Into The Kraken Nebula - Cross-Genres SF Campaign

[Mike Blake]

(Apologies for a re-post of this which originally appeared in another post as a reply, but wanted a thread to have to put progress with the campaign)

The group I'm in (Skirmish Wargamers Collective) had been thinking about a SF campaign and where/when to set it - in an 'existing' universe (ie one of the SF genres from movies or games) or invent one entirely our own. For us the solution was under our noses all the time - the rules we use. Our own SF rules (called TODD-STAR, for Tales of Derring-Do - Space Terrors, Aliens & Robots) are cross-genre, ie they are written to be used to play any of the known SF genres from TV, film, fiction and video games. Indeed, this is what you might call their USP; freed from any particular universe and designed to work in all known universes.

We all have a favourite genre which we wanted to play some games in and so the idea is to allow, no - encourage - the mixing of know SF films and shows and comic books (Serenity/Firefly, Star Wars, Star Trek, Galaxy Trek, Warhammer 40K, Alien, Predator, Starship Troopers, Flash Gordon etc, even retro 50's types like Dan Dare, Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers etc and of course the 'gritty reality' side like Blade Runner, Riddick etc plus all the SF TV shows too) to be played.

We would each take our favourite (or part of one) and then have them interact as ‘factions’ in our own new 'galaxy'.
 
What we realised was that our setting therefore should be one which was inclusive rather than exclusive - an unexplored area of space containing hundreds of planets and thousands of moons, left on purpose as a sort of buffer zone between the several rival civilisations. This would, by its very location, be a wild lawless frontier area; refuge for Pirates, Outlaws, Fugitives etc.

Attempts by various civilisations (whether based on the films or shows etc or indeed made up for the game) to utilise (mine, farm, extract oil etc) or pacify (for territorial gain) various areas are carried out by small under resourced groups of law officers and military forces (overt and, of course covert).

We player would create a small group/team/gang/squad, eg the crew of a small ship; 4 to 6 figs to start, based on the TODD requirement for STAR including heroes, main characters, supporting characters and extras.  Gangs/bands/squads can merge to take on officialdom or fight it out between ourselves for the possession of a coveted item. We would build bars in frontier towns, space stations, mines etc.  We also tie the whole thing together with some sort of overarching plot-line; a search for missing treasure/weaponry/mythical religious or rebel leader etc...
...and the Black Swan/Kraken Nebula emerged to provide the answer.

TOP SECRET

Galactic Survey Bureau Report 20160811
SUBJECT: The BLACK SWAN NEBULA (aka KRAKEN NEBULA)
Executive Summary
1.   Basic Information
1.1    Recently discovered and located on the edge of known space, the nebula consists of a core with several ‘arms’ that spiral out from the centre and change location unpredictably.

1.2   At times it appears to assume the shape of a black swan, hence one of the names given to it.

1.3   Located within it are numerous star systems, many with planets and planetoids appearing to be capable of sustaining life forms.

2.   Hazards
2.1   Within the Nebula many of the normal rules of physics seem to no longer apply or  be distorted; it is riddled with worm holes, black holes, shifts in the space-time continuum and subject to ion or other high energy storms which distort sensors and interfere with control systems.
2.2    If has been speculated that these factors may mean that the nebula can act as some kind of gateway or portal to others parts of the galaxy or even other dimensions. This hypothesis is supported by the number of previously unknown intelligent species and spaceships which appear from time to time within the nebula.
2.3    Many of these other species have brought problems with them, including aggressive tendencies which have created inter- , and even intra-, conflict, with ourselves and other visitors to the nebula. Some seek peaceful coexistence or are searching for ways to return to where they came from or on a special quest, whilst others seem bent on conquest (sometimes euphemised as ‘assimilation’), or even simply destruction for its own sake.

3. Nebula Species
3.1   The full report documents the many planets and planetoids discovered so far, which of them are capable of sustaining life and those where full civilisations or colonies exist. Some remain uninhabited by rational beings but are host to alien native species, many of which are dangerous or hostile.
3.2   Some low tech native species also exist, some of which are friendly and curious, whilst other remain hostile to all visitors to their world.
3.3   The natural native flora and fauna runs the full range from carbon based to mineral based life forms and include thinking plants capable of movement and hunting their prey, intelligent crystalline life forms which emit energy and a wide variety of carnivorous plant species.

4. Items of Special Interest
4.1   The Nebula is the only known source of Mysterium. This is a crystalline mineral capable of providing an almost inexhaustible supply of energy which can be harnessed to power vehicles (including space exploration vessels), fuel cities or create weapons of mass destruction. To date only small quantities have been found but many explorers and miners have entered the nebula in search of the mother lode – so far none have returned.
4.2   The Nebula is also the suspected source of what, for want of a better description, has been labelled ‘Anc-Tech’: devices have been discovered occasionally which appear to predate galactic civilisation. There has been intense speculation as to the origin and these artifacts. They have been attributed by some to a ‘Founder Race’ (often referred to as THEM or THE ANCESTORS). So far only small numbers of such technology have been found but governments, scientists and collectors pay huge sums for such objects, even though the purpose of many is unknown.  As many of the planets and planetoids in the Nebula have ruins from an unknown race or races on them, many speculate that it may be the original source of such technology.

5. Recommendations
5.1   The nebula presents both unique opportunities and unique challenges. It is the committee’s recommendation that sufficient funds and resources be allocated to its continued study and that regular exploratory missions be sent into the nebula to explore and examine ways to exploit the unique opportunities it offers.
5.2   Such missions should be two-fold; Overt and Covert.

5.2.1   Overt Missions should be jointly funded by the government and industry, and have goals with clear humanitarian and commercial aims.

5.2.2   Covert Missions should be entirely government funded and operated under the aegis of the Department of Planetary Security, reporting to MAJIK; knowledge of all such operations should be on a strictly Need To Know basis only.