620_88046_Chpt0.

indd 1 4/1/05 12:00:11 PM

 DESIGNERS
Eric Cagle, Darrin Drader, Charles Ryan,
Owen K.C. Stephens
DEVELOPMENT
Christopher Perkins, Charles Ryan
EDITOR
Tammie Webb Ryan

DESIGN MANAGER EDITING MANAGER

Christopher Perkins Kim Mohan

ART DIRECTORS
Paul Hebron, Robert Raper
COVER ARTIST
Dave Johnson
CARTOGRAPHY
Todd Gamble
INTERIOR ARTISTS
Kalman Andrasofszky, Grafiksismik, Inc.,
Karl Kerschl, Ramon Perez, Chris Trevas
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Dee Barnett, Kate Irwin

GRAPHIC PRODUCTION SPECIALIST

Angelika Lokotz
IMAGE TECHNICIAN
Sven Bolen
DIRECTOR OF RPG R&D
Bill Slavicsek
PRODUCTION MANAGERS
Randell Crews, Joshua Fischer

SPECIAL THANKS
Bruce R. Cordell

This product requires the use of the d20 Modern™ Roleplaying Game by Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, and Charles Ryan.
Rules mechanics are based on the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game, the original Dungeons & Dragons ® rules created by E. Gary Gygax
and Dave Arneson, and the new Dungeons & Dragons game designed by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Richard
Baker, and Peter Adkison.

This Wizards of the Coast® game product contains no Open Game Content. No portion of this work may be reproduced in any
form without written permission. To learn more about the Open Gaming License and the d20 System License, please visit
www.wizards.com/d20.

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First Printing: June 2005

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Printed in the U.S.A. ©2005 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Visit our website at www.wizards.com/d20

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Hang On!— Chapter 4:
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Movement on Vehicles . . . . . .34 Earth Inherited. . . . . . . . 64
Progress Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Falling from a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 36 Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Other Driving Rules . . . . . . . . . . 36 Campaign in Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Chapter 1: Postapocalypse Long-Distance Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Role of the Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Campaigns . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Campaign Traits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Choose Your Apocalypse . . . . . . . . . .6 Mounted Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Department-7 in
Alien Invasion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Combat on Animals . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Earth Inherited . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Biological Disaster. . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Environmental Hazards . . . . . . . . . 39 Progress Level and Rules . . . . . .66
Environmental Cataclysm . . . . . . .7 Acid Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Magic and FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Asteroid Strike. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Fallout Cloud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Power Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Judgment Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Ghost Storm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 The Avengers of Humanity . . . . . 67
Nuclear Armageddon . . . . . . . . . .8 Joy Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 The Damned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Rise of the Machines . . . . . . . . . . .8 Mutations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 The Heavenfire Coalition . . . . . .68
Rogue Planet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Fantastic Mutations. . . . . . . . . . . 41 Order of the Machine . . . . . . . . .68
Supernatural Invasion . . . . . . . . .8 Additional Mutations . . . . . . . . .42 Friends and Foes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Mixing Destruction . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Creatures of the Apocalypse . . . . . .44 Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Postapocalypse Societies . . . . . . . . . .9 Apocalypse Demon (Template) . .44 Fiends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Depraved Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Combat Robot T-C-4 “Tin Can” . .46 The Damned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Devout Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Combat Robot M-G-8 Barge Fortress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
The Ethnic Society. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 “Meatgrinder” . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Lawful Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Militant Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Savage Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Donkey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Horseman of the Apocalypse . . . 47
Mutated Creature . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Chapter 5:
Atomic Sunrise . . . . . . . . 76
Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
3
Tribal Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Rad-Roach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Campaign in Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

CONTENTS
Totalitarian Society . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Thinking Swarm . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Role of the Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Different Societies Viral Deathspawn (Template) . . . 52 Campaign Traits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
in One Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Using Existing Creatures . . . . . . 52 Department-7 in
Postapocalypse Eras . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Virulence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Atomic Sunrise . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Aftermath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Supervirus Descriptions . . . . . . .54 Progress Level and Rules . . . . . . 77
Generation 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Secondary Infections . . . . . . . . . . 55 Magic and FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Dark Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
New World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Chapter 3: Power Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
The Heroes and the Campaign . . . . 12 Character Options. . . . . . 56 Prewar Power Groups . . . . . . . . . 78
Devastation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Starting Occupations . . . . . . . . . . . 56 New Power Groups . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Massive Destruction . . . . . . . . . . 13 Academic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 The Compound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Sources of Massive Adventurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Advanced Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Destruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Athlete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Lawbringer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Radioactivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Blue Collar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Flash Radiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Celebrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Chapter 6:
Fallout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Criminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Plague World. . . . . . . . . . 86
Dilettante . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Blast Zone Irradiation . . . . . . . . . 15
Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Campaign in Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Fallout Residue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Law Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Role of the Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Chapter 2: Military . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Campaign Traits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Campaign Rules . . . . . . . 16 Religious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Department-7 in
The Ruins of Civilization. . . . . . . . . 16 Rural . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Plague World . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Exploring Unsafe Structures . . . . . . 17 Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Progress Level and Rules . . . . . .89
Scavenging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Diplomacy (Cha) . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Magic and FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Postapocalypse Gear . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Craft (Int) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 The Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Trade Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Repair (Int) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Power Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Starting Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Research (Int) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Adeptus Dei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Wealth Increases . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Survival (Wis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 The Kin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Bartering Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Feats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Tyrannis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Equipment as Rewards . . . . . . . .24 Advanced Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Friends and Foes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Reliability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Techie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Spanthi Reaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
New Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Investigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Spanthi Trueblood . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Vehicles and Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Personality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Rip Van Bunker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Making and Fixing Items . . . . . . . .30 Road Warrior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Advanced Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Additional Vehicle Rules . . . . . . . . . 31 Salvager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Evolutionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Modifying Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Overloading Vehicles . . . . . . . . . .34

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 FOREWORD

I’ve played a lot of roleplaying games in

my twenty-five years in the hobby. Like
many gamers, the bulk of my adventures
have been in the fantasy genre, but my
favorite setting, bar none, is the posta-
pocalyptic campaign. In fact, when I
was on the d20 Modern design team,
I started up a campaign in the office
to playtest our rules—and my setting
of choice was postapocalyptic. From
the launch of that campaign almost a
year before the d20 Modern Roleplaying
Game was published, my players are
still traversing the wastes, battling
bike-gang marauders, and delving into
the supernatural origins of the nuclear
doomsday today.
I’ve long believed that the postapoca-
lypse is a perfect setting for roleplaying
games. Postapocalyptic worlds feature
high adventure in a gritty setting. The
landscape is the epitome of lawlessness—
a make-your-own-rules world in which
adventuring heroes thrive. As in fantasy,
anything is possible in a world twisted
by mutations or the incomprehensible
effects of alien assault or supernatural
incursion. And postapocalyptic settings
blend the best of modern worlds—
firearms, technology, and a modern
outlook—with fantasy’s powerful
foes and epic stories.
Beyond all that is the fact
that postapocalyptic games are
inevitably thematic. The world
as we—the players—know it has
been destroyed. Can civilization
recover? Will the heroes be a force
for order in the chaos, or just
another part of the problem? A
fantasy world allows for all vari-
ety of motivation: If a character
simply likes kicking in doors and
taking on the monsters, that’s
enough. But in a postapocalyptic
game every player, consciously or
A survivor surveys the
KA wreckage of his world

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
not, makes a decision about how he relates to the
world his character has inherited. What You Need To Play
The most compelling aspect of a postapocalyptic The d20 Apocalypse supplement is intended for
use in any d20 Modern or d20 Future game.
setting, perhaps, is how it is at once familiar and
You will need the d20 Modern Roleplaying
alien. We’ve all seen abandoned buildings with Game and the d20 Future supplement to make
their broken windows and weeds growing in the use of the material in this book. In addition,
corners, and dented hulks of cars collecting rain- d20 Apocalypse contains references to the d20
water and rust. We’ve heard the breeze blowing Menace Manual and the Urban Arcana Cam-
through a quiet city block in the early hours, when paign Setting, but neither of these books is
there’s no sign of a living human being. We’ve required to use this one.
watched scenes of environmental cataclysm—or
even just urban decay—on television. And we can
look around us today and overlay that vision on the
local shopping mall, the highways, the skyscrapers
Progress Levels
The Progress Level (PL) of your campaign setting
downtown—even our own neighborhoods. Unlike
will be heavily influenced—if not completely deter-
a fantasy setting, the postapocalyptic world is all
mined—by your choice of apocalypse.
around us.
The apocalypse could occur today, sometime in
the not too distant future, or far into the future.
Charles Ryan
Some types of apocalypse, such as a biological

5
Brand Manager for Roleplaying Games
disaster, alien invasion, or asteroid strike, can occur
Wizards of the Coast
during any Progress Level, but others, such as rise
of the machines, are directly tied with civilization’s
INTRODUCTION level of technology. You’ll need to determine how

INTRODUCTION
much or how little civilization has advanced from
Civilization, the defining characteristic of humanity, its current Progress Level.
is the cooperation and organization of individuals Also, the apocalypse can occur in the past. An
for the advancement of the community as a whole. alien invasion, for instance, could feasibly happen
It is marked by progress in agriculture, livestock at any time in Earth’s history—but if the Progress
maintenance, metallurgy, writing, mathematics, and Level at the time of the invasion isn’t high enough to
science. And though it would seem that its existence offer humanity some chance of surviving through
can be taken for granted, civilization is fragile. the use of technology, it won’t be much of a game.
As humankind progresses, advances in technol- (For an extreme example, think dinosaurs versus
ogy grant great boons , but also hold potential keys big rock, 65,000,000 years ago.)
to humanity’s undoing. Innovations in nuclear Some apocalyptic events are clearly tied to a
technology, medical science, and computer tech- minimum Progress Level and won’t occur earlier.
nology are of enormous benefit to humanity in For example, if you want to set your game during
general, but each technology has the potential to the Age of Reason, a PL 3 environment, your apoca-
contribute to humanity’s demise. lypse cannot be a nuclear Armageddon because
Even without these human-made threats, other nuclear technology does not exist in PL 3.
dangers from outside the planet pose perils just as Each of the three postapocalyptic campaign
deadly as those humans bring upon themselves. settings described in this book is designed for a
Whether due to our own hubris or a power Progress Level of PL 5 or PL 6. After the cataclysm,
beyond our control, the known world ends. The of course, Progress Level often doesn’t really mean
apocalypse—the end of civilization—is here. what it used to: Rather than an indicator of a state
This supplement gives you the tools to play in of technological development that, “pervades all
the postapocalyptic world. This book provides you aspects of a culture” (as stated on page 5 of d20
with descriptions of the most likely possible causes Future), PL might become a measure of the kinds of
of an apocalyptic event. Within this supplement technology that survivors can discover or salvage
are additional rules that build upon those found from the ruined environment.
in the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game and the d20 In d20 Future, for instance, PL 5 is described
Future supplement to bring the postapocalyptic as a time when “computer technology and elec-
world to life. These rules are modular, giving you tronics rule supreme.” In a postapocalyptic PL 5
what you’ll need to create the postapocalyptic world world, however, instantaneous worldwide com-
of your choice. In addition, there are three distinct munication might be a thing of the past—the
campaign settings that allow you to explore some world at large only at PL 3 in this regard—and
of the grim futures that might await humankind. any functioning computer terminal would become
Each setting derives a great deal of flavor from the a heavily guarded resource. Even though the
cause of the apocalypse and the amount of time that technology is out there to be found (albeit in
has passed since the global society has fallen. limited quantities), the apocalypse has fractured
With this book, the apocalyptic future is yours the culture and society that the PL 5 technology
to explore. once spawned.

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 Chapter One
POSTAPOCALYPSE
CAMPAIGNS

The end is the beginning. What type of apocalypse

creates the conditions for your campaign? Deciding
the way in which the world ends is the first step
in developing the setting for your campaign. Here
are just a few questions to consider: How long ago
was the apocalypse? Do any cities still stand? If
so, are they habitable? Are working governmental
infrastructures in place, or is chaos the rule of the
land? Is there an abundance of working technol-
ogy, or have most such items been destroyed? Is
the environment friendly or hostile? Do human,
animal, and plant life still take the same forms
that they did preapocalypse?
Chapter 1 describes some possible ways in which
the known world comes to an end.

CHOOSE YOUR
APOCALYPSE
Nuclear destruction, biological warfare, environ-
mental cataclysm, alien invasion—how will your
adventure begin? Below are some apocalyptic set-
tings for you to choose from.

Alien Invasion
The known laws of physics make travel faster
than the speed of light impossible, which pre-
cludes the practicality of human space travel due
to the almost unfathomable distances between
stars. However, what if an alien race capable of
interstellar travel has designs on the Earth and
its population? Perhaps the aliens are searching
for a resource they have exhausted, perhaps they
are an imperialistic race seeking to add another
planet to their interstellar empire, or perhaps
they are here to acquire a fresh batch of slaves.
In any event, the aliens arrive and attack. Major
population centers and military installations are
destroyed or fall under their control.
Large segments of humanity are devastated by
the aliens’ initial attack, but then something goes
horribly wrong for the invaders. Perhaps their
immune systems succumb to a mundane virus,
or secret military technology is unearthed that is
KA
A lone human tries to
stave off a pack of zombies

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
effective against their weaponry, or humanity bands warming shifts the gulf streams and trade winds
together to make one last heroic stand against the of the world, forcing the world into an accelerated
invaders. By whichever method or combination of ice age, with glaciers advancing into once habit-
methods, the aliens are defeated. able land. Megastorms, gigantic hurricanes, and
Despite the victory over the alien aggressors, blistering sandstorms become the norm, making
humanity finds itself in a changed world—a world even temperate areas dangerous.
in disarray. Nations have been shaken, major cities The disruption of stable weather destroys tra-
have been demolished, and there are new dangers. ditional farming and fishing ventures, causing
Surviving aliens are marooned on Earth, living massive famine. Food riots are rampant as civiliza-
in the shadows, and strange new technology is tion breaks down. Millions die from starvation or
available for the taking by the honorable and thirst, while untold numbers are killed in riots.
unscrupulous alike. In the end, the survivors of the environmental
cataclysm have it tough—they must figure out a
way to find food and potable water in an increas-
Biological Disaster ingly sterile and barren world, as well as fighting
One half of Europe’s population perished from the
off the competition for those vital resources.
Black Death during the Middle Ages. During the
Cold War of the twentieth century, the knowledge
that a disease could lay waste to a population, Asteroid Strike
coupled with the newfound ability to manipulate During the Cretaceous period, dinosaurs ruled the
genetics, led to the creation of superviruses and
bacteria as potential weapons.
Even though the Cold War ends peacefully, the
Earth. Over a span of a few thousand years the
dinosaurs became extinct, marking the beginning
of the Tertiary period. This was the result of an
7
stockpiles of biological weapons are not entirely extinction-level event, a strike by a meteor large

POSTAPOCALYPSE CAMPAIGNS
destroyed, and the knowledge to create more still enough to hit with the force of 100 million mega-
exists. Perhaps a few corrupt custodians of the tons of TNT. And now, it’s happening again.
leftover biological technology are willing to sell The killer is an asteroid or comet the size of a
deadly viral strains to terrorist organizations or mountain—large enough to destroy civilization,
wealthy madmen. but not large enough to crack the planet open.
In addition to biological weapons, deadly viral Where it strikes, life is over. If it collides with
outbreaks occasionally occur naturally. As human- land, it vaporizes cities and levels mountains. If
kind encroaches farther into the interior of the it crashes into an ocean, it creates a fast-moving,
rainforests, many viruses, never encountered miles-high tsunami. Entire countries are literally
before by humans, are unleashed. washed away.
Whether such an event occurs naturally or by Only life far from the impact manages to sur-
design, the end result is the same: A killer virus vive, though even on the far side of the planet
ravages the population. Because of the virus’s long tides change, new mountains rise, lava flows, and
incubation period, infected individuals spread superstorms ravage the countryside.
throughout the world, passing the virus to count- Billions die in the first hours, and the death toll
less others before the threat is recognized. In a rises. A cloud of ash and debris blocks out the sun
matter of weeks or months, almost all of humanity for years. Temperatures worldwide drop 40 to 50
becomes ill, and only a few will survive. degrees. Cut off from the sun, most vegetation dies.
Lacking plants to feed on, most animals die. Sus-
tenance becomes scarce, as the entire food chain
Environmental breaks down. Rebuilding civilization is impossible
Cataclysm until the sun returns, shining down on an icy
As humankind’s greed for resources and disregard world where only the toughest have survived.
for the environment grows, the world’s ecosystem
eventually falters, then breaks. Global warming,
uncontrolled pollution, and massive deforestation
Judgment Day
In this setting, humankind’s spiritual decline
contribute to the general decline of the stability of
unlocks the gates of Heaven and Hell and brings
the planet’s weather patterns, rainfall, and tempera-
about the final apocalypse, cleansing the world of
ture. The last straw might be a single cataclysmic
saints and sinners alike.
event, the culmination of all of humanity’s envi-
The most traditional Western vision of this form
ronmental follies. Depending on which theory you
of apocalypse comes from the Bible, but each cul-
believe, the world will end in fire or ice.
ture and religion has its own visions of the end
In this setting, the world’s environment is in
of the world. The Mayan calendar, for example,
horrible disarray. Huge swaths of land become unin-
predicts the end of the “Fourth Sun” (our current
habitable, as rainfall decreases or ceases, creating
era) in the year 2012.
dustbowls where once fields held sway, allowing
Judgment Day may come in the form of angelic
deserts to grow at an exponential rate. As the polar
and demonic beings descending on the Earth to
caps melt, sea levels rise, swallowing up massive
fight the ultimate battle, killing all who stand in
amounts of once habitable land. Alternatively, global

620_88046_Chpt1.indd 7 4/1/05 12:01:41 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
their way. Armies of the righteous and the damned Or perhaps the rise of the machines is because
may form, fighting wars in the name of their of faulty or malicious programming. The machines
beliefs, although it may be difficult to tell which are not sentient—they are either executing a
side is fighting for which cause, as believers and flawed program, or they are under the control
unbelievers alike die in droves. The world becomes of an evil mastermind.
a war zone of zealotry, desperation, and despair. Without functional compliant computer technol-
Or perhaps the faithful are whisked off to ogy, the world is turned upside down. The world’s
Heaven as a reward for their faithfulness, and the economy grinds to a halt as electronic equipment
sinful are dragged to Hell for all eternity. Those ceases to function. There are no working medical
few that are left upon the Earth must struggle to facilities, no global or local communication net-
survive, knowing that their souls were unworthy works, no 911 service, and so forth.
of either realm. Some humans resort to living a primitive life-
style that shuns more than basic, nonelectrical
tools. Others create devices to “fight fire with fire”
Nuclear Armageddon against their former charges, using only “dumb”
Nukes, once the weapon of choice to maintain
technology or carefully screened and protected
the balance of power during the Cold War, have
computers and robots to wage war. Mecha may
become the Holy Grail for terrorist organizations
dominate the battlefield on both sides (see d20
and rogue nations willing to sacrifice themselves
Future for more information on mecha).
to smite their enemies.

8 Nations with nuclear programs vigilantly guard

their technology and research, both for their own
protection and for the protection of the world.
Rogue Planet
Something massive—no smaller than our own
Nations that don’t possess nuclear technology seek moon and possibly as large as Jupiter—enters our
POSTAPOCALYPSE CAMPAIGNS

to increase their influence and power by developing solar system. It may be the largest comet ever
their own nuclear programs. Only in rare cases do seen, or a chunk of ice and rock from an explo-
these nations accomplish this through research; sion in another solar system millions of years
more often, they purchase nuclear technology on ago. There’s nothing humans can do to prevent a
the international black market, or they employ spies rogue planet from wreaking havoc on the Earth.
to steal the necessary information for them. Once it moves close, apocalypse is inevitable. Even
Ultimately, a fanatical organization or nation if the rogue planet does not impact the Earth, its
obtains or creates a supply of nuclear weapons gravity disturbs the orbits of everything in the
along with the ability to deliver them. Rockets solar system.
bearing nuclear warheads are launched against The effects of a rogue planet are devastating.
their enemies, or trucks carrying these weapons The axis of the Earth shifts, placing Africa in
self-destruct at strategic locations. These horrific the Arctic Circle and Antarctica on the equator.
acts elicit an immediate and devastating nuclear Earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes ravage the
counterattack against the responsible nation. planet. No bunker is completely safe; no ship can
Firestorms blanket the warring countries and survive the hellish storms that wrack the world.
the fallout quickly spreads worldwide. Radiation The ecology of every continent is changed, creat-
poisoning, cancers, and a slow death follow for ing mass animal and plant extinctions.
those unlucky enough to have survived the initial Once the rogue planet exits the solar system,
exchange. What was once a planet full of grass- the Earth finds a new stability. A few settlements
lands, forests, and plains, becomes a desolate, escaped total destruction, but most of the world’s
poisoned orb, and the remnants of its most pow- population is gone. The few survivors must find a
erful species are reduced to a meager existence way to live in their new environment.
within its hostile environment.
Supernatural Invasion
Rise of the Machines Throughout history, stories are told of things that
As humanity depends more and more on machines go bump in the night, of supernatural powers
to do hard labor—and, eventually, thinking—for constantly threatening the realms of science and
them, robots and artificial intelligence may ulti- logic. Are these tales mere fables and myths, or
mately spell the end of humanity. Once treated as are they a part of our reality? As it happens, the
nothing more than slave labor, or at best second- supernatural is real—a truth known to only a few
class citizens, the machines of the world rise up champions of light, who use their own magic to
and destroy their creators. fight the rising tide of preternatural evil in a secret
Perhaps machines with artificial intelligence war for all our souls.
develop personalities, the ability to reason, and But now the champions have failed, and the forces
humanlike desires. These new sentient beings of darkness are ascendant. Monuments of human-
view their former masters as weak, shortsighted, ity are wreathed in flame, becoming gateways to
or incompetent (or all three) and believe the world Hell. Demons rule the night, spreading terror and
would be a better place without humans. demanding worship. Hordes of undead walk the

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
face of the world, seeking the flesh of the living of the group grows, conflicts arise from within
and passing on the disease of undeath. the society.
Unprepared, the armies of the world cannot Some members of the group want to rebuild
stand against foes immune to humanmade weap- society exactly as it was before; others see the
ons. The few champions of light pass on their apocalypse as a way to throw off the previous
knowledge of silver and holy writ that are effec- flawed form of government and begin anew, and
tive weapons against the forces of evil—but it is still others perceive the apocalypse as an oppor-
too little, too late. tunity to rebuild society according to the laws of
The supernatural forces of darkness destroy all their religion, exiling or forcefully converting
human technology and weapons. A new Dark Age those who do not share their religious beliefs.
is thrust upon the Earth. Cities become controlled Over time, the group becomes dominated by
by demon lords who demand tribute and absolute a single, narrow philosophy, causing numerous
adoration. Only a few souls are brave enough to dissatisfied factions. Once it seems reasonably
seek the knowledge needed to reclaim the Earth. certain that the crisis that prompted the apoca-
lypse has passed, the factions break away from
the larger society to create a way of life that is
Mixing Destruction more to their liking.
It is perfectly acceptable to combine two or more
Generally, the factions break away from the
of the above apocalyptic settings to flavor your
larger society and are never heard from again,
game. For example, rise of the machines might also

9
though some fanatical splinter groups will wage
involve nuclear Armageddon. An environmental
war against other factions and the larger society,
cataclysm might trigger a biological disaster.
plundering their material wealth and absorbing
conquered members either as partial citizens, full
POSTAPOCALYPSE

POSTAPOCALYPSE CAMPAIGNS
members, or slaves.
As word of mouth spreads about these new
SOCIETIES societies, they gain a reputation, good or bad, and
like-minded individuals gravitate to them.
Following the apocalypse, society does not entirely A partial roster of the kinds of societies that
disappear. Civilization goes through a gradual might form is discussed below. These are largely
progress of initial formation, fracturing, refor- suggestions to be used as is, modified, or combined
mation, and regrowth. This progression takes to meet the needs of the individual campaign.
years, probably generations, but eventually new Society Size: Each of the societies described
societies evolve. here can vary in population, and some of them, by
Immediately following the apocalypse, groups their nature, typically have fewer members than
of people in a given area naturally congregate. other societies.
Though some individuals prefer to be loners, the For the purpose of the material that follows, a
majority of survivors find strength in numbers. society of minute size has fewer than 100 members;
The initial purpose for gathering is to reconnect one of tiny size has from 100 to 500 members; one
with other humans and to establish a semblance of small size, 501 to 2,000 members; moderate size,
of order. All that matters is survival, and most 2,001 to 5,000 members; and large, 5,001 to 15,000
individuals recognize the chance of success is members.
maximized if they work together. Depending on
how seriously the local area was affected by the
apocalyptic event, the group may be a few indi-
Depraved Society
The days of law are over! Individuals in a depraved
viduals, a few hundred, or thousands strong.
society indulge in the freedoms and vices that suit
Each member of the group has valuable skills
them. Gambling, prostitution, and drug use are
to contribute. One person might be skillful at
far from prohibited—they are encouraged. If there
construction, another might be an adept hunter,
is a large enough demand for a service, there is
another a medic, and yet another a natural leader
someone willing to provide it, for a price.
who holds the group together. They can draw upon
This culture of absolute freedom sets up a new
their collective strengths to meet their immediate
power structure in which those who are the most
needs: food, shelter, and potable water.
successful at providing for the vices of others
Most groups conduct themselves as though
become wealthy and powerful. The wealthy and
the laws and government of the preapocalypse
powerful become the bosses of the society, each one
society still exist. Their initial interactions dis-
controlling a particular vice. Perhaps the bosses
regard any previous disagreements they may
are an organized, cooperative group, or perhaps
have had prior to these turbulent events, and
they compete for business. Though there may be
they focus on persevering in the face of over-
an elected individual or group of individuals offi-
whelming odds. However, religious, ethnic, and
cially in charge of the settlement, everyone knows
political divides are deep-seated and not easily
who holds the real power.
overcome, and so most of the old divisions still
The size of a depraved society normally ranges
simmer beneath the surface. As the population
from small to moderate.

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
In addition, though it is generally assumed that
Devout Society a lawful society is governed by the will of the
Following the apocalypse, religious zealots believe
people, this is often the farthest thing from the
humanity brought the catastrophe upon itself by
truth. Lawful societies are as susceptible to cor-
failing to live by the wisdom of their religion’s
ruption as any other type of society.
doctrines. These groups create societies with gov-
The size of a lawful society normally ranges
erning bodies based on their religious beliefs.
from small to large.
These societies rarely elect leaders. Instead, the
most venerated religious figure either becomes
or appoints the leader, who in turn appoints her Militant Society
council. Her level of authority is similar to that Plagued by the lords of the postapocalyptic wastes,
of a warlord or a monarch, but she is expected to a militant society forms to protect and provide
use this power to further church doctrine. There order for its citizens, and to exert control over the
may be provisions for her removal if her decisions surrounding region. The ranks of this society are
begin to run contrary to the society’s beliefs. hierarchical. An individual is promoted according
The size of a devout society normally ranges to merit, and he is valuable for as long as he can
from tiny to small. wield a weapon and meet his enemies in battle.
A militant society is not necessarily aggressive.
Although discipline and military expertise are
The Ethnic Society valued traits in its members, the group may resort

10
Before the apocalypse, many societies contained
to violence only when provoked. The members’
numerous ethnic minorities. In some cases, these
tough nature, reputation, and willingness to fight
minorities were accepted into the larger society
deter invaders.
without reservation. In other cases, these minor-
On the other hand, a militant society might
POSTAPOCALYPSE CAMPAIGNS

ity groups were discriminated against or hated

dominate the region, crushing those who oppose
outright. Their separation from the larger society
their rule.
often goes beyond their outward differences, and
The disposition of a militant society varies
is instead based on culture, which represents key
depending on the leadership. It is a fairly common
differences in the way they think or interact with
type of society in a postapocalyptic world.
both their own people and those who are outside
The size of a militant society normally ranges
their group.
from minute to small.
Many ethnic groups, which had already clus-
tered together within the large cities, form their
own groups following the apocalypse. Their laws Savage Society
and customs may reflect those of their homeland Small, violent, and lawless, savage societies plague
or their culture, or they may simply be based on a the postapocalyptic world. These societies take what
concept of a society in which their group is domi- they want from the defenseless, and steer clear of
nant. Their laws may disallow people from other superior forces. They are the brutes who attack
ethnic groups from joining them, or there may peaceful settlements to steal their resources—they
even be a state of open warfare against members enjoy plundering and pillaging.
of other specific ethnic groups. When confronted by superior force, a savage
The size of an ethnic society normally ranges society goes into hiding. In fact, many of these
from minute to small. societies are loosely allied pockets of roving nomads
that prey upon a particular area until it is picked
clean, a larger gang moves in, or a group more
Lawful Society powerful than they comes to the defense of the
A lawful society is governed by a strict set of rules.
people of the area.
These rules may reflect the laws that were in place
A savage society is led by whoever can wrest
before the apocalypse, or they may reflect an
power and control from the other members. Such
entirely new postapocalyptic ideology. Individu-
a leader uses henchmen to guarantee submission
als within these societies are expected to abide
and compliance from the society’s members, and
by the established laws, and penalties are rigidly
to prevent (or postpone) mutiny. A good leader in
defined and enforced.
a savage society is as wary of his henchmen as he
People gravitate to these societies, despite the
is of his followers, since any one of the henchmen
restrictions placed on individual freedom, because
is likely to betray him to assume leadership.
they are perceived as safer than other societal
The size of a savage society ranges from minute
models. This perception is not always true.
to tiny, but the total number of these societies in
There are pitfalls many people don’t consider
a postapocalyptic world is extremely large.
before joining a lawful society. Just because a
society is ruled by law does not mean the laws
are just. Laws may be arbitrary in nature, overly Tribal Society
complex, difficult to comprehend, discriminatory, A tribal sociey is often the remnants of an original
and brutally enforced. postapocalyptic society that remains intact for
several generations. The members are together

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
not only because they share similar beliefs, but The following are four general eras in which
because they share a common ancestry. you might set a postapocalyptic campaign. While
Each tribal society has its own laws and cus- these reflect a potential timeline for humanity
toms, and may or may not be friendly toward in the wake of an apocalyptic event, they aren’t
other tribes and societies. The society tends to live the only directions humanity might go—it’s pos-
close to nature, surviving by hunting and gath- sible that civilization might be reborn following
ering, relying very little, if at all, on technology. the Aftermath era, for example, as brave survi-
Traditions are passed down orally from one gen- vors organize their communities to recover the
eration to the next, and after several generations knowledge and technology needed to rebuild
the members often have no recollection of a time civilization. Indeed, such a goal might lie at the
before the apocalypse. core of your campaign.
The leadership of a tribal society varies greatly
from tribe to tribe. Some tribes are led by a single
individual, others follow the edicts of a council of
Aftermath
In a campaign set in the Aftermath era, the apoca-
elders, while still others are truly democratic and
lypse occurred within memory—perhaps just last
do not take any course of action without major-
month, or perhaps ten or fifteen years ago. The
ity approval. They may be entirely peaceful, or
adult inhabitants of this world were born before
they may be warlike and as ruthless as the worst
the apocalypse, and they remember what the civi-
savage society.
lized world was like. Buildings still stand, largely

11
The size of a tribal society normally ranges from
intact, and preapocalypse items, in generally good
minute to small.
condition, are commonly available.
This setting is placed quite literally in the ruins
Totalitarian Society of the modern world. Houses and shopping malls

POSTAPOCALYPSE CAMPAIGNS
A totalitarian society is similar to a lawful society, remain, though perhaps in dilapidated condi-
except it accepts the rule of one individual who tion. Firearms, automobiles, electrical generators,
holds ultimate power and occasionally wields it flashlights, and all manner of other devices can
against his own people to keep them in line. The be found in working condition (or can be fairly
leader is typically self-appointed, gaining his easily repaired), although fuel (or batteries, or
position by force or through support from devoted ammunition) is probably hard to come by.
followers with military might. He is charismatic, Society, such as it is, is highly disorganized,
demanding absolute loyalty from his henchmen. with the rare settlement having come together
Rather than fearing them, as is often the case in for mutual support. More common are scavenger
a savage society, he rewards them above all others gangs roving the landscape, taking from those
in the society. weaker than they and avoiding those stronger
The size of a totalitarian society normally ranges and more brutal.
from small to large.
Generation 0
Different Societies in In the Generation O era, several decades have passed
since the apocalypse. The oldest survivors can call
One Setting up childhood memories of the civilized era before
Within your game setting, each settlement can be
the cataclysm, but most adults were born after the
a different type of society. Like-minded settlements
event. Much of that world’s ruins still stand, and
might be located in close proximity and have estab-
preapocalypse items are fairly common, though
lished protection and barter agreements.
often jealously guarded.
In this era, the world as we know it is still
POSTAPOCALYPSE recognizable, although time has worked on the
remains of civilization. Preapocalypse buildings
ERAS are still common, but most have degenerated into
extreme disrepair and have probably been picked
In addition to the form of your apocalypse (see clean of useful contents many times over. Common
Choose Your Apocalypse, above), a critical ele- and durable items from before the apocalypse
ment in creating a postapocalyptic campaign (such as firearms) are not rare, but consumables
is the amount of time that has passed since the (such as ammunition) are, and less durable items
apocalyptic event occurred. A campaign set in function only if they have been very carefully
the weeks or years immediately after a nuclear maintained.
war, peopled by characters who just a few months Human society may have begun some localized
before were shopping in the very mall they’re rebuilding in this era, as survivors coalesced into
now looting, is quite different from a campaign small settlements and villages. Such communities
set hundreds of years later, when the civilized are highly isolated and heavily defended against
world is a legend and a Swiss Army knife is a (or hidden from) the gangs and warlord armies
coveted (and mysterious) artifact. that roam the countryside. A few wanderers trade

620_88046_Chpt1.indd 11 4/1/05 12:01:48 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
goods and information between known commu-
nities, but their occupation is as perilous as their
New World
In the New World era, legends tell of an ancient
visits are rare.
civilization that was destroyed by its own hubris.
In the centuries that have passed since, a new form
Dark Ages of civilization—primitive and barbaric though it
In the Dark Ages era, many generations have may be—has begun to take root. The cities of the
passed since the apocalypse (at least a century, ancients are little more than worn-down monu-
and perhaps several); knowledge of the preapoca- ments, and only the rarest of artifacts functions
lyptic world has faded into a mythic history. The as it did in the time of the ancients.
ruined cities of the ancients contain mysteries, This era is so far beyond the apocalypse that the
dangers, and occasionally treasures, but much civilized world is little more than a backdrop—a
of what is left behind is incomprehensible and backstory element that accounts for the myste-
useful only as raw materials. The world is a wild rious ruins that dot the countryside. Almost no
and savage place. items survive from before the cataclysm, and even
In this era, characters know of the civilized world simple technology is largely incomprehensible to
only in the form of glorious legends, handed down characters in this world.
over the generations by word of mouth. Evidence In this era, society re-forms into what might be
behind the legends is there for everyone to see, considered a new civilization. Vast regions are still
because the ruined remains of preapocalyptic lawless, but other large areas have formed into a

12 buildings still dot the landscape. Only the most

carefully hoarded items from before the cataclysm
are still functional, and even those who keep and
crude feudal system, with nation-states and inde-
pendent cities reminiscent of medieval times.

maintain them have only a vague idea of what

makes them work. THE HEROES AND
Society in this era is fragmented but more
stable than that in previous eras. Communities THE CAMPAIGN
have grown in scale and expanded their activities
An additional element to consider when plan-
beyond mere survival: Trade goods are created,
ning your campaign is the heroes’ relationship to
records are kept, music is composed. Still, the land
the world and the apocalypse. The most obvious
is dominated by vast and dangerous wildernesses;
course is to have the heroes be native to the game
brigands threaten trade caravans, and warlords
world; they are simply part of the postapocalyp-
covet any settlement that prospers.

Two bugbears find slim pickings

in a demolished store

RP

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
tic population, albeit somewhat more heroic than apocalypse, such as a nuclear war or environmental
most NPCs. cataclysm, some areas ride through the events of
Another compelling direction—and one that the apocalypse virtually unchanged. Also, even in
can lift the heroes above the grittiness of the set- areas that are generally undamaged, individual
ting, if that appeals to you and your players—is structures might be damaged by specific events
to make the heroes newcomers to the setting. (such as riots, fires, or military actions) that
Perhaps they were aboard an orbital space sta- occurred during or after the apocalypse.
tion when the cataclysm occurred; they observed Devastation Zone: Structures in this zone
the world’s end, only returning to Earth after the are totally or almost totally leveled, leaving
fact, when the supplies in their station ran out. nothing but a plain of rubble. A few especially
Or maybe they were cryogenically frozen (per- sturdy, low-lying buildings might still stand
haps by Department-7 or some other agency that in part, but even the most intact are damaged
foresaw the disaster) and placed in well-stocked nearly beyond recognition. Very few people
bunkers prior to the cataclysm. They awaken in a devastation zone at the moment of the
after the dust settles (perhaps decades or centu- cataclysm survive; the few survivors probably
ries later), armed with preapocalyptic equipment sought shelter in deep basements or the cores of
and knowledge. incredibly sturdy buildings.
This type of campaign offers two benefits: access Destruction Zone: Structures in this zone
(within limits, of course) to prewar technology, are damaged beyond use. Lighter structures are

13
knowledge, and other advantages, as well as a destroyed, and very sturdy structures remain
compelling mission—a responsibility to fight the standing but are heavily damaged. Most people
decline of civilization and put humankind back in a destruction zone at the time of the cataclysm
on its feet again. It’s a great way to capture all are killed instantly, though some survive.

POSTAPOCALYPSE CAMPAIGNS
the low-tech grittiness of the postapocalypse in Damage Zone: Damage is rampant among
a game that lets the heroes really look and feel structures in this zone, but it varies in degree,
like heroes. and most buildings are still largely intact. Lighter
A compromise option can be chosen if you use structures are significantly damaged, often beyond
the Aftermath era: The heroes can be survivors repair, while heavier structures have suffered
like the rest of the population, but they have more modest damage. Many people in a damage
special knowledge or equipment that gives them zone during the apocalypse survive the immediate
a lift above the struggling rabble. Perhaps the event, but many are killed.
heroes were part of a military unit that fought
the alien invasion right up until the disintegra-
tion of civilization. Their chain of command
Sources of Massive
and supply is long gone, but they still have the Destruction
skills, equipment, and camaraderie of an infantry The distribution of massive destruction depends
squad. Or perhaps the heroes were undercover on the nature of the apocalypse. Environmental
agents for Department-7, helping prepare the cataclysms, rogue planets, and extinction-level
world for an impending asteroid strike that the events generally affect the entire globe. The use
government kept secret from the population. They of devastating weapons in a nuclear Armageddon
have access to a network of supply bunkers and scenario (or rise of the machines, supernatural
other agents intent on preserving and rebuild- invasion, alien invasion, or even a biological
ing civilization. disaster campaign) creates more localized—but
sometimes more severe—destruction.

DEVASTATION Globe-Spanning Catastrophe

In an apocalypse centered around massive
A devastated world, dotted with the ruins of
environmental shifts—whether the result of an
civilization, is a hallmark of most apocalyptic
environmental cataclysm or an extinction-level
settings (though not all—a viral plague, or wide-
meteor strike—the effects on human infrastructure
spread use of radiological or chemical weapons
are vast and unpredictable. Huge regions—even
by invading aliens, might leave the survivors in
entire continents—might plunge beneath the sea
a virtually undamaged world). This section helps
or be overtaken by desert. Glaciers might engulf
to define the degree of damage left in the wake of
major cities, freezing them in ice, while formerly
the apocalypse.
chilly areas become tropical jungles.
There are no hard-and-fast rules for applying
Massive Destruction massive destruction to a world shaped by environ-
Zones of massive destruction can be categorized mental cataclysm. Few areas are likely to be utterly
into three general levels. In order of decreasing destroyed, or even to become devastation zones—but
severity, they are called devastation zones, destruc- they may be inaccessible, beneath the oceans or
tion zones, and damage zones. Not all regions fall locked in ice. Areas hit hard by catastrophic storms
into these categories; even in a highly destructive or powerful earthquakes might become destruction

620_88046_Chpt1.indd 13 4/1/05 12:01:57 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 1–1: Nuclear Weapon Attacks
Typical
Delivery Typical Crater Devastation Destruction Damage
Weapon System Target Radius Radius Radius Radius
5-10 kt single Bomb Tactical (deployed 250 ft. 1/4 mi. 1/2 mi. 1 mi.
military force)
75-125 kt single Bomb, missile, Tactical (deployed 500 ft. 1/2 mi. 1 mi. 2 mi.
or cruise missile military force)
200 kt single Cruise missile Small point target 750 ft. 3/4 mi. 1-1/2 mi. 2-1/2 mi.
(nuclear power plant,
hydroelectric dam,
ammunition plant,
research lab)
500 kt single Bomb, missile Large or hardened point 1,000 ft. 1 mi. 2 mi. 4 mi.
target (missile site)
1 mt single Bomb, missile Military base, 1,500 ft. 1-1/4 mi. 2-1/2 mi. 5 mi.
small city (Roanoke)
1 mt MIRV Missile Military base, 1,750 ft. 1-1/2 mi. 3 mi. 6 mi.
medium city (Kansas City)
5 mt MIRV Missile Military base, 3,000 ft. 2-1/2 mi. 5 mi. 10 mi.
large city (Atlanta)

14 10 mt single Bomb Extremely hard target

(Cheyenne Mountain),
very large city (Chicago)
3,500 ft. 3 mi. 6 mi. 12 mi.
POSTAPOCALYPSE CAMPAIGNS

zones, and damage zones are probably widespread Typical Target: In a “conventional” nuclear
as well. Use judgment in determining which areas war, weapons are targeted at military bases, cities,
are devastation, destruction, or damage zones. Or key strategic structures (such as nuclear power
determine it randomly—nature is a capricious and plants, hydroelectric dams, major transportation
unpredictable force. features, and supply points), and military forces
in the field.
Nuclear Attack Crater Radius: Nuclear weapons create mas-
Nuclear devastation isn’t limited to a nuclear sive fireballs that vaporize everything within
Armageddon. Nuclear weapons can be employed in them. Everything inside the crater left behind by
defense against an alien or supernatural invasion, a nuclear blast is destroyed.
or even as a last-ditch effort to sterilize infected Devastation Radius: The area beyond the
cities in the final days of a biological disaster. crater, out to the devastation radius, is a devasta-
Alien invaders, or rebelling machines, might like- tion zone (see Massive Destruction, above).
wise use nukes (or weapons with similar effects) Destruction Radius: The area beyond the
against humanity. devastation radius, out to the destruction radius,
Nuclear blasts (or similar events) create massive is a destruction zone (see Massive Destruction,
zones of destruction. Table 1–1 gives guidelines for above).
the devastation around nuclear strikes and similar Damage Radius: The area beyond the destruc-
attacks. The headings on the table are explained tion radius, out to the damage radius, is a damage
below. zone (see Massive Destruction, above).
Weapon: This is the size of the explosion, given
in kilotons (kt), equivalent to a thousand tons of
TNT, or megatons (mt), equivalent to a million tons RADIOACTIVITY
of TNT. Some nuclear weapons are single explo-
In addition to direct devastation, nuclear weap-
sives, while others consist of a cluster of explosives
ons (or, perhaps, similar devices used by alien
(MIRVs, or Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicles)
invaders) create lethal radiation, some of which
that spread the damage over a larger area. A 1-
lingers to poison the postapocalyptic landscape.
megaton MIRV weapon, for example, might consist
Radioactivity affects the world through four basic
of ten 100-kiloton warheads that detonate in a pat-
mechanisms: flash radiation, blast zone irradia-
tern around the target.
tion, fallout, and fallout residue.
Larger weapons than those given on Table 1–1 have
These rules define the degree of exposure a
been created—up to 25 and even 50 megatons—but
character suffers when exposed to postapocalyptic
only in very limited numbers. None have been in
radioactivity; for the rules on radiation sickness,
service in recent decades.
see Chapter 4 of d20 Future.
Typical Delivery System: Nuclear weap-
Cover: Total cover from a radiation source
ons (at least those that originate from human
reduces exposure based upon the hardness of the
military forces) are generally deployed as bombs
material providing the cover. For every 10 points
from aircraft, by long-range missiles, or by cruise
of hardness, reduce the degree of exposure by
missiles.
one level. For example, Yoriko is speeding away

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
are exposed to lightly radioactive materials. The
Radiation in Play time of exposure in each instance is 1 round.
A lingering death from radiation sickness
is dreadful, and it’s hardly heroic. The judi-
cious use of radioactivity adds flavor and an
element of danger to a postapocalyptic game,
Fallout
Fallout is the rain of dust and ash that results
but too much of it can impair an otherwise
when a nuclear explosion vaporizes thousands of
exciting campaign.
Radioactive items and areas are best used tons of earth, trees, buildings, cars, and people,
in the game when they force players to make blasting that material into the stratosphere in a
difficult choices: Do we spend a week travel- massive mushroom cloud. These particles, impreg-
ing around the irradiated ruins of a city, or, nated with radioactive material, drift with the
with time of the essence, do we risk crossing wind, eventually floating back to Earth in the
the dangerous area? Radioactive areas help form of fallout.
define the geography in much the same way Like flash radiation, fallout generally occurs
that oceans, mountains, and other impass- right around the time of the apocalypse—the hours,
able (or at least dangerous) terrain does. days, or perhaps weeks following the nuclear
And they change the tactical landscape,
explosion—so it probably isn’t a factor in most posta-
especially when the heroes’ opponents are
immune to the effects of (or simply don’t care pocalyptic settings. (Although who knows how a
about) radiation. massive nuclear Armageddon scenario might affect
Radioactivity, and the threat of radiation weather patterns—perhaps fallout might continue
sickness, adds a great bit of spice to play.
Use it carefully, but don’t overdo it. Char-
acters hampered by constant ability loss as
for decades or longer.) Rules for postapocalyptic
fallout are given in Chapter 2 (see Environmental
Hazards, page 39).
15
a result of radiation sickness can’t make the

POSTAPOCALYPSE CAMPAIGNS
most of their adventures—and aren’t a lot of
fun to play. Blast Zone Irradiation
The immediate vicinity of a nuclear blast (or similar
effect) is highly radioactive, with the worst areas
from the ruins of a sabotaged bunker, where an remaining so for a long time. The radiation falls
old 200-kiloton nuke is about to go off. She gets off over time, however, so the actual potency of
a mile away before ducking behind an old build- the irradiated area varies with the era of play, as
ing. She’s in the bomb’s destruction radius, and shown in Table 1–2.
would normally be treated as having been exposed
to moderately radioactive materials (as described
under Flash Radiation, below), but the building’s
Fallout Residue
When highly radioactive fallout sprinkles itself
hardness of 10 reduces the exposure to that of
across the landscape immediately following a
lightly radioactive materials.
nuclear apocalypse, regions that receive a great
deal of fallout become irradiated.
Flash Radiation There are no rules for determining which areas
When a nuclear weapon explodes, it creates a become irradiated by fallout. It’s left to the GM to
blinding flash of light and heat—and radiation. determine what areas, if any, are radioactive, as
People who are exposed to that flash (and are far fits the environment she wants to create for her
enough away to survive the heat) suffer radia- campaign. Generally speaking, most postapoca-
tion poisoning. Since, presumably, most nuclear lypse adventurers want to avoid irradiated areas,
explosions occur during the apocalypse, flash so areas in which they’ll commonly adventure
radiation isn’t usually an issue in a postapocalyptic probably shouldn’t be poisoned by fallout resi-
game—unless somebody obtains and detonates a due. However, irradiated areas can be havens for
nuclear weapon. creatures resistant to radiation (see the radiation
In such a case, anyone caught within the dev- resistance mutation, page 44), and the occasional
astation radius of the blast is treated as if he had adventure that requires the heroes to cross or dash
been exposed to severely radioactive materials (see into irradiated areas can add a different dimen-
page 81 of d20 Future). Anyone within the destruc- sion of challenge to a postapocalyptic campaign.
tion radius is exposed to moderately radioactive Irradiated zones can have any degree of radiation,
materials, and those within the damage radius from lightly irradiated to severely irradiated.

