Table of Contents

Introduction3 Places of Note4 Peoples of Mars6 Other Things on Mars6 PC Backgrounds 8 Enemies30 Appendix N37

Credits Text and layout by Norton Glover (ng76.itch.io)

Image sources: • artbreeder (CC0) • Board by (CC3.0) from Wikipedia Commons • Images from FreeSVG.org (CC0)

Barsoom: 1960 is an independent production by Norton Glover and is not affiliated with the Melsonian Arts Council. Sample-2- file-39- Notes Introduction

Barsoom: 1960 is based on the planetary romances of Edgar Rice . It's set, however, long after the time of John Carter and .

The nations of Earth (Jarsoom) have arrived on Mars (their name for Barsoom). They have brought the political rivalries of their world to the red planet. Many of the cities of Mars are now little but corrupt puppet states of Earthly nations. Barsoom is rife with proxy wars, spies, revolutionaries, and intrigue.

Essentially, it's the Cold War on Mars. What do you need to use this book? This is a setting for Troika!, so you'll need a copy of that game. This setting assumes the GM (and possibly the players) have at least a vague knowledge of Edgar Rice Burrough's Mars setting, whether through comics, the movie, or the original books. There's an appendix at the end of the book with a list of sources of useful information and inspiration.

Sample-38- file-3- Places of Note Appendix N Jarsoom The Barsoom Novels Third world from the sun. Supposedly green and watery. Somehow the The main inspiration of this book is, of course, the original Burroughs barbarians of this young planet have found a way to cross the void between novels of Mars. Many of these are now in the public domain. worlds. With their gadgets and treachery, they have become dominant on Barsoom. A Their strange politics are murky at best, but their world is apparently The Gods of Mars divided between Eastern and Western factions. The Western Jarsoomians The Warlord of Mars control many of the southern cities, while the Easterners control the polar Thuvia, Maid of Mars city of Okar, but have influence elsewhere. The Chessmen of Mars The Master Mind of Mars Cartertown A Fighting Man of Mars The largest city on Barsoom, capital of the so-called Barsoomian Treaty Organization. It is teeming with all of the various races of Barsoom, and Synthetic Men of Mars visitors from other worlds. The locals still call it by it's original name - Helium. Other Novels Currently ruled by the cruel and stupid Jeddak-For-Life Cathoris XII. Most These books are the main inspirations for the general anti-colonialist, Cold Martians see him as a puppet of Jarsoomian powers. Most Martians are War tone of Barsoom: 1960 right. The Quiet American - Graham Greene Cathoris is currently accepting Western Jarsoomian military “advisors” for a Our Man in Havana – Graham Greene guerrilla conflict with the People's Democratic Republic of Okar, in The Tailor of Panama - John le Carré addition to multiple proxy wars with various other city-states. Nostromo - Joseph Conrad Cartertown is the center of the legal tourist trade and the illegal trade in Barsoomian artifacts to off-world buyers. Role-Playing Games These games were useful sources of inspiration and ideas. Tars Tarkas Interplanetary Spaceport John Carter of Mars (Modiphius Games): This is probably the largest and Once a beautiful plain used for riding, it is now a vast field of concrete just most detailed RPG adaptation of Barsoom. It's a big book full of art and a outside of Cartertown, where the silver rockets of Jarsoom land and depart lot of useful background information. Several supplements are available. at all hours. It is the only convenient way on or off world. Heavily guarded Warriors of the Red Planet (Night Owl Workshop): This is a small OSR by Jarsoomian troops. game that packs a lot of Barsoomian lore into a small volume. A much more complete list of Barsoom related games can be found at The Atomic Lung https://polyhedralnonsense.com/2020/01/19/gaming-on-mars-a-mostly- A Jarsoomian-funded and operated atmosphere machine currently under complete-list-of-barsoomian-role-playing-games/ construction. The off-worlders claim it will work better than the crumbling old machines of Barsoom that keep the planet’s air breathable. Most Useful Websites Barsoomians are skeptical. Barsoom Wiki - https://barsoom.fandom.com/ John Carter of Mars - http://www.johncarterofmars.ca/ Webzine - https://www.erbzine.com/ Sample-4- file-37- Violent Revolutionary The Fields of Orange Fire Barsoomians from all walks of life, who oppose the corruption of the The Jarsoomians no longer test their atomic weapons on their own world, Jeddaks and the influence of the Jarsoomians. They started out protesting but have no compunction about blasting holes in the arid lands to the west peaceably, but the brutal response of the authorities soon radicalized them of Cartertown. On a clear night, the people of Cartertown can see the and convinced them that peaceful change was impossible. Violence is the orange fire-clouds on the horizon. The off-worlders call them “mushroom” only answer. clouds, named after a strange alien plant of their world. It's rumored that Their many factions vary in political outlook, but are in complete the constant barrage of explosions has had a strange, mutating effect on the agreement on one thing: the Jeddaks and their alien puppet masters must local wildlife. be overthrown, by any means necessary. Mien People's Democratic Republic of Okar Skill 8 A provisional revolutionary 1 Righteous Stamina 8 government rules the distant polar Initiative 2 2 Curious nation. It is widely considered a client Armour 1 3 Ideological state of the Eastern Jarsoomian Damage as Weapon 4 Aggressive faction. The old nobles have been 5 Aggressive driven out, and a people's republic 6 Maniacal has been declared. It is a brutal police state, and little news of it ever reaches the outside world. Virginian Guard The Okarians have developed a vast network of spies across Barsoom. Officially the palace guard for Cathoris XI. They serve as palace security, as a secret police force in Cartertown, and as a general goon squad for Cathoris. The Ares Club Easily spotted by their tattered gray uniforms – supposedly something John Private Cartertown club owned by, and catering to Earthmen. Frequented Carter himself wore on Jarsoom. They are known for their corruption and by rich tourists, diplomats, officers, and journalists. Native Martians aren't cruelty, and regularly shake down merchants for protection money. They specifically banned, but they're certainly not made particularly welcome. tend towards cowardice and will only attack when they have an advantage. Gridley University Skill 5 Mien A university founded by Jarsoomian governments. It's intended to "civilize" Stamina 6 1 Drunken the native Martians, and promote Jarsoomian ideology. Ironically, it has Initiative 1 2 Greedy become a hotbed of radical anti-colonial activity among the student body. Armour 1 3 Suspicious Damage as Weapon 4 Arrogant 5 Aggressive 6 Aggressive

