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Trancers RPG Module 3: "Mtal Hurlant"

By Ahi Kerp ~ Trancers RPG By Oreon Lothamer and Ahi Kerp ~

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Trancers RPG Module 3: "Mtal Hurlant"

Heavy Metal in the Trancers RPG .................................................................................................................. 2

Heavy Metal Combat ............................................................................................................................ 3 Heavy Metal Trancing .......................................................................................................................... 3 Heavy Metal Androids .......................................................................................................................... 3 Heavy Metal Normal People ................................................................................................................. 3

Are you Tuff Enough? .................................................................................................................................... 4 Method 1: Roll 2d8 for each Attribute .................................................................................................. 4 Method 2: Roll 2d4 for each Attribute .................................................................................................. 4 Method 3: Roll 1d6 and add 4 for each Attribute ................................................................................. 4 Method 4: Roll 2d6 for each Attribute .................................................................................................. 4

Vehicles & Transportation ............................................................................................................................. 4 New Skills ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

Physical ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Mental/Knowledge ................................................................................................................................ 6 Social .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Survival ................................................................................................................................................. 7

NPCs............................................................................................................................................................... 8 Harry Canyon ........................................................................................................................................ 8 Ratnik .................................................................................................................................................... 8 The Professor's Daughter ...................................................................................................................... 8 Den of Earth .......................................................................................................................................... 8 ARD ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 The Queen ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Katherine Wells .................................................................................................................................... 9 Norl ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 Captain Lincoln F. Stern ....................................................................................................................... 9 Hanover Fist .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Gloria .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Edsel & Zeke .......................................................................................................................................10 Robby Robot ........................................................................................................................................10 Barbarian Leader ..................................................................................................................................10 Taarna ..................................................................................................................................................10

Game Seeds ...................................................................................................................................................10 To submit articles, artwork, or other content for consideration, please send unformatted Microsoft Word or Google Drive documents and/or high resolution (300 dpi) jpg or tiff images to trancerhuntermagazine@gmail.com. Trancer Hunter Magazine is a free publication, produced solely for the love and support of the Trancers Role Playing Game. We do not offer financial compensation for submissions, even if your work is selected for publication. Please also send letters or questions to trancerhuntermagazine@gmail.com.

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Trancers RPG Module 3: "Mtal Hurlant"

"A shadow shall fall over the universe. And evil will grow in its path. And death will come from the skies." The story of Heavy Metal is the story of the Lochnar. While it appears as an innocuous, oversized glowing green marble, it is in fact far worse. Look at me. I am the sum of all evils. Look carefully. My power infests all times, all galaxies, all dimensions. But many still seek me out. A green jewel they must possess. But see how I destroy their lives. The sentient Lochnar has powers unimaginable. It can melt the flesh off a person almost instantaneously, though it at times chooses not to as well. (When the Professor's daughter showed it to Harry, neither were hurt by it.) It can also transport people to other planets, other dimensions, and completely change bodies' age, sex, size, and color and sometimes personality. It can speak, can restrain movement, can fly of its own volition and is capable of reanimating the dead (creating zombies.) Above all, the Lochnar prefers to corrupt through greed and love of power. "My evil corrupts the most innocentFrom one war to another, my influence is always present." Like all villains, its overconfidence is its weakness. The Lochnar has a propensity for gloating, especially in the presence of its enemies the Terrakian. Once a thriving race, now there is only ever one Terrakian, and she is always female. Even for a Terrakian, it is very difficult to destroy the Lochnar. If properly anointed and ready for battle, a Terrakian can sacrifice herself to destroy the Lochnar. Should she do so, a new Terrkian will be created somewhere in the universe. But the Lochnar will return one generation later and thus begins the cycle of struggle one again.

Heavy Metal in the Trancers RPG There are two ways to incorporate Heavy Metal into your Trancers Campaign. You could introduce the Lochnar as a villain in your world. (If you are playing as a Trancer, it would be your boss. In fact, there are whispered rumors that it was through the power of the Lochnar that Martin Essler was able to create Trancers in the first place.) The Lochnar is sinister, corruptive, sly, and utterly ruthless. But if locked into a case, it prefers to work through the corruption of those around it.

