TERRACIDE

A Space Opera Noir Setting for The HERO System, Sixth Edition

HHERO
SYSTEM
SIXTH EDITION

TERRACIDE
A Space Opera Noir Setting for The HERO System, Sixth Edition

HHERO
SYSTEM
SIXTH EDITION

AUTHOR

Grady F. Elliott

EDITING

Carol Darnell

LAYOUT AND
GRAPHIC DESIGN

Bill Terracidal Bunny Keyes

Hero System is DOJs trademark for its role-playing system

Hero System 1984, 1989, 2002 by DOJ Inc. d/b/a/ Hero Games. All Rights
Reserved.
Terracide 2011 by Grady Elliott. All Rights Reserved.
Character images 2011, HeroMachine.com; All character concepts 2011
Grady Elliott
http://www.herogames.com/

ART

Grady Elliott, Steve Furlani, Bill Keyes

SPECIAL THANKS TO
Brett Easterbrook, Brian Whitcraft,
Robert Harrison, Robert Dorf,
Ross Watson, Bill Keyes

http://www.blackwyrm.com
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or computerization, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the Publisher.
First printing August 2011. Produced and distributed by BlackWyrm Games.
SKU: BWG631
ISBN Number: 978-1-61318-631-2

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the 24th Century...................................................................... 5
Why Space Opera? Why Noir?..................................................................... 6
Whats different about the Terracide setting?............................................ 6
CHAPTER ONE
Per Ardua Ad Astra
A Timeline of the Terracide Universe
The New Space Age..................................................................................... 8
Interstellar Chronology................................................................................ 8
CHAPTER TWO
Aperoi Kosmoi
The Worlds of the Terracide Universe
The Core Loop............................................................................................ 14
History of the Core.................................................................................... 14
The Grand Tour..................................................................................... 15
The Systems of the Core Loop................................................................... 15
History of the Cluster................................................................................. 19
The Kruger 60 Cluster................................................................................ 19
The Systems of the Kruger 60 Cluster........................................................ 20
Unclaimed, Disputed and Occupied Systems.............................................. 24
No Mans Land........................................................................................... 24
CHAPTER THREE
Organizations in the Terracide Universe
Organizations............................................................................................. 26
Terran Organizations................................................................................. 26
Core Colony Organizations......................................................................... 27
Kruger 60 Cluster Organizations................................................................ 28
CHAPTER FOUR
Children of the Galaxy
The Aliens of the Terracide Universe
Aliens......................................................................................................... 32
The Keepers............................................................................................. 32
Fluorians.................................................................................................. 33
Ammonites............................................................................................... 34
Sirians..................................................................................................... 35
Jovians.................................................................................................... 35
Cytherians................................................................................................ 36
Titans....................................................................................................... 37
CHAPTER FIVE
Life in the 24th Century
Life in the 24th Century............................................................................. 40
Social Dynamics.................................................................................... 40
Quality of Life........................................................................................ 40
Why Are They Out There?...................................................................... 41
Physical Colony Types............................................................................ 41
The Basics of Survival in Space.............................................................. 42
Information technology........................................................................... 42
Interstellar Communications................................................................... 43
Other Technologies ............................................................................43
The Basics: Getting Around in Normal Space.............................................. 44
The Interstellar Overdrive....................................................................... 44
Traveling in Space..................................................................................... 44
Economics of FTL Travel ....................................................................... 45

CHAPTER SIX
Character Creation in Terracide
Character Creation..................................................................................... 48
Genetic Templates.................................................................................... 49
No Aliens?................................................................................................ 51
Background Templates.............................................................................. 51
Basic, Expert and Master Templates........................................................... 52
Education Templates.............................................................................. 53
Military Templates................................................................................. 53
Government Templates.......................................................................... 55
Criminal templates................................................................................. 57
Other Templates.................................................................................... 58
Characteristics.......................................................................................... 62
The Skill List............................................................................................. 63
Skills, Perks, & Talents............................................................................... 63
Perks....................................................................................................... 64
Talents..................................................................................................... 65
New Talents.......................................................................................... 65
Powers and Power Modifiers..................................................................... 65
Complications........................................................................................... 66

CHAPTER SEVEN
Sample Characters
Sample Characters.................................................................................... 68
CHAPTER EIGHT
Equipment
Equipment................................................................................................. 90
Technology Levels................................................................................. 90
Resource Points.................................................................................... 90
Firearms in the Colonies......................................................................... 90
Firearms Technology In the 24th Century..................................................... 91
Electrothermal-Chemical Weapons......................................................... 91
Gauss Weapons.................................................................................... 93
Rocket Weapons.................................................................................... 93
Shotguns and Grenade Launchers.......................................................... 94
Laser Weapons..................................................................................... 95
Personal Protective Equipment: Armor and Environmental Gear.................... 95
Body Armor........................................................................................... 96
Augmented Reality Systems...................................................................... 97
Medical Technology In the 24th Century...................................................... 98
Space Exploration Equipment..................................................................... 98
Other Equipment....................................................................................... 99
Terracide Equipment List...................................................................... 100
CHAPTER NINE
Spacecraft in the Terracide Universe
Designing Spacecraft.............................................................................. 104
Characteristics.................................................................................... 104
Finalizing the design: Crewmembers..................................................... 109
Rocket Science for Gamers..................................................................... 110
Sample Spacecraft.................................................................................. 112

CONTENTS (CONT.)
CHAPTER TEN
Combat in the Terracide Universe
Combat.................................................................................................... 134
New Martial Arts..................................................................................... 135
Zero-Gee Grappling............................................................................. 136
Space Combat......................................................................................... 139
Senses in Space Combat..................................................................... 139
Units in Space Combat......................................................................... 139
Movement in Space Combat................................................................. 139
Missiles in Space Combat.................................................................... 140
OCV and DCV in Space Combat............................................................ 140
Determining damage .......................................................................... 141
Optional Rules: Hit locations, Impairing and Disabling ........................... 141
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Marathon Free Station
Marathon Free station............................................................................. 144
Description............................................................................................. 145
Important Personnel................................................................................ 146
Entering Marathon: the Spaceport . ......................................................... 148
Other Important and Popular Locations..................................................... 148
The Marathon Free Station Campaign...................................................... 149

CHAPTER TWELVE
The GMs Vault
GMs Vault................................................................................................ 152
The Big Secrets...................................................................................... 152
The Military Junta................................................................................ 154
The Timeline of the Terricide Wars........................................................... 156
Campaign & Adventure concepts............................................................ 158
The Last Titan..................................................................................... 158
VeNoM Outbreak................................................................................. 158
Remember the Terracide! . .................................................................. 158
Alien Embargo..................................................................................... 158
Hearts and Minds................................................................................ 159
The Admirals Daughter....................................................................... 159
Finding Jack........................................................................................ 159
Space Cowboys................................................................................... 159
Adversaries.............................................................................................. 160
Aliens....................................................................................................... 170
Appendix One: Glossary........................................................................... 176
Appendix Two: Reading List..................................................................... 179
Appendix Three: Sample Spacecraft Names............................................ 180

WELCOME TO THE
24TH CENTURY

arth is a charred husk, rendered lifeBurn the land and boil the sea,
less by the Terracide, a relativistic
bombardment of unknown origin
you cant take the sky from me.
which scoured its surface, boiling
- Joss Whedon, 2002
not only the seas but the land itself, as the
outer crust turned to molten rock,now slowly
Chapter 6: Character Creation includes guidelines for using
cooling under constant rains of nitric acid. Elsewhere in the
the Hero System 6th edition rules to create player characters
Home System, every inhabited world, moon, comet or artififor Terracide campaigns.
cial habitat was shattered in the same attack. Those who try
to return and look for survivors are never heard from again.
Chapter 7: Sample Characters provides ten completed
In the aftermath, panicked survivors from the Core Loop
Terracide characters, with full character sheets, backColonies near Terra flee to the Frontier, causing a refugee
ground stories, and other information. They are organized
crisis across humanitys most far-flung space habitats. A mili- into two groups of five characters, but may be used in any
tary junta takes control of the Core, and begins consolidating combination.
its rule over all of Terran Space, while a few stubborn holdChapter 8: Equipment contains an extensive list of items
outs prepare to fight for their independence. The Colonial
Reserve Fleet suffers from mass desertions, as its space crews useful to Terracide player characters: survival gear, personal
info-tech, tools, personal armor, and of course, weapons of
turn private, becoming mercenaries or resorting to outright
various types.
piracy. And agitators looking for someone to blame for the
Terracide threaten to wage wars against various powerful
Chapter 9: Spacecraft explains how to use the Hero System
alien species wars humanity cannot win.
6th edition vehicle rules to design spacecraft for Terracide.
Humanitys home is now off-limits. Welcome to the rest
This chapter also includes a variety of pre-designed spaceof the Galaxy, in 2311 A.D.
craft, with completed vehicle sheets and background
Terracide presents a new setting for Star HERO
information.
campaigns, in the space opera noir style. This book has
Chapter 10: Combat discusses personal and space combat in
everything you need to create characters, equip them, and
write adventures based in the Terracide setting. Whats in this Terracide, both of which use Hero System 6th edition rules,
with some optional rules and modifications.
book:
Chapter 1: Per Ardua Ad Astra (Through Adversity to the
Stars) presents the future history timeline leading up to the
Terracide, covering the next three centuries.
Chapter 2: Aperoi Kosmoi (The Plurality of Worlds) describes
the settlements of human space: the star systems, worlds and
space colonies which humanity inhabits over the next three
centuries.

Chapter 11: Description of Marathon Free Station

Chapter 12: The GMs Vault includes many of the secrets of
the Terracide Galaxy, which should be read by game-masters
only. The information in this chapter will spoil most of
Terracides plot-lines for players who read it.
The Appendix includes a glossary and reading list.

Chapter 3: Organizations covers the most important

political, military, intelligence and non-government groups
in Terran Space in the 24th century.
Chapter 4: Children of the Galaxy describes the alien species
which have been encountered in Terran Space.
Chapter 5: Life in the 24th Century provides a detailed look
at life in the worlds of Terran Space, especially the artificial
space habitats.
Worlds may freeze and suns may
perish, but there stirs something
within us now that can never die
again.

-H. G. Wells, 1902

WHY SPACE OPERA?

WHY NOIR?
The term space opera was originally a perjorative,
descriptive of a poorly-written, overblown science-fiction
story full of worn-out cliches. And for a while, the space
opera sub-genre was considered to be dead -- or at least in
suspended animation -- but a number of stories and authors
in the 1970s (most notably Star Wars, in pop culture terms)
revitalized interest in space opera.
In the decades since then, space opera has continued
to evolve. Most importantly, the writing has gotten better.
Another trend among modern space opera authors has been
to replace the rubber science which used to typify the genre
with harder science. In some cases, the overall tone of the
stories has gotten darker, which has lead to the term space
opera noir being applied to them. This change in tone is the
key difference between old school space opera and space
opera noir, and its the root of most of the other differences,
as well:
Optimisim

is key in space opera; the world can be saved,

the villain can be defeated, and all will be right in the
end. In space opera noir, it may not be possible to save
the world, but life will go on for the survivors, and the
heroes may have to sacrifice a great deal to achieve even
this much.

The

action takes place on a large scale. The setting, plot

and action are all larger-than-life. In traditional space
operas, this sense of scale is grandiose and impressive; in
space opera noir, its more likely to be intimidating and
oppressive.

The

characters are also larger-than-life, if not downright

outlandish. In space opera, the heroes are usually sympathetic, while the villains are obviously malevolent; their
differences are black-and-white. In space opera noir, the
characters tend to be more complex. Heroes may have
less-than-heroic backgrounds, while the villains might
actually have sympathetic motivations for their evil
actions; the morality separating them being a rather large
grey area.

The

action is highly dramatic, often violent. Warfare,

piracy, covert operations and crime are common subjects
in space opera, and the resulting stories usually feature
exciting action sequences with lots of violence. In space
opera noir, violence is often portrayed with less glamour
and more realism, forcing characters to face the consequences of their actions.

There are of course, a few things which never change, in

any space opera, noir or otherwise:
Space

operas are usually set in the far future. The definition of far is usually expressed as a minimum. At least
a century in the future, or more than a human lifetime
in the future are good definitions. There doesnt seem to
be a maximum, other than the heat death of the universe
itself, which has been the subject of at least one modern
space opera story! Of course this isnt an iron-clad rule; if
you wish to write a space opera adventure which begins
A long time ago... it might work out okay.

Space

operas are usually set (naturally) in space. They

may take place on an alien world, or several worlds, a
huge space habitat of either human or alien origin or
even a strange planet known as Earth. Exotic locations
are the standard, whether dangerous untamed wilderness
or decadent crowded cities.

Getting

there is half the fun! Nearly all space operas

feature space travel, usally in some sort of spaceship.
This is an iconic symbol of the genre sometimes a plot
device, but often a setting in its own right, or even a character in the story. Some space operas focus entirely on the
crews of spaceships: the exploits of a squadron of fighter
jocks, the crew of a heavy cruiser on an exploratory
mission, or a bunch of misfits on a beat-up old cargo ship
have all been successful casting formulas.

Whats Different About

the Terracide Setting?

Terracide is very much in keeping with the space opera

noir tone; its too late to save the world, and now our heroes
must deal with the survivors, many of whom disagree on
what to do next. There are a few points where Terracide
differs strongly from some other science-fiction settings,
which players and GMs should be aware of.
Earth-like

worlds are extremely rare. There used to be

exactly one Earth. Now its gone. Having failed in its
efforts to find another Earth, humanity decided to make
one. There are several terraforming projects under way,
but all are centuries from completion.
are not like us. They arent even remotely
humanoid in appearance, didnt evolve on Earth-like
worlds, dont breathe oxygen, and most dont have spoken
languages. Dealing with them successfully requires
specialized knowledge.

Aliens

science is not welcome. With the exception of

the FTL drive, the technology presented in Terracide is
at least loosely based on real-world science. There is no
artificial gravity, no reactionless drive, and no ill-defined
energy weapons known as blasters.

Rubber

laws of physics are in effect. Gunfire in a rotating

space habitat will be thrown off by the rotation.
Ramming speed is 100% fatal in space combat, for both
spacecraft involved no survivors. Psionics is a ploy
used by con-men to scam true-believers out of their last
credits.

The

CHAPTER ONE:

PER ARDUA AD ASTRA

A TIMELINE OF THE
TERRACIDE UNIVERSE

1: Per Ardua Ad Astra

THE NEW
SPACE AGE
There will come a day
when only one unspoiled
place remains on Earth;at
which point the only people
rich enough to live there
will be the trillionaires
who made their fortunes
by ruining the rest of the
world for everyone else.

- Unknown 21st century pundit

he beginning of the 21st century saw mankinds

attention turned inward, in more ways than one.
The first half of the Biological Century saw
humanity great strides in the life sciences and the
inner space of the human body, even as their homeworld
was slowly dying all around them. By mid-century, the
problem could no longer be ignored, and things began to
change for the better, slowly. Too little, too late.
Alternate energy sources replaced nearly depleted fossil
fuels, and many other green programs were instituted in
desperation. While this prevented the earths climate from
getting any worse, it wasnt sufficient to undo the damage
already done. More drastic measures were needed. The
G-100 (formerly the G-20) turned to geo-engineering,
both on the surface and in earth orbit, to turn the tide,
thus starting a renewed multi-national space program on a
massive scale.
In the latter half of the 21st century, the Solar System was
opened up to human exploration once again, and the worlds
visited by robotic probes a century earlier were revisited,
this time by planetary scientists in the flesh. In many cases,
permanent research stations were established. Where
resources were available, mining and other extraction operations started up, to build the infrastructure needed to terraform the earth back to its original climate. And everywhere,
the mission statement of Terran Global Operations could be
seen Saving the World for Fun and Profit.
The Biological Century lived up to its name even after
humanitys attention turned outward once again. Through
genetic engineering, humanity worked to improved itself
and adapted to new environments. The Gemini, Aquarius,
Mensae and Aquila types were all created during the final
decades of the 21st century. By the dawn of the following
century, baseline humans were on their way to becoming a
minority in the off-world habitats.

INTERSTELLAR
CHRONOLOGY
The 22nd century came to be known as the Interstellar
Century, as it saw mankinds reach extend from the Home
System to those nearby. This brought about a great many
changes: contact with aliens, fortunes made and lost, new
worlds discovered, battles fought, and lives sacrificed for the
cause of exploration. But in his efforts to reach out to other
worlds, man created the means by which his own would be
forever changed. The hazard which all spacefaring species
must eventually face is that the immense power needed to
visit distant worlds may also be used to threaten them. And
this is never more true than when going home....

2103

The

Global Assembly (formerly the G-100) funds the first

crewed interstellar mission. The Zheng He is expected to
reach Proxima Centauri in 20 years.

2123

The

Zheng He arrives at Proxima Centauri, and makes

contact with aliens known as the Keepers: helium-3 entities which live on the dark side of a tide-locked world.
They offer to sell humanity an FTL propulsion system
on credit. The captain of Zheng He buys it.

2143

Zheng

He returns to Terra, files report with Global

Assembly, which is immediately classified. Details of the
mission leak out anyway. The Assemblys High Council
on Space Transportation, HCST, claims sole rights to
develop the FTL technology, and declares further contact
with the Keepers forbidden.
News of contact with aliens causes a great deal of discussion and consternation, but the facts that theyre peaceful,
out of reach, and very much Not Like Us puts a damper
on most of the media frenzy. Most people simply dont
find the Keepers interesting.

2147

HCST

interplanetary vessel Coronado is retro-fitted

with the new Interstellar Overdrive, and travels to Alpha
Centauri in 25 days. The return trip takes just as long.

2149

Construction

begins.

2152

Exploration

of a dedicated HCST exploration fleet

of the Core Loop begins a circuit of 12

systems beginning and ending at Terra. Two flotillas
set out: one by way of Barnards star, bound for Epsilon
Indi and Tau Ceti; and another to Wolf 359, with stops
at Procyon and Sirius. They planned to meet at Epsilon
Eridani to complete the loop, then return home.

2171

To venture into space

Wolf 359 flotilla

TGO completes
we must be strong-willed
reaches Procyon and
construction of a new Fusion
and determined. We must be
makes contact with the
Propulsion Lab in the Oort
fully committed to its exploFluorians, and agree to
Cloud, with the stated intenration and discovery. Space
have further meetings to
tion of launching its own
permits no half measures
negotiate trade agreements.
(sublight) interstellar colony
and is unforgiving of
As a goodwill gesture, they
mission. This is widely seen as
mistakes.
warn the Terrans not to
a waste of time.
-Henry Joy McCracken
continue their mission to
2173
the Sirius system space
TGO exploration
craft which go there do not
vessel Tangaroa is launched from Fusion Lab at high
return. Although they leave a courier behind, the rest of
acceleration, reaching relativistic speeds in less than a
the flotilla heads toward Sirius; to the Fluorians dismay,
month using a massive particle beam. Its on a heading
it vanishes.
for Groombridge 34, beyond the range of Interstellar
2154
Overdrive, and moving too fast for a normal intercept.
The Barnards Star flotilla arrives at Epsilon Eridani
ISTAR occupies the Fusion Lab to monitor the missions
and makes contact with yet another alien species, the
progress.
Ammonites. Relations get off to a rocky start as the
2174
Terran flotillas officers expected the Wolf 359 flotilla to
The terrorist organization known as the Scions of Gaia
meet them, and initially suspected the Ammonites of
infiltrate the Fusion Propulsion Lab, and fire its particle
destroying it prior to their arrival. Eventually this misunbeam at Earth. They succeed in destabilizing the Antarctic
derstanding is worked out, but with long-lasting reprecusice shelf, resulting in a global flood of biblical proporsions: Ammonites and Terrans never come to quite trust
tions. Billions of people are displaced.
each other easily.
The

2158

2175

2160

2176

Formal

trade missions are established at Procyon and

Epsilon Eridani. Armed Terran vesselsin both systems
enforce a ban on travel to Sirius until the nature of the
threat it presents is more fully understood.

Terraforming

projects are begun at Epsilon Indi and

Tau Ceti. Terran Global Operations is awarded prime
contractor status on both, and renamed Terran Galactic
Operations (TGO).

2161

Way

stations are established at several undeveloped

systems on the Core Loop route, with TGO contracted to
build and maintain them.

2162

The

Core Loop is completed when Sirius is by-passed by

an alternate route through threeother systems, including
Omicron Eridani.

2163

The

influx of alien technology causes wild market swings

on Terra, leading to a series of financial crises. Trillions of
dollars in investments are lost.

2164

ISTAR

(InterStellar Tarrif Arbitration Regime) is established to regulate alien trade, both on Terra and in the
colonies. Terran markets stabilize, but profits from alien
trade plummet.

2166

HCST

falls behind on payments to the Keepers for FTL

technology, markets crash again.

2169

An

ISTAR customs enforcement fleet attempts mission to

Sirius, and is lost without a trace.

1: Per Ardua Ad Astra

2153

ISTAR

blames TGO for the incident, citing faulty security

systems at the Fusion Lab. TGO defends itself, citing
ISTARs occupation of the facility as the reason for lax
security.

TGO

moves its corporate headquarters off Terra, to

the UV Ceti system, in a move to forestall efforts to
shut down the company. TGO also launches a massive
humanitarian aid campaign for flood victims, providing
relocation services and grants for those wishing to move
to the extra-solar colonies.

2177

ISTAR

attempts to sieze TGO terraforming works and

way stations for the security ofhumanitys future, but
the measure fails due to lack of popular support in the
colonies.

2180

TGOs

contracts for Core Loop way stations are not

renewed. ISTAR awards contracts to Stellar Express. TGO
profits drop sharply, hampering its flood-relief efforts.

2181

ISTAR

decides to put an end to the threat of the Sirius

system once and for all. A massive war fleet equipped
with advanced weaponry of likely alien origin, invades
Sirius, and engages an alien fleet there. Both sides take
very heavy losses, but in the end the Terrans hold the
system. The aliens depart before they are identified; no
intact remains are found.

2182

ISTAR

finds alien structures in orbit around Sirius B,

which are immediately classified and declared off-limits.
A research station is established there, and only those
authorized to study the site are permitted entry. The
Sirius A system is opened for traffic between Procyon and
Epsilon Eridani, and the Sophontology Studies Institute is
founded there.

1: Per Ardua Ad Astra

2184

of an orbital tower begins on Terra, under

Global Assembly control.

2187

Tangaroa

arrives at Groombridge 34A, and finds the

system empty. After a lengthy crossing to Groombridge
34B, the crew finds what they were looking for: another
Keeper world, one which ISTAR hasnt found yet. To their
surprise, the Keepers at Groombridge 34B know all about
Terrans even the HCSTs contract with the Keepers at
Proxima, and their late payments!
Tangaroas captain negotiates a new contract on behalf
of TGO, after providing the Keepers with a prospectus
which satisfies them that TGO can make its payments
on time. The crewthen transmit the technical data for
the FTL drive to company HQ at UV Ceti via quantumentangled communicator, and go into hibernation to
await rescue.

2188

TGO

engineers analyze the data on the Interstellar

Overdrive, and make improvements onthe design used
by HCSTs vessels for the last 40 years, achieving a 12%
increase in range, and a 26% increase in speed.

2189

TGO

begins construction of its own fleet, using FTL2.0

technology.

2190

- Marcus Cole, Babylon 5

The beginning of the 23rd century saw Earth in the

throes of an ongoing global exodus, fueled by a desire to
flee a world in crisis and cheap access to space. It also saw
the opening of a new frontier in the Kruger 60 Cluster,
and the emergence of Terran Galactic as a viable interstellar corporate state. These events would be overshadowed, however, by developments which would forever
define mans understanding of his place in the galaxy:
a war with hostile aliens lasting five decades, the first
human genome engineered by aliens, and two colonies
lost to Von Neumann machines of apparently alien origin.
The 23rd would be known to historians as The Alien
Century.

2200

2191

2201

follow-up FTL mission to Groombridge 34 finds no

trace of the Tangaroa or its crew. The Keepers have
nothing to say on the matter.

TGO

begins selling FTL1.0 vessels in the core, setting

off its first trade war with ISTAR. The company declares
itself an independent polity, outside ISTAR jurisdiction

2193

Marathon

Station is established in Groombridge 34B

system as a point of contact betweenTGO representatives and the Keepers, in violation of HCSTs ban. Unable
to reach the Groombridge 34 system with its older FTL
drives, ISTAR has no means to enforce this.

2194

Trade

war ends due to superiority of TGOs advanced

FTL fleet. Although ISTARs fleet is larger both in tonnage
and raw numbers, FTL2.0 gives TGO an insurmountable
strategic advantage in terms of range and speed.

2195

TGO

founds a new colony in the 61 Cygni system, which

grows rapidly, fueled by the Terran Exodus.

ISTAR

creates the Ursa-type genome to defend the Core

colonies and CRF vessels. The new troopers are immediately glamorized in the popular media as super soldiers.
In combat, they have no difficulty living up to their
reputation.

2202

The

Free Trade League is formed by independent spacemerchants in opposition to ISTARpolicies and regulations. TGO provides the League with FTL2.0 technology.

2203
An

independent explorer makes first contact with a new

alien species, the Jovians, in the Alula Australis system.
Jovians are vast in size several kilometers across and
equally vast in intelligence. The first Virgo-type human is
created by the Jovians, at their human visitors request.

Using

2204

2197

2206

Marathon Station as a base of operations, TGO

begins exploring the Kruger 60Cluster. Successful
missions return from 61 Cygni, Kruger 60 and Eta
Cassiopaeia.

