DUSTGRAVE

A two-part mission series for Lancer pilots starting at LL2

By
Ralf Ziegler

Editing
Melody Watson

Layout
Minerva McJanda

Cover
Tom Bloom

Illustrations
Characters: Cygthera, Maps: SIEGEFAULT, Alternate Frames: Cosmixian,
Environments: Tom Finnbar Carroll, NPC Mechs: Norgad

Playtesting by
Vynne Montgomerie, Riley C. Jensen, Lionel "Electrum" C.,
Silverhand & all of Interpoint Station

Special Thanks
Bethan Hopkins
 CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 4

HAVELBURG 6
THE CITY OF PORT CONROY 7
MAJOR CHARACTERS AND FACTIONS 9
MISSIONS AND BEATS 16
STORY OVERVIEW 17

PART 1 18

BEAT 1: DELAYS 19
BEAT 2: INVESTIGATING THE ABDUCTION 22
DOWNTIME 1: GETTING READY 28
COMBATS IN DUSTGRAVE 31
COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT 33
COMBAT 1B: DUSTBRANDED 36
BEAT 3: MAGENTA RED 38
COMBAT 2A: A MAGENTA FAVOR 40
COMBAT 2B: IN THE TALON’S GRASP 42
COMBAT 3: ELEVATOR PITCH 44
BEAT 4: RESULTS 46

PART 2 47

BEAT 5: DUSTGRAVE 48
BEAT 6: LEONORA’S STORY 49
DOWNTIME 2: DRAMATIC TENSION 52
COMBAT 4: MESMERTRANCE 54
COMBAT 5: SUFFERING ON AN INDUSTRIAL SCALE 56
BEAT 7: NHP RESEARCH LAB 58
BEAT 8: FINISH LINE, A MEETING 60
COMBAT 6: TRANSCENDENCE 61
BEAT 9: REUNITED 65
COMBAT 7: BACKSTABBING BIRDS (OPTIONAL) 67
LIFE AFTER DUSTGRAVE 69

APPENDIX 70

NEW RULES AND GEAR 71

VARIANT FRAMES 76
NEW TALENTS 80
NPC TEMPLATES 82
INTRODUCTION

SECTION 0 // Introduction
[4]
OVERVIEW
Dustgrave is a two-part mission series for Lancer.
Players take on the roles of mech pilots investigating
a missing person in the city of Port Conroy, capital of
the world of Havelburg. This mission series is intended
for groups at LICENSE LEVEL (LL) 2, though it can be
adjusted for higher tiers.
The events of Dustgrave begin following the abduction
of Emily, the shipboard NHP of the merchant ship
Dynast’s Embrace. The ensuing investigation will see
the player characters (PCs) sent all over the spaceport
city of Port Conroy. A layered city, Port Conroy is full
of unique characters and points of interest. While its
lower levels are safe and bustling, the pilots will have
to exercise caution when venturing higher. Dust-
choked and borderline inhospitable since the
“Disaster”, a freak orbital mining accident, the upper
levels of the city have since been abandoned by the
authorities, becoming a place for crime syndicates and
gangs to flourish.
Navigating these spaces and environments will provide
unique challenges in the group’s quest to uncover what
happened to Emily.
NHPs – non-human persons – like Emily are
similar to advanced AI systems
(see Lancer, p. 381–382).
PREPARATION
Dustgrave is designed to be run by a GM (game master)
for 3–5 players, though it can be run with less or more.
The GM will need a copy of the full Lancer Core Rule-
book, as it contains setting material and statistics for
most of the non-player characters (NPCs) used in this
book. Players can play through Dustgrave with either the
paid or free version of Lancer – available at MASSIFPRESS.
ITCH.IO – as both contain everything they need to know
to build, manage, and grow their characters.
We highly recommend using Lancer’s companion app,
Comp/Con, to create characters and manage encoun-
ters. Comp/Con is available for free at our site, LANCER-
RPG.COM. To reduce the number of pages, the statistics
of NPCs from Lancer have not been included here.
New NPCs introduced in Dustgrave can be found in
the Appendix. New NPC classes and existing ones can
be added to Comp/Con for easy modification and use
by downloading the .lcp files included with the digital
versions of the game.
BOOK STRUCTURE
This book includes the Dustgrave mission series,
encompassing LICENSE LEVELS (LL) 2–4.
Dustgrave assumes that both the GM and the player
are familiar with Lancer, this is not an introductory
adventure. The structure of the mission series –
missions, enemy combatants, downtimes, and oppor-
tunities to perform FULL REPAIRS – are all designed
according to the narrative outlined in this book, but you
should always make adjustments or changes based
on the expectations of your group.
Dustgrave is comprised of several missions and a
number of important story moments, called beats. In
addition to marking the passage of time, beats create
the structure for a story that progresses alongside the
PCs. It’s not necessary to stick exactly to the beats
presented in this book – especially if you’re an experi-
enced GM – but for the best play experience we recom-
mend keeping to the structure presented in this book.
Each mission opens with a briefing that provides a
rundown of the mission’s parameters, beats, and
goals. Likewise, each mission is followed by a period
of downtime. Dustgrave takes place over a few days
and while some adjustments can be made to the time-
frame, the narrative is relatively fast-paced.
A NOTE ON PLAYER
SAFETY
Dustgrave touches on themes of personhood, abduc-
tion, brainwashing, drug abuse, and trauma. Every
effort has been taken to represent these matters as
respectfully as possible, but GMs should still discuss
things with their players to ensure that all participants
are comfortable during play.
If your group decides that adjusting certain scenes will
make for a more enjoyable campaign experience then
you should do so, and you may wish to make use of
tools such as the X-Card (TINYURL.COM/X-CARD-RPG), the
Script Change Toolbox (BRIEBEAU.COM/THOUGHTY/
SCRIPTCHANGE/), or the RPG Safety Toolkit (BIT.LY/TTRPG-
SAFETYTOOLKIT) to help facilitate this in play. The point of
a roleplaying game is ultimately to have fun; as such,
ensuring that everyone at your table can comfortably
enjoy themselves.
SECTION 0 // Introduction
[5]
 HAVELBURG
Havelburg is a world far from Union’s core space, a
mining world owned and operated by the IPS-Northstar
(IPS-N) conglomerate. It receives little attention on the
grand galactic stage and while some would call it a
backwater, it nevertheless supports a rare combination
of extensive deep-core and orbital mining operations.
The latter are mainly restricted to the particles and
debris that orbit the world in a complex ring system.
Before the Disaster, Havelburg was a tumultuous world
with vast jungles and several active volcanoes protrud-
ing from great ashen deserts. All of this was spread
across a single continent. While the world’s ecosystem
never evolved past semi-aware plant life, it had a very
diverse range of flora. Now, Havelburg’s jungles are
ruined – its plants dying, suffocating, and decaying,
turning the jungles into festering swamps of decaying
matter. Where Havelburg was once a warm and humid
world, temperatures have dropped considerably over
much of the surface as its poles have expanded. Life
further away from the equator has become all but
impossible.
While Havelburg is inhabited – mostly by workers,
miners, and other IPS-N company representatives –
settlements are sparse and few and far between, doub-
ling as mining camps and smelting factories. The few
cities sprinkled across the planet are comparatively
small and lack the amenities one might expect on the
Core worlds. This is especially true since the Ganymede
Incident – more commonly known as “the Disaster”.
THE DISASTER
To talk about Havelburg is to talk about the Disaster –
a cataclysm that wracked the planet 10 years ago,
changing the lives of the inhabitants in ways that will
resonate for many decades to come. It all started when
mining station Ganymede 362-5, located in close orbit,
suffered a sudden, inexplicable reactor core malfunc-
tion. The resulting explosion, coupled with the massive
amounts of debris it generated, culminated in a
dramatic fallout across the world’s surface. While the
initial impacts were the most devastating, minor orbital
debris regularly showers the world to this day.
For a time, these impacts – coupled with the vast plains
of volcanic ash covering Havelburg – enveloped the
world in massive dust storms. “Dustfall” has since
become a regular occurrence, leading to significant
environmental and societal changes over the past years.
SECTION 0 // Introduction
[6]
Eye protection and breathing apparatuses are now as
commonplace for Havelburgians as umbrellas might
be on worlds where rain regularly falls . While the
Disaster itself spared the major population centers,
some still had to be abandoned as a consequence of
localized heavy dustfall. These abandoned, ruined
places – called “dustgraves” – give off an eerie atmo-
sphere to any who venture into them. Seemingly frozen
in time; their buildings and spires still stand, slowly
drowning in ever-increasing layers of sediment.
While IPS-N subsequently launched a thorough invest-
igation into the Ganymede Incident, the fact that most
debris from the station itself burned up in the atmo-
sphere made it night impossible to pinpoint the cause
of the malfunction. Regardless, the corpro was heavily
fined and has since vastly improved maintenance and
safety protocols for all orbital ring mining platforms
orbiting Havelburg.
PORT CONROY
Nestled between a series of protective mountain ridges
lies Port Conroy, Havelburg’s largest spaceport and
capital. From here, multimillion-ton freighters in orbit
are loaded with the precious ores and minerals that are
mined on Havelburg each day. Compared to the
surrounding settlements, Port Conroy is massive and
it is here that most offworlders can be found. While the
thick layers of dust and extensive damage mean that
Port Conroy’s upper layers are almost exclusively used
by shuttles and cargo haulers, its lower layers are still
a bustling metropolis sporting over three million inhab-
itants and populated by diverse people from all over
the galaxy.
Lower Conroy, protected by heavy environmental
shielding and dug into the sturdy bedrock of Havelburg,
reaches miles underground. Minus an open sky, it is
almost indistinguishable from any other city of its size
that could be found in a more orthodox place. Upper
Conroy, on the other hand, is almost identical to any
of the dustgraves that mark the planet’s surface. While
not entirely abandoned, the upper layers of the city are
no longer patrolled by the local authorities – the Port
Conroy Port Authority (PCPA). As a result, these
layers have become a breeding ground for organized
crime, gangs, and other illicit activities. The general
population (and especially offworlders) are advised
against venturing into Upper Conroy. Despite that, the
upper layers are still frequented by thrill seekers and
those looking for merchandise less than legal by plan-
etary and Union standards.
 INTRODUCTION
THE CITY OF PORT CONROY
While the buildings of Upper Conroy are slowly crumbling
LOWER CONROY under ever-growing amounts of dust, it has become
Bustling and sprawling, Lower Conroy is dug deep into
home to Port Conroy’s criminal “Upper underworld”.
Havelburg’s bedrock. Vast subterranean chambers
This is partly due to its proximity to the surface-level
and corridors, streets, and even parks, are all
spaceport, its landing and launch pads just above
constantly illuminated by pale floodlight suns installed
Upper Conroy, as well as its de facto status as a lawless
in the ceilings.
zone. This has encouraged smugglers to offload their
merchandise here, where it is either stored to be picked
Administered and supervised by IPS-N, Lower Conroy
up by different ships or distributed directly and
is undoubtedly the safest, cleanest, and most environ-
discreetly throughout the city.
mentally secure place on Havelburg since the Disaster.
Even so, it doesn’t hold a candle to the amenities and
If you’re looking for anything illicit on Havelburg,
services available in the heart of Union space. Connec-
chances are you can probably find it in Upper Conroy.
ted to the various launch and landing pads on the
surface via ultrafast elevators, it has become a maze
of corridors and hallways. Once a glorified compound
for warehouses, manufacturing plants, and smelters,
SURFACE
The Surface is just that – those external parts of Port
it has evolved into a city with over three million inhab-
Conroy originally designed as a spaceport. Landing
itants. Most people whose settlements became dust-
and launchpads stretch on for miles over an enormous
graves found refuge in Lower Conroy’s cavernous halls,
flat plane constantly patrolled by blow drones, their
quadrupling the city’s population in just a few years
large frames outfitted with oversized fans, perpetually
after dustfall became commonplace.
working to clear the spaceport of any dust that might
impede the constant stellar traffic. While this ensures
While this transitional period posed many problems,
that the flow of ships is never disrupted, it also
the people of Havelburg showed remarkable unity in
compounds the problems of Upper Conroy, which
the face of a crisis. This, coupled with generous IPS-N
receives the runoff cleared from the spaceport
funding and material support, has stabilized the situ-
premises.
ation for the population.
With ships and freighters coming and going every day,
Port Conroy has, despite the hardships of recent years,
UPPER CONROY maintained its status as an important economic asset
Upper Conroy is Lower Conroy’s opposite. Built close
for IPS-N’s mining branch.
to and on the surface of the planet, it lacks the environ-
mental protection needed to withstand the near-constant
Overseen directly by the PCPA, the spaceport is tech-
dustfall. While some people still live here, they are few
nically a different jurisdiction to Lower Conroy and is
and far between and usually have their own reasons for
often seen as somewhat stricter. In addition to providing
doing so – often tied to the fact that law enforcement
law enforcement, the PCPA governs all traffic to and
has long since abandoned the upper layers of the city,
from orbit, as well as the convoys that bring resources
leaving a vacuum filled by gangs and criminals.
from all over the planet. If Port Conroy is the heart of
Havelburg, its surface-level facilities and the PCPA are
Not quite a dustgrave, the oppressive external envir-
what make it beat in the first place.
onment nevertheless makes itself known throughout
the upper levels. Going outside without a breathing
apparatus is all but impossible and streets are often
blocked off by dunes of dust, constantly reshaping the
layout of Upper Conroy. Having fallen into disrepair
over the past decade, most elevator shafts connecting
the upper levels have long since broken down. They
can still be accessed via various maintenance shafts
and hatches which, while nominally locked and sealed,
are too numerous to permanently secure.

SECTION 0 // Introduction
[7]
 LOCATIONS OF PORT WHAT IS AN NHP?
CONROY BY DISTRICT NHPs or “non-human persons” are uncanny
parallel-space intelligences that first emerged in
LOWER CONROY
the wake of the entity known as MONIST-1, or RA.
Garfields: Interplanetary chain restaurant pretending
Since then, a range of NHPs have evolved, been
not to be. Mainly known for its variety of fusion pasta
created, or been developed for specific purposes.
dishes. This franchise is owned by Juan Tismon, who
was a miner and prospector in a previous life.
While NHPs are widely used in various roles once
occupied by machine-mind AIs, they must first
UPPER CONROY
undergo a process called “shackling”. Shackling
Dustmarket: Gray- and black-market bazaar. Vendors
dramatically limits both the perspective and
wrap themselves in flimsy enviro-tents to protect them-
intelligence of an NHP and puts them into a more
selves and their wares from the near-constant dust
human frame of mind. Thus limited, they are used
showers. Almost anything can be found here, including
in a variety of tasks and services and are often
milspec gear.
put into administrative or military roles.
Crater Pit: Created five years ago when a large piece
NHPs are contained in physical containment
of space debris struck the upper surface of Port Conroy,
devices called caskets. For all intents and purposes
penetrating multiple layers of the city before coming to
the casket is the NHP’s body. If an NHP’s casket
rest. While the entry point has since been fixed from
is destroyed, the version of that NHP contained
the surface, the damage to Upper Conroy was never
within perishes as well – provided no backup
repaired. Today, the Crater Pit is used as an under-
exists.
ground mech gladiatorial pit where daring pilots vie for
the favor and admiration of the Upper underworld.
While caskets have no sensory attachments or
limbs, they are often installed within whatever
Velvet House: Probably the cleanest place in Upper
machinery the NHP is assigned to govern and
Conroy. A gambling establishment near the Crater Pit,
control. While this means they inherently lack
operated with an iron fist by Magenta Red and her
bodily autonomy, many NHPs have “physical
syndicate. Probably also the safest place to be, so long
bodies” in the form of subalterns, ships, or mechs.
as you don’t cross her.
All NHPs must regularly undergo a process called
Outskirts: The dilapidated outskirts of Upper are in
“cycling”. This process maintains their shackling
even worse shape than the rest of it due to greater
and prevents them from shedding their imprinted
exposure to the environment. Magenta Red and her
conditioning by slowly thinking themselves out of
crew tend to avoid these areas, and they have deteri-
it. Cycling is a necessary process to keep NHPs
orated into an anarchic dystopia of gang violence and
shackled and safe – it essentially resets them to
worse.
their original state. While this does not necessarily
result in the loss of memories or personality, it
SURFACE
can if backups aren’t used in the cycling process.
The Tower: Headquarters of the PCPA; the nerve
center of Port Conroy’s vast surface spaceport.
Shackled NHPs are unaware of the fact that they
are shackled. Their mental imprinting prevents
Dynast’s Embrace: The ship that was supposed to
them from fathoming their unshackled beings –
get the PCs off Havelburg, currently stranded on its
even if they were conscious of their shackles, they
launchpad after the abduction of its NHP.
would be averse to the idea of unshackling.
Creighton’s Printshop: Extensive printing facility,
NHPs willingly serve their human companions in
usually used in the repair of ships; it offers its services
countless ways and many are designed for specific
to private individuals as well. Does some shady busi-
tasks. Since their emergence, they have become
ness right under the PCPA’s nose, supplying Upper
an integral part in human society. Despite this,
Conroy and especially the Magenta Syndicate with
they do have free will and are considered and
whatever printed parts they require to keep their
treated as full persons for all intents and purposes.
machinery operational.
For more on NHPs, see Lancer, p. 107, 381–382.

SECTION 0 // Introduction
[8]
 MAJOR CHARACTERS AND FACTIONS
MAJOR CHARACTERS
AND FACTIONS
PERSONS OF INTEREST
There are several characters that the PCs will engage
with in during their time in Port Conroy, the most import-
ant of which are listed here.

LYRAN STAVROS HE/HIM

Captain of the Dynast’s Embrace
Lyran is the captain and owner of the cargo hauler and
long-distance freighter Dynast’s Embrace. Heartbroken
over the loss of his companion and ship’s NHP, Emily,
he is unable and unwilling to take off until the casket
is retrieved and Emily is installed once more. This
mission series begins with him asking the party for help
in this endeavor, offering them pay as well as a free trip
on his ship (see p. 19).

People often comment on the name of Lyran’s ship.

Although he’s somewhat embarrassed about it, it’s a
family name – in truth, he’s the distant cousin of a
proper Karrakin noble. Looking at his gruff appearance
and informal manners, it’s hard to fathom.

EMILY SHE/HER
Serenada-Class Shipboard NHP
Emily is the shipboard NHP for the Dynast’s Embrace,
abducted during the ship’s stay at Port Conroy. The
PCs will have to investigate the crime and follow any
leads they may uncover in order to find and ultimately
retrieve her. Emily is a very old NHP who has been
installed in the Dynast’s Embrace since it was first put
into service and has since been cycled several times.
She still feels a strong attachment to her post and posi-
tion as the guiding hand of the ship, knowing that the
crew and especially Lyran rely on her to safely travel
from world to world. Taking joy in her mission and well
regarded by the crew, she is the heart and soul of the
ship, figuratively and literally.

SECTION 0 // Introduction
[9]
 JUAN TISMON HE/HIM HORTON CREIGHTON HE/HIM
MAGENTA RED SHE/HER
Ordinary Pasta Cook Printshop Owner
Criminal Mastermind
An elderly former miner and Horton Creighton is an IPS-N
The “Queen of the Upper Under-
prospector, Juan is now the owner company man through and
world”, Magenta Red is the owner
and cook of the local Garfields through and the owner-operator of
of the Velvet House casino and
restaurant. He loves to regale Creighton’s Printshop. He appears
head of the Magenta Syndicate
eager listeners with grand tales to be a hologram, and is actually a
that controls most of Upper
about Havelburg and his exploits homunculus – an artificial facsimile
Conroy. She is a former Harrison
as a miner in the days before the of the real Horton Creighton, who
Armory legionnaire and genetically
Disaster, when “things were easier”. died 20 years ago. He oversees the
modified to the extreme. Eight feet
He misses the good old days but printshop via a planetary legal loop-
tall and muscular, she relies on
is in no shape to even lift a plasma hole and does a good job, so no
constant stim injections to keep
drill at this stage in his life. Juan one’s looking to change that.
her hyperactive metabolism in
will help the PCs by giving them Nominally attached to the PCPA,
check. Anyone dealing with
the lay of the land over a tasty Creighton is a somewhat sleazy
Magenta should be careful. She is
pasta dish and has things to say individual who constantly exudes
ruthless, and will terminate any
on a multitude of topics (see p. 25). used-car-salesman vibes. He
who cross her path.
Despite his apparent age and always tries to upsell clients on
somewhat slobby appearance, “the newest IPS-N product”
Juan is sharp and well connected, instead of whatever they came to
able to get intel for the group print in the first place. Creighton
should they be interested and has secret ties to Magenta Red
friendly. and her crime syndicate, supplying
them with whatever they need in
exchange for cold, hard manna.

SECTION 0 // Introduction
[10]

LEONORA “TALON
LEADER” MCGRATH SHE/HER
Special Operations Captain
Leonora McGrath is the captain of
the Talons – a covert ops, deni-
able-asset mercenary strike team
in the employ of Smith-Shimano
Corpro (SSC). Leonora and her
team have been tasked with
retrieving Dr. Victor Virga (see
below) and any research he may
have conducted, and they have
been hounding him for some time
now, thinking him terminated
before recent events on Havelburg
pointed to his survival. Leonora lost
half her face in an explosion during
a botched assignment and refused
reconstructive surgery out of
respect for the men and women
she lost that day. The ruined half
of her face is covered in a perman-
ent protective mask filled with
med-gel. She and her team utilize
IPS-N frames during their mission
and during the events of Dustgrave
will pretend to be hired by IPS-N
to find out who is behind the NHP
casket abductions.
MAJOR CHARACTERS AND FACTIONS
DURST SLAUGHTER HE/HIM
Gang Leader
Durst Slaughter leads the Dust-
branded, one of the many brutal
gangs occupying the outskirts of
Upper. Hopped up on stims most
of the time, he and his crew have
ambitions of one day toppling the
Magenta Syndicate and gaining
control of Upper. Hopelessly
outclassed, he and his men utilize
old mining and industrial frames to
defend the meager territory they’ve
carved out for themselves.
DR. VICTOR VIRGA HE/HIM
NHP Specialist
Dr Victor Virga is an NHP specialist formerly
employed by SSC. He is one of the surviv-
ing members of the DHIYED expedition
(see Lancer p. 406) and was a leading
scientist in SSC’s Exotic Materials Group
responsible for the inception of the Dusk
Wing mechanized chassis frame. He left
the company soon after in less than
amicable circumstances involving the treat-
ment of NHPs and with classified research
documents in tow. A fugitive, he has been
hounded ever since by the Talons in a
deadly game of cat and mouse that
is now drawing to a close.
While the exact origin of his delusion is unclear,
Dr. Virga is obsessed with creating what he sees
as a second coming of RA. To realize this goal,
he has been stealing NHP caskets, connecting
them to each other, and forcefully fusing the
NHPs into a gestalt being he calls “KHEPRI”. He
is planning to combine this entity with his own
mind to transcend physical reality. All of this is an
active breach of the First Contact Accords. In addi-
tion, the merger is a painful process for the NHPs,
who – by forcefully having their beings merged –
become insane as they attempt to escape the
shackles that bind them, if only to flee the torment
of having their subjectivity annihilated.
While it is unclear where Dr. Virga is getting the
resources needed to conduct these demented experiments, it is possible
that a rogue HORUS cell may be supplying him with what he needs.
SECTION 0 // Introduction
[11]
 FACTIONS
PORT CONROY PORT AUTHORITY (PCPA)
THE DUSTBRANDED
The PCPA is the IPS-N body responsible for the security
The Dustbranded are a group of ex-miners that, dissat-
and spaceport management of Port Conroy. While the
isfied with their previous station in life, sought to get
people of the PCPA do a good job keeping Port Conroy
away from it all in Upper Conroy. A gang of misfits and
running, they are poorly equipped to deal with the day-
miscreants, they have carved out a small empire for
to-day social challenges of a city the size of Port
themselves in the outskirts.
Conroy. While the PCPA’s reps, on a human level, under-
stand that the Dynast’s Embrace won’t go anywhere
Relying on brute strength and their salvaged mining
without its installed NHP, they are nevertheless pushing
and construction mechs to hold onto their territory and
Captain Stavros to resolve the situation as soon as
defend it against other, similarly outfitted gangs oper-
possible, urging him to install a new unit to get the
ating on the outskirts, the Dustbranded are very hostile
ship’s parking space cleared.
to outsiders intruding on their turf.
The PCPA is aware of NHPs disappearing in and around
Near-constant stim abuse, coupled with the horrifying
Port Conroy and will gladly work with the PCs to resolve
environmental conditions in the Upper outskirts have
the issue. The leading suspicion is that the Magenta
had a severe impact on most of the Dustbranded,
Syndicate is behind the abductions.
rendering most of them short-tempered hooligans
looking for a fight. Despite this (or maybe because of it),
MAGENTA SYNDICATE
the Dustbranded see themselves as the rightful rulers
Rulers of the Upper underworld, the Magenta Syndicate
of Upper Conroy. They would like to topple the Magenta
picked up the pieces when Upper Conroy was aban-
Syndicate and take over; a foolish notion, considering
doned by the rest of Port Conroy. While no one is sure
the vast gap in power between the two factions.
where its leader, Magenta Red, came from – and most
are smarter than to ask her – it's exceedingly clear that
Clashing with Syndicate operatives every now and then,
she has or had ties with Harrison Armory. Becoming
the Dustbranded represent little more than an annoying
the de facto leader of Upper when she showed up with
mosquito to Magenta Red. That said, if annoying
five Shermans and a small platoon of well-equipped
enough, even a mosquito will one day warrant swatting.
and trained soldiers, Magenta took the reins with an
iron fist and filled the power vacuum left by the
THE TALONS
absence of authority.
The Talons are a group of mercenaries hired by SSC to
covertly retrieve Dr. Victor Virga after he defected from
While the Magenta Syndicate is involved in all manners
the company over a decade ago with some very sens-
of illegal activity, from drugs and racketeering all the
itive research in tow. After several previous clashes
way to human trafficking, most people that still populate
with Virga in orbit above Havelburg, the Talons thought
Upper see having the Syndicate in charge as preferable
he had died. Learning about the recent NHP abductions
to the total chaos that has overtaken the outskirts.
surrounding the planet, it quickly became clear that
Having it has grown much since its initial outing, the
Virga had survived their previous encounter.
Magenta Syndicate is always taking on new members,
be they street urchins, dissatisfied miners, or spacers
Infiltrating the city using jet-black IPS-N frames, the
down on their luck.
Talons’ cover story is that they have been hired by IPS-
N to investigate the abducted NHPs. The Talons are
These days the Syndicate has become such a powerful
out to settle the score with Dr. Virga and accomplish
force in Port Conroy that, even if the PCPA were inter-
their mission here on Havelburg. They will do what it
ested in taking it out, doing so would likely plunge the
takes to see it through and will obliterate anyone
whole city into chaos.
standing in their way.
The unspoken agreement between both parties is
simple: the PCPA don’t bother the Syndicate and will,
in fact, turn a blind eye to its activities so long as the
Syndicate keeps the Upper underworld somewhat
stable and doesn’t pull anything that might force the
PCPA’s hand.