Table 1–2: Blast Zone Radiation

Distance From Blast Aftermath Gen 0 Dark Ages New World
Within crater Severe High Moderate Light
Within devastation radius Moderate Light — —
Within destruction radius Light — — —
Within damage radius — — — —

620_88046_Chpt1.indd 15 4/1/05 12:02:01 PM

 Chapter Two
RULES
MODULES

The future could bring any of a variety of possible

apocalypses. Fiction, movies, and video games
delve into the many worlds that could follow
the apocalypse: From a robotic attack
on humanity to highway warriors
fighting for their next tank of gas,
from a massive alien invasion bent on
the eradication of the human race to the
wrath of god visited in the form of a deadly
disease, these futures are bleak and desperate, but
oddly optimistic.
The world you create for your players to explore
need not follow any of these models. This chapter
gives you a variety of rules to build the apocalypse
of your choosing. Feel free to use as many or as
few of them as you would like, adding additional
rules from d20 Future to create exactly the world
you imagine.

THE RUINS OF
CIVILIZATION
The postapocalyptic environment is littered with
the ruins of the age of civilization, and characters
often enter these ruins as part of their adven-
tures. Depending on the era of play, the
extent of apocalyptic devastation, the
climate and environment since the
apocalypse, and the building’s type
of construction, a structure may
be virtually intact or reduced to
a pile of rubble.
Obviously, the apocalypse
itself can be a source of great
destruction. A nuclear war,
alien invasion, or environmen-
KA tal cataclysm can wreak terrible
destruction, wiping entire cities
from the face of the Earth. Even in
a relatively nondestructive apocalypse,
such as a biological disaster, short, sharp
military conflicts and massive riots might
characterize the last days of civilization.

A souped-up dune buggy tries to

outrun an ultralight trike

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 16 4/1/05 12:05:27 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Following the apocalypse, decay and neglect set Table 2–1: Structure Conditions
in. With no one to maintain them, even the sturdi- Dark New
est of buildings eventually succumb to the forces d% Aftermath Gen 0 Ages World
of entropy. Wooden structures may be entirely Less than 01 Severe Coll. Coll. Coll.
destroyed within a few decades. Metal-framed 01–05 Major Coll. Coll. Coll.
06–10 Minor Coll. Coll. Coll.
buildings last a good deal longer, but even if their
11–15 Minor Severe Coll. Coll.
structures remain intact, their interiors become 16–20 Minor Severe Coll. Coll.
rotten, dangerous messes in much less time. Steel 21–25 Undam. Severe Coll. Coll.
ships sink, and their tanks of oil and toxins leak. 26–30 Undam. Major Severe Coll.
Bridges collapse, leaving only their concrete piers 31–35 Undam. Major Severe Coll.
behind. The skeletons of the sturdiest buildings 36–40 Undam. Major Severe Coll.
stand for centuries, but eventually they become 41–45 Undam. Minor Severe Coll.
little more than mysterious monuments surrounded 46–50 Undam. Minor Major Coll.
by wilderness. 51–55 Undam. Minor Major Coll.
Of special note is fire. With no one to save it, a 56–60 Undam. Minor Major Coll.
61–65 Undam. Undam. Major Coll.
building struck by lightning quickly becomes a
66–70 Undam. Undam. Major Coll.
pyre, and nothing stands between the ruins of 71–75 Undam. Undam. Minor Severe
civilization and the natural wildfires that spring 76–80 Undam. Undam. Minor Severe
up in wilderness areas. 81–85 Undam. Undam. Minor Severe

17
Use Table 2–1 to determine the condition of a 86–90 Undam. Undam. Minor Severe
structure. Roll d%, consulting the column that 91–95 Undam. Undam. Minor Severe
corresponds to the postapocalyptic era of your cam- 96–100 Undam. Undam. Undam. Major
paign (see Postapocalyptic Eras, page 11). Modify 101 or more Undam. Undam. Undam. Major

RULES MODULES
the roll for the type of structure, whether or not the
Add to
structure is in an area of massive destruction (see
Modifiers d% Examples
page 13), and the climate since the apocalypse.
Structure type
The resulting damage level affects the structure’s Wood frame +0 House, gas station
safety (see Exploring Unsafe Structures, below) Light steel frame +5 Low-rise office
and the prospects for scavenging (see Scavenging, building, strip mall
page 18). Heavy steel frame +15 Shopping mall,
Undamaged: The structure has suffered only skyscraper, ship
cosmetic damage: Windows are broken and shingles Concrete frame +25 Parking garage, mid-
missing from the roof, but the building is essen- rise office building,
tially intact. With little more than a fresh coat of highway overpass
paint and a bit of elbow grease, the building can Masonry/solid concrete +30 Stone farmhouse,
monument, dam
be brought back to preapocalypse conditions and
Underground +50 Bunker, mine
used as it was originally intended. Located in area of massive destruction
Minor Damage: The structure has suffered Damage zone –50
significant damage, but is still essentially intact. Destruction zone –75
The roof leaks and some of the plaster is crum- Devastation zone –95
bling from the walls, but the structural elements Climate/Environment
are sound. Although one should watch one’s step, Temperate +0
the building is relatively safe to enter. Arid +10
Major Damage: The structure is substantially Arctic +15
Tropical –10
damaged, with damage affecting nearly every part
and function of the building. Entering the build-
ing is hazardous, but it can still be salvaged.
Severe Damage: Damage permeates the build-
EXPLORING UNSAFE
ing. Areas of the roof have caved in, and floors are
missing or dangerously rotten. Major structural
STRUCTURES
elements still stand, but threaten to give way. After the apocalypse, many of the structures of
Anyone entering the structure runs the risk of humanity have been blasted, mangled, or burned
being buried in a collapse or falling through a out, or have slowly rotted and rusted due to the
floor. Salvaging the building would be more work weathering of time. This fact makes entering build-
than it’s worth. ings a dangerous affair. Heroes moving about in
Collapsed: The building has largely collapsed. an old, decrepit building run the risk of having
Little if any of it can be entered, except perhaps by walls topple over, floors cave in, or even the entire
crawling through the rubble and debris. Entering structure falling on top of them!
the building is very hazardous. A character entering a damaged building (any
structure that has minor damage, major damage,

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 17 4/1/05 12:05:36 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
severe damage, or is collapsed, as given on Table of damage (Reflex DC 15 half). The DC for additional
2–1) must make a Survival check at the end of the Survival checks made for exploring the building
first round in which he has moved more than 10 is increased by 5.
feet into the building. If the building is large, and Wall Collapse, Major: A large portion of wall
the character explores more than a small area, he falls over on the character, dealing 2d6 points of
makes additional checks: One check is made for damage (Reflex DC 15 half). The structure con-
every 1,000 square feet of the building’s total area. dition becomes one category worse (for example,
(A typical gas station or apartment is about 1,000 if the structure had minor damage, it now has
square feet. A convenience store is typically 1,000 major damage).
to 2,000 square feet, and an average house might Ceiling Collapse, Major: Huge chunks of the
be as much as 3,000 square feet. Office buildings, ceiling fall on the character, dealing 3d6 points
department stores, and other structures may be of damage (Reflex DC 15 half). If the building is
many thousands of square feet.) The DC for the more than one story tall, the 5-foot square on the
check is given on Table 2–2. floor above the character is impassable (the floor
A character crawling or moving very carefully of the upper story is missing).
(half speed) gains a +5 bonus on the Survival check. Floor Collapse: The floor caves in beneath the
A character moving at greater than normal speed character, and she plummets to the floor below. The
takes a –5 penalty on the check. character takes 1d6 points of damage per 10 feet
fallen (in most buildings, the floors are roughly

18
Table 2–2: 10 feet apart), which can be mitigated by a Tumble
Survival Checks in Damaged Buildings check as normal. When the character lands, she
Survival must make a Reflex save (DC 20) or suffer another
Structure Condition Check DC mishap (roll on Table 2–3).
Minor damage 5
RULES MODULES

Characters within 5 feet of the hole must also

Major damage 10 make Reflex saves (DC 15) or fall into it when the
Severe damage 20
floor around them shifts.
Collapsed 30
Ignore this effect if the characters are on the
building’s foundation floor.
If a character succeeds on the Survival check, he
Structure Collapse: The entire structure begins
may move and act normally. Failure indicates a
to fall apart. The collapse takes 1d4 rounds. Each
mishap. Consult Table 2–3, modifying the d% roll
round, the structure condition becomes one category
by adding the amount by which the Survival check
worse (for example, if the structure began with
was missed.
major damage, after 1 round it has severe damage).
The structure might not collapse completely; for
Table 2–3: Building Mishaps example, if the structure began with minor damage
d% Result
01–20 Floor punch-through and only collapses for 1 round, it ends up with major
21–40 Debris fall damage and does not collapse completely.
41–55 Wall collapse, minor Every character within the structure must make
56–70 Ceiling collapse, minor a Survival check every round during the collapse,
71–80 Wall collapse, major facing additional mishaps with failed checks. As the
81–90 Ceiling collapse, major structure’s condition worsens, the DCs for the Sur-
91–95 Floor collapse vival checks get higher (as shown on Table 2–2).
96 or higher Structure collapse
Floor Punch-Through: A cracked or rotten
portion of the floor gives way beneath the character, SCAVENGING
and his leg falls through. The character takes 1d4
Characters can attempt to scavenge abandoned
points of damage (Reflex DC 15 half). Extricating
buildings looking for food, fuel, ammunition,
oneself from a floor punch-through is a full-round
trade goods, and other useful items. Scavenging
action.
requires Search checks; the items found depend
Debris Fall: A plank, chunk of concrete, or
on the degree of success, the type of building
similar piece of debris falls from above, dealing
searched, and whether or not scavengers have
1d6 points of damage (Reflex DC 15 half).
already stripped the building of its loot.
Wall Collapse, Minor: A portion of a wall
The size of a building determines the number of
topples on the character, dealing 1d6 points of
scavenging Search checks. In general, one check is
damage (Reflex DC 15 half). The 5-foot square in
made for every 1,000 square feet of building space.
which the character was standing is filled with
A typical gas station or apartment is about 1,000
debris and impassable. Extricating oneself from the
square feet, a convenience store or small single-
debris is a full-round action. It takes 1d6 rounds
family home is typically 1,000 to 2,000 square feet,
to clear the debris from the 5-foot square to make
and a large single-family home might be as much
it passable again.
as 3,000 square feet. Office buildings, department
Ceiling Collapse, Minor: Part of the ceiling
stores, and other structures may be many thou-
above the character falls on him, dealing 1d6 points
sands of square feet. A building large enough to

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 18 4/1/05 12:05:38 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 2–4: Scavenging Results
Building Size
Building (×1,000 ————————————————Check Result——————————————————
Type sq. ft.) DC 20 DC 25 DC 30 DC 35
Office 2d8 1d4–1 electrical 1d2–1 mechanical 1d2–1 food 1d2–1 medicines
Restaurant 1d3 1d3–1 electrical 1d10–1 food 1d6–1 food 1d6–1 food
Arsenal 1 — 1d6–1 mechanical 1d12–1 ammo 1d8–1 food
Single-family home 1d3 1d2–1 electrical 1d6–1 food 1d8–1 gas 1d2–1 medicines
Department store 3d6 1d4–1 misc items 1d2–1 electrical 1d2–1 mechanical 1d2–1 food
Police station 1d3 — 1d2–1 electrical 1d6–1 ammo 1d3–1 medicines
Hardware store 3d6 1d3–1 misc items 1d6–1 mechanical 1d4–1 electrical 1d6–1 electrical
Gas station/garage 1 1d8–1 mechanical 1d10–1 gas 1d10–1 gas 1d10–1 gas
Convenience store 1d2 1d2–1 misc items 1d8–1 food 1d10–1 gas 1d10–1 gas
Factory 3d6 1d6–1 mechanical 1d4–1 electrical 1d10–1 gas 1d2–1 medicines
Warehouse 4d8 1d2–1 misc items 1d2–1 electrical 1d3–1 mechanical 1d8–1 gas
Hospital 2d10 1d4–1 electrical 1d3–1 medicines 1d4–1 medicines 1d4–1 medicines
Fire station 1d4 1d6–1 mechanical 1d4–1 medicines 1d10–1 gas 1d4–1 food
Specialty retail 1d6 1d2–1 misc items 1d2–1 mechanical 1d2–1 food 1d2–1 electrical
Supermarket 3d4 1d2–1 misc items 1d8–1 food 1d4–1 medicines 1d8–1 food
Drug store 2d4 1d2–1 misc items 1d4–1 medicines 1d4–1 food 1d4–1 medicines

allow several Search checks can yield more find-

ings—a character might find three times as much
stuff, for instance, in a 3,000-square-foot house as
Circumstance
Structure condition
Undamaged/minor damage
Search Check Modifier

+0
19
Major damage –5
he would in a 1,000-square-foot house. Table 2–4:

RULES MODULES
Severe damage –10
Scavenging Results gives typical building sizes for
Collapsed –15
a variety of building types. Previous scavenging
The condition of the building and whether or Building has never been scavenged +15
not it has been previously scavenged might have Building has been very lightly scavenged +5
an effect on Search checks made when scaveng- Building has been lightly scavenged +0
ing. In general, it’s assumed that a building to be Building has been moderately scavenged –5
scavenged is largely intact, and that it has been Building has been heavily scavenged –15
lightly scavenged in the past. (Perhaps previous
passersby have checked it out, taking the most obvi- Scavenging takes 10 minutes per Search check. A
ous items of value but not searching it in detail.) scavenger can take 20, requiring 3 hours and 20
Apply the following modifiers as appropriate. minutes to complete a check.

Mutated rats stand between

these scavengers and
their goal

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 19 4/1/05 12:05:39 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 2–5: Equipment Trade Values
Handguns TU 7.62mmR 2 Kukri 3
Beretta 92F 8 0.444 3 Nunchaku 2
Beretta 93R 12 0.5 4 Three-section staff 2
Colt Double Eagle 8 9mm 1
Colt M1911 8 10mm 1 Light Armor TU
Colt Python 8 0.22 1 Leather jacket 5
Derringer 7 0.32 1 Leather armor 10
Desert Eagle 9 0.38 1 Light undercover shirt 10
Glock 17 9 0.357 1 Pull-up pouch vest 10
Glock 20 9 0.44 2 Undercover vest 11
MAC Ingram M10 10 0.45 1
Pathfinder 7 .50AE 2 Medium Armor TU
Ruger Service-Six 7 10 ga buckshot 3 Concealable vest 12
S&W M29 8 12 ga buckshot 2 Chainmail shirt 14
SITES M9 8 Arrow 1 Light-duty vest 13
Skorpion 11 Crossbow bolt 1 Tactical vest 14
TEC-9 9
Walther PPK 8 Grenades and Explosives3 TU Heavy Armor TU
40mm fragmentation grenade 5 Special response vest 14
Longarms TU C4/Semtex 6 Plate mail 18

20 AKM/AK-47
Barrett Light Fifty
Beretta M3P
10
11
8
Det cord
Dynamite
Fragmentation grenade
3
4
6
Forced entry unit

Bags and Boxes

15

TU
Browning BPS 8 Smoke grenade 3 Aluminum travel case
RULES MODULES

HK G3 13 Tear gas grenade 4 10 lb. capacity 3

HK MP5 13 Thermite grenade 8 40 lb. capacity 4
HK MP5K 13 White phosphorous grenade 4 75 lb. capacity 4
HK PSG1 11 Briefcase 2
M16A2 11 Splash Weapons TU Contractor’s field bag 2
M4 Carbine 11 Acid 1 Day pack 2
Mossberg 8 Molotov cocktail 1 Hand bag 1
Remington 700 8 Range pack
Sawed-off shotgun 8 Simple Melee Weapons TU Standard 3
Steyr AUG 13 Brass knuckles 3 Oversized 2
Uzi 12 Cleaver 3 Patrol box 3
Winchester 94 8 Club 2
Knife 4 Clothing TU
Heavy Weapons TU Metal baton 4 Clothing outfit
M-60 17 Stun gun 1 3 Business 4
M2HB 18 Tonfa 3 Casual 3
M72A3 LAW 12 Formal 5
M79 11 Archaic Melee Weapons TU Fatigues 3
Hatchet 2 Uniform 3
Other Ranged Weapons TU Longsword 6 Ghillie suit 2
Compound bow 3 Machete 3 Outerwear
Crossbow 3 Rapier 5 Coat 3
Flamethrower 14 Spear 3 Fatigue jacket 2
Javelin 1 Straight razor 2 Overcoat 3
Pepper spray 4 Sword cane 5 Parka 3
Shuriken 1 Photojournalist’s vest
Taser1 4 Exotic Melee Weapons TU Windbreaker 2
Chain 3 Tool belt 3
Ammunition 2 TU Chainsaw 5
5.56mm 2 Kama 3
7.62mm 3 Katana 6

To determine the result of the scavenging Search checks over half of the building, the building is
check, consult Table 2–4: Scavenging Results. The considered heavily scavenged.
table gives results for several DCs. The results are For example, Brandon comes across an old fire
cumulative; if the character succeeds at DC 30, she station. Fire stations are typically 1,000–4,000 (1d4
gets the results for DC 30, DC 25, and DC 20. × 1,000) square feet; rolling 1d4, the GM determines
Heroes can scavenge a building more than once. this one is 3,000 square feet in size. Brandon can
If more than half of a building has ever been make three Search checks. The fire station has minor
scavenged, the building is considered moderately damage and has been lightly scavenged in the past,
scavenged. If anyone has taken 20 on Search so there will be no modifiers on the checks.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 20 4/1/05 12:05:44 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 2–5: Equipment Trade Values (cont.)
Computers and Electronics TU Spike strip 4 Cessna 172 Skyhawk 245
Camera Surgery kit 5 Learjet Model 45 285
35mm1 2
Digital 1 4 Survival Gear TU Civilian Cars TU
Disposable 1 Backpack 3 Acura 3.2 TL 75
Film 1 Binoculars Aston-Martin Vanquish 95
Computer Standard 2 BMW M3 85
Desktop 7 Rangefinding 4 Chevrolet Cavalier 45
Notebook1 7 Electro-optical1 5 Chevrolet Corvette 85
Digital audio recorder1 3 Chemical light sticks (5) 1 Dodge Neon 45
PDA 1 5 Climbing gear 4 Ford Crown Victoria 65
Portable video camera 1 5 Compass 2 Jaguar XJS 75
Printer 4 Fire extinguisher 3 Lamborghini Diablo 105
Scanner 4 Flash goggles1 5 Mercedes E55 AMG 75
Walkie-talkie Flashlight Volkswagen Jetta 65
Basic1 2 Penlight1 1
Professional1 4 Standard 1 1 Civilian Motorcycles TU
Battery flood 1 2 Ducati 998R 55
Surveillance Gear TU Gas mask 4 Harley Davidson FLSTF 45
Metal detector1 4 Map Yamaha YZ250F 35
Night-vision goggles1

Professional Equipment
11

TU
Road atlas
Tactical map
Mesh vest
1
1
3
Civilian Trucks
AM General Hummer
TU
125
21
Bolt cutter 2 Portable stove 3 Chevrolet Suburban 85

RULES MODULES
Caltrops (25) 3 Rope (150 ft) 2 Dodge Caravan 65
Car opening kit 3 Sleeping bag 3 Ford Escape XLT 75
Chemical kit 5 Tent Ford F-150 XL 65
Demolitions kit 7 2-Person dome 4 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab 55
Disguise kit 1 4-Person dome 4
Duct tape 1 8-Person dome 4 Civilian Water Vehicles TU
Electrical tool kit Trail rations4 2 Bayliner 1802 Capri 65
Basic1 5 Fairline Targa 30 105
Deluxe1 7 Weapon Accessories TU Sea-Doo XP 35
Evidence kit Box magazine 1
Basic 2 Detonator Other Civilian Vehicles TU
Deluxe 4 Blasting cap 2 Armored Truck 125
First aid kit 2 Radio controlled 1 5 Honda TRX400FW 45
Forgery kit 4 Timed 1 4 Limousine 145
Handcuffs Wired 3 Moving Truck 125
Steel 2 Holster NABI Model 40LFW 165
Zip-tie (25) 2 Hip 2
Instrument, keyboard 4 Concealed carry 2 Military Vehicles TU
Instrument, percussion 5 Illuminator1 2 BMP-2 385
Instrument, stringed 4 Laser sight1 4 M1A2 Abrams 455
Instrument, wind 3 Scope M2A2 Bradley 435
Lockpick set 5 Standard 4 M113A1 Gavin 375
Lock release gun 5 Electro-optical 1 6 UH-60 Black Hawk 455
Mechanical tool kit Speed loader 1
Basic 4 Suppressor 1 This item uses batteries. See
Deluxe1 7 Pistol 10 General Equipment, page 27.
Medical kit 5 Rifle 11 2 TU given is per bullet.
Multi-purpose tool 3 3 TU given is per grenade or unit
Pharmacist kit 6 Civilian Aircraft TU of explosive.
Search-and-rescue kit 4 Bell Jet Ranger 275 4 TU given is per 1 day’s worth of
Bell Model 212 335 food.

On his first check, Brandon rolls a 9, and with Electrical: Electrical parts consist of miscel-
his +11 Search modifier, he gets a 20. That’s enough laneous materials needed to build and repair
to find 1d6–1 mechanical parts. Brandon rolls a 3, electrical devices. The actual scavenged items may
giving him a total of two mechanical parts for be parts from old televisions, coffee makers, or
his trouble—useful, but not as successful as he’d power transformers, but they all count as parts.
hoped. For his second check, Brandon decides to See Making and Fixing Items, page 30.
take 20. This gives him a check result of 31, enough Mechanical: Mechanical parts consist of mis-
to find 1d6–1 mechanical parts, 1d4–1 medicines, cellaneous materials needed to build and repair
and 1d10–1 gas—much better results, and he still mechanical devices. The actual scavenged items
has one more check to make. may be parts from lawnmower or automobile

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 21 4/1/05 12:05:46 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Ammo: Functioning ammunition is rare and
Why Can’t I Scavenge valuable indeed. The number indicated on Table
Everything? 2–4 is the number of bullets found. Consult the
Resourceful characters can find a great many
items through scavenging, but only a small table in the first column to determine the type of
fraction of the items available in the game can ammunition found.
be found through the results of the scaveng- Gas: Gasoline is the preferred fuel for automo-
ing rules given here. Why can’t characters biles. The number indicated on Table 2–4 is the
scavenge up other types of equipment, such number of gallons found.
as armor and firearms? Indeed, where does Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous items are just
this stuff come from if somebody didn’t scav- that: the miscellaneous leftovers of the age of civi-
enge it? lization. The number indicated on Table 2–4 is the
The answer is, of course, that all preapoca- number of items found. Consult the table below to
lyptic items were scavenged by somebody, and
determine each individual item found.
the heroes can find items beyond those given
in the scavenging tables when they explore
ruins. Also, as they adventure, the heroes d% Item
discover more valuable, sophisticated, and 01–03 Backpack
important gear as part of their adventuring 04 Battery charger1
rewards, rather than as a result of random 05–09 Battery1
scavenging. In other words, the GM decides 10 Binoculars, standard
11–13 Bolt cutter

22
where and when the characters might stumble
upon a piece of body armor or a functioning 14–19 Book1
truck based on his adventure, rather than a 20–24 Briefcase
random roll on a table. For more on this, see 25–27 Chemical light sticks (5)
Equipment as Rewards, page 24. 28–33 Cigarette lighter1
RULES MODULES

34 Compass
35–40 Day pack
engines, air conditioners, or other devices, but 41–45 Digital camera
they all count as parts. See Making and Fixing 46–48 Duct tape
Items, page 30. 49–49 Electrical tool kit, basic
50–52 Fatigues
Food: Scavenged food consists of canned goods
53–58 Fire extinguisher
from before the apocalypse. See Food, page 24.
59–61 First aid kit
Medicines: Medicines are antibiotics and other 62–66 Flashlight, penlight
pharmaceuticals. The number indicated on Table 67–69 Flashlight, standard
2–4 is the number of doses found; consult the table 70–74 Map, road atlas
below to determine the type of medicine found. 75 Mechanical tool kit, basic
See Medicines, page 25. 76–78 Multipurpose tool
79–83 Parka
d% Medicine Type 84 Rope (150 ft.)
01–60 Mild (disease Fort DC 14 or lower) 85 Tent, 2-person dome
61–90 Moderate (disease Fort DC 15–18) 86–91 Toolbelt
91–97 Powerful (disease Fort DC 19–22) 92 Walkie-talkie, basic
98–100 Advanced (disease Fort DC 23 or higher) 93–97 Windbreaker
98–100 Zip-tie (25)
d% Ammunition Type 1 Indicates a piece of equipment described in this
01–08 5.56mm chapter.
09–12 7.62mm
13–14
15–16
7.62mmR
0.444 POSTAPOCALYPSE
17–18 0.5
19–26 9mm GEAR
27–28 10mm
29–36 0.22 In a postapocalyptic world, there are few modern
37–44 0.32 stores and even fewer modern conveniences. As
45–52 0.38 a result, the relationship of the character to her
53–60 0.357 equipment is somewhat different. On the one hand,
61–62 0.44 because the type of gear available to a civilized soci-
63–70 0.45 ety is so rare (and consumables, such as ammunition
71–72 .50AE and batteries, are even rarer), items that have only
73–76 10 gauge buckshot moderate utility to a preapocalyptic hero are the
77–84 12 gauge buckshot
prized possessions of a postapocalyptic character.
85–88 Arrow
89–96 CO2 cartidge1
On the other hand, for the same reason, characters
97–100 Crossbow bolt cannot rely on having high-tech or powerful gear
1 Indicates a piece of equipment described in this on hand and instead often learn to get by with
chapter. primitive equipment—or none at all.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 22 4/1/05 12:05:48 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Obviously, any equipment from the preapoca-
lyptic world—from the d20 Modern Roleplaying
Additional Gear
Obviously, one can scavenge a great deal more
Game (and d20 Future, if the civilized world had gear than is covered here. You can use gear
progressed farther than the present day before from other sources, such as other d20 Modern
the apocalypse)—can appear in an apocalyptic supplements, but you’ll need to set an appro-
setting. In addition, this section adds a few items priate TU for the items.
that might be common after the apocalypse. There is no hard-and-fast formula for
Since there is virtually no economy (as we know converting standard d20 Modern Roleplaying
it) in the postapocalyptic world, the Wealth system Game purchase DCs into TUs, because the
from d20 Modern cannot be used. This section pro- value and availability of some types of equip-
ment is very different in a postapocalyptic
vides new rules for bartering and for equipping
setting than its value and availability in the
beginning characters. civilized world. To determine the TU of equip-
Cash is worthless in a postapocalyptic world, ment from other sources, compare it to gear
and certainly no credit ratings exist, but goods in the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game that is of
can still be traded. Within the game, people simply the same type and restriction level. Find an
trade what they have for what they want at the item with the same or a similar purchase DC,
best deal they can arrange. A few rules, however, and assign it that item’s TU from Table 2–5.
provide guidelines for typical trading values. For example, let’s say you want to use a
firearm from d20 Weapons Locker. The weapon
has a restriction level of military and a pur-
Trade Value
Every item has a value in trade units (TU). A TU
represents, roughly, one day’s survival: A single
chase DC of 23. Table 4–4 in the d20 Modern
Roleplaying Game provides a close equivalent:
the M2HB, with a restriction level of military
23
day’s worth of food is 1 TU, as is a handgun bullet and purchase DC of 22. The M2HB’s TU value

RULES MODULES
or a gallon of gas. An item’s TU value indicates is 18, so the TU value for your weapon should
its typical value relative to other items. TU is an be 18 or 19 (the GM makes the call if there’s no
exact equivalent).
abstract game mechanic, just like an item’s pur-
When making such comparisons, always
chase DC in d20 Modern; no one in the game world try to use equipment from the same section of
uses the term. the same table. In other words, don’t compare
Table 2–5 gives TUs for the items covered in the a piece of armor with an item from the Sur-
d20 Modern Roleplaying Game. A few items that rely vival Gear section of the General Equipment
on civilized infrastructure (such as cell phones and table.
modems) have been omitted. Also, the TU values
given for consumable items (such as ammunition
and trail rations) are per unit (bullet or day’s Bartering Rules
worth of food), not per case. Characters can barter to obtain goods. Bartering is
simply the act of trading an item or items the hero
owns for those owned by another character.
Starting Gear The GM decides what sort of deal the bartering
A newly created character begins play with a TU
character gets from NPCs, based on the attitude of
budget for purchasing starting equipment. When
the NPC (see the Diplomacy skill, page 57 of the d20
creating the character, the entire TU budget must
Modern Roleplaying Game) and whether or not the
be spent; any unspent budget is lost. (If you have
NPC especially wants what the hero is offering.
some TU points remaining after purchasing starting
In general, an indifferent NPC trades items he
equipment, use them to buy inexpensive tradable
owns for twice the TU value from the hero. For
goods, such as ammunition; these goods can be
instance, the NPC gives the hero 4 TU worth of
used later to trade for other equipment.)
ammunition if the hero gives him 8 TU worth of
To determine a new character’s TU budget, roll
medicines.
4d10×2. If the character has any Wealth bonus due
A friendly NPC trades items he has for half again
to her occupation, multiply the bonus by 2 and add
the TU value from the hero. For example, the NPC
the result to the TU budget.
gives the hero 4 TU worth of ammunition for 6 TU
worth of electrical parts.
Wealth Increases A helpful NPC trades on an equal basis.
The d20 Modern Roleplaying Game Wealth system Any NPC of indifferent or better attitude will
is not used in a postapocalyptic game. Charac- break these rules if the hero is offering something
ters do not gain Wealth when they go up in level. the NPC really needs. For example, if the NPC is
Feats, skills, and class abilities that grant bonuses out of ammunition for his rifle but has plenty of
to Wealth do not apply. electrical parts, and the hero is offering ammo for
the parts, the NPC is likely to barter on an even
Windfall and Profession TU-for-TU basis.
The Windfall feat and the Profession skill have no
effect in a postapocalyptic game and are not used.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 23 4/1/05 12:05:50 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
rewards from the encounter), to bring the total
Equipment Availability potential TU reward for defeating the marauder
There are few department stores in the posta-
pocalyptic world, and even the occasional to 30 TUs.
trading post or traveling merchant is a rarity.
Although beginning characters should be Table 2–6: TU Adventure Rewards
allowed to select whatever equipment they’d Encounter Encounter
like (within the bounds of their TU budgets), Level TU Level TU
once the game begins, characters simply can’t 1 20 11 120
walk into a store and buy what they want. 2 30 12 130
Specific equipment can be hard to find. 3 40 13 140
Because all trade is conducted by barter, 4 50 14 150
when possible it’s best for the GM to deter- 5 60 15 160
mine ahead of time what equipment is carried 6 70 16 170
by NPCs, including merchants and others who 7 80 17 180
might be willing to trade. As a very rough 8 90 18 190
guide, use the following table to determine 9 100 19 200
how much stuff is available for trading when 10 110 20 210
the heroes encounter a trading opportunity.

Trader TUs Available Reliability

Lone traveling merchant 50 Like other survivors of the apocalypse, equipment

24 Small caravan or trading post

Small settlement
Medium settlement
100
200
400
left over from the age of civilization has been
through a lot. As a result of the apocalypse itself,
prolonged periods of neglect, and the lack of main-
Large settlement 800 tenance and repair, postapocalyptic equipment is
RULES MODULES

not very reliable.

TUs Available: The approximate total TU Any time a player rolls a natural 1 when making
value of all gear the trader or traders have to
an attack roll with a weapon or a skill check using
offer. This is in addition to the NPC’s personal
gear, which usually amounts to about 40 TUs a piece of equipment, the item in use breaks and
in value. (NPCs may be willing, of course, to requires repair. The task being attempted (or attack
barter their personal equipment, but because being made) automatically fails.
they rely on it for survival, they are probably Repairing such a break is generally a simple
less willing to do so.) Repair check (see Making and Fixing Items,
Typically, half of the trade goods available page 30).
consist of common 1-TU or 2-TU consumable
items: food, fuel, ammunition, batteries, and
parts. One-quarter consists of common mis- New Equipment
cellaneous items valued at 3 TU to 4 TU. The In addition to the equipment given in the d20
remaining quarter consists of higher-value, Modern Roleplaying Game, the gear in this section
less common items, including weapons, may be useful to postapocalyptic characters.
armor, explosives, tool kits, stills, generators,
and so on. Food
Tradable food comes in several forms; canned
goods from before the bomb, MREs (military
Equipment as Rewards rations), and preserved meats such as jerky are
Characters in a postapocalyptic campaign can’t the most common.
receive a Wealth bonus as a reward for defeating
their foes. What they may end up with, however, Table 2–7: Food
are items they can use or barter. Such goods might Food Type Size Weight TU
include a few rounds of ammunition, a cache of Canned goods Tiny 0.5 lb. 2
canned goods, a weapon or vehicle, a stash of parts, Cheer food Tiny — 4
MRE Small 0.5 lb. 6
or a handful of miscellaneous items.
Preserved food Small 1 lb. 1
Table 2–6: TU Adventure Rewards gives suggested
Trade food (1 pound) Small 1 lb. 1
total TU values for rewards resulting from encoun-
ters. Use it just like you would normally use Table
Canned Goods: One serving of food in the
7–3 in the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game. If the foes
form of canned goods (one can) feeds one person
the heroes will encounter (and are expected to defeat
for one day. Canned goods last indefinitely, but
in combat) carry gear, the TU value of that gear
they require a can opener to open. (Opening a can
should be included in the total TU of the reward.
without an opener requires some work; a can has
For example, a CR 2 marauder whose equipment
hardness 2 and 2 hit points.)
includes a shotgun, six 12-gauge shells, and a pair
Cheer Food: Luxury foods from before the
of standard binoculars already has gear totaling
apocalypse—candy bars, coffee, cans of soda or
22 TU. The GM might decide to give him another
beer—are highly prized by the survivors. One
8 TU of gear (or otherwise provide 8 TU worth of
serving of cheer food gives one person a +1 morale

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 24 4/1/05 12:05:52 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
bonus on all rolls and checks for 12 hours. Cheer Parts
foods are not generally nutritious, but they can A character attempting to make an item or fix
be lived on: Two servings feed one person for broken equipment can’t simply run down to the
one day. local hardware store for the necessary components.
MRE: The Meal, Ready to Eat was the U.S. (Unless it’s to loot the hardware store’s ruins!)
military’s standard field ration. An MRE feeds one Instead, the character must obtain appropriate
person for two days (or two for one day). parts through barter or scavenging. Mechanical
Preserved Food: Homemade preserved foods parts are used to make Craft (mechanical) checks
generally consist of jerky or similar items. One and Repair checks on mechanical devices. Electrical
serving of preserved food feeds one person for parts are used to make Craft (electrical) checks and
one day. Preserved food goes bad one day after Repair checks on electrical devices. See Making
getting wet. and Fixing Items, page 30.
Trade Food: Flour, cooking oil, corn meal, sugar,
potatoes, and other staple items don’t make for Table 2–10:
appetizing meals, but they can be traded and, in Mechanical and Electrical Parts
a pinch, survived upon. One serving (1/2 pound) Parts Type Size Weight TU
feeds one person for one day, but the following day Electrical Small 1 lb. 1
the character is fatigued. Mechanical Medium 5 lb. 1

Fuel Weapons
Fuel is a valuable commodity. Not only is it craved
by road gangers and traveling merchants, but it’s
In addition to weapons from the civilized world, a
few other items become valuable or noteworthy in
25
also critical to settlements with generators, farm the postapocalyptic world. The characteristics of

RULES MODULES
equipment, or other gear. Fuel takes two forms: these weapons are summarized on Table 2–11.
gasoline and ethanol. Brain Buster: This melee weapon consists
of a five or six-foot length of pipe, with sharp
Table 2–8: Fuel bolts, nails, and other nasty debris welded about
Fuel Type Size Weight TU one end.
Gasoline (1 gallon) Small 5 lb. 1 The brain buster is a double weapon. You can fight
Ethanol (2 gallons) Small 5 lb. 1 with it as though fighting with two weapons, but
Gasoline: The standard fuel for cars, trucks, if you do, you incur all the normal attack penalties
tanks, electrical generators, and other internal associated with fighting with two weapons as if
combustion engines. What little gasoline to be using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon
found is generally scavenged. Gasoline is more (see Attacking with Two Weapons, page 138 of the
valuable than ethanol, because it lasts longer and d20 Modern Roleplaying Game).
doesn’t affect vehicle performance. Dirty Gun: Similar in nature to a heavy rock
Ethanol: Any vehicle or device that uses gasoline launcher, the dirty gun is a large-bore muzzle-
can be modified to accept ethanol (see Modifying loading ranged weapon packed with debris such
Vehicles, page 31), although doing this takes a toll as rubble and nails, and fired using a compressed
on the vehicle’s performance. Rather than being CO2 cartridge. The weapon requires a new CO2
able to increase speed by one movement category cartridge after being fired two times. Replacing
per round, as is standard in the d20 Modern Role- the CO2 cartridge is a move action that provokes
playing Game rules, it takes two rounds to increase attacks of opportunity.
speed. Furthermore, a vehicle running on ethanol The dirty gun derives its name from the habit of
subtracts 5 miles per gallon from its mileage. some users to pack it with irradiated debris. When
this is done, the weapon causes radiation sickness
Medicine in addition to the regular weapon damage (see
In a world with little medical care, the value of Radiation Sickness, page 80 of d20 Future; degree
good medicine is even greater than in the civilized of exposure is low).
world. Medicines give a +2 circumstance bonus Disc Shooter: The disc shooter is a ranged
on Fortitude saves made to resist the effects of a weapon nearly identical to a crossbow, except it
disease. Medicines come in a variety of strengths, shoots discs instead of bolts. Typically, these discs
depending on the severity of the disease to be are round pieces of tin cut to have sharp edges,
countered as measured by the DC of the Fortitude although shuriken can also be used.
save needed to resist it. Ratchet: This crude melee weapon, a favorite
of road gangers and marauders, is made of a two-
Table 2–9: Medicines foot length of pipe to which sharp bolts and nails
Medicine Type Size Weight TU have been welded. It’s used like a club.
Mild (disease Fort DC 14 or lower) Dim — 1 Rock Launcher: This homemade muzzle-loading
Moderate (disease Fort 15–18) Dim — 3 ranged weapon uses compressed CO2 to fire rocks in
Powerful (disease Fort 19–22) Dim — 5 much the same way a firearm fires bullets, though
Advanced (disease Fort 23+ Dim — 10
much less accurately. Ammunition is free (suitable

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 25 4/1/05 12:05:53 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 2–11: Postapocalyptic Weapons
Damage Range
Weapon Damage Critical Type Increment Size Weight TU
Simple Weapons (require the Simple Weapons Proficiency feat)
Ratchet 1d8 20 Bludgeoning — Med 6 lb. 3

Damage Range
Weapon Damage Critical Type Increment Size Weight TU
Archaic Weapons (require the Archaic Weapons Proficiency feat)
Brain buster 1d6/1d8 19–20 Bludgeoning — Large 8 lb. 4
Sawblade axe 1d12 19–20 Slashing — Large 12 lb. 4

Damage Range Rate of

Weapon Damage Critical Type Increment Fire Magazine Size Weight TU
Primitive Firearms (require the Personal Firearms Proficiency feat)
Dirty gun 1d101 20 Special 20 ft. S 1 int.2 Med 9 lb 6
Disc shooter 1d8 20 Slashing 30 ft. S 1 int. Med 7 lb. 4
Rock launcher 2d6 20 Piercing 10 ft. 1 1 int.2 Med 10 lb. 6
Rock launcher, heavy 2d8 20 Piercing 20 ft. 1 1 int.2 Large 16 lb. 8
Tire shredder 3d6 20 Piercing 10 ft. 1 1 int.2 Huge 24 lb. 16
1 This weapon does special damage. See the weapon description.

