The following are some of my notes on the worlds of the Glisten and District
268 subsectors in the Spinward Marches. Most of these notes presume an 1107-
1110 timeframe. Some reference is made to other unnoted worlds, such as the
balkanized planet Tirem, which has four main governments, one of which is the
Offworld Coalition, which controls all of the activities in the system away
from the main world. ConTech is my all-purpose sector-wide macro-corporation,
which builds ships, maintains mercenary battalions, and so forth. LSP is the
majority stockholder, but they find it advantageous to allow a certain amount
of autonomy. SIE is Stewart Interstellar Enterprises, a struggling merchant
shipping company with interests in Glisten, Lunion and District 268. (It's
basically the GM's alter-ego.) References to the Imperial Navy in the Glisten
subsector are virtually synonomous with the Imperial Glisten Navy, a planetary
and subsector navy which provides nearly all of the actual strength of the
1100th Reserve Fleet. IGN ships are built at TL15, but usually with a lower
jump capability than first line Imperial Navy standard ships. In my game,
because I wanted to use the IGN that I had put so much work into, and because
I started working this out before the full course of the Fifth Frontier War
was known, the industrial planets of District 268, Collace and Forine, engaged
in a bid for permanent independence as part of the Outworld Coalition, and
occupied the attention of the IGN during the first six or so months of the
war. Ships of the Collace Liberation Fleet have been posted previously as
part of my vehicle design packages.
I have also generally assumed that the material from Beltstrike, Tarsus,
Leviathan, and Safari Ship can be fitted in with little or no change. Tarsus,
for example, was occupied by Collace forces during the early part of the war,
but this occupation consisted primarily of ships, so there was little impact
on the planet. The Bowman system was not attacked, though they may have been
troubled (like many other systems) with some of the swarms of small commerce
raiders built by Forine.
If anybody is *really* interested, I have planetary maps of one sort or another
for Overnale, Windsor, Caledonia, Tirem, Aki, New Rome, and Crout. Most are
done in colored pencil and would be dificult to reproduce short of color
xeroxing. My local copy shop does color xerox, at about $1.75 a shot. If you
are interested in any of these, arrange something with me by private email.
You can have them at cost, but I can't afford to send out bundles of them for
free. A number of these maps predate World Builders Handbook, Grand Census,
and Grand Survey, which makes them a little dull. I like the map drawing
guidelines from those books. (-8
I hope you find this of some use...
Rob Dean
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------
WEISS A626464-B
Population about 72,000. Colonized following the Third Frontier
War in 990 by a group of Sword Worlds dissidents. Recent problems
have stemmed from the fact that the inhabitants have more sympathy for
the Sword Worlds their ancestors left than for the Imperium. Glisten
pre-emptively assumed control of the planet in 1104, and tension has
remained high since. The local language is a form of Germanic rather
than Anglic, and persons addressing the inhabitants in Anglic outside
the controlled spaceport district are likely to find trouble. The
planet itself is fairly unpleasant, with most of the hydrographic
percentage tied up in the two large icecaps. Individual settlements
outside the spaceport tend to cluster around a pressurized greenhouse.
Most surface travel is by tracked vehicle.
NEW ROME B837866-B
Population: 725 million. New Rome has been occupied since pre-
Imperial times, at least according to local tradition. The truth
cannot be proven, but in fact the planet was settled by Solomani via
Darrian (by a splinter group having some political dispute with the
majority.) In recent years the planet has generally been self-suffic-
ient, and an Imperial Navy base was established in 826. In 1042 the
planet was divided into six nations corresponding to the current ad-
ministrative districts. A major war broke out over control of seabed
mineral deposits north of the Latium continent, and the Imperial Navy
was forced to intervene to protect the base. The regional populations
are too strongly differentiated to combine successfully in a planetary
government, and the current administration by Glisten MinCol is still
officially termed "interim". The New Rome Peacekeeping Force is the
only authorized planetary armed service, and was set up as an inter-
national organization in a deliberate attempt to provide contact be-
tween countries and thereby ease tensions. The results to date have
been disappointing, and low level violence and subversion remain prob-
lems. The extranational ConTech enclave was formed primarily to pro-
tect the commercial starport, and its existence remains a sore point
with nationalist activists.