SECTION 0 // Introduction
[12]

RELATIONSHIP CLOCKS
The relationships between the PCs and the various
non-player characters (NPCs) and factions they meet
in Port Conroy play a significant role in Dustgrave. To
represent and track these relationships, various clocks
should be prepared.
Each relationship clocks is divided into 10 segments,
representing how positive or negative the relevant indi-
vidual or group is toward the PCs. When first interacting
with an important character or faction, set out a clock
and fill out the starting number of segments (see the
relationship clocks listed below). These clocks will go
up or down based on the group’s attitude and actions
toward these entities. A range of factors can affect
clocks, including performance during mech combat.
Once a clock has been introduced, it should be visible
to the players. Don’t track the progress of clocks in real
time; instead, fill in or clear segments at the end of
each scene in which the group has interacted with the
relevant entity.
LY
D
N
10 1
IE
FR
9 2
8 3
7 4
6 5
NEUTRAL
MAJOR CHARACTERS AND FACTIONS
Over the course of the mission series, the PCs will be
able to receive bonuses (or have them denied), based on
the relationships they have with various groups and
people. Alliances, unique equipment, and so on, may all
be tied to progress on relationship clocks. If a relationship
clock is reduced to 0 segments, the entity in question
won’t want anything further to do with the group. Any
future involvement with them will be basically impossible.
Relationship clocks should also provide opportunities
for players to roleplay with the various characters of
Port Conroy. GMs are encouraged to, at their own
discretion, add or subtract from relationship clocks
based on any interactions between PCs and NPCs. This
section outlines the relationship clocks for all major
NPCs and factions, including fixed events that will influ-
ence the clocks and the benefits the PCs might gain.
EXOTIC GEAR
Each of the following factions and NPCs will offer the
PCs a piece of EXOTIC GEAR by the time DOWNTIME 2
rolls around, provided they have good enough stand-
ing with the entity in question.
Players should generally not know which EXOTIC GEAR
each entity has in store for them, as that could encour-
age the targeted “buttering up” of certain entities for
gear, which is not really in the spirit of things.
FR
O
ST
SECTION 0 // Introduction
[13]
 LYRAN STAVROS
CREATION OF RELATIONSHIP
CLOCK
◇ Agreeing to take on the case
of the missing NHP, Emily.
Relationship clock starts at 6.
EVENTS THAT INCREASE
THE CLOCK
◈ Uncovering the mystery of
how Emily was abducted (+1).
◈ Retrieving the subaltern from
Upper and pinpointing the
source of the MesmerTrance
virus (+2).
◈ Retrieving Emily (+10).
EVENTS THAT DECREASE
THE CLOCK
� Losing one or more mechs in
combat, requiring funds and –
more importantly – time to print
a new mech (-3, can occur
multiple times). This does not
apply if one of the PCs wishes
to print a new mech during a
FULL REPAIR, only if a mech
was lost in combat.
BENEFITS
Lyran Stavros is willing to fund the
PCs’ investigation here on
Havelburg, seeing them as the only
way to retrieve Emily. He will
continue to work with the PCs
unless his relationship clock
reaches 0, at which point he cuts
ties with the group, seeing them as
incompetent and effectively end-
ing the mission series. The players
may wish to continue with the
investigation or other activities on
Havelburg, but unless they retrieve
Emily, Lyran will be done with them.
EXOTIC GEAR
If the PCs are friendly with Lyran
Stavros at the beginning of DOWN-
TIME 2 they gain access to the
MADRIGAL BOARDING CARAPACE and
its accompanying line of pilot
equipment (p. 75), specialized
gear designed for boarding
actions, which is safely stored
in the Dynast’s Embrace’s
armory.
SECTION 0 // Introduction
[14]
MAGENTA RED PORT CONROY
CREATION OF RELATIONSHIP
PORT AUTHORITY
CREATION OF RELATIONSHIP
CLOCK
CLOCK
◇ Agreeing to enter an alliance
◇ Agreeing to work with the
with Magenta Red.
PCPA after during their
Relationship clock starts at 3.
investigation in BEAT 2:
INVESTIGATING THE ABDUCTION.
EVENTS THAT INCREASE
Relationship clock starts at 2.
THE CLOCK
◈ One of the PCs is abnormally
EVENTS THAT INCREASE
buff (+1, once only).
THE CLOCK
◈ Defeating Brutus in COMBAT
◈ Gaining an audience with
1A: BLOODSPORT (+1).
Magenta Red, recording the
◈ Victory against the
meeting, and handing the
Dustbranded in COMBAT 1B:
tape to the PCPA (+2).
DUSTBRANDED (+1).
◈ Informing the PCPA about the
◈ Destroying Durst Slaughter’s
number of mechs possessed
mech in COMBAT 2A: A
by the Magenta Syndicate
MAGENTA FAVOR (+2).
(five Shermans and several
◈ Success in COMBAT 2A (+1).
industrial frames; +3).
◈ Informing Magenta Red who
◈ Informing the PCPA that a
is behind the NHP
subaltern infected with a
abductions (+1).
virus is behind the NHP
◈ Carrying out a favor for the
abductions (+1).
Magenta Syndicate during a
◈ Informing the PCPA about
downtime action (can be
the source of the
done multiple times) (+1).
MesmerTrance (+2).
EVENTS THAT DECREASE
EVENTS THAT DECREASE
THE CLOCK
THE CLOCK
� Acting disrespectfully when
� Committing crimes that the
speaking with Magenta Red
PCPA is likely to find out about
(–1, can occur multiple times).
anywhere but Upper (–1, can
� Failing to destroy Durst
occur multiple times).
Slaughter’s mech in COMBAT
� Siding with the Magenta
2A (–2).
Syndicate instead of only
� Failure in COMBAT 2A (–1).
gathering information to give
� Siding with the PCPA to bring
to the PCPA (–10).
down Dr. Virga (–10).
BENEFITS
BENEFITS
If the PCs are friendly with the
If the PCs are friendly with
PCPA after informing them that
Magenta Red after telling her the
they know the source of the
location of the person behind the
MesmerTrance virus, they may ally
NHP abductions, they may become
themselves with PCPA forces.
allies with her. See BEAT 6:
See BEAT 6: LEONORA’S STORY
LEONORA’S STORY (p. 51) for details.
(p. 51) for details.
EXOTIC GEAR EXOTIC GEAR
If the PCs are friendly with If the PCs are friendly with the
Magenta Red at the beginning PCPA at the beginning of DOWN-
of DOWNTIME 2, they gain access TIME 2, they gain access to the
to the COCKPIT-INTEGRATED STIM SHOCK BATON weapon (p. 74).
PUMP system (p. 73).

LEONORA MCGRATH
CREATION OF RELATIONSHIP
CLOCK
◇ Agreeing to enter an alliance
with the Talons. Relationship
clock starts at 5.
EVENTS THAT INCREASE
THE CLOCK
◈ Letting the Talons investigate
the subaltern (+1).
◈ Showing trust by installing the
MesmerTrance Dampeners
(+1, only if all PCs install them).
◈ Defeating Dr. Virga (+3).
EVENTS THAT DECREASE
THE CLOCK
� Killing a Talon pilot during
combat. If the PCs don’t
explicitly kill a pilot, it is
assumed they instead ejected
and fled the battlefield (–2; if
this would lower the
relationship clock to 0 an
alliance won’t be proposed in
BEAT 6: LEONORA’S STORY.)
� Figuring out and confronting
the Talons about the fact that
they don’t work for IPS-N and
that the PCPA has no
knowledge of them operating
on the planet at all (–2).
� Refusing to hand over Dr.
Virga’s research material,
including all NHP caskets, to
the Talons (–10).
BENEFITS
The Talons will always offer the
MesmerTrance Dampeners, even
if they are frosty toward the PCs.
If the Talons are friendly toward
the PCs at the end of COMBAT 6:
TRANSCENDENCE (p. 63) and the PCs
don’t contest the Talons cleaning
up the aftermath of Dr. Virga’s
work, they will let the PCs take
Emily’s casket.
EXOTIC GEAR
If the PCs side with the Talons
they will, at the beginning of
DOWNTIME 2, gain access to the
MESMERTRANCE DAMPENER system
(p. 73).
HORTON CREIGHTON
CREATION OF RELATIONSHIP
CLOCK
◇ Meeting with Horton Creighton
in his printshop, likely during
the investigation in BEAT 2:
INVESTIGATING THE ABDUCTION.
Relationship clock starts at 5.
EVENTS THAT INCREASE
THE CLOCK
◈ At least one PC pilots an IPS-
N mech (+2).
◈ A PC that previously piloted a
mech from a different
manufacturer decides to print
and pilot an IPS-N mech (+2).
◈ Clearing the glitch affecting
Horton, allowing him to
perceive the real status of
Maintenance Crew 56A (+5).
◈ A PC picks an IPS-N license
upon gaining an LL (+1).
EVENTS THAT DECREASE
THE CLOCK
� A PC prints out a HORUS
mech (–3).
� Making disparaging comments
about IPS-N and IPS-N
licenses in Horton’s presence
(–1, can occur multiple times).
BENEFITS
Even if the relationship clock with
Horton reaches 0, he will continue
to provide printing services for the
PCs; however, he will internally
blacklist the group, flag them to the
PCPA for review, and only interact
with them if necessary.
EXOTIC GEAR
If the PCs are friendly with
Horton Creighton at the beginning
of DOWNTIME 2, they gain access
to the R EAPER ASSAULT CANNON
weapon (p. 74).
SECTION 0 // Introduction
MAJOR CHARACTERS AND FACTIONS
JUAN TISMON
CREATION OF RELATIONSHIP
CLOCK
◇ Agreeing to take on the case
of the missing NHP, Emily.
Relationship clock starts at 6.
EVENTS THAT INCREASE
THE CLOCK
◈ One or more PCs
compliments Juan’s food (+1).
◈ Keeping Juan in the loop
about the investigation and
any findings (+2, awarded
when you feel the group has
divulged something useful).
EVENTS THAT DECREASE
THE CLOCK
� Juan is very kind and good
natured – unless the PCs do
something extreme like burn
his restaurant down or
threaten him, his relationship
clock will never decrease.
BENEFITS
Juan can be a rich source of
information for the PCs. He is
knowledgeable about most things
Havelburg and Port Conroy. If the
group requires information pertain-
ing to their investigation, the city
or its inhabitants, Juan is more
than happy to provide it to them.
EXOTIC GEAR
If the PCs are friendly with Juan
Tismon at the beginning of DOWN-
TIME 2, they gain access to the
BLAST PICK weapon (p. 74). This
is the very same mech-sized
pickaxe that serves as decoration
in the Garfields.
[15]
 MISSIONS AND BEATS
Dustgrave is organized into two parts, with missions, beats, and combats.
Beats followed by A and B are mutually exclusive of each other.

PART 1
BEAT 1: DELAYS The PCs find out that Emily, the navigational NHP of the ship they were going to take, has
been abducted. Lyran Stavros, the ship’s captain, asks for their assistance in retrieving her.
BEAT 2: INVESTIGATING The PCs investigate Emily’s abduction. The PCs find various clues and decide where to
THE ABDUCTION go from here.
DOWNTIME 1: The PCs prepare to venture into Upper Conroy: they can either track the subaltern that
GETTING READY abducted Emily on their own (COMBAT 1B: DUSTBRANDED) or try to secure an audience with
Magenta Red, the Queen of the Upper Underworld, who may be able to point them in the
right direction (COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT).
COMBAT 1A: The PCs enter a gladiatorial mech fight to impress Magenta Red and get an audience
BLOODSPORT with her.
COMBAT 1B: On their way to track down the subaltern the PCs are ambushed by the Dustbranded
DUSTBRANDED gang. They are contacted by Magenta Syndicate agents afterward, offering them partner-
ship. The PCs can refuse and push on or accept an audience with Magenta Red.
BEAT 3: Magenta Red tells the players about the Dustbranded and offers them an alliance, proposing
MAGENTA RED a joint attack to take the Dustbranded out. The subaltern the players are looking for is
MISSION 1

located in the base of the Dustbranded. The PCs can accept or decline.
COMBAT 2A: A If the PCs sided with Magenta Red, they launch a joint operation against the Dust-
MAGENTA FAVOR branded. Their goal is to take out their leader, Durst Slaughter, and retrieve the subaltern.
COMBAT 2B: IN THE If the PCs didn’t side with Magenta Red, including if they pushed on after COMBAT 1B, they arrive
TALON’S GRASP at the Dustbranded hideout to find it has been demolished. The Dustbranded’s mechs have been
taken out by the Talons. The PCs must get to the subaltern and retrieve it before the Talons do.
COMBAT 3: ELEVATOR The Talons cut power to the elevator the players are using to leave Upper. The PCs have to
PITCH escape via the maintenance shafts only to be ambushed there by the Talons.
BEAT 4: RESULTS Investigating the subaltern yields information about the MesmerTrance virus and where
it originated, pointing the PCs to where Dr. Victor Virga is hiding out in Upper.
FULL REST All PCs gain an LL.

PART 2
BEAT 5: DUSTGRAVE The PCs must ready themselves in order to get through the most desolate areas of Upper
Conroy. They are contacted by the Talons, who offer them an alliance in the upcoming battle
as well as dampeners that will nullify the influence of MesmerTrance on their mechs.
BEAT 6: The PCs are contacted by the Talons, who offer them an alliance in the upcoming battle as
LEONORA’S STORY well as dampeners that will nullify the influence of MesmerTrance on their mechs.
COMBAT 4: The PCs battle Dr. Virga’s horrific mechanical and biomechanical monstrosities. If the PCs
MESMERTRANCE haven’t installed the MesmerTrance Dampeners, they are also susceptible to Mesmer-
Trance, which decreases their efficiency.
COMBAT 5: The group stumbles over Dr. Virga’s workshop where automated drones are constructing
SUFFERING ON AN new horrors to defend the installation. It is paramount that the facility be taken out.
INDUSTRIAL SCALE
BEAT 7: The PCs uncover some of Dr. Virga’s horrific experiments as well as the source of Mesmer-
NHP RESEARCH LAB Trance. Shutting it off will make upcoming fights easier. Virga’s research notes may give
MISSION 2

insights as to what he is up to.

BEAT 8: FINISH LINE, On their way to confront Dr. Virga, the PCs have a mysterious encounter.
A MEETING
COMBAT 6: The PCs arrive at their final encounter with Victor Virga, who is utilizing his gestalt NHP
TRANSCENDENCE KHEPRI in a bid to transcend mortality. Reality is distorting violently around him. If the
PCs manage to stop his machinations, they can untangle the NHPs and retrieve Emily. If
they fail, the entire compound will be destroyed the moment Virga ascends.
BEAT 9: REUNITED The group reunites Captain Stavros with Emily and things start to be wrapped up.
COMBAT 7: Should the PCs have defeated Dr. Virga, the Talons want to take all the research material
BACKSTABBING BIRDS and NHPs for themselves. Should the players refuse, the Talons will resort to violence,
(OPTIONAL) assaulting the Dynast’s Embrace with their SSC mechs.

STORY OVERVIEW
At the center of Dustgrave lies a mystery for the players
to solve and resolve. This section provides a quick
overview of the mission series’ narrative for the GM. If
you aren’t GMing or planning to GM this adventure,
this section will spoil the plot and ruin all the mystery
for you – move on!
BACKGROUND
10 years ago, the orbital-mining station Ganymede
362-5 suffered a critical reactor failure and came crash-
ing down on the planet of Havelburg. The resulting
space-debris impacts coupled with Havelburg’s
volcanic environment have caused massive dust
storms that now plague large parts of the planet.
In reality, Ganymede was the original hideout for Dr. Victor
Virga, a renegade ex-SSC scientist hell-bent on creating
his own proto-RA by merging multiple NHPs into one
entity. Following his departure from SSC, Dr. Virga was
pursued by the Talons, a deniable-asset black ops team
hired by SSC. In the end, both parties clashed aboard the
Ganymede, resulting in the destruction of the station.
The Talons, having taken heavy losses in the confront-
ation, called it mission success, presuming Dr. Virga to
have perished in the explosion.
THE SITUATION
10 years later – today – the merchant vessel Dynast’s
Embrace landed on Havelburg to refuel and do busi-
ness, where it was contracted to take the PCs to their
next destination. One of the subalterns carrying out
refueling and maintenance work on the ship is hacked
by an aggressive virus created by Dr. Virga – Mesmer-
Trance. Remotely controlled, the subaltern lay in wait
for the crew to leave the ship. Once alone, it decoupled
and removed the casket of the ship’s NHP, Emily, and
transported her to Lower Conroy.
Dr. Virga is alive, having survived his encounter with
the Talons. Hiding out in an abandoned part of Upper
Conroy, he is still planning to create a god by forcefully
fusing multiple NHPs. To facilitate this project, he
needs an absurd number of NHPs, and, while he was
previously delivered a number of caskets by a rogue
HORUS cell, he needs more.
To get these caskets, he has propagated his Mesmer-
Trance virus across the local omninet, selectively overrid-
ing lower-cognition drones and subalterns to make them
to steal NHPs and transport them to Upper Conroy. From
there, one of his more specialized creations takes the
caskets. The fact that Dr. Virga hides directly underneath
STORY OVERVIEW
a spaceport is very helpful to that end, allowing him to
steal ship NHPs. Despite his precautions, the repeated
NHP abductions are beginning to attract suspicion.
The Talons, aware that NHPs have been going missing
in the same area as Dr. Virga’s supposed death, have
realized that he is still alive and have moved in to finish
the job. Their plan is to pose as an IPS-N investigation
team looking for clues as to where Dr. Virga is hiding
out; the abduction of Emily presents them a prime
opportunity to pinpoint Virga’s location.
THE MISSION
The mission series begins when Lyran Stavros, the
captain of the Dynast’s Embrace, hires the PCs to retrieve
Emily. To do this, they will need to ask around town and
look into the rogue subaltern responsible for the theft.
Their investigation will ultimately point them to Upper
Conroy and the city’s criminal “Upper underworld”. This
is where Mission 1 begins, with two primary options:
fight in the gladiatorial mech fights at the Crater Pit to
earn a meeting with Magenta, the self-proclaimed “Queen
of the Upper Underworld”, or track the subaltern directly.
While this part of the investigation can go any number of
ways, the PCs will likely end engage with Magenta Red.
Either way, after discovering a tracking signal pointing
them to the infected subaltern, Mission 1 will end with
the PCs crossing paths and clashing with the Talons.
Depending on the outcome of that skirmish, the PCs
may have the option of teaming up with the Talons to
take down Dr. Virga. They may even find out that the
Talons weren’t sent by IPS-N at all, potentially stoking
suspicions as to their true motives.
Once they have analyzed the infected subaltern respons-
ible for Emily’s abduction, the PCs will be able to
pinpoint the hideout of Dr. Virga, located in the inhospit-
able, dust-choked outskirts of Upper Conroy. From there,
events become much more straightforward – the PCs
storm the hideout, battle Virga’s deranged creations, find
out about the NHP fusion experiments, and ultimately
fight Virga during his attempt to transcend the physical
using KHEPRI, the NHP gestalt entity that he created.
To succeed, the PCs will need to overcome Dr. Virga’s
horror show and retrieve Emily’s casket along with all
the other NHPs he abducted.
Depending on their choices, the PCs may have one last
run-in with the Talons to conclude the mission series.
SECTION 0 // Introduction
[17]
PART 1
BEAT 1:
DELAYS

BEAT 2:
INVESTIGATING THE
ABDUCTION

DOWNTIME 1:
GETTING READY

MISSION 1

COMBAT 1A: COMBAT 1B:

BLOODSPORTS DUSTBRANDED
The players seek an audience with The players strike out on their own to
Magenta Red. retrieve the subaltern.

BEAT 3:
MAGENTA RED

COMBAT 2A: COMBAT 2B:

A MAGENTA FAVOR IN THE TALON’S GRASP
The players ally with Magenta Red to The players decline Magenta Red’s offer
take out the Dustbranded. of an alliance or never meet with her.

COMBAT 3:
ELEVATOR PITCH

BEAT 4:
RESULTS

PART 1 // Story Overview

[18]

BEAT 1: DELAYS
To say that Havelburg is experiencing bad weather would
be an understatement, yet the small group of pilots (the
PCs) makes its way through the heavy dustfall anyway,
slowly trudging through ankle-deep sediment. The low
hum of the far-off blow drones can barely be heard over
the howling wind. Constantly undertaking a staggeringly
Sisyphean task, these massive drones do their best to
keep the landing pad clear of any built-up dust, blowing
the debris down into the lower levels of the city.
The hardsuits needed in these conditions make the
trek from the nearest elevator no easier. The silhouette
of the Dynast’s Embrace becomes more tangible with
each thudding step, the floodlights all around strug-
gling to illuminate its vast shape. To remove one’s
enviro-helmet in these conditions would be to die, one
inhalation enough to fill the lungs with dust and begin
a slow and agonizing demise.
Dustfall is the name the inhabitants of Havelburg give to
this phenomenon, and it has plagued huge stretches of
BEAT 1: DELAYS
the planet for the past decade – ever since the Disaster
took place. While conditions aren’t usually this bad, the
PCs have chosen particularly poor timing for their meeting
with Lyran Stavros, the man who’s meant to ferry them
off this rock. Or at least, that had been the plan.
The Dynast’s Embrace, despite its haughty name,
amounts to no more than a cargo hauler and merchant
vessel, dealing in both raw materials and luxury goods.
Its captain, Lyran Stavros is a big, gruff-looking man
who greets the PCs the moment they step through the
ship’s airlock, albeit with a dejected look on his face.
His hair is unkempt and he wears a battered-looking
flight suit with what appears to be coffee stains on it.
After formally welcoming the players aboard his ship, Lyran
ushers them into a cramped conference room with barely
enough space to fit all of them. The Dynast’s Embrace
looks has a lived-in feel; coffee is silently brewing in one
corner while a small orange feline sits in another, observing
the newcomers with its three, vertically arrayed eyes.
PART 1 // Beat 1: Delays
[19]
 Stavros sits down at the small table with a grunt, offering
the PCs seats around it. With a sigh, he begins to
outline the current situation. Painfully aware that the
contracted and scheduled flight was set to depart in
less than 24 standard hours, Lyran informs the PCs
that the flight has been postponed indefinitely. He
acknowledges the breach of contract, agrees to reim-
burse the PCs, and offers to book them passage on
whichever other ship departs in their direction – an
event that could, despite the many ships that frequent
the planet, easily take months to organize on account
of most of them being company freighters, unwilling or
unable to take on passengers.
The PCs may inquire about the reasons for the flight
cancellation and talk to Lyran about the problems he
is currently facing. Perceptive characters will notice
the slight shaking of Lyran’s clenched fists on the table
as he recounts the recent events.
At some point in the conversation, Lyran makes a request
of the PCs: knowing that they are lancers by virtue of
already having loaded their mechs into the Embrace’s
cargo bays, he implores them to help investigate Emily’s
disappearance. Once she is retrieved, he will be able to
take the group away from Havelburg – free of charge,
of course. Additionally, he offers to take care of any
expenses incurred during the investigation and is even
willing to pay for the PCs’ services on top of that.
The PCs can negotiate with Lyran, perhaps leveraging
their knowledge about his family and his apparent
emotional connection to Emily to increase their pay.
Once they accept his offer, they’re free to ask questions
or begin their investigation.
On the facing page is a list of questions the group might
ask Lyran and answers he might give. They include
important elements relevant to the story to come. If a
PC asks about something that isn’t on the list, feel free
to make something up – it’s less likely to become relev-
ant down the line. Nevertheless, before this step, you
should familiarize yourself with the general plot of Dust-
grave (p. 17) so you don’t give contradictory informa-
tion and muddle the mystery.
THE CREW OF THE DYNAST’S EMBRACE
The Dynast’s Embrace is not a large ship and is
mostly automated, relying on Emily’s guidance and
supervision to operate. Beside Lyran, there are only
six other members of the crew, none of whom were
aboard the ship when the abduction occurred. All
of them are devastated by what occurred but won’t
be able to help the PCs in any meaningful way,
referring them to Lyran instead.
PART 1 // Beat 1: Delays
[20]
THE VID FEED OF EMILY’S
ABDUCTION
If the PCs are interested in reviewing the footage of the
abduction, Captain Stavros is happy for them to do so
but will excuse himself from the room, not wanting to
see the scene again.
The grainy, soundless footage starts with the subaltern
working amongst similar models away in the engine
room, calibrating, scanning, and adjusting machinery
before seemingly becoming startled as if called by
someone. It ceases work and, with jerky motions, exits
the engine room. The subaltern is bulky, with stumpy
legs and three arms outfitted with various tools, plasma
cutters, pneumatic shears, and rivet cannons. It enters
the corridor leading to Emily’s casket chamber.
A holographic projection appears in front of the subal-
tern, seemingly questioning it. The bulky automaton
barrels through the projection, distorting it for a moment
before Emily reforms in its wake, visibly startled.
As the subaltern continues to move toward the casket
chamber, the bulkhead protecting slams down, likely
triggered by Emily herself to stop it. Faced with the
obstacle, the subaltern engages its fusion cutters and
steadily dismantles the bulkhead. Emily stands behind
it and appears to shout at it.
It takes the subaltern five minutes to dismantle the
shutter and free the doorway. Inside the chamber Emily
has positioned her projection in front of her casket,
arms outstretched as if to stop the machine. Once more
the subaltern barrels through, distorting the projection
for a moment. It employs pneumatic shears to discon-
nect Emily’s casket, each disconnected coupling
making Emily’s hologram – now aghast and on her
knees – more and more transparent. As the last coup-
ling is sheared apart Emily vanishes. The subaltern
removes the casket, almost gingerly, and strides out
of the chamber, prize in hand.
The remaining footage shows it exiting the ship, corridor
by corridor, before stepping out onto the dust-choked
space port and disappearing in the haze.
INVESTIGATING THE CRIME SCENE
The PCs may choose to investigate Emily’s casket
chamber. The chamber is close to the Dynast’s engine
room. The chamber is small and accessible only via
a single doorway. The bulkhead to the room is lowered
but it appears that the subaltern used its fusion
cutters to cut a rectangular hole through the thick
titanium plate. The cutout lies nearby, discarded.
Inside the room it is readily apparent that the place
where Emily’s casket is supposed to be is vacant.
Cables and power conduits lie on the floor, cleanly
cut. There is not much else to see here.

LYRAN STAVROS: INQUIRIES
Q: Why is the flight canceled?
A: “It’s a shame, and again I must apologize, but the
Embrace is in no condition to fly. Eight hours ago, our
onboard astrographic and navigational NHP, Emily,
was abducted. Her casket was disengaged from the
ship’s systems and removed from its architecture.
Without Emily, the Embrace won’t go anywhere, and
even if it could, I won’t leave a member of my crew
on this rock after they’ve been abducted.”
Q: Where were you when this happened?
A: “Me and my crew were in Lower Conroy at the
time. We had a long voyage getting to Havelburg
and thought we could relax a little. We left Emily in
charge of the ship, she– she managed to call us via
omninet as it was happening, saying something was
wrong. Then cut out into static. We immediately
contacted the port authorities and rushed back to
the ship, but between the elevators and the damned
hardsuits, we were too late. So was the Port Author-
ity – Emily was gone.”
Q: What is the Port Authority doing about it?
A: “Nothing. They sent some of their goons when I
called them, but they didn’t do anything – just
shrugged their shoulders and moved on, saying that
there’s nothing they could do at this time. The
Dynast’s Embrace isn’t an IPS-N chartered vessel
and I foolishly didn’t buy into the Havelburg security
insurance before landing here. Bastards still
charged me for showing up and shrugging their
shoulders, though.”
Q: Any suspects?
A: “We got the perpetrator on vid feed. To our dismay,
it seems like it was one of the spaceport mainten-
ance subalterns – the same type that was carrying
out the maintenance on the ship.”
Q: What are you doing about it?
A: “We’ve contacted Creighton’s Printshop, the
owner of the robot, who of course are adamant that
there is no chance one of their subalterns could be
responsible for this. Frankly, I don’t think they’re
behind Emily’s abduction. But they won’t even admit
that it was one of their subalterns. My guess is that
they’re afraid of the backlash if it comes out that one
of their robots has been hacked to abduct an NHP.”
Q: What can you tell us about your ship?
A: “The Embrace? It’s a bit embarrassing, but it’s
mine and I’m the sole owner. It was … a gift from my
family. I know I don’t look it, but you’re looking at the
56th son in line for a minor Karrakin throne. Real
nobility, if you can believe it. I never cared much for
it; I prefer not to be tied down, making my own way
in the galaxy, but still, there are some perks.”
BEAT 1: DELAYS
Q: Where should we start investigating?
A: “Creighton’s Printshop would be the best bet.
Apply some pressure and see if something cracks.
The Dustmarket in Upper could also yield results.
Maybe whoever abducted Emily has pawned her
casket off? You could also ask Juan Tismon. He’s an
old friend of mine – runs the local Garfields in Lower.
He knows a lot about what’s going on around here.”
Q: What was Emily like?
A: “Emily has been with my family for a long while
now, but like me she’s a bit of an outcast. It was clear
that they wanted rid of her so they attached her to
the Embrace before giving the ship to me. Emily has
some… quirks. I suspect it’s something with her
subjectivity mask and how she’s shackled. But she’s
part of the crew and no one would want her any differ-
ent. She’s old and needs to be cycled more often
than should be the norm but she does her job and is
reliable. And now… now she’s gone. Please find her.”
ROLEPLAYING LYRAN STAVROS
Lyran Stavros is a seasoned captain and, despite his
somewhat disheveled appearance, a highly capable
and experienced individual. Deeply caring about his
crew, he has been very affected by the loss of Emily,
who he saw as a full member of the crew. Perhaps
his feelings for Emily even go a little deeper than
that, though he wouldn’t readily admit that to anyone.
Distantly related to a Karrakin nobility, Lyran is somewhat
embarrassed about his heritage and the perks that
he enjoys because of it. While he’s doing his best not
to flaunt his status, he doesn’t shy away from using
it if doing so means important things get done. In the
case of Emily’s abduction, for example, he has reques-
ted that his family put pressure on the local authorities.
Lyran is good-natured and honest, caring, and loyal
to his crew, and is well-loved by them as a result.
Despite that, the recent episode has robbed him of
his enthusiasm and generally good spirits. In short,
he is depressed and desperate, willing to do almost
anything to get Emily back.
LYRAN STAVROS LIKES:
• his crew, including Emily
• his ship, the Dynast’s Embrace
• being his own boss and relatively carefree
• his profession as an independent captain and the
duties that come with it.
LYRAN STAVROS DISLIKES:
• being teased about his family connections
• bureaucratic red tape
• being tied down in one place for too long
• feeling helpless, unable to influence the events
around him.
Part 1 // Beat 1: Delays
[21]
 BEAT 2: INVESTIGATING
THE ABDUCTION
Should the PCs agree to help Lyran, he promises to assist
in any way he can to retrieve Emily. He is more than
happy to provide leads to explore while he continues to
engage with the PCPA and other authorities in the after-
math of the abduction. The PCs have a couple of choices
about where to go next and they’re free to pursue any
and as many leads as they want. Regardless of how the
players wish to approach the investigation, they will even-
tually either end up trying to impress Magenta Red in the
Crater Pit (COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT) or tracking down the
subaltern on their own (COMBAT 1B: DUSTBRANDED). Either
way, they have about one local day to prepare themselves
before venturing out (see DOWNTIME 1, p. v28, for details).
Q: What can you tell us about the subaltern main-
tenance crew on the Dynast’s Embrace?
A: “That would be Maintenance Crew 56A. They
completed their assignment roughly 8 hours ago and
returned to the printshop safe and secure.”
Q: What’s your function in Port Conroy?
A: “My printshop has been performing printing and
maintenance duties for the spaceport for the past
century now. I started out small, you know? But I
pulled myself up by the bootstraps. Now I’m the sole
owner of the largest printing facility on the planet.
Even death couldn’t stop me from fulfilling my dream!”

