Somewhere over the ......??

[c57d]

Given that we play a game which is derived from a TV show that declares itself to be about "exploring strange new worlds", I wondered how much of this concept enters our games? As GM, whether in published or home-brewed scenarios, how much of our games are either exploring or strange?
The FASA game does have rules for planetry mineral prescence % and how geologists identify specific seams of such on the planetry surface. It also (within it's alien creature creation rules) allows a roll for potential alien sentience.
And Falconer on these forums posted a list of divergent and imaginative planetry types/classifications which, along with a little investigation into RL actual or theorised planetry types by star type, lend themselves to some home-rules for star system creation tables.
Combining all this, could (so it seems to me) result in both generating a home-brew scenario outline, or just add some spice and deeper background to an existing scenario?
At the moment, all I have is speculations. But intend to build it all together into a cohesive set of rules to achieve my goal.
And, as always all advice is geatly appreciated

[Falconer]

c57d have you looked at the full Starships & Spacemen rules? I think it covers a lot of the ground that you are talking about, here. I use the 1e rules, but I think the 2e rules might might more fully address the areas you need. I’m very interested in this line of thought, but I suggest S&S lays a good groundwork.

[c57d]

Well I finally finished my Google research and found time to pull something together. This spreadsheet automatically creates a random star system on each opening.
It is a combination of current star class, planetary types and hability zones theories, and (an amended) Star Trek planet types list Falconer posted.
It is a quick and easy tool to allow a GM to have instant star systems at his hands, whether to detail existing scenarios or even as a catalyst to a home brew scenario concept.
It is NOT perfect, and certain aspects have been simplified (only up to ten planets) or omitted (no moons present) in an attempt to streamline an already complex spreadsheet.
Next I intend to put the FASA alien creature creation rules into a spreadsheet. We'll see!!
Anyway, I hope someone else gets some use out of it also.
All comments welcome

[c57d]

Planets.xlsx (22.9 KB)

[Falconer]

Very nice. I like how you have broken down FASA’s “M” results into other types. I urge you to flip (back) Class K and N, however. Class K was established in “I, Mudd”: “Our planet’s surface is what you classify as K type, adaptable for humans by use of pressure domes and life-support systems” — the only type actually established in TOS other than Class M.

[c57d]

Thank you Falconer.
I did swap around the K & N types, since I was trying to keep similar (to my mind) types together.
However, TOS reference point now taken and I'll put K back.