TEXT: MUTAMONS
  OF THE ATOM
  WRITTEN BY: JEFF MACKINTOSH
  ARTWORK BY: ED NORTHCOTT
  SETTING
  This free adventure is for the Cute and Fuzzy Seizure Monsters sourcebook for
  the Big Eyes, Small Mouth (BESM) role-playing game.  The scenario is set in an
  alternate Earth where increasing radiation levels (or some other phenomenon)
  brought about mutations in small animals, turning them into mutant monsters or
  Mutamons.  Most Mutamons, for some unexplained reason, are domesticated
  animals and other exotic pets, though scientists have discovered some wild
  Mutamons.  Many are fiercely loyal animals, bonding with a person for life; the
  strongest ties developed were with young children.  Kids everywhere connected
  with and trained Mutamons to perform wild and crazy feats.  At first, people
  viewed this relationship with fascination but it quickly turned to fear when
  schoolyard bullies trained their aggressive Mutamons to attack the pets of other
  children.  Suddenly, schoolyards erupted in explosive battles between Mutamon
  and Mutamon with kids cheering wildly for one side or another.  Society grew to
  fear Mutamons and even their trainers.  Recently, several State Senators have
  rallied behind the charismatic Jarry Jyrich, Senator for Alabama who has called
  for strict legislation in controlling Mutamons.  Some of the more “concerned”
  Senators have even demanded that Mutamons be classified as dangerous weapons,
  insisting they be controlled at all costs.  As society’s fear of the “Mutamon Menace”
  grows, kids across the US simply want society to accept their loyal pets as normal,
  loving animals.
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  
  Through her network of schoolyard informants, Maggie knows Jyrich will
  appear at this year’s Monster Convention (MonCon) to lead a protest against
  Mutamons.  MonCon is an annual convention where trainers gather to show off
  their pets and the tricks that they taught them.  Maggie believes this is the perfect
  place to attack Jyrich.  First, MonCon is a high profile convention which brings
  together several thousand trainers, Mutamons, and people from associated
  industries (pet care manufacturers, construction companies, Pay-Per- Vi e w
  promoters, etc.).  With this level of publicity, Maggie will be able to deliver her
  message to the entire nation.  Also, because Jyrich will be heightening anti-
  Mutamon sentiment and put everyone on edge, Maggie believes that when she
  launches her attack, the convention will quickly degrade into an all-out war.  This
  will not only help her escape, but will also draw more people into her war.  In the
  end, Maggie is certain that this year’s MonCon will be quite memorable.
  CHARACTERS
  The players assume the roles of trainers who attend Chucky’s School for
  Gifted Trainers.  They spend most of their days learning various skills necessary
  for well-adjusted coaches.  This includes math, physics, chemistry, history,
  geography, art, Mutamon grooming and care, gladiatorial combat (trainer and
  Mutamon must know how to fight properly so that they can defend themselves
  without seriously injuring anyone in battle) and similar skills.  Most students at
  CSGT are kids, often in their early teens or younger.  Players should build their
  characters with 30 Character Points and must take the Servant (Pet Monster)
  Attribute.  Further, many of CSGT’s students are troubled teens who feel
  rejected by society.  While some may exhibit this by acting like loners, for
  example, most of the students want nothing more than to be accepted by the
  world at large as a normal person.
  The character’s Mutamon can be anything the player wishes (with GM
  approval, of course), ranging from cute rodents with elemental powers to
  evolving monsters that can assume several forms.  It is recommended that the
  player decide what animal the Mutamon was originally (a Cocker Spaniel,
  Siamese cat, gerbil, etc.) to reinforce the idea that this pet mutated from an
  otherwise normal creature.
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  STORY BACKGROUND
  With the growing fear of Mutamons, some people have tried to help society
  realize that powerful pets are not evil.  Some trainers might force them to do bad
  things, but Mutamons themselves are not evil.  One such individual, Chuck Zanier,
  has opened a school to help kids train their pets properly so that both may become
  “normal” members of society.  His school, Chucky’s School for Gifted Trainers,
  located just outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a large campus where children are
  taught traditional classes as well as courses in the proper care and training of their
  special pets.
