The advent of some mutant abilities has created whole new categories of criminality, while other powers are covered by existing laws. It’s still aggravated assault with a deadly weapon if you threaten someone with a sharp blade, even if you grew that blade yourself using your Natural Weapons ability. Some of the more obscure legal interactions that might crop up in your Mutant City Blues campaign…
The use of the Cognition power is treated as card-counting in Mutant City casinos; it’s not technically illegal, but those known to possess the power are banned by the casino owners and forcibly ejected if found to be gambling.
Of all the Command powers, Command Insects is the most likely to cause serious property damage or degrade the ecology of the local area. A common use of the power is the so-called ‘Pied Piper’ effect – instead of spraying a structure for termites or other insects, a mutant can just compel the insects to leave. Practising this form of extermination commercially requires a licence, and proof that the mutant has somewhere to safely dispose of the insects.
Using Earth Control’s earthquake ability is a legal nightmare, exposing the user to endless suits for damage to property. Earthquake-hit structures must be thoroughly examined by a qualified engineer to ensure they are still sound.
Illusion is a tricky power when it comes to the law. Many uses of illusion fall under existing laws covering fraud, deception, intimidation and so forth – there’s no difference, legally, between conjuring an illusion of a monster, and putting on a monster costume to scare someone. However, as illusions leave no traces or physical evidence, it makes proving a crime considerably harder. Attempts to have non-consensual, non-declared illusions deemed illegal have foundered in the courts, and there’s a growing number of professional illusionists who use their abilities for quasi-legal activities like providing alibis (‘six witnesses saw my client drinking in the bar when the prosecution claims he was robbing the house’).
Plants under Plant Control count as tools or weapons, so using a plant to entangle someone counts as assault even if you never lay a finger on them. That said, it can difficult to conclusively prove that a particular plant controller was commanding a particular plant, leading to the trope of the ‘Mad Gardener’, a hypothetical plant controller who wanders around Mutant City controlling plants at random, and who just happened to be passing when the defendant was alleged to have used the same power.
Reduce Temperature can result in reckless endangerment charges if the mutant uses the ability in an enclosed space with others present.
Speed limits do not apply to runners or cyclists, so the Speed power is not restricted. However, using Speed in highly trafficked areas may result in charges for jaywalking.
Webbing counts as littering.
By Kevin Kulp
Combining focused ambition with poor judgment is a great basis for an adventure. When you want to run a last-minute Swords of the Serpentine game and aren’t sure where to begin, start with one or more of the factions. You’ll see an example of this in the two free adventures here at See Page XX, The Dripping Throne (which starts with Commoners and Mercanti) and Sin-drinker (which starts with the City Watch and Thieves’ Guilds).
The following supporting characters and plot hooks, one for each of the twelve factions, focus on rebels: people who aren’t afraid to stand up to the status quo, even when it may be dangerous or foolhardy. Grab these, change them, and make them your own as you populate your own game.
Mercenaries
Concept: A rogue Mercenary company, funded by one of Eversink’s rivals, hopes to undermine and destabilize the city – and will work (almost) free for anyone with those goals.
Description: The Company of the Golden Coin is a mercenary company with a patriotic and trustworthy name, a charismatic leader, and a rebellious plan to undermine and destroy the city’s church and government.
Funded by a rival trading city in nearby Capria, Commander Lielle presents herself as a stunningly straightforward, competent, and trustworthy leader. It’s this skill that has allowed her to avoid prosecution for two drunken murders, a mutiny, and three separate acts of possible terrorism. Lielle and her soldiers are in Eversink to spy and surreptitiously make its defenses and stability worse, and they’ll charge less for any job they think might help accomplish that. They only work for clients, though; that way if it all goes sideways, they can heroically and patriotically kill their client and claim it was that person’s fault all along.
Plot Hook: The Heroes stumble into the Company of the Golden Coin time and time again as they face off against foreign or subversive enemies, and soldiers in the company seem to have legal protection against prosecution or arrest. Research shows that’s due to poorly written pro-mercenary laws Lielle managed to influence, laws that say only the client who hires a mercenary company can be held liable for their actions. The problem is, the Company of the Golden Coin now consider the Heroes a personal threat, and volunteer their service to any of the Heroes’ enemies who want to hire them.
Alternatively, the Heroes find a dire threat to Eversink’s security or stability, and it’s the Company of the Golden Coin who are responsible for making sure the Heroes can’t do anything about it.
Monstrosities
Concept: Important civic leaders are making oddly kind decisions, declaring new out-of-character – and generous? – policies and laws for several days before disappearing and dropping out of sight. The Watch assumes they’ve been assassinated for their boldness, and they have.. but not in the way anyone expects.