MELIOR D140466-7
Melior is a long-term terraforming project, being administered by
the MinCol branch office on Egypt. Large quantities of ice asteroids
are being diverted and used to bombard the planet. Thier impacts have
all been precalculated to avoid inhabited areas, but mistakes have
occurred and MinCol takes no responsibility for ships landing away
from the scientific outpost. There are no exports of any
significance. This phase of the terraforming project is scheduled to
be completed in 1150, and has been underway since 1090. MinCol will
contract for pusher ships on a freelance basis.
ROMAR B450456-8
The Imperial Navy base provides the livelihood for the entire
population of this unpleasant little planet. About half the
population are dependents of Navy personnel, and the other half are
engaged in service activities catering to Navy, Scout and Merchant
personnel. Most food is imported, and food prices are quite high
outside the subsidized Navy commissary.
No significant exports.
FFUDN A41489D-C
Population:943,000,000
Tech Level in 1105: 8
The planetary government concluded a treaty with Glisten in 1109
for major technological assistance in return for a monopoly on the
export of radioactives. The colony was founded from Glisten in 726
when exploitable quantities of superheavy elements were discovered.
The current bureacratic administration is a direct descendent of the
Glisten MinCol Department which was responsible for the planet prior
to the declaration of independence in 877. In the early 900's, the
population was almost completely converted to Khargin, a stoic and
introspective religion of Vilani origin. The population increased
drastically and the technological level fell off as more of the
planet's resources were turned to maintaining subsistence. By the
time the treaty was signed in 1108, the tech level had fallen to 8,
and the exploitation of the resources that were the colony's initial
purpose had long since ceased. At present, offworld visitors are
restricted to the vicinity of the starport, and the population is
closely controlled because of the scarcity of resources.
Imports of food are duty free, and generally can be sold for 10-
30% over the expected value. (20-40% if the trader is willing to take
payment in barter). Exports are radioactives (restricted to holders
of Glisten MinTrade licenses) and heavy metals.
WURZBURG C795300-A
The scout base here is orbital. The entire planetary population
is transient, hirelings of the ConTech military training facility.
The planetary flora and fauna are toxic to humans, and all previous
attempts at colonization have failed when crops were overrun by local
pests. The problem is not insoluble, but the economics of
terraforming have not been favorable up to now. ConTech has been
using the planet as a training ground for mercenaries since 1072, and
their facility is available for a reasonable fee.
BENDOR A756656-C
Bendor is about as nice a place as you can imagine. Except for
the thin atmosphere, the planet is extremely earth-like. The
population is small, and the Count likes it that way. No immigration
is permitted, but visitors are welcome. Much of the planet's
agricultural activity is automated, with robotics mostly being
imported from Glisten. Bendor is a favorite vacation spot in the the
region, and hotels are very common in a variety of settings from
mountains to shore and from temperate to tropical. Since it is ruled
directly by an Imperial noble, cooperation with the Navy base is good,
and there is little friction. Unusual exports include karakka nuts
(native to the planet and impossible to cultivate in quantity
elsewhere), a variety of perfumes, and a number of excellent wines
with a lot of snob appeal. These latter can be found for export
occasionally (Formidable, Trader, 1 day, success produces 3d6 bottles
at 2d6*50 credits each).
TSARINA D120636-5
Colonized in 697 from Glisten for exploitation of platinum group
metals. The ownership of the mining company came to be controlled by
three families by 726, and has remained so since. The colony is
totally dependent on imports of food and equipment--equipment of up to
TL9 is used, but there is no repair capability. The situation is
becoming unstable at present as Glisten social activists are engaging
in a propoganda campaign among the mineworkers. The workers
themselves suffer from prolonged breeding among too small a breeding
stock, and have an substantially subnormal average IQ. They are also
extremely superstitious, and view the three families as ruling by
divine right, which has led to limited success thus far for the
Glisten social activists. "Stupid as a Tsarina miner" is a common
turn of phrase in the subsector.
