Laser-Ritter

Adventures Amidst the Stars

Created by G. Michael Truran. 0. an Introduction 4
Illustrations by Oliver Schirmacher & Charles Assumptions 5
Simon.
I. a New Beginning 6
Special Thanks To: Brian Binh, Litza Bronwyn,
Aaron Burkett, Craig Duffy, Alice Mortalis, Creating a Galaxy 6
Charles Simon, Tanner Yea.
World Questions 7
Laser-Ritter is © 2020 by G. Michael Truran and
Bad Quail Games. This is an ashcan preview of the 2. Playing Laser-Ritter 8
game; you may make and distribute copies for
playtest and review purposes. All other rights The Conversation 8
reserved.
Characteristics 8
If you play or read Laser-Ritter, please give
feedback by email at the.bad.quail@gmail.com or on The Action Roll 10
Twitter @Bad_Quail.
(Mis)Fortune 11
Fonts used are:
Heroic Wagers 12
Blue Angel by Creative Media Lab.
Spotlight Order 14
Bodoni Antiqua by URW Type Foundry.
Zones 14
Bodoni URW by URW Type Foundry.
Range Bands 14

Weapons 15

Armor Resist 15

Downtime & Recovery 16

Saga Tokens & XP 18

2 Laser-Ritter
3. Forging a Laser-Ritter 20
Origins 21

Lifepaths 22

Callings 23

Wrapping Up 23

the Freebooter 24
the Scoundrel 26
the Mystic 28
the Counselor 32
4. Armor, Weapons, and Kit 34
Armor 36

