Degenesis

DEGENESIS is a pen-and-paper role-playing game created by Christian Günther and Marko Djurdjevic. DEGENESIS was created as an indie project, supported by Projekt Odyssee. It was originally produced and distributed in 2004 by Sighpress-Verlag. Since 2014, the second and current edition (DEGENESIS: Rebirth) is produced and distributed by SIXMOREVODKA. Since April 2020 all of its materials are available to download online for free.

Degenesis
Logo used for the Rebirth edition
Designer(s)Christian Günther
Marko Djurdjevic
Publisher(s)SIXMOREVODKA
Publication date
  • 2004 Degenesis
  • 2014 DEGENESIS: Rebirth
Years active2004–present
Genre(s)Post-apocalypse, Science fiction
System(s)KatharSys
Playing timeVaries
Random chanceDice rolling
Skill(s) requiredRole-playing, improvisation
Websitedegenesis.com

Setting

The game is categorized by the designers as "Primal Punk", a description detailing a world in which humanity struggles for survival in a world filled with perils both alien and humane.

The game is set in the regions of Europe and North Africa at the end of the 26th century, more than 500 years after a major asteroid event devastated the face of the Earth and the ensuing chaos and conflict reset human civilization, when it was just at the edge of transhumanism. From the ashes of the old world, new cultures emerge and fight for survival.

Furthermore, an alien entity travelled within the asteroids, and in its interaction with terrestrial lifeforms it pushes them to mutate and evolve. The Primer, as it is called, is a menace to the human species, for when it infects a human embryo it can turn it into something more primal: A Homo Degenesis.

Characters within the universe are shaped by three different ideals: culture, cult and concept. Culture is defined as the home region, the concept as the character's personal background theme and the cult as the player's team or organization. The story universe spans 13 different cults, which represent the major organizations within the world, and the Clanners, encompassing all the minor organizations which conform the majority of the world's population and allow for player customization .

Rebirth edition

Noted points of departure from the first edition include the whole revamping of the game system, and lore-wise, a more lax and intertwined relationship between the cults.

System

The revamped Katharsys game system uses a d6 pool system where players roll a number of d6 equal to the sum of the relevant Attribute and the specific Skill, plus or minus circumstancial modifiers. Character's stats consist of 6 primary attributes and each one of these has six specific skills. Primal and Focus, Faith and Willpower, Secondary stats and backgrounds.

Title Publication Date Type Contents
Degenesis: Rebirth October 2014 Core Integral reworking of the game, the core book actually consists of two tomes: Primal Punk, which describes the setting in detail and Katharsys, which provides information about the homonym game system and further advice for the Game Master, along with a prepared adventure.
In Thy Blood October 2015 Source & adventure book Contains detailed information about northern Purgare as well as the first adventure in the Jehammed's Trilogy campaign.
Game Screen October 2015 Storytelling Screen On the backside of the poster are tables for the game masters as well as a DIN A1 color copy of the playing world.
Degenesis: Sacrifice Everything October 2015 Artbook Rare artbook and collector's edition with illustrations by SIXMOREVODKA artists Marko Djurdjevic, Gerald Parel and Michal Ivan. An artistic interpretation of the November 2015's Degenesis trailer.
The Killing Game July 2017 Source & adventure book Describes in depth the region of the southern coast of Franka and contains the adventure that picks up and develops the trilogy campaign.
Clans of the Rhône 2017 DLC Provides the description of the four major clans of southwestern Franka, along with ranks and specific rules to create characters of such clans.
Rising Ravens 2017 DLC Expands information about the Apocalyptics in Bayonne.
Black Atlantic May 2018 Source & Adventure Book Enhances the information on northwestern Franka, and includes the conclusion of the Jehammed's trilogy campaign.
Degenesis: Artifacts April 2020 Rules and equipment expansion It will delves deeper into the Katharsys game engine and details topics such as Combat Maneuvers, Energy Management or Medical Complications. Additionally it provides Game Masters and Players alike with a plethora of new gear.[1] A content preview of the potentials chapter of the supplement was released as a free PDF[2].
Justitian Q3 2020 Source book Consisting of two books, one will provide in-depth information about Justitian as well as other major settlements and cities of the Protectorate and the second brings a cast of more than 150 characters conforming the mayor players in the region, each one with a detailed description, statblock and several plot hooks. This book will pick up after the conclusion of the events in Black Atlantic, moving the plot forward. A WIP free preview chapter of the Spitalian characters has been published[3].

Free To Play

In April 2020 a revamped website and business model was announced, with all PDFs of the game's publications being available for free download indefinitely. A donation system was set up for fans to support the game via one-time or montly subscriptions, and physical media, including the aforemented books in print and other merchandise, are still available for purchase.

The website is the nexus for the game and under the new model it is updated regularly with new content that expands upon the lore of degenesis in the form of short stories, art, and character entries, among other types of media.

First Edition

Rules

The gaming system is based on five Attributes (Mentality, Mobility, Body, Expression and Psyche). Players add Skill and Attributes to get the "Action Value" and rolls two 10-sided (2D10) die below it.

Difficulties are described by numbers the players must "beat".

Fighting is an expansion of the basic rules of the game by which the characters are "action points". The action points are modifiers within the game that either set initiative or other actions within the battle scenario. Players do damage by rolling a number of d10 under a specified number (defined by the weapon stats). There are also experience points that can be collected via battles or free experience points that can be freely distributed amongst the players.

Generally, however, players strive to roll as little as possible.

Publications and Special Editions
Title Publication Date Type Contents
Degenesis Winter 2004 Original Work The original work lays the groundwork for the series with descriptions of all cultures and cults. All necessary background information about the game's world, history and citizens is described in detail. The gaming rules are also included
Eisbarriere Fall 2005 Storytelling Screen The playing screen displays all the important tables necessary for the game master. It is produced on a DIN A1 Format across Europe and northern Africa.
Justitian Fall 2005 Background Series The 204-page background series provides information about the Borcan metropolis and capital, Justitian, and its established Protectorate. Included are detailed city descriptions and over 100 NPCs
Fieldreport: Psychonauts Summer 2006 Background Series This 106-page background series provides detailed information about the Psychonaut Threats.
Cult Book: Spitalians Spring 2008 Background Series Full, detailed description of the Spitalian cult
Campaign Band: Nichtfraktal Fall 2008 Campaign Band Chroniclers describe the discovery of a legendary artifact, the Nichtfraktal (the Unfractured), after which thousands of people begin to search. The players have a new quest: to search for the artifact and discover its mysteries.

Reviews and awards

The Degenesis: Rebirth Edition was awarded the 2015 Special Jury Prize by the German Role-Playing Game Prizes (Deutschen Rollenspiel Preis (DRSP)).

References
  1. "SMV Newsletter March 2019 Issue". SIXMOREVODKA. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  2. "Potentials Free PDF". SIXMOREVODKA. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  3. "Justitian Free Preview". SIXMOREVODKA. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
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