26 2 This weapon is powered by compressed CO2, which is needed in addition to its ammunition. See the weapon
description.

rocks are easy to find), but the weapon requires Disk Gun Disk: These small discs are cut from
RULES MODULES

a new CO2 cartridge after being fired five times. flattened tin cans and given sharp, jagged edges
Replacing the CO2 cartridge is a move action that for maximum impact.
provokes attacks of opportunity. Irradiated Debris: This debris consists of
Rock Launcher, Heavy: This weapon is similar small bits of glass, metal, and concrete collected
to the standard rock launcher, except it is able to from irradiated areas for use in dirty guns. (Non-
propel a larger, more damaging rock. The weapon irradiated debris for dirty guns is free and can be
requires a new CO2 cartridge after being fired two easily collected anywhere; irradiated debris has a
times. Replacing the CO2 cartridge is a move action TU because few people are willing to enter irradi-
that provokes attacks of opportunity. ated areas to gather it.)
Sawblade Axe: This large axe features a blade Irradiated debris is a moderately radioactive
made from jagged scrap metal—half of a power saw material. Being within 5 feet of it (unless it’s kept
blade is common. Not much good for chopping in a lead-lined box) causes radiation sickness. See
down trees, but it makes a fearsome weapon. Radiation Sickness, page 80 of d20 Future.
Tire Shredder: Normally mounted on ganger
vehicles for use against other vehicles’ tires, Armor
a tire shredder is a ranged weapon that uses Preapocalyptic body armor can be hard to come
compressed CO2 to fire four crossbow bolts from by, but a few new forms of armor have become
parallel tubes. popular since the apocalypse. The characteristics
Because it fires multiple projectiles in paral- of these armors are summarized on Table 2–13.
lel, the tire shredder gives its firer a +2 bonus on Fire Resistant Suit: This bulky, silver-coated
attack rolls. suit provides fire resistance 10, but does not pro-
Each shot from a tire shredder uses an entire tect against any other type of damage. In the
CO2 cartridge in addition to four crossbow bolts. preapocalyptic world, it was used primarily by
Loading a tire shredder is a full-round action that firefighters.
provokes attacks of opportunity. The suit takes 1 minute to don with someone’s
aid or 2 minutes without. If a fire resistant suit
Ammunition takes 8 points of damage from ballistic, slashing,
Ranged weapons unique to the postapocalypse or piercing weapons, the benefits it provides are
need special ammunition. negated.
NBC Suit: Although technically not armor,
Table 2–12: Ammunition this oversized suit does protect the wearer from
Ammunition Type (Quantity) TU nuclear (radiation), biological, and chemical haz-
CO2 cartridge (1) 1 ards. When worn and completely sealed, it grants
Disk gun disk (10) 1 a +10 equipment bonus on Fortitude saves against
Irradiated debris (1) 3 radiation, disease, chemicals, or poisons (airborne
CO2 Cartridge: This is a preapocalyptic CO2 or contact only).
cartridge, about the size of a roll of dimes. An NBC suit comes with an air supply that lasts
for one hour. The suit takes 5 minutes to don with
someone’s aid or 10 minutes without.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 26 4/1/05 12:05:55 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 2–13: Armor
Equipment Nonprof. Maximum Armor Speed
Armor Type Bonus Bonus Dex Bonus Penalty (30 ft.) Weight TU
Light Armor
Fire resistant suit Tactical — — +5 –4 30 ft. 10 lb. 14
NBC suit Tactical — — +5 –4 30 ft. 10 lb. 12
Rad suit Tactical — — +5 –4 30 ft. 15 lb. 15
Sports pads Impromptu +3 +2 +4 –2 30 ft. 7 lb. 6

Equipment Nonprof. Maximum Armor Speed

Armor Type Bonus Bonus Dex Bonus Penalty (30 ft.) Weight TU
Medium Armor
Enhanced sports pads Impromptu +5 +3 +2 –5 20 ft. 15 lb. 8

Equipment Nonprof. Maximum Armor Speed

Armor Type Bonus Bonus Dex Bonus Penalty (30 ft.) Weight TU
Shield
Improvised shield Impromptu +2 +1 — –1 — 7 lb. 3

If an NBC suit takes 4 points of damage from Every time a battery-operated item is used,

27
ballistic, slashing, or piercing weapons, the ben- roll 1d20. On a result of 1, the batteries are dead
efits it provides are negated. If the suit has been and the object is useless until the batteries are
exposed to some hazard, it must be cleaned and recharged.
neutralized, taking 1 hour and requiring special Batteries come in a wide variety of sizes and

RULES MODULES
chemicals (10 TUs). types—too varied to be worth keeping track of in
Rad Suit: The wearer of this suit treats an the game. For simplicity’s sake, assume all batter-
irradiated area or radiation source as two degrees ies are interchangeable. If this is too simplistic for
weaker for the purpose of determining radia- your game, assume that batteries for each type of
tion exposure (severe becomes moderate, high device are unique, and cannot be interchanged.
becomes low, moderate becomes mild, and the If characters in your game obtain additional bat-
wearer is unaffected by low and mild degrees of teries, determine randomly what type of item they
exposure). can be used with.
The suit takes 1 minute to don with someone’s aid Ammunition Kit: This kit includes every-
or 2 minutes without. If a rad suit takes 8 points thing needed to reload ammunition, provided the
of damage from ballistic, slashing, or piercing
weapons, the benefits it provides are negated.
Sports Pads: Easily salvaged from the ruins
Table 2–14: General Equipment
Item Size Weight TU
of arenas, schools, and sports shops, football and Ammunition kit Medium 10 lb. 7
hockey pads are a common source of armor after Battery Dim — 3
the apocalypse. The exterior of the armor is made Battery charger Small 1 lb. 5
of a durable hard plastic and the interior contains Book Small 1 lb. 2
padding, which cushions blows. Can opener Small 0.5 lb. 3
Enhanced Sports Pads: Some postapocalyp- Candle Tiny — 1
tic craftsmen have enhanced sports pad armor Cigarette lighter Dim — 2
with scrap metal plates, nearly doubling its Concertina wire (20 ft) Large 15 lb. 6
Electrical generator Large 25 lb. 15
effectiveness.
Ethanol still
Improvised Shield: An improvised shield is
Small Large 20 lb. 8
made of scrap metal (highway signs are popular Large Huge 40 lb. 12
because of their size and shape) with a couple of Geiger counter1 Small 1 lb. 10
straps fitted to the back. The bearer cannot use a Lead-lined box
weapon in the hand holding the shield. 10 lb. capacity Med 15 lb. 16
40 lb. capactiy Large 20 lb. 20
General Equipment 75 lb. capacity Large 30 lb. 25
Table 2–14 identifies a number of items that are Motion detector1 Tiny 1 lb. 6
common or particularly useful after the apoca- Mount, donkey Large2 350 lb. 9
Mount, combat horse Large2 1,200 lb. 18
lypse.
Mount, riding horse Large2 1,000 lb. 14
Many of the items characters use are battery-
Saddle and tack Large 15 lb. 5
operated, as noted on the equipment tables in this Shell casings (10) Tiny 1 lb. 1
section. Any device that uses batteries comes with Toiletries kit Med 1 lb. 12
rechargeable batteries. If the item is obtained Torch Med 1 lb. 1
through barter, the batteries are charged; if it’s Wire (100 ft.) Small 4 lb. 1
scavenged, the batteries are dead and must be 1 This item uses batteries. See General Equipment,
recharged before the item can be used. page 27.
2 Size as a creature, not as an object.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 27 4/1/05 12:05:57 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Everyday items become
precious in a
postapocalypse world

CT

28
RULES MODULES

user has shell casings and has hardness 2, 5 hp, and can only be damaged
the necessary skill. See Craft by slashing weapons or cut with a tool such as
(mechanical), page 58. bolt cutters.
Battery: A spare battery always comes in handy Electrical Generator: An electrical generator
eventually. Changing a battery is a move action provides enough electrical power to run a small
that provokes attacks of opportunity. household—a dozen or so lights and appliances. An
Battery Charger: A battery charger recharges electrical generator uses 1 gallon of fuel for every
batteries for a single device in 1 hour. The battery 6 hours it runs.
charger must be connected to an electricity source—a Ethanol Still: An ethanol still converts bio-
vehicle, an electrical generator, or a functioning logical material into fuel. (See Fuel, page 25.) The
electrical outlet. still is most effective if trade food (see Food, page
Book: Books that survived the apocalypse are 24) is used as raw material, but it can run on plant
valued not just as vestiges of civilization, but roughage also. A small still creates 12 gallons per
also because they are one of the last remnants of batch. A large still creates 36 gallons per batch.
modern entertainment available. Those who seek Using Trade Food: Each pound of trade food pro-
to restore the technology of the age of civilization duces 3 gallons of ethanol. (A small still requires
value engineering textbooks and schematics. Those 4 pounds of trade food to produce a full batch; a
who preserve knowledge and culture seek out fic- large still requires 12 pounds to produce a full
tion and literature. batch.) The distilling process takes 24 hours.
Can Opener: A can opener is used to open Using Plant Roughage: Each pound of plant rough-
canned goods (see Food, page 24). Opening a can age (rotten vegetables, corn husks, straw) produces
without an opener requires some work; a can has 1 gallon of ethanol. (A small still requires 12 pounds
hardness 2 and 2 hit points. of plant roughage to produce a full batch; a large
Candle: A candle dimly illuminates a 5-foot still requires 36 pounds to produce a full batch.)
radius and burns for 4 hours. The distilling process takes 48 hours. In addition,
Cigarette Lighter: A simple piece of technol- the roughage must be gathered and prepared,
ogy that is easy to reproduce with the materials which takes one person 30 minutes per pound (six
available after the apocalypse, a cigarette lighter hours to fully load a small still; 18 hours to fully
produces a flame as a move action. It is useful for load a large still).
starting fires, lighting explosives, and burning Geiger Counter: This handheld device mea-
through flammable materials. sures the radiation level at its location. The Geiger
Concertina Wire: So named because its coils counter tells the user how irradiated the area is
fold up like a squeezebox, concertina wire is the (lightly, moderately, highly, or severely), or how
modern form of barbed wire. It comes in 20-foot- powerful an adjacent radiation source is (lightly,
long rolls that are stretched across the surface or moderately, highly, or severely). See Radiation
fence to be protected. For each 2-foot section that Sickness, page 80 of d20 Future.
a person tries to cross, he or she takes 1d6 points Lead-Lined Box: This box is identical to the
of damage (Reflex DC 15 half). Concertina wire aluminum travel case (see Bags and Boxes, page

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 28 4/1/05 12:05:59 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
112 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game), except its A toiletries kit can be used five times before it
interior is lined with lead. Radioactive materials runs out of supplies.
placed within a closed lead-lined box are treated Torch: A typical torch is a length of wood
as radiation sources two categories weaker than capped with old cloth soaked in turpentine or
normal. (See Radiation Sickness, page 80 of d20 other solvents. A torch burns for 1 hour, brightly
Future.) For example, a highly radioactive material illuminating a 20-foot radius and providing shad-
in a lead-lined box is treated as lightly radioactive, owy illumination to a 40-foot radius. If a torch is
and lightly or moderately radioactive materials used in combat, treat it as a one-handed impro-
in a lead-lined box are treated as though they vised weapon that deals 1d4 points of bludgeoning
aren’t radioactive. damage plus 1 point of fire damage.
Motion Detector: This small, square device Wire: Insulate electrical wire is as tough as
can be attached to a wall or other surface. It rope, but thinner. It can be used to tie up items
detects motion by any creature of size Tiny or (and people) just like rope can be, but it’s too thin
larger within 30 feet. A motion detector can be and smooth to grip easily, so it can’t be used for
connected to another electrical device (such as a climbing. Wire can also be used to connect elec-
light, or an explosive detonator), switching that trical devices to a power source.
device on when it detects motion.
Mount, Donkey: The best kind of pack animal Vehicles
around, donkeys are stolid in the face of danger, Fuel may be hard to find, but vehicles are common

29
they are hardy, surefooted, and capable of car- remnants of the civilized world. In addition to
rying heavy loads over vast distances. Unlike a those given in the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game,
horse, a donkey is willing (though not eager) to a few other vehicle types are popular after the
enter strange and threatening places. apocalypse. The characteristics of these vehicles

RULES MODULES
Mount, Combat Horse: A combat horse is are summarized on Table 2–15.
identical to a riding horse (see below), except that Dune Buggy: Dune buggies are four-wheeled
it has been trained for use in combat. See Mounted vehicles, usually built on car chassis, designed
Combat, page 38. For more information on horses, to be driven at high speed off-road. Rather than
see page 239 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game. having an enclosed compartment for the driver
Mount, Riding Horse: The horse is a good and passenger, a dune buggy is open, protecting
all-around work animal and the best mount for the passengers with little more than a heavy-duty
riding. Horses can be skittish, however, and riding roll cage.
horses are not trained for combat. For more infor- A dune buggy is two squares wide and three
mation on horses, see page 239 of the d20 Modern squares long. It provides one-quarter cover for
Roleplaying Game. its occupants.
Saddle and Tack: A saddle and tack allow a Range Rover: The Range Rover was designed
character to comfortably ride a horse or similar to provide off-road performance but function just
mount. as well on busy city streets. It provides power,
Shell Casings: Ammunition kits allow charac- speed, and comfort. In the postapocalyptic world,
ters to reload ammunition—if they have the shell the Range Rover is valued for its ability to traverse
casings to reload. Empty shell casings are valuable the rugged countryside. It is two squares wide and
trade commodities. four squares long, and provides three-quarters
Characters can collect shell casings (theirs and cover for its occupants.
those of their opponents) after a battle. Doing so Ultralight Trike: Little more than a motor-
requires a Search check (DC 10); failure indicates ized hang glider with three landing wheels, an
that only half the fired shell casings are found. ultralight is a double occupant aircraft made of
The TU given is for ten shell casings. a lightweight aluminum and composite frame on
Toiletries Kit: Good hygiene disappeared which is mounted seats, a prop engine, landing
when civilization did. A toiletries kit contains wheels, and an overhead nylon wing. Ultralight
miscellaneous hygiene items such as a comb and engines are small, giving them a low top speed
toothbrush, as well as consumables such as soap compared to most aircraft, but making them misers
and shampoo. with fuel. An ultralight trike is six squares wide
With a half-hour’s effort and the use of a toi- and two squares long. It provides no cover for crew
letries kit, a character can clean up, gaining a +2 and passengers.
circumstance bonus on all Diplomacy checks for
the next 12 hours.

Table 2–15: New Vehicles

Top Hit Fuel Gas
Name Crew Pass Cargo Init Maneuver Speed Defense Hardness Points Size TU Cap. Mileage
Dune buggy 1 3 300 lb. –1 +1 190 (19) 8 5 28 H 55 12 30
Range Rover 1 4 500 lb. –2 +0 175 (17) 8 5 38 H 75 20 15
Ultralight 1 1 100 lb. –4 –4 70 (7) 6 5 20 H 125 5 50
trike

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 29 4/1/05 12:06:05 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 2–16: Vehicles and Fuel Vehicles and Fuel
Fuel Gas
Name Capacity Mileage In a regular d20 Modern Roleplaying Game cam-
Civilian Aircraft paign, there’s little point in keeping track of the
Bell Jet Ranger 90 5 fuel used by vehicles. In a postapocalyptic set-
Bell Model 212 110 4 ting, however, fuel is a valuable commodity, and
Cessna 172 Skyhawk 24 20 it’s important to know how much is used when
Learjet Model 45 400 10 vehicles travel. Furthermore, modifications to
vehicles (see Modifying Vehicles, page 31) often
Fuel Gas affect gas mileage.
Name Capacity Mileage Table 2–16: Vehicles and Fuel gives fuel capac-
Civilian Cars ity and gas mileage for vehicles introduced in the
Acura 3.2 TL 14 30 d20 Modern Roleplaying Game. Fuel capacity and
Aston-Martin Vanquish 22 20 gas mileage for vehicles described in this book are
BMW M3 16 30
given on Table 2–15.
Chevrolet Cavalier 11 35
Chevrolet Corvette 16 20
Dodge Neon
Ford Crown Victoria
12
15
35
15 MAKING AND
Jaguar XJS 19 25
Lamborghini Diablo 16 15 FIXING ITEMS
30 Mercedes E55 AMG
Volkswagen Jetta
17
12
25
25 In the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game rules, Craft and
Repair checks require parts, with purchase DCs for
these parts given in the skill descriptions. In d20
Fuel Gas
RULES MODULES

Apocalypse, however, nothing, including repair

Name Capacity Mileage
Civilian Motorcycles
parts, can be simply purchased at the store, and
Ducati 998R 3 65 purchase DCs are irrelevant. Instead, every Repair
Harley Davidson FLSTF 4 50 and Craft check has a parts DC used to determine
Yamaha YZ250F 2 70 whether the user has sufficient parts available
to complete the job. Before you can succeed on a
Fuel Gas Repair or Craft check, you must make a parts check
Name Capacity Mileage to see if you have what you need.
Civilian Trucks To make a parts check, you must have a number
AM General Hummer 25 10 of the appropriate type of parts equal to at least
Chevrolet Suburban 31 20 the number of parts used in the Repair or Craft
Dodge Caravan 17 25 check, as indicated on Table 2–17. Roll 1d20 and
Ford Escape XLT 13 25 add the number of appropriate parts on hand. For
Ford F-150 XL 25 20 example, if you’re making a Craft (mechanical)
Toyota Tacoma Xtracab 15 20
check, and you have eight mechanical parts on
hand, your bonus on the parts check is +8.
Fuel Gas If you succeed on the parts check, you have the
Name Capacity Mileage parts you need and can proceed with the appro-
Civilian Water Vehicles
priate skill check for the task. If you fail, you do
Bayliner 1802 Capri 23 5
Fairline Targa 30 43 5 not have sufficient parts available for the task. You
Sea-Doo XP 14 10 can retry the check, but only after you obtain at
least one additional part.
The DC for the check depends on the task. A
Fuel Gas
Name Capacity Mileage
given task can have any given parts DC, just as it
Other Civilian Vehicles can have any particular Repair or Craft check DC.
Armored Truck 50 10
Honda TRX400FW 5 35
Limousine 25 15
Table 2–17: Repair and Craft Checks
Parts Check Parts
Moving Truck 25 15
Task \DC \Expended
NABI Model 40LFW 60 10
Repair check
Simple 10 1
Fuel Gas Moderate 20 3
Name Capacity Mileage Complex 30 6
Military Vehicles Advanced 40 10
BMP-2 110 3 Craft check
M1A2 Abrams 450 1 Simple 15 3
M2A2 Bradley 165 2 Moderate 25 5
M113A1 Gavin 95 3 Complex 35 10
UH-60 Black Hawk 340 5 Advanced 50 20

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 30 4/1/05 12:06:07 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Why Use “Parts?” Modifying Vehicles
In many ways, introducing the “parts” system The road warriors of the apocalypse often modify
to d20 Apocalypse is similar to establishing the their vehicles for better performance. Table 2–18:
Wealth system in the core book, in that it’s Vehicle Modifications gives a selection of common
an abstract system designed for ease of play. vehicle modifications. Modifications often improve
By simply using “mechanical” or “electrical”
a vehicle’s performance, but can also decrease per-
parts, a player attempting to build or repair
an object does not need to worry about if he formance as well. For example, most modifications
has a carburetor for a 1972 Chevrolet Nova, or add weight to a vehicle, reducing the vehicle’s cargo
any other specific part that could be almost capacity. Many modifications impose a penalty on
impossible to find in the postapocalyptic Drive checks made while driving the vehicle, and
world. It also reflects the fact that postapoca- others impact the vehicle’s gas mileage.
lyptic repairs are often kit-bashed affairs; Modifying a vehicle requires a Craft (mechani-
people use what they have and make it work. cal) check, along with a parts check. The DCs for
Finally, using generic parts as the basis for these checks and the time required to make the
trade keeps bartering simple. modification are also given on Table 2–18.
Load: This is the weight added to the vehicle
by the modification. Subtract the load from the
General guidelines for parts check DCs are given
vehicle’s cargo capacity. For example, a Chevy Cor-
on Table 2–17: Repair and Craft Checks.
vette has a cargo capacity of 250 pounds. Adding a

31
If you succeed on a parts check, you expend
ram plate (which has a load of 80 pounds) reduces
a number of parts. These parts are used up in
its cargo capacity to 170 pounds.
the Repair or Craft check. The number of parts
If the entire cargo capacity of the vehicle is
expended is also given on Table 2–17.
exceeded by the weight of the modification, the vehi-
cle’s passenger capacity must be reduced. Reducing
ADDITIONAL a vehicle’s passenger capacity by 1 increases the
cargo capacity by 100 pounds. A Chevy Corvette
VEHICLE RULES has a cargo capacity of 250 pounds. Reducing its
passenger capacity by 1 gives it 350 pounds of
In a postapocalyptic setting, vehicles are often used cargo capacity. That allows it, for example, to have
in ways unimaginable in the age of civilization. modifications totaling 300 pounds of load with an
This section offers additional rules for vehicles. extra 50 pounds of cargo capacity left over.

A battle for supremacy

in a blasted world

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 31 4/1/05 12:06:09 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
A vehicle can be overloaded; see Overloading ignition is engaged) without the disarming switch
Vehicles below. first being thrown, the booby trap goes off.
Maneuver Modifier: This modifier stacks with Normally, when a booby trap goes off, the vehi-
the vehicle’s maneuver modifier. For example, a cle’s engine is disabled. Repairing it is a complex
Chevy Suburban has a maneuver modifier of –2 Repair check.
(as given on Table 4–14, page 125 of the d20 Modern Alternatively, with a Demolitions check (DC 15),
Roleplaying Game). Giving it armor adds a maneu- the booby trap can be connected to an explosive.
ver modifier of –2, for a total of –4. (The explosive is not included in the part used
Gas: Some modifications decrease the vehicle’s to install the booby trap, but must be provided
gas mileage. Subtract the given amount from the separately.) When the explosive goes off, it deals
vehicle’s gas mileage. If the vehicle’s gas mileage damage to the vehicle as well as any people within
is already 5 or less, divide the given gas modifier the burst radius.
by 5 before subtracting it. A vehicle’s gas mileage Engine Upgrade, Supercharger: This pow-
can never fall below 1 mile per gallon. erful addition to a vehicle’s engine increases the
Parts DC: This is the parts check DC for making vehicle’s initiative modifier by 4 and provides a +2
the modification. bonus on Drive checks when attempting the dash
Craft DC: This is the DC for the Craft (mechani- stunt.
cal) check to make the modification. Engine Upgrade, Upsize: This modification
Time: This is the time required to make the essentially replaces a vehicle’s engine with a larger,

32
modification. In general, the vehicle is out of com- more powerful one.
mission for the entire time required. Ethanol Conversion, Standard: This modifi-
cation converts a vehicle to run on ethanol instead
Modification Descriptions of gasoline. Once modified, the vehicle cannot run
RULES MODULES

The following modifications generally apply only on gasoline unless the modification is removed.
to ground vehicles. Unless otherwise stated, a Removing the modification has the same Craft check
vehicle cannot have more than one of a given type DC, time, and parts requirements as installing the
of modification. For example, a vehicle can only modification. Ethanol is not as efficient a fuel as
have one ram plate. gasoline; for effects on the vehicle’s performance,
Armor, Body: Nothing more than a crude see Fuel, page 25.
covering of sheet steel, this modification increases Ethanol Conversion, Switchable: This modi-
the vehicle’s hardness to 10. If the vehicle already fication allows a vehicle to run on either gasoline
has a hardness of 10 or greater, body armor has or ethanol. The vehicle can only run on one fuel
no effect. or the other; its fuel tank must be emptied of one
Motorcycles can’t be modified with body armor. fuel before being filled with the other. (If the two
Armor, Wheel: Steel plates cover the vehicle’s fuels are mixed, the vehicle will not run.)
wheels, giving them a minimum of one-half cover If the vehicle has the extra fuel tank modification,
(+4 cover bonus to Defense). one tank can be used for gasoline and the other
Armor, Window: Steel plates over the vehicle’s used for ethanol. The vehicle driver can switch
window openings provide additional cover for its between tanks and engine fuel modes simultane-
occupants. A vehicle that normally offers three- ously. (Doing so is a move action.)
quarters cover, offers nine-tenths cover to crew Ethanol is not as efficient a fuel as gasoline;
and passengers with window armor. Vehicles for effects on the vehicle’s performance, see Fuel,
that normally offer less than three-quarters cover page 25.
cannot be modified with window armor. Extra Fuel Tank: An extra gas tank increases a
Body Spikes: This modification includes dozens vehicle’s fuel capacity by 20 gallons. Furthermore, if
of spikes, barbs of jagged metal, and bits of barbed the vehicle is equipped with the switchable ethanol
wire welded to the vehicle’s body. When the vehicle conversion modification, the extra gas tank allows
collides with a target, the body spikes increase the the vehicle to carry both ethanol and gasoline.
damage dealt to the target by 1 die. This damage Off-Road Tires: These heavy tires provide
does not stack with extra damage caused by a superior traction for off-road use. They normally
spiked ram plate. reduce a vehicle’s maneuver modifier by –1 (as
In addition, characters jumping onto a vehicle shown on Table 2–18), but when the vehicle is
with this modification must make a Reflex save driven off-road, its maneuver modifier is instead
(DC 15) or take 1d6 points of damage (see Jumping increased by +2. For example, a Dodge Neon has a
onto Moving Vehicles, page 34). maneuver modifier of –1. With off-road tires, its
Booby Trap: This modification makes it danger- maneuver modifier is –2 normally, but +1 when
ous for strangers to meddle with a vehicle. A secret driving off-road.
switch disarms the booby trap. (The switch can be Oversized Brakes: These powerful brakes pro-
found with a DC 15 Search check.) The booby trap can vide a +2 bonus on Drive checks when attempting
be placed on the vehicle’s fuel tank, ignition, trunk, the hard brake stunt.
engine compartment, or one or more doors. When Ram Plate, Standard: This heavy plate across
the door, compartment, or tank is opened (or the the front of a vehicle gives the vehicle hardness 15

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 32 4/1/05 12:06:15 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 2–18: Vehicle Modifications
Maneuver Parts Parts Craft
Modification Load Modifier Gas DC Used DC Time
Armor
Body 150 –4 –5 15 4 15 4 hr.
Wheel 40 –2 — 15 2 15 4 hr.
Window 60 –3 — 15 2 15 2 hr.
Body spikes 60 –1 — 15 4 15 2 hr.
Booby trap 10 — — 201 3 15 2 hr.
Engine upgrade
Supercharger 20 — –5 35 12 20 12 hr.
Upsize 80 +1 –10 40 15 25 24 hr.
Ethanol conversion
Standard — — — 20 4 15 4 hr.
Switchable 20 — — 20 6 20 8 hr.
Extra fuel tank 100 –1 — 15 4 20 8 hr.
Off-road tires 40 –1 1 — 30 8 10 1 hr.
Oversized brakes 20 — — 30 8 15 4 hr.
Ram plate
Standard 80 –1 — 15 4 15 2 hr.
Spiked 100 –1 — 15 4 15 2 hr.
Stripped frame
Suspension upgrade
Monster truck
–100

200
+1 1

–21
+5

–5
—

35
+1d41

12
10

30
4 hr.

24 hr.
33
Off-road 20 +1 1 — 25 8 20 12 hr.
Street 20 +1 1 — 20 8 20 12 hr.

RULES MODULES
Variable 40 +1 — 30 8 25 12 hr.
Weapon mount 202 — — 20 4 15 4 hr.
Wire guide 5 –1 — 10 2 15 2 hr.
1 See the description of this modification for special rules.
2 Weight for mount only. Does not include the weight of the weapon itself.

against collisions from the front. This hardness this modification cannot also have the body armor
applies only to collision damage and does not apply or armored window modification.
to collision damage from directions other than Motorcycles, aircraft, watercraft, the dune buggy,
the front. If the vehicle’s hardness is already 15 or and the Honda TRX400FW can’t be modified with
greater, a ram plate has no effect. a stripped frame.
A vehicle cannot have both a standard ram Suspension Upgrade, Monster Truck: This
plate and a spiked ram plate. Motorcycles can’t modification gives a vehicle enormous, oversized
be modified with ram plates. tires nearly big enough to crush another vehicle—
Ram Plate, Spiked: Like a standard ram along with the suspension system to match.
plate, this plate gives a vehicle hardness 15 against Monster truck tires have hardness 5 and 20
collisions from the front. In addition, when the hit points. They are Large objects and cannot be
vehicle collides with a target, the spiked ram plate equipped with wheel armor.
increases the damage dealt to the target by 2 dice. A monster truck suspension upgrade requires
For example, if a Huge vehicle with the spiked ram an upsize engine upgrade; without it, the vehicle
plate collides with another Huge vehicle, it takes will not have enough power to operate. A vehicle
12d4 points of damage (as normal; the damage is with both of these modifications has a total load
reduced by the ram plate’s hardness 15), but its of 280, a maneuver modifier of –1, and a –15 reduc-
target takes 14d4 points of damage. tion in gas mileage.
A vehicle cannot have both a spiked ram plate The maneuver modifier given is for off-road
and a standard ram plate. Motorcycles can’t be driving. When driven on normal surfaces, the
modified with ram plates. vehicle’s maneuver modifier is –6 (or –5 if it also
Stripped Frame: This modification removes has the upsize engine upgrade).
body panels, nonvital components, and other A vehicle with a monster truck suspension
extraneous equipment from the vehicle, making it upgrade increases in length by one square and
lighter, but more vulnerable to attack. A stripped in width by one square.
vehicle increases its cargo capacity by 200 pounds Suspension Upgrade, Off-Road: This im-
and increases its gas mileage by +5. In addition, provement to a vehicle’s suspension provides supe-
adding this modification doesn’t cost parts—rather, rior performance when driving off road. However,
it provides 1d4 mechanical parts. when the vehicle is driven on normal surfaces, the
However, all occupants are treated as having maneuver modifier is –2. For example, a BMW M3
only one-quarter cover and the vehicle’s hardness has a maneuver modifier of +1. With an off-road
is reduced by 5 (to a minimum of 5). A vehicle with suspension upgrade, its maneuver modifier is +3 off-
road, but –1 when driving on normal surfaces.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 33 4/1/05 12:06:17 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Suspension Upgrade, Street: This improve- A vehicle can take additional cargo up to half
ment to the vehicle’s suspension provides superior its normal cargo capacity, functioning normally
performance under normal circumstances. However, but imposing a –4 penalty on all initiative checks
when the vehicle is driven off-road, the maneuver and all Drive checks made to drive the vehicle. For
modifier is –2. For example, a Ford Crown Victo- example, a Chevy Suburban has a cargo capacity
ria has a maneuver modifier of –1. With a street of 500 pounds. If the vehicle has more than 500
suspension upgrade, its maneuver modifier is +0 pounds but no more than 750 pounds of cargo,
normally, but –3 when driving off-road. it functions normally but carries a –4 penalty
Suspension Upgrade, Variable: The Cadillac on Drive checks. (This assumes, of course, that
of suspension systems, this upgrade is a combina- it also has a full load of passengers. Remember
tion of the off-road and street suspension upgrades. that passenger capacity can be swapped out for
Switching between the different suspension systems cargo capacity; see Vehicles in Chapter 4 of the
is a move action. d20 Modern Roleplaying Game.)
Weapon Mount: This pintle or ring mount A vehicle carrying more than half again its
allows a Huge weapon (such as an M-60 machine normal cargo capacity, up to double its cargo capac-
gun) weighing up 80 pounds to be mounted on a ity, can still be driven. This condition imposes a
vehicle. The weight of the mount does not include –8 penalty on all initiative checks and all Drive
the weight of the weapon. checks made to drive the vehicle. Furthermore, the
Unlike most modifications, a vehicle is not re- vehicle’s top speed is halved. A Chevy Suburban

34
stricted to having one weapon mount. Most vehicles can carry up to 1,000 pounds, but it is reduced
can be modified with a number of weapon mounts to a top speed of 85 (8) and the driver takes a –8
equal to their normal passenger capacity. penalty on Drive checks and initiative checks.
Wire Guide: This metal bar extends back and
RULES MODULES

upward from the front of a motorcycle. It helps pro-

tect the rider from being clotheslined by deflecting
Hang On!—
wires up and over the rider’s head. A wire guide Movement on Vehicles
gives the rider a +4 bonus on Reflex saves to avoid Chapter 5: Combat in the d20 Modern Roleplaying
being clotheslined (see Clotheslining, below). Game provides basic rules for combat that takes
Only motorcycles and the Honda TRX400FW place within vehicles. Here are some additional
benefit from being modified with a wire guide. rules that may come into play when characters
fight on the outside of a single vehicle or between
two or more vehicles.
Overloading Vehicles
The passenger and cargo capacities shown on
Table 4–14 in the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game
Jumping onto Moving Vehicles
Jumping onto a moving vehicle requires a Jump
represent the maximum passengers and cargo a
check, with the DC determined by the distance
vehicle can carry and still operate normally. It is
between the vehicles (see the Jump skill descrip-
possible, however, to overload a vehicle and still
tion, page 65 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game).
have it function.
The DC of the check is modified by the speeds of
the vehicles involved.
The speed category of the vehicle traveling the
fastest provides a modifier to the Jump check
DC, as given on Table 2–19. If the vehicles
are not moving in the same direc-
tion, treat the speed category as
if it were higher. (Two vehicles
traveling within 45 degrees of the
same direction are effectively moving
in the same direction.) If
their directions of
travel are more
than 45 degrees
apart, they
are effectively
moving per-
pendicular.

CT

A monster truck
goes anywhere it wants

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 34 4/1/05 12:06:19 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
If their directions are within 45 degrees of
opposite, they are effectively moving in opposite
New Stunt: Shake Off
By jerking and swerving the steering wheel in
directions. a violent manner, the driver of a vehicle can
All normal modifiers to Jump checks—including shake off opponents on the outside of the vehi-
the check/roll modifier for the speed category of cle. By doing so, the vehicle’s speed is reduced
the vehicle from which the hero is jumping—also by one speed category. Anyone on the exterior
apply to the Jump check. of the vehicle must make an immediate Bal-
If a character fails the Jump check, he may make ance check (DC 20) or fall off the vehicle (see
a Reflex save to avoid falling from the vehicle (DC Falling from a Vehicle, below).
15; the check/roll modifier for the vehicle’s speed The DC for a shake off is 15.
On a failed check, the vehicle turns 45
category applies to the save). If he succeeds on the
degrees (GM chooses direction). Make a
save, he lands prone, drops any held items, and Drive check (DC 15) to regain control (see
grabs onto the vehicle. If he fails, he falls from the Losing Control, page 160 of the d20 Modern
vehicle (see Falling from a Vehicle, below). Roleplaying Game).
For example, Russell wants to jump from Yoriko’s
car to a road ganger’s dune buggy. The dune buggy
is moving nearly perpendicular to the car. Russell as she struggles to keep her balance. Every time
waits until Yoriko maneuvers to within 10 feet of a character takes a move action or an attack
the dune buggy, then he jumps. action atop a moving vehicle, she must make a

35
The dune buggy is moving at street speed, but Balance check (DC 10; the check/roll modifier for
Yoriko is driving at highway speed. Because the the vehicle’s speed category applies).
vehicles are moving perpendicular to one another, If the character fails the Balance check, she
the Jump DC is modified using a speed category one may make a Reflex save to avoid falling from the

RULES MODULES
category higher than the fastest vehicle—making vehicle (DC 15; the check/roll modifier for the
it all-out speed in this case: a +10 modifier to the vehicle’s speed category applies to the save). If
Jump DC. The DC to jump a 10-foot-wide space is she succeeds on the save, she falls prone, drops
normally 15, but with the modifier it’s 25. Because any held items, and grabs onto the vehicle. If she
his vehicle is moving at highway speed, Russell fails, she falls from the vehicle (see Falling from
makes the jump with a –2 penalty on the check. a Vehicle, below).
Jumping onto Motorcycles: If a character
jumps onto a motorcycle, the driver must make Shaking off Intruders
a Drive check (DC 15, modified by the Jump DC The driver of a vehicle that has people hanging on
modifier for the vehicles’ comparative speed cat- the outside may try to shake them off. Any time
egories) or lose control (see Losing Control, Chapter the driver attempts a stunt, anyone on the outside
5: Combat in the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game). of the vehicle (including passengers in the bed
of a pickup) must make a Balance check; failure
Table 2–19: Vehicle Speed and Jumping indicates the passenger falls off (see Falling from
Speed Category Jump DC Modifier a Vehicle, below). The DC for this check is given
Stationary +1 on Table 2–20.
Alley speed +2
Street speed +4 Table 2–20: Shaking off Intruders
Highway speed +8
Stunt/Action Balance DC
All-out +10 Avoid hazard Stunt Drive check DC
Bootleg turn Stunt Drive check DC
Vehicle Relative Modified Collision 20 + 1/2 damage to vehicle
Directions Speed Category1 Dash 15
Perpendicular Increase by 1 category Hard brake 15
Opposite direction Increase by 2 categories Hard turn 15
1 Maximum speed category is all-out. Jump Stunt Drive check DC
Out of control
Movement and Combat Roll No check1
Spin 20 + amount by which
on a Vehicle Drive check was failed
Moving and fighting on top of a moving vehicle is Shake off 2 20
a hazardous prospect for all parties. The uneven Sideswipe Stunt Drive check DC
surfaces of most vehicles, the jostling movement, 1 Anyone on the outside of the vehicle automatically
bumps in the road, and high winds make it falls, taking damage as if the vehicle had collided
extremely dangerous—in addition to the fact that with him.
you are engaged in combat. 2 Indicates a new stunt described in this chapter. See
A character may move only at half speed on top the sidebar.
of a moving vehicle; she must move cautiously,

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 35 4/1/05 12:06:22 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
category)—and she takes a –4 penalty on her Drive
Falling from a Vehicle checks, adding together the –2 check/roll modifier
A character who falls off a moving vehicle takes
and the –2 penalty indicated on Table 2–21.
damage based on Table 5–14: Collision Damage,
If she takes her vehicle into rough terrain, the
page 160 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game, based
check/roll modifier for everyone aboard is still
on her size (typically a Medium-size creature for a
–2, but Yoriko takes an additional –4 penalty on
human being). The character may make a Tumble
her Drive checks, for a total Drive check penalty
check (DC 15) to reduce this damage by half.
of –6.

