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Series Trailer04 Jul 202500:01:27

The crew of the Scapegoat has a new job. Track down a signal nobody can explain, in a part of space nobody goes to twice.


Dark Star Adventurecast is a sci-fi actual play podcast set in the Stars Without Number universe. Gritty, cinematic, and immersive, with characters you'll remember long after the episode ends.


New episodes every other Tuesday. Find us at darkstaradventures.com or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.


Keep following that signal.

Black Harbor30 Sep 202500:44:10

The crew finally makes their way to Black Harbor to recover their lost ship, encountering a surprise enemy and uncovering a plot that may take their very lives.

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix

Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our first Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Join them at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

The Aurora16 Sep 202500:58:43

In this episode of Dark Star Adventurecast, the crew’s investigation takes a sharp turn down Millbrook Lane, where shadows of the past refuse to stay buried.

What begins as a simple lead pulls them to a hidden storage unit with secrets, and treasures, from ages past.

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix

Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our first Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on and the airlocks sealed.

Join them at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

The Glendale Hotel02 Sep 202500:41:43

In this episode of Dark Star Adventurecast, the crew’s return to Dr. Voss is overshadowed by a devastating discovery: their ship, the Scapegoat, has been stolen.

All signs point north toward Black Harbor, a former military base turned Guardian stronghold. But before they can begin the long journey, the crew must find shelter in the ruined city of Wafisa. Within the decayed halls of the Glendale Hotel, they uncover the remnants of a scavenger’s life, and relics of a world undone by greed.

Will the night bring safety, or new dangers waiting in the dark?

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our first Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on and the airlocks sealed.

Join them at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

The Methane Switching Station19 Aug 202500:44:35

In this episode of Dark Star Adventurecast, the crew of the Scapegoat moves to rendezvous with Dr. Elara Voss, a xenolinguist working for Omnitek Holdings. But things don’t go as planned: Dr. Voss refuses to entry to the station, demanding they restore methane supplies to her research base before she’ll cooperate.

Can they reroute the methane flow and earn Dr. Voss’s aid? Or will the dangerous streets of Wafisa claim another victim?

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad, our first Scapegoat Syndicate member!

He’s keeping the lights on and the airlocks sealed.

Join him at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Wafisa? I hardly know her!05 Aug 202500:45:07

In this episode of Dark Star Adventurecast, the crew reels from their near-death clash with the Drift Rats and sets course for the ominous OmniTech Holdings research base on the planet Wafisa. Their mission: pick up the enigmatic Dr. Elara Voss before venturing into the void, chasing the coordinates of a mysterious signal.

Tune in for a tense, post-apocalyptic journey through the Veridian Expanse.

Meet the Crew:
  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

It's Just a Prank!22 Jul 202500:56:04

Welcome to Darkstar Adventurecast, an actual play podcast set in the dangerous Veridian Expanse!

Join our crew of misfit adventurers as we continue their adventure on Camiri Four using the Stars Without Number TTRPG system.

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


In order to retrieve their shift from deep with Drift Rat territory, the crew have been tasked with the uncomfortable mission of pulling a prank on a rival gang, the Neon Fangs - an unbelievably nice group of kind-hearted people. Can the crew put aside their morales, execute the prank, and gain access to their ship? Or will their conscience get in the way?


patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Better a Rat in the Drift...22 Jul 202500:41:06

Episode 1: Better a Rat in the Drift...

Welcome to the very first episode of Dark Star Adventurecast, an actual play podcast set in the dangerous Viridian Expanse!

Join our crew of misfit adventurers as we dive into our opening adventure using the Stars Without Number TTRPG system.

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


The crew assembles, receives their orders, and moves to retrieve their assigned ship from Docking Bay 72 aboard the deteriorating, gang-controlled space station Camiri Four.

Will they reclaim their ship… or get in even deeper trouble?


Support the Darkstar Adventurecast!

