Suns Extended Reference Guide

8/8/2019 Suns Extended Reference Guide

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THOUSANDSUNSExtendedReferenceGuideTABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Basics

The Game .......................................................................................8

The Thousand Suns ............................................................... 10

The Meta-Setting..................................................................... 11

12 (Game System)............................................................... 12

Playing the Game.................................................... 12

Rules Overview ........................................................ 12

Tests............................................................................. 13

Ability Tests............................................................... 13

Skill Tests ................................................................... 13

Opposed Tests......................................................... 13

Success and Failure.............................................. 14

Dramatic Success................................................. 14

Dramatic Failure..................................................... 14

Degrees...................................................................... 15

Hooks and Action Points..................................... 16

Science Fiction Adventure.................................. 16

Chapter 2: Character Creation

The Character Creation Process.................................... 20

Abilities......................................................................................... 20

Body.............................................................................. 21

Dexterity ..................................................................... 21

Presence.................................................................... 22

Will ................................................................................ 22

Vitality........................................................................... 22

Resolve........................................................................ 22

Sample Species ....................................................................... 22

Terran.......................................................................... 23

Human Clades ......................................................... 25

Myrmidon................................................................... 25

The Delphic ................................................................28

Czanik ...........................................................................31

Hen Jaa .......................................................................34

Kriilkna .........................................................................37

Homeworld Packages............................................................40

Core...............................................................................40

Civilized.........................................................................41

The Marches.............................................................41

Wildspace...................................................................41

Career Packages.....................................................................42

Adding Skill Ranks...................................................42

Specializations..........................................................42

Other Important Phrases....................................43

Career Packages (Listed)............................ 44-56

Hooks ............................................................................................56Action Points.............................................................57

Hook ..............................................................................57

Editing........................................................................58

Ranks as Hooks.......................................................58

Benefit Points ...........................................................59

Experience Points ...................................................60

Finishing Touches....................................................................60

Name............................................................................61

Age.................................................................................61

Gender .........................................................................62

Chapter 3: Skills, Hooks, and Psionics

Ranks.............................................................................................66

Skill Test Modifiers..................................................................66

Degrees of Success...............................................67

Dramatic Success..................................................66

Dramatic Failure......................................................67

Retries..........................................................................66

Untrained Skill Use.................................................67

Action Points..............................................................................70

Skill List .........................................................................................70

Hooks ............................................................................................75

Choosing Hooks.......................................................75


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Bad Hooks .............................................................. 76

Using Hooks.............................................................. 76

A Final Word on Hooks and ActionPoints........................................................................... 77

Psionics ....................................................................................... 77

Acquiring Psionic Powers ................................................... 78

Base Power Rank ................................................................... 78

Abilities......................................................................................... 78

Using Psionic Powers ........................................................... 79

Action........................................................................... 79

Power Tests.............................................................. 79

Attack Rolls ............................................................... 79

Resistance................................................................. 79

Range........................................................................... 80

Familiarity................................................................... 80

Mental Contact........................................................ 81

Mass ............................................................................ 81

Multiple Subjects.................................................... 82

Vitality Damage....................................................... 82

Maintaining Powers .............................................. 82

Concentration.......................................................... 83

Psionic Power Descriptions.....................................83-103

Advanced Psionic Techniques........................................ 104

Extending Psychic Shields................................ 104Psionically Aiding Others.................................. 105

Psionic Combat (Grappling)............................ 105

Self-Imposed MemoryAlteration ................................................................ 107

Teleportation and SneakAttacks..................................................................... 108

Chapter 4: Action

Personal Combat................................................................. 112

Telling Time ............................................................ 112

Initiative.................................................................... 112

Actions ..................................................................... 113

Tactics...................................................................... 113

Multiple Actions ................................................... 113

Range........................................................................ 114

Personal Combat Basics...................................................114

Additional Modifiers.............................................................114

Area Attacks..........................................................114

Called Shots............................................................115

Careful Aim.............................................................115

Cover..........................................................................115

