Requires the use of the d20 Modern™ Roleplaying Game, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

Welcome to Ronin Arts’ Future: Starship 8 –The Magellan, the eighth in a new series of PDFsfor use with futuristic D20 System campaigns. Thisseries makes some assumptions about your cam-paign; the starship designs in this series will bemost useful in campaigns in which the followingstatements are true:

� The campaign is not a “hard” science setting.Campaigns that are more space opera/adven-ture movie are the intended target for thisseries.

� Starships are not rare or unusual. All of thestarships in this series assume that spacetravel is a standard and common occurrence– individuals either fly their own ships orride on passenger ships. Starships and spacetravel are as common for characters as aplane ride is for people of our reality.

� Space combat is not uncommon. It’s justanother exciting adventure when the playercharacters have to engage the enemy whilefleeing from some world or other.

� The campaign is packed with action. If thingsaren’t exploding, how much fun can thegame really be?

Most of the starships in this series are designedto fill full pages. This is so that you can print thepages – back-to-back if you wish – and drop theminto a binder. This introduction, and the page ofnew starship equipment and assorted information,can also be printed separately and added to yourbinder. The schematic and silhouette page is

designed to be used as a player handout – it’s whatflashes up on their ship systems when they attemptto ID a ship – and GMs need only give the playersthe page when they encounter a ship from thisseries.

About the AuthorMichael Hammes has been freelancing in the

role-playing industry since 2001. Starting small, hehas steadily built his repertoire, and reputation, byworking for such companies as Ronin Arts, AlderacEntertainment Group, Dark Quest Games, and E.N.Publishing. He is currently trying to balance hiswriting schedule with his role as stay-at-home father. To catch the latest from Michael’s Imagination, please visit www.michael-hammes.com.

e-Future Tiles: Star PatrolThe Magellan design is based on SkeletonKey

Games’ e-Future Tiles: Star Chaser, StarFreighter, Star Command, and Star Patrol tile sets.While this PDF can be easily used on its own youwill get a lot more use out of it in your game ses-sions if you construct the ship – at miniatures scale– using the printable tiles. The only tiles you willneed that are not available in the SkeletonKeyGames e-Future sets listed above is the cockpit –which has been thoughtfully included at the end ofthis PDF.

To learn more about SkeletonKey Games pleasevisit their website at www.skeletonkeygames.com.

2

THE MAGELLAN

Introduction

New rules and ideasNEW SHIP SYSTEM

The following is a recently developed innova-tion in use on the Magellan. It is included here sothat you may easily use it to modify existing star-ships or as a reference when designing your ownoriginal ships.

Improved Radiation Shielding (PL 7)

Offering better protection than its PL 6 counter-part, improved radiation shielding provides a +10circumstance bonus on saves to resist the effects ofradiation poisoning.

Purchase DC: 10 + one-half the base purchaseDC of the starship.

Restriction: None.

Science Drone (PL 7)

Indispensable to the Magellan’s crew, a sciencedrone is able to go just about anywhere in pursuit ofscientific research and has the tools to get the job done.

A science drone has the same capabilities as a ClassIV Sensor System (albeit with a maximum range of 10miles; it can analyze and chart a 100 square mile areaof the planet’s surface) and is equipped with a pair oftelescoping arms and grasping claws for manipulatingobjects as well as a small laser beam and laser-guideddrill for obtaining samples or bypassing obstacles.

A built-in mass transceiver allows for the exchangeof real-time data with the controlling ship as well as forthe receiving of instructions.

Science drones are capable of autopilot navigation(i.e. the drone is given instructions to move to a certainlocation) as well as manual control from ScienceDrone Control (see Starship Key). Propulsion inspace is by thrusters while planet-side propulsion is viaforced air induction.

A science drone has a Defense of 10 and 12 hitpoints and it rolls 1d20+4 on opposed grapple checks.

Purchase DC: 34Restriction: None.

Light Hovertruck (PL 7)The Magellan’s crew uses these vehicles for every-

thing from science drone recovery to sample gather-ing; in short, they are the ship’s ground-based utilityvehicles. Although the shuttles are capable of haulingmore cargo, and can fly rather than just hover, there arenumerous locations where the shuttles cannot, orshould not, land.

