Cthonian Stars

I ordered this from Drive Thru RPG http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/91255/Chthonian-Stars-Core-Setting


2159 AD. It is a good time to be alive. The nations of the world still exist, but they have become more civilized, and we have expanded into the rest of our solar system. But, alas, it is not to be our time. Something approaches, a thing on an orbit from far away. Seemingly a large shard of dark matter, this object is known in obscure prophecy as the Chthonian Star. It is awakening things long thought lost or dead, things that have slumbered awaiting its return. The Unified World Council sends out special teams of sanctioned Wardens, whose job it is to ascertain the new threats to human life, to learn everything they can about them, and fight them wherever they are found.

Chthonian Stars is an original Lovecraftian horror setting for Traveller.

This Core Setting Book:

• Provides a detailed exploration of our fully colonized solar system, only a few hundred years in the future.
• Introduces exciting new optional character design rules, including advantages and disadvantages, as well as career half-terms.
• Introduces new rules for fear and madness, as well as optional rules for character survivability.
• Brings to life many familiar Lovecraftian horrors for Traveller, as well as a host of new and original ones.
• Details more than a dozen new spaceships.
• Includes three ready-to-run adventures, to get groups running quickly.
• From the award-winning team that brought you CthulhuTech.

Chthonian Stars requires the Traveller Core Rulebook to play.
This product is for mature audiences. Reader discretion is advised.

David A Hargrave Day - May 25th

Today would have been Dave Hargrave's 72nd birthday. May all of the magic of the Dream Weaver and Arduin live forever!!!

http://paizo.com/products/btpy9rbt?Sandy-Petersens-Cthulhu-Mythos

Sandy Petersen is the undisputed authority on the Cthulhu Mythos in games as the author of the groundbreaking game Call of Cthulhu, the first game ever to bring H.P. Lovecraft's work to the gaming world. He now proudly presents the definitive and ultimate guide to bringing Lovecraft to the high fantasy, sword and sorcery worlds played using the Pathfinder rule system.
Here, your band of heroes can now fight (and maybe even defeat) monstrous horrors and bizarre, inhumanly advanced races in adventures featuring these unique entities, their magics, and the alien technologies accurately portrayed from Lovecraftian works!
This core rulebook features a bestiary with over 100 creatures, monstrosities, and Mythos Entities authoritatively revised and updated for use with Pathfinder, plus Plot Hooks and Campaign starters, information on Mythos Alien and Bizarre Technology, new expansive Insanity Rules, and details on Cults of Cthulhu and the Necronomicon and other blasphemous Tomes, as well as new Rituals, Spells, Archetypes, and Class Options.
Content Includes:

• A bestiary with over 100 entries, almost half never before seen in a Pathfinder book before.
• Over 25 Mythos Entities: Creatures in the Paizo's Pathfinder Bestiaries now authoritatively revised & updated in this book. Additionally, the original entries as found in the Bestiaries are also included for easy reference and comparison.
• Over 50 NEW Mythos Entries: Creatures from the Cthulhu Mythos that have never before been published in any Pathfinder Bestiary.
• Over 40 ‘Unusual Suspects': Creatures that could (and maybe should) be in the Cthulhu Mythos, found in the pages of the current Pathfinder Bestiaries. Some have been updated to reflect our new rules.
• Adventures: Plot Hooks and Campaign starters by Sandy Petersen and others.
• How to run horror in a heroic sword and sorcery setting by Sandy Petersen.
• Mythos Alien and Bizarre Technology
• New Expansive Insanity Rules
• The Necronomicon and other Tomes
• New Rituals and Spells
• Archetypes and Class Options for Base Classes
• Cults of Cthulhu and Other Great Old Ones
• Mythos Magic Items and Artifacts
• Aklo Language Essay
• Mythos Ghouls as Player Characters
• Mythos Eidolons, Familiars and Animal Companions
• Tcho-Tchos
• Gnorri as Player Characters
• Advanced Adversaries
• Zoogs as Player Characters
• Mythos Cats and Mythos Cats as Player Characters

Taken to a harsh P.O.W. camp on a distant planet where he will be examined,
tortured, and forced to endure experiments that rip into his very mind,
the alien Krael seek to answer the question: What is human?
A question that, in their hellish situation, prisoners are finding harder to answer.

