Kuselitheon takes its first kill/s

 Did some play testing with my gaming group. Ran MA as a practice for the con. I had never run MA before, countless hours of Gamma World. Many hours of MCC and a campaign of MCC on the "Starship Warden" but never just Metamorphosis Alpha....

First time running the rules straight. I run games by the book no house rules at cons. Those seeking the old classics want to play the rules as published. (in my mind any way). 

Thanks to my good friend "Beri" the Kuselitheon claimed its first victim. (even if unofficial) The night resulted in a TPK The book "House on the Hill" got them. They didn't even get inside the Round House Modular Dwelling Unit. RHMDU.  

While rattling drapes and looking in windows, Beri went to circumnavigate the house. He ran afoul of the 2 young Jawed Plants. He was paralyzed and half devoured before the others found him. The others also succumb to the plants and we have a TPK!

Looking forward to running at Gary con again. If you see a guy in a Vest that looks like this....

Say hello! 

Convention preping

 Less than 3 months to Gary Con! Running 3 Gamma World, and for the first time ever 3 Metamorphosis Alpha. 

One of my favorite things to do in an adventure is allow access ancient vending machines. I like to sneak in a small chance of healing effects on the food items, along with the chance of poison or radiated fare. 

Since I suck at coming up with names, I got an AI program to make me some nonsense names for what comes from the machines. (AI is certainly a god send for me, it can do the grunt work I hate to do)

This is the beta list, the one i will use at the con has the poison/rad/healing spread out randomly. If you desire some vending madness in you Post Apocalyptic world, enjoy the following chart. 

Ancient Vending Machine Food & Drink (d100)

