- Sense Groups 0

nel, Bureau 17 also relies on specially-designed Talents
robots to keep the giant monsters in check. 12 Onboard Computer Systems: Absolute
Unfortunately, some of the criminal organiza- Range Sense, Absolute Time Sense, Bump
tions on the island have captured and repro- Of Direction, Lightning Calculator
grammed some of these robots to serve their
own ends. (In this case, change the robot’s Psy- Skills
chological Limitation accordingly.) 6 +3 OCV with Hand Blaster
3 Climbing 13-
GUARDIAN DROID 4 Languages (Japanese and English, both
Val Char Cost Roll Notes fluent conversation)
20 STR 10 13- Lift 400 kg; 4d6 [2] 3 Stealth 13-
18 DEX 24 13- OCV: 6/DCV: 6 2 WF: Small Arms
10 CON 0 11-
15 BODY 10 12-
Total Cost: 408
10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
0 EGO 0 — ECV: N/A 200+ Disadvantages
20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6 5 Physical Limitation: Affected By Cyberki-
8 COM -1 11- nesis (has EGO 15 for purposes of
cyberkinetic powers, and can be affected
by cyberkinesis-based Presence Attacks)
(Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)
3 SPD 2 Phases: 4, 8, 12
0 Physical Limitation: Human Size
6 REC 0
25 Psychological Limitation: Must Obey
0 END -10
Bureau 17 Commands (Very Common,
— STUN — Total Characteristics Cost: 75
Total)
Movement: Running: 9”/18” 178 Experience Points
Leaping: 4”/8” Total Disadvantage Points: 408
Cost Powers END Description: The guardian droid is the “basic”
60 Robotic Weapons: Multipower, 60-point Bureau 17 robot built on a simple humanoid
reserve frame; typically it’s painted off-white and green. It’s
6u 1) Hand Blaster: Energy Blast 8d6, designed not only for guard duty and light combat
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 but to perform various types of labor if necessary.
4u 2) Tangleweb Projector: Entangle 6d6, 6 It comes equipped with just two weapons, a blaster
DEF; 8 Charges (-½) [8] in its right hand and a tangleweb projector built
15 Robot Body: Does Not Bleed 0 into its left arm.
45 Robot Body: Takes No STUN 0
10 Tireless: Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+½) on 20 STR 0
+½) on Running 0
+½) on Leaping 0
+½) on Swimming 0
18 Robot Body: Damage Resistance
(6 PD/6 ED) 0
45 Robot Body: Life Support: Total 0
6 Robot Legs: Running +3” (9” total) 0
5 Visual Sensors: Infrared Perception
(Sight Group) 0
5 Visual Sensors: Ultraviolet Perception
(Sight Group) 0
15 Visual Sensors: x1000 Microscopic
for Sight Group 0
9 Visual Sensors: +6 versus Range
Modifier for Sight Group 0
3 Auditory Sensors: Ultrasonic Perception
(Hearing Group) 0
15 Sonar Unit: Active Sonar (Hearing Group) 0
12 Communications Systems: HRRP
(Radio Group) 0
REVENGER DROID 3 Sensor Enhancements: +1 PER with all

Val Char Cost Roll Notes Sense Groups 0
25 STR 15 14- Lift 800 kg; 5d6 [2] Talents
20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7 12 Onboard Computer Systems: Absolute
10 CON 0 11- Range Sense, Absolute Time Sense, Bump
15 BODY 10 12- Of Direction, Lightning Calculator
0 EGO 0 — ECV: N/A Skills
20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6 24 +3 with All Combat
8 COM -1 11- 3 Climbing 13-
10 PD 24 Total: 10 PD (10 rPD) 4 Languages (Japanese and English, both
10 ED 27 Total: 10 ED (10 rED) fluent conversation)
4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 3 Stealth 13-
7 REC 0 3 Tactics 12-
0 END -10 Total Powers & Skills Cost: 423
— STUN — Total Characteristics Cost: 120 Total Cost: 543
Movement: Running: 9”/18” 200+ Disadvantages
Leaping: 5”/10” 5 Physical Limitation: Affected By Cyberki-
nesis (has EGO 25 for purposes of
Cost Powers END
90 Robotic Weapons: Multipower,
90-point reserve
9u 1) Hand Blaster: Energy Blast 12d6,
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0
25 Psychological Limitation: Must Obey Bureau
9u 2) Hand Laser: RKA 4d6, Reduced
17 Commands (Very Common, Total)
Endurance (0 END; +½) 0
9u 3) Stun Ray: Drain STUN 4d6, Delayed
Return Rate (points return at the rate of 5 Total Disadvantage Points: 543
per Minute; +¼), Ranged (+½), Reduced Description: A Revenger Droid is a combat robot
Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 built on a guardian droid frame and is usually
6u 4) Tangleweb Projector: Entangle 9d6, painted in shades of red and tan. The basic frame
9 DEF; 8 Charges (-½) [8] is enhanced for better armor, greater strength, and
4u 5) Flare-Flash: Sight Group Flash 9d6, more powerful weapons. The robot’s programming
Area Of Effect (10” Cone; +1); No Range includes high-tech targeting systems and tactical
(-½), 8 Charges (-½) [8] analysis software.
15 Robot Body: Does Not Bleed 0
12 Tireless: Reduced Endurance
(0 END; +½) on 25 STR 0
(0 END; +½) on Running 0
(0 END; +½) on Leaping 0
(0 END; +½) on Swimming 0
(10 PD/10 ED) 0
6 Robot Legs: Running +3” (9” total) 0
(Sight Group) 0
(Sight Group) 0
15 Visual Sensors: x1000 Microscopic
for Sight Group 0
9 Visual Sensors: +6 versus Range Modifier
for Sight Group 0
3 Auditory Sensors: Ultrasonic Perception
(Hearing Group) 0
12 Communications Systems: HRRP
(Radio Group) 0
15 Radar Unit: Radar (Radio Group) 0
BEHEMOTH BATTLEDROID (0 END; +½) on Running 0

Val Char Cost Roll Notes 5 Tireless: Reduced Endurance
50 STR 40 19- Lift 25 tons; 10d6 [5] (0 END; +½) on Leaping 0
20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7 1 Tireless: Reduced Endurance
10 CON 0 11- (0 END; +½) on Swimming 0
20 BODY 20 13- 45 Robot Body: Damage Resistance
10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11- (15 PD/15 ED) 0
0 EGO 0 — ECV: N/A 45 Robot Body: Life Support: Total 0
25 PRE 15 14- PRE Attack: 5d6 12 Robot Legs: Running +6” (12” total) 0
8 COM -1 11- 5 Visual Sensors: Infrared Perception
(Sight Group) 0
15 PD 36 Total: 15 PD (15 rPD) 5 Visual Sensors: Ultraviolet Perception
15 ED 42 Total: 15 ED (15 rED) (Sight Group) 0
4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 15 Visual Sensors: x1000 Microscopic for
12 REC 0 Sight Group 0
0 END -10 9 Visual Sensors: +6 versus Range Modifier
— STUN — Total Characteristics Cost: 182 for Sight Group 0
Movement: Running: 12”/24” 3 Auditory Sensors: Ultrasonic Perception
Leaping: 10”/20” (Hearing Group) 0
Cost Powers END 12 Communications Systems: HRRP
75 Robotic Weapons: Multipower, (Radio Group) 0
75-point reserve 15 Radar Unit: Radar (Radio Group) 0
7u 1) Hand Blaster: Energy Blast 10d6, 3 Sensor Enhancements: +1 PER with all
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 Sense Groups 0
7u 2) Hand Laser: RKA 3d6, Reduced
Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 Talents
15 Robot Body: Does Not Bleed 0 12 Onboard Computer Systems: Absolute
45 Robot Body: Takes No STUN 0 Range Sense, Absolute Time Sense, Bump
25 Tireless: Reduced Endurance Of Direction, Lightning Calculator
(0 END; +½) on 50 STR 0 Skills
12 Tireless: Reduced Endurance 20 +4 HTH
3 Climbing 13-
4 Languages (Japanese and English, both
fluent conversation)
3 Stealth 13-
3 Tactics 12-
Total Cost: 603
200+ Disadvantages
5 Physical Limitation: Affected By Cyberki-
Total Disadvantage Points: 603
Description: The Behemoth Battledroid is the big-
gest, toughest robot in the Bureau 17 arsenal, with
more armor plating and a heavier frame than the
Revenger. It relies more on its strength and HTH
Combat abilities than its built-in weaponry.
ONSLAUGHT BATTLEDROID 180 Autoblaster: Multipower, 90-point

Val Char Cost Roll Notes reserve, 250 Charges (+1) for entire reserve
25 STR 15 14- Lift 800 kg; 5d6 [2] 9u 1) Standard Configuration: Energy Blast
20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7 12d6, Autofire (5 shots; +½)
10 CON 0 11- 6u 2) Enhanced Configuration: RKA 4d6,
15 BODY 10 12- Autofire (5 shots; +½); Requires Multiple
15 INT 5 12- PER Roll 12- Charges (3 Charges per shot; -½)
0 EGO 0 — ECV: N/A 120 Energy Grenade Launcher: Energy Blast
20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6 12d6, Explosion (-1 DC/2”; +¾), Double
8 COM -1 11- Knockback (+¾); 12 Charges (-¼) [12]
15 Robot Body: Does Not Bleed 0
12 PD 30 Total: 12 PD (12 rPD) 45 Robot Body: Takes No STUN 0
12 ED 33 Total: 12 ED (12 rED) 12 Tireless: Reduced Endurance
4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 (0 END; +½) on 25 STR 0
7 REC 0 9 Tireless: Reduced Endurance
0 END -10 (0 END; +½) on Running 0
— STUN — Total Characteristics Cost: 132 2 Tireless: Reduced Endurance
Movement: Running: 9”/18” (0 END; +½) on Leaping 0
Leaping: 5”/10” 1 Tireless: Reduced Endurance
(0 END; +½) on Swimming 0
Cost Powers END 36 Robot Body: Damage Resistance
90 Robotic Weapons: Multipower, (12 PD/12 ED) 0
90-point reserve 45 Robot Body: Life Support: Total 0
9u 1) Hand Blaster: Energy Blast 12d6, 6 Robot Legs: Running +3” (9” total) 0
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 5 Visual Sensors: Infrared Perception
9u 2) Hand Laser: RKA 4d6, Reduced (Sight Group) 0
Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 5 Visual Sensors: Ultraviolet Perception
9u 3) Stun Ray: Drain STUN 4d6, Delayed (Sight Group) 0
Return Rate (points return at the rate of 5 15 Visual Sensors: x1000 Microscopic for
per Minute; +¼), Ranged (+½), Reduced Sight Group 0
Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 9 Visual Sensors: +6 versus Range Modifier
6u 4) Tangleweb Projector: Entangle 9d6, 9 for Sight Group 0
DEF; 8 Charges (-½) [8] 3 Auditory Sensors: Ultrasonic Perception
4u 5) Flare-Flash: Sight Group Flash 9d6, (Hearing Group) 0
Area Of Effect (10” Cone; +1); No 15 Sonar Unit: Active Sonar (Hearing Group) 0
Range (-½), 8 Charges (-½) [8] 12 Communications Systems: HRRP
4u 6) Flamethrower: RKA 3d6; Area Of (Radio Group) 0
Effect (10” Cone; +1); No Range (-½), 15 Radar Unit: Radar (Radio Group) 0
8 Charges (-½) [8]
3 Sensor Enhancements: +1 PER with all FORCE DRONE

Sense Groups 0 Val Char Cost Roll Notes
Talents 0 STR -10 9- Lift 25 kg; 0d6 [1]
12 Onboard Computer Systems: Absolute 20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
Range Sense, Absolute Time Sense, Bump 10 CON 0 11-
Of Direction, Lightning Calculator 10 BODY 0 11-
Skills 0 EGO 0 — ECV: N/A
20 +4 with Ranged Combat 10 PRE 0 11- PRE Attack: 2d6
3 Climbing 13- 8 COM -1 11-
4 Languages (Japanese and English, both 6 PD 18 Total: 6 PD (6 rPD)
fluent conversation) 6 ED 15 Total: 6 ED (6 rED)
3 Stealth 13- 3 SPD 0 Phases: 4, 8, 12
3 Tactics 12- 2 REC 0
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 744 0 END -10
Total Cost: 876 — STUN — Total Characteristics Cost: 42
200+ Disadvantages Movement: Running: 0”/0”
5 Physical Limitation: Affected By Cyberki- Swimming: 0”/0”
nesis (has EGO 25 for purposes of Flight: 10”/20”
Cost Powers END
45 Force Weapons: Elemental Control,
90-point powers
45 1) Force Blaster: Energy Blast 12d6,
45 2) Force Shackles: Entangle 6d6, 6 DEF,
Total Disadvantage Points: 876 45 3) Force Manipulation: Telekinesis (40
Description: The Onslaught Battledroid is another STR), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0
heavy combat robot, but one that relies on firepower 270 4) Force Wall Projector: Force Wall (12
rather than strength and brawn (though it’s about PD/12 ED, up to 5” long and 2” tall),
halfway between a Revenger and a Behemoth in size Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0
and toughness). Its weapons include the standard 15 Robot Body: Does Not Bleed 0
blaster suite found on Revenger Droids plus an Auto- 45 Robot Body: Takes No STUN 0
blaster, a flamethrower, and a grenade launcher. 1 Tireless: Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½)
on 0 STR 0
(6 PD/6 ED) 0
30 Hoverpads: Flight 10”, Reduced HUNTER DRONE

Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 Val Char Cost Roll Notes
-12 No Limbs: Running -6” (0” total) 0 STR -10 9- Lift 25 kg; 0d6 [1]
-2 No Limbs: Swimming -2” (0” total) 20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
5 Visual Sensors: Infrared Perception 10 CON 0 11-
(Sight Group) 0 10 BODY 0 11-
5 Visual Sensors: Ultraviolet Perception 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
(Sight Group) 0 0 EGO 0 — ECV: N/A
15 Visual Sensors: x1000 Microscopic for 10 PRE 0 11- PRE Attack: 2d6
Sight Group 0 8 COM -1 11-
9 Visual Sensors: +6 versus Range Modifier
for Sight Group 0 6 PD 18 Total: 6 PD (6 rPD)
3 Auditory Sensors: Ultrasonic Perception 6 ED 15 Total: 6 ED (6 rED)
(Hearing Group) 0 3 SPD 0 Phases: 4, 8, 12
15 Sonar Unit: Active Sonar (Hearing Group) 0 2 REC 0
12 Communications Systems: HRRP 0 END -10
(Radio Group) 0 — STUN — Total Characteristics Cost: 42
15 Radar Unit: Radar (Radio Group) 0 Movement: Running: 0”/0”
3 Sensor Enhancements: +1 PER with all Swimming: 0”/0”
Sense Groups 0 Flight: 15”/30”
Talents Cost Powers END
12 Onboard Computer Systems: Absolute 60 Blaster: Energy Blast 8d6, Reduced
Range Sense, Absolute Time Sense, Bump Endurance (0 END; +½) 0
Of Direction, Lightning Calculator 45 Force Manipulation: Telekinesis (20 STR),
Skills Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0
9 +3 with Force Weapons Elemental Control 15 Robot Body: Does Not Bleed 0
4 Languages (Japanese and English, both
fluent conversation)
(0 END; +½) on 0 STR 0
3 Stealth 13-
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 700 (6 PD/6 ED) 0
Total Cost: 742 45 Robot Body: Life Support: Total 0
45 Hoverpads: Flight 15”, Reduced
200+ Disadvantages
-12 No Limbs: Running -6” (0” total)
-2 No Limbs: Swimming -2” (0” total)
(Sight Group) 0
(Sight Group) 0
20 Visual Sensors: x10,000 Microscopic for
Sight Group 0
18 Visual Sensors: +12 versus Range
Total Disadvantage Points: 742 Modifier for Sight Group 0
Description: The force drone is a non-humanoid 10 Visual Sensors: Increased Arc Of
robot — basically it looks like a floating metal disk Perception (360 Degrees) for Sight Group 0
with a force projector lens mounted in the center. 3 Auditory Sensors: Ultrasonic Perception
Its purpose is to protect agents in combat with its (Hearing Group) 0
Force Wall power, but it can also use its Telekinesis 15 Sonar Unit: Active Sonar (Hearing Group) 0
and other attacks effectively to hinder or harm the 12 Communications Systems: HRRP
foe. Typically it plays a support role by, for exam- (Radio Group) 0
ple, telekinetically moving cover out of the way so 15 Radar Unit: Radar (Radio Group) 0
agents can more easily hit the enemy. 4 Radar Unit: +8 versus Range Modifier
for Radar 0
10 Radar Unit: Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees) for Radio Group 0
6 Sensor Enhancements: +2 to PER Rolls
with all Sense Groups 0

12
Talents
Onboard Computer Systems: Absolute TECHNOLOGY
Range Sense, Absolute Time Sense, Bump Bureau 17 uses some highly-specialized tech-
Of Direction, Lightning Calculator nology to get its job done. This section focuses
Skills on weapons and devices used on Monster Island,
3 Climbing 13- but there are plenty of others (such as the B17-G7
4 Languages (Japanese and English, both Etheric Spirit Capture Projector, a.k.a. the “Ghost-
fluent conversation) buster Gun,” used to capture gaki, or Japanese
3 Stealth 13- ghosts).
2 WF: Small Arms
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 407 Personal Technology
Total Cost: 449
Here are some of the devices carried by field
200+ Disadvantages personnel, such as RRF-Sakura agents.
nesis (has EGO 20 for purposes of B17-AR12 PULSON RIFLE
cyberkinetic powers, and can be affected Effect: Energy Blast 12d6; Energy Blast 6d6,
by cyberkinesis-based Presence Attacks) NND
(Infrequently, Slightly Impairing) Target: One character
25 Psychological Limitation: Must Obey Bureau Duration: Instant
17 Commands (Very Common, Total) Range: 300”
222 Experience Points Charges: 30 Charges
Total Disadvantage Points: 449 Breakability: 15 DEF
Description: The Hunter Drone is similar to the Description: The standard Bureau 17 energy rifle
Force Drone in terms of size and appearance, but is a silver-colored weapon that can project either a
its central feature is a blaster lens rather than a standard or phased pulson blast. If large numbers
force projector lens. Its purpose is to keep track of agents are present, massed fire from the phased
of the monsters on Monster Island and relay that blasts can bring down even the mightiest mon-
information back to Bureau 17 personnel. In place sters, none of whom have force-fields to resist it.
of a large weapons suite it has more advanced sen- Many agents paint their AR12s dull green or some
sory systems and better hoverpads. other color so they’re not so easy-to-see-in-the-
jungle shiny.
Game Information:
Cost Power
30 B17-AR12 Pulson Rifle: Multipower, 60-point
reserve, 30 Charges for entire Multipower
(+¼); all OAF (-1), Two-Handed (-½)
2u 1) Standard Beam: Energy Blast 12d6; OAF
(-1), Two-Handed (-½)
2u 2) Phased Beam: Energy Blast 6d6, NND
(defense is ED Force Field/Force Wall;
+1); OAF (-1), Two-Handed (-½)
Total cost: 34 points.
Options
1) B17-AR13Pulson Rifle: Bureau 17 also has a
version of this weapon with automatic fire capabil-
ity, though they’re much more expensive to make
and thus only issued to personnel when absolutely
necessary. Change to:
Cost Power
48 B17-AR Pulson Rifle: Multipower, 97-point
(+¼); all OAF (-1), Two-Handed (-½)
3u 1) Standard Beam: Energy Blast 12d6,
Autofire (3 shots; +¼); OAF (-1), Two-
Handed (-½)
4u 2) Phased Beam: Energy Blast 6d6, NND
(defense is ED Force Field/Force Wall; +1),
Autofire (3 shots; +1¼); OAF (-1), Two-
Handed (-½)

Vehicles
2) B17-AR1 Pulson Pistol: A pistol-sized version of
the same weapon. Change to:
SAKEBU MOBILE SONIC CANNON
Cost Power Val Char Cost Notes
20 B17-AR1 Pulson Pistol: Multipower, 40-point 9 Size 45 8” x 4”; 50 tons; -9 KB; -6 DCV
reserve, 30 Charges for entire Multipower 55 STR 0 Lift 50 tons; 11d6 [0]
(+¼); all OAF (-1), Two-Handed (-½) 18 DEX 24 OCV: 6/DCV: 6
2u 1) Standard Beam: Energy Blast 8d6; OAF 20 BODY 1
(-1), Two-Handed (-½) 8 DEF 18
2u 2) Phased Beam: Energy Blast 4d6, NND 4 SPD 12 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
(defense is ED Force Field/Force Wall; +1); Total Characteristic Cost: 100
OAF (-1), Two-Handed (-½)
Movement: Ground: 0”/0”
Flight: 25”/200”
B17-EG2 ENERGY GRENADE Abilities & Equipment
Effect: Energy Blast 8d6 Cost Power END
Target: Explosion 90 Hover Generator: Flight 25”, x8 Noncombat
Duration: Instant Multiple, Sideways Maneuverability (+½) 0
80 Sonic Cannon: Multipower, 80-point
Range: Range RBS
Charges: 4 Charges (+1); all OIF Bulky (-1)
Breakability: 12 DEF 4u 1) Standard Blast: Energy Blast 16d6;
OIF Bulky (-1)
Description: When they expect to confront large 4u 2) Non-Lethal Blast: Energy Blast
numbers of small opponents, such as a pack of 8d6, NND (defense is ED Force
recently-hatched teleiosaurs, Bureau 17 agents Field; +1); OIF Bulky (-1)
carry these grenades, which emit a powerful 4u 3) Lethal Blast: RKA 5d6; OIF Bulky (-1)
energy pulse when they impact a hard surface -12 Flight Only: Ground Movement -6”
after the pin is pulled. (0” total)
Game Information: Energy Blast 8d6, Explo- -2 Flight Only: Swimming -2” (0” total)
sion (+½) (60 Active Points); OAF (-1), Range 10 Radar Array: Radar (Radio Group),
Based On STR (-¼), 4 Charges (-1). Total cost: Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees);
18 points. OIF Bulky (-1) 0
Skills
B17-FB21 FORCE-FIELD HARNESS 4 Maneuverable: +2 with Flight
Effect: Force Field (10 PD/10 ED)
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 182
Target: Self Total Vehicle Cost: 282
Duration: Constant
Value Disadvantages
Range: Self 20 Distinctive Features: Bureau 17 combat
Charges: 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Hour vehicle (Not Concealable; Causes Major
Breakability: 10 DEF Reaction)
Description: Although referred to in Bureau 17 Total Cost: 262/5 = 52
documents as a “harness,” this device is really just
a heavy belt. Built into it is a device that generates Description: Adapted from captured VIPER hov-
a protective field around the wearer. ercraft, the Sakebu is essentially a flying gun plat-
form. The nose houses a cockpit where the pilot
Game Information: Force Field (10 PD/10 ED) and up to three passengers can ride; the back is
(20 Active Points); OIF (-½), 1 Continuing essentially flat and mounts a large sonic cannon.
Fuel Charge (1 Hour, Easily recharged; -0). The pilot can tune the cannon for non-lethal, stan-
Total cost: 13 points. dard, and lethal shots.
BUREAU 17 MONSTER TRANSPORT VEHICLE

Val Char Cost Notes
THE MONSTER
10 Size 50 10”x5”; 100 tons; -10 KB; -6 DCV ISLAND BASE
70 STR 10 Lift 400 tons; 14d6 [0]
14 DEX 12 OCV: 5/DCV: 5 Bureau 17 has a five-level base on Monster
20 BODY 0 Island built into the side of one of the mountain
8 DEF 18 spurs in the Feral Tangle and powered in part
4 SPD 16 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 by geothermal energy. Only one level is above-
Total Characteristic Cost: 106 ground; the rest are belowground for security.
A powerful force-field generated by equipment
Movement: Ground: 0”/0” the Qularr left behind protects the above-ground
Flight: 25”/200” portion and related facilities (like the landing
Abilities & Equipment pad for Sakebu hovercraft and other vehicles). (In
game terms, the base’s force-field is a 20 PD/20
Cost Power END Force Wall. Now that the Qularr have returned,
67 Hover Generator: Flight 20”, x4 Non- some Bureau 17 personnel worry that the aliens
combat Multiple, Sideways may have a way to turn the base’s or island’s
Maneuverability (+½) 0 force-fields off remotely....)
37 Net Projector: Entangle 12d6, 12 DEF; To bring supplies and personnel in as safely
OIF Bulky (-1), 4 Charges (-1), as possible, Bureau 17 dug an undersea tunnel that
Limited Arc Of Fire (180 degrees passes beneath the island’s force field and out onto
below vehicle; -¼) [12] the ocean floor. Subs dock at a pressurized portal.
35 Restraints: Entangle 20d6, 20 DEF; Typically a supply sub arrives once per month, a
OIF Bulky (-1), Only Works On day of celebration for an isolated staff eager for
Entangled/Grabbed/Unconscious fresh food, news from home, and other goodies.
Targets (-½), Only Works On Gigantic The first floor of the base — the only aboveg-
Targets (-2), 1 Recoverable Charge (-1¼) [1] round floor — contains a reception area, visitors’
43 Winch: Stretching 20”, Reduced quarters, the base’s dining hall and kitchen, and
Endurance (0 END; +½); OAF Bulky its library (which contains both research materials
(-1½), Always Direct (-¼), No Noncombat and light reading). Made primarily out of metal
Stretching (-¼), Cannot Do Damage (-½) 0 and plastic, with relatively little wood or “natural”
-12 Flight Only: Ground Movement -6” appointments, this floor (and the rest of the base)
(0” total) have a sort of sterile, high-tech feel that most
-2 Flight Only: Swimming -2” (0” total) Bureau agents are perfectly comfortable with but
10 Radar Array: Radar (Radio Group), that chafes some visitors.
Increased Arc Of Perception The second and third floors (the first two
(360 Degrees); OIF Bulky (-1) 0 underground levels) are occupied by laborato-
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 178 ries and other research facilities. Bureau 17 has
Total Vehicle Cost: 284 cages to hold animals (such as teleiosaurs) for
study, but cannot restrain anything larger than
Value Disadvantages a rhinoceros. About half the labs are devoted to
20 Distinctive Features: Bureau 17 combat vehi- studying the giant monsters, and half to analyz-
cle (Not Concealable; Causes Major Reaction) ing Qularr technology.
Total Disadvantage Points: 20 The fourth floor contains dormitories and
Total Cost: 264/5 = 53 other facilities for the base’s personnel. Each
agent gets a private room (though he shares a
Description: The MTV (Monster Transport
bathroom with an adjacent room) that’s fully
Vehicle) is one of the types of vehicles Bureau 17
furnished and has high-speed Internet access.
uses to capture and transport giant monsters. The
Each agent is allowed to decorate his room
pilot and one passenger sit in the cockpit up front.
to suit himself, provided he stays within the
The back part is mostly a large, reinforced, open
boundaries of good taste. Lieutenant Com-
flat bed with a powerful winch mounted above it.
mander Kishiro has considered instituting a ban
Mounted underneath the cockpit is a net-gun that
on “Hello Kitty” decor, but has not yet gone that
fires nets large and reinforced enough to capture
far. Other rooms on Level Four include a small
(or at least slow down) giant monsters.
auditorium (mainly used for showing movies)
Once Bureau 17 has Entangled, Knocked Out,
and a recreation lounge.
or otherwise restrained a monster, an MTV flies
The bottom level of the base, where the
down and hovers over it. The flat part of the bed
undersea tunnel begins, is used for storage
opens like a trapdoor, then the crew lowers the
and for base infrastructure equipment (such as
winchline, hauls the monster up, closes the bed,
the ventilation systems, the generator, and the
and lays the monster down. Then powerful metal
elevator motors). Most agents don’t like to go
restraining bars project from both sides of the
there; it’s stuffy and humid compared to other
vehicle and keep the monster pinned down until
parts of the base.
the crew releases him.
Wayfarer Coast:
Beachhead For Invasion
Chapter Four
42  Wayfarer Coast: Beachhead For Invasion Hero System 5th Edition Revised
WAYFARER
COAST
W
hen the Qularr created Monster olfactory senses aren’t quite as good as Humans’,
Island, the area now known as Way- particularly when it comes to seeing precise grada-
farer Coast is where they first landed. tions of color.
Now they’ve returned, and Wayfarer Qularr reproduction is something of a
Coast has once again become their stronghold. mystery, since no Qularr female corpses were
retrieved (it’s believed only the males of their spe-
cies become soldiers). Based on examination of
THE QULARR male reproductive systems and comparison to
similar Earth animal species, it’s likely that Qularr
Despite having known of the Qularr for over
females lay eggs during certain seasons of the year,
forty years, Humanity actually knows very little
which the males then fertilize.
about them. Here’s the sum of Human knowledge
Qularr “skin” (chitin) color is usually a red-
about the Qularr:
dish or pinkish shade, ranging from relatively light
BIOLOGY to quite dark. To a Human, the average Qularr’s
The Qularr are not like anything terrestrial. skin color tends to suggest a slightly faded boiled
Based on study of Qularr corpses from 1965 (of lobster or a badly sunburned Caucasian.
which there are few left, since not many were The Qularr seem to have roughly the same
retrieved by Humans and even with refrigeration lifespan as Humans.
most of those have decomposed past the point of TECHNOLOGY
usefulness), the Qularr have some characteris-
As a species, the Qularr seem to possess
tics in common with Earth insects, and some in
much more advanced technology than Humans
common with Earth crustaceans. Their “skin” is
do. They used faster-than-light vehicles to
tough and inflexible enough to be considered an
travel to Earth from their homeworld (location
exoskeleton, though they also have some cartilagi-
unknown), and during their attempted invasion
nous structures analogous to bones.
revealed high-powered force-field technology,
The Qularr have all five senses Humans do,
personal blaster weapons, hovercraft, and a vari-
but at different levels of effectiveness. Qularr hear-
ety of other devices that only Earth superhumans
have. Their abilities as bioengineers seems espe-
cially advanced; they either bred, altered from
native stock, or bioengineered the giant monsters
that were a crucial part of their military force.
Why they didn’t simply use biological warfare to
wipe out Humanity quickly and cleanly remains
unknown (in fact, it’s the biggest single question
many military strategists have about the Qularr).
SOCIETY
Humanity knows almost nothing about Qularr
society or culture, and making educated guesses
isn’t even easy since the Qularr language remains
untranslateable. (And the spoken form probably
involves reproducing sounds Humans cannot make
without technology.) However, a few solid deduc-
tions based on the existing evidence have been made.
First, Qularr society seems to be rigidly
stratified. During the 1965 invasion, several types
of Qularr were observed, with different types
distinguished by specific clothing and gear (and
to a vague extent by minor differences in skin
ing is much more advanced than Human, and coloration or size). The various “castes” rarely
their voices capable of a much greater range of mingled with one another, and some gave orders
expression; they can communicate in infrasonic to others. Human scientists believe this isn’t just
and ultrasonic levels inaudible to Humans. Their an “officers and enlisted men” sort of separation,
sense of touch is also much more sensitive than and that some sort of “caste system” extends
Humans’. On the other hand, their eyesight and throughout Qularr society.
Monster Island n Chapter Four 43
Second, the Qularr also seem to assign The Qularr didn’t use biological warfare
specific jobs to specific genders. Not a single against Humanity for two reasons. First, since
Qularr female corpse was ever retrieved, nor they wanted samples of superhuman genetic
was any Qularr with recognizable female traits material, and if possible captive superhumans,
of any sort observed (though some scientists to study, using an indiscriminate biowarfare
argue that female Qularr wouldn’t necessarily agent that could potentially wipe out Human-
have visible gender characteristics). Military ity wouldn’t be a good idea. Second, and more
activity must be limited only to male Qularr, so importantly, the Qularr have a deeply-ingrained
it stands to reason that other jobs are limited to societal taboo against biological warfare.
only men or only women. Decades before their first attempt to invade
Earth, when Reqqat was still a balkanized
world, the Qularr came within a hair’s-breadth
Things Humanity of killing themselves off with diseases bred as
Doesn’t Know weapons not just once, but three times. Even-
tually they all realized they weren’t going to
Much of Humanity’s knowledge of, and sup- escape that fate a fourth time, and agreements
positions about, the Qularr are accurate... but were forged forbidding the use of biowarfare.
there’s a lot mankind doesn’t know. This attitude has become so ingrained in Qularr
society that even today, when they’re a united
THE QULARR HOMEWORLD
species that only fights species from other
The Qularr come from a planet they call worlds, they don’t use their skills at bio-engi-
Reqqat. It’s a largely tropical, swampy world neering to create bioweapons.
dotted with archipelagos and large islands rather
than major continents. It’s located spinward of QULARR SOCIETY
Perseid space in a region that, centuries after the As Humans have deduced, Qularr society
Qularr invasion of Earth, Humanity will know as is highly organized along caste and gender
“Drago’s Reach.” However, by that time Reqqat lines. Male Qularr don’t do female jobs, and
no longer exists. Aggressive, confrontational, and vice-versa; Qularr from high-ranking castes run
a general menace to the Galaxy, the Qularr and things while their low-caste brethren do the
their homeworld are destroyed by one of the Gal- hard labor. But it goes deeper than that — it’s
axars, a being known as Lawbringer, in the early not just a social thing, it’s part of Qularr biology
2200s. By Terran Empire times only a handful of at the genetic level. A low-caste Qularr wouldn’t
Qularr remain in existence. (See Galactic Cham- think of trying to better himself or associate
pions for more information about the Galaxars, with higher-caste Qularr; the concept would
beings of vast cosmic power, and Terran Empire never occur to him.
for more information about Drago’s Reach and The Qularr of each caste may have
the state of the Galaxy in the 2600s.) enhanced capabilities or special abilities that
The Qularr control a small empire of several have been bred into them over the millennia.
systems surrounding their own, one of which has For example, Qularr Shock Troopers are stron-
a pre-spaceflight civilization that the Qularr rule ger and tougher than the Qularr average; Qularr
with an iron hand. Scholars are smarter and more insightful. These
QULARR INTEREST IN EARTH
The Qularr learned about, and became inter- QULARR PACKAGE DEAL
ested in, Earth after an incident in 1963 in which Here’s a Package Deal for the Qularr:
the Fabulous Five were transported into deep space Abilities
and fought a group of renegade silicon beings who Cost Ability
threatened to destroy the entire Galaxy with a super- 2 +2 STR
weapon. Some Qularr had an opportunity to observe 4 +2 CON
the Fabulous Five in action, and to obtain biological 4 +2 BODY
2 +2 PD
samples from them (i.e., blood spilled during the
3 Qularr Hearing: Ultrasonic Perception
battle). Intrigued by the samples, Qularr scientists (Hearing Group)
believed that if they had more, they might be able 3 Qularr Hearing: Infrasonic Perception
to find a way to bio-engineer more frequent, more (Hearing Group)
powerful superpowers in the Qularr themselves (see 2 Qularr Touch: +2 to PER Rolls with
below). Unfortunately for them, superhumans were Normal Touch
even more common in Human society than they 2 Qularr Skin: Damage Resistance
expected; the Qularr invasion force simply wasn’t (2 PD/2 ED)
able to cope with them. After several decades of Total Cost Of Package Abilities: 22
technological development, the Qularr have at last Disadvantages
returned to Earth because they think they can suc- Value Disadvantage
ceed with another invasion if they properly scout the 10 Physical Limitation: Poor Eyesight And
planet and study its inhabitants first. Additionally, Olfactory Senses (-1 to PER Rolls with
they want to recover some of the technology they both) (Frequently, Slightly Impairing)
had to leave behind the first time. Total Value Of Package Disadvantages: 10
abilities don’t really rise to the level of super- Since crime is rare on Reqqat, super-Qularr
powers, but they do help distinguish one type of usually work for the government in various capac-
Qularr from another in some instances. ities, including disaster prevention and homeworld
The Qularr don’t even have personal names. defense. They’re rarely allowed off-planet and
Instead, they’re referred to simply as what they almost never assigned to military expeditions.
are or what they do. For example, the commander The Qularr count as the “Alien” class of minds
of the current Qularr force on Monster Island is for purposes of Mental Powers.
named “Qularr Invasion Leader.” His second-in-
THE QULARR PLAN
command is named “Leader’s Chief Assistant,”
and every single one of his shock troopers is The Qularr have come back to Earth with the
named “Qularr Shock Trooper.” Ordinarily this intention of invading and conquering it to obtain
would cause constant confusion when a group of its resources and genetic material. They chose
Qularr tries to work together, but the Qularr have Wayfarer Coast so they could recover some of
a sort of “instinctual telepathy” that eliminates the their lost technology and put it to use. They’ve also
problem. They cannot communicate mentally any raided the Bureau 17 base to take back some of the
more than Humans can, but if Qularr Invasion devices Humanity “stole” from them.
Leader says to a group of Shock Troopers, “Shock Once the Qularr feel they’ve learned
Trooper, go patrol that perimeter,” all the Qularr enough about Humanity by studying Earth
involved know exactly which Shock Trooper he’s broadcasts and the like, they have a three-
talking to. This actually leads to a preciseness of stage plan. First, they will use their technology
communication and discipline that many Human to create an even stronger force-field around
military commanders would envy. the island so no one can interfere with them.
The Qularr language not only relies on this Second, they will retake control of all the other
instinctual telepathy, but also on infra- and ultra- giant monsters (they’ve already got Mega-Terak
sonic sounds. Thus, Humans simply cannot learn working for them again) and eliminate all other
to speak it without the aid of super-tech devices factions on the island. Third, after all that’s
that can produce the right sounds and mental done they’ll construct a communications array
impulses; learning to read their written language and summon a waiting invasion fleet from the
would be next to impossible. stars to conquer Earth once and for all.
TECHNOLOGY
The Qularr possess much better technology QULARR PERSONNEL
than Humanity does. They have FTL technology
Here are character sheets for the types of
that lets them travel at speeds of up to one light-year
Qularr currently found on Monster Island. For
per day, blasters and similar energy weapons have
their “pet” Mega-Terak, see Chapter Two. They
replaced ballistic firearms throughout their society,
also have “abductees,” Humans they’ve kidnapped
and their other forms of technology are similarly
from other parts of the island and now control
advanced compared to Earth’s. Their biological sci-
mentally through a combination of brainwashing
ences are particularly sophisticated; bio-agents are
techniques and special spores they breed.
one of their most common trade items, and they
The Qularr body type tends to vary based on
can breed giant monsters for various purposes (for
function, though certain similarities run through-
example, to assist with agriculture or to fight in
out. The chitinous skin is usually a sort of pale
wars). They also seem to use a lot of force technology
red-orange. The most notable feature is the head, a
for both offensive and defensive purposes.
forward-thrusting, crustacean-like thing that has two
large eyes (usually, but not always, faceted like a fly’s)
SUPERPOWERS and two prominent mandibles (which can be used as
The Qularr can manifest super“human” natural weapons, though in most cases weak ones).
powers, though at only about one-third the rate The fingers are tipped with sharp nails that cn func-
that Humanity does. The average super-Qularr is tion as claws in some genotypes, but again usually
about two-thirds as powerful as the average super- weak ones (if the Qularr wears gloves they’re ineffec-
Human. About one-fourth of super-Qularr are tive most of the time, for example). Their legs have
mentalists, one-fourth are metamorphs of some joints that bend backwards, and their feet two toes
type, and the rest are more or less evenly divided with tough, sharp nails that do the same damage as
among the classic superhero archetypes. the Qularr’s claws in most cases.
QULARR INVASION LEADER 6 Battle-Armor Communications System:

Val Char Cost Roll Notes HRRP (Radio Group); OIF (-½), Affected
30 STR 20 15- Lift 1,600 kg; 6d6 [3] As Sight And Hearing Groups As Well As
20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7 Radio Group (-½) 0
20 CON 20 13- 3 Qularr Antennae: +1 to PER Rolls with all
18 BODY 16 13- Sense Groups 0
18 INT 8 13- PER Roll 13- Perks
18 EGO 16 13- ECV: 6 10 Military Rank
6 COM -2 10- Skills
10 +1 Overall
8 PD 2 Total: 31 PD (28 rPD) 16 +2 with All Combat
5 SPD 20 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 3 Combat Driving 13-
10 REC 0 3 Combat Piloting 13-
40 END 0 3 Deduction 13-
50 STUN 7 Total Characteristics Cost: 156 3 Fast Draw (Small Arms) 13-
3 Interrogation 14-
Movement: Running: 9”/18” 2 KS: The Qularr Military 11-
3 Paramedics 13-
Cost Powers END
3 Stealth 13-
46 Invasion Leader’s Energy Pistol:
3 Tactics 13-
Multipower, 62-point reserve, 60 Charges
3 Teamwork 13-
(+½) for entire reserve; all OAF (-1) [60]
2 WF: Small Arms
3u 1) Standard Beam, 1-Mode: Energy
Blast 12d6; OAF (-1) Total Powers & Skills Cost: 226
3u 2) Standard Beam, 3-Mode: Energy Total Cost: 382
Blast 10d6, Autofire (3 shots; +¼);
200+ Disadvantages
OAF (-1), Requires Multiple Charges
10 Hunted: Qularr Military 8- (Mo Pow, NCI,
(2 Charges per shot; -¼)
Watching)
2u 3) Power Beam, 1-Mode: RKA 2d6,
20 Psychological Limitation: Determined
Penetrating (+½); OAF (-1)
To Conquer Humanity And Prove Qularr
2u 4) Power Beam, 3-Mode: RKA 2d6,
Superiority (Very Common, Strong)
Autofire (3 shots; +¼), Penetrating
20 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very
(+½); OAF (-1), Requires Multiple
Frequently, Major)
Charges (2 Charges per shot; -¼)
2u 5) Enhanced Power Beam: RKA 2d6,
+2 Increased STUN Multiplier (+½), Total Disadvantage Points: 382
Penetrating (+½); OAF (-1), Requires
Multiple Charges (3 Charges; -½)
5 Qularr Mandibles: HKA 1 point
(½d6 with STR) 1
10 Elbow Spines: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1
with STR) 1
5 Kick: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1
30 Qularr Battle-Armor: Armor
(15 PD/15 ED); OIF (-½) 0
13 Qularr Force-Belt: Force Field
(8 PD/8 ED/4 Power Defense); OIF
(-½), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge
(1 Hour, Easily recharged; -0) [1cc]
5 Qularr Skin: Damage Resistance
(5 PD/5 ED) 0
7 Qularr Battle-Armor: Life Support
(Self-Contained Breathing); OIF (-½) 0
6 Fast: Running +3” (9” total) 1
(Hearing Group) 0
3 Qularr Hearing: Infrasonic Perception
(Hearing Group) 0
2 Qularr Touch: +2 to PER Rolls with
Normal Touch 0
3 Qularr Battle-Armor: Infrared Perception
(Sight Group); OIF (-½) 0
Background/History: Invasion Leader was born QULARR DRONE

into the Qularr caste of “low high-level military Val Char Cost Roll Notes
commanders” and has trained and prepared for 15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1]
his duties as a leader of troops and personnel since 15 DEX 15 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
he was a child. His initial training came from 15 CON 10 12-
his father, but at the age of eight he was sent to a 12 BODY 4 11-
military academy where he studied for the next 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
fourteen years. He’s served in a number of Qularr 10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
military and exploration campaigns and looks on 10 PRE 0 11- PRE Attack: 2d6
his expedition to Earth as the start of a new and 6 COM -2 10-
glorious chapter in his life.
Personality/Motivation: Invasion Leader is a career 5 ED 2 Total: 13 ED (10 rED)
soldier and it shows in his bearing, his efficient 3 SPD 5 Phases: 4, 8, 12
approach to problems and crises, and his stern, 6 REC 0
serious demeanor. He’s determined to conquer 30 END 0
Earth and prove that the Qularr are superior to 30 STUN 2 Total Characteristics Cost: 43
Humans not only because he’s dedicated to his
duty, but for personal reasons. Forty years ago his Movement: Running: 7”/14”
father was one of the Invasion Leaders who led Tunneling: 6”/12”
the attack on Earth. The loss made him bitter and
Cost Powers END
angry for years. Invasion Leader wants to avenge
22 Basic Qularr Energy Rifle: Energy Blast
his father’s defeat and prove his worthiness to his
9d6, 30 Charges (+¼); OAF (-1),
father by reducing Humanity to a subject people.
Two-Handed (-½) [30]
Powers/Tactics: Invasion Leader is stronger and 36 Spit Acid: RKA 1d6, Continuous (+1),
tougher than most Qularr, including the Shock Penetrating (+½), Uncontrolled (see text;
Troopers who serve him. He wears Qularr Battle- +½); Limited Range (8”; -¼) 4
Armor (a suit of powered armor that protects him 10 Claws: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1 with STR) 1
and provides him with some communications 5 Qularr Mandibles: HKA 1 point (½d6
and sensory capability) plus a Force-Belt for addi- with STR) 1
tional defense. Since he’s not a front-line fighter he 5 Kick: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1
doesn’t carry a lot of weapons; his chief armament 16 Qularr Battle-Armor: Armor
is a powerful Qularr energy pistol that can fire (8 PD/8 ED); OIF (-½) 0
in single-shot and multiple-shot modes. He can 2 Qularr Skin: Damage Resistance
obtain other Qularr weapons if necessary. (2 PD/2 ED) 0
Campaign Use: The Qularr Invasion Leader should 30 Burrowing: Tunneling 6” through
be at least as tough as any one of your PCs, pos- 6 DEF materials 3
sibly tough enough to take on two of them at once. 2 Fast: Running +1” (7” total) 1
If he doesn’t live up to that right now, improve his 3 Qularr Hearing: Ultrasonic Perception
abilities or give him more weapons and gadgets (Hearing Group) 0
until he does. 3 Qularr Hearing: Infrasonic Perception
(Hearing Group) 0
Appearance: Compared to his Shock Troopers, the 2 Qularr Touch: +2 to PER Rolls with
Invasion Leader looks slender and weak — Lead- Normal Touch 0
ers are chosen for their intellect more than their 3 Qularr Battle-Armor: Infrared Perception
physical prowess, though he’s far stronger and (Sight Group); OIF (-½) 0
tougher than his appearance indicates. He’s got a 6 Battle-Armor Communications System:
tiny row of spines running down the center of his HRRP (Radio Group); OIF (-½), Affected
head, and two small antennae. Projecting back As Sight And Hearing Groups As Well As
from his lower arms are two elbow-spines that he Radio Group (-½) 0
can use to fight with if necessary. 3 Qularr Antennae: +1 to PER Rolls with all
QULARR INVASION LIEUTENANTS Sense Groups 0
While the Invasion Leader is unique on Mon- Perks
ster Island, he can’t be everywhere at once. To help 2 Military Rank
him keep the mission functioning smoothly he has
several lieutenants. They basically look just like Skills
him, but are smaller and less powerful (STR 25, 4 +2 OCV with Spit Acid
DEX 18, CON 18, SPD 4, -2 DCs on attacks). 5 Short: +1 DCV
2 KS: Qularr Military History And Customs 11-
2 PS: Qularr Soldier 11-
3 Stealth 12-
1 Tactics 8-
2 WF: Small Arms
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 169 tactics involve burrowing under enemy forces to
Total Cost: 212 make a surprise attack from behind or below.
Second, a Drone has the ability to spit acid at
75+ Disadvantages
opponents up to 8” away. If possible he allocates at
least 16 END to the power so it continues to burn
Watching)
the target for at least 4 Phases. (The Continuous and
Uncontrolled effect of the Drone’s acid means the
Frequently, Major)
substance keeps damaging an affected target for a
specific period of time. This lasts until one of either
Total Disadvantage Points: 212 two things happens: the END allocated to the power
Description: This character sheet represents the runs out; or until the acid does 12 BODY of damage.
lowest-level Qularr soldier — the “grunt,” the (This means the damage rolled on the dice, regard-
fighters who make up the bulk of the military’s less of how the target’s defenses apply.) Against a
ground forces and who get stuck with all the target with no Hardened rED, the maximum BODY
worst, most dangerous jobs. But a Drone’s been typically occurs first. A victim can also stop an
bred for that duty for millennia and accepts it stoi- Uncontrolled acid attack by applying the appropriate
cally, if not cheerfully. When not on duty, Drones base or by immersing himself in water. Immersion
usually gather to drink, gamble, and otherwise in water puts out the acid on the victim’s next Phase
entertain themselves with simple pasttimes. (the immersion gets rid of the acid immediately, but
the reaction also inflicts an additional immediate
Powers/Tactics: Qularr Drones go into the field attack on the victim).)
armed with a basic energy rifle and battle-armor,
but those aren’t the only things they have to rely Appearance: The Qularr Drone is only about
on. First, a drone’s hard, sharp-nailed hands allow half the size of other Qularr, and tends to sort of
it to claw opponents and to burrow through the hunch over when he stands/walks. His skin and
ground and tremendous speeds. Many Qularr armor are both darker than average. He has two
small antennae.
QULARR GARDENERS
To tend their mushroom plots in the Radia-
tion Caves the Qularr brought along several Gar-
deners, who are basically Drones with specialized
knowledge (KS: Qularr Plant Life 13-, SS: Qularr
Agriculture 13-, SS: Qularr Botany 11-). They’re
fairly docile and generally won’t fight unless
they’re attacked first or someone threatens their
mushroom pools.
QULARR EXOZOOLOGISTS
Another type of Drone is the Exozoologist,
a Qularr scientist who specializes in the study of
lifeforms from alien worlds such as Earth. Several
of them tend to the Zoo and advise the Invasion
Leader about matters concerning terrestrial life.
To create one, use the Drone character sheet but
add Animal Handler (any three categories) 13-
and SS: Exozoology 13-.
QULARR SHOCK TROOPER 24 Qularr Battle-Armor: Armor

Val Char Cost Roll Notes (12 PD/12 ED); OIF (-½) 0
20 STR 10 13- Lift 400 kg; 4d6 [2] 2 Qularr Skin: Damage Resistance
18 DEX 24 13- OCV: 6/DCV: 6 (2 PD/2 ED) 0
18 CON 16 13- 4 Fast: Running +2” (8” total) 1
15 BODY 10 12- 3 Qularr Hearing: Ultrasonic Perception
13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12- (Hearing Group) 0
13 EGO 6 12- ECV: 4 3 Qularr Hearing: Infrasonic Perception
18 PRE 8 12- PRE Attack: 3½d6 (Hearing Group) 0
6 COM -2 10- 2 Qularr Touch: +2 to PER Rolls with
Normal Touch 0
6 PD 2 Total: 18 PD (14 rPD) 3 Qularr Battle-Armor: Infrared Perception
6 ED 2 Total: 18 ED (14 rED) (Sight Group); OIF (-½) 0
4 SPD 12 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 6 Battle-Armor Communications System:
8 REC 0 HRRP (Radio Group); OIF (-½),
36 END 0 Affected As Sight And Hearing Groups
35 STUN 1 Total Characteristics Cost: 92 As Well As Radio Group (-½) 0
Movement: Running: 8”/16” 6 Qularr Antennae: +2 to PER Rolls with
all Sense Groups 0
Cost Powers END
48 Qularr Elite Energy Rifle: Energy Perks
Blast 12d6, Autofire (3 shots; +¼), 4 Military Rank
100 Charges (+¾); OAF (-1), Skills
Two-Handed (-½) [100] 4 +2 OCV with Elite Energy Rifle
18 Energy Grenades: Energy Blast 8d6, 5 +1 HTH
Explosion (+½); OAF (-1), Range Based
3 KS: Qularr Military History And Customs 12-
On STR (-¼), 4 Charges (-1) [4]
3 PS: Qularr Soldier 12-
10 Qularr Mandibles: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1
3 Stealth 13-
with STR) 1
2 Survival (Tropical) 12-
5 Claws: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1
3 Tactics 12-
5 Kick: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1
3 Teamwork 13-
7 Combat Training: HA +2d6;
3 Tracking 12-
Hand-To-Hand Attack (-½) 1
3 WF: Small Arms, Blades
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 182 QULARR BUGKEEPER

Total Cost: 274 Val Char Cost Roll Notes
100+ Disadvantages 15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1]
10 Hunted: Qularr Military 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, 15 DEX 15 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
Watching) 15 CON 10 12-
20 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very 12 BODY 4 11-
Frequently, Major) 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
144 Experience Points 10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
Total Disadvantage Points: 274 6 COM -2 10-
Description: Qularr Shock Troopers are one of the
elite types of soldiers fielded by the Qularr mili-
tary. Equipped with heavier armor and a better
3 SPD 5 Phases: 4, 8, 12
weapon than the Drones, and far better trained in
6 REC 0
far more combat skills, they’re tough enough to
30 END 0
give any Human military — not to mention most
superheroes — serious trouble.
Powers/Tactics: Shock Troopers are elite soldiers, Movement: Running: 7”/14”
and they fight intelligently and with skill. They don’t Tunneling: 6”/12”
make stupid mistakes and rarely expose themselves Cost Powers END
to enemy counterattack more than they absolutely 50 Implant Firebug Egg: RKA 1d6+1, NND
have to. They use their Tactics and Teamwork abili- (defense is removing the implanted egg
ties to bring maximum force to bear on the enemy, in time, see text; +1), Does BODY (+1);
usually choosing the biggest or most dangerous- No Range (-½) plus Summon four
looking target and taking him down before moving Firebugs built on 103 Character Points,
to the next one. Superheroes who expect typical Loyal (+½); OIF (unhatched egg; -½),
“agent tactics” and a quick fight are likely to be Extra Time (egg “incubates” for 1d6
unpleasantly surprised. Segments after being implanted; -½),
If necessary, you can equip the Shock Can Only Summon One Firebug Per
Troopers with other weapons. Once they’ve Charge (-½), Can Be Negated With
encountered the PCs a time or two, they’ll aban- Appropriate Procedure (see text; -½),
don any strategies and gear that haven’t worked Linked (-½), 4 Charges (-1) [4]
against them in favor of new ones that hopefully 7 Implant Firebug Egg: +20 STR; Only
will. It’s not unknown for one Shock Trooper to To Make STR Rolls To Implant Firebug
stay at the side of a battle, as concealed from the Eggs (-2) 2
enemy as possible, and use special sensors to 36 Spit Acid: RKA 1d6, Continuous (+1),
analyze their equipment and powers in anticipa- Penetrating (+½), Uncontrolled
tion of future battles. (see text; +½); Limited Range (8”; -¼) 4
Appearance: The Shock Trooper is the most 10 Claws: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1 with STR) 1
horrifying-looking Qularr to Human eyes. Its 10 Elbow Spines: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1
skin is more yellowish, and its mandibles are with STR) 1
much larger and sharper than those of other 5 Kick: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1
Qularr. It also has larger, more sensitive anten- 5 Qularr Mandibles: HKA 1 point
nae. It hunches forward slightly and has pro- (½d6 with STR) 1
nounced “hump” on its back. 16 Qularr Battle-Armor: Armor
(8 PD/8 ED); OIF (-½) 0
2 Qularr Skin: Damage Resistance
(2 PD/2 ED) 0
30 Burrowing: Tunneling 6” through
6 DEF materials 3
(Hearing Group) 0
3 Qularr Hearing: Infrasonic Perception
(Hearing Group) 0
2 Qularr Touch: +2 to PER Rolls with
Normal Touch 0
3 Qularr Battle-Armor: Infrared
Perception (Sight Group); OIF (-½) 0
6 Battle-Armor Communications System:
HRRP (Radio Group); OIF (-½),
Affected As Sight And Hearing Groups
As Well As Radio Group (-½) 0
Perks usually retreats to try to obtain more (if that’s pos-

25 Followers: 4 Firebugs built on 75 Base sible), or tries to create more Firebugs by implant-
Points (see below) ing eggs (see below).
15 Followers: Qularr Swarm built on 75 Base Powers/Tactics: In addition to being able to
Points (see below) burrow, claw, and spit acid like Drones, and to
2 Military Rank use whatever pet insects they have, Bugkeepers
have one particularly nasty ability. In battle they
Skills carry several Firebug eggs on the verge of hatch-
6 Animal Handler (Insects And Arthropods) 14- ing. The eggs have to be implanted in flesh to
2 KS: Qularr Military History And Customs 11- hatch. Using a claw-like structure on his arm, a
2 PS: Qularr Soldier 11- Bugkeeper punctures the target’s skin and “injects”
2 SS: Qularr Entomology 11- an egg into him. (At the GM’s option, this may
3 Stealth 12- require a STR Roll if the target has super-tough
1 Tactics 8- skin, wears heavy powered armor, or the like.) A
2 WF: Small Arms few seconds later the Firebug hatches and bursts
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 250 forth, causing a horrific injury to the victim and
Total Cost: 298 giving the Qularr a reinforcement. To remove an
egg before it hatches, the victim must cut himself
75+ Disadvantages
open and remove it (or someone has to do that for
him). This requires a DEX Roll at -1, a Paramedics
Watching)
roll, or an SS: Surgery roll at +2 and a Full Phase
Action. If the roll fails, the victim takes 1 BODY
Frequently, Major)
damage (no defense) and the egg’s still inside him,
but he can try again on his next Phase (or even
Total Disadvantage Points: 298 Abort in a later Segment to try again, if the GM
Description: Qularr Bugkeepers are similar to permits). If the roll succeeds, he takes 1 BODY
Drones, but are bred and trained to take care of damage (no defense) but removes the egg; he does
and use Firebugs and Swarms, two of the Qularr’s not suffer the RKA damage and the Summon does
most common squad-level biological weapons (see not work (the removal process destroys the egg).
below). A typical Bugkeeper usually has ½d6+1 Appearance: A Bugkeeper is just a little shorter
Firebugs and 0-2 Swarms with him when encoun- than an Invasion Leader, but much stockier. It has
tered in a combat situation; if they’re killed he no antennae, and its eyes are unfaceted black.
QULARR FIREBUG Skills

Val Char Cost Roll Notes 30 Hard To Hit: +6 DCV
-10 STR -20 9- Lift 6 kg; 0d6 [1] 11 Concealment 18-; Self Only (-½)
14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5 15 Stealth 18-
10 CON 0 11-
5 BODY -10 10-
Total Cost: 99
8 INT -2 11- PER Roll 11-
5 EGO -10 10- ECV: 2 75+ Disadvantages
10 PRE 0 11- PRE Attack: 2d6 15 Physical Limitation: Animal Intelligence
4 COM -3 10- (Frequently, Greatly Impairing)
10 Physical Limitation: Tiny (.25m; +9” KB)
3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12
2 REC 0
15 Psychological Limitation: Loyal To Bug-
20 END 0
keeper (Common, Strong)
15 STUN 5 Total Characteristics Cost: -12
Swimming: 1”/2” Ecology: Qularr firebugs were specially bred by
Flight: 7”/14” Bugkeepers from native Qularr insects centuries
ago. Today they’re raised en masse in special hives
Cost Powers END to ensure there are always plenty available. They
13 Spit Liquid Fire: RKA 1d6, Penetrating subsist on decaying vegetable and animal matter...
(+½); Limited Range (4”; -¼), No and aren’t particularly shy about helping the
Knockback (-¼), 10 Charges (-¼) [10] animal matter die so it can start decaying.
7 Stinger: HKA 1 point, Penetrating
Personality/Motivation: Normal animal motiva-
(x2; +1); No STR Bonus (-½) 1
tions, though they tend to be highly loyal to the
13 Sting: Drain CON 2d6, Delayed
Bugkeeper who raised and trained them.
Return Rate (points return at the rate
of 5 per Hour; +1), NND (defense is Powers/Tactics: Firebugs have been bred to have
appropriate LS [Immunity]; +1); special abilities native to several Reqqat insect spe-
Stinger HKA Must Do BODY (-½), cies. First, they can spit blobs of “liquid fire” that
Extra Time (onset time begins 1 Turn cause a victim or object to burst into flame when
after victim is stung; -1¼), Gradual struck. Second, they can sting; the venom in their
Effect (1 Minute; 1d6/3 Turns; -½), stingers causes a swift onset of weakness that lasts
Linked (-½), 4 Charges (-1) [4] for a couple of hours.
3 Carapace: Damage Resistance Appearance: A Firebug looks sort of like a ter-
(3 PD/3 ED) 0 restrial wasp, but much larger (about the size of
9 Wings: Flight 7”; Restrainable (-½) 1 a Human hand, if not bigger) and with mandi-
-10 Short Legs: Running -5” (1” total) bles and other features that scream “alien!” and
-1 Short Legs: Swimming -1” (1” total) make it even more creepy than Earth bugs. Most
5 Firebug Eyes: Increased Arc Of Perception Firebugs are red, with parts of the body darker
(360 Degrees) for Normal Sight 0 and parts brighter (the latter sometimes seem to
10 Firebug Legs: Clinging (normal STR) 0 “glow” slightly in the right light), but they range
6 Six Legs: Extra Limbs, Inherent (+¼) 0 in color from pink to purple, and sometimes
even green or blue.
QULARR SWARM 5 Swarm Form: Increased Arc Of Perception

Val Char Cost Roll Notes (360 Degrees) for Normal Sight 0
-35 STR -45 3- Lift .2 kg; 0d6 [1] 8 Insect Legs: Clinging (normal STR); Cannot
14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5 Resist Knockback (-¼) 0
10 CON 0 11- Total Powers & Skills Cost: 112
10 BODY 0 11- Total Cost: 67
5 INT -5 10- PER Roll 10-
5 EGO -10 10- ECV: 2 75+ Disadvantages
8 PRE -2 11- PRE Attack: 1½d6 0 Physical Limitation: Human Size
8 COM -1 11- 20 Physical Limitation: Instinctive Intelligence
(All The Time, Greatly Impairing)
1 PD 1 Total: 1 PD (0 rPD) 15 Physical Limitation: Very Limited Manipu-
1 ED -1 Total: 1 ED (0 rED) lation (Frequently, Greatly Impairing)
3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12
2 REC 0
20 END 0 Ecology: Qularr Bugkeepers also use swarms of
15 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: -45 small, stinging insects as weapons. Swarms range
from about half human size to twice human size.
Movement: Running: 1”/2” Although each individual insect is little more than
Leaping: 0”/0” a nuisance, in a swarm these Qularr “wasps” can
Swimming: 0”/0” cause serious injury or death with their stings.
Flight: 5”/10”
Personality/Motivation: Normal animal motivations.
Cost Powers END
Powers/Tactics: A Qularr swarm responds to the
23 Stinging: RKA ½d6, Continuous (+1),
orders of its Bugkeeper. Typically it surrounds one
NND (defense is appropriate
target and keeps stinging until the target’s dead or
LS [Immunity]; +1), Does BODY (+1),
the swarm’s been destroyed or dispersed (by, say,
Personal Immunity (+¼), 64 Charges
an Area Of Effect attack or strong wind). At the
(+½); No Range (-½), Must Target
GM’s option the Bugkeeper can make an Animal
Unprotected Hit Locations (-½) [64]
Handler roll to split his swarm in two to attack
40 Swarm Form: Physical Damage
two targets, each taking half damage.
Reduction, Resistant, 75%; Not Versus
Area Of Effect/Explosion Attacks (-½) 0 Appearance: A Swarm is just a cloud of small
10 Swarm Form: Energy Damage insects, similar in appearance to swarms of ter-
Reduction, Resistant, 25%; Not Versus restrial bugs.
Area Of Effect/Explosion Attacks (-½) 0 QULARR HIVE
24 Swarm Form: Desolidification (affected
by any attack), Reduced Endurance A Qularr Hive is a sort of reddish-colored
(0 END; +½); Cannot Pass Through organic “turret” that can project a Qularr Swarm
Solid Objects (-½), Does Not Protect at a target. A Hive can spew out a Swarm covering
Against Damage (-1) 0 a 3” radius area up to a distance of 5”. The Swarm
7 Wings: Flight 5”; Restrainable (-½) 1 attacks anything in the target area with its Sting-
1 Insect Legs: Leaping +1” (1” forward, ing ability. When the attack is done, any surviving
½” upward) 1 Swarm insects either return to the Hive, join a
-10 Insectile: Running -5” (1” total) Swarm of a nearby Bugkeeper, or disperse into the
-2 Insectile: Swimming -2” (0” total) environment, depending on circumstances.
6 Six Legs: Extra Limbs, Inherent (+¼) 0
TECHNOLOGY Description: The Qularr Air-Runner is a one-

Qularr spaceship designed for near-space/near-
In addition to the weapons and other devices mothership and atmospheric aerial combat. Its
shown on the character sheets above, here are only weapon is a forward blaster fired by the pilot
some other examples of Qularr technology the from a trigger mounted on the steering column.
PCs might encounter: Air-Runners are dark blue, and “moored”
to the ground by an energy tether generated by a
QULARR AIR-RUNNER small Qularr post. Viewed from above or below
Val Char Cost Notes they’re wedge-shaped. Viewed from the side, front,
1 Size 5 1.25”x.64”; 200 kg; -1 KB; -0 DCV or back they’re remarkably thin — so thin experts
20 STR 5 Lift 400 kg; 4d6 [0] have speculated they don’t exist entirely in this
20 DEX 30 OCV: 7/DCV: 7 dimension, since otherwise the pilot couldn’t get
14 BODY 3 inside one.
5 DEF 6 Does Not Protect Occupant (-½)
BIOWEAPON CONTROL HELMET
4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
Total Characteristic Cost: 59 Effect: Mind Control 12d6 (Animal class of
minds), Activation Roll 14-
Movement: Ground: 0”/0”
Target: One character
Flight: 35”/140”
Duration: Instant
Abilities & Equipment
Range: LOS
Cost Power END
END Cost: 6
127 Hover Generator: Flight 40”,
x4 Noncombat Multiple, Sideways Breakability: 12 DEF
Maneuverability (+½) 0 Description: This device is a large, helmet-like
-12 Flight Only: Ground Movement -6” gadget that only works for Qularr minds. A
(0” total) Qularr wearing it can exert mental control over
-2 Flight Only: Swimming -2” (0” total) animals — such as most of the giant monsters on
55 Forward Blaster: RKA 3d6, Armor Monster Island. At present the Qularr only have
Piercing (+½), Autofire (5 shots; +½), two of these devices and save them for emergen-
100 Charges (+¾); OIF Bulky (-1), cies, partly to keep them secret and partly because
Limited Arc Of Fire (180 Degrees they’re not entirely reliable and thus pose a danger
forward; -¼) [100] to the user.
5 Communications System: HRRP
(Radio Group); OIF Bulky (-1), Affected Game Information: Mind Control 12d6 (Animal
As Sight And Hearing Group As Well class of minds) (60 Active Points); OIF (-½),
As Radio Group (-½) 0 Activation Roll 14- (-½). Total cost: 30 points.
10 Radar Array: Radar (Radio Group),
Increased Arc Of Perception QULARR FORCE SHACKLE CANNON
(360 Degrees); OIF Bulky (-1) 0 Effect: Entangle 8d6, 8 DEF
15 Long-Range Sensors: +20 versus Range Target: One character
for Radio Group; OIF Bulky (-1) 0
18 Life Support: Life Support (Self-Contained Duration: Instant
Breathing; Safe Environments: High Range: 50”
Radiation, Intense Cold, Intense Heat, Charges: 12 Charges
Low Pressure/Vacuum) 0
Breakability: 16 DEF
Skills
Description: Qularr Shock Troopers sometimes
8 Maneuverable: +4 with Flight
carry this big, bulky rifle, which uses Qularr force-
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 224 field technology to capture a target in bands of
Total Vehicle Cost: 283 force.
Value Disadvantages Game Information: Entangle 8d6, 8 DEF (80
25 Distinctive Features: Qularr combat Active Points); OAF (-1), Cannot Form Bar-
vehicle (Not Concealable; Causes Extreme riers (-¼), Limited Range (50”; -¼), Two-
Reaction [fear]) Handed (-½). Total cost: 27 points.
Total Cost: 258/5 = 52
QULARR FACILITIES THE DIG SITE