  Some trainers, however, are willing to use violence to change society’s view of
  their pets .  Former schoolyard bullies are often front and foremost in the effort to
  aggressively change society’s opinion of Mutamons.  One such trainer, a former
  student of Chucky’s School expelled for starting too many fights, is Maggie Marko.
  She and her vicious Mutamon, Toadramon have led a reign of terror across the
  United States.  Her goal is to squash any anti-Mutamon sentiment under heel until
  society accepts her and her pet as the rightful ruler that she believes of herself.
  Maggie has recently decided to attack Jarry Jyrich and bully him into leaving
  Mutamons alone.
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  
  TOADRAMON — SABERTOOTHED TOAD
  Body 8
  Mind 3
  Soul 4
  • DERIVED VALUES
  Health Points 90
  Energy Points 35
  Attack Combat Value 8
  Defense Combat Value 6
  • ATTRIBUTES
  Combat Mastery Level 3, Damn Healthy! Level 3, Extra Attacks Level 2,
  Massive Damage Level 2, Jumping Level 1, Natural Weapons (Fangs, Claws) Level
  2, Special Attack “Itchy Goo!” Level 3 (Aura, Irritant, Drain Energy, Melee, Toxic,
  No Damage, Damage 60), Special Attack “Entangling Tongue!”  Level 3 (Accurate,
  Flexible, Tangle, Low Penetration, Melee, Stoppable, Damage 60), Special Attack
  “Sabertooth Acid Fang!” Level 3 (Burning, Penetrating (Armour x2), Limited Shots,
  Melee, Uses Energy x2, Damage 75)
  • DEFECTS
  Marked (Mutamon) 2 BP, Physically Unappealing (Wart covered toad) 2 BP,
  Wanted 1 BP
  JARRY JYRICH
  Jarry Jyrich is a stereotypical politician — he says whatever he feels “the
  people” want to hear to ensure he stays in power.  In reality, he is a small, petty,
  lonely man who wants nothing more than to be popular.  His recent crusade to
  control Mutamons stems from the fact that he never had a pet as a child and has
  failed miserably any time he tried to “bond with” one (though control would be a
  more accurate word).  He figures he will control Mutamons one way or another and
  if he has to do it using the government, then so be it!
  Body 3
  Mind 6
  Soul 3
  • DERIVED VALUES
  Health Points 30
  Energy Points 45
  Attack Combat Value 4
  Defense Combat Value 1
  • ATTRIBUTES
  Appearance Level 2, Art of Distraction Level 3, Aura of Command Level 2,
  Flunkies Level 5, Organizational Ties (Government) Level 4
  • DEFECTS
  Inept Combat 1 BP, Red Tape 1 BP
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  IMPORTANT NPCS
  CHUCKY ZANIER
  Chucky is a kind man with long, flowing hair who enjoys jogging and dancing.
  Chuck opened his School for Gifted Trainers when he realized that society’s fear
  was causing people to turn against their own children.  He hoped his school would
  help mould children into vital members of society so that people would accept
  rather than fear them.  He considers Maggie and her expulsion from his school as
  his greatest failure and attempts to atone for that mistake every day of his life.
  Body 4
  Mind 8
  Soul 6
  • DERIVED VALUES
  Health Points 50
  Energy Points 70
  Attack Combat Value 6
  Defense Combat Value 4
  • ATTRIBUTES
  Animal Friendship (Mutamon) Level 2, Flunkies (School Staff) Level 4,
  Organizational Ties (Head of CSGT) Level 4, Personal Gear (school equipment)
  Level 5, Train a Cute Monster (Analyze Monster, Breed Monster, Feed Monster,
  Instil Discipline, Inspire Monster, Nurse Monster) Level 6
  • DEFECTS
  Attack Restriction (kids and Mutamon) 2 BP, Nemesis (Maggie) 1 BP, Phobia
  (fear of failing to help students) 1 BP
  MAGGIE MARKO
  Maggie is a spoiled brat.  As a child, her parents indulged her every whim,
  giving her anything she ever wanted.  When she grew older, she discovered the rest
  of the world was not so willing to give in to her demands.  Furious that people would
  treat her so poorly, she decided to take what she wanted — she deserves it after all!