Completetion

of the Orbital Tower sends the Terran

Exodus into a new phase, as the number of refugees
leaving Earth each week increases by an order of magnitude. HCST begins a new phase of colonization beyond
the Core Loop. TGO also agrees to take on all qualified
applicants as rapidly as habitat space can be constructed
in the Kruger 60 Cluster.

10

I used to think it was

awful that life was so
unfair. Then I thought,
wouldnt it be much worse
if life were fair, and all
the terrible things that
happen to us come because
we actually deserve
them? So, now I take great
comfort in the general
hostility and unfairness of
the universe.

Constrution

new TGO trade mission is founded at Eta Cassiopaeia,

alongside trade missions belonging to Fluorians, Ammonites, and a newly-encountered species, the Cytherians.

ISTAR

acquires FTL2.0 technology from impounded Free

Trade League vessel.

2207
In

spite of warnings by the Fluorians of Eta Cassiopaeia,

TGO explorers enter the SigmaDraconis system. They
find a world ideal for terraforming, but their vessel is
destroyed by Titans a hostile alien species previously
unkown to humanity.

2236

2210

2238

An

abandoned science outpost at EV Lacerta isleased to a

group of utopian colonists.

Political

exiles from Terra begin settling at Agharta

system. (G208-44)

2212

Cooperative

of Ares-types begin Terraforming operations

at New Cydonia.

2213

TGO

2215

TGO

establishes a military base at Kruger 60.

vessels attached by Titans at Struve 2398 system.

2216

TGO

explorers skirmish with Titans at BD+68 946

system.

2218

Colony

at Zeta Reticuli attacked by Von Neumann

Machines. (Venoms)

2219

ISTAR

claims jurisdiction over all outer colonies, including Zeta Reticuli.

2220

ISTAR

boards several vessels bound for the outer colonies, including TGO traffic headed for the Kruger 60
Cluster.

2221

TGO

reveals the existence of its own geneticallyengineered troops, the Leo-types. The use of carnivore
DNA to enhance human combat effectiveness is widely
condemned. The new Leo-types prove themselves quickly,
but the unpopular first impression refuses to go away.

2222

The

second trade war between ISTAR and TGO begins.

Stellar Express throws its support behind ISTAR; the Free
Trade League supports TGO.

2227

Atrocities

committed at the battle of Procyon draw sharp

criticism of both sides from the UN, the GlobalAssembly,
and the Fluorian Plenum.

2228

Council on Space Transport threatens to send out

the Terran Home Fleet as a peace-keeping force to end the
trade war.

Second

terrforming effort at Sigma Draconis with armed

escorts destroyed by Titans.

TGO

sends third mission to Sigma Draconis, with a full

military task force for escort. The Titans attack again,
refusing all communications and driving the Terrans out
of the system.

2239

The

Planetary Conservation Society (PCS) begins

protesting terraforming efforts at New Cydonia, Tau Ceti,
and Epsilon Indi. Some of the protests become violent.

2241

Sabotage

by PCS activists results in the deaths of 2000

terraformers at Tau Ceti.

2242

HCST

and TGO launch a joint effort to fight the PCS

campaign of violence against terraformers.

2245

HCST

2246

Omicron

declares itself an independent polity, and

requests TGO assistance.

2249

After

a three-year stand-off, Omicron Colony is placed

under ISTAR administration.

2253

Titan

vessel sighted in Kruger 60 system, then driven off

after exchanging fire with TGOCelestial Guard vessels.

2255

Titan

vessels sighted in Agharta, EV Lacerta, and

New Cydonia. Colonists in all threesystems demand
protection.

2258

TGO

Celestial Guard decides to drive the Titans out of

the Kruger 60 Cluster for good. The first battles are a
disaster for the Guards fleets. The Titans, however, do not
seem interested in finishing the war.

2262

The

Terran Exodus reaches the milestone rate of one

million per year.

High

2265

2229

2267

All

the belligerent parties sign the Van Maanen Accords,

ending the trade war and agreeing to abide by rules of
civilized space warfare.

2230

TGO

agrees to support independent colonies beyond the

Kruger 60 Cluster.

2233

TGO

attempts to begin terraforming operations at Sigma

Draconis. Titans attack, leaving no survivors. All efforts
to communicate with the aliens are a complete failure.

announces budget cuts at Omicron Colony.

1: Per Ardua Ad Astra

2208

TGO

Celestial Guard begins field trials of new vessels

designed to stand up against Titansin space combat.

newly-built Celestial Guard Fleet Intruder vessel on

field trials is stolen intact by Titans,along with its crew
and a full load of weaponry. They scan it thoroughly and
return it, completely unharmed.

2269

Independent

colony in the Iota Persei system is lost to

Venoms similar to those which attacked Zeta Reticuli.
This time, alien origin is confirmed.

2270

ISTAR

claims jurisdiction over the alien problems in

Kruger 60 Cluster and beyond. The CRF moves to enforce
ISTAR control.

11

1: Per Ardua Ad Astra

2271

2298

2272

2301

TGO

resists ISTAR encroachment with armed force,

refusing to allow CRF vessels passage through the Kruger
60 Cluster. This begins the third trade war between the
two organizations.

CRF task force attempting to enter the Kruger 60

Cluster via the Snake-Eyes system(BD+68 946) exchanges
fire with Titans, drawing the aliens into the conflict.

2273

Fighting

between TGO Celestial Guard, ISTAR Colonial

Reserves, and the Titans Draconis Syndicate expands to
include most of the Kruger 60 Cluster.

2277

TGO

begins upgrading Celestial Guard vessels to FTL3.0,

giving them a substantialtechnical advantage over Colonial Reserves, and partly closing the performance gap
with Titan vessels.

2280

ISTAR

unilaterally declares a cease-fire; Colonial Reserves

leave the Kruger 60 Cluster.
The Celestial Guard fleet, no longer fighting a war on two
fronts, begins to focus its efforts on driving off the Titans.

2284

After

half a century of on-and-off hostilities, the Titans

are forced out of Terran space via the Chi Draconis
system, the across the Draconis Void. No Terran vessel
has sufficient range to chase the Titans beyond this point.

2285

TGO

releases FTL2.0 technology into the public domain,

making it available to anyone who can afford an interstellar spacecraft. Various groups immediately begin
making plans for colonies beyond the frontier, creating a
new client base for TGO.

2286

The

TGO employee-citizens of Marathon Station exercise

their buy-out option, and establish the independent polity
of Marathon Free Station.

2287

Terraforming

efforts are renewed at Sigma Draconis, this

time with a reasonable chance that no hostile aliens will
interfere.

2288

Several

independent colonies in Agharta and EV Lacerta

decide to sell controlling interest to TGO, becoming part
of the corporate state.

2289

Completion

of new Celestial Guard military bases in Ross

248 and Snake-Eyes systems.

2291

New

colony known as Cardea founded in Struve 2398

system. At this point, every system in the Kruger 60
Cluster has a permanent human presence.

2294
A

12

rogue Titan is sighted in several systems in the Kruger

60 Cluster, but efforts to destroy it are unsuccessful, and it
escapes. It goes into hiding afterwards, but is still believed
to be somewhere in the region.

Plague

strikes at Omicron colony due to faulty lifesupport and poor living conditions. The Free Trade
League and Doctors Without Limits sponsor a relief effort
which saves thecolony... temporarily.

Omicron

colony suffers a major life support crisis. Under

ISTAR orders, the CRF evacuates most of the residents.
Many do not wish to leave, and resist the efforts of CRF
troops to relocate them. The troops respond with deadly
force, resulting in hundreds of casualties.

2302

The

supposedly abandoned colony at Omicron becomes a

haven for outlaws.

2304

Several

CRF officers are court-martialed for the Omicron

Incident but are convicted of only minor charges and
given light sentences. Having been relocated all over the
Core Colonies, the victims families are unable to coordinate any significant protest.

2308
In

an incident known as the New Cydonia Massacre, 100

PCS protesters are killed after intentionally landing their
shuttle in the path of cometary impact. They hoped their
presence in the impact zone would prompt the terraformers to cancel the impact, not realizing it was already
much too late to alter the comets course in any event.

2310

Under

orders from ISTAR to clean out the rabble at

Omicron, the CRF sends a troop ship to the outlaw
colony. It never reports back.

2311

Terra

and the rest of the Home System sterilized by a relativistic strike of unknown, probably alien origin, known
as the Terracide. There are no survivors.

2
CHAPTER TWO:

APEROI KOSMOI

THE PLURALITY OF WORLDS

2: Aperoi Kosmoi
14

THE CORE LOOP

HISTORY OF THE CORE
The exploration of the Core Systems began with the first
sub-light missions to nearby star systems. Robotic probes
launched towards the Centauri system were overtaken by
breakthroughs in fusion propulsion which enabled manned
spacecraft to make the journey. In 2103, following a twentyyear crossing, the Global Assemblys Zheng He arrived at
Proxima, and found the Keepers waiting for them on a dark,
icy world previously thought to be lifeless. Upon establishing
contact, the Keepers sold the Zheng Hes crew data on fasterthan-light travel, which the Zheng He took back to Terra.
After acquiring the FTL drive, the High Council on
Space Transport built a proof of concept vessel known as
Magellan, demonstrated the Interstellar Overdrive in 2147
by travelling to Alpha Centauri and back in 25 days its
drive had a top speed of 64C, and a range of eight light-years.
This put a number of systems within the reach of HCSTs
new exploration fleet, but left others inaccessible a fact
which would have far-reaching consequences for humanitys
future in the galaxy.
The next system visited by humanity was Wolf 359. From
there, the explorers travelled to DX Cancri, and then the
Procyon system, where they found the second alien species
known to humanity the Fluorians. It soon became apparent
that the Fluorians werent native to Procyon, and the Terrans
had discovered a small colony. The Fluorians of Procyon
were, fortunately, pleased to have visitors and quickly agreed
to speak with Terran diplomats in order to make arrangements for mutually beneficial trade.
The Fluorians also gave the Terrans a warning: Do not
proceed beyond Procyon to the Sirius system. They told their
new trading partners it was too dangerous for them. The
Terrans assured them that they would use all due caution
and sent an exploration vessel anyway. It didnt come back.
Although it would take a while, humanity was learning the
wisdom of heeding the Fluorians advice.
In the other direction, exploration vessels proceeded
from Barnards Star to Ross 154, and Lacaille 8760, finding
lifeless systems with empty worlds. Then, in the Epsilon Indi
system, explorers found what they had been looking for: a
world suitable for terraforming. Another was found in the
Tau Ceti system, by way of Lacaille 9352. Beyond Tau Ceti,
the last system in the Core Loop was Epsilon Eridani; there,
humanity met the Ammonites on an icy moon orbiting a gas
giant.
Establishing trade relations with the Ammonites was
not so easy as with the Fluorians although the benefits
were obvious-- they were more inclined to be suspicious.
And they gave their new neighbors the same warning as the
Fluorians: Avoid the Sirius star system. However, the shortest
route between Procyon and Epsilon Eridani was via Sirius.
Another mission to Sirius was lost trying to establish such a
route.

Instead, the Sirius system had to be bypassed, via

Omicron Eridani, BD-03 1123, and Ross 614. Aside from
being the shortest route from Epsilon Eridani to Procyon,
these systems had little to offer, but the HCST established a
colony at Omicron Eridani to provide a safe port of call for
traffic on this route. This completed the so-called Core Loop,
a complete circuit of star systems which could all be serviced
by a single circular route beginning and ending at Terra.
The colonies, way stations and outposts in these systems
are administered by HCST, which has created a bureaucracy
to oversee the details of their operation. For most citizens of
the Core Loop Systems, this has had an unfortunate effect on
the quality of life: it sucks. Corrupt, indifferent officials use
and abuse their positions of authority to insure their own
comfort in the colonies until they finish their tour and retire
to Terra as rich ex-bureaucrats. Their official responsibilities usually take a back seat to their personal agendas, with
appalling results.
The Core Colonies are in poor repair, economically
disadvantaged, and always short on needed supplies. This has
resulted in the rise of a thriving black market throughout the
Core Loop, which ironically , is often run by the same people
who caused the shortages to begin with. Its not unusual
for a colonial official to report a shortage of vitally needed
supplies, then clean up selling the deficit at an exhorbitant
mark-up under the table.
Trade between the Core Loop systems and Terra is
likewise compromised by corruption. The InterStellar Tariff
Arbritration Regime (ISTAR) is responsible for preventing
trade in dangerous alien technology, which turns out to
be just about anything of alien origin. Officially, almost
any spacecraft carrying alien tech is subject to intercept,
boarding, or even impound by ISTAR forces. However, traffic
in alien technology is still very much in demand, and it still
goes on. The Stellar Express company has an understanding
with ISTAR which allows them to smuggle alien tech
throughout the Core at a huge profit without ISTAR interference. In return, they share newly-discovered alien tech with
ISTAR.
This state of affairs is enforced by the armed services of
the Global Assembly. The Terran Home Fleet is responsible
for the safety of Terra, which is its home port. The Home
Fleet is a state-of-the-art force of advanced warships which
makes periodic tours through the Core Loop for the purpose
of flying the flag and promoting Terran interests in the
Core systems. However, the entire fleet is seldom in the same
system; these Grand Tours usually consist of flotillas representing a small fraction of the Home Fleets strength.
Most of the work of patrolling the Core Loop systems is
performed by the Colonial Reserve Fleet. Although much
larger than the Home Fleet, the CRF is composed of older,
less-advanced vessels and crewed by a mix of Terrans and
Colonials. The CRF suppresses piracy, assists spacecraft in
distress, escorts merchants through hazardous areas, and
insure that Terran facilities and personnel are safe from
potential alien incursions.

THE SYSTEMS OF
THE CORE LOOP
A number of systems in the Core Loop are relatively
uninhabited, except for way stations established to provide
safe ports of call for Core Loop traffic. These way stations
were originally constructed and operated by Terran Galactic
Operations. However, due to the Scions of Gaia incident,
the contract for running these way stations was awarded to
Stellar Express in 2180.
A way station is a small facility built for the single
purpose of servicing spacecraft passing through the system.
It is always constructed near a local fuel source, with a
habitat for several hundred personnel in orbit, and often
with a surface installation for fuel processing. The orbital
facility has spin-gravity and a full closed-cycle life support
system, as well as defensive weaponry to protect itself from
hostile spacecraft. Way station duty consists of a two-year
tour of duty, and is not popular duty with Colonial Reserves
or HCST personnel. The following systems are sites of way
stations:
Barnards Star

TGO way station, occupied by Colonial

Reserve Fleet

Ross 154

Transfer point to 36 Ophiuchi, and 70

Ophiuchi

Lacaille 8760

Independent

Lacaille 9352

Variable star

BD-03 1123

Abandoned in 2182

Ross 614

Abandoned in 2182

DX Cancri

Restricted to military traffic

Wolf 359

Flare star

No matter how vast,

how total, the failure
of man here on earth,
the work of man will be
resumed elsewhere.

-Henry Miller, 1944

The way stations BD-03 1123 and Ross 614 were abandoned after the Sirius system was opened to traffic, and are
rumored to have been taken over by privateers. They have yet
to be identified, but the most likely culprits are rogue Stellar
Express crews or deserters from the Colonial Reserves.
Whoever they are, these privateers are well-equipped and
appear to know what theyre doing. The other abandoned
way stations are in areas which the Colonial Reserve Fleet
still patrols. Lacaille 8760 is operated by a consortium of
independent colonists supporting traffic to Delta Pavonis and
points beyond. The DX Cancri station is now under military
jurisdiction by the Colonial Reserve Fleet. Way stations at
Ross 154, Lacaille 9352 and Wolf 359 are still operated by
ISTAR.
The Barnards Star system was dropped from the Grand
Tour decades ago, after which Terran Galactic constructed
its own way station there to service FTL3.0 traffic bound
for 61 Cygni. However, after the Terracide, traffic between
Terra and 61 Cygni dropped to nothing. When the Colonial
Reserve Fleet occupied the Barnards Star way station, TGO
personnel fled to 61 Cygni.

2: Aperoi Kosmoi

The Grand Tour

During the first decades of its settlement, a circular route

through all the Core Systems was established, which became
known as the Grand Tour. Terran vessels visited each system
for two weeks, then returned to Terra, which took nearly two
years using the original version of the Interstellar Overdrive.
Since those early days, the Grand Tour has been through
many changes. Modern versions of the Drive are faster
and have longer range, which allows spacecraft making the
Tour to bypass some of the old way stations. Since the Sirius
system was opened to Terran traffic in 2182, three systems
used to bypass it (Omicron Eridani, BD-03 1123, and Ross
614) have been taken off the route. The modern version of
the Grand Tour consists of only ten star systems, and only
takes 64 weeks to complete.

ALPHA/BETA CENTAURI AND PROXIMA CENTAURI

Alpha/Beta Centauri and Proxima Centauri are
approximately 15,000au apart, which is just over 23 hours via
Interstellar Overdrive. For this reason they are considered a
single system. The binary system of Alpha and Beta Centauri
is the site of the oldest space colonies in the Core, while
Proxima Centauri is the site of humanitys first meeting with
aliens, the Keepers.
Alpha and Beta Centauri are separated by an average of
24au, and sport a number of asteroid belts; their proximity
to each other, combined with a large gas giant orbiting Alpha
Centauri at 2.8au, seems to have disrupted the formation
of a normal planetary system more than expected. Closer
in, there are two rocky worlds, both with hot, dense atmospheres, and two asteroid belts, one of them where an earthlike world would have been. The largest settlement in the
system is here: an asteroid habitat known as Rigil Kentaurus.
The rest of the main belt is heavily developed by mining
operations.
Proxima Centauri is home to a small outpost supporting
ISTARs mission to the Keepers. The flow of information
from the Keepers vast store of knowledge to humanity is
strictly controlled. All inquiries must go through ISTAR, and
only ISTAR personnel are allowed to speak directly with the
Keepers themselves.

EPSILON INDI
Epsilon Indis closest planet (at 0.4au) is considered a
good candidate for terraforming: a pre-biotic world which
can be made similar to Terra, given enough time and effort.
However, there are some things about Tierra Nueva which
wont change: its axial tilt is higher than Earths (35 degrees),
its gravity is 7% higher, and its day is three times as long. In
a few centuries, however, the climate over much of its surface
will allow humanity to live there without life-support. This
is the primary focus of most human activity in the Epsilon
Indi system. There are also two other rocky worlds, three gas
giants and an asteroid belt.

15

2: Aperoi Kosmoi

There are also a binary pair of brown dwarf companions orbiting approximately 1500aus from the Epsilon Indi
primary. These objects have been the subject of intense
study since the system was settled. A small population of
researchers have established a permanent outpost near these
companions, about 2.6 hours away via Interstellar Overdrive.

TAU CETI
Tau Ceti is the site of not just one, but two terraforming
projects. Stella Magna is a pre-biotic super-earth with
gravity 50% higher than Terras. Aside from that, it may be
quite pleasant to live on someday. The other project is simply
known as Greater Mars: a dry, dusty world which will probably be easier to terraform than the original Mars. Its gravity
is almost twice that of its namesake, but the Ares-type colonists plan to re-engineer themselves for the higher gravity.
Efforts to do the same for inhabitants of Stella Magna have so
far not been successful.
Aside from its terraforming efforts (at 0.6 and .85au,
respectively) the Tau Ceti system has three other rocky
worlds, and three gas giants, two of which are very small. The
system is also home to a huge population of comets, meteors
and collision debris, which makes its planets subject to
frequent large impacts. This is a hazard which future inhabitants of Stella Magna and Greater Mars will have to deal
with, most likely using extensive early warning and defense
systems.

EPSILON ERIDANI
Epsilon Eridani system is home to a large population of
Ammonites, ammonia-breathing aliens who resemble the
extinct group of molluscs for which they are named. The
first human visitors to this system very soon learned that the
Ammonites were explorers like themselves this was not
the aliens home system. (To date, the location of any alien
species home system has yet to be established.) The alien
colony is on a large gas-giant moon approximately 3.2au
from the primary, and its total population has never been
determined, although it is believed to be between one and
ten million individuals.
The rest of the system consists of a smallish gas giant,
three rocky planets and two asteroid belts, none of which
have any particular value to the human species. Epsilon
Eridani is a very young star with an extremely high population of comets and debris still left over from the formation
of its planetary system, subjecting all its worlds to frequent
impacts, even compared to Tau Ceti. The Ammonites are
unconcerned, as they live in the subsurface ocean of a moon
similar to Europa, beneath kilometers of ice.
The High Council on Space Transport established trade
agreements with the Ammonites soon after contacting them,
following some rather difficult negotiations. The Ammonites
were suspicious at first, and doubtful that these dangerous
oxygen-breathing aliens had anything they wanted. Both
species, however, demonstrated techonologies the other
lacked, and it became clear that trade would be mutually
beneficial.
Ammonite tech had a profound impact on Terran
economics, however, and ISTAR was created to regulate the
alien trade. The agreements between the High Council and
the Ammonites of Eridani were revisited and renegotiated,
much to the aliens consternation. Since then, relations with
them have been tepid at best.

16

OMICRON ERIDANI
Omicron Eridani was settled during the early exploration
of the Core Systems, when the route from Epsilon Eridani
to Procyon by way of Sirius was still impassable. Like all
systems with white dwarfs, any habitable worlds in Omicron
Eridani would have been overheated during the companions
red giant phase, then irradiated when it shed the last of its
out shell in a planetary nebula.
Omicron Eridani A is a variable star with three small
rocky worlds, three small gas giants and one rather sparse
asteroid belt, which is in its habitable zone. It has two
companion stars which orbit as a binary pair 400aus away; a
dim red flare star and a white dwarf.
The colony proper is a relatively small ONeill-type
habitat with two counter-rotating cylinders, ten kilometers
in length. Even during its peak years, the Omicron colony
was never considered more than a glorified way station.
When the Sirius system was finally opened to traffic in 2182,
the writing was on the wall. The colony went into a slow
but steady decline, surviving a number of budget cuts and
austerity measures, for 120 years. In 2301 the life-support
system in the north cylinder crashed, resulting in a mass
evacuation to the south cylinder. The extra strain nearly
caused another life-support crash, but Colonial Reserve Fleet
transports arrived in time to take off the excess personnel
and relocate them. There were many reports of resistance to
the relocation efforts, and several deaths resulted. Several
CRF officers were reprimanded in the aftermath.
Ten years later, the Omicron colony is still in operation,
but without a budget or any official backing. The south
cylinder survives as a free port, living off whatever they can
bring in via trade, much of which is illegal, and of course,
very lucrative. The facility is constantly in poor repair and
breakdowns of important services are a regular occurrence.
Those who stay here either have no way out, a personal
interest in the black market, or a need to stay away from
civilization.
The north cylinder is even worse, if such a thing is
possible. The life-support system technically still functions,
although the climate controls are gone, as are most air filtration systems. The gas-mix is more-or-less standard, but the
air is contaminated with all manner of pollutants, particulates, and micro-organisms living off the decay of the colony.
The formerly idyllic parklands have gone completely feral,
and some years ago, squatters moved livestock from the agricultural modules into the colony proper. The descendants off
family dogs roam in wild packs, looking for weak animals to
pick off.
The denizens of Omicrons north cylinder are squatters,
salvage operators, pirates and the worst sort of criminals
those so violent they arent welcome even in the relatively lawless south cylinder. There are regular fire-fights
between the squatters and the salvage operators, who make
their living removing and selling colony infrastructure the
squatters still need to survive. Everyone knows that eventually, there will be a catastrophic failure. The salvagers dont
particularly care theyve got space-worthy vessels and they
can leave whenever they wish. But for everyone else here,
prolonging the inevitable decay is their top priority.

SIRIUS
Sirius has been the subject of various debates for
centuries, and when humans finally went there, they simply
replaced the old questions with new ones. The Fluorians of
Procyon warned their new Terran friends to stay away from

PROCYON
Procyon is the first major stop on the alien side of the
Core Loop the site of a small Fluorian settlement and
trading outpost. The Fluorians have modified a planet at
.95au to support their preferred climate, although it still
isnt very hospitable by their standards. It was originally a
Venus-like world with an extremely hot surface and a superdense atmosphere; the life-forms they introduced created
an ecosystem which somewhat thinned out the atmosphere,
cooled the surface and released free fluorine and fluorocarbons into the atmosphere. By terran standards, its still a
deadly place.
Humanitys activity in the system is focused on the next
world out, at 1.5au. Although its in Procyons habitable zone,
this planet is twice as massive as Terra, with an extremely
dense, poisonous atmosphere which is not amenable to
terraforming. A few hardy individuals work on the surface,
extracting boron fuel for fusion drives, but most of the
humans at Procyon live in orbital colonies above this harsh
world, known simply as Procyon-Three. Most of them are
involved with the Fluorian trade and cultural exchange
mission.
Two small gas giants orbit the system primary farther out,
at 2.6au, and 70au (beyond the companion star). Procyon B
is a white dwarf in an eccentric orbit which varies from 8.9au
to 21au, and has no planets of its own to speak of.

DX CANCRI
DX Cancri is a very faint red flare star with almost no
planetary system to speak of, and very meager resources.
Establishing a way station there was problematic due to the
limited supply of fuel in the DX Cancri system. While the
lone icy rock-ball on the edge of the system provided a ready
supply of hydrogen and deuterium, the boron needed for
fusion drives was very scant. Terran Galactic dealt with this
problem by freighting in reserves from Procyon, but this
drove up fuel prices, making their operations in DX Cancri
less than popular with merchants on the Procyon run.
The situation resolved itself when the Colonial Reserve
Fleet, and most other vessels travelling the Core Loop,
upgraded to FTL2.0, with a range of 9 light-years. DX
Cancris way station became redundant, and most civilian
traffic gladly bypassed it from that point forward. With the
improved FTL drives, they could travel directly from Wolf
359 to Procyon and back again without the extra stop an
8.6 light-year journey which had previously been impossible.
The DX Cancri system still had military value, however,
and the way station was sold off to the Colonial Reserve
Fleet, whose military-grade fusion drives used the deuterium
fuel in plentiful supply there. Since then, the DX Cancri
system has served as a CRF base, and has been strictly offlimits to civilian traffic.

