Fudge Invasion Player Sourcebook
by Russ Brown (brownr@mei.com)
May 1, 1995
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FUDGE INVASION
Player Sourcebook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OVERVIEW
The following are rules in addition to the basic Fudge system to be
used in the Fudge Invasion Setting. This document provides details to
assist the player in generating their characters, as well as a few
embellishments to the basic Fudge system.
Unless new systems are provided in the Fudge Invasion sourcebooks, the
systems in the basic Fudge documents apply. Notable suggestions for
changes/additions to the Fudge system occur in the areas or combat,
wounds and skill development - which is now influenced by attributes.
Fudge documents were available at the time of this writing from
ftp.csua.berkeley.edu in /pub/fudge.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Fudge is copyright 1992, 1993 by Steffan O'Sullivan. It may be freely
copied, subject to the restrictions presented in the first section of
the basic Fudge Rules.
Additional Fudge rules, options, and background material presented in
this document are copyright 1995 by Russ Brown (brownr@mei.com). They
may be freely copied and distributed as long as this copyright notice
is included with each copy. No charge may be made for this material
without written permission from the author.
CONTENTS
1. FUDGE INVASION SETTING
2. CHARACTER GENERATION
3. ATTRIBUTES
4. SKILLS
5. GIFTS/FAULTS
6. EXPERIENCE
7. MONEY
8. SAMPLE CHARACTERS
1. FUDGE INVASION SETTING
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fudge Invasion is a campaign setting for an invasion of Earth by
extraterrestrials. The bulk of the information is provided in the
Fudge Invasion GM Sourcebook for the GM's use only, to be revealed to
the players as the campaign progresses.
Fudge Invasion is set in the year 2008. Human technology differs
mainly in the widespread used of technology available on only a
limited scale today, such as computers, personal communication, and
space travel. The most notable new technologies are cybernetics and
limited human genetic engineering.
Player characters should be human, but that is about the only
limitation. However, the Game Master should closely monitor character
backgrounds to insure that there is a believable way to bring the
characters together with a common mission.
2. CHARACTER GENERATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fudge Space character generation is point based. 100 points are
available to "build" up the qualities of an otherwise ordinary
character.
Each character consists of ratings for nine mandatory traits, and any
number of optional skills, gifts and faults. Attributes represent
very basic qualities of the character, as well as the character's
ability to improve skills. Skills represent more specific areas
of knowledge or ability and increase with experience. The seven
levels used to represent skills and attributes are as follows.
SUPERB (+3)
GREAT (+2)
GOOD (+1)
FAIR ( 0)
MEDIOCRE(-1)
POOR (-2)
TERRIBLE(-3)
All attributes start as FAIR. It costs 10 points to raise each to
good, 20 more to great and another 40 to superb. Lowering the
attribute regains 10 points for each level. So it would cost 70
points to raise an attribute all the way to Suberb, and a characer
would "get back" 20 points for lowering an attribute to Poor.
Points are also spent to acquire skills. The skills listed in the
sections below have three pieces of information with them - their
primary attribute, their cost per level, and their default level.
Every character starts with all skills at their default levels, and
must pay the number of points listed for each level the skill is
raised. After the skill reaches the level of the primary attribute,
the point cost doubles at each level. A default level of NE means
Non-Existent. There is no default level for such skills - without
some training, the tasks involved are virtually impossible. The level
in brackets next to the 'NE' is the level attained by paying the
skills point cost for the first time. Examples of skill development
are given in the SKILLS section below.
Note that point costs of gifts and faults are not listed. These
should be discussed with the GM on an individual basis.
3. ATTRIBUTES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following attributes are required for all FI players. They are
rolled against for specific tasks, as well as determining the
character's potential for certain skills.
(ACA)DEMIC (APP)EARANCE
(SOC)IAL (STR)ENGTH
(TEC)HNICAL (TOU)GHNESS
(PER)CEPTION (WIL)L
(DEX)TERITY (AGI)LITY
4. SKILLS
~~~~~~~~~
What follows is a set of sample skills which should cover most
situations and give the GM a good idea how to assign attributes, costs
and default levels for new skills. A skill's attribute determines the
maximum level a skill can reach before it's cost doubles each time.
