The X-Potential

by Mark Acres
 Official Game Adventure

by Mark Acres

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . • . . . . 2 The Mulant Affairs Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . 25

The Nightmare World of the Future . . . . • • . . . . • . . . . 3 The Mulant Resettlement Center . . . . . . . • . . . . • . . . . 27
Special Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . 9 The Arm y Base . .. . ..
. .. .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 28
Villains, NPCs, and Equipment .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 McGrafton I nd ustries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . • • . . . • . . . . 29
Running the Adventure . . . . . . • . . . . 19 The McGrafton Committee Hearings . . . . • . . . . • . . . . 31
The Rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . • • . . . . 22

Written by Mark Acres

Cover b y Mike Machlan and John Sialema
Typography by Betty Elmore and Kim Lindau

�r TSR,lnc•
..IIOIIUCl'S 01' TOUIIII....GIH
. ...nOH'"
TSR, Inc.
P.O. Box 756
Lake Geneva, WI 53147

This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the materi­
al Of artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written consent of TSR. Inc. and Marvel Entenainmenl Group. Distubuted
to the book trade in the United States by Random House, Inc. and in Canada by Random House of Canada, Ltd. Distributed to the toy and
hobby trade by regional distnlmtors. The names of characters used herein are fictitious and do not lefer to any persons living or dead. Any
descriptions including similarities 10 persons living or dead are merely coincidentaL All Marvel characters and the distinctIVe likenesses
thereof are trademarks of the Marvel Enlenainment Gro up, Inc. and are used with permission. MARVEL SUPER HEROES, MARVEL
SUPER VilLAINS, ALISON BLAIRE, ROBERT KELLY, SECOND BROTHERHOOD OF EVIL MUTANTS, PROJECT WIDEAWAKE,
SENTINEL. MARK IV. MARK V. MARK VI. ALPHA SENTINEL. OMEGA SENTINEL. S.H".E.l.O., X·FACTER, NICK FURY, SHAW
INDUSTRIES. SWAT:AM. JOSEPH MCGRAFTON, NASI, IRON MAN. VINCENT SeARlESI, LAURA lEE MASTERS, THE LORELEI.
DR. YAGAMI FUCHIOO. OR. PAOLO HERNANDEZ. WILLIAM SHIVER, JAY ATKINSON, GENERAL WILLIAM B. BRADDOCK and the
distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of the Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. 1:1987 Marvel Enlertainment Group. Inc. AU Rights
Reserved. The TSR logo and PRODUCTS OF YOUR IMAGINATION are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. Game design copyright (" 1987
TSR. Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
"One Hundred Thousand to Attend a handful of political demagogues their own heroes for use in this
Mutant Execution," one headline who keep the population whipped adventure. Players who have played
screams. "Senator Hints at Link into a constant frenzy about the MX 1 , Nightmares of Futures Past,
Between Mutant, Commie Plots'" mutant menace. Any super heroes may subject their surviving
shouts another. In the streets, who survive in this hostile characters to new trials in this
white-shirted men wearing the environment do so by constantly adventure.
distinctive armband of the Knights of facing the full military, political, and The X·Potential does not present a
Genetic Purity (KGP) march in technological might of a new detailed set of encounters or a definite
lockstep, treading underfoot any totalitarian state in the making. plot for the players. Instead, the
suspected of being soft on mutants. The X·Potential is the second in a adventure provides the setting of the
In the public schools, kindergarten series of MARVEL SUPER future world, describes the plans of
children raise their little arms in the H E ROES� game adventures set in one of the future's major villains, and
clenched fist salute of the National this nightmare world of the future. then thrusts the player characters into
American Social Improvement Party The adventure can be played as a this desperate situation. Where they
and chant the party slogan, "One complete adventure in its own right, go from there is up to them and the
People, One Blood, One Nation'" or as part of the ongoing MX series. Judge, in the best tradition of free-form
Is this but a super hero's This adventure is not intended for role playing.
nightmare? No. This is America, any particular group of heroes. In Running this adventure may
home town U.S.A., 25 to 50 years i n fact, most the heroes active in the require a bit more improvisation than
the future. I n this America, 1 980's have already been captured usual on the part of the Judge; it will
constitutional government is all but or killed by the mutant hunters, certainly require the Judge's best
gone. Real power is held by the although a few may remain, aged 25 eHorts at role playing the many
sentinels, a group of powerful robots to 50 years past their prime, NPCs who will be encountered. The
programmed to seek out and capture struggling against desperate odds for Judge is strongly advised to be
or destroy all human mutants and all the traditional ideals of liberty, thoroughly familiar with this entire
beings with any hint of super powers. equality, and justice. For this reason, booklet before running this
Sharing power with the sentinels are players are encouraged to create adventure.

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2
 This section briefly recaps i nforma­ dent. Made bold by his anti-mutant resisted too strenuously were killed.
tion provided in greater detail in mandate, the president authorized a At the time the adventure begins,
MX1 : Nightmares of Futures Past. massive, illegal, secret anti-mutant human society in North America is
Judges who have read or run MX1 eHort dubbed " Project Wideawake." divided into three groups:
may skip this section. The goal of Project Wideawake 1. Mutants (and all other super­
The nightmare world of the future was simple: the removal of the X powered individuals) who are
began in the 1 980s when Alison Factor, the genetic trigger for muta­ required to register and be interned.
Blaire planned to release a film star­ tions, from the national gene pool. Mutants have no rights under the
ring a mutant. Until the pre-release To achieve this goal, mutants would law. They can own no property, have
publicity for this movie, the bulk of have to be removed from the general no standing i n the courtsrand cannot
the American public assumed that population. Most could be confined, legally obtain food, shelter, medical
east and west coast media stories forbidden to reproduce, and put to attention, or other necessities out­
about costumed crusaders and super worthwhile work. The few who pos­ side of the internment camps.
heroes were just so much hype. The sessed extraordinary powers would 2. Anomalous humans, those who
planned tilm suddenly made believ­ require extraordinary means to aHect might give birth to mutant offspring,
ers out of a previously skeptical pub­ their confinement, or, failing that, are social outcasts, forbidden to
lic. And hysterical believers they their extermination. reproduce, often living in poverty
were: public outcry against the The president's men quickly found because the majority of the popula­
"clear and present danger" of that they needed their own special tion shuns contact with them.
mutant infiltration into mainstream secret force to achieve their goals, 3. Normal humans, those who
human society was so great the especially after Nick Fury made it pose no mutant threat according to
film's release was cancelled. clear that S . H . I .E.L.D. would not sentinel genetic testing. These try to
cooperate with such a program. lead normal lives i n the new society.
The Kelly Assassination Indeed, for many, little has changed
The public furor died down shortly The Coming of the Sentinels except the necessity to produce the
after cancellation of the Blaire film. Secretly, Project Wideawake's oHicially required identity card in
But a small, vociferous minority con­ directors contracted with Shaw order to travel, make necessary pur­
tinued to cry "Wolf," maintaining a Industries for the manufacture of chases, or engage in any other nor­
vigorous anti·mutant publicity cam­ three new varieties of sentinel mal activity.
paign and encouraging ugly acts of robots. The new sentinels were pro­
violence against mutants and sus­ grammed with a broad-based direc­ Mutant Life
pected mutants in the streets. tive to " protect humans against the The few surviving mutants in North
The Second Brotherhood of Evil menace of mutant domination of America continue to fight back as
Mutants decided to teach the public society." It didn't take the new varie­ best they can. Most are ill-equipped
respect for the power of mutants, ty of sentinels long to determine that for this fight, as most mutants have
and to this end assassinated anti­ the best way to carry out their pro­ no super powers, only some minor
mutant presidential candidate Sena­ gramming was to eliminate human deviation from the human genetic
tor Robert Kelly on Halloween, 1 980. i nterference with their anti-mutant norm. Life in the mutant under­
Confronted with the reality of programming. ground tends to be nasty, brutish,
mutants wielding unknown, perhaps Within a few years the sentinels and short.
inexplicable powers against legiti­ controlled the North American conti­ Sentinels routinely patrol the entire
mately constituted authority, the nent. After a series of fierce battles country, seeking out mutants with
public panicked. In 1 984 a rabid, that devastated much of the eastern their powerful uni-spectrum organic
reactionary anti-mutant became seaboard and most of California, analyzers. The sentinels are backed
president, and a Mutant Affairs Con­ what was left of the American gov­ up by local police forces and special
trol Act was pushed through Con­ ernment and military decided to go local S.w.A.T.:A.M. (Special Weap­
gress. along with the sentinel's program. ons and Tactics: Anti-Mutant) teams.
The Army was reduced to a fraction Mutants are captured or, if neces­
Project Wideawake of its former size, a precaution the sary, killed upon detection.
Though the Supreme Court quickly sentinels insisted upon. All mutants Still, the mutant underground sur­
struck down the new law as a whole­ were required to register. All mutants vives. Small bands of mutants who
sale violation of constitutional rights, were confined to prison camps, constanlly shift the location of their
the political mood of the country along with anyone else who resisted secret bases, continue to gather
supported the paranoia of the presi- the sentinels' program. Those who resources, manufacture fake identity

3
cards, produce devices to foil the when being a mutanl had ceased ing him to class office. Outside
sentinels' detection equipment, and being merely undesirable, had, in school, he organized gangs of young
occasionally strike back, destroying fact, become deadly dangerous. toughs to go "mutant bashing" in
sentinel installations. Each band, or McGrafton firsl noliced his unusual the evenings.
cell, tries to maintain contact with powers in his early teen years, and Even at this early stage, McGraf­
Iwo other similar groups, although quickly decided three things: ton noticed a key fact which became
contact is carefully regulated for 1 . His powers set him apart from a cornerstone of his later political
security reasons. the rest of mankind. He was differ­ strategy: those who were most fright­
Judges and players who have ent, powerful, superior to the aver­ ened of mutants were those who
played MX1 : Nightmare of Futures age human. Clearly, the laws and were already suttering from eco­
Past are already familiar with life rules of decent conduct to which nomic or social instability. The mid­
(and perhaps death) in the mutant most of the common herd paid lip dle class certainly frowned on
underground. The Judge may tell service, if nol obedience, did not mutants and condoned many of the
players without such experience to apply to him. excesses of the programs against
imagine being a member of the 2. Revealing his powers would be them. But the real political base of
French Resistance in World War I I , foolish. There was prejudice against the anti-mutant movement came
and then imagine Ihat high-tech N azi mutants, and it was growing worse. from the hard-squeezed lower middle
robots can i nstantly spot and detect Better to use them secretly, hiding class and the hard-core poor of the
any member of the resistance, some­ them from his fellows. inner cities. The people who felt
times from miles away. 3. Obviously, there were other most threatened were, in fact, those
mutants like himself, but probably with the least to lose.
The McGrafton Plot only a handful with similar or equal
powers. These were potential rivals; The Grand Design
No one i n 1 980 would have they should be tracked down and Academic study held little interest
thought that the 1 5-year-old, gangly, eliminated. for McGratton. Although he dropped
awkward, acne-bedeviled Joseph The hours spent in the isolation of in and out of college for several
McGrafton would rise to national his room were not wasted hours for years, and managed to achieve an
prominence, much less become one young Joseph. While his parents admirable record, he never gradu­
of the mosl powerful characters in a thought he was watching worthless ated; disciplined study was not his
very sorry chapter of American politi­ science fictions films, he was, in fact, strong pOint. Instead, he used his
cal hislory. Outwardly, McGrafton perfecting his powers, studying sci­ contact with the university to keep
was a painfully shy, socially imma­ ence, and learning the means to abreast of the latest scientific devel­
ture, introverted youth who shunned both detect the powers of other opments in mutant detection and
companions. His private personality mutants and conceal his own. In this concealment. Other than that, his
was no improvement. Those who quest, he succeeded only too well. main interest in academic life was
tried 10 become friends with the rec­ Consequently, young McG rafton political and sociological observa­
luse were soon put off by his loud­ was not alarmed when the anti­ tion.
mouthed bragging and penchant for mutant program of the sentinels was Leaving school in his early 20's,
cruelty, both verbal and physical. revealed in the mid-1 980s. In fact, he McGrafton drifted, barely supporting
The young McGrafton possessed was delighted. Why track down other himself by writing anti-mutant articles
no compensatory skills: he was cer­ mutants and attempt to destroy them for a variety of radical political jour­
tainly no athlete, he was a poor stu­ when the human herd and their nals and organizing anti-mutant vigi­
dent who seldom studied and made robotic servants turned masters lante committees in towns and cities
barely passing marks, and his par­ would do it for you? McGratton across the country. He soon saw that
ents lamented that his sole inleresl became an ardent supporter of the the ardent anti-mutant forces in the
was watching science fiction films pro-sentinel side in the civil warfare population were not strongly orga­
and programs on television in the that wracked America. nized, despite the victory of the senti­
isolation of his room. It was in these final formative nels in the civil strife. The most
What those around him did nol years, too, that McGrafton changed vociferous anti-mutants were divided
know was that young McGrafton, from a socially awkward recluse to a in dozens of splinter groups, many
while just as lazy, vicious, and full of skilled demagogue. In his college tied to particular religious or political
himself as he seemed, was also an years McGrafton won several oratori­ organizations who had more to their
incredibly powerful and cunning cal prizes, became a skilled debater, program than mere mutant bashing.
mutant, coming of age in an era harangued his classmates into elect- In this lack of a central organization

