Publisher: Sine Nomine Publishing
Introduction
Stars Without Number – Distant Lights: Creating Borderworld Outposts is a supplement for the sci-fi role-playing game Stars Without Number, written by Kevin Crawford and published by Sine Nomine Publishing. Stars Without Number is a game that combines classic sci-fi tropes with sandbox-style gameplay, allowing players and gamemasters to create their own worlds and stories in a vast and diverse galaxy. Distant Lights is a book that focuses on one of the most intriguing aspects of sci-fi: the exploration and colonization of remote and isolated planets, known as borderworlds.
Distant Lights provides tools and guidelines for creating and exploring borderworld outposts, which are small settlements that serve as bases for trade, research, mining, or other activities. The book covers topics such as the types and features of outposts, the challenges and opportunities they present, the factions and NPCs that inhabit them, and the adventures and scenarios that can arise from them. The book is intended for both players and gamemasters who want to add more depth and variety to their sci-fi campaigns, especially those who enjoy sandbox-style gaming.
Content
The book consists of six chapters, each covering a different aspect of borderworld outposts. The chapters are:
- Chapter 1: Outpost Creation. This chapter provides a step-by-step process for generating outposts, including their location, size, purpose, population, culture, technology, economy, security, and environment. The chapter also includes tables and examples for each step, as well as tips and advice for making outposts interesting and unique.
- Chapter 2: Outpost Life. This chapter describes the daily life and activities of outpost inhabitants, such as their occupations, hobbies, beliefs, customs, relationships, conflicts, and aspirations. The chapter also explores the social dynamics and power structures of outposts, such as the roles and responsibilities of leaders, factions, and outsiders.
- Chapter 3: Outpost Encounters. This chapter offers a collection of random encounters that can happen in or around outposts, such as accidents, crimes, disasters, events, visitors, threats, and opportunities. The chapter also provides guidelines for creating your own encounters based on the outpost’s features and situation.
- Chapter 4: Outpost Adventures. This chapter presents a series of adventure hooks and scenarios that can be used to start or expand a campaign involving outposts. The chapter also includes suggestions for adapting the adventures to different settings and genres.
- Chapter 5: Outpost Resources. This chapter lists various resources that can be found or acquired in outposts, such as equipment, vehicles, services, contacts, information, secrets, and rewards. The chapter also includes rules for trading and bartering in outposts.
- Chapter 6: Outpost Examples. This chapter showcases four sample outposts that can be used as inspiration or reference for your own creations. The sample outposts are:
- Fortune’s End, a mining outpost on a barren asteroid that is plagued by pirates and rival corporations.
- New Eden, a religious outpost on a lush jungle planet that is hiding a dark secret.
- Orion Station, a research outpost on a gas giant’s moon that is studying an ancient alien artifact.
- Red Sands, a military outpost on a desert planet that is facing a rebellion from the native population.
Evaluation
Distant Lights is a well-written and well-designed book that offers a wealth of ideas and options for creating and exploring borderworld outposts. The book is easy to use and compatible with any sci-fi setting or genre. The book is also full of illustrations and maps that enhance the presentation and immersion.
The book’s strengths are its creativity and versatility. The book provides a lot of tools and guidelines for generating outposts that are diverse and distinctive. The book also encourages customization and improvisation by giving tips and advice for modifying or expanding the content to suit your preferences and needs.
The book’s weaknesses are its brevity and simplicity. The book is relatively short (64 pages) compared to other supplements for Stars Without Number. The book also does not go into much detail or depth on some topics that could have been explored further, such as the history and politics of borderworlds or the effects of isolation and hardship on outpost inhabitants.
Overall, Distant Lights is an excellent supplement for Stars Without Number that adds more flavor and fun to sci-fi gaming. Whether you are looking for inspiration or guidance for creating your own borderworld outposts or you just want to enjoy some ready-made adventures in exotic locations, Distant Lights has something for you.
Conclusion
Stars Without Number – Distant Lights: Creating Borderworld Outposts is a supplement that provides tools and guidelines for creating and exploring remote settlements in space. The book covers topics such as the types and features of outposts, the challenges and opportunities they present, the factions and NPCs that inhabit them, and the adventures and scenarios that can arise from them. The book is intended for both players and gamemasters who want to add more depth and variety to their sci-fi campaigns, especially those who enjoy sandbox-style gaming.
The book is well-written and well-designed, offering a wealth of ideas and options for generating outposts that are diverse and distinctive. The book is also easy to use and compatible with any sci-fi setting or genre. The book’s main drawbacks are its brevity and simplicity, as it does not go into much detail or depth on some topics that could have been explored further.
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