The southeast corner of the Wayfarer Coast
The Qularr staked out one of the most contains an archaeological dig that seems to
pleasant areas of Monster Island as their base of be the Qularr’s main focus at present. They’re
operations — a jungle-covered valley between unearthing what appears to be a crashed Air-
two arms of the central mountain range. It lacks Runner from the 1965 invasion, plus some
the rock outcroppings, ridges, and other fea- associated bits and peices of Qularr technology.
tures that make travel in some other parts of the UNTIL observers are unsure why such a small
island difficult. ship warrants so much attention... or why the
Qularr are proceeding with glacial slowness and
THE LANDING STRIP
tremendous caution while excavating it. The
The Qularr park their Air-Runners and their leading theory is that it contains some super-
“mother ship” along the beach in the northern weapon the Qularr want to recover, but which
part of Wayfarer Coast. The mother ship looks might pose a danger to them or be damaged if
sort of like a large Air-Runner, though to Human they’re not careful. Some UNTIL scientists have
eyes it seems too small to support the full Qularr suggested this might be genetic samples for a
force now on the island. Many analysts believe new host of giant monsters; others think a pow-
the Qularr brought most of their troops along erful energy weapon or bomb is more likely.
as genetic samples that were grown into adult
The Overseer
soldiers using cloning technology, though a few
Berthed near the Dig Site is the Overseer, a
think the ship is partly extra-dimensional and thus
powerful Qularr Air-Runner-like ship equipped
larger inside than out.
with an artificially intelligent computer. It helps
Near the ships are two large force-field
the Invasion Leader oversee the operations at the
generators. Back in 1965 the Qularr erected
dig, and can also defend it: its blaster is RKA 6d6
a force-field around the entire island to keep
instead of the standard RKA 3d6, and can fire in
heroes and Earth soldiers out. During the final
any direction around the ship. (Otherwise, use the
battles before they left the generators were dam-
Air-Runner character sheet for the Overseer.)
aged. They still glow, but they cannot generate
force-fields. The Qularr are now trying to repair Communications Towers
them.... Near the Dig Site are several small but
sturdy communications towers (DEF 10, BODY
THE ZOO 12). The Qularr use these to maintain contact
Between the Landing Strip and the Dig Site with their invasion fleet in outer space. If the
the Qularr have set up a “zoo” to keep samples heroes disable or destroy all of them, the Qularr
of Earth life. About a dozen force-dome cages on Monster Island will be cut off until they con-
contain animals from the island (mainly teleio- struct new ones.
saurs), but some house humanoid prisoners,
THE RADIATION CAVES
including Humans and beast-men. One such
captive is Dr. Edward Kendricks, an UNTIL sci- The northernmost Qularr “outpost” in
entist who’d very much like to be rescued. Wayfarer Coast is a series of three caverns in the
In game terms, the cages are Force Wall (20 mountains that the Qularr discovered shortly
PD/20 ED), Hardened (x2). Opening one requires after landing here. Known as “the Radiation
an electronic “key” kept by the chief Exozoologist. Caves” because they contain a high propor-
tion of radioactive minerals (which the Qularr The first and largest chamber is roughly
mine), they’re made of a grey-black stone shot oval and has a flat floor. There are many Qularr
through with glowing green veins of the radio- here digging up radioactives or just enjoying the
actives. The whole place has a sort of eery glow cool darkness. The inner two chambers, reached
that Humans often find disturbing but which via a single tunnel, are a little smaller, more cir-
doesn’t bother the Qularr at all. cular, and slope inward to a pool of water in the
Humans don’t know what the Qularr intend center. The pools are a golden color and have a
to do with the radioactives they mine in the lot of large mushrooms growing in them. The
Caves. Some experts think they’re used for fuel, Qularr use these as food; Qularr Gardeners tend
but others fear they may be material for some and protect them.
sort of weapon.
THE UNTIL PRESENCE Larke, an American with Ph.D degrees in

both astronomy and biology, is a confident man
UNTIL is so concerned about the Qularr in his mid-30s with a can-do attitude and a sort
that it’s assigned the head of Project Stargazer of seriousness and efficiency about him that
himself — Major Jason Larke — to observe the some people find off-putting... at least until a
Qularr. He’s established a camouflaged observa- calm head is needed in a crisis. He’s worked with
tion post, and also sometimes scouts the Wayfarer many superheroes during his ten-year UNTIL
Coast area using one of UNTIL’s U-ALB Stealth career and would happily welcome the help of
Bodysuits. His outpost features a high-powered superheroes now. He’s convinced the Qularr are a
communications system that allows him to keep in major threat and need to be dealt with before they
touch with other UNTIL personnel on the island launch a full-fledged invasion, but UNTIL prefers
and UNTIL’s Tokyo headquarters without being to move slowly and cautiously. A few superheroes
detected... at least not as far as he knows. One of might be able to resolve the problem now without
his constant concerns is UNTIL’s general lack of making it look like he violated his orders....
knowledge of the true extent of Qularr technol-
ogy’s capabilities.
snakes on an island:
Slither Beach
Chapter Five
58  Snakes On An Island: Slither Beach Hero System 5th Edition Revised
SLITHER BEACH
T
he northwest corner of Monster Island is lippe Moreau, whom it set up with a lab here after
an area now known as Slither Beach. Origi- he and the organization parted formal company.
nally it was called “North Beach,” but after It trades Moreau supplies for data derived from
it Bureau 17 realized VIPER had estab- his research and the occasional manimal. He and
lished a presence there, the name changed. Official VIPER enjoy a cordial (for the underworld) but
documents still refer to North Beach, but in every- guarded relationship; neither truly trusts the other,
day use Slither Beach is the preferred term. but they recognize they can achieve more with an
alliance than by working in complete separation.
VIPER ACTIVITIES ON MONSTER ISLAND
VIPER has established a Nest on Monster
Island for several reasons. VIPER PERSONNEL
First, it considers Monster Island an “area
of importance” due to the presence of so many VIPER has assigned a significant number
other powerful organizations here, and it wants of agents to the Monster Island Nest due to the
to keep tabs on them. That’s VIPER’s primary perceived importance of the location. Led by Nest
purpose here — spying on rivals and potential Leader Tadataka Yamamoto, they include the
enemies — though it’s far from its only one. immensely powerful supervillain Ripper (see VIPER:
The VIPER Nest transmits reports on all cur- Coils Of The Serpent), agents of various levels of
rent Monster Island activities to the VIPER power and ability, and several VIPER scientist includ-
leadership at least once a week, and often more ing the brilliant but insane Dr. Dino Demogaard.
frequently. For the “typical” VIPER agent on Monster
A related goal is obtaining resources from Island — the VIPER Soldier — use the General
these other groups, whether through theft, trade, Combat Specialist character sheet from page 183
or other means. For example, VIPER is trying of the VIPER sourcebook.
to obtain Elder Worm artifacts before Slug and
his followers do, and similarly trying to acquire
Lemurian artifacts (it’s particularly interested in
Major VIPER Personnel
obtaining ignaetium that it can experiment with).
NEST LEADER TADATAKA
Third, VIPER is conducting scientific research
YAMAMOTO
pertaining to Monster Island’s monsters and other
inhabitants. It’s already acquired a number of teleio- The Leader of the Monster Island Nest is
saur eggs — including one enormous egg — and Tadataka Yamamoto, who was recruited by one
is incubating them so it can use the hatchlings for of the Tokyo Nests over 20 years ago. He spent
research, guard duty, and the like. most of his career in VIPER working in the Con-
Fourth, VIPER’s keeping an eye on Dr. Phil- strictor Division (VIPER’s intelligence branch)...
which gave him just the skills he needed to slowly
work his way up the ladder through treachery,
blackmail, assassination, and bribery. In 2001 he
decided that Monster Island represented a signifi-
cant chance to seize power within the organiza-
tion by overseeing some projects that most agents
knew little or nothing about but that he felt had
the potential to lead to great things. It took two
murders and a complex frame job, but by 2003
he’d arranged to have the old Nest Leader uncer-
emoniously removed... and then he stepped into
the man’s place.
Unlike many Nest Leaders, Yamamoto doesn’t
go in for flashy names or gimmicks. He’s a hard-
core career criminal who’s serious about his work
and approaches it like running a business as much
as like running a gang. Behind his back his men
refer to him as “Nitpick” because of the way he
fusses over little details they’d just as soon let slide.
Yamamoto is a Japanese male, 5’9” tall with
Monster Island n Chapter Five 59
short brown hair, short brown beard, and thin

brown moustache. He has scars on his left hand
Major VIPER Personnel
and left upper arm from knife-fights, and a
much more recent one on his right thigh from DR. DINO DEMOGAARD
being bitten by a teleiosaur. He wears a modi- 5 STR 8 DEX 8 CON 8 BODY
fied and strengthened form of VIPER’s Elite 20 INT 15 EGO 15 PRE 7
Basic Combat Uniform, one that approaches COM 3 PD 2 ED 2 SPD
being a suit of light powered armor. It’s mostly 3 REC 16 END 15 STUN
black, with some silver highlights and a scaly
Abilities: High-Tech Monocle (see text); Computer
green chestpiece. He adds a helmet and other
Programming 8-; Deduction 13-; KS: Dinosaurs 16-;
accouterments when preparing for battle.
KS: Giant Monsters 14-; Paramedics 13-; Stealth 11-;
For Yamamoto, use the General Intelligence
Scientist (Anatomy 13-, Biology 13-, Chemistry 13-,
Specialist character sheet from page 184 of
Herpetology 14-, Medicine 11-, Paleontology 15-,
VIPER: Coils Of The Serpent, then add the Espi-
Physics 11-, Surgery 13-); Fringe Benefit: Member-
onage Specialist and Logistics Specialist Package
ship: VIPER Scientist
Deals from pages 57-58 of that book. His pre-
ferred weapon is a VB-A4 “Jackhammer” Blaster 50+ Disadvantages: Hunted: VIPER 8- (Mo Pow,
Rifle (Energy Blast 12d6, Autofire (5 shots), 100 NCI, Watching); Psychological Limitation: Driven
Charges), but he can requisition just about any- To Create Destructive Monsters (Common, Total);
thing he needs from the Nest’s arsenal or one of Rivalry: other VIPER scientists he loathes and
the Japanese Nests. His special uniform/armor who loathe him in return; Social Limitation: Sub-
provides Armor (10 PD/ED) protection. ject To Orders (Very Frequently, Major)
Notes: VIPER’s first foray onto Monster Island
was actually in 1969, when it sent a covert team
of agents to obtain genetic samples from Zor-
gatha and the other reptilian monsters. It turned
the captured material over to one of its more
eccentric scientists — Dr. Dino Demogaard,
who wanted them for his “Project Terrorsaur.”
Terrorsaur’s goal was to breed “dinosaurs” that
VIPER could use to help conquer the world.
After some initial setbacks, Dr. Demogaard suc-
ceeded, and VIPER built a special lair beneath
Detroit, named “the Hothouse,” to house his
creatures. (See Sharper Than A Serpent’s Tooth
for details on the Hothouse.)
However, Project Terrorsaur wasn’t a long-
term success. While Demogaard did create some
monsters for VIPER, the cost of the project was
so high that it simply wasn’t worth it. VIPER’s
leadership ordered Terrorsaur shut down and
abandoned, and it informed the rest of the orga-
nization that Dr. Demogaard had been executed
for his failure to deliver results that matched the
costs incurred. It was an excellent object lesson
for the rank and file.
It was also a lie. VIPER is vengeful, but not
foolish enough to waste valuable resources. It
locked Demogaard away in a lab so isolated that
word of his continued existence couldn’t leak
out to the rest of the organization and let him
keep working with a much more limited budget.
Even such madness as Demogaard’s has its use-
fulness to VIPER.
The leadership’s foresight paid off in 2004 when
The Nest Leader’s Guards Teleiosaurus was brought to Monster Island. Here
Yamamoto has a couple of armored VIPER was an actual dinosaur, one somehow created by
agents as his guards. For them you can use the Teleios himself, that Dr. Demogaard could study.
Heavy Weapons Specialist on page 187 of VIPER: Since then Demogaard’s been hard at work main-
Coils Of The Serpent, but give them Armor (18 taining the VIPER hatcheries, analyzing teleiosaur
PD/18 ED) overall instead of the standard VIPER DNA, and making in his fevered mind all sorts of
uniform, and make their weapons OIFs instead of strange and exotic plans to use dinosaurs to conquer
OAFs. They’ve both worked with him a long time the world. In the end he might prove as much a
and are loyal to him... as loyal as anyone in VIPER liability for VIPER as an asset, but for now his worth
is to anyone else, at least. outweighs the difficulty of dealing with him, so he
remains alive and on the payroll.

Today Dr. Demogaard looks much more hale
Chief Underlings
and physically fit than one would expect from a man
his age — whether from winning the genetic lottery, GOLDEN VIPER SQUAD LEADER
or stacking the odds in his favor with some sort of Val Char Cost Roll Notes
special age-retarding treatment, no one but him can 20 STR 10 13- Lift 400 kg; 4d6 [2]
say — but his grey hair and beard betray his actual 20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
age even if his unwrinkled skin does not. He typically 20 CON 20 13-
wears a uniform similar to that of a VIPER officer, 20 BODY 20 13-
but in black with some silver highlights. Over his left 20 INT 10 13- PER Roll 13-
eye he wears a blue monocle; it’s linked to his com- 20 EGO 20 13- ECV: 7
puters and can scroll data and video across its surface 20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6
for him to read (HRRP on an OAF; Mind Link to 10 COM 0 11-
his computer). He spends 12 or more hours a day in
the lab, driven by his monomaniacal desire to breed 6 PD 2 Total: 26 PD (20 rPD)
monsters and wreak havoc with them. His chief 6 ED 2 Total: 26 ED (20 rED)
leisure activity is watching live feeds or tapes of giant 4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
monster fights and daydreaming about the destruc- 8 REC 0
tion his monsters will someday cause. 40 END 0
Doctor Demogaard has struck up an exten- 40 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 134
sive correspondence with Dr. Phillippe Moreau. Movement: Running: 6”/12”
The two have exchanged ideas, and even consid-
ered collaborating on some sort of “dinosaur-man” Cost Powers END
project. Nothing’s come of it yet, and if the world’s 37 VB-A21 “Striker-2B” Blaster Rifle:
lucky nothing ever will.... Multipower, 60-point reserve, 32
Charges for entire Multipower (+¼);
THE MANIMAL AMBASSADOR all OAF (-1) [32]
To oversee the details of their arrangement, 2u 1) Basic Setting: Energy Blast 10d6;
VIPER and Dr. Phillippe Moreau (see Chapter OAF (-1)
Six) have exchanged “advisors.” Doctor Moreau’s 3u 2) Autofire Setting: Energy Blast 8d6,
“ambassador” to Slither Beach is a Bear-Man Autofire (5 shots, +½); OAF (-1),
warchief (see page 75) named Urson. Unusually Limited Range (200”; -¼)
clever for a manimal (INT 13), Urson is friendly 3u 3) Stun Setting: Energy Blast 6d6,
with his VIPER allies in a “good business” sort NND (defense is an ED Force Field; +1);
of way, though he’s actually wary and distrustful OAF (-1), Limited Range (200”; -¼)
of them. He reports to Dr. Moreau every day by 6 Rifle-butt Club: HA +3d6; OAF (-1),
encrypted radio. Hand-To-Hand Attack (-½) 1
18 VB-S1A “Shorty-B” Blaster Pistol: Energy
Blast 8d6; OAF (-1), 12 Charges (-¼) [12]
16 VG-1 Frag Grenade: RKA 2d6+1,
Explosion (+½); OAF (-1), Range
Based On Strength (-¼), 4 Charges (-1) [4]
7 VIPER Grenade Launcher (Rifle-Mounted):
30 STR; OAF (-1), Only To Make Standing
Or Prone Throws Of VIPER Grenades (-2),
Only Works With VIPER Firearms (-0) 3
23 Shock Gauntlets: Multipower, 40-point
reserve; all OIF (-½), 12 Charges for
entire Multipower (-¼) [12]
2u 1) Taser Touch: Energy Blast 4d6,
NND (defense is being electrically
insulated or having an ED Force Field;
+1); OIF (-½), No Range (-½)
1u 2) Shock Punch: HA +4d6; OIF (-½),
Hand-To-Hand Attack (-½)
12 VIPER Fang: HKA 1d6 (plus STR),
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½);
OAF (-1) plus Range Based On STR
(+¼) for the HKA; OAF (-1), 1 Recoverable
Charge (-1¼), Lockout (cannot use HKA
until Charge is recovered; -½) 0
Martial Arts: VIPER Brawling 3 PS: VIPER Agent 13-

Maneuver OCV DCV Notes 3 Paramedics 13-
4 Block +2 +2 Block, Abort 3 Persuasion 13-
4 Dodge — +5 Dodge, Affects 3 Shadowing 13-
All Attacks, 3 Stealth 13-
Abort 3 Streetwise 13-
4 Punch +0 +2 8d6 Strike 3 Tactics 13-
3 Throw +0 +1 6d6 + v/5; 3 Teamwork 13-
Target Falls 3 WF: Small Arms, Blades
8 +2 Extra DCs (already added in) Total Powers & Skills Cost: 310
12 VIPER BCU (Elite): Armor (8 PD/8 ED); Total Cost: 444
OIF (-½), Activation Roll 14- (does not
protect Hit Locations 3-5 or 6-7; -½) 0 200+ Disadvantages
3 VIPER Helmet (Elite): Armor 5 Distinctive Features: VIPER uniform (Easily
(4 PD/4 ED); OIF (-½), Activation Roll 8- Concealed; Noticed And Recognizable)
(only protects Hit Locations 3-5; -2) 0 10 Hunted: VIPER 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Watching)
24 VFF-1 Force Field Belt: Force Field 15 Psychological Limitation: Amoral And
(12 PD/12 ED), Reduced Endurance Greedy (Common, Strong)
(0 END; +½); OIF (-½) 0 20 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very
5 Helmet Flare Shielding: Sight Group Frequently, Major)
Flash Defense (8 points); OIF (-½) 0 194 Experience Points
5 Helmet Acoustic Shielding: Hearing Group Total Disadvantage Points: 444
Flash Defense (8 points); OIF (-½) 0 Description: The Golden Vipers are VIPER’s squad
7 Helmet Oxygen Supply: Life Support of elite, genetically- and cybernetically-enhanced
(Self-Contained Breathing); OIF (-½), agents. They were first created to serve as body-
1 Continuing Fuel Charge (1 Hour; -0) 0 guards for the Supreme Serpent, but the squad’s
7 Helmet Psionic Shielding: Mental become large enough to assign some of them to
Defense (10 points + EGO/5); OIF (-½) 0 other important projects... like Monster Island.
6 Helmet Communications System: HRRP They wear VIPER’s Elite protective gear, but a ver-
(Radio Group); OIF (-½), Affected As sion with a slightly modified appearance and more
Sight And Hearing Group As Well As gold than green coloring.
Radio Group (-½) 0 The Golden Viper Squad Leader is in charge
3 Helmet Nightvision System: Nightvision; of a unit of agents, including Golden Viper
OIF (-½) 0 Combat Specialists (see below), on Monster
4 Helmet Telescopic Faceplate: +4 versus Island. Tough, skilled, and smart, he’s equipped
Range Modifier for Sight Group; OIF (-½) 0 with a powerful energy rifle, shock gauntlets, frag-
4 Helmet Hearing Enhancers: +4 versus Range mentation grenades, a VIPER armored uniform,
Modifier for Hearing Group; OIF (-½) 0 and other protective devices. In combat he tries to
Perks find a protected position that lets him observe the
4 Fringe Benefit: Membership (VIPER) battle (and fire his rifle, if he has the chance) so he
can issue orders, support his troops, and guide the
Skills battle to victory.
8 +1 with All Combat
10 +2 HTH VIPER TARTRAPPERS
6 +2 with VIPER Blasters You can also use this character sheet for
3 Breakfall 13- VIPER Tartrappers, a type of Golden Viper who
3 Combat Driving 13- isn’t trained for leadership but does have advanced
3 Concealment 13- fighting skills and special weapons. Remove the
3 Fast Draw (Small Arms) 13- VB-S1A pistol, the flare shielding, acoustic shield-
3 Interrogation 13- ing, oxygen supply, and Telescopic modifiers from
2 KS: The Local Underworld 11- the helmet, the +1 with All Combat, and the
2 KS: The Superhuman World 11- Tactics Skill, and reduce his Membership Perk to 3
3 KS: VIPER 13- points. Then add this weapon:
V-TT-1 TARTRAPPER GRENADE VIPER BRICKBUSTER AGENT

Effect: Entangle 6d6, 6 DEF Val Char Cost Roll Notes
Target: One Hex 18 STR 8 13- Lift 300 kg; 3½d6 [1]
14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
Duration: Instant
13 CON 6 12-
Range: RBS 12 BODY 4 11-
Charges: 6 Charges 13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-
Breakability: 18 DEF 14 EGO 8 12- ECV: 5
18 PRE 8 13- PRE Attack: 3½d6
Description: Tartrapper Grenades were developed 10 COM 0 11-
by VIPER’s R&D labs to restrain superheroes,
large beasts, and similar tough targets. When they
explode they release a blob of black, tarry sub-
3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12
stance that quickly hardens to restrain anyone in
7 REC 0
the affected area.
26 END 0
Game Information: Entangle 6d6, 6 DEF, Area 30 STUN 2 Total Characteristics Cost: 63
Of Effect (One Hex; +½) (90 Active Points);
OAF (-1), Range Based On STR (-¼), 6 Movement: Running: 6”/12”
Charges (-¾). Total cost: 30 points. Cost Powers END
72 VB-A5A3X “Brickbuster” Blaster Rifle:
GOLDEN VIPER SCARLET SERPENTS
Multipower, 120-point reserve, 50 Charges
You can also use this character sheet for for entire Multipower (+½); all OAF (-1),
Golden Viper Scarlet Serpents. The Scarlet Ser- Two-Handed (-½)
pents are VIPER’s tactical command specialists 4u 1) Heavy Damage Beam: Energy Blast
— experts at small-unit tactics and fighting super- 16d6, Autofire (5 shots; +½); OAF (-1),
human foes. Increase the KS: Superhuman World Activation Roll 14- (-½), Limited Range
roll to 13- and the Tactics roll to 15-. They wear a (300”; -¼), Two-Handed (-½)
special form of VIPER Elite body armor colored to 5u 2) Enervator Beam: Drain STR 8d6,
match their name. Limited Range (300”; +¼), Delayed
Return Rate (5 points per Minute; +¼);
OAF (-1), Two-Handed (-½)
16 VG-1 Frag Grenade: RKA 2d6+1,
On Strength (-¼), 4 Charges (-1) [4]
12 VIPER Fang: HKA 1d6 (plus STR),
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½); OAF
(-1) plus Range Based On STR (+¼) for
the HKA; OAF (-1), 1 Recoverable
Martial Arts: VIPER Brawling
Maneuver OCV DCV Notes
4 Block +2 +2 Block, Abort
4 Dodge — +5 Dodge, Affects
All Attacks,
Abort
4 Punch +0 +2 5 ½d6 Strike
3 Throw +0 +1 3½d6 + v/5;
Target Falls
12 VIPER BCU (Elite): Armor (8 PD/8 ED);
protect Hit Locations 3-5 or 6-7; -½) 0
24 VFF-1 Force Field Belt: Force Field
(12 PD/12 ED), Reduced Endurance
(0 END; +½); OIF (-½) 0
3 VIPER Helmet (Elite) Protection: Armor
(4 PD/4 ED); OIF (-½), Activation Roll 8-
(only protects Hit Locations 3-5; -2) 0
6 Helmet Communications System: HRRP
(Radio Group); OIF (-½), Affected As
Sight And Hearing Group As Well As
Radio Group (-½) 0
3 Helmet Nightvision System: Nightvision
(5 Active Points); OIF (-½) 0

2
Perks
Fringe Benefit: Membership
Low-Level Agents
(VIPER Elite Agent)
GOLDEN VIPER RED GUARD AGENT
Skills
16 +2 with All Combat Val Char Cost Roll Notes
6 +2 with VIPER Blasters 20 STR 10 13- Lift 400 kg; 4d6 [2]
20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
3 Breakfall 12- 20 CON 20 13-
3 Combat Driving 12- 20 BODY 20 13-
3 Concealment 12- 20 INT 10 13- PER Roll 13-
3 Fast Draw (Small Arms) 12- 20 EGO 20 13- ECV: 7
3 Interrogation 12- 20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6
2 KS: The Local Underworld 11- 10 COM 0 11-
2 KS: The Superhuman World 11-
3 KS: VIPER 12- 6 PD 2 Total: 26 PD (20 rPD)
3 PS: VIPER Agent 12- 6 ED 2 Total: 26 ED (20 rED)
3 Paramedics 12- 4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
3 Persuasion 12- 8 REC 0
3 Shadowing 12- 40 END 0
3 Stealth 12- 40 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 134
3 Streetwise 13- Movement: Running: 6”/12”
3 WF: Small Arms, Blades
Cost Powers END
18 VB-S1A “Shorty-B” Blaster Pistol: Energy
Total Cost: 300
Blast 8d6; OAF (-1), 12 Charges (-¼) [12]
75+ Disadvantages 12 VIPER Fang: HKA 1d6 (plus STR),
5 Distinctive Features: VIPER uniform (Easily Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½); OAF
Concealed; Noticed And Recognizable) (-1) plus Range Based On STR (+¼) for
10 Hunted: VIPER 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Watching) the HKA; OAF (-1), 1 Recoverable Charge
15 Psychological Limitation: Amoral And (-1¼), Lockout (cannot use HKA until
Greedy (Common, Strong) Charge is recovered; -½) 0
20 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very 5 VIPER Fang: Another Fang (total of 2) 0
Frequently, Major)
Description: A “Brickbuster” agent is one of
VIPER’s Superhuman Combat Specialists who’s
been equipped with an energy rifle especially
designed for use against super-strong, super-
tough targets. It combines the features of the
VB-A5A “Brickbuster” heavy-damage rifle with
the VRD-A3 “Brickbreaker” weakness rifle. The
agent selects the beam’s modularity with a switch
near the trigger. VIPER has found that weaponry
designed for use against the likes of Ironclad and
Dwarfstar tends to also be highly effective against
giant monsters, who tend to be immensely strong
and tough.
Martial Arts: VIPER Brawling 3 Concealment 13-

Maneuver OCV DCV Notes 3 Fast Draw (Small Arms) 13-
4 Block +2 +2 Block, Abort 3 Interrogation 13-
4 Dodge — +5 Dodge, Affects 2 KS: The Local Underworld 11-
All Attacks, 2 KS: The Superhuman World 11-
Abort 3 KS: VIPER 13-
4 Punch +0 +2 8d6 Strike 3 PS: VIPER Agent 13-
3 Throw +0 +1 6d6 + v/5; 3 Paramedics 13-
Target Falls 3 Persuasion 13-
8 +2 Extra DCs (already added in) 3 Shadowing 13-
Martial Arts: Knifefighting 3 Stealth 13-
Maneuver OCV DCV Damage/Effect 3 Streetwise 13-
4 Foist +2 +0 Weapon +4 DC 7 Tactics 15-
Strike 3 Teamwork 13-
3 Grab -1 -1 Grab One 3 WF: Small Arms, Blades
Limb, 40 to 3 Weaponsmith (Muscle-Powered HTH and
STR for hold- Ranged)
ing on Total Powers & Skills Cost: 206
4 Slashes +0 +2 Weapon +4 DC Total Cost: 340
Strike
5 Stabs -2 +1 Weapon +6 DC 75+ Disadvantages
Strike 5 Distinctive Features: VIPER uniform
5 Thrusts +1 +3 Weapon +2 DC (Easily Concealed; Noticed And Recogniz-
Strike able)
Martial Arts: Knifethrowing 10 Hunted: VIPER 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Watch-
Maneuver OCV DCV Rng Notes ing)
4 Basic Shot +0 +0 +2 Weapon +2 15 Psychological Limitation: Amoral And
DC Strike Greedy (Common, Strong)
3 Defensive Shot -1 +2 +0 Weapon 20 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very
Strike Frequently, Major)
5 Moving Shot -1 +0 +0 Weapon 215 Experience Points
Strike; Total Disadvantage Points: 340
FMove Description: The Red Guard are VIPER’s expert
4 Quick Shot +1 +0 +0 Weapon +2 knifefighters... and when you combine that train-
DC Strike ing with the genetic and cybernetic augmentation
10 Knifefighter’s Eye: Find Weakness 11- of a Golden Viper, you get an agent who’s fast,
with Knives 0 strong, and deadly. Red Guard agents rarely use
12 VIPER BCU (Elite): Armor (8 PD/8 ED); their energy rifles; they prefer to get as close as
OIF (-½), Activation Roll 14- (does not they can using Stealth and cover, then dispatch the
protect Hit Locations 3-5 or 6-7; -½) 0 enemy with a quick knife-thrust.
3 VIPER Helmet (Elite): Armor (4 PD/4 ED); Golden Viper Red Guard agents wear a spe-
OIF (-½), Activation Roll 8- (only protects cial version of the VIPER Elite BCU body armor
Hit Locations 3-5; -2) 0 that’s lighter and more flexible than normal while
6 Helmet Communications System: HRRP still providing plenty of protection. They carry two
(Radio Group); OIF (-½), Affected As razor-sharp VIPER Fang knives in sheaths worn
Sight And Hearing Group As Well As on the front of the belt, and a “Shorty-B” blaster
Radio Group (-½) 0 pistol in a holster on the right hip.
3 Helmet Nightvision System: Nightvision;
OIF (-½) 0 ADDER TECHNICIANS
VIPER often relies on grenades and explo-
Perks sives to give it an edge against superheroes. Both
3 Fringe Benefit: Membership (VIPER) Golden Viper agents and regular agents can par-
Skills ticipate in a special training program to become
12 +4 with Blades Adder Technicians, also known simply as “Demoli-
6 +2 with VIPER Blasters tions Specialists.”
For a Golden Viper Adder Technician, use
3 Breakfall 13-
the Red Guard character sheet but remove the
3 Combat Driving 13-
Knifefighting and Knifethrowing Martial Arts, the VIPER INFILTRATOR

Find Weakness, and the Combat Skill Levels with Val Char Cost Roll Notes
Blades. Add Demolitions 14-, Electronics 13-, and 15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1]
SS: Structural Engineering 14-. Also give him four 14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
VG-1 Frag Grenades (see the Golden Viper Squad 13 CON 6 12-
Leader character sheet) and the following weapon: 12 BODY 4 11-
V-EX-3 TIME-DELAYED BOMB
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
Effect: RKA 2d6, Time Delay 13 PRE 3 12- PRE Attack: 2½d6
Target: Explosion 10 COM 0 11-
Duration: Instant 4 PD 1 Total: 10 PD (6 rPD)
Range: RBS 4 ED 1 Total: 10 ED (6 rED)
Charges: 10 Charges 3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12
6 REC 0
Breakability: 12 DEF 26 END 0
Description: This device is a small explosive 30 STUN 3 Total Characteristics Cost: 44
slightly larger than a grenade. Using a code-pro- Movement: Running: 6”/12”
tected keypad a Demolitions Specialist can set it
to go off at any time up to 24 hours from the time Cost Powers END
he programs it. Agents generally don’t use these 15 VB-S1 “Shorty” Blaster Pistol: Energy
in battle (since there’s a good chance they’ll get hit Blast 7d6 (35 Active Points); OAF (-1),
by the blast), but they’re great for setting up traps, 12 Charges (-¼) [12]
injuring pursuers, and the like. 12 VIPER Fang: HKA 1d6 (plus STR),
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½);
Game Information: RKA 2d6, Explosion (1-
OAF (-1) plus Range Based On STR
DC/2”; +¾), Time Delay (+¼) (60 Active
(+¼) for the HKA; OAF (-1), 1 Recoverable
Points); OAF (-1), Range Based On STR (-¼),
10 Charges (-¼). Total cost: 24 points.
Regular VIPER agents can also become Martial Arts: VIPER Brawling
Adder Technicians — just apply the Demolitions
Specialist Package Deal (page 52 of VIPER: Coils
Of The Serpent) to the basic VIPER agent template
4 Dodge — +5 Dodge, Affects
(page 183 of VIPER).
All Attacks,
Abort
4 Punch +0 +2 5d6 Strike
3 Throw +0 +1 3d6 + v/5;
Target Falls
12 VIPER BCU (Elite): Armor (8 PD/8 ED);
protect Hit Locations 3-5 or 6-7; -½) 0
3 VIPER Helmet (Elite) Protection: Armor
6 VIPER Helmet (Elite) Communications
System: HRRP (Radio Group); OIF (-½),
Affected As Sight And Hearing Group
As Well As Radio Group (-½) 0
3 VIPER Helmet (Elite) Nightvision System:
Nightvision (5 Active Points); OIF (-½) 0
Perks
2 Fringe Benefit: Membership (VIPER Elite
Agent)
Skills
3 +1 with VIPER Blasters
3 Acting 12-
3 Bribery 12-
3 Bugging 12-
3 Combat Driving 12-
3 Combat Piloting 12-
3 Computer Programming 12-
3 Concealment 12-
3 Conversation 12-
3
3
Cryptography 12-
Deduction 12- SLITHER
3
3
Disguise 12-
Electronics 12-
BEACH FACILITIES
3 Gambling (Card Games, Craps) 12- The Slither Beach area is one of the pret-
3 High Society 12- tiest on Monster Island. Most of it consists of
3 Interrogation 12- beaches and lightly-jungled rolling hills; even
2 KS: The Local Underworld 11- the mountainous parts aren’t too steep or rough.
1 KS: The Superhuman World 8- Teleiosaurs, colorful birds, and other wildlife are
3 KS: VIPER 12- plentiful.
3 Lockpicking 12- THE DEFENSE TOWERS
3 Persuasion 12-
3 PS: VIPER Agent 12- To protect its territory, VIPER has erected
3 Security Systems 12- several Defense Towers — cement blockhouses
3 Seduction 12- about 30 feet (4.5”) tall and slightly tapered.
3 Shadowing 12- Most of them are along the beach, but others
3 Stealth 12- are scattered here and there at strategic points
3 Streetwise 12- throughout the area (such as near the arch-pierced
3 Systems Operation 12- cement wall that separates Slither Beach from
3 WF: Small Arms, Blades ARGENT’s territory along the eastern moun-
tain path). A Defense Tower has DEF 7, BODY
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 152 20. Its single entrance is a DEF 8, BODY 8 door.
Total Cost: 196 Inside there’s a reinforced staircase leading to an
75+ Disadvantages upper platform, from which agents can look out
5 Distinctive Features: VIPER uniform (Easily of large slits and fire their weapons. Each Tower
Concealed; Noticed And Recognizable) also comes equipped with a V-12 “Destructor”
10 Hunted: VIPER 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Watching) Blaster Cannon (Energy Blast 20d6, 30 Boostable
15 Psychological Limitation: Amoral And Charges, range 750”).
Greedy (Common, Strong) THE EGG HATCHERY
Frequently, Major) One of VIPER’s chief daily activities is to har-
71 Experience Points vest Teleiosaurus (and teleiosaur) eggs and bring
them back to the Nest for Dr. Demogaard’s work.
Total Disadvantage Points: 196 Trucks equipped with special egg-storage contain-
Description: A VIPER Infiltrator is one of the ers patrol the area looking for eggs. The eggs are
organization’s Espionage Specialist who’s received a couple feet long , so it takes one truck just to
advanced training in breaking and entering and hold a six-egg storage container (which folds open
stealth techniques. On Monster Island they spy on similar to the cartons used to hold eggs sold in
other organizations such as Bureau 17, the Lemu- grocery stores). Once an egg container is full, the
rians, and the Elder Worm. If the PCs become a agents put the top on it and seal it, and it becomes
long-term presence on the island, Infiltrators will an egg incubator. The incubator is then delivered
target them as well. to the Egg Hatchery in the east-central part of the
Infiltrators typically wear standard VIPER area, where trained VIPER agents take care of it
uniforms when on duty, but it’s not uncommon for until the eggs hatch.
them to wear disguises or different clothes when The pride and joy of the Hatchery is a single
on a mission. enormous egg — nearly fifty feet (8”) tall! — that
agents found two months ago. It’s so heavy and
bulky that Ripper was pressed into service both to
carry it to the Hatchery, and to tear down part of the
Hatchery’s original wall and roof so the egg could be
taken inside. The egg has remained there ever since,
carefully tended and kept warm, as Dr. Demogaard
waits eagerly to see what will hatch from it. He and
most other VIPER scientists think it will be a young
Teleiosaurus, but no one can say for certain....
The Monster
Island VIPER Nest
The VIPER Nest on Monster Island started as
a series of natural caves in the side of the volcano
that VIPER expanded into a base. The Nest exists
on four “levels” of varying depths: 6 meters (3”); 9
meters (4.5”); and the Jungle Cavern, whose floor
is 22 meters (11”) below the surface. In various
places corridors are ramped to account for this,
or ramps run from platforms to the next level (see
locations 2, 18, and 25 on the map).
Proximity to the volcano makes the
whole Nest hot and humid — perfect for Dr.
Demogaard’s underground jungle, in other words.
The agents who work there complain about the
heat constantly; even the extensive air condition-
ing system can’t keep the place truly comfortable.
1-2. ENTRANCE
tine computer can move the targets rapidly, giving
The entrance to the Nest is a small tunnel
the agents practice shooting at swiftly-moving
sealed by a heavy metal door (DEF 8, BODY 8).
adversaries... like superheroes.
Closed-circuit TV cameras cover the outside
entrance so the guards — a minimum of two 6. SURFACE MONITORING
VIPER Soldiers — can see who’s there without This room contains closed-circuit TV moni-
having to open the door. If VIPER’s expecting tors and other devices that allow the Nest to monitor
trouble, the Nest Leader sends more agents (and most surface areas of Slither Beach. The Nest can’t
more powerful agents) here to maintain security. view the entire region at once, but if it knows where
Beyond the entrance area proper, the corridor someone is it can “track” him by switching from one
slopes down to the first “level” of the Nest, the concealed camera to the next. Finding a concealed
parts 6 meters (3”) below the surface of Monster camera requires (a) looking in the right general area,
Island. If it’s prepared for invaders, VIPER may and (b) succeeding with a Security Systems roll at -2,
conceal traps here — even something as simple a Concealment roll at -4, or a PER Roll at -6. There’s
as greasing the ramp so heroes lose their footing always one agent on duty in this room.
and slide into Room 3. (That particular trap would
require a DEX Roll at -3 to avoid; failure means 8-17. AGENTS’ QUARTERS
sliding into Room 3 and being at ½ DCV until the This area of the uppermost (and coolest) level
character gets to his feet.) is given over to quarters and recreation facilities for
the agents. Male and female agents bunk separately
3, 19, 42. SECURITY BLOCKS
(though there are few of the latter on Monster
VIPER uses this standard room configuration Island), and the highest-ranking officers get small
— a square with corridors branching off from each private quarters. Both genders share a bathroom,
corner — in many of its Nests. They make it easy to though their sections are divided by a head-high
control the flow of personnel within the Nest, and wall. There’s a common room that doubles as a
to close off some parts of the Nest without affect- dining hall and entertainment room, kitchen and
ing others if necessary. At the center of the room laundry facilities, a small infirmary for agents on
is a small security station manned by 1-2 VIPER sick call, and an auditorium used for lectures and
Soldiers. The security station provides the agents various forms of entertainment (including the
with Concealment (-4 OCV to attempts to hit popular weekly “movie night”).
them) and gives them a clear line of fire down all
four corridors; controls in the station can open any 20, 43. ARMORIES
door automatically. All main from a Security Block VIPER keeps the Nest weapons and military
are DEF 6, BODY 6 and are often manned by one equipment in these two rooms, both of which are
guard on the side away from the Security Block. sealed with heavy metal doors (DEF 8, BODY 8)
and a security system that combines a fingerprint
4. SURFACE EQUIPMENT ROOM
scan and punched-in code number (Security Sys-
This room contains systems pertaining to tems at -6 to bypass without triggering an alarm).
VIPER’s surface installations and equipment. At least one heavily-armed agent is on guard duty
5. TRAINING ROOM at each Armory at all times.
The Nest’s agents use this room keep in prac- 21. SECURITY OFFICE
tice and train with new fighting techniques. It’s One VIPER agent occupies this small room
primarily used as a dojo for HTH combat training, at any time. It’s filled with banks of equipment and
but Nest officers can set up a small firing range for TV screens that allow him to monitor the state of
short-distance target practice. The Nest’s Serpen- Nest security. From this station he can see what any
closed-circuit TV in Slither Beach sees, monitor 32. HORTICULTURE ROOM DRAYSHA GAS
who’s opened which doors in the Nest, and so on. Here VIPER uses grow-lamps to maintain
a small garden for growing food plants. It’s not With some assistance
22. SUPPLY ROOM from Dr. Moreau, Dr.
much but it helps to supplement the agents’ diet.
VIPER stores miscellaneous supplies and Demogaard has been
goods in this room. It’s perpetually full and never 33-35. LABORATORY AREA experimenting with a
well-organized; the Nest Leader plans to have a new version of VIPER’s
The main scientific work in the lab (other Draysha formula. The
second Supply Room built soon. than Demogaard’s projects) takes place in these Draysha drug trans-
23-24. DETENTION CENTER three rooms. Room 33, referred to as “Medical,” forms the user into a
can in fact serve as a hospital for injured agents, man-serpent with much
In case it needs to hold prisoners — like
but it’s mostly used to perform biological experi- higher than normal
nosy superheroes or captured Qularr — VIPER physical capabilities,
ments. Room 34 is a scientific storage room filled
has eight cells. The door leading into the entry a venomous bite, a
with neatly-racked supplies, devices not currently
checkpoint is heavy metal (DEF 8, BODY 8), and semi-malleable body,
in use, and the like. In one corner there’s a sealed
the doors to the cells are even tougher (DEF 10, and scaly skin; the
crate containing several Qularr artifacts; the crate’s
BODY 10). The cell doors are controlled by an effect lasts only a few
not specially marked or in any way noteworthy.
electronic console in Room 24 that requires an minutes and renders
The primary lab area, Room 35, is subdi- the user hairless for
access code; hacking the system to open or close a
vided into four areas. Animal Hybridization is a week. Demogaard’s
door without the code requires a Computer Pro-
used to follow up on and study the results of experimental version
gramming or Security Systems roll at -4.
Dr. Moreau’s work for VIPER; scientists here is gaseous in form and
26. OBSERVATION PLATFORM dissect dead manimals in an effort to “reverse only slightly increases
engineer” Moreau’s processes. Dinosaur Clon- the user’s physical abili-
This platform allows agents to view the
ing is part of Dr. Demogaard’s project; it’s ties (Aid STR, CON,
Jungle Cavern. The platforms is 10 meters (5”) BODY, and STUN
above the Cavern floor and provides access to filled with dinosaur eggs in incubators, small
dinosaurs kept in cages or tubes, and dinosaur- 2d6, Delayed Return
the Enclosed Walkway (#30). Rate [points fade every
control equipment. Weapons Research features
Minute]). However, so
27-31, 41. THE JUNGLE CAVERN workbenches for creating new weapons, and a far it has not caused any
The biggest room in the Nest, and one of the small firing range for testing them. The fourth unpleasant side effects
main reasons for the Nest’s existence, is the Jungle area, Qularr Research, contains various Qularr other than to make the
Cavern. Here Dr. Demogaard has recreated a devices VIPER’s studying and Qularr corpses for user’s skin glow green
tropical environment underground and stocked dissection. while he’s affected.
it with teleiosaurs, captured beast-men, and wild 36. LIFE SUPPORT
creatures so he can observe them in a “natural” As part of the ongo-
setting. The most common inhabitants are teleio- The bulk of the Nest’s air circulation and ing experiment,
saurs in various sizes and subtypes: coruscators, water purification/recycling equipment is located Demogaard sometimes
in this room, which is one of few in the Nest that’s pumps his Draysha gas
throwbacks, starvelings, hatchlings. A pumping
pleasantly cool. Agents often come in here for a into parts of the Mon-
station circulates water and mist throughout the ster Island Nest. The
room, which is heated to higher than Nest normal couple minutes just to enjoy the temperature.
agents in those rooms
temperatures by waste heat from the Geothermal 37-38. POWER ROOMS become stronger and
Tap (#38). tougher, making them
VIPER obtains power for the Nest from geo-
Monsters and beast-men are typically released an even deadlier chal-
thermal energy, and these two rooms are where
into the Cavern from the Beast Pens (#40) via a steep lenge for superheroes.
it’s generated and controlled. Someone with access
ramp (#39). A special set of Blast Doors (#41) with
to Room 37 could redirect or shut off power by
DEF 12, BODY 12 is shut first, to keep the subjects
making a Systems Operation roll.
from getting into the rest of the Nest.
So that he can observe his creations safely, 40. BEAST PENS
Dr. Demogaard has built an Observation Dome The flawed or unintended results of VIPER’s
(#28) and an Enclosed Walkway (#30). The Dome, cloning experiments and other projects are kept
which has a transparent cover that provides an here, in facilities similar to the Detention Center
easy view of the jungle, is where Dr. Demogaard (see above). Occasionally one of the “monsters”
and his underlings do their work. To guard him, is brought out for further experimentation or put
VIPER has assigned one of the toughest members in the Jungle Cavern. Using the computer systems
of Dragon Branch: Ripper (see VIPER, page 150). here it would be possible to let all the captives out
Ripper finds this duty tiresome and is always rest- to run riot through the Nest... though no doubt
less and edgy; he’d welcome the chance to beat they’d first turn on whoever let them go.
the tar out of some superheroes. The Dome sits
10 meters (5”) above the Cavern floor on a single 44. THE SERPENTINE NODE
large pillar that has an exterior staircase. This is where the Nest keeps its Node for
The Dome is usually entered from the Serpentine, VIPER’s master computer system
Enclosed Walkway, a metal skywalk with a full (see pages 118-19 of the VIPER sourcebook for
clear covering made of the same material as the a writeup of a Nest-based Serpentine Node).
Dome. It hs DEF 5, BODY 10 per hex. Someone This highly-sophisticated computer can moni-
on the Cavern floor can enter the Dome via the tor all Nest functions and is linked to the rest
stairs up the Support Pillar, but few agents want of the vast Serpentine network. This is the only
to spend any time in the Cavern.
other room in the Nest besides #36 that’s always MAJOR GEORGE MOORE
pleasantly cool, so agents are always looking for Formerly the Commander in charge of UNTIL’s
an excuse to come here or a way to get assigned regional headquarters in Seat-
to guard duty here (there are always at least two tle, Major Moore was removed
agents on guard duty in addition to the techni- from his post after it became
cians working with the computer itself). known that he was having
45. BACKUP POWER AND LIFE SUPPORT an affair with the wife of one
of his junior officers. UNTIL
In the event that the Nest’s main power, air,
decided not to formally
or water systems fail, the backup equipment in
demote him but to remove
this room can handle the load for up to about 24
him from the spotlight... and there aren’t many places
hours, thus giving the Nest time to make repairs.
further removed from the spotlight than Monster
46. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM Island. He serves as Maj. Kwame’s second-in-com-
From this room an agent (there’s always at mand and liaison to other UNTIL and Bureau 17
least one on duty here) can use Serpentine to forces on the island. He’s trying to forget his disgrace,
communicate with the outside world. He can and make other people forget it, by focusing on his
send e-mail, download TV shows or movies to work and performing as efficiently and effectively as
be played in the Common Room, broadcast Nest possible. He’s not sleeping very much or very well,
transmissions, and so on. and it shows in his haggard looks; his once hand-
some countenance seems sort of worn and faded, his
47. NEST LEADER’S OFFICE hair not quite as blonde, his eyes not quite as blue.
Nest Leader Tadataka Yamamoto (see above) Moore has hope of regaining a command of
has his office here, and can usually be found in this his own someday, but he knows it’s going to take
room if there’s nothing else demanding his atten- time, effort, and luck. One way to speed the pro-
tion. He keeps it very clean and well-organized. cess up would be to do something truly heroic and
His desktop computer can access the Serpentine noteworthy, so he’s on the lookout for opportuni-
Node and control all of its local functions. ties to show his stuff... which might get him into
more trouble than he can handle.
THE UNTIL PRESENCE DR. BOHUSLAV STRASKY

