Swords & Stitchery - Old Time Sewing & Table Top Rpg Blog

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Ekranoplans On Exoplanets and their Role in Hostile RPG

In the gritty, retro-future setting of Hostile, Ekranoplans represent the perfect middle ground between a slow-moving cargo ship and a high-maintenance aircraft. Utilizing Ground Effect—an aerodynamic phenomenon where a wing traveling close to a flat surface experiences increased lift and decreased drag—these "Wing-in-Ground" (WIG) craft are the workhorses of frontier ocean worlds like Poseidon or any colony with vast, flat salt flats.

Here is a breakdown of how to integrate Ekranoplans into your campaign.

## The Role of the Ekranoplan

In the Hostile universe, aerospace fuel is expensive and orbital shuttles are overkill for regional transport. Ekranoplans fill specific niches:

Heavy Lift: They can carry significantly more weight than a VTOL or conventional plane of the same size.
Speed: They easily outpace hydrofoils and hovercraft, cruising at speeds between 250–500 km/h.
Sensor Evasion: By flying just 3–10 meters above the waves, they often disappear into the "clutter" of planetary radar systems—perfect for smugglers or corporate black-ops.

## Typical Stats & Models

While you can customize these using the Hostile vehicle construction rules, here are two standard templates:

Feature	"Albatross" Class (Cargo/Civic)	"Vulture" Class (Military/Strike)
Crew	2 (Pilot, Engineer) + 20 Passengers	3 (Pilot, Navigator, Gunner)
Cargo	50 Tons	5 Tons + Weapon Hardpoints
Max Speed	400 km/h	650 km/h
Altitude	2–5 Meters (Ground Effect only)	2–10 Meters (limited jump to 100m)
Armor	2 (Lightweight Alloy)	8 (Reinforced Composite)
Weapons	None (Usually)	Twin Autocannons / Anti-Ship Missiles

## Operational Hazards (The "Fun" Part)

Running an Ekranoplan isn't like flying a Cessna. It’s high-stakes "driving" in three dimensions.

The Surface Constraint: If the water gets too rough (Sea State 5+), the Ground Effect becomes unstable. One rogue wave can clip a wing, leading to a catastrophic "cartwheel" crash.
The "Jump" Ability: Some advanced models can "pop up" to clear obstacles or islands. This consumes massive amounts of fuel and is incredibly taxing on the airframe.
Mechanical Wear: Saltwater spray is the enemy of turbines. Frequent Engineering (Power Plant) checks are required to prevent engine flame-outs during long trans-oceanic hauls.

## Adventure Hooks

The Ghost Ship: A corporate Ekranoplan carrying high-level biological samples has "settled" in the middle of a dead sea after an engine failure. The players are hired to recover the cargo before the tide—or something in the water—gets to it.
The Low-Level Run: To bypass a planetary blockade, the players must pilot an Ekranoplan through a narrow, jagged canyon system or across a stormy sea to deliver supplies to a rebel cell.
The Salvage Op: A massive, derelict Soviet-style "Caspian Sea Monster" has been found on a deserted colony world. If the players can fix it, they have a mobile base; if they can't, it’s a very expensive pile of scrap.