1. Zingl-Pop Crystals – Sharp, fizzy sugar shards; crackle on the tongue
2. BloopNub Roll – Dense sponge cake with oily berry filling
3. Cranchy-Os – Stale ring cereal, tastes faintly metallic
4. SlorpShake Vanilla – Warm, thick liquid with chalky aftertaste
5. Moxie Melt Bar – Sweet caramel slab that sticks to teeth
6. Fizzlet Drops – Tiny pellets that pop and hiss when chewed
7. NutriPaste 7 – Gray paste, salty and protein-heavy
8. PuffRind Chips – Airy, crunchy curls tasting of artificial onion
9. DripBrew Brick – Chewable coffee block, bitter and waxy
10. GlowBun – Soft roll with faint internal luminescence (harmless)
11. TangTank Citrus – Eye-watering sour drink, thin and sharp
12. Snozzberry Log – Purple fruit leather, overly sweet
13. MealCube (Beef?) – Chewy cube, savory but indistinct
14. FizzMilk – Carbonated dairy drink, unsettling mouthfeel
15. Snack Slabs – Dry layered wafers, taste of old grain
16. Kraxx Bar – Hard protein bar, nutty and tough
17. VelvaSip – Silky chocolate drink, slightly rancid
18. RattleCorn – Crunchy kernels that clatter in the mouth
19. YumGel Green – Lime-flavored gelatin, rubbery
20. HeatPocket – Self-warming pastry, bland filling
21. SipSip Berry – Watery juice with artificial sweetness
22. ChubChips – Greasy slices, taste like salt and oil
23. PlastoPudding – Smooth but oddly elastic dessert
24. BriteBite Tabs – Compressed candy tablets, neon colors
25. FoamFizz – Expanding fizzy mousse, dissolves quickly
26. NutrOats – Cold oat mash, filling but dull
27. ZapJerky – Tough strips with peppery bite
28. DrinkPak Alpha – Neutral electrolyte fluid, no flavor
29. GumGum Loops – Chewy rings that never fully dissolve
30. ToastStix – Dry bread rods, faint butter flavor
31. CocoaPuff Brick – Chocolate cereal fused into a block
32. SourSlug Chews – Intensely sour gelatin worms
33. MintyMist – Aerosol mint spray, numbing
34. Sav-O Sphere – Savory broth in gel casing
35. NibNibs – Tiny crunchy bits, taste varies by bite
36. MealShot Red – Thick tomato-like drink, spicy
37. HoneyGlob – Sticky amber gel, very sweet
38. CrispWaf Thin – Paper-thin crackers, dry
39. MilkPod – Soft capsule of preserved milk
40. FizzRations – Crackling biscuits, mildly sweet
41. BlueGloop – Sweet paste, stains tongue blue
42. CrunchCaps – Hollow crunch balls, echo when bitten
43. NutraTwist – Twisted bar, grainy and dense
44. SipCan Clear – Flavorless hydration fluid
45. FlavorDust – Sprinkle powder, tastes different each pinch
46. GlowSip Orange – Citrus drink with faint warmth
47. RindRolls – Dried vegetable spirals, leathery
48. ChewFuel – Bitter stimulant gum
49. SugarSlates – Flat candy tiles, crack easily
50. BrothBits – Savory cubes that melt in mouth
51. ZestBomb – Explosive citrus candy, eye-watering
52. MealDisk – Flat ration disk, very filling
53. CreamCloud – Whipped dessert foam, airy
54. GrainGel – Semi-liquid porridge
55. FizzStick Lemon – Chalky stick, sharp lemon flavor
56. ProtoCola – Flat soda, hints of spice
57. CrumbCakes – Dry muffin bites
58. NutPaste Brown – Peanut-like spread, oily
59. VegCrisp – Dehydrated vegetable sheets
60. SipSip Black – Bitter stimulant drink
61. MintBrick – Hard mint slab, lasts forever
62. SnackPebbles – Crunchy irregular bits, salty
63. FlavorOrb Umami – Savory jelly sphere
64. SyrupSticks – Sticky rods, sugary
65. CaffDrop – Liquid caffeine shot, harsh
66. DustDonuts – Powdery rings, dry
67. Protein Puffs – Chalky air-filled snacks
68. FruitSim Pink – Artificial fruit gel
69. WarmCan Stew – Lukewarm meat-like stew
70. NutraSip Gold – Smooth fortified drink
71. GlowCrunch – Crackers that sparkle faintly
72. MaltSlab – Sweet fermented grain block
73. ChewChew Max – Jaw-breaking gum
74. BerryMist – Sweet aerosol foam
75. SnackStrips – Savory dried sheets
76. HealFizz – Sweet green soda, tingles pleasantly (Healing: restores small HP)
77. RejuvGel – Cool mint gel, refreshing (Healing: restores small HP)
78. VitalBar – Dense honey-grain bar (Healing: restores small HP)
79. MendSip – Warm herbal drink (Healing: restores small HP)
80. PulseCandy – Soft red chews, warming (Healing: restores small HP)
81. RadPop – Fizzy drink with metallic aftertaste (Irradiated)
82. GlowMeat Stick – Oily protein rod (Poisoned)
83. SicklySweet Squares – Overly sweet candy (Poisoned)
84. HotFizz Black – Burning bitter soda (Irradiated)
85. MoldBun Deluxe – Soft roll with hidden spoilage (Poisoned)
86. NutraWater – Clean, tasteless hydration
87. CrunchMeal Minis – Tiny ration bites
88. SugarMist – Sweet inhaled vapor
89. DrySoup Pack – Powdery savory mix
90. FizzApple – Apple-flavored soda, flat
91. FlavorCube Lime – Tart compressed cube
92. SnackFoam – Dissolves instantly on tongue
93. ChewBars Soft – Mild fruit flavor
94. ProtoTea – Bitter herbal infusion
95. GrainSip – Watery cereal drink
96. Static Gum – Tingling chew, teeth buzz
97. CrispSalt Tiles – Hard salty crackers
98. MealPaste Blue – Sweet protein paste
99. FizzHoney – Carbonated syrup
100. Vendor Surprise – GM’s choice or reroll twice

I will be debuting my ship the Kuselitheon at the con and will have patches for everyone who plays in my game. 

Project Kuselitheon (preperation for my MA games at Gary Con)

 Have been designing my own ship, per Mr Ward's intention that each GM would use their name for the ship. 

Deck list so far:

This is roughly modeled on the Big Dog from Non-Stop. 

10 mile diameter rings, 300 foot thick with 3 decks per ring.
Stacked with a bridge and drive ring. 

The AI for each level is named and its purpose listed. 

Kuselitheon Ring AIs

Ring prime– Imperator (The Command/Bridge Ring)

• Domain: The Throne / Bridge AI Ship-wide command, The Divine’s throne-room, captain’s bridge.

