Predation

Jon Gislason - gislason1988@gmail.
com - 254852
credits
Writer/Designer: Shanna Germain
Creative Director: Monte Cook
Managing Editor: Dennis Detwiller
Editor: Charles A. Conley
Proofreader: Ray Vallese
Graphic Designer: Bear Weiter
Cover Artist: John Petersen
Artists
Vincent Coviello, Dreamstime.com, Felipe Escobar, Inkognit, Anton Kagounkin, Guido Kuip, Kezrek Laczin,
Raph Lomotan, Federico Musetti, Irina Nordsol, Mirco Paganessi, John Petersen, Roberto Pitturru,
Sam Santala, Lie Setiawan, Joe Slucher, Tiffany Turrill
Cartographer
Hugo Solis
Monte Cook Games Editorial Board

Scott C. Bourgeois, David Wilson Brown, Eric Coates, Gareth Hodges, Mila Irek, Jeremy Land,
Laura Wilkinson, Marina Wold, George Ziets
As we agree with the growing consensus that “they” can and should be used as a gender-neutral, singular English language pronoun when one is needed,
we have adopted that as the style in our products. If you see this grammatical construction, it is intentional.
Dedicated to Malcolm and Lois Germain. If I could travel back in time to spend another day with you, I would. ~Shanna
© 2017 Monte Cook Games, LLC. CYPHER SYSTEM and its logo are trademarks of Monte Cook Games, LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries.
All Monte Cook Games characters and character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof, are trademarks of Monte Cook Games, LLC.
Printed in Canada
Jon Gislason - [email protected] - 254852

table of Contents
For a Love of Dinosaurs 4
Part 1: Getting Started 5

Chapter 1: FROM THE FAR FUTURE TO THE ANCIENT PAST 6
Chapter 2: PREDATION BASICS 10
Part 2: Characters 13
Chapter 3: CHARACTER CREATION 14
Chapter 4: CHARACTER TYPE 16
Chapter 5: CHARACTER DESCRIPTOR AND FOCUS 36
Chapter 6: COMPANIONS 46
Chapter 7: EQUIPMENT 60
Part 3: The Setting 65

Chapter 8: WELCOME TO GREVAKC 66
Chapter 9: LARAMIDIA 76
Chapter 10: APPALACHIA 110
Chapter 11: GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS 116
Part 4: Creatures and NPCs 121

Chapter 12: USING CREATURES 122
Chapter 13: CREATURES AND NPCs 130
Part 5: GM’s Toolbox 151

Chapter 14: RUNNING PREDATION 152
Chapter 15: CYPHERS, ARTIFACTS, AND REMNANTS 162
Chapter 16: ADVENTURE: PROMISED LAND 174
Part 6: Back Matter 183

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES 184
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DINO-SCIENTISTS 185
KICKSTARTER PLAYTESTERS AND CONTRIBUTORS 185
GLOSSARY 186
CHARACTER SHEETS 187
COMPANION SHEETS 189
INDEX 191

Predation
FOR A LOVE OF DINOSAURS

My first try at the introduction to this book was just to write
DINOSAURS ARE AWESOME!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS and close the file. I figured that was everything that needed to be said.
During the making If you’re reading this book or playing this game, the chances are good that you agree
of this book, we with me, at least a little bit. I’ve thought dinosaurs were awesome since before I could
received invaluable remember. I do remember sitting in a theater in the spring of 1980. I’d only recently turned
assistance—directly
eight, and I was watching a story unfold on the screen that was blowing my young mind. It
or indirectly—from
the following people, was about princesses and laser guns and space ships. I couldn’t have loved it more. Except,
places, and things: suddenly I did. Because there, right in front of me, was a fuzzy white dinosaur, stomping
through the snow. And someone was riding it. And. And. And. My little dinosaur-loving
Ampersand heart was running wild. There were dinosaurs in space! I knew it!
Atlas Obscura It was only after the movie was over and I got my very own tauntaun toy (with the “open
Baal
Burke Museum
belly rescue feature,” natch) that I discovered that those creatures I was in love with weren’t
Carrie Cunn dinosaurs. That they were, in fact, some kind of hairy snow lizard. But that didn’t make me
Horizon Zero Dawn love them any less—nor did it stop me from bawling when one died or when it was sliced
Iced soy mochas open to serve as a shelter (hopefully I’m not giving away any spoilers here).
Kickstarter Other dinosaurs populated my childhood. I grew up in the era of Land of the Lost (the TV
Paleontological Research series, not the more recent movie) and wanted nothing more than to be the long-lost child
Institution
Radiolab: Dinopocalypse
of the Marshall family (despite the Sleestak, whose big black eyes poisoned my dreams
Rainbow Kitten Surprise for years to come). I had a beloved book called The Album of Dinosaurs, long lost now, that
Ray Bradbury showed intricate black and white images of dinosaurs roaring, holding eggs, and lying in a
Scrivener field of clover (at least, that’s how I remember it). And it probably won’t surprise you to hear
Skyrim that one of my favorite comics of the time was Shanna the She-Devil. I wasn’t entirely sure I
Stranger Things
knew what a she-devil was, but I knew what a Shanna was—except that this Shanna had real-
Sue the T. rex
The Expanse life dinosaurs in her life and that made her the kind of Shanna I wanted to be when I grew up.
The OA Dinosaurs as we know them have changed a lot since I was a kid. Those brown monsters
Third Place Books with tiny main brains and second brains in their tails that once filled my drawings and
Paleontologists daydreams are now feathered and rainbowed, cooing and cawing. We know so much more
DNA researchers than we did then, and it seems to me that every discovery is yet another reason to love these
Time-travel scientists
The entire Monte Cook
magnificent beasts that came before us and helped pave the way for us to be here today.
Games team Of course, Predation isn’t just about the dinosaurs that I’ve loved my whole life. It’s
also my love letter to science, aliens, and space operas. It’s my lust letter to lasers, time
And to every single one of travel, cybernetics, robotics, humanity, and so much more. Working on this game allowed
our Kickstarter backers. me to dawdle at museums and science centers, talk to scientists about dinosaur poop
You put the roar in our and giant spiders, and sit on the couch surrounded by a T. rex mug filled with coffee, two
uproarious. See page 185
for a list of playtesters
dozen books about dinosaurs and time travel, and a giant dog (who thinks she might be a
and contributors. dinosaur). It was one of the best creative times of my life.
I hope you’ll love playing Predation as much as I’ve loved making it.
For a list of additional So I leave you how I began:
recommended references
and resources, please see
DINOSAURS ARE AWESOME.
page 184.
Raise your tiny arms and shake your brightly colored tail feathers if you agree.
Yours in feathered fealty,
4 Jon Gislason - [email protected] - 254852

Part 1
GETTING STARTED
Chapter 1: From the Far Future to the Ancient Past 6
Chapter 2: Predation Basics 10

Predation
Chapter 1
FROM tHE FAR FUtURE
tO tHE ANCIENt PASt
“
Elza, you’ve got incoming. Better hurry.” supposedly abandoned time-travel lab that Elza
Dast could talk to her, from headset to was currently trying to break into.
earbud, but she couldn’t talk back. So As he watched the operatives, a close-in fuzz
he had no way of knowing if she’d heard him, of black appeared in his lenses, disappeared,
unless she gave him a gesture, and he didn’t returned.
dare turn his long-range lenses away from the “Vanta,” he hissed at the microraptor next to
operatives to check. him. “Back up.”
From his position in the treestand, Dast He felt her ruffle her feathers—a sure sign
could make out two… no, make that three that she was bored of sitting here, doing
operatives heading down the dirt path nothing—but she did as he asked. Miracle of
SATI, page 116 through the swath of thick jungle. SATI, from miracles. He loved the beast, but to say she
the look of the nautilus logo on their armor. was stubborn wasn’t doing her hard little head
The one bringing up the rear had a laser justice.
pistol—definitely SATI issue—and a young Adjusting his lenses—and ignoring the
raptor on a lead. The raptor’s feathers flicked smear that Vanta’s antics had put across his
with an orange bioluminescence each time it vision—he turned his gaze back to Elza. She
passed through a heavily shaded spot. Stolen? was still crouched in front of the panel next
Bioengineered by SATI for some unknown to the door. He couldn’t see her hands, but
purpose? Captured? With SATI, anything was he knew she was desperately working the
possible. fingerprint lock that would gain them access
Right now, the more important question to the lab. She needed another five minutes,
was: did the operatives know that Elza was maybe ten.
there? Their demeanor denoted more stroll She didn’t have that long.
than hurry, which was good. But either way, He lowered his voice and spoke slowly into
there was only one place to go in this jungle, the headset. “Elza, thumb up if you can hear
and that was toward the time-travel lab. The me. You’ve got maybe three minutes.”

FROM tHE FAR FUtURE
tO tHE ANCIENt PASt
No response from her. Shit. Think. on-shadow. A tiny button embedded in the
This was supposed to be an easy job. Break side of her beak blinked on and off. He kept
into an abandoned time-travel biolab. Steal her cybernetic elements turned off whenever
something called a volcanic predictor. Head he could; she was just too impetuous to run Volcanic predictor,
back to Saul and get their money. In fact, Dast around throwing sparks off her body. page 172
was up here keeping an eye out for the rexes “What do you say we buy her some time?”
that sometimes roamed these woods in packs. He pushed his fingerprint to the button,
That he’d see humans had never crossed his holding it there until it turned solid red.
mind. Instantly, Vanta’s black feathers crackled with
But the lab didn’t appear to be abandoned. the low hum of electricity. She let out a soft caw,
Saul forgot to mention there was a fingerprint spread her four wings, and launched herself
lock. And three SATI operatives in full gear were toward the operatives.
about to round the corner and give Elza a very “Show-off,” he said. Unlike Vanta and Elza,
unpleasant surprise. he was all organic. He’d have to get down the
A glance at the operatives showed that they’d old-fashioned way. Climb.
picked up the pace a bit. Had they seen her?
No, they were joking, laughing. Behind them,
the raptor popped its head up, alert, a giant
clawed foot flexing. Hunting stance. It was
looking toward the lab. The guy bringing up the
rear stopped, his eyes on the raptor, and said
something to the other two.
“She’s not going to make it, Van. They’re
going to ambush her.”
Dast dropped his lenses and glanced over
at the nerezza. She was all black, shadow- Nerezza, page 142

7
Predation
that is coming to destroy your home, and you

know that every day you inch closer to that
cataclysmic event.
The history of Predation is actually in the future. In this land of tame and wild beasts, a land of
A few hundred years in the future from where far-future technology and far-past materials, of
you sit now, reading this book, to be exact. a historical catastrophe that is about to become
That’s when an interglobal conglomerate your future, can you find a way to survive?
known as Space and Time, Intg. (SATI) began Will you instead try to use your skills and
sending the first commuters—bioengineers, knowledge to accomplish what your parents
paleontologists, and other specialists—back and grandparents could not—find a way home?
to the late Cretaceous period on top-secret Or will you join the fight to let this humanity die
missions. out, so that future humanity may still find a way
For those who chose to travel back in time, it to rise from the ashes of evolution?
presented the career opportunity of a lifetime. Those are questions that you’ll want to
An unprecedented chance to walk among the answer, but probably not until after you escape
Dakotaraptor, page 139 dinosaurs and return with tales of discovery from the nearby dakotaraptor that is eyeing you
and scientific breakthroughs. But it wasn’t with sudden interest.
quite as perfect as it seemed. Within a decade,
something went monumentally wrong. No one
knows how or why, but the time-travel process THE MINDSET OF
broke down, leaving those early travelers— YOUR CHARACTER
known as commuters—stranded with the Even though Predation’s backbone is one of
dinosaurs. And, even worse, with one horrible the far future and time travel, it’s important to
piece of knowledge: that sometime in the not- remember that you, as a character, are settled
too-distant future of this planet, a cataclysmic squarely in the past. Everything you know about
event would wipe out almost all life. Including the future has come to you second- or third-
the humans who’d traveled through time to get hand. You were born among the dinosaurs. You
there. grew up here. You’ve never known anywhere—
The time-travel shutdown—commonly or anywhen—else.
Last Commute, page 67 known as the Last Commute—was almost a The future—that place in the 24th century
hundred years ago now. Those early commuters full of time travel, space travel, and modern
The Last Commute is had to find a way to survive, and even thrive, technology—that is all stories, stories that
sometimes called the in this harsh world. Using the technology someone else has told you. Something you’ve
Great Howling.
and knowledge they brought back with them, never known first-hand. More myth than truth.
they built communities; bred, bioengineered, You’ve never seen a lion or an elephant or even
and hunted dinosaurs; raised families; and a dog (except maybe as a picture in one of the
never gave up hope that they would find a way books in your grandmother’s house). You’ve
“home.” That generation is dying out now, never seen or used a cell phone (because there
leaving the world to a newer generation, one are no cell towers in the Cretaceous period
that has only ever known this place, this time as and cell phones were obsolete by the time
their home. your grandparents were traveling back in time
Grevakc, page 66 This where (and when) is known as Grevakc. anyway). The concept of a metropolis whose
It’s a land of danger and dinosaurs, of myth and buildings nearly reach the sky is foreign (and,
science, of hope and despair. honestly, seems utterly unbelievable, given
That’s where you, as the character, come in. your own experience with small towns and
Your parents or grandparents traveled to this vast expanses of uninhabited landscapes).
Grevakc and got stuck here. Then they had You’ve heard of the planes from the future,
you. All your life, you’ve known that your future large enough to carry whole towns full of
was doomed. You’ve heard the stories (and people, bullet trains that once sped across
read them in the history books) of the asteroid the landscape, rocketships that reached other
Grevakc is typically pronounced greh-vek, but in some

locations, it’s not unusual to hear it as grey-vak or
gree-vek. Commuters—your character’s grandparents,
for example—likely knew it as greh-vack-see.

FROM tHE FAR FUtURE
tO tHE ANCIENt PASt
On those rare occasions where it came down to having

to choose scientific accuracy or great gameplay, we
tried to always err on the side of great gameplay.
moons, planets, and even solar systems. But another hundred years of research, discovery,
those are just stories and myths from a time digging, and experimentation. How many new
not yet come, and they have little impact on species of dinosaurs, flying reptiles, insects,
your life now. and plants will be uncovered? What else will we
What does have an impact on your life are learn about the Cretaceous and its creatures
jungles and dinosaurs. Giant rivers and giant that we didn’t already know?
spiders. Volcanoes and approaching asteroids. When you start thinking about it that way, Don’t get too caught
Time anomalies and what’s left of Space it highlights all the ways the Cretaceous was up in “what’s real”
and Time, Interglobal (SATI), the company potentially very different from the image of when playing Predation.
that brought your ancestors back here. You it that we currently have in our heads. There Instead, focus on “what
could have been.”
know science—or know of science—and the are so many fossils we haven’t yet found and
Imagining both the
idea of cybernetic limbs, enhanced brains, so many creatures that were never preserved future and the past are
and augmented bodies is nothing out of the in the Earth’s records. For Predation, we used integral to the setting.
ordinary. Most people—and even animals— science and extrapolation to create a variety of
you interact with have had some kind of dinosaurs and other creatures that could have
augmentation. You probably do too. lived during the Cretaceous period, but that we
Your world, your whole existence, starts and just haven’t uncovered yet.
ends here (unless you are one of the lucky The second way in which it’s different is
ones who finds a way out of this time and into human interference. The very fact that time
the future—if the future as your parents or travel existed in the Cretaceous period has
grandparents knew it even still exists). changed it in ways that the inhabitants are
only beginning to understand. Time anomalies Time anomaly, page 74
flicker in and out of existence, storms known
as time terrors decimate entire areas, and just Time terror, page 74
HISTORY AND SCIENCE what was SATI doing there in the first place?
AS WE KNOW IT—AND And now humans have been there for more
There are some people
who do know what
AS WE DON’T than a hundred years, crossbreeding dinosaurs, SATI was doing there,
It would be easy to take what we (as players altering the landscape, and making changes but they’re few and
living in the 21st century) currently know about that could have lasting repercussions on the far between. GMs can
the Cretaceous period and make that everything future. find that information
we know of the world of Predation. In building the world of Predation, we started in Chapter 14: Running
But there are two important ways in which with known science—creatures, weather, Predation.
the Cretaceous of Predation is different than the plants, activities, and so on—that is currently
Cretaceous as we think we know it today. supported (or at least not contradicted) by
The first is new discoveries. Every day, fossil records and then jumped off from there,
scientists and paleontologists are discovering extrapolating things that fossil records (or
new species and learning new things about time travel, natch) might support in the future. See How Sciencey Does
dinosaurs. Just in the time that I spent writing This is also true of future tech. We studied My Game Need to Be?
this game, tons of scientific discoveries what scientists predict that databases, fabrics, on page 153
were made. We proved that many dinosaurs housing, electronics, medicine, and more might
definitely had feathers, some of which were very look like in the future, and used those as our
brightly colored. We learned that they might jump-off point into cool devices, armor, and
have cooed like pigeons. The first fossilized structures. On those rare occasions where
dinosaur brain was found. We found the first it came down to having to choose scientific
feathers preserved in amber. At least two or accuracy or great gameplay, we tried to always
three brand-new dinosaurs were unearthed. err on the side of great gameplay.
A fossil was discovered that increased the Feel free to do this in your own games. Start
likelihood of live birth among more creatures with what we already know, but don’t end there.
than previously thought. And so much more. Instead, consider what we might come to know
It was hard (but also delightful) keeping in the future and how humans might have
up with each new discovery in just the last mucked around with the past, and seed those
six months. Imagine what it will be like after into your game.

9
Predation
Chapter 2
PREDAtION BASICS
P
redation is an RPG setting designed for being chased by a twelve-ton active volcano
Cypher System rules, as presented in with anger issues!”
the Cypher System Rulebook. You’ll need
the Cypher System Rulebook to use the material You might have already guessed that there are
presented in this setting. dinosaurs in this game. Which is awesome.
However, Predation is a fully realized setting. However, dinosaurs are big, strong, dangerous,
Though it references rules, descriptors, and and very hard to kill. In game terms, they’re
foci presented in the Cypher System Rulebook, almost always high level, with a lot of health
it doesn’t require you to customize the types and Armor. They are a challenge to players,
presented there, or tailor the rules to fit even well-armed players (as they should be).
Predation, because we’ve done that tailoring Those who take on a herd of dinosaurs early
for you. The four new types—Karn, Tec, Pteryx, on are likely to get whomped on pretty badly, at
and Osteon—are built from the types in the least at first.
rulebook. Not only that, but many dinosaurs have
Upgrades, page 123 We’ve also added to and tweaked the been modded by humans—given upgrades
offerings in the Cypher System Rulebook to like cybernetic limbs, integrated weaponry,
further enhance the gameplay and experience or armor. That makes them an even greater
of Predation. The major additions and changes challenge, because every creature you
are listed here, as a basic resource to get you encounter, even if it’s two tyrannosaurs of
started. There is additional information on each the exact same size and level, probably has
of these in the appropriate section of the book. unique skills and different methods of combat.
So players can’t just coast by saying, “Oh,
it’s another raptor.” They have to expect that
DINOSAURS every time they encounter a raptor, or group of
“Who decided it would be a good idea to equip raptors, it might be a unique experience.
a triceratops with a flame thrower? It’s like

PREDAtION BASICS
To offset that difficulty, every PC has their There are also options for gameplay without
own companion (usually a dinosaur of some companions, but the game is really designed Companions, page 46
type, but there are other options) that helps around the idea of PCs having a loyal (or
them in combat (and other situations as well). sometimes not-so-loyal) creature at their side.
COMPANIONS TIME ANOMALIES

“Hey, isn’t that your pterosaur stealing from “Okay, I’ve got two time anomalies on the Time anomaly, page 74
that pissed-off looking vendor over there?” scanner. One looks like a level two, probably
“What? Oh, Fang. Get out of there, you little not worth our trouble. But the other one seems
thief! I can’t get him to stop stealing shiny good sized, maybe a seven or eight?”
things. He pulled someone’s earring right out “Let’s head to that one. See what we can
of their ear last week, if you can believe that.” find.”
“There’s just one tiny issue…”
There are additional details on this in Chapter “We can handle a tiny issue.”
6: Companions and Chapter 14: Running “The anomaly’s right in the middle of Redjaw Redjaw Wilds, page 102
Predation, but the important thing to know is Wilds.”
that companions in Predation do more than just “Redjaw Wilds? Where all the supersauri Supersauri, page 146
run around next to the PCs. They have their own live? That is not a tiny issue. That is the exact
stats, personalities, and abilities. They are, in fact, opposite of a tiny issue!”
player characters too. So when you’re running
a game, you essentially have twice as many PCs No one really understands time anomalies,
as players. Each companion is played by another but the general consensus is that they’re either
player at the table, using a simple character the result of the time travel itself or somehow
sheet. related to the reason that time travel stopped
working.

11
Predation
Time anomalies look like glitches in the

landscape, places where the edges don’t
line up. They can last for anything from a Throughout this book, you’ll see page
few minutes to a few years, and often carry references to various items accompanied
technologies, objects, and information from by this symbol. These are page references
Cyphers, page 162 the future in the form of cyphers, artifacts, and to the Cypher System Rulebook, where you
remnants. can find additional details about that rule,
Artifacts, page 168
ability, creature, or concept. Often, it will
be necessary to look up the referenced
Remnants, page 173
CYPHERS item in the rulebook, especially if the item
Cyphers in Predation work like all cyphers in is a descriptor or focus ability that isn’t
the Cypher System. They’re one-use items that replicated in Predation. Other times, it might
Cyphers, page 340 allow the characters to do something cool and not be necessary to reference the item, but
unusual. However, in Predation they manifest in doing so will provide useful information for
Artifacts, page 186 a unique way. character creation and gameplay.
In the future, one of the safest and most
common ways of carrying information
and resources is via digital preservation
inside human DNA. These encoded bits
of information, which slipped through (or REMNANTS
perhaps continue to slip through) time via time Remnants aren’t as rare as artifacts. They
anomalies, are called cyphers. They embed are also objects that come through the time
themselves automatically into the viable DNA anomalies from the future, but they have little
of a person who walks through or otherwise to no actual use. Sometimes they’re items
interacts with a time anomaly. This means that that make no sense, either because people in
once a character has a cypher embedded, they Grevakc have no context for them (much like
can’t trade it with someone else (unless they someone from the 1930s would have little to
have special equipment). It’s theirs until they no context for the box that a video game comes
activate it or otherwise get rid of it. in) or because they’ve been mangled to an
unrecognizable state. Occasionally, however,
something slips through that has meaning for
ARTIFACTS someone. Certainly, any commuters still alive
Sometimes artifacts Artifacts are rare in Predation. They are might recognize the remnant as something
arrive in a non-functional manifest, useful objects that come through from their former life, and PCs might
state, such as a gun time anomalies from the future. Anyone who’s recognize it from stories or experiences of their
that’s been twisted nearly lucky enough to find an artifact will not let go childhood.
beyond recognition.
of it easily, for not only is an artifact hard to
These are commonly
called riven artifacts. replace, it most certainly gives them a unique
advantage. It’s believed that artifacts are
created by SATI in the future, but it’s unknown
whether they got “stuck” on their original trip
back in time, are just now being sent back by
SATI, or are from some other source entirely.

Part 2
CHARACTERS
Chapter 3: Character Creation 14

Chapter 4: Character Type 16
Chapter 5: Character Descriptor and Focus 36
Chapter 6: Companions 46
Chapter 7: Equipment 60

Predation
Chapter 3
CHARACtER CREAtION
C
Tec, page 21 reating your character in Predation is In Predation, your character has one
similar to creating a character in any additional unique element: a companion.
Karn, page 17
Cypher System game. You start with
Pteryx, page 25 the simple sentence of “I am an adjective noun COMPANIONS
who verbs.” For example, you might say, “I am a Your companion—be it a dinosaur, an early
Osteon, page 30
Volcanic Tec who Plays God.” Or “I am a Savage mammal, or some other type of non-human
Cretaceous abilities, Karn who Self-Evolves.” creature—isn’t just a living thing that wanders
page 34 To build your character, you’ll want to around with you and occasionally runs into
Types, page 16 choose from one of the new character types for battle at your side. Instead, your companion is
Predation: Karn, Tec, Pteryx, or Osteon. Each of an important facet of your character. The type
Descriptors, page 36 these is designed to help you get the most out of creature you choose, the training you provide
Foci, page 39 of the setting and to enhance your experience. for it, and the enhancements it gains all change
In addition, there is a set of Cretaceous abilities the way your character moves through the
Companions, page 46 such as Discover Dinosaurs and Draw the Pack world, give them new skills and abilities, and
Creating your that are options for some of the types. can provide a framework for your character’s
companion, page 52 For your descriptors and foci, you can choose motivations and actions. As you increase in
from the options in the Cypher System Rulebook tiers, you work closely with your companion
Daring, page 36 or use the new ones created specifically for to increase their skills and abilities as well,
Empirical, page 37 this setting (or a combination of the two). growing together as a team.
The descriptor and foci sections of this book Having a table of characters with
Volcanic, page 38 include lists of recommended options, as well companions also changes gameplay in unique
Self-Evolves, page 43 as additional information on how to tweak the ways. In Predation, having a companion means
name or details to better suit the setting where that you will likely play your own character as
Predates, page 42 applicable. New descriptors include Daring, well as another player’s companion. Players
Walks With Dinosaurs, Empirical, and Volcanic. New foci include Self- can learn more about how that works in the
page 44 Evolves, Predates, and Walks With Dinosaurs. Companions chapter and there are tips for the

CHARACtER CREAtION
GM in the Running Predation chapter. Overall, SKILLS Running Predation,

it’s designed to be a simple and fun way for As described in the Cypher System Rulebook, page 152
players, characters, and companions to engage there is no definitive list of skills. Characters
and interact during gameplay. can choose to become skilled in anything
Most of the time, your character will start Skills, page 20
they like (with the GM’s permission). In
the game with a companion, so during the addition to the list of suggested skills in the
character creation process you’ll create rulebook, some useful skills in Predation
the backstory for how you came by your might include:
companion. You might have purchased it from aeternology Aeternology is the study
a breeder, vendor, or laboratory; captured it in animal husbandry of time travel and time-
the wild; tamed it as a youngster; or created (or animal training travel technologies.
helped create) it in a lab. You’ll also give your archeology
companion stats and choose an ability. bioengineering
Some GMs might decide to start your biorobotics Creating your
characters without companions. In this case, cybernetics character, page 14
one of your first in-game tasks will be to acquire dinosaur knowledge
one. epidemiology In some cases, such as
It’s important to note that characters in evolution for long-term campaigns,
Predation aren’t required to have a companion. the GM may decide
genomics
The rules provide alternate options for those to have characters
genetics start out without
who wish to play solo, but the opportunity to medicine companions. This is a
train, fight next to, and otherwise interact with nanobiotechnology/synthetic biology viable option, provided
your companion is a unique and important part paleogeography that the characters have
of Predation, and those who choose to do so are paleontology opportunities to gain
more likely to experience the game to its fullest. technology companions during early
time anomalies gameplay.

15
Predation
Chapter 4
CHARACtER tyPE
y
our character’s type is the core of Tecs are the scientists and experimenters.
who they are and how they interact Their weapons are knowledge and technology.
Character Type,
page 22
with their environment, with their They’re the ones building machines for fight or
companion, and with other living creatures they flight, conducting research on time travel and
encounter. It’s the noun in the sentence “I’m an dinosaur DNA, and saving the day at the last
adjective noun who verbs.” second with some obscure bit of technology
In Predation, characters can choose from or information. Their companions are often
Karn, page 17 one of the following four character types: Karn, trained to protect them while they work, or to
Tec, Pteryx, or Osteon. Each of these types help them in some other way.
Tec, page 21 is built from the types in the Cypher System Pteryx are explorers and wanderers, equally
Rulebook and has been adapted specifically to at home in the jungle or the city. They can
Pteryx, page 25
fit into a world filled with dinosaurs and far- track, trap, train, and trick almost anything.
Osteon, page 30 future technology. Characters can choose from They move among both dinosaurs and humans
abilities in the Cypher System Rulebook. In some with ease, and often have special relationships
tiers, they may also choose available abilities with other living creatures. Pteryx often choose
Cretaceous abilities, from the Cretaceous abilities list. companions that help them scout the land,
page 34 move through places quickly and quietly, or
attack their foes from afar.
TYPE BASICS Osteons are storytellers, historians,
Karns are the ultimate warriors of Grevakc. tricksters, performers, and soothsayers. They
They’re the ones you’re most likely to see are able to connect to the power of the time
running straight into the T. rex’s maw, taking on anomalies to play with time and sensory
multiple raptors in a single swing, or protecting details and connect to the power of personality
their friends from an incoming attack. They to talk to almost anyone. They often choose
often choose aggressive, well-outfitted dinosaurs that enhance their already-strong
companions to fight at their side. social skills, although others find it’s better to

CHARACtER tyPE
have a companion who protects them in case Societal Role: Depending on a Karn’s
of danger. personality, they may take on the role of
protector and guard, keeping valuable
resources and individuals safe, or they may
KARN choose to live outside the community and
Karns are the human beasts of Grevakc. They become known as savs—the whispered name
take their cues from the destructive world for brutal Karns who pillage, destroy, and
around them—smashing, swinging, and murder at whim.
ravaging whatever comes between them and Advanced Karns: As Karns advance, their
their goals. They are more than fierce fighters— ferocity and skills increase, allowing them
they live for the moment when they can rise up to take down whole groups of predators by
against their greatest challenge yet, and come themselves or dispatch high-level members of
out bloodied and battered, but very much the opposing organizations.
victor. Some say that Karns are more animal Companions: Karns often bond with
than human, but no one complains about their companions that share their bloodlust.
ferocity in the middle of battle. At least no one Tyrannosaurs are common choices, but so are
on the same side as them. smaller, more lithe predators. Karns who feel
Individual Role: Karns believe every challenge secure in their battle abilities, but less so in
has a physical solution. They never back down other skills, might pair well with a companion
from danger, sometimes pushing onward even that provides benefits to social, sneaking,
at the risk of their own health and safety. or tracking skills, such as an alphadon or
Group Role: Most commonly, Karns take up pterosaur.
a position at the front of the pack, in the role of Background Connection: Your type helps
protection and leadership. Action, not strategy, determine the connection you have to the
is their forte, so they may benefit from having a setting. Roll a d20 or choose from the Karn
strategist or planner at their side. Background Connection table to determine

17
Predation
SATI, page 116 a specific fact about your background that BUILDING YOUR KARN
provides a connection to the rest of the world. A Karn is constructed primarily from the
Butterflies, page 118 You can also create your own fact. Warrior type described in the Cypher System
Pits of Pyrrhic, page 93 Rulebook. The Karn gains the option to choose
from most, but not all, of the Warrior ability
Genesix Fellowship, KARN STAT POOLS choices, plus some derived from select abilities
page 120 of other types and flavors described in the
Stat Pool Starting Value
Cypher System Rulebook.
Adoni, page 120 Might 10 In some tiers, Karns may also choose
Dupe, page 186 Speed 10 selected abilities from the Cretaceous abilities
Intellect 8 list. If available, these abilities are noted in the
Osteon, page 30 abilities sections for each tier.
You get 6 additional points to divide among At second and higher tier, a Karn can always
Kelaino, page 77
your stat Pools however you wish. choose an ability from a lower tier instead
Lassaboat, page 110 of adding one from the current tier, and can
replace one lower-tier ability with a different
Lassers, page 111 one from a lower tier.
KARN BACKGROUND CONNECTION

Roll Background
1 You helped defend a small settlement that was attacked by a spinosaurus. They’re indebted to you and regard
you as a hero.
2 You were once a member of SATI, but were accused (rightly or wrongly—it’s up to you to decide) of stealing a
dangerous piece of technology and were kicked out of the group.
3 When you were young, you had a bad run-in with a herd of raptors. The person who saved you taught you
everything you know about fighting.
4 Your ex-lover became one of the leaders of the Butterflies after your relationship ended. You haven’t talked to him since.
5 Years ago, you were a member of a small-town guard. Your anger once caused you to overstep the bounds of
your employment. Now you work hard to make amends for that.
6 Your father was a strict disciplinarian. You hope you inherited only the best of his beliefs, but you worry
sometimes that you also got the worst.
7 You once killed a young T. rex with your bare hands to save a small child, but the child’s parents were surprisingly
ungrateful.
8 Your old trainer recently died and left you her training facility. You aren’t sure if you want to go back.
9 You once had a rather large gambling debt. You paid it off in ways that you’d prefer not to talk about.
10 Your uncle runs a black-market business in dinosaur enhancements and body parts.
11 You grew up with a pair of velociraptors as your best friends. You still have a soft spot for raptors of all kinds.
12 For years, you fought in the Pits of Pyrrhic, defeating creatures and other humans. You were a crowd favorite.
When you gave it up abruptly, your fans were shocked and distraught.
13 You were raised within the Genesix Fellowship, and spent much of your early years studying with an Adoni.
14 You are addicted to dupe, but have been trying to kick the habit.
15 An osteon once told you that you had a glorious future ahead of you as a hero, but that was years ago now.
16 Your best friend was nearly killed by a plesiosaur when you were swimming together as children. You try to avoid
bodies of water when you can.
17 You served as a bodyguard for a traveling caravan. To this day, whenever you run across them, they cut you great
deals on supplies.
18 Your sister is a well-respected medic in Kelaino. You’ve had your differences, but you believe she’d be there for
you if you needed her.
19 Recently, your dinosaur companion of many years was killed in battle. Your grief prevented you from seeking a
new companion for a long time.
20 You were once employed on a lassaboat, where it was your job to keep the peace among the lassers. It was the
hardest job you’ve ever held.

CHARACtER tyPE
Finally, a Karn with a companion has the chart, drawn mainly from the Warrior list,
option to choose companion abilities at each but occasionally from alternate types and
tier after the first, as noted below. additional flavors. Where those abilities
The full text of Cypher System Rulebook are not second-tier Warrior abilities, they
abilities is not replicated here. Please refer to are tagged in the chart. The Karn chooses
the Cypher System Rulebook for details on your only from the abilities on the chart, so the
ability and equipment choices. At each tier, a Warrior ability Reload is not available.
chart is provided that includes Karn abilities • All Karns have the option to gain a
available at that tier, plus abilities available from companion ability at this tier, as described
other sources, if any. in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen Chapter 6: Companions,
not to have a companion, choose two page 46
FIRST-TIER KARN second-tier abilities instead of one.
You gain the abilities noted for a first-tier
Warrior, except as follows. Warrior, page 22
• All Karns have the Practiced With All
Weapons ability. Flavors, page 50
• All Karns choose from the special abilities
presented in the First-Tier Karn Abilities
chart, drawn mainly from the Warrior list,
but occasionally from alternate types and
additional flavors. Where those abilities
are not first-tier Warrior abilities, they are
tagged in the chart. The Karn chooses only
from the abilities on the chart, so Warrior
abilities such as Overwatch, Control the
Field, and Quick Draw are not available.
• All Karns start with a companion of their choice.
FIRST-TIER
KARN ABILITIES
Choose three abilities + Practiced With All First-tier Warrior,
Weapons page 24
Bash Block, page 39
Extra Edge
Danger Sense, page 59
Physical Skills
Practiced in Armor Muscles of Iron,
Swipe page 40
Thrust No Need for Weapons,

Trained Without Armor page 40
Block (tier 1 Explorer) Practiced With All

Danger Sense (tier 1 Combat flavor) Weapons, page 40
Discover Dinosaurs (Cretaceous ability)
Draw the Pack (Cretaceous ability) Discover Dinosaurs,
page 34
Muscles of Iron (tier 1 Explorer)
No Need for Weapons (tier 1 Explorer) Draw the Pack, page 34
Practiced With All Weapons (tier 1 Explorer)

*Preselected
SECOND-TIER KARN
You gain the abilities noted for a second-tier
Warrior, except as follows.
• All Karns choose from the special abilities
presented in the Second-Tier Karn Abilities

19
Predation
SECOND-TIER FOURTH-TIER KARN

KARN ABILITIES You gain the abilities noted for a fourth-tier
Second-tier Warrior, Choose one ability + companion ability Warrior, except as follows.
page 25 • All Karns choose from the special abilities
Chop
presented in the Fourth-Tier Karn Abilities
Bloodlust, page 60 Crush chart, drawn mainly from the Warrior list,
Mighty Blow but occasionally from alternate types and
Wreck, page 41 additional flavors. Where those abilities
Skill With Attacks
are not fourth-tier Warrior abilities, they are
Skill With Defense tagged in the chart. The Karn chooses only
Successive Attack from the abilities on the chart, so Warrior
Bloodlust (tier 2 Combat flavor) abilities such as Feint and Snipe are not
available.
Shut It Down, page 34 Shut It Down (Cretaceous ability)
• All Karns have the option to gain a
Wreck (tier 2 Explorer) companion ability at this tier, as described
in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen
THIRD-TIER KARN not to have a companion, choose two
You gain the abilities noted for a third-tier fourth-tier abilities instead of one.
Warrior, except as follows.
• All Karns choose from the special abilities FOURTH-TIER
presented in the Third-Tier Karn Abilities KARN ABILITIES
Fourth-tier Warrior, chart, drawn mainly from the Warrior list, Choose one ability + companion ability
page 27 but occasionally from alternate types and
Capable Warrior
Ambusher, page 53 are not third-tier Warrior abilities, they are Experienced Defender
tagged in the chart. The Karn chooses only Minor to Major
Debilitating Strike, from the abilities on the chart, so Warrior
page 53 Momentum
abilities such as Deadly Aim, Spray, and
Trick Shot are not available. Opening Gambit
• All Karns have the option to gain a Tough As Nails
companion ability at this tier, as described Ambusher (tier 4 Stealth flavor)
Debilitating Strike (tier 4 Stealth flavor)
not to have a companion, choose three
Shared Attack, page 35 third-tier abilities instead of two. Shared Attack (Cretaceous ability)
THIRD-TIER FIFTH-TIER KARN

KARN ABILITIES You gain the abilities noted for a fifth-tier
Third-tier Warrior, Choose two abilities + companion ability Warrior, except as follows.
page 26 • All Karns choose from the special abilities
Experienced With Armor
presented in the Fifth-Tier Karn Abilities
Ignore the Pain, Expert Cypher Use chart, drawn mainly from the Warrior list,
page 41 Fury but occasionally from alternate types and
Resilience, page 41 Lunge
are not fifth-tier Warrior abilities, they are
Reaction tagged in the chart. The Karn chooses
Run and Fight, page 41
Seize the Moment only from the abilities on the chart, so the
Slice Warrior ability Arc Spray is not available.
• All Karns have the option to gain a
Ignore the Pain (tier 3 Explorer)
companion ability at this tier, as described
Living Shield, page 34 Living Shield (Cretaceous ability) in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen
Resilience (tier 3 Explorer) not to have a companion, choose three
fifth-tier abilities instead of two.
Run and Fight (tier 3 Explorer)
True Companion, page 34 True Companion (Cretaceous ability)

CHARACtER tyPE
FIFTH-TIER
KARN ABILITIES SCIENCE, NOT MAGIC
The Tec type is built primarily using the
Choose two abilities + companion ability Fifth-tier Warrior,
Adept type from the Cypher System Rulebook. page 27
Adroit Cypher Use Because Predation is not a world with
Greater Skill With Attacks traditional magic, a Tec’s abilities come Physically Gifted,
Improved Success from some combination of science and page 42
technology rather than from a magical
Jump Attack source. Bioengineering, cybernetics, gadgets, Vigilant, page 43
Mastery With Armor devices, far-future weapons, time anomalies,
Mastery With Defense and other sources are all viable options.
Physically Gifted (tier 5 Explorer)
geneticist—or they may dabble in many fields,
Protect the Herd (Cretaceous ability) Protect the Herd, page 35
generalizing across multiple branches. Tecs are
Terrifying Roar (Cretaceous ability) scientists, scholars, researchers, discoverers, Terrifying Roar, page 35
Vigilant (tier 5 Explorer) and tinkerers.
Individual Role: Tecs are science-minded—
deep thinkers, focused creators, and wild
SIXTH-TIER KARN experimenters. They move through the world by
You gain the abilities noted for a sixth-tier forging a solid path of knowledge and science.
Warrior, except as follows. Group Role: Tecs are best known for helping
• All Karns choose from the special abilities groups overcome challenges. Need someone to
presented in the Sixth-Tier Karn Abilities figure out how to unlock a biometric gunlock, a
chart, drawn mainly from the Warrior list, computer chip, or a genetic code? A Tec is often
but occasionally from alternate types and your best bet. Tecs who focus their knowledge
additional flavors. Where those abilities on the more destructive elements of science
are not sixth-tier Warrior abilities, they can be formidable allies in a fight.
are tagged in the chart. The Karn chooses Societal Role: In a world where science can
only from the abilities on the chart, so be the key to opening many doors—literally and
the Warrior ability Shooting Gallery is not figuratively—techs are both revered and reviled.
available. Those who share their love and understanding
• All Karns have the option to gain a of science know they can be strong allies or
companion ability at this tier, as described strong enemies, while those who eschew
in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen science might find Tecs and their endless Companions, page 46
not to have a companion, choose two sixth- stream of knowledge to be discomfiting.
tier abilities instead of one. Advanced Tecs: As Tecs progress, their
knowledge and grasp of science moves
SIXTH-TIER far beyond what most people are able to
KARN ABILITIES understand or visualize. Their ability to create
Choose one ability + companion ability and manipulate things through science might Sixth-tier Warrior,
even seem like something otherworldly to those page 28
Finishing Blow
not in the know.
Magnificent Moment Companions: Many Tecs find creatures with Again and Again,
defense or combat skills to be useful allies in page 43
Slayer
battle. Thus, they might choose a Tyrannosaur,
Spin Attack
a Raptor, or an Ankylosaur. Others might prefer
Weapon and Body a creature that helps them stay hidden, keeps
Again and Again (tier 6 Explorer) an eye out, or otherwise aids in their pursuit
Dinosaur Slayer (Cretaceous ability) of knowledge, such as a Pterosaur or an Early Dinosaur Slayer, page 35
Mammal.
Background Connection: Your type helps
determine the connection you have to the
TEC setting. Roll a d20 or choose from the Tec
Through deep study, innate knowledge, or Background Connection table to determine
hands-on experience, Tecs are able to master a specific fact about your background that
science and technology in its many forms. They provides a connection to the rest of the world.
may choose to focus their skills on one branch You can also create your own fact.
in particular—perhaps becoming a renowned

21
Predation
TEC BACKGROUND CONNECTION

Roll Background
1 You studied under a master chemist for years, right up until the day you blew up the lab, and nearly blew up
yourself and your mentor along with it.
2 Your parents were members of the Butterflies and attempted to discourage your interest in technology right up
until the day you left home.
3 A creature you helped create went on to kill a fellow tec. Although it wasn’t your fault, you still feel responsible.
4 During a drunken celebration, you came up with a fantastic idea for a world-changing technology, but no matter
how hard you try, you can’t remember it.
5 You would rather swing a sword than read a book, but you’ve finally admitted you have no aptitude for the
former. And designing weapons is almost like using them.
6 You once got lost in a deep natural cavern where you stumbled upon a secret stash of technology. You’re
determined to return to it, if you can only find it.
7 For years, you and your partner ran a scam in which you pretended to predict the future of anyone who paid you
a few nautils. Then you discovered that your partner believed they really could see the future.
8 You’ve always been fascinated by time anomalies and have devoted much of your life to finding and studying them.
9 Your father was a well-respected scientist until one day he disappeared without a trace.
10 You are pretty sure you once worked with other SATI tecs on a top-secret project, but the details seem fuzzy and
no one there claims to remember you.
11 You were always a fast learner, but got bored quickly and went off to seek different kinds of adventure. Now
you’re ready to come back to the science you love.
12 You’ve heard rumors that SATI is working to restore time travel to Grevakc and you desperately want to be involved.
13 One of your close friends is also a tec, specializing in genetics and botany. The two of you meet regularly to share
discoveries.
14 You have a fascination with robotics and cybernetics, but so far haven’t had the opportunity to try your hand at
them much.
15 You hail from a small town along the Chalk Road where you spent your early days trying to figure out how to
make crops grow better.
16 An experiment you conducted in the past went horribly awry. The locals remember you as a dangerous and
foolhardy individual.
17 Your grandmother was one of the original commuters. She never talked about what she did for SATI, but before
she died, she told you she kept a journal. You don’t know where it is.
18 People you meet often seem to be put off by your favorite object: a tiny dinosaur preserved in a jar.
19 You accidentally injected yourself with an experimental growth hormone meant for a bambiraptor. You’re still
waiting to see if there are side effects.
20 You fell in love with a scientist and applied for a job at the lab where she worked. She eventually left, but you
stayed on, having found a new passion.
Butterflies, page 118

TEC STAT POOLS
BUILDING YOUR TEC
Nautils, page 60 A Tec is constructed primarily from the Adept
Stat Pool Starting Value type described in the Cypher System Rulebook.
Time anomaly, page 74 Might 7 The Tec gains the option to choose from most,
but not all, of the Adept ability choices, plus
Speed 9
SATI, page 116 some derived from select abilities of other types
Intellect 12 and flavors described in the Cypher System
Bambiraptor, page 135 Rulebook.
You get 6 additional points to divide among In some tiers, Tecs may also choose selected
your stat Pools however you wish. abilities from the Cretaceous abilities list.
If available, these abilities are noted in the
abilities sections for each tier.
At second and higher tier, a Tec can
always choose an ability from a lower tier

CHARACtER tyPE
instead of adding one from the current tier, SECOND-TIER TEC

and can replace one lower-tier ability with a You gain the abilities noted for a second-tier
different one from a lower tier. Finally, a Tec Adept, except as follows.
with a companion has the option to choose • All Tecs choose from the special abilities
companion abilities at each tier after the first, presented in the Second-Tier Tec Abilities
as noted below. chart, drawn mainly from the Adept list,
The full text of Cypher System Rulebook but occasionally from alternate types and
abilities is not replicated here. Please refer to additional flavors. Where those abilities
the Cypher System Rulebook for details on your are not second-tier Adept abilities, they are
ability and equipment choices. At each tier,
a chart is provided that includes Tec abilities
available at that tier, plus abilities available from
other sources, if any.
FIRST-TIER TEC Adept, page 29

You gain the abilities noted for a first-tier Adept,
except as follows. Flavors, page 50
• All Tecs have the Knowledge Skills ability.
• All Tecs choose from the special abilities
presented in the First-Tier Tec Abilities
chart, drawn mainly from the Adept list,
additional flavors. Where those abilities are
not first-tier Adept abilities, they are tagged
in the chart. The Tec chooses only from the
abilities on the chart, so the Adept abilities
Erase Memories, Far Step, Hedge Magic,
Magic Training, Push, and Resonance Field
are not available.
• All Tecs start with a companion of their
choice.
FIRST-TIER
TEC ABILITIES
Choose three abilities + Knowledge Skills First-tier Adept,
page 30
Distortion
Onslaught Datajack, page 53
Practiced With Light Weapons
Decipher, page 39
Resonance Field
Scan Hacker, page 54
Sculpt Flesh Knowledge Skills,

Shatter page 61
Ward Machine Interface,
Crossed Wires (Cretaceous ability) page 54
Datajack (tier 1 Technology flavor)
Scramble Machine,
Decipher (tier 1 Explorer) page 54
Hacker (tier 1 Technology flavor)
Understanding, page 46
Knowledge Skills (tier 1 Skills and Knowledge
flavor) *Preselected
Crossed Wires, page 34
Machine Interface (tier 1 Technology flavor)
Scramble Machine (tier 1 Technology flavor)
Understanding (tier 1 Speaker)

23
Predation
tagged in the chart. The Tec chooses only THIRD-TIER

Third-tier Adept, from the abilities on the chart, so the Adept TEC ABILITIES
page 33 abilities Cutting Light, Flash, and Mind Choose one ability + companion ability
Reading are not available.
Flex Skill, page 62 Adroit Cypher Use
• All Tecs have the option to gain a
Ignore the Pain, companion ability at this tier, as described Barrier
page 41 in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen Energy Protection
not to have a companion, choose two
Fire and Ice
Improvise, page 62 second-tier abilities instead of one.
Sensor
Mechanical Telepathy, SECOND-TIER Flex Skill (tier 3 Skills and Knowledge flavor)
page 55
TEC ABILITIES Ignore the Pain (tier 3 Explorer)
Serv-o Scanner, Choose one ability + companion ability Improvise (tier 3 Skills and Knowledge flavor)
page 55
Adaptation Living Shield (Cretaceous ability)
Think Your Way Out, Hover Mechanical Telepathy (tier 3 Technology flavor)
page 42 Retrieve Memories Serv-o Scanner (tier 3 Technology flavor)
Second-tier adept, Reveal Think Your Way Out (tier 3 Explorer)
page 32 Stasis True Companion (Cretaceous ability)
Distant Interface, Detect Tech (Cretaceous ability)
page 54 Distant Interface (tier 2 Technology flavor)
FOURTH-TIER TEC
Extra Skill (tier 2 Skills and Knowledge flavor)
Extra Skill, page 62 You gain the abilities noted for a fourth-tier
Force Field (tier 2 Magic flavor) Adept, except as follows.
Machine Efficiency, • All Tecs choose from the special abilities
Machine Efficiency (tier 2 Technology flavor)
page 54
presented in the Fourth-Tier Tec Abilities
Repair Flesh (tier 2 Magic flavor)
Repair Flesh, page 58
chart, drawn mainly from the Adept list,
Serv-o (tier 2 Technology flavor) but occasionally from alternate types and
Serv-o, page 55 Serv-o Repair (tier 2 Technology flavor) additional flavors. Where those abilities are
Shut It Down (Cretaceous ability) not fourth-tier Adept abilities, they are tagged
Serv-o Repair, page 55 in the chart. The Tec chooses only from the
Skills (tier 2 Speaker)
abilities on the chart, so the Adept abilities
Skills, page 46 Tool Mastery (tier 2 Technology flavor) Matter Cloud, Mind Control, Rapid Processing,
Understanding (tier 2 Skills and Knowledge flavor) Regeneration, and Slay are not available.
Tool Mastery, page 55
Understanding, page 62 companion ability at this tier, as described
THIRD-TIER TEC in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen
Living Shield, page 34 You gain the abilities noted for a third-tier not to have a companion, choose two
Adept, except as follows. fourth-tier abilities instead of one.
True Companion, page 34 • All Tecs choose from the special abilities
Detect Tech, page 34
presented in the Third-Tier Tec Abilities FOURTH-TIER
chart, drawn mainly from the Adept list, TEC ABILITIES
Shut It Down, page 34 but occasionally from alternate types and Choose one ability + companion ability
additional flavors. Where those abilities are
Exile
not third-tier Adept abilities, they are tagged
Fourth-tier Adept, in the chart. The Tec chooses only from the Invisibility
page 34 abilities on the chart, so the Adept abilities Projection
Countermeasures and Targeting Eye are not
Expert, page 42 Reshape
available.
• All Tecs have the option to gain a Wormhole
Multiple Skills, page 62
companion ability at this tier, as described Expert (tier 4 Explorer)
Serv-o Spy, page 56 in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen Multiple Skills (tier 4 Skills and Knowledge flavor)
not to have a companion, choose two third-
Quick Lab (Cretaceous ability)
Specialization, page 62 tier abilities instead of one.
Serv-o Spy (tier 4 Technology flavor)
Quick Lab, page 35 Specialization (tier 4 Skills and Knowledge flavor)
Time Seeker, page 35 Time Seeker (Cretaceous ability)

CHARACtER tyPE
FIFTH-TIER TEC SIXTH-TIER

You gain the abilities noted for a fifth-tier Adept, TEC ABILITIES
except as follows. Choose one ability + companion ability Sixth-tier Adept,
• All Tecs choose from the special abilities page 36
Control Weather
presented in the Fifth-Tier Tec Abilities
chart, drawn mainly from the Adept list, Earthquake Information Gathering,
but occasionally from alternate types and Move Mountains page 56
additional flavors. Where those abilities are not
Information Gathering (tier 6 Technology flavor) Master Machine,
fifth-tier Adept abilities, they are tagged in the
Lab Master (Cretaceous ability) page 56
chart. The Tec chooses only from the abilities
on the chart, so the Adept abilities Absorb Master Machine (tier 6 Technology flavor)
Energy and Concussion are not available. Lab Master, page 35
companion ability at this tier, as described PTERYX
in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen Pteryx are the discoverers, the explorers, the Pteryx is typically
not to have a companion, choose three wanderers, the seekers of new adventures and pronounced “terriks.” It is
fifth-tier abilities instead of two. new thrills. They prefer movement and novelty both singular and plural.
to repetition and standing still—whether that’s
FIFTH-TIER across the jungle, across the skies, or across
TEC ABILITIES the continent. They understand the mechanics
Choose two abilities + companion ability of the body—their own and others—and are Fifth-tier Adept,
likely to know the best ways to maneuver those page 35
Conjuration
bodies through the world. Pteryx also tend to
Create have a solid understanding of dinosaurs and Control Machine,
Divide Your Mind the other creatures of the world. page 56
Individual Role: Pteryx learn by doing, discover
Dust to Dust Fast Travel, page 59
by action, and grow by taking risks. They are
Knowing the Unknown quick learners and often have a bevy of skills Jury-Rig, page 56
Master Cypher Use to draw upon. They pride themselves on being
Teleportation self-sufficient, although most are equally proud Machine Companion,
of their relationship with their companion. page 56
True Senses
Group Role: While it’s not unusual for Pteryx
Control Machine (tier 5 Technology flavor) to work alone, they are equally as comfortable
within a group. They often take on the role of Decypher, page 35
Decypher (Cretaceous ability)
scouts and guides, preparing ahead of time and
Fast Travel (tier 5 Magic flavor)
leading the way for the rest of their team.
Jury-Rig (tier 5 Technology flavor) Societal Role: Pteryx, with their extensive
Machine Companion (tier 5 Technology flavor) knowledge of the world and its creatures, can
often be found in cities and organizations in the
roles of teachers, guides, cartographers, and
SIXTH-TIER TEC animal behaviorists.
You gain the abilities noted for a sixth-tier Advanced Pteryx: As Pteryx become more
Adept, except as follows. experienced and more knowledgeable, they may
• All Tecs choose from the special abilities find themselves in positions of power—leading
presented in the Sixth-Tier Tec Abilities large groups of important people through
chart, drawn mainly from the Adept list, dangerous territories, drawing maps and writing
but occasionally from alternate types and books that many people rely on, or teaching
additional flavors. Where those abilities are entire communities how to be self-sufficient.
not sixth-tier Adept abilities, they are tagged Companions: What type of creature a Pteryx will
in the chart. The Tec chooses only from the choose for their companion is anyone’s guess.
abilities on the chart, so the Adept abilities The more unusual the better for many Pteryx.
Usurp Cypher and Traverse the Worlds are Survival techniques, tracking, speed, and assisting
not available. in combat are all beneficial companion skills.
• All Tecs have the option to gain a Background Connection: Your type helps
companion ability at this tier, as described determine the connection you have to the
in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen setting. Roll a d20 or choose from the Pteryx
not to have a companion, choose two sixth- Background Connection table to determine
tier abilities instead of one. a specific fact about your background that

25
Predation
provides a connection to the rest of the world. BUILDING

You can also create your own fact. YOUR PTERYX
A Pteryx is constructed primarily from the
Explorer type described in the Cypher System
PTERYX STAT POOLS Rulebook. The Pteryx gains the option to choose
Stat Pool Starting Value from most, but not all, of the Explorer ability
Might 10 choices, plus some derived from select Warrior
abilities and flavors.
Speed 9 In some tiers, Pteryx may also choose
Intellect 9 selected abilities from the Cretaceous abilities
SATI, page 116
list. If available, these abilities are noted in the
You get 6 additional points to divide among abilities sections for each tier.
Genesix Fellowship, your stat Pools however you wish. At second and higher tier, a Pteryx can always
page 120 choose an ability from a lower tier instead
PTERYX BACKGROUND CONNECTION

Roll Background
1 Your father is a high-ranking officer in SATI with many connections, but the two of you no longer speak.
2 You used to work in a secret dinosaur research facility. The conditions were so horrible that you and a few others
tried to free the animals, but were caught before you could execute your plan.
3 You once trailed a specific dinosaur for weeks, hoping to make it your companion, but before you could, you
watched a group of hunters kill it right in front of your eyes.
4 You’re well known for your ability to guide others through rough and unexplored terrain. For a price.
5 Sometimes you like to challenge yourself and see how close you can get to a group of carnivores before they
detect you and give chase.
6 You’ve spent years tracking the comings and goings of various dinosaurs through a particular spot of land.
7 Years ago, you nearly died from eating poisonous mushrooms. Lost and dying, you wandered in the jungle for
weeks. You’re still unsure how you survived.
8 You used to work search-and-rescue along the shore of Torotix Run, but you found so few people alive that it
started to weigh on you.
9 As part of your training, your mentor sent you off into the jungle with nothing but a knife and told you not to
come back for a month. You never told her that you stayed in a nearby town that whole time. But you think she
probably knew anyway.
10 Being skilled with your hands led you to become an excellent thief and pickpocket. After an…incident… you gave
it up and vowed to do better things with your talents.
11 Your grandfather was one of the original commuters. He’s dead now, but he used to tell you stories of what he
called “the real world” when you were little.
12 Somewhere, there is another person who looks a lot like you. That person seems to owe a great deal of money to
someone important.
13 Your best friend from your youth was abducted in the night. You continue to search for him, even though you
know it’s probably futile.
14 Someone you cared about left you a journal full of nature sketches. It’s filled with a code that you’re still trying to decipher.
15 You’ve made several discoveries in your explorations of the world, but you’re nervous about sharing them with others.
16 For a while, you ran with the Genesix Fellowship. You weren’t really a believer, but you liked the travel and exploration.
17 You used to make money collecting dinosaur dung for a group of scientists. They paid you well, but you
eventually realized you didn’t want to pick up dinosaur poop your whole life.
18 Your older sister ran away when she was a teenager to join the Butterflies. You thought for sure you’d follow in
her footsteps, but you never did.
19 You once walked through a time anomaly and you’re certain that you saw a glimpse of the future. But every time
you try to describe it, you can’t seem to do so.
20 You grew up inside a concrete and metal compound where you rarely saw the sun. Now, you try not to go inside
if you can help it.