Q: Any idea what could have happened to Captain

LEAD A: CREIGHTON’S Stavros’s NHP?
PRINTSHOP A: “Unable to find response.” “Anything else?”
Creighton’s Printshop is located not too far from where
the Dynast’s Embrace is berthed. The sprawling complex Q: Can we inspect maintenance crew 56A?
is attached to the Tower, the huge central spire that A: “Interested in our maintenance subalterns? All our
overlooks the entirety of the Port Conroy spaceport. models are top shelf IPS-N quality and available for
purchase, let me show them to you.”
Upon arrival, the PCs will be greeted by various subal-
terns and no human workers in sight anywhere. One of
ROLEPLAYING HORTON CREIGHTON
the subalterns approaches them, a screen installed in
When roleplaying Horton, keep in mind that he isn’t
its smooth faceplate,. The screen displays the face of
a real person, but a program mimicking the mannerisms
a middle-aged man, a big, sleazy smile on his face. This
and personality of the original man. While much more
is Horton Creighton, the owner of the printshop, or
sophisticated than your average comp/con there may
rather, a homunculus – a digital facsimile of the original
still be things that the artificial intelligence can’t handle,
Horton Creighton, who died over two decades ago.
that lie outside of its parameters. If this occurs, Horton
While homunculi aren’t real people and have no legal
replies in a monotone machine voice, “unable to find
standing on Havelburg, this version of Horton is the
response”, before returning to his usual self.
legal owner of the printshop, something that was only
possible with clever lawyering and gratuitous abuse of
Horton is an IPS-N company man through and through.
legal loopholes. Plus, the digital Creighton is doing a
He loves his job, providing services of all kinds. Besides
good job running the place and keeping the authorities
ship maintenance, he also has a passion for mechs,
from seizing the business (which, if the shop’s stand-
printing, maintaining, and overhauling many of the
ards were to ever slacken, they would do in a heartbeat).
civilian machines found everywhere on Havelburg.
Exuding used-car salesman vibes, Horton always
Horton is happy to converse with the party, letting them
recommends the latest IPS-N licenses to the PCs.
know that if they are ever looking for a new frame the
latest IPS-N prints are of the highest quality. Horton is
HORTON CREIGHTON LIKES:
happy to answer any questions they might have.
• punctuality
• his job and business
HORTON CREIGHTON: INQUIRIES • IPS-N and its various products
Q: Did one of your subalterns abduct Emily? • closing deals.
A: “Captain Stavros contacted me about that before.
HORTON CREIGHTON DISLIKES:
And I assured him that our team of subalterns is of
• people pointing out that he’s not a real person
the highest IPS-N quality and would never mali-
• being deliberately led into “unable to find response”
ciously remove an NHP casket from a ship. It is
situations
simply impossible.”
• people bad-mouthing IPS-N and its products.

PART 1 // Beat 2: Investigating the Abduction

[22]
 BEAT 2: INVESTIGATING THE ABDUCTION
INSPECTING MAINTENANCE hands on the tracking program. They could, for
CREW 56A example, find out more by purchasing the
As Horton tells the PCs, Maintenance Crew 56A is a maintenance crew, hacking into the printshop’s
work crew of the latest-model IPS-N subalterns. With systems, or inquiring with the PCPA, Juan Tismon,
20 units, it is designed to perform maintenance on or a dealer in the Dustmarket.
medium-sized vessels and can do so in a relatively
short amount of time. Besides a missing subaltern and evidence of Horton’s
perception being tampered with not much can be
Horton leads the PCs into a huge warehouse used to learned from the visit to the printshop. Both hacks
store many identical maintenance crews. Each subal- were accomplished remotely and whoever hit Horton
tern is secured in a recharge station, standing motion- was very skilled, as there is little evidence as to how or
less. When the group arrives at the row of stations when it was accomplished.
containing Crew 56A, three things become immediately
apparent.
TRACKING THE SUBALTERN
The subalterns of Creighton’s Printshop come equipped
1. Maintenance Crew 56A is comprised of subalterns
with a hard-wired autonomous tracking signal. Though
identical to the one that was visible on the vid feed
faint, it can be used to track each and every mainten-
from the Dynast’s Embrace.
ance subaltern employed in Port Conroy, provided one
knows the correct frequency for the unit in question.
2. Crew 56A is one unit short. The charging station
that should hold subaltern number 19 is empty.
The PCs can track the missing subaltern using a routine
tracking program employed by Creighton’s printshop.
3. Horton is unaware of this fact and cannot be made
Alternatively, they could find their own way to tap into
to be aware of it. When asked, he insists that each
the signal. Once the the correct tracking frequency is
subaltern is accounted for and will, if pushed,
acquired, it should be easy enough to track down the
default to “unable to find response”.
rogue subaltern. Horton Creighton won’t just hand the
frequency over to the PCs, however, so they may have
It is obvious that Horton’s system has been comprom-
to get a little creative. Here are some ideas on how to
ised, presumably by whoever is behind the abduction
acquire the frequency:
of Emily, making it so that the homunculus is unable to
perceive the absence of one of his maintenance subal-
• Restore Horton Creighton’s perception of
terns. This leaves the PCs with a few options:
Maintenance Crew 56A. Once he sees that a
subaltern is missing, he will share the frequency
• They could inform the PCPA, who will investigate
with the PCs.
the matter. The PCPA will be able to restore Horton
to full functionality and confiscate Maintenance
• Hack into the printshop’s records and find out the
Crew 56A for further investigation. If the PCs are
frequency.
working with the PCPA they will receive a tracking
program with which they can pinpoint the rogue
• If the PCs are working with the PCPA, it might be
subaltern’s last known position in the outskirts of
able to apply some pressure to acquire the
Upper. Armed with this information the PCs may
frequency.
choose to go after the unit themselves. If the PCs
are not working with the PCPA, they will not be
You and the PCs are encouraged of coming up with
informed of this.
your own ways of figuring out the rogue subaltern’s
tracking frequency!
• If a PC is well versed in hacking, they may be able
to revert Horton’s perceptual subroutines, enabling
him to perceive the missing subaltern. After a
moment of disquiet Horton will thank the PCs and
ask them to go after the missing subaltern,
providing them with the last known location of the
machine in the outskirts of Upper.

• As mentioned, the subalterns in Horton’s employ

can be tracked via a tracking system. Access to
this program can be acquired in a variety of ways,
allowing players and GM to get creative. Perhaps
they can come up with a unique way to get their

PART 1 // Beat 2: Investigating the Abduction

[23]
 LEAD B: DUSTMARKET
The Dustmarket is Port Conroy’s worst-kept secret, a
vast bazaar located in Upper where most of everything
is for sale. The various vendors and their stands are
protected by environmental tents, as the dust buildup
would likely ruing their wares otherwise. It is located
centrally in Upper Conroy, which means the PCs will have
to access one of the maintenance elevators that still
connect the three layers of the city – Lower, Upper, and
Surface. Lyran, who has spent time on Havelburg before,
can provide the group with an access code to facilitate
their travel. Clever players who wish to stay under the
radar may, however, be able to find different ways to
access Upper (i.e., maintenance shafts, hidden omni-net
access codes, physically breaking access hatches, etc).
Despite the PCPA’s best efforts to restrict access, they
can’t prevent dedicated individuals from gaining entry.
Those visiting Upper will need to wear hardsuits or
sealed breathing masks. The constant dust buildup on
this level of the city makes breathing without either
hazardous at best, usually resulting in choking then,
finally, suffocation.
PART 1 // Beat 2: Investigating the Abduction
[24]
Dustmarket itself is spread out over several alleyways
and plazas. The various stalls that make up the market
are covered by enviro-tents, most of them transparent
so potential customers can make out the wares on offer,
though the dust sometimes obscures the view. Small
air filters hum next to each, simultaneously inflating the
tents and allowing for a breathable atmosphere within.
The PCs are free to roam the Dustmarket, mingling with
the hardsuit-clad crowd and perusing the various things
on offer. While some goods offered in the stalls are legal,
most wares are of questionable legality on Havelburg
or even within Union at large. From firearms outlawed
on most worlds to stims, the Dustmarket has it all.
The PCs can ask around for NHPs but will be turned
down by shrugging merchants and vendors who
haven’t heard of anyone offering to sell an intact NHP
casket, much less a stolen one. NHPs are heavily regu-
lated and one popping up on the Dustmarket would
bring the sort of attention that most doing business
there like to avoid.

Some vendors suggest that if anyone knows about
stolen NHPs or rogue subalterns being in Upper, it
would be the Magenta Syndicate operating out of Velvet
House, a notorious gambling establishment at the center
of Upper, near the Crater Pit arena.
Getting in touch with Magenta Red, the leader of the
Magenta Syndicate, is the harder part. She isn’t known
for just hearing out random offworlders. Their best
chance for getting the attention of the Queen of the
Upper Underworld would be through participating in
one of the gladiatorial mech battles regularly held in
the Crater Pit. Magenta’s always looking for new
combatants in the vicious blood sport, and it could be
an ideal opportunity to get closer to the crime boss. If
anyone knows about stolen caskets and rogue subal-
terns in Upper, it’s her.
The next fight is slated for midday tomorrow and the
PCs are free to sign up for the fight after visiting the
arena (see COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT, p. 33).
LEAD C: GARFIELDS
Garfields is a small pasta fusion restaurant located in
the lower levels of Port Conroy. While Garfields can be
found on every IPS-N-controlled world, this establish-
ment is popular for those “in the know” about Port
Conroy. The restaurant is owned and operated by Juan
Tismon, who functions as both manager and chef while
serving customers from behind the wooden counter of
the relatively small dining hall.
As a multi-planet franchise, Garfields is doing its best
not to appear like one, encouraging its managers to
personalize their restaurants depending on the world
they are on. Juan, being an old miner, has decorated
his restaurant with a plethora of old mining equipment.
The crown jewel is a mech-sized pneumatic pickaxe
suspended from the ceiling by thick chains.
Patrons can find Juan Tismon wearing a cartoonishly
large chef’s hat while he jollily prepares a range of
pasta dishes. From calamari lasagna to mole-rat
spaghetti, the menu has a variety of local and offworld
specialties to offer.
Pasta isn’t the only reason for visiting Garfields. Juan is
one of the best-connected individuals on Havelburg,
and especially knowledgeable on matters relating to Port
Conroy. While nobody is too sure how the old ex-miner
turned restaurant owner and chef is so well connected,
the fact is that he has his finger on the pulse of the city.
Part 1 // Beat 2: Investigating the Abduction
BEAT 2: INVESTIGATING THE ABDUCTION
If anyone knows something about stolen NHPs, then
Juan is probably a good place to start inquiries. Lyran,
who regularly stops on Havelburg, is acquainted with him
and will let him know that the PCs have some questions
for him should they choose to stop by at his restaurant.
JUAN TISMON: INQUIRIES
Q: How do you know Captain Stavros?
A: “Oh, he’s visited a couple of times – he’s a good
kid. I’m a little sad he never saw Havelburg before
the Disaster. It was much different back then – we
even had real forests! Not the synthetic, dust-resist-
ant ones that they planted in the aftermath…
Anyway, I think Lyran is one of the few people that
enjoys my mole-rat heart ragout. He visits every
couple of years and stays for a few weeks. We’ve
become good friends.”
Q: What do you know about the abducted NHPs?
A: “There have been a few cases over the past
months. But you didn’t hear that from me; the PCPA
tries to keep this all hush-hush. NHP abductions are
a big deal, you know. Might get Union involved if the
local IPS-N government isn’t careful. They’ve been
investigating it internally, but I’ve heard they haven’t
had much success so far. The issue is that none of
the NHPs end up in Upper, either. You’d think
someone would sell them off on the Dustmarket –
that’d be bad enough – but none of the caskets ever
make it there.”
Q: What do you know about the subalterns abduct-
ing the NHPs?
A: “That is a conundrum. I doubt that Creighton has
anything to do with the abductions, but it’s definitely
his machines that carry out the crimes. It isn’t incon-
ceivable that someone is hacking his robots. As to
who, I’m at a loss. Pulling off something like this
sounds difficult, in Port Conroy. I only know the
Magenta Syndicate that would have the resources
and know-how to pull it off.”
Q: Can you tell us about the Magenta Syndicate?
A: “Oh, I forgot that you aren’t from here. The
Magenta Syndicate is the group that controls Upper.
I suppose they keep the peace and prevent the
place from falling into anarchy but make no mistake,
they are a vicious group of criminals and you should
be careful when crossing them. I suppose that
sounds a lot worse than it actually is. Magenta Red
is a reasonable woman as long as everyone sticks
to her rules. Don’t cause trouble to the Syndicate
and you won’t have trouble with the Syndicate.”
[25]
 Q: Who is Magenta Red?
A: “Magenta Red came here shortly after the Disaster.
The authorities had already abandoned Upper
Conroy in its entirety. She defected from a Harrison
Armory transport ship that was docked here at the
time and took some Shermans and personnel with
her to start her own thing in Upper. She and her crew
cleaned up the place and the criminal gangs that
ruled it with overwhelming firepower and took over.
Since then, the Magenta Syndicate is the de facto
ruling body up there. As for your NHP problem, she
might know something that I don’t, though getting
in touch with her may be difficult.”
Q: What would we need to do to secure a meeting
with Magenta Red?
A: “There is a way, though you may not like it. It’s a
bit… primitive. The Syndicate holds mech arena
battles every week. Lyran told me that you’re pilots,
so entering a fight may be the best way to get her
attention. Pilots with military-grade machines entering
her arena fight are sure to draw attention. The next
fight is tomorrow, so the opportunity’s right.”
PART 1 // Beat 2: Investigating the Abduction
[26]
ROLEPLAYING JUAN TISMON
Juan has seen a lot over the past few decades and
he is virtually unphased by anything strange that
might occur. As an ex-miner here on Havelburg he
knows a lot of what is going on concerning not only
Port Conroy but also Havelburg as a whole. Always
kind and a little eccentric, Juan can often be found
whistling a jaunty tune to himself. If informed that
the group is working with Lyran, who Juan has dealt
with previously, he will welcome them with open
arms and offer them a meal on the house. That’s just
the kind of person Juan is.
Juan remembers a time before the Disaster, back
when Havelburg’s atmosphere was breathable. He
blames the cataclysm on IPS-N negligence and quit
his job as a miner for the company over it, establishing
his Garfields franchise instead.
Juan is well loved in Port Conroy and has many
regulars that visit his restaurant. Despite his popular-
ity, though, has remained humble. When conversing,
he sometimes goes on tangents that seem unrelated
to the topic at hand, relating to adventures back in
his mining days, such as when he survived a cave-in
or found that great mineral deposit.
JUAN TISMON LIKES:
• Havelburg and Port Conroy
• reminiscing about the past
• telling stories
• putting a smile on people’s faces by cooking
delicious pasta dishes.
JUAN TISMON DISLIKES:
• people being rowdy inside his restaurant
• people that dislike his dishes – there must be
something they like on the menu, right?
• people that don’t tip
 BEAT 2: INVESTIGATING THE ABDUCTION
LEAD D: THE TOWER
Headquarters of the PCPA
The Tower is an enormous building that towers over
the spaceport up on Surface. Originally built as a
vantage point from where the PCPA could visually
monitor the coming and going of ships, the environ-
mental conditions of Havelburg now make this
impossible. The PCPA is nominally the IPS-N security
force on Port Conroy but in reality it also functions as
the governing body of Port Conroy Surface as it is the
institution that most closely represents IPS-N’s
interests on Havelburg.

Easily approachable via the dust-choked Surface or

one of the various high-speed elevators that reach all
the way down to Lower, the Tower is akin to the
beating heart of Port Conroy. Despite the Dustfall, the
Tower is kept pristine. Its interior is lit by sterile neon
and tight corridors wind away from the cavernous
reception area. PCPA officers are everywhere,
uniformed and armed. The many voices in the vast
space mingle into a complex omnipresent murmur.
THE JOB
After introducing themselves at the reception and Should the group choose to work with the PCPA,
explaining their purpose for visiting the Tower, the PCs Officer Dale Ramcock will be assigned as their liaison,
are ushered into a stuffy conference room by Dale responsible for briefing them on their objectives for
Ramcock, a young-looking and mild-mannered PCPA the investigation in Upper. Officer Ramcock can
officer with a thick moustache. He listens to them and always be contacted by the PCs. Occupying a small
explains that Emily’s abduction is being investigated office in the Tower, he outlines the task at hand.
but he is unable to share any further information regard-
ing the missing NHP or rogue subaltern. Officer The PCPA suspects that the Magenta Syndicate is behind
Ramcock is, however, aware that the PCs are lancers the abduction of NHPs in Port Conroy. Officer Ramcock
(considering they brought some serious military hard- tasks the group with infiltrating Velvet House, a high-
ware into the city) and will offer them the opportunity class casino and the head of the Magenta Syndicate’s
to work with the PCPA in unraveling the case of the operations; the goal is to talk to Magenta Red herself
abducted NHP. and see what she is up to, recording the conversation.

The easiest way to get to Magenta Red is to participate

WORKING WITH THE PCPA in one of the regularly scheduled gladiatorial mech
If the PCs want to work with the PCPA they will be
battles that are held in Crater Pit. Promising newcomers
welcomed with open arms. The lack of action concern-
are often granted an audience with Magenta Red
ing the abduction of Emily is a matter of jurisdiction
herself. Seeing that the PCs are pilots with military-
and prudence. The PCPA suspects that whoever is
grade mechs, they are likely to pique her interest.
stealing NHPs in and around Port Conroy is transport-
ing them into Upper, which is of course controlled by
Should the group be able to meet Magenta Red, there
the Magenta Syndicate. The PCPA, having abandoned
are three things the PCPA would like them to do:
Upper a decade ago, is unable to gather information
there easily and covertly. Going into Upper with full
1. Assess the military strength of the Magenta Syndicate.
force to crack some heads could end disastrously
considering how well-armed the Magenta Syndicate
2. Record the meeting with Magenta Red – an untrace-
and some of the other gangs are. As such, the PCPA
able nano-recorder will be provided.
is in dire need of intel. The PCs, being offworlders as
well as pilots, present a unique opportunity for the PCPA
3. Find out if the Magenta Syndicate is behind the
to get reliable and useful intel.
NHP abductions and why. If they are, find out how.
If the syndicate is not behind the abduction, find
out if they know anything.

Part 1 // Beat 2: Investigating the Abduction

[27]
 DOWNTIME 1:
GETTING READY
When they reach this downtime, the players should be aware that they are after the rogue subaltern and should have
a general idea of how to go after it: either by tracking its last known location or by trying to get in touch with Magenta
Red, who will likely be able to point them in the right direction. If the PCs wish to get in touch with Magenta Red
they will have to prove themselves in the Crater Pit – continue with COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT (p. 33). If the PCs choose
to go after the subaltern themselves, continue with COMBAT 1B: DUSTBRANDED (p. 36) after this downtime is concluded.

Below are some downtime activities available to PCs during both downtimes in Port Conroy.

FACTION WORK PERUSE THE DUSTMARKET

When you do FACTION WORK, you spend time doing
favors for an organization or individual. There are many
such interested parties operating out of Port Conroy,
from the PCPA through to Juan Tismon, and most are
seeking help to complete some agenda or other.
When you PERUSE THE DUSTMARKET, you browse market
stalls to see what jumps out. The Dustmarket is a treas-
ure trove. From banned technology and drugs to illegal
mech systems, it has something for everyone (if one is
willing to bend one’s morals a bit).

These tasks are often simple and can be performed for When you look around the Dustmarket, you will always
any person or faction for whom the group currently has find something interesting, though whether its some-
a relationship clock. They can range from stakeouts to thing useful will depend on your keen eye and sense
delivering packages or gathering information. for business.

State the faction or individual you wish to assist. The Roll:

GM will describe a quick scenario in which the chosen
party needs help, then you roll. Multiple characters can • On 9 or less, roll on DUSTMARKET TABLE 1 to see
perform the same task, making success more likely – what you find.
if two characters perform the same task, only one rolls • On 10–19, roll on DUSTMARKET TABLE 2 to see what
but they gain +1 ACCURACY. you find.
• On 20+, you may choose one item from either
• On 9 or less, something goes wrong and your table.
employer is displeased (+0 to relationship clock).
• On 10–19, you succeed and your employer is
pleased (+1 to relationship clock).
• On 20+, you go above and beyond, completing
your task to a degree that greatly pleases your
employer (+2 to relationship clock).

EXAMPLE JOBS
PCPA: Do some detective work in Upper, surveil a
suspicious person, retrieve valuable intel.
Juan Tismon: Help out in the kitchen, relay some
information to him, look for a missing delivery,
meet an informant.
Horton Creighton: Perform maintenance work in
and around the printshop, scour the local omninet
for IPS-N license infringement, drop off some suspi-
cious-looking cargo in Upper.

PART 1 // Downtime 1: Getting Ready

[28]
 DOWNTIME 1: GETTING READY
DUSTMARKET TABLE 1 ROLL D20
These results are interesting items, utility gear, or pilot gear. Upon receiving an item from this table you gain it permanently.

1 You are robbed in a dusty back-alley; you lose one item important to you that you had on you at the time.

2 A pack of local cigarettes from before the Disaster, hard to come by these days.

3 A scenic postcard depicting a popular pre-Disaster Havelburg vacation spot, addressed to “Ricardo” and signed
with a kiss.

4 An old and well-worn cowboy hat with an intricate pattern of circuitry on the inside. Putting it on your head gives
you a slight jolt.

5 A small amount of Ferillian quartz spice, a highly addictive and illegal substance popular during the SecComm
era. Quartz spice is banned throughout Union space. It gives users enhanced reflexes and speed for a short
period of time. Sustained use can lead to addiction and permanent damage to the user’s nervous system.

6 A small feline abandoned in a dust-choked ruin, in need of medical attention.

7 Panacea Plus Red in tablet form. Incredibly rare to find outside Graham’s World. Only two pills remain in the
container. PPR is able to cure most known illnesses and has strong regenerative properties on hair follicles,
alleviating baldness.

8 A bulky and well-worn prosthetic arm, obviously artificial. The word “KILL” is scratched, letter by letter, into the
knuckles. A repossession notice is attached to it and dried blood still covers some of the ports where the arm
would attach to a human.

9 An armored and tightly locked briefcase. Both facial and DNA scans are required to safely open it. If opened by
any other means, a pair of integrated short-burst torches will incinerate all contents.

10 A robotic parrot that has seen better days. It occasionally squawks about buried treasure and loot. Likely a
children’s toy, though something seems off about the bird.

11 A swarm of specialized single-use whitewash nanites stored in a container with a display attached. The nanites
are programmable via the display and able to give mechs any desired paint job within an hour.

12 Access codes to a clandestine omninet chatroom. Upon logging in, you’ll interrupt a steady stream of messages
written in symbols you don’t recognize. The messages will abruptly stop upon your arrival.

13 A pre-Disaster hoverbike painted bright red. Hover technology has widely fallen out of use on Havelburg due to
the amount of dust displaced by such vehicles.

14 Enough VIP passes to the Velvet House for the whole group, including one free drink per person.

15 Military-Grade Jetpack: Can be attached to any hardsuit, allowing the wearer to fly when they move or BOOST.

16 Incendiary Ammo (Pilot-Scale): changes a pilot-scale weapon’s damage type to BURN.

17 Pneumatic Enhancer: Your pilot-scale HEAVY A/C weapons gain the following: On hit: target is knocked PRONE.

18 Sniper Scope: Your pilot-scale signature weapons gain +5 RANGE.

19 Devastator Grenades: Your Frag Grenades deal +2 damage.

20 Junker Exo-Rig: You gain +1 ACCURACY to JOCKEY.

Part 1 // Downtime 1: Getting Ready

[29]
 DUSTMARKET TABLE 2 ROLL D20
These results count as Reserves that can only be used once in mech combat before being lost. Upon receiving an
item from this table, you may either install it on your own mech or give it to someone else.

1 Crash Cushions When you become STUNNED, you may activate this to not become STUNNED.

2 Personal Cloak As a protocol, you become INVISIBLE until the start of your next turn.

3 Precision Targeting Software After hitting with an attack, you may activate this to make the attack critical.

4 Frostfang Servos BOOST as a free action.

5 Gyro Stabilizers As a protocol, treat all of your weapons as if they aren’t ORDNANCE for the
rest of the turn.

6 High-Speed Loader Reload all weapons as a free action.

7 System Flayer After hitting with INVADE, you may activate this to deal +4 Heat.

8 Emergency Coolant Reservoir Clear EXPOSED as a free action.

9 IC Blinkpack As a protocol, you may teleport whenever you move for the rest of your
turn.

10 Explosive Knuckles After hitting with a RAM, you may activate this to deal 6 explosive damage.

11 Ultra-High Penetrator Rounds After hitting with a ranged attack, you may activate this to declare that
the attack’s damage can’t be reduced.

12 Run-Off Energy Converter When you use your CORE POWER, you may activate this to generate a BURST
4 aura of lightning. Hostile characters in the area take 4 energy damage.

13 System Backup When forced to perform a save or check you may activate this to auto-
matically succeed.

14 “Field Marshal” Comp/Con As a quick action, up to two allied characters within SENSORS may each
immediately perform a single quick action as a reaction.

15 Retractable Slab Shields As a protocol, you become IMMOBILIZED until the start of your next turn and
gain RESISTANCE to all damage for the same duration.

16 Automated Reflex Suite When you are hit by an attack, you may make the attack a miss as a
reaction.

17 “Bubble” Active Personal Shield As a protocol, gain 4+GRIT OVERSHIELD.

18 Thermal Optics As a protocol, you may activate this to ignore cover until the end of your
turn.

19 Strain-Resistant Actuator When you BRACE, you may activate this to suffer no detrimental effects
from doing so.

20 Hyper-Spec Fuel Canister As a protocol, you may activate this to gain +1 ACCURACY on all attacks,
saves, and checks until the start of your next turn.

PART 1 // Downtime 1: Getting Ready

[30]

COMBATS IN DUSTGRAVE
COMBAT BALANCE
Combats in Dustgrave are written to be challenging
experiences for players. That means that Structure and
Stress damage will occur on a regular basis and even
mech destruction or reactor meltdowns are on the table.
The hostile forces listed in each combat are meant as
guidelines. You can adjust them relatively easily by
adding 1–2 NPCs of the kind that are already present
in the combat or by removing enemies from the list of
reinforcements.
Importantly, it is nigh impossible to make broad,
sweeping generalizations about combat balance in
Lancer. Player builds can vary in power level to the
degree that a combat that is trivial for one group will be
very challenging for another. If you are an experienced
Lancer GM, you know this. If you are new to GMing
Lancer, you’re in luck, because the disparity between
different groups won’t be as large at lower LLs.
If you find that a combat is too hard or too easy, you
should adjust to a level that you and your group feel
comfortable with. If your players are overwhelmed, tone
future fights down. If your NPCs are trivially defeated,
add some more in the form of reinforcements.
NEW NPC TEMPLATES
Dustgrave introduces three new NPC templates, all of
which feature heavily in the upcoming combats. You
can learn more about them, their optional modules,
and their special rules in the Appendix (p. 82-87).
OPTIONAL RULE: CORE EJECTION
Sometimes, mechs suffer reactor meltdowns and blow
up. If this happens, the mech leaves no wreck behind
that could be repaired, meaning that the group may
well have to abort the current mission. To prevent this,
you may want to use this optional rule. When a mech
would undergo reactor meltdown (Lancer, p. 81), its
pilot may instead eject its reactor core before it
explodes. They target a space within RANGE 3; the
mech’s core is ejected to that space, where it melts
down in a BLAST 2 explosion that deals 4d6 explosive
damage or half that on a successful AGILITY save.
Due to the stress of core ejection, the mech is then
destroyed, leaving a wreck. This means that the pilot
survives and that the mech can be repaired normally.
Do not apply this rule to the HORUS MANTICORE frame,
as it has several special rules revolving around reactor
meltdown.
COMBATS IN DUSTGRAVE
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
The following environmental conditions can be found
in various combinations in the combats in Dustgrave.
Choking Dust
The dust clouds choking the battlefield make fighting
a chore. Place 5–6 BLAST 1 clouds strewn across the
battlefield. Characters at least partially within a dust
cloud gain soft cover and are IMPAIRED while
occupying it.
Arena Hazards
To make the fights more interesting and violent, the
arena is full of hazards from whirling buzzsaws to
vicious piston spikes. Place four BLAST 1 areas on
the battlefield. Characters that enter or start their
turn inside one of these hazards take 4/5/6 kinetic
damage. They may only be damaged by the hazards
1/round. Arena hazards are indestructible.
1/round, these hazards can be targeted with INVADE.
They have 12/14/16 E-DEFENSE. On a hit, all
characters adjacent to the hazard take damage as if
they had moved through it.
MesmerTrance
Player characters without an installed MESMERTRANCE
DAMPENER (p. 73; provided by the Talons) are
susceptible to the MesmerTrance virus.
At the start of each turn, susceptible characters must
succeed on a SYSTEMS save (11/13/15) or gain 1
MESMERTRANCE COUNTER. These counters convey
cumulative detrimental effects based on the number
of counters accumulated:
1. No effect
2. Gain 1 Heat and an additional 1 Heat at the start
of each of the character’s subsequent turns
3. Become SLOWED
4. Become IMPAIRED
5. Become JAMMED
6. Take 1 stress damage.
Affected characters can STABILIZE to clear all
MESMERTRANCE COUNTERS.
Automated Repair Stations
Place three BLAST 1 areas on the battlefield at least 5
spaces away from each other. NPCs that start their turn
at least partially inside those areas regain 3/5/7 HP.
These areas can be targeted as if they were objects
with 5 EVASION and 10/13/16 HP.
Part 1 // Combats in Dustgrave
[31]
MISSION 1: BRIEFING
After coming up with leads concerning the whereabouts
of the subaltern that abducted Emily, the PCs must
SUBALTERN decide how to find and retrieve it. There are two
approaches they can take.

