BUT. Let's be honest. There is no good way, thematically, to combine John Carter and Star Trek. Their Mars' are too different. The problem is, I love Mars. Both in terms of fiction and back when I was studying to be an astrophysicist. Scientific/realistic Mars would be great for a Trek game, especially with all the things going on on Mars in the new Picard series. But what about my need for fantasy Mars?
I have talked about Clark Ashton Smith's Mars in relationship to BlackStar and my love of the various pulp games for Mars. So I am not lacking in desire, or material, I just need a home game for it. So this idea hit me over the weekend.
Why not Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Barsoom?
AS&SH is obviously more Clark Ashton Smith and less Edgar Rice Burroughs, but both are there. While I enjoy the works of CAS much more, ERB's Barsoom captures my attention much more. Besides, in a game I can mix and match as I please, especially in a game like AS&SH.
I am not planning, yet, to send any characters to Barsoom, but it makes perfect sense to bring some Martians to Hyperborea.
These Martians are designed for Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea (Compleat Second Edition) and heavily based on Warriors of the Red Planet (which you should get if you love everything Mars, like me.)
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| Martian Princess by Will Nichols |
No. Encountered: 1 (1d3)
Alignment: Neutral
Size: L
Movement: 40
Dexterity: 16
Armour Class: 5
Hit Dice: 4+4 to 6+6
Attack Rate: 4/1 (sword x4 or radium pistol x4)
Damage: 1d8 (×4) or 1d8 (x4)
Saving Throw: 14 to 12
Morale: 12
Experience Points: 400 to 850
Treasure Class: Nil (see below)
Green Martians are tall, 8' tall, humanoids with green skin and four arms. The males are bald and have huge tusks. The females are just as tall but appear more human. Some even have ancestry related to the ancient Red Martians. Many of the Martians found in Hyperborea are these Green with Red Martian blood to adapt better to the Hyperborean world.
It has been assumed that came here centuries ago and have been able to return to Barsoom. Those sages in the know claim they are here as advanced scouts prior to a Martian invasion.
Green Martians are a warrior race and adapt to the weapons found in Hyperborea with ease. Green Chieftans, the Jedaks, also wield radium pistols that fire a bolt of burning radium. The range is the same as a crossbow.
Martians eschew armor of any kind and rely on their dexterity and natural toughness. They also do not keep any treasure they find. The exception are any weapons. They have a 20% chance of having a magical sword, short sword or dagger. They do not use bows, but will have a 10% of having a magical crossbow.
I like this. Can't wait to give it a go.
1 comment:
she could get it
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