The Post-Apocalyptic Role Playing Sourcebook for the HERO System

Copyright 1998-1999 by Ronald A. Miller

Considering the collapse of monetary exchange, trade is now the dominant form of payment for goods and services. Each item should be assigned a trade value based on necessity, quality, rarity and usefulness in the immediate environment. Precious metals and gemstones can be used as tender, but are only really valuable to someone who spends enough time trading in towns and communities to make it worth their while (including the sub-species).

A trade value unit (TVU) has a minimum value of zero, representing a totally useless trade item with no buying power in the current situation. An item deemed as "useless" in one trade situation may have value in another, thereby making all trade value units totally dependant on the current negotiation. The upper limit has no boundary. The two parties (trader and buyer) have full control over the negotiations, and the actual value represents too many factors to list here. As a starting point 50 TVU can represent a common item that isn’t too hard to find, but is valuable enough to trade for in order to avoid the hassle of searching. The entire scale is used for a ruler of game mechanics only, and shouldn’t become part of a character’s dialogue.

Unless the item is one from the past (an "artifact" or "relic" - see section H below), the overall quality may be the biggest variable to the trade value equation. When an effort is put forth in making an item, the quality of the outcome is based on the quality of the starting materials, the level of expertise of the creator and the time spent crafting the item.

Base Trade Value (TVb) (assuming the item is in working condition) is the minimum suggested value (in Trade Value Units, or TVU) assigned to an item. In Wasteland Hero, any item that can be defined by the use of Hero System Powers, Skills or Talents will be assigned a value based on a certain number of factors. The following menu can help determine what the TVb of a given item is:

TVb = Active Points for items requiring Hero System definition (Power / Skill / Talent)

For simple items that require no Hero System write-up, use the following chart:

Characters may begin with 1000-6000 (10D6x100) trade value units (TVU) in order to equip themselves with what they think that they may need. Starting characters should equip themselves initially to survive for one week in the Wastelands, even if they are a "towner". The way things are, an individual might have to leave a community immediately, so everyone has been bred to always be ready for flight. To simplify this process, the following list provides a bare bones inventory of survival gear. The character’s initial purchases should be considered as their only possessions.

The survival essentials are listed in three categories. Descriptions of each may be found in Section VI: The Arsenal.

1. Weapons

2. Defenses

3. Survival Gear (six sub-categories)

• signaling

• emergency devices

• shelter and personal protection (this does not include weapons and armor)

• medical items

• water and food

• miscellaneous/multi-purpose needs

1. Miscellaneous (mostly luxuries)

There are some minimal requirements for daily and weekly sustenance for all living things, namely food, water and rest. The actual provisions selected aren't as important as the need to fulfil the daily requirements of nourishment and hydration. The table below gives a rule of thumb of judging what is the minimal daily requirement as a function of the character's lifestyle.

All other races will be judged according to their Character Type (Towner or Wanderer)

Note: These may be modified by the Fasting Talent under the Skills section.

Should a character not meet the minimum daily food and/or liquid requirement, he will begin to suffer the effects of fatigue by means of a REC penalty. The penalty is first assigned as a -1/day (cumulative) when the character goes without the minimum sustenance requirement, this can be avoided by a successful EGO roll for the first number of days equal to the Maximum Holdout Period. After the Maximum Holdout Period, the penalty is automatic. The long-term END rules should be used in these cases.

A character who wishes to use a weapon outside of their Tech Rank will be penalized by a -3 OCV (treated as an "off-hand" attack). This is a cumulative penalty. For example, an Underworlder (Middle Tech) who wishes to use an automatic pistol (Advanced Tech) must suffer a -6 OCV to use it. The player may apply levels to offset the penalty and, with permission of the GM, may purchase Combat Levels normally to further reduce the penalty’s effects.

