“Try Before You Buy” is an occasional segment of Astral Projections. It spotlights free (or nearly free) supplements, quick-start rules, and modules for various RPGs.
This is the second Mōdiphiüs Entertainment free collection of adventure outlines for Star Trek Adventures. The fifteen page PDF has ten episode outlines centered around various sorts of disasters a ship’s crew might face. The titular “disasters” is used a bit loosely. Some scenarios are what I’d call literal disasters – of “This planet/species is doomed!” or “The ship canna take it anymore (because it’s falling apart)!” types. Others are simply more or less serious situations, some of which could be lethal or have long-term diplomatic consequences if handled badly.
Most, if not all, of the missions involve familiar Star Trek tropes, sometimes more than one. Computer/AI With Major Issues – Check. Super Advanced Kids Causing Trouble – Check. Strange New Plague – Yes, there’s one. Troubled and/or Troublesome Officers – They just beamed aboard your vessel. Spectacular Transporter Malfunction – Wouldn’t be Star Trek without one.
Briefs 002 Disasters is intended for The Next Generation/Deep Space 9 Era but most can be set in others. The “Adding this Mission to Your Campaign” section usually covers ways to alter the scenario. Some of the missions can’t easily be set in other eras, however, such as one featuring the Jem’Hadar, “Rude Awakening.” It and a few others are called out as suitable for multiple arcs/missions, with advice for expanding them in the “Adding this Mission…”
If you’re not familiar with Briefs 001, be aware that these are not full modules, but outlines. Each one page mission gives the scenario, major and minor beats, key NPCs, and some guidance for running it. It’s up to the GM to do the prep and flesh them out. The closest comparison I can give you is the “Screamsheets” published for R. Talsorian Games’ Cyberpunk RPG lines.
All ten “Disasters” look like they’d make entertaining game sessions that have the Star Trek feel you and your players want. But do I have a favorite? One I most want to play through? Yes. “In the Dark,” a rescue mission. Everything appeals to me. A total of three new species (primitive sapient, animal, and plant). A chance for the crew to just be heroes – but with the possibility of a serious diplomatic incident if things go really badly. And a different type of Romulans to deal with – a science team, not so different from the ones fielded by Starfleet and the Federation.
Briefs 002 Disasters can be downloaded for from either Mōdiphiüs’ site or Drive Thru RPG.
Linda Whitson
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