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Alternately, the Lochnar could transport your characters to any of a 10,000 worlds. Ard and the Queen's world of warring barbarians is a great sword-and-sorcery setting. Harry Canyon's Future NYC fits in really well with the future described in the Trancers universe. Or a quest through the evil lands of Lochnar-corrupted scum would make for great fun. Those of pure hearts (like Taarna), or excessive horniness (like Den), are sometimes able to resist its influence, but the Lochnar is a fateful source of desire. Respect its power and you might survive. Lust for its beauty, for its power and you die.

Heavy Metal Combat Combat in the Heavy Metal Universe encompasses the spectrum. From WWII pistols to swords to disintegrator rays to laser pistols to spinning saw handblades, every kind of weapon imaginable is represented. In addition, there are characters of superhuman ability. A character like Ard, leader of the Rebellion, cannot be hurt by mere mortal weapons. Players would be wise to be wary!

Heavy Metal Trancing Trancing the weak-hearted is one of the Lochnar's favorite activities. There are entire worlds--entire universes!--where all the sentient beings have been Tranced. Your game master will have some great worlds: you can play as the only normal person on a Trancer world. Or you can be part of an elite team of Lochnar Trancers, sent to kill Trancer Hunters. The possibilities are nigh infinite!

Heavy Metal Androids This is an Android Heavy world. There are worlds of high technology with uncounted androids, worlds of only Androids. You can create Androids so powerful they make Sharky look like R2D2. In addition, ROBOTS are frequently found, though they are not as powerful as androids, nor are they necessarily built to fight Trancers. Again, speak to your GM but the Android palette is as diverse as your imagination.

Heavy Metal Normal People The world of the Lochnar offers a multiverse of possibilities. You can choose characters such as an 18-year old geek, stoned out alien space pilots, barbarian hordes, future taxi drivers, professors, robots, and those are merely examples from the film. The biggest difference between this world and the straight Trancers are the presence of aliens. Creatures from other planets make up a large proportion of all creatures.

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Are you Tuff Enough? If you have previously enjoyed the Trancers RPG, you would have no doubt noticed that it was the most realistic role playing game in the world. In which case, you will be ecstatic about this Heavy Metal supplement. The two worlds blend together very well. Here are some alternate methods for creating characters native to the environment.

Method 1: Roll 2d8 for each Attribute The Harry Canyon method, good for above average common people. This method is simple. Just roll 2d8 for each Attribute and take the higher of the two. For example, Jenny rolls a 3 and a 7 for her character Park Kim's Luck attribute. Of course Jenny chooses the 7 and discards the 3.

Method 2: Roll 2d4 for each Attribute The Professor's Daughter method. This is the most realistic method for determining the eight Attributes. Simply roll 2d4. This will generate a Score of 2-8, which let's face it is still above average. While it could mean that you will end up with a weak or useless character, it ensures realism and encourages role-playing.

Method 3: Roll 1d6 and add 4 for each Attribute The Barbarian Overlord. This is the preferred method of rolling for players who wish to be able to choose whichever Occupation they want. When rolling this method, you know for sure that you will have a minimum score of 5 in any given attribute.

Method 4: Roll 2d6 for each Attribute The "Den" heroic mold. Of course this method results in scores above ten, but we are talking about RPG heroes hereyou know for sure that Den has crazy stats all the way across the board.. Besides, this method is balanced by the fact that rolls can be as low as 2 for any Attribute.

Vehicles & Transportation "Look, man, if there's one thing I know, it's how to drive while I'm stoned. It's like you know your perspective's fucked so you just let your hands work the controls as if you were straight." The vehicular tapestry is as rich as any of the others. Should you want to use one of the transports from the film, here are a few. We generally don't provide stats for vehicles in the TRPG, but safe to say that all of those would count as a Really Nice Vehicle.

