www.Hewson-Tanner.

com
Contents
Welcome to the Anti-Verse!............................................................................................................................ 4
Artificial Exotic: Mutant, Monster and Myth, oh my! .................................................................................... 4
The Exotic Life................................................................................................................................................ 5
Character Creation......................................................................................................................................... 10
Suits ............................................................................................................................................................... 11
Other Traits ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Back Story ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
Factions ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Powers ........................................................................................................................................................... 25
Draw .............................................................................................................................................................. 31
Combat .......................................................................................................................................................... 32
Circumstances........................................................................................................................................... 33
Tearing it Up............................................................................................................................................. 33
Collateral Death ........................................................................................................................................ 34
Gear ............................................................................................................................................................... 35
Gadget ...................................................................................................................................................... 37
Sample Gadgets ........................................................................................................................................ 41
Extras............................................................................................................................................................. 42
Aeon ......................................................................................................................................................... 42
Ancient Exotic .......................................................................................................................................... 42
Homeless Superior.................................................................................................................................... 43
i00i ............................................................................................................................................................ 43
Mere Mortals ............................................................................................................................................ 44
Steppin’ Razor .......................................................................................................................................... 45
Ziggy and the Plague from Mars ................................................................................................................... 46

Written by Nicholas William Moll

Contributions by Mathew Herbert, Telly Herbert, Stacey Moll, Aaron Vissers, Daniel Weightman.

Cover by Legless Ballerina Photography (https://www.facebook.com/leglessballerinaphotography).

Interior cover by Liam Samuel Munch

© Owlman Press 2014

© Nicholas William Moll 2014

Interior Artwork within this book is stock art produced by LJP Designs (pages 4, 6, 12, 14, 16, 26, 29, 32,
34, 38, 46) and Team Frog Studios (pages 8, 40).

Some artwork in this book is ©2005 Team Frog Studios, used by permission.

Some artwork in this book is ©Louis Porter, Jr. Design used by permission.

www.Hewson-Tanner.com
 H+ Now!
All the latest Exotic news • Volume 1, Issue 1 • September 2014
Welcome to the Anti-Verse!

A rtificial Exotics is a Superhero a role-playing set in the Anti-Verse. Players within the game take on
the role of Artificial Exotics; Super-humans with amazing abilities – not necessarily heroes or
villains nor those tied to a particular universe, but Superpowers and Super-beings in general. In
many ways, Artificial Exotics is a demythologization of the Superhero genre, stripping away the
lore and legacy of any one fictional universe and getting to the heart of the Superhero genre - costumed
supermen. Between the players and the Game Master, you are free to craft any kind of mythology you wish
or none at all... the Universe is yours.

Artificial Exotic: Mutant, Monster and Myth, oh my!

T here is a pop-theory taught in class-rooms

across the globe; that Supers are the next
step in human evolution, a transhuman
stepping-stone to a
posthuman state, and the
half-way house between
human and whatever
comes next. This theory
is rejected by most of the
scientific community as
at best a joke, at worst a
reassuring fable. Heat
vision, tissue density to
match that of a concrete
slab, weather control,
unaided space flight, and
countless other amazing capabilities have no
similarity or like genetic property other than being
astonishing and that each, quite bluntly, flies in the
face of physics. Most learned opinion agrees
Superpowers cannot be natural or biological and by
implication must be manufactured and artificial.
Super-humans are thus framed as “Artificial
Exotics” within the human ecosystem – amazing
yet manufactured modifications. Springing from
the pop-science media of the nineteenth century,
today the phrase Artificial Exotic is the popular
term to describe anybody with Superpowers.
Origin
Aside from the sub-cultural elements of Exotic
existence, the one thing that links all Artificial
Exotics together is the phenomenon known as
Origin – the moment in which the mere mortal
ceases to be Human and manifests Super-human
Powers. Generally speaking, Origin is a unique
phenomenon to each Artificial Exotic, often baring
little similarity to each other and commonly
defying science. An atomic bomb will kill an entire
city, but turn one man into a monster, the bite of a
seemingly normal spider, a car accident, even birth
itself… the list goes on.
Attempts to replicate
individual Origin events
are undertaken constantly
through a variety of legal
and illegal means but
meet with highly limited
result. Just being born to
Artificial Exotic parents
is no guarantee of
Powers. That said, it
might certainly help as
some Artificial Exotics
produce offspring with Powers from birth and
stable genetic lineages are uncommon but not
unheard of.
Origin Chasers
Due the contradictory and confusing nature of
Origins coupled with the jealousy of mere mortals
there is an alarming trend (distained amongst
medical professionals) of Origin Chasers – people
who routinely expose themselves to dangerous
materials and situations in the hopes of jump-
starting Artificial Exotic abilities. Most end up
dead, disfigured or disabled by the attempted, but
the one-in-one-hundred that succeed, however,
give a false degree of hope to those still trying.
Other Exotics
Though most popular uses of the phrase “Artificial
Exotic” refers to Super-powered humans, examples
of Origin phenomenon affecting other things –
animals, places and objects – exist. Just like their

Know an Exotic? Worried about the transhumanity of friends and family?

Send an anonymous intervention request to Hewson-Tanner @ 1800-553-432

www.Hewson-Tanner.com

human counterparts, other forms of Artificial
Exotic find their Origins in unlikely places and
possess abilities, qualities or Powers that defy
science – ranging from atomic-bomb-spawned
giant ants to islands from one-million years in the
past and sentient computer-cubes. While human
examples are by far the most numerous, theorists
and scientists point to the wider phenomenon as
evidence that there is little natural and much
designed about Artificial Exotics.
Duration
Even the weakest Artificial Exotic is stronger and
far more durable than a mere mortal. The extents of
exceptional longevity and endurance for a mere
mortal might be weighted in terms of a recovering
cancer patient, survivor of a dire plane crash, or
mountaineer climbing Mount Everest. An Artificial
Exotic, however, is functionally immortal – they
will never suffer any conventional illness or
sickness and their bodies can endure pain and
suffering beyond that of any mere mortal. In short,
unless something kills an Artificial Exotic –
typically another Exotic – they will not die but live
a life eternal. True, Artificial Exotics do age, but
not like normal humans do. Rather they age slowly
and distinctly. Not so much growing old – just
growing. Even the Exotics that look cosmetically
old are in some sort of peak physical condition
with an appearance described in terms of
“aesthetic” and “distinguished” rather than “aged”
or “decrepit.”
The Exotic Life
Mere Mortals are weak, frail, petty and jealous.
And it’s largely not their fault. Their perspective
on the world and their lives is grossly limited
and bitterly narrow. They don’t deal with alien
infiltrations, hidden civilizations, and the vicious
political interplay of Factions. Their science is
boring, dull and mostly impractical. They can’t
run as fast as a speeding bullet, hear the wings of
a butterfly flapping, walk the clouds, swim the
ocean depths, command magnetic forces or any
of the countless other opportunities potentially
open to an Artificial Exotic.
When a mere mortal undergoes Origin and
becomes an Artificial Exotic, their world
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Generalization?
It is worthwhile considering while anything
said within this book about Exotic culture
may be found in any city across the globe,
every city is different. Each has its own look,
feel, attitude and history. Its own culture.
Humans routinely talk in general terms –
throwing around non-specific stereotypes
about life in China or amongst Goths, for
instance - for cultures and subcultures in
cities across the globe. The same can be said
about Super-humans who possesses both a
general, global, culture and a more specific
local one. The former thus warps and
changes based the customs and vibe of the
latter, refining and localizing the general
nature of the Exotic life, outlook of the
Factions and mythology of the city’s Family.
changes. Their body functions in ways a doctor
can no longer explain. They have abilities,
capacities and desire no lover or partner can
comprehends unless they too are an Artificial
Exotic. Daily existence expands to become
beautiful, grotesque, tantalizing and terrifying.
Jealousy
Artificial Exotics make mere mortals feel
insecure. Blessed with a cocktail of immortality
and amazing abilities, Artificial Exotics are
veritable gods on Earth – and many of the more
powerful ones can justifiably claim to be thus.
Just looking at an Artificial Exotic openly
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displaying their Powers, in other words – just of neutral ground, allowing Artificial Exotics of
being who they biologically are - makes mere any Faction to gather within its walls without
mortals feel exactly what they are; weak, frail, tearing the walls down. Other Masquerade Clubs
temporary – bags of meat that slowly, as time are Faction-exclusive.
goes on, coming apart at the seams. There is an
innate envy and jealousy that mere mortals feel.
They look for reasons to hate and fear an Exotic,
and quite often find them. Just as mere mortals
are weak and frail, so are the cities they build for
themselves. The casual actions of, along with
careless and oh-so-frequent battles between
Artificial Exotics, can not only cause massive
property damage; they cost human life, usually
without notice, knowledge or thought. On
attaining Origin, an Artificial Exotic is both a
god and a leper, an orphaned and exiled
champion of society.
The petty paper pushing of mere mortals –
government regulations and the like – attempt to
limit, corral and otherwise shackle Artificial
Exotics and their abilities and yet, because of the
strange and unknowable nature of Origin, and
the wide variety of Powers this is a near
impossible task. More often than not it requires
one Artificial Exotic to stop another and most
governments resort to fighting fire with fire,
Exotic with Exotic.

Costumes

Because of the jealousy mere mortals feel at the

sight of an Artificial Exotic, something of a
culture of deception was enacted – allowing the
Artificial Exotic to lead two lives, one as they
are and another where they pretend to be weak
and meek. And to be honest, the lives of an
Artificial Exotic are violent and dangerous –
enemies routinely target family and friends,
routine jobs are disrupted, the most casual miss-
steps result in dozens of deaths and so on. For
both these reasons, Artificial Exotics hide Ghetto of Solitude
themselves behind masks, costumes and
alternative identities to both protect themselves Some cities feature specific zones or areas where
and those around them. its Family lives. These reservations for the
empowered also help keep the jealousy of the
Masquerade Club mere mortals at a minimum through the policy of
“out of sight out of mind.” A Ghetto of Solitude
Concealing their identities behind masks, some additionally gives Artificial Exotics a chance to
industrious Artificial Exotic or another often be, well, super in private. Still, in most cases a
forms a Masquerade Club. That is, a place Ghetto of Solitude is a place ignored and
exclusively for Artificial Exotics to socially forgotten by most of the city – buried with its
gather in costume. Most have strict rules against own culture and laws that are baffling to
violence within the Club, occupying the stance outsiders.

www.Hewson-Tanner.com

Factions
Artificial Exotics, their abilities and Origins, are
a riddle. And it is prudent to note that Artificial
Exoticism doesn’t simply apply to individual
humans but also can manifest in animals, objects
(such as Gadgets), places and events. With
mysteries to uncover and profits to be made,
there have been – throughout the centuries –
many interested, pan-global groups who seek to
control, exploit and master Superpowers for their
own ends and purposes. Such groups - with their
vast knowledge, wealth and glorious goals -
divide the Exotic community, splitting cities and
turning Families against each other.
While the specific arrangement, quantity, nature
and alignment of Factions have varied over time
within the twenty-first century, three circles or
divisions exist. There are firstly and most
commonly known the inner circle of Faction.
These are the ones known to the world at large,
household names that can be searched for on the
Internet with some knowledge uncovered. These
are the organizations the governments regional
and national turn to address their Artificial
Exotic issues, should they not have some
nefarious works of their own. These Factions
include:
∋ Hewson-Tanner: Weapons
manufacturing company with a twist,
Hewson-Tanner produces living
weapons: Artificial Exotics designed for
combat.
∋ Justice/Org: A global vigilante
initiative organized through discrete
social media sites, Justice/Org fights
under a banner of “accountability via
supremacy” for a universal sense of
truth and justice.
∋ Voyagers Fourth: Explorers and
archaeologists of the Exotic, the
Voyagers Fourth seek the mysterious of
the Earth, universe and multiverse.
Next there are the clandestine Factions, the outer
circle. These are the ones who hide from the
community, be it mere mortal or Artificial
Exotic. To the government, these Factions are
criminals and outlaws. To the Artificial Exotics,
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these Factions are the closest and most terrifying
thing to super-villains the real world has to offer.
Though many Artificial Exotics claim to be a
member of one of the inner circle few would
openly admit to being one of the clandestine
Factions. These Factions are:
∋ The Homeless Superior: A loose,
global identity forged by the mutual
experience of being both homeless and
Exotic. The Homeless Superior has
developed a cultural distain of masks,
instead displaying their powers openly
and terrifyingly.
∋ i00i: Mysterious hunters of Artificial
Exotics.
∋ Steppin’ Razor: Mere mortals who
have invested big bucks in black market
cybernetics, mimicking the effect of
Powers.
Last there is the other circle, the unknown and
highly regional Factions. These may be secret
organizations and clubs like the outer circle
Factions. Or they may simply be a Faction small
in number and specific in focus, such as one
located in a specific city but nowhere else.
Family
A population of Artificial Exotics within any one
city is generally referred to as a Family. This is
not necessarily the same as a traditional Family
joined through genetic ties but term of reference
for the local Artificial Exotics community.
Linked by culture, circumstance, geography and
history most Families have their own distinct
account of their existence and, more often than
not, a mythology that is unique to their city.
Most Families also tend to be quite small, with
only 1-3% of a city’s population actually being
Artificial Exotics.
Since the onset of industrialization, various
traditional positions have emerged within Exotic
society. Many Families attribute these to hearty
and jaunty histories – citing their foundation
with King Arthur and his Knights, a long lost
civilization or traditions of a forgotten god. In
most cases, the positions within a Family are
simply common roles that emerged in a tight-
knit and highly specific sub-culture, given
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common names through

scholarly labeling and the rise
of world-wide
communications media.