Imports: Food, Parts, Heavy Equipment
Exports: Platinum group metals
Restrictions: Books, tapes, and other data media are severely
restricted, with import duties for approved items starting at 400% of
base value and going up.
CROUT E4359CA-7
Population:3.7 billion
Crout is very overpopulated for its size and current tech level.
In addition, the outlook of its inhabitants borders on the xenophobic.
All of this leads to a very high-pressure and unstable situation.
Many starship captains would be reluctant to land here even if the
port facilities were better because of the resentment of the
inhabitants toward anyone perceived as being better off.
The current planetary administration has been in power since
1031, and is based on the annual election of four co-rulers from a
very limited pool of candidates. While public opinion remains
supportive of the regime, sociological analysts predict that the
repressive measures recently enacted will precipitate a civil war
within ten to fifteen years.
Crout is very technologically backwards; the only area of unusual
expertise is in environmental control--greenhouses supply all food and
most of the breathing air. Recycle of biomass provides methane for
supplentary heating and power. There is a very strong cultural bias
toward self-sufficiency, so that each family should be capable of
growing its own food, repairing its own house, and so on. Communities
tend to center around glassworks, with self-sufficiency in this vital
area being judged on the community level.
FLEXOS E5A1422-6
The atmosphere of this planet is carbon dioxide/nitrogen, which
allows basic plants to be used as atmosphere converters in
greenhouses. The inhabitants are all descendents of the 14 passengers
and crewmembers of a starship which misjumped about 650, and was not
discovered for approximately 80 years. Extensive inbreeding has
caused a good deal of genetic drift/damage. The current inhabitants
are all very uniform in appearance, bald, albino, and six fingered.
They have little desire to breed outside the group (and vice versa!)
and the population is declining. The ship is still partially
functional at the core of the inhabited area.
BINGES A800231-A
Binges was colonized from Glisten in 1057 by a group of
speculators hoping to build the starport and cash in. However, their
analysis of traffic in the region was faulty, and the port has not
prospered. The planet has the dubious distinction in recent years of
being a flag-of-convenience homeport to a large number of disreputable
free traders. (Larger companies are not free enough from Imperial
restrictions to avail themselves of this service.)
During the Fifth Frontier War, the starport was opened to Collace
fleets, which nearly caused annexation of the planet after the war.
However, the owners of the port successfully appealed their case in
the Imperial Court at Trin, arguing that they had little choice in the
face of overwhelming force. Despite the outcome of the case,
resentment remains high among local Imperial officials at Glisten, and
more IGN ships than usual have been passing through the system.
MILLE FALCS B9A2469-C
A typical navy base planet. The atmosphere is almost entirely
nitrogen, and there is no life except for a few types of anaerobic
bacteria, of interest only to scientists. As a result the surface is
very dusty, and windstorms frequently make landing at the downside
base impossible. The downside base consists of a number of buried
domes. The orbital facility is fairly extensive, and is
interconnected with the civilian modules.
WINDSOR C783511-9
Population:200,000 (5% independent rancher, 5% independent
farmers, 2% independent fishermen, 65% Windsor Agrocorp employees, 23%
Akian immigrants)
Windsor is a colony world currently under development, and is
wholly owned by the Windsor Agrocorp. WA is owned by ConTech (50%),
LSP (30%), SIE (10%), general public (7%), and the Bank of Glisten
(3%). The Akian immigrant population is tending to cluster in the
three cities at present, in distinct contrast to the remainder of the
population. There is some friction between Akians and the others, but
it has remained subdued. The colonization fee for Windsor is fairly
high (Cr30,000 with discounts available for needed skills), so most of
the immigrants were at least middle class to start with. The Aki
government has proposed to subsidize emigration to Windsor, but this
proposal received strenuous protests from the WA Board of Directors at
the 1110 annual meeting.
