10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
Space is full of demons, and they want your blood. betrayed by a megalomaniacal military command-
In any number of the locations cited below, you er. You might find plague-ridden treasures and run
might run into a shady Colonial Marshal looking afoul of a dangerous organism or a hostile alien
for his take, a greedy corporate XO who finds you species. The seeds of these encounters are planted
expendable, or a psychopathic synthetic with a in the planetary systems presented here—it’s up to
god complex. You could be waylaid by pirates or you to determine which bear fruit and where.
SOL SECTOR
SOL SECTOR BARNARD’S E A R T H : Having been brought back from
STAR the brink of environmental disaster by a lit-
LALANDE tle terraforming at home, Earth is an eclectic
21185 XARMINA'S STAR array of densely packed centers of urban de-
cay and beautiful green vistas. While some
SOL RIGEL still linger, most radiation zones from past
KENTAURUS A conflicts have been cleaned up and pose
WOLF 359 little threat. Earth is far from a safe place
EPSILON to live, however. The United States Oil Wars
ERIDANI have taken their toll on North America. The
recent Australian Rebellion against the 3WE
Your new start is out there on the Frontier, was ended swiftly with the nuclear strike on
far away from home, so there is no point in the Outback’s capital, Canberra. The cost
belaboring the minutiae of life in our solar of living on Earth is extravagant, and those
system. However, a brief recap of the place who aren't rich are confined to metropolitan
is included here, because before you look at ghettoes. Earth has become a world for no
where you are going, it’s important to know one but the corporate and government elite
where you've been. and those who would serve them. Still, the
seats of power for the 3WE, UA, and the UPP
are all located on Earth.
247
GAME MOTHER SECTION
L U N A : Humanity’s first off-world colony, Luna moons and planets throughout the solar sys-
boasts a population of over 6 million in two colo- tem.
nies and is a center of mining and heavy industry
for the entire system. M A R S : Along with Earth and Titan, Mars is one of
the three capital worlds of the Three World Empire.
T H E O U T E R P L A N E T S : Titan is a major Valles Colony on Mars was the former headquarters
off-world colony within the solar system, its of Weyland Corp before they merged with Yutani.
domed communities boasting a total popula- Terraforming has made the planet home for over
tion of roughly 7 million. Heavy mining stations 20 million colonists. Weyland-Yutani still maintains
like the one on Io and orbital colonial stations offices there, and operates a weapons testing facil-
like those around Saturn and Jupiter lace the ity on the moon of Phobos. ■
THE CORE SYSTEMS
When humankind first ventured to the stars, this to accommodate several large military transport
is where they did it. The Core Systems are human- and cargo vessels, along with a well stocked
ity’s prosperous future in space, built on the hard vehicle depot and extensive armory.
labor of the common man of yesteryear. Today, the
common people work in the Outer Veil, try to forge The Colonial Marine forces stationed there
a new life in the Outer Rim Territories, or risk it all are trained and positioned to launch a first
on the Frontier, while the corporations and the rich strike on any ICSC world if necessary. Despite
pull strings from the safety of their fortified off- its classified status, Third Base sits adjacent to
world paradises. the civilian colony and atmospheric process-
ing plant on the moon. A series of caverns and
T H I R D B A S E : A classified USCMC research former ice reservoirs honeycomb the surface
base situated on a small undesignated moon, and served as temporary housing while the col-
Third Base is located within a short jump dis- ony was established. The colony itself is cut off
tance from both New Eden Sector and Sol from the rest of the galaxy. All communications
system. Third Base is a pressurized facility are handled on military channels and must be
designed for advanced bioweapons research, approved. They are monitored with a built-in de-
and maintains an expansive hanger that is able lay for censorship, and any and all supplies are
imported via military cargo runs only.
248
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
THIRD BASE
Location Core Systems, CLASSIFIED
Affiliation United Americas, USCMC
Classification Terrestrial moon
Climate Breathable atmosphere, torrential downpours, electrical storms
Mean Temperature 25°C (Temperate)
Terrain Barren wasteland
Colonies One plus one military base
Population 168 colonists, 500 marines, 48 military scientists
Key Resources Military base, research
NEW EDEN SECTOR
Home to the Independent Core System Col- AG-4550 SYSTEM
onies, New Eden Sector exudes wealth and
prestige and is protected by the ICSC corpo- AG-4550.02 (ALEXANDRIA COLONY):
rate mercenary fleet. Stationed in the Ventix A highly developed and industrialized world
system, the fleet is always within a few parsecs with a thriving population, Alexandria Colony is
of Relitor, NE/JV, and Alexandria and Olympia where company execs retire and corporations
Colonies. The corporate colonies of New Eden hide their profits from prying government eyes.
Sector fought the 3WE for their indepen- As the planet is hot and dry with few large
dence. While the ICSC succession was granted bodies of water, major settlements are located
within the last decade, UA and 3WE sanctions close to the poles and along coastal regions.
and tariffs restrict the flow of goods, people, Atmospheric processors dating back to the
and military equipment both into and out of Weyland Era dot the surface, maintaining near-
the region, inadvertently creating a smuggling ly ideal living conditions while an advanced
industry and thriving black market. irrigation system and dedicated agricultural
programs have all but eliminated the need
AG-4550 SYSTEM for imported supplies. A nearly self-sufficient
world, Alexandria is also the capital of the Inde-
PI MENSAE B HESKE 262 pendent Core System Colonies. From here the
– RELITOR Central Space Consortium controls the ICSC in
the form of a democratic republic comprised of
82 ERIDANI representatives from corporations with a stake
in the well-being of the ICSC.
AG-4550 NEW EDEN
SECTOR
KAPTEYN’S
STAR
NN3622
249
GAME MOTHER SECTION
AG-4550.02
(ALEXANDRIA COLONY)
Location Core Systems, New Eden Sector
Affiliation Independent Core System Colonies, Central Space Consortium, Wey-
land-Yutani, Seegson, and other major corporations and banking institutions
Classification Terrestrial planet
Climate Breathable atmosphere, hot and dry, terraformed
Mean Temperature 38°C across most of the planet, but 30°C at the poles
Terrain Desert with a few large bodies of water
Colonies One, with several coastal and polar settlements
Population 30,000,000
Key Resources Agriculture, water, financial reserves, technologies
HESKE 337 SYSTEM Volcus
VOLCUS (ORBITAL COLLECTOR V-23 (ORBITAL COLLECTOR V-23 AND THE ETNA MOON)
A N D T H E E T N A M O O N ) : Geologically
speaking, Volcus is a recently coalesced planet Location Inner Core Systems, New
that is in the cooling phase of its development. Eden Sector
As such, the surface is a living hell of sulfur,
magma, and hot gases. While no colony exists Affiliation Independent Core System
on the surface itself, automated power stations Colonies, Central Space
float on the planet’s magma seas, drawing in Consortium
geothermal energy and transmitting it to the
V-23 orbital collector and relay station. Once Classification Terrestrial planet / moon
amassed there, the energy is beamed to the
Web Colony on Volcus’ airless moon, Etna. As a Climate Corrosive atmosphere, ash
surplus of energy is generated by the collector, and pyroclastic flows, scour-
high output power cells are produced here and ing heat / airless vacuum
exported throughout the ICSC. The interlinked
array of habitat domes on Etna sustains nearly Mean Tem- 400°C on Volcus / –173°C on
two hundred thousand colonists, while one hun- perature Etna
dred engineers maintain and live on V-23. ■
Terrain Magma seas and volcanic
islands / barren moon
HESKE 337 SYSTEM Colonies Web Colony (on Etna)
TOLIMAN Population 200,000
HESKE 337 NEW EDEN Key Resources Geothermal energy, bauxite,
SECTOR gold, diamonds, base and
– VOLCUS rare earth metals
– ETNA
HIP 82725
HENSKE 262
250
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
THE OUTER VEIL
A relatively resource rich region of space that sep- this roughly parsec-wide area leads out to their
arates the Core Systems from the Outer Rim, the UA sectors on the Outer Rim (collectively called
Outer Veil is mostly a fertile area of colonization, the American Arm). However, the Three World
mining, and terraforming. While there are dense- Empire and the Union of Progressive Peoples both
ly populated sectors within the Outer Veil, there have major stakes in the Outer Veil. The UPP strip-
are also out of the way areas of no real value. The mined the planets they discovered here, leaving
United Americas only has a strip of colonies here. behind a stretch of barren worlds that is among
Dubbed the American Corridor by space truckers, the poorest in their nation.
251
GAME MOTHER SECTION
SECTOR 3847
The unimaginatively named Sector 3847 JPG-770 SYSTEM
was one of the first areas of the Outer Veil
determined to be rich in exploitable mineral J P G -7 7 0 . 0 3 ( G O R H A M ' S F O L LY ) :
resources. This well-established sector boasts After the first Gorham Mining Colony was
large and successful colonies. annexed by the UPP in the early 2100s, In-
dustrialist Charles Gorham simply founded a
JPG-770 SYSTEM better one. This terraformed world is the site
of the deepest mining operation in the Out-
GL1 SECTOR GL595 er Veil. Mine shafts on JPG-770.03 descend
3 8 47 as far as 42 kilometers. Some sections of the
GL563.2B planet were gouged and strip-mined before
GL693 JPG-770 safer methods were introduced. The colony
exists to service the mining operations, but the
-GORHAM'S miners themselves are brought in on 18 month
FOLLY contracts. Gorham's Folly employs numerous
service androids to keep the miners happy. Ex-
tensive trade routes exist between JPG-770.03,
the Core, and the Outer Rim.
GL588
JPG-770.03
(GORHAM'S FOLLY):
Location Outer Veil, Anglo-Japanese Arm
Affiliation Three World Empire, Weyland-Yutani
Classification Terrestrial planet
Climate Breathable atmosphere, arid, temperate terraformed
Mean 35°C
Temperature
Terrain Rocky plateaus with deep fissures and canyons
Colonies One, Gorham Colony
Population 700,000
252
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
NEROID SECTOR
A Weyland-Yutani controlled area of the Three tering of research stations left over from the
World Empire close to UPP space, the remote Weyland era, and also uses abandoned, strip-
Neroid Sector is devoid of most anything of mined worlds to store toxic waste and chemical
value. Here, the company maintains a scat- weapon surplus.