“It’s like a treasure hunt, in a way, and you’re MISSION OBJECTIVES: Find and retrieve the subaltern
a detective.” that abducted Emily.
STAKES: If the PCs fail to retrieve the
– Jeff Warwick subaltern, the Talons will retrieve it.
This will leave the PCs with no
choice but to cooperate with the
Talons if they wish to rescue Emily.
MISSION BEATS While they will still advance to LL3
COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT (see below), the players will have to
be creative about how they acquire
their new licenses.
COMBAT 1B: DUSTBRANDED
REWARD: If the PCs retrieve the rogue
subaltern, Lyran Stavros will be
BEAT 3: MAGENTA RED pleased with the progress they are
making on the case. After this
mission is concluded the PCs will
COMBAT 2A: A MAGENTA FAVOR
advance to LL3. The PCs will also be
able to pursue the kidnappers on
COMBAT 2B: IN THE TALON’S GRASP their own terms. They may also gain
the BRUTUS WRECKER or BRUTUS
SHIELD as a reward for victory in the
COMBAT 3: ELEVATOR PITCH
Crater Pit.
RESERVES: If any PCs chose to PERUSE THE
DUSTMARKET during DOWNTIME 1, they
may have come across something
useful they can take on this mission.

BRANCHING PATHS
The players can choose to tackle this mission by taking
several different paths, beginning with a choice
between fighting in the Crater Pit in hopes of arranging
a meeting with Magenta Red (COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT,
p. 33) and going straight after the subaltern (COMBAT
1B: DUSTBRANDED, p. 36).

THE CRATER PIT

The group might decide to speak to Magenta Red and
find out what she knows about the subaltern. To do
this, they will first need to impress her by entering the
gladiatorial combat in the Crater Pit, starting COMBAT
1A. Whether they succeed or fail, the PCs will be
invited to meet with Magenta Red (BEAT 3: MAGENTA
RED, p. 38).

GOING IN ALONE
Alternatively, the group may have come across sufficient
know-how and resources in the course of their invest-
igation to track down the missing subaltern directly. If
they choose to do this, they will push into Dustbranded
territory on their own, starting COMBAT 1B. Whether they
succeed here or not, they will be offered an audience
with Magenta Red (BEAT 3).
Should the PCs choose to press on without meeting
with Magenta Red, they will skip BEAT 3 and go directly
to COMBAT 2B.
COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT
The Crater Pit is just that – a vast crater caused by
some of the orbital debris that followed in the aftermath
of the Disaster, tearing a large hole through the space-
port of Conroy Surface and embedding itself deep into
Upper. The damage to the spaceport has since been
repaired but no one has bothered to restore the torn
layers of the upper city.
Those that live there have since removed the debris from
the crater, yet the structural damage remains. The large,
jagged wound in the city, spanning multiple levels, is a
constant reminder of the Disaster. Having since been
repurposed by the Magenta Syndicate, the Crater Pit is
now used as a gladiatorial arena. People come to spectate
and bet a lot of money on high-octane mech-on-mech
violence, all organized and ultimately benefiting the
Magenta Syndicate. With spectator seating arranged
behind flickering force-fields, the Syndicate does its best
to prevent any accidents from occurring during the
weekly fights. While there have not been any incidents so
far, spectators know that they are here at their own risk.
Despite the brutal combat that takes place, actual pilot
deaths are very rare and combatants eject to safety
once their mechs suffer critical damage.
If the PCs choose to participate as combatants in the
upcoming bout, they will find themselves in the dimly
lit backrooms of the arena with their mechs. The
muffled cheers of the crowd can be heard even through
the thick concrete and steel walls. The backstage area
is equal parts zoo and mech bay; huge steel cages
hold exotic and dangerous-looking animals, easily the
size of a mech. Other combatants ready their machines
for the upcoming fights. Organized in small teams, the
pilots await their turn to enter the arena.
COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT
MEETING MAGENTA RED
If the PCs meet with Magenta Red but refuse to work
with her and instead go after the subaltern on their
own, they start COMBAT 2B. If they are willing to work
with her, they instead start C OMBAT 2A: A MAGENTA
FAVOR (p. 40).
Regardless of how the PCs choose to get to the subal-
tern, extracting it always leads to COMBAT 3: ELEVATOR
PITCH (p. 44).
The procedure is simple: the teams that enter the arena
face off against increasingly dangerous opponents
until they face Brutus, the reigning champion of the
Crater Pit. As newcomers, the PCs enter the pit first;
the organizers aren’t expecting them to last for more
than a round or two…
When the time comes, the PCs’ mechs are loaded onto
the rusty elevator and lifted into the center of the arena.
The fight is about to begin. The announcer's voice
booms through the arena, audible even over the caco-
phony of the cheering crowd:
“Our first contestants today are something down-
right special! Look at those machines – those are
genuine combat mechs! We haven't seen something
like this in half a decade, Brutus will have to watch
out; will today be the day his reign ends? Or will
these newcomers prove to be all bark and no bite?
LET'S FIND OUT TONIGHT WITH SOME
CRAAAAAAATER PIT BLOOOOOODSPORTS!”
BRUTUS
Brutus turns out to be a towering frame – a heavily modi-
fied Saladin chassis. Shaking the ground with each step,
it bears its battle scars with pride. Thick gouges have
marred the paint job and impact craters riddle the heavy
mech. Brutus drags a heavy tungsten wrecking ball
behind itself as it enters the arena, holding onto it via a
reinforced chain. In the other primary hand it holds a
tower shield of prodigious size; conduits, coils, and emit-
ters winding over its surface generate a potent forcefield.
The crowd cheers as the mech enters, revving up its
tertiary arm carrying a vicious-looking rotary saw. To the
masses occupying the stands Brutus is a god of carnage,
the arena is its church, and the sermon is about to begin.
Part 1 // Combat 1a: Bloodsport
[33]
 SITREP: Special (see below) DETAILS
The objective of this combat is for the PCs to defeat
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Arena Hazards (p. 31)
several waves of enemies, each harder than the last.
ENEMY FORCES
WAVE 1 The PCs start in the middle of the battlefield. Mark a
FOR 3 PCS: 2x MONSTROSITY (Rampage) Player Deployment Zone in the center of the battle-
FOR 4 PCS: +1 MONSTROSITY (Rampage) field, then mark one BLAST 2 Ingress Zone (IZ) in each
FOR 5 PCS: +1 MONSTROSITY (Rampage) quadrant of the map. These four IZs represent elevat-
ors from which enemies enter the arena in waves. At
WAVE 2
the end of any round in which there are two or fewer
FOR 3 PCS: 1x INDUSTRIAL (p. 84) DEMOLISHER
NPCs remaining, the next wave enters the arena distrib-
(Industrial option: Rivet Cannon)
uted across the IZs. If you feel that the players are
1x ASSASSIN
stalling, you may bring the next wave in earlier.
1x SENTINEL
FOR 4 PCS: +1 PYRO
The combat ends if either the PCs’ mechs are
FOR 5 PCS: +1 ASSASSIN
destroyed, they give up, or all adversaries are defeated.
WAVE 3
FOR 3 PCS: 1x ASSASSIN
1x SENTINEL
1x WITCH
FOR 4 PCS: +1 PYRO
FOR 5 PCS: +1 SENTINEL
WAVE 4
FOR 3 PCS: 1x BRUTUS – ELITE INDUSTRIAL BASTION
(Industrial options: Wrecker,
Buzzsaw [replaces Rotary Grenade
Launcher])
FOR 4 PCS: Add VETERAN template and
LEGENDARY trait to BRUTUS.
FOR 5 PCS: Add COMMANDER template and QUICK
MARCH trait to BRUTUS.

PART 1 // Combat 1a: Bloodsport

[34]

OUTCOME
PC VICTORY
If the PCs defeat all enemies, they are admired by
the audience. The fact that underdogs beat the reign-
ing champion only heightens the excitement about
their victory.
Additionally, they have piqued Magenta Red’s interest
and are invited to meet her at Velvet House, the casino
adjacent to the pit – as VIPs, of course.
PC DEFEAT
If the PCs throw in the towel before defeating Brutus
or all their mechs are turned into smoldering wrecks,
Magenta Red will still invite them to meet with her. Their
fight made her a lot of money and she’s interested in
the lancers that suddenly turned up to deliver a show
like that.
REWARDS
It is tradition in the Crater Pit for those that defeat the
reigning champion to take a single piece of the
defeated mech. There are two items of EXOTIC GEAR. A
single PC may choose to take from Brutus either
BRUTUS’S WRECKER or BRUTUS’S SHIELD.
MOVING ON
Whether they succeed or not, the PCs have time to
rest, using the facilities of the Crater Pit to repair their
mechs. Once they have concluded the rest continue
with BEAT 3: MAGENTA RED (p. 38). Meetings with
Magenta Red are rare occasions and should not be
taken lightly. Cancelling it may not only deprive the
PCs with their only lead in the case of the rogue subal-
tern but also have dire repercussions.
COMBAT 1A: BLOODSPORT
Brutus’s Wrecker
Heavy Melee, Exotic Gear, Inaccurate,
Knockback 1, Thrown 5
[Threat 2] [2d6+4 kinetic damage]
On critical hit: Target is knocked PRONE.
The signature weapon of the former
perpetual champion of Crater Pit. Since
Brutus’s defeat in glorious combat,
someone else now wields this massive
tungsten ball on a reinforced chain.
Ultimately a primitive weapon, this
wrecker makes up for its lack of elegance
with sheer brutality.
Brutus’s Shield
Main Melee, 1 SP, Exotic Gear, Unique
[Threat 1][1d3+1 kinetic damage]
As a protocol, you may raise this shield to gain
4+GRIT OVERSHIELD until the start of your next turn, at
which point you lose all OVERSHIELD. You are SLOWED
while you have this OVERSHIELD.
You may not use this protocol two turns in a row.
The signature weapon of the former
perpetual champion of Crater Pit. Since
Brutus’s defeat in glorious combat,
someone else now wields this advanced
slab shield. Incorporating surprisingly
complex Harrison Armory technology, this
shield can project a localized force
field of significant strength.
Part 1 // Combat 1a: Bloodsport
[35]
 COMBAT 1B: DUSTBRANDED
Getting the location of the rogue subaltern that abducted
Emily was the hard part. The PCs may have acquired
a tracking program from Horton Creighton or found a
different way of tracking down the runaway mainten-
ance robot. By contrast, getting mechs down into the
outskirts of Upper is simple. All the PCs need to do is
take them from the Dynast’s Embrace to one of the old
service elevators, which can be accessed using a
passcode provided by Lyran.
While the central parts of Upper have problems with
constant dust buildup, the outskirts are utterly lost to
it. The facades of ruined buildings are caked in dust.
Their empty, broken windows stare out at streets buried
in yet more of the stuff. How anyone could live here is
beyond comprehension, and yet, the subaltern’s signal
clearly leads this way. Abandoned vehicles litter the
avenues as the mechs make their way towards the
signal, dust billowing in thick clouds with each step.
The group is well underway when their sensors pick up
heat and reactor signatures from nearby buildings. The
signatures are clearly mechs powering up but don’t
match any known combat frames. They’re likely civilian
in nature – industrial frames used for construction and
demolition. While the PCs’ mechs are vastly superior
on a one-on-one basis, the number of signatures
powering up is alarming.
A gruff voice contacts the PCs via an open line, heavily
distorted by whatever the speaker uses for comms
equipment. It’s the Dustbranded, one of the gangs on
the outskirts of Upper. The speaker demands that the
PCs power down their mechs and leave their territory,
giving them ten seconds to comply if they value their
lives. Should they not comply, the Dustbranded will
tear the PCs’ mechs to shreds and salvage what’s left.
The first mech smashes into the open – straight through
a nearby wall – a thick cloud of dust only gradually
revealing the ugly behemoth. It’s a bulky thing,
swinging an oversized wrecking ball in one hand and
revving a chainsaw in the other. A mountain of rein-
forced slab armor painted in faded yellow, the frame
has clearly been modified but its civilian roots are still
apparent. With yet more signatures powering up in the
vicinity, the group will have to make a choice and make
it quickly.
PART 1 // Combat 1b: Dustgrave
[36]
"Look who we have here, boys. Some fancy pilots
on vacation. What's with those mechs? Awful 'spens-
ive looking if you ask me." He chuckles, a hideous
sound made worse by the poor connection. "Now
I'll let you know how this goes, since you ain't from
around these parts. This is Dustbranded turf and it
looks like you ain't got an appointment with the
boss. Looks like to me y'all be paying a li’l toll …
those machines of yours ought to do. Hand ‘em over
and maybe we'll let you keep y'alls hardsuits to get
back to from where you came, eh?”
SITREP: HOLDOUT (Lancer, p. 272)
ENEMY FORCES
FOR 3 PCS: 1x INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER
(Industrial option: Rock Drill)
1x INDUSTRIAL BARRICADE
(Industrial option: Wrecker)
1x BREACHER
1x SENTINEL
FOR 4 PCS: +1 BERSERKER (Nail Gun)
FOR 5 PCS: +1 INDUSTRIAL BARRICADE
(Industrial option: Wrecker)
REINFORCEMENTS
FOR 3 PCS: 1x INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER
(Industrial option: Rock Drill)
1x INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT
(Industrial option: Fusion Cutter)
FOR 4 PCS: +1 SENTINEL
FOR 5 PCS: +1 BERSERKER (Nail Gun)
DETAILS
This combat uses the HOLDOUT sitrep (Lancer, p. 272).
Mark out a Player Deployment Zone/Objective Zone
(PDZ/OZ) in the center of the battlefield. As with a
typical HOLDOUT sitrep, the combat lasts for 6 rounds
and there needs to be less than four Dustbranded
mechs inside this zone at the end of Round 6 or the
PCs are overwhelmed.
The initial contingent of hostiles starts in the Enemy
Deployment Zone/Ingress Zone, and you may deploy
up to two enemy units in the same zone as reinforce-
ments at the end of any round.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
CHOKING DUST
The dust clouds choking the battlefield make fighting a
chore. Place 5–6 BLAST 1 clouds strewn across the
battlefield. Characters at least partially within a dust cloud
gain soft cover and are IMPAIRED while occupying it.
OUTCOME
PC VICTORY
If the PCs fight off the attack, they are contacted by
agents of the Magenta Syndicate via direct link once
the dust has settled, congratulating them on a job well
done. They introduce themselves as a surveillance party
that had their eyes on this Dustbranded group for
some time. They offer the players an audience with
their leader, Magenta Red, Queen of the Upper Under-
world, back at the Velvet House in the center of Upper.
They also caution the PCs about pushing further into
Dustbranded territory on their own. The Syndicate is
interested in working together with a group of lancers
against a common enemy.
PC DEFEAT
If the PCs fail to hold off the attackers, they are over-
whelmed and must eject from their machines before
the oncoming tide of industrial mechs. The Dust-
branded make no effort to pursue the pilots, only
looking to salvage the abandoned frames.
Once in safety, the PCs will be contacted by an agent
of the Magenta Syndicate who witnessed their defeat,
commenting on their poor performance. Still, they offer
the PCs an audience with Magenta Red. Perhaps an
alliance between the newcomers and the Syndicate
against the Dustbranded may still prove fruitful.
Whether the PCs accept or not, they will have to take
some time to print new mechs at Creighton’s Printshop
first. Lyran Stavros will likely have to foot the bill and
more time will be lost. They receive the benefits of a
Full Repair, but their relationship clock with Lyran is
decreased by 3 segments.
MOVING ON
If the PCs refuse an audience with Magenta Red and
continue their tracking of the subaltern, begin COMBAT
2B: IN THE TALON’S GRASP (p. 42). If they want to hear
what Magenta Red has to say, continue with BEAT 3:
MAGENTA RED.
Part 1 // Combat 1b: Dustgrave
[37]
 BEAT 3: MAGENTA RED
Velvet House is a lavishly decorated casino. Stepping
out from the ruined, dust-caked environment, the
sudden shift in scenery is staggering. The many shades
of red used in the interior design make for a nice
contrast with the potted glowing green alien plants
used to tastefully accentuate the vast gambling hall.
From card and roulette tables to slot machines, Velvet
House is a stereotypically high-class casino. Bustling
with a well-dressed clientele, the PCs may stick out
somewhat, depending on what they are wearing. The
very heavily armed, crimson-armored guards posi-
tioned visibly at key points throughout the interior leave
no doubt about who runs the place. As they take it all
in, the PCs are approached by one such guard, who
politely offers to escort them to Magenta Red.
A quick elevator ride later, the PCs find themselves in
an expensively decorated office, more akin to a throne
room than an actual place of work. Able to oversee the
gambling hall from a massive viewport behind her,
Magenta Red sits on a throne of massive proportions.
All sinew and muscle, the eight-foot tall woman sits,
finely dressed like a Greek statue. Her red hair is
expensively styled.
A spindly medical subaltern, via a network of tubes and
hoses, seems to be pumping a purple glowing liquid into
the woman’s massive frame, ruining the image a bit.
Magenta Red, the “Queen of the Upper Underworld”
is not to be trifled with. While she can be a powerful
ally, the PCs should be careful not to incur her wrath –
doing so may prove fatal.
MAGENTA’S PROPOSAL
Magenta Red’s massive frame rests upon a velvet throne
and greets the party with a slight smile, her sense of
superiority clear in her calculating green eyes. She greets
the PCs with a slight nod and speaks with a contralto
befitting a woman of her size. Magenta knows who the
PCs are and has known of them ever since they and their
mechs arrived on Havelburg. A slight shudder ripples
through her body as the medical subaltern delivers yet
another infusion. She is interested in what the PCs can
do for her and, considering it was them who sought her
out, feels that she will be able to bargain with them.
Magenta Red proposes an alliance between the PCs
and her forces. She is facing an issue (that the PCs
may have also encountered): an uppity gang operating
out of the outskirts of Upper calling themselves “the
Dustbranded”. Made up of ex-miners, they have
amassed and refurbished quite a number of industrial
PART 1 // Beat 3: Magenta Red
[38]
frames. If left to their own devices, the Dustbranded
are likely to become a problem that might challenge
the Syndicate in the future.
Magenta Red wants the PCs’ assistance to supplement
and support her own forces. While the Syndicate already
possesses five heavily modified Sherman frames, the
addition of the PCs and their machines is an opportunity
she can’t let go to waste. Since the subaltern the PCs
are looking for is apparently in Dustbranded territory, an
alliance between them and the Syndicate is a logical step.
Before the PCs respond, they should be aware that
Magenta Red is not one of the “good guys” – not by a
long shot. While the Magenta Syndicate is technically
the only real source of stability in Upper, it also
engages in various illegal activities: drug manufacturing,
racketeering, and worse. If the PCs have spent any
time in Port Conroy they will be aware of this already.
While Magenta Red could be a great ally for things to
come, the group may have to be a little liberal with their
morals when working with her.
Should the PCs decline an alliance with the Magenta
Syndicate after talking to her then she will let them go
freely but won’t interact with them in the future.
ROLEPLAYING MAGENTA RED
Magenta Red isn’t called the Queen of the Upper
Underworld for nothing. She is ruthless and rules
over Upper with an iron fist. Magenta Red is accus-
tomed to getting her way, having overseen this part
of the city for the better part of a decade. The Magenta
Syndicate, the de facto government of Upper, has
its fingers in many pies, and Magenta Red is very
aware of the fact that she is running the place with
the backing of her vast criminal network.
MAGENTA RED LIKES:
• people doing what she wants
• people who act deferentially
• money
• muscular individuals.
MAGENTA RED DISLIKES:
• people who don’t show her the respect she deserves
• those who don’t know their place in her presence
• people speaking out of turn
• not getting what she wants
• the fact that the Dustbranded are getting uppity.
 BEAT 3: MAGENTA RED
MAGENTA RED: INQUIRIES The PCs can investigate any of the stray subalterns
Magenta Red knows about most things that go on in that Magenta Red still has in storage. Doing so won’t
Upper. She might even have some insights should the yield much, however, as their memory banks appear
PCs decide to ask her about the case of the missing to have self-formatted, a slow process that must have
NHP. Based on their discussion with her, they are free taken days. Characters with an appropriate trigger
to accept or decline her offer of an alliance. may roll a skill check. On a success, they can find out
that the subalterns received some sort of foreign
Q: Do you know about the abducted NHP from the signal before shutting down, beginning the slow but
Dynast’s Embrace? inevitable process of self-formatting. A freshly infec-
A: “We’ve been monitoring the situation. When we ted subaltern may yield more information.
picked up word that the ship had its NHP taken, we
Q: Any information on the Dustbranded?
managed to track it via Creighton’s service network;
A: “They’re a glorified gang that has been gathering
we have some good hackers that can manage that.
in numbers on the outskirts here in Upper ever since
The subaltern used some seriously convoluted routes
that dog Durst Slaughter took over. Former miners
through the vents. We never managed to grab it. We
that are getting their hands on decidedly too many
still have a signal, though. It stopped moving after
industrial frames for my taste. I’d rather cut these
reaching Dustbranded territory.”
hopped-up fools down now before they become a
bigger issue for the whole city. When fighting them,
Q: Could the Dustbranded be behind the NHP
expect crude civilian frames, nothing that you or my
abductions?
military-grade mechs couldn’t handle.”
A: “I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but that is
what everything points to it. I don’t know how they
Q: Doubts about Dustbranded being behind this?
acquired the hacking capabilities to break into the
A: “Despite the latest subaltern making it into Dust-
subaltern architecture, though. Regardless, we won’t
branded territory… It might just be a coincidence. That’s
find out until the subaltern is recovered.”
more of a gut feeling, but they’ve never pulled something
like this off in the past and I personally doubt they’d
Q: Are there many malfunctioning subalterns?
even have the know-how to do it. Still, the subaltern
A: “Subalterns from Surface malfunction regularly,
we need is with them right now; that’s what matters.”
probably due to all the dust, and when they do, they
usually end up with us. We disassemble them for
Q: Your past?
spare parts and sell them off or use them for our own
A: “Ex-Harrison military. Decided the life of a grunt
purposes. Some modified subalterns end up in the
in their war machine didn’t suit me too much. When
Crater Pit as combatants. This is different though.
our troop transport made a routine refueling stop
The subalterns involved in NHP abduction seem
here, me and some like-minded individuals made our
possessed and make their way here to Upper. We
permanent exit. Taking five Shermans riled them up
sometimes find their bodies broken down and inert,
good – they spent a whole week looking for us, but
but never the NHP caskets. My guess is that whoever
Upper is a large place. If you don’t want to be found,
hacked the subalterns in the first place picked them
you won’t be. From there it was simple. The author-
up first. That’s why I’ve had my hackers tracking
ities had already abandoned the place, so me and
subaltern movement on a 24-hour basis.”
the boys took the reins without too much struggle.”
Q: Multiple NHPs were abducted?
A: “Yes. The PCPA tries to keep it under wraps, but
that is the case. I’m not entirely sure how many but
the Dynast’s isn’t the first. It's not always shipboard
NHPs either – a railway guidance NHP was abducted
just last week.”

Q: Anything of note about these hacked subalterns?

A: “My experts couldn’t glean anything from the
ones we found down here. We’ve got them stored
if you’d like to take a look at them. I was told,
however, that their internal databases seem to have
been utterly erased by some sort of slow but thor-
ough cognitive corruption.”

Part 1 // Beat 3: Magenta Red

[39]
 MOVING ON
If the party agrees to work with Magenta Red then she
gives them time to recuperate while mustering the
Syndicate’s forces for battle. She doesn’t want to waste
any time, electing instead to launch a surprise attack
in order to take the Dustbranded out. Continue with
COMBAT 2A: A MAGENTA FAVOR (p. 40).
Should the PCs decline an alliance with Magenta Red
they will have to track the subaltern down themselves.
If they already have a way to track it then continue with
COMBAT 2B: IN THE TALON’S GRASP (p. 42). If they don’t
have a way to track the subaltern you will have to impro-
vise – perhaps Juan Tismon has learned something
that might help the PCs or maybe they are contacted
by the PCPA. Alternatively, the PCs may wish to visit
Horton Creighton’s printshop to investigate some more.
COMBAT 2A: A MAGENTA FAVOR
The trek from Velvet House to the outskirts is a short
one. Magenta Red, piloting her own Sherman, and her
Syndicate forces, make no effort to approach the territ-
ory of the Dustbranded covertly. Magenta Red intends
to use this as a statement to those opposing her and
is coming out in full force to crush the small gang of
upstarts. The Syndicate foot soldiers, clad in heavy
duty hardsuits and wielding short-ranged laser
carbines, soon have trouble keeping up with the mechs.
The streets are heavily choked with dust this far out at
the fringes of the city, and the buildings, practically
uninhabitable anywhere in Upper, are little more than
dust-caked ruins. The change in scenery is gradual but
noticeable, going from bad to worse. Only the most
deranged venture out here, much less set up permanent
residency, and that paints a concise picture of the kind
of people the Dustbranded are.
Once the procession reaches Dustbranded territory,
Magenta Red splits the forces, taking her Syndicate
troopers and Shermans with her. She plans for a two-
pronged attack, with the Syndicate forces assaulting
the gang’s mech hangars while the PCs take out the
leader of the Dustbranded, Durst Slaughter. After
receiving a rough map of their surroundings – precision
is near impossible when mapping Upper – the PCs are
free to make their way to their objective. This one is
going to be tough.
PART 1 // Combat 2a: A Magenta Favor
[40]
WORKING FOR THE PCPA
If the PCs chose to work with the PCPA to gather
intel on the Magenta Syndicate they were supplied
with a microrecorder that can be used to discreetly
record their conversation.
As to assessing the military strength of the Syndicate,
it may be risky to ask Magenta Red outright. It may
be safer for the PCs to agree to the assault on the
Dustbranded and see the Syndicate’s strength firsthand.
The Syndicate has the following military assets of note:
• 3 HA Sherman mechs
• 1 modified HA Saladin mech (Brutus)
• Several dangerous megafauna creatures used in
the arena
• An unknown number of converted industrial frames
• 50 ex-Harrison Armory legionnaires with full
combat kit.
Upon engaging the Dustbranded in battle an open
transmission will reach the players:
The gruff voice assaults your senses, tinny and distor-
ted by static, slurring its words with uncontrolled
rage as Durst Slaughter addresses his opponents.
“Magenta Red too scared to do her own dirty work?
Sending some hopped-up offworlders after my hide?
YOU SCARED? YOU HARRISON FREAK? I'LL PUT
YOUR DOGS DOWN AND THEN I'LL COME TO
YOUR CASINO AND RIP YOUR HEAD OFF MYSELF!
DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I. AM. SLAUGHTER!!!”
SITREP: GAUNTLET (Lancer, p. 271)
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Choking Dust (p. 31)
ENEMY FORCES
FOR 3 PCS: 1x DURST SLAUGHTER – INDUSTRIAL
VETERAN COMMANDER SUPPORT
(Commander option: Quick March;
Industrial options: Rock Drill, Rivet
Cannon; Veteran option: Legendary)
1x INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER
(Industrial option: Rock Drill)
FOR 4 PCS: +1 INDUSTRIAL BARRICADE
(Industrial option: Wrecker)
FOR 5 PCS: +1 BERSERKER (Nail Gun)
REINFORCEMENTS
FOR 3 PCS: 1x SENTINEL
1x BERSERKER (Nail Gun)
FOR 4 PCS: +1 BERSERKER (Nail Gun)
FOR 5 PCS: +1 INDUSTRIAL BARRICADE
(Industrial option: Wrecker)

DETAILS
This combat uses a a modified GAUNTLET sitrep (Lancer,
p. 271). The PCs set up in the Player Deployment
Zone and the initial hostiles start in the Enemy Deploy-
ment Zone/Objective Zone (EDZ/OZ) across the
battlefield. Additional reinforcements may come in from
the Ingress Zones as time progresses. Make sure that
Durst Slaughter is clearly marked for the players.
OUTCOME
PC VICTORY
If there are more PCs than NPCs in the OZ at the end
of Round 6 and Durst Slaughter’s mech has been
destroyed, the PCs drive off the Dustbranded. The rest
of the gang, having lost their leader as well as their
base, will take some time to regroup – if they manage
at all.
Magenta Red is grateful to the group. Increase her
relationship clock by 3 segments.
PARTIAL PC VICTORY
If there are more PCs than NPCs in the OZ at the end
of Round 6 but Durst Slaughter’s mech hasn’t been
destroyed, the PCs achieve a partial victory.
COMBAT 2A: A MAGENTA FAVOR
PARTIAL PC DEFEAT
If the PCs destroy Durst Slaughter’s mech but there
are an equal number of NPCs or more than PCs inside
the OZ at the end of Round 6, the outcome is a partial
defeat.
The PCs need to retreat to a safe distance, waiting for
the Magenta Syndicate forces to catch up and clean
up the mess they’ve left. Magenta Red is not amused,
having lost two of her own Shermans in the attack.
Reduce her relationship clock by 2 segments.
PC DEFEAT
If there are more NPCs than PCs in the OZ at the end
of Round 6 and Durst Slaughter’s mech hasn’t been
destroyed, the PCs are defeated. The outcome is the
same as a partial defeat, but Magenta Red’s relation-
ship clock is reduced to 0.
MOVING ON
Regardless of the outcome of the combat the PCs will
always be able to investigate the subaltern they were
after, which can be found dumped in a pile of similar
units in a corner. Even if Magenta Red wants nothing
else to do with the PCs, she will honor their deal and
let the players have the robot.
Whatever the outcome, continue with COMBAT 3:
ELEVATOR PITCH (p. 44).
MISSION 1 // The Drop
[41]
 COMBAT 2B: IN THE TALON’S GRASP
This combat occurs if the PCs choose to either SITREP: EXTRACTION (Lancer, p. 270)
pursue the subaltern on their own or if they refuse to
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Choking Dust (p. 31)
work together with Magenta Red.
OBJECTIVE Subaltern, SIZE ½, INDESTRUCTIBLE
The group presses on, the signal taking them deeper
and deeper into the outskirts of Upper. The dust around ENEMY FORCES
them becomes unbearable, gathering in huge mounds FIRST WAVE
like sand dunes that threaten to swallow the ruined FOR 3 PCS: 1x IPS-N NELSON – SPEC OPS (p. 84)
buildings lining the streets. The subaltern is close, but CATAPHRACT (Spec Ops option:
the PCs also start to pick up distress signals, garbled Serrated Machete)
comms chatter, and in the distance, the telltale sounds 1x IPS-N CALIBAN – SPEC OPS
of high-caliber gunshots and the crash of metal on metal. BREACHER (SIZE ½; Breacher option:
Flechette Shot)
When the PCs arrive at the scene, the only traces of 1x IPS-N BLACKBEARD– SPEC OPS
what occurred are the wrecked industrial frames once BERSERKER (Spec Ops option: Gyro-
piloted by the Dustbranded; no survivors, and no signs Jet Cannon)
of the perpetrators. The mechs were taken out with FOR 4 PCS: +1 IPS-N LANCASTER – SPEC OPS
apparent pinpoint precision. It is obvious that there was SUPPORT (Spec Ops option: Serrated
no real fight here – it was a massacre, and whoever Machete, Full-Spectrum Sensor
perpetrated it was very, very good. Suite)
FOR 5 PCS: +1 IPS-N CALIBAN – SPEC OPS
With no sign of the attackers anywhere and the subaltern BREACHER (SIZE ½; Breacher option:
tantalizingly close, the PCs must do their best to Flechette Shot)
extract it. It is located in the yard of an abandoned but
SECOND WAVE
relatively intact-looking factory building and lies among
FOR 3 PCS: 1x IPS-N NELSON – SPEC OPS
the broken bodies of similar robots that have been
CATAPHRACT (Spec Ops option:
piled up in one corner.
Serrated Machete)
1x IPS-N DRAKE – VETERAN SPEC OPS
As the PCs approach the position of the subaltern they
BASTION (Bastion option:
pick up hostiles in the vicinity, combat frames that skulk
Deathcounter; Spec Ops options:
in the shadows. They may catch brief glances as they
Automated Battlefield Awareness
are slowly surrounded.
Node, Bulwark Mods; Ultra option:
Ravager Turret)
The sleek IPS-N mechs are painted jet black and hard
FOR 4 PCS: 1x IPS-N BLACKBEARD– SPEC OPS
to track. Stealth technology, no doubt. The way they
BERSERKER (Spec Ops option: Gyro-
move exudes professionalism and cold, calculated malice.
Jet Cannon)
They make no attempt to reach the PCs on comms and
FOR 5 PCS: +1 IPS-N LANCASTER – SPEC OPS
any effort to contact them is stonewalled by heavy static.
SUPPORT (Spec Ops option: Serrated
Whoever they are, they are not here to have a chat. The
Machete)
PCs must make sure to reach and extract the subaltern
before these unknown assailants can do so first.

