Distance loses all meaning when the characters have Atlantean Transit Bubbles! (Although this was written with OGL Modern in mind, it is easily adaptable to any roleplaying game setting where there is technology so advanced it seems like magic.)
Overview
Atlantean Transit Bubbles represent the pinnacle of pre-Collapse technological achievement—a fusion of quantum mechanics and arcane engineering that allows near-instantaneous travel across vast distances, dimensions, and even between alternate realities. These shimmering spheres of translucent energy were created by the Atlantean Dimensional Transit Authority in the final golden age of their civilization, intended to connect their far-flung facilities across the galaxy.
Each bubble appears as an iridescent sphere approximately 8 feet in diameter, with swirling patterns of light dancing across its surface. The interior is surprisingly spacious due to minor spatial warping, comfortably accommodating a single Medium-sized creature. Some equipment can also be carried in the bubble, but it increases the chance for error when it comes to reaching the correct destination. The bubble's shell is neither solid nor liquid, but exists in a quantum state that responds to consciousness and intent.
History and Current Status
When Atlantis fell, thousands of these Transit Bubbles were scattered across the world, lost in the chaos of the Collapse. Many lay dormant in forgotten facilities, buried underground vaults, or hidden in remote locations. Some have been discovered by explorers, researchers, and treasure hunters—often with catastrophic results when activated by those who don't understand their operation.
The Witchkind, a magical race of humans that came to be as a result of Atlantean experiments, have made it their mission to recover these dangerous devices. They exist secretly among normal men and women on Earth, but have homes in several different dimensions. They maintain a massive secure facility known as the Vault specifically designed to contain and study Atlantean technology. The Witchkind believe that untrained users pose a severe threat to the stability of the multiverse—a single miscalibrated jump could tear holes in spacetime, strand travelers in other dimensions, or worse.
Game Mechanics
Activation (Standard Action)
To activate an Atlantean Transit Bubble, a character must be in physical contact with the device and succeed on a DC 15 Willpower check, or possess the ability to cast 3rd-level arcane spells. On a successful activation, the bubble expands from its dormant state (a crystalline sphere the size of a fist) to its full 8-foot diameter and envelops the activator.
Navigation
Once inside an active bubble, the occupant has two options for determining their destination:
Directed Travel: The occupant must succeed on a Concentration check while clearly visualizing their intended destination.
The more exposed the user's skin is the energy of the sphere, the easier it is to control. A naked or nearly naked character only has to make a DC10 Concentration check to control the sphere; a character in a shorts and a tank-top, or a one-piece bathing suit hat to make a DC15; and a fully-clothed character must roll a DC 20 check.
The DC increases by +5 if the destination is on another plane of existence, and by an additional +5 if it's in an alternate research site. On a success, the bubble travels to the intended location (or as close as possible). On a failure, roll on the Random Destination Table (d100).
Random Travel: If the occupant doesn't attempt to direct the bubble, or if they fail their Concentration check, the bubble automatically transports them to a random location. Roll on the Random Destination Table (d100), below.
Travel Time
Transit is instantaneous from the occupant's perspective, though observers see the bubble vanish in a flash of prismatic light. The bubble reappears at its destination in 1d4 rounds.
Master Bubbles
Master Bubbles are rare variants that possess enhanced capabilities and distinctive golden threading through their iridescent surfaces. Only approximately one in fifty Transit Bubbles is a Master Bubble.
Linking Capability
A Master Bubble can establish quantum links with up to six standard Transit Bubbles within 100 feet. This requires a standard action and a DC 15 Computers check from the Master Bubble's occupant. Linked bubbles glow with golden light and move in perfect synchronization.
When linked bubbles travel, they all arrive at the same destination simultaneously. The Master Bubble's occupant determines the destination, using their Concentration check. If the Master Bubble occupant fails their check or chooses random travel, all linked bubbles go to the same random destination (roll once on the table for all bubbles).
Breaking Links
Links between bubbles break automatically if the bubbles move more than 100 feet apart before transit, if either bubble is destroyed, or if the Master Bubble's occupant uses a standard action to sever the connection. A linked standard bubble's occupant can attempt to break free with a DC 25 Will save as a full-round action.