CHARACtER tyPE
of adding one from the current tier, and can FIRST-TIER PTERYX
replace one lower-tier ability with a different You gain the abilities noted for a first-tier Explorer, page 38
one from a lower tier. Explorer, except as follows.
Finally, a Pteryx with a companion has the • All Pteryx have the Discover Dinosaurs ability. Flavors, page 50
option to choose companion abilities at each • All Pteryx choose from the special abilities
tier after the first, as noted below. presented in the First-Tier Pteryx Abilities
The full text of Cypher System Rulebook chart, drawn mainly from the Explorer list,
abilities is not replicated here. Please refer to but occasionally from alternate types and
the Cypher System Rulebook for details on your additional flavors. Where those abilities
ability and equipment choices. At each tier, a are not first-tier Explorer abilities, they are
chart is provided that includes Explorer abilities tagged in the chart. The Pteryx chooses only
available at that tier, plus abilities available from from the abilities on the chart, so Explorer
other sources, if any. abilities such as Decipher, Muscles of
Iron, No Need for Weapons, and Surging
Confidence are not available.
• All Pteryx start with a companion of their
choice.
FIRST-TIER
PTERYX ABILITIES
Choose three abilities + Discover Dinosaurs First-tier Explorer,
page 39
Block
Danger Sense Danger Sense, page 51
Endurance
Fleet of Foot, page 51
Extra Edge
Fleet of Foot Investigative Skills,
page 61
Knowledge Skills
Physical Skills Knowledge Skills,
page 61
Practiced in Armor
Practiced With All Weapons Overwatch, page 25
Trained Without Armor
Pierce, page 25
Danger Sense (tier 1 Stealth flavor)
Discover Dinosaurs (Cretaceous ability) Quick Draw, page 25
*Preselected
Stealth Skills, page 51
Fleet of Foot (tier 1 Stealth flavor)
Investigative Skills (tier 1 Skills and Tinker, page 54
Knowledge flavor)
Travel Skills, page 62
Knowledge Skills (tier 1 Skills and Knowledge
flavor) Understanding, page 46
Overwatch (tier 1 Warrior)
Discover Dinosaurs,
Pierce (tier 1 Warrior) page 34
Quick Draw (tier 1 Warrior)
Stealth Skills (tier 1 Stealth flavor)
Tinker (tier 1 Technology flavor)
Travel Skills (tier 1 Skills and Knowledge flavor)
Understanding (tier 1 Speaker)

27
Predation
SECOND-TIER PTERYX from the abilities on the chart, so Explorer

You gain the abilities noted for a second-tier abilities such as Ignore the Pain and Stone
Explorer, except as follows. Breaker are not available.
• All Pteryx choose from the special abilities • All Pteryx have the option to gain a
presented in the Second-Tier Pteryx Abilities companion ability at this tier, as described
chart, drawn mainly from the Explorer list, in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen
but occasionally from alternate types and not to have a companion, choose three
additional flavors. Where those abilities third-tier abilities instead of two.
are not second-tier Explorer abilities, they
are tagged in the chart. The Pteryx chooses THIRD-TIER
Third-tier Explorer, only from the abilities on the chart, so the PTERYX ABILITIES
page 41 Explorer ability Wreck is not available. Choose two abilities + companion ability
• All Pteryx have the option to gain a
Controlled Fall
Deadly Aim, page 26 companion ability at this tier, as described
in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen Experienced With Armor
Evanesce, page 52 not to have a companion, choose four Expert Cypher Use
second-tier abilities instead of three.
Flex Skill, page 62 Resilience
SECOND-TIER Run and Fight
From the Shadows,
page 52 PTERYX ABILITIES Seize Opportunity
Choose three abilities + companion ability Skill With Attacks
Improvise, page 62
Enable Others Think Your Way Out
Seize the Moment, Escape Wrest From Chance
page 26
Eye for Detail Blend In (tier 3 Speaker)
Spray, page 26 Hand to Eye Dangerous Dinosaur Insight (Cretaceous
Investigative Skills ability)
Subterfuge, page 53
Quick Recovery Deadly Aim (tier 3 Warrior)
Trick Shot, page 26 Range Increase Evanesce (tier 3 Stealth flavor)
Skill With Defense Flex Skill (tier 3 Skills and Knowledge flavor)
Second-tier Explorer,
page 41 Stand Watch Friend to Dinosaurs (Cretaceous ability)
Travel Skills From the Shadows (tier 3 Stealth flavor)
Contortionist, page 51
Contortionist (tier 2 Stealth flavor) Improvise (tier 3 Skills and Knowledge flavor)
Extra Skill, page 62 Seize the Moment (tier 3 Warrior)
Dinosaur Insight (Cretaceous ability)
Get Away, page 51 Extra Skill (tier 2 Skills and Knowledge flavor) Spray (tier 3 Warrior)
Get Away (tier 2 Stealth flavor) Subterfuge (tier 3 Stealth flavor)
Pierce, page 60
Pierce (tier 2 Combat flavor) Trick Shot (tier 3 Warrior)
Sense Ambush, page 52 Sense Ambush (tier 2 Stealth flavor) True Companion (Cretaceous ability)
Surprise Strike, page 52 Shut It Down (Cretaceous ability)

Surprise Strike (tier 2 Stealth flavor)
FOURTH-TIER PTERYX
Understanding, page 62 You gain the abilities noted for a fourth-tier
Understanding (tier 2 Skills and Knowledge Explorer, except as follows.
flavor) • All Pteryx choose from the special abilities
presented in the Fourth-Tier Pteryx Abilities
Dangerous Dinosaur THIRD-TIER PTERYX chart, drawn mainly from the Explorer list,
Insight, page 34 You gain the abilities noted for a third-tier but occasionally from alternate types and
Explorer, except as follows. additional flavors. Where those abilities are
Friend to Dinosaurs, • All Pteryx choose from the special abilities not fourth-tier Explorer abilities, they are
page 34
presented in the Third-Tier Pteryx Abilities tagged in the chart. The Pteryx chooses only
True Companion, page 34
chart, drawn mainly from the Explorer list, from the abilities on the chart, so Explorer
but occasionally from alternate types and abilities such as Capable Warrior and Tough
Dinosaur Insight, page 34 additional flavors. Where those abilities as Nails are not available.
are not third-tier Explorer abilities, they are
Shut It Down, page 34 tagged in the chart. The Pteryx chooses only

CHARACtER tyPE
• All Pteryx have the option to gain a FIFTH-TIER

companion ability at this tier, as described PTERYX ABILITIES
Fifth-tier Explorer,
in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen Choose two abilities + companion ability page 42
Adroit Cypher Use
fourth-tier abilities instead of one. Arc Spray, page 27
Jump Attack
FOURTH-TIER Mastery With Defense Assassinate, page 53
PTERYX ABILITIES Parry Jury-Rig, page 56
Choose one ability + companion ability
Physically Gifted
Expert Multiple Skills, page 62
Vigilant
Increased Effects
Arc Spray (tier 5 Warrior) Riposte, page 53
Read the Signs
Assassinate (tier 5 Stealth flavor)
Runner Uncanny Luck, page 53
Jury-Rig (tier 5 Technology flavor)
Ambusher (tier 4 Stealth flavor) Fourth-tier Explorer,
Multiple Skills (tier 5 Skills and Knowledge
Anticipate Attack (tier 4 Speaker) page 42
flavor)
Blend In (Cretaceous ability) Riposte (tier 5 Stealth flavor) Ambusher, page 53
Daring Escape (tier 4 Combat flavor) Terrifying Roar (Cretaceous ability)
Anticipate Attack,
Feint (tier 4 Warrior) Uncanny Luck (tier 5 Stealth flavor) page 48
Momentum (tier 4 Warrior)
Daring Escape, page 61
Preternatural Senses (tier 4 Stealth flavor)
SIXTH-TIER PTERYX
Shared Attack (Cretaceous ability) You gain the abilities noted for a sixth-tier Feint, page 27
Snipe (tier 4 Warrior) Explorer, except as follows.
Momentum, page 27
Specialization (tier 4 Skills and Knowledge • All Pteryx choose from the special abilities
flavor) presented in the Sixth-Tier Pteryx Abilities Preternatural Senses,
chart, drawn mainly from the Explorer list, page 53
Tumbling Moves (tier 4 Stealth flavor)
additional flavors. Where those abilities Snipe, page 27
FIFTH-TIER PTERYX are not sixth-tier Explorer abilities, they are
You gain the abilities noted for a fifth-tier tagged in the chart. The Pteryx chooses Specialization, page 62
Explorer, except as follows. only from the abilities on the chart, so the
Tumbling Moves,
• All Pteryx choose from the special abilities Explorer ability Spin Attack is not available. page 53
presented in the Fifth-Tier Pteryx Abilities • All Pteryx have the option to gain a
chart, drawn mainly from the Explorer list, companion ability at this tier, as described
but occasionally from alternate types and in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen Terrifying Roar, page 35
additional flavors. Where those abilities not to have a companion, choose three
Blend In, page 34
are not fifth-tier Explorer abilities, they are sixth-tier abilities instead of two.
tagged in the chart. The Pteryx chooses Shared Attack, page 35
only from the abilities on the chart, so SIXTH-TIER
the Explorer ability Take Command is not PTERYX ABILITIES
available. Choose two abilities + companion ability Sixth-tier Explorer,
• All Pteryx have the option page 43
Again and Again
to gain a companion ability
at this tier, as described in Greater Skill With Attacks Exploit Advantage,
Chapter 6: Companions. Mastery With Armor page 53
If you’ve chosen not to
Wild Vitality Shooting Gallery,
have a companion,
Exploit Advantage (tier 6 Stealth flavor) page 28
choose three fifth-tier
abilities instead of Shooting Gallery (tier 6 Warrior) Spring Away, page 53
two. Spring Away (tier 6 Stealth flavor)
True Senses, page 49
True Senses (tier 6 Speaker)
True Understanding (Cretaceous ability) True Understanding,
page 35

29
Predation
OSTEON Advanced Osteons: As Osteons grow more

Bonereader. Soothsayer. Storyteller. Historian. adept, they find it easier to sway or say the
Mystic. Heretic. Liar. Leader. God. These are just truth, entertain their allies, and emotionally
some of the many names for Osteons. The damage their foes. Others might revere them or
most mystical of all the types, Osteons have fear them, and it’s up to the Osteon how best to
the power to see, to remember, and to tell. wield their growing power.
They read the bones, the cards, the skies, the Companions: Many Osteons choose
anomalies of time, and the body language of companions who complement their abilities.
others to their advantage. Early Mammals are a favorite for their skills
Individual Role: Some Osteons are pure in enhancing interactions. Others choose
storytellers and dreamweavers, conning others into something that provides them with combat or
believing that they know more than they do. Others defensive skills that they themselves might lack.
have actually found ways to tap into the weird Background Connection: Your type helps
energies of the time anomalies in order to see the determine the connection you have to the
past, portend the future, and twist the present. setting. Roll a d20 or choose from the Osteon
Group Role: In a group, an Osteon can take Background Connection table to determine
on many roles. They may lead an investigation, a specific fact about your background that
questioning witnesses and reading the area for provides a connection to the rest of the world.
clues. They may tell a glorious story that boosts You can also create your own fact.
spirits—or a horrific one that destroys them. Their
ability to tap into time anomalies means they OSTEON STAT POOLS
bring something wholly unique to any group.
Stat Pool Starting Value
Societal Role: Some Osteons choose the role
of storytellers and storykeepers, preserving Might 7
history and tradition. Others focus on their Speed 9
ability to read the signs of the living and the
Intellect 12
dead, becoming fortunetellers, investigators,
torturers, or detectives. Still others may use their
You get 6 additional points to divide among
powers of oration, persuasion, or intimidation
your stat Pools however you wish.
to rule and to lead, whether for good or for ill.

CHARACtER tyPE
OSTEON BACKGROUND CONNECTION

Roll Background
1 Your mother was obsessed with time anomalies when you were young. The two of you traveled around in search
of them.
2 You learned to read the bones from a blind woman in Kelaino. You wear a special eye covering to honor her teachings.
3 Since you were a small child, you’ve dreamed of the asteroid that is headed toward the planet. Oddly, you find
these visions comforting.
4 Your father arrived here with his parents when he was just a small child. He gave you a toy that he brought with
him. You’ve never seen another one like it.
5 You and your romantic partner haven’t seen each other in years due to circumstances beyond your control, but
you still feel close to them.
6 You were raised by a con man and a liar. For years, you watched him sweetly swindle people out of everything
they owned.
7 You once told a story that scared everyone listening so deeply that they attempted to kill you afterward.
8 You’ve lost a great deal of money gambling on dino wrestling, but are often able to talk your way out of paying
your debts.
9 You desperately crave details about the world your grandparents came from and are constantly searching for
information.
10 You provided care for an injured raptor years ago. Your paths still cross occasionally, and it clearly remembers you.
11 Somewhere, there is a dinosaur wearing a spiked collar with your name on it. It’s a long story.
12 You have traveled extensively, and during that time you accumulated quite a collection of stories and myths.
13 You often utilize your skills to entertain passersby and make a little money in the process. But now you find
yourself craving something more meaningful.
14 Your sister is employed as a guard for a roving caravan and sometimes tells you juicy tidbits about her work.
15 You aren’t afraid of much, but birdlike creatures freak you out. A lot.
16 There’s an aeternologist who comes to you from time to time seeking visions. He pays well, but you’re not
entirely sure you’re helping.
17 You have a number of lovers, which is sometimes a burden, but you like knowing someone’s waiting for you in
the towns you visit.
18 You once woke to find your beloved being attacked by a huge styracosaurus. Frozen in fear, you weren’t able to
help him.
19 Your best friend from childhood went on to join the Butterflies. You see her every once in a while and she always
invites you to join.
20 People are sometimes afraid of you and your talents. You’ve been known to exploit that fear on occasion for your
own benefit.
Kelaino, page 77
BUILDING instead of adding one from the current tier, and
YOUR OSTEON can replace one lower-tier ability with a different Aeternologist, page 186
An Osteon is constructed primarily from the one from a lower tier.
Speaker type described in the Cypher System Finally, an Osteon has the option to choose
Rulebook. The Osteon gains the option to companion abilities at each tier after the first,
choose from most, but not all, of theSpeaker as noted below.
ability choices, plus some derived from select The full text of Cypher System Rulebook
abilities of other types and flavors described in abilities is not replicated here. Please refer to
the Cypher System Rulebook. the Cypher System Rulebook for details on your
In some tiers, Osteons may also choose ability and equipment choices. At each tier, a
selected abilities from the Cretaceous abilities chart is provided that includes Osteon abilities
list. If available, these abilities are noted in the available at that tier, plus abilities available from
abilities sections for each tier. other sources, if any.
At second and higher tier, an Osteon can
always choose an ability from a lower tier

31
Predation
FIRST-TIER OSTEON SECOND-TIER OSTEON

Speaker, page 44 You gain the abilities noted for a first-tier ABILITIES
Speaker, except as follows. Choose one ability + companion ability
Flavors, page 50 • All Osteons have Time Tap.
Babel
• All Osteons choose from the special
Second-tier Speaker, Impart Ideal
page 46
abilities presented in the First-Tier Osteon
Abilities chart, drawn mainly from the Practiced in Armor
Eye for Detail, page 41 Speaker list, but occasionally from alternate
Skills
types and additional flavors. Where those
Impersonate, page 51 abilities are not first-tier Speaker abilities, Speed Recovery
they are tagged in the chart. The Osteon Unexpected Betrayal
Retrieve Memories, chooses only from the abilities on the chart,
page 33 Dinosaur Insight (Cretaceous ability)
so the Speaker abilities Erase Memories
Eye for Detail (tier 2 Explorer)
and Spin Identity are not available.
Dinosaur Insight, page 34 • All Osteons start with a companion of their Impersonate (tier 2 Stealth flavor)
choice. Retrieve Memories (tier 2 Adept)
FIRST-TIER
OSTEON ABILITIES THIRD-TIER OSTEON
First-tier Speaker, Choose three abilities + Time Tap You gain the abilities noted for a third-tier
page 45 Speaker, except as follows.
Aggression
Decipher, page 39 Encouragement abilities presented in the Third-Tier Osteon
Enthrall Abilities chart, drawn mainly from the
Knowledge Skills, Speaker list, but occasionally from alternate
page 40 Fast Talk
Interaction Skills abilities are not third-tier Speaker abilities,
Legerdemain, page 51
Practiced With Light and Medium Weapons they are tagged in the chart. The Osteon
Mental Link, page 57 Understanding chooses only from the abilities on the chart.
• All Osteons have the option to gain a
Premonition, page 57 Terrifying Presence
Decipher (tier 1 Explorer) in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen
Time Tap, page 34 Knowledge Skills (tier 1 Explorer) not to have a companion, choose three
third-tier abilities instead of two.
Legerdemain (tier 1 Stealth flavor)
Mental Link (tier 1 Magic flavor) THIRD-TIER OSTEON
Premonition (tier 1 Magic flavor) ABILITIES
Third-tier Speaker, Time Tap (Cretaceous Ability) *Preselected Choose two abilities + companion ability
page 47
Accelerate
Gambler, page 52 SECOND-TIER OSTEON Discerning Mind
You gain the abilities noted for a second-tier Expert Cypher Use
Improvise, page 62 Speaker, except as follows.
Grand Deception
Inner Defense, page 52 Mind Reading
abilities presented in the Second-Tier
Wrest From Chance, Osteon Abilities chart, drawn mainly from Oratory
page 42 the Speaker list, but occasionally from Telling
alternate types and additional flavors.
Friend to Dinosaurs (Cretaceous ability)
Where those abilities are not second-tier
Friend to Dinosaurs, Speaker abilities, they are tagged in the Gambler (tier 3 Stealth flavor)
page 34
chart. Improvise (tier 3 Skills and Knowledge flavor)
True Companion, page 34 • All Osteons have the option to gain a
Inner Defense (tier 3 Stealth flavor)
in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen True Companion (Cretaceous ability)
not to have a companion, choose two Wrest From Chance (tier 3 Explorer)
second-tier abilities instead of one.

CHARACtER tyPE
FOURTH-TIER OSTEON FIFTH-TIER

You gain the abilities noted for a fourth-tier OSTEON ABILITIES
Speaker, except as follows. Choose two abilities + companion ability Fifth-tier Speaker,
• All Osteons choose from the special page 49
Adroit Cypher Use
abilities presented in the Fourth-Tier
Osteon Abilities chart, drawn mainly from Experienced With Armor Knowing the
the Speaker list, but occasionally from Flee Unknown, page 36
alternate types and additional flavors.
Font of Inspiration Take Command,
Where those abilities are not fourth-tier
Foul Aura page 42
Speaker abilities, they are tagged in the
chart. The Osteon chooses only from the Skill With Attacks Uncanny Luck, page 53
abilities on the chart, so the Speaker ability Stimulate
Feint is not available.
Decypher (Cretaceous ability) Decypher, page 35
companion ability at this tier, as described Knowing the Unknown (tier 5 Adept)
in Chapter 6: Companions. If you’ve chosen Take Command (tier 5 Explorer)
Uncanny Luck (tier 5 Stealth flavor)
fourth-tier abilities instead of one.
FOURTH-TIER SIXTH-TIER OSTEON

OSTEON ABILITIES You gain the abilities noted for a sixth-tier
Choose one ability + companion ability Speaker, except as follows. Fourth-tier Speaker,
• All Osteons choose from the special page 48
Anticipate Attack
abilities presented in the Sixth-Tier Osteon
Confounding Banter Abilities chart, drawn mainly from the Multiple Skills, page 62
Heightened Skills Speaker list, but occasionally from alternate
types and additional flavors. Where those Preternatural Senses,
Psychosis page 53
abilities are not sixth-tier Speaker abilities,
Quick Wits they are tagged in the chart. Specialization, page 62
Read the Signs • All Osteons have the option to gain a
Suggestion companion ability at this tier, as described
Fast Companion (Cretaceous ability) Fast Companion, page 35
not to have a companion, choose two sixth-
Multiple Skills (tier 4 Skills and Knowledge tier abilities instead of one. Time Seeker, page 35
flavor)
Preternatural Senses (tier 4 Stealth flavor) SIXTH-TIER OSTEON
Specialization (tier 4 Skills and Knowledge
ABILITIES
flavor) Choose one ability + companion ability Sixth-tier Speaker,
page 49
Time Seeker (Cretaceous ability) Battle Management
Inspiring Success Thief ’s Luck, page 53
FIFTH-TIER OSTEON Shatter Mind
You gain the abilities noted for a fifth-tier Twist of Fate, page 53
True Senses
Speaker, except as follows.
• All Osteons choose from the special Word of Command
abilities presented in the Fifth-Tier Osteon Inspiration (Cretaceous ability) Inspiration, page 35
Abilities chart, drawn mainly from the Thief ’s Luck (tier 6 Stealth flavor)
Speaker list, but occasionally from alternate
True Understanding (Cretaceous ability) True Understanding,
page 35
abilities are not fifth-tier Speaker abilities, Twist of Fate (tier 6 Stealth flavor)
they are tagged in the chart.
not to have a companion, choose three
fifth-tier abilities instead of two.

33
Predation
CRETACEOUS Dinosaur Insight (2 Intellect points): By

ABILITIES interacting with or closely observing a dinosaur
Characters may also choose from the or other non-human creature for at least a few
Cretaceous abilities list. If available, these rounds, you get an idea of what it wants. This
abilities are noted in the abilities sections for might be long-term or immediate. The specifics
each type. vary from dinosaur to dinosaur. Although the
use of this insight can take many forms, at the
FIRST-TIER very least it can be an asset on future (non-
CRETACEOUS ABILITIES combat) interactions with the dinosaur for as
These abilities are designed specifically for long as the insight remains true. Action.
characters in Predation.
Shut It Down (2 Might points): If you’ve been
Crossed Wires (1+ Intellect point): You have made aware of a non-biological element in a
built or otherwise gained access to a remote creature, you can pinpoint that place directly
device that renders one cybernetic or biorobotic with your attack and attempt to disable it for
creature within long range unable to function one round. Shutting it down could have various
for one round. Alternatively, you can spend an effects, depending on the purpose of the non-
additional Intellect point to attempt to affect biological part. For example, if it’s a weapon,
two cybernetic or biorobotic creatures in this you disable it for one round; if it’s a vital organ,
way for one round. Each creature requires a you stun the creature for one round; and so on.
separate roll. The creature(s) must have a (The GM will decide what the part does and the
combination of biological and synthetic parts in effect that shutting it down will have.) Enabler.
order for this ability to function. Action.
THIRD-TIER
Discover Dinosaurs (2 Intellect points): You CRETACEOUS ABILITIES
scour the area within long range, searching for Dangerous Dinosaur Insight (3 Intellect points):
any signs of current or recent dinosaur activity. If you interact with or study a dinosaur or other
If there is or was a dinosaur in this area, you non-human creature for at least a round, you
discover its level and general type, as well gain an advantage over them in combat, having
as any additional facts that the GM feels are spotted a weakness or devised a viable tactic.
pertinent about the creature. Action. You gain an asset on attacks made against that
creature for one day. Action.
Draw the Pack (2 Might points): You roar
mightily or take some other action that draws Friend to Dinosaurs (3 Intellect points): Using
the attention of up to three creatures within gestures, soothing tones, some other action,
short range. For the next two rounds, they focus or a combination of all three, you convince a
all of their attention on you. Action. dinosaur or other creature to regard you (and
up to ten creatures you designate that are
Time Tap (2 Intellect points): Using an implant, within long distance of you) positively, as they
fingerprint-locked device, or other equipment would a potential friend. The effect is broken
unique to you, you connect with a time anomaly if one of the designated creatures attempts to
that is within immediate range and ask it one harm the target. Action.
basic question about a recent or current event,
experience, or person. If you succeed, it will Living Shield (5 Speed points): You dodge an
give you a vision of the answer. The vision it attack and trick your attacker into hitting your
provides is not always one hundred percent companion instead. Your companion must
correct or clear, but it usually contains at least be within range of your attacker’s weapon
one bit of pertinent information. Action. (immediate if melee, and so on). Enabler.
SECOND-TIER True Companion (3 Intellect points): You

CRETACEOUS ABILITIES convince your companion to retry a task that
Detect Tech (2 Intellect points): You can scan they either failed to attempt or failed to succeed
a living creature within short range and detect on. Enabler.
any technologies in or on its body. You learn the
general area where the technology is located, FOURTH-TIER
its intended purpose, and any weak spots or CRETACEOUS ABILITIES
vulnerable points. Action. Blend In (4 Intellect points): Creatures still
see you, but they attach no importance to

CHARACtER tyPE
your presence for about a minute. While equipment unique to you, you can learn the
blending in, you are specialized in stealth details of an anomaly’s cyphers (up to three)
and Speed defense tasks. This effect ends if without entering the anomaly. You can also
you do something to reveal your presence or choose whether to accept or reject these
position—attacking, using an ability, moving a cyphers upon entering the anomaly. You can
large object, and so on. If this occurs, you can spend 2 additional Intellect points to discover
regain the remaining period of effect by taking details about additional cyphers (2 Intellect
an action to focus on seeming innocuous and points per cypher). Action.
as if you belong. Action to initiate or reinitiate.
Protect the Herd (5 Might points): You drive
Fast Companion (4+ Intellect points): Your a foe of any size back from your friends and
words encourage a companion (yours or companions. Make an attack with a melee
someone else’s) to act more quickly. One weapon. In addition to inflicting damage,
willing companion you choose within short both you and the target move a short distance
range accelerates for one hour. The creature has together so you remain within immediate range
an asset on initiative tasks and Speed defense of each other. Action.
rolls. Instead of applying Effort to decrease
the difficulty of this ability, you can apply Effort Terrifying Roar (6 Intellect points): You perfectly
to affect more companions, with each level of mimic a dangerous dinosaur. All non-allies
Effort affecting one additional target. You must within short distance who can hear your
talk to additional targets to accelerate them. intimidating roar flee from you at top speed for
Action to initiate. one minute. Action.
Quick Lab (4+ Intellect points): If you spend SIXTH-TIER

ten minutes setting up your portable lab and CRETACEOUS ABILITIES
have the necessary materials on hand, you can Dinosaur Slayer (3 Might points): When you
spend another ten minutes to create one of successfully strike a dinosaur of level 5 or lower,
the following: a syringe that restores 3 points make another roll (using whichever stat you
of Might, a shield device that adds +1 to Armor used to attack). If you succeed on the second
for ten minutes, or another similar object. (You roll, you kill the target outright. Enabler.
and the GM should work together to decide
whether an object can be made using your Inspiration (6 Intellect points): You speak
quick lab.) You can spend another ten minutes words of encouragement and inspiration,
and 4 Intellect points to create a second object. and all allies within short range who can hear
Action to initiate. Action to use. you immediately gain a recovery roll, gain an
immediate free action, and have an asset on that
Shared Attack (5 Might points): You and your free action. The recovery roll does not count as
companion attack a single target in unison. one of their normal recovery rolls. Action.
You make a single attack, and if successful
you inflict the damage of whomever normally Lab Master: If given a week and the right
inflicts more (you or your companion), plus tools, chemicals, and parts, you can develop
an additional 5 points and you knock your a blueprint, machine, equation, or design that
opponent down. Action. will allow you to recreate any non-artifact object
that you previously owned (up to level 5). If
Time Seeker (4+ Intellect points): If you given two weeks and the right materials, you
spend a few rounds searching the area, you can create an artifact that you previously owned
discover any time anomalies that exist within (up to level 5). Each blueprint or design can
a one-mile radius, along with their levels and be used only once. To recreate multiple copies
about how long they will remain (give or take of an item requires multiple blueprints and
a few minutes). You can’t discern whether materials. Enabler.
the anomaly contains cyphers, artifacts, or
remnants (unless you can see it). Action. True Understanding (6 Intellect points):
You take the full measure of a creature after
spending at least ten minutes interacting with
FIFTH-TIER or closely observing it. From that point onward,
CRETACEOUS ABILITIES the difficulty of all tasks related to interacting
Decypher (6+ Intellect points): Using an with or contending with that creature is reduced
implant, fingerprint-locked device, or other by three steps. Enabler.

35
Predation
Chapter 5
CHARACtER DESCRIPtOR
AND FOCUS
DESCRIPTORS formidable force for interacting with others,
y
our descriptor is what defines your while a Driven Tec has the potential to make
character—it changes the way you amazing scientific discoveries. That said,
Driven, page 71 tackle every action that you take. Your the new descriptors provided here—Daring,
descriptor places your character in their current Empirical, Savage, Slick, and Volcanic—were
Descriptors, page 64
situation or adventure, and helps provide a designed specifically with Predation in mind,
Clever, page 67 sense of their motivations. It is the adjective of allowing characters to immerse themselves in
the sentence “I am an adjective noun who verbs.” the setting in unique ways.
The Cypher System Rulebook details fifty
Tec, page 21 descriptors. You can choose from any of the
descriptors there, regardless of type, or from NEW DESCRIPTORS
Osteon, page 30 one of the new descriptors presented in this
chapter. The Cypher System Rulebook selection DARING
of descriptors is robust and likely suitable for Sure, there’s probably a well-worn path
most players. A Clever Osteon would be a somewhere, but who cares? You’d rather go
your own way, break the rules, and not just
If you have Expanded Worlds, you could also push the boundaries, but pretend they don’t
choose from the following descriptors: even exist. You might be the mad scientist, the
Adroit trailblazer, the daredevil, or the wild storyteller.
Beneficent Whatever you do, you go your own way—and
Chaotic it’s everyone else’s loss if they don’t appreciate
Heroic the heights of your ingenuity.
Lawful You gain the following characteristics:
Relentless Innovative: +4 to your Intellect Pool.
Serene Try Anything Once: Any time you attempt
Young something that you’ve never done before and

AND FOCUS
that you aren’t trained or specialized in, you EMPIRICAL

gain an asset on that task. You trust only what you can see with your own
Skill: You are trained in one of the following: eyes—and sometimes not even that. You’re
scientific discovery, pathfinding, or storytelling. most comfortable when you’ve had time to
Inability: There is nothing worse than complete your research, find all the facts, and
following the rules. So boring. You have an figure out the truth.
inability in all tasks related to laws, rules, and You gain the following characteristics:
social norms. Observer: +4 to your Intellect Pool.
Initial Link to the Starting Adventure: From Quick Study: When you take a round to study
the following list of options, choose how you whatever’s in front of you and gain the facts,
became involved in the first adventure. you feel more confident that you’re about to do
1. Your latest scientific experiment went the right thing. You gain an asset on your next
horribly wrong. You need to collect the non-combat action.
equipment to begin again and heard that this Skill: You are trained in all actions involved
might be a way to get it. with conducting experiments or tests to
2. You’ve been growing bored and this discover proof, discern the truth, or glean
seemed like just the wild adventure you needed. information.
3. One of the other PCs heard you telling a Inability: If you haven’t had time to study
fantastical story, but didn’t hear the end. They something, you have a hard time taking action
convinced you to come along so you could and moving forward. Whenever you receive an
finish it. intrusion (either by rolling a 1 or by getting one
4. One of the other PCs is really intriguing from the GM), any action you take in response
to you, but you’re not sure why. You’re coming is one step more difficult.
along to find out more about them. Initial Link to the Starting Adventure: From
the following list of options, choose how you
became involved in the first adventure.

37
Predation
1. You’ve been studying a topic for a long about saying, “Here I am!” and then fooling
time, and you think one of the other PCs has people anyway. You probably don’t care all that
some knowledge about said topic. much about the nautils you can snag from
2. You need to gather some additional pockets or the equipment you “win” in a game
materials for your research, and this seemed of pitfall. For you, it’s all about that moment
like a good way to get some. when you close the deal, pull the wool, or con
3. Someone told you an impossible story the conner.
about this area and you absolutely need to You gain the following characteristics:
see for yourself to prove them wrong (or Grey Matter: +2 to your Intellect Pool.
begrudgingly let them know they’re right). Skill: You are trained in all tasks dealing
4. You recently read something that with persuasion, bluffing, misdirection, and
suggested there was more knowledge in the deception.
world than that found only in a lab. You’d like to Skill: You are trained in all tasks involving
find out if that is true. manual dexterity, such as stealing, performing
sleight-of-hand, and lockpicking.
SAVAGE Sleight-of-Hand: Choose one non-combat
Savage characters can You are all id and no super-ego. Everything you trick, foil, or feint to be your specialty. When
be tricky in a group. do is a combination of rage, instinct, and some you use it successfully, you have an asset on
Characters who are all id impulsive, uncontrollable drive to hurt, maim, your next non-combat action. For example, you
have the potential to be and kill. Some are afraid of you, and rightly might choose a distracting card trick as your
abrasive, aggressive, and
so—once you start down a bloodthirsty path, specialty. If you successfully distract your foe
selfish. But every villain
loves a kitten—and every
you find it hard to stop. Others are more willing with the trick, you gain an asset on your next
Sav probably does too. to embrace your savage nature, having learned action, whether it be persuasion, pickpocketing,
A Sav can care for their how to stay out of your way and use your or something else.
family and friends with brutality to their advantage. All Brain, No Brawn: When you apply Effort
just as much intensity as You gain the following characteristics: when making a Might roll, you must spend 1
they can hate their foes. Brutal: +2 to your Might Pool. extra point from your Speed Pool.
Skill: You are trained in all tasks involving Additional Equipment: You begin the
intimidation and scare tactics. game with 2 extra nautils and one additional
Skill: You are trained in smashing and inexpensive object
breaking things. Initial Link to the Starting Adventure: From
Skill: Always ready for a fight, you are trained the following list of options, choose how you
in initiative. became involved in the first adventure.
Inability: Most of the time, people just get in 1. An old friend bet you that you couldn’t
your way. You have an inability in all pleasant bluff your way into a SATI compound. You lost
social interactions. that bet. Being here is part of your payment.
Initial Link to the Starting Adventure: From 2. One of the PCs helped you pull off a
the following list of options, choose how you con recently. You’re not sure if they did it
became involved in the first adventure. accidentally or on purpose, but you feel like you
1. In a recent battle, you attacked one of the want to learn more about them.
other PCs by accident. After you calmed down, 3. You beat one of the other PCs badly in a
you promised to protect them in their next game of pitfall. They asked you to come along
fight. and teach them some of your tricks.
2. You heard there was fighting to be had, 4. Sometimes you can just smell opportunity.
and you wanted in. And this bunch? They reek of it.
3. One of the other PCs saw you fight off a
group of raptors by yourself and asked you to VOLCANIC
come along. Most of the time, people would describe you as
4. You told everyone you were going to join, quiet and calm, a strong and steady presence
and no one said no to you, so here you are. that draws no attention to itself. But in truth,
you’re just biding your time, conserving your
SLICK energies, waiting for the perfect moment
You talk fast, you think fast, and you move fast. to take action. When you act, you act big,
You’re not the toughest, but in most situations, exploding into motion with power and grace.
you don’t need to be. And you’re not one of You gain the following characteristics:
those people who hides in the shadows like Explosive: +2 to your Speed Pool.
vermin or skulks around waiting to jump out Calm Before the Storm: Once per day, if
and attack passersby. Not you. For you, it’s all you take an action to meditate and clear your

AND FOCUS
mind, you can make a recovery roll on your next SCIENCE, NOT MAGIC
action. This doesn’t count against your existing As we’ve mentioned previously, Predation
recovery rolls. is a world that is full of science—some of
Sleeping Giant: When you forgo your action it very advanced, far-future science that
once in combat, you deal 5 additional points of doesn’t even exist in our current world—but
damage on your next attack (if it’s successful). If it is devoid of magic as we know it. Thus,
you forgo your action twice in a row in combat, when you encounter a focus that seems
you deal 8 additional points of damage on your to have magic as its driver, just turn it into
next attack (if it’s successful). Sleeping Giant can something that is science-based instead.
be used only once per combat encounter. For example, if you choose Controls Gravity
Inability: You’re not always the quickest on or Crafts Illusions, then instead of your
your feet, but that’s only because you’re taking abilities coming from mental or magical
in all the possible angles. You have an inability quirks, have them come from technology
in all initiative actions. embedded in your DNA or from a far-future
Initial Link to the Starting Adventure: From device that was brought back in time. It’s
the following list of options, choose how you okay if the science that you want to use
became involved in the first adventure. doesn’t exist today—as long as you (and
1. One of the other PCs invited you to come your GM) think it might have been invented
along, and you were so slow to answer that they or discovered within the next hundred or so
were already introducing you to everyone before years, it’s fair game.
you could say no. A character’s ability to tap into time
2. You’d been sitting still for too long and anomalies also provides a great scientific
were craving a bit of adventure. explanation for powers that might otherwise
3. You wanted to see more of the world, and seem magical.
this seemed like a great opportunity to do so.
4. You’re intrigued by the skills of one of the
other PCs and would like to learn more about No one builds, breeds, or blueprints new
them. species and creatures like you do.
You probably don’t care what you’re wearing,
as long as it has lots of pockets for your tools
FOCI and equipment (and sometimes for a baby
Focus makes your character unique. It gives creature who needs your body heat). Ideally, no two PCs in a
you benefits when you create your character Tecs often Play God, but it’s not uncommon group should share the
and each time you ascend to the next tier. When to find Pteryx and other types following this same focus.
you choose a focus, it gives you a first-tier path.
ability, a special connection to one or more of Connection: Choose one of the following.
your fellow PCs, and possibly some starting 1. Pick one other PC. You’d like to create a Foci, page 90
equipment. dinosaur companion for them, but you don’t
Focus is the verb of the sentence, “I am an know them well enough yet to know what they
adjective noun who verbs.” might like.
The Cypher System Rulebook details more 2. Pick one other PC. You suspect they are
than seventy foci, most of which would work put off by your interest in creating dinosaurs,
For a list of appropriate
for Predation without any adjustments. Others but you don’t know if it’s true and you’re foci, along with notes
can be customized, with your GM’s help, to suit nervous about asking them. on adjusting them to
your Predation character. 3. Pick two other PCs. You once overheard better suit the setting of
You can also choose one of the new foci them talking about how dinosaurs are created, Predation, see page 40.
presented here, which have been specifically and you were stunned by their general lack of
created for Predation. knowledge about the topic.
4. Pick one other PC. That person asked you
to make them a dinosaur. You said yes and took
NEW FOCI their nautils, but haven’t yet delivered on your Plays God GM
promise. Intrusions: Whoops,
PLAYS GOD Minor Effect Suggestion: You learn one that experiment went
wildly wrong. Your
Sure, you’ve got all your eggs in one basket— additional piece of information that is useful to
beaker breaks. Your baby
but that basket is a test tube and those eggs are your task. dinosaur escapes. You
going to grow up to be T. rexes. Your knowledge Major Effect Suggestion: Your plans worked spliced two genes that
of gene splicing, cloning, animal husbandry, so well that you halved the time they would you definitely should not
and other forms of creation is beyond compare. normally take. have spliced.

39
Predation
FOCI APPROPRIATE FOR PREDATION
Foci Alternate Name Corebook Foci Alternate Name Corebook

Page Page
Builds Robots Builds Cyborgs 100 Metes Out Justice 149
(see Notes) Moves Like a Cat Moves Like a Raptor 150
Calculates the 101 (see Notes)
Incalculable Moves Like the Wind 151
Carries a Quiver 102 Murders 152
Conducts Weird Science 109 Needs No Weapon 153
Controls Gravity 113 Never Says Die 154
Crafts Illusions 114 Operates Undercover 155
Crafts Unique Objects 116 Performs Feats of 156
Defends the Weak 116 Strength
Doesn’t Do Much 118 Plays God*
Entertains 120 Predates*
Explores Dark Places 123 Rages 158
Explores Deep Waters 124 Sees Beyond (see Notes) 160
Fights Dirty 125 Self-Evolves*
Fights With Panache 126 Slays Monsters 166
Fuses Flesh and Steel 129 Solves Mysteries 167
Fuses Mind and 131 Stands Like a Bastion 170
Machine Talks to Machines 171
Hunts Nonhumans 135 Throws with Deadly 173
Hunts with Great Skill 137 Accuracy
Infiltrates 138 Travels Through Time Sees Through Time 174
Is Licensed to Carry 142 (see Notes)
Leads 143 Walks With Dinosaurs*
Lives in the Wilderness 144 Wields Two Weapons at 177

Once
Looks for Trouble 145
Works the Back Alleys 179
Masters Defense 146
Works the System 180
Masters the Swarm (see Notes) 147
Would Rather Be 181
Masters Weaponry 148 Reading
*new focus in this book
If you also have Expanded Worlds, you could choose the following foci:
Collects Bounties Learns Quickly
Explores Likes to Break Things
Figures Things Out Negotiates Matters of Life and Death
Finds the Flaw in All Things Revels in Trickery
Helps Their Friends Runs Away
Is Wanted by the Law Scavenges

AND FOCUS
NOTES: Tier 1: Find Origin (1 Intellect point). You can

Builds Cyborgs: There are very few robots study a creature or plant and learn one thing
in Grevakc. Whether that’s because robot about where it came from. You might uncover
technologies didn’t advance as far as its place of origin, its creator (if it has one), or
cybernetics, because robots didn’t time-travel the way in which it was formed. Action.
well, or because they didn’t stand up to the Hush Now (2 Intellect points). Through
test of time in the future is unknown. Those voice and actions, you temporarily convince
who take this focus can use all of the same a nonhuman creature within short range that
skills, but instead of interacting with robots, you are its parent or creator. It remains calm
they interact with cyborgs (creatures that are for up to two rounds, as long as you focus
a combination of a living organism and a all your attention on it. The GM has final say
machine). over what counts as a nonhuman creature, but
Masters the Swarm: Anyone who takes this unless some kind of deception is at work, you
focus should spend a bit of time learning should know whether you can affect a creature
about what types of swarms could exist before you attempt to use this ability on it. The
in Grevakc. Some options include small creature must have at least some biological
mammals, early insects and spiders, bird-like components to be affected by your ability.
mammals, and others. Action.
Moves Like a Raptor: For whatever reason,
there are no cats in Grevakc. Perhaps they Tier 2: Creature Comfort (2 Intellect points).
weren’t able to make the time leap, or You always carry a portable healing lab. It
perhaps they’ve all died out since those early includes a variety of salves, patches, devices,
commutes. Either way, moving like a raptor is and injections that you’ve created to heal
a concept that will have greater meaning for nonhuman creatures. If you spend an action
most people in Grevakc. using one of these, you can heal a willing
Sees Beyond: Your abilities likely come creature for 3 points of health. You can apply a
from your unique connection to time level of Effort to increase the health points by 2.
anomalies (and probably from some hidden Thus, to heal a creature for 7 points of health,
splice in your DNA). What you don’t know you must apply two levels of Effort. The lab
is if you’re seeing through dimensions or can be used three times before it needs to be
through time itself. restocked (which takes about 24 hours). Action.
Sees Through Time: Characters who Life Bringer. You are trained in all actions that
choose this focus are deeply connected to involve creating or growing life forms, including
time anomalies and likely have splices in planting seeds, birthing, animal husbandry,
their DNA (whether they know it or not). hatching eggs, and raising young. Enabler.
However, in Predation they are unable to
physically travel through time. Instead, they Tier 3: Grow (3 Intellect points). You take ten
travel mentally, in a sense seeing through minutes to create a serum that causes a single
time. Their bodies do not physically leave the nonhuman creature (level 3 or lower) to mature
present. This is probably the trickiest focus to its fully grown size, strength, weight, and
conversion, due to the nature of Predation, so on in just 48 hours. You can apply a level
and likely requires approval and assistance of Effort to increase the maximum level of the
from your GM. target. Thus, to grow a level 5 creature (two
levels above the normal limit), you must apply
two levels of Effort. The effect is permanent.
Action to inject.
Tier 4: Splice (4+ Intellect points). If you have

the right tools (lab, serums, samples, and so
on) and spend at least a week working on it,
you can create the necessary technology to
splice the genes of one nonhuman creature
into another. The two (or more) creatures must
be decided ahead of time and all must be level
3 or lower. Using the device to do the splicing
is an action. Your changes make the creature
function either one level higher or one level
lower than it normally does. You can apply a

41
Predation
level of Effort to increase the maximum level of 2. Pick one other PC. They woke you once in
the target. Thus, to splice a level 5 creature (two the middle of the night, and you accidentally
levels above the normal limit), you must apply injured them. You’re still not sure what they
two levels of Effort. The effect is permanent. were doing there while you slept.
Action. 3. Pick one other PC. You recently discovered
a secret about them. You’re not sure if they
Tier 5: Clone (5+ Intellect points). If you have know that you know.
the right tools (lab, serums, samples, and so 4. Pick two other PCs. You overheard them
on) and spend at least a week working on it, talking about you, but you couldn’t make out
you can clone a nonhuman creature (up to level the gist of what they were saying. You aren’t
5) that you have easy access to. You can apply sure whether to mention it or not.
a level of Effort to increase the maximum level Minor Effect Suggestion: The person you’re
of the target. Thus, to clone a level 7 creature talking to is so intimidated by you that they are
(two levels above the normal limit), you must dazed for one round, during which time the
apply two levels of Effort. The cloned creature difficulty of all of their actions is increased by
requires an additional week to reach maturity. one step.
Until that time, it is considered a level 2 Major Effect Suggestion: Your attack is even
creature (no matter its final level). Action. more ferocious than expected, knocking your
foe off balance and setting them up in the
Tier 6: Life Saver (6 Intellect points). If you perfect position for an ally to attack.
have the right tools and the ability to focus
completely for ten minutes, you can attempt Tier 1: Unnatural Selection. You gain +1 to
to bring a recently deceased nonhuman Armor and add either +1 to your Speed Edge
creature back to life. They must have died and 3 additional points to your Speed Pool or +1
within the last ten minutes, their body must be to your Might Edge and 3 additional points to
mostly intact, and they must have died from your Might Pool (choose either Might or Speed,
something that can be fixed with technology not both). Enabler.
(such as asphyxiation, heart stoppage, and Tooth and Nail: You are practiced in using
so on). This does not work for creatures that your enhanced body parts (teeth, claws, nails,
have been dead for more than ten minutes, tail, stinger, and so on) as a medium weapon.
nor for creatures that have been decapitated or Enabler.
otherwise had their bodies mutilated beyond
repair. (You should work with the GM to decide Tier 2: Sneak. You are trained in stealth and
if a creature can be revived.) Action. initiative tasks. Enabler.
Integrated Attack. You gain a +2 bonus to
PREDATES damage when using your enhanced body parts
Predates GM You’ve long dreamt of being the ultimate (teeth, claws, nails, tail, and so on). Enabler.
Intrusions: Sometimes predator and now you’re on your way to
being more than human achieving that goal. Claws and teeth are just Tier 3: Come Closer. Your melee attacks using
has real disadvantages. the beginning, thanks to advanced surgical your enhanced body parts (teeth, claws, nails,
Your claws or teeth sink
techniques, body modifications, and 4D tail, and so on) are modified by one step in your
in deeper than you expect
printing. Sure, everyone else can ride a favor. If you hit, you can grab the target and pull
and get stuck or break
off in a foe. Your new tail dinosaur or fight a dinosaur…but you? You can it toward you, preventing it from moving on its
causes you to lose your become a dinosaur. next turn. Enabler.
balance. You probably wear clothing that is specially
designed to quickly shift and flow around your Tier 4: Animal Frenzy. When you wish, while in
unusual physique. combat, you can enter a state of animal frenzy.
Those who Predate are typically Karns, for While in this state, you can’t use Intellect
obvious reasons, or Pteryx, who put their points, but you gain +2 to your Might Edge and
bodies to good use when traveling through your Speed Edge. This effect lasts for as long
the wilderness and moving among dinosaurs. as you wish, but it ends if no combat is taking
An Osteon who wants to create a stunning place within range of your senses. Enabler.
performance or present an intimidating
appearance might also choose to Predate. Tier 5: Weapon Mastery (4 Might points). When
Connection: Choose one of the following. using your enhanced body parts (teeth, claws,
1. Pick one other PC. You suspect they nails, tail, stinger, and so on) as a weapon, you
are either afraid of or disgusted by your can reroll any attack roll you wish and take the
adaptations, but you haven’t asked them. better of the two results. Enabler.

AND FOCUS
Tier 6: Integrated Attack Mastery. You gain +2 whether those parts are in your brain or your
bonus damage when using your enhanced body body. Once per day, you can take a rest as an
parts as a weapon. This bonus adds to the one action and repair your upgraded body parts. Self-Evolves GM
from Integrated Attack, giving you a total bonus Restore 1d6 points to the Pool that you chose Intrusions: The body is
of +4. Enabler. in Enhancements. (Points always go into that an imperfect machine—
Pool, up to your original limit. Does not count and becomes even more
so when you start altering
SELF-EVOLVES against your existing rests). Action.
it. Biotech stutters out
Through the magic of bioengineering, lab- or works too well for one
grown organs, and cybernetic additives, you Tier 2: Enhanced Observer. Thanks to your round. A piece of tech
have become something far better than human. enhancements, you are trained in listening, wears out at the wrong
Something smarter, faster, and more adaptable. perceiving, and spotting danger. Enabler. moment.
Call it neo-human, survival of the fittest, or
just bad-ass—whatever it is, you’re able to
exploit these superhuman skills to the fullest.
Your enhanced body parts might be visible
to everyone, or they might be changes at the
cellular level known only to you.
You might choose to wear an outfit that
shows off your assets or one that is designed
to hide them away from prying eyes. It’s also
possible that your abilities are powered or
somehow interconnected with your clothing or
equipment.
Many Karns choose this focus as a way to
enhance their physical prowess, but other
types find that enhanced motor skills and
coordination can be beneficial additions to their
tasks as well.
Connection: Choose one of the following.
1. Pick one other PC. You saved them from
a bad situation, but in doing so, you exposed
your adaptations, and you think you might have
freaked them out.
2. Pick one other PC. You knew each other
before you began altering yourself, but you’re
not sure how they feel about what you’ve done.
3. Pick one other PC. That person has asked
you a lot of questions about your abilities. Are
they nefarious or just curious? You’re not sure
yet.
4. Pick one other PC. You recently discovered
a secret about them. You’re not sure if they
know that you know.
Additional Equipment: You have a toolkit,
portable lab, or other item that you use to keep
your non-original, non-organic parts in good
working shape.
Minor Effect Suggestion: Your attack is so
well placed that it dazes your opponent.
Major Effect Suggestion: Human foes are
often surprised by your unique abilities. Your
foe is so stunned by your attack that they turn
and try to run.
Tier 1: Enhancements. You gain +3 to one Pool

of your choice.
Self-Healing. You’re skilled in keeping your
non-organic parts well oiled (so to speak),

43
Predation
Stalker. You are trained in all types of technology, and an uncanny understanding, you
movement tasks (including climbing, can communicate with dinosaurs and get them
swimming, jumping, and balancing). Enabler. to do your bidding, far more than you can most
people—and far more than most people can.
Tier 3: Weaponized. You have one light or You probably wear clothing that allows you a
medium melee or ranged weapon of your great deal of movement and doesn’t startle or
choice built into your body. You are trained affect creatures in a negative way. You might not
in this weapon (even if you are not trained in always smell the best to other humans, but you
other weapons of that type). The weapon is find that dinosaurs seem to like you this way.
concealed unless you wish to use it. Enabler. Although Pteryx frequently Walk With
Dinosaurs, this focus is also used by Tecs who
Tier 4: Adaptation. Your new enhancements work with dinosaurs as part of their research.
allow you to alter your body almost at will. Once It’s also useful to anyone who wishes to
per day, you can transfer up to 3 points between have a better, stronger connection with their
your Pools in any combination. Action. companion.
Connection: Choose one of the following.
Tier 5: Super Adaptation. Your new 1. Pick one other PC. They seem to be afraid
enhancements allow you to alter your body of some (most? all?) dinosaurs, and you’d like
almost at will. Once per day, you can transfer to offer your help.
Walks With Dinosaurs up to 5 points between your Pools in any 2. Pick one other PC. It’s unusual for you to
GM Intrusions: You combination. Action. want to get to know humans better—but this is
encounter a dinosaur one person you would like to learn more about.
you’ve never seen before Tier 6: Ultimate Fighter. You gain +1 to Armor, 3. Pick one other PC. They are having trouble
and that doesn’t respond +1 to all of your attacks, and +4 to each of your interacting with their companion, and have
to your abilities. You get three stat Pools. Enabler. asked you for assistance.
doused in something that
4. Pick one other PC. Every time you’re
makes you smell bad to
dinosaurs. A dinosaur WALKS WITH DINOSAURS working with a dinosaur, that person seems to
you’re interacting with You’re not so sure about other humans, but you set the creature on edge. You haven’t figured
gets spooked and injures and dinosaurs are like this. You just get them— out why.
you accidentally. and they seem to get you. Through training,

AND FOCUS
Minor Effect Suggestion: You study a you mean them no harm. Choose one type of
creature so deeply that you learn an extra detail dinosaur or nonhuman creature that never, ever
or bit of information about it. attacks you (they might still attack your friends
Major Effect Suggestion: Your interaction and allies, however). Enabler.
with the dinosaur goes so well that the creature
does even more than you ask of it or the effect Tier 4: Coordinated Effort. When you and your
lasts even longer. companion work together to accomplish a
single non-combat goal, you each get an asset
Tier 1: Kinesic (2 Intellect points). If you spend on your respective task. So, for example, if
one round reading the body language of nearby you’re trying to get into a heavily guarded place,
dinosaurs (including your companion), you you could have your companion distract the
gain an asset on interacting with dinosaurs for guard while you attempt to sneak past him, and
ten minutes. Action to initiate. you’d each get an asset on your tasks. You must
Read the Signs. You’re always watching the state ahead of time that you’re attempting to
creatures around you to see what they’re paying work together and what the goal is. Enabler.
attention to. You are trained in initiative and
assessing danger whenever you can see a living Tier 5: Creatures of Habit. You’ve studied
dinosaur in the vicinity. Enabler. dinosaurs for so long that you know more
about them than almost anyone else in the
Tier 2: Soothe the Dragon (2 Intellect points). world. You know how they think, move, act,
You calm a dinosaur (or other nonhuman hunt, and mate. You have an asset on all
beast) within long range. You may use gestures, non-combat interactions with dinosaurs (and
sounds, or words, and the dinosaur must be dinosaur-like creatures), including healing,
able to hear and see you. It remains calm for tracking, and communicating. Enabler.
one minute or for as long as you focus all your
attention on it. Action. Tier 6: King of Beasts (6 Intellect points). With
Close Companions. You spend a lot of time words, sounds, or gestures, you can calm up to
with your companion, more so than most three dinosaurs and dinosaur-like nonhuman
people, and you have a tight bond. You have beasts within long range. You keep them calm
an asset on all of your interactions with your for as long as you focus all your attention on
companion. Enabler. them, using your turn reach round. It’s a single
action (and a single roll) to initiate the effect on
Tier 3: Call to Aid (3 Intellect points). With the group of creatures.
a few words and gestures, you can request
assistance from a dinosaur within long range
of you. This assistance can come in the form of
a distraction, a shield, an attack, intimidation,
or any other simple task that the creature could
feasibly do. The creature must not already be in
combat with you. Action.
Friend to Animals. You have been kind to
animals your whole life, and they know that

45
Predation
Chapter 6
COMPANIONS
A
s he worked, Reuven ran his hand It was some kind of trap. But who? They’d
over the long, dappled neck of his figure it out later. Right now, they had to move.
companion. Kleo leaned into his touch If he could patch up Blitz and keep him stable,
even as she continued to sweep her big head then Kleo could carry the three of them to
along the damp ground. He could tell from her safety.
low snorts that she wasn’t finding anything. He grabbed his med kit and started running.
His tracker had said there was a time
anomaly here, a big one, so why couldn’t they
find it?
“Anything on your end?” he asked Eustis. She
Characters are not was wearing a complicated device across her All characters start with a level 2 creature
required to have a eyes that let her see everything that Blitz, her companion. As part of character creation,
companion. Instead, microraptor, was seeing as it flew above them. you’ll choose the type of companion you want
they may choose to take She shook her head and pulled the device your character to have (which will, in turn,
additional tier abilities as
from her face. “Nothing. What’s going on? Do provide your companion with stats such as
described in Chapter 4:
Character Type, page 16. you think your tracker was wrong?” health and armor) and choose a disposition
“Maybe.” that describes your companion and helps
From above them came the call of Eustis’s expand their personality. You’ll also want to give
microraptor. A shadow passed overhead. And your companion a name, a description, and a
then a dark shape was dropping out of the sky background.
toward them. Your companion has the starter statistics
Before Reuven could react, Eustis was listed on the appropriate chart. Your companion
running toward the shape, arms outstretched. acts on your turn, and another player makes
She caught the microraptor as it fell, and the rolls for it during combat, interactions, and
Playing companions, weight of it brought her to her knees. other actions. See Playing Companions for
page 49 “He’s been shot!” she said. additional information.

COMPANIONS
CHOOSING A What do you hope to be able to use your

COMPANION companion for? If you want to train your
When deciding what kind of companion companion to carry you, your friends, and all
you’d like your character to have, consider the of your belongings along the Chalk Road, you
following: probably shouldn’t pick the ostrich-like anzu.
Do you want a creature that will strengthen If, however, you want something that is fast,
and enhance your character’s existing abilities adaptable, and able to lead you out of dark
or help fill in gaps in their skill set? If a places when you’re lost, an anzu might be the
Savage Karn who Predates chooses a fierce perfect choice.
tyrannosaur, they will be especially well suited Tyrannosaur, page 53
for battle, but will probably fare poorly in things
like social interaction and sneaking. Choosing a Alphadon, page 55
cute alphadon as their companion isn’t likely to
further enhance their battle skills, but it could
make bribing a guard a little bit easier and GMs can choose not to start
maybe even offset an inability. characters with companions and
What size should your companion be? Some instead have them work to gain
dinosaurs are large enough that they can’t companions during game play. This
realistically follow you everywhere. A 40-foot- works especially well for long
tall (12 m) brachiosaurus can’t fit through a campaigns, or for adventures where
tiny door or squeeze through all of the Astral finding and gaining a companion is part
Caverns. Of course, with the science and of the goal. See Losing and Gaining
technology that exists, you might be able to Companions on page 51 for ways in
breed or grow a 10-foot tall (3 m) brachiosaurus, which characters can gain companions.
but that would take extra time and effort.

47
Predation
COMPANION BACKGROUND
There are any number of ways for a character to gain a companion, including purchasing, capturing, and creating one.
Decide how your character and their companion become a pair from the options below (or come up with your own).
Roll 1d20 on the table below to determine your companion’s background or choose from the following options. Alternatively,
you can make up your own story for how you gained a companion, using any of the options from Losing and
Gaining Companions.
Roll Background
1 Your parents breed and raise dinosaurs, and they gave you this one as a gift to congratulate you for a recent accomplishment.
2 You saw that the creature was being mistreated by someone, and you plotted a way to steal it from that person
and set it free. You weren’t expecting to become so attached.
3 You only recently captured your dinosaur in the wild and started training it. Things seem to be going well, but the
two of you are still feeling each other out.
4 You won your companion in a game of chance. It wasn’t the prize you were hoping for at the time, but in the end
you’re happy it turned out the way it did.
5 You picked up your companion by accident on your travels. You realized you were being stalked and decided to
confront your stalker head-on. Once you convinced the creature that you weren’t food, you became fast friends.
6 You spent the better part of a year hunting down the perfect companion before you finally found your current
companion. The two of you have been inseparable ever since.
7 Your friend created your companion for you in a biolab. You got to watch it grow from a tiny speck of nothing into
the healthy creature it’s become today.
8 You adopted your companion from a dinosaur rescue shelter. You have no idea what its background is, but it
always seems grateful to you for giving it a home.
9 You left your house one morning to find a creature standing by your front door, almost as if it was waiting for
you. When you left, it followed along behind. It’s been there ever since.
10 You found your companion wandering deep in the jungle. The young creature was hurt and scared. You slowly
nursed it back to health.
11 You used to work in a secret research facility. The conditions were so horrible that you and a few others tried to
free the animals, but you were caught before you could execute your plan. Your companion was the only creature
that you were able to rescue from the facility.
12 This companion—or at least its near-clone—has been passed down in your family for two generations. If you have
kids, your parents expect that you’ll have near-clones of your companion made to pass along to them as well.
13 Someone gave the dinosaur to you as a gift. You have no idea who it was, so you’ve never been able to thank
them for it.
14 When you were younger, someone with a grudge came after you and tried to kill you. You killed them instead,
only later realizing that they had a companion with them. You weren’t sure what to do with the creature, so you
started feeding it. Now it’s yours.
15 You worked and saved for a long time and were eventually able to purchase the exact creature you wanted from
a traveling vendor. The vendor made you promise that if you ever wanted to give your companion up, you would
find them and return it to them.
16 The creature once belonged to your lover. When the two of you split, it seemed to want to come with you instead.
It’s been your companion ever since.
17 You found an egg in an abandoned nest and took it to a scientist that you know. Miracle of miracles, they were
able to hatch it.
18 You worked at a dinosaur ranch for a few years. When you left, the owner thanked you for all your hard work by
offering you one of the young dinosaurs of your choice.
19 Your companion was originally destined to be a dino wrestler, but it turned out to be horrible at the sport. Its
wrestling trainer let you have the creature for a steal.
20 The first time the two of you met, your companion tried to kill you. You were able to calm it, and eventually the
two of you called a tenuous truce. You hope it lasts.

COMPANIONS
It’s important to note that the person playing the

companion (not the person playing the character) is
the “voice” of that companion’s actions, personality,
and choices. So each player essentially roleplays two
characters: that of their Tec, Karn, Pteryx, or Osteon
and that of another player’s companion. Losing and Gaining
Companions, page 51
PLAYING two gets easier. For tier 1 and 2 characters, this

COMPANIONS interaction is level 3, for tier 3 characters, this
In Predation, players don’t play as their own interaction is level 2, for tier 4 characters, this Players can choose
companions. Instead, players create their interaction is level 1. For tier 5 and 6 characters, to play their own
companions and then pass their companion this interaction is level 0, meaning no roll is companions, if the GM
sheets to the person next to them. (In online needed. agrees and it works for
the table.
games or other setups, it might not be possible Most routine activities—things that
for players to pass their companion sheets to companions would normally do anyway, such
the person next to them. Any setup works, as as following the character around, eating,
long as it’s easy for players to remember who drinking, and so on—don’t require interaction
is controlling their companion and whose rolls.
companion they are controlling.)
Typically, companions take their action on COMPANION INTERACTION
the same turn as their character. A character’s DIFFICULTY CHART
companion can act before them, at the same Interaction Difficulty
time as them (for enablers), or after them. A Character Tier Level
character might instead choose to hold their
1 3
companion’s actions to have them assist
another player. 2 3
Any time a character wants their companion 3 2
to take an action, they must ask their
4 1
companion to do so. Like everything in the
Cypher System, this interaction between the 5 0
character and their companion has a level. It’s 6 0
an Intellect-based skill, and the character can
spend Effort or use any skills they might have
(such as being trained in dinosaur interactions)
to decrease the difficulty of the interaction task. AGING AND LIFESPAN
Let’s say a character wants their companion Most dinosaurs take at least 5 years to
to attack a level 5 foe. First, the character reach adult size, but some take as many as
decides if they want to spend Effort or apply any 60 years to reach full maturity. These aging
skills to lower the difficulty of the interaction. timelines can be accelerated or decelerated
Then they roll to see if they succeed on the using growth hormones, genetic
interaction. The interaction for a level 2 engineering, and other techniques.
companion is level 3, so they need a 9 or higher. Small dinosaurs in the wild can live for
If they roll a 10, their companion will attempt to as long as 10-15 years, while some larger
attack the foe. dinosaurs live as many as 80 or 100 years.
However, a successful interaction roll Some of the largest, like the sauropods, can
doesn’t mean that the companion will succeed have lifespans of 120 years or more.
on their attempt, only that they will attempt Domesticated dinosaurs typically
it. The companion (remember, in Predation, have longer life expectancies than wild
companions are considered PCs) still needs a dinosaurs, but much of that is contingent
successful attack roll. The player who’s running on what type of care, food, and protection
the companion then rolls. The foe is level 5, so they receive. Augmentations such as armor,
they need to roll a 15 or higher in order for the advanced weaponry, and enhanced healing
companion’s attack to be successful. likely add years to a dinosaur’s life.
As the bond between the character and the
companion grows, the interaction between the

49
Predation
EXAMPLE OF COMPANION PLAY
Chiaki: I want to sweet-talk that guard and Chiaki: *gasps* What a jerk. Rhyme, cover your
convince him that I have permission to be here. ears!
I’m trained in positive social interactions. But
first, I’ll ask Rhyme to use her Look at Me ability GM: Do you say that out loud?
to distract him a bit while I’m talking to him.
She’s got those new laser-lights embedded in Chiaki: No. But I think it really hard on the
her fur. That’ll distract him for sure. inside. On the outside, I just smile and nod
back.
Curious, page 58 Rhyme is a Curious Alphadon and has the ability
Look at Me, which allows her to distract a foe, GM: Okay, so you and the guard strike up a
Alphadon, page 55 dazzling it for one round. conversation. You don’t get the sense that he’s
going to hand over the keys to the compound
Look at Me, page 56
GM: Okay, Chiaki, let’s see if Rhyme agrees to or anything to you quite yet, but you also don’t
give you a hand. The interaction is a level 3, so think he’s going to kick you out right away.
you’ll need to roll a 9 or higher.
However, just as you might be thinking of
Chiaki rolls a 7. breathing a sigh of relief, you see there’s
another guard coming around the side of
Dekan (playing Rhyme): Ha, I’m too curious building. She has her weapon drawn. Dekan,
for my own good. I hear Chiaki saying “do this you recognize her as the guard you interacted
thing,” but I see movement behind the guard with earlier. She’s coming straight for you. Make
and run off to see what’s going on back there. an initiative roll.
Chiaki: “Rhyme! Wait, Rhyme! Again? Ugh… Dekan: First, I’m going to see where Figaro is.
she’s never here when I need her.” I think he’s flying circles right above me. Is he
close enough to help me out?
GM: All right, Rhyme has gone off and done
Vigilant, page 59 her own thing, leaving you on your own. Tell me Figaro is a Vigilant Pterodactylus. Being Vigilant
what you say to the guard and give me a roll. provides an asset to Dekan’s initiative whenever
Pterodactylus, page 55 Figaro is within long range. Because it’s an asset,
Chiaki: Well, since we both just watched Rhyme there’s no need to make a roll to see whether it
wander off after I asked her for help, I’m works. As an enabler, it also doesn’t use up the
going to throw some sadness at this guard. companion’s action.
“Companions, eh? They’re never there when
you need them. Breaks my heart. You want to GM: He is. The guard is level 4, so normally
buy an alphadon cheap, pal?” you’d need a 12 to beat him, but with Figaro’s
help, you only need a 9.
Chiaki rolls a 12.
Dekan: I roll a 10.
GM: Okay. Well, the guard seems a little
surprised that you’re suddenly talking to him, GM: Thanks to Figaro, you get to act before the
but after a moment, he nods and says, “Yeah, guard.
I hear you. Worth more as pelts than as pets,
those vermin.”

