Earth is being invaded from a parallel dimension by an alien race that is intent on harvesting the earth’s natural resources and wiping out the human threat. The invaders have caused most of earth’s technology to fail, sending entire governments into collapse and crippling mankind’s ability to defend itself. Characters play members of the scattered Resistance.
The Korr
The Korr are a technologically advanced alien race from a parallel dimension. They are violently xenophobic and believe themselves superior to all other races. The Korr excel at science, particularly biotechnology, and specialize in control of lesser species. Their living war machines are a terrible blend of cybernetics and organics.
Background
On December 12th, 2012, the attack began.
It started with the storms, roiling patches of inky blackness punctuated by lightning strikes and most of all thunder, terrible thunder. All over the world men huddled in fear as low, deafening rumbles reverberated to the core of our being. Then the meteors came, raining down from the very center of the dreadful storms, destroying the cities of man. The event lasted for almost an hour and the damage was catastrophic. Scientists were at a loss to explain the phenomenon and were unable to predict whether or not it was an isolated incident. Governments all over the world became stretched thin between keeping the peace and providing humanitarian aid to millions of refugees.
Then technology began to deteriorate. Computers ceased to function and communications faltered. Buildings and bridges weakened and collapsed. Dams and levees became compromised. Nuclear facilities threatened meltdown. Highways became junkyards of abandoned vehicles and planes fell from the sky. It was later determined that the meteors had been composed of some sort of corrosive compound that had vaporized upon impact and been released into the atmosphere.
When the second round of storms came, mankind braced for the worst. Only then did we realize we were under attack as dozens of gelatinous motherships floated out of the blackness. Thousands of ropy tendrils descended from the motherships toward earth, depositing alien vessels and creatures the likes of which we had never imagined.
We fought back. Even as technology failed, even as society died around us, we fought back. The armies of man slowed the oncoming horde, but could not stop it, until at last we were scattered, down, but not out.
Today
The world of this setting is much changed from what you see outside your window. No cars travel down the freeway. No planes fly across the sky. No computers or cell phones exist to keep people informed. Humanity is scattered across the globe as thousands of refugees have left the major cities, trying to escape the conflict. Food is scarce. Electricity is rare. Running water is practically a thing of the past and drinking water must be purified. The days are quiet and the nights are long and dark.
Always there is the constant threat of the Korr lurking over the horizon as the Korr slowly and systematically continue to wipe out all trace of human society. The cities of man are being laid to waste as Korr assault forces sweep in, secure the area, and then send in teams to reduce the cities to rubble. The Korr are thorough and relentless and the process is time consuming, but the Korr are confident they will prevail.
Players
The Stormrift setting takes place a few months after the armed invasion has begun. Players play members of the Resistance, forced to use hit and run tactics against the technologically superior Korr. Characters can be normal humans, psionic humans (using psychic powers brought about by the stormrifts), or enhanced humans (humans implanted with captured Korr biotechnology). The exact size and makeup of each cell is left up to the GM to decide, but for game purposes the characters answer to someone higher up who can provide intelligence and assign missions. The characters are constantly on the run, knowing that one mistake could be their last, but they are determined to free earth and drive the Korr back to their alien homeworld. Some believe that the only way to accomplish this is by using the Korr’s own doomsday device against them.
Adventures
Members of the Resistance may be called upon to perform a variety of different missions.
Defense
The characters are placed in charge of defending something, whether it be a place, person, plans, or captured piece of Korr biotechnology.
Recruitment
The resistance sends the characters to recruit volunteers from a nearby haven. The haven may welcome the resistance or be hostile towards it or the settlers may only be willing to let resistance members talk to their people if they perform some task.
Search and Destroy
Search and destroy scenarios are fairly straightforward. The characters are sent to destroy an enemy which can be a violent band of raiders, an alien creature, or a Korr assault team.
Intelligence Gathering
The characters are sent to infiltrate a gang of raiders, haven, or even a Korr mothership, gather information and perhaps disrupt activities.
Resupply
The characters are sent to hunt for supplies. The resistance might have intelligence that leads them to believe supplies are at a certain location (such as a Wal-Mart) or the characters may be searching blind, hoping to stumble across food or weapons.
Escort
The characters must escort someone or something from Point A to Point B. Common escorts are provided for leaders of the resistance, supplies, or captured technology.
Rescue or Recovery
Someone or something needs rescuing--it could be a friend, ally, leader of a haven, or stolen supplies or gear.
Escape
The characters begin the scenario trapped and must get free.
Field Testing
Human scientists are constantly trying to reverse-engineer Korr technology, sometimes with disastrous results. The characters are chosen to field test an experimental weapon or device.
Doomsday Recovery
The characters are sent after a piece of the Korr doomsday device. They may have to break into a vault, descending into an ancient tomb, or steal the stones from raiders or even the Korr themselves.
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