Referee's Note: When players are piloting at high speeds, treat any "Effect" of -2 or worse on a Pilot check as a Hull Strike. Because they are so close to the surface, there is almost zero time to recover from a stall.Here is the specific deck plan for the A-312 POSEIDON (Albatross-Class Frontier Transport), detailing the internal layout of the weathered Ekranoplan you specified. This plan is designed for use on a standard combat grid (1 square = 1.5 meters / 5 feet).
A-312 POSEIDON: Interior Deck Plan
The POSEIDON is a rugged, industrial workhorse. The interior is cramped, functional, and shows significant signs of wear, oil stains, and ad-hoc repairs. Lighting is dim, often provided by harsh, caged overhead units.
Main Deck (Grid 22 x 10 Squares)
This single long deck spans the entire fuselage, from the nose cockpit to the rear tail access.
[1] Nose Cockpit / Bridge (2x3 Squares) This is the command center of the A-312. It features two heavily reinforced pilot seats facing an array of bulky, obsolete CRT monitors, analog dials, and physical switches.
Access: Cockpit seats slide back for egress; access door to the rear.
Details: Scattered navigational charts, a cracked coffee mug, and a visible hydraulic leak on the left control column.
[2] Forward Crew Stations / Navigator (2x2 Squares) Directly behind the cockpit, this area holds two additional stations (Navigator and Engineer). It is densely packed with sensor readouts, communication gear, and a complex fuel management panel.
Details: Loose wires hanging from the ceiling, a heavy bulkhead door leads to [3].
[3] Central Engineering & Power Core (2x4 Squares) A narrow corridor splits this room, flanked by massive, thrumming internal components of the primary fuel-distribution system. It is noisy and hot.
Details: Heavy oil smell. A narrow ladder in the corner leads up to [8] and down to the bilge access (not mapped). A small toolkit is left open on the floor.
[4] Cargo Bay (10x6 Squares) This massive, echoing space occupies the bulk of the fuselage. It is reinforced for heavy-lift capacity and is generally kept cold.
Access: Two large, sliding cargo bay doors on the port and starboard sides allow for side-loading at appropriate docks.
Details: The floor is marked with faded loading lines. The image shows the current load: standard industrial shipping containers stacked two-high (marked with "POSEIDON LOGISTICS" decals, echoing the text on the hull). Several cargo tie-down straps are visible.
[5] Main Aft Access Corridor (2x4 Squares) A functional hallway connecting the cargo bay to the rear crew facilities and external access.
Details: Walls lined with emergency fire extinguishers, breathing apparatus, and a schematic of the vessel (mostly unreadable).
[6] Aft Crew Quarters & Bunks (3x2 Squares) Cramped sleeping quarters with four stacked, fold-out aluminum bunks, two lockers, and a folding table.
Details: Personal items are visible, including a worn paperback book, a set of keys, and a photograph taped to a locker door. It smells slightly of sweat and stale food.
[7] Aft Galley / Workshop (3x2 Squares) A dual-purpose room. The "Galley" consists of an ancient microwave, a small refrigerator, and a standard instant-coffee dispenser. The "Workshop" is a workbench covered in tools, disassembled parts, and welding equipment.
Details: A half-disassembled pump component sits on the workbench. A visible grease stain is on the floor.
Upper Observation / Access (Grid 4 x 4 Squares)
This small area is accessed via the ladder in Central Engineering [3].
[8] Upper Observation Platform (2x3 Squares) A small, raised observation deck with thick, forward-facing plexiglass viewports, looking directly out over the massive engine nacelles. It provides a strategic view, especially during ground-effect flight.
Access: Via ladder from [3]. A pressure-sealed hatch leads to [9].
Details: Contains rudimentary navigation equipment, a handheld searchlight, and a few outdated technical manuals.
[9] External Tail Access Hatch A reinforced, heavy-duty pressure hatch leading to the external hull.
Details: This is the primary access point for technicians conducting maintenance on the tail structure and the eight engines during docking operations.

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Elder Things & Mi Go : Cepheus Engine Adaptation - The Erindani Ossuary Part II

Adapting Lovecraft’s Elder Things (or Old Ones) for a Cepheus Engine (or 2d6 Sci-Fi) campaign turns a cosmic horror story into a fascinating "Xeno-Archaeology" or "First Contact" sandbox. This blog post picks right up from

Elder Things: Lovecraft's Ancient Aliens For Stars Without Number rpg & Cepheus Engine rpg

Since they are essentially biological machines with a star-faring past, they fit perfectly into the "Ancient" trope, but with a more visceral, organic twist.

The Elder Thing Stat Block

In Cepheus Engine terms, these creatures are incredibly hardy, prioritizing physical endurance and high intelligence over social standing.

Characteristic	Range	Description
STR	12 (+2)	Massive, barrel-shaped bodies with powerful tentacles.
DEX	6 (+0)	Methodical but somewhat clumsy in high gravity.
END	15 (+3)	Amphibious, vacuum-sealed, and biologically immortal.
INT	14 (+2)	Master scientists and engineers.
EDU	16 (+3)	Millions of years of accumulated cultural data.
SOC	0 (-3)	Incomprehensible to most humanoid civilizations.

Armor: 4 (Leathery, radial hide).
Traits: Flyers (in low-G or vacuum), Amphibious, Vacuum Survival, Biologically Immortal.
Attack: Tentacle lash (2d6) or Tool/Weapon (as per tech level).

City Layout & Architecture

Elder Thing cities aren't built for bipeds. Their architecture is based on five-fold symmetry and decagonal geometry.

Radial Design: Rooms are often circular or pentagonal. There are no stairs—only smooth, inclined ramps or vertical shafts designed for winged flight or tentacle-crawling.
The Bas-Reliefs: Every wall is a data storage device. Detailed, mile-long carvings act as a "History" skill check for players. A successful Edu or Science (History) check can reveal star maps or the location of dangerous "Shoggoth" pits.
Acoustics: Their cities are built to echo their "piping" whistles. Sound travels long distances through specific ventilation shafts.

Colony Types & Locations

1. The Deep-Sea Spires (Aquatic Colonies)

Before they moved to land, the Elder Things built massive undersea metropolises.

Location: Found on Ocean worlds or under the ice of moons like Europa.
Atmosphere: High Pressure / Underwater.
Adventure Hook: The players’ submersible is pulled into a magnetic docking bay of a city that has been silent for three million years—but the lights are still on.

2. The Barren High-Plateaus (Atmospheric Colonies)

Like the city in At the Mountains of Madness, these are built on the highest, most inhospitable peaks of a planet.

Purpose: Usually astronomical observation or launch sites.
Key Feature: Massive "Cylindrical Towers" that reach into the upper atmosphere.
Danger: If the Elder Things are gone, their "Shoggoth" slaves—now feral—might still be lurking in the sub-levels.