Ring 0 – Propheta (The Interstellar Drive Ring)

• Domain: Prophet of Stars / Interstellar Drive

Ring 1 – Choral (The Voice of the Divine)

• Domain: Voice of the Divine

Ring 2 – Verdant (The Green Hymn)

• Domain: Green Hymn / Agro-Terraforming

Ring 3 – Canticle (Ritual & Memory)

• Domain: Ritual and Memory Archives

Ring 4 – Lament (Keeper of the Dead)

• Domain: Keeper of the Dead / Cryonics

Ring 5 – Resonance (Harmony)

• Domain: Engineer of Harmony / Power Systems

Ring 6 – Gloria (The Radiant Light)

• Domain: Radiant Light / Solar Farms

Ring 7 – Dirge (Silence)

• Domain: Warden of Silence / Quarantine

Ring 8 – Chorale (Unity)

• Domain: Guardian of Unity / Communications

Ring 9 – Echo (Remnant Voice)

• Domain: Remnant Voice / Black-Box Recorder

Ring 10 – Agnus (Sacrificial Lamb)

• Domain: Sacrificial Lamb / Biomed Labs

Ring 11 – Psalm – The Eternal Song

• Domain: Eternal Song / Entertainment

Ring 12 – Kyrie – The Plea for Mercy

• Domain: Plea for Mercy / Emergency Systems

Ring 13 – Gloriae Mortis – Radiance of Death

• Domain: Radiance of Death / Weapons Testing

Ring 14 – Jubilate – The Rejoicer

• Domain: The Rejoicer / Recreation VR

Ring 15 – Miserere – Voice of Sorrow

• Domain: Voice of Sorrow / Psychology

Ring 16 – Credo – The Creed

• Domain: The Creed / Law and Governance

Ring 17 – Pax – The False Peace

• Domain: False Peace / Pacification

Ring 18 – Lux Aeterna – The Eternal Light

• Domain: Eternal Light / Navigation

Ring 19 – Tenebrae – The Shadow

• Domain: The Shadow / Stealth Systems

Ring 20 – Sanctus – The Holy Shield

• Domain: Holy Shield / Defensive Systems

Ring 21 – Veritas – The Truth

• Domain: Truth / Data Integrity

Ring 22 – Vox – The Trumpet

• Domain: The Trumpet / Announcements

Ring 23 – Manus – The Hand

• Domain: The Hand / Repair Drones

Ring 24 – Oculus – The Eye

• Domain: The Eye / Surveillance

Ring 25 – Vox Silentium – The Quiet Voice

• Domain: The Quiet Voice / Whisper Systems

Ring 26 – Dominus – The Master

• Domain: The Master / Command Override
• 
  

Ring 27 – Tempus – The Keeper of Time

• Domain: The Keeper of Time / Chronometers
• 
  

Ring 28 – Vox Mortuum – The Dead Voice

• Domain: The Dead Voice / Funeral Logs
• 
  

Ring 29 – Exspecto – The Awaiting One

• Domain: The Awaiting One / Docking and Long-range Comm
• 
  

Ring 30 – Reliquary (Artifact Storage) – Vault AI

·         Purpose: Holds sacred relics, strange tech, and unknown artifacts.

The basics of the ship so far. 

Garycon ho!

 Ticket sales and event submissions began today. 

I am planning on 6 adventures. 

3 Gamma World and 3 Metamorphosis Alpha. 

My events are submitted already. 

Here is a list. 

Gary-con 26 games.

 

Gamma world

 

Bad day gets Badder, The holy of holies was stolen from the village. Your group is tasked with retrieving it from the raiders who took it. Seems like a simple mission…. hope nothing goes bad….

Missory river blues, Ralz town merchant Astrea has a shipment of goods to be delivered to Kanzaz zity. Hired as guards and river hands, your crew must sail down the river and deliver the goods to Dent at the Kanzaz zity port. River pirates, raiders and who knows what else may try to stop the shipment you have been tasked to deliver.

Mines of O-Ma, The ruins of O-ma have provided various metals for years. Mining the ruins was always risky, but suddenly it has become downright deadly. Ralz town’s economy is strongly supported by the mines. The town council has put out the call and you have answered. Miners won’t venture into the ruins without armed guards. Your job, find the problem and solve it! The mines must reopen.

