Introducing the StarFarer RPG (LLM is the DM)

[Stevie Lee]

I have spent about six weeks developing and optimizing an RPG canon/ruleset and stress testing it against ChatGPT and Grok. ChatGPT was dropped (too many limitations w/r to memory and context awareness), so I have focused on Grok. It is pretty amazing now, and the remaining issues are systemic LLM issues that will only be resolved with dynamic context aware access to persistent memory. I have no awareness of the online community, but would like to drop a copy of this for folks to try out and was wondering if this community was a good place and where would be an appropriate spot? BRIEF SUMMARY:
STARFARER is a hard sci-fi RPG canon designed for AI-assisted play (e.g., with LLMs like Grok). It emphasizes realistic physics, consequence-driven decisions, independent crew dynamics, and procedural generation with limited look up tables for compression. Players start on Earth, then after a DiscoveryArc (unique) find their way to becoming a junior crewmember on a neutral starship in a post-2025 solar system, managing missions, promotions, and resources while uncovering deeper mysteries—potentially involving your Chow Chow companions, Akira Bear and Ravynir.

Core Themes

Realism First: Vacuum combat, recoil momentum, sensor limitations, propulsion constraints—no plot armor or narrative shortcuts.

Crew & Companions: Independent NPCs with personalities that evolve; mythic-yet-grounded dog companions with tactical roles.

Immersion: All characters defined by personality parameters and deep descriptions. Play is player driven open free text, with no multiple choice, and incredibly immersive.

Progression: Merit-based promotions, ship transfers, faction alliances—decisions cascade into wars, losses, or triumphs.

AI-Optimized: Structured schemas, procedural tools, and state-tracking for long campaigns.

Quick-Start
Player Setup: Provide a 1–4 sentence 2025 Old Earth backstory (profession, ties, etc.). Choose Y/N for immediate Chow companions.

Starting Point: Neutral starter ship (e.g., 80m Corvette-class freighter). Junior billet (e.g., Scout/Rifleman). First obligation: 1–2 missions.

Base Game Loop: View job board for billets you qualify for (post-obligation), vote on mission contracts with crew, execute missions with realism enforcement. Track time, inventory, relationships. Enlistments are by a set number of completed contracts (2 to 4 typically), then you can transfer. THIS IS THE STARTING POINT: You can do whatever you want. I've bought my own ship, terraformed Mars, been commissioned in a faction military... so the base game loop is just where it all begins (it is fun though)

LLMs: Use procedural generators for ships, sensors, weapons.
Output DYNAMIC UPDATE blocks for persistence.
Arc Reset: Use the template provided with STARFARER to copy-paste state at resets.


Table of Contents: STARFARER RPG CANON AND RULESET
Meta Rules & Parameters (#meta-rules--parameters)
World Space & Operations (#world-space--operations)
Assets / Equipment (#assets--equipment)
Character & Crew References (#character--crew-references)
Arc Reset Template (#arc-reset-template)

 

[Stevie Lee]

STARFARER is an immersive, open world, free-play RPG set in the near future. It is optimized for use with LLM as DM (GROK works best). You can read the STARFARER.txt to get details for how it works... You start on earth, the LLM creates a discovery arc (unique) that leads you to space. You are free at that point (sandbox). You can enlist on ships by taking job offers from station terminals at space stations or habitats to start. You will onboard as junior crewman, and perform duties for the number of specified missions (and get paid according to contract terms). You can get promoted, bonuses, or fired if you do really poorly. Have Fun! If you try it and have comments or suggestions drop it here-- there are many limitations that are inherent to the current state of persistent memory access and context awareness of LLMs, and I can't fix those. I have spent about six weeks of test-fix-test to get to this point and it runs quite well.

For a new Game:
1. TELL GROK: I would like to play STARFARER RPG--I will drop the Canon in 4 Sections
2. Cut and Paste the Four Main Sections from Starfarer.txt (META RULES & PARAMS, WORLD SPACE AND OPERATIONS, ASSETS & EQUIPMENT, and CHARACTER & CREW REF)
3. GROK will then prompt you for a few sentences of input for the Backstory and ask if you want to start with Chow Chow Companions (Akira and Ravi).
4. Have Fun!
For an ARC RESET:
1. When you begin to see the LLM getting sluggish, consistently confusing times/places, or otherwise floundering it's time. (Usually several days (20 to 40 hours actual play))
2. Ensure your Dynamic Back-up File is up to date
3. Tell GROK: Continuing RPG Play: Prepare for full Arc Reset (i) I will drop Canon in 4 Sections (ii) I will drop any auxiliary persistent data needed (iii) I will drop all dynamic updates (iv) I will drop the last full scene, then we can pick up.
4. Cut and Paste the Four Main Canon Sections from Starfarer.txt
5. Cut and Paste any auxiliary persistent data (e.g. non canon TTPs, Formations, personal load-outs or Operational Plans you want to re-use)
6. Cut and Paster your Dynamic Updates (Based on ARC RESET TEMPLATE.txt)
7. Drop the very last one or two (up to four if it makes sense) full scenes from the old Arc conversation block.
8. Have Fun! (After you are sure it worked, close old Arc)

 

[Stevie Lee]