Weapons 38

Kit 40

5. Adversaries 42
The Threat Slate 43

Hegemony Peacekeepers 44

Scum 48

Appendix A: Inspirations 52

Contents 3
 0. an Introduction
In brief, Laser-Ritter . . . .
is a serial-inspired space fantasy adventure game.
has no canon, but makes some base assumptions.
features collaborative world-building.
Laser-Ritter is an analog adventure game about
swashbuckling heroes journeying among endless
stars to embrace their destiny. There are rendezvous
in hazy tap rooms, chases across distant moons, and
showdowns with the forces of galactic evil. We play to
find out how our Laser-Ritters follow their passions
and face their pasts to triumph over adversity.
Laser-Ritter is played in 2 to 4 hour sessions
called “episodes.” Episodes can be self-contained
adventures, or part of a longer narrative called a
“saga.” During an episode, one player will take on
the role of the Galaxy Master or GM and the other
players will adopt the personas of Laser-Ritters, star-
faring adventurers and heroes. The GM describes
the world around the Laser-Ritters and portrays the
supporting characters and antagonists they
encounter during their adventures. The other
players describe how their Laser-Ritters answer the
call to adventure, responding to the world, events,
and personalities the GM describes.
4 Laser-Ritter
About the Layout
The text has been laid out according to a technique
for recreating the page composition of early printed
books. The resulting margins are pleasing to the eye,
and leave space for personal annotation.
Laser-Ritter has an intentionally light system,
leaving room for tweaks and additions to the rules.
The generous margins give you room to write in your
own house rules, clarifications, and other details you
find necessary or useful.
(Anti)Canon
Laser-Ritter has no canon setting, but it makes
some assumptions about the technology and
material culture accessible to the Laser-Ritters and
has a “session 0” procedure that helps the table
create its own starting situation and galaxy of
adventure. Very broadly, Laser-Ritter is intended
to recreate the feeling of sci-fi adventure serials like
Star Wars. We’re especially interested in recreating
the wonder of imagining into the unanswered
questions left in the fruitful void of throwaway
dialogue, loose exposition, and visually striking
props, costumes, and animatronics.
.
Assumptions
Except where they conflict with the details you and
your group invent for your own galaxy of adventure,
assume that the following details are true.
Galactic Hegemony
A galaxy-spanning hegemony exerts its rule from the
industrial and “civilized” core of known space.
Every year they reach farther outward, sowing chaos
and destruction in the name of “order,” ever hungry
for new resources to feed to its war machine.
This evil empire is opposed by a scrappy resistance
of political idealists and frontier guerrillas.
Interstellar Travel
Interstellar travel is relatively swift and common. It
is not especially unheard of for private citizens to
own their own spaceships. Only the most remote
frontier worlds lack regular contact with the rest of
the space-faring galaxy.
Lasers, Swords, & Plastic Armor
Weapons of varying complexity and sophistication
are in wide use. The minions of the galactic
hegemony commonly outfit themselves with
advanced laser-locks and marboplast shell armor.
Outlaws, rebels, and criminal scum make do with
jagg knives and coilguns.
an Introduction
Human-Cyborg Relations
Artificial lifeforms exist for the convenience of their
organic masters. Whether clunky robots, uncanny
androids, or vat-grown clones, these facsimile
servants are near ubiquitous on metropolitan worlds
and not uncommon elsewhere.
A Cosmopolitan Cosmos
Humans and their artificial servants are not the only
sapients in the galaxy. The variety of intelligent life
that dwells among the stars is near limitless.
Attempts to catalog all sapient species are futile.
There will always be more diversity of culture and
form than can be committed to record.
For the most part, sapient aliens have anatomies,
languages, and cultures conducive to living among
humans and each other. The hegemony and other
interstellar polities generally include individuals of
many diverse species among their citizens.
Sad Devotion to an Old Religion
When the darkness of the hegemony descended, it
seemed to snuff out the beacon of enlightenment.
An ancient religion of justice and wisdom was
crushed to dust, and exists now only in the hazy
recollection of legends and fairy tales.
Rumors say that this old way is not quite so dead,
and that a few practitioners remain of its mysterious
wisdoms and sorcerous arts.
5
 I. a New Beginning
Gather yourself and four companions in a place
quiet enough to hear each other and private enough
that you won’t be interrupted. Make sure you have:
Pencils and scrap paper for everyone.
A Calling booklet for each Laser-Ritter.
Two ten-sided Action Dice of a matching color.
One ten-sided Chance Die in a distinct color.
Some six-sided dice for random tables.
Creating a Galaxy
Once we’ve gathered to play, we’ll create our galaxy
of adventure and an exciting scenario to spark our
imaginations. Write each of the following prompts
on a separate piece of paper:
A recent event.
A spaceship.
A planet.
An important figure.
An ancient institution.
6 Laser-Ritter
Each participant should have one sheet of paper
with a prompt written on it. Follow these steps:
1. Each participant writes a name for their thing.
Come up with something evocative like “Terra
Silens” or “the Time Drought.”
2. Pass your papers to the participant to your left and
receive a new sheet from the participant to your
right. Write one sentence about your new thing’s
history or background.
3. Continue until each paper has four sentences of
background material.
4. Discuss how the details you all invented combine
together into a starting situation.
If you haven’t decided who among you will be the
GM, decide this now.
The GM should guide the rest of the players through
creating their Laser-Ritters using the procedures on
page 20. As you create your Laser-Ritter, keep the
starting situation in mind and think about their
stakes in it. Laser-Ritters are daring space
adventurers driven by passion and destiny; bold
characters who have some say in changing the fate of
the galaxy, whether they mean to or not. Make sure
they have a reason, personal or professional, to put
their neck on the line.
World Questions
The following questions don’t necessarily have to do
with the starting situation but can help your group
flesh out your galaxy of adventure. Answer the ones
that come up while you’re making your starting
scenario and rolling characters. Leave the rest
unanswered until it’s relevant to play. As much as we
can, we want to leave a fruitful void to imagine our
adventures into, so try not to fill up that space with
detail that might never be used except to quash other
ideas during play.
How does interstellar travel work? Do
spaceships travel faster than light? Do they cruise
through secret passages that access a labyrinth of
tunnels through real-space? Does the hegemony
maintain a network of artificial wormholes? Does
interstellar travel require ships to travel only by
“safe” routes; if so, who maps and controls them?
Who are the galactic hegemony? Are they an
autocracy in the thrall of a single dictator? An
oligarchy governed by fat cat profiteers? Or maybe a
bureaucratic meritocracy where the standards for
judging “merit” are purposefully stacked against a
non-citizen out-group?
Keep in mind: what makes the hegemony evil? Why
must they be resisted and overthrown? If you think
you wouldn’t find the regime so bad, step back and
examine why. Evil empires aren’t miserable for
everyone. Even if it doesn’t seem bad for you,
consider: who would suffer under their rule?
a New Beginning
What does it take to destroy a planet? Do
you need a state-of-the-art battle station with a giant
laser cannon? Or does every world live in fear of
being glassed by any renegade space captain who
goes to the trouble to divert an asteroid? What world-
ending threats are most planets prepared for?
What form does money take? Are transactions
conducted purely through an electronic debit
system, or is physical currency still in circulation?
What sort of physical artifacts might be commonly
used as stores of value? Does anyone but the
hegemony circulate or regulate currency?
Is there a galactic lingua franca? Or, are
there tens of thousands of languages spoken in the
galaxy with no common bridge? Are automatic
translators widely available, or are most spacers
polyglots?
Does the hegemony have rivals? Is there an
interstellar warlord fighting them for territory? Or, a
vast criminal conspiracy that effectively dominates a
sector of space? Perhaps the last bastion of galactic
democracy making their glorious last stand?
7
 2. Playing Laser-Ritter
This chapter first details the various characteristics
that make up a Laser-Ritter and then goes over how
we apply those characteristics to resolve play. Before
we delve too deeply into rules and mechanics,
however, lets cover some basic basics.
The Conversation
Play of Laser-Ritter is conducted in conversation.
The GM will tell the Laser-Ritters about the world
around them: the situation they’re in, what planet
they’re on, what their senses tell them about their
surroundings, and what else they know about what’s
going on.
Then, the Laser-Ritters tell the GM what they do:
how they address the challenges around them with
their ingenuity and what they have at their disposal.
When their intent is unclear or when more
information is needed, the GM asks questions and
guides the conversation to find out.
When the Laser-Ritter’s actions might result in a
dramatic complication, or when we’re not sure if
they can succeed or not, we turn to the dice and the
procedures of play to help us decide what happens.
The GM is the ultimate arbiter of the rules, but
everyone at the table has some say in how they get
applied.
8 Laser-Ritter
Characteristics
Laser-Ritters have the following vital characteristics:
Action Modifiers, Vitality Points, Saga tokens, a
Pathos Track, and Relationships.
Action Modifiers
Laser-Ritters have four Action Modifiers, which they
add to the dice when they act. Action Modifiers are
rated from -1 to 6, though no Laser-Ritter will start
play with a value higher than 4 or lower than 0.
Power (POW). Strength and physical presence.
Roll Power to use hand weapons, perform feats of
strength, and resist being pushed around.
Agility (AGI). A character’s reflexes and hand-eye
coordination. Roll Agility to fire a laser pistol, sneak
past adversaries, and avoid projectiles.
Wisdom (WIS). A character’s harmony and
discerning judgment. Roll Wisdom to reveal hidden
truths, exercise prudence, and spout mysticism.
Savvy (SAV). A character’s sense of charm and
fashion. Roll Savvy to win new friends, lie
convincingly, or talk your way out of trouble.
Vitality Points
A Laser-Ritter’s Vitality is how much punishment
they can take before being disabled by their trauma.
All Laser-Ritters have 12 Vitality Points.
Laser-Ritters lose Vitality when they’re subject to
Harm from adversaries and environmental hazards.
When a Laser-Ritter is reduced to 0 Vitality, they’re
incapacitated in a way appropriate to the scene;
usually paralyzed by shock or knocked unconscious.
Saga Tokens
Saga tokens represent a Laser-Ritter’s heroic
potential. Depending on how deeply your group leans
into the implied mysticism of the game, you might
think of Saga as luck, fate, the will of the demiurge,
or energy bestowed by leylines of gnostic power.
Laser-Ritters can spend Saga in the followings ways:
1 Saga: gain a Fortune to any Action Roll.
1 Saga: receive a blow for a companion; defend
against a consequence on their behalf.
2 Saga: prevent a lethal consequence while their
Pathos track is full, and exit the scene.
Laser-Ritters earn Saga by pursuing their passions,
facing their destiny, and developing their
relationships. See page 18 to learn more.
Playing Laser-Ritter
The Pathos Track
Pathos is a Laser-Ritter’s gradual accumulation of
scars, worry, and trauma; the gnawing entropy of the
universe pulling ever closer.
Laser-Ritters have a 10-segment Pathos Track. Once
it fills up, the Laser-Ritter is vulnerable to shuffling
off their mortal coil. Until then, they’ll always have a
way out of peril.
Laser-Ritters fill a segment of Pathos whenever they
drop to 0 Vitality.
Once per Action Roll, Laser-Ritters can voluntarily
fill a segment of Pathos to re-roll a single die.
Some effects may cause a Laser-Ritter to make a
Pathos Check. To do so, they roll 1d10 and compare
the result to their Pathos Track. If the result is
greater than their marked segments, they gain 1
Pathos. If the result is equal to or less than their
marked segments, nothing happens.
Relationships
A Laser-Ritter’s Relationships describe their feelings
about their companions. A Laser-Ritter can be your
Comrade, Crush, Curiosity, Grudge, Inspiration,
Rival, or Ward. Relationships can be one-sided; you
and your companions may not feel the same way
about each other!
Laser-Ritters express and develop their Relationships
to earn Saga Tokens.
9
The Action Roll
When a Laser-Ritter attempts an action that could
possibly fail and may result in dramatic
complications, they make an Action Roll about it by
following these steps:
1. The Laser-Ritter declares what they hope to
accomplish and what they’re doing to bring it
about. They choose an Action Modifier they’d
like to roll; the GM may offer an alternative.
2. The GM sets the Threshold Number (TN) the
Laser-Ritter will roll against; if they’re acting on
a character or creature this will be one of the
target’s Trait values. If they’re acting on
something else, the GM uses the following
guidelines to set the TN:
Simple 10 | Moderate 12 | Hard 14 | Daunting 16
3. The GM and Laser-Ritters determine if the
actor has any Fortune or Misfortune on the roll
by interrogating the fiction, making Wagers, and
spending Saga tokens.
4. The actor rolls 2d10 and sums the result with
their Action Modifier.
If the result is greater than the TN, they
succeed and accomplish their intent to the degree
it is possible
If the result is equal to or lower than the TN,
they fail and circumstances change to put a new
obstacle or complication before them.
10 Laser-Ritter
Degree of Success & Failure
Sometimes we care about how well we succeed or
how disastrously we fail.
A roll’s Degree of Success (DoS) is equal to the
result minus the Threshold Number.
A roll’s Degree of Failure (DoF) is equal to the
Threshold Number minus the result.
Only successful Action Rolls have a DoS and only
unsuccessful Action Rolls have a DoF.
Violence, Danger, & Harm
When a Laser-Ritter does violence, they
make an Action Roll against their target. On a
success, the target takes Harm equal to the DoS.
Actions that are especially risky, such as meddling
with a live electrical device or making a perilous
leap, might Harm the actor on a failure. For these
actions, the actor takes harm equal to the DoF.
Harm reduces the target’s Vitality. If a
Laser-Ritter or one of their adversaries drops to 0
Vitality, they are incapacitated. Laser-Ritters are not
killed outright unless their Pathos track is already
filled up. Adversaries and supporting characters may
perish if appropriate to the material and dramatic
circumstances of the scene.
Defending
When Laser-Ritters are acted on by their adversaries
and we are unsure of the result, they make an Action
Roll, with a slight addendum. The Laser-Ritter’s goal
when they defend is always to avoid Harm or some
other influence from the adversary acting on them.
Without a Stunt or a Special Ability, Laser-Ritters
can’t accomplish any proactive tasks while defending.
Ritter versus Ritter
The focus of Laser-Ritter is not conflict between
our heroes, but the events of play may still unfold to
put them at odds with each other. When our Laser-
Ritters come to an impasse, follow these procedures.
1. Both Laser-Ritters will state how they’re acting on
each other and what they want the other to do.
The GM will lead the conversation to determine
what results or compromises are possible.
2. The GM will determine which Laser-Ritter is the
active participant and which is being acted on.
3. The acting Laser-Ritter will make an Action Roll
against a TN equal to 10 + their target’s relevant
Action Modifier.
If the acting Laser-Ritter succeeds, they get their
way. If they fail, their opponent gets their way.
If the DoF is 0, find a compromise somewhere
between both parties’ demands.
Playing Laser-Ritter
(Mis)Fortune
During their adventures Laser-Ritters will run into
situations where their position, equipment, or luck
gives them some advantage or disadvantage over
their opposition. When this is the case, they make
Action Rolls with Fortune or Misfortune.
Fortune. When a Laser-Ritter makes an Action
Roll with Fortune, they roll their Action Dice with
the Chance Die and add the two highest results
together with their Action Modifier.
Misfortune. When a Laser-Ritter makes an Action
Roll with Misfortune, they roll their Action Dice
with the Chance Die and add the two lowest results
together with their Action Modifier.
Fortune and Misfortune cancel out on a 1-for-1 basis.
Adjudicating (Mis)Fortune
Ask the following questions when judging whether
an Action Roll receives Fortune or Misfortune. Give
a Fortune or Misfortune for each as appropriate.
Does the Laser-Ritter possess special skill or
insight—or are they particularly ill prepared—for
the task?
Is the Laser-Ritter in an advantageous—or
disadvantageous—position to complete the task?
Are the Laser-Ritter’s tools particularly effective—
or ineffective—against their target?
11
Heroic Wagers
Gambles and Stunts are special maneuvers that
Laser-Ritters can attempt to gain and manipulate
Fortune. Perils are dire consequences that they
might face while subject to Misfortune. All depend
on the result of the Chance Die.
Taking a Gamble
A Laser-Ritter can wager something not already at
stake to gain Fortune on an Action Roll. This wager
could be something concrete—like an object in the
Laser-Ritter’s possession—or abstract—such as a
supporting character’s patience or trust.
Whatever the wager, it must make sense in the
