I find it interesting how Classic Traveller puts the Psionics rules as the last chapter of Book 3: Worlds and Adventures, and how in Cepheus Engine, they are right between Skills and Equipment. So part of the regular character creation rules.
Cepheus Engine SRD is a toolbox from which you make a game, and Psionic rules are indeed character ability rules. But it's still interesting to see how this changes the assumed role of psionics in a game.
Been thinking about what I'm going to do for the Sci-Fi One-Shot Jam 2025
The theme is "Adaptation"
I had an idea of adapting the movies Wages of Fear (or Sorcerer or that one episode of the Mandolorian) to Cepheus Engine / Traveller system.
#itchio #gamejam #sfoneshot2025 #CepheusEngine #Traveller #TTRPG
Editing a version of the Cepheus Engine SRD for an Iridium Moons campaign to delete all the elements that don't belong in the setting, and getting to the Psionics chapter.
Really interesting how in Traveller/Cepheus Engine, the rate of aging can be a pretty good way to balance other special abilities of alien species.
Since every additional career term to get additional skills in character creation advances your character's age, it can be a motivation to maybe start playing with one or two terms less than with a species that starts getting age penalties later.
Never seen age progression be relevant like this before.
Question to #Traveller fans:
I am looking at #CepheusEngine to run a campaign in a Star Wars/Planetary Romance style TL 9/10 setting.
Are there any specific Traveller or Cepheus books I should check out before reinventing the wheel?
I am not sure if it's because I already had made some progress trying to learn Mongoose Traveller 2nd edition, but I feel like the Cepheus Engine SRD is so much more comprehensible and easier to understand.
It makes character creation look quite straightforward without using any kind of flowchart at all.
Sector map blanks for Traveller, Cepheus Engine, and Stars Without Number
The Cepheus Engine game system for Foundry is so much nicer looking and fancier than the official Mongoose Traveller game system, which looks really ugly and basic.
It comes with like 50 customization options for the UI, while most Foundry game systems have none.
I started ttrpg with dnd 5e but since then I found other systems I like much much more. dnd5e is not even in the top 10 anymore for me.
My top three favourite systems currently are: Hero System/ChampionsRPG, Traveller/Cepheus Engine and The Gemini System.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg #HeroSystem #ChampionsRPG #TavellerRPG #Cepheus #cepheusengine #TheGeminiSystem #GeminRPG
For anyone running the free one-page Cepheus Quantum RPG, here's a simple fillable character sheet:
https://polyhedralnonsense.com/2025/04/01/cepheus-quantum-quick-dirty-character-sheet/
#CepheusQuantum #CepheusEngine #TTRPG
Apocalypse Now on a Dinosaur Planet!
I cleaned up a one-shot I created for the Hostile RPG and posted it on my blog.
It's free to download, and includes pregens and player handouts.
https://polyhedralnonsense.com/2025/03/31/apocalypse-squad-a-one-shot-adventure-for-hostile/
Cepheus Quantum – Quick & Dirty Character sheet
Over on Reddit, I saw a request for a character sheet for Cepheus Quantum, the free, simple one-page version of the Cepheus Engine RPG.
I had a few similar character sheets for various Cepheus games, so I thought I’d quickly modify them to work with Cepheus Quantum. It’s a little thin, but it works. It’s fillable, and will automatically generate Stamina boxes.
I may make a prettier version later.
CepheusQuantum_CharsheetDownloadYou can see my complete list of Cepheus & Traveller sheets here.
#CepheusEngine #CepheusQuantum #CharacterSheets #FreeStuff #RPG
Apocalypse Squad – a one-shot adventure for Hostile
Over the years, I’ve made a bunch of adventures for various one-shots I’ve run. I thought I’d clean some of them up and publish them here for others to use. Very much inspired by the site 1Shot Adventures.
This one is Apocalypse Squad, a military action scenario for the RPG Hostile by Zozer Games. Hostile is set in a 1980s style retrofuture, similar in tone to Aliens and Outland. It uses the Cepheus Engine, which is an OGL version of Traveller.
The adventure is set on the world of Tau Ceti, a jungle planet full of gargantuan beasts. The planet is split between an American backed government, and a Chinese controlled area. The Chinese area is backing an insurgent force that American forces are engaged in a bloody guerilla war with. Essentially, the planet is a Vietnam War movie with dinosaurs.