COMPANIONS
Dekan: I pull out my slingshot and take aim Dekan: “Ack, not Figaro. Come and attack me,
right at his face. I’m going to apply a level of you coward. Fly, Figaro! Quick!”
Effort to hit.
GM: Isla, give me a Speed defense roll for
GM: Give me a roll. Figaro.
Dekan rolls a 13. She rolls a 3.
GM: You hit him right in the nose with your… Isla and Dekan together: Oh no.
what are you loading your slingshot with?
GM: Figaro’s not quite fast enough to slip out
Dekan: Dried dino poop mixed with rocks. It of the way. The guard hits him for 3 points of
really stinks and it stings when you get it near damage. You can see him falter a little bit as the
your eyes. blade slices his wing, but he’s still up in the air.
He doesn’t go down.
GM: Okay, you hit him right in the nose with
your poop and rock mixture. You can see his GM: Isla, it’s your turn. What do you want to do?
head rock back from the direct hit and he gets
this disgusted look on his face.
HEALING COMPANIONS
Dekan: Great! Then I whistle to Figaro, asking Companions take damage just like any other
him to swoop down and peck the guard’s creature in the world. Various types of Armor
face. I’m going to use a level of Effort for the can help decrease the amount of damage that
interaction. they take, but if they get hurt, they will need to
be healed to keep them alive. There are multiple
GM: Okay, interactions are Intellect-based, so ways to heal companions.
the Effort will cost you 3 points of Intellect, Recovery Rolls: Each time your character
minus your Edge. Give me a roll for the makes a recovery roll, your companion heals Recovery roll, page 202
interaction and see if you get a 6 or higher. at the same time, gaining health equal to your
character’s tier. So, each time a tier 1 character
Dekan rolls a 12. makes a recovery roll, their companion heals 1
point of health; when a tier 2 character makes a
Isla (playing Figaro): Figaro seems happy to recovery roll, their companion heals 2 points of
oblige. He folds his wings and swoops down health; and so on.
out of the sky toward the guard. “RAWK!” Companion Abilities: Some companions can
gain abilities that give them additional healing
GM: Okay, Isla. Roll to see if Figaro succeeds on each recovery roll that their character makes.
on his attack. Healing Skill: Anyone can use the healing Healing, page 210
skill to try to heal a companion, just as they
Isla rolls a 16. would any other PC or NPC.
Cyphers and artifacts: Most cyphers, artifacts,
Isla: That’s a hit! Figaro swoops in and gives the and other devices that can restore points to a
guard a hard peck, right near his eye. PC or NPC’s Might Pool can be used to heal a
companion as well.
Dekan: “Way to go, Figaro! We’ll go catch some
fish for you later!”
LOSING AND
GM: Nice work. Figaro’s peck does 2 points GAINING COMPANIONS
of damage. That guard is seriously hurt and The death (or other loss) of a companion is
unhappy right now. But it’s his turn, and his pain typically a big deal for PCs. Most characters
doesn’t keep him from striking out at Figaro. have strong bonds with their companions,
While a PC might have any number of creatures that

they are close to, they may have only one companion
at a given time.

51
Predation
Not every character and losing them—whether that’s through task that takes 1d6 days. (Roll each day the
is closely bonded with death, theft, forced separation, or some other character attempts to create the companion.
their companion. Some reason—has the potential to change a character Mishaps may delay growth but rarely stop the
consider them to be more in fundamental ways. A character might have a process entirely, so success doesn’t need to
like a useful tool than a
long grieving period, where they just can’t bring be consecutive; the character just needs to
friend or comrade. There
is room for all levels of themselves to take a new companion. Others succeed on the total number of days.)
relationships between might decide to use their dead companion’s Rescue: There are many opportunities to
PCs and companions, genetic material to rescue (or steal,
from deep emotional try to create a replica. depending on
bonds to something more Some might hold the situation) a
utilitarian. a long, elaborate All companions, companion. Labs,
grieving ceremony. regardless of their testing facilities,
Still others might go category, begin as level rehabilitation facilities,
out and find a new 2 creatures. breeding facilities,
The largest rehabilitation companion right away fighting pits, and
facility, Heartsong as a way to avoid dinosaur rescue
Range, is located south feeling grief and loss. shelters are just a few places where one can
of Kelaino. They take in
If a PC’s companion dies, is stolen, or gain a companion. Rescuing or stealing a
injured dinosaurs and
restore them to health
otherwise isn’t likely to return to the character, companion typically takes time, skills, and
before adopting them they may gain a new companion in one of the resources.
out to good homes or following ways. This list is also applicable if Other: The player and the GM can work
returning them to the the GM decides that the characters don’t start together to come up with additional ways
wild. the game with companions, but rather have to in which to gain a companion. For example,
acquire them along the way. perhaps a character’s relative or friend
Kelaino, page 77 Purchase: Characters may purchase a bequeathed or gifted a companion to them,
domesticated companion from a reputable (or in which case there should be an equivalent
not-so-reputable) vendor. Vendors can be found cost in time, skills, or money to obtain the
in various cities around the world, at dinosaur companion.
ranches, and occasionally traveling the most
common trade routes. Prices vary, but most
companions cost at least 100 nautils. CREATING YOUR
Capture: Characters may attempt to capture COMPANION
a wild creature using any means available to Companions are grouped into categories.
It’s important to them. Once a companion is captured, it must You could almost think of the categories as
remember that be tamed. Taming the creature is a level 2 companion types, as each one defines the core
companions are treated Intellect task that takes 1d6 days. (Roll each day of who the dinosaur is and how they interact
as PCs, not as NPCs. the character attempts to tame the companion. with the world and the creatures in it.
Thus, a T. rex companion
Setbacks are expected, so success doesn’t need You may also work with your GM to create a
(PC) is different than a
T. rex creature (NPC). to be consecutive; the character just needs to new creature. Perhaps it’s a creature that was
Even though they’re the succeed on the total number of days.) discovered in the future, and which is now
same type of dinosaur, Create: Characters with the appropriate skills known to be a common inhabitant of the area.
they work differently in and knowledge (or a good friend with such a Or it could be something wholly unique to your
the game, in the same skill set) may attempt to create a companion. character, such as a new hybrid, a genetically
way that a human player This can be done by purchasing (or, possibly, modified animal, or a lab-grown experiment.
character (PC) and stealing) an egg which then must be cared for, The easiest way to do this is to find the category
a human SATI guard
growing a dinosaur from DNA inside a lab, that most closely fits the new creature and use
(NPC) work differently.
breeding domesticated dinosaurs, or some the stats and descriptions from that. However,
other method of creating a creature using you and your GM can also work together to
animal husbandry, science, or technology. create and define your companion’s appearance,
Creating a creature is a level 2 Intellect starting statistics, and ability options.
In Predation, companions and characters form a

close bond through shared experiences. The injury
or death of a companion is not something for the
characters—or the game—to take lightly.

COMPANIONS
When choosing your companion type, it’s opportunities. See Companion Dispositions for Companion dispositions,
fine to say something more general like, “I’m additional details. page 57
playing a Raptor” or to go into more specifics, You can choose a companion from any of the
such as “I’m playing a utahraptor.” Your choice following categories.
doesn’t change the gameplay in any way; it
really depends on how much time you want TYRANNOSAURS
to spend learning about and researching (“TYRANT LIZARDS”)
dinosaurs versus how much you just want Powerful carnivores that are sometimes
to get your Raptor and start running around described as “all legs, trunk, and teeth,”
with it. You can also make up your own type of tyrannosaurs are large, aggressive, and deadly
Raptor (with your GM’s approval) and give it a hunters. They’re quite fast, despite their size,
cool name and unique look and feel (again, this with powerful legs that can move them across
doesn’t change the gameplay, just the narrative large sections of land. They have excellent
details). vision and smell, and deeply rooted conical
Each time you advance to a higher tier, teeth that are perfect for attacking armored
you are able to choose an ability for your prey.
companion that makes them stronger, faster, Possible tyrannosaur companions
or better armored, or gives them some other include albertosaurus, appalachiosaurus,
skill. Each type of companion has a selection daspletosaurus, gorgosaurus, and
of abilities that you can choose from (however, tyrannosaurus rex.
you can work with your GM to take other
equivalent abilities if they’re agreeable). TYRANNOSAUR STARTER STATISTICS
Companions can gain each ability only once, Health: 10
unless otherwise specified. If they can gain Combat: Does 3 points of damage with its teeth
an ability more than once, the benefits stack. and claws
For example, Ankylosaur companions can Armor: 1
gain Well-armored up to three times. So if you
choose this as your tier 2, tier 3, and tier 4 TYRANNOSAUR ABILITIES
companion ability, your companion will have +3 Each time your character reaches a new tier, Companion abilities,
to Armor (this stacks with any armor they may you can choose one of the following for your page 55
have started with). Tyrannosaur companion:
Some abilities are enablers, meaning they Well-armored (can take up to two times)
work to enhance existing abilities. Others are Masterful Attack (can take up to three times)
actions, meaning they are their own ability and Bird’s Eye
take up the companion’s entire action. Enablers Sturdy Mount
rarely require a roll (unless noted), but actions Rip and Tear
almost always do. Puncture
Companions also have a disposition that Stampede
defines how they do what they do. These Ranged Attack (can take up to two times)
dispositions provide benefits, but more
importantly, they give each companion a unique
personality, allowing for deeper roleplaying Because companions can be a range of
sizes even within a group, the abilities you
choose for your companion should make
logical sense. If you want a Pterosaur, for
example, and you choose a pteranodon
with a wingspan of 18 feet (5 m), then
taking the Sturdy Mount ability makes
sense. However, if you choose a tiny piksi
for your companion, with a wingspan of
a few feet, then it’s unlikely that they’d
be able to carry two people very far, even
with enhancements. That isn’t to say
you couldn’t create a contraption that
allows your piksi to carry you through the
sky—with your GM’s approval, anything is
possible—but your choices should make
logical sense.

53
Predation
RAPTORS ORNITHOMIMID ABILITY LIST

(“RUNNING LIZARDS”) Each time your character reaches a new tier,
Officially classified as dromaeosaurids, raptors you can choose one of the following for your
are small- to medium-sized (2 feet to 20 feet Ornithomimid companion:
[60 cm to 6 m] in length) feathered carnivores. Flight, Not Flight (can take up to two times)
They’re distinguished by unique curved claws Masterful Attack
on each of their feet, their grasping, three- Bird’s Eye
fingered hands, and their speed. Look at Me
Possible Raptor companions include Rip and Tear
argoraptor, bambiraptor, dakotaraptor, Puncture
deinonychus, velociraptor, and the giant Ranged Attack (can take up to two times)
utahraptor. Swift Healer
Temporal Hunter
RAPTOR STARTER STATISTICS
Health: 8 CERATOPSIANS (“HORNED
Combat: Does 2 points of damage with its FACES”) & ANKYLOSAURS
large, hooked claw (“SHERMAN TANKS”)
Argoraptor, page 134 Armor: 0 Ceratopsians are characterized by their huge,
Trained in initiative and all tasks involving frilled, horned skulls. They can range from the
sneaking size of house cats to the size of elephants. They
work well in herds.
RAPTOR ABILITY LIST Possible Ceratopsian companions include
Each time your character reaches a new tier, you avaceratops, anchiceratops, triceratops,
can choose one of the following for your Raptor pentaceratops, and protoceratops.
companion: Ankylosaurs were among the last dinosaurs
Characters wishing Flight, Not Fight (can take up to two times) standing at the end of the Cretaceous period—
to take titanosaurs Well-armored and with good reason. These gentle herbivores
or sauropods as their Look at Me had armor plating, sharp spikes, and heavy
companions should use Masterful Attack (can take up to two times) clubs. Everything they needed to ward off
the stats and abilities
Bird’s Eye predators of all kinds.
for the Ceratopsians &
Ankylosaurs. Pygmysaurs Rip and Tear (can take up to two times) Possible Ankylosaur companions
are a common choice in Puncture include ankylosaurus, euoplocephalus, and
this category. Ranged Attack (can take up to two times) panoplosaurus.
Pygmy sauroposeidon, ORNITHOMIMIDS CERATOPSIAN & ANKYLOSAUR STARTER

page 144 (“BIRD MIMICS”) STATISTICS
These slender, bipedal dinosaurs are speed Health: 10
demons—able to hit top velocities of up to Combat: Does 2 points of damage with its
50 miles (80 km) per hour. Unable to fly, they horns or tail
more closely resemble landbound, wingless Armor: 2
birds like ostriches and emus. They have long
legs, a lightweight body, and a small-toothed or CERATOPSIANS & ANKYLOSAURS
toothless beak. They’re incredibly adaptable— ABILITY LIST
able to move in shallow water as quickly as on Each time your character reaches a new tier,
land, eat nearly anything, and operate in both you can choose one of the following for your
light and darkness. Ceratopsian or Ankylosaur companion:
Possible Ornithomimid companions include Well-armored (can take up to four times)
anzu, dromiceiomimus, ornithomimus, and Masterful Attack (can take up to two times)
struthiomimus. Bird’s Eye
Puncture
ORNITHOMIMID STARTER STATISTICS Stampede
Health: 8 Ranged Attack (can take up to two times)
Combat: Does 2 points of damage with its beak Bone Breaker
Armor: 0 Temporal Hunter (can take up to two times)
Trained in Speed defense and initiative

COMPANIONS
PTEROSAURS Look at Me (can take up to three times)

(“TOOTHLESS DRAGONS”) Bird’s Eye
These winged reptiles are believed to be the Scout
first airborne vertebrates. Their wingspans Ranged Attack Players may choose
range from as tiny as 10 inches (25 cm) to as Temporal Hunter (can take up to two times) companions in categories
large as 35 feet (11 m). They have long necks other than those
(which sometimes have throat pouches like suggested here. They
a pelican), crests on their heads, and wings COMPANION should work with the
GM to come up with
made of a stretchy skin-and-muscle membrane. ABILITIES an appropriate creature
In the wild, they’re most abundant near large Remember that when using active abilities, companion, as well as its
lakes, rivers, and coastal environments, where the player first rolls to see if the companion is corresponding abilities.
they dine on carcasses, baby dinosaurs, lizards, willing to attempt the ability. If the companion
eggs, insects, fish, and small animals. is, then the person playing the companion
Possible Pterosaur companions include rolls to see if the companion succeeds on their
aerotitan, bakonydraco, nerezza, piksi, attack or other action. Enablers don’t require Nerezza, page 142
pterodactylus, and tapejara. rolls for the ability, just for the action that they
want to use the ability to assist with.
PTEROSAUR STARTER STATISTICS As an example, let’s say we have two
Health: 8 characters: Bruce and his companion, Fred, and
Combat: Does 2 points of damage with its Cheryl and her companion, Ruff. In a two-player
diving attack game, they would play each other’s companion.
Armor: 0 Bruce’s T. rex companion, Fred, has Masterful
Trained in flying, gliding, and diving Attack, which is an enabler. That means that
it works every time the companion makes
PTEROSAUR ABILITY LIST a successful attack. If Bruce wants Fred to
Each time your character reaches a new tier, attack a level 4 NPC, he must first ask Fred to
you can choose one of the following for your do so. He decides if he wants to apply Effort,
Pterosaur companion: or if he has any skills or abilities that make
Flight, Not Fight (can take up to two times) the interaction roll easier. Then he makes an
Masterful Attack (can take up to two times) interaction roll to see if Fred is willing to try the Masterful Attack, page 56
Bird’s Eye attack.
Look at Me If he succeeds, then Fred attempts to attack Companion interaction,
Puncture the NPC. page 49
Ranged Attack (can take up to two times) To find out if he’s successful, Cheryl (who’s
Swift Healer (can take up to two times) playing Fred) makes an attack roll. To succeed
Temporal Hunter (can take up to two times) on an attack on a level 4 NPC, she needs
to roll a 12 or higher. If she does, then Fred
EARLY MAMMALS automatically deals 1 additional point of
Possible Early Mammal companions include damage on his attack.
alphadon, cimexomys, cimolestes, and Now let’s say that Cheryl’s Pterosaur, Ruff,
zalambdalestes. has the Look at Me ability and she wants Ruff
to use it to distract the same level 4 NPC.
EARLY MAMMAL STARTER STATISTICS As before, she must first roll to see if the
Health: 6 companion will do as she asks. If the answer is
Combat: Does 1 point of damage yes, then Bruce will roll (acting as Ruff) to see
with its teeth and claws if the Look at Me Ability succeeds in distracting
Armor: 0 the NPC.
Specialized in Speed defense,
perception, and initiative BIRD’S EYE
Trained in sneaking, hiding, You and your companion both gain a special bit
finding, and tracking of technology, cybernetics, or bioenhancement
that allows you to see what your companion
EARLY MAMMAL ABILITY LIST sees, as long as it’s within one mile of you. This
Each time your character reaches a new tier, you could be a special set of high-tech goggles,
can choose one of the following for your Early brain implants, remote viewing, or something
Mammal companion: else. For ten minutes, you can connect with
Morale Booster (can take up to three times) your companion and view the world through
Well-armored (can take up to two times) their eyes. Action to initiate.

55
Predation
BONE BREAKER MASTERFUL ATTACK

Your companion has an asset on using their tail Due to training, additional equipment, or body
(or other body part or augmentation) to crush or modifications, your companion has become
smash an object, such as a wall, building, locked a skilled combatant, able to do additional
door, machine, or boulder. If Bone Breaker is damage with every bite, stroke, horn stroke, or
used on a living creature, it does 1 additional tail swipe. An existing attack does 1 additional
point of damage and staggers the creature, point of damage. Enabler.
causing them to lose their next turn. Enabler.
MORALE BOOSTER
FLIGHT, NOT FIGHT Just having your companion around makes
Your companion is fast. You’ve worked hard everyone feel happier, healthier, and more
to make them faster, allowing them to dodge relaxed. During rests, your companion puts
and weave at just the right moment. Your friends, comrades, and companions at ease so
companion is trained in Speed defense (if much that they gain +1 to their recovery rolls.
they are already trained in Speed defense, Enabler.
they become specialized. If they are already
specialized, taking this ability again offers no PUNCTURE
additional benefit). Enabler. Using tooth, beak, horn, or claw, your
companion has learned how to puncture armor,
LOOK AT ME scales, shells, and more. When your companion
Through some trick of sound, movement, attacks, they do 1 less point of damage, but they
technology, or special enhancements, your weaken their foe’s protection, decreasing their
companion distracts and confuses foes. The foe Armor by 1 for one round. Action.
is dazzled for one round, during which time the
difficulty of all tasks it performs is modified by RANGED ATTACK
one step to its detriment. Each time you take These types of attacks are almost never natural.
this ability, you can choose to increase by one Enhancement options include embedded or
either the number of foes you attempt to dazzle grafted lasers, cybernetic weapons, and more.
or the number of steps you modify, but not both. A ranged attack does 2 points of damage to
You must choose at the time you take the ability. creatures within long range. Each time you take
Action. this ability, your companion does 2 additional
points of damage. Action.
RIP AND TEAR

Your companion holds down prey with their
body or claws, attacking it for 2 points of
damage. The prey is immobilized, unable to
escape, attack, or take any other action on their
next round. Each time you take this ability,
your companion does an additional 2 points of
damage and holds the prey for an additional
round. Action.
SCOUT
Your companion’s tracking, seeking, and
searching skills are well honed. You can send
your companion ahead or behind you, up to a
mile away, and ask them to find a person, scout
out a place, search for time anomalies, or do
some other thing. You and your companion
have a special way of communicating the
details of your companion’s discoveries to each
other, perhaps through implanted technology,
hand signals, or some other type of connection.
Action.

COMPANIONS
STAMPEDE WELL-ARMORED
Your companion runs at or through one or You have worked hard to ensure that your
more foes within long range, sending them companion is protected from predators, foes,
sprawling. All living creatures within immediate and natural disasters. Either through training,
distance of your companion’s trajectory are body modification, or additional equipment,
stunned for one round. Action. your companion gains +1 to Armor. Enabler.
STURDY MOUNT
Your companion is trained, equipped, and (if COMPANION
necessary) enhanced in some way so that they DISPOSITIONS
can carry up to two riders. If this ability is taken Companion dispositions provide a sense of a Riding, page 213
more than once, it adds two additional riders creature’s personality. Essentially they describe
each time. Action. the way in which companions do the things
they do, whether that’s interacting with other
SWIFT HEALER creatures, entering into combat, or exploring a
Your companion has a natural or enhanced new area. Each companion has one disposition,
ability to heal, gaining 1 additional point of which is chosen (or rolled randomly) when the
health on each of your recovery rolls. Enabler. character first gains their companion.
Dispositions provide benefits, typically
TEMPORAL HUNTER to your character, but sometimes to the
Your companion has an enhanced ability to companion or to the group. Just as important,
locate time anomalies. Your companion is they provide a guide for companion roleplay
trained in finding time anomalies (if they are and personality. If a Clumsy alphadon fails Clumsy, page 58
already trained, they become specialized. If they to join the fight, perhaps they tried to do so,
are already specialized, taking this ability again but fell off the ledge on their way there. If
offers no additional benefit). Enabler. a companion is Curious, perhaps they got Curious, page 58
Alternatively, if they assist you while you’re distracted on the way to their goal and ran off
looking for time anomalies, they give you an to check out a noise in the woods. But if they’re
asset on your search. (Provides only one asset Timid, then they probably tried to hide behind Timid, page 59
total, even if taken multiple times.) Action. someone rather than go and fight.
Most companion benefits are enablers and
do not require a roll in order to be used. They
NATURAL VS. also typically do not count as your companion’s
ENHANCED ABILITIES action. However, the benefits have to make
Natural abilities are those that your logical sense. If your Flashy companion is in Flashy, page 58
companion can do naturally, although another part of the building, then they don’t
many require training to do so. These are give you an asset, since no one else can see
often simple attacks or defense moves that them. It would require an action (or multiple
the creature is naturally inclined toward. actions) on their part to move across the
Stampede and Rip and Tear are examples building and join you.
of natural abilities that a companion can do Some benefits are actions. These don’t
without additional equipment or intervention. require a roll, but they do use your companion’s
Enhanced abilities are those that action. These are typically used when your
require some type of human creation via companion is assisting you with something,
craftsmanship, science, or technology such as opening a locked door or searching for
in order to exist and function. Adding traps.
metal armor, using gene splicing to Alternatively, you can choose to have your
create camouflaging abilities, and using companion try to give their asset to someone
cybernetics for better vision are all else. This does require a roll and does count as
examples of enhancements. your companion’s action. For example, if you
There is no difference in how the abilities wanted your Sociable Raptor to run over and Sociable, page 59
work, other than in the flavor. You can have help your friend while they were talking, you
a Ceratopsian that is well armored thanks could ask them to do so. You can roll to see if
to beautifully handmade leather or steel your companion agrees to your request. If they
equipment that it wears, a bioengineered do, then they run over to your friend and give
forcefield that projects from its body, or them an asset to positive social interactions
skin that’s been genetically enhanced to until you ask them to do something else
resist attacks. (additional rolls aren’t necessary; once your

57
Predation
companion has agreed to help someone actions that involve reacting to surprises, traps,
Time terror, page 74 else, they will do so until you ask them not time terrors, and other sudden occurrences.
to, until the conversation is completed, or Enabler.
until something else occurs [such as the Personality Traits: Clumsy companions
conversation turns to combat]). desperately want to help, but often don’t
Some players may find that running someone make it to their intended destination. In their
else’s companion leaves them feeling a bit eagerness, they run into the things that you
at a loss, particularly when the companion asked them to attack, completely miss a trap
doesn’t do as asked. Does the companion that was set in plain sight, and are too busy
just stand there, or does it do something? The fixing their last mistake to hear you ask for help.
Personality Traits section of each disposition Clumsy companions are likely to fall, stumble,
provides additional suggestions for roleplaying jostle, break, run into, and make noise.
a companion. Of course, these are just guides;
all companions are unique, and can be given CURIOUS
any personality that feels right. What’s that? What’s this? How about this? Your
Choose from one of the following companion has a nose for the new, which can
dispositions for your companion. sometimes be infuriating, but can also lead you
to new discoveries and adventures.
CLEVER Benefit: It’s hard to miss much when your
It’s probably a good thing your companion companion can’t help but stick their maw into
doesn’t have opposable thumbs, or they’d be everything. You might as well use it to your
taking over the world. Thanks to cybernetic advantage. You gain an asset on all perception
brain enhancements, advanced training, or tasks when your companion is helping you
some other trick of science, Clever companions search, look, or listen. Action.
are bizarrely smart. They are fascinated by all Personality Traits: Everything else is way
physical devices and mechanisms, especially more interesting than whatever you’re doing,
the ones that whir, click, or whistle. or asking your companion to do. Curious
Benefit: You’re not sure if you’re teaching companions head off unasked to check out
your companion or if they’re teaching you. that noise in the woods, stick their head into
Either way, when working with your companion, the wrong hole, and sniff the creature you’re
you gain an asset on all tasks involving figuring trying to sneak up on. Curious companions are
out, opening, or discovering physical devices, likely to explore, discover, run off, detect, bring,
contraptions, and mechanisms, including investigate, steal, and chase.
traps, locks, doors, tools, levers, and hidden
structures. Action. FLASHY
Personality Traits: Clever companions Whether they’re flourishing their brightly
sometimes open a door before you’re ready, colored head feathers or showing off their new
pick up random objects and try to use them red leather spiked collar, your companion is
as tools, or activate nearby devices with their nothing if not flamboyant. You’re trying hard
fiddling. Weird noises likely draw their attention to teach them that there’s an appropriate time
away from whatever they’re currently doing. But and place for making a spectacle, but in the
when they’re focused, they are valuable assets. meantime you can use their flashy nature to
Clever companions are likely to explore, search, your advantage.
play, discover, use tools, tinker, and break Benefit: When coordinating with your
things apart. companion, you gain an asset on all tasks
involving storytelling, lies, trickery, diversion, or
CLUMSY misdirection. Action.
If your companion could talk, they’d be yelling, Personality Traits: Flashy companions can
“I’m fine!” from the bottom of the ravine or go too far with their “look-at-me”-ness. Ask
from under that rock pile or… well, you get the them to sneak up on a creature, stay hidden,
idea. What your companion lacks in grace, they or otherwise go unnoticed, and you’re likely to
gain in creating humorous moments. be met with a squawk and a show of flash that
Benefit: Attempting to constantly help attracts far too many eyes. Flashy companions
your companion when they fall, run into are likely to show off, attract attention, make
things, or accidentally step on things smaller noise, cavort, entertain, twirl, do tricks, and
than themselves has honed your reflexes for distract.
unexpected events. When your companion
is within long range, you gain an asset on all

COMPANIONS
INTIMIDATING Benefit: You’ve learned a lot from watching

It’s the natural state of your companion to set your companion run away and hide in plain
people on edge. Maybe they roar. Maybe they sight. You gain an asset on sneaking and hiding
just show teeth. Or maybe it’s something else. whenever your companion is doing the same.
Whatever it is, it seems to scare everyone who Action. Companion dispositions
doesn’t know them. Personality Traits: Run toward that giant provide a great
Benefit: Whenever your companion is in creature? I don’t think so! Timid companions opportunity for fun
and interesting GM
close range, you gain an asset to intimidation sometimes hide so well that not even you can
intrusions. A Clumsy
and other fear-based interactions. Enabler. find them. It may take some extreme coaxing bambiraptor falls from
Personality Traits: To an Intimidating to get them to leave a place they feel safe, even the back of their prey
companion, the phrase “be nice” just means if that place is a nest full of dino eggs (or your in the middle of battle.
lowering their growl to a slightly softer volume. friend’s backpack.) Timid companions are likely A Timid alphadon runs
They’ve been known to disrupt a conversation to run, hide, flee, evade, freeze, sneak, slink, away at the last second,
by scaring the crap out of one or more and scurry. coming within inches of
participants, startle a herd of nearby creatures, being squashed by the
giant feet of a T. rex. A
or start posturing at a flag flapping in the wind. VIGILANT Sociable triceratops gets
Intimidating companions are likely to charge, Nothing slips by the watchful eyes of your a little too social, alerting
roar, bellow, bluster, encroach, approach, and companion. Day or night, they’re paying enemies of the group’s
show off. attention to every detail, every movement, every presence.
sound. Sometimes you wish they’d just relax
SOCIABLE and enjoy themselves, but at least you know
Your companion just loves to love. The more they always have your back.
people in a group, the better. Your companion Benefit: Your companion alerts you to the
might be a big “talker” or maybe just a surprise slightest signs of danger. You gain an asset on
snuggler. initiative whenever your companion is within
Benefit: Whether it’s due to those adorably long range. Enabler.
big eyes or that cooing “conversation,” people Personality Traits: Vigilant companions are
seem to like you more when your companion is so hyper-aware that they sometimes miss
around. You gain an asset on all positive social the important stuff while warning you about
interactions when your companion is within every little shaking leaf, falling raindrop, and
immediate range and visible to the people in rolling pebble. They may perch on the top of
the conversation. Enabler. whatever tall object is nearby and send out
Personality Traits: Whether they’re saying alarm calls that alert all creatures in the area to
hello to that angry T. rex across the clearing or your location. Vigilant companions are likely to
trying to make friends with the man you came track, pursue, detect, notice, listen, focus, and
to kill, the social companion’s mantra is “Go discover.
where the other living creatures are.” They hate
to be alone, even for a moment, and will always
seek out the nearest living creature when
possible. Sociable companions are likely to talk,
comfort, meet, and snuggle.
TIMID
There’s nothing wrong with being a little
nervous around new things—or around big
things with big teeth. Your companion isn’t
always so sure about this adventure stuff, but is
willing to try to be brave for you.

59
Predation
Chapter 7
EQUIPMENt
W
hen it comes to the equipment that CURRENCY
characters and companions use The main currency of Grevakc is called nautils.
and interact with, Grevakc offers an There are two forms.
unusual mixture of far-future high-tech devices, SATI Tokens: These were SATI-issued
simple hand-crafted tools, and cobbled, almost germanium tokens in the nautilus shape of the
wasteland-style items. If you were going to SATI logo. They were originally given to workers
give its look a tagline, it would be something as bonuses and rewards for jobs well done.
akin to “primeval high-tech apocalypse with Workers traded them in for supplies, treats,
dinosaurs.” clothing, vacations back home, and more.
That means it’s not unusual for different The original SATI tokens are very rare—most
players in the same group to have a metal rod have been lost, melted down, hoarded, or
studded with scavenged nails and wrapped otherwise kept out of circulation. A SATI token
with electrified wire, a well-worn fingerprint- is considered to be worth about 100 times that
reading smart gun, and a shiv hand-carved of a new nautil.
A few larger towns from dinosaur bone. The same is true for armor New Nautils: Many of these are real nautilus
have nautil exchanges, and outfits; one player might have a patched shells, harvested, dried, and preserved. Smaller
where they will take the SATI uniform with far-future techplates that nautils are more coveted than larger ones, as
appropriate number no longer function, while another might wear they take up less space and are less likely to
of new nautils off your
an entire outfit made of furs, feathers, and break (which renders them mostly worthless).
hands and give you a
SATI token, but the leather that they tanned themselves (or bought Others are newly minted metal coins in
exchange rate is usually off a local tanner). Players should feel free to the fashion of SATI tokens. However, they’re
very high and the bank get creative with the flavor and description of made of a composite of metals and easy to
takes a cut. their equipment (and the equipment of their distinguish from the originals.
companions). Neither are considered official currency, but
in a world where there’s very little oversight on
“official,” that hardly matters.

EQUIPMENt
MATERIALS and enhance various body parts. It is not

Materials in Grevakc are, in many ways, much like hard to come by, but is complicated to work Doing a bit of research
materials today. A wide range of natural fibers, with. Turning smart fluid into something about far-future
synthetic fabrics, and reused objects all create a useable requires someone with a high level of technologies, fabrics,
mish-mash of styles and clothing options. knowledge and experience. materials, and more can
provide ideas for new
There are a number of materials that are Wetweave: Genetically modified orb weaver
and interesting materials
unique to Grevakc. Leather, scales, fur, bones, spiders produce this strong, superamphiphobic and objects. If it could
and so on from dinosaurs and other Cretaceous fabric. It’s used in weatherproof outfits for be created, grown, or
creatures are the most readily available humans and creatures, temporary shelters, designed in the future, it
materials. They are cheap, sturdy, basic, and flying apparatus, and watercraft. Originally could have come back to
easy to come by. available only from SATI, there are now black- Grevakc via time travel.
Other materials, such as wetweave and market weave farms located around Grevakc,
solarium, are extremely useful but rarer, and are many of which also cultivate dupe. There is a type of spider
thus far more expensive. You might also find Piezotextiles: These fabrics use the body as a that also produces
objects created from aerogels, glassy metals, power source, harvesting kinetic energy to create bioluminescent strands,
ceramic cloth, magnetic ink, and more. electricity. This material was originally used by which are woven into
wetweave and other
Prokarcoat: Designer bacteria that burrows SATI workers to power devices, but the majority
fabrics, but these are
into cracks, crevices, and other spaces and fills of those devices no longer work or no longer very rare. It’s cheaper
them with a mix of calcium carbonate and glue. exist. Still, the material has its uses—some to buy other forms of
The mixture hardens to the same strength as piezotextiles help regulate body temperature, illumination.
the surrounding materials. It’s most commonly change color based on the wearer’s actions, and
used for repairs, creating small structures, and could potentially be hacked by those who know Orb weaver spider,
adding strength to buildings. how and used as an energy source. page 100
Smart Fluid: Magnetorheological (MR) Solarium: This self-healing material is created
Dupe, page 186
fluids are used to make armor bulletproof, from bacteria-produced biofilm. It works by
increase the precision of optical instruments, absorbing and conducting electricity in tiny

61
Predation
solar cells and using the heat to essentially CLOTHING AND ARMOR
remelt itself back together. It is used in Some of the most common types of clothing
clothing, weapons, and building materials. and armor include the following.
Transalumina: Three times stronger than
steel, far lighter, and transparent, transalumina Light (1 point of Armor) COST
is used to make protective windows, screens,
Light hides, furs, and feathers 10
armor, and shields, and is used in weapons.
Shrilk Film: A common material in Grevakc, Leather and scales 15
shrilk is made from shrimp shells mixed with Lab coat or apron 10
proteins derived from spider silk. It’s thin, clear,
SATI uniform, refurbished 30
flexible and similar in strength to aluminum.
It’s also biodegradable, and is often used Light smartfluid armor 100
for temporary structures, sutures, and other Light solarium armor 200
equipment that is designed to dissolve over time.
Medium (2 points of Armor) COST
EQUIPMENT LISTS Hides, furs, feathers, and scales 20
AND PRICES Wetweave armor 30
This is not a comprehensive list of available Smartfluid armor 500
equipment—innovative creators are always
Solarium armor** 800
working with existing materials (and attempting
to come up with new ones) to design and
produce unusual and unique items. In addition, Heavy (3 points of Armor) COST
there are many uncommon items that were Reinforced hides, furs, feathers, 30
brought back through time that still function (at and scales
least most of the time). Reinforced wetweave armor 50
SATI armor, refurbished 100+
PRICE CATEGORIES
The Cypher System Rulebook introduces five Piezotextile armor 500+
price categories for goods and services. Reinforced smartfluid armor 1,000+
Inexpensive items range in price from 1 to
SATI armor, original working 2,000+
2 nautils, and include items such as arrows
condition**
and other ammunition (except bullets), simple
meals, and supplies like rope. Reinforced solarium armor** 2,000+
Moderately priced items range in price from
10-20 nautils, and include items such as simple Shield+ COST
weapons and armor, a tent, and so on. Simple wooden shield 5
Expensive items range from 100-200 nautils
Simple metal shield 20
(or 1-2 SATI tokens), and include items such as
medium or heavy weapons or armor. Untrained, Transalumina shield 200
untested, or young dinosaurs are in this category.
Very expensive items range in price from +Shields provide an asset on Speed defense
500-1,000 nautils (or 5-10 SATI tokens), and tasks.
include unusual materials, refurbished SATI
armor and weapons, and so on. Trained and **When worn, the indicated special armors
tested dinosaurs are also in this category. protect at their level, but tax the wearer as if
Exorbitant items are well over 1,000 nautils they were one level lower. Thus, solarium armor
in price, and are typically the province of provides 2 points of Armor, but taxes the wearer
higherups in SATI and other organizations, as if it were light armor.
wealthy business owners, and others who have
the security to keep such a large number of
nautils at a single time.
Here are general suggested prices for various
items. Again, this list isn’t exhaustive; use your
best estimate to come up with appropriate
prices for unlisted clothing, armor, weapons,
and equipment.

EQUIPMENt
WEAPONS
Some of the most common weapons include the following.
Light (2 points of damage) COST

Simple wooden or bone, hand-crafted (club, stick, slingshot) 1-2
Simple metal, hand-crafted (dagger, shiv, throwing knife) 2-5
Simple transalumina weapon 100
Medium (4 points of damage) COST

Simple wooden or bone, hand-crafted (bow, spear) 8
Simple metal, hand-crafted (shortsword, flail) 8-15
Battleaxe 20
Sword 20
Laser crossbow 20
Arrows or crossbow bolts (20) 1
Handgun, light rifle, sawed-off shotgun 20
Transalumina bow or crossbow 250+
Heavy (6 points of damage) COST

Heavy metal, hand-crafted (mace, maul) 10
Heavy crossbow 30
Rifle, shotgun 30
Laser gun 45
Headset laser gun 100
Solar chainsaw 200
Fingerprint-reading smart gun 250+
Transalumina heavy crossbow 400+
Transalumina rifle or shotgun 400+
Transalumina laser gun 450+
Other COST
Grenade, sonic 15 Explosive weapons,
page 185
Grenade, thermite 15
Bomb 20 Grenades, page 253
BODY UPGRADES, AUGMENTS, AND ENHANCEMENTS

Item Cost Notes
Camretina 1,000+ Microcamera or video embedded in the retina
Nightvision 750+ Asset to seeing in the dark
Cybernetic limb 1,000+ Asset to Speed or Might actions (depending on
the limb and type of upgrade)
Cybernetic or grafted tail 1,000+ Asset to balance, climbing, and jumping tasks
Scanner 1,000+ Embedded in eye, fingertip, or palm. Asset on
tasks involving identifying.

63
Predation
OTHER TOOLS AND ITEMS

Inexpensive (1-2 nautils)
Candle
Rope Made of beech bark or horsetail, 50 feet (15 m)
Prybar
Hourglass
Light, simple (lantern, candle, torch)
Water bottle and handmade filter
Moderately priced (10-20 nautils)

Adventurer’s pack 50 feet (15 m) rope, 3 days’ rations, 3 spikes, hammer,
warm clothes, boots, 3 torches
All-weather goggles
Backpack
Breather 10 hours of breathable air
Climbing gear Asset on climbing tasks
Clothing, simple, tailored
Dinosaur bag Allows dinosaur to carry supplies and equipment
Dupe Addictive plant substance, commonly rolled and smoked
Firesteel (metal match)
Goggles
Light, portable laserdiode
Light, portable solar
Seeds
Spikes and hammer 10 spikes
Stun gun
Portable makeshift shelter
Trap
Expensive (100-200 nautils or 1-2 SATI tokens)

Dinosaur Untrained and untested
Dinosaur pheromones Asset on positive dinosaur interactions
Disguise kit Asset on disguise tasks
Medkit Asset on healing tasks
Fingerprint smart lock
Ornate or fashionable ensemble
Small kayak, canoe, or boat
Labkit Asset on all scientific and experimental tasks
Tech toolkit Asset on tech tasks
Tent, hanging 5-person tent, hangs off the ground for safety
Unhatched dinosaur egg
Very Expensive (500-1,000 nautils or 5-10 SATI tokens)

Ocean-faring boat
Unclaimed land in the Simple house or plot of land In a town or city
wilderness is usually free
for the taking (as long as
Exorbitant (1,000+ nautils or 100+ SATI tokens)
you can defend it).
Extravagant or well-guarded house In a town or city
Well-equipped lab Asset on discovery, creation, and experimentation tasks

Part 3
THE SETTING
Chapter 8: Welcome to Grevakc 66
Chapter 9: Laramidia 76
Chapter 10: Appalachia 110
Chapter 11: Groups and Organizations 116

Predation
Chapter 8
WELCOME tO GREvAKC
HOW DID WE GET HERE? biology, cybernetics, archeology, and more.
G
revakc is Earth—but Earth as it was It also needed talented botanists, animal
65 million years ago during the late husbandrists, astronomers, and much more.
Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs Soldiers were brought in to protect SATI assets,
still roamed the earth, before an approaching enforce the law, and (most likely) keep SATI
asteroid wiped out much of life on the planet. secrets, while service workers made the trip
But of course, it’s not the exact same. Because to cook and grow food, work with dinosaurs,
there are humans. Humans who have inhabited and provide other services. Most people were
the land for the last hundred plus years. required to speak at least two languages as part
Somewhere in Earth’s future—in the year 28 of their training; many spoke three—English,
Interglobal time, page 72 IGT (interglobal time)—the first commuters Mandarin, and their native language.
arrived in the Cretaceous, thanks to the time- A few young people or non-farm animals
travel technologies of a large conglomerate made the trip, but it wasn’t common. Only
SATI, page 166 called Space and Time, Interglobal (SATI). It’s the highest and most influential individuals
widely believed that the time-travel program were given permission to bring their families
was one of the first of its kind, a top-secret along, as both the trip and the location were
mission called the Gre-Vakian c trials. considered too dangerous.
In the nine years that the mission was active, Some workers were able to travel back home
it’s estimated that SATI sent more than 20,000 occasionally “on leave,” as their schedule and
adult commuters—namely scientists, scholars, duties allowed.
soldiers, and service workers—back to the What was SATI’s purpose with the Gre-Vakian
Cretaceous. c trials? Were they searching for something?
SATI hired the best people for the Did they hope to make contact with alien life?
job—and the job was huge and varied. It Was it merely an experiment on humanity?
required some of the world’s top minds in Almost everyone you talk to believes something
the fields of aeternology, bioengineering, different. Even those who were high up in SATI

WELCOME tO GREvAKC
ranks have different stories and hypotheses WHERE IS HERE, EXACTLY?

about the project’s real goal. Predation takes place mostly on the two
Just nine years after the Gre-Vakian c trials continents of Laramidia and Appalachia, as well Laramidia, page 76
began—in 37 IGT—time travel abruptly stopped as the Western Interior Seaway, which stretches
working, trapping all of the commuters in the between the two. Both continents are wild, Appalachia, page 110
Cretaceous. Those who lived through the event lush, and dangerous. Upheaving mountain
Western Interior Seaway,
named it the Great Howling, after the sound ranges frame their edges, volcanoes threaten
page 106
the machines made as they simultaneously self- to erupt at any given moment, and wild storms
destructed, bringing down anything that was rage across their flatlands.
in the vicinity. In more polite company, if there The highest-population area is the semi-
is such a thing, it’s more commonly called the flat stretch along southeastern Laramidia,
Last Commute. commonly called Salmon Flats (named after Salmon Flats, page 76
With communication from the future cut off, the Salmon Center, the structure where the
it was impossible to discern what exactly had time-travel machines were located). This is Salmon Center, page 80
happened. Did SATI higherups deem the Gre- where the majority of SATI complexes, cities,
Vakian c trials a failure and close them off from and structures are located. Small towns and
the safety of the future? Did time travel stop villages dot the landscape outside of Salmon
working for some reason unknown to either Flats, but for the most part, the area remains as
side? Was some other force at work? Can time it was—unexplored, lush, dangerous, and wild.
travel be opened back up somehow, allowing
people to get back home? THE NAMING OF GREVAKC
Those are questions people are still trying to SATI’s mission to the Cretaceous period was Over time, the original
answer to this day, perhaps even more so as the originally coined the Gre-Vakian c trials, likely spelling has been
possibly mythical life-destroying asteroid looms after Jasmin Gre and Matias Vakian, the two forgotten in some places,
so it can also be written
just off the literal horizon. scientists who are credited with stabilizing
as Grevack, Greyveck, or
time travel. Most people assume the c stands even Gravach.

67
Predation
for Cretaceous, opening up the possibility that Beyond that, there is no “typical” Grevakcian in
SATI, page 116 SATI (or some other entity) was conducting terms of race, gender, physical build, knowledge,
additional trips to other places or times. It’s or even language. The descendants of those early
possible, however, that the c actually stands for commuters are as varied as their ancestors, not
the third time-travel mission to this particular just in their physical appearance and culture, but
place. If that’s the case, were a and b failures, also in their knowledge and skill sets.
and were there additional missions after this People wear and use a mishmash of the
one? All of those possibilities seem likely. future and the past, often without making much
Now most people call the place they live distinction between the two. A well-designed
Wetweave, page 61 Grevakc, although a good majority can no armor set built entirely from wetweave will have
longer tell you why. different properties than a hand-crafted outfit
made of feathers and dinosaur scales, but one
THE PEOPLE OF GREVAKC is not necessarily better or more coveted than
The inhabitants of Grevakc all have one thing the other. If anything, materials from the future
in common—their ancestors arrived here by are already well-worn and well-used, making
traveling back through time to the Cretaceous them more likely to fail in some significant way
period as part of SATI’s time-travel program. at just the wrong moment.
For some, it was their grandparents, and for It’s not unusual to see someone carrying
others, their parents. a SATI-issued fingerprint-reading smart gun
CRETACEOUS-PALEOGENE (K-PG) EXTINCTION EVENT

(OR THE ASTEROID THAT WILL KILL US ALL)
Also known as the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) extinction, this is the mass extinction, triggered by
a massive asteroid impact, that will end most of life on earth. Unlike the dinosaurs, who had no
idea what was about to happen, the people who live in Grevakc know a great deal about their
coming end. It’s in their history books. Recorded in their DNA. Retold in their folk tales. But it is
also their future.
When the massive asteroid, which will be 6.2 miles (10 km) wide, crashes into lower
Laramidia, it will create a crater that’s more than 112 miles (180 km) wide and have catastrophic
effects on the entire planet. First, the earth around the crater will become fluidy, taking on
the properties of slow-moving liquid, and then begin to collapse. The impact will also trigger
shockwaves and huge tsunamis, and send a massive cloud of hot rock and dust into the skies.
Forest fires will ravage the land as a rain of hot dust cooks everything it falls on. And that’s all
before the tiny fragments of the comet begin blocking the sun’s rays, which in turn will lower
the temperature of the planet.
This lingering winter will make it impossible for plants and plankton to carry out
photosynthesis, and more than 75 percent of all species, including many mammals, birds,
lizards, dinosaurs, and more will perish. It is, of course, unknown as to whether humans will for
sure be one of those species, but when SATI’s scientists ran the numbers, they discovered there
was a 98.75 percent chance of human extinction (in Grevakc, of course).
In the future, SATI scientists were able to pinpoint the exact date of the impact. Rumors say
they did this by sending commuters back in time, narrowing in until they were able to nail down
not just the day, but the time of day, of the catastrophe. Of course, that would mean they sent
hundreds, possibly thousands, of commuters to their death until they had an answer, and that
would be a cruel choice, even for SATI.
Sadly, that data is no longer available. The original details of the impact have been lost over
Last Commute, page 67 the years, and time tracking has been fairly loose since the Last Commute. It’s not entirely clear
how long Grevakc’s inhabitants have before the asteroid hits, but most people believe that the
Interglobal years, Last Commute took place less than a few hundred interglobal years before impact. So the real
page 186 answer is: soon. Far too soon.
Everyone in Grevakc knows that the K-T event already happened in the future, but not
everyone believes that it will happen again in their future. Some trust that even though time
travel is broken, those who live in the future have already found a way to prevent the asteroid
from hitting the earth. Others believe that time travel has changed things already, that the very
presence of humans in the Cretaceous means that history is already changing course. Those
who do believe work hard to find ways to prevent it, or to fix time travel so that everyone can
return to the future before history reoccurs.

WELCOME tO GREvAKC
and a hand-hewn bone knife while wearing NAMING CONVENTIONS

an outfit that is a patchwork of leathers, fur, Names vary as much as the people who
and wetweave and healing themselves with a use them. Many names are chosen to
combination of cloth bandages and a cypher honor family members or the “old world.” Cypher, page 162
embedded in their DNA. Making the best out of Naming children and grandchildren after
what’s available in order to survive and thrive is the city or state you originally hailed
often the Grevakc way. from was particularly common among
This use-what-you-can philosophy seems to commuters. Other common names
extend to the physical body as well. Cybernetic are unique takes on various dinosaurs,
enhancements, biotech, genetic engineering, landscape features, fauna, or flora.
and so on are all commonplace. These types of Most people have a first and last
alterations can be had without much fuss and name, keeping with the tradition of their
are expensive, but not exorbitant—although ancestors. Middle names are rarely given
you get what you pay for, and more than one or used. Nicknames and codenames are
patient has died or been altered in unexpected common, particularly among members of
ways while undergoing a cheap procedure. organizations.

LIFESPAN
At the time of the Gre-Vakian c trials, the that is being done to try to find a solution to the
average lifespan on (future) Earth was around impending cataclysm.
92 years of age, with people living as long Life in the cities and towns might be more
as 160 years. This was due to a combination comfortable for most than being out in the
of advanced health care, cyborg and bionic jungle and the world, but it isn’t necessarily
technologies, and genetic engineering. any less dangerous. Whereas wild dinosaurs
Although there are no comprehensive and bands of dangerous humans rove the
records of average lifespan in Grevakc, wilderness, towns come with their own set of
it’s believed to be quite a bit lower due to concerns—labs where chemicals, genetics,
the dangerous lifestyle and the lack of an creatures, and more go awry. SATI-geared
established health care system. Still, a fair “guards” who bring their own brand of justice
number of the early commuters are still alive, down on the unsuspecting. Attacks from Some players may
although most of them are getting on in years outside organizations. Attacks from inside want to try playing as
as they’re now well past the 100-year mark. organizations. And more. a commuter. The game
Of course, even in the face of great and isn’t designed for that,
so it would require some
insurmountable doom, even as people struggle
LIVING IN GREVAKC with the huge challenge of surviving a truly
kludging and probably
shouldn’t be an option
Life in Grevakc is hard for almost everyone. cataclysmic future, life on a small scale goes for a first-time player.
Dinosaurs and other giant carnivorous on. People actively search for a solution to their Otherwise, it’s up to the
creatures stalk the wilderness and the towns. future, yes, but they also raise their families, GM to decide whether or
Bands of roaming scavengers and outlaws fight with each other, train dinosaurs, and worry not that’s an option they
threaten travelers. Organizations and about starvation or dinosaur attacks or their want to allow at their
individuals fight for power and supplies. In failing health. table.
addition to the obvious dangers, there is the
knowledge of a devastating future that everyone FAMILY LIFE & CHILDREN
carries with them: the asteroid that looms on Families exist much as we know them today.
the horizon. Some families are built by blood, others by
This knowledge affects even those who are choice, and most are a mix of the two. It is
deeply embedded in the “luxuries” of SATI. common for multiple generations to live
Perhaps, out of everyone in Grevakc, they’re together—in the same town, if not in the
the most aware, for they see the work every day same building. Children are raised by close
One of the things that SATI is carefully monitoring

is the level of volcanic eruptions, which they know
increased dramatically shortly before impact. These
regional catastrophes could give them a clue as to
how close the earth is to the extinction event.

69
Predation
There were some early attempts at creating and

raising human babies in the labs using synthetic
uteri, but these were mostly failures. The procedures
that had been developed for growing dinosaurs
didn’t translate well into growing babies, and
the scientists were much more familiar with baby
dinosaurs than baby humans.
relatives, and often by their communities or Some communities honor the connection
Groups and organizations as well. between humans and domesticated dinosaurs
organizations, page 116 Not everyone marries, but those who do by offering some or all of the body up as food
typically view the choice as a celebration rather to the carnivores. This is also reversed; if a
than as an official decree, as there is no true human and creature are close companions,
governing body to keep track of and record upon the creature’s passing, its body will often
events like weddings. The Osteon in the family be roasted and eaten. This practice saw a rise
is typically people’s first choice to conduct a in popularity among the second generation, but
ceremony and do the “official” announcement. has since fallen out of favor. Now the “feeding
SATI, page 116 When time travel failed, SATI higherups put of the body” tends to be more symbolic, with
out a directive that everyone was to have as less actual eating of flesh.
many children as they could, in an attempt to
save the human species from dying out before STRUCTURE
they could fix time travel and find a way back to AND LEADERSHIP
the future. Currently, there is no central leadership or
The directive was aimed at all commuters, governmental structure that rules over all of
but the word-of-mouth marketing campaign Grevakc. In the past, that responsibility fell to
was directed specifically to women, particularly the SATI leadership and board, which ruled over
in the larger cities. Fertilization, SATI reminded the entire area as if it was a corporate structure
them, was as easy as swallowing a gene pill or (which it was, in almost every sense). They
getting a shot. Injections of growth hormones made the rules and hired people to uphold and
and other genetic elements meant shorter-term enforce those rules, and punish infractions.
pregnancies. And the parents didn’t have to The only problem? They did so from afar.
raise the children at all if they didn’t want to; When time travel collapsed, so did their
SATI would take them and raise them for the supreme reign. The SATI higherups in Grevakc
good of the future. kept the structure going for a while, mostly
Some couples and women eagerly joined up by promising (or threatening) that time travel
to help save humanity. Others did so as part would reopen and the board would step back
of their duty. But many resisted, or tried to. in. As time progressed and that seemed less
SATI denies it, but some people tell stories of and less likely to happen, the tenuous grip of
forced impregnation during those early, dark the SATI sub-leaders began to slip. Even so,
years after the Last Commute. Others fled SATI was able to keep the peace and the power
the cities en masse, worried about what other among its own. Now even that has begun
decrees SATI might try to force upon them and to fail. The organization is falling apart from
determined to start a new life elsewhere. within, and as it does so, those who can smell
weakness and have their own interests have
DEATH AND DYING started stepping up in the hopes of taking
Funeral ceremonies are held for the dead, advantage of the widening cracks.
when time and circumstances allow. However, Most SATI complexes and cities are still
scavengers are an imminent threat to the run by an individual or small team, usually
preservation of bodies, so many of the dead comprised of those who’d originally been sent
are burned to ash within a few hours of their by SATI as proxy rulers, guards, and governing
passing. SATI communities and compounds bodies (or their descendants). These teams
often have working incinerators, while others manage laws, commerce, and other elements
build bonfires or pyres. A few communities of their cities, but their rule doesn’t extend
along the coast hang hand-hewn coffins on the far beyond their walls. And as the original
cliff edges. SATI commuters die out and are replaced by

WELCOME tO GREvAKC
their children and grandchildren, the power is goals), and find ways to ensure that life goes on
becoming even more diluted. (in some form) after the cataclysm.
Other groups, organizations, and locations Various religions exist in Grevakc, the
keep their own rules, hire their own public beliefs having been brought with them by
services (if they have any), and choose their early commuters; however, they’re not overly
own leadership (or have their leadership common. It’s more likely to find that people
wrested from them). affiliate strongly with one of the organizations
In SATI-run cities, laws and codes of conduct that has arisen since the Last Commute.
are similar in most places to what we know Some of these, such as the Genesix Genesix Fellowship,
today. Murdering someone without just cause Fellowship, appear to be more like organized page 120
is considered illegal (the leadership appoints religions than actual organizations, as they
judges to decide what is and isn’t done without have a basis in existing religious beliefs and act
just cause). So is thievery, bribery, destruction much like organized religions as we know them
of personal property, and the like. today. SATI, which was once an interglobal
Other cities and towns may or may not follow conglomerate, is now probably the largest and
similar rules. It’s always smart to get the lay of most well-known organization.
the land before entering a new place. Many people belong to one or more of the
organizations that exist in the world. They
GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS, might be part of SATI, the Butterflies, and so on Butterflies, page 118
AND RELIGION for their personal beliefs or future salvations,
Groups and organizations are an important because that’s the organization they were born Groups and
part of the setting—so much so, in fact, into and raised as part of, or because they Organizations, page 116
that you might read Chapter 11: Groups and needed or wanted the security and safety (such
Organizations before you read the rest of the as it is) of belonging to something bigger than
setting chapters to help you get a sense of themselves.
how the human segments of Grevakc operate. Each organization has its own larger goal
Without a governmental body to oversee for its people and for the future. Some want
things, organizations are often the ones who to find a way to time travel back “home,” a
are attempting to make and enforce laws, take place they’ve never seen and aren’t even sure
care of citizens (or not, depending on their still exists. Others want to find a way to track

71
Predation
and destroy the asteroid before it hits Earth. from sitting inside a classroom. Sometimes this
Some believe that they will find their very own experience is in the form of an internship, and
Eden, here among the leviathans, and that their other times it’s as simple as helping a relative
discovery will save them against all odds. Still at their chemistry lab. Hands-on experience out
others are determined to let the human race die in the world is considered to be a vital part of
out here and now, believing that by doing so every young person’s learning experience.
they will save all other life for the future.
TELLING TIME
LANGUAGES The passage of time in Grevakc is much the
It’s not uncommon to hear multiple languages same as we experience it now. Even days,
being spoken, often with a mishmash of words, weeks, and years are similar. There are 370
dialects, and accents in a single sentence. days per year, with each day being around 23
English and Mandarin are the most common, and a half hours long. Most people keep to the
although a universal science-speak often traditional idea of a day, a week, a month, and
pervades the vocabulary of even those who a year, with a few extra days tacked on the end
aren’t in scientific fields. of what we now consider to be a year. Seconds,
One area where the language is more lowbrow minutes, and hours are also the same.
than might be expected is when talking about However, tracking the years is no longer done
Scientific and common dinosaurs and other Cretaceous creatures. Only the same way that we do now. Instead, people
creature names, page 122 the most scientifically minded individuals use use InterGlobal Time, a system established by
the full Latin and Greek names when talking SATI and a few others to ensure that everyone
about the animals roaming around the world. on various planets and in various times all has
Instead, most use nicknames and common a synchronized unit of time measurement.
names, some of which vary from place to place.
TIMELINE
LITERACY AND EDUCATION (IN INTERGLOBAL TIME)
Literacy means something slightly different
in Grevakc than it does in our current world. 00 IGT SATI and others create
Almost everyone in Grevakc can read and InterGlobal Time
write—it’s considered the most basic of 28 IGT The first commuters arrive in
skills. That in and of itself does not constitute Grevakc
“literacy.” In order to be considered literate, one 37 IGT The Last Commute
must also be knowledgeable or proficient in one
or more fields or trades. Despite that, literacy is 151 IGT Current time in Cretaceous
quite high, probably because of the value that’s
placed on educational experiences of all kinds.
SATI children typically attend one of ANIMALS AND CREATURES
Creatures and NPCs, SATI’s formal educational programs, where Not surprisingly, Grevakc is full of dinosaurs,
page 130 they learn basic skills, and then are moved early mammals, and other creatures that
into a specialization, such as genetics or existed during the Cretaceous. Some are just
hydrofarming. In some of the larger towns, as our 21st century fossil records show. Others
children may attend a school of sorts (usually have been altered by the existence of humans
an informal gathering place where one or two in their world—carefully bred, bioengineered,
adults are paid by the community to teach). gene spliced, and more. And still others are
In small communities and villages, children creatures that exist outside our current fossil
usually learn alone or in a very small group records—soft-skinned creatures that didn’t
from a relative or family friend. preserve well or insects that didn’t happen to
In all cases, the majority of learning comes be unlucky enough to get trapped in amber.
from tailored, hands-on experiences rather than
Many buildings and structures are designed with the

potential size of dinosaurs in mind. Doorways, gates,
and common areas are all larger than we might find
today, to accommodate the domesticated dinosaurs
that exist in the culture.

WELCOME tO GREvAKC
There are few traditional domestic animals crisscross the land, along with large swamps,
in Grevakc. You’re not likely to find dogs, lakes, and other bodies of water.
cats, or other animals that we might consider Salmon Flats—a semi-flat stretch along The continent of
pets today. It’s likely that it was considered the mideastern coast—is the location of Laramidia stretches
dangerous to bring them back, not just for the the majority of SATI complexes, cities, and approximately from
animals themselves, but also for the ecosystem. structures. Throughout the rest of Laramidia, modern-day Alaska to
Mexico.
A single pair of unaltered cats could easily bring small towns and villages dot the landscape, but
down the entire population of early mammals. for the most part, the area remains as it was—
There are also few farm animals or traditional overgrown, lush, dangerous, and wild.
farming plants as we know them today. Instead, The Western Interior Seaway is a large inland
you’ll find dinosaurs and Cretaceous-era plants sea. Its waters roil with life, including marine
that have been implanted with genes of goats, predators, giant clams, and early avians. Most
sheep, cows, and other animals to provide of the Seaway that stretches between Laramidia
benefits like wool, milk, meat, and crops. and Appalachia is unexplored and uninhabited,
particularly the northern end, which is
considered wildly dangerous. But for those who
GREVAKC GAZETTEER do venture across the watery stretch, there are
Most of the known and charted territory of riches to be found and discoveries to be made.
Grevakc consists of two major landmasses— Appalachia is much less explored or
Laramidia and Appalachia, with the Western inhabited than Laramidia. The area hosts
Interior Seaway running between them. myriad unknown and uncharted creatures, Laramidia, page 76
Laramidia is an island continent, a long, places, and landscapes. It’s rumored that only
thin stretch of land, punctuated by the rising the bravest, wildest, and craziest—or those Appalachia, page 110
Rockies along the left coast and by the Western with nothing left to lose—venture across the
Western Interior Seaway,
Interior Seaway on the east. Just over 1,000 Western Interior Seaway toward Appalachia. (Of
page 106
miles (1,610 km) across at its widest point, course, those who live in Appalachia might
Laramidia is a mix of rocky, mountainous say the same about Laramidia, so generally it’s
terrain, swampy lowlands, and thick, lush safe to say that everything is dangerous and
jungle. Big rivers, as wide as the Amazon, nowhere is safe.)

