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  G1504.1 
   
  Adventures of the Atomic Rangers 
  The Day the Moon Ran Away with a Spoon 
   
  GagMen Episode 37, April 2015 
  A Basic Fantasy Adventure set in the retro sci-fi world of the Atomic Rangers 
  “Shoestring Budget Sci-fi” 
  Written by the GagMen on the GagMen RPG Podcast 
  Illustrations by Gaghouse Productions 
  Contact:  shutup@gagmen.net 
  Basic Fantasy Rules 
  Product Identity:  The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined by the Open Gaming License version 1.0a Section 8, and are not Open Content:  All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper 
  names, dialogue, plots, storylines, locations, adventurers, artwork, and the trade dress.  Elements that have previously been designated as Open Content or Public Domain are not included in this declaration. 
  Open Content:  Except for the material designated as Product Identity above, the game mechanics of the Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game is Open Game Content, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a 
  Section 1(d).  No portion of this work other than the material designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any form without written permission. 
  Because the Open Gaming License is available to view online, we didn’t feel the need to include the entire document in our little adventure.  To view the current copy of the Open Gaming 
  License:  http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/OGLv1.0a.rtf 
  General Ideas and Story 
  This adventure idea is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.  As with most GagMen adventure ideas, we don’t need the money but we do like the credit.  To view a copy of this  
  License, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ . 
  Table of Contents 
  Introduction ........................................................................ 2 
  Shoestring Budget Sci-Fi?  What in the world is that? ... 2 
  Dwarves are from Mars and Elves are from Venus ........ 3 
  Summary ............................................................................. 3 
  Setting/Theme .................................................................... 4 
  History of the Future ...................................................... 4 
  The Atomic Rangers ....................................................... 4 
  The Earth, the Moon, and the Stars ............................... 4 
  Plot ...................................................................................... 5 
  The Call to Adventure .................................................... 5 
  Bang!  Zoom!.................................................................. 6 
  Canned Squid ................................................................. 6 
  Digging up the Spoon on the Moon ............................... 7 
  Surprise Party ................................................................. 8 
   
   
   
   
  Conflict ............................................................................... 8 
  Ancient Venusian History .............................................. 8 
  Getting friendly with the Natives .................................. 9 
  Lion-Men, Robots, and Elves!  Oh, my! ......................... 9 
  Throwing the Moon Around ........................................ 10 
  Hang In There .............................................................. 11 
  Super Happy Fun Ending ............................................. 11 
  Characters ........................................................................ 12 
  Details .............................................................................. 16 
  Future Gear ................................................................. 16 
  Retro Future Races ...................................................... 16 
  Lion-Men ..................................................................... 17 
  Retro Future Classes .................................................... 18 
  Secret Decoder ............................................................ 18 
   
   
  
   
   
   
  2 
   
  Introduction 
  This adventure was created with the Basic Fantasy Rules (by Chris Gonnerman) but could be used for most 
  retro-clone versions of Dungeons & Dragons, or any version of Dungeons & Dragons with which you may be more 
  familiar. The adventure is designed for beginning level characters, preferably between levels 1-3, and was written 
  with lots of silly little things meant to make your gaming experience light and fun. 
  Unfortunately, there is not an equivalent science fiction role-playing game as affordable or accessible as 
  Basic Fantasy, As such, we have adapted Basic Fantasy rules and other elements of the world to create Basic 
  Space.  Basic Space rules are in no way endorsed by Chris Gonnerman, and are purely an experiment of the 
  GagMen.  If the rules that we have adapted don’t fit your style, feel free to change them or try your own 
  solution.  Otherwise, make sure your seatbelts are fastened and your tray table is in the upright/locked position (in 
  other words, we’re not sure how this is going to work, so please bear with us!).   
   