Other Driving Rules Table 2–21: Off-Road Travel

Surviving the devastated roads of the postapoca- Terrain Type Drive Check Penalty
lyptic world requires cunning and dirty tricks. Smooth –2
Rough –4
Clotheslining Rugged –6
Bandits, scavengers, and settlers protecting the Smooth Terrain: The ground is even and fairly
roads to their compounds commonly employ this smooth, slopes are gentle, and vegetation is short
tactic. Wire, thin rope, or line is strung across a and sparse. Soccer fields, city parks, and rolling
road at roughly the neck height of a person riding meadows are examples of smooth terrain.
a horse or motorcycle, with the idea of killing, Rough Terrain: The ground is uneven, but

36
hurting, or dismounting anyone who crosses the lumps and dips are not extreme. Slopes can be
open space. moderately steep. Vegetation is fairly short and
Setting a line takes a full-round action and not too dense. Rolling plains, plowed fields, and
requires enough wire or line to span the open space, open desert are typically rough terrain.
RULES MODULES

along with something to attach it to on either side Rugged Terrain: The ground is quite uneven,
(trees are common). perhaps strewn with rocks or pits. Slopes can be
A character approaching the line may make a steep, and vegetation dense in patches. Rocky
Spot check (DC 15 for rope; DC 20 for wire) to see hillsides and debris fields are examples of rugged
it (the check/roll modifier for the vehicle’s speed terrain.
category applies). If the character successfully
spots the line before hitting it, he can attempt to
stop or to avoid it. If that’s not possible, having LONG-DISTANCE
spotted it grants a +5 bonus on the Reflex save to
avoid damage. TRAVEL
If a character riding a motorcycle or a horse
Whether they’re true road warriors or just have
(or standing in the open bed of a vehicle) crosses
restless feet, heroes like to travel. In a postapoca-
the line, he must succeed on a Reflex save (DC 15)
lyptic world, roads can remain largely intact for
or take 1d6 points of damage per speed category.
decades—even centuries. That doesn’t make them
(A horse moving at full speed is considered to be
safe, of course. They may be strewn with the hulks
moving at street speed, while a running horse is
of old vehicles or other debris, ruled by vicious
considered to be moving at highway speed.)
gangers, or interrupted by damaged bridges and
The line breaks if struck by a vehicle of size Huge
irradiated urban centers. And in some cases, roads
or larger.
simply no longer exist.
Long-distance travel is measured in miles per
Off-Road Travel hour or miles per day. A day represents 8 hours
Modern vehicles are, for the most part, designed
of actual travel time.
for use on roads. Traveling off-road can be much
Table 2–22 gives travel distances for movement
more difficult and dangerous than moving on
on foot, on horseback (or using similar mounts),
paved roads (even if they aren’t in the best of
and in vehicles. (In this case, the term “vehicle”
shape; see The Highway, below). The degree to
includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, and similar
which this is true depends on the type of terrain
motored conveyances that travel on land and can
being traversed.
reach highway speed.) Modify the base movement
When a vehicle is being driven off-road, the
rate according to the terrain. Also, when travel-
check/roll modifier for the vehicle’s speed cat-
ing in vehicles by road, highway conditions affect
egory (see Table 5–13, page 156 of the d20 Modern
travel times (see The Highway, below).
Roleplaying Game) is doubled. In addition, all Drive
Terrain: The terrain through which a char-
checks carry an additional penalty, as given on
acter travels affects how much distance she can
Table 2–21.
cover in an hour or a day. A highway is a paved
For example, Yoriko is heading off-road in her
road—anything from an interstate to local sec-
Hummer. Driving at street speed through smooth
ondary roads (see The Highway, below). A trail is
terrain gives her and everyone aboard a –2 pen-
typically a dirt track, perhaps the remains of an
alty on all skill checks and attack rolls (double
old firebreak or dirt road. Trackless terrain is a
the normal –1 check/roll modifier for that speed
wild area with no paths.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 36 4/1/05 12:06:24 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Interstate: Interstate highways are wide,
Only 30 Miles per Hour? sturdy cross-country roads. They are always
Everyone who’s traveled cross-country knows
that interstate highways are built for speeds divided highways with limited access points, and
up to 60 or 70 miles per hour—or faster, in a generally feature easy grades, gentle curves, and
world no longer patrolled by police. Why are solid bridges.
the travel rates given here so much slower? Federal Highway (4-Lane): Like interstates,
Even when roads are in good condition, four-lane federal highways are divided cross-coun-
they aren’t in the state we see in the world try roads. They can be steeper and more serpentine
around us. A curve ahead might conceal a than interstates in mountainous terrain, and they
rockslide; there might be the wreck of an are not always limited-access roads (sometimes
abandoned vehicle just over the crest of the
they connect with other roads at intersections
next hill. Crevices and potholes appear where
they’re least expected. Trees fall across the with traffic lights).
road, and rickety-looking bridges have to be Federal Highway (2-Lane): Two-lane federal
circumvented. highways are built to the standards of their four-
Over short distances, vehicles can travel lane counterparts, but are not divided and are
at high speeds on most roads (some road never limited-access roads.
conditions impose penalties; see Highway Major Road: These two- or four-lane roads
Condition, below). Over the long haul, how- are usually local routes, sometimes spanning the
ever, average speeds are much lower because width of a state. Major roads in cities and towns
drivers must use caution to negotiate diffi-

37
also fit this category. They are generally designed
cult areas.
for moderate speeds and traffic.
Secondary Road: Country roads and town,
city, and suburban side streets are secondary
Table 2–22:

RULES MODULES
roads. They are usually two lanes and generally
Travel and Overland Movement designed for relatively low-speed traffic.
Travel Mode Per Hour Per Day Unpaved Road: Gravel and dirt roads are gen-
Foot 3 miles 24 miles erally one or two lanes wide.
Horseback 6 miles 48 miles
Vehicle
Highway 30 miles 240 miles
Highway Condition
Roads slowly degrade in the years after the apoca-
Trail 15 miles 120 miles
Trackless 10 miles 80 miles lypse. Table 2–23 gives road conditions based on
the type of road and era of play. In addition, roads
Terrain Highway Trail Trackless are worse in areas of massive destruction; in such
Desert, sandy ×1 ×1/2 ×1/2 a case, apply the modifier given on the table.
Forest ×1 ×1 1 ×1/21 Clear: The roadway is almost entirely intact.
Hills ×1 ×3/4 ×1/2 Weeds grow from cracks in the pavement and
Jungle ×1 ×3/41 ×1/4 brush and debris crowd the edges, but with the
Moor ×1 ×1 ×3/4 exception of the occasional pothole, the road is as
Mountains ×1 ×3/41 ×1/21 drivable as it was before the apocalypse. Vehicles
Plains ×1 ×1 ×3/4
can travel at normal speeds without penalty.
Swamp ×1 ×3/4 ×1/2
Tundra, frozen ×1 ×3/4 ×3/4
1 A vehicle 2 squares wide or wider reduces its travel Table 2–23: Road Conditions
rate by an additional 1/4. For example, in jungle, the Dark New
movement modifier for a trail is 1/2 instead of 3/4. Roadway Aftermath Gen 0 Ages World
Interstate Clear Minor Major Severe
The Highway Federal hwy Clear
(4-lane)
Major Severe Destroyed
Many roads remain intact—or at least partially
Federal hwy Minor Major Severe Destroyed
intact—after the apocalypse, making them likely (2-lane)
routes for travel. The travel rates given on Table Major Minor Severe Severe Destroyed
2–22 assume that highways are generally in good Secondary Minor Severe Destroyed Destroyed
condition. Roads damaged by the apocalypse or Unpaved Severe Destroyed Destroyed Destroyed
the ravages of time, however, are not in such
good shape. Area of Massive
Destruction Modifier
Highway Types Damage zone Increase damage by one step
(clear becomes minor damage,
To determine how or if road conditions are a factor
for example)
in travel time, first determine the type of road in
Destruction zone Increase damage by two steps
use. (Assuming your apocalypse occurred some (clear becomes major damage,
time around the present day, you can use any road for example)
map or road atlas to determine the route, and the Devastation zone Increase damage by three steps
type of road, taken—or the GM can simply decide (clear becomes severe damage,
what sorts of roads are available.) for example)

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 37 4/1/05 12:06:26 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
rocks and washed-out culverts are frequent; most
Road Realities bridges are collapsed. All Drive checks are made
In a perfect world, characters could travel
great distances by vehicle, even if road con- with a –4 penalty, and the road is considered a
ditions are pretty bad. The postapocalyptic trail for the purpose of determining long-distance
world is hardly perfect, however. In addi- travel rates.
tion to the general degradation of the roads, Destroyed: The roadway is virtually nonexis-
specific dangers can dramatically affect how tent. The road surface is visible only in patches; for
long it takes for characters to get from point the most part, it has eroded away or been buried
A to point B. These hazards aren’t reflected in in debris, soil, or vegetation. Culverts are washed
Table 2–23, but are left to the GM to implement out and bridges collapsed, and obstacles such as
as she sees fit, as encounters or as means to
fallen logs and boulders are common. Travel is con-
control the pace of travel.
The road degradation described under sidered off-road (see Off-Road Travel, page 36; the
Highway Condition includes issues such as terrain type is rough), and the road is considered
rock falls, washed-out culverts, and col- trackless terrain for the purpose of determining
lapsed bridges over relatively small rivers—in long-distance travel rates.
other words, obstacles that slow travel but
don’t bring it to a screeching halt. Equally
possible, but not incorporated into general
highway degradation, are serious obstacles
MOUNTED COMBAT
such as washed-out bridges over major rivers A staple of the postapocalyptic genre is the sight of

38 or gorges, collapsed tunnels, and mountain

rock slides that take out the entire roadway.
These sorts of obstacles can take hours or even
ferocious thugs and mutants duking it out on the
shattered highways in overpowered muscle cars.
However, when fuel for vehicles dwindles and cars
days to circumvent, or force travelers to find break down, survivors in the apocalyptic age resort
RULES MODULES

entirely different routes. to the transportation of their ancestors—horses,

And, of course, there are living dangers. donkeys, and other animals. Just as in ages past,
The best roads are the most popular with
courageous warriors take to the saddles of their
bandits, gangs, and marauders. Taking the
interstate is the surest way to run into dan- trusty steeds to decide the battles of the future.
gerous foes.
Finally, there are cities and settlements.
Major routes usually pass through metro-
Combat on Animals
Riding a mount into battle gives you several
politan areas—which are centers of devasta-
tion in many postapocalyptic settings. In any advantages.
apocalypse that involved weapons of mass
destruction, cities are likely to be danger- Horses in Combat
ous places—highly irradiated, infested with Combat horses can readily serve as combat steeds.
plague, or simply wiped off the map. Even Riding horses, however, are frightened by combat.
small towns can be dangerous, because If you don’t dismount, you must make a Ride check
abandoned towns attract hostile scavengers (DC 20) each round as a move action to control such
or dangerous creatures, and inhabited towns a horse. If you succeed, you can perform a standard
are often suspicious of strangers. action after the move action. If you fail, the move
Any of these issues can influence travel
action becomes a full-round action and you can’t
time, greatly reducing the distances heroes
can cover in a single day. do anything else until your next turn.
Your mount acts on your initiative count as you
direct it. You move at its speed, but the mount uses
its action to move.
Minor Damage: The roadway has begun to
A horse is a Large creature and takes up a space
degrade. Ruts, heaves, and potholes are common.
10 feet (2 squares) across. For simplicity, assume that
In heavily vegetated areas, brush and vines have
you share your mount’s space during combat.
begun to grow over the pavement in areas. The
occasional culvert is washed out. All Drive checks
are made with a –2 penalty.
Combat while Mounted
With a Ride check (DC 5), you can guide your mount
Major Damage: The roadway is in bad shape.
with your knees and keep your hands free to attack
In many areas, the pavement is nearly destroyed
or defend yourself. This is a free action.
or covered with debris or soil. Obstacles, includ-
When you are in mounted combat and you attack
ing fallen logs and rocks, washed-out culverts,
a creature smaller than your mount, you gain a +1
and damaged bridges, are common. All Drive
bonus on melee attacks for being on higher ground.
checks are made with a –2 penalty, and the road
If your mount moves more than 5 feet, you can
is considered a trail for the purpose of determin-
only make a single melee attack. Essentially, you
ing long-distance travel rates.
have to wait until the mount gets to your enemy
Severe Damage: The roadway is almost unus-
before attacking, so you can’t make a full attack.
able. The surface is rough over large stretches,
Even at your mount’s full speed, you don’t take
the pavement eaten away by time and the ravages
any penalty on melee attacks while mounted.
of nature. Obstacles, including fallen logs and

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 38 4/1/05 12:06:28 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
If your mount charges, you also take the penalty Each of the hazards covered here has an EL. Treat
to Defense associated with the charge. If you make these hazards like any other encounter, introduc-
an attack at the end of the charge, you receive the ing them into your game as you see fit.
bonus granted from the charge.
You can use ranged weapons while your mount
is taking a double move, but you take a –4 penalty
Acid Rain [EL 1]
Working with dangerous chemicals and pol-
on the attack roll. You can use ranged weapons
lutants was common in the age of civilization,
while your mount is running (quadruple speed),
and these substances didn’t go away with the
but at a –8 penalty. In either case, you make the
apocalypse—if anything, they were given free
attack roll when your mount has completed half
rein. Acidic pollutants and dangerous compounds
its movement. You can make a full attack with
released into the environment during and after
a ranged weapon while your mount is moving.
the apocalypse take their toll in a phenomenon
Likewise, you can take move actions normally, so
called acid rain.
that, for instance, you can load and fire a rifle in
An acid rain storm looks, from a distance, like
a round when your mount is moving.
an especially dark and menacing rainstorm. Any
character with 5 or more ranks in Survival may
Using FX Abilities make a Spot check (DC 10) to notice an acid rain
while Mounted storm before it passes over; success alerts the char-
You can cast a spell, use psionics, or use a mutant acter to the acid rain storm 20 minutes before its
ability normally if your mount moves up to a
normal move (its speed) either before or after you
use the ability. If you have your mount move both
arrival (add 2 minutes for every point by which
the hero beat the Spot check DC).
Acid rain has a dark, gritty quality, and the
39
before and after you use an FX ability, then you’re liquid stings slightly to the touch. Exposure to

RULES MODULES
using the ability while the mount is moving, and acid rain for 1 round is not harmful, but any crea-
you have to make a Concentration check due to ture in the open for 2 or more rounds during an
the vigorous motion (DC 10 + spell level or psionic acid rain storm takes 1d3–1 (minimum 0) points
power level) or fail in the use of the ability. If your of damage on the second and each subsequent
mount is running (quadruple speed), you can use round. Any material that normally provides
an FX ability when your mount has moved up to cover from rain (such as a tent) provides cover
twice its speed, but your Concentration check is from acid rain.
more difficult due to the violent motion (DC 15 + Acid rain lasts 3d6 minutes.
spell level or psionic power level).

If Your Mount Falls in Battle Fallout Cloud [EL 2]

Nuclear wars are the most obvious cause of radio-
If you mount falls, you have to succeed on a Ride
active fallout (see Radioactivity, page 14), but alien
check (DC 15) to make a soft fall and take no damage.
assaults and even impacts by asteroids or comets
If the check fails, you take 1d6 points of damage.
bearing radioactive isotopes can also result in
fallout. Most fallout occurs in the days or weeks
If You Are Dropped after the apocalypse, but some might continue to
If you are knocked unconscious, you have a 50%
float about the stratosphere for decades or even
chance to stay in the saddle. Otherwise, you fall
centuries, falling to Earth every so often.
and take 1d6 points of damage. Without you to
From a distance, a fallout cloud looks like any
guide it, your mount avoids combat.
other heavy cloud, albeit a bit darker. Any charac-
ter with 5 or more ranks in Survival may make a
ENVIRONMENTAL Spot check (DC 15) to notice a fallout cloud before
it passes over; success alerts the character to the
HAZARDS fallout cloud 10 minutes before its arrival (add 1
minute for every point by which the hero beat the
Many versions of the apocalypse are defined not Spot check DC).
just by the destruction of civilization, but also by A fallout cloud drops a light sprinkling of radio-
massive trauma to the Earth. Environmental and active ash and dust, much in the way that a winter
nuclear disasters, invasion scenarios, and asteroid cloud might drop snow flurries. This ash drifts
strikes don’t just wipe out populations—they reshape lazily to Earth for a period of time, often releas-
the climate and sometimes geography of the entire ing only trace amounts, but sometimes coating
world. Small wonder, then, that postapocalyptic everything with a solid layer of gray dust.
settings are often marked by environmental hazards The fallout causes the area on which it falls to
unlike any faced in the age of civilization. become irradiated; creatures present when this
The hazards here are, for the most part, somewhat happens or that venture into the area afterward
extreme examples of what might be encountered in risk radiation sickness (the danger becomes more
a postapocalyptic world. Use those that fit the nature severe the longer they remain in the irradiated
of your apocalypse, ignoring those that don’t. area; see Chapter 4 of d20 Future).

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 39 4/1/05 12:06:29 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
To determine the duration of the storm, the A joy buzzer blasts the area beneath it with light-
area it affects, and the degree of radioactivity, ning at a rate that puts conventional thunderstorms
roll d% and consult Table 2–24. The duration of to shame. In addition to pouring rain, there is a
the storm affects the degree of radioactivity the 50% chance of a lightning strike every round. The
area is subjected to, as shown in the bottom por- lightning strikes a randomly determined creature
tion of the table. in the open or under only light cover (tents, trees,
tarps, and so on), dealing 6d6 damage (Reflex DC
Table 2–24: Fallout 15 half). (If the encounter occurs over a large area,
Area check for a separate lightning strike for each 100-
d% Duration Affected foot-by-100-foot area.) Creatures inside buildings
01–50 1d4 rounds 250-foot radius cannot be targeted. Creatures inside vehicles can
51–75 2d6 rounds 1/2-mile radius be targeted, but the lightning strikes the vehicle,
76–90 3d8 rounds 1-mile radius
dealing full damage to the vehicle and half damage
91–100 4d10 rounds 5-mile radius
to the targeted character within.
Fallout Degree of A joy buzzer lasts 2d8 rounds.
Duration Radioactivity Attenuation 1
0–10 rounds Lightly irradiated 1 day
11–20 rounds Moderately irradiated 1 week MUTATIONS
21+ rounds Severely irradiated 1 month
Mutations are common in apocalyptic settings.

40
1 The amount of time that passes before the radioactivity
in the affected area drops by one degree. Mutants vary from horrid brutes maddened by
radiation burns to creatures with psionic powers—
whole new species arisen from the ashes. The basic
Ghost Storm [EL 3] rules for mutations are presented in Chapter 12 of
RULES MODULES

The total effects of a supernatural apocalypse go

d20 Future. This section expands those rules and
beyond those that can be explained by science;
provides some alternatives, both for more realistic
this applies not just to the creatures encountered
but to the weather as well.
From a distance, a ghost storm looks like a large
cloud that roils and churns in an unnatural manner. More Realistic Mutations
The rules for mutations here and in d20 Future
Any character may make a Spot check (DC 15) to
present fantastic, story-driven options that
notice a ghost storm before it passes over; success allow amazing and inhuman abilities. They
alerts the character to the ghost storm 20 minutes are not even close to a realistic examination
before its arrival (add 2 minutes for every point of mutation. They aren’t meant to be. That’s
by which the hero beat the Spot check DC). because, realistically, most mutations are
The rain that falls from a ghost storm is gray negative, unpleasant, or lethal.
and milky in color, and the liquid is cold to the A setting taking a more serious look at
touch. Any creature in the open during a ghost mutation may do so in many ways. First,
storm must make a Fortitude save (DC 15) each exposure to radiation can be limited to unfor-
round or take 1d3–1 (minimum 0) points of Con- tunate consequences such as sores, tumors,
and disabilities.
stitution damage. Any material that normally
Second, the offspring of creatures exposed
provides cover from rain (such as a tent) provides to mutagens may have actual mutations, but
cover from a ghost storm. 90% of such offspring die at birth, and 90%
Ghost storms last 4d6 rounds. of those that live suffer distinctly negative
mutations: drawbacks (limited to those that
can reasonably be considered to not require
Joy Buzzer [EL 4] psionics or magic), tumors, disabilities, or
Any form of earth-shattering cataclysm involves other weaknesses.
tremendous quantities of energy and much of The 10% of creatures born with benign
the energy is retained in the roiling atmosphere. mutations are limited to cosmetic changes or
Postapocalyptic electrical storms can be much relatively “normal” new abilities (not magical
more powerful and unpredictable than those in or supernatural abilities). A creature might
the age of civilization. gain low-light vision, for example, but not
The ironically named “joy buzzer” is a thun- energy diffusion. Radiation resistance one
derstorm gone berserk. From a distance, it looks level higher than the parent’s is also a pos-
sible positive mutation.
much like a conventional thunderstorm, but it
There are no hard-and-fast rules for apply-
flickers with excessive energy and occasionally ing these realistic effects. The best option
shoots out abortive sparks of ball lightning. Any is to limit the negative effects to NPCs and
character may make a Spot check (DC 10) to notice creatures, mainly for story flavor, and to limit
a joy buzzer before it passes over; success alerts player characters to purely cosmetic muta-
the character to the joy buzzer 10 minutes before tions, perhaps allowing a character to take
its arrival (add 1 minute for every point by which one of the more believable beneficial muta-
the hero beat the Spot check DC). tions in place of a feat.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 40 4/1/05 12:06:31 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 2–25: Mutations
d% Mutation Type MP Cost d% Mutation Type MP Cost
01–02 Extra digits Cosmetic 0 55–56 Ultra immune system Minor 2
03–04 Fins Cosmetic 0 57 Wall crawler Minor 2
05–06 Forked tongue Cosmetic 0 58 Webbed digits Minor 1
07–08 Horns Cosmetic 0 59 Adaptive body1 Major 6
09–10 Scaly skin Cosmetic 0 60 Blindsight1 Major 5
11–12 Thin fur coat Cosmetic 0 61 Danger sense1 Major 6
13–14 Unnatural eyes Cosmetic 0 62 Dual brains1 Major 5
15–16 Unnatural hair Cosmetic 0 64 Echolocator Major 5
17–18 Unnatural skin Cosmetic 0 64 Elasticity Major 5
19–20 Unnatural voice Cosmetic 0 65–66 Energy absorption Major 4
21–22 Acidic saliva Minor 1 67–68 Enlarged form Major 6
23 Adrenaline jolt Minor 3 69–70 Exoskeleton Major 5
24 Chameleon skin 1 Minor 1 71 Extra arms Major 6
25–26 Claws Minor 1 72–73 Gazing eye Major 4
27 Darkvision Minor 3 74 Pheromone attraction Major 6
28 Direction sense1 Minor 1 75 Plant traits1 Major 5
29–30 Energy diffusion Minor 2 76 Prehensile tail Major 4
31–32 Fangs Minor 1 77 Prickly pear Major 4
33–34 Force barrier Minor 3 78–79 Psionic talent, major1 Major 6
35–36
37–38
39
Gill
Great horns
Hypersensitivity
Minor
Minor
Minor
2
1
3
80
81
82
Psionic talent, moderate1
Quadruped 1
Radioactive
Major
Major
Major
4
4
5
41
40 Leaper Minor 1 83 Shocker1 Major 4
41 Living furnace1 Minor 3 84 Skeletal reinforcement Major 5

RULES MODULES
42 Psionic talent, minor1 Major 2 85–86 Stinger Major 4
43 Radiation resistance1 Minor 3 87–88 Telekinetic mind Major 5
44 Scaly armor Minor 3 89–90 Telepathy Major 5
45–46 Scent Minor 2 91–92 Tentacle Major 6
47–48 Second wind Minor 2 93 Venomous bite Major 4
49–50 Smokescreen Minor 1 94 Very thick hide1 Major 6
51 Tail Minor 1 95–96 Vexing voice Major 4
52 Thick fur coat Minor 1 97–98 Wings Major 6
53 Thick hide1 Major 3 99–100 X-Ray vision Major 6
54 Trip attack1 Minor 3 1 Indicates a mutation described in this chapter.

mutation effects and for the over-the-top mutations retroviruses, strange energies created by matter
seen in some apocalyptic scenarios. beyond the bounds of the laws of physics, alien
experimentation, mad-scientist experimentation,
the supernatural energies of beings from beyond
Fantastic Mutations our plane of existence, or even raw psionic energy.
The basic mechanisms for fantastic mutations are
Of course, characters in a campaign world may
presented in Chapter 12 of d20 Future. Mutants can
not know what causes mutation (especially if much
be far more common in postapocalyptic campaigns
technology and knowledge have been lost), but
than standard futuristic settings, and so here are
a defined source helps a GM create a consistent
some additional rules options (and additional
world.
mutations) to expand the types of mutants a GM
A GM should also make sure players know how
may include in his game.
common mutants are and how they are treated by
The most important thing when dealing with
society. This information establishes a baseline that
mutants is to decide how characters gain muta-
players can use to form their characters’ attitudes. If
tions. (This is separate from the explanation or
mutants are hated and feared, players can reason-
rationale for the mutation in your game.) A GM
ably expect their characters to be at least cautious
may only allow mutant characters, or may require
when encountering one. If nearly every individual
characters to pick up mutations during game time.
is a mutant of some kind, the same reaction is far
A GM may allow players to have starting char-
less likely.
acters that are mutants (with drawbacks earning
Mutation Points for beneficial mutations), or gain
mutations as rewards during the game.
Mutation as Reward
A GM can pass out Mutation Points (MP) as a reward
A campaign should have one or more defined
for successfully overcoming one or more encoun-
sources of mutation. Though radiation doesn’t
ters. This is particularly appropriate in campaigns
give people superpowers in the real world, a
where wealth and goods are rare and a GM rarely
GM may allow it to do so as the conceit of an
wishes to pass out useful items as rewards. Using
apocalyptic campaign. Alternatively, mutation
mutation (from being exposed to radiation, nanites,
could come from nanites, genetically engineered
or DNA-altering goop, or being bitten by a radio-

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 41 4/1/05 12:06:33 PM

 Second, the GM should allow players
some choice on what mutations their
characters gain. The easiest way to do
this is to give characters MPs and allow
players to spend them however they
wish. A player may decide to give a character
a new drawback at the same time, earning
extra points to buy muta-
tions worth more than the
MP award given.
As a guideline, a GM
should give out MP
equal to half the wealth
bonus he would have
given as an adventure
reward (as determined
in Chapter 7 of the d20
Modern Roleplaying Game).
Thus, if a group overcomes an
EL 6 encounter and would receive
a +9 wealth bonus according to
the standard d20 Modern Roleplaying
Game rules, the GM instead hands out
4 MP. If there are 4 PCs, each gains +1 MP,
A Road Warrior with which may be combined with MP earned previ-
the danger sense ously, or with MP from new drawbacks, to buy a
and monocular active spider) allows a new mutation.
vision mutations GM to grant players new Not all players appreciate gaining mutations
powers and options for their as rewards for their adventures. Players can
characters without making instead spend MP on bonus feats (5 MP per feat)
resources any less scarce. and increases to ability scores (10 MP per point
There are drawbacks to using mutant points as of increase).
treasure. First, not everyone wants to play a char-
acter with mutations, and not everyone wishes to Mutation as a Template
play an obvious mutant character. A GM should A GM can use mutation as a template that can
be sure players are happy with mutant characters be applied to PCs and foes alike. This template
before using MPs as rewards. simply grants 8 MP in return for a +1 level shift or
CR boost. (For rules on how to handle PCs with a
level shift, see the entry for the weren in Chapter
Table 2–26: Drawbacks 13 of d20 Future.)
d% Drawback MP Value A GM can stack as many MP as she’s comfortable
01–03 Ability decay 4 with, adjusting effective CR and character level as
04–05 Achilles heel 1 2 appropriate.
06–10 Blood hunger 1
11–15 Brittle bones 4
16–20 Combat fear 4 Additional Mutations
21–25 Cybernetic dependency 6 To widen the options for mutant characters, here
26–30 Festering sores 2 are new powers and drawbacks in addition to the
31–35 Frailty 3 mutations defined in d20 Future. Tables 2–25 and
36–40 Heat/cold susceptibility 1
2–26 allow the random determination of mutations
41–45 Lethargy 2
and drawbacks, including those from this book as
46–50 Light sensitivity 1
51–55 Lost arm 3 well as those in d20 Future.
56–58 Mindslave 2
59–60 Monocular vision 1 2 Achilles Heel [Drawback]
61–65 Neutrad dependency 5 You have a major weakness that can be
66–70 Pheromone repulsion 1 exploited.
71–75 Poisonous blood 6 MP Value: 2.
76–79 Rapid aging 2 Drawback: Any attack roll made to confirm a
80–85 Reduced speed 3 critical hit against you gains a +4 circumstance
86–90 Thin skin 5
bonus.
91–95 Ultraviolet allergy 3
Special: Creatures immune to critical hits
96–100 Weak immune system 1
1 Indicates a drawback described in this chapter. cannot have this drawback.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 42 4/1/05 12:06:35 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Adaptive Body [Major] and increase the fire damage to 2d6 points (instead
Your body can adapt to better absorb different of 1 point).
types of weapon damage. You gain a +4 mutation bonus on Fortitude saves
MP Cost: 6. against extreme heat temperatures (see page 213
Benefit: You gain one of the following types of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game).
of damage reduction (your choice): DR 2/ballistic, This mutation does not grant immunity or resis-
DR 2/bludgeoning, DR 2/piercing, or DR 2/slash- tance to fire.
ing. At the start of your turn, as a free action, you
can alter the type of damage reduction, choosing Monocular Vision [Drawback]
a different type from the list above. The change You have only one eye.
persists until the start of your next turn. MP Value: 2.
Drawback: You have poor depth perception.
Blindsight [Major] All range increments are halved (including those
You can perceive things in your immediate vicin- for Spot checks).
ity without sight.
MP Cost: 5. Plant Traits [Major]
Benefit: You have blindsight with a range of You have plantlike traits. You are not a plant, but
15 feet. See page 226 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying your skin turns a ripe shade of green and your
Game for a description of the blindsight special eyes are dull yellow.

43
quality. MP Cost: 5.
Benefit: You gain a +2 mutation bonus on saving
Chameleon Skin [Minor] throws against sleep, paralysis, stunning, and
Your skin (or chitin, fur, or scales) can change mind-influencing effects. You also gain low-light

RULES MODULES
color to match your surroundings. vision (described on page 227 of the d20 Modern
MP Cost: 1. Roleplaying Game).
Benefit: You gain a +4 mutation bonus on Hide
checks. This bonus is reduced to +2 if you wear Psionic Talent, Major [Major]
clothing or armor. You have a single psionic power.
MP Cost: 6.
Danger Sense [Major] Benefit: Choose one 2nd-level psionic power
You have a mild form of precognition that warns (from Psionic Powers in Chapter 10 of the d20
you of impending attack. Modern Roleplaying Game). You can manifest this
MP Cost: 6. power once per day at no power point cost. Your
Benefit: When you are surprised at the begin- manifester level is one-half your character level.
ning of combat, you may make a Wisdom check Special: This mutation may be taken more than
(DC 10). If you succeed, you may act in the surprise once. It can be used to increase the number of times
round as if you aren’t surprised. you may use the same power, or give you a new
2nd-level power you may use once per day.
Direction Sense [Minor]
You can perceive true north. Psionic Talent, Minor [Minor]
MP Cost: 1. You have a single psionic power.
Benefit: As long as you are awake, you always MP Cost: 2.
know what direction is true north. Benefit: Choose one 0-level psionic power (from
Psionic Powers in Chapter 10 of the d20 Modern
Dual Brains [Major] Roleplaying Game). You can manifest this power
You have two brains. three times per day at no power point cost. Your
MP Cost: 5. manifester level is one-half your character level.
Benefit: You have two brains, one in your head Special: This mutation may be taken more
and one located in another location. Whenever than once. It can be used to increase the number
you are called to make a Will save, roll twice and of times you may use the same power, or give
take the higher roll. Additionally, your penalty for you a new 0-level power you may use three times
fighting with two weapons is lessened by 1. per day.

Living Furnace [Minor] Psionic Talent, Moderate [Major]

Your body generates a tremendous amount of You have a single psionic power.
heat, and your touch can cause things to burn MP Cost: 4.
and melt. Benefit: Choose one 1st-level psionic power
MP Cost: 3. (from Psionic Powers in Chapter 10 of the d20
Benefit: You deal an extra 1 point of fire damage Modern Roleplaying Game). You can manifest this
with a successful unarmed attack or attack with power three times per day at no power point cost.
a natural weapon. Three times per day, as a free Your manifester level is one-half your character
action, you can channel more of your body’s heat level.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 43 4/1/05 12:06:40 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Special: This mutation may be taken more Benefit: You have an unusually tough hide.
than once. It can be used to increase the number Increase your natural armor bonus to Defense
of times you may use the same power, or give you by 4.
a new 1st-level power you may use three times Special: A creature with thin skin, thick hide,
per day. an extremely thick hide, or scaly armor cannot
gain this mutation.
Quadruped [Major]
You move swiftly on all fours.
MP Cost: 4. CREATURES OF
Benefit: Your base land speed increases by
10 feet when you move on all fours. If you have THE APOCALYPSE
anything in your hands, you cannot run on all
Hunters from tribes of new primitives flee a pack
fours.
of hyperintelligent wolves. Military survivalists
fight a never-ending battle with monstrous, car-
Radiation Resistance [Minor] nivorous roaches. Straggling, broken bands of
You can ignore the effects of some levels of radia-
once-civilized folk become prey to flesh-eating
tion.
plants and swarms of vermin driven by a hive-
MP Cost: 3.
mind. Hellhounds pick through the ruins of man’s
Benefit: You gain radiation resistance. You
monuments to greed and sin.

44
treat an irradiated area or radiation source as
Radiation, toxins, genetic engineering, alien
two degrees weaker for the purpose of determin-
experimentation, supernatural forces and a radi-
ing radiation exposure (severe becomes moderate,
cal and dangerous new environmental can result
high becomes low, moderate becomes mild, and
in numerous creatures that didn’t exist in the
RULES MODULES

you are unaffected by low and mild degrees of

civilized age. A number are presented here. Not
exposure).
all creatures are appropriate for all apocalyptic
settings—some are the result of radioactive muta-
Shocker [Major] tion, others of alien attack, supernatural invasion,
You can discharge a powerful stroke of lightning
or even the wrath of god. Use whichever creatures
from your fingertips.
suit your campaign.
MP Cost: 4.
Benefit: Once per day, as a standard action,
you can shoot a 5-foot-wide, 30-foot-long line of Apocalypse Demon
lightning that deals 5d6 points of electricity damage
to every creature in its path. You can choose to
(Template)
An apocalypse demon is a terrifying monster
widen and shorten the lightning bolt, making it 10
native to hellish realms of existence beyond our
feet wide and 15 feet long. The bolt begins at your
own world. More than a mere outsider, it is a ter-
fingertips. A successful Reflex save (DC 10 + your
rifying embodiment of violence and war. Even
character level + your Charisma modifier) halves
other creatures of darkness avoid these beasts
the damage.
of battle. The apocalypse demons waited in their
The lightning bolt sets fire to combustibles and
own dimension of constant conflict for a gate to
damages objects in its path. It can melt metals with
open to a new world, and once it opened they tore
low melting points, such as lead, gold, copper, silver,
that world apart, feasting upon the chaos follow-
and bronze. If the damage caused to an interposing
ing the apocalypse—or perhaps causing it in the
barrier shatters or breaks through it, the bolt may
first place.
continue beyond the barrier out to its maximum
More than a single species, apocalypse demons
range; otherwise, it stops at the barrier.
are an entire class of fiend devoted to endless
This mutation does not grant immunity or resis-
fighting. Because they are infused with the power
tance to electricity.
of war, they are immune to the effects of many
earthly weapons. Thus, even a few apocalypse
Thick Hide [Minor] demons can defeat entire armies of conventional
Your skin is tough and resilient.
soldiers. Once the demons of the apocalypse have
MP Cost: 3.
been released, the world is doomed.
Benefit: You have an unusually tough hide.
After destroying a world, many apocalypse
Increase your natural armor bonus to Defense
demons move back through their gates, but some
by 2.
stay behind. They become wandering killers or
Special: A creature with thin skin, very thick
cruel warlords of shattered cities and their broken
hide, an extremely thick hide, or scaly armor
inhabitants. Apocalypse demons care about nothing
cannot gain this mutation.
but unending battle. They force their slave citi-
zens to attack their neighbors and build gruesome
Very Thick Hide [Major] monuments to each victory. Powerful apocalypse
You skin is tough and resilient.
demons often rule over weaker ones, becoming
MP Cost: 6.
generals for small armies of demon soldiers.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 44 4/1/05 12:06:42 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Fortunately, apocalypse demons are not entirely Resistance to Energy (Ex): Roll on Table 8–21:
invulnerable. They are not immune to the effects Fiend Immunities, Resistances and Damage
from weapons made of silver or blessed by the Reduction (page 235 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying
faithful. Although this discovery rarely comes Game) to determine an apocalypse demon’s resis-
in time to prevent the destruction of civilization, tances.
postapocalyptic survivors may eventually discover Allegiances: An apocalypse demon always has
this weakness and learn to fight these terrible allegiances to evil and chaos.
creatures. Ability Scores: An apocalypse demon gains
the following ability score increases: Str +8, Dex
Template Traits +6, Con +4, Int +0 (minimum score of 6), Wis +4,
“Apocalypse demon” is an inherited template that Cha +6.
can be added to any living creature (referred to Automatic Languages: An apocalypse demon
hereafter as the base creature) other than a celestial. can speak Abyssal.
The creature’s type changes to outsider. It uses all Skills: An apocalypse demon gains skill points
the base creature’s statistics and special abilities as an outsider of its nonclass Hit Dice. Treat all
except as noted here. skills as class skills. If the creature has a class, it
Challenge Rating: Same as the base crea- gains skills for class levels normally.
ture +4. Feats: Apocalypse demons gain Advanced Fire-
Hit Dice: Change all nonclass Hit Dice to one die arms Proficiency, Archaic Weapons Proficiency,

45
type larger than the base creature (for example, Exotic Weapons Proficiency (cannons, heavy
from d8 to d10); maximum die type d12. If the crea- machine guns, grenade launchers, and rocket
ture has a class, it gains class Hit Dice normally. launchers), and Personal Firearms Proficiency as
Speed: Apocalypse demons have wings, with bonus feats.

RULES MODULES
a fly speed equal to double their base land speed
or 50 feet, whichever is greater. If the base An apocalypse demon
minotaur
creature already has a fly speed, its fly
speed increases by 10 feet or to double its
base land speed, whichever is greater.
Apocalypse demons have good maneu-
verability.
Attacks: The apocalypse demon
retains all the attacks of the base
creature. It also gains the ability
to use all weapons proficiently,
within the limits of normal size
restrictions. Most carry at least
one melee weapon and one firearm,
though they may prefer to
use their natural attacks.
Special Qualities: The
apocalypse demon retains all
the special qualities of the base CT
creature. It also gains the following
special qualities.
Darkvision (Ex): An Apoca-
lypse demon has darkvision
with a range of 300 feet.
Damage Reduction (Ex): Roll on
Table 8–21: Fiend Immunities,
Resistances and Damage Reduc-
tion (page 235 of the d20 Modern
Roleplaying Game) to determine an
apocalypse demon’s DR. Regard-
less of what DR it has, it is always
overcome by silver weapons.
Immunities (Ex): Roll on Table
8–21: Fiend Immun ities,
Resistances and Damage
Reduction (page 235 of the
d20 Modern Roleplaying Game)
to determine an apocalypse
demon’s immunities.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 45 4/1/05 12:06:44 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Sample Apocalypse Demon The tin can is not a sentient robot; it is controlled
The following sample apocalypse demon uses a through encrypted radio messages sent by an A.I.
minotaur as the base creature. This results in a robot or supercomputer.
massive, bull-horned and cloven-hoofed creature
with giant bat wings wielding a sword and an Combat Robot T-C-4 “Tin Can”: CR 1; Medium-
assault rifle. Its charge, scent, and natural cun- size construct; HD 1d10+10; hp 15; Mas —; Init +2; Spd
ning abilities work like a minotaur’s do, and it 30 ft.; Defense 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16; BAB +0;
receives the same +4 species bonus on Search, Spot, Grp +2; Atk +2 melee (1d4+2, hand) or +2 ranged (2d8,
and Listen checks. OICW assault rifle); Full Atk: +2 melee (1d4+2, hand)
or +2 ranged (2d8, OICW assault rifle); FS 5 ft. by 5
Apocalypse Demon Minotaur: CR 8; Large ft.; Reach 5 ft.; SQ construct traits, darkvision 60
outsider; HD 6d10+24; hp 57 (33 from HD); Mas ft.; AL varies; AP 0; Rep +0; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will
19; Spd 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (good); Defense 14, touch +0; Str 14, Dex 14, Con —, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 1.
9, flat-footed 14 (–1 size, +5 natural), BAB +6, Grap Skills: Climb +6, Hide +6, Jump +6, Listen +6, Move
+18 (+6 BAB, +4 size, +8 Str); Atk +13 melee (2d8+12, Silently +6, Spot +6
Huge longsword) or +8 ranged (2d10, HK G3); Full Equipment: OICW assault rifle, 4 magazines.
Atk +13/+8 melee (2d8+12, Huge longsword), +8
melee (1d8+4, gore), or +13/+8 melee (1d4+8, slam), The “Tin Can” T-C-4 Basic Combat robot has the
or +8/+3 ranged (2d10, HK G3); FS 10 ft. by 10 ft.; following systems and accessories.

46
Reach: 10 ft.; SQ charge 4d6+12, scent, natural cun- Frame: Biomorph.
ning, darkvision 300 ft., DR 5/+1 or silver, immune Locomotion: Legs (2, speed-enhanced).
to acid damage, electricity resistance 20, weapon Manipulators: Hands (2).
immunity; AL chaos, evil; SV Fort +8, Ref +8, Will Armor: Resilium armor.
RULES MODULES

+7; AP 0; Rep +0; Str 27, Dex 16, Con 19, Int 7, Wis Sensors: Class VI sensors.
14, Cha 14. Skill Software: Climb skill progit (4 ranks), Hide
Skills: Intimidate +8 (6 ranks +2 Cha), Jump +14 skill progit (4 ranks), Jump skill progit (4 ranks),
(6 ranks +8 Str), Listen +12 (6 ranks +2 Wis, +4 spe- Listen skill progit (4 ranks), Move Silently skill
cies), Search +8 (6 ranks, –2 Int, +4 species), Speak progit (4 ranks), Spot skill progit (4 ranks).
Abyssal, Speak Giant, Spot +12 (6 ranks +2 Wis, +4 Ability Upgrade: Dexterity Upgrade (+4).
species).
Feats: Advanced Firearms Proficiency, Archaic
Weapons Proficiency, Exotic Weapons Proficiency
Combat Robot M-G-8
(cannons, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, “Meatgrinder” (PL 6)
and rocket launchers), Great Fortitude, Personal The M-G-8 is a large, powerful robot designed
Firearms Proficiency, Power Attack. both for heavy, up-close fighting and for duty as a
Possessions: Huge longsword, HK G3. mobile weapons platform in support of other robots.
Advancement: By character class. Like the T-C-4 (above), it might be a human design
left over from preapocalyptic armies, or it might
be a machine- or alien-made model designed to
Combat Robot T-C-4 eradicate humanity. Survivors of the apocalypse
“Tin Can” (PL 6) have nicknamed it the “meatgrinder” for its ability
The T-C-4 Basic Combat Robot is a relatively simple to chew apart bodies with seeming ease. It’s also
and unsophisticated design. It might be a foot sol- sometimes referred to as a “hunter-killer.”
dier in the effort to eradicate mankind in a rise A meatgrinder looks like an oversized crab,
of the machines scenario or an alien invasion, or with a thick outer carapace and six spindly
perhaps it was deployed by human forces in an legs that propel it in a disturbing gait, even up
apocalyptic war, with a few rogue units still oper- walls. Its sensors package sits in the front like
ating in the aftermath. Survivors call it the “tin an evil-looking head with a cluster of glowing
can” because of its cylindrical head and the rela- red eyes. Two mounted laser rifles and a mini-
tive ease in which one is destroyed. However, what rocket launcher are capable of laying down a
it lacks in firepower and armor, it usually makes withering storm of fire.
up for in sheer numbers. Tin cans are commonly The meatgrinder is not a sentient robot; it is
deployed in units of four, often with a meatgrinder controlled through encrypted radio messages sent
(see below) as backup. by an A.I. robot or supercomputer.
The tin can is a bipedal design that superficially
resembles the human form. Its head contains Combat Robot M-G-8 “Meatgrinder”: CR 10;
sensors, and its core computer is protected by Large construct; HD 7d10+20; hp 55; Mas —; Init
the chest cavity. It typically carries an advanced +4; Spd 30 ft.; Defense 17, touch 9, flat-footed 17;
assault rifle, but some models exist with heavier BAB +5; Grp +15; Atk +10 melee (1d6+6, claw), or +4
mounted weaponry. ranged (3d8, laser rifle), or +4 (varies, mini-rocket
launcher); Full Atk: +10 melee (1d6+6, claw) or +4
ranged (3d6, 2 laser rifles) and +4 ranged (varies,

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 46 4/1/05 12:06:49 PM

 mini-rocket launcher); FS 10 ft. by 10 ft.;
Reach 10 ft.; SQ construct traits, darkvision
60 ft.; AL varies; AP 0; Rep +0; SV Fort +2,
Ref +2, Will +2; Str 23, Dex 10, Con —, Int —,
Wis 10, Cha 1.
Skills: Climb +10, Hide –5, Listen +12,
Search +4, Spot +8.
Feats: Alertness, Exotic Weapon Pro-
ficiency (rocket launcher), Improved
Initiative, Personal Firearms Proficiency.
Equipment: 2 laser rifles (mounted),
mini-rocket launcher (mounted), 6 shrapnel
rockets, 4 fireflush rockets, 2 concus-
sion rockets.

The “meatgrinder” combat robot has the

following systems and accessories.
Frame: Armature.
Locomotion: Multiple legs (6).
Manipulators: Hands (4).
Armor: Duralloy armor.
Sensors: Class VI.
Skill Software: Climb progit (4 ranks),
Listen skill progit (8 ranks), Search
skill progit (4 ranks), Spot skill progit
(4 ranks).
Feat Software: Alertness progit,
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (rocket
launcher) progit, Improved Ini- RP
tiative progit, Personal Firearm
Proficiency progit.
Ability Upgrade: Dexterity upgrade (+2).
Accessories: Loading mechanism, magnetic feet, “Meatgrinder”
weapon mounts (3).
FS 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; SQ low-light vision,
Donkey scent; AL none or owner; SV Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +0;
Donkeys (including burros) are Medium-size pack AP 0; Rep +0; Str 10, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 11,
animals. Larger beasts of burden such as mules use Cha 4.
the horse statistics on page 239 of the d20 Modern Skills: Balance +3, Listen +5, Spot +5.
Roleplaying Game. Feats: None.
Donkeys are surefooted and sturdy. They can Advancement: None.
carry up to 50 pounds as a light load, 51–100 pounds
as a medium load, and 101–150 pounds as a heavy
load. A donkey can drag 750 pounds.
Horseman of the
Apocalypse
Species Traits Though not the towering figure represented in
Low-Light Vision (Ex): Donkeys can see twice the Bible, a horseman of the apocalypse is none-
as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torch- theless terrifying. Untold millions swept through
light, and similar conditions of poor illumination. the world during Judgment Day, killing without
They retain the ability to distinguish color and mercy. After the apocalypse, some remain. There
detail under these conditions. are four different types of horseman, each a vari-
Scent (Ex): This ability allows the donkey to ant of the base form.
detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, A horseman of famine appears as a hideously
and track by sense of smell. See page 228 of the gaunt figure wearing tattered rags. It rides upon a
d20 Modern Roleplaying Game. black, bestial horse, also emaciated. The horseman’s
Skill Bonus: Donkeys gain a +2 species bonus mouth is wide, pulled back in a rictuslike grin,
on Balance checks. and measly strands of hair flop from its head. It
carries a pair of rusted scales.
Donkey: CR 1/6; Medium-size animal; HD 2d8+2; A horseman of pestilence resembles a corpse
hp 11; Mas 12; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; Defense 13, touch riddled by a horrible, flesh-eating virus. Trails
11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 natural); BAB +1; Grap +1; of blood-soaked bandages dangle from its body.
Atk +1 melee (1d3, bite); Full Atk +1 melee (1d3, bite); Its skin is a mass of festering sores and boils that

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 47 4/1/05 12:06:51 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
constantly ooze a sickening, disease-ridden pus. Skills: Jump +19, Listen +15, Move Silently +15,
Its mount is equally diseased and disturbing. A Search +6, Spot +15, Swim +12, Survival +15.
horseman of pestilence carries a bow, although it Feats: Heroic Surge, Power Attack, Run, Track.
never uses the weapon. Possessions: Varies (see below).
A horseman of war is a powerful, imposing figure
clad in ancient armor the color of dried blood. Species Traits
Its mount resembles an enormous red, infernal- All horsemen of the apocalypse have the follow-
looking Clydesdale. The horseman carries a cruel ing traits.
sword that is an extension of its own body. Bonus Feat: A horseman of the apocalypse gets
A horseman of death is a skeletal figure garbed Track as a bonus feat.
in black robes, its face hidden in perpetual shadow. Immunities (Ex): A horseman is immune to
Its mount is a sickly pale white, and it seems to electricity and poison.
shift in and out of existence. The horseman car- Damage Reduction 10/+1 (Su): In campaigns
ries an enormous scythe that is an extension of with no or few magic weapons, the GM can either
its own body. disregard the horseman’s damage reduction or
apply the damage reduction only to certain types
Horseman of the Apocalypse: CR 13; Large out- of weapons (ballistic, bludgeoning, sonic/concus-
sider; HD 10d8+50; hp 90; Mas 20; Init +2; Spd 60 sion, piercing, or slashing).
ft.; Defense 25, touch 11, flat-footed 23; BAB +7; Grp Summon Horseman (Su): Once per day, a

48
+17; Atk +12 melee (1d10+6, unarmed strike or inte- horseman can attempt to summon 1d2 horsemen
grated weapon) or +8 ranged; Full Atk: +12/+7 melee of the same type as it is, with a 50% chance of suc-
(1d10+5, unarmed strike or integrated weapon); FS cess. This ability is the equivalent of a 3rd-level
10 ft./10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.; SA varies (see below); SQ spell.
horseman of the apocalypse traits, outsider traits; Haste (Sp): Once per day, a horseman may cast
AL horsemen of the apocalypse; AP 0; Rep +0; SV haste upon itself as if cast by a 5th-level Mage.
Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +9; Str 23, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 10, Combined Mount and Rider (Ex): Although
Wis 14, Cha 18. a horseman appears to be riding its mount, it is
treated at all times as if it were a single Large
creature. A horseman can never be dismounted.