2: Aperoi Kosmoi

Sirius, and many felt their advice should be heeded. Curiosity

won out, and the first mission to Sirius vanished without a
trace. Fifteen years later, a larger mission with armed escorts
suffered the same fate.
In 2181 ISTAR took direct action to resolve the Sirius
problem. A fleet of warships assembled for a single purpose
invaded Sirius, armed with advanced technology ISTAR had
procured from unknown sources probably aliens. The few
surviving vessels reported contact with hostile vessels of
alien manufacture, which destroyed most of the Terran fleet.
The aliens, however, also suffered massive casualties, and
their surviving spacecraft fled the system, leaving behind a
treasure trove of artifacts around the white dwarf star, Sirius
B.
ISTAR officials immediately declared Sirius B off-limits,
but opened the Sirius A system to civlian traffic between
Procyon and Epsilon Eridani. Almost no one is allowed to
see the alien sites being studied at Sirius B, although ISTAR
regularly releases highly redacted reports to the public, and
sends artifacts to the Sophontology Studies Institute at Sirius
A for evaluation and further research. It is widely suspected
that ISTAR is keeping advanced alien technology discovered at Sirius B for its own use, but there is reason to doubt
this theory. (e.g. Why did they lose three trade wars against
TGOs Celestial Guard?)
Over the last century, access to alien artifacts and technology has made the Sophontology Studies Institute the
most important place of advanced learning in all of human
space. With the remnants left behind by the Sirians close at
hand, and the Fluorians and Ammonites each in neighboring
systems, the Institute has more contacts with different alien
species than almost anywhere else. Only Eta Cassiopaeia can
boast of more diversity, but its settlement by humans is much
more recent.
Sirius A has two small rocky worlds, and the remnant
of what used to be a gas giant orbits at 100au, beyond its
companion star. Sirius B has no remaining planets they
were all lost during its red giant phase.

WOLF 359
Wolf 359 is the first stop for Core Loop traffic bound for
Procyon, Sirius and Epsilon Eridani. Aside from a single
small gas giant at .2au with an orbiting way station, the
system is empty.

BEYOND THE CORE LOOP19

Beyond the Core Loop, a number of groups have
founded independent colonies with backing from the Global
Assembly, the United Nations, and a few non-government
organizations (NGOs) from the independent way station
at Lacaille 8760, the colony in the Delta Pavonis system is
only two transits away. From there, colonies in Beta Hydri,
Gamma Pavonis, Zeta Tucanae and Rho Erdani are within
reach, although the journey takes several months, at best.
Even farther afield, Alpha Mensae, Zeta Reticuli and Zeta
Doradus have recently been settled by fringe groups seeking
isolation by distancing themselves from humanity. Some
colonists at Zeta Reticuli returned a few years later with
horrific tales of alien nano-tech von Neumann machines
over-running their habitats. At this time its not known if this
infestation was truly of alien origin, or if the colonists themselves were utilizing illegal replicators which escaped their
control. Follow-up expiditions have yet to report back.

17

2: Aperoi Kosmoi
Core Loop Distance Chart
Sol
Sol
Alpha
Centauri
Barnards
Star
Ross 154
Lacaille
8760
Epsilon
Indi
Lacaille
9352
Tau Ceti
Epsilon
Eridani

Alpha
Centauri

Barnards
Star

Ross
154

4.4

5.9

9.6

6.5

8.1

Lacaille
8760

Epsilon
Indi

Lacaille
9352

Tau
Ceti

Epsilon
Eridani

9.6

Sirius

Omicron
Eridani

BD-03
1123

BD-03
1123
Ross 614

18

Procyon
DX Cancri

Procyon

DX
Cancri

Wolf
359

8.6

7.7

9.5

8.2

5.5
7.3

8.9

9.6

4.2

4.9
4.7
7.8
5.4
7.8

6.4

Sirius
Omicron
Eridani

Ross
614

5.5
6.2

5.2

9.1

4.6

9.0

9.0

9.2
6.5

4.9

8.6
7.7

HISTORY OF THE
CLUSTER
Terran Galactic Operations began exploration of this
important group of star systems in 2173 AD, with the launch
of the Tangaroa, a sub-light vessel sent to the Groombridge
34 system in search of a Keeper world. At the time, a number
of systems in this region were still unexplored, as they were
out of range of the original Interstellar Overdrives eight
light-year range.
Fifteen years later, the Tangaroa arrived at Groombridge
34B, and contacted the Keepers. Their mission was to
purchase the Interstellar Overdrive for their corporation, and
break the Global Assemblys monopoly on FTL travel. After
accomplishing this mission, they transmitted the technical
data on the Drive back to TGO HQ on Terra, then went into
hibernation and waited for rescue.
TGO engineers found several flaws in the original manufacture of the Interstellar Overdrive which prevented it from
reaching its optimum performance. Their FTL2.0 version of
the Drive is faster and longer-ranged, allowing transits of
up to nine light-years, enough to reach Groombridge 34. A
rescue mission is sent to retrieve Tangaroa, but neither the
craft nor crew are found.
In 2193, the first official independent colony was founded
in the Groombridge 34 system by Terran Galactic Operations: Marathon Station. Its located near the Keepers settlement, and along the route leading into the rest of the Kruger
60 Cluster. Several other colonies soon flourished in the
Groombridge 34 system.
Marathon Station served as the gateway to colonizing
the rest of the cluster: 61 Cygni and Eta Cassiopaeie were
next. The 61 Cygni system was opened up rapidly, and soon
became a major center of TGO development. The Eta Cassiopaeie system was opened up quickly as well, but also much
more cautiously, due to the presence of a number of alien
outposts there.
Ross 248, EV Lacertae and Kruger 60 were also settled in
the years that followed. The first two systems were somewhat
dangerous due to solar flare activity, but many fringe groups
fleeing Terra for various reasons decided to settle there as
TGO clients. Kruger 60 was valued for its central location
in the cluster the hub which would connect all the other
systems. It also became TGOs forward base during the Titan
War.
Shambala and New Cydonia were the next systems to
be settled. Shambala became a gathering place for various
utopian colonies, each with its own vision of the ideal
society. In the New Cydonia system, a collective of Ares
settlers found a Mars-like world which they began terraforming. This is one of the most promising terraforming
projects in human space, following the Terracide.
Finally, the Sigma Draconis, Cardea, and Snake-Eyes
systems were all annexed following the Titan War. The
primary reason for ejecting the Titans from the Kruger

60 Cluster was Sigma Draconis explorers found a world

which could, in time, be terraformed into something habitable by baseline humans. Cardea became the newest site for
TGO space colonies, and Snake-Eyes is the site of a military
outpost against future incursions into the Cluster by Titans,
or possibly the Colonial Reserve Fleet.
Today, every system in the Kruger 60 Cluster is under the
administration of the Terran Galactic Operations corporation. TGO began as a contractor for HCST in the Core Loop,
providing support services for way stations, colonies and
terraforming projects there. However, in 2176 TGO moved
its headquarters off Terra in response to ISTAR trade restrictions, and in 2188 declared itself an independent polity.
TGO has evolved from a small, employee-owned space
development company to a full-fledged independent
corporate state with tens of millions of employee-citizens.
Contrary to many expectations, this has not resulted in a
socially stratified, oppressive dystopia. On the contrary,
many TGO facilities offer the highest quality of life anywhere
beyond Terra, or possibly including Terra.
The department heads who speak for TGO attribute the
companys success to a number of factors: a government
responsible to its citizens, lack of ISTAR interference, and
free trade between its colonies and their alien neighbors.
Others attribute the TGOs phenomenal growth to elitism,
noting the companys stringent educational and background
requirements for hire and citizenship. The companys
spokesmen counter that these requirements have never been
applied to second- and third-generation colonists in the
Kruger 60 Cluster, who receive TGO citizenship at birth, topquality education as they grow up, and substantial company
shares when they reach legal age. And the debate goes on....
TGO does not maintain its independence by public relations alone. The company maintains its own military service,
consisting primarily of the Celestial Guard. Although its fleet
is not as large as the CRF, TGOs Celestial Guard is techonolgically advanced, and its personnel are well-trained and
experienced. The Celestial Guard have an impressive record
in combat, with two victories and one draw against ISTAR
and the Colonial Reserve Fleet, and a successful campaign to
drive the Titans out of the Kruger 60 Cluster.
Although the Celestial Guard has slightly fewer spacecraft
than the CRF, the greatest disparity between the fleets is in
overall tonnage. The Celestial Guard strongly favors smaller
vessels, relying on missiles to make up for the difference in
firepower. This gives the Celestial Guard a tremendous firststrike capability, at the expense of endurance in combat. In
the past, they have fought trade wars against ISTAR and skirmishes with aliens in which hit-and-run tactics served their
purposes well, but the Celestial Guards next confrontation
with the CRF will most likely be a defensive battle against
an invasion fleet. It remains to be seen if what amounts to
a dispersed raiding fleet can be forged into a centralized
defensive force.

2: Aperoi Kosmoi

THE KRUGER
60 CLUSTER

19

2: Aperoi Kosmoi
20

THE SYSTEMS OF THE

KRUGER 60 CLUSTER
Groombridge 34A & B is home to the oldest settlements
in this stellar region, and still one of the most populous. Its
also the default starting point for many Terracide campaigns.
This system is where Terran Galactic Operations made
contact with the Keepers, broke the monopoly on FTL travel,
and opened up the Galaxy to humanity. In modern times,
this system has fallen on hard times; where once it was the
Gateway to the Kruger 60 Cluster, it has lost that title to 61
Cygni due to longer-ranged FTL Drives.
When it was founded, Marathon Station was a TGO
outpost whose main purpose was to provide a point of
contact with the Keepers. Their small, airless world orbited
extremely close to Groombridge 34B, so it was tide-locked,
with a brutally hot dayside and a cryogenically cold nightside. The crew of Tangaroa had, for some bizarre reason,
decided to call the planet Baked Alaska, and the name stuck.
Marathon is an asteroid positioned at Baked Alaskas L2
point, gravitationally stable and shielded from the stars
intermittent flare activity. (And also its light Marathon is
always in the dark.)
As both the Gateway system for the Kruger 60 Cluster,
and the nearest outpost to a Keeper world, Marathon
Station enjoyed an economic boom which lasted for several
decades. But nothing lasts forever, and after the Titan War,
TGO announced that its FTL3.0 technology would be made
available to civilians. This would immediately marginalize
Marathon Station, as well as the rest of the Groombridge 34
system, as most traffic equipped with FTL3.0 would enter
and leave the Cluster by way of 61 Cygni.
While most of the settlements in Groombridge 34
accepted the new status quo, Marathon Stations inhabitants decided to exercise their buy out option. They left
the company, sold their shares, and used the proceeds to
purchase their asteroid from TGO which then became
Marathon Free Station.
Today, Marathon Free Station operates as a free port
catering to traffic entering the Kruger 60 Cluster using older
FTL2.0 spacecraft, of which many are still in operation. This
gives Marathon a decidedly nostalgaic flavor, as most of its
clients are operating older spacecraft. It also means the craft
and crews visiting Marathon are less affluent and more flexible when choosing cargo and passengers. Combined with
the presence of both humans and aliens who still come to
consult with the Keepers living on Baked Alaska, this makes
Marathon Free Station one of the most interesting ports of
call in human space.
Following the Terracide, the military junta which took
over the Core Colonies has made no secret of their intentions
to consolidate all of humanitys settlements in space. Its only
a matter of time until the Colonial Reserve Fleet attempts to
take control of the Kruger 60 Cluster, and most of the CRFs
spacecraft are older, FTL2.0 designs which means Marathon Free Station will be right in the path of their invasion.
The backwater may soon become a war zone.

KRUGER 60
Kruger 60 is the center of all Terran Galactic Operations
activity within the Kruger 60 Cluster. Although originally
used as a forward base in TGOs war against the Draconis
Syndicate, this systems position as a nexus for interestellar
travel resulted in its continued development after the war. All
the other systems in the Cluster are within nine light-years of
Kruger 60, accessible via FTL2.0 technology. A great deal of
the traffic around the Cluster passes through this system, and
TGOs regional headquarters are located here.
With the destruction of Terra, The Complex at Kruger
60 is now the highest surviving level of TGOs Corporate
structure. The Monticello space habitat is one of the largest,
most affluent settlements in all of human space, and almost
everyone there is involved in the management of Terran
Galactic. Several other habitats around the Kruger 60 system
house various corporate departments; collectively they are
referred to simply as The Complex.
The system itself is unremarkable; two red dwarf stars
with three planets each. The primary has a small gas giant at
.5au, where most of the systems population is found, and two
minor planets farther out. The companion is a flare star with
three rocky planets between .4 and 1.3au.

61 CYGNI
61 Cygni is the new Gateway system for most traffic
between the Kruger 60 Cluster and the Core Colonies.
However, this new shortcut into the Cluster has come with a
trade-off. The connector between 61 Cygni and the rest of
the Core systems is Barnards Star, and the proper motion of
61 Cygni and Barnards Star are both among the highest in
human space. Worse, theyre moving in different directions.
This requires spacecraft using this route to burn a great deal
of extra fuel when matching vectors with their destinations.
Most crews consider it worth the additional mass to avoid
spending an extra month in hibernation.
The main focus of activity has always been the inner
asteroid belt within the primary stars habitable zone, which
is rich in mineral resources. Several large space colonies
have been constructed here, the largest of which is known as
Coba, with a population of several million. Other significant
habitats in the main belt are Giza, El Mirador and Khafra.
One of the most exotic types of space habitat in human
space can be found here, orbiting within 61 Cygnis inner
belt: Dyson Trees. Genetically engineered to grow on
captured comets, these constructs have grown to several
kilometers across after nearly a century, and are expected
to reach several times that size over the next millennium,
providing renewable living space and resources for millions
of inhabitants.
The rest of the system consists of several minor planets, a
small gas giant at 2.7au, and another asteroid belt at 9.3au, all
of which have small settlements.

ETA CASSIOPEIAE
Eta Cassiopeiae is the site of the Clusters third-oldest
human settlement, as well as that of several alien species,
making it an extremely important system. TGO explorers
who first came to this system found a xeno-formed planet
at .65au inhabited by the Fluorians, with a massive orbital
infrastructre which they were informed was a trading
outpost. They also found an Ammonite settlement beneath
the surface of a frozen moon orbiting a small gas giant,
farther out at 1.4au. And there were rumors of Jovians
inhabiting the huge gas giant orbiting the nearby companion

Eventually, the weakened Syndicate was driven out of

the Kruger 60 Cluster altogether. They were last seen in the
Chi Draconis system, from where they departed across the
Draconis Void, where human FTL drives could not follow
them. One Titan is rumored to have stayed behind, hiding
out somewhere in the Kruger 60 Cluster a low-status Titan
known only as Runt.
The planet designated Sigma Draconis Two was been
dubbed The War Garden by the spacers who captured it
from the Titans in battle. TGO intends to give it a more
appropriate official name when its ready for settlement, but
the current residents, mostly terraformers, hope the current
name will stick. This will be a long time coming, as the atmosphere is still primordial at best, mostly carbon dioxide,
nitrogen and methane, with a pronounced greenhouse effect.
Aside from that, its mostly earth-like, albeit a rather warm,
sterile earth.

SNAKE-EYES

New Cydonia is the name of a system which otherwise

has only a catalog number: BD+56 2966. Its also the name of
the primarys third planet, which is currently in the beginning stages of terraforming. New Cydonia, however, is more
like Mars than Earth, and the Aries colonists genetically
engineered to survive on Mars-like worlds plan to keep it
that way. While their adopted home is more hospitable that
Mars, it will never be truly Earth-like.
The New Cydonia system is nearly unique in that it actually has two worlds in its habitable zone. However, the closer
of the two is larger than earth, with a dense atmosphere and
high greenhouse effect, which makes it a write-off for terraforming purposes. The rest of the system consists of a large
gas giant at 6.75au, and five other planets.
The planet of New Cydonia is currently uninhabited
due to hazardous terraforming activities, such as cometary
impacts. The terraformers live in a number of small orbital
habitats around New Cydonia, the largest of which are
Gathol, Dusar, Exum, and Thark. The total system population is less than 100,000.

Snake-Eyes is the all-too-apt name of the twin red dwarf

suns of BD+68 946, whose close orbits around each other
have made planetary formation impossible. Aside from
its two dim stars, there is nothing here but a scattering of
comets, and a very large TGO Astro-Corps fleet base. The
system is off-limits to civilian traffic.
During the Titan War, the Draconis Syndicate claimed
this system, and until the final days of the conflict, TGO
forces were content to let them have it. Fighting against
ISTAR was also heating up, and the back door route into the
Kruger 60 Cluster passed through the Snake-Eyes system.
TGO was perfectly content to let the Titans keep ISTAR from
opening a new front. However, now that the war is over and
the Titans are gone, TGO maintains a strong presence in the
Snake-Eyes system. Any hostile force attempting to enter the
Kruger 60 Cluster via Snake-Eyes will meet heavy resistance.

SIGMA DRACONIS
Sigma Draconis is one of the most important systems
in the Kruger 60 Cluster, if not in all of Terran Space, for
several reasons. It was here that explorers from Marathon
Free Station discovered the first pre-biotic world orbiting
in Sigma Draconis habitable zone. This world immediately
became a top priority for TGOs Terraforming Division.
However, the second thing which made Sigma Draconis
notable was being the site of humanitys first contact with the
Titans.
Advanced, aggressive and inscrutable, the Titans of Sigma
Draconis attacked without provocation, and either destroyed
or stole whatever they could take from the Terran interlopers. All attemps at negotiation failed, even though it was
clear that the world humanity wanted was of no use to them.
The conflict spread to several other nearby systems, and
expansion into the Kruger 60 Cluster was temporarily halted.
After several decades of futile on-and-off warfare, the
riddle of the Titans was finally solved. The Draconis Syndicate, as it had come to be known, was composed of two
individuals and six offspring in effect a family unit of the
aliens. They preyed on other species only for status among
their peers, in proportion to the difficulty of the fight, and
the amount of resistance offered by their opponents. TGO
eventually used this information to de-stabilize the Syndicate, by creating large disparities in status between rival
Syndicate members which resulted in them turning on each
other.

2: Aperoi Kosmoi

star. The system appeared to be rather crowded already was

there room for humanity here?
In a word, yes. The Fluorians welcomed trade with yet
another species, and pointed out an as-yet undeveloped
world which humanity would call Brimstone. Orbiting at
.9au, Brimstone is too small to be earth-like, but too large to
resemble mars, and in any event too hot to look much like
either. After 100 years, the terraformers still havent figured
out what to do with it. In the meantime, TGO has built
successful colonies in orbit around Brimstone, which serve as
trade missions to the Fluorians, Ammonites, and occasionally the Jovians.
Eta Cassiopaeie also serves as the jumping off point for
traffic leaving the Kruger 60 Cluster in the direction of the
Wolf 46 Cluster, which includes some of humanitys most
far-flung settlements to date: Iota Persei, Theta Persei, Delta
Trianguli, HR 483, and Upsilon Andromedae, over 40 lightyears from Terra.

NEW CYDONIA

STRUVE 2398
Struve 2398 was a battleground in TGOs war against
the Draconis Syndicate. Following the end of the war, this
became an important focus of TGOs expansion into the
Kruger 60 Cluster. A new settlement was founded near the
Titans old base, after its automated defense systems were
neutralized, known as Cardea, which has rapidly grown
to support almost half a million colonists. The colony is a
complex of domes and caves on the moon of a small gas
giant .65au from the system primary.
The reason for Cardeas importance is due to its proximity to old Terra; it now serves as an alternate gateway
system into the Kruger 60 Cluster from the Core Colonies,
via Barnards Star. Its motion relative to other systems in the
Cluster is considerably lower than 61 Cygni, making this
route more economical, even though it is slightly longer. This
route is only accessible to spacecraft using FTL3.0 technology, however.
The rest of the system is unremarkable; the red dwarf
primary hosts two small gas giants, including the one
mentioned above, an asteroid belt, and two minor planets. Its
companion is a red flare star with a similar retinue of worlds.
It should be noted that while the worlds themselves arent
special, every gas giant in the system has at least one moon
with a former Titan installation, which are extremely valuable (and dangerous!) sites for research into alien technology.

21

2: Aperoi Kosmoi

ROSS 248

EV LACERTAE

Ross 248 is the closest to Terra of all the systems in the

Kruger 60 Cluster, but its still too far for a single transit from
Terra via FTL3.0, by a mere third of a light-year. Due to this
astrographical accident the Ross 248 system has always been
something of a backwaterin the Kruger 60 Cluster. With only
one major world a medium-sized gas giant at .3au and
a scattering of asteroids, this dim, red flare star had little to
offer anyone, until the TGO went to war with ISTAR.
During the Trade War between TGO and ISTAR, the
TGO Celestial Guard needed a fast-reaction force near
Groombridge 34 at the time, ISTARs only point of entry
into the Kruger 60 Cluster. And the Ross 248 system was
ideally suited as a base of operations for such a force; less
than a week away from Marathon Free Station via the FTL3.0
drive. This base was also useful when TGO fought the Titans
Draconis Syndicate. It remains in operation to this day, as a
back-up to TGOs primary military stronghold in the Kruger
60 system.
In the aftermath of the Terracide, most agree that the next
incursion into the Kruger 60 Cluster by a fleet from the Core
Colonies is a matter of when rather than if. In response to
this threat, the TGO Celestial Guard has been building up
a sizeable reserve in the Ross 248 system, and coordinating
fleet movements with forces stationed in the Groombridge
34 system.

EV Lacertae is a system which most would consider

worthless, if not downright hazardous, but there a few
who value such places for precisely that reason. The most
important thing to remember about people who colonize
such systems is that they have a strong desire to be left
alone. Although its one of the coolest, dimmest stars in
Terran Space, EV Lacertae also has the distinction of being
one of the most active flare stars. In spite of this, a number
of groups have constructed colonies in the asteroid belt
centered .55au from EV Lacertae.
These are mostly small, insular utopian societies who wish
to minimize contact with outsiders while they experiment
with their own ideas about how to run the perfect society.
All of them have opted to live within asteroid habitats rather
than conventional space colonies, for protection from solar
flares. The largest of these, known as Broken Rock, houses
half a million people, while most are much smaller.
It should be noted that Broken Rocks experimental
phase only lasted about 20 years, after which the original
system of government was peacefully replaced with a more
conventional one, with TGO assistance. Since then, it has
remained mostly isolationist, having been designed for
self-sufficiency.
Other settlements in the EV Lacertae system have been
less successful with their original utopian plans often
devolving into hellish mockeries of their original intent.
When this occurs, habitats in this system are too isolated to
call for help they usually end up having a violent revolution, successful or not, which leads to collateral damage and
life-support failures. By the time help arrives to evacuate
the failing colony, its often too late to save anyone. In other
cases, fighting is still going on, and the combatants are
usually too busy killing each other to evacuate, or explain to
their would-be rescuers exactly what the fighting is about in
the first place!
To everyones continuous surprise, however, a few of these
colonies have been quite successful. Although they remain
officially neutral with respect to anything going on outside
their own boundaries, TGO monitors them quite closely, as
much as theyll allow, and the companys memeticists have
learned a great deal about how these societies function. As
a living laboratory with a large pool of human subjects, EV
Lacerta has produced a vast treasure trove of experimental
data which could not have been obtained in any other way.

AGHARTA
Agharta is a resource-poor trinary system with three
red dwarf stars, a pair of failed gas giants and a single minor
planet. Two companion stars 33au from the primary orbit
each other too closely to retain any planets at all. TGO has
leased the rights to settle this system to a number of clients
who dont intend to stay forever: exiles from Terra who had
plans to return, prior to the Terracide. Now this motley
collection of outcasts, dissidents, governments-in-exile, and
others have won their various struggles by default with the
destruction of Terra. For most of them, this wasnt the sort of
victory they expected.
Chechnya, Tibet, Syria, Haiti, Somalia, Taiwan and Eritrea
all have nominal governments in exile here, most of which
are concerned primarily with reclaiming (or re-founding)
their home countries, even after the destruction of the planet
they used to be on. The exiles from Tibet, on the other hand,
are most interested in locating the next incarnation of the
Dalai Llama, who perished in the Terracide. They hope that
the next incarnation will be found soon, but humanity is
scattered across so many light-years, the task is formidable.

22

LUNATIC FRINGE: BEYOND THE

KRUGER 60 CLUSTER
Lunatic Fringe: Beyond the Kruger 60 Cluster there
are a few other far-flung human settlements. From the Eta
Cassiopaeia system, Mu Cassiopaeia is one transit away,
which is the gateway to many other systems: Iota and Theta
Persei, Upsilon Andromedae, and Delta Trianguli. Another
route branches off to Iota and 85 Pegasi, then to Iota Piscium,
45 light-years from Terra. Recently, Upsilon Andromedae
reported a swarm of VeNoMs similar to those at Zeta
Reticuli, lending creedence to the theory of their alien origin.
TGOs Special Projects arm is still investigating this attack,
agaisnt the (futile) protests of the OFFICE and the ISTAR
bureaucracy.