fiction. If it’s a possession, it could be something
used directly in the task that’s at risk of being
damaged or misplaced during the action. If it’s
abstract, it must make sense that the loss of the
stakes follow from the outcome of the action.
If the Chance Die is one of the kept results, even if
the roll failed, the wager is safe.
If, however, the Chance Die is the lowest result, the
wager is lost and the stakes are forfeit.
Be careful that your wager isn’t more precious than
the outcome of your action. No mechanism in play,
aside from the good nature of your fellow players,
prevents you from making a foolish wager.
12 Laser-Ritter
Imposing Peril
When a Laser-Ritter has Misfortune to an Action
Roll, the GM may declare a Peril—an additional
consequence or complication of the action that may
come about.
The Peril consequence shouldn’t be so dire that it
invalidates an action’s success. It should be an
additional cost. If a Laser-Ritter tries to duck behind
a marboplast column to avoid laser fire, for instance,
the Peril should not be “additional laser burns
(Harm).” Instead, it might be “a vital piece of Kit
gets tagged by a laser, mark a segment of its
Condition.”
Whether the roll is successful or not, if the Chance
Die is the highest result, the Laser-Ritter suffers the
Peril’s consequence.
If the Chance Die is one of the lower, kept results,
the Laser-Ritter avoids the Peril’s consequence even
if the overall action failed.
Once a Peril has been defined, a Laser-Ritter cannot
avoid it. They must make the Action Roll and no
longer have the option to spend Saga tokens to gain
Fortune.
Stakes & Perilous Consequences
Here are some examples of what might befall Laser-
Ritters who get the worst of a Gamble or Peril.
Broken or Used Up Kit. If the wager is lost or
the Peril comes to pass, one of the Laser-Ritter’s
possessions, likely a piece of Kit used in the action,
takes meaningful wear, or is broken or used up. All
pieces of Kit have a three-segment use/condition
track. Mark 1 segment.
Harm. If the wager is lost or the Peril comes to
pass, the Laser-Ritter takes Harm equal to the DoF
or, if the action was still successful, the difference
between the highest and lowest die results.
Declining Position. If the wager is lost or the
Peril comes to pass, the Laser-Ritter winds up in a
disadvantageous position. They could be knocked off
their feet, get pushed out of (or into) optimal knifing
range, lose the high ground to an opponent, or have
a weapon, tool, or important possession knocked out
of their grasp. Whatever the case, they’ll likely suffer
(continued) Misfortune until they take action to get
themselves in a better spot.
Playing Laser-Ritter
Pulling a Stunt
Any time a Laser-Ritter has Fortune on an Action
Roll they may pull a Stunt. When a Laser-Ritter pulls
a Stunt, they try to accomplish a secondary task
along with their main intent. They could try to drive
an opponent back a few paces while assailing them
with a jagg knife, steal a gendarme’s badge while
wrestling them to the ground, or pique a prince’s
interest while bluffing through their entourage.
Whether the roll is successful or not, if the Chance
Die is one of the kept results, the Laser-Ritter pulls
off their Stunt and accomplishes their additional
intent.
If the Chance Die is the lowest result, the Laser-
Ritter doesn’t get their additional intent, whether or
not the Action Roll was successful.
Gamble-Stunts. Laser-Ritters are daring folk.
They can try to pull a Stunt whenever they have
Fortune, including when that Fortune is gained from
making a Gamble.
Breaking Ties
On Gambles and Stunts, if the Chance die is tied
with an Action Die for the lowest result, count it as
higher if the Action Roll is successful and as lower if
the Action Roll is a failure. For Peril, if the Chance
die is tied for the highest result, count it as lower if
the Action Roll is successful and as higher if the
Action Roll is a failure.
13
Spotlight Order
By default Laser-Ritter doesn’t keep track of
initiative or turn-order; the flow of conversation
dicates when our heroes and their opponents act.
However, if your group has trouble passing the
spotlight, you can adopt the following procedures for
scenes of intense drama or conflict.
First, the GM makes a list of the Laser-Ritters and
the other supporting characters and adversaries
participating in the scene whose actions might
impact the conflict.
Then, determine which participant acts first. This is
usually whoever’s actions precipitated the conflict or
incited the drama. If there’s some doubt as to who
should act first, make an Action Roll about it.
While a Laser-Ritter has the spotlight, they can make
one major Action Roll and take one minor action
that sets up or builds context for their major action.
Minor actions might include drawing or readying a
weapon or tool or moving a short distance. If a
minor action would, itself, receive serious disruption
or opposition from an adversary, it’s probably
actually the major action.
If the Laser-Ritter’s Action Roll is successful, they
pass the spotlight to a participant of their choice. If
their Action Roll fails, the spotlight passes to a
participant of the GM’s choice.
Once a participant has acted, they may not have the
spotlight again until each other participant has acted
once. We call this cycle of spotlight a “round.”
14 Laser-Ritter
Zones
During combat scenes it can be beneficial to take a
moment to sketch out the area of conflict in terms
of Zones. A Zone is a discrete area of the battlefield
defined by one or more features. These features help
the table talk about Fortune and Misfortune that
emerge from the environment, and the spacial
relationship between Zones helps judge range.
Range Bands
When we talk about the relative positions between
Laser-Ritters and their opponents, we use the
following Range Bands.
Opponents in Close Range are in the same
Zone. In descriptive terms, within a few meters.
Opponents in Short Range are in adjacent
Zones. In descriptive terms, 5 to 10 meters away.
Opponents in Medium Range are 2 or 3 Zones
away. In descriptive terms, 11 to 30 meters away.
Opponents in Long Range are 4 or more
Zones away. In descriptive terms, 31 to 100
meters away.
Opponents in Extreme Range are “visible,”
but off the Zone map. In descriptive terms, 101
meters to a couple kilometers away.
Weapons
Weapons in Laser-Ritter deal one of three types
of damage: Hand, Ballistic, and Laser. None of these
damage types inherently do more Harm than the
others, but each acts on Armor a little differently.
Hand damage is mainly dealt by muscle-powered
melee weapons such as Jagg Knives and riot batons.
Hand damage is the most easily resisted by Armor.
Only clothing and the lightest weaves are
meaningfully vulnerable to hand weapons.
Ballistic damage is mainly dealt by chemical and
magnet-powered missile weapons such as
slugthrowers and coilguns. Although, some hand
weapons, such as gravity knuckles, also do Ballistic
damage.
The heavy Marboplast Shells worn by hegemony
shock troops are especially resilient to Ballistic
weapons.
Laser damage is mainly dealt by directed energy
weapons such as Las-Locks and Las-Dragons.
Although, some hand weapons, such as Icon Blades,
also do Laser damage.
Laser weapons burn through most common varieties
of armor. Only rare and costly Mirror Shells, Müt-
Lite Raiment, and environmentally sealed Void
Skins can stand up to lancing laser fire.
Playing Laser-Ritter
Optimal Range
Every weapon has an Optimal Range listed as Close,
Short, Medium, Long, or Extreme. Melee weapons
cannot target opponents outside their Optimal
Range and suffer 1 Misfortune when they target
opponents closer than their Optimal Range. Ranged
weapons suffer no penalties for targeting opponents
closer than their Optimal Range, but suffer 1
Misfortune for each band their target is beyond.
Certain ranged weapons cannot target Close
opponents at all.
Armor Resist
If a Laser-Ritter is wearing armor when they receive
Harm, the armor has a chance to completely negate
the hit. To determine if the hit is negated, the target
rolls a single Action Die. If the result is equal to or
greater than the incoming Harm from the attack, it
is completely canceled out.
Whether the Harm is canceled or not, mark 1
segment on the Armor’s condition track.
Especially thick, sturdy, or well-made suits of armor
may confer a +1 to +3 modifier to Armor Resist rolls.
15
Downtime & Recovery
There are two kinds of Downtime in Laser-Ritter:
A Breather is a moment of peace and safety
during an episode of adventure when the heroes
have a chance to gather info, seek out resources, and
lick their wounds.
An Intermission is the period of recuperation and
off-screen action between adventures.
Taking a Breather
During a Breather, each Laser-Ritter may attempt
one Downtime Action.
After the first round of the Breather, each Laser-
Ritter may continue taking Downtime. Before each
extra Action, the Laser-Ritter makes a Pathos Check.
If the check fails, something happens to disrupt the
peace and the breather ends for all Laser-Ritters.
Acquire. The Laser-Ritter attempts to get
something—whether a piece of Kit, a word of vital
intelligence, or passage off-world—to aid in their
mission.They tell the GM what they’re looking for
and how they’re going about getting it, and make an
Action Roll about it. On a success, they acquire what
they set out to get. On a failure, they don’t or the act
of acquisition creates a serious consequence.
If the Laser-Ritter is acquiring Kit, they may replace
a piece of Iconic Kit if they roll with a DoS of 5+.
16 Laser-Ritter
Repair or Re-Supply. The Laser-Ritter picks
either all of their Supply Track Kit or one piece of
Condition Track Kit. They clear all marked segments
of Supply/Condition for those items.
Revitalize. The Laser-Ritter rests or receives
medical attention to recover Vitality.
If they’re just resting, roll 2d10 and recover
Vitality equal to the lower result.
If they’re getting basic first aid, roll 1d10 and
recover Vitality equal to the result.
If they’re getting hospital-grade care, roll 2d10
and recover Vitality equal to the higher result.
Socialize. The Laser-Ritter names a willing
companion and frames a dramatic scene with them
to discuss the recent events of their adventure, the
machinations of galactic politics, or their personal
relationships to one-another.
After the scene is resolved, both participants may
clear 1d6 segments of Pathos and change their
Relationship tag with each other.
A Laser-Ritter can wind up in multiple scenes of this
nature. For every scene after their first, they roll 2d6
and take the lower result when clearing Pathos. If
they used their own Downtime Action to frame the
scene, they always clear 1d6 Pathos as normal.
This only uses a Downtime Action for the Laser-
Ritter who initiates the exchange.
Taking an Intermission
Intermissions occur after our heroes accomplish a
major goal, resolving the immediate conflict of their
situation. During an Intermission, the Laser-Ritters
go on their own adventures before being thrust again
into peril together.
In the fiction, an Intermission might only cover a few
days, or it might encompass weeks, months, years, or
even a decade. Decide as a group how much time
passes between your adventures together.
During an Intermission, each Laser-Ritter takes all
of the following steps to recover and re-supply:
1. Recover ALL Vitality.
2. Clear ALL marked segments of Pathos.
3. Clear ALL marked segments of Condition and
Supply on intact Kit. Also fully replenish broken
or used up Iconic Kit.
4. Optionally, erase the Iconic mark from one piece
of Kit and fill it in on another. Tell the group why
your new Iconic Kit is important to your Laser-
Ritter. If it is especially expensive or illegal, what
new resources have they acquired to keep it
topped off or in good shape?
Playing Laser-Ritter
Then, to discover what each Laser-Ritter has been up
to in the mean time, take the following steps
together:
1. Each player takes a piece of scratch paper and
writes a one sentence prompt for the player to
their left. Something like “the bounty hunters
catch up with you above the azure Moon.” Keep
in mind what you know about their background
and the sorts of problems or situations that might
showcase their skill set or personality. If the GM
is to your left, write something about the events
going on elsewhere in the galaxy that you want to
learn about.
2. Pass the prompt to the left and write a short
summary of an adventure your Laser-Ritter goes
on based on the prompt you receive from the
player to your right. The GM will write something
about the hegemony, the resistance, or other
aspects of the greater galaxy highlighted by the
player to their right.
3. Everyone read your brief adventure and work
together to see how they can mesh together to
create a new situation.
4. Jump back in to a galaxy of adventure!
17
Saga Tokens & XP
At the end of an Episode—a single session of play—
each player goes through a short questionnaire to
determine how many Saga Tokens they earned. Each
Calling has its own unique questions recorded later
in this book and on the front page of each Calling
Booklet. Except where noted, each question can
earn a Saga Token once per session.
Each Calling Booklet has a 9-segment XP Track on its
front page. It looks like this:
Whenever a Laser-Ritter spends a Saga Token, they
mark a segment of this track, starting with the
leftmost segment.
When all segments of the track are marked, clear it
and immediately take one Advance.
18 Laser-Ritter
Taking Advances
Each Calling has five common Advances and six
unique Advances to choose from. The common
Advances are:
[Plus Action Modifier] x3. Take +1 to a specific
Action Modifier.
Each Calling has this Advance for three different
Action Modifiers, each with a unique name.
Adaptable. Take -1 to one Action Modifier and +1
to another.
This Advance can drop an Action Modifier to -1 or
raise it to +6.
Cross-Training. Take a unique Advance from
another Calling, not one of its common Advances.
Cross-trained Advances do not normally grant
access to another Calling’s Special. The exception
is the Mystic. Cross-training into Mystic can grant
access to a single Magic Power.
Playing Laser-Ritter 19
 3. Forging a Laser-Ritter
Laser-Ritters are the titular heroes of the game. The
following statements are true of all Laser-Ritters to
varying degrees. It’s the job of each player to discover
and actualize how they apply to their Laser-Ritter.
It’s the job of the GM to lead the conversation of play
into situations where the Laser-Ritters can embody
these principles through their actions.
Laser-Ritters are people of action. When
others are paralyzed by indecision, they leap into
action, trusting their skills and destiny to triumph
over opposition.
Laser-Ritters are heroes of the commons.
Laser-Ritters inspire the citizens of the galaxy to
have hope that the evil hegemony will be defeated.
Whether champions of justice or scoundrels with a
heart of gold, they’re on the side of the angels.
Laser-Ritters have a reason to care. When
our opening credits roll our Laser-Ritters are already
involved. Whether they have strong convictions or
are committed to the situation by an accident of fate
or desperation, quitting is not an option.
20 Laser-Ritter
Character Discovery
To find your Laser-Ritter, follow these steps.
1. Randomly determine your Origin by rolling on the
table on page 21 Write a short detail about it and
record the Action Modifier bonuses it grants.
2. Randomly determine your Lifepath by rolling on
the table on page 22 Write a short detail about it
and record the Action Modifier bonuses it grants.
3. Choose a Calling from the following list; there
may only be one Laser-Ritter of each Calling.
a. Freebooter—a warrior clad in rugged armor.
b. Scoundrel—a stellar rogue and wanderer.
c. Mystic—a devotee of esoteric wisdom.
d. Counselor—an expert negotiator and leader.
Record the Action Modifier bonus it grants,
choose an Advance from its list, and decide on
one of its Kit load outs.
4. Choose your Laser-Ritter’s name, look, pronouns,
gender and other details. Decide if they’re human
or an alien, what kind of costume they wear, and
so on. Introduce them to the rest of the table.
Origins
A Laser-Ritter’s Origin is the beginning of
their story. It’s their home world; how they spend
their childhood. If they’re an alien or artificial
lifeform, it is likely to be expressed in their Origin.
Origins increase 2 Action Modifiers by 1.
Additionally, invent a short detail to describe your
Laser-Ritter’s experience of their Origin. Something
like “immaculate junkyard slave” or “born of the
painted aristocracy.”
Keep your Origin in mind as you play. If you
feel like it might give you some insight, advantage, or
hidden information in the moment, tell the GM so
and they will work with you to determine what
knowledge or Fortune you might gain.
To determine your Origin, Roll 1d6 and
consult the table below.
1d6 Origin Action Mod.
1 Frontier POW & AGI
2 Verdant POW & WIS
3 Industrial POW & SAV
4 Void AGI & WIS
Frontier. Your Laser-Ritter comes from the very
edge of “civilized” space; a place connected to the
wider galaxy, but without many of its comforts. Were
they a settler or a native of their world?
Verdant. Your Laser-Ritter comes from a wild or
agrarian world covered more in lush vegetation and
farmland than by urban sprawl. Is your world a
breadbasket or cut off from the galactic community?
Industrial. Your Laser-Ritter comes from a people
used to hard labor in factories and workhouses. Do
your people own their labor or are they subjugated
by a ruling class or the conquering hegemony?
Void. Your Laser-Ritter was born among the stars.
From a young age, they’ve known the empty expanse.
Were your folk spacers by choice or profession, or
were they vagrants without their own world?
Core. Your Laser-Ritter comes from the core of
“civilized” space; a privileged world benefiting from
the galactic hegemony. What accident of fate stole
you away from the comfort of the Core?
Temple. Your Laser-Ritter grew up surrounded by
ancient wisdom. Whether a novice in a remote
monastery or the student of a dead civilization, you
come from a more meditative background than most
others. Is your wisdom sanctioned by the hegemony?

