THE ‘VERSE

A firefly setting kit for the Starforged RPG

Version 0.7 | Updated Oct. 2024

by JadeRavens

This work is based on Ironsworn: Starforged, created by Shawn

Tomkin, and licensed for our use under the Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.

This supplement is fan-made. All rights to Firefly and Serenity

belong to the copyright holders.

Version 0.7
-​ Added twenty-five new NPCs
-​ Added new oracles
-​ Updated “Serenity’s Crew” assets
-​ Minor edits and improvements
-​ Added Forge/‘Verse region comparison chart
-​ Updated links
Links
▸​ Required to play: Ironsworn: Starforged by Shawn Tomkin
▸​ Starforged expansion, for spacefaring piracy: Sundered Isles by Shawn Tomkin
▸​ The ‘Verse by Jade Ravens
▸​ Interactive character sheet: Starforged Crew Sheet by Jade Ravens
▸​ The RPG of perilous quests: Ironsworn RPG & Delve by Shawn Tomkin
▸​ Ironsworn hack for more western flavor: Ironsworn: Badlands by Keith Stetson
▸​ Shiny official map: Qmx Map of the ‘Verse
▸​ Fandom wiki: Firefly + Serenity Database
▸​ Other RPGs in the ‘Verse: Serenity RPG | Firefly RPG

Content & Safety

For all its humor and whimsy, Firefly stories can often veer into dark subject matter.
During play, for example, delicate character interactions involving Registered
Companions or the sudden appearance of Reavers may be triggering or upsetting for
certain players.

Potentially triggering content from the show includes:

-​ Violence -​ Torture -​ Mental illness

-​ Cannibalism -​ Suicide -​ War
-​ Sexual assault -​ Sexism -​ Injustice
-​ Prostitution -​ Conspiracy -​ Betrayal
-​ Slavery -​ Trauma -​ Oppression

When playing with a group, take the time to create an atmosphere of fun and safety at
the table by discussing which types of content the group will agree to indulge or
avoid, and by using the gameplay tools presented in Ironsworn: Starforged or the
TTRPG Safety Toolkit.

Out of respect for sensitive players, effort has been made in this guide to imply rather
than describe the darker elements of the Firefly canon.

The ‘Verse was a labor of love for the Ironsworn community and Firefly fans alike. ​
If you’d like to say thanks, please consider leaving a tip at
https://jaderavens.itch.io/starforged-the-verse!
PART ONE:​
HERE’S HOW IT IS
The Earth got used up. We found a new solar system and terraformed hundreds of new
Earths. The central planets formed the Alliance and decided that all worlds should unite
under their rule. There was some disagreement on that point.

After the War for Unification, many Independents – those who fought and lost – drifted
to the edges of the system, far from Alliance control. Out on the Rim, people struggle to
get by with the most basic technologies. Out here, a ship will bring you work. A gun will
help you keep it.

A captain’s goal is simple: Find a crew. Find a job. Keep flyin’.

Welcome to the ‘Verse

The reaches of civilized space are divided into three regions spanning five planetary systems. There
are over 200 terraformed worlds (both planets and moons) in the ‘Verse, as well as a handful of
helioformed protostars. Spaceships of every shape and size sail the black in between.

The first worlds to be colonized formed the Alliance and decided all the planets had to unite under
their rule. Many of the outer worlds fought to maintain their independence. After the Browncoats
suffered a crushing defeat at Serenity Valley on Hera, the Unification War was over. Now, six years
later, many rebels have drifted to the edges of the system. Resentments still fester on both sides.

Life in the Core is good, for the most part. The rich and prosperous enjoy the latest technology – laser
pistols, holo-scanners, flying cars, and the like – and there’s no shortage of food, shelter, and health
care for them as can pay.

Out on the Rim, folks get by with the most basic technologies, making do with horses, plows, and
bullets. Life is about survival, not manners or schooling, so those on the central planets tend to look
down on settlers as uncivilized. And while the Alliance rules over the Border planets in theory, law
enforcement is a mite spotty, so most folks go armed for their own protection.

THE ‘VERSE | 3
Default Truths
The truths of the Forge map remarkably well onto the ‘Verse.

1.​ Cataclysm: The Earth got used up.

2.​ Exodus: We found a new solar system and terraformed hundreds of new Earths.

3.​ Communities: The central planets formed the Alliance and decided that all worlds should
unite under their rule.

4.​ Iron: Out here, a ship will bring you work. A gun will help you keep it. A captain’s goal is
simple: Find a crew. Find a job. Keep flyin’.

5.​ Laws: The Alliance controls the central planets, but civilization can only reach so far.

6.​ Religion: Faith is as diverse as people, but Christian and Buddhist beliefs predominate.

7.​ Magic: It sounds like something out of science fiction (but then, you do live on a spaceship).
Some folk are remarkably intuitive. Some even say that readers – bonafide psychics – exist.

8.​ Communication and Data: A system-wide information network known as the Cortex can be
accessed on ships from most any terminal or dedicated sourcebox. News, communication, law
enforcement bulletins, online shopping – you name it, you can find it on the Cortex.

9.​ Medicine: Healthcare technology is advanced and widely available on the central planets. Out
on the border, things are less civilized. Cybernetics and artificial organs are still experimental.

10.​ Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence is expensive, rare, and a mite unpredictable.

11.​ War: After the Unification War, many Independents – those who fought and lost – drifted to
the edges of the system, far from Alliance control.

12.​ Lifeforms: Hucksters claim there’s proof of alien life, and in exchange for a few credits they’ll
let you take a peek at an upside-down, mutated cow fetus.

13.​ Precursors: Far as we can tell, we’re the first ones here.

14.​ Horrors: The Alliance denies their existence, but folk on the Rim know full well reavers exist.

THE ‘VERSE | 4
PART TWO: ​
GETTING STARTED
This setting kit for Ironsworn: Starforged provides you with everything you need to get started in the ‘Verse.

Moves Assets
Most moves can be used as-is, without modification. Most assets fit the ‘Verse perfectly and can be used
Quest moves (i.e. vows) may be easily reskinned as as-is. Shiny!
jobs, bounties, assignments, or any high-stakes goal
on which you hang your reputation. You may choose to exclude or reskin certain
companion assets that don’t fit your vision of the
While the reaches of civilized space are largely ‘Verse. According to Firefly canon, alien life has not
explored, there are still plenty of unknowns out on been encountered (unless you count poor Bessie), so
the frontier. You may find yourself wandering off the exotic creatures like the Voidglider and Banshee
beaten track searching for work, avoiding the law, or may not be a good fit.
even conducting a legitimate survey. In such cases,
you’ll make Exploration moves. However, the Rockhorn and Glowcat are close
enough to terrestrial animals that their mutations
Exploration moves may be used as-is, with the could be explained by quirks of the terraforming
exception of the Discovery and Chaos tables. process on certain worlds. Additionally, the Symbiote
Interpret the results according to your vision of the companion could be reskinned as one or more
‘Verse whenever you Make a Discovery or Confront artificial organs the likes of those that were
Chaos, or use the Spaceborne Peril and Spaceborne smuggled by Tracey Smith (Mal and Zoe’s
Opportunity oracles in their place. not-so-dead war buddy).

[ Include example in play ] Magic is exceedingly rare in the ‘Verse, but it does
exist in one form or t’other. Of course, unlocking its
full potential might require some government
scientists poking about in your brain. You may decide
to limit supernatural phenomena to the occasional
psychic (Seer is a good fit for that), or you may decide
that the Academy has been churning out more than
just readers. If so, you may choose to include some
more overt magical assets such as Kinetic and
Firebrand.

THE ‘VERSE | 5
Advice
Aim to misbehave.
There’s nothing that says you have to play an outlaw, but the setting and the rules really shine when you’re on
the raggedy edge. Don’t be afraid to take bold chances, even if it means running afoul of feds, corps, pirates,
gangsters... or worse.

How come things never go smooth?

Paying the price is about more than suffering mechanical harm or losing momentum – it’s about drama. Every
episode of Firefly is rife with complications . Things never seem to go according to plan—but hey, that can be
fun, too! After all, it’s easier to see a clear path when you’re lost in the woods.

My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle.

If you’re like me, you know each episode of Firefly by heart. When you love a story like this, it can be daunting to
make the transition from fan to storyteller. You might find yourself hesitating and asking whether something
fits the setting, as if the “wrong” decision would be ruinous (read: it won’t). Don’t forget that not taking itself
too seriously was one of the things that made the show great.

