While browsing a site on pinball graphics, I saw some great art that featured a hovercraft-like tank, surrounded by churning waves and a two-headed sea dragon. I thought the vessel would be perfect for a Post-Apocalyptic setting, where the tech level is 21st century. From the colorful glass image, I could see that the craft was wide and armed with big guns. I then went searching for gunboat designs that could be the "skeleton" for the SCORPION 3. First, I found information on the famous MK PT boats from the 1960's. These riverine ships were bristling with weapons, everything an adventuring group would need to eradicate pulp-era threats. Unfortunately, this scale of vessel doesn't seem to have a modern relative in the modern US Navy (based on brief surfing). I had to look at the international scene, where other countries have new "stealth ships" diminutive enough to handle the raiding/coastal patrol task, like the Skjold class from Norway (pictured below the MKIII).

I decided that a modestly futuristic ship would have a catamaran-type of hull, with angular shapes, and heavier weapons than what might be carried or mounted on a road vehicle. Since my Mutant Future realm has alien technology, perhaps the human raiders need big caliber guns to defeat "Martian" energy screens. Basically, the good guys would have to dig up the primitive artillery that shot dumb, yet enormous, shells. Thus, my new design has two classic "pounders", the 40mm autocannon and the 81mm mortar. In a world flooded by mile-high waves and melted polar caps, having control of waterways would be significant. The whole idea of an aquatic Navy might be strange to space-faring invaders, who might not expect a "Viking" sortie.

The simplified elevation and deck plans were "traced" over the proportions of the MKIII patrol boat. In addition to the main weapons, there would also be "boarder/monster" repellent in the form of high-pressure steam nozzles encircling the raised tower. Furthermore, soldiers inside would have jet-packs for making ship-to-target assaults.

While looking for pulp comics from decades past, I discovered a perfect example of the post-apocalyptic genre...all the way from Argentina. The creator was a gentleman by the name of Juan Zanotto, who only has a few credits in the US for his involvement in mainstream comics and the "cult turkey" YOR: THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE. Thankfully, his graphic arts skill was vastly greater than that movie turned out. The pages from his works are as refined as any you would see in the Warren Magazines or such. Even though I can't translate the dialog, the pulp inspiration can be absorbed straight from the illustrations. Below are some samples from two titles, Barbara and Cronicas del Tiempo Media. The former fits the Gamma/Mutant world scenario, while the latter belongs to a time set a few decades after the atomic destruction (and was issued in the US by Eclipse comics). Both comics feature killer robots, urban destruction, plenty of guns, mutant critters, and leading ladies like Adrienne Barbeau. Visit this blog section and scroll down for the links! 

After making a new design for a Basic/LL sheet, I was able to see how a group of players adopted the "modern" layout. To revise it, I noted that space for modified point tallies would have to be included. For example, enlarging the box for Hit Points, so damage can be recorded without scribbling in the margins or other stat areas. Oddly, the players all used the Character Sketch spot, to add some style that the page itself omits. The revision includes my generic Talent Chart for Class powers, the option to use 5 or 2 Saving Throw categories, and a scale for the 3d6 bonuses.

In the last pages I introduce Laris' "mother", the clan leader of the Dark Elves and practicing Dracologist. With a lifespan of centuries, these villains have had the time to interbreed monsters, which become defensive troops or weird livestock. Currently, the female dragon that had once sheltered the exiled Elves has become an overgrown "guest", relying on the clan for food and other concerns. The Elf queen realizes that the Impwitch knows the old dragon is weak, but she plans to strike back with the chimeric "cousins" of her wayward child.

After this, I'll be back to the various RPG projects for FIGHT ON, Labyrinth Lord, and other pulp games.

Akin to any "slaying" weapon, the Impwitch's Centipede Staff was fashioned to lay low one single monster if fully expended. The trick is getting the poisonous crawler past the dragon's tough hide, which even the giant pole-axe can only barely cut. I think that monsters designed for D&D can have weaknesses, so a smart party doesn't have to resort to the "tanking & nuking" approach. Surely by now someone has written about traps that can be set by PCs?