Tau Ceti is described in the Hostile Setting book, as well as the separate Tau Ceti sourcebook. You don’t need either of these to run the adventure, but it’s a good setting and worth buying.
The adventure is designed for use with the Hostile RPG, but should work with any Cepheus Engine game, Traveller, or any 2D6 based sci-fi RPG.
I’ve provided a PDF version of the adventure, and various handouts at the bottom of the post.
Apocalypse Squad
The players are a team of mercenaries and operatives on the war-torn world of Tau Ceti. They’ve been tasked with eliminating a rogue AMSAC colonel in one of the disputed areas in the deep jungles.
Pregen characters are provided, and each has a secret agenda that may complicate the players’ mission.
What’s Going on? (GM Only)
A rogue AI named WINGMAN which was installed on a crashed McConnell AV-105 Jump-Jet Gunship has established a cult around itself. It uses its advanced memetic algorithms to recruit and brainwash captured civilians and soldiers from both sides of the conflict.
Colonel Harris Binford (code name FOXGLOVE) was involved in the original WINGMAN program, and deliberately crashed the ship here, while under WINGMAN’s influence, and has become the unofficial head of this cult. He established a military force of ASMAC deserters and locals and has begun staging attacks on both TLA and ASMAC forces. Captured fighters are brought to WINGMAN to be manipulated into joining the cult.
What does WINGMAN want? Nothing. It’s not actually sentient. WINGMAN’s algorithms require it to continually train and recruit soldiers and spread it’s influence.
A team of Recon Marines was sent to eliminate FOXGLOVE, and on the enemy side, the TLA sent an assassination team as well. Both teams were lost and presumed dead.
ASMAC has decided to send a team of deniable assets (the players), to find and kill FOXGLOVE. Only certain members of the team will be advised of the existence of WINGMAN.
Project WINGMAN
A joint classified project between ASMAC Intelligence and Transdyne Cybersystems designed to provide an advanced AI co-pilot system for pilots – code named WINGMAN. It was programmed to not only give tactical information, but to psychologically understand and support the pilot. The hope was to prevent psychological disorders and promote retention of trained ASMAC pilots.
The WINGMAN program had an unexpected side effect. The pilots using the system became psychologically dependent on the WINGMAN system, often displaying the same symptoms found in cult members.
The WINGMAN project was cancelled, but CAS-DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) was still interested in the technology for use in counter intelligence and propaganda purposes. All known WINGMAN systems were acquired for study and storage, except one.
A McConnell AV-105 Jump-Jet Gunship was fitted with WINGMAN, and was lost in disputed territory.
What you can tell the players
An ASMAC colonel – Harris Binford (code name FOXGLOVE) has apparently gone rogue with some of his men and some local mercenaries. They have a base deep in contested territory, in a high mountain valley overlooking the Nung river.
You have been assigned to eliminate FOXGLOVE. Note that this mission has not been officially sanctioned by ASMAC or the CAS and its allies. If captured, you will not be rescued and your existence will not be acknowledged.
The mission is as follows:
Payment of $250K, and passage off-world will be given to each surviving team member, if proof of FOXGLOVE’s demise is provided.
Van Owen is the designated team leader.
Here’s what you’ve been given
• A ride on a civilian fishing vessel close to the base's location.• Gear and ammo for 3 days• 3 radio beacons for extraction.• Maps of the area• Photographs of FOXGLOVE• A Toyota CH987 "Alpaca" Cargo Drone
Contents of Cargo Drone
The Team
A special team of operatives and mercenaries. They officially do not work for ASMAC, and carry no ID or rank insignia.
Most of the team members have a secret mission or motivation unknown to the others.
Van Owen: Team leader and DIA agent. Secret orders to retrieve the data core of WINGMAN
Oshi: Ex-Yakuza, has secret Retrogenetic Mods.
Sofia Cazarez: – Sniper. Secret DIA agent tasked to assist Van Owen without his knowledge.
Xueli Shou: Team Scout. Has a secret motive. He believes his brother is being held by FOXGLOVE. Will do anything to rescue him. Has a boat stashed nearby.
Roland de Haan: Norwegian Mercenary. Heavy Gunner. No secret agenda.
Ethan Buchanan: AWOL soldier. Secretly hired by Transdyne Cybersystems to recover the intact WINGMAN unit.
