Wandering Galaxy Designer Diary

Second Entry

Becoming a Spacer

I’m a big fan of ‘found family’ style stories where a group of unrelated people are thrust together and form familial bonds through shared goals and experiences. I think narrative games are a great way to emulate this. With that in mind, I really wanted every character in the game to be of a different species with different kinds of personal stories to explore, but while you’re all different, you share one thing in common. You’re all spacers!

In Wandering Galaxy, the players take on the role of ‘spacers’, daring adventurers that travel the galaxy, tackling the rough jobs, each wishing for fame and fortune.

It takes a certain type of personality to be a spacer, and living life on the outer spin for extended periods of time tends to change a person. Spacers are gritty, self reliant, and sometimes arrogant. Older spacers are feared, as it takes considerable skill to survive out there. Younger spacers are thought of as foolhardy or desperate, which is sometimes truer than they would like to admit. All species of spacefaring people can become spacers, and while they aren’t necessarily loyal to each other, there is a shared respect among those who make a living out among the stars.

The first thing you will do when you start a campaign is pick a species and create your character. There are six species to choose from.

Human

Humans are an enigmatic and versatile species found throughout the Wandering Galaxy. Their origin is shrouded in mystery, as few can remember anything about the planet they originated from. One of the remarkable features of humans is their incredible diversity. They come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colors, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds. Humans are known for their resilience and charm, making them one of the most adaptable, bipedal species across the stars.

While humans may have a relatively short average lifespan when compared to other intelligent species, they compensate by leading dynamic and risk-embracing lives. Their propensity for adventure and their willingness to explore the unknown contribute to their unique place in the galaxy.

Humans are strong in body and spirit. They start with the Communicate prompt.

Muze

The Muze are a fascinating breed of genetically engineered biomutants whose origins trace back to morally bankrupt laboratories on Niven. Historians posit that they were initially designed to withstand the challenges of space travel, a theory substantiated by the fact that Muze thrive in space, with many choosing a life among the stars.

These unique beings typically stand at a diminutive size, roughly equivalent to a human child. Their physical features are just as diverse as their personalities, marked by brightly colored and patterned fur. Due to the unpredictability of mutations, one Muze might sport a tail, while another showcases long ears, sharp teeth, or spiky spines down their back. Some outliers even grow to uncommonly large sizes, bearing a resemblance to larger mammals like bears or apes. The diversity among the Muze is vast, and no single description can capture their multifaceted nature.

Muze are strong in mind and spirit and start with the Sneak prompt.

Nexu

The Nexu are a peculiar species of undead spirit-captives with a history rooted in millennia long past. Ages ago, they fell victim to colonial conquest, their spirits imprisoned within bioengineered bodies referred to as Shrouds.

The Necryptid who subjugated the Nexu, fled this universe before being tried for their crimes, leaving behind the now immortal people they had sought to exploit. This sets the Nexu apart, making them an exceedingly rare presence in the universe. Many beings have never heard of, let alone met, one of these enigmatic entities.

Physically, Nexu are tall and slender, their suits embodying technology far beyond the comprehension of most species. Behind their faceplate, an ethereal form radiates within an ectoplasmatronic capsule, embodying their ghostly nature.

Nexu are strong in spirit and mind and start with the Pilot prompt.

Tremok

The Tremok are a robust and mechanically inclined species known for their prowess in spacefaring endeavors. These stout warriors possess unwavering loyalty, often considered loyal to a fault. They are naturally drawn to tinkering, mechanics, and engineering, making them highly skilled at these trades. Many Tremok find their calling as miners and prospectors, purposefully seeking out the challenges of high-heat and high-gravity environments.

Tremok are characterized by their strong, squat bodies and a short, thick tail. What truly sets them apart is their third eye, which grants them a broader spectrum of vision, allowing them to perceive elements and microbes that others cannot. This unique ability enhances their expertise in various fields, making them valuable contributors to a spacer crew.

Tremok are strong in focus and mind and begin with the Plan prompt.

Myriad

The Myriad are an advanced species of exceptionally small creatures, measuring only half an inch in height. They possess an industrious nature and tend to congregate in colonies, each governed by a leader known as the “Big One," who fittingly, is always the largest among them.

While technologically advanced, the Myriad never pursued space travel. However their peaceful existence was disrupted when the Gorlon Empire unknowingly colonized their home planet, oblivious to the Myriad's existence. In response, the Myriad devised an ingenious solution: constructing a mechanical suit resembling a Gorlon. Within this ingenious suit, a delegation of 987 Myriad embarked on a march into the Gorlon court to demand a hearing.

Each Myriad colony suit serves as a self-sustaining hive for the Myriad, where they live, work, play, pay taxes, and carry out all the usual activities, albeit on a much smaller scale. Outwardly, the suit interacts with the outside world and communicates with other beings, all under the leadership and direction of the Big One.

Myriad are strong in body and focus and start with the Strength prompt.

Phidia

The Phidia are an intriguing species with an intelligent nature, and at first glance, they resemble plants. The reality is they are more akin to insectoids that have evolved to mimic plants as a natural defense mechanism. Hailing from the twin planets of Gemin and Rubal, locked in a tandem orbit, the Phidia have adapted to this unique environment.

These beings are characterized by their tall, slender, and graceful figures. Typically green in color, they exhibit bright appendages that can almost pass for floral elements, adding to their deceptive, plant-like appearances. What truly sets the Phidia apart is their ability to emit potent pheromones. This distinct trait enhances their capabilities and helps them navigate their intricate ecological niche within the galaxy.

Phidia are strong in focus and spirit and start with the Technical prompt.

Name Your Spacer and Get Ready For Lift-Off

Once you’ve chosen your species, grab its matching character sheet, give them a cool name, then flip the sheet over and answer the list of questions on the back. This will determine your character’s backstory and starting items or sidekicks.

Place your sheet in front of you, then place any starting items or sidekicks in the appropriate ready slots at the bottom of your sheet.

Each species has a starting deck of ten skill cards in the card catalog. Retrieve your starting skill deck, shuffle it, and set it near your character sheet.