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The Certainty of Steel Optimization is not an upgrade. It is a correction.
The body is not a finished product—it is a blueprint, a rough sketch waiting for revision. Through his meticulous craftsmanship, flesh and bone become something smarter, sharper, superior. Using his custom-engineered implants, he rewrites human limitations, embedding precision-crafted machinery into the bodies of those willing—and sometimes unwilling—to evolve.
Each augmentation is a masterwork, uniquely tailored to the individual, as personal as ink, as permanent as scar tissue. Zero does not deal in mass-produced cyberware—his creations are bespoke, each one bearing his signature: a discreet Ø alongside the Chinese ideograms for "Zero". They are more than mere modifications; they are a statement, a legacy, a brand.
On others, Zero's work is expression, a philosophical act—he is not just installing hardware, he is shaping identity. But on himself? His augments are calculated, tactical, a means to an end. Power is not an abstract idea—it is built, installed, and wired beneath the skin.
And Zero? He is both architect and test subject, engineer and experiment, creator and creation.
Exert your Mind and spend 30 minutes. Select a Living target within arm's reach. Your target must make a Trauma roll to reap the benefits of this Effect. They may choose to Resist the Effect and not make the roll. The target can easily Resist.
You may add one augmentation to your target. Each augmentation counts as a Trauma and can have exactly one of the following Effects:
- Specialized: You receive +2 dice to a particular non-combat, non-Effect Action.
- Environmental Adaptation: You do not suffer harm from heat, cold, pressure, or lack of oxygen in a particular environment, provided that challenge normally exists in that environment.
- Implanted Tool: You have access to the functionality of some common Device at all times. The selected Device can be no larger than a motorcycle helmet.
- Armor: You have 2 Armor at all times. As always, Armor from multiple sources does not stack.
- Pouch: Part of your body functions as a hidden pocket. It can hold no more than a briefcase (15 liters).
- Zippy: Your Free Movement is increased by 10 feet.
- Maws and Claws: Your unarmed attacks do +2 Weapon Damage instead of -1.
The augmentations you provide are not outwardly visible nor obvious.
- Remember: A Contractor’s Body rating is reduced by 1 for each Battle Scar after their fourth.
- You may not augment targets with pouches or implanted devices that are larger than they are.
- Targets without Body ratings may have a maximum of 4 augmentations.
- Example environments for adaptation: space, all saltwater, all fresh water, all water under 50 feet deep, all water deeper than 50 feet, the jungle, radioactive areas, a specific alien world, etc.
- You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
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The Sons of Salem
We swear to secure our people against the wickedness and evil of the invisible world.
We swear to aid the afflicted.
We swear to stay ever vigilant and seek out the abominable witchcrafts committed in this country.
We humbly pray to be blessed by God to hold all those who consort with the Devil accountable. Amen
—Opening and closing prayer for Sons of Salem meetings.
The Sons of Salem is a loosely-organized conservative populist movement in the United States that preaches violent opposition to anything they perceive as witchcraft, demonic, or monstrous.
Blowhard podcaster Ted Gundy and former general of the mercenary group “Hognose,” Roland Rush, founded the movement in 2010 after a series of violent werewolf attacks and unexplained, supernatural murders in Tennessee. Memberships grew quickly, stoked by Ted’s fiery doomsday rhetoric on his podcast "Truth Seekers" and the aspiration of the masculine power embodied by Roland.
Although they speak of duty, honor, and maintaining the “natural order” of things, the Sons of Salem are driven by fear. They collect guns and appear at protests en-masse as a way of easing the all-consuming terror of their powerlessness. At the same time, they have conditioned themselves to respond to fear with “strength” (read: violence).
Community
Augment Gifts
Blood Transfusion
What we need, are more eyes...
Experimental blood transfusions performed using the Montaigne’s Vileblood and the blood of beasts both natural and abnormal can yield intriguing results.
With the blood comes… eyes, miniscule growths on the brain.
They grant clarity, a terrible insight that can bring one closer to the true origin of the beasts of this world. One can tap into the dark truths granted by these eyes to strengthen themselves.
They grant madness.
A yearning to... cleanse.
To eradicate all the beasts and vermin of the Earth.
To acquire more eyes.
You’re ready now. Join the Hunt.
Exert your Mind and spend eight hours. Select a Living target within arm's reach. The target can easily Resist.
