The basic idea behind Stardrifter is that one can play it without preparation, without having to previously generate Planets, Worlds, beforehand. Planets will be created on the go.
At the beginning of the game, you'll have to roll for your initial location. Everytime you'll want to go from where you are to a new planet, you'll have to roll to generate a new world.
How to draw the Galaxy map
The easiest way to draw your Galactic map will be to use Hex Maps. You'll find tons of HexMap generators, including PDFs you may want to print before starting to play.
A new World
Whatever it is, you initial location or your next destination, you'll have to follow a few steps to generate a new World.
Pick a "World sheet" (you can use a simple index card if you want).
1. Name your world
It has to be "Cosmologic". e.g.: Beta Hydri Major, Araknor, Rhat'hiiy'y, etc. Use your imagination, there's no established rule. Pick random numbers if you want. The name of the planet has to be unique, to be able to easily grab its sheet later on. Again, on the Web, you will find many Planet name generators.
Solo Example
At the beginning of his adventures, Dante is located on the Planet Danbrilldal.
Grab your Hex Map. If this world is you Initial Location, draw a spot in the middle of the map, and write the name of the planet beside.
2. Distance
Skip it
You can skip this step if its your Initial Location.
How far is this world from where you are right now?
Roll 2D6: it's the distance, in "parsecs" from your location to the other one. Grab your Hex Map. Each Hexagon equals a "parsec". Thus, it should be separated by the same number of hexes than the distance you've just rolled.
3. Wealth, resources, stuff
Since not every planet is equal, you are likely to find some resources on one planet, and some are rare. You'll have to roll for each possible resource:
Legal resources
- Vegetable food
- Animal food (meat)
- Construction materials
- Tools, mechanics
- Electronic stuff
- Energy
Illegal resources
- Weapons
- Slaves
- Drugs
Roll 2D6 for each and write its score on the World sheet.
A quick note about prices
Prices vary, but the reference is "Capital Price", that is to say the "Street price" when you're on Capital Planet. On each planet, we will have to adjust the price according to the natural resources available on the planet.
| Roll | Factor |
|---|---|
| 2 | 0.50 |
| 3 | 0.75 |
| 4 | 1.00 |
| 5-8 | 1.25 |
| 9 | 1.50 |
| 10 | 2.00 |
| 11 | 2.50 |
| 12 | 3.00 |
Round the price
Please note that the prices will be rounded down. e.g.: 150 * 1.25 = 187.5 = 187
Capital prices
Price is per cargo unit.
| Merchandise | Price |
|---|---|
| Vegetable food | 100 |
| Animal food (meat) | 125 |
| Construction materials | 200 |
| Tools, mechanics | 200 |
| Electronics | 150 |
| Energy | 200 |
| Weapons | 1000 |
| Slaves | 2000 |
| Drugs | 2000 |
Prices on Danbrilldal
Solo example I'm rolling for "Street prices" on Danbrilldal.
| Merchandise | Central | Roll | Factor | Final price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetable food | 100 | 7 | 1.25 | 125 |
| Animal food (meat) | 125 | 5 | 1.25 | 156 |
| Construction materials | 200 | 6 | 1.25 | 250 |
| Tools, mechanics | 200 | 6 | 1.25 | 250 |
| Electronics | 150 | 5 | 1.25 | 187 |
| Energy | 200 | 2 | 0.50 | 100 |
| Weapons | 1000 | 7 | 1.25 | 1250 |
| Slaves | 2000 | 4 | 1 | 2000 |
| Drugs | 2000 | 7 | 1.25 | 2500 |
Excellent! I know that my character is in a place where Energy is cheap, but the other goods are at reasonable price.
These prices will be used when you'll head to the Marketplace
Your World is now complete. Enjoy your stay!
Alternate rule
Basic rule set a price for all the available merchandise, once for all. But if you want to make it a bit more accurate, prices can change over time.
When you come back to a World, make a re-roll for every good available, and note its new price. Sometimes they may go up, sometimes down.
Alternate rule to the Alternate rule
When you come back to a World, you roll 1D4-2 for each product, and apply this score to the product SCORE, and then apply the new modifier, if it has changed.
e.g.: Vegetable food have a score of "7". When Dante will return, he rolls 1D4-2...
The dice says "4", thus becoming +2. Vegetable food has now a score of 9. The new modifier is now 1.5.
Danbrilldal's price for Vegetable Food is now 150 credits / unit.