New Alien Race For The Cepheus Engine Rpg System - The Amoeba Men -

Gemini said

The Amoeba Men from Mystery Comics #4 (1944) are a classic example of Golden Age sci-fi weirdness. They are a parasitic, hive-minded race of translucent, protoplasmic beings from the "Green World" (a hidden jungle-world beyond our dimension) that seek to conquer Earth by absorbing and replicating human forms.

Here is a conversion of the Amoeba Men for the Cepheus Engine (or any 2D6-based sci-fi RPG).

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The Amoeba Men (Alien Race)

Characteristics

Attribute	Modifier
STR	2D6+2
DEX	2D6-2
END	3D6
INT	2D6
EDU	1D6
SOC	0

Racial Traits

• Amorphous Physiology: In their natural state, they are translucent, gelatinous blobs. They can squeeze through any opening that isn't airtight and are immune to falling damage and "critical hits" from piercing or bludgeoning weapons.

• Osmotic Absorption: To "eat" or kill, they engulf a target. An engulfed victim suffers 2D6 damage per round and must win an Opposed STR Check to escape.

• Mimicry (Parasitic): After absorbing a human, an Amoeba Man can assume their physical likeness. However, they lack a complete understanding of human social cues, suffering a -2 DM to any Deception or Social checks to pass as human for extended periods.

• Vulnerability (Cold/Dryness): They thrive in humid, tropical heat. Extreme cold or dehydration-based attacks (desiccants) deal double damage.

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Biological Overview

The Amoeba Men are essentially massive, sentient single-celled organisms. They do not have internal organs; their "brain" is a decentralized neural network within their protoplasm. This makes them incredibly difficult to kill with traditional firearms—bullets simply pass through their jelly-like mass with minimal disruption to their vital functions.

Tactical Behavior

In the 1944 comic, they rely on stealth and infiltration. They prefer to ambush lone victims in foggy or damp environments, absorb them, and then use the victim's identity to sabotage defenses or lure more prey.

Referee Note: If an Amoeba Man successfully mimics a Player Character, do not tell the other players. Hand the "mimic" player a note instructing them to act slightly "off" or overly logical until the moment of betrayal.

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Cepheus Engine Stat Block

Amoeba Man (Infiltrator) STR 9, DEX 5, END 12, INT 7, EDU 3, SOC 0 Armor: 4 (Semi-liquid body reduces kinetic impact) Skills: Stealth-2, Melee (Unarmed)-1, Deception-1 Attacks: Pseudo-pod (1D6) or Engulf (2D6 per round)

Weapon: Model-5 "Atomizer" Ray-Gun

The Model-5 is an experimental directed-energy weapon from an era of "Rad-Science." It doesn't fire a coherent laser beam; it fires a wobbling bolt of ionized particles that disrupts molecular bonds.

Cepheus Engine Stat Block

• Weapon Type: Pistol (Energy)

• Range: 20m (Short) / 40m (Long)

• Damage: 3D6 (Special)

• Weight: 1.5 kg

• Magazine: 10 Shots (Internal Capacitor)

• TL: 12 (Experimental)

Special Rules

• Molecular Disruption: On a Natural 12 to hit, the target's armor is ignored for that shot as the ray bypasses physical density.

• The "Green World" Synergy: This weapon deals +1D6 damage against Amoeba Men and the Glistening Death, as its frequency specifically destabilizes non-solid biological matter.

• Unstable Power Cell: The Model-5 cannot be recharged with standard ship power. It requires a Science (Physics) or Electronics check to "bleed" energy from a Fusion Core, or it must use vintage Rad-Ampule batteries.

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The "Retro-Science" Mishap Table

Because this is pulp technology, it is prone to "scientific" flair. If a player rolls a Natural 2 (Snake Eyes), roll 1D6:

d6	Result	Effect
1-2	Overheat	The fins glow white-hot. The weapon cannot be fired for 3 rounds without burning the user's hand (1D6 damage).
3-4	Frequency Shift	The ray turns a strange color (Purple/Green). The next shot deals half damage but forces the target to make an END check or be blinded for 1 round.
5	Feedback Loop	A spark jumps from the grip. The user takes 1D6 electrical damage and the gun is depleted of all remaining shots.
6	"The Big One"	The vacuum tube shatters. The gun is destroyed, but it releases a 5m pulse that acts as an EMP, disabling all electronics in the room.