4
 dedicated to the extermination of the Organizing the NASI Party small businesses owned by respect­
mutant menace McGrafton saw both McGrafton began at once, using able NASI party members. Anti­
his destiny and his opportunity to his oratorical skills to take control of NASls quickly found that NASI
achieve it. a small anti-mutant gang of street demonstrations seemed more fre­
By now McGrafton was 26 years toughs in , . (Judge: quent in front of their stores; a few
old, the sentinels were in firm con­ insert the name of your own home overzealous whiteshirts would occa­
trol, and aside from the violence and town and home state.) To this hum­ sionally lob a brick through their
intrigue caused by sentinel activities, ble group of disreputables he gave a store windows while pursuing a flee­
life in the United States had stabi­ high-sounding name: the National ing mutant; sometimes an occasional
lized again_ The federal government American Social Improvement Party. grenade would get tossed the wrong
still existed, and while its military He gave his gang a uniform: white way. Small businessmen began join­
power was firmly in the grip of the shirts (a symbol of the unattainable ing the NASI party in droves, more
sentinels, the government still exer­ middle class professional status), a out of economic self-protection than
cised most of its other wide-ranging distinctive armband (symbol of unity conviction. More money poured in.
powers. In fact, the United States and identity), gray pants, gleaming By the early 1 990s, the NASI Party
government was the only organiza­ black boots (always appealing to the had elected dozens of local munici­
tion that could ever hope to over­ insecure who revel in implied or actu­ pal officials-city councilmen, may­
come the sentinels, if it were so al violence). ors, judges. The fingers of the party
inclined. But McGrafton knew it would take reached into the state legislatures. In
McGrafton formed his master plan: more than pretty speeches and uni­ 1 995, McGrafton became the first
he would build a new political party forms to turn this rabble into a formi­ NASI elected to the U.S. House of
and use it to seize control of the Unit­ dable political power. It would take Representatives. Two years later he
ed States. His base would be those money. He set about getting it. was in the United States Senate, the
still agitated by the mutant menace. First, he coordinated the mutant­ acknowledged leader of a small but
These, however, would not be hunting activities of his whiteshirts powerful group of NASI senators.
enough. McGrafton was one of the with the local sentinel commands.
few people clever enough to see that Whiteshirts started bagging more As The World Turned
sentinel domination of the U.S. mutants, the sentinels, who scared By now, the middle class saw the
would eventually have negative everyone, were seen less on the city NASI party as the lesser of two evils.
repercussions, lowering the status of streets. Merchants liked this. They The sentinels were impossible to
the United States as a world power also liked the savings affected in the deal with-unless you were a NASI.
and inflicting tremendous damage on cost of maintaining the local sentinel The NASI parfy was repugnant in
the U.S. economy. command in their area, a cost shared some ways, but it was better than the
To his hard-core base of anti­ by the local and federal govern­ sentinels, and it seemed able to keep
mutant fanatics, McGrafton would ments. The middle class began to the sentinels in some sort of
add the increasing number of take notice of this man who could control-rarely did NASI neighbor­
middle-class people disenchanted deal with the sentinels in a rational hoods or businesses suffer the vio­
with or economically displaced by way, save tax dollars, and still keep lent effects of a sentinel mutant hunt.
the sentinel program. I n the end, he the mutants underfoot. Donations The sentinels saw the NASI party
would rise to absolute power by pop­ began coming in. as a powerful ally in their anti-mutant
ular acclaim, seeming to be a friend McGrafton expanded his activities program. The NASls provided much
to both the sentinels and those most rapidly, organizing whiteshirt battal­ additional manpower at no cost.
damaged by their activities. Then, ions in every major city in the state, They bore the brunt of social criti­
once the sentinels had rooted out the then branching out into other states. cism when violent events occasional­
mutants, he would use the full power More money rolled in. A few respect­ ly got out of hand. They served as a
of the government to either repro­ able people became interested in political buffer between the sentinels
gram or crush the sentinels, reveal McGrafton and his NASI party. To and the human population.
his own super powers, and establish keep these respectable people from Still. most middle class people
absolute rule over the wealthiest and being tainted by association with his were not ardent NASls. Many were
most powerful nation on earth. whiteshirts, he turned the whiteshirts party members, many contributed
into a separate, para-military arm of funds, but many secretly voted for
the party, named the Knights of more traditional moderate candi­
Genetic Purity (KGP). dates. Then, early in the 21 st centu­
NASI party funds were invested in ry, the events foreseen by McGrafton

5
began to aid his cause. looked on in disbelief as its great of political success.
The civil war in the 1 980s had antagonist embarked on this pro­ The American people were one
destroyed much of the American gram of racist national suicide. For people, McGrafton told his followers.
east coast and California. The bulk of years the Soviets bided their time, Whites, blacks, Mexican-Americans,
American's economy was suddenly fearful that at any moment America native Americans, the new Canadian
concentrated in its out-of-date mid­ might come to her senses. But by the Americans, all were one people,
western manufacturing plants and its 2 1 st Century, the fruits of America's forged into unity by the fires of histo­
high-tech industries in the western disintegration were clearly ripe for ry. This one great people were the
states. American manufacturing was the picking. The European NATO in heritors and standard bearers of
already crippled in the international nations fell away from the NATO Western civilization, the greatest
market-Japan and Germany, with alliance, repelled by the racism of intellectual, social and political
their much newer industrial plants American domestic policy and com­ achievement in the history of the
and g reater eHiciency, had taken pletely terrified of sentinel influence world. Clearly, then, this group was
much of America's world market for on American military policy. Without superior to all others-all those who
manufactured goods. The same held America to count on, they turned had failed to achieve a like measure
true for high-tech products. Constant friendly eyes toward the powerful of greatness on the proving ground
devaluations of the dollar to make Soviets. of history. And, just as clearly, it was
American goods more competitive in Finally, the Soviets struck. First, the destiny of this great group to
foreign markets only increased infla­ they rapidly expanded the program bring all others into unity with itself.
tion and stifled investment at home. of Communist takeovers in Central In other words, all the peoples of the
Americans began losing jobs. America. The sentinel-crippled Amer­ world must eventually be tossed into
A massive national economic eHort ican military could not respond. the American melting pot, until the
might have been possible except for Emboldened by this result, the Sovi­ "One People" were the only people.
one thing: the incredibly high cost of ets moved on Iran, seizing the Irani­ Unfortunately, at the present time,
the sentinel program. Sentinels were an oil fields. Iraq quickly became a there were other people sharing the
expensive to build, and they required willing Soviet ally. Soon, the red planet-representatives of the long,
constant maintenance, rearming, columns were racing across Asia bitter history of Asiatic repression
and upgrading. Given their raw phys­ minor, and a People's Republic was and poverty. These other people, the
ical power, the government could not established in Constantinople. Mean­ ones who couldn't be assimilated
withhold funds from them even if the while, a Russian-backed Syria began into the great melting pot, were the
political will had been there to do so. a campaign of extermination against Communists.
Consequently, money that should isolated Israel. With skillful cunning, McGrafton
have gone to rebuild the east and The remaining Arab oil states, reawakened the second great histori­
west coast industrial bases were terrified of Soviet intentions in the cal fear of the Americans, the Com­
channeled into the sentinels, who Middle East, quickly adopted strong munist bogeyman, straight from the
produced nothing. The American anti-American policies, hoping there­ 1 950s. His "One People" slogan
economy began to contract. by to placate the Soviet bear. Ameri­ came to stand for violent, rabid anti­
Foreign investors quickly saw what ca's oil supplies were cut to a trickle. Communism. For who was it, he
was happening. Foreign money More factories closed; the costly asked, except the Communists, who
began to pour into Wall S,treet as conversion to nuclear power was no were trying to drive America to her
Japanese and Arab investors longer a viable option. knees, to reduce her to the status of
grabbed up faltering American cor­ a third-rate power? Who was it,
porations for fractions of their real Political Ascendancy except the Communists, epitomized
worth. Turning a quick dollar, yen, or In response to these events, the by the rulers of the Soviet Union, •

shekel, these wily investors stripped NASI party formulated its infamous who had embarked upon a crusade
the American companies of their three-point program, summarized in of world subjugation? Even now,
value then dumped the worthless the slogan, "One People, One McGrafton cried, they held a strangle
shells. The result in America was Blood, One Nation!" As a bitter anti­ hold on the Middle East, had overrun
more unemployment, higher infla­ NASI of the times put it, the NASI Iran and Turkey, and had their mas­
tion, and higher taxes to provide program might better be rephrased, sive Asiatic horde armies poised on
some minimal services to the "Wave the Flag, Point the Finger, the frontiers of western Europe.
increasing ranks of those who could Start a War." Disgusting as it was, And how, the NASI line continued,
not aHord basic survival. McGrafton's three-point formula car­ had this sorry state of affairs come
Meanwhile, the Soviet Union ried him and his party to the pinnacle about? How had America, once the

6
shining beacon of freedom and free the mutant-Communist menace and survive the rigors of the detention
enterprise throughout the world, the establishment world-wide of the camps.
been so weakened that Communist One G reat Nation!" The U.S. government itself has no
aggression could succeed? Who was "One Nation" was the NASI rally­ connection with the resettlement
responsible for this sorry state of ing cry for wars of aggression program. Once mutants are regis­
affairs? The mutants, that's who. against mutant-Communist countries tered, the government's involvement
"One Blood" was the g reat anti­ and their "dupes, allies and cowardly is limited to supporting the sentinels,
mutant rallying cry. It was the human co-conspirators, the products who are supposed to deal with the
mutants who had weakened the of de-evolution and genetic putres­ mutants on their own-as they
"blood," the "genetic will to power" cence." By promising to extend their would, in fact, do anyway. The senti­
of the "One People," thereby allow­ anti-mutant program to conquered nels, for reasons unknown to the
ing other people to gain a temporary areas, McGrafton won sentinel sup­ government and the public, quickly
ascendancy in world affairs. When port for the rapid build-up of the voiced their approval of this NASI
the purity of the "One Blood" was American military. The build-up was program.
truly reestablished, America would aided by massive unemployment: McGrafton obtained sentinel
rise again to dominate the world. youths without jobs were more than approval for his resettlement pro­
Then, with the skill of the master willing to don the uniform of the gram because it is, i n fact, an exter­
demagogue, McGrafton went on to nation and the party to fight for their mination program. Most mutants
demonstrate that Communism was, own economic futures. selected for resettlement are those
in fact, a mutant plot. In the end, McGrafton promised, unable to do productive work for the
Wasn't Communism itself a m uta­ the NASls would lead a purified short time most survive in the deten­
tion of the natural human social America to world-wide hegemony. tion camps. They are sent to resettle­
order, McGrafton argued, a pervert­ The One Great Nation would rule i n ment centers, which are, in reality,
ed theory that allowed the weak and peace over a mutant-free globe, and high-tech extermination camps
unproductive to thrive at the expense the backward peoples of the globe whose only product is death.
of the strong and productive? Hadn't would be gradually absorbed into the McGrafton's influence with the
the downfall of the Russian Czar and American melting pot as they gained sentinels is so great that he was able
the first Communist revolution been the "priceless benefits and privileges to convince the most powerful of the
engineered by the evil monk Ras­ of American liberty." sentinels, Nimrod, that extermination
putin, himself clearly possessed of of mutant populations was the only
extraordinary mutant powers? Could Mutant Resettlement final solution to the mutant problem.
it be mere chance, McG rafton and To assist the sentinels and the Both the NASI officials involved, the
the NASls asked, that as the mutant government in "providing a humane specially selected whiteshirt guards
population of western Europe solution to the mutant problem" the assigned to the death camps, and
increased dramatically in recent NASI Party established its own the sentinels keep the real nature of
years, the Communist parties in Mutant Resettlement Program. the "resettlement program" a closely
those countries showed greater and Under this program, all registered guarded secret.
greater strength at the polls? mutants may apply to a local Mutant McGrafton takes genuine pleasure
Clearly, then, the One People Affairs Committee for resettlement in his use of selected mutants on the
faced an international mutant­ outside North America. Mutant Affairs Committees to choose
Communist conspiracy of global and Many observers felt this was a the death camp victims. Most
historical proportions, a conspiracy genuine and humane step forward mutants on the committees are
that threatened both genetic purity on the part of the NASls. It demon­ unaware of the real nature of their
and national existence. There could strated, they said, the fact that rheto­ work, and the mutants being proc­
be only one response to this threat. ric about annihilation was just essed are much easier to deal with;
As McGrafton put it, "This is a life­ rhetoric. The Mutant Affairs Commit­ they think they are relatively safe
and-death struggle between two tees consist entirely of mutants who since they are in the hands of fellow
peoples, between two bloods, and screen the applications for resettle­ mutants.
there can be only one outcome. One ment. Resettlement is accomplished
or the other will be exterminated! entirely at the expense of the NASI
The NASI party is dedicated to the party. Priority for resettlement seems
victory of our One People and the to be given to women, children, the
purification of our One Blood through aged and i nfirm-those most need­
the extermination and annihilation of ing humane care and least able to

7
McGrafton Industries the Army. A final. pre-coup planning session
Meanwhile. McGrafton has contin­ But for various reasons. some will be held the evening after the
ued his secret research into mutant unknown. McGrafton feels he must third day of hearings. The meeting
detection and mutant genetics. NASI seize power quickly. He has no fear will take place at McGrafton Indus­
party funds have enabled him to of the international repercussions of tries. not far from the town where the
build a huge laboratory and manu­ such a move. He knows that even hearings are held. At this meeting.
facturing complex. McGrafton Indus­ the rebuilding U.S. military cannot Nimrod will be reprogrammed to
tries. Inc. Publicly. this facility is currently pose a real threat to the McGrafton's specifications.
dedicated to developing new technol­ Soviets. so the Soviets should not McGrafton will then return to
ogies for mutant detection. Secretly. respond to an untimely change of Washington. D.C. where he will be
it is carrying on research into the administration in what's left of Wash­ joined by selected Army troops and
nature of the X Factor. the genetic ington. If the Soviets do panic and an army of his own whiteshirts.
something that makes possible launCh. so much the better. McGraf­ These will seize the main centers of
human mutations. especially mutant ton believes there are still enough government operations. arrest the
super powers. powerful mutanls at large to prevent President of the United States. and
A second secret lab at McGrafton the wholesale destruction of the confine the Congress. Congress will
Industries is dedicated to research country. and his rhetoric about the be forced to suspend the Constitu­
on the sentinel robots. McGrafton Commie menace will be proven cor­ tion and recognize an emergency
knows that for his ultimate scheme to rect. government of the United States with
succeed. he must reprogram or In order to take power. McGrafton McGrafton at its head.
destroy the sentinels. His research­ must scare the country one more
ers have just developed a new repro­ time. The panic must be total enough
gramming technique that he believes to slam pede the Senate into sus­
will give him control of Nimrod and pending the Constitution and back­
through Nimrod of the entire sentinel ing McGrafton in a grab for power.
robot force in North America. The military and the sentinels are
already willing to back him. but with­
The Current Situation out Congressional sanction. McGraf­
In the presidential elections two ton fears he would waste his first
years ago. McGrafton won 35% of year or two in office fighting another
the popular vote. not enough to gain civil war. In order to scare the coun­
the office but enough to force the try into quick submission. he has
incoming administration to appoint concocted the plot the PCs will face
several NASI cabinet members. The i n this adventure.
NASI party controls a bare majority
in the House of Representatives and The McGrafton Plot
32 seats in the United States Senate. McGrafton is bringing his Senate
If McGrafton is patient. the presi­ Select Committee on Mutant­
dency will probably fall into his Communist Subversion to _,..,-_
hands two years hence through the ___ • the original home of the
normal political process. NASI party. for three days of hear­
The U.S. military is rebuilding rap­ ings on mutant and Communist activ­
idly. It has plenty of raw manpower ities. The hearings will be carefully
available. but is still lacking in funds. stage managed and televised nation­
high-grade training. high-tech weap­ wide. During the three days. McGraf­
ons. and heavy weapons. At present ton intends to discover irrefutable
the Army can field an effectively "evidence" that the mutant­
trained and armed fighting force of Communist conspiracy has com­
about 1 50.000 in its top line divi­ pletely infiltrated the current
sions. The vast majority of military government of the United States.
leaders are supporters of McG rafton. creating a genuine emergency situa­
if not NASI party members. Many tion. This. he hopes. will scare the
secretly despise McGrafton. but sup­ public into demanding immediate
port him for the sake of improving action.