Created & Written by

New York Times Bestselling Author
Kevin J. Anderson
&
Veteran Film/Television Writer/Producer
Steven L. Sears

Interior Art by Mike Ratera
Cover Art by Dave Dorman

Mongoose Traveller Starter Set

(I just got this in the mail today from Mongoose Publishing!)

Valeria One to Valeria Two, increase thrust…Nail Beowulf before he leaves the gravity well and jumps…Good shot! Target’s main drive is hit, acceleration has ceased…Prepare boarding party. Tell them to watch out for any heroes…Matching velocity and rotation. This is going to be a good payday…
…Commence boarding…

Traveller is a science fiction roleplaying game of bold explorers and brave adventurers. The Traveller Core Rulebook contains everything you need to create one of these adventurers and begin exploring the galaxy.
Spaceports, ancient civilisations, air/rafts, cold steel blades, laser carbines, far distant worlds, and exotic alien beasts – this is the futuristic universe of Traveller, the original and classic science fiction roleplaying game.
Come visit the future.

The Traveller Starter Set contains:
Book 1: Characters and Combat
Book 2: Worlds and Spacecraft
Book 3: The Fall of Tinath
Giant blank Sector Maps
6 Pre-generated Character Cards

Coriolis the Third Horizon

Here's a teaser for the Core Book Contents: 
“I’m getting a signal.” Dalil’s voice crackled over the com. “We’re close.” The navigator gazed into the darkness ahead, his face ghostly pale in the cold glow from the tabula in his hands.
Radwa nodded silently for her comrades to advance, approaching the strange ruins in the moonscape. The only sound they could hear was their own breathing through the air filters, and the soft crunch under their boots.The floodlights from the freighter Narzalus behind them cast long shadows of the trio.
“Something is wrong, boss.” The sharp voice of Jhara broke the silence. Her vulcan rifle hummed as the tall woman from Sadaal activated her weapon. Without turning, Radwa raised her hand to still her friend.
“Easy, Jha,” she whispered over the com.
The explorers shone their suit-mounted flashlights over the ruins. Alien signs were carved into the smooth dark surfaces. In the light, they seemed to be glowing.
Something slowly unraveled before them. A darkness rose from the surface of the dead moon, reaching towards the starry sky above them.
“Mercy of the Icons!” Radwa gasped, and felt a chill spread throughout her body.


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Coriolis – The Third Horizon is a science fiction role-playing game from the makers of critically acclaimed Mutant: Year Zero (six-time nominee and winner of a Silver Ennie for Best Rules 2015).
Features:

• Create your unique player character – including skills, talents, gear and relationships – in mere minutes.
• Fight fast and furious battles, praying to the Icons to overcome your enemies.
• Build and crew your own spaceship, to explore the many star systems of the Third Horizon.
• Experience thrilling spaceship duels, using a game system that puts all player characters at the heart of the action.
• Take part in the intrigue between powerful factions on the majestic space station Coriolis.
• Uncover the mysteries of the Third Horizon, a rich tapestry of cultures that have settled the stars.

“The game's authors describe it as ‘Arabian Nights in space’ and it fulfills that brief marvelously. Style 5/5, Substance 5/5.”
– RPG.NET Review

Empires of the Void II

Exploring the Fringe of the Galaxy

Your species has traveled for years in a massive Worldship, fleeing from a cruel and unstoppable alien empire. Now, in the distant fringe of the galaxy, you must compete to establish a foothold and grow in strength, preparing for the time when the invaders find you again...

Empires of the Void II tells a story about eight fringe planets and the species that live on them through unique event and action cards. You'll find ancient ruins, stop planetary wars, transport desperate leaders to distant locales, and rescue worlds from imminent invasion. Will you choose to conquer or befriend the aliens you encounter? Your alien allies give you powerful abilities and unique characters that you can recruit.

Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of

Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of contains everything you’ll need to adventure in the world of Robert E. Howard’s hero, Conan. It is based entirely on the canonical Conan stories, and uses the 2D20 system developed by Modiphius and used in Mutant Chronicles 3rd Edition, Infinity, John Carter, and other fine games. This tome presents character generation, the game’s rules, and a wealth of source material, including cultures, geography, religions, magic, gods, monsters, gamemastering advice, adventure seeds, and much more. This work has been developed by an all-star writing team, with close involvement by respected Robert E. Howard authorities, and is illustrated by world-renowned Conan artists. Full-color hardcover, 368 pages.

Princess Bride Opoly

My fiance' and I played The Princess Bride-opoly and really enjoyed it. The optional rules look like they would be fun to incorporate in the future, but we played the basic rules and had a splendid time :)

The board is very colorful and printed well. The money (Florins) has pictures of characters from the movie on it and is printed on a good grade of paper. I only wish there were a plastic money rack in the game box, but that is the only thing I would do to make the game different. The stand up figures work really well.... better than I expected them to. The cottages and castles are made of sturdy plastic and have some weight to them... they looked great on the game board when you developed your properties. The "Tru Wuv" and "Inconceivable" cards have some twists to the game and witty sayings from the movie.

If you are looking for a fun game and like The Princess Bride, you won't be disappointed.

Legendary Encounters: Firefly Deck Building Game

"I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you."
- Captain Malcolm Reynolds

Legendary Encounters: A Firefly Deck Building Game is a cooperative game set in the Firefly verse. Players will take on the roles of the crew of the Serenity as they try to complete episodes from the acclaimed TV series. Steal from the Alliance, avoid being captured by the goram Reavers, do what you have to do to keep flyin'. Players will also have to protect and upgrade the Serenity this time around if they are going to have a chance of success. Lose the ship, lose the game. This is Legendary Encounters: Firefly.

Contents:
500 Cards (All Original Art)
1 14.5" x 33" Rubber Play Mat
1 Rule Book
Divider Cards

Ages: 14+
Players: 1-5
Game Length: 30-60 minutes

https://www.miniaturemarket.com/ude86047.html 

Duneraiders Traveller Adventure

Approved For Use With
Traveller

Duneraiders

By William H. Keith, Jr.
Art by William H. Keith, Jr.

Riches, danger, and mystery lie within the arid wastes of Tashrakaar, a desert world peopled by the savage and inigmatic Duneraiders. The players soon learn that desert nomads and desert heat aren't the only enemies they face when they find themselves trapped in the midst of vicious inter-corporate war!
Duneraiders is a complete adventure for Traveller. This scenario makes use of rules and information presented in The Desert Environment, a Traveller supplement from Gamelords, Ltd. The Desert Environment is recommended for playing Duneraiders, but not required.

Published by Gamelords, Ltd. 1984.

64 pages, 5.5"x8.5".

GL-1989
Price: $6.95

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 I ordered this along with a few other items from Gamelords, LTD:
http://www.diffworlds.com/gamelords_traveller.htm

Star Trek Adventures (Collector's Edition)

Welcome to your new assignment, Captain. Your continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, to bodly go where no one has gone before…

Star Trek Adventures takes you to the Final Frontier of the Galaxy, where new discoveries await keen explorers of Starfleet. Your duties may take you to the edges of known space, or to Federation colonies in need, to the borders of neighbouring galactic powers or into the eye of interstellar phenomena. Your ship and your crew epitomise the best Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets has to offer, and you are needed more than ever.

A new threat looms from across the Gamma Quadrant, as it is confirmed by Commander Sisko and his crew that the Dominion, led by the Founders, represent a significant threat to the Alpha Quadrant. Tension is already high in the region of Bajor and Deep Space 9, as the Maquis continue to act against the Cardassian-Federation peace treaty, with Captain Janeway and the crew of the U.S.S. Voyager preparing for their mission in the Badlands. It is a volatile time for the Federation and new crews have never been in higher demand.

This special Collector’s Edition features the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D on its cover rendered by The Light Works, who provided the 3D model for the Star Trek: The Next Generation Remastered series making it the most accurate model available. Spot UV varnish highlights the 1701-D and windows on a matt laminate cover with three coloured reading ribbons for extra referencing power! 