73
Predation
finding them, detecting available cyphers, and

CLIMATE AND WEATHER so on. The higher the level, the more likely a
Overall, the climate of Grevakc is generally time anomaly is to be dangerous to those who
similar to that of present-day Earth, but leans try to enter it. Cyphers and artifacts are always
warmer and more humid. There are more sub- the same level as the anomaly they’re found in.
tropical spaces, and tropical sea temperatures Time Terrors: Grevakc has no shortage
can be as high as 95 degrees F (35 C). It grows of dangerous weather, but time terrors are
colder as you travel higher—the mountains, for considered to be in a class unto themselves.
There are no reports of example, are occasionally coated in snow. These giant storms appear suddenly and
time anomalies prior to There is a wet season and a dry season, with little to no warning. A drastic spike in
the Last Commute. It’s with heavy rain in tropical regions and snow temperature within the area—gaining as many
unknown whether that’s in the mountainous areas. Mega-storms and as ten or fifteen degrees in just a few minutes—
because they didn’t exist
mega-floods—beyond anything we’re used to is the only telltale sign of the approaching
yet or because people
weren’t aware of them. seeing today—are not uncommon, sweeping storm. In addition to the temperature increase,
in from the oceans across the land. They can the storm brings with it chains of ball lightning
last anywhere from a few days to weeks on end, that snake along close to the ground and can
and can destroy buildings and forests, capsize devastate living creatures, trees, and buildings
boats, and kill any living thing in their path. with a mere touch. Winds roar through the
Volcanic eruptions are always a potential threat, area, blowing over and tearing down everything
spewing lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and in their path. When the storms appear in low,
Time anomalies should gas into the environment. flat areas, like the Chalk Desert, they sometimes
appear frequently in Time Anomalies: It’s believed that time create mirages as well, often of landscapes that
the world, at least anomalies are a result of time travel (or make no sense to those watching.
once per game session, perhaps of time travel’s breakdown), but no one Perhaps the weirdest part of time terrors
to provide characters
knows for sure. They typically look like glitches is also the thing that makes them almost
with the opportunity to
access new cyphers. in the landscape, places where the edges don’t survivable—each storm seems to be self-
line up. Occasionally, they seem to look like contained, as if housed within an invisible
a mirage, the flickering image of a place or barrier. Reports from those who found
structure that doesn’t belong. themselves (accidentally and luckily) outside
Once in a while, a time anomaly makes a the storm barrier talk about seeing the lightning
sound as it appears, a low whining hum that is coming right for them and then disappearing
easier for animals to hear than humans. before it arrived. Or seeing a strong wind
Typically, time anomalies last anywhere from devastating objects right in front of them,
a few minutes to a few hours. Rarely, they last without ever feeling so much as a slight breeze
days or even years. One anomaly near Redjaw on their own skin. Reports from those inside
Wilds is reported to have existed for almost a the storm’s barrier are so rare as to be almost
decade. non-existent, but it’s easy to guess that their
Time anomalies almost always carry experience was not the same.
Cyphers, page 162 technologies, objects, and information from Time terrors are believed to be created by, or
the future in the form of cyphers, artifacts, and at least correlated with, time anomalies. Some
Artifacts, page 168 remnants. They can also bring danger, usually believe that the storms are actually an attempt
in the form of electrical charges, odd lightning from people in the future to try to reopen time
Remnants, page 173
sparks, or sudden fires. travel, while others argue that they’re a simple,
It’s hard to predict where time anomalies if lethal, after-effect of time travel itself. There
might appear or how long they might last. is also postulation that the storms are a natural
Those who study time anomalies, however, element of the landscape that were merely
can typically find nearby anomalies quicker exacerbated by time travel.
and with more accuracy than most people. After a time terror subsides, a large number
Some dinosaurs also have the ability to help of time anomalies, up to half a dozen, can often
locate time anomalies (much like a truffle hog appear in the area. They are typically short-
Phrases like “a level-9 searches for truffles). lived, but often carry with them more cyphers,
time anomaly” are As with all things in the Cypher System, artifacts, and remnants than usual.
appropriate in-game, as time anomalies have levels, from 1 to 10. The
most people in Grevakc majority are level 3 through 6, although some
talk about anomalies on
are much higher. The appearance of really
a scale of 1 to 10.
powerful time anomalies—typically level 9
or 10—is rare. The level comes into play for
anything having to do with anomalies, including

WELCOME tO GREvAKC

75
Predation
Chapter 9
LARAMIDIA
L
aramidia is a long, thin island continent to be called either of those things. SATI has
that hosts a wealth of creatures, a loose and light presence here currently, but
natural landscape features, and human there are persistent rumors of ancient and
settlements. It’s the most populated continent forgotten SATI sites hidden beneath the fast-
(in terms of humans, at least) and is what most growing jungles and ever-shifting soil of the
people mean when they say “Grevakc,” “here,” continent.
Western Interior Seaway, or even “home.” The Western Interior Seaway is typically
page 106 Laramidia is informally split into two regions: considered to be part of Laramidia, and SATI’s
Lower Laramidia and Upper Laramidia. They’re reach extends into the large inland sea via
roughly divided by the Chalk Road, a wide well- harbor control, island towns, floating labs, and
traveled path that cuts crosswise through the large ships that patrol the waterways.
continent. It’s a general rule that the closer to
the Chalk Road you are, the less likely you are
to find yourself eaten by wild creatures, and the LOWER LARAMIDIA
more likely you are to find yourself beaten up by Lower Laramidia is typically considered to be
human creatures. divided into two parts: Salmon Flats and the
Lower Laramidia (often just called “the Boot. Unlike the clearer division between Upper
lows”) includes Salmon Flats, a semi-flat area and Lower Laramidia, which borders the Chalk
along the mideastern coast that is the site Road, the border between Salmon Flats and the
of SATI’s three original commuter cities. It Boot is less defined. Those who live in Salmon
also includes the southernmost stretch of the Flats will likely say that as soon as you run out
The Boot, page 101 continent, known as “the Boot.” It’s the most of civilization, you’ve entered the Boot.
heavily inhabited section of the world.
Upper Laramidia, Upper Laramidia (sometimes referred to SALMON FLATS
page 102 as the U.P.) is mostly a smattering of towns, Salmon Flats is a strip of heavily jungled, but
villages, and inhabited sites that are too small mostly flat, land roughly 750 miles (1,200 km)

LARAMIDIA
long and up to 500 miles (800 km) across. It’s KELAINO

bordered on the west by the young mountain Still widely considered to be SATI’s major
range and on the east by the most populated stronghold in the region, Kelaino is the main
section of the Western Interior Seaway. site of the original commuter arrival. Since
Within Salmon Flats are SATI’s three original then, it’s grown in myriad ways, some of them
commuter cities. The largest of those, Kelaino, good, others not so much. It’s the largest city
is located along the southeastern edge of the in Grevakc, with a current estimated population
Chalk Road, while its smaller sister cities, of around 8,000 people, most of whom live in
Aello and Okythoe, are further south and west. the areas of town known as “thirds”—top third,
There are cities, farms, and production centers east third, and market third are the names used
sprinkled throughout the area as well, many of by those who live in the districts, although
which are located along the Chalk Road for easy the city doesn’t recognize them as such. The
access and transportation. higherups, city council members, and other
SATI remains in charge throughout many of members of SATI’s high society live in the area
the inhabited parts of Salmon Flats, but other known as the Triangle of the Faithful, as well as
organizations, particularly the Butterflies and in the Salmon Center.
the Genesix Fellowship, have a strong presence The city is both poor and rich, advanced
in the area as well. and primitive, lawful and lawless, full of excess
The locations of the three sister cities of Kelaino,

Aello, and Okythoe form a perfect right triangle,
despite the great distance between them. Many believe
that their exact placement played an important role
in allowing time travel to take place.

77
Predation
KELAINO’S MASCOT:
SUE THE T. REX 2
About fifteen years ago, a young T. rex
showed up at Kelaino’s gates. Standing
just a few feet high, the creature was
clearly hurt—limping, whimpering in pain,
missing an eye, and covered in gashes.
The city rallied around the creature, which
seemed grateful for the medical assistance,
the attention, and the food. They dubbed
her Sue the T. rex 2, after one of the most
complete T. rex fossils ever found. As she
healed and grew, Sue captured the hearts
of the citizens and she remains the city’s
mascot to this day.
Unusually small for a T. rex, Sue only
stands about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, but she’s
still nearly 30 feet (9 m) long. Sue mostly
hangs around outside the builtbone wall,
welcoming visitors, cooing for food, and
allowing children to ride on her tail while
she slowly and carefully walks around in
circles.
while other parts are candle- and fire-lit,

with machinery powered by handcranks or
dinosaurs. Along the water, trained dinosaurs
and elegant riverboats carry supplies, visitors,
and sightseers, while children use worn,
repaired nets to catch ray-finned fish and river
crabs in the hopes of feeding their families.
LAYOUT AND STRUCTURE

The semi-circular city is partly surrounded by
the builtbone wall, a wall that is “grown” from
a mixture of bones, malleable concrete, and
strong metal. It grows slowly, entwining its
branches together a little more each year to
become stronger, wider, and higher. Currently,
the bonebuilt wall stands around 20 feet (6
m) tall and surrounds all of the city that is
not backed up against Torotix Run, a wide,
deep river that runs all the way to the Western
Interior Seaway.
Western Interior Seaway, and scarcity, the future and the past. The law The southernmost stretch of the city lies
page 106 is visible along the streets, but the lawless along the banks of Torotix Run. An offshoot,
have learned to use the shadows and hollows Mikro’s Fork, branches into the city itself. A small
of the city to their benefit. Everywhere you manmade stream runs under, and powers, SATI’s
SATI hydrolab, page 83 look there is a mix of scientific technologies hydrolab, which in turn powers parts of the city.
coupled with homes built of the bones and There are various docks and harbors along the
skin of behemoths. Most of the streets are little water, used by fishermen, travelers, and others.
more than dirt paths formed and compacted Off to the right, appearing in constant
by the passage of large dinosaurs, carriage struggle with the builtbone wall, is an ever-
Gridelin Wilds, page 92 wheels, and human footsteps. Some sections encroaching swath of jungle known as Gridelin
of the city have electricity (from solar, water, Wilds for its unusual purple-grey trees.
Chalk Road, page 92 or other sources) that powers lights, cold A section of the Chalk Road runs directly
storage, scientific equipment, and electronics, through the northernmost part of Kelaino, and

LARAMIDIA
includes the Black Bridge, a wide, flat bridge keeping venators, and the abundance supplies
made of an oddly bouncy (and some say, available at the Market District.
nausea-inducing) black rubber-like material. Roadknights are typically employed for 2
Getting into or out of the city isn’t terribly nautils per day, plus 2 nautils per person who
difficult at the Chalk Road points—SATI guards, arrives in Kelaino bearing the roadknight’s SATI guard, page 149
cyberdrones, and various defensive dinosaurs, unique stamp (a special laserink design on
including acroplocerexes, might be stationed the wrist that fades after a week or so). After Cyberdrone, page 137
there, but they’re more interested in keeping a recent rash of … incidents … the city council
Acroplocerex, page 130
the peace than in keeping anyone out. has ruled that the new arrivals must be alive
In fact, city officials, headed by a city council, and conscious in order for a roadknight to City council, page 80
actively encourage both tourists and new receive payment.
citizens to embrace Kelaino, as they’re aware Venators: Inside the city, peace is kept Venator: level 6, Armor
that even here, money and bodies make the (mostly, at least) by the venators, special SATI- 3; carries a toolkit, a
world go ’round. They believe this so strongly trained law enforcement officers. Venators are medkit, a light melee
that they employ and send marketers, known as easy to spot in their bulky white and yellow weapon, and a medium
ranged weapon
roadknights, out in the world to let people know armor, marked with the orange SATI logo.
about Kelaino and its hospitality. The city’s Venators are rarely hired; instead, they are
slogan is “Kelaino: Arrive. Survive. Thrive” and recruited from the sons and daughters of
you can sometimes see these words painted in current or former enforcement officers. As
blue on the sides of roaming dinosaurs, on the soon as they become part of the organization,
ground along long, flat stretches of the Chalk a venator is given a young raptor (known as Venaraptor: level 3,
Road, and even sometimes in the air (SATI a venaraptor) as a companion; the two are interaction and search
has a long history of using pyrotechnics as inseparable, training together as a team. and rescue as level 4;
messaging services). Venaraptors: These small (about 2 feet [60 bite captures a victim
Roadknights can be anyone willing to go out cm] high) raptors are specially bred and trained and holds it immobilized
(until the victim succeeds
and stump for the city. The only requirement to excel in teamwork, communication, and
on a Might defense roll
is a short oral exam in which they’re required search and rescue. They wear custom gear that to break free); spiked
to talk briefly about the good things in does melee damage and provides armor. Many armor does 2 points of
Kelaino. Most applicants choose the obvious, also carry equipment, supplies, and weapons melee damage; Armor 3
complimenting the city council, the peace- for their handler. (external)

79
Predation
Commander Aitana Commander Aitana Moya: The current that is rarely seen outside of Kelaino (the
Moya: level 6, sign leader of the venators is a woman named residents call it birchbrick), the center has large
language as level 7; Aitana Moya. Aitana was second in command transalumina windows that look out over the
Armor 3; wears an for nearly ten years before she got this water.
artifact nicknamed
advancement, and is considered by most to be In the very center is a ten story tower that
Solarsong that’s
been handed down a compassionate and fair leader. She’s been reaches both up and down. The top five
from leader to leader deaf since birth, rejecting SATI’s attempts to stories stretch up in a swirl that is capped by
and is keyed into the provide her with cochlear cybernetics, and a large round room with a translucent floor.
entire venator force communicates with her team mostly via sign The bottom five stories stretch down into the
language. She also uses an artifact called depths of the river. At some point in the past,
Birchbrick: level 9 Solarsong, which allows her to communicate the transalumina windows in a lower story
mentally with her team. began to leak and the downtower has been
Transalumina, page 62
Since she’s risen to a more prominent sealed off at the water level ever since.
and visible position, it’s become trendy for A six-person council leads the city from
people to learn how to sign, particularly when the tower’s topmost floor, rotating the head
interacting with domesticated dinosaurs, many of the council every year. In order to be a
of which seem to respond very well to it. Her member of the council, one must have proof
companion is an 11-year-old venaraptor named that their ancestor was not only an original
Sindiak: level 3; Sindiak; the two communicate through hand commuter, but also one of the scientists or
interaction and search (and claw) signals. higherups originally involved in trying to fix
and rescue as level 4; time travel. Council members are voted into
Armor 3; laser claw place not by the inhabitants of the city, but by
upgrades do 3 points SOLARSONG (ARTIFACT) other higherups who are also eligible council
of damage within
Level: 7 members, many of whom still live in the
short range; electrified
armor does 4 points of Form: Small earcuff that curves around the Salmon Center. Council members are re-voted
shock damage within wearer’s ear in every five years, unless they wish to step
immediate range Effect: The device has power as long as it’s down, which can take place at any point.
been exposed to sunlight in the last 24 The current council members are:
Lois Newton: level 4; hours. When activated, it sends mental Lois Newton: Tall and elegant, with long
carries her grandfather’s messages from the wearer to everyone black hair that she wraps into odd shapes
laser pistol who’s keyed into it, within a 1-mile around the vertebra of various dinosaurs, Lois
(1.6 km) radius. Newton is the current council head. She is
Depletion: 1 in 1d100 sharp-witted and sharp-tongued, liked by half
of the council and hated by the other half. But
everyone admits that she gets things done.
Juvante Barrett: level 3; Juvante Barrett: The joker on the council,
humor as level 4 SALMON CENTER Juvante Barrett brings levity even if he doesn’t
The place where it all began, the Salmon Center bring good ideas. Most people think his brother,
is a hexagonal floating structure in Torotix Run Belal, would have been a better choice, but Belal
where the first commuters arrived. After the hasn’t been seen in more than five years.
Mystery Kami: level 3; Last Commute, SATI scientists and higherups Mystery Kami: Named after her grandmother,
carries a set of hand- worked day and night to try to fix time travel, Myst has absolutely no interest in being on
hewn bone blades turning the Salmon Center into their makeshift the council, but her partner convinced her to
home. After a while, when it became obvious run last year and, to pretty much everyone’s
that there was no easy solution, many of them surprise, including her own, she was voted in.
Dr. Sakima Hooper,
continued to live in the center. Now she is finding her interest drawn more
MD: level 5; medicine
and healing as level 6, Today, the center is home to those who rule toward fellow council member Anchi Garner
SATI-A SATI, namely the children and grandchildren of than to anything that the council is working on.
those original scientists and higherups. Built Dr. Sakima Hooper, MD: Dr. Hooper is the
SATI-A, page 158 of a floating, temperature-adjusting material oldest member of the council, both in terms
For anyone in the city doing something that is less

than legal, seeing someone else flash the sign for
“dinosaur” is often a warning that one or more
venators are heading their way.

LARAMIDIA
of having been on it the longest and in terms walls and fenced dinosaur yards, researchers,
of her age. An original commuter, Sakima veterinarians, doctors, and other scientists
believes she’s around 135 years old, but can’t work to repair time travel, further advance the
quite remember if she’s older than that. One of research into SATI’s original reason for traveling
the few MDs assigned to the Salmon Center, back in time, and attempt to track and monitor
Dr. Hooper is valued for her knowledge and the impending asteroid.
experience, but she is becoming increasingly Enta Lab has five stories, including a sub
aware that her time on the council, and in this level. Dota Lab has three stories, a sub level,
world, is surely coming to an end. and a sealed watchtower that extends high
Anchi Garner: Anchi has a deep connection enough in the air that it’s possible to see much Anchi Garner: level 3;
with time anomalies and a solid understanding of the city from it. time anomalies and time
of time travel. For many, Anchi is their hope Each lab has a single way in and out of the travel as level 5
for the future. Anchi, on the other hand, feels building on the ground floor—a heavy double
Triple thumblock: level
only despair and hopelessness, as none of door, which is manned by two guards, two
9; opens only when the
the team’s attempts to repair time travel have bastion cyberdrones, and a triple thumblock. two assigned guards and
worked thus far. The fences around the exterior dinosaur an approved scientist
Vernon Maldonado: Vernon has more than ten paddocks cover the sides and the roof, are place their thumbs on the
years on the council, but recently tendered his electrified, and constantly release a gas that lockreader at the same
resignation. He is a quiet, considerate man who affects only human lungs. Once one of the time.
is willing to listen to everyone before making up doors is opened, the second one will not open
his mind. He’s considered to be a great leader until the other one is closed. There are no Fence: level 8; does 5
points of shock damage
and a solid voice of reason for the city. People are windows or other entryways.
to anyone who touches it
already wondering and worrying about who could The roofs are covered with solarsedum—a
possibly replace him in the coming election. carpet of bioengineered succulents that Gas: level 5; does 3 points
stores solar power and releases it through the of Speed damage on
ENTA AND DOTA LABS plants’ roots into a complex mesh structure. each inhale
These two labs were the first ones set up by The solarsedum generates only about three-
SATI upon arrival. There was originally a third quarters of the power needed by the labs, so Vernon Maldonado:
level 3; positive social
lab as well, but that one blew up shortly after it the scientists supplement it by using dinosaur-
interaction and
was built. Now that burned, blackened area is powered alternators (essentially giant hamster leadership as level 4
known as Grey’s Crater. wheels), particularly at night. The sounds of
Enta and Dota, along with the SATI Hydrolab, creatures running on their wheels echo through Grey’s Crater, page 83
remain the centers of SATI’s scientific research the hallways, giving the labs an eerie, whining
to this day. Inside the labs’ grown-concrete sound. Hydrolab, page 83

81
Predation
Gre-Vakian c Trials, Many of the scientists who work in the labs Level 3, 4 & 5: Aeternology (Gre-Vakian Center)
page 66 also live there, rarely leaving except in case of Considered to be one of the most important
emergency. Supplies are brought in by workers sections of the lab, it’s here that scientists
through complex and meandering secret are working on figuring out more about time
Underground tunnel underground tunnels, the exterior entrances of anomalies and time terrors. But their main
entrance: level 8 which are scattered through the city and hidden focus is attempting to discover what went
by camouflaging technology. wrong with time travel and how to set it right.
The interior is filled with laboratories They work closely with the catastrists.
of various kinds, most of which are still They’re led by a team of three: Dr. Shane
functioning much as they did when they were Carlson, Merrill “Merry” Havestiin, and Gethen
originally set up. Most of the levels are devoted Corentine.
Dr. Shane Carlson: level to studying a specific science or scientific • Dr. Shane Carlson is slight, surprisingly
4; aeternology and fine branch. Each of the levels is also named strong, and has cybernetic fingers that allow
motor skills as level 6 after a scientist from the future who made a for enhanced fine motor movements.
contribution to that branch. • Merrill “Merry” Havestiin is quick-witted,
Merrill “Merry”
self-effusive, and creative. He can make
Havestiin: level 5;
aeternology as level 6; ENTA LAB everyone in the room laugh while perfectly
positive social interaction Sublevel: Supplies and storage: Pallets of splitting cellular matter.
as level 7; carries what supplies, food, and lab equipment cover the • Gethen Corentine talks to almost no one
he jokingly calls his floors, while tall shelves are lined with broken and keeps to a workspace in a corner of
supersplitter. parts, defunct equipment, and weapons. A large level 5. Everyone agrees that Corentine is
cold storage room preserves food, samples, brilliant, but no one seems to know how to
Supersplitter: level 6;
genetic material, and more. The room’s two break through the cold shoulder.
high-energy laser device
that can cut through
doors are protected by advanced follret locks.
materials up to its level DOTA LAB
Level 1: Genetics (McClintock Hall) Sublevel: Reference and storage: This
Gethen Corentine: The focus here is DNA storage, retrieval, and mishmash of research and storage includes
level 5; aeternology and alteration. Geneticists study both dinosaurs both digital and paper books, stored DNA
intimidation as level 6; and human DNA looking for secrets and files, digital files and sources, and more. The
positive social interaction discoveries, as well as attempting to advance head reference librarian is a big, heavyset
as level 4
their understanding of how DNA can be used man named Carden. He has a cybernetic eye
Follret lock: level 9;
in new and useful ways. Dr. Alatus Chang is the that allows him to quickly scan text for words,
requires a hair follicle head scientist. Chang is a brilliant geneticist, phrases, or names.
and retina scan from at but is not a very good leader, which means that
least two people in its things are often in disarray. Lab results get lost, Level 1: Animal husbandry and training
database at the same specimens get loose, and machines break down (Anning Hall)
time in order to open due to lack of proper upkeep. More of a large barn than a lab, Level 1 is
dedicated to working with creatures on a less
Dr. Alatus Chang: level
Level 2: Catastroscience (Soreneld Center) cellular level. Breeding programs, cybernetic
5; genetics and DNA as
level 7; leadership and Some might say that catastrophes aren’t a enhancements, domestication, and training
communication as level 3 branch of science, but in Grevakc, this is one all take place here, under the strict supervision
of the most important things for scientists to of a team of dinosaurologists, veterinarians,
Carden: level 4; research focus on. Catastrists consider themselves the and breeders. Silverstein Hall has a trio of
and knowledge as level backup plan. If the aeternologists fail to figure “mascots,” three cedaromys (“cedar mice”)
6; cybernetic eye implant out how to fix time travel, the catastrists will siblings that started as research animals and
provides an asset to need a plan to stop the asteroid from hitting quickly became beloved around the lab for their
searching and perception
the earth. They’re working on options, such as engaging and curious personalities.
Cedaromys (“cedar changing the asteroid’s trajectory, blowing it up
mouse”): level 2 as it approaches, and creating something that Level 2 & 3: Biorobotics and cybernetics
can absorb much of the impact and debris. (Kuplar Reisz Lab)
Qiqi: level 3, Speed Of course, one of the problems the Most of the scientists here have experimented
defense as level 4 catastrists continue to face is that it’s all with, upgraded, adapted, or otherwise changed
due to speed and speculation until the asteroid actually arrives, their own bodies as part of their work. They
maneuverability; long and if their untested plans fail at that final also work closely with the genetics and animal
when gliding or flying
moment, there is no other backup science husbandry teams to discover new and better
to save them. They are the last bastions of ways to upgrade dinosaurs. Currently the team
SATI’s Big Mystery: A humanity in this time, and they work with that is working on altering the wings of the qiqi, a
Guide for GMs, page 158 weight on their shoulders every day. small feathered dinosaur with wings similar to

LARAMIDIA
both birds and bats, to allow it to carry small that flow to power itself. In turn, that energy
bombs, grenades, and other explosives over is amplified by the lab to power the city. Not
long distances. all of the city has power all the time—that
The head of the dual-story department is load is more than the hydrolab can produce at
Bion Robilard, a man who most would say isn’t once. (It’s believed that there were originally Bion Robilard: level 4,
a great scientist, but is very trustworthy. In fact, supposed to be multiple hydrolabs to sustain lying, trickery, persuasion,
the exact opposite is true—Bion is a brilliant the city as it grew, but the materials didn’t and subterfuge as level 6;
scientist and a long- arrive prior to the Last carries a recording device
that can record up to 5
term secret operative Commute.)
minutes of video each
for the Butterflies. The power is day and transmit it to
He sometimes feigns “You can always tell an supposed to roll any device that is keyed
confusion or ignorance orphan or a poor man, through the city, into it
in order to get others because they’ve got alternating sections,
to talk more, and he’s bactdust in the betweens but it rarely does. Last Commute, page 67
very good at making of their fingers.” Instead, SATI’s labs,
people believe him. He the Salmon Center,
was originally assigned and buildings within
to this task eighteen years ago by the former the Triangle of the Faithful get the majority of
leader of the Butterflies. Although he transmits power the majority of days.
information out every day via a recording The scientists at the hydrolab contend that
device, he never hears back from the group they are continuing to work hard to find ways
and has never, in all his eighteen years, seen to improve the lab’s power. Not everyone in
or talked with another known Butterfly. Lately, the city believes them. They are led by Dr. Dr. Cassidy Kyou: level
he’s begun to wonder if the group has forgotten Cassidy Kyou, a third-generation hydroelectric 4; knowledge of water
him. scientist whose grandfather was one of the and power as level 5
original commuters. Dr. Kyou is well loved
GREY’S CRATER and well respected by most people in the city,
This burned and blackened crater along the but perhaps overly trusting. Many worry that
river once housed one of SATI’s early labs. For the other scientists are staging a power coup
years after the explosion, the air around the behind Kyou’s back, or selling off power to the
area spun with small tornados and weird bits highest bidders.
of false lightning. Most wouldn’t enter that
section of town, even with protective gear. Now BACTOGARDEN
that has mostly settled down, but the ground The bactogarden is the home of SATI’s original
sometimes glows neon blue and bubbles like bacteria gardens. Designed to produce
liquid. enough bacterial sustenance to provide vital
For those willing to enter the area—of which nutrients, flavor, and texture to meals for up
there are few so far—there are likely discoveries to 10,000 people, the gardens now mostly lie
to be made in the twisted bits of metal, stone, in ruin. While the original two dozen globular
and bone that lie beneath its surface. What greenhouses remain standing along the
caused the lab to explode? What chemicals or northeastern edge of Mikro’s Fork, less than
data remain in the dented but unbroken steel half of those are still functioning as planned.
canisters under the earth? What equipment Designed to be self-sustaining, the
might be dug up, broken but useable, in the gardens were created from smartmaterials
wreckage? that automatically responded to atmospheric
A tiny mammal, commonly called a and weather changes. The large domes of the
cindermouse, seems to be one of the few greenhouses opened when it rained, angled
creatures that makes its home in the rubble. for best solar capture, and sealed themselves
Cindermice have naturally white fur, but tight in the event of volcanic eruption or upon Cindermouse: level 2
typically appear blue, possibly from tunneling detection of high levels of particle matter in the
through the neon blue ground. Their air.
underground nests are filled with scientific The still-functioning greenhouses continue
debris. They’re sometimes caught and sold as to produce bacterial sustenance, which is
pets in the Market District. mostly scavenged by those who have no other
means to grow or hunt their own food. The
HYDROLAB bacteria, when eaten raw and with little else to
A large building that rests atop an unnamed supplement it, causes the teeth to yellow, and
manmade water flow, SATI’s hydrolab utilizes often covers the fingers and mouth of those

83
Predation
who eat it with a sticky golden substance known The Exalted Traveler: A general goods store
as bactdust. that supplies items for both home and the
No one is entirely sure why the rest of the road. It’s one of the largest shops in the Market
greenhouses stopped working. It’s possible that District, and is close to the main northern
once actual farms were established, it was felt entrance. Most prices are reasonable—the
that the bactogarden was no longer needed, and shop is more about volume of people than high
SATI let it fall into disrepair. Some of the non- markups—but it doesn’t always have everything
functioning greenhouses have been vandalized in stock. In fact, there are some questions as
and broken into. Many of these are now homes to where, exactly, the owner gets their supplies
for humans and other creatures (for whatever from. But everyone likes the prices so no one
The torotix is an aquatic reason, torotixes seem to like to use them for their digs too deeply.
bird that lives along the nests). Others are still sealed, growing things The Red Quarry: Filled with devices that
shores of the Western inside that no one is willing to explore too deeply. no longer work, bits and pieces of armor and
Interior Seaway, but flies There are rumors than one such greenhouse was weapons, and loads of scraps that most people
inland to make its nests
broken into by a group of teenagers, who found don’t know what to make heads or tails of,
along the riverbanks.
that the growths inside had somehow become the Red Quarry is a treasure trove for tinkers,
Torotix: level 2 both sentient and carnivorous. scientists, and tecs. The owners, Braden and
Fernando, are amateur scientists themselves,
FLOATING FARM and are often working on some new, weird
Providing the majority of fresh food for the (and often unusable) contraption inside the
city’s inhabitants, the floating farm is a five-layer store. Visitors sometimes stop by just to watch
hydrofarm filled with “traditional” produce. them work, although they had to put a rope up
Traditional in this case means seeds and starts around their workspace after an unfortunate
that were brought from the future back to incident involving a laser cutter and an overly
Grevakc, including tomatoes, potatoes, berries, curious companion.
Mallowtubes are and mallowtubes. The Floating Farm is the only Bellasaurus Bakery: This tiny little shop
genetically modified place that these types of plants are technically offers baked goods, sandwiches, and more for
tubers with tough allowed to be cultivated, out of fear of invasive both humans and dinosaurs. The interior is
skin and the interior species. It’s protected by a micro barrier that is small, so most people use the walk-up window
texture and taste of
designed to keep pollen, seeds, and other plant to order. Most people find the shop by smell
marshmallows. They are
highly nutritious, disease reproductive means inside the garden. alone, and the owner, Mae, offers generous
resistant, and storable for The produce is grown using not soil, but samples to everyone—both human and non—
up to three years without nutrients in the water. Beneath it is a carefully who walks by.
rot. tended enclosed space in which native fish are The Merry Maiasaura: Geared toward
farmed (the plant matter that drops into the companions and other domestic dinosaurs,
space below feeds the fish). the Merry Maiasaura carries saddles, packs,
treats, food, and everything else imaginable for
MARKET DISTRICT the dinosaur in your life. The store sometimes
The market District is built upon what was sells small dinosaurs and mammals as pets or
once the main living quarters of the city. SATI companions, but only to people who show they
built simple and cheap row homes for the know how to care for the creatures.
commuters. They were small, slipshod, and did The Blind Iguanodon: This little tavern is a
little to protect families from the environment. hot spot for locals, but most travelers don’t
As the city expanded and people wanted to know that it exists—and locals try to keep it
create their own homes, the original buildings that way. It’s tucked in between a variety of
were abandoned or scavenged for materials. rotating stalls, and the door is difficult to find,
Merchants began to move into the area, marked only with a hand-painted image of an
building temporary stalls inside and on top of iguanodon. It’s here that most of the business
the remaining shelters, offering produce, crafts, conversations and deals in the city happen,
household items, and more. Now, the area is both the legal ones and the ones that are less
booming, with more than a hundred permanent so. The owner and bartender, for whom the
stores, makeshift stalls, and traveling vendors. space is named, is blind and knows all his
It’s the most common place in the city to buy customers by voice and footstep.
Nautil exchange, page 60 supplies. There is also a SATI-operated nautil Bones and Stones: Built from the teeth of
exchange, where travelers and citizens can turn various herbivores stacked and cemented like
SATI token, page 60 in their nautils for SATI tokens. bricks, Bones and Stones is located at the
Some of the most popular permanent stores southernmost edge of the Market District. The
include the following. building has two entrances, once facing south

LARAMIDIA
and one facing north. Most who enter don’t pay Feather-floofing is a unique sound created
enough attention to realize that the building by feathered dinosaurs. The tic-tic-tic
inside is also split in half. baffled early commuters for a long time.
The half facing south (and thus, the Triangle Some believed the sound was the call of
and the Salmon Center) has large round an unknown and hard-to-spot creature
transalumina windows, inside which jewelry and living in the wilds of the jungles. Others
fashion of the finest craftsmanship beckon. The argued that what they were hearing was the
shop showcases necklaces ornately carved from ghostlike remnants of time travel or some
the black bones of nerezzas, rings of shined alien species. It was five years after the Nerezza, page 142
and polished gastroliths, and rare golden resin, first commuters arrived before someone
prematurely hardened by a special chemical discovered that the sound was made by
process into amber pendants. The clothes, dinosaurs shaking their feathers, much like
too, are fine and rare. Ornate feathered cloaks the train-rattling in peacocks.
and hats, wild colored leather and scales, finely
draped fabric woven of brightly dyed wetweave
and shimmering shrilk film. Inside the store is quarters, the city jail, a digital library called the
Aguirre. Tall and beautifully dressed, Aguirre has Repository of Knowledge, and a now-defunct Aguirre and Abrien:
elegant manners and a conversational style that dinosaur-themed science center. They’re all level 3; interaction and
makes everyone feel welcome. connected by raised, covered walkways made deception as level 5;
The door that opens on the north side (inside of thin, transparent strips of solarium. The each wears a small
voice-activated device
the Market District) looks as if it belongs to a walkways are rarely used, as many people find
that allows them to
different building entirely. Here, the stone is dark the act of moving across the solarium strips, communicate with the
and windowless. A tiny opening inside the black which shiver and shift with each step, to be other
door opens only to a special knock. A voice on nausea-inducing.
the other side will say, “Sticks and stones may The Dinosaur Sound Base: The Dinosaur Aguirre and Abrien are,
break my bones…” Anyone who answers with Sound Base is located in the defunct science in fact, identical twins.
“but will never break the law” is welcomed in. center, but has its own entrance and continues The two switch roles
Those who enter will find a slouching figure, to be operational. Once used strictly by regularly, and only they
wrapped in nondescript clothing. All around scientists but now open to visitors, the sound know which one of them
is which.
them are shadows and shapes: animals, base offers hundreds of stored audio files of
some still living, some not. Furs and feathers, dinosaurs roaring, walking, cooing, feather-
bones and teeth, claws, gastroliths, tails. If it floofing, and more.
comes from an animal and can be remade into The Tomb of Crocs and Kings: The Death and dying, page 70
wearables, it’s in this dark room and Abrien, the easternmost building around the Gathering
purveyor, will buy it, no questions asked. Circle is a large tomb, which holds most of the Some dinosaur
bodies of those who have died in Kelaino, both companions are large
enough that to store
GATHERING CIRCLE human and companion. Not all, of course, for
their bodies in the tomb
This large, round, open-air stadium is used buying a space inside isn’t cheap. It can cost would be incredibly costly.
for a variety of purposes. When there is excess up to 1 SATI token for a human, and more for a Others are just too big
power, the city holds public events in the space, dinosaur (depending on their size). to even be considered
from live concerts to holographic showings of Above the doorway of the tomb is inscribed without cremation.
one of the three movies that have survived time The Remains of Crocs and Kings.
and the elements. Those are becoming rare, A plaque on the right-hand side of the door The three holographic
movies are Robots of
however, and now the space is primarily used reads:
the Prison, Moonshine,
as a hangout for young people, abandoned and Foe of Twilight.
domesticated dinosaurs, and dupe sellers. I AM ABOUT TO TAKE MY LAST VOYAGE, A All were popular in the
The buildings around the circle are GREAT LEAP IN THE DARK years before the Last
community structures. They include a medical There is no attribution. Commute.
center, Kelaino’s main school, the venators’
Dupe, page 186
Venator, page 79
Listening to the files in the Dinosaur Sound Base

for at least an hour gives you an asset on dinosaur
interactions. The asset lasts about a week, and can
be “renewed” by returning to the sound base for a
ten-minute refresher.

85
Predation
OTHER GROUPS IN KELAINO

While Kelaino is a particularly SATI-heavy city, other groups share the space, albeit without
SATI’s power or presence.
Butterflies, page 118 The Butterflies have, as is typical of their organization, operatives spread throughout the
city, working undercover in positions of authority and knowledge. It’s rumored that one of the
city council members has recently turned Butterfly—but that seems unlikely. The Butterflies
used to run more regular raids against Kelaino in attempts to destroy the Salmon Center or
break into the labs, but since security has increased, those raids seem to have lessened. It’s
likely that the Butterflies are planning other, perhaps more subtle, long-term tactics to meet
their goals.
Genesix Fellowship, The Genesix Fellowship doesn’t have much of a base here—there is a single atelier on the
page 120 eastern side of town that fellows use to store notes, information, and research. It’s considered
something of a hostel for fellows who come through town and need a place to stay, learn, or
share their findings. Once or twice a year, a large number of fellows gather for The Oratories,
a celebration of science and education that offers the chance to listen to their leaders, called
Adonis, page 120 Adonis, and others who’ve gained new insights into the search for the Garden of Eden.
A third group, a gang calling themselves the Beasts of Darkness, is also starting to make
Garden of Eden, page 120 its presence known in the city. Their graffiti—the letters BoD written inside an open mouth
with large, dripping teeth—has shown up in the most unusual of places, including on houses
inside the Triangle and along boats tethered at the Salmon Center harbor.
No one is sure yet what they want or who they are, and much of the city is holding its
breath, waiting to see if the gang members start taking more action than just proving they can
get into almost any part of the city.
Once a body is led through the tomb doors, outside looking out for them. Lone visitors who
no one except the coroners are allowed to view get caught and jailed are likely to be in serious
it again. Mourners pile the front steps high with trouble and may die in Grerock.
Osteons, page 30 bones, remnants, and flowers. Many osteons Grerock guards are venators who drew the
do their work here, using the offerings to read short straw, so they’re often the least qualified
the bones, and connect the living with the dead. and most poorly trained. Abuse, bribery, and
Grerock Prison: Grerock is easy to get into health issues are common among prisoners.
and nearly impossible to get out of. Getting in
is as simple as this: get caught by a venator THE TRIANGLE OF THE FAITHFUL
doing something they don’t like, say hello to A place of wealth, power, and prestige, the
Grerock. Getting out? That’s a whole different Triangle of the Faithful is a small section of the
Cyberdrone, page 137 matter. At least legally. The city council doesn’t city that is heavily guarded by cyberdrones and
want to handle criminal issues; they want to venators. Here is where the elite live, those
leave that to the venators. But the venators who may or may not have a connection to SATI
don’t have the power or knowledge for creating (although most do, if only by way of bloodline
a court system, so they basically wait until or friendline) but who have the wealth and
someone comes to them and advocates for the prestige to buy their way into the elite.
release of their friend, relative, or coworker. It’s rumored that there is a large bunker
That means many people who land in beneath this area, designed to offer protection
Grerock stay there indefinitely, waiting for against the impending asteroid (and other
someone to remember that they’re there and dangers), with a single entrance inside one
plead for their case. More often than not, it’s of the large houses on the point. Whether it’s
members of groups and gangs who actually get true or not, it’s one of the many draws to living
released, because they have someone on the inside the Triangle.
Those who arrive in the city of Kelaino and hear

about the Triangle of the Faithful often ask,
“Faithful to what?” Most will offhandedly answer,
“SATI, of course.” but some will suggest that there
is a hidden, deeper meaning to the name.

LARAMIDIA
“Those hoities seem to want to pretend they don’t live

in the time of dinosaurs. Well, I ask then, what’s all
that meat made of that they put on their tables every
night? Or all that peat that goes in their furnaces
to warm their soft hands? What do they think
their children run from in their darkest dreams?”
~Kelaino citizen who wishes to remain nameless
One of the other draws—at least for some— exciting prospects, hungry creatures with giant
is that dinosaurs are not allowed. A few years teeth, or just good old-fashioned kidnapping by
back, there were complaints, apparently over some riverbank pirates. It’s said that you can
the amount of damage the creatures were always tell a new arrival by the way the gold of
doing with their defecations, and the city the docks is reflected in the whites of their eyes.
council agreed to create a dinosaur ban. Interesting Opportunities: From bars and
At the very end of the Triangle is a large, gambling houses to on-the-spot art and black
unnamed tower. Its metal weave rises, coiled market devices, there’s much at the Gold Docks
and twirled like an elaborate staircase topped to turn someone’s head. The Gizzard Stone
with a series of large tilted squares. At its feet is the most common place to begin, with its
rests another of the tilted squares, half buried unique stonelike exterior and salty scent. Part
in the dirt. It seems possible that that fallen food and drink establishment, part gambling
square was part of the tower at one point. hall, part room rental, and part “whatever
The tower is believed to have once been an you want my name to be,” the Gizzard Stone
important part of time travel, but no one’s been promises to give you whatever you want for
able to pinpoint what its role was, or whether cheap, as long as you don’t care about the
it’s still functional. It constantly emits a quiet, quality. No one can ever find the owner of the
buzzlike drone between sunset and sundown Gizzard Stone, a chap named Seifer. In fact, no
that can be heard throughout the Triangle. Most one’s seen him in years, come to think of it. But
people who live there long enough claim they the manager, Tedrik, seems to be doing just fine Tedrik: level 4; deception
can no longer hear it. without him. (If you ask Tedrik about Seifer, he and persuasion as level 5
will invariably say that Seifer just stepped out
THE DOCKS and should be back at any moment.)
There are three docks in Kelaino: the Gold Docks, Exciting Prospects: Wealth, power,
the South Docks, and the Salmon Center Docks. prestige… you can have it all, according to the
The latter two are fairly quiet, as they’re only bonereaders and fortune tellers who beckon
available to those traveling from the South and whisper. Sit and have a listen, and for just
Docks to the Salmon Center and back again. 1 or 2 nautils, they will tell you everything you
The lengths are lined with signs that say exactly want to know about your future—and how to
that, in no uncertain terms, and in case anyone make it perfect.
can’t read, there is the strong presence of If you really want to improve your prospects,
venators, who pace the lengths with the unique you can head over to the Floating Nautil, where
combination of boredom and suspicion that you can learn how to invest in what’s sure to
only guards with nothing to guard can muster. be a booming business, purchase a beautiful
plot of land, or go halfsies on a can’t-lose
THE GOLD DOCKS dinosaur wrestler that this gentleman just
The Gold Docks are busier and, thus, far more happens to have heard about. That isn’t to
interesting than the other two. They bustle and say all, or even most, of the opportunities on
hustle with tradeships from nearby river towns the Floating Nautil are scams. The lassaboat Lassaboat, page 110
and fishers bringing in their catch. Trained captains are always looking for good workers
aquatic creatures and boats are available for to do back-aching, heartbreaking labor aboard
rent or sale, as is equipment, fresh seafood, fish the lassaboats trolling the Seaway for 5 nautils a
and other aquatic catches, and, often, anything day. And there’s always a place for good talkers
else that might catch your eye. among the roadknights. If none of that appeals Roadknight, page 79
Many people who arrive in Kelaino for the (or succeeds), there’s always the chance
first time never make it off the Gold Docks, of making new friends, perhaps even with
having been waylaid by interesting opportunities, someone else who’s just about to strike it rich.

87
Predation
HOLIDAYS, FESTIVALS, Kelaino celebrates the following holidays and

AND EVENTS festivals.
The idea of Wild Walks Commuters will remember when they first
has started to spread arrived in Kelaino, during the stint that time Wild Walk: The Wild Walk takes place the first
beyond Kelaino, with travel was still functioning, and they would week after the arrival of the torotix, who fly
many towns joining in, receive packages, information, supplies, and inland to create nests along the banks of Torotix
even though most have
letters from the future. One of the most awaited Run. The event is designed to celebrate all the
to guess on the starting
date. supply packages was the one that arrived to ways in which humans and dinosaurs work
mark the beginning of the new InterGlobal year. together to be better, stronger, and smarter. The
InterGlobal year, Not only were the shipments filled with many event, which draws hundreds of visitors from
page 186 of the things that commuters would need and around the area, is Kelaino’s most popular.
want for the coming year, it was a reminder of It begins with a loose parade of dinosaurs,
the rituals and events of home. humans, and a few vehicles that gather in the
Many citizens do After the Last Commute, there were no more morning about a mile or so west of town along
celebrate “old” holidays packages, no more connections. Few people the Chalk Road. The parade travels along as
privately. It’s considered kept track of the passage of time, because many of the city streets as the dinosaurs and
uncouth and old- they assumed SATI higherups in the future their owners or trainers can fit through (some
fashioned, but it’s not
would get it fixed soon enough (hiccups had dinosaurs are so large and slow that they mostly
illegal.
happened before; how was anyone to know stay along the Chalk Road while the smaller,
that this wasn’t just another easily remedied quicker dinosaurs head through all the streets
glitch?). By the time people began to realize in town). Along the routes, cloth flags flutter
it might be permanent, they were almost lost. everywhere, bearing the logo of the Wild Walk—
What day was it “back home”? What season? a human hand wrapped around a giant tooth.
What year? Artists come out in full force, painting
After a year or two of trying to replicate the streets, the dinosaurs, and the sides of
events that seemed to be tinged only with buildings. Vendors, too, take full advantage of
sadness for citizens, the city council decided to increased crowds, often setting up multiple
instead create holidays and events that would stalls and creating special Wild-Walk themed
come to hold new meanings to the people foods and clothing. Popup pies are a specialty;
trapped here. these small meat and fruit pies are baked

LARAMIDIA
inside a short tube with a spring at the bottom. If ash falls upon you during the festival,
When they’re ready, the spring pops, pushing it means you will have a year of good luck. If
the end of the pie up so that it can be eaten embers fall upon you, it means you will see or
while walking. A yellow drink with slight hear the story of your death before the morning
hallucinogenic effects, affectionately named light, although you may not recognize it as
dinopee, is sold from big metal containers on such. Dinopee isn’t actually
street corners. made from dinosaur pee,
Trainers show off the special skills of their Festival of Time: This festival lasts six days, but but you wouldn’t know
dinosaurs. Young, tame dinosaurs are brought mostly takes place at night. Unlike the other it from the taste. Still,
the drink takes about a
out from the labs to create a petting zoo of holidays, this one did not spring from the mind
year to ferment and is
sorts. Osteons tell fortunes and read the bones. of SATI, but from the people themselves. It’s typically available only
The buildings around the Gathering Circle based on an old folktale, one whose origin during the Wild Walk, so
typically keep their doors open all day, with the has been long lost, but is likely rooted in the it’s a popular choice.
sound base being a particularly hot attraction. commuters’ early desire to return home after
As darkness falls, everyone gathers at the the Last Commute.
Gathering Circle. They bring a light of some It’s been passed down by word of mouth, and
kind and sing, dance, tell stories, or play music. the current version goes something like this:
One or more young people usually ignites Once, the people of the world fooled time into Some of Kelaino’s
something loud too close to a dinosaur, which believing that it wasn’t passing. They did this by holidays and events
tramples someone or something in fear. staying up all night and lighting the sky so bright have spread to other
that it still seemed like day. With no moon and no parts of Grevakc, often
accompanied by the
Festival of Ashes: This festival, both somber stars, time thought that it was still day long after
unique tweaks that
and joyous, occurs when the fields are burned the day had passed, and began to be upset and happen when something
at the end of harvest season. It’s a celebration stamp its foot. This shook the earth so hard that is passed along by
of endings and beginnings—but mostly it’s a even the volcanoes were afraid. nothing more than word
celebration of burning things until they become The people did this for six days and six nights. of mouth.
ash. And each day, time grew madder and madder,
Working for weeks and sometimes months thinking that it wasn’t passing, that it was stuck.
ahead of time, citizens design and build a giant And at the end of the sixth day, time grew so
hollow volcano that fills most of the Gathering mad that it twirled and stamped and twirled and
Circle. The morning of the celebration is when stamped, trying to get to the future where it knew
the scientists arrive. They bring their failed it belonged. It twirled so hard that it caught all the
experiments, their irreparable devices, and their people up with it, and then it carried them to the
lab concoctions gone wrong, and they dump future.
them all into the gaping center of the structure. To convince time that it is no longer passing,
Last goes a mixture of chemicals designed to celebrants stay up all night, for six nights in a
create something resembling eruption. Only row, lighting the sky with solar lights, bonfires,
once every few years does someone hurt flares, dinosaur upgrades, bioluminescent
themselves while lighting the whole thing on creatures, pyrotechnics, lasers, and anything
fire or during the subsequent explosion. else they can buy, build, or think of. Most meet
The festival lasts as long as the volcano’s at the Gathering Circle, but some keep the
insides burn, which can be anywhere from a few tradition by themselves at home. What people call
hours to many days. Festival-goers wear masks The catch is that in order to truly fool time, magnolias in the
and elaborate costumes that they design and the celebrants must stay up all day as well. To Cretaceous aren’t exactly
create themselves, often matching their outfit, this end, a special stimulant made of magnolia the same as the ones we
thematically if not identically, to those of their leaves, lab chemicals, and crushed termites know today, but they’re
friends and companions (human, dinosaur, or (most people don’t ask what it’s made of) is similar, as they’re in the
otherwise). Long before the festival has ended, rubbed along the gums or dropped into the same family.
most festival-goers have shed their costumes eyes to help people stay awake. Most don’t
Prehistoric termites
and thrown them into the all-consuming make it past day three, giving the true believers are much the same as
flames. an excuse for why time did not come and we know them now.
Large pits are set out all around town, where snatch them up to the future with its angry They even build termite
various types of meat are cooked in deep piles tantrum. mounds.
of ashes and embers. The meat, known as
cinderbits, comes out charred and blackened
all the way through, but so tender you almost
don’t need to chew it.

89
Predation
READING THE BONES

Missing Pieces: A woman named Esau Kadill wants a chance to be nominated to the SATI
governing council. She knows there is proof that her grandmother is one of the original
scientists, but hasn’t been able to find it on her own. She’s seeking someone to help her gain
what she believes is rightfully hers.
Sowing Seeds: A seed smuggler who calls himself Geordie is willing to pay a good price for
anyone who delivers seeds of any kind to him from the Floating Farm. Of course, the venators
might reward someone just as handsomely for turning the man in.
Night Noises: Hoots, honks, and bellows resound throughout Kelaino, particularly late at
night. Most of them seem to come from the Gridelin Wilds, but no one has been able to figure
out what’s making the racket.
Dark Stalkers: A couple says they’re being stalked by members of the Beasts of Darkness. At
first, they’ll say that they have no idea why it’s happening, but a little digging will show that
they originally agreed to join the gang, but then backed out at the last second. They’re afraid
they’re being hunted down for spite or revenge.
Hungry Creatures with Giant Teeth: While covers and shields, moving across the surface
there are giant, deadly crocodiles lolling of the water with the aid of special low-gravity
about near the docks just waiting for some devices that not only buoy them, but help them
unsuspecting creature to dangle an appendage jump, glide, and climb. For some reason, the
into the water during snacktime, they’re not water creatures don’t seem to bother them.
the ones you really have to watch out for. It’s Perhaps they’ve made a deal with the creatures,
the plesiosaurs that are truly worrisome. These or perhaps it’s their slippery nature that keeps
large carnivores look a bit like giant penguins, them out of harm’s way.
Vassie “Two-Leg” if a giant penguin could leap out of the water, Vassie “Two-Leg” Hammet is the riverbank
Hammet: level 4; jump, clasp you in its giant toothed mouth, and pull pirate crew’s leader. She’s spry, wiry, and
glide, climb, and float you off the docks into the depths. All before you younger than she would like anyone to know.
as level 6 (when using
could say, “What is —?” She became the leader by accident, after she
low-gravity device);
intimidation as level 5;
It doesn’t help that when they’re floating in came upon the body of the former leader,
Armor 1; wears a the water nearby, with their fat, furry bellies decapitated and half buried in the shore stones.
necklace that’s filled with to the sky, they look fairly cute and cuddly. The rest of the crew thought she’d done it, and
a glowing blue liquid; More than one visitor has made the mistake bowed to her ferocity. She’s never told them
carries two small shivs of leaning over too far to look at the sweet and the truth. When she has a bit too much dupe
Dupe, page 186
innocent creature in the water below. The city in her system, she might tell a wild story of
has hired people to set out various types of nets being raised by masked strangers inside an
and traps, but somehow the creatures keep underground bunker, poked and prodded, cut
slipping out of them, apparently unharmed. open and sewn back together. Even though she
Common dock talk is of who will be the one to shows them what might be scars, none of the
finally devise a way to capture or destroy the crew knows whether to believe her. They think
local plesiosaurs once and for all. she more likely got them in a knife fight and
Riverbank pirate: level 3; Good Old-Fashioned Kidnapping: Riverbank that she just wants to tell a good story.
jump, glide, climb, and pirates sound a bit like a joke, and perhaps they The crew doesn’t kidnap everyone they
float as level 6 (when are, for they are just as they sound: pirates who encounter, only a select few. When most people
using low-gravity device); don’t leave the land and don’t have a ship. But tell stories of a blur, a voice, and a hand in their
carries a crossbow with
when it comes to the riverbank pirates of Gold pocket, listeners will nod their heads knowingly
sleep darts that cause
their foe to be stunned for Docks, it’s best not to laugh. Instead, hand over and say, “Ah, you got riverbanked.” When the
two rounds your nautils, your weapon, and possibly your pirates do kidnap people, they seem to think
partner or companion, and hope that you get to it’s important to take their captives alive, but
Stunned characters lose live, at least for a little while longer. what they do with them after is anyone’s guess.
their turn (but can still These “ground pirates” know the edges of No one’s heard of people being ransomed or
defend against attacks the river, the ebb and flow of the harbor, and escaping from their clutches, so it’s likely that
normally). the crevices of the docks so well that they’re they sell their victims off to the highest bidder
almost impossible to catch in the act. They use for some type of slave labor. Or, worse, some
the docks and the areas below them as their kind of horrible scientific experiments.

LARAMIDIA
TOROTIX RUN the Torotix meets the Western Interior Seaway.

One of the largest, widest rivers in Lower Silverex Edge is run by Drachen and Nina, a Drachen: level 5, business
Laramidia, Torotix Run is a popular travel route, former couple who haven’t talked to each other matters and financial
particularly for those who wish to move goods, in nearly a decade. Somehow, the company tasks as level 6
supplies, or themselves, between Kelaino and still works, and even flourishes. Drachen runs
Nina: level 5, positive
the Western Interior Seaway. It runs more than the office in Kelaino, while Nina is in charge in
social interactions as
500 miles (804 km) inland, ending just south Addermire. The two hire quality help for a fair level 6
of the coastal town of Addermire. The river’s price, and their guides, guards, and ships are
depth and size mean that it’s full of large considered to be the most reliable on the river. Western Interior Seaway,
creatures, most of which are carnivorous and Their asking price for jobs is nearly double that page 106
hungry. of other companies, though, which creates a
Many companies rent riverboats, space, constant battle among their competitors for the Addermire, page 98
drivers, and guards for those wishing to travel number two spot.
along the river. Neither safe passage nor timely The rumor is that Drachen and Nina are still
arrival are ever guaranteed, but the chances very much in love, but that watching the death
of survival are certainly improved by hiring of their two children at the hands of a raptor
experienced help. pack broke their relationship too deeply to
The largest of these companies is Silverex ever be repaired. Nina carries her losses in the
Edge, which has offices in both Kelaino and long claw scar across her face, while Drachen’s
Addermire, a town tucked into the land where robotic hand serves as a daily reminder of his
“I saw my baby girl swimming in the waters. I know it

was her, even though she had the eyes of a crocodile.
I tried to save her, I did, I swear, but she had so
many teeth and after I lost my finger, I just… I just
couldn’t try again. I left her there. I left my baby
there, in those stinking deathwaters.”
~Drachen

91
Predation
failed attempt to save his children from certain Carnivorous creatures, rampaging bands
(and bloody) death. of thieves and cutthroats, and even more
A number of small towns have dotted up dangerous elements dot the road, just waiting
here and there along the Torotix, thanks to for unsuspecting or unprepared travelers to
the supply of clean water and easy passage, pass by. Many travelers hire guards, purchase
but most never quite flourished. They tend trained dinosaurs, and come equipped with
to have a strong start and then die off, often whatever high-end weaponry they can make or
abruptly, leaving behind what’s known as a afford for protection. Others set out and hope
shadow town. All shadow towns have the same to stay under the radar of the most dangerous
characteristics: they’re in heavily jungled areas criminals and predators.
along the river, they disappear abruptly, they It’s not uncommon to see large caravans—
rarely show signs of destruction or carnage, long trains of dinosaurs, humans, and
and most of the inhabitants’ belongings are left vehicles—traveling together. They may not
behind. The ground in a shadow town is always start out that way, but they group together over
soft, as if something has loosened the soil time, out of friendship, a need for protection, or
from below. Sometimes there are deep holes some other purpose.
dug in the earth, holes that close up shortly Some of the largest and most interesting
after. towns are located near or along the Chalk Road,
Kelaino, page 77 People who guide boats up and down the including Kelaino, Addermire, and Bonehaven.
river sometimes tell stories about catching While most of Laramidia is heavily jungled,
Addermire, page 98 glimpses of giant spiderlike creatures, blue and large sections of the Chalk Road, particularly in
gold, as big as a human, skittering from the the middle, are flat and desertlike. The ease of
Bonehaven, page 96
shadow towns at dusk toward the water. But passage offered by the relatively flat landscape
they don’t stay to watch. They turn their heads, is offset by the harshness of the weather—long
urge their boat a little faster, and try to push the stretches with no fresh water, no cover, and no
vision from their dreams. signs of civilization.
GRIDELIN WILDS PHYRRIC PASS

This unusual green-grey jungle is located along The largest of these stretches is Phyrric Pass,
Rapture ash film: When
the eastern stretch of Kelaino. The trees that a 100-mile (160 km) length of hard rock and
imbibed, causes a strong
sense of joy and delight grow there aren’t seen elsewhere in the area. blazing heat that catches many travelers
for an hour. During that Commonly called rapture ash, these trees have unaware. Under optimal conditions, walking
time, the difficulty of all a thin film over their leaves that gives them the length of it takes five to seven days. Under
Intellect- and Speed- their unusual coloring. The film seems to be every other condition—dinosaur encounters,
based tasks are increased from a symbiotic relationship between the bandit raids, unexpected heat, lack of proper
by one step. trees and some kind of mite or other insect. supplies—it can take much, much longer.
Creatures not found elsewhere live here, One of the biggest dangers along the Phyrric
Gossamer butterfly:
including the gossamer butterfly and a tiny Pass comes from the littlest of creatures: a
level 1
shrewlike mammal called a fossor. tiny lizard known as a katcha, or stinkserpent.
Fossor: level 2 SATI scientists have studied the film to Not much larger than a person’s finger, these
discern its origin and any possible usefulness, four-legged killers can lie camouflaged against
Fossor means but so far they’ve come up mostly empty- rock, sand, or dirt for as long as it takes for
“gravedigger.” handed. Licking the film from the leaves an unwitting victim to get close. They can
creates a sense of euphoria so deep that it move and strike so fast that most victims
Katcha: level 2, Speed causes the user to make poor decisions and don’t feel the attack until the creature has
defense as level 4 due to
put themselves at risk. Some creatures who already disengaged. The lizard isn’t poisonous,
size; can move a short
distance and attack in a eat the leaves regularly seem to have built up but the effects of its bite are no joke. It has
single action; bite does 3 a tolerance for it, although not all do. Hunters grooved teeth that hold decaying food, in which
points of damage. Victim and others sometimes take advantage of this pathogenic bacteria thrive. A single septic bite
must succeed on a level and seek out raptured creatures, because they can sicken a victim within moments, during
6 Might defense roll to are easier to capture or kill. which time more katchas jump into the fray.
resist the poisonlike sepsis The only true protection against katchas is
(one successful roll per THE CHALK ROAD to recognize their acrid, urinelike smell—thus
bite). Failure results in
The Chalk Road runs west to east across their nickname—before you get too close.
the victim moving one
step down the damage Laramidia. It is the longest, widest, and most Eating katcha meat can leave one feeling
track (per bite). well-traveled route on the continent, with ill, but that usually passes within a day with
an estimated length of 550 miles (890 km). no long-term effects. Some osteons use the
Osteon, page 30 Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s the safest. bacteria from katcha teeth as part of a potent

LARAMIDIA
concoction, which they then imbibe to improve of the expanse. It’s impossible to estimate
their visions. how many lives Bonehaven has saved, but its
A group of bandits who call themselves sizeable graveyard is testament to how many
katchas, after the lizards, stake themselves people were so far gone that not even a cool Katcha (human): level 6;
out along the road, using a substance made drink and some medical attention could keep carries light and medium
from the bacteria to poison their weapons. them from going to the ground. weapons coated in a
They seem to have developed a tolerance for Outside of the desert stretches, the Chalk poisonous substance. A
successful attack poisons
the bacteria, perhaps because the lizard meat Road’s environment is more forgiving.
the victim, causing a
is their main source of protein. They are well Underbrush dots the landscape, as do flowering paralytic effect for two
organized, knowledgeable about the area, and plants and huge jagged rock formations that, rounds.
bloodthirsty. from far enough away,
The Pits of Phyrric: resemble herbivores
This Phyrric Pass grazing. Much of the
community, built on eastern length of the
the rim of a deep and “If the fighting or the route is wooded, with
dusty crater, is less fever don’t kill you, the large sections covered
actual town and more Anaconda surely will.” in marshland and
death trap. Those wide, lazy rivers. The
who travel there do so closer the route gets
to kill, die, or make money off those who are to the sea, the wetter, greener, and warmer it
killing and dying. The main draw is the pit itself, becomes. Most people who live in this area
where dinosaurs and humans are pitted against have built homes and walkways high in the
each other in fights to the death. There are no trees, out of the dangers of sinking sands,
rules to these fights other than those set by the murky waters, and carnivorous creatures.
pit bosses. Many of the fighters—humans and Chimeras: A common problem for
dinosaurs alike—are captive, forced to compete unprepared travelers, chimeras are a unique
for the pleasure and purses of their “owner.” type of mirage that occurs when traveling
The current human champion is a woman through jungly, swampy areas along the
called the Anaconda, who has cybernetic whips Chalk Road during hot weather. As the still,
implanted in her hands. People whisper that excrement-filled waters heat up, they release Anaconda: level 8; Armor
she was once an acclaimed scientist in a big heavy fumes that can cause headaches, voices, 2; has cybernetic whips
city, but that something went wrong during and hallucinations. Some claim to see the in her hands that do 8
an experiment and she was driven from the future—tall white buildings against black points of damage to foes
in close range; can attack
community. It’s estimated that she has killed skies is a common vision. Others hear and
two different targets on a
more than a hundred humans, and at least see the dead. Still others see only terror in the single turn, one with each
twice as many dinosaurs. She works for a pit form of rampaging teeth and claws. Chimeric whip hand
boss named Piaras Tullio, who seems to hold experiences are a common cause of death
some kind of power over her, but no one knows along the Chalk Road, not because of the fumes Piaras Tullio: level 6
why. themselves, but due to the way that people
The one bit of relief from the terrors of the respond to the visions. They may run off into
desert comes in the form of Bonehaven, a the jungle, attempt to hide themselves in the
traveler’s town almost smack in the middle swamp, or talk to their “grandmother” (which
READING THE BONES

Helping Hands: A large hadrosaur has fallen across the roadway and seems unable to get up. Hadrosaurs are “duck-
Closer inspection reveals that there’s an open wound across her hindquarters and that she’s billed” bipedal herbivores
carefully carrying four young hadrosaurs in her mouth. that can grow up to 30
feet (9 m) long. They
carry their young in
Leap Into the Dark: A nerezza, obviously tame, keeps playing around the PCs, attempting to
their mouth, much like
get their attention. If the PCs follow, it will lead them off the road toward a large sinkhole that crocodiles.
seems to have opened recently. The PCs can hear the voices of at least two people calling for
help from down below. Hadrosaur: level 7;
defends young as level 8;
Long Absent: A young boy on the road is searching for his family’s caravan. He says they were does 6 points of damage
all here when he went to sleep last night, but when he awoke, he was all alone. If anyone asks by ramming foes
him to show them the spot where he last saw his family, he will take them to a nearby time
Young hadrosaur: level 2
anomaly and point to it as the place where he fell asleep.

