MEKKA - A alternate earth world primer

ezzerharden
world-primer

#1

MEKKA

MEKKA , a world primer for use with the ICPRG core rules by Runehammer Games ©2018.


PREMISE

What if the Roman Empire found giant powered armor-like mecha? They only know how to repair some of the parts, others are magic to them. Do the armors have a “soul”, maybe of the heroes who have died in them…

What if the great Greek heroes were actually named after the pilots of these mecha? Roman heroes like Marcus, Evander, or even Hercules. Same for the other factions as well.

This is an alternate earth world history… Maybe this is why the coliseum is so big; why Mayan pyramids are so tall; why the Chinese built the great wall.

PLAYERS GUIDE

It is recommended that the players all start as ROMAN citizens, but there is no reason they cannot be heroes from other civilizations of Ancient Earth. You are aristocrats, soldiers, or royalty of the empire.

You have been chosen to pilot the great MEKKA. Choose a story that expands on your great deed. Here are some examples:

  • You are a member of a wealthy aristocrat family with money to burn. You bought a relic that turned out to be a MEKKA and paid your way into piloting them.
  • You are a royal and were inducted into the pilot training of the empires MEKKA.
  • You are a member of the Roman Army. Assigned to pilot the MEKKA in defense of the empire.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Achilles battles an orb beast. ­Art by DOFRESH ©2018

During the Third Punic War (149–146 B.C.), the Romans captured and destroyed the city of Carthage, making a section of northern Africa a Roman province. Sometime thereafter the Romans found, hidden in AbuSimbel temples [huge 3,000-year-old temples to Ramesses II], a set of giant armored suits of unknown origin.

The Berbers called them ‘iMazighen’, which interpreted to say, “mechanical men”. The armors were later dubbed “Mezga” by the common people’s slang; only to be named MEKKA by the Roman Empires royal academics.

Could the stories of ancient Greek heroes have been the stories of the men who piloted the large MEKKA? Yes… indeed they were!.

The names of Greek legends were later revealed to have been the same names inscribed on the inside of each of the cockpits of the individual suits. An armor for each of Rome’s greatest heroes.

When a Quetzalcoatl (giant feathered serpent) attacked roman soldiers near the ruins of Carthage, the Roman Mekka, ACHILLEUS, was revealed to the populace in a spectacular battle that raged throughout the countryside. The Mekka defeated the great beast, but now the secret of Rome was revealed.

Where did the Greeks get such technology? How could they have fashioned such wonders? Maybe they were gifts from Mars, the god of war? Are there more MEKKA yet to be discovered? Why were they hidden from the world? These are the questions that followed in the months afterwards.

MEKKA SPECIAL RULES

MEKKA ARMOR

NOTE: The Gigantic Rules from Hard Suit could easily be added to the system presented below…

Rules adapted from MASTER EDITION - GM’s Guide p117

MEKKA have 5 CHUNKS (2 legs, 2 arms, body)

Each CHUNK has 1 HEART of VEHICLE HP (5 HP per CHUNK)

Pedestrians do HALF damage against VEHICLES.

VEHICLES do double damage against those on foot.

IF a CHUNK is reduced to ZERO HP, its destroyed. Remove any ability or weapon associated with that CHUNK. Use a roll to choose what CHUNK, unless the attacker is TARGETING a specific CHUNK.
(Random MEKKA Location 1d6 = 1 Body, 2 Left Arm, 3 Right Arm, 4 Left Leg, 5 Right Leg, 6 Head.)

USING CHUNKS: For each desired function, STAT boost, WEAPON, SPELL, or ABILITY, assign it to 1 CHUNK. When taking damage, assume it is taken, in aggregate, 1 CHUNK at a time. ie: take 10 HP damage, 2 CHUNKS are destroyed. Use a simple die roll to decide what CHUNKS take damage.

BURNING POWER: Using MEKKA ARMOR takes energy. Use this onboard fuel just like SPELL BURN. i.e. 4 ROUNDS of actions, roll to recover for 1D4 ROUNDS. (No Shooting/Fighting, CLOSE Move only, while in RECOVERY MODE) Mitigate this limit with a fuel pack (1 CHUNK, escalates limit by 1 ROUND, 5 rounds of action for each fuel pack).

OVERCLOCK actions by burning extra fuel. Double a WEAPON’s damage, move DOUBLE FAR or the like with an extra ROUND of fuel used.

ABLATIVE ARMOR: Each CHUNK of ABLATIVE ARMOR grant +5 HP. When CHUNKS of ARMOR are destroyed, the suit will need repair. This means suit ARMOR steadily reduces during combat. Only when all ARMOR HP are destroyed does the Armor shutdown until repaired.

SPELLS: 1 SPELL can be equipped as a CHUNK. Use it as normal, roll to cast, etc.

