Other Dust
Other Dust is a rules-lite post-apocalyptic RPG set on the Tomb World of Earth, centuries after civilization's collapse. Using familiar OSR mechanics compatible with Stars Without Number, it emphasizes sandbox exploration, enclave building, and survival in a world of mutants and ancient ruins. Class-based and GM-driven, it provides extensive tools for emergent wasteland campaigns.
Post-Apocalyptic/OSR • d20-based • 3-5 + GM • Low prep • Rules-lite • 2-4h sessions
Other Dust takes place on the Tomb World of Earth, centuries after the collapse of human civilization. The world is an open grave—green glass plains and trinitite pearls necklace the throats of torn cities.
Theme and Setting
Prismatic jungles heave with nanite-infested life, thick with twisted bodies and fever-hot madness. The ancient towers of Old Terra are cast down into the mire, and the stars above no longer send their ships of steel and burning light.
How Play Feels
Humanity survives in struggling enclaves and fugitive tribes, scavenging the bones of former glory while fighting the New Earth with steel, salvage, and burning defiance. Other Dust uses familiar OSR mechanics fully compatible with Stars Without Number.
What Makes It Distinct
Character creation offers class-based heroes including Wasteland Warriors and fierce avengers adapted to survival in the ruins. The d20-based resolution system emphasizes player ingenuity over complex rules, with combat that is deadly and best avoided when possible.
Where It May Not Fit
You want a very light rules load You mainly want short standalone sessions with minimal carryover.