Alpha Dawn - Star Frontiersman

actions. You may decide ahead of time how they will
react or you can decide randomly, using the rules
for character and creature reactions in the sections
on Creating NPCs and Creating Creatures.
Conduct Combat. Combat will occur many times
during the game between player characters and
NPCs, creatures or robots. It is the referee's job to
see that the combat sequence is followed and that
everyone gets a chance to do something. He must
also decide whether character's are in a position to
attack. Ask players what they are doing one at a
time, so no one is missed. It is important that you
do not forget any of the opponents, either; they
deserve to have a fair chance. You must keep track
of any damage the NPCs and creatures take so you
know when they are killed.
Keeping Track of Time. The referee must keep
track of how much time characters spend on an
adventure. Time effects how much energy gets
used, how far characters can travel and how often
characters must rest. Time also determines how
long characters' food lasts, and how many points of
damage they heal.
Graph paper can be used to keep track of time.
Decide how much time each box represents (6
seconds, 10 minutes, 1 hour or 5 hours are
convenient) and then simply cross off boxes as the
adventure moves along.
The Referee’s Golden Rule
Although the STAR FRONTIERS rule books contain
detailed rules, the special quality of a role playing
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game is that players are not limited by the rules.
Players are encouraged to use their imaginations
and find creative solutions to the problems facing
their characters. The rules are designed to help
players see the effects of their decisions.
A good referee, above all else, tries to make the
game fun for everyone.
An Example of Play
The Pan-Galactic Corporation has hired four player
characters to find and capture the leader of a band
of space pirates. There is one player character of
each race in the group. Their search has led them to
a run-down part of the city. Everyone the characters
have talked to so far has been unpleasant or gruff.
The group is walking down a street toward a cheap
tavern, looking for a short, overweight man.
REFEREE: You are about 30 meters from the tavern
when you see a short, fat, dark-haired Human wearing
a skein-quit. He is across the street, about 25 meters
away and moving toward you.
JARDlN (Human): Hey, that guy looks like the slug
we're trying to find!
YALUA (Yazirian): Let's grab him!
DARTHA (Dralasite): Wait, you two. We're not close
enough to see if it's him. This description could fit a lot
of Humans.
YTTL (Vrusk): Dartha is right. Let's just keep walking
casually down the street until we get behind him. Then