8
 Things are different in the 21 st negative Popularity FEAT rolls SUPER HEROES� Advanced Set. If
Century. To accommodate these unless the result is red. (There's a character acquires an item that has
differences, some special rules and nothing mutants can do about their a Resources value higher than his
rules variations are needed. negative Popularity, but scaring the current Resources rank, his
wits out of people only plays into the Resources rank increases by one.
Karma hands of the NASls.) However, the character no longer
Karma operates i n the future the has the use of any item that he uses
same way it does now. However, it is Resources to increase his Resources rank. The
earned and lost differently in several Resources are used quite differ­ character could keep the item and
cases. The reason for this is found i n ently by mutants in the future. It is use it until he needs to make a
the nature o f the the mutants' strug­ impossible for a mutant to hold a job Resources FEAT roll and then trade
gle. They are often forced to commit for more than a week or two, and all it for increased Resources.
crimes in order to survive, yet they assets and bank accounts held by
must try to protect people against unregistered people were frozen Popularity
harm-even to the extent of protect­ when the sentinels took over. All super heroes of the future,
ing normal humans against mutants. Resources, therefore, don't repre­ regardless of where their powers
sent income; they represent cash or come from, have negative Popularity.
Unheroic Acts valuable items the character man­ When creating characters, use the
Mutants must often steal food, aged to collect. following modifiers instead of those
forge documents, and destroy prop­ When a character is created, listed in the Player's Book:
erty to survive. All of these things determine his Resources rank nor­ • Initial Popularity is - 1 0.
only serve to turn public opinion mally. Then have the player make a - Reduce Popularity by 10 if the
even more against mutants, so char­ Resources FEAT roll immediately. character is a mutant.
acters lose Karma for them. How­ Adjust his Resources rank according • Reduce Popularity by 5 if the
ever, they only lose the listed amount to the result: hero is strange in appearance
of Karma for each crime. White No change (Judge's discretion).
Green Minus one rank A character's Popularity can be
Personal Karma Yellow Minus two ranks considered positive when dealing
Characters never lose Karma points Red Minus three ranks with other mutants, super charac­
for failing to keep up with their person­ Note that characters with high ters, and sympathetic humans or
al commitments. The only personal Resources ranks have more to lose anomalous humans. A character's
commitment that needs to be consid­ and are more likely to lose it. Popularity can be considered posi­
ered is the character's commitment to Every time a character uses his tive if the character is passing for a
members of his family. If a character Resources, the player must make normal human when the Popularity
manages to visit his family, the normal two Resources FEAT rolls. The first FEAT is rolled.
Karma award is doubled (to + 1 0 Kar­ is a normal FEAT roll to determine
ma points). However, if this visit whether the character has sufficient Contacts
endangers his family at all, the charac­ Resources to do what he wants. The In the 2 1 st Century, contacts must
ter loses 20 Karma points. The best second FEAT roll determines how be people who are very close to the
thing most characters can do for their much of the character's stash of character. No one is going to risk his
families is to stay away. valuables had to be given away to life for someone he barely knows.
Charity also works differently in make the purchase. (The second Also, contacts must be humans or
the future. No charitable foundation FEAT roll is not necessary if the first anomalous humans; they cannot be
wants a mutant to show up at its roll failed.) A white result causes the mutants or super characters.
benefit dinner. However, a donation character's Resources to be reduced A contact who helps a character is
of food, medicine, clothing, or other by one rank, permanently. When a putting his freedom on the line. The
necessities to anomalous humans or character's Resources reach Shift 0, character is the cause of this danger;
powerless mutants in hiding earns he is broke. he must accept responsibility for his
Karma points equal to the donation's The only way to increase a charac­ contact's safety. If anything happens
Resource rank. ter's Resources rank is to accumu­ to the contact, the character loses
late new valuables. The Resource Karma as if he allowed it to happen,
Negative Popularity FEAT Rolls values of many items are listed in the even if there was nothing he could
Characters do not lose Karma for Player's Book of the MARVEL have done.

9
 This section details the villains and Nullifying Power: McGrafton possess­ combat and command capacity. Nim·
NPCs the PCs are most likely to es Nullifying Power at Remarkable rod commands the entire sentinel
meet in this adventure. Not all NPCs rank. program.
that may be needed are included: Mask Ring: McGrafton possesses a All sentinels share several charac­
because of the free-form nature of mask ring, which he wears at all teristics. All are 20 feet tall, human·
the scenario, the Judge must be times. This ring masks his mutant oid, and contain their sensory
prepared to improvise NPCs as the nature from all forms of organic apparatus in their heads. Their
occasion demands. Also included scanners and all mutant detection brains, however, are in their chests.
are descriptions of equipment fre­ powers. The mask has a range of They are programmed to speak any
quently used by the mutant under­ Feeble but a density of Class 5000. It needed language, and can communi­
ground. masks only McGrafton, but has nev­ cate with each other silently over any
er failed him, even in the presence of range by radio. They walk with Good
Villains Nimrod. speed but cannot run or jump. They
Talents: McGrafton possesses the have slightly better sight and hearing
Senator Joseph McGraf10n Scientific Skills Biology, Genetics, than humans, touch equivalent to
Computers, and Electronics. humans, and no sense of taste or
F TY (5) Health: 57 Contacts: As a national political smell. All are sealed against hostile
A G O (8) leader, McGrafton has almost count­ environments, extreme pressure,
S GO (8) Karma: 1 28 less political contacts. He can call for and weather; they can travel into
E I N (36) favors as needed from any agency of outer space or under the ocean with
R AM (46) Resources: MN the U.S. government and the senti­ no modifications.
(75) nels. He has absolute control over Learning Program: All sentinels are
I I N (36) the NASI Party and the KGP (no equipped with an adaptive learning
P AM (46) Popularity: 85 Popularity FEAT required under nor­ program allowing them to learn from
mal circumstances: his orders are their mistakes. After three rounds of
Known P ow e rs: automatically obeyed). McGrafton is combat with any character (mutant or
McGralton's powers are known always accompanied by a Secret not) all sentinels gain a + 1 column
only to himself, the Judge, and other Service AM Team of 1 0 members. shift whenever they fight that charac­
characters who may become aware Background: See "The McGrafton ter. This bonus is available to all
of them during play. They are Plot" section in this adventure. sentinels everywhere-the informa­
unknown to the PCs, the sentinels, McG rafton is Chairman of the U.S. tion is instantly relayed across the
and everyone else at the start of play. Senate Select Committee on Mutant­ sentinel communication network.
Mutant Detection: McGrafton pos­ Communist Subversion, ranking The bonus applies even if the senti­
sesses the normal Mutant Detection NASI member on the Senate nel is destroyed in the third round of
power at Amazing rank. Finance Committee, ranking NASI the fight. Further, any sentinels sent
Emotion Control: McGrafton's Emo­ member on the Senate Foreign Rela­ to find that character can have spe­
tion Control power is unique, in that tions Committee, and National Chair­ cial equipment installed to counter­
it can affect anyone who both sees man of the National American Social act the character's powers.
and hears McGrafton speaking. Typi­ Improvement Party. A uto·Repair: All sentinels can
cally, he uses this power to fire up repair themselves under the follow­
crowds at political rallies and televi­ The Sentinels ing conditions: •

sion audiences. When McG rafton In the future, six types of sentinel 1. They must have at least 20 per­
uses this power on a large group, the robots operate in North America: the cent of their original Health points
Judge need roll only one Intuition mark IV, mark V, mark VI, alpha, and remaining.
FEAT for the entire crowd; treat nor­ omega sentinels, and Nimrod, the 2. They must have access to
mal humans as having Typical Intui­ most powerful sentinel in existence appropriate repair materials.
tion. PCs and others with super and the only one of its type. The 3. They must have sufficient time
powers may be allowed to make their marks IV, V, and VI are obsolete, but to make the repairs.
own Intuition FEAT to resist the still perform patrol duties in quiet Repair materials are always availa­
effects of the power. The specific areas and serve as headquarters ble at any sentinel base. Away from
emotions McGrafton can control and functionaries. The alpha type is the a base, a sentinel can repair itself
manipulate are Fear, Hatred, and basic combat sentinel and the type only to 75 percent of its original
Loyalty. McGrafton has this power at most commonly encountered. Health.
Monstrous rank. Omega sentinels act in both a Repairs take 30 minutes per 1 0

10
Health points restored. Mark V Sentinel Computer Link: As mark V, main­
tained by FM radio.
F EX (20) Health = 190
Mark IV Sentinel Body Armor: Remarkable, as mark
A EX (20)
IV.
F EX (20) Health 165 S AM (50) Karma = 0
Energy Beams: As mark IV, but
=

A EX (20) E UN (100)
cause Amazing damage.
S AM (50) Karma = 0 R G D (10) Resources = 0
Gas Jets: As mark IV.
E MN (75) I TY (6)
Customization: As mark IV.
R TY (6) Resources = 0 P TY (6) Popularity = 0
Alpha Sentinel
I TY (6) Known Powers:
P TY (6) Popularity = 0 Flight: As mark IV, but 10 areas per F AM (50) Health = 290
round. A I N (40)
Known Powers: Mutant Detection: Remarkable rank, S AM (50) Karma = 0
Flight: Mark IV sentinels can fly nine Monstrous range, as mark IV. E Shift X (150)
areas per round using jets built into Computer Link: Each sentinel of R EX (20) Resources = 0
their boots. mark V or superior type is tied to a I GD (1 0)
Mutant Detection: Remarkable rank base computer containing detailed P GD (1 0) Popularity = 0
with Monstrous range. The sentinel information on all known mutants.
is equipped with a uni-spectrum This allows the sentinel to instantly Known Powers:
organic analyzer. This analyzer can identify any known mutant and ana­ Flight: 1 2 areas per round, as mark
detect all living things within one lyze how best to handle it. Mark V IV.
mile and determine whether each is sentinels maintain this link through Mutant Detection: Unearthly rank,
animal, human, mutant, or none of FM radio. with Shift Z range. Otherwise as
the above. Body Armor: Remarkable, as mark mark IV, (but range is 10 miles).
Body Armor: Mark IVs have Remark­ IV. Computer Link: As mark V, main­
able body armor. The armor itself is Energy Beam: As mark IV, but tained by tight-beam laser communi­
Remarkable material. causes Amazing damage. cation.
Energy Beam: Mark IVs mount Gas Jets: As mark IV. Body Armor: Incredible, made of
energy beams which fire through Cold Beams: Mark Vs can spray liq· Incredible strength material.
their eyes, causing Incredible dam­ uid nitrogen from their eyes to a Energy Beams: Range of six areas,
age. They can fire almost any type of range of two areas. Opponents hit by cause Amazing damage, can also
energy beam: plasma, electrons, this beam must make an Endurance fire pure concussive force. Other­
heat, light, X-ray, etc. FEAT roll and check the Stun wise, as mark IV.
Gas Jets: Mark IVs h ave gas jets in column. If stunned, the character is Electrical Insulation: Alphas are insu­
their palms that can project various also encased in a sheath of ice lated to provide Excellent resistance
types of gases (knockout, tear, (Good material strength). against any sort of electrical attack.
smoke, etc.) of Remarkable potency Customization: As mark IV. Darts: Each alpha sentinel carries 10
up to two areas away. javelin-sized steel darts in its trunk.
Catch-Web: Remarkable strength Mark VI Sentinel These can be fired up to three areas,
steel cables can be fired from the causing Excellent edged attack dam­
F RM (30) Health = 250
mark IV's wrists to entangle and age. They cannot penetrate any
A EX (20)
restrain mutants. These cables have material stronger than Remarkable.
S AM (50) Karma = 0
a range of two areas. Customization: As Judge desires.
E Shift X (150)
Search Lights: On their lowest possi­
R G D (10) Resources = 0
ble setting, the mark IV's energy Omega Sentinel
I GD (10)
beams can be used as search lights.
P TY (6) Popularity = 0 F AM (50) Health = 290
Customization: Mark IVs are
A I N (40)
extremely flexible. Almost any type S AM (50) Karma 0
Known Powers: =

of weaponry or special equipment

Flight: As mark IV, but 1 0 areas per E Shift X (150)
can be mounted on them, depending RM (30) Resources 0
round. R =

upon their specific mission. Details

Mutant Detection: Amazing rank, at U EX (20)
are left to the Judge. P GD ( 1 0)
Shift X range. Otherwise as mark IV Popularity = 0
(but range is two miles).

11
Known Powers: neither Nimrod, nor any other senti­ that was struck determining the type
Flight: 1 2 areas per round, as mark nel, need fight the character in ques­ of attack.
IV. tion: Nimrod only needs to watch film Force Field: Nimrod can encase him­
Mutant Detection: Unearthly power at of the character in battle. self in an Incredible Strength force
Shift Z range. Further, tied into its Mutant Detection: Class 1 000 power field.
computer link, the omega sentinel's rank. Nimrod's organic analyzer has Te/eportation: Nimrod can teleport up
organic analyzer has an extended a range of 20 miles. He can also tap to 5 miles by making a successful
range of 1 00 miles. into the same computer net used by Psyche FEAT roll. If he is not familiar
Computer Link: As alpha sentinel, but the omega sentinels, thereby with the area he is teleporting into, it
can tie into the entire sentinel com­ increasing its range to 1 00 miles. must be in his line of sight.
puter network. Body Armor: Amazing, made of Nerveshock: Anyone touching Nim­
Body Armor: Incredible, made of Amazing strength material. rod must make an Endurance FEAT
Incredible strength material. Energy Beams: Nimrod's energy roll or be stunned for 1 to 1 0 rounds.
Energy Beams: Range 7 areas, beams encompass the entire spec­ If Nimrod grabs a character, the
cause Amazing damage, and can fire trum of electromagnetic energy, character must pass the FEAT roll or
pure concussive force. Otherwise as molecular energy, and concussive be stunned until Nimrod lets go.
other sentinels. sonics. These beams can fire from Inhibitor Fie/d: Nimrod can generate
Encepha/o-scan: Omega sentinels his hands, eyes, and chest. They a psioniC inhibitor field in the area he
are equipped with a sensory beam have a range of 4 areas and can is in and all adjacent areas. Anyone
that scans the brainwaves of charac­ cause Monstrous damage. trying to use a psionic or mental
ters being interrogated to determine A uto-Repair: Nimrod's ability to power, mutant Or otherwise, must
whether they are lying. A character repair himself is far greater than any make a red FEAT roll to succeed.
who is lying deliberately must make earlier sentinel's. It is based on his Scanners: Nimrod's scanners are so
a Psyche F EAT roll. Any result other ability to completely rearrange him­ well protected he cannot be blinded
than red indicates that the sentinel self on the molecular level. He can or deafened. They are so acute that
detects the lie and reacts accord­ repair himself under the following they operate at Class 1 000 rank. He
ingly. conditions: can scan huge areas for mutants by
Electrical Insulation: Remarkable 1 . He has at least 1 0 percent of his tying into the satellite network. (He
resistance to any sort of electrical original Health points remaining. cannot pinpoint exact locations by
attack. 2. For every 20 points of Health he this method, but it is accurate to
Darts: As alpha sentinel, but range is restores, he must reduce one power within one city block.) At a range of 2
4 areas and these cannot penetrate by two ranks. (Nimrod will withdraw areas, he can scan a character and
any material stronger than Incredi­ from a fight rather than allow his determine not only the character's
ble. powers to drop below Excellent.) powers but the ability and power
Learning Program: Omega sentinels 3. Repairing 1 5 Health points ranks as well.
gain the combat bonus (column shift) takes 30 minutes. Shockweb: Nimrod can create an
after only two rounds instead of the Disintegrator Beam: Nimrod has a energy web up to 2 areas away. It
usual three. beam that can disintegrate up to one covers one area and is shaped like a
cubic yard of inorganic material in vertical web. It need not be anchored
Ni mrod one round. I t has a range of 2 areas to anything. Nimrod must make a
and can affect materials up to Incred­ Remarkable FEAT roll to create this
F AM (50) Health= 300
ible strength. web. It lasls only one round.
A AM (50)
Pressor-Tractor Beam: This energy Nimrod usually creates such a web
S AM (50) Karma = 70
beam allows Nimrod to pull objects in the path of a character who is
E Shift X ( 1 50)
toward him or push them away. The moving or flying at high speed. Such
R EX (30) Resources =

beam's Strength is Monstrous. It can a character will hit the net and be
IN (40)
move a target 1 area per round for caught before he can react.
I RM (30)
every rank above Good that Nimrod The net has the equivalent of
P GO ( 1 0) Popularity= 0
uses. For example, if the beam is Amazing material strength. It delivers
used at Incredible power, the object Remarkable damage to anyone
Known Powers:
moves 3 areas. If the object struck caught in it for one round. Further,
Matrix Battle Computer: This com­
something while being moved, it entangled characters must make an
puter operates like an omega senti­
would be the equivalent of an Incred­ Endurance FEAT roll to avoid being
nel's learning program. However,
ible Strength attack, with the object stunned.