Description: Ilgazar is a facestealer, a doppelganger who literally steals someone’s face and identity when he takes their form. He has a bold new theory: monstrosities in Eversink tend to feed on the poor, sometimes including their emotions. Right now many people are sad, beaten down, and hopeless. What if, Ilgazar reasons, he could help make the poor healthier, happier, and more welcome in their own city? Then Commoners would thrive… and so would monstrosities who feed on them.
As a result, Ilgazar is targeting church elders, political officials, committee leaders, and judges – anyone with the authority to make life less miserable for the lower classes. He steals their identity, spends several days setting new selfless policies, then kills the victim and moves on to his next target. Ilgazar is no mastermind, his tactics are going to become predictable, and the Heroes are going to be able to catch him. The question is, once they do, will they want to stop him?
Plot Hook: After rumors of five other church and political leaders acting generously before disappearing, Swanmother Gabriella’s assistant in the Church of Denari fears the worst when she orders coins and food distributed for free to the poor of Sag Harbor. Not wanting to look stupid in the church hierarchy if he’s wrong, Gabriella’s assistant hires the Heroes to investigate. Why has her personality apparently changed, and what is she up to? Finding the actual Swanmother’s body in an unsealed crypt, unconscious with no face, may lead the Heroes to confronting Ilgazar. When they do, Ilgazar is more likely to confess than run. Can he recruit the Heroes into helping improve life for people instead of confronting him?
Outlanders
Concept: An exiled princess from the Borderland kingdoms arrives in Eversink to recruit help winning back her stolen kingdom – and a surprising number of people want to kill her, cheat her, or take advantage of her. The Heroes get to pick a side, whether that’s to leave Eversink and help win back a kingdom – or to just help the princess navigate the politics and perils of Eversink.
Description: Princess Kayleth was raised in the saddle with a sword and a bow within easy reach. When her kingdom was overthrown she swore to take it back from the usurper who slew her father and stole the throne, but she’s going to need help (and money) to do so. So far she has neither. But rumors travel quickly, and there is plenty of opportunities to win a fortune working with her – or to win a fortune assassinating her for the warlord who stole her kingdom.
To complicate the matter, decide her backstory. Is she the legitimate ruler? Is she loved or hated? Was her father a bandit who stole the kingdom from the man who then stole it back and currently rules it? Are her enemies fully human? What makes the kingdom so important? Does she have more secrets that even she isn’t telling?
The answer to that last one is “yes”.
Plot Hook: Rumor reaches Princess Kayleth’s advisor that the Heroes are a good and trustworthy local contact in Eversink. Her enemies hear the same thing and try to hire the Heroes first.. and if they can’t, they might try to remove the Heroes from the picture instead. This plot hook is particularly good if you want a longer adventure where the Heroes are traveling, forced to work alongside a newly-hired mercenary company to defeat the Princess’s foes.
Sorcerous Cabals
Concept: Charismatic devotees of a foreign demon come to Eversink. Instead of keeping their presence secret, they stay strictly within the law and make themselves incredibly well-known – as they work to undermine the church’s authority simply by being more popular, more interesting, and more stylish than Church officials.
Description: The Valiant Order describe themselves as worshipers of a foreign god, and that’s debatable; every single one of their elite membership can wield sorcery, and they promised their souls to a demon for power. Their “god” gives them easy access to sorcery that helps them manipulate others. None of them would dare externalize Corruption in the city of Eversink, however, because far too much is at stake.
The goal of the Valiant Order is to find the bright ones, the people who shine, the naturally charming and beautiful and charismatic in Eversink – preferably amongst Commoners, but they’re not too picky. Then they seek to induct these people into the mysteries of their order, and prepare them to bring about the overthrow of the Triskadane.. not by sorcery, but by creating natural leaders with political power who are sympathetic to their cause.
Plot Hook: The Valiant Order works hard to convey that they are far too prestigious and well-known to touch politically, but the Inquisitors have their suspicions… and as they explain to the Heroes, if this is a cult, the longer they wait the more difficult it will become. Their hands are tied, however, probably due to cult interference with their superiors. They ask the Heroes to infiltrate the Valiant Order or otherwise find out what they’re really up to, and to acquire proof that will let the Inquisition sweep in legally. What the Heroes find is far worse than anyone expected, however, and the most expedient way to destroy the cult might also kill everyone in it. Is the risk (and the ensuing power struggle) worth it?
Thieves’ Guilds
Concept: In a plot hook partially inspired by Scott Lynch’s Lies of Locke Lamora, a new thieves’ guild sponsored by a Mercanti family makes it their mission to steal from all the other thieves’ guilds – and then blame the thefts on an entirely innocent Mercanti rival, hoping that they are crushed in the process.
