Uncharted Worlds: Design Doc v0.83

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UNCHARTED WORLDS
Design Doc v0.83
Uncharted Worlds by Sean Gomes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
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Chapters:
 Training Simulator
o Game Concepts
o Standard Moves
o Quick Start Guide
 Example of Play
 Premade Characters
 Administration Offices
o Running the Game
o GM Principles
o GM Moves
 Habitation Ring
o Character Creation
o Origins
o Careers
 Galactic Embassy
o Factions
o Debt
o Favor
 Marketplace
o Weapons
o Suits
o Gadgets
o Vehicles
 Shipyard
o Ships
o Crew, Passengers and Cargo
o Ship Combat
 Medbay
o Harm
o Armor
o Health
o Stun
o Afflictions
 Drop Pods
o Combat
o Exploration – Planetary
o Exploration – Space
 Trash Compactor
o Glossary
o Misc
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SUMMARY
Uncharted Worlds is a Space Opera roleplaying game built upon the Apocalypse World rules. It’s inspired by the big,
bold, larger-than-life space-faring epics like Mass Effect, Firefly, Star Trek, and by games like Traveller, Masters of Orion,
Starcraft (and a bit of Galaxy Trucker).
In here, within the core of civilized space, inhabited planets and space stations cluster together; each cluster an
island in the vast sea of space. This archipelago of human civilization is loosely tied together by a string of
Jump points, precious lanes between the stars. The political and cultural landscape of each sector is
unique, an ever shifting melting pot of wars, vendettas, aggressive commerce and
diplomatic incidents. A smart, savvy crew can build prosperity,
influence and power by providing services for the right
factions, and playing them against each other. A
Out there,
past the boundaries
foolish crew will be crushed under the weight
of civilized space, lies
of their ever increasing Debt, imprisoned,
the frontier of mankind.
sold into slavery, or just vanish
Thousands of uncharted planets
without a trace. Of course,
to explore, colonize and exploit. There
when the stakes get
are no wormholes there; jumps between
too high, one can
stars are made blindly by the brave and foolish,
always escape
never knowing exactly where they’ll come out. But
Out There…
there are prizes, for those who are willing to risk the trip.
Crystals that can power a ship for a year, dust that grants visions
of the future, waters that restore youth. And stranger things still. Artefacts
of unknown origin and bizarre function. Anomalies which defy the known laws of physics.
Caches of data which could reshape the course of technological advancement. A bold, courageous crew
can earn fame, fortune and glory being the first to uncover these mysteries. A foolish, unprepared crew will leave their
bones on a distant, hostile world for the next group of explorers to find. Of course, even if a great discovery is made,
fame and glory is only granted to those who bring it back to civilized space, back In Here…
Uncharted Worlds is a game of exploration and inter-faction conflict. The players are the owners of an interstellar vessel,
travelling from world to world with a handful of crewmen, exploring new and dangerous worlds, trying to pay off their
debts while earning favor with the new factions they encounter.
The ship is a home, the crew a dysfunctional family

The player’s ship needs to feel like their communal living space. It’s their home, their base camp, their livelihood. It’s
also the source of their crippling debt, and a font of malfunctions, minor breakages, odd noises, duct-taped fixes, smelly
air and blocked up toilets. The crew are stuck in cramped quarters for days and weeks on end, especially during Jump
chains. Tempers flare, people get on each other’s nerves, and rumors and cliques rear their ugly heads. The players will
have to deal with their own subordinates, the other players, and the subordinates of the other players. Ambition, greed,
laziness and pettiness can turn a normal mission into a powder keg.
Debt makes the galaxy go ‘round

While contact between systems is limited due to the lack of FTL communication, all planets, all of humanity, is
connected in a galaxy-spanning web of debt to each other. While this often means monetary debt, it also often takes the
form of debts of honor, oaths of service, declarations of loyalty, oaths of fealty, friendship, cultural requirements, social
expectations, duty, bargains and favors. Everyone owes and/or is owed. And everyone will eventually come collecting.
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GM PRINCIPLES
Embrace the deadly beauty of the galaxy Address the characters directly
Humans are pretty frail, all told, and there are nearly limitless This is a small act that has a big impact; it serves to frame
things in the galaxy that can kill us. From crushing gravity to everyone’s mind firmly within the game, and reminds them that
incandescent radiation storms. From toxic atmospheres to the they are playing a role. Don’t say “Bob, what do you do?” or
vacuum of starry space. From mountainous behemoths to even “Bob, what does Danov do”. Say, instead “Danov, what do
delicate, gossamer parasites, there will always be something you do”? The ‘camera’ is focused on the character, not the one
beautiful and deadly waiting over the next horizon. pulling his strings.
Paint in primary colors Be a fan of the player characters

Go big. Be larger than life. Use a bold ‘palette’ that reinforces Allow the characters to win. Oppose them, challenge them, but
the emotional impact of the scene. Poor, high population planets don’t take away their hard-earned victory. Cheer them on. Don’t
aren’t just poor and over-populated, they’re rainy, oily, filthy cheat them. Share in their triumphs, even while planning their
pits; hive-cities crammed with malnourished people under next challenge. Give the characters opportunities to shine. Give
purple storm clouds, and lit by crackling orange electric signs. them opportunities to make a difference. Give each of them
Rich planets are covered in gold and silver spires and arches, time in the spotlight. Let their decisions and actions shape the
reflecting perfectly blue skies as chrome-plated hover cars galaxy.
stream in orderly lines around them. Space pirates are unkempt,
unwashed, scarred individuals in ramshackle ships, lit only by Work within the narrative
crimson emergency lighting. Paint settings and planets in solid, You should never name your GM Move or indicate why it’s
bold, primary colors, and make them memorable. happened. In pure game mechanics, there is an obvious cause-
effect. In the fiction, this should be obfuscated as much as
Make each new world unique and full of interest possible so as to appear natural, logical and entirely driven by
Each new planet is a chance to see something new and strange. current events and what’s going on behind the scenes. If
Think of a planet as a very large NPC; it has its moods, its style, someone rolls 6- on an Assault and you choose to “Involve a
its personality. Think of things that make it unique, different to Faction”, weave it into the narrative; the gunfire alerted local
all the previous planets. This can be its climate or geography, or authorities, whose gunship is sweeping its searchlights over the
it can be its fauna or flora, or it can be its peoples, architecture, fight.
culture or politics. Remember to paint in primary colors.
Prompt the players to shape reality
Reveal the dark heart of the Factions Don’t pre-write stories. This is very important. Set the scene, but
Factions are the big movers and shakers in the galaxy, and they leave glaring gaps. Leave things unknown to you in the starting
inevitably are at each other’s throats. There’s no wide-spread setting. During play, prompt the players to fill in those important
peace, just a veneer of vicious, icy politeness as they stare at gaps, and run with their answer. Ask them about things that
each other across the stars waiting for someone to blink. Some interest you, as them follow-up questions. And, most
may have ‘alliances’, but as soon as a faction stumbles or looks importantly, ask them through their characters eyes (Address
weak (or worse, looks like they may gain an advantage), the the characters directly); ask about stuff that their character
others are ready to swoop in. Have Factions fight for the experiences, that their character knows.
characters’ loyalty. Have them tempt, bribe, threaten or
blackmail the characters into acting against other Factions. Have “Danov, you’re at the helm; what Faction controls the ship
the Factions’ plans interfere or impede the player. Give the turning to target you? What’s distinct about their starship’s
characters chances to betray, undermine or support various design that you know immediately it’s them?”
factions for various reasons. Show the Faction’s dark heart.
“Kyto, what part of the ship desperately needs attention next
Speak the Truth time you get to a stardock?”
When you state something, it is a fact. When you answer a
question, it is a fact. Even if you just made it up on the spot. Be “Kepplun, you’ve been aware of the creatures tracking you from
generous with information. some time. What do they look like? How do they like to attack
their prey?”
See page xx for more about prompts.
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PLAYER PRINCIPLES
Act with conviction

When a character wants to do something, just have them do it.
Asking the GM “can I do X?” is not a fair question. The GM
doesn’t know. At best, the GM will flat out say no because it’s
not physically possible, but that’s just logic. Otherwise, it is up to
the player to determine what their character attempts within
the current situation. Note that the decision to act includes
accepting the costs and consequences.
Act as your character

When choosing how to act, consider the character, first and
foremost. Consider what they can do, physically and mentally.
Consider what they would do, emotionally and ethically. Don’t
always take the most optimal action, don’t always try to use
their highest stat; take the action that the character would take,
considering their background, their careers, their
goals/aspirations/fears/etc. Act with the information the
character has, not the player.
Weave an awesome narrative

Always consider how to make the story better and more
entertaining for everyone, rather than what would be the easiest
to overcome. When the GM prompts for something, resist the
urge to “outsmart” the GM and say something exploitable or
silly. The GM and the players are working together to create a
narrative, and the GM prompts allow the players to color the
universe. Similarly, acting in a way that is not in keeping with the
tone and the setting will just break the immersion and the
narrative. Strive to make an epic worth retelling.
Respect player boundaries

There may be animosity between characters, but do not bring
that into the real world. Be respectful of the other players and
their things. This includes being respectful of their characters.
Don’t take over other characters or speak for them. Don’t do
bad things to other characters without their player’s consent,
and only if it makes for an interesting story (Weave an awesome
narrative).
Respect GM’s role

The GM is there to keep the story going. They are not an
opponent to defeat. They are not an enemy to outwit. They are
there to keep the universe running so the players can be the
stars. The GM has the right (and duty) to reign in behavior that
they feel is disruptive or goes against the tone and story of the
game. Unless the GM specifically prompts them, the players
should refrain from altering or inventing facts about the world.
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SEQUENCE OF PLAY
Step 1. The GM sets the scene.

The GM describes the setting and the current situation, This is an excellent time for the GM to prompt players to fill
giving a broad overview of the current events and in major gaps.
opportunities. Then the GM asks the players “What Do You
Do?”
Step 2. One or more players respond. If a character feels that they cannot act in the current
The players describe what their characters do, how they situation, the GM is encouraged to ask them about
react to the presented situation, etc. The players can ask something else; how they feel about the situation, about
for further clarification or information on what the GM an NPC, about another character.
described, but only from their own perspective.
Step 3. Make a Move.

If the described action is central enough to trigger a player
Move, the GM will call upon the player to roll 2d6 and add
the appropriate stat.
Remember that a 7-9 is a success. A success with a
If the roll is 10+, the Move succeeds; the action plays out cost, but a cost that shouldn’t invalidate the success
as the player wanted it to. itself.
If the roll is 7-9, the Move mostly succeeds, but the GM
gets to throw in a complication or twist.
If the roll is 6-, the Move likely fails, and GM gets to throw
in consequences.
Step 4. The GM refreshes the scene.

The GM then sums up the situation that was caused by the
success or failure of that action, and the resulting Return to Step 2 and repeat.
consequences, and asks the players again: “What Do You
Do?”
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STATS
Stats represent the character’s physical, mental, social and emotional strengths and weaknesses. They provide bonuses
(or penalties) to rolls. For example, a Move that involves jumping and climbing would roll using the Physique stat
(“Roll+Physique”); if the character had a +1 in Physique, they would add +1 to the result of their roll. Most of the time, a
Move will call for a specific Stat on a Roll; “Roll+Influence” always rolls 2d6 + the character’s Influence stat. Occasionally,
there will be a call for “Roll+[Stat]”. In this case, which Stat is used is based on how the action was described; describe
the action, the GM will tell the player what Stat to use.
The stats are:
 Mettle: The ability to stand your ground in a fight. Your nerves of steel. The steadiness of your hand, the speed
of your reflexes, combat skill, and the discipline to act under the worst kinds of pressure.
 Influence: The ability to affect other people. Your charisma, political clout, force of personality, popularity, style
and poise. Allows you to manipulate and command others, make friends and influence people.
 Expertise: Your creativity, cleverness, savvy, perception, logic and tactics. Allows you to invent, create and fix.
 Physique: The ability to leverage your physical fitness. Your physical condition, health, strength, flexibility,
appearance and endurance. Allows you to brawl and resist toxins, illness and fatigue.
 Interface: The ability to use technology to its fullest potential. Your technical expertise, familiarity with complex
systems and programming knowledge. Allows you to access information networks, hack computers and push the
limits of electronics.
SECONDARY STATS
These are not physical, mental or social attributes of the character themselves, but rather outside attributes that
characters are called to roll in appropriate situations. Roll+Armor or Roll+Favor the same way you would Roll+ any other
stat.
 Armor: Determined by what suit, clothing or armor you’re wearing. Allows you to resist injury using the Brace
For Impact move.
 Favor/Debt: How many favors a faction owes you, or how much you owe them. Allows you convince factions to
give you what you need, using the Acquisition move. See Favor/Debt later in this section
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DATA POINTS
Data Points are small but critically useful bits of information about a subject, which can be leveraged to tip the scales
during a particularly tense moment.
Data Points are earned by making particularly successful Assessments, from certain skills, from Acquisitions or as
rewards. There are no limits to how many Data Points a character can have, but they quickly expire if they are no longer
pertinent or are rendered obsolete/out-of-date.
Each Data Point concerns a specific topic or subject, and can be spent to grant a +1 to any roll that directly involves or
leverages the information in that Data Point. Only one Data Point can be spent per roll, no matter how many would
apply.
INJURY
Bodily harm is always a risk in dangerous, hostile situations. A character usually comes to harm due to a failed Move, as
a cost of a partially successful one, or due to a narrative choice they made. When this happens the character makes a
Brace For Impact move, which will try to mitigate some of the damage.
BRACE FOR IMPACT (+Armor)

