Before beginning this module, read the STAR FRONTIERS Expanded Rules. After familiarizing yourself with the expanded rules, study this module carefully. You must be thoroughly familiar with its contents to run a successful adventure. An intimate knowledge of the maps, encounters, creatures, and non-player characters will prove invaluable when trying to describe fast-paced action scenes to your characters.

CRASH ON VOLTURNUS is the first module in the VOLTURNUS series. Two other modules, VOLTURNUS: PLANET OF MYSTERY and STARSPAWN OF VOLTURNUS, may be played after completing CRASH ON VOLTURNUS. While neither of the sequels are necessary to play this module, we recommend you complete CRASH ON VOLTURNUS before playing VOLTURNUS: PLANET OF MYSTERY or STARSPAWN OF VOLTURNUS.

This module is designed for 4 to 8 characters. The character group should include at least one Vrusk, at least one character with medical skills, and at least one character with environmental skills. In addition, the party will find it wise to spend most of their money on items other than weapons when they start the adventure. (All weapons will be destroyed early in the adventure.)

In the middle of the module booklet, you will find several removable sections. These sections include the ''Alien Creatures Update File," the "Player Character Background Report," and the "STAR FRONTIERS System Brief." These sections may be removed from the booklet and kept in separate notebooks as expandable files. Simply bend the staples out and pull the sheets from the book, then bend the staples back down. Each section is printed on a solid sheet of paper which can be inserted into a three-ring notebook.

When the adventure begins, give the "Player Character Back- ground Report" to your players. This sheet provides them a basic background statement, pre-rolled characters, and two different kinds of mapping paper.

Both sides of the module cover contain maps. The outside cover shows a small interior section of the starliner ''Serene Dawn." The adventure begins as a group of space pirates hijack the Serena Dawn. Use this map as a "playing board." Lay it on a flat surface and place your prayers' counters directly on it. You and your players may then move the counters over the map as needed to represent movement.

On the inside cover, you will find a partial planetary map of Volturnus. Do not showthis map toyour players at anytime, it is for your reference only. The planetary map will be used to keep track of the movement of the characters on the planet. The planetary map uses hexagons instead of squares to show direction and distance on the planet's surface more accurately. Each hexagon (hex) is color-coded to represent its dominant terrain. In addition, some hexes contain symbols representing unusual features.

The following chart illustrates the six possible directions of movement on a hexagonal map.

When the players tell you their direction of travel, they should use the terms northeast, east, southeast, southwest, west, or northwest. The direction of travel for each hex should be specified separately so there is no confusion about the location of the characters.

You will find maps of the Forbidden Caverns and the Lake of Fire in the STAR FRONTIERS System Brief. Use these special maps when you reach the encounter sections calling for them.

In the Player Character Background Report, you will find two different kinds of mapping paper. The characters should use the hexagonal paper (hex paper) to map their route while outdoors, and the 1/4 inch square graph paper to map their route while in the Forbidden Caverns. (Note: You can buy extra supplies of hex and graph paper at your local hobby shop.)

The simplest way to map terrain is to color code the hexes according to terrain type. If colored pencils are not available, letters or symbols may be used to mark terrain.

Some hexes contain noteworthy features, such as towns or rock formations. The characters should mark these with a symbol they understand. Knowledge of these features may prove useful if the party becomes lost or wishes to rendezvous at a certain place.

On Volturnus, the distance to the horizon is 1 hex. This means characters can see into the next hex if their line of sight is not blocked. Note, however, characters cannot identify any objects smaller than a mountain unless in the same hex as that object.

Characters may see farther than 1 hex only when standing in a hex with a high elevation point and an unobstructed view. When this is the case, they can see up to 2 hexes, but cannot identify any objects unless in the same hex as that object.

Movement on Volturnus varies greatly with terrain type and character race. Because of the harsh conditions on Volturnus, characters will rarely find it advantageous to split up. In addition, the terrific heat of Volturnus slows the movement of any race. All movement rates on Volturnus are specified for a mixed party of races, and take the heat into account.

You will find a SIGHTING AND MOVEMENT table below. This table lists movement rates and sighting distances for all major terrain types on Volturnus. Much of the information on the table details areas on the map your characters will not venture into during this module. This information will prove useful to you in future adventures upon the planet Volturnus.

In this module, assume characters can find all the food and water they need, unless there is reason to assume otherwise. The characters may have trouble finding food and water under any number of circumstances, such as travelling in the desert where no water and little food is available. Circumstances that make it difficult to obtain food and water will be specified in this module.

The sections below will guide you through CRASH ON VOLTURNUS. Although we have made every effort to include as much detail as possible, you must often rely upon your own quick wit and imagination to run the adventure effectively. It is important, therefore, that you are equally familiar with the STAR FRONTIERS game rules and the sections below.

There are several categories of information at the beginning of each encounter section. These categories include special rules needed for that encounter section (this might include movement, sighting, time, and special combat modifiers), a brief description to read to your characters, and two types of encounter descriptions.

CRASH ON VOLTURNUS utilizes two types of encounters, random encounters and planned encounters. Random encounters furnish an element of chance and a feeling of surprise to the adventure. They occur any time, any place within an encounter section. All encounter sections list the percentile chance of having a random encounter each time period. {The length of each time period may vary from section to section. The length of each period will be stated under Special Rules in the beginning of each section.) Roll percentile dice once each period; a random encounter occurs whenever you roll that percentile chance or less.

When random encounters occur, use the random encounter table at the beginning of each section to determine the result. On most tables, you simply roll percentile dice to find the title of the encounter, then read the entry below the table for a description of the encounter. Some tables, however, are arranged in order, so particular encounters occur before others. On these tables, do not roll percentile dice.

Planned encounters provide a plot and sense of direction to the adventure. They occur at specified times, such as when characters enter certain areas or engage in specified actions. Most planned encounters have sections to read to the players and sections to provide you with the background needed to run the adventure.

Your players will meet many characters and creatures during their adventures. You must know many things about these characters and creatures, so it is very important you study the "Alien Creatures Update File" and the "STAR FRONTIERS System Brief."

You need not memorize the creatures and aliens, however. The abbreviations below provide a compact format for presenting the basic information necessary to run each encounter. Study these abbreviations carefully, so you are familiar with them when running your encounters.