Deputy

Most police forces keep a

Deputized Artificial Exotic or
two on the payroll to deal
with empowered criminals,
and sometimes even difficult
or dangerous mere mortals.
It’s generally a freelance
contract, obtained from the
city budget rather than a
particular partnership or deal,
so Artificial Exotics of any
Faction can potentially
whether they want or even wear the crown. The
occupy this role – though those affiliated with
Paragon is thus seen by citizens as the face of all
Hewson-Tanner generally are more common in
Artificial Exotics within their city.
the role. In some cities, the Deputy and Paragon
are one in the same.
Representative
Father/Mother
A Representative is the face of their Faction
within their city. As the head-honcho, the
The local Family head, the Father/Mother is the
Representative is responsible for all the goings-
true leader of every Exotic within their Family.
on and operations of the Faction, and any
Some cities will have multiple Families with
Artificial Exotic who actively associates
multiple Fathers and/or Mother’s and this can
themselves with the Faction is beholden to the
make for fierce rivalries. In some cases, the
Representative. That said, some Factions – such
Father/Mother is little more than a figure head,
as Justice/Org – have a very loose sense of
like the Paragon, and it is common for the
identity and the Representative may simply be a
Father/Mother also to be the Paragon.
figure head of an individualistic group.
Granny/Grandpa
Untouchable
The Granny/Grandpa is expected to keep a watch
Possessed by an alien, in debt to a Demon-
for new Origin events and the creation of
dimension, product of a living weapon super-
Artificial Exotics. It is the job of the
soldier experiment? The Untouchable is the
Granny/Grandpa to induct and introduce the
person Artificial Exotics, any Artificial Exotic,
“infant” Artificial Exotic into their new life. Due
goes to with Super-problems. Ideally (and this is
to Faction loyalties, many cities have multiple
an ideal!) their name comes from the ideal that
Granny and/or Grandpa’s that act as recruiters.
they’re meant to stay neutral to any Factions,
focusing instead on the community. Sometimes
Paragon
this just isn’t the case, with bias Untouchables
using their position of trust to further Faction-
Even amongst Artificial Exotics there are the
ends. Often the Untouchable runs the
extraordinary. And like any group, the media
Masquerade Club.
often tries to latch onto one individual as a
poster-child. Thus within any given city there
Watchdog
can be found a Paragon who is framed as THE
Super-being of that city and regardless of

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It is the Watchdog’s job to keep other Artificial terms, the Deputy is meant to stop Super-
Exotics straight. Unlike the Deputy, the criminals after they rob a bank, commit a murder
Watchdog is an unofficial, community based or whatever. The Watchdog, however, is meant
position amongst Exotic society. In the simplest to stop it from happening to begin with.

Group Dynamics

Families fight. Anyone with siblings will tell you that. Throw Faction politics into the mix and you’ve
got a volatile cocktail for infighting between player characters within your role-playing group. The
Game Master can also suffer from the lack of a default quest-giver or other means of delivering the
hook in a game session. Some groups might do well with cross loyalties, lies, backstabbing and
cynical disinterest along with a more tentative line of action. Others might not. In any case, there are
a few tactics that a group might introduce to help manage dynamics:
∋ The group as a whole might select a Faction. This would give the entire
group a common outlook or perspective. Alternatively…
∋ Each player might select their Faction secretively and keep is so. That way
the group has no reason to, openly and directly conflict with each other until
the narrative moment is right.
∋ The city might be set up as a “kingdom” with the Father operating as a sort
of “monarch.” Factions might fight and backstab, but are linked to a
common project that is then transferred to the players.
∋ The Game Master might give the group a shared Back Story. Each player
would then be obligated to place at least one point in it. This would link all
characters together to a single event, moment, place, or individual that could
be used as the basis of a fellowship.
∋ Employing Family members of Position (Father or Mother, Untouchable,
Deputy, etc) as default quest givers can be a good tool for the Game Master.
Like most individuals of importance in social and cultural groups, Position
holders have tasks and responsibilities to attend of varying degrees of
difficulty, priority and demand – some of which can be delegated to less
important Family members such as player characters. While the rewards of
this service or the penalty for failure may not be direct in the sense of Faction
related Status a few notes about who the player characters have helped,
hindered, scorned or failed can turn a careless word or unsuccessful
undertaking into a big problem later on down the track. For instance, saying
“I’m busy” to an Untouchable means that individual is out of touch when the
character needs them later on. A neat twist on this one could be to make the
player characters Family members of position with quests coming to them
instead of assigned.

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Character Creation
Characters in Artificial Exotics are Supers, men General Powers Table
and women with amazing abilities dwelling in
both within and on the sub-cultural fringes of Card
mainstream society and serving Factions whose Two
agendas may or may not be in the best interests Three
of their nation and civilization. Each character is Four
controlled by a single player, with the group of Five
players as a whole mediated by the Game Six
Master. The game mechanics employ standard Seven
decks of playing cards, complete with both Eight
Jokers. Each player and the Game Master require Nine
their own deck. Ten
Joker
Each character possesses five core Suits that
define most of their abilities – Clubs, Diamonds, Players are given twelve points to purchase
Hearts, Spades and Joker. Suits represent the Powers, spent in any way they wish.
general activities of the character’s mind, body
and social graces. All Suits begin character
creation at a rating of one, but are increased as
creation progresses. Characters additionally
possess several additional traits; Back Story,
Defense, Identity, Loathing, Powers, Resources,
Status and Vitality. These denote how the 3.
character acts, reacts and copes in certain
circumstances such as bodily damage, Faction
interaction or when their Exotic status is suspect
but also the level and nature of the characters
Powers. Each Suit and Other Trait listed above is
described in detail within their own section
below. For now, the steps to create a character
are: 4.
1. All Suits, including Joker, begin at a
rating of one.
2. The player possesses five points with
which they may assign to their Suits.
Each point assigned to a Suit increases 5.
the corresponding character level. If
three points are assigned to Spades, for
instance, then the character’s Spades
rating is increased by three. If two
points are assigned Clubs, the 6.
character’s Clubs is increased by two
and so forth. Increasing Joker costs
double, so if two points are assigned to
Joker, this Suit is only increased by one.
If four points are assigned to Joker, this
Suit is increased by two and so on.
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Power
Awareness
Attack
Boom Skill
Boom Suit
Communication
Defense
Evironmentalism
Flight
Speed
Luck
Specific Suit ratings then determine the
character’s Defense, Identity, Loathing,
Status and Vitality as detailed in the
“Other Traits” section. Players may
trade in Identity for Chips as specified
under the traits sub-section.
Characters gain nine points to spend on
Back Stories, which the player may
spend in any manner they wish so long
as any single Back Story does not
exceed a maximum rating of six.
Players select for their character one
Faction and gain one point of Status in
said Faction (along with any benefits
that come with it).
The player then determines their
character’s Powers table by combining
the General Powers Table with that of
their Faction’s Exclusive Powers (note:
Neutrals have an entirely exclusive list).
The player should Draw one card for
every point of Joker, consulting the
General Powers table (see sidebar) and

their Faction’s exclusive Powers table.
If the same card is Drawn twice, the
character gains a free level in the
Power.
7. The player has twelve points with
which to purchase Powers. Any unspent
points following this process are
converted into Chips.
8. The player may purchase Gear and
construct for their character any
Gadgets they wish as detailed under the
likewise titled section.
Chips
Every game, each player is awarded one Chip
(though the Game Master may award additional
Chips). Between games, any number of
accumulated Chips may be cashed in by the
player to improve their character.
The cost of increasing a Suit is equal to twice the
new value of the Suit once increased.
New Powers (any Power not generated at
character creation) of the player’s choice may be
purchased for the flat rate of ten Chips and are
initially gained at level zero. These may be
chosen from the General Powers Table or the
character’s Faction-based exclusive Powers
table. Players may also purchase new random
Powers for the cost of five Chips, Drawing a
card and consulting the General and their
Faction-specific Exclusive Powers Tables (as
they did in character creation). Should a
character wish to purpose a Power outside the
General list or their Faction-specific list the cost
is fifteen chips.
The cost to raise any Power from level zero to
level one is equal to the cost per level of the
Suits
Artificial Exotics, though far above mere
mortals, are hardly close to perfect. Born of
mortal flesh and blood, the addition of
superpowers definitely improves a raw human’s
basic abilities but it hardly extinguishes their
faults. Broadly, where the character’s capabilities
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Chips Cost Summary
∋ Suit = Cost of new level x2.
∋ New Random Power = 5.
∋ New Power of Players choice
from General or Faction list
= 10.
∋ New Power of Players choice
opposing Faction list or
outside the General list = 15.
∋ Raising a Power from level
zero to one = Cost per level.
∋ New Level beyond one in
existing Power = Level
ranking x cost per level.
∋ Back Story = Cost of new
level.
Power. After its initial purchase, levels in a
Power may be gained by cashing in Chips at a
rate equal to the Power’s cost per level
multiplied by the new level of the power. Levels
beyond one for Powers the character already
possesses (such as those generated during
character creation) may be purchased at the listed
“Cost per Level” multiplied by the level of the
new Power.
Back Stories may be purchased and improved at
a cost equal to the new level. However, this may
only be done at the Game Master’s discretion as
it details and elaborates on the character’s time
before their Origin as an Artificial Exotic or
career prior to the beginning of the campaign and
thus may interfere with narrative.
lie is defined by their Suits and each governs
physical, mental, interpersonal or social actions.
To gain a general sense of where a characters
strengths and weaknesses lay, Suits have a
number of levels that begin at one and stretch to
six. One represents a lightweight or novice

command of a Suit; whilst six is that of the level
a non-super master or expert. Suits are divided
into four broad categories: Clubs, Diamonds,
Hearts and Spades. All characters have at a score
of least one in these Suits as they are skills all
human-like beings have.
Clubs
Mental capacity, perception, knowledge and
anything else covered under the broader range of
“thinking.” Clubs doesn’t simply measure if the
character is genius or an air-head. It also
measures how much education the character has
enjoyed and how fast their synapses fired. Clubs
can be used to Shoot accurately with firearms
and thrown weapons, see or hear things, open
locks and hack computer systems, build and
maintain machinery. Levels in Clubs reflect:
1= Didn’t finish high school? Hell, they probably
didn’t even show up. At this level, a brain’s just
that mushy grey stuff between the ears…
6= Academics, IT experts, expert scientists, and
highly skilled engineers all fall around this area
in Clubs, reflecting a life and profession that has
developed the brains ability to think and solve
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problems.
Clubs Draws can be used to, amongst other
things:
∋ Shoot accuracy with every kind of
firearm, thrown weapon, projectile
attack and weapon that strikes at a
distance from pistols and rifles to bows,
spears and grenades.
∋ See, hear, taste and generally notice
unusual things.
∋ Open locks and hotwiring cars without
the proper keys, hack computer
systems, or disarm traps.
∋ Specialty knowledge and skills such as
building and maintain equipment or
machinery, along with medical
knowledge and care.
Diamonds
Work, home, friends, wife, kids and other social
connections the character had before they
became an Artificial Exotic. Generally speaking,
Diamonds is used to employ social connections

and world knowledge; calling on individuals the
character knows of or displaying familiarity with
their city and the world at large. As such,
Diamonds can be employed wherever a character
is looking for a person, place object or specific
type thereof, representing the ability of a
character to call on useful information and
friendly allies in order to meet their ends. Levels
in Diamonds reflect:
1= No human is an island, but some sure are
hermits. The phrase “with all your friends” when
sitting alone at the table isn’t an insult at this
level of Diamonds, it’s a description of your life.
6= Family, community, social clubs, function
groups, organizations and other such collections
of humans all loom large in life for the character.
They are known if not by face then by
reputation.
Diamonds Draws can be used to, amongst other
things:
∋ Employ social connections across the
city and world at large.
∋ Locate geographic features, objects and
individuals.
∋ Manage the media, gossip, scandals and
other such examples of the public
opinion.
∋ Understand and follow manners and
protocols within social clubs,
subcultures, tribes and other insular
groups.
∋ Locate black markets, gangs, criminal
organizations and other nefarious
groups.
Hearts
Charm, bluff, poker face, big damn speeches and
anything else that involves lots of talking, a bit
of manipulation or anything else under the broad
banner of “people skills.” Hearts is a character’s
inner nature, an indication of their charisma,
appearance or that special Yabba-Dabba-Doo.
This Suit reflects how the character interacts
with other people; how approachable and
personable they are and can be used to charm
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others with silver words, persuade or deceive and
orate efficiently. Levels in Hearts reflect:
1= You know those awkward people who hang
on the walls at the back of a party not talking to
anyone? A character with this rank in Hearts is
one of them. Socially introverted, the character
just can’t seem to make a connection.
6= Politicians, preachers, public speakers along
with most social butterflies and competent public
speakers share this rank in Hearts. This rating in
Hearts reflects a character with regular social
contact and well developed social skills.
Hearts Draws can be used to, amongst other
things:
∋ Charm people with silver words, a
roguish smirk, a wink or other
gesture and generally make the
character more likeable.
∋ Persuade or deceive others.
∋ Communicate in a practical and
efficient manner.
Spades
Might of arms, nimbleness of the fingers, feats of
strength, arts of passion and other expressions of
the body; the Suit of Spades governs all physical
activity and Levels in it reflects both physical
strength, dexterity along with master of one’s
own body. Spades are thus required for savage
might and light-fingered touch. Spades can be
used to lift and carry objects, move silently and
hide, pilot vehicles with ease or engage in hand-
to-hand combat. Levels in Spades reflect:
1= Soft, flabby and most likely possessing a
body never designed to see the light of day. A
character with this rank in Spades is most likely
physically unimpressive and incapable of action.
6= Soldier, athlete, construction worker, fireman
or other physically demanding professions have
this level of Spades. This rating in Spades
reflects years of regular and intensive effort to
develop and maintain the physical self.
Spades Draws can be used to, amongst other
things:

∋ Lift and carry objects.
∋ Move quietly and remain unnoticed.
∋ Operate vehicles effectively.
∋ Reach out and thump someone with fist,
knife, sword, claw or other weapon
designed for a close range.
Joker
Other Traits
Aside from core Suits, characters have other
traits which infer various abilities to flesh out the
character and what they can do.
Defense
Defense is the characters reaction time,
determining how good they are at responding to
changes in their environment, including the
characters ability to avoid getting hurt. It’s their
ability to make a little helmet with their fists
when boxing, dive to the ground at the sound of
a shot and so forth. For each point the character
has in their Defense trait, any attacks directed at
the character require an additional success.
A character’s Defense are equal to their Clubs
plus their Spades, halved (rounding down) to a
minimum of one.
Identity
Identity acts a measure of the character’s secret
identity. Though Exotics quite often act openly,
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Joker is a reflection of how lucky the character
is. Unlike other Suits, the value of the characters
Joker is drawn on every Draw, even luck Draws.
No penalties are ever applied to the characters
Joker. Additional points in Joker can only be
gained at character creation by drawing a Joker
and cannot otherwise be increased with Chips
like a normal Suit.
very few of them have active advertised their
identities to the world. While the character may
do nothing to conceal their super-self, it still
takes time for the general public to associate the
character’s civilian and super egos as one in the
same.
A character’s starting Identity is equal to their
Diamonds plus Hearts.
Some individuals – villains, girlfriends, the
media, and so on – may attempt to uncover a
characters identity. This can be undertaken as a
Clubs Draw on the part of the individual,
requiring a number of successes equal to the
current Identity of the character. Should this
Draw succeed, the character’s identity is not in
any way reduced. It simply means the individual
undertaking the Draw has successfully unmasked
the character for them. Likewise, certain acts
may actively reduce the character’s Identity
making their true nature easier to discover.
Reduce Identity by one:
∋ Whenever the character
scores more than two
successes for a Draw while
in their civilian identity.
∋ Whenever the character’s
civilian identity and Exotic
identity are supposed to be
in the same location.
∋ If the character’s civilian
identity is noticeably absent
or missing while acting as
an Exotic (such as from

work, home, a party, dinner, school etc).
Reduce Identity by two:
∋ If the character does something overtly
“Super” while in their civilian identity
(i.e. fly, bench press a train, shoot
lightning from their hands, etc).
∋ Whenever the character suffers Wounds
in excess of one and survives.
The Game Master may additionally deem other
circumstances as necessitating a reduction of
Identity at their discretion.
During character creation, the player may trade
in points of Identity for Resources at a rate of
one Resource per one point of Identity.
Loathing
Artificial Exotics might wield fantastic Powers,
but they make the mere mortals of the world feel
self-conscious, weak, anxious and ultimately
inadequate. And while a few are heroes in the
eyes of the public, they are one casual act of
accidental destruction from being a villain. Thus
Exotics tend to sit in a precarious position, with
every display of Powers or “never ending battle”
potentially adding fuel to the fire.
For each collateral death the character causes
they gain a point of Loathing. As the character’s
Loathing climbs, they begin to receive bad press
in newspapers and on television. As a general
rule of thumb, consult the following table as a
guide to how the characters should be received
within their city:
Loathing Treatment
1-6 At this stage, the character
has made the local news
and gossip. The police are
seeking them, but not
actively. Rather if the
character is spotted or
runs across law
enforcement, they will be
pursued and possibly
arrested. The Watchdog
and Deputy may be called
in to help, but the
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character is not yet a top
priority.
7-12 Within the middle stage of
Loathing, the character is a
priority for both the Deputy
and the Watchdog. Police a
permanently on watch for the
character and there may be a
Detective or even a task force
assembled to bring the
character in (or simply put
them down). A warning about
the character is likely put out
on the local news as a nightly
update.
13+ The character is a wanted
criminal, their name regularly
appears on the news and the
police force as a whole is
actively hunting them. General
attempts to ask for help or aid
from mere mortals, even close
friends and loved ones, fails
dismally – though the
character should gain a
generous bonus on Hearts
Draws to intimidate (six
cards). Chances are both the
Watchdog and Deputy will be
involved in the hunt for the
character.
Loathing begins at zero and drops at a rate of one
per Game Session (to a minimum of zero).
Resources
Resources represent the character’s savings and
income, the money they have on hand and in the
Saving Up
Sometimes a character will wish to purchase something
that costs more than their Resources allow. The
character can attempt to employ Back Stories to do so
for a one-off purchase. A more definite, but slow, way to
achieve this goal is to simply save for it. In doing so, the
character simply waits a number of game sessions equal
to their Resources divided by the cost of the Gear item
(including Gadgets).

bank. While one represents someone living in
poverty, twelve signifies the lap of luxury.
However, Resources is the embodiment o their
possessions and one can assume that the
character has a home, couch, television and other
items appropriate to their lifestyle, job and
standing. Rather, Resources represents the
amount of income a character has free to spend
on their superhero. For instance, a character
might be the heir to a multi-millionaire with an
enormous trust fund but if every cent and dollar
is watched by a fastidious team of accountants,
then the character has very few Resources
available to dedicate to Super-heroics.
Gear, Gadgets or other items with a Cost equal
or below the characters Resources rating
represents something that is easily affordable for
the character. Such purchases may be made in
any quantity the character needs or desires.
If the Gear, Gadgets or other items have a Cost
above the characters Resources rating it then
represents an expensive or even outright
unaffordable purchase. To undertake expensive
purchases, the character must undertake a Draw,
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employing cards equal to their Diamonds.
Should the sum of successes and existing
Resources equal or exceed the Cost of the Gear,
the character purchases a single item of that type.
Should they fail, then the character does not have
the income sufficient for the purchase.
A character’s Resources are equal to double their
Diamonds Suit.
Status
A character’s Status is their standing in the eyes
of their peers within their Faction. When within
the social context of their faction – i.e. at a
meeting, undertaking a mission with others or
at a clubhouse or headquarters – Status is
applied to Hearts and Diamonds Draws as a
bonus.
Unless they have chosen to be Neutral, a
character’s Status begins at one during
character creation. Based on the character’s
actions their Status may raise or fall during play
and may even drop below zero as the character
becomes hated misconduct or disrespected for
cowardly conduct.
A character’s Status may not exceed more than
twelve, either positively or negatively. Use the
following as a guide to Status gain and loss:
Increase Status by one:
∋ Whenever the character helps achieve
an objective for their Faction as part of
a team or other coordinated effort.
∋ Whenever the character defeats an
exceptional, but otherwise normal
Human (such as a trained soldier,
police officer, ranked martial artist or
other potentially dangerous person)
who threatened their Faction.
∋ If the character invests time, effort or
wealth into their Faction such as
helping other members conduct Faction
business, hosting meetings and other
social events, building a clubhouse or
headquarters.
Increase Status by two:
∋ If the character brings achieves a
Faction goal alone.

∋ If the character deals with an
exceptional, but non-Exotic threat to the
Faction such as a giant robot, dinosaur,
alien creature, or other paranormal,
extraordinary, or otherwise abnormal
creature.
Reduce Status by one:
∋ If the character invokes the Faction for
personal gain, such as working against a
mundane human who posed no
particular danger or challenge to the
Faction.
∋ Whenever the character is directly
responsible for the loss of Faction
resources, prestige or brings it into
disrepute.
Back Story
A Back Story is something in the character’s
current situation, background or past before they
became an Artificial Exotic. While the bulk of
the character’s capabilities are covered by Suits
or Powers and augmented by Gear, a Back Story
represents something that can heighten the odds
in the character’s favor in a particular
circumstance pertaining to their Back Story.
Nobody is nobody to everybody, so all
characters - Artificial Exotic or mere mortal,
player or non-player – have Back Stories.
All Back Stories are rated from one through to
six. During character creation, characters have
nine points to spend on Back Stories, purchasing
any they wish with the exception of those labeled
Origin. As an event shared in the lives of all
Artificial Exotics, one point must be spent in this
area.
It is possible, with the Game Master’s
permission, for players to invent an acceptable
Back Story for their character. However an
extensive list of examples includes:
∋ Agent Of... (Profession): Agents work
for someone else, typically a big
organization of some sort with a cool
acronym and an agenda, procedures and
operations ongoing that they wish the
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∋ Whenever the character is involved in a
failed mission or operation for the
Faction.
Vitality
Artificial Exotics are made with different
degrees of sturdiness, reflecting how well
maintained they are and fresh their parts are.
Vitality reflects this portion of a character,
determining how many Wounds a character may
suffer before falling unconscious or dying.
A character’s Vitality is equal to the characters
Spades plus Hearts doubled.
character to adhere to and undertake on
their behalf along with a certain code of
conduct to uphold.
∋ Alien (Origin): A creature from
another world, most Alien’s that make
their way in Earth society look exactly
like a Human (or at least possess
Powers that allow disguise their alien
nature), at least on the surface. As an
Alien, the character has exposure to
technologies, creatures and societies far
beyond the Earthly sphere.
∋ Accident (Origin): The character
gained their powers through some
strange mishap that left them
irreversibly altered. Typically such
accidents involve some sort of strange,
and often experimental, energy source
followed by an unlikely series of events.
∋ Bourgeoisie (Profession): To be one of
the Bourgeoisies is to sit amongst
billionaires, corporate and crime
kingpins, world leaders and other such
influential individuals.
∋ Confident (People): The character has
an assistant – be it butler, lover, buddy
or other – who knows of their identity

as an Artificial Exotic and aids them in
their never ending battles. Such
individuals often do not provide combat
support (being mere mortals), but offer
encouragement, moral and strategic
support to the character.
∋ Connected (People): Connected in the
criminal sense, the character with this
Back Story has ties to the mafia and the
world of organized crime. They might
be a member of a crime family
themselves or simply someone with
close bonds of blood, friendship and
business.
∋ Chosen One (Origin): The character is
the heir to a great Wizard, the glitch in
the system, a spirit of an age, the latest
hereditary champion against evil, or
other cosmically ordained individual.
Possessed of a mission and calling,
Chosen Ones have a special role in the
universe and destiny to fulfill.
∋ Detractor (People): Someone really
doesn’t like the character – in their
mundane or Exotic identity - and will
constantly describe them as
“dangerous” or “evil.” While they may
only seldom work directly and overtly
against the character, the Detractor is
constantly on the lookout for an
opportunity to do so.
∋ Endling (Event): The
character is the last of their
kind; be it species, family,
culture, nation, or other
collective and cultural unit.
Should the character
perish, then their kind will
be extinguished and vanish
into history. As an Endling,
the character is (or at least,
perceives themselves as)
unique and alone in the
entire world.
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∋ Exiled (Event): Banished from their
kind - is it species, family, culture,
nation, organization or other collective
and cultural unit – the character has
been cut off from everything they know
as home. The character cannot return
home without dire consequences and
generally spends their time in the wider
world than amongst their people.
∋ Galactic (People): The character is
connected to the goings on in the
Universe, and possibly the multiverse,
beyond Earth. Such individuals are
quite are just as at home on the decks of
space-ships and surface of alien planets
as they with good old Earth.
∋ Hunter (Profession): Generally of the
big game variety, the character with this
background has stalked and killed
animals (and perhaps other things) for
pleasure, sport and/or profit.
∋ Hated (Event): Something happened in
the character’s past to make them a less-
than-popular superhero. While opinion
on the street may vary, reflecting the
character’s Loathing score, the press are
constantly framing the character as a
menace and are just waiting for them to
slip up.
∋ Homeless (People): The character with
this Back Story spent many years living

without a stable home, typically on the
street. Relying on the kindness of
strangers and their fellow
underprivileged gave the character a
firm bond to the homeless of their city,
regardless of their current financial
status.
∋ Law & Order (Profession): Police,
detectives, lawyers, judges, district
attorney’s and other people who know
their way around the law and have
access to intelligence on crime and
criminals share this Back Story.
∋ Magic (Origin): The character with this
Back Story has obtained their Exotic
abilities through arcane, otherworldly
forces. This could have resulted from
years of study and apprenticeship under
some hoary sorcerer, the result of being
a Chosen One (see that particular Back
Story) of some kind or simple through
luck.
∋ Martial Artist (Profession): Trained in
the art of laying the smack down, the
character with this background has
learned to use their body as a weapon.
∋ Mechanical (Origin): The character is
a robot, cyborg, android or other form
of embodied mechanism. Existing
through synthetic (partially or totally)
biology, the character has a particular
affinity for machines and their software.
∋ Mental Illness (Event): Suffering some
form of long term insanity or mental
illness, the character thinks and
perceives the world from a distinct and
particular vantage point.
∋ Nemesis (People): The character as an
arch nemesis that constantly plays the
red card to their black, the naught to
their cross and so on. The character and
this foe have probably got a long history
together that may even extend beyond
costumed battles.
∋ Orphaned (Event): Typically (but not
always) occurring when very small, the
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character lost their parents to crime,
intrigue, a tragic accident, obsession or
some other mishap.
∋ Reporter (Profession): Be it a major
metropolitan newspaper or trashy
tabloid rag, the character works or has
worked as a journalist.
∋ Science (Origin): From radiation to
evolution, science has many strange
bugbears from which Artificial Exotics
spring. Like most Exotic phenomenon,
the actual science of this background as
an Origin is somewhat mysterious.
∋ Scientist (Profession): Real-world
scientists are experts in technical fields,
who systematically acquire and apply
knowledge in their fields. Superhero
Scientists, however, are adventurous
Renaissance Men – skilled in numerous
fields, undertaking adventures in the
name of civilization and dedicated to
the ultimate ideal of progress itself.
∋ Sojourn (Event): The character has
travelled extensively, exploring both the
mundane and Exotic corners of the
world. Throughout their travels, the
character has met many interesting
individuals, partaken of many curious
traditions and most of all enjoyed
numerous adventures
∋ Soldier (Profession): Soldiers are
trained combatants, having spent a good
deal of their professional life on the
battlefield and within warzones. Though
most come from a professional army of
some sort, some may originate in
guerrilla bands, rebellion movements,
terrorist groups or militia.
∋ Thief (Profession): The character is a
trained and professional thief, be they
the petty purse snatcher, Robin Hood or
the gentleman pilferer. They are
probably regarded as a criminal by most
and are wanted by authorities,
regardless of any good deeds.