3. The Dyson-Husk (Spaceborne Colonies)

In a Cepheus Engine high-tech setting, the Elder Things may have carved cities directly into asteroids or "rogue planets."

Environment: No atmosphere, zero gravity.
Technology: They don't use electronics; they use Biological Engineering. Their "computers" are specialized brain-molds, and their "ships" are genetically modified space-faring organisms.

Technology: Bio-Engineering

The Elder Things don't manufacture; they grow.

The Shoggoth: (The ultimate hazard). In Cepheus Engine, treat a Shoggoth as a Vehicle-scale creature with the Amorphous trait. It is nearly immune to non-energy weapons.
Cyst-Torches: Bioluminescent organisms that provide light.
Memetic Records: Instead of data pads, they use crystalline structures that vibrate when touched, projecting images directly into the mind (requires a SOC or PSY check to avoid a headache).

Integrating into your Campaign

If your players find an Elder Thing colony, don't treat it like a dungeon crawl. Treat it like a tomb of a superior mind.

Note: The Elder Things aren't "evil." They are scientists. If the players encounter a living one, it might treat them as interesting biological specimens to be dissected rather than enemies to be fought.

To populate an Elder Thing city in Cepheus Engine, remember that these spaces are multi-dimensional. Ceilings are just "upper walls," and the decor is a mix of high-tech lab and fossilized museum.

Roll 1d100 (or 2d10) to determine what the Travellers stumble into:

Elder Thing Room Contents (d100)

Roll	Room Type	Description & Features
01-10	The Hall of Records	Walls covered in recursive, 5-fold bas-reliefs. A Science (History) check reveals the rise and fall of a star system.
11-15	Biological Vat Room	Massive stone cylinders filled with stagnant, nutrient-rich "primordial soup." May contain a dormant or malformed Shoggoth-embryo.
16-20	Acoustic Auditorium	A massive, funnel-shaped room designed to amplify "piping" voices. Sounds from elsewhere in the city are perfectly audible here.
21-25	Dissection Theater	Stone slabs with grooves for fluid drainage. Might contain the perfectly preserved (or taxidermied) carcass of a local alien species.
26-30	Navigation Spire	A room with a transparent, ultra-hard resin ceiling. A holographic "Star Map" made of glowing spores activates if touched.
31-35	Hibernation Crypt	Rows of star-shaped niches. There is a 5% chance an Elder Thing is inside in a state of suspended animation.
36-40	The Waste Recycler	A dark pit filled with a specialized, acidic sludge. It is actually a mindless, proto-Shoggoth designed to eat trash.
41-45	Botanical Conservatory	Glowing, bioluminescent fungi and crystalline "plants" that have survived for millennia on geothermal heat.
46-50	Equipment Cache	Contains strange, five-handled tools. Treat as TL 15 scientific gear, though bipedal use incurs a -2 DM.
51-55	The "Window" Room	A room with no exits, only accessible via flight shafts. Features a massive "telescope" that uses gravity-bending lenses.
56-60	Hydroponic Trenches	Salt-water channels once used for farming aquatic life. Now filled with toxic mineral deposits or blind cave-fish.
61-65	Memetic Archive	Shelves of vibrating crystals. Touching one requires a Psychology check; failure causes 1d6 Stun damage from sensory overload.
66-70	Transit Hub	A vertical shaft with magnetic rails. If the power is restored, a stone "elevator" pod may still function.
71-75	Chemical Laboratory	Rows of glass-like jars containing pressurized gases or rare isotopes. Some may be pressurized and explosive (3d6 dmg).
76-80	The Mural of War	A specific room detailing the Elder Things' brutal war against the "Star-Spawn." Sanity-shaking to view.
81-85	Gravity Anchor	A humming, basalt pillar that maintains local gravity. If damaged, the room (or section) enters Zero-G.
86-90	Domestic Quarters	Lacking furniture as we know it; instead, there are indentations for wing-folding and "hooks" for sleeping.
91-95	The Shoggoth Kennel	A reinforced room with heavy, iris-style stone doors. The interior is covered in a black, oily residue. Smells of musk and decay.
96-00	The Throne of Logic	A central command dais. Provides a +4 DM to any Computer or Science checks regarding the city's systems if successfully interfaced.

A Quick Note on "Loot"

Elder Thing technology is biological and mechanical, not electronic. Travellers won't find "credits" or "hard drives." Instead, they might find:

The Pipe-Flute: A tool that mimics Elder Thing vocalizations, allowing limited control of ancient machinery.
The Living Lens: A handheld organism that acts as a 100x microscope and thermal imager.
The Star-Map Cube: A heavy stone cube that, when vibrated, projects the location of other colonies in the sub-sector.

In the Cepheus Engine, a Shoggoth isn't just a monster; it’s a biological industrial accident. They were engineered by the Elder Things as "all-purpose" construction tools—shapeless masses of protoplasm capable of mimicking any tool or organ—that eventually gained a terrifying, hive-mind sentience.

The Shoggoth (Biological Automaton)

In combat, a Shoggoth is a "boss-level" encounter. It doesn't have a front or back, and it doesn't "die" from conventional trauma.