Darkness..................................................................116

Size .............................................................................116

Two Weapons........................................................116

Zero-G........................................................................117

Automatic Fire .......................................................................117

Multiple Targets....................................................................117

Covering Fire...........................................................................117

Suppression Fire...................................................................118

Damage.....................................................................................118Unarmed and Melee CombatDamage....................................................................118

Ranged Combat Damage.................................119

Dramatic Successes andMaximum Damage..............................................119

Healing ......................................................................119

Other Types of Damage.....................................................119

Disease and Ailments ........................................119

Drowning..................................................................120

Fire and Smoke Damage..................................120

Poison........................................................................121

Radiation..................................................................121

Vacuum ....................................................................121

Avoiding Attacks....................................................................121

Dodge........................................................................122

Defend.......................................................................122

Armor........................................................................122

Social Interaction..................................................................122Resolve......................................................................123

Changing Attitudes..............................................123

Regaining Resolve................................................125

Social Interaction and YourCharacter................................................................125


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Chapter 5: Technology, Equipment, andStarships

Armor........................................................................................ 130

Armor Listing...............................................................130-133

Weapons .................................................................................134

Blaster Weapons................................................ 134

Miscellaneous Ranged Weapons................ 135

Slug Throwers....................................................... 136

Thrown Weapons................................................ 138

Ammunition............................................................ 140

Other Technologies and Equipment ............................141

Computer Equipment ........................................ 141

Chemicals ............................................................... 144

Miscellaneous Equipment................................ 148

Sensor Equipment............................................... 153Survival Equipment.............................................. 155

Modifications.......................................................................... 158

Equipment Mods.................................................. 158

Weapon Mods...................................................... 158

Armor Mods.......................................................... 162

Universal Equipment Mods............................. 163

Cybernetics ............................................................ 164

Replacements...................................... 166

Enhancements..................................... 168

Replacement Parts (cloning) ......................... 172

Robots....................................................................................... 173

Vehicles .................................................................................... 174

Hovervehicles........................................................174

Civilian Cars............................................................ 176

Military Vehicles................................................... 178

Starships..................................................................................179

Starship Combat.................................................................. 180

Basics........................................................................................ 180

Ship Stats ................................................................................181

Characters and Ships ........................................................ 182

Fighting Range....................................................................... 182

Movement ...............................................................................183

Forward Movement............................................ 183

Up and Down......................................................... 183

Turning......................................................................184

Handling Combat..................................................................184

Hitting a Target.....................................................184

Firing Arcs...............................................................184

Defending.................................................................185

Damage....................................................................185

Optional Critical Hit Results.............................185

Range.........................................................................................187

Repairs ......................................................................................188

Starship Weapons...............................................................188

Sample Starships ...................................................... 190-195

Chapter 6: Setting Design

World Design & Generation............................................200

Primary World Profile........................................201

Primary World Type............................................203

Primary Terrain ....................................................204

World Climate .......................................................205

World Atmosphere.............................................205

World Hydrographics ........................................206

World Gravity.........................................................207

Native Sapients.....................................................207

World Population .................................................207

World Government .............................................208

Tech Level................................................................210

Sector Design.........................................................................211

Species Design ......................................................................213

Alien Traits....................................................................231-223

Intelligent Species.................................................................223

Unintelligent Species...........................................................224

What is Imperial SF?.......................................................224

The Travelers..........................................................................228

Awarding Experience Points............................................230

Spending Experience Points ............................................230

Chapter 7:Meta-Setting

History........................................................................................235

The Concord............................................................................241


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The State .................................................................................243

Heads of State ...................................................................... 244

Organizations.........................................................................247

Military ......................................................................................248

The Encyclopedia Galactica Foundation..................... 250

Megacorporations............................................................... 251

Economics...............................................................................253

Psionics ....................................................................................254

Interstellar Neighbors........................................................ 255