CRITICAL DAMAGE: If a suit takes 10 or more damage in a single hit, 2 CHUNKS are destroyed and the suit is totally immobile for 1D4 ROUNDS, or until repaired.

UPGRADES: Add CHUNKS to a suit at a garage or hangar with 1 roll per CHUNK. This is only important if upgrading in MOMENTS or during combat.

REPAIRS: Repair with an INT roll, doing BASIC work on a CHUNK of your choice. Use tools or a Power Armor Repair Kit (EASY/WEAPON) to improve the roll and EFFORT.

SOCIAL STATUS: Anyone wearing POWER ARMOR is generally perceived as wealthy, military, or royal status. This can be used to great effect in populated and rural areas.

CHUNKS

Each MEKKA has 5 CHUNKS. (2 Arms, 2 Legs, Torso). Each CHUNK has 5 HP and 1 weapon or component mounted to it.

One weapon OR one ability can be attached to each chunk.

When a CHUNK is destroyed the weapon or ability assigned is destroyed as well.

Every time it’s hit, damage is taken to the Torso, or you can roll a d8 (8 being a head shot) to randomize.

Handheld weapons or equipment allow for an additional weapon, or component, to be added to each ARM/HAND. For example, a Roman Armor known as ZEXSIIS has 2 Missile Dart Launchers mounted to each arm. He can also hold a large sword and large axe in each hand in addition to the launchers.

MEKKA SIZE & WEIGHT

The average MEKKA is 60 feet tall and weighs 6000 pounds.

MAGIC

See spells tables in Quick Start rulebook pg. @@ and the MAGIC rulebook.

MEKKA SCALE

A note about scale: All scales for range are doubled when piloting a MEKKA. For example, NEAR in human scale is 30 feet (1 pencil). NEAR in MEKKA Scale is 60 feet ( 2 pencils). So ACHILLES spear, when thrown, would be NEAR within 60 feet (2 pencils) and FAR from 61 feet up to 120 feet (4 pencils). This is more important when playing with miniatures then on a VTT.

ROMAN MEKKA

ACHILLES: +2 STR, +2 DEX, +2 WEAPON, 2 Additional ARMOR CHUNKS to LEGS (10 HP total each leg); WINGS: Move FAR (1 left/1 right arm); SPEAR (REACH NEAR, THROWN FAR, handheld right), SHIELD (+5 HP to left arm).

ALEXANDER:

BELLEROPHON:

DAEDALUS:

HERACLES:

ICARUS:

HERCULES:

ODYSSEUS:

PERSEUS:

THESEUS:

TITANICUS:

ZERKSIIS:

ROMAN ARMORY

d10 list of weapon and abilities that can be added or exchanged to each MEKKA

  1. Aspis (Spartan Shield) - FORCE FIELD: Stops all damage for 1d4 rounds. SPELLBURN.
  2. Kopis (Hoplite Sword) - MAGIC
  3. Pilum (Javelin) - RETURNS when thrown and misses.
  4. Gladius (Short Sword) - ULTIMATE on 19 or 20
  5. Hasta (Spear) - Destroys 1 CHUNK system on CRIT
  6. Pugio (Dagger) - WEAPON when thrown, GUN in melee, MAGIC from behind
  7. Ballista (Magic Missiles) - FAR, BASIC, 1d4 Missiles at 1d4 enemies within CLOSE of designated target
  8. Onager (Magical Grenade) - CLOSE BLAST, FAR HARD.
  9. Scorpio (Magic Dart) - MAGIC to single target, spend 1 turn aiming, auto hit on turn 2.
  10. Ram (Reinforced Gauntlet) - MAGIC and PUSH target away CLOSE.

ENEMIES

The GM is encouraged to use any other Egyptian, Chinese, or Mayan Empire armors as major NPC’s and Foes.

THE EGYPTIAN EMPIRE

Cleopatra Thea, ruler of Egypt, was a sorceress who made a pact with the ancient spirits. In return she was given use of powerful MEKKA. One for every 10,000 slaves sacrificed. As ruler of Egypt she used the MEKKA to invade and enslave much of the surrounding kingdoms. Her romantic liaisons with military rulers, as well as her beauty and powers of seduction were only equaled by the power of the MEKKA.

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The discovery of the Greek MEKKA by the Romans started a power struggle that the Egyptians wanted to win. So they unearthed the locations of other MEKKA buried in the desert. Within a short time, Cleopatra had the other nations fighting for resources and power to stop her reign.

The great pyramids stand as a repair and refueling stations for the great MEKKA of Egypt. Her many slaves make quick work of any repairs needed to continue her conquest of the Roman Empire.

EGYPTIAN MEKKA

A powerful magical element called Black Glass fell from the sky and drove many Egyptians’ into madness. The alien infection covers one or more of its hosts limbs with black glass scales. Once the infection slowed, Cleopatra was mad with spreading its control over the empire. Driven by the alien intelligence plaguing her people. To her surprise the Black Glass communicated with her. Showing her locations of the MEKKA in the desert.