If you enjoy our adventures, help us keep them coming by supporting us on Patreon. Get exclusive benefits like early episode access, ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes content, and bonus episodes.

patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Death and Damnation09 Dec 202500:39:47

Trapped by Void Cultists at an interstellar truck stop, the crew uses their limited resources in their struggle to survive.


Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Join them at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Stress and Vexation25 Nov 202500:57:51

After Void Cultists seize Scrapjack’s Truck Stop, only the crew of the ’Goat stands between the trapped civilians and annihilation.

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Join them at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Rest and Relaxation11 Nov 202501:11:03

After months cooped up aboard the Scapegoat en route to the hidden Prometheon base, tensions run high. Captain Thorne orders some much-needed rest and relaxation at an interstellar truck stop...but where the ’Goat goes, trouble follows.

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Join them at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Brother's Keeper: Felix's Story28 Oct 202500:59:33

Relaxing on the 'goat after their escape from Wafisa, the crew convinces Felix to share a story from his past.

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Join them at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Bonus One Shot - The Witch Is Dead!21 Oct 202502:40:09

In this very special bonus episode, we play invite our first guest star to play The Witch is Dead, a one-page TTRPG developed by Grant Howitt. Listen to the chaos unfold as our group plays familiars seeking revenge for the murder of their witch.

Meet the Circus:

  • Jeff as Game Master
  • Brian as Quinn the Magpie
  • Stephanie as Gerri the Rat
  • Doja as Belgarath the Toad
  • Scott as Ted the Fox
  • and Special Guest Rebecca as Jareth the Owl

Huge thanks to Brad and Holly, for supporting this weird little podcast!

Join them at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Contractually Yours: Scapegoats, Forever14 Oct 202500:40:05

The crew finally meets Dr. Voss and discovers her true motives. They take to the stars with broken contracts, but a new friend (or two).

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haley
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Join them at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

The Potential Profit Is... | Star Master Log: Building a Frontier Planet27 Jan 202600:13:38

Get the next Star Master Log right now! This episode was released two weeks early for our patrons. To skip the wait and get bonus world-building posts and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff chit chats about “The Potential Profit Is...”, and talks about the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: Starting the Sibylen Saga
  • (01:15) - The Crew Logs: Thorn’s Greed vs. The Team’s Unease
  • (03:40) - Meet Vera: Xeno-Archaeology and the Auction
  • (06:15) - The Deal: Red Tape and Alien Contracts
  • (08:50) - Meta-Talk: Dr. Voss’s Weird Behavior Near the Site
  • (11:30) - The Powered Site: A First in Human History
  • (13:45) - Teasing the "Goo Pool" (Episode 15)


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

The Potential Profit Is...20 Jan 202600:43:55

A detour to the desert world of Sibylen, where alien artifacts were first uncovered seven years ago, brings the crew face to face with an old friend of Froggy’s—and an offer they can’t refuse.

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Want episodes 2 weeks earlier? Check out our Patreon, where episodes are always early and ad-free!

https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Felix’s Story | Star Master Log: Designing Character Focus Episodes04 Nov 202500:13:03

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff has a go at Episode Nine, “Brother's Keeper: Felix's Story”, chatting about the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: Felix's Flashback Story
  • (01:10) - Narrative Experiments: Hyperion and the Canterbury Tales
  • (02:30) - Roleplaying Mechanics: Flashbacks and New Roles
  • (04:45) - Working with Players on Immutable History
  • (07:15) - The Corporate Landscape: PolyPhen and OmniTech
  • (09:40) - The "Army of Me": AI and Human Copy-Pasting
  • (12:00) - Teasing Episode 10: The Interstellar Truck Stop


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Contractually Yours | Star Master Log: Closing the Wafisa Arc21 Oct 202500:11:40