The Five Stars Sector (Sample Setting) .................... 257

The Worlds of Five Stars.................................................. 258

Five Stars Sector Map.......................................................266

LIST OF TABLES

12 Situation Modifiers.........................................................15

Benefit Points............................................................................59

Skill Test Modifiers..................................................................67

Range Modifiers....................................................................114

Armor Table............................................................................133

Weapons Table .....................................................................140

Equipment Table....................................................................157

Optional Critical Hit Results.............................................185

Starship Range Modifiers.................................................187

Starship Weapons...............................................................191

Primary World Profile ........................................................201

Primary World Type............................................................203

Primary Terrain.....................................................................204

World Climate........................................................................205

World Atmosphere..............................................................205

World Hydrographics.........................................................206

World Gravity..........................................................................207

World Population..................................................................207

World Government..............................................................208

World Tech Level ..................................................................210

Timeline of the Future.........................................................235


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INDEX

.50 Caliber Machine Gun ............................ 137Bad Hooks.......................................................... 76Editing Hooks.................................................... 5818mm Shotgun ............................................... 137

9mm weapons................................................. 137Abilities ...........................................................20, 78Ability Tests .......................................................... 13Academic (career package)............ ........... ... 44Acrobatics............................................................. 70Action Points................................................57, 70Actions, combat .............................................. 113Adaptation (power) ........................................... 83Advanced Psionic Techniques.......... ......... 104Age........................................................................... 61Akcel (drug) ....................................................... 144Alien Traits...............................................231-223Alteration............................................................107Ammunition.......................................................140

Animal Handling.................................................. 71Antitox (chemical)...........................................144APC....................................................................... 178Apport (power).................................................... 84Aquaconverter.................................................155Area Attacks..................................................... 114Aristocrat (career package)......................... 45Armacomp (sensor) ......................................153Armor........................................................122, 130Armor Listing..........................................130-133Armor Mods ..................................................... 162Army (career package) ................................... 45artificial organs................................................166Assault Fighter................................................. 190assault rifle ........................................................ 137Athlete (career package) ............................... 46Athletics................................................................. 71attitudes..............................................................122Automatic Fire .................................................117AV (Armor Value).................................122, 174Barbarian (career package) ......................... 46Bargain ..................................................................71Basics ..................................................................180Benefit Points...................................................... 59Biocort (chemical) .......................................... 145Biosculp Kit, Personal................................... 143Blaster Weapons............................................134Body......................................................................... 21Body control (power)........................................ 85

Body Repair Weave (cybernetic)............. 168Bonus Points.............................................20, 213Bounty Hunter (career package)................ 47Bulk Freighter................................................... 191Bureaucracy (skill) ............................................. 71Called Shots ...................................................... 115Career Hooks ...................................................... 56Career Packages...............................................42Careful Aim........................................................115Chabuli (race) ................................................... 264Changing Attitudes.........................................123Character Creation........................................... 20

Chemicals ...........................................................144Chemicomp (sensor) .....................................154Cirkuo (hovervehicle)......................................175Civil Servant (career package)......................47Civilian Cars........................................................176Civilized Package.................................................41Clades......................................................................25Clipper ..................................................................191cloning ..................................................................172combat armor..................................................130Combat Modifiers ...........................................114Combat, personal................................ 112, 114Combat sense (power) ....................................86Combat, starship.............................................180Computer Equipment ....................................141Computers (skill).................................................71Concentration ......................................................83Concord, The.....................................................241Core..........................................................................40

Corvette...............................................................192Courier (starship)............................................192Cover.....................................................................115Covering Fire .....................................................117Crew.......................................................... 174, 182Criminal (career package)..............................48Cruiser .................................................................192Cryokinesis ............................................................87Culture (skill) .........................................................71Cyberkinesis..........................................................87Cybernetics........................................................164Czanik.......................................................................31D-Drive...........................11, 72, 179-180, 235Damage ...............................................................118

