ADVENTURES ON THE DYING WORLD OF BARSOOM

My attention was quickly riveted by a large red star close to the distant horizon. As I gazed upon it I felt a spell of overpowering fascination—it was , the god of war, and for me, the fighting man, it had always held the power of irresistible enchantment. As I gazed at it on that far-gone night it seemed to call across the unthinkable void, to lure me to it…

Edgar Rice Burrough’s John Carter of Mars: Adventures on the Dying World of Barsoom transports you to the Red Planet of Barsoom, an arid, dying land of ancient civilizations and fearsome creatures. Begin your adventures of romance and heroism using a pulp-action inspired variant of the 2d20 System. Take on the role of ADVENTURES ON THE DYINGADVENTURES WORLD OF BARSOOM – CORE RULEBOOK heroes as you travel, battle, and romance your way across the wondrous and dangerous world of Barsoom. Play as John Carter, Princess , the fearsome Thark warrior – or create your own heroes from an exciting variety of options.

A An overview of Barsoom and its peoples, perfect to A A detailed narrator's section filled with introduce new players to the wondrous world of information on how to run genre-and-setting John Carter of Mars. appropriate campaigns, including information about the great and terrible secrets of Barsoom. A Detailed chapters on Barsoomian technology, creatures and cultures. A Three eras of play based on the adventures of John Carter himself. Adventure during the Dotar Sojat A A new talent focused, narrative variation of the era, or adventure during the time where Carter 2d20 System including a step-by-step character became a Prince of Helium and in the years after generation system designed to create heroes from when he was believed dead, or fight alongside a variety of backgrounds and concepts. Carter and his allies during the later Jeddak of A Create a wide variety of characters such as Jeddaks era. a Dashing Red Duelist, a Brilliant A An introductory adventure, the Mind Merchants of First Born Scientist, a Savage Beastmaster, a Mars, to get players and narrators started on their Courageous Airship Officer, even Earthborn adventures and immersed in the world of Barsoom. characters, so players can follow in the bounding footsteps of John Carter himself!

The 2d20 system and Modiphius Logos are copyright Modiphius Printed in Lithuania Entertainment Ltd 2018. All 2d20 system text is copyright Modiphius TM Product Number: MUH051392 Entertainment Ltd. Any unauthorised use of copyrighted material is illegal. ISBN: 978-1-912743-11-7 Any trademarked names are used in a fictional manner; no infringement is intended. This is a work of fiction. Any similarity with actual people and TM events, past or present, is purely coincidental and unintentional except for TM those people and events described in an historical context. Trademarks John ADVENTURES ON THE DYING WORLD OF BARSOOM Carter of Mars ®, Dejah Thoris ®, Tars Tarkas ®, Woola™, Barsoom ®, Warlord TM of Mars ®, Gods of Mars ®, A ®, and Edgar Rice ® Owned by , Inc. And Used by Permission. All characters CORE RULEBOOK 9 781912 743117 and creatures trademarked and owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Copyright © 2018 Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Sample file Sample file Sample file Sample file Line Development Literary Consultant Internal Art Publishing Director JACK NORRIS SCOTT TRACY GRIFFIN NATE ABELL CHRIS BIRCH BENN GRAYBEATON CHRIS ADAMAK Glossary and Index DAREN BADER Head of RPG Development Rules Development VIRGINIA PAGE BJORN BARENDS SAM WEBB BENN GRAYBEATON GIORGIO BARONI DEVELOPED FROM THE ORIGINAL Art Direction TOMA FEIZO GAS Production Manager 2D20 SYSTEM DESIGN BY JAY LITTLE, CHAIM GARCIA FOR MUTANT CHRONICLES SAM WEBB STEVE DALDRY, PETER GROCHULSKI MICHELE GIORGI KATYA THOMAS Writing RODRIGO GONZALES Publishing Assistant JACK KAISER RICHARD AUGUST Cover Art VIRGINIA PAGE SOREN MEDING JENNIFER BAUGHMAN BJÖRN BARENDS ROLF MOHR JASON BRICK Social Media Manager CONTENTSCRISTI PICU DARREN BULMER Logo Design JEFF PORTER SALWA AZAR MARK CARROLL MICHAL E CROSS PAOLO PUGGIONI CHRIS LITES CHRISTIAN QUINOT Community Support BRYAN C.P. STEELE Graphic Design MARTIN SOBR LLOYD GYAN JONATHAN M. THOMPSON CHRIS WEBB STEVE STARK PETER WRIGHT With Thanks to Character Sheet Cartography Editing and Proofing JAMES SULLOS FRANCESCA BAERALD FRANCESCA BAERALD CATHY WILBANKS BRIAN CASEY N.R. BHARATHAE TYLER WILBANKS VIRGINIA PAGE ARIC WIEDER

