By GM Phil
Welcome to Fragments from The Edge! Anyone who’s followed my writing remembers my prior blog, Fragments from the Rim, where I wrote about gaming, costuming, Star Wars, and scifi in general. Those themes are going to be replicated here (well, maybe not as much of the costuming stuff). In Fragments from The Edge I’ll be detailing much of my writing process, providing advice and guidance, and sharing things that work within our settings that we may not be able to include in our official products.
As an example of things you’ll find here, today’s blog is focused on a new starship to travel around the Almacar Galaxy in: the Eclipse-class Light Freighter. This ship is based on a design featured on several maps made by Christopher West, master cartographer and friend of Studio 404 Games. I’ve used Chris’s maps in just about every campaign and game session I’ve run in the past six years. I’m really excited to draft up this freighter from his Mass Transit-series of scifi maps. Anyone looking for some good maps for their Starcana campaign, or any scifi setting, would do well to check out his exceptional work.
You can find the map for the Nova Eclipse Freighter here on Chris West’s “Maps of Mastery” website.
Eclipse-class Light Freighter
Manufactured by Westar Aerospace, the Eclipse-class starship is Westar’s most popular entry into the light freighter market. It is a robust craft capable of handling a variety of mission profiles and needs. The freighter has a bulky profile with a large port-side cargo module. The two massive engines that push the Eclipse at respectable speeds dominate the rear of the ship. Its twin decks provide ample room to carry its crew and passengers comfortably. The Eclipse features a boxy cargo pod that is also two-tiered and features a large freight elevator to assist with stacking and organizing its cargo. For defense against hostile threats, the Eclipse mounts a laser cannon as well as a six-shot rocket launcher in a dorsal turret. A second turret on the starboard side mounts two particle beam cannons. A second ventral-mounted laser turret is offered as a factory-installed option.
Eclipse freighters are highly customizable; the cargo pod is often swapped out or refurbished to suit the needs of the owner. Some captains have turned their Eclipses into executive couriers, replacing the cargo pod with a pair of luxury cabins and executive accommodations. The Wardens have turned several Eclipse freighters into medical ships, complete with surgical suites and a recovery ward. Some mercenary groups, as well as pirates, have even converted their Eclipses into pocket-carriers, replacing the cargo pod with two compact starfighter launches.
I hope you enjoy using the Eclipse-class freighter in your games!
Until next time, may the dice be with you!
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