Post Apocalyptic Containers

I'll be upfront in that I find most post apocalyptic RPGs don't really have a good system for containers, so I did up some notes and stuff for reference. Hopefully my readers will find this useful as well.

Bags & Backpacks
Container	Weight (Tare)	Capacity
Backpack, Large	10 lbs	120 lbs
Backpack, Small	6 lbs	60 lbs
Belt Pouch, Large	1 lb	10 lbs
Belt Pouch, Small	½ lbs	5 lbs
Duffel Bag/Sea Bag	2 lbs	150 lbs
Golf Bag, Carry	2 lbs	20 lbs
Golf Bag, Cart	7 lbs	40 lbs
Golf Bag, Staff	10 lbs	50 lbs
Golf Bag, Stand	5 lbs	30 lbs
Gym Bag	1 lb	50 lbs
Knapsack	1.5 lbs	25 lbs
Pack Saddle	20 lbs	Max Weight Capacity of Pack Animal
Pannier, Bicycle	2 lbs	85 lbs
Pannier, Motorcycle, Softcase	3 lbs	90 lbs
Pannier, Motorcycle, Hardcase	30 lbs	170 lbs
Plastic Shopping/Grocery Bag	NA	10-17 lbs
Plastic Trashbag/Liner (30 gal)	NA	40-50 lbs (depends on thickness)
Reusable Shopping Bag	½ lb	40 lbs
Rucksack, Large	5 lbs	40 lbs
Rucksack, Small	3 lbs	25 lbs
Sack, Large	½ lb	60 lbs
Sack, Small	½ lb	20 lbs
Saddle Bag	½ lb	30 lbs
Satchel/Messenger Bag	2.5 lbs	15 lbs
Ziplock/Freezer Bag (quart or gallon)	NA	5 lbs (qt) or 10 lbs (gal)
Water Containers
1-Liter Plastic Bottle	NA	2.5 lbs
2-Liter Plastic Bottle	½ lb	5 lbs
55 Gallon Drum (35x24")**	22 lbs plastic, 34 lbs metal	500 lbs
Bota Bag/Waterskin (1 quart/liter)	½ lbs	2.5 lbs
Canteen (Plastic, Metal, Bamboo, Gourd)	½ lbs	2.5 lbs
Dromedary Bag (2, 4, 6 liter)	1 lb	5, 8, or 12 lbs
Flask or Utility Bottle (8 oz, 2x2x4")	NA	½ lb
Gallon Plastic Jug	½ lb	8.5 lbs
Hydration Pack/Bladder (1, 2, or 3 liter)	½ lb	2.5 lbs, 5 lbs, 8 lbs
Jerry Can (5 gallon)	3lbs plastic, 9 lbs metal	30 lbs
Other Containers
Ammo Box, .50 cal (11.75x6x7.5")	5 lbs	35 lbs
Ammo Box, 40 mm (17.5x10x6")	15 lbs	70 lbs
Ammo Box, 20mm or 30mm (17x8x14")	20 lbs	120 lbs
Baby Stroller	12-20 lbs	50 lbs
Briefcase/Travel Case (12x17x4")	2 lbs	10 lbs
Chest, Small (9x9x12")	7 lbs	30 lbs
Chest, Medium (16x16x24")	15 lbs	65 lbs
Chest, Large (20x20x30")	20 lbs	130 lbs
Hand Truck/Dolly	28 lbs	1000 lbs*
Laundry Basket (2 bushel; 24x20x14")	1d3 lbs	40 lbs
Lunch Box/Pail (8x7x4")	½ lb plastic, 1 lb metal	5 lbs
Milk Crate (13x13x11") 4 gal type	3 lbs	34 lbs
Pail or Bucket (5 quart)	½ lb	10 lbs
Pail or Bucket (10 quart)	2 lbs	20 lbs
Plastic Cooler (5 quart)	1 lb	10 lbs
Plastic Cooler (10 quart)	2 lbs	20 lbs
Plastic Cooler (15 quart)	3.5 lbs	30 lbs
Plastic Cooler (25 quart)	5 lbs	50 lbs
Plastic Cooler (50 quart)	10 lbs	100 lbs
Plastic Cooler(100 quart)	20 lbs	200 lbs
Shopping Basket (6x10x11")	2 lbs (metal or plastic)	50 lbs (plastic), 75 lbs (metal)
Shopping Cart (25x39x39")	58 lbs	1000lbs*
Suitcase (25x15x9")	10 lbs	50 lbs
Trunk/Footlocker (32x12.5x15")	25 lbs	100 lbs
Vial or Pill Bottle	NA	1 lb
Wheelbarrow (65x30x30")	55 lbs	1200lbs*

*The container can hold this much before being destroyed, moving that much weight depends on a variety of factors, such as terrain.
**25 gallon drums are the same height and half the weight and carrying capacity.