Specific Types
Described here are the traits for the four different
types of horsemen of the apocalypse. Each type uses
the statistics above unless otherwise noted.
Horseman of Horseman of Famine: A horseman of
pestilence famine has the following traits.
Aura of Famine (Su): A horseman of famine
produces an aura that saps the energy
from creatures. All creatures within 30
feet must make a Fortitude save (DC
19) each round or take 1d3 points of
Constitution damage. This damage
can only be restored by eating the
equivalent of a full day’s worth of
food (in addition to the normal
food requirement). This ability
is Charisma-based.
Wasting Touch (Su): A creature
that takes damage from an
unarmed attack by a horseman
of famine must make a Fortitude
save (DC 20) or take 1d4 points of
Constitution drain. This ability is
Constitution-based.
Horseman of Pestilence: A
horseman of pestilence has the
following traits.
Aura of Disease (Su): A horseman of
pestilence produces an aura of filth
and disease. All creatures within 30 feet
must make a Fortitude save (DC 19) each
round or contract anthrax (see page 215 of

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 48 4/1/05 12:06:56 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game). This ability is Challenge Rating: Same as the base crea-
Charisma-based. ture +2.
Diseased Touch (Su): A creature that takes damage Hit Dice: Change to one die type larger than
from an unarmed attack by a horseman of pestilence the base creature (for example, from d8 to d10);
must make a Fortitude save (DC 20) or immediately maximum die type d12.
suffer the effects of necrotizing faciitis (see page Type: The creature gains the mutated sub-
215 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game), as if the type.
disease had completed its incubation period. This Base Attack: Same as the base creature +1.
ability is Constitution-based. Special Qualities: A mutated creature retains
Horseman of War: A horseman of war has all the special qualities of the base creature and
the following traits. gains the additional special qualities described
Aura of Violence (Su): A horseman of war produces below.
an aura that inspires mindless violence. All crea- Drawbacks (Ex): A mutated creature gains 1d3
tures within 30 feet must make a Will save (DC 19) drawbacks. Roll on Table 2–26: Drawbacks (page
every round or attack the nearest creature, friend 42) to determine the mutated creature’s drawbacks,
or foe. A creature that makes this save is shaken or pick drawbacks appropriate to the creature’s
for 1d6 rounds. This ability is Charisma-based. niche.
Touch of Torment (Su): A creature that is dam- Mutations (Ex): A mutated creature gains Muta-
aged by any attack by a horseman of war must tion Points equal to 5 + one-half the creature’s HD +

49
make a Fortitude save (DC 20) each round or take the MP value of its drawbacks. Roll on Table 2–25:
1d6 points of Constitution damage in a bout of Mutations (page 41) to determine the mutated
extreme pain. In addition, a creature that fails creature’s mutations, or pick mutations appropri-
this save moves at half speed and must make a ate to the creature’s niche.

RULES MODULES
Concentration check (DC 15) to take an action Radiation Resistance (Ex): A mutated creature
despite the excruciating pain. treats an irradiated area or radiation source as
Integrated Weapon (Ex): Although it appears to two degrees weaker for the purpose of determin-
wield a sword as a weapon, a horseman of war ing radiation exposure (severe becomes moderate,
attacks as if using a natural weapon. The weapon high becomes low, moderate becomes mild, and
is an extension of its body, and the horseman the creature is unaffected by low and mild degrees
cannot be disarmed. of exposure).
Horseman of Death: A horseman of death Saves: A mutated creature gains a +2 mutation
has the following traits. bonus on Fortitude saves.
Aura of Despair (Su): A horseman of death produces Ability Scores: A mutated creature gains the
an aura of despair and hopelessness. All creatures following ability score increase: Con +2.
within 30 feet must make a Will save (DC 19) or
be affected by a cause fear spell as if cast by a 5th- Mutated Bear: CR 6; Large animal (mutated);
level Mage. This ability is Charisma-based. HD 6d10+30; hp 63; Mas 21; Init +1; Spd. 40 ft.;
Touch of Death (Su): If a horseman of death suc- Defense 15, touch 10, flat-footed 14 (–1 size, +1 Dex,
ceeds on a touch attack, the victim must make a +5 natural); BAB +5; Grap +17; Atk +12 melee (1d8+8,
Fortitude save (DC 20) or die. A creature that makes claw) or Atk +12 melee (1d8+8, gore) or Atk +12 melee
this save takes 4d6 points of damage. A horseman (1d8+8, tail); Full Atk +12 melee (1d8+8, 2 claws), +7
may only attempt this ability once per creature. melee (2d8+4, bite); FS 10 ft. by 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.;
This ability is Constitution-based. SQ electricity and fire resistance 5, improved grab,
Integrated Weapon (Ex): Although it appears to low-light vision, radiation resistance, scent, tele-
wield a scythe as a weapon, a horseman of death kinetic mind, ultra immune system; AL none; SV
attacks as if using a natural weapon. The weapon is Fort +12, Ref +4, Will +3; AP 0; Rep +0; Str 27, Dex
an extension of its body, and the horseman cannot 13, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6.
be disarmed. Skills: Balance +3, Climb +18; Listen +6, Spot +6.
Feats: None.
Mutations (Ex): This mutated bear has the fol-
Mutated Creature lowing mutations and drawbacks.
Radiation, mutagens, supernatural energy, or even
Blood Hunger: This mutated bear must drink
the unexplained effects of a deep-space comet strike
one pint of blood from a willing, helpless, or dying
might all contribute to the mutation of Earth’s
(but not dead) creature every 24 hours or take
natural flora and fauna.
1d4 points of Constitution damage that cannot be
restored through natural healing. The Constitution
Template Traits damage is restored within 1d6 rounds of drink-
“Mutated creature” is an acquired template that
ing a pint of blood. Drinking a pint of blood is an
can be added to any creature (referred to here-
attack action.
after as the base creature) that has been exposed
Energy Diffusion: This mutated bear has elec-
to radiation or a mutagen. It uses all the base
tricity resistance 5 and fire resistance 5.
creature’s statistics and special abilities except as
noted here.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 49 4/1/05 12:07:01 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Great Horns: The mutated bear has a single large armor); BAB +1; Grap –4; Atk +5 melee (1d6–1 plus
horn with which it can make gore attacks. disease, bite); Full Atk +5 melee (1d4–1 plus disease,
Lethargy: The mutated bear’s Reflex save includes bite); FS 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; SQ blindsight 60
a –2 penalty. ft., disease, immune to mind-inluencing attacks,
Tail: The mutated bear has a thick, ropy tail with radiation resistance, resistance to massive damage;
which it can make slam attacks. AL none; SV Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +0; AP 0; Rep +0;
Telekinetic Mind: As a move action that does not Str 9, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 2.
provoke attacks of opportunity, the mutated bear Skills: Climb +10, Hide +11, Move Silently +7, Spot
can move an unattended object it can see weighing +4.
up to 5 pounds up to 15 feet in any direction. The Feats: Weapon Finesse (bite).
bear must concentrate to move it telekinetically; Advancement: 2–4 HD (Small), 5–7 HD (Medium-
if its concentration is broken while levitating the size).
object, the object falls.
Ultra Immune System: The mutated bear gains
a +2 mutation bonus on Fortitude saves to resist
Thinking Swarm
Thinking swarms are dense masses of Fine, Diminu-
poisons, disease, and radiation sickness (see page
tive, or Tiny creatures that are not particularly
80 of d20 Future). Furthermore, any permanent
dangerous in small groups, but can be terrible
ability drain inflicted on the bear is treated as
foes when gathered in sufficient numbers. Though
temporary ability damage instead.
each creature within the swarm is no more than a

50
Advancement: 7–10 HD (Large).
typical vermin or animal, when the swarm gath-
ers together it gains an intelligence nearly equal
Rad-Roach to a human.
The rad-roach is a breed of mutated, carnivorous For game purposes, a swarm is defined as a
RULES MODULES

roach common in many blasted, apocalyptic land- single creature with a space of 10 feet—gigantic
scapes. It is a small, armored eating machine that hordes are actually composed of dozens of swarms
hunts down prey by scent and consumes it live. in close proximity. A swarm has a single pool of
Nearly immune to radiation, rad-roaches flour- Hit Dice and hit points, a single initiative modi-
ish in places that cause other creatures to sicken fier, a single speed, and a single Defense. It makes
and die. saving throws as a single creature.
A rad-roach appears to be a much larger ver- Many different creatures can mass as think-
sion of its common kitchen-raiding cousin. It is ing swarms; thinking ant and rat swarms are
sleek and black, with a hard shell and numerous described here. The thinking swarm’s type varies
long feelers that protrude from its front. Its entire with the nature of the component creature (most
head opens into a 4-jawed mouth, allowing it to are animals or vermin), but all swarms have the
deliver bites more damaging than its size would swarm subtype.
suggest. A swarm of Tiny creatures consists of 300
A typical rad-roach is 3 feet long, 1 foot wide, nonflying creatures or 1,000 flying creatures. A
and weighs 100 pounds. A clutch of rad-roach eggs swarm of Diminutive creatures consists of 1,500
can number in the thousands, and when they nonflying creatures or 5,000 flying creatures. A
hatch they can form a roach swarm (see Thinking swarm of Fine creatures consists of 10,000 crea-
Swarm, below). tures, whether they are flying or not. Swarms of
nonflying creatures include many more creatures
Species Traits than could normally fit in a 10-foot square based on
Disease: Rad-roaches are carriers of vile dis- their normal space, because creatures in a swarm
eases to which they are naturally immune. These are packed tightly together and generally crawl
diseases are transmitted by both injury and inges- over each other and their prey when moving or
tion, so any creature that damages a rad-roach attacking. Larger thinking swarms are represented
with a bite attack (or eats one) is exposed. by multiples of single swarms. A large thinking
Roach Fever: Injury/ingested DC 16; incubation swarm is completely shapeable, though it usually
period 2d4 hours; initial damage 1 Con; secondary remains contiguous.
damage 1d2 Str plus 1d2 Con. To attack, a single thinking swarm moves into
Radiation Resistance (Ex): Rad-roaches an opponent’s space, which provokes an attack
treat an irradiated area or radiation source as of opportunity. It can occupy the same space as
two degrees weaker for the purpose of determin- a creature of any size, since it crawls all over its
ing radiation exposure (severe becomes moderate, prey, but even so it remains a creature with a 10-
high becomes low, moderate becomes mild, and foot space. Thinking swarms never make attacks
the creature is unaffected by low and mild degrees of opportunity, but they can provoke attacks of
of exposure). opportunity (they are clever enough to avoid doing
so when possible). Unlike other creatures with a
Rad-Roach: CR 1/2; Small vermin; HD 1d8; hp 4; 10-foot space, a thinking swarm is shapeable. It
Mas 10; Init +3; Spd 30 ft., climb 10 ft.; Defense 16, can occupy any four contiguous squares, and it
touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 50 4/1/05 12:07:03 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
can squeeze through any space large enough to Scent (Ex): This ability allows the thinking
admit one of its component creatures. swarm to detect approaching enemies, sniff out
hidden foes, and track by sense of smell.
Species Traits Skills: A thinking rat swarm has a +4 species
Thinking swarms share the following traits. bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks. It uses
Distraction (Ex): Any living creature that its Dexterity modifier for Climb checks.
begins its turn with a thinking swarm in its
space must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 12) or Thinking Rat Swarm: CR 3; Large animal
be nauseated for 1 round. The save DC is Constitu- (swarm); HD 6d8; hp 13; Mas —; Init +2; Spd 15 ft.,
tion-based. climb 15 ft.; Defense 11, touch 11, flat-footed 9; BAB
Divided Physiology (Ex): A thinking swarm +3; Grap —; Atk +6 melee (d6, swarm); Full Atk: +6
is immune to all efefcts of massive damage, as melee (d6, swarm); FS 10 ft. by 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.;
well as critical hits. By the same token, a thinking SQ distraction, divided physiology, hive mind,
swarm cannot grapple, or be grappled. It is also resistance to physical attack, scent; SV Fort +4,
immune to trip and bull rush attacks, unless such Ref +6, Will +2; AP 0; Rep +0; Str 2, Dex 15, Con 10,
attacks are somehow made with an item that can Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 2.
cover all the spaces the swarm occupies. Skills: Balance +10, Climb +10, Hide +14, Listen +6,
Hive Mind (Ex): Any thinking swarm with Spot +7, Swim +10.
at least 1 hit point per Hit Die forms a hive mind, Feats: Alertness, Weapon Finesse (swarm).

51
giving it an Intelligence score of 6. When a thinking Advancement: None.
swarm is reduced below this hit point threshold, it
becomes mindless. Because it only has this Intel-
ligence when in a swarm, its skills are determined
Viral Deathspawn
(Template)

RULES MODULES
as if it had an Intelligence score of 2 (if animal)
or — (if vermin). Viral deathspawn are more than just walking
Resistance to Physical Attack (Ex): Swarms corpses. They are roaming sources of infected evil,
are extremely difficult to fight with physical attacks able to pass on their foul state to living victims
(taking half damage, or no damage, depending with a bite or claw wound. Those killed by a viral
on the swarm). However, they have a few special deathspawn rise as creatures of the same type,
vulnerabilities. A lit torch or other fire or electric- and even those who survive an initial encounter
ity source (road flare, live power cables) swung may fall prey to the infection later. A single viral
as an improvised weapon deals 1d3 points of fire deathspawn can infect dozens of victims in a few
damage or electricity damage (as appropriate) per hours, and each of them can spread the evil just
hit. Any weapon that deals area damage, such as a as quickly.
flamethrower, affects thinking swarms normally,
as do most magical and psionic attacks. Template Traits
Skills: Thinking swarms of the vermin type have “Viral deathspawn” is an acquired template that can
a +4 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks. be added to any creature killed by a viral death-
Feats: All thinking swarms gain Weapon Finesse spawn (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
(swarm) as a bonus feat. It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here.
Thinking Swarm (Vermin) Challenge Rating: As base creature +1.
This thinking swarm of ants is typical of vermin Type: The creature’s type changes to undead.
thinking swarms. Hit Dice: Change to d12. Viral deathspawn have
no Constitution score.
Thinking Ant Swarm: CR 3; Large vermin Attacks: If the viral deathspawn does not
(swarm); HD 6d8–6; hp 21; Mas —; Init +4; Spd 10 ft.; already have a bite or claw attack, it gains a bite
Defense 18, touch 18, flat-footed 14; BAB +4; Grap —, attack that deals damage based on the creature’s
Atk +7 melee (2d6, swarm); Full Atk +7 melee (2d6, size (see Table 8–16: Undead, page 223 of the d20
swarm); FS 10 ft. by 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.; SQ dark- Modern Roleplaying Game).
vision 60 ft., distraction, divided physiology, hive Special Qualities: The viral deathspawn keeps
mind, resistance to physical attack, vermin traits; all the special qualities of the base creature, and
AL none; SV Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +2; AP 0; Rep +0; gains the abilities described below.
Str 1, Dex 19, Con 8, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 2. Cannibalistic Hunger (Su): A viral deathspawn
Skills: Listen +4, Spot +4. prefers to feed on living members of its former
Feats: Weapon Finesse (swarm). species and deals +1 point of damage when it hits
Advancement: None. such creatures with any of its natural weapons.
For instance, a human viral deathspawn gets the
Thinking Swarm (Animal) damage bonus when it hits a living human with
This thinking swarm of rats is typical of animal its bite attack.
thinking swarms. It has the following additional A viral deathspawn has no taste for the flesh of
special qualities. other viral deathspawn.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 51 4/1/05 12:07:05 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
A pack of viral deathspawn
on the move
RULES MODULES

KK

Scent (Ex): Viral deathspawn all have the scent Human Viral Deathspawn: CR 1; Medium-size
ability (see page 228 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying undead; HD 1d12+3; hp 9; Init –1; Spd 30 ft.; Defense
Game). 11, touch 9, flat-footed 11 (–1 Dex, +2 natural), BAB
Viral Death (Su): Any creature killed by a viral +0, Grap +1; Atk +1 melee (1d6+1 plus disease, bite);
deathspawn rises as a viral deathspawn 1d4 rounds Full Atk +1 melee (1d6+1 plus disease, bite); FS 5 ft.
later. A viral deathspawn retains no memories or by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; SQ cannibalistic hunger, scent,
alliances from its old life. The new viral death- undead, viral death; AL chaos, evil; SV Fort +0, Ref
spawn creates other viral deathspawn by killing –1, Will +3; AP 0; Rep +0; Str 13, Dex 12, Con —, Int
new victims. 9, Wis 8, Cha 6.
Furthermore, any creature wounded by a natural Skills: None.
attack of a viral deathspawn is exposed to the death Feats: Toughness.
virus (injury DC 16; incubation period 4d6 hours; Possessions: Tattered clothes.
initial damage 1d6 Dex; secondary damage 1d6
Con). A victim reduced to 0 Constitution dies and
rises 1d4 rounds later as a viral deathspawn.
Using Existing
Allegiances: A viral deathspawn always Creatures
has allegiances to chaos and evil, and no other Existing creatures from other d20 System rulebooks
allegiances. can stand in for mutated species. This is true for
Saves: As the base creature, modified by altered character races as well as monsters: A game could
ability scores (see below). allow any of the alien species from d20 Future as a
Action Points: Viral deathspawn do not acquire mutated player species, and use many of the threats
or amass action points. It loses any action points and creatures from other d20 System sources as
possessed by the base creature. mutant animals and threats.
Abilities: Apply the following modifiers to Most aberrations, humanoids, magical beasts,
the base creature’s ability scores: Str +2, Dex +2, and monstrous humanoids make good mutants.
Int –2, Wis –2, Cha –4. No penalty can reduce an Even some outsiders and undead make appropri-
ability score below 3. Viral deathspawn have no ate mutant creatures in certain games. Sometimes
Constitution score. it’s necessary to redefine a magical ability as
Skills: The viral deathspawn loses all skills. being psionic, or eliminate it altogether, but most
Feats: The viral deathspawn loses all the base creatures of these sorts are believable as the result
creature’s feats and gains the Toughness feat. of wacky evolution run amuck.
Advancement: None. The creatures in the lists below are appropriate
for use as mutants. The potential creature from
Sample Viral Deathspawn which each may have mutated is given in paren-
The following viral deathspawn is based on a theses after the creature name.
human.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 52 4/1/05 12:07:07 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
d20 MODERN Roleplaying Game dinosaur (re-evolved from birds); dire animals
The following creatures, described in Chapter 8: (base animals); dragon turtle (snapping turtle);
Friends and Foes of the d20 Modern Roleplaying eagle, giant (eagle); ettercap (spider); ettin
Game, are well suited to serve as mutant creatures (human); formian (ant); frost worm (snake); giant
in a d20 Apocalypse campaign. ant (ant); giant bombardier beetle (bombardier
Bugbear (bear); displacer beast (panther); fiend, beetle); giant fire beetle (beetle); giant owl (owl);
rotlord (human); gnoll (dog); kobold (lizard); mino- giant praying mantis (praying mantis); giant
taur (bull); monstrous flytrap (flytrap); monstrous stag beetle (beetle); giant wasp (wasp); girallon
spider (spider); moreau (moreau base creature); (ape); githyanki (human); grick (snake); griffon
ogre (human); troglodyte (human); troll (human); (eagle); hill giant (human); hippogriff (eagle);
vampire (human); wyrm (snake); yuan-ti (snake); howler (porcupine); kraken (squid); krenshar
zombie (human). (hyena); kuo-toa (frog); lizardfolk (crocodile); lo-
cathah (fish); manticore (tiger); monstrous centi-
d20 Menace Manual pede (centipede); monstrous scorpion (scorpion);
The following creatures, described in Chapter 1: owlbear (owl); phantom fungus (mold); phase
Creatures of the d20 Menace Manual, are appro- spider (spider); purple worm (worm); remorhaz
priate to serve as mutants in a d20 Apocalypse (millipede); roc (vulture); rust monster (ant eater);
campaign. sea cat (dolphin); shocker lizard (electric eel);
Acid rainer (jellyfish); anaconda, giant (ana- shrieker (mushroom); spider eater (wasp); stirge

53
conda); bogeyman (human); cat folk (human or cat); (bat); swarm (any); tendriculos (moss); treant
Crawsfordville monster (germ); dimensional horror (tree); violet fungus (mushroom); winter wolf
(virus); dread tree (tree); drop bear (koala); fiend, (wolf); worg (wolf); wyvern (bat).
kwevencha (spider); fiend, stygilor (human); fraal Any of these creatures can be altered further by

RULES MODULES
(human); gardhyi (human); grimlock (human); applying the mutated creature template (see page
half-fraal (any humanoid); infester (eel); kinori 49) to them.
(lizard); malleable creature (any creature); maniac
(any humanoid); man-o’-war, giant (man-o’-war);
mapinguari (bear); Mongolian death worm (mil- VIRULENCE
lipede); neothelid (slug); rod (insect); sasquatch
If a biological disaster was the apocalypse that
(primate); sea serpent (eel); sewer sludge (amoeba);
depopulated your world, chances are the disease
snake, hoop (snake); toxic sludge (amoeba); yeti
behind the cataclysm still exists in some form. It
(bear); zeikune (starfish).
may have mutated since the fall of humankind,
periodically reappearing among the surviving
URBAN ARCANA Campaign Setting population to take an additional toll. The survi-
The following creatures, described in Chapter 7:
vors of the apocalypse—and their offspring—are
Creatures of the Urban Arcana Campaign Setting, fit
immune to the original disease, but mutated
easily into a d20 Apocalypse campaign.
versions, called secondary infections, may resur-
Blix (psionic human); drow (human); dwarf
face, causing severe effects even in the immune
(human); elf (human); gnome (human); halfling
population.
(human); leechwalker (leech); rat, dire (rat); roach
Additionally, all-new diseases with the potential
thrall (roach); skunk ape (skunk); urban wendigo
to spread massive death can spring up or reach
(human).
populations never before exposed. The scant medi-
cal resources available in the postapocalypse are
Monster Manual hardly capable of dealing with such a threat.
The Dungeons & Dragons® Monster Manual describes
This section provides rules for viruses deadly
dozens of creatures that can be imported into a
enough to lie at the root of a biological cata-
d20 Apocalypse campaign. GMs should not dis-
clysm. These superviruses are not handled in
count this resource when searching for mutant
the same way as standard diseases in the d20
creatures to populate a wasteland adventure. Turn-
Modern Roleplaying Game. Instead of dealing set
ing a D&D monster into a d20 Apocalypse creature
amounts of ability damage, most superviruses
should require only minor modifications—turning
have more complex effects. The rules for resist-
the ethereal marauder into a psionic marauder,
ing the disease—and perhaps recovering—remain
for instance.
the same, however.
Here’s a list of Monster Manual critters that lend
Once a character suffers the effects of a disease
themselves well to d20 Apocalypse encounters.
and survives (that is, she fails the initial Fortitude
Aboleth (fish); achaierai (ostrich); ankheg
save, but later, when affected by the disease, suc-
(roach); arrowhawk (vulture); assassin vine
ceeds on the Fortitude save two days in a row and
(kudzu); behir (crocodile); blink dog (dog); car-
recovers), she is immune to the primary infection.
rion crawler (centipede); chuul (lobster); cloaker
She is still susceptible to secondary infections,
(manta ray); darkmantle (squid); destrachan (re-
however.
evolved dinosaur); digester (re-evolved dinosaur);

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 53 4/1/05 12:07:11 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
makes it by 5 or fewer points, is contagious after
Supervirus Descriptions the end of the incubation period for the indicated
Each supervirus description contains the follow-
length of time.
ing information.
Symptoms: The tangible signs of the disease.
Origin: Superviruses are either naturally occur-
Primary Infection: The game effects of the
ring or weaponized. A natural supervirus emerges
infection. In most postapocalyptic settings, the pri-
from nature; a weaponized virus is created or
mary infection will have been spread in the past;
improved in a lab for use in biological weapons.
at the present time, most if not all of the members
Type: This entry gives the method by which the
of the population are immune to a supervirus’s
virus is spread, along with the DC of the Fortitude
primary infection. However, they can still be laid
save to avoid catching the disease. In addition to
low by a secondary infection (see below) that is
the methods by which standard diseases are spread
still circulating.
(ingestion, inhalation, or injury), some supervi-
ruses are spread by contact; touching the flesh of
an infected creature delivers the disease.
Brain Blast
Origin: Weaponized.
Inhaled superviruses can be delivered on the
Type: Inhaled, Fort DC 22.
breath of an infected individual. Any creature that
Incubation Period: 1d4 days.
comes within 5 feet of an infected creature must
Carrier: Yes (1d6 days).
make a Fortitude saving throw to avoid catching
Symptoms: Headache, the manifestation of
the disease.

54
random psionic powers, confusion, stupor, and
Inhaled or contact type diseases can be spread
coma. Most victims are comatose within 24 hours
by infected corpses as well as still-living creatures.
of presenting symptoms and wither to death in the
For each day the corpse has been dead, the DC of
days or weeks that follow.
the Fortitude save to avoid catching the disease is
RULES MODULES

Primary Infection: Once every 1d8 hours,

reduced by 1.
roll d% and consult the table below. The infected
Incubation Period: The amount of time before
character manifests the given psionic power as a
the primary infection occurs. Unless otherwise
10th-level manifester, ignoring the power point
noted, the infected creature is not contagious until
cost. When the psionic power is manifested, the
the primary infection begins.
character takes 1d6 points of Intelligence drain,
Carrier: If this entry is “Yes,” an infected crea-
and when the character’s Intelligence reaches 0,
ture can carry the disease without suffering its
he enters an irreversible coma. In a comatose state,
effects. If the disease can be carried, a creature
the character cannot feed himself and suffers the
that makes its Fortitude save successfully, but
effects of starvation unless hospitalized.

d% Power
Superviruses in Play 01–15 Lightning strike
As with radiation sickness (see the Radiation 16–35 Concussion
in Play sidebar on page 15), a slow death—or 36–50 Levitate
even a quick one—in the grip of a supervirus 51–70 Mind darts
doesn’t make for a very fun game. Supervi- 71–85 Fire bolt
ruses can add color and tension to a posta- 86–100 Brain lock
pocalyptic campaign, but they can also wipe
out a party of heroes in a quick and unsatis- Ebola
fying manner. Origin: Natural.
In play, a supervirus is best used as a
Type: Contact/Inhaled, Fort DC 21.
McGuffin—a story element that motivates the
players and perhaps puts a little fear into Incubation Period: 2d10 days.
their hearts. If the heroes are faced with the Carrier: Yes (2d4 days).
prospect of infection, they should be given Symptoms: Flulike symptoms, diarrhea, vom-
sufficient warning and resources to do some- iting, and rash, followed by severe internal and
thing about it. A race against time to find the external bleeding.
ruins of a secret government lab that holds Primary Infection: The victim is shaken for
the vaccine that counteracts the virus can 24 hours. The following day, and on all following
make for a compelling and tense adventure. days until the victim dies or recovers, the victim
Likewise, the knowledge that some geo- takes 2d4 points of Constitution damage and is
graphical areas are still heavily infected with
nauseated.
a supervirus will discourage the heroes from
exploring those areas—until your adventures
require them to go there, at which time they’ll The Rot
do so with great trepidation. Origin: Weaponized.
These virulence rules can add a whole new Type: Contact/Inhaled, Fort DC 19.
dimension to your game—but only if they’re Incubation Period: 1d4 days.
used sparingly and with a lot of thought. Carrier: No.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 54 4/1/05 12:07:13 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Symptoms: Flulike symptoms, rash, open sores,
and disintegrating skin.
Secondary Infections
Secondary infections occur when superviruses
Primary Infection: The victim is shaken, and
mutate and are reintroduced into populations
takes 1d6 points of Constitution damage per day.
immune to the original disease. Any character
not immune to the original disease suffers the
Lassa Fever effects of its original form; those who have immu-
Origin: Weaponized.
nity suffer a milder form, possibly with different
Type: Contact, Fort DC 25.
symptoms and effects.
Incubation Period: 2d10 days.
When an immune character encounters a
Carrier: No.
disease’s secondary infection, he makes all Forti-
Symptoms: Flulike symptoms, chest, abdomi-
tude saving throws to resist the disease with a +5
nal, and back pain, vomiting, diarrhea, internal
bonus.
bleeding, and seizures.
To determine the effect of a disease’s secondary
Primary Infection: The victim is nauseated,
infection, roll on Table 2–27: Supervirus Secondary
and takes 1d3 points of Strength drain per day.
Infections. A single disease can have multiple sec-
When the character’s Strength reaches 0, he begins
ondary infections. For example, in a postapocalyptic
to take Constitution drain.
world devastated by super flu, different second-
ary infections might sweep through the surviving
Miry Virus population every few months.

55
Origin: Natural.
Blindness: For 1d4 days, the infected creature
Type: Inhaled, Fort DC special (see Primary
is blinded.
Infection).
Chills: The infected character takes 1d4 points
Incubation Period: 1d4 days.
of Strength damage, 1d4 points of Constitution

RULES MODULES
Carrier: Yes (2d10 days).
damage, and 1d4 points of Wisdom damage. He
Symptoms: Memory loss, difficulty speaking,
runs a fever that lasts for 1d4 days, during which
and seizures.
time he is fatigued. (The subject cannot remove
Primary Infection: The infected subject takes
this condition through rest.)
1 point of Intelligence drain per day. When the
Hemophilia: For 1d10 days, whenever the
character’s Intelligence reaches 0, he enters an
character takes damage, he suffers severe bleed-
irreversible coma. In a comatose state, the char-
ing, resulting in 1 additional point of damage per
acter cannot feed himself and suffers the effects
round. This loss is cumulative; if the character is
of starvation unless hospitalized.
attacked and damaged twice, he loses 2 hit points
This disease targets adults, often bypassing chil-
per round. The bleeding can be stopped with a
dren. The Fortitude save DC to resist Miry Virus is
successful Treat Injury check (DC 15; each wound
equal to 5 + the subject’s age.
requires its own check) or the application of any
FX effect that restores hit points (a single FX effect
Smallpox stops all bleeding).
Origin: Weaponized.
Lesions: For 1d6 days, the infected creature’s
Type: Inhaled, Fort DC 20.
body is covered with painful lesions. Wearing
Incubation Period: 2d8 days.
restrictive clothing (including any form of armor)
Carrier: Yes (2d6 days).
results in constant pain and causes the character
Symptoms: Flulike symptoms, rash, and skin
to be shaken. Furthermore, the skin’s sensitivity
pustules.
and weakness results in a +1 bonus on all damage
Primary Infection: The subject takes 1d3 points
rolls following successful attacks on the subject.
of Constitution damage per day for 4d4 days. If
Vomiting: For 2d4 days, the infected creature
the subject survives for this period, the disease is
is nauseated.
cured and the subject begins to heal.

Super Flu Table 2–27:

Supervirus Secondary Infections
Origin: Weaponized. d% Effect
Type: Contact/Inhaled, Fort DC 24. 01–20 Blindness
Incubation Period: 2 days. 21–40 Chills
Carrier: Yes (1d6 days). 41–60 Hemophilia
Symptoms: Flulike symptoms, massive phlegm 61–80 Lesions
discharge, and internal bleeding. 81–100 Vomiting
Primary Infection: The subject is exhausted.
(The subject cannot improve this condition to
fatigued through rest.) The subject takes 1d4 points
of Constitution damage per day.

620_88046_Chpt2.indd 55 4/1/05 12:07:15 PM

 Chapter Three
CHARACTER
OPTIONS

Characters from d20 Apocalypse are quite similar

to the characters from the d20 Modern Roleplaying
Game. The same skills are used, though often in
different ways. Additional feats are available in
this genre, as well as two new advanced classes:
the Road Warrior and the Salvager.

STARTING
OCCUPATIONS
In a postapocalypse campaign, starting occu-
pations are normally representative of the
character’s life up to the start of the game. This is
often based on circumstance rather than choice—
very few denizens of the campaign have the
luxury of planning their careers.
A campaign set just five years after the
apocalypse will be filled with survivors who have
starting occupations based on a world that no
longer exists. In other words, in an Aftermath era
campaign (see page 11), characters old enough
to have been around before the cataclysm may
choose any starting occupation from the d20
Modern Roleplaying Game.
In later postapocalyptic eras, some occu-
pations simply don’t exist: The creative,
emergency services, entrepreneur,
investigative, student, and white collar
starting occupations cannot be used in
those eras. Even if a character fills one
of those roles (a large settlement might
have fire fighters, in the crudest sense),
the environment doesn’t really allow the
character to develop the strengths unique to
that career. Instead, most such characters have
the academic, adventurer, athlete, or law enforce-
ment occupation.

Academic
Academics are rare in postapocalyptic set-
tings and often closely guarded. Many
academics are the sages in their soci-
KA eties, preserving the wisdom of the
Firefight in an past and sharing it with their com-
abandoned subway tunnel munities. Others are advisors to petty

620_88046_Chpt3.indd 56 4/1/05 12:08:57 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
warlords and military commanders, who often have—and the lack of a lawful society only makes
value the secrets of the age of civilization. In some that lifestyle easier.
cases, an academic might simply be a character
who grew up in an abandoned library or old sur-
vival shelter packed with books.
Dilettante
While their numbers are greatly reduced after the
Because characters grow up fast after the apoca-
cataclysm, a few of these children of leisure still
lypse, an academic can be as young as 18.
exist. They are typically the offspring of powerful
warlords or the directors of well-stocked bunkers,
Adventurer who are treated like a new breed of royalty. Many
An adventurer is someone who, for whatever dilettantes are cruel and selfish, having been raised
reason, spends more than the usual amount of to believe that only through strength and ruthless-
time outside the relative safety of a community. ness can they keep the status they crave.
Most adventurers instead search ancient ruins for A dilettante may be as young as 15. Because a
items of value or strive for a life free of responsi- postapocalyptic world has different priorities even
bility to others. for a dilettante, such a character may take any one
After the apocalypse, an adventurer can be as Knowledge skill as a permanent class skill (he is
young as 12. not restricted just to current events and popular
culture).
Athlete
Though organized sports are rare, the need for
physical fitness in the demanding environment of
Doctor
Doctors are even more closely guarded in the
57
the postapocalypse is universal. Many survivors, postapocalyptic world than academics, and it’s

CHARACTER OPTIONS
regardless of their lifestyles, qualify as athletes. not unheard of for survivors in one settlement or
Good physical skills and a dash of proficiency in nomadic band to raid another for the sole purpose
close combat serve any character well. of stealing away a doctor. Communities demand
that medical experts carefully pass on their skills
to successors in the society, and old medical texts
Blue Collar are more valuable than gold. A character with this
Life after the apocalypse is hard, and many survive
starting occupation has received specific training
by developing a range of hands-on skills. Although
in the field at the side of an older doctor.
few postapocalyptic characters have real jobs to
speak of, performance of the day-to-day tasks that
keep them alive often qualify them for the blue Law Enforcement
collar occupation. A disproportionate number of law enforcement
After the apocalypse, a blue collar character can personnel survived the apocalypse, aided by their
be as young as 12. training, experience, and equipment. This occupa-
tion covers anyone trained to protect others and
thwart criminals, including vigilantes, settle-
Celebrity ment lawmen, and dedicated do-gooders hoping
There are no movie stars in the postapocalypse
to rebuild civilization.
world, but gladiators, explorers, and stage actors
Because their skills are so important in the new
all have the possibility of becoming known over
era, characters with this occupation are taught
a wide area. These are not the glamorous stars of
early, changing the prerequisite age to 15.
yesteryear, however. Being a celebrity means little
more than having a name and a face known out-
side your own town and the wit to take advantage Military
of it. Even criminals and raiders may qualify as With their training and equipment, military char-
celebrities, if they play off their fame rather than acters are more likely than the average citizen
honing the skills that got them there. to survive the apocalypse. Also, their traditions
survive longer. Even if a military base becomes
a petty empire for its generals, the training and
Criminal discipline of its inhabitants is maintained for
Criminals make up a disproportionate percentage
years or even generations. These traditions can
of survivors in the early years because they have
even be carried over into mercenary companies
a knack for facing adversity, exploiting others,
and marauder bands when military survivors join
and taking advantage of any opportunity to get
such groups.
ahead. While the standard criminal occupation
is best suited to masters of subtlety—safecrackers,
con artists, and pickpockets—the skills offered by Religious
this occupation can also be honed in a postapoca- Though religion is less organized after the apoca-
lyptic world. When resources are scarce, many lypse, it’s no less popular. Characters with religious
are more than willing to take what they do not backgrounds may be members of surviving sects,
or may be part of a new cult that worships bombs,

620_88046_Chpt3.indd 57 4/1/05 12:09:07 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
mutations, or some charismatic leader. They are Craft (mechanical)
often sources of both inspiration and information, In addition to the normal uses of this skill, Craft
filling a role similar to that of academics. (mechanical) can be used to make ammunition
Despite the rigors of the postapocalyptic world, for firearms.
a character must be 23 years old to qualify for the Craft Ammunition: You can use this skill to
religious occupation—younger characters simply manufacture ammunition for firearms. Doing so
haven’t had time to develop both a firm under- requires raw materials in the form of shell casings
standing of their religion and the authoritative and mechanical parts (see Postapocalyptic Gear
demeanor to inspire followers. in Chapter 2).
Crafting ammunition is a moderate Craft task
(see Table 2–17, page 30). The amount of ammuni-
Rural tion crafted with a single check is ten bullets, or
For humanity and any of its societies to survive,
the number of shell casings used, whichever is less.
someone must work the fields. Like the athlete and
The type of ammunition made is the same as the
blue collar backgrounds, the rural occupation is
type of shell casings used.
extremely common and can represent anyone who
This use of the Craft (mechanical) skill can only
lives off the land or contributes to the well-being
be employed to create normal bullets for firearms
of a settlement. Most new societies are made up
that do not deal special damage or have a burst
largely of rural characters.
radius. For example, it cannot be used to create
After the apocalypse, a rural character can be

58
ammunition for the M79 grenade launcher.
as young as 12.
A character without an ammunition kit (see
page 27) takes a –4 penalty on Craft (mechanical)
SKILLS checks made to craft ammunition.
CHARACTER OPTIONS

Skills play a vital role in any d20 Modern Role-

playing Game setting. This is especially true in a
Repair (Int)
Use of the Repair skill normally requires making a
postapocalyptic game, since survival on a day-
Wealth check to obtain the necessary components,
to-day basis often depends upon a character’s
with the purchase DC set by the complexity of
resourcefulness. Characters must find, trade for,
the task. In a postapocalyptic game, Wealth isn’t
or make the items they rely on just to get by—and
used; instead, a character makes a parts check
that means using their skills to best advantage.
to see if he has sufficient components on hand.
Electrical parts are used in making Repair checks
Diplomacy (Cha) to predominantly electrical or electronic devices;
In a postapocalyptic setting, Diplomacy is commonly mechanical parts are used in making Repair checks
used when bartering (see page 23). Individuals to predominantly mechanical devices. See Making
interested in trade are generally indifferent to and Fixing Items, page 30.
a bartering character. Use the normal rules for
changing an NPC’s attitude to improve the rate
at which he’ll barter goods.
Research (Int)
Postapocalyptic campaigns rarely provide the
resources necessary to use the Research skill
Craft (Int) successfully. Without access to at least a sizable
Normal use of the Craft skill allows you to create collection of books, no Research check is possible.
a variety of items. Even with such access, Research checks are harder
The Craft (chemical) and Craft (pharmaceutical) than they are in the age of civilization. Refer to
skills are not generally practiced in the postapoca- the table below for modifiers to standard Research
lypse—the necessary labs and highly refined raw check DCs.
materials are no longer available.
Use of the Craft (electronic), Craft (mechanical), Resource DC Modifier
and Craft (structural) skills normally requires None No check possible
making a Wealth check to obtain the neces- Book collection (few hundred books) +20
sary components, with the purchase DC set by Small town library +15
Major branch library +10
the complexity of the task. In a postapocalyptic
Major library (central branch of +5
game, Wealth isn’t used; instead, a character university or large city library)
makes a parts check to see if he has sufficient
components on hand. Electrical parts are used
When setting the DC of a Research check, the
in making Craft (electronic) checks. Mechani-
type of information refers to the degree of restric-
cal parts are used in making Craft (mechanical)
tion on the information before the cataclysm. For
and Craft (structural) checks. See Making and
example, after the apocalypse, the maximum
Fixing Items, page 30.
operating depth of a Seawolf-class submarine may
not be a state secret, but the information remains
difficult to obtain.

620_88046_Chpt3.indd 58 4/1/05 12:09:08 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Because formal recordkeeping is spotty at best Benefit: You take no penalty on attack rolls
after the apocalypse, Research can rarely if ever when using improvised weapons (see page 109 of
be used to find information from after the time of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game).
the apocalypse. Normal: You take a –4 penalty on attack rolls
when using improved weapons.
Survival (Wis) Mounted Combat
The postapocalyptic environment offers several
You are skilled in mounted combat.
new uses for the Survival skill, including avoid-
Prerequisite: Ride 1 rank.
ing mishaps in damaged buildings (see Exploring
Benefit: Once per round when your mount is
Unsafe Structures, page 17) and avoiding postapoca-
hit in combat, you may attempt a Ride check (as a
lyptic environmental dangers (see Environmental
reaction) to negate the hit. The hit is negated if your
Hazards, page 39).
Ride check result is greater than the opponent’s
In addition, new uses of the skill include the
attack roll.
following.
Cover Tracks: When on foot or riding a mount
(but not when riding a vehicle), you can disguise
Mutation Damage Boost
You can make one of your damage-causing muta-
evidence that you have passed through the area.
tions more devastating.
Upon a successful Survival check, the DC to track
Prerequisites: Constitution 13, must possess a
you is increased by 5 + your Wisdom modifier.

59
mutation that deals hit point damage.
Trailblazing: When moving through under-
Benefit: When you take this feat, you choose
brush, tall grasses, or heavy weeds, with a light
one of your mutations that deals hit point damage.
slashing weapon in one hand, you can move at
You can deal more damage with that mutation. You
your normal speed without taking damage if you

CHARACTER OPTIONS
must state that you’re using this ability before the
succeed on a check. (You normally move at half
attack roll is made. If the attack hits, you deal an
speed though such obstructions.) You may not
extra 1d6 points of damage; if the attack misses,
run when trailblazing, but you can take a double
the ability is spent and wasted. You can use this
move.
feat a number of times per day equal to 1 + your
Foliage Type Survival DC Constitution bonus.
Thorns and briars 25 Special: You may take this feat multiple times.
Bushes and small trees 20 Its effects do not stack. Each time you take this feat,
Dense weeds 15 it applies to a different mutation.
Tall grass 12
Mutation Immunity
Time: When covering tracks, you must make Your body shrugs off the effects of mutations.
a Survival check every mile, and your overland Prerequisite: Great Fortitude.
movement rate is reduced by half. When trailblaz- Benefit: You are immune to mutations. You
ing, you must make a check every round that you never gain mutations or drawbacks.
attempt to move through dense vegetation. Special: You cannot choose this feat if you
Try Again: No. already possess a mutation.
Special: You cannot trailblaze and cover tracks
at the same time. Rad Soaker
You are less susceptible to radiation than most
people.
FEATS Prerequisite: Great Fortitude.
Benefit: You have a mild form of radiation
The following are feats appropriate for use in d20
resistance. You treat an irradiated area or radia-
Apocalypse. Not all of these feats are useful in every
tion source as one degree weaker for the purpose
postapocalyptic setting; ask your GM before taking
of determining radiation exposure (severe becomes
any of these feats.
high, high becomes moderate, moderate becomes
low, low becomes mild, and you are unaffected by
Expert Scrounger mild exposure).
You have a knack for finding valuable items in
Special: The effects of this feat do not stack with
detritus that others have overlooked in previous
the radiation resistance mutation (page 44).
searches.
Prerequisite: Search 8 ranks.
Benefit: You gain a +5 bonus on Search checks
Sense Mutation
You can sense if another creature possesses some
when scavenging (see page 18).
form of subtle mutation.
Benefit: If you spend a full-round action
Fight with Anything observing a creature within 30 feet of you, you can
You are adept at fighting with improvised weap-
determine whether or not it is a mutant. Make a
ons.
Spot check opposed by the target’s Disguise check.
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +4.