Bubble Properties
Durability
Transit Bubbles have hardness 15 and 100 hit points. They are immune to most forms of damage while in transit between locations. When stationary, they can be attacked, but any damage that doesn't destroy them completely is regenerated at a rate of 10 hit points per round.
Life Support
Active bubbles provide breathable air, comfortable temperature, and protection from environmental hazards for up to 24 hours. After 24 hours, the bubble's life support begins to fail, and the occupant must succeed on DC 15 Fortitude saves every hour or suffer 1d6 points of nonlethal damage from suffocation and environmental stress.
Visibility
From outside, Transit Bubbles are highly visible—shimmering spheres of light that are difficult to miss. They impose a -10 penalty on Hide checks. However, while in transit through the quantum void, bubbles are effectively invisible and undetectable.
Malfunction (10% chance per use)
Atlantean technology is ancient and not always reliable. When a bubble is activated, there's a 10% chance of malfunction. Roll 1d6 to see what the specific malfunction is.:
1. Temporal Displacement
2. Partial Transit
5. Spatial Rift
If bubbles are linked via a Master Bubble, only the Master needs a malfunction check. That malfunction then applies to all bubbles.
Random Destination Table
When a Transit Bubble travels to a random destination, roll 1d100 and consult the following table:
1-5: International Space Station
The bubble arrives in orbit, materializing inside or near the ISS. Astronauts react with shock and alarm. The bubble's life support holds, but the occupant can see Earth below and the vast emptiness of space beyond.
6-8: Active Volcano Interior
The bubble materializes inside an active volcano. The bubble's environmental protection holds, but the occupant can see nothing but lava in all directions. The bubble will make another random jump in 1d4 hours if not directed elsewhere.
9-11: Mariana Trench
The bubble appears at the deepest point of the ocean, nearly seven miles below the surface. Strange deep-sea creatures investigate the glowing sphere. The pressure is immense, but the bubble's protection holds.
12-14: Underground Bunker
The bubble arrives embedded in solid concrete deep underground in a Cold War-era bunker. The occupant is surrounded by walls on all sides. The bubble's protection prevents crushing, but the occupant must direct the bubble elsewhere or wait for another random jump in 1d4 hours.
15-17: CERN Large Hadron Collider
The bubble materializes inside the particle accelerator tunnel. Scientists detect the anomaly immediately. Alarms sound as the facility goes into emergency shutdown.
18-20: NSA Data Center
The bubble arrives in a massive server farm housing classified government data. Everything is cold, sterile, and monitored by countless security systems. The occupant feels an overwhelming sense of being watched (DC 15 Will save or suffer -2 penalty to all rolls for 1 hour after leaving).
21-23: Virtual Reality Research Lab
The bubble appears inside a cutting-edge VR facility. The occupant sees researchers wearing headsets, their bodies motionless while their minds explore digital worlds. Advanced AI systems immediately detect the intrusion.
24-26: Automated Manufacturing Plant
The bubble materializes in a fully automated factory. Massive machines and robotic arms move in perfect synchronization as far as the eye can see. Security drones approach to investigate the anomaly.
27-29: Quantum Computing Facility
The bubble arrives in the heart of a quantum supercomputer complex. Reality itself seems unstable here—the occupant witnesses impossible calculations and maddening data streams (DC 16 Will save or be confused for 1d4 rounds after leaving).
30-32: Area 51 (Random Section)
The bubble appears in the infamous military base. Security personnel immediately detect the intrusion. Armed guards and advanced defense systems respond within seconds.
33-35: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
The bubble materializes in the abandoned city of Pripyat near the Chernobyl reactor. The bubble's protection shields from radiation, but the occupant sees the haunting remains of a city frozen in time. Strange phenomena occur in this area—reality seems thin here.
36-38: United Nations Headquarters
The bubble arrives in the UN building in New York. Security personnel and diplomats approach cautiously, offering assistance while also demanding explanations. They warn about the dangers of uncontrolled dimensional travel.
39-41: Maldives Resort
The bubble appears on a pristine tropical beach. The occupant feels overwhelming peace and contentment (DC 14 Will save or be unwilling to leave for 1d4 hours).
42-44: Ancient Atlantis (Past)
The bubble travels through time to Atlantis at its height, 10,000 years in the past. The occupant witnesses the magnificent crystal spires and advanced technology. Atlantean scientists detect the bubble and approach with curiosity.
