RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 22

Day 22-Tell us about notable Flora and Fauna.

"I've had more than my fair share of encounters with dangerous wildlife and perilous plants while living on my own all those years ago.

Even so, I am by no means an authority on the subject. You know who is? Ensign Salar, a Xenobiologist in Prosperity's venerable Science Department. One might even say he is 'passionate' about the subject."

"You are attempting to make a humorous comment at my expense. I do not appreciate your teasing attitude regarding my emotional disposition. *Lets out...a sigh?* Nonetheless, I am deeply fascinated by animals, plants, and how they develop and fit into a planet's ecosystem. Therefore, I shall assist you in giving this informative address about the creatures and vegetation we have catalogued in the Tango Super Sector. 

You 'owe me one' as the Humans say."

Thaldrisil - Andorian Blue Barley

 

Originating on the Andorian homeworld of Epsilon Indii VIII A, more commonly known as Andoria or simply Andor, this light blue colored grain is common across the farmlands of the planet, both North and South of the equatorial regions. 

Known as Thaldrisil in the Andorian language of Graalen, the grain is a vital component in the production of Andorian Ale, a major export of the Andorians in this area of space. While the Thaldrisil was brought to Mozinphar's World from Andor, it has thrived in the remarkably similar climate and soil. 

The Creatures of Dinom II 

(Season 8, Episode 10 'Across he Bright Face')

For a very hot and dry planet, not unlike my native Vulcan, Dinom II has a very diverse selection of animal life. What makes Dinom II's biodiversity even more intriguing is that the world is tidally locked, meaning one side is constantly being bombarded by the rays of its relatively close sun.

All of the animal life on the planet seems to include features similar to sauropods and/or theropods and mammal. This is in addition to whatever other categories it's biological make-up may place it in. For example, a number of creatures seem to incorporate a degree of arthropod-like DNA even though they are clearly not traditional arthropods. Even the avian Crueldactyl or 'Bloody Axe Beaked Flyer' is more closely related to flying mammals and reptiles than it is any sort of bird. 

Serving in Starfleet has taught me that category distinctions are often...complicated. 

Some of the more notable species encountered by the Command Crew include (Left to Right):

Animal Biodiversity on Dinom II

Caesordorsalis or 'Armored Head Slasher': A massive creature with heavily armored backplates, elbow 'spur' talons, and a pair of hard ridged bones on either side of its head that it can use to both cut down prey or deflect incoming attacks to its face and head. The creature's armor is so tough it can ignore a Type II Phaser set for Stun and the slasher ridges on either side of its head can withstand the 'Heavy Stun' setting. 

Laceruda or 'Scorpion Tailed Pincer Lizard': a vicious and fast moving predator with pincher claw forelimbs and a poison stinger equipped tail. It can close distance in record breaking time for similar lifeforms but it is an ambush predator, saving up its energy for the eventual charge and sting. Consider it similar to an Earth Cheetah crossed with an Zaranite Dune Springer.

Crueldactyl or 'Bloody Axe Beak Flyer': a flying predator/scavenger with a rather cunning and effective means of hunting and eating prey. The creatures will flying down from the sky, strike a prey animal in the hind quarters or legs if possible, and then wait until the victim follows behind its pack. They then circle overhead and once the creature dies of blood loss, heatstroke, or even starvation, the horde of them descend upon the carcass to consume it. They travel in groups of three to a dozen individuals of varying ages and sizes. A group of them has been dubbed a 'horde'. 

Mantigris or 'MantisTiger Lizard': Also called the 'Scythe Mantis Cat', this is the second fastest moving creature on Dinom, right behind the Scorpion Tailed Pincher. In fact, this animal has a considerably faster response time to outside stimuli and can strike almost twice as quickly at close range. The Pincer Lizard is faster is a dedicated run/chase. 

Tonivacca or 'Desert Thundercow': This herbivorous animal feeds on 'Succulent Moss' and similar plants that grow near and in the few watering holes on Dinom. When the entire herd of 10-12 beasts has had a sufficient amount of hydration and food, no more and no less, they instinctively migrate to the next body of 'fresh' water. Most herds follow a seemingly nomadic route that has been passed on to the next generation for centuries, changing only when environmental challenges mandate it.  

These are the main prey of the Crueldactyls and Armored Head Slashers and we wondered, 'how have they survived such vicious and powerful predators?'. For one thing, they are extremely tough, like most lifeforms on Dinom II, with remarkable levels of endurance and resistance to physical damage. They are also capable of creating two different sounds that intimidate and confuse predators. One is an incredibly loud, rumbling bellow. The other is the heavy footsteps of the herd in motion. When the Thundercow runs from an attacker the very ground below them shakes and the air is filled with a thunderous pounding [, hence their name].