When you would suffer harm, the GM will tell you the Severity (Minor, Major, Severe, Critical or Fatal). Roll+Armor.
On a 13+, the severity is reduced by two.
On a 10-12, the severity is reduced by one.
On a 7-9, you suffer an injury of that severity.
On a 6-, you suffer an injury of a greater severity, or suffer extra costs/troubles, at the GM’s discretion.
There are five severities of harm, Minor, Major, Severe, Critical and Fatal. When a character suffers an injury, the GM
will describe an injury of the appropriate severity (or ask the player or another player to do so). Write it on the sheet. A
character can have only one each type of injury; further injuries of that severity are increased to the next level of
severity.
Source Example of Injury Healing Time

Minor Brawling, Short Falls, Strains, Bruises, Winded, Cuts, Scrapes, Scorches, An hour or two, or almost
Injury Extreme Heat/ Cold, Debris Pulled Muscles, Deafness, Broken Teeth instantly with first aid.
Major Melee Weapons, claws/fangs/etc, Bleeding Wounds, Burns, Cracked Bones, A few days, or a few hours
Injury Fire, Shocks, Falling Objects Concussions, Limping, Numbness after medical attention.
Severe Most Pistols/Rifles/Shotguns, Long Copious Bleeding, Broken Bones, Burned A week or two, or a few days
Injury Falls, Vehicle Collision, Grenades Flesh, Gaping Wounds after medical attention.
Critical Heavy Weapons, Explosions, Dismemberment, Organ Damage, Cannot heal naturally,
Injury Mines, Structural Collapse Disfigurement, Shattered Bones requires surgery.
Fatal Ship Weapons, Artillery Strikes, Death. Disintegration. Decapitation. Gory Permanent.
Injury Explosive Decompression. Chunks. Red Mist. Dog Food.
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DEBT AND FAVOR

Whenever the characters do important tasks for a faction or otherwise help them out, the group earns favor with that
faction. Favors can be called in to purchase items that would be too expensive or difficult to obtain through normal
means. Whenever the characters receive goods or services from a faction that does not favor them, or when the
characters work against a factions interests, the team earns debt with that faction. Debt can be repaid by earning favor
with that faction.
Favor and debt with each faction is tracked for the entire party; any character can earn debt for the group with their
acquisitions, or can earn favor for the group. Favor/Debt is tracked from +4 (highly favored) to -4 (deeply in debt). Each
favor the group earns with a faction adds +1 (either adding favor or eliminating debt). Each debt the group earns with a
faction subtracts -1 (either adding debt or erasing/expending favor). Gaining favor when already at +4, or accruing debt
when already at -4 will instead start to affect the Standing of the characters (see Standing, below).
The faction at large must be made aware of these actions to earn the Favor or Debt. For certain acts like Acquisitions or
acts in high-communication areas, the faction is usually immediately aware. In backwater sectors or in the depths of
space, the faction is unlikely to find out right away unless their agents manage to report back, or an investigation finds
out later.
Earning Favor:
Completing a mission for a faction: 1 Favor
Actions resulting in significant gain for a faction: 1 Favor
Going above and beyond to advance the faction’s interests: 2 Favor
Incurring Debt:
Making an Acquisition: 0-1 Debt
Breaking a promise/failing a mission: 1 Debt
Damaging a faction’s property or assets: 1 Debt
Initiating overt, hostile action against a faction: 2 Debt
Example: The crew of the Pyrrhic perform a reconnaissance mission for the Galactic Navy. They already had 1 Favor with
them, so at the end, they have 2 Favor. Later, one of the characters purchases a shuttle from the Galactic Navy (see
Acquisition move), and calls in a Favor to pay for it. This reduces the team back down to 1 Favor. Later, they find
themselves in deep trouble with the Criminal Syndicate, with whom they have 2 Debt (-2 Favor). They agree to perform a
mission for the Syndicate in order to keep the goon squad off their back. If the characters perform the mission, they’ll
earn 1 Favor, thus erasing 1 Debt and bringing them up to -1 with the Syndicate (which will make the Syndicate a little
easier to deal with in the future). On the other hand, if they hit the Jump drives and flee as soon as they get clear, the
Syndicate will consider that a significant breach of trust; in that case, the Pyrrhic will have 3 Debt (-3 Favor) with the
Syndicate.
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STANDING
While Debt and Favor represents a team’s business relationship with a faction, each character in that group has a
Standing, which represents their own personal relationship with the faction. A character’s Standing determines how the
members of that faction will deal with the character. There are 5 levels of Standing; Great, Good, Neutral, Bad, Terrible.
A character starts in Good standing with one faction, and can choose to either have a Bad standing with 2 other factions
or have a Terrible standing with one other faction.
 Great: The faction holds you in the highest regards. You are an honorary member of the faction, if not a member in
truth, and are treated with respect and admiration. They are willing to go to considerable lengths to help you out,
and you can request exceptional goods or services when making an Acquisition from them.
 Good: You have a generally good rapport with the faction. They are open to most Acquisition requests, and will
often have requests, information and opportunities for you.
 Neutral: You are not on the faction’s radar. You may be unknown to them, or they may be unsure whose side you’re
on. They’re still very willing to supply you with basic Acquisitions. They may have missions for neutral, independent
agents such as yourself.
 Bad: The faction certainly has problems with you, which will color any present dealings. They will generally be
harsher, more demanding and less forgiving. They may obstruct or interfere with you in a variety of minor ways,
depending on their ideologies and methods. Alternatively, they may demand you perform tasks for them. Or else.
 Terrible: The faction really hates you. Interactions with them will tend to be hostile, if not outright violent. They
want you broken in some way; financially, socially, emotionally or physically. If you’re within their sphere of
influence, it will be hard to convince them to leave you alone, and harder still to earn any semblance of good will.
Gaining Standing:
Standing with a faction is earned by providing consistent, undeniable assistance to the faction’s cause. After earning a
significant amount of favor without asking for any recompense, continuing to promote the faction’s cause will greatly
improve their disposition. If the group already has 4 Favor with a faction, each time they earn another Favor, the group
instead chooses one member who was instrumental in gaining that Favor. The chosen character’s Standing with the
faction increases. It is also possible to immediately increase in Standing by performing an act of unprecedented
heroism/brilliance which aligns itself with the faction’s goals and ideologies.
Losing Standing:
Standing with a faction is lost by disrupting or impeding a faction’s goals. After incurring a significant amount of debt
without providing reparations, continuing to antagonize a faction will greatly sour their disposition. If the group has 4
Debt with a faction, each time they incur another Debt, the group instead chooses one member who was primarily to
blame for incurring that Debt. The chosen character’s Standing with the faction decreases. It is also possible to
immediately lose Standing by performing a shocking, grievous act that goes against everything the faction stands for.
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COMMERCE
Acquisition
It is assumed that the characters have a small but significant private reserve of funds, which can stretch to cover day to
day expenses. Food, modest lodging, tips, clothing, public transport, rentals; all are assumed to come out of the
character’s personal funds. Similarly, grade 0-1 weapons, grade 0 vehicles and Common armors are all within a
character’s means to purchase. For more significant, more costly or rarer purchases, the character must rely on the good
will of a faction, using the Acquisition move described below.
ACQUISITION (+FAVOR)
When you request a significant purchase of goods or services from a faction, Roll+Favor. Additionally, any cargo you trade away in this
deal adds its value to the result of the roll. Allies cannot Get Involved with an Acquisition.
On a 13+, the faction grants your request, no strings attached.
On a 10-12, the faction grants your request if you fulfill one of the following:
On a 7-9, the faction grants your request if you fulfill two of the following:
 Have a Great standing with them
 Expend 1 Favor with them
 Earn 1 Debt with them
 Agree to perform a task for the faction
Cargo
Collections of trade goods are measured in cargo units, and can be ferried from planet to planet, traded and exchanged
for profit. Each unit of cargo has a value, tracked separately. The higher the value, the rarer, more expensive and more
in-demand the wares. It takes an Acquisition to fill an average ship’s cargo hold with 4 units of value 1 cargo. Once those
goods have been transported to a foreign market (a planetary, station, colony or fleet), the characters can use the Barter
move (see below) to find buyers interested in their wares, exchanging them for local goods that will hopefully be more
valuable elsewhere in the galaxy.
One or more units of cargo can be spent after an Acquisition roll is made to increase the result by the value of the cargo.
Note that the whole unit must be expended.
BARTER (+no bonus)

When you spend at least a day in a market (planetary, station, colony, fleet) trading away one unit of foreign cargo for more valuable
local cargo, Roll (no bonus). Allies cannot Get Involved with a Barter.
On a 6-, something prevents the trade, or at least prevents it from being profitable; laws, competition, obstructions or simply lack of
interested parties. You can’t attempt to Barter away this cargo in this market for quite some time.
On a 7-9, your new cargo has a value 1 higher than the cargo you traded, to a maximum value of 4.
On a 10+, choose 1:
 Your new cargo has a value 1 higher than the cargo you traded, to a maximum value of 4.
 You gain a number of new cargo units equal to the value of the cargo you traded; each of these new cargo units has a value of 1.
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Standard Moves
All characters have access to the different Standard Moves, and can use them freely. Career-specific skills can grant
specialized Moves or alter these Standard Moves.
 Face Adversity: Overcome danger or opposition. The most commonly used Move
 Assessment: Get a critical answer to an important question
 Get Involved: Help or hinder an ally’s efforts
 Brace For Impact: Try to mitigate incoming damage using your Armor
 Open Fire: Engage in long-range firefights using your Mettle
 Launch Assault: Engage in close-quarters combat using your Physique
 Patch Up: Alleviate injuries or damage using your Expertise
 Command: Give orders to npcs using your Influence
 Program: Give orders to computers/robots using your Interface
 Acquisition: Convince a faction to provide you with equipment/services
 Barter: Exchange foreign cargo for higher valued local cargo
 Cramped Quarters: Find out how well or poorly you get along with your allies
 Wild Jump: Make a jump into the unknown
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COMMON MOVES
FACE ADVERSITY
When you overcome opposition or danger using…
…stealth, piloting, accuracy, discipline or bravery, Roll+Mettle
…knowledge, education, mechanics, first aid or logic, Roll+Expertise
…athletics, endurance, strength or health, Roll+Physique
…charm, diplomacy, bargaining or lies, Roll+Influence
…computer systems, electronics, or hacking, Roll+Interface
On a 10+ you overcome the opposition or danger, just as you described.

On a 7-9, the danger is overcome, but at a price; the GM will offer you a cost or a hard choice.
GET INVOLVED
When an ally makes a Move and you affect the result using…
…stealth, piloting, accuracy, discipline or bravery, Roll+Mettle
…knowledge, education, mechanics, first aid or logic, Roll+Expertise
…athletics, endurance, strength or health, Roll+Physique
…charm, diplomacy, bargaining or lies, Roll+Influence
…computer systems, electronics, or hacking, Roll+Interface
On a 10+ Choose 1
• Turn a failure(6-) into a partial success (7-9)
• Turn a partial success(7-9) into a complete success (10+)
• Turn a complete success(10+) into a partial success(7-9), you can suggest the consequence to the GM
• Turn a partial success(7-9) into a failure(6-), you can suggest the consequence to the GM
On a 7-9, as above, and you incur a cost, complication or hard choice in order to get involved.
ASSESSMENT
When you collect critical information about an important, dangerous or mysterious subject using…
… stealth, focus or cunning, Roll+Mettle
… research, knowledge and logic, Roll+Expertise
… hard work or strenuous activity, Roll+Physique
… informants or gossip, Roll+Influence
… the SectorNet or electronics/devices, Roll+Interface
On a 10+, you gain significant information about the subject, and earn a Data Point about it as well.
On a 7-9, the GM will reveal interesting, potentially useful information about the subject. Or they might ask you to do so.
On a 6-, the GM will reveal facts about the subject you probably wish were not true.
BRACE FOR IMPACT (+Armor)

When you would suffer harm, the GM will tell you the Severity (Minor, Major, Severe, Critical or Fatal). Roll+Armor.
On a 13+, the severity is reduced by two.

On a 10-12, the severity is reduced by one.
On a 7-9, you suffer an injury of that severity.
On a 6-, you suffer an injury of a greater severity, or suffer extra costs/troubles, at the GM’s discretion.
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STAT MOVES
OPEN FIRE (+Mettle)
When you engage enemy forces in long ranged, cover-to-cover firefights, describe your goal and tactics then Roll+Mettle
On a 10+, you achieve your objective.

On a 7-9, you achieve your objective, but the GM will choose 1 or more of the following consequences.
• Your side suffers harm during the attack.
• The attack causes significant, undesirable collateral damage.
• The encounter creates a short-term complication.
• The encounter will have long-term ramifications.
LAUNCH ASSAULT (+Physique)

When you engage enemy forces in chaotic close-quarters combat, describe your goal and tactics then Roll+Physique.
On a 10+, you achieve your objective.