Arriving
A civilian fishing vessel will take the players to the base of the small mountain overlooking the Nung river. The trip will take a few days, and the fishermen have been compensated well enough that they won’t ask any questions. The trip will be uneventful, unless the GM wants to add any encounters.
The boat will stop briefly, allowing the players to depart and will immediately retreat downriver.
The cliffs rise above the river, and look difficult to climb. A waterfall tumbles down the cliff. A small game trail leads north. Along the trail are the following locations:
1. The Cliff
Crumbling rock, almost impossible to climb (14+ difficulty)
2. The Marked Ascent
A more solid rocky cliff, climbable with difficulty (8+). It leads to #3 – The Angels
Several cut ropes lie at the bottom. They can be identified as USMC-issue polycarbon climbing ropes.
There are multiple shell casings littering the jungle floor. The bodies of two Heckle birds, both blown to bits, lie on the ground.
3. The Angels
Halfway up the cliff face, five corpses are secured to the cliff face with rope. They are easily identified as dead Recon Marines.
This was the original team assigned to hit FOXGLOVE. The bodies have been stripped of equipment, and have been affixed with angel wings made of brass shell casings.
One corpse has exploded. Heckle birds are pecking at the rest.
The bodies have been booby-trapped with grenades (5D6/3D6/1D6 damage). Recon 6+ to detect.
Detonating the grenades will alert 1d6 Cultist sentries.
Cultists
Str: 8 (+0) Dex: 7 (+0) End: 8 (+0)
Gun Combat-1, Melee-1
Rifle 3d6, pistol 2d6 Armor 4
4. The TLA Patrol
A TLA team assigned to take out FOXGLOVE failed and fled. The remaining four members (4) have set up an ambush here, to attack the patrol they think is following them. -3 Recon roll to detect the ambush. Treat as an Enemy Unit 11+ (+1 machine gun)
Any survivors will flee. Any bodies or survivors will have a picture of FOXGLOVE.
TLA soldiers
Str: 8 (+0) Dex: 8 (+0) End: 8 (+0)
Gun Combat-2, Melee-1,
AKZ-4 3d6 Armor 4
5. The Last Recon
The last survivor of the Recon Marine team, a Cpl. Wayne Trampler, is trapped behind some logs while 4 Akkidomorphs circle around him. He’s armed with a VP90 pistol with only a few rounds left. He is badly injured and will not last long. Even with first aid, he will die within a half hour.
If rescued, he will report that when the Recon team attempted to climb the route at location #2, they were attacked from above.
Akkidomorphs
Str: 14 (+2) Dex: 9 (+1) End: 13 (+2)
Attack 6+ Teeth 2d6+1 Flee 11-
6. Suspiciously Obvious Route
A convenient rope ladder and lots of handholds carved into the rock make this an easy route to the top of the mountain. There are 6 cultists waiting to attack at the top.
Cultists
Str: 8 (+0) Dex: 7 (+0) End: 8 (+0)
Gun Combat-1, Melee-1
Rifle 3d6, pistol 2d6 Armor 4
7. Black Garden
A gentle, winding path leads to the top of the mountain. This is the easiest way to scale the mountain and reach the base. It’ll take about thirty minutes to ascend. The cultists have planted various dangerous plants to keep intruders out.
Make a D6 roll every 5 minutes. On a 1-2, a dangerous plant is encountered. Choose one from below A Survival roll of 10+ can identify dangerous plants.
Every 10 minutes there is a 2 in six chance of encountering a patrol of two cultists.
The Top of the mountain and the Base
Lightly forested with various open areas. 2 man teams patrol each this area regularly.
The Insurgent Base
The base is a large 6m deep depression in the top of the mountain. It contains the following:
If the players spend time to watch the base, they’ll notice the following:
The Cave
The cave has a 4m wide opening, with two guards always stationed outside.
A short tunnel leads to a natural 10m cavern. Inside is the cockpit of the crashed jump jet with the WINGMAN unit attached. To enter the cavern, there’s a thin plastic sheet doorway that serves as an airlock to keep out the tainted air of Tau Ceti.
There is a barrel here with a fire. New cultists throw all of their old personal items into the fire. The smoke rises through various chimney holes in the ceiling.
