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Post by grinch on Aug 28, 2022 18:54:01 GMT
“Six feet high, teeth like a shark, rippled skin, and the rage of a wild animal. Am I close?”
The year is 2008. And your PCs land in the alien hotspot that is Cardiff, Wales. Hoping for the chance of some R&R (admittedly it’s something your PCs consider rather unlikely) your PC’s hope of a quiet holiday is interrupted when they find themselves confronted by a Weevil.
Your Time Lord and more alien PCs quickly recognise that Weevils are nothing more than predatory animals although what they lack in intellect they make up for in brute strength and aggression. A successful Knowledge roll also reveals that for some reason as a species they’re very prolific in time period.
Which is why your PCs are flabbergasted when the Weevil in front of them suddenly speaks.
And not just that, but asks for their help.
Could this be an example of the Weevils undergoing an evolution? Or possibly Mad Science gone awry? And what will happen when Torchwood inevitably finds out?
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Catsmate
13th Incarnation
It's complicated....
Posts: 3,753 
Favourite Doctors: Thirteen, Six, Five, Two, Eight, Eleven, Twelve, One, Nine...
Traits: Eccentric, Insatiable Curiousity.
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Post by Catsmate on Aug 28, 2022 20:40:16 GMT
“Six feet high, teeth like a shark, rippled skin, and the rage of a wild animal. Am I close?” The year is 2008. And your PCs land in the alien hotspot that is Cardiff, Wales. Hoping for the chance of some R&R (admittedly it’s something your PCs consider rather unlikely) your PC’s hope of a quiet holiday is interrupted when they find themselves confronted by a Weevil. Your Time Lord and more alien PCs quickly recognise that Weevils are nothing more than predatory animals although what they lack in intellect they make up for in brute strength and aggression. A successful Knowledge roll also reveals that for some reason as a species they’re very prolific in time period. Which is why your PCs are flabbergasted when the Weevil in front of them suddenly speaks. And not just that, but asks for their help. Could this be an example of the Weevils undergoing an evolution? Or possibly Mad Science gone awry? And what will happen when Torchwood inevitably finds out?
1. Garshak, the enhanced Ogron who was Chief of Police on Megerra, an later a noir-ish private detective.
- So, who mentally-augmented the Weevil? Why? How? Are there more of them? Are they hostile? Is the creature's apparent willingness to engage a ploy, does it have more of it's less intelligent brethren waiting in ambush?
And what happens to Cardiff when the Weevils get an intelligent leader?
2. In the wonderfully named Contraband from Otherspace, one of A. Bertam Chandler's Rimworlds novels, the series character encounters a starship that's fallen though from a parallel universe (it happens a lot out on the Rim).
In that universe an unfortunate accident involving a ship-load of vermin infested grain and a malfunctioning warp-drive accelerated the rats' development1. So the Rim was settled by roughly humanoid rodents who enslaved, and ate, the human population.
- And Cardiff has the Rift, the perfect MacGuffin to justify accelerated development of Weevils.
1. Chandler used a similar idea in an earlier short-story, Giant Killer.
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Post by grinch on Aug 29, 2022 19:20:30 GMT
You know, we don’t know a lot about the Weevils. It does make me wonder whether when a group of Weevils is threatened in some way their biology necessitates a release of chemicals which temporarily raises the intelligence of one of their number to serve as a voice for the Weevil race?
Very much a temporary measure and one that would quickly vanish after a time. Be a neat way to end an adventure where your PCs grow quite fond of the Weevil and the Weevil in question, realising that they can quickly find themselves slipping away remark on how they appreciate their newfound intelligence and appreciation for the natural world before reverting back to its usual savage, animalistic self and running off into the darkness...
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Post by soultaker666212 on Aug 29, 2022 19:23:23 GMT
You know, we don’t know a lot about the Weevils. It does make me wonder whether when a group of Weevils is threatened in some way their biology necessitates a release of chemicals which temporarily raises the intelligence of one of their number to serve as a voice for the Weevil race? Very much a temporary measure and one that would quickly vanish after a time. Be a neat way to end an adventure where your PCs grow quite fond of the Weevil and the Weevil in question, realising that they can quickly find themselves slipping away remark on how they appreciate their newfound intelligence and appreciation for the natural world before reverting back to its usual savage, animalistic self and running off into the darkness... Perhaps Krillitane Oil was used to raise the intelligence, how they got the oil is a mystery on itself but I know the oil raises peoples intelligence and vanish after a while. |
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Catsmate
13th Incarnation
It's complicated....
Posts: 3,753
Favourite Doctors: Thirteen, Six, Five, Two, Eight, Eleven, Twelve, One, Nine...
