(GSM1.0) THE EATER OF WORLDS
(THE CREATURE THAT ATE PETRICKON IV) * Based on the Planet Crusher by SVC
Your starship has been sent to intercept a creature that devours entire worlds! This massive beast fails to respond to all attempts at communication. You have no choice but to destroy the creature before it consumes Petrickon IV.
(GSM1.00) GENESIS GALAXY: Project-X
(GSM1.1) NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 1; The monster moves by automatic rules; see (GSM 1.44).
(GSM1.2) INITIAL SET UP
TERRAIN: The Planet Petrickon IV (Class M) is in hex 2502.
MONSTER: The Eater of Worlds is in hex 0230.
SHIP(S): One ship in any hex: 4214, 4215, 4216, 4217. Heading at the option of the player, speed mx, WS-I.
YEAR: The player may select any of the First Cruisers from Project-X. For first time players, it is recommended to choose the Republic First Cruiser.
(GSM1.3) LENGTH OF SCENARIO: The scenario continues until either the monster has destroyed the planet or the starship is destroyed by the monster.
(GSM1.4) SPECIAL RULES
(GSM1.41) MAP: Use a floating map.
(GSM1.42) SHUTTLES AND PFs: There are no PFs, fighters, or multi-role shuttles in this scenario, and this rule can be ignored.
(GSM1.43) COMMANDER’S OPTION ITEMS: Players should ignore this section.
(GSM1.44) The monster moves by special automatic rules. As its “mission” is to destroy the planet, the monster will always move (unless distracted by the ship) toward the planet. In cases where the monster may move into either of two hexes (both of which are “toward” the planet), the player may roll a die (odd numbers going left and even numbers going right), toss a coin, or alternate. The monster has a speed of 2 hexes per turn. The monster has a turn mode of “0.” It can move in any direction regardless of prior movement.
(GSM1.441) If, during the Movement Step of any impulse, your starship is at a range two hexes or less from the monster, the monster will pursue (F2.0) the starship. The Eater of Worlds is not distracted by fighters, shuttles, or PFs; it will not follow them.
(GSM1.442) If the monster moves into the same hex as the planet, it will cease movement, unless it moves to follow your starship.
(GSM1.45) Due to strong radiation interference, the monster cannot be fired at from a true range of more than 12 hexes. Drone-like weapons and seeking shuttles more than 12 hexes from the monster will not accept it as a target.
(GSM1.46) The monster cannot be held in a tractor beam.
(GSM1.47) The monster is equipped with a close-in defense system (E6.0), with the following modification:
(GSM1.471) PROCEDURE AGAINST PLASMA TORPEDO-LIKE WEAPONS
The MCIDs system can be used against plasma torpedo-like weapons. To resolve this, use the following table:
Die Roll 1-2 Warhead reduced by 10 points.
Die Roll 3-4 Warhead reduced by 7 points.
Die Roll 5-6 Warhead reduced by 4 points.
Note that (E6.52) UNACCEPTED TARGETS remains the same.
(GSM1.48) On the first impulse that the monster “detects” (is within 12 hexes of) your starship, it will fire its “torpedo.” This operates as a heavy weapon, but uses the special chart below:
Range 1-2 Hit 1-5
Range 3-4 Hit 1-4
Range 5-8 Hit 1-3
Range 9-12 Hit 1-2
The torpedo scores 5 points of damage if it hits. The torpedo has a 360 degree field of fire. The torpedo can fire up to four times per turn, but not within 8 impulses of a prior firing. The die roll is not affected by EW (D6.3) or atmosphere (P2.541).
(GSM1.481) On the first impulse the monster “detects” (is within 6 hexes of) your starship, it will fire its “phaser.” This operates as a phaser, but uses the special chart below:
Range 1-2 Damage 4
Range 3-4 Damage 3
Range 5-6 Damage 2
The phaser will automatically hit so long as your starship is within 6 hexes. The phaser has a 360 degree field of fire. The phaser can fire up to four times per turn, but not within 8 impulses of a prior firing. The die roll is not affected by EW (D6.3) or atmosphere (P2.541).
(GSM1.482) The Eater of Worlds regenerates from any damage it sustains. Every 8 impulses after taking damage, it will regain 2 of its “hit points” until it is at maximum again (50 points).
(GSM1.49) If the Eater of Worlds enters the same hex as the planet or the starship, it will begin to “devour” it. The target will suffer 20 points of damage per turn. This is an automatic hit; there is no need to roll a die to hit. If the Eater of Worlds begins the turn in the same hex as the planet or starship, the damage will be inflicted on impulse 1. Note that the Eater of Worlds will not fire its torpedo or phaser at range 0.
(GSM1.5) VICTORY CONDITIONS: The monster wins if it can inflict 100 points of damage on the planet. The player wins if he can inflict 50 points of damage on the monster (at which point the monster is destroyed).
(GSM1.6) VARIATIONS: The Eater of Worlds scenario can be made more challenging by making the following modifications:
A) Increase the Eater of World’s speed so that it reaches Petrickon IV faster.
B) Increase the amount of damage needed to destroy the Eater of Worlds.
C) Increase the rate at which the Eater of Worlds regenerates.
D) Increase the amount of times the Eater of Words can fire its torpedo.
E) Increase the amount of times the Eater of Worlds can fire its phaser.
F) Increase the amount of damage caused by the Eater of Worlds at Range 0.
G) If the Eater of Worlds is too difficult, take more than one First Cruiser to stop it.
Feel free to mix and match these modifications, enacting more than one modification if desired.
(GSM1.61) ORDER OF BATTLE VARIATIONS:
Players should experiment using different First Cruisers from Project-X. The objective is, over a number of playings, to be able to stop the monster with ANY of the First Cruisers in Project-X.
(GSM1.7) TACTICS: Tactics are nearly identical to the Tactics described under (SM1.8). Considerations will have to be taken for the different weapons employed by the Eater of Worlds, along with the smaller size of the First Cruisers of Project-X.
DESIGNER’S NOTES: The Eater of Worlds is Project-X’s version of the Planet Crusher. In order to make it work, the monster had to be “resized” down to the smaller levels of the First Cruisers of Project-X. This meant making it move slower, reducing the damage the monster could inflict, and reducing the damage required to destroy the monster. I made some other minor changes to keep the scenario fresh and entertaining.
Like the Planet Crusher, the Eater of Worlds scenario allows the player to become accustomed to his starship by utilizing all of the systems on board and employing a wide range of tactics on the battlefield to be victorious.
HISTORICAL OUTCOME: It was later discovered that the Eater of Worlds was yet another dastardly creation of the mad scientist Doctor Frankenpetrick. To everyone’s dismay, it was learned that the devious Doctor Frankenpetrick had created not one Eater of Worlds, but MANY.
