# Ashen Stars

Ashen Stars plunges players into a vibrant, galaxy-spanning universe as they assume the roles of elite agents battling crime and intrigue among the stars. Utilizing a versatile rules system inspired by the popular GUMSHOE mechanics, the game empowers players to solve mysteries and engage in thrilling spacefaring adventures while minimizing downtime. What sets Ashen Stars apart is its seamless blend of investigative storytelling and dynamic space combat, allowing players to weave personal narratives into a richly interactive cosmos filled with alien cultures and cosmic dangers.

## At a Glance

Science Fiction • Needs GM • 3/5 complexity • Medium prep

## Why It Fits

A strong fit for groups that want science-fiction ideas to shape the actual play experience, with collaborative Worldbuilding helping define the experience.

## Fit Facts

- Players: 2-5 players + GM
- Session length: 120-240 minutes
- Prep: Medium

## Facets

- Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera
- Mechanics: Collaborative Worldbuilding, Investigation, Narrative-Driven
- Themes: Mature

## Scores

- Complexity: 3/5
- New GM Fit: 2/5
- Roleplay Focus: 5/5
- Combat Focus: 2/5
- Tactical Depth: 1/5
- Campaign Depth: 5/5

## Best For

- Players who want science-fiction ideas to shape the actual play experience
- Groups that want to help shape the setting as part of play
- Players who want character, atmosphere, or story to matter more than pure tactics

## Avoid If

- You want combat and action to drive most of the session
- You mainly want short standalone sessions with minimal carryover
- You want the system to stay almost invisible at the table

## Directory Notes

Ashen Stars is a science fiction tabletop roleplaying game published by Pelgrane Press, utilizing the GUMSHOE system. Players take on the roles of 'Lasers,' freelance law enforcers in the 'Bleed,' a sector of space struggling after a devastating war.

## Theme and Setting

The game focuses on investigation, problem-solving, and collaborative worldbuilding, offering a mature, narrative-driven experience. Theme and Setting Ashen Stars plunges players into a gritty space opera setting known as the Bleed.

## How Play Feels

This region, once a promising frontier of the Combine, now exists in the aftermath of a disastrous war with a mysterious enemy called the Mohilar. The Combine, a multi-species federation, has been weakened and can no longer fully exert its authority over the Bleed.

## What Makes It Distinct

This creates a power vacuum filled by freelance troubleshooters known as Lasers, who are contracted to solve problems too difficult or strange for local authorities. The game emphasizes the challenges of maintaining law and order in a lawless frontier, where resources are scarce and danger lurks around every corner.

## Where It May Not Fit

You want combat and action to drive most of the session You mainly want short standalone sessions with minimal carryover.

## Links

- Directory page: https://www.ttrpg-games.com/item/ashenstars
- Agent JSON: https://www.ttrpg-games.com/api/games/ashenstars.json
- Publisher or official site: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/95598/ashen-stars?affiliate_id=1659151
- Reviews or retailer page: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/95598/ashen-stars?affiliate_id=1659151