I've released Opera, my rules-lite hard science TTRPG based on the Cairn foundation.
You can find it as a free download on Itch at https://troy-r.itch.io/opera or as a print book on Lulu.
I am pretty proud of myself. Ultimately, I decided to create this book because I really liked playing Monolith, but wanted a version that didn't include magic and psionics and other fantasy elements. Traveller sounds fun, and I like the worldbuilding, but I just could see myself or my group getting invested in that heavy of a ruleset. Thus, Opera has been created to fill the gap.
It's based on the rules in Cairn and Monolith, but I had a few of my own genius ideas.
- Life path chargen for an Odd-like. I'm sure its been done before, but I haven't seen it. This system takes a bit of time at the table (I added a quick character creation page for those not running campaigns) but my players always seem to enjoy it just as much as the game itself.
- Streamlined starship combat. Opera starship combat is simpler and more streamlined than Monolith. Space battles are represented in a line rather than grid or hex map. I also tried to make sure that even starship combat stays focused on the characters themselves. Characters make all the saves and every department has interesting and strategic choices to make.
- Hacking. I include some straightforward but powerful hacking rules. My intention is that the "EXEs" are narrow enough but clear enough that players can use them easily without creating a huge burden on the GM to make fair calls or prep like crazy.
I'd appreciate any and all feedback either here or on the Itch page. I have half an adventure written for it, but right now I am more interested in Reckoning, my WIP wild west (hexcrawl?) game.