Download - Stellar Reaches · 2018-06-04 · Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 3 Letter From The Editor Greetings, Fellow Sophonts: This issue has been a long time coming, but I’m

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 2

Stellar Reaches

A Fair Use Fanzine for Traveller TableofContents

LetterFromTheEditor..................................................................................................................................3BITSTaskSystem...........................................................................................................................................4PersonalityProfilesVI...................................................................................................................................5ImperialDreams.........................................................................................................................................39Exodus........................................................................................................................................................40Exodus:DetailedMaps&Charts...............................................................................................................169TheRoyalVirtue.......................................................................................................................................213Legal.........................................................................................................................................................217

Issue#27,Spring2018.Version4.

Ourwebsite:www.stellarreaches.comCredits:

CoverArt:Awomangazesintothefutureunfoldingbeforehereyes.Thisgraphicistitled“TheCity”©GANJAKYUN.Seeherworkathttps://ganjakyun.deviantart.com/art/The-city-649969240CoverLayout:AlvinW.PlummerContributingArtists:Android,BlastWaves,Brent,charmedy,JamesClouder,dchan,GorenDelic,GeneRazvonEdler,Erik,gin,GANJAKYUN,JohnnysDream,WolfgangAmadeusLeBlanc,KarenDelaGarza,AdrianMarkGillespie,AxelJP,AntonKurbatov,JaroslawMarcinek,NASA/JPL-Caltech/SpaceScienceInstitute,n7skyember,AdrianoPortugal,ArturRosaPysis,KirkQuillaquil,AndreasRocha,AlexeyShirokikh,ErikShoemaker,sirion,TylerSporles,NeilThacker,IgorTovstogan,uxmal750ad,JustinasVitkus,andKristenZirngibi.ContributingAuthors:AlvinW.Plummer Editor/LayoutDesign:AlvinW.Plummer

TheBITSTaskSystem,althoughmodifiedtoincludeTravellerT20difficultyclasses,hasbeenprovidedwithpermissionbyBritishIslesTravellerSupport(BITS).Itspresenceheredoesnotconstituteanychallengetotherightsforthissystem,andwegratefullyacknowledgeDominicMooneyandAndyLillyfortheirgenerosityinallowingouruseofthissystemtoallowfutureadventurestobewritteninsuchamannerastobemoreusefultoallpublishedTravellerrulessets.FormoreinformationonBITS,checkouttheirwebsiteathttp://www.bits.org.uk/TheStellarReachesfanzineispublishedwithoutchargeorcostundertheappropriateFairUseandOnlinepoliciespublishedbythevariousholdersoftheTravellerlicense.ForeaseofreferenceandasrequiredbytheseFairUsepolicies,theappropriatetextofthesepoliciesisincludedinthelegalsectionattheendofthispublication.CopyrightofOriginalMaterial:AlloriginalmaterialintheStellarReachesfanzinenotdesignatedasOpenGameContent,ornototherwiseprotectedunderthecopyrightsofotherentities,iscopyright©2018bytheoriginalauthorsandartists,asidentifiedinthebylinewitheacharticleorcontribution.Noportionofthisfanzinemaybereproducedinanyformorbyanymeanswithoutpermissioninwritingfromtheauthororartistholdingthatspecificcontent’scopyright.


Letter From The Editor

Greetings,FellowSophonts:Thisissuehasbeenalongtimecoming,butI’mgladthatitisfinallyhere!