Modiphius Entertainment Ltd, 2nd Floor, The 2d20 system and Modiphius Logos are copyright Modiphius Entertainment Ltd 2018. All 2d20 system text is copyright Modiphius Entertainment Ltd. 39 Harwood Road, London, SW6 4QP, England Any unauthorised use of copyrighted material is illegal. Any trademarked names are used in a fictional manner; no infringement is intended. This is a Produced by: Standartų Spaustuvė, UAB, 39 work of fiction. Any similarity with actual people and events, past or present, is purely coincidental and unintentional except for those people and events Dariaus ir Girėno, Str., LT-02189 Vilnius, Lithuania described in an historical context. Trademarks John Carter of Mars®, Dejah Thoris®, Tars Tarkas®, Woola™, Barsoom®, Warlord of Mars®, Gods of Mars®, A [email protected] WWW.MODIPHIUS.COM Princess of Mars®, and Edgar Rice Burroughs® Owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. And Used by Permission. All characters and creatures trademarked and Modiphius Entertainment Product Number: MUH051392 owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Copyright © 2018 Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. SampleISBN: 978-1-912743-11-7 file STEP NINE: NAME AND FINALIZE Threat as Complication...... 48 Stress and Afflictions...... 65 Section 3 CONTENTS CONCEPT AND ATTRIBUTES...... 28 Test Difficulty...... 49 Inflicting Damage...... 65 Red ...... 28 Chapter 7: Difficulty Zero Tests...... 49 Damage Types...... 65 History of Barsoom...... 92 FOREWORD...... 2 Green Martians...... 28 Setting the Difficulty...... 49 Confusion...... 66 Okar...... 28 Opposed tests...... 49 Fear...... 66 Ancient Barsoom...... 93 Chapter 1: First Born...... 28 Difficulty Modifiers...... 50 Injury...... 66 Modern Barsoom...... 94 Earthborn...... 28 Voluntary Failure...... 51 Recovering from Stress and Afflictions... 67 Welcome to Barsoom...... 3 Captain John Carter...... 94 What's in a Name?...... 28 Success at Cost...... 51 Blacking Out...... 67 the Dotar Sojat Era...... 94 Who was Edgar Rice Burroughs?...... 3 Advanced Player Characters...... 29 Attribute Challenges...... 51 Narrator Characters and Damage...... 67 The Prince of Helium Era...... 94 John Carter and the Barsoom Novels...... 3 Character Generation Walkthrough...... 29 Improving the Odds...... 52 Simplified Stress...... 68 The Jeddak of Jeddaks Era...... 94 Rationalism, Romanticism, and Pulp Sample Player Characters...... 29 Create Opportunity...... 52 LUCK...... 68 LIFE ON BARSOOM...... 95 Roleplaying...... 4 SAMPLE PLAYER CHARACTERS...... 30 Adding Threat...... 52 Regaining Luck points...... 68 Biology...... 95 GLOSSARY...... 5 Courageous Earthborn Explorer...... 31 Using Luck...... 52 Renown, Accolades, and Luck ���������������69 Naming Conventions...... 95 The Measures of Mars...... 5 Bold Earthborn Soldier...... 32 Teamwork and Assistance...... 52 Awarding Luck...... 69 Clothing...... 95 GETTING READY TO PLAY...... 6 Canny Red Martian Envoy...... 33 MOMENTUM...... 53 Voluntary Failure...... 69 Food and Drink...... 95 New to Roleplaying?...... 6 Stalwart Red Martian Duelist...... 34 Momentum and Narrative...... 53 Religion...... 96 What You Will Need...... 6 Charming Okar Spy...... 35 Chapter 5: Generating Momentum...... 53 Society and Socializing...... 97 Players...... 6 Driven First Born Airship Officer...... 36 weapons, Spending Momentum...... 53 Warrior Customs...... 97 Player Characters...... 6 Thoughtful Green Martian Guide...... 37 equipment and tech...... 71 Saving Momentum...... 53 Slavery...... 98 Dice...... 6 Momentum Outside of Tests...... 54 WEAPONS...... 71 Titles...... 98 Counters...... 6 Chapter 3: Narrator Characters and Momentum..... 54 Melee Weapons...... 71 Military Organization...... 98 Paper and Pencils...... 6 talents...... 38 Common Uses for Momentum...... 54 Weapon and Equipment Qualities ���������� 71 Entertainment...... 99 ERAS OF PLAY...... 7 THREAT...... 56 What are Talents?...... 38 Blades and Melee Combat...... 72 Crime...... 99 The Dotar Sojat Era...... 7 Using Threat...... 56 Using Talents...... 38 Firearms...... 73 Slavery and Institutional The Prince of Helium Era...... 8 The Threat Pool...... 56 Designing Talents...... 38 Firearm Combat ...... 74 Sexism on Barsoom...... 99 The Jeddak of Jeddaks Era...... 8 Generating Threat...... 56 Grade 1 Talents...... 40 Incendary Devices...... 74 Technology...... 100 Losing Threat...... 56 Acrobatic Dodge...... 40 Incendiary Combat ...... 74 Architecture...... 100 Giving Allies Momentum...... 56 Section 1 Cut Them Down...... 40 EQUIPMENT...... 