RA

GEB

NUT

SHU

OSIRIS

ISIS

SET

NEPHTHYS

HORUS

ANUBIS

EGYPTIAN ARMORY d10 loot table

THE CHINESE EMPIRE

image
The Han Dynasty is said to of have been one of the greatest empires of the world. The emperor was instrumental in creating the “Han society”. He presided over the government of shared power with the nobility and appointed ministers.

These kingdoms gradually lost all vestiges of their independence, particularly following the Rebellion of the Seven States. From the reign of Emperor Wu (r. 141–87 BC) onward, the Chinese court officially sponsored Confucianism in education and court politics, synthesized with the cosmology of later scholars such as Dong Zhongshu.

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It was the discovery of Emperor Han’s greatest secret that changed the power struggle in the Chinese empire. Han had discovered numerous Mekka hidden in caves of the now Mongolian steppes. For half a century the Chinese did not know what they found until one day the Mekka became animated after a large loss of life during a battle which defeated the Xingu. Little did they know that the Mekka were storing the souls of the dead until enough energy to restore them was generated. Emperor Han followed the cave into a vast underground network beneath a large mountain range. There he discovered ruinous powers that have granted him control of the Mekka and given him immortality. But at the cost of thousands upon thousands of Chinese lives.

CHINESE MEKKA

Emperor Han bound the spirits of ancient heroes from Chinese folklore in the Mekka. He controls them thru magical slavery. If they harm him, they too will be harmed. If they kill him, they themselves will be destroyed.

YUE FEI

MULAN

JI GONG

HAN XIN

MU GUIYING

CHINESE ARMORY

THE MAYAN EMPIRE

Teotihuacan was one of the most remarkable cities of the ancient world. It is massive, densely populated, and well organized.

Teotihuacan is the 6th largest city in the world (after Constantinople, Changan, Loyang, Ctesiphon, and Alexandria). It’s believed that the population was up to 200,000.

The feathered serpents, known as the Quetzocoatl, have been the ally and friend of the Maya for millennia. They not only defend them but grant those deemed worthy full access to Mekka.

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Long ago, an Maya hero, Xochitl, rescued a Quetzocoatl. As a reward, the beast granted them the eternal protection of his people for their entire existence. The Quetzocoatl have lived amongst the people of Teotihuacan and the Mayan empire ever since**.** At least, that’s what the legends say. They lived and worked in the Sun and Moon Temples for an eternity.

In the temples are the great secrets of the Mayan civilization. Suits of smaller but powerful MEKKA. (8-9 feet tall/900 lbs.) They were gifted to them by the Quetzacoatl. The MEKKA grant the Maya greatest warriors an incredible resilience. The Mayan people hold the MEKKA as sacred. But with rumors of invasion and other MEKKA having been discovered in other lands, the time for secrecy has ended. They must defend their lands from the invading MEKKA, or lose their lands, people, and the beloved Quetzacoatl.

MAYAN MEKKA

TLALOC

TONAT

TEZCAT

CHALCHI

CENTEOTL

COATL

TOTEC

TECHU

MAYAN ARMORY

PILOTS OF RENOWN

1 for each Faction. For use as a quick start character or NPC.

Roman: Achilleus

Egyptian: Set

Chinese: Po

Mayan: Xochitl


#2

This is AWESOME! Its definitely suites with Hard Suits!


#3

I wrote this long before Hard Suits was even a thing… now I got rules for all of them! … thanks for taking a moment to read and comment… always love to hear feedback on my crazy ideas.

game on!

~Ezzer


#4

It’s not crazy ideas, it’s… it’s just… our real world is calling for us!


#5

Wow! This is quite something :D.

So, did I understand correctly? In the Mediterranean, the Greeks probably created or used the Mekka first and then the Romans inherited the machines somehow?


#6

This reminds me of an old RPG i used to play back in the day:
Vay

Very awesome idea!


#7

Maybe the greeks were granted mecha by the gods, or aliens, or alternate universe gate… i dont know for sure… thats up to you and your players to solve… but either way, its not only the romans but all of the other major civilizations at the time…


#8

Vay souds really cool…and it does kind of fit into that style of writing/world… thanks for sharing. I may have to look into that one!

Game On

~Ezzerharden


#9

Okay, thanks! I like the idea of leaving it vague. That way each table can come up with their own ideas. This looks like a really cool setting.


#10

I really like this idea, do you plan on filling out more more mechs and armories ? If not, what are your baseline creation rules that you follow when making the mechs and gear? Cause id love to use this.


#11

I am planning on filling out the mekka using hard suit rules but it’s gonna be a minute. Got some real life things taking up my time… for now I would recommend using the hard suit or chunk rules… either would work well… just a matter of personal preference