Fantasy Characters in a Sci-Fi World

One of the things I most look forward to in my Play-by-Post Campaign is the juxtaposition of swords and sorcery against technological terrors, of man versus machine.  Eventually, the characters will arrive on an Earth-like world inhabited by superheroes, pop culture figures, and comic book technology - a world where a sufficiently skilled fighter like Captain America, Bat-Man, Green Arrow, or Hawkeye can still hold their own against incredibly dangerous opponents.

Now, I am no artist – at least not a very good one.  The best I can manage is a poorly drawn stick figure fighting what looks like a cross between “The Incredibles” Omnidroid and the Martian Walking Machines from "War of the Worlds".  Instead of subjecting you to that, I would like to share this picture to represent the … sense … of what I am hoping to accomplish.


I have roughed out game statistics for my Spider Tank using rules found in d20 Modern and its d20 Future supplement and come up with the following: 

Spider Tank
Craft: Main Battle Tank
Class: Military Ground     Size: Gargantuan (20’ diameter plus 40’ legs)     Initiative: -4 (-4 size)
Crew: 4 (Pilot, Gunner, Engineer, Communications/Sensors)     Passengers: 0     Cargo Capacity: 425 lbs.
Maneuver: -2 (-4 size, +2 equipment)     Top Speed: 120 (12) - approximately 45 mph*
Defense: 11 (-4 size, +5 duralloy armor)     Hardness: 20     Hit Points: 62
Purchase DC: 50 ($15 million to $27.5 million)    Restriction: Mil (+3)

* has ventral “jump jet” that enables it leap up to 100’ into the air and 250’ forward or backwards

Armaments (Attack bonus as Gunner's BAB + Dex modifier -4 for size): 
 
MKI (Standard): 
Particle Beam: 7d6 (20/x2, 60’, semi-auto)
Rocket Launcher: 10d6 (150’, 10’ burst Ref ½ DC18, ignores up to 10 points of Hardness of target struck), has battery of eight rockets in pod 

MKII (Heavy): as MKI plus

Howitzer: 10d12 (20/x2, 150’, single shot), tank has an internal magazine of 10 shots
 
MKIII (Command and Communications): as MKI but also includes an advanced sensor package that grants a +2 equipment bonus on Navigate and Spot checks, has an EM Detector Array that localizes electronic transmissions, and an infrared detector that tracks targets by heat signature.  It incorporates a high-resolution video system with a digital zoom feature allowing close inspection of targets.  A successful Computer Use check (DC15) allows operator to scan a single target to determine its size, locomotive capabilities, present direction or trajectory, number of living creatures aboard, composition of hull/armor and what weapon systems it has.  Additionally, the pilot is considered to have darkvision 60’.  Additionally, the tank is equipped with a radio transceiver that can transmit in multiple frequencies in either Line-of-Sight or Omnidirectional Mode while handling up to 10 simultaneous two-way conversations.




With the exception of the Ventral Jump Jet, the Spider Tank is a rough match for an M1 Abrams Tank and I have play-tested it against one of the party’s highest level Fighters.  I now present to you Round Two of that battle… 

The howitzer shell sails in overhead, exploding on impact with the ground and showering Raven with dirt and rocks.  The shockwave from the blast knocks him sideways and sets his ears to ringing but he maintains his balance and continues to charge.  The gimbal-mounted particle beam opens up, sending bolts of coherent energy sizzling through the air all around.  Raven’s adamantite sword slides free of its sheath as he drops into a slide that carries him beneath the four-legged sphere.   

Nightwatcher’s blade flashes, smashing against the side of the rocket nozzle and through delicate mechanisms housed inside the combustion chamber.  Parts shatter beneath the blow and rain down upon the elven warrior’s head.  The machine takes another step forward, leaving him behind while pieces continue to fall from the aperture and the mechanical terror bears down on the other party members.

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