620_88046_Chpt3.indd 59 4/1/05 12:09:10 PM

 Driving a hard bargain—
ammo for fuel

setting. The following advanced classes need no

modification to use in d20 Apocalypse: Soldier,
Martial Artist, Gunslinger, Infiltrator, Daredevil,
Bodyguard, and Negotiator.
The classes discussed below may be modified
slightly to reflect the unique circumstances that
exist in this setting.

Techie
To reflect the general lack of components with
which to modify equipment and build robots, the
Techie must expend mechanical or electrical parts
(as required for the device). See Making and Fixing
Items, page 30, for more information.

Investigator
The Investigator still gets her contacts, but
they should be specific to the genre. These
contacts could include waste nomads, salvag-
ers, militia members, barbarian tribesmen,
and settlers.
CHARACTER OPTIONS

Personality
Because of the lack of mass media, the Personality
(If the target is not the same species as you, it gets changes from a superstar recognized by all to a
a +5 bonus on its check.) If you win the opposed charismatic individual whose fame precedes her.
check, you know whether or not the creature has When she uses the unlimited access class ability,
any mutations, but not the number or types of muta- the situations change to fit the postapocalyptic
tions. If you beat the target’s Disguise check by 5 or setting. See below for examples of how a Person-
more, you can correctly identify all the creature’s ality in d20 Apocalypse can “upgrade” a service or
cosmetic mutations and drawbacks (but not minor goods purchase.
or major mutations). If you beat the check by 10
or more, you correctly identify all the creature’s Upgrade Diplomacy DC
mutations, including minor and major ones. Cleaner/safer living quarters 10
Special: If you fail the opposed check by 5 or Additional food 15
Better quality equipment 20
more, you cannot attempt another check against
Asking for the bargainer’s last item 25
the same creature for 24 hours.

Shrewd Bargainer ROAD WARRIOR

You are skilled in the art of haggling.
Prerequisite: Diplomacy 4 ranks. The Road Warrior vies for supremacy on the crum-
Benefit: When bartering goods (see page 23), bling roads of the postapocalyptic world. On the
you may add your Intelligence modifier (if any) empty highways bands of Road Warriors, both
to your Diplomacy check. marauders and crusaders, maintain and salvage
the best vehicles they can acquire for the purpose
Thrifty Mechanic of dominating the routes between settlements. For
You are adept at using as few parts as possible when the Road Warrior, a vehicle is both armor and
building or modifying vehicles or equipment. weapon, and battles take place at speeds some-
Prerequisites: Intelligence 13, Repair 8 times reaching a hundred miles per hour. A few
ranks. Road Warriors apply their skills with small air-
Benefit: When building, fixing, or modifying craft and take to the sky rather than doing battle
equipment (see Making and Fixing Items, page 30), on the roadways.
reduce the number of parts used by an amount Groups of malign Road Warriors are commonly
equal to your Intelligence bonus (to a minimum interested in controlling heavily traveled routes
of 1 part). between settlements so that they can extort trade
goods. When not harassing other motorists, Road
Warrior bands often raid settlements. While the
ADVANCED CLASSES accumulation of booty benefits these groups, their
main goal is usually the acquisition of fuel.
All the advanced classes in the d20 Modern Role-
On the other end of the spectrum are those who
playing Game have their place in a postapocalyptic
take to the roads trying to end the tyranny of the

620_88046_Chpt3.indd 60 4/1/05 12:09:12 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Table 3–1: The Road Warrior
Class Base Attack Fort Ref Will Defense Reputation
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Bonus Bonus
1st +0 +1 +1 +0 Improved vehicle modification +1 +0
2nd +1 +2 +2 +0 Improved retain control +1 +0
3rd +2 +2 +2 +1 Bonus feat +2 +0
4th +3 +2 +2 +1 Shot on the move +2 +0
5th +3 +3 +3 +1 Skillful boarding +3 +1
6th +4 +3 +3 +2 Bonus feat +3 +1
7th +5 +4 +4 +2 Off-roader +4 +1
8th +6 +4 +4 +2 Collision control +4 +1
9th +6 +4 +4 +3 Bonus feat +5 +2
10th +7 +5 +5 +3 Free driving +5 +2

gangers. These crusaders are just as dependent when making vehicle modifications (see page 31)
upon fuel as their malicious counterparts, but they equal to one-half her class level (rounded down).
salvage what they can from wrecks and abandoned
vehicles, and attempt to find more peaceful ways Improved Retain Control
of obtaining fuel through trade. At 2nd level a Road Warrior becomes better able
to control her vehicle in difficult circumstances.

61
She receives a +2 competence bonus when making
Requirements a Drive check to retain control of her vehicle.
To qualify to become a Road Warrior, a character
must fulfill the following criteria.
Base Attack Bonus: +2.
Bonus Feat
At 3rd, 6th, and 9th level, a Road Warrior gets a
Skills: Craft (mechanical) 4 ranks, Drive 6
bonus feat. The bonus feat must be selected from
ranks.
the following list, and the Road Warrior must meet
all the prerequisites of the feat to select it.
Class Information Advanced Firearms Proficiency, Aircraft
The following information pertains to the Road Operation, Archaic Weapons Proficiency, Armor
Warrior advanced class. Proficiency (light), Armor Proficiency (medium),
Brawl, Burst Fire, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Double
Hit Die Tap, Expert Scrounger*, Far Shot, Great Cleave,
The Road Warrior gains 1d8 hit points per level. Improved Brawl, Improved Knockout Punch, Muta-
The character’s Constitution modifier applies. tion Immunity*, Power Attack, Rad Soaker*, Thrifty
Mechanic*, Vehicle Dodge, Vehicle Expert.
Action Points
A Road Warrior gains a number of action points *Indicates a feat described in this chapter.
equal to 6 + one-half her character level, rounded
down, every time she attains a new level in this Shot on the Move
class. At 4th level, a Road Warrior is highly skilled at
timing her attacks. She may take an attack action
Class Skills at any point during her vehicle’s movement.
The Road Warrior’s class skills are as follows.
Balance (Dex), Craft (mechanical), Demolitions Skillful Boarding
(Int), Drive (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), At 5th level, a Road Warrior becomes
Knowledge (current events, tactics) (Int), Listen skilled at jumping onto the exterior
(Wis), Navigate (Int), Pilot, Read/Write Language of the vehicles of her enemies.
(none), Ride (Dex), Speak Language (none), Spot When making a
(Wis), Survival (Wis). Jump check
Skill Points at Each Level: 5 + Int modifier. to jump

Class Features
The following features pertain to the Road
Warrior advanced class.

Improved Vehicle
Modification
A Road Warrior is adept at CT
modifying vehicles. She gains a
competence bonus on Craft
(mechanical) checks

A Road Warrior and her ride

620_88046_Chpt3.indd 61 4/1/05 12:09:16 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
between moving vehicles while moving, a Road
Warrior gets a bonus equal to her class level.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Salvager, a character must
fulfill the following criteria.
Off-Roader Skills: Disable Device 6 ranks, Repair 6 ranks,
At 7th level, a Road Warrior’s skills off-road
Search 6 ranks.
become highly developed. The check/roll modi-
Feat: Expert Scrounger*.
fier for the vehicle’s speed category is not doubled
*Indicates a feat described in this chapter.
when a Road Warrior drives off-road. The Drive
check penalty for the terrain type (see page 36)
still applies. Class Information
The following information pertains to the Salvager
Collision Control advanced class.
At 8th level, a Road Warrior has perfected the art
of using the capabilities of one vehicle against the Hit Die
inherent weaknesses of another, able to expertly The Salvager gains 1d6 hit points per level. The
land a crippling blow against her opponent’s character’s Constitution modifier applies.
vehicle when ramming. At the Road Warrior’s
discretion, the smallest vehicle involved in a Action Points
collision may be treated as though it is one size The Salvager gains a number of action points equal

62
larger or smaller for the purpose of determin- to 6 + one-half his character level, rounded down,
ing the damage caused by the collision. A Road every time he attains a new level in this class.
Warrior may use this ability even if she did not
instigate the collision. Class Skills
CHARACTER OPTIONS

The Salvager’s class skills are as follows.

Free Driving Computer Use (Int), Craft (electronic, mechanical)
At 10th level, a Road Warrior has perfected the skill (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Dis-
of combat while behind the wheel. She is able to able Device (Int), Drive (Dex), Knowledge (current
drive any ground vehicle as a free action. (Drive events, earth and life sciences, physical sciences,
checks made to perform a second stunt require a technology) (Int), Navigate (Int), Read/Write Lan-
move action.) guage (none), Repair (Int), Search (Int), Speak
Language (none), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis).
Skill Points at Each Level: 7 + Int modifier.
SALVAGER
The Salvager is a master scrounger, adept at finding Class Features
long-lost treasures and useful items in the wastes The following features pertain to the Salvager
of the apocalypse. He has an uncanny knack for advanced class.
locating items that others have overlooked, as
well as being able to repair gear that appears too Bargainer
mangled to be worth anything. A Salvager can be A Salvager is a skilled negotiator when it comes to
a community’s savior, finding goods needed for getting the most for the materials he’s scrounged.
survival, or he might be a stingy merchant who When making a Diplomacy check to affect the
sells his find to the highest bidder. attitude of an NPC with whom he is bartering, a
Select this advanced class if you want your char- Salvager receives a +2 competence bonus.
acter to excel at finding and making the most of
useful goods among the dwindling resources of Jury-Rig
the postapocalyptic world. A Salvager gains a +1 competence bonus on Repair
The fastest path into this advanced class is from checks made to attempt temporary or jury-rigged
the Smart hero basic class, though other paths are repairs. See the Repair skill, page 70 of the d20 Modern
possible. Roleplaying Game, for details on jury-rigging.

Table 3–2: The Salvager

Class Base Attack Fort Ref Will
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Bargainer, jury-rig +1
2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Scavenger, mishap sense +1
3rd +2 +1 +1 +3 Bonus feat
4th +3 +1 +1 +4 Jury-rig +2
5th +3 +1 +1 +4 Mishap sense +2
6th +4 +2 +2 +5 Bonus feat
7th +5 +2 +2 +5 Jury-rig +3, treasure from trash
8th +6/+1 +2 +2 +6 Mishap sense +3
9th +6/+1 +3 +3 +6 Bonus feat
10th +7/+2 +3 +3 +7 Jury-rig +4, master scavenger

620_88046_Chpt3.indd 62 4/1/05 12:09:20 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
This ability increase to +2 at 4th level, +3 at 7th Treasure from Trash
level, and +4 at 10th level. At 7th level, a Salvager may spend an action point
when making a Repair check on improvised or jury-
Scavenger rigged equipment to make the repair permanent,
At 2nd level, the Salvager adds one-half his Salvager allowing the item to be used normally.
class level (rounded down) to all Search checks
when scavenging (see Scavenging, page 18). Master Scavenger
At 10th level, a Salvager’s instincts become so acute
Mishap Sense that he can find items that others simply overlook.
Starting at 2nd level, a Salvager has an intuitive Once per day, when the Salvager finds miscel-
sense that alerts him to danger from potential laneous items while scavenging, he can choose
mishaps in damaged structures (see Exploring to roll on the table below instead of the normal
Unsafe Structures, page 17), giving him a +1 bonus miscellaneous items table.
on Reflex saves made to avoid mishaps. These
bonuses increase by 1 every three Salvager levels d% Item d% Item
thereafter (5th and 8th level). 01–05 Ammunition kit1 50–52 Glock 17
Any bonuses the Salvager has from the trap sense 06–08 Beretta 92F 53–57 Laser sight
09–15 Chainsaw 58–60 Light-duty vest
class feature apply to mishaps and stack with the
16–22 Climbing gear 61–67 Lockpick set
Salvager’s bonuses from this class feature.
23–25 Colt M1911 68–70 M16A2

Bonus Feats
At 3rd, 6th, and 9th level, a Salvager gains a bonus
26–28 Colt Python

29–31 Concealable vest

71–73

74–80
Night-vision
goggles
Portable stove
63
feat. The bonus feat must be selected from the fol- 32–36 Deluxe electrical 81–87 Standard scope

CHARACTER OPTIONS
lowing list, and the Salvager must meet all the tool kit
prerequisites of the feat to select it. 37–41 Deluxe mechanical 88–94 Surgery kit
Alertness, Archaic Weapon Proficiency, Builder, tool kit
Endurance, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Fight with 42–44 Electrical 95–97 Toiletries kit1
generator1
Anything*, Gearhead, Great Fortitude, Lightning
45–49 Electro-optical 98–100 Undercover vest
Reflexes, Low Profile, Meticulous, Personal Fire-
binoculars
arms Proficiency, Renown, Shrewd Bargainer*, 1 Indicates a new item described in Chapter 2.
Thrifty Mechanic*, Surface Vehicle Operation.
*Indicates a feat described in
this chapter.
A Salvager can turn
scrounged parts into
a working vehicle

620_88046_Chpt3.indd 63 4/1/05 12:09:22 PM

 Chapter Four
EARTH INHERITED

Angel battles fiend

for the right to rule
the ruined world

“It’s been years since the gates of Heaven and Hell

opened up, taking the blessed and damned to their
respective ends. That leaves us—the so-called “meek”
. . . what a joke!—to pick up the scraps. And we’re not
letting either side finish what they started.”
—An anonymous member of
the Avengers of Humanity

SUMMARY
In the not-too-distant future, the Rapture comes
to pass—the faithful are whisked away to Heaven
and the damned dragged to Hell. The survivors,
known as the meek, must survive in a world still
full of angels and fiends, who have likewise been
abandoned to their fates.

CAMPAIGN
IN BRIEF
Earth Inherited presents a campaign set-
ting in which humanity has undergone
its final test of faith. A huge proportion
of the world’s population disappeared in
an event known as the Rapture; many
of those left behind have been killed in
the events that followed.
When the mythical seventh seal
was broken, the gates of Heaven and
Hell opened up, bathing the world in a
blend of holy and infernal power. Those
who had led lives of altruism, faith,
love, and good will toward others
were taken away to a blissful
afterlife, while those who were
evil, selfish, and malicious
were dragged into eternal
torment. This event hap-
pened in the blink of an
eye; people disappeared
off the streets and even
out of moving vehicles. One
moment they were there—the
next, all that was left was a
KA pile of clothes. . . .

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 64 4/1/05 12:11:40 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
The Rapture was not limited to Christians—Mus- the wastelands in pursuit of their own goals. They
lims, Hindus, Buddhists, and members of every may decide to try to rebuild civilization or to create
faith were affected, presumably spirited away to something new from the ashes and rubble. As the
their faiths’ respective places of paradise or tor- forces of Heaven and Hell dwindle, the heroes may
ment. Even those who proclaimed no religious find allies among the angels and enemies among
affiliation, but nonetheless led admirable or the fiends—or vice versa—as everyone, human, angel,
depraved lifestyles, were whisked away during the and fiend, comes to question their abandonment
Rapture. Those who were left behind were noted and the unending battle. The heroes may rally
for a lack of faith or belief in almost anything of behind an angelic, fiendish, or human force in
a spiritual nature. an effort to carve out their niche in the world.
Following the wholesale departure of most of
humanity, masses of angelic and fiendish beings
flooded the Earth to wage a terrible war upon each CAMPAIGN TRAITS
other, oblivious of those who stood in their way. The
In the Earth Inherited setting, d20 Modern and
empty cities were soon ablaze from the war between
the apocalyptic scripture of the world’s religions
these armies of Heaven and Hell and millions of
collide. The setting combines the classic survival
remaining humans were killed in the crossfire.
story with overtones of religious zealotry, spiritual
Whether by design or accident, however, it seems
questioning, and the sheer primal impulse to stay
that the gates of Heaven and Hell have been closed
alive in a world that has been abandoned.

65
behind their denizens, leaving them to their fate in
This campaign is set in the Aftermath era (see
the Earthly realm. If anybody knows who won the
page 11).
celestial war—or even if it’s over—nobody’s saying.
The angels and fiends continue to follow their origi-
Department-7 in

EARTH INHERITED
nal missions, but their apparent abandonment on
Earth doesn’t seem to be part of the plan.
What’s left of humanity does have one thing
Earth Inherited
Although severely reduced in strength and numbers
working in its favor—technology. This campaign is
following the Rapture, Department-7 still exists in
set in the near future, and technology has advanced
the postapocalyptic world, and still works to help
to the point at which robotics, advanced firearms,
humanity survive.
and other high-tech items are not uncommon.
Because of its deep interest in the spiritual and
Angels and fiends have taken physical form on
religious realms, Department-7 theologians and
Earth, and humans have found them to be vul-
scholars foresaw the approach of the final days
nerable to bullets, fire, and other weapons. Angels
and prepared accordingly. Stockpiles of food,
may be the manifestation of righteousness and
equipment, and weapons were squirreled away, and
splendor, but a 10mm bullet puts a hole through
agents received a crash course in basic survival
them like any other creature.
skills. When the Rapture occurred, Department-7
Whether battling hordes of vile fiends from the
felt that it had done everything possible to ensure
cockpit of a 10-ton mecha or grappling a mighty
its survival. It was barely enough.
angel on the roof of a shattered skyscraper, the
Many Department-7 personnel disappeared
heroes of Earth Inherited are caught in a bleak
during the Rapture, but a surprisingly large
struggle of survival against the forces of Heaven
number remained behind. Perhaps their clinical,
and Hell.
doubting nature meant that few of Department-7
personnel had the moral certainty to be taken by
ROLE OF one side or the other. Or perhaps their training in
the arcane and divine arts had “shielded” Depart-
THE HEROES ment-7 agents against the Rapture. In truth, no
one knows.
The heroes of Earth Inherited are grim survivors In the postapocalypse, Department-7’s mandate
in a nearly empty world left to its own fate. After is to rebuild civilization. In doing so, it hopes to
the Rapture, the world is a dangerous, uncertain avoid the human failings that some say brought
place—fiends and angels (not to mention unscrupu- about the apocalypse in the first place—racism,
lous survivors) prowl the vacant ruins. Survival is religious and ethnic intolerance, and the like. How-
a day-to-day affair—the cities have been decimated, ever, the remaining Department-7 leaders realize
the fields destroyed, and all semblance of order that humanity hasn’t changed all that much since
and law have disappeared. Still, isolated towns the Rapture—and in fact must make due without
may have escaped the worst of the post-Rapture many of its most righteous members—and thus
combat, and these can be strongholds or looting they move both slowly and cautiously.
sites for the survivors left behind. Department-7 has access to some preapocalyptic
The heroes may fill many roles in this setting, technology, including medicine, communications
acting as avengers of humanity’s downfall, mer- gear, and military grade weapons. It has small
cenaries who sell their talents to settlements too outposts scattered across the globe, usually care-
weak to defend themselves, or loners who walk fully hidden away.

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 65 4/1/05 12:11:48 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Department-7 uses the heroes to
advance its goals—exploring ruins,
scavenging for bits of technology,
fuel, and food, looking for enclaves of
survivors, and finding ways to banish
the remaining angels and fiends from
the surface of the Earth forever.

Progress Level
and Rules
Earth Inherited makes use of all the
rules in this book except environmen-
tal hazards, mutation, and virulence.
Some monsters are inappropriate, and
radioactive regions are rare (although
nuclear weapons may have been em-
ployed here and there by the remnants
of the military against the invading

66
infernal and celestial forces). The
default Progress Level is PL 6
(giving humanity access to ad-
vanced weapons, cybernetics, and
EARTH INHERITED

mecha, all of which are described

in d20 Future), but you can choose
to eliminate higher-tech elements
and set the campaign against
a PL 5 background.

Magic and FX
Magic is rare—though not unheard
of—in the Earth Inherited setting.
After the Rapture, the gates to
Heaven and Hell sealed up, seem-
ingly forever. One effect of this event
was that divine magic disappeared.
Most of those of sufficient faith to
manifest divine magic were taken
away to their respective final ends.
Those few divine spellcasters who
remained found themselves cut off
from “the source,” presumably
because the divine powers
had turned their backs on
the world.
As a result, divine magic,
including the Acolyte ad-
vanced class, magic items of
a divine nature, and faith-
based FX abilities, do not work
in this setting—for humans, that is.
For unknown reasons, however, the
abilities of angels and fiends, presum-
ably fueled by divine power, continue
to function.
However, arcane magic still works
in this setting. Because arcane magic
draws its power from nondivine

Avengers of Humanity KK

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 66 4/1/05 12:11:50 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
sources, Mages and other arcane spellcasters found serious military hardware, including personal fire-
that they still possessed their abilities. arms, tanks, and even more advanced equipment
Psionic abilities are not used in the Earth Inher- that had been brought out in a last-ditch effort to
ited setting. fight the forces of Heaven and Hell.
Most Avengers of Humanity camps are built like
fortresses, capable of withstanding assaults from
POWER GROUPS the ground or the air. Avengers are extremely suspi-
cious: They have a “shoot first, ask questions later”
In the years since the Rapture, humanity has once
policy, even when it comes to humans attempting
again begun to regroup, coalescing into small
to join them. However, once an individual gets
settlements across the world. While most have no
inside one of their camps, he can find many of
particular agenda beyond daily survival, some
the creature comforts he once knew, along with a
have banded together around certain goals or
hot meal and camaraderie.
philosophies. In addition, some angels and fiends,
As the war rages on, some of these camps suc-
now left to their own devices, have also created
cumb to the predations of fiends, angels, and even
groups that compete for power.
traitorous humans. Lacking much in the way of
faith or hope, these grim survivors simply keep
The Avengers of going with the desire to avenge humanity’s fall
from grace.
Humanity
Agenda: Restore law and order; destroy remaining
angels and fiends.
Structure: Network of small communities.
The Damned
Agenda: Hedonistic self-gratification.
67
Symbol: A Roman fasces. Structure: Anarchic.

EARTH INHERITED
Most Common Allegiance: Order of the Symbol: Bloody red X.
Machine Most Common Allegiance: Individual fiends.

The survivors of the Rapture and the celestial The Rapture left those people who straddled the
war find themselves in a world without comfort, middle ground of morality and ethics—neither par-
without purpose, and without hope. Many of the ticularly good nor evil—to their own devices. This
survivors fall into a deep melancholy, burdened “reset” didn’t last long, however, because those left
by the fact that they were not deemed worthy behind were faced with a fight for their survival.
enough by either side, and begin to question their Some turned to help their fellows, discovering a
entire existence. goodness within themselves that had lain dormant
However, others pull themselves up by their before the Rapture, but others descended into bar-
bootstraps and look at their plight not as a curse, barism and brutality. The Damned is a group that
but as a blessing. They see the cleansing of most fell sway to the moral free-for-all that followed the
of humanity as a chance to “do things better,” Rapture. In the absence of even a pretense of heav-
without the greed, racism, and petty differences enly reward or infernal damnation, these people
that divided humanity in the first place. felt they could do whatever they wanted. Seeing
Underlying even the best of outlooks is a sense the destruction being dealt by angel, fiend, and
of betrayal and a desire to get even with the out- human alike, they embraced nihilism.
siders that still roam the Earth. The more militant Groups of the Damned frequently ally themselves
survivors, especially those who had previously with fiends. They revel in a hedonistic and brutal
belonged to military groups, band together with lifestyle that features a casual disregard for life.
two goals in mind: rebuilding civilization—and Most live in small encampments of ten to thirty
wreaking revenge. individuals, but the populations of some Damned
Calling themselves the Avengers of Humanity, settlements number in the thousands. These “towns”
these individuals scavenge together as much mili- are depraved in the extreme, with a large number
tary hardware as possible and create numerous of slaves kept for labor, entertainment, and in the
fortresses and camps in the wastelands and dev- worst cases, food.
astated cities of the world. From these strongholds, The Damned are utterly lawless and only pay
they try to maintain a semblance of the order and heed to strength. Powerful and ruthless leaders
familiarity they had in the past, while protecting who rule with iron fists run most settlements. Some
themselves from marauding bands of fiends and are ruled by fiends, who whip the Damned into a
powerful groups of angels bent of purifying any frenzy and offer them power and blood—mayhem
humans left behind. to those that oppose them.
The Avengers of Humanity are renowned for their The Damned are ideal opponents for the heroes,
tough, law-minded outlook—not for their sense of who may be the only force that stands between the
humor. They train their members in self-defense Damned and other human survivors.
and have access to (or have managed to scavenge)

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 67 4/1/05 12:12:00 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Some humans have always believed that good
The Heavenfire and evil are foolish, outdated concepts, and they
Coalition feel vindicated in their views by the events of the
Agenda: End the conflict between angels and apocalypse. In the aftermath, these humans tighten
fiends. their embrace of technology, seeing it as an alter-
Structure: Secret society. native to morality—machines have no concept or
Symbol: Ichthus (fish-shaped outline). use for ethics. This band of humans calls itself the
Most Common Allegiance: None. Order of the Machine and venerates technology
in all its forms.
After the Rapture, the gates of Heaven and Hell The Order of the Machine is made up of disillu-
stayed open long enough for hordes of angels and sioned scientists, engineers, information technology
fiends to stream out to wage the final war. But the professionals, and other tech-savvy individuals
gates closed behind them, and the beings stranded seeking to restore the glory of civilization in the
on Earth were shocked to find themselves aban- form of “the machine.” The Order makes extensive
doned—forever. use of robots, computers, and cybernetics, and
Most of the angels and fiends stayed the course, has gathered resources in an attempt to create an
focusing solely on their mission of eradicating their artificial intelligence.
foes regardless of the cost to themselves. However, The Order of the Machine is completely con-
some individuals contemplated their status, trying temptuous of anything resembling faith or belief

68
to fathom the reason they were left behind. They in the divine. To this group, the language of
began to question their original mission, and some mathematics, the cold logic of computing, and
looked to the remaining humans not as meaning- the power of the robotic form is far superior to
less leftovers, but as fellow prisoners, trapped on the frailty of the human body and soul. Members
EARTH INHERITED

the rotting husk of the Earth. band together in small collections of technologi-
These questioners eventually seek out like-minded cally minded individuals, scouring the wasteland
individuals. In the most unlikely of circumstances, for parts and functioning machinery, especially
the occasional angel and fiend meet—and find computers, robots, and other high-tech items.
common ground in their plight. Over time, this Members of the Order of the Machine can be
group forms a loose alliance, calling itself the allies or opponents of the heroes, depending on how
Heavenfire Coalition. While by no means a steady the heroes’ objectives and methods synch up with
or trustworthy group, the Heavenfire Coalition theirs. Department-7 sees the Order as a potentially
exists to bring about a truce between the warring valuable resource, if its members can be brought
factions of angels and fiends. around to a more humanistic viewpoint.
As could be imagined, these renegades are
considered utterly traitorous by their kind, and
thus keep their activities a secret, knowing that FRIENDS AND FOES
to be found out means death. The Coalition’s
The world in the setting of Earth Inherited is full
goals include finding sympathetic members to
of tough, cynical human survivors, vengeful angels,
bring into the fold, looking for common unity
sinister fiends, and the loyal machines of human-
and seeking answers to their abandonment. The
kind. However, despite having the embodiment
group is fractious at best. The angels adhere to
of good and evil present in the flesh, the lines in
a strict code of honor, and the fiends use under-
the celestial war have begun to blur. Some angels
handed and duplicitous methods to spread the
grow despondent because they are locked out of
Coalition’s mission.
Heaven, and a few fiends make unlikely alliances
Members are noted for a lack of zeal for their
with humans in order to survive.
original mission and a slight reduction in the
normal contempt for human survivors.
The members of the Heavenfire Coalition are Angels
likely allies for heroes looking to rebuild civi- The angels that descended from the heavenly realms
lization, although, despite a better outlook on are the embodiment of good—but a pure form of
humanity, members of the Coalition remain grat- goodness that is stern and unrelenting. Originally
ing and imperious. ordered to fight the fiends, they pay little attention
to the remaining humans. As a result, most angels
are self-righteous and unbending to an extreme.
Order of the Machine However, a few angels have begun to question
Agenda: Build a new society based on logic and
their fate, having seemingly been abandoned to
a rejection of the divine.
the mortal realm for reasons even they cannot
Structure: Network of small bands.
comprehend. Some of these have “gone renegade,”
Symbol: An electronic chip.
cooperating with or even actively helping humans,
Most Common A llegiance: Avengers of
and thinking twice before attacking absolutely every
Humanity.
fiend that they spot—especially if their chances of
surviving the combat are slim.

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 68 4/1/05 12:12:02 PM

 Seraph
Since they have now taken bodily
form, angels are slowly “devolving”
into true mortal beings. Angels have
found they must enter into a medita-
tive trance at least 4 hours per day
to retain their strength. While they
do not yet need to eat, some angels
have experienced strange pangs of
hunger—a concept that most angels
find extremely confusing and
disturbing.

Species Traits
Angels have the fol-
lowing traits.
Keen Sight (Ex):
Angels have darkvision
with a range of 60 feet and
low-light vision.
Aura of Menace (Su):
A righteous aura sur-
rounds angels who fight
or get angry. Any hos-
tile creature within a
20-foot radius of an angel must succeed on
a Will save or take a –2 penalty on attack
rolls, Defense, and saves for 24 hours or Cherub
until the creature successfully hits the
angel that generated the aura. A creature
that has resisted or broken the effect
cannot be affected again by the same
angel’s aura for 24 hours. The save DC varies
with the type of angel, is Charisma-based,
and includes a +2 racial bonus.
Immunities (Ex): An angel is immune
to electricity and petrification.
Save Bonuses: An angel has a +4 species bonus retain their weapons, most have taken to using
on saves against poison. human firearms.
Tongues (Sp): All angels can speak with any Cherubim resemble miniature, attractive
creature that has a language, as though using humans, with slender builds and lustrous white
a tongues spell (caster level 10th). This ability is hair. Their skin shimmers with a silver and golden
always active. sheen as though it were made of metal. The eyes
Soulless: Angels cannot be raised from the of a cherub are pure white and lack pupils—this
dead. has no impact on their vision, however. Two small,
Automatic Language: Angels read, write, and feathered wings sprout from a cherub’s back.
speak their own celestial language called Enochian. Although the wings seem too small, they allow
Other creatures may learn this language, if they the cherub to fly.
can find an angel willing to teach it to them. Cherubim stand 4 feet tall and weigh 90
pounds.
Cherub (Angel)
Cherubim (the plural of cherub) have been por- Cherub: CR 2; Small outsider; HD 2d8+2; hp 11; Mas
trayed in Earthly art as innocent, babylike figures 13; Init +3; Spd 20 ft., fly 40 ft. (average); Defense 19,
swaddled in cloth and shooting potential lovers touch 14, flat-footed 16 (+3 Dex, +1 size, +5 natural);
with arrows. However, true cherubim are actually BAB +2; Grap –1; Atk +5 melee (1d6+1, mastercraft
the lowest order of angels—majestic nonetheless— shortsword) or +6 ranged (2d6, HK MP5K); Full
and are among the most numerous. Cherubim Atk +5 melee (1d6+1, mastercraft shortsword) or +6
are commonly employed as foot soldiers (a slight ranged (2d6, HK MP5K); FS 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5
misnomer, because they have wings) for the forces ft.; SQ angel traits, command, damage reduction
of good. Those cherubim who have not gone ren- 5/+1, provoke emotion, true strike; AL law, good; AP
egade demur to the authority of higher-ranking 0; Rep +0; SV Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +2; Str 13, Dex 16,
angels. Cherubim originally came to Earth armed Con 13, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 14.
with bows and fine silvery swords; while some

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 69 4/1/05 12:12:04 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Skills: Diplomacy +4, Hide +9, Knowledge natural, +1 Dex, +5 armor); BAB +6; Grap +10; Atk +12
(theology and philosophy) +2, Listen +5, Move melee (1d8+5 plus 1d6 fire, +1 f laming longsword) or
Silently +5, Read/Write Enochian, Speak Eno- +7 ranged (2d6, OICW assault rifle); Full Atk +12/+7
chian, Spot +5. melee (1d8+5 plus 1d6 fire, +1 f laming longsword) or
Feats: Archaic Weapon Proficiency, Personal +7/+2 ranged (2d6, OICW assault rifle); FS 5 ft. by 5
Firearms Proficiency. ft.; Reach 5 ft.; SQ angel traits, command, damage
Aura of Menace (Su): Will DC 15 negates. reduction 10/+1, shout of righteousness; AL law,
Command (Sp): Once per day, a cherub may cast good; AP 0; Rep +0; SV Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +8; Str
command as if cast by a 7th-level Acolyte. 18, Dex 12, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 18.
Provoke Emotion (Su): Three times per day, when Skills: Diplomacy +10, Intimidate +11, Jump +4*,
a cherub attacks with a ranged weapon, it may Knowledge (theology and philosophy) +6, Knowledge
choose not to deal damage but instead to incite a (tactics) +6, Listen +9, Move Silently +2*, Read/Write
powerful emotion in the target. If the attack hits, Enochian, Speak Enochian, Search +6, Sense Motive
the target takes no damage, but must make a Will +8, Spot +9.
save (DC 13) or be overcome with one of the fol- *Includes armor check penalty.
lowing effects as chosen by the cherub at the time Feats: Armor Proficiency (medium), Archaic
of the attack. Weapon Proficiency, Personal Firearms Proficiency,
Fear: As cause fear as if cast by a 7th-level Weapon Focus (longsword).
Mage. Aura of Menace (Su): Will DC 19 negates.

70
Passion: The target is overwhelmed by a deep Command (Sp): Three times per day, a domin-
passion and is stunned for 1d4 rounds. ion may cast command as if cast by a 7th-level
Hatred: The creature immediately attacks the Acolyte.
nearest target, whether friend or foe. The creature Shout of Righteousness (Su): Once per day, a
EARTH INHERITED

may make a new saving throw every round; it dominion may release a powerful bellow that deals
continues to attack until it succeeds on the save. damage and cows weaker opponents. This effect
This ability is Charisma-based. fills a 30-foot cone and deals 2d6 points of sonic
True Strike (Sp): Once per day, a cherub may damage to any creature in the area. In addition,
make an attack as if it had been affected by the creatures in the affected area must make a Will
true strike spell as if cast by a 7th-level Mage. The save (DC 19) or be panicked for 1d3 rounds. Crea-
cherub may choose to use this attack in conjunc- tures with an allegiance to evil take a –4 penalty
tion with the provoke emotion ability described on this save.
above. This ability is Constitution-based.
Possessions: HK MP5K, 30 rounds of 9mm Possessions: OICW assault rifle, +1 f laming long-
ammunition, mastercraft shortsword (treat as sword, mastercraft chainmail shirt.
machete).
Seraph (Angel)
Dominion (Angel) Seraphim (the plural of seraph) are among the most
Dominions are the lieutenants of the angelic powerful of the angelic forces that remain on Earth.
orders, often commanding legions of cherubim They are the generals of the angelic army, as it
in their fight against fiends. Dominions are even still remains, and most continue to carry out their
more rigid and steadfast in their moral code than initial orders regardless of the fact that they have
cherubim are. Those that go renegade, however, been abandoned on Earth. Seraphim are almost
are even more jaded and cynical, having known completely unyielding in their beliefs or convic-
more of the majesty of Heaven that is now denied tions. The other angels defer to their authority, and
to them. most seraphim grant healthy respect to others of
Dominions appear as powerfully built humans their kind. However, cracks have begun to form in
with slightly blue-tinged skin. They have no hair, the unity between these commanders, and some
and their eyes resemble pools of molten gold. have begun to act of their own accord.
Two wings of multicolored hue sprout from the Seraphim appear as enormous humans with a
shoulder blades of a dominion. Dominions typi- nimbus of flame for hair. Their eyes glow with a
cally wear fine (if antiquated) chainmail armor deep blue light. Seraphim possess majestic wings
that glistens in the light. While many dominions with brilliant white feathers. A seraph gives
carry modern firearms, each also possesses a off heat that burns any creature that touches
magical longsword sheathed in flames, and they it. Seraphim wield massive swords sheathed in
take delight in wading into battle against the blue, holy flame and wear stylized breastplates
“fallen,” sword in hand. of silver and gold.
Dominions stand 7 feet tall and weigh 350 Seraphim stand 12 feet tall and weigh 500
pounds. pounds.

Dominion: CR 6; Medium-size outsider; HD Seraphim: CR 14; Large outsider; HD 16d8+48; hp

6d8+18; hp 45; Mas 17; Init +1; Spd 30 ft., fly 40 ft. 120; Mas 16; Init +2; Spd 30 ft., fly 80 ft. (clumsy);
(average); Defense 21, touch 11, flat-footed 20 (+5 Defense 32, touch 11, flat-footed 30 (+14 natural, +7

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 70 4/1/05 12:12:09 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
armor, +2 Dex, –1 size); BAB +16; Grap +25; Atk +23 three heads. In combat, a naberus can unleash
melee (2d8+7 plus 1d6 fire, +2 f laming greatsword a deafening yell that can damage and deafen
or +17 ranged; Full Atk +23/+18/+13/+8 melee (2d8+7 anyone nearby. They are cowardly creatures and
plus 1d6 fire, +2 flaming greatsword) or +17/+12/+7/+2 often wait until they outnumber an opponent by
ranged; FS 10 ft. by 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.; SQ angel at least three to one before attacking.
traits, blast of righteousness, damage reduction A naberus stands 4 feet tall and weighs 80
10/+2, heat, spells; AL law, good; AP 0; Rep +0; SV pounds.
Fort +13, Ref +12, Will +14; Str 20, Dex 14, Con 16, Int
16, Wis 18, Cha 23. Naberus: CR 1; Small outsider; HD 1d8+1; hp 5;
Skills: Climb +15, Concentration +15, Diplomacy Mas 13; Init +5; Spd 20 ft.; Defense 19, touch 14,
+25, Intimidate +25, Knowledge (theology and phi- flat-footed 16 (+5 armor, +3 Dex, +1 size); BAB +1;
losophy) +22, Knowledge (tactics) +22, Listen +20, Grap +0; Atk +5 melee (1d6+3, bite) or +5 ranged;
Read/Write Enochian, Search +22, Sense Motive Full Atk +5 melee (1d6+3, 3 bites) or +5 ranged; FS
+23, Speak Enochian, Spot +23, Survival +9. 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; SQ deafening yell, fiend
Feats: Armor Proficiency (medium), Archaic traits, immune to sonic damage, acid resistance
Weapon Proficiency, Cleave, Great Cleave, Power 5, summon fiend, weakness; AL chaos, evil; AP 0;
Attack, Weapon Focus (greatsword). Rep +0; SV Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +3; Str 16, Dex 16,
Aura of Menace (Su): Will DC 26 negates. Con 13, Int 6, Wis 13, Cha 10.
Spells: A seraph can use the following spells as Skills: Climb +4, Hide +8, Listen +8, Spot +8, Sur-

71
though cast by a 10th-level Acolyte (save DC 14 + vival +5.
spell level). At will—detect magical aura, light, bless, Feats: Alertness, Improved Initiative.
shield of faith. 3/day—cure light wounds, hold person. Bonus Skills: A naberus has a +2 species bonus on
1/day—cure moderate wounds, searing light. Survival checks and a +4 species bonus on Listen

EARTH INHERITED
Blast of Righteousness (Su): Three times per day, a and Spot checks.
seraph’s greatsword is capable of releasing a torrent Deafening Yell (Su): Three times per day, a
of holy fire in a 30-foot line that deals 5d6 points naberus can emit a cacophonous blast from its
of holy damage (creatures with an allegiance to combined heads. This effect fills a 30-foot cone
evil take double damage) and 5d6 points of fire and deals 2d6 points of sonic damage to any
damage to any creatures in its path. A creature may creature in the area. In addition, all creatures
make a Reflex save (DC 15) to reduce this damage in the affected area must make a Fortitude save
by half. (DC 11) or be deafened for 1d6 rounds. Additional
Heat (Sp): An enraged seraph generates heat attacks on the same creature deal damage, but
so intense that any creature that touches its do not extend the deafening effect. This ability
body takes 9d6 points of fire damage. Creatures is Constitution-based.
striking a seraph with an unarmed attack or a Immunity (Ex): A naberus has immunity to sonic
natural attack are subject to this damage, but damage and cannot be deafened.
creatures striking with melee weapons do not Acid Resistance 5 (Ex): A naberus ignores the first
take damage from the seraph’s heat. The save 5 points of damage from any attack that deals acid
DC is Constitution-based. damage.
Possessions: +2 f laming greatsword, +2 breast- Summon Fiend (Su): Once per day, a naberus can
plate. attempt to summon 1 naberus with a 20% chance
of success. This ability is the equivalent of a 2nd-
level spell.
Fiends Weakness (Su): A naberus has a strong aversion
It’s almost impossible to describe the number of
to holy symbols within 30 feet. If it fails a Will
shapes and sizes that the legions of fiends take.
save (DC 20) in such a circumstance, it takes a –2
They range from the tiniest of sinister imps and
morale penalty on attack rolls, damage rolls, and
bogeymen to the largest of unholy behemoths. All
skill checks until the holy symbol is no longer
the fiends from the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game
nearby.
are found in this campaign setting, along with
the fiends described here.
For fiend species traits, see page 234 of the d20
Marchocias (Bull Fiend)
Marchocias are tough, powerful fiends often
Modern Roleplaying Game.
found at the forefront of battles against angels;
they are the shock troops that inflict terrible
Naberus (Cacophonous Fiend) damage before letting smaller fiends clean up
A naberus is a small, fierce fiend that roams the
what is left. A marchocias is able to change its
waste in packs. It has a vaguely humanoid torso
shape into that of a human. In its natural form,
with three vulturelike heads sprouting from its
a marchocias resembles an infernal bull. Huge,
neck. Its arms are overly long in proportion to its
feathered wings sprout from its shoulders and a
torso and end in filthy talons. It is a dimwitted
deadly viper sits in place of a tail. A marchocias
being that can be easily fooled.
constantly breathes a poisonous vapor that, oddly,
A naberus communicates in horrible squawks
smells of roses.
and spends much of its time jabbering among its

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 71 4/1/05 12:12:11 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Despite their brutish demeanor, marchocias are Ref +6, Will +7; Str 21, Dex 10, Con 21, Int 15, Wis
cunning, intelligent fiends, savvy enough to strike 12, Cha 16.
bargains with weak-willed humans. In exchange Skills: Bluff +11, Climb +9, Concentration +10,
for its protection (for as long as its whims dictate) Diplomacy +13, Gather Information +9, Intimidate
and the occasional bit of knowledge that grants +13, Knowledge (arcane lore) +12, Knowledge (the-
power, a marchocias often gathers troops of humans ology and philosophy) +12, Listen +9, Read/Write
to fight and die on its behalf. Infernal, Search +6, Speak Infernal, Sense Motive
In its natural form, a marchocias stands nearly +6, Spot +9, Survival +5.
8 feet tall at the shoulder and weighs 1,000 pounds. Feats: Alertness, Improved Bull Rush, Power
In its human form, it stands 6 feet tall and weighs Attack, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Personal Fire-
200 pounds. arms Proficiency.
Human Form (Su): As a move action, a marchocias
Marchocias: CR 8; Large outsider; HD 9d8+45; hp can assume the form of a male human being. This
82; Mas 21; Init +0; Spd 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (clumsy); shape is always the same, and the marchocias
Defense 23, touch 9, flat-footed 13 (Defense 24, touch cannot mimic another person. The marchocias
10, flat-footed 14 in human form) (+14 natural, +0 retains its ability scores, prayer, and summon
Dex, –1 size); BAB +9; Grap +18 (+14 in human form); fiend abilities, and its weakness, but cannot fly
Atk +13 melee (1d8+5, gore) or +13 (1d6+5 plus poison, or use its breath weapon or poison while in this
bite) or +14 (1d4+5, slam in human form) or +9 ranged form. A marchocias can remain in either form

72
(2d6, HKMP5 in human form); Full Atk +13/+8 melee indefinitely.
(1d8+5, gore) and +9/+4 (1d6+5 plus poison, bite) or Bonus Feat: A marchocias gains the bonus feat
+14 (1d6+5, slam in human form) or +9/+4 ranged Alertness.
(2d6, HKMP5 in human form only); FS 10 ft. by 10 Breath Weapon (Su): A marchocias in its natural
EARTH INHERITED

ft. (5 ft. by 5 ft. in human form); Reach 10 ft. (5 ft. form can breathe a 60-foot cone of poisonous gas
in human form); SQ human form, breath weapon, once every 1d4 rounds (but no more than three
fiend traits, poison, prayer, summon fiends, weak- times per day). This poison produces the same
ness; AL chaos, evil; AP 0; Rep +0; SV Fort +11, effect as described below. Wearing a functioning
gas mask negates this effect.
Poison (Ex): A marchocias injects
venom with a successful hit by its
viper tail. The victim must suc-
ceed on a Fortitude save (DC
19) or take 1d6 points of
temporary Constitu-
tion damage; a second
Belphegor Fortitude save must be
made 1 minute later to
negate the venom’s
secondary damage
(2d6 points of Con-
stitution damage).
Prayer (Sp): A
marchocias con-
stantly produces an
effect identical to the
prayer spell as if cast by a
9th-level Acolyte.
Bonus Skills: A marcho-
cias has a +4 species
bonus on Knowl-
edge (arcane lore)
and Knowledge
(theology and phi-
losophy) checks.
Summo n F ie n d s
(Su): Once per day, a
marchocias can attempt to
summon 1d4 naberus with
a 40% chance of success. This
ability is the equivalent of a
G 2nd-level spell.
Naberus

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 72 4/1/05 12:12:13 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Weakness (Su): A marcochias has a strong aver- that deals 3d6 points of acid damage and 3d6
sion to holy symbols within 30 feet. If it fails a points of fire damage (Reflex DC 15 half).
Will save (DC 20) in such a circumstance, it takes Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the
a –2 morale penalty on attack rolls, damage rolls, belphegor must hit an opponent at least one size
and skill checks until the holy symbol is no longer category smaller that itself with its bite attack. If
nearby. it gets a hold, it automatically deals bite damage
Possessions: HKMP, 24 rounds of 9mm ammuni- each round that the hold is maintained, and it
tion. can swallow in the next round. See page 227
of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game for more
Belphegor (Ravenous Fiend) information.
Belphegors are ruthless and cunning beasts that Spell-Like Abilities: A belphegor can use the follow-
command large armies of lesser fiends. Due to ing abilities at will, as though cast by a 10th-level
their fractious nature, however, many belphegors Acolyte (save DC 13 + spell level): bane, bestow curse,
spend as much time fighting each other as they do command, comprehend languages, detect magical
battling the forces of angels they were originally aura, inf lict light wounds, true seeing.
commanded to destroy. They eagerly kill humans, Summon Fiend (Su): Once per day, a belphegor can
but some have taken to rounding them up into attempt to summon 1d4 naberus or 1 marchocias
massive slave colonies or bending them to their with a 60% chance of success. This ability is the
wills, shaping them into their own private armies. equivalent of a 5th-level spell.

