Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #38: Radiation Sickness is a role playing game supplement published by Skirmisher Publishing for use with the Mutant Future system. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License though no parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result. The Wisdom from the Wastelands series introduces new options for Mutant Future and this one adds new rules options.
The supplement is available as a seven-page PDF on DriveThruRPG for $0.99 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the Open Game License and front matter and one is ads.
The opening paragraphs explain that the radiation rules in the core rules are comparatively simple; radiation either harms or creates mutations. This issue makes things messier, by introducing radiation sickness, and Issue #41 introduces new types of radiation. The rules are designed to add a touch of realism to reign in characters seeking mutations by bathing in radiation. It then goes onto explaining how the tables work, with different levels of radiation having different levels of harm and accumulated exposure causing problems.
Recovery explains how radiation sickness can be reversed or prevented, with access to appropriate technology, referencing the core book as well as Wisdom from the Wastelands Issues #13, #28, #30, #31 and #33. This section explains how characters recover and accumulate radiation, with an example.
Symptoms covers the various, unpleasant to horrendous, symptoms of radiation sickness, with their game effects. This is an extensive section as befits something covering a rather dangerous problem.
Finally, there is an optional rule of other ways of gaining mutations from that in the core book, that are not based on pure chance.
Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #38: Radiation Sickness in Review
The PDF is bookmarked, with major sections linked. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are some stock tweaked colour images. Presentation is okay.
This supplement adds quite a bit of crunch to what is generally a rules-lite game, so it may well not be for everyone. It also makes radiation a lot more dangerous and unpleasant than the core rules treat it, and therefore much more realistic. For those seeking to avoid extra crunch, this probably won’t be appreciated, but for those wanting more realism, it will. Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #38: Radiation Sickness can be found by clicking here.
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