The Collector's edition comes with a folded map of the Alpha & Beta Quadrants.

• Create your own Star Trek stories of discovery and adventure on the Final Frontier with 368 pages of content (check out the sample spreads in the images). Full colour hardback, features a matt laminate cover with spot UV and three reading ribbons. 

• Complete 2d20 game system from Modiphius Entertainment adapted for Star Trek Adventures, used in Mutant Chronicles, Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of, John Carter of Mars and the Infinity RPG.

• An extensive exploration of the United Federation of Planets and its galactic neighbours in the Alpha, Beta and Gamma Quadrants.

• Guidelines for Gamemasters old and new, on how to run an adventure of exploration and discovery for the crew of a Federation starship.

• A full catalogue of aliens and antagonists including Klingons, Romulans, Cardassians, the Borg and the Dominion.

• Brought to you by a team of expert Star Trek writers including writers from previous editions of Star Trek roleplaying games and other gaming talent.

• Personal logs and intercepted communications by Starfleet Intelligence provide a new perspective on Star Trek and its events.

 

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Goblinoid Games: Starships & Spacemen

Boldly explore the galaxy in search of alien civilizations! You take the role of a Military Officer, Technical Officer, Science Officer, or Enlisted Man in the Galactic Confederation. Travel in a starship under your command, on missions of first contact, rescue, exploration, and more in a galaxy full of hostile aliens. Try to maintain the tenuous truce with the militaristic Zangid, and fight the Videni who may look like your Tauran allies, but do not adhere to a philosophy of peace and logic.

Design alien humanoids with either "original series" or "next generation" sensibilites, or blend the two approaches! There are 100 forehead shapes that may be randomly rolled when a new alien race is encountered.

This book contains:
Eight player races
Three main classes, with several subclasses
Rules for spaceships and exploration
many alien creatures
...and more!

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This second edition of Starships & Spacemen uses the Labyrinth Lord system (an OSR D&D-like gaming system which heavily uses d20 and d6's) and evokes an Original Star Trek vibe to sci-fi gaming. I pre-ordered this years back and I have not been disappointed in all of this time. The game stands the test of time.

-Jeff

Traveller Book 9: Robots

Quick Overview

From the Third Imperium to Judge Dredd, robots rapidly become ubiquitous items on high technology worlds, and this book will allow you to construct, outfit and modify robots of any type with a simple to use yet comprehensive system.

====

These are the 'Droids you are looking for!
An excellent system to create all sorts of robots, from simple to sophisticated dopplegangers. Well worth having for the Traveller player or Referee.

-Jeff

Pocket Imperium

A Microgame of Galactic Dimensions

War has come, engulfing the galaxy in a long and bitter conflict. Will you be the one to guide your civilization to complete victory? In Pocket Imperium, you are the leader of one of four different spacefaring races. You will have to compete against the other races to explore the galaxy to find resources, expand your fleet with newer, stronger, and faster ships, and ultimately conquer your foes by engaging in open warfare. But the other leaders will work against you, claiming planets for themselves as they ready to topple your empire and claim your space for themselves. Will you form an alliance with a "trusted" ally, or will you stand alone and challenge all comers? The fate of the galaxy rests in your hands!

Pocket Imperium is a 4X microgame, where each phase of the game is, in itself, a game. This allows for games to go very quickly, though obviously players who can avoid extermination will last even longer.

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There are a lot of little variant conditions you can impose on this nifty game. Pocket Imperium is just the thing for a fairly quick pickup game. The oddball rules have a blackhole and an asteroid belt. I could see players making up all sorts of home rules for this little gem!

-Jeff

Hard Nova II Revised & Expanded Edition

This is on the way in the mail. I purchsed the print + PDF version for a nice price. I will review it when it arrives or I get to the PDF  :)

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ake to the stars and smuggle exotic goods across the galaxy, solve mysteries aboard space liners, or explore the frontier. HardNova 2 includes alien races, starships, exotic abilities, ready-to-play scenarios, reference sheets, and numerous character, robot, and starship templates.