Doctor Strasky defected from the former
As part of its ongoing worldwide struggle nation of Czechoslovakia to UNTIL in the early
with VIPER, UNTIL has assigned several top 1980s and put his skills as a biologist and geneti-
agents to monitor the Slither Beach situation, cist to work for UNTIL. Until Technical Corps
report as required, and assist any superheroes in Director Gideon H. Jones (see page 84) shut
the vicinity. They include: it down, he was the chief scientist working on
UNTIL’s Future Soldier Program to create super-
MAJOR RASHIDA KWAME
humanly-powerful agents. He’s badgered the brass
A native of Kenya, Major Kwame is head to reinstate the FSP since it was shut down, to
of Project Snakecharmer, UNTIL’s special anti- no avail. To give him something else to focus on,
VIPER task force. A no- Director Jones assigned him to the Monster Island
nonsense woman with a mission. Strasky spends part of his time study-
bitter hatred of the snakes, ing the island’s flora and fauna and part trying to
she’s in charge of all UNTIL figure out VIPER’s teleiosaur-breeding program.
operations on Monster Island Despite the fact that he’s getting on in years (as
that pertain to VIPER. Right shown by his thinning white hair and beard), he
now her main concerns are still puts in long hours that leave his younger col-
twofold. First, she wants leagues exhausted. In the field he favors a mint
more and better intelligence green jacket (a gift from former Secretary-General
on what VIPER’s doing. A lot can be learned by Martinez), black slacks, and a white shirt.
covert observation, but she’d prefer to have inside
information if possible. Second, she’s concerned DR. GUY BLAU
about Dr. Guy Blau (see below) and making every A former UNTIL field
effort to find/rescue him. agent who retired from active
An attractive woman in her early 40s, Major duty and became one of the
Kwame speaks fluent English and French in addi- Technical Corps’s scientists, Dr.
tion to her native Swahili. She wears a standard Blau jumped at the chance to
UNTIL uniform most of the time, even off-duty be assigned to Monster Island
(she just loosens it up a bit for greater comfort). because he thought it would
Her hobbies include singing and playing the guitar give him a little taste of action without exposing him
(both of which she’s quite good at), reading mys- to too much danger. It turns out he may have been
tery novels, and collecting African art. She nor- wrong. Doctor Blau volunteered to try to infiltrate
mally lives in New York City and is already eager the VIPER Nest to gather information and has not
to get back there. returned. Major Kwame fears the worst, but hopes
that he’s simply being held prisoner.
Wells’ Pass:
Land Of The New Men
Chapter Six
72  Wells’ Pass: Land Of The New Men Hero System 5th Edition Revised
WELL’S PASS
A
s discussed on page 13, Wells’ Pass is 3 Scientist
the domain of the sinister Dr. Phillippe 5 1) SS: Anatomy 16-
Moreau, who was set up there by VIPER 5 2) SS: Biology 16-
as part of his “alliance” with that crimi- 2 3) SS: Chemistry 13-
nal syndicate. 2 4) SS: Cybernetics 13-
2 5) SS: Medicine 13-
DOCTOR PHILLIPPE MOREAU 2 6) SS: Psychology 13-
Val Char Cost Roll Notes 5 7) SS: Surgery 16-
5 STR -5 10- Lift 50 kg; 1d6 [1] 5 8) SS: Zoology 16-
12 DEX 6 11- OCV: 4/DCV: 4 Total Powers & Skills Cost: 158
10 CON 0 11- Total Cost: 204
8 BODY -4 11-
20 INT 10 13- PER Roll 13- 75+ Disadvantages
20 EGO 20 13- ECV: 7 10 Hunted: VIPER 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Watching)
20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6 15 Hunted: Father Elk and his Manimals 11-
8 COM -1 11- (As Pow, Capture/Kill/Ruin)
20 Hunted: UNTIL 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Capture)
3 PD 1 Total: 3 PD (0 rPD) 20 Psychological Limitation: Science Above
3 ED 1 Total: 3 ED (0 rED) All (Common, Total)
3 SPD 8 Phases: 4, 8, 12 10 Psychological Limitation: Amoral
3 REC 0 (Common, Moderate)
20 END 0 54 Experience Points
Cost Powers END
5 Not Squeamish: +15 PRE; Only To
Protect Against Disgust-Based Presence
Attacks (-2) 0
3 Observant: +1 to PER Rolls with all Sense
Groups 0
Perks
30 Well-Connected and 27 points’ worth of
Contacts throughout the world
45 Followers: 64 Loyal Manimals built on 75
Base Points each
10 Money: Wealthy
Skills
3 Deduction 13-
3 Electronics 13-
3 High Society 13-
3 Interrogation 13-
3 Inventor 13-
3 Persuasion 13-
3 Stealth 11-
3 Scholar
2 1) KS: Animals Of The World 13-
1 2) KS: History Of Surgery 11-
1 3) KS: The Scientific World 11-
1 4) KS: The Superhuman World 11-
1 5) KS: VIPER 11-
Monster Island n Chapter Six 73
Background/History: Phillippe Moreau is the In truth, though, all this is just a cover for
grandson of the Dr. Moreau whose history was a deeply amoral and sociopathic personality.
chronicled in the H. G. Wells novel The Island Of Moreau enjoys inflicting pain and enforcing
Dr. Moreau. Wells had to present the story as fic- his will on others, and since he can’t do that to
tion due to the fantastic and disturbing nature of people, he does it to animals he’s transformed
the events it depicts, but in fact it was a true and into a mockery of people with his advanced
accurate account of events. surgical techniques, sera, and Radium X treat-
Moreau’s son wanted nothing to do with ments. He’s far surpassed his grandfather
his father and even changed the family name (thanks mostly to Radium X and modern medi-
to Murrow. But his grandson, Phillippe, born cal technology), but he won’t be content until
in France in 1949, was utterly fascinated by his armies of manimals under his command take
grandfather from the moment he learned the the Earth for themselves.
truth about him. One day while rummaging Quote: “A flawed Humanity will be replaced by a
through some old boxes in the attic he came more sublime being, a being created by my hand
across some old research notes and records of and educated by my flawless mind.”
Dr. Moreau’s. He read them eagerly and soon
began performing experiments based on what Powers/Tactics: Phillippe Moreau possesses
he learned. He carefully buried the corpses of no powers; he’s by and large an unremarkable
the animals he vivisected so no one would learn physical specimen. But he’s a scientific genius,
what he was doing. He intended to recreate his particularly in the fields of biology and sur-
grandfather’s work and show the world that the gery. He uses his abilities to vivisect ordinary
Moreaus were scientific geniuses and visionaries animals and make of them beast-men (also
of the first water! called “manimals”). The process involves not
After graduating college and medical school just surgical alteration but the use of advanced
with honors, Moreau retreated to an isolated chemical sera, genetic treatments, and exposure
valley in the Ural Mountains, where he set up a to the mutative radiations of Radium X. The
lab and began his great work. What happened resulting creations are usually loyal to him, but
then — his creation of beast-men (including the not always. Many of them serve him as soldiers,
famed superhero Dr. Silverback) through surgery spies, couriers, or servants.
and treatments involving the mysterious mutative Although he uses horrific methods, Dr.
substance Radium X, his use of those beast-men Moreau does obtain a lot of valuable scientific
to commit crimes to fund his work, and his cap- data in his work. He keeps a lot of his notes not
ture by the New Knights of the Round Table — on computer, but in old-fashioned notebooks
has been chronicled elsewhere (see Hidden Lands, that he writes by hand. (He usually scans the
pages 74-75). Reviled for his horrific work as well pages and keeps them digitally in case he loses
as his crimes, Moreau was sentenced to a 20-year a notebook, but he doesn’t like to do his main
term in British prison... but VIPER had other note-taking on the computer.) The notebooks
ideas. Realizing Moreau would be a perfect addi- tend to be scattered here and there through-
tion to its corps of scientists, VIPER broke him out his labs and workrooms. PCs fighting him
out of prison in 1987. might want to take them and turn them over to
For nearly 20 years Moreau worked faithfully someone who can use the information they con-
for VIPER on the organization’s various superhu- tain ethically and mercifully.
man creation programs, none of which truly suc- If confronted with force, Dr. Moreau will flee.
ceeded. But his heart still lay with his great work He’s not a fighter and doesn’t carry weapons.
of creating “manimals,” and over time he became Campaign Use: In some campaigns, particularly low-
more and more difficult for VIPER to work with. er-powered ones, Dr. Moreau makes a good “junior
As described on page 13, eventually he and VIPER master villain” — sort of a bargain-basement version
came to an accomodation, and as a result he’s now of Teleios. If necessary you could even give him a
here on Monster Island putting his fiendish genius small Biological Creations Power Pool, but usually it
to work. works best if he remains a sinister scientist.
Personality/Motivation: To Phillippe Moreau, Sci- Doctor Moreau does not Hunt heroes; he has
ence is all that matters, particularly the Science his great work to concentrate on.
that most interests him (biology and evolution). Appearance: Phillippe Moreau is a middle-aged
Like his grandfather, he believes he can create white male of European ancestry. He has a short
beast-men who are better than humans — not grey beard and moustache and wears glasses. He
better physically necessarily, but better morally, usually wears men’s pants, a light-colored shirt,
in that he can instruct and educate them to avoid and short white labcoat.
the ethical failings of Humanity. In effect he wants
to set himself up as God and create a new, better THE LAWGIVER’S TEXT
species to rule Earth. He’s immensely proud of his Moreau has taught most of his manimals to
creations, especially when they defeat his enemies, read, and many of them carry with them a piece
and both saddened and angered when one of them of paper listing the Laws he’s set forth — the Ten
breaks away from him due to failure to absorb and Commandments, if you will, laid down by the God
understand his teachings. Moreau to his children. They include:
n Thou shalt not go on all fours; thou art a man, WHITE RHINO
and walk upon two feet. Doctor Moreau is known for his work in
n Though shalt not suck up drink; thou art a man, some segments of the supervillain commu-
and take thy drink from cup or glass. nity, and occasionally attracts the attention
n Thou shalt not eat flesh or fish; thou art a man,
of animal-powered criminals. Currently the
and eat civilized prepared foods. White Rhino, a super-strong man-rhino villain,
lives on Monster Island. He works for Moreau
n Thou shalt not claw the bark of trees; thou art a
in exchange for Moreau trying to enhance his
man, and shall not engage in the habits of animals. mystically-derived powers with modern science.
So far it hasn’t worked, but both of them remain
The manimals often come together to chant hopeful.
the Laws in unison in a simplified, sing-song form. (For White Rhino’s character sheet, see The
Many of the manimals try to follow the Laws scru- Ultimate Brick or Evil Unleashed. He’s a STR 50
pulously, but some backslide as much as they obey. “brick” whose horn gives him HA +6d6 with Move
Throughs; he can Run at 12”, or up to 20” for short
periods of time.)
WHITECOATS
Genius like Moreau’s, even unethical, unscru-
pulous genius, tends to attract followers. In
Moreau’s case, other scientists with similar inter-
ests and similar lack of morals gravitated to him
during his career in VIPER and have followed him
to Monster Island to work for him. VIPER agents
snidely refer to these people as “Whitecoats” due
to their customary laboratory garb.
For the Whitecoats, use the “Average Person”
and “Noteworthy Normal” character sheets on
page 345 of The HERO System 5th Edition, Revised
rulebook, but add a few appropriate Science Skills
(such as SS: Biology and SS: Surgery). Many of
them will run rather than fight, but some will arm
themselves with whatever weapons they can find
and put up a token defense.
VIPER IN WELLS’ PASS
To facilitate the flow of goods and services
back and forth between Wells’ Pass and Slither
Beach, VIPER’s built a small dock on the shores
of Moreau’s territory. It includes a small build-
ing (formerly a Bureau 17 outpost), some storage
containers for shipping things, and usually at least
one VIPER speedboat waiting to load up so it can
return to Slither Beach. VIPER’s also assigned
a special type of agent — VIPER Beastmasters
— to the area to help Moreau. Beastmasters are
like ordinary VIPER Soldiers, but are trained to
work with animals: they have Animal Handler
(Equines, Felines, Reptiles & Amphibians) 13- and
Riding 12-.
MANIMALS The Manimals

Here are character sheets for some of Dr.
Moreau’s beast-men. You can adapt these for use BEAR-MAN
as other types (for example, the Dog-Man could Val Char Cost Roll Notes
become a Wolf-Man) or use them as guidelines for 20 STR 10 13- Lift 400 kg; 4d6 [2]
creating more. 13 DEX 9 12- OCV: 4/DCV: 4
All manimals qualify as both the Human and 20 CON 20 13-
Animal classes of minds. 15 BODY 10 12-
WARCHIEFS 10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
Among his beast-men, Dr. Moreau has des- 15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6
ignated some as “warchiefs” due to their size, 8 COM -1 11-
strength, and ferocity. Most warchiefts are Bear-
Men or Cat-Men, but nearly any type could qual- 10 PD 6 Total: 10 PD (1 rPD)
ify depending on the hardiness of the specimen 8 ED 4 Total: 8 ED (1 rED)
Dr. Moreau started with and the degree of success 3 SPD 7 Phases: 4, 8, 12
of the transformative procedure. 8 REC 0
A Warchief version of any manimal described 40 END 0
below has the following abilities: +3-5 STR, +2-4 40 STUN 5 Total Characteristics Cost: 75
DEX, +3-5 CON, +2-3 BODY, +3-5 PRE. Some- Movement: Running: 6”/12”
times a warchief has slightly larger natural weap-
ons (+1 DC) and greater intelligence (+1-3 INT), Cost Powers END
but those abilities are rarer. 12 Claws: HKA 1d6 (2d6 with STR);
Reduced Penetration (-¼) 1
5 Bite: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1
2 Tough Skin: Damage Resistance
(2 PD/2 ED) 0
Skills
5 +1 HTH
3 Stealth 12-
Total Cost: 102
75+ Disadvantages
5 Physical Limitation: can be affected by
Mental Powers that affect either the Human
or Animal class of minds (Infrequently,
Slightly Impairing)
15 Psychological Limitation: Loyal To Phil-
lippe Moreau (Common, Strong)
7 Experience Points
Description: Doctor Moreau has enjoyed great suc-
cess transforming bears into manimals, and thus
has created many of them. They’re quite strong
and make excellent laborers, guards, and soldiers.
A Bear-Man is a big, hulking, humanoid
ursine. It usually wears a belt with pouches to
hold useful objects, and may also have a pouch-
belt around each thick thigh for further carrying
capacity. Their fur is light or dark brown; some-
times the fur around the head and lower arms/
hands is darker.
WILD-EYE
Doctor Moreau’s procedures don’t always go
as he’d like them to. Recently an attempt to create a
Bear-Man went awry, resulting in a feral, ferocious
manimal. Driven mad by the pain of the opera-
tion, this Bear-Man, now known as Wild-Eye, was
placed in one of the Feral Pens (see below), but it
was so strong it broke free. It now roams the Wells’
Pass area attacking anything it comes across. BIRD-MAN

For Wild-Eye, use the Bear-Man character Val Char Cost Roll Notes
sheet with the following changes: +5 STR, +2 10 STR 0 11- Lift 100 kg; 2d6 [1]
DEX, +5 CON, +5 BODY, +5 PRE, +5 PD, +3 ED, 20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
+1 SPD, +2 with HTH Combat, Physical Damage 13 CON 6 12-
Reduction (25%, Resistant), Enraged when takes 10 BODY 0 11-
BODY damage (go 11-, recover 14-), Enraged 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
when attacked/threatened with fire (go 14-, 10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
recover 11-). 15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6
8 COM -1 11-
3 SPD 0 Phases: 4, 8, 12
5 REC 0
26 END 0
Leaping: 2”/4”
Flight: 10”/20”
Cost Powers END
40 Screech: Energy Blast 4d6, NND (defense
is Hearing Group Flash Defense; +1), Area
Of Effect (9” Cone; +1); No Range (-½) 6
15 Talons: HKA 1d6 (1½d6 with STR) 1
5 Beak: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1
13 Feathered Limbs: Flight 8”, Reduced Endur-
ance (½ END; +¼); Restrainable (-½) 1
4 Bird’s Eyes: +2 PER with Sight Group 0
2 Bird’s Eyes: Increased Arc Of Perception
(240 Degrees) for Normal Sight 0
Skills
2 +1 with Flight
3 Stealth 13-
Total Cost: 132
75+ Disadvantages
10 Physical Limitation: Limited Manipulation
Slightly Impairing)
Personality/Motivation: Varies, depending on the BOAR-MAN

individual and in some respects the Bird-Man’s Val Char Cost Roll Notes
base species. For example, Vulture-Men tend to 15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1]
be cruel and scavenger-like, while Hawk-Men are 14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
more aggressive. 15 CON 10 12-
Powers/Tactics: Although they have feathered limbs 15 BODY 10 12-
rather than true wings, Bird-Men can fly, and they 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
rely on that ability for tactical advantage. They swoop 10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
down, performing Move Bys with their talons. 15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6
Sometimes they even Grab a foe and carry him up 6 COM -2 10-
into the air to drop him from a deadly height. Even 6 PD 3 Total: 6 PD (1 rPD)
when not fighting they prefer to remain a foot or two 6 ED 3 Total: 6 ED (1 rED)
off the ground most of the time. 3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12
Besides their natural weapons, Bird-Men can 6 REC 0
emit painful screeches that affect anyone standing 30 END 0
in front of them. Sometimes two or more of them 31 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 52
fight together so their Screeches overlap, causing
serious pain to anyone in the area. Movement: Running: 9”/18”
Appearance: Bird-Men are hideous crosses Cost Powers END
between men and avians. Their bodies are covered 10 Tusks: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1 with STR) 1
with feathers (usually black, grey, green, tan, or 2 Tough Skin: Damage Resistance
reddish), they have arms instead of wings, and (2 PD/2 ED) 0
there are talons on their feet. Their heads/faces are 6 Boar’s Legs: Running +3” (9” total) 1
very bird-like, with beaks and large eyes.
Skills
4 +2 OCV with Move By
3 Stealth 12-
Total Cost: 77
75+ Disadvantages
Slightly Impairing)
Description: A Boar-Man has a hairy humanoid
body topped by a head that’s still mostly porcine,
including tusks (which Dr. Moreau does plan to
remove eventually). Muscular and often brutish,
they fight by lowering their heads and charging
the opponent for a Move By or Move Through
involving the tusks.
CAT-MAN
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1]
18 DEX 24 13- OCV: 6/DCV: 6
15 CON 10 12-
15 BODY 10 12-
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
18 PRE 8 13- PRE Attack: 3½d6
8 COM -1 11-
4 SPD 12 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
6 REC 0
30 END 0
Leaping: 6”/12”
Cost Powers END
12 Claws: HKA 1d6 (2d6 with STR); 75+ Disadvantages
Reduced Penetration (-¼) 1 0 Physical Limitation: Human Size
5 Bite: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1 5 Physical Limitation: can be affected by
1 Tough Skin: Damage Resistance Mental Powers that affect either the Human
(1 PD/1 ED) 0 or Animal class of minds (Infrequently,
6 Cat’s Legs: Running +3” (9” total) 1 Slightly Impairing)
3 Cat’s Legs: Leaping +3” (6” total) 1 15 Psychological Limitation: Loyal To Phil-
6 Cat’s Senses: +2 to PER Rolls with all lippe Moreau (Common, Strong)
Sense Groups 0 29 Experience Points
Skills Total Disadvantage Points: 124
5 +1 HTH Description: Cat-men look like humans with feline
3 Acrobatics 13- features: short, dark or tan fur covering the body;
3 Breakfall 13- large, pointed ears; large eyes; wide mouths filled
3 Climbing 13- with small, sharp teeth (including two prominent
3 Stealth 13- white fangs); and clawed hands and feet. Some
have short tails, but many do not. They sometimes
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 50 wear belts, bracers, and boot-like legpieces sup-
Total Cost: 124 plied by Dr. Moreau.
Powers/Tactics: Skilled hunters, cat-men use their
Stealth and sharp senses to get as close as they can
to their foe/prey, then pounce. In open battle they
use their agility and claws.
DOG-MAN FROG-MAN
Val Char Cost Roll Notes Val Char Cost Roll Notes
15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1] 10 STR 0 11- Lift 100 kg; 2d6 [1]
14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5 12 DEX 6 11- OCV: 4/DCV: 4
15 CON 10 12- 13 CON 6 12-
15 BODY 10 12- 12 BODY 4 11-
10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11- 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3 10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
10 PRE 0 11- PRE Attack: 2d6 10 PRE 0 11- PRE Attack: 2d6
8 COM -1 11- 6 COM -2 10-
6 PD 3 Total: 6 PD (1 rPD) 4 PD 2 Total: 4 PD (0 rPD)
6 ED 3 Total: 6 ED (1 rED) 4 ED 1 Total: 4 ED (0 rED)
3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12 3 SPD 8 Phases: 4, 8, 12
6 REC 0 5 REC 0
30 END 0 26 END 0
31 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 48 24 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 25
Movement: Running: 7”/14” Movement: Running: 6”/12”
Leaping: 6”/12”
Cost Powers END
Swimming: 6”/12”
7 Jaws: +10 STR; Only For Grabbing/ Cost Powers END
Holding On (-½) 1 4 Frog’s Legs: Leaping +4” (6” total) 1
1 Tough Skin: Damage Resistance 4 Frog’s Legs: Swimming +4” (6” total) 1
(1 PD/1 ED) 0 1 Frog’s Lungs: Life Support (Extended
2 Dog’s Legs: Running +1” (7” total) 1 Breathing: 1 END per Turn) 0
3 Dog’s Senses: +1 to PER Rolls with all
Skills
Sense Groups 0
5 Stealth 12-
5 Dog’s Nose: Discriminatory for Normal
Smell 0 Total Powers & Skills Cost: 14
5 Dog’s Nose: Tracking for Normal Smell 0 Total Cost: 39
Skills 75+ Disadvantages
3 Stealth 12- 0 Physical Limitation: Human Size
Total Cost: 79
75+ Disadvantages Slightly Impairing)
0 Physical Limitation: Human Size 15 Psychological Limitation: Loyal To Phil-
5 Physical Limitation: can be affected by lippe Moreau (Common, Strong)
Mental Powers that affect either the Human Total Disadvantage Points: 95
Slightly Impairing) Description: One of Dr. Moreau’s most unusual
15 Psychological Limitation: Loyal To Phil- creations is the Frog-Man. Only about two-thirds
lippe Moreau (Common, Strong) average human height and covered by warty,
greenish skin, the Frog-Man has bulbous, frog-like
Total Disadvantage Points: 95 eyes and short webbing between its fingers and its
Description: A Dog-Man has a beefy, hairy body toes. Moreau uses them mainly as couries, spies,
with a head that betrays his canine ancestry. and house-servants.
His teeth are large (and often sharp) and his jaw
strong. Like his ancestor he has a tendency toward
friendliness and likes to be in groups, but is often
quick to leave if embarrassed or frightened.
RAT-MAN
10 STR 0 11- Lift 100 kg; 2d6 [1]
16 DEX 18 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
15 CON 10 12-
10 BODY 0 11-
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
6 COM -2 10-
3 SPD 4 Phases: 4, 8, 12
5 REC 0
30 END 0
Cost Powers END
10 Claws: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1 with STR) 1
(1 PD/1 ED) 0
3 Rat’s Senses: +1 to PER Rolls with all
Sense Groups 0
Skills
5 +1 HTH
5 +1 DCV
3 Climbing 12-
7 Stealth 14-
Total Cost: 78
75+ Disadvantages
Slightly Impairing)
Description: Rat-Men are humanoid rats about Stag-Man from page 81
two-thirds the size of an average human, though
they tend to hunch over when they stand/walk,
making them look like they’re about half human
size. They have short claws on their hands and
feet, sharp teeth, and a sort of malicious look to
their faces. They often work for Moreau as spies,
sneaks, and stealthy killers. They may wear
“clothing” consisting of strips of cloth wrapped
around the legs or arms, or a sort of cloth har-
ness. Their fur is usually dark- or tan-colored.
Val Char Cost

STAG-MAN
Roll Notes
GEOGRAPHY
15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1] Wells’ Pass is mostly jungle-covered hills with
15 DEX 15 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5 some nice shoreline, but it does have a few features
15 CON 10 12- of note. Dominating the east-central landscape is
16 BODY 12 12- Aerie Peak, a small mountain/large hill that slopes
10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11- down to rocky beach area where large sharp spars
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3 of stone jut up out of the ground to make travel
10 PRE 0 11- PRE Attack: 2d6 difficult (and combat potentially more dangerous
8 COM -1 11- than normal). Many of Moreau’s loyal manimals
have lairs among these rocks and in nooks and
5 PD 2 Total: 5 PD (2 rPD) crannies along the Peak (which has no caves).
5 ED 2 Total: 5 ED (2 rED) ARGENT has a few agents lurking around Aerie
3 SPD 5 Phases: 4, 8, 12 Peak to capture manimals for the Wildlife Pre-
6 REC 0 serve.
30 END 0 A bit north of Aerie Peak is a large freshwa-
32 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 50 ter lake with an island in the center. Two rope
Movement: Running: 9”/18” bridges connect the island to the mainland. Many
manimals live on the island and around the lake
Cost Powers END because they enjoy easy access to the fresh, cool
16 Antlers: HKA 1d6+1 (2d6+1 w/STR); water.
Concentration (½ DCV; -¼) 2
5 Kick: HA +2d6; Hand-To-Hand Attack
(-½), Extra Time (Full Phase; -½) 1 The Outside Compound
(2 PD/2 ED) 0 Jungle paths lead over the landscape from the
6 Stag’s Legs: Running +3” (9” total) 1 VIPER docks, the Feral Pens, and the freshwater
3 Stag’s Senses: +1 to PER Rolls with all lake up toward the mountains to Moreau’s com-
Sense Groups 0 pound, which has two main areas: the lab bur-
rowed into the mountain itself; and the commu-
Skills nity outside. Moreau built several storage tanks, a
3 Stealth 12- small supplementary lab or two, and some cages
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 35 for captives outside the entrance to his laborato-
Total Cost: 85 ries, and some of his most loyal beast-man follow-
ers have built villages around them. They tend to
75+ Disadvantages his equipment, feed the prisoners, and enjoy life in
0 Physical Limitation: Human Size proximity to their deity Moreau.
Mental Powers that affect either the Human THE FERAL PENS
or Animal class of minds (Infrequently, Not all beast-men react properly to Moreau’s
Slightly Impairing) loyalty treatments and indoctrination techniques.
15 Psychological Limitation: Loyal To Phil- Rather than let these manimals run wild to
lippe Moreau (Common, Strong) “infect” his followers with their bestial nature or
Total Disadvantage Points: 95 radical ideas about “freedom,” Moreau constructed
a series of cages in one area near the beach. VIPER
Description: Doctor Moreau has experimented with
several cervidine creatures, but his favorite is the elk,
which is large and strong enough to withstand the
effects of his treatments but not so big that it’s dif-
ficult to work with. As a result he’s created quite a few
Stag-Men, which have antlered heads atop mostly
human bodies, plus elk-like hooves for feet.
If forced to fight, an Stag-Man uses his rack of
antlers, potentially a very dangerous weapon. The
Concentration Limitation signifies that actually
using them in battle is complicated (since they’re
attached high on the head) — bringing them to
bear requires the Stag-Man to hold his head in
awkward positions. Stag-Men can also deliver
powerful kicks.
Stag-Men look like humans with short,
light-colored fur on their bodies, the heads of elk
(complete with a rack of prominent horns in most
individuals), and hooves in place of feet. Their
clothing usually consists of loincloths, handwraps,
and the like.
added a dock so that it can take the manimals lite dish. Set into the wall is a heavy door (DEF 6,
away if necessary; it can use them for various BODY 6). Surrounding the whole thing is a chain-
purposes in schemes all over the world. Each cage link fence.
holds one feral manimal and is DEF 8, BODY 12. Inside a short tunnel leads to a reception
room that’s decorated like a typical urban office —
a desk, chairs, a sofa, a water cooler, and so forth.
Moreau’s Lab Sitting behind the desk is a Stag-Man named
The main part of Moreau’s facilities on Mon- Corvis who works for Moreau as a receptionist.
ster Island is his laboratory, a complex of rooms Moreau thinks he’s totally loyal, but in fact he’s a
and caverns tunneled into the island rock. Moreau spy for Dr. Silverback who sends reports to the
spends most of his time here creating new mani- supersimian scientist whenever he can. Father Elk
mals, performing experiments, and observing test is aware of Corvis and his role, but no one else on
subjects; his Whitecoats (see above) assist him. Monster Island is.
VIPER has provided Moreau with some 3-10. PERSONNEL FACILITIES
guards to protect its “investment” in him and
Just to the north of the reception room Doctor
ensure he can continue his work. There are two
Moreau has provided an area for the comfort of
guards in the hallway between Rooms 2 and 11,
himself and his employees. It includes a common
four more in various points along the hallway
area for meals and entertainment, small apartments
between Rooms 11 and 16, and various other
for Whitecoats (divided into male and female areas),
VIPER agents roaming around both inside the
a few larger apartments for Moreau and important
base and outdoors. Most of these are standard
visitors, a kitchen, a rec room, and a lounge.
VIPER Soldiers, but more than a few are Red
Guards, Scarlet Serpents, or the like. 11-15. MANIMAL LABORATORIES
1-2. ENTRANCE These four rooms are where Moreau creates
his manimals. Each one is primarily devoted to a
The entrance to Moreau’s lab is obvious;
specific type of beast-man: Rat-Men (#11); Cat-
there’s a large cement structure topped by a satel-
Men (#12); Bear-Men (#13); and Stag-Men (#14).
Other types are created in