The Great Wetland Cephalopod of Yed Prior

(Season 8, Episode 3 'Dinner and a Show')

Forced to participate in gladitorial combat in the 'Arena of Yed' by the planet's robot custodians, the world's stranded inhabitants and eventually the Prosperity's Command Crew had to face such dangerous opponents as the Great Wetland Cephalopod. 

A species of large cephalopod dwelling in the massive, unusually deep, tropical swamps of Yed Prior I's Southern Hemisphere. A type of algae or mossy grass grows on the creature, forming a symbiotic relationship that keeps the animal's skin moist while its on land. In exchange, the cephalopod moves the algae into more sunlight or nutrient rich waters and providing other benefits thanks to its mobility. 

The creatures are carnivorous, with a vertical mouth behind an outer rim of flesh consisting of its front tentacles. The sharp, sometimes jagged 'teeth' along the creature's tentacles are actually chitinous hooks for grasping, holding, and tearing at prey. Because the base of the forward limbs surround the mouth, these hooks are indeed used as teeth, in a fashion, slicing up what it consumes into pieces small enough to be crushed by the muscles of its inner jaw. 

The Great Cephalopod is able to travel on land quickly, if clumsily, using its tentacles and the twin-taloned claws at the end of some of them (others have a single claw). Its aquatic movement combines the use of its tentacles with carefully released discharges of stored water and air. 

"Thank you so much for your help Salar and I apologize for teasing you. Please don't be mad."

"I appreciate...Mad? Are you...joking again?"

Well, here we are at the 28th of February and I am by no means finished with the Campaign Tour Challenge. I am way behind on yet another Challenge, only this one is mine. I made it myself and I'm still behind. Good grief. 

I'm going to finish it. I am honestly having too much fun doing this to stop now. My slow down was due to Real LifeTM stuff, not a lack of interest or enthusiasm. Please stick with me until the end.

Thanks. 

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Barking Alien 

It is with great sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Robert 'Rob' Grant, the British Comedy Writer and Television Producer best known as one of two Co-Creators of the English Sci-Fi TV Series 'Red Dwarf'. 

Mr. Grant passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 25th, at the age of 70. 

A huge Red Dwarf fan, I am sorry for this loss to his family, friends, fans, and the entertainment industry. 

RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 8

Day 8-Tell us about the local peoples and their cultures.

"One of the reasons I decided to join Starfleet and defect to the United Federation of Planets is that my people's long history of prejudice and speciesist superiority runs absolutely counter to my own nature. I am completely fascinated by all the varied intelligent lifeforms that exist in our galaxy! I truly take to heart the Vulcan philosophy of IDIC - Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.

Just imagine being raised on a world of Black and White versus White and Black only to discover that in the vastness of the universe most other beings are a single hue or more accurately one hue per individual. I was the oddity. My supposedly superior species were the strange ones. My mind was blasted! Wait...blown. My mind was blown.

Sorry, its a Human colloquialism and I haven't mastered them all yet. 

In my time serving with the USS Prosperity I've met so many species and formed close relationships with Andorians, Humans, Vulcans, Tellarites, and I could go on and on. I've also met or at least seen some that are fascinating and unusual even by UFP standards. Let me tell you about a few..."

Khelayans

(Khelaya, Rura Khel IV, Rura Khel System)

A former subject species of the Klingon Empire, the Khelayans had eventually had enough of Klingon rule and when their conquerors diverted forces to deal with other matters, the Khelayan people rose up, having obtained weapons in secret from Orion traders.

Not long after their uprising, those dwelling on their homeworld's most populated continent, and the site of many Klingon mining operations, discovered a Janissary outpost and massive armory they dubbed 'The Vault'. Not content with just being free from tyranny, a decision was made by the Khelayan Council of Elders to go on the offensive and switch from being prey to being predators themselves.

The Janissaries were a militant offshoot of the ancient, mysterious species known as the Precursors, who technology and science were far beyond what we can comprehend today, except in the barest of terms. 

The Khelayan took damaged ships left behind by the Klingons, reverse engineered the simpliest of the Janissary tech (most of it being a millennia ahead of the Federation and Klingon Empire) and started acting as pirates. Mostly they attacked Orion and Klingon civilian and commercial transports but eventually they became bold and struck Federation and Starfleet targets. 

