I’ve started doing this more – sharing prep notes for one-shots. This time it’s for Fari RPGs game of space mining dwarves, Stoneburner – a rules-light solo-friendly game you’ll be seeing on Unconventional GMs soon! 

As always, it’s up to you how complete this prep is for you to run the game yourself; a combination of this and watching the Actual Play on youtube should give you a head-start though, and it might be useful for what prep could look like for your game. I started by using Stoneburner’s great random tables, and then filled them out as best I could. The scribbly map and notes are below – an essential first step in any one-shot prep!

While you’re reading this, I should tell you about my Patreon. Patrons get access to content 7 days before they hit this site, the chance to request articles or content, and the chance to play in one-shot games, for a very reasonable backer level of £2 per month. If you like what you read, want to support the blog, and have the funds for it, please consider supporting here. Telling people about the blog, and sharing links/retweeting is much appreciated also – thanks!

So, come to Ice Station Zeta Alex and stake your claim! Note that it contains the only random encounter table I’ve ever created – with a structure inspired by Electric Bastionland! 

Introduction

• You have inherited a number of claims across the sectors. This is your first as a crew
• You have come to your first claim – in Kazab Baram, the most exploited region of the Long Belt. Rumours are that the mines here are littered with old equipment, ruined machinery, and abandoned tools. These should set you up for future endeavours!
• You are looking for loot, but also, if possible, for a base to begin your mining operation from. A solid, well resourced asteroid would be ideal – but see if you can survive it first.
• Station Zeta Alex is an ice asteroid, and we see it appear through the vastness of space as your mining ship shuffles through space
• Ice or crystalline structures suffuse the surface – as does another vessel, already docked, runic marking indicating another dwarf clan (CHECK – the Obsidian Collective, a non-generational mining organisation that refuse to believe the rules of inheritance)
• Decide your VISIONS OF GLORY – what you see your PC doing in your dreams

Encounter table (D6)

1	A pair of angry demons patrolling – a Moaning Imp (D4 / 3 resilience) being ordered around by a Screeching Ember (D8 / 5 resilience). They haven’t seen you.
2	A pair of angry demons patrolling – a Moaning Imp (D4 / 3 resilience) being ordered around by a Screeching Ember (D8 / 5 resilience). They have seen you, and the Screeching Ember sends the Imp to harry you
3	A pack of Moaning Embers (D4 / 5 resilience) equal to the 2 x PCs. They are on the lookout for fun, and will target the PCs
4	An obsidian collective patrol (3-5 dwarfs in power armour, D6 / 5)- they are resting after an encounter with demons
5	An obsidian collective patrol (3-5 dwarfs in power armour, D6 / 5)- they are on high alert and will challenge the PCs if they see them
6	A pitched battle – obsidian collective patrol vs.

Map Key

A Entrance

• Crystalline entrances dot the surface of this asteroid – many showing signs of ingress
• To gain access you must make a CHECK – an already-damaged entrance is made with GOOD, a fresh one is FAIR (complications include alerting enemies inside, additional HITS, BAD POSITIONS)
• As you enter, you see the mixture of ice, melting snow and debris. Two major routes forwards – into the (B) mess of partially worked mines, or into (C) a clearer, more habitable section

B Partially worked mines

• Laser-burned rocks spit jaggedly out of the ice here; there is ore here, and attempts have already been made to take it away. The tunnels – that they are – show signs of exploration, and footprints, but twist in impossible turns; it will be an extended check to make it through these without damage or further melting
• It will be an extended task (3 successes) to get through this)
• This also allows passage to the control room in (C), which will allow the players to surprise the Obsidian Collective
• If complications, beset by Moaning Embers (D4 / 3 resilience) demons
• These lead to the (D) Rich Vein Workings

C More habitable area

• Cleanly worked passages show living quarters, mostly looted, with signs of habitation, and a locked control room
• Holed up in here are a squad of Obsidian Collective dwarfs, based here behind the locked doors. They wear faceless power armour and are D6 / 3 stress opponents.
• They will attempt to flee to better pickings if damaged – or radio for reinforcements
• The control room has a mixture of Obsidian Collective mining tools – all collectively owned – and other paraphernalia
• Control room includes Refrigeration Moderation setting – although all three units are offline currently. Disturbing it triggers the melting countdown.
• Passages lead into the (E) Central Mines

D Rich Vein Workings

• This is the centre of the asteroid and is warm to the touch, although most sheet ice isn’t yet melted. This is the rich pickings that the asteroid would have as a claim.
• Tool lockers are here, as well as potential demons
• A refrigeration unit is here, although currently under packed ice.
• Passages lead to (E) Central Mines

E Central Mines

• Almost overrun by demons, although most have left / been defeated battling Obsidian Collective squads. A fire burns in the centre of the room and the whole floor is slick with cracking ice.
• A refrigeration unit has been disassembled for parts here by the Blazing Demons (D8 / 5 resilience)
• Passages lead up to the (F) Asteroid Centre

F Asteroid Centre

• What look to be gems but are actually droppings can be found here, as the passages look different.
• An Asteroid Bulette (D10 / 8 resilience) lairs here – a shining, gemlike landshark, burrowing dangerously through rock
• The Bulette defends its lair carefully – it will leave them alone if fed tasty dwarfs
• All kinds of paraphernalia can be found in the Centre – loot checks are made with Good position

G Obsidian Collective Mining Craft

• Better equipped, but with weird communal sleeping areas and strange texts everywhere
• Whatever happens to the Obsidian Collective Dwarfs, this will attempt to flee the minute it notices the tide turning – it’s unlikely the PCs will make it on to here.