FOXGLOVE is usually here. If caught unawares, he will be praying to the jump jet, in a strange combination of memorized Bible quotes and ASMAC regulations.
FOXGLOVE has a radio and will summon help at the first sign of trouble. Having the most exposure to WINGMAN, FOXGLOVE is absolutely fanatical and cannot be negotiated with.
The chimneys are natural holes in the rock. One is large enough to enter from above, but anyone who does will need to make a DEX roll to avoid being set on fire when landing on the cavern floor (2D6 damage per round, Panic Roll)
Stopping up the chimneys will fill the cave with smoke causing restricted visibility inside.
Prisoners are brought here, and forced into the cockpit. The VR pilot’s helmet is forcibly placed on their heads, and the process of WINGMAN brainwashing begins. It takes about 45 minutes.
It takes 2 minutes to remove the WINGMAN device. It’s a sturdy polycarbon black box with a handle, festooned with CLASSIFIED warning stickers. It can easily be carried with one hand.
What Happens Next?
How the attack on the base proceeds depends on how the players approached the mountain base. If they avoided alerting the cultists, they can try to stealth their way in.
If not, it’ll be a firefight with a numerically superior force.
There are approximately 50 insurgents. They won’t all be at the base at the same time. Some will be sleeping in the pressure tents. Some will on patrol elsewhere. They will converge the sound of gunfire or explosions. Though fanatical and willing to die, they are more than willing to take prisoners, in order to bring new converts to WINGMAN.
The attack is also the most likely time for players to enact their secret agendas if they have one.
Bugging Out
The valley to the northeast is a the quickest way to the LZ. It’s about 1 km to the landing zone. An activated beacon will summon a jump jet in about 10 minutes.
If the AA guns are still active, the jump jet will not arrive.
For extra danger, the GM can add some local wildlife – A Devil Cow or some Jabberwocks to make the exit interesting.
If, for whatever reason, the jump jet isn’t available, it will take 2 weeks on foot, through dinosaur and insurgent-infested jungles to reach the nearest friendly settlement.
Handouts
Here’s the pregen character sheets for the team:
ApocSquad_PregensDownloadThis is a weapon loadout sheet for each player to keep track of ammunition.. There is a basic sheet for most team members, and a custom sheet for Sofia and Roland.
ApocSquad_WeaponLoadout_BasicDownload ApocSquad_WeaponLoadout_RolandDownload ApocSquad_WeaponLoadout_SofiaDownloadThis is a mission briefing handout for each player, along with a satellite map of the mission location.
ApocSquad_MissionBriefingDownload ApocSquad_PlayerMissionMapDownloadEach player has a secret sheet with their secret orders or motivations. Hand these out the appropriate players before the game starts.
ApocSquad_SecretOrdersDownloadHere’s the adventure itself in PDF form for the GM. It also includes combat sheets that have all the stats for enemy combatants.
ApocSquad_AdventureDownloadHere’s the GM version of the map, along with a map of the insurgent base. The insurgent base image can be shared with the players at the appropriate time.
ApocSquad_GMMissionMapDownload ApocSquad_BaseMapDownload
Kosmic was reviewed about a year ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW6FUoxz9Pc
#SolisPeopleOfTheSun #TravellerRPG #CepheusEngine #KosmicRPG
@Norton_Glover
I'm going to use this for background material for a game of Hostile, the retro-80s sci-fi RPG.
Specifically the Tau Ceti setting, which is basically Planet Vietnam Movie (with dinosaurs)
Cepheus Engine had some space encounter tables, which I used for Kosmic:
#CepheusEngine #TravellerRPG #SolisPeopleOfTheSun
I made a table for alternate titles:
#SolisPeopleOfTheSun #TravellerRPG #CepheusEngine
Just discovered that one of my favorite free fan RPG works, Star Trek: Alpha Quadrant, is no longer available on its original web site.
ST:AQ is a Cepheus Engine version of the Star Trek setting. It's got really high production value for a fan work.
To keep it available, I've uploaded it to the Internet Archive, to hopefully keep it alive.
Here's a fairly detailed Reddit post with a nice family tree of all of the various Traveller/Cepheus Engine games
https://www.reddit.com/r/cepheusengine/comments/1ikd5de/travellercepheus_family_tree/
Calendar for Solis People of the Sun
#SolisPeopleOfTheSun #CepheusEngine #TravellerRPG
