Cepheus Journal Issue 010
Cepheus Journal Issue 010
Art
Cover, Backpage Space Lobster by Starryai
(edited by PO Bergstedt)
Page elements, 2, 11, 17, 29 Pixabay
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 42, 43 Wikimedia Commons
20, 22 Norton Glover
31 Starship Geomorphs
34 Ron Stepp
45 PO Bergstedt
46 Artflow
47 Wombo
48 TensorFire
Our own Paul Drye has written an Cepheus Journal Editorial Team
expansion of a Sword of Cepheus role, the Michael James Cross
Alchemist, with lots of potion information to Brett Kruger
give some zing to your fantasy games. Ian Stead
Norton Glover gives us an adventure for PO Bergstedt
Zaibatsu for 3 to 6 players that’s sure to Paul Drye
challenge your street samurai.
By Joseph Jaquinta
Overview
Magical items, with which fantasy worlds Either way the aim is to take the features
are populated, are often constructed from that are normally present in the primary
mystical, rare materials. These can be material and accentuate them to
important plot points, McGuffins to chase, supernatural levels. The result is a
or prerequisites for player’s ambitions. substance that can be used to make
Different legends speak of varied materials, wonderous objects.
which is great for background. However, a
game system benefits from having a more Adamantine
systematized approach to this. This material comes to us from Greek
legends. It was the substance of Perseus’s
In this article we present a number of “true sword that could withstand gorgon’s
metals”. These, as described, can give blood, the chains of Prometheus, or the
inspiration for use in a game. But they can doors of Tartarus. Representing it in this
also be seen as a template for creating as system, it is a form of “true iron”. It is made
many more as needed. We will talk about from magically smelted iron, alloyed with
ways to use this in a standard fantasy powdered diamonds, giant bones, or
game, some suggested plots, and dragon claws.
possibilities for use in other settings.
It is a deep flat black in appearance but
In our real world, there are a number of can be polished to a high shine. It is
metals based on simple elements, like iron, extremely rigid and strong and can be
silver, and gold. These can be forged and sharpened to a very fine edge. It is
tempered in different ways to bring out somewhat heavy and is most prized for
certain properties. Like working iron into making edged or pointed weapons. It is
steel. They can be also mixed with other readily amenable to magic and can be
materials to create alloys with different overlaid with even the strongest
properties, such as bronze and brass. enchantments.
One approach is that magic enables the It is the most sought after of all the true
capability of new techniques. For example, metals and can easily fetch 10,000 times its
it may be as simple as magically powered weight in gold, unworked.
forges that can achieve higher
temperatures than a normal medieval
furnace, allowing such elements as
aluminum and tungsten to be forged.
Quoborium
This rare and specialized metal is also
known as “true lead”. It is somewhat
darker than the lead it is made from and is
about four times as dense, making it very
heavy. It is quite pliable and easy to work
but doesn’t hold a shape well. It is most
often pounded into flat sheets.
Laen
True glass is made from high grade
leaded crystal, ground down and recast
multiple times, like Damascus steel. With
every stretch and fold additional magic is
woven into the matrix until it produces a
perfect liquid crystal. It must be worked in
this form, and shaped or blown much like
normal glass. Once it cools, it becomes
rock hard and will not melt again. In fact,
Tinium it becomes highly heat resistant and
True tin is most often a curiosity. It is forged insulating. A crucible of laen can contain
from pure tin and a broad array of other molten lava and yet be held by hand.
miscellaneous substances. These are not
particularly valuable but are rare. The result It is light grey naturally, but exceptional
is a shiny silvery metal which is very crafters can improve the clarity and tint it
reflective. It does not forge well, but it melts a variety of shades. But it will always
at a low temperature and is easily cast. remain somewhat smoky. It is most often
used for utilitarian things, such as parts for
It is mildly attuned to magic and can magical forges to make other true metals.
sustain low level enchantments. Its main It is not particularly attuned to magic, but
attraction is its mechanical properties. it can form a base for which other
When cast in thin pieces, it is still very elements can be inlaid that carry a
flexible. It can be deformed to a large magical enchantment.
degree yet will snap back to the original
shape. It is very resistant to metal fatigue
and can be bent and restored indefinitely.
Hydrangium
This extremely dangerous substance is
illegal almost everywhere it is known. Also
called “true mercury”, it is made in large
vats by dissolving living exotic animals into
a mercury base while dark chants are
sung. The resulting pasty metal is a dully Equipment & Plot Ideas
silver with a slight iridescence to it. It is not The most obvious use for these materials is
very strong and can crumble with too in items made from them. Here is a
much pressure. selection of items that you might add to
your game where these materials are
What makes it specifically dangerous is available.
that, like its source mercury, it can cause
insanity. However, it does so just by Forge Visor (1500 g.p.): This is a curved
proximity, rather than direct exposure. Only section of laen, like a slice from a cylinder.
lead, or a similarly dense substance can It either has a supporting frame or else
prevent this. It is not quick, but it is loopholes worked into the sides. If intact, it
irreversible, to anything less than deity level also has straps and a harness so that it
magic. can be secured to the head, over the
face. When worn as such, it enables
Primitive tribes have been known to make unobstructed vision (at least of near
this and use it in rituals, especially those objects) but total protection from heat.
inhabiting deep underground caves. Some This makes it highly desirable for anyone
will also keep hydrangium tipped arrow doing craftwork on heating. This can be
heads and blow darts to discourage forging, smithing, welding or anything
contact. One of the evilest uses is in its where fine work is needed on very hot
powdered form, inserted into a trap that items. Using the Forge Visor in such
blows it into the face of the victim. Once circumstances will allow for mundane
inhaled it is impossible to get rid of, and a work to be completed in half the time, or
gibbering descent into madness is else if the same time is used the work may
inevitable. be performed to a finer level of detail.
CJ
substances. Or cuttingedge corporations
This fanzine and more can be downloaded from the official Cepheus Journal Website!
By Paul Drye
In Sword of Cepheus rules, characters who actual effects, refer to the SoC rulebook,
are scholars may specialize in alchemy p.121.
which is a specific branch of magic
oriented towards laboratory procedures Creating a Potion
and potions rather than onthefly Potions are created with a roll against
spellcasting in the heat of the moment. Its Alchemy skill. Each type of potion has a
practitioners are interested in acquiring difficulty to create it listed in the following
quite unusual treasures termed reagents table, against which the roll will be made,
and rely on a welloutfitted laboratory and and a time to make it. Note that the listed
the investment of quite a bit of time when times are optional rules, replacing the flat
producing their products. 1 week for all potions (as oneuse items) in
the SoC rules.
Potions
An alchemist’s greatest advantage while If using the failure rules following this table,
adventuring is his pharmacopeia—the pre the referee should make the skill roll
made potions he brings with him and the secretly rather than the alchemist’s player,
miraculous effects they can bring to bear so as to leave doubt as to whether or not
on the problems encountered. For a list of the creation of a potion is successful.