The GM may also adjust the default for a skill down to the level of a
character's attribute if it is lower than the default.
As an example of skill cost, a character with a Good DEX learning a
(DEX-2-POOR) skill would start out with a Poor level for free and pay
2 points for each level up to Good, then 4 points to get to Great, and
8 points to get to Superb, for a total of 18 points. A character
starting with Superb DEX would only pay 12 for the same skill, while a
character with a Terrible attribute would start with a default of
Terrible and have to pay 4 just to get to Poor, and a total of 252
points to reach Superb!
This listing does not deal with prerequisites for certain skills.
For example, a surgeon should probably have some Anatomy skill. It is
left up to the GM and the player the make sure the character's skills
fit together logically.
ANIMAL:
RIDING (DEX-1-POOR)
TEAMSTER (DEX-2-POOR)
VETERINARIAN (ACA-3-TERRIBLE)
ANIMAL TRAINING (ACA-2-POOR)
HERDING (ACA-1-POOR)
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY (ACA-2-POOR)
FARMING (ACA-2-POOR)
ARTISTIC:
DRAW/PAINT (PER-2-POOR)
VIDEO PRODUCTION (PER-2-NE<POOR>)
PHOTOGRAPHY (PER-1-POOR)
SCULPTING (PER-2-POOR)
MUSIC (DEX-2-NE<POOR>)
SINGING (PER-1-POOR)
DANCE (DEX-2-POOR)
ACTING (SOC-2-POOR)
COOKING (PER-2-MEDIOCRE)
COSMETICS (PER-2-POOR)
ATHLETIC:
ACROBATICS (AGI-2-POOR)
JUMPING (AGI-1-MEDIOCRE)
RUNNING (AGI-1-MEDIOCRE)
SWIMMING (AGI-1-POOR)
SCUBA (TEC-1-TERRIBLE)
THROWING (DEX-1-MEDIOCRE)
CLIMBING (AGI-1-POOR)
CAVING (AGI-1-POOR)
ZERO-G (AGI-1-POOR)
PARACHUTING (AGI-1-POOR)
SPORT (AGI-2-POOR)
BUSINESS:
APPRAISAL (PER-2-POOR)
ACCOUNTING (ACA-2-POOR)
MARKETING (SOC-2-POOR)
SALES (SOC-2-POOR)
BARGAIN (SOC-2-POOR)
COMBAT:
AMBUSH (WIL-1-POOR)
DODGE (DEX-2-MEDIOCRE)
QUICK-DRAW (DEX-1-POOR)
SHIELD PARRY (DEX-1-POOR)
PISTOL (DEX-2-MED)
RIFLE (DEX-2-POOR)
SUB-MACHINE GUN (DEX-2-POOR)
ASSAULT GUN (DEX-2-POOR)
SHOTGUN (DEX-1-FAIR)
KNIFE (DEX-2-MEDIOCRE)
KNIFE PARRY (DEX-2-POOR)
SWORD (DEX-2-POOR)
SWORD PARRY (DEX-2-POOR)
STUN WEAPONS (DEX-1-MEDIOCRE)
CLUB (DEX-2-MEDIOCRE)
CLUB PARRY (DEX-2-POOR)
UNARMED COMBAT (DEX-3-MEDIOCRE)
WRESTLING (STR-2-POOR)
TACTICS (ACA-2-POOR)
AIRCRAFT WEAPONS (TEC-3-POOR) Less for specific weapons
SPACE WEAPONS (TEC-3-POOR) Less for specific weapons
NAVAL WEAPONS (TEC-3-POOR) Less for specific weapons
DEMOLITION (TEC-2-POOR)
BOMB DISPOSAL (TEC-2-POOR)
POWERED ARMOR (TEC-1-POOR)
COVERT:
SECURITY SYSTEMS (TEC-2-TERRIBLE)
BREAKING AND ENTERING (TEC-2-POOR)
DISGUISE (PER-2-POOR)
FORGERY (PER-2-POOR)
SHADOWING (PER-1-POOR)
SLEIGHT OF HAND (DEX-2-POOR)
STEALTH (AGI-2-POOR)
CAMOUFLAGE (PER-1-POOR)
HIDE TRACKS (PER-1-POOR)
COMPUTER SECURITY (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
CRYPTOGRAPHY (TEC-2-TERRIBLE)
CRAFT:
MASONRY (DEX-2-TERRIBLE)
METALWORK (DEX-2-TERRIBLE)
WOODWORK (DEX-2-TERRIBLE)
COMPOSITEWORK (DEX-2-TERRIBLE)
TAILOR (DEX-2-TERRIBLE)
ENGINEERING:
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
COMPUTER ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
ROBOTICS ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
CYBERNETICS ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
POWER ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
LIFE SUPPORT ENGINEERING(TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
AI ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
WEAPON SYSTEMS (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