POL-5362 SYSTEM
POL-5362 SYSTEM 17 PHEI PHEI
– ZNOY OUTPOST
P O L - 5 3 6 2 . 0 1 ( A I R E S O U T P O S T ) : Aires
is a planet of extremes—shifting from a frozen POL-5360 NEROID
methane wasteland to a raging methane sea. SECTOR
As its orbit carries it further from its sun, the
planet’s atmosphere freezes, leaving a four FIORINA 16 HD85512
month period every rotation where everything
on the planet is trapped in ice. One hundred POL-5332
years ago, a survey detected life moving
beneath Aires’ frozen surface, and a large sci- AIRES OUTPOST
entific expedition was launched to investigate.
Sadly, nothing more has been seen or recorded POL-5362.01
for a century. When the Weyland Corp expedi-
tion was recalled, only a rotating skeleton crew (AIRES OUTPOST)
was assigned to monitor the planet.
Location Outer Veil, Neroid Sector,
Now, a crew of thirty-two scientists, admin- Anglo-Japanese Arm
istrators, and security officers live on an aging
buoyant/submersible research and monitoring Affiliation Three World Empire,
platform built to accommodate two hundred. Weyland-Yutani
The team has two antique submarines, four
research pods, and a dropship to get them to Classification Terrestrial planet
and from orbit. Assignment to Aires Platform is
considered a dead end for W-Y scientists with Climate Toxic atmosphere, severe
experience and a good start for interns and new methane rainstorms
hires. While unsubstantiated, rumor has it that
the last transmission from Aires indicated the Mean –223°C
team had located what appeared to be artificial
structures at the bottom of the methane sea, Temperature
and that their sensor buoys had again begun to
register movement beneath the ice... Terrain Varies between frozen meth-
ane wasteland when farthest
from the star to deep meth-
ane seas when closest
Colonies Research facility
Population 32
Key Resources Methane, uncatalogued
253
GAME MOTHER SECTION
FIORI 16 SYSTEM cility housed thousands of prisoners, it was closed
in the 2170s—leaving only a custodial staff and
A binary star system located in the Neroid Sector, less than two dozen inmates to keep the facility
Fiori 16 is an otherwise unremarkable system with running.
one habitable world—Fiorina 161—whose hastened
orbit loops it around Fiori 16b every ten days. In 2179, an EEV pod from the errant starship
Sulaco crash-landed on the planet, bringing some
F I O R I N A 1 6 1 ( F U R Y ) : Nicknamed “Fury” by kind of contagion. Rumors suggest it was a rare
the YY chromosome inmates of the prison that strain of Cholera. Whatever it was, the convicts
was located there, Fiorina 161 is an unforgiving stationed there made unauthorized use of the
place. Temperatures vary widely as the world facility's stores of quinitricetyline in an attempt
makes its orbit around the binary stars of Fiori to burn away the infectious agent, accidentally
16a and b. Fury is home to a large variety of fish, killing several of their own in the process. Wey-
as well as at least one group of primitive land land-Yutani dispatched the Medical frigate Patna
animals. Unfortunately, the most prolific species to Fury 161 but were too late to save all but one
on the planet is a small arthropod that is similar inmate—Robert Morse.
to lice, making it mandatory that all visitors shave
their body hair. Fury 161’s year is only ten days The story has been sensationalized by Morse’s
long—and half of that year is in darkness. banned book Space Beast, in which he claims that
it wasn’t a contagion but a hostile organism that
Determined to be rich in platinum, the planet was on board the EEV, and that it slew nearly ev-
was extensively mined for decades. Estimates eryone before it was finally put down. Morse also
proved to be optimistic, however, and Fury 161’s claims the company was at fault for the massacre.
resources tapped out quickly. Never one to miss a Weyland-Yutani has recently put the facility on the
beat, Weyland-Yutani converted the worksite to a market to be sold as scrap, but so far there has
Class C Work Correctional Unit and lead works for been no takers.
radioactive and toxic waste disposal, leasing it to
the Three World Empire. While at its height the fa-
FIORI 16 SYSTEM POL-5332
– AIRES OUTPOST
NEROID
SECTOR
POL-5360
HIP53020 HD85512
FIORI 16
-FIORINA 161
254
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
Fiorina 161
(FURY)
Location Outer Veil, Neroid Sector, Anglo-Japanese Arm
Affiliation Weyland-Yutani, Three World Empire
Classification Terrestrial planet
Climate Breathable atmosphere, constantly swept with howling winds
Mean Temperature –20°C to a balmy 40°C
Terrain Flat deserts and dark acidic oceans
Colonies Former industrial colony turned prison, now closed
Population None
Key Resources Formerly labor force and heavy metals, now industrial scrap and
quinitricetyline
255
GAME MOTHER SECTION
FURY 161: RUMOR CONTROL
While colorful, Morse’s Space Beast account of what happened
on Fury 161 is accurate. During the Hadley’s Hope Incident on
LV-426, an alien Queen managed to come aboard the USS Sulaco
and deposit at least one undeveloped egg sac aboard the ship
before being expelled from the airlock by mission advisor Lt.
Ellen Ripley. As the Sulaco’s computers were subsequently
damaged, it is unclear if there were one or two facehuggers
birthed aboard at the time—but what is clear is that one
was able to produce a royal embryo. Once the unsuspecting
survivors entered hypersleep, the newly hatched creature
attempted to gain entry to Jorden’s cryotube, accidentally
causing an electrical fire in the Sulaco’s hypersleep
chambers. The ship’s MU/TH/UR ejected the EEV pod, launching
Ripley, Corporal Hicks, Rebecca Jorden, and the Sulaco’s
Bishop android towards Fury 161. Their pod eventually crashed
into the ocean near the correctional facility.
Hicks and Jorden did not survive the crash, and the Bishop
android was damaged beyond repair. Lt. Ripley was soon
found to be gestating a Queen within her. Either the royal
facehugger was able to produce two embryos—an ability that
W-Y scientists have hypothesized but been unable to confirm—
or a second facehugger was also aboard the EEV with them.
Regardless of the culprit, one of the facility’s domestic
animals was subsequently impregnated with the Runner variety
of p.praepotens. The Runner managed to slaughter all the
convicts and staff except for Morse and prison guard Francis
Aaron. Because of the unborn Queen Ripley carried, the Runner
left her unmolested.
Aware that the lieutenant was a carrier, Weyland-Yutani
dispatched CEO Michael Bishop and a crack medical team to
retrieve the embryo. As they arrived, Ripley and Morse >
256
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
managed to put down the Runner. Aaron attacked Michael and
was killed by company commandos, and Ripley threw herself
into the leadworks furnace to prevent the company from
acquiring the Queen.
After the incident, Weyland-Yutani examined the leadworks
and prison facilities, hoping to find any trace of alien
DNA. Although they were able to collect blood samples of Lt.
Ripley that were taken by Dr. Clemens before her death, no
viable p.praepotens genetic material was found. The company
ordered the site closed and put the equipment there up for
sale as scrap.
Not all the quinitricetyline was used up in the inmates’
bid to rid the prison of the star beast. While most of the
facility on Fury 161 has been stripped and prepped for scrap,
Weyland-Yutani has yet to find any buyers for it—and that
includes the remaining drums stored there. But that’s not
all.
The Weyland-Yutani team assigned to comb the facility
wasn’t as thorough as they could have been—likely because
their corporate masters were reluctant to explain exactly
what they were looking for. Deep in the bowels of the long
abandoned sections of the facility lie the beginnings of a
secreted resin hive. Just as the Drone Xenomorph aboard the
Nostromo had done with Dallas and Brett, the Fury 161 Runner
had been creating a nest and had already begun the process
of transforming Superintendent Andrews and inmates Boggs and
Rains into contingency ovomorphs.
Other parties have since taken interest in Morse’s Space
Beast, and it’s only a matter of time before someone sends
their own covert team to investigate. For now, the Fury 161
alien eggs lay dormant, waiting for someone to stumble upon
them. ■
257
GAME MOTHER SECTION
BAO SAU SECTOR
A UPP area of space that borders directly on the vast area of barren, stripped worlds with a sprin-
Neroid and Tartarus Sectors, Bao Sau Sector is a kling of over-populated and under-fed colonies.
17 PHEI PHEI SYSTEM of collisions that left the system nothing but rubble.
Only five small planetoids that orbit extremely close
17 Phei Phei is a UPP border defense system on the to their sun remain in a system that is estimated to
Bao Sau/Neroid sector border between the UPP and once have hosted over thirty planets and moons. At
the 3WE. The system has five small planetoids with some point in the future these planetoids will collide
a massive asteroid belt orbiting a main sequence with each other as well, but for now they remain
star. UPP scientists have determined that the system locked in slowly decaying orbits that are very close
must have suffered some major catastrophic event to the star itself.
in its past, causing its planets to veer into each
other’s orbital planes, eventually resulting in a series
1 7 P H E I P H E I E ( Z N OY O U T P O S T ) : As a 17 Phei Phei E lasts nearly two Earth months while
celestial body, 17 Phei Phei E is disappointing. The a “night” lasts about 28 Earth days. Supply ships
planetoid spins too slowly and is too small to cap- can only approach when the outpost is on the night
ture its own atmosphere. The only thing of note in side, as the planetoid itself shields the transports
the system is the listening and monitoring post Znoy from the extreme heat of the sun.