Small Belt Pouch also includes things like Fanny Packs and Small Purses (larger purses/handbags rate the large belt pouch or satchel stats).
Large Belt Pouch also includes Sling Bags.
Knapsack also includes Travel Packs, School/Book Bags, and Haversacks.
Ditty Sacks are drawstring sacks that come in 4 sizes, equivalent to small belt pouch, large belt pouch, small sack, and large sack.
Small Sack also includes Bowling Bags, Doctor's Bags, Dry Bags, Mesh Bags, Stuff Sacks, and Tote Bags.
Large Sack also includes Laundry Bags and Bear Bags.
Shopping Baskets also cover Bicycle Baskets.

A Dromedary Bag is a collapsing plastic bladder for water.

Gamma Dragonflies

One of the classic, yet cool monsters I miss from BECMI D&D is the dragonfly. A great little idea of combining dragonflies with dragons. I'll admit though, while I understand the reasoning in going with the version BECMI does, at 3-5' long, they just wouldn't be that fearsome in a post apocalyptic setting that has 6' long giant ants, 1' long killer bees, 5-6' long cockroachoids, 3' long giant carnivorous flies, 4-6' tall mants, piranha butterfly with 2' wingspans, 6' long giant scorpions, 5-6' long giant spiders (small ones at that, there's no size really given for giant tarantulas, which would be much bigger than giant black widows or crab spiders), 3-4' long stink beetles, or 3' tall vomit flies (I'm still not sold on 1' long "giant" centipedes either, the Japanese Omukade is much scarier). Additionally, while I understand the low ACs due to how hard flying dragonflies are to hit (coupled with their relatively small size), and somewhat limited combat abilities (low damage and limited range), they just don't work for me. So I thought I'd do a bit of bioengineering on the basic idea and make a post apocalyptic version of dragonflies that are, well, a bit more like dragons.

	WHITETAIL SKIMMER	EBONY BOGHAUNTER	STRIPED EMERALD
No. Enc.:	1d2 (1d6)	1d2 (1d6)	1d2 (1d6)
Alignment:	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral
Movement:	60' (20')	60' (20')	60' (20')
Flying	240' (80')	240' (80')	240' (80')
Armor Class:	5	4	3
Hit Dice:	7	8	9
Attacks:	1 (bite or dive or breath)	1 (bite or dive or breath)	1 (bite or dive or breath)
Damage:	2d8 or 1d6 or 4d6	2d8 or 1d6 or 4d6	3d6 or 1d8 or 5d6
Save:	L4	L4	L5
Morale:	8	8	8
Hoard Class:	XVI	XVI	XVI
XP:	1490	2060	3100

	BLUE HAWKER	CRIMSON DARTER	GOLD MEADOWHAWK
No. Enc.:	1d2 (1d6)	1d2 (1d6)	1d2 (1d6)
Alignment:	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral
Movement:	60' (20')	60' (20')	60' (20')
Flying	240' (80')	240' (80')	240' (80')
Armor Class:	2	1	0
Hit Dice:	10	11	12
Attacks:	1 (bite or dive or breath)	1 (bite or dive or breath)	1 (bite or dive or breath)
Damage:	3d6 or 1d8 or 5d6	3d6 or 1d8 or 6d6	3d6 or 1d8 or 6d6
Save:	L5	L6	L6
Morale:	9	9	9
Hoard Class:	X	X	X
XP:	3100	3600	3600

WHITETAIL SKIMMER
This 15' long dragonfly has a 24' wingspan. The body is white with black markings on the otherwise translucent wings. They can be found in cold regions. Their breath weapon is a blast of icy coldness that has a range of 50' and can be used three times a day.
Mutations: Gigantism, Energy Ray (Cold), Reflective Epidermis (Cold).

