The Lunar Motor Rally is an event held quarterly by the local loonies of Heinlein. What started as a pastime for bored Melange Mining engineers quickly grew into a following of motor enthusiasts from all around the solar system. The rocky and unforgiving lunar terrain presents a challenge for many drivers, as well as the lower gravity, gives it further appeal. There have been many tall tales of racers flying across craters to some being launched into outer space, which is largely untrue even at top speeds.
Many will be taking part in the motor rally and it's clear that some have taken this very seriously with the number of sponsors that have found their way stencils on some vehicles. Each participating racer will be provided with their own lunar buggy for this race.
Choose Your Racer!
In order to participate in the race, each racer will be given a lunar buggy of their choice. There are a number of different makes that will provide a slight advantage in certain circumstances and also dependant on the racer's style. Of course, a racer might just choose to forsake these perks and stack their vehicles with sponsorship ads.
When selecting a buggy, please indicate the type on the first roll made. If the race is completed without indicating which one was used, the benefits are forfeited without recourse.
- Sponsorship support: No bonuses. Receive +250 Credits and +1 Funding if the racer manages to achieve at least third place.
Improved handling: Receive +1 Boost dice ■ on all Driving (Agility) or Survival (Cunning) rolls in this event.
Maintenance assist systems: When repairing action with Mechanics (Intelligence), roll at Easy Difficulty (◆) instead. All Advantages earned in this roll are rounded up to the nearest even number, zero will round closest to zero here.
Fuel-efficient engine: If at least three of the five Driving (Agility) or Survival (Cunning) rolls have been successful in this event, reduce the racer's end score by 2 Time Units.
Rocket boost: When activated, the racer may make a re-roll of their Driving (Agility) or Survival (Cunning) roll. They must keep the results of their new roll.
The objective of the rally to get to the finish line. However, the lunar prevents this race from being straightforward. The terrain is harsh, grey, and lacking in traditional landmarks. This makes the race about not merely a matter of speed but keen navigation to traverse the lunar without getting lost. There have been many hot-headed racers who found themselves driving in circles. Lunar buggies are meant to take a beating but were never meant to extended use at high speeds. The race is also a long one and will put many engines to the test.
Racers in the rally may either utilize skill checks using Driving (Agility) to rely on their driving skills with the lunar buggy or Survival (Cunning) to navigate their team toward the most efficient path. The difficulty is determined by the path they take in their race. Racers will choose 5 Paths, in any combination, to complete the rally. Each path has a time unit attached to it, indicating the time it takes to traverse it normally.
The available paths
- The Scenic Route, 10 Time Units base: Roll at Average Difficulty (◆◆)
The Rocky Road, 8 Time Units base: Roll at Hard Difficulty (◆◆◆)
The Daring Shortcut, 6 Time Units base: Roll at Hard Difficulty with one upgrade (◆◆⬟)
Two Threats results bestow one Setback on the next roll, Two Advantage results bestows a Boost to the next roll.
A Triumph result removes Two Time Units.
Three or more Threats or One Despair result bestows one Setback dice for the remainder of the race as well as 2 Time Units as the lunar buggy suffers from mechanical problems.
Stress and Repair
After each roll, the subsequent roll gains one Setback dice (■) for the remainder of the race as the mechanics and engine of the lunar buggy are pushed to the limit.
Participants may add 2 Time Units to their score to remove one Setback dice they pause to attend to their vehicle. This can be done before any roll. During this action, participants may make a Mechanics (Intelligence) at Average Difficulty (◆◆) to remove an additional Setback die. All Threats are converted to Strain in this action and every 2 Advantage results can be converted to one Boost die for the next race roll.
The Finish Line
The placement of each racer is dependent on the total accumulated Time Units at the end of the race. The 'top" three players with the least amount of Time Units earn prizes based on their placement. Ties are broken by the recorded footage and determined by the participants with the most Triumphs in the event rolled, then the most Advantage (this is not negated by Threats).
First prize: 750 Credits and a sponsor worth 1 Funding Point
Second prize: 500 Credits and a sponsor worth 1 Funding Point
Third prize: 250 Credits and a sponsor worth 1 Funding Point
