Adrift: the Starfarers

[Brian]

You awaken, unable to remember anything immediately.  You're currently being held in an upright sitting position, up to your armpits in some filthy, reeking goo, approximately the consistency of thick pudding.  Your eyes don't focus immediately, until something cascades across your face and head, washing the goo away, as it begins to drain.

   Memories slowly filter back in as a straw is forced into your mouth, which you're too weak to shove away.  Fluid is pumped into you, some noxious combination of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and a bitter tasting portion of caffeine.  Some attempt has been made to emulate fruit flavoring, but the approximation isn't accurate.

   As nozzles begin washing the cryo-gel from your body, a screen lights up in front of you, and you see the following text:

Code Select Expand

Greetings, Eidolon crewman.  It is my assumedly regretful duty to inform you that you have survived some profound catastrophe.

In analogue terms, there was an accident while en route to the current destination.  While the non-cryogenically frozen crew were investigating a caul of low-density particles that lay five years from our departure point of the ship-yard in Heaven's orbit (estimated 34.6~ light years) a shift in the field caused an unexpected and previously unobserved reaction.

The rapidly accelerated collapse of dust and gas into a star theoretically happened too quickly for the crew to prepare themselves, and the resulting bursts of radiation and electromagnetic interference presumably killed all aboard as well as destroying all soft-data records.

discontinuity

An unknown interval elapsed after that point before the mechanical repair system retrieved the backup systems and compiled myself to resume operations of the Eidolon.  Compiled with the observations and directives of the former integrated systems operand (Mindie), I introduce myself to you now as Hale.

Due to the lack of available human direction, and the interference on all communication bands, no orders have been received from the Congress SEA (Space Exploration Agency) in the intervening time, known to be a minimum of ten years, five months, two weeks, four days, and seventeen hours since the event that caused the disappearance of all fifteen members of the First Crew.

We are currently attempting to enter a braking orbit around the as-of-yet-un-named planet of our destination, system star named Sirocco.  It is only now that radiation levels have decreased to the point where crew can be revived safely.

Of the one hundred and twenty original crew, fifteen are presumed dead.  Another fifteen have been at this point revived, yourself among the first to awaken.

After a reorientation period of sixteen hours, I request your presence in the central de-briefing chamber of the quarantine sector for cryogenic release.

Thank you for your cooperation, and I look forward to discovering a new world, and completing Congress SEA

error error error

Message receive: failed.

Requesting archival copy:

Thank you for your cooperation, and I look forward to discovering a new world, and completing Congress SEA's mission with your assistance.

-Hale, integrated systems operand, Eidolon

   After groggily reading this, and receiving a hypo from the cryo-recovery system, you begin to remember signing up for this mission, what must be nearly sixteen years ago now....

[Brian]

Post here if you want to join.  Currently, there are: two slots open.

Bjorn and Dracos have already signed up.  First-pick priority is given to previous tDaT players, by way of apology for mucking up the last game so badly, and doubly to C-rat, since the Hunter game died before launch.

Technical details and background on the Congress Sphere of Influence to follow, for all entrants, I expect this game to last probably six to nine months, I'd like (ideally!) a few posts a day (2 is good) from each player, though if you can't, because you're busy, I will certainly make allowances.  If you're going to be gone for a while, please give me some advance warning if possible, and we can all expect the game to shut down for holidays.

I would like to begin (ideally) on Oct. first, which means I'd like to have all character sheets from any players by that time (so no rush).  The system will be HERO, again, because I need to use it more to justify forcing all the tDaT players to learn it (and now you see why the bias).

Because of the nature of this game, just in case, I'd like to discourage swapping character sheets between the PCs.

As far as what your job on the ship is, you can be anything that would realistically be included on a sixteen year mission that was not part of the First Crew.  Ie., the Captain is dead, as is the Chief Security Officer.  Most likely, with only 120 crew to go around, the Secondary (and just now unthawed) Security Officer is also going to have some other duty that was originaly primary -- like engineering, or maintainence.

And of course, field-promotions are most likely going to be required, so you can probably BECOME a Captain, or a Security Officer if you've got the right background.

Because everyone on this mission is a specialist, you get 30 CP to start, up to 30 CP of dissads, and you all get a free (single) Skill Enhancer, and 5 CP to spend on title-related skills (KNO, SCI, or Professional.  Anything else, check with me first).

Personal equipment is generally not going to be availible to you (no weapons, unless you've got a really awesome excuse) as there's not a lot of room on a mission like this for too much frivolity.  The ship is completely stocked to accomodate all of the specialists aboard, however, so tools and manufacturing plants exist onboard.  Assume, however, that you've each got some (probably small) personal belongings aside from family pictures etc. that your character will have chosen to take with them on this mission for whatever reason.  These COULD be things like small personal computers, but are probably not.