Sample-36- file-5- Soldiers of Jarsoom Peoples of Mars The soldiers from the third planet are widely considered dishonorable Red Martians – Largest ethnicity on Mars. Rulers of most of the Southern brutes, but undeniably skilled at violence. Their ways are strange to cities. Most nobles are Red Martians. Barsoomians. They wear clothing, even during the heat of the day. Most shockingly, they weararmour . Green Martians – green, four-armed former nomads. Most are working Instead of using good, honest Radium weapons, their Earth weapons are class laborers, though a few have formed criminal gangs. loud and spit many metal bullets at once. Like their masters - cowardly, but effective. Yellow Martians – From the polar Republic of Okar . Often suspected of Mien being communists. Skill 8 1 Slacking Off Stamina 12 2 Inconsiderate First Born – Onyx skinned. Often work as Pathans for Jarsoomian powers. Initiative 2 Armour 2 3 Condescending 4 Off-Duty and Drunk Therns (or White Martians) – Former worshipers of the false god Issus. Damage as Jarsoomian Rifle Found in ghettos around many Martian cities. 5 Bullying Special 6 Aggressive Synthetic Men – Artificially grown humanoids. Often horribly deformed. All Jarsoomians can leap to enormous heights. Other Things on Mars Third Force Fanatic A young, ambitious, well-scrubbed, and well-spoken Jarsoomian. He Illicit Goods to Sell or Steal believes he can make a difference on Barsoom and guide it away from both • Fur of Wild Apts from the Northern Waste corrupt Jeddaks and cruel Communists. He calls this new path the “Third • AntiqueRadiumWeapons Force”. He might be the most dangerous creature on the planet. His vast naivete, combined with vast government resources, and ignorance of the • The Lost Skull of Salensus Oll real world is going to get a lot of people killed. • Plant-Men seeds • White Ape Ivory Skill 12 Mien • Sompusfruitwine Stamina 8 1 Friendly • Calot Kittens Initiative 3 2 Curious Armour 0 3 Charming Damage as Weapon Things to do in Cartertown 4 Scheming • Deal in stolen artifacts Special 5 Aggressive • Sign up to fight in the police action against the Okar Republic. All Jarsoomians can leap enormous 6 Fanatical • Tangle with Green Martian gangsters heights. • Find a lost Jarsoomian tourist. • Overthrow the Jeddak-For-Life • Rescue or kidnap a princess (or both) Sample-6- file-35- Plant-Men Weird Lost Artifacts Kept by Issus Cultists in hidden greenhouses, these hulking plant • Diadem that grants the Lotharian Major Illusion (See Lotharian humanoids are used as weapons of terror. The vicious creatures are kept Vaudevillian background) ability once per day. docile with drugged fertilizer until needed. • Antique radium illuminator bulbs – While intact, they never burn out.