Background versus Powers
Let’s put this in context: Powers work all of the time
to the same degree. A character with Attack (Clubs)
Level Four knows how deadly the lightning from
their finger tips is before they conjure the bolt. Even
if that lightning misses its target, the lightning’s still
jumped from the fingers with the same voltage as
before. Backgrounds work to varying degrees. A
black ops agent with a rating of six in Soldier can
still slip up in a big way – effectively Drawing a
High Card on their Poker hand. It’s important to
remember everyone has Backgrounds but for the
most part, they’re one of the key elements that
separate – in terms of game mechanics – one mere
mortal (or everyday identity for an Exotic) from
another. Backgrounds are thus mundane, uncertain
and fallible. Powers are absolute!
Using Back Story
All characters may undertake a Back Story Draw
to do one of the following actions in areas
relating to one or more of their Back Stories to:
∋ Gain a bonus number of cards to a
Draw (your own or another characters).
∋ Obtain an item of Gear via a one-
purchase-only boost to Resources.
∋ Establish or alter an event.
∋ Create history with new or existing
Extras.
∋ Avoid Identity loss.
∋ Reduce the number of Collateral Deaths
resulting from an attack.
∋ Anything else the Game Master deems
appropriate.
To undertake a Back Story Draw, the player
Draws five cards plus an additional card per
Joker. The player’s task now is to build the best
Poker hand they can. To help achieve this, the
character may discard and re-Draw a number of
cards equal to the rating of the Back Story
employed in the Draw. The rank of the final
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hand determines the impact of the Back Story in
this instance. Jokers during poker Draws for
Back Story count as a wild card. Consult the
table below as a guide:
High Card
∋ One bonus card, point of Identity or
Collateral Death.
∋ One point increase to Resources for a
single purchase only.
∋ Position an Extra as having a similar
background with the character on which
a bond maybe developed, i.e. both
soldiers, orphans, aliens, etc.
∋ Highly common or probable adjustment
to event.
One Pair
∋ Two bonus cards, points of Identity or
Collateral Deaths.
∋ Two point increase to Resources for a
single purchase only.
∋ Limited/brief history with Extra – i.e.
coincidentally met once and briefly.
∋ Small, but common or probable,
adjustment to event.
Two Pair
∋ Three bonus cards, points of Identity or
Collateral Deaths.
∋ Three point increase to Resources for a
single purchase only.
∋ Limited but meaningful history with
Extra – i.e. met once and shared a close
or bonding experience.
∋ Slight, but not improbable, adjustment
to event.
Three of a Kind
∋ Four bonus cards, points of Identity or
Collateral Deaths.
∋ Four point increase to Resources for a
single purchase only.
∋ Place an Extra in the same place as the
character at the same time for an
extended period of time and may have
crossed paths a few times, i.e. served in

the same War, went to the same
university, lived in the same city, etc.
∋ Transformation of one minor detail of
the event, or one major detail of little
significance.
Straight
∋ Five bonus cards, points of Identity or
Collateral Deaths.
∋ Five point increase to Resources for a
single purchase only.
∋ Some, but not extensive, history with
Extra (worked in different sections of
the same building, lived down the hall
but never spoke, etc).
∋ Alteration of one or two details of the
event, all probable.
Flush
∋ Six bonus cards, points of Identity or
Collateral Deaths.
∋ Six point increase to Resources for a
single purchase only.
∋ Situate an Extra as a once-acquaintance
for a specific time in the character’s
life; old friend from high school,
college roommate, childhood buddy,
etc.
∋ Large but not complete or extensive re-
write of event, changing a few major
details.
Full House
∋ Seven bonus cards, points of Identity or
Collateral Deaths.
∋ Seven point increase to Resources for a
single purchase only.
Factions
Here the one about the man with muscles dense
and strong enough to go toe-to-toe with a tank,
can fly, shoot laser beams from his eyes? What
about the woman born on an island without men
or the alien cop? Who wouldn’t want a piece of
that action! As long as there have been Artificial
Exotics, interested parties have existed. A
Faction is such a group; an established
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∋ Once-close, now distant, relationship
with Extra (estranged sibling, distant
relative, best friend that moved away,
etc).
∋ Significant re-write of an Event (that
gunman isn’t any gunman; it’s the
gunman who killed your family).
Four of a Kind
∋ Eight bonus cards, points of Identity or
Collateral Deaths.
∋ Eight point increase to Resources for a
single purchase only.
∋ Close relationship with Extra: best
friend, sibling, dire enemy, etc.
∋ Major re-write of an event.
Straight Flush
∋ Nine bonus cards, points of Identity or
Collateral Deaths.
∋ Nine point increase to Resources for a
single purchase only.
∋ Close and intimate relationship with an
Extra – as close as a lover, best friend,
parent or child.
∋ Completely re-write an event.
Additionally, the Game Master may employ
Back Story to link player characters and Extras,
creating the impression of an interconnected
background and setting. In such circumstances,
the Game Master may undertake a Back Story
draw on the characters behalf or those of Extras
and other non-player entities.
organization of Artificial Exotics, typically
consisting exclusively of super-folk – though
larger and more bureaucratic organizations such
as Hewson-Tanner have dedicated staffs of mere
mortals in their typing pools, accountancy
departments and janitorial staff. Mere-mortals
seldom act in any meaningful or leadership role
within the Faction, however. Factions tend to be
united in their outlook, philosophy, organization

and utilization of Artificial Exotics and their
Powers. Most have developed - through history,
culture and experimentation – exclusive Powers
only accessible through the Faction itself.
There are three mainstream Factions of Artificial
Exotics, known to the public at large and
existing at the centre of the Exotic community on
a global scale. These are often described as an
inner circle around which smaller or more
secretive Factions revolve. Whilst some Families
form tight-knit groups and cultures around the
Exotic state of being, and may be considered
small Factions in their own right, a Faction is
distinct from a Family it that its membership and
history is not circumstantial to the city which the
character calls home or (generally) the
conditions of their Origin. Factions are joined
based on the abilities and convictions of the
Artificial Exotic as an individual.
Still, like Families, Factions grow and change on
a local level as they mesh with the Artificial
Exotic community of a particular city. While
they are part of a common, global, network
based on the Faction’s motives, directions and
outlook there may be vast and deep differences
between various localized chapters. Science
Team Zero in their Tokyo high-rise, for instance,
has little in common with the arcane Necronauts
of New England, despite both being dedicated to
the Voyager’s Fourth mission of exploration.
Generally speaking though, members of
individual Factions – when they travel – are
accepted by their peers and distant brethren.
Hewson-Tanner
Motto: Making better people through better
weapons.
Nickname: Profitnauts.
Under their unassuming name and the banner of
an aerospace, defense and security company,
Hewson-Tanner manufactures and markets arms
of a specialist kind; Exotic weapons – made to
order for most governments. Part arms dealer,
private military contractor, part mercenary outfit,
part slave trader Hewson-Tanner push human
evolution and the limits of what it is to be human
and to Exotic extremes.
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History
With the rise of cities that dwarfed those that had
come before during the Industrial Revolution
there emerged a vast, urbanized population. At
no point prior in the history of humanity had
such a concentration of people existed. With
more Artificial Exotics than ever gathered in
close proximity and their numbers swollen
amongst the homeless and disenfranchised
masses, the Homeless Superior were born.
Arising at the sight of such an untapped Exotic
resource, Hewson-Tanner found their origins as
collectors and exploiters of this paradoxically
mighty yet meek group of citizens. Formed by a
cadre of wealthy investors – under the guise of
an outreach charity program and through the
distance of proxies and agents - began
documenting, employing, collecting and
dissecting homeless Artificial Exotics. Their first
outputs were grotesque, but by the Second World
War Hewson-Tanner had perfected their process.
In the Cold War, fear saw the corporation selling
fistfuls of Exotic weapons to both sides of the
conflict. While heinous in terms of their criminal
records (or rather that of their employees – the
real power of Hewson-Tanner remains its
investors, removed and cleansed of their own
crimes), their expertise in manufacturing and
corralling Exotic phenomenon+- grants them an
inexhaustible list of clients.
Interactions and Relations
Hewson-Tanner has no real alliance or rivalry
with Justice/Org. Superpowers are expensive and
Hewson-Tanner’s services are often only
affordable to the one-percent – the rich, the
powerful and the elite. The fact that Justice/Org
is out there providing a free service to people the
Profitnauts don’t particularly care about is
irrelevant.

The Voyagers Fourth often makes the top of
Hewson-Tanner’s shit list. While former often
sells excess discoveries to the latter, when it
comes to the really good stuff the Explorers and
the Profitnauts are generally in competition. In
fact, most Hewson-Tanner executives view the
Voyagers Fourth as downright unethical –
keeping choice finds locked up to study when
they could be put to good use!
Exclusive Powers
Card Power
A Conjure
J Teleport
Q Regeneration
K Utility
Status Bonus
Artificial Exotics do not simply work for
Hewson-Tanner. With billions being spent on
engineering leaner and meaner supermen,
individuals become company property. Not that
this is necessarily uncomfortable – the cage is
certainly gilded. Thus in demanding ownership
of the person, Hewson-Tanner attempts to make
the yoke as comfortable as possible. The
character gains bonus Resources equal to half
their Status (rounding up to a minimum of 1).
Additionally, due to the continued research and
development process the character is subject to
the character gains a discount on all Powers
(both new and increasing existing levels) equal
to half their Status (rounded down to a minimum
of 1).
Justice/Org
Motto: Protecting the 99%.
Nickname: Retaliators
Justice/Org is less a firm organization than a
loose network of vigilantes who hide behind
masks and patrol their local streets; the classic
superhero shtick. Individual members stay in
contact with one and another through an opaque
social networking website – Justice/Org – from
which they derive their name. What members of
Justice/Org do tends to be varying degrees of
illegal in most countries, so individuals tend to
operate discretely.
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History
The youngest of the major factions, Justice/Org
emerged out of several hundred Super-orientated
chat rooms and other social networking sites in
2007. Weeding the serious vigilante from the
freaky costumed fetishist, Justice/Org organized
a small – geographically disconnected – army. In
2012 the organization burst onto the public stage,
uniting and organizing its members to all visit
Nisiopolis at the same time. A notorious
Mediterranean island-city, the Nisiopolis
government was a fascist police-state largely
ignored by the rest of the world due to the
island’s status as a tourist destination. Liberating
Nisiopolis, Justice/Org earned huge international
attention, bolstered their membership and – with
a highly successful crowd funding campaign –
budget overnight.
Rivalries and Relations
Justice/Org has a special hatred for Hewson-
Tanner, viewing them as the greedy one-percent
who hoard and abuse all things Exotic –
employing them for strictly personal gain.
Indeed, the Retaliators motto is derived from this
rivalry. Nevertheless, Justice/Org has taken
money and aid from Hewson-Tanner more than
once – particularly in establishing their own
Artificial Exotic development program, leading
to the exclusive powers Justice/Org now sports.
Likewise, while the Voyagers Fourth are viewed
by Justice/Org as lab-bound academics that
constantly ignore the real problems in favor of
abstract ramblings through reality, they
sometimes also make good partners. Alien
monstrosities and the failures of super-science
rarely stay bound in the time and space that
birthed them, instead spilling over into the streets
Justice/Org seeks to protect. At these times, the

Voyagers Fourth bring their much-needed
expertise.
Exclusive Powers
Card Power
A Illusion
J Shapeshift
Q Suggestion
K Telepathy
Status Bonus
Operating outside, most of the time, the bounds
of law and order; Justice/Org tends to use its
considerable internet clout and psychic mind
altering Powers to cover the tracks and identity
of its members. At the start of any game session,
a member of Justice/Org gains a number of
points in Identity equal to their Status in
Justice/Org. This total cannot exceed the sum of
the characters Diamonds and Hearts Suits.
Voyagers Fourth
Motto: The future is only one discovery away.
Nickname: Explorers.
Anthropologists of the cosmos, archaeologists of
the multiverse, surveyors of the imagination; the
Voyagers Fourth! Being dissatisfied with the
limits of conventional science in understanding
the Exotic statue, the Voyagers Fourth set their
sights to the hidden corners of the Earth and
beyond. Their current mission is to explore, map,
and document the Artificial Exotic wherever it
might be found.
History
Claiming to be the oldest of the factions, the
Voyagers Fourth trace their origins back to
antiquity. The first incarnation of the Voyagers
organization was founded after the discovery of
electricity in Persia around 250 BC. A particular
cadre of illuminated minds sort to unlock the
secrets of this strange new force. Keeping their
secrets to themselves, it wasn’t until the
Industrial Revolution that the rest of the world
finally caught up. The second incarnation arose
in the tenth century, when Vikings landed in
North America. At this time the Voyagers turned
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their eyes to exploration of the globe and by the
time Columbus “discovered” the Americas the
organization already had a detailed map. Thus in
the 16th century, when the majority of the
population were still questioning the extents of
the globe, the third incarnation of the Explorers
arose when Wu Han constructed a rocket and
became the first astronaut. At this point the
Voyagers became interested and capable of
space exploration long before the space race of
the 20th century. Having explored science, the
Earth and space the Voyagers Fourth emerged on
April 19, 1947, when a vessel from another Earth
burst through the Fourth Wall and crashed into
Kansas carrying a single alien-human child, dead
on arrival but followed by the crystallized
remains of its Earth. In that brief, spectacular
moment of devastated landscape, the Voyagers
Forth was born – eyes fixed on the multiverse
and the possibility of other universes to explore.
Rivalries and Relations
Not everything brought home by the Explorers is
strictly scientific. Some of it is quite profitable.
And a few other items are just plain profitable!
Hewson-Tanner makes a good partner for the
Voyagers Fourth in this regard, allowing them to
offload the excess discoveries of one mission as
a means of funding the next. At the same time
the Profitnauts don’t care about anything beyond
profit and this sits ill at ease with innocent
explorer’s curiosity of the Voyager’s Fourth.
Generally speaking, the Explorers and
Retaliators seldom cross paths. That is until the
latest discovery gets a mite out of hand and
escapes into the city streets, spawning monsters,
strange events and weird individuals. These
interest the Voyagers Fourth but they hardly
have the street presence and global network to
keep an eye on “free roaming” Exotic
phenomenon. As such, the Explorers often
source the expertise of the “natives” in the form
of Justice/Org.