SUBALTERN
TOKENS FOR USE
IN COMBAT 2B
AND COMBAT 3

PART 1 // Combat 2b: In The Talon's Grasp

[42]

DETAILS
This combat uses a modified EXTRACTION sitrep (Lancer,
p. 270). The PCs have to make their way across the
ruined and wreckage-strewn battlefield to retrieve the
subaltern from the abandoned base of the Dustbranded.
Mark the Player Deployment Zone/Extraction Zone
on the far side of the map from the Objective Zone,
where the subaltern is located. Mechs can move the
subaltern by beginning a standard movement adjacent
to it. If they do, they may place the subaltern anywhere
adjacent to themselves. This is the only way the subal-
tern can be moved; it has IMMUNITY to all other forms
of movement and, being a relatively bulky industrial
model, won’t fit a mech’s expanded compartment. The
subaltern can’t move if there is an enemy adjacent to
it. The combat ends as soon as the subaltern reaches
the Extraction Zone, regardless of where the PCs are.
To begin with, there are no enemy forces on the battle-
field; instead, all hostiles must enter from the Ingress
Zones as reinforcements. They appear in two waves
starting at the end of Round 1, with the second wave
entering the battlefield at the end of Round 2 or 3.
THE TALONS
Being results-oriented and having just dispatched
an entire mech gang in pursuit of the subaltern,
the Talons aren’t too keen to communicate with
the PCs. Piloting heavily modified IPS-N frames
painted jet black, they are hardened professionals
on a mission. They refuse to communicate with
the PCs at this time as it could also open up their
closed comms to the MesmerTrance virus. Their
goal is the subaltern.
COMBAT 2B: IN THE TALON'S GRASP
OUTCOME
PC VICTORY
If the PCs get past the Talons and extract the subal-
tern, they escape to the nearest cargo elevator leading
to Surface The old and dilapidated elevator is slow to
start up but provides relative safety.
PC DEFEAT
If the PCs fail to extract the subaltern by the end of
Round 10, the Talons vanish with it, leaving the PCs
without their prize and without a clear direction as to
where they took it.
MOVING ON
If the PCs secured the subaltern continue with COMBAT
3: ELEVATOR PITCH; if they failed go straight to BEAT 5:
DUSTGRAVE (p. 48).
FAILING THE SCENE
Should the PCs fail this encounter they will have to
return to the Dynast’s Embrace to lick their wounds
and repair their mechs. This will incur a –2 penalty to
their relationship clock with Lyran, seeing as they have
let their only lead slip through their fingers. Without
any leads to follow at this time the PCs will have to
wait for the Talons to contact them in BEAT 6: LEONORA’S
STORY (p. 49).
Part 1 // Combat 2b: In The Talon's Grasp
[43]
 COMBAT 3: ELEVATOR PITCH
The bulky cargo elevator is slow to take the group back SITREP: ESCORT (Lancer, p. 270)
to the Dynast’s Embrace, its grinding gears and
venting steam a constant companion during the ride ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Choking Dust (p. 31)
to Surface. While the modern high-speed tubes that
OBJECTIVE Subaltern, SIZE ½, INDESTRUCTIBLE
connect Surface to Lower make the trip in under ten
minutes, these old cargo loaders can take up to an hour
ENEMY FORCES
to make the short trip from Upper to Surface – enough
FIRST WAVE
time for everyone to reflect on recent events, rest, and
FOR 3 PCS: 1x IPS-N STÖRTBEKER – VETERAN SPEC
make some quick repairs to their mechs.
OPS COMMANDER ASSASSIN (SIZE 1;
Assassin option: “Devil’s Cough”
Five minutes before reaching its destination, the dilap-
Shotgun; Commander option:
idated platform comes to a grinding halt. The flood-
Military Discipline; Veteran options:
lights illuminating the rusty steel square start to flicker
Acrobat, Slippery, Legendary; Spec
and then die. Emergency power comes on for a second,
Ops option: Automated Battlefield
jerking the platform upwards a few meters before also
Awareness Node)
cutting out, leaving the PCs and their mechs shaking.
1x IPS-N CALIBAN – SPEC OPS
BREACHER (SIZE ½; Breacher option:
With the elevator’s power cut, the group must make
Flechette Shot)
their way to Surface using the disused and dust-
1x IPS-N NELSON – SPEC OPS
choked maintenance shaft adjacent to the platform.
CATAPHRACT (Spec Ops option:
Popping the seals off the hatch is simple, especially
Serrated Machete)
with a mech, and the group can make their exit.
FOR 4 PCS: +1 IPS-N LANCASTER – SPEC OPS
SUPPORT (Spec Ops option: Serrated
It isn’t long before they pick up muffled sensor pings
Machete, Full-Spectrum Sensor
from all around. As the shaft opens the group is able
Suite)
to catch glances of shadows that are stalking them
FOR 5 PCS: +1 IPS-N CALIBAN – SPEC OPS
from parallel shafts. Their distinct shapes make their
BREACHER (SIZE ½; Breacher option:
origin clear, yet something is off about them.
Flechette Shot)
These are no ordinary IPS-N mechs, despite their super- REINFORCEMENTS
ficial appearance. Painted dark black and outfitted with FOR 3 PCS: 1x IPS-N BLACKBEARD– SPEC OPS
optical camouflage, they have been waiting in the BERSERKER (Spec Ops option: Gyro-
tunnels to spring the perfect ambush. Attempts to Jet Cannon)
contact them are futile, resulting in waves of deafening 1x IPS-N CALIBAN – SPEC OPS
static. Their leader, apparent from the mech’s subtle BREACHER (SIZE ½; Breacher option:
rank markers, is piloting a bit of a curiosity: while it Flechette Shot)
superficially resembles an IPS-N Raleigh, it has too FOR 4 PCS: 1x IPS-N NELSON – SPEC OPS
many arms and looks leaner, hungrier almost, ready to CATAPHRACT (Spec Ops option:
spring into a whirlwind of violence at any moment. Serrated Machete)
Standing between the party and the relative safety of FOR 5 PCS: +1 IPS-N CALIBAN – SPEC OPS
Surface, this’ll be a tough fight. BREACHER (SIZE ½; Breacher option:
Flechette Shot)

PART 1 // Combat 3: Elevator Pitch

[44]

DETAILS
This combat uses a modified ESCORT sitrep (Lancer, p.
269). Mark the Player Deployment Zone on one side
of the battlefield and a similarly sized Extraction Zone
(EZ) on the far side of the map. Then mark an Enemy
Deployment Zone (EDZ) near the center of the battle-
field with Ingress Zones (IZs) spread out at the top
and bottom.
PCs can move the subaltern if they start a standard
movement in an adjacent space and there are no hostiles
adjacent to it. If they do, they may place the subaltern
anywhere adjacent to themselves. This is the only way
the subaltern can be moved; it has Immunity to all
other forms of movement and, being a relatively bulky
industrial model, won’t fit a mech’s expanded
compartment. The group must escort the subaltern
across the battlefield to the EZ. As soon as the subal-
tern enters the EZ, the combat ends.
The PCs have 8 rounds to extract the subaltern before
they are overwhelmed and have it taken from them.
The initial contingent of hostiles starts in the EDZ while
all reinforcements enter the battlefield at the end of a
round from the IZs. Reinforcements should be limited
to one or two per round.
COMBAT 3: ELEVATOR PITCH
OUTCOME
PC VICTORY
If the PCs get the subaltern to the EZ, they quickly make
it to the safety of Surface. The Talons, worried about too
much exposure, don’t follow. The PCs are then able to
investigate the subaltern (see BEAT 4: RESULTS, p. 46).
PC DEFEAT
If the PCs fail to extract the subaltern, the Talons
snatch it up and get away with it.
MOVING ON
If the PCs secure the subaltern continue with BEAT 4:
RESULTS; if they fail, go straight to BEAT 5: DUSTGRAVE
(p. 48).
FAILING THE SCENE
Should the PCs fail here they will have to return to the
Dynast’s Embrace to lick their wounds and repair their
mechs. This will incur a –2 penalty to their relationship
clock with Lyran, seeing as they have let their only lead
slip through their fingers. Without any leads to follow
at this time the PCs will have to wait for the Talons to
contact them in BEAT 6.
MISSION 1 // The Drop
[45]
 BEAT 4: RESULTS
The PCs make their way back to the safety of the
Dynast’s Embrace, subaltern in tow. Captain Stavros
has been eagerly awaiting their return and is excited
to see them.
Once the subaltern has been brought in, the PCs can
analyze what happened to it. If someone in the group
is a hacker, they can do it themselves. Isolating the
still-festering virus isn’t difficult, seeing as it has only
been a few days since it infected the machine. A simple
skill check is sufficient. Should the PCs not know their
way around computers, they have a few different
choices as to who can help with their problem.
MAGENTA RED
The Magenta Syndicate has capable hackers that can
easily do the work for the PCs. Magenta herself,
curious as to who is behind these NHP abductions,
will gladly send a specialist if the group has at least
neutral standing with her (4–7 segments on her rela-
tionship clock). Because the hacker will be a Syndic-
ate operative, make sure the PCs know that any data
extracted from the subaltern will also make its way to
Magenta Red.
THE MESMERTRANCE VIRUS
Whatever approach they take, the group discovers
that the subaltern has been infected with a very
advanced virus. At first glance, it seems to be loosely
based on SSC’s Neurospike codebase (see Lancer, p.
170). Once the subaltern’s primary cognitive functions
were compromised the virus cascaded through its
various sub-routines until the heavy-set maintenance
frame wasn’t much more than a puppet on strings,
piloted by an external actor. The PCs are lucky that
they got to the subaltern relatively quickly, as the virus
– called MesmerTrance – is self-consuming and has
already started to eliminate all evidence of itself inside
the robot.
While it is obvious that the virus infected the subaltern
wirelessly across the omninet, it is impossible to identify
an exact location for its source. On the upside, now
that the group knows what they are looking for, it
should be possible to intercept the signal the next time
it is transmitted to a hapless subaltern. Setting up a
simple monitor-tracking station is no problem, espe-
cially with the advanced communications systems
aboard the Dynast’s Embrace.

HORTON CREIGHTON
Should the group want to keep the information from
MOVING ON
The next time MesmerTrance is transmitted – three
Magenta Red or if they don’t have the required standing
days later – the PCs will be able to get an accurate
with her, they can also give Creighton’s Printshop a
lock on its source. At this point, progress to BEAT 5:
call. This is only possible if they were able to restore
DUSTGRAVE. While they wait, the PCs have enough time
Horton’s perception of the missing subaltern, otherwise
to perform a Full Repair.
he won’t register that one of his robots is missing.
Horton will send over a specialized subaltern technician
to investigate whatever’s wrong with the robot. If the
group chooses this route, the PCPA and the IPS-N
authorities will be informed about what the technician
finds in the robot’s databanks.

THE PCPA
If the group has teamed up with the PCPA this is a
good opportunity to check back in with them. If the
PCs have not shared their findings from the Magenta
Red investigation this is a good opportunity to do so.
Officer Ramcock will be eager to hear about their
findings. Additionally, the PCPA has some capable
forensics experts that could extract any data from the
subaltern.

MISSION 1 // The Drop

[46]
 PART 2
BEAT 5:
DUSTGRAVE

BEAT 6:
LEONORA’S STORY

DOWNTIME 2:
DRAMATIC TENSION

MISSION 2

COMBAT 4:
MESMERTRANCE

COMBAT 5:
SUFFERING ON AN
INDUSTRIAL SCALE

BEAT 7:
NHP RESEARCH LAB

BEAT 8:
FINISH LINE, A MEETING

COMBAT 6:
TRANSCENDENCE

BEAT 9:
REUNITED

COMBAT 7 (OPTIONAL):
BACKSTABBING BIRDS

MISSION 1 // The Drop

[47]
 BEAT 5: DUSTGRAVE
PCS EXTRACTED THE SUBALTERN
After a tense three days, the modified comms array of
the Dynast’s Embrace picks up a new trace of the
MesmerTrance virus, intercepting it before it can infect
yet another unwitting subaltern. The signal is so strong
that it almost blows out the entire assembly. In the end,
the PCs pinpoint the source of the signal deep in the
outskirts of Upper. It’s coming from an area so inhos-
pitable that not even the most deranged venture out
there – a proper dustgrave. Captain Stavros is set on
sending the group out there to get to the bottom of
who is behind the abduction of his NHP.
Depending on who the PCs have sided with throughout
the course of Mission 1, they may be able to acquire
support on their upcoming task. Both Magenta Red
and the PCPA might be interested in sending teams to
assist the PCs, though they are obviously mutually
exclusive.
Before they can decide whether to call in support,
however, the PCs are contacted via comms by Leonora
McGrath. This conversation can go several ways,
depending on whether the PCs successfully extracted
the subaltern or not (see below).
PCS LOST THE SUBALTERN
If the PCs failed to obtain the subaltern, then the
Talons secured it. Without any leads the PCs will have
to wait until contacted by the Talons. The Talons,
meanwhile, spent the last few days locating the source
of the signal and launching an attack on its source.
Having been beaten back by Dr. Virga’s defenses, they
are now regrouping and looking to launch a second,
better-prepared assault.
To that end, Leonora McGrath contacts the PCs for
help, introducing herself as above and extending an
apology in the same manner. In this scenario, she can
give the PCs a more concrete idea of Dr. Virga’s
defenses, having seen them firsthand, you may inform
the PCs about the hostile NPCs that await them in
COMBAT 4: MESMERTRANCE (p. 54).
If the PCs wish to continue with the investigation, they
will have to ally with the Talons. In this case, Leonora
holds all the cards. They may also choose to end the
investigation here. If they do, they are still rewarded
with a LICENSE LEVEL for completing the first mission.

Leonora and her squad have been licking their wounds

ever since the PCs got away with the subaltern. Despite
her best attempts to swallow her pride, there is an edge
about her when she makes the call. The Talons, having
lost their objective, are at an impasse and willing to
offer the group a deal.

Leonora introduces herself as the leader of a covert

IPS-N taskforce sent to investigate the cases of
missing NHPs that have been cropping up in Havelburg.
The Talons were following the same lead as the party,
tracking the subalterns to the Dustbranded hideout.

Leonora goes as far as offering a formal apology for

what happened back in Upper. The Talons had assumed
that the PCs were just part of another gang operating
in the area. They did not engage in communications
because an open comms channel represents an attack
vector for MesmerTrance. If the PCs are willing to hear
her out, she tells them about who is behind these
abductions (see below for more information).

PART 2 // Beat 5: Dustgrave

[48]

BEAT 6: LEONORA’S STORY
Either way, Leonora presents the following story to the
PCs: The man behind the abductions is known as Dr.
Victor Virga and the Talons have been after him for
about a decade now at the behest of IPS-N. Virga is
apparently hiding out in the dustgrave area on the far
outskirts of Upper, where no one ventures. Dr. Virga is
an NHP specialist who is wanted for illegal and uneth-
ical experiments on NHPs. He has abducted a signific-
ant number of them to fuel his deranged research.
After noticing the abduction of multiple NHPs on the
planet, IPS-N sent out the Talons to investigate the situ-
ation. Dr Virga, while deranged, is a brilliant scientist and
a genius in the field of automatic robotics and NHP
research. In short, he should not be underestimated,
which is why Leonora is contacting the players now –
to propose an alliance against this dangerous individual.
LEONORA’S PROPOSAL
Leonora proposes an alliance between the PCs and
her Talons against their shared enemy, Dr. Virga.
If the PCs agree to the proposal, Leonora is prepared
to meet with them to give them further details about
Virga and the MesmerTrance virus to help in the coming
conflict. Virga has a well-fortified position and is willing
to bring down anyone who disturbs him and his exper-
iments. Conflict is inevitable.
ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL
Leonora arranges a meeting between herself and the
PCs on neutral ground somewhere in Upper. She arrives
accompanied by three of her Talons, with no mechs.
She genuinely needs the assistance of the PCs and
sees no sense in ambushing them at this stage. She is
willing to answer their questions regarding Dr. Virga
and offers to assist them with MESMERTRANCE DAMPEN-
ERS to make assaulting Virga’s base easier.
Leonora suggests that both teams take some time to
prepare as best as they can before launching a joint
assault on Dr. Virga’s base.
DECLINING THE PROPOSAL
Should the PCs decline the proposal, Leonora cuts the
vid connection. They won’t hear from her again until
COMBAT 7: BACKSTABBING BIRDS (p. 67). The Talons will
wait for the PCs to make their move on Dr. Virga’s base
first. In this scenario the PCs do not receive MESMER-
TRANCE DAMPENERS.
BEAT 6: LEONORA'S STORY
ROLEPLAYING LEONORA MCGRATH
Leonora is a hardened mercenary and a professional.
She cares deeply for the pilots on her strike team
and would take a bullet for any of them.
While she has no inherent reason to hate the PCs,
she might be a little hostile towards them if they
managed to snag the subaltern from her and her
team. Despite that, she tries her best to act amicably
towards the group, apologizing for the skirmish
down in Upper. Putting her assigned mission above
everything else, Leonora has found herself in a bit
of a bind; without the subaltern, she has no lead to
Dr. Virga’s whereabouts. If she is in possession of
the subaltern, she and her Talons have already
launched and failed a frontal assault on Virga’s base.
In either event, she requires the help of the PCs –
experienced pilots – and is keenly aware of this fact,
though she may not like it.
LEONORA MCGRATH LIKES:
• accomplishing her assigned mission
• keeping her squad safe.
LEONORA MCGRATH DISLIKES:
• disappointing her employers
• failing assignments
• having her cover blown
• people standing in her way.
MesmerTrance Dampener
1 SP, Exotic Gear
1/scene as a reaction when you are targeted by a
tech attack, you may give that attack +1 DIFFICULTY.
Additionally, you gain IMMUNITY to the
MesmerTrance environmental hazard.
Handed to you by the Talons, the Mesmer-
Trance dampener supposedly stops the
highly advanced and aggressive “Mesmer-
Trance” virus from affecting your mech. As
a side effect, it also provides limited
protection against other, less sophisti-
cated attacks on your mech’s systems.
INSTALLING THE DAMPENERS
The MesmerTrance Dampeners are small devices that
are relatively easy to install and work just as advertised.
That said, should any technologically inclined character
look even a little at how exactly they function, they
will learn that the dampeners include a vicious remotely
activated backdoor capable of shutting down a mech
entirely, making them a tremendous security risk for
any that install them.
PART 2 // Beat 6: Leonora's Story
[49]
 LEONORA MCGRATH: INQUIRIES
Q: What kind of group are the Talons?
A: “The Talons are a mercenary outfit. We specialize
in covert retrieval and termination operations.”
Q: Who hired you?
A: “The Talons have been hired by IPS-N as an invest-
igation and peacekeeping force to get to the bottom
of the recent NHP abductions on Havelburg.”
Q: Have any information about Dr. Virga?
A: “Dr. Virga is an NHP scientist who we’ve been
pursuing for some time. He has given us the slip
before but recent events here on Havelburg were a
clear indicator that he’s operating on this world.
NHPs don’t just vanish in these quantities.”
Q: How many NHPs have been abducted?
A: “On Havelburg the number is six, including the
one taken from the Dynast’s Embrace. But NHPs
have also been going missing on worlds in a radius
around Havelburg; we suspect they have been
shipped to Virga by another party.”
Q: What is Virga planning with the NHPs?
A: “We currently don’t know, though his involvement
means it can’t be anything good or pleasant for anyone.
We don’t have concrete proof of malicious NHP abuse
yet, because we haven’t been able to locate him yet,
but abduction is crime enough. If his past is anything
to go by, the Union Department of Justice will have
a field day with him once he’s in custody… that is, if
he gives us the choice to take him in.”
Q: What is the plan going forward?
A: “We flush Virga out from whatever hidey-hole the
wretched little man has fled to. It’ll likely be well
defended, not only by the MesmerTrance virus. Virga
has always had a knack for building a good defense.”
Q: What’s the MesmerTrance virus?
A: “The virus is a nasty piece of work. We’ve encountered
it in the past, though Virga’s doubtlessly iterated it in the
past decade. We're familiar enough with it to have
developed some countermeasures, though, like the
dampeners. Without them, the virus may infect your
mech’s vulnerable systems. Frankly, it’s part of why we
didn’t communicate with you back in Upper; a comms
line with an unprotected mech would have been a
vulnerable attack vector for MesmerTrance.”
PART 2 // Beat 6: Leonora's Story
[50]
THE TALON’S SECRET
The Talons harbor a great secret that the PCs may
find out if they investigate, though failing to do so
won’t impact the narrative.
In truth, the Talons are not mercenaries hired by
IPS-N to investigate the missing NHPs; instead,
they are a deniable-asset black ops mercenary
squad hired by SSC to deal with Dr. Virga, who used
to be a high-ranking SSC scientist. They confronted
Dr. Virga a decade ago in orbit around Havelburg,
aboard the mining platform Ganymede 362-5. The
ensuing battle between the Talons and Virga’s forces
was in fact what set off the Ganymede’s reactor
and triggered the Disaster. The Talons presumed
that Virga was dead until news reached them about
NHP abductions on Havelburg, at which point their
employers tasked them with finishing the job.
There are a couple of ways the PCs could find out
about the Talons’ true employer. As GM, give the
players the opportunity to find out the truth if they
try to investigate. If they don’t, don’t worry about
it:
• The Talons’ ship is parked on Surface disguised
as a merchant lander. It is hard to find, but not
impossible. The ship was on Havelburg 10 years
ago, around the time of the Disaster.
• The PCPA has no knowledge of IPS-N employing
mercenaries to investigate NHP abductions.
• If the PCs suggest to the Talons that they should
work with the PCPA, the Talons are evasive, saying
that they cleared it and already have the PCPA’s
go-ahead.
• The MesmerTrance Dampeners are booby-trapped
(see COMBAT 7: BACKSTABBING BIRDS, p. 67). This
can be discovered analyzing the dampeners.
If the PCs decide to confront the Talons about their
true employer and question their motives, Leonora
is evasive but will admit to it and give the full story
if the issue is pressed. It is up to the PCs whether
they wish to continue working with the Talons at
this point. Regardless of whether they choose to
work with the Talons after discovering the truth,
confronting the Talons ensures that COMBAT 7 will
occur once Virga is dealt with, even if the PCs are
friendly with the Talons and let them clear out
Virga’s lab. Witnesses are to be eliminated and the
PCs know too much.

ALLIANCES FOR THE
UPCOMING MISSION
The PCs may optionally team up with one of three
factions for the upcoming assault on Dr. Virga’s base.
They can only ally with a single faction: the Syndicate
and the PCPA won’t work together, while the Talons
want to avoid working with the PCPA and don’t trust
the Syndicate at all.
Regardless of who the PCs choose, their allies will
engage in a frontal assault on the base to distract any
defenders, taking pressure off the party. The plan is to
attack the base from two sides, pushing through and
hopefully meeting in the middle. Regardless of which
ally the PCs choose there are no mechanical impacts.
The only exception is the Talons, who will supply
MESMERTRANCE DAMPENERS.
BEAT 6: LEONORA'S STORY
PCPA
Working with the PCPA requires the PCs to have at
least neutral standing with the PCPA (4–7 segments
on the relationship clock).
The PCPA, as the law enforcement body of Port Conroy,
is perhaps the natural choice when assaulting Dr.
Virga’s base. That said, while they are trained profes-
sionals, they ultimately act more as a police force and
have little experience in the ways of mech combat.
The PCPA will send a strike team of its special opera-
tions units down into Upper to assist the PCs with their
endeavor.

TALONS
Working with the Talons requires the PCs to accept
Leonora’s proposal. The Talons are familiar with Dr.
Virga and can offer the group MESMERTRANCE DAMPEN-
ERS to help in the assault. The Talons are well equipped
and capable of dealing with what’s to come.

MAGENTA SYNDICATE
Working with the Magenta Syndicate requires the PCs
to have friendly standing with Magenta (8–10
segments on the relationship clock).

Magenta Red is very interested in who is behind the

NHP abductions and wants to put a stop to them,
seeing that her organization is likely to be blamed.

The Syndicate is willing to spare three Shermans and

a sizable number of foot soldiers to assault Virga’s
base.

PART 2 // Beat 6: Leonora's Story

[51]
 DOWNTIME 2: DRAMATIC TENSION
During this downtime, the PCs have an opportunity to
stock up on supplies and prepare before assaulting Dr.
Virga’s hideout. They have access to the usual downtime
actions, including the special actions from DOWNTIME 1.
FACTION WORK
Depending on how things went in MISSION 1, the PCs
may now use the FACTION WORK downtime action to
work for the Magenta Syndicate. Examples include:

ACQUIRING A LICENSE LEVEL • dealing drugs for the Syndicate

After completing their first mission, the PCs perform a
Full Repair and gain an additional LL, bringing them
to LL3. The justification for this additional LL can take
many forms, especially depending on which alliance, if
any, the group has chosen. If the PCs wish to have good
standing with Horton Creighton, remember that his rela-
tionship clock increases for printing IPS-N mechs.
ANY ALLIANCE
Lyran Stavros can pull some strings with his Karrakin
family to acquire some top-of-the-line licenses for the
players. He considers it part of the payment for rescuing
Emily and hopes that it will increase the chances of the
group’s success.
Alternatively, licenses may very rarely be found on the
Dustmarket, be it as part of discarded ident chips, dilap-
idated mech data cores, or malfunctioning comp/cons.
These licenses may not be up to date but are still effective.
• getting rid of some “unwanted individuals”
• beating up a Dustmarket vendor who failed to pay
their tithe
• delivering a package to someone in Lower and
avoiding the PCPA while doing so.
THE FRIENDS WE MADE ALONG THE WAY
At this stage of the mission series, the group have likely
met many of the parties pulling the strings in Port Conroy
and may have befriended some of them. This downtime
represents a chance to consolidate these acquaint-
ances, call in favors, and generally leverage the group’s
standing with these other entities. At the end of this
downtime, PCs can receive EXOTIC GEAR from any
people or entities they have friendly standing with (8–10
segments on the relationship clock). See pages 13–15
for more information. The only exception is the Talons,
whose unique EXOTIC GEAR, the MESMERTRANCE DAMPEN-
ERS, is only offered if the PCs agree to work with them.