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Flying Car. This badass sportscar not only flies, but is capable of space flight! Though you'd better put on a spacesuit, as otherwise you can't take the top down, and then what's the point of an intergalactic convertible? Giant Dragonflies: Slight but elegant, these creatures can skim through the air with grace whilst bearing an armored warrior. Requires a Beast Riding skill of 3 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress: Just your typical 4 engine heavy bomber--this is a great weapon against land-based opponents, but a terrible place to face agents of the Lochnar within. Smile Spaceship: With powers unknown, going to places unknown, flown by pilots unknowing, the one thing you can be sure of is that you are sure to get a lot of style points in this ship. Canyon's taxi: Bullet proof and equipped with a disintegrator ray (that only works on humans and fibers, and is oddly similar to the Lochnar), this cab is for those who truly don't want to fuck around. Flying Bird: More than a bird, this creature can survive a good deal of punishment and is loyal unto death. Requires a Beast Riding skill of 10!

New Skills These are the new skills that exist in the world of Heavy Metal:

Physical Mental/Knowledge General Social Survival Long Swim Excavation N/A Staying Power Beast Riding

Ritual Preparation Bullshit Concentration Sacrifice Damseling Summon Terrakian Summon God

Physical Long Swim: For those with an endurance of 9 or higher, they can roll a skill check for every minute spent in the water. Each successive check is resolved at one level lower than your roll, and if encumbered by equipment or another person, subtract another level. (James rolls for his barbarian, who has leaped in the ocean and is swimming away. He is wearing armor so all his PDG resolves as an average success, and each minute he continues will lose one result level. An excellent will always succeed however.)

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Mental/Knowledge Excavation. Base - Learning Capacity. (There are those who resist the Lochnar and seek to hide it for the safety of all. It may work for hundreds or even thousands of years, but eventually someone always digs it back up.) But the Lochnar aside, those skilled in excavation can find all kinds of relics of history--both human and alien, depending on where their digs are. For every level a character has in excavation, there is a 10 percent chance they will discover something for each month of digging. Just what they discover is up to the GM's discretion. Ritual Preparation Base - N/A. (only for Terrakian). When summoned, a Terrakian must immediately go to the place of preparation. Marked with a large statue of a Terrakain warrior and featuring a sacred sparkling pool, the Terrakian must disrobe and swim to the statue. Here she collects the ritual clothing and collect the Defender Blade. The Statue infuses her with power and she is now prepared. Takes 1d4 hours. Passive Sacrifice Base - N/A (only for Terrakian) After completing a Ritual Preparation at PDG level or higher, the Terrakian must find the source of the Lochnar and defeat its agents. If she survives, she must fly or climb to the Orb and then with raised sword or other dramatic gesture, she sacrifices her life and the Lochnar is defeated for another generation. Has a 25 percent chance of success with each level in this skill. Summon Terrakian. Base - Learning Capacity. Those of great knowledge may through the power of their voices summon the last Terrakian to their aid. It takes 3D6 minutes and only works if the presence of the Lochnar is close-at-hand. 30 percent chance for each skill point added, with no more than 3 points ever able to be expended. There is always at least a 10 percent chance that the Summons will not work. Summon God: Base - Learning Capacity. With the Lochnar and a living sacrifice, a person may gain the some of the Lochnar's powers. Requires minimum stats of LC and DC 9 and 2d4 hours. Consult your GM or roll on the following table.

1 Disintegrate any living thing upon touch 2 Create Zombies for the dead 3 Corrupt the living 4 Flight 5 Become a Hulk at will 6 Become invisible 7 Dimensional Traveling 8 Change into any animal at will 9 Can swap sexes on yourself or anyone you touch 10 Absorbed by the Lochnar- omnipotence but also death

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Social Staying Power Base - Endurance. For those nights when multiple partners demand your attention, this skill will keep you up (or moist) for as long as the night demands. Very important skill in sword-and-sorcery worlds, or just for those with big libidos. For every skill level, you can perform at your highest peak for an additional hour. Bullshit: Base - Social Compatibility. A great skill for everyone from corrupt ship captains to a hard-working cabbie. Can be used to pull the wool over another pc or npc's eyes. Roll a D10 over the intended character's LC. Every two points in this skill gives a plus 1 to the result (ie: with 4 points, an average result becomes excellent.). If the opposing character has the same skill however, it can also be used to detect bullshit; in this case both characters roll and the better success wins. Damseling: Base - Social Compatibility. For females only. Using a variety of helplessness, flirting, seduction, and general womanly wiles, this character can manipulate the men around them. For every level they have a 10 percent chance of convincing a man to help them. For each month the man has not had sex, add 10 percent to the result.

