Independent tabletop publisher Midwest Mancers, led by designers Brevon Harrison and Nathaniel Moore, has released the Within Cold Stars – Free Quickstart Rulebook on DriveThruRPG as a 138-page Pay What You Want PDF with a suggested price of $1. The book introduces players to the galaxy of Eradonis, a sci-fi setting operating entirely on known laws of physics without magical elements.
While the publisher pitched the game on having a universe noticeably different from standard sci-fi, the quickstart rulebook struggles to deliver on that distinction. Instead, the document concentrates heavily on detailed mechanical explanations and comprehensive species lists, offering a solid d20 system baseline for sci-fi roleplaying games.
Galaxy Setting and Lore
The universe of Eradonis lies billions of light-years from the Milky Way and is governed by the Hegemony, an expansive galactic regime led by an entity known as The Pantheon. The setting attempts to balance an interstellar socialist utopia in the Inner Heg against oppressive bureaucracy and exploitative treaties in the outer Territories. Farther out lies the Frontier, a lawless region where smaller factions, independent crews, and megacorporations like Azure Corp clash over resources.
Despite this setup, much of the lore in the quickstart relies on familiar space western and space opera tropes. The promise of an entirely fresh cosmic setting gets somewhat lost behind standard interstellar tropes, such as corporate syndicates, nomadic fleets, and frontier bars. The text provides a straightforward background for game masters to run planetary or galactic-scale adventures, though group leaders will need to do extra worldbuilding work to make the environment feel truly distinct.
Alien Species
The quickstart shines brighter in its species roster, offering five distinct playable options out of the ten recognised under galactic law: Adrizoids, Luxcites, Okkots, Ryketh, and Vaihmarians. Each entry receives detailed background lore, biological notes, and specific stat adjustments.
- Adrizoids: Reptilian humanoids who emit natural persuasion-enhancing pheromones.
- Luxcites: Tall, silver-skinned co-founders of the Hegemony who invented hardlight technology.
- Okkots: A species with extreme sexual dimorphism where females are heavily armoured warriors and males are small slug-like organisms operating robotic frames.
- Ryketh: Horned, primate-like nomads with opposable toes suited for climbing.
- Vaihmarians: Pink-hued bioengineers who construct living tools, organic weapons, and biological starships.
The mechanical implementation of these species feels distinct during play. For example, playing a male Okkot completely shifts how health and body cybernetics function.
The d20 Rules System
At its core, Within Cold Stars relies on a standard d20 system. Players make skill or stat checks by rolling a 20-sided die, adding the relevant modifier, and attempting to beat a target difficulty set by the game master.
Combat is tactical and turn-based, utilising six-second rounds. Health management stands out because characters track individual limb health for the head, torso, arms, and legs. Taking severe damage to a limb causes explicit injuries, requiring medical attention to prevent amputation or critical conditions. Tactical options such as cover, overwatch, limb targeting, and recoil adjustments give firefights a gritty, deadly edge.
Character Creation and Options
Character creation in Within Cold Stars uses a classless approach. Players allocate points across six core stats: Strength, Manoeuvrability, Intellect, Perception, Presence, and Adaptability. From there, players pick skills divided into eight broad categories, ranging from ranged weapons to computer tech and dancing.
Characters gain perks automatically as their skill ranks improve, alongside general perks selected every three levels. Background options like Bounty Hunter, Explorer, Scholar, and Veteran supply starting equipment, connection tables, and specific app access on the in-game pocket computer. The sheer breadth of gear, weapons, cybernetics, and vehicle rules crammed into 138 pages makes this quickstart exceptionally generous as a reference manual.