  Maggie thinks very highly of herself and believes she is entitled to everything,
  regardless of what others think.  The one thing she truly does care about is
  Toadramon, which has always been loyal to her, no matter what.  This has driven
  Maggie to fight for Mutamon rights, on behalf of her one and only true friend.
  Body 5
  Mind 4
  Soul 3
  • DERIVED VALUES
  Health Points 60
  Energy Points 35
  Attack Combat Value 6
  Defense Combat Value 4
  • ATTRIBUTES
  Combat Mastery Level 2, Damn Healthy! Level 2, Organizational Ties (Combat
  Club) Level 4, Servant (Toadramon) Level 10, Train Cute Monster (Analyze
  Monster, Feed Monster, Instil Ferocity, Inspire Monster, Monster Tactics) Level 5
  • DEFECTS
  Ageism 1 BP
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  
  PENGUIMON — PENGUIN
  Body 4
  Mind 4
  Soul 5
  • DERIVED VALUES
  Health Points 45
  Energy Points 45
  Attack Combat Value 4
  Defense Combat Value 5
  • ATTRIBUTES
  Natural Weapons (beak) Level 1, Water Speed Level 3, Special Attack “Sardine
  Smash!” Level 2 (Low Penetration, Melee, 75 Damage), Special Attack “Flying
  Sardine Assault!” Level 1 (Limited Shots, Low Penetration, Short Range,
  Stoppable, 75 Damage), Unique Attribute: Defensive Master Level 3 (increase
  Defensive Combat Value by 3)
  • DEFECTS
  Awkward (when walking) 1 BP, Not So Fast 1 BP
  CHARACTER GOALS
  1.The characters’most important goal is to protect Jarry Jyrich from harm.  If
  Maggie successfully attacks him, the ensuing anti-Mutamon backlash could sweep
  the nation into violence.
  2.The characters must also ensure that Jyrich does not incite the attendees of
  MonCon into riot.  Jyrich knows, and in fact hopes, that he might be attacked
  because of his vocal and insulting protest at MonCon.  He wants nothing more than
  for some hot-headed trainer to attack him on national television.  This would
  quickly add weight to his goal of finally controlling Mutamons.  The characters
  must make sure that doesn’t happen.
  3.Lastly, the characters must apprehend Maggie.  So long as she and people
  like her are running around,  starting fights, the public will continue fearing
  Mutamons.
  PLOT ELEMENTS
  1. FLASHBACK
  The beginning of the adventure is actually a flashback scene to a year or two
  ago (depending on how old the characters were when they joined Chucky’s School
  for Gifted Trainers).  Players should reduce their Character’s Stats, Skills (if any)
  and Attributes by 1 Level (or more) to reflect the fact that they were younger and
  thus less experienced back then.  Some characters have attended CSGT for a few
  months now while others arrived recently.  Maggie is still a student in the school
  at this point.  
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  JYRICH’S BODYGUARDS/THUGS
  These are generic, paid thugs.  They will protect Jyrich from harm, but will not
  sacrifice themselves stupidly (they have lives and families after all).  Simple put,
  they are doing this for the paycheque.
  Body 6
  Mind 3
  Soul 4
  • DERIVED VALUES
  Health Points 60
  Energy Points 35
  Attack Combat Value 5
  Defense Combat Value 3
  • ATTRIBUTES
  Combat Mastery Level 1, Damn Healthy! Level 1, Personal Gear (gun and
  other minor items) Level 1
  • DEFECTS
  Red Tape 2 BP
  BRADLEY NORTON
  Bradley is bored.  Like most kids, he went to school, studied hard, participated
  in track and field, and helped organize school plays and other mundane activities.
  He grew bored of it all.  He wanted excitement and when he heard about Combat
  Club, it was the perfect chance to add some spice to his life.  He was not prepared
  for what he got himself into, however.  Combat Club is far more violent and
  anarchistic than he expected.  He thought it would simply be some roughhousing
  and that is all.  He did not anticipate plots to attack politicians and the like.  This
  is more excitement than he wanted. 