EBONY BOGHAUNTER
A black, 16' long dragonfly with a 25' wingspan and translucent wings. They can be found in marshy or swampy regions. Up to three times a day they can breath a stream of Class 8 Acid up to 50' away.
Mutations: Gigantism, Toxic Weapon (Acid), Accumulated Resistance (Acid).

STRIPED EMERALD
With a wingspan of 27', this metallic green dragonfly is 17' long. They can be found in woods or forest areas. Unlike other Gamma Dragonflies, they breath a cloud of Class 5 poison in a 50' radius up to three times a day.
Mutations: Gigantism, Toxic Weapon (Poison Gas), Accumulated Resistance (Poison).

BLUE HAWKER
A metallic blue dragonfly 18' long with a wingspan of 28'. Occasionally encountered in wastelands and deserts, but more commonly found among the metallic skeletons of ruined city with skyscrapers. Their breath weapon is a blast of electricity that has a range of 50' and can be used three times a day.
Mutations: Gigantism, Energy Ray (Electricity), Reflective Epidermis (Electricity).

CRIMSON DARTER
Brightly colored fire engine red dragonflies that are 19' long and have 30' wingspans. These dragonflies can be found just about anywhere. Dreaded for their ability to breathe a blast of fire up to 50', three times a day.
Mutations: Gigantism, Energy Ray (Fire), Reflective Epidermis (Heat).

GOLD MEADOWHAWK
Found only in radioactive regions, these gold dragonflies are 20' long with 32' wingspans. They can emit a Class 6 blast of radiation to 50' up to three times a day.
Mutations: Gigantism, Energy Ray (Radiation), Reflective Epidermis (Radiation).

Post Apocalyptic Names for Wizards, Witches, Sorceresses, Warlocks, Enchanters, Enchantresses, Sorcerers, Magicians, etc.

I can't help it, I have a thing for named spellcasters, so I put together some various tables of names I had sitting around (for various projects) and here is the result. I suppose they could also be used for fantasy magic tossers, or villains in general.