In the end this lead to war with the UFP, which required Captain Anne Fletcher - temporarily promoted to Fleet Captain - to bring an assembled fleet of ships to Khelaya. A short but bitter battle was engaged while a small team went to the surface to disable and eventually eliminate the Vault and all Janissary technology. The Khelayans reluctantly surrendered.

During these events, the Prosperity crew learned that not all Khelayans had agreed with their ruling council's decision to go this route and with the remaining Elders of the council deposed and arrested, Khelaya's new leadership hopes to redeem their people in the eyes of the rest of the galaxy. Sadly, that doesn't seem likely anytime soon. 

Khelayans are yellow-green to green-gray humanoids with vaguely reptilian appearances, bat-like ears, and rounded peak shaped skulls. The stand 2 meters tall on average with females being generally the same height as males. Female Khelayans are often brighter or paler in color and markings on their skin are more obvious. 

Although they do share some reptilian biological attributes, they are warm-blooded and generally dwell in their cold planet's mildest environments when possible.They dislike extreme heat or extreme cold but will endure it if need be. They lays eggs but nurse the hatched young as would mammals. Their eyes are well adapted to dim light and their ears are quite sensitive.

Kyodanians

(Planet of Origin Unknown - Believed to be in the Trailing Section of the Beta Quadrant) 

Only just recently encountered by Starfleet, specifically by Lt. Commander Rhys Carr when he met one on Deep Space Station K-12, the Kyodanians are a starfaring species from the far end of the Tango Super Sector.

The individual Kyodanian, who called himself Goruhk, was friendly and menacing at the same time. Introducing himself as an explorer who trades information for goods, supplies, and still more information, the most peculiar aspect of Goruhk, and the Kyodanian people presumably, appears to be their language. 

Modern Universal Translators are able to not only translate a multitude of languages but determine context, innuendo, and emphasis by relating the words they receive to other words, both in the present conversation and in the devices memory circuits. This proved not to be the case with Goruhk, as it seems his language lacks any sort of subtly or indirect meaning. It is simple and almost brutually honest. Thank goodness Mr. Carr, a linguistics specialist, was able to adjust his communication gear and its algorithim so as to be able to converse with the Kyodanian. 

Their first conversation went like this:

Cmdr Carr: "I am Commander Carr of the Starfleet vessel USS Prosperity."

Goruhk: "Hello Commander Carr of the Prosperity! I am Goruhk. I am an explorer. I like spicy foods. Now, you tell me something about yourself."

Cmdr Carr: "I am a Science Officer and an explorer as well. I like to play an Earth sport called Baseball."

Goruhk: "EXCELLENT! I have told you something about me, you have told me something about you, and now, we are friends!"

Goruhk meant it. He was happy to tell Mr. Carr whatever he wanted to know about pretty much anything of a friendly nature as they were indeed, just like he said, friends now. 

Kyodanians are massive, standing 2.3 meters tall and weighing 200 kgs. Their skin is similar to that of a Megarite and other cetacean-like lifeforms but is denser and tougher. The horn-like protrusions on their head and spines are their backs seem to aid them in balance like the inner ear of many Humanoid species. Kyodanian are large and heavy but surprisingly agile. They are, as one might imagine, incredibly physically strong and are excellent swimmers (their fingers and toes are webbed). 

Little else is known about the Kyodanians at this time but we look forward to learning more.

Mazzulans

(Mazzula, Meridiana, Alpha Coronae Australis II, Alpha Coronae Australis System)

Following the Earth-Romulan War, a sect of Romulan Spiritualists departed Romulus on an exodus not unlike the Romulans departure from Vulcan. They left in three colonization vessels, one of which disappeared following a massive ion storm and meteor shower. For decades the fate of that vessel was unknown until only recently. The other two ships made it to Alpha Coronae Australis II, known as Meridiana by the Federation. They dubbed the planet Mazzula after an ancient Vulcan God of Hope and Determination. 

To their surprise, the planet was not unihabited. An Orion starship had crash landed there a decade earlier due nearly identical hazard conditions to those that destroyed the Mazzulans third colony ship. Over the next few 40 years or so the surviving Orions and Romulan pilgrims interbred, resulting in the present day Mazzulans. 

Culturally the Mazzulans are a throwback and a hybrid of pre- and post-exodus Romulans and therefore somewhat more Vulcan. They are emotional but highly spiritual, with numerous supernatural beliefs. They retain a small degree of latent Psychic ability, with fewer individuals exhibiting any notable talent compared to say, the Vulcans. At the same time, rare individuals can be quite powerful, with extrasensory perception, empathic ability, and precognitive abilities being the most common manifestations. Curiously, these abilities appear more often in females, resulting in a respected priestesshood. 

