Boards, Blades and Bikes for Deadlands: Hell on Earth
by Matthew Steflik and Matthew Weaver-Uzelac
Up until the time the bombs fell, boards, blades and bikes were in constant use by children and adults alike all over the world. Not only a means of transportation or exercise, actual professional sporting leagues developed around these vehicles (most notably were the various racing and freestyle events of the X-Games). Science was constantly trying to improve upon basic design through the use of stronger and lighter weight materials, and hundreds of companies were in the business of producing these vehicles for both sport and leisure. Now that Judgement Day has passed, lots of boards, blades and bikes have been left lying around for the average waster to find.
(x 2)
(x 3)
(x 4)
(x 5)
$50
$100
$500
$450
Skateboard*
Roller Blades*
BMX/mountain bike**
10 speed/racing bike*
6/2
5/1
9/2
8/2
(** x 2 pace on non-paved surfaces)
The Basics
Before you start tooling about the Waste Lands on your new set of wheels, you're going to need to practice a bit. Boards and blades require a Nimbleness based Skatin' skill, while bikes require a Nimbleness based Bikin' skill. All boards, blades and bikes come with a pace modifier as detailed above. This pace modifier is only effective assuming a flat paved surface unless otherwise noted. While riding in a combat situation, you must divide your total modified pace across all of your actions (like the "old" movement rules, folks). Skill roll TN's are determined as needed via Marshal's call using the Handlin' chart on page 39 of Road Warriors. Additional handlin' modifiers due to speed are as follows:
0-15
16-30
31-45
46-60
0-36
26-72
73-108
109-144
+0
+1
+2
+3
The Need for Speed
The pace modifier supplied by boards, blades and bikes is effective both with your normal and running Paces. This means that you can get yourself going at a pretty fair clip, particularly is your waster had a decent Pace to being with. To convert your pace to MPH, simply divide your complete modified Pace by 2.4 (round off). For example, let's say a Waster with a Pace of 10 has himself a pair of roller blades. This means his pace while wearing the blades is 30 (10 x 3) while "walking", and 60 (20 x 3) while "running". In terms of MPH, that's a top speed of 13 MPH "walking" and 25 MPH "running". Pickin' up the Pace is still allowed, but has a new tweak if you're traveling on a hill. If you're trying to go up a hill, the result of Pickin' up the Pace is halved, rounded down. If you're going down a hill, it's a bit easier - you can double the result from Pickin' up the Pace.
High Endurance Racing
Traveling about on your new wheels using your modified "running" Pace looks pretty good, but keep in mind you can't do it indefinitely. Boards, blades and bikes utilize the following new rules regarding running.
A character can run for a number of minutes equal to his Vigor die type before having to make a base Easy (TN 3) Vigor check. If this Vigor check is successful, the character can continue running for another number of minutes equal to his Vigor die type before having to make another Vigor check, the TN increased by a step. This process repeats, each time increasing the TN of the check by a step. If the check is failed, the character takes 1d6 wind, but may continue to run. If the check is a bust, the character takes 2d6 wind. They may continue to run, but the next TN is raised an additional step.
For example, let's say a Waster has a Vigor of 3d8. He runs for 8 minutes before having to make the base Easy (TN 3) Vigor check, which he makes easily. Continuing to run for another 8 minutes, he now makes a Fair (TN 5) Vigor check. Still no problem - he's been running full out now for 16 minutes. Eight minutes later he now has to make an Onerous (TN 7) Vigor check. He's now 24 minutes into his run, and this time he fails the check, taking 5 wind from the 1d6 roll. He's starting to feel the burn but decides to keep running. Eight more minutes later (now 32 minutes of running) the Vigor check becomes Hard (TN 9). This time he busts the roll, taking 9 wind from the 2d6 roll. If he chooses to continue to run for another eight minutes his next Vigor check will be a TN 13, instead of 11.
Bells and Whistles
Like with any sport, extra equipment is available for boarder, skater or biker to either protect themself or modify their ride with. Some of these are detailed below.
Safety Helmet (cost: $25)
A helmet created from tough impact resistant plastics and lined with foam padding, held in place with a chin strap. The helmet protects the wearer's head with an equivalent of AV1 against non-bladed melee attacks and damage resulting from crashes or falling. It has no effect versus other types of attacks.
Safety Pads (cost: $25)
Knee and elbow guards made of tough impact resistant plastics, held in place with thick elastic bands and padding that protect the shins and forearms. Safety pads are slipped over the arms and legs when worn, and protect body locations 1, 2, 11 and 12 of the wearer with an equivalent of AV1 against non-bladed melee attacks and damage resulting from crashes or falling. They have no effect versus other types of attacks.
Bicycle Repair Kit (cost: $20)
A small kit full of tools and items to effect common bicycle repairs, such as inner tube patch/replacement, chain replacement/repair, and the like. The kit comes in a small water-resistant velcro-tabbed pouch and affixes securely beneath and behind the saddle seat of most bikes. Typical kits have a Reliability of 12 (see Toolkits, Sets and Shops at Gimme Shelter for more information).
Bicycle Pump (cost: $10)
A small plastic travel pump for inflating bicycle tires that affixes securely to the frame of most bikes.