  Shoestring Budget Sci-Fi?  What in the world is that? 
  How can a story based seventeen years in the past also be set in the future?  The future that we live in, or as 
  you may like to call it “the present”, is just one possible world that could exist.  The Atomic Rangers setting is the 
  future as represented in the 1930’s serial films and the 1950’s television shows.   It is a universe filled with shining 
  chrome rockets flinging themselves to the stars and into harm’s way to set the universe on the path of justice.   
  This retro-sci-fi universe does not always follow the rules and physical laws that we know today; for 
  example your characters might survive a short space walk without a suit.  Other possible examples may include that 
  when a rocket stops firing, it stops motionless in space or immediately crashes on the nearest planet, not following 
  normal rules of inertia or physics.  A simple way to accept this is to understand that writers from the era really had 
  no idea how the universe worked, so they just made stories and guessed the rest. 
  One distinct characteristic of this era was the small budget (or, “shoestring budget”) assigned to achieve 
  epic results; as a result, the occasional fish line or zipper might be seen holding the universe together! 
  
   
   
   
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  Dwarves are from Mars and Elves are from Venus 
  We have only just begun to explore this world, however since we used the Basic Fantasy rules it only made 
  sense to use the same races in order to save a little time.  The Elves used here are a race native to the jungle planet of 
  Venus.  They are a ritualistic and ancient race that has long observed Earth.  The Dwarves control the red planet 
  Mars, and are stern, smart, and keen to work on devices. 
  These races should play about the same as in Basic Fantasy, and you can expect others to be included.  So 
  far the adventures of the Atomic Rangers have yet to leave the solar system, but you can expect more adventures 
  that will expand their universe and introduce many new friends and enemies.  For wherever there is injustice and 
  tyranny, you will find the Atomic Rangers fighting for what is right! 
   
  Summary 
      
  When danger looms in the Solar system and the human race is threatened, only the Atomic 
  Rangers have the power to defend them! As ancient secrets are discovered on the Moon, an old enemy 
  stirs at the chance to wreak his revenge on earth and the Rangers! While the answers may lie on Venus, if 
  Barn Zordo has any say, all the Ranger will find is their doom! Buckle up Rangers, for galactic adventure 
  and interstellar mystery waits as you witness “The day the Moon ran away with the Spoon!” 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
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  Setting/Theme 
  History of the Future 
      Our story is set in the far 
  flung future of 1996, the atomic 
  rocket age.  Humans have made 
  leaps and bounds in atomic 
  technology, turning its 
  destructive potential into a hope 
  for the future.  With atomic 
  powered rockets, humanity has 
  begun exploring space, reaching 
  the planets of our solar system 
  and far into deep space.  The 
  Earth Space Patrols enforce and 
  protect the more primitive 
  civilizations on neighboring planets, and 
  apply the only true justice that can be found 
  in this new lawless frontier. 
   
  The Atomic Rangers 
  With the universe opened to exploration 
  and Earth more vulnerable to attacks and 
  invasions than ever before, the inhabitant 
  created a special force that would protect 
  the defenseless, uphold the law, and stop 
  evil before it begins.   Though the 
  Rangers were founded on Earth, their 
  organization has grown to include 
  groups of different races and species 
  that have each learned the benefit of 
  working together for a better 
  future.  All sentient races in the 
  solar system are aware of the 
  Atomic Rangers, and either respect 
  or fear them. 
  Trained to protect the new open frontier, 
  each Atomic Ranger is extensively 
  trained in combat, justice, honor, 
  etiquette, and 
  discipline.  Rangers are 
  accompanied by several 
  deputized agents with 
  specialties to help 
  accomplish different 
  mission objectives.  Each 
  member of the team is 
  treated as an Atomic 
  Ranger in the field. After 
  four years of 
  apprenticeship under an 
  Atomic Ranger, a deputy can 
  enroll in the academy to 
  become a full Atomic Ranger themselves. 
  Atomic Rangers keep secret the atomic 
  knowledge of the special power source that 
  makes space travel possible and powers the 
  signature weapon the Atomsabre.  The rangers 
  have recruited the most brilliant minds in the 
  solar system, and as a result have the most 
  advanced equipment available their cause. 
   