Relations with the Romulans are strained at the best of times. They have yet to make or receive formal contact with the Vulcans. They view the Federation and Starfleet as a whole as honorable and have been willing to open diplomatic talks and culture exchange as long as their religious and spiritual beliefs are acknowledged and tolerated which they have been. Things at present are promising.

Biologically, Mazzulans are Vulcanoids with a strong similarity to their roots as Romulans crossed with Orions. The most notable distinction is that the pigmentation seems to be closer to Green Orions, though as a mutation or adaption to their hotter blue giant star, some individuals appear very dark olive in complexion. There may be other reasons for this related to diet for example. 

Uthaden

(Utha, Beta3 Tucanae V, Beta3 Tucanae System)

Visual Design and Image by Chris Reyes

A sentient species of Mammalian Arachnoids, the Uthaden (plural and singular are the same) hold dominion over their homeworld and a few colonies in their own star system. In addition, they have a mining operation on the fourth planet in the Alturas system, which is where the USS Prosperity made first contact with them. 

Initially unsure of the Starfleet personnel, Captain Fletcher and Lt. Commander Carr managed to convince them that the explosion they had just seen and were heading to investigate was likely the result of Romulan activity. Although the Uthaden were unfamiliar with the Romulans, they had no problem letting Starfleet dealing with the situation as long as it didn't impede the mining process. Capt. Fletcher assured the Uthaden she'd do everything she could to leave them out of it and that was good enough for the Uthaden. 

Later, when Prosperity's Landing Party came under fire from the Romulans and their prototype cruiser, the VX-012 Venator, the Uthaden showed up in heavy truck-like vehicles and fired warning shots at the Romulans. They made it clear it was best the Romulans 'get off their land'.

After the Landing Party was beamed back up to the Prosperity, Captain Fletcher and her crew engaged the Venator and revealed a cloaked U-8 Albatross Class scout vessel. The Venator was badly damaged by the Prosperity and when back-up arrived, the USS Agni, the Albatross tried to negotiate. In the end, the Albatross and her Captain departed, as the Venator attempted to self-destruct. This was prevented by the Prosperity's crew who captured the prototype vessel. 

Romulan and Uthaden Vessels by Chris Reyes

Sometime afterwards, an Uthaden vessel arrived and after some discussion between the ship's commanding officer and Capt. Fletcher, the Uthaden shared some sensor data they had accidentally obtained on the prototype ship. It seems one of their satellites searching for mineral deposits picked up data on the Venator. 

Since then, more formal diplomatic overtures have been made between the Federation and the Uthaden Alliance, with a promising future of cooperation between both parties and perhaps membership for Utha before long. 

Uthaden technology is about 50-75 years behind that of the UFP but because of their construction materials and techniques, their vessels, vehicles, and gear are remarkably sturdy. Their weapons rely on concussive force and they use specialized plating on their ships instead of traditional deflector shields. 

The Uthaden themselves are, as noted, a multi-limbed mammalian species with numerous similarities to arachnids. They are large, about 2 meters in length and standing about a meter and a half in height from a flat surface to the top of their wide head. They move extremely fast on their eight legs, each of which ends in a paw-like clawed foot. The two arms are capable of considerable flexibility but they can not reach over their heads and have a great deal of difficulty swimming. As you can probably guess, they are master climbers. Their eating habits, well, they require a large number of calories per day, are mostly carnivorous, and inject their food with an enzyme their softens it, making it easier to tear and chew. This enzyme is delivered with a hardened, piercing tongue. 

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Barking Alien

The Trouble with Aliens

Yet another Japanese TRPG I've been obsessed with for some time now (18 years to be exact) is the UFO Conspiracy RPG Trouble Aliens. 

Created by Akira Waguri and published by Hobby Japan TRPG in 2007, the game has had but a single expansion/supplement entitled Aliens Paradise, which was released in 2008.

In Trouble Aliens you play as an Extraterrestrial, in a Human guise called a Mask, who is trying to either Conquer Humanity, Eradicate Humanity, or Protect Humanity. You can play as a Human as well but you must also choose one of these motivations. I seem to recall additional drives added in either the game's expansion or Japanese TRPG magazine articles. One I remember quite clearly was Study Humanity, which had a particularly humorous twist.

There are twelve major Alien Species described in the game, designated 'The Majestic Twelve', though only 11 are defined. The mysterious '12th Species' is unknown at present and there are numerous theories and conspiracies as to who they are and why their identity isn't known. 