On a 7-9, you achieve your objective, but the GM will choose 1 or more of the following consequences.
• Your side suffers harm during the attack.
• The attack causes significant, undesirable collateral damage.
• The encounter creates a short-term complication.
• The encounter will have long-term ramifications.
PATCH UP (+Expertise)
When using appropriate medical supplies/tools to repair damage to people or machinery, Roll+Expertise
On a 10+, choose 1 from the list below

On a 7-9, choose 1, but you’ve reached the limit of what you can do; you cannot re-attempt to Patch Up the subject.
• The subject is temporarily able to function despite pain/physical disability.
• The damage is stabilized and will not get worse.
• The subject’s behavior or mental state is recovered.
• The subject is no longer incapacitated
COMMAND (+Influence)
When you issue a command to a group that is inclined to follow your orders, Roll+Influence.
On a 10+, they follow those orders to the best of their ability, though they may suffer costs or complications.
On a 7-9, as above, but their disposition or effectiveness has been significantly impacted (casualties, bribed, lost,
demoralized, panicked, exhausted, disgruntled, injured, etc). This crew will not accept a new Command until those
complications/issues have been dealt with
PROGRAM (+Interface)
When you transmit instructions to robots, AI or other computer systems that are open to your directives, Roll+Interface.
On a 10+, they follow your instructions to the best of their ability, though they may suffer costs or complications.
On a 7-9, as above, but executing the program causes degradation, bugs, damage, glitches or other breakdowns. This
technology will not accept a new Program until those complications/issues have been rectified.
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COMMERCE MOVES
ACQUISITION (+Favor)
When you request a significant purchase of goods or services from a faction, Roll+Favor. Any cargo you trade away in
this deal adds its value to the result of the roll. Allies cannot Get Involved with an Acquisition.
On a 13+, the faction grants your request, no strings attached.
On a 10-12, the faction grants your request if you fulfill one of the following:
On a 7-9, the faction grants your request if you fulfill two of the following:
• Have a Great standing with them
• Expend 1 Favor with them
• Earn 1 Debt with them
• Agree to perform a task for the faction
BARTER
When you spend at least a day in a market (planetary, station, colony, fleet) trading away one unit of foreign cargo for
more valuable local cargo, Roll 2d6. Allies cannot Get Involved with a Barter.
On a 6-, something prevents the trade, or at least prevents it from being profitable; laws, competition, obstructions or
simply lack of interested parties. You can’t attempt to Barter away this cargo in this market for quite some time.
On a 7-9, your new cargo has a value 1 higher than the cargo you traded, to a maximum value of 4.
On a 10+, choose 1:
• Your new cargo has a value 1 higher than the cargo you traded, to a maximum value of 4.
• You gain a number of new cargo units equal to the value of the cargo you traded; each of these new cargo units
has a value of 1.
TRAVEL MOVES
CRAMPED QUARTERS
(Done by one player for each leg of an interstellar journey, or after long periods of close proximity).
When you’ve been trapped in cramped quarters, choose another character trapped with you (PC or NPC) then Roll 2d6.
On a 10+, describe how you and that character bonded in some way in the past few days.
On a 7-9, describe the minor disagreement or annoyance that passed between the two of you in the past few days.
On a 6-, describe what happened between the two of you in the past few days that caused anger, bad blood and/or hurt
feelings.
WILD JUMP
When you force your ship to make a Wild Jump, Roll 2d6. Allies cannot Get Involved in a Wild Jump
On a 10+, the crew only suffers nausea, headaches and other minor effects. Choose 1 from the list below.
On a 7-9, the illness and hallucinations are pronounced. The GM chooses 1 from the list below.
• You find an uncharted world, ready for exploration
• You find exploitable resources, there for the taking
• You discover a scientifically interesting phenomenon
• You discover ancient wreckage or ruins of unknown origin
• You find yourself in a civilized sector half-way across the galaxy
• You encounter a new, previously unknown faction or culture
On a 6-, the GM will describe the ugly, debilitating, terrifying consequences. It’s full of stars.
16
Quickstart
For your first game, or for a quick one-shot game, your group can follow these steps rather than going through the full
character creation. The full character and faction creation rules take longer, but produce more personalized experiences
for a longer running campaign.
Players: Choose your Archetype. Archetypes are the culmination of a character’s origins, career training and
miscellaneous skills. These are full-fledged characters that are archetypical to the space opera genre; the mercenary, the
engineer, the scientist, etc. Choose an archetype sheet that interests you. Each Archetype has a couple of
customisations to make when selecting them; choices of gear, which secondary skill they have, their physical
appearance, etc. [Not yet implemented – premade archetypes coming in future update]
GM: Generate Factions. Roll on the Faction chart to populate this sector of the galaxy with 5 different factions. Factions
are far-reaching, system-wide organisations with grand scope, influence and resources. They are galactic-scale movers
and shakers, with solid, overt philosophies and goals. Come up with suitable, simple, catchy names for each of them and
fill in the galactic sheet.
Players: Determine your Standing. Choose a faction that you feel is generally most aligned with your character and vice
versa. Mark that faction on your character sheet in Good Standing. Then either choose 2 factions that your character
doesn’t get along with and mark them both as Bad Standing -OR- choose a faction that is opposed to your character (and
vice versa) and mark that faction on your sheet in Terrible Standing.
Standing will generally determine how members of a faction will react to you.
Players: Purchase a ship and name it. As a group, decide which faction originally owned the ship. Each player gets 3
Debt towards that Faction. You are all now the co-owners a moderate sized starship with Jump capabilities and 4 units of
cargo space (which can each hold a unit of cargo or a vehicle). Name the ship.
GM: Set the scene, prompt the players. Read out one of the starting scenarios, and ask the players the suggested
questions to fill in the details. Play proceeds from there (see “Running the Game”). [Not yet implemented – starting
scenarios coming in future update]
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Random Faction generator (roll 6d6)

1. Sinister 1. Expansionist 1. Government
2. Controlling 2. Scientific 2. Cult
3. Secretive 3. Authoritarian 3. Fleet
1-2 4. Popular 4. Colonizing 4. Syndicate 1-2
5. Rapacious 5. Trade 5. Corporation
6. Austere 6. Mercenary 6. Federation
1. Wealthy 1. Merchant 1. Society
2. Honorable 2. Industrious 2. Coalition
3. Violent 3. Criminal 3. Armada
3-4 4. Degenerate 4. Military 4. Network 3-4
5. Defiant 5. Anarchist 5. Consortium
6. Tyrannical 6. Starfaring 6. Council
1. Brutal 1. Rebel 1. Empire
2. Underhanded 2. High Tech 2. Religion
3. Ancient 3. Diplomatic 3. Regime
5-6 4. Violent 4. Corporate 4. Cartel 5-6
5. Fanatic 5. Regimented 5. Alliance
6. Brave 6. Political 6. Legion
Example: A roll of 2-4-3-6-1-2 would give a Popular(2,4) Starfaring (3,6) Cult (1,2)
18
FULL CHARACTER CREATION
Step I: Create Archetype – Combine 2 Careers

Of the 10 career paths below, choose 2 of them and combine them together to create your archetype. Give your unique
archetype a name that suits the overall concept/flavor of the combination. For example, a Military-Explorer might be a
‘Scout’ archetype, or a ‘Guerilla’ archetype or even a ‘Conquistador’ archetype.
Academic (p15) Clandestine (p17) Commercial (p19) Explorer (p21) Industrial (p23)
Skills: Skills: Skills: Skills: Skills:
Learning, Chemistry, Stealth, Assassination, Trade, Broker, Bribe, Recklessness, Survivalist Tinker, Build, Repair,
Medicine, Deduction, Surveillance, Sabotage Procurement, Luxury Beast Tamer, Boldly Go, Upgrade, Dismantle
Technobabble Interrogation Custom Vehicle
Military (p25) Personality (p27) Scoundrel (p29) Starfarer (p31) Technocrat (p33)
Unique Weapon, Fame, Subversion, Criminal, Sneak Attack, Traveller, Cosmopolitan, Upload, Hacking,
Toughness, Tactics, Leadership, Contacts, Scapegoat, Schemer, Navigation, Calibration Coding, AI, Data
Heavy Lifting, Authority Performance False Identity Personal Vehicle Manipulation
Step II: Choose Origin

Choose your character’s background; what kind of life they grew up in, where they came from, what potential hardships
they suffered or advantages they had. The origin gives a selection of skill options from a variety of careers, and can also
offer a stat boost as a skill.
Advanced (p36) Colonist (p37) Crowded (p38) Frontier (p39) Impoverished (p40)
Cutting Edge (Interface), Resourceful (Expertise), Affable (Influence), Hard Labor (Physique) Scrappy (Mettle),
Artificial Intelligence, Tinker, Heavy Lifting, Cosmopolitan, Bribe, Build, Survivalist, Stealth, Criminal,
Calibrations, Sabotage Custom Vehicle Contacts Medicine Recklessness
Privileged (p41) Productive (p42) Regimented (p43) Spacer (p44) Violent (p45)
Decorum (Influence), Vocation (Expertise), Disciplined (Mettle) Fine Tuning (Interface), Branded (Physique),
Luxury, Fame, Schemer Learning, Procurement, Leadership, Tactics, Coding, Repair, Toughness, Sneak
Data Manipulation Deduction Navigation Attack, Assassination
Step III: Choose Skills

Choose 1 skill from your Origin
Choose 3 skills between either Career.
You cannot pick the same skill twice, even if it is offered by your Origin and one of your Careers.
Step IV: Distribute Stats

Assign each of the following numbers to one of your 5 stats: +2, +1, +1, 0 and -1.
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Step V: Choose Descriptions

Choose one of the descriptions from your Origin and one from each Career. Together these make up a broad description
of your character, physically and behaviorally. Alternatively, you can invent your own descriptions.
Step VI: Choose Rooms

Choose two rooms between the Room lists offered by your careers. These are rooms that are installed on your party’s
ship. If you’re not playing in a campaign with a ship, these are more permanent rooms that you may own or work in, at
the GM’s discretion.
Step VII: Define Iconic Gadget

Create a Gadget that is iconic for your character’s personality, profession or history. They set the tone for your
character, supporting their skills and interests. Iconic Gadgets can be discarded, destroyed or otherwise lost during the
course of the adventures, just like any other Gadget.
Step VIII: Choose Starting Equipment

Choose an equipment package for your character (See Weapons and Gear, p28 & p29)
Fighter Package Survivor Package

 A weapon with 2 upgrades  A weapon with 1 upgrade
 A weapon with 1 upgrade  A set of Gear with 2 Uncommon (or Common) upgrades
 A set of Gear with 2 Common upgrades  A set of Gear with 2 Common upgrades
Leader Package Driver Package

 A weapon with 1 upgrade  A weapon with 1 upgrade
 A set of Gear with 2 Common upgrades  A set of Gear with 2 Common upgrades
 A crew with 2 upgrades  A vehicle with 1 upgrade
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Careers
Academic (p15) Clandestine (p17) Commercial (p19) Explorer (p21) Industrial (p23)
Learning, Chemistry, Stealth, Assassination, Trade, Broker, Bribe, Recklessness, Survivalist Tinker, Build, Repair,
Medicine, Deduction, Surveillance, Sabotage Procurement, Luxury Beast Tamer, Boldly Go, Upgrade, Dismantle
Technobabble Interrogation Custom Vehicle
Military (p25) Personality (p27) Scoundrel (p29) Starfarer (p31) Technocrat (p33)
Unique Weapon, Fame, Subversion, Criminal, Sneak Attack, Traveller, Cosmopolitan, Upload, Hacking,
Toughness, Tactics, Leadership, Contacts, Scapegoat, Schemer, Navigation, Calibration Coding, AI, Data
Heavy Lifting, Authority Performance False Identity Personal Vehicle Manipulation
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ACADEMIC
Career Path – Expertise/Interface
The Academic career represents years of study and learning, with a strong focus
on science and logic. Academics can be found in specialist positions in other fields,
leveraging their years of study; Military Academics tend to be field medics,
Clandestine Academics are often detectives, Academic Explorers range from
xenobiologists to expeditionary researchers.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Academic, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
The career’s Skill list (see opposite page) has more detailed descriptions of each skill.
 Learning: Learn more and teach it to others
 Chemistry: Concoct various chemicals
 Medicine: Perform difficult medical procedures
 Deduction: Draw quick conclusions about the situation
 Technobabble: Give detailed, technical direction
Descriptions:
Choose 1 description for your character from this list. This is a facet of your physical appearance or behavior (along with the other 2 choices from
your other career and origin).
Thin, Pallid, Elderly, Kind-hearted, Aloof, Distracted.
Rooms:
Choose a total of 2 rooms between your two careers. These are spaces that are built into your ship. (If you’re not playing with a ship, these can be
spaces/ structures owned by you or available to you, at the GM’s discretion)
 Laboratory: Equipped to perform a variety of experiments and research.
 Medical Bay: Set up for medical attention, surgical procedures and long-term care.
 Containment Unit: Capable of safely storing dangerous subjects/materials for further study.
 Study: Comfortable, quiet room containing a wide variety of educational media.
Advancement:
At the end of each session you can spend 1 XP in this career if you accomplished an appropriate milestone during the session. Once you’ve spent
enough XP in this career, you earn a new Skill from the career’s Skill list (see opposite page). Note that you don’t necessarily have to succeed a task;
a dedicated attempt is usually enough.
Academic Milestones are usually related to specialist fields of study and experimentation. Example Academic Milestones include:
 Spend significant downtime studying
 Attend an institute of higher learning
 Attempt a life-saving medical procedure
 Participate in an important scientific experiment
 Investigate a mystery
 Tackle a problem using an overly convoluted solution
 Invert the tachyon pulse by sending it through an auxiliary deflector array
 Have a Great standing with a scientific or technological faction
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ACADEMIC SKILLS
Learning
When you make an Assessment, on a 10+ you gain 3
Data Points about the subject, and on a 7-9 you gain
1 Data Point. As long as you spend part of your
downtime educating yourself about a subject, Data
Points associated with that subject don’t expire.
Chemistry
When creating an antidote, vaccine, drug, poison or
pathogen in a lab, state the effect you want it to
have and its method of transmission (spray, injector,
pill, etc), then Roll+Expertise. On a 10+, you
successfully create it. On a 7-9, it will have reduced
potency or unintended side effects.
Deduction
When you first witness a situation, you may ask one
of the following questions, the GM will answer
honestly:
 Who/what is most vulnerable in this situation?
Medicine  Who/what is most dangerous in this situation?
When you Patch Up a living being in a suitable  What is profitable about this situation?
environment over the course of several hours, you  Who/what caused this situation?
may choose one of the following instead of the
normal choices.
 Remove all minor and major injuries.
 Allow severe and critical injury to begin healing.
 Reconstruct/replace permanent injuries.
 Perform a regular Patch Up on several subjects
at the same time.
 Make permanent cosmetic alterations.
Technobabble
You can Command NPCs with your Expertise rather
than your Influence. As long as you are able to give
them detailed direction, your allies can use your
Expertise when they Get Involved with your actions
(assuming they follow your instructions).
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CLANDESTINE
Career Path – Mettle/Interface
The Clandestine career is a sinister profession, relying on information and