  Body 5
  Mind 5
  Soul 5
  • DERIVED VALUES
  Health Points 50
  Energy Points 50
  Attack Combat Value 5
  Defense Combat Value 3
  • ATTRIBUTES
  Appearance Level 2, Divine Relationship Level 2, Organizational Ties (Combat
  Club) Level 2, Servant (Penguimon) Level 6, Train Cute Monster (Analyze Monster,
  Inspire Monster, Monster Tactics) Level 3
  • DEFECTS
  Ageism 1 BP
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  
  display posters on their side promote the show.  There are long line-ups at the hotel
  from the hundreds and thousands of children and their Mutamon pets checking
  into their rooms.  Restaurants offer all sorts of MonCon discount deals in an effort
  to attract the convention-dollar.  On the first night, before the show begins, the
  characters should be able to simply enjoy the festivities and ambience.  For the first
  time in ages, they can finally feel normal around the thousands of other people just
  like themselves.
  The next day, when the characters arrive at the Midwest Convention Centre,
  they are snapped back to harsh reality.  Outside the convention centre is a large
  group of protesters carrying signs with anti-Mutamon slogans.  Some placards with
  anti-trainer slurs attack the children, not just their Mutamon companions.  Jarry
  Jyrich is on a platform, giving a speech about the dangers of “uncontrolled”
  Mutamons in society.  Opposite the protest is a large group of convention attendees.
  Some of them are heckling Jyrich during his speech, eliciting angrier replies from
  the activists.  Police are already on the scene with more arriving as tensions soar.
  Further, news crews from local and national television and radio stations are also
  on-site in case chaos breaks out, in the hopes of capturing the lead story for the six
  o’clock news.
  The first day, however, passes without any serious incidents.  Protesters
  exchange some harsh and nasty words, but aside from that, the rally remains
  peaceful.  Later that evening, however, when the characters are walking back to
  their hotel, one of them should spot Toadramon hopping down a back street.
  Shortly afterwards, the characters can hear a short, but nasty fight break out down
  the same street — Toadramon is attacking another Mutamon.  If the characters
  investigate, they should overhear Maggie gloating about her quick victory over the
  other trainer’s “weak, geeky Mutamon.”
  If the characters confront Maggie, she quickly realizes the characters
  outnumber her, and will escape at first opportunity (though she will not make it
  look like she is running away — she is leaving because the characters are not worth
  her attention).  The characters might be able to deliver a few shots before she and
  Toadramon get away, but Maggie knows the city better than the characters and
  uses that knowledge to vanish into the night.  Before she vanishes, however, she
  will say, “I don’t know why I bother trying to help you weaklings!  Still, I’m so great
  that tomorrow I’ll make the world better for wimps like you ... then you’ll realize
  how great I am!”  If the characters do not confront Maggie, she will direct the same
  speech at the defeated trainer.
  3. LET THE GAMES BEGIN
  The characters should learn, either through investigative work or by talking
  with fellow trainers at the convention, that Maggie plans on “something big” the
  next day.  The characters must investigate further to learn more.  If they ask the
  right questions, they can discover that there is an underground-fighting league in
  Milwaukee where trainers meet regularly at one schoolyard for Mutamon duels;
  this is the type of group that Maggie would hang out with.  This Combat Club, as
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  Use this scene to play out the characters’ introductions to each other and
  possibly some of the elements from their background.  For example, if one
  character has the Recurring Nightmares Defect, it might be from an event that
  occurred around this time.  It would be good to play out situations such as these to
  make the characters’backgrounds more intimate. 
  This scene should develop the bonds of friendship between the characters and
  establish Maggie as a mean-spirited, nasty thug who starts fights any chance she
  gets.  Any character who does not bend to Maggie’s will quickly becomes a target
  for her aggression.  Toadramon will often attack the characters’ own Mutamons.
  These battles are short (ending before anyone is seriously injured) since teachers
  intervene almost immediately, but To a d r a m o n ’s attacks are so vicious that
  characters must direct their Mutamons carefully to avoid serious injury.  These
  early battles against Maggie and her pet will also help characters develop
  relationships with their Mutamon companions as well as giving them a chance to
  know Maggie’s capabilities (be sure to reduce her and Toadramon’s Stats by 1 level
  just like the characters).