12
Notes on Sentinels platoon leader (usually an omega), cally caused will not show as
and an administrative team (usually mutants on the scanners, but such
Sentinel Law four mark IV, Vs or Vis plus one PCs will be unable to pass a blood
Sentinels are emotionless robots. omega). test and thus cannot obtain a legiti­
Every action they take is governed Company: Three platoons, one mate identity card. The detectability
by their prime programming direc­ company commander (omega), and of other altered humans is left to the
tive: to protect humanity from the a headquarters unit (nine sentinels of Judge's discretion.
danger of mutants at any cos\. Senti­ varying types). High-tech wonders are usually
nels will utilize deadly force any time Organization above the company impossible for the scanners to detect
they see a reasonable need to do so. level is on an ad hoc basis. unless they are partially bionic. Iron
For this reason, sentinels often Man, for example, is perlectly normal
cause "collateral damage" to human Sentinel Organic Scanners without his armor. The sentinels
homes, businesses, and other struc­ For the most part, the Judge can could notice, though, the use of
tures in their efforts to capture or kill control the use of the sentinels' super powers provided by high-tech
mutants. organic scanners as he sees fit. Ii equipment; for example, a normal
However, sentinel programming the Judge wants a particular NPC human moving at high speed or fly­
includes directives that result in a mutant to be detected by the senti­ ing will tend to stand out from the
genuine effort to spare human lives nels, then that mutant is detected. crowd.
(even anomalous human lives) when PCs, however, deserve a fair Aliens and robots will certainly be
possible. In practice, sentinels sim­ shake of dice when the sentinels are detected by the scanners, and the
ply balance the danger to human life scanning an area. The Judge need sentinels are unlikely to regard them
against the possible harm they could make only one roll, regardless of the as any less a threat than mutants.
do to mutants. If a sentinel judges number of sentinels scanning the
that the harm to be done to the same area. This is a normal Power Non-Player Characters
mutants is proportionally larger than FEAT roll for the scanning sentinels,
the cost in human lives, the sentinel using the highest available Mutant The NPC category includes spe­
will kill humans to get at mutants. Detection Power rank. The intensity cific individuals and some generic
Sometimes, mutants will take of the FEAT is the density rank of types, such as standard policemen,
human hostages to try to ward off any masking device being used by SWAT:AM teams, camp guards, and
sentinel attacks. In such situations, the PCs, andlor the Power rank of so on. The Judge may feel free to
the Judge can roll one die for each any Power that tends to mask slightly alter the statistics of specific
human hostage, and one die for eve­ mutants from organic analyzers. individuals of these generic types
ry two anomalous human hostages. The following powers can mask should this become desirable during
If the sum of the dice is less than the mutants from organic scanners: play.
number of mutants present, the sen­ Resistance to Mental Attacks, Invul­
tinel(s) decide that capturing or kill­ nerability to Mental Attacks, Electri­ Typical Policeman
ing the mutants is more important cal Manipulation, Magnetic F A S E R I P
than the human lives at stake. If the Manipulation, Force Field Genera­ G O G O TY GO TY TY TY
sum of the dice is equal to or greater tion, and Psi-Screen. These powers
than the number of mutants present, must be in use at the time of the Health: 36
the sentinels will back off and try a scanning in order to act as a mask. Karma: 1 8
different approach. Further, characters who are using Talent: Law Enforcement
Phasing or who are transformed into
Sentinel Organization inorganic material at the time of the Equipment: pistol, stun pistol, night­
Sentinels have a basic military scan cannot be detected by organic stick (same as club), halogen flash­
organization, as follows: scanners. light, mace canister, flak jacket,
Triad: The three-sentinel triad, Nonmutant PCs are a different handcuffs, two-way radio
usually composed of alpha sentinels, matter. Altered humans may or may In the 2 1 st Century, police always
is the basic patrol unit. Sentinels are not show up on the scanners, patrol in pairs or larger groups.
seldom found singly or in pairs. depending upon what caused their
Squadron: Three triads plus a SWAT:AM
alterations. Those whose alterations
squadron leader (usually an omega were caused by radiation will show SWAT:AM stands for Special
sentinel). up as mutants on the scanners. Weapons and Tactics: Anti-Mutant.
Platoon: Three squadrons, one Those whose alterations were chemi-

13
These are elite police specially train­ camp guards, and other military per­ range, identical to that carried by
ed and equipped to deal with sonnel the PCs meet during the SWAT:AM teams.
mutants. adventure.
Knights of Genetic Purity
F A S E R I P F A S E R I P (Whiteshirts, KGP)
EX G D GD TY TY TY GD EX GD TY GD TY TY PR
F A S E R I P
Health: 46 Health: 46 GD GD G D GD PR PR PR •

Karma: 22 Karma: 1 6
Talents: Law Enforcement, Marks­ Talents: Military skill and Contacts Health: 32
manship Karma: 1 4
Equipment (Soldiers): military assault Talents: Guns, Blunt Weapons,
Equipment: machine pistol, knife, rifle, 4 extra ammo clips for assault Sharp Weapons
nightstick (same as club), fragment rifle, knife, 1 fragment grenade, 2
grenade (1), knock-out grenade­ tear gas grenades, gas mask Equipment: Whiteshirt uniform,
Excellent ( 1 ), sonic grenade ( 1 ) . nightstick (same as club), knife, pos­
infra-red flashlight, infra-red goggles, Equipment (Resettlement Camp sibly handgun or other gun.
gas mask, mace canister, flak jacket, G uard): handgun, submachine gun, The whiteshirts, or KGP, are the
inhibitor cuffs, two-way in-helmet 8 clips ammo for SMG, knife, 1 frag­ paramilitary arm of the NASI Party.
radio, hand-held organic analyzer­ ment grenade, 2 tear gas grenades, Their favorite activities are Party
Good power rank (1 area range) infra-red goggles, gas maSk, flak rallies, drinking, mutant bashing, and
SWAT:AM teams operate in 1 0- jacket, inhibitor cuffs, flare pistol, beating up any who oppose the poli­
man squads, two four-man combat walkie-talkie cies of the NASI Party. They have
teams and a two-man command rudimentary training in the use of
team. In addition to personal equip­ Equipment of soldiers and guards firearms, clubs and knives. They
ment, the first combat team carries may vary at Judge's discretion. A seldom carry guns, but individuals
three stun rifles and a grenade variety of heavy military weapons are may, on occasion, go armed for
launcher loaded with Excellent inten­ available at the military base mutant hunting or intimidating politi­
sity knock-out grenades. The second described on page 28. cal opponents. Whiteshirts can be
team carries a machine gun, a LAW, seen almost anywhere in a town or
and uses armor piercing bullets in its Secret Service Anti-Mutant Teams city at any time of day or night.
machine pistols. The command team Secret Service anti-mutant teams
has an organic analyzer of Good provide security for important gov­ Vincent Scarlesi
power with 3-area range. ernment officials. A team varies in Local Syndicate Boss
In areas with heavy mutant activi­ size from 2 to 1 0, depending upon
ty, one member of the command the importance of the person being F A S E R I P
team may be armed with a mutant guarded. GD PR PR TY GD GD EX
neutralizer. The neutralizer strips
away a mutant's powers for 1 to 1 0 F A S E R I P Health: 20
rounds. Range is 3 areas. The target GD EX GD G D GD GD G D Karma: 30
gets to make an Endurance FEAT Resources: I N
roll to avoid the effects. If this roll is Health: 50 Popularity: 20
failed, the target loses the use of all Karma: 30
powers for 1 to 1 0 rounds and his Talents: Law Enforcement, Marks­ Talents: Business/Finance, Crimi­
abilities drop to Excellent (unless manship nology, Detective/Espionage
they were lower to start with). Talents Contacts: Scarlesi is the highest
are unaffected. Equipment: handgun (concealed), ranking local organized crime boss.
SWAT:AM teams typically travel in submachine gun (concealed), 4 extra As such, he has extensive contacts
armored carriers. Battle copters are clips for SMG, infra-red flashlight, with criminals of all types throughout
available when necessary. infra-red goggles, inhibitor cuffs the city, county, state, and nation.
One man in each team will carry He also has extensive contacts with
Soldiers and Camp Guards an Excellent rank organic analyzer local and state government, local
Use the following stats for the with range of 6 areas. A second man federal law enforcement officials,
masses of soldiers, resettlement will carry a mutant neutralizer, 3-area and all political parties, especially

14
the NASI Party. popular local singer. She often used accomplish as much good for fellow
her Pheromone power while perform­ mutants as possible.
Background: Scarlesi rose through ing songs which the NASls found Phil: Phil is one of those unfortu­
the ranks of organized crime, one of politically suspect. At the start of this nates possessed of what the normal
the American institutions to survive adventure, Laura Lee is in sentinel world would consider multiple handi­
the civil strife of the future. He con­ custody, awaiting public execution. caps. His legs are extremely short,
trols the gambling, vice, racketeer­ and too weak to function. He com­
ing, and black market in the The Mutant Affairs pensates for this with his arm
adventure setting. Especially impor­ Committee strength, using his arms for locomo­
tant is the black market, which can tion. Embittered by his lot, Phil
provide needed items to the mutant The local Mutant Affairs Committee, believes only in Phil's survival. He
underground. Scarlesi's sales to formed many months ago, has only has a hunch that there is something
mutants are tolerated by the senti­ recenUy begun large-scale operations. wrong with the resettlement pro­
nels upon advice from the NASls. It consists of five registered mutants gram, and could be persuaded to
The NASls tolerate Scarlesi because from \he local region. None have share this suspicion if doing so were
he drops big bucks in the party cof­ super powers; all are mutants whose clearly in his own best interest.
fers on a regular basis. Personally, particular mutations are harmless. Jenny: Jenny participates on the
Scarlesi is gruff, businesslike, and Committee purely to avoid life in the
ruthless. He has no political or Mutant F A S E R I P detention camps. She is genUe and
humanitarian convictions; his only Chuck PR TY PR PR GO TY TY sweet natured, but cannot stand
motives are profit and survival. Martha TY TY TY GO TY GO EX physical abuse. Her strong intuition
Bob GO GO GO EX TY TY TY tells her that the resettlement pro­
Lorelei Phil TY FE EX TY EX PR EX gram is a farce; she suspects a com­
Laura Lee Masters Jenny PR EX GO TY TY EX TY plete analysis of the Committee's
computer records would show why.
F EX ( 1 6) Health: 94 Health: 20 She is normally shy and retiring, but
A RM (26) Karma: 1 0 could be persuaded to talk if no risk
S EX ( 1 6) Karma: 70 were involved or if talking were nec­
E I N (36) Chuck: Chuck i s a mutant with unu­ essary to save her own life.
R GO (8) Resources: TY sual, greenish skin coloration. He is None of the committee members
I IN (36) reasonably intelligent, but his Endur­ are actually aware that resettlement
P RM (26) Popularity: - 30 ance was all but broken in a deten­ means extermination. If either Phil or
tion camp. He sees resettlement as Jenny share their suspicions with the
Known Powers: an alternative preferable to detention PCs, they will point out the interest­
Flight: Incredible power rank camps. He has Computer skill. ing facts noted on page 25.
Pheromones: Amazing power rank Martha: Martha is a true believer in
Blending: Good power rank the resettlement program. She sees General William B. Braddock,
Phasing: Remarkable power rank resettlement as a dream come true, U.S. Army
Talents: Performer (professional the end of the long nightmare for Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
singer), Journalism mutants. Psychologically, she will be
Contacts: The Lorelei has contacts unable to accept the possibility that F A S E R I P
throughout the local entertainment the NASls are lying about the true GO TY GO GO EX TY EX
and media industries. In addition, nature of the program. She has only
she has good contacts with the black routine secretarial skills. Health: 29
market and the mutant underground. Bob: Bob was once a tough under­ Karma: 37
Background: Laura Lee Masters; ground fighter who partiCipated in Talents: Weapons Master, Military
23, is a beautiful mutant who until many bloody confrontations with skill
her capture was something of a hero sentinels. He was shocked and dis­ Contacts: Extensive political and
with the mutant underground. Oper­ mayed when local NASls took repris- . military contacts at the highest
ating as The Lorelei, she was able to als for his actions against his family. national and international levels.
rescue mutants slated for termination When the resettlement program was Background: General Braddock is
from under the noses of the NASls announced, Bob seized upon it as an up to his ears in McGrafton's plot to
and the sentinels. Her heroic name end to poinUess bloodshed. He uses overthrow the U.S. government.
was a clue to her public identity as a his position on the committee to Braddock is a rabid anti-mutant and