AEROSPACE SYSTEMS (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
INTERACTION:
TELL LIE (SOC-1-MEDIOCRE)
DETECT LIE (SOC-1-MEDIOCRE)
INTERROGATE (SOC-1-POOR)
SEDUCE (APP-1-POOR)
INTIMIDATE (WIL-1-POOR)
PERSUADE (SOC-2-POOR)
LEADERSHIP (SOC-2-POOR)
DIPLOMACY (SOC-1-POOR)
TEACHING (SOC-1-POOR)
GAMBLING (PER-1-POOR)
LANGUAGE:
INDIVIDUAL LANGUAGE (ACA-1-NE<POOR>)
LINGUISTICS (ACA-2-POOR)
WRITING FICTION (PER-1-POOR)
WRITING NON-FICTION (ACA-1-POOR)
JOURNALISM (ACA-1-POOR)
WRITING POETRY (PER-1-POOR)
LITERATURE (ACA-2-POOR)
RESEARCH (ACA-2-POOR)
LIFE SCIENCES:
BIOLOGY (ACA-2-POOR)
ZOOLOGY (ACA-2-POOR)
BOTANY (ACA-2-POOR)
ECOLOGY (ACA-2-POOR)
MECHANICAL:
DRIVE GROUND VEHICLE (DEX-2-MEDIOCRE)
ELECTRONICS CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
POWER SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
SPACECRAFT CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
GROUND VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
MARINE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
WEAPON SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
CYBERNETICS CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
LIFE SUPPORT CONSTRUCT-ON (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
ROBOT CONSTRUCTION (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
PILOT AIRCRAFT (DEX-2-NE<POOR>)
PILOT SPACECRAFT (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
PILOT MARINE VEHICLE (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
REMOTE OPERATION (DEX-1-POOR)
SPACE SUIT (TEC-1-TERRIBLE)
POWER SYSTEMS OPERATION (TEC-1-NE<POOR>)
MEDICAL SCIENCES:
ANATOMY (ACA-2-POOR)
PHYSIOLOGY (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
MEDICAL RESEARCH (TEC-2-TERRIBLE)
GENETICS (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
PSYCHOLOGY (ACA-2-POOR)
MEDICINE:
GENETIC ENGINEERING (TEC-2-NE<POOR>)
CYBERNETICS (TEC-3-NE<POOR>)
SURGERY (DEX-3-NE<POOR>)
PHARMACOLOGY (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
PATHOLOGY (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
MEDICAL QUARANTINE (ACA-1-TERRIBLE)
DIAGNOSIS (ACA-3-POOR)
PSYCHIATRY (ACA-3-NE<POOR>)
MEDICAL PRACTICE (ACA-2-POOR)
FIRST AID (ACA-1-POOR)
FORENSIC MEDICINE (TEC-2-TERRIBLE)
OUTDOOR:
FISHING (ACA-2-POOR)
FORAGING (PER-2-POOR)
HUNTING (PER-2-POOR)
SURVIVAL (ACA-2-POOR)
ANIMAL TRACKING (PER-2-POOR)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES:
ADVANCED MATH (ACA-2-NE<POOR>)
PHYSICS (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
CHEMISTRY (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
METEOROLOGY (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
OCEANOGRAPHY (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
GEOLOGY (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
PLANETOLOGY (ACA-2-NE<POOR>)
ASTRONOMY (ACA-2-TERRIBLE)
GEOGRAPHY (ACA-2-POOR)
POLITICS AND LAW:
POLITICS (SOC-2-POOR)
CRIMINAL LAW (ACA-3-TERRIBLE)
CIVIL LAW (ACA-3-TERRIBLE)
INTERNATIONAL LAW (ACA-3-TERRIBLE)
LEGAL PROCEDURES(ACA-2-POOR)
BUREAUCRACY (ACA-2-POOR)
RELIGION:
THEOLOGY (ACA-2-POOR)
OCCULT (ACA-2-POOR)
RELIGIOUS HISTORY (ACA-2-POOR)
RELIGIOUS PRACTICE (ACA-2-POOR)
SOCIAL SCIENCES:
SOCIOLOGY (ACA-2-POOR)
HISTORY (ACA-2-POOR)
AREA KNOWLEDGE (ACA-1-TERRIBLE)
ECONOMICS (ACA-2-POOR)
ARCHAEOLOGY (ACA-2-POOR)
5. GIFTS/FAULTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are some example faults/gifts. Costs will be determined by GM.