  Matters should worsen over time until, suddenly, Maggie and her Mutamon
  disappear.  If the characters ask about the two, they discover that Maggie was
  expelled from the school because of her violent behaviour and refusal to change.
  For the next few days, Chuck appears sad.  Should any of the characters speak with
  him, he expresses deep regret that he could not help Maggie, and feels tremendous
  guilt that he eventually had to turn his back on her for the sake of the school.
  This scene can last as long as the GM wishes, but it should be used mainly to
  establish ties between the characters and introduce some of the main NPCs.
  2. MONCON 2001 COMES TO TOWN!
  One day, while watching television or talking with a friend, the characters hear
  about MonCon, the pet-monster convention where trainers get to show off their
  pets.  MonCon is held in Milwaukee (although organizers are thinking about
  moving it to Indianapolis, Indiana in the near future).  The characters should hear
  about some of the wonderful prizes being offered for Best Trained Mutamon, Cutest
  Mutamon and the various other categories.  Further, some celebrity Mutamons and
  trainers will also be present.  One way or another, characters should want to go to
  the convention either for the prizes, to see the celebrities or just to attend the show.
  Chucky is hesitant to allow his young students to go to Milwaukee for MonCon,
  but quickly will give in to their exuberance.  While he may permit the characters
  to attend the show, he will insist that they pass a rigorous test first, forcing them
  through an obstacle course in the school’s gym (which the students spitefully refer
  to as the Dangerous Room...).  The course tests the students’ability to control their
  Mutamons and their ability to work as a team.  Conversely, the characters could
  sneak off to attend the show without telling Chuck.  This, of course, will open a big
  bag of trouble when they return.
  Once in Milwaukee, the characters encounter an overwhelming flood of
  Mutamon-madness.  Street banners advertise MonCon while city buses with
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  
  into the convention centre and have fun.  If, however, a battle of any kind begins
  between the protesters and Mutamons, the conventions’ attendees will defend
  themselves and their friends.  If a battle breaks out between the characters and
  Maggie, however, the convention goers will hold off while figuring out what is
  happening.
  The protesters are likelier to fight, compared to the conventioneers, though
  they will not start a skirmish directly.  If a fight does break out, however, they join
  it eagerly, unless it is a battle between the characters and Maggie.  Many of the
  protesters are expecting some sort of violence between themselves and the
  “Mutamon Menace” but they are not expecting Mutamon to fight each other.
  Jyrich and his men will do everything possible to escalate any situation into
  violence between the convention attendees and protesters.  Jyrich needs this
  battle to further his goals.  If any sort of fight occurs, they will do everything
  possible to involve everyone in the fracas.  For example, if the characters battle
  Maggie, Jyrich’s men will use the confusion to attack the protesters.  Since it
  appears that Mutamon sympathizers (Jyrich’s men in actuality) are attacking the
  rally-goers, the protesters eagerly attack back and chaos quickly ensues.  If,
  however, the characters expose Jyrich’s efforts to incite a riot, the senator and his
  men will attempt to slink into the shadows and disappear before the TV crews get
  them on tape.
  Maggie and her Combat Club allies are here to start a fight.  One way or
  another, she intends on beating Jyrich and his kind into the ground on live
  television.  If she has to go through the characters to do so, she is more than
  willing.  Regardless of what happens, Maggie eventually attacks Jyrich with the
  Combat Club providing support (create one Combat Club trainer and Mutamon,
  using 25 Character Points, per 2 player characters).
  The police do everything possible to maintain the peace.  They try to keep
  people seperated if tensions continue to rise, and quickly arrest anyone involved in
  a fracas.  If the characters and Maggie fight, and the characters are clearly trying
  to protect Jyrich and the others from harm, the police are intelligent enough to
  recognize the team’s heroic efforts.  If, however, the characters start the fight, then
  the police will likely arrest them for inciting violence, which could land the team in
  a lot of trouble.
  The media crews on site will tape everything — they want to make sure they
  have the lead news story....
