A gritty, tactical sci-fi tabletop RPG set in the fringes of a shattered empire.
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About the Game
Whisperspace is a skills-based Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG) system that uses a d12 dice system.
At a glance:
- Track physical trauma with the Wound system and mental strain with the Stress system. No character is immune to the dangers of combat, and even survivors carry scars - visible or otherwise.
- Choose from inherent and learned skills to build your character your way.
- Develop your character toward an Archetype, from the physical resilience of a Brute to the silent precision of a Neo Samurai wielding a tech-enhanced blade.
- Pass through Whisperspace when you travel through the stars. Don't worry: you'll probably survive.
- Hack into systems, bypass security, and decrypt pivotal data.
- Construct modular robots to assist and defend you.
About The Author
Stuart Pringle is the creator of Whisperspace. You can go say hi to him on Instagram, or you can go play the hangman clone he created, cause that's fun.
He's Canadian, he's Christian, he's got kids 'n' a wife 'n' three cats, and he loves creativity, be it writing, game design, or... Just about anything else.
Rule System
The Basics
Roll a d12
- Everything in Whisperspace is resolved with a d12 roll plus relevant skill bonuses. Beat the set Difficulty (DC) to succeed. The greater your margin, the better the result—or the worse the failure.
Skill-Driven
- In Whisperspace, your strengths come from your skills—every roll is skill-first. Attributes still exist, but they’re derived from the skills you’ve invested in, giving you a clear picture of what your character’s really good at. Inherent skills reflect raw talent. Learned skills reflect training, grit, and hard-earned experience.
Actions & Turns
Action Economy
- Each turn, take up to 3 actions—attack, move, hack, help an ally, or prepare a reaction for later. How you spend your actions dynamically shapes each encounter.
Bonus & Penalty Dice
- Get bonus dice for smart tactics, teamwork, or superior skill. Penalty dice represent difficult conditions, physical strain, or stressful situations.
Damage & Survival
Wounds
- Damage from combat or hazards is tracked with a wound system. Take too many wounds and you’re incapacitated—or worse.
Stress
- Fear, loss, and the horrors of Whisperspace build Stress. High Stress can cause your character to freeze, panic, or suffer long-term trauma.
Special Systems
Combat
- Fast, lethal, and tactical. Cover, positioning, weapon types, and armor all matter. This is less action movie and more thriller.
Hacking
- Breach security systems, dodge countermeasures, and plant malicious software. Each hack increases system alert—move fast, or get caught.
Robotics & Ships
- Build, modify, and deploy robots and starships using a modular system. Space itself can be as dangerous as any enemy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whisperspace is a gritty, tactical sci-fi tabletop RPG set in a fractured galaxy after the fall of a once-great empire. It's also the name of FTL travel in this setting!
It uses a d12-based system with skill modifiers. Higher rolls are better—margin of success (rolling higher than needed) matters!
Yes! While the rules support tactical depth, the core mechanics are streamlined for fast onboarding.
Yes—Whisperspace is built around a GM-led experience. There are currently no plans to make a single-player (solo) version of the game.
Quite! Smart tactics, cover, and good armor matter. Getting shot is dangerous in Whisperspace.
Still have questions? Let me know!
Archetypes
An archetype in Whisperspace is a lot like a character class—but you don’t start with one. It’s something you grow into. As your story unfolds, your choices shape who you become. There are over a dozen archetypes to discover during play. Here’s a quick look at a few.