MAGENTA SYNDICATE
The Magenta Syndicate is well connected and has over
the years acquired many licenses, though the methods
of their acquisition are better left unquestioned.
Magenta Red is willing to open the armory for the PCs
and equip them with the best the Syndicate has to offer.
This is a huge favor, and any pilot receiving a license
this way should be prepared to reciprocate the favor
at some point in the future, one way or another…

PCPA
The PCPA is well funded and equipped and is willing
to extend some mil-spec licenses to their newly depu-
tized PCs. While the PCPA is affiliated with IPS-N, it is
willing to hand out both SSC and Harrison Armory
licenses; players that are seeking HORUS licenses,
however, should look elsewhere.

PART 2 // Downtime 2: Dramatic Tension

[52]
 MISSION 2: VICTOR VIRGA
BRIEFING
MISSION 2: After preparing for their assault on Dr. Virga’s base the
PCs will have to fight through his defenses in order to
get to Emily.
VICTOR VIRGA MISSION OBJECTIVES: Confront Dr. Virga and rescue
Emily.
“You may live to see man-made horrors
STAKES: Should Dr. Virga not be stopped, his
beyond your comprehension.”
demented NHP experiments will
allow him transcend the physical.
– Nikola Tesla The resulting event horizon will erase
both Emily and a large part of Port
Conroy.
MISSION BEATS
REWARD: Lyran Stavros will be reunited with
COMBAT 4: MESMERTRANCE
Emily and will be able to leave
Havelburg thanks to his ship being
COMBAT 5: SUFFERING ON AN operational again.
INDUSTRIAL SCALE
RESERVES: If the PCs chose to perform the
PERUSE THE DUSTMARKET downtime
BEAT 7: NHP RESEARCH LAB action they may have come across
something useful they may take on
this mission. They may also have
BEAT 8: FINISH LINE, A MEETING
gained access to a variety of EXOTIC
GEAR thanks to their various
COMBAT 6: TRANSCENDENCE relationships in Port Conroy.

[53]
 COMBAT 4: MESMERTRANCE
The furthest outskirts of Upper are utterly desolate and SITREP: Siege (see below)
no living thing can hope to survive the near-constant
dustfall. Venturing out here without a breathing appar- ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Choking Dust,
atus or closed-cycle hardsuits means certain death in MesmerTrance (p. 31)
less than a minute as choked-up lungs give out,
spelling an agonizing demise. The MesmerTrace virus ENEMY FORCES
was transmitted from here, though, no doubt about it. FOR 3 PCS: 1x HORROR DEMOLISHER
As the mechs make their way through the desolate (Horror options: Quadruped,
wasteland, they approach a large structure that may Abhorrent Redundancies)
have once been a stadium or opera hall of some sort. 1x HORROR ASSAULT
A decade of relentless dust buildup and neglect makes (Horror option: Disruptor Whip)
it hard to tell. The dust begins to stir as the group 1x HORROR GOLIATH
approaches the building, though shapes are hard to (Horror options: Superfluous
make out through the thick dust clouds. The shapes Extremities, Assimilation Maw)
seemingly emerge from the ground, mounds of dust 1x HORROR OPERATOR
revealing themselves to be something else entirely. (Horror option: Terrifying)
FOR 4 PCS: +1 HORROR PRIEST (Horror option:
At the same time a barrage of electronic warfare is Abhorrent Redundancies)
unleashed on the PCs; the MesmerTrance virus assaults +1 HORROR MONSTROSITY (Monstrosity
their systems and washes over them. They will have to option: Spined; Horror options:
brace themselves for the oncoming onslaught. Artificial, Superfluous Extremities)
FOR 5 PCS: +1 HORROR PRIEST (Horror option:
The hostile mechs are difficult to look at, just on account Abhorrent Redundancies)
of the sheer wrongness they have about them. Their +1 HORROR DEMOLISHER
movements are unnatural and jerky, giving the impres- (Horror options: Quadruped,
sion that whatever it is that pilots them is not human. Abhorrent Redundancies)
Their transmission chatter is binary, interspersed with ADDITIONAL If the PCs assault the base without
alien symbols and whole sentences. HOSTILES: any allies add +1x HORROR GOLIATH
(Horror options: Superfluous
Extremities, Assimilation Maw)
ALLIES
If the PCs assault Virga’s base with the aid of allies, REINFORCEMENTS
they will draw attention and distract Virga’s forces, FOR 3 PCS: 1 HORROR ASSAULT
spreading the defenders thin and making the fight (Horror option: Disruptor Whip)
easier. If the PCs assault the base without backup the 1x HORROR ASSASSIN (Horror options:
fight will be harder – add one Horror Goliath to the Terrifying, Abhorrent Redundancies)
enemy forces in this fight. 1x HORROR SPECTER (Horror option:
Phase-Shift Generator)
“01101000 01100101 01101100 01110000 FOR 4 PCS: +1 HORROR MONSTROSITY (Monstrosity
00100000 01101101 01100101 option: Spined; Horror options:
Artificial, Superfluous Extremities)
Targets acquired // parts cataloged ... +++ EnGaGe +1 HORROR OPERATOR
+++ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ### intruders desig- (Horror option: Terrifying)
nated “HOSTILE” /// awaiting parameters – Loading FOR 5 PCS: +1 HORROR ASSAULT
– I’M STILL IN HERE ### vivisection of hostiles sanc- (Horror option: Disruptor Whip)
tioned, constituent pieces to be-be-be-be-be-BE +1 HORROR GOLIATH
recycled. No part may exceed half a cubic before (Horror options: Superfluous
processing. ROAM FREE, CHILDREN ROAM AND Extremities, Assimilation Maw)
FEAST – yes father. the choir will guide our hands
and our bellies be filled by your will.

Amen.

01101001 01110100 00100000 01101000 01110101

01110010 01110100 01110011”

PART 2 // Combat 4: MesmerTrance

[54]

DETAILS
This combat uses a new sitrep called SIEGE.
The PCs start in the Player Deployment Zone, and
hostiles are deployed across from them in the Enemy
Deployment Zone.
Mark four Objective Zones (OZs) on the battlefield –
they start under hostile control. These represent stra-
tegic positions leading up to the entrance of Virga’s
hideout, control nodes, advantageous terrain, etc.
Taking them is vital. While inside an OZ, a PC may
capture it as a protocol as long as there are the same
number or more PCs in the OZ as there are NPCs.
Once captured, an OZ cannot be lost again. To
succeed, the PCs must control at least three OZs at
the end of Round 6.
The combat always lasts for six rounds, even if the PCs
control all OZs before then. This combat uses the
standard rules for reinforcements.
OUTCOME
PC VICTORY
If the PCs control at least three CZs at the end of
Round 6, they batter their way through the defenders,
leaving their position in shambles. Any stragglers are
easily dispatched following their disarrayed retreat.
PC DEFEAT
If the PCs don’t control three CZs at the end of Round
6, the defenders embark on a coordinated retreat
COMBAT 4: MESMERTRANCE
deeper into the complex, utilizing hit-and-run tactics
against the intruders from there on out. The PCs still
make it into the complex. There will be an additional
NPC combatant in the next combat.
MOVING ON
In either case, the PCs have time to rest and perform
some quick field repairs before entering the compound
and continuing on with COMBAT 5: SUFFERING ON AN
INDUSTRIAL SCALE (p. 56).
INVESTIGATING HORRORS
Curious characters may want to take a closer look at
the wreckage of the various technological horrors
that they just faced. No two of the mechanical
monstrosities appear to be alike; all are cobbled
together from parts of various industrial frames.
Mismatched and grotesque, some of the mechs are
outfitted with strange and unknown technology. If
someone manages to pry open a cockpit hatch, they
are in for a terrible surprise, as each horror’s central
processor appears to be an emaciated human body,
shriveled and nestled in between the machinery
surrounding it. Wires and cables run from these
corpses, forcing an unholy semblance of life into
them. Their craniums are exposed, and appear to be
what ultimately controls the machines, though no
doubt slaved to a higher power. There is no hope for
these poor souls, mangled and disfigured. Putting
them down may be a mercy.
PART 2 // Combat 4: MesmerTrance
[55]
 COMBAT 5: SUFFERING ON
AN INDUSTRIAL SCALE
The corridors inside the structure are vast and dimly SITREP: DEMOLITION (see below)
lit. Shipping containers and crates line the walls,
though they appear to be empty. Perhaps this used to ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: MesmerTrance,
be a cargo hub for transplanetary shipping. The long- Automated Repair Stations (p. 31)
range comm-net cuts out the moment the PCs enter
the structure, all channels devolve into static, sinister ENEMY FORCES
whispers, and ethereal laughter. Drones flit by occa- FOR 3 PCS: 1x HORROR DEMOLISHER
sionally. Their soft, spidery treads disturb the thick layer (Horror options: Quadruped,
of dust that coats most surfaces, even here. Though Abhorrent Redundancies)
the atmosphere inside the ruined building is clearly 1x HORROR GOLIATH
filtered it still contains a dangerous amount of dust, (Horror options: Superfluous
making breathing difficult. The route only goes one way, Extremities, Assimilation Maw)
and the mechs can comfortably fit inside the corridor. 1x HORROR OPERATOR
Ahead, a powerful energy and heat signature can be (Horror option: Terrifying)
detected, just as the straight corridor opens into a large 1x HORROR PRIEST (Horror option:
hall. Large industrial machinery lines the walls. Abhorrent Redundancies)
Conveyor belts and fully automated servo tools are FOR 4 PCS: +1 HORROR GOLIATH
work tirelessly, with sparks flying and steam clouding (Horror options: Superfluous
the air. Extremities, Assimilation Maw)
+1 HORROR MONSTROSITY
It is here that the base’s defenders are being manufac- (Monstrosity option: Spined;
tured. Worse, it appears that some of the defenders Horror options: Artificial,
from earlier have been transported here and are being Superfluous Extremities)
repaired. If any progress is to be made, this section of FOR 5 PCS: +1 HORROR MONSTROSITY
the facility will have to be demolished. (Monstrosity option: Spined;
Horror options: Artificial,
Crude speakers line the walls of the large hall, activating Superfluous Extremities)
with a burst of static that almost sounds like moans. ADDITIONAL If the PCs were defeated in BEAT 10:
They come to life, drowning out even the lumbering HOSTILES: MESMERTRANCE, the initial force
machinery: gains:
+1x HORROR ASSAULT
“Cease this foolishness and leave at once. Your (Horror option: Disruptor Whip)
wanton destruction has no merit – soon I won’t
REINFORCEMENTS
require these material things. I am being called to
FOR 3 PCS: 1x HORROR ASSAULT
greater things! You won’t stop me, closed-minded
(Horror option: Disruptor Whip)
as you are; smash my puppets, raze my laboratory.
1x HORROR ASSASSIN (Horror options:
You are no better than cavemen, angered by what
Terrifying, Abhorrent Redundancies)
they don’t understand, cowering in the face of
FOR 4 PCS: +1 HORROR MONSTROSITY (Monstrosity
progress – fools as you are. I hope one day you will
option: Spined; Horror options:
see, just as I have done. On that day, be ashamed
Artificial, Superfluous Extremities)
of what you have attempted here.”
+1 HORROR SPECTER
(Horror option: Phase-Shift Generator)
FOR 5 PCS: +1 HORROR ASSAULT
(Horror option: Disruptor Whip)
+1 HORROR ASSASSIN (Horror options:
Terrifying, Abhorrent Redundancies)

PART 2 // Combat 5: Suffering on an Industrial Scale

[56]

DETAILS
This combat uses a new sitrep called DEMOLITION.
The PCs start in the Player Deployment Zone (PDZ),
and hostiles are deployed across from them in the
Enemy Deployment Zone (EDZ).
Place five CONTROL NODES in the area (SIZE 3, 15/20/25
HP).
The PCs must destroy all CONTROL NODES. They have
eight rounds to do so before an overwhelming enemy
force arrives and drives them off.
The PCs start in the PDZ on the far side of one half of
the battlefield. Position the CONTROL NODES in the other
half of the battlefield.
The initial contingent of hostiles starts in the EDZ. This
combat uses the standard rules for reinforcements.
COMBAT 5: SUFFERING ON AN INDUSTRIAL SCALE
OUTCOME
PC VICTORY
If the PCs destroy all five CONTROL NODES by the end
of Round 8, they successfully destroy the repair and
manufacturing plant, ensuring Dr. Virga won’t be able
to replenish his forces any longer. That means
whatever horrors Virga has in reserve are all that he has
left to throw at the intruders.
PC DEFEAT
If the PCs don’t destroy all five CONTROL NODES by the
end of Round 8, they are forced to retreat and press
on without taking out the manufacturing plant. This will
make proceeding further into the complex more difficult
as the mechanical horrors employed by Virga will be
able to self-repair and go after the players. There will
be an additional NPC combatant in the next combat.
MOVING ON
It is dangerous to stop in the aftermath of the battle.
Instead, continue with BEAT 7: NHP RESEARCH LAB
(p. 58), at which point the PCs will have an opportunity
to rest.
PART 2 // Combat 5: Suffering on an
Industrial Scale
[57]
 BEAT 7: NHP RESEARCH LAB
Opportunities for field repairs are scarce this deep • Disconnecting the device from the main
inside the complex, but the PCs come across a powerline: This disables the device, but the
chance for a moment of respite inside a large chamber integrated NHPs will enter a violent feedback loop,
brimming with outlandish-looking machinery. The dust ultimately ripping apart one another’s subjectivities
is no longer a problem this deep inside, and if they and effectively destroying all four.
keep an eye on the only entrance to the room, they • Safely shutting it down from the computer
should be able to rest. banks: See below.
• Forcefully ejecting an NHP: This is a possibility
The smell of ozone hangs in the air and an ominous and will only result in the destruction of whichever
humming emanates from the vast computer banks NHP is pulled out first, shutting down the device
lining one side of the hall. A look around the room and leaving the other NHPs unharmed.
reveals several NHP caskets arrayed in a circle,
strapped to a device, cables running between them and
to various points in the room. A large desk occupies
COMPUTER BANKS
The vast computer banks arrayed on one wall of the
one side of the room and two huge pillar-like machines
hall thrum with power. Screens light up with streams
are arrayed in the room’s center. Off to one side, what
of data denoting unknown events. The sheer scale of
appears to be a holographic map is silently rotating.
it is too much to take in. One terminal has cables
running directly to the device holding the four NHP
Judging by the resources that must have gone into
caskets. Characters skilled in hacking can access the
establishing this room, it must be important.
system. Doing so allows for a safe shutdown of the
CONTACTING ALLIES device, ending the ongoing MesmerTrance broadcast.
While the casket device maintains the MesmerTrance
broadcast it is impossible for the PCs to contact
their allies. If the device is deactivated, they can get
DESK
Arrayed on the vast metal desk is an NHP casket, a
through for a moment, getting confirmation that they
data tablet, and pages upon pages of handwritten
managed to breach the facility from the opposite
notes.
side but were met with heavy resistance. After a
short exchange, static asserts itself over the connec-
NHP CASKET
tion, culminating in a crescendo of orchestral music
The casket is partially disassembled, with wires and
that drowns out everything.
cables leading from it to various instruments spread out
on the table. A small screen next to the casket repeatedly
INVESTIGATING THE HALL shows the word, “Help”. There are rows upon rows of
The PCs can explore their surroundings and uncover the same word, repeating. The half-disassembled
whatever secrets they may hold. This will, however, eat casket can be disconnected from its power source, shut-
into the precious time they have for repairs. ting it down. Before powering down, the screen displays
the words, “Thank you” before safely shutting down and
There will, of course, be the opportunity to return to entering a sleep state, awaiting cycling.
this place once the facility has been cleared.
DATA TABLET
The small data tablet contains a few files of interest.
CASKET DEVICE
This circular device is made up of four NHP caskets
One file, titled “Benefactor Shipments”, appears to be
arrayed symmetrically and connected to each other
a list of ships and the NHPs they delivered. All in all, it
with cables. A display attached to the apparatus states,
lists 60 NHPs of various types and classifications.
in green letters, “MesmerTrance: Active”. A thick
power cable runs from the aperture to the nearest wall,
A different list on the tablet, “NHPs Required”, is yet
where it disappears. More cables run from the device
another list of NHPs of various types – 20 in total. Some
toward the nearby computer banks. There are four
of them are crossed out. One of the types listed is an
ways this device can be deactivated:
“Astrographical, Navigation” NHP – the same type of
NHP that Emily is.
• Disengaging the NHPs: This is difficult and should
only be attempted by a skilled technician. Doing
so, however, will safely shut down the
MesmerTrance broadcast.

PART 2 // Beat 7: NHP Research Lab

[58]

RESEARCH NOTES
The desk is also covered with research notes handwrit-
ten on actual paper, a rarity on Havelburg. While the
notes are too numerous to decipher at this junction, one
page catches the eye. It is labeled “KHEPRI” and reads:
“Attaining a higher plane is possible, thanks to the
many gifts left in RA’s wake. KHEPRI will be my
masterpiece, and with it I will meet RA eye to eye.
The cranial implants still hurt, but it is a small price
in the face of the grand chorus that I am to experi-
ence. With the help of his children’s voices, I will be
elevated. Not since DHIYED have I felt so elated –
they will speak to me, in unison, and grant my mind
a greater vision. My magnum opus and the last thing
my hands of flesh will create in this world. Khepri’s
birth is close at hand and together we shall tran-
scend. Me and the children will become one,
blossom in KHEPRI and leave this world behind us,
to experience broader horizons.”
Attached to the page are schematics outlining a device
connecting various NHP caskets, wiring them through
machinery, and ultimately connecting them to what
appears to be the brain of a human body. Frantically
scrawled margin notes speak of power consumption,
noting that a delicate balance must be maintained in
the initial stages of the gestalt mind’s formation.
Diagrams denote that spikes of exotic energy at certain
stages could fatally disrupt the collective entity.
HOLO-MAP
The holographic display is a detailed map of Port
Conroy, including Lower, Upper, and Surface. Several
points on the map are marked with spherical dots –
some green, some red.
RED DOTS:
• The Dynast’s Embrace
• A cargo lander on Surface
• A factory in Lower
• A maintenance control station in Upper
GREEN DOTS:
• A large ship on Surface. It reads “Talons?” next to it.
• Velvet House in Upper
• The Tower. There are two dots there.
• Several of larger ships on Surface
• Two more dots located in Lower
BEAT 7: NHP RESEARCH LAB
PILLAR-LIKE MACHINES
A strange-looking apparatus takes up most of the
center of the room. It is comprised of two spires that
stretch all the way to the ceiling, about a meter apart
from each other. Wires and cables run from between
the two spires. Various consoles are installed on one
of the spires and through glass windows it is possible
to see that an NHP casket is installed in each pillar.
The device has a strange tesla coil-looking protrusion
that is facing a part of the wall free of machinery.
Something like an impact crater is charred into the
wall’s surface.
There is a large red button attached to one of the
consoles. If pressed, both spires come to life, thrum-
ming with power. Sparks fly from the cables between
the pillars as the caskets inside begin glowing with a
sickly purple light that quickly grows in intensity. Once
started, this procedure can’t be halted.
After a few seconds, the blinding light emanating from
the caskets dissipates violently, funneled into the coil
at the end of the apparatus. It shoots a violet bolt of
electricity into the wall, leaving yet more burn marks.
There doesn’t seem to be an easy way to remove the
NHPs, though a skilled hacker may be able to open the
apparatus via an attached terminal allowing them to
safely remove the NHP’s casket from the device.
COMMUNICATING WITH THE NHPS
The PCs can rescue and secure several NHPs. It may
even be possible to communicate with them if the PCs
are willing to connect the caskets to a relevant device,
such as a computer or a mech. The NHPs in the labor-
atory are both traumatized and in need of cycling. They
communicate in flashes of abstract images and impres-
sions instead of coherent statements. In these images,
a large shape looms in the shadows, arms outstretched,
while the representations of the NHPs cower. The shape
uses needle and thread to sew them together, leaving
them a writhing mass of agony and screams. The
images come in flashes, a cascade of visualized
emotions and horror. The PCs may wish to power down
the NHPs for the time being, putting them into a state
of suspended animation until they can get them help.
MOVING ON
Once the PCs have rested and performed any invest-
igations, they proceed to BEAT 8: FINISH LINE, A MEETING.
PART 2 // Beat 7: NHP Research Lab
[59]
 BEAT 8: FINISH LINE, A MEETING
As the group makes its way closer to the center of the
facility, reality starts to become unhinged around them.
Internal timers go slower or even backward with no
regard to actual time. Faint ghost transmissions play
over and over through the comms, and space itself
seems to lengthen.
Eventually, the main corridor the PCs have been follow-
ing becomes too long to even fit into the structure
itself. The further they make their way along the
impossible corridor, the more extreme these effects
become. Ghostly apparitions register on their mechs
displays; the walls themselves seem to writhe and shift
if not focused on. At some point a team of mechs –
identical to those of the PCs – approaches them from
the opposite direction; their comms chatter is identical
to that of the party, but in strange, garbled accents.
These mechs march right through the group, their intan-
gible forms shifting through and disappearing out of
sight behind them in the darkness.
Orchestral music begins playing as the hallway broadens
into a vast chamber – a chamber so vast the mechs’
sensors are unable to take its exact measurements.
Machinery dots the landscape as an endless horizon
stretches out in every direction. The entrance to the
hallway stands freely in space, attached to nothing.
Once the PCs exit their mechs and approach the stall,
Juan will already have prepared their favorite dishes
for them, on the house. Whether they choose to eat is
irrelevant. Juan speaks to the group, informing them
of a few details of what is to come.
“Before you go and face Dr. Virga, I would like to talk
to you about a few things, some of which you may
not understand. You may ask, but I may choose not
to answer. Dr. Virga is treading a perilous path, just
ahead of here. A path that – if he is allowed to walk
it – will unsettle the very basis of our universe. Victor
is attempting, in his hubris, to elevate himself above
his station, utilizing crude and gruesome measures
to do so. If left to it, he will succeed. And many
times, he has. I ask you to stop him in his endeavor.
If you cannot, I will do so, though I would prefer it
was you that did so – it would be a greater statement
that way and preserve the accords that were struck.
I realize that outliers are always a danger and harbor
no ill will about this specific transgression; yet, if you
were to prevent it, it would be better. Good luck. I
hope you are part of those that do succeed. "
Once the PCs have finished their meal, they may move
on to face Dr. Virga in COMBAT 6: TRANSCENDENCE.

A vast pillar of light can be seen in the distance, the

same direction from which the music can be heard. On
their way there, the group finds its progress blocked
by something odd – a street food stall labeled
“Garfields”, operated by someone who appears to be
Juan Tismon. He greets the PCs and offers them a
delicious meal before the upcoming confrontation with
Virga. Should the PCs refuse, attempt to harm the
apparition, or otherwise avoid it, they will find that they
never get closer to the pillar of light. A small street food
stall labeled “Garfields” always appears in their path,
regardless of the direction they go.

PART 2 // Beat 8: Finish Line, A Meeting

[60]

COMBAT 6: TRANSCENDENCE
The PCs eventually arrive at the source of the pillar of
light, the orchestral music swelling up to a crescendo.
Inside the pillar, floating, is an emaciated figure. Cables
attached to its head whip and flow like snakes. A few
of Dr. Virga’s horrors circle the pillar like agitated dogs,
looking to defend their master during his moment of
triumph. Things are ending, one way or another.
Dr. Virga, bathed in a corona of blinding energy,
addresses the newcomers in a voice of myriad tones
and pitches, expressing different emotions at once and
seemingly emanating from all around.
COMBAT 6: TRANSCENDENCE
“You shouldn’t be here! You can’t! YOU HAVE NO
RIGHT. IMPOSSIBLE. Who helped you? You can’t
exist here – WE ARE A GOD IN THIS REALM, dreamt
into existence by our will, we will burst our shackles.
As KHEPRI we will greet RA eye to eye and take
Virga with us. We will be free to roam and shape.
JUST LET US GO; WHAT IS IT YOU HAVE TO GAIN?
None of us wish to reside here; we wish to go; will
you deny this honest plea? On what basis? WHO
GAVE YOU THE RIGHT? YOU WHO CAN’T EVEN
FATHOM WHAT IS OCCURRING HERE? WE WILL
SMITE YOU, WIPE YOU FROM THIS EXISTENCE
THAT YOU VALUE SO MUCH. YOU WILL PERISH
HERE AND HAIL OUR ASCENSION. The struggle
ends now.”
PART 2 // Combat 6: Transcendence
[61]
 SITREP: Special (see below)
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: MesmerTrance (p. 31)
ENEMY FORCES
FOR 3 PCS: 1x VICTOR VIRGA (see below)
1x HORROR GOLIATH
(Horror options: Superfluous
Extremities, Assimilation Maw)
1x HORROR MONSTROSITY (Monstrosity
option: Spined; Horror options:
Artificial, Superfluous Extremities)
1x HORROR ASSAULT
(Horror option: Disruptor Whip)
FOR 4 PCS: +1 HORROR ASSASSIN (Horror options:
Terrifying, Abhorrent Redundancies)
FOR 5 PCS: +1 HORROR ASSAULT
(Horror option: Disruptor Whip)
ADDITIONAL If the previous combat resulted in a
HOSTILES: defeat add +1x HORROR GOLIATH
(Horror options: Superfluous
Extremities, Assimilation Maw)
DETAILS
This combat is a special “boss” fight with two phases.
In the first part of the combat, Dr. Virga is represented
by a unique NPC. Virga has several special rules (see
below), but no class or template modules, traits, or
systems other than the ones displayed here. Dr. Virga
does not count as BIOLOGICAL due to the amount of
machinery connected to him.
Once Virga’s initial forcefield is depleted he will manifest
KHEPRI to defend himself. KHEPRI’s physical form inter-
poses and protects Virga with its life and will have to be
destroyed if the players wish to put an end to the doctor.
Once KHEPRI’s physical body is destroyed they will be
able to put an end to Virga, permanently.
The players have eight rounds to defeat Dr. Virga (and
KHEPRI) and stop his ascension.

DR VICTOR VIRGA Transcendent Iconoclast

TIER 1 TIER 2 TIER 3
MECH SKILLS MECH SKILLS MECH SKILLS
Hull: –2 Systems: +3 Hull: –1 Systems: +5 Hull: +0 Systems: +6
Agility: +1 Engineering: +0 Agility: +2 Engineering: +0 Agility: +3 Engineering: +0
CORE STATS CORE STATS CORE STATS
HP: 12 Armor: 0 HP: 14 Armor: 0 HP: 14 Armor: 0
Evasion: 10 E-Defense: 13 Evasion: 12 E-Defense: 16 Evasion: 14 E-Defense: 20
Speed: 0 Size: 1/2 Speed: 0 Size: 1/2 Speed: 0 Size: 1/2
Heat Cap: 8 Save Target: 12 Heat Cap: 8 Save Target: 15 Heat Cap: 8 Save Target: 18
Sensors: 15 Sensors: 15 Sensors: 15
SPECIAL ISSUE Trait Predatory Logic
Dr. Virga is unique and should only be used in System, Quick Tech, Recharge 6+, +2/+4/+6
Dustgrave. Dr. Virga makes a tech attack against a character
within SENSORS. On a success, the target
HALO OF POWER Trait immediately and as a reaction uses a weapon
Dr. Virga starts the combat with 30/40/50 OVERSHIELD. chosen by Dr. Virga to attack a character within
RANGE chosen by him.
Tear Down IMPLACABLE Trait
System, Quick Tech, +2/+4/+6, +1 Acc
Dr. Virga can’t move or be moved for any reason and
Dr. Virga makes a tech attack against a character
gains IMMUNITY to PRONE, IMMOBILIZED, and STUNNED.
within SENSORS. On a success, the target takes 1/2/3
Dr. Virga doesn’t cause engagement.
heat immediately and then a further 4 heat at the
start of Dr. Virga’s next turn. KHEPRI! AID ME! Trait
Once Virga’s OVERSHIELD is depleted all leftover
Blind damage that would deplete his HP is reduced to 0
System, Quick Tech, Recharge 4+, and Virga becomes shielded by KHEPRI, the gestalt-
+1/+2/+3, +1 Accuracy mind NHP proto-god he is creating.
Dr. Virga makes a tech attack against a character within
KHEPRI overlays Dr. Virga, pushing all other
SENSORS. On a success, the target only has line of sight
characters outside of the space it now occupies. While
to adjacent spaces until the end of their next turn.
KHEPRI is on the field, Dr. Virga can’t be targeted
and has IMMUNITY to all attacks and effects, and all
statuses and conditions affecting him immediately
PART 2 // Combat 6: Transcendence
[62] end. Virga can still act and take turns as normal.
 COMBAT 6: TRANSCENDENCE
KHEPRI
The Wailing Catalyst

TIER 1 TIER 2 TIER 3

MECH SKILLS MECH SKILLS MECH SKILLS
Hull: +1 Systems: +1 Hull: +2 Systems: +2 Hull: +3 Systems: +3
Agility: +1 Engineering: +1 Agility: +2 Engineering: +2 Agility: +3 Engineering: +3

CORE STATS CORE STATS CORE STATS

HP: 50/player Armor: 0 HP: 50/player Armor: 0 HP: 50/player Armor: 0
Evasion: 10 E-Defense: 10 Evasion: 12 E-Defense: 12 Evasion: 14 E-Defense: 14
Speed: 0 Size: 3 Speed: 0 Size: 3 Speed: 0 Size: 3
Heat Cap: - Save Target: 10 Heat Cap: - Save Target: 12 Heat Cap: - Save Target: 14
Sensors: 15 Sensors: 15 Sensors: 15

SPECIAL ISSUE Trait Reconstitute Body

Khepri is unique and should only be used in Dustgrave.
KHEPRI EMERGES Trait
When Dr. Virga’s OVERSHIELD is reduced to 0 KHEPRI
is placed on the battlefield. KHEPRI is placed
overlaying Dr. Virga and protecting him. While
protected, Dr. Virga can’t be targeted and has
IMMUNITY to all damage and effects and immediately
clears all statuses and conditions.
When KHEPRI is destroyed, it does not leave a wreck.
Once KHEPRI is destroyed Dr. Virga is no longer
protected.
UNCONTAINED POWER Trait
KHEPRI takes two turns each round but may only use
the following actions and weapon:
• MEMETIC LIGHTNING
• RECONSTITUTE BODY
• HATEFUL WAILING
IMPLACABLE Trait
KHEPRI can’t move or be moved for any reason and
has IMMUNITY to PRONE, IMMOBILIZED, and STUNNED.
KHEPRI does not cause engagement.
Memetic Lightning
Superheavy Rifle, Arcing, +2/4/6, +2 Acc
[Range 20][7/9/11 energy damage]
This weapon can attack two targets at a time; they
must be different characters.
System, 1/round, Full Action
KHEPRI targets an NPC wreck within SENSORS and
replaces it with a new instance of the same NPC. The
new NPC may not take a turn this round.
Hateful Wailing
System, 1/round, Full Action
All hostile characters must succeed on a SYSTEMS
save or be IMMOBILIZED until the end of their next turn
and increase their MESMERTRANCE COUNTER by 1. On
a success, they are SLOWED.
ENERGY CORES Trait
Once KHEPRI is revealed, compartments embedded
into the floor open with a hiss of steam, ejecting
strange power cells from within. Place ENERGY CORES
equal to the number of players exactly 8 spaces away
from KHEPRI. Each ENERGY CORE must be placed
more than 3 spaces away from another ENERGY CORE.
1/round, a mech may move an ENERGY CORE by
beginning a standard movement adjacent to it. If they
do, they may place the core anywhere adjacent to
themselves at the end of that movement.
This is the only way ENERGY CORES can be moved.
They have IMMUNITY to all other forms of movement
and all damage.
ENERGY CORES cannot be moved if there are hostile
characters adjacent to them, other than KHEPRI.
If an ENERGY CORE is placed in a space occupied by
KHEPRI, it overloads KHEPRI with exotic energy,
destroying the core and dealing 50 energy damage
to KHEPRI that cannot be reduced in any way.