15
anti-Communist. He strongly Dr. Paolo Hernandez William Shiver
believes a NASI-military takeover is Director of Sentinel Research U.S. Correspondent for The Times,
the only way to save the United McGrafton Industries, Inc. London, England
States. He is willing to look the other
way while the NASI mutant extermi­ F A S E R I P F A S E R I P
nation program grows. PR TV PR TY RM RM TV TV TV TV GO EX GO EX j
Dr. Yagami Fuchido Health: 20 Health: 28 )
Director of Genetic Research Karma: 56 Karma: 50
McGrafton Industries, Inc. Talents: Computer and Electronic Talents: Journalism
skills
F A S E R I P Contacts: Shiver has extensive con­
PR TY PR TY RM G O TV Contacts: Like Fuchido, Hernandez tacts in the American and interna­
had contacts throughout the interna­ tional media and among national
Health: 20 tional scientific community, but he level anti-NASI American politicians.
Karma: 46 has been out of touch for years while As chief American correspondent for
Talents: Genetics skill probing the secrets of sentinel con­ the London Times, he is an influen­
struction and programming at the tial shaper of European opinion on
Contacts: Before joining McGrafton top-secret sentinel laboratory at American affairs.
Industries, Fuchido had extensive McGrafton Industries. Background : At the age of 52. Shiv­
conlacts in the international scientific Background: Hernandez is an er is one of the most respected of all
community. Now, however, he is a ardent believer in the development o f British journalists. He has observed
virtual prisoner and has had no com­ artificial intelligence t o the highest the rise of McG rafton and the NASI
munication with colleagues outside possible levels. This is the motivation Party for years, and throughout those
of McGrafton Industries for several behind all his research. He has no years has sounded a warning call to
years. political convictions whatsoever and any and all who would listen.
Background: Dr. Fuchido is the one accepts no responsibility for the pos­ Shiver is vehemently anti-NASI
person who knows with absolute sible political uses of his discoveries. and sympathetic to the mutant
certainty that McGrafton is a mutant. Hernandez's work is top-secret; cause. He would willingly place him­
Fuchido was lured to McG rafton neither the government nor Shaw self in jeopardy to aid mutants, if the
Industries by the promising possibili­ Industries are aware that McGrafton aid rendered were likely to be sub­
ties to do genuine, cutting-edge is probing the secrets of the senti­ stantial or important. He is secretly
genetic research; he was promised a nels. Consequently, Hernandez and aware that Jay Atkinson is the presi­
free hand in running the most exten­ his staff work and live under constant dent's spy in the McGrafton camp
sive genetic research lab in North surveillance. Hernandez accepts this and communicates sensitive informa­
America. In his eagerness to discov­ as an unfortunate condition of his tion to Atkinson. If, in the course of
er the true nature of the X Factor, work. the adventure, Shiver becomes
McGrafton allowed Fuchido to ana­ Recently, Hernandez perfected a aware of any of the major elements
lyze a sample of McGrafton's own new technique for reprogramming of the McGrafton plot to take over the
tissues. Fuchido at once discovered the sentinels, one he assures government, he will try to get word to
McGrafton's mutant powers. Now, McGrafton will work on Nimrod. He is Atkinson by any means possible­
Fuchido is watched day and night inordinately proud of this achieve­ including using the PCs as messen­ i
and kept a virtual prisoner in his lab. ment and, if the security restrictions gers, if necessary.
Fuchido has no political convic­ on him are lifted, will boast of it to J
tions, but he was horrified to find that anyone who comes along. Jay Atkinson
McGrafton, of all people, was a Staff Counsel
mutant. McGrafton periodically sub­ Senate Select Committee on Mutant­
jects Fuchido to uses of Emotion Communist Subversion
Control; now, loyalty to McGrafton
has become a deeply ingrained F A S E R I P
habit. Fuchido resents the tight PR TV TV TV GO GD TV
watch kept on him, but accepts it
because of this deeply ingrained Health: 22
loyalty reaction. Karma: 32

16
Talent: Law skill build. They have only one applicable decoy designed t o imitate the organ­
rank: range. Jammer ranges are ic signature of a mutant on an organ­
Contacts: Secretly in contact with expressed as a radius: all Sentinel ic analyzer. Wild weasels create a
the President of the United States. scanners within the given radius are multitude of mutant readings on the
Secretly in contact with William Shiv­ blacked out. Ranges are as follows: sentinels' scanners, allowing real
er. OthelWise, multiple contacts mutants to blend into the general
among Senate committee staff mem­ Jammer Range chaos without attracting special
bers, and extensive contacts in the attention.
NASI Party organization. Rank Range A wild weasel has three applicable
Background: Jay Atkinson, 28, is Shift 0 1 area ranks: range, resolution, and person­
one of several lawyers on the staff of Feeble 2 areas ality.
McGrafton's Senate committee. He Poor 4 areas Wild weasel ranges are identical to
is a member in good sian ding of the Typical 6 areas jammer ranges. False reading will be
NASI Party. Good 20 areas created within the stated radius.
Secretly, Atkinson despises the Excellent 1 mile Resolution is the number of false
NASls and their program. He is not Remarkable 5 miles images the weasel can create, and is
pro-mutant, but in his heart he sides Incredible 20 miles equal to the resolution rank number.
with the remaining moderates on the Amazing 50 miles For example, a wild weasel with
mutant issue. He is in reality a spy Monstrous 1 50 miles Remarkable resolution can create up
for the current President of the Unit­ Unearthly 500 miles to 30 false mutant readings.
ed States, who fears McGrafton but Personality is the ability to mimic
lacks the political clout to move As soon as a jammer is activated, the organic signature of a specific
against him. Alkinson passes on to all sentinels in the affected region go mutant. Sometimes wild weasels are
the White House any relevant infor­ on the alert; most will search for both programmed to create the signature
mation he can garner through his the jammer and the mutant activity it of a specific mutant being hunted by
position on the committee staff and is obviously hiding. To determine the sentinels. Another trick is to cre­
his frequent face-to-face contact with how much time the sentinels need to ate false images of the mulants
McGrafton. locate and destroy the jammer, make using it for cover, making it impos­
a FEAT roll using the jammer's sible for sentinels to pick out the real
Equipment range rank. Results are as follows: mutants.
To find how long it takes the senti­
The following items of equipment White 1 hour nels to find a wild weasel, make a
are often used by the mutant under­ Green 1 to 1 0 hours FEAT roll using the wild weasel's
ground in its constant efforts to avoid Yellow 1 day range rank. Results are:
detection and strike back against the Red 1 to 1 0 days
sentinels. These items may be con­ White 1 to 1 0 hours
structed or obtained in other ways. Note, however, that jammers of Green 1 day
Prices shown for items are prices on Typical or lower rank are automati­ Yellow or Red 1 to 1 0 days
the black market run by Scarlesi; cally found by sentinels in one hour.
possession of any of these items is Sentinels learn quickly; once they When moving under cover of a
illegal and grounds for shipment to a have located a particular type of wild weasel, mutants still risk detec­
detention camp. (Additional informa­ jammer, the time required to locate tion. Make a FEAT roll using the wild
tion on the black market is found on any other of the same type is cut in weasel's resolution rank. Results
page 2 1 .) half. Thus, jammers are constantly are:
redesigned to provide maximum If the weasel's personality rank
Jammers benefit to their users. exceeds its resolution, any colored
Black market cost: equal to range A jammer's weight equals its rank result means the mutants have not
rank number in pounds. been detected.
If the weasel's personality and
Jammers are devices that blind Wild Weasels resolution ranks are equal, a yellow
most sentinels' organic analyzers or Black market cost: Highest rank result is needed to avoid detection.
scanners. (Note that jammers are + 2CS If the weasel's resolution rank
ineffective against Nimrod's scan­ exceeds its personality rank, only a
ners.) Jammers are relatively easy to A wild weasel is an electronic red result will protect the mutants.

17
 This roll must be made once per the maximum number of characters Identification Cards
hour that the characters are exposed concealed by the mask, those clos­ Black market cost: Rank of card
to detection by sentinels. est to the device are concealed, up desired + 1 CS
A typical wild weasel is the size of to the maximum number. (Judge's
a television set; those with low reso­ discretion determines any finer I n 21 st-century North America, any
lution are the size of a small porta­ determination.) person who cannot produce a valid
ble, while powerful models are the A mask's density measures how 1 0 card is assumed to be a mutant.
size of a 23-inch console. difficult it is for an organic analyzer 10 cards are necessary for free
to penetrate the effect of the mask, movement in public and for legal
Masking Devices and it used as the intensity of senti­ economic transactions of all types.
Black market cost: Highest rank rat­ nels' FEAT roll to detect mutants. 10 cards can be forged. Each card
ing + 3 CS (See the note on sentinels' organic carries a photograph and fingerprints
analyzers on page 1 1 .) of the person it identifies, so stolen
A masking device, simply called a or borrowed cards are of little value.
mask, is an electronic device that Minuteman Any character can attempt to forge
fools organic analyzers into conclud­ Black market cost: Highest rank + 1 an 10 card using the procedure for
ing that no mutants are present. Its CS modifying an item. The effective cost
use does not alert or tip off the senti­ is Poor. The character makes a Rea­
nels, unless the sentinels know that A minuteman is a remote sentinel· son FEAT roll. A red result means
mutants are present in the affected ambushing device. It lures sentinels the card has a rank equal to the
area. into range by creating the image of a character's Reason. A yellow or
To build a mask, a character must mutant and then detonates, damag­ green result means the card has a
first obtain and study a sentinel's ing or destroying the sentinels as it rank one or two ranks lower, respec­
organic analyzer. The analyzer from destroys itself. tively. A white result means the
any model or type of sentinel will do. A minuteman has two ranks: lure attempt was obviously botched.
In addition, the character must build and blast. Once the device is placed Characters with journalism, crimi­
a Remarkable rank refractive fold and activated. a FEAT roll is made nology, or detectivelespionage skill
generator. This latter device requires once per day against its lure rank. A get to shift their FEAT roll result up
no special components. white result means no sentinel found by one color. A red result before
The mask itself has two applicable the device; a new roll can be made shifting produces a card with a rank
ranks: range and density. the next day. A green result means one higher than the character's Rea­
Range determines the size of the one sentinel has been lured to the son.
area affected and the number of device; a yellow result means two When an N PC checks the charac­
characters that can be concealed by sentinels, and a red result indicates ter's 10 card, the NPC makes an
a mask, as follows: a triad. Intuition FEAT roll. The rank of the
The minuteman's blast rank is the card is compared to the NPC's Intui­
Mask Range strength of its attack when it tion rank to determine whether a
explodes. It makes one edged attack green, yellow, or red result is needed
Rank Range Characters
against each sentinel lured into to spot the forgery.
Feeble 2 feet 1
range. Since most sentinels have at Black market cards come in vary­
Poor 4 feet 2
least Incredible body armor, a device ing ranks. About 50% of the time,
Typical 6 feet 3
with less than Incredible blast rank black market cards are two ranks
Good 8 feet 4
has no chance to damage a Sentinel. lower than advertised or promised. If
Excellent 1 0 feet 6
Other sorts of minutemen can be a character purchases a black mar­
Remarkable 1 area 8
designed: incendiaries, energy ket card, the Judge should secretly
Incredible 1 area 10
attacks, electronic brain scramblers, roll an Intuition FEAT for the charac­
Amazing 1 area 15
or anything else the PCs can cobble ter, using the actual rank of the card
Monstrous 2 areas 25
together. as the intensity of the FEAT. Suc­
Unearthly 4 areas 40
cess indicates the character spots a
card of lower quality than promised.
Ranges in feet are radii; ranges i n
areas are the maximum number of
areas affected. If the number of
mutants in the affected area exceeds

18
 The X-Potential is designed to be the sentinels. The ideal locations for Detention Center: I f you have
run as the second in the four-part MX these damaged sections are on the played MX1 , keep the location of the
series of adventures for the MARVEL edges of the downtown district, so detention camp used in that adven­
SUPER HEROES� game. It can also the ruins can contain damaged and ture. If not. pick a rural area very
be run as a one-shot adventure, abandoned businesses, residences, near the edge of town as the site for
complete in itself. In either case, this and perhaps a manufacturing plant a temporary mutant detention center,
section provides the Judge with or two. Mark these damaged and as described on page 27.
instructions and tips for making the ruined areas on your map. You are now ready to begin play.
most of this unique type of free-form Next, mark off the section of town
adventure. where anomalous humans are forced Picking Up From MX1
to live. This should be an area suffic­
ient to house 1 0 to 1 5 percent of the If your PCs have been through
Player Characters MX1 , you can begin this adventure
population in substandard slums. If
As noted in the Introduction, players your town has a population of 20,000 wherever that one lef1 off. If the PCs
should not use pregeneratea or mod­ or more, there could more than one were still free and still in the home
eled characters in this adventure. The anomalous human slum. town area. when you ended MX1 ,
setting is 25 to 50 years in the future: Now you're ready to locate the start play just as if you were continu­
today's strong super heroes are that following special locations on your ing that adventure. Run a few days
era's old folks, if they've managed to map: or a week of events before beginning
survive. Furthermore, players will The Rally Grounds: This is where
the events outlined in this adventure.
probably be very unhappy if their the NASls will hold a major political This adventure begins when the PCs
favorite character in your regular cam­ rally and public mutant execution pick up the pre-Rally week rumours
paign universe gets killed off in this shortly af1er the start of the adven­ given in the following Events.
deadly future. And make no mistake, ture. If your town has a major stadi­ If your PCs ended MX1 in the
this future is deadly. um or coliseum, use that. If not, the internment camp, they'll have to
The ideal number of PCs for this NASls will have built their Rally escape before they can do anything
adventure is six, although the adven­ Grounds as shown on the map else. If they're having too much diffi­
ture can be modified by the Judge to included in this adventure, some­ culty escaping, have the mutant NPC
accomodate any number from two to where outside the town, preferably Lorelei stage a daring raid to break
eight. Experience has shown that on high ground near one or more them out. (By all means, play this
playing with more than eight PCs major highways. raid out.) Af1er springing the PCs,
becomes a bit unwieldy. Mutant Affairs Committee Head­
Lorelei should say something very
quarters: This headquarters may be
touching and moving about the
The Setting located in the local federal building or necessity for undying resistance to
any major downtown office building. the evil of the sentinels and the
The geographical setting for this NASls, then take off on her own,
adventure is the Judge's home town The Army Base: If there is a mili­
tary base within 1 0 miles or so of your disappearing until the PCs get news
and environs, just as in Nightmares of her capture.
of Futures Past. Judges who have town, use that base. Locate the base
within 1 0 miles or so the city or town. If the PCs fled home town U.S.A.
already run that adventure will have through the underground railroad, let
most the maps they need already McGrafton Industries, Inc.: The
McGraf10n Industries complex is them receive news of Lorelei's cap­
prepared. Those who haven't need ture and pending execution in plenty
to do a little preparation before located near a major highway within
1 0 miles or so of your city or town, of time to return to the adventure
beginning play. location. Point out to the players that
First, get a map of your town or preferably isolated from any high
population area. the characters have heard of Lorelei,
city. It's best if the map also shows that her exploits are legendary
the surrounding rural areas in the Senate Committee Hearing
Room: When McGraf1on's commit­
throughout the mutant underground,
county or parish. Even a Simple, and that her execution is about to
hand-drawn map will do. Be sure the tee comes to town to hold its hear­
ings, these can be held in the take place in their own old stomping
map shows the major roads and grounds. Failure to stop that execu­
neighborhoods, at the very least. courtroom of the local courthouse, in
the federal building (but not if the tion will definitely result in a very bad
Assume that about 20 to 25 per­ Karma situation.
cent of your town or city suffered Mutant Affairs Committee is located
heavy damage during the war with there), or in any other large, public
auditorium.