Damage, starships .........................................185Darkness.............................................................116Data Archive (cybernetic)............................168Defend......................................................... 71, 122Defending, starships......................................185Degrees..................................................................15Degrees of Success..........................................67Delphic, The...........................................................28Democomp (sensor) ......................................154Destroyer............................................................193Dexterity .................................................................21Diplomacy (skill)...................................................71Diplomat (career package) ............................48Disease and Ailments....................................119

Disguise Kit ........................................................148Display Contacts..............................................141Display Glasses.................................................141DM (Defense Modifier) .................................181Doctor (career package) ................................49Dodge...................................................................122Dodge (skill)...........................................................71Dominate (power) ..............................................88Dramatic Failure........................................ 14, 67Dramatic Success ....................................14, 66drowning..............................................................120drugs.....................................................................144


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Durability (vehicles) ........................................174Duracable...........................................................148DV (Damage Value)............ ........ 15, 140, 185Economics..........................................................253Editing (action points)....................................... 58Electricomp (sensor).....................................154electrokinesis....................................................... 88EMP.......................................................................138Empathy ................................................................72Encyclopedia Galactica Foundation......... 250Engineering (skill) ............................................... 72enhance (powers).............................................. 89enhancements (cybernetic) .......................168Entertainer (career package)........ ........... .... 49Equipment Mods.............................................158Escort (starship).............................................. 193Experience Points...................................60, 230Explorer Outfit................................................... 148External Weapon Mount(cybernetic)........................................................ 169falling .................................................................... 120Familiarity (Psionics)......................................... 80Fast Freighter................................................... 193Fighter (ship) .....................................................194

Fighting Range, starships ........................... 182Fire and Smoke Damage............................. 120Firing Arcs, starships....................................184Five Stars Sector ............................................ 257Flash-Seal ........................................................... 148Flight Suit............................................................ 131Force Field, Personal..................................... 149Foundation......................................................... 250Frigate (starship) ............................................ 194Fusion Beam..................................................... 188Fusion Torch..................................................... 149Gaming (skill)........................................................ 72Gauss Gun..........................................................188Gender.................................................................... 62

Geocomp (sensor)..........................................154grapple, psionic................................................ 105Grappler Tag..................................................... 149Gravity (effects)..............117, 120, 186, 207Gravity gun.........................................................135grenade launcher ........................................... 135grenades............................................................. 138Gunnery (skill) ...................................................... 72Gyrocopter......................................................... 178Hauler ..................................................................194Heads of State.................................................244Heads-Up Display............................................ 149Healing.................................................................119Healing (power)................................................... 90

Heavy Weapons (skill)...................................... 72helicopter............................................................ 179Hen Jaa (race) ....................................................34History, Meta Setting....................................235Hitting a Target, starships..... ............ ......... 184Hologram Player ............................................. 150Hologram Recorder ...................................... 150Hologuise............................................................ 150Homeworld Packages...................................... 40Hooks .............................................16, 56, 57, 75Hooks and Action Points ................................ 16Hooks, using......................................................... 76

Hoverbike............................................................175Hoverbus.............................................................175Hovercar .............................................................175Hovertank ...........................................................178Hovertruck..........................................................176Hovervehicles....................................................174Hull (starships) .................................................181Human Clades .....................................................25Identity Chip (cybernetic)..............................169Initiative....................................................112, 174Initiative Implant (cybernetic) .......... ........... 169Injector Unit (cybernetic)..............................169Intelligent Species ...........................................223Intellipicks............................................................150Internal Weapon Mount(cybernetic) ........................................................170Intimidation............................................................72Intrusion ................................................................72Investigation..........................................................72Karto (computer) ............................................142Kodumulo (computer) ...................................142Kolerego (poison) ............................................121Kriilkna (race).......................................................37Language (skill)....................................................72