  The characters’ best approach is to calm the crowd down, reveal the senator’s
  manipulation of everyone present and wait for Maggie to launch her attack before
  defending Jyrich.  This way, the characters ensure that the protesters and
  convention attendees do not fight each other, and the news shows a group of
  Mutamons and trainers protecting Jyrich from harm, despite his manipulation of
  people.  This helps improve the image of Mutamons across the nation,
  demonstrating that not all Mutamon are evil creatures to be feared.
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  it is sometimes called, began as a way for trainers to let off some steam and have
  some rough and tumble fun, but recently things have become more serious.  If the
  characters ask the right questions of the right people, they eventually meet a
  member of Combat Club, Bradley Norton.  When questioned about Combat Club,
  Bradley hesitantly admits its existence.  If pressed, he tells the characters that he
  will talk only if one of their Mutamons can defeat his pet, Penguimon.  If the
  characters agree, he fights honourably and prevents his Mutamon from doing any
  serious damage to the character’s pet.  Also, if Penguimon loses, Bradley honours
  his word and tells the characters what they want to know (if he knows the answer,
  of course).  Conversely, if his pet beats the character’s Mutamon, he apologizes and
  leaves without saying a word, though another character could challenge him to
  another battle.
  If Bradley loses, he gives the character who bested him a pin with a symbol on
  it and explains that the character is now a member of Combat Club.  He then says
  some members of Combat Club are preparing to attack someone important.  He
  also explains that Maggie is a regular member of Combat Club and seems to be
  directly involved with the group’s nefarious plot.  He tells the characters that he
  does not know what will happen exactly because he is not involved with it (he is
  still relatively new to the group), but he thinks it has something to do with the
  protesters at MonCon.  Beyond that, Bradley does not know anything else. 4. The
  Pot Bubbles
  The next day, when the characters arrive at the convention centre, they
  encounter the same crowd they saw yesterday — protesters waving anti-
  Mutamon and trainer signs while Jyrich shouts about the evils of mutant
  animals.  If the characters look around carefully, one of them might spot (on a
  successful Mind Stat Check) Maggie and some other mean-looking trainers with
  Combat Club pins in the crowd of convention attendees.  They are talking with
  other trainers (especially those with Mutamon that look like they can handle
  themselves in a fight), in the hopes of inciting a riot.  The characters might also
  notice (again, on a successful Mind Stat Check) some people who were acting as
  Jyrich’s bodyguards yesterday disguised as convention attendees.  They too, are
  walking among the crowd, attempting to spark a brawl for the benefit of their
  boss and the media.  Both Jyrich’s men and Maggie seem to be succeeding — the
  level of tension in the air is palpable and many trainers look like they are ready
  to start fighting any second now.
  How the characters handle the situation is up to them.  Do they try to calm the
  crowd down and diffuse the crisis?  Do they attack Maggie and the other Combat
  Club members in an effort to stop her (and possibly provide the spark that starts
  the riot)?  Do they attempt to show everyone how Jyrich is trying to manipulate
  people?  How the characters handle things is entirely up to them.  The reaction of
  those in attendance depends on their actions.
  The convention goers will calm down if the characters attempt to diffuse the
  situation.  Most of the people attending MonCon are there to enjoy themselves, not
  start a fight.  While the predicament may be tense, most of them just want to get
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  
  CAMPAIGN EXPANSION
  This adventure can certainly lead to a full Cute and Fuzzy Seizure Monsters
  campaign.  Do the characters defeat Maggie or does she escape before the police can
  arrest her?  Does Toadramon escape and help break Maggie out of jail?  Does
  MonCon devolve into a full riot, increasing the anti-Mutamon tensions across the
  nation?  Can the characters repair their pets’ public image?  What about Combat
  Club?  Will its existence continue to perpetuate the image that Mutamons are
  violent, dangerous monsters?  The GM can answer these questions in future
  adventures and generate tremendous potential for a long-term campaign.
  CUTE AND FUZZY ADVENTURE
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Big Eyes, Small Mouth (BESM) (Tri Stat) [multi]/BESM 2e/BESM 2e - Mutamons of the Atom.pdf