invisibility. Clandestine operatives in other professions tend toward low profiles
and subtlety; Clandestine Industrials make terrifying saboteurs, Clandestine
Scoundrels are deadly assassins, Clandestine Personalities are deft infiltrators and
spies. Ironically, Clandestine operatives also make effective (if scary) law
enforcement agents.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Clandestine, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
 Stealth: Vanish without a trace, show up elsewhere
 Sabotage: Tamper with something, make it fail
 Assassination: Arrange someone’s death
 Surveillance: Keep an eye on a person or place
 Informant: Sell your Codex Entries to make Aquisitions
Descriptions:
Hawk nosed, Sinister, Wiry, Bland, Suspicious, Bald.
Rooms:
 Security Office: Monitoring station tied to multiple visual and audio security feeds.
 Private Comms: Private room with a secure communication array on an encoded channel.
 Hidden Passage: Connects to various other rooms through hidden hatches.
 Interrogation Room: Equipped with a variety of restraints.
Advancement:
Clandestine Milestones are usually related to espionage and wetworks. Example Clandestine Milestones include:
 Arrange an “accident”
 Vanish when someone is looking for you
 Follow someone without being seen
 Kill someone who really deserves it
 Hurt or scare someone in order to get information
 Make an arrest
 Have a Great standing with a secretive or authoritarian faction
24
CLANDESTINE SKILLS
Stealth
Whenever you can move around freely and are
unobserved, you can choose to vanish without a
trace. While missing, you may show up in the midst
of events, as long as you can explain how you got
there.
Sabotage
When you tamper with something (information,
machinery, social situations, tactical plans, etc),
describe how you go about it and Roll+[Stat].
On a 10+ the target of your tampering is doomed to
fail, just as you planned.
On a 7-9, the target of your tampering is doomed to
fail spectacularly, horrifically or comically, at the
GM’s discretion.
Assassination
When you want a lightly guarded or unsuspecting
NPC out of the picture, describe how you arrange
their death and Roll+Mettle.
On a hit, they’re dead, and no one knows it was you.
On a 7-9, they’re dead, but there may be evidence
linking it to you.
Surveillance
You can put a single Place (room, building, street,
city/station) or Person (individual, group, faction)
under surveillance at a time. You may ask the
following questions about the chosen target. Broad
and distant targets provide less precise/timely
answers.
Place: Who is there? What is going on there?
Person: Where are they? What are they doing?
Interrogation
When you spend time questioning someone who is
completely under your power, you gain 3 Data
Points about them; their lives, their job, their
friends, their family, their guilt, their shame, etc.
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COMMERCIAL
Career Path – Influence/Expertise
The Commercial career’s strength lies in making deals, acquiring goods and
managing the complex web of inter-faction debt and influence. Almost all other
careers benefit in some way from the Commercial’s purchasing power.
Commercial Industrials turn scrap into profit, Commercial Technocrats are always
aware of the best prices and opportunities, Commercial Starfarers haul cargo to
the farthest reaches of space.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Commercial, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
 Trade: Sell a cargo-hold full of goods for profit
 Procurement: Make safer, better Acquisitions
 Broker: Manage Debt and Favor
 Luxury: Own nice things, have an assistant NPC
 Bribe: Make social/political Acquisitions
Descriptions:
Thick, Well-Fed, Manicured, Harried, Miserly, Cunning.
Rooms:
 Cargo Hold: Capable of holding, loading and unloading trade goods.
 Vault: Holds a variety of valuables, locked and secured.
 High Berthing: Space suitable for up to 2 VIP guests.
 Kitchen: Semi-automated food preparation area, provides better meals.
Advancement:
Commercial Milestones are usually related to earning and spending wealth. Example Commercial Milestones include:
 Buy something expensive and frivolous
 Engage in lavish hedonism and carousing
 Exchange a cargohold of goods as part of an Acquisition
 Find valuable, unclaimed resources and sell the rights to them
 Make an Acquisition from a faction despite your Bad/Terrible reputation
 Spend Favor/earn Debt to help an ally
 Deliver desperately needed goods
 Have a Great standing with a commercial or corporate faction
26
COMMERCIAL SKILLS
Trade
You add your +Expertise or +Influence when you
Barter. When you roll 10+ on a Barter, choose 1 of
the following instead:
 Your new cargo has a value 1 higher than the
cargo you traded, to a maximum value of 8.
 You gain 2 cargo units each worth half the value
of the cargo you traded (rounded up).
 If the cargo you’re trading has a value of 4+, it
Procurement can be donated to a faction for a Favor.
When making an Acquisition, choose 1.
 The details of the purchase are kept secret
 The item/service is especially good quality
 Delivery and/or installation is fast and free
 They’ll ignore your Bad or Terrible standing
Broker
When you make an Acquisition, you may expend
Favor or earn Debt with any faction, rather than just
the one providing the purchase.
You can Get Involved with Acquisitions made by
allies.
Luxury
Your clothing, belongings and quarters are all lavish
and expensive. Gain one of the following NPCs as a
retainer: Butler, Assistant, Consort, Bodyguard or
Advisor. Name them and give them a 2-4 word
description.
Bribe
Acquisition can also be used to purchase:
 Political power
 Legal decisions
 Faction involvement
 Diplomatic immunity
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EXPLORER
Career Path – Mettle/Physique
The Explorer is the most daring and risky career, forever seeking new horizons
and new treasures. Other careers that regularly deal with harsh environments and
unexplored reaches benefit from the Explorer’s courage and survival instinct.
Commercial Explorers are prospectors or big game hunters seeking profit on
hostile planets, Explorer Starfarers daredevil pilots and daring navigators, Military
Explorers tend to be guerilla fighters or scouts.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Explorer, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
 Survivalist: Know a little bit about every environment
 Boldly Go: Venture into the unknown, hopefully find something awesome
 Recklessness: Gamble with the outcome of an untested, desperate act
 Beast Tamer: Gain the loyalty of an alien beast NPC
 Custom Vehicle: Own a unique, souped-up land vehicle/walker
Descriptions:
Weathered, Battered, Unkempt, Rude, Cheerful, Brash.
Rooms:
 Hydroponics Bay: Grows a variety of edible plant life.
 Decontamination Chamber: Wipes out dangerous particles and contaminants.
 Vehicle Hangar: A space to store and maintain vehicles, equipped with a loading/unloading ramp.
 Probe Station: Capable of launching small telemetry probes and receiving their readings.
Advancement:
Explorer Milestones are usually related to discovery and risk-taking. Example Explorer Milestones include:
 Experience a Wild Jump
 Make a leap of faith
 Survive in a harsh wilderness
 Encounter a little known hostile plant or animal
 Open/activate/taste something completely unknown
 Assist in colonizing an inhospitable land
 Be the first to test a prototype
 Have a Great standing with a colonial or expansionist faction
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EXPLORER SKILLS
Boldly Go
When leading an expedition into the unknown,
Roll+Mettle.
On a 10+, choose 1.
On a 7-9, the GM will choose 1.
 You encounter something potentially profitable
 You encounter something currently useful
 You encounter something uniquely awesome
Survivalist
After experiencing a wilderness first-hand, tell the
GM one strange, unusual or interesting fact about
an aspect of that wilderness (animals, plants,
weather, terrain, hazards, etc). You gain 3 Data
Points about that wilderness.
Recklessness
If it’s the first time you attempt a particular
untested, unpredictable, desperate and probably
dangerous act, you may choose to trust your
beginner’s luck. Roll as normal. A 7-9 counts as a
complete success (10+). A 6- is an especially
catastrophic, disastrous failure. Your allies cannot
Beast Tamer Get Involved in this roll.
You have tamed an exotic alien creature of animal
intelligence, which can be Commanded. Give a short
description of your obedient beast NPC, and
describe its role (guard, hunting, beauty,
companionship, labor, mount, etc). It takes
significant time and effort to tame a newly
encountered beast, and you can only have one
tamed beast at a time
Custom Vehicle
You own a Custom Land Vehicle or Walker with 3
upgrades (see page xx). If your vehicle is ever lost,
you can abandon it and spend an extended period of
time claiming a new vehicle as your Custom Vehicle,
adding an extra upgrade to it.
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INDUSTRIAL
Career Path – Expertise/Interface
The Industrial career shapes the world around them, constructing, improving,
demolishing. Other careers benefit greatly from the Industrial’s ability to create,
repair, maintain a variety of machines. Industrial Explorers are settlers and
pioneers, Industrial Academics tend to be inventors working on new prototypes,
Industrial Scoundrels are scavengers and wreck-divers.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Industrial, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
 Repair: Fix machinery, rather than just patching it up
 Build: Improve, reinforce or secure structures
 Tinker: Turn miscellaneous components into something useful
 Upgrade: Temporarily improve a weapon, gear or vehicle
 Dismantle: Salvage or wreck machinery
Descriptions:
Muscled, Grimy, Wrinkled, Rigorous, Rugged, Focused.
Rooms:
 Workshop: Equipped with workbenches and tool racks.
 Repair Bay: Set up to handle large machinery, with winches and lifts.
 Secure Reactor: A reactor room with emergency lockdown protocols and blast doors.
 Servo Arms: Multiple servo arms attached to the ship, controlled from Engineering
Advancement:
Industrial Milestones are usually related to interacting with structures and machinery. Example Industrial Milestones include:
 Keep something working against all odds
 Prevent a catastrophic failure
 Participate in a significant engineering project
 Build a useful temporary structure
 Use seemingly useless scrap to solve a problem
 Blow something up
 Figure out why something blew up
 Have a Great standing with an industrial or military faction
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INDUSTRIAL SKILLS
Repair
When you Patch Up a machine or mechanical
components in a suitable environment over the
course of several hours, you may choose one of the
following instead of the normal choices.
 Repair all minor and major damage.
 Repair a severe or critical damage.
 Replace permanently damaged parts
Build  Perform a regular Patch Up on several machines
With enough time and materials, you can give up to at the same time.
one of the following upgrades to a room, small  Make permanent cosmetic alterations.
structure, or can build a small structure with that
property.
 Resistant to damage/weather/elements
 Tactically advantageous positions (cover, etc)
 Hidden and/or difficult to access
 Workspace (lab, workshop, hospital, etc)
Tinker
When you fashion a useful object out of
miscellaneous components you have at hand,
Roll+Expertise. On a 10+ choose 1. On a 7-9, as
above, but there is a flaw
 A small or large melee weapon with 1 upgrade
 A set of Gear with 1 common, non-EnviroSuit upgrade
 A grenade with 1 upgrade (single use grenade belt)
Upgrade  An explosive with 1 upgrade (single use explosive satchel)
When you wish to add a temporary upgrade to a  A short-lived or single-use Gadget
vehicle, gear or weapon, choose the desired
upgrade from that object’s list, then Roll+Ingenuity.
On a 10+, the item has the upgrade for now.
On a 7-9, the project has an extra cost in time or
resources. You can only have one temporary
upgrade active at a time.
Dismantle
When forcefully dismantling technology, breaking
machinery, destroying a structure or salvaging a
wreck, Roll+Physique. On a 10+, choose 2. On a 7-9,
choose 1.
 It doesn’t take very long to do.
 You recover a 1-value cargo unit worth of scrap
 You recover useful components.
 You could reassemble/repair it quite easily.
 Gain 3 Data Points about this kind of machinery
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MILITARY
Career Path – Mettle/Personality
The Military career is a specialist of combat, with a heavy reliance on command,