Ω

Thelastissuehadexactlyonearticle,onpersonalitieswithintheEmptyQuarter.Iwasdeterminedtoactuallydeliveranadventureinthenextissue,somethingtiedtoactualtravelling.TheArrivalVengeancebookofMegaTravellerwasmymodel,butwithmoredetail,moregraphics,andanevenbetterpricepoint.TogettheelbowroomIwanted,Ineedednicebigstarmaps:buttherearenoneofsufficientsize&scopeforthe993milieu.(Asinglesectorof40by32parsecsisjustsocramped!)Soforthefeatureadventureofthisissue,“Exodus”,IhadtogobacktoClassicTraveller’smapandtimeframe,asgiveninJoshuaBell’sexcellentwebsite,www.travellermap.com.Readerscancheerfullyrewritethedetailsfoundheretotheirheart’scontent,andareinvitedtoreshapeand/ordeepenthestoryastheywish.TherewasanotherBigIdeaIwantedtoexplore:theImperial-Solomanirelationship.Todrivethestorytelling,Ialsowantedtogetsomekindofmajorculture-clashgoingon.Thosewhoareinterestedinmanaging–andprotecting–aninterstellarconvoyalsohaveascenariotailoredforthem,andsomepointersIhopewillbeuseful.AlsoprovidedissufficientfoundationtoroleplayatransitionintotheRebellionandearlyVirusEras.Finally,Iwantedtotrymyhandatwritingalongerhistoryofarulingfamily.IhadalreadydoneashorthistoryinStellarReaches#7“HouseLayamon:AHistory”,butIwantedtodosomethingmore.Forthegearhead,IwantedaproperLowBerthlineraswell:theshipdesignwasexpandedtoincludedtankerandcargovariants.MythankstoIanSteadforhisassistancewiththestarshipdiagrams.

Ω

Thisissue’s“PersonalityProfiles”coveranartillerymanmercenarywithaspecialbitofkit;agroupofhigh-techJulianexplorers,stickingtheirsnoutsintothelow-tech,ImperialsideoftheLesserRifttogiveahandtotheweakestVargrpacksthere;AStellarDivinitybelieverwithsolidskillsandabigdream;aBwapex-destroyercaptain,tryingtonavigatehiswayonapowerfulanddangerousSolomaniworld;andaPrincessfromthecivilizedImperialCore,senttoearnherstripesinthechaoticQuarter.“ImperialDreams”isjustaquicksketchofin-universesciencefiction.“TheRoyalVirtue”usestheworkofR.J.RushdoonytofleshoutabitonwhatitwouldmeantobeaChristianImperialNoble.Surprisingly,itdoesn’thaveanythingtodowithpropertyprotectionorwealthgeneration.

ΩDependingonfreeavailabletimeandothercommitments,itcouldwelltakeanothertwoyearsbeforethenextissueofStellarReachesisreadyforpublication.ButIstillhavesomeideasrattlingaroundmyhead,andIhopetogetanotherissueout…eventually.Readingahead,AlvinW.PlummerEditor,StellarReachesfanzine


BITS Task System

Frompg.8,BITSWriters’GuidelinesJune1999.Copyright©1999,BITS.AllRightsReserved.T20OpenGameContentfromthearticle“ExtendingtheTaskResolutionSystemtoT20”Copyright2003,JasonKemp.MegaTraveller(MT),Traveller:TheNewEra(TNE)andMarcMiller’sTraveller(T4)alluseagraduatedsystemoftaskdifficultyratings–Average,Difficult,Formidable,etc.‘Classic’Traveller(CT)andGURPSTraveller(GT)usemodifierstothetaskrollsinstead.TravellerT20(T20)usesdifficultyclasses(DCs)todefinetargetnumbersforskillchecks.TheBITSTaskSystemprovidesasimplifiedcommongroundforalltheserulesets,usingdifficultyratingswithcorrespondingtaskmodifiersforCTandGTandDCsforT20asshowninTable1.Themeansbywhichspectacular(GT:critical)successorfailureareachievedaredefinedbytherulesetused.Similarly,theGMshouldapplytherulesforspecialtasks–opposed,co-operative,hasty,cautious,etc.–accordingtotherulesetused.Asalways,theseareonlyguidelines–theGMmayalteranytaskrollasappropriatetoenhancethegame.TABLE1:TASKDIFFICULTIESBITSTaskDifficulty

