with a single level may pick up the second level.
A characters genetic heritage is fixed once it is
the first level only, while those who started
start with no levels in a culture may acquire
that culture. This means characters who
of a culture, they may pick up a single level in
character regularly interacts with members
levels in culture as the story unfolds. If a
Unlike genetic levels, a character may pick up
the card.
negatie trait from the options presented on
character gains two positive traits and one
traits. For each level of a Culture chosen, the
provides a range of positive and negative
Like genetic levels, each Culture level
provide potential story hooks to be followed.
advantages to their actions. Cultures also
and social relationships that provide
and abilities, as well as gaining the equipment
characters gain a lot of their learned skills
world. It is from these connections that
wider ecosystem and social cirlces of the
around them. They all have reationships to the
No character exists independent of the world
+3 +2 +1
size size size
All characters serve a purpose; there might
be something they do better, cheaper, or
faster than the people around them, or there
might be a few tasks where they aren’t quite as
good, but the diversity of abilities makes them
almost as useful as multiple others. In Other
Strangeness, there are people who need things
done that regular folk either can’t or won’t
do, and that’s where the characters come in.
Any unspent levels are now used to purchase
areas of expertise where the character has
already proven themselves. There are a range
of general occupations that any character
may buy with their levels, but there are also
occupations that have prerequisites.
Occupation prerequisites could be specific
genetic or culture levels, possession of
specific positive or negative traits, or previous
completion of another specified occupation.
Some occupations may require that specific
types of story have been resolved before they
become available.
Generally, occupations provide new ways of
doing things, or advantages to doing specific
things. Each occupation has a specific benefit it
provides, this might be access to a class of
tools and equipment, a die roll advantage in
certain situations, access to a certain group
of allies or a type of location that is
otherwise off limits.
Mastering occupations is the most common
way of advancing characters in Other
Strangeness.
note the characters size level at this time.
a part of the character’s genetic heritage, and
Note any positive and negative traits gained as
character and has no cost].
discretion of the player creating the
decreased by one [this is purely at the
character’s size level may be increased or
For every level spent in Ggenetics, the
and count as two choices].
some positive and negative traits are powerful
options preseted on the card [noting that
positive traits and a negative trait from the
on each of them. For each level spent, gain two
’Genetics’ cards, and spend at least one level
they become different. Choose one or two
become something more and less than human,
single level of genetics, they simultaneously
regular human, when a character purchases a
any levels in genetics is functionally a
Strangeness is humanity. A character without
The assumed base line for characters in Other
0 -1 -2 -3
size size size size
A character doesn’t need anything special
about them, the fact that they may already be a
government trained mutant assassin with
psychic powers could be special enough. But some
players want something even more unique for
their characters.
Any character may acquire an additional
negative trait from their Genetics or Culture
cards, or from the following list.
Animal Instincts - Your thinking reflects
your animal nature. If you roll a 1 while
dealing with mundanes you immediately
engage a fight, flight or freeze response
[unless someone can calm you down].
Growl - Your speech reflects your animal
nature. You suffer an automatic
disadvantage on all speaking actions when
dealing with mundanes.
Monstrous - you not only look inhuman, but
people find your appearance subconsciously
disturbing. You suffer an automatic
disadvantage on social interactions with
mundanes if they can see your true
appearance.
Pack Mentality - You function best among
allies. If you roll a 1 when alone, you gain a
fear penalty trait in addition to any other
effects.
Volatility - Any weapons with the mutagenic
trait are considered to have +1 strength
against you
If they have done this, the character may gain
any additional non-occupational positive trait,
even if it might not be something they’d normally
have access to. This bonus positive trait may not
be used to justify an occupation during
character creation, but may function as as a
prerequisite for occupations gained later.
be benefits not normally available].
cultural, or general benefits [these may even
the bonus level may be spent on any genetic,
cultural, or general penalty. If this is done,
may be gained by acquiring an additional genetic,
Step 4. SPECIAL - [optional] A single bonus level
Note any benefit provided by this occupation.
to purchase at least one starting occupation.
Step 3. OCCUPATION - Additional levels are used
choose two available benefits and one penalty.
cultural upbringing. For each culture level,
Step 2. CULTURE - Purchase one or two levels in
benefits and one penalty.
For each genetic level, choose two available
in genetics, spread across one or two cards.
Step 1. GENETICS - Purchase up to three levels
All characters start with five levels
As they explore the world, the characters gain
allies and enemies, they gather food, water and
equipment that will help them survive, and they
accumulate experience and skills that make
them more useful to the people around them.
Allies and enemies are generally acquired based
on the events of the unfolding story. At the end of
any session of play, a player may choose a single
ally and a single enemy for their character to
make a permanent bond with.
Food and water gathered during a story will tend
to be consumed immediately for survival, or
traded as a commodity for favours and
equipment. Equipment found, stolen, or made during
the story may be stored in the group’s communal
stash, in a character’s private stash, or may be
carried by the character. For simplicity, a
character may generally carry 4 items plus
their size modifier [where some large items might
counts as 2 items, and some small items only
count as a half..
At the end of every session, a character gains an
experience point. They may also gain up to two
additional experience points if any of the following
criteria are met…
aOne cultural goals are met
The character’s current occupational goal
is met
The character neutralises one of their
enemies [either eliminating them, or the reason
why they are considered an enemy]
Every time the character gains experience, mark
off a box on the experience track. Every time the
character passes a bold checkpoint box on the
track, gain a new level. This level may be used to
purchase a new occupation, or improve a culture
[once per culture only]
world of the ongoing tale.
the rogues gallery, gradually expanding the
may create an additional character to add to
If a game goes for multiple sessions, players
as potential allies and antagonists.
rogues gallery and could appear in the story
character., The additional characters form a
characters, one of these will be their main
Before play begins, each player creates three
gain benefits that reinforce the group concept.
limit themselves to the options on these cards
character groups are available. Groups who
A number of cards describing common
become stronger and more interesting.
between characters have the potential to
creativity, but to ensure that the bonds
these types of characters. This isn’t to limit
vetoed if the intended story doesn’t cover
certain character options may be specifically
types, cultures, or occupations. Similarly,
to focus characters around a few genetic
the focus. The GM or the players may choose
into it, instead a few key elements should form
story doesn’t need to have everything thrown
the purity of the flavour. Similarly, a good
throw everything into it because that will spoil
made of a few key ingredients, a chef doesn’t
on a few fundamental points. A good food is
in a game of Other Strangeness need to agree
At the start of play, all plyers participating
The main characters of Other Strangeness
exist on the fringes of society, they are social
outcastes, genetic mutations, and creatures
that regular society turns from. They walk a
delicate balance between humanity and
monster, while many of the lesser characters
and supporting roles in the story stand firmly
on one side of that divide or the other.
Various characters in these tales may be
mercenaries, spies, criminals, abandoned
experiments, lost aliens, or even just
homeless lowlifes in over their heads. They may
be as small as a mouse or as large as an
elephant, they may have an excess of arms,
legs, or tentacles, or might have none at all,
but most characters are roughly human sized
and shaped. Players may make their
characters as exotic as they want, but need
to understand that the more different they
are from the mundane masses, the stranger
and more dangerous their lives will be.