whichever lab is free or has
the best equipment for the
job. There are usually at
least one or two Whitecoats
in any of the labs at any
given time as well as test
subjects being worked on,
the corpses from recent
failed procedures, and
newly-created beast-men in
cages. Most of them show
signs of where a manimal
once escaped confinement
and tore the lab up before
being subdued.
All of these laboratories
have one other disturbing
feature: the walls are lined
with cages holding captives.
Some of those captives are 18-19. THE SURVIVAL OBSERVATION
animals whom Moreau will operate on to “lift” into ROOM AND THE PIT
beast-man state... while others are people VIPER This large natural cavern, which has plenty
wants to dispose of whom Moreau will convert into of stalactites and stalagmites, is where Dr. Moreau
manimals via special gene splicing techniques. tests the “fitness” of his latest creations and indoc-
16. OBSERVATION PLATFORM trinates them to his way of thinking. They’re
usually brought in through #17 and put in cages
This room is actually a platform overlook-
lining the walls to wait their turn, though some
ing the Survival Observation Room and the Pit
are allowed to roam freely. Bits of blood, bone,
(#18-19). A sturdy metal railing (DEF 5, BODY 6
and flesh litter the floor from where two or more
per hex) prevents people from accidentally falling
manimals have come to blows as part of Moreau’s
in, and there’s scientific equipment for monitor-
“testing” procedures.
ing the events in the room below. One or two
Sometimes Moreau wants to force two mani-
VIPER agents can often be found here; they enjoy
mals to fight to determine who’s superior. To do
watching the struggles between manimals in the
this he lures or forces them into “the Pit,” a sunken
Survival Observation Room. Sometimes Moreau
area in the middle of the cavern from which they
himself comes here to watch a particularly impor-
cannot escape without help. Only the surviving
tant subject.
manimal is pulled back up; the other one has to
Part of the Platform reaches out over the Sur-
die before Moreau will release his killer.
vival Observation Room and has a trapdoor. Man-
imals are sometimes put into the room by simply 20-23. BEAST-MAN WARRENS
dropping them through this trapdoor, rather than Manimals who survive the activities in #18
using the more elaborate procedure of opening the and prove their loyalty to Dr. Moreau get to live
door at #17. in these caverns. The hallway (#20) is wide and
17. HABITAT ENTRYWAY tall enough for a Bear-Man and is often patrolled
by Rat-Men. The caverns are mostly segregated
This room, reached by a stairway from #16,
by species: Bear-Men (#21); Cat-Men (#22); and
allows access to the Survival Observation Room
Stag-Men (#23). All these manimals worship Dr.
and caverns beyond. It’s sealed by a heavy metal
Moreau as a god, and he often spends time here
door (BODY 8, DEF 10) so that beast-men
studying them or instructing them (typically in
cannot escape.
Room #23).
THE UNTIL PRESENCE Elk (page 87), who came here from Beast Moun-
tain with her and is working for the betterment
UNTIL regards Dr. Moreau as a relatively of manimalkind in the Feral Tangle. Like Direc-
minor threat compared to the other groups on tor Jones, she’d be happy to have the help of
the island, so it only has one agent in the Wells’ superheroes with her mission.
Pass area to watch him... but it’s an important DOCTOR SILVERBACK
agent. Gideon H. Jones, a kind and clever man
with a face that looks a little bit like Josef Sta- Everyone’s favorite simian superhero has tried
lin’s, is the Director of UNTIL’s Technical Corps, to keep tabs on his creator over the years. Once
and thus the highest-ranking agent on Monster he found out Moreau was on Monster Island, he
Island. He claims he’s just very interested in created a device that would allow him to monitor
Dr. Moreau’s work and wants to learn as much Moreau’s computer systems under certain condi-
about it as he can, both to help Moreau’s victims tions. He’s also figured out a way to use Moreau’s
and to determine if any good can come of it. systems to project a hologram of himself into
UNTIL insiders also speculate that he’s beefing Moreau’s lab, should that ever become necessary.
up his “field resume” at the request of Secretary- If your PCs need some help or information during
Marshal Eckhardt to make him a more appeal- their confrontation with Dr. Moreau, Silverback
ing candidate to become Secretary-Marshal may be just what they’re looking for.
himself when Eckhardt retires. Doctor Silverback also planted an informer
among Moreau’s ranks — a Dog-Man from Gornyj
M’LING Zver. The Dog-Man was just about to make his
Jones has a strange ally in M’Ling, a Bear- escape with a detailed report when Moreau’s
Woman from Gornyj Zver — Beast Mountain, forces discovered him. Moreau lobotomized the
the hidden enclave of manimals created by poor fellow and threw him in one of the holding
Dr. Moreau before he was captured and sent pens for feral manimals. The other manimals tore
to prison. M’Ling wants to rescue the Monster up the Dog-Man’s report. However, if the PCs can
Island beast-men and offer them a home in the find the right pen and rescue the Dog-Man, they
secret Ukrainian mountain village if they so may also be able to piece together the scraps of
choose. She maintains close contact with Father the report and learn the valuable information the
Dog-Man had uncovered.
A dangerous refuge:
The Feral Tangle
Chapter Seven
86  A Dangerous Refuge: The Feral Tangle Hero System 5th Edition Revised
FERAL TANGLE
N
ot all of the manimals that Dr. Moreau
creates (see Chapter Six) are content to
remain by his side. Some are ultimately
BEAST-MAN
too wild or fierce despite his treat- PACKAGE DEAL
ments and teachings, and some have learned
courage and compassion from the pain he In some campaigns players may want to take on the
inflicts rather than submissiveness and malice. role of manimals fighting to keep their freedom on
Some of these “untamed” manimals find ways to Monster Island. This Package Deal represents the
typical abilities of the beast-men of Monster Island
escape from Moreau’s holding pens and guarded
(apply it to a standard Human character sheet, not to
compounds. They flee north to a wild area an animal’s character sheet from The HERO System
known as the Feral Tangle, where they try to Bestiary). The options allow you to customize it for
build new lives... and the fierce, wicked animals various specific types of animals.
try to dominate all the others. Cost
Power
5
+5 STR
9
+3 DEX
6
+3 CON
4
+2 BODY
Claws, Horns, Antlers, Or The
15
Like: HKA 1d6 (2d6 with STR)
2 Animalistic Skin: Damage
Resistance (2 PD/2 ED)
6 Animalistic Senses: +2 PER with all Sense
Groups
Total Cost Of Package Abilities: 47
Optional Abilities
Cost Power
6 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -3”
2 Keen Nose: +1 PER with Smell/Taste Group
10 Keen Nose: Tracking for Smell/Taste Group
+10 Larger Claws/Horns/Antlers: Increase to
HKA 1½d6
8 Swift Runner: Running +4”
4 Swift Swimmer: Swimming +4”
5 Tail: Extra Limb (1), Inherent (+¼); Limited
Manipulation (-¼)
12 Tougher Skin: Armor (4 PD/4 ED)
NEW GORNYJ 8 Wings: Flight 6” (12 Active Points);
Restrainable (-½)
The escaped manimals who just want to
live peacefully and control their destinies free “longhouses” made of wood and hides. Mani-
from oppression and fear have established mals live in the longhouses, often segregat-
a village known as New Gornyj. Founded by ing themselves by species. The centerpiece of
Father Elk, the leader of the Gornyj Zver com- the place is a large “town hall” that crudely
munity in the Ukraine where Dr. Moreau’s resembles a European mountain home; Father
first manimals now live, it’s a place marked by Elk lives there, and that’s where the manimals
fierce determination to resist the enemies that meet in council when necessary. A rough fence
threaten the free manimals: Moreau, ARGENT, of timber surrounds the place; manimals patrol
and the manimals’ evil counterparts. it constantly to keep the evil beast-men of Mal
Located on a cleared hillside, New Gornyj Zver from leaping over it to attack the village.
is a simple community of about half a dozen
Monster Island n Chapter Seven 87
FATHER ELK
28 STR 18 15- Lift 1,200 kg; 5½d6 [2]
14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
22 CON 24 13-
15 BODY 10 12-
15 EGO 10 12- ECV: 5
10 COM 0 11-
4 SPD 16 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
10 REC 0
44 END 0
Leaping: 5”/10”
Cost Powers END
20 Antlers: HKA 1½d6 (3d6+1 w/STR);
Concentration (½ DCV; -¼) 2
2 Tough: Damage Resistance (2 PD/2 ED) 0
6 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -3” 0
6 Delicate Senses: +2 PER with all
Sense Groups 0 Background/History: Like the other denizens of
Beast Mountain, Father Elk is the creation of the
Perks
fiendish scientist Phillippe Moreau (see Chapter
2 Fringe Benefit: Ruler of Beast Mountain
Six). Moreau had been unable to duplicate the
Skills advanced intelligence he’d inadvertently given Dr.
10 +2 HTH Silverback, and was concerned by his assistant’s
3 Bureaucratics 13- rather wayward and questioning nature. He con-
3 Concealment 12- centrated on making his latest creations intelligent
3 AK: Beast Mountain 12- enough to follow orders without being so bril-
2 AK: Monster Island 11- liant that they posed a potential threat to his own
3 KS: Moreau’s Creations 12- leadership. In Elk, he thought he’d found a happy
1 Language: Russian (basic conversation; medium — the creature was bright, but certainly
Beast-Russian is Native) no genius. Moreau assigned Elk to lead his cadre
3 Oratory 13- of criminals, and they performed several robber-
3 Tactics 12- ies in Kiev without being captured (see Hidden
3 Tracking 12- Lands).
When the cadre’s mission to London went
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 70 awry, leading the New Knights back to the
Total Cost: 176 secret mountain lab, Elk fought them on behalf
200+ Disadvantages of Moreau out of an almost religious fear of his
5 Physical Limitation: can be affected by creator. He was defeated by the Clansman, and
Mental Powers that affect either the Human when he saw Moreau beaten by a combined
or Animal class of minds (Infrequently, force of British and Soviet heroes, Elk realized
Slightly Impairing) his “master” was not nearly as all-powerful as
15 Psychological Limitation: Protective Of His he claimed. When the Knights agreed to allow
People And Their Privacy (Common, Strong) the manimals to live in privacy, Elk requested
that Silverback remain with them as the town’s
Total Disadvantage Points: 220 leader. But Silverback had been seized with the
desire to see the outside world firsthand, and
he in turn suggested that Elk himself was best
suited for the job. The other beast-men sup-
ported that decision, and Elk became the leader
of the beast-men.
When word filtered back to Gornyj Zver that
Dr. Moreau had set up shop on Monster Island,
Father Elk was seized with both anger and fear:
anger that Moreau was still creating manimals;
and fear that he might one day try to take back
his Ukrainian lair if not stopped. A desire to
help beast-mankind chart its own destiny and that New Gornyj is in. He’d definitely appreciate
to protect his people from their creator drove some help from heroes he feels he can trust (par-
him to come to Monster Island, where he helped ticularly ones recommended by Dr. Silverback),
some manimals escape and founded New Gornyj. and may be quicker to accept offers of assistance
Although the village is beset by enemies on all than he otherwise would be.
sides, he’s determined to see his people through... To make Father Elk tougher, remove the
and to convince the wicked beast-men of the error Concentration Limitation from his attack and
of their ways. give him Running +4”. To weaken him, reduce
Personality/Motivation: Father Elk has become an his Antlers to 1d6+1, and his STR and CON by
ideal leader for beast-mankind. He’s friendly, honest, 2-4 points each.
and open, and he respects the wide differences in Father Elk does not Hunt people. He’s got a
personality between beast-men without allowing village to look after.
their society to descend back into uncivilized chaos. Appearance: Father Elk is a human/elk hybrid,
It helps that he has such a forceful presence; though standing 6’4”; his dozen-point rack of antlers adds
he’s no longer in the fighting trim he was nearly nearly another three feet to his overall height. His
twenty years ago, there are few manimals who want pelt is brown, his eyes large and wise-looking, and
to feel the thrust of his imposing antlers. He’s cau- his feet cloven. In Gornyj Zver he generally wears
tious and careful, and prone to taking a long time to human clothes, favoring simple peasant-style work
consider his decisions. shirts and pants with suspenders; he rarely wears
Quote: “Welcome to New Gornyj. We welcome shoes. In the warmer climes of Monster Island he
your help to keep our home safe from all the dan- prefers a simple loincloth and some hand-wraps.
gers of this island.”
Powers/Tactics: Father Elk has slowed a step or two
as he’s aged, but he’s still an imposing physical speci-
MAL ZVER
men. His rack of antlers is a dangerous weapon; the New Gornyj’s opposite number is Mal Zver,
Concentration Limitation signifies that actually using a ramshackle, squalid place where the wicked,
them in battle is fairly complicated (since they’re fierce, and predacious beast-men live. In many
attached high on his head) — bringing them to bear ways these manimals have rejected Moreau’s Laws
requires him to hold his head in awkward positions. (for example, they kill other manimals and men
If a fight breaks out, he’s at the front of the battle. and eat their flesh) and descended to a barbarous,
New Gornyj may have more skilled fighters (though semi-animalistic state that makes them particu-
not many), but none braver or more determined. larly dangerous.
Protected by a palisade made of tree-trunks
Campaign Use: Father Elk is the beast-man the
that’s reminiscent of an Old West fort, Mal Zver
PCs are likely to interact with the most if they
is a malodorous collection of chaotically-placed
visit the Feral Tangle. He speaks for his people,
wood and hide huts cobbled together by the beast-
represents New Gornyj to outsiders, and has more
men. Seemingly unconcerned about the threat
experience interacting with humans than all the
of ARGENT kidnappers or Moreau’s men, the
other beast-men combined. When roleplaying
inhabitants laze around, prowl the island in search
him, emphasize the way he considers everything
of food, and rouse themselves to do the Hyena-
carefully and makes decisions slowly — he’s not a
Swine’s bidding when he comes down from his
bureaucrat who loves delay for its own sake, but
cave to issue orders.
neither is he a headstrong, wayward young person.
Father Elk recognizes the desperate situation
THE BONEYARD THE HYENA-SWINE

A large area of the northern Feral Tangle Val Char Cost Roll Notes
is known as the Boneyard. It’s a barren place 50 STR 40 19- Lift 25 tons; 10d6 [5]
with a few dead trees, pools of brackish water, 20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
and sandy soil. Its name comes from the fact 40 CON 60 17-
that it’s littered with the gigantic skeletons of 20 BODY 20 13-
dead monsters, as well as the bones of various 13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-
animals and the victims of the Mal Zver beast- 13 EGO 6 12- ECV: 4
men (scavengers, such as Vulture-Men, pick the 25 PRE 15 14- PRE Attack: 5d6
bodies over until they’re nothing but bones). 4 COM -3 10-
Some of the more advanced Mal Zver beast-men
spend time here carving the bones into weapons
for their fellows to use (since not every manimal
5 SPD 20 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12
has fangs and claws, and sometimes a hand-held
30 REC 24
weapon is better than a natural one).
80 END 0
The Hyena-Swine Movement: Running: 9”/18”
The leader of Mal Zver and its evil inhabitants Cost Powers END
is a fearsome, monstrous creature known simply 30 Tusks: HKA 1d6+1, Armor Piercing
as the Hyena-Swine. A year or two ago Dr. Moreau (+½) (2d6 with STR) 1
decided to try creating beast-men that hybridized 10 Bone-Tipped Bracer: HKA 1d6 (2d6 with
two or more beasts. These would be “super-man- STR); OIF (-½) 1
imals” with enhanced abilities from both of their 10 Tough: Damage Resistance (10 PD/10 ED) 0
forebears. Unfortunately for him but fortunately 60 Tough: Physical and Energy Damage
for the world, this experiment didn’t work out. Reduction, 50%, Resistant 0
None of the hybrid manimals survived... except 6 Fast: Running +3” (9” total) 1
one, the Hyena-Swine. Blending the features of 7 Burst Of Speed: Running +11” (20” total);
hyena and wild boar, the Hyena-Swine has the Increased Endurance Cost (x5 END; -2) 10
power, cunning, and malice to make him a threat 3 Sharp Senses: +1 to PER Rolls with
to nearly anyone on Monster Island. all Sense Groups 0
5 Beast-Eyes: Nightvision 0
Perks
4 Fringe Benefit: Membership: Leader of Mal
Zver and the wicked manimals
Skills
20 +4 HTH
4 +2 OCV with Move By
3 Stealth 13-
2 WF: Common Melee Weapons
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 164 Powers/Tactics: The Hyena-Swine is big, brutish,
Total Cost: 436 and tough. He relies on his strength and speed in
battle. He prefers to pick a target and charge, per-
200+ Disadvantages
forming a Move By with his tusks, then return to
20 Enraged: in battle (Common), go 11-,
smash the injured opponent to a pulp.
recover 11-
10 Hunted: Dr. Phillippe Moreau 8- (As Pow, Appearance: The Hyena-Swine is a horrific cross
Capture/Kill) between a boar and a hyena in humanoid form.
10 Hunted: Father Elk and New Gornyj 8- 8- His skin is a dirty tan color, with reddish fur on
(As Pow, Capture/Kill) its head, shoulders, chest, and back. He wears
5 Physical Limitation: can be affected by red leather bracers on both wrists and a loin-
Mental Powers that affect either the Human cloth; around his lower legs and right thigh are
or Animal class of minds (Infrequently, the shackles that Dr. Moreau once used to keep
Slightly Impairing) him captive. He has two large tusks he can use as
15 Psychological Limitation: Wicked, Greedy, natural weapons, and his right bracer has some
And Cruel (Common, Strong) attached bone blades that can deliver vicious
176 Experience Points slashing wounds.
Total Disadvantage Points: 436 DOCTOR MOREAU’S STRENGTH-SERUM
Background/History: See above. As if the Hyena-Swine weren’t bad enough,
Personality/Motivation: The Hyena-Swine com- he recently raided Dr. Moreau’s lab and obtained a
bines the worst traits of the animals used to sample of an experimental serum the evil doctor’s
create him, a hyena and a large wild boar. He’s been working on: a strength-enhancing drug to
temperamental, aggressive, greedy, and a sadistic make his manimals tougher. (Fortunately for the rest
bully. He enjoys picking on his weaker followers of Monster Island, the raid destroyed Dr. Moreau’s
and occassionally putting the stronger ones in notes and he’s mostly abandoned the strength serum
their place with a good beating. He likes a good project at this point.) The Hyena-Swine only has four
fight and tends to get wrapped up in battle and doses of the stuff; he’s saving them for himself and
pay attention to nothing but the one foe he’s his main followers in case of an emergency.
fighting. Dr. Moreau’s Manimal Strength Serum: +20
Quote: The Hyena-Swine rarely speaks much to STR (20 Active Points); OAF Fragile (-1¼),
his foes, though he does have a distinctive snort- Only Works On Manimals (-0), 4 Continu-
squeal that he makes. ing Charges lasting 1 Hour each which Never
Recover (-1½). Total cost: 5 points.
THE HYENA-SWINE’S CAVE A tunnel leads deeper into the mountain to

The Hyena-Swine has established its lair in a the second cave, also roughly circular but larger
small cavern complex in the Feral Tangle moun- than the first. Stalactites hang from the ceiling
tains. He keeps its location secret from all but his here and there, and rock pillars keep the roof
most loyal followers, though some Mal Zver mani- from caving in. There’s a small pool of water in the
mals do have fragments of a map he once drew center, fed by rain coming through a hole in the
to the place. (If the heroes can recover enough of ceiling (which also provides some light from the
these fragments they can easily find his cave, or sun). Some of the Hyena-Swine’s followers live in
they might locate it by making Tracking rolls or this cavern in huts made of hide and wood.
simply by searching long and carefully enough). The final room, reached by a corridor leading
The complex consists of three caverns. The east from the second, is roughly teardrop-shaped
first is roughly circular and contains a depression and has no hole in its ceiling; it’s lit entirely by
filled with water. There’s an opening to the sky torches and campfires. This is the domain of the
through which rain falls to keep the “pond” filled. Hyena-Swine and his closest underlings. Any
There are usually a few beast-men here getting heroes penetrating this far are in for a major fight!
something to drink or enjoying the sunlight.
to try to exert her author-

ity may rub some PCs
the wrong way, at least at
first... but she does know
what she’s doing and gives
smart, insightful orders.
Commander
Okonkwo is good friends
with the superhero Iron-
clad, who’s visited her at
the bunker a time or two
and lends her assistance
when he can. Rumors that
the two are “more than
just friends” are totally
unfounded, though.
THE ARGENT AGENT
One of the tasks given
to Commander Okonkwo
and her people is to spy
THE UNTIL PRESENCE on ARGENT’s activities in the Feral Tangle,
and disrupt them when possible. Constantly
UNTIL has established a presence at the in need of manimals for its “Wildlife Preserve”
Bureau 17 base in the Feral Tangle to observe (see Chapter Eight), ARGENT keeps a group of
events here, but it’s not a high priority since the agents here to hunt and capture manimals, then
manimals aren’t a threat to either Monster Island transport them to the other side of the island.
as a whole or the world beyond the island’s shores. This is actually more of a problem for Mal Zver
The agent in charge of the bunker is Commander than New Gornyj, since ARGENT prefers the
Fulani Okonkwo, formerly UNTIL’s African wilder, fiercer beast-men as quarry for its cli-
Regional Commander. Eager for a change of pace, ents. But the agents aren’t all that picky when it
and wanting to give a couple of her underlings a comes to meeting their quota.
chance to show what they could do in her absence Commander Okonkwo has successfully
to earn a shot at her job when she moves on for inserted an undercover agent into the ARGENT
good, she put in a request for a temporary transfer camp. Unfortunately he has no way to transmit
to the Monster Island mission. reports back to her by radio (ARGENT’s coun-
A pleasant-looking Nigerian woman in her termeasures would detect that in a heartbeat),
mid-thirties, Commander Okonkwo has that so she has to use a low-tech approach: some-
air of confidence and self-assurance common one meets the agent at pre-arranged times and
to high-ranking UNTIL agents. A woman of the places to obtain his report. Superheroes with
world, she’s lived in Paris, New York, New Delhi, stealth powers would make this job even easier.
and Tokyo in addition to her native Africa, and
she loves to travel. Her
only complaint about her
current assignment is lack
of access to libraries and
bookstores; she has to con-
tent herself with reading
books online via satellite
computer link-up, but it’s
just not the same.
In Commander
Okonkwo’s experience,
superheroes are helpful,
but they’re of most use
when they fit into the
chain of command and
follow her orders. Ren-
egades and mavericks just
tend to make things worse
and drag unpleasant situ-
ations out. Her tendency
Hunter’s Playground:
The Argent Corporate Wildlife Preserve
Chapter Eight
94  Hunters’ Playground: The Argent Corporate Wildlife Preserve Hero System 5th Edition Revised
THE WILDLIFE
PRESERVE
T
he central western part of of the breeding laboratory and are causing prob-
Monster Island is a large, wild valley, a lems. Second, Dr. Janice Sellers, the so-called “Jane
favorite of some of the giant monsters Goodall of Monster Island,” is lurking somewhere
as well as teleiosaurs and other fearsome in the area gathering data on ARGENT’s treatment
beasts. But the most dangerous thing there isn’t of captured manimals and teleiosaurs; she could
monsters or animals... it’s the insidious forces of blow the lid off the whole operation if ARGENT
ARGENT. can’t find her and silence her. Worst of all, some-
As described on page 12, ARGENT estab- one — Hartwell suspects one of his corporate rivals
lished a research station on Monster Island in within ARGENT — is trying to sabotage the facility.
2000 to study the island’s monsters and unique Recently ARGENT agents have found high-tech
biology in the hopes of finding ways to profit from bombs placed along the electrified fence that keeps
them. In 2004, acting on an idea from Director the giant monsters away from the lodge and labs, and
Charles Hawthorne, ARGENT built a “Wildlife one or two placed in other locations. So far they’ve
Preserve” (a euphemistic term for “luxury hunt- found them all before they exploded, but Hartwell
ing lodge”) that it could use as a perk for high- fears it’s only a matter of time before one goes unde-
ranking personnel, a reward for ARGENT’s allies tected just a little too long.
or people it wants to butter up, and a for-sale
THE HARPCO CONNECTION
service catering to wealthy hunters. Despite the
expense of maintaining the facility, revenue from Hartwell’s suspicions are incorrect. The
selling hunting trips and from ideas generated by saboteur wasn’t hired by one of his rivals but
the laboratories have actually kept it marginally one of ARGENT’s: Harpco, a global corpora-
profitable. The current director of the facility, Vice tion that competes with several ARGENT sub-
President Roger Hartwell, aims to increase the sidiaries around the world in a very cut-throat
degree of profit. sort of way.
Unfortunately, a couple obstacles stand in his Recently an industrialist named Henry Lee
way. First, recently some fierce teleiosaurs broke out entered into negotiations with Harpco to sell
his company to them. When ARGENT found
out about this, it kidnapped Lee. Brought to
Monster Island, Lee was forced to sign a bill of
sale transferring his company to ARGENT. He’s
being held on the island until ARGENT can
make sure it’s sewn everything up legally and
covered its tracks so Lee will have no recourse
(see below).
When it learned of this, Harpco decided to
ruin the deal and get revenge at the same time. It
hired the ruthless armored mercenary Steel Com-
mando (see Champions Universe, page 122, for his
character sheet) to (a) recover the coerced bill of
sale so it could stop the transaction, and (b) sab-
otate ARGENT’s Monster Island corporation. Steel
Commando has been sneaking around the area,
planting high-tech bombs and trying to find a way
to get inside and retrieve the bill of sale without
having to fight his way through dozens of heavily-
armed ARGENT agents.
Monster Island n Chapter Eight 95
ARGENT PERSONNEL Total Powers & Skills Cost: 90

Total Cost: 118
ARGENT’s Monster Island facility, like 75+ Disadvantages
nearly all ARGENT operations, runs according 10 Hunted: ARGENT 8- (Mo Pow, NCI,
to a strict corporate hierarchy. The director, VP Watching)
Roger Hartwell, has various assistants, underlings, 15 Psychological Limitation: Unprincipled,
and second-tier officers who do his bidding, and Ambitious, And Greedy (Common, Strong)
they in turn command agents, scientists, and 20 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very
other personnel. Hartwell in turn has to answer to Frequently, Major)
higher-ups in the organization if he fails to meet 5 Rivalry: Professional, with one or more
an earnings projection or something goes wrong ARGENT employees
at the facility.
ROGER HARTWELL Background/History: Roger Hartwell, the son
Val Char Cost Roll Notes of an Idaho banker, was just an entry-level
10 STR 0 11- Lift 100 kg; 2d6 [1] employee with Advanced Research Group
10 DEX 0 11- OCV: 3/DCV: 3 Enterprises when the corporation’s secret
12 CON 4 11- criminal dealings became public knowledge.
10 BODY 0 11- Hartwell, a willing and active participant in
18 INT 8 13- PER Roll 13- some of those schemes, fled the country along
14 EGO 8 12- ECV: 5 with his superiors to avoid prosecution.
15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6 Since the move to Awad, Hartwell has slowly
12 COM 1 11- but surely worked his way up the ladder. A care-
fully-planted rumor about a rival here, the sabo-
3 PD 1 Total: 3 PD (0 rPD) taging of someone else’s project there, and by 2005
3 ED 1 Total: 3 ED (0 rED) he was a highly-ranked executive in the Research
2 SPD 0 Phases: 6, 12 and Development Department. It didn’t hurt
4 REC 0 that his superiors valued his corporate loyalty;
24 END 0 most employees at his level in 1983 had chosen
21 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 28 to remain in the United States and face the music
Movement: Running: 6”/12” rather than join ARGENT in exile.
When ARGENT decided to begin a research
Cost Powers END project on Monster Island in 2000, the Board of
32 ARGENT Force-Field Ring: Force Field Directors thought Hartwell would make a fine
(15 PD/15 ED/5 Mental Defense/5 Power manager for the job. He was promoted to Vice
Defense); IIF (-¼), 1 Continuing Fuel President of the new Monster Island Division and
Charge (1 Hour, easily recharged; -0) [1cc] shipped out with the rest of the newly-minted
8 Armored Uniform: Armor (4 PD/4 ED); division’s scientists, researchers, and administra-
OIF (-½) 0 tors. At first he loathed everything about the
2 Dark Glasses: Sight Group Flash Defense (5 assignment (except the promotion that came with
points); OAF (-1) 0 it), but after the Hunting Lodge was built in 2004
Perks and Monster Island became more than just a pure
5 Contact: Director Charles Hawthorne research project the situation brightened consider-
11- (very useful Skills/resources, significant ably. Eager to show that he can make ARGENT a
Contacts of his own) healthy profit in such an unusual place, he works
4 Fringe Benefit: Member: ARGENT Vice hard to keep everything moving smoothly.
President Personality/Motivation: While Hartwell’s not as
5 Money: Well Off ruthless as many in ARGENT, he’s got just too
Skills few scruples and just enough ambition to succeed
3 Bribery 12- in the organization. He won’t commit murder
3 Bureaucratics 12- with his own hand (though he might kill in self-
3 Conversation 12- defense), but he has no qualms about ordering a
3 Deduction 12- killing or all sorts of other crimes. His desire for
2 KS: ARGENT 11- wealth, power, and luxuries long ago squelched
2 KS: Art History 11- any compassion he had. He doesn’t care a thing
3 Persuasion 12- for the pain and anguish he causes the manimals,
1 SS: Electronic Engineering 8- the horrific experiments the scientists perform
3 Seduction 12- on captured teleiosaurs, or the thousand and one
3 Stealth 11- other sins he’s participated in.
7 Trading 14-
1 WF: Handguns
Quote: “Welcome to the ARGENT Corporate

Wildlife Preserve! We’re so pleased you could join
ARGENT Officers And Agents
us. We promise you a vacation you’ll never forget!”
ARGENT OFFICER
Powers/Tactics: Hartwell is no combatant, and he
knows it. He’ll order his underlings into battle, but Val Char Cost Roll Notes
he won’t fight himself unless there’s no alterna- 15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1]
tive — he’d rather “go down with the ship” than let 16 DEX 18 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
his superiors think he gave up too easily or didn’t 16 CON 12 12-
do everything he could to secure company assets. 13 BODY 6 12-
(Though being able to prove he did his best to 15 INT 5 12- PER Roll 12-
their satisfaction and escape is even better.) 14 EGO 8 12- ECV: 5
Campaign Use: Hartwell represents a potential way 8 COM -1 11-
for the heroes to make inroads against ARGENT.
The organization rarely operates as openly as it 6 PD 3 Total: 19 PD (13 rPD)
does on Monster Island, and that makes its per- 6 ED 3 Total: 19 ED (13 rED)
sonnel, records, and equipment vulnerable to cap- 3 SPD 4 Phases: 4, 8, 12
ture... and in Hartwell’s case, interrogation. That 6 REC 0
may be just the break the PCs need to begin really 32 END 0
putting the hurt on ARGENT. 30 STUN 1 Total Characteristics Cost: 69
Hartwell shouldn’t be made any tougher — he’s
not intended as a combatant. At most you could give
him a teleportation device for quick escapes. Cost Powers END
Hartwell doesn’t Hunt anyone unless ordered 67 ARGENT Class Alpha-II Blaster Rifle:
to by ARGENT, in which case he follows orders. Multipower, 90-point reserve,
If left to his own discretion he prefers to study the 60 Charges for entire Multipower (+½);
target extensively, then hire the necessary assets to all OAF (-1) [60]
eliminate that target. 4u 1) Basic Setting: Energy Blast 12d6,
Appearance: Roger Hartwell is in his late 30s, Autofire (5 shots, +½); OAF (-1)
though he looks young for his age. He prefers to 4u 2) Stun Setting: Energy Blast 9d6,
wear a business suit or “dressy casual” attire, but in NND (defense is Power Defense; +1);
deference to what his clients expect and the cur- OAF (-1)
rent state of affairs on Monster Island, he wears 6 Rifle-butt Club: HA +3d6; OAF (-1),
an armored uniform patterned after those of his Hand-To-Hand Attack (-½) 1
underlings, plus dark sunglasses to cut the day- 33 ARGENT Grenades: Multipower,
time glare. He keeps his black hair cut in a quasi- 75-point reserve; all OAF (-1), Range
military style, and tries to carry himself with an air Based On Strength (-¼)
of competence, confidence, and authority. 2u 1) Mark I Grenade: RKA 2d6+1,
On Strength (-¼), 4 Charges (-1) [4]
2u 2) Mark II Glue Grenade: Entangle 5d6,
5 DEF, Area Of Effect (One Hex; +½);
OAF (-1), Range Based On Strength
(-¼), 4 Charges (-1) [4]
7 ARGENT Mark III-G Grenade Launcher:
30 STR; OAF (-1), Only To Make
Standing Or Prone Throws Of
ARGENT Grenades (-2), Only Works
With ARGENT Firearms (-0) 3
Martial Arts: Karate
4 Atemi Strike -1 +1 3d6 NND(1)
4 Disarm -1 +1 35 STR
4 Dodge +0 +5 Dodge all
attacks, Abort
3 Legsweep +2 -1 6d6; Target
Falls
4 Knifehand Strike -2 +0 HKA 1d6 (2d6
with STR)
4 Punch/Snap Kick +0 +2 7d6 Strike
5 Side/Spin Kick -2 +1 9d6 Strike
8 +2 Extra Damage Classes (already added in)
4 ARGENT Officer’s Uniform: Armor (3 PD/3 Skills

ED); OIF (-½), Activation Roll 14- (does not 4 +2 OCV with ARGENT Blaster Rifles
protect Hit Locations 3-5 or 6-7; -½) 0 5 +1 HTH
3 ARGENT Officer’s Helmet: Armor
3 Bureaucratics 12-
2 KS: ARGENT 11-
2 KS: Karate 11-
27 ARGENT Y-Grade Force-Field Belt:
2 PS: ARGENT Officer 11-
Force Field (10 PD/10 ED/10 Mental
3 Shadowing 12-
Defense/10 Power Defense); OIF (-½),
3 Stealth 12-
1 Continuing Fuel Charge (1 Hour,
1 Systems Operation 8-
easily recharged; -0) [1cc]
3 Tactics 12-
6 ARGENT Helmet Communications Linkup:
3 Teamwork 12-
HRRP (Radio Group); OIF (-½), Affected
2 WF: Small Arms
As Sight And Hearing Group As Well As
10 Individual KSs, PSs, and other Skills repre-
Radio Group (-½) 0
senting personal interests, individualized
3 ARGENT Helmet Nightvision System:
training, and the like
Nightvision; OIF (-½) 0
7 ARGENT Helmet Wraparound Viewer: Total Powers & Skills Cost: 278
Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Total Cost: 347
Degrees) for Sight Group; OIF (-½) 0 75+ Disadvantages
5 ARGENT Helmet Flare Compensators: 5 Distinctive Features: ARGENT uniform
Sight Group Flash Defense (8 points); (Easily Concealed; Noticed And Recogniz-
OIF (-½) 0 able)
5 ARGENT Helmet Acoustic 10 Hunted: ARGENT 8- (Mo Pow, NCI,
Dampeners: Hearing Group Flash Watching)
Defense (8 points); OIF (-½) 0 20 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Very
7 ARGENT Helmet Oxygen Supply: Life Frequently, Major)
Support (Self-Contained Breathing); 237 Experience Points
OIF (-½), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge
(1 Hour; -0) 0 Total Disadvantage Points: 347
Description: The ARGENT Officer commands
Perks
squads of ARGENT Soldiers (see below) and
3 Fringe Benefit: Membership (ARGENT)
other low-ranking personnel. He’s better trained
and better equipped than the Soldier, and his
uniform is distinct.
ARGENT COMBAT ENGINEER
ARGENT has sent some of its Combat Engi-
neers to Monster Island to help keep the Hunting
Lodge in good shape, to combat the sabotage
attempts, and make sure the anti-monster security
measures don’t fail. For a Combat Engineer you
can use the ARGENT Officer character sheet with
the following additions:
Cost Power
31 Pre-Built Bombs: RKA 3d6, Explosion (-1
DC/3”; +1), Trigger (any reasonable condi-
tion the Combat Engineer can define, such
as a time delay, a radio trigger, or a proxim-
ity trigger, two activating conditions can
apply at once, Full Phase Action to reset;
+¼); OAF (-1), Range Based On STR (-¼),
4 Charges (-1)
7 Demolitions 14-
3 Electronics 12-
3 Mechanics 12-
6 6 points’ worth of Science Skills pertaining
to engineering
ARGENT SOLDIER Skills

