Ex Astris Scientia

What is this game?

About two years ago, I said to myself, "I sure would like to play a rules-light Star Trek ttrpg that encapsulates the experience of being in Starfleet." So I looked around, didn't find one (ST:A is great but it is very not rules-light), and decided to write one myself.

I landed on the Carved from Brindlewood mechanics (a version of Powered by the Apocalypse); Brindlewood Bay's mystery-resolving mechanic is perfect for Starfleet officers figuring out how to solve the seemingly-impossible mission they're on.

The exceptionally talented kwil did the absolutely stunning LCARS layout and some delightful illustrations. Go check out her games too.

Also, this game is a free download. Any further versions of or additions to this game will also be freely available.

Who is this game for?

This game is for everyone who imagines a world, or worlds, without bigotry of any kind. This game is for everyone who has empathy and care for all humans, and the world in which we live. This game is for everyone who imagines a better future where every single person has their basic needs met without question or personal cost, and where every single person has fulfilling opportunities available to them. If your reaction to the previous sentences included a "but", an "except", or any hesitation at all, you are warmly and strongly encouraged to examine the source of that reaction. Perhaps this game will provide a means for that reflection.

This game is for Star Trek fans new and old. I do suggest that the GM of the game be someone who is familiar with Star Trek stories from the various TV series and movies, to enable them to provide context as elements from the canon are referenced, to help them improvise characters and other scene elements, and to ensure that the stories told at the table feel as much like Star Trek as the group wishes them to.

What's inside?

Inside you'll find the rules for playing the game (covered fully in just 6 pages), making characters (1 page), the General Playbook that all players get, and playbooks for the following roles:

• Captain
• Doctor
• Engineer
• Science Officer
• Security Officer
• Navigator
• Communications

You'll also find 13 pages of GM advice,  32 additional Moves for character advancement (inspired by the characters from the shows), and 15 ready-to-play missions. 

Five of those missions are what I call the Joining Arc, a series of decolonizing stories about the Klingons joining the Federation. In these missions, you'll help colony worlds transition from imperial rule to whatever they decide is next, escape a trinary black hole and the anger of perpetual conflict, and solve a locked-shuttle murder mystery. 

The other 10 missions are what I call Era-Agnostic. Play them with any Starfleet ship in any time period. Highlights here include a holographic nature reserve planet, a Dyson swarm beset by picobots, a first contact mission that asks "what if the billionaire actually paid his way into space?", an escort mission where you have to hide from the ship you're escorting, and the actual Torment Nexus.

And all of that is just in the main book file. Also here is a text only, screenreader friendly version of the book, printer-friendly rules reference and character sheets, and, linked right here: a google sheets online character keeper. This link will force you to make your own copy. Have fun!

Giving feedback

If you play this game, please tell me about it! You can email me at eas_feedback@proton.me. I'd love any thoughts or suggestions you feel like sharing. If you want some questions to prompt you, here is a feedback survey: https://forms.gle/uHDcFFqBkcz6H9bw6

Copyright & Credits

Star Trek is © Paramount. This game is entirely free and made with love.

BRINDLEWOOD BAY is a creation of Jason Cordova and Gauntlet Publishing. This publication is not affiliated with Jason Cordova or Gauntlet Publishing.

Apocalypse World is a creation of Vincent and Meg Baker. This publication is not affiliated with Vincent and Meg Baker, or with Apocalypse World.