Equipped with winch, portable reactor generator, arack of flood-lights, two searchlights, tie-downs, andstorage areas for everything from supplies to researchparaphernalia and repair tools, each truck is fully capa-ble of handling virtually any situation; there’s even aretractable hard shell that covers the truck’s bed andallows it to serve as a very sturdy shelter.

Crew: 1Passengers: 2Cargo: LInitiative: -1Maneuver: +0Top Speed: 210 (21)Defense: 8Hardness: 5Hit Points: 30

Size: LPurchase DC: 30Restriction: Lic (+1)

Shuttlecraft (PL 7)Usually used to ferry the Magellan’s crew planet-

side for planetary or system exploration while the shipremains in orbit, the shuttlecraft are without a doubtthe most valuable vehicles aboard the Magellan andalso serve as the crew’s primary escape option in theevent of a disaster.

Shuttlecraft (PL 7)Type: UltralightSubtype: LaunchDefense: 11Flat-footed Defense: 9Autopilot Defense: 10Hardness: 30Hit Dice: 4d20 (80 hp)Initiative Modifier: +2Pilot’s Class Bonus: +3Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +2Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +2Size: Gargantuan (-4 size)Tactical Speed: 3,000 ft. (6 sq.)Length: 35 feetWeight: 40,000 lbs (20 tons)Targeting System Bonus: +2Crew: 1 (+4 trained)Passenger Capacity: 4Cargo Capacity: 4,000 lbs (2 tons)Grapple Modifier: +12Base Purchase DC: 44 (45 as equipped)Restriction: Restricted (+2)Attack: 1 laser +0 ranged (6d8)Attack of Opportunity: None

Shuttlecraft Design Specs:Engines: ThrustersArmor: CerametalDefense Systems: Improved autopilot system,

improved damage control system (2d10)Sensors: Class IV sensor array, targeting systemCommunications: Laser transceiver, mass trans-

ceiverWeapons: 1 laser (range incr. 3,000 ft.)Grappling Systems: Tractor beam emitter

3

THE MAGELLAN

The Magellan is a purpose-built long-rangeexploratory research vessel. Capable of roaming space fora full year or more at a time, it is very utilitarian in design,able to explore everything from the depths of space to aplanet’s surface. As a result, it can serve in a number ofcapacities:

Space Exploration - Exploring the phenomenafound in the depths of space is the goal of such a mission.Whether it is studying a supernova, charting systems,skirting the edges of a black hole, flying through nebulas,discovering jump gates, or even new dimensions, in sucha capacity the Magellan spends all, or most, of its timetraveling about space. In addition to dealing with the haz-ards of space travel, such as radiation and meteoroids, thistype of exploration is most likely to meet other space-far-ing races.

System Exploration - Once a system is charted it istime to take a closer look at promising planets. In such ascenario, the Magellan spends its time in orbit about var-ious planets, exhaustively charting the topography, min-eral content, weather patterns, atmospheric conditions,etc. While the ship does spend most of its time in orbit,once a planet is determined safe, it may be necessary toexplore certain areas on the planet’s surface more fully to

ensure accurate or complete data (i.e. potential mining orcolony sites, or even the long-lost relics of an alien civi-lization).

Planetary Exploration - Planetary exploration con-cerns itself with making an exhaustive survey of allaspects of a particular planet, from atmospheric condi-tions to flora and fauna. Mineral sample, as well as floraand fauna specimen, collection is a top priority. Such mis-sions spend a long time planet-side and, as long as the ter-rain allows, the Magellan is almost always brought plan-et-side to serve as a base. Obviously, during this time thecrew has plenty of opportunity to face whatever dangersthe planet holds (and doesn’t it inevitably seem to strikewhen the Magellan is away getting more supplies?).

Note that these missions are not mutually exclusive.The Magellan could be tasked with exploring a newquadrant of space, with the intent of noting any interest-ing space phenomena and charting new systems. Shoulda habitable planet be discovered, that the Magellan con-ducts an in-orbit survey. And, if the survey meets certaincriteria (favorable weather, good atmosphere, suitable forcolonization, etc.), the Magellan must land on the planetto do some planet-side exploring and specimen/samplegathering.

