This looks very cool and I love your commitment to the vibe. My mind immediately conjured a MIDI soundscape while I was reading it. I will definitely read it when you put it out. Thank you for sharing!

Also, what term are you using for the gamemaster? I see KC referenced but couldn’t find a definition. I suspect it is ‘knight’ something.

Traveller Discord?

As the others have said, I just straight talk with my players. I don’t mind if they take a different direction and I honestly enjoy when they take the initiative to do what they want. I don’t try to force them back onto the railroad track, but I will save bits of whatever they would have encountered for later (especially if I’ve already prepped it!).

If, however, they are taking that exit because I gave them the wrong directions, I will try to get them back on track. I don’t consider this railroading, but nudging them in a direction. My players are willing participants in the adventure, but they don’t always pick up subtle clues. If they need some more-obvious direction, I try my best to do that without taking away their freedom of choice.

I am learning Traveller as well but have not taken on the starship combat yet. This looks much better than similar designs I’ve seen. I also like the general aesthetic. I will try it out with my group and see how it works. Thank you for sharing!

This is excellent. Most of the answers here are what game to play, in other words, what mechanics can be used to force the horror feeling. This is purely about narrative, which can apply to any system. Thank you for sharing.

That paperclip looks about as handmade as the map!

Convoy escort is a good one. It’s the sci-fi equivalent of caravan guard of fantasy trope fame.

I saw a Star Trek RPG sourcebook that focuses on a not Starfleet campaign. Hell if I can remember what it was called or who made it though.

Putting aside game system and mechanics, I enjoy Traveller, Numenera, and Shadowrun, sure. But none of those can compete with Star Wars as a sci-fi setting.

Edit: Honorable mention to Star Trek.

Looks cool and I like the art style. I would host an adventure in this.

Yes, I agree. As far as I can tell, these are compiled by an actual human, Darryl Mott, and the quality shows.

Thank you for pursuing making the community. I am willing to talk about Traveller and other sci-fi themed topics.

I’m mostly in the same boat as you. I have tried several times to get into Critical Role since everyone raves about it, plus a few others. It’s not for me. I suppose it’s because I don’t have any emotional connection with the actual play where I would have that investment with my own game. I will say that I did enjoy Dungeons & Daddies though, but that show is more like listening to a comedy podcast about fantasy rather than an actual play.

Thanks for taking the time to write that.

I bought the PDFs when they were on sale but have not yet played. This was helpful, thanks!

I haven’t played in person seriously for many years. We’re starting a new in-person group here soon, so I’m going to have to figure something out. I have a boatload of 3 ring binders so I will probably do the clear sleeve thing like you do, Mike. And then promptly pull them all out to spread around the table because I am a loose-leaf person at heart.

Damn that’s kinda great.

I really enjoyed the D&D 3rd Edition days, with the popcorn of d20-based games. Star Wars d20, d20 Modern, and the Sword & Sorcery Ravenloft were all great fun. The best part is that it was super easy to get your group to try new things, because the mechanics were all similar, if not exactly the same. People like to hate on D&D, but it’s consistently been a great base to start from and inspiration for a multitude of other games.