(Russian for “Heat”). Znoy is but one of many such
posts across the UPP border, all connected by a grid Assignment to Znoy is considered a punish-
of sensor satellites that record any incursions. Unfor- ment. It is understaffed and ill-equipped to face
tunately, the sensors are rudimentary at best, so it even an unlikely invasion that might come through
is often difficult for the outpost staff to determine if this area. While it is equipped with system-wide
an invasion fleet is on its way or if the grid has sim- orbital nuclear arrays, the outpost itself has only
ply registered a rogue comet or stellar debris. While two dropships and four heat-shielded tracked
new arrivals here scramble to alert the UPP SOF vehicles for surface operations. To make matters
Command of any contact, old timers know the drill. worse for the soldiers assigned there, Znoy is the
closest UPP military installation to Zeta Reticu-
Znoy Outpost is mostly underground, having li, and the United Americas Allied Command is
been driven into the rock like a giant stake. During investigating the possibility that a UPP strike was
the day, the outpost unfurls a solar shield to both launched there against Hadley’s Hope. If such an
protect it from the direct heat and to harness the attack did happen, the UAAC believes it would
star’s rays and recharge its power cells. A “day” on have originated from Znoy. ■
258
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
17 PHEI PHEI SYSTEM 17 Phei Phei E
AG-4550 (ZNOY OUTPOST)
– ALEXANDRIA
Location Outer Veil, Bao Sau Sector
ROSS 128
LTT-12352 82 ERIDANI Affiliation UPP
NN3622
KAPTEYN’S STAR Classification Terrestrial planetoid
17 PHEI PHEI Climate No atmosphere
– ZNOY OUTPOST Mean –173°C at night to 427°C
POL-5360 Temperature during the day
Terrain Barren cratered rock
POL-5332 Colonies None, military monitoring
– AIRES OUTPOST outpost
Population 115 soldiers
Key Resources Heavy metals in asteroid belt
THE OUTER RIM
TERRITORIES
The Outer Rim is a place of political brinkmanship. American expansion, the fledgling UPP poured
At the turn of the century, the Three World Empire its resources into exploring and claiming a large
and the many nations that would become the UPP section of the Outer Rim as well—in the process
claimed the star systems nearest to Earth. The over-extending themselves and crippling their
American nations instead looked beyond the Outer economy. While the 3WE has made its own limited
Veil to conquer new rich and fertile territories. push into the Outer Rim, it relies solely on Wey-
Many of the worlds American explorers discov- land-Yutani to handle such expansion efforts. While
ered on the Outer Rim were capable of supporting civilized to some degree, the Outer Rim Territories
life without the use of Atmospheric Processors, of today are both bountiful and full of conflict.
making colonization swift and comparatively in- Home to many military installations, the Outer Rim
expensive. The American colonies joined together is where modern man fights his wars and faces the
and the United Americas were formed. Fearing unknown.
259
GAME MOTHER SECTION
BORODINO SECTOR
Nestled in a pocket between the encroaching Unit- Colonial Marines’ most famous battles, including
ed Americas and the Union of Progressive Peoples, the Tientsin Campaign and the Arcturan Conflicts.
part of the Borodino Sector is openly disputed Some worlds here have even declared their com-
Frontier on the Outer Rim. Here, a UPP system plete independence, while others are protected by
might be next-door neighbor to a UA one, and as the ICSC.
such it is a volatile area. It is the site of some of the
REQUIST SYSTEM
REQUIST SYSTEM GL783B GJ1224
D P - 2 7 : A crime-plagued world on the Out- BORODINO
er Rim, the massive prison facility on DP-27 SECTOR
(sometimes called Detention Planet 27 by
those who have served time there) is home GL595 REQUIST
to over 20,000 convicts. As the prison allows
visitors, processing centers had to be built to – DP-27
accommodate them. Eventually, several visiting
families decided to settle there, transforming GLIESE 326-3837
the processing center into its own corporate – BRACKEN´S WORLD
run colony. Settlements developed in radiating - JOILET
lines from the massive prison facility and col-
lectively became known as “the Sprawl.” DP-27
Taking advantage of its natural resourc- Location Outer Rim, American Arm,
es, the Seegson Corporation built several Borodino Sector
factories in the Sprawl to mass-produce
gyrocars. As Weyland Corp developed better Affiliation United Americas, Seegson
technologies, the Seegson models became
less popular. The factories closed, the colony Classification Terrestrial moon
became destitute and the future prospects
for those living there grew increasingly bleak. Climate Breathable atmosphere,
Taking advantage of the situation, the Colonial overcast, freezing rain
Marine Corps opened their largest recruitment
center in the Outer Rim on DP-27. The USCMC Mean 5°C
offers colonists the chance to see the galaxy,
making soldiers the planet’s major export. Temperature
Terrain Urban sprawl on flatlands
with large lakes
Colonies One, the Sprawl
Population 60,000
Key Resources Soldiers, rare earth metals
260
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
GLIESE 326-3827 SYSTEM
GLIESE 326-3827 GL783B GJ1224
SYSTEM
BORODINO
GLIESE 326-3827B (BRACKEN’S SECTOR
W O R L D ) : An aqua-culture colony world,
Bracken’s World is covered with shallow seas GL595 REQUIST
and a small population of kelp farmers and their – DP-27
support facilities. It has abundant marine life,
including large achelate crustaceans. Alphatech GLIESE
maintains an outpost among the kelp bed farms 326-3837
on this world and a mining facility on its moon.
– BRACKEN´S WORLD
- JOILET
Gliese 326-3827b
(BRACKEN’S WORLD)
Location Outer Rim, American Arm, Edge of Borodino and Cerberus Sectors
Affiliation United Americas, Alphatech Corp.
Classification Aquatic planet
Climate Breathable atmosphere, tropical to cool, clear skies, some gales and tsunamis
Mean Temperature 27°C
Terrain Shallow seas
Colonies Two, Bracken’s World and the Joilet Moon Mining Facility
Population 200
Key Resources Kelp, fish, and their byproducts
8 ETA BOÖTIS SYSTEM
8 ETA BOÖTIS HR7722 ALPHA BOÖTIS
SYSTEM - ARCTURUS
A binary system of 12 planets, 8 Eta Boötis BORODINO
is very close to Arcturus and is part of the SECTOR
Arcturus Loop. The system’s resources and lo-
cation a mere three parsecs from the UPP/UA 8 ETA BOÖTIS
border has made it the victim of many armed
conflicts throughout the 2100s, culminating in – A III TIENTSIN
the Tientsin Campaign of the 2160s.
REQUIST
– DP-27
261
GAME MOTHER SECTION
8 ETA BOÖTIS A III (TIENTSIN COLONY): 8 Eta Boötis A III
An independent colony, 8 Eta Boötis A III
is situated on the border between the UPP (TIENTSIN COLONY)
and the United Americas. When the UPP
supported a government coup two decades Location Outer Rim, UPP/American
ago, the UA sent in the Colonial Marines Arm border, Borodino Sec-
to support the old regime. Caught in the tor
crossfire, many colonists took up arms to
defend themselves from both opposing forc- Affiliation Independent
es, splitting the main island of Tientsin into
several warring factions. The conflict itself Classification Terrestrial planet
was never truly resolved, with the UA and
the UPP eventually pulling their forces out Climate Breathable atmosphere, hot
and allowing the colonists to fend for them- and humid, rain storms
selves. Without support from either side, the
colony dissolved into chaos. Nuclear strikes Mean 31°C
decimated the planet’s resource-rich archi-
pelagos, making mining operations difficult. Temperature
In recent years, Weyland-Yutani offered hu-
manitarian aid to the Tientsin Colony in the Terrain Island chains with dense
form of older model atmospheric processors, jungles, wetlands, and deep
but their offer was rejected by the current alkaline seas
government. Many senior officers in the
Colonial Marines served during the Tientsin Colonies Tientsin Colony, several
Campaign. small independent group-
ings
Population 500,000
Key Resources Bauxite, chromate, prome-
thium, yttrium, manganese,
and gold
TA R TA R U S S E C T O R
If Borodino Sector is on the brink, Tartarus is for conflict, the Outer Rim Defense Fleet operates
chaos off the hook. Largely ignored during early out of base Liberty Echo in this sector. The least
expansion efforts, this sector has vast areas that civilized and least explored area of the Outer Rim,
have not been developed by any single governing Tartarus is rife with rebellion, open warfare and
body or corporation. Instead, any enterprise— stellar anomalies. The cutting edge of the Frontier
large or small—can lay claim to a find there. Other runs right through Tartarus.
parts of the sector have been engulfed by both
the Anglo-Japanese and American arms. Ready
262
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
PROTECTING THE COLONIES: UAAC MILITARY BASES
CRESTUS PRIME CLUSTER
CRESTUS GARRISON SYSTEMS. Major military shipyards, service
bases, and staging areas, these UAAC Outer Rim installations
are off limits to any unauthorized visitors. While these
systems themselves do not contain civilian or corporate
colonies, there are colonial facilities for career military
personnel and their families. These systems are fortified
with deep space sensor arrays and patrolled by system defense
frigates.
Located in the American Arm of the Outer Rim and close to the
Borodino Frontier, the Crestus Garrison Systems are spread
out across the star cluster and labeled Prime, Alpha, Beta,
Gamma and Delta. Forces from the Outer Rim Defense Fleet,
Canadian Colonial Armed Forces, the Latin American Colonial
Navy, and the United States AeroSpace Force and Colonial
Marine Corps are stationed here at the ready. These systems
also house top secret military and science facilities.
While the Crestus Garrisons support the combined UAAC forces,
other institutions devoted to a single military force exist
as well. For example, USCMC bases throughout the Core, Outer
Veil and Outer Rim include Orbital Fort Nebraska, Surier 430,
Georgia 525, and Third Base, as well as Camp Pendleton on
Earth. The Outer Rim Defense Fleet maintains its own service
station at Liberty Echo. ■
263
GAME MOTHER SECTION GJ229A SYSTEM
GJ229A SYSTEM CANIS LTT-12352
MINORIS
T O R I N P R I M E : Although it was nearly GJ229A
eight decades ago, Torin Prime has never GL223.2
really recovered from its failed succession GL408 -TORIN
attempt from the United Americas (see Gov-
ernments and Corporations). Sanctions keep 17 PHEI PHEI
the colony from thriving like it used to. The – ZNOY OUTPOST
local government is prohibited from arming
itself, relying instead on direct protection GL300
from the UAAC. To the locals, it feels like
they are living in a police state. Intelligence TA R TA R U S
reports suggest the J’Har rebel faction is on SECTOR
the rise again, organizing and growing in
strength as they plan a coup, this time not GL300 SYSTEM
just for Torin Prime, but for the entire Tarta-
rus Sector. UA intelligence believes this new L I N N A 3 4 9 : A member planet of the Three
revolt will be quietly backed by the UPP, and World Empire, Linna 349 is a forested world
the Liberty Echo Fleet is preparing to re- with two major colonies and a developed high-
spond accordingly. way system. Years ago a rebel faction revolted
and attempted to take over the planet’s gov-
Torin Prime ernment. Without the resources on the Outer
Rim to handle the threat, the Three World
Location Outer Rim, Tartarus Sector Empire requested assistance from the United
Affiliation United Americas Americas Allied Command. Eager to help in
Classification Terrestrial planet exchange for new tariff and export treaties, the
Climate Breathable atmosphere, United Americas sent in the marines. Because
semi arid, rainy summers the Colonial Marines considered the rebel raids
Mean and dry winters little more than a nuisance, the rebelling colo-
Temperature 18°C nists were nicknamed “Bug-Boys.”
