Publisher: Sine Nomine Publishing
Suns of Gold: Merchant Campaigns for Stars Without Number is a supplement book for the popular sci-fi roleplaying game Stars Without Number. It adds new rules and options for creating and running mercantile adventures in a vast and diverse galaxy. Whether you want to trade exotic goods, build an interstellar business empire, or colonize new worlds, this book has something for you. In this review, I will examine the main features and benefits of Suns of Gold, as well as some of its drawbacks and limitations.
Trading System
One of the core aspects of Suns of Gold is the trading system, which allows players to buy and sell goods across different planets and sectors. The book provides a detailed list of trade goods, each with its own base price, availability, legality, and demand modifiers. The book also explains how to generate trade worlds, which are planets that have a specific trade focus and offer special opportunities or challenges for merchants. For example, a trade world might be a hub of smuggling activity, a center of cultural exchange, or a source of rare resources.
The trading system is designed to be simple and flexible, but also realistic and immersive. The book encourages players to consider various factors that affect the trade market, such as supply and demand, local laws and customs, transport costs and risks, and competition and conflict. The book also offers tips and advice on how to negotiate deals, handle disputes, and avoid scams. The trading system is not meant to be a simulation of real-world economics, but rather a tool for creating interesting and varied scenarios for the players.
Business Management
Another important feature of Suns of Gold is the business management system, which allows players to create and run their own interstellar enterprises. The book provides rules and guidelines for establishing a business, hiring employees, managing finances, expanding operations, and dealing with competitors. The book also introduces several types of businesses that players can choose from, such as freight haulers, smugglers, explorers, colonizers, manufacturers, brokers, and more.
The business management system is designed to be fun and rewarding, but also challenging and risky. The book encourages players to balance their income and expenses, plan their strategies and goals, and cope with unexpected events and crises. The book also offers suggestions and examples on how to integrate the business into the campaign plot, such as creating rivals, allies, customers, suppliers, regulators, and enemies. The business management system is not meant to be a tedious accounting exercise, but rather a way for players to express their creativity and ambition.
Colonization Rules
A third major feature of Suns of Gold is the colonization rules, which allow players to explore and settle new worlds. The book provides rules and procedures for finding habitable planets, surveying their resources and dangers, establishing colonies, developing infrastructure, attracting settlers, and defending against threats. The book also introduces several types of colonies that players can choose from, such as mining outposts, agricultural settlements, research stations, military bases, and more.
The colonization rules are designed to be exciting and adventurous, but also complex and demanding. The book encourages players to consider the various challenges and opportunities that come with colonizing new worlds, such as environmental hazards, alien encounters, cultural conflicts, political issues, and ethical dilemmas. The book also offers guidance and inspiration on how to make the colonies relevant and meaningful for the campaign story, such as creating factions, quests, secrets, and mysteries. The colonization rules are not meant to be a simple land grab, but rather a way for players to shape the future of the galaxy.
Pros and Cons
Suns of Gold is a well-written and well-designed supplement that adds a lot of depth and variety to the Stars Without Number game. It offers many options and possibilities for players who want to engage in mercantile activities and explore the economic aspects of the sci-fi setting. It also provides useful tools and resources for GMs who want to create rich and diverse trade worlds and colonies for their campaigns.
However, Suns of Gold is not without its flaws and limitations. Some of the rules and systems might be too complex or cumbersome for some groups, especially those who prefer a more streamlined or action-oriented style of play. Some of the content and concepts might be too generic or familiar for some groups, especially those who seek a more unique or original flavor of sci-fi. Some of the scenarios and situations might be too difficult or unrealistic for some groups, especially those who expect a more balanced or fair outcome of their actions.
Conclusion
Suns of Gold is a valuable addition to the Stars Without Number game, especially for those who enjoy trading, business, and colonization themes. It expands the scope and scale of the game, allowing players to experience and influence the economic dynamics of the galaxy. It also enhances the depth and diversity of the game, creating more opportunities and challenges for the players. Suns of Gold is not a perfect supplement, but it is a worthwhile one.
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