  The Earth, the Moon, and the Stars 
  Our story begins on Earth, at the Atomic 
  Ranger Base U.S.A.   Earth of the future is a 
  glorious utopia, and each wall of the base is 
  covered in chrome. Occasional panels of 
  flashing lights help control special features of 
  each room.  The base is located in the harbor of 
  
   
   
   
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  New York, just off the coast of Liberty 
  Island.  Lady Liberty still stands nearby, and the 
  cadets say that she watches over the academy to 
  ensure the freedom for the future. 
  Departing from Ranger Base USA, the 
  party will travel to Moon base X, only to find 
  clues that will lead them to the jungles of 
  Venus.  The moon has been colonized by over a 
  hundred-thousand inhabitants.  Most people are 
  housed in underground bunkers, but there are 
  several domes on 
  the surface to 
  grow crops and 
  livestock.  The 
  heavy mining of 
  moon has 
  upturned a few 
  strange and 
  surprising 
  artifacts, often 
  turning 
  construction 
  areas into 
  archaeological 
  digs. 
  Venus is 
  covered in a 
  dense jungle and inhabited by a deceptively 
  primitive race of elves.  Underneath the dense 
  jungles there is evidence of an ancient 
  civilization that may have seeded many other 
  worlds.  One of the more exciting locales on 
  Venus includes the pyramid Temple of Amure, 
  an ancient ruin that is hypothesized to be a 
  temple dedicated to the Venusian god 
  Amue.  The deep jungles of Venus are inhabited 
  by dangerous reptilian creatures; few people try 
  to venture into them without a native guide. 
   
  Plot 
  The Call to Adventure 
  Our story begins on the Atomic Ranger 
  base, as Commander Neeson gives the group a 
  tour of the facilities.  Neeson has called the party 
  together for a very special 
  mission, the details of 
  which he plans discuss 
  back in his office.   
  During the tour, 
  the commander will point 
  out the launch pad with a 
  rocket ready to launch at 
  all times, reminding the 
  party how the rangers 
  must be vigilant and 
  always prepared for 
  danger.  Along the 
  hallway back to his 
  office, there are several 
  paintings of famous 
  Atomic Rangers of the 
  past, with one notably covered.   
  The covered painting is Baron Zordo, a 
  ranger who betrayed the trust of the Atomic 
  Rangers and continues to use his secret atomic 
  knowledge against the rangers at every turn. 
  When the group reaches the 
  commander’s office, they will discover a 
  
   
   
   
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  Martian dwarf already in the room; he will 
  immediately stand when the party enters.   
   “I would like you to meet Dr. Zeral,” 
  Commander Neeson gestures to the dwarf.  “Dr. 
  Zeral is one of our leading scientific experts, and 
  is in charge of any investigation into unusual 
  events; like the one has just occurred on the 
  moon.” 
  The Doctor will explain that mining on 
  the moon has unearthed (or, un-mooned) a 
  collection of artifacts that suggests a link to 
  people that might have visited the earth before 
  the time of man.  The doctor will need to go and 
  see the location of the artifacts and interpret the 
  different symbols discovered before he can 
  determine where they came from.   
   
  Bang!  Zoom! 
  Commander 
  Neeson will quickly 
  usher the team and Dr. 
  Zeral to the already 
  prepped rocket ship 
  Ranger-6 for a quick 
  take off.  The Ranger-6 
  is a chrome coated, 
  cigar-shaped rocket that 
  stands over a hundred-
  feet tall on its four fins and points to space. The 
  party should make their way to the command 
  bridge and strap in for blast off.  
  The rocket soars into the heavens… 
  until it reaches eleven miles up, when a sudden 
  explosion erupts from the rear.  A bomb had 
  been secretly placed on the fuselage, blowing a 
  hole in the main fuel tanks.  Experiencing 
  extreme fuel loss and having already reached the 
  point of no return, the rangers are forced find a 
  safe haven to make repairs before falling back to 
  earth.  Sputtering on the last drops of fuel, the 
  crew should locate a derelict space station on the 
  radar. With no other contacts in range, it may be 
  their only chance. 
   
