Publisher: Sine Nomine Publishing

Introduction

Polychrome is a supplement for the science fiction roleplaying game Stars Without Number, written by Kevin Crawford and published by Sine Nomine Publishing. The book introduces a cyberpunk setting, where the player characters are hackers, mercenaries, rebels, or criminals who operate in a dystopian world dominated by megacorporations, artificial intelligence, and cybernetics. The book provides new rules, options, and tools for creating and running cyberpunk adventures, as well as several sample factions and scenarios to inspire the game master.

Content

The book is divided into five chapters, each covering a different aspect of cyberpunk adventures. The chapters are:

Chapter 1: Cyberpunk Characters. This chapter presents new character creation options for cyberpunk adventures, such as backgrounds, skills, foci, and equipment. It also provides rules for cyberware, which are enhancements or replacements of body parts or functions with technology. Cyberware can grant various benefits, but also have drawbacks such as cost, maintenance, and humanity loss.
Chapter 2: Cyberpunk Worlds. This chapter offers a method for creating and describing cyberpunk worlds, such as megacities, arcologies, slums, and wastelands. It also includes tables for generating random features and events for each type of world.
Chapter 3: Cyberpunk Factions. This chapter details six sample factions that can be used as allies, enemies, or rivals in a cyberpunk adventure. Each faction has its own history, goals, assets, and secrets, as well as a list of potential plot hooks and complications. The factions are: The Black Network, The Chrome Legion, The Data Haven, The Elysium Foundation, The Neon Syndicate, and The Omega Protocol.
Chapter 4: Cyberpunk Missions. This chapter provides a variety of cyberpunk missions that can be used to generate adventure ideas or fill in gaps between major events in a cyberpunk adventure. The missions are categorized by type (combat, hacking, infiltration, investigation, etc.) and difficulty (easy, moderate, hard), and include brief descriptions, objectives, complications, rewards, and consequences.
Chapter 5: Cyberpunk Scenarios. This chapter contains four ready-to-play scenarios that can be used as standalone adventures or integrated into a larger cyberpunk adventure. Each scenario has a premise, a background, a map, a list of key NPCs and factions, a sequence of scenes, and possible outcomes. The scenarios are: The Brain Heist, The Corporate War, The Ghost in the Machine, and The Netrunner’s Gambit.

Evaluation

Polychrome is an excellent supplement for Stars Without Number that adds a new dimension and flavor to the game. It captures the essence and style of cyberpunk fiction, with its themes of technology, society, identity, and rebellion. The book is well-written and organized, with clear explanations and examples. The book also has a lot of creativity and variety, with rich details and illustrations that evoke the atmosphere and mood of cyberpunk. The book is compatible with the core rules of Stars Without Number, as well as other supplements such as Skyward Steel: Naval Campaigns for Stars Without Number (which focuses on space warfare) and Skyward Steel: Starvation Cheap (which focuses on planetary warfare). However, the book can also be used with other science fiction roleplaying games with some adaptation.

Conclusion

Polychrome is a highly recommended supplement for anyone who wants to run or play in a cyberpunk adventure for Stars Without Number. It provides everything you need to create thrilling and immersive adventures in a dark and gritty future. Whether you want to hack into corporate networks and steal secrets, fight against oppressive regimes and corrupt corporations, explore the mysteries and dangers of cyberspace and artificial intelligence, or simply survive in a harsh and unforgiving world, Polychrome has something for you.

Polychrome: Cyberpunk Adventure for Stars Without Number on DrivethruRpg