4

THE MAGELLAN

Basic Information

game statisticsMagellan (PL 7)

Type: UltralightSubtype: N/ADefense: 7Flat-footed Defense: 5Autopilot Defense: 7Hardness: 30Hit Dice: 21d20 (420 hp)Initiative Modifier: +4Pilot’s Class Bonus: +3Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +2Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +2Size: Colossal (-8 size)Tactical Speed: 4,000 feet (8 sq.)Length: 205 feetWeight: 3,250 tonsTargeting System Bonus: +5Crew: 6 (+4 trained)Passenger Capacity: 10Cargo Capacity: 50 tonsGrapple Modifier: +16

Base Purchase DC: 52 (53 as equipped)Restriction: Restricted (+2)Attack: 4 fire-linked heavy particle beams -1 ranged

(32d8) or 2 fire-linked plasma missiles -1 ranged (36d8)Attack of Opportunity: None

Magellan Design Specs:Engines: Induction engine, thrustersArmor: CerametalDefense Systems: Displacer, improved autopilot sys-

tem, improved damage control system (2d10), improvedradiation shielding, light fortification, particle field,repair drones

Sensors: Class V sensor array, improved targetingsystem

Communications: Laser transceiver, mass transceiv-er

Weapons: 4 fire-linked heavy particle beams (rangeincr. 5,000 feet) and 2 fire-linked plasma missile launch-ers (8 missiles each)

Grappling Systems: Tractor beam emitter

1. Bridge - The Magellan’s bridge is rather spa-cious and often serves as a briefing room prior to thestart of any missions. The space is dominated by thelarge starboard sensor system display while the pilottakes the fore controls and the navigator/gunner occu-pies the port side computer systems.

2. Crew Cabins - These simple cabins featurestand-alone bunks with underneath storage space andtoilets. As is the standard, the toilets are self-cleaningand deodorizing and can be separated from the remain-der of the cabin by an in-wall accordion screen.

3. Junior Crew Cabin - This crowded cabin is forthe lowest-ranking members of the crew, although itstill features stand-alone bunks and plenty of storagespace, which makes it better than most such cabins.

4. Bathroom - Fully equipped and relatively spa-cious.

5. Hallways - These areas are given over to what-ever needs the ship has. When preparing to set out onespecially long journeys, these passages are packedwith supplies of all kinds, from foodstuffs to spareparts. The computers tie into the ship’s mainframe andare mainly used for running experimental simulationsand analyses.

6. Storage Bays - These two bays are the mainsupply bays for the ship’s and the crew’s needs. Thecontents span the gamut from analysis field kits toportable generators. For heavy loads, each bay comeswith a hover pallet mover.

7. Vehicle Bay - This bay holds the science dronesand light hovertrucks when not in use and serves as themain loading point for supplies. An extending loadingramp and two hover pallet movers make such jobs rel-atively easy.

8. Crew Cabin - This cabin features four singlebunks and, while more crowded than some, does haveits own bathroom.

9. Docking Port/Airlock Control - The computerstation serves as the docking port/airlock control sta-tion allowing for maintenance and manual overrideover the otherwise automatic system.

10. Docking Port/Airlock - This dual-purpose air-lock is equipped with manual override controls and anemergency aid kit. At least one spacesuit for everycrewman is stored here as well.

11. Lounge - This area serves as a combinationkitchen/dining hall during meal times. Due to the lim-ited space, the crew eats in shifts. There are severalaccomplished cooks on the Magellan, largely because

there is often plenty of time to pursue one’s interests onlong expeditions. The fare is good, with plenty offreeze-dried and dehydrated food available for generaluse; the hobby cooks keep their “secret ingredients” intheir cabins. When not serving meals, crewmemberswill often gather here to chat with their fellows andplay games or watch movies. Most of the ship’s foodsupplies are stored in the supply bays.

12. Operating Room - Completely self-sufficient,the operating room is capable of handling any knownemergency from radiation sickness to laser burns todiarrhea from the previous night’s chili. Given that theMagellan is underway for months at a time, a doctor isalways on staff, although in an emergency (the doctoris out), the operating room’s AI can help (consider it tohave Treat Injury of +10 for such purposes).

13. Mainframe - This room contains the ship’smainframe and server. Although work can be per-formed from a number of stations, most simulationsand analyses are run on the machine in this room itsdirect tie-in to the mainframe makes it that muchfaster. Security lockouts keep anyone from accidental-ly deleting the wrong files.