Survival Beast riding: Base - Agility Whether giant bats, supersized birds, or dinosaur like beasts, the skills for riding are similar. Level 1 - You can sort of ride docile, well-trained creatures. Level 2 You can confidently ride docile, well-trained creatures. 3. You have great showmanship while riding docile, well-trained creatures. 4. You have a small chance of capturing and befriending a wild creature. 5. You have a good chance at capturing and befriending wild creatures. 6. Capturing wild creatures is what you do. 7. You can tame even a fierce, carnivorous creature. 8. You can stay on a winged creature through a tornado, or a land creature though an earthquake. 9. You can commune physically with all animals, understanding basic needs and wishes. 10. You are Jake from Avatar. Concentration: Base - Determination. Whether wounded, stoned, or just distracted, this skill allows you to shrug off extenuating circumstances and consistently achieve great results. For each three levels Die Rolls are considered one level higher (Except FUMBLE, which is always a FUMBLE)

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NPCs You will probably end up creating your own worlds, but it is fun to play in the Heavy Metal Sandbox. Some of the characters you may encounter from the film include:

Harry Canyon "Stupid asshole. Nobody touches Harry Canyon unless I want him to." Typical of the typical New Yorker (scum capital of the world), Harry drives a cab and acts according to one rule--don't get involved. Unless it involves a sexually attractive dame, of course. NOTABLE: Bullshit Level 9, Concentration Level 4, Determination of 10

Ratnik "I wouldn't do that if I were you." An alien that represents a group of investors from nearby planet. Though he met his end after purchasing the Lochnar, his smarts and ruthlessness would make him a great villain. NOTABLE: The Venusians have deep pockets, and Ratnik has carte blanche with their fortune. Can spend money like water. Bullshit: 6,

The Professor's Daughter "Pretty. But dumb." Her father discovered the Lochnar but was murdered by the Venutians. Only she knows where it is hidden but the wealth involved in such a secret and the power of the Lochnar can corrupt her. NOTABLE: Attractiveness 10 Damseling 6

Den of Earth "There was no way I was going to walk around this place with my dork hanging out." An 18 year old virgin and science geek, but once transported a warrior of Conanian proportions. NOTABLE: Long Swim 7, Staying Power 8, Beast Riding 4, Physical skills all 9

ARD "Excellent. You are worthy to serve me." Immortal, sarcastic, and bored by everything. Supreme Leader of the Revolution and the next ruler of the world. Very strong soldiers, but his army lacks the numbers of the Queen. NOTABLE: Summon God: 5, LC Determination 10, SC 3

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The Queen "If you please me, I may let you live." Lusty powerful Queen who is a ruthless hands-on ruler but also quite poetic and a bit lonely. Has an army of powerful warriors and giant bats to fly them around. NOTABLE: Attractiveness 10, Staying Powers 6, SC 8 Beast Riding 10

Katherine Wells "I have no reward to give you, but if any part of me pleases your senses, I would give it to you willingly." A happy girl from the British colony of Gibraltar who ends up partnered with Den for many long and happy years. NOTABLE: Attractiveness 8, Staying Power 4, Damseling 10

Norl "This guy seemed to know what he was doing. And for a gorilla his english wasn't bad." A warrior both stealthy and brave, one who is very good at killing trancers. Or, if corrupted by the Lochnar, a very formidable Trancer indeed. NOTABLE: STR 8, AGI 8, END 8. Sneak About 10