discipline and strategy. Other careers which have to deal with hostilities or war
zones benefit greatly from the Military career’s command of the battlefield.
Military Industrials are combat engineers, Military Personalities are generals and
commanders, Commercial Military are well-equipped (and often expensive)
mercenaries for hire.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Military, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
 Tactics: Control the battle with much more precision
 Toughness: Take a lot more punishment
 Unique Weapon: There aren’t many like it, and this one’s yours
 Heavy Lifting: Ignore the Clumsy tag on heavy armor, heavy weapons
 Authority: Command from a position of superiority, it will be obeyed
Descriptions:
Scarred, Grizzled, Massive, Skittish, Weary, Grim.
Rooms:
 Gym: A variety of free weights, a number of exercise machines and an open area for sparring
 Briefing Room: A functional, professional meeting room with tactical display table.
 Holding Cells: Securely holds up to 4 prisoners.
 Quarters: Military accommodations for a dozen crew/soldiers; bunk beds, footlockers, etc.
Advancement:
Military Milestones are usually related to combat and leadership. Example Military Milestones include:
 Hold the line
 Outwit or outmaneuver an enemy on the field of battle
 Suffer multiple injuries in a short span of time
 Show an inordinate propensity towards a specific weapon
 Tackle a problem with guns blazing
 Give a command that puts people’s lives at risk
 Spend significant downtime working out
 Have a Great standing with a military or authoritarian faction
32
MILITARY SKILLS
Toughness
You can have 2 injuries of the same severity; the
second newly suffered injury does not increase in
severity if you already have an injury of that severity.
Tactics
When you roll 7-9 on an Open Fire or Launch
Assault, the GM does not choose consequences.
Either you choose 1 of the consequences, or choose
to stalemate the combat; neither side gains any
ground.
Unique Weapon
You have a Unique Weapon with 3 upgrades (see
weapon section, page xx). If your weapon is ever lost
or damaged, you can abandon it and spend an
extended period of time claiming a new weapon as
your Unique Weapon, adding an extra upgrade to it.
Heavy Lifting
You are trained in wearing cumbersome armor and
carrying heavy weights. You ignore the Clumsy tag
when burdened by weight or wearing heavy armors.
You can don or remove armor in little to no time.
Authority
Whenever you are in a position of clear superiority
over a group of NPCs, you can Command those NPCs
even if the order goes against their own traits and/or
desires.
33
PERSONALITY
Career Path – Influence/Physique
The Personality career revolves around influencing others through charm, good
looks and oratory. Personality is useful to any career that relies on persuasion or
fame. Commercial Personalities are powerful traders and brokers, Starfarer
Personalities are interplanetary diplomats and negotiators, Explorer Personalities
are famous explorers and daredevils.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Personality, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
 Fame: Everybody knows your name, your allies share in that fame
 Leadership: You have a loyal, talented, hand-picked Crew
 Contacts: Call upon local NPCs to do jobs/favors for you
 Performance: Incite emotions through oratory or artistry
 Subversion: Leverage personal information to Command people
Descriptions:
Stunning, Sexy, Chiselled, Placid, Soft, Haughty.
Rooms:
 Showcase: A small gallery for trophies, artwork or other acquisitions.
 Crew Quarters: Small, individual quarters for a several crew members.
 Lounge: Comfortable communal room, suitable for relaxation and recreation
 Studio: A small room equipped for a specific type of art.
Advancement:
Personality Milestones are usually related to popularity, charm and social networking. Example Personality Milestones include:
 Appear on galactic news media
 Achieve a goal through charm/seduction
 Tackle a violent problem using diplomacy
 Do a personal favor for someone who can’t repay you
 Incite or prevent a riot
 Meet a new faction, make a lasting first impression
 Reduce someone to tears/fill someone with spitting rage
 Have a Great standing with an diplomatic or populist faction
34
PERSONALITY SKILLS
Leadership
You have a loyal, talented, hand-picked Crew at your
command with 3 upgrades (see Crew section). Given
enough time and training, you can replace lost
members of this Crew with new NPCs.
Fame
Decide what you are famous/infamous for. Factions,
groups and people of importance always know who
you are when you meet them. Allies may use your
+Influence if they speak in your name, but they may
make you look bad.
Performance
When you engage in your chosen oratory, art or
performance, Roll+Influence or Roll+Physique. On a
7-9, choose a mental state (joy, sadness, anger, etc);
it affects most of the audience. On a 10+, as above,
and choose 1.
 You gain a keen admirer in the audience
 You are treated lavishly and with respect
 You gain temporarily have Great standing with an
interested faction
Contacts  You gain the temporary loyalty of a handful of NPCs
When you arrive in a city, station, colony or starship (temporary Crew, trait: Social)
you’ve been to in the past (your choice), name an
NPC that you know in the area, choose what faction
they belong to (if any), and give them a short
description (their job, how you met, etc). You gain a
Data Point about that person.
Subversion
As long as you have an embarrassing, damaging,
intimate or personal Data Point about an NPC, you
can Command that NPC. You can expend that Data
Point to reroll that Command roll instead of gaining
+1 to the roll.
35
SCOUNDREL
Career Path – Mettle/Expertise
The Scoundrel is the most underhanded career, using lies, violence, betrayal and
theft to achieve their goals. Scoundrel can be a benefit to other careers that live
outside the law. Military Scoundrels are raiders and space pirates, Commercial
Scoundrels are smugglers, Scoundrel Personalities are expert con-artists.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Scoundrel, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
 Sneak Attack: Strike out of nowhere, with precision. You shot first.
 Criminal: Plan and execute a crime.
 False Identity: Maintain a false identity, neutral to all Factions.
 Scapegoat: Deftly pass consequences onto someone else.
 Schemer: Betray one faction to earn Favor with another.
Descriptions:
Thick, Dapper, Sly, Meaty, Slick, Cold.
Rooms:
 Hidden Cargo: A secret cargo hold that’s hard to find by normal means.
 Escape Pod: A cramped one-man escape pod, capable of sustaining someone for a week.
 Gaming Room: A multi-purpose table suitable for gambling, card games and board games.
 Front: Made to look like an innocuous room/workspace, with an adjoining private room.
Advancement:
Scoundrel Milestones are usually related to some form of criminal activity. Example Scoundrel Milestones include:
 Participate in a heist
 Commit significant vandalism
 Use someone else’s identity
 Smuggle something or someone
 Shoot first
 Betray someone’s trust
 Escape the consequences of your actions
 Have a Great standing with a criminal or rebel faction
36
SCOUNDREL SKILLS
Criminal
When you see an opportunity, choose a crime below
and Roll + [Stat]. On 10+, you succeed. On a 7-9, you
succeed, but you come to the negative attention of
local authorities.
 Larceny: Gain a 2-value unit of Cargo
 Burglary: Gain a specific small item
 Arson: Destroy a piece of property
Sneak Attack  Assault: Hurt, embarrass, frighten or anger
When you make sudden, unexpected hostile action someone
out of nowhere, Roll+Mettle. On a 10+, choose 1. On
a 7-9, the GM picks 2 options, choose 1 of them.
 Kill someone
 Disable someone
 Capture someone
 Cause confusion/panic
Scapegoat
When you would suffer a social, legal or financial
consequence, you may name an individual or faction
and Roll+Expertise. On a 10+, you pass the
consequence on to them. On a 7-9, as above, but
they know it was you. On a 6-, you’re stuck with the
False Identity consequences, and they know what you tried to do.
You maintain a false identity, and can switch
between it and your own. The identity starts with
Neutral standing with all Factions. The identity has
its own Favor/Debt rating, unrelated to the group. It
can have a maximum of 1 Favor or Debt with each
faction; any further gain will cause gain/loss of
Standing instead. It takes significant time to
construct a new, ‘fresh’ false identity.
Schemer
If you are in Good standing with a faction, your
group does not earn Debt for the following (as long
as you are directly involved): working for the
opposite faction during a conflict, working against
their goals/philosophy, failing missions, breaking
promises, not upholding deals.
37
STARFARER
Career Path – Influence/Interface
The Starfarer career travels all over the galaxy, experiencing a multitude of
cultures and societies. The Starfarer’s ease with spaceships, vehicles and
navigation make it useful to many other careers that are on the move. Industrial
Starfarers are starship engineers, Academic Starfarers range from astrophysicists
to stellar anthropologists, Military Starfarers are fearsome space marines.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Starfarer, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
 Cosmopolitan: You learn the quirks of new societies very quickly
 Traveller: You can take on passengers to distant destinations
 Navigation: You know the best way around familiar cities and stars
 Calibrations: You know how to get the most out o.
 Personalized Vehicle:
Descriptions:
Bony, Quick, Tall, Sunny, Restless, Tolerant.
Rooms:
 Astrogation: A room-sized interactive holographic starmap, with orbital physics trajectories.
 Shuttle Bay: A space to store and maintain shuttles and fighters, equipped with a large set of airlock doors
 Low Berthing: Modest 2-person guest rooms for a dozen passengers.
 Observation Deck: A panoramic viewing room with shielded, reinforced, full-wall windows.
Advancement:
Starfarer Milestones are usually related to all manner of space travel. Example Starfarer Milestones include:
 Spend significant time living on a space station/starship
 Visit a civilized world you’ve visited before
 Travel for a long period with a dozen other passengers
 Spend an inordinate amount of time tweaking a system
 Tackle a problem using a shuttle or speeder
 Lead people into or out of a faction’s territory
 Be subjected to the effects of Cramped Quarters
 Have a Great standing with a nomadic or starfaring faction
38
STARFARER SKILLS
Traveller
When offering passage to a distant destination,
Roll+Influence. On a 10+, choose 1 reward you’ll get
for delivering them safely. On a 7-9, the GM will
choose 1.
 They belong to a local Faction (+Favor)
 They have valuable information (knowledge)
 They are willing to work (temporary crew)
 They have goods to trade (2-value cargo)
Cosmopolitan
After experiencing a society first-hand, tell the GM
one strange, unusual or interesting fact about an
aspect of that society (culture, traditions, laws,
government, economy, etc). You get 3 Data Points
about that society.
Navigation
When navigating stars or cities that are familiar to
you (you decide), choose 1.
 The trip is short and pleasant. (+2 to Cramped
Quarters rolls)
 Choose a Faction; the trip passes into their turf
 Choose a Faction; the trip avoids their turf
 Your passage goes unnoticed by those not on
Calibrations high alert
You gain 3 Data Points about a ship’s system or
vehicle when you spend the majority of your
downtime adjusting, tweaking, aligning, maintaining
and readjusting it. Your old Data Points expire if you
start lavishing attention on a different system or
vehicle.
Personalized Vehicle
You own either a Shuttle or a Speeder with 3
upgrades (see page xx). If your vehicle is ever lost,
you can abandon it and spend an extended period of
time claiming a new Shuttle or Speeder as your
Personalized Vehicle, adding an extra upgrade to it.
39
TECHNOCRAT
Career Path – Physique/Interface
The Technocrat career is the most wired-in and computer-centric of the careers,
focusing on programming, data and electronic warfare. Other careers benefit
from Technocrat’s mastery of the computer systems that run almost all of civilized
space. An Academic Technocrat’s thirst for information knows no bounds,
Technocrat Starfarers are frighteningly connected pilots, and Military Technocrats
can lead robotic soldiers as easily as humans.
Skills:
If one of your careers is Technocrat, you can choose from these Skills during character creation.
 Technophile: Dressed to kill in the highest tech suit available
 Hacking: Breach closed systems, steal their megahurtz
 Coding: Add extra effects to your Programs.
 Data Manipulation: Spread, alter or erase data on the SectorNet. Can’t stop the signal.
 Artificial Intelligence: Gain an AI NPC that lives inside computers
Descriptions:
Nearsighted, Lanky, Underfed, Smug, Awkward, Intense.
Rooms:
 Advanced Computer Core: Suited for complicated calculations and simulations
 Boosted Signal Array: Greatly increased electronic communication range.
 VR Suite: Padded, reclined seats equipped with VR headsets.
 Recreational Holo: Recreation room with holographic projector.
Advancement:
Technocrat Milestones are usually related to acquiring and sifting data. Example Technocrat Milestones include:
 Spend significant downtime browsing the SectorNet
 Automate a task or procedure
 Break into a closed computer system
 Tackle a dangerous situation using a Program
 Make something go haywire
 Spread a truth or a lie
 Gain a Codex Entry from a faction database
 Have a Great standing with a technological or secretive faction
40
TECHNOCRAT SKILLS
Technophile
You have a set of Advanced Gear with 3 common or
uncommon upgrades (see Gear section, page xx). If
your gear is ever lost or damaged, you can abandon
it and spend an extended period of time claiming a
new set of gear as your Advanced Gear, adding an
extra upgrade to it.
Hacking
When making a run on a closed, protected system,
Roll+Interface. On a 7-9, the system is now open to
you. On a 10+, as above, and you can immediately
run a Program on that system without rolling
(automatic 10+).
Coding
When you successfully Program a system, choose 1:
 You can end the Program with a word
 Lock out everyone else from this system
 You leave no traces of your passage
 Run a second program after this one
 Gain 3 Data Points about the system
Data Manipulation
Whenever you earn Data Points and have access to
the SectorNet, choose 1:
 The topic is erased, hidden, classified or
otherwise rendered difficult to access
 The topic is spread across the SectorNet and
becomes common knowledge
 Alter a pivotal fact in the topic.
Artificial Intelligence
You have the loyalty of a digital, artificial intelligence
NPC. Give it a name and 2-4 word description of its
personality. Your AI can enter open systems,
controlling them to obey complicated and subtle
Programs. Your AI can only be in one system at a
time.
41
Origins
Advanced (p36) Colonist (p37) Crowded (p38) Frontier (p39) Impoverished (p40)
Cutting Edge (Interface), Resourceful (Expertise), Affable (Influence), Hard Labor (Physique) Scrappy (Mettle),
Artificial Intelligence, Tinker, Heavy Lifting, Cosmopolitan, Bribe, Build, Survivalist, Stealth, Criminal,
Calibrations, Sabotage Custom Vehicle Contacts Medicine Recklessness
Privileged (p41) Productive (p42) Regimented (p43) Spacer (p44) Violent (p45)
Decorum (Influence), Vocation (Expertise), Disciplined (Mettle) Fine Tuning (Interface), Branded (Physique),
Luxury, Fame, Schemer Learning, Procurement, Leadership, Tactics, Coding, Repair, Toughness, Sneak
Data Manipulation Deduction Navigation Attack, Assassination
42
ADVANCED
Origin
The Advanced grew up in prosperous, high tech societies, well ahead of the galactic
technology curve, enjoying an unprecedented quality of life. Technologies and gadgets that
would be rare or fantastical elsewhere were considered commonplace.
Descriptions:
Angular, Robust, Strapping, Carefree, Lazy, Arrogant.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had an Advanced origin.
Cutting Edge Artificial Intelligence