You may add one augmentation to your target. Each augmentation counts as a Trauma and can have exactly one of the following Effects:
- Specialized: You receive +2 dice to a particular non-combat, non-Effect Action.
- Environmental Adaptation: You do not suffer harm from heat, cold, pressure, or lack of oxygen in a particular environment, provided that challenge normally exists in that environment.
- Implanted Tool: You have access to the functionality of some common Device at all times. The selected Device can be no larger than a motorcycle helmet.
- Armor: You have 2 Armor at all times. As always, Armor from multiple sources does not stack.
- Pouch: Part of your body functions as a hidden pocket. It can hold no more than a briefcase (15 liters).
- Zippy: Your Free Movement is increased by 10 feet.
- Maws and Claws: Your unarmed attacks do +2 Weapon Damage instead of -1.
The augmentations you provide are not outwardly visible nor obvious.
- Remember: A Contractor’s Body rating is reduced by 1 for each Battle Scar after their fourth.
- You may not augment targets with pouches or implanted devices that are larger than they are.
- Targets without Body ratings may have a maximum of 4 augmentations.
- Example environments for adaptation: space, all saltwater, all fresh water, all water under 50 feet deep, all water deeper than 50 feet, the jungle, radioactive areas, a specific alien world, etc.
- You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Writ of Ascendancy
Let me etch my will upon you, and you shall be reborn.
Elrienne extends her hand out, etheral flames erupting around it. Then she places the hand on the targets and begins to etch runes of her own essence into the very soul of the target. To have ones soul modified like this is a painful and traumatic experience, but the reward is one well worth the cost.
Exert your Mind and spend eight hours. Select a Living target within arm's reach. The target can easily Resist.
You may add one augmentation to your target. Each augmentation counts as a Trauma and can have exactly one of the following Effects:
- Specialized: You receive +2 dice to a particular non-combat, non-Effect Action.
- Environmental Adaptation: You do not suffer harm from heat, cold, pressure, or lack of oxygen in a particular environment, provided that challenge normally exists in that environment.
- Implanted Tool: You have access to the functionality of some common Device at all times. The selected Device can be no larger than a motorcycle helmet.
- Armor: You have 2 Armor at all times. As always, Armor from multiple sources does not stack.
- Pouch: Part of your body functions as a hidden pocket. It can hold no more than a briefcase (15 liters).
- Zippy: Your Free Movement is increased by 10 feet.
- Maws and Claws: Your unarmed attacks do +2 Weapon Damage instead of -1.
The augmentations you provide are not outwardly visible nor obvious.
- Remember: A Contractor’s Body rating is reduced by 1 for each Battle Scar after their fourth.
- You may not augment targets with pouches or implanted devices that are larger than they are.
- Targets without Body ratings may have a maximum of 4 augmentations.
- Example environments for adaptation: space, all saltwater, all fresh water, all water under 50 feet deep, all water deeper than 50 feet, the jungle, radioactive areas, a specific alien world, etc.
- You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Nature's Salvation
A whisper from the earth, a cure for the broken
When using this power Ajax must first connect deeply with the world around him and draw upon his own divine essence. Through his senses, he reaches for the subtle threads of life that weave through the world. His hands begin to glow faintly, the green light becoming more intense as the energy gathers at his fingertips. As his fingertips graze over the injuries they are suddenly met with the soft petals of blooming flowers and moist moss as plants erupt from the wounds.
This power was not meant to heal mortals and as such has disturbing effects on the average person. The overflow of sudden vitality causes the wound to flood with blood and make disturbing squelching sounds as the plants greedily drink it up. If the plants are exposed to extreme temperatures they will shrivel and die causing the injury to relapse. After a month of proper care they fall off on their own, similar to a scab.
Ajax's journey to the mortal plane was in search of Nature's Salvation and while he envisioned himself as the solution it seems he isn't yet ready to cure his Mother's illness. Drawing upon the restorative powers of his divine essence he discovered that the root of the problem wasn't within his ability to heal. His power is able to fix the broken bodies of mortals with ease but has not provided his Mother solace from the pain she suffers as he had hoped. Even though he can't heal the overarching sickness affecting Mother Nature, it offers a moment of peace, healing those in need and providing a glimpse of Nature’s resilience and power to survive.
Exert your Mind and spend 1 minute. Select a Living target within arm's reach. Choose a specific Injury on your target that has not yet been treated with this Effect and roll Perception + Occult at Difficulty 6.
