A guide to random tools for Space Fantasy or Science Fantasy. With sections for starting points, tools, pdfs extra tools and maps.
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Starting Points
sf tools | pdfs | sf details | maps | star wars
Space Fantasy and Science Fantasy are relatively rare among the genres for Roleplaying Games. A mix of fantasy and science fiction elements.
But Troika!, Starfinder, Spelljammer, Bastionland and other rpgs fit this mould . And maybe even Star Wars!
Related Guides includes Space/Science Fantasy PDFs, the Sci-Fi Random Gens Guide and Generators Guide for Fantasy.
June 2024: Star Wars section added.
Space Fantasy Tools
sf tools | pdfs | sf details | maps | star wars
This list is pretty sparse for now.
Start with Shrike Glimpses - Skyship Journey Tapestries.
Starfinder has Starfinder Tools for all things Starfinder providing a broad range of generators for helping your space fantasy.
Other mentions for
- Alien Race Generator at 7th Sanctum
- There is a decent robot generator from Springhole.net
- While donjon has a Worlds and Planes Generator for strange environments
Random PDFs
sf tools | pdfs | sf details | maps | star wars
There is a fair amount out there, as this genre is suited for odd situations that often arise from random tables.
- dicegeeks has The Book of Random Tables: Fantasy Space, with 25 d100 tables to get you started.
- For a deck of short adventures, Sidequest Decks: Science Fantasy from Inkwell Ideas has 50+ cards that will help you out.
- Stars Without Number from Sine Nomine Publishing is a free sci-fi RPG, which also has many pages or random tables. And a fantasy version in Worlds Without Number. Between the two there is lots of inspiration for science fantasy games.
- the Lifeform Maker from Ennead Games which creates alien creatures and life forms. And there is also Quick Generator Sci-Magic Classes to give ideas for your science-fantasy games. And Quick Generator - MagicTech Concept.
- Troika from Melsonian Arts Council is a perfect example of quirky space fantasy. It's not got a whole lot of random tables but it is a simple system for trying Space Fantasy RPGs. It uses random tables for character concept / profession, spells, monster mien, and anywhere else it matters.
Space Fantasy Other Tools
sf tools | pdfs | sf details | maps | star wars
Magic symbols feature in supernatural and planar travel, so there is a Sigil Generator from watabou, who also has a basic Rune Generator. And ciacodavi has a Magic Circle generator with arcane patterns. Lastly the Sigil Engine will create a sigil depending on what you enter.
Also needs filling out, but mentions for
- Alien Race Generator at 7th Sanctum
- Fantasy Crossbreed Generator at 7th Sanctum
- an alien restaurant menu at Obscure Hub
- Portals are a mainstay of travel between realms, and there is a generator for Portals at Chaotic Shiny.
- For weird magical effects there is also the Magic Phenomena at 7th Sanctum.
- I've got Space Fantasy Ruins at Chaos Gen
- Fantasy Name Generators has names for Steampunk, Mad Scientists, Apocalypse/Mutant Nicknames, and several Starfinder Name Gens.
Science Fantasy Maps
sf tools | pdfs | sf details | maps | star wars
This is a pretty open topic, as Science Fantasy and Space Fantasy can cover so many settings.
For now take a look at the Map Tools articles, with noteworthy ones including Maps for Otherworldly Fantasy and 31 Days of RPG Maps Gens.
This is one that will be updated and expanded in the future.
Star Wars Tools
sf tools | pdfs | sf details | maps | star wars
Star Wars is a particular type of Space Fantasy, with the magic of the Force.
For Star Wars Names, Beyond "R2-D2", "Rey" and "Chewbacca" find a number of names by species or an even wider selection.
Maybe you prefer a single generator covering all the angles or names from The Old Republic.
f you want to expand a character beyond a name then I must mention the SW Multi Gen tool. It has the best Star Wars NPC (Non-Player Character) generator I've found so far and can also create weapons and quests (where it's mentioned twice more below).
You may prefer to pick NPCs from a chart.
The SW Multi Gen tool can do quests with stats using the Fantasy Flight games.
For something more lightweight try picking from 101 Encounters or rolling up an adventure own from several d12 tables
For locations like the Radioactive Plains of Bala there is a Locations name generator.
Donjon shines here with planet names or a System Generator from the SW d6 version of the game
The versatile Multi Gen tool can also create weapon, while there is a whole site dedicated to Star Wars shops. For a simple chart try 101 Star Wars artifacts.
If you want help running a Star Wars RPG there is a simple pdf guide
Science Fantasy Tool Recommendations
I'll come back and update the Guide so send me any recommendations for tools, tables and pdfs.
If you liked these there are Generators at Chaos Gen and a monthly random tools Newsletter. Or find us on the Rand Roll Discord or an instagram of Random Tables.
