Star Ship Encounter Tables for the Frontiers of Space by Joseph Mohr is a role playing game supplement published by Old School Role Playing for use with Cepheus Engine. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.
The supplement is available as a 48 page Pay What You Want PDF from DriveThruRPG. Two pages are the front and rear covers, three the front matter and three the Open Game License.
The opening paragraphs explain that the supplement is intended to provide encounter tables that are both random and logical. It also explains that, though the tables are intended for use with the Frontiers of Space, they could be used in other sectors.
The Encounter Tables explains there are many and some are more than 2d6. Probabilities of encounters are suggested with each table and some may seem redundant, only being there for random results if such are wanted.
The encounter tables follow. There are 36 tables, which cover the following. Encounters in Deep Space. Encounters Near Worlds with a Type “A” Star Port, with similar tables for B, C, D, E, X and None. Coalition or Governmental Affiliation, which is tailored to the Frontiers of Space. Intent, with modifiers for affiliation. Encounters Near Worlds with a Naval Base, with similar for Scout Base, Amber Zone and Red Zone. Derelict Table, Debris Table, Who is Inside the Ship, Space Phenomena, Distress Calls, Cause of Distress, Mis-Jump and Engine Failure. Encounters Near Gas Giants and similar for System Borders, Sector Borders, In Trade Lanes, Near Asteroid Belts, Near Uninhabited Systems and Near Space Phenomena. War Ship Table, War Fleets, Condition of Derelict Ships, Trade Goods, Pirates, Escape Pods and Alien Vessels.
Definitions covers the terms used.
Closing Thoughts looks at how the tables can help the GM.
Star Ship Encounter Tables for the Frontiers of Space in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and given the length and the number of different sections, these would have been useful. Navigation is poor. The text maintains a single column format and some minor errors were noticed. Bar the covers, there are no illustrations. Presentation is adequate.
The name of this supplement might be a bit misleading; it is not encounters with star ships but what star ships might encounter, with more than a few results not being ships of any description. Most of the tables are indeed usable with other settings; only those with information specific to the Frontiers of Space are not. Indeed, with some tweaking and finding appropriate similar ships, the supplement could even be used with other systems. Star Ship Encounter Tables for the Frontiers of Space can be found by clicking here.
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