75 Resources...... 101 ACTION SCENES...... 57 Passionate Rider...... 40 Medicines and Common Items...... 76 Turn Sequence...... 57 Chapter 2: Expert Rifleman...... 40 Torches and Illumination Devices...... 76 Chapter 8: Turn Order...... 57 Creating your Eye for Danger...... 40 Field Glasses and Sights...... 76 The Green Hordes...... 102 Determining Turn Order...... 57 Adventurer...... 11 Keen Marksman...... 40 Chronometer...... 77 Seizing Initiative...... 57 Physiology...... 102 Skilled Infiltrator...... 40 Invisibility...... 77 STEP ONE: GENERAL CONCEPT...... 11 Indecision...... 58 CULTURE AND TRADITIONS...... 103 Grade 2 Talents...... 40 General Preparedness...... 77 Playing John Carter and Friends �������������11 Surprise and Ambushes...... 58 For the Horde...... 103 Expert Aim...... 40 TECHNOLOGY ...... 78 STEP TWO: STARTING ATTRIBUTES...... 12 Movement, Range, and Abstract Zones... 58 Children of the Horde...... 103 Just a Scratch...... 40 The Eighth and Ninth Rays...... 78 STEP THREE: SELECTING YOUR RACE...... 12 Characters and Zones...... 58 A Harsh Existence...... 103 Witty Repartee...... 41 Martian Fliers...... 78 The Afterlife and the Truth of Issus ���������� 13 Miniatures...... 59 A Warlike Race...... 104 Skilled Physician...... 41 Equilibrimotors...... 79 Martian Telepathy...... 13 Distances...... 59 LAWS, LANGUAGE, AND TRADITIONS...... 105 Deadly Pistoleer...... 41 Ground Fliers...... 79 Red Martians...... 14 Distance and Communication...... 59 Prisoners...... 105 Suppressing Fire...... 41 Airships, Fliers, and Green Martians...... 15 Distance and Perception...... 59 Relationships with Others...... 105 Grade 3 Talents...... 41 Equilibrimotors in Games...... 80 Okar...... 16 Other Senses...... 59 THE GREAT HORDES...... 106 Fixed...... 41 Experimental Vessels Earthborn...... 17 MOVEMENT AND TERRAIN...... 60 ...... 106 Disarming Parry...... 41 and Interplanetary Craft...... 81 Characters and Disability...... 18 Obstacles...... 60 Warhoon...... 107 From Every Chandelier...... 41 Pneumatic Trains...... 81 Mixed Heritage...... 18 Example Terrain and Dangers ����������������61 Torquas...... 108 Grade 4 Talents...... 41 Submarines...... 81 First Born...... 19 Hindrances...... 61 Thurd...... 108 Flurry of Blows...... 41 Communication Technology...... 82 STEP FOUR: SELECT ARCHETYPE...... 20 Dangers...... 61 Can’t I Just Use Talents to BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES...... 82 Chapter 9: Airship Officer...... 20 Attack with My Best Attributes? ����������������41 Falling...... 61 The Red Kingdoms...... 109 Assassin...... 20 Pain Does Not Hurt...... 42 Other Forms of Movement...... 61 Chapter 6: Beastmaster...... 21 Multiple Effect Talents ...... 43 Climbing...... 61 Growing Your Legend...... 83 RED KINGDOM CULTURE...... 109 Duelist...... 21 Empathic Rider (Grade 2)...... 43 Jumping...... 61 Of Capitals and Kingdoms...... 109 Envoy...... 22 Perceptive Scientist (Grade 2) ����������������43 Terrain...... 61 EXPERIENCE...... 83 Rule of Law...... 110 Explorer...... 22 Diligent Swordmaster (Grade 3) ������������43 Difficulty / Difficulty increase...... 61 Changing Your Flaw...... 84 Rule of Law...... 110 Fugitive...... 22 Fearsome Might (Grade 3)...... 43 Danger...... 61 RENOWN...... 84 Personal Honor...... 110 Gladiator...... 23 You Will Regret That (Grade 4) ��������������43 Damage...... 61 Starting Renown...... 84 Courtly Love...... 110 Guide...... 23 Cunning Lothario (Grade 4)...... 43 Swimming...... 62 Gaining Renown During Play...... 84 Conflicts of Interest...... 111 Healer...... 23 Why N0t Just One Mega-Talent? �����������������43 Flight...... 62 Unspent Renown...... 85 Religion...... 111 Panthan...... 24 Other Zone Items...... 62 Renown Use Discounts...... 85 Religion in the Rogue...... 24 Interactive Objects...... 62 Sharing Renown...... 86 Jeddak of Jeddaks Era...... 111 Scientist...... 24 Section 2 What about cover?...... 62 Traveling in Disguise...... 86 TECHNOLOGIES...... 111 Soldier...... 25 Chapter 4: ACTIONS AND ATTACKS...... 63 ACCOLADES...... 86 Anachronistic Weapons...... 111 Spy...... 25 Adventuring in Barsoom..46 Spoken Action...... 63 Allies...... 86 This is But a Shadow...... 111 Creating Unique Archetypes...... 25 Movement Actions...... 63 Specific Versus General Allies...... 87 THE GREAT RED MILITARY...... 112 Why Not Skills?...... 25 DICE AND DICE ROLLS...... 46 Conflict Actions...... 63 Allies Changing Power and Influence...... 87 The Red Armies...... 112 STEP FIVE: SELECT DESCRIPTOR...... 26 Free Actions...... 63 Out of Your Element...... 88

