Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #44: Unique Superscience Artifacts III 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 has a selection of advanced technological items.
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 Issues #39 and #42 introduced the idea of creating unique and iconic devices using Clarke’s Second Law and the Realms of Crawling Chaos supplement. The items in this issue just seem alien. The powers come from spells from Labyrinth Lord‘s Advanced Edition Companion and mutations from Mutant Future. The different items have Caster Levels for the spells, too.
The Mother Seed analyses organisms and replaces defective genes, fixing drawbacks, but what is classed as such has different options. If it doesn’t find a recognised drawback, it adds a drawback to the creature. It can also induce mutations, which will be beneficial if it works properly, and it probably won’t. Finally, it may cause a mutant to reroll all their mutations and a pure human to become a mutant.
Oasis In a Pill is a terraforming project that releases a cloud of nanites that repairs and heals nearly any machine, object or creature. However, all are left with a changed appearance and metabolic problems, some objects start to glow, a field develops that inhibits mental mutations and pure humans may become mutants.
Ooze Brain is a metal sphere that now sits inside a gray ooze. The creature is now intelligent and can think faster and isn’t fooled by most holograms or illusions. It can also grow a tentacle, project flammable chemicals, survive off heat and air and secrete a healing gel. However, the healing gel accidentally implants insect eggs and the recipients may transform into an insect swarm. The Brain can be removed from the ooze, removing the ooze’s abilities, and the Brain placed inside a vat of liquid.
Orange Block is an alien artefact that can summon spidergoats, keep animal life at bay and turn metal into an alien wood, which also emits a radiation pulse and the Block will also attempt to control its owner and commend them to convert as much metal as possible.
The Palace of Bones is a large building that appears to be alive and made from dinosaur bones. It also needs to eat bones and enhances mutations inside it as well as granting new powers. Certain mutants may gain permanent powers, but will be commanded to find another palace.
Psion Shackles are intended to prevent wearers from using mental mutations, but they can malfunction and actually increase psionic abilities as well as gaining new ones for the duration, but damaging INT and WIL afterwards.
The Sea Charm was intended to transform the user into a small shark, but now transforms them into a gargantuan and mutated one with tough skin. Transformation on dry land has the potential to be fatal, and clothing is shredded. Armour causes damage to the wearer. The transformation wears off after a random amount of time and sometimes the device will successfully transport them to the surface if they’re in distress.
The Silver Sphere is a floating sphere that can shrink a payload to fit inside. It can contact its master for instructions if restrained, is opaque to most scanners, refracts light to avoid detection and can give off an aerosolised toxin. It also has a forcefield and the ability to self-destruct.
The Silver Twig looks like a toy tree but it can paralyze plants, speak with them or gain control of them. It can also cause a plants seeds or fruits to incinerate or explode, even whilst still attached. It can also release a cloud of poisonous spores.
Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #44: Unique Superscience Artifacts III in Review
The PDF is bookmarked, with major sections linked. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be almost free of errors. There are some stock tweaked colour images. Presentation is okay.
This is very similar in design to previous issues. There are various technological items that seem almost magical in nature, that are somewhat variable in their utility and danger to use due to generally not functioning the way they were intended, or being downright incomprehensible in the first place. The descriptions cover various effects, which are then given mechanical options through the use of spells and mutations, which is more interesting than simply listing the various powers. Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #44: Unique Superscience Artifacts III is another interesting collection of strange items and it can be found by clicking here.
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