Firefly featured everything from action, adventure, and comedy to romance, tragedy, and horror. There’s plenty
of family, loyalty, injustice, and heartbreak, but there’s also plastic dinosaurs, psychics, and funny hats. One
episode is a gritty Western, the next a cutting-edge sci-fi heist or touching character story. There are horses and
hover-trains, spaceships that look like skyscrapers, and brothels that look like frozen dinner packs. There are
revolvers and ray-guns, shoot-outs and sword fights, space battles and bar-room brawls...

In other words, don’t get tetchy about it. The ‘Verse is a big place, and there’s plenty of space for new ideas and
adventures. Time for some thrilling heroics!

THE ‘VERSE | 6
Serenity’s Crew Example character builds from the crew of Serenity.

Malcolm Reynolds Commander Marked Veteran

IRON EDGE HEART SHADOW WITS
+1 +2 +3 +1 +2

Zöe Washburne Armored Gunslinger Loyalist

IRON EDGE HEART SHADOW WITS
+1 +2 +3 +2 +1

Hoban Washburne Ace Fated Navigator

IRON EDGE HEART SHADOW WITS
+1 +2 +2 +1 +3

Inara Serra Blademaster Diplomat Empath

IRON EDGE HEART SHADOW WITS
+2 +1 +2 +3 +1

Kaylee Frye Gearhead Scavenger Tech

IRON EDGE HEART SHADOW WITS
+1 +1 +2 +2 +3

Jayne Cobb Gunner Scoundrel Weapon Master

IRON EDGE HEART SHADOW WITS
+3 +2 +2 +1 +1

Simon Tam Courier Fugitive Healer

IRON EDGE HEART SHADOW WITS
+2 +1 +2 +1 +3

River Tam Brawler Hunted Seer

IRON EDGE HEART SHADOW WITS
+3 +2 +1 +2 +1

Derrial Book Devotant Lore-Hunter Sniper

IRON EDGE HEART SHADOW WITS
+1 +2 +3 +1 +2

THE ‘VERSE | 7
PART THREE:​
OBJECTS IN SPACE
The reaches of civilized space are divided into three regions: the Core, the Border, and the Rim; and span five
planetary systems: White Sun, Georgia, Red Sun, Kalidasa, and Blue Sun. There are over 200 terraformed
worlds (habitable planets and moons) in the ‘Verse, as well as a handful of helioformed protostars.

The Forge The ‘Verse

Terminus → Core
Outlands → Border
Expanse → Rim
Void → The Black

THE ‘VERSE | 8
The Core
The White Sun system lies at the center of the known ‘Verse. Also known as the Core, it is home to billions of
Alliance citizens, the seat of government power, and the highest concentration of credits and technology in the
Union of Allied Planets. As a result, the Central Planets are regarded as the most modern and civilized worlds in
the ‘Verse.

Notable Locations
White Sun
▸​ Bernadette – the capital city of New Paris was built around the last remaining ark of the exodus from
Earth-That-Was. The Alliance Colony and Settlement Authority is based in New Tombstone, making
this world the official starting point for those looking to settle the Border or Rim worlds.

▸​ Londinium – capital world of the Union of Allied Planets and seat of the Alliance government.
Parliament is located in the capital city of New Cardiff.

▸​ Sihnon – sister planet of Londinium, seat of Eastern civilization in the ‘Verse, training houses and
guild headquarters for Registered Companions.

▸​ Osiris – wealthy planet home to many rich and influential families, including the Tam estate. Criminal
elements operate in “blackout zones” to avoid government surveillance.

▸​ Bellerophon – landmass divided between vast stretches of desert and ocean. Private estates of the
rich and paranoid hover miles above the sea patrolled by private security. Durran Haymer lives here.

▸​ Ariel – metropolitan world with a reputation for advanced technology, high-end medical facilities,
and fine dining.

▸​ Persephone – close to the Border yet still considered a civilized world. Home to high society as well as
a large slum population. Badger’s operations are based out of Eavesdown. Shepherd Book lived at the
Southdown Abbey before shipping out with the crew of Serenity. Simon and River Tam, Shepherd
Book, and Lawrence Dobson boarded Serenity from the Eavesdown Docks. The planet is also the
location of Malcolm Reynolds’ swordfight with Atherton Wing.

THE ‘VERSE | 9
The Border
The Georgia and Red Sun systems orbit along the Border of Alliance space. The Border Planets are colonized
with scattered settlements of pioneers. These frontier worlds have a reputation for being a mite lawless and are
known to attract unsavory characters none too keen on following the rules. Out here, anyone with enough guns
and gumption can rule their own little world. Nonetheless, the Alliance government entices settlers by offering
free one-way passage and a crate of supplies to anyone willing to take the light of civilization to the edges of
the system.

Notable Locations
Georgia
▸​ Niska’s Skyplex – Niska, a sadistic gangster with a reputation for torture, operates out of a space station
orbiting the planet Ezra.

▸​ Regina – a hovertrain connects the settlements of Hancock and Paradiso on this mining planet known
for “Bowden’s malady,” a degenerative disease afflicting the locals.

▸​ Boros – outlaws tend to avoid this world on account of the high number of feds stationed here.

▸​ Whitefall – not exactly civilization in the strictest sense, most of this Athens moon is run by a ruthless
woman by the name of Patience.

▸​ Hera – an agricultural world orbiting Murphy and a crucial food supply for most of the system. The
decisive battle of Serenity Valley took place here, effectively ending the Unification War.

▸​ Aphrodite – known for its vast salvage yards and guild-certified pleasure houses, Murphy’s second
planet has become a frequent stopover for pilots frequenting nearby trade routes.

▸​ Shadow – Murphy’s third planet was known for its granaries and ranches until it was all but destroyed
by Alliance bombardment during the war. Now, this ghost world, and Malcolm Reynolds’ home, is
practically uninhabitable.

THE ‘VERSE | 10
Red Sun
▸​ Jiangyin – the hill folk of this border world are known to kidnap skilled tradespeople from the towns.
It was here that Simon & River were once abducted and nearly burned at the stake.

▸​ New Melbourne – known for fish and fish-related activities. Who hasn’t occasionally gotten the
overwhelming urge to gut sturgeon?

▸​ Greenleaf – this tropical world produces a variety of valuable medicinal plants, prompting the
establishment of a large pharmaceutical industry, as well as dozens of drug cartels.

▸​ Dyton – the cockney homestead of Dyton Colony is located on Greenleaf’s first moon. Badger’s home.

▸​ Higgins’ Moon – a backwater Harvest moon known for its commercial mud-farming which exploits an
indentured workforce called “mudders.” Jayne Cobb became a local hero when a robbery-gone-wrong
dumped a lockbox full of cash right in the middle of worker town.

▸​ Li Shen’s Bazaar – a shopping center in deep space. Postmaster Amnon runs an Allied Postal Service
franchise here. Snack on an ice planet, gawk at a mutated cow fetus, and get your mail all in one place!
This is where Mal and Zoe reunited with their not-so-dead war buddy Tracey Smith.

▸​ St. Albans – this snowy, mountainous world is among the coldest in the ‘Verse. Hardy prospectors
mine the planet’s rich mineral deposits in spite of harsh weather conditions. Tracey Smith’s home.

▸​ Triumph – the settlers of this Heinlein world eschew modern technology in favor of a simple life
according to their own customs. Some communities feature maiden houses where young girls are
brought up to be married off in trade – a form of currency for settlers with little else to offer. This is
where Saffron (aka “Yo-Saff-Bridge”) married Malcolm Reynolds and stowed away on Serenity.

THE ‘VERSE | 11
The Rim
Out on the Rim, and furthest from Alliance control, are the industrial backwater worlds of the Kalidasa and
Blue Sun systems. Worlds on the Rim are sparsely settled, poorly supplied, and lawless – except for the order
imposed by local communities, corporations, and private security firms. Exploitation and desperation makes
violence and crime a way of life out here, and rumors of savage reavers, shady corporate interests, and secret
government conspiracies abound.

Notable Locations
Kalidasa
▸​ Verbena – formerly a poor and undeveloped frontier planet, it is now the site of a state-of-the-art
gearshift assembly factory for military skiffs run by the Blue Sun Corporation.

▸​ Newhall – terraforming new worlds requires a lot of fresh water, and this oceanic world has water to
spare. Locals live and work on small island chains or buoy stations operating desalination plants.

▸​ “Six Sigma” – a terraforming disaster resulted in the destruction of Pacifica, Penglai’s fourth planet,
along with four of its five moons. Lear, the surviving moon, experiences frequent meteor showers.