2: Aperoi Kosmoi
Kruger 60 Cluster Distance Chart
61 Cygni

Achird

BD+56
2966

61 Cygni
Achird
BD+56
2966

4.9

BD+68
946

EV
Lacertae

Groombridge 34

Kruger 60

Ross 248

9.7

6.9

7.1

5.2

5.6

7.8

8.6

8.2

6.5

BD+68
946
EV
Lacertae
Groombridge 34
Kruger 60

6.2

Sigma
Draconis

8.4

9.5

8.0

5.0

4.9

6.6

4.9

1.9
4.5

Struve
2398

V1581
Cygni

6.0

5.3

4.2

7.8
8.5

9.8
8.3

6.2

Ross 248

8.5

Sigma
Draconis

7.9

Struve
2398

7.1

8.3
5.8

23

2: Aperoi Kosmoi

NO MANS LAND
UNCLAIMED, DISPUTED
AND OCCUPIED SYSTEMS
The Solar System was effectively sterilized over a 24-hour
period from August 4-5, 2311 by a relativistic bombardment
of unknown origin. Thousands of impacts at just under lightspeed struck Terra, and every other inhabited planet, moon,
asteroid, comet, and space habitat in the entire system. Aside
from a few spacecraft in the final stages of preparing for
FTL transit, there were no survivors. The warheads came in
too fast for accurate readings on their flight path, but their
place of origin has been narrowed down to somewhere in
the direction of the Lyra constellation as seen from Terra
possibly the Vega star system. At least one scientific expedition to Vega has vanished in the last century.
Since the Terracide, the Solar System has been declared
off-limits by the Colonial Reserve Fleet, and travel advisories are in place at all the Core Colonies. Any spacecraft,
including those of the CRF, which try to enter Sol-space
do not return. In the weeks immediately following the
disaster, numerous attempts were made to recon the Home
System and search for survivors, but they only resulted in
more deaths. Now, almost no one tries to repeat those early
mistakes Terra and the rest of Sol-space have effectively
been written off.

BARNARDS STAR
Barnards Star remains disputed between TGO and the
military junta which has taken over the Core Loop systems.
As the primary stop-over for traffic headed to and from
61 Cygni, the TGO way station at Barnards Star is vitally
important to the company, but for now, the resources to
forcibly evict the Colonial Reserves occupying it are not
available. Meanwhile, the CRF vessels at Barnards Star dont
have enough range to make the transit to 61 Cygni, so its a
stand-off. The CRF is very much aware that Celestial Guard
vessels at 61 Cygni can reach Barnards Star, so they wont be
leaving anytime soon.

UV CETI
UV Ceti is one of the Cores forgotten systems, and the
former site of TGO Corporate HQ prior to the settlement of
Kruger 60. For now, the CRF is content to have a small recon
flight monitoring the system, and civilian traffic (mostly
refugees) moving through the system is subject to searches
by CRF forces. However, everyone knows its only a matter
of time before the CRF arrives in full force and takes the
system.

24

TZ ARIETIS
TZ Arietis would be a worthless system, but for its position between UV Ceti and Marathon Free Station. This was
a vital link in the original supply route into the Kruger 60
Cluster, but fell into dis-use when FTL3.0 became available.
Now the Celestial Guard keeps a few recon vessels here as a
tripwire to warn of the inevitable invasion by the CRF.

GROOMBRIDGE 1618 AND AC+79 3888

Groombridge 1618 and AC+79 3888 comprise a long,
seldom-used TL9 route known as the Back Alley between
DX Cancri in the Core Loop and Snake-Eyes in the Kruger
60 Cluster. This route presents both parties with the threat
of a flanking manuever by the other. As a result, both DX
Cancri and Snake-Eyes are the site of Fleet military bases
with hundreds of spacecraft. The systems in-between are
both sites of independent colonies, ironically settled by
groups looking for quiet systems where they wouldnt be
bothered. In the near future, theyll most likely be caught in
the crossfire, as the CRFs DX Cancri Fleet takes advantage of
the Back Alley to invade the Kruger 60 Cluster.
GMs and players who would like to explore more star
systems, or create their own maps, should go online and
use the free Chview software. The Terracide Galaxy was
created in large part thanks to the availability of this excellent
program, which may be found here:
http://www.ocean-of-storms.com/jaymin/software/chview/

3
CHAPTER THREE:

ORGANIZATIONS

3: Organizations
26

ORGANIZATIONS

arge-scale activity in space began under the auspices

th
of the biggest, wealthiest organizations in the 20
century: Earths superpowers and their militaries.
Since then, technological advances have made space
travel and settlement possible to ever-smaller organizations.
th
In the 24 century, there are even collectives which subsidize private ownership of interstellar spacecraft.
However, it remains a fact of life in space that almost
everyone answers to a patron of some sort, at least during
their first career. In many cases, they move on to a second
career as independents or freelancers, using the skills they
have acquired to go into business for themselves. Quite
often, this is the path taken by player characters in Terracide
campaigns.
Organizations may serve a number of purposes in a
Terracide campaign. Player characters may be current or
former employees of the organization. Current employees
will have a great many perks related to the organization
(Membership, Rank, Police Powers if applicable) and the
Watched, Rivalry and Subject to Orders complications. The
GM will most likely focus most of the adventures on activities related to the PCs organization.
PCs who are former members of an organization will
have slightly different perks (Contacts and Reputation) and
possibly the Watched and Rivalry complications. Although
they no longer work for the organization, its impossible
to leave the past behind altogether. Old contacts and rivals
(from other organizations) make good adventure hooks for
the GM.
There are, of course, many other uses for organizations in Terracide each one is effectively a character unto
itself. They can be Rivals for PCs who are/were members
of competing organizations. At the organization level,
this will usually remain at the level of harrassment, very
seldom spilling over into outright violence. When this
happens, aiming it at one of the PCs contacts can make for
an excellent plot hook. And a rival organization which gets
annoyed with the PCs can very easily turn into a Hunted
complication!
It should be noted that there is really no such thing as
a good or evil organization in Terracide all of them
consider themselves to be doing the right thing according
to their own world-view. Its up to each individual player and
GM to form their own opinion about whether theyre in the
right or not. (Even the play-testers certainly werent unanimous about most of them!)
Finally, organizations can serve as excellent Contacts.
An organization in this role can assist the PCs in a number
of ways providing information, equipment, or services
which the PCs would otherwise have difficulty acquiring.
Aside from whatever the PCs specifically request, organization Contacts are a good way for the GM to provide them
with extras he feels theyll need to complete the adventure.
(Here, take this. Youll know when to use it.)
The following list includes the most important organizations in the Terracide setting. Terran organizations were

nearly completely wiped out in the Terracide, but a few still

have some influential members in the colonies. Core Colony
organizations are influential in the colonies of the Core
Loop. Kruger 60 Cluster organizations dominate that region
of Terran Space. Finally, Independent organizations tend to
be less influential overall, but arent necessarily limited to a
single region.

TERRAN ORGANIZATIONS
THE GLOBAL ASSEMBLY
The Global Assembly was the closest thing to a worldth
government Earth had in the 24 Century. Originally
known as the G-20, then the G-100, the GA used its
economic influence to steer the policies of nations all over
the globe. It was the GAs decision to pursue geo-engineering
st
solutions to the worlds climate woes in the late 21 century
which led to its involvement in space exploration by Earths
developed nations.
After the Terracide, a few high-ranking members of the
GA survived because they were on diplomatic missions to
the Core Loop colonies when Terra was destroyed. They were
involved in the plan to consolidate all Terran colonies under
military dictatorship from the very beginning.

THE HIGH COUNCIL ON SPACE

TRANSPORT (HICOST)
The High Council on Space Transport (HiCoST) was
originally a GA committee charged with overseeing international space activities. Eventually, HCST grew to become the
de-facto government of the space colonies funded by the GA.
While the HCST was very effective within the confines of
Sol-space, on an interstellar scale its operations were corrupt
and inefficient.
HCST colonial governors had a reputation for being insulated from, and indifferent to, the populations for which they
were responsible. In reality, some were better than others.
When word of the Terracide reached the colonies, several
governors found out about the disaster before the general
public, and took measures to protect themselves. There was
one case, however, in which the local governer was temporarily out of the loop and was promptly removed from office
when the news arrived.
The HCST governors and their respective staffs cooperated, in varying degrees, with efforts to unite all the Terran
colonies after the Terracide. When the plan fell apart, some
were captured, some went to ground at the Omicron colony,
and a few escaped to the Sirius system with the Junta.
The Terran Home Fleet was the GAs military branch,
charged with defending Sol-space. It was the most advanced
fleet in Terran space, and the most prestigious, if not the
largest. The THF also maintained peace in the Core colonies,
periodically sending task groups on the Core Loop route to
take the Grand Tour. The primary purpose of these Tours
was simply to show the flag.

CORE COLONY
ORGANIZATIONS
ISTAR
ISTAR stands for InterStellar Tariff Arbritration Regime,
an agency created to regulate trade in alien technology in
Terran Space. The need for such an agency became apparent
nd
in the 22 century, when Terran markets went through
several wild swings as a result of the introduction of alien
goods. ISTAR was charged with preventing the exchange of
any alien goods which could be dangerous to Terran financial interests which turned out to be almost all of it.
ISTARs mission resulted in the seizure of a great deal of
alien technology, which it subsequently sold off, either to
aliens or to colonies far from Terra. These sales funded the
growth of the agency, to include a massive bureaucracy and
enforcement arm. By the 23rd century, the agency had grown
far beyond its original mandate, becoming a de-facto interstellar government. Their main headquarters is in the Alpha
Centauri system.
After the Terracide, ISTAR supported the Juntas attempts
to unite the Terran colonies, mainly out of a desire to expand
its authority over those who had refused to recognize it in
the past. At least one high-ranking ISTAR official was a
member of the Junta.

THE COLONIAL RESERVE FLEET

The Colonial Reserve Fleet was created by the HCST for
the purpose of protecting the Core Colonies. The CRF was
composed of older vessels considered obsolete by the Terran
Home Fleet. However, what the CRF lacked in state-of-theart technology, it made up for in numbers. The Colonial
Reserves were the largest space fleet in Terran Space at the
th
end of the 24 century.
The personnel of the CRF were recruited mainly from
Terra, among those looking for a way to get off the planet,
but who did not qualify for service in the THF. They also
recruited from among the Core Colonies. As a result, the
CRF does not have quite the same caliber of personnel as
some other fleets in Terran space.
The CRF has bases at Beta Centauri, DX Cancri, and
Epsilon Indi. The Beta Centauri base is the CRF prime headquarters, and includes the entire Beta Centauri component
of the Alpha/Beta Centauri binary system. DX Cancri used
to be a way station on the Core Loops Grand Tour route, but
is no longer in use by civilian traffic, and is now completely
under military jurisdiction. The Epsilon Indi base is actually
located near a binary pair of brown dwarfs nearly 1500au
from the system primary.
Following the Terracide, the Colonial Reserves were
relieved that the surviving officers of the Terran Home Fleet
had a plan of action. Having no idea what they should do
on their own, most of the CRF officers supported the Juntas
agenda. However, there were a significant number who
objected, and desertion was a constant problem among the
CRF ranks after the Terracide.

THE OFFICE
The OFFICE was ISTARs intelligence and covert operations agency, and so secretive nobody even knows what the
acronym stands for. Of all the different agencies and departments spawned by ISTAR, none come close to the OFFICEs
infamy. There is simply no situation so dire that the OFFICE
cannot make it much, much worse.
While most ISTAR agents are charged with alien tech
which might harm Terran financial interests, OFFICE agents
handle more serious problems. They deal with cases where
the safety of the human species or its extra-solar territories
might be affected by alien technology. Exactly who decides
when the OFFICE needs to get involved isnt clear, but once
they do, anything goes.
Much of the alien tech confiscated by other ISTAR
departments ends up in the hands of OFFICE agents, as does
the most advanced technology Terra has to offer theyre
very well equipped. Theyre also extremely well trained, and
often genetically modified to the limits of human tolerance.
And of course, they have nearly unlimited expense accounts.
Dealing with an OFFICE agent can be a nightmare, even for
his or her associates.
OFFICE agents are licensed to use any means necessary
to achieve their objectives. In many cases they achieve their
goals completely undetected theyre capable of amazing
subtlety. However, once they decide to act openly, anything
can happen.

3: Organizations

One such task group was at Epsilon Eridani when news of

the Terracide arrived, and its commanding officers decided
to take control of the Core Loop colonies before anyone
else managed to get organized. They became known as The
Junta and after taking the Core Colonies, they went on to
consolidate nearly all of Terran Space under their rule.

THE COLONIAL CONSTABULATORY

The Colonial Constabulatory are the regular security
forces of the Core Colonies. They maintain order among
the general public, investigate crimes, and provide guidance
during emergencies. Following the Terracide, these men and
women kept the Core Colonies from falling apart in a state
of panic. During the Juntas rule, they continued to keep the
peace, in spite of many peoples misgivings about fighting a
war when 90% of the human race had already died.
On the other hand, throughout the history of the colonies, corruption has been endemic within the Constabulatories of most Core Colonies. Security work in the Core doesnt
pay very well, and nearly all the Constables supplement their
income via some sort of graft or bribes. Following the Juntas
departure from Terran Space, the Core Colony administrations were reorganized and their security forces considerably
improved.

27

3: Organizations

KRUGER 60 CLUSTER
ORGANIZATIONS
TERRAN GALACTIC OPERATIONS
Terran Galactic Operations began its existence as a
st
late-21 century space construction firm known as Terran
Global Operations. TGO has since grown into an independent corporate state with tens of millions of citizens and well
over a hundred million clients. However, the company is very
much at odds with the popular image of a socially-stratified
dystopian corporate state. The standard of living and overall
quality of life in TGO owned and operated colonies is, in
fact, among the highest anywhere in Terran Space, other
than on Terra itself.
TGO is a 100% employee-owned cooperative. Its
employees are all citizens with shares in the company, which
means they have voting rights. Direct polling of the populace is usually accomplished via computer network, when
a popular vote is needed. Due to its interstellar scope, most
issues are decided at the local level within a star system, or
within a single colony or habitat. Interstellar policy is set by
an elected board of directors.
TGOs corporate headquarters, known as The Complex,
are in the Kruger 60 Cluster, as are most of its wholly-owned
colonies. Following the Terracide, TGOs Board in the Kruger
60 Cluster spun off its corporate holdings elsewhere in
Terran Space, and they became independent settlements.

THE CELESTIAL GUARD

The Celestial Guard is TGOs armed space fleet.
Heaquartered at The Complex in Kruger 60, the Guard also
has bases in the Snake Eyes and Ross 248 systems. Although
it isnt a huge fleet, and is composed mostly of light to
medium vessels, the Celestial Guard holds the distinction of
being the most advanced force of armed spacecraft outside
of the Terran Home Fleet, with arguably better trained and
more experienced personnel. While the THFs formidable
reputation insures they seldom actually fight, the Celestial Guard has been through three trade wars with ISTAR
and the CRF, half a century of conflict with the Titans, and
countless piracy-suppression ops.
The Celestial Guard recruits from among TGOs
employee-citizens, and also accepts volunteers from TGO
client-settlements which are under Celestial Guard protection. This is one of the many services which the Guard
provides to TGO clients, along with training for volunteers.
This provides the client-settlements with a source of highlytrained spacecraft crews, after theyve completed their tours
of duty.
Following the Terracide, the Celestial Guard was kept
very busy. In the first year after the disaster, piracy became a
serious problem as deserters from the CRF frequently went
rogue. Then the CRFs main fleet, and elements of the THF,
invaded the Kruger 60 Cluster the Guards biggest challenge ever.

28

THE APOGEE BRIGADE

The Apogee Brigade is the elite unit of troopers who
serve aboard Celestial Guard vessels, also headquartered at
The Complex in Kruger 60. The Brigade is mainly composed
of a mix of genotypes: Geminis, Leos, Aquilas, and baseline
humans. However, they accept any volunteers who can pass
their rigorous physical requirements, so almost any type of
humans may be found in their ranks.
The Apogee Brigade established its reputation in the
second trade-war against ISTAR, when Leo troopers
defending TGO habitats and vessels went head-to-head
against the allegedly-unstoppable Ursa boarding parties.
Although widely perceived as rivals since then, Leos and
Ursas actually came through with a sort of grudging respect
for each other. Today there are even a few Ursas in the
Apogee Brigade.
During the invasion of the Kruger 60 Cluster, several
battalions of Apogee Brigade troops went to ground in the
warrens of Marathon Free Station and engaged in guerillastyle warfare against the CRF troops occupying the asteroid
habitat.

SPECIAL PROJECTS, INC

Special Projects, Inc is a little-known division of TGO
which handles situations too sensitive, volatile, or unprofitable for the companys other departments. Headquartered
at The Complex in Kruger 60, Special Projects maintains
offices in every TGO settlement, and a few satellite offices in
TGO client-settlements with close ties to the company. In
these cases, Special Projects employees are usually granted
jurisdiction to conduct investigations within the colonies,
settlements or habitats where they operate.
Special Projects is popularly perceived as TGOs counterpart to the OFFICE, but strictly speaking, this isnt necessarily true. While Special Projects may occasionally conduct
investigations, intelligence gathering or covert operations,
their actual mandate is more accurately stated as Whatever
those wonks at The Complex need to get done. This brings
them into conflict with the OFFICE on a regular basis;
hence the widespread perception of equivalence between the
organizations.
In reality, Special Projects is quite different. While its
personnel receive the best possible training, equipment
support available from Terran Galactic, they dont have
the resources of ISTAR. Special Projects personnel seldom
receive extensive genetic modification or alien technology.
They do, however, have a reputation for outside-the-box
thinking and extreme deviousness, not to mention an insufferably snarky attitude.
Before and during the invasion of the Kruger 60 Cluster
following the Terracide, Special Projects was responsible
for a variety of incidents in the region: the defection of
several CRF crews to TGO, the disappearance of several
others, sabotage against CRF forces occupying Marathon, the
disruption of an unknown number of OFFICE operations,
and the exchange of a hundred hostages from 61 Cygni for
one THF Admirals daughter.

The Lacerta Syndicate is a ring of corsairs which operates

out of the EV Lacertae system. While most of the corsair
syndicates are (or rather, were) tied to organized crime back
on Terra, the pirates of Lacerta were a loose band of independents using an abandoned asteroid habitat as a base of
operations, preying upon the poorly-defended settlements
elsewhere in that system.
After numerous protests from the inhabitants of EV
Lacertae that the Celestial Guard had failed to effectively
patrol the system, TGO sent in Special Projects, Inc. In
their classic style, the agents of Special Projects did something nobody expected: they hired the corsairs. Now the
Lacerta Syndicate works for TGO as an auxillary squadron,
supporting itself with commerce raiding, providing escort
vessels in dangerous areas, and patrolling areas the Celestial Guard is unable to cover due to shortage of available
spacecraft.
Prior to the Terracide, the Lacerta Syndicate didnt exist
as such; its a recent development. During the occupation of
Marathon Free Station and 61 Cygni, the Lacerta Syndicate
served as a deniable raiding force which kept the CRF and
THF on the defensive, delaying their plans to take the rest of
the Cluster.

STELLAR EXPRESS
Stellar Express is the largest interstellar shipping
company in Terran Space. They have a reputation for getting
passengers to their destinations in style, and delivering goods
on schedule. They also have another reputation, for going
the extra parsec to harrass and inconvenience their competitors. Mention of Stellar Express is a good way to polarize a
roomful of interstellar travelers. Half of them swear by the
companys service, the other half want to throw its shipmasters out the nearest airlock.
Another little-known fact about Stellar Express is that
they have ties to organized crime on Terra. It wasnt easy for
Earths criminal syndicates to get a foot-hold beyond SolSpace, but they offered services to Stellar Express which the
company could not refuse. This is how Stellar Express gained
its reputation for intimidating and harrassing its competitors.
In return, they provide transport for various businessmen
from Terra when they need to travel to the Colonies.
Stellar Express enjoys a near-monopoly along the Core
Loop colonies, and has the largest market share among
interstellar shippers nearly everywhere else, except for the
Kruger 60 Cluster. Due to the TGOs interest in other shipping concerns, competition in the region has not favored
Stellar Express. For this reason, Stellar Express has supported
ISTARs repeated attempts to assert its control over the
region, including the most recent conflict after the Terracide.

THE FREE TRADE LEAGUE

The Free Trade League is a collective of independent
interstellar merchants. They support the expansion of
privately-owned merchant spacecraft by underwriting loans
to new League members for the purchase of small interstellar
freight vessels. The League also has its own spaceport facilities at many settlements where its members receive discounts
on fuel, repairs, lodging, and just about everything else. In
return for this service, League members are obligated to
make their loan payments on time, contribute a portion of
their profits to the League for facility upkeep, and pass along
information on astrogation, patrols, corsair activity, and so
on.

Since the Terracide, this arrangement has not held up

everywhere. Some of the loans for League vessels were held
by Terran banks which no longer exist, and a few League
members have taken advantage of the confusion created by
this disaster to skip payments. Some have left the League
altogether, and in the worst cases, turned corsiar and used
their inside knowledge of League shipping to prey on their
former allies.
Fortunately, these cases are the exception rather than
the rule. Most League members have made their payments
at off-world branch banks since the Terracide, which has
been instrumental in keeping some of the smaller branches
solvent. They have also contributed to the aid of refugees in
need of transport, and even run blockades during the invasion of the Kruger 60 Cluster.

3: Organizations

THE LACERTA SYNDICATE

DOCTORS WITHOUT LIMITS

Doctors Without Limits is the interstellar counterpart to
the Terran organization known as Doctors Without Borders.
Based in Alpha Centauri, they have been most active in the
nd
Core Colonies since their founding in the early 22 century.
Their most widely-publicized work has been the ongoing
relief efforts for the stricken Omicron colony, which they
have struggled to keep in the public eye for decades. They
also took part in the relief effort when the Zeta Reticuli
Colony was overrun by VeNoMs.
Since the Terracide, Doctors Without Limits has lived up
to its name, turning up literally everywhere in Terran Space
as the Junta carried on its war of unification. Their reputation
as impartial humanitarians has enabled them to walk in and
out of the most dangerous war zones.

UNITED TERRAN PRESS

United Terran Press is the foremost source for news
in Terran Space. While their headquarters bureau was
destroyed on Terra, the UTP has satellite offices on almost
every settlement in Terran Space. The off-world bureaus were
considered something of a side-show back on Terra, but in
the colonies, they are very popular.
Since the Terracide, of course, the off-world bureaus are
all that remains of the UTP. The Alpha Centauri bureau
initially took on the task of coordinating the efforts of the
other satellite offices. Up until the Junta began its war of
consolidation, this arrangement was working, but then the
Junta began censoring reports from the Core Loop bureaus,
and the others stopped taking direction form them.
Since then, each office has functioned independently,
resulting in rather chaotic, often conflicting reports from
different UTP bureaus. However, the UTP field reporters
remain some of the most dedicated and determined journalists in Terran Space, no matter whats going on upstairs back
at their home office.

LIVING GALAXY FOUNDATION

Living Galaxy Foundation is dedicated to adapting
humanity to new environments, rather than making new
environments for man. The LGF is responsible for some
of the most radical genetic engineering projects in Terran
Space both on humans and other life forms. The Aquarius,
Aquila, and Ares genotypes all owe their existence to the
rd
Foundation. However, at the dawn of the 23 century, they
turned their attention to bio-engineering entire habitats.
The 61 Cygni project is the site of one of the most ambitious project in Terran Space: the Living Galaxy Foundations Dyson Tree habitats. Home to thousands of Aquila
genetic engineers and support personnel, these massive

29

3: Organizations

vacuum-dwelling organisms show great promise. Although

still in their infancy, the trees are already many kilometers in
length and breadth. Even the Jovians who occasionally visit
61 Cygni and rarely take interest in any human activity -have shown interest in this project.
During the occupation of 61 Cygni, personnel of the
Living Galaxy Foundation went to extreme measures to
insure the safety of their project, even going so far as to enlist
the aid of the Jovians to keep the Terran Home Fleet away
from the Trees. The THF wisely avoided them.

SOPHONTOLOGY STUDIES INSTITUTE

Sophontology Studies Institute, located at Sirius, is the
most important center of alien studies in Terran Space. With
close proximity to the abandoned alien site at Sirius B, and
the Fluorians and Ammonites each less than a month away,
the Sirius system is a crossroads of alien activity. While much
of the activity at Sirius B is classified, and access to the site
itself is highly restricted, a steady stream of artifacts and
reports from the site are declassified and released for study at
the Institute.
Following the Terracide, this changed, as the Junta tightened security at Sirius B. Many believe that they were looking
for alien weapons technology, but this is unlikely, as ISTAR
has never produced any alien super-weapons from the Sirius
B site. Exactly what they did find is still classified, however.

NEW TERRAN COLONIAL FOUNDATION

New Terran Colonial Foundation is concerned with
Earth-like worlds; either making new ones or finding
them. They have been involved as consultants, publicists,
and researchers on every major terraforming project in
Terran Space since the exploration of the Core Loop. The
Foundation also maintains a small fleet of exploration
vessels, used to search for new worlds to terraform, or for
earth-like worlds which may be settled without the need for
terraforming.
As of yet, no earth-like worlds have been found, but
after the Terracide, rumors began to circulate that a NTCF
vessel had discovered one, at least 50 light-years from
Terra. Nobody knew where, because the crew had been in
debriefing on Terra when it was destroyed. A few people
believed the rumor and went looking for this new world, but
TGO feared it was an OFFICE ploy to scatter its forces in a
pointless search for a new homeworld while the Junta unified
the colonies.
When the fighting is over, however, TGO will undoubtedly wish to investigate this rumor. Most of the Foundations
exploration fleet was in the field when the Terracide occurred
and have yet to report back, so its quite possible that one of
them may have found something.