Interacting with new, advanced technology comes You have the loyalty of a digital, artificial intelligence
naturally to you. On the other hand, dealing with NPC. Give it a name and 2-4 word description of its
old, clunky, obsolete dreck is rather aggravating. personality. Your AI can enter open systems,
You gain +1 to your Interface stat, to a maximum of controlling them to obey complicated and subtle
+2. Programs. Your AI can only be in one system at a
time.
Sabotage
Calibrations When you tamper with something (information,
You gain 3 Data Points about a ship’s system or machinery, social situations, tactical plans, etc),
vehicle when you spend the majority of your describe how you go about it and Roll+[Stat].
downtime adjusting, tweaking, aligning, maintaining On a 10+ the target of your tampering is doomed to
and readjusting it. Your old Data Points expire if you fail, just as you planned.
start lavishing attention on a different system or On a 7-9, the target of your tampering is doomed to
vehicle. fail spectacularly, horrifically or comically, at the
GM’s discretion.
43
COLONIST
Origin
The Colonists are born and raised out on the fringes of galactic civilization, living in domes,
colony pods or habitation modules, working diligently and tirelessly to terraform planets to
make them more hospitable for the next generation.
Descriptions:
Hard, Serious, Calloused, Dusky, Solid, Prudent.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Colonist origin.
Tinker
Resourceful When you fashion a useful object out of
You’re good at making do with limited resources, miscellaneous components you have at hand,
and getting the most out of what you have, making Roll+Expertise. On a 10+ choose 1. On a 7-9, as
you a bit of a hoarder. You gain +1 to your Expertise above, but there is a flaw
 A small or large melee weapon with 1 upgrade
stat, to a maximum of +2.
 A set of Gear with 1 common, non-EnviroSuit upgrade
 A grenade with 1 upgrade (single use grenade belt)
 An explosive with 1 upgrade (single use explosive satchel)
 A short-lived or single-use Gadget
Custom Vehicle Heavy Lifting

You own a Custom Land Vehicle or Walker with 3 You are trained in wearing cumbersome armor and
upgrades (see page xx). If your vehicle is ever lost, carrying heavy weights. You ignore the Clumsy tag
you can abandon it and spend an extended period of when burdened by weight or wearing heavy armors.
time claiming a new vehicle as your Custom Vehicle, You can don or remove armor in little to no time.
adding an extra upgrade to it.
44
CROWDED
Origin
The Crowded have lived their lives shoulder-to-shoulder with humanity. They come from the
cramped confines of heavily populated hive cities, underground facilities, domes and space
stations; one face among billions in the most densely overpopulated worlds.
Descriptions:
Lively, Compact, Stout, Spare, Loud, Agoraphobic.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Crowded origin.
Cosmopolitan
Affable After experiencing a society first-hand, tell the GM
You get along well with almost everyone in your
one strange, unusual or interesting fact about an
own way. You are most comfortable around others,
aspect of that society (culture, traditions, laws,
and get lonely quickly. You gain +1 to your Influence
government, economy, etc). You get 3 Data Points
stat, to a maximum of +2.
about that society.
Contacts
Bribe When you arrive in a city, station, colony or starship
Acquisition can also be used to purchase: you’ve been to in the past (your choice), name an
 Political power NPC that you know in the area, choose what faction
 Legal decisions they belong to (if any), and give them a short
 Faction involvement description (their job, how you met, etc). You gain a
 Diplomatic immunity Data Point about that person.
45
RUSTIC
Origin
The Rustic were raised on the very edges of galactic society, on the most inhospitable and
savage worlds. With only basic machinery and tools, they were forced to toil by the sweat of
their brow, shaping the hostile landscape.
Descriptions:
Wrinkled, Creaking, Rangy, Aged, Weary, Strong.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Rustic origin.
Build
Hard Labor With enough time and materials, you can give up to
You can perform long grueling hours of physical one of the following upgrades to a room, small
labor with minimal rest. You’ve collected a wide structure, or can build a small structure with that
variety of aches, pains and minor ailments from property.
doing this. You gain +1 to your Physique stat, to a  Resistant to damage/weather/elements
maximum of +2.  Tactically advantageous positions (cover, etc)
 Hidden and/or difficult to access
 Workspace (lab, workshop, hospital, etc)
Medicine
When you Patch Up a living being in a suitable
Survivalist
environment over the course of several hours, you
After experiencing a wilderness first-hand, tell the
may choose one of the following instead of the
GM one strange, unusual or interesting fact about an
normal choices.
aspect of that wilderness (animals, plants, weather,
 Remove all minor and major injuries.
terrain, hazards, etc). You gain 3 Data Points about
 Allow severe and critical injury to begin healing. that wilderness.
 Reconstruct/replace permanent injuries.
 Perform a regular Patch Up on several subjects
at the same time.
 Make permanent cosmetic alterations.
46
IMPOVERISHED
Origin
The Impoverished grew up on the margins, in the slums, in slavery and prisons and filth. They
have little to call their own, only what they could scrape and scrounge together. They’ve
fought tooth and nail to survive against oppressive conditions.
Descriptions:
Gaunt, Haggard, Sickly, Filthy, Vulgar, Fierce.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had an Impoverished origin.
Stealth
Scrappy Whenever you can move around freely and are
Life has beaten you down, but you never, ever give
unobserved, you can choose to vanish without a
up. No matter how bad things get, you rarely back
trace. While missing, you may show up in the midst
down, even when you really should. You gain +1 to
of events, as long as you can explain how you got
your Mettle stat, to a maximum of +2.
there.
Criminal
Recklessness When you see an opportunity, choose a crime below
If it’s the first time you attempt a particular and Roll + [Stat]. On 10+, you succeed. On a 7-9, you
untested, unpredictable, desperate and probably succeed, but you come to the negative attention of
dangerous act, you may choose to trust your local authorities.
beginner’s luck. Roll as normal. A 7-9 counts as a  Larceny: Gain a 2-value unit of Cargo
complete success (10+). A 6- is an especially  Burglary: Gain a specific small item
catastrophic, disastrous failure. Your allies cannot  Arson: Destroy a piece of property
Get Involved in this roll.  Assault: Hurt, embarrass, frighten or anger
someone
47
PRIVILIGED
Origin
The Privileged are the nobility of the galaxy, the elite. Their families hold great power and
influence, be it financial, political or religious. Moving in such exalted circles, wielding their
family name and power, they have grown up expecting courtesy, respect and deference.
Descriptions:
Manicured, Plump, Groomed, Snobbish, Sleek, Pompous.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Privileged origin.
Decorum Luxury
You are well versed in the rules of etiquette, civility Your clothing, belongings and quarters are all lavish
and propriety. You can carry yourself with grace in and expensive. Gain one of the following NPCs as a
formal affairs, but are ill-at-ease in casual settings. retainer: Butler, Assistant, Consort, Bodyguard or
You gain +1 to your Influence stat, to a maximum of Advisor. Name them and give them a 2-4 word
+2. description.
Fame Schemer
Decide what you are famous/infamous for. Factions, If you are in Good standing with a faction, your
groups and people of importance always know who group does not earn Debt for the following (as long
you are when you meet them. Allies may use your as you are directly involved): working for the
+Influence if they speak in your name, but they may opposite faction during a conflict, working against
make you look bad. their goals/philosophy, failing missions, breaking
promises, not upholding deals.
48
PRODUCTIVE
Origin
The Productive live in societies, cultures or groups that place high importance on education
and industry. From extremely young ages, they begin training for their destined profession,
devoting any spare time to higher education and secondary vocations.
Descriptions:
Slight, Curious, Faded, Greying, Detached, Introverted.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Productive origin.
Data Manipulation
Vocation Whenever you earn Data Points and have access to
You’ve spent many years training in a variety of the SectorNet, choose 1:
techniques and trades. Sadly, you’ve never had time  The topic is erased, hidden, classified or
for fun or relaxation. You gain +1 to your Expertise otherwise rendered difficult to access
stat, to a maximum of +2.  The topic is spread across the SectorNet and
becomes common knowledge
 Alter a pivotal fact in the topic.
Learning Procurement
When you make an Assessment, on a 10+ you gain 3 When making an Acquisition, choose 1.
Data Points about the subject, and on a 7-9 you gain  The details of the purchase are kept secret
1 Data Point. As long as you spend part of your  The item/service is especially good quality
downtime educating yourself about a subject, Data  Delivery and/or installation is fast and free
Points associated with that subject don’t expire.  They’ll ignore your Bad or Terrible standing
49
REGIMENTED
Origin
The Regimented have lived very strict lives. Whether in a militaristic society, a religious
organisation or an authoritarian government, they have been indoctrinated to the advantages
of discipline, obedience and loyalty, their lives organised and orderly.
Descriptions:
Athletic, Meditative, Sturdy, Organised, Formal, Strict.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Regimented origin.
Disciplined Leadership
You know the rules, the codes, the processes, the You have a loyal, talented, hand-picked Crew at your
scripture, the laws. They give you stability. You command with 3 upgrades (see Crew section). Given
don’t deal well with change. You gain +1 to your enough time and training, you can replace lost
Mettle stat, to a maximum of +2. members of this Crew with new NPCs.
Deduction
Tactics When you first witness a situation, you may ask one
When you roll 7-9 on an Open Fire or Launch of the following questions:
Assault, the GM does not choose consequences.  Who/what is most vulnerable in this situation?
Either you choose 1 of the consequences, or choose  Who/what is most dangerous in this situation?
to stalemate the combat; neither side gains any  What is profitable about this situation?
ground.  Who/what caused this situation?
50
GALACTIC
Origin
The Galactics are born and raised in orbital stations, starships and asteroid mining colonies.
Most have lived their whole lives among the stars, surrounded and protected by metals,
plastics, machinery and electronics, breathing recycled air and eating hydroponic food.
Descriptions:
Sharp, Guarded, Frigid, Isolated, Energetic, Graceful.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Galactic origin.
Fine Tuning Coding

You’re adept at interfacing with everything from When you successfully Program a system, choose 1:
climate controls to heuristically programmed  You can end the Program with a word
algorithmic computers. You’ve gotten quite used to  Lock out everyone else from this system
having an artificial environment set just the way  You leave no traces of your passage
you want it. You gain +1 to your Interface stat, to a  Run a second program after this one
maximum of +2.  Gain 3 Data Points about the system
Repair
When you Patch Up a machine or mechanical
Navigation components in a suitable environment over the
When navigating stars or cities that are familiar to course of several hours, you may choose one of the
you (you decide), choose 1. following instead of the normal choices.
 The trip is short and pleasant. (+2 to Cramped  Repair all minor and major damage.
Quarters rolls)  Repair a severe or critical damage.
 Choose a Faction; the trip passes into their turf  Replace permanently damaged parts
 Choose a Faction; the trip avoids their turf  Perform a regular Patch Up on several machines
 Your passage goes unnoticed by those not on at the same time.
high alert  Make permanent cosmetic alterations
51
BRUTAL
Origin
The Brutal were forged in the most volatile conditions; war zones, slavery or in barbaric,
bloodthirsty societies. Life was short and cruel, blood and pain are the norm. There was no
room for weakness or mercy, no place for honor or fair play.
Descriptions:
Tired, Disfigured, Suppressed, Cruel, Angry, Severe.
Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Brutal origin.
Branded Assassination
You have a prominent, recognisable physical mark When you want a lightly guarded or unsuspecting
(scars, burns, tattoos, prison barcode, slave brand), NPC out of the picture, describe how you arrange
as a testament to the hardships you’ve survived. their death and Roll+Mettle.
You gain +1 to your Physique stat, to a maximum of On a hit, they’re dead, and no one knows it was you.
+2. On a 7-9, they’re dead, but there may be evidence
linking it to you.
Sneak Attack
Toughness When you make sudden, unexpected hostile action
You can have 2 injuries of the same severity; the out of nowhere, Roll+Mettle. On a 10+, choose 1. On
second newly suffered injury does not increase in a 7-9, the GM picks 2 options, choose 1 of them.
severity if you already have an injury of that  Kill someone
severity.  Disable someone
 Capture someone
 Cause confusion/panic
52
LEVELING
Each career has a number of example milestones in its Advancement section. At the end of each session, if the player
has achieved a milestone similar to one of those, the player earns 1xp in that Career. The player can spend the XP
earned in a single career to gain a skill from that career. The amount of XP they need to spend is equal to their current
non-Origin skills; 3xp to earn their first new skill, then 4xp, then 5.
Note that earning XP in one’s own careers is quite easy; the skills a character starts with allows them to easily achieve a
career milestone during regular play. Achieving milestones from outside their careers will require more effort and the
ability to spot opportunities during play.
53
ITEMS, VEHICLES, CREW
When creating a character, choose one of these 4 starting packages.