Traits: Eccentric, Insatiable Curiousity.
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Post by Catsmate on Aug 29, 2022 20:43:40 GMT
You know, we don’t know a lot about the Weevils. It does make me wonder whether when a group of Weevils is threatened in some way their biology necessitates a release of chemicals which temporarily raises the intelligence of one of their number to serve as a voice for the Weevil race? Very much a temporary measure and one that would quickly vanish after a time. Be a neat way to end an adventure where your PCs grow quite fond of the Weevil and the Weevil in question, realising that they can quickly find themselves slipping away remark on how they appreciate their newfound intelligence and appreciation for the natural world before reverting back to its usual savage, animalistic self and running off into the darkness...
You're right, very little had been revealed about the Weevils; the nature of their home, their reproduction, their origin. I rather suspect they're artificial creations, they seem too suited to being killing and eating machines. Their society and interactions seem rather rudimentary but they display some of the traits of an intelligent species.
Your second point is excellent and reminds me a little of one of the more interesting aliens in gaming sci-fi, the Kafers of 2300AD.
If some effect of their biological response to threats triggers such a response, perhaps telepathic, perhaps pheromonal, then such an enhanced individual might continue to seek out such situations in order to remain intelligent.
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Catsmate
13th Incarnation
It's complicated....
Posts: 3,753
Favourite Doctors: Thirteen, Six, Five, Two, Eight, Eleven, Twelve, One, Nine...
Traits: Eccentric, Insatiable Curiousity.
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Post by Catsmate on Aug 29, 2022 20:48:42 GMT
You know, we don’t know a lot about the Weevils. It does make me wonder whether when a group of Weevils is threatened in some way their biology necessitates a release of chemicals which temporarily raises the intelligence of one of their number to serve as a voice for the Weevil race? Very much a temporary measure and one that would quickly vanish after a time. Be a neat way to end an adventure where your PCs grow quite fond of the Weevil and the Weevil in question, realising that they can quickly find themselves slipping away remark on how they appreciate their newfound intelligence and appreciation for the natural world before reverting back to its usual savage, animalistic self and running off into the darkness... Perhaps Krillitane Oil was used to raise the intelligence, how they got the oil is a mystery on itself but I know the oil raises peoples intelligence and vanish after a while.
And this allows a tie-in with some unscrupulous humans also attempting to use the oil.
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Post by soultaker666212 on Aug 30, 2022 7:55:15 GMT
Perhaps Krillitane Oil was used to raise the intelligence, how they got the oil is a mystery on itself but I know the oil raises peoples intelligence and vanish after a while.
And this allows a tie-in with some unscrupulous humans also attempting to use the oil.
A black market on Krillitane oil sounds interesting there actually, maybe part of some greater scheme of the Krillitane or a Krillitane under the control of a human or alien crime boss. There could be a lot of money made from the oil at least especially as a drug to boost intelligence, perhaps leakage of the oil has found its way to the Weevil population or even someone like a Krillitane gave the Weevils the oil for whatever purpose it desires. |
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Catsmate
13th Incarnation
It's complicated....
Posts: 3,753
Favourite Doctors: Thirteen, Six, Five, Two, Eight, Eleven, Twelve, One, Nine...
Traits: Eccentric, Insatiable Curiousity.
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Post by Catsmate on Aug 30, 2022 10:41:04 GMT
Perhaps they 'found' an older Krillitane that secretes the stuff? The Rift does attract a range of junk.
And this allows a tie-in with some unscrupulous humans also attempting to use the oil.
A black market on Krillitane oil sounds interest there actually, maybe part of some greater scheme of the Krillitane or a Krillitane under the control of a human or alien crime boss. There could be a lot of money made from the oil at least especially as a drug to boost intelligence, perhaps leakage of the oil has found its way to the Weevil population or even someone like a Krillitane gave the Weevils the oil for whatever purpose it desires.
Of course such a scenario should have more elements beyond the Mob and the main antagonists. The Alien Scientist has their own agenda, the Krillitane wants revenge and is corrupting some of the staff, another Sinister Business(wo)man want's to control the oil, the military is interested (Super Soldier Serum!) and wants UNIT disinvolved and then there's the <relative> of one of the test subjects who's investigating their interesting death.
Wrt the oil, part of the backstory for Finnian Fitzgerald had Krillitane oil as part of the mix that allows him to be successfully (for certain values of 'successfully') infused with Gallifreyan genetics.