T4Difficulty

T4.1Difficulty

GTTargetModifier

TNEDifficulty

MTDifficulty

CTTargetModifier

T20DC

Easy Easy(Auto) Easy(1D) +6 Easy Simple -4 10Average Average(2D) Average(2D) +3 Average Routine -2 15Difficult Difficult(2.5D) Difficult(2.5D) 0 Difficult Difficult 0 20Formidable Formidable(3D) Formidable(3D) -3 Formidable Difficult +2 25Staggering Impossible(4D) Staggering(4D) -6 Impossible Formidable +4 30Impossible (5D) Hopeless(5D) -9 Impossible Impossible +6 35Hopeless (6D) Impossible(6D) -12 Impossible Impossible +8 40

Ex.MariaCharlesisforgingacomplexdocument,whichtheGMrulesisaStaggeringtask.MariahasForgery-4(GT:Forgery-16,T20:Forgery+18)andtherelevantattribute(MT,T4)isINT10(TNE:INT9,T20:15).CT:Tasksuccessisnormally2D+Skill>=8.Mariarequires2D+Forgery>=12(8+4forStaggeringdifficulty).Alternatively,theGMmayprefertoapplythetargetmodifierasanegativemodifieronthediceroll,i.e.2D+4–4>=8.MT:StaggeringdifficultyisequivalenttoMT’sFormidable(15+),thusthetaskis2D+Skill+(Stat/5)>=15.ForMariathisis:2D+4+2>=15.TNE:StaggeringdifficultyisequivalenttoTNE’sImpossible,thusthetaskisd20<=(Skill+Stat)X¼.ForMariathisisd20<=3,i.e.(9+4)/4roundeddown.T4:Mariarequires4D<=INT+Forgery.(NotethatT4’sStaggeringratingof3.5Disignored.)GT:Mariarequires3D<=Forgery+TargetModifier,i.e.3D<=16–6.T20:Mariarequiresd20+18>=30.(NotethattheINTmodifierisalreadyfactoredintotheskillcheck.)Taskdefinitionsshouldalwaysbeusedsparingly–theGMshouldbeabletodefinethedifficultyandrequiredskillsandequipmentformosttasksusingcommonsense.Wherestrangeskillsorequipmentareneeded,thesecanusuallybelisted,withoutrequiringafulltaskdefinition.Whereafulltaskdefinitionisrequired,usethefollowingformat(youdon’tneedtousetheboldoritalicsformatting;plaintextisfine):Tofindaboar:DifficultRecon(GT:Tracking),orDifficultHunting(T20:P/Hunting),orFormidableSurvival+1Difficultyifridingatfullgallop.+1Difficultyiflost.-1Difficultyifmovingslowly.SpectacularSuccess:Theyhavesurprisedaboarandhaveoneroundtoactbeforeitreacts.Success:Theyhavefoundboartracksandcanbeginfollowingthem.Failure:Notracksfound.SpectacularFailure:Theyhavebecomelost. +1Difficultyindicatesahardertask(e.g.anAveragetaskbecomesDifficult)whereas–1Difficultyisaneasiertask(e.g.DifficultwouldbecomeAverage).NOTE:Thissystemhasbeenextensivelyplay-testedbutsuggestionsforrefinementsarealwayswelcome.


Personality Profiles VI

It’sbesttotravelwithafriend.

Thisgraphicistitled“OvertheEdge”©PsyxisSeehisworkathttp://www.deviantart.com/art/Over-the-Edge-422036726

Iseemypath,butIdon'tknowwhereitleads.

NotknowingwhereI'mgoingiswhatinspiresmetotravelit.