Val Char Cost Roll Notes 2 +1 OCV with ARGENT Blaster Rifles
13 STR 3 12- Lift 150 kg; 2½d6 [1] 1 Bureaucratics 8-
14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5 1 KS: ARGENT 8-
13 CON 6 12- 2 PS: ARGENT Soldier 11-
10 BODY 0 11- 1 Shadowing 8-
13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12- 3 Stealth 12-
11 EGO 2 11- ECV: 4 1 Teamwork 8-
13 PRE 3 12- PRE Attack: 2½d6 2 WF: Small Arms
8 COM -1 11- 10 Individual KSs, PSs, and other Skills repre-
4 PD 1 Total: 14 PD (10 rPD) senting personal interests, individualized
4 ED 1 Total: 14 ED (10 rED) training, and the like
3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12 Total Powers & Skills Cost: 170
6 REC 0 Total Cost: 206
26 END 0
75+ Disadvantages
5 Distinctive Features: ARGENT uniform
Movement: Running: 6”/12” (Easily Concealed; Noticed And Recogniz-
able)
Cost Powers END
10 Hunted: ARGENT 8- (Mo Pow, NCI,
56 ARGENT Class Alpha Blaster Rifle:
Watching)
Multipower, 75-point reserve, 60
Charges for entire Multipower (+½);
Frequently, Major)
all OAF (-1) [60]
4u 1) Basic Setting: Energy Blast 10d6,
Autofire (5 shots, +½); OAF (-1) Total Disadvantage Points: 206
3u 2) Stun Setting: Energy Blast 7d6, NND Description: Until 2005, ARGENT didn’t have its
(defense is Power Defense; +1); OAF (-1) own corps of agents. It had security personnel at
6 Rifle-butt Club: HA +3d6; OAF (-1), its various facilities, but for paramilitary matters
Hand-To-Hand Attack (-½) 1 it simply hired mercenaries (often from Bastion
33 ARGENT Grenades: Multipower, 75-point Alpha Security; see Cops, Crews, And Cabals).
reserve; all OAF (-1), Range Based On But by 2005 it had so many operations going on
Strength (-¼) around the world that relying on outside contrac-
2u 1) Mark I Grenade: RKA 2d6+1, Explosion tors was both cost-ineffective and a security risk.
(+½); OAF (-1), Range Based On Strength So ARGENT bit the bullet and set up its own pri-
(-¼), 4 Charges (-1) [4] vate army, using Bastion Alpha to train its Soldiers
2u 2) Mark II Glue Grenade: Entangle and equipping them with high-tech weapons and
5d6, 5 DEF, Area Of Effect (One Hex;
+½); OAF (-1), Range Based On
Strength (-¼), 4 Charges (-1) [4]
7 ARGENT Mark III-G Grenade Launcher:
30 STR; OAF (-1), Only To Make
Standing Or Prone Throws Of ARGENT
Grenades (-2), Only Works With
ARGENT Firearms (-0) 3
3 ARGENT Soldier’s Uniform: Armor
(2 PD/2 ED); OIF (-½), Activation Roll
14- (does not protect Hit Locations 3-5
or 6-7; -½) 0
3 ARGENT Soldier’s Helmet: Armor
20 ARGENT Z-Grade Force-Field Belt:
Force Field (10 PD/10 ED/5 Mental
Defense/5 Power Defense); OIF (-½),
1 Continuing Fuel Charge (1 Hour,
easily recharged; -0) [1cc]
6 ARGENT Helmet Communications
Linkup: HRRP (Radio Group); OIF
(-½), Affected As Sight And Hearing
Group As Well As Radio Group (-½) 0
Perks
2 Fringe Benefit: Membership (ARGENT)
devices. Soldiers’ training includes standard secu- ARGENT HANDLERS

rity work, bodyguarding, tailing, and weapons use. On Monster Island ARGENT has deployed
When recruiting Soldiers, ARGENT looks a specially-trained Soldier known as a Handler
for intelligence as well as athletic skill. It uses who can keep control of the enslaved manimals
a lot of advanced gadgets and weaponry, and and captive teleiosaurs the organization uses.
it needs people sharp enough and observant (Some have additional training to help with the
enough to learn them. It also requires that all teleiosaur breeding process and are known as
Soldiers speak fluent English; this prevents Teleiosaur Breeders.) A Handler is like a regular
communication problems. Soldier except that (a) he has Animal Handler
The biggest difference between ARGENT’s (Equines, Felines, Reptiles & Amphibians) 14-,
Soldiers and the agents of organizations like some Knockout Gas Grenades, and a Shock-
VIPER is that ARGENT personnel aren’t neces- Prod to keep his charges in line, and (b) his
sarily criminal. ARGENT (and its subsidiaries) armored uniform does not cover the arms or
is a legitimate organization in many parts of the shoulders. His uniform is also far more colorful,
world (though not the US or Europe), and it’s with a red tunic, grey pants, yellow utility belt,
not illegal for it to have its own security force. and black helmet, gloves, and boots.
Many ARGENT Soldiers are really no differ-
ent than any other security guard, just better Cost Power
equipped and trained. Some of them are as 50 ARGENT Shock-Prod: Multipower, 100-
amoral and greedy as any VIPER agent, while point reserve, 30 Charges for entire reserve
others have to be shielded from ARGENT’s (+¼); all OAF (-1), No Range (-½)
more “questionable” activities for fear of scaring 4u 1) Painful Touch: Energy Blast 10d6, NND
them away or their running to the authorities. (defense is insulated ED; +1); OAF (-1), No
ARGENT Soldiers wear a simple, lightly- Range (-½)
armored uniform in two-tone dull green (or 1u 2) Fatal Touch: RKA 3d6; OAF (-1), No
camo and tan, or other dark colors), plus black Range (-½), Requires Multiple Charges (3
boots and gloves and a light-colored utility belt. If Charges; -¾)
expecting an attack they don a helmet that covers 20 Knockout Gas Grenade: Energy Blast 4d6,
the top and sides of the head but not the face. NND (defense is Life Support [Self-Con-
tained Breathing or appropriate Immu-
Powers/Tactics: ARGENT equips its Soldiers with
nity]; +1), Area Of Effect (4” Radius; +1);
three weapons (though it can issue them others
OAF (-1), Range Based On STR (-¼), 6
if the situation calls for it). Their main firepower
Charges (-¾)
comes from the Class Alpha Blaster Rifle, a phased
pulson blaster with an attached grenade launcher. Total cost: 75 points (plus 8 points for Animal
The rifle can fire on single-shot or multiple-shot Handler)
modes; the Soldier can also tune it to fire a neuro- ARGENT NEUTRALIZER
stunner blast, but this cannot be autofired. Soldiers
are trained to fire 2-3 shot bursts against most As ARGENT’s operations have become more
foes, saving higher levels of Autofire for tough or public, it’s found itself in conflict with superhe-
easy-to-hit targets. The grenade launcher can fire roes more and more often. To counteract them,
either fragmentation or glue grenades (Soldiers it’s trained some Soldiers as Neutralizers — agents
can simply throw the grenades, if preferred). whose job it is to weaken superpowered opposition.
Equipped with Neutralizer Grenades (which emit
tunable energy fields that can weaken superpowers) along the cement walls, is an electrified chain-link
and Neural Scramblers, they can make life difficult fence. This fence is DEF 5, BODY 3 but inflicts a Kill-
for even the most powerful heroes... particularly ing Attack 1d6, +1 STUN Multiplier, per Phase of
when there are a lot of them. Use the Soldier charac- contact (half damage if the character isn’t in contact
ter sheet for them with the following additions: with the ground, such as when flying). Giant mon-
sters particularly seem to dislike the pain caused by
Cost Power
the electrified fence and stay away from it.
33 Neutralizer Grenade: Drain Superpowers
At the gateways through the electrified
4d6, any one Superpower at a time (+¼),
fences, and sometimes elsewhere along their
Delayed Recovery Rate (points return at the
length, ARGENT has built two-story tall wooden
rate of 5 per Minute; +¼), Explosion (-1d6
guard towers. Manned 24 hours a day by guards
per 2 hexes; +¾), Range Based On STR
who keep a lookout for giant monsters (par-
(+¼); OAF (-1), 4 Charges (-1)
ticularly flying ones who can avoid the fences)
31 Neural Scrambler: Drain Characteristics
and other threats, each one is equipped with a
4d6, any one Characteristic at a time (+¼),
swivel mounted ARGENT Heavy Blaster Cannon
Delayed Recovery Rate (points return at the
(Energy Blast 24d6, 60 Boostable Charges, range
rate of 5 per Minute; +¼), Limited Range
1,000”). Each tower also has a Communications
(3”; +¼); OAF (-1), 12 Charges (-¼)
Console (Radio Reception/Transmission; OAF
Bulky) so the guard can call in reports.
THE DOCKS
ARGENT FACILITIES To facilitate the shipment of goods and per-
The Corporate Wildlife Preserve mostly con- sonnel to and from Monster Island, ARGENT
sists of rolling hills between the main mountain constructed a small but functional wooden
chain running down the center of the island and dock. Launches from ARGENT’s ships or
two “spurs” to south and north. A narrow valley submarines put in here to deliver supplies,
runs north-south between the Preserve and Slither take away captive manimals for use in other
Beach; ARGENT’s built a cement wall (DEF 6, ARGENT facilities, and so forth.
BODY 12) and an electrified fence (see below) THE BARRACKS
there to keep VIPER out of its territory; VIPER
Most ARGENT personnel on Monster Island
has accepted the wall as a proper boundary and
don’t get to live in the Hunting Lodge; that’s
has little contact with ARGENT other than to spy
reserved for the upper ranks and visiting VIPs.
on its agents.
Instead they live in one-story wooden dormito-
THE FENCES ries arranged in a fenced compound along with a
ARGENT has constructed two types of fences motor pool. The compound includes a “commons
to define its territory, protect its facilities, and keep building” that functions as a dining hall, recre-
hunters’ prey in while keeping giant monsters out. ation room, and meeting hall. The motor pool is
The most basic type are large cement walls (DEF filled with trucks and jeeps; ARGENT hasn’t sent
6, BODY 12); these are installed to block the pass any of its hovercraft or other high-tech vehicles to
to Slither Beach, to block the road leading up the this remote location.
mountain to the Hunting Lodge; and around the THE BACKUP GENERATOR
Communications Station. The second type, installed
The main power generation system for
along the entire length of the beach, around the Bar-
ARGENT’s Monster Island operations is located
racks and Backup Generator, and sometimes even
in a sub-basement of the Hunting Lodge... but as nice or well-decorated as the ones for guests.
ARGENT rarely puts all of its eggs in one basket. The next level down is ARGENT’s Monster Island
On the opposite end of the Wildlife Preserve, research laboratories, though these are relatively
protected by an electrified fence, is a second minimal affairs compared to its labs elsewhere.
power supply station able to meet all of the Basically it just wants the scientists here to per-
Preserve’s power needs. The downside to this form preliminary studies, make recommenda-
preparation: if a superhero can gain access to to tions, and then forward their materials and notes
the backup generators and succeeds with a SS: to ARGENT scientists in better-equipped facili-
Electrical Engineering roll (or Electronics or SS: ties. The last level contains the power generators
Electronic Engineering at -5) can short out both for the Preserve.
power systems, leaving the Preserve “in the dark”
(so to speak). On the other hand, that leaves the
Preserve open to giant monster incursions, which THE MANIMAL
could also affect the PCs....
RESISTANCE
THE HUNTING LODGE
Besides teleiosaurs and the giant mon-
ARGENT’s main facility on Monster Island sters themselves, the chief prey that ARGENT
is the Hunting Lodge — a large, solid cement makes available to hunters is manimals cap-
building on top of the small peak in the north- tured in Wells’ Pass or the Feral Tangle. Both
ern part of the Preserve. It’s reached by driving Dr. Moreau and the free manimals have tried
or walking up a mountain trail, though VIPs are to fight back against this, but with little success
often flown in by helicopter (there’s a landing due to the power of ARGENT’s technology. As
pad on the mountain below the Lodge, usually a result, ARGENT’s clients get to enjoy “the
with a chopper fully fueled and ready to leave at most dangerous game,” hunting a man who’s
a moment’s notice). not really a man so it’s not a matter of murder
The Lodge is a two-story structure with in their corrupt eyes.
several underground levels. The first floor Recently Father Elk and the beast-men of
contains a reception area, an elegant dining New Gornyj devised another tactic to combat
room (plus an attached kitchen), and a “smok- ARGENT’s depredations. Instead of trying to
ing room” where guests can relax. The second fight ARGENT off, they decided to set up a mis-
story has another sitting room (whose windows sion — a sort of “underground railroad” — to
provide an excellent view of the Preserve) and rescue the captured manimals. Since penetrating
six luxuriously-appointed bedroom suites. the ARGENT compound to free them from their
Although the remoteness of Monster Island cages isn’t feasible, they keep watch, wait until a
makes it impossible to fulfill guests’ every manimal is released for a hunt, then try to get to
whim, the Lodge staff (including a concierge, him before the hunters do.
two four-star chefs, three maids, and a hunt-
master) bends over backwards to make the BROTHER WHITEHART
guests’ stay as comfortable as possible. The leader of the resistance mission is Brother
The Lodge has three underground levels as Whitehart, an elk-man especially chosen by Father
well. The first contains rooms and eating facilities Elk for the job. Young and headstrong, he has just
for the staff and guards; these areas aren’t nearly enough wisdom to temper his penchant for risk-
taking and action with a careful evaluation of the THE HIDDEN TUNNEL
situation. Working with him is a small group of If all goes well with a rescue, the newly-freed
manimals, mostly dog-men and cat-men, whom beast-man is taken to Brother Whitehart’s lair, the
he uses primarily for reconnaissance. He and Hidden Tunnel. This is a series of twisting, laby-
his people stealthily move close to the ARGENT rinthine caverns that eventually lead through the
compound and watch for signs that a manimal mountain range to the Feral Tangle... if one knows
hunt is about to begin. When they see a manimal the proper way. It would be very, very easy for
being released they relay word to the rest of their someone to get lost in the caves and die of hunger.
force via signal-flags and captured radios. Then (Though the main route through the caverns is
they converge on the area and try to capture the easy to see and learn if one pays close attention.)
beast-man before the hunters get to him. Since the Unfortunately the name “Hidden” Tunnel is
manimal is wary and frightened, this isn’t always no longer accurate. Recently ARGENT discovered
easy, and sometimes the hunters get a glimpse of the tunnel’s location. It’s sent squads of soldiers in
the rescuers and take shots at them. there to try to capture the beast-men and crush
For Brother Whitehart, use the Stag-Man Brother Whitehart’s “underground railroad.” The
character sheet from Chapter Six, but with the fol- manimals are hard-pressed and could definitely
lowing changes: STR 18, PD 8, ED 8, SPD 4. His use some help from superheroes.
followers are mostly standard beast-men. Nor is ARGENT the only danger here.
Recently Elder Worm from Echinocos Shores (see
Chapter Nine) burrowed this far south in search
of relics and came across the caverns. Now they
occasionally prey on traffic between the Preserve
and the Feral Tangle, giving Brother Whitehart
one more danger to deal with.
THE UNTIL PRESENCE (He’d love to offer some covert assistance to super-
heroes who want to destroy the Wildlife Preserve.)
UNTIL has only assigned one person to this A native of the Philippines, Major de Luna joined
part of Monster Island: Major Nestor de Luna, UNTIL after a rather lackluster academic career.
formerly the head of the organization’s base in Fortunately for him the UNTIL recruiter he talked
Singapore. He’s a Hispanic male with a stylish to recognized raw talent when he saw it and gave de
black beard, moustache, and hair; his uniform is Luna a shot despite his poor grades. Under UNTIL
grey-white and black. His assignment is to moni- discipline de Luna throve and was soon getting top
tor ARGENT’s activities and build a solid case that marks in his training classes. He worked as a field
the corporation is violating international law here. agent, and then for a number of special programs
ARGENT’s presence on the island is itself illegal, (including Project Stargazer), before finally earning
but it’s a relatively trivial violation, so bringing a the plum assignment of running the Singapore head-
case against the company on that basis would be quarters. Although he’s deeply loyal to UNTIL, when
a waste of time — UNTIL wants to nail ARGENT he heard about what was happening on Monster
with substantial charges that will be a major blow. Island he couldn’t ignore the plight of the beast-men.
Unfortunately manimals aren’t recognized by He took a temporary leave of absence from his posi-
international law (or any national laws, really), so tion and volunteered for the scouting mission.
building a case for kidnapping and murder would OTHER ALLIES
be difficult at best. As much as UNTIL hates the
hunts, it wants to wait for something that won’t Major de Luna and Brother Whitehart aren’t
create difficulties for the prosecution... the only potential allies superheroes might find
...and so Major de Luna watches and waits, and on this part of Monster Island. Two other people
does what he can to cause problems for ARGENT could help them out... or require rescue.
without revealing himself or disobeying his orders. The first is Henry Lee, an industrialist. As
mentioned above he got caught up in the corpo-
rate war between ARGENT
and Harpco. ARGENT
kidnapped him and brought
him to Monster Island to
complete the “deal” to its
satisfaction, but it covered
its tracks so well that Major
de Luna knows it would
be difficult to make out a
case against ARGENT for
the crime because Lee is
reluctant to testify. To show
Lee the consequences of
not cooperating, it let him
loose in the Wildlife Pre-
serve. It’s been all he can do
to keep himself safe from
teleiosaurs and other beasts.
He’s scared that if he accepts
Major de Luna’s offer to get
him off the island in exchange for his testimony parts of the Superhuman World she’s referred to
against ARGENT, he’ll never get his company (sometimes with affection, sometimes scorn) as
back and the corporation will have him killed. If “the Jane Goodall of Monster Island.”
a group of superheroes could prove their bona Doctor Sellers’s goal is to stop ARGENT from
fides by recovering the coerced bill of sale from exploiting and hunting the manimals, though she
the Hunting Lodge, and offered to do their best to has no real way to do this. She keeps an eye on
protect him, he’d change his mind and help strike ARGENT as much as she can, pesters Major de
a blow against ARGENT. Luna to “do something,” and takes elaborate notes
about everything she sees and does in the hope of
DR. JANICE SELLERS writing a book that will both introduce the won-
1 0 STR 12 DEX 12 CON 10 BODY ders of Monster Island to the general public and
18 INT 14 EGO 15 PRE 12 blow the lid off of ARGENT’s criminal activities.
COM 4 PD 3 ED 3 SPD ARGENT fully intends to eliminate her as soon as
4 REC 24 END 21 STUN it can do so safely.
Between her work and her larger-than-life
Abilities: Bureaucratics 8-; Combat Driving 8-;
personality, Dr. Sellers has become something of
Computer Programming 8-; Deduction 13-; Gam-
a mini-celebrity, famed as much for her eccen-
bling (Card Games) 13-; High Society 12-; KS:
tricities as her work. She drives
Art History 8-; KS: Film 11-;
like a maniac (though she’s never
KS: Literature 8-; Languages
been in a wreck), keeps a menag-
(Japanese, Russian, Spanish, all
erie of pets in her sprawling but
basic conversation); PS: Play
elegantly decorated Michigan
Chess 14-; Stealth 11-; Track-
home, plays chess at master
ing 13-; WF: Small Arms; Sci-
level, once tried out for a posi-
entist (Anatomy 11-, Biology
tion on the Cleveland Browns
13-, Chemistry 11-, Ecology
football team, occasionally
13-, Genetics 11-, Veterinary
steps in as a film critic on sev-
Medicine 11-, Zoology 13-);
eral national movie review TV
Well-Connected and 25 points’
shows, once beat Dr. Silverback
worth of Contacts in the scien-
in a Texas Hold ’Em tournament,
tific community; Perk: Tenure
and crashes the Oscar awards
at MCU
ceremony every year in a bright
50+ Disadvantages: Hunted: pink gown. Aside from her work
ARGENT 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, on Monster Island, her current
Kill) goal is to learn how to play rock
Notes: The second potential ’n’ roll guitar and jam with Eric
ally the heroes have against Clapton. She’s a tenured profes-
ARGENT is Dr. Janice Sell- sor at Millennium City Univer-
ers, a zoologist who went to sity, but due to her various esca-
Monster Island months ago pades and commitments doesn’t
out of concern for its wildlife. teach classes most semesters.
(UNTIL approved her visit, Doctor Sellers’s appearance
though it expected her to leave belies her fierce determination
after a week and is pressuring and stubborness. Short and
her strongly to return to civili- waif-thin, she keeps her light
zation.) Initially she’d planned to study the giant brown hair cut short for comfort in the tropi-
monsters and other strange fauna, but when cal climate, giving her a youthful appearance.
she found out about the beast-men and the way She wears camo pants, boots, a belt with several
ARGENT treats them she immediately shifted pouches, and a light-colored t-shirt. She’s usu-
her focus to them. Although her current work ally got a notebook, PDA, or various small sci-
isn’t known to the public, around UNTIL and in entific instruments with her.
Echincos Shore:
Lair Of The Worm
Chapter Nine
106  Echinocos Shore: Lair Of The Worm Hero System 5th Edition Revised
Echinocos
Shore
I
n the late Eighties Bureau 17 established an the communications system. They maintained
observation outpost on the northern part of the deception for weeks. Bureau 17 only recently
Monster Island — a rocky, hilly area near the discovered that the outpost is now an Elder Worm
volcano that some monsters liked but others base. It doesn’t really have the right forces and
avoided most of the time. Most Bureau 17 person- firepower to dig out an entrenched Elder Worm
nel regarded a posting to the outpost at Echinocos force — particularly one led by the Slug! — but it’s
Shore — a name chosen because of the discovery hoping to recruit the help of some superheroes.
of some highly unusual species of worms living in VIPER hasn’t been so hesitant, however. Eager
that area — as an easy assignment. to get its hands on whatever the Slug was after before
And so it was for about a decade, but things he did, the snakes moved a couple squads of agents
changed in 1998 when the Slug happened to pass into the area and began their own digs, precipitat-
near Monster Island and sensed the presence of ing a sporadic armed conflict with the Slug and his
potential Elder Worm artifacts. Never one to let people. The conflict worsened in recent weeks when
such things lie, he brought a group of his followers VIPER found a mysterious artifact, the Worm Orb,
to the island. They began searching and excavating that the Slug desperately wants.
in secret, working only at night and hiding during
the day in a cave. Every few months they’d dis-
cover something — never anything of importance, THE ELDER WORM
but enough for the Slug to keep them there.
The Elder Worm are an evil alien species
In 2008 the Slug’s faith was justified. His fol-
whose precise origins and history are largely
lowers discovered fragments of a Worm Gem sim-
unknown to mankind, and what is known isn’t
ilar to the Slug’s own. The Slug himself returned to
necessarily reliable or is subject to multiple inter-
Monster Island to take over the project. He real-
pretations. Apparently the Elder Worm have existed
ized he needed to expand the operation, and that
in the Milky Way Galaxy for eons; the Malvans tell
meant the Human observers at the outpost had to
stories of fighting an immense galactic war with
be eliminated. One stormy night the Elder Worm
them hundreds of thousands of years ago. Around a
attacked the Echinocos Shore base. So swift and
hundred thousand years ago they apparently came
powerful was the assault that the outpost didn’t
to Earth, where they enslaved much of Human-
even have the chance to call a warning or request
ity and in some way “interbred” with mankind so
for help into the main base.
that infinitesimal traces of Elder Worm biomate-
Instead of transforming his captives into
rial somehow secretly lurk within Human DNA
full Elder Worms, the Slug changed them into
even today. The Elder Worm are led by the Slug, a
Helminths, first-stage Elder Worms who retained
powerful villain who’s tried several times to trans-
enough human features — particularly their
form entire populations into Elder Worm. (See
tongues — that they could pass as human over
Conquerors, Killers, And
Crooks for the Slug’s original
character sheet, or Champi-
ons Universe: News Of The
World for his updated sheet
as of 2007; you can find
out more about the Elder
Worm in general from those
books and others, including
Hidden Lands, DEMON, and
Terran Empire.)
As their name sug-
gests, the Elder Worm have
annelidoid (worm-like)
bodies that are more flex-
ible than Human frames
(in game terms they all
have the Double-Jointed
Talent). They possess the
same senses as Humans, but
Monster Island n Chapter Nine 107
tate toward Echinocos Shore as a result; others find

HELMINTHS it uncomfortable and tend to avoid the region. The
Elder Worm have also created small mounds of what
“Helminth” is the Elder Worm term for Humans UNTIL called “Elder Worm humus” in which they
whom the Slug has only partly Transformed into
apparently intend to grow alien plants.
Elder Worms using his Talisman. A helminth looks
like a cross between an Elder Worm and a Human
The minds of Slug and other Elder Worms
— his body has begun to take on most Elder Worm count as “Alien” for purposes of Mental Powers.
characteristics, but he still has a mouth (and can However, Mental Powers that only affect Human
speak), lacks Elder Worm telepathy and Vulner- minds can affect Elder Worm minds at half power.
ability, and doesn’t require a humidity suit to exist in Similarly, Elder Worm Mental Powers can only
Earth climates (though he finds anything other than affect Human minds at half power.
a tropical climate uncomfortable to some degree, and The Slug’s purpose in bringing his people to
often wears a humidity suit anyway). Monster Island is to search for ancient artifacts of
A helminth can be “cured” — Transformed back his people — weapons, enchanted items, and devices
into an ordinary Human — by taking the Slug’s left behind when the Elder Worm were driven from
Worm-Gem, or more likely a fragment of one Earth millennia ago. Some were cleverly hidden by
(such as many of the Elder Worm on Monster the Elder Worm before they departed; others were
Island carry), and applying it to the victim’s fore- lost, fragmented, or destroyed. The Slug already
head for one minute. Using the Slug’s Talisman
possesses several, such as his Worm-Gem and Talis-
has the same effect, but it only has to be applied
for 1 Turn (12 seconds). Otherwise the only way
man of the Elder Worm, but he’s always eager for
to counter the effects of the Slug’s power is to get more. He believes that somewhere out there lies an
him to reverse it voluntarily (highly unlikely) or to Elder Worm super-weapon he can use to subjugate
use similarly powerful magic spells. Humanity. So far mostly all he’s found on Monster
Island are fragments and scraps. Many of his fol-
lack mouths, instead communicating telepathically. lowers carry tiny pieces of a Worm-Gem that was
(Helminths — Humans transformed into first-stage broken here, regarding them as good luck charms;
Elder Worms as the result of the Slug’s powers — unbeknownst to them a fragment can restore a
still speak in recognizable Human voices.) They’re Helminth to fully Human if applied to its forehead.
native to a climate that’s much warmer and humid The only intact artifact that’s been found here so far
than Earth’s (except perhaps for the most tropical, was actually found by VIPER. It’s a Worm Orb of
swampy regions). Exposure to Earth’s atmosphere unknown powers (see below), and the Slug would do
(particularly the drier and/or colder regions) causes nearly anything to get his hands on it. Unfortunately
them pain that leads to injury and eventually death. VIPER’s protecting it too well for him to steal or take
To get around this, they wear special armored by force... but he’ll find a way to acquire it.
“humidity suits” that recreate the sort of environ-
ment they prefer (though even a humidity suit can’t
protect against truly intense heat, such as inside the
Elder Worm Personnel
volcano). In their Monster Island lairs and territory Here are character sheets for the main types
they also use “vaporative humidiator” machines that of Elder Worm on Monster Island. The Slug can
make the climate hotter and wetter; these look like bring reinforcements if necessary, though his
cross-shaped towers about twice the size of a man number of Elder Worm followers is very limited
that pump steam into the air (they’re DEF 8, BODY most of the time and he’s reluctant to devote too
15). Some of the giant monsters like this and gravi- many of them to any one project.
ELDER WORM ACOLYTE Common, Total)

Val Char Cost Roll Notes 10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Fire/Heat
10 STR 0 11- Lift 100 kg; 2d6 [1] attacks (Common)
14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5 10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Magic
13 CON 6 12- attacks (Common)
12 BODY 4 11- 5 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Ice/Cold
15 INT 5 12- PER Roll 12- attacks (Uncommon)
18 EGO 16 13- ECV: 6 63 Experience Points
15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6 Total Disadvantage Points: 368
4 COM -3 10-
Description: Elder Worm Acolytes have worm-like
3 PD 1 Total: 11 PD (8 rPD) heads (similar to the bodies of Initiates; see below)
3 ED 0 Total: 11 ED (8 rED) atop humanoid bodies. Their humidity suits
4 SPD 16 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 are typically orange-ish, reddish, or golden-ish,
8 REC 6 making it easy to distinguish them from the grey-
40 END 7 suited Aspirants (who are also taller). Higher-
24 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 75 ranking Acolytes wear white or black suits with
red and gold highlights.
Tunneling: 6”/12” Powers/Tactics: Elder Worm Acolytes attack with
a mental blast that’s particularly effective if two or
Cost Powers END more of them focus on a single target (which they
50 Mind-Writhings: Ego Attack 4d6, can easily do thanks to being in telepathic contact).
Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) 2 However, they typically play a support role in combat
20 Spells Of Protection: Elemental rather than a fighting role. They use their Spells Of
Control, 40-point powers Protection and Balm Of The Worm to protect other
25 1) Augment Protection: Succor PD and Elder Worms and heal them when they suffer injury.
ED 4d6, two Characteristics at once (+½), Elder Worm Aspirants and Warriors often fight
Limited Range (12”; +¼), Reduced fiercely to protect Acolytes if anyone threatens them.
40 2) Protective Barrier: Force Wall ELDER WORM RIFTKEEPERS
(10 PD/10 ED, up to 5” long and 2” tall) 6 Some Acolytes are specially trained to open
40 Balm Of The Worm: Simplified Healing extra-dimensional portals and deal with beings
4d6; Only Works On Elder Worms (-0) 4 beyond Earth’s realm. Known as Riftkeepers, on
45 Voice Of The Worm: Telepathy 4d6 Monster Island they primarily work at keeping the
(Alien and Human classes of mind), Qliphothic Portal (see below) stable and open...
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 and making sure nothing comes through that the
30 Path Of The Worm: Tunneling 6” Slug doesn’t want to come through. They wear
through 6 DEF material 3 grey-white humidity suits with blue highlights.
16 Humidity Suit: Armor (8 PD/8 ED);
OIF (-½) 0
27 Humidity Suit: Life Support: Total (except
for Safe Environments: High Radiation,
Intense Heat); OIF (-½) 0
Talents
4 Double-Jointed
Skills
3 Stealth 12-
3 Teamwork 12-
Total Cost: 368
200+ Disadvantages
0 Dependence: must remain in an environ-
ment of at least tropical jungle/swamp
humidity, or suffer 1d6 damage per 6 hours
(Very Common)
20 Distinctive Features: Elder Worm body
(Not Concealable; Always Noticed, Causes
Major Reaction [fear/disgust])
15 Physical Limitation: Mute (All The Time,
Slightly Impairing)
25 Psychological Limitation: Must Destroy/
Enslave Humanity And Cleanse The Earth
For The Return Of The Elder Worm (Very
ELDER WORM ASPIRANT 200+ Disadvantages

Val Char Cost Roll Notes 0 Dependence: must remain in an environ-
15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1] ment of at least tropical jungle/swamp
17 DEX 21 12- OCV: 6/DCV: 6 humidity, or suffer 1d6 damage per 6 hours
16 CON 12 12- (Very Common)
14 BODY 8 12- 20 Distinctive Features: Elder Worm body
13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12- (Not Concealable; Always Noticed, Causes
12 EGO 4 11- ECV: 4 Major Reaction [fear/disgust])
15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6 20 Hunted: UNTIL 8- (Mo Pow, NCI,
4 COM -3 10- Capture)
5 PD 2 Total: 14 PD (9 rPD) Slightly Impairing)
5 ED 2 Total: 14 ED (9 rED) 25 Psychological Limitation: Must Destroy/
4 SPD 13 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 Enslave Humanity And Cleanse The Earth
6 REC 0 For The Return Of The Elder Worm (Very
32 END 0 Common, Total)
30 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 72 10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Fire/Heat
Movement: Running: 6”/12” attacks (Common)
Tunneling: 6”/12” 10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Magic
attacks (Common)
Cost Powers END 5 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Ice/Cold
90 Ego Blades: Ego Attack 3d6, Autofire attacks (Uncommon)
(2 shots; +1¼), Alternate Combat Value 2 Experience Points
(uses OCV instead of OECV; +¼),
Reduced Endurance (½ END; +½) 3
7 Fighting Skill: HA +2d6; Hand-To-Hand Description: An Elder Worm Aspirant is a
Attack (-½) 1 fighter in training — a junior Warrior (see
45 Voice Of The Worm: Telepathy 4d6 (Alien below), if you will. They have two small Ego
and Human classes of mind), Reduced Blades wielded in tandem instead of a Warrior’s
Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 single large Blade, wear lighter armor, and lack
30 Path Of The Worm: Tunneling 6” through Warriors’ telekinetic powers. They wear grey or
6 DEF material 3 grey-white humidity suits and are taller than
18 Humidity Suit: Armor (9 PD/9 ED); most types of Elder Worm.
OIF (-½) 0
27 Humidity Suit: Life Support: Total
(except for Safe Environments: High
Radiation, Intense Heat); OIF (-½) 0
Talents
4 Double-Jointed
Skills
4 +2 OCV with Ego Blades
3 Climbing 12-
3 Stealth 12-
1 Tactics 8-
3 Teamwork 12-
Total Cost: 307
ELDER WORM WARRIOR Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0

Val Char Cost Roll Notes 35 Path Of The Worm: Tunneling 7”
20 STR 10 13- Lift 400 kg; 4d6 [2] through 7 DEF material 3
20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7 24 Humidity Suit: Armor (12 PD/12 ED);
20 CON 20 13- OIF (-½) 0
18 BODY 16 13- 27 Humidity Suit: Life Support: Total
13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12- (except for Safe Environments: High
14 EGO 8 12- ECV: 5 Radiation, Intense Heat); OIF (-½) 0
20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6 Talents
4 COM -3 10- 4 Double-Jointed
8 PD 4 Total: 16 PD (12 rPD) Skills
8 ED 4 Total: 16 ED (12 rED) 8 +1 with All Combat
4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 6 +3 OCV with Ego Blade
8 REC 0
40 END 0 3 Climbing 13-
40 STUN 2 Total Characteristics Cost: 114 3 Stealth 13-
3 Tactics 12-
Movement: Running: 6”/12” 3 Teamwork 13-
Tunneling: 7”/14”
Cost Powers END Total Cost: 517
120 Ego Blade: Ego Attack 8d6, Alternate
200+ Disadvantages
Combat Value (uses OCV instead of OECV;
+¼), Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) 5
20 Telekinetic Might: Elemental Control,
40-point powers
(Very Common)
25 1) Telekinesis: Telekinesis (30 STR) 4
20 2) Telekinetic Blast: Energy Blast 8d6 4
50 3) Telekinetic Wave: Energy Blast 8d6,
Area Of Effect (10” Cone; +1), Double
Knockback (+¾), Reduced Endurance
(½ END; +¼); Extra Time (Extra Segment;
Slightly Impairing)
-½), No Range (-½) 5
25 Psychological Limitation: Must Destroy/
7 Fighting Skill: HA +2d6; Hand-To-Hand
Enslave Humanity And Cleanse The Earth
Attack (-½) 1
For The Return Of The Elder Worm (Very
45 Voice Of The Worm: Telepathy 4d6
Common, Total)
(Alien and Human classes of mind),
10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Fire/Heat ELDER WORM INITIATE

attacks (Common) Val Char Cost Roll Notes
10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Magic 10 STR 0 11- Lift 100 kg; 2d6 [1]
attacks (Common) 15 DEX 15 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
5 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Ice/Cold 14 CON 8 12-
attacks (Uncommon) 12 BODY 4 11-
257 Experience Points 18 INT 8 13- PER Roll 13-
Total Disadvantage Points: 517 15 EGO 10 12- ECV: 5
Description: An Elder Worm Warrior is a highly-
4 COM -3 10-
skilled fighter. He wields a single Ego Blade. He’s
taller and heavier than other Elder Worms, and 3 PD 1 Total: 9 PD (6 rPD)
wears a grey-white humidity suits with gold high- 3 ED 0 Total: 9 ED (6 rED)
lights. 4 SPD 15 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
Powers/Tactics: Besides being strong and tough, 8 REC 6
an Elder Worm Warrior has two main forms of 40 END 6
attack. The first is his Ego Blade, a large single 24 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 75
“sword” that he can strike with in HTH Combat. Movement: Running: 6”/12”
The second is his telekinetic powers, which he Tunneling: 6”/12”
can use to grab or blast a single target or can
unleash in a “telekinetic wave” to smash into Cost Powers END
multiple foes, knocking them away from him. 60 Dark Magics: Multipower, 60-point reserve
(It takes an Extra Segment for the wave to build, 5u 1) Darkblast: Energy Blast 10d6 5
giving potential victims a chance to leave the 6u 2) Dark Explosion: Energy Blast 8d6,
targeted area or try to stop the attack.). Mul- Explosion (+½) 6
tiple Warriors often try to aim their waves to 45 Voice Of The Worm: Telepathy 4d6
either overlap or fit together to cover a lot of the (Alien and Human classes of mind),
battlefield. Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0
30 Path Of The Worm: Tunneling 6”
ELDER WORM MEGADRILES through 6 DEF material 3
A Megadrile is an Elder Worm term for a par- 12 Humidity Suit: Armor (6 PD/6 ED);
ticularly powerful form of Warrior who’s usually OIF (-½) 0
assigned to guard important persons or targets 27 Humidity Suit: Life Support: Total
(such as the humidiator machines and humus (except for Safe Environments: High
piles on Monster Island). They’re like Warriors but Radiation, Intense Heat); OIF (-½) 0
with +5 STR, +2 CON, +2 PD, and +2 ED. Their
Talents
humidity suits are black and white.
4 Double-Jointed
Skills
2 KS: Arcane And Occult Lore 11-
2 KS: Elder Worm History And Lore 11-
3 Power: Elder Worm Magics 13-
3 Stealth 12-
Total Cost: 274
200+ Disadvantages
(Very Common)
Slightly Impairing)
25 Psychological Limitation: Must Destroy/ ELDER WORM SORCERER