Failure
Alchemy is a touchy science, and even a
mostskilled alchemist will fail to produce
their intended product at times. Should the
skill check to create the potion fail, the
referee should make a second roll of 2D,
modified by the character’s Alchemy skill
to determine what product is actually
about to be decanted into its bottle:
Roll Result
25 The alchemist has accidentally made a potion of Poison.
69 The alchemist has produced an obviously botched “potion” which has no effect if
drunk. Local bylaws forbid pouring the results down the nearest opening to the
sewers following the Egregious Caustic Rats Incident.
10+ The alchemist has accidentally made a potion of Delusion, of the appearance of
the potion that the alchemist intended to make. Drinking it makes one believe
that the effect of that correct potion is now in play…
Alchemical Equipment
An alchemist is nothing without a bonus to making potions of one category
laboratory, and that laboratory is filled with or another. Finding this equipment in a
special equipment. Some is the bare disused or abandoned laboratory is a
minimum necessary for producing a treasure of great price, while finding a
potion—without them on hand, a craftsperson who can make an item is an
character has no chance of success to adventure itself.
create any potion—while others give a
Item Description Effect
Alembic Similar to a retort, but consisting of Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
two sealed vessels connected by check if making a potion of the
a tube rather than one vessel and Perception category.
a cup.
Aludel Two or more nested containers with Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
open bottoms (except for the check if making a potion of the
bottommost) and tops. A substance Control category.
is placed in the bottom container
and the whole placed on a fire to
allow sublimed material to condense
on the walls of the uppermost
container.
Asbestinon Also known as amiantos, this remarkable Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
Cloth cloth is impervious to flame. It is a kind of check if making a potion
wool made from a stone found only in a of the Transformation category.
few mines to the far northwest.
Athanor A furnace designed to produce an even Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
heat. check if making a potion of the
Control category.
Bellows A corrugated leather bag with a metal Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
nozzle, used to blow air on flames and check if making a potion of the
make them hotter. Perception category.
Crucible A ceramic bowl that can be placed Minimum equipment
above a flame and substances melted
within.
Cucurbit Like a retort, but without the beaksealed Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
top and bottom with a seam in the check if making a potion of the
middle. Skill category.
Cupel Like a crucible, but made of bone ash, Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
used to melt precious metals. check if making a potion of the
Other category.
Dew Bath A water bath full of dew, which has Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
alchemical properties beyond those of check if making a potion of the
mere water. Perception category.
Dung Bath A container full of animal dung, which Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
uses the natural decomposition of its check if making a potion of the
contents to supply a very low heat over Other category.
a long period of time to anything placed
within it.
Glass Rod A humble piece of equipment, yet fragile Minimum equipment
and expensive to make. Superior when
stirring an experiment, as unlike wood,
stone, or metal it will no introduce
unwanted substances even at the
greatest heats.
Lute A sticky substance used to seal joins Minimum equipment
between two other pieces of equipment.
Mortar & A heavy stone bowl with a matching Minimum equipment
Pestle clubshaped instrument used to crush
substances into a powder.
Philosopher’s An oval glass container with a long On a potioncreation failure,
Egg vertical neck. adds +1 to the result check.
Retort A glass vessel with a beak which can be Minimum equipment
subjected to heat, with substances
condensing on the sides of the beak to
drip into a cup.
Sand Bath A container full of sand which can be Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
heated from below. Vessels containing a check if making a potion of the
substance can be placed in the sand, so Transformation category.
as to be subject to even high heat from
all directions.
Show Globe A glass vessel intended to receive a liquid On a potioncreation failure,
condensed from another vessel while also adds +1 to the result check.
allowing the alchemist to see the colour,
consistency, and so on of the liquid being
produced.
Spirit Lamp A metal tube stuffed with cotton or linen, Adds +1 to the Alchemy skill
used to burn distilled spirits soaked into check if making a potion of the
the fibers as a source of smokeless heat. Other category.
Touchstone A flat slab of dark slate against which a On a potioncreation failure,
sample of metal may be streaked. The adds +1 to the result check.
colour of the streak gives clues as to the
quality of the metal.
Great Works
Besides their general research and potion arcane (and expensive) ways, trying to
creation, alchemists usually have one recover the basic substance on which
lifetimelong project to which they always everything else rests.
return, which they term their “Great Work”.
There are a few different goals which can Making an immortality elixir: A work
qualify for this, and so players should select complicated by the fact that it will
from among them for their character: undoubtedly require only the rarest and
most expensive ingredients, the payoff is
Discovering the first matter: It is a nevertheless immense. Any given
fundamental belief of natural philosophy alchemist will be lucky to produce even
that all matter is ultimately composed of one dose of this elixir in their lifetime, and
one single, almost royal, form of matter. failures are often extremely grim—the
Gold is sometimes looked at as containing gods do not like mortals treading on their
the highest fraction of it, or perhaps prerogatives and delight in ironic
mercury, or water. This mystery compels the punishments.
alchemist to distill substances in a variety of
Discovering the Universal Solvent: Transforming base metal to gold: The
Alchemists invariably dissolve new previous goals are too rarefied for some
substances in water, alcohol, acid, or other alchemists, and the more roguish type will
liquids so that they can be distilled, boiled, seek this entirely practical end instead.
filtered and other such procedures. They There are two schools of thought as to
are particularly interested in the fact that all how this feat may be accomplished:
substances dissolve in some liquids but not either from one metal to another directly,
others. The question then follows of whether or through the mediation of another
or not there is a liquid that will dissolve substance that must be created, termed
anything, which they call alkahest. And so, the philosopher’s stone. The creation of
they set themselves the task of finding one. gold is also the Work that most interests
Strictly speaking this is actually two Great royal laypeople, and so alchemists that
Works—discovering the solvent and also cannot support themselves and require a
finding something that can hold it. patron will also seek it. Riches await, but
one’s lord may be impatient…
CJ
An adventure for Zaibatsu
for 3 to 6 players. By Norton Glover
Briefing
The assumption is that the players are street alive. The attack was 6 hours ago, and
samurai, employees of a particular the players have 18 hours to retrieve
corporation, and have been called in at Izumi's head before it is nonviable.
6:00 am for an emergency meeting with
their handler. What's going on?
The Enemy Company: GhibliDisney does
Izumi Takahiro is somewhat successful have a team after Izumi, but they didn't
middleman in the Tokyo underworld. He shoot him. They're looking to take him
made his living trading in information and alive to find out what he knows and how
running the occasional con. He recently he infiltrated their security (spoiler: he
came across some confidential sales seduced a secretary). They're aware of
projections and future projects for the Reiko's former employment at Perfect
GhibliDisney media corporation. Data like Blossom, so they're monitoring that
this would be worth millions to any location. They have commissioned a
competing megacorp. His plan was to sell stealth airship that is ready to drop in a
them to the PC's employer. While retrieval team whenever Reiko shows up
negotiations were underway, he was shot in with the head.
the chest multiple times by an assassin and
left for dead. It is assumed GhibliDisney The Wife: The assassin was a freelancer
tried to kill him. hired by Mizuki, Izumi's longsuffering wife.