CONTENTS Twenty-sided Die (d20)...... 46 Air Superiority...... 112 STEP SIX: TALENTS...... 26 Combat Die...... 46 Making an Attack...... 63 TITLES...... 88 Airship Design...... 113 STEP SEVEN: STARTING RENOWN Rounding Numbers...... 47 Selecting the Proper Attributes ������������64 Green Martian Titles...... 89 John Carter and the Red Martians ����������113 AND EQUIPMENT...... 27 Re-Rolling Dice...... 47 Action Scene Momentum Spends...... 64 Honorary and Former Titles...... 89 THE RED NATIONS OF MARS...... 114 Core Equipment...... 27 ATTRIBUTES...... 47 Momentum Spends...... 64 Promotions and Title Changes...... 89 Helium...... 115 vi No Core Equipment...... 27 Attribute Tests...... 47 Simplified Actions...... 64 Special Items and Renown...... 90 Greater Helium...... 115 STEP EIGHT: CHOOSE A FLAW...... Sample27 COMPLICATIONS...... 48 DAMAGE AND RECOVERY...... 65 Using Renown to Change Barsoomfile...... 90 Lesser Helium...... 115 Moons of Barsoom...... Moons of Jupiter...... Mercury Venus...... Luna...... Earth...... How to Narrate...... Creating Dangers...... Setting Difficultiesand Narrating Scenes...... Ptarth...... Dusar...... Kaol...... Zodanga...... Panar...... Morbus...... Gathol...... Toonol...... Duhor...... Phundahl...... Amhor Manator...... Narrators of Mars...... Chapter 12: Beyond Barsoom...... Chapter 11: Okar andBeyond...... Chapter 10: ...... Survival Matters of Illall...... Marentina...... The CarrionCaves The HolyTherns...... The BlackRaiders theApts...... Kadabra: Cityof theNorth...... Guardian of Technology USING THE SYSTEM NORTHERN REGION POLAR THE OKARIAN KINGDOM A HISTORY OF THE OKAR BAROOM'S FURTHEST REACHES Episodes...... Just DoIt...... Dramatic Tricks...... Serials The AtmospherePlant Stress andAfflictions...... Many Paths...... Forward Polar Storms...... Campaigns...... It's...... anAdventure! Earth TimelinesandCharacters ���������� Ask thePlayers...... Campaign Focus...... EffectiveNarrator...... Five Rules foran Inspirations fromJasoom...... The Pit of Plenty...... The Pitof Northern Exposure...... The Threat of Panaar ...... The Threat of TerrorThe Palace of ...... Apts...... A Matter of Okarian Sword-Fighting...... 121 ...... Section 4

