The KIingons Are Here!

Modiphius' KIingon Empire sourcebook for the Star Trek Adventures RPG is now available in both hardcover pre-order and PDF format!

It's actually billed as a Core Rulebook, and contains character creation and the core rules of the game, so it looks like -- if I'm reading this right -- you could play a Klingon-themed STA game using just this book.

The hardcovers ship in Autumn, but if you pre-order you can get a PDF preview now. You can get a regular hardcover or a red leatherette Collector's Edition, or just grab the PDF preview.

Press release descriptions to be found below!

GLORY TO YOU AND YOUR HOUSE!

“WE DO NOT FIGHT MERELY TO SPILL BLOOD, BUT TO ENRICH THE SPIRIT.” – EMPEROR KAHLESS II

THE KLINGON EMPIRE core rulebook for the Star Trek Adventures Roleplaying Game takes you to the final frontier of the Galaxy, where new worlds and new civilizations await bold Klingon warriors hungry for glory and honor. Your duties may take you to the edges of known space, to Klingon colonies in need, to the borders of neighboring galactic powers, or into the eye of interstellar phenomena. Your warship and crew represent the best-trained and honorable of Klingon warriors, and your cunning and abilities are needed now more than ever.

A new threat looms from across the Gamma Quadrant, representing a worthy opponent for the worlds of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Tensions are high and it remains to be seen how the Klingon Empire will get involved. It is a volatile time for the Empire as her brave warriors and bold crews ready for battle against whatever foes present themselves.

This 390 page full color Star Trek Adventures core rulebook contains:

• Guidance on how to create your own Klingon-focused Star Trek stories of honor and glory on the final frontier.
• A complete and updated version of the Star Trek Adventures 2d20 game system.
• An extensive study of the Klingon Empire, including its history, culture, worlds, society, warships, technology, and more.
• Guidelines for novice and experienced gamemasters on how to run Star Trek-themed adventures and campaigns of conquest and exploration for the daring crew of a Klingon warship.
• A large selection of Klingon NPCs from all eras of play, as well as many antagonists, including Federation, Cardassian, Romulan, Borg, and Dominion characters and vessels.
• An introductory adventure designed to quickly get you and your fellow players playing brave Klingon warriors.
• Historical excerpts, personal logs, and intercepted communications, providing a new perspective on Star Trek lore and events.
• Brought to you by an expert Star Trek development team, including award-winning Star Trek novelists, editors, and game designers.

 

[lyle.spade]

I have no idea! I assume it’s all still compatible.

From what I have heard so far from within the STA fanbase online, there are new rules to facilitate Klingon-style play...Honor, Shame, stuff like that. And every system, after it's been out for a long drive, needs a tune-up. Perhaps there will be some smoothed edges, but MOD has signaled nothing that would indicate any changes that would in some way limit compatibility with the current game or somehow put it out to pasture.

 

[stadi]

I asked about the rule change at DTRPG and this was the answer: "Updated versions of the reputation rules and advancement rules, plus new rules specific to Klingon Houses. We also added more example text and overhauled the rules chapters to make them clearer to follow (hopefully). The ruleset itself is largely unchanged; just clarified."

 

[Scribe Ineti]

I asked about the rule change at DTRPG and this was the answer: "Updated versions of the reputation rules and advancement rules, plus new rules specific to Klingon Houses. We also added more example text and overhauled the rules chapters to make them clearer to follow (hopefully). The ruleset itself is largely unchanged; just clarified."

That being said, while the ruleset is largely the same, we didn't do a straight copy-paste from the Starfleet core to the Klingon core. We did a complete top down scrub of the book to make it Klingon focused, added a ton of Klingon-specific lore and info, and revised the rules presentation so that they're (hopefully) clearer. Also added more example text and generally a fresh polish thanks to 3+ years of work on the system and fan feedback. I wouldn't call it a version 1.5 of the ruleset, but it'd definitely a refreshed presentation of the existing rules. With a new focus on Klingons rather than Starfleet.

It's intended to be an alternative path into the game. If you wanted to play Klingons in STA, this'd be the one book you'd want. It's compatible with all the other books in the line, but they're not required.

 

[stadi]

That being said, while the ruleset is largely the same, we didn't do a straight copy-paste from the Starfleet core to the Klingon core. We did a complete top down scrub of the book to make it Klingon focused, added a ton of Klingon-specific lore and info, and revised the rules presentation so that they're (hopefully) clearer. Also added more example text and generally a fresh polish thanks to 3+ years of work on the system and fan feedback. I wouldn't call it a version 1.5 of the ruleset, but it'd definitely a refreshed presentation of the existing rules. With a new focus on Klingons rather than Starfleet.

It's intended to be an alternative path into the game. If you wanted to play Klingons in STA, this'd be the one book you'd want. It's compatible with all the other books in the line, but they're not required.

Thanks for the additional info. Is it planned to do this update (without the Klingon specific parts) for the Starfleed Core Book as well?

 

[Scribe Ineti]

Revising the Starfleet core is high on my developmental wishlist.

 

[jhilahd]

And it's already up on Drivethrurpg.com.

 

[lyle.spade]

I'll get this. I have all the books and the screen for STA already, and am a longtime fan of the property and the notion of gaming it. I'm working on a Gamma Quadrant Starfleet campaign right now, actually, but a serious Klingon story would be really interesting. I see politics and social power plays in the level and pervasiveness found in Vampire: the Masquerade, and personal honor and reputation driving character behavior. You cannot be "chaotic naughty word" in this, or break wantonly from your established personality without serious social recourse.

 

[Weiley31]

So wait: this not only has rules to play Klingons, but it also has the basic core book, updated, and built right into it?

 

[lyle.spade]

So wait: this not only has rules to play Klingons, but it also has the basic core book, updated, and built right into it?

Yes, sort of - it has the core rules, with some portions clarified to smooth the edges, but its focus is on Klingon play. Thus, if you want to play Starfleet characters this is not the book for you since it will not include the array of Talents, ships, and background for that setting. The mechanics, however, will be the same.

 

[lyle.spade]

If you're interested in Klingon stuff in general, and this game info in particular, Modiphius is hosting a "Day of Honor" tomorrow, 11 July, online. The information is here for this free, blood and wine-soaked event.