93
Predation
CHIMERAS later. Maura was raised by the city’s original

Chimeras can affect any Chimeras cause verbal and visual leader, a geologist named Cesar Cardenes.
creature who inhales the hallucinations, pain, and fatigue. For Maura became Aello’s leader at the young age
rising fumes. anyone who breathes in chimeric fumes, of 25, after Cesar was struck by falling rocks and
it’s a level 7 Intellect task to resist the died on the slopes of the nearby mountain.
effects. For those who do suffer the effects, Despite everything that she’s lost in the
all tasks involving Intellect defense, city, Maura is determined to rebuild it into
perception, interactions, and decision- something glorious. Or, perhaps, build it for the
making are three steps more difficult. The first time into something glorious. She is quiet
effects last until the character leaves the and soft-spoken, and after all this time, her
area or ten minutes pass. At that point, the curly red hair has gone grey along the temple.
sufferer must succeed on a level 7 Intellect She feels a strong sense of responsibility to
roll in order to avoid longer-term trauma stay here and to lead this town into something
from the experience (those who fail suffer great, a promise she made to her foster father,
the chimera’s effects for a full day). Cesar, when she found his body crushed
beneath the mountain stones. Outwardly, she
projects a strong love of Aello, but mostly she
Champsosaurus is actually a champsosaurus or worse). Those feels trapped by the promises she’s made.
(“crocodile lizard”) hunts who survive find that their lasting memories of Since she became leader, she’s gathered
in rivers and swamps, the experience cause a great deal of emotional the remaining townspeople into groups based
catching prey in its long, trauma. on their skill sets and interests, and urged
tooth-filled jaws. Most
There are those who travel far to actually seek everyone to work for the common good. And
crocodile-lizard creatures
in swamps are typically out a chimeric experience, hoping to see their the town is improving for it. Large electrified
called “chompers” loved one’s face, learn their future, or perhaps nets, handwoven from tree bark and wire,
because they’re hard to just escape their problems for the moment. cover much of the skyline to keep out hatzees.
tell apart in the water, Despite its largely horrible effects, a chimeric They’ve dug two wells that supply fresh, clean
and they all have giant experience can be addicting for some. water within the town. And, thanks more to
mouths filled with teeth. good luck than hard work, the sinkholes seem
Champsosaurus: level
AELLO to have stopped appearing, at least not as
5; bite does 6 points of
Aello is considered to be SATI City 2, as it’s often.
damage the second place that SATI began to send Still, many have chosen to leave Aello even
commuters. However, it hasn’t fared nearly as as it improves, some for the perceived security
well as Kelaino or even the smaller, but more of Kelaino or Okythoe, others to seek better
prosperous, Okythoe. fortunes elsewhere. Some of the losses have
Located along the base of the mountains, been people that Maura sent to Kelaino or
In areas with heavy Aello was already falling into ruin prior to the Okythoe to ask for help from SATI who have
hatzee populations, Last Commute. The air in the city was dust- just never returned.
people employ various ridden, the ground never seemed stable— In the town proper, there is a main street,
protective measures to
sinkholes were common, it was too far from a small store, a community pantry, and a row
make themselves seem
larger and hopefully less a consistently clean water source, and, worst of gardens. The town’s only healer has been
like an appealing and of all, giant pterosaurs called hatzegopteryx dead for two years now, but one of the Branky
easy snack. nested nearby. These short-necked, winged daughters shows promise in herbal medicine
predators—known as hatzees—quickly and basic first aid. Last year, a hunting group
Biocement: level 10 discovered that humans were their new favorite managed to capture and tame two young
prey, wiping out more than half of the first oviraptors that they hope to breed for meat and
Fingerprint lock: level 10 group of 500 commuters in the first week. stock.
Some early commuters still call Aello “SATI’s Most of the original biocement buildings
Maura: level 4; leadership
and persuasion as level 5; great mistake” and suggest that whatever stand unused and locked, still filled with SATI’s
carries a modified long- information SATI had about the area before lab equipment, research devices, foodstuffs,
range dart gun. The darts they chose that spot to build a city was wildly and whatever else they stocked the town with in
carry a special chemical incorrect. anticipation of the commuters’ arrival. Whoever
injector inside them. The current leader of Aello is a commuter held the keys to those electronic locks is long
The chemicals create a named Maura who arrived in Aello as a gone, and in turn, the locks themselves have
strong sensation of pain fallen into disrepair or have been broken, likely
child, along with her two brothers and her
that causes the creature
scientist parents. Within the first week, she thanks to someone’s failed attempt to open
to feel stress and fear
whenever they approach lost her father and both brothers to hatzees. them.
the place where they were Her mother caught a disease from drinking The structure where the commuters originally
originally hit. bacteria-laden water and died less than a year arrived is now Maura’s office and her makeshift

LARAMIDIA
READING THE BONES

High Time: An osteon has just arrived in town, explaining that she’s predicted a time anomaly
will open up high on the mountain peaks. She believes it will be one of the largest that anyone
has ever seen. But it will be short-lived, only a few minutes, and she is seeking assistance to
get up there and locate it before it disappears.
Hidden Assassins: Something—or more likely someone—seems to be killing off members of

the herd of animantarx that often graze just outside of Aello. Every few days, someone finds Animantarx (“living
citadel”) is a slow,
another one down, its throat slashed. Maura believes the herd’s proximity to town is one of the
quadrupedal herbivore
reasons they rarely have dinosaur attacks. She wants someone to track down the culprit and covered in heavy armor
bring them in for questioning. scutes. Most are typically
around 10 feet (3 m)
long.
visitor’s center. Although the town has very few they find them, which is fairly often in the midst
actual visitors, she remains eternally optimistic of all of this commotion and confusion. Animantarx: level 5;
Armor 5
that someone will arrive who will save the town Okythoe is laid out in six concentric tiered
or, better yet, relieve her of the responsibility of circles, with the site of the commuters’ arrival Scutes are the thickened
trying to do so. She is growing old and tired, in the very center, which is the lowest circle. horny or bony plates on
and would like to see some other part of this Each tier is a few feet higher than the one inside a turtle’s shell and on the
world besides this tiny, rotting, dying town it and about 1,000 feet (300 m) thick. If there backs of many dinosaurs.
before she too meets her lonely, and likely was ever an order or organization to the tiers,
tooth-filled, end. it’s long gone, so it’s nearly impossible to tell
what the creators’ original idea was for the
OKYTHOE planning of the city. Stores are intermingled
Raise your heads with houses, fields and barns are scattered
Raise your eyes throughout, and there is little sense of a true
Raise your children governing body or defense force. If there are
Raise the skies. laws in Okythoe, everyone’s forgotten about
They have no power them and there’s no one to uphold them
They have no wings anyway.
Bow not and cower The city has no fence or wall, other than the
To so-called kings. height of the outermost tier, which is about
Now is the hour 12 feet (3.6 m) of some type of compacted
Rise, Okythoe. composite material. There are rope ladders that
Rise, Okythoe. roll down and makeshift wooden ramps dotted
It’s time to sing. around the rim.
~Streetcorner poem from the King’s Court SATI Loyalists: SATI loyalist is a name given
to those who believe that SATI should have
The third, and final, original SATI city, Okythoe control over the city of Okythoe for no reason
is located southeast of Kelaino. Officially still other than the fact that they once did. SATI
a SATI city, the streets are filled with chaos, loyalists despise that name because it implies
thanks to a fierce rivalry between SATI loyalists that they’re not just part of SATI, but they don’t
and a group that calls themselves the King’s have a countername that they can agree on,
Court. To make matters even more unstable, and so the moniker has stuck. Loyalists have
the Butterflies are taking their opportunities as tenuous ties to the organization, at best, and
In the kind of circular logic that most travelers

don’t care or know about, the Chalk Road was named
after the word Cretaceous, which is derived from
creta, the Latin word for chalk, because most chalks
formed during the Cretaceous period. There is no
chalk on the Chalk Road at all. It’s not hard to
imagine the future SATI geologist whose job it was to
name parts of Grevakc having a good laugh as they
came up with that.

95
Predation
READING THE BONES

Twisted Trees: In a spot not far outside the city, a grove of warped and whorled saplings has
started to grow at an accelerated rate, suddenly shooting up twice as tall as those around
them. A botanist in town is creating serums out of the trees’ genetic material and is paying 10
nautils to anyone who’s willing to let him test the serum on them.
Vintana sertichi is similar Rodents of Unusual Size: People have begun to notice that the edges of some of the city’s
in appearance to a tiers are crumbling and caving in. At first, they thought it was the result of increased activity
modern-day groundhog, between the rival groups. But now they’re pretty sure that a family of large groundhog-like
but at an average weight mammals known as vintana sertichi are building tunnels beneath the city.
of 20 pounds (9 kg) it’s
almost three times the
size.
most don’t have the science background or For the most part, the inhabitants of Okythoe
Vintana sertichi: level 3; experience to truly advance the organization’s try to ignore the chaos caused by the groups
perception and digging goals. They have no true leader, but rather they and typically steer clear of them whenever
as level 4 all abide by and work toward a simple credo: we possible. Despite whatever the groups
deserve to rule the world. Or at least this town. believe—and most inhabitants would be
The King’s Court: Named not after any hard-pressed to come up with all three of their
Acroplocerex, page 130 human monarch, but after the acroplocerex (a names and what they’re trying to accomplish—
heavily armored dinosaur whose name means the city’s been doing just fine. Or it would be
“high armored king”), the King’s Court title is again, if they’d get the hell out and leave it
SATI Loyalist: level tongue-in-cheek, a dig at the SATI loyalists who alone.
3; Armor 1; carries a seem to think they would, and should, be kings. Since they don’t seem to be about to do that
medium ranged weapon The group is made of intellectuals—many of anytime soon, a small group of Okythoeans have
them osteons or scientists—and their weapons gathered supplies, saddled up their dinosaurs,
King’s Court member:
aren’t swords, but words. They give speeches and are planning the long trek to Kelaino to seek
level 3; one field of
scientific knowledge as on the street corners to rouse and engage the help from the SATI leaders there.
level 5 population, urging them to revolt against SATI’s
desire to rule them. They’re attempting to put BONEHAVEN
Osteon, page 30 an election process in place for the people, Located along the Chalk Road, Bonehaven
but progress is hard-won and slow-going. If began as a tiny roadside tent set up by the
Butterflies, page 118 anything, it’s the Butterflies’ chaos-creation entrepreneur couple, Camila and Aida, to
that is doing the most to impede forward serve the needs of travelers on their way from
movement. anywhere to anywhere. Bonehaven wasn’t the
Butterflies in Okythoe: The Butterflies that only supply store to crop up along the Chalk
live and operate in Okythoe are perhaps unique Road, but it was perhaps the most unique. In
among all other members of the group, in addition to buying and selling basic supplies
For more information on that they don’t rely on subterfuge, long-term and luxury items, and providing temporary
the town of Bonehaven undercover ops, or any of the other accepted respite from the elements, the couple offered
and dinosaur wrestling, techniques of the group. Instead, they fight a variety of entertainment options, the most
including betting, popular
dirty, seizing opportunities wherever they can, popular of which was trained dinosaur
wrestlers, and more, see
the adventure “Promised
without caring who knows about it or who gets wrestling.
Land” on page 174. hurt in the process. Since then, the town has gained a reputation
In fact, other butterflies around the world as the best place to watch, bet on, and even
might disown them, if not for the fact that participate in the popular sport of dinosaur
they are still getting the desired results, even if wrestling. The city’s founding couple, Camila
their means are suspect (and “suspect” for a and Aida, long ago stopped running the town to
guerrilla organization like the Butterflies means focus their energies on the dinowrestling side
they’ve gone pretty far off the rails). of things. Lately they have been talking about
Dino wrestlers often have names that echo their

personality, depict their trainer’s hope for them, or
are just punny. Some current favorites are Sir Slicey,
Sexy Rexy, Chomp-n-Stomp, Kickjurass, Fluffy, and
Extinction Event (Exti for short).

LARAMIDIA
passing the business along to someone else, natural, enhanced, size, breed, weight, skill set,
and heading off into the world to try their hand experience, and so on. One of the most popular
at something new. There is much speculation is the adult sauropod bouts, where the giant
and gossip regarding who will take over the dinosaurs entwine their long necks, stamp their
business. feet, and even knock heads, each attempting to
Now, mostly thanks to the dinowrestling, bring the other dinosaur to its knees.
Bonehaven is a fairly bustling, burgeoning town Meat District: Bonehaven’s so-called “meat
of more than 1,000 people. It’s not unusual to district” is for both humans and dinosaurs
see a wide mix of travelers and locals, dinosaur alike. Street carts, taverns, and vendors with
trainers and breeders, SATI members and portable backpack grills serve up a Bonehaven
Butterflies and even the occasional genesi, all specialty—meat on a stick called dosan. Tender,
standing together outside of a ring, rooting for spiced, and encrusted with crushed eggshells,
their favorite creature to win a bout. dosan is the kind of thing that people are sure
Many a hopeful dinosaur trainer or breeder they’ll hate, but quickly decide they love.
arrives in Bonehaven dreaming of making their The rest of the area is filled with butchers
fortune in the ring. A few do, but many end up who offer regular cuts of dinosaur meat for
falling into the clutches of addiction, gambling, humans, and larger cuts (or whole creatures)
and eventually, petty crime. It’s a town that for various types of dinosaurs.
offers many easy ways to fall, and becomes the Graveyard: Bonehaven is one of the few towns
final resting place of those who can’t resist the with an actual graveyard. It started after Camila’s
temptation of self-destruction. grandfather, Jovany, passed away. An original
Dinosaur Wrestling: Dinosaur wrestling is a commuter who remembered the burial services
sport that is designed to offer entertainment of his own parents back in the future, Jovany
to participants, a decent living to trainers, and insisted he be buried in the ground with a coffee
a safe form of fun for the dinosaurs. Good and a headstone. Since then, the graveyard has
wrestlers are a valued commodity, as are good grown with each passing year. The graveyard
trainers. In wrestling, the dinosaurs are trained is beautiful and well tended, protected from
to fight to win, not to harm or kill each other. predators, and for humans only. Some come to
To ensure the fairest wrestling matches, Bonehaven to die, in the hopes that they too will
participants are divided into a variety of classes: become part of this unusual monument.

97
Predation
READING THE BONES

Spoiling for a Fight: Two rival dinosaur trainers are always accusing each other of cheating.
Typically, this is solved by a fistfight in the streets and a few drinks afterward. This time, it
seems to be escalating, and other trainers are taking sides. If it’s not stopped, it could turn into
an all-out war in the streets.
Church of the Rising: Some call it a church. Others a cult. Either way, the leader, Armas
Yonatan, is gathering quite a flock of young people who believe that gambling and drinking are
sins, and that the only true path to the gods is by flight. They are building all kinds of unusual
flying contraptions and enhanced creature wings, but only for those who claim allegiance to
the Rising Gods. The local businesses are unhappy about the ongoing loss of patrons.
ADDERMIRE Dupe actually is illegal, although it’s probably

The largest town on the eastern coast of the least reported and prosecuted of all the
Laramidia, Addermire is a welcome relief to commodities moving through Addermire.
those who have passed through the chimeras of Many scientists make their home in
Chalk Road, page 92 the Chalk Road from the west or the wild waters Addermire in order to have access to the
of the Seaway from the east. various materials and supplies that come
The town has a population of around 5,000 through the docks. They host a regular get-
people, almost a quarter of which are transient, together at the Drunken Raptor every few weeks
Exedu, page 110
working trade between Kelaino, the town of to talk about their discoveries and research,
Exedu on the Appalachian coast, the various trade information, drink, and gossip.
Jose Blevins: level 4; island cities in the Seaway, and sometimes Jose Blevins is believed to be the world’s
time terror knowledge farther. utmost expert on time terrors, having lived
as level 5; carries a stun The town has three main entrances: the end through not just one, but two of the storms. It
gun and various weather of the Chalk Road, Clubtail Harbor, and River would be easy to say that he’s obsessed with
devices, some of which
Road, which is rarely used. Originally, River time terrors, and you wouldn’t be wrong, as he
work and some of which
are untested. Road was designed to provide easy access is determined to find not just the cause, but
to the city for those who brought goods and also the cure, for the phenomenon. Blevins
Time terror, page 74 supplies back and forth from Torotix Run. Today has a lab in Addermire, but spends most of his
most boats and ships can make the transition time wandering through Laramidia in search of
Torotix Run, page 91 from the river to the Seaway without a problem, storms (as well as storm survivors other than
so they arrive via harbor instead of trucking himself). He has a portable, air-suspension
Gale: level 6 their supplies overland. lab, pulled by a trike named Gale, that is
Addermire remains a SATI stronghold and devoted to predicting and studying the weather
the higherups there, with the remote help of phenomenon. Unfortunately, since time terrors
City council, page 80 Kelaino’s city council, tend to run Addermire give little warning as to their impending arrival,
much as it was originally run. Laws are clear, Blevins hasn’t yet encountered a storm (other
punishment is swift, and the guards are still than the two he accidentally found himself in
more than willing to take bribes to look the the middle of).
other way. In fact, illegal trade is perhaps the If you come across a brown and red striated
town’s largest commodity, despite the tough trike pulling an odd-looking floating contraption
laws and the constant crackdown. For hardened through the wilds of southern Grevakc, it’s likely
criminals and beginners who want to make a that you’ve found Gale and Blevins. Despite
name for themselves, trading goods beneath the futility of his search so far, Blevins remains
the noses of Addermire officials without getting positive and upbeat, sure that he will find what
caught means bragging rights and upward he seeks. He wears an outfit that he believes
mobility among the fures—those secret and makes him invisible to the storms (but not to
elusive criminal masterminds that everyone other living creatures) and proudly shows off
SATI higherup, page 149 says truly run the city, but whom no one has the tree-like lightning scars across his face. He
ever actually met. often says, “I survived two time terrors. Now
Amiran Rama: level 5, Most illegal trade is defined as items that those storms are afraid of me and run when
knowledge of the future
aren’t illegal as much as they are slated to they see me coming. Smart storms. But I’ll find
as level 6, robotics
as level 8; has two go only to SATI officials, higherups, and them.”
automatons that fly laboratories. Wetweave, upgraded dinosaurs Another scientist who calls Addermire her home
around with her and and other creatures, SATI armor, equipment, is Amiran Rama. At nearly 150 years old, she’s
provide her with 2 Armor artifacts, science and lab equipment, and more. not only one of the original commuters, she’s

LARAMIDIA
READING THE BONES

Cage of Death: A man in Addermire recently built a cage made of wetweave, metal, and bones
that is designed to allow the people inside to see underwater while being protected from
creatures. He will pay a few brave souls to help him give it a test run.
A Dream of Home: After returning from a small island in the Seaway where her daughter was
bit by something unknown and became gravely ill, a woman named Deka is desperate to
return. She doesn’t want to leave her daughter, but believes that the island holds the secret of
the cure to her daughter’s illness.
Hedging His Bets: An ambitious businessman recently started selling insurance to cover
shipwrecks, creature attacks, and storm damage. It was going great, but there have been three
shipwrecks and four creature attacks in the last month. Is there something fishy going on, or is
he just having a run of bad luck?
also the only known remaining robotics expert wetweave. The town also produces various
in Grevakc. She had an apprentice many years other commodities through genetically altered
ago, but he was killed by one of her creations, dinosaurs and other creatures that produce
and she never took another. She’s recently wool, feathers, milk, and meat.
come to realize her knowledge is going to die Spiders are raised in large greenhouse-like
out with her if she doesn’t do something soon. enclosures called grisetts. Shaped like a tunnel
Her long silver hair is typically knotted high with a curved roof, a typical grisett is 40 feet
on top of her head, and stuck through with (12 m) long and 20 feet (6 m) high, and houses
long silver hairpins that she brought back in up to 500 spiders safely. More than that and
time with her. She laughs easily, is thoughtful in it is difficult to keep them from fighting each
conversation, and works in her workshop every other or from falling ill. Overpopulation can
day for as long as her back can stand it. also cause the spiders to stop building webs, or
These days, she mostly creates small to create silk of lower quality.
automatons that do chores as gifts for her Grisetts are filled with the skeletons of large
friends and fellow scientists. But she misses dinosaurs, cleaned and preserved, and then
the days when her work had a purpose. piled high atop each other in elaborate designs.
The spiders create their webs in the openings
HENDRICKSON between the bones. It’s been found that the
Hendrickson, a town of dupe growers, spider more ornate the bone structure, the more
farmers, and weavers, is the production place ornate the webs. The spiders are fed a variety Aconite: level 3, all tasks
involving spiders as level
of much of the fabric, textiles, and leather of live food, including young bambiraptors and
5 or 6 (depending on
that are used throughout Grevakc. Most of it lizards. unique modifications).
is sold in bulk to tailors, armorers, and other A caretaker, known as an aconite, lives inside
crafters in Kelaino, Addermire, and elsewhere. each grisett with the spiders. Aconites design
Wetweaves and other special fabrics are also and create the bone structures, watch over Wetweave, page 61
commissioned from SATI higherups for lab, the spiders, harvest the silk, and, if the need
armor, and equipment creation and repair. arises, sacrifice themselves for the good of
The town has a population of about 500 their charges. Being an aconite requires not
people and, it’s estimated, well more than just a scientific understanding of spiders, but
100,000 spiders. It’s one of the few places the ability to connect with them on a more
given official SATI approval to raise the emotional level. Many have undergone various
genetically modified orb weaver spiders processes to become more spiderlike in their
that produce the special fabric known as appearance or outlook. A good aconite can
Dutchman’s Pipe grows in the wild, but not in high

enough concentrations to be useful for much more
than a single dose. Most people are familiar with the
plant’s shape, collect it when they find it, and carry
it with them in some form when traveling.

99
Predation
double or even treble a spider’s production, and with the oils still intact, is used in explosives,
Genetically modified
thus are in high demand. weapons, and as fuel. Black bullets are known
orb weaver spider: level
3; bite inflicts 3 points of
The most common types of spiders to be temperamental, and more likely to bite
damage, and victims who cultivated in Hendrickson include the following. than other spiders.
fail a level 3 Might defense Genetically modified orb weaver spiders: Ninjaweavers: Aggressive, fast, and deadly,
roll also receive a dose These rare and coveted spiders produce a the ninjaweavers wouldn’t be worth raising
of venom that knocks unique silk that’s used in the production of if not for their silk—a superstrong, highly
them one step down the the weatherproof fabric known as wetweave. elastic translucent material that reflects light
damage track and causes They’re about 6 inches to 1 foot (15 to 30 cm) in such a way that makes it almost impossible
paralysis for one round
long at adulthood, and are known to have for humans (and likely insects) to discern,
Ninjaweaver: level 4;
unique and engaging personalities. They are even when it’s woven together. It’s in high
camouflage, hiding, unlikely to bite, and will retreat or eject their demand for traps, fishing line, and nets, as
and sneaking as level 5; legs if they feel threatened or trapped. well as camouflage armor, tents, and weapons.
initiative as level 6; bite Black bullets: Looking more like ants than Ninjaweavers are difficult to control and
does 5 points of damage spiders, with elongated, segmented bodies, cultivate, as they tend to wrap themselves in
black bullets move with a herky-jerky motion. At their own webs, becoming almost impossible
Black bullet: level 3; bite nearly 2 feet (60 cm) long, they’re believed to to spot. They’re more willing than other spiders
does 2 points of damage
be the largest engineered spiders. Black bullets to bite anything that seems even slightly
The cultivation of spiders create a thick, all-black silk that feels oily to the threatening, including aconites and each other.
to produce fabrics is touch before processing. It’s most often used Most spiders typically live around 10 to 15
called hypheculture, or to create household items like blankets, pillows, years. When they die, their hides are turned
web farming. and furnishings. Unprocessed black bullet silk, into spiderleather, and then shipped to Kelaino,
Most dinosaurs will tolerate spiderleather saddles,

harnesses, or other equipment with little or no
problem, but many ceratops, especially the trikes,
will not. It’s not entirely clear why that is.

LARAMIDIA
READING THE BONES

The Longneck Problem: A group of thieves has recently started using longneck dinosaurs
as a way to access the Dutchman’s Pipe fields. The trained dinosaurs wear a special piece
of equipment that creates a sort of ladder on their necks, and then arch their necks over the
fence. Thieves climb up and down the “ladder” carrying armloads of the plant. The town is
looking for ways to stop them, while the thieves are looking for more hands to help carry the
loot.
The Case of the Yellow-Bellied Spiders: A new type of spider has begun appearing in the orb
weaver’s grisetts recently. It has a yellow belly and yellow legs, and it seems to be able to
move among the other spiders without aggravating them. No one can figure out how they’re
getting in or what they’re doing there. Is it guerilla warfare from another silk-producing town? A
mutation? Or just an accident?
where it is used for creating armors, packs, and THE CINDER OCEAN
clothing. The hides with the softest setae are An enigma not just to those who live here
preserved with the hairs still intact and used now, but also to those scientists of the future
for baby blankets, extra warm clothing, fashion who first discovered its existence, the Cinder
accessories, and specialized items. Ocean is wide, flat, and liquid. Or sort of liquid.
Around the outskirts of the town, another The ashy soil is sometimes firm like dirt and
type of crop thrives: an herbaceous, viney sometimes fluid, more like quicksand. When
perennial known as Dutchman’s Pipe. the ground is in its fluid state, most things that
Sometimes called pipevine, the plant has touch it end up sinking down into its depths
myriad medicinal uses, including as a pain within a matter of minutes.
reliever, a disinfectant, and a treatment for The entire expanse—roughly 30 square
snake and spider bites. It’s believed to repel miles (48 km)—is comprised of a reddish
reptiles, including snakes and lizards. It can grey material that is both ashy and pebbled.
also be poisonous when ingested, and is used Touching it leaves a grey smear on the skin that
in scientific research. is difficult to remove. Virtually nothing grows in
While Dutchman’s Pipe grows in the wild, these “hot spots,” and if it does, it typically gets
it’s hard to find naturally in quantities large swallowed up quickly by the sucking earth.
enough to distill into dupe, a euphoria-inducing Whether the earth will be solid or fluid on
drug that is in high demand. This makes any given day or hour is something that is still
Hendrickson’s fields a hotspot for thieves and puzzling scientists, who are unable to find a
drug dealers. The fields are protected by heavy pattern that makes sense. It changes more
electrified woven fencing (built from spider silk quickly than it should, given what science Electrified woven
and wire) that keeps out most thieves. Armed knows about matter and mutability. What’s fencing: level 8
SATI guards also patrol the fields to prevent particularly intriguing is how animals react to
both break-ins and take-outs. Workers who are it. Most herbivores seem to have a good sense SATI guards, page 149
caught stealing the plant are punished by being of when the ground will be firm enough to
evicted from the town permanently, without walk across, while carnivores don’t; they often
being given an opportunity to gather their head across the expanse only to stumble and
things or say goodbye to their family. There is begin to sink after their first few steps. Lizards,
very little theft (at least not from the inside) snakes, and insects seem to avoid the area
currently. altogether (but that might be because there is
little to no food available there).
THE BOOT There are islands of stability speckled
While, in theory, the Boot encompasses the throughout where the land never changes form.
entire southern end of Laramidia, there are They’re easy to see because they’re the only
really only two places that people think of when spots in the area that have vegetation—tall,
they think of the Boot: the Cinder Ocean and thin, twisted trees called rebelwoods that rise
the Blackbone Forest. Everything else is still up and spread their branches out over the hot
tightly tangled jungle, requiring explorers to spots, as if in defiance of the instability around
hack their way forward, one slow, hard-earned them.
step at a time. Some of the islands are as large as half
a mile across, and sustain life beyond
vegetation—both animals and humans who’ve

101
Predation
Throughout the forest, there are markings where the

char has been scraped off the bones to reveal the
white-grey of uncharred bone beneath. The bone char
is used as a pigment for paint and ink, as well as for
filters and in labs.
built their habitats among the trees. One of the some of the objects that mean nothing to those
largest of these islands is home to a group of uncovering it. How did it get here? What was it
scientists who have been studying the Cinder used for? What happened to it?
Ocean from the inside for almost 15 years. The Those too young to remember anything
scientists there call it the Sanctum, and they’ve beyond Grevakc are finding themselves
built a raised walkway that goes from island to drawn to this place, where their parents and
island, all the way to the northern edge of the grandparents tell them not to go. Traveling to
Cinder Ocean. the Blackbone Forest is something of a rite of
The scientists believe that something went passage, a pilgrimage, for third- and fourth-
terribly wrong here, something that is related to generation youth seeking to learn more about
the Last Commute. They have many theories, when and where they came from. Most parents
but no solid explanation as of yet. forbid it, which makes it all the more appealing.
Many who travel there die along the way, of
THE BLACKBONE FOREST course. Those who make it there often don’t
More than a hundred years ago, this forest find what they seek, unable to make sense of
burned to the ground. The official SATI story the destroyed bits of the future. Some who
is that a campfire got out of control during do believe they’ve gained understanding
a routine exploratory outing, but it doesn’t or knowledge stay on, bolstered by their
take a forensic scientist to see through that discoveries to help others who arrive seeking
explanation. A large crater-like indentation wisdom and guidance. Others stay to take
marks the site of the fire’s origin, and the advantage, robbing new arrivals or selling them
devastation patterns seem to indicate that useless junk under the guise of helping.
whatever ignited the forest did so all at once,
rather than in the slow, haphazard spread that
would have occurred with a campfire-sized UPPER LARAMIDIA
start. Sometimes called the U.P., Upper Laramidia is
The blackbones of the forest’s name aren’t characterized by vast stretches of jungle, wide,
the delicate charcoaled trunks that remain deep rivers that no one has cared about (or
standing, but rather the glistening obsidian dared) enough to name or explore, and hidden
bones of the dinosaurs that died in the flames. SATI bunkers.
The fire burned in such a way that it carbonized
the bones in the exact position where the REDJAW WILDS
Phyrric Pass, page 92 creatures died, creating ghastly and beautiful The Redjaw Wilds is a ragged, humid jungle
reminders of their sudden death. The sight is stretching from just above the Phyrric Pass
SATI bunkers, page 104 made particularly poignant by the stark contrast all the way to the mountains in the west. It
of the bright green grasses and underbrush includes a number of SATI’s hidden bunkers,
that coat the ground beneath the skeletons. as well as unique areas that are of interest to
Flowering vines twine around the black bones, scientists.
Supersauri, page 146 and butterflies, moths, and honeybees dive and This is the most likely place to run into a
dance among the brightly colored petals. supersauri, as well as various other large, often
Chalk Road, page 92 In the middle of this weird concoction of carnivorous dinosaurs that never stray south of
old devastation and new growth, a young the Chalk Road.
generation is finding hope and the chance to
touch the future of their past. Buried in the THE TANTRUM
new growth and the charred soil is something Rising high above the surrounding forests, the
else: twisted, charred bits of metal and Tantrum is an active volcano—a loud, wildly
melted plastic (a material that’s rarely seen in unpredictable active volcano. It sputters and
Grevakc) that have fused together into new, spews, sending heat and ash into the air, runners
odd creations. There are words and graphics on of lava oozing down its sides like red tears.

LARAMIDIA
And all around it are plants and creatures For security reasons, it’s the Butterflies’ only
that live nowhere else, ones that seem to be permanent base, and it’s well protected and
specially adapted to the heat and volatility of well hidden. And just in case the impossible It’s possible that the
their surroundings. Tiny lizards, mottled red happens, the entire cavern is equipped with Chrysalis—and their
and black, open small winglike appendages and mechanical traps, puzzles, devices, protective pride in it—could
glide across the hottest spots. Larger, thornier creatures, and even explosive gasses, all someday be the
Butterflies’ downfall. Will
lizards can filter and absorb necessary water designed to give the Butterflies a chance to
they escape with their
through their skin. Bright orange flowers dig get away with as much of their equipment and lives if they ever need to,
their roots deep into the cracks caused by the research as possible. And to destroy anything or will they stand and
disruptions. Some small dinosaurs even seem that they don’t want to leave behind. defend in the hope of
to have found ways to adapt, changing their As a general rule, the Butterflies eschew protecting their beautiful
habits to become more nocturnal so they can technology, so the majority of the base has been home?
hunt and travel when the temperatures are carved out, built, and furnished by hand. Most
lower. people who join the Butterflies want to become
spies or impersonators, but the truth is that
DRACO SPLIT the group is always in need of people who can
The Draco Split is a large inland lake created design and build things, from chairs and tables
where four large rivers join. It’s named for to devious mechanical security devices.
the huge herds of herbivorous dinosaurs, Only a few hundred of the Butterflies in
particularly dracorexes, that make the shoreline the Queen’s innermost circle know the exact Dracorex (“dragon
their home. Dracos are communal creatures, location of the Chrysalis. Fewer than fifty king”) is an herbivorous
with the entire herd watching out for each other actually live there. Most are scholars, guards, dinosaur with spiky
and caring for the young after they’re born. and subleaders. Even just being invited to the horns, bumps, and a long
muzzle.
Most people who come to Draco Split do so Chrysalis is something that happens only to
to study or steal the babies. Dracos are one of those who are most trusted by the Queen, and Dracorex: level 4,
the few dinosaurs that have their young via live the person is typically guided there by one or perception and sensing
birth, and it’s a rare opportunity for scientists more guards while wearing a thick blindfold. danger as level 5; uses its
to study large numbers of young living together Many Butterflies spend their entire lives never body to smash foes for
in the wild. Those numbers also make it knowing where the Chrysalis is, nor setting foot 6 points of damage and
an appealing spot for less-ethical breeders, in it. daze them for one round
poachers, wrestling trainers, and others who It’s an offense punishable not just by death—
can make money by selling the young. The but by disgrace—to give up the location of the
ongoing struggle between the science-minded Chrysalis. While death might seem to be the Dazed, page 203
and the money-minded makes it hard for either heavier weight there for most people, it isn’t
group to succeed, but neither seems willing to for Butterflies. Earning the honor and respect
back down. of their Queen and each other is important.
Despite the noise and danger brought by the Losing that at the time of your death means you
fighting humans, the dracos don’t seem in any never have a chance to regain it, a punishment
hurry to leave the lake. If anything, the adult that is stronger than the loss of life.
dracos have started to boldly investigate the If finding the Chrysalis uninvited is difficult
camps and the people in them, as if trying to (and it is), entering is even more so. The front Front door: level 10
decide what their next step is regarding these door is carved into the mountainside in such a
newcomers. way that it’s nearly impossible to find. It looks
Creatures other than humans hunt the babies like the very mountain itself, even to well-
in Draco Split at well. Devil frogs more than trained eyes. Devil frog: level 1
a foot and a half long wait for easy prey at the Just outside the door is a river filled with
water’s edge. And freshwater crocodile-like carnivorous creatures. The Butterflies keep Carnivorous fish: level 3;
creatures watch the shoreline with half-sunken them nearby by tossing them a bit of meat. does 3 points of damage
eyes. Never enough to fill them up, just enough to with its bite
give them a taste and an appetite.
CHRYSALIS Inside, there are various rooms and tunnels.
Hidden underground deep in the eastern side Living quarters, storage, a library and research
of the mountains just north of the Chalk Road, space, and the Queen’s quarters are all sectioned
the Chrysalis is the Butterflies’ main base. A off, well protected, trapped, and behind hidden
natural cavern that’s been enhanced and altered doors. Mechanical traps planted all around Mechanical trap: level 8;
over the years into a stronghold and base of include pressure plates that spring needles from does 6 points of damage
operations, it’s here that the Queen—and their the walls, drop spiked balls from the ceiling, or
beloved book—reside. release a spout of flames into the area.

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Predation
At the very back, just off the Queen’s stocked of all the bases that remain. It is well
Hidden tunnel door: quarters, a double-hidden escape tunnel that organized, and the leaders are attempting to
level 10 opens only for the Queen’s fingerprints leads communicate with the other bases to bring
out from the Chrysalis through the mountains them back in line, but they’re not all willing to
to a tiny, hidden opening on the other side. That rejoin a fight that doesn’t seem like it belongs
tunnel, unlike the rest of the base, is natural, to them. It’s a shared belief among those
likely carved out at one point by a waterflow. who live at Soway that they will be the ones to
It has a number of branching tunnels, many restore time travel and save the people.
of which go nowhere. One of the first tasks of SATI;6E (“Sursee”): The bunker that’s closest
those who live and work at the Chrysalis is to to the Butterflies’ main base, Sursee has spent
memorize the way out, because the tunnels are the last five years under attack, both from the
dark, small, and unmarked. inside and the outside. Their resources are
spent, their determination is waning, and many
SATI BUNKERS are grumbling that they should just give up and
SATI bunkers have—or rather, had—a allow the Butterflies to come in and destroy
mishmash of uses, including time-travel everything.
operation bases, laboratory stations, storage SATI;9N (“Satine”): For a long time, it
facilities, and more. At one time, they were seemed like the underground bunker of Satine
fortified with all of the lab supplies, technology, was doing fine—following protocol, working on
SATI, page 116 armor, weapons, and more that SATI believed their share of the time-travel issue, remaining
they would need to complete their mission. The hidden—but recently, a man named Gareon
Gareon 64: level 6; bunkers weren’t designed for commuters, but 64 has been claiming that he is the true leader
Armor 3; carries a high- only for those at a very high level within SATI. of SATI. He has created a personal militia out
powered firesprayer that
All of them once held secrets and valuable of both SATI and non-SATI members and is
does 6 points of damage
to everyone within close resources. Most of them still do. In fact, it’s sending them out to nearby cities and towns
range believed that this is where the true details and to proclaim his title and convince people to
secrets about time travel—how it’s done, why it swear their loyalty to him. Not only did Gareon
went wrong, and how to fix it—are kept. 64 “out” the hidden location of the base with
The bunkers are both above and below his proclamation, but he’s left it open to attack
ground, some carefully hidden, others stating by sending his forces out into the surrounding
their position with towers, broadcasts, or noise area instead of keeping them at home.
signals. All are carefully guarded and many are
classified, but some people have discovered ASTRAL CAVERNS
their locations and have begun to mount Buried deep beneath the earth lies the vast expanse
various types of attacks against them. The of the Astral Caverns. Named for the glow worms
closer the asteroid draws, the more frequent that dot large portions of the ceiling, this winding,
these attacks are. The Butterflies infiltrate in the vast cave system has been only partially surveyed.
hopes of stopping SATI from fixing time travel What has been explored and recorded amounts
or destroying the asteroid. Those already on the to more than 2 miles (3 km) of underground
inside stay on the inside, possibly because of rooms, tunnels, sinkholes, watering holes, and
orders from SATI. Or possibly in the hope that rivers. In addition to the natural features, other
being in a bunker will save them when the end areas have been purposefully opened underground,
comes. Other groups, big and small, want entry by both humans and by other creatures, to serve as
to the bases, believing that the structures will meeting spaces, passageways, storage rooms, and
save them from the effects of the impact. living quarters.
No one, not even those within the bunkers, The majority of this cave system is still largely
know whether this is true. The buildings are unexplored and uncharted, with more being
surely designed to withstand a great deal, but discovered every day.
it’s unlikely they can survive a catastrophe of Astral Cavern: This is the main, most well-
that magnitude. known cavern in the system. It’s very large, very
There are at least seven known SATI bunkers tall, and open. The cavern is the place where
in the area of the Redjaw Wilds, but likely many one is likely to find large dinosaurs, which come
more that are completely hidden and maybe into the cave to eat the minerals. It’s called the
even forgotten. Astral Cavern because of the glow worms that
The following three are still active and dot the high domed ceiling, giving it a sense of
connected with SATI in Kelaino. a starry sky at night. The walls are covered with
SATI;0A (“Soway”): The capital base, Soway signs, art, drawings, messages, graffiti, secret
is the strongest, best guarded, and most well symbols, and more.

LARAMIDIA
On the floor of the Astral Cavern is a to get turned around, unable to find their way
manmade, sealed door with a complicated back out of the corridor. Coming upon a dead
mechanical lock. This opens to an ancient body that’s been stripped of their clothing and Elevator door lock:
elevator that still works, but creaks and clamors equipment doesn’t make it any easier to keep level 10
and jerks as it falls, making riders wonder if one’s head.
they’re going to make it to the end of the ride Bone Pass: The most common shortcut
alive. The rooms below are manmade, carved through the caverns, Bone Pass is wet and
from the stone and sealed to keep them dry. muddy. Along the way in the worst of places,
SATI;U9 (commonly called “Sun”): This someone laid large flat dinosaur bones side by
section of the cavern is almost entirely side to create walkways. Dinosaurs use this as SATI;U9 locked door:
manmade, as evidenced by the large, square often as humans, however, and there is almost level 8
rooms and straight walls. All of the entrances nowhere to hide along the thin corridor.
have walls and locked doors to keep out Sailback Slide: A number of small
unwanted visitors. The main gate is at the north communities have grown up along the curves
entrance. of the Sailback Slide. The Najash River and
The Kidney: A large natural cavern with high, Slowlap Lake bring in fresh water, creatures for
rounded ceilings and an abundance of glow eating, and the ability to power devices through
worms. Because it’s dry, somewhat lit, and well-placed waterwheels and other hydroelectric
fairly warm, it’s a favorite place for humans and devices. It’s relatively safe from creatures and
creatures alike to hide out, rest, recuperate, and humans, thanks to its location along the back
raise young. of the caverns. The low ceilings are carved out
Starspine: These tall, oddly shaped caverns with various holes, and inhabitants use rope
are a favorite home to bat-like creatures, many ladders to climb up and out.
of which fly up through narrow openings in Silent Rex: This beautiful room is filled with
the ceiling. They’re filled with mushrooms and stalagmites, stalactites, domed ceilings, and the
other fungi, many of which are edible and only a carvings of some long-ago artist. All around the
few of which are poisonous. walls, carved and drawn images showcase the
Anchor’s Way: This narrow cavern is a work of a talented artist or artists. The majority
favorite place to trap wanderers and capture of images are of a future landscape and culture,
prey. Its acoustics can easily cause newcomers full of tall square buildings, planes, trains,

105
Predation
cars, books, computers, and people dancing same time. The sound is actually the mating
and doing other things. They are scenes that call of small, locus-like insects. The creatures
most people have only ever heard of, created were part of Madhur’s experiments for SATI,
in minute detail and with loving care, making it attempting to engineer insects that would carry
likely that the artist was probably a commuter. bombs, destroy crops, and transport viruses.
Scientists and visitors are most likely to travel The experiments failed because the insects
to the Astral Caverns to see this room and learn wouldn’t breed in captivity. That doesn’t seem
what they can about the future. Even the roving to be the case in Devil’s Hand, as they number
gangs that sometimes use the room as a hideout in the thousands.
seem disinclined to tamper with the art. It’s likely that people would find reason to
Currently, a family has set up shop at the brave the “ghosts” if they knew that buried
entrance to the Silent Rex, attempting to charge beneath their masses of moving, breeding
5 nautils to anyone who wants to go in and see bodies are all of Madhur’s scientific findings,
what they’re calling the Future Masterpiece. artifacts, lab equipment, and life savings.
Nikthees Mouth: Once part of SATI’s storage,
this is now hidden behind a cave-in that cut off THE WESTERN
the entrance. It’s likely that nothing larger than INTERIOR SEAWAY
a mouse has been inside it since then, and it’s The Western Interior Seaway is a huge inland
probably filled to the brim with stuff that SATI sea. Simply called—and thought of as—the
would really like back (or that someone else Seaway by most people, the water is 600
would really like for the first time). miles (970 km) wide at its widest point but
Devil’s Hand: Once the hideout for Harith only around 2,500 feet (760 m) deep at its
Madhur, an infamous SATI scientist gone rogue deepest points. It’s teeming with marine
(or perhaps mad), the Devil’s Hand is the place life, including predators like plesiosaurs
that no one in their right mind goes. There are and mosasaurs, sharks and giant fish like
rumors that the six fingers of the Devil’s Hand the squalicorax and xiphactinus, and various
Giant fish: level 3 are haunted, because of the eerie musical ammonites, mollusks, giant clams, and
tones that are often heard coming out of them. plankton. Early avians (flightless and not) and
The tones never sound all at the same time, pterosaurs inhabit the sea’s shores, shallows,
and not everyone hears the same music at the and skies.

LARAMIDIA
The northern and southern ends of the This gives the shoreline an odd, blocky
Seaway, particularly above the Chalk Road and shape, particularly along the western edge, Chalk Road, page 92
below the Boot, are mostly unexplored and where most of the carving has occurred. Much
uninhabited. They’re considered no-man’s of the carving has also taken place underneath The Boot, page 101
lands, full of giant water beasts, even by the the city (which isn’t floating, despite its name).
most hardened seafarers. And that’s saying A large, well-maintained dock at the south Kamuis are used mainly
something, since those same people are end of the island is a common stop for boats, for riding through the
already willing to cross a sea rife with 20-foot- ferries, and domesticated water creatures called water, as they can carry
long (6 m) fish and 16-foot (5 m) man-eating kamuis. It’s not because C-town offers much in up to three people at a
sharks. Still, the fear is possibly shrouded the way of supplies or entertainment, but rather time and can swim right
along the surface for long
more in myth than in science, since few people because they are always in need of items from
periods of time without
have ever ventured there to see the giant water the mainlands and are known for paying well a break.
beasts with their own eyes. for supplies, particularly non-sea foodstuffs,
The area stretching between the Chalk devices, and equipment. Artifacts and remnants Kamuis: level 5
Road and the Boot offers relative safety and are in particular demand.
even some creature comforts in the form of Instead of rows of merchants lining the main Pariah King: level 5; has
floating cities, inhabited islands, and a few road from the dock into town, there are rows of a genetically engineered
large cruising boats. SATI’s influence and reach buyers. Most hold up signs saying what they’re raptor with two heads,
named Awotw and
is still fairly strong here, but with a focus on looking for and the price they’re willing and
Wotwa, that is always at
science rather than governing. Most locations able to pay. Almost all of them pay in nautils, her side.
have their own form of leadership and consider of which they seem to have a surprisingly
themselves to be independent not just from unending supply, a detail that few people notice Awotw and Wotwa: level
SATI, but from most other organizations as and even fewer question, as the supply is often 5; Awotw does 5 points of
well. to their benefit. A few prefer to pay by trading in damage with a mouth-
local or handcrafted items; these are rare, but embedded laserbeam;
THE FLOATING CITY OF COAREAS typically the offerings are of high quality. Wotwa does 6 points of
damage to anyone in
Located about halfway between the end of the The town is run by a woman who calls herself
short range by spitting
Chalk Road on the eastern shore of Laramidia the Pariah King. In some ways, the title is venom.
and the town of Exedu on the western shore warranted. She isn’t the ruler that the people
of Appalachia lies the Floating City of Coareas. elected. For decades, the town has operated Platypode, page 143
Commonly just called C-town, it’s hardly a
city with its fewer than 100 inhabitants, but
it seems like one from a distance, due to the
shape of the skyscape. The entire landmass
of C-town is only a few acres, meaning that
everything is built up, giving it the impression
of a mini city. Buildings are created by stacking
large stone blocks that are carved out of the
shoreline and carried inland by domesticated
platypodes, amphibian dinosaurs.

107
Predation
READING THE BONES

Catch and Release: A fisherman has caught some kind of bizarre and unknown sea creature in
his deep-sea net. SATI scientists in Kelaino have shown interest in it, and have offered to pay
100 nautils to anyone who delivers the creature to them alive and well.
Claw of the Wild: Every year during mating season, thousands of giant crabs crawl up the shore
and attempt to mate on the streets of Coareas, damaging buildings, injuring passersby, and
scaring children. The crabs are an important source of food for both the locals and the wildlife,
so the citizens would like to find a way to encourage them, kindly, to take their amorous
actions elsewhere.
by electing a new official each year, typically island seemed uninhabited and thus free
by placing nautils into bowls. The person with from dinosaur dangers. The island has a large
the most nautils in their bowl at the end of caldera, which SATI also surmised would
the election was considered the official for the provide refuge from storms and other natural
following year. About ten years ago, the Pariah disasters. They didn’t yet know that they were
King lost an election, but took control anyway. building on an active volcano.
No one on the island is entirely sure how it The island has erupted twice already in the
happened, but they all agree she does a fine job known history of Grevakc, once before the
ruling, so they let it go. Last Commute and once after. The first time,
Daruka: level 4; carries However, the Pariah King’s daughter, Daruka, it demolished research centers, homes, and
a set of throwing knives is clearly gearing up to take her mother’s spot, some rather large, rather expensive equipment.
across her back and this has people worried. Daruka is mean- It also killed the nearly two dozen scientists
spirited, short-tempered, and something of a who’d only just arrived in Grevakc. No one
spoiled brat (everyone agrees that being a good seems to know what prompted SATI to rebuild
mother never really was the Pariah King’s true in that location. Perhaps they had intel that
calling). But there are at least a few years before suggested the volcano wouldn’t blow again.
Daruka is old enough to truly try to take control. If they did, the intel turned out to be wrong,
The secret to the island’s abundant nautil for the volcano erupted just a few years after
supply is carefully guarded. To let it spill the Last Commute, once again demolishing
from your lips to an outsider is punishable the buildings, wiping out the inhabitants,
Machimosaurus by a slow and torturous death at the hands, and burying everything in ash, including the
rex (“fighting lizard or rather mouths, of the Pariah King’s two gravesites occupied by the original 23 SATI
king”): level 7; 30 feet giant crocodile- scientists.
long; does 3 points of like Machimosaurus Now the island is
damage with its bite- rexes. home only to those
and-twirl attack as well
 The shoreline brave or stupid
as an additional 2 points
is protected by
“Don’t make me send enough to want
of painful nerve damage
half a dozen
you to the Grove,” is to risk the island’s
each round that it has a common threat on
prey captured in its grip remote-controlled inevitable betrayal.
(thanks to its electrified thalassomedons, Betrayal Island. Or those who are
mouthguard). It’s a level 40-foot-long (12 m) seeking their fortunes
7 Might task to escape. predacious pliosaurs in the diamonds that
with elongated necks and massive flippers. the previous eruptions brought to the surface.
Thalassomedon
Nicknamed dulcimaras—sweet nightmares— Diamonds are one of the few precious minerals
(dulcimaras): level 7; fast
when swimming; bite the creatures are controlled using remotely in Grevakc. Not for their wearable quality—it
does 5 points of damage; operated brain implants. Inside the Tower of the would be incredibly rare to see someone
also wraps large living Sea Lord, a tall, stone structure on the southern sporting diamonds in jewelry—but for their use
creatures up in its long end of the city, at least one (and usually two) in technology. Some spaders, so called not only
neck to trap and squeeze guards are employed to keep the dulcimaras on for the tools they use to sift through the ash,
them, doing 8 points of track with their remote controls. but as an off-hand reference to another card
damage (victim must suit, can spend their whole lives digging and
succeed on a level 7
BETRAYAL ISLAND not find a single diamond. Others may strike it
Might roll to break free).
Thanks to its unusual moniker, the story of rich with a large find. But most of them spend
Thalassomedon’s name Betrayal Island is one of the few stories about their days uncovering and gathering small
translates from Greek to SATI that everyone knows. SATI originally diamond chips, until they’ve gathered enough
“sea lord.” used it as one of their bases, because the to make a bit of money. Then they travel back

LARAMIDIA
Diamonds are used in telescopes; cutting, shaping,

and boring tools; glasses; and even phonographic
needles. The pay rate varies based on buyer and
the diamond’s hardness, resiliency, and heat
conductivity, but a fingertip’s worth of high-quality
diamonds can bring as much as 20 or 30 nautils from
the right buyer.
to Laramidia to sell the diamond pieces to labs, THE NIVEOUS

SATI members, and others. The Niveous was once a submerged SATI
Not everyone digs alone. Various groups labship, perhaps the only one of its kind.
and cooperatives have sprung up, for safety It’s believed that scientists were modifying
as much as for productivity. Caden Glass is creatures in the lab in an attempt to use them Caden Glass: level 5;
the best-known and most-feared boss on to alter the oceanic environment toward a Armor 1; carries a stun
the island, running a group of spaders two cooler temperature, possibly to find ways to gun
dozen deep. Not much is known about Glass, survive after the asteroid hit. There is also
including whether their last name is given or evidence that they were doing similar work on
taken. In fact, it’s impossible to discern almost humans, perhaps attempting to create more
anything—facial features, gender, or size— ways for humans to survive underwater.
through the ornately carved black leather mask, Whatever they were doing, it all ended in InterGlobal Time,
helm, and armor that Glass wears constantly. the year 41 IGT, when the underwater labship page 186
This is exacerbated by the fact that the boss exploded, sending great steams of pressurized
rules from atop an armored, horned crossgen foam and ice into the air. Armored, horned
and is accompanied by a small herd of raptors Only those scientists on the scene know crossgen: level 5; Armor
that don’t allow anyone near the two. what actually happened inside the lab, and 3; wears headgear
A single individual, known only as the none of them survived. But anyone in the that shoots poisoned
projectiles for 5 points of
Courier, acts as go-between to the spaders, the vicinity saw what happened outside the lab.
damage
traders, and Glass. The Courier is tall and broad The world—sea, sky, land—suddenly went
shouldered, with little in the way of personality, white. Dazzling. Blinding. Impossibly white.
but she can make swift deals and keep the Everything grew cold, drastically so, for a matter Poison, page 203
spaders in line, and that’s all that seems to of minutes. And then it was over. None of the
matter. The Courier carries a unique shock gun scientists survived. The lab itself was destroyed
that sends out spinning disks of electricity as so thoroughly there were hardly any pieces of Herd of 4 raptors:
far as 50 feet (15 m) away. Not surprisingly, it left. Almost all of the natural aquatic and always attack in a group
as two level 4 creatures
she has fantastic aim. Getting in with a group airborne creatures within a mile radius died
like Glass’s is a coveted position. Even though instantly, trapped and frozen inside the water. The Courier: level 4;
Glass takes a large percentage of the cut, most When everything settled, there was a floating Armor 1; carries a shock
feel the protection is worth it. patch upon the water that looked a bit like gun (medium weapon)
There is no law here, and the island lives up a glacier, but was not cold, nor was it ice. It
to its name in more ways than one. Crime— was something… else. No one’s been able to
namely muggings gone wrong—is the number identify what the material is yet, but it hasn’t
one cause of death. And there’s a lot of death. changed shape or size, nor has it moved,
So much so that a dimple in the northern despite the currents. In recent years, creatures
section of the island has become a cemetery. such as the seabird known as the hesperornis Hesperornis, page 110
Or, to be more honest, a body-dumping have started to nest on the material.
ground. Carnivores from land, air, and sea Surprisingly, some of the experimental
make short work of most of the bodies, but creatures survived the explosion. The icewall Icewall turtle, page 133
there are always more being thrown into the turtle is one example of a creature that not
mix. The number of bodies, the accompanying only survived, but thrived, able to use its
stench, and the giant, tree-like mushrooms that modifications for protection against predators.
thrive in the area have earned it the nickname
Depravity Grove.

