[Space] Random Crisis Generator for Space Opera campaigns

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Cernig

51. We're Home Already/Again?
The ship or fleet encounters a system and world exactly like their own origin system and world in all immediately recognisable respects. Even down to family and friends left behind. It takes some time before the differences and/or hidden trap emerge. The world might be an illusion generated by a space-god, an elaborate trap by shape-changing face-hugging aliens, a temporary space-time discontinuity etc.

Slightly over-the top, and definitely inapplicable to space stations. How about allowing several variants:
Roll 1d, reroll if inappropriate:
1. System/planetary data matches, but not the population. E.g.
2. System data matches, and the planet superficially seems to match, but is later found to be different (might cause a hit to the fleet's morale if they're looking for a place to settle).
3. System different, but the planetary data are a match (as per 1).
4. System, planet and population are 'ours', but not exactly.
5. System, planet and population are exactly 'ours', including friends.
6. System, planet and population are exactly 'ours', including friends . . . and the characters themselves!

Ignore 4-6 in campaigns with lower level of weirdness; if they're not skipped, they may or may not be some sort of illusion/anomaly. If the 'home' is a fake, and the nomad fleet is in search of home, this crisis will cause a huge hit to the fleet's morale.

This crisis may or may not result in the end of a nomad campaign under certain circumstances. If this is the case, but the GM wishes to continue the campaign, s/he/it should roll another crisis, and delay this one as many times as needed.