Q: Are there any new Archetypes for TOP SECRET: New World Order™?

Allen “The Silencer” Hammack introduced a “Cat Burglar” in Madison, Wisconsin. I turned the “Cat Burglar” into a former criminal “Black-Bag Expert” and countered it with the law-abiding “Constable.”

Both Archetypes worked together during OPERATION: WAY DOWN UNDER. After sneaking around a mining camp undetected, the “Black-Bag Expert” found the target, a silver, metal cylinder weighing 110 pounds (50 kilograms), but could not budge it without the “Constable’s” assistance.

I want to develop an office “Analyst” or laboratory “Squint” and put them in the field for testing. Another archetype I have discussed with Jayson Elliot is a “Cleaner” to work with or cover up after a “Ronin,” “Nanny (Babysitter)”, or “Sandbagger.”

BLACK-BAG EXPERT

Counter-Intelligence Division Field Operative

Possible Covers: Cat Burglar, Filcher, Housebreaker, Pilferer, Prowler, Safeblower, Safebreaker, Safecracker, Second-Story Thief or Worker, Shoplifter, Sneak Thief

Nerve: d10

Suave: d10

Pulse: d4

Intellect: d6

Reflex: d10

HUMINT: d10

SIGINT: d8

TECHINT: d8

COMBAT: d6

Clearance: d8

Reputation: -d4

Languages:

• English d12
• Russian d8
• Arabic d8

You were a common criminal. After being captured for Burglary, Petit Larceny, and Grand Larceny, and given the choice of prosecution or cooperation, you chose to become a Black-Bag Expert. Now you are the employee of a privately-owned company but authorized by ICON to do more entering than breaking. Black-bag work generally entails the planting of bugs or surveillance devices. You are currently reassigned as a field operative. You are trained in these Specialized Skills under the Tradecraft listed in parentheses: Filch (HUMINT), Lock Picking (HUMINT), Protective Security (COMBAT), Rappel (COMBAT), and Stealth (HUMINT).

Background: Criminal

Attaché Cases: Cat Kennel and Burglar Tools.

Commlink, Earphone, Throat-mic: Each operative receives one battery-powered set and all are tuned to the same frequency so team members can communicate simultaneously up to 1 mile apart.

Special Device: Glasscutter, Lock Pick Set, and Safecracker Tools.

Weapon:  Not allowed to carry a weapon.

Possible Contact Assets: Antique Appraiser, Fine Art Appraiser, Jewelry Appraiser.

Possible Criminal Contact Assets: Fence who sells stolen objects, Racketeer, Black Marketer, Bootlegger, Moonshiner.

Phobia: Unknown.

Mania: Aeluromania – The uncontrollable fondness for house cats. You are a “cat person.”

Personal Secret: You are the victim of blackmail, coerced into espionage and reluctant and therefore neither suitable nor reliable.

Hidden Talent: You collect antique furniture and antique jewelry.

CONSTABLE

Intelligence Division Field Operative

Possible Covers: Chauffer, Deaf Translator, Lip Reader, Police Officer, Taxi Driver

Nerve: d8

Suave: d8

Pulse: d8

Intellect: d8

Reflex: d8

HUMINT: d8

SIGINT: d12

TECHINT: d12

COMBAT: d8

Clearance: d4

Reputation: 0

Languages:

• AMSLAN (American Sign Language) d10
• Braille (both fingertip and sight read) d8
• Mandarin (dialect) Chinese d6
• English d12

You are trained in these Specialized Skills under the Tradecraft listed in parentheses: Legal Systems (HUMINT), Lip Reading (HUMINT), Negotiation (HUMINT), Sign Language (COMBAT), and Surveillance (HUMINT).

Background: Legitimate. You were recruited straight out of a police academy where you had already attained some degree of intelligence proficiency.

Home Intelligence Agency: NSA/CSS (National Security Agency/Central Security Service) (USA)

Attaché Cases: Standard Business and Burglar Tools

Commlink, Earphone, Throat-mic: Each operative receives one battery-powered set and all are tuned to the same frequency so team members can communicate simultaneously up to 1 mile apart.

