In the depths of the Mutant Maker, I have a new Cryptic Alliance - the Hopeless! Special thanks goes to John Lamb for the seed of the idea for the Co-ops, which I initially thought was enablist, but on rather reflection, realized they could represent a faction of the group.
As kids, we never generated a Hopeless Character from my original Tables. I can’t guarantee that now,, but I doubt you will generate one now. Besides, there are no Hopeless Characters,, only less-Hopeful Players!
Appendix J – Cryptic Alliance – The Hopeless (The Farb’N’Dent)
(The Farb’N’Dent: Haven of “One who is a Deviant Exile”)
“Never throw away a bad idea. Just save it for later.…”
This Alliance is a retreat for the undesired members of society who are too far outside the “norm” of appearance or biological functionality (or so it seems). The Hopeless have set up networks of Monasteries, Enclaves, Sanctuaries and Refuges called TithKhesh (Garden Sanctuary), and the ways between them called The Hopeless Road (The IrnDent).
Characters who have not yet been brought into the fold are called Foundlings. Frequently, the parent of a Hopeless child will leave the infant as a Foundling at a monastery for The Hopeless to raise. Other Foundlings can be full adults, discarded by their culture, frequently surviving as beggars, or in the wild, and discovered by a Hopeless Missionary. Others still hear about their existence through rumors and go on a quest to find their personal Shangri- La.
Cooperative Faction (The Co-ops)
The Co-ops believe that only together can the challenged overcome their genetic or cultural inheritance, It is always the duty of The Hopeless to assist those less fortunate than themselves. If a being is blind, one must be their eyes, and they in turn owe their talents and gifts in reciprocity to you or others.
Competitive Faction (The Bootstrappers)
The Bootstrappers believe one must not rely on others despite ones’ challenges, biological or cultural, and only through self-reliance can one not be considered permanently Hopeless. Value comes from within, and challenging one’s self and others’ expectations is the only way the become a valuable person. Sanctuary should be a temporary retreat, and leaving the nest of safety is the destiny of every self-fulfilling creature.
Symbol
The Hopeless symbol is a meandering dotted line beginning with a star at one end and ending in an X, representing The Hopeless Road leading to a refuge. Sometimes this Symbol is found painted on rocks or carved in trees and reveal a section of the Hopeless Road, but never the whole thing. Places to avoid can also be marked.
Benefits
If a Character has a defect, said defect is lessened in its severity by whatever increment the GM chooses. This is the result of proper health care being applied (for example, Diabetes and insulin or proper diet), self-development (physical training of a withered limb) or in some cases, technology (a cyborg attachment for a vestigial limb).
All Hopeless are obligated to help Foundlings find a home, permanent or temporary, amongst The Hopeless. This can be as simple as giving them a map to the nearest way-station or home, along The Hopeless Road, where residents can assist them in getting to a larger Enclave with more resources and protection. It can be as devoted as acting as a personal bodyguard and escort to a monastery before resuming their original goal. All Hopeless, Co-ops or Bootstrappers, must help other members in defense or with resources.
Restrictions
Revelation that one belongs to The Hopeless should be on a strictly personal level so as to not draw attention to the plight of the Foundlings.
Notes
If a player decides to re-adopt a Hopeless Character, they must undergo a personal quest. This quest should be in obligation to another Hopeless member (if one is a Co-Op) or on one’s own in a solo adventure (if one is a Bootstrapper). A small token of a reward can be given upon proof of success, more as a symbol of the accomplishment than an actual advantage or value.