Enslave Humanity And Cleanse The Earth Val Char Cost Roll Notes
For The Return Of The Elder Worm (Very 10 STR 0 11- Lift 100 kg; 2d6 [1]
Common, Total) 18 DEX 24 13- OCV: 6/DCV: 6
10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Fire/Heat 18 CON 16 13-
attacks (Common) 12 BODY 4 11-
10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Magic 20 INT 10 13- PER Roll 13-
attacks (Common) 20 EGO 20 13- ECV: 7
5 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Ice/Cold 20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6
attacks (Uncommon) 4 COM -3 10-
Description: While many alien civilizations are 4 ED 0 Total: 11 ED (7 rED)
based entirely on technology, the Elder Worm 4 SPD 12 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
have always used magic as much as science (in 10 REC 8
fact, in some ways the two are indistinguishable 50 END 7
in Elder Worm society). An Initiate is an Elder 30 STUN 4 Total Characteristics Cost: 114
Worm who’s training to become an accomplished
sorcerer — an apprentice, so to speak. They wear Movement: Running: 6”/12”
humidity suits in a variety of colors: grey with Tunneling: 6”/12”
green highlights; blue; purple; light orange. Cost Powers END
Powers/Tactics: Elder Worm Initiates only know 100 Dark Magics: Multipower, 100-point
two spells: a Darkblast of shadowy, destructive reserve
energy; and a Dark Explosion that unleashes 6u 1) Darkblast: Energy Blast 12d6 6
that same energy over an area. They also have a 7u 2) Dark Explosion: Energy Blast 10d6,
basic knowledge of Elder Worm mysticism, and Explosion (+½) 7
if the GM wants can make a Power: Elder Worm 8u 3) Call Of The Worm: Summon one
Magics Skill Roll at -1 to come up with other, 196-point Mindworm, Slavishly Loyal (+1) 8
very weak, spells (no more than 5 Active Points) 1u 4) Horror Of The Worm: +30 PRE; Costs
when necessary. Endurance (-½), Only For Fear-/
Intimidation-Based Presence Attacks (-1) 3
6u 5) Psionic Assault: Ego Attack 6d6 6
7u 6) Psionic Apocalypse: Ego Attack 4d6, Area
Of Effect (10”; +1¼), Personal
Immunity (+¼); No Range (-½) 10
45 Voice Of The Worm: Telepathy 4d6
(Alien and Human classes of mind),
30 Path Of The Worm: Tunneling 6”
through 6 DEF material 3
14 Humidity Suit: Armor (7 PD/7 ED);
OIF (-½) 0
27 Humidity Suit: Life Support: Total (except
for Safe Environments: High Radiation,
Intense Heat); OIF (-½) 0
Talents
4 Double-Jointed
Skills
2 Cryptography 13-; Translation Only (-½)
3 Interrogation 13-
2 KS: Arcane And Occult Lore 13-
2 KS: Elder Worm History And Lore 13-
5 Power: Elder Worm Magics 14-
3 Stealth 13-
Total Cost: 386
200+ Disadvantages
(Very Common)
Major Reaction [fear/disgust]) Powers/Tactics: Elder Worm Sorcerers are well-

20 Hunted: UNTIL 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Capture) versed in Elder Worm magics. Their standard spells
15 Physical Limitation: Mute (All The Time, include a Darkblast and Dark Explosion (like those
Slightly Impairing) of Initiates), the ability to “summon” Mindworms
25 Psychological Limitation: Must Destroy/ (see below), and a “Psionic Apocalypse” spell that
Enslave Humanity And Cleanse The Earth causes intense mental pain to everyone around them
For The Return Of The Elder Worm (Very (for game purposes, assume that other Elder Worms
Common, Total) are immune to this).
10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Fire/Heat Sorcerers’ knowledge and understanding of
attacks (Common) Elder Worm wizardry allows them to use their
10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Magic Power Skill to create better spells “on the fly”
attacks (Common) than Initiates. They can create spells with up to
5 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Ice/Cold 30 Active Points, but suffer a -1 penalty to the
attacks (Uncommon) Skill Roll per 10 Active Points. Alternately, you
81 Experience Points can simply give them more spells (more slots in
Total Disadvantage Points: 386 their Multipowers). Use the spells from The Mystic
World, but change the special effects to make them
Description: This character sheet represents the typi- creepier, more sinister, more horrifying. An Elder
cal Elder Worm sorcerer on Monster Island. Sorcer- Worm spell shouldn’t look or “feel” like an equiva-
ers, sometimes also known as Priests, typically wear lent Human spell.
reddish humidity suits with gold highlights.
ANNELID HORROR Skills

Val Char Cost Roll Notes 15 +3 HTH
25 STR 15 14- Lift 800 kg; 5d6 [2] 3 Stealth 12-
18 DEX 24 13- OCV: 6/DCV: 6
20 CON 20 13-
Total Cost: 279
18 BODY 16 13-
8 INT -2 11- PER Roll 11- 75+ Disadvantages
5 EGO -10 10- ECV: 2 15 Physical Limitation: Animal Intelligence
20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6 (Frequently, Greatly Impairing)
4 COM -3 10- 15 Physical Limitation: Poor Eyesight, suffers
-2 to all Sight PER Rolls (Frequently, Greatly
Impairing)
10 Physical Limitation: Reduced Leap, cannot
3 SPD 2 Phases: 4, 8, 12
leap (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)
9 REC 0
40 END 0
5 Physical Limitation: Large (4m; -2 DCV,
Movement: Running: 7”/14” +2 to PER Rolls to perceive) (Infrequently,
Leaping: 0”/0” Slightly Impairing)
Tunneling: 5”/10” 144 Experience Points
Cost Powers END Total Disadvantage Points: 279
22 Bite: HKA 1d6 (1d6+1 with STR), Description: Annelid Horrors are monstrous, horrify-
Armor Piercing (+½) 2 ing, alien worms that the Elder Worm keep as “pets.”
7 Thrash: HA +2d6; Hand-To-Hand They use them as guardian animals, hunting “dogs,”
Attack (-½) 1 beasts of battle, and the like. They’re six to eight
26 Acidic Spittle: RKA 1d6, Continuous foot-long worm-like creatures with smooth brown
(+1), Penetrating (+½), Uncontrolled skin. At the “top” of a Horror’s body is a four-fanged
(see text; +½); Limited Range (8”; -¼), mouth that can deliver vicious bites.
8 Charges (-½) [8]
Powers/Tactics: Annelid Horrors are vicious fight-
43 Spit Poison Gas Cloud: Energy Blast 6d6,
ers. Besides using their sharp teeth to inflict savage
NND (defense is Life Support [Self-
wounds, they can thrash and bash their foes.
Contained Breathing or appropriate
Even worse, they can spit gouts of acid (see page
Immunity]; +1), Area Of Effect (One
47 for rules on how acid attacks work) or clouds
Hex; +½); Limited Range (8”; -¼),
of poison. They often use their ability to burrow
8 Charges (-½) [8]
through the earth, and to attack by sensing vibra-
6 Leathery Skin: Damage Resistance
tions, to ambush opponents from below. Another
(6 PD/6 ED) 0
favorite tactic is to perform a Grab by wrapping
2 Surprisingly Swift: Running +1” (7” total) 1
its body around a target, then biting the helpless
17 Rock-Eating Acidic Secretions: Tunneling
victim (or even combining the Grab-bite into a
5” through DEF 5 materials; Only
multiple-Power attack). If necessary an Annelid
Through Earth/Rock (-½) 2
Horror can lunge, projecting the forward part of
6 Worm Senses: +2 PER with all Sense
its body 2” toward its prey.
Groups except Sight Group 0
35 Sense Vibrations: Detect Physical MINDWORMS
Vibrations 11- (Touch Group), Mindworms are semi-illusory Annelid Hor-
Discriminatory, Analyze, Range, Targeting 0 rors “conjured” by Elder Worm Sorcerers to attack
5 Lunge: Stretching 2”; Instant (-½), their foes. Use the same character sheet, but with-
Always Direct (-¼), No Noncombat out the Acidic Spittle, Spit Poison Gas Cloud, or
Stretching (-¼) 1 Tunneling powers (total cost: 196 points).
GEOGRAPHY THE SPIRIT OF

Echinocos Shore is a region with two dis- MICHAEL PERKINS
tinct parts. The eastern half is mountainous and
rocky, with streams of lava flowing down from the The Slug was once Michael Perkins, an intrepid
volcano’s cone and large spars of rock that belch young archaeologist whose eagerness led him just
greenish volcanic gas into the atmosphere. The a bit too far in pursuit of a find and got him trans-
formed into the leader of the Elder Worm. For
Lemurians sometimes intrude into this area in
all intents and purposes Perkins’s spirit was dead,
search of ruins and artifacts and have to be beaten wholly subjugated beneath the Slug’s powerful Elder
back by Elder Worm forces. Worm self for decades... until the Slug came to Mon-
The western half of the Shore, protected ster Island.
from lava flows by the shape of the mountains,
Something about the island — no doubt some effect
slopes gently down to the beach and is covered created by either the Worm-Orb VIPER found, or
with jungle. VIPER roams throughout this area in some artifact that as yet remains hidden — has
search of Elder Worm artifacts and often clashes affected the Slug, though he’s not aware of it yet. It’s
with the Elder Worm. freed Perkins’s spirit, allowing it to manifest on the
island. Taking the form of a glowing depiction of his
THE QLIPHOTHIC PORTAL former body, Perkins will appear to any superheroes
Up the volcano near the northernmost or authorities who come near him, asking them to
lava flow the Slug’s followers have established a take the steps necessary to free him from the Slug
mystic portal into the Qliphothic realms from once and forever. Just what effect this will have
which the Elder Worm gods come. The portal on the Slug, or on whatever remains of Perkins, is
consists of two large pillars that Elder Worm unknown... but he’s willing to take the chance.
sorcerers have infused with mystical power, cre-
ating a “gateway” between them that looks like a Using the portal requires 6 Segments of
ball of white-pink energy. Activating the portal concentration. It leads into an area that to
requires one of the Worm Gem fragments found Human eyes seems to be a cave. In effect it’s an
on the island. extrusion of Earth’s reality into the Qliphothic
realms so that beings from Earth can safely deeper into the earth via a series of stairs. The
enter those realms and semi-directly “commune” Slug believes they were once part of some sort of
with certain Qliphothic entities. The Slug, who processional, since the first two rooms — column-
spends a lot of time in the “cave,” often does just filled chambers with causeways over pools of
that. Any PCs who pass through the portal has lava — don’t seem to serve any practical purpose
to fight him if he’s there (and potentially any other to impress one with the glory and power of
Qliphothic entities he’s “communing” with or the Elder Worm. The walls are carved with scenes
who’ve been attracted to the portal’s energy). out of Elder Worm theology and legend, scenes
There’s no way to get away from him in the small that Humans find horrifying and repugnant (when
area (other than returning through the portal, they can understand them at all).
but that requires 6 Segments of concentration) The final chamber, and a dead end to the
and he’ll be enraged at the presence of “mouthed Temple so far, is a roughly T-shaped room. The far
ones” in such a sacred place. end of the room rises up a ramp, and on that final
The Sacrifices “platform” the Slug himself can often be found,
Not far from the portal, on the other side of holding sway over his people.
the lava flow, the Elder Worm are holding some Elder Worms are all over the Temple, search-
Humans captive — a mix of VIPER, Bureau 17, ing for artifacts, analyzing the carvings, and per-
and UNTIL personnel. Chained to large pillars, forming other tasks. Anyone who wants to get to
these unfortunates will soon become Helminths or the Slug will have to fight his way through a legion
food for the Elder Worm gods... unless some bold of Warriors, Sorcerers, and other Elder Worm.
heroes arrive in time to rescue them!
THE TEMPLE DR. TAKASHI’S NOTES
The Slug and his followers have located a When Bureau 17 had to abandon Echinocos Shores,
fragment of an Elder Worm temple — a mar- Dr. Takashi unfortunately left behind some valuable
velously intact find the Slug hopes will lead to notes. The Elder Worm have them now, though they
other important finds. So far it hasn’t, but the haven’t done anything with them... yet. Heroes who
search continues. stumble across them will earn Dr. Toru’s eternal grati-
The Temple consists of three rooms con- tude if they return them to him.
nected by corridors that descend deeper and
SNAKES ON Sorcerer, but no one else can. Even worse, con-

tinuing to experiment with it, try to use it, or gaze
ECHINOCOS SHORE into it gradually Transforms a person into an Elder
Worm! One of the Serpent Mages VIPER brought
Intrigued by the Slug’s interest in Echinocos to Monster Island to investigate the Orb is already
Shore, VIPER recently established a “staging showing signs of the transformation, much to the
area” to investigate the region and try to find disturbance and horror of his comrades. (In game
whatever he’s looking for. As luck would have terms, treat this as a Major Transform (1 point)
it, in the first few days VIPER dug up a better that affects the Body, Mind, and Soul all at once.
find than the Slug had made in all the years he’d It’s Triggered by any attempt to use the Orb, or
had followers on Monster Island: a Worm Orb, by studying the Orb for one full hour. The more
a large sphere of alien crystal enchanted with points of Transform the victim accumulates, the
various powers: more he begins to look, think, and act like an
Cost Power Elder Worm, though he himself won’t sense any-
62 Worm Orb: Multipower, 125-point reserve; thing unusual and will ignore comments to the
all OAF (-1) contrary. Once he’s half Transformed, the victim
6u 1) Voice Of The Worm: Mind Control 16d6, will forcibly resist any attempts to keep him from
Telepathic (+¼), Reduced Endurance (½ the Orb, or to take the Orb from him. For every
END; +¼); OAF (-1) day spent away from the Orb (i.e., no closer to it
5u 2) Psychic Maelstrom: Ego Attack 5d6, Area than 8”), the victim heals 1 BODY worth of Trans-
Of Effect (12”; +1¼), Personal Immunity form.)
(+¼); OAF (-1), No Range (-½) VIPER’s activities in Echinocos Shore have
125/50 brought it into conflict with the Slug. Furious
6u 3) Tendrils Of The Worm: Drain CON, that they would “invade” “his” territory, and
BODY, EGO, and STUN 4d6, four Char- even more enraged that they would dare to
acteristics simultaneously (+1), Delayed search for and lay hands on Elder Worm arti-
Return Rate (points return at the rate of 5 facts, he’s determined to drive them from the
per 20 Minutes; +¾), Limited Range (20”; area (and, later, take suitable revenge for this
+¼); OAF (-1) insult). More importantly, he wants the Worm
4u 4) Qliphothic Infusion: Major Transform Orb and any other Elder Worm objects VIPER
3d6 (sane person to person with the Psy- has acquired.
chological Limitation Utterly, Gibberingly Player characters who figure out what’s going
Insane [Very Common, Total]; heals back on may be able to use this animosity to their
through application of this power, or other advantage. Even if it doesn’t help them now, it may
powers specifically crafted to heal the come in handy later, since the Slug has a looooong
mind), BOECV (Mental Defense applies; memory.
+1), Works Against EGO, Not BODY (+¼), IN THE BELLY OF THE SERPENT
Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼); OAF Major Blixen (see below) has scored one
(-1), Limited Target (humans; -½) significant success against VIPER in Echinocos
VIPER has not yet figured out what the Orb Shore: she’s inserted a spy into their ranks.
can do or what it’s for — and it never will, since UNTIL agent Francois Simenon is posing as
the Orb is a Personal Focus for Elder Worms only. a VIPER agent and can help the PCs or other
The Slug could activate it, as could an Elder Worm UNTIL agents by providing them with informa-
tion, pointing them toward the most immediate Assisting Major Blixen is Sergeant Rudolph
threats, and so on. (For Simenon, use the Urban Donner, an American from Portland, Maine who
Division Agent template on page 171 of UNTIL: gets teased a lot by other agents for his long black
Defenders Of Freedom, but add the Intelligence hair. Strong and solid, he’s quiet and even shy
Corps and Undercover Agent Package Deals from compared to the more gregarious Major Blixen,
pages 67-68 of that book.) but he’s just as competent at his job. He secretly
dreams of being a superhero and takes every
opportunity to work with heroes, sometimes even
THE UNTIL PRESENCE sneaking after them to “help” when they get into
trouble during a battle.
UNTIL has assigned two agents to watch
Echinocos Shore and interfere with Elder Worm
activities as much as possible. The first is Major
Isak Blixen, a native of Denmark who’s held a
number of important assignments in UNTIL,
including head of the Capetown, South Africa
headquarters. She once lost a dozen men to one
of the Slug’s attacks, so when she heard he might
actually be on Monster Island she volunteered
for duty there in the hopes of getting the chance
to take him down for good. Contrary to UNTIL
doctrine and procedure she doesn’t just want to
capture him — she wants to kill him, and will
orchestrate events to ensure this outcome if pos-
sible. She’s not even particularly optimistic about
rescuing helminths. As far as she’s concerned,
someone who’s been so deeply tainted by the
Elder Worm can never truly be free of them, and
should be killed both to protect mankind and for
their own sake.
Aside from that one obsessive streak about
the Slug and his followers, Major Blixen is a model
UNTIL agent. Her reports are so well-prepared
they’re often used as examples in agent training
classes, she often speaks at agent gatherings, and
she’s keeping notes about her career experiences
so she can write a book when she retires. She’s
worked with superheroes on many occasions and
has generally learned to trust them... but also to
keep an eye on them.
Andrithal:
Outpost Of Lemuria
Chapter Ten
120  Andrithal: Outpost Of Lemuria Hero System 5th Edition Revised
ANDRITHAL
T
housands of years ago, when Andrith the of long-lost writings by Andrith himself that
Golden ruled over Lemuria and Lemurians detailed his greatest spell! Vikorin began study-
were the most powerful race on Earth (see ing them obsessively, seeking a way to undo
Hidden Lands), the region that has become Andrith’s work and thus become known as the
part of Monster Island housed one of Andrith’s greatest sorcerer in Lemurian history. Five years
many palaces. But Lemurian power ebbed, and the of painstaking work and experimentation fol-
Monster Island palace was lost to the centuries. lowed, but in 2007 Vikorin did it: he unravelled
Covered by volcanic eruptions, it eventually sank the effects of Andrith’s spell on one of the lesser
beneath the waves like Lemuria itself. nobles serving him, giving the man back his rep-
As described in Chapter One, in 1993, Lemu- tilianoid form and shapeshifting abilities (albeit
rian sorcerers from the House of Hyrg discovered the at the expense of his heightened longevity).
buried palace. Under the leadership of Vikorin the Since then Vikorin has “transformed” many
Blind, one of Hyrg’s most powerful sorcerers, a group of his people, who serve him faithfully out of
of Lemurians secretly traveled there to investigate. profound gratitude. But he continues to keep his
Vikorin, a wise and powerful Lemurian well-steeped work a secret from the Lemurian people because
in the lore of his people, hoped to find workbooks he has not yet perfected the process. He’s learned
and artifacts of Andrith himself... and perhaps the that a potion concocted from some of the unusual
long-lost spells and procedures with which he trans- herbs and plants on Monster Island can undo his
formed the Lemurian people, granting them longev- spell, restoring a Lemurian to human form with-
ity but locking them into human form. If he could out shapechanging powers... and what’s worse, no
study Andrith’s own workings, Vikorin thought longevity in exchange. Until he can figure out why
he might be able to find a way to reverse the spell, this happens and improve his spell to prevent it, he
restoring a Lemurian’s true reptilianoid form and doesn’t want to reveal his great project to anyone
shapechanging powers. other than the highest elders of House Hyrg.
Slowed by the need for secrecy and the Vikorin believes that the key to creating a
delicacy of the situation, it took two years for final, unbreakable, version of his new spell can be
the Lemurians to confirm that there were, in found in the Scroll Of Andrith, one of the ancient
fact, Lemurian ruins in and around the Monster sorcerer’s greatest writings. The Lemurians have
Island volcano. More Mole-Men and nobles were only found one scrap of the Scroll so far; Warlord
sent to work on the project, and by 1998 they Zarn (see below) keeps it on his person at all times
were unearthing artifacts. Most of what they for safekeeping in a special crystallos “envelope.”
found was of at best scholarly interest for a few Unbeknownst to the Lemurians, the commander
Lemurians interested in the ancient past, but in of the VIPER forces stationed nearby (see below)
2002 Vikorin’s seemingly hopeless dream came has another piece, and a third is in the hands of
true: his Mole-Men actually unearthed copies wretched castaway Hank Crusoe (see below). If
Monster Island n Chapter Ten 121
one person possessed all three sections, he could

put them together to create a complete manuscript
Lemurian Leaders
and gain access to the most profound Lemurian
occult lore (assuming he can read Lemurian). The VIKORIN THE BLIND
Scroll does contain the information Vikorin needs Val Char Cost Roll Notes
to finalize his spell. 10 STR 0 11- Lift 100 kg; 2d6 [1]
As if Lemurians able to change shape and 20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
pass as human weren’t a terrifying enough threat 20 CON 20 13-
to the world, in early 2008 the excavators on 10 BODY 0 11-
Monster Island found something worse — crystal- 25 INT 15 14- PER Roll 14-
line fragments onto which are etched the plans 20 EGO 20 13- ECV: 7
for the Lemurians’ greatest triumph and greatest 25 PRE 15 14- PRE Attack: 5d6
tragedy: the Mandragalore, the super-weapon that 12 COM 1 11-
sunk Lemuria beneath the sea. The Lemurians
have only found a few crystalline fragments so far, 6 PD 4 Total: 26 PD (20 rPD)
each with a tiny part of the complex plans for the 6 ED 2 Total: 26 ED (20 rED)
device, so they’re nowhere near being able to re- 5 SPD 20 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12
create it... but the fact that they now have any part 6 REC 0
of it is of great concern. Fortunately for them, no 40 END 0
one in the world knows about this. 30 STUN 5 Total Characteristics Cost: 132
LEMURIAN PERSONNEL

Flight: 12”/24”
Teleportation: 20”/40”
As is usual in their society, the Lemurians Cost Powers END
on Monster Island govern themselves through 60 Arcane Energies: Endurance Reserve
a strict hierarchy of authority. The leader of (200 END, 40 REC) 0
the expedition is Vikorin the Blind, a power- 75 Shadow Magics: Multipower, 75-point
ful and knowledgeable sorcerer. Serving him powers
as second-in-command is the Warlord Zarn, a 7u 1) Shadow Bolt: Energy Blast 14d6 7
mighty warrior (see Hidden Lands, page 140, for 7u 2) Shadow Maelstrom: Energy Blast
his character sheet). Ranked below them are the 10d6, Explosion (+½) 7
various noblemen accompanying the expedi- 6u 3) Burning Shadows: RKA 1d6, NND
tion, many of whom have been transformed into (defense is Power Defense; +1), Does
reptilianoid form by Vikorin’s new spell — the BODY (+1), Continuous (+1) 6
higher their rank as noblemen, the higher their 6u 4) Cold Shadows: Drain STUN 2d6,
rank as “true” Lemurians. And serving all of Ranged (+½), Delayed Return Rate
them are the Mole-Men, Lemuria’s unquestion- (points return at the rate of 5 per 5
ing, uncomplaining servant race. Minutes; +½), Continuous (+1) 6
Different Lemurians react to Vikorin’s spell 7u 5) Shadow Mask: Sight Group Flash
different ways. Just like some are stronger, smarter, 12d6, Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) 3
or faster in their human forms, as “true” Lemuri- 7u 6) Shadow Tendrils: Transfer 3d6 (target’s
ans they run the gamut of body types and associ- STUN to Vikorin’s STUN), Ranged (+½) 7
ated abilities. And sometimes the spell doesn’t 7u 7) Shadow Chains: Entangle 6d6, 6 DEF,
work as well as Vikorin intends, resulting in Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) 3
hideous “mutations,” partial reversions, and other 87 Invoked Shadows: Darkness to Sight
horrors. The victims of the spell gone awry are cast Group 7” radius, Reduced Endurance
out of Lemurian society and treated only a little (½ END; +¼) 3
better than the Mole-Men. 60 Lemurian Sorcery: Multipower,
If the PCs have Mental Powers, Lemurians 60-point reserve
count as the Alien class of minds. Although most 6u 1) Bolt Of Power: Energy Blast 12d6 6
of them look human, they’re not — they’re some- 6u 2) Iskari’s Invoked Iridescence: Sight
thing very, very different, as the reptilianoids on And Hearing Group Flash 7d6, Reduced
Monster Island prove. Endurance (0 END; +½) 0
6u 3) Choknaren’s Mental Chains: Mind
Control 12d6 6
5u 4) Sharnel’s Mechano-Mystic Enhancer:
Aid Lemurian Mechano-Mysticism 4d6,
any piece of Lemurian equipment one
at a time (+¼) 0
5u 5) Baudlier’s Warrior’s Boon: Aid STR, Background/History: Born into House Hyrg in the
DEX, or CON 4d6, any one of three Human year 1904, Vikorin was a small and often
Characteristics one at a time (+¼) 0 sickly child who gravitated toward books and
6u 6) Najiirn’s Blithering Idiocy: Suppress INT learning rather than physical games and contests.
9d6, Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) 2 As he grew older he became healthier and stron-
4u 7) Iskari’s Mantle Of Concealment: ger, and began training in Lemurian military skills
Invisibility to Sight Group, No Fringe, and playing games, reveling in the ability to do
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 easily what once had been so difficult. But in his
6u 8) The Mageroad: Teleportation 20”, newfound confidence he pushed himself too hard.
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0 While practicing his fencing with a live ignaetior
60 Mantle Of Mastery: Multipower, (Lemurian sword filled with the power of fiery
60-point reserve magic), he struck too hard, accidentally shattering
6u 1) Mantle Of Mastery I: Force Field the blade. His face and eyes were blasted by ignae-
(20 PD/20 ED), Reduced Endurance tium, blinding him. Lemurian magics eventually
(0 END; +½) 0 healed his face, but his eyes were beyond sorcery.
6u 2) Mantle Of Mastery II: Force Field Yet it was through sorcery that Vikorin found
(20 PD/20 ED/10 Mental Defense/ salvation. He returned to his studies with a will,
10 Power Defense) 6 using materials magically prepared for him by his
30 Winds Of The Zephirim: Flight 12”, instructors so he could read. In time he developed
Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) 1 his Senses Of Sorcery, which serve him in place of
30 Senses Of Sorcery: Spatial Awareness eyes (and in many ways are better than sight). He
(no Sense Group), Increased Arc Of became known for his magical skill, his compe-
Perception (360 Degrees), Telescopic tence, his learning, and his insight, and soon had
(+6 versus Range Modifier) 0 more responsibility within the House of Hyrg than
was usual for one of his young age. When word
Perks
reached the elders of the discovery on Monster
5 Fringe Benefit: Member of Lemurian
Island, they chose Vikorin as the best person to
Nobility
lead an expedition there.
Talents Personality/Motivation: Although he affects an
32 Danger Sense (immediate vicinity, any air of scholarly detachment coupled with a dry
danger, sense) 14- wit and willingness to make insightful jabs about
Skills almost anyone or anything, Vikorin is as ambi-
15 +3 with Ranged Attacks tious and eager for power as any Lemurian noble
6 +2 with Shadow Magics Multipower — in fact, moreso even than most of them. He
6 +2 with Lemurian Sorcery Multipower feels as if his “deformity” makes him the object
7 +2 DCV; Requires A Danger Sense Roll (-½) of mockery and scorn (though it does not, gener-
ally speaking), so he has to work twice as hard to
3 Conversation 14- achieve what comes easily to other Lemurians.
3 High Society 14- He’s learned to study carefully, evaluate closely,
3 Inventor 14- and strike ruthlessly.
3 KS: Lemurian History And Culture 14-
3 KS: Lemurian Arcane And Occult Lore 14- Quote: “Blind I may be, but for me blindness is not
3 Mechanics 14- a handicap, it is a tool. And for you, wrapped in
15 Power: Lemurian Sorcery 20- my shadows... it will be your death.”
3 Stealth 13- Powers/Tactics: Vikorin is an accomplished
2 WF: Common Melee Weapons Lemurian sorcerer who’s studied many types of
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 614 magic, but he specializes in spells of shadow and
Total Cost: 746 darkness. He enjoys “watching” others blunder
around in Darkness fields that don’t affect him at
200+ Disadvantages all, and the feel of leeching someone’s life-force
15 Hunted: various Lemurian Houses who into his own body. Shadow magics suit his person-
want to see him fail 8- (As Pow, NCI, Harm) ality quite well.
25 Physical Limitation: Blind (All The Time; In combat Vikorin prefers to stay in a posi-
Fully Impairing) tion of safety and assume a supporting role. He
15 Psychological Limitation: Ambitious And blinds foes with Invoked Shadows and Shadow
Powerhungry (Common, Strong) Mask, prevents them from moving with Shadow
5 Rivalry: Professional or Romantic, with Chains, and so on. Then he augments the war-
various other Lemurian nobles riors serving him with Baudlier’s Warrior’s Boon.
486 Experience Points After that he adjusts his tactics to compensate for
Total Disadvantage Points: 746 the flow of battle and his opponents’ abilities. His
Danger Sense often gives him an edge on his ene-
mies, allowing him to avoid attacks and anticipate
ambushes. Similarly, his Senses Of Sorcery make
it difficult to sneak up behind him, approach him
Invisibly, or the like.
Campaign Use: Vikorin should be a reason-

ably tough foe, but not one who takes on all
Lemurian Lieutenants
the PCs at once. He should have servants, war-
riors, and underlings to protect him and to fight LEMURIAN PROGENITOR
the PCs for him. If you think the PCs are too Val Char Cost Roll Notes
likely to overwhelm him, give him a Triggered 30 STR 20 15- Lift 1,600 kg; 6d6 [3]
long-range Teleportation spell or other way to 15 DEX 15 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
escape them, at least temporarily. He shouldn’t 20 CON 20 13-
necessarily get away for good every time, but he 13 BODY 6 12-
should be hard to trap. 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-
To make Vikorin tougher, give him more 10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
Lemurian Sorcery spells. See The Mystic World for 15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6
plenty of ideas; just rename the spells and tweak 6 COM -2 10-
the special effects to suit Lemurian sorcery. To
weaken him, reduce his Mantle Of Mastery Multi- 16 PD 10 Total: 20 PD (14 rPD)
power to a 45-point reserve and halve the REC of 12 ED 8 Total: 16 ED (12 rED)
his Endurance Reserve. 4 SPD 15 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
Vikorin generally doesn’t Hunt anyone 10 REC 0
unless ordered to, but he might make an excep- 40 END 0
tion for someone who angered him exceedingly. 40 STUN 2 Total Characteristics Cost: 99
In that case he’d use summoning rituals to call Movement: Running: 6”/12”
up Lemurian elementals and demons to serve as
his assassins. Cost Powers END
10 Claws: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1 with STR) 1
Appearance: Vikorin was once a tall, handsome, 5 Fangs: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1
Human-looking Lemurian. After subjecting him- 8 Magitech Clothing: Armor (4 PD/4 ED);
self to his own spell, he’s still tall, and as reptilian OIF (-½) 0
Lemurians go still handsome. His scaly skin is a 9 Reptilian Skin: Damage Resistance
deep golden shade, and he wears Lemurian mag- (10 PD/8 ED) 0
itech armor/clothes that go well with it, plus a 5 Reptilian Eyes: Nightvision 0
ceremonial headdress with a prominent crest. His 24 Shapechanging: Shape Shift (Sight, Hearing,
eyes are milky white, revealing his sightlessness. and Touch Sense Groups, any humanoid
COMMANDER ZARN shape), Imitate; Affects Body Only (-½)
Commander Zarn, also known as Warlord Perks
Zarn, is the highest-ranking Lemurian military var Fringe Benefit: Noble Rank
officer on Monster Island. You can find his full
character sheet on page140 of Hidden Lands, Skills
though since he’s undergone Vikorin’s ritual he’s 10 +2 HTH
transformed into his reptilian form and has his 3 Combat Piloting 12-
shapechanging powers back. Somewhat to his 3 High Society 12-
shame his reptilian form has a head-crest similar 4 AK: Lemuria 13-
to that of a Primordial (see below), but he’s power- 2 Language: English (fluent conversation;
ful enough that no one mocks him for it. He wears Lemurian is Native)
pink armor and has light ochre-colored skin with 2 PS: Noble 11-
darker mottling. 3 Stealth 12-
Briefly put, Zarn is the leader of Lemuria’s 2 WF: Lemurian Weapons
armies and a student of surface-world military 0 TF: Ornithopter
history, which is one reason he wanted to come Total Powers & Skills Cost: 90
to Monster Island: to have access to the surface Total Cost: 189
world, and perhaps learn more of it. But he’s also
here as a loyal servant of Emperor Arvad, to keep 200+ Disadvantages
an eye on things. Vikorin has to carefully conceal 15 Hunted: Lemurian nobility 14- (Mo Pow,
House Hyrg’s various plots against the Emperor NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Watching)
from him. 15 Psychological Limitation: Noble Arrogance
(Common, Strong)
Description: A “Progenitor” (a term used by LEMURIAN SORCERER

Bureau 17 and UNTIL, not the Lemurians them- Val Char Cost Roll Notes
selves) is a reptilianoid Lemurian whose body 15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1]
form runs to size, strength, and brawn. Some 15 DEX 15 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
Bureau 17 personnel simply call them “brutes.” 15 CON 10 12-
They have brown skin with yellow patches along 11 BODY 2 11-
the face and trunk. 15 INT 5 12- PER Roll 12-
Powers/Tactics: In combat Lemurian Progeni- 15 EGO 10 12- ECV: 5
tors tend to rely on their strength and tough- 15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6
ness. They have claws and fangs, but generally 6 COM -2 10-
consider it crude and barbaric to use them 10 PD 7 Total: 14 PD (7 rPD)
in battle unless they absolutely have to or get 10 ED 7 Total: 14 ED (7 rED)
caught up in a blood frenzy. They can also wield 4 SPD 15 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
the standard Lemurian weapons, such as the 10 REC 8
ignaetior and coruscator (see Hidden Lands), 60 END 15
operate Lemurian vehicles, and so on. 30 STUN 3 Total Characteristics Cost: 105
LEMURIAN VOLCANO GUARDS Movement: Running: 6”/12”
Some Lemurian Progenitors on Monster Flight: 12”/24”
Island have been “promoted” to the job of Volcano Teleportation: 20”/40”
Guard, which means they have special responsi-
bility for protecting the pathway up to the heart Cost Powers END
of Andrithal, the Ruins of Andrith, and the cer- 60 Lemurian Sorcery: Multipower, 60-point
emonial platform. They’re basically the same as reserve
regular Progenitors but have Armor (6 PD/6 ED) 6u 1) Bolt Of Power: Energy Blast 12d6 6
Magitech Harnesses. 6u 2) Iskari’s Invoked Iridescence: Sight
And Hearing Group Flash 7d6,
6u 3) Choknaren’s Mental Chains: Mind
Control 12d6 6
5u 4) Sharnel’s Mechano-Mystic Enhancer:
Aid Lemurian Mechano-Mysticism 4d6,
any piece of Lemurian equipment one
at a time (+¼) 0
5u 5) Baudlier’s Warrior’s Boon: Aid STR,
DEX, or CON 4d6, any one of three
Characteristics one at a time (+¼) 0
6u 6) Najiirn’s Blithering Idiocy: Suppress
INT 9d6, Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) 2
4u 7) Iskari’s Mantle Of Concealment:
Invisibility to Sight Group, No Fringe,
6u 8) The Mageroad: Teleportation 20”,
30 Mantle Of Mastery: Multipower,
30-point reserve
3u 1) Mantle Of Mastery I: Force Field
(10 PD/10 ED), Reduced Endurance
(0 END; +½) 0
3u 2) Mantle Of Mastery II: Force Field
(5 PD/5 ED/10 Mental Defense/10 Power
Defense) 3
30 Winds Of The Zephirim: Flight 12”,
Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) 1
5 Fangs: HKA 1 point (½d6 with STR) 1
8 Magitech Clothing: Armor (4 PD/4 ED);
OIF (-½) 0
3 Reptilian Skin: Damage Resistance
(3 PD/3 ED) 0
5 Reptilian Eyes: Nightvision 0
24 Shapechanging: Shape Shift (Sight, Hearing,
and Touch Sense Groups, any humanoid
shape), Imitate; Affects Body Only (-½) 4
Perks 3 Inventor 12-

var Fringe Benefit: Noble Rank 4 AK: Lemuria 13-
3 KS: Lemurian History And Culture 12-
Skills 3 KS: Lemurian Arcane And Occult Lore 12-
3 +1 with Lemurian Sorcery Multipower 2 Language: English (fluent conversation;
3 High Society 12- Lemurian is Native)
3 Mechanics12-
7 Power: Lemurian Sorcery 14-
2 PS: Noble 11-
3 Stealth 12-
Total Cost: 361
200+ Disadvantages
15 Hunted: Lemurian nobility 14- (Mo Pow,
NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Watching)
15 Psychological Limitation: Noble Arrogance
(Common, Strong)
Description: Some of the sorcerers serving under
Vikorin have subjected themselves to his spell.
They retain their ability to cast spells themselves
despite being transformed into reptilianoids.
They’re shorter and slighter than some other rep-
tilian Lemurians, and typically have skin colored a
sort of dirty tan-ochre and a comb on the back of
their heads. Their clothing is usually orange and
brown or purple and mauve.
Powers/Tactics: Sorcerers are weaker than Progeni-
tors and have tiny claws, so they rely on their spells
instead of their physical gifts in combat. They often
use Shape Shift, Invisibility, or other trickery to get
close to opponents before striking from surprise.
Lemurian Underlings 75+ Disadvantages