PLANETARY CONSERVATION SOCIETY

30

Planetary Conservation Society is a highly vocal organization of environmentalists who believe that mankind
has no right to alter the naturally-occuring environments of
alien worlds. The PCS has waged a century-long campaign
of violence against terraformers, sabotaging equipment and
infrastructure in repeated attempts to slow down or intimidate them. This has resulted in many injuries and even a
number of deaths.
Recently, a PCS publicity stunt backfired, resulting in the
deaths of a hundred PCS activists at New Cydonia. Widely
known as the New Cydonia Massacre, this has resulted in
renewed public sympathy for the PCS, even though the
so-called massacre was actually self-inflicted.

THE CURATORS
The Curators are a loose society of concerned citizens
who desire to preserve the cultural heritage which was lost
when Terra was destroyed. Barely qualifying as a coherent
organization, the Curators are really just a number of individuals who share a common hobby. They communicate via
the Tangled Web, notifying each other when they locate a
Terran artifact sought by one their other members, each of
whom has a particular specialty.
The Curators would be a mere curiosity, except for the
determination with which they pursue the objects of their
desire. When a Curator locates something from Terra he
wants for his collection, theres no telling how far he will go
to acquire it they can be dangerously persistent. Some will
harrass the owner until they agree to sell it, paying any price
no matter how outrageous. Others have actually been known
to resort to robbery, burglary, grave-robbing or murder to
possess Terran artifacts.

SONS OF TERRA
Sons of Terra is the name of a violent organization dedicated to a single goal: revenge for the Terracide. Composed
of numerous cells operating independently all over Terran
Space, the Sons are not very well organized. While they all
agree that the slaughter of billions of human beings must be
avenged, they dont necessarily know who to blame, and each
cell has a different idea about who might be responsible.
Every alien species known to humanity has been put
forth as a suspect, along with a few whose existence is
purely conjectural. There are even Sons of Terra who seem
convinced the Terracide was perpetrated by the Junta as the
opening move in their campaign to take over Terran Space,
or a lost colony which wanted to make sure nobody from the
homeworld ever found them.
The trouble starts when these misguided vigilantes try to
act out their revenge fantasies. At the moment, humanity has
its collective hands full dealing with fallout from the disaster,
and the internal strife brought on by the consolidation war.
The last thing it needs is a bunch of loose cannons starting a
whole new war with an advanced alien species which could
easily finish what the Terracide started. Unfortunately, the
Sons of Terra seem determined to do exactly that.
So far, plots to use weapons of mass destruction against
various aliens have all been stopped by a variety of agencies,
including one unprecedented case in which the OFFICE
and Special Projects Inc, were forced to cooperate to save
humanity. But the Sons of Terra show no signs of giving up,
so the various agencies charged with protecting Terran Space
continue their high-stakes game of thermonuclear whacka-mole with these idiots. One mistake, and humanity could
find itself embroiled in a war it cannot win.

4
CHAPTER FOUR:

CHILDREN OF
THE GALAXY

4: Children of the Galaxy

ALIENS
My own suspicion is that
the universe is not only
stranger than we suppose,
but stranger than we can
suppose.

-John Haldane

he discovery of alien life in other star systems has

been an ongoing series of cultural and psychic
shocks from which humanity has yet to fully
recover. Earth-like worlds are rare, and life as we
know it is equally rare, yet life has been found elsewhere
and in some of the strangest places imaginable. Intelligent
life has also evolved in the most unlikely environments, and
Terran sophontologists have found that the nature of its
environment has a profound impact on all intelligent life. As
a result, the alien species mankind has encountered are vastly
different not only physically, but mentally as well their
thought processes are as alien as everything else about them.
Terracide attempts to avoid many cliches common to
aliens in popular SF. There are no humanoid aliens with forehead appliances, no alien societies based on earth cultures,
no talking animals, insectoid hive-minds, and no energy
beings. A reasonable attempt has been made to answer the
questions of what type of being would evolve in a given environment, and how would it perceive the universe?
GMs should remember that none of the species written
up here are intended for play as PCs. Nor are they being
played by Hollywood actors. Roleplaying tips are provided to
help GMs run these aliens in character.
PCs should remember an alien is not an actor in a funny
suit. Its a bizzare-looking life-form which evolved in an
environment completely different from your own, with an
utterly different means of breathing/eating/mating/trading/
communicating/thinking. Dont annoy it.
We would not sell you
any data your species could
not process you cant
afford it.

THE KEEPERS

32

The Keepers were the first alien species humanity encountered upon leaving its home system. When the first sub-light
interstellar mission arrived at Proxima Centauri, the Keepers
were there waiting for them. The Proxima system should
have been lifeless, but the Zheng He spacecraft received a
signal, from the dark side of a tide-locked, airless world
orbiting the red dwarf sun. Upon sending down a landing
craft, the crew made first contact with the most widespread,
and powerful, species in the galaxy.

The Keepers is their name for themselves: an ancient

species based on superfluid helium-II chemistry, which
only exists in the coldest reaches of space. They inhabit red
dwarf systems, which can be found everywhere, living on
cold worlds orbiting far from their dim stars, or on the cold,
airless darksides of tide-locked worlds orbiting very close.
Appearance: The Keepers are not much to look at; pools of
superfluid dot the landscape of their settlements, with no
visible signs of movement or technology. However, this is
misleading, as they are capable of communicating via radio
signals (generated by unknown means) and trading with
other species for information.
Biology: The biological basis of the Keepers is a closelyheld secret. They tolerate no inquiries into the subject, and
refuse any offers of payment for the information. Terran
theorists, and those of other species willing to discuss the
matter. agree that the Keepers could not have evolved in their
current form, and may have created their helium-II bodies
as a means of extending their species long-term survival
prospects. Although the lifespan of the Keepers themselves is
unknown, the red dwarf star systems they inhabit will outlive
others by many billions of years.
One important aspect of Keeper physiology has been
established the species has an advanced form of quantumentangled communications which may link every Keeper
world in the galaxy. Information acquired by one Keeper
settlement is apparently known to all others immediately, no
matter how distant.
Society: The Keepers are the galaxys foremost information
brokers. They take payment in the form of new information, or in exotic materials they dont have ready access to.
They particularly prize magnetic monopoles, anti-matter,
and other unusual forms of matter. They trade in information with nearly all known species (except the Titans, who
dont seem to comprehend the concept of trade) and probably others unknown to humanity. They have vast stores
of knowledge: on advanced technologies, sciences, distant
reaches of the galaxy, many alien species, and their secrets.
Their prices, however, are extremely high.
Occasionally, someone, or something, attempts to coerce
the Keerpers into divulging information by the use of force.
This never succeeds, because killing any number of Keepers,
even an entire settlement, results in no loss of information to
the species, which is apparently the only thing that matters
to them. In the aftermath of such a debacle, their response is
always the same: an immediate embargo on all information
for all species, until the guilty parties are delivered to the
Keepers.
In the first century of human starflight, ISTAR attempted
to enforce a ban on unauthorized human contact with the
Keepers, to prevent the uncontrolled dissemination of alien
technology. As the availability of FTL travel spread, this
became increasingly impractical. By the beginning of the
24th century, many independent explorers have sent their

Settlements: Keeper worlds are unremarkable ice-balls with

no signs of development. Taking a census of the Keepers on
a single world, let alone all the Keepers worlds, would be
impossible.
If humanity survives this
crisis, the species will be
transformed... but at what
cost?

FLUORIANS
Fluorians are the most human-like of all the aliens
encountered by mankind so far, which isnt saying much.
Since their first contact, they have been humanitys most
lucrative trading partner among the alien species, and
the closest thing to an ally which the Terrans have found.
Fluorians are the only alien species with a spoken language
Terrans can hear and understand, although speaking it is
impossible. Fluorians can also understand Terran languages,
but do not speak them.
Appearance: Fluorians are bilaterally symmetrical bipeds
averaging 150cm in height, and 50kg mass. Their legs are
digitigrade, back-bent like terran birds, and their arms have
similar structure, giving them greater flexibility and agility.
Their hide is white and pallid, with symmetrical black markings on the extremities, and their crested, wide-eyed heads.
Their dark red eyes are set far apart, giving them excellent

peripheral vision. Fluorians mouths are small and lipless,

surrounded by several 10cm feelers, adapted to a liquid diet.
They breathe through multiple slits on either side of their
elongated necks.
Biology: Fluorians breathe an atmosphere of fluorine and
sulfur dioxide at approximately 200 C. They prefer gravity
and atmospheric pressure similar to humans. Their metabolism and thought processes are considerably faster than that
of humans, although they have little difficulty adapting to
the pace of humans, or any other species if needed. They are
adapted to feeding on a liquid diet, although it isnt known
exactly what type one theory is that their primitive ancestors on the Fluorian homeworld drank the vascular fluids of
their prey. Terran biochemistry is poisonous to the Fluorians,
so possible exsanguination has never hampered diplomatic
relations. Their lifespan is relatively short, averaging about 50
standard years, during which they produce two to four
offspring by live birth, usually two at a time.
The Fluorians short lifespan is offset by a limited form
of ancestral memory. They begin life with the ability to
recall memories of their most recent ancestors, and this
ability improves throughout the Fluorians life. More distant
ancestral memories are difficult to recall, but the most skilled
mind-walkers can remember events from several centuries
ago.

4: Children of the Galaxy

own expeditions to Keeper worlds, resulting in a profusion

of alien technology, science, and ideas across Terran space.
However, the budgets of independent explorers are usually
limited, and few have purchased anything truly dangerous to
humanity.

Society: Their ancestral memories create very strong family

ties among Fluorians, and this forms the basis of their
society. Related Fluorians share many of the same memories, giving the term like-minded a meaning unique to
their species. A pair of twin Fluorians will often be referred
to mind-siblings, and they will often know each others
thoughts to a degree which seems almost telepathic, although
in reality each knows what the other is thinking because they
share the same memories.
The ability to pass on memories to their descendants
influences the Fluorian outlook in many ways. They desire
to experience as much as possible for themselves during
their lifetimes. Fluorians have less fear of sacrificing their
lives than humans, knowing that their descendants will have
the drive to carry on their work. Long-term projects lasting
several generations are common in Fluorian society. Obviously, this applies to Fluorians who have reproduced those
who die without doing so fail to pass on their memories,
which is considered a great loss. Like humankind, Fluorians
are very protective of their young for this reason.
The Fluorians ancestral memories also provide them with
wisdom far beyond what their short lifespans would imply.
They consider themselves one of the most enlightened of the
known species, and with good reason. Fluorians can co-exist
peacefully with almost any other species, (except the Titans)
and have done their best to act as a big brother to humanity,
even though most humans tend to ignore their advice.
Human philosophers, however, consider Fluorian philosophy
extremely compelling, as do most other species. When the
Fluorian Masters speak, even the Titans listen.
Settlements: Fluorian colonies are few and far between,
but tend to be rather larger than their human counterparts.
They prefer to settle on worlds they can properly xenoform
to their preferred environment, which comfortably support
populations in the hundreds of millions. These worlds also
have extensive orbital infrastructures: massive space stations
with environments for visiting species, solar-powered
monopole and anti-matter factories, and other high-tech
projects indicate a wealthy species with a mature star-faring
capability.

33

4: Children of the Galaxy

We have always been as

we are... do not ask questions with no answers.

AMMONITES
Ammonites were encountered not long after the Fluorians, but mankinds first meeting with them did not go well.
The HCST Barnards star flotilla arrived at Epsilon Eridani
expecting to meet up with the Wolf 359 flotilla, but instead
found the Ammonites, and no sign of any Terran vessels.
They initially suspected the Ammonites of destroying their
fellow explorers. This turned out to be a mistake, but ever
since then, humans and Ammonites havent completely
trusted each other.
Appearance: Ammonites vary in appearance, but have
many common features. They mass about 200kg, and average
300cm in length. They have a brown-and-green banded
nautiloid shell, reminescent of Terras extinct order of
mollusks, which were also known as ammonites. The shell is
oriented on top of the Ammonite body, curling up and back.
Their hide varies in shade, usually some combination of
greens and browns, like their shells. Seven flexible appendages emerge from the Ammonite shell. One is adapted for
eating, four serve as ambulatory/grasping limbs, and two
function as short eye-stalks.
Biology: As their name implies, Ammonites are ammonia
breathers, and they favor small, cold worlds with liquidammonia environments. They prefer low gravity, and like
most ocean-dwellers, adapt easily to zero-G conditions. Their
metabolism is slower than humans, but their lifespans tend

to be longer, averaging about 200 years. Ammonite eyesight

is adapted for low-light conditions, while their hearing is
inferior to human norms. Their olfactory senses, however,
are extremely advanced, allowing them to identify each other
and even communicate via the release of complex pheremones. Many Terran xenobiologists have concluded that
the Ammonite genome could not have occurred naturally,
and that they must have been engineered. The Ammonites
themselves vigorously deny this. Almost nothing is known
about Ammonite reproduction.
Society: The social structure of Ammonites is based on
castes or ranks, which in turn determines the types of
pheremones released by an individual Ammonite. Those of
a lower rank find orders from higher ranks impossible to
disobey, up to a point. There are limits to how many others
a high-ranking Ammonite can control; usually 49 of the
next-lower rank. (The equivalent of 100 in their bizarre
base-seven math.) Important tasks are typically delegated to
a controller with a full completement of 49 menials; its not
uncommon to see 50 Ammonites at a time. Larger undertakings go another rank up the hierarchy: an overseer with 49
controllers, each with its own complement of menials, has
2450 Ammonites at its disposal. A small colony answers to a
preceptor, who may controll upwards of 120,000 Ammonites,
while a large oceanic settlement would theoretically be run
by a suzerain, who could indirectly control almost six million
individuals.
In practice, human trade delegations have never met
an Ammonite above overseer rank face-to-face (not that
Ammonites have faces, as such). Some of the most common
mistakes made by humans when dealing with Ammonites is
to mistake the lower castes for mindless drones, or to think
of them as part of a hive-mind. Nothing could be farther
from the truth. While they obey the orders of their superiors
without question, all Ammonites are fully
intelligent and capable of independent
thought and action. In the absence of
direct orders, lower-caste Ammonites tend
to assist their fellows in whatever theyre
doing. Higher-ranking Ammonites are
more competitive with their peers, looking
for a means to advance within their caste.
Settlements: Ammonite colonies dont
seem to follow a set pattern; they build
whatever is most expedient under the
circumstances. Only one fully xenoformed Ammonite world is known; an
oceanic colony with an unknown (but
very large) population living under a vast
plain of ice. Other Ammonite settlements
may be rotating space stations or simple
zero-G orbital structures, with populations of anywhere from a thousand to
a hundred thousand. Most Ammonite
technology is unremarkable by human
standards, but they have excellent biotech
for those who can afford it. Advanced
pharmaceuticals, gene-therapy, regeneration, and even longevity treatments are
available, although ISTAR particularly
frowns on the latter.

34

On behalf of the
immortal Mother of
Skies, I welcome you to our
biome. You will be safe
here, so long as you offer
no violence. Remove your
weapons now, and Mother
of Skies will allow you to
live.

SIRIANS

JOVIANS

Sirians is the name given to the mysterious inhabitants

of the Sirius star-system. Discovered by the same explorers
who first encountered the Fluorians, who warned them not
to enter the Sirius system. Ignoring the warning, the Terrans
continued on their way and made first contact with the
Sirians, but did not survive to tell about it. After a number of
failed attempts, lost spacecraft and crews, ISTAR went into
the Sirius system in force and removed the threat. Nothing
remains of the Sirians now except for the installations and
artifacts they left behind when they escaped.

Jovians is the name given to the alien race of gas-giant

dwellers. These creatures are huge, like the worlds they
inhabit, with intellects to match their vast size. Each one is
a world unto itself, the size of a small space colony, with a
unique ecosystem created by the Jovian for its own purposes.
A few of them have even engineered themselves to support
Terran life.

-untranslated

Appearance: Unknown. No intact Sirian, dead or alive,

has ever been captured, or even observed. Records they left
behind indicate that they made extensive use of advanced
robotic machines, and a few sophontologists believe that
these machines were the Sirians.
Biology: Unknown. If its true that the Sirians machines
were the actual intelligence occupying the Sirius system, they
would be the first post-biological intelligence encountered by
humanity.
Society: Also unkown. One thing which is known for certain
is that the Sirians were very hostile; not just to humanity, but
to all other species. The Fluorians and Ammonites avoided
Sirius, which raises the question of how humanity found
three alien species so close together, and so close to its homeworld. One theory is that the Florians and Ammonites were
jointly keeping tabs on the Sirians from a safe distance.
Settlements: Only one example of a Sirian settlement has
been captured, in orbit around the white dwarf star, Sirius B.
Very few of the images and artifacts from this site have been
declassified for public study just enough to be certain that
they are far more technologically advanced than humanity.
Its not entirely clear how ISTAR evicted them from the Sirius
system at all, but the most popular theory is using alien tech
borrowed from the Keepers.
The same species is suspected of destroying expeditions to
Altair, Fomalhaut and Vega, but this has yet to be confirmed.
ISTAR and TGO urge extreme caution in type A star systems
until more facts are available.

-a Jovians humanoid construct greets visitors

Biology: These creatures are very poorly understood. They

originally evolved in the atmosphere of a gas giant world,
long ago, but they have long since become a spacefaring
species, and now inhabit gas giants throughtout Terran
space, and possible the whole galaxy. Jovians have extensive
control over their own development, including the capability to engineer artificial ecosystems inside their bodies
and create artificial life-forms which inhabit them. They
have adapted themselves to the cold upper reaches of gas
giant atmospheres, as well as the crushing depths near their
metallic-hydrogen cores. They can also adapt themselves to
the rigors of interstellar travel. They are effectively immortal,
and capable of travelling between stars at sub-light speeds.
However, they sometimes purchase a FTL drive and retro-fit
it to their outer hide; apparently hyperspace doesnt harm
them, either.
Society: Its not clear if there is any such thing as Jovian
society as they appear to be solitary creatures. Whether they
communicate with each other on a regular basis is unknown.
Each Jovian, however, is a community unto itself, with its
own population of biological constructs, engineered by the
Jovian to perform whatever tasks it needs doing. Many of
these constructs are nonsentient, being specialized for simple
tasks and having no need of higher mental functions. A
few, however, are engineered to be at least as intelligent as
humans; or more intelligent, in some cases.
Jovians only rarely interact with other species, but when
they do, they seldom deign to speak with them directly. From
the Jovian perspective, none of the other species (except
the Keepers) are full sentient, being closer to the level of
the Jovians biological constructs. So the Jovians prefer to
use their constructs as envoys. They usually custom-make
constructs similar to the species theyre dealing with, to
facilitate communication.
The Jovians also sell constructs made to order. This is
how the Virgo-types came to be; an unscrupulous trader
gave a Jovian specifications for what he thought would be an
ideal companion. The Jovian demanded a complete Gemini
genome in return. The trader got more than he bargained
for his companion was much more intelligent than he
expected, and promptly escaped. The Jovian, meanwhile,
has sold its work to others there have since been reports of
other Jovians using Virgo-type envoys.

4: Children of the Galaxy

110010001001111000010101010
011010101010010101010010101010
01010010100101001010010010010
101010010101010010101010001010
010101001010111101010010110000
1101010100101001010101001010101
0010110101001001010101010100101
00111111110101010101010111011011011
11001001110010

35

4: Children of the Galaxy

Settlements: None known to humanity. Although some gas

giant worlds are known to harbor multiple Jovians, they have
never been seen to congregate or create any infrastructure on
their worlds. Nor have they shown any signs of needing any.
Jovian technology is almost entirely biological, although
they also have access to metallic hydrogen, which other
species value highly. They trade for metallic goods (although
some Jovians harvest their own, via their constructs) and
also for new genomic information.

The Terrans have done

amazingly well, for such
fragile, freakish, coldnatured creatures... .

CYTHERIANS
Cytherians are also named for the type of worlds they
prefer to inhabit: extremely hot worlds with super-dense
atmospheres. The ability to maintain this environment
internally makes Cytherian spacecraft and orbital habitats
extremely durable, but expensive. Cytherians prefer to live on
xenoformed planets if possible.
Appearance: Cytherians appear as 50cm mottled grey silicon
flatworms, between five and ten cm thick. They are bilaterally symmetrical, with six limbs arranged three to a side.
Their anterior/posterior ends are identical in appearance,
with an upper and lower opening in each. They move, speak
and think much more quickly than humans, giving them a
hurried, frantic aspect which most humans find rather
jarring.
Biology: Cytherians are partially based on silicon, in addition to carbon, making them very resilient. They thrive in
super-dense carbon-dioxide/fluorine/sulfur atmospheres
at temperatures over 400 celsius. Though sightless, their

36

hearing and vocal apparati are advanced; they seem to hear

and speak with their entire body surface. A Cytherian
in its natural environment can pinpoint any sound within
range, regardless of direction. It can recognize humans by
voice, even through the thickness of an environment suit,
and can learn to detect vocal stress patterns. Their speech
is normally inaudible to humans, due to pitch and rapidity-they speak too quickly for humans to follow. In fact, Cytherians do everything far more quickly than humans, having a
metabolic rate about four times faster than ours.
At the age of about 25 years, a Cytherian reaches a thickness of ten cm, at which point it reproduces by division,
spawning an upper and lower offspring. The upper
twin retains the mentality of the original, and acts as a
parent to the lower one, which is effectively a newborn. In
this way, the Cytherian species preserves its knowledge and
traditions, while continually producing young minds capable
of new insights. At any given time, about half the Cytherian
species are first generation with no memories from previous
generations. Half the remainder have memories going back
one generation. Half of those go back two generations, and
so on.
This makes the Cytherian species effectively immortal,
although those with truly ancient memories are very rare:
about one in a thousand go back ten generations; one in a
million go back twenty generations. Unlike the rather difficult-to-recall ancestral memories of the Fluorians, however,
the Cytherians ancients have perfect recall their siliconbased memories are almost as good as a computer.
Society: A Cytherian ancient and all its descendants are
collectively known as a lineage. The lineage is the basis of
Cytherian society while the oldest among them may not
be giving orders or making decisions for the rest, the whole
point of Cytherian society is to preserve the knowledge of the
ancients. While information technology has long since made
this at least partly redundant, the social imperatives remain
computers may conserve knowledge, but the wisdom and
traditions of the species are not so
easy to store in a machine.
The Cytherians relations with
other species are complicated
by the speed of their thought
processes. Most other aliens use
virtual intellegence (VI) proxies
or telepresences (or both) to
bridge the gap. Terran VI systems
have proven especially good at
working with Cytherians on
their own terms, and Terran
software is highly prized by the
Cytherians, along with volatiles
and organics which are easier for
Terrans to work with at temperatures considered cryogenic by the
Cytherians, but room-temperature for Terrans.
There have been reports of
Terran VI systems reverseengineered by the Cytherians
and sold to other species which
have difficulty working with these
fast-thinking aliens, which has
led some to question their ethics
on the subject of intellectual

Settlements: Cytherians prefer to settle on worlds xenoformed to their liking, rather than using space habitats of
any type. They are capable of travelling and living in space,
but the effort of containing their preferred atmosphere gas
mix and pressure raises technical challenges even for the
highly-advanced Cytherians. Its far easier for them to stay
on or under the surface of the few worlds which they have
engineered for colonization. Estimates of their populations
vary, ranging from the millions to billions.
Cytherian settlements are controlled by a few powerful
lineages, with various responsibilities delegated to less
powerful lineages based on their specialities. There are
lineages devoted entirely to spacefaring, and contact with
other species, which are the only ones most non-Cytherians
ever meet in person. These Cytherians have some of the most
advanced high-performance spacecraft known to humanity,
and all of them are known to be armed. Its not yet clear
whether the speciality of a lineage determines how much
power it wields, or vice-versa.
In the upper reaches of Cytherian worlds atmospheres,
temperatures and pressures decline to levels humans can
survive, and a few enclaves have been built to take advantage
of this fact: huge bubbles of air containing miniature cities,
encased in corrosion-resistant stained glass float through
the clouds, many kilometers above the surface of Cytherian
worlds, where thousands of human diplomats and their
dependents can interact with these amazing creatures on a
day-to-day basis.

Judge your enemies by

what they can take from
you.

TITANS
Titans are one of the more hostile species encountered by
humanity, and one of the most stubborn. It took the largest
corporation in Terran history half a century of warfare to
dislodge a single family unit of Titans from the Kruger 60
Cluster. Their name comes from their preferred habitat
smaller worlds with nitrogen/methane atmospheres similar
to Saturns largest moon. Whether the name also refers to
their great power is debatable while an individual Titan
can be extremely dangerous, they do not work in large
groups, which limits their power as a species.
Appearance: The low gravity and liquid-ethane environment
in which Titans dwell permits them to grow very large; a
mature Titan (approximately 150 years old) masses around
50 metric tons, its rust-shaded ellipsoid body reaching 15
meters across its major axis. No sensory organs are visible;
the Titans rely on millimeter-wave radar which they can
sense with any part of their bodies. At either end, an eightmeter tentacle with three branches serves for both movement and manipulation. However, it is extremely rare for a
Titan to be seen without augmentation of some form; most
wear environmental gear equipped with a variety of extra
tentacles and additional sensors.

4: Children of the Galaxy

property laws. In some areas, ISTAR has attempted to

enforce an embargo on Terran software sales to Cytherians,
but this has only resulted in the creation of a thriving black
market.