Fighter Package Survivor Package
 A weapon with 2 upgrades  A weapon with 1 upgrade
 A weapon with 1 upgrade  A set of gear with 2 upgrades
 A set of gear with 1 upgrade  A set of gear with 1 upgrade
Leader Package Driver Package

 A weapon with 1 upgrade  A weapon with 1 upgrade
 A set of gear with 1 upgrade  A set of gear with 1 upgrade
 A crew with 2 upgrades  A vehicle with 2 upgrades
54
WEAPONS
There are a myriad of weapons available that can cause all kinds of harm to your enemies. Weapons fall into several
broad categories, and are further refined by upgrades. Most common weapons have 0-2 upgrades; weapons lacking
upgrades are cheap and plentiful, while weapons with 2 or more upgrades may be rare, licensed, restricted or outright
banned, depending on the sector. Some alien and relic weapons have very bizarre upgrades, not included in these lists.
A weapon will state its type (Melee, Ranged, Thrown) and a range (Grappled, Adjacent, Close, Far, Distant). They may
have other properties, like “[Two-handed]”; these are described later in this section. Weapons also have Tags, which are
most often added as an upgrade. Tags are words with “+” in front of them. These represent what the weapon is
specifically designed to do. They allow for descriptive usage, such as using a Laser weapons +Cut to slice a hole in a door.
Small Melee Large Melee Grenade Belt

[Melee: Grapple, Adjacent] [Melee: Adjacent][2-Handed] [Thrown: Close]
 Sharp: +Sever, +Bleed Default Tags: +Knockdown Default Tags: +Area
 Concealed: +Hidden  Sharp: +Sever, +Bleed  Plasma: +Burn
 Light: [Thrown: Adjacent, Close]  Hafted: +Area, +Knockback  Shredder: +Messy, +Bleed
 Shock: +Stun  Heavy: +Break Bones  High Impact: +Break Bones, +Knockback
 Energy: +Burn, +Melt  Destructive: +Property Damage  AP: +Ignores Armor, + Property Damage
 Piercing: +Pin  Energy: +Burn  Flashbang: +Stun
 Flexible: +Grab  Shock: +Stun  Concealed: +Hidden
 Glove: [Unarmed]  Piercing: +Pin  EMP: +Haywire
Small Firearm Long Firearm Large Firearm
[Ranged: Adjacent, Close] [Ranged: Close, Far][2-Handed] [Ranged: Close][2-Handed]
 Laser: +Melt, +Cut  Laser: +Melt, +Cut Default Tags: +Knockdown
 Shredder: +Bleed  Shredder: +Bleed  Plasma: +Burn
 Explosive: +Messy, +Property Damage  Explosive: +Messy, +Property Damage  Shredder: +Bleed
 AP: +Ignores Armor  Burst Fire: +Suppressive Fire  Explosive: +Messy, +Property Damage
 Concealed: +Hidden  Rapid Fire: +Area  High Impact: +Break Bones, +Knockback
 Silenced: +Silent  AP: +Ignores Armor  Grenade Launcher: +Area
 Shock: +Stun  Silenced: +Silent  AP: +Ignores Armor
 Incendiary: +Burn  Long Barrel: [Ranged: Distant]  Shock: +Stun
Sustained Heavy Weapon Launcher Heavy Weapon Explosives Satchel
[Ranged: Close, Far][2-Handed] [Ranged: Far, Distant][2-Handed] [Melee: Grapple][2-Handed][Clumsy]
[Clumsy][Ignores Armor] [Clumsy][Ignores Armor] [Timed Detonation]
Default Tags: +Suppressive Fire Default Tags: +Area, +Knockback Default Tags: +Large Area, +Property
 Laser: +Melt, +Cut  Plasma: +Burn Damage
 Plasma Fire: +Burn  Shredder: +Bleed, +Sever  Plasma: +Burn, Melt
 Shredder: +Bleed, +Sever  Breaching: +Pierces Hulls  Shredder: +Bleed, +Messy
 Breaching: +Pierces Hulls  Demolishing: +Property Damage  Breaching: +Pierces Hulls, +Ignores Armor
 Shock: +Stun  Concussive: +Stun, +Break Bones  Concussive: +Stun, +Break Bones
 Demolishing: +Property Damage  Smart: +Indirect Fire  Proximity: +Proximity Detonation
 Spray: +Area  EMP: +Haywire  Triggered: +Trigger Detonation
 Inconspicuous: +Hidden
 High Yield: +Massive Area
55
GEAR
Gear encompasses a character’s loadout; their armor, clothing, and the non-weapon contents of their pouches, belts
and backpacks. Gear can include helmets and visors with HUDs (head’s up display). All Gear is assumed to have
commercial-grade audio communicators built in, either ear pieces or wrist comms. Standard Gear has 0-2 upgrades,
though 2-upgrade Gear is expensive, complicated or specialized enough that it requires an Acquisition to purchase.
Some alien, relic or experimental sets of Gear have truly bizarre properties (gravity fields, shape-changing, personal
force fields, intelligent, etc) and are not included here
Combat Gear – 1 Armor Hazard Gear – Protects from hazardous elements

 Reinforced. +1 Armor, hard to damage  Life Support. Vacuum sealed, space worthy
 Armor Plated. +2 Armor, Clumsy  Carapace. +2 Armor, Clumsy
 Jump Jets. Long jumps, slow descent, zero-g control  Jump Jets. Long jumps, slow descent, zero-g control
 Career Kit  Career Kit
 Sensors  Sensors
Utility Gear – Career Kit Stealth Gear – Inconspicuous, stealthy clothing

 Rugged. +1 Armor, easy to repair  Meshweave. +1 Armor, looks like clothes
 Secondary Career Kit  Adaptive camo. Changes color, blends into terrain
 Additional Career Kit  Sensor void. Does not show up to scanners
 Sensors  Career Kit
 Secondary Sensors  Sensors
Career Kits
Career Kits are a collection of all the gadgets, tools and other miscellaneous pieces of gear needed for that career. If you
are wearing a set of Gear that incorporates a Career Kit, you can pull an appropriate gadget out of a pouch, back pack or
belt. Career Kits also affect the general look/style of the gear itself. It is not necessary for a character to have a career in
order to wear Gear with that career’s kit. Many kits, such as the Explorer Kit or the Industrial Kit, can be useful to anyone
in a given situation.
Academic Kit – Sterile. Medical supplies, chemical analyzers, data recorders, sealed sample containers, etc.
Clandestine Kit – Somber. Remote camera, handcuffs, electronic/mechanical locks, chloroform, etc.
Commercial Kit – Expensive, stylish, lavish, ostentatious. Jewelry, personal electronic seal, etc.
Explorer Kit – Heavy backpack. Climbing tools, grappling line, deployable tent, heat/light sticks, water filter, etc.
Industrial Kit – Straps and belts. Tools, cutters, welding torch, crowbar, cage lamp, clamps, spare parts, etc.
Military Kit – Badges and insignias. Range finder, field rations, folding shovel, sleeping bag, etc.
Personality Kit – Formal, dignified, powerful, attractive. Digital signet, holo-communicator, etc.
Scoundrel Kit – Shabby, comfortable. Recreational drugs, hidden pockets, lock picks, fake credits, etc.
Starfarer Kit – Utilitarian. Mag clamps, emergency oxygen mask, deployable tether, gas-propulsion unit, etc.
Technocrat Kit – Wired. Holo-display, connection ports, cables, diagnostic tools, integrated computer, etc.
Sensors
When selecting a Sensor, choose what element it detects (example: Radiation, heat, movement, metal, seismic activity,
etc). When active, the sensors detects the presence or absence of that element and displays on whatever visor or wrist
panel your Gear is equipped with.
56
VEHICLES
When a character builds or purchases a vehicle, they choose a base type and then can add modifications to customize it.
A vehicle can have 0-2 upgrades, and the more modifications, the rarer it is to find and more expensive it is to purchase
and maintain.
Shuttle Land vehicle

1 pilot + 1 co-pilot + 2 passengers 1 pilot +1 (bike) or +4 (car) passengers
Average speed – 2 Armor Average speed – 4 Armor
Special: Atmosphere sealed, flight, space flight, needs landing area, Special: Easy to repair, resists elements, inexpensive, land-bound
cannot hover.  Agile – Fast, capable of performing stunts
 Agile – Fast, capable of performing stunts  Armored – +2 Armor
 Armored – +2 Armor  Armed – Armed with a heavy weapon
 Armed – Armed with a heavy weapon  Transport – Room for cargo/dozen people
 Transport – Room for cargo/dozen people  Sensors – Get readings/telemetry
 Sensors – Get readings/telemetry  Stealthy – Almost invisible to sensors
 Stealthy – Almost invisible to sensors  Luxury – Comfortable, looks amazing
 Luxury – Comfortable, looks amazing  Sealed – Atmosphere sealed
 Hover – Hover, vertical take-off/landing  Workspace – Small lab/workshop
 Tool – Drill/crane/bulldozer/etc (choose 1)  Tool – Drill/crane/bulldozer/etc (choose 1)
Speeder Walker
1 pilot +1 (bike) or +4 (car) passengers 1 pilot (biped) or 1 pilot + 1 co-pilot (quadruped)
Fast speed – 1 Armor Slow speed – 3 armor
Special: Flight, hover, capable of performing stunts, vertical take- Special: Land-bound, all-terrain, short jump jets, walker, lifter claws
off/landing, fragile  Armored – +2 Armor
 Armored – +2 Armor  Armed – Armed with a heavy weapon
 Armed – Armed with a heavy weapon  Sensors – Get readings/telemetry
 Transport – Room for cargo/dozen people  Stealthy – Almost invisible to sensors
 Sensors – Get readings/telemetry  Rugged – Easy to repair, resists elements
 Stealthy – Almost invisible to sensors  Sealed – Atmosphere sealed, spaceworthy
 Luxury – Comfortable, looks amazing  Tool – Drill/crane/bulldozer/etc (choose 1)
 Sealed – Atmosphere sealed, spaceworthy  Boosters – Average speed, longer jump jets
 Tool – Drill/crane/bulldozer/etc (choose 1)
57
CREW
Crews are a group of a half-dozen NPCs who are currently following the orders of a character. A character can use the
Command move to get the Crew to perform important tasks, as long as the task is within the capabilities of the crew and
doesn’t go against their ethics/beliefs. There are four basic Crews; Squads, Techs, Gangs and Staff (see below), that can
be easily be hired in most civilized areas. Crews can have 0-2 upgrades, which increase their skillset and give more
options for Command. A Crew with 2 upgrades is highly trained and requires an Acquisition to obtain such a rare and
skilled team.
COMMAND (+Influence)
When you issue a command to a group or Crew that is inclined to follow your orders, Roll+Influence.
On a 10+, they follow those orders to the best of their ability, though they may suffer costs or complications.
On a 7-9, as above, but their disposition or effectiveness has been significantly impacted (casualties, bribed, lost, demoralized, panicked,
exhausted, disgruntled, injured, etc). This crew will not accept a new Command until those complications/issues have been dealt with.
Obtaining a New Crew

A Crew can be earned by seeking them out for a specific task. The character simply states what kind of Crew they want
(Squad, Techs, Gang, Staff). The GM is free to offer a choice of upgrades, or (if the workforce is robust enough) leave the
option open to the character. In most circumstances, a Crew with 0 or 1 upgrade can be found quite easily, but might
require Facing Adversity if the situation is tenuous or able-bodied workers are in short supply (Terrible reputation,
manpower shortage, ongoing war, plague/disease outbreak, famine, etc).
A short-term, recently hired Crew is unlikely to leave their own society/home; unless specifically hired for a long-term
voyage, once their job is done they will most likely leave the employ of the characters and return to their own lives.
Alternatively, Crews can be temporary and situational; groups of people with similar skillsets forced into cooperation
with the characters due to a crisis. They follow Commands just like hired Crews. These Crews will leave the ‘employ’ of
the characters as soon as they can safely do so.
Fleshing Out a Crew