Description: The Guild of Feathers (formally “By appointment by Her Munificent Mother, the Right and Official Guild of Feather-plucking and Waterfowl”) is a small and rapidly declining guild headquartered near the slaughterhouses of Sag Harbor ever since they were unable to pay their rent on their old guildhouse in Temple Market. Their bailiwick is the use and resale of feathers from any poultry or seabirds slaughtered within the city. In truth, however, most of their business has been blatantly stolen by richer and more prominent guilds such as the Guild of Goose-keepers. The Guild of Feathers can’t afford the legal fees required to fight their rivals in court, and so they are destined to be run entirely into the ground within the next decade, their remaining contracts bought up for loose change by their former rivals.
Their guildmaster Orlando di Penna has decided that he prefers to go out fighting. He is using his remaining funds to finance a group of exceptionally talented thieves and con artists who have little loyalty to Eversink’s traditional structure. These thieves, led by Orlando’s sister-in-law (and possibly the Heroes themselves, if that’s fun for your group), are to rob and anger as many of Eversink’s thieves’ guilds as they possibly can. Ideally she will work them into a frenzy of paranoia and suspicion. Then, at the right time, she will pin the thefts on the Guild of Goose-keepers. Orlando expected the Goose-Keepers to go down in blood and flame, and he’ll be there to step in and pick up the pieces. The best defense, he reasons, is one dramatically out of proportion to the offense that inspired it.
Plot Hook: The Heroes could approach this plot as the thieves themselves, agents of the Guild of Feathers, agents of the Guild of Goose-keepers, agents of the thieves’ guilds who have been robbed, or even City Watch assigned to investigate the thefts. As they learn details it’s up to them to decide what to do; whatever their choice, it’s certain that some other group will object, and that’s when the blades come out. In addition, what happens to all those ill-gotten gains that were stolen from the thieves’ guilds? That’s an adventure in itself!
Triskadane
Concept: At the height of summer in the middle of a heat wave, a sorcerous cabal offers a fortune for a Triskadane coin – and the resulting chaos, theft, forgery, scams, and murder throw the city into chaos.
Description: The Triskadane are secret members of Eversink’s ruling council, selected by the goddess by way of a divinely-infused golden coin. Whether it’s true or not (that’s up to you), popular belief is that if you steal a council member’s coin you also steal their role as a secret lord of the city. The Children of Ytt are a sorcerous cabal that loves creating chaos, and they decide to seize the opportunity during a brutal heat wave that is already causing dissent. They announce that they’ll give 100 Wealth (which is basically a lifetime of wealth, especially if people start trying to murder you for it) in exchange for a real coin. They also claim enemies of theirs are the cult members who will make the exchange. Virtually every faction erupts in anger or greed, and a whole series of dangerous adventures might result.
Plot Hook: Whichever allied faction you find most interesting asks the Heroes for help in securing a coin, researching who might have a coin, protecting a real Triskadane member, or taking a coin away from a cult member (real or imagined). Meanwhile, it’s likely this much chaos is a smoke screen. What are the Children of Ytt really up to, and how is it worse than what they’ve already accomplished?
Kevin Kulp (@kevinkulp) and Emily Dresner (@multiplexer) are the co-authors of Swords of the Serpentine, currently available for pre-order. Kevin previously helped create TimeWatch and Owl Hoot Trail for Pelgrane Press. When he’s not writing games he’s either smoking BBQ or helping 24-hour companies with shiftwork, sleep, and alertness.
Both Paris and The Wars feature General Kits: prepackaged sets of General Ability scores, so a player can just grab a General Kit, pair it with an Investigative Kit, and quickly come up with a character’s ability ratings. The other two settings, Aftermath and This Is Normal Now don’t include General Kits, on the assumption that by the time the average Yellow King campaign reaches the third or fourth sequence, the players are familiar enough with the rules to dispense with them.
However, if you’re running a one-shot in either setting, or you need an extra character in a hurry, or (and I speak from deep personal experience) your players are astoundingly lazy, here are some quick General Kits for Aftermath and This Is Normal Now.
In both cases, they’re designed for Horror, not Occult Adventure.
Aftermath
If you’re playing in Occult Adventure style, then add 2 points to Composure, Fighting and Insurgency in each kit.
Agitator
You inspired people to rise up against the Castaigne regime with speeches, essays, and acts of public defiance.
Athletics 1
Composure 6
Driving 1
Fighting 2
First Aid 0
Health 4
Insurgency 6
Mechanics 6
Morale 6
Network 6
Politics 6
Preparedness 0
Sense Trouble 1
Sneaking 1
Bruiser
You took the fighting to the streets, battling the Castaignes and their monsters and lackeys up close.
Athletics 4
Composure 6
Driving 2
Fighting 6
First Aid 2
Health 6
Insurgency 4
Mechanics 0
Morale 2
Network 4
Politics 2
Preparedness 2
Sense Trouble 4
Sneaking 2
Cell Leader
You were an organiser and co-ordinator during the insurgency, planning attacks to destabilise the regime.