Biology: Titans are extremely long-lived, with natural lifespans thought to extend up to 1600 years on average. Few,

37

4: Children of the Galaxy

38

however, die of natural causes, due to their violent tendencies. They perceive the world primarily through millimeterwave radar, which is highly developed in their species. They
also have a means of transferring chemical information via
direct skin contact similar to the Ammonite olfactory
sense, but based on taste rather than scent. Their metabolism
is much slower than humans, requiring them to breathe only
three times an hour, and eat and sleep only once a week.
Their thought processes and movements usually seem slow
and ponderous, but it is extremely dangerous to underestimate them. Titans are capable of short bursts of speed
in emergencies, and they are constantly accompanied by
machines which think very quickly. Little is known about
Titan reproduction only thatthey have two sexes, and the
female produces a clutch of eggs from which up to a dozen
young Titans may hatch.

Titans gain status among their kind when they have to

struggle for something--not necessarily physically, but the
more difficult the acquisition, the better. Likewise, some
victims choose to take the easy way out, and just give the
Titan what it wants without a fight. This results in almost no
gain of status for the Titan, and makes the victim look like an
easy mark for poor, low-status Titans with nothing to lose-the worst kind.
If a Titan wants something from you, fight for it. The
Titan will appreciate your efforts to make it look good,
and it will owe you for that. Rumors tell of some Titans so
appreciative that they returned the merchandise afterwards.
Conversely, if theres something you want from a Titan, youll
have to play by their rules. Dont try to fix a pricejust
figure out how to take it. It helps to load up on plasma ammo
first.

Society: Titans are not social creatures, and rely extensively

on advanced technology to accomplish their individual
goals. A single Titan may command vast technical resources,
including highly dangerous nano-tech, making it more than
a match for thousands of well-armed humans.
The only time they work in groups is when a male/female
pair agree to undertake a joint long-term project which
requires additional help. (Its usually something dangerous,
especially for the help.) A clutch of young Titans is hatched,
and put to work on the project as soon as they are large
enough. Those that survive are promised a share of the spoils,
plus whatever they can steal from their siblings. Needless to
say, even on successful projects, few young Titans receive any
significant payment other than betrayal and death.
This is all completely sensible from the point of view
of the Titan parents: they need weaker assistants they can
control, with no resources of their own , rather than fullymature and well-equipped rival Titans with personal agendas
that might get in the way. And once their project is complete,
paying every single one of the youngsters off would be
prohibitively expensive, so its best to keep them at each
others throats right to the end and pay the strongest ones,
who will no doubt have learned a great deal about project
management from the experience!
Thus is the Titan race kept strong, and its ranks
prevented from over-running the galaxy. This is fortunate for
the galaxys other species, for Titans apply their darwinian
ethics to pretty much everything they do, including relations
with aliens. Constantly trying to steal from their own kind
is seen as a counter-productive zero-sum game, so Titans
practice on the lesser species whenever they find something
worth taking. Trade is an alien concept to a Titan; they
dont haggle, bargain or barter; they take what they want, and
the price is whatever the vendor will do to the Titan to
protect the property in question.

Settlements:Titans can live almost anywhere, although

they prefer large gas-giant moons with hydrocarbon seas. A
typical Titan base will be inhabited by a single Titan, with
an extensive sub-surface habitat and a massive automated
defensive complex. They make extensive use of virtual intelligence, nano-technology, and in some cases, anti-matter
weaponry, all of which are far in advance of human tech
levels. (Default level of TL12.) While Titan crewed spacecraft
are rather large and slow, they are well-defended, and deploy
squadrons highly-maneuverable combat drones which are
more than a match for human spacecraft.
In the event that a Titan base with multiple occupants
is discovered, it is most likely a syndicate consisting of a
mated pair and their offspring. Such bases are extraordinarily
dangerous, as when the defensive complex engages intruders,
one of the offspring may take advantage of the confusion
to attack its siblings, (or in rare cases, one of the parents
but this is usually suicidal) at which point the visitors not
only have to dodge automated doomsday weapons, but the
crossfire of two or more young Titans trying to murder each
other.

5
CHAPTER FIVE:

LIFE IN THE
24TH CENTURY

5: Life in the 24th Century

LIFE IN THE
24TH CENTURY

n the 24th century, the extra-solar colonies are all that

previous generations conflicts with confusion or amuseremains of humanity. These settlements have experiment. What was all the shouting about, anyway?
enced well over a century of extremely rapid growth,
Of course, not all colonies or colonists follow this pattern,
due to environmental and economic conditions on old
and many individuals do not fit neatly into generational
Terra. More than half a century
categories. In an older colony,
A new life awaits you in
has passed since the exodus
its not unheard-of for a firstthe Off-world colonies. The
from Earth reached the milegeneration colonist to raise a
chance to begin again in a
stone of one million persons
family with a third or fourthgolden land of opportunity
a year. As a result, humangeneration resident, at which
and adventure.
itys colonies in space have
point things get much more
--Blade Runner
exceeded all growth projeccomplicated for all concerned.
tions. Combined with moderate
but steady birth rates, this has
raised the total population of the colonies to well over a
Life in the extra-solar colonies varies in quality,
hundred million in 2311 AD.
depending on whos in charge. In general, the technology
Individually, the colonies vary in population a great deal.
level of a 24th century space colony supports a very high
A small independent colony just starting out might have as
quality of life, where everyone enjoys access to adequate
few as 1000 people, although this is an extremely low figure.
resources (housing, food, information) and gainful employSuch a colony would need to have technical assistance from
ment. However, the methods of providing all this vary a
outside, or a plan to expand very soon, in order to survive.
great deal between colonies, and some are more effective
At the other end of the spectrum, the largest colonies
than others. Different colonies also have differing methods of
constructed so far will support ten million people. Such
handling breakdowns in the system, with varying results.
colonies are generally quite old and well-established. While
The oldest colonies are those in the Core Systems, collecit would be possible to build much larger, there hasnt been
tively known simply as the Core Colonies, and administered
any need for such large habitats as of yet. Theoretically, a
space habitat could be constructed to support as many as 100 by the Global Assemblys High Council on Space Transport.
(HCST) In these colonies, government is a thoroughly
million people.
entrenched bureaucracy, staffed by appointees from Terra.
High Council staff oversee all aspects of running the colony,
and as such wield a great deal of personal influence: food,
The market for transport off Terra is highly competihousing and work assignments all go through the bureautive, resulting in a mix of highly trained and skilled firstcracy, and in most cases, HCST staffers will use their influgeneration colonists from all over the world. These people
ence for personal gain usually monetary. Almost anything
tend to be strongly motivated and most consider themselves
worth having in such colonies will require a bribe of some
fortunate to have escaped from the homeworld. In newer
sort, which drives up the cost of living.
space colonies, this outlook sets the pace for vibrant growth
The colonies of the Kruger 60 Cluster are light-years
and progress. However, in older, more established colonies,
ahead of those in the Core. They are all owned and operated
where second, third, and subsequent generation citizens
by Terran Galactic Operations, which is an employee-owned
outnumber the new arrivals, differences in outlook have
cooperative, meaning the TGO colonies are owned by their
resulted in considerable social friction.
residents. Fully aware of the rampant corruption in the Core
Second-generation colonists with no memories of Terra
Colonies, TGO set up its colonies to minimize such proboften have difficulty understanding their parents. They
lems; an elected board of directors oversees each colony, and
consider life in space, away from the trials and hazards of
an internal affairs unit conducts regular audits. This results
the homeworld, to be their birthright, and sometimes seem
in slightly more paperwork, but resources are distributed
to lack the drive which brought their parents to the stars. In
more equitably, with less favoritism and hoarding. While not
some cases, first-generation colonists hoping to avoid these
perfect, TGO colonies are the standard by which others are
problems opt for children with modified genomes: usually
measured.
Gemini or Mensae types. This often backfires as the enhanceElsewhere in Terran Space, many independent colonies
ments which make these children superior also tend to
have been founded by a wide variety of sponsors, each with
make them more assertive and rebellious, and they often
its own ideas about how a space colony ought to be run.
become leaders or spokesmen for their unmodified cohorts.
Some of them are models of high-tech efficiency, although
Third and subsequent generation tend to share their
this doesnt always guarantee a high standard of living.
second-generation parents views, but are even farther
Others are poorly managed death-traps where the powers
removed from the homeworld. As the grandchildren of the
that be have set themselves up in style while their world-inhighly-driven first generation, they arent pressured as their
miniature falls apart all around them and their colonists pay
parents were, and tend to be well-adjusted, looking on the
the price. So far, there havent been any total losses, but a few

Quality of Life

Social Dynamics

40

Why Are They Out There?

Colonies in space serve a number of purposes in the 24th

century. The one thing mankind has not found are other
worlds like Terra, where people can settle and make a new
Earth in the image of their homeworld. The dream of a new,
unspoiled home for humanity remains nothing more than
a hope, and an increasingly slim one at that. However, from
the very first starflight, mankind has found good reason to
keep going back for wealth, knowledge, or, having failed to
find new worlds, to make them.
The most important extra-solar colonies are the terraforming projects: Epsilon Indi, (Tierra Nueva), Tau Ceti (Stella
Magna and Greater Mars), BD+56 2966 (New Cydonia) and
Sigma Draconis (The War Garden). While none of these are
habitable yet, all of them have a sizeable population living
in hostile-environment habitats on the surface, as well as a
large permanent orbital infrastructure. When complete, they
will potentially provide living space for billions of people,
although this effort is expected to take centuries.
Other colonies have been established for the purpose
of alien trade. At Proxima Centauri and Groombridge 34,
missions to the Keepers trade in information. There may
also be independent colonies in contact with the Keepers,
but nobody knows for certain. In the Core, the Fluorians
have an outpost at Procyon, and the Ammonites at Epsilon
Eridani. In the Kruger 60 Cluster, the Eta Cassiopeiae system
is a trade nexus for almost every known species with which
humanity trades.
Another important activity is research, and a number
of colonies have been established to support this endeavor.
The most prominent is at Sirius, home of the Sophontology
Studies Institute, and the site of the abandoned alien site by
the unknown species which used to occupy the Sirius system.
Many other systems have research outposts which have
grown into colonies in their own right.
Some systems are heavily colonized simply due to their
location. The 61 Cygni system is an example of this: as the
gateway to the Kruger 60 Cluster, it requires a sizeable colony
to service the interstellar traffic which comes through the
system. Most travel between the Kruger 60 Cluster and the
Core Loop passes through 61 Cygni, and the profits from
this traffic have made this system quite wealthy. However,
other systems on major trade routes are not always equally
successful; some of them never acquire permanent populations and are simply referred to as way stations.
There are a few systems which have no value other than
strategic, and are given over to military jurisdiction. The
back door route between DX Cancri in the Core Loop and
Snake Eyes in the Kruger 60 Cluster is a prime example. This
route is too long to be useful for trade, but could be used for
flank attacks by either party, so the DX Cancri system is the
site of a Colonial Reserve Fleet base, and the Celestial Guard
maintains a base at Snake Eyes.
Finally, some star systems are quite simply, completely
worthless to almost everyone. However, for those who
wish to start a colony in isolation and not be bothered,
such places are ideal. The motivations for such projects are
varied: dangerous research, isolationist political views, social
experimentation, persecution, and religious contemplation
have all been given as reasons. Such places should always
be approached with caution; most wish to be left alone, but

some undergo a regime change during their second generation and welcome renewed contact with the outside world.
Ironically, the EV Lacertae system has become the site of
dozens of isolationist colonies, due to its dangerous solar
flares and the availability of asteroid habitats which provide
safety from them.

Physical Colony Types

The most common space habitats are based on design

studies going all the way back to the late 20th century,
although they are constructed and operated with much
more advanced technology. They typically look like spheres,
toroids, or paired cylinders. Most are designed to spin once
per minute or less, with a large enough radius to provide
normal gravity. (At least 900m.) These are the most earthlike of all artificial habitats, with environments as close to
the homeworld as physically possible. A few are designed
for martian-level gravity, and may have smaller diameters or
slower spin.
The most challenging aspect of space habitat design
is radiation shielding, and in systems with variable stars,
or especially flare stars, this becomes a major problem.
Asteroid habitats are the norm in these systems, as they can
be hollowed out to provide living space while still leaving
the desired thickness of rock walls for shielding. They can
be spun for gravity, and with artificial lighting, made almost
as comfortable as any other type of habitat. Asteroid habs
without spin-gravity are preferred by Aquilae types. Whether
rotating or not, asteroid habs are often used for military
purposes, as they are very hard to destroy.
On the surface of planets or moons, settlements are
often domed. Such structures are as strong as their orbital
counterparts, and designed to withstand local conditions,
which are usually very hostile. Vacuum is harsh, but some
planets are subject to extremes of pressure, temperature, or
other atmospheric conditions which are much worse. Unlike
rotating colonies, surface domes are subject to local gravity,
which cannot be altered. Aside from that, they rely on most
of the same technologies as orbital environments, with a
similar standard of living.
Among the most exotic habitats being constructed are
the Dyson Trees of 61 Cygni. These bio-engineered organisms are designed to grow on comets in the vacuum of space,
gathering sunlight and taking nutrients from the volatiles
within the comet, and producing oxygen, water and other
consumables for their human occupants. Currently, only
a few small examples exist which are less than a century
old, but the technology is improving, and there are already
permanent Aquilae type residents living within the largest,
oldest Dyson Trees. Given the number of available comets
in every star system, this project has the potential to provide
virtually unlimited habitats for the zero-G adapated.

5: Life in the 24th Century

close calls have ended with mass evacuations from independent habitats which were no longer viable without major
repairs.

41

5: Life in the 24th Century

The Basics of
Survival in Space

With over three centuries of experience in space,

humanity has learned a great deal about creating artificial
worlds. The energy and raw materials needed for power, heat
light, air, water and food are all available, waiting to be put
to use. In the 24th century, many advanced techniques are at
the disposal of world-builders.
The raw materials needed for the structure of most artificial habitats are extracted locally usually from asteroids,
if there are metal-rich asteroids in the same star system.
Small asteroid habitats are quickly constructed as precursor
habitats during construction of the main habitat, as other
asteroids are broken down for raw materials. This process
is heavily automated: performed by industrial robots,
controlled by virtual intelligences, and overseen by humans.
Once the habitat is complete, these facilities continue to
supply raw materials for new construction of additional
infrastructure, repairs, and local industries.
The light of other suns powers many space colonies;
solar power is cheap and abundant in most star systems.
However, in many systems with red dwarf stars, solar power
is impractical due to the stars low luminosity or tendency to
produce solar flares. In these cases, fusion power is typically
used as a substitute. Whether solar- or fusion-powered, the
main power supply of a colony runs everything: its electrical
grid, its utilities, its agriculture, its industry, and its information tech. There is always a back-up power supply, usually a
smaller fusion plant.
Air and water are supplied by volatiles mined from
comets or other icy bodies in the local star system. These
also serve as a source for other light elements as well. Both
air and water are recycled with minimal losses; most colonies
maintain a large enough population of plant-life to scrub
excess CO2 naturally, and water is purified in supercritical
oxidation plants.
Food is grown in dedicated agricultural habitats adjacent
to the colony proper, which are environmentally controlled
for optimal crop yields. A wide variety of environments can
be simulated, allowing many different Terran crops to be
cultivated, using topsoil, hydroponics or aeroponics. Livestock are also grown, although beef is extremely uncommon
most colonies have pork and poultry in abundance, and
a few engage in aquatic farming for fish and shellfish. A
few colonies have experimented with vat-grown beef, but
success on that front has been limited.

Information technology

42

To look at the physical appearance of a 24th century

space habitat is only to scratch the surface; a wealth of
additional resources is available in the form of data. Modern
Augmented Reality (A/R) technology makes these resources
available everywhere in the habitat, effortlessly. Nearly all
space colonists have a wearable or implanted A/R interface
with a virtual intelligence agent, which constantly accesses
the habitats A/R network in real-time, providing whatever
context-related information the user requires (subject to
availability).
The habitats A/R network is similar to a wireless web
but instead of displaying information on the screen of a
dedicated device, the information is projected onto the field
of vision of the user when he looks at the place, object, or
person of interest. Most A/R interfaces use either contact

lenses or visors for this purpose. To prevent information

overload, and a field of view so cluttered it would blind the
user, A/R information is divided into levels of interest,
which may be turned on or off according to the users
preferences.
There are literally hundreds of levels, but only a few
dozen are in common use. The Hazard level alerts users to
dangerous areas and conditions turning it off makes the
user liable for any injuries which result, so this is rarely done.
The Navigation level makes getting lost in a habitat physically
impossible, as long as one stays in areas covered by the A/R
network. These and a few other levels are nearly always in use
by everyone. Others are optional, but used nearly every day.
There are a number of Commercial levels, each covering a
different area of commerce. A user looking for a good restaurant would access the Navigation level to find several of the
closest eateries. Upon finding one, he could stop outside
and access the Dining level, which would display its menu,
prices, available seating, wait time, and customer ratings.
Upon going inside, the A/R network would alert the staff
a new customer had arrived, while the new customer (our
user) accesses the Social Networking level to see if anyone
he knows happens to be there. He locates a couple of friends,
but their status shows Do not disturb so theyre probably
on a date violating DND status is unspeakably rude, in any
event.
More specialized levels are available for different situations. Most 24th century equipment is equipped with an A/R
chip which can be queried for diagnostics, troubleshooting,
and repairs. It will also remind the user when the device is
due for routine service, maintenance, warranty expiration,
or whatever. Many such levels require the user show that he
is qualified and authorized to service the equipment before
accessing the information. You cant use A/R to query your
opponents firearm and check to see if hes out of ammo!
(Not without hacking his guns A/R chip which could take
a while.)
There are also a number of confidential levels, most of
which have sensitive personal data. In the example above, a
police officer in the restaurant could, in some jurisdictions,
access the Criminal Records layer for the restaurants patrons
or staff. The ability of local police to do this differs from one
jurisdiction to another, based on the local regulations for
police. Financial and medical information are also available,
but very closely guarded. Penalties for unauthorized access
to such information vary a great deal from place to place,
depending on local privacy laws.
A/R networks also provide communications services
throughout the habitat. General announcements from the
colonys governor or ruling council can be sent to all A/R
users. Also, since each A/R interface is uniquely identifiable,
one user can contact another via the network, anywhere in
the habitat, although there may be some areas the A/R net
doesnt cover. This capability may be expanded to include
A/R conferences with any number of users, subject to practical limitations.
Finally, the Government level provides a variety of
services, depending on the type of government in the habitat.
In some places, this is little more than an information service
for citizens who need to know which bureaucrat they should
direct their futile requests towards. In others, feedback from
citizens is actively solicited, either via messages to their
aldermen/councilors, or in the form of referenda, which may
or may not be binding. Highly democratic habitats governed
directly by their citizens use A/R for polling purposes; in

service is the Ministry of Reality, which is a group of

unidentified users who research rumors on the tangled Web
and post their findings either confirming or debunking
them. The Ministry has been around for about 15 years, and
has an excellent track record.

Interstellar Communications

Other Technologies

Another 24th -century technology whose importance

cannot be understated is that of quantum-entangled communication devices. It took well over a century for quantum
entanglement to be put to use in this way early theories
held that this was impossible. In 2311AD, while quantumentangled devices (QEDs) are used for communications,
they are very rare and expensive. Many star systems dont
have one, relying on courier vessels to carry information
(the Phony Express) until they can afford a QED. Most
systems with large, established colonies have a QED, which is
connected to a network of such devices spanning the width
of Terran Space.
This network is commonly known as the Q-Net, and it is
very valuable. The QEDs allow messages to be transmitted
instantly across any distance, even between stars. However,
the available bandwidth is very low, so Q-Net service is
limited to text only. And transmission speeds are not the
fastest most QEDs are in use around the clock, sending
and receiving high-level government, military and academic
(in some cases) information. There is no consumer market
for Q-Net service, at least not yet. In some cases, unofficial
traffic is inserted into the data-flow on behalf of someone
with government, military or intelligence connections, but
this requires contacts at the highest levels, and is severly
frowned upon if the privilege is abused.
A few very large spacecraft in the Colonial Reserve Fleet
and the Celestial Guard are equipped with mobile QEDs,
but this is extremely rare. Putting such an expensive piece
of hardware on a combat vessel which is intended to go into
harms way is usually seen as a waste. However, in the case of
well-defended flag vessels unlikely to be lost in combat, the
advantage of having an instantaneous communication relay
with Fleet HQ is deemed worth the risk. Most other QEDs
are in secure locations, usually seats of government or military power, where those in charge can access them quickly.
For everyone else, there is the tangled Web. The QEDs
are never accessed directly other computers of more
conventional design serve as interfaces to keep them isolated
and preserve their entanglement. However, these computers
nearly always have back doors which allow unauthorized
users access to the Q-Net. This community of unauthorized
users have established their own portals, and even formed
interstellar working and discussion groups, which comprise a
shadow of the official Q-Net, known as the tangled Web.
Accessing the tangled Web is almost as hard as getting
onto the Q-Net, but for different reasons. Since most tangled
Web users are unauthorized, they have to keep their activities
a secret, so there are no official listings for any of the services
or people on the tangled Web the only way to find them
is by tracking them down, either online or in the real world.
And most of them are very good at staying hidden.
The most famous of these is a mysterious figure known as
the Jack of All Tirades, a self-appointed pundit who has been
posting missives, rants and general observations about the
current events of Terran Space for nearly a century. Rumor
has it he lives somewhere in the uncharted tunnels of Marathon Free Station. When the Jack speaks, people listen his
predictions tend to be very reliable. Another highly regarded

Artificial Intelligence remains a long-term goal of information technologists. While the human mind has been studied
in great detail, it has not been duplicated in digital form.
The most advanced attempts have resulted in minds which
went catatonic within milliseconds of attaining consciousness. Some researchers theorize that constructed AIs lack the
survival instinct which is fundamental to an evolved intellect such as the human mind. It is believed that an AI with a
similar set of imperatives might be viable -- but it might also
be extremely dangerous.
There are, of course, non-sentient computers which
simulate consciousness almost flawlessly. There are capable
of learning almost any skill (except for interaction skills)
and are capable of self-programming, to a degree. These
computers are called Virtual Intellects to differentiate them
from true AIs.
Robots remain specialized machines. The iconic humanoid
robot of fiction, while certainly within the capabilities of
24th century technology, remains a solution in search of a
problem. The only extant androids in 2311AD are found
in research laboratories, or occasionally as curiosities for
hobbyists or the wealthy. Actual working robots are mostly
designed for specific tasks, or sometimes for a broad set of
tasks.

5: Life in the 24th Century

such places, every citizen may have a number of issues to

vote on daily, which is considered an important responsibility. This practice is most common in TGO habitats, where
employee-citizens votes are weighted by their equity in the
company using a complicated sliding scale.

Nano-technology is fairly common, but is also strictly

controlled. While everyone uses products created with nano,
the actual -tech itself is directly used by very few. Besides
being very expensive and difficult to use, nano-tech can be
dangerous if not handled properly. Controls became even
more strict after the Zeta Reticuli incident, when ISTAR
learned of alien nanites which could hijack human nanotech for their own purposes. The much-anticipated nanotech revolution is apparently still a long way off.
Cybertechnology is seldom used due to the ready availability
of biotech. The major drawback of cybernetic implants is
that unlike biotech, they are not self-repairing. While almost
any body part (except the brain and a few other organs) can
be replaced by cybernetics, such implants almost invariably
wear out within the lifetime of the recipient, necessitating
another surgery for repairs or outright replacement. The
same problem comes up if the implants are damaged or
require upgrades. While nano-technology makes it possible
to have in-situ repair capabilities for cyber-implants, this
is even more expensive and risky. The contest between
cyber- and biotech played itself out in the 21st century, with
biotechnology the clear winner.
In the 24th century, the only cybernetic implants in
common use are those which no biological system can
duplicate -- mostly various types of computer interfaces.
Many A/R users opt to have their interfaces implanted so
they never get lost or stolen. And some advanced (military)
spacecraft have direct neural interfaces which allow them to
be controlled by crews immobilized under extremely high
G-forces.

43

5: Life in the 24th Century

44

TRAVELING IN SPACE

pace travel in the 24th century relies on a great

many tried-and-true technologies. The days of
experimental rocketry are long over, and now
humanity confidently strides between worlds
using the best of its own technology combined with those
acquired from alien species. Interstellar travel is also
possible, although the alien stardrive which makes it so is
poorly understood, and difficult to use.

THE BASICS:
GETTING AROUND IN
NORMAL SPACE
For surface-to-orbit travel, and other short-range
missions, most travellers rely on shuttles and orbital transfer
vehicles. These space taxis are designed for temporary
occupancy (less than a day) and have relatively light-weight
hulls. Almost none of them are large enough for spin-gravity.
They are fueled by stabilized meta-helium, an exotic form of
helium with several times the energy density of conventional
rocket fuels, such as liquid hydrogen. Meta-helium also
fuels the attitude jets and maneuvering thrusters on larger
spacecraft.
Surface-to-orbit shuttles are usually capable of 3Gs of
thrust, have atmospheric streamlining, and fuel for about
twenty minutes at full thrust. (About 36kps total delta-V.)
Lower-performance craft designed for smaller vacuum
worlds arent streamlined, and can sustain 1G for a full hour
instead; theyre extremely useful for traveling around the
moon systems of gas giants. Orbital transfer vehicles are
not designed to land at all. They have small thrusters which
operate at a third to half a G for up to an hour. (Only 6 to
10kps delta-V.)
For longer journeys, fusion rockets are the 24th century
standard. State-of-the-art fusion propulsion uses a hybrid of
human technology combined with improvements acquired
from alien species. The basics of fusion rockets have been
well-understood since the closing decades of the 21st century.
However, early unaugmented fusion rockets produced
relatively little thrust. Modern torch drives use magnetic
monopoles in their fusion cores to catalyze the reactions,
giving them the ability to produce several gravities of thrust,
if needed.
Torch drives are extremely powerful and dangerous
devices with enough destructive power to wipe out an entire
settlement in minutes. Their exhaust is a stream of alpha
particles traveling at several percent of lightspeed, in long,
tightly collimated beam coming out of the engine. It remains
hazardous for several thousand kilometers afterwards, until
it attenuates enough for radiation shielding to stop it. For
this reason, no torch drive is permitted to operate within
10,000km of any human habitat. Alien species have similar
restrictions the exact distance varies.