Organotechnology is a gray area. Since it is strictly alien to anyone outside of the Thin Men, other characters would get a penalty. The GM should decide on how much of a penalty is assigned, depending on how complex the operating procedure is. The range of penalties can be anywhere from 0 to -12. For further details see the "Organotechnology" section below.

These penalties do not apply to any weapon falling into the category of "clubs" (anybody can use a club with ease, barring size factors). A club can be anything from a baseball bat to a chair, see the "Low Tech Melee Weapons" section below. The explanation of a High Tech Character (Human) gaining a penalty when using a Low Tech Weapon (say, a dart) is found within the technical upbringing of that character. A Human who has access to a pipegun most likely will never handle a dart let alone practice with one in order to gain proficiency. This limitation can be overcome normally with experience via purchasing Weapon Familiarities and Combat Levels. Lower Tech Rank Characters might be suspicious of such advanced to ultra technology, never fully appreciating how much control may be gained over such weaponry, thus their penalties are also justified.

This adjustment goes both ways so that the penalties are as follows (characters can only be from Tech Ranks of Low to High or Organic):

These penalties are in addition to any other penalties gained from various modifiers. With experience the user can get better with any weapon, buying Combat Levels with a weapon that he possesses reflects this. Weapon Familiarity with a weapon outside a character's Tech Rank is not allowed. Combat Levels with a weapon outside the character's Tech Rank is permitted, but for an elevated cost.

Ultra Tech Ranged Weapons were manufactured in three styles, Rifle, Pistol and Wrist models. A brief description of the state of the art technology as it was just before the Apocalypse is given below. Ultra Tech was predominately used for military purposes, some models being available only as prototypes for purposes of dealing with the Androids during the Android Uprising.

Advanced Tech Ranged Weapons were manufactured in two styles, Rifle and Pistol. Advanced Technology is summarily that which was available to the common man prior to the Apocalypse. A brief description of the technology as it was just before the Apocalypse is given below. Different examples, such as flechette sidearms, can be found in the Cyber HERO Source Book.

The Humans define High Tech as being manufacturable.

• COMPOUND BOW TECHNOLOGY

• CROSSBOW TECHNOLOGY: These ranged weapons come in hand, light and heavy crossbow models. Next to pipeguns (below) these are the ranged weapons of choice for Humans as well as most subspecies. Stocks are easily manufactured, but replacement bows and strings are hard to come by and productively hoarded by those who prefer such weaponry. Crossbow bolts may come in many styles, and some innovative users have attached unspent shotgun shells with a mini primer to make the bolt explode on impact. Flame bolts are also very popular.

• PIPEGUN TECHNOLOGY: The pride of post-Apocalypse man is the invention of the pipegun. These weapons are basically a wooden stock and metal trigger mechanisms that most Humans desire to custom make for themselves. The metal barrel can be interchangeable and any length of metal piping can be interfaced to the stock piece. This offers great freedom for the weapon bearer since very short to very long barrels can be plugged in for the desired range and power requirements. A slug and blasting cap unit (separately manufacturable) propels ammunition (the entire unit is referred to as the "capload"). Pipeguns are low maintenance, yet they take an extra phase to load, offer only one shot per capload. Buckshot caploads have been made, and improvised ammunition, such as glass particles, can take the place of the standard metal bearings in short notice as long as the blasting cap is available. Some individuals have been seen to use ammo feeds in order to automatically load the caploads, this requires a bulky side load-and-eject module that isn't commercially available.

• SPEARGUN TECHNOLOGY: Somewhere between the crossbow and the pipegun, the speargun was reinvented. Pipeguns may be modified into spearguns by stuffing the barrel with wadding, this allows enough pressure to build up behind the spear in order to launch it at a target.

Due to the inability to manufacture advanced mechanisms, several subspecies rely on bows (long and short) and slings (wristrockets, leather strip models are considered Low Tech) in order to attack at range. These weapons compliment the user's physique by augmenting muscle power with increased range and penetration potential.