Exclusive Powers
Card Power
A Elementalism
J Invisibility
Q Specommunication
K Telekinesis
Powers
Powers are the abilities which separate mere
mortals from mighty Artifical Exotics. All
Powers have an associated Suit which they are
linked and a number of levels ranking the Power
from one to six. When a Draw is required for the
Power’s use, the associated Suit is employed
with a bonus quantity of cards equal to the
Power’s level.
Though their effects are distinct, all Powers are
graded in terms of level. This is a means of
managing the “degree” of effect the Power has in
comparison to other characters with the same
Power or other Powers in general. The more
levels the character possesses in a Power the
more potent the effect is. Like Suits, Power
Levels are ranked between one and six.
Due to their variant use and circumstances,
Powers have a cost per level. This cost affects
both the initial purchase of the Power during
character creation and the quantity of Chips
required for improvement of a Power.
Characters possess twelve points to purchase
Powers at character creation. The cost of a single
level in any Power during character creation is
equal to the Power’s cost per level. Purchasing
one level in Conjure, for instance, costs four
points (the cost per level) while purchasing three
levels costs twelve points (the cost per level paid
three times over).
After character creation, Powers may be
purchased or improved by cashing in Chips.
To use a Power a character must have levels
placed in it. When a character possesses a Power
at level zero they merely possess the potential to
manifest the Power – not the Power in and of
itself.
Attack
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Status Bonus
Members of the Voyagers Fourth have access to
all sorts of technology, be it terrestrial, alien or
from other universes within the multiverse. As
such, members of the Voyagers Fourth may
reduce the cost of any Gadget they build by their
status within the Voyagers Fourth.
Suit: Clubs or Spades
Cost per Level: Two.
Eye blasts, sonic screams, claws, atomic punch;
the Attack Power covers all forms of super
powered attacks the character might have. Attack
affects either Clubs or Spades as the Suit
associated with this Power. In this capacity
Clubs represents ranged Attacks, while Spades
represents melee. Levels in Attack are added to
the character’s Clubs or Spades for the purposes
of attack draws.
On gaining Attack during character creation or as
a Random Power purchased through Chips Draw
a card to determine if the Attack is Ranged (if
Clubs or Diamonds are Drawn) or Melee (if
Hearts or Spades are Drawn). In the event of a
Joker being Drawn, the player gains free choice.
Awareness
Suit: Clubs.
Cost per Level: Three.
The character with this power is blessed with
senses above the human average, such as animal-
like smell or hearing, sonar or a strange “sixth
sense.” Levels in Awareness are added to the
character’s Clubs for Draws to investigate, spot,
or notice things out of place such as lies, clues
and enemies laying in ambush.
Boom Skill
Suit: Varies (see below).
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Cost per Level: Two.

The character has an exceptional ability in one

particular type of activity. Every time the
character undertakes this activity or action, they
also employ this Power. In this fashion Boom
Skill affects one type of activity. While this can
be any activity, examples include:
∋ Charm, persuasion or deception
(Hearts).
∋ Driving (Spades).
∋ Feats of strength or acrobatics (Spades).
∋ Lock picking and thievery (Clubs).
∋ Melee combat (Spades).
∋ Public speaking (Hearts).
∋ Ranged combat and projectile attacks
(Clubs).
∋ Sensory perception and/or deduction
(Clubs).
∋ Social connection and activity
(Diamonds/Hearts).
∋ Stealth (Spades).

Effectively making the task easier and far more

prone to success, each level the character has in
Boom Skill reduces the number required to gain
a Pass on a Draw for the activity as follows:

Level Pass on a...

0 Jack, Queen, King, Ace, Joker.
1 Ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, Joker.
2 Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace,
Joker.
3 Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King,
Ace, Joker.
4 Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen,
King, Ace, Joker.
5 Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack,
Queen, King, Ace, Joker.
6 Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten,
Jack, Queen, King, Ace, Joker.
On gaining Boom Skill during character creation
or as a Random Power purchased through Chips
Draw a card to determine which Suit is affected
(just like character creation). The player may
then specify the Skill their character possesses
under this Suit. In the event of a Joker being
Drawn, the player gains free choice.
Boom Suit
Suit: Varies (See below).
Cost per Level: Six.
The character has an exceptional ability in one
Suit. Each level the character has in this Power is
added directly to the character’s Suit for the
purposes of determining Other Traits. Thus with
Boom Suit, Defense is equal to the sum of Clubs
plus Boom-Suit (Clubs) plus Spades plus Boom-
Suit (Spades), halved. Likewise, Resources
equals Diamonds plus Boom-Suit (Diamonds)
doubled and so forth. Additionally, every time
the character uses the Suit, they also employ this
Power. The two cannot normally be used
separately, though certain effects or Powers may
stop Boom Suit’s innate nature. Each level the

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character has in Boom Suit reduces the number
required to gain a Pass on a Draw as follows:
Level Pass on a...
0 Jack, Queen, King, Ace, Joker.
1 Ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, Joker.
2 Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace,
Joker.
3 Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King,
Ace, Joker.
4 Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen,
King, Ace, Joker.
5 Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack,
Queen, King, Ace, Joker.
6 Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten,
Jack, Queen, King, Ace, Joker.
On gaining Boom Suit during character creation
or as a Random Power purchased through Chips
Draw a card to determine which Suit is affected
(just like character creation). In the event of a
Joker being Drawn, the player gains free choice.
Communication
Suit: Heats.
Cost per Level: One.
This Power is the gift of the gab in a big way.
The character with Communication can speak
any and all common Human languages (English,
Chinese, German, Spanish, Japanese, etc). They
may also make a Hearts Draw adding levels in
this Power to speak alien languages, break codes
along gaining proficient with dead, secret or
largely unknown languages.
Conjure
Suit: None (See below).
Cost per level: Four
With this power the character can summon or
create tools, weapons, toys, thickets and other
solid objects. The character may Conjure
whatever they wish, the limit being their
imagination. Conjured objects may be used as
Gear, adding a bonus equal to levels in this
Power to the appropriate Suit Draw.
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Conjured objects may also act as a condition in
their own right (bridging gaps, blocking raging
flood waters, lifting rubble, etc). If a Draw is
required for the conjuration employed as a
condition in themselves, employ cards equal to
levels in this Power as necessary. Multiple
objects may be Conjured at one time, but their
total value may not exceed the characters levels
in this Power.
Additionally, Conjured Gear items may display
the same Note properties as Gear (i.e. a giant fly-
swatter might have the Area property), but every
Note property reduces the total Bonus of the
Conjured Gear by one. If the Note property has a
value of X, then reduce the Bonus of the
conjured Gear by X.
Defense
Suit: Clubs and Spades (Defense Trait).
Cost per level: Two.
With this power the character is an evasive
master, possessed of special awareness, bat-
sense, sonar, or other means of detecting harm
and gains a bonus to their Defense equal to
levels in this Power. If a Draw is ever required
for the Defense Power, it is applied to the higher
of the character’s Clubs or Spades.
Elementalism
Suit: Clubs.
Cost per Level: Four.
Elementalism is the ability to conjure and
manipulate “matter” of some kind. Pyrokenetics,
magnetism, cryomancy, and other specific forms
of matter manipulation are all covered by
Elementalism. On selecting this Power one form
of matter must be chosen (such as metal, fire,
ice, water, sand, radiation, plants etc). The
character gains the ability to mentally control,
manipulate, shape and reshape their chosen
matter. In this fashion, Elementalism may be
used to create shapes or objects from the chosen
matter, perform attacks, hinder opponents, bind

foes, mentally lift and carry the matter, etc. Most
uses of in this fashion Elementalism require a
Clubs Draw to do so, adding levels in this
Power. Moreover, with Elementalism may be
employed for “Tearing it Up” (see Combat).
Should Elementalism add a bonus or aid to
another character’s Draw, it is counted as a
Supported Draw.
Environmentalism
Suit: Spades.
Cost per Level: One.
On selecting this Power, the player should select
one type of environment be it aquatic, the
vacuum of space, jungle, urban, magma or any
other type of terrain. The character can survive
and is adept at navigating one particular type of
environment. Evironmentalism grants the
character immunity to any innately adverse
conditions of their chosen terrain; being able to
breathe underwater, generate their own
atmosphere in space, never need water in the
desert, etc. Likewise, with this Power the
character never needs to make a Draw to
casually move through or navigate their chosen
terrain. Should the character be attacked, chased,
fighting adverse weather or other conditions any
required Draws gain a bonus equal to the level of
this Power.
Flight
Suit: Spades.
Cost per Level: One.
Flight does what it says on the box. The
character can fly with this Power. Under normal
circumstances, this Power does not require a
Draw to use. Should the character be struck,
tackled, encounter raging winds or other
circumstances they may require a Draw to
remain air born or maintain their current
trajectory. In such cases, the characters levels in
Flight are added to their Spades.
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Illusion
Suit: Hearts.
Cost per Level: Two.
With Illusion the character may craft illusions
that take on the appearance of any object or
creature they wish. The illusions maybe purely
image-based, or may also contain sound or
motion. Conjuring and maintaining the illusion is
an active effort on the characters part but aside
from this, under normal circumstances this
Power does not require a Draw to be utilized.
Should the illusion be closely examined, actively
challenged or interacted with, attack, be attacked
or otherwise investigated they may require a
Hearts Draw adding levels in Illusion to provide
a convincing image. Should the Game Master
concede to it, actively challenging an illusion
may be considered an Opposed Draw.
Invisibility
Suit: Spades.
Cost per Level: Two.
Just like it says on the box, the character with
this Power may turn invisible, vanishing from
sight. When invisible levels in this Power are
added to the character’s Defense and, should
someone attempt to detect the character, Spades
Draws for the purposes of stealth and hiding.
Luck
Suit: Joker.
Cost per Level: Ten.
Fate manipulation, future sight, destined for
greatness or something else entirely. Each level
the character has in Luck is added directly to the
characters Joker Suit. Every time the character
uses Joker, they also employ Luck. The two
cannot normally be used separately, though
certain effects or Powers may stop Luck’s innate
nature.
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Regeneration Speed

Suit: Spades. Suit: Spades.

Cost per Level: Three. Cost per Level: Five.

Regeneration allows the character to heal
wounds with uncanny speed. At the start of each
new day, the character may make a Spades Draw
with a bonus equal to levels in this Power. For
each success, one Wound is healed.
Regeneration is useless if the character is dead.
Shapeshift
This Power grants the character the ability to
move at unbelievable Speeds. Each level in this
Power is added to the character’s Spades for the
purposes of determining Defense. Additionally,
the character is granted an additional card per
level of this Power for Turn order during
combat. The character acts on each card they
have Drawn – granting them multiple actions
within the same combat round.

Suit: Hearts.

Cost per Level: Two.

With Shapeshift the character can take on the

shape or appearance of another person or an
entirely unique persona of their creation. Under
normal circumstances, this Power does not
require a Draw to use. Should the character be
closely examined, encounter loved ones of the
“shape,” or otherwise investigated they may
require a Hearts Draw adding levels in
Shapeshift. Should the Game Master concede to
it, actively investigating or interacting with the
“shape” may be considered an Opposed Draw.

Specommunication

Suit: Hearts.

Cost per Level: Two.

With Specommunication the character may talk

directly and fluently to one “type” of “thing”
normally unable to verbally communicate with
humans be it animals, plants, machines, aliens,
cities or anything the player can imagine. Only
one “type” of “thing” can be chosen with this
Power. Under normal circumstances, this Power
does not require a Draw to use. Should the
“thing” in question require persuasion,
intimidation, be uncooperative or other
circumstances they may require a Draw to open
and maintain communication. In such cases, the
characters levels in Specommunication are added
to their Hearts.

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Suggestion Telekinesis is the Power to move objects with

Suit: Hearts.
Cost per Level: Four.
This Power grants the character the ability to
implant suggestions, thoughts, orders, false
memories and other psychic lies into another
character’s mind. Suggestion may be used to
control the actions of the target or implant
thoughts. The use of Suggestion requires a
Hearts Draw to be successful. Levels in this
Power are added as a Bonus to the Draw. If
given enough reason or prompt to question, resist
or doubt the implanted thoughts, the target may
use Clubs in an Opposed Draw with the
character to dispel anything implanted by this
Power. Should the character possess them, either
this Power or Telepathy one (not both) can be
employed to reject a thought implanted through
Suggestion.
Telekinesis
Suit: Clubs.
Cost per Level: Five.
the mind. With this Power the character may use
Clubs as or instead of Spades, adding their level
in Telekinesis to Clubs when they do so. Attacks,
Tearing it Up, lifting, carrying and other Spades-
related actions may thus employ Telekinesis. It
may even be used to life the character
themselves or another – but this constitutes a
conscious effort rather than flight.
Telepathy
Suit: Clubs.
Cost per Level: Two.
This Power grants the character the ability to
read minds, gaining directly information from
the target’s brain. The use of Telepathy requires
a Clubs Draw to be successful. Levels in this
Power are added as a Bonus to the Draw. If the
target is senses the invasion, however, they may
try to resist with an Opposed Clubs Draw which,
if successful, rejects the character’s attempts to
read their thoughts. Should the character possess
them, either this Power or Suggestion one (not
both) can be employed to reject a attempts to
access the character’s mind.

Boom! Ka-bined!
What happens if a character has both Boom-Skill and Boom-Suit in related areas? Such as Boom-Skill:
Shooting (Clubs) and Boom-Suit: Clubs, Boom-Skill: Con Artist (Hearts) and Boom-Suit: Hearts, Boom-
Skill: Acrobatics (Spades) and Boom-Suit: Spades, and the countless other possible examples. The point of
both Boom-Suit and Boom-Skill is essentially that whatever the focus of the Power is has become
exceptionally easier – mechanically manifesting as a lower difficulty threshold, increasing the characters
abilities to get regular successes. If combined, Boom-Suit and Boom-Skill lower the difficulty required to
gain charged successes (prompting the Draw of an additional card as a reward – or two in the case of a
Super-Charged success). When making a Draw that can be affected by both Boom-Skill and Boom-Suit, the
Power with the higher rating should be engaged to determine success within the Draw itself with the rate of
success determined by that Power. However, regarding the chance of charged successes, employ the lower
of the two Power’s level as a guide and consult the table below:

Power Level Charged Success Super Charged Success

0 Ace Joker
1 King Ace, Joker
2 Queen, King Ace, Joker
3 Jack, Queen, King Ace, Joker
4 Ten, Jack, Queen, King Ace, Joker
5 Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King Ace, Joker
6 Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King Ace, Joker

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Teleport
Suit: Clubs.
Cost per Level: Three.
With this Power the character may instantly
transport themselves from one position to
another within sight, requiring no more thought
than walking. Each level in this Power is added
to the character’s Clubs for the purposes of
determining Defense. Likewise, with Teleport
the character may move instantly from one
location to another; defying walls, ignoring
ladders, ascending stairs in a single step and
otherwise “popping” from one position to
another. Normally Teleporting for the purposes
of movement doesn’t require a Draw. Carrying
passengers, particularly vast teleports,
teleporting onto moving platforms and other
such circumstances may entail one, however. In
Draw
When performing a Draw, a player draws a
number of cards equal to their appropriate Suit
value, along with any cards added by Powers.
Every Joker, Ace, Jack, Queen, or King Drawn is
a success.
The player needs only one success to pass the
Draw. Once passed, the action goes forward as
the player and character desires. The more
successes the character gets, however, the more
super the result. On a failure, something goes
awry. Though the specific details are left to the
Game Master, it is generally accepted that the
character’s desired outcome does not occur.
During a Draw, when an Ace or Joker is Drawn
the character gains an extra burst of luck. Each
Ace indicates the character has “aced” the Draw
creating a charged success, in response to which
the player draws an additional card and sees how
many more successes they can accumulate.
Jokers cause a super-charged success. Not only
does the character gain a success, but they may
also Draw two more cards.
After each Draw, the player should shuffle their
deck.
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such cases a Clubs Draw is employed, adding the
character’s levels in Teleport to the Draw.
Utility
Suit: None (see below).
Cost per Level: Ten.
This Power is flexible, essential covering a
vastely malleable bodily form, an array of magic
spells, access to universal matter or other “bag of
tricks.” A character’s total rating in Utility is
equal to their levels in this Power. The character
that has Utility may purchase instantly any
Power listed in this book any time they wish.
The new Power manifests instantly with Levels
equal to the character’s total rating in Utility.
Only one Power may be purchased at a time and
this Power remains in use until a new one is
chosen or willed away by the character.
Penalties
Certain circumstances, such as Wounds, inflict
Penalties on Draws. Like Suits, Penalties are
rated from one through to six. Some are applied
to specific Suits; others (like Wounds) are
applied to all actions. For each point of Penalty
the character draws one less card on a Draw.
No quantity of penalties may ever affect a
character’s Joker Suit.
Supported Draws
Sometimes two or more characters will want to
work together, combing muscle to heave up
buildings or put their brains together to construct
a desperately needed device. Should the Game
Master deem the situation as appropriate for
multiple characters to act simultaneously, all
characters involved make the Draw (or in some
cases such as Tearing It Up, combine their Suit
rating). All successes for this Draw gained by all
characters are counted collectively. Penalties and
bonuses, however, are divided equally amongst
all characters (to a minimum of one).
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Opposed Draws intellect. In such cases, both characters make the

Sometimes two characters efforts works directly
against each other, such as an arm-wrestling
contest when two muscle-bound super-strong
Exotics actively pit their strength against the
other or a game of chess which matches wits and
appropriate Draw. Both characters are required
to get one success to be considered victorious,
but the character that accumulates the most
successes triumphs over their opponent.