Special Device: Infrared Camera that captures human face thermal images (even in utter darkness) linked through deep neural network computer system to both infrared and visible light face-recognition systems that returns results in 35 milliseconds or 28 frames per second.

Weapon:  NRMPEP – No Recoil, Magnetic Propulsion, Electric Pistol. On automatic, it silently accelerates a burst of three 9mm steel slugs without gunpowder. It carries 30 shots and has a 100-yard effective range.

Possible Contact Assets: Animal Handler (K-9 Officer), Bomb Disposal Expert with Bomb Defusing Tools, and Forensic Crime Expert.

Possible Criminal Contact Assets: Criminal Informer (Fink, Pigeon, Rat, Snitch, Stool Pigeon)

Phobia: Coprophobia – The fear of bird droppings. This includes birds flying overhead, bird baths, bird nests, and bird houses.

Mania: Unknown.

Personal Secret: You perform miniature gardening, keep a balanced terrarium, and practice bonsai, the art of dwarfing trees.

Hidden Talent: You can start a fire by friction and wood powder or with flint (hard rock), steel, and a tinder.

What is the source of the term, “The Inflat-A-Gator?”

After a briefing regarding a South American mission, I offered a team of agents seven options in experimental equipment for ICON Field Trials: W.A.S.P Tactical Knife – Injection, Drone Hoverboard, Tactical Communication and Protective System (TCAPS), Spy Glasses, Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT), Quadrotor outfitted with a Machine Gun, and Bomb Disposal Robot used to Deliver a Bomb. One agent quickly chose the Tactical Knife described below:

W.A.S.P. Tactical Knife – Injection ($499.95) (WEAPONRY, ASSET DIE: D6) is a trade name for a large knife that contains a cylinder of compressed gas in the hilt. When stabbing a subject, about one cubic foot (or 28 liters) of gas stored at 800 psi is rapidly injected deep into the wound site.

The injected gas causes much more damage than a single knife wound, both from the displacement of internal organs and from the freezing effect of the free expansion of the gas.

One well-placed hit can easily kill or immobilize a large shark. When used underwater, the freezing effect helps to keep the animal from bleeding profusely, while the injected gas causes the animal to float to the surface. This can be very helpful in defending against aggressive sharks, while avoiding the blood release that can trigger a feeding frenzy in a group of sharks.

When the other agents saw the first agent’s choice, they all wanted a W.A.S.P. Tactical Knife – Injection ignoring the other six experimental equipment options.

During the mission, the first agent decided to swim alone from boat to shore. Along the way, the agent did not encounter a shark. Instead, he encountered a 13-foot alligator (roll 1d20 for length). (There was a chance of a school of 1d10 piranha.)

The agent efficiently and effectively dispatched the aggressive animal by stabbing it in the belly with the Tactical Knife and pressing the compressed gas button. The expanding gas killed the alligator, but the gas could not quickly escape the alligator’s thick, leathery hide. The deceased reptile floated to the surface and was brought to shore by the agent to be used to manufacture souvenirs.

The agent asked me if the knife could be reused. I answered it could continue to be used as a Tactical Knife, but the compressed air had been exhausted (and no one had asked for additional compressed gas cartridges). One of the agents dubbed the weapon, “The Inflat-A-Gator,” much to everyone’s amusement.

I wish to use my first answer in this issue of The Rasmussen Files to recognize the artists, writers, editors, and masterminds who made TOP SECRET: NEW WORLD ORDER^™ a reality. It is my duty and privilege to thank you for your contribution to the success of this new product.

It has been four years since Jayson Elliot asked if I would consider writing a 21^st century version of the original Top Secret RPG. I was interested.

I asked Allen “The Silencer” Hammack, the original title’s editor, if he would edit the new product. He was my editor, supervisor at the old TSR, and now editor again. His editing always makes my work better.