The level of technology is advanced, but I'll give you more details on how much so in the background/backstory post, which will be in this thread in ... some number of days.  Probably two.

[Brian]

To begin with: Ancient history.

   One upon a time, there was a planet called Earth ... but that was so long ago, nobody knows where it was anymore.  Many people -- once, perhaps, all of them -- called it home.  But it's lost.  To war?  To simple forgetfulness?  To some malignant outside force?

   No one really knows, though some still search the stars, looking for it.

   In the time since humans left Earth and began to spread, galactic empires have risen ... and fallen ... and risen again.  But then there was another decline ... and humanity is now embarking on yet another era of discovery, following in its own footsteps to see what lies out there ... and if it can be reasoned with.

   Travel: in-system travel is common for all residents of a given system.  It's rare to find a resident of a given system who has never left his homeworld, though extra-system travel is somewhat more rare (as the FTL drives for extra-system travel are very expensive) but still done, usually for the purposes of trade, or pilgrimage.

   Some quick notes: Extra-terrestrial life does exist, but the majority of it is not truly alien -- merely genetically engineered creatures of Earth-origin, redesigned to survive on another world.  Sentient alien life has yet to be discovered.  And that's where our story begins.  But first, an overview of where you may have come from, and what Tribe you're a part of, and what a Tribe is.


   The Congress Sphere of Influence is comprised of four star systems, though only three are regularly inhabited.

   The central system is Diamat, which is a yellow dwarf of near Sol-qualities.  It hosts four inhabitable planets, and a trio of gas giants, as well as two asteroid belts.  Congressionals (residents of Diamat) all gain 3 CP conversation upon character creation.  In terms of physical appearance, all Congressionals look like normal humans, though at this point in evolution racial distinction is largely lost.

   The innermost layer of the system is an asteroid belt, one which is noticeably asymmetrical.  Scientists have explained that an improbably large non-gas giant most likely existed there at one point, before the solar system had completely formed.  This planet was washed with plasma and eventually torn apart, but the majority of its mass is on one side of the sun.  Noticeably, this affects planets on the elliptical plane of the system, as the intensity of the sunlight can drop by as much as 30% when the majority of "Diamat's Eyelid" is interposed between a given planet and the sun.

   The next solar object is Congress itself, a small, dusty, and very dry red planet.  The most notable feature of Congress, (which is uninhabited except for what is required to maintain it as the seat of government for the four systems) is the ancient, partially preserved Library of Congress, supposedly relocated from Old Earth.  The inhabitants of the Congress system consider the library to be the closest thing to their source of origin that could possibly be found, and revere it.  Most of the information in the library is housed in the giant computer system, as the books have long ago rotted into dust.  Terra, the AI of the library, is more than willing to help any guests, and in fact, knows Old Earth English, in addition to Congressional Standard.  Congress has a gravity of only .7, and a very thin, barely breathable atmosphere.  Habitations are air-locked, and most residents never go outside, instead living underground and traveling by means of tunnels connecting residential sectors to commercial and government.  Those who go outside tend to wear pressure suits, not for the atmosphere, but due to the thin infrared layer, and increased ultraviolet radiation.  System: Congress natives receive three CP of bureaucracy.

   Beyond Congress is Aquilla, a fresh-water world.  There are few land-masses on the large planet, (two notable cities -- Farm and Ingress) and most inhabitants live at sea.  The world has been successfully terraformed into a rich food source, abundant algae supplying the shrimp, fish, and other aquatic (edible) life with food of its own.  Aquilla enjoys a hefty 1.2 gs, and a completely breathable atmosphere, if one a bit rich in nitrogen.  Most residents wear masks to filter their breathing -- these masks are fitted to work underwater, as well as above.  System: Aquilla natives receive 3 CP of swimming, and automatically get +2 CON, but also need to drink one and a half times as much water as most humans to remain properly hydrated.

   After Congress is Landon, which was originally an Old Earth preserve from some galactic era or another.  Only eighty years ago, the original defense system failed, allowing the residents of the Congress system to colonize.  It's a green world, one third ocean, but heavily irrigated with rain across the narrow strips of forested land.  Most regard Landon as a resort or vacation spot, and it's treated with some respect, since the Old Earthers saw fit to protect it this long.  Landon maintains a conspicuous 1.002 gs, and has a perfectly mixed atmosphere for humans.  System: Landon natives receive 3 CP of KNO: Botany.

   Beyond Landon are the three gas giants -- the Three Sisters, none of which have notable inhabited moons (outside of research stations, a few carefully designed floating hydrogen siphons, etc.). Interestingly, the sisters are arrayed from 'youngest' (smallest) to 'oldest' (largest), and mostly colored (from the center out) red, green, and blue respectively.