5 Core AGI & SAV

6 Temple WIS & SAV

Forging a Laser-Ritter 21
Lifepaths
A Laser-Ritter’s Lifepath is their life
before adventure. It’s their former career or a
defining life event. Their Lifepath is the foundation
of their skills and perspective.
Lifepaths increase 2 Action Modifiers by 1.
Additionally, invent a short detail to describe your
Laser-Ritter’s experience of their Lifepath.
Something like “hegemony legion deserter” or
“backwater stunt pilot.”
Keep your Lifepath in mind as you play. If
you feel like it might give you some insight, advantage,
or hidden information in the moment, tell the GM so
and they will work with you to determine what
knowledge or Fortune you might gain.
To determine your Lifepath, Roll 1d6 and
consult the table below.
1d6 Lifepath Action Mod.
1 War POW & AGI
War. Your Lifepath is defined by violent conflict or
military service. Were your people suppressed by the
hegemony, or were you conscripted into the ranks of
their faceless legions?
Exploration. Your Lifepath is defined by facing
the unknown. Perhaps you were you marooned on
an uncharted world, or the first colonist on a frontier
planet. What mark did the unknown leave on you?
Labor. Your Lifepath is defined by service to
industry. Were you a quiet cog in the hegemony’s
engine of war, or did you try to organize your fellows
in bondage against your overseers?
Flight. Your Lifepath was defined by yearning for
the endless stars. Whether a cadet at the hegemony’s
premier flight academy or a frontier bushwhacker,
your first love was a pilot’s seat. Do you fly in service
to a higher cause, or to escape your earthly cares?
Crime. Your Lifepath was defined by a certain lack
of respect for the established order. Were you forced
to break the hegemony’s peace to survive or were you
a thrill-seeker in it for the rush?

2 Exploration POW & WIS Privilege. Your Lifepath was defined by wealth
and culture. You were a hereditary noble, a captain
3 Labor POW & SAV of industry, or some other functionary
unaccustomed to hardship. Did you take your
4 Flight AGI & WIS privilege for granted, or did you feel an obligation to
use your influence for good?
5 Crime AGI & SAV

6 Privilege WIS & SAV

22 Laser-Ritter
Callings
A Laser-Ritter’s Calling is the sort of hero
they are. It’s the skills they’ve cultivated to answer
the call to adventure. Their Calling is how the galaxy
will remember them once their saga is concluded.
Callings increase one Action Modifier by 2.
Write a short detail about the heroic or calamitous
moment that ended your Lifepath and thrust you
into adventure. Something like “liberated by
partisans” or “betrayed by the Bleak Herald.”
Callings grant Special Abilities. You’ll start
play with a Special that is pre-determined and you’ll
pick another from a list of Advances.
Callings give your starting Kit load out.
Choose from one of three load outs determined by
your Calling, each implying something about your
Laser-Ritter’s past.
Keep your Calling in mind as you play.
Consider the moment when you heard the call to
adventure and think always on how it informs your
response to the moment’s challenges.
Choose your Calling from these options:
Page 24 for the Freebooter.
Page 26 for the Scoundrel.
Page 28 for the Mystic.
Page 32 for the Counselor.
Forging a Laser-Ritter
Wrapping Up
Reflect back on your Origin, Lifepath, and Calling.
What kind of story do they tell? Does it seem like a
smooth progression or, has your life already featured
extreme changes in fortune? Consider how your
Laser-Ritter’s views, attitudes, and approaches might
be informed by the full course of their journey so far.
Defining Relationships
Go around the table and talk about the details you
wrote for your Origin and Lifepath, what your
Calling is, and how you think your character fits into
the situation your group has created. As everyone
introduces their character, decide how your Laser-
Ritter feels about them and write it down in the
Relationship section of your character booklet.
Check in with their player; they might not be
interested in an adversarial or romantic dynamic.
The Relationships are:
Comrade—a trusted friend and boon companion.
Crush—a romantic interest or flirty friend.
Curiosity—someone to keep your eye on.
Grudge—the enemy of my enemy; not yet a friend.
Inspiration—a leader or role-model.
Rival—someone you must work to surpass.
Ward—someone who must survive.
23
 the Freebooter
The warrior clad in iconic armor.
The strong arm of frontier law.
The loyal companion and bodyguard.
The Freebooter is defined by their Power—both their
physical strength and their projection of cool
confidence, particularly as embodied by their
distinctive battle armor. They can be a fierce, berserk
presence in a fight, or a cool shoulder to depend on
in a crisis.
Becoming a Freebooter
Upon choosing Freebooter as your Laser-Ritter’s
Calling:
Increase their Power Action Modifier by 2.
Write a short detail about the heroic or
calamitous moment that led you to your Calling.
Read over your Calling Special and pick one
Advance to start with.
Pick one of the Freebooter Kit load outs.
24 Laser-Ritter
Freebooter Saga Triggers
These are your triggers for earning Saga Tokens at
the end of each session.
I addressed a challenge with direct action or
protected a teammate.
I learned something new about the hegemony’s
military power and allies.
I expressed the bonds, shared goals, and personal
conflicts with my fellow Laser-Ritters.
Freebooter Kit
Starting Freebooters pick one of these load outs.
Hegemony Deserter. Marboplast Shell (p.
31), Las-Lock (p. 33), Re-Breather Mask (p. 34).
Resistance Champion. Marboplast Shell (p.
31), Grav Stave (p. 32), Coil Pistol (p. 33),
Howling Bike (p. 35), Ascension Kit (p. 35).
Sanctioned Hunter. Action Suit (p. 31), Jagg
Knife (p. 32), Coil Rifle (p. 33), Credentials—
Hunter Collective (p. 34), Jump Module (p. 35).
Freebooter Special
Storied Armor. When you defeat a noteworthy
opponent, incorporate a mark of their prowess into
your look. When you face off against those who knew
the reputation of your defeated foe, gain a Fortune
on rolls to terrify or impress them.