HardNova 2 is a roleplaying game designed to be both easy to learn and fast-paced. The versatile genreDiversion i 2d6 rules make it perfect for one-shot games, extended play, or as a framework for your own ideas. Plus you can combine it with our Active Exploits Diceless System for diceless space opera. genreDiversion i games can also be combined to expand gaming options--mix and match custom rules and features from one game with another. Click here for an overview of the genreDiversion i rules.

In short, HardNova 2 is fast, ready-to-use, and adaptable. You don't have to learn a complicated system, refer to scores of tables, or spend all day creating characters. You can either create custom characters for the game or dive right in with any of the included templates. The game is designed to be light; it has a small footprint and extremely low price tag - it's not overloaded with tons of rules or an excess of information you just won't need. It's meant to get you running quickly so you can have a good time.

The setting is very open. Two centuries after forming the United Sovereign Worlds with the ape-like Digronians, Humanity spearheads peace and freedom in known space. While aliens are commonplace, some are more trusted than others. The bioframe-ridden Migado, insectoid Kt'Sorii, and synthetic X-ans are mankind's newest allies. And while the genetically-flawed Tarkosians are now also allies, many citizens cannot forget or forgive their involvement in the war that prompted the initial need for such alliances. Travel to mysterious destinations, discover new alien species, uncover diabolical plots, and battle space pirates with HardNova 2. The included scenarios immerse you into the setting so even if you don't want to the run them, you've still got a lot of info to work with to flavor your setting or inspire ideas. And if you don't want to use the setting, the rules are flexible enough to handle your own ideas or that of your favorite movie, television program, comic, or novel.

Pirates of Drinax

I ordered this today. I will review it when it arrives :)

Quick Overview

Possibly the greatest RPG campaign of all time - The Pirates of Drinax is a truly epic sandbox campaign that grants the Travellers a Letter of Marque and then lets them loose across an entire sector and nearly 600 pages of adventure to find their own destiny. Included is the Trojan Reach sector, Aslan characters and many new ships!

 

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Details

A truly massive Traveller sandbox, the Pirates of Drinax is packed with enough adventures and source material to keep even the most dedicated group going for years!
In the Pirates of Drinax, the Travellers play a band of adventurers entrusted by the King of Drinax with a letter of marque, permitting them to prey on ‘illegal’ trade within the borders of the vanished kingdom. The King hopes this piracy will give him the leverage he needs to restore Drinax to its former glory, and intends for the Travellers to win back all the planets lost over the last two centuries – but the King’s plans are just the starting point for this campaign.
Once the Travellers have their letter of marque and ship, it’s up to them what to do next. Will they stay loyal to their patron and help restore Drinax? Will they turn rogue and create their own kingdom? Will they be heroes or monsters, pirates or privateers? Will they make their fortune amid the pitiless stars, or will the cold depths of the Trojan Reach be their grave?
The Pirates if Drinax comes in an attractive slipcase, with three hardbacks and a poster:

* Book 1: The Pirates of Drinax Campaign
* Book 2: The Trojan Reach
* Book 3: Ships of the Reach
* A giant 24” x 40” double-sided poster map

The three hardback books that form The Pirates of Drinax contain a full campaign, the Trojan Reach sector, rules and source material introducing the ferocious but noble Aslan, and many new ships unique to the Reach, along with a giant poster map featuring the Trojan Reach sector, the Floating Palace of Drinax, and the Harrier-class commerce raider.
The Pirates of Drinax truly has everything you need to run an action-packed Traveller campaign.

An Interesting System For A Traveller Adventure: Asmodeus

The planet Asmodeus is recovering from a nuclear war.
It has only about 20,000 inhabitants left. It seems to me to be a great place to have an adventure (as long  as one avoids the Zhodani authorities and mutants!)

The tech level of the planet has been generally reduced to sometime around 1900 or so, but there is some mass production on the planet, so pockets of tech are still to be found. The rest of the economy seems to be farming.... and barely above subsistence levels.

The Travellers could try to trade foodstuffs or tech, but I don't think that they will get much in the way of Credits. An emergency landing scenario would be cool, if you make the ship drop out of jump near the planet. Getting the characters into Zhodani space may be the most difficult proposition..... but I could see the Imperium contacting the Travellers for a mission OR perhaps the Travellers could be drawn into Zhodani space by illicit Psionics training or some such hook.