Combat
before the other. Re-Draw additional ties.
Once all characters have had their Turn, the
Artificial Exotics, being super, will naturally Round (consisting of an opportunity for each
come into physical conflict with one another character involved in the combat to take a turn)
sooner or later, when that happens combat is complete and the first player gains a subseqent
ensues. Turn.

Turn
When combat begins everything slows down,
with players taking turns in outlining their
actions and reactions to various events. Each
action a player undertakes is called a Turn, in
which a player may do one or two things such as
run to cover, attack, reload or perform whatever
action in relation to what’s going on.
Attack
Attack Draws may employ Clubs or Spades.
Clubs based attacks tend to represent ranged
strikes and can be undertaken provided the
attacker has the appropriate equipment such as a
firearm or, hell, rock. Spades based attacks are
melee and only require a fist.

The order of Turns is Attacks generally have

determined by a random two parties, an attacker
card Draw. At the start of and defender. When
combat each player Draws making an attack the
one card for their acting character Draws
character. The player cards equal to their Spades
possessing the highest or Clubs, with modifiers
ranked card declares their for their appropriate
characters actions first, Powers or circumstance as
followed by the second designated by the Game
and the third. For the Master. Unlike other
purposes of Turn order, Draws, the total number of
Ace out ranks King and successes on an Attack
Joker is considered the Draw must exceed the
highest ranking Card. The target’s Defense to inflict
Game Master also Draws Wounds (see below).
a card for each non-player
character in Combat and As with other Draws, each
should note down the Joker Ace, Jack, Queen or
order in which characters King is a success. Again,
are acting. Aces and Jokers are
charged successes.
If two players Draw an
identical Card have them Wounds
Draw a second to see
which character acts

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Individuals have varying degrees of health and
biological strength. This reflects how well they
have cared for themselves and how high their
tolerance of pain, injury and discomfort is.
Vitality measures that aspect of a character
dealing with injury, determining how many
Wounds a character may suffer before they die.
Unlike other Draws, an attack Draw requires a
number of successes exceeding the target’s
Defense to be successful. For each success on
this Draw, the character has struck their desired
target. They then inflict one Wound per success
in excess of the Target’s Defense.
When Wounded a one card penalty is imposed
on a character for each Wound suffered. When a
character has taken Wounds equal to their
Vitality, they are considered dead.
Wounds are healed at a rate of one per day, or
two if undergoing medical care and rest.
Circumstances
Fire, electric shocks, taking the bonnet of a
speeding vehicle to the face and countless other
circumstances add extra factors to combat.
Regardless of circumstance, any extra factors the
Game Master deems appropriate are rated from
one to six, constituting a bonus added to Draws
for attacks or attacks in their own right. Things
that are moving small, slow, burning, are sharp,
aiming carefully with a ranged weapon or
striking softly adds a one card bonus. Likewise;
circumstances that include big objects, fast
motion, burning red hot, razor sharp, point blank
with a ranged weapon or hitting hard add a three
card bonus. Generally speaking, six is reserved
for things that go “boom” on a big scale.
Touch Me!
Not all attacks are meant to do har,. Some such
as shoves, pushes, trips, grapples, counting coup
and others aim to achieve physical contact for
some specific other purpose. In the case of such
actions, the attacking character employs are
Draw against the defender’s Defense but
ignoring any Gear based bonus such as Armour.
What about Range?
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Space within Artificial Exotics is used in an ad-
hog format, demonstrating not a definite measure
in feet or inches but a more general idea of
location and narrative. In this spirit, if your
character can see it they can shoot at it, if they
can see it, they can generally move there in one
action. The area in which combat takes place is
thus a general location (or locations). It is not a
boundary defined by precise measures, but rather
one implied in the Game Master’s description.
The Game Master is naturally free to stipulate if
an opponent is too far away to reach on one turn,
or even so far away that combat can only take
place with long-range rifles and scopes, mental
Powers or other such vast stretches; meaning that
without one the fight may be a very one-sided
affair.
Tearing it Up
Artificial Exotics are messy folks; they hurl each
other through walls and toss cars about like they
were playing dodge ball. Not all Supers are
equally strong and being hit by a car is a lot
different to being hit by a ten story building. As
a general rule of thumb, only those with the
Boom Suit: Spades, Elementalism, Telekinesis
Powers can tear their city apart and use it as a
weapon (though the Game Master may rule other
Powers and circumstances appropriate). Use the
following table as a guideline to how much of a
bonus various objects of scenery do and who can
wield them as a weapon.
∋ Boom Suit: Spades, Elementalism,
Telekinesis 0 = Can’t do it. The
character just isn’t powerful enough to
lift a car or tear a power-pole from the
ground.
∋ Boom Suit: Spades, Elementalism,
Telekinesis 1-2 = Small things. The
character can tear a lamp post or
parking meter free, lift large rocks or
boulders effortlessly, and other objects
of a similar size and weight. Using such
objects to attack a foe gains the
character a two card bonus on their
Attack Draws.
∋ Boom Suit: Spades, Elementalism,
Telekinesis 3-4 = Big things. The
character can rip enormous trees free

from their roots, kick over statues, and
toss about cars and trucks and other
objects of a similar size and weight.
Using such objects to attack a foe gains
the character a three card bonus on their
Attack Draws.
∋ Boom Suit: Spades, Elementalism,
Telekinesis 5-6 = Huge things. The
character can bench press a bus or army
tank with ease, even lift and throw
entire buildings and other massive
objects. Using such objects to attack a
foe gains the character a six card bonus
on their Attack Draws.
Collateral Death
Two or more Artificial Exotics smacking down
during cobbering time isn’t a polite affair.
Things get hairy and dirty and innocent people
get caught in the middle. Generally speaking,
there is always collateral damage in every
instance of super-combat with cars, windows,
buildings, hotdog stands and so forth getting
trashed. Mere mortals caught in the middle can
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easily and do often die. That’s why it’s called
“Collateral Death.”
On any attack Draw with successes exceeding
two, innocent bystanders and civilians are
accidentally killed. This occurs at a quantity
equaling one per success exceeding two.
Clearing the Streets
Generally speaking, once a Super-human-smack-
down begins people begin to vacate the area. At
the Game Master’s discretion, the amount of
successes needed to cause Collateral Death may
be increased by one automatically per round of
combat. This represents mere mortal citizens
fleeing the area. Likewise, the Game Master may
further allow characters to attempt to clear the
area, undertaking Hearts Draws. If successful,
the character’s effors further increases the
amount of successes needed to cause Collateral
Death by one. When the amount of successes to
cause Collateral Death is in excess of ten (that is
to say eleven and upwards), the area is
considered to be empty.
Seclusion?
Not every superhero brawl happens in a busy
street. Some fights occur in areas absent of
notable population such as barren moons, trans-
dimensional spaces, sewers, forests, jungles, the
hollow bowls of the Earth and so forth. When
battling it out in such locations, use the
following as a guideline for Collateral Death:
∋ Low population urban zone (small
town, urban decay area, gated
community, etc): Collateral death when
an attack Draw exceeds three successes.
∋ Urban area of little or transient
population (city park, sewers, open
space reserve, etc): Collateral death
when an attack Draw exceeds five
successes.
∋ Rural or wilderness area (farm, forest,
desert, etc): Collateral death when an
attack Draw exceeds seven successes.

∋ True seclusion (barren moon, ancient
abandoned ruins, etc): Collateral death
never occurs.
Consequences
Gear
Special equipment, tools of the trade, and other
such items are classed as Gear. While a character
may possess a home, filled with furniture, knick-
knacks, collectables and other essentials they
largely (though exceptions to every circumstance
exist) do not impact on the characters Draws.
Gear, however, adds a bonus to a pre-determined
Draw, applied to specific Suits and in most cases
is applied to specific actions only. This means
that when using an item of Gear the character
may Draw extra cards equal to the Gear’s Bonus
rating. Some Gear may also temporarily increase
Traits when worn or used and in the case of
Identity and the like, creates a pool of disposable
points that disappear when used or when the
character removes the Gear (whichever happens
first). Like Suits, Gear Bonus’ are rated from
one through six.
Item: The type or name of the Gear.
Cost: Cost of the Gear in terms of Resources.
Bonus: The amount of cards the Gear adds to a
Draw.
Suit/Trait: Which Suit or Trait the Gear affects.
Tasks: The nature of the Draw the gear bonus
applies to; shooting, riding, brawling, etc.
Notes: Any other information necessary for use
of the Gear.
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Collateral deaths remind mere mortals just how
frail, weak and transient they really are. Each
collateral death a character causes instantly
increases the character’s loathing by one.
Assumed Appropriate Disguise
Even if the player does not purchase a mask for
their character, it is assumed that the character
will be able to obtain some sort of disguise to
conceal their identity when using Powers.
Sunglasses can function equally as a domino
mask, scarf across the face, hood pulled low,
face paint and other readily available means of
disguise can thus function as a makeshift mask in
effect.
Gear Notes
Area
This Gear works in an area or field of range.
Targets or subjects standing together or near
each other may be affected by this Gear with a
single Draw.
Auto
This item works automatically, usually with the
simple push of one button, or else maximizes the
characters effort. When their character uses Auto
Gear the player Draws double the listed bonus.
Once all cards are Drawn, the player must
discard cards equal to the bonus. Essentially, this
means by working automatically the Gear is
more likely to lead to a successful outcome.
Charged
The Gear with this property is particularly potent
for its function, producing a Charged success on
a King as well as an Ace. This means that when
a King is drawn, an additional card may be
drawn. If combined with Boom Suit and Boom
Skill, then the next lowest card than the lowest
that would grant a charged success generates a
charged success (for example, if an Eight would
generate a charged success then a Seven does
also with Charged Gear).
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Double Up Poor
May be used or worn with another item of Gear The Gear is of poor quality. Aces and Jokers do
of its same type, adding the Bonus of both items not create charged successes and may
together. malfunction when used, breaking and requiring a
replacement if a 2 is drawn during its use.
Pen (Activity)
The Gear imposes its bonus as a penalty on
Draws for the type of action specified in
brackets.

Apparel
Item Cost Bonus Suit/Trait Tasks Notes
Disguise Kit 5 +3 Hearts Bluff/impersonation
Domino Mask 2 +2 Identity Disguise Double up*
Hero Costume 3 +4 Hearts Inspire Double up*
Full-Face Mask 3 +4 Identity Disguise Double up*
Villain Costume 3 +4 Hearts Intimidate Double up*
* This Apparel may also Double-up with Armour.

Armour
Item Cost Bonus Suit/Trait Tasks Notes
Ceramic 6 +4 Defence Protection vs. Attacks
Chain/Flak 3 +2 Defence Protection vs. Attacks
Hard 8 +5 Defence Protection vs. Attacks
Helmet 3 +1 Defence Protection vs. Attacks Double up
Leather 2 +1 Defence Protection vs. Attacks
Plate 5 +3 Defence Protection vs. Attacks
Shield, Large 4 +2 Defence Protection vs. Attacks Double up
Shield, small 3 +1 Defence Protection vs. Attacks Double up

Gadgets
Cost varies, see the Gadgets section below.

Melee Weapons
Item Cost Bonus Suit/Trait Tasks Notes
Blade, Long 6 +3 Spades Melee Attack Draws Auto
Blade, Massive 7 +4 Spades Melee Attack Draws Auto
Blade, Short 4 +2 Spades Melee Attack Draws Auto
Blade, Tiny 3 +1 Spades Melee Attack Draws Auto
Blunt, Large 3 +2 Spades Melee Attack Draws
Blunt, Short 2 +1 Spades Melee Attack Draws
Improvised 0 +1 Spades Melee Attack Draws Poor

Ranged Weapons
Item Cost Bonus Suit/Trait Tasks Notes
Automatic gun 7 +4 Clubs Ranged Attack Draws Auto
Bow 2 +1 Clubs Ranged Attack Draws
Crossbow 3 +2 Clubs Ranged Attack Draws
Pistol 5 +3 Clubs Ranged Attack Draws
Rocket 11 +6 Clubs Ranged Attack Draws Area, Charged
Rifle 6 +4 Clubs Ranged Attack Draws
Slug 7 +4 Clubs Ranged Attack Draws Area

Tools
Item Cost Bonus Suit/Trait Tasks Notes

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Binoculars 7 +4 Clubs Observation, spying

Climbing Gear 6 +3 Spades Climbing, scaling
Compass 2 +1 Clubs Navigation
First Aid Kit 6 +3 Clubs Medical care
Flashlight 2 +1 Clubs See/notice in darkness
Handcuffs 6 +4 Spades Restrain Pen (movement)
Lock-picks 8 +5 Spades Open locks, disarm traps
Repair Kit 6 +3 Clubs Build, maintain, and repair machines
WCD* 6 +2 C/D Research/Social connections

*WCD = Wireless Connection Device, such as a smart phone, lap top, I-pad or other item capable of an
internet connection. WCD’s can be used for both the specified Clubs and Diamonds Draws.