In addition to these twelve there are many other Aliens with lesser domains of power and influence and they too have visited Earth (GMs and players should work together to create new Extraterrestrials if a player has a particular type of being in mind).

Thanks to their Masks most Aliens look indistinguishable from normal Humans. Players do not reveal the Alien Species or goal of their Player Characters to the other players or their PCs, creating an atmosphere where no one knows who is really who and what they're up to. 

Trouble Aliens is therefore not a traditional cooperative RPG, though it can certainly be played that way (See below) . It's default style of play is more akin to Paranoia, with each PC having their own agenda that often runs counter to those of the other PCs. The Player Characters can form alliances, break them, and team up to thwart another PC's plans as needed.

One can also play Agents of The Organization, a secret group dedicated to defending the Earth from any and all invaders from beyond this world. Agents my be of several types as well, from Super Geniuses to Cyborgs to Psychics! If playing an Agents style game, all the Player Character would be on the same side with the same objective (or would they?). 

As a Science Fiction fan fascinated by the 'Aliens are among us' premise, this one goes hard and I absolutely love it. At the same time, what makes it even cooler is that is isn't tied to only that idea. Sure, you could run it as 'Will The Real Martian Please Stand Up?', the classic Twilight Zone episode, but you could play with themes from Alf, Mork and Mindy, People from Earth, Resident Alien, They Live, and so much more. 

The game contains obvious homages to Blade Runner, Men in Black, Superman, The Terminator, War of the Worlds, and so much more. This is ripe for adapting ideas from Anime and Manga like DanDaDan and even FLCL as easily as Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Alien Earth! 

The blend of comedy and drama, action and romance, mystery and suspense makes this right up my alley. 

The Invasion Has Begun!

Wait...no...sorry...false alarm. They're just making a coffee run.

Anyone want anything?

The game has a somewhat unusual publication history. It came out in 2007 as noted and did fairly well in the Japanese TRPG market. As with many games that aren't Call of Cthulhu or Sword World, it was very popular with a small niche within the hobby. It did well enough to warrant a supplement/expansion a year later, Aliens Paradise, which is actually half rulebook and half Replay Manga* collection.

Sometime between 2013 and 2015 the game went out of print for a while but came back to renewed interest. This happened a couple of times. I am told it is because the publisher, Hobby Japan TRPG, produces so many titles that some of them get rotated. This unusal publishing schedule made it so it has been very difficult for me to get a hold of a copy. In addition, the 169 page book costs quite a bit in shipping, making getting a book I'd have to tear apart to scan for my translation software not at all cost effective.

Recently I noticed the book pop-up again on Conos, a Japanese webstore similar to our DriveThruRPG. There was a big announcement related its return; it was finally available on PDF for only $20 US. SOLD! I pick it up this weekend and I'm going through the process of translating it now. Aliens Paradise is also available for $11 I think. Will likely get that too very soon. 

I played a session of it at an Anime Convention back in 2007 or 2008 and absolutely loved it. In that game, the GM referred to it as 'The Trouble with Aliens' and to this day, even though I now know the correction translation, I still call it that from time to time.

Wow, I finally have it after all these years and I'm really excited to dive into it. Expect to see more posts about this game as I figure out how to play.

Until next time...Watch the Skies...

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Barking Alien

* 'Replays' or 'Replay Manga' are Japanese Comics depicting someone's game in Manga form, often with sidebars or notes explaining how what you're reading happened according to the game mechanics. It is a huge market in Japan and games that don't have Replays attached to them - such as many American imports - don't do very well. Replays are an easy way, at least for the Japanese, to learn a game's rules, what kind of characters are appropriate, what the setting and genre is, etc.

The Chamax Plague: Evolved Edition

As it turns out, October is a terrible month to plan a series of themed blog posts. 

I should've known this of course; based solely on the last few years, the number of entries each October is usually quite dismal. I keep hoping I'll have the free time to write and post but it just doesn't happen nearly as much as I'd like. 

*Sigh*

Have you seen Alien Earth? I have and I really enjoyed it. It got me thinking about the Chamax from Traveller. Well...my version of the Chamax that is.

SPOILERS FOR DOUBLE ADVENTURE 5

If you plan to play either of these as a player, you may want to skip this post.

The Chamax are an alien species from the Traveller Double Adventure #5: The Chamax Plague/Horde, a supplement for the Traveller RPG that was published by Game Designers' Worship in 1981 containing two pre-made scenarios, both of which are centered around the Chamax, vaguely spider-like creatures the size of very large dogs. The Chamax have an empathic sense that draws them towards other living things. Although they can be killed by gunfire and other mundane means of causing damage, when they die they release acid from sacs within their bodies that damage or destroy anything it hits including themselves.