She hired the killer, a man named
Fortunately for Izumi, he was fitted with a Gavreau, to take her husband out, for
Cardiopulmonary Backup System an both the insurance money, and for his
expensive piece of retrogenic technology repeated betrayals of her. She didn't
that keeps the user's brain alive for 24 hours know about the brain implant
after a critical injury (see Cepheus Journal beforehand, so she's still after him.
#7 for details). If brought to an appropriate
medical facility, the brain can be moved to The Girlfriend: Izumi knew that this deal
a new vatgrown body, and Izumi can be was dangerous, so he had one of his
restored. girlfriends, Ejiri Rieko, a nurse/EMT, on
standby in case something happened.
Unfortunately for the company, Izumi's She retrieved his body, removed the
body was stolen at the scene of the head, and is in hiding. She intends to bring
shooting. The company wants the him to Perfect Bloom, a luxury medical
information Izumi has and has tasked the facility, where he can be revived. She has
players to bring Izumi (or just his head) back an appointment for 8pm tonight (earliest
she could get). She's spending the day in a • Neither the ambulance nor Reiko have
capsule hotel at the Shinagawa train been found.
station, guarding the head.
Trying to find Reiko
Operation Spoiler Warning: In addition, After the ambulance heist, she returned
there is another organization after Izumi to Izumi's apartment, and removed his
called the Saurian Society: A violent faction head. She put on a crude disguise, and
of a fan club for the media property Venus took multiple taxis to Shinagawa station,
Rangers (produced by GhibliDisney). Their where she's hiding in a capsule hotel with
source inside GhibliDisney informed them Izumi's head. She paid cash for everything
of Izumi's theft. They believe the information and would be particularly difficult to
will spoil an upcoming Venus Rangers trace. If the players do somehow find her
movie, and they're willing to kill him to at Shingawa, she will not willingly give up
prevent this from happening. the head, but might accept their help in
bringing it to Perfect Blossom at 8pm.
Intelligence Provided by the
Company Trying to find Gavreau
• The attack was at a public noodle shop With an Average (8+) Streetwise roll
at midnight. According to the police, 3 players could find out the following details
shots were fired from a Stern Universal T75 about the assassin Gavreau:
Gauss sniper rifle. No shooter has been • He doesn't work for any group or person
found. in particular. He is completely freelance.
• The T75 is an expensive, rare weapon • It's widely known he's currently on a job
used only by professionals. and hasn't been seen in any of his usual
• An image from a traffic drone, showing haunts.
one of the paramedics at the scene driving • He's never learned Japanese and
off with Izumi's body. communicates entirely through a
• An image and ID for the paramedic an translation tablet.
EMT named Ejiri Rieko. You have her • His place of residence is unknown.
address. • He's been linked to over 20 highprofile
• Two Tokyo addresses are on file for Izumi, assassinations.
one with his wife, another a small Asakusa
apartment in his name. Places the players might visit
Izumi's apartment
Finding out information with A small shack filled with cheap and flashy
Investigate or Streetwise rolls. luxury goods. An apartment of a man with
• The only known underworld figure who a bit of money and very little taste. It's on
regularly uses a T75 is a gaijin (foreigner) the roof of a 30story prefab apartment
named Gavreau, a professional killer. building (Low Security regular Security
• Ejiri Rieko is an employee of Safety roll), surrounded by 10m high spherical
Systems, a private EMT company where she aquaculture tanks (owned by a
has worked for 4 months. No criminal restaurant on the ground floor). Any
record. gunplay on the roof will puncture the
• Previously she was an employee of tanks, covering the roof in saltwater (DM
Perfect Blossom, a private, boutique 1 to any movementrelated rolls). Any
medical facility. explosions will breach the tanks, and the
roof will be kneedeep in squiggling shrimp • There's a bloodied carpet and a hand
(DM 3 to any movementrelated rolls). truck. Presumably, Rieko used these to get
his body to the roof.
• The abandoned ambulance is in an alley • There's an empty box for a recently
behind the building. There are no useful purchased DanaherSamsung
clues inside it. CryoCourier 670. It's a portable cooler
• The door to the shack is locked (Cheap designed to keep transplant organs safe
Lock Security +2), and the windows are for transport. It's a silver cylindrical object
closed and covered. with a handle, according to the image on
• The kitchenette floor is covered in blood. the box.
Izumi's body lies limply over the sink. His • There's a discarded EMS uniform in the
head has been crudely sawed off. A garbage.
bloodied hacksaw lies in the sink.
Saurian Ambush
A team of Saurian Society fanatics has been watching Izumi's apartment. They were too
late for Reiko's arrival and exit, but they will notice the players. As soon as the players
enter the apartment they will ascend to the roof and attack as soon as the players try to
leave.
Their goal is to capture the players and find out where Izumi's head is. Assume 2 Saurians
for each player. They're not formidable, but they are lunatics. They are mostly armed
with cheap fanmade replicas of the fantasy weapons found in the Venus Rangers TV
show. One of them, however, is wearing a suicide vest of homemade explosives.
They are all wearing custom dinosaur heads, each one representing one of the
characters from the Venus Rangers series. Though they speak Japanese, they will
communicate with each other in Saurian, a constructed language that was invented for
the show.
CJ
A Space Opera Setting for Cepheus
Engine
By Jon F. Zeigler
Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and humanity were “annexed” (that is,
most of my creative effort was spent on conquered) by a vast interstellar empire,
freelance work for the tabletop game the Khedai Hegemony.
industry. My major projects at the time
included Transhuman Space, Traveller, and In the setting’s back story – our own near
other books for Steve Jackson Games. future – Earth was in very bad shape.
Global depression, ecological collapse,
Since then, I’ve mostly turned to my own runaway climate change, and half a
original work. These days I publish original dozen regional wars threw the world into
fiction under the pen name of “John chaos. Civilization seemed to be on the
Alleyn.” I’ve also been working on new brink of failure, and many wondered
game projects that I eventually plan to whether the human species itself would
publish under my own imprint. The two survive.
halves of my creative life overlap, as I
develop settings for my original fiction that It’s at that point that the khedai made
may eventually be published as game their presence known. The khedai are a
material. reclusive people, rarely seen by their
subordinates, who rule the Hegemony
One setting that I’m developing has the through a network of client species. They
working title of The Human Destiny. The first have been civilized, starfaring creatures
elements of this universe date back to the for millions of years, and today the
fourth edition of GURPS Space, as one of Hegemony governs tens of thousands of
three planned setting capsules that worlds across the Orion Arm of the galaxy.
eventually were dropped for lack of room.
I’ve worked with it ever since, as an As soon as the khedai became aware of
extended meditation on the kind of future our existence, they set plans in motion to
human beings might realistically expect on intervene. The invasion of Earth began in
the interstellar stage. I’ve written and September 2044, and it was over in less
published several pieces of fiction in this than six months. The khedai called it the
universe, with more to come. I’m also in Fifth Rimward Intervention, and they
the very early stages of developing at least considered it a minor skirmish on the
two tabletop sourcebooks, for people who frontiers of their empire. Humans called it
might be interested in using the setting for simply the Conquest.
their own games.