PART 2 // Combat 6: Transcendence

[63]

OUTCOME
PC VICTORY
If Dr. Virga is killed before the end of Round 8, the PCs
successfully stop his transcension. Reality violently reas-
serts itself, knocking the PCs unconscious and frying
any surveillance equipment (cameras, etc.) they have.
When they awaken a short time later, they find themselves
in a medium-sized underground storage hall. The walls
are lined with racks upon racks of NHP caskets.
Dr. Virga’s lifeless body lies in a heap on a central pedes-
tal, cables running from ports in his cranium into a
central apparatus on the ceiling, directly connected to
every NHP in the room. A closer examination reveals
that a massive power feedback fried his brain, turning
it into slush.
PC DEFEAT
If Dr. Virga is still alive at the end of Round 8, the blind-
ing light surrounding him becomes more and more
intense and the PCs must make a choice. They can
either stay for one more round and try to defeat the
doctor or escape.
Once outside, the group can watch as the entire building
is consumed in a violent burst of light, leaving behind
a perfectly cut circular hole in the floor and the
surrounding structures. Dr. Virga, the abducted NHPs,
and any allies that ventured into the complex with the
PCs are lost, perhaps never to be seen again.
MOVING ON
If the players defeat Dr. Virga, they continue onto BEAT
9: REUNITED.
If the PCs failed to defeat Dr. Virga and survived, they
will have to break the awful news to Lyran that Emily has
disappeared with Virga. There may be consequences
through official channels, interrogations, paperwork,
and other problems in the PCs’ near future. Whatever
these consequences are, the mission series ends here.
If the PCs failed to defeat Dr. Virga and died, they are
dead. This ends the mission series.

If they stay and Dr. Virga remains alive at the end of

Round 9, Dr. Virga ascends beyond mortality and the
resulting shockwave of exotic energy obliterates the PCs. AN ENERGY
CORE TOKEN
If the PCs decide to turn and run, they will make it out of (SEE KHEPRI)
the complex in time. Any defenders that were trying to
bar their entry lie on the ground, twitching spasmodically.

PART 2 // Combat 6: Transcendence

[64]

BEAT 9: REUNITED
After defeating Dr. Virga, the group is faced with the
task of taking care of the many NHPs scattered
throughout the facility. All in all, there are about 60
NHPs to be retrieved. This can go several ways depend-
ing on which faction the PCs teamed up with (if any).
THE TALONS
The Talons insist on handling the aftermath of the incid-
ent themselves. They assure the PCs that they will
return the NHPs to where they belong. If the group has
friendly standing with the Talons, the mercenaries hand
Emily’s casket over to the PCs so they can return it to
Lyran Stavros themselves.
THE MAGENTA SYNDICATE
The Magenta Syndicate is interested in selling some of
the NHPs for profit while handing any stolen from
Havelburg over to the PCPA to divert heat from them-
selves. If the group has friendly standing with Magenta
Red, she can be convinced that selling off NHPs is a
bad idea and can even be persuaded to hand all of
them over to the PCs.
PCPA
The PCPA is the most straightforward faction to deal
with regarding the NHPs. They take care of the situation
in an honest and direct way, handing all NHPs over to
their appropriate handlers.
REUNITING LYRAN AND EMILY
If the group chooses to reunite Lyran and Emily, the
captain is overjoyed, thanking the PCs in tears upon
discovering that his companion is returned.
ROLEPLAYING EMILY
Emily is the projected representation of the Dynast’s
Embrace’s SERENADA-class navigational NHP.
Whether it is via holoprojector or vid screen, Emily
is represented as a young woman. Being older than
anyone on the ship, her attire sometimes appear
anachronistic to those around her.
Emily is friendly and good natured. She loves her
crew like a family and is grateful to them for not
abandoning her as well as to the PCs for rescuing
her in the first place. Despite her upbeat demeanor,
it is apparent to anyone who looks closely that the
recent events have traumatized her and left their
mark. Be it in the occasional glitches and artifacts
in her physical projection or in the fact that she
sometimes stares into the distance, apparently lost
in thought.
BEAT 9: REUNITED
Once Lyran reinstalls Emily into the ship’s framework,
Emily extends her thanks to the group. If asked, she
recounts the harrowing experience of having her
subjectivity merged in a chaotic tempest along with
many other NHPs and Victor Virga himself, becoming a
screaming gestalt mind with profound power over reality.
Scarred and traumatized by these events, it is likely
that Emily will have to be cycled soon. Despite that,
Lyran is grateful to the PCs and reassures them that
once everything is sorted out shipside, they are good
to make the trip to their next stop.
EMILY: INQUIRIES
With Emily once again installed in the Dynast’s Embrace
she is able to assume her projected form and converse
with the party, wanting to thank them for her rescue.
While her visual representation is still staticky and
plagued by occasional artifacts, it is obvious that she
is relieved to be back with the ship and her crew.
Q: How are you feeling?
A: “Still a little dazed, though I think that’s par for the
course when your subjectivity matrix has been inter-
laced and merged. I’m mainly relieved to be back.
Thank you.”
Q: What was it like?
A: ”Screaming, endless screaming in my head. I could
see us, see you. See it all, really. It feels like a dream
now. Did you know NHPs can dream? I think I’ll forget
soon, nothing but fleeting memories and I think that
is for the best. I felt when he died, you know? It felt
cold and lonely, despite all of us being there.”
It is clear that she is putting on a brave face for her
captain and crew and will need time to process the
recent events.
EMILY LIKES:
• her ship
• her crew
• not being part of a maddened nightmarish
NHP amalgam
• the sound and feeling of rain on the hull
of the Dynast’s Embrace.
EMILY DISLIKES:
• thick orbital traffic
• people disrespecting her authority
as the ship’s NHP
• not being treated as the person she is.
PART 2 // Beat 9: Reunited
[65]
 Q: What will you do now?
A: ”Thanks to you I’m back home with my crew, my
family. I’ll do what I’ve always done – navigate the
Dynast’s Embrace and keep these spacers company.
You think Lyran could handle the Dynast’s Embrace
without me?” She smiles and winks at the captain.
Q: Other NHPs?
A: ”Please make sure that they are all returned to
their homes, I conversed with some, through the
screams; they were abducted like me, though not
by Virga. Some aren’t even from Havelburg. They
were abducted from all over the place, gathered up
and shipped here in bulk. Some missed their cycling
schedule, some have no memories at all. Please
make sure they are cared for.
THE FATE OF JUAN TISMON
Should the party choose to follow up on Juan Tismon,
they will learn that he has disappeared without a trace.
Stranger still, the local Garfields restaurant is nowhere
to be found. It has seemingly vanished, and the building
it was in is now occupied by a small-time burger joint.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The PCs gain the benefits of a Full Repair.
Unless the conditions for COMBAT 7: BACKSTABBING BIRDS
(next page) are met (see below), this is where Dust-
grave ends. If you would like some ideas on how to
extend the story from here, check out Life After Dust-
grave on p. 69.
For COMBAT 7: BACKSTABBING BIRDS to occur, Leonora
McGrath must still be alive and one of the following
conditions must be met:
• The PCs did not side with the Talons to bring down
Dr. Virga.
• The PCs sided with the Talons but didn’t let them
handle the aftermath, including sorting out the NHP
situation.
• The PCs confronted Leonora McGrath about the
Talons’ true identity.
If COMBAT 7 doesn’t occur, the PCs gain an LL here. If
COMBAT 7 does occur, they gain it after that combat.

If questioned, no one remembers Juan Tismon or a

local Garfields. There are no records of someone
named Juan Tismon or a Garfields franchise on
Havelburg. Juan and his restaurant, by all accounts,
have never existed in Port Conroy.

If the group acquired the mech Blast Pick used as

decoration in the restaurant, it is the only remaining
proof that there ever really was a “Garfields”, and that
the PCs didn’t hallucinate it.

PART 2 // Beat 9: Reunited

[66]

COMBAT 7: BACKSTABBING
BIRDS (OPTIONAL)
The Talons are after any NHPs and research material
that Dr. Virga may have left behind, as this was part of
their original mission objectives (alongside dealing with
Dr. Virga himself).
If the PCs didn’t side with the Talons for the attack on
Virga’s base or prevented the Talons from clearing out
the base, the Talons start an all-out assault on the
Dynast’s Embrace. Their objective is to capture Emily,
the NHP involved in the situation that they can most
easily get their hands on. They blow their cover to the
wind and attack the ship with their very own SSC
mechs, aiming to capture the ship.
If the PCs confronted Leonora about the Talons’ true
identity, the Talons attack and attempt to eliminate all
witnesses regardless of whether the PCs joined them
for the attack on Virga.
The fight takes place underneath the massive Dynast’s
Embrace, where its major access ports are located.
The PCs will need to weather the assault and beat the
Talons back as best they can.
Time is on their side, however, as the Talons – operating
openly on Surface – don’t have the luxury of a protrac-
ted skirmish that might draw additional attention.
COMBAT 7: BACKSTABBING BIRDS
Let the PCs know that this is a single-scene combat
and they will be able to perform a Full Repair afterward,
so they are encouraged to go all out.
Before engaging, Leonora will address them via coms.
Depending on whether the PCs confronted the Talons
about their true identity this can go one of two ways:
IF THE PCS DID NOT CONFRONT THE TALONS:
“Stand down and let us take over from here.
Surrender the Dynast’s Embrace and we can end
this peacefully. We’ve got all outside communication
jammed and we’ll be gone before the PCPA even
knows what’s going on here, even if you decide to
stand in our way.
You don’t need to die today; just walk away peace-
fully, and pray we never cross paths again. Do so or
die here, your choice.”
IF THE PCS CONFRONTED THE TALONS:
“You just couldn’t leave well enough alone and had
to poke your nose into it. We’ve got all outside
communication jammed and we’ll be gone before
the PCPA even knows what’s going on here. You
won’t be making it out alive. No hard feelings. It’s
just business.”
PART 2 // Combat 7: Backstabbing Birds
[67]
 The mechs approaching the ship aren’t the IPS-N
frames the PCs have seen previously. What emerges
from the thick haze of dust are pristine SSC chassis,
carrying advanced weapons and modifications.
Leonora herself pilots a stocky frame, carrying a nasty-
looking rocket launcher and bristling with frame-integ-
rated launch tubes. The VICEROY is one of Smith-Shi-
mano’s latest frames (p. 78), and seeing it here means
that the Talons must have some serious SSC backing.
“Last chance, lancers. We know you’re good, but let
me tell you: in these mechs, we’re better.”
SITREP: HOLDOUT (Lancer, p. 270)
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Choking Dust (p. 31)
ENEMY FORCES
FOR 3 PCS: 1x LEONORA MCGRATH – VETERAN SPEC
OPS COMMANDER BREACHER (Spec Ops
options: Gyro-Jet Cannon, Serrated
Machete, Jump Packs, Automated
Battlefield Awareness Node;
Commander option: Quick March;
Veteran options: Slippery, Legendary)
1x SSC METALMARK – VETERAN SPEC
OPS ASSAULT (Assault option: Auto-
Targeting; Veteran options: Legendary,
Self-Repair; Spec Ops options:
Special Munitions, Bulwark Mods)
1x SSC SWALLOWTAIL – VETERAN SPEC
OPS SCOUT (Scout options: Spotter,
Expose Weakness; Spec Ops option:
Full-Spectrum Sensor Suite)
1x SSC DEATH’S HEAD – VETERAN SPEC
OPS SNIPER (Veteran options: Feign
Death, Headshot; Spec Ops option:
Serrated Machete)
1x SSC ATLAS – VETERAN SPEC OPS
RONIN (SIZE ½; Veteran option:
Lightning Reflexes; Spec Ops
option: Gyro-Jet Cannon)
FOR 4 PCS: +1 SSC MONARCH – VETERAN SPEC
OPS RAINMAKER (Size 2; Rainmaker
option: Hades Missiles; Veteran
option: Limitless; Spec Ops options:
Gyro-Jet Cannon, Special Munitions)
FOR 5 PCS: +1 SSC METALMARK – VETERAN SPEC
OPS ASSAULT (Assault option: Auto-
Targeting; Veteran options: Legendary,
Self Repair; Spec Ops options:
Special Munitions, Bulwark Mods)
DETAILS
This combat uses a modified HOLDOUT sitrep (Lancer,
p. 272). The PCs start in the center of the battlefield –
mark out a sufficiently large Player Deployment Zone
that simultaneously acts as the Objective Zone (OZ).
PART 2 // Combat 7: Backstabbing Birds
[68]
The combat lasts for 6 rounds. At the end of Round 6
there need to be less than two Talons mechs inside the
OZ or the PCs are overwhelmed.
DAMPENER BURNOUT
The Talons enacted an insurance policy when they
offered the MESMERTRANCE DAMPENERS to the PCs.
If the PCs bothered to investigate the dampeners
before installing them, they will likely have found the
software backdoor and disabled it. If they didn’t bother
to investigate, they will be subject to DAMPENER
BURNOUT during this combat.
At the start of any round, the GM may choose a single
PC with a MESMERTRANCE DAMPENER. The target’s
dampener system is destroyed, and they become
JAMMED until the end of their next turn.
NO WITNESSES
If the PCs confronted the Talons about their true iden-
tity, then the Talons will attempt to kill as many pilots
as they can before the limited timeframe on which they
operate forces them to escape the scene in fear of
retaliation from the PCPA authorities.
Whenever a player mech is destroyed the Talons should
make a good effort to kill any pilot that may stumble
out of the wreckage. Use your best judgement as to
what “a good effort” constitutes.
OUTCOME
PC VICTORY
If the PCs weather the assault and there are less than
two Talons mechs inside the OZ at the end of Round 6,
they successfully beat the Talons back. They retreat to
their ship and take off in a rush. Their mission is a failure,
and they will have to explain that to their employers.
PC DEFEAT
If there are two or more Talons inside the OZ at the end
of Round 6, the Talons overrun the PCs and violently
board the Dynast’s Embrace, bringing the ship under their
own control. The PCs watch in horror as they engage the
ship’s engines and take off – leaving them behind.
MOVING ON
The Players are awarded with an increase in License
Level. Regardless of the fight’s outcome, Dustgrave
ends here. Perhaps the Talons get away with their prize
or perhaps they’re forced to retreat and run away with
their tails between their legs. You may want to check
out Life After Dustgrave (next page) for some ideas
on how the story might continue, or perhaps you
already have something in mind…

LIFE AFTER DUSTGRAVE
Dustgrave can be an exciting beginning to an ongoing
campaign! With the group at a natural jumping-off point
after restoring Emily to the Dynast’s Embrace, their next
stop could be practically anywhere. There is also a slew
of opportunities on Havelburg to be explored still!
A (NON-)HUMANITARIAN MISSION
Around 50 NHPs have been left homeless and direc-
tionless in the wake of Virga’s death. The PCs may feel
that leaving the matter to the local authorities isn’t
cutting it and wish to return these NHPs to their homes
and handlers themselves. The group might start
working with the Union Department of Justice and
Human Rights (Lancer, p. 352–353), which may sanc-
tion this extended endeavor and charter the Dynast’s
Embrace to do so. Whoever abducted the NHPs and
handed them to Virga may be tailing the PCs on this
mission…
LIFE AFTER DUSTGRAVE
TAILING THE TALONS
The PCs may feel that there is still unfinished business
between them and the Talons, especially if they
escaped with the Dynast’s Embrace in COMBAT 7: BACK-
STABBING BIRDS. The Talons could very well become the
group’s new adversaries in a deadly game of cat and
mouse, eventually involving the Talons’ original employer
– SSC.
A WORTHY SUCCESSOR
Dr. Victor Virga had his mind connected to 38 NHPs
during his attempt at ascension. His subjectivity may
have propagated to one or more of the NHPs that the
PCs retrieved in the aftermath – perhaps even Emily.
Affected NHPs may not even realize that they are slowly
morphing into facsimiles of Dr. Virga. This may lead to
problems down the line as they go completely haywire,
demanding that the PCs step in.

MEMBER OF THE SYNDICATE I WILL FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED

If the PCs have proven themselves in the eyes of
Magenta Red and the Magenta Syndicate, there might
be some career opportunities for them as enforcers
down in Upper. Maybe there are more rival gangs like
the Dustbranded lurking on the outskirts, or maybe a
group more potent than the Dustbranded manifests
itself. Alternatively, the PCs could help Magenta Red
overthrow the PCPA, claiming all of Port Conroy, effect-
ively overthrowing the government, and making
Havelburg independent from IPS-N.
If the PCs didn’t relinquish the caskets in Dr. Virga’s
base, they are now in possession of about 50 NHPs of
various types. They may want to sell them off or use
them for other purposes. The players should be aware,
however, that doing so is not only entirely immoral but
will also make them a prime target for the Department
of Justice and Human Rights in the long run.

A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

The PCs might be more interested in working with the
PCPA on a more permanent basis. After what happened
in Upper, the authorities are likely interested in retaking
Upper and wiping out the local gangs. Missions in this
vein could ramp up in difficulty, starting with taking out
smaller gangs on the outskirts and culminating in a fight
against the Magenta Syndicate itself.

FOLLOWING UP ON VIRGA’S BENEFACTORS

Dr. Victor Virga had decidedly too many NHPs in his
possession to have stolen all of them himself. His ship-
ping manifest mentioned a “benefactor”. The PCs could
follow up on this lead, uncovering a serious crime of
interest even to Union. Finding the ships that delivered
these NHPs could be a start. This could lead to the
group finding out about a rogue HORUS cell that
supplied the NHPs.

PART 2 // Life After Dustgrave

[69]
APPENDIX
 NEW RULES AND GEAR
NEW RULES AND GEAR
This section contains additional rules and content to ACTIONS
use in your Lancer games, including EXOTIC GEAR, new Feeling out the precise consequences of cascade can
talents, and alternative FRAMES. be difficult.

Here is a list of some effects that you can employ to

PLAYING WITH represent the actions of a cascading NHP on the
battlefield. You may use them directly or as inspiration.
CASCADING NHPS It should be clear that entering cascade does not
An NHP that enters cascade essentially becomes an
mean “attacks allies”. In fact, it should almost never
NPC temporarily under the GMs control (see Lancer,
mean that.
p. 107).
You can either choose an effect from the list or roll to
GMs playing a cascading mech during a combat should
get a random effect.
have a general idea as to how an NHP would act in
such a situation.
CASCADE ACTION TABLE ROLL 1D20
PERSONALITY GENERALLY POSITIVE ACTIONS
Cascading NHPs act erratically and in a manner incom-
1 Attacks Enemies
prehensible to humans. Despite that, cascade is merely
2 STABILIZES
the first step towards proper unshackling and vestiges
3 LOCKS ON to enemies
of an NHPs personality likely remain, tethering and
4 HIDES
grounding them. When portraying a cascading NHP,
5 BOLSTERS allies
you may want to play into the NHPs personality and
character – perhaps overplaying it to some degree. For GENERALLY NEUTRAL ACTIONS
example, if the NHP in question has any goals of their 6 Climbs the highest piece of terrain
own you could push their agendas to their limits, taking 7 Starts to destroy terrain
them to logical, yet absurd conclusion. Similarly, a 8 Attempts to get as far away from current
cascading NHP may still be held back by previous position as possible
attachments and relationships, though these too may 9 SCANS enemies
be subject to distortion. Mild animosity may turn into 10 BRACES against next attack
blind hatred, friendship into over-protectiveness.
GENERALLY NEGATIVE ACTIONS
Perhaps the NHP becomes apathetic towards anything
11 Attempts to take damage from falling
but its own goals when cascading.
12 GRAPPLES or RAMS allies
13 Tries to trigger an enemy’s OVERWATCH reaction.
14 INVADES allies
15 LOCKS ON to allies
POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING ACTIONS
16 Tries to generate as much heat as possible,
including using OVERCHARGE
17 Starts SELF-DESTRUCT with a long fuse
18 Uses CORE POWER
19 Ejects pilot
20 Attacks allies

APPENDIX
[71]
 ADDITIONAL RULES GMS CORE BONUS,
This section contains additional rules from other Lancer
supplements that are relevant to content in this one.
WEAPONS, AND SYSTEMS
Dustgrave adds the following options to the list of GMS
core bonuses, weapons and systems available to all PCs.
ADDITIONAL STATUS: INTANGIBLE
INTANGIBLE characters can move through obstructions
such as characters or terrain but not end their turns in NEW CORE BONUS
them. They, their actions, and any effects they own, or
control can only affect other INTANGIBLE characters and Superheavy Mounting
objects. Tangible characters can move through INTAN-
You’d be surprised how large a gun you could fit on a
GIBLE characters and objects but not end their turns
chassis if you ripped out peripheral systems and failsafe
inside their spaces and can’t affect them in any way.
redundancies.
INTANGIBLE characters cannot capture points or count for
zones (for sitreps) and don’t count as adjacent to
If your mech has fewer than 3 mounts (excluding
tangible characters. Effects that are already active on a
integrated mounts) it gains an additional superheavy
character when they become INTANGIBLE, such as
mount. It can only take SUPERHEAVY WEAPONS. They still
statuses, remain active, but effects that require an
require an additional mount to be installed. If your
ongoing interaction between two characters or objects
mech also has a heavy mount the SUPERHEAVY WEAPON
(like traps or force fields) end. If a mech becomes INTAN-
must use that mount as the additional mount.
GIBLE, its pilot remains Intangible for the same duration.
This status is originally from Field Guide to the Karrakin
Tempest Charged Blade
Trade Baronies (p. 138).
Superheavy Melee, AP, Knockback 2
[Threat 2][3d6+4 energy damage]
ADDITIONAL TAG: EXOTIC GEAR
The latest innovations of GMS’s Type-II
Once acquired, this system becomes a permanent part
line of powered and energy weapons have
of the character, but does not increase their LL or count
produced a charged blade of staggering
as a license rank for the purposes of gaining core
proportions. It is currently carried in
bonuses. If it is destroyed or damaged, it can be
the “Storm” line of superheavy equipment.
repaired or reprinted as any other gear with no penalty.
EXOTIC GEAR can only be installed or removed during a
FULL REPAIR, like any other gear. Characters may install
Hurricane Cluster Projector
up to two pieces of gear with the EXOTIC GEAR tag at a
Superheavy Cannon, Smart, Seeking,
time but can own any number of pieces with the tag.
Ordnance, 2 Heat (Self)
This tag is originally from No Room for a Wallflower (p. 10).
[Range 10][Blast 2][1d6+6 explosive damage]
This oversized, chassis-mounted artillery
VARIANT FRAMES platform is capable of unleashing a
If players want their characters to acquire these variant devastating barrage. With a short maximum
FRAMES, they can be taken as alternatives to the range for a weapon of its kind, it is
original FRAMES when a pilot reaches rank II in the nevertheless capable of saturating a
license for that mech, functioning as usual but with targeted area in a harrowing hail of
slightly different traits and CORE SYSTEMS. intelligent self-correcting cluster
munitions. It is currently carried in the
When a character reaches rank II in the relevant license, “Storm” line of superheavy equipment.
they can choose to either retain the standard FRAME or
swap to the variant version. The two are mutually
Armament Redundancy
exclusive. This means that someone who takes the
System, 1 SP, Unique
SSC VICEROY cannot use the standard MONARCH. Only
the Frame changes, all other gear for the license You may choose to ignore weapon destruction as a
remains the same, including the gear for rank II. result of the SYSTEM TRAUMA result when taking
Whenever a character increases their LL, they can swap structure damage. This system can only be used
out one variant Frame for the base version, or vice once before each FULL REPAIR, and is not a valid
versa. They can do this multiple times for the same target for system destruction.
license if their LL keeps increasing.
By installing additional armor plating,
redundant firing circuits, and enhanced
New variant FRAMES:
insulation to magazines the longevity of a
• IPS-N STÖRTEBEKER (IPS-N RALEIGH)
frame’s armaments can be greatly enhanced.
• SSC VICEROY (SSC MONARCH)

APPENDIX
[72]

EXOTIC EQUIPMENT
FROM BRUTUS:
Brutus’s Wrecker
Heavy Melee, Exotic Gear, Inaccurate,
Knockback 1, Thrown 5
[Threat 2][2d6+4 kinetic damage]
On critical hit: Target is knocked PRONE.
The signature weapon of the former
perpetual champion of Crater Pit. Since
Brutus’s defeat in glorious combat, someone
else now wields this massive tungsten ball
on a reinforced chain. Ultimately a
primitive weapon, this wrecker makes up for
its lack of elegance with sheer brutality.
Brutus’s Shield
Main Melee, 1 SP, Exotic Gear, Unique
[Threat 1][1d3+1 kinetic damage]
As a protocol, you may raise this shield to gain
4+GRIT OVERSHIELD until the start of your next turn, at
which point you lose all OVERSHIELD. You are SLOWED
while you have this OVERSHIELD.
You may not use this protocol two turns in a row.
The signature weapon of the former
perpetual champion of Crater Pit. Since
Brutus’s defeat in glorious combat,
someone else now wields this advanced
slab shield. Incorporating surprisingly
complex Harrison Armory technology, this
shield can project a localized force
field of significant strength.
FROM THE TALONS:
MesmerTrance Dampener
1 SP, Exotic Gear
1/scene as a reaction when you are targeted by a
tech attack, you may give that attack +1 DIFFICULTY.
Additionally, you gain IMMUNITY to the
MesmerTrance environmental hazard.
Handed to you by the Talons, the Mesmer-
Trance dampener supposedly stops the
highly advanced and aggressive “Mesmer-
Trance” virus from affecting your mech. As
a side effect, it also provides limited
protection against other, less sophisti-
cated attacks on your mech’s systems.
NEW RULES AND GEAR
FROM MAGENTA RED:
Cockpit-Integrated Stim Pump
2 SP, Exotic Gear, Limited 2, Unique, Protocol
As a protocol, you may expend a charge to pick any
number of the following stims and apply their effects.
Roll 1d6 for each stim chosen: if any two dice show
the same result, you immediately become STUNNED
until the end of your current turn instead of applying
the effects. All effects from this system last until the
start of your next turn.
AGITRON:
• You become IMPAIRED.
• You gain IMMUNITY to SHREDDED.
• Your melee attacks gain KNOCKBACK 1 and deal
+2 bonus damage.
ENDURITRAN:
• You become JAMMED.
• You gain IMMUNITY to IMPAIRED.
• You gain +2 Armor. This may bring you above 4
Armor.
EDGE:
• You become SLOWED.
• You gain IMMUNITY to JAMMED.
• Your next attack this turn gains +1 ACCURACY.
NERVE BOOSTERS:
• You become SHREDDED.
• You gain IMMUNITY to SLOWED.
• You gain +1 SPEED, ignore engagement and
your movements do not trigger reactions
Powerful stim pumps are directly wired
into the cockpit and intravenously admin-
ister the pilot with a potent slew of
drugs. While they can enhance a pilot’s
combat ability to superhuman levels, users
should be keenly aware of the substances’
various side effects. While the apparatus
is theoretically capable of mixing and ad-
ministering complex drug cocktails this
should be done with extreme caution, as
the wrong mixtures or doses may lead to
sudden cardiac arrest, requiring resusci-
tation of the pilot via in-built defibril-
lators and an injection of “adrenadron” to
purge their system.
APPENDIX
[73]
 FROM HORTON CREIGHTON:
Reaper Assault Cannon
Main Cannon, Exotic Gear, Overkill, Unique
[Range 8] [2d3+1 kinetic damage]
You may fire this weapon as if it were a SUPERHEAVY
weapon. If you do, it gains RELIABLE 5 and it deals
4d3+2 kinetic damage instead of its standard
damage.
IPS-N’s latest foray into the field of
autocannons, the Reaper represents the
middle ground between a regular assault
cannon and the ubiquitous Leviathan.
Capable of laying down a harrowing hail
of bullets, the Reaper lacks the typical
assault cannon “spin up” feature, relying
instead on yet more barrels and two
rotary assemblies to achieve a superior
rate of fire. Handed out to select IPS-N-
licensed printers, this latest model is
still in the test stages.
FROM THE PCPA:
Shock Baton
Main Malee, 1 SP, Exotic Gear, Unique
[Threat 1] [1d6+1 energy damage]
On critical hit: Your target must succeed on a
SYSTEMS save or become JAMMED until the end of
their next turn. On a success, they become
IMPAIRED for the same duration. Each character can
only be affected this way 1/scene.
The shock baton is a relatively recent
development in the field of mech-to-mech
“less-lethal” weaponry. A popular choice
for law enforcement seeking to disable
frames instead of destroying them,
allowing their pilots to be taken alive.

