Some of my players and I are gearing up for a Space Opera campaign. We know the vibe we're looking for and settled on a couple of options for our system. There were a couple that just missed our short list:
Planet Raygun - a Carved from Brindlewood Space Heist game. I currently have another CfB campaign running (Public Access) and will be starting another (Beneath Ahknoor playtest) soon. I really want to play/run this one, but it was the wrong fit for this game.
Scum & Villainy - a Forged in the Dark Space Opera game. Again, I want to play more of this, but it didn't feel like the right fit for the group.
The two that we are trying out are Starforged, which is coming up next, and Stars Without Number, which we just wrapped up.
With this short run done, I thought I'd share two game reports covering the four lunch hour sessions I ran. They're both in the form of "news" from HelioDyne, the megacorp the PCs were trying to deal with.
Let me know what you think. Are you interested in specifics about how we felt about SWN?
As always, follow me here for regular updates, and at https://mountainfoot.itch.io/ to see what I’m building.
Report 1
“THE EMBERFALL INCIDENT: FACTS AND FICTIONS”
HelioDyne Public Affairs Division — Authorized Distribution
[Clean corporate ident. Soft blue light. Calm music. HelioDyne logo resolves with the tagline: “Progress. Responsibly Delivered.”]
SPOKESPERSON (measured, reassuring):
Recent reports circulating on fringe networks have raised concerns regarding HelioDyne’s operations on the Emberfall site. We would like to address these claims directly—with facts.
🎥 SCENE 1: CONTROLLED IMAGERY
Footage of orderly evacuations. Smiling technicians. Clean corridors.
Emberfall was a legacy mining site scheduled for closure due to declining yield. HelioDyne initiated a responsible withdrawal, prioritizing worker safety, environmental remediation, and full regulatory compliance.
At no point was the colony “abandoned.”
🎥 SCENE 2: THE “SMUGGLER CREW”
Still images: grainy sensor captures of a small freighter. Faces blurred. Labels appear: “UNLICENSED OPERATORS.”
During final operations, HelioDyne security detected unauthorized actors exploiting the evacuation to conduct illegal extraction of corporate property.
These individuals:
- Forged departure manifests
- Interfered with inspection procedures
- Endangered HelioDyne personnel
- Engaged in deliberate deception of corporate security
This was not whistleblowing.
This was theft.
🎥 SCENE 3: THE WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIM
The name “Aaron Pallas” appears, stamped with red text: STATUS — TERMINATED (CAUSE: GROSS MISCONDUCT).
A former contractor, dismissed for falsifying reports, has been used as a human shield by criminal elements seeking leverage against HelioDyne.
Claims of environmental damage rely on:
- Incomplete datasets
- Manipulated telemetry
- Testimony from a single disgruntled individual
HelioDyne rejects these allegations entirely.
🎥 SCENE 4: CORPORATE AUTHORITY
Cut to HelioDyne corvette patrols. Officers in pristine uniforms.
HelioDyne security acted professionally and lawfully, intercepting the smugglers and confiscating contraband.
Unfortunately, the criminals exploited inspection protocols to escape. An internal review is underway—not because procedures failed, but because bad actors abused good faith systems.
🎥 SCENE 5: WARNING
Music shifts subtly colder.
Let us be clear:
Harboring stolen HelioDyne assets—or individuals—constitutes corporate interference under interstellar trade law.
Any parties assisting these criminals may be subject to:
- Contract termination
- Asset seizure
- Restricted trade status
HelioDyne prefers cooperation.
But we will protect our people, our partners, and our investments.
HelioDyne logo returns.
SPOKESPERSON (closing):
Progress requires trust. HelioDyne remains committed to transparency, accountability, and stability across the sector.
Do not be misled by pirates posing as heroes.
Signal ends.
Report 2
HELIO DYNE PUBLIC SAFETY HOLOVID
IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
[Holo opens on HelioDyne corporate mark. Somber music. Grainy dockside surveillance footage plays—faces obscured, timestamps partially redacted.]
NARRATOR (calm, authoritative):
HelioDyne confirms that earlier today, HelioDyne Asset Recovery personnel were violently assaulted while conducting a lawful interdiction at a commercial spaceport.
[Cut to still image: laser designation dot frozen on a blurred figure. Audio crackle.]
Our team identified a vessel and crew previously linked to the theft of restricted HelioDyne property. When approached and ordered to stand down, the suspects fled and opened fire, initiating a sustained and dangerous firefight in a civilian docking zone.
[Footage shows muzzle flashes, impacts on cargo crates, alarms.]
During the attack, a HelioDyne recovery specialist was critically injured by long‑range weapons fire while attempting to prevent the suspects from escaping. Despite multiple commands to disengage, the criminals escalated, employing illegal combat augmentations and anomalous abilities to evade capture.
[Freeze‑frame on distorted energy displacement; frame glitches.]
HELIO DYNE SPOKESPERSON (on‑screen):
“These individuals showed a reckless disregard for life. They fired into a populated industrial facility and severely wounded one of our people. HelioDyne will not tolerate violence against its employees or the communities we operate in.”
[Cut to medical bay imagery—non‑specific, no identifying details.]
The injured HelioDyne worker remains under intensive care. Our thoughts are with their family and colleagues.
[Music shifts—resolute.]
WANTED: DANGEROUS CRIMINALS
[Composite silhouettes of three figures; details intentionally vague.]
HelioDyne is offering a reward of up to 250,000 credits for verified information leading to the identification and apprehension of the following individuals:
- Three‑person crew, operating a lightly armed free‑trader
- Known to use illegal psychic or anomalous capabilities
- Armed and extremely dangerous
- Responsible for assault, attempted homicide, and corporate property theft
DO NOT APPROACH.
These suspects are considered high risk. Contact local authorities or HelioDyne Security through authorized channels.
[Encrypted contact glyph animates onto screen.]
CLOSING STATEMENT
HelioDyne remains committed to protecting its employees, partners, and the stability of interstellar commerce. Acts of violence will be met with decisive action.
If you know something, say something.
Justice for our injured colleague depends on it.
[HelioDyne logo fades in. End transmission.]
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