Characteristic	Score	Modifier
STR	30	+8
DEX	6	+0
END	40	+10
INT	4	-2
INST	12	+2
PACK	0	-

Armor: 10 (Amorphous Resilience).
Movement: 6m (Slither/Climb/Swim).
Weight: 10–50 Tons (Variable).

Special Traits

Amorphous: A Shoggoth has no vital organs. It ignores the first 10 points of damage from any non-energy weapon (bullets, blades, etc.). It can squeeze through any opening larger than a human head.
Reactive Evolution: As a Minor Action, the Shoggoth can sprout 1d6 eyes, mouths, or tentacles. It can mimic the sound of any creature it has heard (usually the "Tekeli-li!" piping of its former masters).
Engulf (Attack): Instead of a standard strike, the Shoggoth can attempt to move into a human-sized target's space. The target must make a DEX check. Failure means they are pulled into the mass.
- Inside the Mass: The victim takes 3d6 damage per round from crushing pressure and digestive enzymes. Escaping requires a STR check at -4 DM.

Vulnerabilities

While nearly immune to physical trauma, Shoggoths are susceptible to "high-energy" interference that disrupts their cellular cohesion:

Thermal/Plasma Weapons: These ignore its Armor rating.
Sonic Weaponry: If a Traveller uses a sonic stunner or industrial resonator, the Shoggoth must make an END check or be stunned for 1d6 rounds as its protoplasm liquefies.
Chemical Defoliants: Since they are biological, high-concentrate acids or herbicides deal double damage.

The "Tekeli-li" Effect (Psionic Hazard)

The sound of a Shoggoth is a psychic "stain." Any Traveller who hears the piping shrieks of a Shoggoth in a confined space must make a Difficulty (8+) PSY or END check.

Failure: The Traveller is Shaken (-2 to all rolls) for 1d6 x 10 minutes due to the unnatural resonance vibrating in their bone marrow.

Shoggoth Variants for your Sector

Type	Adaptation
The Void-Slick	Adapted for vacuum; looks like a patch of sentient oil on an asteroid. Deals cold damage.
The Hive-Mind	A Shoggoth that has consumed a high-INT computer or scientist. It can operate technology and set traps.
The Feral Tool	Found in ruins; it takes the shape of a massive, biological "crane" or "drill" even when attacking.

How to Run the Shoggoth

In Cepheus Engine, combat is deadly. Do not treat the Shoggoth as a fair fight. It should be a pursuit predator.

Phase 1: The players hear the piping echoes in the vents.
Phase 2: They find "scuff marks" where the stone has been polished clean by a massive, acidic weight.
Phase 3: The Shoggoth appears, filling an entire hallway.

Pro-Tip: If the Travellers have a vehicle or a ship, the Shoggoth will attempt to "clog" the engines or wrap itself around the hull to crush it.

In Cepheus Engine (and many 2d6 sci-fi systems), witnesssing something that defies biological logic—like a mountain of sentient, iridescent protoplasm—should have a mechanical impact beyond physical damage.

When a Traveller first encounters a Shoggoth or spends significant time in an Elder Thing "Meat-Lab," have them roll a Mental Save: 2d6 + END or INT (whichever is higher) against a Difficulty of 8+.

The Shoggoth Stress/Sanity Table (2d6)

If the Traveller fails the save, roll 2d6 and add the amount by which they failed (the "Effect" as a positive number) to determine the psychological fallout:

Roll (2d6 + Effect)	Result	Mechanical Effect
2-5	Primal Revulsion	The Traveller is Shaken. -1 DM to all actions for 1d6 rounds.
6-8	Vestibular Distortion	The shifting geometry of the creature causes vertigo. All movement is halved; -2 DM to all Ranged attacks.
9-10	Hysterical Blindness	The brain refuses to process the image. The Traveller is effectively Blind for 1d6 minutes.
11-12	"Tekeli-li" Mimicry	The Traveller begins compulsively whispering the creature's piping cries. -4 DM to Stealth and Social checks for 1d6 hours.
13-14	Catatonic Freeze	Total nervous system shutdown. The Traveller cannot move or act for 1d6 rounds (or until physically struck).
15+	Biological Dysmorphia	The Traveller becomes convinced their own limbs are alien. Permanent -1 INT or -1 EDU until specialized psychiatric TL 12+ medical care is received.

Recovering from the Trauma

The Elder Things’ legacy isn't just physical; it’s a "cognitive hazard."

Short-term: A successful Medic check or a dose of Anxiety Suppressants (TL 9+) can clear effects rated 2-10.
Long-term: Spending a week of "Down Time" in a high-tech (TL 12+) medical facility or a natural, earth-like environment allows a Traveller to attempt a new check to clear permanent stat losses.

Environmental Stress Modifiers

Apply these DMs to the initial Mental Save to reflect the horror of the situation:

In a well-lit lab: +2 DM (It’s just a specimen).
In total darkness/using flares: -2 DM (The shadows are moving).
Watching a crewmate get "Engulfed": -4 DM (The horror is personal).
The Shoggoth is speaking in a dead friend’s voice: -6 DM (The horror is intelligent).