▸​ Beaumonde – this industrialized world serves as the manufacturing hub of the system. The Blue Sun
Corporation has a significant, and some would say suspiciously secretive, presence here. Factories of
every kind crowd and pollute every urban center except for the capital of New Dunsmuir, a beautiful
city and popular tourist destination. Rural areas are predominantly used for ranching.

THE ‘VERSE | 12
Blue Sun
▸​ Burnet – well-funded offworld prospectors come to Meridian’s first moon to mine a large deposit of
Iridium and sell it on the Central Planets. Locals refer to them as “Silverliners” due to their shiny ships.

▸​ New Canaan – the midpoint of the eponymous trade route known as the New Canaan Run. The route
begins at Londinium and includes Persephone, Beaumonde, Silverhold, Harvest, New Canaan, Hera,
Shadow, Ariel, Osiris and Sihnon.

▸​ Lilac – the atmosphere of New Canaan’s second moon is like a greenhouse, and crops planted in areas
with regular rainfall tend to thrive. Being so close to reaver space, major land-owners contract with
private security firms to protect their settlements and farms from raids.

▸​ Deadwood – seventh planet orbiting the Blue Sun. It was here that the crew of Serenity defended the
Heart of Gold brothel from Rance Burgess, the self-appointed ruler of the planet, resulting in his death
as well as Nandi’s, a former Companion and friend of Inara Serra.

▸​ Haven – the first moon of Deadwood and the final refuge of Derrial Book after he left Serenity.

▸​ Miranda – this world was labeled a blackrock and stricken from government records and official
maps following rumored reports of a terraforming incident. Situated deep inside reaver territory, the
planet’s existence is all but forgotten.

Every World Spinnin’

Each of the five star systems is named for its primary sun. Planets are numbered, followed by their moons. All
satellites are listed in order of orbital distance. Secondary protostar systems are shaded.

Solar System Key

​ Bold​ World (terraformed planet or moon)

​Regular​ Blackrock (terraforming failed, on hold, or pending; mining outpost)
​ *​ Gas giant
​ †​ Rotationally-locked planetary pair
​ “”​ Asteroid belt or field
​ Italic​ Space station, orbital platform, etc.

THE ‘VERSE | 13
THE ‘VERSE | 14
White Sun System (Bái Hǔ, White Tiger)​ CORE

1.​ Bernadette​ 7.​ Osiris​ 12.​ Albion​

Nautilus​ Epeuva​ Avalon
Spinrad Tannhäuser

2.​ Londinium​ Lux

Colchester​ Qin Shi Huang
13.​ Persephone​
Balkerne 8.​ Santo​ Hades​
Tethys​ Renao
3.​ Sihnon​
New Luxor
Airen​ 14.​ Pelorum​
Xiaojie​ Kaleidoscope
9.​ Valentine​
Xiansheng​
Selene​
Yunnan 15.​ Dukkha​
Chons
Samudaya​
4.​ Liann Jiun​ Nirodha​
10.​ Bellerophon​
Tiantan​ Magga
Tyrins​
Fu
Xanthus​ 16.​ Ra Amiran​
5.​ Gonghe​ Parth Namira
Xing Yun
11.​ Ariel​ 17.​ “The Halo”
6.​ Rubicon └ Fissatore​
Ariopolis​
Shiva​
Poseidon

THE ‘VERSE | 15
Georgia System (Huáng Lóng, Yellow Dragon)​ BORDER

1.​ Ezra​ 8.​ Di Yu​ 13.​ Meadow​

└ Niska’s Skyplex​ Yama Salyut​
Herschel Mir
9.​ Athens​
2.​ Regina​ Ahnooie​
Alexandria Argabuthon​ Murphy
Ormuzd​
3.​ Boros​ 14.​ Hera​
Whitefall
Ares​ Bullet​
└ Iskellian Shipyards​ 10.​ Daedalus*​ Eris
Turrent’s Moon Arvad’s Helm​
Notterdam​ 15.​ Aphrodite​
4.​ Kerry​ Rea​ Sturges​
Madcap Box​ Hill​
Illyria​ Thornley​
†
5.​ Ithaca + Priam Shenandoah​ Anton

6.​ Prophet​ Dakhla​

16.​ Shadow​
Perdido​ Sault
Branson’s Mark​
Dunny Ossolambria​
11.​ Newhope​
The Commons​ Summerfair
7.​ Elphame*​
Splendor​
Summerhome​
Godforsaken
Fiddler’s Green​
Ithendra​ 12.​ Three Hills​
Sweethome​ New Lafayette​
New Vienna Conrad​
Bob

THE ‘VERSE | 16
Red Sun System (Zhū Què, Red Phoenix)​ BORDER

1.​ Jiangyin​ 8.​ Anson’s World​

Heinlein
Tongyi​ Spider​
Dangun​ Varley​ 14.​ Triumph​
Rhilidore Steele Mycroft

2.​ New Melbourne​ 9.​ Jubilee​ 15.​ Paquin​

Maria​ Covenant Shinbone​
Destiny Clawthorn​
Himinbjørg Port Chester
3.​ “Motherlode”
10.​ Aesir​ 16.​ Lazarus​
4.​ Greenleaf​
Bestla​ Dora
Dyton​ Borr​
Agyar​ Odin 17.​ Silverhold​
Bryson’s Rock Beggar’s Tin
11.​ Moab​
5.​ Harvest​
Red Rock​
Farraday​ Mesa
Higgins’ Moon
12.​ Brisingamen​
6.​ Li Shen’s Bazaar
Freya​
Alberich​
7.​ St. Albans​
Beowulf
Pi Gu
13.​ Anvil​
Hammer

THE ‘VERSE | 17
Kalidasa System (Xuán Wǔ, Black Tortoise)​ RIM

1.​ Sho-Je Downs​ 9.​ New Kasmir​ 16.​ Aberdeen​

Miyazaki​ Shardu Vesta
Kuan Lo
10.​ Whittier​ 17.​ Zeus*​
2.​ Verbena​ Ita Isabel​
Lassek​
Sophie​
Barrimend
Penglai Victoria​
3.​ Constance​ DeLynn​
11.​ Beylix​
Barrowclough​ Gayle​
Charity​
Disraeli Betty
Cinote​
4.​ Glacier​ St. Lucius 18.​ Beaumonde​
Denali Hastur​
12.​ Newhall​
Geneva
5.​ Vishnu​ Severance​
Darcke​ 19.​ Djinn’s Bane*​
Ganesha​
Mohenrichia Illat​
Rama
Hilal​
6.​ Heaven*​ 13.​ Oberon​ Hubal​
Puck​ Sin​
Urvasi​
Quince​ Ta’lab​
Menaka​
Bottom Wadd
Rambha​
Tilottama
14.​ “Six Sigma”​ 20.​ Salisbury​
Lear Lennox
7.​ Angel + Zephyr†

8.​ Delphi​ 15.​ Ghost​

Clio​ Inferno​
Thalia​ Xibalia
Calliope

THE ‘VERSE | 18
Blue Sun System (Qing Long, Blue Dragon)​ RIM

1.​ Meridian​ 5.​ “Uroborus”

Burnham
Burnet
6.​ Highgate​ 10.​ Miranda​
2.​ New Canaan​ Stonewall​ Caliban
Ugarit​ Perth
Lilac
7.​ Dragon’s Egg*​
3.​ Muir​
Yudhishtira​
Arminius​
Bhima​
Shepherd’s Mission
Nakula​
Sahadeva​
4.​ Fury*​
Glynis
Coldstone​
Blackwood​
8.​ Deadwood​
Seventh Circle​
Haven​
Nipmuc​
New Omaha
Genae​
Iscariot​ 9.​ Shenzhou​
Katarina​
Tiangong
Sakura

THE ‘VERSE | 19
PART FOUR:​
SAILIN’ THE BLACK
This section provides suggestions on how to employ existing mechanics in Starforged as you sail the black. ​
You can think of it as a toolbox; none of these tools are required, but some may be useful.

Clocks
Clocks1 are a great way to track factions, threats, and events beyond your control.

●​ Campaign clocks may be triggered when you Begin a Session — so they are best for ongoing, looming
concerns that span multiple sessions of play.
●​ Tension clocks are great for immediate concerns putting pressure on the current situation, scene, or
session.

Below are some suggestions of how you might implement clocks in your travels. Keep in mind that most of
these clocks track ongoing concerns, so they should reset each time they’re triggered.

That’s what governments are for...