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff pontificates on Episode Eight, “Contractually Yours, Scapegoats Forever”, rambling on about chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: The Lore-Heavy Debrief
  • (01:30) - The Reveal: Dr. Voss as a Virtual Intelligence
  • (03:20) - Collaborative Storytelling: Building Canon with Players
  • (05:10) - The Future of the Season: Revenge and the Promethean Base
  • (07:15) - Deep Dive: Alien Artifacts and Human Consciousness
  • (09:30) - Next Up: Beginning the Focus Episodes


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Black Harbor | Star Master Log: Torch the Flowers!07 Oct 202500:10:29

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff pontificates on Episode Seven, “Black Harbor”, chit-chatting about chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: The Omnitech Plot Twist
  • (01:45) - The Radio Tower Ambush: Exploiting Player Security
  • (03:15) - Revealing the Heist: The Scapegoat’s True History
  • (04:30) - Character Spotlight: Haley the "Bruiser"
  • (06:45) - The Purple Flower Fields: Improvised Tactical Choices
  • (08:50) - Cliffhanger: Dr. Voss in Dire Straits


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

The Aurora | Star Master Log: Grave Robbing a Car23 Sep 202500:09:23

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff let's loose on Episode Six, “The Aurora” diving into the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: The "All-Improv" Episode
  • (01:15) - Closing Plot Lines: Exploration vs. Combat
  • (03:00) - The Recipe Book and the "Loki-Pon" Meme
  • (04:30) - Establishing the "Gospel" of In-Game Jokes
  • (06:10) - World-Building: Storage Units and Abandoned Homes
  • (08:30) - Teasing Episode 7: Conclusion on Wafisa


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

The Glendale Hotel | Star Master Log: Worldbuilding Through Improv09 Sep 202500:08:39

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff rambles on about Episode Five, “The Glendale Hotel” diving into the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: The Fallout of Wafisa
  • (01:25) - Real World Consequences: Losing the Scapegoat
  • (02:40) - GM's Desk: Running a "Sandbox" and Story Beats
  • (04:10) - The "Info Dump" Problem: Handling Lore in the Moment
  • (06:15) - Building Wafisa’s Fascistic Society
  • (08:00) - Looking Ahead: The Road to Black Harbor


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Thorne’s Story | Star Master Log: Secrets, Betrayal, and Project Redwing13 Jan 202600:11:57

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff dives deeps on “Nexus of Betrayal: Thorne's Story”, where he talks about the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

In this log:

  • (00:00) - Crew Logs: Felix's Final Plea
  • (01:05) - The "Canterbury Tales" Narrative Experiment
  • (03:02) - Behind the Scenes: Planning Felix’s Backstory
  • (05:41) - The Cutting Room Floor: Lore of PolyPhen and OmniTech
  • (06:53) - The State of AI and Androids in the Sector
  • (10:43) - OmniTech’s Plan for PD and the "Copy Paste" Army
  • (12:35) - Looking Ahead: Thorne’s Story and Episode 10


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.


Click here to check out NET 432, my short story I released a couple years ago!

The Methane Switching Station | Star Master Log: Are We The Baddies?26 Aug 202500:10:31

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

In this Star Master Log, Jeff reflects on Episode Four, “The Methane Switching Station” diving into the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: The "Wafisa" Meme Takes Over
  • (01:40) - World Building: A "Post-Collapse" Planet vs. Post-Apocalyptic
  • (03:30) - The Mission: Reclaiming Energy for Dr. Voss
  • (05:50) - Mechanics: Giving Every Class a "Star Moment"
  • (08:15) - Consequences: The Guardians Break into the Scapegoat
  • (09:45) - Preview: A Former Resident's Story in Episode 5


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Wafisa? I hardly know her! | Star Master Log: Lokipon, Gotta Avoid Then All!12 Aug 202500:08:54

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

In this Star Master Log, Jeff ruminates on Episode Three, “Wafisa? I hardly know her!” diving into the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: Landing on the Methane World
  • (01:15) - Meet the Guardians of the Great Work
  • (03:00) - Sector History: The Methane Miners of Wafisa
  • (05:15) - Improvised Conflict: The Police Face-off
  • (06:45) - Looking Ahead: Energy Politics and Trade
  • (08:00) - Editing Update: Progress on the First 16 Episodes