Roll	Male Name 1	Male Name 2	Male Name 3	Female Name 1	Female Name 2	Female Name 3	Epithet
01	Akiro	Khromm	Scud	Abellona	Gingema	Nyssa	Charm Master/Mistress
02	Amar	Kor	Sedah	Abundia	Gorgona	Nyx	Dragon Master/Mistress
03	Amelorn	Kothos	Sersus	Acantha	Griselda	Nyzette	Elixir Mixer
04	Angast	Kovu	Sh'Gora	Achren	Hagatha	Oblivia	Lord/Lady of Wisdom
05	Araldo	Kraggox	Shadowing	Acina	Hazel	Ondine	Master/Mistress of Battle Magic
06	Aremesh	Krahs	Shaereth	Agate	Hecate	Onyx	Master/Mistress of Bone Magic
07	Argaush	Kralloni	Shalandor	Agatha	Hecuba	Opal	Master/Mistress of Death Magic
08	Argoth	Kron	Shallifex	Agrat	Helga	Orcades	Master/Mistress of Forbidden Lore
09	Arkanikus	Kublai	Sharga	Alecto	Hemlock	Orddu	Master/Mistress of Hexes
10	Artemus	Kyraeth	Sheev	Alkhema	Herodiana	Orfia	Master/Mistress of Illusion
11	Astoroth	Lacrisor	Shelazar	Althea	Hexuba	Orgoch	Master/Mistress of Pain
12	Azrog	Landros	Sholow	Amarnith	Hilda	Orwen	Master/Mistress of Stygian Energies
13	Balto	Lokus	Sholtar	Amethyst	Hogatha	Parthenope	Master/Mistress of the Arcane Arts
14	Baltyr	Mallek	Skeletor	Arachne	Horodia	Pephredo	Master/Mistress of the Dark Arts
15	Batros	Marlinius	Skorpos	Aradia	Hunga	Phantazia	Master/Mistress of Wortcraft
16	Bimrao	Maskedor	Skullus	Araldia	Huntara	Phoulotia	Potion Brewer
17	Borador	Mazem	Slurvos	Arvela	Imograndia	Podi	Quacksalver
18	Brambleford	Melaktha	Snetch	Ashtoreth	Infectia	Porphyria	Rune Master/Mistress
19	Bylon	Melango	Snoob	Astra	Invidia	Pythia	Seller of Snake Oil
20	Bytor	Melbrag	Solbaid	Asudem	Iraalia	Raven	Sigil Master/Mistress
21	Byuell	Menothras	Sonath	Atalis	Isadora	Ravena	Spellmaster/mistress
22	Cadis	Merlan	Spectrus	Atropos	Ischade	Rhaldeia	the Alchemist
23	Caer	Merlik	Stremond	Aurora	Isis	Rhea	the Apothecary
24	Calabish	Merlo	Stridor	Badb	Jade	Rowan	the Arcane
25	Cara	Mertock	Surebrek	Balta	Jadis	Rowena	the Archmage
26	Carzo	Mindok	Sutcalag	Bane	Javelynn	Ruby	the Astrologer
27	Chernabog	Moak	Tamusk	Bastinda	Jezebel	Rusalka	the Black
28	Chom	Modulok	Targon	Bat	Juniper	Salome	the Blind
29	Choon	Molkrom	Tataran	Bavmorda	Kalaratri	Sangive	the Blue
30	Cigam	Moltoc	Tauron	Belesa	Kalika	Sapphire	the Brown
31	Colos	Mondain	Theloerus	Belisent	Katya	Satia	the Cabbalist
32	Colossor	Monev	Threthen	Bella	Kikimora	Scorpia	the Chirurgeon
33	Corcan	Monstro	Throthgar	Belladonna	Kittrina	Scratch	the Clever
34	Crex	Monteeg	Thugra	Bellatrix	Lachesis	Scyllla	the Conjurer
35	Daimar	Montork	Thutmakri	Bellicent	Lakshmi	Selene	the Cyber-Lich
36	Danavvas	Morag	Tingler	Belor	Lamia	Serena	the Cyber-Mage
37	Dantilus	Moragore	Togar	Beryl	Lash	Serket	the Cyber-Sorcerer/Sorceress
38	Darkdream	Morbos	Torm	Brianna	Lenore	Sersey	the Cyber-Witch
39	Darkney	Mordax	Tormod	Cackle	Leucosia	Sethra	the Cyber-Wizard
40	Domina	Mordu	Torvin	Cackletta	Ligeia	Shokoti	the Cybermancer
41	Draemus	Morgon	Tsothalanti	Calabisha	Lilith	Sholtara	the Deranged
42	Dragauster	Morgoth	Tyrin	Callisto	Lorelei	Sibyl	the Diabolist
43	Dragstor	Morvath	Tyrollian	Calypso	Lucinda	Sibyline	the Disconnected
44	Drazil	Mozenrath	Umaedus	Carmilla	Luna	Sibylla	the Dweomermaster/mistress
45	Drexxuss	Mutorg	Unwin	Cassandra	Lyrfora	Sidonia	the Enchanter/Enchantress
46	Drude	Nacluv	Urlos	Cassia	Lythande	Siobhan	the Evoker
47	Dylamug	Naminster	Urlynn	Catra	Mab	Siri	the Focused