Dont tell me that man

doesnt belong out there.
Man belongs wherever he
wants to go -- and hell do
plenty well when he gets
there.

--W. von Braun

Civilian spacecraft rely on a relatively inexpensive

hydrogen-boron fuel system which relies on electrostatic
confinement to produce fusion. This system isnt the most
efficient, but the fuel is relative abundant, which makes it
affordable. Its exhaust velocity is around 4% of C, giving a
delta-V of 120kps for each 1% in the vessels mass-fraction.
The fuel for this system requires processing prior to use,
making civilian fusion vessels dependent on way stations and
local fuel supplies.
Military spacecraft use a much more expensive deuterium
fuel system, which relies on microwave inertial confinement
to initiate a fusion reaction. The fusion core temperature
must be much higher than normal to get a clean reaction
with no dangerous side-effects (neutrons), making this a
difficult system to use. Its military value lies in the abundance of deuterium, which may be found and refined almost
anywhere. This frees military spacecraft from relying on fuel
supply lines and allows them to live off the land when refueling in deep space. The exhaust velocity of military fusion
drives is twice that of civilian drives, giving them twice the
delta-V for the same mass-fraction in fuel.

The Interstellar Overdrive

Until the beginning of the 22nd century, the nearest stars

were thought to be decades away. Then humanity acquired
the Interstellar Overdrive, and decades became weeks. While
the stars are now within reach thanks to this technology, it
has limits which must be understood to make it work.
Most importantly, the stardrive has a limited range. It can
only go a certain distance before it needs to be shut down
and recalibrated. Also very important is the fact that the
Stardrive must be near a large mass (such as a star) to be
calibrated properly, or it will malfunction. Thus, a spacecraft
using it must reach a star system before the drive goes out
of calibration, or become lost in hyperspace. The Interstellar
Overdrive can be used to explore star systems, but not deep
interstellar space.
The range of the Interstellar Overdrive is defined by its
tech level. Early TL8 units could only travel eight light-years
between calibrations, which put many star systems out of
their reach, or only made them accessible via long roundabout routes. These are now obsolete. Virtually any star
system can be reached with a TL9 unit, which is capable of
traveling nine light years between calibrations, although not
always by a direct route. State-of-the-art TL10 units can go
ten light-years between calibrations, which provides access to
more direct, more efficient routes.

Economics of FTL Travel

Interstellar spacecraft are not cheap: civilian models cost

$200K (adjusted) per metric ton on average, while military
vessels cost at least twice that. While military spacecraft are
purchased by governments, most civilian vessels must be
paid for by commercial ventures of some sort usually interstellar trade. The most import rule is: an idle spacecraft is not
paying for itself! Every effort is made to keep commercial
spacecraft operating at full capacity, preferably at a profit. The
operational tempo of which a spacecraft is capable depends,
like so many other things, on its tech level.
Vessels with TL9 drives spend more time on each transit;
up to 40 days to travel nine light-years. They can reasonably be expected to make eight or nine transits in a year,
depending on the length of their route and turn-around time
spent in port. Many craft operating with major carriers run
regular routes and have brokers in their ports of call who
have cargo and passengers booked up for them, ready to go
as soon as they arrive. Such operations are efficient, and very
routine.
Many independent vessels dont operate on regular routes
or schedules, which makes this sort of arrangement impossible. They have to find their own cargo and/or passengers
each time they visit a port, which results in longer intervals
between transits. Such vessels generally make fewer transits
in a year, and thus have a harder time showing a profit. They
also have a reputation for accepting high-risk, high-profit
cargo, for obvious reasons.
A spacecraft with a TL10 drive spends less time in each
transit; up to 36 days traveling ten light-years (which TL9
craft cant do at all) and 23% faster than TL9 craft on runs of
nine light-years or less, in any case. They average nine or ten
transits a year, and the extra runs make them considerably
more profitable to operate. The introduction of TL10 drives
into the civilian market has resulted in a steady increase
in the number of independent merchants, who are now
competitive with larger carriers still operating at TL9.

Due to the length of time required to make an interstellar

transit, payments on spacecraft are usually made on a quarterly basis. Generally speaking, two successful transits per
quarter will suffice to make the payment; proceeds from a
third transit may be applied to an early payment, or kept for
the vessels operating fund, to be used for repairs, upgrades
or routine maintenance. A successful transit is defined as one
with no major problems, delays, damages or other unexpected costs, with the vessel fully loaded (or nearly so) with
both cargo and passengers.
Prices are set according to mass and distance of transit.
For freight, the base price of transport is $200 per metric ton
per light-year. Hazardous or fragile cargo may be double or
triple this price, depending on the level of danger or special
handling required. Priority cargo carries a 50% bonus, but
only if its delivered on time. This often means a vessel must
leave immediately, even if its hold and passenger cabins arent
full yet. Sometimes its worth the bonus. Illegal cargo doesnt
have a set price but its usually very high, even for relatively
small shipments; smugglers like to run light and fast.
Passengers are charged a rate of $4K per light-year
per passenger. Some luxury spacecraft might charge an
additional fee, usually a flat $1000 per light-year. Passengers
in hibernation require very little in consumables, and are
charged $200 per light-year. Hibernating passengers are
considered special cargo, each requires half a ton of shipping
for life-support equipment.
Far and away the greatest operating expense for an
interstellar spacecraft is routine maintenance, which must
be performed after each transit. This maintenance includes
replenishing monopoles in the fusion core, topping off the
fuel supply/consumables, and inspections of all major subsystems. The total cost is usually around $400 per light-year
traveled per ton of spacecraft, unless it has been damaged
and needs repairs beyond the normal routine.
Breaking down these numbers, a 100-ton freighter with
a STR score of 60 has a capacity of 100 tons of cargo, and 4
passengers. Fully loaded with passengers and standard cargo,
it will generate $36K per light-year in revenue, and incur
$40K per light-year in expenses. Obviously, this is a poor
business plan! In order to take up the slack, most merchant
vessels have extra strength to carry extra cargo or passengers.
Cargo vessels, of course, double their cargo capacity for each
+5 STR, some have +10 STR or more.
Passenger vessels can buy +5 STR to double their
passenger capacity, or +10 STR to quadruple it. This provides
not only extra passenger cabins, but improved facilities for
dining, entertainment and recreation during the voyage.
With some transits lasting up to 40 days, passengers need
a full line of services, and the prestigious shipping lines
compete to provide the best experiences for interstellar
travelers. Extra space is also allocated for express shuttles,
(2 Sizes smaller than the main craft) so the passengers dont
have to wait for local shuttles on arrival at their destination.
Its rare to see a vessel carry more than four times its base
passengers it slows them down, and passengers dont like
slow spacecraft! Also, passenger vessels prefer to have the
option of running from corsairs, who have been known to
take VIP passengers as hostages. Finally, the more passengers a vessel carries, the longer it takes for them to board/
disembark, which creates delays in port the passengers find
annoying. Vessels with extra passenger capacity are almost
always considered luxury craft, and will add an extra charge
to the base transit cost.

5: Life in the 24th Century

Even when properly calibrated, the Interstellar Overdrive

is subject to interference from large objects, and from other
drive units. The larger the spacecraft, the greater the interference smaller vessels may use their drives relatively close,
while larger ones need to be farther away. This effect has
profound effects on both commercial and military operations, as most human settlements are within the habitable zone of a system (even if it has no habitable worlds).
Spacecraft above a certain tonnage cannot transit directly
into this zone using the drive, instead arriving in the system
well beyond it. Commercial craft must use smaller transfer
vessels to quickly move passengers and cargo across the
intervening distance; military craft must send smaller craft
to attack targets deeper in the system, or cross the distance
using fusion drives.
Finally, the Interstellar Overdrive is sharply limited in
terms of effective speed. During transit (the time between
the drives activation and de-activation) it has an effective
speed of C multiplied by its tech level squared. The early TL8
drives could do no better than 64C, (about 5.7 days to the
light-year), TL9 units improved this to 81C, (4.5 days per
light-year), and the new TL10 drives have an effective speed
of 100C. (about 3.65 days per light-year) This makes for
an average of a month between star systems, in most cases,
which strongly effects the operational tempo of interstellar
travel.

45

5: Life in the 24th Century

46

This improves the situation somewhat: a vessel with +5

STR can expect to profit about $20K per light-year, fully
loaded. With a +10 STR, this figure is $60K per light-year.
Quarterly payments on the spacecrafts loan generally run 1%
of the purchase price; with interest on the loan, a total of 200
payments are due (2% per year for 50 years), although each
percentage point made on the down payment eliminates two
quarterly payments. So a 40% down payment counts as 80
quarterly payments, and only 30 years of payments remain.
A large commercial spacecraft with a +10 STR can easily
accomplish this, and have enough left to pay its crew, make
upgrades and repairs, all while making ordinary runs with
its holds only partially full of standard cargo and routine
passengers. However, life on these vessels tends to be rather
dull: they follow the same routes for decades at a time and
nothing ever changes.

On the other hand, smaller independent vessels tend

to opt for a +5 STR, and survive by taking odd jobs: highpaying charters, priority or hazardous cargo, and even
smuggling, just to keep the crew paid and the banks collectors at bay. This is the trade-off to be made for speed; such
craft could carry more cargo, but theyd be vulnerable to
larger, faster, and better-armed pirate vessels, with no way of
escaping, short of dumping all their cargo.
The aftermath of the Terracide has made the business
of spacecraft finance an academic exercise; the majority of
the banks holding outstanding loans were destroyed in the
Terracide, as were most of the spacedocks where new vessels
are constructed. For the foreseeable future, there wont be
any new construction of commercial interstellar spacecraft,
and for those in existence, the status of their ownership is
still being resolved.

A Typical Voyage, from Tau Ceti to Epsilon

Eridani, aboard a Solar Express Fast Clipper
You were right, Niles its
actually been fun. Getting aboard
the Northern Light took longer
than I thought it would, but not
for the reason I expected. Its so big
they cant dock at Stella Magna
too close to the primary. So they
use shuttles with short-range
hyper! It took a while to finish
the shuttle boarding it held
about 250, which I found out were
half of Northern Lights passengers the other half shuttled out
from Greater Mars. It also took
several minutes to reach a safe
distance from Stella Magna and
go into hyper. We were in zero-g
until the shuttle fired its engines;
the pills our Solar Express attendants gave us helped, but not for
everyone a few passengers got
sick.
Our hyperspace transit to
the Solar Express way station
was so short I would have missed
it without a heads-up from the
shuttles A/R net. We went two AUs
in about 15 seconds, and there it
was a small rotating hab with
our Fast Clipper, the Northern
Light, parked alongside it. I wasnt
looking forward to navigating
through another strange hab, so
I was relieved to hear the shuttle
was going directly aboard the
Clipper. It was coming with us to
Epsilon Eridani. One of a pair, its
sister-craft from Greater Mars
had already docked.
We settled into our cabin in
the rotating section, with about
1/3rd of a G. The floor tilted when
the engine fired to maneuver us
away from the way station. We

were advised by the A/R to strap in,

and Im glad we did! Fifteen degrees
doesnt sound like much, but its too
steep to walk around easily, even in
1/3rd gravity. Things went back to
normal when the engines cut out
20 minutes later; two hours after
that we transited to hyper, which
lasted 20 days.
During the voyage, there were
500 of us cooped up in a spacecraft
about 60 meters across but I never
saw more than a hundred of them
at one time. The Solar Express staff
organized a lot of events to keep
everyone entertained, but Ive never
been much of a joiner. I spent some
time in the zero-g recreation areas,
but mostly enjoyed all the services
out in the wheel Solar Express has
some good restaurants. And the
low-g spa had me ready to move
in, but I dont think $2500 per lightyear is feasible as a permanent
lifestyle! I made a point of seeing all
the shows, but preferred finding
my own entertainment in the
Northern Lights A/R library, and
reading in my cabin. Room service
spoiled me rotten, Im afraid.
Then we arrived at Epsilon
Eridani. The Solar Express way
station here is much farther out,
due to territorial claims of the
Ammonites apparently they got
here before us. Not that it mattered
much our shuttle was in hyper
for about a minute and a half this
time, then after another series of
annoying maneuvers, we arrived
at our destination: the trading
outpost. Time to go meet the locals.
Hope you can join us here soon!

6
CHAPTER SIX:

CHARACTER
CREATION

6: Character Creation
48

CHARACTER
CREATION

he central
Basic characteristics
Be careful what you pretend
characters in
start at a default value of
to be because you are what you
a Terracide
10. Characteristic maxima
pretend to be.
campaign will,
should be in effect. Racial
-Kurt Vonnegut
of course, be the Player
templates with characterCharacters. Three hundred
istic bonuses also have a
years from now, the human
bonus to their maxima. All
survivors of the Terracide are a motley bunch, genetically
characters receive Resource Points pools with a value of 25
adapted to a wide range of environments and lifestyles. This
real points:
chapter includes templates for different types of geneticallyaltered humans, backgrounds, and career paths. It also
Equipment = 50pts (Real cost = 10pts)
discusses how to use the Hero System to simulate the unique
Base/Vehicle = 20pts(Real cost = 10pts
setting of Terracide, or other campaigns in the space opera
Contact/Follower = 10pts(Real cost = 5pts)
noir style.
Terracide characters may be heroes people of unimpeachable honor and integrity struggling to save the human
The above point totals are for the characters kit: the
race; or they might be villain protagonists blackhearted
equipment theyre carrying. They also begin play with an
scoundrels who fight for humanity because all the alternaarmory of spare equipment equal to half the total points of
tives are even worse! Some of the best space opera noir stories their kit: +25 equipment points, +10 base/vehicle points, and
engender sympathy for central characters with extremely
+5 contact/follower points. See the Resource Point rules in
unpleasant pasts who overcome their personal history to save the Advanced Players Guide for details.
the day. Alternately, they might simply be regular people,
All Terracide characters begin play with two items of
caught up in the currents of history and thrust into imposequipment for which they do not pay points: a Body Pressure
sible situations. The important thing is that they be memoSuit (p. 95) and an Augmented-Reality Interface (p. 97).
rable space opera characters are larger-than-life, each with
Both of these are fully equipped, worth 45 and 44 real points,
a fantastic story to tell.
respectively. Characters who wish to keep spares may use
The first thing to do when creating characters for
the 5-point doubling rule for each, spending the points from
Terracide (or any other Star HERO campaign is for the GM
their kit or armory.
and players to discuss the overall tone of the campaign. The
space opera genre is a favored stomping ground of largerthan-life, over-the-top Big Damn Heroes such as Honor
Harrington (from Webers Honorverse), Luke Skywalker
(Star Wars), or John Sheridan (Babylon 5). On the other
hand, space opera noir tends to have morally ambiguous or
conflicted heroes, such as Tanner Mirabel (Chasm City), or
Richard Riddick (Pitch Black). Having everyone on the same
page with respect to the morality of the campaign will help
the whole group create characters that function together
well, and with the GMs campaign concept.
The other major decision which will affect the campaign
and all the characters is the power level of the campaign.
The default level for Terracide characters is Heroic, either
Standard (175pts) or Powerful (225pts). Normal power levels
would be playable, although difficult. Higher power levels
would likely result in characters too powerful to easily challenge in Terracide, but might be appropriate for other space
opera style campaigns.

-Winwood Reade, The Martyrdom of Man, 1872

GENETIC TEMPLATES
Genetic engineering is the key to mankinds survival in
a hostile universe, making possible humanitys adaptation
to any number of dangerous environments. However, the
genome of a living organism is extremely hard to re-design.
Germ-line engineering is somewhat easier the alteration of
gametes prior to fertilization. The result (if all goes well) is a
new genome which is fully heritable, but which is not fully
expressed until the next generation is born. For this reason,
the design of a new human genome is an expensive, longterm project, undertaken only when justified by the advantages it offers.
Three hundred years in the future, humanity has
branched out, via genetic engineering, into a number of
different sub-species, adapted for various hostile environments, or in some cases, designed for specific purposes. Each
of these altered genomes is capable of natural reproduction,
resulting in self-sustaining populations. There are currently
no new lines under development, and no custom genomes
are available. The following list genetic templates should be
considered exhaustive for the Terracide setting, unless the
GM rules otherwise.

AQUARIUS GENOME
The Living Galaxy Foundation funded the development
of the Aquarius genome for their oceanic colonies on old
Terra, and later for space colonization. The Aquarius-types
look mostly human, except for a few differences engineered
for aquatic survival: gills, webbed digits, and nicitating
membranes protecting their eyes.
22pts +2 Con, +5 End, +2 Stun, +4m Swim, Talent:
Aquatic movement, Life Support: Extended Breathing
(1), Save Environments: High Pressure, Extreme Cold;
Flash def-5, +1 with all Aquatic skills, -1m Run.
-10pts Distinctive Features: Aquarius physique (webbed digits,
nicitating membranes)
-5pts Physical Complication: Webbed digits (Infrequent;
Barely impairing)

AQUILA GENOME
The Aquila type is extremely numerous in micro-gravity
colonies, being adapted for the rigors of living in a gravityfree environment, and even survive brief exposure to
vacuum in emergencies. They are immediately distinguishable from baseline humans by their height, thin builds, and
feet modified for grasping. In normal gravity, they have
difficulty adapting and exerting themselves, which makes
them fairly easy to recognize.

6: Character Creation

A time will come when science will transform [us] by

means which we cannot conjecture...
And then, the earth being small, mankind will migrate into
space, and will cross the airless
Saharas which separate planet from planet, and sun from
sun.

25pts +2 Dex, +4m Leap (only in zero-G), Double-jointed,

Zero-G movement, Extra limbs (limited manipulation)
feet, Extended Breathing (1), LS: Immune to Zero-G
bone/muscle decay, Safe Environments: Vacuum and
Extreme Cold (5 minutes), Flash def-5 (only v. energy, 5
min)
-10pts Distinctive Features: Aquila Physique (tall, thin,
grasping feet)
-15pts Physical Complication: Impaired in gravity (Frequent,
Slightly)

ARIES GENOME
Aries (also known as Ares) types were developed during
the attempted terraforming of Mars, and further adapted
for similar projects on other worlds once FTL travel became
available. Like the Aquila-types, they are tall and thin, but
the similarity ends there: they have expanded chest cavities,
nicitating membranes on their eyes, and although they find
normal gravity tiresome, they can walk normally in it.
20pts +5 Con, +1 ED, +1 Rec, +10 End, +2 Stun,
Life Support: Extended Breathing (1), Safe Environments: Low pressure, Intense cold; Immunity to Dust
poisoning, Flash def-5 (only vs. dust), +1 Hearing
Perception
-10pts Distinctive features: Aries physique (tall, thin, nicitating
membrane, large chest cavity)
-10pts Physical complication: Impaired in normal gravity
(Frequent, Barely impaired)

49

6: Character Creation

GEMINI GENOME

URSA GENOME

The Gemini type is the most common engineered

genome, upgraded for superior health and fitness. They
appear identical to baseline humans, albeit with a much
lower incidence of physical defects. Due to their exceptional
heath, some baseline humans consider Geminis to be unfair
competition in the workplace or in other areas.

The Ursa genome was created by ISTAR as a low-maintenance trooper for its spacecraft and colonies. They can be
found throughout human space, not just in ISTAR service.
The Colonial Reserve Fleets specification for a geneticallyengineered trooper called for superior strength and toughness, as well as reduced life-support requirements. ISTARs
engineers satisfied these apparently contradictory goals by
using DNA from Terran bears, enabling the Ursa-types to
hibernate, while making them physically powerful. A fullgrown Ursa masses over 150kg, and reaches over 220cm in
height. They are heavily muscled, with extensive body hair,
but no fur, claws, or other beastial features.

15pts +2 Con, +5 End, +1 Body, +2 Stun, +2m Run,

Striking appearance (1), Immune to disease (except
bioweapons), +1 Sight perception
-5pts Distinctive Features: Modified Genome (Not Concealable, Detectable only w/technology)
-5pts Negative Reputation: Homo Superior (Infrequent)

LEO GENOME
Terran Galactic Operations designed the Leo genome
to defend its shipping and colonies from predation by
privateers, as well as harrassment by ISTAR forces. Leos are
unique among engineered genomes in that they incorporate DNA from carnivores (Terran great cats) which gives
them an undeserved reputation for being prone to violence.
Contrary to popular stereotypes, they have very few cat-like
features: their eyes and hair often have unusual coloration,
similar to those of cats, and they have almost no body fat.
They do not have fur, pointed ears, claws, fangs, or tails.
38pts +3 Dex, +1 OCV, +1 DCV, +1 Spd, +2m Run,
+2m Leap, +1 with all Agility skills, +1 Perception (all
senses)
-10pts Distinctive Features: Leo physique (low body-mass
index, cats eyes)
-10pts Negative Reputation: Prone to violence (Infrequent,
Extreme, Undeserved)

MENSAE GENOME
The Mensae genome was the product of a failed military intelligence program. The attempt to create a genetic
template for military geniuses was unsuccessful, but Mensae
types have found many niches for themselves in both the
military and civilian sectors. Their personality quirks make
them somewhat difficult to work with many of them seem
arrogant, detached, perfectionist, stubborn, or just plain
unstable. Physically, Mensae-types appear identical to baseline humans.
29pts +5 Int, +1 Ego, Cramming, Deduction, Eidetic
Memory, Lightning calculator, Speed Reading, Linguist/
Scholar/Scientist (pick one)
-5pts Distinctive Features: Tailored genome
-10pts Psychological complication: <varies> (Common,
Moderate)
-5pts Negative Reputation: Hard to work with (Infrequent)

50

30pts +5 Str, +3 Con, +1 PD/ED, +2 Rec, +5 End, +1

Body, +6 Stun; -1m Knockback, +1 Scent perception,
Life support: Extended breathing (1), Simulate Death
(+4), Imposing Physique (1).
-15pts Distinctive Features: Ursa physique
-5pts Physical Complication: Bulky frame

VIRGO GENOME
The Virgo genome is the only engineered strain of alien
origin. Nobody is absolutely certain of the Jovians purpose
in doing so, but rumor has it that their original client was
a human who desired a perfectly engineered companion.
Aside from highly developed secondary sexual characteristics and incredible physical beauty, they are similar in
appearance to baseline humans. Past a certain age, Virgotypes age more slowly than baselines humans, making their
true age difficult to guess.
25pts +2 Dex, +2 Con, +5 End, +2 Stun, +1m Running,
Double-jointed, Resistance +2, Striking appearance
+2, LS: Longevity (200 years), Immune to disease (not
v. bioweapons)
5pts Distinctive Features: Tailored genome
10pts Negative Reputation: Manipulative (Infrequent, Extreme)

The Cygnus genome was recently developed for life in

the deep-space colonies and low-gee domes of the Terran
system; only a few had emigrated to the extra-solar colonies
prior to the Terracide. Modern genetic engineering techniques have made previously impossible alterations to the
human form into a reality, and in those colonies with large
enclosed spaces of clear air and low (or no) gravity, winged
humans have finally taken flight, realizing one of the oldest
dreams of humankind. Other than their wings, Cygnus-types
appear similar to baseline humans.
50pts +5 Str, +5 Con, +1 PD, +1 ED, +2 Rec, +10 End,
+2 Stun, Environmental Movement: No penalties in
low gravity, Striking appearance: level 1, Multipower:
12pts, Restrainable. 1) Flight 12 Increased END cost
(special); 2) Hand attack, +2d6, 2m radius, Immunity:
Zero-G degeneration.
15pts Distinctive Features: Wings
20pts Physical Complication: Wings (cant wear backpacks,
space suits, etc.)

BASELINE HUMANS
Baseline humans still make up the vast majority of the
galaxys human population. This was especially true on old
Earth, prior to the Terracide. In most of the colonies, they
still form a large majority, and will continue to do so for the
conceiveable future.

NO ALIENS?
While there are a number of alien species in the Terracide
setting, Terracide does not make the assumption that aliens
will be anything at all like humanity they arent humanoid,
dont breathe oxygen, vary in size from a few centimeters to
several kilometers, and most of them dont communicate via
spoken language. In short, theyre too alien to be playable as
PCs.
However, some off-shoots of humanity have effectively
become alien to the rest, diverging from the norm to such
a degree that the mainstream no longer truly understands
them. Players who wish to run an alien character should
look at the various niches in which new cultures have
evolved: colonies founded by fringe groups for the purpose
of forming experimental societies, the Dyson trees being
grown by Aquilas, the fully Aquarian colonies within frozen
seas and ice-moons orbiting gas giants, and the rugged frontiers of half-terraformed desert worlds occupied by the Aries.
All of these have not only their own genomes, but their own
unique sub-cultures, which offer fascinating role-playing
opportunities.

This air isnt free, you

pay for every breath.

-The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

BACKGROUND
TEMPLATES
Background Templates reflect a characters place of origin.
The templates presented here are fairly comprehensive of the
places humans live or come from in 2310. However, taking
a template based on your characters place of origin isnt
mandatory, since not everyone conforms to these templates.

