Mothership Mini - Boiling Point
I want to do more little freebie scenarios here on my blog. Here is one that can plug in anywhere.
PDF version
Setup
Set this scenario at a security checkpoint, customs inspection, or similar scenario of authorities inspecting passenger items.
Ahead of the players, officials inspect a nervous-looking man’s briefcase against his protests. He insists that he has an exemption for inspections, that he isn’t even supposed to be here if it weren’t for a mix-up from his employers, and that it is imperative he be allowed through quickly. He waves documents in front of the inspectors that are steadfastly ignored.
As this is going on, one of the inspectors forces open the case and holds up a glass vial, causing the nervous man to become extremely agitated and grab for the vial. In the tussle it drops, shattering, and a cloud of gas drifts over them and the player crew. The scientist, in shock, exclaims they are all doomed.
The Compound
The experimental compound in the vial is an attempt at weaponizing biological organisms by producing a highly explosive compound generated by stress hormones in their bodies. When the subject’s stress gets too high, they explode. It was developed by the nervous man, Thorsten Spellmeyer, now himself exposed.
As an exposed person’s Stress rises, consult the following effects:
- Stage 1 (Stress 5+): Become sweaty and feverish. Minimum Stress becomes 5 if not already higher.
- Stage 2 (Stress 10+): Large purple blemishes spread over skin. Gain double Stress.
- Stage 3 (Stress 15+): Body becomes searing hot, vision swims. [-] on Body saves and Panic checks.
- Stage 4 (Stress 20+): Detonate in a violent explosion. Anyone adjacent is killed. Those in Close range take 4d10 DMG. They may attempt a Body save to take half damage. Any other exposed individuals with Stress 10+ that die from this explosion also explode.
Anyone exposed who learns this gains +1 minimum Stress until they believe they are cured. Killing an exposed person before they reach the critical threshold neutralizes the effect, a fact the scientist shakily admits to everyone nearby.
NPCs under Stress: When an NPC would be stressed make an Instinct roll. On a failure increase symptoms one stage as above. On a critical failure they explode.
What’s next
Thorsten can develop an antidote, in theory anyway. Actually producing it was not a priority of R&D, so he would need to gather the reagents and create it. If there is a proper lab at this location, he can create the cure after 1d5 hours. If there is no lab, he can jury-rig a treatment from chemicals found across various locations (cleaning supplies, cooking ingredients, workshop chemicals, etc). The jury-rigged cure only has a 50% chance of working, and always deals 1d10 DMG.
The incident has been reported to local authorities, who do not want human bombs loose in the area. Security teams are deployed to take out the scientist and crew and they gain a Bounty Level of 3 (1d10x10kcr, kill on sight). If someone explodes the bounty is increased to BL4 (1d5x100kcr) and a squad of Special Security forces are deployed. If any of the inspectors or other bystanders were exposed, the players may witness them being executed by station security or exploding (triggering Fear saves).
Security Agent
C: 40 SMG 2d10 I:30 W:3 AP:4
Traveling in squads of 1d5+1. They don’t stop until everyone exposed is dead or can prove they are no longer a danger.
Special Security
C:65 Pulse Rifle 3d10 DMG I:40 AP:7
Work in squads of 5. Ruthless killers.