Weird Science

By Nick Huggins
Players: 22
Genre: Science fiction comedy
There exist, on the fringes of our society, a great
many secret societies. These range from the inner circle of the Masons to even
more bizarre sects, such as  comic book
collectors, Christian scientists or role-players. 'F.A.R.T.S' - The Fraternity
of Alternate Reality Theoreticians and Scientists is one such organisation.
F.A.R.T.S has existed since approximately the beginning of the nineteenth
century, and was founded by Isaac Newton himself, who had faked his own death
some years earlier to pursue a career in the burgeoning area of Weird Science.
F.A.R.T.S has boasted among its ranks many odd
scientists. It has thumbed its nose at the more stayed and normal scientists
(like Einstein, or Hawking) in favour of scientists with real areas of
research. These areas include such things as 'Grand Unified String Theory' and
'Clockwork Spacecraft Construction using Soft Vegetables.' Never has there been
a more bizarre collection of prophets, maniacs and geniuses.
Every year, a new chairperson is elected in
F.A.R.T.S. Generally, this person has no real duties, although the position is
one of great prestige among the members of the Fraternity. The way to become
the Chairperson is simple. One must be elected at the yearly F.A.R.T.S
get-together, as the scientist with the most ground-breaking and (more
importantly) impressive sounding area of research, invention, or new principle.
For example, Dr. Edgar Lewis, Chairperson of F.A.R.T.S for 1967 put forward an
annual proposal for 'Tachyon Based Deodorant' for mass consumption. Sadly, no
commercial company ever took on the idea, but this was probably as well since
the deodorant in question was found to dye human skin indelibly green.
As a game, 'Weird Science' concerns itself with the events of the 1998
F.A.R.T.S meeting. Each player plays the part of a weird scientist, trying
desperately to bring details of his/her invention to the members of the
Fraternity and become Chairperson for the coming year.
Cost: free
Available from: http://www.irishgaming.com/scenario_storage/nh/science.zip
Category:Nick Huggins
Category:20-25 player
Category:Comedy
Category:Science fiction