48	Ebanir	Natas	Uxius	Celice	Macha	Skadi	the Geomancer
49	Eldrath	Natohk	Vandar	Cerridwen	Madana	Skuld	the Greater
50	Elgon	Negator	Vashtarr	Chandri	Maeve	Snetchnia	the Green
51	Elkar	Nepthu	Venn	Cinder	Majella	Sorcha	the Grey
52	Eraster	Nevar	Verdor	Circe	Maleficent	Sorsha	the Hedge Witch/Wizard
53	Evilseed	Nevark	Viveka	Clio	Malini	Strega	the Herbalist
54	Fanamur	Nezmah	Vokan	Clotho	Mandragora	Striya	the Hexenmeister
55	Fandall	Nimnul	Volrath	Cora	Mandrake	Sulochana	the Hydromancer
56	Fuckubis	Nogrog	Voster	Cordelia	Marie	Sumana	the Incanter/Incantrix
57	Garemond	Nortlu	Vostok	Cruella	Marlinia	Sybelle	the Invoker
58	Garn	Nyrmyr	Vulgud	Cybele	Mathilda	Sybil	the Legerdemainist
59	Garth	Ocilac	Vultak	Cybil	Maud	Sycorax	the Lesser
60	Gemini	Omarian	Vulturis	Daedra	Mavra	Tabitha	the Lich-King
61	Gereth	Orfeus	Warrdorr	Dahlia	Mazara	Talia	the Mage
62	Ghenni	Orlin	Warroz	Daji	Medea	Taramis	the Magician
63	Githkos	Osk	Webstor	Decima	Medusa	Terraxia	the Medicine Man
64	Glitch	Ozmandyus	Wevynn	Deino	Mekare	Thistle	the Mumbler
65	Gorgon	Palik	Wovella	Deirdre	Mekhala	Thorn	the Mystic
66	Gorulga	Phenn	Wynkyn	Delphyne	Melangela	Umbra	the Necromancer
67	Granamyr	Phimster	Xaltotun	Desdemona	Melisandre	Undine	the Obtuse
68	Gremnar	Phoulus	Xayter	Devika	Melusine	Urd	the Omniscient
69	Grizzlor	Phyrlin	Xer	Diabolyn	Mephitis	Ursula	the Orange
70	Grod	Plundor	Xor	Discordia	Mesmira	Valtira	the Palid
71	Hawkorous	Pyrinn	Xyr	Dorothea	Mim	Vampirella	the Pox Doctor
72	Hegaullum	Qigon	Yando	Dreadful	Mimi	Vandella	the Professor
73	Hekenyx	Qor	Yara	Drizella	Minerva	Varda	the Profound
74	Hordak	Quixano	Yarkos	Edna	Mircalla	Verdandi	the Purple
75	Horodius	Rabar	Yerusha	Edwina	Misery	Vespa	the Pyromancer
76	Huranthell	Radivan	Yog	Eisheth	Mohini	Vigdis	the Red
77	Igthorn	Rafaj	Yorok	Elfryn	Momba	Vikala	the Sage
78	Ikol	Rago	Yovok	Elmora	Morgaine	Violet	the Scientist
79	Imogrand	Randor	Zabdiel	Elphaba	Morgana	Vypra	the Shaman/Shamaness
80	Indron	Ratigan	Zafire	Elspeth	Morgant	Willow	the Sorcerer/Sorceress
81	Infernus	Ravandel	Zagraz	Elvira	Morgause	Wrack	the Sorcerer King/Sorceress Queen
82	Insolvus	Reficul	Zalt	Empusa	Morgen	Xantha	the Summoner
83	Iokum	Reger	Zanthor	Enchantia	Morgne	Yaga	the Techno-Hexen
84	Iraalia	Rendi	Zargheba	Enchantra	Mormo	Yara	the Techno-Lich
85	Irradior	Rexor	Zargon	Endora	Morrigan	Ydal	the Techno-Mage
86	Ivo	Rhaldeus	Zaster	Endrina	Morta	Yelaya	the Techno-Wizard
87	Jagadis	Rhyax	Zaurroth	Entrapta	Mortianna	Yvaine	the Technomancer
88	Jahinia	Robokulus	Zem	Enyo	Morwen	Yzma	the Thaumaturge
89	Jakath	Rohad	Zerio	Erathia	Moss	Zanya	the Theurgist
90	Jarvan	Rulathal	Zoar	Erichtho	Myrtle	Zarina	the Violet
91	Jorum	Rythor	Zod	Eris	Mysteria	Zastria	the Vivisectionist
92	Ka-Apshai	Sallas	Zodac	Eruza	Natasha	Zatanna	the Warlock
93	Kaj	Saluk	Zogar	Esmerelda	Nemain	Zatara	the White
94	Kajok	Saramen	Zordon	Estreya	Nemesis	Zelda	the Wise
95	Kalderon	Sarott	Zorg	Evanora	Nettle	Zelena	the Witch
96	Karnage	Saureth	Zugon	Evil-Lyn	Nicnevin	Zenobia	the Witch Doctor
97	Katrick	Sauros	Zukala	Evillene	Nightshade	Zeria	the Witch King/Queen
98	Kazulg	Scarg	Zultan	Fiona	Nimue	Zobiana	the Wizard
99	Khemsa	Scren	Zurg	Ghanta	Nona	Zoraida	the Yellow
00	Khotan	Scroop	Zutho	Ginevra	Nyneve	Zorya	Ward Master/Mistress