The Alliance pushes further out every year, and it’s just a matter of time until you run afoul of government
patrols. Whether you’re a perfectly legitimate smuggler, fugitive on the run, or your coat is a brownish color, the
law ain’t like to be on your side, and it only seems to get harder for naughty folk to slip about.

If your adventures involve keeping one step ahead of the Alliance, you may want to create an “Alliance Patrol”
campaign clock. When the clock fills, an Alliance Cruiser is bound to make your life a little more interesting
than you generally like. Play out the scene to see what happens!

When you create the “Alliance Patrol” campaign clock, and each time it triggers, you
may wish to set the number of segments according to how much unwanted
attention you’ve been attracting lately. For instance, with a clean record and some
clever navigating you might start the clock with 8 or 10 segments. However, if your
ship is flagged pulling illegal salvage, you’re harboring wanted fugitives, or your last
checkpoint didn’t go so well, you might advance the clock mid-session or adjust it to
4 or 6 segments the next time it resets.

1
For more information on clocks, see page 122 of the Starforged Reference Guide or page 234 of the rulebook.

THE ‘VERSE | 20
It’s gettin’ awful crowded in my sky...
Unless you’re playing a campaign entirely focused on reavers (hey, some people
juggle geese), you may wish to create a clock to make sailing the black feel a mite
more perilous. Folk tend not to go looking for reavers (again: geese), but there’s
nothing like pinging a ship operating without core containment to freeze the blood.
Using a clock lets the dice decide when they show up to ruin your day.

If you want reavers to be an ongoing, looming threat, make it a campaign clock and
set it to 6, 8, or 10. If you want to sweat bullets while passing through reaver territory,
make it a tension clock and set it to 4.

Ship like this, be with you ‘til the day you die...
Nobody’s saying your ship is a death trap2, but she won’t be winning a beauty contest anytime soon. If you
wanna keep flyin’, you’ve gotta fuel the ship and keep her in repair.

You’re out on the raggedy edge, and bits may occasionally fall off your ship. To introduce some added pressure
to keep your ship in the sky, create a clock with 4 or 6 segments and label it “Keep Flyin’.”

Here are some situations when you might consider advancing the clock:

●​ When you Begin a Session (and the oracle says so).

●​ When you Undertake an Expedition or Set a Course in your command
vehicle and roll a miss.
●​ When you Sacrifice Resources or Withstand Damage to your ship.

When the clock is filled, you must Withstand Damage to your ship (make it
hurt). This can represent anything from normal wear and tear, burning through
fuel, or breaking down. Start with the fiction. Are you running on fumes, out of
gas, or on the drift? When in doubt, Ask the Oracle.

Have fun roleplaying your ship’s mechanical trouble! When you Withstand Damage and roll a miss, rolling on
the table can be helpful. If you’re the ship’s genius mechanic and you need some inspiration, you can Ask the
Oracle for some ▸Technobabble.

Keep the pressure up.

Remember that filled segments can’t be removed. When you Resupply or Repair, it may be tempting to erase a
segment of “Keep Flyin’” to represent refueling and maintenance, but that’s what your Supply and Integrity
meters are for! Think of this clock as an unforeseen but inevitable mechanical malfunction. Sure, you can rewire
the grav-thrust, but that crappy compression coil is bound to bust sooner or later...

2
Nobody but Jayne is saying that.

THE ‘VERSE | 21
Sectors
Charting Space
In part three (Objects in Space), you will find a thorough listing of major locations in the ‘Verse, along with
maps which provide a helpful overview. However, it’s important to note that the order of orbital distance
visualized in the solar system charts does not provide exact locations or relative distance. Planets are shown in
a horizontal line orbiting their star, while moons are shown in vertical lines under each planet they orbit. These
orbit maps are figurative, not literal, meaning that players are free to arrange sectors according to narrative
purposes. Who’s to say this world isn’t close to t’other at this point in their orbits?

This fictional approach to navigation is in keeping with both Firefly and Starforged, prioritizing plot speed over
lightspeed. In other words, it’s less important how long a journey takes than how much trouble you meet along
the way.

Kaylee: How come you don’t care where you’re goin’?

Book: ‘Cause how you get there is the worthier part.

When determining relative distance for the sake of plot speed or setting the rank of a spacefaring journey,
follow these guidelines:

←← Farthest ← Far Average Close → Closest →→

The destination is... multiple solar in a neighboring world in the world one or two moon orbiting
systems away system same system orbits away the same planet

THE ‘VERSE | 22
PART FIVE:​
HEATHENS APLENTY
War’s long done. We’re all just folk now.
Not ten years past, it seemed like every person in the ‘Verse was pickin’ sides. Now that the war’s done, we’re all
just folk, but not everybody’s laid down arms. Settlers and reavers, outlaws and feds, alliance soldiers and
ornery browncoats – the galaxy’s teeming with those itchin’ to make trouble. Whether you’re truckin’ out to the
Border, hauling cargo along the New Canaan Run, or sailin’ the Black in search of freedom, you’d be wise to go
armed and ready for a fight.

One of the principal differences between the Forge and the ‘Verse is the nature of threats you’re likely to face on
your adventures. Unless your vision for the ‘Verse allows it, you’re unlikely to come across any planet-sized
squids (or terrifying space monkeys). Firefly is a space western, so the dangers faced by your heroes are entirely
human.

Given the diversity of human characters, you’re encouraged to view the NPCs presented in this guide as
suggestions and templates rather than strict rules. Your story comes first. Modify NPCs to fit the fiction, not the
other way around. This especially goes for challenge rank – after all, the next Shepherd you encounter may not
be what he seems.

Nevertheless, an effort has been made to fairly represent the relative challenge of various archetypes. For
instance, being boarded by reavers ought to be one of the most harrowing and deadly events in the game –
even the Operative was terrified of them – so their individual challenge rank is Extreme.

I start fightin' a war, I guarantee you'll see somethin' new.

The following NPCs were designed assuming that your crew is facing challenges similar to those depicted in
the Firefly TV series. Stats for Alliance cruisers and large military forces are not presented. If your characters
come up against impossible odds, you’ll need to do something in the fiction to lower their challenge rank to
Epic – luring a fleet of Reavers into an Alliance blockade, for example.

THE ‘VERSE | 23
NPCs in the ‘Verse
This section includes a whole heap of sample NPCs, roughly organized by their relationship to the law.

●​ Folk tend to obey the law and expect it to protect them from those that break it.
●​ Criminals flout the law for all manner of reasons – selfish gain, desperation, reckless disregard for
others, or the pursuit of freedom and justice in the face of unjust laws.
●​ Authorities enforce the law, at times selectively, and often enjoy a position of unaccountable power
over those they govern.
●​ Reavers might take issue with the law – if they had any concept of it. Many believe they ain’t even
human, or forgot how to be.

Folk
Billions of common folk are scattered across the habitable planets and moons of the ‘Verse, from the citizens of
the metropolitan central planets to the rough-and-tumble settlers of the Rim. This section covers broad
categories of folk, but they don’t account for the wide-ranging occupations and qualities of individual
characters. Each world is home to a wide variety of peoples and cultures.

When you get into a tussle with common folk and need to determine their rank, you can Ask the Oracle or
follow these guidelines:

●​ A common settler is troublesome.

●​ An experienced fighter is dangerous.
●​ A professional soldier is formidable.
●​ An unusually powerful threat is extreme.

THE ‘VERSE | 24
Reavers
REAVER​ ⬢⬢⬢⬢⬡
Features ●​ Clothes stitched from human skin
●​ Primitive spiked and bladed weapons
●​ Mutilated flesh

Drives ●​ Kill, feed, defile

Tactics ●​ Prowl the Black for easy prey

●​ Deploy magnetic grapples to capture ships
●​ Booby-trap derelicts
●​ Savage, unspeakable violence

HUNTING PARTY​ ⬢⬢⬢⬢⬢

After reeling in a disabled ship, reavers breach the hull and swarm the corridors,
ignoring the dead in favor of living prey – going in for the up-close kill.

STALKER​ ⬢⬢⬢⬢⬡
When reavers capture a ship, they decorate its hull with the corpses of its former crew.
Reaver ships operate without core containment – boosting their main thrusters and
irradiating everyone onboard. This allows them to run down most vessels, but it also
makes it easier for travelers to detect their approach.

“Reavers ain't men, or they forgot how to be.”

Legend tells of them that sailed too far from civilization, only to return as inhuman savages. The Alliance
government denies their existence, dismissing them as rumors and tall tales, but those on the Rim know
better. Folk whisper of ghost towns and floating derelicts in hushed tones – eerie reminders that reavers leave
no survivors. For even the steeliest roughnecks, the mere mention of reavers is enough to chill the blood.

