GURPS Supers Campaign

23 Jul 2020

Many years ago I briefly ran a GURPS Supers campaign, more out pressure from the rest of the group than from a desire on my part. My interests generally lie in lower point/power games with at least some elements on realism. But I did draw up the beginning of a campaign with an initial encounter and NPCs and let the PCs go wild with points, etc. We never went further than the first session - but perhaps this little snippet of a campaign can help someone out there!

Background

The PCs were a super hero team working essentially freelance, and this first session was intended to be the start of a longer running session in which they took on an enemy called Laradunne and foiled his attempt to enter our dimension. Laradunne is an evil spirit crossing into our dimension from an alternate dimension where magic exists.

In this dimension, his soul resides a large obsidian sphere, hidden deep in an abandoned mine in Nevada. He relies on a number of companions he brought with him into this dimension for protection and to carry out his plans. He has two overlying goals - one is to gather resources to allow him to construct a larger portal and bring over more allies from his dimension. He is also searching for the vessel - which is something ominous that I never quite defined :)

His main ally in this dimension is a super villain named Soul Slug (see below) who uses his power to dominate others to further his master's schemes.

The Mission

The PCs are contacted and asked to investigate a recent armored car robbery. Evidence indicates that a super hero named Sledge (see below) was the one behind the robbery - which is very strange since he's never done anything illegal in the two decades that he has been active. Of course, he was dominated by Soul Slug the day before, who's using Sledge to gather resources (i.e. money) for his master.

If the PCs investigate Sledge's house they will find evidence that he left quickly during a meal, perhaps one day ago.

As the PCs investigate (perhaps while at the house) they will get a call that Sledge was spotted leaving a jewelry store. He is headed to Soul Slugs lair which is the basement of an abandoned apartment building in the slums. Inside this lair the PCs will find loot packaged to delivery to a small town in Idaho. Another of Laradunne's companions is there (future session) collecting resources and putting them to whatever evil uses the GM can dream up.

The Ambush

Somehow Soul Slug has found that the PCs are onto Sledge and will send some thugs to try to take them out or scare them away. They've set an ambush as the location of the armored car robbery (assuming the PCs will want to go there to look for clues). Of course you can also have them jump the PCs elsewhere.

I intended this to be an easy "warm-up" encounter to let the PCs try out their characters before tangling with a more dangerous enemy. I just used a few generic thugs per PC, armed with pistols, knives, etc.

The Showdown

The showdown can include Soul Slug, or just be with Sledge. Depending on how much challenge you need for the PCs, you can throw in more thugs as needed. They can always burst onto the scene to add some complications if things are going too smoothly for the PCs. The location of the showdown could be anywhere depending on the PCs actions. If I recall mine followed Sledge to the basement lair and fought both.

NPCs

Soul Slug - a dull red glowing humanoid figure around five feet tall. Red eyes are easiest to see, the form is more visible in darker environments. He has the power to dominate another via a will contest. A dominated person's eyes appear to have no pupils. Such a person will do whatever Soul Slug mentally commands.

The Showdown

The showdown can include Soul Slug, or just be with Sledge. Depending on how much challenge you need for the PCs, you can throw in more thugs as needed. They can always burst onto the scene to add some complications if things are going too smoothly for the PCs. The location of the showdown could be anywhere depending on the PCs actions. If I recall mine followed Sledge to the basement lair and fought both.

NPCs

Soul Slug - a dull red glowing humanoid figure around five feet tall. Red eyes are easiest to see, the form is more visible in darker environments. He has the power to dominate another via a will contest. A dominated person's eyes appear to have no pupils. Such a person will do whatever Soul Slug mentally commands.

The Showdown

The showdown can include Soul Slug, or just be with Sledge. Depending on how much challenge you need for the PCs, you can throw in more thugs as needed. They can always burst onto the scene to add some complications if things are going too smoothly for the PCs. The location of the showdown could be anywhere depending on the PCs actions. If I recall mine followed Sledge to the basement lair and fought both.

NPCs

Soul Slug - a dull red glowing humanoid figure around five feet tall. Red eyes are easiest to see, the form is more visible in darker environments. He has the power to dominate another via a will contest. A dominated person's eyes appear to have no pupils. Such a person will do whatever Soul Slug mentally commands. Falling unconcious will break the domination until Soul Slug can reinitiate it. Sleep does not break the domination.

ST 9, DX 12, IQ 16 (Will 20), HT 12. Move 6, Init 6, Dodge 6
Advantages: Insubstantial, Invisible to Machines, Dominate (must be substantial to do so), Will +4, Sense Super Power @ 14, Surge @ 15

Sledge - a huge powerfully built man, known for his strength and preference for smashing things...

ST 30 (3d, 5d+2), DX 12, IQ 9, HT 14/18. Init 9.5, Move 8, Dodge 9, Parry 9/11
Advantages: Enhanced Strength, Extra Hits, Increased Speed +2, Combat Reflexes, High Pain Threshold, DR +10
Skills: Brawling @ 15 (punch 3d-1 cr, Kick 6d-1 cr), 2 hand axe/mace @ 15
Stuff: Leather outfit (PD2, DR2), Sledgehammer (6d+2 crushing)