20 Questions about your fantasy city setting

Came across THIS earlier today. I'll admit, to me it feels like a targeted version of Jeff Rient's classic Twenty Quick Questions for your Campaign Setting, but it does pose some interesting and gameable thoughts.

1. What religion is most prevalent in the city? Who benefits from this/who suffers?
2. Who in the city will reliably buy art pieces and recovered relics from the PC’s? What’s their deal?
3. What is illegal in the city? What’s punishable with jail time, and what’s punishable by death?
4. If you get caught doing crimes, how are you tried? What’s the court system like?
5. What’s the opinion of magic in the city, and is there a place to study it?
6. Who is the richest person in the city? Who are their enemies?
7. What kind of government does the city have? Whose interests do they represent?
8. What’s under the city? Sewers, dungeons, tunnels, aqueducts? What lives in them?
9. What neighbourhoods of the city might the PC’s be barred entry to, based on race/class/status/etc?
10. What’s the terrain like in the city? Is it flat, hilly, are the streets wide or narrow? Does it differ from neighbourhood to neighbourhood?
11. What’s the climate and weather like? Is it temperate, cold, hot, rainy? This should influence both clothing and food available.
12. What’s the architecture of ordinary buildings like? Multi-story, towers, brick, wood, organic materials, basements, attics? Are they easily climbed or broken into?
13. What’s currently in fashion among the rich and middle class? Are there sumptuary laws?
14. Is dueling permitted/encouraged? What laws exist around it? How likely are PC’s to be challenged to a duel on the street?
15. What’s one unique building/landmark/feature the city is most famous for? There should be more than one, but you should have at least one.
16. What are some typical random encounters the PC’s might come across in the streets during the day? At night? You should be able to come up with about 6-10 for each.
17. Who can the PC’s turn to if they break the law or need to escape from town guards? What payment/favours will this person ask for in return?
18. Can you openly wear weapons in the city? If not, who is exempt from this rule?
19. What are some common animals you might see in the streets? Where are animals or beasts not allowed to enter?
20. What can’t be bought in the city, and would need to be smuggled into the city illegally? Who in the city could reliably do this?

Notes:
Question 1: I'd probably rephrase this to allow for multiple religions, as well as cults, sects, and factions which may play a role in the city's underground. Also, I'd include a question relating to who are the notable religious NPCs.
Question 2: Somewhat obvious here, but I'd be more likely to phrase this for the selling/buying of magic items.
Question 3: While I have no problem with being familiarized with the laws and crimes of the city, the punishment questions are too limited in scope, there are other ways besides jail or execution to deal with crimes.
Question 4: This should probably be rolled into question 3.
Question 5: This is good.
Question 6: Another good question.
Question 7: A note that knowing who the prominent government officials are would be useful here.
Question 8: An awesome question, but I think another question should be (it can easily be moved into question four's spot), "How does the city deal with their dead?"
Question 9: Interesting, but not, I think, a major question.
Question 10: Useful information here, but this should probably be rolled into Question 11.
Question 11: See above.
Question 12: This is always a good bit of information useful to playing around in a city setting. I'd love to find a really good random table to help answer this one.
Question 13: I would add to this a question about the typical dress of city inhabitants. Do they have an unique or identifying article or style of clothing?
Question 14: I would probably modify this to discuss fighting in general, i.e. is bar brawling favored or prohibited, are there gladitorial events or martial tournaments, etc.
Question 15: Another great bit of information that could some random tables (they are out there).
Question 16: Pretty standard, though one should perhaps consider if the encounters vary by neighborhood or area of the city as well as time of day.
Question 17: I think I'd modify this to cover black market/underground economics in general. Knowing who can buy/see/acquire stolen or shady goods, contact for confidential information, get you into/out of places without being noticed, etc.
Question 18: Pretty standard, though I'd probably expand it to mention whether or not certain weapons are prohibited/restricted.
Question 19: This question is something that should probably be answered in the city laws and random encounter questions above.
Question 20: Again, laws and crimes.