Terrain
Mountainous glades and The situation changed when the Bug-Boys
Colonies high peaks started using sophisticated weapons from an
Population Three unidentified source—either a corporate or po-
Key Resources 700,000 litical enemy of the Three World Empire—and
Chromium, titanium, managed to cripple the USCMC frigate USS
osmium, palladium, iridium, Sulaco with an orbital strike. The USCMC retal-
heavy metals iated in kind, bringing in ships, marines, heavy
equipment and tanks to retake the planet. The
Bug-Boys were squashed, and the USCMC has
maintained an occupying peace force on Linna
349 ever since, despite requests from the Three
World Empire to release the world. Linna’s ma-
jor export is the exceptional timber produced
from its native thorny Karyta trees. ■
264
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
GL300 SYSTEM
GJ229A
GL408 17 PHEI PHEI
– ZNOY OUTPOST
GL300 POL-5360
- LINNA 349
FIORINA 16
– FIORINA 161
TA R TA R U S
SECTOR
Linna 349
Location Outer Rim, Anglo-Japanese
Arm, Tartarus Sector
Affiliation
Three World Empire, UA
Classification occupying peace force in
Climate presence.
Mean Terrestrial planet
Temperature
Terrain Breathable atmosphere,
Colonies humid and wet
Population 30°C
Key Resources
Forests and lakes
Two official plus nomad
tribes
30,000
Timber, lanthanum, lutetium,
and other rare earth metals
265
GAME MOTHER SECTION
THE FRONTIER
The Frontier is the farthest known area of space like Bowen’s Landing, LV-492, and LV-422 lie on
within any territory—and it’s where you are most the Frontier along the Far Reach of the American
likely to be spending your time trying to build a Arm—an area of UA aggressive expansion that
life and make a buck. While the Outer Rim might extends well past the Outer Rim. While part of
be beyond the Outer Veil, the void is vast, and the the United Americas and protected by the Outer
Frontier cuts through the Outer Veil and Outer Rim Defense Fleet, mining and shipping hubs like
Rim before moving on into the unknown depths Thedus and the Solomons are open to all entre-
of space. Sectors which touch upon the Frontier preneurs and pioneers. There are well-established
include Tartarus, Bao Sau, and Sector 87. As such, star lanes to and from these distant worlds, but
some planets and systems on the Frontier are also the space those routes cross through is between
located within those areas. Frontier stations such Frontier zones and therefore uncharted, unex-
as Anchorpoint act as a neutral zone for all cor- plored, and dangerous. It’s always recommended
porations and governments. Backwater colonies that ships stay at FTL speeds in these sectors.
KHADAJI SYSTEM Contracts with several corporate concerns see
that the moon is heavily mined for its water,
The mineral rich Khadaji system was initially iron, and uranium reserves which are sold at a
claimed and settled by the Three World Empire in premium while the colonists are forced to live
the 2120s, but it was annexed to the United Amer- in squalor. As petitions for better living stan-
icas thirty years later. dards have been ignored by the greater United
American government, a small South American
K J - 3 3 1 B L E B A N O N I I : In orbit around the state has seen the plight of the Wells colony
ringed gas giant KJ-331, Lebanon II is a moon as a means to gain more power in the UA. As
on the brink of a revolution. Decades of shift- such, they have begun encouraging the rebels
ing governmental allegiances hasn't helped the to sabotage supply lines while making demands
Wells colony prosper, but has instead helped line for better wages and supplies. With the rebels
the pockets of many corporate execs. The Wells growing bolder, it’s only a matter of time before
lies directly over a massive natural spring that the Colonial Marines are called in.
produces fresh water with naturally occurring
electrolytes—making it a favorite of the elite and
sought after in the Inner Core Systems.
266
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
KHADAJI SYSTEM
GL285 LTT-12352 KJ-331b Lebanon II
ROSS 619 GJ229A Location Frontier, Outer Rim,
orbiting KJ-331, edge of
GL223.2 17 PHEI PHEI Affiliation Tartarus Sector
(KHADAJI) – ZNOY OUTPOST
Classification United Americas, Lasalle
- LEBANON II GL300 Climate Bionational, Weyland-
Yutani
TA R TA R U S Mean
SECTOR Temperature Terrestrial moon
Terrain
ALPHA CAELI Breathable atmosphere, hot
SYSTEM Colonies dry summers, rainy winters
Population
THE SOLOMONS (ALPHA CAELI Key Resources 28°C
V B - H ) : Seven colonized moons (labeled b
through h) out of the eight that orbit the gas A network of rivers, springs
giant Alpha Caeli V, the Solomons are rich in and ravines crisscrossing a
mineral resources and a primary source of the barren rocky plain
ores necessary for space travel. Several mining
colonies are located there, as well as a Colo- One, The Wells
nial Marine garrison on the moon Alpha Caeli
Vg. The moons boast the largest orbital solar 40,000
array network conceived by man.
Spring water, iron, uranium
For several decades the Solomons rep-
resented the farthest recorded reach of ALPHA CAELI SYSTEM
humanity into the unknown. Many early ex-
peditions exploring beyond Alpha Caeli were ALPHA CAELI
lost, prompting some scientists to suggest
that radiation zones further out into deep - THE SOLOMONS
space are deadly to humans. In the past twen-
ty years the UA has pushed Rimward through
this haze and begun establishing colonies
there.
267
GAME MOTHER SECTION
The Solomons
(ALPHA CAELI VB-H)
Location Frontier, Far Reach of the American Arm, Orbiting Alpha Caeli V
Affiliation Corporate-owned interests, United Americas
Classification One Jovian gas giant with a system of eight moons
Climate Varies from climate controlled pressure domes to cold terraformed
atmospheres
Mean Temperature Varies
Terrain n/a
Colonies Numerous, including USCMC garrisons
Population 3,000,000
Key Resources Niobium, neodymium, chromium, helium-3, hematite, and platinum
268
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
GAMMA LEPORIS SYSTEM
Each of the trinary stars of Gamma Leporis has one of the lost USCMC Conestoga-class troop transport
world within its habitable zone, and all three were the Sulaco. Following the Hadley’s Hope incident,
at one time colonized. Only one of those colonies the ship ejected her EEV modules in the vicinity of
has thrived. Dubbed Terraform 3, the planet listed the Neroid Sector and disappeared.
below is actually the third attempt to terraform a
planet in the Gamma Leporis system. G A M M A L E P O R I S A 3 : “Terraform 3” feeds
the Frontier, and boasts the best steaks in the
The first, orbiting Gamma Leporis B, ended in galaxy. A thriving bovine reserve, the terraformed
catastrophic failure when an asteroid collided with farmlands of Terraform 3 supply the Frontier with
the planet. The second is more confusing. Contact fresh meat and meat byproducts. The planet suf-
was lost with the Seegson sponsored terraforming fers from severe dust storms every winter, during
colony orbiting Gamma Leporis C in 2175. When the which free-range farms take their herds under-
company went to investigate, they found that all the ground. While Weyland Corp has little interest in
colonists had simply disappeared without a trace. the world anymore, their atmospheric processor
The colony itself was undisturbed, save for the still maintains the planet’s climate. More and more
fact that the atmospheric processor had been shut of Steer City’s cattle farming is being industrial-
down. The planet is generally avoided and whatever ized as corporations like Lasalle Bionational buy
happened remains a mystery to this day. up vast tracts of land and set up automated meat
processing plants.
Finally, the Gamma Leporis system is one of
many locations of mysterious "ghost ship" sightings
269
GAME MOTHER SECTION
GAMMA LEPORIS SYSTEM Gamma Leporis A3
(Terraform 3)
AGJ2066
– ANCHORPOINT Location Frontier, American Arm,
Near Tartarus Sector
STATION
Affiliation United Americas, Lasalle
GAMMA LEPORIS Bionational
-A3 (TERRAFORM 3) Classification Terrestrial planet
EPSILON RETICULI Climate Breathable, terraformed
SYSTEM
Mean 25°C
T H E D U S : Located outside the Outer Rim, Temperature
Thedus was originally mistaken for a small gas
giant due to its thick and cloudy atmosphere. Terrain Grazing pastures, lakes and
Instead, it turned out to be a large terrestrial farmland
world with heavy metal deposits. The planet is
rich in natural ores, a fact that Weyland-Yutani Colonies One, Steer City
has taken advantage of for more than a century
via extensive mining operations. Vast sections Population 9,000
of the planet’s surface have been strip-mined,
leaving behind huge gouges and deep canyon Key Resources Agriculture
trenches. Much of the material exported from
the far Frontier is routed through either Thedus EPSILON RETICULI SYSTEM
or Anchorpoint Station before heading to the
Outer Veil and Core Systems. EPSILON RETICULI
Due to a severe environmental accident in - THEDUS
2109, parts of the planet were rendered unin- - LNB-14
habitable for many decades. A miners’ revolt
over poor living conditions led to the troop Thedus
carrier UAS Archangel being deployed to the
planet in order to keep the peace. Through a se- Location Frontier, Far Reach of the
ries of classified events, the Archangel crashed, American Arm
destroying one of the planet’s atmospheric pro- Affiliation Weyland-Yutani, Three
cessors and causing the deaths of over 15,000 World Empire, United
civilians and marines. As of the 2180s, renewed Classification Americas
terraforming has repaired much of the planetary Climate Terrestrial planet
damage, but Thedus’ atmosphere is still cold. Cold, thin atmosphere,
Mean terraformed
Thedus was the last port of call for commer- Temperature 8°C
cial towing vehicle Nostromo before she went Terrain
missing in 2122. Colonies Mountains and canyons
Population Three
Key Resources 2,000,000
Yttrium, niobium, helium-3,
other rare earth metals
270
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
TANAKA SYSTEM TANAKA SYSTEM
The Tanaka system has six worlds, four of NN3346
which are so close to the system’s blue star
that they are little more than burning lumps of (TANAKA’S STAR)
slag in space. The sixth planet—a frigid ball of – TANAKA 5
methane—is so far removed from the Tanaka
star that on the first pass through survey- Tanaka 5
ors didn’t even notice it. The fifth planet lies
barely within the star’s habitable zone and is Location Frontier, near the Far Reach
detailed below. of the American Arm
Affiliation Unaffiliated
TA N A K A 5 : An arid desert planet prone to Classification Terrestrial planet
deadly sandstorms, Tanaka 5 was surveyed Climate Breathable atmosphere, arid,
briefly in the 2170s and determined to be hot days and cool nights,
a likely resource for thulium, terbium, gold Mean frequent sandstorms
and manganese. This report has yet to be Temperature 45°C
confirmed, but that hasn't stopped some pros- Terrain
pectors from scouting the world and setting Sprawling deserts and
up temporary settlements. A 2-3 meter long Colonies canyons
scorpion-like creature has been found to be Population None
indigenous to the planet, which has been both Key Resources Four dozen transients
a curse and a blessing. While highly aggres- Vaccines, possibly metals
sive, the lifeform’s neurotoxin has proven to be
a counteracting agent for several ailments—
making the planet a resource for medicinal
needs. There is also talk of strange ruins
amongst the underground springs beneath
the deserts, but these reports have not been
substantiated.