Hmm. That sounds familiar. Too familiar...

Being me, the general idea of these adventures inspired me to redesign the scenarios and, more importantly, the aliens depicted within them. I rebuilt the Chamax and ran The Chamax Plague and Horde using my variants to great success. I have subsequently run my versions of these two adventures a dozen times over the years and had my Chamax appear in other sessions here and there another half dozen times. 

Each and every time my players have told me that these Chamax scare the living crap out of them. One of my fondest Traveller memories is having the Chamax appear in a holographic game that essentially amounted to 'holodeck paintball'. When one of the PCs 'killed' a hologram Chamax and its new 'special feature' went off, the player jumped out of his chair. At the end of that session my players applauded these horrible beasties and how frightening they were, even though they weren't 'real' Chamax. 

As this October rolled around I started to think...

With Alien Earth expanding the list of known extraterrestrial species that exist within that universe, wouldn't it be cool to convert the Chamax to the ALIEN RPG and finally get the chance to share this creature design with all of you? 

This will be the a two-parter, the first focusing on The Chamax themselves and the second going over changes I made to the original adventures. 

Without further ado, here's my take on these classic critters...

Part I: The Chamax Plague

Let's start with The Chamax:

These creatures evolved on the planet Chamax (which I usually give a more classic stellar designation as well, such as HD-169916 D or Kau Borealis Delta or something), a world that is especially cold, wet, and windy by Earth standards. As such, the apex predator that arose blurs the line between various familiar Terran creatures including amphibious turtles, crustacreans, and a kind of pseudo-arachnid (a number of properties and behaviours resembling those of spiders but they are not actually spiders).

Averaging roughly 5 and a half feet/1.71 meters in length and approximately 4 and a half feet/1.4 meters wide. From bottom of the central and rear legs to the top of their highest dorsal fin/spike, they stand 4.6 to 5 feet/1.4 to 1.52 meters high. An adult Chamax of this size weighs 600 pounds or 272 kilograms. 

Chamax live over 100 years and continue to grow throughout their lives. In addition to increasing in size and weight, the number of fin/spikes on their dorsal shells increases as well. Their shells get harder and thicker along with the way and a great many adult Chamax are highly resistant to small arms fire.(Pistols, Shotguns, Hunting Rifles). Don't worry, an M41A Pulse Rifle will do just fine (Usually. Definitely after two or three shots). 

Chamax have several other interesting adaptions and features they make them extremely dangerous to pretty much anything that lives. It's internal musculature and claw structure is sufficient for a Chamax to crush metal and cut through the door of most civilian vehicles. Bein struck by its front claw/arm will send the average person flying, probably with a cracked rib at the very least. This level of body strength and the species' compact form enables the creatures to move extremely fast over flat terrain and surprisingly well over rough and rocky ground. 

The Chamax are omnivorous, though they focus on eating meat, consuming vegetation only when it gets in the way. They have three mouths located on the 'front' of their lower body; one positioned vertically between the other two which are placed at slight angles. Their teeth and jaws are 'rotary', turning as they bite and chew in a fashion not unlike a cross between a blender and a crushing machine. Chamax chop and grind their food into a virtual smoothie.

Capable of going into a form of suspended animation by slowing some body functions and altogether ceasing others, which allows the creatures to survive long periods of draught, lack of food, harsh weather conditions, and other adversities. With this ability and the capacity to instinctively adjust their internal body pressure, Chamax can actually lie in the sand just the surface of the water half a dozen to a dozen meter from shore to suddenly awaken and attack when prey comes close enough. 

That brings us to the Chamax's senses; the creatures primary means of detection is to feel vibrations, be it through the ground below them, through the air around them, or even movements through water. While sensitive to movement, these creatures are not able to discern any details in this way and as such rely on their 6, small, red eyes to define what is it that is making the perceived motion. These eyes are well adapted to seeing in extremely low light conditions and underwater. It is unclear at present whether or not Chamax can 'hear'. They pick up the vibrations certainly but do they perceive sound in the same way that we do? Unknown at this time. 

Finally, their aforementioned 'Special Feature'...