Laser, weapon ..................................................134Laser, starship weapon................................188Launch (ship).....................................................195Law Enforcer (career package) ........... ........50Life Sciences (skill) .............................................73Lukso (car)..........................................................176Manipulate Object (power).............................90Map, Five Stars Sector .................................266Marches, The.......................................................41Marines (career package)..............................50Maser Cannon..................................................188Mass (Psionics)...................................................81Mass Cannons..................................................189Maximum Damage.........................................119

Mechanicomp (sensor).................................154Medical Sciences (skill) ....................................73Medicomp (sensor) ........................................155medkit...................................................................147Megacorporations..........................................251melee weapon...................................................134Melee, skill.............................................................73Memory Alteration .........................................107Meta-Setting, The...............................................11Metropola (car)................................................176Micro-Aural Communicator........................151Military, Meta-Setting....................................248Military Vehicles...............................................178Militisto (armor) ...............................................131

mind probe (power)...........................................91mind reading ........................................................92missiles ................................................................189Mods (modifications) .....................................158Mods, armor .....................................................162Mods, weapon...................................................158Mods, equipment.............................................163monoblade..........................................................134Mortinta (chemical)........................................145Motion Sensor..................................................155Movement, starships.....................................183Multiple Actions ...............................................113


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Multiple Targets .............................................. 117MV (Movement Value)..................................181Myrmidon....................................... 25, 134, 256Name....................................................................... 61Navy (career package) .................................... 51Nanobeacon...................................................... 151Native Sapients................................................207Needle Driver....................................................189Neural Computer Link ..................................142Neural Network Jack, Wireless............. .. 143Neural Scrambler........................................... 151Neutrad (chemical)........................................ 145Nightvision Optics (cybernetic) ................. 170Observe ..................................................................73OM (Offense Modifier) .................................. 181Opposed Tests....................................................13Optional Critical Hit Results .......................185Organizations, Meta Setting ......................247Paint-On LCD.....................................................164Particle beam................................................... 190Performance........................................................ 73Personal Combat............................................ 112photokinesis ......................................................... 92Physical Sciences ............................................. 73

Piloting ...................................................................73Pirate (career package).................................. 52Plasma cannon ................................................190Plastiflesh........................................................... 145poisons ................................................................121Polyvox .................................................................152Portable Environment Generator ............ 155Portable Glow-Lamp ......................................156Power Backpack.............................................. 152Precognition......................................................... 93Presence ...............................................................22Primary Terrain ............................................... 204Primary World Profile.......... ........... ........... ... 201Primary World Type ...................................... 203

Profession (skill).................................................. 73Projectile Deflector........................................ 152Prosthetics........................................................167Psion (career package)................................... 52Psionic Aid..........................................................105Psionic Grapple................................................ 105Psionic Power Descriptions................83-103Psionics.................................................................. 77Psionics, Action...................................................79Psionics, Attack Rolls....................................... 79Psionics, Base Power Rank........................... 78Psionics, Maintaining Powers ...................... 82Psionics, Mental Contact ............................... 81Psionics, Meta-Setting..................................254

Psionics, Multiple Subjects ............................ 82Psionics, Power Tests .....................................79Psionics, Resistance......................................... 79Psionics, Vitality Damage ............................... 82Psi-Stam (drug) ................................................146psychic assault....................................................94psychic shield............................................94, 104psychic surgery................................................... 95pulse rifle............................................................134Puritizer............................................................... 156Pyrokinesis............................................................ 96Radiation............................................................. 121

Rail cannon.........................................................190Range, personal combat..............................114Range, Psionics...................................................80Range, starships..............................................187Ranged Combat Damage............................119Ranged Weapons ...........................................135Ranks.......................................................................66Ranks as Hooks ..................................................58Rapide...................................................................146rations ..................................................................156Rebel........................................................................53Regaining Resolve...........................................125Regen Wand .....................................................147Repairs, starships...........................................188Replacement Parts (cloning)......................172Replacements (cybernetic).........................166Resist ......................................................................73Resolve........................................................ 22, 123Retries.....................................................................66rifles.......................................................................136Robocomp (sensor)........................................155Robots..................................................................173RR

afisto Chip.........................................................152

OF (Rate of Fire)................................140, 191ules Overview ....................................................12