73
Belphegors utterly despise seraphim, seeing them Swallow Whole (Ex): If a belphegor begins its
as near equals in their power, and go out of their turn with an opponent two or more size catego-
way to see them destroyed. ries smaller than itself held in its mouth, it can
In many ways, a belphegor resembles a “clas- attempt a new grapple check as though trying to

EARTH INHERITED
sic” fiend—a huge humanoid with reddish skin pin the opponent. If it succeeds, it swallows its
and an overly exaggerated head, complete with opponent, automatically dealing bite damage.
horns and a beard. It has a long, forked tail that Once inside the belphegor, the opponent takes
it often holds in its taloned hands. bludgeoning damage equal to the belphegor’s
A belphegor stands 16 feet tall and weighs 1,000 bite attack plus 1d6 points of acid damage per
pounds. round from the monster’s gullet. A successful
grapple check allows the swallowed creature to
Belphegor: CR 12; Huge outsider; HD 11d8+66; climb out of the gullet and return to the bel-
hp 115; Mas 22; Init +1; Spd 40 ft.; Defense 25, phegor’s maw, and another successful grapple
touch 9, flat-footed 24 (+16 natural, +1 Dex, –2 check is needed to get free. Alternatively, the
size); BAB +11; Grap +23; Atk +16 melee (2d6+7, swallowed creature can attack from inside the
claw) or +17 (1d10+7, bite) or +10 ranged (2d8+7, gullet using claws or a light piercing or slashing
rock); Full Atk +16/+11/+6 melee (2d6+7, claw) and weapon. Dealing at least 20 points of damage to
+17/+12/+7 (1d10+7, bite) or +10/+5/+0 ranged; FS the gizzard (Defense 20) in this way creates an
15 ft. by 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft.; SQ breath weapon, opening large enough to permit escape. Once a
damage reduction 15/+1, fiend traits, improved single swallowed creature exits, muscular action
grab, spell-like abilities, swallow whole, summon closes the hole; thus, another swallowed creature
fiend, weakness; AL chaos, evil; AP 0; Rep 0; SV must cut its own way out. A belphegor’s gullet
Fort +13, Ref +8, Will +10; Str 24, Dex 12, Con 22, can hold 1 Medium-size, 4 Small, or 32 Tiny or
Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 18. smaller opponents.
Skills: Bluff +14, Concentration +11, Decipher Weakness (Su): A belphegor has a strong aver-
Script +8, Diplomacy +16, Intimidate +22, Jump sion to holy symbols within 30 feet. If it fails a
+14, Knowledge (arcane lore) +18, Knowledge Will save (DC 20) in such a circumstance, it takes
(behavioral sciences) +13, Knowledge (history) +8, a –2 morale penalty on attack rolls, damage rolls,
Knowledge (tactics) +8, Knowledge (theology and and skill checks until the holy symbol is no longer
philosophy) +15, Listen +8, Read/Write Abyssal, nearby.
Read/Write English, Read/Write Latin, Search +8,
Sense Motive +13, Speak Abyssal, Speak English,
Speak Latin, Spot +11, Survival +8.
The Damned
The Damned are nihilistic barbarians who often
Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave, Weapon Focus
ally themselves with fiends. They are vile, despi-
(bite), Power Attack, Simple Weapon Proficiency,
cable beings who care nothing for the sanctity of
Sunder.
life, including their own, which they consider to
Bonus Skills: A belphegor has a +4 species bonus
be worth nothing. They live like animals among
on Intimidate, Knowledge (arcane lore), and
the debris of their former lives, taking what they
Knowledge (theology and philosophy) checks.
can from others to survive. Some members of the
Breath Weapon (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds (but
Damned wear horrible masks made of leather
no more than three times per day), a belphegor
(sometimes from human skin) to mimic the fiends
can vomit forth a 30-foot cone of blistering goo
they admire.

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 73 4/1/05 12:12:17 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Low-Level Damned (Strong Ordinary 1/ 1. Guard Post/Gangplank
Tough Ordinary 1): CR 1; Medium-size human; The only access to the barge from land is a
HD 1d8+2 plus 1d10+2; hp 14; Mas 14; Init +1; Spd 30 single gangplank protected by a shack at its
ft.; Defense 14, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+1 Dex, +2 entrance. Two guards are posted here at all times,
class, +1 leather jacket); BAB +1; Grap +3; Atk +3 melee equipped with an M-60 machinegun, 30 rounds
(1d6+2, machete) or +2 ranged (2d8, Mossberg); Full of ammunition, a single pair of binoculars, and
Atk +3 melee (1d6+2, machete) or +2 ranged (2d8, a powerful searchlight (range 300 feet). Firing
Mossberg); FS 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; AL chaos, holes, providing nine-tenths concealment, pro-
evil; AP 0; Rep +0; SV Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +1; Str 15, tect the guards.
Dex 13, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 10.
Occupation: Blue Collar (class skills: Climb, Craft 2. Bridge
[mechanical], Intimidate). The barge no longer operates, so the bridge has
Skills: Climb +4, Knowledge (streetwise) +1, Craft been turned into the “main office” for the group
(mechanical) +2, Intimidate +3, Read/Write English, that owns it. The controls have been looted of any
Speak English, Spot +2, Survival +3. functional parts. A large table and six chairs are
Feats: Archaic Weapon Proficiency, Personal Fire- situated in the middle of the room. At any given
arms Proficiency, Simple Weapons Proficiency. time, there are two guards in the bridge, using
Possessions: Mossberg shotgun, 3 rounds of 12ga its high ground to keep an eye on the surround-
ammunition, machete, leather jacket, 3 canned ing terrain. A klaxon has been mounted on the

74
goods, can opener, hideous leather mask. inside of the enclosure. As an attack action, one
of the guards can turn the klaxon, producing an
Mid-Level Damned (Strong Ordinary 3/ alarm loud enough to be heard by everyone on or
Tough Ordinary 3): CR 5; Medium-size human; in the barge.
EARTH INHERITED

HD 3d8+2 plus 3d10+2; hp 34; Mas 14; Init +1; Spd

30 ft.; Defense 14, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+1 Dex, 3. Main Deck
+4 class; +1 leather jacket); BAB +5; Grap +8; Atk +8 The main deck of the barge is 40 feet wide and
melee (3d6+3, chainsaw) or +6 ranged (2d6, Uzi); 100 feet long. The group that uses the barge has
Full Atk +8 melee (3d6+3, chainsaw) or +6 ranged erected several tents and shanties on its surface. At
(2d6, Uzi) FS 5 ft. by 5 ft., Reach 5 ft.; AL chaos, any given time, 2d6 people are wandering around
evil; AP 0; Rep +1; SV Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +3; Str 16, or inside these structures.
Dex 13, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 10.
Occupation: Blue Collar (class skills: Climb, Craft 4. Guard Towers
[mechanical], Intimidate). There are two guard towers on the barge, one at
Skills: Climb +6, Knowledge (streetwise) +2, Craft the front of the vessel and another in the center
(mechanical) +3, Intimidate +5, Read/Write English, of the main deck. Each tower is 20 feet tall and
Speak English, Spot +3, Survival +5. made of welded pipe, metal, and scraps of wood.
Feats: Archaic Weapon Proficiency, Exotic Weapon One guard stands watch in each tower at any
Proficiency (chainsaw), Personal Firearms Profi- given time, one of whom is constantly viewing
ciency, Simple Weapons Proficiency. the surrounding terrain with a pair of binocu-
Possessions: Uzi, 10 rounds of 9mm ammuni- lars. The guards in the fore tower each have an
tion, chainsaw, leather jacket, 7 canned goods, AK-47 with a full magazine of ammunition. The
can opener, 1 gallon of gasoline (for chainsaw), central tower has a mounted M-60 machinegun
hideous leather mask. with 30 rounds of ammunition. The towers pro-
vide one-half concealment to the guards inside.
The supports that hold it up have hardness 10
BARGE FORTRESS and 80 hit points.
The cities are mostly burned-out wrecks and the
open lands teem with outsiders, and so the human
5. Storage Berths
The barge features ten square berths that had
survivors of Earth Inherited must search hard to
ben used for storing grain. Now they have been
find a safe place to hide. Described here is a loca-
converted into bedrooms, weapons caches, and
tion that can be used as a headquarters, prison, or
other kinds of storage areas. At any given time,
settlement for any group of humans. It is an old
2d6 people are scattered throughout the berths.
river barge moored along a dock. The example
The metal doors have hardness 10, 120 hit points,
situation described here assumes it is occupied by
and a break DC of 35.
human survivors, unaffiliated with any group. Feel
free, however, to exchange the characters described
here for members of the Damned, the Avengers of
6. Engine Room/Brig
The engines of the barge no longer function.
Humanity, or some other group. Guards are typi-
Repairing them requires three complex Repair
cally low- or mid-level thugs, as described on pages
checks. This room is used as a brig by the group
273 and 274 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game
that controls the barge.
(replace their weapons as desired).

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 74 4/1/05 12:12:19 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE

620_88046_Chpt4.indd 75 4/1/05 12:12:21 PM

 Chapter Five
ATOMIC SUNRISE

They say that it has been seventy-five years since the cleansing fire fell from
the sky, shattering the wondrous mountains of steel and glass in which our
ancestors dwelled. It has been seventy-five years of filth, disease,
mutation, and slow decay. Now the buzzards we refer to as
the Wasteland Marauders, the Six-Fingered Hand, and the
Government of New Texas pick over the carcass of our burned-
out world. I’m here to send them back to the radioactive pit that
spawned them.”
—Jasper McCormick,
sergeant of the Epoch Legion

SUMMARY
Ten years from now the weapons deemed too terrible for
use are employed on a worldwide scale, destroying
civilization. The cities are incinerated, gov-
ernments topple, and ninety-five percent of
the human race is burned away. Those who
remain must fight for survival in an irra-
diated landscape while warlords and other
groups struggle to dominate what remains.

CAMPAIGN IN BRIEF
Atomic Sunrise is a campaign in which a
global nuclear exchange wiped out ninety-
five percent of human life on Earth.
Nobody knows for sure how the nuclear
war came to be, but those whose
parents talked about the war
say tensions ran high between
the vast and powerful nations
of that day. A rogue organi-
zation, friend to none of the
great nations, detonated
a nuclear weapon in an
American city, and in
the anger and confu-
sion that followed, a
larger war could not
be avoided.
Mutant guard dogs
charge a well-
armed interloper

KA

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 76 4/1/05 12:14:07 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
The world was changed, but it was not the end of against nature, the complexity of intolerance, and
humanity. In the tense weeks prior to the nuclear the discovery of powerful lost technology. Before
exchange, some people built fallout shelters in the fall, the tech level had not progressed beyond
their backyards. Other, wealthier individuals had the Information Age; however, secret government
already looked at the dangerous future and con- technology, which includes items such as powered
structed enormous vaults—heavily armored bomb armor, laser guns, and field technology, has made
shelters as large as small skyscrapers buried deep its way into the hands of the people, creating a
in the ground or built into mountains. Still others setting in which weapons range from archaic to
were simply outside of the most devastated regions; advanced. Atomic Sunrise mixes the fantastic with
the worst they had to endure was the radioactive the bleak—it is dark and gritty, but filled with the
nuclear fallout. promise of a strange new age at its dawn.
While many individuals remained sheltered for This campaign is set in the Generation 0 era.
months or years in the safety of bomb shelters, the
radiation wreaked havoc on the DNA of those on
the surface. Years passed; the survivors eked out a
Department-7 in
meager existence. Children were born, though most Atomic Sunrise
didn’t survive, and those who did often had strange In an Atomic Sunrise campaign, Department-7
mutations. Some of these children were abandoned is an information-gathering organization based
(or worse) by their parents, while others were raised in one of the old vaults that was opened twenty

77
to adulthood and themselves reproduced. years ago. The facility retains power, but since
Over the next twenty years, the radiation on it can no longer sustain the lives of the three
the surface tapered off. The inhabitants of the thousand people it was built to hold, it has been
largest shelters had remained underground that converted into a research facility. The admin-

ATOMIC SUNRISE
entire time, but were finally forced to emerge. istrators of the vault dedicated this facility to
They surfaced to a devastated world. Much of the the accumulation of knowledge. Of particular
continent had succumbed to desertification, and interest is what organizations have formed and
much of humanity was scarred by mutation. what their agendas might be. This information
Despite the obvious changes, life moved forward. is compiled and stored at the facility for future
Communities coalesced, organizations sprang up, reference. Heroes working for Department-7 are
and leaders emerged. Some groups worked toward given the simple mandate of going out into the
the betterment of the species; others simply gobbled world and learning as much as they can about
up any resources they could scavenge or take. The any subject they wish.
roads became war zones. Fuel became an important Heroes in Atomic Sunrise may or may not have
commodity, as did weapons, armor, and techno- a connection with Department-7, or they might
logical relics from before the apocalyptic war. align themselves with another power group.
In Atomic Sunrise, the heroes are thrust into Should they choose to work for Department-7, they
this horrific setting, and they must decide who are given a vault photo ID card, which they can
they will align themselves with, who they will show other members to obtain free housing for
fight, and what they choose to stand for. the night, a free meal, or a piece of information.
Department-7 agents are spread throughout the
continent, and are accessible anywhere, at the
ROLE OF GM’s discretion.

THE HEROES Progress Level and Rules

The heroes of Atomic Sunrise may come from Atomic Sunrise makes use of all the rules in this
a variety of backgrounds: second-generation book except virulence (see page 53). Some monsters
mutants born into wild tribes of nomad, citizens are inappropriate. Radioactive regions are common.
of struggling but peaceful communities, or even The default Progress Level is PL 5, although you
unmodified humans recently emerged from the can choose to incorporate select elements from PL 6
bomb shelters and vaults. Although the old world (in the form of secret government technology that
lies in ashes and expansive deserts cover what was brought out during the war), or even decide
once were verdant fields, hardy heroes can make that the apocalypse occurred at a later date, when
a difference. They may join (or already be a part Earth had reached PL 6.
of) one of the power groups described below, or
they may choose to struggle against the oppressive
powers that try to dominate the landscape.
Magic and FX
Magic does not exist in Atomic Sunrise.
Psionic powers do exist in this campaign setting,
CAMPAIGN TRAITS in the form of some types of mutations. However,
psionic abilities are extremely rare, and the psionic
The Atomic Sunrise setting combines the classic classes from the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game are
survival story with overtones of the eternal struggle discouraged.

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 77 4/1/05 12:14:14 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Symbol: The seal of the Central Intelligence
The Landscape Agency, with the words United States of America
Atomic Sunrise, as written, takes place in the
replaced with Free Confederacy of New Langley,
postapocalyptic United States, but it can easily be
and Central Intelligence Agency changed to The
moved to another country. Most of the groups can
Establishment.
be transported to other locations as is, or with a
Most Common Allegiance: Links to all known
simple change of names.
groups.
In what remains of the United States, most of
the East Coast was heavily bombed, leaving it a
The only prewar organizations that saw the
radioactive ruin. In some locations, radiation levels
apocalypse coming were the world’s intelligence
have fallen low enough to allow exploration, but
agencies. While most survivors assume the CIA
there is no civilization to speak of amid the twisted
died with the old U.S. government, the few who
towers and bombed-out buildings.
have learned the truth are hardly surprised this
Although targets such as Seattle, Los Angeles,
organization not only survived, but still covertly
and Portland were prime West Coast targets, the
influences events.
region suffered comparatively few hits. Further-
The senior members of the CIA and their families
more, prevailing winds pulled radioactive fallout
retreated to vaults during the final war and later
to the east, resulting in a lower concentration of
emerged, ultimately electing to move to the base
radiation in the western states. Much of the con-
of the Rocky Mountains in Montana, a relatively
tinent between the Mississippi River and the West

78
intact region of the country.
Coast is somewhat livable. The primary locations
The CIA has changed its name to The Establish-
of activity in Atomic Sunrise are all on the West
ment and has renamed the area it claims as the Free
Coast and in the Midwest.
Confederacy of New Langley. Well-armed guards in
ATOMIC SUNRISE

military vehicles patrol the borders, discouraging

POWER GROUPS outsiders from approaching their headquarters.
The Establishment continues the work of its
Nuclear annihilation did not spell the end of predecessors, infiltrating other power groups. Its
humanity’s need to grasp after power. Some orga- modus operandi is to play these groups against
nizations that predated the apocalypse managed one another, preventing any group from becom-
to survive, rebuild, and either change their focus ing overly powerful, and to keep every group as
or continue pursuing the same ends they sought far away from New Langley as possible.
before the fall. Furthermore, following the apoca- Someday, The Establishment believes, the time
lypse, new organizations sprang into existence, will be right to rebuild the government of the U.S.
filling the vacuum as governments fell. They hope to keep that stage set by preventing any
The organizations described here are large and other group from gaining too much power.
expansive, with influence in one form or another
over a large area. Their interests often conflict Federal Emergency
with those of others, leading to open hostility and
occasionally outright war.
Management Agency (FEMA)
Agenda: Maintain control of the strategic
In addition to the groups found here, countless
petroleum reserves.
warlords with small armies at their disposals
Structure: Military group.
have carved niches in the hostile landscape. They
Symbol: An eagle and shield, with the eagle holding
occasionally form alliances, but in general they
in his beak a scroll bearing the motto “Pace ac
are not large enough to compare to the organi-
bello merita” (“Service in Peace and War”).
zations covered here. Small towns and enclaves,
Most Common Allegiance: None.
some of which are quite well organized, also dot
the landscape, but have little influence beyond
Following the apocalypse, FEMA sprang into
their boundaries.
action, immediately securing the strategic petro-
leum reserves maintained by the U.S. government
Prewar Power Groups in a set of salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana.
The following organizations are all discussed, With the collapse of the federal government, the
in their preapocalyptic form, in the d20 Menace organization quickly realized it had no prospect
Manual. Other organizations from that book might of “managing” the postapocalypse—but that it was
have survived the war and can be converted and sitting on the largest reserve of one of the most
added to the setting as the GM sees fit. valuable commodities on Earth. Having been rein-
forced by a brigade of national guard soldiers,
The Establishment FEMA decided to sit tight, guarding its fuel cache
Agenda: Monitor and weaken power groups as a hedge against future crises.
throughout the country, to prevent any from This retreat didn’t go unnoticed. In the early
threatening the potential reemergence of the days after the war, local survivors crowded the
U.S. government. entrances of the salt caverns, begging for admit-
Structure: Intelligence-gathering group. tance and the protection they assumed FEMA could

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 78 4/1/05 12:14:16 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
provide. Riots followed, but FEMA did not emerge and in fact, it varied greatly from one individual to
from its underground base. another. When the nukes exploded, burning away
In the years that followed, rumor of the under- civilization, the cult took delight and congratulated
ground fuel cache spread, and more than one itself on its perceived victory.
warlord or band of road gangers attempted to Amazingly, enough members survived to regroup
assault the caverns. Their attempts were halted and reevaluate the organization’s goals. Their decision:
by military firepower. Everything that remained must be destroyed, rid-
No assailant has succeeded in penetrating the ding the universe of humanity once and for all. That
salt caverns, and FEMA personnel are rarely seen mandate has slowly been overtaken, however.
in local settlements. The organization’s legendary As radical mutations began to appear, many
unwillingness to share in tough times (especially mutants blamed humanity for their condition.
given its mandate) have made its members very Embittered, often as much by their treatment by
unpopular. other survivors as by their actual mutations, many
mutants began to see the Six-Fingered Hand as a
Nautilus Club means to exact vengeance. Over the next twenty
Agenda: Maintain separation from the outside years, the original members grew old and died,
world while continuing to develop advanced leaving the organization to its mutant followers. As
scientific breakthroughs. time passed the group evolved into a pro-mutant
Structure: Association of wealthy intellectuals. organization that served to advance the interests

79
Symbol: A golden silhouette of Jules Verne’s Nautilus of mutantkind.
with the initials “JV” in the middle. While these new interests are not always at odds
Most Common Allegiance: None. with humanity, they do often lead the group into
conflicts with nonmembers. Members are notori-

ATOMIC SUNRISE
In the final years before the apocalypse, the Nau- ously contemptuous of the unmutated (and even
tilus Club quietly emerged from its secret society of mutants who live in nonmutant communities),
status and devoted millions of dollars to the con- and many would just as soon kill nonmembers as
struction of undersea facilities. These dome-shaped not. Mutants are likely to join the Six-Fingered
buildings were reinforced by some of the world’s Hand, and unmutated humans are more likely to
first energy fields and designed to withstand the take the appearance of the group’s insignia as a
crushing depths of the sea—as well as radiation, precursor to hostility.
and theoretically even a nuclear blast. Within these
domes lived the wealthy members of the club, their
hand-picked scientists, and the privileged workers
New Power Groups
A number of new power groups have sprung from
who maintained the facilities.
the ashes of the apocalypse. Unlike the majority of
When the nuclear apocalypse occurred, as they
the older groups, which sought only to survive and
had predicted would happen, the members of the
sequester themselves from the world, many new
Nautilus Club survived in their secluded underwater
groups aggressively seek to transform the world
bases. While scientific progress ground to a halt in
into one more suited to their liking.
the outside world, their organization continued to
Most of these groups are made up of individuals
develop new technology. Occasionally the Nautilus
who never knew the world before the apocalypse;
Club sends explorers to the surface in an effort to
their agendas reflect their interpretations of the
better understand the forces that are shaping what
myths and stories of the preapocalyptic world.
remains of the world. They normally bring their tech-
nology with them on such expeditions for trade.
Many groups seek to make connections within
Enforcers
Agenda: To facilitate the development of civilization
the Nautilus Club, hoping to acquire their advanced
by promoting law and order.
technology.
Structure: Association of aligned law officers.
Symbol: Balances.
Six-Fingered Hand Most Common Allegiance: Epoch Legion.
Agenda: Organize mutants and help them rise
to dominance.
The Enforcers are a group inspired by the frontier
Structure: Bands of hierarchically organized
sheriffs of the preapocalyptic Old West. The enforc-
mutants.
ers were founded by a sheriff, Shayne Gunn, ten
Symbol: A red hand with the fingers splayed
years after the nukes fell. Upon turning over his law
out and a second thumb on the pinky side of
enforcement duties to one of his deputies, he traveled
the hand.
the west, meeting other law enforcers and convinc-
Mos t Common A l leg ia nce : Wastela nd
ing them that their efforts at restoring order would
Marauders.
be more successful if they helped one another.
This group consists primarily of law officers who
Before the apocalypse, the Six-Fingered Hand
maintain order in towns or outposts and protect
was a group interested in ending the world. Their
the people who live there from the dangers of the
rationale for this attitude was relatively unknown,
Atomic Sunrise setting.

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 79 4/1/05 12:14:18 PM

 Under the Government of
New Texas, the West is
wilder than ever
of more advanced equipment than they had ever
encountered before. This new equipment included
items such as powered armor and energy weap-
ons. Two members of the group were scientifically
inclined and figured out how to produce more
of these items. Over time, the band changed its
name to the Epoch Legion. The group’s ranks
expanded and the members redefined their
purpose, proclaiming themselves crusaders
in the cause of reuniting the country under
just rule.
The Epoch Legion maintains an under-
ground headquarters in the ruins of Las
Cruces, New Mexico. Within this facil-
ity is a weapons and armor factory, a
research facility, and living quarters
for nearly five hundred members. The
Epoch Legion’s crusades take it all over
the continent.The group occasionally sets
up an outpost in a region in which it wants
to maintain a presence.
The Epoch Legion has established an alli-
ance with the Enforcers, and it is the only
ATOMIC SUNRISE

group known to have had friendly relations with

RP FEMA.
Despite these successes (or perhaps because of
them), the Legion has become the enemy of the
Government of New Texas, the Wasteland Maraud-
ers, and the Six-Fingered Hand. The Wasteland
The Enforcers are a loosely organized group with Marauders normally keep a healthy distance from
no leadership to speak of. Lawbringers (see page the better-armed Epoch Legion, and although
84) top the organization, many of whom deputized the Six-Fingered Hand occasionally harasses the
other officers. The only way to join the Enforcers is Legion’s outposts, the Epoch Legion’s real concern
to be invited by an existing Lawbringer member. is the Government of New Texas, which has armor
However, because the organization lacks strong and weaponry just as advanced as its own and is
leadership and infrastructure, it is easy for an attempting to expand into the Epoch Legion’s home
impostor to impersonate a member. territory in New Mexico.
Enforcers are not welcome in every community.
Many towns prefer anarchy to law, others are run Government of New Texas
by corrupt individuals who maintain a hold on Agenda: Assume control of old Texas and annex
power through force, and still others are extremely surrounding territories.
distrustful of any organized force. Nevertheless, the Structure: Governing council and military
Enforcers remain one of the few groups making enforcers.
some headway in the struggle to bring order to Symbol: Gold star on a black background.
what remains of the country. Most Common Allegiance: None.

Epoch Legion The Government of New Texas was formed by

Agenda: To reunite the country, defeat marauding surviving members of the state house and senate
organizations, and unearth and develop advanced under the leadership of the former governor. For
technology. decades it existed as a small group proclaiming
Structure: Hierarchical military group. itself to be the rightful authority in the state—
Symbol: The shape of the United States of despite the fact that the members were holed up
America. in a bunker.
Most Common Allegiance: The Enforcers. This situation changed when a splinter group
of the Epoch Legion contacted them with an offer:
Perhaps the most powerful group on the North access to Legion technology in exchange for a
American continent, the Epoch Legion is a milita- factory. The Government of New Texas agreed to
ristic organization that has a goal similar to that of these terms, but betrayed the Legion members,
the Enforcers. The group formed twenty-five years luring them to their deaths at the opening of the
ago from a band of marauders who discovered a factory. The Government then distributed its new
hidden military base in the New Mexico desert. technology among troops it had recruited and
The raiders realized they were now in possession began reclaiming the state in its name.

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 80 4/1/05 12:14:20 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
The army of the Government of New Texas spread The Mutant Arm of Radillos
like a cancer, claiming control over one town after Agenda: Profit through gladiatorial matches
another with promises of protection and order. and use radiation experiments to create new
Those who dared oppose the army were publicly mutant species.
cut down as a warning to anyone else who might Structure: Dictatorship.
be planning to do the same thing. The group’s Symbol: A human skull with a third eye socket.
presence has had some beneficial effects, such as Mos t Common A l leg ia nce : Wastela nd
reducing the number of marauders operating in a Marauders.
local area and toppling some corrupt bosses who
ran some of the settlements, but the Government Radillos is a mutant warlord who controls an organi-
has also ousted other leaders and planners who zation involved in numerous repugnant yet lucrative
were well-liked by the locals, causing resentment activities. Though the Mutant Arm of Radillos is
and eventually rebellion. notorious for the gladiatorial fights it hosts, it is
The Government of New Texas does not have also known for trading weapons, buying and selling
friendly relations with any other power group. It slaves, and genetically manipulating humans and
has been engaged in a war with the Epoch Legion other creatures—both unborn and fully grown.
for the past two years and has made enemies of Radillos is a second-generation mutant of enor-
the Wasteland Marauders as well. mous physical power and charisma, who has built
a loyal group of both human and mutant followers.
Wasteland Marauders
81
Among them are scientifically inclined individuals
Agenda: Control over trade through violence and who understand the concepts of genetic engineer-
intimidation. ing and nuclear technology. Radillos keeps these
Structure: Aligned organizations of thugs. individuals as his closest advisors.

ATOMIC SUNRISE
Symbol: United States flag. Upon forming his organization, Radillos took
Most Common Allegiance: Mutant Arm of over the eastern Washington town of Pullman, the
Radillos. site of a prewar university. Although the city had
been hit by a low-grade nuclear weapon during
The Wasteland Marauders consist of numerous the war, numerous buildings were intact, including
bands of common thugs and road gangers who the engineering department’s small underground
have entered into a mutual nonaggression pact— nuclear reactor. Radillos ordered the reactor brought
instead of attacking each other, they have agreed on line as quickly as possible so that it could pro-
to spend their violence on travelers and settlements vide power to the Mutant Arm’s facilities.
in their territories. Among the other structures still standing was
They have taken control of many major trade a football stadium. Radillos immediately saw the
routes, on which they demand tribute from mer- potential in transforming it into a gladiatorial arena.
chant caravans and travelers. Also, because of their He captured ten slaves and held the first matches
strategic alliances with one another, they can call the following spring. The match was publicized
upon other groups to aid them when rival groups throughout the surrounding towns and drew an
of thugs form in their areas. The organization has amazing crowd. The price of admission was 1 TU
spread across the continent, though individual of commodities, which hundreds willingly paid.
groups normally control only a few miles of road- Following the initial success of this venture, Radil-
way in any given region. los hosted more gladiatorial battles, pitting humans
Most outsiders—and even many members of the and mutants against one another, arming them
gangs—assume that the Wasteland Marauders have with weapons ranging from swords to chainsaws,
no organized leadership. This is far from the truth: and creating an ever more dangerous and tricky
Ten thugs who lead the largest marauding bands battlefield full of traps and other surprises.
within the organization are the official leaders, To supplement the gladiators and keep the games
despite the fact that they rarely give direct orders interesting, Radillos ordered his scientists to create
or take official action. Instead, they take a small new types of mutants for the arena. Many experi-
cut of all tribute, allowing them to live a wealthy, ments failed, though others resulted in the creation
if nomadic, lifestyle. of numerous mutant human and animal breeds.
The Wasteland Marauders have made numerous In several instances, these creatures developed
enemies, but they have managed to make a pow- more powerful mutations than the scientists ini-
erful friend in the Mutant Arm of Radillos, with tially intended. While most such creatures were
which they trade captured individuals as slaves in destroyed, a few did not manifest their powers
return for weapons and armor. The Six-Fingered until they were released into the arena, and some
Hand has also conducted trade with them as well. of those succeeded in escaping. The Army of the
The Epoch Legion has sworn to eliminate the Waste- Bloody Maw, a militant group opposing Radillos,
land Marauders entirely (an effort that has gotten is led by one of these escaped mutants.
off to a slow start), members of the Enforcers shoot Radillos is kept in power by the Riders of the
them on sight, and The Establishment has an agent Glow, a band of ATV-mounted Road Warriors who
within the upper tiers of their leadership. patrol the region for threats and keep the people

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 81 4/1/05 12:14:24 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
of Pullman in line. They patrol in gangs and are Possessions: AM General Humvee, binoculars,
known for their brutality, occasionally picking an enhanced sports pads, HK G3 assault rifle, flash
individual at random to assault. They constantly goggles, 5 fragmentation grenades, metal baton,
keep watch for travelers in motor vehicles they thermite grenade, walkie-talkie (professional), 50
don’t recognize. If the person appears to be an rounds of 7.62mm of ammo.
easy target, they swarm the vehicle, destroy the
car, and salvage the fuel. Rider of the Glow (Fast Hero 4/Road Warrior
The area Radillos controls extends approximately 5): CR 9; Medium-size mutated human; HD 9d8+18;
ten miles out from the ruins of Pullman. Beyond hp 62; Mas 14; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; Defense 23, touch
that, his influence is felt through his trade and other 13, flat-footed 20 (+3 Dex, +7 class, +3 sports pads);
activities. Agents, just as skilled in diplomacy as theyBAB +6; Grap +8; Atk + 8 melee (1d6+3, machete) or
are in combat, promote Radillos’ interests abroad. +9 ranged (2d8, desert eagle); Full Atk +8/+3 melee
They travel throughout the Northwest, buying slaves (1d6+3, machete) or +9/+4 ranged (2d8, desert eagle);
and weapons, selling those that turn a profit, and FS 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; AL Mutant
returning with the rest to Radillos. The cordial behav- Arm of Radillos; AP 4; Rep +2; SV Fort
ior of these agents when they conduct business +6, Ref +6, Will +3; Str 15, Dex 16, Con
with other groups has earned them a positive 14, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 10.
reputation among those with whom they Occupation: Criminal.
deal, many of whom have no knowledge Skills: Balance +8, Craft (mechan-

82
of Radillos, his gladiatorial games, or ical) +13, Drive +15, Intimidate
the fact that he is a mutant. +7, Jump +7, Knowledge
(streetwise) +8, Navigate
Radillos (Charismatic Hero 6/ CT +6, Pilot +8, Spot +8, Sur-
ATOMIC SUNRISE

Soldier 5/Road Warrior 6): CR 17; vival +8.

Medium-size mutated human; HD Feats: Archaic Weapons
6d6+18 plus 5d8+15 plus 6d8+18; hp 118; Proficiency, Armor Profi-
Mas 17; Init +3; Spd 15 ft.; Defense 25 ciency (light), Drive-By Attack,
(+3 Dex, +7 class, +5 enhanced sports Personal Firearms Proficiency, Point
pads), touch 13, flat-footed +22; BAB Blank Shot, Double Tap, Quick Reload,
+10; Grap +11; Atk +11 melee (1d6, Simple Weapons Proficiency, Vehicle
19–20, metal baton) or +14 ranged Expert, Vehicle Dodge.
(2d10, HK G3 assault rifle); Full Mutations: Energy diffusion (fire,
Atk +11/+6 melee (1d6+1/19–20, sonic/concussion), lethargy.
metal baton) or +14/+8 ranged Emblem of Abilities: Fast Hero: evasion, uncanny dodge;
(2d10, HK G3 assault rifle); FS 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Radillos Road Warrior: improved vehicle modifica-
Reach 5 ft.; AL Mutant Arm of Radillos; AP 8; Rep tion, improved retain control, skillful boarding.
+5; SV Fort +12, Ref +15, Will +3; Str 12, Dex 16, Con Possessions: ATV, cigarette lighter, Desert Eagle,
17, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 18. Geiger counter, sports pads, machete, 5 rounds of
Occupation: Dilettente (class skill: Intimidate). .50AE ammo.
Skills: Bluff +12, Craft (mechanical) +12, Demo-
litions +8, Diplomacy +12, Disguise +13, Drive +18, Genetic Scientist (Smart Hero 5/ Field Medic
Gather Information +13, Handle Animal +10, Intimi- 10): CR 15; Medium-size human; HD 6d4 plus
date +25, Knowledge (tactics) +5, Knowledge (art) 10d8+30; hp 90; Mas 14; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; Defense
+11, Knowledge (behavioral science) +11, Navigate 23, touch 20, flat-footed 21 (+2 Dex, +8 class, +3 under-
+7, Pilot +12, Speak Language (French), Spot +13, cover vest); BAB +7; Grap +7; Atk +7 melee (1d4, knife)
Survival +8. or +9 ranged (2d6, Colt Python); Full Atk +7/+2 melee
Feats: Advanced Firearms Proficiency, Aircraft (1d4, knife) or +9/+4 ranged (2d6, Colt Python); FS
Operation, Armor Proficiency (heavy), Armor 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; AL Mutant Arm of Radil-
proficiency (light), Armor Proficiency (medium), los; AP 13; Rep +6; SV Fort +10, Ref +6, Will 11; Str
Dodge, Frightful Presence, Lightning Reflexes, 10, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 19, Wis 16, Cha 12.
Personal Firearms Proficiency, Burst Fire, Point Occupation: Doctor.
Blank Shot, Power Attack, Renown, Simple Weapons Skills: Computer Use +22, Craft (pharmaceuti-
proficiency, Vehicle Dodge, Vehicle Expert, Weapon cal) +22, Craft (structural) +22, Decipher Script
Focus (HK G3 assault rifle). +14, Demolitions +12, Disable Device +12, Knowledge
Mutations: Mindslave, poisonous blood, psionic (earth and life sciences) +25, Knowledge (technol-
talent (major) inf lict pain, radioactive, reduced ogy +25, Listen +15, Repair +12, Research +22, Search
speed, unnatural skin. +12, Spot +21, Treat Injury +24.
Abilities: Charismatic Hero: coordinate, inspira- Feats: Aircraft Operation, Armor Proficiency (light),
tion, greater inspiration; Soldier: weapon focus, Armor Proficiency (medium), Dodge, Educated,
weapon specialization; Road Warrior: improved Gearhead, Medical Expert, Personal Firearms Pro-
vehicle modification, improved retain control, ficiency, Quick Reload, Simple Weapons Proficiency,
skillful boarding. Studious, Surface Vehicle Operation, Surgery.

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 82 4/1/05 12:14:26 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Abilities: Smart Hero: exploit weakness, savant, 1. Primary Compound
trick; Field Medic: expert healer, medical mastery, The Mutant Arm of Radillos keeps its base in a
medical miracle, medical specialist +3, minor medi- four-story building that once was the college
cal miracle. gymnasium. A stairway guarded by soldiers and
Possessions: Aluminum travel case (10 lb.), Colt monitored by security cameras links all floors of
Python, concealed carry holster, first aid kit, knife, the building. The bottom floor is used primarily as
medical kit, notebook computer, overcoat, pen light, slave quarters. The second and third floors contain
pharmacy kit, undercover vest. offices built around an emptied swimming pool,
which holds numerous barrels of gasoline. The
offices are used by Radillos’s scientists, who create
THE COMPOUND mutants that will be entertaining in the arena.
The fourth floor contains an auditorium as well as
Radillos controls four key structures on what was
Radillos’s personal quarters. His room is guarded
once a state college. Built during the twentieth cen-
by six of his best-trained and most loyal followers
tury Cold War, these buildings were constructed
and is filled with numerous weapons, preapoca-
of reinforced concrete for use as bomb shelters in
lyptic entertainment devices, and the finest rugs
the event of nuclear war. The final apocalyptic war
and art he has been able to acquire.
came after a long age of relative peace, so many
The gymnasium is connected to the stadium by
of the other buildings that were later constructed
an underground tunnel. Because the exterior of this
were not built to the same specifications. Because

83
building is heavily guarded by thugs and security
of this, when the low-grade nuke hit, the buildings
devices, this arrangement has saved Radillos from
now inhabited by Radillos stood up to the blast and
assassination attempts on numerous occasions .
many of the surrounding structures collapsed.
Each of these buildings is connected to underground
steam tunnels, which run throughout what was once
2. Secondary Compound
This building, which was a second gymnasium,
the campus and connect to most of the buildings.
connects to the main compound by way of a sky
The entrances to the steam tunnels are guarded by
bridge on the third floor. The devastation of the
armed soldiers loyal to Radillos; the ones that con-
nearby nuclear blast shattered the windows on the
nect to his compound are blocked, barricaded, and
exterior of this walkway, but those have since been
guarded. The nuclear reactor is located in the base-
replaced with bulletproof tinted windows. The sky
ment of a small building a few hundred yards from
bridge is used as one of the primary lookout stations.
the primary compound and is staffed with guards
A smaller pool exists in this building, which Radillos
and the engineers who keep it running.
uses as the home for aquatic mutant specimens that

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 83 4/1/05 12:14:29 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
have been created by his scientists. The rest of the remains dangerously radioactive. On the frequent
building is used to store weapons and ammunition occasions when Radillos passes a death sentence on
and serves as a barracks for his soldiers. a disobedient soldier, an unruly prisoner, or some
random person, that unfortunate soul is tossed
3. Arena into the pit, where he or she suffers exposure to
This structure contains what was once a football a lethal dose of radiation. The area surrounding
field and bleachers. The nuclear blast tore away the pit is also lightly irradiated.
the top levels of the bleachers, so the top section
of the arena is jaggedly shorn from the rest of the
seating (which remains quite sturdy). The artificial ADVANCED CLASSES
turf on the field has long since degraded and been
Most non-FX classes from the d20 Modern Role-
replaced by sand and obstacles to make the gladi-
playing Game and d20 Future can be used in the
atorial matches more interesting. These obstacles
Atomic Sunrise setting. The following advanced
include spike pits, posts with spikes protruding
classes can be used in this setting with no modi-
from them, and cages that can either be left on
fication: Bodyguard, Dreadnought, Engineer,
the ground or suspended above the arena floor
Explorer, Field Medic, Field Officer, Field Scientist,
and dropped upon the combatants.
Gunslinger, Helix Warrior, Infiltrator, Martial
Artist, Negotiator, Road Warrior*, Salvager*, Sol-
4. Library dier, Swindler, and Techie.