Refining the Encounter:
Keep the Shoggoth "off-camera" as long as possible. Use the Acoustic Auditorium (from the Room Table) to let the players hear the Tekeli-li sounds miles before they see the source.

In the Cepheus Engine, finding Elder Thing artifacts is the ultimate "High Risk, High Reward" play. Most of these items are TL 15+ Organic Technology—they aren't made of circuits and plastic, but sculpted protein, crystalline lattices, and gravity-warping geometry.

Selling these items to a MegaCorp or a University is lucrative, but remember: carrying them might be illegal (or dangerous).

Elder Thing Salvage Table (d100)

Roll	Artifact Name	Description	Base Value (Cr)	Market Demand
01-10	Vitreous Data-Shard	A green, glass-like spike containing 500TB of star-charts.	5,000	High (Naval/Scout)
11-20	Bioluminescent "Cold-Light"	A handheld organism that provides light for 10,000 years.	2,500	Medium (Collectors)
21-30	Five-Fold Surgical Kit	Organic scalpels that never dull; grants +2 DM to Medic.	15,000	High (Medical)
31-40	Resonance Pipe-Flute	A musical tool used to "program" Shoggoths.	25,000	Very High (Xeno-Labs)
41-50	Gravitic Stabilizer Sphere	A heavy basalt ball that creates a 3m "Static-G" field.	50,000	High (Engineering)
51-60	Crystalline Neural Bridge	A headset that allows telepathic link with xeno-tech.	85,000	Risky (Black Market)
61-70	Preserved Shoggoth-Tissue	A sealed canister of dormant protoplasm. Extremely Dangerous.	120,000	Illegal (Research)
71-80	Star-Spawn "Trophy"	A preserved claw/organ from their ancient enemies.	40,000	Medium (Museums)
81-90	Atmospheric Condenser	A small device that generates breathable O2 from any gas.	200,000	Very High (Colonial)
91-98	Elder Thing "Brain-Jar"	A life-support canister containing a preserved ET mind.	750,000	Extreme (Megacorps)
99-00	The Star-Stone Map	A master-key to a Dyson Husk or hidden Star-Gate.	2,500,000+	System-Changing

The "Appraisal" Challenge

In Cepheus Engine, you don't just know what this stuff is. Selling it requires effort:

Identification: Requires a Science (Xenology) or Broker check (Difficulty 10+). Failure means you undervalue it (sell for 25%).
Transport: Many items are radioactive, psycho-active, or fragile. Roll 1d6 for every week of travel. On a 1, the item "activates" or degrades, causing a shipboard emergency.
The "Finders Fee" Trap: If the Travellers try to sell a Brain-Jar or Shoggoth-Tissue at a standard starport, they might trigger a Law Level check. If they fail, the local government seizes the "hazardous biological material" without compensation.

Modified Sale Price (2d6 + Broker/Persuasion)

When the Travellers find a buyer (MegaCorp, Rogue Scientist, or the Imperial Museum), roll on the following table to see the final offer:

2-5: "It’s a paperweight." (10% of Base Value)
6-8: "Standard archaeological find." (50% of Base Value)
9-11: "A breakthrough in our field!" (100% of Base Value)
12+: "A bidding war has started!" (200% of Base Value + 1 Friend in the scientific community)

Plot Hook: The "Warranty"

One of the items the players sold (Roll 1d10 on the Salvage Table) wasn't actually dead/inert. Two weeks after the sale, the buyers stop answering their comms, and a "Biological Hazard" alert is issued for the station.

Adapting the Mi-Go (The Fungi from Yuggoth) for the Cepheus Engine shifts the tone from the grounded, ancient ruins of the Elder Things to a high-tech, paranoid interstellar cold war.

While the Elder Things are biological "ancients," the Mi-Go are extra-dimensional industrialists and miners. They don't want to conquer the galaxy; they just want its minerals—and they view sentient life as a minor biological resource or an annoying local pest.

The Mi-Go Stat Block

Mi-Go are fungoid/crustacean hybrids. They do not "see" with eyes but perceive the world through complex vibration and electromagnetic sensors.

Characteristic	Score	Modifier
STR	8	+0
DEX	12	+2
END	10	+0
INT	15	+2
EDU	14	+2
SOC	0	-3

Armor: 2 (Resilient fungal chitin).
Movement: 6m (Walk), 12m (Fly—even in vacuum via etheric wings).
Traits: Vacuum Survival, Radiation Immunity, Trans-Dimensional (Cannot be photographed or recorded by standard TL 7-11 digital sensors; they appear as blurry smudges).
Attack: Pincers (2d6) or Electric Projector (3d6, treats Armor as 2 points lower).

Mi-Go Colonies: The Mining Outposts

Mi-Go don't build "cities" for comfort. Their colonies are utilitarian extractive refineries located in places humans cannot easily reach.

1. The Oort-Cloud Hives (Deep Space)

Hidden inside hollowed-out comets on the freezing edge of a star system.