Reavers seem to live their whole lives in space, targeting lone, defenseless ships and only breaking atmo to raid
isolated settlements. It’s believed that reavers are driven by instinct – compelled to run down fleeing prey even
if they’re not hungry. Travelers are advised to power down and hope to drift past unnoticed.

Job Starter: A frontier settlement or corporate skyplex was hit by reavers, leaving behind something of value. What is
the treasure? Why is someone willing to pay a small fortune to get it back?

THE ‘VERSE | 25
PART SIX:​
A KIND OF POETRY TO IT
Whether you truck out to the Border and learn to say “ain’t” or you attend the best Med-Acad on Osiris, talking
the talk is as important as your ident card or the six-shooter strapped to your hip. You might look the part, but
talk too pretty and you’ll stick out like a sore thumb. In this section, you’ll find a glossary of terms from across
the ‘verse to inspire all manner of palaver.

Frontier
Lingo Definition
A-grade Top notch; quality
Aim To want, try, or intend to do something.
All-fired truncated version of "all fired up" meaning very emotional or excited. ("Where'd she go
gettin' all-fired jealous 'bout this?")
Awful, Dreadful, Mighty, Adverbs for emphasis. ("Gettin' awful crowded in my sky.")
Plumb, Powerful
Back-berth Stupid, naive, inexperienced, unimportant or "slow". Derived from the nautical term for a
ship's position in a harbor. As a naval metaphor, a "back berth" would be the last ship out of
port, i.e. one trailing at the rear of a fleet, therefore meaning slowest and/or of least
importance.
Bang-up Great. ("They did a bang-up job.")
Brainpan Refers to the skull which encases the brain. Another way of saying 'head'.
Bughouse Mental hospital.
Chinese Checkers A game still played in the 'verse. Placed on booths and tables in bars and some such.
Corpsified Dead. Now resembling a corpse.
Docket Schedule, calender, itinerary. Example: Wash (ep 1): “Nah, she [Inara] had a pretty full
docket.”
Fancible Fancy/fanciful
Fancy Rock Another way of saying a well-to-do planet run entirely by the Alliance.
Fei-oo shit, po, junk, trash, garbage, dirt
Foodstuffs Food

THE ‘VERSE | 26
Foxhole A makeshift shelter in a war zone.
Fuzzie-wuzzies Folk who are easily swayed and comforted.
Git Go away.
Gorram A version of "God damn."
High ground A spot not underneath foxholes in battle. Instead, literally on the war front.
Latrine Fancy word for toilet.
“Let's hoof it” Let's get going.
“Let's moon 'em” Slang for Serenity's rear engine flaring up for a getaway.
Local color Locals and their ideology. Ex: Mal: “Wash, we got some local color happening down here; a
grand entrance would not go amiss.”
Mite A bit/amount. Indicates a small amount, or an under-exaggeration of a large amount.
Moonbrained Crazy, or unintelligent, used to describe a person or idea.
Neg Negative
Ornery Stubborn, not passive.
Peck A large amount.
Preacher Anyone religious.
Pinched To be held up or in a sticky situation; Plan went south; To be in a bind.
Pretty An adjective that has been adapted to also use as a noun. Kaylee uses it a lot. “Every piece of
pretty is tagged for the scanners.”
Prod A crony for someone of the expensive/diplomatic variety.
Purple-belly A derogatory term used to refer to a member of the Alliance.
Rabbiting Hightailing; running; fleeing.
Religiosity Religion
Ruttin'/Rutting f-ing
Run afoul To get into trouble with.
Shindig A party, usually with dancing.
Shiny Good or valuable; "cool."
Size someone up Judge how tough they are or what their intentions might be.
Sly Frontier Slang for men who prefer other men sexually.
Sully To taint
Suss (out) To figure out; determine
Tetchy Sensitive or complaining.

THE ‘VERSE | 27
Spacefaring
Term Definition
Atmo Atmosphere, as in to "leave atmo."
Being buzzed Sensors from another ship are actively sweeping you.
Blackrock A Blackrock is an uninhabitable planet, a planet deemed unfit for human habitation, or the
result of a terraforming incident. Miranda was one planet that was deemed a blackrock, in
order to cover up the Alliance's illicit activities.
Blowback A vacuum effect created in the barrel of a firearm when it is discharged. Works in the same
case for a ship going on full burn breaking atmo.
Crazy Ivan Originally a Soviet submarine maneuver that was used to pull an pursuing vessel into attack
range. In this case, it applies to any ship with two side propelling engines. The engines are
flipped so as to orient them in opposing directions long enough to pull a 180 degree turn.
Dead in the water Floating, drifting; not going anywhere.
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival. Pilot lingo.
Feds, Federals Members of the Alliance, its military, law enforcement, or functionaries.
Fire it up Start the ship.
Get this bird in the air Launch the ship for take-off.
Go for hard burn/full burn Burn through fuel cells; or fly fast.; use all engine power.
Go to blackout Shut down power on the ship to avoid detection.
Green for Referring to the light on a console that signals all systems are standing by for whatever
purpose the light correlates to. (landing, docking, taking off, etc.)
On the drift In space without fuel unable to travel.
Reavers Madmen who live on the edges of civilized space, flying dangerous ships and preying on
other space vessels.
Scow A barge used to haul bulky cargo, retro-fitted to serve as long-range transports. They can
hold between 15-20 families. Travelers pick them up cheap at government auctions. A few
modifications and they serve well enough for a one-way push to the outer planets.
Skiff A small ship (like a rowboat equivalent, but sky/space oriented) used in war.
Take the helm Man the bridge. An old phrase that has transcended from the sailing days of Earth-that-was
into the 2500s.
The 'Verse Inhabited space or the universe.
The Black Space.
The Rim Frontier planets, not the core.
Trans-U An obsolete commercial vessel, hardly ever in use anymore. One too many of them got hit by
Reavers.

THE ‘VERSE | 28
Underworld
Term Definition
Doxy Sex worker.
Drops Illegal, addictive, narcotic drugs.
Second story job Breaking and entering robbery.
Scratch Valuables.
The goods Loot.
Went south Problems appeared, the plan fell apart.
Tonic Amateur or illegal alcoholic drink.
Bushwhack Ambush.
Footpad Pickpocket thief in a town.
Hornswoggle To trick someone.
On the dodge Wanted by the police.

Technical
Term Definition
Advocate A lawyer.
Cortex Widespread information network.
Genseed Genetically engineered crop seeds used on freshly terraformed worlds.
Skyplex Orbital city or space station.
Wave A communication: text, audio, video, or holographic.
3D Neuro-imager A three dimensional provision of a brain scan. Simon uses one in the diagnostic ward at St.
Lucy's hospital on Ariel.
BP Abbreviation for blood pressure.
Byphodine A med that slows the metabolic state so you can appear to be dead. Used in 'Ariel' and 'The
Message'. Usually induces a vomiting side effect once it wears off.
Cardiac Infusers Used to infuse whatever is needed in the heart to keep it working
Cortical Electrodes a cortical is the outer layer of an internal organ or body structure. And an electrode is an
electrical conductor meant to make contact with a nonmetallic circuit. Safe to assume that
the said 'circuit' in this case would relate in a medical sense to the cortical.
Defibrillator Gets electromagnetic currents to the heart in order to get it pumping again.
Dermal mender A medical tool that mends severed skin—Simon got to use it for Mal's ear in the episode
'War Stories', thanks to the Councilor (a female client of Inara's) generously loaning the
equipment for them to use.

