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| Image taken of the interwebs without permission. |
The M-Virus Incident is set in your home town during a bleak Zombie themed Post Apocalypse that takes place in the mid 2000's. The players (PCs) are members of a group of survivors. They have been together in a somewhat safe location for about 2 weeks. Some of them knew each other before the 'Incident”, some have joined the group more recently. Supplies are getting low and the survivors have to go out for a scavenging run sooner than later. But wait, someone hear something...
At low levels of the campaign the players should feel like they are in a horror film—A single zombie will fill the players with fear and be very difficult to stop. Then during mid levels, the campaign should feel more like an action thriller—The players begin to chase down zombies and have conflict with other groups as packs of civilization begins to creep up. Finally, at high levels, it is a full apocalypse as hordes of zombies destroy everything in its path and wars break out between different settlements.
The standard d20 Modern occupation/class system is used, but many of the character creation steps are omitted, changed, or added. For example the wealth system is completely overhauled to represent hastily prepared equipment. Some of the big addition that really ad a horror vibe are permanent damage, insanity, and the biggest impact, multiple levels of fatigue (from lack of sleeping, eating, drinking, excessive damage, the environment, and illness).
Zombies are overhauled. They cause fear and they can't be killed by damage alone--Players will need to use called shots to put a zombie down permanently. I am also adding my most favorite thing ever--Tables!! But seriously, yes, there are pages and pages of tables for generating random equipment, food, weapons, occupations, encounters, insanities, traits, flaws, disorders, and injuries.
There is a unique set of features that I think is going to really help set the tone. At character generation, players determine a number of associates. They make note of the following:
Choose d3+3 associates. They can be family, lovers, friends, enemies, co-workers, acquaintances, etc.; They can be on good or bad terms with you. For each associate, provide the GM with their Name, Gender, Age, Occupation, and describe your relation/disposition with you. When the campaign starts, d6-3 of your associates will be with you. The remaining associates are given to the GM where their fate may or may not be discovered as the campaign unfolds.also...
The player's characters and their associates aren't the only ones in the team. There are d3+3 additional group members. The GM will determine their vital statistics, equipment (d6 random items), and relations with each other.As the campaign unfolds, players will have their attentions and allegiances split between party members and NPC loved ones. Additionally, when a PC dies that players takes over one of the other group members (either a loved one or on of the additional group members.
This is still very much a work in progress, and I will periodically post updates here.