Skill 9 Mien • Eighth Ray Nullifier – a ray gun that will bring down ever the largest Stamina 16 1 Drugged airship. Initiative 3 2 Kill-Crazy • Mysterious capsule capable of traveling through space Armour 2 3 Kill-Crazy Damage as Large Beast • Atomic Restrainer - Creates a force field that prevents the detonation 4 Kill-Crazy of atomic weapons. Mien 5 Kill-Crazy 1 Drugged 6 Kill-Crazy Other Cities of Mars 2 Kill-Crazy • Zodanga 3 Kill-Crazy • Kaol 4 Kill-Crazy • Dusar 5 Kill-Crazy • Ptarth 6 Kill-Crazy • Manator • Amhor Red Martian Influencer / Princess • Phundahk • Duhor Bored young daughters and sons of wealthy Red Martian families. Constantly promoting their images in the scandal rags of the gutter press. Their favorite pastime is to arrange elaborate, fantastic, and fake Weapons kidnappings of themselves. This is followed by equally elaborate, fantastic rescues. All involved know that the kidnappings are mostly playacting, but Damage Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6 7+ it is considered gauche to say so out loud. In their social circle, they are judged by the creativity and drama of their fake abductions. Radium Pistol 2 4 6 8 8 8 10

Skill 5 Mien Radium Rifle 4 4 6 8 8 10 12 Stamina 6 1 Bored Earth Rifle 4 6 8 10 12 18 24 Initiative 1 2 Playful Armour 0 3 Madcap Damage as Weapon 4 Flighty 5 Curious 6 Mischievous

Sample-34- file-7- Hordes of Jarsoom - Terran Trash PC Backgrounds Tourists from Jarsoom (or Earth as they say in their barbarous tongue). Note: If the ethnicity of a background is not given, assume any Martian They are loud, uncouth, and hunger for the relics of Old Barsoom. ethnicity will do. Any Jarsoomian background is for Earthmen only. They usually have money to spend. 11 Reformed Green Martian Gangster Skill 5 Mien Stamina 6 1 Tired (Rocket-Lagged) You used to run with the roughest gang in Cartertown, the Warhoon. You Initiative 2 were a feared enforcer, the evidence of your kills tattooed across your four 2 Intoxicated Armour 0 3 Condescending green arms. Until that day that you changed. Maybe it was losing a loved Damage as Radium Pistol one, possibly guilt about your crimes, perhaps it was just growing older, but 4 Lost & Confused you couldn't go on with this existence anymore. To the horror of your fellow Special 5 Exuberant gangsters, you walked away from the life. All Jarsoomians can leap to 6 Fearful You don't know what you want to do with the rest of your life, but there has enormous heights. to be something better than this. You do know your former comrades will eventually come for you.

Possessions Green Martian Dagger Okarian Communist Agent Loyal officer of the Counter-Revolutionary Intelligence Committee of the Advanced Skills People's Democratic Republic of Okar. Masters of disguise and deception, 2 Dagger Fighting they gather information and sabotage the cities of the South. Their 2 Streetwise methods are often ruthless, involving blackmail, treachery, and murder. 1 Radium Pistol Skill 7 Mien Special Stamina 12 1 Friendly Four-armed Green Martians can Initiative 3 2 Curious attack twice in one action. Armour 1 3 Predatory Damage as Weapon 4 Aggressive 5 Aggressive 6 Fanatical

Sample-8- file-33- Cultists of Issus 12 Thern Street Priest Mostly found in the crowded Thern ghettos on the outskirts of Cartertown. Many see the followers of Issus as dangerous fanatics. You hope to change They still believe inIssus , the old goddess of Barsoom and preach the that view through your words and deeds. You spend your days wandering prophecy of her return. Some sects are violent, and keep dangerous and Barsoom, tending to the sick and wounded, and trying to spread the true illegal plant men to use as weapons. To the Cultists of Issus, Carterite word of Issus. athiests are the enemy, as are all Jarsoomites. Possessions Skill 6 Mien Medical Supplies Stamina 7 1 Peaceful Religious Tracts Initiative 3 2 Intolerant Armour 0 3 Impassive Advanced Skills Damage as Weapon 4 Fanatical 2 Healing 5 Friendly 1 Etiquette 2 Sermonizing 6 Evangelical 3 Theology 13 Slumming Red Martian Princess or Prince You've grown tired of the endless parties, tedious gossip, and dreadfully Green Martian Gangster dull formal events of the noble houses. You're looking for a little action, Most of the Green Martians ended their nomadic life peaceably, but a few and have descended from the towers to the gambling halls and nightclubs formed brutal criminal organizations in the new cities of Barsoom. Their to find it. Don't worry if things get out of control. Daddy's money will fix four arms are covered in tattoos, celebrating their criminal exploits. The everything. largest and most vicious gang is the Warhoons, who control most of the artifacts trade. Possessions Mien Sword Skill 8 1 Aggressive Recreational Drugs Stamina 14 2 Greedy Spending money Initiative 2 3 Predatory Armour 1 4 Paranoid Advanced Skills Damage as Modest Beast or Weapon 2 Etiquette 5 Looking to Sell 1 Connections 6 Looking to Buy Special 3 Carousing Four-armed Green Martians can attack twice in one action. 1 Sword Fighting 1 Flying

Sample-32- file-9-