THE ‘VERSE | 29
DOA Abbreviation for Dead on Arrival
Extractor An instrument used to pull out things like bullet shards
Goodnight Kiss A narcotic compound, usually applied on the lips. Convenient for the low-and-dirty seducers
who try and earn a swindle into their gig. Or for something of a more sinister nature, like
Saffron in 'Our Mrs. Reynolds'.
Gurney A transportable hospital bed/stretcher on wheels.
Hydrozepam A medical supply worth about 200 credits.
Hypodermic needles, Used to penetrate skin and allow liquids to either be injected or extracted. They serve a
Hypo particularly good use in providing liquid meds that cannot be ingested (either because
they're physically incapable, or the meds would be useless through a digestive tract).
Hypo-gun Used to hold vials of meds that are injected by the gun.
Isoprovaline An immune booster. A common medication, provided in Simon's med kit. Street value for a
vial: Fifty platinum.
Medical monitor Used to monitor vitals in patients hooked up to it.
Medvault Where meds are located and stored in a hospital environment.
Propoxine A medical supply that costs about 80 credits.
Pulmonary Stimulators A method to stimulate major arteries. Usually a good idea if patients are cyanotic and
unresponsive when attempting to resuscitate them.
“Pulse is thready” Medical lingo. Thready refers to the strength of a patients pulse and not the rate, although
they can often correlate. Thready means weak. The opposite of bounding or strong. Pulse
rate is usually given in rate and rhythm. Bradycardic (Brady) and thready is slower than
60bpm (beats per minute) and weak while tachycardic (tachy) and bounding is faster than
100bpm and strong.
Standard Companion Equipment provided for Inara from the guild, who graciously donates it to Simon in the first
immunization package episode. Which materials are included in the package are unknown.
Syringe Gun Inara keeps one such device in her chamber. It is fancier than the hypo-gun, with a an
unmarked vial containing black liquid.
Vials Used to store liquid meds such as smoothers (used to 'dope' patients)

THE ‘VERSE | 30
Chinese
Phrase
A big pile of shit 一大坨大便 (Pinyin: yī dà tuó dà biàn).
A switch to those people's backsides is just good enough 鞭打她們的背就夠了 Byen Dah Tah Muhn Dug Bay Jo Go Lai
(Pinyin: biāndǎ tāmen de bèi jìu gòu le).
Abracadabra-alakazam 天灵灵 地灵灵 / 天霛霛、地霛霛 (Pinyin: tiān líng líng, dì líng líng).
Accusing someone of lying, a ridiculous notion, or talking out of one's ass 放屁: Fahn Pi, literally "farting."
Agitate/flush someone out of hiding 打草惊蛇 / 打草驚蛇: Da Chow Jing Ser (Pinyin: dǎ cǎo jīng shé), literally "beating
the grass to startle the snake."
Alas, not good, crud!, what a mess, too bad 糟糕: Jao Gao (Pinyin: zāo gāo), literally "spoiled cake."
All that's proper 所有的都适当 / 所有的都適當 (Pinyin: suǒyǒu de dōu shìdāng). Pronunciation: Suo-yo duh doh
shr-dang
Alliance 联盟 / 聯盟: Lien Mohn (Pinyin: lián méng).
Do we have an understanding? Do you get it? 懂了吗? / 懂了嗎?: Dohn luh mah (Pinyin: dǒng le ma).
Ass, bottom, posterior 屁股: Pi Gu. (Pronunciation: Pee-goo)
Attributing an unfortunate longshot occurrence 夜路走多了总会见鬼 / 夜路走多了總會見鬼: Yeh Lu Jwo Duo Luh
Jwohn Whei Jian Guay (Pinyin: yè lù zǒu duō le zǒng huì jiàn guǐ), literally "do enough nighttime travels and one will
eventually see a ghost"; also a warning of future retribution.
Awesome or extraordinarily clever 高棍: Gao Guhn, literally "high pole."
Baboon's ass crack 狒狒屁股: Feh Feh Pi Goh.
Bastard, jerk 混蛋: Hwen Dan, literally "rotten egg."
Big boss or operator of a business 老闆，老闆娘: Lao Bahn; Lao Bahn Niang for female boss or proprietor's wife. Also
informal appellation for acquaintances.
Big brother 哥 / 哥哥 / 大哥: Ghuh or Ghuh-Ghuh, the former is more intimate and connotes blood relation: Da-ghuh
means "big brother" or "leader"
Big change 大變化: Da Bianhua.
Big sister 姊姊: Jieh or Jieh-jieh.
Big stupid pile of stinking meat 一大堆笨臭肉: Yi Da Dwei Bun Chou Roh.
Blessings on you, dear sister 祝福你、妹妹: Zhufu Ni, Mei-Mei. (Pronunciation: Tzoo-foo nee, mei-mei.)
Blindside or conspire against someone secretly 放冷箭: Fang Leng Jian, literally "shoot a cold arrow."
Bottoms up 乾杯: Gan Beyh, literally "dry cup."
Brilliant 精彩: Jing tsai
Browncoat: (slang for soldiers of Independent) Jone Yee.
Cheap Goods (Cheap Whore or Bitch) 賤貨: Jien Huo.
Check at once 馬上檢查: Ma Shong Jien Cha.

THE ‘VERSE | 31
Cheering or urging someone on 加油: Jah Yoh, literally "add fuel," equivalent of "go (name)!" in English.
Choose the wrong method to handle a situation 抱薪救火: Bao Xin Jiu Huo, literally "bring wood to put out a fire."
Come in 請進: Ching Jin. Actual Chinese means "Please enter."
Commit blunder of great magnitude: Bie Woo Lohng.
Complete disarray or sheer pandemonium 天翻地覆: Tian Fan Di Fu, literally "sky tumbles while earth turns over."
Completely useless 天地無用: Tian Di Wu Yowng
Congratulations 恭喜: Gohn Shi.
Conniving or scheming person 鬼頭鬼腦: Guay Toh Guay Nown, literally "ghost head and ghost brain."
Cool 酷: Ku.
Oh, crap 糟糕: Tzao Gao (literally "messy cake").
Crap, shit 狗屎: Go shi
Crazy, go crazy 瘋了: Feng Le (Pronunciation: Fong luh)
Crazy dog in love with its own feces 愛吃自己的糞[的]狗: Ai Chr Jze Se Duh Fohn Diang Gho.
Cursing 罵髒話: Ma Jung Hwa, literally "chastise with dirty words."
Cute 可愛: Kuh Ai.
Damn or damn it 他媽的/該死/阿呀: 他媽的 Ta Ma Duh (literally "his mother's..."), 該死 Gai Si, 唉呀 Ai Ya.
Dangerous person or animal 危險動物: Wei Shian Dohn Woo.
Dangly piece of flesh 戰抖的一塊肉: Zhan Dou De Yi Kuai Rou. (Pronunciation: Jan-doh duh ee-kwai-ro)
Daydream or wishful thinking 白日夢: Bai Rih Mohn.
Dear god in heaven 我的天阿: Wo De Tian A. (Pronunciation: Wuh de tyen ah).
Demon woman 妖女: Yao Nu.
Deserving of bad consequence or fate, "You asked for it!" "That's what you get!" 活該: Hwo Gai.
Despicable 可惡: Kuh Wu.
Dirty bastard sons-of—王八蛋: Wang Ba Dan. (Pronunciation: Wang bao dahn).
Do something for nothing in return, or wasted endeavour without a payoff 義演: Yee Yan, literally "a charity show."
Dog-fucking 狗操的: Gou cao de. (Pronunciation: Go tsao de)
Done for or imminent doom, screwed 完蛋: Wong Dahn, literally "finished (cooked) egg."
Don't worry 放心: Fang Xin. (Pronunciation: Fahng-sheen)
Down payment: Shi Yan.
Dumbass 蠢: Chwen, descriptive, literally "retarded."
Earthshaking: Jing Tian Dwohn Di, literally "startle the sky and shake the earth."
Engage in a feces-hurling contest with a monkey 跟猴子比丟屎: G'en Ho Tze Bi Dio Se (Pronunciation: Gun hoe-tze bee
dio-se)
Enough of this nonsense 夠荒[ ]: Go Hwong Tong.