–RosalinaDeCastro

Colonel Mixial Kelley (Ret.) Artilleryman for Hire UPP89787A,Age38,MixedVilaniSkills:Demolitions-2,GravVehicle-2,Handgun-2,MesonGun-2,MassDrivers-1,RobotOps-1,SensorOps-1,Brawling-1,Intrusion-1,Instruction-1,ShipsBoat-1,GravBelt-0,Computer-0,VaccSuit-0,Electronics-0,CombatRifleman-0,Medical-0,Bribery-0Languages:Anglic(Transform,Native)ToolsandAids:MostnotablyaTL15portablemesongunsled,useofwhichishowheearnshisliving.Onhisperson?Usuallynothingbutapistolandasmartphone(whichmayormaynotwork,dependingontheexistenceandprotocolsofthelocalcommnet)Visual:Mildlystriking,withsharpfeatures,alightskinshadeandsomewhatglossyskin.He’squitefit,lookingyearsyoungerthanhisage.Off-duty,theColoneldressesmoreintheCorefashionofadecadeago:standardworkshirt,pants,andboots.Onduty,hewearsanon-descriptImperialArmycammo,withthebadges,insigniaandrankstrippedoff.OpeningTheme:“RoadtoHanna”,Shadowfax,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5XaZ5eWGYA


LargeGunforHireCol.Kelleyissomethingofanenigma.WhilehedresseslikeamanfromtheheartoftheImperium,hespeakslikealocal.He’sdefinitelyex-military,butquitevagueastowhichmilitary,exactly,heserved.Theman–andtheservicecrewhepays–selltheservicesofa20-tonTL15mesongrav1sledtothehighestbidder:apieceofequipmentthatwouldbeveryusefulinthehigh-techTL14battlegroundsoftheongoingSolomaniRimWar.(Asof993,theImperiumisonlynearingtheabilitytomass-produceTL15equipment:portableImperialmesongroundartilleryhasbarelylefttheprovinggrounds,andisonlyprovidedtospecializedandeliteunits…notrattlingaroundinsomebackwatersector!)

It’salwaysfun,rattlingaboutonpeacefullow-techworldslikeSakari/EmptyQuarter

wheretheonlydangersareenvironmental.“OnlyseriousTravellersusepapermaps!

GPSisforsissiesandtechnology-dependentweaklings!”Thisgraphicistitled“Hiker”©AndreasRochaSeehisworkathttps://andreasrocha.deviantart.com/art/Hiker-716023198

Foralmostallthelow-midtechforcescirculatingintheImperialEmptyQuarter,amesongunisradicaloverkill.Sure:theabilitytojustignoreallthedefensesofafortifiedposition,anddropabigboomintheheartoftheenemycampiswelcome,buttherearefarcheapertoolsformostsuchmissions.Onlyiftheenemyisdeepundergroundwouldthismesongunreallybecosteffective.Andonlygovernments,majorcorporationsandthemostwealthyNoblefamiliescanaffordCol.Kelley’sservices.

“Why,theonlymajorenemywhowouldbereallyworthyofhisattentionsarethosehigh-techandsurpassinglyarrogantIkonazpirategroupsofIkon!”<Dawningrealization>“TheEmperorworksinmysteriousways,myfriend.”

1Fordetails,seeTraveller:TheNewEra’sRegencyCombatVehicleGuide,“ImperialMesonArtilleryVehicle”,page40.NotethattheTraveller:TNErulesallowthecreationofsmallmesonweapons,insteadofrequiringthemtobelarge/ship-mounted,asClassicTravellerexpects.ThecreationflowchartisinthefamedFire,FusionandSteelsupplement.