SOREL E48569A-1
Population:9.5 million
A regressed colony originally planted by the Solomani during the
Second Imperium. The original infrastructure was destroyed by nuclear
war during the Long Night, and technology had recovered to TL1 by the
time of recontact. The IISS maintains a semi-interdiction of the
planet at the request of the local rulers. Imperial contact is
permitted, but importation of technological items must be approved by
both the local rulers and the IISS. Persistent rumors of psionics
among the upper classes are "apparently" unfounded.
TRANE C639422-B
Mostly a waterworld-the land is concentrated in one continent.
The population of 70,000 is scattered across this continent in small
holdings. There is a heavy reliance on orbitial communications for
the planetary datanet. There is a well developed medical response
system, paid for by subscription of over 95% of the population. It is
considered good manners when on Trane to offer a contribution for the
med service. The primary exports are exotic organics harvested from
the local fauna. Water travel is primarily by submersible due to the
magnitude of inclement weather which can be experienced with large
unbroken expanses of water.
CENTRY E222447-6
An abandoned mining colony. The remaining inhabitants live in
the abandoned company buildings, hunt the upland forests, and come to
town for parts to keep their respirators running. All operating
vehicles are left over from the mining operations. There is little or
no contact with other worlds, except for a visit from the occasional
free trader. Population is about 20,000.
LYDIA E110430-6
Population:90,000
TL6 is barely sufficient to maintain the colony domes in the
trace atmosphere. Formerly a mining colony founded to exploit massive
quantities of silver, it has been on the decline since the silver gave
out around 1020. ConTech closed the starport in 1035, and most of the
population emigrated. The remainder are expert garbage pickers--a
fair amount of useful salvage at TL12 remains from the mining
operation, enough that free traders occasionally call to pick up the
junk.
CALLIA E150852-6
Water is currency on this extremely dry world. The original
colony was founded here by a group of religious ascetics around 640.
Very little trace of the original religion remains today--the harsh
climate seemed to breed nothing but a host of prophets. The several
main groups of nomads are very fierce, and extremely adept at the use
of primitive weapons. In the cities, the current religion is built
around a cannabalistic cult with an emphasis on high fertility. Both
types of cultures are highly ritualistic, and anyone interested must
study the ritual skill seperately (defaults to Liaison minus 3). Use
the level of ritual as a positive DM on reactions with natives. The
occasional outsiders who venture here are generally safe from the
local violence. The Glisten PARS usually maintains a cutter here (in
orbit) to render any necessary assistance in space emergencies.
Refueling capability in the entire system is virtually non-existent,
and any ship visiting had better have fuel for the return jump. If
you try to use water to refuel on the planet, it costs roughly 10cr
per liter.
ASTER C86A410-9
Aster is a potentially rich water world, which is chartered in
its entirety to the Aster Exploitation Corporation. Two shallow
seabed cities are presently under construction. The population of
about 40,000 is almost exclusively employed at this, although a number
of scientific teams are scattered around the planet.
AKI B443987-9
Aki was settled from Deneb around 300, and converted to Aborism,
a pervasive religion around 450. Religion and government remain sep-
arate. Offworlders find the planet uncomfortable due to the large
population, mostly crowded into large cities, and because of the hos-
tile attitude of Aborites to non-members. This changes rapidly if one
converts. Most cities have large slum areas, and much of the popula-
tion subsists on church or government doles. Most imports, with the
exception of foodstuffs, are subject to a 10% import duty. All normal
starship servicing fees are doubled, due to a government effort to
collect Imperial currency to facilitate offworld activities.
General Description of culture: Reactionary-Indifferent, Passive-
Neutral, Harmonious-Aloof, Aborism:684419 Unusual Custom: Parents
arrange marriages for children.
Miscellaneous Notes:
Wills--as a result of a number of lawsuits early in the history
of the planet in which beneficiaries of wills were declared ineligible
because they were not on the planet at the time the will was resolved,
current law allows two Imperial Standard years from the time of death
to the reading of the will, and this time may not be shortened unless
all beneficiaries are present. In addition, "every effort must be
made" to ensure that all beneficiaries are notified.