THE ‘VERSE | 32
Everybody, shut the hell up 你們都閉嘴: Ni Men Dou Bi Zui.
Everyone in the 'Verse 天下所有的人 "All people under Heaven": Tian Xia Suo You De Ren.
Everything under the sky, "All under Heaven" 天下: Tian Shia, can be used to allude to the world or universe.
Excrement 米田共: Mi Tian Gohn, slang, derives from the fact that when you stack the three characters - "mi" (rice), "tian"
(paddy), and "gohn" (public or mutual) - from top to bottom in that order, they form the ideograph for excrement.
Explosive diahrrea of an elephant 大象拉屎: Da Shiong La Se La Ch'Wohn Tian.
Extraordinarily impatient Buddha: Zhen Mei Nai Xin De Fo Zu. (Pronunciation: Jen mei nai-shing duh fwo-tzoo)
Fear nothing but (fill in the blank) 天不怕、地不怕、只怕 _____: Tian Bu Pa, Di Bu Pa, Tze Pa...
Fellow, bloke 傢伙: Ja Hwo, also slang for weapon.
Female companion or girlfriend: Ma Tze, a somewhat derogatory slang; add Dow in front for "looking to get a girlfriend."
Filthy fornicators of livestock: Ung Jeong Jia Ching Jien Soh.
Fire! 開火，放火: Kai Huo (as in "open fire"), Fuhn Huo (as in cooking fire).
Fire at will or terminate with extreme prejudice: Dai Kai Sa Jeh, meaning "breaking the Buddhist vow against killing."
Flat-chested 荷包蛋: Hur Bao Duhn (Pinyin: he bao dan), slang, literally "eggs cooked sunny side up."
Foiled or ruined at the last moment 熟鴨飛天: Soh Ya Feh Tian, expression, literally "a cooked duck flies away."
Fool 傻瓜: Sha Gwa (Pinyin: shǎ guā), literally "stupid melonhead."
Friend, pal, buddy 朋友: Puhn Yoh (Pinyin: péng you).
Frog-humping son of a bitch: 青蛙操的流氓 Qing Wa Cao De Liu Mang. (Pronunciation: Ching-wah tsao duh liou
mahng)
Fuck you. Damn everyone in the 'verse. 你他妈的，天下所有的人该死 / 你他媽的， 天下所有的人都該死: Ni Ta Ma
De， Tian Xia Suo You De Ren Dou Gai Si.
Gang or faction leader: Da Gher Da for male, Da Jeh Da for female, slang.
Garbage 垃圾: Luh Suh (Pinyin: lā jī; southern dialect: lè sè).
Get bold or audacious: 放胆 Fahn Dahn (Pinyin: fàng dǎn), literally "release courage."
Get lost 快走開: Kwai Jio Kai (Pinyin: kuài zǒu kāi).
Go all out, hold nothing back 拼命: Ping Ming, literally "fight for one's life."
Go far away very fast: 快去很远的地方/ 快去很遠的地方 (Pinyin: kuài qù hen yuan de dì fāng). Pronunciation: Kwai
chur hun-rien duh di fahng
Go to hell 去死: Chiu Se, literally "go die."
Good or okay 好: How.
Good journey or bon voyage 一路順風: Yi Lu Shwen Fohn.
Good luck 祝好運: Joo How Rin.
Greetings, hello there 你好: Ni How.
Handsome 帥: Shwai

THE ‘VERSE | 33
Happy development or fortuitous turn of event: How Shi Sung Chung, literally "a good show's about to start," can be used
sarcastically.
Have desires above one's social / financial position, or beyond one's ability to realize 癩蛤蟆想吃天鵝肉: Lai Huh Moh
Sheong Tze Tian Uh Zoh, literally "for a toad to think of eating a swan."
He or she 他、他的 / 她、她的 / 他們、他們的: Tah, tah-duh for his or hers, tah-muhn for them, tah-munh-duh for theirs.
Heal: Chou.
Heaven knows what 天曉得: Tian Xiao De. (Pronunciation: Tyen shiao duh)
Hell: Guai.
Hey! 喂!: Wei. (Pronunciation: Way!)
Holy testicle Tuesday: Shun Sheng Duh Gao Wahn.
Homewrecking tramp 狐狸精: Hu Li Jing, lit. "fox spirit."
How are you? 你好嗎?: Ni Hao ma
Hump: Gun.
Hurry up, faster 趕快: Gan Kwai.
I, or me 我: Wo (me), wo-duh (mine) pronounced "wuh"
I don't believe my eyes! 我不相信我的眼睛: Wo Bu Siang Seeng Wo Der Yen Jing.
I neither see nor hear you... 我對你不聼不見: Wo Dwei Nee Bu Ting Bu Jian.
I will close my ears and my heart and I will be a stone: Wo Siang Mei Er, Mei Seeng, Byen Shi To.
I/you saw his ghost 見他的鬼: Jian Ta De Gui. (Pronunciation: Jien tah duh guay)
Idiot, moron 笨蛋 / 蠢豬: Buhn Dahn, literally "stupid egg," or Chwen Joo, literally "retarded pig."
Idiots. All of you. 你們都是傻瓜: Ni Men Dou Shi Sha Gua.
I'm fucked 我肏: Wo Cao.
Impossible 不可能: Bu Kuh Nuhn.
Impressive display or visage but no substance 大槍無彈: Da Chiang Wu Dahn, literally "big gun, no bullet."
In someone's doghouse 冷宮: Luhn Gohn, literally "a cold palace," which is where an emperor confines those concubines
who have fallen out of favor.
In that case, never mind 那沒關係: Nah Mei Guan Shee.
Is that so?/Oh, really? 是嗎?: Shi Ma?
Jesus 耶穌: Yeh Su. (Pronunciation: Yeh-soo)
Junk 廢物: Fey Wu. (Pronunciation: Fei-oo)
Jiang Jong Guo Hua: (講中國話) Like a True Spacer (lit. "Speak Chinese")
Just our luck, what terrible luck 真倒黴: Zhen Dao Mei. (Pronunciation: Jen dao mei)
Leader of a criminal operation 蛇頭: Sher Toh, literally "snakehead," derogatory.
Leave one to his own fate: Tze Sh'un Tze Mieh.

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Let me repeat myself 我再講一次: Wo Jai Jiang Yi Chi.
Let's see how we're going to die! 看我們怎麽死吧!: Kan Wo Men Zen Me Si Ba!
Let's take a deep breath. 一起深呼吸: Yi Chi Shen Hu Xi. (Pronunciation: Ee-chee shung-hoo-shee.)
Life support failure: Shuhn Ming Shi T'wohn Gu Jong.
Like hell 見他的鬼: Jien Ta Duh Guay, literally "see his ghost."
Little brother 弟/弟弟: Di or Di-Di.
Little sister 妹/妹妹: Mei or Mei-Mei.
Long time no see 好久不見: How Jiu Bu Jian.
Oh, Lord/Oh, God: Lao Tien Fu. (Pronunciation: Lao tien foo)
Male companion or boyfriend: Kai Tze, also a somewhat derogatory slang.
Manipulate, or playing someone for a fool: Swa.
Merciful Buddha protect us: Rung Tse Fwo Tzoo Bao Yo Wuo Muhn.
Merciful God please take me away: Rung Tse Song Di Ching Dai Wuo Tzo.
Merciless hell: Ai Yah Tien Ah.
Mind your own business: Gwan Ni Tze Jee Dah Shr. (Pronunciation: Gwon nee ju jee du shu)
Miss: Shao Jeh, literally "little lady." Follows a name when addressing a known person, so River would be addressed as
Tam River shao jeh, or simply Tam shao jeh.
Mister: Shian Shen, literally "born before me," also follows a person's name.
Monkey raping: Cheong Bao Ho Tze.
Monkey's ass: Ho Tze Duh Pi Gu.
Mother of god: Wuh De Ma.
Motherless goat of all motherless goats: Mei Yong Ma Duh Tse Gu Yong.
Muddled, mixed-up, confused: Wu Toh Wu Now, literally "without a head or a brain."
Motherfucker: Ta Ma Duh.
Mother-humping son of a bitch: Ta Ma De Hun Dan.
My ass is fucked: Wo Pi Gu Cao.
My Buddha-ancestor: Wo De Fo Zu.
My wife is not pretty!: Wo Tai Tai Bu Piao Liang.
No problem: Mei Wen Ti.
No work (to be found) at all: Me Gong Zuo Dou Mei You.
Nonsense: Fei Hua, literally 'crap talk.'
Not advised: Jwohn Gao Bu Yi.
Not enough: Bu Goh, or Hai Bu Goh for "not enough yet."