The khedai are imperialists by any
Premise reasonable definition, but as overlords
The default present for the Human Destiny they seem surprisingly benevolent. The
setting is in the late 23rd century. This is a resources of Earth and the solar system
little over two hundred years after Earth have not been plundered. In fact, the
Hegemony has rebuilt many shattered The galaxy doesn’t belong to humans, but
ecosystems, restoring much of Earth’s that doesn’t mean we can’t earn a place
natural beauty and health. Humans have in it.
not been enslaved. In fact, most humans
enjoy greater freedom and a higher Genre and Tropes
standard of living than their ancestors did The Human Destiny is a reconstructed
before the Conquest, without having to spaceopera setting, dominated by
work for any of it. The Hegemony enforces futuristic technology, gleaming cities,
a system of laws that most humans find colonies on other worlds, interstellar travel,
reasonable, and they do so with majestic and intelligent aliens. It’s inspired by
impartiality. sciencefictional universes such as those
found in David Brin’s “Uplift” novels, the
The khedai have always claimed that they Mass Effect video game, or the various
came to Earth only to save humanity from Star Trek TV shows. Even so, it’s not
its selfdestructive nature. They claim to primarily about scientific minutiae or the
mean us no harm, and they express a wish wonders of ultratech gear. It’s about
to see us someday become mature people, solving problems and wrestling
citizens of the galaxy. with human nature on a much larger
stage.
Even so, many humans have always
resented the Conquest. They feel the The focus is on four tropes: a postscarcity
human species has been forced to give up society, colonialism, exploration, and a
freedom and ambition in exchange for a cosmic perspective.
false security – the life of animals on exhibit
in a zoo. Dissent and passive resistance PostScarcity Society: Humans now live
continue to the present day. comfortable lives without having to strive
for them. In fact, we don’t need to work
In recent years, however, there have been at all, and most of us don’t. Violent
signs of slow change in the Hegemony’s conflict and most forms of crime are
policy. Humans have been granted things of the past. Our struggles and
greater selfgovernment in the cities of conflicts now fall higher on the ladder of
Earth. Millions of us have been needs: quests for belonging, love,
encouraged to move to the colonies on prestige, selfrespect, or reaching our full
Luna, on Mars, and elsewhere. A few potential as sentient beings.
humans have been selected to serve
aboard Hegemony starships, as crewmen Colonialism: We humans aren’t in charge
and even as officers. of the galaxy. In fact, we’re a tiny minority
group, subjects of an interstellar empire
Human Destiny characters are among ruled by aliens. We’re forced to live with
those exceptional humans. They stand out the fact that someone else has veto
in a crowd, with dreams and aspirations power over all our aspirations.
that can’t be denied. Whether it’s a quest
for a meaningful life on Earth, a career of Meanwhile, under the Hegemony’s
hard work in the colonies, or a vision of watchful gaze, we’re starting to settle
exploring the stars, they are ready to step new worlds of our own and establish new
up to the challenge. human societies away from Earth. What
obligations do we have to the new worlds Individuals will almost never own or
we settle? What happens when those new operate their own starships. Space travel is
societies no longer feel connected to the uncommon and rather slow, so characters
home world? won’t be visiting a series of new worlds on
a timescale of only weeks.
Exploration: The galaxy is bright and full of
wonders. It is also full of ancient mysteries As a result, I expect this instance of the
to be found and unraveled. Even the Cepheus Engine will deemphasize some
Hegemony itself is vast and enigmatic, full of the rules systems common to the genre.
of exotic cultures we might talk to and In exchange, it will need some new
learn from. We humans are just beginning systems: rules for nonviolent social
to go out and see all of that, and there is conflicts, political and memetic
no limit to what we might discover. campaigns, scientific and engineering
challenges, producing works of art, slice
Cosmic Perspective: We humans are no oflife play, and so on.
longer confined to a single world and a
few thousand years of recorded history. For the moment, I think there will be at
Now we’re part of a society that touches least three books in the series:
countless stars and has millions of years of
history behind it. The stage is so large that • Architect of Worlds – a nonfiction
most of us have a hard time grasping it. sourcebook for the design of more or less
“realistic” star systems and worlds for
Plans interstellar fiction. Not explicitly a Human
I’ve been writing and releasing fiction in Destiny book, but fully compatible.
this setting for a couple of years now, with
new stories coming out every few months. • Human Destiny Player’s Guide – the
I’m also working on material that began as core setting description or “bible,”
a “setting bible,” and will eventually be character generation rules, equipment
published as a small set of game catalog, common vehicles and ships, rule
sourcebooks under the Cepheus Engine systems that vary from or aren’t found in
label. the Cepheus Engine core.
On the other hand, anyone interested in this project is invited to follow my writer’s blog
(https://wordpress.sharrukinspalace.com).
My patrons (https://www.patreon.com/Sharrukin) also get occasional updates for all
this material. For example, they have received several interim drafts of Architect of
Worlds, as well as an early draft of the Player’s Guide with Cepheusderived character
generation rules.
CJ
By Joseph Jaquinta
The economic development office of the set number of Junks from one or more
galactic empire has a mandate to bring starports. A call for tender will go out to
the great commercial success of the captains to apply to run a Junk, with their
empire into all emerging regions. A great choice of crew. Contracts will normally be
deal of trade has to happen to connect given for a set period of time (one to two
new regions into the economic core, and years) with a fixed route, or else will be
many incentives have to be given in order given for a set number of runs between a
to jump start this with new commercial core destination and one deep in the
districts. To meet these needs, the office outback. A modest payment is offered,
commissioned the design of the optimal but, more frequently, no pay is given until
trading vessel: the Junco, commonly the end of the contract, and, at that time,
referred to as The Junk. the title of the ship is handed over to the
captain with no further restrictions. This
The design was commissioned to be as makes it an extremely popular way for
cheap as possible in order to facilitate traders to get started in the industry.
government production, trade subsidies
and to be sensitive to extremely low TL9 Junk
margins. These together allow for the Junk Using a 100ton hull (2 Hull, 2 Structure), the
to be profitable over a wide variety of Junk is a government sponsored trade
routes. and haulage ship. It mounts jump drive A,
maneuver drive A, and power plant A,
The Junk is extremely popular with many giving a performance of Jump1 and 1G
development offices. As the requirements acceleration. Fuel tankage of 14 tons
are very basic, they can be built in almost supports the power plant for 4 weeks and
any starport, usually with locally sourced 1 jump1. Adjacent to the bridge is a
supplies, often qualifying them for most computer Model 1. The ship is equipped
favorable rates and subsidies due to the with Standard sensors (4) There are 3
stimulus to the local economy. Analysis staterooms. Cargo capacity is 48 tons. The
shows that, credit for credit, subsidizing the hull is distributed configuration. The ship
production, use and distribution of Junks requires a crew of 3: one pilot, one
achieves government aims better than any navigator, one engineer. The ship costs
other class of vessel. MCr23.247 (including discounts and fees,
but not including other government
A typical government initiative (either local subsidies) and takes 36 weeks to build.
or Imperial) will fund the commissioning of a
(Graphical elements from Starship Geomorphs, by Robert Pearce, licensed under
Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial 4.0 International License.)