NotethatCol.Kelley‘sbusinessispickingup,butheneedstransportforhiscrew,hisequipment(includingthe20-tongravsled),andhisuniquesetofskills.APCgroupwithasuitableship(forthegravsled,suppliesandcrew:aworkshoptokeepthesledinrepairwouldbeanicebonus)couldworkoutamutuallyprofitablecontract.ClosingTheme:“ROBOT”,SawanoHiroyuki,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsVhOjSN2fsThe Rukonrifguag TheRukonrifguagisamakeshiftcontactgroupofthreeVargrstarshipcrews,whohavetakenituponthemselvestoprovideaidandsupporttosmall,nearlyforgottenVargrpopulationsinthehostileSixSubsectors.Thistaskisundertakenforavarietyofreasons:racialpridebeingthemaindriver,withintelligencegatheringandrecruitmentbeingsecondarydrivers.Tertiaryreasonsalsoexist,fromrelocating&reunitinglostpackbrothers,togatheringmaterialforlively,best-sellingadventuresofdanger“deepinhumanspace’2,todoingresearchforVargrscientific/demographicsurveys.Ofcourse,ifanyinformationonveryvaluablearticlesisuncovered,thedatamaywellbesoldtopiratebandsforinvestigation:anicebountywillbepaidoutifA)theitemsaredeemedtobewortharaidandB)theitemsaresuccessfullystolen.

Imperial(re)settlementoftheImperialEmptyQuarterwereoccasionallystymied,andevenreversed,

byearlierBloodVargrinhabitants.WhileneverasnumerousasonthecoresideoftheRift,

evidenceofremnantpopulationsstilloccasionallycropupinremotelocations.Thisgraphicistitled“EasternExit”©JaroslawMarcinek

Seehisworkathttps://www.deviantart.com/art/Mr-Neyhiru-Arrived-539944467IntheImperialEmptyQuarter,twoofthethreestarshipsoftheRukonrifguagarefairlynewImperialScout/Couriers:PerceptualConstancyandRecursiveLoop.Thethirdandlargest,thePlataoPlomo,isatypicalagingFarTrader.Alloftheseshipsareofficiallyownedandledbyhumanshipowners/captainsfromtheJulianProtectorate:PCswillneedaboutayearandasmallteamofhighlyskilled(andexpensive!)lawyerstouncoverthefactthattherealownersareshellcorporations.Anotheryear–mainlyforthejourneytoIkon,anexceedinglypowerfulVargrworldonthewrongsideoftheRift–andtentimesthepreviouslegalfees(plustransportandaccommodationcosts)willbeneededtogetthenamesoftheactualVargrownersoftheships.Asarule,theVargrpose(anddothedutiesof)ships’crew,withthehumancaptainspresentingafacethatwon’tturnthelocalsinstantlyhostile.TheVargrflat-outdon’ttrustImperialhumaniti,andprefertoworkwithhumansfromtheirnativeJulianProtectorate.

2Thisisuntrue:TheEmptyQuarterisonlyaboutasectorintohumanspace,notfarfromtheVargrExtents.Butgoodsalescopyisgoodsalescopy…


Actualshipcommand&leadershipdynamicsareinteresting.3NotethattheJulianhumanschosenaremoresympathetictotheirVargrco-patriotsthantoImperialhumaniti.ThedetailsbelowdescribethecrewofthePlataoPlomo,theflagshipoftheRukonrifguagintheEmptyQuarter.HerstompinggroundsareinUdusissubsector,homeportedinIrash:butatanygiventime,there’sa¼chancethatsheisoutsideofUdusissubsector,outdoingwho-knows-whatintherestoftheImperialEmptyQuarter.GroupTheme:“River”,KaiEngel,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLDOrnHD-QE

“Lookatthebrightside:atleastthereisn’tanyairattacksonourposition…”

“Ifastarshipsuddenlyappearsoverourheads,I’mgoingtothrottleyouandyourbigmouth!”

Thisgraphicistitled“IllistrationaboutWW”©IgorTovstogan.Seehisworkathttps://igortovstogan.deviantart.com/

Sisut Irkhidiina Baffer Uneasy lies the head UPPA2AABA,Age35,MixedVilaniSkills:Linguistics-34,CombatRifleman-3,HeavyWeapon-2,Recon-1,VaccSuit-1,Admin-1,Handgun-1,Leadership-1,High-G-1,Streetwise-1,Stealth-1,Brawling-1,Persuasion-1,GravBelt-1,Equestrian-1,WheeledVehicle-0,GravVehicle-0,Computer-0Note:Despitebeinghuman,thelastvalueintheUPP,“A(10)”referstoCharisma,notSocialstanding!Languages:Rrakfugk(Native:anIrilitokVargrlanguage),JulianAnglic,IrashiHindi