Freebooter Advances
Into the Breach. When you act to stand against
injustice or impossible odds, you may Gamble a Saga
Token to gain Fortune instead of spending it outright.

Dreadnought. When you roll a successful Armor

Resist, your Armor does not mark Condition.

Living Weapon. When you strike with a Melee

Weapon, spend 1 Saga Token to target all adversaries
in your Zone.

Second Skin. The bulk of your armor never gives

you Misfortune when you run, jump, climb, swim, or
sneak.

Steadfast Bastion. You do not need to spend a

Saga Token to take a blow on behalf of an ally or
companion.

Marboplast Wall. When you make an Armor

Resist roll, roll both Action Dice and keep the higher
result.

Forging a Laser-Ritter 25
 the Scoundrel
The smuggler on the run from the law.
The pirate living on the edge of space.
The rebel with a righteous cause.
The Scoundrel is defined by their Agility—the
coordination, reflexes, and “luck” required to stay
one step ahead of calamity. They can be a nimble
skirmisher, a plucky rogue, or a fearsome sniper.
Becoming a Scoundrel
Upon choosing Scoundrel as your Laser-Ritter’s
Calling:
Increase their Agility Action Modifier by 2.
Write a short detail about the heroic or
calamitous moment that led you to your Calling.
Read over your Calling Special and pick one
Advance to start with.
Pick one of the Scoundrel Kit load outs.
26
Scoundrel Saga Triggers
These are your triggers for earning Saga Tokens at
the end of each session.
I addressed a challenge with daring stunts or lead
my friends past danger.
I learned something new about the fringes of the
galaxy.
I expressed the bonds, shared goals, and
personal conflicts with my fellow Laser-Ritters.
Scoundrel Kit
Starting Scoundrels pick one of these load outs.
Operative. Quilted Jumpsuit (p. 30), Grav
Knuckles (p. 32), Kinetic Sling (p. 33), Fire
Bombs (p. 33), Override Blade (p. 34), Shimmer
Cloak (p. 34).
Pirate. Action Suit (p. 31), Jagg Glaive (p. 32),
Coil Pistol (p. 33), Dowsing Slate (p. 34), Cutting
Torch (p. 34).
Smuggler. Clothes (p. 30), Las-Dragon (p. 33),
Lockbreaker’s Kit (p. 34), Pedi-Truck or
Slipstream Chariot (p. 35).
Laser-Ritter
Scoundrel Special
Star-Wise. When you arrive at a new locale,
declare something useful about it you learned from
your last visit and roll vs TN 12. On a failure,
things have changed.

Scoundrel Advances
Return Fire. When you successfully defend
against an attack, spend 1 Saga Token to strike back
and deal Harm to the offending adversary equal to
your DoS.

Evasive Action. When you rapidly or stealthily

act to bypass obstacles or hazards, you may Gamble
a Saga Token to gain Fortune instead of spending it
outright.

Shoot First. If there’s ever any question as to who

acts first in a conflict, the answer is you.

Opportunist. When you act with stealth or guile

to get into position to strike, you may add the DoS
to the Harm you inflict on the successful follow up
attack.

Vanish. When you successfully defend, you may

immediately withdraw to an adjacent Zone.

One Last Shot. You do not suffer Misfortune

when the Supply of your ammo or battery is reduced
to 1 clear segment.

Forging a Laser-Ritter 27
 the Mystic
A guardian of peace and justice.
A student of otherworldly truth.
A traveler seeking to rekindle a dead faith.
The Mystic is defined by their Wisdom—both their
intuitive sense of truth and their attunement to the
world of magic. They can be a placid sage dispensing
occult wisdom, or a fearsome champion charging
headlong into conflict.
Becoming a Mystic
Upon choosing Mystic as your Laser-Ritter’s Calling:
Increase their Wisdom Action Modifier by 2.
Write a short detail about the heroic or
calamitous moment that led you to your Calling.
Read over your Calling Special and pick one
Magic Power and one Advance to start with.
Pick one of the Mystic Kit load outs.
28 Laser-Ritter
Mystic Saga Triggers
These are your triggers for earning Saga Tokens at
the end of each session.
I addressed a challenge with occult power or
imparted esoteric wisdom.
I learned something new about the downfall of
my mystic tradition.
I expressed the bonds, shared goals, and
personal conflicts with my fellow Laser-Ritters.
Mystic Kit
Starting Mystics pick one of these load outs.
Ascetic. Clothes (p. 30), Grav Stave (p. 32),
Fusion Lamp (p. 34).
Peacekeeper. Clothes (p. 30), Icon Blade (p.
32), Med-Doc Kit (p. 35).
Seeker. Clothes (p. 30), Coil Rifle (p. 33),
Ascension Kit (p. 35).
Mystic Special
Ancient Magic. You can call on your mystic
tradition’s magic powers. Pick 1 to start with. Gain a
new Power whenever you take an Advance marked
with . A list of Magic Powers and how to use them
can be found on the following page.

Mystic Advances
Ray-Bender . Requires Raydancing. You can use
Raydancing to defend against Laser Lances. When
you do, ignore any Misfortune from your Armor.

Shadow Fist . Requires Shadow Hand. You can

wield your telekinetic power as a Ballistic Weapon
with Medium Range.

Far Being . Requires Far Seeing. While you are

Far Seeing, spend 1 Saga Token to manifest a
physical projection of yourself that can act as if you
were present.

Magus . When you call on your magic, you may

Gamble a Saga Token to gain Fortune instead of
spending it outright.

Such Thing as Luck . When you use Pathos to

re-roll a die, don’t mark the track if your roll fails
anyway.

Mystic Phantom . When you act to lay low and

conceal your mystic nature, take 1 Fortune to your
Action Roll.

Forging a Laser-Ritter 29
Magic Powers
Mystics possess otherworldly abilities that seem like
magic. These powers may stem from natural psychic
abilities, the study and application of an esoteric
philosophy, or a pact with a disembodied
intelligence that dwells in the void of space. That’s
up to you and the rest of the table to determine
during play.
Rather than describe the parameters of each Power
in excruciating detail, they’re described fairly simply.
It’s up to the Mystic to work out how they’ll be useful
in the same way any other character must figure out
how to use their strength, mobility, judgment, or
charm. When a Power needs a specific game effect,
it’s the realm of a Mystic Advance.
Just as any other action, using a Power only requires
a roll when there’s a risk and interesting
consequences for failure. When a Power does
require an Action Roll, we always roll with Wisdom.
Failing a roll to use a Power results in one of the
following consequences, chosen by the Mystic:
The Power is taxed and unusable until the Mystic
has time to rest and recover.
The Mystic marks Pathos.
The GM may offer alternative consequences that fit
the context of the scene, but the Mystic may always
choose to tax the Power or mark Pathos instead.
30 Laser-Ritter
A List of Magic Powers
Aura Sense. You can focus your attention to
divine the present emotional state of a single subject
in your sight.
Far Seeing. You can focus to cast your attention to
a distant locale, perceiving events as if you were
present. Other practitioners of mystic arts may
detect your presence.
Midas Mind. Cause a sapient biological to believe
a small object you hold has immense value.
Psychometry. By touch, you can glean information
from the psychic residue left on objects including the
identity and mental state of past owners, and
emotionally charged moments in the object’s history.
Raydancing. You can bend light in your
immediate vicinity to create minor visual illusions or
become temporarily invisible.
Shadow Hand. You can use your will to project
telekinetic force that can lift small objects, flip
switches, and perform other simple tasks.
Whispers. You can project messages into the
minds of willing subjects. The more intimate your
connection to them, the further you can
communicate.
Forging a Laser-Ritter 31
 the Counselor
The last officer of a defunct army.
The mastermind of a resistance cell.
The remnant of the world before the hegemony.
The Counselor is defined by their Savvy—their
personal magnetism and air of dignity. They can be
a tactician, a master spy, or a washed up diplomat
calling on the last of their favors and privilege.
Becoming a Counselor
Upon choosing Counselor as your Laser-Ritter’s
Calling:
Increase their Savvy Action Modifier by 2.
Write a short detail about the heroic or
calamitous moment that led you to your Calling.
Read over your Calling Special and pick one
Advance to start with.
Pick one of the Counselor Kit load outs.
32 Laser-Ritter
Counselor Saga Triggers
These are your triggers for earning Saga Tokens at
the end of each session.
I addressed a challenge with authority or forged
new connections or alliances.
I learned something new about galactic
civilization before the hegemony’s rise.
I expressed the bonds, shared goals, and
personal conflicts with my fellow Laser-Ritters.
Counselor Kit
Starting Counselors pick one of these load outs.
Officer. Quilted Jumpsuit (p. 32), Las-Dragon
(p. 35), Credentials—Military Officer’s (p. 36).
Spy. Clothes (p. 32), Jagg Knife (p. 34), Coil
Pistol (p. 35), Override Blade (p. 36), False
Identity (p. 36).
Syndic. Clothes (p. 32), Holo Recorder (p. 36),
Credentials—Diplomatic (p. 36).
Counselor Special
Diplomatic Contacts. When you arrive at a new
locale, declare who still honors your position. If they
give you aid, it may put them in the hegemony’s
cross-hairs.

Counselor Advances
Recognition. When you defend yourself against
an agent of the hegemony, you may Gamble a Saga
Token to gain Fortune instead of spending it
outright.

Keystone. When an ally takes a blow on your

behalf, they take 1 Fortune to their defense roll.

Diplomatic Instincts. When you ask any player

(including the GM) if their character is deceiving
you, they must answer truthfully: “yes” or “no”.

Gambit. When an ally takes a blow on your behalf,

you may immediately withdraw 1 Zone.

Connected. When you requisition new equipment

in a locale where you have a diplomatic contact, take
1 Fortune.

Good Counsel. When a companion acts on your

advice, hand them a Saga Token to Gamble with. If
the wager is won, take your token back.