Airline Rates--Most cities on Aki are served by some sort of
scheduled air travel. Rates run about Cr0.1/km, with a minimum price
of Cr150.
First Impressions--Housing density is fairly high in most cities,
cleanliness is fairly low. General clothing design is loose, colors
favored being black, grey, brown, and subdued reds and greens. Cer-
tain groups of rebellious youth dress in tight fitting clothing in
bright colors (blue, purple, red), and wear their hair very short.
Cuisine is generally vegetarian due to the scarcity of arable land and
ethical inclination. Urban windowbox miniature herb gardens are a
common sight. Privately owned vehicles in cities are small and
scarce. Large trucks are common for cross country travel. Mass tran-
sit systems are available in most cities, but are often run down.
Airline/Airport Encounters:
1: Concerned Aborite, attempts to engage in religious discourse
2: Lost child
3: Business traveller
4: Vargr merchant
5: Army private in dress uniform, on leave, 1d6 in number
6: Pickpocket, roll again for appearance
BICORNN E563576-2
Settled in 390 by a group of Utopian idealists, the planet pros-
pered for 500 years, although it divided into several nations. Always
isolated from the Imperial mainstream, a war was waged using biolo-
gical agents in 893, at which time the population was 877-8. In less
than a year, 95% of the planetary population died, and civilization
disappeared. Virulent diseases (to which the present population is
immune) remain active in the biosphere, which ensures that the world
continues to be isolated. No exports or travellers from Bicornn are
permitted to land on any other world in the region, and offworld visi-
tors are advised to remain in protective suits.
INTHE C100598-B
Inthe is a mining colony, fairly prosperous, under the authority
of the bureau for Extra-System affairs of the Tiremese Offworld
Coalition. All inhabitants are residents of one city, Inthetown, (or
just 'Town'), and most are Offworld Citizens. Town is clean, and the
air smells normal, which is about all one can hope for in such a
place. The primary export is copper, along with silver and a few
scarcer metals. Town is self-sufficient in food due to application of
space habitat techniques. A flotilla of four OC fleet escorts (7th
Flotilla, Watson, Egaron, Falmont, Garis) is based here permanently,
and at least one government bulk carrier is usually present.
HOROSHO C3378A6-A
Horosho has a very high population for its size, most of whom
live in arcologies. The current ruler is Admiral Bolton Gannivar, who
was voted into power in the planetary general elections in 1103. The
major thrust of his foreign policy has been to acquire or sponsor
offworld colonization projects. Because of the high population den-
sity, personal courtesy is considered by inhabitants to be very impor-
tant. A code duello involving blade combat provides a "safety valve."
No export of food is permitted. Offworld visitors must post a
Cr10,000 departure bond before leaving the starport.
Colonization Project--The prime effort has been a preliminary
survey of Dawnworld in District 268. Dawnworld has remained uncolon-
ized to the present due to a cluster of related ecological factors.
On a microlevel, most humans experience an allergic reaction to common
Dawnworld pollens. In addition, in some regions, airborne spores
exist that will sprout in human lungs. Most plants use L-rotary sug-
ars and are nutritionally useless. the fauna in the planet's current
epoch runs to dinosaur-like creatures, the largest of which pose a
threat to humans from sheer size. In many of the smaller animal
niches, cold blooded creatures predominate, allowing for a much higher
carnivore population that would otherwise be the case. Perversely,
while humans are poisonous to native creatures, they also smell tasty.
CALEDONIA C541636-5
Dry. Population clusters around water. Colonized in 950, and
currently strongly influenced by the various Tirem governments.
Emphasis is on self-sufficiency, and trade centers on import of
easily repaired and durable low-tech gear. Exports are heavily
informational, and in 1107, Caledonian folk-music was very popular on
Tirem and Glisten. Population of 9.1 million about 40% Tiremese, 50%
Trinese, and remainder primarily Akian.
Folk music--most notorious is the literature for the bladder-
pipe, an instrument which arouses a good deal of feeling among both
its admirers and its detractors.