“Welcome to Ventrum, a world in many ways like our own but in many ways so very different. Though some of our flaws have been dampened by humanity’s mysterious new benefactor, paradise is still plagued by our greed, hatred and ignorance.
Those without power are still stepping stones for the wealthy, manipulated for the needs of the few. Safety and security are scarce as people are governed by little more than a singular, alien being that does not seem to care for governing. In this era of trans-humanism, sprinkled with secrets and broken dreams, everything is going great.
The Metal presents a power and capability beyond humans that has given birth to both wonders and horrors. Conflicts between those who change themselves and those who consider themselves ‘pure’ are constant and the limits of such techniques and technologies are constantly pushed. So now you find yourself here. What will you be? A hero to the people? A tyrant to all too weak to face you? Or just somebody, trying with all they can to make it in this fantastic nightmare of a world? However you go, whoever you are, don’t forget this; Take all you have the strength and cunning to claim. This is the Age of Metal.”
THE AGE OF METAL
Explore the world of Ventrum, a twisted reflection of our Earth. In some ways familiar, in others so very different. A place where humanity has reshaped itself around an alien power with whom we share our new home, technology and very DNA. Struggle your way through a world divided by this new era of transhumanism, with high-stakes action that focuses on strategy and player agency, and an open progression system to help every character feel unique, players will shape their story right from character creation to the moment their Hit Points reach 0. So, whether you’re a bounty hunter, a scientist, or just some guy who ended up in the right place at the right time, make sure the the world knows your name in the Age of Metal.
POWER TO THE PLAYERS
Age of Metal features core mechanics to allow players greater agency and control during play and give them options to feel less at the mercy of dice or the GM, such as the Take the Initiative mechanic that gives them the option to engage in combat on their terms or even act against other characters to try and prevent a fight. Or Aug Boosting, which sees players spend their main resource, stamina, to help improve their roll if it’s appropriate to their character. Stamina itself being a slowly regenerating resource, which can help players feel able to use it less conservatively but also creates more high-stakes, in the moment decisions as opposed to the question of ‘will I need this later’.
BEHOLD THE WATCHER
But we haven’t forgotten about you either GMs. The setting of Age of Metal is a world similar in many ways to Earth, allowing for simpler, contemporary storytelling while giving the option to explore the more specific aspects of the world. Or for you to manipulate them to resemble a genre or setting you and your players may be more familiar or comfortable with. Basic NPC’s can be potentially made on the fly and more complex enemies can be built from that framework however you like, making prep for encounters a less stressful endeavour.
WHAT WILL YOU BECOME
Age of Metal’s world explores themes of transhumanism. So character creation is full of options. The game uses classes for PC’s, but the effectiveness of your abilities are not dependent on your stats, giving you the freedom to build into or apart from them as much as you like and create the possibility to have several characters of the same class still feel like an entirely unique experience. The game uses a point-buy system, giving players full control of how their character and strategies grow. Letting new players approach character progression at whatever pace their comfortable with. While giving more experienced players plenty of room solo or team synergy. With over 60 skills available to every character regardless of class, several class-specific upgrades and what’s known as Universal Augments, along with the simpler options basic stat changes there are so many ways to make and take your character. Wanna be able to pull a shotgun out of your ribcage and blast some poor fool with it? Done. Turn your healing item into an elemental grenade? Easy. Use a foe you’ve grabbed as a meat shield. No one’s stopping you. Oh and if you don’t like some aspects of how you’ve built your character, regretting some style choices, you can always respec all of your heard earned points and paid-for upgrades, for a price of course.
SUPERHUMAN SOLUTIONS
Thanks to the mysterious organic material of the ‘Metal’ flowing through humanity’s blood, the idea of ‘manpower’ has been taken to a whole new level. Use the boosting capability of your augments to push your potential beyond its natural limitations. Use them to empower your weaker abilities to make up for their lack, or strengthen your already-honed abilities to perform all kinds of feats: Lift, perhaps even toss, cars, dodge bullets or let loose devastating damage upon your enemies. Social encounters have their own new level of depth too. Thanks to a phenomenon known as ‘the Connection’, humans can communicate, and more, through short-range telepathy, allowing for secretive layers to conversations and planning in the moment, but don’t think it will always go unnoticed.
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
Explore Ventrum. Become a Bounty Hunter and take on all manner of jobs, sometimes dangerous sometimes… nah let’s be real it’s probably dangerous, doing what you can to make ends meet like so many others. Brave the Shatterfields, a wasteland warped by the harvesting of Metal. Face elemental beings animated from the Metal or creatures, reminiscent of the ones we know now, both wild and violent. Worse than that, face the people: Cultists who worship its power and revere the Watcher as a godly being, terrorists hellbent on stripping it all from the face of the planet to make humanity ‘pure’ once more or armed police forces among the major cities who are left unchecked
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