  Canned Squid 
  The derelict was a 
  refueling station that was 
  abandoned during the 
  Mechano-Wars.   The 
  station has six main floors, 
  connected by a non-
  functioning elevator shaft 
  that runs through the center 
  of the station, and a ladder 
  system in parallel.  The station is dusty, and 
  many of the controls are covered in cobwebs. 
  Once they are cleaned off, however, the chrome 
  and bright control lights will shine through.   
  The station still has enough fuel to 
  refuel the Ranger-6, once repairs have been 
  
   
   
   
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  made.  The station has ample supplies, with the 
  exception of escape pods.  According to the 
  station commander's log, the station was 
  abandoned after an attack, but he never says 
  from who or what.   
  If anyone in the party does a thorough 
  analysis of the systems, they may discover a 
  large puncture in the 
  side of the hanger 
  deck.  During the war the 
  station took aboard an alien 
  egg, which gave birth to a 
  shoal of space-squids.  The 
  squids attacked the crew, 
  forcing them to flee the 
  station.  Once the squids 
  reached maturity they 
  would lay a new egg before 
  beginning their 
  migration.  The 
  remaining 
  egg is 
  guarded 
  by one 
  of the new generation.   
  The nesting area is on the hangar deck; 
  if anyone approaches or damages the eggs the 
  protector squid will attack.  If the group changes 
  the power feed in any way (say by emptying out 
  the fuel cells to fill up Ranger-6) then the guard 
  squid will attack!   
   
  Space-Squid, Giant (see page 19) 
   
  Digging up the Spoon on the Moon 
  The moon is a short distance from the 
  derelict station, and the docking facilities at 
  Moon base X will be able to make permanent 
  repairs to Ranger-6.  The crews at the dock will 
  start working right away, allowing Dr. Zeral and 
  the rangers to be escorted to the dig site deep 
  underground.  The site is under one of the 
  horticultural domes, as the 
  moon crew was 
  digging out a large 
  underground cavern to 
  house tractors and other farming 
  equipment.  The 
  artifacts were only 
  found a few days ago 
  and they stopped all 
  excavation after the 
  discovery. 
  The domes that comprise 
  Moon base X are connected by pneumatic 
  tubes, rocketing people back and forth 
  between each of the domes.  The 
  domes are made with a thick glass and steel 
  reinforced girder supports.  When the ranger 
  party arrives at the horticultural dome, they may 
  be surprised by the freshness of the air and 
  fragrant aroma of the flowers.  There is a series 
  of grain silos near the entrance of the dome, with 
  an elevator that will take them down to the lower 
  level.    
  The cavern is carved to a smooth flat 
  surface in the entry area, but on the far side of 
  the cavern it is obvious that they are still in the 
  
   
   
   
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  process of breaking apart the rock.  In the rough 
  patch is a sectioned off area surrounding a few 
  small items lying around the floor.  One of the 
  cavern miners will point out that the items have 
  been left as they were found.  The miners 
  marked off the area and stopped all mining 
  operations until the Atomic Rangers could check 
  it out. 
  Among the artifacts is a series of metal 
  plates with unusual carvings and a crescent 
  shaped piece of metal that resembles a 
  spoon.  Dr. Zeral will study the markings for a 
  while before declaring them similar to the runes 
  found in the walls of a pyramid of Venus.  The 
  spoon seems to be a focal point, but 
  Zeral is unsure how it is 
  connected. Zeral will 
  suggest that they should 
  gather the artifacts 
  and travel to the 
  ruins of Venus. 
   
  Surprise Party 
  The group should gather 
  up the artifacts and ready for 
  transport.  Most of the pieces are 
  small enough to fit into a shoebox, 
  which Dr. Zeral will carry.  Once 
  back on the surface of the 
  horticulture dome, there will be a loud crash as a 
  rocket penetrates the dome on the far side.  The 
  glass dome will seal itself around the rocket, but 
  the rangers should recognize the markings on the 
  rocket as the sign of Baron Zordo.  A squad of 
  Atomic Powered 
  Killbots will make 
  their way out of the 
  rocket on head straight 
  for the group.   
  The rangers need to get Dr. Zeral and 
  the artifacts safely back to Ranger-6, but first 
  need to stop the Killbots.  Even if the party 
  could escape, the killbots would destroy the 
  inhabitants of Moon base X will little 
  difficulty.   The Killbots were sent by Baron 
  Zordo to retrieve the “spoon”, so they will select 
  Zeral as their primary target.  When the spoon is 
  dropped or handed off to another person, the 
  Killbots will switch to a new target. 
   