109
Predation
Chapter 10
APPALACHIA
T
he wild country. The mysterious map. the area along the land can be treacherous
The forgotten lands. Hell on high. and deadly. During the wet season, hurricanes
There be dragons. And dinosaurs. batter the coastlines, reshaping the beaches
Appalachia has a lot of monikers, but and dunes, leaving them covered with snags,
perhaps none so apt as the oft-heard Killer carrion, and debris. Giant waves threaten
Continent. Here, there is no order, no law, to pummel ships against the shore or into
and no promise of surviving even that first outcroppings half hidden underwater. And
step from boat to shore. But there are some sea creatures of all shapes and sizes lurk just
beautiful and unique things here, too— beneath the surface, or pull themselves ashore
discoveries and places and creatures that may to take advantage of the storms’ leavings.
(or may not) make it worth the risk.
The rainforests that cover the land are thick, EXEDU
warm, and often impenetrable. During the wet Sometimes called “Lassacity” for the large
Lassaboats are large, season, rivers swell to overflow their banks, numbers of lassaboats that enter and leave
heavy boats used by spreading across the lower regions in a spiderweb its harbor, Exedu is a stinking, raucous, wild
lassers to hunt large of runoffs, ponds, and swamps. Unlike on city full of dirt, sewage, and blood. No one
Seaway creatures like
Laramidia, there are few mountains here; instead wants to live there, but everyone is stuck there,
thalassomedons and
others.
it’s mostly low tablelands and curving foothills. and that makes them mean, short-tempered,
and aggressive. As the shoretown closest to
Addermire, page 98 Addermire, it gets a good amount of traffic,
THE WESTERN despite its horrible reputation.
Hesperornis: level 6; SHORELINE What makes the city so awful? Take your pick,
immediate movement This craggy, rocky coastline is filled with but the worst of the worst include the following.
on land, long in water; peninsulas, coves, outcroppings, and all Hesperornis: These enormous seabirds
toothy bite does 3 points manner of amphibious creatures. While the with teeth seem to feel right at home in Exedu.
of damage Western Interior Seaway itself is generally calm, Nearly 7 feet (2 m) long, they arrive in town in

APPALACHIA
huge colonies, sliding along the rocky beaches night drinking fermented seabird eggs, which
on their giant bellies. The sight, smell, and are the closest thing to alcohol available.
sound of these creatures is overwhelming— The Lack of Leaders: Everyone complains, but
particularly during breeding season. Thankfully, no one wants to take on the role of leading this
hesperornis don’t fly, but they are built for town out of its own misery. Most likely because
diving, and they often steal catches before the everyone tells themselves that it’s not their
lassers can haul them from the water onto the destiny to die here, like their friend Kodra, who
boat. Although the creature’s name means got taken by a galloping croc and pulled into
“western bird,” it’s probably not surprising that the river. Not like their fellow lasser, Zudon,
most people in town just call them shitbirds. who was pulled overboard by a giant fish and
Galloping Crocodiles: As if giant birds with drowned. Not like their sister, brother, mother, Galloping crocodile:
mouths full of teeth weren’t enough, the town or father, who rose and laid down and rose and level 9; long movement;
is also plagued from the other direction by laid down one final time and then was burned sharp bite does 6 points
crocodiles that “gallop” across the land and of damage
to ashes in the town’s cinderpile.
swim in the Raridon, the broad river on the The Economy: Despite the fact that most of
inland side of the city. The creatures can grow Exedu’s population spends their time on large
up to 23 feet (7 m) long, and take down prey boats catching sea creatures, only two people
with their daggerlike tusks and armored snout. in town actually own boats: Elbert and Ramiro
Fast in water and on land, the crocodiles have Antonijo. The father and son team have been in
recently discovered that humans are easy competition with each other for the past twenty
pickings, and they’re spending more and more years over who owns the most boats, hires the
time away from the river and closer to the most workers, pays the least wages, and makes
edges of town. the most profits. Everyone is poor and hungry
Lassers: Smelling almost as bad as the and tired, which leads to: Lasser: level 3; carries a
seabirds, many lassers spend all day covered in High Crime Rates: Petty thievery and drunken light weapon, usually a
the flesh and guts of giant sea creatures, and all brawls are just the beginning. More people are gutting or scaling knife

111
Predation
she’s wanted for a heinous crime. Whatever

it is, she never says. She will admit that she
used to be one of SATI’s top researchers, with
a specialization in chemical warfare. Now she
uses those skills to help heal others.
Broen Albertus is a gifted medic who makes
use of whatever he can find, and cultivates a
large and elaborate garden of healing herbs and
plants. Broen is quite a bit younger than Sun,
and has little experience with SATI, as he was
born in Addermire after the Last Commute.
He’s jovial, talkative, and tells stories that seem
to go nowhere but are somehow entertaining.
They don’t ask for payment for their services.
Instead they ask for assistance. Sometimes that’s
in the form of simple barter—food or equipment—
but other times they ask for someone to use their
skills to help out others. This has caused the area
around the castle to become something of a
community, with survivors building homes and
shelters, helping Broen in his gardens, and using
their skills to create a sustainable living in the area.
Recently they even started constructing a laboratory
and a hospital out of scavenged equipment and
Broen Albertus: level 4, murdered in Exedu every year than are born parts. Many are planning to stick around, making
all tasks involving healing there. And those are just the ones on the record this their permanent home.
and botany as level 6 (in both cases). There’s a jail, but the lock’s The couple also takes in creatures, both
been broken for ages, and there’s no money to domestic and wild, that require care. At any
Alamosauri are large pay for law enforcement or repairs. given time, there are at least half a dozen
quadrupedal herbivores So the city continues to toil on in its sweaty, dinosaurs wandering near the castle, including
with long necks and
stinking, swearing existence, unable to save a gigantic alamosaurus named Cazziss, who’s
limbs, and a bony armor
that covers much of their itself from itself. been around for almost a decade. Cazzy is more
body. than 100 feet (30 m) long, but is incredibly
CASTLE CARNEATH gentle, even around children. She showed up
Cazziss: level 10 Located on a jut of land known as the Scarlet with a broken tail, and now sports a permanent
Bay for its strong eddies that pull and smash protective device on it, much like a cast. Many
ships and creatures against its shore, Castle survivors have signed their names on it.
Carneath is a chemical Carneath is built of pieces of wrecked ships, As word spreads, Sun and Broen are finding
compound that was blackened bones, and any other materials that that it isn’t just shipwreck survivors who are
developed in the future to can be scavenged from the surrounding area. seeking their help. Some arrive from inland with
cure cancer, but which is wounds and illnesses. Others arrive by boat,
The tall, thin building looks much like a poorly
also deadly in the wrong
planned lighthouse, rising up out of the land in braving the treacherous waters near the spit in
dosage.
a mishmash of angles, materials, and colors. order to be treated. Not everyone makes it, of
The couple who lives in the five-story castle course, something which is worrisome to the
don’t consider themselves to be leaders, but couple. They’re trying to figure out how to build a
they have become so nearly by accident. After long pier, create a caution light, or do something
There is evidence of the taking in and healing the various lassers, else that will keep people from risking their lives.
other side of the Utopian boaters, and others who have been injured by
Skyway along the eastern shipwrecks in the area, the two became known THE NOWHERE BRIDGE
coast of Laramidia, as healers and have achieved something of South of Exedu, a manmade structure juts out
but it’s much smaller
a godlike status among those who sail the into the water. Built of modern materials, mostly
and most of it has been
stripped for the materials.
Seaway. Many believers offer up prayers that if transalumina and steel, this bridge—originally
they have to crash, they will do so near Castle designated the Utopian Skyway—was supposed
Carneath so that they will be well cared for. to run between the two continents, providing a
Sun Mu: level 5, all tasks
involving the creation Sun Mu is tall, thin, and always wears a quick and easy way to cross the Seaway. However,
and use of chemicals as hood of some type. Rumors swirl that she it was never finished. Most people assume the
level 8, all tasks involving has some type of augmentation or a hideous work was halted due to a shortage of materials
healing as level 6 scar that she’s trying to hide. Or perhaps that caused by the Last Commute, but in fact, the

APPALACHIA
bridge was already abandoned by that point. READING THE BONES

Infighting, an inability to agree on the proper Safe Passage: A young man is seeking a way to get his two younger
materials and design, and a belief by some that sisters out of Exedu. He doesn’t have much money, but he is willing
the bridge was cursed led first to a slowdown and to do work—legal or otherwise—in exchange for a promise of safe
finally to a complete work stoppage. passage for his siblings.
It’s not hard to imagine why the workers
believed it was cursed; in the time that it Lifesaver: The town’s medic needs a dozen windwalkers,
was being built, the crew suffered numerous waterskimming insects that are prevalent on the nearby river, to
weird losses. Three time terrors assailed the make a salve for an injured lasser, but she’s unwilling to take on the
area within a matter of days, sweeping away galloping crocs in order to get it. She knows the location of a nearby
workers, materials, and part of the bridge itself. time anomaly and offers to share it in exchange for assistance.
An osteon saw a vision so black he began
pleading with everyone to abandon the project
right away. Murders were common, even
Time terror, page 74
among those who were typically considered KINGDOM OF
good-natured. One foreman hung herself from THE NEW HUMANS
the bridge. Days later, another tied himself to A community that calls itself the Kingdom
one of the piles and let himself be eaten alive, of the New Humans has carved out a small New human: level
screaming the entire time. section of the Raksha Snarl and claimed it 7; two skills as level
Once the work stopped, the structure, as their own. Many are the descendants of 8 (depending on
the materials, and all of the supplies were the original inhabitants of a now-forgotten modifications and
upgrades); Armor 1; does
abandoned. The time terrors stopped underground SATI base once known as
5 points of damage with
altogether. But the stories say that the SATI;4O (“Safoe”). They were able to scavenge enhanced body parts
screaming goes on and on. If that’s true, enough supplies, technology, and equipment to
the creatures that now use the pier and build a formidable defense system around the Steve “The Mammoth”
the supplies as their home—mostly birds, base and the newer buildings. The new humans Massucci: level 8,
amphibians, and a few land mammals—don’t believe that they—and they alone—have perception, adaptation,
seem to mind. adapted and evolved in all the right ways that and initiative as level 9;
will allow them to survive the asteroid. In doing Armor 2; does 6 points of
THE RAKSHA SNARL so, they are planning to become the rulers of
damage with enhanced
body parts
This enormous rainforest in the southern the new world.
region of Appalachia is wet, hot, and mostly Their leader is a man named Steve “The
unexplored and undeveloped. It is also a Mammoth” Massucci. At this point, he is more
complete ecosystem unto itself, providing cybernetic than biological, with enhanced and Raksha means
everything that the inhabitants need to survive modified senses, grafted limbs, claws and “the demon” and is
within its borders. Most of the creatures who tail, and integrated weaponry. All of the new pronounced Ruk-sher.
live in this area never need to leave, and thus humans have enhancements and modifications
it’s filled with unusual and unique breeds of of some type; it’s one of the requirements,
dinosaurs, strains of bacteria, and types of perhaps the only requirement, for earning the
plant life. “new human” label.
One of the most abundant creatures in The bunker is stocked with supplies,
these wilds is the hadrosaur, an herbivorous weapons, and armor. But the new humans
dinosaur that is best known for being loud. haven’t stopped there—in an attempt to Hadrosaur: level 7;
Living in small groups of up to six adults, they prepare themselves for the end of the world, defends young as level 8;
move through the wilds with a great deal of they’ve also rebuilt and repurposed many of the does 6 points of damage
by ramming foes
noise, foraging for plants, breaking up logs, original lab materials and technologies in the
and clearing pathways through the thick growth base. Some of this they’ve done themselves.
to create “hadrosaur roads.” Dinosaurs and They’ve also brought in experienced scientists
humans alike use these crisscrossing paths to and tecs for help. Of course, in this case,
travel through the wilds. “brought in” typically means lured, kidnapped,
Silverbacks—humans who alter their or purchased. The new humans have no regard Silverback, page 150
bodies to become more dinosaur-like—run or remorse for the “old humans” other than in
Razorclaw: level 6;
with packs of carnivores, often teaching them terms of their usefulness. Once an old human
Armor 2 (from genetically
smarter hunting techniques. The most famous stops being useful, they are given a choice: self- altered flesh); does 7
is known only as Razorclaw. Razorclaw has evolve into a new human or die. points of damage with
gathered a pack of four dakotaraptors and New humans don’t feel the need to seek enhanced teeth and claws
has been leading them on raids against small out and destroy the old humans because they
communities in the area. know that the asteroid will do that for them. If Dakotaraptor, page 139

113
Predation
anything, they want to show old humans the mission, and they would do so until they were
errors of their ways and bring them into the fold called back or until they no longer could.
so they, too, can become rulers of the new world. The group was prepared for the dinosaurs,
the sea, and even the jungles—what they
There isn’t an organized SCHETULLIND GROVES weren’t prepared for was the scope of the
slave trade in Grevakc, In another part of the Raksha Snarl, a place project put forth to them. And so once they
but there is always called Schetullind Groves, a much different arrived, they stayed. And stayed.
someone out there who’s story is unfolding. This area is home to a small Without any contact with the rest of the world,
willing to do anything for cluster of villages, filled with scientists who those living in Schetullind Groves have no idea
a price.
have been cut off from the rest of the world. that time travel no longer works. And thus, no
The people of Laramidia know of the people idea that the changes they’re documenting aren’t
and the civilization only through rumors and the changes caused by ongoing time travel, but
tall tales. This is the story that they tell: shortly the ones brought about by previous time travel.
before the Last Commute, a group of top SATI Or maybe by the end of time travel.
scientists, mostly aeternologists, realized that Most of the original members of Red Rectrix
time travel was screwing up the future in ways are dead, of course, but they passed the
no one had predicted. Upon discovering this, goals on to their children and their children’s
the group made a pact. They would shut down children. With myth and storytelling, and pieces
the Salmon Project—destroy time travel—to of technology, they remain committed to their
save the future and then disappear into the purpose of recording, observing, and eventually
night, never to be seen or heard from again. going back to the future to reveal their findings.
They would live in isolation for the rest of their
lives, hoping (but never knowing) that their BONEYARD BAYOU
Ticks and leeches are actions had made a difference. Boneyard Creek is one of the many rivers that
always an issue for both More than one explorer and time-seeker runs through the wilds of Appalachia, and
humans and dinosaurs has ventured into the jungles in search of the where it ends, one finds the Boneyard Bayou.
who travel through groves, hoping to find out the truth. If they’ve Thick mulch and layers of decaying matter
swampy terrain. Most
found it, they haven’t returned to tell about it, cover the surface of the water. Crocodilians,
dinosaurs cope with this
by spending much of for the story has never been updated. frogs, and turtles lurk in the dark waters, while
their time cleaning and The truth is somewhat less sensational, ornithomimosaurs splash at the edges, ever
preening. although interesting in its own right. A special watchful for predators. Other creatures are here
group of commuters, mostly guards, geologists, too, wading and waiting, foraging or stalking. In
and aeternologists, were sent back in time with a most ways, it looks like any other bayou. Except
single purpose: to record and observe the changes for one.
that occurred in one particular spot of the world Piled high in the water are the bones of
due to time travel. The group’s code name was hundreds of dinosaurs. At first glance, it might
Rectrix are the quill Red Rectrix. Everyone in the group was sworn to seem as though this was natural, a chosen
feathers of a bird’s tail. secrecy, not just on their mission, but even on their end place for creatures that laid down in the
own arrival. As soon as they landed at the Salmon water to die. But none of the bones have flesh
Center, they gathered their equipment and slipped on them, none are any less than two years old,
off into the unknown wilds toward a specific set of and a closer inspection reveals that the piles
coordinates on Appalachia. are carefully constructed, the bones laid end
Why that specific spot? No one told them, to end in a perfect replica of the creature they
and they knew it wasn’t their place to ask. They belonged to, as if in an attempt to preserve them
were scientists and soldiers sent to fulfill a for future generations. And perhaps that’s what
READING THE BONES

Signs and Signals: In a quiet meadow, a series of perfectly round rocks seems to have been
moved into a shape of some kind. A man who says he’s seen these things before offers to take
the characters to another spot where this has happened. He says they’re a sign of alien life
forms.
Salvation Company: A small group of people are camped along the outer edge of the snarl. Led
by a short, fat man with a hard-to-place accent named Branislav Amir—“just call me Bran”—
the group is attempting to document every single living species of dinosaur. They’ve traveled
all Laramidia and are just now beginning their work in Appalachia. They could use some extra
hands to find, tag, and make notes about various dinosaurs in the region.

APPALACHIA
it is, or was. A message to the future, created by METATHERIA PLATEAU

someone who is no longer here. Once a great mountain, the Metatheria Plateau
Along the western edge of the bayou, one is now a long, low stretch of raised flatlands.
of the longest-lasting time anomalies deposits It’s home to large herbivores, myriad vole-
artifacts and remnants into the murky water, shaped mammals, dog-sized ceratopsians, and Artifact, page 168
where they are likely lost forever. It’s been there migrating creatures of all sizes. Breezes sweep
almost ten years, but could disappear anytime. across the area, bringing a relief from the heat, Remnant, page 173
but little in the way of moisture.
On one hand, the flat landscape means you
VALLEY OF THE can see all the predators coming. On the other
LIMPING DON hand, the flat landscape means you can see all
This large valley near the middle of the plateau, the predators coming.
with its rolling hills and soft grasslands, is deeply
unusual. Not just for its slightly cooler weather SYLVIN’S CRATER
and its light breezes, but for the soft sandy soil Along the northern edge of the plateau, in
underfoot. During the day, the soil perfectly a grove filled with monkey puzzle trees and
captures the imprints of every single creature cypress, a deep impact crater has opened up
that passes through, in fine detail. At night, the the earth. Scattered all around the impact site
winds blow much of them away, creating a clean are the long-decayed remains of human bodies
palate for the morning’s first trek. (mostly what’s left are the tattered remnants of
Very few creatures live in the valley permanently, SATI uniforms around bleached bones), broken
but it seems that many of them make their way equipment, SATI-issued supplies, and debris.
through it during migrations, or just as part of All around the crater, time anomalies pop
making their rounds in their territories. up and disappear within seconds. Time terrors
Anyone wishing to study dinosaur habits, rage all along the outskirts (but never seem
particularly in terms of migratory patterns, to enter the crater site itself). Dinosaurs steer
would find the valley offers an abundance of clear of the area. The only thing that seems
opportunities to do so. willing to enter is a species of glowing green
beetles, which burrow into the ground beneath
the debris to make their homes.

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Predation
Chapter 11
GROUPS AND ORGANIZAtIONS
T
here are a number of groups and and most successful space and time-travel
organizations at work in Grevakc. Some company. Much of its success came from its
are allied with each other. Others are at top-secret missions to other planets, other
odds. And still others join forces on the surface, galaxies, and other times. Even when the
while they put darker, more insidious plans into company was at its height, very few people
action. Player characters can interact with these knew all of what it was involved with, but there
Structure and leadership, groups and organizations by becoming allies, were rumors of galaxy-altering technologies,
page 70 foes, business partners, or even members. business transactions with alien races, and
Because there is no official government in myriad other unknowns.
Groups, organizations, place to control all of Grevakc, organizations and What most people do know is that SATI is
and religion, page 71
groups have more power than they otherwise the reason they are here. In the year 28 IGT,
might. SATI, in particular, has the strongest the company began sending bioengineers,
hold, a leftover from the early days when the paleontologists, and other specialists back
then-company was still in control. But others are to the Cretaceous period on top-secret
threatening that hold every day, from all sides, missions. Shortly after, others followed.
and SATI’s control continues to wane. Not just scientists this time, but farmers,
construction workers, craftsmen, and teachers.
And then, SATI’s ultimate failure: the Last
SATI Commute trapped its workers here and cut
A giant interglobal company with a focus them off from communication with the future.
on space and time travel (and other things Whether that large corporation still exists
that it mostly kept under wraps), Space and in the future is unknown, but the remnants
Time, Interglobal was the mastermind behind here in Grevakc are surely much different from
everything that now exists in Grevakc. In the whatever SATI might have become in the future.
year 28 IGT, the year the first commuters In the time since the Last Commute,
arrived in Grevakc, SATI was the world’s largest SATI has evolved from those early groups of

scientists and explorers into a more militarized are growing more frequent and increasingly
leadership organization. SATI continues difficult to repel; SATI members spend much of
to control the majority of cities and towns, their energy and resources keeping a tight hold
including Kelaino, the largest city in Grevakc— on what they have, while still attempting to find Kelaino, page 71
but their current hold is tenuous at best. a way back “home” (or at least communicate
They also control most of SATI’s original with their superiors in the future).
time-travel operation bases, fortified under- Over time, many of the bases have become
and above-ground bunkers filled with supplies, more self-governing and self-sufficient,
technology, laboratory equipment, and more. a change that is also starting to threaten
Unlike the three sister cities of Kelaino, Aello, the larger structure of SATI. The capital Aello, page 94
and Okythoe, which were designed for the base, SATI;0A (commonly called Soway), is
majority of commuters to be similar to what they attempting to bring the other bases back in line, Okythoe, page 95
knew previously in the hopes of allowing them to but not everyone in this new generation shares
Soway, page 104
adjust more easily to their new home and start the same beliefs, and it’s becoming harder for
work quickly, the operation bases were only for the organization to present a unified front.
those with extremely high-level clearance. Set up There are many who might say they’re the
by the first handful of arrivals, most of the bases leader of SATI, but most would be wrong. The
were hidden and classified, which means that organization is currently too spread out and
many of them have since been “lost.” All of them convoluted to fall under a single ruler. The city
likely contain viable resources that everyone council in Kelaino is probably the most well
wants to get a hold of. Everyone, SATI or not, organized and powerful, but they only seem
knows that whoever controls the bases also to care about controlling their city and not
controls the supply flow—including important extending their reach.
time-travel tech and information. One man who calls himself Gareon 64 Gareon 64, page 104
As the asteroid draws near, attacks has been making waves as of late from the
against the bases by groups like the Butterflies previously forgotten base, SATI;9N (commonly

117
Predation
Satine, page 104 called Satine). The grandson of Dr. Rogdinn SATI members may also have access to a
Bregelk (SATI-A), Gareon 64 has claimed to variety of armor, weapons, and even artifacts
be the one and only true leader of SATI, and while on missions to pursue SATI-related goals
is backing that claim up by sending his newly (most items must be returned after).
created militia out to nearby towns and cities to Further, in lieu of a new skill, a SATI member
take over and proclaim his rule. can choose to study with a scientist for one
Beliefs and Philosophies: In general, SATI month. If they keep good notes, they gain an
members believe in science, in organization and asset on the type of science that they studied as
structure, and, most important, in finding a way long as they have their notes with them.
to fix time travel and return to the future. For
some, particularly those who traveled back here
originally, the dream and promise of reentering THE BUTTERFLIES
their old lives has become something of a In the flickering firelight, the Queen of the
personal mecca, a thing they must achieve in Butterflies bows her head. A book—hand-
order to experience heaven. Younger members— bound in scaled red leather—lies open upon
those who were born here and have never seen her palms. She wears gloves, black and thin,
the future except in images—have heard the nearly threadbare. When she begins to read,
stories so many times that they, too, believe they the group gathered around her becomes silent.
were meant to go there. Not a scuff. Not a breath. If anticipation were a
The fervor with which some believe this sound, it would be this utter stillness.
makes other members nervous. Fixing time The Queen’s eyes are closed. The words
travel and returning home is important, but come from memory, from repetition, from
anything beyond that feels an awful lot like belief.
religion, which is something that most SATI All and everything return to seed, flee death,
members want no part of. rush to birth, suns rise and set, past and future,
Most SATI members also have a unique now and never, moons eat themselves in forgotten
relationship with dinosaurs—the beasts are customs, all and everything cupping one another
Over time, the there to be studied, experimented on, killed in like unreachable futures, people through time,
generations of oral
whenever they’re no longer necessary, and all and everything returning to the fresh death, the
retellings of Ray
Bradbury’s story have sometimes eaten. Yet many members also have meteor of death, the crashing of death, to the time
changed not just its companions, creatures they’re particularly close before the Last Commute. A touch of the hand
language, but its context with, and whom they treat like family. They might save us, the merest touch of a hand.
and meaning. don’t see anything odd about this perspective
on the creatures.
Member Benefits: First and foremost, being
a member of SATI still opens a surprising
number of doors (although the Butterflies’
covert operations have caused that to change
SATI higherup, page 149 a bit). Joining these ranks, however, if you’re
not a proven descendent of an original SATI
higherup, requires at least three years of formal
training. Those with an aptitude for aeternology
or a proclivity for discovering and understanding
dinosaur DNA or time anomalies may have an
easier time gaining entry.

She pauses, closing the book slowly, two However, the Queen of the Butterflies also has
delicate red wings folding soft around a pale body. a handwritten copy, the pages of which have
“We are all the butterfly,” she says. been bound into a red leather book. The book
“Stay the path,” they answer. is the group’s most prized possession. It is not
Together, as they slip away into the darkness: enough to say that they treasure it; they revere
“And listen, always, for the thunder.” it, even worship it. It is the Queen’s duty to
keep it safe, but also to make it available to the
members to look at as they need to.
The Queen—and the book—reside in a
hidden underground base buried deep in the
Beliefs and Philosophies: The Butterflies are a eastern side of the mountains, just north of the
subversive guerrilla group, determined to fight Chalk Road. Commonly called the Chrysalis, it’s Chrysalis, page 103
not just SATI, but to eschew (almost) all forms the only permanent structure of the group. All
of technology that might lead to a time-travel others are mobile units; the majority of these
solution. They believe that humans shouldn’t are hand camps, but a few are also on the backs
try to fix the time machine technology, that they of dinosaurs or on boats. Members often work
should die out in the upcoming cataclysmic long periods undercover, infiltrating SATI labs Butterfly operative: level
event so they don’t screw up even more of the and complexes for many years in order to gain 6; up to two relevant
evolutionary time path. As part of their mission some bit of information or destroy some vital skills (varies) as level 8;
to keep technology out of the hands of SATI (and machinery or experiment. usually carries at least
one traditional weapon
others), they also steal, hide, and sometimes Butterflies identify themselves by painting or
destroy dinosaurs with upgrades and alteration. carving an image of a butterfly on the bottoms
As a general rule, Butterflies subsist only on of their boots. If you look carefully, you can
what they can make, steal, or scavenge. They find their graffitied messages on cliff faces,
prefer traditional weapons and armor. The only large trees, and the backs of certain dinosaurs.
time they break their own no-technology rule These messages often contain coded clues and
is when they can use a piece of technology information about operations and plans.
to destroy a bigger, more important piece of Butterflies are pro-dinosaur as a general
technology. rule, believing that they, not humans, are the
They’re headed by an elected leader known right and true beings of this time, but they will
as the Queen of the Butterflies. The current not hesitate to kill a creature that attacks or Queen of the
Queen is a former SATI directive named Aldaine threatens them. They have also been known Butterflies: level 8,
Rhyne. She is, in relative terms, fairly new to the to stage raids on various SATI labs, letting sneaking and SATI
position, having taken over when the previous all natural creatures free, but killing those knowledge as level 9;
Armor 2; carries two
leader, Phelan Walsh, went missing while on a embedded with technology or cybernetics.
knives and a slingshot
recon mission. The expectation was that Aldaine Member Benefits: One of the biggest benefits
would act as the interim Queen until Phelan of being a Butterfly is the connections you’ll
returned, but it’s been six years and there’s been gain. The Butterflies have infiltrated not just
no sign of him. Despite her original reluctance SATI, but almost any place where scientific
to take the position, most members of the group knowledge is being sought. Many of them
find her to be a solid and inspiring leader, one have been undercover long enough to have
who leads the Butterflies with a well-balanced moved up to high places within SATI and other
combination of subversion and strength. organizations.
Aldaine is not only the youngest Queen, she However, this use of subterfuge and long-
is also the only one who didn’t grow up inside term infiltration makes them suspicious of
the Butterflies. Her previous experience with newcomers. Prospective recruits have to
SATI makes her a valuable source of knowledge accomplish at least one complicated task or
and insight. She is rarely seen without Breg, a mission without arousing suspicion, getting Breg: level 6; Armor 1;
unique bioengineered creature that she freed caught, or screwing up. teeth and claws inflict 3
when she defected from SATI and joined the Further, in lieu of taking a new skill, a points of damage
Butterflies. Butterfly can obtain a unique ray-projecting
The Butterflies’ beliefs are based on the tool, called a troublemaker, which is designed Troublemaker: Palm-
“bible” that the group’s original Queen brought for disrupting machines within short range. It’s sized ray-projecting device
back in time with her, a digital copy of Ray one of the few non-manual pieces of equipment that causes all machines
Bradbury’s short story, “A Sound of Thunder.” that Butterflies use, having determined that the in short range to stop
working for ten minutes.
The electronic copy is long gone, but the results are worth it.
story remains. Most often, it is an oral telling.

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Predation
GENESIX FELLOWSHIP That being said, how does one go about

Fire burns in front of them, finding the Garden of Eden? The genesi believe
and flames follow after them. that the dinosaurs—these dark leviathans, the
Ahead of them the lost garden lies, slippery serpents—hold the key to the location
Behind them is nothing but desolation; inside their DNA. They believe that is what
not one thing escapes. SATI originally came back here to find, likely
The earth quakes as they advance, to exploit the Garden for whatever riches and
and the heavens tremble. valuables it might have. But so far, SATI too
The sun and moon grow dark, has failed. The genesi believe that they, the
and the stars no longer shine. true believers, must uncover the secret within
The wrath of the lord is an awesome, terrible thing. dinosaur DNA before SATI does in order to
Who can possibly survive? receive God’s blessing. The problem is that
Only he whose hand has pierced the swift serpent the majority of genesi do not have extensive
and discovered the secret inside. scientific training or experience, and they
don’t have access to SATI’s labs or knowledge.
The Genesix Fellowship is one of the newer They’ve narrowed it down to a few species of
organizations to arise, but it has grown dinosaurs that seem most likely to carry the
swiftly, perhaps due to its well-organized and information that they seek in their DNA, but
widespread recruitment methods. haven’t made much progress beyond that.
Unlike the Butterflies, members of the Genesi store information and research
Genesix Fellowship are not quiet about their notes in small buildings that they call ateliers.
goals and beliefs. They know that everyone Most towns of a decent size have an atelier of
would join them in their search if they could some sort, although for smaller towns, they’re
just explain everything to them. Led by more likely a back room in someone’s house
scientists and teachers called Adonis, members rather than a standalone space. Genesi gather
spread the word as best they can by performing together in the ateliers regularly to create
plays, telling stories, and providing information community, introduce new members, and share
to those who seem interested. It helps that what they’ve learned or discovered.
their current leader is a dark-haired, dark-eyed, A few times a year, those fellows who
Hesper: level 5; positive charming young man called Hesper, who is can make the trip gather in Kelaino for The
social interaction, more than happy to talk passionately about the Oratories, a celebration of learning and
intimidation, and fellowship’s goal to anyone who will listen. education, where genesi and outsiders can
persuasion as level 6 And what is that goal? Finding the Garden of listen to talks from their teachers, the Adonis,
Eden. on topics like “The Garden of Eden and the
Sometimes called Edenites by naysayers, Belly of the Whale” and “What Can Leviathan
members of the fellowship (who prefer the term DNA Teach Us About God?”
genesi) believe that their ancestors were sent As the research slows to a crawl, behind
back in time to find the Garden of Eden and the scenes, charming Hesper is much less
prove its existence to the people of the future. so, displaying ire and impatience over the
Their ancestors’ failure to find the Garden slowness of the process and urging the fellows
quickly angered God, who destroyed time travel to work faster, harder, and more efficiently.
as punishment. The genesi believe that if they This pressure from their leader, combined
can succeed where their ancestors did not by with the fellows’ already intense need to prove
finding the Garden, God will repair time travel the existence of their holy space, discover
and allow them to go to the future, where its location, and go to the future ahead of
they will be able to share their proof of God’s SATI is causing problems. Some sects have
existence once and for all. taken to buying, trapping, and even stealing
OTHER GROUPS AND Despite their push to gather new members, the dinosaurs that they believe might carry the
ORGANIZATIONS Genesix Fellowship is not very well understood by information that they seek. Others are botching
IN GREVAKC most people. Most assume that they’re religious their research due to impatience and lack of
Beast of Darkness, page 86
fanatics (a concept that has meaning only from knowledge, accidentally killing dinosaurs,
SATI Loyalists, page 95
the stories of their parents or grandparents) who destroying possible clues, and putting
are so determined to find their paradise that they themselves in the public eye in a negative way.
Kingdom of the New refuse to see the evidence of evolution right in Member Benefits: An extensive network of
Humans, page 113 front of them. But that label is both oversimplified like-minded people who are spread across
and wrong. While the genesi are searching for the the map. Most will open their homes and
Garden of Eden, they’re doing so with a mixture of ateliers to any visiting fellow, and ply them with
science and faith. information, supplies, and amenities.

Part 4
CREATURES AND NPCs
Chapter 12: Using Creatures 122
Chapter 13: Creatures and NPCs 130

Predation
Chapter 12
USING CREAtURES
T
he creatures and NPCs in this section is sometimes abbreviated (as in T. rex). The
are designed specifically for Predation. second part, called the specific epithet, never is.
However, you should feel free to pull While many of the creatures in Predation,
additional appropriate creatures from the including dinosaurs, have scientific names,
Cypher System Rulebook or from other sources. most also have common names, or nicknames,
The most important element of each creature that are much more widely used. Just as most
is its level. You use the level to determine the of us today don’t go around yelling “Panthera
target number a PC must reach to attack or tigris!” when we mean “tiger!” or teaching our
defend against the opponent. In each entry, the Canis lupus familiaris to sit and shake, most
difficulty number for the creature is listed in people who live in Grevakc don’t call dinosaurs
parentheses after its level. The target number is by their full names either.
Tecs and other scientists three times the level. Instead, they use more common names,
are often the exception A creature’s target number is usually also some of which are already familiar to us
to using the “common its health, which is the amount of damage it today—shortening velociraptor to raptor and
name” rule. can sustain before it is dead or incapacitated. Tyrannosaurs rex to T. rex, for example. There
For easy reference, the entries always list a is also the Regaliceratops peterhewsi, commonly
creature’s health, even when it’s the normal nicknamed Hellboy.
amount for a creature of its level. For more Common names might be derived from the
detailed information on level, health, combat, creature’s scientific name; from their personality,
Understanding the and other elements, see the Understanding the habits, appearance, or purpose; from their
Listings, page 274 Listings section in the Cypher System Rulebook. location in the world; or even to honor their
Many creatures in Predation also have three creator, breeder, or discoverer. Dinosaurs that
additional listings: Scientific Name, Common roam great distances or that are prevalent in
Name, and Upgrades. You can read more about multiple areas likely have a number of nicknames,
each of these below. some of which are regional and not widely known.
Dakotaraptors, for example, are known by at least
three nicknames: deathtraps, DTs, and dakos.
SCIENTIFIC AND In each creature’s listing, you’ll see their
COMMON NAMES scientific name. This is followed by any
Not all creatures have Traditionally, dinosaur names follow the nicknames they may have, in order of prevalence.
long scientific names. International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, Where applicable, the nicknames also have
Creatures that were which requires that a scientific name be notations about their use. For example, SATI
bioengineered or composed of two parts, typically created from members commonly refer to apatosauruses
crossbred recently are
Greek and Latin word roots. The first part, as lashers, due to their long tails, which are
often given only common
names. called the genus, is always capitalized and enhanced for use as melee weapons.
You can often tell something interesting about

people you meet by the nickname they use for a
particular creature. Their choice can give clues to
their background, experience, place of origin, or
organization memberships.

USING CREAtURES
PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN THE CRETACEOUS

Although the Cretaceous period was considered a heyday for dinosaurs, they weren’t the only
creatures to thrive. Insects, early mammals, birds, and a wide variety of sea life was also present.
Don’t be afraid to use these smaller and (usually) less deadly elements of life in the Cretaceous
to add atmosphere, nuance, and small hurdles to the PCs’ world. Scale insects could be a type of
crop pest, causing food shortages for a village or region.
Here is a sample of some of the plants and creatures that we know existed during that time.
Plants: Flowering plants, including the ancestors of the beech, fig, magnolia, and sassafras. A group of plant-eating
Birch, elm, grape, laurel, oak, maple, monkey puzzle, redwoods, and willow trees. dinosaurs is typically
Small Land animals: Crocodiles, turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs, and salamanders. called a herd, while a
Insects: Ants, aphids, bees, butterflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, moths, scale insects, spiders, group of carnivorous
dinosaurs is a pack.
termites, and wasps.
Early mammals: Typically small and similar to mice or possums. Some are believed to have lived
in trees. Alphadon, eomaia, and cimolestes.
Birds: Birds were common and diverse, both flightless and flighted.
Sealife: Ammonites, aquatic lizards, barnacles, bony fish, crabs, giant clams, penguin-like
creatures, and sea urchins.
SIMPLE STATS FOR COMMON ANIMALS

There are many creatures in the Cretaceous that aren’t dinosaurs. Large snakes (up to 10 feet [3 m]
long) slither along the edges of wide rivers, small furry creatures scurry underfoot, and early birds
sing overhead.
Small marine crocodilian: level 3; bite inflicts 3 points of damage
Small flying bird (such as Vegavis iaai): level 2; flies a long distance each round
Small mammal (such as Deltatheroida): level 2; Speed defense as level 3
Large snake (such as Dinilysia): level 3; bite inflicts 3 points of Speed damage (ignores Armor)
River lizard (such as Mosasaur): level 4; Armor 3; bite inflicts 4 points of damage
UPGRADES
This section lists the types of enhancements, augmentations, and upgrades that are most
common to each dinosaur or creature. You can learn more about each of these in the Common
Creature Upgrades section on page 125.
The upgrade listings for each creature are in no way designed to be comprehensive, merely a
starting point. Dinosaurs, for the most part, have every type of alteration you can imagine. If some
scientist in a lab somewhere could think of it, if some engineer in the field could dream it up,
if some weapons specialist could imagine it, then it’s absolutely possible—and probable—that
somewhere a dinosaur is walking around with it. So feel free to get creative when introducing new
and unique creature upgrades.
ILLUSTRATING YOUR GAME

Although there are still large numbers of unmodified dinosaurs and other creatures wandering
around in Predation, we don’t show very many of them in these pages. The reason for that is
that you can find pictures of dinosaurs as they existed (or as they might not have existed) in

123
Predation
Combats in Predation move quickly, especially when each character has a companion at
their side, so GMs should not hesitate to use large groups of creatures as challenges for
PCs, particularly for powerful PCs. A ferocious pack of raptors is a possible encounter. Or a
swarm of sharp-toothed ocean-dwellers. To make things easier to manage, the GM can take
any creature and have a group of six to ten of them attack en masse as a single creature that
is two levels higher, inflicting double the original creature’s normal damage. So thirty level 3
argoraptors might attack as five level 5 mobs.
The word dinosaur is many books, websites, and other resources. However, it’s much, much harder to find images
from the Greek deinos of dinosaurs with integrated weaponry or titanium claws. Not surprisingly, there are very few
(terrible) and sauros illustrations of crossbred raptors, genetically engineered T. rexes, or humans riding modified
(lizard). pterosaurs.
To that end, we created the majority of our dinosaur art to feature the elements of Predation that
you probably won’t already find out in the real world. For those moments when you want to show
your players dinosaurs that haven’t been modified by humans in some way, feel free to use any of
the art that already exists in the world (see the References and Resources listing on page 184 for a
few starting suggestions for art and illustrations).
SUGGESTED CREATURES AND NPCs FROM

THE CYPHER SYSTEM RULEBOOK:
Remember, creatures like the blitzer (a cybernetic augmentation gone wrong) or the chimera (a
fusion of different animals) will be creations of science more than magic in this setting. A chimera,
for example, wouldn’t be a hybrid of a goat and a dragon, but rather a hybrid of a dakotaraptor
and a Sarcosuchus (giant crocodile). Or the hybrid of a Cretaceous-era snake and a duck-billed
dinosaur.
Giant rat-, snake-, and spider-like creatures are part and parcel of the Cretaceous era, so those
can easily be slotted into the setting. Others, like the scrap drone, xenoparasite, and vat reject,
would most likely be rare finds within a SATI-heavy science area, such as in a hidden lab or near
time-travel centers. In truth, if a creature could have been built, created, or manifested by SATI
in the future, it could be used in a Predation game, provided it’s given the right context and
background.
CREATURES NPCs
Blitzer, page 277 Assassin, page 335
Chimera, page 278 Crime boss, page 336
Deinonychus, page 282 Detective, page 336
Giant rat, page 296 Guard, page 337
Giant snake, page 296 Secret agent, page 338
Giant spider, page 297 Thug, page 339
Ravage bear, page 310
Scrap drone, page 312
Tyrannosaurus rex, page 322
Vat reject, page 326
Wardroid, page 327
Xenoparasite, page 331
Zhev, page 332
Most dinosaurs are gregarious, social beings who

live and die together in groups of various sizes.

USING CREAtURES
NEW CREATURES AND NPCs BY LEVEL

Argoraptor 3 Teslasaurus 5
Bambiraptor 3 Archelon glaciesi 6
Cyberdrone 3 SATI higherup 6
Carnosuchus 4 Anzu 7
Pygmy sauroposeidon 4 Ghasthound 8
SATI guard 4 Lythronax 8
Stygimoloch 4 Apatosaurus eros 9
Acroplocerex 5 Dakotaraptor 9
Butterfly 5 Nerezza 9
Platypode 5 Supersauri 10
Silverback 5
COLLECTIVE NOUNS OF CRETACEOUS CREATURES

Battery: hunting or meat-eating fish of any type
Clutch, brood: young dinosaurs
Crash: any large, rampaging creatures
Gang, mob, romp, scurry: small mammals
Grist, hive, swarm, army: insects, spiders, snakelike creatures
Congregation, float: crocodilians and other aquatic lizards
Herd: herbivorous dinosaurs
Pack: carnivorous dinosaurs
Parade: herbivorous dinosaurs, specifically during migration periods
Pride: a small group of carnivorous dinosaurs, often of different species, that live and hunt
together (more common in captivity)
Rookery, brood, flock: avian-type creatures
Shoal: non-carnivorous fish
COMMON CREATURE UPGRADES

This is a list of the most common enhancements, upgrades, and augmentations that individuals, Some players may want
organizations, and businesses give to dinosaurs and other creatures. It’s important to note that to give their companions
“common” is a relative term here. The majority of the time, characters won’t come upon an upgrades as listed here
upgraded creature just wandering around the world (unless it escaped, was stolen or released, instead of as listed in
the companion upgrade
killed or lost its owner, or experienced some other unusual event). Upgraded creatures typically
section. If the GM is
belong to someone or something (like an organization or a business) and are kept under lock and agreeable, the GM and
key (or at least under close supervision). the players should work
There are many other upgrades beyond what’s outlined here. GMs should feel free to create and out the details of doing
modify creatures in any way that seems appropriate to the setting and the needs of those living there. so.
SELF-HEALING UPGRADES
Creatures that are designed for long trips, intense defense, or aggressive offense are sometimes
altered at the genetic level to allow for self-healing. This can be done via ultrasound emitters
(which are implanted in the body and can regrow teeth or tissue); DNA injections that allow the
body to repair at the genetic level; nucleic acid creams and paints (which cross the skin barrier to
alter genes); artificial antibodies; and so on.
Roll 1d6 or choose from the following Effect table
Roll Effect
1–2 Creature repairs 1 point of damage per round
3–4 Creature can repair all damage from a single attack (once per fight)
5–6 Creature can regrow or repair a damaged body part (takes two rounds)

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Predation
EXTERNAL ADDITIONS
External additions can come in the simple form of additional armor, weapons, or devices. They can
also be more complex, providing extra carrying capacity, environmental detection, or flight.
Roll 1d6 or choose from the following Effect table.
Roll External Addition Effect

1 Physical armor (metal, leather, and so on) +1 to Armor
2 Active protection (electrical field, shock Does +1 damage to anyone who touches it
responders, and so on)
Another common
3 Hydraulic, compression, or other upgrade Can carry an additional 100 pounds
cybernetic enhancement
is infrared vision, which for wings or limbs (45 kg) for each upgrade
allows a creature to 4 Melee upgrade (upgrade to existing body Does +1 melee damage
search out and detect part, such as horns, teeth, or claws; spiked
living creatures as two collar; and so on)
levels higher.
5 Ranged upgrade (laser, gun, cannon, Acts as a medium ranged weapon
lightning arc, and so on)
6 Skin, scales, or feathers upgrade Detects poison, radiation, volcanic
eruption, and other environmental
dangers as two levels higher
MENTAL UPGRADES
Mental upgrades come in many forms, but are most commonly used in an attempt to
communicate with or control a creature.
Roll Mental Upgrade Effect

1 Subvocal speech system Allows the creature to be communicated with
remotely within a radius of 1 mile (1.6 km)
2 Electrode brainwiring Allows a user to control the creature with a device, up
to 100 feet (30 m) away
3 Communication enhancement The creature can understand and respond to simple
speech commands and questions.
4 Search-and-rescue capabilities The creature has enhanced senses and detects
sneaking, hiding, and camouflage as one level higher.
5 Explosive device capabilities The creature can scout out explosive devices,
weapons, and other dangers. Detects danger as one
level higher.
6 Neural stimulation The creature has enhanced understanding of a non-
combat skill; all actions involving that skill are one
level higher.


USING CREAtURES
CYBERNETIC BODY PARTS

Cybernetic body parts have a wide variety of effects. Cybernetic limbs with artificial muscles can
increase a creature’s speed, prosthetic retinas can give them an asset to perception and initiative,
and enhanced skins, scales, and feathers can increase Armor.
Roll Cybernetic Body Part Effect

1 Ears or eyes Perception and initiative as one level higher
2 Lower limb Speed defense as one level higher
3 Upper (attack) limb Can attack twice in a single round
4 Internal organs Allows the body to resuscitate itself (with 10 points
of health) once after death
5 Skin, scales, or feathers +1 to Armor
6 Teeth, claws, tail +1 damage per attack using that body part
GENETIC ENGINEERING AND CROSSBREEDING

Genetic engineering, crossbreeding, and similar procedures allow the sharing of traits from one
type of species to another. Some common procedures include adding jellyfish genes to create
creatures that glow in the dark, adding wings (or enhancing wings) to increase flying and carrying
capacity, modifying spiders to produce high-tensile fabrics, altering plants to produce higher
quality, more nutritionally dense food, and more.
Roll Upgrade Effect

1 Jellyfish (or other bioluminescent Creature glows in the dark or has bioluminescent
creatures) genes properties
2 Crossbred with other dinosaur or Gains one additional modification or combat
creature property of that creature
3 Growth hormone Creature grows to its full size and maturity level
in about a week
4 Gene shooting (various creatures) Creature gains one or more physical
enhancements, such as glittering gold skin,
brightly colored feathers, or unique scale patterns.
Has no effect other than changing appearance.
5 Behavioral splicing Creature is generally bred to be more docile or
more aggressive, depending on the creature’s
expected use
6 Various DNA Creature produces a specific type of pharmaceutical,
curative, or enhancement that can be extracted
from its blood or milk. Pharmaceuticals can
be anti-venoms, antibiotics, or general healing
draughts. A creature produces one dose per day,
which takes ten minutes to be extracted and an
additional ten minutes for it to work.
Roll 1d6 or choose from the following table.

1 +2 to Might Pool
2 +2 to Intellect Pool
3 +2 to Speed Pool
4 Cures one disease or poison
5 Adds 1 to the Edge of your choice for
ten minutes
6 +1 to Might, Intellect, and Speed Pool

127
WHAT SIZE IS yOUR DINO?

Predation
Chapter 13
CREAtURES AND NPCs
ACROPLOCEREX 5 (15)
These “high-armored kings” are the defense bastions of SATI (and anyone else who can get their
hands on them). Most often an ankylosaurus or euoplocephalus that’s covered in form-fitting
hydraulic armor, acros are expensive, rare, and dangerous—even to their handlers. The hydraulic
armor not only adds to their already high defenses, it also reinforces the swing of their bone-
shattering clubbed tails.
Acros stand up to 6 feet (2 m) tall at the hip and are up to 20 feet (6 m) long. They weigh 2 tons,
even before they’re armored up.
Scientific Name: Acroplocerex
Common Name: Acro (SATI), C. rex
Motive: Defense, protection
Environment: Very rarely in the wild, as they are expensive and coveted. Most often part of a SATI
convoy or guard unit, but occasionally used by other groups and organizations (in which case,
they’ve almost always been stolen).
Health: 25
Damage Inflicted: 6 points
Armor: 4
Movement: Short
Modification: Speed defense as level 4 due to size and speed, Intellect defense tasks as level 4 due
to intelligence
Upgrades: Some acros receive additional bioenhancements in the form of self-healing, repairing 1
point of damage each round.
Combat: Acros use their enhanced tail to strike up to two foes within short range in a single action.
GM Intrusion: The This does 6 points of damage to each foe on a successful attack.
swing of the acro’s tail Interaction: Acros are nearly impossible to interact with—or to control, for that matter. They’re not
knocks the character aggressive, but they are stubborn. The most common reason for death around an acro is that
prone. In addition to
they’ve trampled or attacked the person in charge of them.
taking damage from the
creature’s tail attack, the
Use: The PCs hear the noise of a scuffle in a nearby area. It turns out that a group of bandits was
PC is trampled under its attempting to steal an acro from a traveling SATI caravan. The acro isn’t having any of it.
huge feet for 7 points of Loot: Their armor is filled with mechanical parts that can be reused, sold, or traded. Sometimes,
damage. they’re also carrying goods and nautils in packs atop their armor.

Creatures and NPCs
ANZU 7 (21)
Named after Anzû, a feathered demon in ancient Mesopotamian mythology, these large oviraptors
resemble giant, demonic birds. They grow up to 10 feet (3 m) tall and 11 feet (3.5 m) long, and can
weigh as much as 660 pounds (300 kg). They have long tails, with feathers on their arms and tail,
toothless beaks, and tall crests on top of their skull.
Largely herd animals, anzus mostly eat vegetation, small animals, and eggs. They communicate
with each other (and sometimes with humans) via the tall bony crest upon their heads.
Scientific Name: Anzu wyliei
Common Name: Anzu, zuzu, Hell’s chicken
Motive: Defense, protection, socialization
Environment: Natural habitat is humid, swampy floodplains along the Western Inland Seaway.
Domesticated anzus can be found anywhere there are humans.
Health: 21
Movement: Long
Modifications: Speed defense as level 8 due to speed
Upgrades: Realizing that anzus are social and communicative creatures by nature, scientists began
to experiment with “group” upgrades. The entire herd is given the same upgrade, perhaps
one that lets them communicate over longer distances or one that allows a trainer to send
mental images directly to the whole group at once. This makes them useful in remote attacks,
“suicide” missions, and search-and-rescue.
Combat: An anzu uses its large, curved claws to slice and grab prey. They typically work in herds of
two or three, with one attempting to distract prey while the others attack.
Interaction: Anzus have a language that is a combination of sounds,
gestures, and the movements of their head crests. They
are curious and smart, and left to their own devices,
tend to explore rather than attack.
Use: The PCs are suddenly bombarded by a GM Intrusion: An anzu
herd of anzus, is curious about one
which begin of the PCs’ pieces of
attacking under equipment and begins to
the direction peck at it, maybe even
calling over the rest of its
of someone the
herd to check it out.
characters can’t
see.
Loot: Long claws
and brightly
colored feathers
that are coveted
for use in various
weapons, clothing,
and jewelry.

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Predation
APAtOSAURUS EROS 9 (27)
Apatosaurus eros means Commonly called “lashers” for their whiplike tails, these large, long-necked quadrupeds can grow
“love lizard.” up to 70 feet (22 m) long. Lashers are covered in light grey scales and feathers when they’re young,
but as they age, their necks and tails turn dark, deepening into colors like crimson, ochre, and navy.
The Apatosaurus These mostly docile and slow-moving herbivores are more likely to do damage by trying to move
eros isn’t named the
through a space than by direct attack. When threatened, however, they typically do not back down
“love lizard” due to its
sweet temperament, and will fight to the death.
but because the Scientific Name: Apatosaurus eros
paleontologist who first Common Name: Lashers (SATI), eros, love lizard, lizzies
discovered it was named Motive: Hunger
Gorden Love. Environment: Ranges up to 25 miles (40 km) per day, mostly in search of food. Many keep to
streams and rivers, as the banks provide plentiful food sources.
When a lasher “cracks”
Health: 50
its whip, the sound is
louder than that of a
cannon being fired. Armor: 3
Movement: Long (due to size, not speed)
Modification: Speed defense as level 6 due to size and speed
Upgrades: Strengthening the tail, either through biological means or through the addition of external
support, allows the apatosaurus to use it as a dangerous and damaging bull whip. Lashers
grown in labs are often modified to have two and even three tails, all of which can do damage.
Gastrolith, page 186 Combat: Lashes do 10 points of damage with upgraded tailwhips. Additional tails do 5 points of
damage. On a single attack, each of the tails can attack a unique target or the same target.
GM Intrusion: A lasher’s Interactions: These big lumberers don’t seem to care about much beyond food.
whip crack misses its
Use: Someone has noticed a lasher off in the distance that seems to be heading toward the village.
target and instead hits
a building, wall, or If it arrives, it could crush and destroy everything it comes in contact with.
structure, sending part of Loot: Sometimes two or three well-tumbled and polished gastroliths are found inside their
it tumbling. stomachs.

Creatures and NPCs
ARCHELON GLACIESI 6 (18)
Glaciesis, more commonly called icewall turtles, were bioengineered from Archelons, the largest The species is long lived;
sea turtle species in existence at the time of arrival. Like their relatives, they can grow up to 13 feet some of the original
(4 m) long and measure approximately 16 feet (5 m) from flipper to flipper. They have a pointy, engineer’s creatures still
swim the oceans around
slightly elongated nose and jaw and a short, pointed tail. Their relatively thin, bony shell offers
the exploded labship.
some protection in deep waters. Unlike their relatives, they tend to be bluer in coloring, with
younger individuals appearing almost cyan in color.
It’s believed that the goal of the modified creatures was originally to alter sections of the
oceanic environment toward a cooler temperature, particularly near SATI’s submerged labship,
The Niveous. While that didn’t work as planned, the unintended side effects were indeed useful: The Niveous, page 109
when threatened, the turtles release long, twisting tubes of ice known as brine icicles (or brinicles).
These brinicles freeze whatever they touch.
Scientific name: Archelon glaciesi Groups of glacis
sometimes work together
Common name: Icewall turtle, brine turtle, death turtle, shell from hell, glaci
against foes, releasing
Motive: food, companionship so many brinicles in
Environment: ocean, land (rare) the area that the ice
Health: 25 forms what’s called a
Damage Inflicted: 4 or 6 (see Combat) “wall of death,” severely
Armor: 4 damaging everything
Movement: Immediate on land, long in water that touches it.
Modification: Speed defense as level 4 due to size and speed, Intellect defense tasks as level 4 due
to intelligence
Combat: Ice wall turtles are not typically aggressive, but when threatened can radiate intense
cold toward engaged creatures. This cold radiation turns into a brine icicle, which sinks down
through the water, doing 6 points of damage to anything that touches it. If a foe continues
to engage, the turtle can follow up with a bite from their powerful jaws that does 4 points of
damage. GM Intrusion: The PCs
Interaction: Ice wall turtles tend to be friendly. While not quite domesticated, those in the vicinity of are fighting another
human settlements are used to humans, and may approach them in search of food. However, ocean-dwelling creature
when they realize that
hand-feeding is not recommended.
their foe has startled
Use: The presence of one or more brinicles may indicate that a number of dangerous predators are a glaci. Now they’re
in the area. in danger of being
accidentally caught in the
creature’s brinicles.

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Predation
ARGORAPtOR 3 (9)
Named after Argos, Odysseus’s faithful dog, argoraptors are also known for their speed, strength,
and superior tracking skills. Argos are one of the more successful outcomes of SATI’s early
selective breeding program, created to be smart, loyal companions. They prefer to work in packs
with other argos, treating their trainer as the de facto leader of their group.
Scientific Name: Argoraptor
Common Name: Argo, a-raptor
Motive: Pack mentality, desire to please
Environment: Anywhere there are humans
Health: 15
Armor: 1
Movement: Long
Modifications: Speed defense as level 5 due to size and musculature, tracking and hunting as level 4
Upgrades: Argos often wear specialized collars that track their whereabouts, brand them as being
owned (and by whom), and, when necessary, act as recall or corrective devices.
Combat: Argos are fast and nimble, moving in for a quick bite and claw that does 3 points of
damage. They work well as part of a pack, with one of the larger, stronger members coming in
hard and fast to knock a foe prone and hold it down with one large sickle claw for one round
while the others come in for a fast bite.
GM Intrusion: Two of Interaction: Argos are smart, trainable, and have a strong desire to please the creature that they
the pack’s members
think of as their leader.
attempt to knock
different foes prone and Use: Argo breeding and training centers exist in many towns, and there is often work to be found
hold them down at the there, from training, breeding, and raising argos to hunting and trapping their food.
same time. Loot: Collars, other devices, can be sold if captured alive

Creatures and NPCs
BAMBIRAPtOR 3 (9)
If there’s a “dog” of the Cretaceous, it’s the bambiraptor. The little birdlike dinosaur is very popular Bambiraptor means
as a pet, as a companion, and for pest control. Standing around 12 inches (30 cm) high, it’s “baby raider.”
covered in feathers and downy fuzz, but still has a killer velociraptor-like claw and a mouth filled
with needled teeth. Most weigh about 4 pounds (1.8 kg), and they’ve been known to climb into a
favorite person’s lap and coo for food. It’s a fierce hunter, but seems just as happy to have small
wriggling mammals tossed at it as a reward.
Bambiraptors breed easily in captivity and come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from solid
whites and creams to dappled reds and blacks to multicolored tortoise-shells and calicos. Some breeders have
Scientific Name: Bambiraptor feinbergorum created an even smaller
Common Name: Bambi, beanie bambiraptor, called a
Motive: Food, curiosity teacup bambiraptor, that
is less than 6 inches (15
Environment: Everywhere
cm) high.
Health: 9
Movement: Long
Modifications: Speed defense as level 5 due to speed and size
Upgrades: Bambiraptors, with their willingness to breed and raise broods in captivity, are
commonly used for experimental upgrades of all kinds. Many also get upgrades in order to
fetch a higher price in the pet and companion markets. Bioluminescent bambiraptors, which
glow in a variety of colors, are especially popular.
Combat: Quick and lithe, bambiraptors do 3 points of damage with their sharp, curved claws.
Interaction: Bambiraptors are easily trained, always hungry, and quickly become attached to
humans that they deem worthy of their time (which, honestly, is most humans who have food
GM Intrusion: While a
to offer).
PC is in the middle of an
Use: Someone has discovered that a nearby lab is doing horrible experiments on bambiraptors and important interaction, a
wants help rescuing them. strange bambiraptor runs
Loot: Down and feathers can be used for stuffing pillows and other items. A bambiraptor often has up and attempts to climb
an upgrade of some type that can be scavenged. the PC’s pantleg.

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Predation
CARNOSUCHUS 4 (12)
“Group of carnos off the starboard bow.”

“We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
“What’s that mean?”
“I don’t know. It’s just something my grandpa used to say whenever he saw big fish.”
The carno’s seafaring “big One of many species that was discovered only after humans arrived in Grevakc—likely by some
brother”—the massive poor soul who decided to take a swim in the nearby river—the carnosuchus is one of the smaller
kronosaurus—can grow known pliosaurs, only around 10 or 12 feet (3 to 3.5 m) long, and one of the few that makes its
up to 34 feet (10.5 m) in home in wide, deep rivers rather than the shallow seas.
length.
Despite their small size—or perhaps because of it—carnos are widely considered to be one of
the most dangerous of freshwater creatures. Unlike larger pliosaurs, they are fast, able to water-
sprint for short bursts in pursuit of prey.
Scientific Name: Carnosuchus
Common Name: Carno, baby jaws
Motive: Hunger
Environment: Deep, wide rivers, often around settlements (due to increased food sources)
Health: 15
Movement: Long
Modifications: Speed defense and initiative as level 5
Upgrades: Very rarely have upgrades, as they’re difficult to catch and control. Occasionally, they eat
something that alters them in some way (there are stories of carnos eating explosives, which
suddenly go off during combat, injuring both the carno and whatever it’s fighting).
Combat: They race through the water in short, fast bursts to grab prey in their strong jaws.
Interaction: Carnos can be tricked or lured with wriggling food or blood.
GM Intrusion: The
blood and noise from the Use: Trying to cross a river or stream is nerve-wracking, even before you notice the whirling surface
combat attracts one or of the water that portends one or more carnos moving toward you.
more additional carnos to Loot: Whatever loot is in their stomachs from their last meal, usually one or more items of
the area. undigested equipment, jewelry, nautils, tools, or small weapons.

Creatures and NPCs
CyBERDRONE 3 (9)
Cyberdrones—essentially automated flying robots with organic elements—were more common

before the Last Commute, but a surprising number of them remain in use, thanks to good care Last Commute, page 67
and self-healing and -learning capabilities. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and skill
sets, but each type of drone typically has a sole purpose that it carries out with single-minded
determination.
The organic compound of most drones provides their self-healing or self-learning capabilities. Cyberdrones are
These compounds require less upgrading and maintenance than their robotic parts, as the sometimes called “Waa-
environment tends to be harsh on non-organic technologies in the wild. Most cyberdrones have a Waas” for the sound that
range of up to 5 miles (8 km). many of them make
when they’re zooming
Motive: Varies (see chart)
through the air.
Environment: Anywhere that people go, their cyberdrones go too. They are most common in
populated areas, or areas where there is something to protect or care for.
Health: 9 points
Damage Inflicted: Varies (see chart)
Armor: Varies (see chart)
Movement: Long
Modifications: Varies (see chart)
Combat: Varies (see chart)
Interaction: Cyberdrones are typically controlled remotely by hand-held devices, neural integration,
or machinery.

137
Predation
Use: It’s possible to encounter cyberdrones anywhere and everywhere, but it’s not always easy to
tell what their purpose is prior to interacting with them.
Loot: Anyone who can hack or disable a cyberdrone without destroying it can attempt to modify the
cyberdrone to work for their own purposes.
Each type of cyberdrone is built with a single purpose in mind, and has special capabilities designed to
serve that purpose. Choose the type of cyberdrone the characters encounter or roll 1d6 on the table.
Roll Type Notes

1 Fury Offensive, aggressive. Work in teams of two or three as attack robots. Does
4 points of damage with lasers or other ranged weapons. Initiative as level 4.
Armor 1.
2 Bastion Defensive, designed to guard a person, place, creature, or thing. Does 3
points of melee damage with blades. Shields another creature or object
(provides +2 to Armor). Armor 3.
3 Scout Search and explore. Equipped with a recording device that records up to
24 hours of video at a time. Does 1 point of damage if someone touches it.
Speed defense as level 4 due to speed and size. Armor 3.
4 Medic Heal and help. Equipped with scanners and neural boosters that restore
1d6 points to a Pool or to health. Does 0 points of damage. Armor 4. Often
carries medical supplies inside a locked compartment as well.
5 Stinger Subversive, offensive, and designed to kill. Typically cloaked, camouflaged, or
too small to detect with the naked eye. Does 10 points of damage via single
injection (ignores most Armor) and then self-destructs. Often works in pairs.
GM Intrusion: The 6 Shepherd Designed to herd and manage domesticated (or mostly domesticated)
cyberdrone has been creatures via small electric shocks, voice commands, and “nipping”
upgraded to attack any
(zooming in toward an errant creature while making a small warning noise).
unauthorized person who
tries to use it. Does 1 point of damage via shock (within immediate range). Armor 1.

Creatures and NPCs
DAKOtARAPtOR 9 (27)
“My god. It’s like a giant turkey from hell.”

“What’s a turkey?”
Standing up to 6 feet tall (2 m) at the hips and as long as 18 feet (5 m) from head to tail, this
lithe, lethal raptor moves with the speed and agility of a sprinter. Although it doesn’t fly, its arms
are covered in long wing feathers, which it uses to intimidate other predators, shield its young,
or corral prey. Its long rear legs boast a 10-inch (25 cm) sickle claw on the second toe that can do
massive amounts of damage in a single swipe.
The dakotaraptor is one of the most feared predators of Grevakc, even without upgrades.
(And only the bravest or craziest of scientists would even think about attempting to upgrade a
dakotaraptor.)
Scientific Name: Dakotaraptor steini
Common Name: Dako, deathtrap, DT, D-raptor
Motive: Hungers for flesh, defense
Environment: Anywhere there are living creatures that might become food
Health: 40
Damage inflicted: 15 points
Armor: 2
Movement: Very long Dazed, page 203
Modifications: Speed defense as level 10 due to speed
Combat: Uses the killing claw on its hind legs to slash prey for 15 points of damage. If it’s not in a
good position to use its killing claw, it bites or gouges for 8 points of damage. GM Intrusion: The
Instead of attacking, a dakotaraptor may attempt to intimidate up to three creatures at a time with dakotaraptor is especially
its large, feathered wings, dazing them for two rounds. fierce because it’s
Interaction: Dakotaraptors are predators, through and through. They can be distracted with food, protecting its young, and
does 2 additional points
but are unlikely to be scared off or reasoned with.
of damage on each
Use: In a world where carnivorous predators are always a threat, the dakotaraptor is a name many attack.
won’t even whisper. Those who tangle with it on purpose know they’re asking for trouble.
Loot: Anything it might have ingested during its last meal, including a weapon or two, or any
number of devices, packs, or other equipment.
Upgrades: Dakotaraptors have been upgraded, crossbred, and genetically modified in
every way imaginable. Due to their aggressive nature and fierce disposition,
they’re always a risk (who wants to put their hands inside that
mouth?) but many feel that successful upgrades are well
worth the danger.

139
Predation
GHAStHOUND 8 (24)
Ghasthounds are These monstrous-looking mammals are one of the prehistoric relatives of pigs. Armed with
members of the incredibly sharp teeth and powerful jaws, these bulky apex predators stand up to 7 feet (2 m) tall
Entelodont family. at the shoulder. They eat anything and everything, and make no bones about standing up to—and
taking down—creatures twice their size.
Common Name: Ghasthound. Hellhound. Gallhound.
Motive: Hunger
Environment: Forests and plains
Health: 25
Movement: Short
Combat: Their teeth rend flesh for 10 points of damage and can damage light and medium physical
Dazed, page 203 armor (decreasing its effectiveness by 1 until it’s repaired). Ghasthounds can also ram a foe,
knocking them prone and dazing them for two rounds.
Interaction: It’s impossible to interact with a ghasthound in any meaningful way.
GM Intrusion: After
Use: Anytime someone has killed another creature, it’s possible that one or more ghasthounds will
killing a creature of some
kind, one or all of the PCs
decide that the spoils belong to them and show up to claim their prize.
see a large beast moving Loot: Ghasthounds sometimes dig caches nearby, where they store food for later. Someone who
through the brush toward finds and digs up a cache—without getting killed—is sometimes rewarded for their efforts by
them. nautils, equipment, and upgrades that once belonged to the ghasthound’s recent meal.

Creatures and NPCs
LytHRONAX 8 (24)
Sometimes a creature’s name tells you everything you need to know about it. The “king of gore” Lythronax means “the
is one of those creatures. Growing to a size of more than 26 feet (8 m) long and weighing in at gore king.”
2.75 tons, the lythronax is already designed to be a killer—no upgrades needed. With a mouth full
of giant, banana-shaped meat cleavers, the lythronax can inflict huge amounts of damage, crush
bone, and carve out huge chunks of flesh in a single bite.
Scientific name: Lythronax argestes
Common name: Lythro, gorebeast, gorer
Motive: Hunger GM Intrusion: The
Environment: Areas near lakes, floodplains, and rivers, particularly where prey gathers lythro gets a grip on the
character and shakes
Health: 55
them, knocking them one
Damage inflicted: 12 points step down the damage
Armor: 1 track.
Movement: Long
Modifications: Initiative as level 9 due to hunting instincts; all tasks involving
critical thinking as level 7 due to intelligence
Upgrades: No one seems to know what to do with lythros.
You can occasionally see an upgraded lythro
running around in the world, wearing the
remains of a control collar,
capturing device, or other
upgrade.
Combat: Lythros are all bite
and no bark. Everything
they do is focused on
ripping, tearing, chewing,
and consuming.
Interaction: Lythros can be
lured away or tricked with
live food. Occasionally, they
can be trained the same way,
but as a general rule, they’re not
particularly smart and training can
quickly turn into a surprise game of
predator and prey.
Use: Run.
Loot: Their brightly colored feathers are
coveted for creating equipment,
armor, and decoration.

141
Predation
NEREZZA 9 (27)
Some people try to keep Nerezzas are ninjas, slippery beasts of shadow and silence. They’re loyal, smart, and deadly.
nerezzas as pets, but Carefully bred from a gene mutation that caused microraptors to have all-black feathers, eyes,
those who don’t give and beaks as well as all-black internal organs and muscles, nerezzas are small, feathered, birdlike
them enough attention
dinosaurs with wings on both their front and rear limbs. They’re small, weighing only 2 or 3 pounds
and challenges will
(about 1 kg), and they glide rather than fly.
quickly find them to be
nuisances, as boredom In the wild, microraptors tend to work and travel together, but nerezzas seem to prefer to fly
and loneliness make solo, as it were. They’ve been known to peck other nerezzas to death if they’re forced into the same
them destructive, enclosure or if they feel like they’re competing for their trainer’s attention.
petulant, and aggressive. Scientific Name: Nerezza cari
Common Name: Neree, essa, nezze
Nerezza is an Italian Motive: Loyalty, reward
word that means
Environment: Everywhere
“darkness.”
Health: 21
Movement: Short when gliding, immediate when walking
Modifications: Initiative, sneaking, and learning new things as level 10
Upgrades: Many nerezzas have upgrades that improve their stealth and camouflaging techniques.
A few have also been implanted with organic parts modeled after modern birds that allow
them to mimic a variety of sounds, including human speech.
GM Intrusion: Rather
Combat: Gliding attacks are typically aimed at eyes, ears, and other unprotected spots, and do 9
than attacking, the
nerezza swoops in and points of damage.
attempts to steal an Interaction: If a nerezza is loyal to you, it can be trained to do most tasks that come naturally to it
artifact, weapon, or other on command.
object. Use: They’re used as silent killers, mostly by assassins, thieves, and covert operators.