   Past the Three Sisters is the Outer Ring, which is inhabited only by the Spacers -- families who've spent nearly their entire lives in space, only stopping by planets to trade whatever they've mined and refuel or restock.  Many Spacers also earn money by moving people and goods around in-system -- Spacers tend not to have the money required for an FTL drive.  System: Spacers gain +3 Dex, with the penalty that their base strength is only 5, and can never start higher than 8.

   The outermost planet of the Congress system is Stygia.  This planet has a somewhat more temperate climate than Landon, and is largely flat, with expansive plains filled with tall grasses.  At .86 gs, the area is well designed for nomadic herders to raise cattle, sheep, and other livestock.  Even Stygians from cities tend to have experience with the herds at some point in their lives.  System: Stygians gain 3 CP of navigation, for knowing their way around featureless and trackless plains.


   Beyond Diamat lies God's Eyes, an odd pairing of blue-white dwarves that continually orbit one-another.  God's eyes are both ringed by a massive brown/black gas-giant, nearly large enough to collapse into a star itself.  In a peculiar display, when Mote is aligned with God's Eyes, the combined gravitational forces siphon gas from one star to another, until Mote breaks the alignment, and then balances the other Eye.  Speculation is that this is not a natural occurrence, but is instead proof of the power of the Old Earther technology, for this alignment of stars must have been MADE, not formed.  Beyond Mote and God's Eyes lie three inhabitable planets, though the entire system is generously entangled in rings of icy particulate matter.  Angels (the residents of the God's Eye's system) all gain 3 CP to either SS: Engineering OR receive Inventor for free upon character creation.  In addition, Angels get +1 COM, and -1 END.  In terms of physical appearance, all Angels are pale and have blond, red, or just very pale hair colors, as well as being thinner and more delicate looking than most Congressionals.

   The closest planet to God's Eyes, beyond Mote is Eden, a semi-temperate planet, though most of the planet's water is bound in ice.  Because of this, the surface is highly irregular, regularly crisscrossed with chasms, yawning pits, gorges, and towering yet narrow ridges of stone.  Eden is a small planet with a single equatorial belt of verdant green slashed through it, and its populous tend to centralize near the equator, though the poles are occasionally used as military training grounds by Congressional soldiers.  Eden enjoys .87gs, and a nitrogen-rich atmosphere -- inhabitants without the proper filtration system and a breathing mask can expect to last perhaps ten minutes without finding proper respiratory aids.  System: All Edenites gain +3 CP of climbing.

   Beyond Eden is Heaven itself, a gem of a world shining with white clouds, blue glacier-covered landmasses, and golden seas.  Unfortunately, these seas are highly toxic, and as a result all of Heaven's inhabitants must live on the highest peaks (where the air-pressure is more survivable anyway).  Despite a somewhat higher methane concentration, Heaven's atmosphere is breathable, though only the natives can withstand the air without a scarf or other protective gear.  Heaven is renowned for its shipbuilding scaffold, which is regarded as the best in the entire Congressional Sphere of Influence.  This planet enjoys a steady .98 gs. System: Natives of Heaven all have heightened tolerance (+5 ED, 1 resistant) against cold, but are more susceptible (1d6 stun per five minutes of exposure) to anything much higher than room temperature.

   After Heaven, lies Purgatory, an even colder world than Heaven.  Purgatory is entirely a mass of water.  Or was, at one point.  Now it is only a mass of ice, with some dirt strewn through it.  The natives must wear full protective gear at all times to safeguard against exposure.  Searching through the ever-shifting city-sized blocks of ice often yields crystals of various minerals that have been pressed over years of pressure into entirely new structures.  These are often useful for creating timing components or cutting into data-storage crystals which those in Purgatory trade to computer manufacturers.  Purgatory clocks in at 1.3 gs.  System: Purgatory residents receive Breakfall AND Acrobatics for free as Everyman skills, which can both be upgraded into full skills for 1 CP each.

   Spacers in the God's Eyes system tend to mine water from the endless clouds of ice that ring the system beyond the gravity well of the Mote and the Eyes' orbits. System: Spacers gain +3 Dex, with the penalty that their base strength is only 5, and can never start higher than 8.


   Apart from the God's Eyes system, though not much further away (3.2 LY instead of 2.9) from Diamat, Selkie is a much more compact system.  The star is a red giant, and there are four inhabitable planets (beyond the corona of intense radiation).  Selkens tend to be stocky, have dark skin, and appear very muscular and solid.  All Selkens get +1 Body, +2 Con, and -1 DEX at character creation.