I got rid of the 'acid sacs' because it made them too much like the traditional Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise. Instead, they have 'Reproductive Sacs' located on the undersides of their bodies. As a Chamax ages, miniscule amounts of DNA and nutrients are injected into these sacs, with the process getting stronger and faster as the years wear on. This means that even as an old Chamax weakens and deteriorates, all the purest, most robusted genetic material is going into the Reproductive Sacs and sadly, few nutrients are going to or being absorbed by the rest of the Chamax's organs and systems. 

The Reproductive Sacs contain dozens upon dozens of small eggs, roughly the size of a grape, swiming in an extremely protein rich, phenomenally sticky, thick, and viscous goo. When a Chamax dies or is killed, the sacs burst, shooting the highly adhesive goop in all directions. The 'goal' of the creature (which is instinct driven) is to spray the egg filled slime at other creatures, particularly prey animals or particularly stupid predators. Moments after contact with a warm body, or any warm surface really, the eggs with begin to hatch and eat their way through the slime and whatever its attached to. 

There are four sacs, two smaller ones towards the front and two longer/larger ones starting behind their front claws/arms (as detailed in the image below). The sacs pop at soon as the Chamax dies and with considerable pressure, shooting its ultra-sticky, blood plasma looking molasses outward up to 6-8 feet from the body. The material stays 'wet' and sticky as long as it hits a warm surface. If it strikes a cool surface like the planet's cold, damp ground, it will harden within a few minutes and all the eggs will go inert. The eggs don't 'die' immediately but will eventually become nonviable (usually within 45 minutes to an hour) turning from a pale pinkish-white to an off-white, pink-tan color. 

Ventral/Underside View of a Chamax

Although officially identified as 'Front' and 'Rear',

the 'Rear' sacs as more accurately on the sides.

So...

You fire your Pulse Rifle into the attacking Chamax and you manage to kill it. Suddnely, SPLORCH! The Egg Sacs bust and coat your boots and lower legs in reddish-pink vomit glue. You turn to help your fellow soldiers and see Smitty is in trouble. You run over, raising your weapon and taking aim when you suddenly feel a sharp pain in your ankle. Then on your big toe. Then your heel. You fall over as you look down and see a bunch of tiny, chestnut-sized Chamax eating through your footwear, pants, and yeah, your legs and feet. Removing them, heck, removing your boots or pants is extremely difficult as the gunk is essentially a mix of tomato sauce, syrup, and crazy glue. 

My working stats and mechanics:

Nice huh? OK, those are The Chamax. Coming soon...what to do with them.

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Barking Alien

31 Questions for Barking Alien - Question 6

My answer to this particular inquiry is very much unique to me I'd wager. Maybe not. It's possible that others share a similar opinion. We'll see. 

Question #6 from the ever excellent Tim Knight 

What do you consider to be the most ‘elegant’ (however you choose to define it) roleplaying system you have encountered?

First, let's define 'elegant' shall we? At least, I'll define how I am going to view it for the purpose of answering this question, just so we're all on the same page.

According to an Oxford Dictionary search we have 'pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner'. Ooh. I like that. OK, so a stylish, graceful system, a good looking game, and one the runs smoothly and in a pleasing manner.  

The one that stands out to me is...

The ALIEN RPG by Free League Publishing is one of my all time favorite tabletop roleplaying games and its only five years old. It is definitely the most elegant and IMHO one of the easiest systems to learn, play, and run to come out during the last decade. It's elegance comes from an 'economy of rules'. It has what it needs, uses what it has well, and doesn't add unnecessary rules it doesn't need.

Utilizing a variant of Free League's 'Year Zero System' (aren't they all - variants that is), it wasn't a rules set new to me when I read the ALIEN corebook. This version of Year Zero clicked with me more than my previous experiences with the system had, for reasons I will go into later.  

The game has a largely traditional TRPG structure, simplified so as to run quickly and efficiently. The rules are reasonably easy to learn and understand. As I get older I find it difficult to grok the mechanics of many games just from reading them. Often these days I have to play the game to comprehend how the game is played. Not so with ALIEN. I read it and got it right away because honestly, it isn't hard to get. Plus, it's a Dice Pool system and I've played and enjoyed quite a few Dice Pool systems.

Added to the basic Dice Pool mechanic is a subsystem involving Stress and Panic. Even with a table to reference, the Stress/Panic rules are very smoothly integrated into the standard Action Roll. What results is a game that runs fairly effortlessly and creates an atmosphere perfectly in-line with the ALIEN setting. 

There are additional rules and mechanics but they all build off that base die resolution or interact with it in a way that never bogs down the flow of a session. Like I mentioned in a previous post, having a unified approach to all rule judgements is what I am after and what ALIEN delivers.

