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THE SELVACHE INCIDENT

CREDITS CONTENTS
Squad Leader Credits & Contents 2
Cpl. Phillips, Wilson MI87-12
Strategic & Tactical Support
Sgt. Maj. Neale, Richard MI20-27 Introduction 3
Additional Tactical Support
Sgt. Maj. Belcher, Ian MI40-81 file
Into The Lions’ Den 5
External Propagandist
Sgt. Dutrait, Vincent MI42-23
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Internal Propagandists
A Lion Falls 8
Pvt. Moretti, Danilo MI54-06, Pvt. Parker, Tony MI88-
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47, Pvt. Sergesketter, Chad MI37-39


Selvache Safari 13
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Military Intelligence Liason


3rd Lt. Barstow, Ian MI06-88
Military Intelligence Officer The Lions’ Roar 17
Lt. Col. Fennell, Alexander [Designation Classified]

Data Analysts The Lions’ Last Stand 24


Sgt. Bedison, Ron MI77-02
Forward Reconnaissance
Cpl. Vail, Sam MI91-09, Pvt. Chabot, Andre MI89-04, Lockwood’s Lions 28
Pvt. Hall, Robert MI15-08, Pvt. Kerslake, Trevor MI88-
17, Pvt. Marson, Alan MI20-060
The Arachnids 30
Priority Signals
Special thanks to the citizens and UCF agents of Sony
Pictures Consumer Products.
License 32
Starship Troopers: The Roleplaying Game – The Selvache Incident is TM & © 2005 TriStar Pictures, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mongoose
Publishing Ltd Authorized User. Starship Troopers: The Roleplaying Game is released under version 1.0 of the Open Game License.
Reproduction of non-Open Game Content of this work by any means without the written permission of the pulisher is expressly forbidden.
See page 288 for the text of this license. With the exception of the character creation rules detailing the mechanics of assigning dice roll
results to abilities and the advancement of character levels, all game mechanics and statistics (including the game mechanics of all feats,
skills, classes, creatures, psychic abilities and combat) are declared open content. Printed in China.

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INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
The Selvache Incident is a story of triumph
and tragedy, courage and cowardice and, ultimately, The Selvache Incident combines situations and encounters
perseverance in the face of overwhelming opposition. that will require a mix of skills to survive and overcome.
The first adventure for Starship Troopers: The Roleplaying Players will find that characters with ranks in Computer
Game, The Selvache Incident is designed for characters of Use, Demolitions, Repair and Survival of particular use,
between 1st and 3rd character level. as well as more common combat abilities.

If you are intending to play in this adventure you should Games Masters should read and become familiar with
stop reading now, as the information that follows is the entire adventure before attempting to run it to fully
intended for Games Masters only. understand how each encounter fits with those which
surround it.

IN THIS ADVENTURE… This adventure is designed for four to six Player Characters
…a group of relatively green Mobile Infantry troopers are of between 1st and 3rd character level. Should Games
assigned to Lockwood’s Lions, a squad that suffered heavy Masters have fewer players, they should use their own
losses during the events of the second Pluto campaign. file
discretion and scale down some of the encounters in this
module. Conversely, should Games Masters have more
Sent to relieve the small garrison at a SICON system than six players, or should the Player Characters be higher
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monitoring station (SSMS) on the third moon of the than 3rd level, then he should be prepared to increase the
gas giant Selvache (sel-va∫: che pron. sh as in ship), the difficulty of the challenges presented in this adventure.
Lions are a long way from home. Far beyond Altair, the
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Selvache SSMS was established to monitor and warn


ADVENTURE BACKGROUND & RECENT
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of any potential Arachnid activity passing through the


system on its way towards Sol.
EVENTS
The conclusion of the second Pluto campaign was cause
But the troopers soon discover that the Selvache station is
for a great deal of celebration throughout the Federation,
not the only thing to call the third moon ‘home’. Buried
but even before the ticker tape had finished falling,
deep beneath the moon’s surface, bugs swarm through a
SICON technicians on Charon, Pluto’s moon, made a
rapidly expanding tunnel network in a bid to secure their
terrible discovery. As SICON forces withdrew from
foothold in the Selvache system.
Pluto, Charon’s observation post picked up anomalous
The Lions are caught in a fight for their lives as they
journey across the moon’s surface on their way towards
the monitoring station in the hope of finding survivors,
calling in help and escaping the moon alive.

PREPARING TO PLAY
A copy of Starship Troopers: The Roleplaying Game, a
notepad, pencils and a full set of dice (at least one of each
of the following: d20, d12, d10, d8, d6 and d4) will be
needed to play The Selvache Incident. Players and Games
Masters may also find a few miniatures of use, but these
are not essential.