Forging a Laser-Ritter 33
 4. Armor, Weapons, and Kit
A Laser-Ritter’s Kit is their stuff; the armor,
weapons, tools, and supplies they rely on during
their adventures.
Use & Wear
All pieces of Kit have a three-segment Condition or
Supply Track, depending on whether it’s the sort of
thing that breaks, like armor or most hand weapons,
or whether it’s the sort of thing that gets used up,
like ammunition, batteries, or medicine.
Jagg Knife
condition / supply
These segments are marked as the consequence of a
Gamble or Peril, and sometimes to activate a special
ability or power unique to the Kit. Mark segments
with a single diagonal line.
Jagg Knife
condition / supply
Once two segments of the track have been filled, the
Kit is barely holding together or dwindling away.
Action Rolls made that depend on the Kit suffer a
level of Misfortune until it is repaired or replenished.
34 Laser-Ritter
Iconic Kit
The Kit a Laser-Ritter receives from their Calling is
marked as Iconic. These pieces of gear are vital to a
Laser-Ritter’s capabilities. Laser-Ritters can call on
their resources and training to easily repair or
replace them when they break or are used up.
Iconic Kit can be upgraded and replaced at the
group’s discretion. Typically when at least two of the
following conditions are met:
The new Kit completely replaces a piece of Iconic
equipment, such as a new suit of Armor.
The maintenance or fabrication of the Kit is
within the Laser-Ritter’s established skill set.
The Laser-Ritters have a line of supply to any
potentially rare or costly replacement parts.
Repair & Re-Supply
During a Breather (see page 16) Laser-Ritters might
have the opportunity to repair or replenish their Kit.
Iconic Kit can be restored in this way even if it’s
broken or completely used up.
Iconic and remaining Kit fully replenish during the
Intermissions between adventures (see page 17)
Getting New Kit
During a Breather (see page 16) Laser-Ritters might
steal weapons from hegemony vaults, barter for
supplies on distant smuggler moons, or apply their
own ingenious craft to forge new tools. Whatever the
activity, when a Laser-Ritter wants a new piece of
Kit, they’ll tell the GM what they want and how
they’re trying to get it. The GM will tell them if it is
possible to acquire the thing and either say how they
get it, or lead the player through making an Action
Roll about it.
The GM should set the TN for the roll based on the
cost or scarcity of the item in question. Something
common or disposable likely has a low TN, while
costly or restricted items will have a higher TN.
Fortune and Misfortune should be informed by
external factors in acquisition, such as connections
to black markets, access to funds and lines of credit,
and the presence of rival buyers in the market.
Counting Guilders
We do not count individual units of currency in
Laser-Ritter. Our heroes have whatever resources
they need to afford food and accommodations except
when dramatically interesting for them not to.
When needed we can treat exceptional treasure or
paydays as pieces of Kit with Supply, and lines of
credit or funding from a galactic institution as Kit
with Condition. These Kit could then be used as
collateral when Gambling on rolls to acquire new
equipment, or as justification for trying to acquire
Kit that would otherwise be out of reach.

Of course, Laser-Ritters can always take Kit off their

defeated opponents. However, this Kit will be in
whatever state of Condition or Supply the previous
owner left it in, including wear and tear from the
recent conflict.

Armor, Weapons, & Kit 35

Armor
From the hardened Marboplast Shell worn by
hegemony foot soldiers to the light-drinking Müt-
Lite Raiment favored by the pirates of Terra Silens,
Laser-Ritters depend on their armor and outfit to get
Light Armor
Relatively light weight and mobile protection. These
outfits do not interfere with movement and are
unlikely to draw the attention of hegemony security.

Clothes
them through their dangerous adventures.

vs hand vs ballistic vs laser resist

Aegis & Vulnerability N/A
Each piece of Armor has a baseline level of Fortune
or Misfortune it confers on Laser-Ritters when they
rely on it to defend against different forms of attack. Everyday clothing, while potentially fashionable,
This is indicated in the character booklet by filling provides no protection against any sort of weapon.
upward pointing diamonds for Fortune, and

Quilted Jumpsuit
downward pointing diamonds for Misfortune.

Armor: Marboplast Shell

vs hand vs ballistic vs laser resist

vs hand vs ballistic vs laser resist +0

+2
These thick quilted coveralls are the favorite garb of
smugglers, pirates, and other spacers.

Armor Resist Rare or custom variants include:

When a Laser-Ritter wearing Armor receives Harm,
the armor has a chance to completely negate the hit.
Mark 1 segment of the Armor’s Condition track, roll
a single Action Die, and add the Armor’s Resist
Modifier to the result. If it is equal to or greater than
the incoming Harm, it is completely negated.
“N/A” means an armor does not have Resist.
Corp-Sec Weave. 1 Fortune vs Hand. No
Misfortune vs Kinetic.
Müt-Lite Raiment. No Misfortune vs Laser. May
grant Fortune when sneaking through shadows.
Void Skin. No Misfortune vs Hand or Laser.
Vacuum sealed with 12 hours of atmosphere.

36 Laser-Ritter
Heavy Armor
Rugged protection composed, at least in part, of
rigid plates of a ceramic called Marboplast. These
Armors stand out as military-grade and are
guaranteed to draw attention.
Action Suit
vs hand vs ballistic vs laser resist
+1
Heavy duty coveralls reinforced with small plates of
Marboplast. Action Suits are commonly worn by
search and rescue teams, civilian security forces, and
the hegemony’s conscripted infantry.
Rare or custom variants include:
Armored Void Skin. No Misfortune vs Laser.
Vacuum sealed with 24 hours of atmosphere.
Ballistic Suit. 1 Fortune vs Ballistic. 1 Misfortune to
rolls to endure especially warm environments.
Scrap Mail. 2 Fortune vs Hand. 1 Misfortune vs
Ballistic. Exceptionally noisy and bulky.
Armor, Weapons, & Kit
Marboplast Shell
vs hand vs ballistic vs laser resist
+2
Death-masked suits composed of overlapping plates
of rigid Marboplast. The bleached white shine of
Shell Armor is the hallmark of hegemony shock
troops. When Shell armor is used by private forces,
it is almost always painted over with personal or
institutional colors to avoid the ire of the hegemony
and their enemies.
Rare or custom variants include:
Doom Shell. 2 Fortune vs Ballistic. +3 Resist
Modifier.
Mirror Shell. 1 Fortune vs Laser. May grant
fortune to endure especially warm environments.
Power Shell. 2 Fortune vs Ballistic. 1 Fortune
to rolls that rely on brute strength.
Void Shell. No Misfortune vs Laser. Vacuum
sealed with 72 hours of atmosphere.
37
Weapons Melee Weapons
A discrete and concealable Jagg Knife. A Coilgun Melee Weapons use the Condition Track.
humming with magnetic power. A Las-Dragon
lancing through the thickest armor. A Laser-Ritter’s Name Damage O. Range
weapon is a trusted companion.
Jagg Knife Hand Close

Damage Type Jagg Glaive Hand Short

Weapons in Laser-Ritter inflict one of three types Grav Knuckles Ballistic Close
of damage: Hand, Ballistic, or Laser. The type of
damage dictates how the Weapon interacts with Grav Stave Ballistic Short
Armor. Namely, what Fortune or Misfortune attacks
against that Armor may have. Icon Blade Laser Close

Icon Lash Laser Short

Optimal Range
Every Weapon has an Optimal Range—the Range
Band at which it is most effective.
Melee Weapons cannot target opponents beyond their
Optimal Range, and suffer a Misfortune when
targeting opponents closer than their Optimal Range.
Ranged Weapons suffer no Misfortune for targeting
opponents closer than their Optimal Range, though
some cannot target opponents in Close Range.
Ranged Weapons can target opponents outside their
Optimal Range, but suffer 1 Misfortune for every
band their target exceeds their Optimal Range.
Range Bands and Zones are discussed in more detail
on page 14.
Jagg Blades are sharp weapons fit with acoustic
resonators that vibrate at cutting frequencies. These
blades are standard across the space-faring galaxy,
used by hegemony regulars and pirates alike.
Gravity Weapons are bludgeoning implements
designed to dynamically change their mass as they’re
swung or thrust towards opponents, delivering more
force than should be physically possible. The fist-
loading knuckle varieties are popular with
smugglers and pirates, while staves are favored by
the bodyguards of hegemony VIPs.
Icon Blades and Lashes are artifacts of a dead
religion. Their cutting edge is composed of pure
thought—the very idea of sharpness. These weapons
are exceedingly rare and outlawed in the hegemony.

38 Laser-Ritter
Ranged Weapons Grenades & Explosives
Ranged Weapons use the Condition Track, but These weapons can be thrown out to their Optimal
requires ammunition with a Supply Track. The Range and attack all targets within their target Zone.
Weapon does not work if either track is filled. They can also be fired from Kinetic Slings, using
that weapon’s Optimal Range and otherwise having
Name Damage O. Range the same effect.

Kinetic Sling Hand* Medium Grenades use the Supply Track.

Coil Pistol Ballistic Short Name Damage O. Range

Coil Rifle Ballistic Medium Fire Bomb Hand Short*

Las-Dragon Laser Medium Acoustic Grenade Ballistic Short*

Las-Lock Laser Long Thermal Mine Laser Short*

Kinetic Slings use the same technology found in
Gravity Knuckles to hurl small objects. While
relatively ineffective using improvised ammunition,
they can be used in conjunction with grenades to
deliver a variety of payloads at great distances.
Fire Bombs are incendiary weapons designed to
shock and distract opponents by lighting them on
fire. Most forms of combat armor are coated with
flame retardant chemicals specifically to counter
these easily improvised grenades.

Coilguns use magnets to hurl metal projectiles at
super-sonic velocities. By virtue of being cheap and
easy to manufacture, these are the most common
weapons in the space-faring galaxy. Hegemony troops
are outfitted expressly to protect against them.
Laser Lances fire beams of concentrated light
that burn through almost any material. While not
illegal or restricted by the hegemony, These weapons
are expensive and difficult to maintain, and so are
only widely used by hegemony shock troopers.
Acoustic Grenades come in many varieties.
Some utilize concussive force to cause lethal internal
injury. Others are tuned to simply debilitate their
targets with pain and vertigo.
Thermal Mines flood their vicinity with extreme
heat, using plasma or microwaves to cook their
targets where they stand.