If you succeed, the Injury is reduced in Severity by your Outcome. If you reduce its Severity to 0, the Injury is fully healed. Otherwise, it is partially healed and will heal the rest of the way at its natural rate.
This counts as a successful Makeshift Stabilization if the Injury was not already Stabilized; any Battle Scars caused by the Injury will remain. Your patient is required to avoid being exposed to extreme temperatures for the next month. If they violate this rule, your treatment is immediately reversed.
Anyone who witnesses you during this Effect's activation will almost certainly be disturbed to see the patients skin wriggles and writhes before plants burst through the wound as blood pours out. Horrific squelching sounds will come from the wounds as the plants drink the blood.
- The patient is aware of the after-care requirement.
- When narrating disturbing content, be cognizant of your group's tone and accommodating to those who would like to "fast forward" through the description.
- Unstabilized wounds do not degenerate during treatment.
- You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Augmentum
"I'm gonna need all the upgrades I can get if I want to get anywhere!"
The punk lies down and begins their work, showing masterful precision despite the obvious difficulty of performing what is essentially surgery on themself.
Exert your Mind and spend eight hours. You may only target yourself. The target can easily Resist.
You may add one augmentation to your target. Each augmentation counts as a Battle Scar and can have exactly one of the following Effects:
- Specialized: You receive +3 dice to a particular non-combat Action.
- Environmental Adaptation: You do not suffer harm from heat, cold, pressure, or lack of oxygen in a particular environment, provided that challenge normally exists in that environment.
- Implanted Tool: You have access to the functionality of some common Device at all times. The selected Device can be no larger than a backpack.
- Armor: You have 3 Armor at all times. As always, Armor from multiple sources does not stack.
- Pouch: Part of your body functions as a hidden pocket. It can hold no more than a backpack.
- Zippy: Your Free Movement is increased by 15 feet.
- Maws and Claws: Your unarmed attacks do +3 Weapon Damage instead of -1.
- Remember: A Contractor’s Body rating is reduced by 1 for each Battle Scar after their fourth.
- You may not augment targets with pouches or implanted devices that are larger than they are.
- Targets without Body ratings may have a maximum of 4 augmentations.
- You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Evolutionary Gestation
Resting a body inside a Cocoon, the Alien slowly transmutes the biology of the subject; changing the genealogy of said subject for the purposes of adaptation to a basic function, or genetic capability. While this effect seems simple, it is nothing but; the person in question is subjected to a forceful moment of drowsiness before being sat in a fetal position.
Thus begins the process: a cocoon is formed using the salivary regurgitation of the Xenomorph, creating a thick leathery cradle for the body to be placed in. The Cradle is then filled with Amniotic fluid provided by the Xeno-Mother, to which the Person inside will be drowned by soon. To ensure their survival, the Xeno-Mother injects their breathing apparatus, whatever that may, be with a fleshy umbilical that which is attached to the Cradle's respiratory organ.
This process may shock the subject into a state of fear and confusion, leading them to harm the process, so to ensure they won't interfere with the progress, the Cradle's biological appendages wrap around the limbs of the body and seal themselves. Injecting them with a numbing effect of which makes movements slow and constricting: You are awake, you can move, it's dark, wet, hot, you're barely being kept alive by the pumped hot air in your body. All you can hear is the muffled sounds of a monster lurking just outside your shell. You can break out... But will you?
On the outside, it looks like the most horrible state of body horror, that ends with the cocoon bursting with amniotic fluid, being set anew; like a reborn child.
Exert your Mind and spend 30 minutes. Select a Living target within arm's reach. The target can easily Resist.
You may add one augmentation to your target. Each augmentation counts as a Battle Scar and can have exactly one of the following Effects:
- Specialized: You receive +2 dice to a particular non-combat, non-Effect Action.
- Environmental Adaptation: You do not suffer harm from heat, cold, pressure, or lack of oxygen in a particular environment, provided that challenge normally exists in that environment.
- Implanted Tool: You have access to the functionality of some common Device at all times. The selected Device can be no larger than a motorcycle helmet.
- Armor: You have 2 Armor at all times. As always, Armor from multiple sources does not stack.
- Pouch: Part of your body functions as a hidden pocket. It can hold no more than a briefcase (15 liters).
- Zippy: Your Free Movement is increased by 10 feet.
- Maws and Claws: Your unarmed attacks do +2 Weapon Damage instead of -1.