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

It’s Just a Prank! | Star Master Log: Dealing with the Neon Fangs29 Jul 202500:10:18

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

In this Star Master Log, Jeff shrines a light on Episode Two, “It’s Just a Prank,” diving into the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: Why the Campaign Went Off the Rails
  • (01:30) - The Billiards Hall: Dealing with Chaotic Players
  • (03:15) - GM Philosophy: When to Go Off-Script
  • (05:45) - World Building: The Culture of Space Stations
  • (07:30) - Leaving Camiri: The Quest for the Alien Signal
  • (09:10) - Teasing Episode 3: The First Look at Wafisa


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Better a Rat in the Drift... | Star Master Log: Assembling the Crew29 Jul 202500:08:43

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

In this special bonus series, Star Master Jeff takes you behind the scenes of the campaign’s first episode, A Rat in the Drift, offering an inside look at his creative process and how the story is unfolding.

In this first debrief, Jeff discusses:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: The Humble Goals of Episode 1
  • (01:45) - Setting the Tone: Lived-in, Dangerous, and Chaotic
  • (03:20) - Character Intros: Assembling the Crew on Camiri 4
  • (05:40) - The "Drift Rats" and the Mystery of Dr. Voss
  • (07:05) - Behind the Voice: The Birth of a Meme NPC
  • (08:30) - Looking Ahead: The Hook for the Season


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Star Master Log: Season 1 Overview & Faction Deep-Dive29 Jul 202500:09:57

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Star Master Jeff discusses how he planned season one, his philosophy on GMing, and gives an overview of the factions involved in the series.

In this first debrief, Jeff discusses:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: The Vision for Dark Star Adventurecast
  • (01:25) - Choosing the System: Why Stars Without Number (SWN)?
  • (02:40) - The Narrative Arc: Exploring the Viridian Expanse
  • (04:30) - Meet the Factions: Raddy Laboratories & Omnitech Holdings
  • (06:15 - Corporate Rivals: Nexus Trading and Promethean
  • (08:30 - The Thorne/Nexus Betrayal Backstory
  • (10:45) - GM Theory: To Faction Turn or Not to Faction Turn?


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Nexus of Betrayal: Thorne's Story06 Jan 202601:14:07

Relaxing on the 'goat after the insanity of Scrapjack's, the crew gets Thorne to open up about his past...


Want episodes 2 weeks earlier? Check out our Patreon, where episodes are always early and ad-free!

https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Bonus One Shot - Lasers & Feelings23 Dec 202502:21:58

In this very special bonus episode, the crew plays Lasers & Feelings, a one-page TTRPG developed by John Harper. Vibe with the group as they attempt to save the 'verse from alien brain worms in a hilarious, off-the-wall session.

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Game Master
  • Brian as Quip Kwazaar
  • Stephanie as Neon Serenity
  • Doja as EW7
  • Scott as Zayda Stellar


Huge thanks to Brad and Holly, for supporting this weird little podcast!

Death and Damnation | Star Master Log: The Scrapjack’s Finale16 Dec 202500:09:15

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff yaps about Episode Twelve, “Death and Damnation”, where he touches about the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: The Scrap Jack Finale
  • (01:30) - Planning the Heist: Keeping the GM in the Dark
  • (03:15) - Character Arc: Robert's Toggle Button Surprise
  • (05:45) - Resolving the Void Cultist Threat
  • (07:30) - The Road to Promethean: Ship Repairs and Fuel
  • (09:00) - Preview: Polyphn and Thorn’s Revenge


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Stress and Vexation | Star Master Log: Escalating the Tension02 Dec 202500:09:09