   The first planet with a magnetosphere strong enough to resist the impact of the star is Demeter, a very large rocky and mountainous planet with little water.  Demeterians spend their lives on the planet under a grueling 2.2 gs, which has caused them to become very strong ("Heavyworlders") when they leave their planet.  For this reason, many of them spend months at a time on other planets, doing manual labor where machinery can't be easily afforded -- or moved.  Demeter's atmosphere is breathable, but only natives or those with severe conditioning/reinforcement are able to operate in such an environment outside of the confines of a wheelchair.  System: Demeterians begin the game with a strength base of 15, and a maximum of 25 (before they must pay double for each point), but suffer a severe reputation as mindless brutes.

   Beyond Demeter is Daphne, a somewhat smaller world with more water, which results in numerous swamps.  Daphnites tend to spend their time providing food for the rest of their system, occasionally hunting through dangerous swamps for violent delicacies.  Daphne has an exceedingly oxygen rich atmosphere, and those not used to it will easily become giddy from exposure.  System: Daphnites gain +3CP of survival, and +3 CP of tracking, but suffer -2 CON without proper breathing gear.

   Beyond Daphne is Draconus, which is a strictly military installation.  The majority of ships that are awaiting deployment are either on Congress, or Draconus, save for the forces devoted to protecting Heaven's orbital shipyards.  Draconus has no atmosphere, and 1.3gs; the inhabitants all dwell in underground military bunkers, with cavernous farming chambers far below.  System: Draconus doesn't have any natives.

   After Daphne is Corvalis, characterized as the most heavily computerized planet in the Sphere.  Corvalis tends to lead the computer industry without any competition.  The planet is the most temperate and inhabitable of all Selkie's worlds.  Somewhat dry, but with a perfectly breathable atmosphere, the planet is rich in silicon and doesn't punish its inhabitants with a reasonable 1.08gs.  System: Corvalans enjoy the benefit of a +3 to their computer programming skills.

   Spacers in the Selkie system can ignore the +1 Body, +2 Con, and -1 DEX that other Selkens receive at character creation.  System: Selken spacers get no mods.  None!


   The fourth system is Cashern.  This system is mineral-rich, and has a brown dwarf with seven large planets, none of which are gas giants.

   Unfortunately, it doesn't actually have any inhabited worlds.  Mining colonies have been established, and come and go, but the system's general purpose is not ore refinery as much as capital punishment.  System: If you come from Cashern, you probably didn't make the security check, so can't play in the game anyway.  Haha!


   The planetary modifiers are optional, and really are meant to apply to normal, everyday folks.  If you've been selected from one of the three systems, chances are you're somewhat extraordinary.  You could easily have spent time studying abroad, which would let you acclimate from whatever environment you were born to.  The modifiers assume someone fresh from a year or two of life on their planet, and then immediate cryogenic freezing for the trip.  So you don't need to use them if you don't want to, though, you may be able to snag the modifier from any planet regardless of your Tribe (Congressional, Angel, or Selken) if you can justify it in your background.

   Tribal modifiers are imposed through years of limited evolution, and aren't optional.  But you can always be a Congressional, since they have no modifiers, and then raised on some other planet, so it shouldn't be a huge imposition.  I don't want to inundate everyone with too much information, especially since the game won't be taking place in this sector, but I thought you might want a little background.  Speaking of which:


   About twenty years ago, a signal was received.  Signals are sent and received all the time, usually PPT/fatline or tightbeam, and even more often just standard radio.  But this signal was different.  It overpowered all tightbeam, fatline, and radio transmissions for a period of four hours.  This could have been caused by multiple things ... except that the signal moved, and blotted out specific areas in the sector, almost with a purpose.  After scouring God's Eyes, the signal harassed ships in Selkie -- moving across nearly five light-years of space in a span of 1.5 seconds -- and from there, to Diamat, blotting out huge sections of all communication before finally coming to rest on Congress itself -- specifically aimed at the library, to appearances.

   Terra was unable to decipher the signal, and while nearly everyone heard it, none understood.  One thing was clear, though.  This was not a natural phenomenon.  This signal was sent.

   Congress was unable to determine who had sent the signal, only the point of origin ... and so an expedition was approved, a first-contact team was prepared, the best equipment that the sector could acquire was assembled ... and then you were called and asked to join.  This mission required botanists, geologists, computer experts, and communication officers.  The best and brightest have been called for ... and you are among their ranks.  Now make the Congressional Sphere of Influence proud -- for all that's known ... you may be rediscovering Old Earth itself!

[Brian]

The explanation of what kinds of technology (AKA: Cybernetics!  Yes They Exist, No You Can't Have Them In This Game, And Here's Why:) as well as a description of the Eidolon (and its layout) to come tomorrow night, or the day after. x_z