Anyone who witnesses you during this Effect's activation will almost certainly be disturbed to see Body Horror and restrictive invasive biology.
Your alteration "heals" over the course of the next month, after which it is fully cured.
- When narrating disturbing content, be cognizant of your group's tone and accommodating to those who would like to "fast forward" through the description.
- Remember: A Contractor’s Body rating is reduced by 1 for each Battle Scar after their fourth.
- You may not augment targets with pouches or implanted devices that are larger than they are.
- Targets without Body ratings may have a maximum of 4 augmentations.
- Example environments for adaptation: space, all saltwater, all fresh water, all water under 50 feet deep, all water deeper than 50 feet, the jungle, radioactive areas, a specific alien world, etc.
- You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Stock
Augment Gifts
Adapt, Survive
The mutant has gained some control over their genetic instability, allowing them to trigger a mutation at will. When the need arises, their flesh warps and twists, and a new mutation manifests that is suited to whatever obstacle the mutant happens to be facing at the time.
Spend 30 minutes. You may only target yourself. The target can easily Resist.
You may add one augmentation to your target. Each augmentation counts as a Battle Scar and can have exactly one of the following Effects:
- Specialized: You receive +2 dice to a particular non-combat, non-Effect Action.
- Environmental Adaptation: You do not suffer harm from heat, cold, pressure, or lack of oxygen in a particular environment, provided that challenge normally exists in that environment.
- Implanted Tool: You have access to the functionality of some common Device at all times. The selected Device can be no larger than a motorcycle helmet.
- Armor: You have 2 Armor at all times. As always, Armor from multiple sources does not stack.
- Pouch: Part of your body functions as a hidden pocket. It can hold no more than a briefcase (15 liters).
- Zippy: Your Free Movement is increased by 10 feet.
- Maws and Claws: Your unarmed attacks do +2 Weapon Damage instead of -1.
This Gift cannot have more than 3 Drawbacks, and its Gift Cost is capped at 2.
Your alteration "heals" over the course of the next month, after which it is fully cured.
- Remember: A Contractor’s Body rating is reduced by 1 for each Battle Scar after their fourth.
- You may not augment targets with pouches or implanted devices that are larger than they are.
- Targets without Body ratings may have a maximum of 4 augmentations.
- Example environments for adaptation: space, all saltwater, all fresh water, all water under 50 feet deep, all water deeper than 50 feet, the jungle, radioactive areas, a specific alien world, etc.
- You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Cybernetic Implants
I'm sure it'll work THIS time.
Who wouldn't want one of the mad scientist's famous implants? All it takes is a little time and a few terrifying experiments, and you too could be a better you!
Warning: not fully tested on humans. Risk of dry mouth, upset stomach, or lost limbs. Do not consult your doctor before signing the liability release.
Exert your Mind and spend eight hours. Select a Living or Animate target within arm's reach. Roll a single D10 as a critical failure check. If you roll a 1, the Effect fails, and you cause a major Battle Scar instead of an augmentation. Your target must make a Trauma roll to reap the benefits of this Effect. They may choose to Resist the Effect and not make the roll. The target can easily Resist.
You may add one augmentation to your target. Each augmentation counts as a Battle Scar and can have exactly one of the following Effects:
- Specialized: You receive +2 dice to a particular non-combat, non-Effect Action.
- Environmental Adaptation: You do not suffer harm from heat, cold, pressure, or lack of oxygen in a particular environment, provided that challenge normally exists in that environment.
- Implanted Tool: You have access to the functionality of some common Device at all times. The selected Device can be no larger than a motorcycle helmet.
- Armor: You have 2 Armor at all times. As always, Armor from multiple sources does not stack.
- Pouch: Part of your body functions as a hidden pocket. It can hold no more than a briefcase (15 liters).
- Zippy: Your Free Movement is increased by 10 feet.
- Maws and Claws: Your unarmed attacks do +2 Weapon Damage instead of -1.
The augmentations you provide are not outwardly visible nor obvious.
- Remember: A Contractor’s Body rating is reduced by 1 for each Battle Scar after their fourth.
- You may not augment targets with pouches or implanted devices that are larger than they are.
- Targets without Body ratings may have a maximum of 4 augmentations.
- Example environments for adaptation: space, all saltwater, all fresh water, all water under 50 feet deep, all water deeper than 50 feet, the jungle, radioactive areas, a specific alien world, etc.
- You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.