Gadget This bit is as simple or tricky as you make it.

High-tech battle-suits, laser swords, omega guns,
doomsday devices; the world is filled with
wonders crafted by the Exotic hand and designed
by minds far beyond those of the mere mortal.
Gadgets are the wonders of super-science, the
works of arcane arts and the makings of Exotic
craftsmen. Some may be constructed of
components infused with magic, of inter-
dimensional or extra-terrestrial origin. Others
may simply be wonderworks.
It is assumed that characters may have pre-
constructed Gadgets prior to beginning play.
Building a Gadget
Decide what it is you want to create, and what
you want it to do.
Step 2: Select one Type
All Gadgets are physical objects and that means
they interact with the character’s body in a
certain way. This is defined by Type, a rough
assessment of how the Gadget interacts with the
character in a physical sense; whether the item is
worn like a suit or wielded like a sword.
Each Gadget is assigned one of four types:
Apparel, Integrated, Object or Sovereign. Trait is
a static assignment. It is assigned only once and
thus only one Type may be assigned to a Gadget.

The steps of constructing a Gadget are Apparel

summarized below:
1. Devise the Gadget’s function.
2. Select one Type (Apparel, Integrated,
Object, or Sovereign).
3. Assign a Function (Circumstance, Suit
or Trait) and rate it between 1 and 6.
4. Add Modifiers (if any, all Modifications
are optional).
5. Calculate Cost.
6. Pay Cost & Build.
Both Type and Function are necessary for a
Gadget. Modifications are not.
Step 1: Devise the Gadget’s Function
Apparel Gadgets are worn by the character,
physically placed on the character’s body until
removed ether by the character undressing or
being forcibly stripped from them. This includes
clothing, armour, jewelry and other things that
physically rest on the character’s body.
Integrated
Integrated Gadgets are, well, integrated into the
character’s body, making them a surgical,
chemical or other physically altering
attachments. Integrated Gadgets cannot be
removed except through medical process or, if
possible, until the effects wear off. This includes
cybernetics, drugs, surgical grafts and other
things that become part of the character’s
physical existence.

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Object

Object Gadgets are carried by the

character and can thus be dropped or
disarmed directly from the characters
hand as well as plucked from their
pockets. This includes weapons, tools,
devices, and other things of the hand-held
variety.

Sovereign

Gadgets may be Sovereign, meaning that

they are free standing and not attached to
a particular individual. Such Gadgets are
still used by a single individual and may
be carried and moved about or move
under their own power. Examples include
computers, projectors, generators,
vehicles and other such machines of size
and substance. The effort of packing or
unpacking a Sovereign Gadget takes a
single Turn respectively when in Combat.

Step 3: Assign a Function

Function is the purpose and workings of

the Gadget. A Gadget’s Function is either
broad or narrow depending on its design
and purpose. As such, each Gadget is
assigned one of three Functions:
Circumstance, Suit or Trait. However,
unlike Type, which is a static assignment,
a Gadget’s Function is rated from one through to
six. This rating is assigned by the player
designing the Gadget, and affects the object’s
ultimate cost. When using a Gadget the character
may Draw extra cards equal to the Gadget
Function rating. As such, the Function rating
denotes the Gadget’s general effectiveness.
A Gadget may be assigned multiple Functions,
each contributing to the final cost.
Circumstance
A Gadget may be orientated towards a particular
circumstance. In this case, the Gadget’s Bonus is
added to a Suit only for certain Draws such as
attacks, picking locks, driving, swimming and so
forth. While the Gadget may be used each time
the circumstance arises, outside these situations
the Gadget is largely useless. Each Suit
description includes a list of possible uses and
applications for a Suit, any of which could
become the basis for a Circumstance focused
Gadget.
Narrative
Some Gadget’s, at the Game Master’s discretion,
might serve a particular narrative purpose but
grant no real bonus during combat or other
circumstance nor contribute to Suits or Traits. A
narrative function should hold the potential to be
more trouble than it’s worth and play a
significant role in the story or be the focus of the
story itself. Time and multiverse travel are both
examples of a Narrative Function.
Suit

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A Gadget’s Bonus may be applied to a Suit as a
whole and every time the Suit is Drawn. The
Gadget’s Bonus is not permanently entrenched
into the character, however, meaning that the
Bonus is not added to the Suit for the purposes of
derived Traits such as Defense or Vitality.
Trait
Rather than applying it to a Suit, a Gadget’s
Bonus may be applied to a Trait such as Identity,
Defense, or Resources. In this instance, the
Gadget’s Bonus is added to the Trait’s rating so
long as the character wears (Apparel), wields
(Device) or is attached to it (Integrated) to the
Gadget.
Step 4: Add Modifiers
The following Modifications can be added to any
Gadget, increasing the total cost as listed in the
above template. All Modifications are optional,
none need to be added. Modifications are as
follows:
∋ 1 Use = The Gadget is a one-off, having
only a single charge. Once used, it is
depleted (generally after a single Draw).
∋ Area = This Gadget works in an area or
field of range. Targets or subjects
standing together or near each other
may be affected by this Gadget with a
single Draw.
∋ Auto = This item works automatically,
usually with the simple push of one
button. When their character uses Auto
Gadgets the player Draws double the
listed bonus. Once all cards are Drawn,
the player must discard cards equal to
the bonus. Essentially, this means by
working automatically the Gear is more
likely to lead to a successful outcome.
Gadgets with the Trait Function cannot
have the Auto Modifier.
∋ Defender = The Gadget blocks and
takes damage in its own right. Robots,
vehicles, automated war-machines and
other resistance mechanisms all fit this
category. The Gadget has Defense equal
to half its lowest Function and Vitality
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equal to its Cost. Should someone be
within the Gadget – such as a pilot or
passenger – they take no damage with
attacks directed against them aimed at
the Gadget instead.
∋ Charged = The Gadget with this
property is particularly potent for its
function, producing a charged success
on a King as well as an Ace. If
combined with Boom Suit and Boom
Skill, then the next lowest card than the
lowest that would grant a charged
success generates a charged success (for
example, if an Eight would generate a
charged success then a Seven does also
with Charged Gear).
∋ Double Up = May be employed with
another Gadget, adding the Bonus of
both items together.
∋ Gear = The Gadget is a modified variant
of a standard Gear item or else is a
futuristic variant of it. The Gadget
functions both as the Gear item and the
Gadget, though their abilities aren’t
necessarily linked unless the Game
Master deems it appropriate. The cost of
the Gear modification is equal to that of
the designated Gear item.
∋ Impractical Size = The Gadget is
enormous, possibly even large enough
to house or carry multiple users at once.
As such, it cannot be simply carried
with the character but situated in a
single space or location. If the Gadget is
a mode of transport its Function must
contain some means of locomotion.
∋ Location = The Gadget occupies a
specific fixed location, such as a
building and cannot be moved from said
location.
∋ Multi-target X = The Gadget targets
multiple foes at the same time. The
number of foes that may be targeted by
the Gadget is equal to X. The value of
X is defined by the player.
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∋ Multiuser X = The Gadget may be used bigger), calculating the cost of the Gadget is an
by multiple users at the same time. The important factor. Cost is calculated by adding the
number of users that may use the sum of Type, Function, and all Modifications as
outlined on the table below:
Gadget is equal to X. The value of X is
defined by the player. Type Cost
∋ Power Mod X = The Gadget affects a Apparel 3
character’s Powers, either granting Integrated 4
additional levels (even above the Object 2
normal six) or subtracting levels to a Sovereign 1
minimum of zero (thus effectively
Function Cost
taking the powers away). The number Circumstance Function Rating
of Power levels affected by the Gadget Narrative 5
is equal to X. Effects last until the end Suit or Trait Function Rating x2
of combat or, outside of combat, at the
Game Master’s discretion. This Modifications Cost
Modification can even be used to grant Area 1
Auto 1
Powers to Mere Mortals. Power Mod is
Charged 1
always linked to a single, specific, Defender 5
Power. Double Up 1
Gear X
Step 5: Calculate Cost Impractical Size -10 (to a minimum of 1)
Location 1
Cost is a measure not only of the cost for Multi-target +1 per X
components of the Gadget, but also of its general Multiuser +1 per X
difficulty of construction. Not all Artificial Powermod Power’s Cost per Level
Exotics are scientific geniuses. Nor are all of multiplied by X + 5
them wealthy industrialists. As such, cost is not Use 1 -5 (to a minimum of 1)
only a measure of a Gadget’s affordability, but
also the character’s ability to construct it. As Step 6: Pay Cost and Build
characters may build Gadgets up to the value of
their Resources (or else save to build something First and foremost, in constructing a Gadget a
character must purchase the components –
paying Resources equal to the Gadget’s Cost.
That’s the easy part. Being individual items of
rather exclusive design, their construction may
be measured in hours or it may constitute weeks,
months and sometimes years.
Construction of a Gadget constitutes a string of
Clubs Draw. As a rule of thumb a Gadget
requires one success on the construction Draw
per point of cost. Should the character not obtain
successes equal to cost, they may try to complete
construction of the Gadget again next session.
On each subsequent Draw the amount of
successes required to construct the Gadget is
reduced by the number of successes gain on each
preceding Clubs Draw.

Rushed and Stretched Construction

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Sometimes the characters will need a Gadget to
meet the unique situation fast – such as within
the space of single game session to meet
whatever need has arisen. Characters may also
attempt to build a Gadget without paying the full
cost, using makeshift or improvised parts. On
doing so, however, the Gadget automatically
gains the Poor Gear Bonus.
When rushing the constructing of a Gadget, the
character makes a single Clubs Draw for the
rushed construction with a Penalty equal to the
cost of the Gadget (although this Draw maybe
undertaken by multiple characters
simultaneously, dividing the penalty among them
as per the Supported Draws rules). Should this
Draw fail the components of the Gadget are
ruined and the character must start again from
scratch – beginning with the paying for the cost
of the Gadget again.
Likewise, when constructing a Gadget from
makeshift parts, the Clubs Draw to construct the
device suffers a penalty equal to the unpaid cost.
The same number of successes is required to
build the Gadget as if they were using standard
components, however.
Sample Gadgets
Dash
Dash is a drug with a twist – unlike traditional
narcotics the “rush” that a user gains with Dash
is of the Exotic varity. On injecting Dash, the
user gains the levels Speed Power, be they mere
mortal or Artificial Exotic. In this fashion, Dash
can even push an existing speedster’s Power
above six to go even faster. The quantity of
levels usually depends on the purity of Dash,
with “street grade” dash granting generally only
two levels in the Power.
Cost: 19
Type: Integrated.
Function: Narrative.
Modifications: Power Mod (Speed) 2.
Hero-mobile
Chicks dig it. Sidekicks envy it. Rivals will try to
steal it. What is it? What else… it’s the car.
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Armoured and jet powered, this “hero-mobile”
as they’re often referred on the underground
Exotic racing circuit are typically equal parts
parctical and status symbol.
Cost: 28
Type: Sovereign.
Function: Circumstance (travel/transport) 6,
Trait (Defense) 6.
Modificiations: Charged (jet engine), Defender
(Defense 3, Vitality 14), Multiuser 3
(passengers).
Power Armour
An metal shell of strength enhancing armour,
often also equipped with secondary systems like
rocket purpolsion and laser arrays. Power
Armour is sometimes refferred to as “equalizer”
armour – employed by many corporations and
governments to give mere mortal soldiers a
fighting chance against Artificial Exotics.
Cost: 12
Type: Apparal.
Function: Suit (Spades) 3, Trait (Defense) 3.
Modifications: none.
Ray Gun
Never mess with a classic and the Ray Gun is
just that! Turnign flesh to dust with no muss or
fuss, the Ray Gun is the kid of weapon typically
associated with the 1950s Hewson-Tanner
catellogue. Less fashionable but just as deadly
today, its not unheard of for Exotics to weild
them.
Cost: 10
Type: Object.
Function: Circumstance (shooting) 6.
Modifiers: Auto, Charged.

