Gamma Mutant: Science Fantasy Background for Cairn

Here’s my submission to the Science-Fantasy Backgrounds for Cairn Jam. A background inspired by the post-apocalyptic stories and games I grew up with in the 1970s and early 1980s. Gamma Mutant by By Matt Kelly

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The snare drum is just right.

I think we gotta make hockey helmet more unique than just +1 armor, bro. These other items are stellar and that one stands out as ‘sure I say I look cool but that doesn’t make me feel like I always look cool’. Maybe like: ‘regularly mistaken for murderer’? Old stock footage of Friday the 13th survived and has become some New Bible for how to remain alive in this world.

Scaling usage die is dope. I like the ‘oh no did I roll a 1’ aspect.

I feel like we can work on the name for ‘improved body control’. Because if I ask you ‘what do you do?’ and you say ‘I fly’ and then you ask me, and I say ‘improved body control’, guess who is going to be a little less inclined to share…

Broken claws is right on. I love these little mishap setbacks you’ve baked in.

I’d suggest just ‘wee’ vs ‘wee bitty’. Dunno. It’s a language thing. Or bitty would be fine. It’s just both kinda saps the punch of the moment’s language.

So the more somebody carries, the less they’re able to use mutations? A rat-hoarder type would be forever human?

Haha. Okay: mishaps tabel is definitely abrasive in the best way. You almost want these things to happen. I love the language limiter and couldn’t help but snort when my inventory went to dust.

I’d offer that dusty inventory is going to be… ouch. Might consider like… all things made of plastic? or just one substance (all copper) so that there’s a gameable understanding of why the mishap didn’t serve?

Yeah. I was here for this. I don’t think it gets too much into mutant aesthetic which is fine. There’s something refreshing that makes this an easy pedestal to kick off a game in or as an accent to a game. And already said what I said about easy backfires. Fun tables.