  Conflict 
  Ancient 
  Venusian History 
  Before the 
  age of man, the 
  Venusian Elves 
  were masters of 
  the solar system 
  with technology far 
  beyond mankind.  While 
  they could harness the 
  power of the stars and bend it 
  to their whim, the elves were 
  corrupted by greed and folly which plunged their 
  civilization into a dark age.  Their once towering 
  cities have since been swallowed by the 
  Venusian jungles and overrun by dinosaurs.  The 
  
   
   
   
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  few remaining elves are peaceful savages that 
  live on the outskirts of the old cities. 
  One ancient secret of Venus lies hidden 
  away inside an ancient pyramid: the control 
  center for an orbital satellite placed around earth 
  so the Venusians could monitor the development 
  of humanity.  The “spoon” was a crescent 
  control rod to manipulate the moon, and is 
  intended to be used in the pyramid control 
  room.  The pyramids were constructed 
  thousands of years ago and even the elves had 
  forgotten their purpose. 
   
  Getting friendly with the Natives 
  There is a small village outside of the 
  ruins on Venus where elves still dwell that has 
  had occasional dealings with the rangers in the 
  past.  There is a rocket landing platform for the 
  crew to set down, and a group of locals will 
  arrive to greet them.  The Venusian elves dress 
  in little more than green tights covered in leaves 
  and other bits of native foliage.  Their leader, 
  Chief Beawulf, is wearing a ceremonial 
  headdress that is series of reptilian claws and 
  scales arranged in an oversized crown.  Beawulf 
  is grateful for the arrival of the rangers, as 
  several weeks before a group of Lion-Men 
  arrived and has been periodically attacking their 
  village for supplies ever since.  The villagers 
  will point out that the Lion-Men are camped at 
  the ruins, and they seem to be searching for 
  something. 
   
  Lion-Men, Robots, and Elves!  Oh, my! 
  Beawulf will send his son, Turk, to 
  lead the party through the jungles and into the 
  ruins.  It is obvious that there once was a road 
  that led the way, but time and jungle growth 
  has long since covered it up.  The journey to 
  the ruins will take a day travelling through the 
  jungles, if the players decide that their party 
  should bypass the jungle using their rocket they 
  may be surprised to find out that the Lion-Men 
  have constructed an artillery turret on one of the 
  pyramids and will shoot down anything that 
  comes into range.  There are different dinosaurs 
  roaming through the jungle that may intercept 
  the party (if the game is slowing down and the 
  
   
   
   
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  group needs a little action, a wandering dinosaur 
  is a great action beat). 
  The ruins are that of an ancient city, 
  almost two-miles across and covered in moss 
  and vines.  The 
  city was designed 
  in a hexagonal 
  pattern with a 
  pyramid on each 
  point and one in 
  the center.  Near 
  the base of the 
  largest pyramid, 
  in the center of the 
  ruins, is the 
  basecamp of the 
  Lion-Men.  There 
  are twenty Lion-Men in the area, most of them 
  are wandering around the camp, while two are 
  up on the top of the pyramid manning the 
  defense platform, and four are out patrolling the 
  surrounding ruins.   
  The Lion-Men were hired by Baron 
  Zordo, which is made clear by the Lion-men’s 
  equipment and vehicles, which were all created 
  using ranger technology.  They have already 
  searched and located the control room and have 
  been waiting for Baron Zordo to extract them.  If 
  the party simply waits, a completely black 
  rocket will arrive and unload a squad of the 
  Baron’s Killbots led by Lieutenant Iona.  Iona 
  was a rookie ranger that defected to Baron 
  Zordo; she is now responsible for gleaning the 
  secret of the Pyramids of Venus. 
  Doctor Zeral, with the help of the party, 
  will be able to sneak into the pyramid and learn 
  the secrets of the control room.  Once he has the 
  connected the spoon and the control panel for 
  the moon he will 
  realize that they 
  must both be 
  destroyed.   
  Unknown to 
  the party, the 
  Baron’s forces 
  purposely opened up 
  a gap in their 
  defenses, hoping 
  that rangers would 
  bring the “spoon” 
  and the good 
  doctor.  Lieutenant Iona will gloat at the party as 
  she takes Dr. Zeral as a hostage, to ensure that 
  the rangers don’t try anything.   
   
