Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #48: Unique Superscience Artifacts IV 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 explains that superscience artefacts are so advanced they seem magical, and that each artefact could be the focus of an entire session or even a campaign. 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 Arena is a small metal disc that creates an extra-planar bubble cut off from the natural world in which those within find weapons and are enhanced and have to fight until there is only one survivor.
The Bear Eye was designed to help people survive from attacks by the shatterbots from Issue #18 and chirps when an invisible robot or creature is detected. Malfunctions can make it occasionally chirp when a non-invisible robot is detected and occasionally release a deafening blast; the rules for being deafened are in Issue #47.
The Golden Branch can be spliced into living plant tissue; it will then function as an interactive AI and allow the plant to talk with sapient beings. It can also produce light, an energy field and remove viruses from other machines as well as communicate with nanite swarms.
The Skinshifter is a device that can change an occupant’s sex, size and apparent species, though not race – a little inexact; humans could become, for example, the humanoid species from Issues #4 and #40, but not a plant or animal. Sometimes it will damage the brain of the user or create a clone.
The Snail Ring is currently in the possession of a very large and intelligent snail. The ring allows the snail to control others to a degree, drain energy from them and create minor rings.
The Snake Rifle can shoot sticky fibres, protect its wielder from cold, translate languages, detect humans and dazzle creatures.
Spark Putty protects the wearer from mental attacks. cam terrify creature and emit a blast of flame. The putty can be manipulated into different forms, and may explode if hit by an energy attack.
The Splatter Gun is intended to transport people from place to place, through teleportation, but now mixes them in with the local biomass. This is not fatal, and those affected do eventually reform over a few weeks, though are likely insane or otherwise mentally changed, and likely physically changed as well.
New Mutation has a single mutation for creatures well adapted to the local environment.
Wastelands Issue #48: Unique Superscience Artifacts IV 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.
Again, this is similar to previous issues. A collection of advanced technological items of almost magical power, but ones which are, by and large, somewhat erratic in use, verging all the way to dangerous to use. Once again, the fluff describes the effects and these are then put in spell and mutation terms. Wastelands Issue #48: Unique Superscience Artifacts IV is another interesting collection of items and it can be found by clicking here.
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