What They Don’t Tell You
On paper, the Junk is everything it presents parts is seldom hard. Because they are of
itself as. All that economy comes at a standard design, most spare parts are
price. Amongst experienced space farers interchangeable. The general attitude
the Junk is known to be unreliable, cranky, amongst engineers is “forewarned is
prone to breakages and subject to forearmed”. Most competent engineers
unexpected mishaps. Plenty of industry will stock up on spares of things that most
journals feature comics of a proud, but often go wrong. In the worst case,
naive, pilot shanking the hand of a because they are so common, if a
government official as they have the title to breakdown occurs and a part is not on
their Junk passed over, while in the board, there will be some Junk in system
background the vessel disintegrates into a that probably has a spare. Half the time
pile of parts. There is wide speculation that they will charge an exorbitant rate for it
the short terms of contracts for Junks are because of their own bitter experience.
because that is their genuine expected Half the time they will give a heavily
lifespan. Anything beyond that is begging discounted rate, out of sympathy and
for disaster. shared pain.
CJ
By Jo Jaquinta
Chapter 5
Kwok and Heleni wiped down the galley Juanita nodded. “So, what do you think
at the start of their shift as Juanita finished we're up to?” asked Kwok.
off her rations at the end of hers. “I love
the man to death, but I wish I understood “I think we're headed for the L3 point.”
why The Chief decided to insist on a
complete 3rd degree inspection of the “Which one is that?” asked Kwok. “I never
star drive as a priority. We just came out of remember the numbers.”
drydock and we're just going in some big
loop around this star.” “It's the point of gravatic equilibrium
exactly opposite the planet in orbit
“I guess it makes more sense than taking it around the star. Once there you can stay
apart while in transspace” said Kwok. there indefinitely with minimal station
keeping. Not a bad spot for a
“Well, it's like the maneuver drive. While it’s rendezvous.”
running and being stressed, we can
monitor and check it out. It would almost “And, being the opposite side of the star”
be easier to do it while in transition.” added Juanita, “it's nicely shielded from
station view. You may be on to
Kwok shrugged. “I don't think we're going something.” She got up and pushed
back to station” said Heleni. Juanita away from the table. “We'll be coming up
looked at her quizzically. “If The Chief on it soon. If anything exciting happens,
wanted a full inspection of the drive let me know. I'm off shift and have an
before we used it, and wants it all done appointment with my bunk.”
during the first half of this little shakedown
loop, it might be because we intend to Kwok grinned and gave Heleni the
use it before we're done.” thumbs up. “Nice one. Maybe we'll see
action yet.”
“Maybe,” said Juanita. “But he can also
just be a plain bastard for maintenance.”
“They've worked it out”, said Elise to
“Also consider this loop. If we just wanted Seldon on the bridge, shutting down the
a lazy spin around the star, it would make galley intercom.
more sense to dive deep, let it sling us
around and back. Less fuel used, more “Did you expect any less?” he asked.
stress on different systems, all around more
sensible. Instead we're powering our way “I suppose not”, she admitted. “They're
along the normal orbit of L'Union prime at pretty sharp.”
faster than orbital velocity. Looks pretty on
a plot, but it doesn't make physics sense.” Heleni and Kwok entered the bridge.
Heleni took her station at Navigation and “It's not a stable point”, said Heleni.
Kwok reconfigured the fourth station to “Anything without engines will eventually
tactical. They checked in, picked up their drift off. Kind of lonely.”
roster and got to work.
“Give it time”, said Elise.
“Coming up on solar occlusion of station in
fifteen, Captain” reported Heleni. ***
Seldon smiled wryly, “Noted.” “L3 orbit achieved”, said Seldon. “Time to
see if anyone is home.”
“Sensors not reporting any activity ahead
on our course” added Kwok. “Yes, sir”, said Elise. She turned the radio
to the lowest gain and typed in a series of
“Out here? Why would there be any?” numbers. Corresponding call tones
asked Elise innocently. sounded over the bridge speakers. After a
minute another set of tones came back.
Kwok and Heleni exchanged glances. He
grinned and gave her another thumbsup. “I've got a direction”, said Kwok. “No
reading yet.”
Thirty seconds after the occlusion mark
Seldon said “Navigation. Please give me “Look for occluding stars”, said Heleni.
guide wires for approach and zero velocity
to the L3 point.” “What?”
“On your board,” said Heleni, almost “A shadow against the stars. If it’s there,
immediately. it’s between us and the stars. There will be
some missing.”
“How efficient,” noted Seldon. “Tactical, no
active scan. Please keep it to passive.” “The code checks out”, said Elise.
“Pip, pip,” said Kwok after a pause. “We're go then. Put me on,” he
addressed the keyboard microphone.
“If an active scan wave reflects off of “This is Captain Seldon of the Raider's
something,” explained Elise, “it will keep Lament. We're here to pick up a delivery.
propagating across the system. Others Shall we do this on your deck or on ours?”
could receive it.”
There was a pause. “I think I have a
“We're not Naval enough to warrant tight track”, said Kwok. “Not enough to
beam scanners” said Seldon. “Maybe next establish a course.”
refit.”
“They're probably in a halo orbit around
“Passive scan is quiet” said Kwok. “No the point”, said Heleni.
significant energy readings. Not even
space junk.” “Reply coming in, sir” said Elise. “Text
only.”
“Shame”, said Seldon. “I guess you won't “So, you are saying that it can read our
be able to use your voice stress analysis or mind and broadcast our thoughts?”
ident matching.” asked Seldon.
Elise ignored him and read the message “In a manner of speaking,” said Elise's
aloud. “Thank you, Captain Seldon, for this voice over the ship's speakers. Her lips did
appointment. We can make our docking not move though.
port available to your subordinate craft for
discussion and transfer.” “Compelling.” He rose. “Elise: you will
accompany me to the negotiations. No
“I've got them now,” said Kwok. “They projectile sidearms though. Not even
turned their running lights on.” nonfunctional ones. We don't want them
to think we're going to blow holes in their
“Very well”, said Seldon. “Please ask ship. But bring your best blade.
Vikhagen to get the dory ready.” He
paused, considering. “Elise, you know I “Chief, are you getting this?”
hate discussing private business in public.
Yet I so value the advice of my crew. What “I've been following from down here,”
do you have for me here?” came his filtered reply.
“Well, sir, we can start off with the collars. “I want you on the bridge for this. We're
They are unobtrusive and will allow us to not expecting trouble, but I want to be
receive data from each other without prepared for it. Everyone, refresh yourself
being overheard by people or machines, if with today's call codes for alerting trouble
scrambled enough. I have wearable or coercion. Questions?” There were nods
sensors that will give us basic biometric info all around. “Good. We'll launch in ten.”
and language translation if necessary.”
***
“But can we talk?”