ZETA RETICULI SYSTEM
A wide binary star system on the cusp of the the American Arm. Sadly, the Zeta Reticuli system
Tartarus Sector and in the southern constellation has been a reoccurring site of tragedy and misfor-
of Reticulum, Zeta Reticuli lay beyond the bound- tune. It is here that humanity had its first recorded
aries of known space just four decades ago. Since encounters with both Chemical A0-3959X.91-15
then the United American Frontier has expanded and Xenomorph XX121, losing several starships and
to engulf the binary stars, claiming them as part of two colonies in the process.
271
GAME MOTHER SECTION
KG-348
ZETA RETICULI SYSTEM Location Frontier, American Arm,
edge of Tartarus Sector
ZETA ZETA 2 Affiliation United Americas, Seegson
DORADUS RETICULI Classification Jovian gas giant
Climate Frigid molecular hydrogen
– CALPAMOS atmosphere
Mean -145°C
– LV-223 Temperature
Terrain n/a
ZETA 1 – LV-426 (ACHERON) Colonies Formerly the site of Sevas-
topol Station
RETICULI Population None
Key Resources Helium 3, rare metallic gases
– KG-348 detected
– SEVASTAPOL
GL454
ZETA1 RETICULI have yet to exploit them, and independent pirate
mining operations are rumored to be taking place
KG - 3 4 8 : The former site of Sevastopol Sta- there.
tion, KG-348 is a gas giant orbiting the star Zeta1
Reticuli. KG-348 has a rare atmosphere that is rich ZETA2 RETICULI
in metallic gases and has long been considered as
a site for an atmospheric mining operation. The C A L PA M O S : A large, ringed, and ruddy brown
Seegson Corporation ran Sevastopol Station until gas giant, Calpamos is the fourth planet in orbit
it suffered a catastrophic accident in the 2130s, around Zeta2 Reticuli. The planet itself is unre-
fell into a decaying orbit around the planet and markable and it is best known for the tragic rumors
burned up in the atmosphere. While Seegson surrounding incidents that supposedly occurred
still maintains mining rights to the planet, they within its system of moons.
Calpamos
Location Frontier, edge of Tartarus Sector, Zeta Reticuli system
Affiliation Weyland-Yutani, United Americas
Classification Ringed gas giant
Climate Frigid ammonia atmosphere
Mean Temperature –173°C
Terrain n/a
Colonies One destroyed and one station orbiting the moon LV-426
Population None
Key Resources Unexamined
272
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
ZETA2 RETICULI garbled transmissions sent back to Weyland Corp
Headquarters by the USCSS Prometheus mission
LV - 2 2 3 : Orbiting Calpamos, LV-223 is a desolate, in the 2090s. Various rumors claim it to be the site
near Earth-like moon with sprawling deserts and of a starship graveyard, a plague-ridden world cov-
mountainous valleys. Unfortunately, its atmosphere ered in strange and ancient extraterrestrial ruins,
contains a deadly concentration of carbon dioxide, and the home of several deadly species of fauna.
making it unbreathable by humans, and the moon Regardless, starship crews steer clear of LV-223 in
is prone to deadly and swift-forming silica storms. search of brighter skies and greener pastures.
The little data there is on LV-223 is compiled from
LV-223
Location Frontier, edge of Tartarus Sector, orbiting Calpamos
Affiliation Unclaimed, United Americas
Classification Terrestrial moon
Climate Violent silica storms and poisonous atmosphere, with breathable atmosphere
in the temple valley region only
Mean Temperature 12°C
Terrain Deserts, giant mountains, deep valleys, lush vegetation in the temple valley
region only
Colonies None
Population Unknown
Key Resources Unexplored
273
GAME MOTHER SECTION
LV-223: RUMOR CONTROL
In search of both immortality and humanity’s origins, the
SEV spacecraft the USCSS Prometheus set down on LV-223 at
the end of the 21st Century on a mission led by Weyland
CEO Meredith Vickers, Drs. Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie
Holloway, and company founder Peter Weyland himself. Here,
the expedition discovered a series of temples built by an
alien race that Dr. Shaw referred to as “the Engineers.”
Investigating the nearest structure, the crew found evidence
of a toxic outbreak that wiped out the Engineer outpost. That
toxin was Chemical A0-3959X.91–15, a viscous black fluid that
acts as an evolutionary accelerant on any biological host it
contaminates.
Through a series of tragic events, some of the crew became
infected with the accelerant, resulting in many deaths. A lone
Engineer awoken from cryosleep killed Peter Weyland and most
of the remainder of the crew. As the Engineer attempted to
launch one of its species’ Juggernaut spacecraft on a mission
to wipe out humanity, Captain Janek of the Prometheus ignited
the SEV’s ion drive in the atmosphere and rammed the alien
vessel. The Prometheus was obliterated and the Juggernaut
crippled. Only Dr. Shaw and the mission’s synthetic, David 8,
survived, escaping LV-223 in another Engineer Juggernaut and
heading towards the ubiquitous Planet 4 in Sector 87.
Much of what was there when the USCSS Prometheus was
destroyed remains on LV-223 nearly one hundred years later.
Contaminated by the released accelerant, however, the planet
has undergone a metamorphosis in the valley where the damaged
Juggernaut crashed. A lush jungle has taken root, producing
a breathable atmosphere for those that stay in the area.
Abhorrent mutated creatures inhabit the jungle zone, and
a strange biomechanical structure has grown there—a living
mountain that the moon’s fauna are wary to approach.
The Engineer temples and Juggernaut hangers beneath them
are still intact, as is a vast supply of Engineer ampules
filled with Chemical A0-3959X.91–15. It’s power cells long
dead, the Prometheus’ lifeboat still lies on the surface,
as does a surprise: the Class 7 Excavator Vessel known as >
2 74
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
the Onager. A short range orbital craft assigned to Hadley’s
Hope, the ship was used by a group of colonists from Acheron
to escape the alien infestation of their colony and make an
emergency landing here. Unfortunately, they brought several
Plagiarus praepotens with them, and the Xenomorph species
turned the Onager into a makeshift hive. The colonists are
believed dead. Just like all other biological life, the
Xenomorphs have proven to be susceptible to the accelerant as
well—resulting in bizarre mutations amongst the hive. ■
A NOTE FROM MU/TH/UR: Evolution out of control, the situation
on LV-223 is insanely dangerous. Anyone visiting this moon is
not likely to survive. Steer clear. ■
LV - 4 2 6 ( A C H E R O N ) : With a rotation period endured there for more than twenty years. The
of two hours and a gravity of .86 Earth Standard, colony stopped transmitting reports in July of
the moon called LV-426 is a barren and inhospita- 2179, prompting a visit by a contingent of colo-
ble rock in space. Daytime is a perpetual twilight nial marines. Whatever transpired next led to the
and nighttime is cold and dark. Cataloged by a nuclear annihilation of the colony and the death of
French deep space probe in the 2040s, the moon both the colonial marine unit and all 158 colonists.
remained unexplored for the next century. In 2122, What caused the destruction is uncertain—con-
the USCSS Nostromo touched down on LV-426 in flicting reports range from an attack by a rival
response to an unknown distress call, allegedly en- government or unknown alien species to a simple
countering a hostile alien life form that eventually reactor accident and meltdown. All that remains is
led to the ship’s destruction at the hands of one of a radioactive wasteland stretching over 700 km.
the crew. However, when the moon was extensively
surveyed in the 2130s, it was discovered that it had Soon after the incident, both Weyland-Yutani
no indigenous life, calling the Nostromo rumors and the Colonial Marines sent search and rescue
into question. teams to Acheron in the hopes of finding survivors.
While the colony and the atmospheric processor
LV-426 is perhaps best known as the site of the were vaporized, it was theoretically possible that
doomed colony Hadley’s Hope. Thirty-five years any colonists who made it as far as the Ilium Range
after the Nostromo incident, Weyland-Yutani and would be protected from the blast by the moun-
the Colonial Administration set up an atmospheric tains there. The company set up a relief station
processor on the swiftly turning moon and began in orbit, but no survivors were ever found. Called
terraforming procedures. The moon was renamed Kathar Station, it is now a minor research platform
Acheron by its early settlers, and Hadley’s Hope maintained by a custodial staff.
275
GAME MOTHER SECTION
LV-426 Frontier, American Arm, near Tartarus Sector, orbiting Calpamos
Weyland-Yutani, United Americas
(ACHERON) Terrestrial moon
Breathable atmosphere, partially terraformed, high-velocity wind storms
Location 10°C (through terraforming)
Affiliation Barren lava rock, mountains
Classification Odobenus Station in orbit, former site of Hadley's Hope
Climate Unknown
Mean Temperature None identified
Terrain
Colonies
Population
Key Resources
276
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
277
GAME MOTHER SECTION
ACHERON: RUMOR CONTROL
Responding to what appeared to be a distress call in 2122,
the Nostromo altered course and landed on LV-426. Her crew
soon located a derelict Engineer Juggernaut with a cargo
bay full of alien eggs. Ship’s first officer Kane was
subsequently attacked by a facehugger and impregnated with
a Plagiarus praepotens embryo which, when fully formed,
began stalking the crew. With no Queen present, the alien
initiated the ovomorphing transformation on Captain Dallas
and technician Brett, converting their bodies into viable
alien eggs. Third officer Ellen Ripley set the ship to self-
destruct and escaped on the shuttlecraft Narcissus, finally
killing the creature by blowing it out of the airlock and
blasting it with a burst from the shuttle’s engines.
