Hey there, Wanderers!
So in recent days theres most likely been a term crossing your feeds. That term being, Starfang, the name of the next setting in the Hydra System. As a result, Im sure many of you are wondering, “What is a Starfang?”
To that I say, good question! So let's take an second, grab your favorite beverage and relax with me in front of your glowing screen as we talk briefly about what this setting is, its inspirations, and what players should expect when playing.
What is Starfang?
Lets begin with our simple elevator pitch:
“Starfang is a science fiction setting for the Hydra TTRPG System. Set in the Atrius Galaxy, a galaxy at war, Players will explore this vast setting as they interact with advanced technology, dangerous enemies, and powerful potential allies.”
Pretty boiler plate, huh? So let's dive a little deeper.
The Starfang is an ancient alien relic, a planet sized construct that was discovered generations ago. While the people of the galaxy failed to fully understand the full potential of this construct, incredible advances in technology were made from reverse engineering parts of it.
Controlled by the Galatian Alliance, a massive conglomeration of planets around the site of the Starfang, these technologies were highly controlled and regulated. Of course, as with many political situations both real and imagined, other factions began to rise up to challenge this power over the Starfangs secrets.
Eventually all out war broke out as two new factions, the Valorian Republic and the Savisian Empire challenged the Alliance for control of the Starfang. But, through some unknown force, or potentially intelligence, as the war broke out, the Starfang seemed to leap into hyperspace and dissappear.
It is into this galaxy your players will find themselves. Freebooters with the ability to follow their dreams (or most likely creds) to acheive their purpose. Will they engage in the galactic civil war? Will the stay away, building a criminal empire within the chaos? Will they potentially search for the Starfang and its untold riches and technology? The choice is yours!
Starfang Inspiration
I’m going to bet with the information I’ve just given to you, many of you are astute enough to see the inspirations for this setting.
Originally, the Atrius Galaxy was created by my childhood friend and I when were in middle school (over 20 years ago…. OOF). But, from then it has grown and evolved countless times with new inspirations and references.
So key ones, obviously are Star Wars (especially since we first made the Atrius Galaxy as our own Star Wars analog) and more recently Dune (to throw in some political intrigue.
As for the Starfang itself I was always so facinated by the lore of the original Destiny where a massive structure is the only thing holding back the threats against humanity. But then a question popped into my head, “What if it suddenly disappeared? Where would it go? What if everyone now had to fend for themselves?”
With these questions, the idea for the Starfang took shape and then led to the point of time where your game would begin.
What type of game is Starfang?
Created using the Hydra system, Starfang (very much like our other game, Steel Horizons) falls into a category I can “narrative-combat”. Most of the rules in these early builds are more geared around combat and tactics, but with a system that allows players much more freedom to determine *how* that combat takes place.
Players are able to pick and choose how they wish to engage in the combat by clever use of our Tag system as well as choosing whichever Attribute works best for the action they wish to take.
In essence, while Starfang does skew more towards the combat aspect of TTRPGs, there will always be room for roleplaying and improvisation as well.
I do hope you've enjoyed this (somewhat) brief primer on what exactly Starfang is and do be sure to join our Discord and follow us on Twitter (I will never call it “X”, fight me) to get all kinds of updates, behind the scenes looks, and a great community!
As always, keep wandering!
Mike