As you wait at Moon Base Yski for your employer to finish loading cargo into their spaceship, you feel all eyes are on you… well, more accurately, on your weapons. Ever since the Federation made Lazers highly illegal, it was uncommon to see people carrying any sort of weapons, let alone sharp and pointy ones. Most people only saw swords, daggers, or battle-axes as old pictures in history class, not in modern life up at docks of the moon.
With a heavy thud, Carl loads the last box of refined ore onto his ship, and calls for you and your companions to come on board. “I’m all ready, let’s get! Y’all better know how to handle them big ol’ weapons. I’m hauling way more than I usually do, and I can’t afford to be wiped out by them Ravager folk again. Are you sure them big chunks of metal can even make it through Shields?”
Before you can answer, a grey haired dwarf walks on board and speaks up in a deep raspy voice: “Like I’ve explained many times Carl, shields only deflect fast moving objects like bullets. I’ve done many experiments and can confirm the weapons these mercenaries wield can indeed pass through shields.” You now recognize this man as the ship’s Magetech in charge of the shields; Kargus.
You strap into your seats, Carl gets clearance from Moon Base Control, and the ship blast off into space. As you feel the acceleration pushing you into your seat, you hope for an uneventful two day journey back to your home planet Vesisaari. But a sinking feeling in your stomach knows that will not be the case…
D&D Roleplaying Specifics
You have been hired by a Metal Runner to protect their precious cargo from space pirates called Ravagers on the way to Vesisaari. Your character was specifically hired because of your skill with “simple” weapons (daggers, swords, axes, spears, etc.) that allow you to attack through any enemy’s personal magic shields. We will start the adventure with all players aboard the ship in space.
On our adventure you will fight monsters, investigate mysteries, and have the option to help out factions along the way. The story will change depending on your actions will directly shape the future of this world.
I plan on the adventure being at least 5 sessions.
We will be using D&D 5e Rules, just set in space.
When creating your character:
- Start them at level 10
- They can be any race and class
- They must use at least 1 non Sci-Fi weapon, but it doesn’t need to be their only or primary weapon
- You have access to one of the “Light” firearms in the tables bellow if you choose (but note that they will not do any damage to shields):
- Do not use traditional armor, but instead will have a Shield Emitter filled with 10 days worth of charges
- Shield Emitters give your an AC of 13 + Dex modifier
- You can wear other armor under your shield, but talk to me and we can figure out an AC that isn’t too OP
- You can pick 1 uncommon magic item that your character has on them
- You each will start off with the following Sci-Fi items:
- 1x 5 Watt Lazer
- 1x Voice Comms
- You can start off with 2d8 gold
Feel free to use D&D Beyond, or paper and pen, whatever works better for you. I set up a D&D Beyond Campaign, but I don’t have any guidebooks/content purchased, so not sure if that will affect anything https://www.dndbeyond.com/campaigns/join/6885144345329583
Please reach out if you have any questions or ideas!
Optional Further Reading
Any necessary lore will be explained while we are at the table, but your characters would have access to a quite a bit of history and know certain world building elements.
I made this Wikipedia style site that contains info all of your characters would know.
A good place to start is the Summary page, or the A Brief History page