In the Light of a Ghost Star
At-a-glance: OSR-inspired • d6-based resolution • 2–4 + GM • Low prep • Rules-lite • 1–3h sessions
Theme and Setting
Earth was abandoned ages ago during the red giant expansion. Now, dimly lit by the ghost light of a dead white dwarf, it lies layered with eons of forgotten civilizations. From the warmth of Martian reactor cities, scavengers hire illegal transportation to Earth to delve into its depths, looking for ancient treasures. There they must deal with ghosts, machines, and the strange life that has evolved on humankind's abandoned home planet.
Core Mechanics and Rules
Ghost Star uses a streamlined OSR framework designed for quick play. Characters can be created in minutes with simple attributes and equipment rolls. The system emphasizes exploration and survival over complex combat mechanics. The included hex crawl provides a structured way to navigate the dead Earth, with random tables for encounters, ruins, and artifacts that can be used with this system or adapted to other RPGs.
What Makes It Unique
The game stands out through its combination of ultra-light rules and rich atmospheric setting. The 16-page zine format delivers a complete RPG experience without bloat. The folded 11x17 hex map poster invites collaborative worldbuilding as players color and mark their journey. High lethality keeps tension sharp—characters die quickly, making every decision meaningful.
Target Audience and Player Experience
Designed for players who enjoy old-school dungeon crawling translated to sci-fi survival horror. Ideal for one-shots and short campaigns where quick setup and deadly consequences create memorable emergent stories. The minimalist approach appeals to GMs who prefer rulings over rules and enjoy improvising based on random table results.