The most primitive types of ranged weapons are just a step ahead of throwing projectiles. The Low Tech category is comprised of such weapons as blowguns and leather strap slings. Blowguns are typically used in conjunction with a poisoned tip dart. Slings are the rudimentary type which must be whirled around one's head by a long leather strap. Low tech ranged weapons are quite awkward to use and take time and space to use they rely heavily on the user's dexterity.

Organotechnology may be considered as a wild card in terms of predictability and use. Each of the below are reusable as manufactured weapons are, the disadvantage is that only Thin Men have the resources to do so (except the seed launcher which can be reloaded quite easily). Thin Men have cornered the market on it's production and advancement. The class of ranged weapons includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• ACID JETPOUCH: These liver-sized bags are semi-rigid which makes them easily held and stored. The bulk of the unit is held under the arm and the "business end" has a small orifice, which is pointed at a target. The bag is squeezed lightly and a stream of acid is launched. The damage delivered by the acid varies slightly from pouch to pouch, as does the size. Hand held models are available, but are usually only good for a single shot.

• GAS BLADDER: Like the acid jetpouch (above), the gas bladder is comprised of a semi-rigid membranous sheath about two liters in volume. The bladder can be either squeezed to produce a plume of noxious gas (effects vary), or it can be thrown detonating on impact. Due to the overall toughness of the pouch, they may be stored safely for an appreciable amount of time.

• SEED LAUNCHER: This branch-like apparatus is hollowed out with several knobby projections, which allow the holder to get a comfortable grip. When aimed at a target and squeezed, it projects a volley of hard-shelled seeds that do damage on impact. Several different types of "ammunition" are available, the most effective types stick to the target and deliver damage for several phases after making contact. The seeds can be recovered if allowed to pass without impacting a rigid surface.

As far as definitions go, a "defense" is anything that protects an individual from harm. With this definition comes the concept of armor, but there is no reason to limit the definition to armor.  A list of defense values (DEF) for given materials can be found in the "Arsenal" section. A short description is given below for materials unique to Wasteland Hero.

A character can only manage a certain amount of technology outside his or her tech level. That amount depends on the character's INT score. Consult

the following tables:

The range is this, in decreasing order

Ultra (Space Age) > Advanced (Cyber Age) > High (Early 20th Century) > Middle (Medieval Age) > Low (Primitive Age)

Not all gear descriptions need a HERO-based write-up. They are all considered Independent (-2), Focuses (-1/4 to -1). Other limitations such as charges may be added on, but no real Active Point value exists for most of these items, those that do are listed under Notes. Unless indicated by a note superscript, all of the below are manufactured by and made available to Humans. Their trade interests make these universally available.

NOTE: Starting characters should be allowed to take any combination of clothing at no cost to their beginning TVU pool. Every player begins with one set of clothing to begin with by default (see "Luxuries" below). The GM may also wish to supply each character with a single weapon of choice to the player, but the weapon must be at or below the High Tech rank, determined by the GM as to the race and background of the character.

Tech abbreviations: U = Ultra, A = Advanced, H = High, M = Middle, L = Low, O = Organotech

An asterisk (*) indicates items that are not readily manufactured, existing items are left over from before the Apocalypse. The suggested TVU would be too speculative, since these items may never be available for trade due to their highly valuable nature. All items with TVU values are assumed to either be in great quantity or manufacturable with the proper resources. All weights are in kilograms (kg).

These items are clearly the most valuable of all common items in that they afford the individual with some much needed comfort. Each item is definitely not essential, but the character’s life is a lot easier or pleasant with any of them. Trade values should be high, and each item should be considered rare and at a high risk for being stolen.

A technological artifact is an item of value left behind by the Elders who existed before the Apocalypse. Items of great mystery and power, and in some cases unrecognizable in function. They provide an edge to those left to exist in the Wasteland. They may even be seen as "mystical" in nature since they are mostly misunderstood as to their function and operation. Any writings found on them are in the form of cryptic languages. Characters who find such things must work to figure them out, which may at times be dangerous. There is always a chance of misinterpreting their function or even not recognizing the item’s full potential. Some examples follow.