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Post by soultaker666212 on Aug 30, 2022 10:53:55 GMT
Of course such a scenario should have more elements beyond the Mob and the main antagonists. The Alien Scientist has their own agenda, the Krillitane wants revenge and is corrupting some of the staff, another Sinister Business(wo)man want's to control the oil, the military is interested (Super Soldier Serum!) and wants UNIT disinvolved and then there's the <relative> of one of the test subjects who's investigating their interesting death.
I do agree there is a lot more other kind of elements to it as well. Id imagine as well Law Enforcement trying to deal with street level Krillitane oil as well which word on the streets may just call it Krill, might be a good kind of adventure, where say The Mob hear of a new drug called Krill on the streets being sold by local dealers and those who come under its effects gain increased intelligence. Tie it into the idea of a businessman getting hold of a Krillitane and forcing to make oil, I can see this businessman profiting off it by distributing it to local or national drug dealers in order to hide they are the ones selling it and well for a cut of the money. The Mob may need a rat to investigate and find out who the manufacturer is, which is the businessman. Perhaps Weevils where test subjects and the businessman knew of them and used them to test the oil on and well some escaped and came to the Mob/UNIT to give info as well or when they break into the place a enhanced Weevil might offer info inside. Follow up campaigns can include the idea of Krill still being out there with another businessman who thanks to industrial espionage and such got hold of how to make Krill and sells it legally and illegally, including military contracts or scientific contracts with it. The you can do the story of a Krillitane invasion in order to get back at humanity for peddling their oil perhaps this other businessman gets hold a Krillitane from this invasion in order to produce a much purer strain of Krill. The potential here is outstanding, such as a Mob taskforce dealing with Krillitane oil aka Krill |
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Catsmate
13th Incarnation
It's complicated....
Posts: 3,753
Favourite Doctors: Thirteen, Six, Five, Two, Eight, Eleven, Twelve, One, Nine...
Traits: Eccentric, Insatiable Curiousity.
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Post by Catsmate on Aug 30, 2022 11:12:02 GMT
Of course such a scenario should have more elements beyond the Mob and the main antagonists. The Alien Scientist has their own agenda, the Krillitane wants revenge and is corrupting some of the staff, another Sinister Business(wo)man want's to control the oil, the military is interested (Super Soldier Serum!) and wants UNIT disinvolved and then there's the <relative> of one of the test subjects who's investigating their interesting death.
I do agree there is a lot more other kind of elements to it as well. Id imagine as well Law Enforcement trying to deal with street level Krillitane oil as well which word on the streets may just call it Krill, might be a good kind of adventure, where say The Mob hear of a new drug called Krill on the streets being sold by local dealers and those who come under its effects gain increased intelligence. Tie it into the idea of a businessman getting hold of a Krillitane and forcing to make oil, I can see this businessman profiting off it by distributing it to local or national drug dealers in order to hide they are the ones selling it and well for a cut of the money. The Mob may need a rat to investigate and find out who the manufacturer is, which is the businessman. Perhaps Weevils where test subjects and the businessman knew of them and used them to test the oil on and well some escaped and came to the Mob/UNIT to give info as well or when they break into the place a enhanced Weevil might offer info inside. Follow up campaigns can include the idea of Krill still being out there with another businessman who thanks to industrial espionage and such got hold of how to make Krill and sells it legally and illegally, including military contracts or scientific contracts with it. The you can do the story of a Krillitane invasion in order to get back at humanity for peddling their oil perhaps this other businessman gets hold a Krillitane from this invasion in order to produce a much purer strain of Krill. The potential here is outstanding, such as a Mob taskforce dealing with Krillitane oil aka Krill
There was in fact a Mob seed called Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad that would work as a Mob introduction.
Cries out for some off-world cops too, Wrarth Warriors returning, or '''undercover''' Judoon.....
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Post by soultaker666212 on Aug 30, 2022 11:23:22 GMT
I do agree there is a lot more other kind of elements to it as well. Id imagine as well Law Enforcement trying to deal with street level Krillitane oil as well which word on the streets may just call it Krill, might be a good kind of adventure, where say The Mob hear of a new drug called Krill on the streets being sold by local dealers and those who come under its effects gain increased intelligence. Tie it into the idea of a businessman getting hold of a Krillitane and forcing to make oil, I can see this businessman profiting off it by distributing it to local or national drug dealers in order to hide they are the ones selling it and well for a cut of the money. The Mob may need a rat to investigate and find out who the manufacturer is, which is the businessman. Perhaps Weevils where test subjects and the businessman knew of them and used them to test the oil on and well some escaped and came to the Mob/UNIT to give info as well or when they break into the place a enhanced Weevil might offer info inside. Follow up campaigns can include the idea of Krill still being out there with another businessman who thanks to industrial espionage and such got hold of how to make Krill and sells it legally and illegally, including military contracts or scientific contracts with it. The you can do the story of a Krillitane invasion in order to get back at humanity for peddling their oil perhaps this other businessman gets hold a Krillitane from this invasion in order to produce a much purer strain of Krill. The potential here is outstanding, such as a Mob taskforce dealing with Krillitane oil aka Krill
There was in fact a Mob seed called Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad that would work as a Mob introduction.
