You ever get one of those game ideas you obsess over and the only way to get it out of your head is to work it up? Star TreQ is one of mine, and since the results turned out playable, I figured I’d share them here. In fact, we have been using it for one shot episodes on game nights without quorum for our main campaign, and it’s been super fun. So if you are a Star Trek fan, a Q System fan or both, this might be your jam.

Step 1 - If you don’t already own Upwind, familiarize yourself with the Q System OGL rules.

Step 2 - Print some character sheets and make some characters. The only differences that might not be self-explanatory are listed below:

Starfleet = Potential, and represents the core Trek tropes that make the differences between PCs and NPCs.

Warp Cards = Crowning Cards

Buffers = Caches, and are bonus cards associated with PC aspects or traits.

Commbadge = Knight’s Cache

USS {insert your ship name} = ship class based cache shared by the crew (players)

Runabout has 1, Defiant class gets 3, Galaxy class 6, etc.

Engineering = a class of tech (pick 1) with which a character can create a miracle plot device once per episode.

Step 3 - Have the moderator roll 6d6 and consult the following TreQ Adventure Trope Generator(tm) as inspiration for your episode.

Episode Type

1. Lots of talking/sociopolitical moral

2. Time travel/alternate universe

3. Bottle episode

4. Space battle

5. Ship and surface crew separation

6. Violation of the Prime Directive

Primary MacGuffin

1. Space anomoly

2. First contact/diplomacy

3. Distress call

4. Body snatching aliens

5. Cultural misunderstanding

6. Holodeck/transporter malfunction

Antagonist

1. Ally species

2. Unknown species

3. Rival species

4. Enemy species

5. Unknowable space monster

6. Strange radiation

Secondary MacGuffin

1. Someone is slowly dying

2. Alien species dangerous and life threatening biology problem

3. Disease is infecting crew

4. Entire race in danger/planet about to be destroyed

5. Political conflict/social taboo

6. Personal dilemma

Additional Complication

1. Transporter/communications failure

2. Warp core offline

3. Countdown/gravity well

4. Alien vermin infestation

5. Alien fistfight

6. Alien romance

Relevant Technobable

1. Dilithium matrix

2. Pattern buffer

3. Deflector array

4. Reversed polarity

5. Plasma conduit

6. Jeffries tube

Step 4 - Boldly go!

Jeff Barber is the primary author of the "Midnight" core book and the "Crown of Shadow" campaign, writing both as a freelancer for Fantasy Flight Games. 

"As the Third Age came to an end, the fallen god Izrador triumphed over the free nations of Aryth. The corrupt lieutenants of the Shadow in the North, the Night Kings, rule with an iron fist over ruined cities and broken kingdoms. Twisted spirits hunt down the last true masters of magic. The dark god’s vile priesthood, the legates of the Order of Shadow, seek out elven spies, dwarven insurgents, and the few brave humans who stand defiant against the night in the Age of Shadow." - Fantasy Flight Games 

"No one race or culture has the might to stand against Izrador and his foul legates. The dwarves are valiant, but caged in their mountains. The elves are skilled, but have neither the numbers nor the resources to fight off the orc hordes forever. Yet there are some few who would join their knowledge and skills, the better to fight the Shadow that has fallen over both peoples.

And those few are hunted.

Crown of Shadow is a desperate quest across Eredane, ranging from the depths of the Kaldrun Mountains, across the grim expanse of the occupied plains of Erenland, through the secretive underground of the Eren River, and finally into the heart of the Whispering Wood itself. The players, inexperienced rebels in the fight against Izrador and the Night Kings, become the unintended recipients of a valuable prize, and the unwilling charges of a deadly quest. The forces of the Shadow have uncovered a prize of their own, however, and have given it to one their most devious champions. The party must elude this tireless pursuer and reach sanctuary a continent away, lest they fall prey to the Crown of Shadow." - Fantasy Flight Games

Killer Crosshairs

Killer Crosshairs was Biohazard Game's first product. A system-generic combat supplement that was as much a learning opportunity for our new company as anything else. It is currently out of print. 

Shadis KC Magazine Review

Grace Under Pressure

Jeff Barber designed and co-wrote "Grace Under Pressure" in his days with the early Pagan Publishing. It is currently out of print. 

"Welcome to the Bottom of the World

You are on the sea floor, 1500 feet below the surface. Around you there is only cold and dark - the sun's caressing rays bring nothing to this world. The pressure here is over six hundred pounds per square inch. This is a lethal place. There must be caution in every move you make, or the sea will claim your body and your soul. You and your companions are aboard the RSV Wallaby, a prototype research vessel of your own design. This is its maiden voyage; the attention of the world is upon you.

You are not alone.

And in the hours to come you will die. Unless you can master the fine art of Grace Under Pressure...

Unlike most Call of Cthulhu adventures, 'Grace Under Pressure' is not intended for campaign play. This book includes eight pre-generated characters for use with the game, as well as guidelines for your players to make up their own. Extensive notes on how to present the adventure theatrically are included, with emphasis on lighting, props, and sound effects. The adventure uses a unique dual-Keeper presentation, but can also be run by a single Keeper." - Pagan Publishing

Personal Campaigns

Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - The Brotherhood

Eclipse Phase - How Soon They Forget

Blades in the Dark - The Evil Men Do

Mutants and Masterminds - Vanguard for Victory (in progress, run by Upwind artist James Stowe, using a Q-System hack.