Athletics 2
Composure 6
Driving 2
Fighting 4
First Aid 2
Health 2
Insurgency 6
Mechanics 2
Morale 4
Network 6
Politics 6
Preparedness 2
Sense Trouble 1
Sneaking 1
Fixer
You knew how to get things done, how to find necessities on the black market, how to scrounge and survive long enough to bring the regime down.
Athletics 2
Composure 6
Driving 4
Fighting 2
First Aid 6
Health 4
Insurgency 3
Mechanics 6
Morale 0
Network 2
Politics 3
Preparedness 6
Sense Trouble 1
Sneaking 1
Ghost
They never caught you. They never even suspected you, until it was too late. You struck from the shadows, terrorising the monsters like they terrorised ordinary people.
Athletics 4
Composure 8
Driving 2
Fighting 4
First Aid 0
Health 6
Insurgency 4
Mechanics 2
Morale 0
Network 0
Politics 2
Preparedness 2
Sense Trouble 6
Sneaking 6
Mask-Wearer
You concealed your true intentions beneath a mask of flesh, and hid your support for the insurgency from your superiors in the regime. You held a position of influence or importance in the Castaigne apparatus – until you finally revealed yourself to be an insurgent.
Athletics 2
Composure 8
Driving 4
Fighting 2
First Aid 0
Health 4
Insurgency 4
Mechanics 0
Morale 2
Network 4
Politics 6
Preparedness 2
Sense Trouble 4
Sneaking 4
Saboteur
You struck against the regime with carefully targeted acts of sabotage and destruction.
Athletics 2
Composure 6
Driving 2
Fighting 4
First Aid 0
Health 4
Insurgency 8
Mechanics 6
Morale 2
Network 2
Politics 2
Preparedness 4
Sense Trouble 2
Sneaking 2
Smuggler
You ran the ratlines and the underground supply chain, smuggling weapons or vital information or even people past the regime’s security checkpoints.
Athletics 6
Composure 6
Driving 4
Fighting 2
First Aid 0
Health 4
Insurgency 4
Mechanics 4
Morale 0
Network 4
Politics 2
Preparedness 4
Sense Trouble 2
Sneaking 4
Wheelman
You were a getaway driver, escaping Castaigne pursuers on the highways of America.
Athletics 2
Composure 6
Driving 8
Fighting 4
First Aid 0
Health 4
Insurgency 2
Mechanics 4
Morale 2
Network 4
Politics 4
Preparedness 2
Sense Trouble 2
Sneaking 2
This Is Normal Now
If you’re playing in Occult Adventure style, then add 2 points to Fighting and Health in each kit.
Gym Enthusiast
You have capital-O Opinions about Crossfit.
Athletics 6
Composure 8
Driving 2
Fighting 4
First Aid 2
Health 6
Mechanics 4
Preparedness 2
Sense Trouble 2
Sneaking 0
Haunter of the Coffee Shop
Or the bar. You like to chat and make connections.
Athletics 4
Composure 7
Driving 2
Fighting 2
First Aid 2
Health 4
Mechanics 2
Preparedness 4
Sense Trouble 5
Sneaking 4
Handy with a Drill
You’ve got a toolbox full of bits and pieces, and a workspace full of unfinished projects.
Athletics 4
Composure 9
Driving 2
Fighting 3
First Aid 2
Health 4
Mechanics 6
Preparedness 6
Sense Trouble 0
Sneaking 0
Gets Into Trouble
Maybe you don’t mean to get into scraps. Maybe you go looking for fights. Either way, you’ve seen more than your share of trouble.
Athletics 6
Composure 7
Driving 2
Fighting 6
First Aid 0
Health 5
Mechanics 2
Preparedness 2
Sense Trouble 1
Sneaking 5
Petrol Head
You’ve got a car, and are very enthusiastic about this. You probably make some extra cash on the side using a rideshare app.
Athletics 2
Composure 8
Driving 8
Fighting 2
First Aid 0
Health 4
Mechanics 6
Preparedness 2
Sense Trouble 2
Sneaking 2
Way Too Online
Distressing Notification: Your screentime exceeded 24 hours/day for most of the last week.
Athletics 2
Composure 7
Driving 2
Fighting 2
First Aid 4
Health 4
Mechanics 3
Preparedness 5
Sense Trouble 4
Sneaking 3
Good In A Crisis
When someone has a breakdown or a breakup, you’re the one they call.
Athletics 2
Composure 9
Driving 2
Fighting 3
First Aid 7
Health 4
Mechanics 2
Preparedness 5
Sense Trouble 2
Sneaking 0
Runner-Up All Rounder
You’re pretty ok at most things, but don’t stand out in any field. Quiet competence, it’s the way to go.
Athletics 4
Composure 7
Driving 3
Fighting 4
First Aid 2
Health 4
Mechanics 3
Preparedness 3
Sense Trouble 3
Sneaking 3