Given that these questions are recommended as being used in addition to Jeff's 20 Questions, some of them could probably be eliminated and replaced with others that may or may not be useful. For instance, if we already know who's the richest person in the city (Question 6), a question about how the city's merchants and traders operate would be more useful (are they in a guild, independent operations, traveling salespersons, etc.), not too mention asking who are notable merchants.

Tables and Random Generation Stuff

So I've been seeing quite a bit of posts on random tables lately and thought I'd share some miscellaneous notes and stuff.

Posts about Random Tables

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+CourtneyCampbell/posts/Lrj3v2uzwJ7

The temptation of random tables

Methods for writing d100 tables

and an older classic

How to write d100 tables


Random Table Goodness
Where possible I've posted links directly to the random table posts, however some sites aren't tagged or labeled (as far as I can tell), and some sites are just so chock full of awesome tables that you might as well just pick a blog post and go.

THE BIG THREE BLOGS
These are probably the biggest collections of random tables on the blogosphere:

The Dungeon Dozen

Elfmaids & Octopi

Save vs Dragon

GREATEST HITS
I consider these blogs as "go to" sources for random tables of inspiration. There are tons of other blogs out there with random tables, and I've no doubt forgotten a few that I hit up for material, but these are some of the ones that I think have really useful material. Not all of these blogs have a lot of random tables, but the ones that they do have are generally pretty awesome in one way or another. Also, some of these have more tables in their download sections.

Aeons & Augauries

Applied Phantasticality

Blessings of the Dice Gods

Dungeon of Signs

Dyson's Dodecahedron

Goblin Punch

Hack & Slash

Hereticwerks

I Don't Remember That Move

Jeff's Gameblog

Joeskythedungeonbrawler

Kellri's

Last Gasp Grimoire

Monsters and Manuals

Planet Algol

Playing D&D with Porn Stars

Roles, Rules, and Rolls

Tales of the Grotesque & Dungeonesque

Telecanter's Receding Rules

Ten Foot Polemic

tengoldpiecegems

Wampus Country

AUTOMATION SITES
There are a lot of automated random generator sites out there, some good, some bad. Here's three sites that I think are worth checking out for automating generators:

Abulafia Random Generators

Adventuresmith

Tablesmith

Something to think about

What if Dragon Magazine predicted the future? Dragon Magazine #121 posted (1987):

Genndy Tartakovsky posted (2001):

Other Dust Review

This is my review of Sine Nomine's Other Dust RPG. While I generally try to avoid game mechanics coverage, there's some useable and not-so-useable stuff here to consider.

Likes:

• Skills. I know not everyone is a fan of skill systems, and I think a lot of the tacked-on skill systems in D&D and clones don't work all that well, but in a modern, sci-fi, or post apocalyptic game a skill system really is needed. The philosophy that, "characters should be able to do anything," while true to a certain degree, does NOT apply to specialized training and skill fields that, no, not everyone can do. In a post apocalyptic setting, having characters (player or non-player) with specialized training and knowledge is almost a major requirement to the setting. Of course, for Other Dust specifically, I'm not entirely sold on the skill selections, but I find that there is never going to be a perfect skill system out there, everyone has different requirements and preferences in the mechanics involved, so this isn't really a detraction.
  
• Training Packages. While I didn't care that much for the classes themselves, the inclusion of training packages helps customize the basic classes into a bunch of different variations.
  
• Starting Gear table. I love the table with one small little caveat. If it's going to be a d100 table, it should have had 100 entries.
  
• Falling and Suffocations rules. Elegantly simple and usable, easily modified for non-metric systems of measurement, though I'd probably make the small change of having suffocation base time as three minutes, not four.
  
• Negative Conditions. A simple, useful system, though there are some individual issues.
  
• Sustenance rules. An interesting system that is fairly easy to implement and use. Combined with a similarly useful foraging system. May be more or less complex than desired though, tough call.
  
• Fairly decent rules for equipment damage and repair. Nothing really ground breaking, but the rules are solid and usable.
  
• Creating Your Wasteland. The whole chapter is one of the key draws of Sine Nomine's offerings, an intricately usable sandbox generation system. This material can be ripped for any post apocalyptic game. The only small caveat is the possible need to adjust some of the items that are setting dependent.
  
• I'll give some props to the Encumbrance system here, it's quick and usable, though I admit not to my particular preference.
  
