Putting That Magic Flavor on the Table: Hopelessly Devoted

Traditional alignment systems often feel restrictive in modern roleplaying games—especially in dynamic sci-fi fantasy settings. For Starfall Galaxy, the Devotion system replaces rigid moral axes with a spectrum of core values, each tied to the cosmos’ living magical currents. Devotion simultaneously enriches roleplay and streamlines game mechanics, offering bonuses, allegiances, and rivalries that matter both in social scenes and faction play.
Characters choose up to two Devotion traits at the start of play.

• Devotion governs social interaction bonuses, faction allegiances, and access to religious organizations.

• Devotion is descriptive, not prescriptive—changes happen via deliberate narrative choices.

• Compatible with Starfinder 2e and flexible for homebrew adaptation.

Devotion: Magic and Morality in Starfall

In the Starfall Galaxy, every world and sentient mind is linked by invisible currents of intention—Mana—flowing between Real Space and the wild, psychic storm of Rift-Space. Where populations share passions or beliefs, torrents of Mana coalesce in Rift-Space, fueling transformation, magic, and sometimes chaos in the physical world. Devotions are the flavors of these cosmic forces, expressing the essential motivations of beings, artifacts, and cultures.

Devotion isn’t about Good vs. Evil—it’s about what drives you, and how that drive shapes the galaxy.

The Devotion Colors

Devotion Color	Core Value	Virtue & Vice Examples
White (Peace)	Order, community, sanctity of life	Sacrifice, healing; authoritarianism, suppression of will
Blue (Perfection)	Knowledge, technology, perfection	Innovation, foresight, cold logic, erasure of imperfection
Black (Power)	Ambition, self-interest	Ruthless efficiency; betrayal, disregard for others
Red (Freedom)	Passion, instinct, liberty	Creativity, defense of rights, reckless impulsivity
Green (Acceptance)	Nature, cycles, harmony	Wisdom, coexistence, brutal Darwinism
Colorless	Void, purpose, transcendence	Detachment, clarity; enigmatic motives, synthetic beings

Social and Mechanical Implications

Devotion directly modifies how characters interact—both with each other and with the factions and religions of Starfall.

• Affinity:
  Shared Devotion fosters trust or friendship. Gain a circumstance bonus when influencing, making an impression, or requesting aid from NPCs or organizations with matching or allied Devotions.
  
  
  

• Rivalry:
  Contrasting Devotion breeds conflict or mistrust. Gain a bonus when coercing or demoralizing those whose Devotions are rivals to yours.
  
  Affinity and Rivalry by color:

• White: Affinity with Blue/Green, rivalry with Black/Red

• Blue: Affinity with White/Black, rivalry with Red/Green

• Black: Affinity with Blue/Red, rivalry with White/Green

• Red: Affinity with Black/Green, rivalry with White/Blue

• Green: Affinity with White/Red, rivalry with Blue/Black

• Colorless: Unaligned; no affinities/rivalries

Character Growth and Devotion

Players begin with up to two Devotion traits, chosen at character creation. Devotion can evolve over time—through dramatic narrative choices, the influence of Mana storms, or ritual initiation into new Orders. GMs may allow additional Devotions for advanced characters. Multiple Devotions trigger all applicable effects simultaneously.

Devotion is not a straitjacket—sporadic actions against your chosen Devotion don’t change it. Shifts should reflect meaningful, ongoing choices.
Devotion and the Starfall Setting

• Party dynamics (diverse Devotions encourage rich roleplay)

• Faction membership (align with or rebel against galactic powers)

• Magic and Mana (tap into corresponding cosmic currents)

• Religious organizations (require at least one matching Devotion trait)

Conclusion

Devotion brings Starfall’s vibrant color pie into focus, offering a fresh lens for magic, morality, and conflict. It encourages nuanced characters, dynamic adversaries, and emergent stories across every world in the galaxy.