19
Starting From Scratch day before the rally, the PCs will be Each of the remaining sections pro­
able to move about with relative ease. vides a description of a geographic
If your players didn't participate in Sentinels will ignore them. (Don't tell location, the information the PCs can
MX1 , explain to the newly generated them it's that easy-let them sweat.) obtain there, how the information can
characters the grim facts of life in the All efforts to find out about Lorelei's be obtained, and description of any
future as outlined in The Nightmare location automatically fail. events which will occur in that location
World of the Future. Help each char­
unless prevented by PC actions.
acter develop a plausible back­ Pre-Rally Rumours During play, the Judge should turn
ground; some may have been on the During the week before the Rally, the to the appropriate location and event
run from town to town for quite some PCs can pick up one or two (at most) of descriptions as needed, remember­
time, others may be mutants newly the following bits of information through ing to modify them according to PC
aware of their own powers, who have the mutant underground or from any actions.
somehow, by luck or the clever pro­ other appropriate contacts: The events in this adventure occur
tection of their families, escaped 1 . There seems to be some con­ in a very short time-the week before
deteclion until reaching an age when struction activity at the nearby mili­ the NASI Party rally and the three
they can fend for themselves. Then tary base. days of hearings by McGrafton's Com­
throw the PCs together. 2. The sentinels have recently mittee on Mutant and Communist
Give the characters about a week or taken over some rural property out­ Subversion. During this short time, the
so to get used to the requirements of side of town. They're keeping the PCs will have a chance 10 rescue the
the new world. Some may wish to area off limits to almost everyone. No mutant heroine Lorelei, discover the
register as mutanls. Those who do will mutants have attempted to investi­ true nature of the "resettlement" cen­
immediately be interned (treat as cap­ gate: the areas is heavily guarded. ter and destroy it, discover the true
tured as explained on page 27). Those 3. The sentinels are dismantling nature of McGrafton's plot to over­
who don't will have to struggle for at their surveillance base near the throw the government, and prevent
least a week just to survive. Let them town; this must mean they're getting thai overthrow. Exlremely clever PCs
duke it out with a sentinel patrol, or ready to move it. may even discredit McGrafton political­
perhaps rescue a mutant just captured 4. Several local mutant under­ ly by forcing him to reveal his mutant
by a patrol. Give them a chance to ground cells are dissolving. The new­ powers on national television, although
build rudimentary equipment or pur­ ly created Mutant Affairs Committee this will be very difficult to achieve.
chase it from the black market, and to is having real success in getting To help provide information to the
get in contact with one or two other unregistered mutants to register and PCs, the Judge is provided with four
mutant underground cells. apply for resettlement. Soon, the handouts in the form of local newspa­
Once the PCs have a feel for the resistance may have a serious man­ per front pages. These may be hand­
world of the future and have estab­ power shortage as a result. ed out to the PCs at the times noted in
lished a base of operations, begin 5. Sentinel patrols in other areas of the Events List.
with the Pre-Rally Week, explained the state have increased in frequen­
below. cy and intensity. Many mutants are The Event List
traveling to this area, where sentinel The Event List provides the Judge
The Pre-Rally Week activity is more slack. But you have with a list of the most important
This adventure begins about one to watch out; some of these mutants events that McGrafton has planned
week prior to the mass NASI Party may be spies under the control of the during the course of the adventure.
Rally. During that week, PCs will defin­ sentinels.
Time Event, Location, Notes
itely notice or hear the following facts: Rally Day: Judge hands out first
1 . Sentinel patrols have almost Event and Location Descriptions
newspaper front morning
ceased in the city or town, and patrols This adventure contains no set
page.
in rural areas are almost non-existent. encounters. Instead, it provides the
Rally Day, Influx of whiteshirts, jour­
In general, sentinel activity seems to Judge with a general adventure envi­
all day: nalists, pOlitiCians, 10 the
have slacked off significantly. ronment and a list of events that
city or town. Beginning of
2. The mutant resistance heroine occur unless prevented by the
troop build-up at Army
known as Lorelei has been captured! actions of the PCs. The adventure
base.
All efforts to discover where she is itself proceeds in free form, with the
Rally Day, Full company-sized unit of
being held have failed. Judge modifying events and the
all day: sentinels begins massive
This information is true. Until the activities of the villains and NPCs
hunt for mutants in and
depending upon what the PCs do.
around adventure setting.

20
Rally Day, McGrafton addresses dy" in Capitol Building. absolute rampage through the anom­
p.m.: massive NASI rally. Congress suspends Con­ alous human areas of town, burning,
Mutant Lorelei executed stitution, recognizes emer­ looting, beating and murdering. The
at climax of rally. gency government under sentinels call in as many reinforce­
Rally Day Judge hands out second McGrafton. ments as necessary to capture or kill
+1 : newspaper front page. the PCs and rescue McGrafton.
Rally Day Captured mutants forced The Black Market Within an hour after McGrafton's
+ 1 , a.m.: to testify before McGraf- PCs in this adventure may have kidnapping, the PCs should see sen­
ton Committee. significant need for jammers, wild tinels everywhere they turn.
Rally Day Nimrod testifies before weasels, masks, minutemen, weap­ If McGrafton is actually killed, all of
+ 1 , p.m.: McGrafton Committee. ons, explosives, electronics gear, the above occur. In addition, General
Rally Day At McGrafton Industries, etc. Almost all these can be obtained Braddock immediately assumes the
+ 1 , night: Dr. Paolo Hernandez from the black market operated by chairmanship of the NASI Party and
reprograms several senti­ Scarlesi. proceeds with the plot to overthrow
nels, who then rampage. It is unlikely the PCs will encounter the government.
Rally Day Troop build-up continues Scarlesi personally, although they PCs Captured: If the Judge has
+ 1 , all at Army base. can, at the Judge's discretion. His available the internment center from
day: operatives i n the black market are MX1 , captured PCs may be taken
Rally Day Judge hands out third typical thugs who hang out at the there. If not, they are taken to the
+ 2: newspaper front page. sleazier bars, restaurants, recreation mutant detention center. If the Hear­
Rally Day General William Braddock centers, and vice areas in the town ings are still continuing, captured
+ 2, a . m . : testifies before McGrafton or city. PCs who spend any time in PCs may be forced to testify before
Committee. these locations will soon notice those the Committee.
Rally Day The Secretary of Defense individuals who seem to be connect­ PCs Discredit McGrafton: This
+ 2 , p.m.: testifies before McGrafton ed. They're the ones everyone else can be done in several ways. The
Committee. Public sends treats with a certain amount of best way is to force McG rafton to use
hundreds of thousands of respect. his mutant powers while his televised
telegrams to Congress, Purchases through the black mar­ hearings are going on. Not only will
demanding emergency ket require payment in advance. the sentinels immediately terminate
anti-mutant, anti­ Goods are delivered as arranged at this mutant who almost subverted
Communist action. the time of purchase. The delay their entire program, but also the
Rally Day Troop build-up continues involved may be a matter of minutes NASI movement will literally fall
+ 2, all at Army base. for common, legal items, to two or apart.
day: three days for illegal items. The The PCs can also discredit
Rally Day Judge hands out final Judge should time the delays for McG rafton by providing scientific
+ 3: newspaper front page. maximum dramatic impact during proof of his mutant nature to the
Rally Day "Sabotaged" sentinel play. media, by revealing his treasonous
+ 3, a.m.: robots testify before Prices for black market items are plot in time to prevent it (no later
McGrafton Committee. as given in the item descriptions on than midnight the night after the third
Rally Day McGrafton, Nimrod, and pages 1 7 and 1 8. Prices for all other day of hearings), or by providing the
+ 3, night: Braddock meet at McGraf­ items are + 1 CS above the prices media with comprehensive proof of
ton Industries. Hernandez given in the MARVEL SUPER the true nature of the death camps.
attempts to reprogram HEROESN Advanced Set Player's
Nimrod. At Army base, Book.
airlift of troops and whi­
teshirts to Washington, Special Problems
D.C. begins. There's a remote chance the PCs
Rally Day McGrafton, Braddock and might do something that absolutely
+ 4, a . m . : Nimrod arrive in Washing­ disrupts the intended flow of the
ton, D.C. Braddock's adventure. Here's how to handle the
troops seize city, arrest most likely of these:
President, place Congress PCs Capture or Kill McGrafton: If
under "protective custo- the PCs should manage to capture
McGrafton, the whiteshirts go on an

21
 Aside from the announced capture 1 000 rank scanning ability. to stay alive!
of the mutant criminal Lorelei, things Although the goal of the sentinels
have been very quiet in hometown, is to capture as many live mutants as The Mass Influx
U.S.A. in the week prior to the slated possible, they will not hesitate to kill
NASI Party rally. Sentinel activity has at the slightest sign of resistance. In the midst of the chaos caused
virtually ceased; the sentinels have The sentinels know this region is by the sentinel round-up, hundreds
dismantled their surveillance base. crawling with mutants, and they'll of journalists and pOliticians and tens
Unknown to the underground, the bag plenty of prisoners. If a few have of thousands of whiteshirts and regu­
surveillance base has been transfer­ to be killed, so be it. lar NASI Party members are arriving
red to the Army base. The lack of On the other hand, this surplus of in the city throughout the day to
sentinel activity in the area has m utants can be a blessing in dis­ at1end the Rally. Major transportation
served as a magnet for mutants from guise for the PCs: the sentinels have arteries into town are choked with
other parts of the state, drawing so many potential prisoners in the traffic. Airports and bus terminals are
them to hometown from areas where immediate vicinity that they won't crowded to maximum capacity.
sentinel activity is intense. bother with a lengthy, diHicult pur­ Tables in restaurants-even places
On Rally Day, the quiet is broken. suit. If the PCs cleverly escape a in lines at hot dog stands-are at a
triad, the Judge can, at his discre­ premium. Hotels and motels are
tion, have the triad called oH to cap­ jammed full, with much of the busi­
The Sentinel Round-Up
ture easier pickings. ness spilling over into adjacent coun­
Shortly after dawn on Rally Day, a ties, unless your home town is large
full company of sentinels (a total of enough to host a major convention.
Bad News
1 1 8) descends on the relatively small In all, the Rally is drawing more
area of the adventure setting. Nim­ Throughout the day, the Judge than 1 00,000 people. Naturally, a
rod himself arrives at the new sur­ can pepper the PCs with news from crowd that size draws a fair propor­
veillance base to take charge of the mutant underground, assuming tion of petty criminals along with it:
sentinel activities in the region. their cell has made contact with one pickpockets, thieves, con men, and
The sentinels begin a ruthless or two others. Information coming practitioners of vice abound.
campaign of seek and capture from other mutant cells can be of the The influx of such a crowd natu­
patrols throughout the city and coun­ following varieties: rally taxes the capacity of the local
ty. The goal is to capture as many 1 . Triad of sentinels moving north police. The Judge can liven things
mutants as possible. Nimrod and on Highway N N . up, if necessary, by staging any of
McGrafton planned this entire event 2. Cell base i n the abandoned several petty crimes within hailing
carefully. The cessation of sentinel factory building at Lincoln and 3 1 st distance of the PCs. If the PCs inter­
patrols during the previous week was raided by sentinels. Massive sweep vene (Karma, again), a two-man
designed to lure as many mutants as beginning in that area. Avoid! police patrol can show up at a crucial
possible into this region. Now, just 3. Entire membership of under­ moment-preferably when the PCs
prior to the NASI Rally, the sentinel ground cell operating from the 3 1 00 are clearly using mutant powers. The
patrols will demonstrate that even in block on 79th St. has surrendered police will call for a SWAT:AM back­
a supposedly secured region, the and will apply for resettlement. up, and the SWAT:AM team can
number of mutants is alarming. It's Assume all contacts with this cell are contact the sentinel base.
all part of McGrafton's campaign to compromised!
scare the country. 4. Whiteshirts advancing east on Special Arrivals
During this day, sentinel scanning Washington Boulevard-several Among the mob descending on the
is continuous; reduce the time mutants hostage, many beatings, town are McGrafton and his Commit­
required to find jammers and wild looting in anomalous neighborhood. tee on Mutant-Communist Subver­
weasels to only 1 0 percent of the Time the receipt and content of sion. McGrafton himself will arrive by
normal required time! If PCs are these messages to get maximum air at the nearest airport at about 1 0
moving under cover of a masking dramatic eHect, depending upon a.m., accompanied by a 1 0-member
device, check once per hour to see if what actions the PCs are taking. If Secret Service AM team and five
the sentinel scanners penetrate the they're cowering at their base, use a aides, including Jay Atkinson. His
mask. Normally, the sentinels will message such as number 4 above to Party will make its way by limo from
scan with Unearthly power rank; at 9 prod them into action-those nega­ the airport to the best hotel in town.
a.m., 1 2 noon, and 3 p.m. Ni mrod tive Karma situations are a great McGrafton 's arrival, motorcade, and
himself will scan, using his Class motivator when Karma is needed just hotel will be swarmed by the press.

22
 Other Senators on the Committee audience. William Shiver has a special, secret holding cell has been
will arrive throughout the day. They reserved seat in this area, from constructed underground about one
are relatively unimportant to the which he intends to broadcast his area directly in front of the main
adventure. Two are NASI Party coverage of the Rally live to England stage. Lorelei is held in this cell. She
members, and the remaining two are via satellite connection. is chained to a supporting pole,
members of the two other major Parade Field: The main open field wears an I n hibitor collar ( - 7 CS),
political parties. of the Rally grounds will hold t 0,000 and is guarded by a specially
General William Braddock will whiteshirts when the Rally begins. assigned omega sentinel equipped
arrive secretly about noon on a mili­ They will enter from the main tunnel, with a mutant neutralizer. At the
tary flight. He will be taken to the marching in formation, eventually appropriate time, a hydraulic lift will
Army base by helicopter. His pres­ forming a checkerboard pat1ern of cause a huge pillar to rise into the
ence in the area will not be revealed bat1alions and divisions on the field. rally field, with Lorelei chained to her
until he attends the Rally. Main Stage and Podium: The pole at the top.
Nimrod, of course, arrived on his speaker's podium is atop a stair­ The cell itself is made of reinforced
own in the pre-dawn hours. His pres­ stepped main stage that rises a full concrete and measures about 1 0
ence is definitely a secret, and will 20 feet above ground level. Access feet square. Access to the cell can
not be made known until he appears to the podium is from the rear of the be gained through a tunnel leading
to testify before the McGrafton Com­ stage, hidden from the view of the from the Security Control Room.
mittee. PCs may be able to figure out audience. McGrafton and the other Execution Team: A sentinel triad
that Nimrod is present by the effec­ speakers will wait in the Ready stands in isolated splendor near the
tiveness of sentinel scanning, or by Room behind the stage until time for spot where the column with Lorelei
locating him at the sentinel surveil­ their appearances. A huge, white will rise; these three sentinels will
lance area at the Army base. screen has been erected behind the execute the mutant at the appropri­
main stage, towering forty feet high. ate time.
The Rally Grounds Hanging against this white backdrop
are alternating American flags and The Rally
If the players' home town boasts a NASI Party banners.
major outdoor arena, the NASI Rally Control Room: This room has
The Rally begins at 8 p.m. The
can take place there. If not, use the telephone links with the Ready seats and press sections will begin
map provided. NASI workers will Room, the broadcast booths, and the filling two hours earlier. The Rally
have built the Rally Grounds in the Security Control Room, plus radio proceeds on a strict schedule:
weeks preceeding the Rally. If you communication with whiteshirt battal­ 8 p.m.: The whiteshirts will march
use your own local facility for the ion leaders. The loudspeaker system in to the majestic strains of the Party
Rally site, modify the information is controlled from here, as are the anthem, "Kelly, Hero of the Nation."
given here to fit that facility. images that can be projected on the They will then lead the crowd in the
General Seating: The Rally site Party chant, followed by the national
screen that forms a backdrop for the
provides general seating for over flags. A variety of lighting effects are anthem.
80,000 in sections of bleacher type controlled from here as well. 8: 1 5 p.m.: Welcoming speeches
seats. The seats closest to the Security Control Room: Security
by a number of local NASI officials.
ground level are slightly more com­ for the rally is controlled from this The usual thanks and recognition to
fortable, and are reserved for a varie­ room. Stationed here are one triad of Party workers and other boring plat­
ty of political dignitaries: visiting sentinels plus an omega sentinel, form formalities.
NASI elected officials from around leader of the squadron assigned to 8:45 p.m.: Formation drill by the
the country, Party OffiCials, etc. the Rally. A police SWAT:AM is here whiteshirts, accompanied on the
Press Sections: The Press Sec­ as well. A whiteshirt team of four large screen by motion pictures of
tions provide seating and table space men monitors the radio system which whiteshirts in action, bringing "social
for journalists. In all, there are more is used by the sentinels, the police, improvement" to America.
than 500 journalists present to cover and randomly placed whiteshirt secu­ 9:00 p.m.: Party film, "Triumph of
the Rally. rity personnel. Electronic equipment Genetic Purity," an anti-mutant, anti­
Broadcast Facilities: The Rally is here can also override the loud­ Communist film of great power.
being nationally televised and carried speaker system, allowing security 9:25 p.m.: Introduction of McGraf­
on several radio networks as well. personnel to issue commands to the ton by General Braddock.
The broadcast facilities in this room crowd. 9:30 p.m.: McGrafton's speech.
are capable of reaching a world-wide Underground Holding Cell: A
1 1 :00 p.m.: Execution of Lorelei.