Environment: Vacuum, Low-G, Cryogenic.
Layout: A labyrinth of pitch-black tunnels coated in a sticky, resinous fungus.
The "Brain Farm": A specific wing containing hundreds of Cylindrical Brain Jars. These are the Mi-Go’s "databases"—living sentient minds (human and alien) kept alive to provide local data or entertainment.

2. The Gas Giant Refineries

Floating platforms suspended in the crushing high-pressure layers of a gas giant.

Purpose: Extracting rare isotopes and "heavy water."
Defenses: Powerful electromagnetic dampeners that make ship sensors go haywire within 1,000km.
Adventure Hook: A corporate "Gas Miner" ship goes missing. The players find it docked at a Mi-Go platform, the crew still alive but their brains removed for "inventory."

3. The "Black Mountain" Mines (Terrestrial)

Small, secretive outposts on habitable worlds, usually inside dormant volcanoes or remote peaks.

Cover: They use human collaborators. A local cult or a desperate mining corp provides "security" (and test subjects) in exchange for Mi-Go technology.

Mi-Go Technology (TL 16+)

Mi-Go tech is terrifying because it bridges the gap between surgical horror and advanced physics.

Item	Effect
The Brain Jar	A metallic cylinder that keeps a brain alive indefinitely. Can be plugged into "Speech" or "Vision" modules.
Bio-Armor	A living suit that heals 1 hit point per round but requires the wearer to eat double rations to feed the suit.
Mist-Projector	A weapon that fires a cloud of freezing, sub-zero vapor. (3d6 Cold Damage, ignores physical Armor).
The Long-Range Gate	A trans-dimensional portal. Traveling through it requires an END check to avoid 2d6 permanent STR loss from molecular stress.

Mi-Go "Diplomacy"

The Mi-Go rarely fight fair. If a Traveller crew becomes a nuisance, the Mi-Go won't glass the planet; they will:

Abduct the ship’s Pilot.
Replace the Pilot’s brain with a Mi-Go operative's mind.
Send the ship back to a Starport to sabotage the local government from within.

Random Mi-Go Outpost Discovery (d10)

What do the Travellers find in a Mi-Go mining tunnel?

1d6 Brain Jars (One is screaming via a speaker).
A pile of "discarded" biological parts (Human, Aslan, K'kree).
A cache of "Strange Matter" (High value, highly radioactive).
A Mi-Go "Surgeon" mid-operation on a local wildlife specimen.
A recording device that plays back the Travellers' own private conversations from the last 24 hours.
A map of the sector, but with several stars "crossed out" (Targeted for extraction).
A bio-mechanical "Drone" (Treat as a small, flying Shoggoth).
A sensory-deprivation chamber used for "interrogating" human minds.
A shipment of TL 15 medical drugs (Cures any disease, 20% chance of mutation).
A Mi-Go Elder who is willing to trade—for the "loan" of one of the player's memories.

Mi-Go technology in the Cepheus Engine is a unsettling blend of TL 15+ biotechnology, crystalline computation, and extra-dimensional physics. Unlike the Elder Things, who built for permanence, Mi-Go tools are often modular, portable, and terrifyingly efficient.

To a human scientist, these items don't look like machines; they look like metallic fungi, porous carapaces, or humming geodes.

Mi-Go Artifact Table (d100)

Roll	Artifact Name	Description & Mechanical Effect	Base Value (Cr)
01-10	Bio-Luminescent Spore Case	A small, pulsing pod. When squeezed, it releases spores that illuminate a 20m radius for 24 hours.	500
11-15	Vibration-Dampening Resin	A canister of gray goo. When applied to a surface (boots, gears), it grants +4 DM to Stealth for 1 hour.	4,000
16-20	The Electric Projector	A weapon shaped like a crustacean limb. Damage: 3d6 (Stun). Ignores cloth/leather armor.	25,000
21-25	Cerebral Interface Patch	A wet, parasitic patch. Allows a Traveller to "think" at a computer. +2 DM to Computer checks, but deal 1 point of INT damage per use.	15,000
26-30	Vacuum-Wings (Chitinous)	Biological membranes that allow flight in Zero-G or Vacuum via etheric propulsion.	35,000
31-35	The Mist-Projector	A heavy, twin-tubed weapon. Fires a cloud of sub-zero vapor. Damage: 4d6 (Cold). Area effect.	50,000
36-40	Crystalline Recording Cylinder	Captures 4D sensory data. To humans, it looks like a glowing opal. Requires a Mi-Go reader to play.	8,000
41-45	Empty Brain Jar (Standard)	A metallic cylinder with life-support hooks. Highly sought after by unethical medical corps.	120,000
46-50	Bio-Regenerative Ointment	A jar of smelling salts and fungus. Heals 2d6 damage instantly, but causes a permanent "fungal scar."	10,000
51-55	Dimensional Compass	A floating, multi-faceted jewel that points toward the nearest "Thin Spot" in reality or Jump-Point.	90,000
56-60	Surgical "Tick"	A tiny, multi-legged robot. It can perform any surgery perfectly (Medic-4), but there is a 10% chance it "tags" the patient for abduction later.	65,000
61-65	The Harmonic Resonator	A handheld device that vibrates stone until it shatters. Ignores 10 points of Structure on buildings/tunnels.	110,000
66-70	Etheric Comm-Link	Allows FTL communication across a single system. It "whispers" directly into the user’s auditory nerve.	200,000
71-75	Gravity-Null Anchor	A 1kg device that, when activated, becomes immovable in space. Can hold up to 50 tons.	150,000
76-80	The Living Map	A jar of sentient mold that grows into a perfect 3D replica of the surrounding 5km of terrain.	45,000
81-85	Radiation-Eater Spores	A canister that, when opened, clears a room of high-level radiation in 1 turn. The spores then die.	30,000
86-90	The Neural Scrambler	A defensive "grenade." Any creature within 10m must make an INT save or be confused/violent for 1d6 rounds.	40,000
91-95	Occupied Brain Jar	Contains a sentient mind (Roll 1d6: 1-2 Human, 3-4 Alien, 5-6 Mi-Go). Highly illegal.	500,000+
96-99	Yuggothian Plutonium	A strange, glowing isotope used in Mi-Go "Gates." Worth a fortune to a Power Plant engineer.	1,000,000
00	The Gate-Key	A pulsating, black stone that opens a wormhole to a Mi-Go colony world (Yuggoth).	Priceless