In 2137, Captain Marlow of the deep space salvage vessel
Anesidora also traced the signal back to the derelict, and
shut it down—but not before his wife was impregnated by a
facehugger.
Decades passed. The derelict all but forgotten, the
colony of Hadley’s Hope was established on LV-426. When
the current Weyland-Yutani administration learned of the
crashed Juggernaut, the colonists were sent out to find it
without being told what it was. It wasn’t long before the
entire colony was overrun by the aliens and the atmospheric
processor converted into a hive.
A colonial marine unit sent to investigate was ambushed
by an army of Xenomorph XX121s in the colony’s atmospheric
processor. During the ensuing battle the plant’s reactor
was damaged, resulting in a nuclear meltdown. Only Corporal
Dwayne Hicks, colonist Rebecca “Newt” Jorden, mission
consultant Lt. Ellen Ripley, and the unit’s android, Bishop,
survived. The hive’s Queen escaped the destruction by
hitching a ride in the landing gear of the marines’ dropship,
and was finally killed by Ripely on board the Sulaco.
Weyland-Yutani has made quick work of covering the incident
up as they search for viable alien eggs—even going so far as
to start the rumors that Hadley’s Hope was actually nuked by
278
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
an unidentified military force—possibly the UPP—or even a
rogue colonial marine team.
Kathar Station was placed in orbit to monitor LV-426 and
collect any alien material that might have survived the
nuclear detonation there. It is possible that the Engineer’s
derelict was not completely destroyed in the explosion—as
the natural ore in the Ilium Range could have shielded it—
although the wreck was already damaged by earthquakes and
lava flows by the time the Jorden family located it in July
2179. Even if it is undetectable, the Juggernaut might have
been swallowed by a chasm created by the blast and buried
under an avalanche. Exactly what happened and what Kathar is
doing in orbit years later is unknown. ■
A NOTE FROM MU/TH/UR: While other sources have indicated that
the Derelict did in fact survive, the validity of those works
as canon has come into question. It’s up to you to decide
what works best for your campaign. ■
SECTOR 117
A remote area of space that remains unsettled. space and never heard from again. Beyond the
In the early to mid 2100s, many colonization Frontier, this far out in space truly represents the
missions were launched towards this region of unknown.
ACHILLES SYSTEM hide a planet best left undiscovered.
A binary system not included on any commercial
star maps, the two stars of the Achilles System
279
GAME MOTHER SECTION G - 4 3 5 ( A C H I L L E S 2 . 4 ) : A Xenomorph
XX121 hiveworld, G-435 is overrun with the
ACHILLES SYSTEM creatures. Covered in deserts and warm,
brackish shallow seas, the terrain on G-435 is
PSI VELORUM mostly flat, save for the alien hive complexes
ACHILLES TW0-IV grown there. The steamy nightmare planet is
caught in a constant state of dusk. It is home
– G435 to several indigenous life forms that play host
to Plagiarus praepotens, including an avian
reptile species. There is little in the form of el-
evated terrain here, save for the massive alien
hive structures that dominate the landscape. ■
G-435 Sector 117, orbiting Achilles Two
Unclaimed
(ACHILLES 2.4) Planet
Breathable atmosphere, hot and humid, perpetual twilight
Location 40°C
Affiliation Wasteland, shallow swamps and salty seas, minimal vegetation
Classification Dozens of alien hive colonies
Climate Unknown
Mean Temperature Plagiarus praepotens
Terrain
Colonies
Population
Key Resources
280
10. SYSTEMS & PLANETS
G-435: RUMOR CONTROL
If space is hell, this planet is worse. G-435 is the closest
to a home world one is likely to find for p.praepotens. While
they aren’t from here, they definitely made it their own.
Whether they arrived via intentional seeding, an experiment
gone amuck, or just by way of a crashed starship, the aliens
here are stronger and quicker than those found off-world.
There are new adaptations of p.praepotens present on G-435
that exist nowhere else, including an immense Empress mother
alien and her entourage of attendants and protectors. Each
hive colony here has its own Queen, and order is maintained
as long as the Empress lives. Remove her from the equation
and the various hives go to war with each other, each Queen
striving to dominate and become the new Empress.
Different colonies of p.praepotens here have exoskeletons
of varying hues. Because it is uncertain what spectrum—if
any—the alien sees in, the color change may seem arbitrary.
However, it is theorized that the color shift is a byproduct
of chemical pheromones released in the presence of other
hives. This allows a Queen and her minions to know if an
approaching warrior is a servant or an invader.
In order to breed, p.praepotens requires hosts. Luckily,
at least for them, a number of mammal and reptile species
exist on G-435. These creatures are cunning, able to keep
themselves one step ahead of an eventual extinction caused by
Xenomorph XX121. ■
NOTE FROM MU/TH/UR: Danger! Avoid at all costs. Chances of
survival negligible for any non-native lifeforms. Repeat.
Avoid at all costs. ■
281
GAME MOTHER SECTION
282
11. ALIEN SPECIES
ALIEN SPECIES
“The Titan Prometheus wanted to give mankind equal footing with
the gods—for that he was cast from Olympus. Well, my friends, the
time has finally come for his return.”
—PETER WEYLAND
283
GAME MOTHER SECTION
Humans are arrogant sons of bitches. We leaped true. Our gods may or may not be gone, but they
into space thinking we’d make it our own. Sure, definitely left us a few nasty surprises to humble
some of us believed—hoped even—that we’d find us—living things that not only go bump in the
other life along the way, but we were absolute- night but also eat you from the inside out. There
ly certain we’d always be at the top of the food is life out here, and it wants us all dead. Here’s
chain. Our gods were dead, and we were the a little sampling of what you can expect to find
new gods. Well, that all turned out to be far from lurking in the dark.
THE ENGINEERS
The ruins of their massive necropoli and pyramidal with—or in this case creating—humanity. As the
structures are spread across the stars. The sophis- first remains of their kind were discovered at the
tication of their fossilized biotechnology mystifies helms of their dead ships, some have labeled them
explorers while their megalithic stone statues and Mundus gubernavi, or “universal pilot.” Like the mis-
busts bear testament to their artistic and architec- nomer Internecivus Raptus—“murderous thief”—that
tural superiority. But who are they? If the company is sometimes associated with Xenomorph XX121, the
has its way, you’ll never find out. classification, in and of itself, is incorrect. There is no
“pilot” genus to draw upon. The late Doctor Shaw’s
Hieroglyphic tablets unearthed on Tanaka 5 call scientific notes that were recovered in a garbled
them Ossians. The decoded derelict beacon on LV- signal sent after the loss of the Prometheus provide
426 made reference to the Mala’kak. Whatever they the most shocking revelation about these Engi-
call themselves, to modern humans Praetomorph neers—their DNA is human. They predate us, they
they are known simply as the Engineers. are us, and we come from them. The re-discovery of
Shaw’s notes has led to a more scientific name for
Dr. Elizabeth Shaw coined the term when she these giants—Homo Genitor, or “creator of man.”
and Dr. Charles Holloway discovered pictograms on
many of Earth’s continents depicting giant beings The little more that is known about them has
pointing towards the stars. Believing the beings been gleaned from several extrasolar archeologi-
to have engineered humanity, she dubbed them cal digs discovered within the past three years as
accordingly. That star configuration turned out to the Frontier has advanced into the unknown. No
be a star map which led the Prometheus mission to living Engineers are known to exist—and the few
a distant moon and the ruins of an Engineer out- xenoanthropologists aware of them believe they
post. Whatever they found there was erased from died out thousands of years ago. Their passing
the archives, the destination of the Prometheus was is marked by their abandoned citadels, dere-
classified and all but forgotten—but stray transmis- lict ships, and their biogenetic and evolutionary
sions picked up by company satellites confirmed experiments. What is also clear from Dr. Shaw’s
the existence of the beings. transmissions is that even though they created hu-
manity, at some point millennia ago they decided
Over the decades, covert corporate scientists to undo their creation—attempting to wipe out
have made attempts to classify them. Those with the Earth and start again.
religious leanings have likened them to the Nephil-
im—fallen angels cast out of heaven for meddling
284
11. ALIEN SPECIES
PHYSICAL TRAITS CONJECTURAL ANALYSIS
Some theories suggest there are different
The Engineers were colossal beings. While some breeds or castes of Engineers with phys-
fossilized evidence places them at as much as ical alternatives bred into them—thereby
4.5 meters tall, most agree that they averaged differentiating civilian and militant fac-
2.7 meters in height. On first appearance their tions. Others have postulated that not all
bodies seem biomechanical in nature with a bul- the crumbling edifices unearthed on the
bous, trunked head. This is in fact a removable Frontier are those of the Engineers, but
living pressure suit that melds with the Engi- that some belong to other species seeded
neer’s body, with the “head” actually being a by or cross-bred with them. If that is the
helmet of some type. These living suits and hel- case, then these civilizations have likewise
mets have only been found dead—ossified and died out. And pointing to the enormous,
fossilized over millennia of disuse. Underneath fossilized remains of the so-called “Space
their strange garb, the Engineers are statu- Jockey” specimen reportedly witnessed by
esque. They have hairless, chiseled physiques two starfreighter crews and colonists from
with translucent blue-white skin, heavy brows, Hadley’s Hope, some xenoanthropologists
high noses, and large, glassy black eyes. They suggest the Engineers based their biome-
are both beautiful and powerful in appearance. chanical technology on creatures greater
While they were once believed to be all male, than themselves—strange beings of immense
there is now evidence to suggest that female size replete with pachydermic probosci.
Engineers exist as well. Dr. Shaw theorized that However, since the specimen in question was
the females operated in a leadership capacity unfortunately destroyed and there are no
while the males assumed soldier, artisan, and Engineers around to ask, all of this is merely
philosopher roles, but there is no evidence to hearsay and conjecture.
support this. Females are equally hairless and
just as dangerous.