84
The only main structure not controlled by Radil-
*Indicates an advanced class introduced in
los and his soldiers, the library is actually three
Chapter 3 of this book.
connected buildings. It is home to a reclusive
monastic order that predates Radillos’s arrival
LAWBRINGER
ATOMIC SUNRISE

and is dedicated to the preservation of knowl-

edge. Typically dressed in hooded gray robes, the
order’s members have an uneasy peace agreement The Lawbringer is a throwback to a time before
with the mutant warlord. Radillos allows them to the apocalypse, when a body of law governed the
maintain the knowledge found in the numerous populace and provided a framework upon which
books within these walls, and in return, they must civilization was made safer. In postapocalyptic
provide him any knowledge from their vaults that times, though, the Lawbringer is an oddity. Many
he needs. They abide by his terms reluctantly; think he is a deluded individual trying to apply
they have no love for Radillos and would gladly long-outdated social pressures upon an anarchic
aid anyone who attempted to free this town of world. Despite this, many communities come to
the warlord. respect and value the Lawbringer, embracing the
concept of order and equality under law.
5. Dorm The Lawbringer enforces laws, investigates
This building is six stories tall and weathered the crimes, and pursues those who commit them.
nearby nuclear explosion better than expected. The In the Atomic Sunrise setting, the Lawbringer
bottom floor, once a recreation area, is now the normally operates without the assistance of law-
bottommost guard post. The floors above are each makers or a judicial system, forcing him into the
identical, consisting of small dormitory rooms on roles of judge, jury, and executioner. His position
either side of a central hallway. of authority is limited to the community that has
The upper floors of this building offer a clear accepted him—and the range of his gun—but he
view of the surrounding region, so guards are occasionally leaves his jurisdiction to track down
typically posted on the roof. During gladiatorial a criminal and bring her to justice.
matches, the rooms in this building are rented out Upon becoming a Lawbringer, the individual
to wealthy visitors, who trade up to 20 TU in goods adopts a legal code that he enforces. Upon accep-
per night. Food, drugs, and the use of slaves are tance by the community, the code is normally posted
available for an additional fee. in a public area as a warning to those who would
violate the local laws. The legal code is normally
6. Crater fairly short by comparison to modern standards,
This crater is the site where a low-grade (75 kiloton) but it outlaws murder, rape, theft, and assault.
nuclear weapon struck. The crater is approximately Some communities adopt additional laws unique
100 feet deep and 1,000 feet across. The rocky center to their needs or level or sophistication.

Table 5–1: The Lawbringer

Class Base Attack Fort Ref Will Defense Reputation
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Bonus Bonus
1st +1 +0 +2 +0 Community support +1 +1
2nd +2 +0 +3 +0 Bonus feat +1 +1
3rd +3 +1 +3 +1 Fast tracker +2 +1
4th +4 +1 +4 +1 Bring ‘em back alive, bonus feat +2 +2
5th +5 +1 +4 +1 Dodge bullet +3 +2

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 84 4/1/05 12:14:31 PM

 A Lawbringer’s
Requirements authority
To qualify to become a Lawbringer, a character is absolute
must fulfill the following criteria.
Base Attack Bonus: +6.
Skill: Gather Information 10 ranks, Survival
6 ranks.
Feats: Weapon Focus, Track.
Allegiance: The Lawbringer must pledge his
primary allegiance to a specific settlement or to the
Enforcers, and remain a dutiful servant of this body;
if the Lawbringer breaks this allegiance,
he loses all the benefits of the community
support class feature.

Class
Information
The following information
pertains to the Lawbringer
prestige class.

Hit Die
The Lawbringer gains 1d8 hit points

ATOMIC SUNRISE
per level. The character’s Con-
stitution modifier applies. CT

Action Points
The Lawbringer gains a number of
action points equal to 7 + one-half his prerequisites of
character level, rounded down, every the feat to select it.
time he attains a new level in this class. Advanced Firearms Proficiency,
Archaic Weapons Proficiency, Armor Proficiency
Class Skills (light), Armor Proficiency (medium), Brawl, Burst
The Lawbringer’s class skills are as follows. Fire, Dead Aim, Double Tap, Far Shot, Fight with
Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Anything*, Knockout Punch, Mounted Combat*,
Disable Device (Int), Drive (Dex), Gather Infor- Mutation Immunity*, Precise Shot, Quick Draw,
mation (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Investigate (Int), Quick Reload, Rad Soaker*, Renown, Run, Sense
Jump (Str), Knowledge (current events, streetwise, Mutation*, Shot on the Run, Skip Shot, Strafe.
tactics) (Int), Listen (Wis), Read/Write Language *Indicates a feat described in Chapter 3 of this
(none), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), book.
Survival (Wis), Treat Injury (Wis).
Skill Points at Each Level: 5 + Int modifier. Fast Tracker
At 3rd level, a Lawbringer becomes especially skill-
ful at tracking. The Lawbringer moves at normal
Class Features speed when tracking, and takes only a –10 penalty
The following features pertain to the Lawbringer
when tracking at up to twice his speed.
prestige class.

Community Support Bring ‘Em Back Alive

At 4th level, a Lawbringer has the option of not
A Lawbringer has a natural air of authority and
killing an opponent even when attacking with
easily earns the trust of the community he serves.
lethal force. If the Lawbringer’s attack drops an
Members of the community provide a Lawbringer
opponent to negative hit points, it can instead, at
with trade items (typically food, ammunition, and
the Lawbringer’s option, reduce the opponent’s hit
fuel) equal to 10 TU. Every time the character gains
points to exactly 0.
a level in this class, his community provides him
with additional goods of a TU value equal to five
times his new Lawbringer level.
Dodge Bullet
By 5th level a Lawbringer has developed an amaz-
ing ability to avoid death or critical injury. When
Bonus Feat the Lawbringer is hit by an attack (but not an area
At 2nd and 4th level, a Lawbringer gets a bonus
effect), he may spend an action point to cause the
feat. The bonus feat must be selected from the fol-
hit to miss. If the hit was a critical hit, it is instead
lowing list, and the Lawbringer must meet all the
converted to a normal hit.

620_88046_Chpt5.indd 85 4/1/05 12:14:34 PM

 Chapter Six
PLAGUE WORLD

Whiiiirrrrrrr . . . click. Clock set . . . 500 years

elapsed. Begin defrost sequence. Heart-rate . . .
normal. Body temperature . . . normal. Full revivi-
fication complete. Begin command playback.

Congratulations, Captain Sterling. If you’re listening

to this, you have survived cryogenic freezing. You and
your Rip Van team are now active. Whether we beat the
creepers or lost to them, I don’t know, but everyone here
at command is confident you’ll deal with
the situation admirably either way.
Of course, this recording is years out of
date by the time you’re listening to it, and one
way or another all of us back here are dead. But
we’ll keep sending updates as long as we can, so
you’ll have as complete a record of what’s happened
as we can arrange.
Pay attention to this, Captain. The creepers have
landed, and already they’ve shown us a lot of new stuff.
Between the diseases, nanotoxins, and bizarre weap-
onry, there are a lot of things out there that can kill
you. I’ve listed the most important ones . . .
. . . whirrrrrrr. Click.

Memory error.
Recording ends. Breach
in bunker detected.

SUMMARY
A little more than three hundred years
in the future, the world is a shattered
wilderness. Civilization has been
laid low by an invasion of
aliens, which themselves
experienced the near total
destruction of their own tech-
nology. Both humanity and the
invaders watched their great-
est achievements crumble, but
kept fighting for as long as their
technology would allow. In the end,
both cultures were reduced to near
barbarism, with only a few bastions
of higher culture remaining.

KA A Rip Van team fights off monstrous horrors

620_88046_Chpt6.indd 86 4/1/05 12:17:55 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
Because the mutual destruction was not com- weapons they use to destroy human technology,
pletely unexpected, many groups of humans took the spanthi seed the most advanced nations with
steps to ensure that all of the species’ advanced retroviruses and mutagenic viruses. These materials
thought, knowledge, and technology would not be mutate Earth’s creatures into monstrosities, creat-
lost. Dozens of bunkers were created and teams of ing widespread panic and chaos. This attack on the
trained experts placed inside, frozen in cryogenic very DNA of the Earth could not be overcome with
suspension. Now, three hundred years later, they bombs or poisons, and as a result only a few nuclear
are beginning to awaken. It is a very different weapons are ever launched against the spanthi. Riots
world they face. break out worldwide. Cities burn. Governments col-
lapse. The spanthi proclaim victory.
The victory, such as it was, turned out to be
CAMPAIGN IN BRIEF short-lived. As the spanthi land their ships and
begin mopping up the remaining cells of human
In the not too distant future, Earth is subjected
resistance, they fall victim to mass mutation as
to an alien invasion. Terrible insectlike creatures
well. Their own biological weapons have mutated
from another world, the spanthi, arrive in a vast
in the Earth’s biosphere, and the spanthi are no
fleet of massive, genetically engineered, biologi-
longer immune to their effects. On top of that,
cally based space ships and attack all the nations
the biologically based technology of the spanthi
of the world. Their weapons easily neutralize
begins to sicken, mutate, and die. Within weeks,
Earth’s crude satellite defenses and knock out the

87
most spanthi warships, vehicles, medical supplies,
world’s global communication system. Billions
and gear are useless. Only a few wire-and-battery
of biological nanites are released into the atmo-
devices are immune to the biological weapons, and
sphere. These creatures destroy the Internet, chew
the spanthi have too few of these to overcome the
through vast numbers of advanced technological

PLAGUE WORLD
hundreds of millions of surviving humans.
components, pollute and ruin vehicle fuel of all
The war deteriorates to one of small squads of
kinds, and unleash dozens of lethal diseases that
infantry attacking each other with increasingly
target only humanity.
primitive weapons. The physically frail spanthi,
This initial onslaught lasts several years. The
in desperation, genetically modify themselves into
spanthi are in no hurry. Indeed, most of their
armored killing machines. The process works, but
number are in cryogenic sleep, with only a skel-
it also saps the great intellect of the spanthi. A few
eton crew operating their weapons. The spanthi
trueblood aliens avoid this intellectual degenera-
seek to colonize humanity’s homeworld, not simply
tion, but most of the alien forces slowly become
subjugate it. Once Earth’s ability to strike beyond
reavers—mindless eating and killing machines.
its own atmosphere is eliminated, the alien fleet is
A single spanthi mothership avoids becom-
content to attack humanity’s infrastructure from
ing infected and remains in orbit around Earth.
a safe distance. The aliens’ weaponry tears down
Lacking the fuel and resources to leave the solar
much of humanity’s technology, but does little to
system, the ship’s crew has no choice but to watch
harm the planet’s environment. In fact, many of
the degeneration of the spanthi stranded on the
the viruses and bacteria they release are designed
ground. For as long as communication remains
to clean up the poisons humanity has dumped into
possible, the mothership advises the ever-shrink-
the world’s air and water.
ing number of thinking spanthi, but it cannot
More and more spanthi begin making scouting
give them a sufficient advantage to overcome the
missions and landing troops in areas ready for
human defenders. As decades pass, the shipboard
conquest. A few spanthi are defeated and a little
spanthi die off, leaving only automated systems
of their technology falls into human hands, but
aboard the mothership. Within a hundred years,
the trend of the war is clear. Humanity cannot win
the alien vessel is a derelict, silently orbiting the
without resorting to weapons so terrible they may
world it came to conquer.
make the planet uninhabitable.
The lone spanthi mothership manages to stay
As the governments of Earth begin to fail, a few
aloft for three hundred years until its orbit decays
visionaries realize that the use of atomic weapons
and it disintegrates and burns up in the Earth’s
and biological agents against the invaders will
atmosphere. Because the cryogenic systems were
soon become inevitable. Fearing the holocaust
set to detect when the last of the spanthi fleet had
such warfare will bring, these visionaries use
left orbit, that event triggered the reawakening of
cryogenic suspension technology taken from the
the Rip Van teams.
spanthi to create Rip Van teams—groups of experts
The teams have slept through centuries of war
cryogenically frozen and hidden in bunkers, ready
and, eventually, progress. While a few teams were
for revival when the war is over. Rip Van teams
awakened early as a result of malfunctions, most
are equipped with the training and gear to either
aren’t brought into the world until the war they
rebuild society, or fight a guerilla war against
sought to outlive is long since over.
victorious spanthi overlords.
Earth has weathered three hundred years of
In some ways, these fears prove unfounded. The
starvation, feudalism, barbarism, warfare, and
spanthi, well aware of Earth’s weapons, take steps
collapse. New societies have begun to develop,
to neutralize humanity. In addition to the nanite

620_88046_Chpt6.indd 87 4/1/05 12:18:04 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
though most are limited to Iron Age technology. are petty warlords who engage in slavery, gladiato-
No old governments remain, but a few modern rial games, and brutal warfare with their enemies.
strongholds take the names and symbols of ancient The heroes must either try to build a society that
nations. The spanthi remain one of the greatest upholds better standards, or accept that the world
known threats; their primitive descendants have is too harsh for ideals such as justice and equality.
bred profusely and now form omnivorous hordes Ultimately, Plague World is still a battle for
that can denude vast areas of land. Even the most control of Earth. While sentient spanthi truebloods
carefully stocked and guarded bunkers are gener- are rare, the degenerate hordes of the locustlike
ally little more than caves now, their ammo and creatures that the spanthi have devolved into pose
fuel long since spent. The once-proud cities of a serious threat. One or two spanthi are a small
humankind are twisted spires of metal jutting out threat, but a ravaging horde can pick an entire
from dangerous wildernesses. Disease, mutation, region clean of all life. Additionally, many warlords
vermin, and clouds of poisonous nanoweapons rule expansive, violent empires that perceive any
bring plagues upon the land, and humanity’s new political idea as a threat. If civilization is to
existence is threatened once again. survive, the heroes must create it, sustain it, and
defend it themselves.
This campaign is set in the New World era.
ROLE OF
THE HEROES Department-7 in
88 In a typical Plague World campaign, the heroes
are members of a Rip Van team emerging from cold
Plague World
Department-7 is the agency responsible for creating
the Rip Van teams, and secretly did so worldwide.
sleep after three hundred years. In most cases, the
PLAGUE WORLD

They were aware of the spanthi threat, having cap-

Rip Van teams entered suspended animation after
tured a spanthi scout ship in 1946. (In fact, many later
the spanthi attacked, but before the full extent of
UFO sightings were hoaxes, set up by Department-7
the oncoming disaster had become clear.
to prevent the truth from being revealed.) Knowing
The mission of the Rip Van teams is to restore order,
that humanity might fail to win a war against these
give aid to the remaining legitimate government,
masters of bioengineering, Department-7 took steps
and fight any remaining spanthi. Of course, the
to set up teams of agents in cryogenic suspension,
world situation makes at least some of those goals
ready to reemerge and rebuild civilization once the
impossible, but the heroes are still the last vestiges
situation had stabilized.
of real civilization. They face a world plunged back
The heroes are not the only Rip Van teams to
into primitivism, one in which only they have the
reawaken to the new world. A few Department-7
education and means to affect a real change in how
bunkers survived intact. Some teams were awakened
the new nations that arise shall be formed.
too early and have already begun the slide from
civilized to barbaric. Some of the teams awaking
CAMPAIGN TRAITS now are in foreign countries and may still feel
nationalistic loyalties; they are more interested
A Plague World campaign begins as a story of in rebuilding their own governments than work-
exploration and inquiry. The heroes must learn ing for the good of humanity. And of course, some
about the dangers of this new world and find a way ranking officers of Department-7 may have built
to survive. Conservation of resources is extremely their own Rip Van teams to reestablish the orga-
important, for while the Rip Van teams have a fair nization once it was safe.
amount of starting gear, there are few places it The heroes might not know that Department-7
can be replenished. is behind their three-century sleep. Indeed, in a
Of course, a Plague World game can be played slightly darker campaign, the heroes may not have
with a mix of Rip Van team members and local agreed to be part of a Rip Van team. Perhaps when
characters, with one or two characters native to the spanthi fleet first entered the solar system,
this world acting as scouts and guides for the agents of Department-7 abducted experts in vari-
thawed-out heroes from a different time. It can ous useful fields—biologists and doctors, engineers
even be played with only local characters, though and sociologists, and experts in urban combat and
this eliminates much of the charm of allowing survival (military personnel, police officers, and
players and characters to learn about the world possibly even thugs), and placed then in Rip Van
at the same time. bunkers as a fail-safe. In this case, the heroes need
As the campaign progresses, heroes are likely to to not only learn about the new world—they must
want to join forces with an existing community, or learn to trust one another.
build their own. The heroes have some advantages Department-7 bunkers are all unmanned now,
over most locals, including a modern education, but still hold caches of weapons, food, and fuel. The
better starting gear, and a scientific sensibility that search for such bunkers, or for other Rip Van teams
prevents them from accepting superstition as fact. that may have fared better, can make an exciting
It’s a barbaric world, and most of the current rulers quest for early Plague World campaigns.

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
from Mexico late in the war, and as a result, much
Progress Level of what was once Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas
and Rules is now a radioactive plain.
Plague World makes use of all the rules in this Furthermore, over three centuries the lack
book except environmental hazards (see page 39). of maintenance has taken its toll on many of
Some monsters are inappropriate, and radioac- America’s great cities. Hurricanes, flooding, and
tive regions are not pervasive (although nuclear earthquakes have struck many times over, leav-
weapons were employed here and there against ing little of Houston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans,
the invading spanthi). Mobile, and the coastal cities of Florida, Georgia,
There are four distinct progress levels rel- and the Carolinas. Washington, D.C., Atlantic City,
evant to a Plague World campaign—the PL of the and Manhattan have been flooded and broken
world before the apocalypse, the PL of most of the by horrific storms. Inland cities have fared only
remaining human strongholds, the PL of the few slightly better, with Chicago, Columbus, and
rare bunkers that held onto high technology, and Nashville more intact than most, but still buried
the PL of the aliens who remain. That may seem under a thick layer of vegetation.
overwhelming to keep track of, but it isn’t really. The primary locations of activity in a Plague
The GM need only keep two things in mind: what World campaign in the Appalachian Mountains,
is common (the typical PL) and what is possible where lumber and wild game are plentiful. New
(the highest existing PL). kingdoms have begun to arise there, driven by

89
The Plague World campaign assumes Earth was relentless use of slave labor and reliance on recycled
at a high PL 5 state when the aliens arrived; thus, steel and new felled lumber. Most regions south and
most items scavenged from old human structures east of the mountains are too overrun with mutant
are no higher than PL 5. The civilization that animals and spanthi reavers for any human com-

PLAGUE WORLD
humans have begun to rebuild is generally PL 4, munity to flourish, though a few exceptions exist.
so that is the highest level of equipment that is In most places, the flora and fauna are thick
commonly available for barter. and dangerous. In addition to spanthi and human
Most Spanthi are now savage brutes with no raiders and mutant bears and wolves, many places
technology or tools to speak of; however, the few are overgrown with molds, spores, and fungi, rav-
remaining trueblood Spanthi are PL 6 or PL 7 in aged by airborne diseases, and plagued by bands
education, but they have very little functioning of zombielike humans who transmit their ailment
technology. Similarly, some human enclaves have through their bite.
a few precious items of higher technology levels.
Thus a GM can introduce a few pieces of PL 6 or
PL 7 tech as rewards if she wishes to do so. Such POWER GROUPS
items should always be in the possession of NPCs
No preinvasion power group has survived the
willing to defend them, or buried in bunkers that
three centuries since the spanthi arrived. The
no one has raided in three centuries—in other
power structures that do exist tend to be local and
words, bunkers in dangerous regions full of traps
temporary. The following groups are exceptions,
and deadly guards.
in that they have survived for a century or more
and have spread their influence farther than a
Magic and FX few days’ walk from their headquarters.
Magic does not exist in any form in a Plague
World campaign.
Psionic powers do exist in this campaign setting,
Adeptus Dei
Agenda: Ensure that no further knowledge is
in the form of some types of mutations. Psionic
lost and build a bridge between humans and
abilities are rare, but the psionic classes from the
spanthi.
d20 Modern Roleplaying Game are allowed.
Structure: Pseudo-religious brotherhood.
Symbol: DaVinci’s Vitruvian Man.
The Landscape Most Common Allegiance: Independent
Plague World is designed to take place primar- explorers.
ily in the eastern third of the United States. It can
easily be moved to other parts of the country, or Adeptus Dei operates out of The Cathedral of Sci-
other continents entirely, but the high population ence, located in what used to be western North
density of the U.S. East Coast makes the remaining Carolina near Asheville. The cathedral is in fact
relics (and the twisted ruins in which to search for an old Rip Van bunker of unusual size, once able
them) in this area somewhat easier to uncover. to support a few hundred cryogenically frozen sol-
Because the spanthi did not land in numbers diers. Unfortunately, a system failure one hundred
until they had largely shattered the countries of years ago caused all but one of the sleepers to die
the Earth, few truly devastating weapons were used without awakening. The exception was the unit’s
within the borders of the United States. Nuclear chaplain, a man named Frank Kroeger. A scientist
weapons halted a column of spanthi moving up as well as a religious official, Kroeger set about

620_88046_Chpt6.indd 89 4/1/05 12:18:08 PM

 PLAGUE WORLD

RP

Adeptus Dei safeguards

building a new the knowledge of the past
order dedicated to preserving what
knowledge remained in the world. The Kin
Kroeger also decided that the ongoing war Agenda: Grow in power and resources by
between humans and spanthi, now both residents of subjugating anyone not a member of the family,
the same world, was pointless and wasteful. Recog- especially including nonmutants and non-
nizing reavers as near-mindless killing machines, Americans.
the chaplain began trying to communicate with Structure: Familial clan.
and understand spanthi truebloods, looking for Symbol: Two crossed hand axes.
a way to build a peaceful relationship. To date, Most Common Allegiance: Tyrannis.
only a handful of truebloods have had anything
to do with Adeptus Dei, but those successes have The Kin is a loose coalition of small, family-run
continued to encourage the group. towns nestled in the western Appalachian Moun-
The Cathedral of Science is well guarded and tains. The members’ ancestors were among the
armed, but none of its technology ever leaves the poorest and most reclusive citizens of the United
premises. Instead, groups of missionaries go out States. Most lacked the high-tech conveniences
from the cathedral, looking for any knowledge that of modern life, and as a result they suffered less
can be preserved. The missionaries, and indeed the when civilization collapsed. Already accustomed
entire organization, are not evangelical. Though to growing their own food, hunting, and living
they are motivated in part by faith, they are will- with limited access to modern medicine and com-
ing to accept anyone’s faith as equally valid. The munications, the forerunners of the Kin managed
only important mission for the order is the search to get along fairly well.
for knowledge of all kinds. Caught in the waves of spanthi nanoweapons
Adeptus Dei is mistrusted by almost everyone targeted at weapons depots in Virginia and West
but a few independent explorers, who have learned Virginia, many of the Kin underwent extensive
they can sell artifacts to the order with no ques- mutation. Many died, of course, but a surprising
tions asked. The reason for this mistrust is simple: number of the mountain folk managed to not only
All other humans fear and hate the spanthi as the survive, but to thrive. They bear their mutation as
killers of the Earth. The fact that Adeptus Dei is a sign of pride, and soon as a sign of divine grace.
constantly trying to forge an alliance of some kind The Kin see themselves as inheritors of the Earth
with the spanthi makes it the most hated group in and look down on those with fewer mutations.
the world, and the fact that it makes no effort to Nonmutants, as well as those declared “un’merican,”
help other cultures or communities adds salt to are often captured and used as slave labor.
the wound. Adeptus Dei is one of the most power- Each Kin town is a small, walled enclosure,
ful forces left in the world, but it refuses to use its often set around an old mine that is used as a
might for any but its stated goals. keep. The oldest mutant in town is the town elder

620_88046_Chpt6.indd 90 4/1/05 12:18:09 PM

 d20 APOCALYPSE
and has extensive authority. Most Kin towns have
a few farms, but they rely more heavily on hunt-
FRIENDS AND FOES
ing. The Kin have abandoned modern technology, The Plague World campaign uses two unique mon-
preferring to build communities they can sustain sters, the spanthi reaver and spanthi trueblood,
without such amenities. and one new advanced class, the Evolutionary.
Town elders communicate by messenger from time
to time, and often arrange for the trade of young
Kin (having enough youngsters for marriage outside
Spanthi Reaver
A spanthi reaver is arguably the most danger-
the close-knit families is a constant problem).
ous creature on Earth. The product of a desperate
Luckily for those survivors who don’t match the
genetic gamble by the stranded spanthi, the
Kin’s definition of “family,” these insular mutants
reaver is designed for physical speed, power, and
rarely venture far from their homes, and almost
resilience. Fortunately for humankind, its physi-
never gather in large numbers.
cal prowess comes at the cost of its intelligence.
Though trueblood spanthi are brilliant, reavers
Tyrannis have degenerated into a state only marginally
Agenda: Raid what few troves of ancient tools and smarter than common animals.
devices remain and use them to build an empire A reaver stands 7 to 8 feet tall and appears as
able to exterminate the spanthi at any cost. a cross between a praying mantis and a lobster
Structure: Feudal kingdom. (with the worst features of numerous bugs thrown
Symbol: A crown.
Most Common Allegiance: The Kin.
in as well). Each has two huge claws, twelve to
twenty other limbs (varying by individual), and a
wide, lobsterlike tail. Reavers can breathe air and
91
The kingdom of Tyrannis is based in what was once water with equal ease and have laid claim to many

PLAGUE WORLD
Charleston, West Virginia, and claims much of that islands and coastal regions. Their hide is a tough
state’s territory (though its grip grows lax more chitin armor, and they also have a strong internal
than one hundred miles from its stronghold). Most skeleton. Each reaver has about two dozen eyes,
of the land Tyrannis claims is open wilderness, as well as numerous hairs that perform hearing
though many smaller strongholds found throughout and olfactory functions.
eastern North America are arms-length allies of Spanthi reavers have a poisonous bite. They do
the kingdom and are strongly modeled after it. not use tools, but are clever enough to work simple
Tyrannis was founded almost a century ago by a mechanisms such as door latches.
man who found a few unraided bunkers in eastern Spanthi reavers often gather in vast hordes of
cities, including Washington, D.C. Using gear and a thousand or more. Such a horde is capable of
supplies from these bunkers, he took control of a eating every plant, animal, and vaguely organic
few active communities and installed himself as structure over an area of hundreds of acres before
ruler. The man called himself the Tyrant and named it gorges itself. Such a horde always follows a queen,
his fledgling kingdom after himself. The Tyrant breaking into smaller groups that wander away if
authorized “marshals” to take control of whatever the queen is killed.
territory they could, granting them high-tech tools Once every seven years a queen reaver nests,
in return for their loyalty and allegiance. Though laying ten thousand eggs, which form ten separate
the marshals were often brutal in their methods, hordes if allowed to mature. A horde guards the
they did successfully destroy a few spanthi hordes nesting place of a queen, but will not enter it.
and bring relative security to many areas. Towns
began to petition Tyrannis for its protection, and Species Traits
many people saw the growing kingdom as the Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a
legitimate successor to the governments of old. spanthi reaver must hit with a claw attack. See
The Tyrant died a few decades ago, and Tyrannis page 227 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game for
has suffered since. It has taken a decidedly pro- more information.
mutant stance: The Tyrant taught that political Poison (Ex): The bite of a spanthi reaver is
power must be bought with military power; since poisonous. A victim that takes damage from a
the ancient weapons the Tyrant used to forge his bite must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save. On
empire are largely defunct now, many powerful a failed save, the victim takes initial damage of
mutants have taken over as marshals. 1d8 Strength and 2d6 Dexterity. If a second save
The new Tyrant, a psionic mutant called the is failed, the target takes secondary damage of
Headhunter, has created armies of slaves put to paralysis (for 2d4 minutes).
the task of unearthing new caches of ancient Radiation Resistance (Ex): A spanthi reaver
weapons. What few rights the citizens of Tyran- treats an irradiated area or radiation source as
nis previously enjoyed have been suspended, with two degrees weaker for the purpose of determin-
only the powerful enjoying any security or safety. ing radiation exposure (severe becomes moderate,
The Headhunter wishes to build an army strong high becomes low, moderate becomes mild, and
enough to reach the remains of New York City, or the spanthi reaver is unaffected by low and mild
Chicago, in hopes of finding more relics. degrees of exposure).

620_88046_Chpt6.indd 91 4/1/05 12:18:15 PM

 Spanthi reaver

focused all their energy on

the construction of a fleet
able to take them to a new
homeworld. For a century,
all spanthi endeavors were
aimed at getting the best of
their kind into cryogenic
sleep aboard ships able to
travel the galaxy at some
fraction of the speed of
light. These ships scouted
for decades before discov-
ering a planet that met the
spanthi’s needs: Earth.
After settling into orbit around the
planet, the spanthi set about eradi-
cating the most dangerous species
present—humanity. In their efforts, they
made a critical mistake and managed

92
to infect their own biologically based tech-
Spanthi nology. The spanthi were stranded on Earth, badly
trueblood outnumbered, and dying of modified versions of their
own weapons. Most spanthi underwent modifica-
PLAGUE WORLD

tion (eventually becoming spanthi reavers), while

a few developed natural immunity to the weapons
they had created.
The remaining spanthi truebloods are as much
Resistance to Massive Damage (Ex): Spanthi
a postapocalypse culture as the humans they tried
reavers have a +5 species bonus on Fortitude saves
to eliminate. Few have any more advanced train-
to negate the effects of massive damage.
ing than a typical 20th-century human, though
their naturally high intellect allow them to pick
Spanthi Reaver: CR 8; Large monstrous human-
up technical skills far more easily. The spanthi of
oid; HD 10d8+50; hp 95; Mas 20; Init +3; Spd 50
Plague World have managed to retain a level of
ft., climb 20 ft., swim 30 ft.; Defense 20, touch 12,
technology similar to Earth’s before the apocalypse
flat-footed 17 (–1 size, +3 Dex, +8 natural armor);
(PL 5), but their former PL 7 technology is largely
BAB +10; Grap +20; Atk +15 melee (1d8+6, claw); Full
beyond them. The few examples they still retain
Atk +15 melee (1d8+6, 2 claws) and +13 melee (1d6+3
are precious artifacts not to be risked or traded
plus poison, bite); FS 10 ft. by 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.;
for any reason.
SQ improved grab, poison, radiation resistance,
One benefit truebloods enjoy is that reavers will
resistance to massive damage; AL none; SV Fort
not consume them, which allows the trueblood
+8, Ref +8, Will +9; AP 0; Rep +0; Str 23, Dex 17, Con
spanthi to move safely in lands overrun by reavers.
20, Int 6, Wis 18, Cha 12.
This may be a result of the close physical similarity
Skills: Listen +14, Search +8, Spot +14.
between spanthi truebloods and reavers. Though
Feats: Multiattack, Power Attack.
smaller and thinner than reavers, truebloods still
Advancement: 11–15 HD (Large); 16–20 HD (Huge).
have an appearance reminiscent of a large prey-
ing mantis with too many legs and eyes.
Spanthi Trueblood
There are fewer spanthi truebloods on Earth than Species Traits
there are unmutated humans. Very few spanthi Immunity to Disease (Ex): The few remain-
can survive the current biological conditions on ing spanthi trueblood are immune to diseases of
Earth without extreme genetic engineering, and all kinds.
most of those were killed in the first century of Radiation Resistance (Ex): A spanthi true-
conflict. The few that remain are not numerous blood treats an irradiated area or radiation source
enough to maintain a stable population. In a few as two degrees weaker for the purpose of determin-
more generations, the last of these spanthi will ing radiation exposure (severe becomes moderate,
be only a memory. high becomes low, moderate becomes mild, and
Spanthi culture is indescribably older than the spanthi trueblood is unaffected by low and
humanity and had recorded many great accom- mild degrees of exposure).
plishments during its existence. But when their
own planet was threatened by a stellar catastro- Spanthi Trueblood: CR 1; Medium-size monstrous
phe, the spanthi could not find a way to survive on humanoid; HD 1d8+1; hp 5; Mas 13; Init +2; Spd 40
it. Desperate to continue as a species, the spanthi ft., climb 20 ft., swim 30 ft.; Defense 16, touch 12,

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
flat-footed 14 (+2 Dex, +4 natural armor); BAB +1; 4. Barracks
Grap +1; Atk +1 melee (1d4, claw) or +3 ranged; Full This is a large room with eight double bunks and
Atk +1 melee (1d4, 2 claws) and –1 melee (1d6, bite) sixteen empty foot lockers. Two showers are located
or +3 ranged; FS 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; SQ immu- at the far end.
nity to disease, radiation resistance; AL none; SV
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +6; AP 0; Rep +0; Str 11, Dex 15, 5. Kitchen and Mess Hall
Con 13, Int 18, Wis 18, Cha 14. A small kitchen, suitable for cooking meals for a
Skills: Computer Use +5, Craft (chemical) +7, dozen or so people, is combined with a mess hall
Craft (electronic) +7, Craft (mechanical) +7, Hide+5, and recreation room. Furnishings include two
Intimidate +6, Jump+4, Knowledge (history) +7, folding tables with built-in chairs, a folding Ping-
Knowledge (technology) +7, Listen +7, Move Silently Pong table, and two dart boards.
+5, Read/Write Language (Spanthi, any one Earth
language), Repair +5, Sense Motive +5, Speak Lan- 6. Communications Center
guage (Spanthi, any three Earth languages), Spot This room has a computer with a link to the Inter-
+7, Survival +5. net (long since dead), a satellite phone (likewise
Feats: Alertness, Multiattack. useless), and a long-range radio and television
Advancement: By character class. transceiver. It also includes a television with play-
back devices in a wide variety of formats, a video
camera, and 10 12-hour tapes.
RIP VAN BUNKER
This location is a typical cryogenic sleep bunker
used by a Rip Van team. This bunker is undamaged,
7. Power Center
This room contains the controls and hardware to
93
operate the geothermal power plant running the
but that doesn’t mean it’s unraided. The equipment

PLAGUE WORLD
bunker. It also has the master pipes for the (long
originally placed in each room is given below,
since dead) plumbing.
but unless the bunker has never been found and
scavenged, it won’t be there any longer.
This location can represent the heroes’ starting
8. Medical Bay
This room contains a surgery kit and table.
location, an old bunker in use by some other group, or
even a section of the Adeptus Dei Cathedral (which is
actually a collection of dozens of these bunkers).
9. Cryogenic Chamber
This portion of the bunker is a self-sufficient, sealed
In a standard Plague World campaign, the heroes
chamber with 8 cold-sleep modules, each able to
awaken in a bunker such as this one only to discover
support one Medium-size or smaller creature in
that everything beyond the cryogenic chamber has
suspended animation indefinitely. Each has a foot-
been raided. All tools, gear, vehicles, and even com-
locker with a few personal items, a Glock-17 with
puters are gone. Obviously, a GM can leave some of
a spare magazine and 34 rounds of ammunition,
the gear if she wishes, or leave directions to a nearby
fatigues, a tool belt, a fatigue jacket, a parka, and
bunker that might contain such gear.
a multipurpose tool. Four of the footlockers have a
Mossberg shotgun, a box of 50 12ga shells, and duct
1. Garage tape. One has a medical kit and 12 MREs. One has
This high-ceilinged chamber contains a full tool
night vision goggles and an 8-person dome tent.
bay and two hydraulic lifts. Two Humvees are sta-
One has a basic electrical and basic mechanical
tioned here, along with 500 gallons of fuel.
tool kit. One has 2 sets of climbing gear, a battery
flood flashlight, and 150 feet of rope.
2. Armory
A spartan room kept behind a vault door, this
chamber contains locked weapons cages (high-
quality locks) containing 12 Glock-17s, 8 HK MP5s,
ADVANCED CLASSES
4 Beretta M3Ps, 8 metal batons, 8 knives, 2 stun Most non-FX classes from the d20 Modern Role-
guns, 6 hatchets, and 6 machetes. There are 50 playing Game and d20 Future can be used in the
rounds of ammunition for each firearm. These Plague World setting. The following advanced
weapons were selected for reliability and because classes can be used in this setting with no modi-
most share a common ammunition type (making fication: Bodyguard, Daredevil, Dreadnought,
it easier to share ammo). Explorer, Field Officer, Gunslinger, Helix Warrior,
Infiltrator, Martial Artist, Negotiator, Road War-
3. Dry Stores rior*, Salvager*, Soldier, and Swindler.
This is a warehouse of general goods. It includes a *Indicates an advanced class introduced in
bolt cutter, a portable satellite phone, 4 night vision Chapter 3 of this book.
goggles, an electrical tool kit, 10 first aid kits, 250 zip The following classes are appropriate for mem-
ties, a portable stove, 12 sleeping bags, 8 backpacks, bers of Rip Van teams: Field Scientist, Field Medic,
a pharmacist kit, and a search and rescue kit. There Engineer, and Techie.
are also 360 MREs, as well as an extensive collec- In addition, the Evolutionary advanced class is
tion of seeds and agricultural hand tools. introduced on page 95.

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 d20 APOCALYPSE

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
EVOLUTIONARY Mutations: At least two mutations, with a total
MP cost of 8 or more.
That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.
Because of the spanthi retroviruses and mutagenic
bacteria, mutation is common among all species in
Class Information
The following information pertains to the Evolu-
Plague World. In most cases, mutation takes place
tionary advanced class.
between generations, with each set of offspring
more varied than the previous. However, it is not
unknown for the advanced alien materials and
Hit Die
The Evolutionary gains 1d10 hit points per level.
viruses to mutate living creatures directly, especially
The character’s Constitution modifier applies.
when the creature is also subjected to high levels of
stress or moderate levels of radiation. Most human
bodies resist such changes. The Evolutionary wel-
Action Points
The Evolutionary gains a number of action points
comes them, body and soul—changing, growing,
equal to 6 + one-half his character level, rounded down,
and adapting to overcome any challenge.
every time he attains a new level in this class.
Many Evolutionaries see themselves as the new
humanity—a race of superior ability that will inevi-
tably become the ruling class. These elitists often
Class Skills
The Evolutionary’s class skills are as follows.
form a kind of nobility in mutant-heavy communi-
Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con),

95
ties, becoming the rulers and warrior champions for
Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha),
their towns. A strange form of mutated feudalism
Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Search
arises, with the most extremely mutated creatures
(Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot
becoming lords and knights, receiving tribute from
(Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).

PLAGUE WORLD
(and in theory offering protection to) weaker, less
Skill Points at Each Level: 5 + Int modifier.
mutated citizens. In the best of these societies, the
Evolutionaries protect the weak. However, just as
often, they are tyrants who treat mundane humans Class Features
as serfs—or slaves. The following class features pertain to the Evolu-
Other Evolutionaries avoid communities entirely, tionary advanced class.
seeing them as a crutch for the weak. These wan-
derers seek to constantly test themselves against Development
the environment, giving their bodies the oppor- At 1st level, and every three levels thereafter, an
tunity to adapt to whatever hazards they face. The Evolutionary develops an existing mutation. Some
most brutal of these loners consider everything in developments apply to all the Evolutionary’s muta-
terms of strength—anything that cannot threaten tions, while others (defined in the descriptions) must
them is beneath them. be applied to a single mutation the Evolutionary
A surprising number of wandering Evolution- already possesses. Once an Evolutionary chooses
aries take a broader view, seeking experiences of a development, it cannot be changed. The possible
all kinds. As some of the most powerful humans developments are given below.
left, they have the luxury of treating even weaker Conceal Mutations (Ex): An Evolutionary with
creatures with dignity, and seek to learn and grow this development is able to take a move action to
from every situation they encounter. conceal all his obvious mutations for a number of
minutes equal to his Constitution score. Mutations
concealed in this way do not function and cannot
Requirements be perceived using the Sense Mutation feat (see
To qualify to become an Evolutionary, a character
page 59). The Evolutionary may end a mutation’s
must fulfill the following criteria.
concealment as a free action.
Base Attack Bonus: +2.
Damaging Mutation (Ex): An Evolutionary
Skills: Concentration 6 ranks.
with this development selects one mutation that

Table 6–1: The Evolutionary

Class Base Attack Fort Ref Will Defense Reputation
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Bonus Bonus
1st +0 +1 +1 +0 Development +0 +0
2nd +1 +2 +2 +0 Additional mutation +1 +0
3rd +2 +2 +2 +1 Bonus feat +1 +1
4th +3 +2 +2 +1 Development +1 +1
5th +3 +3 +3 +1 Additional mutation +2 +1
6th +4 +3 +3 +2 Bonus feat +2 +2
7th +5 +4 +4 +2 Development +2 +2
8th +6 +4 +4 +2 Additional mutation +3 +2
9th +6 +4 +4 +3 Bonus feat +3 +3
10th +7 +5 +5 +3 Development, additional feat +3 +3

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 d20 APOCALYPSE
deals damage. Whenever this mutation is used Additional Mutation
to deal damage, it deals an additional 1d6 points At 2nd, 5th, 8th and 10th level, an Evolutionary
of damage. gains an additional 4 MP with which he may buy
Focus Mutation (Ex): An Evolutionary with new mutations. (These are in addition to any MP the
this development can focus the power of a single Evolutionary may gain from exposure to mutagen-
mutation. If the mutation requires an attack roll, ics or as a reward from the GM.) The Evolutionary
the Evolutionary gains a +1 bonus on the attack may not buy more than one mutation per level, but
roll. If it has a save DC, that DC is increased by 1. need not spend MP at the level they are gained.
An Evolutionary can take this mutation multiple Each time the Evolutionary gains a new character
times. It effects do not stack. Each time it is taken, level, he may spend any remaining MP on a new
it must be applied to a different mutation. mutation. (This allows the Evolutionary the option
Re-Evolution (Ex): By taking this develop- of saving MP for more expensive mutations.)
ment, an Evolutionary can eliminate up to three
mutations, and buy up to three new mutations with Bonus Feat
the same MP cost or lower. The Evolutionary may At 3rd, 6th, and 9th level, an Evolutionary gets a
eliminate one drawback in this manner, though bonus feat. The bonus feat must be selected from
the drawback‘s MP value counts against the MP the following list, and the Evolutionary must meet
cost of the Evolutionary’s new mutations. all the prerequisites of the feat to select it.
For example, an Evolutionary with adrenaline Action Boost, Acrobatic, Alertness, Animal

96
jolt (3 MP), energy absorption (4 MP), major psionic Affinity, Athletic, Attentive, Blind-Fight, Builder,
talent (6 MP), very thick hide (6 MP), and weak Cautious, Confident, Creative, Deceptive, Dodge,
immune system (–1 MP) eliminates adrenaline jolt, Endurance, Focused, Frightful Presence, Gearhead,
energy absorption, and weak immune system. The Great Fortitude, Guide, Heroic Surge, Improved
total MP value of these mutations is (3 + 4 – 1) = 6 Damage Threshold, Improved Initiative, Iron Will,
MP. He takes wings, spending the whole 6 MP to Lightning Reflexes, Low Profile, Medical Expert,
gain this new mutation. Meticulous, Mutation Damage Boost*, Nimble,
This development may not be taken if the Evolu- Renown, Run, Sense Mutation*, Stealthy, Tough-
tionary selected it as his previous development. ness, Trustworthy, Weapon Finesse.
*Indicates a feat described in Chapter 3 of this
An Evolutionary protects those too weak book.
to fend for themselves
About the Authors
ERIC CAGLE is a freelance designer whose pre-
vious design credits include Races of Destiny, the
d20 Menace Manual, and Monster Manual III.
He has also written more than thirty articles
for Dragon ® Magazine and the Wizards of the
Coast website.

DARRIN DRADER has co-authored ten role-

playing game books over the past three years,
including Serpent Kingdoms and Book of Exalted
Deeds. In addition, he frequently contributes
articles to the D&D website, and his work
has appeared in Dragon Magazine, Signs
and Portents magazine, and several other
online publications.

CHARLES RYAN is the Brand Manager for

Roleplaying Games at Wizards of the Coast. A
designer for over twelve years, he worked on such
titles as Deadlands: Hell on Earth, Millennium’s End,
Dune: Chronicles of the Imperium, and The Wheel of
Time Roleplaying Game, and was a codesigner of
the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game. He served as
Chairman of the Academy of Adventure Gaming
Arts and Design from 1996 to 2001.

OWEN K.C. STEPHENS, a freelance writer living

in Oklahoma, has written numerous articles for
the Wizards of the Coast website, includ-
ing d20 Modern adventures and advice
columns. His roleplaying game design
credits include Tempest Feud, Starships, and
Ultimate Alien Anthology for the Star Wars
Roleplaying Game.

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