Mutant-Bestiary-One-The-Mutant-Epoch-RPG-preview

The Mutant Epoch RPG Mutant Bestiary One Introduction to Mutant Bestiary OneIn The Mutant Epoch setting, the arrival of previously unseenhumanoids and beasts typically occurs through either reintroductionor evolution.Re-introduction occurs when old world species repopulatetheir ancient homelands, such as areas which were sprawlingurban spaces or crop lands carved from pre- settlementwilderness. This habitat loss process started in about the mid20 th century and accelerated until the devastations whichfinally collapsed human civilization.The second common avenue of new species introductionoccurs through evolution, in which new life forms, many of themincredible and nightmarish, others hauntingly beautiful, andsome just plain weird, migrate into new territories. Similarly,new beasts can occasionally emerge on the scene due to somefluke of nature or mad scientist’s activities, and it is theseengineered monsters which are often the most disturbing anddangerous.All these new arrivals offer special challenges to humancommunities, and in particular, pose a threat to excavatorsand others who enter the wilderness areas on an almost dailybasis. Dig teams are often the first to discover never beforeseen life forms and often blamed for unleashing these terrorsupon the countryside, trade routes and villages.The creatures found in Mutant Bestiary One cover a mixof known animals and livestock, as well as a diverse collectionof altogether new specimens. Although normal animals areincluded, most have one or more bizarre off-shoots and all canbe discovered as a mutant strain, which could turn an otherwisedocile farm or prey animal into a deadly foe. Occasionally, alisting will be continued over one or two additional pages, ormight be an extended collection of animals from those foundin The Mutant Epoch RPG Hub Rules, noted with the numbertwo behind the creature names (Cats 2, Dogs 2, Insects 2, andPlants 2 are within this book).The collection found in the Hub Rules, and those in this tome,are by no means the only official TME creatures available tothe game master. The magazines ‘Excavator Monthly’, and theExcavator Monthly Compendium book which contains all sixEM issues, have a vast menagerie of new beasts. Additionally,several creatures are available for free download in ourCreatures of the Apocalypse series at most RPG downloadstores and even more at www.mutantepoch.com in the Societyof Excavators members area*.New monsters are always welcome in a tabletop game,regardless of the genre. TME Game masters will find a wealthof post-apocalyptic adversaries, pets and allies in the followingpages, keeping the game interesting and intense for manysessions to come. While the 173 listings contained in thisbook, and previously mentioned sources, will offer a varietyof challenges for many adventures, they are by no means allthe mutant denizens of The Mutant Epoch and so the gamemaster is encouraged to invent his or her own beasts. Usingthe creatures in this book as examples or base life forms, aGM can quickly come up with something nasty, either as a newspecies or unique hybrid freak, something that the players willtalk about for years to come.The designation of Mutant Bestiary ‘One’ implies that theremight be a book two in this series. This is a correct assumption,as there is a growing folder of handwritten descriptions, loosesketches and cryptic scribbles with this in mind. The OutlandArts team is constantly coming up with new material topopulate this treacherous, weird and wonderful setting. Untilthen, enjoy this offering, with hopes that these beings, whengiven life in the imaginations of the GM and players alike, gofar toward immersing participants in a world of high adventureand exploration.* Anyone who has purchased a copy of the Hub Rules can sign up to become a Society ofExcavators Member. See www.mutantepoch.com/membership.htm for more details.