AMBIDEXTROUS (off-hand is normally two skill levels below good hand)
ADDICTION (WIL roll whenever tempted)
PATRON
ENEMY
REPUTATION (effects reaction/recognition rolls one way or the other)
DEPENDENT
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
CYBERNETICS
DISEASE RESISTANCE
WEALTH/POVERTY
MILITARY RANK
SECURITY CLEARANCE
GOAL/QUEST/OATH
6. EXPERIENCE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the character's perform tasks and complete missions within the
campaign, the GM will award them experience points. These can be spent
immediately to improve attributes and skills, using the same costs as
when initially generating the character.
The GM may also wish to award additional points, to be applied only to
a skill or attribute which was extensively used. The GM always has
the option of limiting the skills and attributes on which campaign
experience points can be spent, possibly requiring formal training
time to obtain experience in certain areas.
In any case, the points awarded for a particular adventure or series
of gaming sessions should be around 10 for a moderate rate of
development, higher if characters are intended to develop skills
quickly for later adventures.
7. MONEY
~~~~~~~~
This sourcebook gives no indication of the costs of items. It can be
assumed that prices in 2008 are lower for small consumer technology
items, with considerably more capability, but otherwise prices will
have nearly doubled from the mid-1990's due to inflation. The GM
Sourcebook contains more detailed information about prices in the
Fudge Invasion setting.
By the same logic, wages will have nearly doubled, with
proportionately more increase in information technology and
entertainment areas, and less increase in general labor and service
industries. Once the GM has helped a player determine the character's
profession and salary, he should determine how much money the
character has in savings. If saving habits don't change much over the
next decade, savings will be about 5% of annual income, while
unsecured debt could be 30%! (a single person making $30,000
with only $1500 in savings, but $9,000 in car loans and credit card
debt is not unusual).
8. SAMPLE CHARACTERS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lenny Banks
27 year old white American male
National Guard Lieutenant, college degree is in finance/accounting, ran
a pawn shop in L.A. for three years before the invasion.
Attr/Skill Cost
ACA Fair
SOC Good 10
TEC Good 10
PER Great 30
DEX Fair
APP Good 10
STR Fair
TOU Fair
WIL Mediocre -10
AGI Good 10
Military Rank (1st Lt.) 5
Drive Hvy Truck Good 4
Accounting Fair 4
Appraisal Great 8
Pistol Fair 2
Rifle Good 8
Tactics Fair 4
Spanish Fair 3
Leadership Mediocre 2
---
Total 100
Elana Ritter
36 year old black American female
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) field pathologist. Divorced, no
children.
Attr/Skill Cost
ACA Great 30
SOC Fair
TEC Good 10
PER Good 10
DEX Fair
APP Fair
STR Mediocre -10
TOU Fair
WIL Fair
AGI Mediocre -10
Pathology Great 10
Anatomy Fair 4
Physiology Good 8
Pharmacology Fair 6
Medical Quar. Good 4
Diagnosis Fair 6
Medical Research Good 8
Interrogate Good 4
Intimidate Good 4
Remote Operation Fair 2
Bureaucracy Mediocre 2
Hang Glider Fair 3
Parachuting Fair 3
First Aid Good 3
Writing Non-Fict. Good 3
---
Total 100