ALIEN does a particular thing and it does it well. It handles a fast-faced, cinematic action setting with a major horror component very nicely. Perhaps, in fact very likely, one reason I connected with this version of the game and its system moreso than other incarnations is the relationship between the rules and the ALIEN universe. This is also why I've used the basics of this version to create other games such as Red Dwarf and my homebrewed Ghostbusters kitbash. All these worlds are cinematic action settings with a horror [and humor] component, so they work for much the same reasons. 

If I had to award a runner-up or honorable mention I'd go with the new SMURFS RPG. Seriously. It is a great game that works really well, adding depth to a franchise you wouldn't think needs much depth. At the same time, it just makes for a really awesome system. The only reason I don't speak even higher of it is because its not out yet. I don't know all the rules, having only run the quickstart rules. We'll take a look at it again when it comes out in its full form. 

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RPGaDay 2024 - Barking Alien Edition - Day 15

'All the Universe is full of the life of perfect creatures.'

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Scientist. One of the 'fathers' of modern astronautics and rocketry. 

I love animals and I love Science Fiction, so it isn't surprising that one of my favorite aspects of the latter is alien critters. The field of exozoology would definitely be my calling if I lived in a distant future akin to Star Trek or Traveller. 

Art by Nicholas Ferrand

I love considering what kind of animals might live on the planets I create for my Science Fiction RPGs, even if they don't necessarily play a major part in the adventure I'm running. As mentioned previously in the post on WORLDS (Day 13), a creature that is both strange to the players but squarely fits its environment can add a sense of 'realism' to an otherwise largely fantastical local. 

Shy by Alexander Ostrowski

Dragon Magazine #123 (July 1987) had a Star Frontiers article in it titled, 'The Whole Earth Ecology' that discussed just this very subject. While the article was not an in depth bio-sciences analysis of life on other planets, it did what many great Dragon articles did back in the day; it made easily forgotten things into points to remember. It caused the often overlooked to stick out in your mind and as such, it inspired ideas. 

Art by nao70shark

Like a lot of articles from the old Dragon, I've read and re-read this one over and over, each time getting charged up by the very idea of populating distant worlds with new life forms. I couldn't wait to flex my creative muscles and create creatures that would challenge and interest my players and create a believable ecosystem for the world around them. 

The Sardu Reef by Alex Reis aka Abiogenesis

As you can see from the images accompanying this post, visuals play an important role in my use of creatures. I really like having or making pictures of the creatures I am referring to during a game. Sometimes the visual of the critter comes first and it inspires the biology and stats. Sometimes its the other way around; I envision an alien beast, write it up, and then I search for or illustrate what it looks like. Either way, a picture really enhances the introduction of a new extraterrestrial animal. 

Art by Ben Mauro

With that, I don't really have much else say. I just love me some cute and cuddly creatures like the fellow above. Heheh. I'm sure I'll have some inspired revelation tomorrow but that's the way it goes. 

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BONUS FEATURE: Day 15 of the official RPGaDay 2024 Prompts:

Hmm. You know which characters have great gear? Starfleet characters and Ghostbusters. 

I might have mentioned this before but playing these two games, along with Star Wars, really shook up my outlook on how to run an RPG. Starting the characters off with some seriously awesome hardware not only feels right for the settings in question but also adds to the idea that gear is cool but not the goal.

The objective isn't obtaining more and/or better weapons when you start off with a Phaser or Particle Thrower. The Tricorder and PKE Meter are the right tools for the right job in their respective settings. You've already got the best toys. You're free to dig a little deeper and search for something more meaningful. 'Course you could still be in it for the money in Ghostbusters and Star Wars I guess. Oh well.

RPGaDay Challenge 2023 - Day 31

 

This question...previously fairly easy to answer, isn't so simple for me today.

For the vast majority of my time in the hobby, the answer would have been Star Trek. First it would have been FASA's game, then Last Unicorn's, and now Modiphius' Star Trek Adventures.

Star Trek is my favorite setting for running Science Fiction Space Adventure RPG campaigns, my favorite type of campaign. Star Trek Adventures has become my favorite way of running Star Trek, though I have made some changes to the system and incorporated elements from both FASA and LUG. Still and all, Star Trek Adventures could easily be my answer.

But...

I am really loving the ALIEN RPG system and what I've been able to do with it, especially my kitbashed Ghostbusters game and my Red Dwarf game. I am incidentally working on a variation of the Ghostbusters rules that I might post to the blog in the near future. 

I suppose in the end, Star Trek Adventures is my final answer. It's my favorite.

There is also another that has the potential to come real close.

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