PLAYERS: Explore your campaign setting...

When I'm running a roleplaying game as game master, I encourage my players to follow the Golden Rule (as written by me). It's pretty simple:

GOLDEN RULE: Ask the GM questions and try stuff. Have fun!



Cover for Isaac Azimov's "David Starr - Space Ranger"

That also includes, by the way, the expectation that you'll be an "excellent gamer." Someone who is generous with other players, looking for ways to include them in what you're character is doing, as well as basically being a courteous real life person at the table.

Beyond that, there are a wealth of things you can learn during your game. Here's a list that can be helpful for players that's not means exhaustive and frankly, there may or may not be an answer for all of the questions (depending on your GM) but it's worth a shot! 

You'll likely want to ask your GM using setting-appropriate terminology. A lightsaber may be called something else in your game (if you have something like them at all).

Explore your campaign setting:

1. What is the deal with my psion's order?
2. Where can we go to buy standard mission gear?
3. Where can we go to get custom cyborg implants for this alien/mutant/monster I just befriended?
4. Who is the meanest warlord in the galaxy?
5. Who is the greatest warrior in the galaxy?
6. Who is the richest person in the galaxy?
7. Where can we go to get some discount medbay healing?
8. Where can we go to get cures for the following conditions: poison, disease, space witch curse, level drain, mutagen contamination, nanomite infestation, brain swapped back into original body, death, zombification?
9. Is there a vocational guild my PC belongs to or that I can join in order to get better at that thing I do?
10. Where can I find an scientist, techno wizard, psion master or other expert NPC?
11. Where can I hire mercenaries like bounty hunters, smugglers, pirates, or laser riflemen?
12. Is there any place on the map where lightsabers/weirding modules are illegal, advanced technology is outlawed or any other notable hassles from [insert name of ruling space authority]?
13. Which way to the nearest space station for fuel, repairs, upgrades, supplies, and entertainment?
14. What infamous interstellar criminals are terrorizing the outer rim sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous?
15. Are there any wars brewing I could go fight?
16. How about gladiatorial space arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes?
17. Are there any secret societies with sinister agendas I could join and/or fight?
18. What is there to eat out of this 3D food printer thing?
19. Any legendary lost artifacts of the ancients I could be looking for?
20. Where is the nearest kaiju or other monster with Type H treasure?

 Here's a few more items to consider:

1. What's the state of the galaxy at present moment? Does my planet of origin still exist?
2. Where can I get a ship to take me to this dangerous planet on my star chart?
3. Where can I buy or get parts to build a robot to do my bidding?
4. What are the planets that no one dares visit?
5. Are there any dives on this rock we shouldn't go into?
6. What aliens will blast my hand off on sight?
7. What aliens are allies that I can call for help?
8. Are there any space derelicts or abandoned asteroid outposts we can go raid?
9. Where can I sell this relic/spacejunk/secret weapon I found/stole/inherited?
10. Where can I get a decent cape to romp around in?

Also, be aware that it's the GM's prerogative to not tell you certain information until the timing is right. And you may need to go investigate some of these before you find the answers--that is to say, don't expect your GM to just tell you the answer. Where's the fun in that?

Part of this list was adapted from a post by Jeff Rients.