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Sample...... file 140 126 136 1188 144 126 128 135 131 140 140 140 140 144 126 129 120 144 144 144 142 124 124 138 138 138 134 142 130 119 128 125 136 122 122 118 143 143 135 135 135 123 132 132 141 137 137 137 127 127 141 135 117 131 133 133 115 117

Crafting NewKingdoms...... Dangerous Wonders...... Attack!...... And… Raiders Hey, aNew… LookOut!...... Curse Your InevitableBetrayal!...... You DoNotUnderstand...... Pan theFrying ...... Out of Cinema...... Literature...... Myths andLegends...... Burroughs’ Works...... Standard Deviations War...... Makers of Crafting CourtlyLoveandIntrigue...... Building NewLandmarks Portraying Characters...... Advancement Rewards...... The Threat Pool...... Using Threat...... Crafting Villains...... Building Characters Using Barsoom...... Pulp?...... What isRationalist Romance?...... What isPlanetary Calot (monster orminion)...... Banth (monster orminion)...... Arbok (monster)...... Apt (monster)...... Using Beasts inGames...... Beasts of Barsoom ...... Chapter 13: EXPANDING THE WORLD SOURCES OF INSPIRATION SELECTING ERA CAMPAIGN TONE AND THEME A Mix of NewandOld...... A Mixof Building Settlements Building Cities...... Green MartianHordes...... Past andPresentPurposes...... Cultural EventsandCustoms...... Luck forVillains...... Seizing Initiative...... Dividing theGroup...... Dramatic Environments ...... Reinforcements...... Creating Dangers...... Complications...... Gaining andUsingThreat...... Narrator Characters...... Actions Minions, Monsters, andPacing...... But TheyareNotStupid...... They areSupposedto Lose...... Not Too Many Affectations...... Through theMirrorDarkly...... Okay, Maybe aLittleVile...... Evil, NotVile...... Banth Companions. Threat, Pacing ������������ andPulpAction and Adventure Seeds...... and Adventure Premade Adventures Jeddak of Jeddaks Jeddak of Helium...... Prince of Dotar Sojat...... Combining theTwo...... Achievements Challenging butFair...... Watch Your Players Beastly Measurements...... CONVENTIONS OF THE GENRE ......

...... ������� 158 148 153 152 156 151 149 149 149 164 148 148 156 159 146 146 146 146 149 162 158 148 154 154 145 145 145 150 150 150 150 150 150 147 163 155 155 155 161 145 145 145 147 147 147 147 152 152 152 152 152 152 158 157 157 157 153 152 155 157 153 153 153 153 151 151 151 151

Zitidar (monster)...... White Ape(monster)...... Ulsio (minion)...... Thoat (minion)...... Synthetic Men/Hormads(monster)...... Spider, Martian(minion)...... Sorak (minion)...... Sith (monster)...... Silian (minion)...... Plant Man(monster orminion)...... Orluk (monster)...... Malagor (minion)...... Darseen (minion)...... Translocation...... Taxidermy...... Mind Reading Mind Control...... Illusion Generation...... Banth Empathy...... Syl River...... Hormads...... Goolians...... Toonolian Marshes...... Artolian Hills...... Lotharians...... The Orovars...... Issus The HolyTherns...... Secrets of Barsoom...... Chapter 14: Invak andOnvak ...... Ghasta...... Black Martians...... FURTHER BEASTS STRANGE POWERS AND SECRETS STRANGE LOCALES AND WONDERS STRANGE BANTOOM LOTHAR OFTHE HORZ DEAD CITY THE RIVER ISS AND THE VALLEY DOR RUINS AND HIDDEN KINGDOMS OTHER SIGNIFICANT THE OMEAN SEA STRANGE AND LOSTSTRANGE TECHNOLOGY Rykor...... Kamtol...... Finishing Touches...... Skin type...... limbs...... Number of Features Size “Get out of my Mind!”...... “Get outof Playing Goolians...... JeddaksEra...... Jeddak of Issus andthe JeddaksEra...... Jeddakof Kamtol inthe JeddaksEra...... Jeddak of The RiverIssinthe NotMeant to Know...... Things PCsWere White MartianPlayer Characters �������� ......

...... 185 190 194 183 193 189 188 185 197 191 191 169 166 166 196 196 196 190 168 189 189 180 194 194 188 196 195 189 186 192 192 184 184 184 184 184 193 193 193 193 193 188 182 178 187 174 192 191 193 187 175 172 177 173 191 171 Tyrok Dov...... Telo Urdat...... Solus Reil Omasc ...... Raz Par Stalus...... Mor Ganzel...... Mayhew Crosskey ...... Bo Bai...... Young Noble...... Scientist /Engineer...... Royal Advisor...... Pirate...... /Raider Panthan...... Officer...... Holy ThernPriest...... Guardsman /Soldier Green MartianWarrior...... Gladiator...... Duelist...... Corrupt Warlord...... Benevolent Leader...... Assassin...... Llana of Gathol...... Llana of Ulysses Paxton...... Tara Gathol...... Gahan of Xodar...... Ptarth...... Thuvia of Thuvan Dihn...... Matai Shang...... Issus Hor Vastus Hin Abtol...... Carthoris...... 211 Tars Tarkas...... Tardos Mors...... Salensus Oll...... Mors Kajak...... Sola...... Kantos Kan...... John Carter...... Dejah Thoris...... What isGoingOn?...... Who Areyou,and Mind Merchants of Mars. Chapter 16: Champions of Barsoom.... Chapter 15: BACKER CHARACTERS NARRATOR CHARACTER ARCHETYPES CHARACTER NARRATOR JEDDAK OF JEDDAKS ERA THE JEDDAK OF JEDDAKS ERA DOTAR SOJAT ERA IN MEDIA RES EPISODE ONE: Out of theArena...... Out of In thePens...... Outline...... A Brief How DidYou GetHere?...... theCharacters Lose...... If theCharacters Win...... If Mad Invention (Special) Customizing Champions...... Rarer Earthborn...... Rarer Sticking Together Red MartianGladiator...... Warhoon Gladiator ......