The functional technical ranks of Artifacts are comprised of "Advanced" and "Ultra" technology types. "Advanced" technology represents the technology that was commonly available before the Apocalypse. "Ultra" Technology was the absolute cutting edge - prototype stuff.

For a complete list of "Advanced" rank technology, see the Cyber HERO Rules Supplement. The devices and weapons found within are a good representation of common civilian items that existed before the destruction of society. Some examples of "Ultra" weaponry can be found in the HERO System Rules Book in the "Weapons" section ("Futuristic Weaponry", i.e. laser pistols, gyrojet pistols, energy sabers, etc.).

Other than the items listed in the above tables, the following list gives examples of what kind of technology was available prior to the Apocalypse. These items should only be found as treasure, given their unique and imbalancing properties. Items listed with a "CH" have been taken from the Cyber Hero Sourcebook.

Powers: Armor 5rPD, +5PD, UV Vision, Flash Defense 10 pts

Limitations: OIF (-1/2), Independent (-2), Protects only Locations 3-5 (-2), Requires Batteries (lithium life-time) for UV only (-1/4)

Active Points: 28

Real Points: 5

Powers: Suppress Poisons 8D6

Advantages: All poisons affected (+2)

Limitations: OAF, Expendable (-1 1/2), Independent (-2), Human bias (-1/2), One continuing (5 hour) charge (-1/4), Extra Time = 5 min (-2), No Range (-1/2)

Active Points: 120; Real Points: 15

Powers: Cramming, Eidetic Memory, Lightning Calculator, Lightsleep

Limitations: OAF, Expendable (-1 1/2), Independent (-2), Human bias (-1/2), One continuing (1hour) charge (-1/2), Extra Time = 1 min (-1), Must rest 1 hour (-1)

Active Points: 31; Real Points: 3

Powers: CON +10, Immune to Disease

Limitations: OAF, Expendable (-1 1/2), Independent (-2), Human bias (-1/2), One continuing (1hour) charge (-1/2), Extra Time = 1 min (-1), Must rest 1 hour (-1)

Active Points: 23; Real Points: 3

Computer Stats: INT 20 DEX 20 SPD 3

Programs: Diagnose, survey wound damage, deduce symptoms, instruct procedures, prescribe and administer medicines

Powers: Healing (Aid) 6D6, Suppress Poisons 8D6, Paramedic Bonus +3; SC: Diagnostics, Pharmaceuticals, Toxicology, Medicine (Human), Anatomy and Physiology (Human)

Limitations: OAF (-1), Independent (-2), Requires batteries (three lithium) (-1/2), Incantations, Gestures

Active Points:

Real Points:

Computer Stats: INT 10 DEX 20 SPD 3

Programs: Diagnose, survey wound damage, deduce symptoms, instruct procedures, prescribe and administer medicines

Powers: Healing (Aid) 4D6, Suppress Poisons 8D6, Paramedic Bonus +2; SC: Diagnostics, Pharmaceuticals, Toxicology, Medicine (Human), Anatomy and Physiology (Human)

Limitations: OAF (-1), Independent (-2), Requires batteries (three lithium) (-1/2), Incantations, Gestures

Active Points:

Real Points:

Computer Stats: INT 30 DEX 30 SPD 4

Programs: Diagnose, survey wound damage, calculate options, deduce symptoms, instruct procedures, prescribe and administer medicines

Powers: Healing (Aid) 6D6, Suppress Poisons 8D6, Paramedic Bonus +3; SC: Surgery, Diagnostics, Pharmaceuticals, Toxicology, Medicine (Human), Anatomy/Physiology (Human)

Limitations: OAF (-1), Independent (-2), Requires batteries (six lithium) (-1/2), Incantations, Gestures

Active Points:

Real Points:

Powers: DEX +5, STR +3, SPD +1, PER +3 for all senses

Limitations: OAF, Expendable (-1 1/2), Independent (-2), Human bias (-1/2), One continuing (1hour) charge (-1/2), Extra Time = 1 min (-1), Must rest 1 hour (-1)

Active Points: 37; Real Points: 5

Powers: Drain EGO 4D6

Advantages: Fade 5 pts/5 minutes (+1/2)

Limitations: OAF, Expendable (-1 1/2), Independent (-2), Human bias (-1/2), Extra Time = 1 Phase (-1/2)

Active Points: 60; Real Points: 11

Powers: Skill Levels, +5 to all INT-based Skills

Limitations: OAF, Expendable (-1 1/2), Independent (-2), Human bias (-1/2), One continuing (1hour) charge (-1/2), Extra Time = 1 min (-1)

Active Points: 25; Real Points: 4

Powers: Healing (Aid) 3D6 to STN and BOD

Advantages: Lose 5 pts/day (+1 1/4)

Limitations: OAF, Expendable (-1 1/2), Independent (-2), Human bias (-1/2), One charge (-2), Does not heal broken bones or ligature trauma (-0)

Active Points: 19; Real Points: 3

Power: Change Environment to Light, 8"r

Advantages: Vary Brightness (+1/4), Adjustable Area (Radius to Cone) (+1/2), 0 END, Persistent (+1)

Limitations: OIF (Ring, Pendant, Belt Buckle, etc) (-1/2), Independent (-2), No Range (-1/2), Always On (-1/2)

Active Points: 55; Real Points: 8

Power: Mind Link with up to 8 people, Any Distance

Limitations: IIF (-1/4), Independent (-2), Requires batteries (one lithium) (-1/2), Only with others who have a Communication Earclip (-1)

Active Points: 25; Real Points: 5

Power: Superleap +6", +10" with Acrobatics Roll (-1/2)

Limitations: IIF (-1/4), Independent (-2), Requires batteries (two Solar) (-1/2)

Active Points: 9; Real Points: 2

Power: 360^o Vision

Limitations: IIF (-1/4), Independent (-2), Requires batteries (two lithium) (-1/2)

Active Points: 10; Real Points: 3

Power: Infrared Vision, Ultraviolet Vision

Limitations: IIF (-1/4), Independent (-2), Requires batteries (one lithium) (-1/2)

Active Points: 10; Real Points: 3

Power: Detect Material Identity and Thickness, User's PER +3, Discriminate

Limitations: OAF (-1), Independent (-2), Requires batteries (one chemical) (-1/2)

Active Points: 14; Real Points: 3

Powers: Armor 5rPD / 25rED, Missile Deflection vs. Energy Only (-1)

Limitations: OIF (-1/2), Independent (-2), Requires Batteries (one Fission) (-1), Real Armor (-1/4), Normal Mass (-1), Only protects areas covered by cloth (-1/4)

Active Points: 45; Real Points: 9

Powers: Force Wall 2rPD / 2rED, 12" total perimeter x 1"height, forms a protective dome

Advantages: 1/2 END (+1/4)

Limitations: OAF (-1), Independent (-2), Requires Batteries (two Solar) (-1/2), Dome shape only (-1/2), No Range (-1/2)

Active Points: 44; Real Points: 8

Power: Change Environment to Light, 16"r

Advantages: Vary Brightness (+1/4)

Limitations: OIF (Dust) (-1), Independent (-2), Requires Haloglove to control and make reusable (-2)

Active Points: 37; Real Points: 6

Power: Flight 10" (2xNCM)

Limitations: OAF (-1/2), Independent (-2), Requires TF Skill roll beyond 3" (-1/2), Gestures (feet controls) throughout (-1/2), Requires batteries (two Fission) (-1)

Active Points: 25; Real Points: 4

Power: Telekinesis 40 STR

Limitations: OAF (-1), Independent (-2), Requires Controller to maneuver (-2), Disk must be under objects being lifted (-1/2), Requires batteries (Fission Cell) (-1)