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Not keeping a rendezvous: Fahn Gher Tze, literally "release a pigeon" but insinuating not picking up the bird at the
destination.
Now, immediately, right away: Ma Shan (Mandarin), Ma Siong (Cantonese).
Nuts: Shiang Jing Ping or just Shiang Jing; Fuh Shiang Jing for "going nuts."
Nurse (as the profession, not the verb): Hu Shi.
Oddball or a goof: Chai Neow.
Of course 當然: Dahn rahn.
Oh Lord, you clearly know I'm helping do your Work, so why do you find me trouble? 主阿，你明明知道我是幫你做事，
又何必找我麻煩呢?: Zhu Ah, Ni Ming Ming Zhi Dao Wo Shi Bang Ni Zuo Shi, You He Bi Zhao Wo Ma Fan Ne?
Oh my God 我的天阿: Wou Duh Tian Ah.
Old 老: Lao.
Old man / husband 老公: Lao Gohng.
Old woman / wife 老婆: Lao Puo.
Old friend, you're looking lively. 佬朋友，你看起來很有精神: Lao Peng You, Ni Kan Chi Lai Hen You Jing Shen, literally
"Old friend, you're looking full of spirit." (Pronunciation: Lao pung yo nee can chi lai hun yo jing shen.)
One more cup of that brand, please: Qing Zai Lai Yi Bei Na Kapei.
One must be ruthless to be a great man: Wu Du Bu Juhn Fu, lit. "a person without poison is not a great man."
Ordinarily useless 經常沒用的: Jing Chang Mei Yong De. (Pronunciation: Jing tzahng mei yong duh)
Outdo someone or doing one better: Dao-Gao-Yee-Chi Moh-Gao-Yee-Juhn, expression, literally "the solution advances a
yard, the problem advances a mile."
Over my dead body 除非我死了: Choo fay wuh sih leh, lit. "only if I die first"
Pal: Lao Sheong if addressee's older, Lao Di if younger; used for men only. P'n Yoh for "friend."
Panda piss: 熊猫尿 / 熊貓 尿Xiong Mao Niao. (Pronunciation: Shiong mao niao)
Pathetic wretch: Bei Bi Shiou Ren, literally "shameless dirty little person."
Penis: Ji Ba, slang. (Pronunciation: Jee-ba)
Peon, small fry, a nobody: Wu Ming Shao Jwu, literally "nameless little foot soldier."
Prehistoric: Lao Deow Ya, lit. "Old toothless one."
Pig's sty: Joo Fuen Chse.
Pile of sun-baked dog poo: 日烧狗屎饼 Ri shao gou shi bing.
Piss-soaked pikers: Niao Se Duh Du Gwai.
Piss washed: Xi Niao. (Pronunciation: Shee niao)
Plain, bland, bare: Yong Chwen Mien, slang taken from the namesake generic, flavorless noodle dish.
Please be quiet: 请安静一点 / 請安靜一點 Ching Ahn Jing Yi Dien (Pinyin: qing an jing yi dian).
Pledge (promise): 誓言 Shi Yan.
Pool of excrement: F'n Zse, can be used in an expression for "deep crap."

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Pool of pig droppings: Joo Fuen Chse.
Precious, darling, sweetheart, treasure: 宝贝 / 寶貝 Bao Bei.
Pretty lady, hire me for the night and I'll open you like a flower: Piow Liang De Shao Ji, Nee Gu Wuo Hu Nee Shang Hao.
Wuh Hwai Rong Nee Shung Kai Roo Hua.
Pretty lady, forget him and hire me: 漂亮的小姐，不理他，顾我 Piow Liang De Shao Jie, Bu Li Tah, Gu Wo...(Pinyin: piao
liang de xiao jie, bu li ta, gu wo...)
Real man: 男子汉 / 男子漢 Nuhn Tze Huhn （Pinyin: nan zi han)
Really dangerous: 危险 / 危險 Wei Shan (Pinyin: wei xian), more poetic, Wo Hu Chung Long, which is "crouching tiger,
hidden dragon," an expression for something dangerous.
Really is a genius: 真的是天才 Zhen De Shi Tian Cai. (Pronunciation: Jen duh sh tyen tsai)
Redundant, unnecessary complicating something: Wua Ser Tian Jwoo, literally "draw a snake and add feet to it."
Remorseless harridan: Bu Hui Hen De Puo Fu. (Pronunciation: Boo hway-hun duh puo-foo)
Retreat, run away: Joi Weh Sung Chiuh, phrase summarizing the last of the Chinese "36 Stratagems," which extols the
virtue of fleeing to fight another day.
Ridiculously strange, illogical or nonsensical: 莫名奇妙 Mo Min Chi Meow (Pinyin: mò míng qí miào), literally "not
understanding the peculiarity."
Ruined, finished: 完蛋了 Wan Duhn Luh (Pinyin: wan dan le).
Ruthless or savage beast of a person: Ching Soh.
Screw him/her running: Gun Ta Jwo Lu.
Screw you: Chwee Ni Duh, literally "eat yours."
Shameless hussy: Meh Lien Duh Jyah Jee, literally "faceless bastard prostitute."
Shiny, awesome, fantastic: Jahn!
Shit on my head: Ai Ya Jwai Leh.
Shit talk: Da Bian Hua.
Shut up: Bi Jweh.
Shut up and make us wealthy: Bi Jweh, Lung Wuo Mun Fah Tsai.
Shut up, you inconsiderate schoolboys: Bi Jweh Nein Hen Bu Tee Tyeh Duh Nan Shung.
Sir: Da Yeh. When used as a nobility, Nuhu Jwei following the name.
Smelled a fart: Wen Gua Pi. (Pronunciation: Wun gwa pee)
So guilty as to deserve a thousand deaths: Jwei Gai Won Se.
Soldier, fighter, warrior: Zhan Shi.
Son of a bitch: Wong Ba Duhn, or Go Neong Yung Duh for a more literal and vicious translation.
Son of a drooling whore and a monkey: Liu Kou Shui De Biao Zi He Hou Zi De Er Zi. (Pronunciation: Liou coe shway duh
biao-tze huh hoe-tze duh ur-tze)
Speak now and quickly: Yo Hua Kwai Suo.

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Speaking without a clue: Shiah Hwa, literally "blind talk."
Stop talking: Joo Koh.
Stuff all the planets in the universe into my ass: Tai Kong Suo You Di Xing Qui Dou Sai Jin Wo De Pi Gu. (Pronunciation:
Tai-kong suo-yo duh shing-chiou doh sai-jin wuh dhu pee-goo.)
Stupid: Yu Bun Duh.
Stupid inbred stack of meat: Ben Tian Sheng De Yi Dui Rou. (Pronunciation: Bun tyen-shung duh ee-dway-ro)
Stupid son of a drooling whore and monkey: Lio Coh Jwei Ji Neong Hur Ho Deh Yung Duh Buhn Jah J'wohn.
Suicidal idea: Tze sah ju yi.
Surrender, give up: Toh Shung.
Swindle: Gwai.
Take care, stay healthy 保重: Bao zhong, literally "maintain weight."
Talk nonsense: Shia Suo.
Thank you 謝謝: Xie xie. (Pronunciation: Sheh sheh)
That has nothing to do with it 那沒關係: Na Mei Guan Xi. (Pronunciation: Nah mei guan shee)
There's nothing about this plan that isn't horrific!: Juh Guh Jee Hua Juhn Kuh Pah!
Things never go smooth: How W'rin Bu Lai, Whai W'rin Bu Jwo.
This really is a happy holiday: Zhe Zhen Shi Ge Kuai Le De Jing Zhang. (Pronunciation: Juh jen sh guh kwai luh duh jean
jan)
To throw in a monkeywrench: Gwai Ma Jeow, literally "twist a horse's legs (while it's galloping)."
Trouble, problem, complication 麻煩: Ma Fahn.
Tyrant, iron-fisted ruler 霸王: Ba Wong.
Ugly or perverted person: Joo Bah Jeh, insult taken from the name of the hoggish, lecherous character in the popular
Chinese folktale, "Journey to the West."
Understand: Dohn, dohn-ma for "understand?", dohn-luh-mah for "are we clear here?"
Urine: Niao.
Very: Feh Chun.
Wait / hold on a second: D'un Yi Shia.
Warning someone against doing things "the hard way": Jin Joh Bu Chi Chi Fah Joh, literally "choosing to sip the wine of
penalty over that of respect."
Water: Swei.
We, us: Wuo Mun, Wuo Mun Duh for ours.
We will enjoy your silence now: Bai Tuo, Uhn Jin Tee Dien.
Weak-ass sauce: Lan Dan Jiang.
We're in big trouble: Ai Ya Wo Mun Wan Leh.
What: Shuh Muh?

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What the hell is this crap?: Juh Shi Suh Mo Go Dohng Shee?
Yeah, right (No, it's not!) 才不是: Cai Bu Shi.
Yes 是: Shi.
You 你，你的: Ni, ni-duh for yours, ni-muhn for plural, ni-muhn-duh for plural possessive.
You don't deserve it: Ni Bu Ying Duh Jur Guh.
You wanna bullet right in your throat? 你要我開槍?: Nee Yow Wuo Kai Chiang? Chinese characters actually mean "Do
you want me to start firing/open fire?"
You wanna die?: Nee Tzao Se Mah? 你找死吗？: lit. "Are you looking for death?"
Young lady, little miss 小妹妹: Xiao Mei Mei.
Young one 年輕的, 幼齒: Nyen Ching Duh, or Yo Chr, slang for underaged (literally "infant teeth.")
You're crazy 發狂: Fa Kuang.
You're hurt 你受傷了: Ni Shou Shang Le.
You're mad/insane 發瘋: Fa Feng.

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