Cries out for some off-world cops too, Wrarth Warriors returning, or '''undercover''' Judoon.....
Ooo I forgot about the Judoon, perhaps the Judoon come naturally as well thinking this is part of a larger Krillitane Oil drug empire set up by the Krillitane themselves, but again it turns out its an isolated incident that matches what is going on on other planets as well, but they may say a while to like try and bring some level of justice either to a human or to the Krillitane producing the oil even if were captured anyways. Perhaps as well the Krillitane start working with this second businessman as well though as an outlet for the much larger interstellar based crime empire based on their Oil which is what bring in the Judoon who works with the Mob to bring justice. |
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Post by grinch on Aug 30, 2022 21:24:43 GMT
You know, we don’t know a lot about the Weevils. It does make me wonder whether when a group of Weevils is threatened in some way their biology necessitates a release of chemicals which temporarily raises the intelligence of one of their number to serve as a voice for the Weevil race? Very much a temporary measure and one that would quickly vanish after a time. Be a neat way to end an adventure where your PCs grow quite fond of the Weevil and the Weevil in question, realising that they can quickly find themselves slipping away remark on how they appreciate their newfound intelligence and appreciation for the natural world before reverting back to its usual savage, animalistic self and running off into the darkness...
You're right, very little had been revealed about the Weevils; the nature of their home, their reproduction, their origin. I rather suspect they're artificial creations, they seem too suited to being killing and eating machines. Their society and interactions seem rather rudimentary but they display some of the traits of an intelligent species.
Your second point is excellent and reminds me a little of one of the more interesting aliens in gaming sci-fi, the Kafers of 2300AD.
If some effect of their biological response to threats triggers such a response, perhaps telepathic, perhaps pheromonal, then such an enhanced individual might continue to seek out such situations in order to remain intelligent.
The Weevils being artificial creations could be an interesting point. Maybe they’re a purely human creation from the Far Flung Future and were originally designed as a labour force. Would certainly explain the boiler suits they all seem to wear. It does make me wonder whether their minor telepathic link and their increase in intelligence was purely an accident. A strange quirk of their biology which even their creators couldn’t predict. Would certainly make for an interesting recurring NPC. A Weevil who is fundamentally good but desperately desires to stay a rational, thinking creature. The sort who’d work with the likes of Torchwood and involve himself in their cases whether they want him to or not. Part of their agreement would also involve Torchwood trying to find a way to make his newfound intelligence permanent. He’d probably get extremely frustrated if they felt he wasn’t being taken seriously or if little to no progress was made on the part of Torchwood. |
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Post by grinch on Aug 30, 2022 21:26:00 GMT
I do agree there is a lot more other kind of elements to it as well. Id imagine as well Law Enforcement trying to deal with street level Krillitane oil as well which word on the streets may just call it Krill, might be a good kind of adventure, where say The Mob hear of a new drug called Krill on the streets being sold by local dealers and those who come under its effects gain increased intelligence. Tie it into the idea of a businessman getting hold of a Krillitane and forcing to make oil, I can see this businessman profiting off it by distributing it to local or national drug dealers in order to hide they are the ones selling it and well for a cut of the money. The Mob may need a rat to investigate and find out who the manufacturer is, which is the businessman. Perhaps Weevils where test subjects and the businessman knew of them and used them to test the oil on and well some escaped and came to the Mob/UNIT to give info as well or when they break into the place a enhanced Weevil might offer info inside. Follow up campaigns can include the idea of Krill still being out there with another businessman who thanks to industrial espionage and such got hold of how to make Krill and sells it legally and illegally, including military contracts or scientific contracts with it. The you can do the story of a Krillitane invasion in order to get back at humanity for peddling their oil perhaps this other businessman gets hold a Krillitane from this invasion in order to produce a much purer strain of Krill. The potential here is outstanding, such as a Mob taskforce dealing with Krillitane oil aka Krill
There was in fact a Mob seed called Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad that would work as a Mob introduction.
Cries out for some off-world cops too, Wrarth Warriors returning, or '''undercover''' Judoon.....
I bet a lot of the Wrarth Warriors who are now coppers on the beat wish they could go back to the days where their biggest concern was tracking down Beep the Meep... |
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