Mermaids After the End (commonly shortened to MATE or M8) is a post-apocalyptic TTRPG set in a world where rising oceans had engulfed most of the world's dry land, leaving only a small handful of tiny mountain ranges for people to inhabit and causing no end of conflict over the few remaining resources. Needless to say, humanity was in pretty bad shape after that but, thanks to a few major breakthroughs in technology, they discovered a way to move forward and hopefully preserve their species in this hostile new environment.
Through the use of special cybernetic frames and consciousness transference technology, they were able to create new artificial aquatic bodies that could brave the depths of the endless horizon of water surrounding them. With the aid of these new robotic shells, humans could finally venture back into the deep blue sea and recover some of the lost resources and treasures that disappeared from their grasp so long ago.
That's where the player characters come in. Taking on the role of a special underwater explorer called a Hunter, they'll go on missions called "Dives" where they seek to recover valuables and investigate the mysterious waters that swallowed the world's landmasses in the distant past. Of course, plenty of dangers and unexpected threats may also lurk in the forgotten ruins of humanity's old cities and civilizations... and there's no telling what sort of unknown plotting may be going on behind the scenes...
Mermaids After the End contains examples of:
- After the End: As the title probably tipped you off, Mermaids After the End takes place in a world where rising tides have swallowed up nearly all of the dry land, forcing humanity to adapt to the new environment with aquatic cyborg frames that can survive in the endless oceans that cover most of their planet.
- Brain Uploading: One of the many advanced technologies that emerged after the big flood. Humans can now connect to a "Seanet" and use it as a means to move from one body to another.
- Ear Fins: Most Frames have a variant of these as part of their design including the default MERMAID Frame that most people use.
- Eyes Do Not Belong There: Both the LEVIATHAN and ANGLERFISH Special Frames have extra eyes in various places as part of their more exotic and alien designs.
- Fanservice: Every single one of the Frame artworks is designed to make them look like an attractive robotic monster girl. Even supposedly less attractive models look like beautiful mechanical women with a few fish traits.
- Fragile Speedster: The NEREID Frame has 0 ARMOR and only 4 BOD but makes up for it with an 8 in DEX, the ability to walk on land and a bonus to dodge.
- Godiva Hair: Used in the illustration of the NEREID Frame. Most other models either have some form of covering or simply lack visible nipples.
- The Great Flood: Happened as part of the backstory. By the time the game takes place, only a few of the world's highest mountain ranges are still above water while everything else is fully submerged.
- Jack of All Stats: The basic MERMAID Frame has a 5 in STR, BOD and DEX, a 0 in ARMOR and the best customization out of the set. This makes it a pretty decent all-rounder with no major pros or cons.
- Mighty Glacier: The CANCER Frame and LEVIATHAN Special Frame both pack some outstanding physical might, survivability and special skills but sacrifice their speed and agility to do it.
- Ocean of Adventure: Given that only about 1% of the world's total landmass is still above water at this point there really isn't an alternative option here. Most of the game takes place exploring the depths of the endless ocean that currently makes up the vast majority of the planet's surface.
- Our Mermaids Are Different: They're all human brains placed inside aquatic cyborg frames with designs based on both regular and mythological sea creatures such as angler fish, sharks or scylla. One trait they all share is a mostly humanoid upper half and a more fishlike lower half.
- Shark Man: The MERSHARK Frame is designed to be one of the more heavy-duty models available that specializes in combat and has high physical strength.
- Single-Biome Planet: As a result of global flooding in the past, the Earth is now a marine planet covered by pole-to-pole oceans and a few scattered islands.
- Tentacle Hair: Seen in the artwork of many different Frames. Most noticeable are the illustrations for the SCYLLA, KRAKEN and MINDFLAYER models.
- X Meets Y: Cyberpunk meets Waterworld.
