A downloadable game

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Now available in print as part of MCGW Annual #1!

A Sunless Space is a quick-to-play, two-page tabletop roleplaying game of laser-focused rebellion against an endless empire.


Players collaboratively decide on the setting (sci-fi, fantasy, historical, modern), the form of their oppressor (a totalitarian government, an insidious AI, a powerful demon), the state of their rebellion (split factions, lone spies, soldiers), and how they will fight back (a heist, a rescue, an assassination, a jail break). 

Rebel creation is quick and focused on why and how you rebel, rather than a list of more traditional skills and stats.

The game itself is played in three distinct phases: The Day Before, The Day Of, and The Day Between. What final preparations do you make? How does the strike play out? How do you celebrate the victory or clean up your mess?

Designed for ~90 minute sessions. Inspired by Andor (2022). Mechanics loosely inspired by WEG's Star Wars The Roleplaying Game (1987).

Includes Struggle and Rebel sheets (printer-friendly/form-fillable).

Purchase

Buy Now$2.00 USD or more

In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $2 USD. You will get access to the following files:

ASunlessSpace.pdf 5.9 MB
ASunlessSpace-PrinterFriendly.pdf 646 kB
SunlessSpace-RebelStruggleSheets.pdf 5.3 MB
SunlessSpace-RebelStruggleSheets-FormFillable.pdf 5.4 MB
SunlessSpace-RebelStruggleSheets-PrinterFriendly.pdf 34 kB

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Comments

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(+1)

Had a lot of fun playing this with friends! Easy to understand, easy to teach.

Thanks for playing!

(1 edit) (+1)

[Typo ?]
Is on purpose that in "EP.II: The Day Of" the words "planned something special, better equipped themselves, grew closer as a team" are written twice, or is it a typo ?

(+1)

That's just an accidental repeat. Oops!

(+1)

I was hoping that there where some deep truth lurking behind it ;-)

(+1)

Haha, I'm sad to report I'm only human after all.

(+1)

hello ! very Interresting idea ! I love these 3 phases.

I wonder though if the rebel stat choices have not been mixed up ?
I would go for this :
- Yourself : +fight, -belief
You are ready to fight for your survival, but don't really fit in a larger scheme.

- Others : +sacrifice, -fight
You are ready to sacrifice yourself for the others. But are cautious not to cause collateral damage.

- Yet to come : +belief, -sacrifice   
you believe in your cause, and want to be there to help those to come.

I the creation, I would also add a few things :

  • Oppressor
    • Does it have an ally ? What is this allie's relation with the oppressor, and the rebellion ?
    • An important date in its history ?
    • Did it have a trauma in its history ? Or does it have a fear
    • What is its motivation ? (in general. Not specifically against the rebellion)
  • Rebellion
    • Same questions 
(+1)

Thank for checking out the game! 

You could definitely roll with those stat changes at your table, but the way they are in the text here was intentional on my part. Sacrifice is a tricky stat but being a solo, selfish focused character in my mind means you are willing to coss more lines and give up the few things you have (because you aren't attached to many things/people) - it also means you are more likely in key moments to sacrifice yourself, because few folks rely on you, you have nothing more to lose, etc. That's how I see it anyway! Fighting for others lowers your sacrifice because of your attachments - you won't throw your ally to the wolves, you won't sacrifice yourself and leave your family to fend for themselves, etc. Higher sacrifice, in my mind, is about what you have to lose. The less to lose, the higher the sacrifice and the more lines you'll cross. The more to lose, the less likely you are to cross those lines, let others and yourself die, etc.

I like your extra Struggle creation questions too! I was adhering to a 2-page limit here so that's why I didn't dig in further, but those are all good questions if you want to create an even richer Struggle.

(1 edit) (+1)

Ok. Interresting. Actually, I would call it "Reckless" then.

I really love that very short format though, with these 3 phases. I'll try to gather some friend to play it.

(+1)

That'd be awesome! Please report back with how your session goes if you are able. I'd love to hear about it.