Extras
Aeon
Aeons are colossal and ancient elemental
concept-beings that stand on the very edge of
reality itself, moving in orbit with all existence.
Like the planets revolving around the sun, the
entire Multiverse revolves around the Aeons.
Occasionally, however, one or more Aeons step
out of orbit for various reasons – most notably
the young and adventurous ones. Beings of near-
infinite probability, the Aeons bring great and
terrible flux and change. They also wield terrible
cosmic powers. Their names are things like
“Tinkerer” and “Word” – belaying more
information about their Powers, nature and
actions than actual identities. Likewise, their
bodies are functional rather than strictly physical
in a biological sense. The Aeon known as
Timekeeper, for instance, typically manifests as
an erratic and labyrinthine mass of clockwork
while the Record manifests as a book. Both are
Aeons, but their biology is linked to their
concept. Most Factions, however, are very
interested in the Aeons not for their Power per
say but what they can do with it: create Origin
phenomenon.
Chips: 1524
Back Stories: Cosmic 6, Magic 6, Mechanical 6.
Clubs 6, Diamonds 6, Hearts 6, Spades 6, Joker
2 long time. These ancients prove to be formidable
Defense: 7, Identity: NA, Loathing: 0,
Resources: NA, Status: NA, Vitality: 12
Powers: Speed 3, Luck 6, Origin 6, Utility 6,
Utility 6, Utility 6, Utility 6.*
Gear: None.
Notes: An Aeon may have other abilities that are
applicable to their form. Additionally, an Aeon
can use one Utility Power on each Action of
their Speed plus their regular action, essentially
manifesting any four Powers at once.
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Origin
Suit: Joker
Cost per Level: 10.
Origin does what the name states; it allows
the character who wields this Power to
transform a mere mortal into an Artificial
Exotic. To do so, the character must Draw a
number of Cards equal to their Joker Suit plus
levels in this Power. For each success Drawn,
the target suffers one Wound. If a Joker is
Drawn, however, the target instantly becomes
an Artificial Exotic– gaining a single Power
at level one. The exact Power of the new
Exotic is determined randomly on by Drawing
on the Neutral faction Powers table.
Ancient Exotic
Artificial Exotics are functionally immortal. That
means unless someone or something kills them,
they keep on living. Most of the time that
happens, but every now and then one Exotic or
another manages to elude death’s grip for quite a
forces in their own right not merely in physical
terms, but having had centuries to bury their
identity, amass wealth and in some cases design
deadly Gadgets (such as the example below)
throughout the ages.
Elevated Mind of Antiquity
Faction: Neutral.
Chips: 310
Back Stories: Magic 6, Sojourn 6, Scientist 6.
Clubs 6, Diamonds 6, Hearts 2, Spades 2, Joker
1

Defense: 12 (6 unarmoured, Identity: 16,
Loathing: 10, Resources: 12, Status: 0, Vitality:
8 Back Stories: Homeless 4, Sojourn 5, Magic 1.
Powers: Boom-Suit (Clubs) 6, Speed 5.
Gear: Gadget: Energy Staff (Object,
Circumstance: Ranged Attacks 6, Circumstance:
Melee Attacks 6, Modifiers: Auto, Charged,
Cost: 10), Gadget: Hidden Base (Sovereign,
Circumstance: Hidden 6, Narrative, Modifiers:
Location, Cost: 8), Gadget: Hover Disc (Object,
Circumstance: Movement/travel 6, Modifiers:
Power Mod Speed 1, Cost: 38), Gadget: Power
Armour (Apparel, Trait: Defence 6, Modifiers:
Area [force bubble], Cost: 16).
Notes: None.
Homeless Superior
Nickname: 99% ‘ers
Motto: It’s all we got.
Arising with mass urbanization in the nineteenth
century, the Homeless Superior is made
exclusively of people for whom an origin story
was equivalent to winning the lottery. Being part
of the vast, forgotten masses and having nothing
– no home, no job, no income – before getting
Powers the Homeless Superior have no identity
to lose. They display their Powers openly and
often violently. Most of all, being outside society
to begin with, they care very little of the
implications and consequences of their outbursts
on the rest of the Artificial Exotic community.
For that reason, the Homeless Superior is at best
shunned, at worst the subjects of outright
extermination, by most other Factions and
Families. If they are a member of a Family, it is
typically one made of other Homeless Superior.
Note; Homeless Superior is a non-player faction,
meaning it is available exclusively for the Game
Master’s use. Members of the Homeless
Superior possess no Identity and cannot trade it
to gain increased Resources.
Flying Hobo
Faction: Homeless Superior
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Chips: 51
Clubs 1, Diamonds 1, Hearts 5, Spades 4, Joker
1
Defense: 9, Identity: NA, Loathing: 5,
Resources: 2, Status: 1, Vitality: 18
Powers: Defense 6, Flight 6.
Gear: Short blunt weapon (+1).
Notes: None.
Robin Hoodlum
Faction: Homeless Superior
Chips: 80
Back Stories: Accident 2, Bourgeoisie 3,
Homeless 2, Sojourn 4
Clubs 3, Diamonds 2, Hearts 3, Spades 3, Joker
1
Defense: 3 (7 with armour), Identity: 5,
Loathing: 5, Resources: 4, Status: 3, Vitality: 6
Powers: Defense 6, Luck 4
Gear: Ceramic Armour (+4), Hero Costume (+4),
Rifle (+4), Short Blade (+2).
Notes: Not all Homeless Superior are born to
poverty. Some, like the Robin Hoodlum here,
were born to middle and even upper class
families and actively choose to abandon their
former lives.
i00i
Nickname: Hunters
Motto: one-thousand-and-one.
i00i is perhaps the most mysterious faction of all;
even their name is a puzzle, though most Exotics
interpret it as the numbers one and zero – thus
pronouncing its name one-thousand-and-one.
Though their grander motives remain obfuscated,
one thing is known from their activities – i00i
hunt Artificial Exotics. Be it for sport or science,
none can say, but the fruits of their labor are

shown in their individual members, displaying
any combination of Powers from any Faction.
Note; i00i is a non-player faction, meaning it is
available exclusively for the Game Master’s use.
They do not participate in Families or Super-
society as a whole. i00i remains in the shadows
on the fringes, just beyond reach, coming out
only to strike.
Hero-Hunter
Faction: i00i
Chips: 50
Back Stories: Chosen One 3, Hunter 3, Soldier 3.
Clubs 3, Diamonds 1, Hearts 1, Spades 5, Joker
1
Defense: 11 (7 unarmoured), Identity: 2 (5 with
mask), Loathing: 0, Resources: 2, Status: 1,
Vitality: 12
Powers: Attack (Melee) 6, Boom-Suit (Spades)
6.
Gear: Ceramic Armour, (+4), Full-face mask
(+3).
Notes: None.
Surgical Scientist
Faction: i00i
Chips: 54
Back Stories: Chosen One 3, Scientist 6.
Clubs 6, Diamonds 2, Hearts 2, Spades 3, Joker
1 Soldier 3.
Defense: 4, Identity: 8, Loathing: 0, Resources:
4, Status: 1, Vitality: 10
Powers: Boom Suit (Clubs): 4, Boom Skill
(Medical): 4
Gear: Medical Tools (+3), Weird-Science
Scalpel (Object, Circumstance: Medical 6,
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Circumstance: Melee 6, Modifications:
Modification: Double Up, Cost: 16)
Notes: None.
Mere Mortals
Mere Mortals are anyone and everyone
without Powers: Cops, nurses, sewer workers,
plumbers, priests, and billions more (i.e.
everyone who isn’t a Super). These are the
ants of Humanity – a pitiful multitude of easily
squish-ables. In game terms, mere mortals
function slightly differently to Artificial
Exotics. For one thing, they possess a flat
Vitality rating of one. One successful Wound
and they are dead. They additionally do not
possess the Identity or Loathing Traits under
normal circumstances.
Mere Mortals
Mere mortals are the citizens and everyday
people, the non-Exotic population of the city and
its streets. If the Artificial Exotics make up 1-3%
of the population, these are the 97-99%. Massing
and cowering, mere mortals both fear and are
intensely jealous of Artificial Exotics and the
Powers that they wield.
Police Officer
Faction: None.
Chips: 0
Back Stories: Connected 2,* Law and Order 3,
Clubs 3, Diamonds 3, Hearts 4, Spades 3, Joker
1
Defense: 6 (3 unarmoured), Identity: N/A,
Loathing: N/A, Resources: 6, Status: 0, Vitality:
1
Powers: None.

Gear: Blunt Short Melee Weapon (+1), Flak
Armour (+3), Pistol (+2).
Notes: Mere Mortal.
* A cop has extensive contact with criminals,
and probably knows more than a few by name,
not necessarily corrupt.
Gangster
Faction: None.
Chips: 0
Back Stories: Connected 2, Thief 2, Soldier 2.
Clubs 3, Diamonds 2, Hearts 2, Spades 3, Joker
1 meaning it is available exclusively for the Game
Defense: 3, Identity: N/A, Loathing: N/A,
Resources: 4, Status: N/A, Vitality: 1
Powers: None.
Gear: Pistol (+2), Short Blade (+2).
Notes: Mere Mortal.
Vigilante
Faction: None.
Chips: 0
Back Stories: Hated 2, Homeless 2, Soldier 2.
Clubs 3, Diamonds 2, Hearts 2, Spades 2, Joker
1 Re-wiring), Identity: 8, Loathing: 6, Resources:
Defense: 2, Identity: 4 (8 when masked),
Loathing: 5, Resources: 4, Status: 0, Vitality: 1
Powers: None.
Gear: Full-Face Mask (+4), Slug Gun (+4).
Notes: Mere mortal but due to the nature of their
activities, Vigilante’s both have Identity and
Loathing.
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Steppin’ Razor
Nickname: The Meek.
Motto: Been to Chiba?
Mere mortals who have attained Powers through
cybernetic implants and black market surgeries,
the Steppin’ Razor’s are the embodiment of
humanities tendency to produce cheap knock-
offs. A vibrant and violent robotic subculture all
their own, any one Steppin’ Razor has paid top
dollar for their implants and Powers – or else had
it paid for them. The latter is more often the case,
seeing the Steppin’ Razor enter debt and the
services of their patron – which can range from
degrading to dangerous to criminal.
Note; Steppin’ Razor is a non-player faction,
Master’s use. They are not Artificial Exotics but
instead complex cyborgs with implants designed
to mimic Powers, boost natural health and
endurance and other effects.
Straight-Shave Sally
Faction: Steppin’ Razor
Chips: 50
Back Stories: Connected 3, Homeless 2,
Mechanical 4.
Clubs 3, Diamonds 3, Hearts 1, Spades 6, Joker
1
Defense: 10 (4 without Nervous and Circulatory
6, Status: 1, Vitality: 7 (1 without Nervous and
Circulatory Re-wiring).
Powers: None natural (see Gadgets).
Gear: Gadget: Nervous and Circulatory Re-
wiring (Integrated, Trait: Defense 6, Trait:
Vitality 6, Cost: 28), Gadget: Razor Nails
(Integrated, Circumstance: Attack 6,
Modifications: Power Mod - Attack 6, Cost: 45).
Notes: Mere mortal.
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Ziggy and the Plague from Mars

Mercury Delivery, a low-rent no-questions asked
Courier Company. Part way in transit, just after
entering the city Mercury’s couriers began to get
sick. Fearing the repercussions of carrying the
source of Suffragette’s plague, the company has
decided to hand the package onto a third party to
complete the delivery: the characters.

Contact

Have the local representative of the character’s

Faction approach them. If the characters are
members of multiple Factions, then have
Mercury contact them directly, either via
reputation through the local Masquerade Club or
else directly through Backgrounds, adding the
character’s Faction-based objectives as
individual character missions (delivered through
the Family’s representative either personally or
as a blanket call). Don’t be afraid to have various
Factions communicate to characters in secret
(passing notes to their player or having a discrete
private conversation). The goals and missions for
each Faction are as follows:
• Hewson-Tanner: Hewson-Tanner
knows that the virus in Suffragette City
causes Origin in anyone infected. They
Ziggy and the Plague from Mars is a short also know that the Voyagers Forth have
sample adventure. this virus’ subject zero and are moving
it into the characters’ city. Hewson-
On a recent expedition beyond the Earth, the
Tanner want the character and their
Voyagers Forth discovered and captured a lone
alien mummy on Mars, which they have team to get them subject zero.
nicknamed “Ziggy.” What the Voyagers Forth • Justice/Org: Justice/Org knows the
didn’t realize at the time is that Ziggy is carrying Voyagers Forth have the cause of the
a vicious virus. Ironically, those the plague does virus that ravaged Suffragette City and
not kill undergo Origin as a symptom – are moving it into the characters’ city.
becoming Artificial Exotics. Quarantining Ziggy, Justice/Org want the character and their
the plague nonetheless escaped their base –
team to destroy the source before a
catching the attention of both Hewson-Tanner
and Justice/Org. The virus has already caused a second city is infected.
string of deaths and infections in Suffragette City • Voyagers Forth: The Voyagers Forth
(a fictional city located anywhere the Game tell the characters that they discovered a
Master wants it to be). Forced to move Ziggy, mummified Martian, codenamed Ziggy,
the character’s city has been selected as the new on an expedition to Mars. They are
location to study the mummy before the Martian
currently moving Ziggy to a safe
can be discovered as the source of the plague by
the general public. To help avoid suspicion of an location in the character’s city and
“Exotic” package, however, the Voyagers Fourth would like the character and their team
have opted to move Ziggy through a third party: to discretely get it there.

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The Movement Powers: Elementalism (Virus) 3, Origin 1,

Telekinesis 6, Telepathy 6
Pick two locations in your city, one an
appropriate entry point (airport, train station, Gear: None.
trucking depot). Another as a secure location set
up by the Voyagers Forth as a disease-controlled Notes: Ziggy, as a form-armed, grey-greened
research facility. From the first the characters skinned humanoid with enormous red eyes,
acquire Ziggy. At the second they are expected cannot pass as Human and thus has an Identity of
to deliver the Martain (packaged in a large, zero.
locked, non-descript box. The characters do not
have the key, but if necessary, the characters are
provided with a vehicle for transport). Aside
from cross-Faction loyalty between the
characters, another Factions has also learnt of the
volatile cargo being transported: The Homeless
Superior, who have taken it on themselves to
defend their city from the violent pathogen –
seeking to destroy its source. In response, the
Homeless Superior have organized a small army
of the disenfranchised. Start out by throwing
some Gangsters and Vigilantes’ (two per
character) at the characters. Then move up to a
few Robin Hoodlums of Flying Hobos to waylay
the characters as they attempt to move Ziggy.

The Final Twist

Just as the characters get to the Voyager’s Forth

location, if things are at a lull, Faction rivalry
hasn’t come to the fore yet, or you just want a bit
more drama and action, unleash the vicious
twist: Ziggy isn’t dead. The Martian is simply
engaged in a form of hybrid-hibernation-
mummification. And at that moment, Ziggy
awakens and is hungry: with humans smelling
like food.

Ziggy, the Monster from Mars

Faction: None.

Chips: 161

Back Stories: Endling 6, Galactic 6.

Clubs 3, Diamonds 2, Hearts 2, Spades 2, Joker

1

Defence: 2, Identity: 0, Loathing: 0, Resources:

0, Status: 0, Vitality: 8

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That spider-bite should have killed you…

Your eyes can shoot laser beams…

Walls crumble like paper at your touch…

You are special…

You are super…

You are an Artificial Exotic… And the world

hates you for it.
Artificial Exotics is the anti-Superhero game. In a world filled with thousands of
costumed supermen and superwomen there is no fight for truth, no crusade for justice.
There is only the fight. The powerless majority are jealous of you. The Factions of the
powerful seek to manipulate you. The city turns a blind eye. Gifted with special powers,
your character enters a world that coverts both covets and fears their power. Forced to
hide their face and amazing abilities from the greater society of jealous mere mortals,
your character will navigate a terrain of manipulative secret societies and strange
subcultures that are simply… Exotic.