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Good examples of OSR corruption, mutation, and transformation mechanics?

Started by Socratic-DM, April 16, 2024, 09:51:37 PM

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Socratic-DM

April 16, 2024, 09:51:37 PM
One of the things I've wanted a good streamlined mechanic for is a corruption and transformation/mutation mechanic for more of a dark-fantasy type game. think something like Warhammer 2nd edition or the entire setting of Dark Souls.

I've read over the sci-fi games that share OSR mechanics, like Gamma world and Mutant Crawl Classics, but those are just big series of tables and not much procedure as far I could read.

So any good examples or homebrew you all have?
"Paradox is a pointer telling you to look beyond it. If paradoxes bother you, that betrays your deep desire for absolutes. The relativist treats a paradox merely as interesting, perhaps amusing or even, dreadful thought, educational."

- God Emperor of Dune

WERDNA

#1
April 16, 2024, 11:09:13 PM
I can think of two:

Comes Chaos which is based on B/X D&D and is a pretty solid adaptation of the content in the old Warhammer Realms of Chaos books including chaos corrupti...gifts.

Dark Albion: Cults of Chaos by this forum's own Pundit which is a general OSR-based Chaos cult generator originally for Medieval historical fantasy but applicable to anything. There are mutation and corruption rules with mutations ranging from stuff in Medieval folklore to outright Warhammery stuff.

Man at Arms

#2
April 16, 2024, 11:15:07 PM
The first thing I thought of; was the corruption that eventually happens to arcane casters, in Dungeon Crawl Classics.

Over time; they are mutated and transform into ghastly looking versions, of their former selves.

This doesn't happen, when the dice rolls are in their favor.  But time and chance, do finally catch up with them.

swzl

#3
April 17, 2024, 06:56:49 AM
Quote from: Socratic-DM on April 16, 2024, 09:51:37 PMOne of the things I've wanted a good streamlined mechanic for is a corruption and transformation/mutation mechanic for more of a dark-fantasy type game. think something like Warhammer 2nd edition or the entire setting of Dark Souls.

I've read over the sci-fi games that share OSR mechanics, like Gamma world and Mutant Crawl Classics, but those are just big series of tables and not much procedure as far I could read.

So any good examples or homebrew you all have?

Try Swords of Cepheus and Low Fantasy Gaming for good examples of spell failure consequences and corruption. My house brew version is an adaptation of both of them.

Eric Diaz

#4
April 17, 2024, 01:06:14 PM
Here are some of mine FWIW. You can see the whole thing for free in the preview (page 10):

https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397412/Alternate-Magic-OSR

For something really extensive, this one is PWYW an more than 100 pages of mutations apparently.

https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/115703/the-metamorphica-classic-edition

Chaos Factory Books  - Dark fantasy RPGs and more!

Methods & Madness - my  D&D 5e / Old School / Game design blog.

RNGm

#5
April 17, 2024, 01:32:19 PM
This isn't OSR admittedly but it has the best corruption mechanics that I've seen in a game so far (though obviously I haven't seen them all!).   Maybe you could convert it from the free quickstart rules.

https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/464206/memento-mori-quickstart-guide
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