  Throwing the Moon Around 
  Iona will open a video communication 
  with Baron Zordo to receive instructions as she 
  controls the moon to crash into the Earth, thus 
  destroying the home planet of the Atomic 
  Rangers once and for all.  The rangers are 
  restrained by the killbots, who make little 
  conversation.  Iona is still impressionable 
  however, and may be swayed by a heroic speech 
  from one of the heroes.  Though with the Baron 
  listening over the video screen, convincing her 
  will not be easy. 
   
  
   
   
   
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  Hang In There 
  If you would like to make a more 
  complicated and dramatic ending for the story, a 
  cliffhanger would keep the excitement strong for 
  a follow-up adventure.  The old television and 
  movie serials that this adventure was inspired by 
  would often capture the audience with a 
  suspenseful or highly dramatic ending that 
  would leave the audience wondering what 
  happened next.  The cliffhanger event of this 
  episode is Iona at the controls, about to send the 
  moon crashing into the earth.   This ending (or 
  lack of ending) method may not suit every game 
  group, so try 
  to measure your group 
  before you leave the game in a lurch. 
   
  Super Happy Fun Ending 
  Stopping the moon from crashing into 
  the earth is the first priority for the game; even if 
  it isn’t the happy ending it should still 
  happen.  A great twist might involve Iona 
  finding a love interest, though it would be more 
  dramatic to have that love interest betray her 
  trust, making her a fantastic return villain for a 
  future game.  The elves should help destroy the 
  pyramid control room, and the rangers should 
  scare off Zordo’s minions so the elves can live 
  in peace. 
   
   
  
   
   
   
  12 
  Characters 
   
  Dr. Fenton Zeral  
  (AC 11; hd 2; hp 9; #AT: 1; save as Fighter lvl 
  2; DMG Cane 1d6) 
  Standing a towering four feet three 
  inches tall and almost a century old, Dr. Zeral is 
  a top authority from the University of Mars.  An 
  older dwarven scientist often called in for his 
  wide range experience and knowledge.  His 
  scientific and mechanical prowess has proven a 
  benefit to the Atomic Rangers.  Zeral considers 
  himself a pacifist, choosing to spend his time in 
  pursuits that will help not only the people of his 
  world, but the universe. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Commander William Neeson  
  (AC 17; hd 6; hp 38; #AT: 1; save as Fighter lvl 
  3; DMG Atomic Cutlass 1d10) 
  A dashing, stalwart human, Needson is 
  one of the most trusted advisors of the Earth 
  Council and the supreme leader of the Atomic 
  Rangers.  Since his appointment and the betrayal 
  of Baron Zordo, Commander Neeson has made a 
  personal point of spending time with each ranger 
  before they are given their first official 
  assignment.  He has also created a new method 
  of keeping in contact with his fellow rangers via 
  space radio called the “Communication 
  Engagement Lunar Link” or C.E.L.L...   
   
   
  
   
   