23
The huge column bearing her rism, devoid of spirit, devoid of lib­ When seeking to inspire loyalty,
chained figure will rise skyward in erty, devoid of accomplishments of McG rafton speaks in a calm,
front of McGrafton, the chosen senti­ the mind and body, dedicated solely fatherly, reassuring tone, saying
nels will salute smartly, turn, and to one, despicable goal: the total things like the following:
laser the mutant to ashes. mongrelization and enslavement of "But we, we are not afraid. Our
1 1 :05 p.m.: Benediction by Party you, your Children, your grandchil­ fear is overcome by our calm, confi­
chaplain. Rally ends. dren, and your nation'" dent faith in the great, eventual victo­
"The nuclear destructive devices ry of our Party, under the leadership
McGrafton's Speech of the mutant Communist cur coun­ of genetically pure men of vision who
Clever PCs may be interested in tries are poised and ready, ready to will drive Ihe mulant scum from our
McGrafton's speech. Those hearing pour the fire of nuclear annihilation midst, who will annihilate the slinking
the speech may be affected just like down the throats of our genetically vermin who would poison our will,
the crowd by McGrafton's use of his pure children. The mongrel hordes and who will lead us into the glorious
Emotion Control ability. Early in his stand armed and massed on the sunlight of a new world, a world illu­
speech, McGrafton will instill Fear in borders of Western Europe, the minated by the radiance of One Peo­
the crowd, whipping them to an home and origin of our great civiliza­ ple, of One Blood, in the One
almost panic level, but carefully tion, the cradle of liberty and of digni­ Nation'"
keeping the emotion from getting ty of the human of the spirit. Their "I am proud of you. I weep with joy
completely out of hand. Later in his devolved allies already batter at the at the sight of you. The G reat Cause
speech, McG rafton will inspire Loyal­ gates of Jerusalem, the home city of has called, and you, the pure, the
ty as strongly as possible. the great religious heritage of the great, have answered. The Party has
Key phrases he will use while West. And, meanwhile, in our very called, and you have answered. And
inspiring Fear are: midst, the mutant, hidden, silent, now we march together, in unbreak­
"Already, the genelic putrescence deformed in soul, stalks our sons able lockslep, following the leader­
of mutant blood has devolved more and daughters, seeking to inject his ship of the National American Social
than half the earth to a state of aberration into the very flesh of their Improvement Party to the inevitable
Communist-Asiatic-mongoloid barba- flesh, blood of their blood'" victory'"

Control Room
The Rally Stadium

Parade Field
Execution

General Seating
White Screen

Ready Aoom
-----!r i1;:�1 '-"
.....

""" "
-+-- Br·oarlcast Facilities
Flags _-----V;'7::r�LJ

:;�urnnm�R��w�mm��
Main Stage and Podium
Press Sections

Underground Holding Cell

Security Control Room

24
There are two things of value to the and in general try to make it as easy ment needs; if they do, they can talk
PCs at the headquarters of the local as possible for the mutant to prepare with Phil or Jenny in the private
Mutant Affairs Committee (MAC): the for resettlement. room.
information stored in the MAC's com­ At this point, the Judge must
puter files, and possible contact with MAC Headquarters determine whether Phil and Jenny
Jay Atkinson, the President's spy on will share with the PCs his (or her)
McGrafton's committee staff. The Judge will have selected the doubts about Ihe program. They will,
location for the MAC headquarters. if the PCs can convince them there is
Outside that building, two sentinels a good reason 10 do so, and that
MAC Operations
stand guard. They will question there will be no risk or reprisals
The local MAC began operations approaching mutants, but will take involved. This situation will call for
months ago but has only recently no hostile action as long as the some delicate role playing by the
made a significant impact on the m utants are reporting to register and Judge. If necessary, the Judge can
local populace. None of its members apply for resettlement. finally resolve the issue with a nega­
realize they are actually helping All five members of the MAC work live Popularity FEAT roll for the PCs
select mutants for extermination. in one large office. Depending on the involved, but only if the PCs are mak­
Most believe they are assisting size of the community, there may be ing an effort to get more information.
mutants who want to get out of North a long line of mutants waiting to reg­ I! Phil or Jenny do talk, here are
America. ister and apply. the facts they can give the PCs:
MAC uses advertising in the form If the PCs come to the MAC during 1 . Normally, priority for resettle­
of posters, billboards, and spot business hours, they will probably ment is given to mutants least able to
announcements on radio and televi­ have to wait in line like everyone survive in the rigors of a normal
sion to get its message across to the else. At the head of the line are Bob detention camp.
mutant community. That message is and Martha, who help mutants fill out 2. Sirangely, the computer seems
simple: America doesn't want you. the registration and application to assign priority to some others:
Failure to register will lead to capture forms. Chuck runs the computer and those with extraordinary powers,
or death. Capture will probably mean his terminal is visible from the head those with a record of underground
a short life in an interment camp. of the line. Phil and Jenny take care activity, and those who seem particu­
There is an alternative. Come into of routine paperwork in the office. larly robust or belligerent when they
any MAC headquarters. You can The registration and application come in to apply.
register there, and apply for resettle­ forms ask routine questions: name, 3. Chuck has Computer skill and
ment. All mutants who apply for current address, type of mutation, can get breakdown of resettlement
resettlement are guaranteed eventu­ and a long list of health questions. statistics.
al resettlement. A staff of fellow There are also questions about the If the PCs can persuade Phil or
mutants will help you with special mutant's family: father, mother, their Jenny to get such information from
arrangements for your family and current addresses, siblings, etc. Chuck, the statistical analysis will
friends. Everything in the office is orderly show that Phil and Jenny's suspi­
Mutants, registered or not, who are and routine, especially given the fact cions are accurate. Absolute top
reporting to the MAC are not taken that television monitor cameras are priority is given to mutants with
captive by the sentinels. They are clearly visible, and a large sign pro­ extraordinary powers.
instead allowed to register with the claims: YOU ARE BEING WATCHED If the PCs break into the MAC
MAC and apply for resettlement. The BY SENTINEL MONITORS. NO DIS­ headquarters at night, they run the
MAC staff records the mutant's ORDER WILL BE TOLERATED. risk of discovery by police and the
name and some simple information Adjoining the office is a small, two sentinels that guard the building.
about the mutant's specific mutation private room, frequently used by Inside, they can obtain the informa­
and general health. The computer visiting NASI Party officials or human tion they seek from the computer,
gives the MAC a date and time when employees of the MAC. This room is which has a Remarkable rank set of
the mutant should be sent to a reset­ not monitored; communications here codewords guarding access to its
tlement camp. Until then, the mutant are not seen or heard by the senti­ dala.
is detained in a minimum-security nels. The five mutants on the MAC I! a PC using the computer obtains
detention area. MAC employees will are considered trustworthy and are a red FEAT result, he can access
carry messages to family and friends also allowed access to this room. files unavailable to Chuck and get
for the detained mutant, pick up any The PCs can request a private the following additional information:
clothing or personal posseSSions, interview to discuss special resettle-

25
 1 . The local resettlement program
can be stepped up in the near future
upon completion of the new nuclear
power generator at the local resettle­
ment center.
2. Local NASI officials overseeing
the program are disappointed in the
resources return from resettlement.
One memo mentions the fact that
"these scum seem to own nothing of
value except their very hides."
3. Another NASI memo stresses
the importance of "maintaining
morale among MAC members. Every
effort must be made to resettle entire
family groups at the same time. This
aids morale and also tends to reduce
incidents that disrupt the resettle­
ment process at the last minute."

Optional Event
If the PCs rescued Lorelei, and did
so in a way that allowed the crowd to
see them, the Judge may want to
use the following optional event.
If the PCs come to the MAC head­
quarters during business hours, they
will see Jay Atkinson there. Atkinson
is making a routine inspection on
behalf of Senator McGrafton. If Atkin­
son can recognize the PCs, he will
immediately ask to see them in the
private room.
Once there, he will guardedly warn
them that something is wrong with
the resettlement program, and that
something is wrong at the local Army
base as well. He will urge them to
find out what is wrong and contact
either himself or the journalist Wil­
liam Shiver with the information.
Atkinson himself can do nothing to
help the PCs-this would endanger
his standing as a good NASI Party
member. Atkinson will not reveal that
he is actually a spy for the President,
but he will create the impression that
he is not what he seems.

26
 The mutant resettlement center is Gate. All mutants entering have a Proving the Camp's Real Nature
located outside of town in the rural computer check run on their resettle­ Of course the PCs will find it nec­
area recently taken over by the senti­ ment status. Those with extraordi­ essary to destroy this resettlement
nels. Access to the entire area is nary powers are immediately forced center, or at least cripple its opera­
severely restricted: only sentinels, to don an Inhibitor collar (-7 CS). tions. However, to discredit the reset­
whiteshirts with special passes from Mutants arrive by busses from tlement program and the NASI Party,
the Party, and mutants in Party bus other detention centers. After proc­ the PCs will have to do more.
loads are allowed on the grounds. essing at the Main G ate, they are To do any real good, the PCs will
From the air, nothing about the taken to the Mutant Holding Pen, a have to obtain hard evidence that the
compound appears unusual: there simple, open-air pen. They are told resettlement center is, in fact, an
are a heavily guarded perimeter, a they will have only a short wait for extermination camp. Hard evidence
few buildings, some power cables, the train that will take them to the could be any of the following:
some pens, and what appears to be coast, where they will be flown to the 1 . Film of an entire trip of the train.
some kind of train ride with a large, resettlement destination. Of course, this would cost about 400
oval track and a long tunnel. Once every two hours, the camp mutant lives to obtain.
train pulls up to the Loading Platform. 2. An actual passenger car, com­
Security Mutants are herded from the pen into plete with its Disintegrator Field gen­
the two "passenger cars" of the train. erator, would be difficult for the NASI
Security at the center is concen­ This loading is carried out very hur­ Party to explain away. It would cer­
trated on keeping people out, not on riedly: the guards tolerate no balking. tainly be sufficient evidence to stop
preventing escapes once people are As soon as the cars are loaded, the flood of mutants who are going to
in. The entire area is surrounded by the train takes off and travels the the MACs all across America every
an electrified wire mesh fence, 1 0 short distance around the hill into the day to apply for resettlement.
feet high, topped with barbed wire. tunnel. There, the train stops. In the 3. A whiteshirt camp guard pris­
The electrified fence inflicts Remark­ tunnel, special power cables auto­ oner, forced to testify while being
able damage on any character touch­ matically hook onto the passenger scanned for signs of falsehood.
ing it. The fence can be turned off cars, the false "tops" of the cars roll 4. Computer tapes from Security
from the Main Gate, from Security open to reveal complex machinery in Central, which keeps records of eve­
Central, or by shutting down the the roof, and a Disintegrator Field ry mutant extermination: name,
main power generator. floods the entire car interior. The powers, priority, date and time of
I mmediately inside the fence is a field is strong enough to automati­ extermination, any necessary follow­
ditch, 1 0 feet deep and 20 feet wide. cally disintegrate human flesh, while up, such as forged letters to be sent
Camp guards, specially selected controlled sufficiently to prevent by the mutant from overseas to fami­
whiteshirts with military training, form damage to the car itself. ly members and friends in America.
the main security force inside. One At the Secondary Platform, the Once the PCs obtain such evi­
such guard is stationed every 50 feet train stops. Whiteshirt workers there dence, there is the problem of what
along the inside perimeter, just clean down the inside of the car, to do with it. Suffice to say there are
beyond the ditch. Four guards man remove any non-disintegrated items, still some anti-NASI politicians in the
the Main Gate. and ready the car for its next trip. country who, while not pro-mutant,
Inside the camp, Security Central are opposed to wholesale mass mur­
maintains radio contact with guard der. Presenting the evidence to Jay
Camp Limitations
commanders and controls the camp Atkinson or William Shiver is an
loudspeaker systems. In addition to The camp was only recently con­ excellent idea, one that would guar­
the guards at the gates and around structed. The current generator pro­ antee the political discrediting of
the fence, four guards are assigned vides sufficient power for the McGrafton and his Party.
at all times to the Mutant Holding Disintegrator Fields in only two cars. I n fact, if the PCs can get hard
Pen, 20 to the Loading Platform, and A larger nuclear power generator is evidence to Atkinson or Shiver by the
1 0 in reserve at Security Central. under construction. It will increase morning of Rally Day + 3, the gov­
Also at Security Central is a triad of camp efficiency by more than 500 ernment can take immediate action
sentinels for emergency back-up. percent. to close the camps, arrest McGrafton
For now, the train runs every two and other NASls, and close the other
Camp Operations hours, 1 2 times per day, day and resettlement centers. This will effec­
night. Each passenger car can haul tively end the adventure.
Normal entry is through the Main about 200 mutants.