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With the revelation that the Arachnids were not
indigenous to Pluto and in the wake of the Buenos Aires
disaster, many difficult questions had to be answered,
Using Established Squads and with the declassification of the Charon reports the
Games Masters may wish to have the Player Characters terrible truth was revealed; the departing transport bug
assigned to another squad they have already introduced
had somehow managed to hurl the massive chunk of
into their campaign, or have the troopers remain with a
space rock, with devastating accuracy, to collide with the
unit they are already serving with. Either of these two
home of the Federation.
options are of course possible, however, Games Masters
should be warned that certain events over the course of
this adventure do not bode well for the other members One small consolation for the destruction of Buenos
of the squad. Aires came in the fact that SICON system monitoring
stations on Charon, L347-14 and DM-36 13940,
Should Games Masters decide not to use Lockwood’s were able to triangulate the trajectory of the departing
Lions they will need to be especially fluent in the nuances transport bug, thus enabling SICON to accurately direct
of this adventure, which are specifically tailored towards the Federation’s vengeance. While the transport bug’s
the Lions. ultimate destination remains unknown. SICON forces
now scour the projected path of the transport bug in the
hope of finding the Arachnid homeworld. One thing is
certain though, the road to victory will be paved with
dead bugs.
readings that led them to believe that something very, file
very large was moving away from the newly liberated
planet. Pushing their sensor systems far beyond their ADVENTURE SYNOPSIS
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operational limits, the technicians received the first visual The Selvache Incident opens as the Player Characters arrive
indication that the Arachnids were not native to Pluto with their new unit, Lockwood’s Lions. Introductions are
when a humungous, space-faring bug drifted through cut short, however, as orders arrive assigning the Lions to
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their sensor net. garrison duty at the far-flung monitoring station on the
third moon of the Selvache star system.
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Though initial reports of the transport bug were met with a


great deal of scepticism by SICON command, despite the The Lions are deployed onto the surface of the moon
visual evidence gathered by the Charon station, two weeks where they immediately discover that they are not alone.
later, SICON was forced to reconsider the possibility of When Sergeant Lockwood falls afoul of a collapsing
space bugs when Charon’s sensor grid once again detected bug tunnel and his M-1C8 suit’s communications array
the movement of something very large travelling towards is shredded, the only way the remaining Lions can call
the centre of the Sol system. This time, however, it was in a retrieval ship is to use the equipment at the system
no bug, but a meteor, almost a mile across. monitoring station over 20 miles away.

By the time Charon’s report had reached Earth, the Making their way across the moon’s surface, the Lions are
massive meteor had already passed Luna’s orbit and was forced to fight for their lives as the Arachnids take deadly
only moments away from colliding with the Earth itself. interest in the newcomers and their passage.
The fiery mass of space debris crashed into Buenos Aires,
wiping the city and a vast swathe of the surrounding Finally arriving at Selvache’s SSMS, the Lions set about
landmass from the face of the planet. The subsequent calling for retrieval while searching the installation for
meteorological, seismological and geological repercussions survivors. Even as the retrieval ships beacon sounds the
resulted in a final death toll of over ten million. Lions must ensure the security of the compound before
the retrieval ship can touch down.

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INTO THE LIONS' DEN

INTO THE
The
LIONS’ DEN
adventure begins with the Player
Characters being introduced to their new unit, Lockwood’s
‘Can I help you, troopers?’ Austin asks, noticing you at
last. Handing him your assignment papers, a sly grin
Lions, aboard the TFCT Chancellorsville. While most seem creeps across his face as he calls over his shoulder, ‘Looks
pleased to have been reinvigorated with new blood rather like we got us some cubs, boys!’
than being disbanded, Corporal Benjamin Austin appears
more than a little disappointed to have had rookies assigned The three men will introduce themselves and will be
to the veteran squad. interested to hear where the characters are from and how
much action they have seen, along with any up-to-date news
Games Masters should take care during these introductions from around the Federation.
to make sure that all the characters can get acquainted and
establish each of the Non-Player Characters as individually Private Kinikki ‘Loon’ Rowluni will take off his shockboxing
interesting personalities, as it will be the camaraderie of
file
gloves to give each of the new arrivals a firm handshake,
the characters that will help guarantee the impact of later while Private Iain ‘Wizard’ Bailey will be interested to see
encounters on the players. Thus the subsequent loss of if any of the newcomers are keen card players or gamblers,
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any of the Lions will be of much greater significance if the telling them that the Lions commonly host a poker night,
players and their characters have an active connection with
the squad right from the outset.
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Read the following section aloud to the players;


The door to your new bunkroom opens with an almost
inaudible hiss from within to reveal a cramped grey
dormitory, its bunks and furniture pushed to the very
extremities of the small room’s walls to make way for
an impromptu shockboxing ring, scrawled on the floor
in chalk. At the centre of the ring a wiry European
is helping an enormous Fijian man to his feet. Both
wear padded sparring suits and the sport’s electrically
charged gloves. Meanwhile, a third man rests against
the dormitory’s bulkhead wall, laughing heartily.

‘Awh, stow it, Austin! Jus’ didn’t see it comin’ is all,


Wizard here caught me by surprise.’ Protests the
towering Fijian, as he finally regains his feet.