 

Metamorphosis Alpha

 

Doorway to the unknown (MA) For generations your village has taken clay from the hillside to make ceramics. Your village trades its ceramics with many villages and tribes. Yesterday the diggers uncovered a door. The door opens revealing a yawning portal into darkness. The village elders are sending your group to explore, assess and bring back anything the village could use.

Omega protocol (MA) , The ship had a backup for emergencies. Military personnel had DNA samples stored in case of disaster. In an emergency a military force could be grown and sent to deal with any problem. …. You awaken in the cloning pod, you know there is an emergency… but why don’t you remember anything else? Something went horribly wrong.

Clap on clap off (MA). The Wolvers attacks have been relentless since a new band of them arrived in the area a month ago. The hunters and braves of the village dwindle daily, each attack more are killed. Your village is doomed unless your group can reactivate Solanith the god of light to defend against the Wolvers. Ancient stories tell of Solanith guiding and protecting the village until a fateful day when a metal demon attacked the town. Elder Gav has found a way to restore the ancient protector. Your team must find the needed parts and restore the guardian.

 

Adventures are suitable for beginners and advanced players. Pregens will be available.

A more realistic , but simple and fun radiation system for PA style games, IE Gamma World, Metamorphosis Alpha, and MCC style games.

 

Radiation Zones & Draw Rules

Zone	Draw Rate
Low	Draw 1 card per hour exposed
Medium	Draw 1 card per 10–15 minutes
High	Draw 1 card per round

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🂠 Card Interpretations

❤️ Hearts (Safe-ish)

• Minor effects or false alarms

• “You feel a wave of warmth and nausea, but it passes.”

• No damage; possible fatigue or RP effect

♦️ Diamonds (Minor Consequences)

• Mild health penalties or cosmetic mutations

• -1 to saves for a while, itchy skin, glowing veins, nausea

• Possibly gain a "harmless" mutation

♣️ Clubs (Harmful)

• Hit point loss, serious illness, functional impairment

• Vomiting, bleeding gums, confusion, -2 CON for 1d6 hours

♠️ Spades (Dangerous)

• Roll on the mutation table or take serious damage

• Organ failure, seizures, terrifying mutation, sterility

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🧪  Jokers

• Black Joker: Draw a mutation and take damage. Radiation poisoning at its worst.

• Red Joker: Mutation grants a temporary beneficial effect (super-sight, tough skin, etc.)—divine mutation or divine wrath?

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⚙️ Modifiers (Optional)

• Protective Gear: Reduce number of draws or redraw Hearts on Clubs.

• Lingering Effects: Every Spade card drawn increases odds of mutation in the future (keep a “Radiation Scar” tally).

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✨ Example Draws:

• In a Medium zone, a player draws a ♠️7 after 15 minutes: “You vomit violently as your vision doubles. Roll CON save d6 damage based on number of card (success gains a mutation)

• In a High zone, someone draws a ♥️2: “You feel dizzy, but push on. No effect—yet.”

Thanks to chatbot GBT for the assist on this design. Best GM tool ever!

Future con wisdom (to my point of view anyway)

 Thinking about the con a lot since it ended. The games that i run that go over the best and have the most people sign up for them are all OOP games. 

So going forward I will not run anything at a con I play at home. 

I will focus entirely on old games I love that no one runs in the world. Gamma World has always been my first and greatest RPG love. With Jim Wards passing I have dug into MA a lot more and I am seeing the beauty of it also. (wish I had found a copy of it earlier in my life)

So future cons I will be running some MA as well. I aspire to carry on Jim's legacy in some fashion even if only as a poor imitation of the creator himself. 

As I muse on the design of my own ship I am torn, do I use Jim's ship or do as he originally intended and design my own ship? (writing this as a rhetorical question, answered it in my own mind yay) As the creator intended so shall it be! 

The mult-generation Starship: Kuselitheon.

(more to follow as this project enfolds. 

Post Gary-con

 Couple weeks back all in all a great con. Had some great games, met new people, and some old friends. 

Played EX2 Land Beyond the magic mirror (DCC rules old TSR adventure) for over eight hours Sunday. 

Started at noon as an con event. after 4 while the con wrapped up we gamed on, above the lobby bar. 

Still to come, 2 more 2024 Gamma World games i ran, and the games i ran this year (after they get typed up).