Days Are Short But Years are Long Part 2

 'Days Are Short But Years are Long...' was the first code phrase used by immortals (really long lived cusses) in Methuselah's Children by Robert A. Heinlien. The immortals (longers?) were the result of a breeding program. Their method of achieving their longevity was not available to just anyone. You had to be related! They wisely kept their existence a secret. In fact people did not believe they were the result of a long range program and were ready to adapt extreme measures to find their secret. There, lies the tale. 

Immortality or the next best thing is attainable in most 2d6 systems, indeed a great many games across the genres. In general it requires big bucks or other measures. Here are a few ideas for the source of immortality. Note that I mean extreme longevity. You may not live until the stars go out, but living through a few dozen generations makes you immortal for my purposes.

A Process Saying this process will be expensive is the understatement of your lifetime (hah). You can charge whatever you want and some people will pay it (whoever can!) Your immortals will be the people with revenue streams to support their habit. After being able to watch investments accrue for decades or centuries they will amass even more wealth. They'd probably be less humanitarian and altruistic than we would hope and possibly deal out longevity to ensure loyalty in their minions. 

In a more egalitarian society, immortality might be earned by merits, given to artists, scientists, and statesmen (statesmen -not politicians). People would be driven to contribute to their society for the obvious reason and those who do will have longer lifetimes to contribute still more.

An Event Scientists and others (wizards?) will be driven to duplicate any event or fluke that results in immortality. One problem is that the effects of the event may take a couple of decades to show up, making researching the actual process difficult. Depending on the number of people affected, they may be a minority, experimental subjects, or a cult figure ("Follow me and you will all be immortal!) However it begins, the immortals would come from all lives and possibly even be from a certain area. In some cases the immortals may take pains to stay hidden if possible. In less advanced cultures they may be mistaken for demigods.

the government might keep the existence of longer secret as well. The experiments to determine the process of immortality might not be humane or legal and those in charge will want that secret.

A Gift A sufficiently advanced race may bestow immortality on certain humans to further their own ends -whether to evolve us into a more friendly form or reward collaborators as they take control. No one ever tells you about the aliens who arrive and instead of attacking, manipulate with rewards like magical technology.

A Curse Immortality could have side effects. You might be a carrier for long extinct viruses. You might possess allergies to all manner of processed foods, detergents. Air pollution could make you ill, requiring breathing masks or oxygen tanks. It could require extreme means to retain your immortality: drinking blood, voting with your heart, drugs or rare substances. In most SF games, this means paying $$$ for anagathics, which brings us back to a Process.