45-47: The Collapse (Past)
The bubble arrives during Atlantis's final moments. The occupant witnesses the civilization's destruction—reality tearing apart, dimensional rifts opening, and the great city collapsing into chaos. The bubble automatically makes another random jump in 1d4 rounds due to temporal instability.
48-50: Underwater Atlantean Ruins
The bubble appears in the sunken ruins of Atlantis itself. Strange mutated creatures have made the ruins their home. Advanced technology and artifacts are visible among the rubble.
51-53: Sahara Desert
The bubble materializes in the endless Sahara under a merciless sun. No civilization is visible in any direction. The occupant must choose a direction to travel or make another random jump.
54-56: Antarctic Research Station
The bubble arrives at a remote scientific outpost in Antarctica. Howling winds and driving snow reduce visibility to near zero. In the distance, the occupant might glimpse the lights of the station or the movement of penguins.
57-59: Amazon Rainforest
The bubble appears in the heart of the Amazon jungle. Ancient ruins are barely visible through the thick vegetation. The sounds of unknown creatures echo through the trees.
60-62: Mount Everest Summit
The bubble materializes on the windswept peak of the world's tallest mountain. The view is spectacular but dangerous. Climbers might be attempting the summit nearby.
63-65: Mammoth Cave System
The bubble arrives in one of the world's longest cave systems. Bioluminescent organisms provide eerie illumination. The sound of running water echoes from somewhere in the darkness.
66-68: Yellowstone Supervolcano
The bubble appears above the massive magma chamber beneath Yellowstone. The bubble's protection holds, but the heat is intense. The occupant can see a network of geothermal features throughout the area.
69-71: Oil Rig in North Sea
The bubble materializes on an offshore oil platform in the middle of the ocean. Workers react with shock and confusion. Helicopters and supply boats service the platform regularly.
72-74: Mariana Trench Research Station
The bubble arrives at an experimental deep-sea research facility. Scientists in pressure suits investigate the anomaly. Strange bioluminescent creatures drift past the windows.
75-77: Silicon Valley Tech Campus
The bubble appears in the private laboratory of a major tech corporation. Engineers and researchers are startled but intrigued by the unexpected visitor. Their reaction depends on corporate policy and current projects.
78-80: Fort Knox Gold Vault
The bubble materializes in the legendary gold depository. Mountains of gold bars surround the bubble. Security systems have detected the intrusion, and armed response teams are en route.
81-83: Active War Zone
The bubble arrives in the middle of an active conflict. Two military forces clash around the bubble, which is ignored in the chaos of combat. The occupant must decide whether to flee, hide, or intervene.
84-86: Times Square, New York
The bubble appears in the heart of Manhattan. Crowds of people react with shock and wonder. Police arrive within 1d4 rounds to investigate.
87-90: Pripyat, Ukraine
The bubble materializes in the abandoned city near Chernobyl. Buildings stand empty, streets are silent, and an eerie atmosphere pervades everything. Signs of a hasty evacuation are evident, but no bodies are present.
91-94: Alternate Research Site (Mirror Facility)
The bubble travels to an alternate research site where everything is reversed or opposite. Allies are enemies, enemies are allies, and familiar places are subtly wrong. The occupant might encounter alternate versions of people they know.
95-96: Alternate Research Site (Post-Collapse)
The bubble arrives in an alternate timeline where civilization has collapsed. Ruins of familiar cities are overgrown with vegetation, and survivors struggle to exist in a harsh, post-apocalyptic landscape.
97: The Quantum Void
The bubble becomes stuck in the quantum void between locations. The occupant sees swirling colors and impossible geometries. Strange entities drift past, taking no notice of the bubble. The bubble will make another random jump in 1d6 hours.
98: Temporal Loop
The bubble arrives at its starting location, but 1d100 years in the past. The occupant might encounter younger versions of people they know or witness historical events.
99: Convergence Point
The bubble arrives at a location where multiple realities intersect. The occupant can see ghostly images of alternate versions of the same location overlapping. Reality is unstable here—strange things happen, and the laws of physics are unreliable.
100: GM's Choice
The bubble arrives at a location of the DM's choosing—perhaps a location relevant to the campaign, a place the occupant has been seeking, or somewhere that advances the story in an interesting way.
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