ARCHITECTURE innermost sanctums. While not yet understood,
their computer interfaces work on a combination
Engineer architecture is on a grand scale, with of musical initiation plus the manipulation of
monolithic stone citadels, impressive arches and depressible hieroglyphic symbols and rubbery,
massive domes. Most Engineer installations will egg-shaped control nodules. There is evidence of
have at least one giant stone head. It is be- terraforming at many of their sites, via a method
lieved these heads are meant to represent one that company scientists so far cannot explain.
of six elders of their civilization—intellectuals, Vast underground hangars are hypothesized to
artists, and wise men. Their culture appears to hold the remains of their star-faring juggernauts,
be steeped in both the sciences and the arts. although all such hangers discovered thus far
In addition to their biotechnological wonders, have been vacant.
beautifully painted murals and bas reliefs of
bizarre alien creatures adorn the walls of their
285
GAME MOTHER SECTION
286
11. ALIEN SPECIES
ACCELERATED EVOLUTION: AGENT A0-3959X.91-15
A genetic accelerant created by an ancient race of
alien Engineers, Agent A0-3959X.91-15 is a black, tar-
like substance with both destructive and life-generating
capabilities. While it exists in a viscous liquid form,
it atomizes when released in the atmosphere, killing or
altering all living things unlucky enough to be within
range. While the full extent of its potential is unknown,
any corporation that finds out about it wants it. The only
thing known for certain about Agent A0-3959X.91-15 and
its derivatives is that its mutagenic capabilities are
responsible for the creation of Abominations, Neomorphs, and
other abhorrent creatures. Simply put: any living thing that
comes into direct contact with the black goo will either
die horribly, give birth to monsters, or become a monster
themselves. Tread lightly and look underfoot for alien
spores. ■
287
GAME MOTHER SECTION
TECHNOLOGY
E N G I N E E R F L U T E : Music is the crux of
Engineer society. It has been hypothesized that
they can see melodies as colors, shapes, and
words. As such, music is key to operating most
of their technology. Different flutes function as
keys to unlock different doors and technology,
and playing different tones on these flutes will
trigger different functions, such as turning on
the lights, starting a juggernaut, plotting a navi-
gational course, or even unlocking a biosuit.
An android or human possessing a partic-
ular talent for music could conceivably learn
to whistle the appropriate tones to activate
and operate Engineer technology, but it is an
exceedingly difficult skill to master.
E N G I N E E R B I O S U I T : It has been theo-
rized that these pressure suits increase the
wearer’s strength, help them to process toxins,
and act as armor against ballistic weaponry.
Helmeted, one of these suits will keep an En-
gineer alive in the vacuum of space. Scientists
believe an engineer could survive in a toxic
environment for at least one hour sans helmet,
as the biosuit will breath for them. The biosuit
also acts as an advanced medkit, repairing
damage to the Engineer’s body and providing
the wearer with limited sustenance.
E N G I N E E R R E B R E AT H E R : Usually used
by Engineers when placed in cryosleep, these
bioengineered masks insert a tube down the
wearer’s throat and feed oxygen directly to
their lungs.
"A superior species, no doubt."
—DAVID 8
288
11. ALIEN SPECIES
S A R C O P H A G I : Resembling large, translucent makes them one with the ship. The entire cham-
coffins, these Engineer hypersleep tubes can keep ber can be used to display a map of the galaxy,
someone alive in suspended animation for centu- homing in on any world or system and charting
ries, if not millennia. An Engineer rebreather must a course to the desired location. Juggernauts
be worn while in the chamber. are theorized to be war machines or bombers of
some kind and are capable of FTL speeds that
H O L O G R A P H Y : Engineers record everything rival our own.
within their installations using a memory gel
that coats the interior walls and ceiling. When M O T H E R J U G G E R N A U T : Colossal craft
the proper electrostatic currents are channeled shaped like a scorpion’s tail, Engineer motherships
through the gel, holographic playback will oc- are defensive docking stations that hover over and
cur in the actual environment, producing fuzzy, protect major Engineer installations and cities. Jug-
blue particle representations of various record- gernauts and other Engineer craft can dock with a
ed events. Most evidence of the Engineer’s past Mothership to replenish their energies and supplies.
actions have come from such recordings.
D R E A D N O U G H T S : While none have yet to be
O R R E R Y : Engineer holographic maps of the gal- seen, Dreadnoughts are hypothetical Engineer bat-
axy are extremely detailed and interactive, allowing tleships. Partially translated hieroglyphics seem to
viewers to simply pluck a photonic representation indicate that these twisted, knot-shaped craft are
of a world out of the air and have its statistics and larger than juggernauts but still follow the same
coordinates feed directly into a navigational system. design philosophy. Dreadnoughts are believed to
Orreries are located on the bridge of an Engineer be extremely weaponized and FTL capable.
ship and sometimes serve as observatories or com-
mand centers within Engineer installations. S T E AT I T E A M P U L E S : Metallic storage con-
tainers roughly a half a meter tall, these urns
J U G G E R N A U T S : These massive, asymmetri- each contain four glass conical containers—each
cal, horseshoe-shaped craft appear more grown of which in turn contains a strain of the Engi-
than built. Each ship contains at least one massive neer’s greatest creation—the genetic accelerant
cargo bay with an ampule delivery system (see called Agent A0-3959X.91-15. Hermetically
the ampule entry below). These ships usually sealed, the urns are designed to release the black
have four to eight hypersleep chambers arranged goo in response to pressure, temperature and
around a central dais on the upper level of the other environmental changes. These are excep-
ship’s center. In the middle of this dais is a retract- tionally dangerous and should be avoided. ■
able pilot's seat that interfaces with the pilot and
289
GAME MOTHER SECTION
T H E X E N OM O R P H S
Neomorphs, Praetomorphs, Ultramorphs, and GENERAL
Xenomorphs—forget anything and everything X E N OM O R P H R U L E S
you’ve heard before about facing off against
aliens. Ignore the macho bravado you’ve In combat, Xenomorphs follow special
overheard drunken marines spout at bars—es- rules—primarily, they have a Speed rating
pecially those with no scars on their faces and and they have signature attacks.
all their limbs intact. They are cocky and alive
because they haven’t actually seen a xeno S K I L L S : Xenomorphs don’t have Attri-
in real life. If they knew anything worthwhile butes like humans. They can use specific
about these things, they would be shaken and skills, and then roll a number of Base Dice
reserved. If you see a xeno, you do one thing: equal to their skill level only. Xenomorphs
run. You don’t stand a chance, you never did can have skill levels much higher than hu-
and you never will. You think you’ve got supe- mans. They never push rolls.
rior firepower in your hands? Use all your big
and fancy toys to cover your escape, but get A R M O R R AT I N G : Most Xenomorphs
the hell out of there. also have a thick hide, resistant to attacks,
giving them a natural Armor Rating.
While the classic Xenomorph XX121 (P.
praepotens) is the one whispered about most H E A LT H : When a Xenomorph is reduced
on the Frontier, there are also other breeds to zero Health, it isn’t Broken in the way a
created by the various strains of the xenovi- human is. Instead, roll a D6 on the critical
rus pathogen. A range of them are presented injury table to the right.
below, but there are several others that will be
detailed in further supplements. Each one of S P E C I A L A B I L I T I E S : Some Xeno
these xeno types is terrifying in its own way, morphs have special actions beyond their
and will give you something to suffer PTSD signature attacks. This is specified under each
over—if you can get out alive. Xenomorph description.
“You still don't understand what you're dealing with, do you? Perfect.
Organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility.”
“You admire it.”
“I admire its purity. A survivor... unclouded by conscience,
remorse, or delusions of morality.”
—ASH AND LAMBERT
290
11. ALIEN SPECIES
SPEED SIGNATURE ATTACKS
Xenomorphs are often much faster than human Most Xenom orphs attack only in close com-
beings. This is represented by their Speed rating. bat, at ENGAGED range. However, they don’t
Speed has two uses: make ordinary close-combat attacks. Instead,
each time a Xenomorph attacks, roll a D6 on a
TT In stealth mode (see page 85), the Xeno table for the creature’s signature attacks, and
resolve the effects. Some signature attacks are
morph can move one zone per point of Speed extremely deadly.
each Turn. Humans can only move one zone,
i.e. they have a Speed of 1. B L O C K I N G : Unless stated otherwise, a sig-
nature attack can be blocked (see page 92),
TT In combat, a Xenom orph gets to act once but doing so requires some form of weapon or
blunt instrument.
for each point of Speed in each Round. Draw
one initiative card for each point of Speed. At
each point of action, the Xenom orph gets to
perform one fast and one slow action.
CRITICAL INJURIES ON XenomorphS
D6 CRIT EFFECT
1 Rise Again The Xenomorph falls to the ground, seemingly dead, but it’s a ruse. If it’s
attacked again, or on its next initiative, it regains one point of Health and
rises—fueled by instinctive hatred.
2 Wounded The Xenomorph staggers, bleeding severely. It gets Speed –1 (down to a min-
imum of 1, losing the lowest initiative), but regains one point of Health. Roll a
D6 at the start of each Round. On 1–3, it tries to escape.
3 Desperate The Xenom orph is severely wounded and cries out in alien fury. It immediate-
Action ly gets to perform a fast and a slow action, outside of the normal turn order.
Roll a D6: On 1–3, it tries to escape (if it succeeds it regains half its Health).
On 4–6, it instantly attacks the closest opponent. If it fails to inflict any dam-
age, the creature dies. If it succeeds, it regains one point of Health.
4 Last Breath The Xenom orph is mortally wounded and contorts wildly. On its next initia-
tive, it will try to kill the nearest victim, then the beast dies. If it’s wounded
again before then, it dies instantly.
5–6 Torn Apart Instant death. The Xenomorph is torn apart or crushed amidst shrieks of rage.
Severely mutilated, it can only be Analyzed with OBSERVATION –2.
291
GAME MOTHER SECTION
Stage IV: Juvenile Neomorph
292
11. ALIEN SPECIES
NEOMORPH
The term Neomorph is the common name tive fungal and insect life to produce a living
for the endoparasitic extraterrestrial organ- nightmare. Similar to a Xenomorph XX121, the
ism (EEO) that was originally encountered by Neomorph parasite (P. celerius) is delivered to a
humans on Planet 4 of an uncharted system host via a carrier organism (Tachinidae tabellari-
in Sector 87. It is believed that an ecological um). Once implanted, the parasite gestates within
disaster there brought on by the release of a living host who is killed by the creature’s violent
Agent A0-3959X.91-15 in the atmosphere led to birth. There are a number of differences, however,
the accelerant settling on and mutating na- causing the creature to be classified separately.