27
 As of Rally Day, the local Army entry violently or surreptitiously. The Orders
base has been closed to nonmilitary Base Security has one omega
personnel, with the exception of sentinel on duty at all times. This Locked inside a safe in Braddock's
important NASI civilians given spe­ sentinel, in direct link with the nearby desk are the written orders, with his
cial passes signed by General Brad­ sentinel surveillance base, scans the own signature, for the 82d Airborne.
dock himself. This situation is highly entire base continuously, and reports These orders will be handed to the
unusual: normally there are several any penetration of the fence, mutant officers of the 82d on the evening of
hundred civilian employees at the or not (except at the gates), to the Rally Day + 3. The orders clearly
Army base in addition to the normal Base Security officer on duty. state that the division will secretly
compliment of 3,000 military person­ airlift to Washington, D.C. Specific
nel stationed there for training or objectives to be seized are the White
The Build-Up
permanent duty. PCs can pick up House, the Capitol Building, the
word of this unusual situation from The troop build-up consists of fly­ Supreme Court, military airfields and
the newspaper reports. Street gossip ing in the men and equipment of the Air Force One, and all broadcast
can be used by the Judge to rein· 82d Airborne Division. The first of the facilities in the Washington, D.C.
force the impression that the situa­ division's 9 battalions arrives on area. The orders specify cooperation
tion is far from normal. Rally Day, 3 battalions each arrive with the KG P and note objectives for
If the PCs somehow visit the base, on Rally Day + 1 and Rally Day + 2, which the KGP support troops will be
there are several important clues and 2 battalions on Rally Day + 3. responsible.
they can gather: the relative size and Also arriving are a large number of The orders are inside a sealed
nature of the build·up taking place as C·1 0 transport planes. These aircraft folder marked "Top Secret."
the McGrafton Committee hearings are commonly used for transporting
progress, the presence of the Chair­ airmobile troops and their equip­ Getting Out
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the ment. These planes are stored in the
numerous hangars near the airstrip. If the PCs are posing as military
nature of the equipment and special personnel, they will need a pass to
training being given to the arriving Many of the hangars are obviously
newly constructed. PCs who make a leave the base. Blank pass pads can
troops, the top-secret orders con­ usually be found inside the desks of
tained in Braddock's files in the careful count of aircraft will find there
are enough C-10s to airlift more than duty officers in any of the office
Commandant's Office on the base. buildings.
The PCs might be able to get in by two entire divisions-this is a mas­
impersonating military personnel. sive accumulation of aircraft on one
base, under any circumstances. In Evidence
Uniforms are readily available from
several sources in the city or town: fact, the extra C·1 Os will be used to Here again, the PCs will need hard
retired veterans, costume shops, airlift about 1 0,000 whiteshirts along evidence that something unusual is
Army surplus stores, and the black with the 82d when the coup takes afoot: their word alone won't be good
market. Military personnel entering place. enough. Reporting the troop build·up
the base need two items: a military PCs who get a chance to make a to Atkinson won't prevent the coup;
ID card and either orders telling them close inspection will see that some of the PCs will have to identify the unit
to report to the base or a pass out the aircraft are already loaded with being concentrated at the base and
from the base. Military ID cards are light tanks, armored cars, and spe­ mention the unusual number of
available through the black market cial anti·riot gear: stun guns, scatter transport aircraft there before Atkin·
with minimal delay; a pass can often guns, riot helmets, grenade son or the White House can have
be obtained simply by lifting one launchers with gas grenades in large any idea of what is about to happen.
from a soldier in a downtown bar. quantities. This should serve as a Ideally, the PCs will find the sealed
clue to the nature of the mission. orders in Braddock's desk safe ad
Base Secu rity turn them over to Shiver or Atkinson.
Braddock's Presence If this is done by midnight of Rally
Entrance is restricted to the vari­ Day + 3, the President will have time
ous gates. Each gate is manned by a General Braddock's presence on
the base is a secret until he attends to put Washington in a state of
four·man team of soldiers in tele­ defense and foil the coup.
phone contact with Base Security. the NASI Party rally. After the Rally,
Under current orders, these soldiers no one on the base except the top
will open fire on personnel who try to brass is certain whether or not Brad­
crash the gate or otherwise obtain dock is still there. Of course he is.

28
 McGrafton Industries has long three large rooms on the ground faser communicator with which
been known as a major manufacturer floor. The Security Control room McGrafton can contact Nimrod at
of mutant detection and control contains televison and audio moni­ any time.
devices. The assembly lines here tors that constantly watch every word Here again, though, the big goodie
turn out inhibitor cuffs, inhibitor col­ and move of Drs. Hernandez and is the computer. McGrafton's person­
lars, mutant neutralizers, and organ­ Fuchido. Other TV monitors scan the al memo files are stored in its mem­
ic scanners. The company is also halls and rooms of the two laboratory ory banks. Access through
known to have a genetic research buildings. Guards in this room are in McGrafton's terminal can net the
laboratory that investigates various constant radio communication with PCs the entire details of the McGraf­
aspects of mutant genetics. all other guards on the plant prem­ ton plot, plus the fact that McGrafton
What isn't known is that two top ises. himself is a mutant, the nature of his
secret research projects are under­ A second room is a Ready Room powers, and their power ranks! The
way here: a drive to find the true for the equivalent of a pOlice SWAT: computer has Monstrous rank secu­
nature of the X Factor, and an AM. One such team is always on call rity that must be overcome to access
attempt to duplicate and modify sen­ in the Ready Room. The third room these files.
tinel programming. (The secrets of in the security area serves as a com­ As an added bonus, the computer
sentinel programming are closely bination lunch room, rec room, and files contain the financial records of
guarded by Shaw Industries.) sleeping room for off-duty security the NASI Party in detail, listing every
Clues for the PCs here include the guards and SWAT:AM team mem­ one of the millions of contributors,
information that can be provided by bers. the amount contributed, and the
Dr. Hernandez and Dr. Fuchido. I n Treat the standard security guards date. PCs who take the time go
addition, two important events take as camp guards, and SWAT:AM through this entire record will discov­
place at the facility. teams like police SWAT:AM teams. er a remarkable fact: nearly one­
All members of the security force are fourth of the NASI's operating funds
The Main Plant ardent NASI whiteshirts. There are over the last several years have
two guards on duty in the Security come from a single contributor identi­
There is free access to the main Control room at all times, while fied only as "King."
plant of McGrafton Industries, where another 1 0 patrol the grounds on
the assembly workers turn out the regular routes. The Sentinel Lab
standard products of the company. McGrafton's Office: A suite of
The plant grounds are fenced, and offices on the second floor is During work hours, the lab is a
visitors are required to sign in at the reserved for Senator McGrafton. This busy place, with about 20 white­
gate. Other than that, there is no second floor can be reached only by coated lab technicians scurrying
security. About 1 ,000 workers report the locked elevator from the first around obeying Hernandez's orders.
here for work five days a week. The floor, or by breaking and entering They do not fully understand what
plant runs only one shift, from 8 a.m. from the outside. Standard alarm they are working on, and Hernandez
to 4:30 p.m. At all other times, the systems react to breaking windows, doesn't trust his discoveries to com­
plant building is locked and security forcing doors, etc. puter files, which can be tapped or
is controlled from the Administration A special squad of 1 0 whiteshirt stolen. He just works hard and longs
Building. g uards (treat as camp guards) for a chance to boast to someone
stands duty outside the suite at all outside McGrafton Industries­
Administration Building times. When McGrafton is present, almost anyone!
his Secret Service AM team remains During evening and night hours,
The Administration Building is the Hernandez is usually either working
heart of McGrafton Industries and, outside the office suite, frequently
fanning out to cover the approaches, late in the lab or in his private quar­
secretly but not surprisingly, of the ters, which are still monitored by
NASI Party. entrances, and roof of the building.
The office suite is luxuriously security.
Corporate Offices: The corporate
furnished-but, we know, the PCs The only items of value or interest
offices of the company take up most here are several disassembled senti­
of the ground floor of the Administra­ didn't get here to admire the decor.
Communications equipment in the nels of various models.
tion Building. There is nothing of
interest to the PCs here. suite is capable of providing scram­
Complex Security: The security bled radio and telephone links world­
forces for the entire complex occupy wide, bypassing all normal circuits.
In addition, there is a tight-beam

29
The Genetics Lab will meet in McGrafton's private McGrafton, he will seek vengeance
office suite for a final review of the against all who oppose or discredit
Dr. Fuchido works here, under coup plans. At this meeting, McGraf­ his new boss.
circumstances identical to those ton will give Nimrod a special There are a number of ways the
given for Dr. Hernandez. Fuchido, present, an engraved, metallic KGP PCs might find out about this meeting:
however, is loyal to McGrafton out of armband. Nimrod, unemotional as he Hernandez will tell them about it in
long-conditioned habit and won't is, will hardly be moved, but will advance, they might tail McGrafton to
readily tell what he knows. If present­ allow McGrafton to place this con­ it, or they might even be trying to
ed with certain evidence or news traption on his arm, realizing that break into the McGrafton industries
reports of the NASI extermination such tokens are meaningful to complex while the meeting is taking
camps, however, Fuchido will spill humans. place. If the PCs do make it to the
the beans about McGrafton. In that armband is a series of spe­ meeting, their best strategy is to seize
The lab contains equipment typical cially programmed, molecular-sized the armband. Government scientists
for biological research lab, including nano-computers containing a "virus" who analyze it can quickly tell what its
many live specimens: mice, fruit program that places Nimrod com­ purpose must be. This will be suffic­
flies, and a family of interestingly pletely under McGrafton's control. ient evidence to politically discredit
mutated but unintelligent baboons. The full effects of the program aren't McGrafton and turn the sentinels
The sample of McGrafton's tissue is noticeable until about one hour after against him. Notice that even if
carefully labeled and preserved Nimrod puts on the armband. If the McGrafton seizes the government, his
under lock and key in a small safe i n armband is removed in that time, the reign will be short lived if Nimrod
one corner o f the room. program will fail. If the program suc­ decides McGrafton is a threat to the
ceeds, Nimrod will not only obey sentinels and their program.
The Sabotaged Sentinels
On the evening of Rally Day + 1 ,
Hernandez tests his reprogramming
device on a triad of omega sentinels.
The subject sentinels are told only
they are to be fitted with a new weap­
on. Instead, a special device is
attached to them which sends in a
"virus" program. Under McGrafton's
instructions, this new programming
sends the three sentinels on a ram­
page of destruction through the
downtown.
If the Judge desires, the PCs may
hear of this rampage and try to stop
it. The other sentinels in the area will
take no action against their malfunc­
tioning comrades. The rampaging
robots will destroy several downtown
buildings and kill several innocent
people before they appear to break
down completely.
Their new programming also
includes special instructions on the
testimony they will subsequently give
at the McGrafton Committee hear­
ings.

Reprogramming Nimrod
On the evening of Rally Day + 3,
McGrafton, Braddock and Nimrod

30
 The newspaper front pages includ­ Secretary (puzzled): No, I was not needed. (They may not be needed;
ed in the pull-out section provide the aware of thaL . . the PCs may already have their
Judge and the PCs with a summary McGrafton: Well, sir, as a top offi­ hands full!)
of testimony and events at the hear­ cial of the United States, you are
ings themselves. This section covers surely aware that the Attorney Gen­ PC Witnesses
three other important items: the gen­ eral has since determined that the If any PCs are captured, the Judge
eral tone of the hearings and public Students for a Democratic Society may, at his option, haul them before
reaction to them, PC appearances at organization of that times was, in all the McGrafton Committee as hostile
the hearings as witnesses, and PC likelihood, a Communist front organi­ witnesses. They will certainly be
attempts to disrupt the hearings. zation? called to testify if they have actively
Secretary: Well, no, I'm not up on interfered with any of McGrafton's
Tone and Reaction that.... plans. McGrafton will use the forum
There is no question that McGraf­ McGrafton: You mean that you of hearings in an attempt to defuse
ton is the dominant figure at the allowed the President of the United any evidence he knows the PCs
hearings. The hearings are really a States to be advised on foreign have produced against him, making
forum to panic the country. All testi­ affairs by a man whose parents prac­ it all appear like some insidious
mony before the hearings has been tically financed a communist political mutant-Communist plot to defame
carefully prepared in advance. In the campaign, and you weren't even him.
case of hostile witnesses, such as aware of that fact? Did it ever occur The Judge can have a lot of fun
the Secrelary of State, McGrafton to you, Mr. Secretary, that this blind with this. An omega sentinel will
has carefully planned his attack, spot in your vision might be due to always be in the hearing room, scan­
which will develop bogus evidence of the operation of insidious mutant ning for lies, so the Judge need only
an imminent collapse of the country. powers? phrase McGrafton's questions care­
McGrafton himself is a cagey Secretary: Now wait a minute . . . . fully. For example:
questioner who can use Emotion McGrafton: I s i t not a fact, sir, a You claim to have found evidence
Control to maximum effect to manip­ fact clearly established by the evi­ that the NASI party is exterminating
ulate his witnesses. But aside from dence we have just presented, that mutants? (Yes).
using his mutant powers, McGrafton in all likelihood, the President has Isn't it true that you were opposed
will employ every dirty debater's trick been advised on foreign affairs, to the NASI party before discovering
in the book to emphasize the points advised on matters of military opera­ this so-called evidence? (Yes)
he wants to make. When friendly tions against the Soviet Union, by a And isn't it true that you have
witnesses say exactly what McGraf­ man who is either mutant himself, or engaged in a variety of crimes,
ton has told them say, he can feign has the cooperation of powerful including non-registration as a
shock, surprise, and indignation. mutant-Communist friends? mutant and underground resistance
As a sample of McGrafton's ques­ McGrafton uses the sweeping activities against the sentinels? (Yes)
tioning technique against a hostile generalization, the Big Lie, the And, given all this, do you really
witness, here is a transcript of smear, and guilt by association, all expect the general public to believe
McGrafton questioning the Secretary with the skill of an established mas­ that the so-called evidence you have
of State on Rally Day + 3: ter of his art. produced is genuine?
McGrafton : And so, it was the Public reaction to these televised
President's National Security Advi­ hearings is what might be expected: PC Disruption of Hearings
sor, Thomas Morton, who advised total panic. McGrafton enhances this Incredibly bold PCs may try to
the President against any military effect by use of his mutant Emotion disrupt the hearings. Here's what
action in response to the Soviet Control power at critical moments. they're up against.
march into Iran? As the hearings progress, the PCs Outside the building, a crowd of
Secretary: That is correct. Both can witness growing demonstrations whiteshirts (about 200) mills about,
Morton and I so advised the Presi­ in the streets, marches by bands of listening to the proceedings on loud­
dent. concerned citizens demanding speakers. Inside the hearing room
McGrafton: Were you aware, at action to meet the new emergency itself, security is very tight. Each of
that time, Mr. Secretary, that Thom­ being "demonstrated" by the hear­ the five Senators has a Secret Serv­
as Morton's parents donated funds ings. These crowds should be ice team in in the building, including
to the 1 972 presidential campaign of whipped into a frenzy by street­ McGrafton's Secret Service AM
a candidate endorsed by the Stu­ corner whiteshirt orators. Create team. In addition, one police SWAT­
dents for a Democratic Society? events from these circumstances as AM team is in the building. Finally,

31
an omega sentinel is always present
directly with the Committee, scan­
ning witnesses for signs of lying and
continuously scanning for mutants.
In fact, the only purpose of disrupt­
ing the hearings would be to prove
McGrafton a mutant. There are sev­
eral strategies which could accom­
plish this. For example, the PCs
might be able to confiscate all the
mutant neutralizers in range, then
attack McGrafton, forcing him to use
his own N ullification power. This
would provide some evidence
against him, although the Senator
could always later claim that the
mutant attackers were "faking" the
nullification of their own powers.
Another strategy might be to
attack McGrafton, obtain a live tissue
sample, and hurl it at a sentinel out­
side the range of McGrafton's mask­
ing device. The still-living tissue
would register a mutant genetic sig­
nature. This would immediately be
flashed to Nimrod, who would in turn
demand a full scan of McGrafton,
minus any possible masking devices,
including jewelry.

32