You could have an area of Asmodeus run by tech scavengers and wild bands of men ala Mad Max for some fun! They would be isolationists and generally off the radar of the Zhodani government because they are considered a "minor" concern.

Whatever the Referee chooses, One Night On Asmodeus may prove to be the Travellers' last!

Planet of the Apes Game

https://www.miniaturemarket.com/idw01279.html

Unimpressed with man, Col. George Taylor volunteers to become the Commander of the spaceship Liberty, and explore the deep recesses of space. Taylor ponders the chaos he left behind, "Is man that marvel of the universe that sent me to the stars? Do they still make war against each other?" Awakening under distress, Taylor evacuates to a desolate planet. With no way home, Taylor pushes forward to find intelligent life on this strange planet.

Planet of the Apes has 1-4 players taking the roles of Taylor's varying personalities. Guide Taylor through The Forbidden Zone, escape The Hunt, join The Escape, unveil the mysteries of The Dig, but be ready for the foreshadowing of tragedy. Roll dice and collect Abilities to progress the scene forward. Survive the disasters that lie ahead, and always be aware of the Apes or you just might end up in a museum. In this game of Human See, Human Do, make sure Taylor is ready for The Discovery and he may just find the way home...

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UPDATE!
I played this game with my fiancé' and we had a great time! We played it twice, but lost both times and still had fun.

We got to the seventh scenario and were feeling confident we might win, but we got some bad breaks. This game is great, even when you don't win! We will definitely play again, next time with more people.

---------

Another update: We have played this game several more times and have eventually won, but win or lose, this is an incredible game. I hope this company takes its system and applies it to more movies.... they easily could!

The feeling that you are running out of time is palpable with the Statue of Liberty and Ape pieces that move along a "clock" on the board, with a Taylor piece trying to keep up or pass them! If the ape of the statue of liberty pieces reach zero first it spells doom for the human! The day clock also shows the time of day and bad things can happen when the sun is high in the sky. This game is just so much fun.... I am glad I bought it. :)

Traveller Map Online

https://travellermap.com/
This online map of the known universe of Traveller is a real lifesaver. It allows you to print out sectors, sub-sectors and planetary systems easily.

Here is the main map interface, which uses the mouse to drill down...

Here is the info I printed to PDF on Regina in the Spinward Marches:

Traveller RPG: Element Class Cruisers Box Set

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1990654819/traveller-rpg-element-class-cruisers-box-set?ref=user_menu

Traveller RPG Element Class Cruisers Box Set on KIckstarter!

(I'm a backer)
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About

Welcome to the Element family of cruisers, one of the mainstays of the Imperial Navy and a common sight throughout the Third Imperium and beyond.
This Kickstarter project is to create a brand new box set for the Traveller roleplaying game, detailing the three main classes of cruiser within the Element cruiser family, together with 10 massive double-sided blueprints that will allow you walk through each deck of the ships as if you were there...

(go to the Kickstarter link above to read more and become a backer!)

Godless!

Here is another game/supplement that I would love to play: Godless !!!

It is an add-on for Shadow of the Demon Lord, set in a Mad Max-like near future, complete with demons and other weird stuff.

From DriveThruRPG site:

"Drown in Fire and Blood!
After the Cataclysm sundered our world, reducing cities to ruins and bringing nations to their knees, a new threat unfurled its wings to cast a shadow upon our reality. In this spreading gloom caper demons, warped creatures, and horrifying monsters, all of which tear down what’s left of the world in preparation for the coming of their dark master, the dreaded Demon Lord.

     Godless is a new setting expansion for Shadow of the Demon Lord, giving you all the tools you need to transform our own planet into the World of Fire and Blood."

Mongoose Traveller Core Rulebook

I am reading the Mongoose Traveller Core Rulebook today.
It sure takes me back to the days of Classic Traveller, but seems updated for better play.

The character generation tables are quite fantastic and Traveller really gives you a true back-story feel to them

Hopefully I will be playing this RPG soon on Discord.