See the forest for the trees
So, what makes you think humans are special?
Is it because humans are the dominant species on the planet? They haven’t always been, and it wasn’t long ago that they were all cowering in caves. Besides, there are other creatures who claim to rule the Earth. Ask the ants. They outnumber humans, and a world without them would be a very different place.
Is it because humans use tools? They’re not the only ones. There are more than a few creatures—crows and chimpanzees come to mind—who can improvise solutions with sticks or rocks. Give an animal the right limbs, and it might even use man-made devices. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen an octopus open a jar.
Is it because humans form complex societies? Look at a beehive, where thousands of individuals work together for the good of the colony. Look at dolphins, who form alliances to fight wars. (No one said all animals are pacifists.)
Is it because humans have a unique capacity for destruction? You may have a point, there, but it’s nothing to be proud of.
Here’s the truth: For whatever reason—call it luck, call it evolution, or call it providence—humans have acquired the power to reshape the Earth in their own image. Maybe that’s why they don’t notice they aren’t very different from the creatures of the animal kingdom. Maybe that’s why they don’t see the millions of animal civilizations that rise and fall beneath their noses.
Make no mistake, though. The animal world is as intricate, beautiful and terrifying as anything humanity has to offer….
What is eco
eco is a different kind of RPG. Rather than delving into lost dungeons, crossing the vast emptiness of space or stopping dangerous foreign spies, players in eco take on the roll of ordinary animals. Well, not quite ordinary. The PCs of eco are Aware, granted sentience and an ability to learn far beyond normal animals.
eco was designed with two types of players in mind. The first are typical gamers accustomed to fantasy, sci-fi and horror games who are simply looking for something different, something unusual, to play between their normal games. The second are those new to roleplaying, younger players who are just discovering this hobby. eco is an excellent introduction to roleplaying as well as being an educational game that will help younger players learn about the world around them: zoology, ecology, pollution, habitat destruction, teamwork, problem solving and other valuable skills. Welcome to the world eco.
Please Note: eco requires the Omni System™ core book to play.