The Sweeping Generalization separated
“That's a little trickier. I do have a partial from the Raider's Lament with barely a
solution that I've had some success with.” whisper. Vikhagen hovered over the
She attached some small electronics controls like they were fragile glasswork.
connected to wires to her clavicles. “The The engines could barely be heard as she
key is subvocalization. You speak under set them up on their trajectory. “Idle
your breath. No one can hear you, but speed, sir, all the way.”
these lowprofile microphones will pick up
the vibrations. The problem is that it’s not “Thank you, Pilot” said Seldon from the
very clear. So first we filter it using voice passenger seat. He wore his dark blue
datagrams I've built up for each of us. This uniform, blazoned with the badge of the
does a most frequently used algorithm to Raider's Lament. On first glance, its
create a best fit match. Additionally, the piratical skull and crossed bones was
collar tracks your speech center brain incongruous against what appeared to
activity and provides subject domain be a naval uniform. But on closer
input.” examination the skull was impaled on a
sword and red tears ran from the empty aft section, between the engine pods.
eye sockets. On second glance it was Contrary to her usual flair Vikhagen made
apparent that the uniform, as well, was the maneuver in deliberate steps, coming
naval in style and cut, but not an actual to a full rest between each pivot. When
naval uniform. the final port mated there was barely an
indication other than the airlock light
“Shadow is confirming the running lights illuminating.
configuration. They look to be a
government surplus freighter” said Elise. “Bravo”, said Elise.
She too wore a similar uniform. But to it she
added a peaked cap, epaulets, gold Vikhagen beamed her a broad grin.
buttons, and six silver buckles on the boots. “There's more than one way to show off.”
Both wore sabers in scabbards on their
sides. ***
“Well there is no question about us Seldon and Elise stood in the aft airlock of
outgunning them”, said Vikhagen. “There's the dory waiting for the green light from
a reason they call them 'Junks'. They're just the other side.
massproduced boxes with barely enough
power to move and transition, let alone “Check, check” said Elise, through her
mount any decent weapons.” clavicle mic.
“Unless, of course, it's been refitted” noted “Reading,” said Seldon in return, lips
Seldon. barely moving. “Copy Chief?”
“I'm not getting any significant power “Loud and fuzzy” he said from the
readings”, said Elise. Lament. “But understandable. We've got
your backs.”
“But you aren't from us, either, are you?”
said Seldon, raising his eyebrow. The light turned green and Seldon
nodded to Elise. She cycled the door
But as they drew within visual range open, paused, and stepped through. Her
nothing was seen to contradict the face all serious, she took in the scene at a
appearance of a bare bones trading junk. glance.
“All I see is a double mount missile turret,”
said Vikhagen. “Should I overfly them to The belly of the junk was one large cargo
get a better look?” hold stretching the full width of the ship
and breaking up fore and aft into smaller
“No. That would be rude”, said Seldon. “I compartments between structural girders.
think we have enough to go on for now A number of regulation cargo containers
without making them nervous.” were bolted to the deck along the edges
with nets for loose goods stowed along
“Aye, aye, sir”, she said and brought them the ceiling. The center was empty and
about. The standard design had a docking there waited a small party.
port on the starboard flank of the vessel
and the dory had a compatible one in its
A tall man in his 40s stood ahead of the ship has just completed a refit and it was
rest. He wore a rich fur vest which made a good excuse for a shakedown cruise.”
him look broader than he was. The sheen
from the fabric from the rest of his clothes “Nothing too serious, I hope”, Kosti said
and the gold rings on his fingers marked with concern.
him out as the likely Captain. A man and a
woman flanked him in guard position; not “Our job is to deliver cargo where it needs
near enough to threaten, but close to go. Sometimes there are those who
enough to intervene. They had fair hair would see it otherwise. We could have
and skin, wearing simple blue wool ship surrendered our cargo, but chose not to.
suits, and looked like they were related. Eighteen months in drydock was a higher
Their hands rested easily on utilitarian price than we received for that cargo,
looking hilts of straight swords. Behind and but I'd rather have a reputation for
to one side was a young woman of similar getting the job done than for turning tail
stature, with a barely restrained sullen look. to every threat.”
Her clothes were well tailored, but of
simple weave. She wore a dirk and stood Kosti nodded, once. There was a pause
protectively next to a quarter canister that acknowledged that the pleasantries
case. were over. He turned to his side and
indicated the quarter canister and the
Seeing no immediate threat, Elise stood to young woman. “The cargo. The
one side and Seldon came through the destination: Valio Eskola.”
lock. He beamed a smile at them and
strode to the center of the cargo deck. “Not in the atlas,” reported the Chief.
Elise fell in behind him. “Captain Seldon of
the Raider's Lament. At your service.” He “I'm unfamiliar with that port”, said Elise.
paid no mind to the two guards. “Allow me “Which system is it in?”
to introduce my Warrant Officer, Elise
Sedwell.” He held out his hand in greeting. “It is not a port”, said Kosti, “it is a person.
You should be able to find him on Port
The other Captain seemed to come to a Newark.”
decision, smiled back, stepped forward
and grasped his hand with both hands. “Two transitions from here”, said Elise. She
“Captain Kosti. Welcome to my ship.” nodded to Kosti.
“He's looking you in the eyes,” said the “I know it isn't far, but Ritva is eager to be
Chief over the monitor. “That's a good reunited with her Uncle.” The young
sign.” woman nodded, once.
“Thank you for taking the trip out here for “Ah”, said Seldon. “My best wishes on
the rendezvous. I hope it wasn't too far out your reunification. But I think I should
of your way,” he continued. clarify; we are a cargo vessel. We are
more than happy to take your
“No distance is too far out of the way for consignment,” he indicated the canister,
good business” replied Seldon easily. “My “and deliver it to the gentleman in
question. But I'm afraid we do not traffic in
people. There are strict laws, you know, “Established terms and conditions do not
against anything that might be construed oblige us to secure her safety should she
as slave trade.” be engaged in illegal activities. We can
terminate that contract if she becomes a
“I have them here sir. If you need me to problem or transfer her to another vessel if
quote,” added Elise in undertone. our itinerary changes. We're indemnified
from a lot more than the standard
“Ritva is no slave! She just wants to be contract for secure packet delivery”, said
reunited with her family. There has been a Elise.
tragic separation and she has only just
gained the information of his Seldon smiled. “Precisely.”
whereabouts.”
“Please,” said Kosti. “May we confer?”
Seldon paused, appearing to consider. Seldon nodded and moved back
“We've taken passengers before”, said the towards the dory with Elise.
Chief.
“Will they go for it?” asked Elise.
“Regretted it too” said Seldon behind his
hand. “Yes”, said Seldon. “He's already gone for
it. He just has to persuade her. Whoever
“I advise against it” conferred Elise. “The she is, I think they'll be happy to get her
law is on our side. We can get out of the off their deck.”
preliminary contract and maybe even
charge a nuisance fee.” “And onto ours?”
“We're here to do business, Elise”, said Kosti called them back. “As we stated in
Seldon. “Let's find some business we can our request, we wish no illegal trade. We
do.” accept your emendations.”