Creatures and NPCs
PLAtyPODE 5 (15)
Platypodes are weird creatures—slippery-smooth skin that’s so shiny and pale it almost seems Platypodes were likely
translucent, giant front claws on the ends of wing-like flippers, and a horned head and spined tail named by a commuter
that are nearly gelatinous in their feel. Amphibious, they’re bipedal on land but swim using mostly in honor of the platypus.
their front limbs and tail in the water. No matter what they’re doing—fishing, digging, or lying However, try to describe
a modern-day platypus
stretched out along the sun-warmed rocks—they hoot, honk, click, and coo, emitting what seems
to the native people of
to be a series of new noises constantly. Grevakc, and they will be
Originally created in labs for the sole purpose of oceanside manual labor, all platypodes are hard-pressed to believe
female. The goal was to keep the population in check and ensure that these creatures, which had that natural selection,
no natural predators, didn’t overrun the oceans. But the platypodes did something amazing: they not bioengineering,
reproduced anyway. Genetic testing confirmed that the platypups only have DNA from their moms. created such a beast.
To keep the population under control, the platypode creation program has been put on hold
indefinitely.
Scientific Name: Platypus deux
Common Name: Platy
Motive: Hunger, warmth, defense
Environment: Western Interior Seaway, never more than a mile from land
Health: 15
Movement: Long in water, short on land
Combat: Platypodes do 5 points of damage with their claws.
GM Intrusion: A PC
Interaction: Platypodes are playful, curious, and social, and they seem to consider humans their
accidentally steps
friends, whether they were lab-made or wild-birthed. They’re not aggressive unless invoked or too close to a young
threatened. platypode, which gets
Use: PCs in a boat on the Seaway may find themselves surrounded by a ring of honking, hooting, scared and begins to call
clicking creatures. loudly for its mother.

143
Predation
PyGMy SAUROPOSEIDON 4 (12)
For some reason, These creatures have been bred from wild, full-sized sauroposeidons (long-necked dinosaurs) to a
wild sauroposeidons seem more manageable size and temperament. While full-sized sauroposeidons can grow up to 100 feet
to see pygmysaurs as a (30 m) long and 60 feet (18 m) high, pygmysaurs are usually about one-third to half that size. Their
threat, and often attack
smaller footprint—literally—means that they’re easier to control, house, and tame. And, just as
them unprovoked, even
going so far as to enter
important, they require a lot less foliage to keep well fed.
a town or area where They’re popular among dinosaur wrestling aficionados, livestock farmers, and caravan runners,
pygmysaurs are being but are also sometimes used in construction and vegetation farming, as their small size, strong
housed and attempt to legs, and agreeable personalities make them good for hauling, plowing, and other types of manual
kill them. labor.
Scientific Name: Pygmy sauroposeidon
Common Name: Pygmysaur, posei, posey
Motive: Hunger, safety, reward
Environment: Cities, farms, and towns. Pygmysaurs are rare in the wild, as most don’t have the
defenses or the size to survive against the much larger, faster natural predators.
Health: 15
Armor: 1
Movement: Short
Modifications: Speed defense as level 3 due to domestication and size
Upgrades: Most upgrades are cosmetic or decorative, including paint, piercings, outwear, and
garnishes.
Combat: They attack neck-first, attempting to wrap their long necks around their opponent and
Stunned, page 203 wrestle them to the ground. Creatures who are pinned in this way take 4 points of damage
(ignores Armor). Pygmysaurs can also headbutt their opponents, stunning them for one round
so that they lose their next turn.
GM Intrusion: If one Interaction: Pygmysaurs are domesticated, eager to please (especially if there is food forthcoming),
of the characters’
and mostly docile. It’s only during mating season that the males are aggressive and considered
companions is a
sauroposeidon, it dangerous.
suddenly attempts Use: Pygmysaurs are often used in dinosaur wrestling, as pack animals, and as food sources.
to attack a nearby Loot: Whatever upgrades the creature is adorned with, as well as anything that’s in the packs it
pygmysaur. might be carrying.

Creatures and NPCs
StyGIMOLOCH 4 (12)
Stygimolochs, with their wildly horned heads, are favorites in black-market dinosaur fighting Stygimoloch means
rings and among sport hunters. In addition to being considered trophies, the creature’s horns are “horned devil from the river
believed in some places to be an aphrodisiac and a cure for various ailments. Thus, their numbers of death.”
are not what they once were. It seems possible that they have a way of communicating with other
Stygimoloch is pronounced
members of their species, as many stygimolochs will attack humans on sight. Stig-ee-MOE-lok.
They can grow up to 10 feet (3 m) long, and sport spikes on their heads up to 6 inches (15 cm)
long and 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. They are bipedal herd animals.
Scientific name: Stygimoloch spinifer
Common name: Moloch, death devil
GM Intrusion: The
Motive: Food, protecting the herd target is also dazed by
Environment: Woodland areas with enough foliage to sustain their herd the dinosaur’s head butt
Health: 15 for one round, during
Damage Inflicted: 5 points which time the difficulty
Armor: 1 of all tasks it performs is
Movement: Long modified by one step to
Modifications: Speed defense as level 5 due to speed its detriment.
Upgrades: There are a few stygimolochs in the wild with
enhanced horns, typically metal bits that were driven
through the horns to create additional barbs and
hooks along the side. These creatures do 5 points of
damage with a horned attack. They might also catch their
foe on the barbs, holding them for one round.
Combat: Stygimolochs typically move headfirst into battle,
using their dome-shaped skulls and horns as
battering rams and weapons. They do 5 points of
damage with their horns, and can knock even
large creatures prone by bashing them in the
hip, flank, or side.
Interaction: Stygimolochs aren’t likely to be tamable
or even reasonable; they seem to have a distinct fear
and hatred of humans, perhaps brought about by the
aggressiveness with which they are hunted.
Use: The characters come upon a black-market dinosaur
fighting ring, filled with captive stygimolochs.
Loot: The horns can be sold or traded for use in
tinctures and powdered mixtures.

145
Predation
SUPERSAURI 10 (30)
Supersauri is both singular Supersauri are composite creatures that were created from the genetic material of any number
and plural. of sauri: gigantosaurus, mapusaurus, rajasaurus, titanosaurs, and more as part of SATI’s Project
Kaiju. The goal was to create and grow them in labs, then hand-raise them until they were well-
There are tales of a
trained adults, equip them with the best upgrades, then keep them on hand as war machines,
woman, half-creature
herself, who lives in the should the need ever arise. Supersauri were supposed to be SATI’s combined safety blanket and
wilds and is able to interact nuclear weapon—a creature so large that it had no other predators on the continent, one that was
with supersauri and get created from the genes of the best fighters so that it was impossible to defend against, and hand-
them to do her bidding. raised so that it was always controllable.
Most supersauri turned out to be nothing like that. The creatures were expensive and time
GM Intrusion: The
consuming to create and raise, not to mention unpredictable and uncontrollable. And more
supersauri topples trees as
it charges, causing them than half the time, they had some type of genetic failure that caused them to die before reaching
to fall right above one or adulthood. Those that survived to adulthood broke upgrades (and the humans attempting to equip
more PCs. them), destroyed buildings, fences, and equipment, and were nearly impossible to keep fed.
SATI cancelled Project Kaiju in its fifth year. But by then, there
were already a dozen of the creatures that had reached adulthood.
In an effort to get some good out of the project, SATI tagged the
surviving supersauri and released them into the wilds of Upper
Laramidia for tracking.
Every supersauri looks different and has
a unique combination of skills, both in
combat and otherwise. They can reach up to
40 feet (12 m) long and 12 feet (4 m) high,
weigh more than 4 tons, and run up to 40
miles (64 km) per hour.
Scientific Name: Supersauri
Common Name: Kaiju (SATI), supers (SATI)
Motive: Hunger
Environment: Upper Laramidia jungles
Health: 70
Armor: 2
Movement: Long
Modifications: Speed defense as level 2 due
to size
Upgrades: Supersauri have at least two
upgrades, at least one of which is a
weapon. Roll or choose two upgrades from the lists
on pages 125-127.
Combat: They bite for 12 points of damage, but most
prefer to use their upgraded weaponry.
Interaction: Supersauri are fierce, aggressive, ever-hungry
hunters. They are also territorial, fighting anything
that dares to cross into their claimed space.
Use: Even advanced PCs will find going head to head
with a supersauri to be invigorating, challenging, and
(likely) death-defying.
Loot: At least two upgrades, plus 1d100 + 20 nautils,
equipment, and anything else they ate.

Creatures and NPCs
tESLASAURUS 5 (15)
Teslasaurs were originally created by SATI scientists, injecting ankylosaurs with electric eel genetic
materials, in the hope of creating docile bioelectrogenesis hosts to biologically power their
facilities. However, the predatory aspects of the transplanted DNA tended to make the creatures
too aggressive for domestic energy generation, but perfect for mobile energy defense. The smaller
teslasaurus males are outfitted with electromagnetic force field generators for defense, while the
larger females are outfitted with capacitors and voltage steppers to allow them to project electrical
blasts as an offensive weapon.
Streams of high-energy electricity arc between their enhanced horns, armor plates, and tail,
creating a beautiful—and portentous—sight.
Scientific Name: Teslasaur
Common Name: Tesla, fire lizard, lightning lizard
Motive: Trained for offense and defense
Health: 20
Damage Inflicted: 5 points Because teslasaurs have
Armor: 3 high Armor and are
Movement: Short trained to stand guard,
Modifications: Speed defense as level 3 due to training; critical thinking and initiative as level 4 due they don’t attempt to
to intelligence avoid attacks like other
creatures might.
Combat: Anyone who touches a teslasaur or its electrical arcs takes 5 points of damage.
Upgrades: Some teslasaurs are updated with cybernetic implants that allow their electricity to be
harnessed and sent out to long range, doing 5 points of damage to everything they touch. GM Intrusion: A sudden
rainstorm arrives,
Interaction: Teslasaurs are trained to defend and protect, mostly by standing in a single spot and
increasing the range and
letting foes come to them. power of the teslasaur’s
Use: A secret underground bunker is guarded by a herd of teslasaurs that are trained to keep electrical pulses. Each
unauthorized visitors from discovering or entering the building. pulse does 1 additional
Loot: Scales and horns, cybernetic implants point of damage.

147
Predation
NPCs
BUttERFLy 5 (15)
Butterflies may eschew technology, weapons, and augmentations, but that doesn’t mean that
they’re not well equipped to take care of themselves. As part of a subversive guerrilla group on a
mission to destroy the possibility of a time-travel solution, they are willing to die for their cause.
This makes them determined—and dangerous.
Motive: Save the future (or at least the future of humanity)
Health: 15
Damage Inflicted: 3 or 4 points
Armor: 1 to 2
Movement: Short
Modifications: Stealth, subterfuge, sneaking, and surprise as level 6
Combat: Butterflies strike when they are least expected, preferring to make friends with shadows,
secrecy, and surprise. They will wait, poised, until the perfect moment. And if one doesn’t
appear, well, there’s always tomorrow night. They will not initiate a fight until they believe they
have the upper hand from the first moment.
Interaction: Butterflies all play different roles within their organization. Some are spies. Some work
to destroy equipment or dinosaurs. Some have infiltrated other organizations, possibly for
GM Intrusion: The
Butterfly pulls a second years, in order to gain information or access.
weapon out of a hidden Use: While interacting with a SATI official, the PCs discover that the person is actually a long-term
pocket and performs a undercover agent for the Butterflies.
double attack. Loot: Light or medium weapon and armor, 1d6 nautils, and at least one remnant.

Creatures and NPCs
SAtI GUARD 4 (12)
SATI guards tend to be slightly better trained and better equipped than general non-SATI guards.
They may or may not believe strongly in the work that they do, but most do believe that SATI—and
consequently, they—are doing work that matters. Even if they don’t know exactly what that work is.
At the very least, they’re doing work that pays well, and that’s nothing to sniff at.
Motive: Protect and serve; do the work they were hired to do
Health: 12
Armor: 1 or 2
Movement: Short
Modifications: Each guard has one non-combat specialty, such as healing, sneaking, perception,
and so on. Handles tasks related to that specialty as level 5.
Combat: SATI guards typically have training in both melee and ranged weaponry. They likely carry
both and switch back and forth as needed.
Interaction: SATI guards are good at their job and are typically loyal to their mission at hand. SATI
comes first, but the people come second, and they can be helpful as long as it doesn’t conflict
GM Intrusion: During
with their job. There are, of course, guards who are open to various types of bribes. an altercation, one of the
Use: The PCs break into what seems to be an abandoned storage facility only to discover that it’s SATI guards calls one of
actually under the protection of a small group of SATI guards. the SATI higherups in as
Loot: Average SATI armor, plus one melee weapon, one ranged weapon, and 1d6 nautils. backup.
SAtI HIGHERUP 6 (18)
Unlike standard SATI guards, SATI higherups tend to believe strongly in the work they’re doing, SATI higherups include
and they’ve been well equipped to do it. Especially when that work is keeping riffraff and nefarious- officers, head guards,
looking individuals and groups out of SATI’s labs, information vaults, and other important places. bodyguards, leaders,
They typically wear SATI-issued armor and carry high-tech weapons. Even though their equipment some field scientists, and
so on.
is likely hand-me-down and refurbished, it still gives them a unique advantage. They are more likely
than most to carry an artifact or to be accompanied by an upgraded creature companion. They
tend to have higher clearance, and thus more knowledge, than most SATI workers.
Motive: Protect and serve; do the work they believe in
Health: 18
Armor: 2 or 3
Movement: Short
Modifications: Resist persuasion, seduction, and bribery as level 7
Combat: SATI higherups aren’t just hired off the street. They’ve been trained for this, possibly since
the time they were very small. “Once a SATI family, always a SATI family,” as the saying goes.
They carry high-tech weapons designed for quick, clean kills and are well protected. They tend
to work together in groups of twos and threes and may also have a companion.
Interaction: As a general rule, SATI higherups are hard to bribe, persuade, or influence. They aren’t GM Intrusion: The
unhelpful, however, since part of their job is to protect the community that they are part of. SATI higherup seems
like they’re about to help
Use: SATI higherups are less likely to be allies than they are to be obstacles. However, PCs who are
the PCs work toward
aligned with SATI—or at least with SATI’s goals—might find themselves the recipients of the a common goal, but
knowledge and protection of a higherup. something spooks them
Loot: A higherup typically has SATI-issued medium armor and weaponry, as well as basic gear, a and they change their
remnant, and 1d20 nautils. Rarely, they might also be carrying an artifact. mind.

149
Predation
SILVERBACK 5 (15)
Silverbacks are never Silverbacks are so named because they are considered to be the leaders of their respective packs.
alone. They travel with Silverbacks are typically humans who have undergone some form of predacious changes to
at least two members become more dinosaur-like. They may have claws, teeth, tails, or all of the above and more. They
of their pack, and
live and hunt with their pack, usually a group of carnivorous dinosaurs that has accepted the
sometimes more.
silverback as their leader.
Motives: Safety, defense, hunger
Health: 15
Damage inflicted: 5 points
Silverbacks are more Movement: Short
likely to lead dinosaurs Modifications: Perception, intimidation, and leadership tasks as level 7; positive interaction tasks
that are human-sized or as level 4
larger to allow them to Combat: Attacks using modified body parts, much as a dinosaur would. The attacks are carried out
blend in better with their
in unison with at least two members of their pack.
pack.
Interaction: Silverbacks are still human, despite their outward appearance. However, many choose
not to interact with other humans in an attempt to further their self-identities as creatures.
Silverbacks will typically not tolerate other humans near their packs or in their territory.
Use: The group hears about a pack of dinosaurs that’s been aggressively and methodically
GM Intrusion: The attacking local labs. It turns out that the pack has been raiding the labs for the supplies that
silverback calls on the silverback needs to continue enhancing their body.
additional members of its Loot: Silverbacks eschew human needs and goods, and rarely have anything on them that would tie
pack to come to its aid. them back to their human origins.

Part 5
GM’S TOOLBOX
Chapter 14: Running Predation 152
Chapter 15: Cyphers, Artifacts, and Remnants 162
Chapter 16: Promised Land 174

Predation
Chapter 14
RUNNING PREDAtION
F
or the most part, running Predation is everyone knows the answer is “Not if the
similar to running any Cypher System Tyrannosaurus rex eats you first.”
Running the Cypher
game. You’ll want to reference the Despite its setting in the past, Predation isn’t
System, page 366 Cypher System Rulebook for general tips on designed to be a game about time-travel itself.
GMing a Cypher System game. This section Yes, time travel brought the characters (or more
touches on some Predation-specific suggestions likely, the characters’ parents or grandparents)
and considerations. to the Cretaceous period and yes, finding a
You’ve probably already read through the way to fix time travel might be the characters’
sections on the setting, and you know that end goal. And yes, the world has been deeply
Predation is set in the far past of the Cretaceous changed as a result of the previous time travel.
period, but that it also bears the marks of But that’s all a precursor to what’s happening
the science and technologies of our future. now, in the game and in the setting. In
This presents a unique opportunity to create Predation, time travel is broken. What will come
dinosaurs, devices, and experiences that don’t to pass has already come to pass. The only
exist yet. Basically, the setting is yours to do thing that the characters truly have any control
with as you like. over is their own near future (and maybe not
even that, considering the asteroid that’s just
over the horizon).
THE PARADOXES OF Of course, one of the end-game possibilities
TIME TRAVEL is that the characters could find a way to fix
Time travel is tricky. Not just in real life, of time travel and escape the Cretaceous before
course, but in roleplaying games as well. the asteroid destroys everything they know and
Theoretically, time travel poses far more love. What will that time travel look like? Where
questions than it answers. “If I go back and kill will the characters end up and how will they
my grandparents, will I still be born?” is still a get there? What effects will their actions have
common debate at geeky parties even though on the future (or on their soon-to-be past)?

RUNNING PREDAtION
Those are all questions and answers that are Dipping back into the Cypher System Rulebook
beyond the scope and setting of the game. But at that point can provide suggestions for far-
that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t find a way to future settings, time-travel options, science
continue on if that’s what your players desire. fiction creatures, and more.
A MISSION-BASED HOW SCIENCEY DOES

SETTING MY GAME HAVE TO BE?
You might notice that Predation’s feel is a bit This is really a question of taste—yours and
different from other Cypher System games. your players’. The game is written with a strong
While most Cypher System games are about basis in science, but how much of it you want
discovery, Predation has more of a mission- to bring into your game is your call. There’s no
based setting. Characters may set off to save wrong way to play.
the world (or at least the future), hinder or You might decide to run Predation as a hard
help the plans of one or more organizations, science fiction game, using only elements that
or travel into the world to save NPCs or are grounded in current or future science. If
dinosaurs from imminent disaster. your players express interest, you can go into
One of the drawbacks of a mission-based the details of the science and technology—how
setting is that it can be harder to be proactive. it works, what it does, the ways in which it
If you have players who enjoy being more creates the effects that it does. Or you can just
proactive, give them their own sets of goals have your players discover a weird scientific
or provide them with information about lab where dinosaurs are being grown without
a situation that they might be interested giving any explanation of how it works or why
in. Perhaps make the characters be in a it’s there.
position of authority in one of the various This is also true of dinosaurs and other
organizations or another group. creatures in the setting. Some players will

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want to know every detail about the dinosaurs promise anymore. Still, some ask: What if it’s
they meet—their scientific name, where they true? What if it could be found, and activated?
lived, what they ate, and more. Others will just Could the future be close at hand?
want to run around fighting with a raptor at
their side and shooting lasers at T. rexes. The INTERSTELLAR ARRIVAL: Something large
game allows for both of those possibilities, and has just crashed down at an unknown location
anything in between. in the Boot. Scientists are scrambling to put
It helps to know your players’ interests ahead teams together to go search it out and gather
of time. Don’t go on in detail about the color data. Is it a meteorite? An alien spaceship? A
of the dakotaraptor’s feathers if the players just signal from the future? Perhaps all three.
want to know how big of a hole it’s going to
make in them with its claw. MAD CAVERNS: On their travels, the PCs
encounter a man who’s deathly ill. He says
he’s spent the last 50 years of his life deep in
SUGGESTED a cavern, studying everything he can on SATI.
CAMPAIGN SEEDS When he realized he was dying—he thinks,
Throughout this book, you’ll find suggestions in fact, he was poisoned by someone from
for small stories and adventures in text boxes SATI—he left the cavern to tell someone his
called Reading the Bones. These give you small, story so all his research wouldn’t go to waste.
quick snippets of things for the characters to He begs the PCs to find the cavern, gather his
do. In addition, there’s an adventure called information, and use it to bring SATI down.
“Promised Land” that is designed as a one-shot
game for beginning players. STRANGE VISITOR: A corpse was found in
Here are some additional ideas for the middle of a small town. The body doesn’t
longer, more in-depth campaigns that have appear to have any marks on it, but is dressed
the potential to take characters and their in unusual fabrics and carries a device that
companions through larger swaths of the world, no one has seen before. Before anyone can
where they can make important discoveries or even react, SATI sweeps in, hauls away the
accomplish goals that could change the face body, and takes the PCs in for detainment and
of the present and the future. This is in no questioning.
way designed to be a comprehensive list; it’s
merely a jump-off point for your own ideas and THE BLACK BOX: At what appears to be a crash
campaigns. site of some kind, the PCs find a stash of maps,
documents, and images inside a half-buried
TAKING SIDES: One of the biggest issues in ornate black box, all of which seem to indicate
Grevakc is obviously the repair of time travel and the presence of some type of alien life in an
the destruction (or avoidance) of the upcoming Appalachian jungle. Could this be what SATI
asteroid. But every time SATI gets close, the came back for, after all? How dangerous are
Butterflies disrupt progress. Other groups and they? Will the PCs confront SATI or head off and
organizations also play a role, as they all have try to uncover the truth on their own?
their goals and agendas. Do the PCs get involved
in this large-scale struggle? Whose side do they CORPSE COMMUNICATION: A series of
take, and what are their roles? brachiosaurs, dead from no discernible cause,
have been showing up across the region, each
VILLAGE OF THE LOST: The PCs all hail with a strange and different piece of technology
from a tiny, snow-covered town way up in the embedded in their necks. The pattern, when
mountains. Due to a choice by the town’s put together, seems to be a key or map of
elders, the PCs know almost nothing of what some type. Are they messages from SATI in an
came before this harsh life of cold winters and earlier time, or is this the work of someone (or
dangerous creatures. A stranger has shown up, something) else? Where do the messages lead?
lost and injured, telling tales of glorious cities And to what end?
and technologies.
FALSE TRUTHS: Someone has been spreading
LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY: There are rumors information about time travel with a voice of
of a still-functioning time machine deep in authority, promising that it will be fixed in just a
the northern reaches of Upper Laramidia. But few months. At first people were skeptical, but
this rumor has been around since the Last optimistic. As the news continued to spread
Commute, and no one believes its utopian and more details came forth, everyone began

RUNNING PREDAtION
to believe it. Now, there’s more news: a group TEST OF TIME: The PCs are hired by SATI to
of rebels is attempting to destroy the progress. travel to a secret rebel base in the mountains
The PCs learn the truth: there’s no time travel to free an aeternologist who was captured. Aeternologist, page 186
solution and no rebel group. Just one person, However, the PCs have been deceived—the
attempting to start a war among the people for people who hired them aren’t SATI at all. They’re
personal gain. using the characters to gain access to the
aeternologist, who they’re trying to assassinate.
DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD: A scientist has
been kicked out of his laboratory by his TIME TRAP: Someone is setting traps for time
fellow scientists. They’ve been working on hunters, creating a way to deceive them into
technologies to destroy the asteroid, and he thinking there are time anomalies in an area
believes they were just getting close before he where there are not. It seems to be a group
was ousted. He thinks the other scientists are that’s just interested in luring people into the
hoping to make the breakthrough on their own, wilds and then stealing their supplies. But how
and use the device as some type of weapon are they deceiving the time hunters? And is
instead of to destroy the asteroid. there some greater purpose to their trickery?
SECRET STASH: The players encounter a

commuter who was attacked by a pack of GMing COMPANIONS
raptors and badly injured. If they help her, When every character has a companion run
she will express her gratitude by telling them by another player, you’re essentially running
about a secret SATI base she once worked at. a table of twice as many PCs as you normally
She believes she was the last one inside the would be. GMing a table of characters and
compound, and she locked it down after she companions isn’t hard, but it may cause you to
left, so it’s probably still full of technology and feel like you’re stumbling at first. Here are some
devices that haven’t been broken or scavenged. tips to help you jump in and GM companions
When the players arrive, they find that the quickly and easily.
technology has become self-repairing and self- Consider co-op companion creation. It can be
replicating. difficult for some players to create a companion
for themselves, and then end up running

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Predation
someone else’s companion. Maybe they built Once you’ve run the game a few times and feel
a fighter-type companion, but are running comfortable, you can suggest that players work
another player’s more snuggly companion, together to create interesting player/companion
which they didn’t want to do. One way to solve pairings. If a player really wants to run another
these concerns ahead of time is to have players player’s cute, furry mammal companion, there’s
create their companions together, as part of the no reason not to make that happen if you can.
first play session. Players show up with their Help your characters choose appropriate
characters finished, but then work together with companions. A companion is a long-term
the other players to design their companions. commitment for a character, and it’s important
This allows everyone to get to know the that the two make a good team. If a character
companions, gives players the opportunity to is lean in fighting, they might want to consider
help build a companion they’re interested in a more combat-focused dinosaur to help them
running, and creates shared stories of character out in tough spots. Alternatively, a tough fighter
and companion backgrounds that will deepen might decide to take a companion that can help
connections and provide new roleplaying them out in interactions or other non-combat
opportunities. situations.
For characters who don’t start out with Personality matters too—this is where the
Companion dispositions, companions, but gain them through gameplay, companion dispositions come into play. They’re
page 57 this mechanism is already built in. The other designed to help the players understand more
characters will be there to provide feedback and about how and why a companion might act
advice when a character is purchasing, taming, the way that they do. They also give the player
or otherwise gaining their companion. running the companion some guidance for
Make it easy on yourself. If it’s your first time roleplaying.
running Predation (or any game with more PCs Match players with companions. Some
than players), you might consider having each players may not have much interest in running
player run the companion of the player on their a dinosaur in addition to their own character
left or their right. The consistency means it (or they may feel overwhelmed at the idea of
will be easy to remember who is playing which doing both at the same time). If that’s the case,
creature. Use signs or notes to help you—as you might match them up with a companion
well as the players—keep track. that has more passive abilities or personality.

RUNNING PREDAtION
Other players might be even more interested could attack any creature you throw at them.
in playing the dinosaur than in playing their You might want to consider adding one or two
own character. Companions that are outgoing, additional creatures to combat scenarios to keep
gregarious, or mischievous can be fun for those them challenging for players. (If you’re unsure
types of players. how much of a challenge the group is ready for,
Keep the setting in mind. Dinosaurs as adding another creature via a GM intrusion at an
companions can be tricky due to their size. appropriate moment is a great option.)
While many buildings in Grevakc are created Help players remember their companions.
with large creatures in mind, not all are. If It’s easy for players who aren’t used to having
the players enter a building that’s made for companions to focus on their characters and
humans, do their companions get stuck in the forget about the dinosaurs at their side. It’s
doorway? Do they break through the ceiling if likely that, at least at first, you’ll have to remind
they raise their head? Or do they stay outside? players to use their companions. Have NPCs,
What do they do while they’re out there? other creatures, and the environment interact
Think about size and space as the characters directly with companions, use GM intrusions Companion GM
move through the world. A character who on companions, and provide opportunities for intrusions, page 161
finds mechanical wings so they can fly can’t PCs to work together with their companions.
carry their heavy sauropod with them into the Remember that companions are PCs, not
skies. How does that creature get to the new NPCs. You might find yourself falling into
location? You don’t have to go into detail—the the habit of treating companions as NPCs,
assumption is that dinosaurs can make their rather than PCs. It’s an easy mistake to make,
way through the world on their own without especially if you run other games where
too much trouble. Feel free to hand-wave companions work in a more NPC-style fashion.
through that kind of thing a little bit. “So your If you catch yourself starting to describe what
companions arrive at the location shortly after a companion is doing or why, stop and turn
you do. It looks like they got into a scuffle with the action back over to the person running the
something between here and there—they’re companion.
a little roughed-up—but for the most part, it Players may also forget that they’re the
seems like they made it just fine.” personalities behind the companions, expecting
Of course, it’s also an opportunity to make you to narrate their actions as you do with
something interesting happen. “So your NPCs. Don’t be afraid to nudge them gently
companions arrive at the location shortly after into roleplaying the creature if they seem
you do. Ferris, you notice that your companion, hesitant or forget. One of the nice things about
Appleseed, seems to have a rolled piece of companions is that because they’re creatures,
paper pinned to his collar. That wasn’t there they don’t typically speak. For players who are
when you saw him last.” nervous about roleplaying through dialogue,
Consider combat. If every character at companions give them a chance to use
your table takes a fighter-type companion, it gestures, movements, and other non-verbal
potentially doubles the number of PCs that actions.

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Predation
SATI’S BIG MYSTERY: A SATI-O: The mid-ranked officials were typically

GUIDE FOR GMs the head of their department, lab, or facility—
One of the things that players will want to know scientists, doctors, and others most directly
is: just what was SATI doing in the far future, involved with the work being done. They believed
sending people back into the Cretaceous period? that they were searching for secret treasure. Not
Hopefully, that’s a question that the characters buried in the earth, but inside the dinosaurs
will start asking as well. themselves. They thought they were looking
The rumor is that talking That is one of the big mysteries of the setting, for a secret genome or bit of DNA that would
about SATI’s purpose was and it’s one that shouldn’t be easy for characters somehow help humans survive better or longer.
an offense punishable to discover. (Ideally, the players won’t know it While this is closer to the truth, it doesn’t
by both extradition either, as it’s often more fun to discover a thing contain the whole story.
and death. While the
as both a player and a character at the same
truth of that is hard to
time.) Most NPCs in Grevakc don’t even know SATI-A: The number of officials at this high
substantiate, SATI did
(and in many ways, still the answers, although many think they do. ranking is very small, consisting mostly of those
does) have a reputation Even though SATI called itself a business, it with a great deal of power and pull within SATI,
for harshness when was run much more like a military operation in such as the board of owners, CEOs, COOs, and
dealing with leaks. its information delivery, using a “need to know” original founders. Most of these people stayed in
philosophy and ranking its employees according the present, but a few commuted back and forth
to their clearance statuses. in time regularly to oversee the progress back
SATI ranks are as follows, with SATI-A being in Grevakc. In fact, a group of about two dozen
the highest, and SATI-U being the lowest. SATI-A officials traveled back just before the Last
(That’s just the list of the ranked employees. Commute and got stuck there. This accident is
The majority of employees weren’t ranked at all; likely what allowed SATI to continue to function
they were considered below the “need to know” normally for as long as it did.
line. While they may have speculated about their SATI-As know the most about SATI’s true
reasons for being in the Cretaceous period, purpose for traveling back in time. And even then
most weren’t told anything officially.) Each rank it might not be the whole story. It’s highly unlikely
was given a different story, and all were told that the PCs would find any of the following
not to talk about what they knew, unless they information lying around, as SATI likely kept all
had the express permission of a higher rank records of this type encoded in the party’s DNA
for a justifiable purpose (such as needing it for (and most paper has to be carefully preserved
research). and handled to survive in the Cretaceous period).
Of course, all of the people listed below were It is possible that a SATI-A might have written
already well-respected experts in their fields when some of it down in a diary or other device to keep
the commutes were taking place. That means a record, or it could be extracted from a device
that many of them are dead or dying. Those who or person’s DNA. More likely, the PCs might find
are still alive are more than a hundred years old a small bit of this tucked into a remaining book,
(which isn’t a hundred years old as we know it hidden away in someone’s office, or stored away
today, since people lived longer in the future). in a safe. In the end, finding a SATI-A and getting
Where are they now? They’re scattered all over them to talk is the only semi-guaranteed source
Grevakc, some still working within SATI. Others of information still available.
have defected to the Butterflies or Genesix
Fellowship. More than a few have broken off WHAT SATI-As KNOW
from all ties and now live private lives, where SATI-As were told that the purpose for SATI’s
they make no mention of their past. time-travel trials is related to alien technology.
For those interested, the The general understanding is: some archeologists
alien technology is a SATI-U: These low-ranked officials were working for SATI (SATI had its fingers in every
type of femtotechnology, typically lab assistants, breeders, archeologists, field imaginable, even before it started working
which involves working zoologists, veterinarians, doctors, and others within the time-travel spheres) discovered fossil
with matter at the with some experience and knowledge of science records of dinosaurs with weird things going
subatomic level. It’s and technology. They were told that SATI’s on. While researching these fossils in depth,
smaller in scale than
reason for traveling back in time was to excavate scientists concluded that the anomalies within the
nanotechnology. But it’s
and preserve dinosaur DNA in order to resurrect dinosaurs were a type of ancient, embedded alien
not necessary to know
how it works to use it in the creatures a la Jurassic Park. While there technology. The more they studied these fossils,
the game. was sometimes some confusion—why create the more convinced they were that they were
biolabs and habitations and even settlements looking at signs of aliens on earth, long before
in the Cretaceous period if the goal was just to the Cretaceous period. In fact, it was so ancient
create dinosaurs in modern day? But the job that all other signs of them had been wiped out
was interesting and the pay was good (or at (or nearly so). The remnants of their technology
least it was until the Last Commute) so people encoded within the dinosaurs was all that seemed
kept their heads down and didn’t question the to remain of alien life.
discrepancies very often.

RUNNING PREDAtION
The technology was connected to time in ways How to Use SATI’s Secrets in Your Game
that had never been seen before. In fact, it was Characters can interact with SATI’s hidden
this very technology that, once extrapolated from information in a number of ways:
the fossils, allowed SATI to discover time travel. • They can attempt to discover what SATI’s
With barely a trial period to test everything, SATI goals were. This can be undertaken by
started sending scientists back in time to establish talking with various people or searching old
biolabs and start searching for living dinosaurs offices, labs, or workspaces. It’s very likely
with bits of alien technology inside them. that the information they receive will not be
It’s unclear just exactly what SATI hoped to straightforward, as there are so many stories, NPCs who are (or were)
do with their discovery. Clone and create aliens? pieces of misinformation, and rumors ranked SATI officials are
Improve time or space travel (or both)? Use the surrounding SATI and its purpose that most always noted as such in
technology for their own business purposes? people don’t know what is real. their stats.
Sell it to the highest bidder? (At that point, the • They might be sent out by someone to
only ones able to pay more than SATI would discover dinosaurs with the embedded alien
have been large countries, like Pluonia and The tech. Scientists will pay a high price for such
General Republic of Mongochina). creatures, particularly if they seem to be
Now, scientists who are still working on part of a breeding herd (the technology is
the project believe that these hidden bits of embedded in genetic material and thus gets
technology are the key to fixing the time-travel passed along to some offspring). However,
failure. They continue to search for, breed, and it’s hard to tell which dinosaurs do and don’t
study dinosaurs with this technology in an have it without special training or devices
attempt to expand their understanding of it and (and most scientists won’t tell the PCs the
hopefully figure out how to use it to fix time story behind what they’re searching for, either
travel ahead of the asteroid’s arrival. because they’re loyal to SATI or because they
don’t actually know).
WHAT’S THE TRUTH? • It’s not unusual to encounter people who
Even when time travel was still operational, are searching for “treasure dinosaurs,” but It’s unknown whether
SATI’s purpose was shrouded in mystery. It’s the majority of them don’t actually know SATI was sending people
likely even more so now. This provides you with what they’re doing. Much like a gold rush, to other time periods as
a great opportunity to come up with alternative people hear about dinosaurs with treasures well. That information
truths about SATI’s arrival in Grevakc, as well as inside them, and go out hunting. More often was reserved for those
than not, they’re incredibly disappointed even higher-ranked than
for the subsequent failure of time travel.
SATI-As.
Alien Technology: This is the most common when they cut open dinosaurs to find
theory, and the one that SATI-As were told. nothing “treasure like” inside them. PCs may
Alternate Timeline: Grevakc is an alternate occasionally come upon stacks of dinosaurs
timeline. It isn’t Earth, but Earth C. There are that have been split open and left. This is
other Grevakc timelines—A, B, D, and so on— almost always the work of treasure hunters
one or more of which might be accessible from who don’t know what they’re doing.
Grevakc. • PCs who become in the know about SATI’s
No Return: Commuters were sent back to goals and the alien technology might want
mine and “ship” back raw genetic materials to get involved in other ways—using their
through time in order to fill SATI’s pockets. But science and technology skills to further It is a common truism
SATI never planned to bring the commuters advance their understanding of the alien tech that those who know the
back, due to inherent dangers in contamination. and of time travel, and help other scientists least about SATI’s real
The company knew everything would be wiped work toward the end goal of repairing time goal will talk the most.
out by the asteroid, leaving no evidence. travel. Or they may decide to go the opposite
Not an Accident: SATI got wind of something route, helping the Butterflies and other
that spooked them, and they purposefully caused resistance organizations stop the work of
the Last Commute to protect the future. Or a SATI’s scientists.
rival company infiltrated SATI and found a way
to close down time travel. Or, possibly, the Last
Commute was a great way to keep everyone
trapped in Grevakc, but SATI is still keeping an
eye on or a connection with one or two SATI-As
through a hidden loophole.
There Is No Future: The Last Commute
was triggered by some type of catastrophe that
originated in Grevakc and traveled to the future.
Contamination. Alien technology or weapons. A
superbug. Whatever it was, it wiped out Earth of
the future. Now Grevakc is all that is left.

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GM INTRUSIONS
GM intrusions are interesting moments designed to complicate the characters’ lives. They’re an
opportunity for the GM to introduce an unexpected difficulty or experience, and then ask, “Now
GM Intrusion,
page 219
what do you do?” For additional information on GM intrusions, see the Cypher System Rulebook.
Here you’ll find a list of sample GM intrusions designed for Predation. They’re by no means
comprehensive, so feel free to create your own. Or you can roll a d20 on one of the tables below
for a quick and easy GM intrusion.
Remember: when you give a player a GM intrusion, they get 2 XP, one to keep and one to give
away to another player (ideally for a good reason—perhaps their plan saved the group, perhaps
they stepped right into the line of fire to protect the other characters, or maybe they just told the
perfect story to keep everyone’s spirits up).
When giving a GM intrusion to companions, you can give 2 XP to the player who owns the
companion (and they can pass out the second XP as they see fit), or you could give 1 XP to the
owner and 1 XP to the player running the companion, since the two of them will need to work
together to solve the complication. It’s up to you as the GM to decide, but the rule should be
consistent. For example, don’t give 2 XP to the owner in the first companion GM intrusion and
later give 1 XP to each of the players in the next companion GM intrusion.
PREDATION GM INTRUSIONS
1 One or more of the characters steps forward and hears the sound of an eggshell
crunching underfoot. A moment later, there are the sounds of branches breaking
nearby.
2 A pterosaur swooping overhead drops its prey accidentally; the still-living creature
comes tumbling down toward the group.
3 An unseen geyser suddenly erupts underneath the feet of one or more characters.
4 A young ankylosaur comes running around the corner, heading right for the group. It
has the word HELP written on its side in neon paint.
5 The sudden activation of a device startles any nearby dinosaurs.
6 The character takes a step forward, activating a hidden dinosaur trap.
7 One or more of the characters realizes that something or someone has been stalking
them, possibly for quite a while, and whatever it is is getting closer.
8 While the characters are in the middle of an interaction, a seemingly random dinosaur
or individual interrupts it with a savage attack.
9 An NPC’s human or animal companion suddenly seems very suspicious of the
character and begins to act accordingly.
10 The dinosaur that the characters are fighting releases a loud call, seemingly to request
assistance. Mere seconds later, two more dinosaurs appear.
11 While the characters are fighting or interacting with NPCs, a time anomaly opens up
suddenly between them.
12 During an interaction, an NPC begins to talk about their favorite conspiracy theory
about the future at length and in far too much detail.
13 A nearby lab (one that the characters may or may not even know is there) suddenly
explodes, sending shrapnel, liquids, and other debris into the air around them.
14 An NPC’s companion suddenly shows up and engages with one of the PCs. The
companion’s action might be an attack, a nuzzle, a charge, or something else.
15 The characters are suddenly caught in the middle of a dinosaur stampede.
16 A previously hidden door opens and two NPCs suddenly step out, carrying some type
of creature inside a cage.

RUNNING PREDAtION
17 A bag filled with something heavy tumbles out of the trees or tall structure overhead,
quickly falling down toward the characters below.
18 A bit of swampy or wet ground turns out to be a potentially deadly mudpit.
19 A time terror appears, separating the characters from each other. Time terror, page 74
20 One or more well-armed SATI guards show up, believing the characters to be covert
Butterfly agents.
COMPANION GM INTRUSIONS
1 One or more of the companions are suddenly nowhere to be found and aren’t
responding to calls or commands.
2 A companion steps on something sharp, doing damage to one or more of its feet, and
causing it to limp.
3 A companion’s armor, equipment, or technology malfunctions. The difficulty of all of
its actions is increased by one step until someone takes three rounds to enact a hasty,
makeshift repair.
4 During combat, a companion accidentally knocks one or more of the characters prone
with its body, tail, or neck.
5 A sudden noise causes some or all of the companions in the vicinity to startle and start
to flee.
6 In the middle of combat, the companion seems to recognize the creature or person
that it’s fighting, and refuses to attack them.
7 A loud roar or coo from another dinosaur is heard nearby, and it distracts one of the
PC’s companions from its current action.
8 A trap is sprung, and one of the companions gets caught in it.
9 The PC’s companion misunderstands or mishears a request and does the exact
opposite of what was asked of it.
10 A creature or person appears that seems to make one or more of the companions
particularly wary or nervous.
11 Two or more of the companions start interacting with each other in a way that makes a
lot of noise and is likely to draw attention.
12 A companion starts acting suspicious about something that the characters can’t
hear, see, or smell. The companion won’t stop or leave until the character spends two
rounds calming it down (or the issue itself is dealt with).
13 While the characters were busy doing other things, one of the companions got hungry
(or bored) and chewed up an important object (or ate all of the rations).
14 A companion knocks into a campfire, some combustible lab equipment, or a nearby
lava stream and lights its surroundings on fire.
15 A companion attempts to go through a door, tunnel, or other too-small space and gets
stuck.
16 A companion returns from a task carrying an unexpected object or living thing in its
mouth.
17 During an intense interaction between two or more characters, one of the companions
interrupts, perhaps in an attempt to defuse tensions (or perhaps just as a blunder).
18 One of the companions grabs an important object and runs off with it.
19 The companion’s upgrades start malfunctioning—perhaps its lasers are misfiring or its
cybernetic wings stop working—at the worst possible moment.
20 The companion meets a new friend or mate, and is reluctant to continue on without
them.

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Chapter 15
CYPHERS, ARtIFACtS,
AND REMNANtS
C
yphers, artifacts, and remnants are IDENTIFYING AND
all remnants of the past—or, rather, USING CYPHERS
the future—that come through time It’s possible to identify the cyphers that a time
anomalies into the Cretaceous period. No anomaly carries prior to entering the anomaly.
one is entirely sure how or why this happens. This is an Intellect-based task equal to the time
Is it a sign that the future is still out there, anomaly level. When cyphers are pre-identified,
somewhere, attempting to reconnect with the characters may attempt to choose which
those stuck in this time? Or have the objects cyphers embed themselves in their DNA.
Time anomaly, page 74 themselves been stuck in some kind of weird Sometimes characters may walk into a time
time loop ever since the Last Commute and are anomaly without realizing it, or they may not
Rarely, an actual physical only now finding their way to Grevakc? There identify the cyphers beforehand. In this case,
object slips through a are many theories, but in the meantime, people the cyphers are embed at random. As soon
time anomaly, but these
are only too happy to put the objects that come as a cypher embeds in someone’s DNA, the
tend to be artifacts or
remnants rather than their way to good use. information becomes available to them. There
cyphers. is no need for a further roll or task to identify it.
Once a cypher is embedded in the PC’s
CYPHERS DNA, they can choose to use it at any time.
In Predation, cypher The vestigial remnants of far-future technologies, Cyphers lie dormant in the character’s DNA
levels are always sciences, and information storage systems that until they are activated by the user or purged
determined by the level have slipped through (or perhaps continue to (either via another cypher, a lab, or a special
of the time anomaly. slip through) the timespace closure via time device). Using a cypher is as simple (and as
Thus, a cypher’s “given”
anomalies, cyphers are bits of information that hard) as asking your body to activate it. The
level (1d6 or 1d6+3, for
example) is typically
have been encoded for digital preservation same way that you ask your hand to pick up a
used only in unusual inside human DNA. pencil, PCs ask their body to extract and use the
circumstances, such as To gain cyphers, characters just need to walk information stored in their DNA.
when an NPC has a into or through a time anomaly. The cyphers Most of the time, the results of a cypher
cypher. will fill all available space in the character’s occur as a response within the user’s body—a
DNA. A time anomaly will provide cyphers to healing cypher releases information or
each character only once. It’s believed that this antibiotics into their tissue, allowing them to
has something to do with the way in which time quickly feel better. A knowledge cypher could
anomalies interact with an individual’s DNA. work in any number of ways: delivering specific
Some devices may disguise a character’s DNA, information right to the user, increasing blood
allowing them to “fool” the time anomaly into flow to the brain for improved cognition, or
giving them cyphers more than once. even releasing someone else’s memory that
Cypher levels are determined by the time provides necessary information.
anomaly level. For example, a level 3 time It’s also possible to share the effect of some
anomaly carries level 3 cyphers, while a level cyphers with others by physically touching (or
9 time anomaly carries level 9 cyphers. The being close to) another living creature or object.
majority of anomalies are levels 3 through 6, These typically require an action to activate, but
A cypher that has
and last anywhere from a few minutes to an the result is instantaneous.
manifested into physical
form (outside of the hour. Rarely, an anomaly will last for several In other cases, the information stored in the PC’s
user’s DNA) does not days. Once a time anomaly closes, it’s no DNA actually manifests itself in a physical form,
count toward their cypher longer possible to access any cyphers it may using a technique known as programmable matter
limit. have carried. (PM). In short, the cypher contains the blueprint

CyPHERS, ARtIFACtS,
AND REMNANtS
of the object to be created, and when energy is CYPHER LIST A

applied to said blueprint by the user, it essentially
1 Aglow
turns into a 4D printer, creating a physical object
outside of the user’s body. These typically require 2 Allopoiesis
an action to create the manifestation of the object. 3 Autopoiesis
For example, let’s say a character has a 4 Biological plait
manifest cypher called a flame-retardant wall. Flame-retardant wall,
The cypher is embedded in their DNA until they 5 Companion connector page 350
manifest it. It takes them one action to manifest 6 Cypher purge
it, and then the cypher works (hopefully) as it 7 Data hack
normally would. For most cyphers, the act of
8 Delineator
manifestation and activation are the same, and
together require a single action. 9 Dinoflesh
Cyphers that are embedded in the character’s 10 Dinosenses
DNA typically may not be traded (except via
special devices or medical procedures).
CYPHER LIST B
GMs may choose from any of the cyphers in 4D printing and
the Cypher System Rulebook, or from the cyphers 1 DNA splicer programmable matter
specifically created for Predation. When thinking 2 Ecdysis are both things that
about and handing out cyphers, it’s important many PCs—especially
3 Gifted healing Tecs—would know about
to remember that cyphers have a scientific, not
4 Growth hormone and understand. While
magical, basis. This means that some cyphers those aren’t common
might not make sense without a small tweak to 5 Hold manifest
technologies in Grevakc,
the wording about origin or usage. 6 Kinetic harness they do exist.
7 Levity
NEW CYPHERS
To choose cyphers at random, first roll a d6 to 8 Lookaway
figure out which table you should roll on, and 9 Manifestation
then roll a d10 on that table. 10 Memento thief
1–2 Cypher List A
CYPHER LIST C
3–4 Cypher List B
1 Miragefilm
5–6 Cypher List C
2 Nescium
You can also choose cyphers from the Cypher 3 Phantasm
System Rulebook, page 340. 4 Retina scanner
5 Salvation
6 Simulation
7 Solar reviver
8 Stigmergic
9 Syrinx
10 Timeseeker

163
Predation
PREDATION CYPHERS BIOLOGICAL PLAIT

Level: 1d6 + 2
AGLOW Effect: Once activated, it releases a biological
Level: 1d6 compound that weaves itself into the user’s
Effect: Temporarily alters the user’s genetic blood, brain, and musculature, causing one
material with fluorescent proteins, causing of the following effects:
the user to glow with a bioluminescent Roll Effect
light that illuminates the surrounding area
01–04 Allows the user to see in the dark
(within close range) as if it were daylight.
for one hour
The effect lasts one hour.
05–08 Allows the user to be trained in a
Autopoiesis is Greek ALLOPOIESIS skill of their choice for one hour
for self-creation, while Level: 1d6 (one in which they are not currently
allopoiesis means other- Effect: Activates a molecular nanotechnology trained or specialized)
creation.
operation that creates “something from 09–12 Increases Might Pool by 5 for one hour
almost nothing.” The effect is fairly small
13–16 Increases Speed Pool by 5 for one hour
and must make sense in terms of the
molecular transition. Water can be distilled 17–20 Increases Intellect Pool by 5 for one hour
from moist air, fire can be created from a 21–25 Restores a number of Might Pool
warm spot and air, or a tiny device can be points equal to cypher level
created from metal shavings. 26–30 Restores a number of Speed Pool
points equal to cypher level
AUTOPOIESIS
31–35 Restores a number of Intellect Pool
Level: 1d6
points equal to cypher level
Effect: Actives a molecular nanotechnology
operation inside the body that regenerates 36–45 Increases Might Edge by 1 for one hour
or renews a body part or organ. Can replace 46–55 Increases Speed Edge by 1 for one hour
up to a single limb, restore up to 10 points
56–65 Increases Intellect Edge by 1 for one hour
to a Pool, or move the user one step up the
damage track (user’s choice). The renewal 66–75 User gains an asset on Speed
process takes ten minutes, during which defense for one hour
the user must remain at rest for maximum 76–85 User gains an asset on initiative for
effect. one hour
86–95 User gains an asset on all
interaction tasks for one hour
CYPHER MALFUNCTIONS 96–00 User gains an asset on all dinosaur-
Occasionally a bit of information that related tasks for one hour
comes through the time anomalies might
be corrupted, or it might not properly
implant into someone’s DNA. When this COMPANION CONNECTOR
happens, the cypher could malfunction Level: 1d6 + 2
upon activation, either having no effect or Effect: Creates a temporary telepathic bond
producing an effect other than what it is between you and a willing nonhuman creature
designed to do. These cypher malfunctions that you choose. The connector allows you
are commonly called timefuckeries. to communicate mentally anything that you
Rarely, a cypher gets “stuck” inside a would normally be able to communicate with
user’s DNA, meaning that not only does words, sounds, or action. The user must
it not activate, it also doesn’t disperse. touch the creature (as an action) to activate
When this occurs, the cypher must be the connection. The connection breaks if the
removed manually via a procedure known user and creature are more than a mile apart
as extraction. The procedure is fairly or once 24 hours have passed.
uncomplicated, if you have the proper lab
setup and equipment. It can be hired out, CYPHER PURGE
but can be expensive, costing between 1 and Level: 1d6
2 SATI tokens and an hour or so of time. Effect: Allows the user to purge all remaining
cyphers from their DNA without activating
them. This effect is permanent and the
purged cyphers cannot be recovered.

CyPHERS, ARtIFACtS,
AND REMNANtS
DATA HACK DINOFLESH

Level: 1d6 Level: 1d6 + 2
Effect: A user activates the device by pressing Effect: Changes the user’s flesh at a molecular
their wrist against the device that they wish level to take on the properties of dinosaur
to hack into. The cypher sends a small flesh. The thick skin offers +1 to Armor,
series of codes through their skin into the as well as camouflage when among other
device, and then pulls information about dinosaurs (making the user one step more
a determined skill into their mind. They difficult for dinosaurs to detect and giving
become trained in that skill for a number of them an asset on surprise and Initiative).
hours equal to the cypher level. If the user Dinoflesh lasts for one hour.
is already trained in that skill, they become
specialized instead. DINOSENSES
When the data hack cypher is embedded, the Level: 1d6
GM can choose a skill or roll a d20 to Effect: Alters the user’s senses to provide them
determine the skill(s) randomly. with enhanced sight, smell, and hearing,
1 Aeternology particularly as it pertains to dinosaurs.
For one hour, they have an asset on all
2 Animal training
tasks involving studying, understanding,
3 Archeology and communicating with dinosaurs (and
4 Astronomy dinosaur-like creatures).
5 Balancing
DNA SPLICER
6 Bioengineering Level: 1d6
7 Biology and botany Effect: Allows the user to temporarily splice
8 Climbing and swimming their DNA, providing them with a one-time
opportunity to gain up to two more cyphers
9 Cybernetics
than they normally would be able to. The
10 Deceiving splice lasts for 24 hours, at which point the
11 Escaping and lockpicking body will randomly purge any cyphers over
the normal limit.
12 Geography and geology
13 Healing ECDYSIS
14 Identifying Level: 1d6 + 3
15 Intimidation Effect: Decreases the user’s Armor to 0 for
one round and transfers all of that energy
16 Paleogeography
into the user’s next attack, increasing the
17 Perception damage by the amount of Armor reduction.
18 Persuasion (So, if a user has Armor 3, the cypher
decreases the Armor to 0 and gives them
19 Riding
+3 damage on their next attack.)
20 Time anomalies
GIFTED HEALING
DELINEATOR Level: 1d6 + 2
Level: 1d6 + 2 Effect: Restores a number of points equal to
Effect: Creates a temporary map on the user’s the cypher level to another nonhuman
skin of the area that they are traveling creature’s health. The user must touch
through, for up to a mile or 24 hours, the creature (as an action) to activate the
whichever comes first. The user must cypher.
activate the cypher at the point in their
travels where they wish to start. The GROWTH HORMONE
map only details the places that the user Level: 1d6
encounters, and begins to erase itself after Effect: Causes a nonhuman living creature to
24 hours. grow to its full size and mature age within
24 hours. The user must touch the creature
(as an action) to activate the cypher.


165
Predation
HOLD MANIFEST cypher). The user must specify the memory

Level: 1d6 they’re looking for, or they will get a random
Effect: Stabilizes a manifest cypher’s matter, memory. The more important the moment
allowing it to hold its shape and effect was to the target, the more specific and
for up to one day. If the cypher isn’t used detailed the memory will be for the user.
by that time, the matter destabilizes and
returns to its prior state, rendering the MIRAGEFILM
cypher unusable. Level: 1d6
Effect: Creates a sensory film around you that
KINETIC HARNESS prevents you from being seen, heard, or
Level: 1d6 + 1 smelled by other humans within long range
Effect: Enables the user to harness energy for ten minutes. Has no effect on dinosaurs
gained from movement and move more or other nonhuman creatures.
rapidly. Once per round, whenever the user
moves on their action, they gain another NESCIUM
action that they must use right away. This Level: 1d6
action can be used only to move. The effect Effect: Wipes the user’s memory clean of
lasts for one hour. a recent error, stressful situation, or
otherwise negative experience, giving them
LEVITY a temporary feeling of euphoria. Adds 1 to
Level: 1d6 Intellect Edge for ten minutes. The memory
Effect: Alters the user’s physical body in a way typically does not return.
that decreases the pull of gravity upon
it by about one-third. While the cypher PHANTASM
is activated, the user takes no damage Level: 1d6
from falls and gains an asset on jumping, Effect: Creates a mirage around you that
climbing, riding, and other movement makes you appear as though you are the
tasks. nonhuman creature of your choice for ten
minutes. To all other living creatures who
LOOKAWAY can hear, see, and smell you, you sound,
Level: 1d6 +3 look, and smell like the creature you
Effect: Changes the light waves around a choose. Dissipates if you touch another
physical, non-living object that the user living creature or do anything that seems
is in physical contact with, causing the out of character for a nonhuman creature
object to seem invisible. Anyone who looks (such as picking a lock or shooting a gun).
in the direction of the object for too long
experiences an intense headache and a RETINA SCANNER
sense of dizziness. The object must be no Level: 1d10
bigger than something you could hold in Effect: Creates a temporary scanner in the
two hands. The effect breaks if the object user’s retina, allowing them to scan and
leaves the user’s touch. record everything within short range for one
round. While it does so, it conveys the level
MANIFESTATION and nature of all creatures, objects, and
Level: 1d6 energy sources it scanned. This information
Effect: Changes the appearance of a nonhuman can be accessed for one day after the scan.
creature. The change takes ten minutes to
apply and lasts for twenty-four hours. The SALVATION
user must touch the creature (as an action) Level: 1d6 + 2
to activate the cypher. Effect: Allows the user to transfer points from
their Might Pool to another creature’s Might
MEMENTO THIEF Pool (or health). The user can’t reduce
Level: 1d6 + 3 their Might Pool below 1, and the receiving
Effect: The user can capture, decode, and creature can’t raise its Might Pool or health
interpret the brain signals of another living above its normal maximum. The user must
being within long range in order to gain touch the receiving creature (as an action)
access to a specific memory. The target to activate the cypher.
doesn’t need to be willing (although actively
resisting will make it harder to use the

CyPHERS, ARtIFACtS,
AND REMNANtS
SIMULATION up on pheromones, signs, and other bits

Level: 1d6 + 1 of telltale information left behind by living
Effect: Creates a virtual reality simulation for creatures in the area. You can also access
the user of a task that they are about to any pertinent information from up to two
embark upon. If the user spends an action willing allies regarding this information
going through the simulation, they gain an (for example, if your companion smelled
asset on that task for the next ten minutes. something that was outside of your
If the user spends ten minutes going olfactory range or if your friend noticed
through the simulation, they gain an asset something subconsciously). The GM
on that task for the next day. (The user decides whether or not the willing allies
must choose one task upon activation.) noticed anything of significance.
SOLAR REVIVER SYRINX

Level: 1d6 Level: 1d6
Effect: Turns a 3 inch x 3 inch (8 cm x 8 cm) Effect: Alters the user’s voice box, allowing them
section of the user’s skin into a high-powered to perfectly mimic the songs, coos, roars,
solar panel. If that section is exposed to direct snuffles, and other sounds of any creature
sunlight for one hour, it captures and stores they hear while the cypher is active. Provides
enough solar energy to repower or repair an asset to all interaction tasks, including
one artifact that has stopped working. The deception, communication, and training
user must hold their skin against the device with those creatures. Lasts for one hour.
for one action in an attempt to transfer the
energy. Not all artifacts can be revived this TIMESEEKER
way, but if the activation is successful, the Level: 1d6 + 3
artifact works as it originally did with its Effect: Allows you to sense the presence of time
original depletion rate. anomalies within a 1-mile (1.6 km) radius. You
can pinpoint the location of any current time
STIGMERGIC anomalies in the area, learn their levels, and
Level: 1d6 + 4 gain a rough estimate (within a few minutes)
Effect: For ten minutes, you are able to pick of how long each will last. Lasts for one day.

