Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #39: Unique Superscience Artifacts 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 and some 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 has a selection of advanced artefacts.
This is a seven page PDF that is available from DriveThruRPG for $0.99 or as part of the Wisdom from the Wastelands Issues 1-52 Bundle for $27.74. It was purchased at the reduced price of only $0.01 as part of a special bundle. One page is the Open Game License and front matter and another is an ad for other supplements.
The supplement starts by referencing one of the three laws of Arthur C. Clarke, namely any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic (which would appear to be the third law, although the supplement calls it the second). The introduction explains that in a Mutant Future game this translates into superscience – machines so wondrous even the author can’t explain how they work. The Mythos artefact design from Realms of Crawling Chaos partly inspired the devices, all of which are unique. Although there may have been more made originally, time and the environment has caused each to become a unique variant. The items have several powers; some are classed as mutations from the Mutant Future rules and others are spells from the Labyrinth Lord Advanced Edition Companion.
Armor of the Flame Master is a suit that was originally designed to help fight fires. It resists heat and also has properties that flash incinerate surroundings to deny a fire fuel. A flaw in its holographic communications system can cause a penalty to attack rolls and saving throws to those who can see it. It is also highly magnetic and can attract small ferrous objects from several feet.
Assassin Robot Right Head is a severed robot head that can hold creatures, can turn rock into mud and pass through it. It inflicts damage on a holder and also has a few problems when using it.
Blobber is a medical tool that transforms a patient into goo that can be moulded and healed. It can heal mental and physical illnesses, allows the user to form new limbs when in goo form and enables communication with non-sentient creatures. It also makes the user vulnerable to UV light when in goo-form.
Bot Slayer was designed to take down robots and damages machines and armour when used. It has radiation-absorbing defensive measures and can push metals back.
Cat Marble gives the user a bonus when encountering feline-based creatures and may be able to control the closest. When the effect wears off, the feline may not be happy.
Dark Juju Cup is a cup that boils liquids placed inside it and identifies what is inside it. It can also multiply something added to water boiling inside the cup.
Datalink is a tool that can affect powered-up computers, robots and some androids. It effectively allows the target device’s programming to be altered.
Demon Eye is an alien artefact that fuses with a human that touches it. The human gains some shapeshifting powers, can create toxic vapours, enhance weapons, grow spines and create monsters.
Eller’s Eye can be used to replace a normal eye and it allows the user to see through organic matter, emit a blast of radiation, pretend to be dead and access local data networks and retrieve information on objects and terrain within sight.
Fiber Optic Bundle grants limited precognition, broadcast a hologram of the wielder, emit a flash of bright light and see through holograms and illusions.
Golden Eater actually transports the user to an alternate fiery universe, providing the means to survive there as well. The provided means also contains survival supplies and can summon drones that can defend the wielder.
Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #39: Unique Superscience Artifacts in Review
The PDF is bookmarked but the bookmarks effectively just lead to pages. There is also a short, hyperlinked table of contents that does the same. Given the length of the supplement, navigation is still very good. The text maintains a two column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a few stock images intended to illustrate some of the artefacts; presentation is okay.
The manner in which spell powers and mutation powers are indicated is by making the first in bold and the second italicised; this makes it easier for checking the correct rulebook. Each item also has a Caster Level given for ease of comparison between their relative power.
This is a collection of interesting items. Like magical artefacts, even though these may have useful powers, they also tend to have potentially dangerous drawbacks. Most powers need recharge times as well, so a character will not suddenly become all-powerful by wielding one. In fact, a character may try to get rid of an artefact – for ones that meld with the body, that could be an adventure in itself. Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #39: Unique Superscience Artifacts has a nice collection of new items that, deliberately, seem almost magical and can be found by clicking here.
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