CHROME finds its roots in many classic tech-noir film and media works such as Blade Runner, The Matrix, Ghost in the Shell, and Akira. An atmosphere that is dark, brooding, and highly stylized coupled with subject matter that is often menacing and violent.

Styles of CHROME

In CHROME, players take on the role of Operators working as crews for an anonymous shadow organization known as ‘Control.’

Character Creation

Operators

CHROME takes place in New Los Angeles, a dense metropolis of unknown millions sprawled out along the coast of an area that may once have been known as California.

New Los Angeles Primer

World

There is very little agreement as to the facts of history. Each MegaCorp and Cult Consortium purports to have the truth of what happened. Yet, their mythologies are so conflicted that any assertion of these truths is difficult to believe.

A Lost and Obsolete History

In the wake of the Source event, the virtual online reality of commerce, entertainment, and information has been infiltrated and transformed. Inhuman entities, ominous and alien, flooded this digital realm with corruption and darkness. Servers across the globe went offline, connections between individual networks were severed, and the bright shining silicon lights of the Net slowly blinked out.

The Rise of Voidspace

There are no governments left in this broken future; even the idea of government as it was once known is gone and forgotten. All locus of power rests with two groups: Megacorporations and Cult Consortiums.

New Power Structures

Its Operators, contractors equipped and augmented with black-market experimental tech, prowl the streets of the megaplex carrying out all manner of dangerous assignments. A name whispered throughout the street and highrise, this mysterious entity is known as “Control.”

Control and its Operators

A character’s Background represents which section of society they originated from before becoming an Operator.

Backgrounds

An Operator’s Loadout represents the category of occupation for which they are best trained and equipped. Each unique Loadouts provide your Operator’s starting Weapons, Equipment, and CyberTech.

Loadouts

A table of assorted cherished keepsakes that Operators carry with them.

Trinkets

A table of assorted sewn-on patches reflecting an Operator’s character or personality.

Patches

Every Squad of Operators has a web of entangled connections between them that may help keep them together or tear them apart.

Squad Connections

Depending upon your chosen Background, Operators each manifest in a specific form known as their Death Presence when they die. These Presences last until the end of the session or mission.

Death Presence

Working for Control is treacherous and often deadly, but it pays well. Operators receive generous allotments of credits for completing various assignments, but the real payoff is access gained; access to weaponry, armor, vehicles, and above all - CyberTech.

Advancement

In CHROME, there are two distinct aspects to playing the role of Control. The first is to function as narrator and facilitator of the game. The second aspect of playing Control, which differs from many other tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), is roleplaying Control’s actual character/organization in-game.

Systems of Control

Control

Those who have experience playing TTRPGs know that sometimes game sessions can run longer than expected. CHROME is played in a Scene-based structure to help facilitate a more efficient and engaging experience.

Scenes and Encounters

The core of a CHROME game is the Mission given to the Operators by Control. These directives are urgent. Operators are expected to proceed hastily towards their objectives and see every Mission through to its end - whether success or failure.

Missions

Foes to challenge your Operators and push them to their limits...

Enemies

Downtime is mostly an out-of-character experience but can also include some roleplaying by the Operators if the players request such moments.

Downtime

A premade mission to assist running sessions for your Operators. This section contains information on running the introductory mission “Crawl”. It should only be read by the player taking on the role of Control.

Starter Mission

Types of dice used in CHROME: d10, d20, d100. Rules regarding rolling with advantage, disadvantage, critical success and failures.

Dice

Rules

An Operator’s Stats reflect their level of ability in a number of important areas. When outside forces attempt to assail your body and mind, the GM may call for you to make a Save Roll.

Stats and Saves

Each Skill represents knowledge, training, or aptitude that an Operator may possess. There are 10 Skills in CHROME.

Skills

Conviction is a measure of your Operator’s inner reserve of willpower and confidence. Stress is a measure of the tension and anxiety that wears down an Operator’s Conviction, bringing them ever closer to Panic.

Conviction and Stress

There are times when the tension and pressure can become too much for an Operator to handle. Critically failing a Panic Check will cause a Distortion, an effect that will forever change your Operator.

Panic and Distortion

Rules regarding turn-based combat in CHROME. Sections covering initiative, attack rolls, damage, and death.

Combat

Whenever you spend at least 6 hours resting, your Operator may attempt to relieve their Stress, restore their Conviction, and heal some of their physical damage.

Rest and Healing

Due to the danger of daemonic corruption, all computer networks in CHROME are closed systems that cannot be accessed remotely. A hacker must be physically present to jack into a computer system directly.

Hacking

CyberTech is the integration of cutting-edge technology with the human body to push it beyond biological limitations. While some augmentations can be found among the general population, such as ocular implants and standard limb modification, most CyberTech is the closely guarded property of Corporations and Cult Consortiums.

CyberTech

Gear

How weapons function in CHROME, including range, damage, and critical effects.

Weapon Stats

Tables of the firearms, melee weapons, and explosives available for Operators to use on their missions.

Weapons

Explanation on how worn armor functions in CHROME and a table of available armor types.

Armor

Table of assorted gear for Operators to use on their missions.

Equipment

Role-Playing games offer fun and exciting ways to explore different characters, motivations, themes, and social situations. Whether player, game master or observer, everyone involved in a session deserves to feel safe and have fun. Safety Tools offer a variety of ways to help ensure the well-being and enjoyment of everyone at the table.

Styles of CHROME

Tech-Noir

Cosmic Horror