Ark Horizons

Humanity has jumped into the unknown. Thousands sleep aboard the Ark. A handful of explorers (you) fly out into the darkness to chart what lies beyond. Western Marches style. Simple dice system (d10 pool for success). No experience needed. Come explore the stars.

Setting:
After centuries of development, humanity has finally cracked the code to interstellar jump travel. A single vessel—the ASV Ark Horizon—was built to pierce the veil of known space and travel beyond the edge of the star map. Aboard the ark are thousands of colonists in cryosleep, a skeleton crew of specialists, and a few brave explorers assigned personal scout vessels to venture out and survey this unknown frontier.

Premise:
Each session begins with players launching from the Ark into the unexplored region known only as The Horizon. Their objectives: map strange systems, recover alien artifacts, investigate anomalies, and survive encounters with threats unknown. Upon returning, players are rewarded with funding, discovery bonuses, and opportunities to unlock new tech, expand Ark facilities, and evolve both ship and self.

Gameplay Style:

• Western Marches structure: Players form expeditions, explore unknown systems, and return to a persistent hub.

• Character advancement through discovery and experience, not traditional XP or leveling.

• Tactical power management aboard personal ships.

• Gear, ship systems, and base facilities can be upgraded or unlocked through exploration and salvage.

• Cinematic sci-fi tone: hope, mystery, isolation, and the awe of venturing into the galactic unknown.

Themes:
Hope vs fear. Pioneering in the dark. Lost truths. Humanity’s place in the cosmos.

System:
Custom-built dice pool system. Roll d10s and count successes (7+ = 1 success, 10 = 2 successes). Low math, medium roleplay, high tension! Tactical options through gear, ship upgrades, and smart choices.

Player Goals:

• Survive and uncover secrets of the Verge

• Build reputations as elite scouts, scientists, or salvagers

• Discover a universe of wonders and alien civilizations, and maybe reshape the future of their own