• While somewhat generic, the Servants & Hirelings material is pretty good stuff.
  
• Land and Property. It is great that this kind of system is included, and it is one of the few domain-level play type items seen in a post apocalyptic RPG.
  
• Creating Creatures. The Role table is quite useful, though I admit to having mixed feelings on the role breakdowns, some are great basic roles, others just don't seem to quite hit the spot.
  
• Beastmen. Mutated animals are always welcome, though there is an EXTREMELY limited base animals selection given.
  
• Humans. Other Dust's "Men" monster entry is superior to the 'ripped straight from D&D' approach from Mutant Future.
  
• Overall there is a good (if limited) selection of useful and interesting monster opponents, my only problem lies more with their relation to the setting material.
  
• The campaign material. While the background/setting specific material isn't my cup of tea, there is a decently detailed and usable sample campaign area.
  
• Quick Enclave Architecture Details. While I felt that this should have been in the Creating Your Wasteland chapter and not in the GM resources (even though Creating Your Wasteland IS a huge GM Resource), it is a good tool to have.
  
• Overall the GM Resource chapter is pretty useful, and maps and random tables are always welcome.
  

Dislikes:

• I'm going to be upfront about not liking the setting/background material. It is certainly interesting, consistent, imaginative, and useful. I just can't really warm to it personally. This means that for making the material usable to me requires a bit of work to change the features based on the setting material, not a lot of work, but some work would have to be done.
  
• Table of Contents. I'm sorry, but I really, really prefer a Table of Contents that lists more than just chapters. It really needs to include the major sections of each chapter for ease of reference.
  
• While there was a fair selection of the useful and good idea of Backgrounds, I felt that many of the labels and the selections were a little off. Definitely missing a "Healer" background (yes, I know there's a "Healer" training package), possibly some others that don't come to mind immediately, I would probably rework some and add in enough additional options to give a nice d20 table to roll on for those who prefer randomly rolling their background. Overall pretty good, but I think I prefer something more like the backgrounds presented in The Mutant Epoch (despite not quite caring for how that system is caste based).
  
• Language. A lot of mention goes on into the existence of multiple languages, but no list of languages is included. Sure some might consider that added flavor of the unnecessary variety and go with the assumption of standard Earth languages, but the lack of inclusion of a list of languages really annoys given the constant references to picking other languages and "common Enclave language."
  
• Character Class. While I'm totally sold on the inclusion of character classes, I just didn't really get a good feeling about the ones used. I felt like they tried to go for the basic four D&D class equivalents, but missed the mark somehow.
  
• Re-rolling Hit Dice upon gaining a new level. I know where this system comes from, I just think it is stupid as hell.
  
• I'm on the fence about the barter economy used. I know I said I prefer barter systems (which make sense in post apocalyptic settings) to even more abstract systems, like the one used in Barbarians of the Aftermath, but the same dislike stemming from lack of hard value for treasure holds true here.
  
• The mutation system. Not so much the mutations themselves, but the whole bit with System Strain derived from the setting cause for mutations. This is just one of those areas where the setting/background affects game mechanics that I would have to eliminate.
  
• Radiation rules. They're appropriate to the setting, but lack the somewhat more useful elegance of Mutant Future's radiation rules.
  
• Limited diseases & toxins. Three just really wasn't enough.
  
• I found the armor and weapons a bit lacking myself, but it is a fairly easy fix.
  
• Quick Religion Generation. I dislike this not because I think it is somehow bad or unusable, but rather because this was a missed chance to have some random tables for creating wacky wasteland cults.
  
• Like the Table of Contents, the Index seems a little bare-bones.
  
• No Spidergoats.
  
• While breaking and fixing equipment rules where pretty good, the rules for building items from scrap felt way too abstracted to really interest me. It's a simple, usable system, just not what I'm looking for.
  

Summary
Overall I feel that Other Dust is a pretty good GM toolkit for generating post apocalyptic campaigns. I admit I don't care for the setting and that dislike means that this would not be my go-to game for post apocalyptic gaming. I really feel that this offering would have worked a lot better designed solely as a GM toolkit full of sandbox generating tables and material than an independent RPG. However, there are also some fairly usable mechanical systems that could be incorporated into other systems, though I'd go with them more on a pick and choose basis than adapting the material whole.