Active Points: 60; Real Points: 8

Powers: Invisibility to Sight (Normal and UV) with Fringe

Limitations: IIF (-1/4), Independent (-2), Requires Batteries (Fission Cell) (-1)

Active Points: 25; Real Points: 6

In order for most automated objects to function, they need a source of fuel or power to draw from. Cars need gas (or steam), plasma rifles need a nuclear battery, and flashlights need chemical batteries. These power sources are a major key to survival and trade. Each can be represented by the END BATTERY Power. The special effects of the power source will describe whether it is rechargeable (batteries) or not (liquid fuel), as well as any other factors affecting the Real Cost (gasoline evaporates and chemical batteries have limited shelf life due to corrosion.

Since power is a key area of the deprivation of the Wastelands, each item of equipment (and vehicles, etc.) needs to have the Limitations: Costs END and Requires Batteries (Fuel, etc.). The base penalty for the "Requires Batteries" Limitation is a -1/2 since the power can be very rare to uncommon, additional complications and safety hazards may increase the modifier. For example, a nuclear pack (self recharging) would be -2 due to rarity and potential harm, and a solar recharging battery might be -1/2 due to ease of recharge and fairly common distribution.

Some items might need several sources of "power". A car might need a battery and fuel, or a Gaussian Slug Thrower might need ammunition and batteries to launch the projectiles. The GM, so as to not make the item completely unavailable to the PCs must carefully scrutinize the accumulation of Limitations.

Power sources may be interchangeable between compatible items. Power ratings differ from device to device, so each item could consume power at a different rate.

 In short, each power device will have it’s own power rating, which is simply it’s END Cost per use and any modifiers which affect it’s power usage. Examples of good power supply limitations includes Increased END, Costs END, Charges (used for simplicity - but assuming full power capacity), Activation and special Limitations like "doesn’t work when wet" etc. Of course if a GM wants a laser pistol to have 10 shots, then so be it. However, in the Wasteland genre it is more appealing to keep the character guessing as to how much punch the item is still packing.

*Only for trade in very desperate circumstances, or if an unreasonably high amount is available.

Adaptations to the Earth's poisoned ecology have allowed some plants and animals to display some interesting and formidable abilities. The Thin Men, having been too innovative to take the Humans restraints on technology lightly, have exploited nature to its fullest extent in order to mimic and surpass the technology used by Humans. Without metal and plastic, the Thin Men have discovered natural equivalents of such things as power sources, armor, weapons and mechanisms.

The idea in creating these effects is a matter of definition for gaming purposes. A 1D6 HKA delivers the same damage whether it's from a blade or a "wood hook". In terms of game mechanics, it is of little consequence to make OT. The key is in the concept. A definite advantage that OT possesses is the concealment factor. To the untrained eye, organotechnology can "hide in plain sight". Should the possessor decide to conceal, for example, wrap weed (an effective strangling weapon), he or she could wrap it's thin length up the base of his or her arm and proceed. Thus all OT should have the additional advantage of Concealment +1 to +3 (+1/4 per level) for purposes of Active and Real point assignment.

Thus, for OT vs. conventional technology, there are limitations that OT experiences. Armor can only be so resistant. Bark armor should have a defense of no more than 2r, and it is probably Ablative - but it is lightweight (1/4 mass), and bark is a readily available material. Animal hides can be any defense depending on the species. Weapons are just as potent as their metal counterparts except they may suffer limitations due to material usage (lower DEF and BOD scores, easier to break) again, however, the items are lighter and easy to replace.

Replacement parts for Organotechnology can be found in common sources. Acid Jetpouches, for example, can be manufactured by using the stomach of any animal. The manufacturer does need the Weaponsmith skill for this. Most of the OT weapons are easily replaced in this way, if the manufacturer has access to the materials, naturally.