15 Enraged: if takes more than half his BODY
The following three types of Lemurians all in damage (Uncommon), go 11-, recover
result from partial or total failure of Vikorin’s 11-
transformation spell. The other Lemurians now 15 Hunted: Lemurian nobility 14- (Mo Pow,
use them as labor, guards, or cannon fodder. NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Watching)
Fortunately the victims’ minds are usually also 15 Psychological Limitation: Fierce And
affected, so they’re not really aware of their fall. Aggressive (Common, Strong)
DEVOLVED LEMURIAN
15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1] Description: A Devolved Lemurian is a former
16 DEX 18 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5 Lemurian nobleman who reacted very poorly to
18 CON 16 13- Vikorin’s spell. Short and weak, with reddish or
13 BODY 6 12- pinkish skin, he usually serves his former peers as
8 INT -2 11- PER Roll 11- a guardian and servant.
8 EGO -4 11- ECV: 3 Powers/Tactics: Despite being small, Devolved
15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6 Lemurians are aggressive and temperamental.
5 COM -2 10- They usually open combat with a charge or a leap
and then begin clawing and biting.
3 SPD 4 Phases: 4, 8, 12
7 REC 0
36 END 0
Cost Powers END
15 Claws: HKA 1d6 (2d6 with STR) 1
10 Fangs: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1 with STR) 1
8 Magitech Harness: Armor (4 PD/4 ED);
OIF (-½) 0
(6 PD/6 ED) 0
9 Bestial Mind: Mental Defense
(11 points total) 0
5 Reptilian Eyes: Nightvision 0
Skills
15 +3 HTH
3 Stealth 12-
Total Cost: 134
LEMURIAN INCHOATE PRIMORDIAL LEMURIAN

Val Char Cost Roll Notes Val Char Cost Roll Notes
20 STR 10 13- Lift 400 kg; 4d6 [2] 15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 [1]
15 DEX 15 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5 18 DEX 24 13- OCV: 6/DCV: 6
18 CON 16 13- 18 CON 16 13-
13 BODY 6 12- 15 BODY 10 12-
5 INT -5 10- PER Roll 10- 8 INT -2 11- PER Roll 11-
5 EGO -10 10- ECV: 2 8 EGO -4 11- ECV: 3
15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6 15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6
6 COM -2 10- 4 COM -3 10-
12 PD 8 Total: 12 PD (8 rPD) 12 PD 9 Total: 12 PD (8 rPD)
12 ED 8 Total: 12 ED (8 rED) 12 ED 8 Total: 12 ED (8 rED)
3 SPD 5 Phases: 4, 8, 12 3 SPD 2 Phases: 4, 8, 12
8 REC 0 7 REC 0
36 END 0 36 END 0
35 STUN 3 Total Characteristics Cost: 59 40 STUN 8 Total Characteristics Cost: 78
Movement: Running: 6”/12” Movement: Running: 9”/18”
Cost Powers END Cost Powers END
15 Claws: HKA 1d6 (2d6 with STR) 1 26 Acidic Spittle: RKA 1d6, Continuous
10 Fangs: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1 with STR) 1 (+1), Penetrating (+½), Uncontrolled
6 Reptilian Skin: Damage Resistance (see text; +½); Limited Range (8”; -¼),
(6 PD/6 ED) 0 8 Charges (-½) [8]
9 Bestial Mind: Mental Defense 10 Claws: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1 with STR) 1
(10 points total) 0 10 Fangs: HKA ½d6 (1d6+1 with STR) 1
5 Reptilian Eyes: Nightvision 0 8 Magitech Harness: Armor (4 PD/4 ED);
OIF (-½) 0
Skills
10 +2 HTH
(8 PD/8 ED) 0
10 +2 DCV
3 Stealth 12- 5 Reptilian Eyes: Nightvision 0
Total Powers & Skills Cost: 68 Skills
Total Cost: 127 6 +3 OCV with Acidic Spittle
75+ Disadvantages 10 +2 HTH
15 Hunted: Lemurian nobility 14- (Mo Pow, 3 Stealth 13-
15 Psychological Limitation: Fierce And
Total Cost: 170
Aggressive (Common, Strong)
22 Experience Points 75+ Disadvantages
Total Disadvantage Points: 127 15 Hunted: Lemurian nobility 14- (Mo Pow,
Description: A Lemurian Inchoate is, like the 15 Psychological Limitation: Fierce And
Devolved Lemurian, a nobleman who did not Aggressive (Common, Strong)
react well to Vikorin’s spell. Even more reptil- 65 Experience Points
ian than other transformed Lemurians, he’s only
a little over half human height and walks in a Total Disadvantage Points: 170
stooped-over pose. His scaly skin is mostly dark, Description: Sometimes Vikorin’s spell works
with lighter patches on the chest, shoulders, arms, even more strongly than intended and reverts
and face. the subject much further back evolutionarily,
Powers/Tactics: Lemurian Inchoates have short but so something more akin to the lizard-like form
powerful claws and fangs. They prefer to attack from from which the reptilianoid Lemurians evolved
surprise when possible, but in any event close with millions of years ago. Primordials are shorter
the enemy quickly to slash and bite him. than most reptilian Lemurians, with blue-ish,
grey-ish, or purple-ish skin (and usually match-
ing clothing/armor). They have a comb on the
top of their heads.
Powers/Tactics: Besides its claws and fangs, a
Lemurian Primordial has one vicious attack: it
can spit gouts of acid (see page 47 for rules on how
acid attacks work). Usually it spits acid on its foe
as quickly as possible, then uses its claws.
ANDRITHAL LEMURIAN DRILLING

GEOGRAPHY MACHINES
Located on the slopes of the Monster Island
The Lemurians have two or three “drilling
volcano, Andrithal is mostly rocky, dark, barren, machines” they use to help with their excavations
and hot. There are a few flat areas near the shore on Monster Island. They’re not useful as weapons
where plants and grass fitfully grow, but even these or attack vehicles, so they probably won’t come
areas have a sort of unpleasant ashy look and feel into play unless your heroes want to use them as
to them. “Streams” of lava run here and there in cover, or perhaps to pick them up and throw them
places, sometimes forming small “pools” or even at some Lemurians. If you need HERO System
filling entire chasms with fiery “lakes.” information for them, use the Mole-Machine on
page 149 of The HERO System Vehicle Sourcebook.
LAVA
Falling into lava is a danger in Andrithal, put it) to the expedition’s leaders. The outpost’s
parts of Echinocos Shores, and a few other areas commander reports to Vikorin the Blind as neces-
around Monster Island. A character immersed in sary, and sometimes to Warlord Zarn as well.
lava takes Killing Damage 4d6, Armor Piercing,
every Phase he remains in it. If only part of a char- THE CEREMONIAL PLATFORM
acter’s body suffers exposure — such as a hand or The true center of Lemurian activities in
a foot — use the Hit Location table to adjust the Andrithal is up the slopes of the volcano. A twist-
damage accordingly. ing, sometimes treacherous path winds its way
almost up to the very cone. Here and there it’s
THE COMMAND POST
marked with gigantic statues of Lemurians dating
AND THE DIGGINGS
to Andrith’s time.
The Lemurians have established several out- As one ascends the path, the first major area one
posts throughout the Andrithal area. In the flat comes to, along a side path, is a large stone pyramid-
area near the shore they have a “command post” like structure in the Lemurian style. Guards and
in an ancient Lemurian ruin. From here Lemurian other Lemurians perform various tasks in this area,
leaders keep an eye on VIPER and coordinate but the most important work takes place at the very
Lemurian activities. In particular they oversee top. There four Lemurian Sorcerers perform Viko-
the various excavation activities — the Lemurians rin’s ritual, transforming humanoid Lemurians into
have established three major and several minor their true reptilian forms.
dig sites, mostly around the large lava field in the
southern part of Andrithal. Any artifacts found
are carried to the command post for initial analy- The Andrith Ruins
sis, then sent “up the mountain” (as the Lemurians
The second area of importance, reached
by staying on the main path all the way to the
HANK CRUSOE top, is the Andrith Ruins — an area thought
by Vikorin and his sorcerers to be Andrith’s
Several years ago a wealthy human adventurer extremely well-preserved complex of labora-
named Hank Crusoe decided to fly to Monster tories and workrooms. It may be part of a far
Island despite the international prohibitions against
larger structure that’s still buried, but as yet the
doing so. Unfortunately for him, as his plane
was approaching the island he suffered a serious Lemurians lack the manpower to find out.
mechanical failure and crashed into the water. The approach to the Ruins is a large stone
bridge over a lava-filled volcanic chasm. Usually
Crusoe survived and washed ashore on Monster
at least a few Lemurians are walking across the
Island... right into Lemurian territory. The Lemu-
rians, who hate humans, have been toying with bridge as they run errands for their leaders... and
him ever since for malicious fun. They keep him at the far end, right at the cave entrance to the
from going to other parts of the island or commu- Ruins themselves, Warlord Zarn has established
nicating with anyone. They steal the few treasured his own small outpost/command center. Anyone
objects he salvaged from the wreck of his plane. who wants to get into the Ruins has to get through
And sometimes they turn creatures loose to chase him and his loyal followers.
him. Ironically, unknown to them Crusoe’s found The rest of the Ruins consists of several
and keeps with him a fragment of the legendary rooms seemingly organized into “sections”
Scroll of Andrith. Crusoe has no clue what it is; it’s or “sub-complexes” based on function. Many
just something he stumbled across one way while
Lemurians work and wander throughout all
exploring the parts of the island he’s allowed into,
and he stubbornly keeps it as a sort of souvenir these areas as they tend to the elemental sub-
and talisman. stances, perform their assigned tasks, search for
or analyze Lemurian artifacts, and so forth.
Crusoe’s been plotting and planning an escape from
Monster Island almost since the day he arrived, but A. THE ORNITHOPTHER HANGAR
none of his plans have ever worked out. With some
The first room beyond the entrance (which
help from your heroes, though, perhaps he can
finally make it back to civilization. apparently was once concealed by a long-vanished
waterfall) was once a hangar for Andrith’s orni-
thopters. When the Lemurians first broke into this ers tend to the plots, making sure the crystals grow
area using one of their drilling-machines (which large and strong, under the watchful eye of Unctor
is still there), it contained several ornithopters the Black-Handed. He’s a tall, particularly power-
of ancient make. They were so fragile that the ful Lemurian Sorcerer with purple-grey skin and a
vibrations caused by the drilling-machine caused magitech harness in purple, white, and mauve. (For
two of them to fall to pieces and damaged all Unctor, use the Lemurian Sorcerer character sheet,
the others. Despite valiant efforts the Lemurians but increase his Lemurian Sorcery Multipower’s
weren’t able to preserve any of them, though reserve to 75 points and make all slots correspond-
they’ve carefully saved the salvageable parts for ingly more powerful, and improve his Magitech Har-
shipment back to Lemuria. ness to Armor [8 PD/8 ED].)
To the side of the hangar is a small room (#3 11. The Kiln
on the map) that was once a room for working The Lemurians use this low-ceilinged
on ornithopter parts and assemblies. Although chamber to treat (and if necessary shape) the
smaller than the hangar itself, it’s got a higher ceil- harvested crystallos. They’ve cut 0.5-1.0 meter-
ing than most other rooms in the complex. Niches deep niches into the walls all around the perim-
and shelves carved directly into the stone line the eter of the room. Channels form an intricate
walls, though they no longer hold ornithopter pattern in the floor. These channels are nearly
parts and tools. 0.5 meters deep but only a few centimeters wide.
B. THE FULMINOR Lava feeds from the culvert (#7) into this room
EVAPORATORIUM via pipes. When the workers open the piples,
lava fills the channels in the floor. This heats the
Beyond the Hangar is a series of rooms that
low-ceilinged area and purifies the crystallos.
apparently are where Andrith once refined and
The doors to the Kiln are DEF 10, BODY 10 and
worked with the four Lemurian mystical sub-
reinforced against extreme heat (+4 DEF, Only
stances. The first workroom, the one next to the
Versus Fire/Heat); they open and close on coun-
Hangar, is the Fulminor Evaporatorium (area B
terweights due to their immense weight. Chains
on the map). Set into the floor are pits covered
on the right side of the door control the coun-
with heavy bronze grates. In the pits tiny crystals
terweight system; chains on the left side control
of ignaetium are combined with other materials.
the pipe system for the lava.
The mass combusts, releasing green fulminor gas,
which rises up through the grates and is captured D. CORUSQUA CONTAINMENT
by collectors set into the ceiling. Beyond the Kiln is a series of three rooms,
Running through the center of the room is two small and one large, arranged in a T forma-
a lava trench (#6) that runs down from a lava pit tion. Each of the rooms contains one or more large
(#9) in the Lava Pump Chamber (#8), which is vats (similar to Human eyes to the vats used to
where the Lemurians now tap the geothermal heat brew beer in microbreweries) mounted on metal-
of the volcano for power. The bottom of the trench lic plates. In the large room, which has multiple
is six meters (3”) below the floor of the Evaporato- vats, metal strips about as wide as a sidewalk con-
rium. The lava runs south through a nearly-filled nect the various metal plates. The vats are used to
culvert (#7) into the Forge Lava Pool (#19). Two distill corusqua by mixing ignaetium, water, and
small bridges (#5) cross the six foot (1”) wide other substances.
trench. The highly electric nature of corusqua
Overseeing fulminor creation for Vikorin is makes it dangerous for Humans to go near these
Yrvin of House Hyrg, whose reptilian transforma- vats. If a Human steps on a metal plates or strip,
tion has made him big and strong like a Progeni- or touches a vat, he suffers an Energy Blast 4d6,
tor. Use the Progenitor character sheet for him, NND (the defense is insulated Resistant ED or
but add +10 STR and +1 SPD. an ED Force Field/Force Wall) and is paralyzed
8-9. The Lava Pump Chamber for 1d6 Segments (treat this as an Entangle
As mentioned above, the Lemurians use this 4d6, 8 DEF, Takes No Damage From Attacks)
room to generate power. (Whether Andrith used Another character can knock a victim off the
it for the same purpose tens of thousands of years plate and end the paralysis immediately, though
ago is unknown, but considered likely.) The stone if he touches the plate himself he’ll become
railing around the lava pit seems sound, but is paralyzed in turn.
actually weakened from millennia of exposure to Near one of the support columns in the large
the heat of the lava. It only has DEF 3, BODY 3, Containment room is a control box. Characters
and so could easily break under impact, sending who spend 2 Phases studying the box and make a
someone falling into the deadly lava. Systems Operation roll at -1 (or an INT Roll at -4)
can figure out how to shut off all the vats, stopping
C. THE CRYSTALLOS KILN
corusqua production and making the metal plates
The next room, the Crystallos Kiln, is, like the safe to walk on. (Anyone paralyzed when this hap-
Evaporatorium, one large chamber. Here the Lemu- pens becomes unparalyzed immediately.)
rians create crystallos, which they use to manufacture Before the heroes can get to the control box
various goods. The large crystalline spars are “grown” they’ll have to fight their way past the Lemurians
in square plots on the floor of the chamber that look working here and their boss, who’s known simply as
to Human minds like small gardens. Lemurian work- the Hyrg Coruscator. A large, green-skinned Lemu-
rian, he guards the door leading to the final room The heat from the lava pool makes this room
that the Lemurians have excavated. (Use the Pro- uncomfortable for humans (reptilian Lemurians
genitor character sheet for him, but add +5 STR, +5 don’t mind it at all). Characters in this room take
CON, +5 PD, +5 ED, and +1 SPD.) 1d6 NND damage per Phase; the defense is Life
12. Containment Control Room Support (Safe Environment: Intense Heat).
Metal control consoles covered with buttons, 18-20. The Bronze Ziggurat
dials, switches, levers, and toggles fill this room; Dominating the center of the Forge is an
Lemurians use them to monitor and guide the enormous bronze ziggurat, its metal unchanged
flow of corusqua. One of the most prominent con- by the passage of time or exposure to the heat.
trols is a knife switch that can stop production, the Four elevated walkways with rails lead to the
same as the control box described above. ziggurat. The walkways are DEF 10, BODY 8;
15. The Entrance Ramp the rails along them are DEF 6, BODY 6; the
The broad entrance ramp leading up to the ziggurat as a whole is DEF 10, BODY 40.
Ignaetium Forge contains some intact Lemurian art- At the top of the ziggurat is a dais, and over-
work: ancient carvings of serpents and other reptiles. seeing the work in the Forge from the dais is Viko-
They’re not in very good condition, but many human rin the Blind, leader of the Lemurian expedition to
scholars would consider them fascinating. Monster Island (see above for his character sheet).
Serving him are numerous lesser Lemurians who’ll
E. THE IGNAETIUM FORGE fight to the death to protect him.
The final room in the ruins, thought by Viko-
rin to once have been part of one of Andrith’s
primary workrooms, is a large square chamber. VIPER In Andrithal
The walls are decorated with carved depictions The snakes over in Slither Beach aren’t the
of events from Lemurian legend done in the style type to leave their neighbors in peace if they think
of 40,000 years ago, but so well-preserved that it there’s something for VIPER to gain by meddling.
looks as if they were made yesterday. The ceiling is Having taken note of the extensive Lemurian
domed and apparently once could open to the sky, activities in the Andrithal region, VIPER decided
but tens of thousands of years of being buried in a to makes its own attempt to obtain anything
volcano have sealed it shut forever. valuable before the Lemurians did. Addition-
In the center of the Forge is a large, deep ally, VIPER’s Serpent-Mages have long wanted to
pool of lava (#19). Built onto grates (#14) at the obtain samples of ignaetium and the other Lemu-
four corners of the pool are Lemurian extrac- rian mystical substances — they’re eager to experi-
tion machines (#18) that process lava to remove ment with them and find ways to use their power
the tiny crystals of ignaetium in it, then combine to benefit VIPER.
those crystals into larger ones about the size of a With all that in mind, VIPER moved into
golf ball. The Lemurians store the ignaetium, spare Andrithal by taking over a former Bureau 17 base
parts for the extraction machines, and other useful there that’s located on a small dock. The base is a
objects in Rooms #21-#23. four-story building with several smaller buildings
surrounding it; VIPER keeps some half-filled ship- WF: Small Arms; Fringe Benefits: UNTIL Rank,
ping containers on the dock as well. (When a con- International Driver’s License, International Police
tainer is full, VIPER agents send it by ship back to Powers; International Weapons Permit; Well-Con-
Slither Beach; the Nest catalogues the contents and nected and 17 points of Contacts in Russia
forwards them on to other VIPER bases around 75+ Disadvantages: Distinctive Features: UNTIL
the world for thorough analysis.) Agents have Uniform (Easily Concealed; Noticed And Rec-
fortified the four-story building, sealing off all but ognizable); Hunted: UNTIL 8- (Mo Pow, NCI,
two entrances by welding steel over the doors and Watching); Social Limitation: Subject To Orders
windows and then cutting gun slits in the metal. (Frequently; Major)
VIPER has brought in two V-12 “Destructor”
Blaster Cannons (Energy Blast 20d6, 30 Boostable Notes: Born in Soviet Russia during the height of
Charges, range 750”) that it can use to fight off an the Cold War, Alexei Fyodorovich became a Rus-
assault. It typically keeps one on the ground floor sian seaman, like his father and his father’s father
and one on the top floor, but the Cannons are before him. He joined the USSR’s submarine ser-
portable and can be moved around as the base’s vice and played the deadly cat-and-mouse game of
commander (a Golden Viper Squad Leader named undersea surveillance and strategic planning with
Erich Kurtz) sees fit. the wily Americans. In 1985 he was given com-
Most of the VIPER agents in Andrithal stay mand of his own nuclear submarine.
on or near the dock, guarding their turf against But despite that he was dissatisfied. The Soviet
Lemurian attacks. But every day at least one or Union was crumbling, and Captain Fyodorovich
two Eight-Teams of agents head out into Andrithal had long since had his eyes opened to the inequal-
to scavenge for artifacts, attack and rob groups of ities and brutalities of the Communist government
Lemurians, and spy on the reptile-men. VIPER he’d once served so faithfully. It was almost a relief
hasn’t yet gotten its hands on any ignaetium, but it when the regime collapsted in the early Nineties.
has acquired more than a few intriguing Lemurian Wanting to do something better, more honorable,
artifacts. VIPER’s presence and activities enrage with his life than preside over the disintegration of
Vikorin and Zarn, but as yet they don’t have the the Soviet Navy, he joined UNTIL.
manpower to both maintain their diggings and His timing couldn’t have been better. UNTIL
experiments and to launch a proper assault on the was expanding its undersea activities and was
dock. However, the time is coming when Lemuria about to complete construction of NAUTILUS, its
will take a full measure of revenge against VIPER: mid-Atlantic base. The agent who’d been assigned
first, it will sweep the snakes off the dock; second, to lead the project and command the base had
it will recapture the relics taken from it; and third, been killed in a construction accident just two
it will punish VIPER for its folly in defying the months before. UNTIL replaced him with Fyo-
Undersea Empire. The repercussions of VIPER’s dorovich, who took control, led the project to a
actions in Andrithal could affect the Champions successful conclusion, and has been running it
Universe for years to come. efficiently ever since.
As the agent responsible for UNTIL’s under-
water activities, Commander Fyodorovich is
THE UNTIL PRESENCE acutely aware of the threat posed by Lemuria; he’s
clashed with Lemurian forces on several occasions
UNTIL has assigned a highly-capable agent aboard the Aegir and other UNTIL watercraft.
to monitor the activities in Andrithal: Com- In light of his knowledge, UNTIL temporarily
mander Alexei Fyodorovich, the commander of re-assigned him to find out what’s going on in
NAUTILUS, UNTIL’s undersea base (see UNTIL: Andrithal, and to put a stop to it if necessary.
Defenders Of Freedom, pages 126-27). Commander Fyodorovich has a few agents under
his command, a small stockpile of weapons and
COMMANDER ALEXEI FYODOROVICH gadgets, and an UNTIL mini-sub to get the job
1 0 STR 12 DEX 14 CON 11 BODY done... so he’d certainly welcome some help from
18 INT 14 EGO 20 PRE superheroes.
12 COM 5 PD 5 ED 3 SPD Fyodorovich is a tall white male with “high
6 REC 30 END 25 STUN and tight” reddish hair. He wears green “camo”
style pants and a sturdy shirt. Even when on land,
Abilities: Bureaucratics 13-; Combat Submarin- he maintains a soldier’s discipline in his appear-
ing 16-; Deduction 13-; Gambling (Card Games) ance and habits — every crease razor-sharp, his
8-; KS: Lemuria 8-; KS: The Military/Mercenary/ face always properly shaved, his manners Old
Espionage World 11-; KS: Naval History 11-; KS: World-impeccable. He has a definite charm to him
Soviet Navy 11-; KS: World Navies 13-; Riding 8-; and makes friends easily, although he can some-
Stealth 11-; Tactics 14-; TF: Submarines, SCUBA; times be gruff or prone to taking charge.
Monster Island 133
INDEX Elder Worm Initiate................. 111

Elder Worm Megadriles.......... 111
Los Angeles....................................8
M’Ling...........................................84
Revenger Droid............................33
Ruins of Andrith....................... 128
24 Pop...........................................11 Elder Worm Riftkeepers.......... 108 Maehata Hiromi....................26-27 Sakebu Mobile Sonic Cannon....39
Adder Technicians.......................64 Elder Worm Sorcerer............... 112 Mal Zver........................................88 Satellite surveillance....................13
Andrith................................ 12, 120 Elder Worm Warrior................ 110 Mandragalore...................... 12, 121 Scroll of Andrith..................120-21
Andrith Ruins........................... 128 Father Elk.....................................87 Manimal ambassador, the..........60 Sellers, Dr. Janice...................... 104
Andrithal..............................119-32 Fences, in the Wildlife Manimal resistance to Shonen no Kufu...........................31
Anglesey, Jason......................26-27 Preserve................................... 100 ARGENT................................. 101 Simenon, Francois.................... 117
Annelid Horror......................... 114 Feral Pens, the..............................81 Manimals................................75-80 Slither Beach..........................57-70
ARGENT....................... 12, 93-104 Feral Tangle............................85-92 Map of Monster Island..................6 Slug, the............................... 12, 106
ARGENT Combat Engineer......97 Force Drone..................................36 Mega-Terak............................. 8, 17 Stag-Man......................................80
ARGENT Handlers.....................99 Force-field, the.............................13 Microchip Man............................30 Strasky, Dr. Bohuslav...................70
ARGENT Neutralizer.................99 Foyodorovich, Commander MicroMan.......................................8 Strength-Serum...........................90
ARGENT Officer.........................96 Alexei....................................... 132 Mindworm................................ 114 Subarishii Gunkan.......................10
ARGENT Soldier.........................98 Frog-Man......................................79 Mitsura............................................8 Superpowers, Qularr...................44
Asako Morihiro...........................31 Fulminor Evaporatorium........ 130 Monster-Maker, the...............26-27 Tadataka, Nest Leader
Bear-Man......................................75 Furusaka Gonsai..........................30 Monsters.................................15-24 Yamamoto..................................58
Beast-Man Package Deal............86 Gadget Boy...................................31 Moore, Major George..................70 Takashi Toru........................ 30, 116
Beast-Men..............................75-80 Ganika...................................... 8, 16 Moreau, Doctor Technology, Bureau 17................38
Behemoth Battledroid.................34 Geography....................................14 Phillippe......................... 13, 72, 90 Technology, Qularr.....................53
Beijing.............................................8 Gokin............................................31 Names, Qularr.............................44 Teleiosaurs....................................21
Bioweapon Control Helmet Golden Viper Red Guard Neural Scrambler...................... 100 Teleiosaurus........................... 12, 20
(Qularr gadget)..........................53 Agent...........................................63 Neutralizer Grenade................. 100 Temple of the Elder Worm.115-16
Bird-Man......................................76 Golden Viper Scarlet Serpents...62 New Gornyj..................................86 Tokyo...............................................8
Blau, Dr. Guy................................70 Golden Viper Squad Leader.......60 New York City................................8 U Thant...........................................9
Blixen, Major Isak..................... 118 Guardian Droid...........................32 Occult Police, the.........................26 Ultrasonic Terranvigilator..........31
Boar-Man.....................................77 Harpco..........................................94 Okonkwo, Commander Unctor the Black-Handed....... 130
Boneyard, the...............................89 Hartwell, Roger............................95 Fulani..........................................92 UNTIL................ 10-13, 56, 70, 84,
Brother Whitehart...............101-02 Hawthorne, Charles............. 13, 94 Onslaught Battledroid.................35 ............................92, 103, 118, 132
Bureau 17......................9-13, 25-40 Helminths............................ 12, 107 Ornithopter Hangar................. 128 Urson.............................................60
Bureau 17 Monster Transport Hidden Tunnel, the.................. 103 Osaka.............................................11 V-EX-3 Time-Delayed Bomb....65
Vehicle........................................40 Hiru...............................................11 Overseer, the................................54 V-TT-1 Tartrapper Grenade......62
Bureau 18......................................26 History of Monster Island......8-13 Paris.................................................8 Vakulon.................................... 8, 22
Bureau 19......................................26 Hunter Drone...............................37 Pazuron...........................................8 Vaporative humidiator............. 107
Cat-Man........................................78 Hunting Lodge, the.................. 100 Perkins, Michael, spirit of........ 115 Vehicles, Bureau 17.....................39
Cazulon...........................................8 Hyena-Swine................................89 Pit, the...........................................83 Vehicles, Qularr...........................53
Ceremonial Platform, the........ 128 Hyrg Coruscator, the................ 130 Powers, Qularr.............................44 Velzara.............................................8
Chicago...........................................8 Hyrg, House of.................... 12, 120 Primordial Lemurian............... 127 Vikorin the Blind................ 12, 121
Climate..........................................14 Ignaetium Forge........................ 131 Project Stargazer..........................56 VIPER................. 11, 57-70, 74, 82,
Command Post, Lemurian...... 128 Introduction...................................4 Qliphothic Portal, the.............. 115 ..................................100, 117, 131
Communications Towers, Invasion, Qularr.............................8 Qularr, the..........................8, 42-44 VIPER Brickbuster Agent...........62
Qularr.........................................54 Ironclad.........................................92 Qularr Air-Runner......................53 VIPER Infiltrator.........................65
Corusqua Containment........... 130 Ishimaki, Commander Qularr Bugkeeper........................49 VIPER Tartrappers......................61
Corvis............................................82 Yoshihisa.....................................27 Qularr Drone...............................46 Volcano.........................................13
Crusoe, Hank............................ 128 Japanese Ground Self-Defense Qularr Exozoologists..................47 Warchief manimals.....................75
Crystallos Kiln.......................... 130 Force............................................27 Qularr Facilities...........................54 Wayfarer Coast......................41-56
de Luna, Major Nestor............. 103 Jones, Director Gideon H...........84 Qularr Firebug.............................51 Weather.........................................13
Defense Towers............................66 Jungle Cavern, the.......................69 Qularr Force Shackle Cannon Wells’ Pass...............................71-84
Dekkar, Dr. Miles.................... 8, 26 Kishiro, Lieutenant (Qularr gadget)..........................53 White Rhino.................................74
Demogaard, Dr. Dino.......... 59, 69 Commander Aiko.....................29 Qularr Gardeners........................47 Whitecoats....................................74
Devolved Lemurian.................. 126 Kobe................................................8 Qularr Hive..................................52 Wild-Eye.......................................75
Dig Site, Qularr............................54 Kurtz, Erich............................... 132 Qularr Invasion Leader...............45 Wildlife Preserve.................93-104
Diggings, Lemurian.................. 128 Kwame, Major Rashida...............70 Qularr Invasion Lieutenants......46 World Biocontainment Zone.......9
Doctor Silverback................. 82, 84 Laboratoary, Dr. Moreau’s..........82 Qularr Package Deal...................43 Worm Gem................................ 106
Dog-Man......................................79 Landing Strip, the........................54 Qularr Shock Trooper.................48 Worm Orb, the.................. 106, 117
Doku................................................8 Larke, Major Jason.......................56 Qularr Swarm..............................52 Yrvin........................................... 130
Donner, Sergeant Rudolph...... 118 Lava............................................ 128 Qwyjibo................................... 8, 19 Zarn, Commander................... 123
Draysha Gas.................................69 Lawgiver’s Text, the...............73-74 Radiation Caves, the...................55 Zoo, the.........................................54
Drilling Machines, Lemurian.....128 Lee, Henry........................... 94, 104 Radiation Nanoward...................31 Zorgatha.................................. 8, 23
Echinocos Shore..................105-18 Lemurians...................... 11, 119-32 Radium X......................................73
Egg Hatchery, the........................66 Lemurian Inchoate................... 127 Rapid Response Force Sakura....28
Elder Worm......................... 12, 106 Lemurian Progenitor................ 123 Rapid Response Force Sakura
Elder Worm Acolyte................. 108 Lemurian Sorcerer.................... 124 Agent...........................................31
Elder Worm Aspirant............... 109 Lemurian Volcano Guards...... 124 Rat-Man........................................80
London............................................8 Reqqat...........................................43

Monster Island

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Monster Island

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Monster Island

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

STEVEN S.

Hero SystemTM ® is DOJ, Inc.’s trademark for its roleplaying system.

in Bureau 17), traveling

With their initial attack blunted, the Qularr

radically different descriptions of the devices in

GEOGRAPHY nearby ocean currents. The average annual tempera-

Increased Time Increment (1 Hour; -1), MEGA-TERAK

55 Reach: Stretching 13”, Reduced Endur- Total Disadvantage Points: 917

QWYJIBO (Diminished Eating: once per week; Safe

TELEIOSAURUS 7u 3) Radiation Footstomp: Energy Blast

VAKULON 28 Long Legs: Running +14” (20” total) 3

ZORGATHA 3 Monstrous Physiology: Life Support

on the terrain and the loca-

Below Lieutenant Commander, the Bureau

Second, there’s a certain tension within the

TAKASHI TORU FURUSAKA GONSAI

ASAKO MORIHIRO RAPID RESPONSE FORCE SAKURA AGENT

In addition to its flesh-and-blood person- Sense Groups 0

REVENGER DROID 3 Sensor Enhancements: +1 PER with all

BEHEMOTH BATTLEDROID (0 END; +½) on Running 0

ONSLAUGHT BATTLEDROID 180 Autoblaster: Multipower, 90-point

3 Sensor Enhancements: +1 PER with all FORCE DRONE

30 Hoverpads: Flight 10”, Reduced HUNTER DRONE

Total cost: 55 points.

BUREAU 17 MONSTER TRANSPORT VEHICLE

QULARR INVASION LEADER 6 Battle-Armor Communications System:

Background/History: Invasion Leader was born QULARR DRONE

QULARR SHOCK TROOPER 24 Qularr Battle-Armor: Armor

Total Powers & Skills Cost: 182 QULARR BUGKEEPER

Perks usually retreats to try to obtain more (if that’s pos-

QULARR FIREBUG Skills

QULARR SWARM 5 Swarm Form: Increased Arc Of Perception

TECHNOLOGY Description: The Qularr Air-Runner is a one-

QULARR FACILITIES THE DIG SITE

THE UNTIL PRESENCE Larke, an American with Ph.D degrees in

short brown hair, short brown beard, and thin

remains alive and on the payroll.

Martial Arts: VIPER Brawling 3 PS: VIPER Agent 13-

V-TT-1 TARTRAPPER GRENADE VIPER BRICKBUSTER AGENT

Martial Arts: VIPER Brawling 3 Concealment 13-

Knifefighting and Knifethrowing Martial Arts, the VIPER INFILTRATOR

THE UNTIL PRESENCE DR. BOHUSLAV STRASKY

MANIMALS The Manimals

Pass area attacking anything it comes across. BIRD-MAN

Personality/Motivation: Varies, depending on the BOAR-MAN

Val Char Cost

Other types are created in

THE BONEYARD THE HYENA-SWINE

THE HYENA-SWINE’S CAVE A tunnel leads deeper into the mountain to

to try to exert her author-

ARGENT PERSONNEL Total Powers & Skills Cost: 90

Quote: “Welcome to the ARGENT Corporate

4 ARGENT Officer’s Uniform: Armor (3 PD/3 Skills

ARGENT SOLDIER Skills

devices. Soldiers’ training includes standard secu- ARGENT HANDLERS

tate toward Echinocos Shore as a result; others find

ELDER WORM ACOLYTE Common, Total)

ELDER WORM ASPIRANT 200+ Disadvantages

ELDER WORM WARRIOR Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) 0

10 Vulnerability: 1½ x STUN from Fire/Heat ELDER WORM INITIATE