Armor, Weapons, & Kit 39

Kit
The other tools, supplies, and accessories used by
Laser-Ritters are their Kit. They include things like
Hand Comms, Dowsing Slates, and Re-Breathers.
Electronics
Hand-held devices and gadgets. Most have internal
power sources and are easily re-charged. They tend
to be fairly fragile and have Condition Tracks.
Dowsing Slate. A thin slab of black glass that
lights up and points towards the closest source of
water. They can be reprogrammed to point towards
other resources and life-forms.
Fusion Lamp. A hand-held device that harnesses
a fusion power-cell to shed bright light and serve as
a re-charging hub for other electronics. Prone to
hazardous meltdowns.
Hand Comm. A long distance audio receiver and
transmitter. They can broadcast on public airwaves
or be networked to communicate through a relay—
usually the comm system of a starship. Can receive
but not transmit holographic messages.
Holo Recorder. A trio of hovering camera drones
for capturing three dimensional images to a local
data reservoir.
Override Blade. A thin data card loaded with
malicious software used to get quick, illicit access to
protected computer consoles.
40 Laser-Ritter
Tools
Gadgets that make a Laser-Ritter’s tasks a little bit
easier. Tools have Condition Tracks.
Credentials. Documents and a badge marking the
wearer as a (former) member of a galactic
organization. Could be a diplomatic corps, military
force, bounty hunter’s collective, or some other
interest group. Are they sanctioned by the
hegemony, or an independent body?
Cutting Torch. A plasma torch that can slowly cut
through most non-capital starship hulls. Can be
powered by either a Las-Battery or a Fuel Cell.
False Identity. A convincing counterfeit hegemony
identity card able to fool routine inspection.
Lockbreaker’s Kit. A set of tools for bypassing
mechanical locks including picks, files, and a prybar.
Mecher’s Toolbox. A metal cylinder jam-packed
with spanners and other gadgets for making repairs
and adjustments to all sorts of equipment including
vehicles, high-tech weapons, and starships.
Re-Breather Mask. A face mask that protects the
wearer’s eyes, nose, and mouth. A character wearing
a Re-Breather Mask can filter out smoke and poison,
but still requires atmosphere.
Shimmer Cloak. A hooded cloak or long coat
woven with an attention-scattering micro-pattern.
When connected to a Las-Battery, it can eat 1
segment of Supply to become momentarily invisible.
Vehicles
Terrestrial vehicles for traversing land, air, and sea.
Vehicles have Condition Tracks, but require a Fuel
Cell to operate.
Howling Bike. A hovering jet engine with a saddle
seat and handlebars. Howling Bikes are fast,
dangerous, and loud. They’re common, and almost
necessary, on densely populated, vertically oriented
city worlds.
Jump Module. An anti-gravity harness, jet pack,
or pair of rocket boots. Can be used to make brief
jumps without necessarily consuming fuel Supply.
Hovering or otherwise remaining airborne always
consumes at least one segment of fuel Supply.
Pedi-Truck. A six-legged, open-top land vehicle
that can fit one driver and up to 5 passengers. Pedi-
Trucks can traverse relatively flat, open terrain as
rapidly as a wheeled vehicle and is only marginally
slowed by obstacles and rough terrain.
Slipstream Chariot. A high speed boat-
submersible. Requires a pilot and co-pilot and can
seat six additional passengers.
Armor, Weapons, & Kit
Consumables
Ammunition, batteries, fuel cells, and other
important things that are used up. Consumables
have Supply Tracks.
Ascension Kit. A harness fit with climbing spikes,
liquid rope, pulleys, and a grapple spike that can be
thrown or launched from a coilgun or kinetic sling.
Used to aid in the ascension of walls, cliffs, and other
vertical obstacles.
Atmo Cannister. A canister of pressurized,
breathable atmosphere. Used to replenish Void Skin
reservoirs or to link to a Re-Breather to convert it
into a makeshift vacuum mask.
Coil Slugs. A case of magnetized metal slugs or
flechettes designed to be fired from a Coilgun.
Fuel Cell. A thermos-size battery for powering all
sorts of terrestrial vehicles.
Las-Battery. Small battery packs that slot into
Las-Dragons, Las-Locks, and other Laser Lances.
Med-Doc Kit. A baggy stuffed with laser-scalpels,
tubes of bio-sutures, and common antitoxins,
painkillers, and other medications.
Ration Packs. Vacuum-sealed packs of
nutritionally complete food substances. Cheap
Ration Packs are bars of cold, vat-processed protein.
Luxury Ration Packs are fancy meals with built in
heating elements.
41
 5. Adversaries
Adversaries are our Laser-Ritter’s opponents. The
supporting characters that fill the role of antagonist,
whether canon fodder or mastermind, rival or
nemesis. Not every supporting character needs to be
written up to this detail, and Adversaries are simple
enough that they can be improvised pretty quickly.
We’ve provided some examples in this chapter to get
you started.
Running Adversaries
Adversaries do not make Action Rolls. When they act
on the Laser-Ritters, our heroes roll to defend
against or resist them. Rolls made to assail or protect
against Adversaries derive their Threshold Number
from the Adversary’s Traits.
Each Adversary’s entry will give a breakdown of their
usual priorities and tactics in a conflict that will help
you decide what they do. These are, of course,
general and subject to change with the context of a
conflict and their individual personality established
during play.
While Adversaries hold the spotlight as described in
the procedures on page 14, they can do the same
sorts of things as Laser-Ritters except, they do not
make Action Rolls but instead force the Laser-Ritters
to roll.
42 Laser-Ritter
Adversarial Traits
Adversaries have four Traits, each rated from 10 to 16.
These are used as Threshold Numbers when the
Laser-Ritters act against them. These Traits are:
Menace is an Adversary’s physical prowess and
staying power. Roll against Menace when the
action depends on overcoming the Adversary’s
raw toughness, strength, or grit.
Skill is an Adversary’s coordination and reflex.
Roll against Skill when the action depends on
defeating an Adversary’s reaction time or evading
their precise or swift efforts.
Gnosis is an Adversary’s intuition and occult
receptivity. Roll against Gnosis when the action
depends on defeating an Adversary’s good
judgment or resisting their magical talents.
Clout is an Adversary’s social standing and
authority. Roll against Clout when the action
depends on overcoming the Adversary’s sense of
duty or tearing down their confidence.
Sometimes a Laser-Ritter will want to roll against a
Trait that seems less likely than another. It is the
GM’s final call, but they could defer to the Laser-
Ritter’s preference, at the cost of a Misfortune.
The Threat Slate
An Adversary’s Threat Slate is quick display of all their relevant features for a conflict including their Trait
scores and all their Kit and other modes of violent force. It’s not a substitution for a holistic understanding of
their capabilities, tactics, and outlook, but it’ll do for quick reference.
The Adversary’s Traits.
Use these to determine the
TN of rolls made against
them.
The adversary’s Armor.
The diamonds represent
how effective the armor is
against Hand, Ballistic,
and Laser weapons.
Adversary’s have Kit, like
Laser-Ritters do. Weapons
will list their Optimal
Range and damage type.
Other Kit will list the
scale on which they work
and what they’re used for.
Adversary’s have Kit aside
from what’s useful in a scrap.
They may be important in
other situations!
Hegemony Shock-Trooper An Adversary’s Name. It
could describe the kind of
MENACE SKILL GNOSIS CLOUT Adversary they are or be a
personal name if they’re
12 14 10 12 unique or important.
Adversaries have Harm
MARBOPLAST SHELL HP Points (HP) instead of
vs hand vs Ballistic vs laser Vitality. Harm inflicted by
Laser-Ritter’s reduces an
6 Adversary’s HP. When
their HP reaches 0 or less,
the Adversary is defeated.
LAS-LOCK | LONG
| A LASER RIFLE | LASER condition
ACOUSTIC GRENADES | SHORT When Adversary Kit has
| CONCUSSIVE BOMBS | BALLISTIC supply Supply, mark it when it’s
used. Condition is
RE-BREATHER MASK | PERSONAL marked only as a result of
| FILTERS SMOKE & TOXIC GAS condition the Laser-Ritter’s actions.
Other Kit: Rank & Company Insignia,
Dowsing Slate, Squad Comms,
Environment Appropriate Survival Gear.
Adversaries 43
Hegemony Hegemony Shock-Trooper
Peacekeepers MENACE SKILL GNOSIS CLOUT
The gendarmerie of the hegemony keeps the galaxy
pacified at laser point. On the galactic rim, their 12 14 10 12
dread Shock-Troopers spearhead invasions and
occupations of as yet unaffiliated worlds. Deep
within hegemony territory secret police and other MARBOPLAST SHELL HP
internal security forces ensure their citizens stay
obedient and productive. vs hand vs ballistic vs laser

6
Shock-Troopers
The elite commandos of the hegemony’s army. LAS-LOCK | LONG
Shock-Troopers wade into battle armed with cutting | A LASER RIFLE | LASER condition
laser lances and armored in the sturdiest shell. Their
doctrine relies on overwhelming force and the ACOUSTIC GRENADES | SHORT
confidence that no backwater militia can counter | CONCUSSIVE BOMBS | BALLISTIC supply
their armaments.
RE-BREATHER MASK | PERSONAL
Shock-Troopers hit the first obvious enemy in front | FILTERS SMOKE & TOXIC GAS condition
of them and wade into melee incautiously. When
they encounter stiff opposition, they’ll try to box Other Kit: Rank & Company Insignia,
them in and bombard them with grenades. In the Dowsing Slate, Squad Comms,
rare instance they run into resistance armed with Environment Appropriate Survival Gear,
shell-melting laser weapons, they’ll try to fall back in High Calorie Rations.
disarray. Their greatest weakness is their over
confidence and reliance on brute force tactics.

44 Laser-Ritter
 Conscripts
Hegemony Conscripts The rank and file of the hegemony’s armed forces
MENACE SKILL GNOSIS CLOUT are conscripts harvested from densely populated
industrial world and the re-educated survivors of
recent conquests. Where Shock-Troopers are the
10 12 10 11 spear head of the hegemony, Conscripts are the
shaft. While Shock-Troopers lead the way in seizing
new territory, Conscripts follow closely, mopping up
ACTION SUIT HP and holding ground.
vs hand vs ballistic vs laser
Conscripts are incredibly skittish opponents. They’ll
3 stay as far away from direct engagement as possible
while peppering their opponents with laser fire. If
they meet heavy resistance without backup nearby,
LAS-LOCK | LONG or an officer to keep them in line, they’ll bolt. When
| A LASER RIFLE | LASER cornered they can fix bayonets, but they’ll likely
condition
surrender if given a chance.
JAGG BAYONET | CLOSE
| A WICKED EDGE | HAND condition

RE-BREATHER MASK | PERSONAL

| FILTERS SMOKE & TOXIC GAS condition

Other Kit: Rank & Company Insignia, Squad

Comms, Poor Quality Rations, A Memento
From Home.