James “Inkubus” Carpio offered to buy drinks for Jackie “Cat Lady,” my wife, and me. We had ordered supper, so I told him he could buy our dessert. Little did we know his kindness would turn into the Lucky 13 game engine powering TS: NWO™ and soon his Pulp Era™.

Chad “Shaken Not Stirred” Parish made me an honorary member of the Dead Games Society. He was running Operation: Checkpoint Charlie at conventions. He conducted the first gaming interview I had granted in 30 years. I asked if he would be interested in writing a module for the new game system. He provided several archetypes and many tradecraft which he agreed to let me steal.

With this cadre of gaming personalities, we set out to create something for the modern player. We knew the genre, but we could not and would not use any material from the original title.

Jayson or James suggested “New World Order” as the edition name of the newest Top Secret. The project was codenamed “ACRID HERALD.” (That’s funny, those are the same initials as Allen Hammack.)

The supranational espionage organization needed a name. I suggested United Nations Institute Questioning Unauthorized Expenditures (UNIQUE) or “The Institute” with agents posing as auditors. This was met with deafening silence. Someone else suggested International Clandestine Organizations Network (ICON). In fact, the ICON seal with these words appears on page 7 of the rulebook and on the “Agent Dossier” created by Jayson Elliot. In further conversations, “Clandestine,” was shortened to “Covert.” Today, “The Institute” is officially, International Covert Operations Network, however, the back of the box refers to ICON: The International Covert Operatives Network. (To my eternal chagrin! Clearly such a shadowy agency results in varying levels of accuracy when their existence leaks to the public –ed.)

The dictionary tells me “clandestine” means “kept or done in secret, often to conceal illicit or improper purpose.” One of the definitions of “covert” means “not openly practiced, avowed, engaged in, accumulated, or shown.” Both are technically correct, but I suggest we retain the seal with the word “clandestine” to represent our origins, which may have been illicit. Let us use “covert” because our missions are not openly practiced.

Jayson suggested I build my brand name by joining Facebook. In two years, I now have nearly 800 friends.

Jayson started contacting other talent. Soon we had a prototype we could beta test. We were hoping for a couple dozen play test groups. We had to cut them off at 117. ACRID HERALD was also played at various game conventions. Consultants added their helpful comments. Feedback is the breakfast of champions.

At some point I met and dined with Satine Phoenix. She looked like Cleopatra at the time. I was wearing my tuxedo T-shirt and black fedora.

Cory “Shonuff” Gelnett e-mailed me. He wanted my photo. My likeness appears as a portrait hanging on a wall behind Dame Weatherby in The White Queen.

The design team conducted conference calls and playtesting across three Time Zones. With A.J. “Lancer” Davenport, we covered all four U.S. Time Zones.

Then came the kick starter. Jayson’s goal was $12,000. We reached $12K in 20 minutes. Interviews were conducted on various websites. In 30 days, we topped $126K. We knew we had a product and a public to support it. Now could it become a reality?

Components were designed. Artwork finished. Text laid out. The game was printed in China, traveled by slow boat through the Panama Canal, and landed in Florida. The game made it through customs to the order fulfillment warehouse.

I received my copy of TOP SECRET: NEW WORLD ORDER^TM from Jayson in the Lake Geneva Pizza Hut. Three kick starter fans paid $300 each for a private game session with me at GARYCON 10.

The game is now being shipped to fans who pre-ordered the product. It started appearing in game stores. Yesterday morning, someone on eBay was asking $100 for the hardback copy.

What continues to sink in is that ordinary people with a shared passion made this happen. Together, we accomplished in 4 years what I could not accomplish alone in 27 years.

Although I may not have mentioned you by name in this column, I hope to make your acquaintance, take your photo, and collect your autograph. Be sure to create a code name for yourself. (Maybe there should be a code name registry.)

You should be proud of your contribution to this successful product and your company, the new TSR, Inc. We hope to produce future related products. Consider me a freelance writer who designs games as a hobby.

Thank you,

Merle “The Administrator” Rasmussen