“I'm very sensitive to your plight”, said “Excellent”, said Seldon. “Elise has the
Seldon directly to Ritva. “But I'm afraid contract ready.” She produced a
taking on a person as part of a datapad. Seldon signed it and handed it
consignment is quite out of the question.” to Kosti. He read it thoroughly from top to
Kosti started to say something. “At any bottom, thought for a minute and then
price,” finished Seldon, firmly. “But, since signed it.
my crew will attest that I have a weakness
for damsels in distress,” Ritva seemed to “May I have a hard copy?” he asked.
bridle at that description, “I'm open to
offer passage to the Lady Ritva, subject to Elise blinked for a moment. “Of course.”
established terms and conditions, aboard She tapped the datapad and a sheaf of
the Raider's Lament until we complete paper curled out from the side.
delivery of the consignment.”
“Thank you.”
Kosti considered. “If we're going to take
her anyway, why not just take her?” asked “Our ship welcomes you”, said Seldon to
the Chief. Ritva. “We can take the consignment
over in our dory and any personal effects She pointed up where the filter had been
you might have.” removed. “Data projection. Data
monitoring. If our friend becomes a
The two crewmen pulled out a hand truck problem, it can be contained.”
and loaded the canister onto it. Ritva
picked up a duffel bag that had been “Ah”, said Heleni, slinging the duffel as
behind the canister. She and Kosti shared a Elise pulled the crates. “You've done this
double handshake but exchanged no before then.”
words.
“SOP”, said Elise. “But not one you'll find in
“This way then” said Elise. the written manual.”
Chapter 6 ***
Heleni tightened the strap on the duffel of
clothes and smoothed the seal shut. Elise “So, what's she like?” asked Kwok in the
was just finishing placing some odds and galley. Vikhagen was setting up two trays
ends into a utility box. “That looks to be and steaming some buns. She wore an
about it”, said Heleni. official crew blazer.
Elise looked up briefly. “There's a filter on “The passenger? Not your type. Way too
the light. Can you get that while I finish young.” She looked through another
this?” compartment. “Do you know anything
about wine?”
Heleni stood on the other filled utility box
and began to unfasten the panel. “It's nice “I'm a beer drinker. And how do you
of you to give up your cabin for the know? I like them young.”
passenger. I thought I'd be the one
slinging a hammock in the cargo bay, Vikhagen laughed. “I think she's illegal
being juniormost. You're an officer.” young. At least for most parts of the
galaxy.” She read from a number of boxes
“It's not a military ship”, said Elise. “It doesn't she was preparing and typed them onto
work the same. You’re paid crew. You a keyboard.
have your rights. I'm a partowner. I won't
sue myself for less than union regulation “So, we've got a kid and a mysterious box.
quarters.” In need of our expensive protection.
What's her story?”
“But, still. We all understand the situation.”
Heleni brought the filter down and Elise put “Hmm. A Wellington red,” she read from
it into the utility box and sealed it. the screen. “Love this wine matching
software Elise found. Takes all the
“As you see, I don't have much stuff. And I guesswork out of serving.” She checked a
don't mind Spartan living conditions.” They few labels and pulled out a bottle. “She's
lifted the two boxes onto a hand truck. Elise not real talkative. Hasn't said two words
knocked on the walls and smiled at Heleni. the whole time I've been there. The
“Besides, this is the most secure room on Captain's just talking, telling tales.” She
the ship. From the inside or the outside.” popped the top on the bottle.
most expansive. I apologize”, said Seldon
“Hey,” said Kwok. “Give me a swig!”
across the table to Ritva. “It's not a bad
bottle for what it is. The vineyards aren't far
“Not a chance”, said Vikhagen. “Screen
from where I grew up. They were once
says it's got to sit for a bit. This is for the
owned by a branch of my family, in fact.
Captain's table. Besides, you said you were
Not for a long time now, though.”
a beer drinker. This would be wasted on
you.” She pulled out the steaming buns and
He finished his main course and smiled
arranged them on the plate. “Gotta run
across at her. She sat stoically, sipping the
while it's hot!”
last of her wine. Vikhagen quietly entered,
quickly cleared the table, laid out two
“Pip, pip,” called Kwok after her.
cups of flavored ice, and silver spoons.
She popped the top of a small bottle of
***
golden liquid, settled it into an ice carafe,
and set out two chilled glasses. Seldon
Juanita and the Chief took turns at the sink
picked out the cocktail stick decorating
washing oils from their hands with solvents.
the ice desert; it had an iceberg silhouette
The Chief dried his, and Juanita turned off
on the top. “Why thank you, Vikhagen.”
the spigots with her elbows while she
waited for her turn. “Are you sure you want
“Yes sir,” she said in a forced voice, fleeing
to double jump us on the first time?”
before she lost her straight face.
He passed her the towel. “You know how
“Now this wine perfectly suits this desert.”
Seldon is about passengers.”
He poured glasses. “It's synthesized, but it's
a classic formula. In order to compete
“Yeah. He can't stand them.”
with the sweetness you need something
heavy. And if it's heavy then there is no
“We've got full fuel and Port Newark is a
point in anything too subtle. Is it to your
pretty main port. I think he'll prioritize getting
taste?”
the mission done quickly over coming into
port with empty tanks.” She secured the
“Yes” she said after sipping her glass.
towel and they both sat down at the
workbench. “The transspace drives are the
They ate in silence for a while. “That's a
same as they always were. They didn't take
very interesting gem in the ring on the
damage and our overhaul hasn't turned
chain around your neck. I'm not quite sure
anything up. The whole point of good
I recognize it. May I?” With seeming
maintenance is so that you have the
reluctance, she lifted the chain from her
leeway to do things like this.”
neck and passed it to him. The heavy gold
was etched in a simple geometric pattern.
“Hey, less time between today and payday
Set into it was a gem of a transparent
is good for me. No complaints here.”
purple hue. “Exceptional clarity. A fine
cut. Purple corundum? Most odd. Do you
***
know where it came from?” He handed it
back.
“I'm not sure the Wellington was the perfect
choice for this. But our wine cellar isn't the
“It's a family heirloom.” hide things.” He took a few bites from the
plate of ice he brought up from the
*** galley. “The engines are prepped. We
can do a double jump if you want, Sir.”
Seldon poured Elise the last from the bottle
of wine. He offered it to the Chief but he “Excellent” said Seldon, raising his glass to
held up a beer tube he had brought. the Chief. “That is precisely what I would
“Waste not, want not.” like to do. We don't have a good guess
about this cargo or this passenger. The
“So how is our precious noncargo?” asked sooner they are off our hands, the
the Chief, cracking his tube open. better.”
“Very reticent,” said Seldon. “Hardly said “We're out of occlusion with the sun,” said
anything the whole evening.” Elise. “I can send word to the station to
cancel our docking reservation and to let
“I've had dates like that”, said the Chief. the dockyard take their final payment
from escrow.”