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff babbles on about Episode Eleven, “Stress and Vexation”, where he chats about the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: When the Sandbox Goes Crazy
  • (01:40) - The "Die Hard" Moment: Giving Players Control
  • (03:25) - Mechanics: Managing High-Tension Combat in SWN
  • (05:50) - Unexpected Outcomes: Characters Going Rogue
  • (08:00) - The "Player as GM" Experience: Hidden Plans
  • (09:30) - Patreon Updates and Closing Thoughts


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Rest and Relaxation | Star Master Log: The Calm Before the Scrapjack18 Nov 202500:10:16

This Star Master’s Log was originally a Patreon exclusive! To get these logs two weeks early, bonus world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff talks about Episode Ten, “Rest And Relaxation”, reminiscing about the chaos, character moments, and improvisation that shaped the story.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: The "Filler" Episode Trap
  • (01:45) - Scripting vs. Improv: The Episode Opening
  • (03:30) - World Building: Void Cultists and Sector Lore
  • (05:40) - GM Skills: Managing a Split Party
  • (07:15) - The Scrap Jack Saga: Building a Trilogy
  • (09:20) - Future Hook: Thorn’s Neo-Noir Backstory


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Laser Beams For Eyes!17 Feb 202600:39:20

The crew stumbles into a section of the Alien Exosite on Sibylen that is more dangerous than it seems...


Want episodes 2 weeks earlier? Check out our Patreon, where episodes are always early and ad-free!

https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

The Goo Pool | Star Master Log: Brain Grafting Xenotech10 Feb 202600:15:52

Get the next Star Master Log right now! This episode was released two weeks early for our patrons. To skip the wait and get bonus world-building posts and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff gets into the weeds of the "The Goo Pool", starting with the crew's internal logs before breaking down the chaos on Sibylen and the reality of the alien tech the crew just stumbled upon.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: Entering the Alien Exo-Site
  • (01:15) - The Crew Logs: Encrypted Reports from the Scapegoat
  • (03:30) - Mechanics: Interfacing with the Nano-Fluid Pool
  • (05:45) - The Deep Dive: Dr. Voss and the Virtual Ocean
  • (08:30) - Subspace Signals: Q&A from the Patreon
  • (11:45) - Star Master Spec: The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

The Goo Pool03 Feb 202600:45:49

The crew launches an exploration in the ancient alien exosite and discovers lost technologies that are equal parts cool as hell and also sort of gross.


Want episodes 2 weeks earlier? Check out our Patreon, where episodes are always early and ad-free!

https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master (Game Master)
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

The Truth About Haley: Robert's Story31 Mar 202600:53:06

Robert finally tells the crew what he knows about Haleyy's past. Deep in the jungles of Ventos during the Red Rice Wars, a clone squadron led by a man with piercing blue eyes and an incredibly high opinion of himself was sent to extract a captured commander named Haley. One Y. What they found in those caves, and what happened after, changes everything the crew thought they knew about their friend.


Want episodes 2 weeks earlier? Check out our Patreon, where episodes are always early and ad-free! https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Or buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast


Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Elective Surgery | Star Master Log: Bucking Bronco24 Mar 202600:24:54

Get the next Star Master Log right now! This episode was released two weeks early for our patrons. To skip the wait and get bonus world-building posts and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Or buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast


Jeff breaks down the fifth episode of the Sibylen arc, where the crew battles surgical spider bots in an alien operating theater and gets their first look at whatever built this place through a pylon window. He talks about refereeing chaos on the fly, designing truly alien encounters, and what the gyroscope megastructure means for the rest of the season.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: "Elective Surgery"
  • (00:36) - The Crew Logs: Encrypted reports from the players
  • (06:38) - Fog of War: Robert rides a spider bot like a bucking bronco, Felix weaponizes the ceiling, and the superhero landing tally grows
  • (10:39) - Engine Room: Designing the alien entity reveal; making something unfathomable instead of hostile
  • (14:03) - Deep Dive: The gyroscope megastructure, Prometheon Station's true scale, and what Virodyne has been hiding
  • (16:43) - Subspace Signals: How do you balance spotlight time between four players?
  • (21:48) - Star Master Spec: Event Horizon (1997) - Lovecraftian first contact and cosmic dread


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Elective Surgery17 Mar 202600:44:02

The surgical bots are awake, and the crew of the Scapegoat did not schedule an appointment. What follows is the least dignified combat in the history of the Viridian Expanse - and that's before Robert gets involved.