Unlike weapons, gear and vehicles, Crew are made up of a half-dozen people, with their own names, drives, beliefs and
aspirations. When a Crew is first introduced, name and describe two or three of the crewmembers, and give them short
descriptions. Further development of these NPCs should happen during the game, with the GM prompting the Crew’s
leader or other characters to provide more detail about the crewmembers.
Losing a Crew
Crew are just as susceptible as characters to the dangers of the universe, if not more so. In addition to the panoply of
inventive and bizarre injuries and deaths out there, legal, political and personal upheavals can take one or crewmembers
out of action. A crew that has suffered too many losses can’t function until new, similar members can be found and
integrated into the group. Furthermore, if a crew is neglected, abused or mistreated, it can leave, become stubborn and
rebellious, or go into outright sabotage/mutiny, at the GM’s discretion.
58
SQUAD
The crew is disciplined and stolid. They are equipped with standard weaponry (stunner pistols, stun batons, rifles) and
can be Commanded to guard areas and engage in small-scale combat.
 Tactics: The crew fights as a unit in large-scale combat engagements. They can be Commanded to engage in
tactical warfare and take objectives.
 Armed: The crew is versed in advanced weaponry, and is equipped with the Grade 1 melee, ranged or heavy
weapons of your choice.
 Equipped: The crew is fully kitted out with advanced Gear. Choose a Grade 1 set of Gear; the entire crew is
equipped with that Gear set.
 Intimidating: The crew is imposing in some way, you decide why. The crew can be Commanded to disperse
crowds and intimidate individuals.
 Sappers: The crew knows how to handle digging equipment and explosives, and can be Commanded to destroy
structures and terrain.
 Loyalty: The crew doesn’t question orders and quickly recovers to their normal disposition. They only take
commands from you.
 Faction: The crew belongs to a faction. They can be Commanded to interact with their faction on your behalf, or
to interact with others on their faction’s behalf, but are reticent to act against the faction’s agenda.
 Artillery: The crew knows their way around vehicle, ship and artillery weapons, and can be Commanded to
bombard targets.
 Pilots: The crew can pilot a variety of vehicles, and can be Commanded to perform specific maneuvers. Vehicles
not included.
TECHS
The crew is educated and intelligent, and can be Commanded to provide technical or manual assistance to a variety of
scientific or engineering projects.
 Researchers: The crew is capable of running a lab/workspace for extended periods of time, and can be
Commanded to perform experiments and record scientific data
 Maintenance: The crew automatically provides day-to-day maintenance, and can be Commanded to repair
more serious damage over time.
 Construction: The crew can be Commanded to build small temporary structures or assist in larger construction
projects.
 Medical Training: The crew can be Commanded provide long-term medical care for convalescent patients or
assist in surgical procedures.
 Field Training: The crew is capable of performing their duty in a variety of harsh conditions. They have moderate
survival skills, and can improvise with less than ideal materials.
 Side Arms: The crew is equipped with small firearms and melee weaponry (pistols, batons, knives, etc) and can
be Commanded to engage in small-scale combat.
 Equipped: The crew is fully kitted out with advanced Gear. Choose a Grade 1 set of Gear; the entire crew is
equipped with that Gear set.
commands from you.
59
GANG
The crew is crude and self-reliant. They are equipped with a smattering of mismatched and eclectic weaponry (pistols,
shotguns, chains, knives, etc) and can be Commanded to attack people or break things.
 Armed: The crew is versed in advanced weaponry, and is equipped with the Grade 1 melee, ranged or heavy
weapons of your choice.
 Intimidating: The crew is imposing in some way, you decide why. The crew can be Commanded to disperse
crowds and intimidate individuals.
 Arsonists: The crew knows how to handle flammable materials and explosives, and can be Commanded to
destroy structures.
 Criminals: The crew has their hands in all sorts of underhanded dealings. They can be Commanded to commit
small-scale criminal activity or assist in a larger-scale crime.
 Infiltrators: The crew is able to get into places where they really shouldn’t be. They can be Commanded to break
into or sneak into restricted areas
 Construction: The crew can be Commanded to build small temporary structures or assist in larger construction
projects.
 Crazed: The crew is undisciplined and fearless. They are never afraid or intimidated and will follow the most
insane Commands, but can go too far in following orders.
 Fodder: They may be the dregs of society, but what this crew lacks in skills, it makes up for in numbers. There
are always more replacement crew members, and it would take an absolute catastrophe to wipe them all out.
STAFF
The crew is refined and professional. They can be Commanded to serve guests, keep accounts, prepare meals and
perform daily household chores.
 Beauty: The crew are gorgeous, witty and well dressed, and can be Commanded to dazzle and distract guests
with conversation or more intimate methods.
 Artists: The crew are artists, actors, dancers and/or singers, and can be Commanded to provide entertainment
for individuals or small crowds, or assist in larger entertainment productions.
 Diplomats: The crew is well-spoken and cultured, and can be Commanded to provide communication between
potentially hostile parties.
 Lawyers: The crew can be Commanded to research local laws and customs, provide legal advice and assist in
legal action against third parties.
 Infiltrators: The crew is able to get into places where they really shouldn’t be. They can be Commanded to ease
their way or charm their way into otherwise restricted areas.
 Spies: The crew keeps its eyes and ears open, and can be Commanded to collect gossip and observations and
report them back to you.
 Side Arms: The crew is equipped with small firearms and melee weaponry (pistols, batons, knives, etc) and can
be Commanded to engage in small-scale combat.
commands from you.
60
STARSHIPS
Bridge Engineering
The Bridge is the center of operations for the ship. It has The Engineering section is the core of the ship. It has the
the following stations: following stations:
 Piloting: The person manning this Station can perform  Generator: The person manning this station can Get
Moves that displace the ship, such as evasive Involved in the actions of other stations by redirecting
maneuvers, escapes, weaving through debris, taking power, and can repair and maintain the power core of
off or landing in harsh conditions, etc the ship.
 Sensors: The person manning this Station can perform  Shields: The person manning this station can Patch Up
Moves that rely on awareness through the ship’s depleted Shields and can Program it to provide case-
senses. Assessing Situations, examining phenomena, specific shielding.
etc
 Life Support: This station handles the air filters, water
 Comms: The person manning this Station can and matter recycling and gravity engines. It is not
Command followers in any part of the Ship as well as usually directly used, but must be kept repaired and
use the communications array. maintained.
 Primary Weapon: The person manning this Station can  Reactors: While the ship’s movement is controlled
fire the weapon mounted on it (see the Weapons from the Bridge, any stress or damage to the reactors
section below) is assessed and repaired from here.
 Point Defense Guns: The person manning this Station  Servo Arm Control: This station allows the ship’s
can fire the weapon mounted on it (see the Weapons servo-arm to grab and manipulate nearby objects
section below)
 Launcher Station: The person manning this station can
launch the heavy weaponry mounted on it (see the
Weapons section below)
Stations
The ship has multiple stations, which can have on person operating them at a time. Each station allows its operator to
perform actions through the ship; the Piloting station allows the operator to pilot the ship, the Shield station allows its
operator to monitor and maintain the shields, etc. A character on the Bridge can move between stations on the Bridge;
but moving between the Bridge and Engineering takes time.
Actions
The characters operate the ship as an extension of themselves, but can only perform those actions through the
appropriate Stations. The pilot moves the ship, the sensors can be used to look around, eavesdrop and watch for
trouble, the comms can converse and command, etc. Rolls are made by the characters, using that character’s own stats,
to perform risky actions through the ship.
Combat
Ship combat is handled much like any other threat or hazardous situation; each enemy ship encounter is a multi-piece
puzzle presented by the GM (defeat the shields, defeat their weapons/engines/hull, evade their attacks, etc). The GM
starts by describing the obvious threats presented by the hostile ship. The players use the tools provided by their own
ship (weapons, sensors, shields, piloting, etc) to overcome the challenges presented by the fight.
61
FACE ADVERSITY
When you act while faced with opposition or danger, describe how Roll… If you are trying to overcome the
you overcome it and Roll+Stat. On a 10+ you overcome the danger. problem using…
On a 7-9, the danger can be overcome, but at a price; the GM will
offer you a minor consequence, a cost or a hard choice. Aim, Courage, Discipline, Nerves,
+Mettle Stealth, Daring, Tactics, Reflexes
Face Adversity is the most commonly used Move. It represents a
character attempting something that has dangerous consequences Strength, Stamina, Speed, Melee,
or something simple made dangerous by outside forces (or both).
+Physique Agility, Partying, Good Looks, Sex
The character should only be called to Face Adversity if the Knowledge, Education,
consequences of the action are important. Often, a situation will +Expertise Craftsmanship, Cunning, Wit
require a charcter to Face Adversity before attempting another
move (climbing a control tower before hacking the signal, crossing a Charm, Diplomacy, Deception,
minefield before engaging an enemy, etc). Furthermore, a partially +Influence Oratory, Leadership, Politics, Art
successful or failed Move could force the character to Face Adversity
as well, creating a chain of danger they have to overcome.
Technology, Robotics,
+Interface Programming, Computers
The +Stat roll means that a character uses the stat most appropriate
for the situation and for their own description. See the sidebar for
which stat to use.
Since it covers every action that is not covered by another Move, the GM will most often call a character to Face
Adversity; when in doubt, Face Adversity.
EXAMPLE:
Player: “I’m going to move stealthily through the air ducts and drop down into the cargo bay, behind some crates.”
GM: “There are a few crewmembers around who might spot you and raise the alarm (stating the consequence for
failure). Face Adversity using your Mettle”
Player: “I have +1 Mettle so that’s… 8”
GM: “A partial success. You drop down out of the air duct and land right next to a junior tech crouching amid the crates,
scanning their ID codes into her data pad. She’s boggling at you like a deer in the headlights. She’s no physical threat;
stick thin, barely out of that awkward acne phase, not even armed… but she’s about to scream and raise hell. You still
have a split second to act, to ensure that your infiltration doesn’t raise an alarm. What do you do? (The GM should
always ask this.)
At this point, things could go a number of ways, which triggers further Face Adversity. For example:
 If the character chooses to silently take her down (choke hold, snapping her neck, silenced pistol at point blank
range, etc), it’ll be a test of speed and strength, and the character would roll +Physique.
 If the character chooses to try to talk her down (bribe, diplomacy, charm, intimidation), it’ll be a test of social
ability, so the character would roll +Influence.
 If the character opts to just leg it, abandoning the stealthy approach, there’s no need to roll just yet: in this
instance, the character is deciding to cut their losses, making their partially successful stealth attempt a failure
(instead of trying to salvage it and risking compounding the failure). However, the raised alarm will obviously
create a new set of Adversity to Face very soon.
62
GET INVOLVED
After an ally performs a Move that is not a full success (10+), they
Roll… If you are trying to help using…
may describe what you can do to help them. If you do so, Roll+[Stat].
On a 10+, upgrade their result by a category; a failure (6-) becomes a
partial success, and a partial success (7-9) becomes a full success. On Aim, Courage, Discipline, Nerves,
+Mettle Stealth, Daring, Tactics, Reflexes
a 7-9, as above, but you incur costs, problems or consequences for
your troubles.
Strength, Stamina, Speed, Melee,
Get Involved allows a character to help another when things go bad.
+Physique Agility, Partying, Good Looks, Sex
As the name implies, it requires a direct involvement of the one
providing the help, which means they may also share in any Knowledge, Education,
consequences of the primary Move. Most importantly, the +Expertise Craftsmanship, Cunning, Wit
consequences for a partially successful or failed Get Involved apply
in addition to any consequences incurred by being involved in the Charm, Diplomacy, Deception,
main Move. Furthermore, a failed Get Involved can actually hinder a +Influence Oratory, Leadership, Politics, Art
partially successful Move. Getting Involved can be very risky, but it
can also be a lifesaver.
Technology, Robotics,
+Interface Programming, Computers
A character only rolls a Get Involved after finding out the result of
their ally’s roll. They can be present and helping beforehand,
narratively, but they don’t need to risk a roll unless they feel it necessary. A character that is not present, unaware of the
problem, or is otherwise occupied usually can’t Get Involved. Any number of characters can Get Involved, as long as
they’re reasonably able.
After the main roll, the GM can offer suggestions as to what another player could do to help, or can leave it up to the
characters. Describing how the character Gets Involved is very important: it determines the +Stat used for the roll. See
the sidebar for guidelines.
EXAMPLE:
Doctor: I wince, ignoring my own wound, and begin surgery on the incapacitated officer. *Roll* Argh, 5!
Soldier: I can see that the Doctor is too shaky to do it, but she has the knowledge. I gently but firmly take the tools from
her and demand that she direct me. I may only have basic field first aid training, but I have steadier hands at the
moment. (Note that a player shouldn’t come right out and say “I’m using Mettle”, though it’ll often be obvious which
+Stat applies)
GM: Alright, Get Involved using your Mettle.
Soldier: *Roll* 6! +2 for my Mettle, that makes 8. So the surgery is a partial success and you also get a consequence for
the Get Involved
Pilot: I’m going to Get Involved as well to make the surgery a full success.
GM: Aren’t you piloting the ship? What are you suddenly doing in the medbay?
Pilot: Oh yeah. Never mind.
GM: Soldier, you follow the instructions well enough, yet make a number of small but costly mistakes, and end up using
a significant amount of the medbay’s supply of blood packs and derma-regen patches. You’ll need to restock next time
you reach a market that supplies medical facilities (the consequence of the Get Involved’s partial success). You’ve
managed the surgery, but any more surgery will do more harm than good; he’ll have to heal the rest naturally or you’ll
have to get him to a proper hospital (the consequence of a partially successful Patch Up move).
63
GET INVOLVED (+Stat)

After an ally performs a Move that is not a full success (10+), they may describe what you can do to help them. If you do
so, Roll+[Stat]. On a 10+, upgrade their result by a category; a failure (6-) becomes a partial success, and a partial success
(7-9) becomes a full success. On a 7-9, as above, but you incur costs, problems or consequences for your troubles.
Get Involved allows players to help each other when things go bad. As the name implies, it requires a direct involvement
of the one providing the help, which means they also share in any consequences of the primary Move. Most
importantly, the consequences for a partially successful or failed Get Involved apply in addition to any consequences
incurred by being involved in the main Move. Getting Involved can be very risky, but it can also be a lifesaver.
The +Stat roll means that a character uses the stat most appropriate for the situation and for their own description.
64
GM Moves:
 Use a Faction move
 Make something malfunction
 Cause collateral damage
 Cause Harm
 Foreshadow a looming threat
 Reveal an immediate danger
 Divulge troubling information
 Expend their resources
 Present a vexing choice
 Declare a cost and let them choose
Faction Moves:
 Get drawn in
 Interfere
 Demand tribute
 Seize by force or guile
 Lay a claim
 Make a show of strength
 Withdraw or retreat
Detailed Basic Moves

Ship Sections

Uncharted Worlds: Design Doc v0.83

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1

The ship is a home, the crew a dysfunctional family

Debt makes the galaxy go ‘round

Paint in primary colors Be a fan of the player characters

See page xx for more about prompts.

Act with conviction

Act as your character

Weave an awesome narrative

Respect player boundaries

Respect GM’s role

Step 1. The GM sets the scene.

Step 3. Make a Move.

Step 4. The GM refreshes the scene.

The stats are:

BRACE FOR IMPACT (+Armor)

Source Example of Injury Healing Time

DEBT AND FAVOR

BARTER (+no bonus)

On a 10+ you overcome the opposition or danger, just as you described.

BRACE FOR IMPACT (+Armor)

On a 13+, the severity is reduced by two.

On a 10+, you achieve your objective.

LAUNCH ASSAULT (+Physique)

On a 10+, you achieve your objective.

On a 10+, choose 1 from the list below

Random Faction generator (roll 6d6)

FULL CHARACTER CREATION

Step I: Create Archetype – Combine 2 Careers

Step II: Choose Origin

Step III: Choose Skills

Step IV: Distribute Stats

Step V: Choose Descriptions

Step VI: Choose Rooms

Step VII: Define Iconic Gadget

Step VIII: Choose Starting Equipment

Fighter Package Survivor Package

Leader Package Driver Package

The Clandestine career is a sinister profession, relying on information and

The Military career is a specialist of combat, with a heavy reliance on command,

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had an Advanced origin.

Cutting Edge Artificial Intelligence

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Colonist origin.

Custom Vehicle Heavy Lifting

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Crowded origin.

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Rustic origin.

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had an Impoverished origin.

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Privileged origin.

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Productive origin.

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Regimented origin.

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Galactic origin.

Fine Tuning Coding

Skills: Choose 1 of these skills if you’ve had a Brutal origin.

ITEMS, VEHICLES, CREW

When creating a character, choose one of these 4 starting packages.

Leader Package Driver Package

Small Melee Large Melee Grenade Belt

Combat Gear – 1 Armor Hazard Gear – Protects from hazardous elements

Utility Gear – Career Kit Stealth Gear – Inconspicuous, stealthy clothing

Shuttle Land vehicle

Obtaining a New Crew

Fleshing Out a Crew

GET INVOLVED (+Stat)

Detailed Basic Moves