Adversaries 45
Deputy Commanders
An officer of the hegemony trusted with the Hegemony Deputy Commander
command of 30 to 60 Conscripts or a dozen or so MENACE SKILL GNOSIS CLOUT
Shock-Troopers. The primary role of a Deputy-
Commander is to oversee the execution of orders
from on high and to ensure the continued obedience 12 13 12 14
of conscripts. They are not, however, immune to
ambition. It is not unheard of for a Deputy
Commander to go off mission if they think it will ACTION SUIT HP
advance their career. vs hand vs ballistic vs laser

When deployed alongside Shock-Troopers, Deputy 6

Commanders tend to hang back and let their
subordinates lead the way, providing tactical advice
and moral support. LAS-DRAGON | MEDIUM
| A LASER PISTOL | LASER condition
When deployed with Conscripts, Deputy
Commanders often find it necessary to take point, GRAV KNUCKLES | CLOSE
leading the charge in the hopes of inspiring their | PACKS A PUNCH | BALLISTIC condition
troops. A few however, develop the habit of leading
from behind and using the threat of summary RE-BREATHER MASK | PERSONAL
execution by Las-Dragon to motivate. | FILTERS SMOKE & TOXIC GAS condition
However they’re deployed, Deputy Commanders Other Kit: Rank & Company Insignia,
tend to be true believers in the hegemony; or, at Dowsing Slate, Squad Comms,
least, opportunists who use their military to advance Environment Appropriate Survival Gear,
their position, wealth, or prestige. As such, they can Luxury Rations, Sealed Orders.
be especially committed and tenacious foes.

46 Laser-Ritter
 Praetorians
Hegemony Praetorian An elite bodyguard and agent of the hegemony’s
MENACE SKILL GNOSIS CLOUT ruling class. While Praetorians are most often found
deep in the galactic core, they are sometimes
deployed to oversee especially sensitive operations or
14 13 12 13 as a sign of favor to an up and coming officer.

Praetorians are frighteningly intelligent opponents.

MIRROR SHELL HP They’ll single out soft targets to eliminate quickly
vs hand vs ballistic vs laser and, given their standing and reputation, their
subordinates are usually eager to follow their lead.
12 When obviously outmatched, Praetorians will
sacrifice their subordinates to secure their escape.
What’s more, their subordinates will go to the block
GRAV STAVE | SHORT eagerly, whether from fear of the Praetorian or
| A TECH BLUDGEON | BALLISTIC regard for their position.
condition

LAS-DRAGON | MEDIUM
| A LASER PISTOL | LASER condition

RE-BREATHER MASK | PERSONAL

| FILTERS SMOKE & TOXIC GAS condition

Other Kit: Hegemonic Sanction, Override

Blade, Private Comms, Environment
Appropriate Survival Gear, High Calorie
Rations, Encrypted Orders.

Adversaries 47
Scum Junkworld Howlers
Independent spacers, scattered dissidents and
guerrillas, organized criminals. To the hegemony, MENACE SKILL GNOSIS CLOUT
they’re all “scum.” These Adversaries do not
represent a unified organization. They are disparate, 12 13 10 10
non-hegemony actors that the Laser-Ritters might
run afoul of.
SCRAP MAIL HP
Junkworld Howlers vs hand vs ballistic vs laser

These rowdy warriors rule the skies of neglected 4

industrial hubs and terrorize the underbelly of the
galaxy’s core jewels. Mounted on perilous, saddle-
seated hover craft, Howlers do what they must to JAGG GLAIVE | SHORT
keep flying another day. | A LONG SHARPNESS | HAND condition
Howlers don’t engage in battle without a clear COIL PISTOL | SHORT
objective. When they clash with Laser-Ritters, it’s | MAGNETIC HANDGUN | BALLISTIC condition
usually because they’re after the same prize.
Deprived of a reason to keep scrapping, they’ll ride HOWLING BIKE | PERSONAL
off into the sunset rather than battle to the end. | A JET-POWERED HOVER-BIKE condition
When they can, Howlers will use their bikes to full Other Kit: Cutting Torch, Ascension Kit,
effect, zipping around the battlefield to outmaneuver Hand Comm, Enough Spare Scratch for a
their opponents. Their bikes are their most prized Night on the Town.
possessions, and they’ll likely retreat before they risk
losing the freedom of the skies.

48 Laser-Ritter
 Ship-Jackers
Ship-Jackers Pirates who wait in the dark void to avail themselves
MENACE SKILL GNOSIS CLOUT of passing ships. They may have connections to a
wrecker who can sell them off for spare parts, harbor
ambitions of amassing an outlaw fleet, or just be
12 12 12 10 looking for an unwilling ride back to a settled world.

Ship-Jackers avoid direct confrontation. Instead,

VOID SKIN HP they’ll employ all manner of subterfuge and trickery
vs hand vs ballistic vs laser to try and separate their marks from their ships.
They’re especially fond of sabotaging life support
3 and relying on their own Void Skins to survive as
their marks slowly succumb to hypoxia and the cold.

JAGG KNIFE | CLOSE Some Ship-Jackers have ships of their own or

| A TREMBLING SHIV | HAND arrange pickups in case of jobs gone bad. In these
condition
instances, they’ll usually not stick around to slug it
COIL PISTOL | SHORT out if the tables turn. If they’re stranded and
| MAGNETIC HANDGUN | BALLISTIC desperate, however, they may find fighting to the
condition
death preferable to the cold embrace of space.
JUMP MODULE | PERSONAL
| JET PACK RATED FOR UP TO ONE G condition
Other Kit: Cutting Torch, Mecher’s Tools,
Spare Atmo, Hand Comm, (Fake?) S.O.S.
Transmitter.

Adversaries 49
Sanctioned Hunter
Before the hegemony united the galactic core, Sanctioned Hunter
Hunters kept the peace between systems. When MENACE SKILL GNOSIS CLOUT
criminals sought to escape justice by skipping
worlds, Hunters tracked them down for a bounty.
Today, the Hunter’s Collective still sanctions new 13 14 13 11
members, but the honor and glory of the past is long
dead. Contemporary Hunters work as hired killers as
often as they serve interstellar law. MÜT-LITE RAIMENT HP
vs hand vs ballistic vs laser
Some Hunters follow archaic codes of honor and
sportsmanship, but just as many are completely 8
ruthless.

Hunters are clever and tenacious opponents. They’ll GRAV KNUCKLES | CLOSE
try and snipe Laser-Ritter’s from cover, lead them | PACKS A PUNCH | BALLISTIC condition
into traps and ambushes, or make common cause
with other Adversaries to take them down. The COIL RIFLE | MEDIUM
moment the odds look bad, a Hunter will fall back to | MAGNETIC LONGGUN | BALLISTIC condition
lick their wounds and plan another attack.
SHIMMER CLOAK | PERSONAL
| MARK CONDITION TO VANISH condition

Other Kit: Credentials—Hunter Sanction,

Dowsing Slate, Holo Recorder, Ascension
Kit, A List of Death Marks.

50 Laser-Ritter
 Mystic Exile
Mystic Exile When the hegemony rose to power, they suppressed
MENACE SKILL GNOSIS CLOUT an ancient mystery religion. Now, little remains of
their teachings save artifacts in private collections
and a few scattered survivors. The Exile is such a
15 13 15 12 survivor.

Every Exile is different. Some still cling to their old

QUILTED JUMPSUIT HP traditions and seek out students to inherit their
vs hand vs ballistic vs laser teachings and commitments. Others have fallen to
cynicism and now use their abilities to further their
10 own ends, or else commit their efforts to erasing all
evidence that their tradition existed.

ICON BLADE | CLOSE

| SHARP AS THOUGHT | LASER condition

SHADOW FIST | MEDIUM

| TELEKINETIC POWER | BALLISTIC pathos

RAYBENDING | SHORT
| LIGHT-BENDING ILLUSIONS pathos

Other Kit: Fusion Lamp, False Identity,

Ascension Kit, Environment Appropriate
Survival Gear, Ancient Religious Texts.

Special—Powers: the Mystic Exile has two Magic

Powers that have a Pathos Track instead of Condition
or Supply. If it fits the fiction, Exiles can mark
Pathos on a Power to Resist incoming Harm using
the Armor Resist rules on page 15.

Adversaries 51
 Appendix A: Inspirations
Ludography
The following games, listed in alphabetical order,
were influential to the design of Laser-Ritter.
6e by Jared Sinclair. The layout and
presentation of Callings are inspired by the class
playbooks in this fantasy adventure game.
Airlock by Chad Walker. The Relationship
framework is borrowed from this cinematic space
adventure game.
Dungeon Crawl Classics by Joseph
Goodman. The Stunt mechanic is inspired by
this classic-yet-weird dungeon crawler.
Five Torches Deep by Ben Dutter. The
elegance of this dungeon crawler’s layout was a
great inspiration.
Tunnel Goons by Nate Treme. Many lessons
learned hacking this minimalist adventure game
were applied in development.
52 Laser-Ritter
Related Media
Laser-Ritter was inspired by the following pieces
of media, especially as the questions they left
unanswered worked on our young imagination.
A New Hope (1977) by George Lucas.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) by Irvin
Kershner, Leigh Brackett, Lawrence Kasdan, and
George Lucas.
Return of the Jedi (1983) by Richard
Marquand, Lawrence Kasdan, and George Lucas.
The Three Musketeers (1993) by Stephen
Herek, Alexandre Dumans, and David Loughery,
Treasure Planet (2002) by Ron Clements,
John Musker, Robert Louis Stevenson, Rob
Edwards, Ted Elliott, and Terry Rossio.