Then the pylon activates. And things stop being funny.


Want episodes 2 weeks earlier? Check out our Patreon, where episodes are always early and ad-free! https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Or buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast


Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Powering the Nautilus Spiral | Star Master Log: Save the Rope!10 Mar 202600:23:15

Get the next Star Master Log right now! This episode was released two weeks early for our patrons. To skip the wait and get bonus world-building posts and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


Jeff breaks down the fourth episode of the Sibylen arc, where the crew tackled two of the greatest challenges in TTRPGs: a puzzle, and a short climb down a shaft. He digs into his philosophy on puzzle design and reveals the grim purpose behind the Nautilus room.


He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: "Powering the Nautilus Spiral"
  • (00:39) - The Crew Logs: Encrypted reports from the players
  • (06:26) - Fog of War: The goo shaft debate and Haleyy's hairbrained rope scheme
  • (11:01) - Engine Room: Puzzle design philosophy; why the best puzzles were never meant to be puzzles
  • (15:01) - Deep Dive: The Nautilus room's true purpose; alien medicine, experimentation, and desperation
  • (17:02) - Subspace Signals: Does Thalia genuinely want to make things right with Thorn?
  • (20:07) - Star Master Spec: Quern - a puzzle game for people who loved Riven


Powering the Nautilus Spiral03 Mar 202600:48:31

Deep in the Sibylen Exosite, the crew faces two of the greatest challenges a party can face: a 30-foot drop and a puzzle. After Hailey tests the limits of "superhero landings," the party discovers the mysterious Nautilus Room.

Restoring power to this level is their only way forward, but in an abandoned alien quarantine facility, "turning the lights on" will come with a price.


Want episodes 2 weeks earlier? Check out our Patreon, where episodes are always early and ad-free! https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Or buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast


Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Laser Beams For Eyes! | Star Master Log: Self-Replicating Nightmares24 Feb 202600:20:02

Get the next Star Master Log right now! This episode was released two weeks early for our patrons. To skip the wait and get bonus world-building posts and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


Jeff breaks down the lethal combat encounter within the Sibylen Exosite, where the crew faced off against a squid-crab hybrid designed to ensure no one leaves alive. He explores the "rule of cool" mechanics behind nano-fluid hacking and reveals the grim truth behind the calcified beaks left in the vats.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: "Laser Beams for Eyes"
  • (00:59) - The Crew Logs: Encrypted reports from the players
  • (05:12) - Star Master Perspective: Planning for deadly combat
  • (06:31) - Mechanics: Felix, "Goo Cakes," and the secret +1 Brain Graft bonus
  • (08:15) - OSR Philosophy: Why creativity beats the statistics on the page
  • (09:15) - Deep Dive: Designing the Annihilation Bot. Starfish, self-replication, and error-based terror
  • (12:23) - The Quarantine: Why a "medical facility" needs lethal guard bots
  • (15:05) - Subspace Signals: Hands-off Gming and the slowly building the weirdness.
  • (18:18) - Star Master Spec: Edge of Tomorrow and All You Need Is Kill


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Welcome to Your Prison28 Apr 202600:43:41

This episode was released two weeks early for patrons. To skip the wait on every episode, Star Master Log, and rules breakdown, join us at https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

The crew wakes up in handcuffs on Sibylen with Viktor Strake holding all the cards. Before they can find out what he plans to do with them, Thorne cites a corporate policy clause from memory and walks everyone free. They have 24 hours before Strake can take them back into custody, and there's a $1.06 billion alien artifact auction to work.

Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix

Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Haleyy's Story | Star Master Log: A Climax Without Dice21 Apr 202600:28:34

This Star Master Log was released two weeks early for patrons. To skip the wait on every episode, Star Master Log, and rules breakdown, join us at https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


Jeff breaks down Haleyy's Focus episode, where the entire session takes place inside her unconscious mind. He digs into how he designed a dream climax with no dice rolls, the hero's journey structure he used to walk Steph from denial to acceptance, and the full reveal of the mechanism behind Haleyy's identity split.

He covers:

  • (00:00) Introduction: "She Never Existed"
  • (00:48) Crew Log: Haleyy
  • (03:33) Fog of War: Dream combat misses, Robert trying to shoot a child, and Froggy in a bike basket
  • (10:15) Engine Room: Designing a climax with no dice, the hero's journey in one session
  • (18:50) Deep Dive: The truth behind Haleyy's identity split and what the fork actually did
  • (24:20) Subspace Signals: Planning for multiple endings when the player has to choose
  • (26:00) Star Master Spec: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast

SWN Rules Explained: How "Club Up a Weapon" Works16 Apr 202600:07:23

This rules breakdown was released two weeks early for patrons. To skip the wait on every episode, Star Master Log, and rules breakdown, join us at patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


New series! Brian (Thorne's player and assistant [to the] star master) breaks down the rules behind the scenes of the Dark Star Adventurecast, a Stars Without Number actual-play podcast.

In this episode, Brian covers the "Club Up a Weapon" move action from the Stars Without Number revised rulebook (page 50), using the dreamscape combat from Episode 20 as a case study. What happens when a warrior gets stuck in melee with a rifle? The weapon-breaking rule on max damage created an unscripted chain reaction, and custom expert gadgets (a flashlight and an adhesive gun) gave the non-combat characters meaningful options in a fight.


New SWN Rules Explained episodes drop every other Thursday, breaking down the mechanics behind the adventure.


Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast

She Never Existed: Haleyy's Story14 Apr 202600:56:26

Haleyy lies unconscious on the floor of an alien facility, trapped in a dream she can't wake from. Inside her mind, she's 12 years old again, riding bikes with childhood versions of her crewmates, following a mysterious signal into the woods. But the dream turns dark, and Haleyy is forced to confront the truth about who she really is.


Want episodes 2 weeks earlier? Check out our Patreon, where episodes are always early and ad-free! https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Or buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast


Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix


Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Robert's Story | Star Master Log: Send in the Clones07 Apr 202600:28:11

Get the next Star Master Log right now! This episode was released two weeks early for our patrons. To skip the wait and get bonus world-building posts and behind-the-scenes secrets, join the inner circle at: patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Or buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast


Jeff breaks down Robert's focus episode, where the crew learns that Robert Ross is clone designation RR7 and that Haley died on Ventos during an extraction gone wrong. He covers how the players turned a dramatic backstory flashback into Tropic Thunder in space, the war movie structure he used to make the emotional gut punch land, and what the clone program reveals about the campaign's corporate factions.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: "The Truth About Haley: Robert's Story"
  • (00:45) - The Crew Logs: Encrypted reports from the players
  • (05:28) - Fog of War: Scott and Brian commit fully to being Robert clones, turning a military extraction into a pirate adventure
  • (09:41) - Engine Room: How Jeff structured the Ventos flashback like a war movie extraction film
  • (15:25) - Deep Dive: Clone designation RR7, randomized memories, and why the program was scrapped
  • (19:55) - Subspace Signals: How much NPC prep is too much, and why Froggy was barely a sentence in the notes
  • (24:29) - Star Master Spec: Tropic Thunder (2008) and the comedy-to-drama pivot


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Good Job, You Monster | Star Master Log: There's a Crater19 May 202600:28:28

This Star Master Log was released two weeks early for patrons. To skip the wait on every episode, Star Master Log, and rules breakdown, join us at https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Jeff breaks down Haleyy's two moments from the session, the same character from opposite ends, then gets into what a failed roll actually owes the players. He also opens up the Void Cult lore on Unhallowed vs. Untethered, and answers the ship scale question that's been quietly wrong for 22 episodes.