P H Y S I C A L AT T R I B U T E S : Appearance-wise, S TA G E S : A Neomorph’s life cycle is broken
Neomorphs are eyeless and have gray-white down into five known stages that are covered
translucent skin, a fleshy spiked tail, an elongated below, as well as various termination protocols
bulbous head, and a sphincter-like facial orifice associated with each stage.
that distends to reveal a mouth full of cruel teeth.
While their blood is translucent yellow like that of S T E R I L I Z AT I O N : Neomorphs are genetically
a Xenom orph, it is not acidic. They make subtle programmed to kill all life. Believed by some to
clicking sounds and exhibit animal snarls and be a derivative of the black liquid, P. celerius was
screeches, as well as making a distinct hooting likely designed by the Engineers to clear a planet
sound as adults. Neomorphs are more animalistic of any indigenous species still living after Agent
than their Xenomorph brethren and are clearly A0-3959X.91-15 had wiped out the majority of a
not as intelligent. planet’s population.
STAGE I: NEOMORPHIC EGG SACS
Small, bulbous pods that grow like fungus, the CONTAINMENT AND TERMINATION
egg sacs are the result of the mutagenic Agent P R O T O C O L : The best way to be rid of the Egg
A0-3959X.91-15 interacting with pollen and micro- Sacs is to expose them to severe temperature
bial elements on a planet or in a spacecraft. Once changes—they can be destroyed with fire or
formed, these bird’s egg-sized pods tend to grow in made inert with liquid nitrogen (at least until
clutches of 2D6—and there are often several clutches they thaw).
in any infected area. The egg sacs are the delivery
system for the Neomorphic Motes (see Stage II).
293
GAME MOTHER SECTION
STAGE II: NEOMORPHIC MOTES
When the egg sacs are disturbed, they release Agent A0-3959X.91-15 into the victim’s white
what appears to be a puff of pollen. In reality, blood cells.
it is a synchronized swarm of highly infectious
Tachinidae tabellarium motes. Smaller than I N F E C T I O N : Exposure to Neomorphic Motes is
grains of sand, these parasites are sometimes handled as a disease with Virulence 9. If the first
visible when clustering together to increase Sickness Roll fails, the patient enters Stage III with-
their locomotive capacities. Possessing a primal in one Shift. No further Sickness Rolls are made.
hive intelligence, the motes target the nearest
potential host and zero-in on an unprotect- CONTAINMENT AND TERMINATION
ed orifice such as the eyes, ears, nose, throat, P R O T O C O L : Like all insects—alien or other-
or an open wound. From there they enter the wise—Neomorphic Mote tend to avoid smoke
bloodstream and inject microscopic amounts of and are killed by fire.
STAGE III: NEOMORPHIC BLOODBURSTER
Once the Motes enter a host’s bloodstream, they de- aggressive, they lash out at anything and everything
liver their microscopic payload and die. The injected around them. They use their claws, tail, and teeth to
Agent A0-3959X.91-15 begins to mutate white savagely maul their victims.
blood cells as they circulate throughout the body
until they form a cancerous growth that becomes B I R T H : A patient entering Stage III is im-
lodged in a vein or arterial wall. This tumor can take mediately killed outright by the birth of the
root in any bodily area of sufficient mass—such as Bloodburster. The newly born Bloodburster takes
the lungs, the digestive tract, the esophagus, or one Round to sluggishly free itself from its amni-
even the brain. Forming an amniotic sack, the tumor otic sack. As soon as it is free, it flies into a savage
begins rapidly converting the host's own mutated rage and attacks any living creature it encounters.
cells into a larval Bloodburster. See the table of signature attacks to the right. Af-
ter just a few Turns, the Bloodburster enters Stage
If lodged in a region of the body with dense IV (juvenile Neomorph).
muscle or bone and no easy egress, the gestating
creature develops dorsal spines to aid in its escape. S P R I N T : As a slow action, the Bloodburster
When the newly formed Bloodburster is ready to can sprint as if having used two run actions, i.e.
be born, it violently removes itself from the host— through two zones or from an adjacent zone di-
using its inordinate strength, spines, teeth, and rectly into ENGAGED range from a target.
claws to cut and tear through flesh, bone, and sin-
ew. The process causes severe hemorrhaging and CONTAINMENT AND TERMINATION
massive tissue damage in the host, is always fatal, P R O T O C O L : The best bet is to attack a Blood-
and results in the birth of a Bloodburster. burster right after birth—before it has sluggishly
freed itself from its amniotic sack (above). Fire or
Bloodbursters have a bulbous head with sharp any serious damage done to the creature at this
canines, and run about on all fours. These rabid time causes it to run off and hide while it rapidly
quadrupedal creatures rely on their speed and agil- grows to its juvenile form.
ity to avoid damage. Emerging about 0.3 meters in
length, Bloodbursters continue to grow exponential-
ly, visibly getting larger as they move about. Highly
294
11. ALIEN SPECIES
BLOODBURSTER ATTACKS
D6 ATTACK
1–3 ESCAPE. With a snarl, the Bloodburster flees, moving two zones away in a single action,
into the nearest air duct if possible. As soon as the PCs lose line of sight, combat ends and
stealth mode ensues. After D6 Turns, the Bloodburster grows into a Juvenile Neomorph and
starts stalking the PCs.
4 TERRIFYING HISS. The Bloodburster jumps onto the victim, showing its razor-sharp teeth and
hissing. The victim must make an immediate Panic Roll.
5 LEG BITE. With a snarl, the Bloodburster bites the victim’s leg. Roll for the attack using six
Base Dice, Damage 2. If the attack causes damage, it automatically inflicts critical injury
#53 (even if the victim is not Broken), triggering an immediate Panic Roll.
6 THROAT BITE. The Bloodburster bites the victim’s throat. Roll for the attack using eight Base
Dice, Damage 1. If the attack causes damage, it automatically inflicts critical injury #61
(even if the victim is not Broken), triggering an immediate Panic Roll.
TYPICAL STATS TYPICAL STATS
NEOMORPHIC Neophyte
BLOODBURSTER (Juvenile neomorph)
SPEED: 3 SPEED: 3
HEALTH: 2 HEALTH: 4
SKILLS: Mobility 9, Observation 6 SKILLS: Mobility 10, Observation 6
ARMOR RATING: 3 (zero against fire damage) ARMOR RATING: 4 (2 against fire damage)
STAGE IV: NEOPHYTE (JUVENILE NEOMORPH)
Growing from 1.2 to 1.8 meters in length, a juvenile S P R I N T : As a slow action, the Neomorph can
Neomorph continues to maneuver on all fours. sprint as if having used two run actions, i.e.
While their heads are still bulbous, they have through two zones or from an adjacent zone di-
begun to elongate and taper to a point. They are rectly into ENGAGED range from a target.
aggressive hunters who are hard to frighten away.
Juveniles target one prey animal in a pack and CONTAINMENT AND TERMINATION
devote all resources to taking that prey down, P R O T O C O L : Even when taking weapons
even going so far as to track it if it escapes. Feral fire, a juvenile Neomorph is so focused on the
and ferocious, a juvenile Neomorph uses its sharp- attack that it ignores damage to itself until it
tipped tail and teeth to attack. becomes critical. Overwhelming concentrat-
ed fire will eventually take the thing out, if it
E V O LV I N G : After one Shift, the juvenile Neo- doesn't get you first.
morph enters Stage V and becomes an adult
Neomorph.
295
GAME MOTHER SECTION
STAG E V: A D U LT N EO M O R P H
As it reaches adulthood, the Neomorph’s smooth, burn themselves out. An adult Neomorph typi-
eyeless head becomes more elongated and cally dies of natural causes within 24 hours (four
pointed. Soon, it assumes a gaunt, bipedal stance, Shifts). Fungus interacting with the decaying
reaching a height of 2.1 meters or more. When the corpse will be transformed into new spore sacs,
creature’s mouth closes, its jawline is impercepti- continuing the cycle.
ble, giving it an inquisitive, ethereal appearance.
When provoked, the adult Neomorph’s upper jaw CONTAINMENT AND TERMINATION
protrudes in a manner similar to a goblin shark, P R O T O C O L : Adult Neomorphs go down quick
allowing it to grasp prey and pull it in for the kill. with a full burst from a pulse rifle, but any auto-
As adults they utilize stealth tactics to hunt their matic weapon does the job eventually. A finishing
prey, but they are still voracious carnivores. shot to the head is a good idea, as these creatures
have been known to get up and attack even when
S H O R T L I F E S PA N : The life cycle and meta they seem to be dead.
bolism of Neomorphs is so fast that they quickly
NEOMORPH ATTACKS
D6 ATTACK
1 TERRIFYING HISS. The Neomorph leans in close to the victim, showing its razor-sharp teeth
and hissing. The victim must make an immediate Panic Roll.
2 TAIL SLASH. The Neomorph pivots, slashing its victim with its sharp tail. The victim is at-
tacked using ten Base Dice, Damage 2. The attack is armor piercing, halving any Armor
Rating.
3 DEADLY GRAB. The Neomorph jumps at its victim, grabbing it and dragging it away. Roll for
the attack using eight Base Dice, Damage 1. If it hits, the Neomorph immediately drags the
victim into the next zone (MEDIUM range) before releasing it. The victim falls prone, drops
any hand-held items, and must make an immediate Panic Roll.
4 LEAPING ATTACK. The Neomorph jumps at the victim. Roll for the attack using eight Base
Dice, Damage 1. If the attack is successful, the victim is thrown to the ground and must
make an immediate Panic Roll, and the Neomorph immediately performs an extra attack
with ten Base Dice, Damage 2 (does not count as an action). The extra attack cannot be
blocked.
5 THROAT BITE. The Neomorph bites the victim’s throat. Roll for the attack using eight Base
Dice, Damage 1. If the attack causes damage, it automatically inflicts critical injury #61
(even if the victim is not Broken), triggering an immediate Panic Roll.
6 TAIL SPIKE. The Neomorph impales the victim with its razor-sharp tail. Roll for the attack
using seven Base Dice, Damage 1. The attack is armor piercing, halving any Armor Rating.
If the attack causes damage, it automatically triggers critical injury #66 (even if the victim
is not Broken), killing the victim outright.
296
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