Saliko (car)..........................................................177Sample Starships.................................190-195Sapients...............................................................207Satellite Datalink ..............................................164Scientist (career package).............................53Scout (career package)...................................54Scout (ship)........................................................195Sector Design...................................................211Security Robot..................................................173sense minds (power) ........................................97Sensor Equipment...........................................153Ship Stats............................................................181Shock....................................................................116

Shoot (skill) ............................................................74Size.........................................................................116Skill Implant (cybernetic) ..............................170Skill List ............................................................70-75Skill Plexus (cybernetic).................................170Skill Ranks..............................................................42Skill Test Modifiers.............................................66Skill Tests...............................................................13Skolto Armor.....................................................132Slug Throwers...................................................136sniper rifle...........................................................137social interaction .............................................122Social Sciences....................................................74Socialize..................................................................74

Solvaway (chemical) ........................... 136, 146sonic blaster......................................................135Space Combat Armor...................................132Space Sciences (skill) .......................................74Space Suit .........................................................132Specializations .....................................................42Species Design.................................................213Spirito (car) ........................................................177Sporekill (drug)..................................................146Spray LCD...........................................................153Spy (career package)........................................55Stabilizer (cybernetic)....................................171


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Standard Rations............................................156Starship Combat............................................. 184Starship Weapons .........................................188Starships ............................................................ 179SS

teleco Suit........................................................132

tate, The........................................................... 243tealth..................................................................... 74

Streetwise (skill) ................................................. 74Strike Cruiser ...................................................195

Subcutaneous Body Armor(cybernetic)........................................................171Subcutaneous Communicator(cybernetic)........................................................171Subterfuge, skill .................................................. 74Success and Failure ......................................... 14Suggestion (power) ........................................... 98Suppression Fire.............................................118Survivalist (career package) ......................... 55Survival Equipment.........................................155Survival suit........................................................ 133Survival (skill)........................................................ 74Tactics (skill)......................................................... 74Tactics .................................................................113Taksio (car)........................................................177Tangler .....................................................136, 139Targeting Optics (cybernetic) ....................172Tech Level .......................................................... 210Technical Sciences (skill) ................................ 74telekinesis.............................................................. 98telekinetic blast................................................... 99telekinetic shield.............................................. 100 telempathic projection........... ........... ........... . 100telempathy.........................................................100telepathy .............................................................101teleperception ..................................................102 teleportation...........................................103, 108Telescopic Optics (cybernetic) .................. 172Terran..................................................................... 23

Tests........................................................................ 13Thrown Weapons........................................... 138Time...................................................................... 112Trader (career package)................................ 56Travelers, The................................................... 228Truthtell (drug) .................................................147Turn.......................................................................181Turning, starships........................................... 184Turto (helicopter)............................................179Two Weapons ..................................................116Unarmed Combat (skill) .................................. 75Unintelligent Species..................................... 224Universal Communicator(Unicom) ............................................................. 156

Universal Equipment Mods ........................163Untrained Skill Use............................................67Using Psionic Powers......................................79Vacuum...............................................................121Vehicle Operation (skill) ................................... 75Vehicles............................................................... 174Veneno (poison)...............................................121Vibroblade .......................................................... 135Vitality...................................................................... 22Viziero .................................................................. 152Voice Stress Analyzer (cybernetic) ......... 172War Drone ........................................................ 174

Weapon Mods..................................................158Weapons.............................................................134Weapons, thrown............................................138Wildspace..............................................................41Will............................................................................22World Atmosphere ........................................205World Climate...................................................205World Design....................................................200World Generation ...........................................200World Government.........................................208World Gravity ....................................................207World Hydrographics....................................206World Population.............................................207Worlds of Five Stars ......................................258Zero-G...................................................................117

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Suns Extended Reference Guide