He covers:

  • (00:00) Introduction: "Good Job, You Monster - Auction, Part 2"
  • (01:30) Fog of War: Haleyy's 1Y/2Y split surfaces twice in one session, from opposite ends
  • (05:45) Engine Room: When a failed roll just stops the story vs. when it moves things forward
  • (10:59) Deep Dive: The difference between Unhallowed and Untethered, and what it means for Haleyy
  • (16:18) One Question: How big is the Scapegoat, really?
  • (25:30) Star Master Spec: Firefly, "Out of Gas"; a ship episode about what a ship means to the crew that built their lives around it


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.


Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast

SWN Rules Explained: How Starship Combat Works in Stars Without Number14 May 202600:09:42

This rules breakdown was released two weeks early for patrons. To skip the wait on every episode, Star Master Log, and rules breakdown, join us at https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


Brian breaks down starship combat in Stars Without Number, using a scene from Episode 22 as a case study.


In this episode:

  • How starship combat rounds work in Stars Without Number -- and why they last 15 minutes instead of seconds
  • The five crew departments (bridge, gunnery, comms, engineering, captain) and what each one does
  • Command points: the core resource that drives the action economy and what happens when they run out
  • Ship crises: how any player can declare one, what the GM rolls, and how to scale difficulty based on the plan
  • A cargo hold breach from Episode 1 that became lasting ship canon -- still referenced 20+ episodes later


New SWN Rules Explained episodes drop every other Thursday, breaking down the mechanics behind the Stars Without Number adventure.


Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast

Good Job, You Monster12 May 202600:40:03

This episode was released two weeks early for patrons. To skip the wait on every episode, Star Master Log, and rules breakdown, join us at https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast

Locked inside their own ship by an Omnitek admin override, the crew has one option left: cut their way out. The ship-to-ship combat that follows happens on the ground, fifty meters apart, with no room to maneuver and nowhere to run.

Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast

Meet the Crew:

  • Jeff as Star Master
  • Brian as Captain Thorne
  • Stephanie as the warrior Haleyy
  • Doja as the wildcard pilot Robert
  • Scott as the transhuman hacker Felix

Special thanks to Brad and Holly, our Scapegoat Syndicate members!

They're keeping the lights on, and the airlocks sealed.

Welcome to Your Prison | Star Master Log: Villains with Soft Power05 May 202600:31:17

This Star Master Log was released two weeks early for patrons. To skip the wait on every episode, Star Master Log, and rules breakdown, join us at https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarAdventurecast


Jeff breaks down "Welcome to Your Prison," the first episode of the auction arc, covering the table moment seven sessions in the making when Thorne cited corporate policy to get out of handcuffs, and why Strake's most effective weapon was never his soldiers.

He covers:

  • (00:00) - Introduction: "Welcome to Your Prison - Auction, Part 1"
  • (01:02) - The Crew Logs: Encrypted reports from the players
  • (04:34) - Fog of War: How Brian set up Policy 872.3 Section C seven sessions ago and waited for exactly the right moment
  • (08:50) - Engine Room: Why Strake's most dangerous tool is a Virodyne admin key, not a gun
  • (13:50) - Deep Dive: The Auctioneers Guild, the sector-wide neutral body no corporation can destroy because they all need it too much
  • (20:14) - Subspace Signals: How do you keep players invested in a long-running mystery over dozens of sessions?
  • (25:14) - Star Master Spec: Leverage (2008-2012), a heist show built around a misfit crew where every plan falls apart
  • (28:50) - Next Episode Preview


New Star Master's Logs drop every other Tuesday, bridging the gap between our main adventure episodes.

Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/darkstaradventurecast

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