About the book:
Mars is not a large planet, merely half the size of Earth, yet it hosts several native habitats and tens of thousands of native species. The noted, and sadly late, Dr. Arthur Wesley has explored many of these and filed extensive reports with the International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation. This publication details the most extensively studied creatures of Mars, their native habitats, and includes drawings based on the sketches of Dr. Wesley himself with an appendix on artificial life on Mars written by Frank Knight.
Over 20 new creatures native to Mars such as the crested mahmoot, giant tesselon, and enigmatic vapor wraith are fully statted out with story hooks to help the GM get them off the page and into the game. Major ecosystems of Mars such as the rice grass savanna of the South Polar Region, the lush (for Mars) canal valleys, and the dangers of the open desert are detailed. In addition, Frank Knight has appended his thoughts on the artificial life on Mars, such as warbots and the dread roboqueen!
Bizarre Life
Mars is home to strange alien lifeforms that want to eat you or be your friend! Maybe both. Ranging from plants like Arthur’s hydra to the deadly Grey Hunger swarms, these critters will make adventures on Mars exciting and rewarding. At least exciting and fulfilling, filling their bellies most likely.
Alien Vistas
Arthur’s Guide to Martian life contains more than just deadly creatures, it details the many ecosystems of Mars. There is a lot of life on Mars that doesn’t need game stats but exist for flavor and ambiance. Each ecosystem is given a panoramic view inspired by biology texts of the mid-20th Century that shows the environment and the common animals found there.
Artificial Life
Appended to our copy of Arthur’s Guide are Frank Knight’s notes on the artificial life of Mars. Warbots, roboqueens, and others are described in detail and commented on by the greatest Europan P.I. in the Solar System, or at least on Mars. Maybe the greatest in the city-state of Emancipation. OK, top ten at least.