The "Alien Tech" Penalty

Mi-Go items are designed for creatures with pincers and electromagnetic sensors.

Usage: Unless a Traveller has the Science (Xenology) or Jack-of-all-Trades skill, they suffer a -4 DM when trying to activate or use Mi-Go tech.
Malfunction: On a Natural 2 during a check to use an artifact, the device "misfires." The user takes 1d6 damage as the device attempts to "sample" their DNA or interface with their nervous system.

The "Black Market" Complication

Selling Mi-Go gear is significantly harder than selling Elder Thing relics.

Corporate Interest: Any sale of a Brain Jar or Gate-Key will immediately alert a Megacorp like Sternmetal or SuSAG. They won't just buy it—they might send a "Recovery Team" to take it and eliminate the witnesses.
Tracking: Mi-Go tech often emits a "ping" on a frequency humans can't hear. Roll 2d6 every jump; on a 12, a Mi-Go scout ship (or a "Controlled" human ship) finds the Travellers to reclaim their property.

In the Cepheus Engine, a Mi-Go collaborator isn't usually a wild-eyed cultist; they are often someone terrifyingly practical—a terminal patient, a disgraced scientist, or a corporate executive who views "humanity" as a temporary, flawed state.

Meet Director Aris Thorne, a perfect antagonist or morally grey patron for your campaign.

NPC: Director Aris Thorne

Title: Regional Liaison for "The Fungi from Yuggoth" (and former CEO of Thorne Bio-Aeronautics)

Thorne is a man in his late 60s who looks suspiciously healthy. He wears high-collared, expensive suits to hide the surgical scarring around his spine and brain stem. He speaks with a slight, buzzing monotone—a side effect of the Mi-Go vocal resonators implanted in his throat.

Thorne's Stats (Cepheus Engine)

STR	DEX	END	INT	EDU	SOC
6 (-1)	9 (+1)	10 (+0)	13 (+2)	12 (+2)	11 (+1)

Skills: Admin-3, Broker-2, Computers-2, Science (Xenology)-2, Deception-3, Medic-1.
Augmentations:
- Mi-Go Comm-Link: Can "hear" radio waves and Mi-Go vibration-speech.
- Synthetic Dermal Weave: Armor 2 (hidden under skin).
- Cerebral Insurance: If Thorne is killed, a "extraction drone" will attempt to recover his head within 1d6 minutes to place his brain in a jar.

Thorne’s Motivation: The Great Trade

Thorne doesn't worship the Mi-Go. He has struck a bargain:

His Role: He manages the "human interface" for Mi-Go mining operations. He uses his corporate shell company to buy mining rights, hush up local disappearances, and provide "raw biological materials" (political dissidents or the homeless) for Mi-Go labs.
His Reward: The Mi-Go have promised him a "Permanent Voyage." When his current body fails, they will put his brain into a TL 15 Life-Support Cylinder and take him to see the wonders of the Crab Nebula. To him, this is the ultimate retirement plan.

Ways to Introduce Thorne

1. The Shady Patron

Thorne hires the Travellers to "recover a stolen shipment of medical isotopes" from a rival corp. In reality, the isotopes are Yuggothian Plutonium, and the "rival corp" is actually a group of Sector Rangers who realized what Thorne was up to.

2. The "Fixer"

If the Travellers find a Mi-Go artifact and try to sell it, Thorne is the only buyer with enough credits. He meets them in a high-end lounge on a High-Tech station. He is polite, professional, and warns them: "My associates are very protective of their property. You would be wise to take my offer before they come to collect it themselves."