‘Well, well Rowluni. I guess they were right; the bigger


they are and all that,’ replies the onlooker, Austin,
through his gradually subsiding chuckles.

‘No hard feelings, Loon. You gotta keep your guard up


though.’ Rowluni’s diminutive opponent smiles, giving
the bigger man a playful cuff on the shoulder.

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a now infamous event on the Chancellorsville. Corporal
Benjamin Austin, however, will remain somewhat distant,
OFFICER ON DECK!
Introductions are quickly put on hold when Corporal
concerning himself more with any combat experience the
Austin announces ‘Officer on deck’. As the Lions instantly
newly assigned troopers may have, endeavouring to mask
fall silent and stand to attention, Sergeant Lockwood passes
his disappointment should they be completely uninitiated
down the line of troopers, eyeing over each of them before
in the art of war.
giving the order to stand at ease.
This whole scene introduces the players and their characters
Read the following section aloud to the players;
to their new squadmates, and as the characters get to know
‘Fresh meat for the grinder, eh? Good to have you with
each other by swapping stories, boasts or ground rules,
us. I trust Corporal Austin has already found you a
players will be able to develop a little more of their characters’
bunk. My name is Sergeant Aaron Lockwood – there is
personality. As a result of this development, this scene is one
a padre by the same name over in second company – the
of the most important of this adventure and also provides a
only difference between that ol’ preacher an’ me is that
great opportunity for both players and Games Masters to
he works for God, an’ I am God! There are only three
become comfortable with the game, without the need for
rules in this outfit you rookies need to remember – hit
rolling dice or worrying about the rules.

System Datafile: C087: SEL2


System Name: Selvache
Star: Selvache file
Classification: F (lightly
irradiated)
Orbital Bodies:
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Selvache – gas giant orbited by


three small moons
Laygraa – terrestrial body of
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desolate searing rock


Yault – terrestrial body
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subject to extreme seasonal


radiation

SICON Datafile: C087: SEL2-c


Planet Name: Third moon of Selvache
Function: Interstellar Observation Post
Population: 24 (14 technicians, 10 garrison troopers)
Temperature: Frigid (–41 ºc to –32 ºc)
Atmosphere: Thin (trace elements of methane, nitrogen, oxygen and helium)
Gravity: Low (0.4 g)
Terrain: Barren rocky wasteland
Exports: Information
Imports: Supplies and personnel
Overview: Over 50 light years from Altair, the Selvache system was discovered
and claimed as SICON set out on the Road to Victory campaign in the wake of the
cleansing of Pluto.

Selvache remains largely unremarkable and, were it not for the SICON system
monitoring station located on the third moon, would likely be overlooked.

The third moon itself is very cold, with highest temperatures still not managing
to climb above –30 ºc. Though it lacks the necessary hydrosphere to form ice, a
number of geological features suggest this was not always the case.

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INTO THE LIONS' DEN

hard, hit fast and hit often. You newbies remember that, out our assignment by the numbers. I want everything
an’ you an’ me’ll get along fine! by the book on this drop, just like always. SICON has
assured me that this garrison duty will only last a short
‘Now, down to business, orders have come through from while, but I think we can put our time on Selvache to
high command to coincide with the arrival of our new good use, especially in light of our new arrivals.
talent.
‘For now though we get some sleep, set your hypnopedia
‘We are to relieve Webb’s Wildcats, currently stationed at units and be prepared to drop at oh-four-hundred hours.
the system monitoring station on the third moon of the Any of you apes unlucky enough to still be awake in an
Selvache system.’ A brief murmur of disappointment hour get a bedtime story by yours truly, so look alive!
passes through the assembled Lions, before being Oh, and Loon, get some ice for that eye!’
silenced with a glare from Lockwood. ‘I know this is
hardly the frontline combat assignment that I know you Let the players review the Selvache system datafile and the
were expecting but, as Mobile Infantry, we will carry Operation: Guard Dog mission briefing.

Operation: Guard Dog


Your squad will be inserted onto the surface of Selvache’s third moon at 0400 hours. Planetary insertion procedure will be
undertaken by Skyhook as the non-combat nature of this assignment precludes the use of M2 drop capsules.

The location of the SICON system monitoring station (SSMS), its proximity to the Kwanyarna Mountain and the
file
unpredictable atmospheric conditions common to this mountain range make a landing at the facility all but impossible and
will require your transport to drop you 23.8 miles west of the SSMS. Having secured the landing zone (LZ) you will proceed
on foot to the objective. Upon arriving at the SSMS, Lockwood’s Lions will relieve the garrison commanded by Sergeant
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Webb; Webb’s men will then make their way back to the LZ and await retrieval.

Once on site at the SSMS you will continue to assist in the essential maintenance of the facility and its surrounding support
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infrastructure.
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Mission Duration: High command estimates that your squad will be required to garrison the Selvache SSMS for 44 standard
days.

Mission Equipment: Standard outfit only; SICON has determined that any additional supplies will be available to your
squad at the SSMS.

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