3Offthetopofmyhead,theIkonazVilaniareusedtobeing(high-ranking)servantsoftheOvaghounVargr,whileprestigioushumansoftheAsimikigirConfederationhavePanetRelationshipswithselectedIrilitokVargr,theirformerbredslaves,asdescribedinStellarReaches#4,page10.Moreover:notethathumansocietywithintheJulianProtectoratehasbeenshapedasmuchbyVargrculturalnormsasbyVilaniand(toasomewhatlesserextent)Solomaniones.AndtheVargrplacefargreateremphasisonficklecharismathanonanyorganizationalchartorchainofcommand…4Thenativelanguageisfree:twopointsfortwoadditionallanguages,andonepointforthefieldoflinguistics.


Tools:WhileBafferdoeshaveapistol,it’susuallylockedawayinhiscabin.Healsohasasetof(cheap)TL-13Julianbattledress,butitwasrecentlyruinedwhilefightingoffapirateband.5Bafferisreluctanttoletgoofhisbelovedsuit,butrepairingitisjustfarbeyondhisbudget.*sniff*Visual:Tobetterblendin,BafferhaspickedupthelocalformofHindi:hisdarkfeaturesand(dyedblack)hairhelpstomergewiththeEastIndiancrowd.Still,ifdirectlyquestioned,hewilladmithisoriginsintheJulianProtectorate.Aloveroflanguagesandsomethingofapolygot,he’scurrentlyworkingonpickingupHindiEmptyQuarterTradeLanguage,beforefacingthedauntingtaskoflearningModernVilani…OpeningTheme:YukiKajiura,“CantaPerMe(Orchestra)”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IynMZq8V8QTheBuild-upBafferwasborn&raisedinNenkum(Kaasam/Mendan2524:in993,B98999E-C),afairlyordinaryworldoftheAsimikigirConfederation,theleadmember-stateoftheJulianProtectorate.Withthehumanpopulationoftheworldbeingabout30%...

(theculturallydominantIrilitokVargr60%,andalargenumberofothersophonts–includingtheoriginalnativeinhabitants5%–compromisingtheremaining10%)

…BafferseesVargrculturesasthenorm.Humanculturesandmoresassomethingherespects,andistrying(fairlysuccessfully)toabsorbintheEmptyQuarter…butit’snevergoingtobetrulynaturalforhim.

Expeditionsecurityworkusuallyturnsouttobeeasymoneyformercs,andawayforafledgingunittoget

agoodgriponthebasicsoftheirtrade...withoutlethalpunishmentfortypicalgreenhornmistakes.Thisgraphicistitled“lostcivilization”©IgorTovstogan.

Seehisworkathttps://igortovstogan.deviantart.com/art/lost-civilization-691509932Joiningtheplanetaryarmywhenyoung,Bafferwasgiventhedutiesofamarine(don’task),wearingbattledressinspaceborneandoff-worldactions.Aftermusteringout,onawhimheappliedforservicewithaVargrdiplomaticguild,andtohissurprisehewasaccepted!(TheIrilitoklikehumansaroundthem:“Theysmellcomforting.6”)

5Coldbehuman,couldbeVargr.Botharepossible:besidesmoney,additionalmotivationforthehumansmayincluderacialantagonism–“Whyisn’tthismanhiringhumans,insteadofthosedogs?”–andtheVargrmotivatedbysocialcompetition.6Theconsequencesofgenetictamperingofaslaveracegoesonandon,longafterthechainsaregone.


