Ashen Stars Science Fiction; Space Opera; Collaborative Worldbuilding; Investigation; Narrative-Driven; Mature

Ashen Stars is a science fiction tabletop roleplaying game published by Pelgrane Press, utilizing the GUMSHOE system. Players take on the roles of 'Lasers,' freelance law enforcers in the 'Bleed,' a sector of space struggling after a devastating war. The game focuses on investigation, problem-solving, and collaborative worldbuilding, offering a mature, narrative-driven experience.

Theme and Setting

Ashen Stars plunges players into a gritty space opera setting known as the Bleed. This region, once a promising frontier of the Combine, now exists in the aftermath of a disastrous war with a mysterious enemy called the Mohilar. The Combine, a multi-species federation, has been weakened and can no longer fully exert its authority over the Bleed. This creates a power vacuum filled by freelance troubleshooters known as Lasers, who are contracted to solve problems too difficult or strange for local authorities. The game emphasizes the challenges of maintaining law and order in a lawless frontier, where resources are scarce and danger lurks around every corner. The setting allows for exploration of moral ambiguity and the consequences of war, offering a mature thematic landscape for players to navigate. The stars themselves flicker and turn grey, hinting at deeper mysteries.

Core Mechanics and Rules

Ashen Stars uses the GUMSHOE system, which is designed to facilitate investigation and ensure that players always have the clues they need to progress the story. The core mechanic revolves around spending points from investigative abilities (such as Interrogation or Scrutiny) to automatically gain essential information. Combat and other challenges utilize general abilities, where players roll a six-sided die and add relevant ability scores, aiming to meet or exceed a target number determined by the difficulty of the task. Space combat is streamlined, focusing on strategic decisions and resource management. The system also includes rules for ship maintenance, reputation management, and the use of cyberware and viroware enhancements.

Unique Aspects

One of the most distinctive elements of Ashen Stars is its focus on collaborative worldbuilding. Players have significant input into the creation and development of the Bleed, shaping the setting through their actions and decisions. The game features seven distinct species, each with unique cultures, abilities, and perspectives, adding depth and complexity to the game world. The "Bogey Conundrum," the mysterious erasure of memories surrounding the Mohilar War, adds an element of intrigue and encourages players to uncover the truth behind the conflict. The game's episodic structure, inspired by science fiction TV shows, makes it easy to pick up and play, with each session presenting a self-contained problem to solve. The gritty, mature tone and emphasis on investigation distinguish Ashen Stars from more traditional space opera RPGs.

Target Audience and Player Experience

Ashen Stars is geared towards players who enjoy investigation, problem-solving, and narrative-driven gameplay. The mature themes and moral ambiguities of the setting appeal to those seeking a more complex and thought-provoking roleplaying experience. The GUMSHOE system's emphasis on investigation ensures that players feel empowered to uncover clues and solve mysteries, while the collaborative worldbuilding aspects encourage creativity and player agency. The game is well-suited for groups who enjoy working together to create a shared story and are comfortable with exploring the darker aspects of the human (and alien) condition. A preference for science fiction and space opera tropes is helpful, but not strictly necessary, as the game's focus on character interaction and investigation can appeal to a broad range of players.