...... 247 246 199 200 230 222 210 209 206 200 218 208 249 240 204 246 246 249 249 244 205 229 226 226 248 248 248 248 248 220 202 207 236 228 228 230 242 224 224 199 238 234 228 247 219 225 225 222 218 227 227 214 232 223 223 215 215 212 221 212 217 213 All ContactLost...... Prison Break...... Red Rebellion...... Manners andMartians...... Stolen Treasure ...... Barsoomian Crusoe...... Finally, Vengeance!...... Star-Crossed Lovers...... Meteor Mystery Short AdventureIdeas...... Further Adventures ...... Chapter 17: ...... Thark Raid The Caravan...... Outside theWagon...... During theAttack...... Zodanga inBrief Zodanga...... The Gates of Ending Rewards...... Where to GoNext...... At theWarehouse...... Finding theSlaves...... Isalia’s Story INDEX GLOSSARY KICKSTARTER BACKERS SHEET CHARACTER COUNTING PADANS TO ZODANGA EPISODE FOUR: EPISODE THREE: EPISODE TWO: ZODANGA ALONE IN THE BADLANDS Events...... Escape...... Important Characters andtheTharks.... Thark Camp...... Inside theWarehouse Removing Patterson and Tal...... Tal Ptomj, TharkWarrior ...... Jasoom ...... Human of Patterson Brood, Red MartianGuards...... Green MartianChieftain...... Making theEndEpic Isalia’s Crew...... White ApeEnforcers...... Isalia Ang,OutfitCaptain...... Carth Val-ab ...... 6. Downed Airship...... 5. Dead Leavings ...... 4. WildCalot...... 3. White Apes...... 2. Thoats...... 1. Banth...... Indices

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1 CONTNENTS bit less impressed for some reason I can’t completely recall, so I finally made this one so special? Who was that ended up looking outside Burroughs to guy on the cover if the woman was the Most people I know around my age or other fantastic settings and stories.- princess? Who were those scary looking a bit older started their foray into During this time, I’d also been read four-armed green creatures around them? speculative fiction with Tolkien. This ing superhero comics and the occasional Wasn’t Mars all red and stuff? isn’t universal, but I find it rather I really wasn’t sure of a lot of monster-oriented book, but as far as common. Many younger folks took the science-fiction went? Carter and things about that book, but I knew one dive with Harry Potter. Burroughs were my first forays. For me? I started on Mars. I firstJohn thing: I really wanted to find these Of course, a few months later I read things out. So, I asked for the book and encountered Edgar Rice Burroughs’ The Hobbit and then Lord of the Rings, got it. I really can’t recall if I had Carter series in a bookstore as a kid. found my way from there to Howard’s - to beg or cajole my way past that cover I’d gotten good grades and my grand- Conan and Kull, Zelazny’s Jack of Shad or not, but I do remember what happened mother had taken me to the bookstore ows, and on to other heroes and their once I managed to secure a copy. I took to get some reading material. She was a stories. Appreciation for all these the book home and read the whole thing teacher and, unlike some teachers and works also pushed me to comics outside that night. authority figures, her philosophy towards And I loved it. Carter was a cowboy of superheroes, such as Warlord and getting me comics or “weird” fiction was Arion, Lord of Atlantis. A short time and a soldier and he was on another “whatever, as long as he’s reading.” later I discovered roleplaying games as planet and in love with a princess! He So, when I did well in school or helped well. Fast forward a few decades and had an awesome alien dog and four-armed around the house to a significant degree, now here I am, writing my own books and green buddy who was fifteen feet tall! I basically got a line of credit usable working with games that let players They had flying ships and fought giant for reading material. It wasn’t a lot, transport themselves to amazing places apes! My kid brain could barely contain but it was enough to keep me reading, where they can be the heroes of their how amazing it all was. which was, of course, the goal. So, as soon as I could, I got the own tales of daring and adventure, at I doubt you’re reading this, least for a few hours at a time. I’ve- next Carter book I could find. And grandma, but I love you and can’t thank worked on a lot of books in many set the next. And the next. I didn’t read you enough for that. It’s a big part of tings and genres, including those them all in order, not at first. It was the reason I’m here writing this. involving many creations and characters literally whatever I could get and I Even with as encouraging as grandma I grew to love as a fan. started them as soon as I got a new was about me reading almost anything But it all started on Mars. On my one. I was pretty frustrated when I that wasn’t outright inappropriate for a beloved Barsoom. So, when the fineJohn folks found out there were only eleven books, kid whose age was in the single digits, at Modiphius asked me to develop or that Burroughs wasn’t around to for them? I eagerly I was a bit unsure grandma would let Carter of Mars - write any more. But even so, I fell in me buy a novel with a mostly naked man accepted. And so now, like Carter him love with Barsoom. - and woman on it, but it certainly drew Then after Carter came Pellu self, to Mars I return. my eye. However, even beyond Michael Hopefully you’ll take this trip cidar. And Carson of Venus. Those were Whelan’s wondrous cover, the title with me. I think you'll have fun. cool too. Not as cool as Carter, but got me: . I remem- I loved them too. left me a ber thinking, why was it “A” Princess of Mars. Were there more than one? What

