Traveler’s Guide to the Galaxy 001 – Hazards of the Void by Alex Riggs and Joshua Zabeck is a role playing game supplement published by Necromancers of the Northwest for use with the Starfinder Roleplaying Game. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result. This is a collection of new hazards that can be found in space, although many can be dangerous for entire planets as well.
This is a seven page PDF which is available from RPGNow at the regular price of $1.49 but was purchased at the reduced price of $1.12. Two pages are the colour front and rear covers, one page the Credits and one page is the Open Game License. The supplement starts with a brief Introduction before moving onto the new hazards.
First is Asteroids. These come in different types, small, standard and large for a regular asteroid, and then ice spheres. Information is given on their speed, avoiding them and what happens if they are destroyed, or if they are hit. The section finishes with an overview of what happens if an asteroid hits a planet.
Next is Black Holes. These are deadly, with contact meaning instant destruction, and vessels close to one suffer from time dilation.
Comets are next, and there is only a single type of comet considered (dead ones will really come under asteroids). These are considered to be more dangerous than asteroids, and again what happens if they hit a planet is considered.
Electromagnetic Storms can damage ships with their energies and also have an effect on planets, with technology items running into problems. Purely mechanical technology functions okay, and there is even a minor effect on magic.
Gravitational Riptides are waves of gravity in space from a number of causes and will move ships and other objects, but are not dangerous otherwise.
Stellar Explosions are such as novae and supernovae. Unless avoided, these are deadly for ships – signs are usually available beforehand to allow ships to evacuate. The effect on planets – often terminal – is also considered.
Traveler’s Guide to the Galaxy 001 – Hazards of the Void in Review
For a PDF with three pages of actual content, this is well bookmarked with the major sections linked. Certainly there could have been a bit more depth, but this isn’t really needed. Navigation is therefore very good.
The text maintains a two column format and no errors were noticed. As well as the front cover there are a couple of nice full colour space illustrations, presumably stock, which are pretty appropriate.
The supplement does add a bunch of new dangers in space, some of which are extremely deadly if they can’t be avoided. Even collision with an asteroid can be just as dangerous for a ship as a black hole. The various new hazards are covered in a decent level of detail, with appropriate checks to avoid them considered, as well as what effect they might have on planets, magic and technology, where appropriate. One minor quibble is that such as asteroids and comets aren’t really considered as anything but hazards – both could be a source of useful or valuable substances. Traveler’s Guide to the Galaxy 001 – Hazards of the Void adds more detail and danger to space travel and it can be found by clicking here.
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