Captain Lincoln F. Stern "I got an angle." As unscrupulous as they come, Captain Lincoln Stern has been accused 12 counts of murder in the first degree, 14 counts of armed theft of Federation property, 22 counts of piracy in high space, 18 counts of fraud, 37 counts of rape. and one moving violation. Nothing is too bad for Preschoolers prostitute ring, selling dope disguised as a nun. A good villain or, for fun, employer. NOTABLE: Bullshit 10

Hanover Fist "STERN! He's nothing but a lowdown, double-dealing, backstabbing larcenous perverted worm." A slight, unassuming man who lacks scruples and is Hulked by the Lochnar into a snarling rage beast. Much like a Trancer, in fact. NOTABLE: Determination 2

Gloria "Um I forgot, are you circumcised?"

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Young Jewish woman who works as a military transcriptionist. Organized and has a busy life, drinks diet soda. Seduced by Robby Robot and currently engaged to him. NOTABLE: Attractiveness 6, Staying Power 6

Edsel & Zeke "Nose dive!" Great pilots, with great addictions for plutonium nyborg. Neither are very lucky with earth women. Can be found in the Smiley Face ship. NOTABLE: Concentration 9

Robby Robot "Earth woman who experience sexual ecstasy with mechanical assistance always tend to feel guilty!" Quick-thinking and randy, this diminutive robot is surprisingly good at both getting women in the sack and pleasing them once they're there. NOTABLE: He's a robot and dependent upon his programming. But aren't we all?

Barbarian Leader "Death to all who oppose us!" Once a brave and noble man, was turned by the power of the Lochnar into a depraved and evil agent. One hand is a whirling saw blade and the other carries a blade. Rules a large band of powerful warriors. NOTABLE: All Stats 10, except Attractiveness and SC, which are 4s.

Taarna A mysterious, silent Terrakian marked with a red dagger tattoo on her neck. Skilled at blades, utterly focused, and with her pet winged beast, she is the key to defeating the Lochnar. NOTABLE: Ritual Preparation, Sacrifice 8, Concentration 10

Game Seeds The Lochnar connects all worlds, all universes, all potentialities of the multiverse. It can serve as the ultimate master villain, as the leader of all Trancers, or simply be mcguffined into a suitcase. It will always seek to corrupt the innocent and cannot resist melting the flesh away from the wicked. By using the Heavy Metal supplement, everything from the far future to the far past, humanoid to intelligent gas characters are available. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

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You are a professor on a dig on the remote planet of Zzygon. Three months into the dig, you find mass graves. The next day, your team is dead and your daughter is missing.

You are Stephanie, an intelligent and funny woman from Leeds. One morning

you wake up on a strange planet, about to be sacrificed to an elder god. You must save yourself.

You are Anrax, a lieutenant in the barbarian horde. The head of the intelligence

approaches you and sends you on a very important mission: to learn the location of the last Terrakian.

As an international space trader, you are sent to collect the most virulent of men

and women in the galaxy.

An aspiring lawyer, it's your job to collect enough evidence to arrest Captain Stern. You are sent to the capital city to interview his myriad victims.

You are a traveling sex robot. In order to inherit the robo-fortune of your family,

you must woo and wed an earthgirl within a week.

The Lochnar has invaded Renaissance Italy with an army of Trancers. You must jump way back and save the life of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Trancers RPG Module 3:"Mtal Hurlant"Heavy Metal in the Trancers RPGHeavy Metal CombatHeavy Metal TrancingHeavy Metal AndroidsHeavy Metal Normal People

Are you Tuff Enough?Method 1: Roll 2d8 for each AttributeMethod 2: Roll 2d4 for each AttributeMethod 3: Roll 1d6 and add 4 for each AttributeMethod 4: Roll 2d6 for each Attribute

Vehicles & TransportationNew SkillsPhysicalMental/KnowledgeSocialSurvival

NPCsHarry CanyonRatnikThe Professor's DaughterDen of EarthARDThe QueenKatherine WellsNorlCaptain Lincoln F. SternHanover FistGloriaEdsel & ZekeRobby RobotBarbarian LeaderTaarna

Game Seeds