Stellar Winds: Skills & Professions Reference
Welcome to the Stellar Winds Skills & Professions guide. This page outlines some common roles and skill sets that crew members aboard a starship might have—particularly on the Stellar Winds. Use this as a reference when selecting Jobs, Hobbies, or Vocations for your character.
Common Starship Professions
Below are typical roles a character might fulfill on the Stellar Winds or any similar vessel. Each profession suggests a set of primary responsibilities and recommended skills (though you can mix and match to fit your character concept).
| Profession | Role/Responsibilities | Recommended Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Captain / Commander | Oversee the crew, delegate tasks, make critical decisions, and manage both morale and diplomacy. | Leadership (WILL), Diplomacy (WILL), Strategy (INT), Piloting (DEX) |
| Pilot / Navigator | Steer the vessel through space, plot hyperspace routes, monitor flight systems, and maneuver during crises. | Piloting (DEX), Astrogation (INT), Spatial Awareness (INT), Quick Reflexes |
| Engineer / Mechanic | Maintain and repair engines, life support, and other systems; handle on-the-fly modifications or tech upgrades. | Engineering (INT), Mechanics (INT), Hacking/Electronics (INT), Problem-Solving |
| Security / Marine | Protect the ship from external and internal threats, handle boarding parties, enforce discipline, and manage armory. | Ranged Combat (DEX), Melee Combat (PHYS), Security Systems (INT), Willpower (WILL) |
| Medic / Doctor | Provide medical care, conduct routine health checks, handle injuries or diseases, and manage medical supplies. | Medicine (INT), Biology/Anatomy (INT), Calm Under Pressure (WILL), Diagnostics (INT) |
| Diplomat / Ambassador | Represent your faction or starship in negotiations, handle first-contact scenarios, and mitigate cultural conflicts. | Diplomacy (WILL), Linguistics (INT), Culture/Protocol (INT), Empathy (WILL) |
| Science Officer / Researcher | Perform analyses, conduct experiments, study anomalies, gather intel on alien species or planetary conditions. | Research (INT), Planetology/Xenobiology (INT), Data Analysis (INT), Scientific Method |
| Quartermaster / Merchant | Oversee supplies, negotiate trade deals, handle ship finances, and manage the cargo hold. | Barter/Negotiation (WILL), Accounting (INT), Logistics (INT), Appraisal (INT) |
| Psionic Specialist | Utilize telepathy, telekinesis, or other mental powers for reconnaissance, communication, or defense. May interface with special psionic tech. | Psionics (WILL/INT), Concentration (WILL), Empathy (WILL), Mental Defense |
| Communications / Linguist | Maintain communication systems, decipher alien languages, translate for the crew, and handle broadcasting tasks. | Linguistics (INT), Electronics (INT), Culture/Protocol (INT), Diplomacy (WILL) |
| Howlite Handler | Manage, train, and care for onboard Howlites. These creatures play a key role in problem-solving, alerting crew to malfunctions or danger. | Howlite Handling (WILL), Animal Empathy (WILL), Biology (INT), Calm Under Pressure (WILL) |
| Grower / Greenhouse Maintenance | Tend to hydroponic gardens or greenhouse facilities, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce, oxygen, and medicinal plants for the crew. | Botany (INT), Greenhouse Maintenance (INT), Biology (INT), Environmental Systems (INT) |
| Replicator Designer / Cook | Oversee food replicator systems, create new recipes, maintain ingredient databases, and handle manual cooking if the replicator malfunctions. | Cooking/Replicator Tech (INT), Creativity (WILL), System Repair (INT), Resource Management (INT) |
Skills & Their Uses
The following is a non-exhaustive list of skills commonly relevant aboard a starship. Depending on your INT score, you'll have a certain number of Jobs or Hobbies to allocate skill ranks.
| Skill | Primary Attribute | Description / Application |
|---|---|---|
| Piloting | DEX | Operating any vehicle: starships, shuttles, ground vehicles, or mechs. Higher ranks reduce mishaps during difficult maneuvers. |
| Astrogation | INT | Plotting hyperspace routes, calculating faster-than-light jumps, and anticipating spatial anomalies. |
| Engineering | INT | Building, repairing, and upgrading mechanical or electronic systems, including starship engines and robotics. |
| Medicine | INT | Treating wounds, performing surgery, diagnosing illnesses. Critical for sustaining crew health on long voyages. |
| Ranged Combat | DEX | Proficiency with beam weapons, railguns, sidearms, and other firearms. Higher ranks improve accuracy and reduce jam/misfire chances. |
| Melee Combat | PHYS | Hand-to-hand or close-quarter fighting. Covers blades, batons, martial arts, or improvised weapons. |
| Security Systems | INT | Setting up and bypassing security measures: locks, surveillance cameras, passcodes, or advanced biometrics. |
| Diplomacy | WILL | Negotiating alliances, treaties, or truces. Includes persuasion, etiquette, and conflict resolution. |
| Hacking/Electronics | INT | Manipulating computer networks, cracking encryptions, or programming advanced AI. Essential for cyber-warfare or infiltration. |
| Barter/Negotiation | WILL | Buying and selling goods at favorable rates, closing deals, and reading buyers/sellers to spot deception or opportunities. |
| Psionics | WILL or INT | Utilizing mental powers like telepathy, telekinesis, or empathy. Often requires concentration to overcome mental defenses. |
| Planetology/Xenobiology | INT | Understanding alien species, ecosystems, and planetary conditions. Crucial for exploration or first-contact missions. |
| Linguistics | INT | Mastery of multiple languages, deciphering scripts, or building new translation algorithms for alien tongues. |
| Howlite Handling | WILL | Training and caring for Howlites; understanding their signals, trust-building, and using them to detect hazards or malfunctions. |
| Botany | INT | Studying and cultivating plants, especially in controlled environments like hydroponic labs or shipboard greenhouses. |
| Greenhouse Maintenance | INT | Operating hydroponic or aeroponic systems, ensuring stable pH and nutrient cycles, and troubleshooting climate controls. |
| Cooking / Replicator Tech | INT | Preparing meals (manually or via replicator), programming new recipes, calibrating ingredient ratios, and handling replicator repairs. |
Jobs vs. Hobbies
When creating your character:
- Jobs represent professional or core proficiencies (e.g., “Engineer,” “Medic,” “Howlite Handler”) and provide significant mechanical benefits.
- Hobbies are informal skills or side interests (e.g., “Galactic Cuisine,” “Alien Music,” “Board Game Strategy”). They may give minor bonuses in niche situations or simply add flavor to your roleplay.
Refer to the Skill Slots rules in the main Stellar Winds guide for how many Jobs and Hobbies you can select based on your INT.
Use these professions and skills as a springboard to shape your character’s role aboard the Stellar Winds. Collaboration with your group and GM can refine these ideas, ensuring every player’s contributions and backstory shine in the campaign!