14. Engineering - This area is used to monitor theship’s engines and various ancillary systems. It is alsothe primary means of maintenance access to those sys-tems.

15. Senior Crew Cabins - These two cabins arethe most private and comfortable on the Magellan andfeature their own fully equipped bathrooms as well ascomputer stations (which allow monitoring of andaccess to all the ship’s systems). They are for the lead-ers of the expedition, usually the captain of the shipand the lead scientist, although they will occasionallybe given over to VIPs.

16. Shuttlecraft Docks - The Magellan’s two shut-tles dock here when not in use. The shuttles are chieflyused for quick planet-side expeditions or to recoverdamaged planet-side science drones when theMagellan is in orbit. Should the docks ever be dam-aged, the shuttlecraft are capable of using the portsidedocking port.

17. Ancillary Control - This room is rarely usedfor its purpose, which is to serve as an emergencybackup to the ship’s mainframe as well as the other sta-tions, but instead is given over to whatever scientificresearch and analysis is being done at the moment.

5

THE MAGELLAN

Starship Key

OUR MISSION . . .Actually more of a campaign framework than an

adventure idea, this consists of the PCs acting thepart of explorers. They roam throughout space toresearch interesting phenomena, explore new plan-ets, and perhaps even meet some new aliens. Ifyou’ve heard this one before, you’re right (and nowyou know where you can get all manner of adven-ture ideas).

However, while the idea is certainly cliché thatdoes not invalidate it from being an excellent wayof getting the PCs out into space and providingthem with all manner of strange and interestingadventures.

FIRST CONTACTWhile on a system-charting mission, the PCs

encounter a new race of (relatively) primitivealiens. As they go about meeting and dealing withthem, a second vessel arrives. It appears that thePCs are not the first to have discovered this planet(although they are the first to make contact); thathonor belongs to a gang of intergalactic slavers thathave their eyes set upon the easy pickings that the

natives provide. Outnumbered and probably out-gunned, it’s up to the PCs (hopefully with the helpof the natives), to fight off the slavers. If you’re inneed of a primitive alien race, we just happen tohave Future: Alien Race 1: Taxob-Zhin availableat RPGNow.

ALIEN ARTIFACTSWhile conducting planet-side research, the PCs

discover remnants of an alien civilization (these canbe ruins, caves, etc.). Exploring, they overcomenumerous GM-determined obstacles and find anartifact (a glowing spheroid, a mysterious tablet,etc.). Realizing this is a find of historic importancethe Magellan sets out to bring the artifact back toearth. Unfortunately, others are after the artifact aswell (perhaps members of the Magellan’s own crewhired by a private collector).

Another option is for the artifact to carry somedeadly disease, or to drive those with weak mindson board the ship slowly mad. If the GM reallywants to go far out, he or she can have the artifactopen up another dimension, or call forth some hor-ror from beyond space and time directly on to theship.

6

THE MAGELLAN

Adventure hooks

Open Game LicenseOPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0aThe following text is the property of Wizards of theCoast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast,Inc (“Wizards”). All Rights Reserved.1. Definitions: (a)”Contributors” means the copyrightand/or trademark owners who have contributed OpenGame Content; (b)”Derivative Material” means copy-righted material including derivative works and transla-tions (including into other computer languages), pota-tion, modification, correction, addition, extension,upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment orother form in which an existing work may be recast,transformed or adapted; (c) “Distribute” means to repro-duce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display,transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)”Open GameContent” means the game mechanic and includes themethods, procedures, processes and routines to the extentsuch content does not embody the Product Identity andis an enhancement over the prior art and any additionalcontent clearly identified as Open Game Content by theContributor, and means any work covered by thisLicense, including translations and derivative worksunder copyright law, but specifically excludes ProductIdentity. (e) “Product Identity” means product and prod-uct line names, logos and identifying marks includingtrade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, story-lines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, lan-guage, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses,formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photo-graphic and other visual or audio representations; namesand descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, per-sonalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abili-ties; places, locations, environments, creatures, equip-ment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos,

symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark orregistered trademark clearly identified as Product identi-ty by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specif-ically excludes the Open Game Content; (f)“Trademark” means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto,designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself orits products or the associated products contributed to theOpen Game License by the Contributor (g) “Use”,“Used” or “Using” means to use, Distribute, copy, edit,format, modify, translate and otherwise create DerivativeMaterial of Open Game Content. (h) “You” or “Your”means the licensee in terms of this agreement.2. The License: This License applies to any Open GameContent that contains a notice indicating that the OpenGame Content may only be Used under and in terms ofthis License. You must affix such a notice to any OpenGame Content that you Use. No terms may be added toor subtracted from this License except as described bythe License itself. No other terms or conditions may beapplied to any Open Game Content distributed using thisLicense.3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open GameContent You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of thisLicense.4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeingto use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpet-ual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license withthe exact terms of this License to Use, the Open GameContent.5.Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You arecontributing original material as Open Game Content,You represent that Your Contributions are Your originalcreation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant therights conveyed by this License.6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the

COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License toinclude the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE ofany Open Game Content You are copying, modifying ordistributing, and You must add the title, the copyrightdate, and the copyright holder’s name to the COPY-RIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Contentyou Distribute.

7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use anyProduct Identity, including as an indication as to com-patibility, except as expressly licensed in another, inde-pendent Agreement with the owner of each element ofthat Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compati-bility or co-adaptability with any Trademark orRegistered Trademark in conjunction with a work con-taining Open Game Content except as expressly licensedin another, independent Agreement with the owner ofsuch Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use ofany Product Identity in Open Game Content does notconstitute a challenge to the ownership of that ProductIdentity. The owner of any Product Identity used in OpenGame Content shall retain all rights, title and interest inand to that Product Identity.8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game ContentYou must clearly indicate which portions of the work thatyou are distributing are Open Game Content.9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designatedAgents may publish updated versions of this License.You may use any authorized version of this License tocopy, modify and distribute any Open Game Contentoriginally distributed under any version of this License.10 Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy ofthis License with every copy of the Open Game ContentYou Distribute.11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or

advertise the Open Game Content using the name of anyContributor unless You have written permission from theContributor to do so.12 Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to com-ply with any of the terms of this License with respect tosome or all of the Open Game Content due to statute,judicial order, or governmental regulation then You maynot Use any Open Game Material so affected.13 Termination: This License will terminate automati-cally if You fail to comply with all terms herein and failto cure such breach within 30 days of becoming awareof the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termina-tion of this License.14 Reformation: If any provision of this License is heldto be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformedonly to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.15 COPYRIGHT NOTICEOpen Game License v 1.0Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.Modern System Reference Document Copyright 2002-2004, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Bill Slavicsek,Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Charles Ryan, Eric Cagle,David Noonan, Stan!, Christopher Perkins, RodneyThompson, and JD Wiker, based on material byJonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, RichardBaker, Peter Adkison, Bruce R. Cordell, John Tynes,Andy Collins, and JD Wiker.

Future: Starship 8 – The Magellan, copyright 2004Michael Hammes. Published by Ronin Arts www.roni-narts.com. Based on SkeletonKey Games’e-Future Tilessets – www.skeletonkeygames.com.

Future: Starship 8 – The Magellan is copyright © 2004 Michael Hammes. All text in this book is designated as open game con-tent. You may not distribute this PDF without permission of the author. d20 Modern™ is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast,Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., and is used with permission. Wizards of the Coast® is a registered trademark of Wizards of theCoast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., and is used with permission.

7

THE MAGELLAN

TOP VIEW

SILHOUETTE VIEW – FRONT

MAGELLANUnique Design

8

THE MAGELLAN

DECK PLANMAGELLANUnique Design

1. Bridge2. Crew Cabins3. Junior Crew Cabin4. Bathroom5. Hallways6. Storage Bays

7. Vehicle Bay8. Crew Cabin9. Docking Port/Airlock Control10. Docking Port/Airlock11. Lounge12. Operating Room

13. Mainframe14. Engineering15. Senior Crew Cabins16. Shuttlecraft Docks.17. Ancillary Control

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9

THE MAGELLAN

These science drone and hover truck counters may be usedwith maps and miniatures that use a 1” = 5’ scale. Thesevehicles are designed to fit through the Magellan’s baydoor.

For more counters, see Starship 5, Starship 6, andStarship 7.

Counters copyright © 2004 Philip Reed. Permission isgranted to make copies of this sheet for personal use only.

Hover van counters are reprinted from Starship 7.

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