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Conspiracy X

Conspiracy X is a role-playing game (RPG) published by Eden Studios, Inc. The current version is based on the Unisystem, but previous versions have used GURPS and its own system. All feature the same central story.

Setting

The game has a long and involved metaplot detailing government involvement with three different alien races (the Greys, the Atlanteans and the Saurians) , dating back to 1949, as well as tying together supernatural and paranormal phenomenon. Player characters take the role of operatives for AEGIS, a secret organization dedicated to investigating extraterrestrial and paranormal threats, and responding where necessary. Players generally take the role of disaffected government agents. They may be employed by real-world organizations such as the FBI or ATF or an organization created for the game, such as the Defense Tactical Information Center or Project Rasputin. The game also touches on many modern popular conspiracy theories including the CIA involvement with psychics and the alien cover up from MKULTRA. The game can also be run to focus on paranormal happenings such as ghost sightings or ESP.

First Edition

The first edition was acquired from New Millennium Entertainment and was Eden's first RPG, and used a system unique to the game. The first version went through several printings, with the Third Printing — Revised carrying a copyright date of 1997. The system included rules for purchasing equipment and connections for the player characters' cell, and a psychic ability system that involved Zener cards. Many supplemental books were produced for this line including books detailing alien technologies and races, books for dealing with the supernatural (as it is defined in the Conspiracy X world) and books on the governmental agencies featured in the core book (AEGIS and Black Book, also called the NDD), as well as a book on how to create conspiracies and the Bodyguard of Lies series, three books with miscellaneous additions to the world and rules as well as missions to roleplay.

This edition features an original rules system, where actions are resolved with one of only four probabilities:

Easy (100%) - Automatic Success (if your skill exceeds the difficulty level)

Medium (58,3%) - Success on rolling 7 or lower on 2d6 (if your skill is equal to the difficulty level)

Hard (16,7%) - Success on rolling 4 or lower on 2d6 (if your skill is a single point lower than the difficulty level)

Impossible (0%) - Automatic Failure (if your skill is more than a single point lower than the difficulty level)

There are also resolution systems for non-skill actions, competitive actions, extended actions such as research, and use of specific powers and abilities using the core resolution system as a base. Difficulties range from 1 to 5, and sometimes higher for very difficult actions.

Supplements

The first edition was very well supported, with a number of supplements:

The Aegis Handbook - Player's Guide to Aegis.
The Hand Unseen - Player's Guide to the NDD, or Black Book.
Nemesis - Grey sourcebook.
Atlantis Rising - Atlantean sourcebook.
Exodus - Saurian sourcebook.
Forsaken Rites - Supernatural sourcebook.
Shadows of the Mind - Psi sourcebook.
Cryptozoology - Dossier of the Unexplained.
Sub Rosa - Conspiracy Creation sourcebook.
Gamemaster Screen - with adventure module included.
Bodyguard of Lies series:

Psi Wars
Mokole
Synergy

GURPS Edition

Another version was published in 2002 using the GURPS rules-set. This was the second Powered by GURPS licensed game to be produced outside of Steve Jackson Games. In addition to GURPS rules it provided conversion guidelines for players of the first Conspiracy X.

Second Edition

The latest version, published in 2006, features the Unisystem rules and was nominated for an ENnie Award Best RPG for 2007. The GURPS variant is part of the 1st Edition line and features the same cover art. Like the GURPS version, Conspiracy X 2.0 presented conversion guidelines for players of the 1st Edition of the game. No GURPS conversions were provided. Supplements are coming, but have been delayed for a while.