   
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  Chief Beawulf 
  (AC 13; hd 2; hp 14; #AT: 1; save as Fighter lvl 
  2; DMG Staff 1d8) 
  Beawulf ascended to his position by 
  right of his bloodline, as his father was the 
  previous chief of the village.  Beawulf is over 
  two hundred years old, with light blue/silver 
  hair, darkly tanned skin, with bright blue 
  eyes.  He has had uneasy dealings with the 
  Atomic Rangers in the past. While there have 
  been many miscommunications during the 
  course of their relationship, overall Beawulf has 
  honored a non-aggression pact that Commander 
  Neeson made with the Venusians. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Turk 
  (AC 13; hd 1; hp 8; #AT: 1; save as Fighter lvl 
  1; DMG Venusian Sword 1d8) 
  A very young man even by a Venusian 
  standards, Turk may be only sixteen-years old, 
  but he is well versed and knows the ruined city 
  of Venus better than most his tribe.  He is often 
  frustrated by his father’s rantings about the earth 
  men, and will often run off to the ruins to find 
  trouble.  Turk is short and thin, with light 
  blue/silver hair like his father, and a dark 
  complexion that he has received under the bright 
  Venusian sun. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
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  Baron Zordo  
  (AC 19; hd 8; hp 44; #AT: 1; save as Fighter lvl 
  8; DMG Atomic Cutlass 1d10) 
  Baron Zordo was once patrolled the 
  space ways as an Atomic Ranger, and with the 
  secrets of the rangers at his disposal he used 
  them for the greater good.  Over time, Zordo 
  became jealous of the other rangers and 
  frustrated that his accomplishments were rarely 
  acknowledged.   
  He eventually discovered more 
  malicious ways to the claim the acclaim and 
  power he sought.  He turned to evil and betrayed 
  the rangers, using their secret atomic knowledge 
  to create the Atomic Powered Killbots.   His sole 
  goal has been to destroy the Atomic Rangers and 
  take over the universe as its rightful ruler.  He 
  has slowly been conquering the outlying planets 
  and claimed his self-made title of baron. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Lieutenant Iona 
  (AC 17; hd 6; hp 38; #AT: 1; save as Fighter lvl 
  3; DMG Atomic Cutlass 1d10) 
  As a young Neptunian woman Iona 
  joined the Atomic Rangers. But on her first 
  mission, she and her partner were captured by 
  the forces of Baron Zordo and brainwashed into 
  joining him.  She has since lead dozens of 
  missions with her faithful Kiloton squad and has 
  conquered many planets in the name of Baron 
  Zordo.  She has served the Baron for a long 
  time; it may be difficult if not impossible to free 
  her from his evil grasp. 
   
  
   
   
   
  15 
  Atomic Powered Killbots 
  (AC 17; hd 3; hp 17; #AT: 1; save as Fighter lvl 
  3; DMG Atomic Clamps 1d10) 
  Killbots were designed by Baron Zordo 
  and are his loyal troops.  The Baron will send 
  them out on missions in his personal black 
  rockets in multiples of three.  Killbots are 
  unthinking and unfeeling creatures that are 
  trained to kill in the most effective way possible. 
  These killbots are the standard model used for 
  assaults. Heavier and lighter designs are sent out 
  for different missions. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Lion-Men Mercenaries 
  (AC 14; hd 2; hp 14; #AT: 2; save as Fighter lvl 
  3; DMG Claws 1d6/1d6) 
  These Savage beast-men wander the 
  galaxy looking for a fight.  Humanoid cat people 
  that are roughly human height, Lion-men sport 
  flowing bushy mains and razor sharp 
  claws.  While they are able to use weapons, 
  Lion-men favor their claws when given the 
  option.  They fight for the highest bidder, but 
  will run if they think they are outnumbered and 
  outgunned; After all, no amount of money can 
  be spent if you are dead. 
   
   
  
   
   
   
  16 
  Details 
  Future Gear 
  Atomic Cutlass (damage 1d10) 
  The cutlass is one of the first weapons an Atomic Ranger 
  will train with.  The cutlass resembles a normal sword 
  but is made with metals from collapsed stars, the densest 
  material known to man and nearly unbreakable.  The blades are able to 
  withstand tremendous heat without melting, so they are charged with an atomic pack in 
  the handle, charging the blade with atomic energy.  Once the blade is activated it can 
  cut through anything, aside from another Atomic Cutlass, and gives off 
  enough heat to cauterize a wound as it cuts. 
   
   
   
  Atomic Ray Gun (damage 1d8 range 150’) 
  The ray gun is a standard ranged weapon used by the rangers.  Powered 
  using atomic energy, it propels a bolt of atomic energy at the speed of light.  The 
  bolts crackle with atomic power and burn on impact. The ray gun has been used in 
  other ways as the situation demands.  The rangers have used the bolts for anything 
  from starting campfires to welding doors shut in an emergency. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Retro Future Races 
  Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, and Humans – Each race will behave similar to how they are 
  portrayed in the Basic Fantasy Rulebook, with the exception that Elves are native to Venus, Dwarves are 
  native to Mars, Humans are native to earth, and Halflings to Pluto. 
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
  17 
   
  Lion-Men 
  Designed for use with Basic Fantasy by Chris Gonnerman 
   
  Description:   
  Lion-Men are a cat-like humanoid race that average six-feet tall and weigh about a hundred and 
  ninety-five pounds.  They are covered in fur, with a mane of hair covering their head and neck.  They 
  have fingers that end in retractable claws, which can be used as deadly weapons in close combat. 
  Lion-Men are nomadic, and even they couldn’t tell you where their original home planet 
  was.  They are greedy and angry, both features that work well for mercenary work.  They are not quick to 
  pick a fight, but if provoked they will hold their ground. 
   