167
Predation
ARTIFACTS identify an artifact, they can bring it to an expert

Not all artifacts from An artifact is an object that arrives, intact and to be identified or, if desired, traded or sold.
the future arrive in a still functioning, via a time anomaly or that Characters can attempt to use an artifact
functional state. Some was brought back in time by a commuter. that has not been identified, which is usually an
come back broken and Artifacts are extremely rare, appearing in less Intellect task equal to the artifact’s level + 2.
non-functioning, but still
than one out of every dozen or so anomalies. Failure might mean that the PCs can’t figure
recognizable. Guns, in
particular, seem to take It’s believed that these items were developed by out how to use the artifact, that they use it
time travel particularly SATI (or SATI subcontractors) for use by early incorrectly, or that it surprises the PCs and does
hard. commuters, so many of them are designed with what it is supposed to do.
the landscape, creatures, weather, and elements Once an artifact is identified, using it for the
of the Cretaceous in mind. This makes them first time might require an additional Intellect
more useful than they might seem at first. action. Sometimes the process is obvious—there’s
Artifacts take many forms. Most often, a simple button to push, a trigger to pull, or
they’re weapons, tools, armor, or equipment. something else. Other times, the process is more
Occasionally, they are less recognizable (at least complex and might involve entering a password,
at first), but are still useful and powerful. using a fingerprint smart lock, or manipulating
Artifacts are typically the Other people in the world carry artifacts that touchscreens. The GM sets the difficulty, but it is
same level as the time they’ve found in time anomalies or that they usually equal to the artifact’s level.
anomaly that carries purchased, stole, or inherited from an original
them. commuter. Once an artifact is in someone’s hands, NEW ARTIFACTS
it’s hard to convince them to let go of it easily (or To choose artifacts at random, first roll a d6 to
cheaply). Many people who come into possession figure out which table you should roll on, and
Scraps and parts of of an artifact attempt to hide its true nature by then roll a d10 on that table.
artifacts appear perhaps giving it a makeover (removing the SATI symbol, 1–2 Artifact List A
twice as often as artifacts. repainting it, or otherwise altering its appearance).
Since the material can 3–4 Artifact List B
Most artifacts have limited lives, sometimes
be useful in crafting 5–6 Artifact List C
due to the effects of traveling through time
other items, these pieces
and parts are worth anomalies, other times due to the lack of
additional power sources or replacement ARTIFACT LIST A
a small amount of
money, but aren’t large hardware. They’ve been known to backfire 1 Antigrav heels
or functional enough to spectacularly when those lives are up. Sometimes 2 Bibliotheca
become artifacts in and this means an artifact will simply stop working,
of themselves. probably when you need it most. Other times, 3 Bone talker
it will produce one final, dramatic (and often 4 Caleosuit
unexpected) result before it goes quiet forever. 5 Crescendo cannon
Depleted artifacts can sometimes be
6 Cypher storage container
Repair, page 217 repowered, possibly by using the repair rules,
but to do so requires in-depth knowledge of the 7 Dragonbreath
technology and access to a new power source. 8 Far-reaching acoustic device (FRAD)
One popular way of repowering artifacts is to 9 Fingerprint thief
find someone to alter the existing power source
to solar, wind, or electrokinetic power. 10 Friend shield
IDENTIFYING AND ARTIFACT LIST B

USING ARTIFACTS 1 Fullerene wings
Unlike cyphers, which are essentially their own 2 Gravity truck
A large number of guidebook and require no identification once
3 Harsh trainer
artifacts bear SATI’s they find their way into the user’s DNA, artifacts
nautilus icon, implying are a little trickier. They’re likely an object that 4 Hyperstealth cloak
that they were created the characters have no experience with, and 5 Lava dancers
and designed by SATI at
probably have never even seen before. 6 Microbial mood ring
some point in the future.
SATI officials (or those Once the characters find an artifact,
identifying it is a separate Intellect task, 7 Osteoscan
who claim to be officials)
have been known to try modified by a knowledge of technology, science, 8 Pain ray
to confiscate artifacts or other appropriate topics. The GM sets the 9 Pterodrone
with the symbols, difficulty of the task, but it is usually equal to
claiming them as the 10 Regenerator
the artifact’s level. Identifying it takes between
property of SATI. fifteen minutes and three hours. If the PCs can’t

CyPHERS, ARtIFACtS,
AND REMNANtS
ARTIFACT LIST C
BONE TALKER
1 Shockwall Level: 1d6 + 5
2 Sky map Form: Tiny neural transmitter and bone-
conductive device
3 Succor suit
Effect: These two devices must be embedded
4 Third eye into the users’ bodies through a surgical
5 Trapper/Keeper procedure. The procedure takes about
6 Utility fog an hour in a skilled tec’s hands. When
one person has the neural transmitter
7 Vitiator Bone talker GM
implanted in their head and the other has
8 Volcanic predictor the bone-conduction device implanted intrusion suggestion:
Bone talkers sometimes
9 Wayback display in their ear, the person wearing the
misfire, acting as more
conduction device can hear the other general scanners, picking
10 Weapon mount
person’s thoughts as if they were speech. up unexpected thoughts
Works within a radius of 1 mile (1.6 km). from people in long
PREDATION Depletion: — range.
ARTIFACTS
There are many more artifacts that were CALEOSUIT
created by SATI (and possibly others) in Level: 1d6 + 1
the future than the ones that are described Form: Tiny metal strip that attaches
here. The following is a good place to start, permanently to armor
but feel free to get creative with the possible Effect: When the device in the strip reads that
artifacts afforded by the technologies and the temperature of the ground or air is
techniques of the future. If the technology approaching dangerous levels, it creates a
existed and the device could have been heat shield around the user. The heat shield
useful to someone traveling back to the protects the wearer against temperatures of
Cretaceous period, then SATI probably up to 1,250 degrees F (677 degrees C).
attempted to manufacture it. Depletion: 1 in 1d20
ANTIGRAV HEELS CRESCENDO CANNON

Level: 1d6 Level: 1d6 + 2
Form: Pair of small disks that attach Form: Small gunlike device
permanently to boots or shoes Effect: Shoots a contained mixture of liquefied
Effect: The discs help minimize gravity enough petroleum, gas, and air up to 50 feet (15
to make jumping and running easier. m) that detonates on impact and creates
When attached, they are considered an asset on an explosion of sound that stuns everyone
jumping and running. within short range for one round, making
Depletion: — (or if the armor they’re attached them lose their next action. Anyone in
to is replaced) immediate range of the explosion also takes
2 points of damage.
BIBLIOTHECA Depletion: 1 in 1d20
Level: 1d6 + 4
Form: Small disk that embeds beneath the skin CYPHER STORAGE
Effect: Allows the user to choose a new “digital CONTAINER
book” each day that is instantly downloaded Level: 1d6 + 4
into their brain, giving them an asset on Form: Vial on a string, ring with hollow pocket,
the book’s topic for 24 hours. Bibliothecas small cube
were designed by SATI as resources for Effect: Holds a spliced DNA sample in stasis,
commuters, so the books inside it are allowing it to store up to two cyphers at a
focused on physical skills, science, details time. The cyphers can be transferred into
about the Cretaceous, and additional the storage container directly from a time
resources. They don’t carry any information anomaly or from a user’s DNA. Cyphers
about the future or about things SATI may be identified while held in stasis, but
wouldn’t have wanted commuters to know. not activated. While the cyphers are in the
You and your GM should work out the storage container, they do not count against
details of what topics you can and can’t the user’s limit.
access. Depletion: 1 in 1d20 (check every time a cypher
Depletion: 1 in 1d100 is transferred into or out of the container)

169
Predation
DRAGONBREATH time. Requires a running start and a fairly

Those who enjoy using Level: 1d6 high elevation (or cybernetic limbs) in order
dragonbreath artifacts Form: Long-range projector to ensure a safe takeoff.
on a regular basis often Effect: Creates a chemical reaction that causes Depletion: 1 in 1d100
create devices or systems
a cone of flame to shoot out in an arc over
for remotely activating
the weapon. Heat-proof a long distance. Does damage equal to GRAVITY TRUCK
gloves are also a good the artifact’s level to anything it touches. Level: 1d10
option. Holding the projector also does 1 point of Form: Small folded mass of material and
Might damage to the user for each attack. electronics
Depletion: 1 in 1d20 Effect: When unfolded and activated (which
takes ten minutes), the gravity truck can
FAR-REACHING ACOUSTIC be tucked under a heavy object or living
DEVICE (FRAD) creature to decrease its weight by half
Level: 1d6 + 2 for 24 hours. If desired, the device can
Form: Sonic projectile device that fits in the be overclocked to decrease the weight to
palm almost nothing, but this lasts only for 30
Effect: Shoots beams of sound waves that can minutes and depletes the artifact.
be heard up to 1,000 feet (300 meters) Depletion: 1 in 1d20
away. The user can record a message or
send a series of warning tones. The sound HARSH TRAINER
carries much farther and more clearly Level: 1d6 + 2
than most amplification options. It can be Form: Extending flexible rod with a small knob
sent to everyone in the area, or up to two at the tip
designated individuals who can hear the Effect: When activated and touched against
sound (while others cannot). a living creature, the device saps the will
Depletion: 1 in 1d100 of the creature. All of its Intellect defense
tasks are one step more difficult, as are
FINGERPRINT THIEF all actions involving seeing through lies,
Level: 1d6 + 4 resisting urges, and other similar tasks.
Form: Single glove, strip of semitransparent Creatures are affected for one hour.
material, microfoam shape Depletion: 1 in 1d20
Effect: When pressed against a person’s finger
for a minute, the device captures and stores HYPERSTEALTH CLOAK
a single fingerprint to a fine enough detail Level: 1d6
that the replica print can be used to open Form: Lightweight cloak, wrap, or coveralls
fingerprint smart locks. Can capture and Effect: When worn and activated, bends light
store only one fingerprint at a time, but can around the wearer, rendering them nearly
be written over with a new fingerprint at any invisible. This effect reduces the difficulty
time. of actions involving sneaking, hiding, and
Depletion: 1 in 1d20 surprise by two steps.
Depletion: 1 in 1d100
FRIEND SHIELD
Level: 1 LAVA DANCERS
Form: Wristband, glove, or handheld device Level: 1d6 + 2
Effect: When aimed at a living creature and Form: Translucent covers for footwear
activated, the device creates an energy Effect: When worn over footwear, lava dancers
Fullerene is a high
field around that creature. The energy field automatically deploy beams of electricity
strength-to-weight
material that was functions as a shield around that creature, that temporarily extinguish fire and
common in the future, providing +1 to Armor for one hour. heat within immediate range. Anyone
but is hard to come by in Depletion: 1 in 1d20 wearing these can stride quickly across
Grevakc. lavalike surfaces up to 1,000 degrees F
FULLERENE WINGS (540 degrees C) without sinking into the
Fullerene wings can Level: 1d10 lava or getting burned. Standing still is
be attached to small
Form: Light, foldable wings made of fullerene not recommended and may result in fire
non-human creatures up
to 150 pounds (68 kg),
or some other high strength-to-weight damage.
but they’re designed for material Depletion: —
humans, so the fit is likely Effect: Allows the user to fly at speeds of up
to be less than perfect. to 100 mph (160 kph) for ten minutes at a

CyPHERS, ARtIFACtS,
AND REMNANtS
MICROBIAL MOOD RING track, while wearers who were dead gain +1
Level: 1d6 + 3 to each of their Pools.
Form: Color-changing ring, necklace, or bracelet Depletion: 1-2 in 1d6
Effect: Reads the bacteria in your gut and
changes colors when you encounter SHOCKWALL
an environment or hazard that might Level: 1d6 + 3
negatively affect you. Form: Round device with three legs that tripod
Colors include red (heat); green (poison, out and a remote device
particles, or pollution); yellow (low oxygen); Effect: Upon remote activation, launches a
and so on. series of electrified probes that form a nearly
Depletion: — invisible shock wall 20 feet (6 m) long and
6 feet (2 m) high. Delivers a high-energy,
OSTEOSCAN non-lethal shock to anything that attempts
Level: 1d6 to cross the wall, doing 2 points of damage
Form: Handheld scanner and stunning living creatures for one round. Stunned characters lose
Effect: Allows you to scan the bones of living The shock wall lasts for ten minutes or until their turn (but can still
or dead creatures (within short range) and it has delivered 6 points of damage. defend against attacks
normally).
learn a great deal about them, including what Depletion: 1 in 1d6
type of creature they are, their level, whether
they have any illnesses or weak spots, and SKY MAP
anything else the GM deems reasonable. Level: 1d6 + 2
Depletion: 1 in 1d100 Form: Glasses, visor, ocular upgrade, flexible
display
PAIN RAY Effect: Provides an integrated augmented reality
Level: 1d6 + 4 map of the night sky. Allows the user to scout
Form: Energy weapon for and mark specific stars, constellations,
Effect: Projects a focused beam of electromagnetic asteroids, and planets with simple eye
waves at a target in long range. Upon tracking. When used, provides an asset on
impact with a living target, it heats up the all tasks involving predicting the weather,
water and molecules in the target’s skin, navigating the world, and astronomy.
doing damage equal to the artifact’s level. Depletion: —
SUCCOR SUIT
PTERODRONE Level: 1d6
Level: 1d6 + 5 Form: Full-body jumpsuit or overlayer
Form: Tiny device with camera and sensor Effect: These clothes keep the wearer’s
Effect: When activated, the device unfolds body temperature at the same level as
into the size and shape of a pterosaur. It their surroundings. This keeps the user
can soar, guide, and fly under the remote comfortable and makes them invisible to
control of a user up to a mile away. Records creatures or automatons that use heat
and projects images directly into the skin of sources to sense (such as infrared vision).
the user as commanded. Depletion: —
Depletion: 1 in 1d20 (check each day of use)
THIRD EYE
REGENERATOR Level: 1d6
Level: 1d6 + 5 Form: Synthetic or cybernetic eyeball
Form: Full-body jumpsuit, body bag, or Effect: To activate this device, the user must
overlayer press it into their empty eye socket and
Effect: This contraption wraps the wearer’s hold it there for at least one minute while
body snugly right after death (or when near it connects to their optic nerves. Once it’s
death) to slow down the bodily functions, properly installed, the user can see through
allowing the body to stave off cellular it as if it were a normal eye, and can also
death. After ten minutes, someone else see in areas of darkness as if they were lit.
can activate the device at the top of the At any point, the user can use an action to
contraption, shocking the body inside to remove the eyeball from their head. They
bring it “back to life.” can continue to see through the device
Upon successful activation, wearers who are while they are within 1 mile (1.6 km) of it.
debilitated move one step up the damage Depletion: —

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Predation
TRAPPER/KEEPER VITIATOR
Level: 10 Level: 1d6 + 1
Form: Flexible, collapsible box or bag made of Form: Small device that attaches permanently
bulletproof material to a ranged weapon
Effect: When expanded, stores food and keeps Effect: The device analyzes the best place to
it fresh for up to one week at a time. strike a foe for maximum damage and
The device is self-sealing, buoyant, and guides the user to aim for that area. All
solar-powered, and keeps all food odors successful attacks using the weapon do +1
undetectable, even from dinosaurs and damage.
other creatures. Locks with a fingerscan Depletion: — (or when the weapon it’s attached
device and is very difficult (equal to its to is broken, sold, or stolen)
level) to cut, tear, or puncture.
Depletion: — VOLCANIC PREDICTOR
Level: 1d6
UTILITY FOG Form: Small box, bracelet, or sphere with
Level: 1d6 + 2 flexible, pop-up monitor
Form: Reusable canister, spray gun, lock box Effect: Accurately predicts volcanic eruptions
Effect: Releases swarms of tiny brain-computer up to 48 hours ahead of time within a
interface machines that fly through the air 2-mile (3 km) radius of the user. Gives
and interlock with robotic arms. The user can the user a readout of the location, the
create a neural connection with the external expected eruption level (on a scale of one
robots to allow for simple psychokinesis. The to ten), and the estimated time of eruption.
fog can be used to perform many physical Sometimes predicts earthquakes, time
tasks, such as throwing objects in the air, terrors, and other large storms, but is a
hovering over the ground, and moving an much less reliable source for those.
object on the other side of the room. Can Depletion: —
be used for living creatures and objects up
to 200 pounds (90 kg). Utility fog cannot
be seen or felt until it is activated via neural
interface. Lasts for one hour.
CREATING NEW CYPHERS AND ARTIFACTS FOR PREDATION

Between this book and the Cypher System Rulebook, there are a good selection of cyphers and
artifacts available that will work in Predation, but you’ll likely want to create your own items as
the game progresses.
For both cyphers and artifacts, you might start with future technologies and sciences.
A quick internet search will bring up all kinds of cool ideas for what our future might
hold. Military developments are, not surprisingly, a great resource for future weapons and
armor. Some other useful search terms include: cybernetics, organic light-emitting diodes,
picotechnology, femtotechnology, molecular nanotechnology, and so on.
Cyphers can be anything that makes sense in the setting, with big or small effects. Because
they’re only one-use, they can do something incredibly powerful and that’s okay—a cypher will
change only one encounter, not the entire story. Keeping them simple and giving them minor
effects can encourage PCs to use them more often, though (which is the real goal of having
cyphers in the game), so make sure to create cyphers that do both.
Artifacts, on the other hand, are trickier. Because they can be used multiple times, they have
the potential to change the game in big ways. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s something to be
aware of. A cypher that can kill a dinosaur in one shot is going to get players out of a single
bad encounter. An artifact that can do that means something entirely different. Be wary of
creating artifacts that provide tons of information, quick and easy travel, or tons of Armor. All
of these can decrease the fun of the game.
When assigning depletion, think about how many times you want a character to be able to
use the item. Once or twice? That’s 1 in 1d6. Possibly every fight for the rest of the campaign? 1
in 1d100. Everything else falls in the middle.

CyPHERS, ARtIFACtS,
AND REMNANtS
WAYBACK DISPLAY USING REMNANTS

Level: 1d6 IN THE GAME Weapon mounts can
Form: Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) Remnants can be used, traded, sold, or given also be attached to
display as gifts. Their value is around 1-2 nautils, but nonhuman creatures.
Effect: When held up in front of the user’s finding the right buyer—someone for whom a However, the surgical
procedure takes twice as
face, this display depicts the last major remnant has a high sentimental value—can be
long and the results are
activity that occurred in the area, even if it lucrative, bringing in as many as 20 nautils. not guaranteed.
happened days or years earlier. The effect
lasts for one minute per use.
Depletion: 1 in 1d6 REMNANT TABLE
When giving remnants to characters, either choose from this table, roll a
WEAPON MOUNT 1d20 for random remnants, or create something new.
Level: 1d6 + 3 Roll Remnant
Form: Thin mechanical or cybernetic arm
1 Colored plastic gem with a seashell inside
grafted to a person’s back
Effect: The mount must be surgically and 2 Small mechanical creature that wiggles in water
permanently attached (a task equal to the 3 Hand-painted prosthetic eye
artifact level). The procedure takes about
4 Small rearing horse carved from malachite
an hour in a skilled tec’s hands. Once
attached, the mount can hold a light or 5 Broken mug with MARS LANDING ’21 written on it in English
medium weapon, and the user can attack 6 Fake butterfly with a magnetic body
with that weapon as if they were wielding it. 7 Ripped piece of green paper with part of a face and the
Depletion: — number 20 in the corner
8 Tiny box that makes a random sound when a button is
REMNANTS pushed
Sometimes time anomalies spit out items that 9 Pin with a weird machine printed on it
have no apparent use. They’re not weapons. 10 Pastel egg that opens in the middle and is hollow inside
They don’t provide Armor. They don’t even taste
11 Small ceramic tray with two letters painted on it
good. Most people who live in Grevakc have
no context for these items—they are vestiges 12 A small metal disc with a face on one side
of a future that they never knew. Still-living 13 Small piece of amber with feathers trapped inside it
commuters, however, might recognize them as 14 Handful of tiny blocks that stack together
toys, objects, and other items from their former
15 Hollow rubber creature that squeaks when compressed
home in the 24th century. PCs might recognize
a remnant from stories or experiences of 16 Miniature plastic dinosaur that is brown and featherless
their childhood. Either way, people seem to 17 Hologram of a person making shapes with their hands
find them valuable, despite their lack of use,
18 Empty plastic box with the name Steven Eldrand written on
for sentimental reasons, curiosity, or just the
the side with marker
novelty of having one.
The remnants here are kept vague so that the 19 Piece of paper in a glass box with tiny footprints on it
GM can tailor them as needed. The size, color, 20 Glass jar filled with brightly colored beads
shape, and so on can be changed.
It’s important to be aware that players will
likely recognize many remnants right away
from their own lives in the 21st century. But
characters will not have the same context as
the players—not only will they likely not know
what each object was used for, they won’t know
the language we use to describe it either. For
these reasons, you might choose to describe
the remnant they find using sight, smell, feel,
and other descriptive words. Rather than saying
“You find a credit card,” say, “You find a small,
thin red rectangle with words and numbers
written on it.” It reminds players that they have
a context for the objects that their characters
don’t have.

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Predation
Chapter 16
ADVENtURE: PROMISED LAND
“P
Use GM intrusions romised Land” is an adventure SYNOPSIS
liberally, especially for for characters who are just The town of Bonehaven is well known for two
companions. This keeps starting out. It’s designed with things: dinosaur wrestling and a delicacy of
things interesting and
the assumption that characters will have their meat on a stick called dosan. Located along
ensures that players
don’t forget to interact
companions when the adventure begins. For the Chalk Road in the lower half of Laramidia,
with their companions. GMs who’d like to start the characters out Bonehaven began as a little roadside tent set up
See page 161 for a list of without their companions, there are tips in the by the entrepreneur couple, Camila and Aida, to
suggested GM intrusions Starting Without Companions section below. serve the needs of travelers on their way across
for companions, or use Although “Promised Land” is set in the town the continent. Bonehaven wasn’t the only
the ones suggested in the of Bonehaven and the surrounding areas, it supply store to crop up along the Chalk Road,
adventure. could easily be located in any small town within but it was perhaps the most unique. In addition
a day’s walk of a jungle (which is most towns, to buying and selling basic supplies and luxury
Chalk Road, page 92 as Grevakc is primarily jungle). Feel free to items, and providing temporary respite from
move it to a location that you’re already using if the elements, the couple offered a variety of
Laramidia, page 76
you want to add this adventure to the middle of entertainment options, the most popular of
Bonehaven, page 96 another campaign. which was trained dinosaur wrestling.
Now, mostly thanks to the dinowrestling,
Dinowrestling, page 97 Bonehaven is a bustling, burgeoning town.
BACKGROUND It’s not unusual to see a wide mix of travelers
The Genesix Fellowship is an organization and locals, dinosaur trainers and breeders,
within Grevakc that is not very well understood SATI members and Butterflies and even the
by most people. Those with only a passing occasional genesi, all standing together outside
Those who do not believe
acquaintance to the group are likely to write the of a ring, rooting for their favorite creature to
in the Fellowship or its
ways disparagingly call its members off as religious fanatics who ignore win a bout.
members Edenites. the evidence of dinosaurs right in front of them
while they search for their paradise, the fabled
For additional useful Garden of Eden. But that understanding is far STARTING WITHOUT
information, GMs should too simple, not to mention erroneous. The COMPANIONS
read through the section genesi are searching for the Garden of Eden If you’d like to run this adventure with a
on the Genesix Fellowship group of characters who haven’t yet gained
(which they call the Promised Land) but they’re
and its members their companions, you’ll probably want to
(Chapter 11: Groups and
doing so by using science and technology,
rather than just faith. decrease the number of creatures by one
Organizations, page 120).
Of course, their intense drive to prove the or more in combat scenarios. Characters
Have the creatures and existence of their holy space (and to finally with companions essentially double the
NPCs interact directly discover its location) means their ways aren’t numbers in any fight, so characters playing
with the companions. It’s always the most scrupulous. Some sects have solo will need a bit less of a challenge.
easy for companions to taken to buying, trapping, and even stealing Sprinkled throughout the adventure are
fall by the wayside when various opportunities for characters to gain
dinosaurs that they believe might carry the
they’re not being used companions. Use these liberally to provide
in combat, so don’t be
information that they seek.
the players with the opportunity to gain
afraid to encourage PCs
to use their companions their companions via these methods now
to interact with or in the future.
creatures, NPCs, and the
environment.

Bonehaven sits on one side of the Chalk

Road. On the other side is a long, thin stretch GETTING THE
of flat grassland (about 200 feet [60 m] across PCs INVOLVED
and running along the Chalk Road in either The player characters are already in Bonehaven
direction for about half a mile). On the far side when the adventure begins. It’s possible that
of the flat grassland is the Cerize Tangle, a they were raised there, in which case they likely It’s believed that Cerize
vast and unexplored jungle with one unusual know a great deal about the sport of dinosaur is a misspelling or
feature: much of its floor is covered with a rare wrestling and the surrounding culture. Or they alternative spelling of
type of red clay. may have arrived there recently in search of a Cerise, named for the
unusual red clay that
The PCs start in Bonehaven, where they’ve job or a temporary place to stay (Bonehaven
covers much of the jungle
either grown up or recently arrived. They may is known as a town that doesn’t ask questions floor.
or may not know each other well beforehand, and doesn’t look too hard at new faces, so it
but they have one local friend in common, a makes a perfect place for someone who wants
woman named Arturus. Arturus is well known to hide out from whatever demons might be Arturus: level 4; dinosaur
in town for her success in the sport of dinosaur chasing them). Alternatively, they might have training and interaction
wrestling. She currently owns and trains two just stopped on their way to somewhere else, as level 5; positive social
of the highest-ranked dinosaur wrestlers in the as Bonehaven is located along the Chalk Road, interactions as level 5;
carries a stun stick (which
area, as well as others that are up and coming. a wide stretch of mostly flat land that is well-
she will proudly say she
While spending the day with Arturus at a traveled by caravans, merchants, and others has never had to use)
wrestling bout, the player characters discover seeking a somewhat safe and quick route
that her champion wrestler—a bambiraptor across the continent.  Bambiraptor, page 135
named King Dexterous—has gone missing. She The PCs all know Arturus in some capacity.
is sure that a rival trainer has stolen it. They might be long-term friends, new For additional useful
As the characters begin to uncover the acquaintances, people who hope to do business information, GMs should
read through the section
mystery around the missing dinosaur, they with her (she occasionally sells dinosaurs from
on Bonehaven (see
start to realize there is something deeper, her breeding stock), or just wrestling fans page 96 in Chapter 9:
and possibly more sinister, at play here. who want to bask a little bit in her fame and Laramidia).
Their journey to help their friend recover her success. Maybe they just like to gamble, and
bambiraptor leads them on an unexpected dinowrestling is the perfect opportunity to do
journey through the jungle and into the depths that.
of Grevakc. There, they discover something far Whatever the extent of the characters’
more complex than they might have imagined. relationships with her and with dinowrestling
DINOWRESTLING
Dinowrestling is a sport between trained dinosaurs. This isn’t a fight to the death—although
that happens occasionally and is almost always an accident—but a fight to submission. The
dinosaurs are carefully vetted for health, trained by their owners, and sorted into ranks by type
and size.
It’s most common for spectators to make bets in nautils, but they may also bet supplies,
dinosaurs, technology, and pretty much anything and everything else that someone else might
want. Dinowrestling is a popular pastime throughout Grevakc, but Bonehaven claims to be the
original location of it as an organized sport.
For additional information on dinosaur wrestling, see page 97.

175
Predation
ranked sauropods—named The Preacher and

Theodorable—compete against each other.
Both have solid reputations—The Preacher
wins more often than Theodorable, but the
whispers are that The Preacher is getting on in
years and that one of these fights will soon be
her last.
Any players with an interest in gambling will
find that there’s plenty of opportunity to place
their bets ahead of time. Brokers are always
open to taking bets on dinowrestling. They
walk through the crowd, right before each bout
begins, collecting nautils and writing people’s
bets on small pieces of paper.
A typical bet is 2 nautils. A large bet is 5 or
more nautils. The payout for the underdog is
typically 3 to 1, and is 1.5 to 1 for the favorite.
If someone bets 2 nautils on the favorite and
wins, they get 3 nautils total, but if they bet 2
nautils on the underdog and win, they get 6
nautils. Losers get nothing.
The broker in the area near the PCs is a short,
stocky man with a shock of purple hair named
Alden. He has a tattoo of two T. rexes wrestling
on his forearm. He’s a friend of Arturus and is
The Preacher: level 4 (the players should establish these before the happy to take bets from her friends.
adventure begins), they’ve all agreed to spend Betting: The GM will want to roll the
Theodorable: level 4 the day cheering her and her dinosaurs on at dinowrestlers’ odds ahead of time. Roll 1d6 for
Goliath Flats, the large wrestling area on the each of the wrestlers. Whichever dinosaur gets
Nautils, page 60
west side of town. the higher number has the better chance of
Arturus is gregarious and warm, making winning.
creatures in her presence—both human and So, if The Preacher gets a 6 and Theodorable
otherwise—feel welcomed and taken care gets a 1, that gives The Preacher an advantage
of. It’s clear that she loves her dinosaurs like in this fight. When you roll a d6 for the
children. She’s quick and lithe, and dresses in wrestling bout, Theodorable will win on a 1-2
handwoven fabrics in soft browns and greens. roll and The Preacher will win on a 3-6 roll.
Her salt-and-pepper hair is wrapped in a big This information should be kept private from
bun at the back of her head. the players for now (you’ll use this information
to give them hints as to which dinosaur has a
potential advantage in the match).
Before the match begins, PCs can use any
King Dexterous is
commonly called The
BONEHAVEN TOP-SEEDED applicable skills to learn additional information
King or King Dexter by
DINOWRESTLERS about the dinosaurs that may help them make
his supporters. King Dexterous, bambiraptor better bets. Let’s say a character has the ability
The Third Rain of Terror, bambiraptor to discern a creature’s weakness. They spend
The Third Rain of Terror The Preacher, sauropod the time to do so and make a successful roll.
is commonly called T. Rot Theodorable, sauropod Because you know that The Preacher will have
by those who bet against Philosoraptor, argoraptor an advantage (as outlined above), you can tell
her.
a player something about Theodorable that
makes it clear that The Preacher could have a
Dinosaur wrestling,
page 97
THE PREACHER slight advantage.
AND THEODORABLE Once the players have placed their bets, roll
As the adventure begins, Arturus and her a d6 to see who wins the match. Players receive
dinosaurs have already won one wrestling bout. their payouts right away.
She has another one later this afternoon, with GM Note: If the players are having fun
her champion bambiraptor, King Dexterous. betting and you have time to spare, feel free to
Creatures and NPCs, At the moment, the characters and Arturus have them bet on a second match, choosing
page 130 are just about to watch the two highest- interesting dinosaurs from the creatures list.

A MISSING CHAMPION • The fingerprint lock doesn’t seem to be

Once the current match is over, Arturus invites jimmied, so if someone opened it, they did
the players out to the barn where the wrestlers so by using Arturus’s fingerprints in some
are kept. way.
The barn is actually a series of connected • Arturus seems reluctant to point fingers,
buildings designed to accommodate the wildly but says the only person she can think
different sizes of creatures that reside in it. of who would stand to gain anything by
It seems a hodgepodge to look at from the replacing her dinosaur is her rival, the
outside, but once you’re inside, you can see trainer of T. Rot, a man named Meekan.
that a lot of care was taken to make this a good She’s always thought of them as friendly
place for the dinowrestlers. rivals, if not actual friends, and the very
The largest and tallest of the dinosaurs are thought that this man could be the culprit
kept in the middle, in a series of open-air pens. seems to pain her a bit. In fact, she might
Around the edges are the smaller dinosaurs, tell the players a secret that most people
many of them kept in elaborate cages designed don’t know: The King and T. Rot are full
to pamper them while also protecting them siblings. She and Meekan bought them
from injury, escape, or thieves. from the same breeder a long time ago. So
Some of the trainers hire guards to watch their rivalry has always been special.
over their dinowrestlers—there are sometimes • There is some red clay tracked on the floor
rumors of sabotage—but that’s rare. Most near the cages. It seems possible that this
of the trainers use special locks, such as is the same clay that covers the forest floor
fingerprint locks, designed to open only for a on the other side of the Chalk Road in this Fingerprint lock: level 5
specific person. area. The clay is generally scattered about,
Arturus’s bambiraptor is kept inside the first but one of the trails does seem to lead in
room, with many other dinosaurs of its size. the direction of Meekan’s dinosaur area.
When she and the players arrive, they can see • Is the dinosaur in the cage actually The King
The King inside a well-designed cage with a or a different bambiraptor? The players can Bambiraptor in cage:
fingerprint lock on the front of it. But a moment attempt to find the answer through means level 2
later, Arturus says that it isn’t her dinosaur.
She swears that the bambiraptor inside looks
identical to The King, but isn’t him. She is BAMBIRAPTORS
sure someone has broken into the cage and Most PCs will be familiar with Bambiraptors, page 135
switched them out. bambiraptors, as they’re a dinosaur that’s
It’s probably the first time that the characters fairly common, both in the wild and as
have seen Arturus freak out. She’s normally so companions. You can read more about
composed, positive, and calm that this change bambiraptors in the creature section to get
of character shows exactly how big of a deal a good sense of what they look like and
this is for her, and how worried she is about her how they fight.
missing wrestler. It’s clear that she cares deeply Both King Dexterous and The Third Rain
for The King, and isn’t just concerned about of Terror are in the teacup bambiraptor rank
losing her prize dinosaur. (it’s like the featherweight rank for boxing).
She begs the PCs to help her find out what Teacup bambiraptors are bred to be even Arturus’s offer of a
happened to The King and return him to her smaller than other bambiraptors. They can dinosaur is one way
safely, if at all possible. She says she doesn’t stand no more than 6 inches (15 cm) high that PCs might get their
have much, but she always has pups (a and be no more than 2 feet (60 cm) long companions. Even at a
hefty discount, her pups
commonly used term for young dinosaurs) from the tip of their head to the tip of their
aren’t cheap, however,
available from her breeding stock. She would tail. unless one of the PCs
happily give the players a hefty discount if they King Dexterous is palomino colored, with wants to take a runt of
were interested in owning one. dark gold feathers and a pale cream plume the litter.
By investigating, talking to Arturus, and using along the crest of his neck and head. He
their knowledge and skills, PCs may discover is just a bit larger than The Third Rain of Arturus’s pups, page 182
the following: Terror.
• The reason she thinks it isn’t The King is The Third Rain of Terror is covered in
because he has a special sound that he deep red feathers with tiny speckles of grey.
always makes upon seeing her, a coo that King Dexterous: level 2; perception as
she believes is how the bambiraptor says level 3
her name. This bambiraptor did not do that. The Third Rain of Terror: level 2; Speed
And in fact, it seems a little afraid of her. defense as level 3 due to size

177
Predation
like lab testing and personality profiling. Meekan is short and stocky, with a thick red
The answer is that while this creature looks mustache flecked with grey (that, ironically,
nearly identical to The King, Arturus is matches the color of his bambiraptor almost
correct. This isn’t her dinosaur. exactly). On his hip, he wears a long grey whip
There are some people milling about the area, that seems to be made of sinew. It has spikes
mostly other trainers. Most of them didn’t see of metal woven throughout it. His voice is loud
anything unusual and all of the trainers are and carries farther than it needs to.
pretty sure that their dinosaurs are still their When the PCs arrive, it’s clear that this isn’t
dinosaurs. what they might have expected. There’s a giant
Feel free to use these crowd standing around, facing Meekan, who
bystanders anywhere in BYSTANDERS: can be heard through the building. He’s saying,
the barn area, or make Lyvie: level 4; tall and thin, a little aggressive, “Whoever has done this is going to pay.” While
up your own. mostly trains T. rexes, carries a laser pistol it seems that he is slightly attached to T. Rot,
Halin: level 3; broad shoulders, bald, head it’s clear that this is very much a business for
is fitted with electro-neodes (allow him to him, and his anger stems from the fact that
communicate telepathically with those who are someone is affecting his bottom line.
willing); hired guard; carries a crossbow It turns out that someone has also switched
Shastrop: level 3; wears an elaborate green out Meekan’s dinosaur. Or so he thinks (he’s
dress and trains anzus; carries two long ribbons less certain of it than Arturus, but once Arturus
Meekan: level 4, dinosaur that do electric damage to whatever they touch has looked at the creature inside T. Rot’s cage,
training as level 5, social (as a light weapon) she will back up Meekan’s claim).
interactions as level 3; Meekan and T. Rot: Meekan and his Meekan also offers 10 nautils to anyone
carries a long, coiled whip dinosaurs are on the far side of the building, in who can return T. Rot to him—dead or alive—
on his right hip
another small-creature section. Arturus will lead and prove that they’ve dealt with the culprits
the PCs to him, but then seems nervous about appropriately.
confronting him (it’s clear that she’s not afraid By investigating, talking to Meekan, and
of him, but she doesn’t like confrontations and using their knowledge and skills, the PCs may
will happily pass that off to the PCs if they seem discover the following:
willing to take it on).

• The fingerprint lock on T. Rot’s cage seems Bubble: What Anija saw is a special type of GM intrusion
to have been picked in a similar way to the camouflaging device that bends light to make suggestion: As one of
previous one. things appear nearly invisible. Anija doesn’t the PCs is inspecting the
area, one of the larger
• There is a trail of more red clay that heads know about the device, other than what
dinosaurs that walks
out of the barn in the direction of the jungle. she saw, but a PC can try to see if they have by interacts with them
• Is the dinosaur in the cage actually T. Rot knowledge of it or something similar from their somehow (knocks into
or a different bambiraptor? The players can past experiences. them, starts attacking
attempt to find the answer through means them, attempts to cuddle
like lab testing and personality profiling. them, and so on).
The answer is that while this creature looks ENTERING THE GM intrusion
nearly identical to T. Rot, Meekan is also CERIZE TANGLE suggestion: One of
correct. This isn’t his dinosaur either. Like so many jungle stretches in Grevakc, the the PCs accidentally
• Those who search carefully might find that Cerize Tangle has a name, but not much else. steps into a nest of
the clay trail leads across the Chalk Road There are no maps to the area, and no clear protoceratops eggs that
into the stretch of grassland. was mostly hidden in a
paths or routes through the green expanse.
groundnest. The sound of
If the PCs share what they’ve learned with It’s yet another mostly unexplored area full of the crunching eggs causes
Meekan and Arturus, Meekan isn’t interested trees, vines, winding rivers, and dinosaurs. It is the two future parents to
in traveling with the PCs. If they’ve agreed to try unique in that much of it is covered with thick come running.
to track down his wrestler, he seems content red clay. This is the same clay that was found
with that. Arturus seems torn between going inside the barn. Protoceratops: level 4;
protects or defends young
and staying. In the end, she will likely decide to If the PCs follow Anija’s comments about
as level 6; does 6 points
stay and search the area around the barn to see exactly where the “bubble” went across the road of damage by ramming
if she can find any trace of The King (unless the and the field, they might find signs of passage: with horns; Armor 2
PCs present a compelling reason for her to do what seems to be the tracks of one or more
otherwise). humans and one large dinosaur. But no small There is a single
dinosaurs, like a bambiraptor. unharmed egg remaining
in the nest. It’s possible
Entering the jungle is hard going, but not
THE COSTER & THE as hard as the PCs might have expected.
for a PC to take the
protoceratops egg,
BUBBLE: A CLUE Once they get through the first 5 or so feet incubate it, and raise it as
When the PCs reach the Chalk Road, they of vines and trees, everything thins out a bit, a Ceratopsian companion
might notice a young woman striding down the allowing for almost normal moment. There are if they don’t already
have a companion.
road toward them (or, more correctly, toward no obvious tracks in the red clay here, but a
The process is a level 5
Bonehaven), her trike packed high with bags perceptive PC might note the occasional broken Intellect task and takes
and supplies. She’s what’s commonly known as branch or trampled plant. three months (but can be
a coster, someone who sells their wares from Roilvine: The PCs don’t get very far inside sped up with technology
the back of a dinosaur. the jungle’s edge (probably just a few minutes’ and abilities).
Anija is dressed in layers and although she walk) before they come upon a roilvine. These
Ceratopsian companion,
carries herself with strength, it’s clear that she sentient genetically engineered plants have page 54
and her trike have been on the road a long time. various purposes, but they’re most often used
In fact, by way of small talk, she might even say as defense. They rarely grow in the wilds on Roilvine: level 6; grabs
something about how excited she is to reach their own. and strangles up to two
Bonehaven, where she’s hoping to rent a room In this case, the roilvine seems designed for foes within short range at
a time with its tendrils,
for the night and sleep in an actual bed. both defense and offense, as it coils and grabs,
doing 3 points of damage.
If the players talk with her, Anija says that she holding its foe captive while it does strangling Captive foes must make
might have seen something, as she typically damage. The roilvine is very thick and hard a level 5 Might defense
tries to pay close attention to what’s happening to see through. It stands about 7 feet (2 m) roll to break free.
on the road around her. Then she shows them high, and seems to be planted in a large circle
some of her wares. They’ll get the hint that she (about 500 feet [150 km] across at the largest Anija: level 3; trading,
positive social interaction,
might be a little easier to talk to if they purchase point). There doesn’t seem to be a clear entry perception, and haggling
something from her. point. Whoever uses this vine has genetically as level 4; if someone
By talking to her, the PCs can learn that as engineered it to open for them alone (PCs purchases something
she was approaching Bonehaven, probably half an who study the vine might learn that it requires from her, she can be
hour away, she was looking through her binoculars a drop of a specific person’s blood to allow persuaded as level 2;
(she might show them off as she talks, suggesting passage.). carries mostly inexpensive
and moderately priced
they’d make a great gift for someone) and saw The PCs can try to get through the roilvine in supplies.
something weird. A ripple, almost like a big bubble, a number of ways: burn it down, hack through
that was moving away from town, across the Chalk it, convince it that their blood is the blood it Bubble: level 5
Road and the field toward the jungle. seeks, or use some other way.

179
Predation
If the PCs need more INSIDE THE There are also three people and one
than four cyphers to refill ROILVINE companion down in the cavern near the
their cyphers, feel free to The space inside the roilvine is oddly devoid of makeshift lab. Some of them turn around as the
add additional cyphers trees, vines, and even grass. Nothing seems to PCs take their slow ride down in the lift.
(up to their combined
be growing there at all. Titanosaurs: There are six domesticated
limit).
Time Anomaly: There is a level 4 time brontosauruses moving around the cavern. All
Time anomaly, page 74 anomaly inside the roilvine’s northern curve. of them are armored with light packs that cause
It will remain for another five minutes or so them to glow brightly, like a very large lamp.
Companion connector, after the PCs arrive. Characters who enter must This is where most of the light in the cavern is
page 164 succeed on a level 4 Speed defense roll to avoid coming from.
the crackling electricity inside the anomaly. Cages: Along the southernmost wall of the
Levity, page 166 Those who fail take 4 points of damage. cavern are five cages. All but one appears
The anomaly contains the following level 4 to be empty. Inside that one is a small furry
Miragefilm, page 166
cyphers, as well as a remnant: alphadon.
Syrinx, page 167 • Companion connector Makeshift Lab: The lab has two operating
• Levity tables, both of which are too small to be
One of the PCs could • Miragefilm useful for human patients. There are various
choose to rescue the • Syrinx makeshift tools and devices strewn about. It’s
alphadon as their • Remnant: A piece of translucent yellow plastic not at all orderly, and looks like it might have
companion if they
with the body of a worm trapped inside it. been set up recently (or at least with the idea
don’t already have
one. Alternatively, they
Metal Box: In the very center, there is a large that it might need to be moved on the fly).
could take it back to metal box that rises just a few inches from Carlotta: This curvy woman with short blue
Bonehaven and sell it or the ground. The box is 100 feet (30 m) square hair appears to be conducting some type of
find a home for it. and has the symbol of two trees etched into it. operation on one of the lab tables. She has
There is also a series of gears and levers on the various tools around her, with her back to the
Lift: level 3 side of the metal box. lift. She doesn’t look up or stop her work as the
PCs can figure out that this is the top of a lift, lift lowers down.
GM intrusion
designed to be large enough to carry people, Huey: This thin man holds himself very still
suggestion: The lift
is jostled or otherwise
dinosaurs, and supplies down into the ground. and keeps his hand on the cudgel at his side.
falters, tilting It isn’t locked, and if they can figure out how to It’s clear he’s surprised to see the lift moving.
momentarily in such operate it (using the gears and levers), it will Kasi: Tall and wiry, Kasi is working at
a way that it puts one jolt to life and start moving downward at a very Carlotta’s side, offering tools and devices when
or more of the PCs or slow (about a foot per minute) pace. The speed asked. Kasi has a trained Raptor companion
dinosaurs at risk of picks up as it goes, and the whole trip down to that is upgraded with a ranged weapon.
tumbling off. the floor takes about ten minutes. The NPCs don’t attack the PCs (unless the
It doesn’t take long for the PCs to realize that PCs make the first move, in which case they will
Alphadon companion,
page 55 they’re being lowered into a giant underground fight). But Huey does come forward when the
cavern. The lift is slow enough (and has no lift lands to ask why they’re there.
Carlotta: level 4; walls) that it’s possible to see much of what’s By investigating, talking to the NPCs, and
carries a level 5 artifact spread out beneath them (of course, this using their knowledge and skills, the PCs may
called a bonesiphon means that everyone beneath them can also discover the following:
(removes bone marrow see the PCs as they oh-so-slowly are lowered • These three are all members of the Genesix
from a living creature down to the ground). Fellowship. PCs with previous ties to the
and analyzes it; does
Fellowship will know a fair bit about them,
5 points of damage
to the creature when and others will likely know rumors. They
it succeeds; does 10 THE CAVERN probably know at the very least that the
points of damage to the The cavern is very large and sort of oval in GF believes that some dinosaurs carry
creature when it fails; shape—at least 1,000 feet (300 m) across at important information to help them find
with a successful removal its widest points and probably 300 feet (90 m) the Garden of Eden—what they call the
of marrow, the user can from floor to ceiling. Much of the cavern at the Promised Land.
learn up to three things edges lies in dark shadow, and it seems mostly • The dinosaur on Carlotta’s table looks an
about the creature).
empty. The majority of the light—what little awful lot like The King (and, in fact, it is).
there is—is moving, and it’s coming from living • Another dinosaur (T. Rot) recently died
creatures—not bioluminescent, but a glow that while Carlotta was attempting to operate
seems to have some kind of external power on it.
source. Along the southernmost wall of the • Huey and Casi stole the dinosaurs and
cavern are a series of cages, and what looks like brought them back to Carlotta. They believe
some type of makeshift lab. that this particular family of bambiraptors

carries some part of the secret to the ENDING THE Huey: level 4; carries
Garden of Eden in their DNA. ADVENTURE a wire-wrapped cudgel
• Carlotta attempted to discover that secret in The PCs may use the lift to return to the (medium weapon);
T. Rot’s DNA but killed him accidentally in surface, or they may explore the cavern further. Armor 1
the process. She appears distraught about There are any number of small natural tunnels
Kasi: level 4; carries a knife
this. and caves that lead out from the main room. If
• Carlotta says that their main tec was killed this is the start of a larger ongoing adventure, Raptor companion:
by a dakotaraptor and she’s trying to take the PCs could choose to explore those areas equipped with a laser
over, but she’s not as good at it. She must rather than head directly back to Bonehaven. gun inside its mouth that
check the DNA of The King or she’ll be in If the PCs return to Arturus with The King does 5 points of damage;
big trouble with her supervisor. She pleads still alive, she will express her deep and sincere can also emit a sonic
with the PCs to help her do the experiment gratitude. (Even if they return and The King blast that stuns every
living thing in short range
if they can, so that she can do it without has died, she will still be grateful for their help,
for one round, causing
killing The King. If they succeed, she’ll even as grief likely overcomes her.) Either way, their next action to be
happily give the bambiraptor back to them. Arturus will keep her promise to give the PCs a one step more difficult.
deep discount on one of her pups.
Meekan will also be grateful that they tried to Dakotaraptor, page 139
BUBBLE ARTIFACT help. Being a businessman and someone who
Level: 4 understands the importance of skilled help, he The experiment: level 7
Form: Small device with a button on it will give each of the characters 15 nautils (more
Effect: Alters light in a 50-foot (15 m) GM intrusion
than he’d originally promised) and tell them
bubble to make everything inside the suggestion: Something
that if they ever need a job, he’d be interested spooks one of the lighted
bubble three steps more difficult to in hiring them to help out with his training and titanosaurs, and the
detect wrestling needs. In fact, after this, he’s thinking entire herd of them starts
Depletion: 1–2 in 1d6 of hiring a guard or two. running toward the PCs.

181
Predation
Genesix Fellowship, The PCs earn 1 XP each for having discovered the underground laboratory of the Genesix
page 120 Fellowship and 1 XP each for having solved the mystery of the missing dinosaurs. If the PCs don’t
already have companions, they may choose to purchase a pup from Arturus. If they don’t have
the nautils now, they can either choose a creature and ask Arturus to hold it, or they can give her
a down payment and work out a payment plan for the future. This isn’t a one-time offer—if a
character wants to come back and take her up on this later, that’s fine too.
If someone works out a payment plan with Arturus and doesn’t keep up with it, she will get over
her dislike of confrontation and send someone out after the person for the money. She may be
nice, but she’s not that nice.
PUPS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM ARTURUS

Description Companion Type Regular Price Offer for PCs
Raptor, page 54 Black-and-gold feathered teacup Raptor 150 nautils 75 nautils
bambiraptor, granddaughter of The King
Ornithomimid, page 54
Orange-and-gold bambiraptor Raptor 100 nautils 50 nautils
Brightly colored red, blue, and brown Ornithomimid 100 nautils 50 nautils
Ceratopsian, page 54
anzu
Brown-and-green speckled triceratops Ceratopsian 100 nautils 50 nautils

Part 6
BACK MATTER
References and Resources 184

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DINO-SCIENTISTS 185
Kickstarter Playtesters and Contributors 185
Glossary 186
Character Sheets 187
Companion Sheets 189
Index 191
Predation
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

While creating Predation and Grevakc, I consulted a lot of sources and was lucky enough to talk with some fantastic
scientists and experts in various fields. There is so much information available about the Cretaceous period, dinosaurs, time
travel, DNA storage, and more that jumping into it can be both overwhelming and exciting at the same time.
I can’t offer you direct access to the scientists that I spoke with, but I can offer some fantastic references and resources.
Some are factual and informative, and others are more for worldbuilding, atmosphere, and story ideas. I hope they will
provide information and inspiration for your games.
Enjoy!
NON-FICTION FICTION
Ancient Earth Journal: The Early Cretaceous: Notes, Drawings, The Dechronization of Sam Magruder, George Gaylord
and Observations from Prehistory, Juan Carlos Alonso and Simpson
Gregory S. Paul Dinosaur Summer, Greg Bear
Animals Real and Imagined, Terryl Whitlatch Dinosaur Tales, Ray Bradbury
Atlas Obscura, Joshua Foer, Ella Morton and Dylan Thuras Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time, James Gurney
Black Holes and Time Warps: Einstein’s Outrageous Legacy, Kip Dinotopia: The World Beneath, James Gurney
S. Thorne Einstein’s Dreams, Alan Lightman
The Illustrated A Brief History of Time: Updated and Expanded Evolution, Stephen Baxter
Edition, Stephen Hawking “A Gun for Dinosaur,” L. Sprague de Camp
Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs, Lisa Randall Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton
Dinosaur Art: The World’s Greatest Paleoart, Steve White The Lost World, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Dinosaurs: How They Lived and Evolved, Darren Naish and Meanwhile, Jason Shiga
Paul Barrett Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Amy Reeder and Brandon
Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Montclare
Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages, Dr. Thomas R. Holtz Jr. Raptor Red, Robert T. Bakker
Dinosaurs of the Upper Cretaceous: 25 Dinosaurs from 89-65 “A Sound of Thunder,” Ray Bradbury
Million Years Ago, David West Thunder Series, James F. David
Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up,
Robert Sabuda
Extreme Dinosaurs, Robert Mash MA (Hons) TELEVISION AND MOVIES
The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Jurassic Park
Reality, Brian Greene Primeval
The Mythical Zoo: Animals in Life, Legend, and Literature, Terra Nova
Boria Sax Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC Earth)
National Geographic: Prehistoric Mammals, Alan Turner
Night Comes to the Cretaceous: Dinosaur Extinction and the
Transformation of Modern Geology, James Lawrence Powell BLOGS, JOURNALS
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Elizabeth Kolbert AND WEBSITES
Time: A Traveler’s Guide, Clifford A. Pickover Future Timeline (http://www.futuretimeline.net)
Time Machines: Time Travel in Physics, Metaphysics, and Journal of Paleontology
Science Fiction, Paul J. Nahin Nautilus
The Time-Life Guides: Dinosaurs, Michael K. Brett-Surman Science Daily’s Paleontology section (www.sciencedaily.com)
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (http://vertpaleo.org)
Wired

Backmatter
QUEStIONS AND ANSWERS

WITH DINO-SCIENtIStS
Q: Is there a scientific name for dinosaur poop?
A: Coprolite, but only if it’s fossilized. Otherwise, it’s just dung, poop, excrement, or turds. Or “dino dumps.” Also, there is such
a thing as a paleoscatologist.
Q: Were there poisonous plants in the Cretaceous?
A: Yes. It’s believed that a version of Dutchman’s Pipe was around then (and is still around).
Q: Could dinosaurs swim?
A: We think many of them could, yes. Based on scuffles we’ve found at the bottom of what was once a lake, we think even
creatures like T. rexes could and did swim. Other dinosaurs might have waded instead, using their front legs to walk on the
bottom of the lake, while their hind legs floated behind them.
Q: Could a modern-day human survive in the Cretaceous period?
A: Turns out, yes. Mostly. Depending on the season, location, and whether you eat meat (there were some fruits and
mushrooms, but not a ton).
Q: Can you tell me what dinosaurs might have sounded like when they cooed and quacked?
A: coo-coo coo-OO-oo ohr ohr
Q: Were there spiders in the Cretaceous?
A: [This answer intentionally left blank due to potential spider phobias. (whispers “Nephila jurassica”)]
Q: How many people would you need to establish a colony on Mars (or, say, in the Cretaceous era)?
A: At least 10,000. But 40,000 would be even better for genetic diversity to continue.
Q: Which dinosaurs make you say “It’s so fluffy you’re gonna die?”
A: Dinofuzz is one of my favorite things! We know that lots of species were related to early birds, like the Microraptor, and even
tyrannosaurs were fuzzy or fluffy. But my favorite is probably the Tianyulong, which essentially has a giant mohawk that
stands up along its neck, back, and tail. It’s amazing.
KICKStARTER PLAytEStERS
AND CONtRIBUTORS
A huge thanks to every one of our Jon Schreife Timothy J. Watkins
Kickstarter playtesters, who helped us Jonathon Smith Troy Pichelman
make this game so much better: Joseph A Noll Zanth
Aaron Mortensen Karl Apsel (CidCalypso)
Arturo Caissut Kurt Blanco With extra special thanks to our
Carlos Ovalle Lars Lauridsen in-person playtesters:
Charles Myers Lee Sims Chris Piazzo
Chris Malone Lord Deron Creag Mhor Troy Pichelman
Chris Piazzo Luc Teunen Dave Hanlon
Chris Wine Marc Plourde Marc Plourde
Cory Bonifay Mark Craddock Kurt Blanco
Dave Hanlon Mark Parish Brett Gann
Dave Moyer Massimo Cranchi Jake Linford
Dwayne C Schueller Matthew Sercely Matt Jensen
Eric M Jackson Michael Goldrich Michael Parker
George H. Trace Webster II Mike Greszler Tracy Gosell
J Aaron Farr Paul Huey Hubbard Jeromy French
James a.k.a. uber Paul Wocken
James Gray retnuH Kelly And triple-special thanks to our
James McKendrew Robert Beck Cretaceous Contributors:
Jeff Scifert Rod Holdsworth Carlos Ovalle
Jeff Wheeler Ryan Dukacz James Gray
Jenifer Doll Ryan Hyde (Num’bokwei) Marc Ploude
Jessie Beasley Shawn Lamb
John Kender Teófilo Hurtado Navarro

185
Predation
GLOSSARy
Aeternologist: a scientist who studies time travel.
Catastrist: a scientist who focuses on understanding, predicting, and preventing upcoming catastrophic events.
In Grevakc, that is mostly the impending asteroid.
Coster: someone who sells their wares from the back of a dinosaur. Can travel or be stationary.
Crossgen: a dinosaur who is clearly a combination of two or more unique dinosaur species, whether through
cross-breeding, genetic tampering, or some other scientific process.
Dupe: a drug made from Dutchman’s Pipe, a poisonous plant.
Gastroliths: stones that some animals swallow and use to help grind up tough plant matter in their digestive
system. Also called gizzard rocks.
Hatchlings: young dinosaurs. A term used most often by scientists and breeders.
Herd: a group of herbivorous dinosaurs.
InterGlobal Time (IGT): a synchronized unit of time measurement established by SATI and others in the future.
Juveniles: young dinosaurs that are beyond the hatchling stage. A term used most often by scientists and
breeders.
Last Commute: the moment when time travel stopped working, trapping everyone in the Cretaceous. Sometimes
called the Great Howling.
Pack: a group of carnivorous dinosaurs.
Pups: the most common term for young dinosaurs. A term used most often by non-scientists. Also sometimes
called calves, chicks, or cubs.
Time anomalies: places that look like glitches in the landscape. They’re always temporary and often carry cyphers,
as well as artifacts and remnants.
Time-seeker: someone who seeks out time anomalies, time treasures, and time science the same way that a
treasure seeker might seek out treasure.
Time terrors: dangerous weather storms that appear suddenly and leave behind giant swaths of devastation.
Trackways: a series of footprints left behind when an animal walks over soft ground. They can be used to learn
the animal’s speed, weight, and herding behavior.

SPECIAL ABILITIES & COMPANION BENEFITS
NAME
IS A WHO
DESCRIPTOR TYPE
FOCUS CYPHERS
COMPANION
TIER EFFORT XP

MIGHT SPEED INTELLECT
POOL EDGE POOL EDGE POOL EDGE
SKILLS T = trained, S = specialized, I = inability Pool T S I
LIMIT
EQUIPMENT
ATTACKS MOD DAM
RECOVERY 1d6+ DAMAGE TRACK

ROLLS
IMPAIRED DEBILITATED
ADVANCEMENT
1 ACTION 1 HOUR +1 Effort per level Can move only an
Ignore minor and major immediate distance
effect results on rolls Cannot move if INCREASE MOVE TOWARD EXTRA SKILL OTHER
10 MINS 10 HOURS Combat roll of 17-20 Speed Pool is 0 CAPABILITIES PERFECTION EFFORT TRAINING Refer to the
deals only +1 damage +4 points into +1 to the Edge +1 into Effort Train in a skill or specialize Cypher System
stat Pools of your choice in a trained skill Rulebook ARMOR NAUTILS
BACKGROUND
PORTRAIT
NOTES

S T T = trained, S = specialized SKILLS
COMPANION ABILITIES CHARACTER BENEFIT
OWNED BY
PLAYED BY
LEVEL
ARMOR HEALTH INTERACTION
CATEGORY DISPOSITION
IS A
NAME
FOLD OR CUT HERE
NAME
IS A
DISPOSITION CATEGORY
INTERACTION HEALTH ARMOR

LEVEL
PLAYED BY
OWNED BY
CHARACTER BENEFIT COMPANION ABILITIES
SKILLS T = trained, S = specialized T S

PORTRAIT
DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND NOTES
FOLD OR CUT HERE
NOTES BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION
PORTRAIT

Index
Index
acroplocerex 130 Enta Lab 82 Raksha Snarl 113
Addermire 98 equipment 60 Raptor (companion type) 54
Adoni 120 Exedu 110 Redjaw Wilds 102
Aello 94 extinction event 68 remnants 173
aeternologist 186 Fast Companion (Cretaceous ability) 35 roadknights 79
aeternology 15 Festival of Ashes 89 Salmon Center 80
Ankylosaurs (companion type) 54 Festival of Time 89 Salmon Flats 76
anzu 131 Flashy (companion disposition) 58 SATI (organization) 116
apatosaurus eros 132 Floating City of Coareas 107 SATI bunkers 104
Appalachia 110 Focus 39 SATI guard (NPC) 149
archelon glaciesi 133 Friend to Dinosaurs (Cretaceous ability) 34 SATI higherup (NPC) 149
argoraptor 134 gastrolith 186 SATI loyalists 95
artifacts 168 Gathering Circle 85 SATI token 60
Astral Caverns 104 genesi 120 SATI-A 158
bambiraptor 135 Genesix Fellowship 120 SATI-O 158
Beasts of Darkness 86 ghasthound 140 SATI-U 158
Betrayal Island 108 GMing companions 155 Savage 38
Blackbone Forest 102 Gold Docks 87 Scarlet Bay 112
Blend In (Cretaceous ability) 34 Gre-Vakian c Trials 66 Schetullind Groves 114
Bonehaven 96 Great Howling 67 Self-Evolves 43
Boneyard Bayou 114 Grerock Prison 86 Shared Attack (Cretaceous ability) 35
Boot, the 101 Grevakc 66 shrilk film 62
Butterflies (group) 118 Grey's Crater 83 Shut It Down (Cretaceous ability) 34
Butterfly (NPC) 148 Gridelin Wilds 92 silverback 150
Butterflies, the 118 Hellboy 122 Slick 38
carnosuchus 136 Hendrickson 99 smart fluid 61
Castle Carneath 112 Inspiration (Cretaceous ability) 35 Sociable (companion disposition) 59
catastrist 186 InterGlobal Time (IGT) 186 solarium 61
Ceratopsians (companion type) 54 Intimidating (companion disposition) 59 Solarsong 80
Chalk Road 92 Karn 17 Space and Time, Intg. (SATI) 116
chimera 93 katcha (stinkserpent) 92 stygimoloch 145
Chrysalis 103 Kelaino 77 supersauri 146
Cinder Ocean 101 King's Court 96 Sylvin's Crater 115
Clever (companion disposition) 58 Kingdom of the New Humans 113 Tantrum, the 102
clothing and armor (list) 62 Lab Master (Cretaceous ability) 35 Tec 21
Clumsy (companion disposition) 58 Laramidia 76 Terrifying Roar (Cretaceous ability) 35
companion GM intrusions 161 Laramidia, Lower 76 teslasaurus 147
companions 46 Laramidia, Upper 102 time anomaly 74
coster 179 lassaboat 110 Time Seeker (Cretaceous ability) 35
Crossed Wires (Cretaceous ability) 34 Last Commute 67 Time Tap (Cretaceous ability) 34
crossgen 186 Living Shield (Cretaceous ability) 34 time terror 74
Curious (companion disposition) 58 lythronax 141 Timid (companion disposition) 59
currency 60 materials 61 Torotix Run 91
cyberdrone 137 Metatheria Plateau 115 transalumina 62
cyphers 162 nautils 60 Triangle of the Faithful 86
dakotaraptor 139 nerezza 142 True Companion (Cretaceous ability) 34
Dangerous Dinosaur Insight new human 113 True Understanding (Cretaceous ability) 35
(Cretaceous ability) 34 Niveous 109 type 16
Daring 36 Nowhere Bridge 112 Tyrannosaur (companion type) 53
Decypher (Cretaceous ability) 35 Okythoe 95 upgrades (creatures) 123
descriptor 36 Ornithomimids (companion type) 54 Utopian Skyway 112
Detect Tech (Cretaceous ability) 34 Osteon 30 Valley of the Limping Don 115
Dinosaur Insight (Cretaceous ability) 34 piezotextiles 61 venaraptor 79
Dinosaur Slayer (Cretaceous ability) 35 Phyrric Pass 92 venator 79
Dinosaur wrestling 97 platypode 143 Vigilant (companion disposition) 59
Discover Dinosaurs (Cretaceous ability) 34 Plays God 39 Volcanic 38
Dota Lab 82 Predates 42 Walks With Dinosaurs 44
Draco Split 103 prokarcoat 61 weapons (list) 63
Draw the Pack (Cretaceous ability) 34 Protect the Herd (Cretaceous ability) 35 Western Interior Seaway 106
dupe 186 Pterosaurs (companion type) 55 western shoreline 110
Early Mammals (companion type) 55 Pteryx 25 wetweave 61
Edenites 120 pygmy sauroposeidon 144 Wild Walk 88
Empirical 37 Quick Lab (Cretaceous ability) 35

191
More Campaign and Character Options for
Predation—or Any Cypher System Game!
Over 40 new foci, such as Changes Shape,
Makes Prophecy, Conducts Rocket Science,
Hacks the Network, Is Wanted by the Law,
Plays Too Many Games, Helps Their Friends,
and Is Hunted by Moths. Plus over 35 new
creatures, along with other character options,
equipment, artifacts, and more!
Boost your Predation campaign, or build

worlds of your own. Get advice, equipment,
and new rules for running Cypher System
games in post-apocalyptic, mythological, fairy
tale, childhood adventure, historical, crime and
espionage, and hard science fiction settings.
Expand your worlds with Expanded Worlds!
Available now from the MCG web store:

www.montecookgames.com
f b.com/MonteCookGames @MonteCookGames

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Jon Gislason - gislason1988@gmail.

Monte Cook Games Editorial Board

Jon Gislason - [email protected] - 254852

Part 1: Getting Started 5

Part 3: The Setting 65

Part 4: Creatures and NPCs 121

Part 5: GM’s Toolbox 151

Part 6: Back Matter 183

Jon Gislason - [email protected] - 254852

FOR A LOVE OF DINOSAURS

DINOSAURS ARE AWESOME!

Yours in feathered fealty,

4 Jon Gislason - [email protected] - 254852

Chapter 1: From the Far Future to the Ancient Past 6

Chapter 2: Predation Basics 10

Jon Gislason - [email protected] - 254852

6 Jon Gislason - [email protected] - 254852

Jon Gislason - [email protected] - 254852

that is coming to destroy your home, and you

Grevakc is typically pronounced greh-vek, but in some

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On those rare occasions where it came down to having

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COMPANIONS TIME ANOMALIES

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Time anomalies look like glitches in the

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Chapter 3: Character Creation 14

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GM in the Running Predation chapter. Overall, SKILLS Running Predation,

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KARN BACKGROUND CONNECTION

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Thrust No Need for Weapons,

Block (tier 1 Explorer) Practiced With All

Practiced With All Weapons (tier 1 Explorer)

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SECOND-TIER FOURTH-TIER KARN

THIRD-TIER FIFTH-TIER KARN

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TEC BACKGROUND CONNECTION

Butterflies, page 118

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instead of adding one from the current tier, SECOND-TIER TEC

FIRST-TIER TEC Adept, page 29

Sculpt Flesh Knowledge Skills,

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tagged in the chart. The Tec chooses only THIRD-TIER

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FIFTH-TIER TEC SIXTH-TIER

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provides a connection to the rest of the world. BUILDING

PTERYX BACKGROUND CONNECTION

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