3. The Reveal

During a raid on a Mi-Go mining outpost, the players find a luxury living suite in the middle of the fungal tunnels. They find Thorne there, casually sipping 50-year-old scotch, watching the "monsters" work through a viewing portal. He isn't a prisoner—he’s the Manager.

Thorne’s "Bodyguards"

Thorne rarely travels alone. He is usually accompanied by 2-4 "Socially Reconstructed" humans.

The Reconstructed: These are humans who have undergone Mi-Go neurosurgery. They are calm, fearless, and have a +2 DM to all combat checks, but they lack any personality. They obey Thorne (and the Mi-Go) without question.

Adventure Seed: The Extraction

Thorne contacts the players because a Mi-Go "Research Lead" (a Brain Jar) was stolen by a group of space pirates. He needs the players to get the jar back without opening it.

The Twist: The brain inside the jar is Thorne’s daughter. She didn't want the "Permanent Voyage," but Thorne "saved" her anyway. She is currently using her psychic interface to beg the players to kill her.

In the Cepheus Engine, the Mi-Go are the ultimate tempters for the desperate and the ambitious. They don't offer "magic"; they offer high-tier technology and biological immortality, things every Traveller and Scout has dreamed of at 3:00 AM in the dark of a jump-space void.

When your players interrogate a collaborator or find a terminal log, roll 1d100 to see how they justify their betrayal of humanity.

The Collaborator’s Excuse Table (d100)

Roll	The Excuse	The Twisted Logic
01-10	The Terminal Patient	"The Med-Sloanes said I had three months. The Fungi gave me three thousand years. Who cares if I don't have a pulse?"
11-15	The Scientific Purest	"Human science is a cave painting. They showed me the 11th dimension. I’d kill every man in this sector just to see it again."
16-20	The Ecological Zealot	"Humans are a virus on the ecosystem. The Mi-Go are just... harvesting the excess. I'm helping the galaxy 'prune' itself."
21-25	The Debt-Ridden	"Do you know how many Credits I owed the Tukera family? One brain-jar shipment and my debt was 'deleted' from every bank in the Imperium."
26-30	The Grieving Parent	"My son died in the Frontier Wars. They... they let me talk to him. He’s in a cylinder now. He sounds happy. He needs more 'fuel' to stay awake."
31-35	The Malthusian Prophet	"A Great Filter is coming. The Mi-Go are the only ones with a life-boat. I’m just securing my seat."
36-40	The Coward’s Peace	"Resistance is statistically impossible. I’m making their occupation 'orderly' to prevent unnecessary bloodshed."
41-45	The Neuro-Addict	"They touched my brain with a probe. I felt... everything. Normal life is a gray fog now. I’ll do anything for another 'session'."
46-50	The Corporate Ladder	"Thorne Bio-Aeronautics was failing. Now we have 90% market share in synthetic organs. Don't ask where the 'prototypes' come from."
51-55	The Xenophile	"Humanity is so... boring. Crude. Bipedal. The Mi-Go are art. I just want to be part of the masterpiece."
56-60	The Political Puppet	"With their 'whispering technology,' I can win any election. I’m the Governor now. I just have to let them mine the asteroid belt."
61-65	The Transhumanist	"The flesh is a prison of calcium and meat. The Mi-Go offer the ultimate liberation: pure consciousness in a durable alloy shell."
66-70	The Accidental Traitor	"I didn't know what they were! I thought they were just weird miners! By the time I saw the Brain Jars, I was already an accomplice."
71-75	The Spiteful Underdog	"This planet treated me like dirt for forty years. Now, I’m the one holding the Mist-Projector. Let them scream."
76-80	The Religious Convert	"They aren't aliens. They are the Angels of the Outer Dark. Our scriptures were just... mistranslated."
81-85	The Genetic Archivist	"Our DNA is degrading. The Mi-Go are 'saving' our genetic sequences before we blow ourselves up in another war."
86-90	The Bored Aristocrat	"I’ve seen every pleasure the Core Worlds have to offer. Inter-dimensional travel is the only thing that makes me feel alive."
91-95	The Hostage	"They have my entire colony’s brains in a locker. If I stop providing 'volunteers,' they’ll crush the jars."
96-99	The Nihilist	"Nothing matters. The universe is cold and indifferent. Why not help the biggest monsters on the block?"
00	The Truth-Seeker	"They promised to show me what’s behind the 'Black Hole' at the center of the galaxy. I just had to sign over my soul."

The "Collaborator" Gameplay Mechanic

In Cepheus Engine, social interactions can be just as deadly as combat. If a Traveller tries to "de-program" or persuade a collaborator to turn against the Mi-Go:

The Check: Difficulty (10+) Persuasion or Psychology.
The Penalty: If the collaborator has a Mi-Go Neuro-Link (common in 40% of cases), they suffer a Cerebral Feedback if they try to betray their masters. They take 2d6 damage and must make an END check to avoid a seizure.
The Reward: If successful, the collaborator can provide +4 DM to finding a hidden Mi-Go outpost or the "Passcode" to bypass automated Mist-Turrets.