Stars Without Number is a sci-fi RPG set in the 33rd century, where humanity’s empire has fallen. Players explore a shattered galaxy, uncovering secrets and rebuilding civilization. The free PDF edition provides everything needed for a complete campaign, offering a sandbox-style adventure with tools for both players and GMs to create thrilling interstellar stories.
Overview of the Game
Stars Without Number is a science fiction role-playing game set in the 33rd century, where humanity’s vast empire has collapsed. Players take on the roles of interstellar adventurers, exploring a fragmented galaxy, uncovering ancient secrets, and rebuilding civilization. The game emphasizes sandbox-style play, offering tools for both players and game masters to create unique stories and adventures. With a focus on exploration, diplomacy, and combat, Stars Without Number provides a flexible framework for sci-fi storytelling, allowing players to forge their own paths in a richly detailed universe.
Core Mechanics of Stars Without Number
Stars Without Number uses a d20-based system for skill checks and attribute rolls. Saving throws are categorized into Physical, Evasion, and Mental, streamlining conflict resolution in a sci-fi context.
Dice System and Skill Checks
Stars Without Number employs a d20-based dice system for skill checks and attribute rolls. Players roll a d20, add their skill level and relevant attribute modifier, aiming to meet or exceed a target number (typically 6, 8, or 10). This system ensures dynamic and unpredictable outcomes, keeping gameplay engaging. For attribute checks, 2d6 are rolled, and the modifier is added, allowing for quick resolutions. Skill checks are central to problem-solving, exploration, and combat, making them a versatile tool for shaping the story and overcoming challenges in the game.
Attribute Checks and Saving Throws
Attribute Checks in Stars Without Number are resolved by rolling 2d6 and adding the relevant attribute modifier. This system allows for quick and straightforward resolutions to ability-based challenges. Saving Throws are divided into three categories: Physical, Evasion, and Mental. These throws are essential for overcoming adverse effects, avoiding threats, and resisting mental influences. The game’s design ensures that these mechanics are intuitive and seamlessly integrated into gameplay, providing a balanced and engaging experience for players as they navigate the challenges of the sci-fi universe.
The Setting and Background
The game is set in the 33rd century, following the collapse of a galactic empire. The Jump Gates fell, causing isolation, but humanity now rebuilds and explores again.
History of the Stars Without Number Universe
The Stars Without Number universe is set in the 33rd century, 600 years after the collapse of a vast interstellar empire. The fall of the Jump Gates severed connections between colonies, plunging the galaxy into the “Silence,” an era of isolation. Humanity survived on scattered worlds, developing diverse cultures and civilizations. Now, as the Silence fades, explorers and adventurers reconnect the stars, uncovering ancient secrets and rebuilding lost technologies. This rich history provides a backdrop for exploration, conflict, and discovery, shaping the adventures of players in the game.
Factions and Key Players
The Stars Without Number universe is shaped by diverse factions vying for power. The Terran Concord seeks to rebuild a centralized government, while the Azure Pact focuses on technological advancement. The Iron Communion, a collective of sentient machines, pursues its enigmatic agenda. Religious groups like the Church of the Stellar Divinity wield influence, blending faith and power. These factions, along with rogue corporations and pirate organizations, create a dynamic political landscape. Players can align with or oppose these groups, influencing the balance of power in the galaxy and shaping their own destinies among the stars.
Character Creation and Development
Stars Without Number offers diverse character classes, such as the astrotech, lostworlder, and psychic. Players customize attributes, skills, and backgrounds, with progression focused on enhancing abilities and unlocking new possibilities through experience and exploration.
Classes and Character Progression
Stars Without Number features distinct classes like the astrotech, lostworlder, and psychic, each offering unique abilities and playstyles. Character progression is driven by experience points, allowing players to enhance skills, attributes, and special talents. The system emphasizes flexibility, enabling customization to suit individual preferences. Players can tailor their characters to excel in specific roles or adopt a more versatile approach. The game also supports seamless integration of optional rules and expansions, providing GMs with tools to refine progression and adapt the system to their campaign’s needs for a rich, dynamic experience.
Supplements and Additional Content
The Codex of the Black Sun introduces space magic and sorcery, while other supplements like Mandate Archives expand the game with new ships, factions, and adventures, enriching the sci-fi experience.
The Codex of the Black Sun and Other Supplements
The Codex of the Black Sun is a key supplement for Stars Without Number, introducing space magic and sorcery into the game. It offers tools for integrating magic seamlessly, including tables for social attitudes toward sorcery and practical tips for GMs. Additionally, the Mandate Archives series provides detailed content like the Bruxelles-Class Battlecruiser and Cabals of Hydra Sector, expanding the game with new ships, factions, and adventures. These supplements enhance the sci-fi experience, allowing players and GMs to explore more diverse and immersive stories within the Stars Without Number universe.
PDF Versions and Availability
Stars Without Number is available in both free and paid PDF versions. The free edition includes everything needed for a complete campaign, while the paid version offers additional content and resources, available on platforms like DriveThruRPG.
Free vs. Paid Versions
The Stars Without Number RPG is available in both free and paid PDF versions. The free edition provides everything needed to play, including core rules, character creation, and setting details, making it accessible to everyone. The paid version, available on platforms like DriveThruRPG, includes additional content such as expanded rules, enhanced artwork, and supplementary materials like The Codex of the Black Sun for deeper gameplay. While the free version is comprehensive, the paid edition offers a richer, more polished experience for dedicated players and GMs.
Tools and Resources
Official character sheets, form-fillable PDFs, and campaign management tools enhance gameplay. Resources like dice rollers and digital platforms streamline adventures, supporting both players and GMs effectively.
Character Sheets and Campaign Management
Official character sheets for Stars Without Number are available as downloadable PDFs, including form-fillable versions for easy digital use. Players can track stats, skills, and equipment efficiently. Additionally, a dedicated character sheet website built with ASP.Net offers streamlined creation and management. Campaign management tools include resources for organizing adventures, NPCs, and world-building. These tools enhance both player and GM experiences, providing structured yet flexible options for managing complex sci-fi campaigns. The game also supports integration with digital platforms, making remote play and organization seamless for modern tabletop enthusiasts.
Community and Reception
Stars Without Number has cultivated a dedicated community, with players and GMs actively sharing resources and strategies. The game is widely praised for its versatility and depth, attracting both veteran RPG enthusiasts and newcomers. Its free PDF version has been instrumental in its popularity, making it accessible to a broad audience. Online forums and social media groups host lively discussions, showcasing custom content and campaign ideas. The availability of tools like character generators and campaign management aids further enhances community engagement. This vibrant ecosystem underscores the game’s enduring appeal and its place in the sci-fi RPG landscape.
Stars Without Number stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of sci-fi RPGs, offering a rich, sandbox-style experience for players and GMs alike. Its free PDF version ensures accessibility, while the deluxe edition provides enhanced content for dedicated fans. The game’s versatility, backward compatibility, and active community support make it a staple in the genre. With its blend of exploration, adventure, and strategic depth, Stars Without Number continues to inspire countless campaigns and stories, solidifying its place as a modern classic in tabletop gaming.