  Restrictions: 
  Because of their quick combat reflexes Lion-Men will never have a dexterity lower than 9; 
  because of their stubborn nature they will never have a wisdom higher than 17.  
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
  18 
  Special Abilities:   
  They have a heightened sense of smell and can track better than humans and most 
  humanoids.  They possess very stringy and strong muscles, giving them twice the leaping 
  distance of other races.  They have a higher healing rate and will receive twice the 
  amount of healing performed on them or healed naturally. 
   
  Saving Throws:  +6 vs Poison they have a very fast metabolism and are able to remove 
  toxins from their blood quickly. 
   
  Retro Future Classes 
  When using Basic Fantasy, or the game system of your choice, simply take the 
  fighter class exclusively for the Atomic Ranger adventures.  Fighters would represent most 
  average people, but if you feel your game needs to use the other classes add them as you 
  like.  Just make sure to send the GagMen an email including which classes you added and 
  how you fit them into the science fiction world.   
  The Thief class could function as grifters, confidence men or even as 
  merchants in a pinch.  The Cleric and Magic-User might represent a specialty group of 
  classes that may not as easily be explained, since magic does not traditionally exist in a world ruled by 
  science (or a close approximation of science).  The Cleric could be explained away in the Venusian part 
  of the adventure as witchdoctors, and Magic-Users could represent a super-science that man has yet to 
  understand. For the sake of simplicity, however, it may be best to stick with the fighter class. 
   
  Secret Decoder 
  Children listening to the old movie serials often looked forward to decoding a secret message 
  included in every show, which was meant only for them (and the exclusive group of children with a 
  decoder).  Each week a new message (usually advertising the show or one of their sponsors) could be 
  used in the game as a secret message system for Commander Neeson to send to the team under the nose 
  of the evil baron.  This may not work for every group, and it may require extra planning on the dungeon 
  masters part, so don’t feel like must include it.  If you decide to use it, we have included a cut-out secret 
  decoder that you can print and cut out for your players to send and receive messages! 
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
  19 
  Space Squid 
  Armor Class:        18 
  Hit Dice:                10 
  No. of Attacks:    8 tentacles or 1 bite + drain 
  Damage:        1d4 per tentacle/1d10/special 
  Movement:           Fly 60’ 
  No. Appearing:       1 
  Save As:            Fighter: 10 
  Morale:                   8 
  Treasure Type:    None 
  XP:                        900 
   
      The Space Squid is a terrifically crafted creature for the Strings-Attached Space 
  Adventures of the Atomic Rangers, filmed live at the Amherth Theaters in New Jersey.  The 
  space squid is over fifty feet long with massive tentacles and a protruding beak to bite down 
  on its prey.  This squid is able to survive in the vacuum of space, and will feed on nearby 
  energy sources.  Once the squid has attached itself to anything that is powered by an 
  energy source it will start absorbing that energy at a high rate.  If it becomes attached to a 
  ship that ship will no longer have any power to make its escape.  Likewise, squids can be 
  drawn away from one source of energy if there appears to be a greater source 
  nearby.  They are a very docile creature and will only attack if they feel they are threatened 
  or their nests are in harm's way.   
   
  
   
   
   
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  When danger looms in the Solar system and the human race is threatened, 
  only the Atomic Rangers have the power to defend them! As ancient secrets are 
  discovered on the Moon, an old enemy stirs at the chance to wreak his revenge on 
  earth and the Rangers! While the answers may lie on Venus, if Barn Zordo has 
  any say, all the Ranger will find is their doom! Buckle up Rangers, for galactic 
  adventure and interstellar mystery waits as you witness “The day the Moon ran 
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Basic Fantasy/Basic Fantasy Adventures & Settings/GagMen/G1504.1 Adventures of the Atomic Rangers Ep1 (GagMen) (BasicF).pdf