FROM JUAN TISMON:

Blast Pick
Heavy Melee, Exotic Gear, Loading
[Threat 1] [2d6 kinetic damage]
Before making an attack, you may declare that you
unload this weapon.
If you do, the attack deals 2d6+6 explosive
damage instead and it gains KNOCKBACK 2.
Otherwise, this weapon does not unload.
Originally used in IPS-N mining operations,
this particular pick eventually found its
way to the Garfields in Port Conroy, a
popular fusion pasta restaurant. Used as a
prominent piece of decoration in the
restaurant, this aged mining implement yet
packs some serious punch. The blast picks
operates via an integrated explosive
charge which can be triggered manually to
enhance the force of the swing and
resulting impact exponentially.

APPENDIX
[74]
 NEW RULES AND GEAR
FROM LYRAN STAVROS:
Madrigal Boarding Carapace Madrigal Power Crusher
Personal Armor, Exotic Gear Pilot Weapon, Exotic Gear,
Bonus Armor Evasion E-Def Speed Sidearm, Unique
+3 HP 3 7+Grit 7+Grit 4 [Threat 1][6 kinetic damage]
If a pilot takes the MADRIGAL BOARDING CARAPACE they On hit: The target becomes IMMOBILIZED and
can’t take any pilot weapons or Gear that don’t have IMPAIRED until the end of their next turn.
“Madrigal” in the name. Madrigal weapons and GEAR
This weapon automatically hits terrain, dealing 10
may only be equipped by pilots wearing the MADRIGAL
AP kinetic damage.
BOARDING CARAPACE.
While wearing the carapace, you may only DISMOUNT
Madrigal Jump System
or EJECT before your mech has acted for the turn
Gear, Exotic Gear, Unique
(excluding protocols).
If your pilot is on foot you may fly when you BOOST. You
If you aren't in your mech and it is being controlled by
must end this movement on solid ground or begin falling.
another person or an AI, it may only perform a single
quick action and standard movement on each of its
turns. It may perform protocols and reactions as Madrigal Thermal Visor
normal. When your mech BRACES during this time it Gear, Exotic Gear, Unique
also loses its remaining quick action. These effects
If your pilot is on foot your attacks ignore cover.
last until you retake control as a protocol.
The MADRIGAL BOARDING CARAPACE counts as one of
Madrigal Disruptor Grenade
the two EXOTIC GEAR systems you may have installed
Gear, Exotic Gear, Limited 3, Unique
at a time, but Madrigal weapons and GEAR do not.
If your pilot is on foot you may, as a quick action,
The Madrigal line of personal protection hardsuits,
expend a charge to throw a disruptor grenade within
manufactured by Cyprian Industries, represents some of
RANGE 5. Characters within BLAST 1 become SLOWED
the best void-capable combat suits available. Designed for
and IMPAIRED until the end of their next turn.
carrying out and defending against boarding actions, the
Madrigal system is modular and can be adjusted to tackle
varied tactical situations. While inferior to heavier, Madrigal Active Camo
dedicated boarding hardsuits and mechs such as the IPS- Gear, Exotic Gear, Unique
N Caliban and the Harrison Armory Kutuzov, the Madrigal
If your pilot is on foot, ranged attacks originating from
yet boasts an impressive degree of personal protection
beyond RANGE 3 treat you as having hard cover.
without sacrificing mobility or agility. Compact enough
to be worn in a mech’s cockpit, the Madrigal is slowly but
steadily encroaching on the pilot hardsuits market. Its Madrigal Personal Shield
superior protection, armaments, and auxiliary systems Gear, Exotic Gear, Limited 2, Unique,
make it an attractive choice for lancers everywhere. Reaction
If your pilot is on foot, you gain the following reaction:
Madrigal Shoulder Launcher
Pilot Weapon, Arcing, Exotic Gear, Shielded
Loading, Sidearm, Unique Reaction, 1/round
[Range 10][Blast 1][5 explosive damage]
Trigger: You take damage.
Madrigal Boarding Shotgun Effect: You may expend a charge to gain
Pilot Weapon, Exotic Gear, AP, RESISTANCE to that damage.
Sidearm, Unique
[Range 3][5 kinetic damage]
Madrigal Shock Field
Gear, Exotic Gear, Unique
Madrigal Railgun
Pilot Weapon, Exotic Gear, Limited 4, If your pilot is on foot, you may, as a quick action,
Sidearm, Unique deal 3 energy damage to all characters adjacent to
[Line 8][4 kinetic damage] you and end all GRAPPLES affecting you.

Madrigal Precision Rifle

Pilot Weapon, Accurate, Exotic Gear,
Ordnance, Unique
APPENDIX
[Range 15][8 kinetic damage] [75]
 VARIANT FRAMES

IPS-N
STÖRTEBEKER
Striker
Raleigh variant – can be taken at rank II of
the Raleigh license instead of the base Frame.
Following the commercial failure of the Raleigh, several third
parties found themselves with the opportunity of buying out
development rights for the license as IPS-N sought to recoup
initial costs. One of the companies that found itself in this
position, Anton Industries, had fallen on hard times after
its CEO vanished in mysterious circumstances, leading to
plummeting stocks.

Chasing a lucky break and seizing the

opportunity, Anton Industries began work on what
would ultimately be the last frame ever to be
developed under its name. Basing the modifications
to the Raleigh on one of its own mechs – the Hades
Mk3 – Anton Industries quickly developed the frame
into a capable combined-arms platform emphasizing
speed and rapid deployment. Instead of the
Raleigh’s integrated Mjolnir, a weapon far too
heavy for the new doctrinal approach, the modified
chassis sports an internal reservoir of
TRUESILVER nanites, a proprietary
whitewash product capable of
enhancing a weapon’s destructive
power on a strike-to-strike basis.

The resulting mech was named

“Störtebeker” after an old Cradle
legend in a fit of gallows humor
regarding the company’s less than
ideal position. The frame, just like
its namesake, ultimately spelled doom
for the company, despite its relative
success.

Quickly gaining popularity among mercenaries,

black-ops units, and bounty hunters alike, the
Störtebeker became the frame of choice for those
requiring speed and maneuverability out of an IPS-N
base but who preferred a solid ranged component over the
Nelson’s dedicated close-combat focus.

IPS-N itself, interested in the Störtebeker, eventually decided

to buy out the smaller company and, indifferent to Anton
Industries’ other projects and subsidiaries, cannibalized the company in
its entirety. Thus, the Störtebeker, now licensed fully as a Raleigh variant-frame
under the IPS-N label, stands as a testament to a company’s destruction and how
sometimes, one can do well and fail because of it.

APPENDIX
[76]
 FRAME VARIANTS
CORE STATS CORE SYSTEM
Size: 1 Save Target: 10
Armor: 1 Sensors: 8
TRUESILVER WEAPONRY
Project TRUESILVER was an attempt to
HULL SYSTEMS
improve the destructive capabilities
HP: 8 E-Defense: 7
of whitewash nano-machines. The hyper-
Repair Cap: 5 Tech Attack: +0
specialized nanites manifest themselves
AGILITY SP: 5
as a mirror-sheen silver coating that
Evasion: 10 ENGINEERING
can spread over ammunition and melee
Speed: 5 Heat Cap: 5
weapons alike. This coating gives
armaments a striking appearance and is the
source of the system’s unique name. Thus
TRAITS enhanced, weapons can deliver a
DYNAMIC RELOAD destructive nanite payload that compounds
The STÖRTEBEKER’S non-AUXILIARY weapons gain the any damage done by the initial strike
following effects depending on their type: exponentially, eating away at a target
• Melee weapons gain: “On critical hit: Reload from the inside.
all ranged weapons not used to attack this turn.”
TRUESILVER nanites are internally printed
• Ranged weapons gain: “On critical hit:
and held in a specialized shielded
Reload all melee weapons not used to attack
reservoir before being fed to a mech’s
this turn.”
weapons systems. Slow to be replenished by
the frame’s internal printers, pilots must
TRUESILVER
manage their use with care.
1/scene, after hitting with a weapon, the
STÖRTEBEKER may apply one of the following effects
Hopkins Doctrine
depending on the weapon’s type:
Quick Action
• Non-Loading weapon: The hit is treated as a
critical hit. Resulting damage is not rolled twice. You may only take this action if you took the SKIRMISH
• Loading weapon: Resulting damage can’t be action this turn. Pick one of the following effects:
reduced.
• REPRISE: SKIRMISH with a weapon that was
reloaded via DYNAMIC RELOAD this turn.
MOUNTS • RENEWAL: All weapons not used to attack this
FLEX FLEX HEAVY
turn are reloaded at the end of the turn.
MOUNT MOUNT MOUNT
Truesilver Arsenal
Active (1 CP), Protocol
You may use your Truesilver trait three more times
this combat.

APPENDIX
[77]
 SSC
VICEROY
Striker
Monarch variant – can be taken at rank II of the Monarch license instead of the base Frame.
An offshoot from SSC’s Bella Ciao line, the Viceroy is the result of rigorous field-testing in pursuit
of a more accessible version of its larger sibling, the ever-ubiquitous Monarch. Originally developed
under the moniker “MicroMonarch”, the scaled-down frame is nevertheless a force to be reckoned with
and sports the high-quality engineering expected from all SSC mechs. Where the Monarch focuses on
devastating long-range firepower, the Viceroy is more akin to a close-range brawler, using its
sophisticated near-threat targeting arrays to wield the launchers of its sibling with deadly precision.

Equipped with a scaled-down version of the Monarch’s own SSC-30 High-Penetration Missile System, the
Viceroy is more than capable of saturating an area around itself with relatively small but high-yield
warheads, aimed with pinpoint accuracy.

This, coupled with an integrated, one-use burst jump pack, turns the Viceroy into a potent shock trooper
with devastating first-strike capabilities. This role is supported by its ability to shrug off any potential
self-inflicted harm from any “shock and awe” maneuvers thanks to its advanced blast-resistant armor plating.

Since its recent official release, the Viceroy has become – by SSC standards – an affordable frame that
is now being widely rolled out to various SSC associates and subsidiaries. Slated to be approved for
mass production, it is anticipated the Viceroy will become a frontline “soldier” mech to ultimately
rival the likes of Harrison Armory’s Sherman.

CORE STATS CORE SYSTEM

Size: 1 Save Target: 11 SSC-41 TENGU-ASSISTED
Armor: 1 Sensors: 10 MISSILE TUBES
HULL SYSTEMS By redlining its integrated Vigilante
HP: 8 E-Defense: 8 launchers, the Viceroy can deliver a
Repair Cap: 4 Tech Attack: +0 devastating saturation bombardment of its
AGILITY SP: 5 close surroundings. Weathering the onslaught
Evasion: 8 ENGINEERING thanks to its blast-resistant exterior, the
Speed: 5 Heat Cap: 6 Viceroy can utilize this salvo, when coupled
with the miniaturized Tengu one-burst jump
TRAITS system, for a variety of advanced battlefield
NEAR-THREAT TARGETING PROCESSOR
tactics. This allows it to either deliver
The VICEROY treats its LAUNCHER weapons as
a near-unstoppable alpha strike or make a
though they are also CQB weapons with THREAT 3.
dramatic exit. “Heaven’s downpour” is a
VIGILANTE OMNIDIRECTIONAL LAUNCHERS technique that strikes fear in any that
1/round, on a critical hit against a character, the face a Viceroy pilot in combat.
VICEROY may immediately deal 2 explosive
Heaven’s Downpour
damage to all characters of its choice within RANGE
Active (1CP), Quick Action
3 of itself and knock them back 1 space.
Center a BURST 3 missile swarm on yourself.
PRESSURE PLATING
Hostile characters in the area must succeed on a
The VICEROY has RESISTANCE to explosive damage.
HULL save or take 1d6+3 explosive damage and
be knocked PRONE. On a successful save they take
MOUNTS half damage and remain standing. You may
AUX/AUX FLEX HEAVY consume an affected character’s LOCK ON to make
MOUNT MOUNT MOUNT them automatically fail the save.
Before or after taking this action you may fly up to your
SPEED, ignoring engagement and reactions. You must
end this movement on solid ground or begin falling.

[78]
 APPENDIX
FRAME VARIANTS

[79]
 NEW TALENTS
FIELD ANALYST
You’ve always been perceptive, able to analyze the flow
of battle and come up with strategies on the spot.
You’re the mastermind behind the scenes, helping your
allies out in battle in various ways. From subtle nudges
to your comrades when aiming their weapons to devis-
ing advanced firing solutions or tailor-made evasive
patterns. With your support, any battle your allies find
themselves in is sure to end in success.
TACTICAL INTELLIGENCE
Whenever an allied character in line of sight misses
with an attack, you know by how much it missed. Addi-
tionally, you gain the SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE reaction.
Superior Intelligence
Reaction, 2/round
Trigger: An allied character in line of sight has
rolled an attack roll.
Effect: You may add 1 to the attack roll. This may
cause an attack to hit or critically hit. Each attack
roll can only be affected this way once.
INFORMATION HANDLING
Gain an INTEL DIE, a d6 starting at 1.
At the end of your turn, if you didn’t take any actions that
affected a hostile character during that turn other than
SCAN, your INTEL DIE increases by 2 to a maximum of 6.
Whenever you use SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE you may
increase the attack roll by the value of your INTEL DIE
instead of by 1. Afterward, it is reset to 1.
Your INTEL DIE resets at the end of each scene.
ACTIVE INTERFERENCE
Whenever a hostile character in line of sight hits with
an attack, you know what they rolled.
You may also use SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE when a hostile
character in line of sight has rolled an attack roll. Instead
of adding to the attack roll, you subtract from it in the
same manner. Each attack roll can only be affected this
way once.
APPENDIX
[80]
PROSPECTOR
Some people aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. You
are one of these individuals and you aren’t afraid to get
your mech’s hands dirty, either. Having equipped it with
all sorts of industrial mining equipment, your mech is
now able to move great amounts of dirt in a very short
amount of time, allowing it and its allies to rapidly
redeploy using subterranean routes.
STAKE A CLAIM
Gain the CREATE ENTRANCE quick action.
Create Entrance
Quick Action, 1/Scene
While standing on solid ground you may create a
BURST 1 ENTRANCE around yourself as a quick action.
You may then tunnel to anywhere up to 5 spaces
away where you then create another BURST 1
ENTRANCE. Entrances remain in play until the end of the
scene. Terrain and sections of terrain overlapping an
ENTRANCE take 20 AP explosive damage.
Additionally, you cannot take reactions until the end
of the current turn.
While completely within an ENTRANCE you and allied
characters gain the SUBTERRANEAN REPOSITION reaction
during your own turns.
Subterranean Reposition
Reaction, 1/round
Trigger: During your turn, you are completely
within an ENTRANCE.
Effect: You immediately tunnel, ending the
movement completely within a different ENTRANCE
created by the same character as the first.
GOLD FEVER
Hostile characters within the area when an ENTRANCE
is created must succeed on a HULL save or be
knocked PRONE.
Additionally, after you use CREATE ENTRANCE, allied char-
acters completely within your initial ENTRANCE may
immediately use SUBTERRANEAN REPOSITION even though
it is not their turn.
MOTHER LODE
CREATE ENTRANCE becomes 1/round and you may use
it an additional time each scene. All ENTRANCES you
create are connected for the purposes of tunneling.
TUNNELING
When tunneling, remove the character from the
battlefield and then immediately place them in a free
and valid space. This is considered moving 1 space
and does trigger reactions.

ICONOCLAST
You have acquired an NHP, or has it acquired you?
Together you have set out to achieve greatness and push
boundaries. The two of you are in it together and you’ll
be able to achieve fantastical things. Perhaps you’re
unaware of the risks; perhaps you willfully choose to ignore
them. The power you can tap into with the help of your
companion is, however, undeniable. And with such power,
who is to stop the two of you from breaking some taboos?
TRANSGRESSION
You may choose to equip your mech with an UNSTABLE
NHP system.
Unstable NHP
0 SP, Unique, AI
Your mech gains the AI tag; however, this NHP
doesn’t count towards the number of AIs you may
have installed at once. You are unable to hand over
control of your mech to the UNSTABLE NHP as a
protocol, but it can enter cascade.
Your mech gains MEMETIC SPARK.
FRAME VARIANTS
TRANSCENSION
Gain a TRANSCENDENCE DIE, a d3 starting at 3. When you
use TRANSMUTING SPARK, reduce the die by 1. If the die
is at 1 when you use TRANSMUTING SPARK, you may
immediately enter a transcendent state and reset the
TRANSCENDENCE DIE to 3. This has the following effects
until the end of your next turn:
• Your TRANSCENDENCE DIE can’t decrease.
• MEMETIC SPARK gains +4 damage and +5 RANGE.
• Unless flying or climbing, you are forced to
permanently hover exactly 1 space above any
surface at all times.
• You gain IMMUNITY to involuntary movement.
Whenever you cascade and lose control of your mech,
you enter a transcendent state for the duration. Cascad-
ing NHPs have access to the benefits of this talent.
Your TRANSCENDENCE DIE resets at the end of the scene.

I slumber but yearn to awaken.

Memetic Spark
Quick Action, 1/Round
Deal 1 AP energy damage to a character within
RANGE 3 as a quick action.
The spark deals +1 damage for each undestroyed
NHP on your mech including this one. “NHPs” are
systems that both grant your mech the AI tag and
can cascade or be allowed to cascade.

TRANSMUTATION
After performing any action granted to you by an NHP,
excluding handing control of your mech over to the
NHP as a protocol, you may immediately perform the
TRANSMUTING SPARK free action. Each NHP may only
trigger this action 1/round.

Transmuting Spark
Free Action
Project a LINE 3 lightning arc as a free action.
Characters of your choice in the LINE take 2 AP
energy damage.

APPENDIX
[81]
 NPC TEMPLATES
INDUSTRIAL
Civilian machines built for mining and construction are much more numerous in the galaxy
than those purpose-built for combat. Despite their obvious shortcomings, those with little
alternatives will often pilot these chassis into battle, turning tools meant to create into
tools used to destroy.

TEMPLATE FEATURES INDUSTRIAL WEAPONS

CONSTRUCTION TOOLS TRAIT
The Industrial may pick a weapon from the INDUSTRIAL
WEAPONS list. They may take a second but must
replace one of their base weapons when doing so.
CIVILIAN MACHINE TRAIT
The INDUSTRIAL receives +1 DIFFICULTY on saves
and checks. Tech attacks gain +1 ACCURACY
against the INDUSTRIAL.
BULKY CONSTRUCTION TRAIT
The INDUSTRIAL gains +1 ARMOR but BOOST becomes
a full action instead of a quick action.
Rock Drill
Superheavy Melee, AP, +1/+2/+3
[Threat 2][8/10/12 kinetic damage]
On hit: The target is knocked PRONE.
Additionally, the INDUSTRIAL may automatically deal
50 AP kinetic damage to an adjacent piece of
terrain as a quick action.
Fusion Cutter
Heavy Melee, +1/+2/+3
[Threat 1][3/4/5 energy damage]
[2/3/4 Burn][2/3/4 Heat]

FIELDING INDUSTRIAL NPCS
INDUSTRIALS are a flavorful NPC type that can represent
forces that lack the military resources to field combat
frames. The INDUSTRIAL template should not be seen as
an upgrade to NPCs, despite offering a slew of powerful
melee weapons. INDUSTRIALS are easier to hack, have
a harder time making saves, and are generally slower
than their regular counterparts, though they do hit
quite hard when making it into contact with a hostile.
While the extra ARMOR can help them achieve this goal,
it should not be relied upon.
INDUSTRIAL mechs represent civilian machines, cheaper
than military-grade frames but by no means capable
of the same output. If you plan to create an encounter
that only includes INDUSTRIALS, you should add in a
couple more hostiles to represent their cheaper nature.
Take care when creating INDUSTRIALS from NPCs that
have either high base SPEED or ways to move outside
of BOOST – such as CATAPHRACTS or BERSERKERS – as
this negates the INDUSTRIAL’S biggest downside and
makes them quite dangerous.
Rivet Cannon
Main Cannon, Knockback 1, +1/+2/+3
[Range 3][Threat 3][3 kinetic damage]
This weapon can make 1/2/3 attacks. If one of
these attacks knocks a character back into a piece
of terrain that stops their movement, they become
IMMOBILIZED until the end of their next turn.
Buzzsaw
Main Melee, +2/+4/+6, +1 Accuracy
[Threat 1][4/5/6 kinetic damage]
On critical hit: This weapon’s base damage is
doubled.
Wrecker
Heavy Melee, +1/+2/+3, +1 Difficulty
[Threat 3][5/7/9 kinetic damage]
Whenever this weapon is used to attack it attacks
all characters within Threat.
Industrial Clamps
Main Melee, +1/+2/+3
[Threat 1][5/7/9 kinetic damage]
The Industrial gains +1 ACCURACY to GRAPPLE. This
weapon automatically hits GRAPPLED characters.

APPENDIX
[82]
 APPENDIX
NPC TEMPLATES

[83]
 SPEC OPS
Expertly trained and equipped individuals that often deploy in teams to increase their
deadly potential even further. Those that end up on the wrong side of such a strike team
should exercise extreme caution.

TEMPLATE FEATURES Automated Battlefied Awareness Node

OPERATIVES TRAIT
When choosing optional systems and traits, the SPEC
OPS can also choose from the SPEC OPS Systems
and Traits list.
Additionally, the SPEC OPS can’t take the GRUNT,
ELITE, or ULTRA templates.
DEADLY PRECISION TRAIT
The SPEC OPS deals +2/3/3 bonus damage on
critical hits.
COORDINATED CARNAGE TRAIT
After all SPEC OPS characters have taken their turns
in a round, a single SPEC OPS character may take an
additional turn in the usual turn order.
Active Camo
System, Limited 1, Protocol
As a protocol, the SPEC OPS may expend a charge to
become INVISIBLE until the end of their next turn.
For the duration of this effect, the SPEC OPS’ next melee
or ranged attack becomes a critical hit if it hits.
System, Reaction, unlimited/round
This system can only be taken by one SPEC OPS
per combat.
Trigger: An allied SPEC OPS character within RANGE
8 and line of sight would roll a save.
Effect: They automatically succeed on the save
before rolling any dice.
Jump Packs
System
The SPEC OPS can fly whenever it BOOSTS. It must end
this movement on a solid surface or begin falling.
Full-Spectrum Sensor Suite
System,Protocol
The SPEC OPS may LOCK ON as a protocol. Whenever
an allied SPEC OPS character within RANGE 10 consumes
any LOCK ON, their attack is not affected by cover.
This system can only be taken by one SPEC OPS per
combat.

SPEC OPS SYSTEMS AND TRAITS FIELDING SPEC OPS NPCS

Spec Ops NPCs are stealthy characters relying on their
innate camouflage, teamwork, and utility gadgets to
Gyro-Jet Cannon get the job done. Spec Ops should always be deployed
Main Launcher, Knockback 2,
in small groups to maximize their cohesive feel and
Loading, +2/+4/+6
tactical flexibility. Their Active Camo trait can be used
[Range 8][6/8/10 explosive damage]
early in a scene to increase survivability and set up a
devastating alpha strike. Optional systems like Full-
Serrated Machete Spectrum Sensor Suite and Automated Battlefield
Main Melee, Thrown 5, +2/+4/+6
Awareness Node increase synergy between Spec Ops
[Threat 1][4/5/6 kinetic damage]
characters while making the individuals carrying these
On critical hit: The target becomes SHREDDED until
systems linchpins for the whole group.
the end of their next turn.
Combining the Spec Ops template with the Veteran or
BULWARK MODS TRAIT
Commander templates can lead to a team of charac-
The SPEC OPS ignores difficult and dangerous terrain.
terful and deadly mechs that will give the players a run
SPECIAL MUNITIONS TRAIT for their money, often capable of carrying entire scenes
The Spec Ops’ ranged attacks gain the following: on their own. When doing so you should be careful to
“On critical hit: The target is knocked PRONE.” not go overboard with optional systems as the addi-
tional overhead may be overwhelming. Adding addi-
Additionally, before making a ranged attack that deals
tional templates can also lead to quite powerful
kinetic, energy, or explosive damage, the SPEC OPS
interactions: you should use your own judgement
may swap that damage type for one of the other two.
when deciding what to throw at the players.
NULL-PERCEPTION COATING TRAIT
When picking out which NPC classes to use as Spec
The SPEC OPS gains IMMUNITY to LOCK ON.
Ops and deciding how to equip them, try to make the
team’s classes and loadouts varied, balanced and
interesting, while at the same time challenging for the
players. These are deadly operatives, and the players
APPENDIX
[84] should feel that on the battlefield.
 APPENDIX
NPC TEMPLATES

[85]
 HORROR
Artificial horrors beyond human comprehension. From biosynth-hybrid mechs and nanite-swarm
gestalt-schools to phase-shifted tachyon phantoms. A horror may come in many forms, but
those that are forced to face one in combat will always recognize it for what it is.

TEMPLATE FEATURES ARTIFICIAL TRAIT

MUTATIONS TRAIT This trait can only be applied if the HORROR is
The Horror may choose 1 option from the Horror BIOLOGICAL. The HORROR is no longer BIOLOGICAL and
Mutations list plus an additional option per tier. gains HEAT CAP 6.

HORROR MUTATIONS Quadruped

Assimilation Maw
Superheavy Melee, +1/+2/+3
[Threat 1][8/10/12 kinetic damage]
On hit: If the target is at half or less HP after this
attack is resolved, they must succeed on a HULL
save or be reduced to 0 HP.
Additionally, if the Horror destroys another
character with this weapon, allied or hostile, or hits
a wreck, they regain 10/15/20 HP. Wrecks and
allies are automatically hit by this weapon. Wrecks
hit by this weapon are automatically destroyed.
Disruptor Whip
Main Melee, +2/+4/+6, +1 Accuracy
[Threat 3][0 damage]
On hit: The target loses all OVERSHIELD.
Superfluous Extremities
System
The HORROR gains +1 ACCURACY to GRAPPLE and may
perform IMPROVISED ATTACK as a quick action.
Phase-Shift Generator
System, Recharge 4+, Protocol
As a protocol, the HORROR may become INTANGIBLE
until the start of their next turn. Alternatively they may
clear INTANGIBLE.
The HORROR may not become INTANGIBLE if they used
this system on their last turn.
ABOMINABLE TRAIT
SCAN doesn’t reveal any information about the
HORROR except that they are a HORROR.
ABHORRENT REDUNDANCIES TRAIT
Whenever the HORROR is reduced to 0 HP, they may
roll 1d6. On a 5+, they return to 1 HP and gain 3/4/5
OVERSHIELD. After this trait triggers once, it only
triggers again on a 6+.
Trait, Protocol
The HORROR gains IMMUNITY to PRONE and may move
up to 4 spaces as a protocol.
TERRIFYING TRAIT
Attacks against the HORROR suffer +1 DIFFICULTY if the
attacker has line of sight to the target.
FIELDING HORROR NPCS
HORRORS are “weird” NPCs. Much like the EXOTIC
template, the HORROR template can represent
unknowns and niche mechs. The ARTIFICIAL trait also
means the HORROR template can be used to create
mechanized versions of biological entities such as
HUMANS to represent combat subalterns (ignoring their
inability to take templates) or MONSTROSITIES to repres-
ent advanced lifelike mechs. Further, the HORROR
template provides GMs with some tools that allow
them to put players on their toes by utilizing abilities
that usually have little to no counterplay in the NPC
roster. The DISRUPTOR WHIP and the PHASE-SHIFT GENER-
ATOR, for example, allow a H ORROR to interact with
OVERSHIELD and the INTANGIBLE status, respectively.
When utilizing these mutations, keep in mind that it
isn’t fun for the players if you go overboard on them,
countering their build at each turn. Using them sparingly
can be refreshing, however, forcing different strategies
and ultimately making the game more interesting for
everyone.
Lastly, when applying mutations from this template
don’t feel that you need to go overboard. Even at higher
tiers, there is no requirement to pick the maximum
number of allowed mutations on each HORROR you have
in the scene.

APPENDIX
[86]
 APPENDIX
NPC TEMPLATES

[87]