FOREWORD Jack Norris September 2018 2 Sample file as atext andgame. thisbookboth hopefully enrichtheenjoyment of brief, wearegoingto cover various topics thatwill this text, wearenotgoingto takeany chances.In roleplaying games,and otherconceptsfeatured in romance, soom, EdgarRiceBurroughs,planetary reading thisbook arefamiliarwithJohnCarter, Bar- briefly cover afewthings. into eitherthesettingorsystem fullforce,let’s for fast-paced pulp-inspired action.Beforewedive ment’s 2d20Roleplaying Game System customized ModiphiusEntertain- novels, as wellas aversionof theBarsoom Edgar RiceBurroughs,creator of Marsas imaginedby introduced to theworldof thisbookyouwillbe Game. Withinthepagesof MarsRoleplaying Welcome to theJohnCarterof Innes, explorer of theHollow Earthrealm knownInnes, explorer of the Venusian explorerCarson Napierto David created various otherworldsandheroes,from John Carter andtheBarsoomseries, Burroughs tales featuring various heroes.Inadditionto writing pulpadventure able to supporthimself turned to writingfictionandsoonfound hewas effort to supporthimself,ayoungBurroughs Inan service. health kepthimfrommilitary major andbusinessman,Burroughs’own poor hisday. aUSArmyers andfantasists of Sonof theleading pulpwrit- 19, 1950)was easily oneof Edgar RiceBurroughs(September 1,1875–March While itispossible,evenlikely, thatmany Rice Burroughs? Who was Edgar

Sample file 1:CHAPTER WELCOME TO BARSOOM With scarcelyapartingglanceIturnedmyeyesagaintowardMars,liftedhandshisluridrays,andwaited… . Bradbury andfilmmakerincludes author Ray suchcreators lives andcreations. Thelistof his workas beingincrediblyinfluentialon their Many moderncreators creditBurroughsand have featured incomics,television, andmovies. numerous memorable characters. His creations had written nearly eightynovels featuring soom as Burroughs’Martianscalled it. Mars,orBar- and love onthewondrousworldof Earthandfindingpurpose,adventure, confines of heroes,undertakingadventuresbeyondthe etary Carter. theearliest interplan- Carter was oneof erally morecomplexandengaginghero, was John was Tarzan, thenhissecondmostfamous,andgen- thesamename. ally gave riseto acommunity of Burroughs’ Californiaranch homethateventu- character. Tarzan evenlenthisnameto Tarzana, shows later featuredcountless movies the andTV theapes”and turing thejungle-dwelling“lordof Tarzan. Burroughswrote twenty-fournovels fea - LordGreystoke, morecommonlyknown as of during World War II. ing, Burroughsworkedas awar correspondent with thoseinothertales.Inadditionto hiswrit- occasionally mentioningoreveninteracting with heroesandsupportingcast fromonework set inthesamebizarreandwonderfulsetting, novels andshorter series,mostnominally off as . Inaddition,hewrote various one- At the time of hisdeath in1950,Burroughs At thetimeof However, Burroughs'mostfamouscreation if Burroughs' mostfamouscreation was that of various adventure tales would leave a string of various adventure taleswouldleave astringof of hiscontemporaries. Where some heroes many of exhibited adeeperpersonality than and otherwise bravery, recognized skillandtalentinhis enemies, passion withmanandbeast, downplayed hisown com- andfanaticism,championed theuseof belief false he waxed philosophical aboutthepressureof day. Hemisunderstood social cuesandcustoms, his pared to other sciencefictionfantasy heroes of Carter’s personalitymadehimremarkablecom- family, andfriendshiponMars. ways astranger onhisown Earth,Carter findslove, and otherproblemsplaguetheheroes.Inmany out theseries,complexpolitics,cultural clashes, fanatical anddestructivereligiousbeliefs.Through- Burroughs andCarter bothconfronttheissueof Mars MarsandWarlord of presentation. InGodsof hypercompetentthat counterbalance hisotherwise withsocialcustoms andromanceinwaysstruggle Mars,weseeabrave andcompetent hero Princess of InA theBarsoombookssuggested. novel” formatof many farmore advanced thanthe“pulpadventure themesandideas, Burroughs tackledavariety of dying Martianworlditsdenizens called Barsoom, the books featuring Carter andotherheroesof ian gentleman,soldier, andwanderer. Intheeleven oneJohnCarter,series exploresthelifeof Virgin- Mars,firstpublishedinserialformat1912,the of but awholenewplanet.BeginningwithAPrincess explored notjustadistantjungleas withTarzan, In JohnCarter andhisBarsoomnovels, Burroughs Gods of Mars –JohnCarter Godsof Many elementsBurroughsintroducedinto John Carter andthe Barsoom Novels

