Fjur’s Environment Archive!

Thanks, @Chief_Lackey_Rich!

Now onto my second environment: SPAAAAAAAAACE!


Deep Space
Distance from Earth: ≈20 light-years
Number of Planets: ≈350
Number of Planets Inhabited by Life: ≈190
Number of Planets Inhabited by Intelligent Life: ≈120
Number of Titanic Space Monsters: 1

For one reason or another, the heroes have boldly gone to a galaxy far, far away. The sector of space that they have ventured to is populated by myriads of planets, the majority of which are home to strange alien life-forms. Several alien civilisations also ply the spaceways in sleek, retro-futuristic starcraft. Unfortunately, many such aliens will be hostile to the heroes. Additionally, cosmic phenomena such as asteroids, solar flares, and cosmic rays are extremely hazardous to spacefarers.


Deep Space
Alien Life :d10:
Airless Vacuum :d6:
Cosmic Phenomena :d12:

Green
Minor Twists

  • Alien Fighters: A squad of hostile alien fighter ships encounters the characters. Roll the environment dice. Introduce a number of Alien Fighter minions (see below) to the scene equal to the Min die.
  • Cosmic Rays: Cosmic radiation bathes one character, changing them in most fantastic ways. Roll the environment dice. Boost one target with the Mid die, and Attack them with the Min die.

Major Twist

  • Alien Cruiser: A titanic, hostile alien spaceship arrives at the battle. Introduce 1 Alien Cruiser lieutenant (see below) to the scene.

Yellow
Minor Twists

  • Asteroid Storm: The combatants are pelted by a storm of asteroids. Roll the environment dice. Attack all targets with the Min die.
  • Imperiled Refugees: Spacecraft carrying alien refugees become threatened by cosmic hazards or hostile aliens.
    Save the refugee ships
    Challenge timer
    Triggered: The innocent refugees meet an untimely demise, and the heroes are disheartened by their failure. Roll the environment dice and Hinder all heroes with the Min die.

Major Twist

  • Space Beast: A gigantic, slumbering alien monstrosity has been awoken, and it wastes no time in finding its next meal. Introduce 1 Space Beast lieutenant (see below) to the scene. Then, roll the environment dice and Attack the tastiest target with the Mid die.

Red
Minor Twists

  • Solar Flare: Energy from a nearby sun lashes out at some of the characters. Roll the environment dice. Attack two targets near each-other with the Mid+Min dice.
  • Star War: Two massive fleets of alien ships are engaged in an intense battle, and the characters are caught in the crossfire. Roll the environment dice. Attack all targets in the scene with the Mid die.

Major Twist

  • Black Hole: The characters become caught in the gravity well of a supermassive singularity! Roll the environment dice. Hinder all targets in the scene with the Mid die. That penalty is persistent and exclusive.

Deep Space Threats

Alien Cruiser
:d10: Lieutenant

Description
A very large spacecraft like this one is usually the flagship of an alien starfleet. It possess advanced energy-projection weaponry and has dozens of deployable fighter ships onboard.

Abilities
Fighter Deployment Hatches: At the end of its turn, the Alien Cruiser can add 1 Alien Fighter minion (see below) to the scene.
Photon Barrage: When the Alien Cruiser Attacks, it can Attack multiple targets in range.

Tactics
The Cruiser is large but slow. However, what it lacks in manoeuvrability, it more than makes up for in firepower.

Alien Fighter
:d8: Minion

Description
These single-pilot ships are sleek, small, and fast, and make up the bulk of most alien starfleets.

Evasive Manoeuvres: Alien Fighters have +1 to their save rolls.

Tactics
The Fighters work best when they’re flying in formation, as each one’s individual firepower is fairly weak.

Space Beast
:d12: Lieutenant

Description
This cosmic monster is truly colossal, and its primordial might is of cataclysmic proportions.

Gigantic Maw: If the Space Beast rolls its die’s maximum value on an Attack, the target of that Attack is swallowed by it. A swallowed target’s actions can only affect itself, the Space Beast, and any other swallowed targets. A target can escape when either the Space Beast’s die degrades or when a successful Overcome action is used to free it.

Tactics
The Beast angrily attacks whoever has woken it from its millennia-long slumber, along with anyone else who dares to draw its ire.


Editor’s Notes
This environment does not represent one specific sector of space. Instead — much like the Gang Hideout above — it can be used for many different cosmic locations.

Also, when using this environment, feel free to replace the unnamed aliens in it with specific alien species or cultures of your choice.

The Airless Vacuum trait is only a small :d6:, because honestly, it doesn’t seem to usually be too much of a problem in comic books. Superheroes (and villains) are usually assumed to have some excuse for why they needn’t breath air, wether it’s plain ol’-fashioned spacesuits, a more sleek super-science gadget, magic, or a non-human nature.

The Cosmic Rays twist is of course a reference to the Fantastic Four. It even echoes the lyrics of the theme song of that team’s excellent ‘90s animated TV show.

And the Space Beast was actually inspired by a monster that the Legion of Super-Heroes once fought, that cost Lightning Lad his right arm in one of my personal favourite Legion stories — The Super-Moby Dick of Space. Yes, that was really its name.

Speaking of the Space Beast, I am very happy with its Gigantic Maw Ability. It seems quite flavourful, to me.


Next Environment: Time Cataclysm!

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