Hisjourneysandmissionseventuallyledhimfarfromhishomesystem,depositinghimonIkonattheendofhisservice.Bafferdidabitofsecurityworkforawhile:heconsideredsigningonwithaVargrpirateteamtohelpraidImperialshipping–“easymoney!”–butinsteadwentwiththeRukonrifguag.SomethinginhimrevoltedatthewaytheIkonazVargrlookeddowntheirsnoutsatthe(locally)poor&low-techImperialhumans,andhewantedtoheartheothersideofthestory.

TheRukonrifguagiswillingtogofaroffthebeatenpath,tocontactlostVargrpacks…

packsthatdidn’tsurviveonhostilehumanworldsbybeingwelcomingtostrangers.

Thisgraphicistitled“CrimsonTribe”©AndreasRocha.Seehisworkathttps://www.deviantart.com/art/Crimson-Tribe-722640665

RightNowBafferisofficiallythecaptainofthePlataoPlomo:eventhoughtheshiphasneverengagedinpiracy(…well,notunderthecurrentowners…),theshipkeepsonbeingdingedandharassedbyImperialandlocalpatrols.Anditisn’tjustbecauseofthepredominantlyVargrcrew(whichheislearningtokeepoff-screenwhentalkingtothelocals:“They’llfindoutiftheyboardus,butwhyrushthings?”):there’ssomethingelsegoingon.Butforthelifeofhim,hecan’tfigureitout…Anyways,besidesrunninginterferencewithlocalswhogetinstantlysuspiciouswhenaVargrcrewstepsoffaship–thehumanleaderonlybeingsomewhatreassuring–BafferalsotriestoproviderealleadershipfortheVargr.Beingofvariousracesandpacks,thecrew’spackorderisofteninflux,withlotsofsocialmanoeuvring,trashtalk,andtheoccasionalinfightingincidentbreakingoutasthingsgetsortedout.Despitetheturbulence,Bafferoccasionallymanagestobetheactualleaderofthecrew,andnotjustthepaperleader/humanfacefortheoutsiders.7VargrbeingVargr,theynaturallydetestpaper,especiallyrigid,‘noflexibility’,zerocharismahumanpaperwork.Naturally,Baffergetstodealwithit.He’ssharpenoughthoughtogainsomeinsightinhowtheImperiumoperates,byconsideringthekindsofquestionsandnumberstheformsaskfor…andwhattheydon’taskfor.His

7Hisbrawlingskillhelpstoo.Hisdexterityisweak,soinaVargrsocialfighthetendstobeworndownbeforehisstrengthcanlandasolidblow…butifhisfistdoesconnectwiththelightVargrframe,thefightishalfover.


improvingAdminskillhasalreadysavedthePlataoPlomofrombeingimpounded,earninghimrespect…andthus,invaluableCharisma…fromtherestofthecrew.

AlmosteverysystemofhigherthanTLAandoverabillioninhabitantshasherowncloudofspacehabitats.

Inpre-artigravsays,thesespacecitiesandstationsmustbecircular,ifspingravityisdesired.

Butwiththeriseofartificialgravitational/anti-gravitationalfields,afargreatervarietyofhabitats

becomepossible.Thisgraphicistitled“Marsport”©AdrianMarkGillespie.Seehisworkathttps://tk769.deviantart.com/art/Jovian-Sail-Ship-306383162

GoalsHedoesn’tknowexactlywhathe’slookingfor:perhapssomethingtomakehimproudofhisrace…orsomethingthatwillproveonceandforallthatlifeintheVargr/humanProtectorateisbetterthanthehuman-runImperium.Possibly,hewantstoshowthelocalsthattherecanberealpeacebetweenhumanitiandtheVargr,ormaybediscoverthatgenesreallydoestrumpculture:thatVargrareVargrandhumansarehumans,regardlessoftheirsharedhistory,hostilelikeintheQuarteroramiableasintheConfederation.Orwhenyougetrightdowntoit,whathereallywantsisahotwoman,awarmgun,afatwallet,andafastship.Whateveritis,he’llknowitwhenheseesit.Closingtheme:“IndianSummer”,TheDreamAcademy,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_O3pKrzOiM