“Are you sure it isn't because they couldn't
get a word in edgewise?” poked Elise. The Seldon looked to the Chief. “No issue
Chief guffawed. “We moved her personal here. We got what we paid for.”
effects to the cabin. The canister is locked
down in the hold. Can't say much about “Very well” said Seldon. “Please arrange
them. The effects scanned as plain clothes it so they get their money, with my
and the canister was shielded.” apologies. Start the countdown for
transition in two hours.” They both
“Not surprising, I guess”, said the Chief. “No nodded and left.
point to go through all this secrecy and not
By PO Bergstedt
CJ
By PO Bergstedt
CJ
years.
By Brett Kruger
A teaser setting
“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where
we started and know the place for the first time.” T. S. Eliot
Mankind has always had a thirst for the unknown. From the early days of exploration of the
pale blue dot that was mankind’s home world, to their expansion across the solar system,
there was the everpresent desire to know more of what is beyond the horizon. Still, mankind
was limited to the speed of their ion drives. Robotic probes were sent out to nearby stars,
their journeys taking decades to reach their targets. Humans continued to fight over the
riches of the worlds in their system while waiting for news of new worlds.
All that changed for humanity once viable fusion power plants could be engineered. Within
a few decades the power sources were small enough to power starships, and the next great
human breakthrough came. The theoretical Alcubierre warp drive became possible.
Instead of decades to cross the void the first warp ship completed the parsec to our nearest
star in just over two weeks. Suddenly the race was on as factions, corporations and
governments all vied to claim the stars. Once again exploration ships were built and sent
out. And they found …. nothing. The worlds orbiting the nearby stars were barren and
hostile to mankind. Still, bases and colonies were established and once again mankind set
about bringing resources back to their homes. However, the greatest discovery was yet to
come.
In 2357 CE an ice hauler working the rings of Saturn discovered something sitting just above
the atmospheric plane of the gas giant. Scanners show a large metallic ring floating in low
orbit above Saturn. Robotic probes were sent to investigate the ring and try and retrieve it,
but all attempts failed. Finally, scientists were sent down to investigate the ring. They
discovered it had a huge energy potential that seems to tap Saturn itself.
A week after the scientists began their investigations of the ring, the ‘Event’ happened. At
first the area inside the ring appeared to warp, like ripples across a pond, before a vortex
formed into a shimmering whirlpool. The scientists monitoring the ring realised the ring had
formed a quantum wormhole, a gateway to noone knew where. The United Earth
Government built and equipped a probe to send into the wormhole. The probe was
designed to try a survive the wormhole crossing, capture data on the other side and
attempt a return.
The probe was sent into the quantum ring, as the scientists like to call it now, and they
waited. Three days passed and, right on time, the probe exited out of the ring. The data
showed a system, not completely unlike the Sol system, at the other end of the wormhole.
Of even greater significance to the scientists, and the government, was that the data
showed an earthlike world in the other system, the first ever found outside the Sol system.
Plans were made and scientific teams were sent through the ring to the other world, and on
the other side more systems were discovered that were earthlike. The government tried to
keep the ring and the other systems a secret, tried to control the migration to the other
worlds, but it was all in vain.
The next great wave of human exploration had begun, and there was no putting the genie
back in the bottle.And Hell was waiting...
CJ
By Brett Kruger
The following products were released during the months of December through March. All
in all, it was a big couple of months for releases. The top four publishers in this list released
thirty four titles alone.
Michael Brown Ordo Arcanorum
Hazard: Limnic Eruption! Opus Magi: Psions
The Vitrified Village Opus Magi: the Catacombs of Paris
Hazard: Storm! Stellagama Publishing
Breathless Quantum Starfarer
Primary Attribute The Sword of Cepheus Reference
Starfall Wild Bee Publishing
Perils of the Innocent Andromeda Dragons Character
Hazard: Matterslip! Sheet
Hazard: Tsunami! Andromeda Dragons
Jane's Deception Okumarts Games
The Concrete Maelstrom Extrastellar Set Eighteen: Alien
Hazard: Tornado! Mercenaries
The Babylon Compulsion Extrastellar Set Seventeen: Space
Shots in the Dark Mercenaries
Inbound Monachus Press
The Ghosts of Torin Boomslang armed transport
A Gift Brought More Precious Kavouras Colonial freighter
Zozer Games CyborgPrime Publishing
HOSTILE Mega [BUNDLE] Starship Deck Plans For VTT:
Salvatoris NewtonClass Lab Ship
Warlords of Atlantis Starship Deck Plans For VTT:
HOSTILE Bughunters [BUNDLE] SultanaClass Far Trader
HOSTILE Double Shift [BUNDLE] Parts Per Million
Hostile Referee's Screen Deep Temple A 5e Compatible
Hostile Rules Adventure
Old School Role Playing Chaosium
Extraction Bibliophobia A Rules Light Solo
A Risky Proposition Roleplaying supplement
A Delicate Matter Moon Toad Publishing
Justice Denied Quick Ship File: Quixote Type ST
Rapture Class Scout
Expedition to the Crystal Caverns Surreal Estate Games
Independence Games Ship Dossier: Inanna Class Armed
Trade Empireclass Commercial Transport
Transport Felbrigg Herriot
Diverse Roles Third Edition Jihad
Anderson and Felix Guide to Naval Mongoose
Architecture Third Edition 100 Hooks and Rumours to Hear in
Clement Sector Third Edition or about Deneb
CJ
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000
Wizards of the Coast, Inc ('Wizards').
All Rights Reserved.
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This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice indicating that
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13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all
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14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such
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15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
High Guard System Reference Document Copyright © 2008, Mongoose Publishing.
Mercenary System Reference Document Copyright © 2008, Mongoose Publishing.
Modern System Reference Document Copyright 20022004, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.;
Authors Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Charles Ryan, Eric Cagle, David
Noonan, Stan!, Christopher Perkins, Rodney Thompson, and JD Wiker, based on material
by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Richard Baker, Peter Adkison, Bruce R.
Cordell, John Tynes, Andy Collins, and JD Wiker.
Swords & Wizardry Core Rules, Copyright 2008, Matthew J. Finch System Reference
Document, Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte
Cook, Skip Williams, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
T20 The Traveller's Handbook Copyright 2002, Quiklink Interactive, Inc. Traveller is a
trademark of Far Future Enterprises and is used under license.
Traveller System Reference Document Copyright © 2008, Mongoose Publishing.
Traveller is © 2008 Mongoose Publishing. Traveller and related logos, character, names,
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Mongoose Publishing Ltd Authorized User.
Cepheus Engine System Reference Document, Copyright © 2016 Samardan Press;
Author Jason "Flynn" Kemp
Sword of Cepheus, Copyright © 2020 Stellagama Publishing, Authors Omer GolanJoel,
Richard Hazlewood, and Josh Peters
Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined
in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e) and are not open content: All
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have previously been designated as Open Game Content or are in the public domain
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product identity (see above) any game mechanics are Open Game Content as
defined in the Open Gaming License version 1.0a section 1(d). No portion of this work
other than the material designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any
form without written permission. None of this product is open content.