3 CHAPTER 1 4 WELCOME TO BARSOOM

Sample file but something much more. , norperiod-flavored sciencefiction, Barsoombecame not justpulp and othertales of JohnCarter another world.Thus,thestories of Earthman fightingmonsters andmarauders on straightforward storieserwise aboutadisplaced one shouldrepay love andloyalty inthese oth- blind obedienceto harmfulideologiesandhow Repeatedly, Burroughsburiedquestionsabout story.who hadcometo expectacertaintypeof relied onto keep sellinghisworkto anaudience creeps into these simpleplotsthatBurroughs notice ishow often somedeeper argumentoridea hisday.that grewpopularwiththereaders of roughs’ works,especiallyinhislong-runningseries Bur- notjusttheBarsoomstories, butmany of of grow calm untilanewthreat arises.Suchistheway another herointheirown quest,andthenthings sters. Carter triumphs foratime,sometimesheaids goddesses to corruptwarlords to syntheticmon- new alliesandfights various villains,fromfalse Thoris. Whileresolvingtheseconflicts,Carter meets from hisloved ones, mostoften hislovely wifeDejah deceptively simple:athreat steals away JohnCarter the early 20thCentury.ence fictionfantasy heroesof theclassic sci- genuine goodnessmadehimoneof but thatimperfectionmixedwithsincerityand Carter was flawed andinmany ways abitbackwards, fighting acrossBarsoomandbeyond to bewithher. in hislove orloyalty to hisbeloved DejahThoris, laughed atlove andfriendship. Heneverwavered four-armed greenskinnedwarrior whoseculture hiscontemporaries. Hisbestfriendwas many a of cultural andracial differencesin ways thatshamed Burroughs' abilityto craft aherowholookedpast theirtimesinmany ways, theyalsoshowcase ucts of outlooks. EventhoughtheBarsoomstories areprod- skintones, genders,backgrounds,and varying of Barsoom andbeyond,Carter befriendedindividuals the friendshemadewerefarmorenotable.Across killed foesbythedozens, eventhehundreds, but foes,Carter madeallies.Sure,he through asea of bodies intheirwake whilewading single-handedly What readers may notalways immediately theBarsoomstories areoften The plotsof gaming table. Marsseeksto bringto your themes JohnCarterof with Carter andBarsoom.Thesearethe sortsof creatures loyal to you. misunderstandings, defeat falsebeliefs,andmake compassion isthebestway to cutthroughcultural ances. Decisiveactiontempered withsenseand actionandalli- planet throughacombinationof themostpowerful peopleonthe worlder oneof savage beasts, andmakesomebumblingout- difficult, butit’snotanevilorarbitrary place. isoften ones. Barsoomisdangerous,andsurvival on theplanet.Justhungry, territorial, orsavage this idea. Therearen’treally “evil”animalsorbeasts mately poor substitute forlove andloyalty. that oppressionandcrueltyisahollow andulti- ous groupshave individualswhoeventuallysee orcs orsimilarcultures.Eventhelargelyvillain- Burroughs theme),buttherearenoTolkien-style comedic ortragic misunderstandings(acommon ties, andcultural differences can certainly lead to Some beliefsareshockingto Earthlingsensibili- able condition.Thereareno“evil”races onMars. stunted attimes,it’sgenerally atemporary andfix- heartlessly pragmatic andevenabitemotionally Mutant Chronicles. as the2d20system alsousedinsuchgames version of Mars,usingamodified JohnCarterof campaigns of stories thatwillfeature inthegamesessionsand threats. Thesearethetypesof saries arethebiggest treacherous assassins, andmany othercrueladver- home. Falsegods,lyingpriests,deceitfulnobles, loved ones,and thoseculturesandplacestheycall lust,ignorance, andtyranny toof save theirfriends, Barsoom.Heroesfightenemiesborn pulp talesof adapts EdgarRiceBurroughs'rationalist, romantic Marsisaroleplaying gamethat John Carterof and Conan: AdventuresinaLandUndreamedOfand Rationalism, Romanticism, These are the sorts of stories Burroughstold These arethesortsof Characters can forgenewalliances,tame Barsoomalsoecho The animalsandnatureof Barsoomcan bealmost While thepeopleof and PulpRoleplaying