TERRANS
Terran characters are those born on humanitys homeworld prior to the Terracide. These individuals tend to have
a deep grounding in their home culture, with a history much
longer than any of the colonies. As such, theyre something
of a curiosity. Most surviving Terrans were only temporarily away from home during the Terracide, for business
or tourism, and did not expect to become refugees. This
has caused many of them to develop psycholgical problems.
In other cases, they are treated as outcasts, homeless and
destitute.
3
4
3
-10

6: Character Creation

CYGNUS GENOME

Cultural Diversity: CuK: Native Culture (Int-based)

Native language
Old-Earth mystique: Reputation +1, Large group:
Survivor of the Terracide
Dispossessed: Psychological (Survivor Guilt) or Social
complication (Refugee)

COLONISTS
Colonist characters come from a rotating space habitat.
They are completely at home in spin-gravity, and the effects
of coriolis forces seem perfectly natural to them. They also
have a basic understanding of the infrastructure that keeps
them alive, and how to safeguard it. Some asteroid colonies consist mainly of tunnels and small chambers; denizens of these habitats often have difficulty in open spaces
(agoraphobia)
4
1
-5

Fully adapted: Environmental movement: No

penalties in spin-gravity
Emergency drills: System Ops: familiarity 8Tunnel rat: Psycholgical complication: Agoraphobia
(optional, asteroid colonies only)

FLOATERS
Floaters live out their lives in zero-G, and most are Aquila
genotypes. They live in a wide range of habitat types, from
fullerene bubbles to Dyson trees, and spend a great deal of
time working in vacuum conditions.
3
2
-5

Emergency drills: System Ops: (Int-based)

Worst-case scenario: Survival: vacuum (Int-based)
Space-legs: Psychological complication: Dislikes
gravity

51

6: Character Creation

TERRAFORMERS
Terraformers are characters who live on hostile worlds
and work to make them more earth-like . Almost all of them
are involved either directly or indirectly with terraforming
projects, and well-versed in how to survive the dangerous
environment of their adopted world. They also tend to be
very serious about their work.
2
1
2
-5

The Practice: PS: Terraforming (general)

And Theory: SS: Terraforming: familiarity 8We love it here!: Survival: local environment
(Int-based)
Cant be too careful!: Psycholgical complication:
Hyper-vigilant

Other possible backgrounds include characters who

grew up traveling on interstellar spacecraft, with no true
homeworld; or even being raised in an alien environment,
although such cases are extremely rare.

Expertise in one field does

not carry over into other
fields. But experts often
think so. The narrower
their field of knowledge
the more likely they are to
think so.

-Lazarus Long

BASIC, EXPERT AND

MASTER TEMPLATES
Most of the following Templates are Basic Templates:
the minimum necessary package of skills and perks needed
to establish a baseline of professional competence in a
given field. For more experienced characters, the Expert or
Master Template may be added, with a few exceptions. The
Elite Military templates take the place of the Expert/Master
templates for the Basic Military Template. Also, the Graduate
School template and Academic template are considered the
Expert and Master Templates for the Undergraduate Education Template.

52

If someone wants to play a rookie character, they should

take the Basic Template for their career, and nothing else
related to that profession; no other relevant skills or skill
levels. (Rookies might very well have unrelated skills, perks
or talents, though!) Rookies can also reserve some unspent
points for later career development, if desired.
For a Dilettante style character who dabbles in many
fields, the character should have as many Basic Templates as
possible (at least three), but no Expert or Master add-ons.
Dilettantes also benefit from Overall Skill Levels.
Standard characters will want to buy the Basic professional template, and round out their skill list with a few more
skills; some from their template list, and some not, plus
skill levels. This is functionally equivalent to the Expert
template: +10pts of skills/perks from the characters Basic
Template skill list, +2pts in the PCs chosen specialty Skill,
and either a 4pt Skill Level with all template skills, or a 5pt
Combat Skill Level. Total cost: 16-17pts. This still leaves
points for customizing the character.
Characters who are the very best at what they do will go
even farther, and take the Master template. This is identical
to the Expert template, although most characters will wish to
spend the points differently; by this time they will probably
have all the Skills they need, and will instead want to spend
the +10pts on additional perks, such as Rank, Reputation,
etc. Total cost: 16-17pts. Depending on the power level of
the campaign, this might use all the characters points. In a
low-powered campaign, some characters will be effectively
finished at this point; in a high-powered game, there will still
be points left to use for customizing the character.
Altogether, the Expert and Master templates cost
32-34pts, which approximately doubles the cost of most
professional templates. In a low-powered game, a Master
will be almost entirely focused on a single profession. In a
high-powered game, OTOH, a character may be a Master
in one field and know the basics of at least one more, while
a Dilettante character could conceivably learn the basics of
three, maybe at the most four, but the Dilettante will have
few skill levels and relatively fewer points for characteristics,
talents, powers, etc.
Note that for characters who learn martial arts, this
system is very flexible: most Basic templates allow the
purchase of 10pts of Martial Arts -- enough to begin learning
one style. Adding the Expert and Master templates each gives
another +10pts, which can be used to learn two more styles,
or triple down and put a total of 30pts into a single Martial
Arts style, making the character a Master in another sense
entirely!
Regarding the 4pt Skill Levels with all template skills:
The relevant template should be defined when these Skill
Levels are purchased, and should not be changed thereafter.
For most templates, this is a real bargain on points, cutting
across several categories of skills, to reward characters who
specialize in a career. Some GMs may wish to increase the
cost of these Skill Levels for game balance, if they feel this is
too cheap.

 Theodore Sturgeon

Education Templates
UNDERGRADUATE
Qualifying to leave Terra in the first place usually requires
education equivalent to an Undergraduate. This template
doesnt necessarily represent a traditional four-year degree;
it could be technical school, online coursework, self-instruction, or equivalent work experience. Also, this template isnt
required there are other ways to get off-world, such as
military service, corporate contracts, or simply being born
in the colonies. However, players who wish to have a higher
education in their characters background should use this
template.
1
1
6

OR
6

For the highly-knowledgeable or just plain over-educated

charcter, there is Graduate School. This template isnt
complete by itself it should be added to the Undergraduate
template, above. This represents the equivalent of a Masters
degree; those wishing to play a character with a PhD should
see the Academic under Career Templates.
4

Bureaucratics and Computer programming (both

int-based)
2
PS: Instructor
3
Reasearch (custom skill)
2
+2 to previously chosen KS or SS
4
Related KS or SS at +1 (Int-based)
Total 15pts

The spacers life may

be boring, but at least
the deaths are pretty
spectacular.

-Chief Technical Officer Gorsch Blax,

Bureaucratics 8Computer programming 8Arts/Humanites Choose two from the following list:
Acting, Disguise, KS (any), Language, Oratory, Sciences
(Psychology/Social)
Engineering/Sciences: Choose two from the followling
list: Computer Programming, Criminology, Cryptography, Electronics, Forensic Medicine, KS (any),
Mechanics, Science (Engineering/Natural)

MILITARY ACADEMY
All military services operate some kind of Military
Academy to train future officers, and offer military training at
other schools as well (such as ROTC programs). Characters
who undergo officer training should take the Undergraduate
template above, and add the following template to it.
5
5

Military rank (minimum)

Navigation, System Ops, and Tactics; one at 11-, two at
82
CuK: Military of choice 112
WF: Small Arms
Total 14pts
-5
-10
-5

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Distinctive features: Uniform

Watched: Military
Subject to orders

6: Character Creation

Ask the next question.

Keep on asking questions
and dont stop, and sooner
or later youll be asking
intelligent ones. If you live
long enough.

Celestial Guard Fleet Cruiser, Ross Watson

Military Templates
MILITARY
The Military template can be tailored to include any
extant service in 2310 AD. The character has experience
as either a Trooper in the colonial militia or Spacer on a
fighting ship. Like all career templates, this may be the
characters current or former occupation. Former Military
characters should replace the 20pt Subject to Orders social
complication with Subject to Recall for 10pts. They may also
purchase the Military Rank perk at half cost, with the -1
limitation Courtesy Rank.
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
10

Running +2m
KS: The Military World 11CuK: Military of choice 11PS: Spacer OR Trooper 11PS: Spin-g operations OR Zero-g operations 11WF: Small arms
Military rank (minimum)
Military Specialty. Choose from list: Bureaucratics,
Climbing, Combat Driving, Combat Piloting, Combat
Skill Levels, Computer Programming, Concealment,
Cryptography, Demolitions, Electronics, Interrogation,
Martial Arts, Mechanics, Navigation, Paramedics, Security Systems, Skill Levels, Stealth, Survival, Systems
Operation, Tactics, Weapon Familiarity, Weaponsmith,
any Background Skill, Contacts, Military Rank, Security
Clearance, Improved Equipment Availability
Total 23pts
-5
-10
-20

Distinctive features: Uniform/Unit Insignia

Watched: Military
Subject to orders (or -10 Subject to Recall)

53

6: Character Creation

ELITE MILITA
Taking the Elite Militia template means the character
is/was a member of a highly-trained unit of Ships Troops.
Requires the basic Military template.
29

+3 Str, +3 Dex, +3 Con, +1 OCV/DCV, +1 PD/ED,

+2 Rec, +5 End, +4 Stun
6
Environmental Movement: No penalties in Spin-g OR
Zero-g (pick one)
4
High-G Tolerance (+2 DC, only v. G-forces)
2
Reputation: Med. group; 14-; +1.
2
CuK: Unit history and traditions 113
Breakfall
6
Penalty Skill Levels: no penalties to DCV w/heavy armor
2
Survival: vacuum
3
Systems Operation
3
Tactics
3
Military specialty: (choose from Military template skill
list)
Total 63pts
-10
-5
-5
-10

Distinctive features: Unit insignia, causes major

reaction
Watched: Military, raise to 11Rivalry: other elite units (-10 in wartime)
Psych Lim: Loyal to Unit

ALPHA SQUADRON
The Alpha Squadron template is for current or former
members of an elite spacecraft squadron. Requires the basic
Military template.
32
6

+3 Dex, +3 Int, +3 Pre, +1 OCV/DCV, +1 Spd

Environmental Movement: No penalties in Spin-g OR
Zero-g (pick one)
4
High-G tolerance (+2DC, only v. G-forces)
6
Penalty skill levels vs. high G-forces
2
Reputation: Med. group; 14-; +1
2
CuK: Unit history and traditions 112
Survival: vacuum
3
Systems Operation
4
+1 w/all spacecraft skills
3
Military Specialty: (choose from Military template skill
list)
Total 64pts
-5
-5
-5
-10

54

Distinctive features: Unit insignia, causes major

reaction
Watched: Military, raise to 11Rivalry: other elite units (-10 in wartime)
Psych Lim: Loyal to Unit

In this course, you will

learn what little we know
of warfare against the
Titans. Let me warn you
right now: it will not be
enough. If you survive, your
most important duty will be
to report how you managed
to do that. Now, who can
tell me the most important difference between
fighting an opposing human
force and taking on the
Titans Draconis Syndicate?
Midshipman Barnes.
Sir, their technology is
better, Sir.
Good answer. Thats part
of the problem. Their drives
are more efficient, their
weapons are more destructive, their computers are
smarter... but little by
little, were catching up. We
might match their capabilities if we live long enough.
What else? Midshipman
Walsh.
Sir, their resource base
is larger.
Also true. Theyve got a
fully-developed nano-tech
which gives them an edge in
manufacturing and logistics a single Titan can
establish an automated,
hardened military base in
a matter of weeks, maybe
days. We may be fighting
against as few as six individual Titans, and still not
winning...yet. Anyone else?
Nobody?
Remember this, people
it may be the key to ending
this war. The one thing that
makes this war unique is
We Dont Know Why Were
Fighting! The Titans arent
interested in negotiating,
and we cant figure out
what their objective is,
or what got them into a
fighting mood in the first
place. Until we get a handle
on what theyre thinking,
or how they think, all we
can do is keep slugging away
at each other. And just half
a dozen of them are keeping
our entire fleet bogged
down.

Commander Xio Falconer frightens

her students (Terran Galactic HQ, 2285)

-Arthur C. Clarke

Government Templates

In 2310, there are as many local governments as there are

space habitats. In some cases a single star system will have
hundreds of local jurisdictions one for every rock, dome,
bubble, wheel and cylinder which has people to govern. Most
of these are very small, but older, well-established colonies
might have several million citizens.
The most important function of government in space
colonies is to provide and maintain life support. Given the
consequences of failure, most have extremely broad powers
to make sure that basic services such as air, water, heat,
cooling and food supply are running smoothly. Enforcement
of other laws varies widely, but anything which can be interpreted as a threat to the colony as a whole is likely to be dealt
with harshly by local law enforcement.
There are only two governments of interstellar scope in
2310. ISTAR claims jurisdiction to regulate trade in all of
humanitys colonies, but only the Core Colonies recognize its
authority. The various colonies in the Kruger 60 Cluster are
owned by Terran Galactic Operations, a large space-development cooperative. Most other colonies are independent,
although many have ties with the Core, TGO, or both.

LAW ENFORCEMENT
The Law Enforcement template is for characters trained
in police work with a local agency, on Terra or one of its
colonies. Local indicates any agency with a jurisdiction
2
1
3
2
2
2
2
3
2
2-5
1
1
9

Observant +1 PER w/Sight group

Combat driving 8Criminology
AK or CK: jurisdiction 11KS: criminal law and procedure 11CuK: law enforcement 11PS: Police Officer 11Streetwise
WF: Small Arms
Local police powers (up to Planetary level)
Weapon permit
Police rank
Choose from list: Acting, Animal Handling, Bribery,
Bugging, Bureaucratics, Climbing, Combat Driving,
Combat Skill Levels, Computer Programming, Concealment, Conversation, Deduction, Demolitions, Disguise,
Electronics, Fast Draw, Forensic Medicine, Forgery,
Gambling, Instructor, Interrogation, Martial Arts,
Mechanics, Navigation, Paramedics, Persuasion, Security Systems, Shadowing, Skill Levels, Stealth, Systems
Operation, Weapon Familiarity, Weaponsmith, any
Background skill, Deep Cover, False Identity, Reputation
Total 32-35pts
-5
-10
-20

confined to a single star system, although it may be much

smaller, such as a single community. The attitude, approach
and equipment of local agencies varies widely, from those
barely above the level of friendly neighborhood watch
organizations to paramilitary death squads and everything
in between. This example is typical for a competent department which adheres to a reasonable standard of training and
enforcement.

INTERSTELLAR INVESTIGATOR
Interstellar Investigator: only a few agencies have jurisdiction over cases involving interstellar crimes, and the
resources to investigate them. Agents of these organizations
have excellent training, access to advanced equipment,
and very broad powers to perform their duties. Terran
Galactics euphemistically-named Legal Department and
ISTARs Colonial Constabulatory Service are two of the most
prominent.
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
1
8
9

Criminology
Deduction
CuK: Law Enforcement 11KS: Interstellar Criminal Law and Procedure 11KS: Xenology 11PS: Investigator 11Streetwise
WF: Small Arms
Law Enforcement rank (minimum)
Weapon permit
Interstellar Police powers (includes power to deputize)
Choose from list: Acting, Bribery, Bugging, Bureaucratics, Combat pilot, Combat Skill Levels, Computer
Programming, Concealment, Conversation, Disguise,
Fast Draw, Forensic Medicine, Interrogation, Martial
Arts, Paramedics, Persuasion, Security Systems, Shadowing, Skill Levels, Stealth, Tactics, Weapon Familiarity,
any Background Skill, Contacts, Deep Cover, False
Identity, Improved Equipment Availability
Total 40
-5
-10
-20

6: Character Creation

There is hopeful symbolism

in the fact that flags do not
wave in a vacuum.

Distinctive features: Badge

Watched: Agency
Subject to orders

Distinctive features: Uniform

Watched: Department
Subject to orders

Options: see Dark Champions p46

55

6: Character Creation

FIELD AGENT

DIPLOMAT

The character worked with TGOs Special Projects or

ISTARs infamous OFFICE agency, or with some other
intelligence organization on covert missions. Contrary
to their reputation, secret agents do not typically use
outlandish alien technology, super-advanced prototype
equipment, or radical cybernetic implants. They are,
however, highly trained, very dedicated individuals with
access to the best technology in human space.

The Diplomat is right at home in the space opera noir

genre, with its heavy undercurrent of alienation-themes:
hes a professional foreigner. The diplomats job is living in
another country and officially representing his country of
origin. Sometimes its a dangerous job, especially when the
diplomat is actually performing covert observation or even
espionage for his home country.

3
2
6
3
2
3
3
5
12

CuK: Espionage (Int based)

CuK: the Military 11KS: any two or three in area of expertise
PS: the Trade (Int base)
WF: Small arms
Agency rank (minimum)
Security clearance (minimum)
Improved equipment availability
Choose from list: Acting, Bribery, Bugging, Bureaucratics, Charm, Climbing, Combat Pilot, Combat Skill
Levels, Computer Programming, Concealment, Conversation, Cramming, Cryptography, Deduction, Disguise,
Forgery, Gambling, High Society, Interrogation,
Lipreading, Martial Arts, Persuasion, Security Systems,
Shadowing, Skill Levels, Sleight of Hand, Stealth,
Streetwise, Systems Operations, Weapon Familiarity,
any Background Skill, Contacts, Deep Cover, False
Identity, Reputation, Improved Equipment Availability
Total 39pts
-20
Hunted: enemy agency
-10
Watched: own agency
-20 Subject to orders

3
3
5
3
3
3
9
9

AK: Diplomatic post (Int based)

CuK: culture of interest (Int based)
Fringe Benefit: Diplomatic Immunity
KS: Regional politics (Int based)
PS: Diplomat (Int based)
Language (completely fluent)
Extra Contacts
Choose from list: Acting, Bribery, Bugging, Bureaucratics, Charm, Computer Programming, Concealment,
Conversation, Cryptography, High Society, Oratory,
Persuasion, Research, Security Systems, Shadowing,
Systems Operation, any Background Skill, Contacts,
Security Clearance, Reputation, Resource Points
Total 38pts
Options:

Intelligence Operative: add the Field Agent template,
and take the Dark Secret Social complication.

Alien Contact Specialist: choose SS: Xenology, KS:
[alien species], and Systems Operation.

POLITICIAN
The Politician template is for career politicians, rather
then persons who take time off from their career to serve a
term in office. Career politicians are something of a rarity
in space, as running a space habitat or colony requires just
about everyone to participate in keeping up the infrastructure, or doing other vital work. Still, there are those who
seek out administrative duties, and lobby for posts involving
such work, whether getting them requires a popular vote or a
political appointment. Such lobbying can become a full-time
job in and of itself.
2
3
2
2
3
2
6
9

AK: Local jurisdiction/district

Bureaucratics
KS: Current Events
KS: The Political World
Oratory
PS: Politician (or related PS)
Extra Contacts
Choose from list: Bribery, Conversation, Cramming,
High Society, Persuasion, Trading, Professional License,
Membership, Positive Reputation, Security Clearance,
Money
Total 29pts
Optional Complications
-10
Watched by Media
-10
Negative Reputation: Anything for a Vote!
-5
Rivalry: Political Opponent

56

- GKar, Babylon 5

Criminal templates
TERRORIST
Terrorist: The character is a member (or former member)
of an organization which attempts to achieve political or
religious goals by threats or acts of violence against civilians.
Although close variants of this definition of terrorist have
been generally accepted for three centuries, some modern
terror groups defy such classifications. The Sons of Terra, for
example, generally target alien species, for which the distinction of civilian can be problematic, at best.
2
2
1
2
1
2
9

AK: Area of Operations

KS: [Terrorist Organization] Beliefs and History 11KS: The Enemy 8KS: The Terrorist World 11Tactics 8WF: Small Arms
Choose from list: Bribery, Combat Skill Levels,
Computer Programming, Concealment, Demolitions,
Disguise, Electronics, Forgery, Martial Arts, Mechanics,
Persuasion, Security Systems, Shadowing, Skill Levels,
Stealth, Streetwise, Systems Operation, Weapons
Familiarity, Weaponsmith, any Background Skill.
Total 19pts
-20
-25

Psycholgical Complication: Dedicated to the Organization (Common, Total)

Hunted by ISTAR/TGO (Frequent, MoPow, NCI)

Optional Complications:
-15
Social Complication: Dark Secret
-10 Social Complication: Criminal Record

SYNDICATE
Syndicate: Organized crime took a long time to gain
a foot-hold in the colonies, but when TGO made its new
FTL3.0 technology public domain, anyone and everyone
could get a piece of the action. The New Syndicates mostly
deal in illegal services and/or data anything else is either
too mass-intensive or too easily traced in the closely-monitored spacedocks of the off-world colonies. Drugs are out,
gambling, hacking and escorts are in.
2
2
3
2
1

KS: Syndicate History and Customs 11KS: The Criminal World 11Streetwise
WF: Small Arms
Fringe Benefit: Criminal Rank (in the Syndicate or a
local organization)
12
Choose from list: Bribery, Combat Skill Levels,
Computer Programming, Concealment, Forgery,
Gambling, High Society, Martial Arts, Persuasion, Security Systems, Shadowing, Skill Levels, Stealth, Systems
Operation, Trading, Weapon Familiarity, any Background Skill, Access, Anonymity, Contacts, Membership, Reputation, Improved Equipment Availability
Total 22pts
-10

6: Character Creation

The universe is driven by

the complex interaction
between three ingredients:
matter, energy, and enlightened self-interest.

Hunted by Syndicate: (Infrequent, MoPow, NCI,

Watching)

Optional Complications:
-20
Hunted by Law Enforcement (Infreq, MoPow, NCI)
-15
Social Complication: Dark Secret (Syndicate member)
-10
Social Complication: Criminal Record

CON MAN
Con-Man: The scams are different in the 24th century, but
human nature hasnt changed. The desire to get rich quick
makes some people easy prey for this brand of criminal.
Anything goes, from A long-lost relative left you a spaceyacht in his will! to Hey, wanna buy an authentic alien artifact... cheap? No matter how outrageous the story, someone,
somewhere, will be foolish enough to buy it. Literally.
3
5
3
2
3
3
15

+3 INT
+5 PRE
Acting
KS: The Criminal World
Persuasion
Streetwise
Choose from list: Bribery, Bugging, Charm, Computer
Programming, Concealment, Conversation, Cramming,
Deduction, Disguise, Forgery, Gambling, High Society,
Lipreading, Mimicry, Oratory, Shadowing, Stealth,
Trading, Weapon Familiarity, any Background Skill, any
Perks.
Total 34pts
Optional Complications:
-10
Hunted by Law Enforcement (Infreq, MoPow, NCI,
Watching)
-15
Psycholgical Complication: Greedy/Overconfident/etc.
(Common, Strong)
-10 Social Complication: Criminal Record

57

6: Character Creation

GAMBLER
Gambler: Certain games of chance and skill have never
gone out of style. While the lack of normal gravity makes
dice, roulette and billiards difficult at best, nearly every space
habitat hosts a casino for card games. And there are still
those who find winning at cards easier than working for a
living. And some means of winning are easier than others....
6
3
3
3
2
3
12

+3 DEX
+3 INT
Conversation
Gambling
KS: The Gambling World
Sleight of Hand
Choose from list: Acting, Charm, Combat Skill Levels,
Computer Programming, Cramming, Deduction, Fast
Draw, High Society, Martial Arts, Persuasion, Shadowing, Stealth, Streetwise, Trading, Weapon Familiarity,
any Background Skill, any Perks.
Total 32pts
Optional Complications:
-10
Hunted by Casino Security (Freq, MoPow, Watching)
-15
Psycholgical Complication: Greedy/Competitive/etc
(Common, Strong)
-5
Rivalry: Other gamblers

Each being is sacred

meaning that each has
inherent value that cannot
be ranked in a hierarchy
or compared to the value of
another being.

- Starhawk

Other Templates
ACADEMIC
Academics spend their lives expanding humanitys
knowledge of the Universe, or at least they try to. Many of
them spend so much time politicking for their next research
grant that theres precious little time left to do any research.
Others devote themselves to teaching the next generation of
scholars.
As Undergraduate, Graduate Template, plus:
2
KS: The Academic/Scientific World 112
CuK: Academica 112
KS: field of study 113
PS: Scientist (Int based)
4
Contacts
15
Choose from list: Deduction, Electronics, Forensic
Medicine, High Society, Mechanics, Oratory Paramedics, Systems Operation, any Background Skill,
Advanced Tech, Contacts, Custom perk: Tenure (1pt),
Security Clearance, Reputation, Resource Points
Total 28pts (plus cost of Undergrad and Graduate
templates)
Optional Complications:
-5
Negative Reputation: Crank (Freq, Small Group)
-15
Psycholgical Complication: Driven to prove theory
(Common, Strong)
-5
Rivalry: other academics

JOURNALIST
Journalist covers both employees of major media outlets
and free-lance reporters. With communications between star
systems limited by access to Q-Net connections, breaking a
story before the competition often involves finding someone
with access to an authorized Tangled Web interface, or
simply selling the story to someone with better, more official
communications access.

58

Total

Conversation 11AK: Area of operations 11KS: Current Events 11KS: [reporting specialty: politics, tech, etc.] 11CuK: Media 11PS: Journalist 11Research 11Contacts (6 points worth)
Fringe Benefit: Press Pass
Choose from list: Bribery, Bugging, Bureaucratics,
Computer Programming, Concealment, Cramming,
Deduction, Electronics, Gambling, High Society, Oratory,
Persuasion, Security Systems, Seduction, Shadowing,
Skill Levels, Streetwise, Systems Operation, Weapon
Familiarity, any Background Skill, Contacts, Computer
Link, Positive Reputation.
33pts

Optional Complications:
-15
Psycholgical Complication: Personal code whatever it
takes to get the story (Common, strong)
-15
Psycholgical Complication: Personal code Journalistic
Ethics (Common, Strong)
-5 Rivalry: Other journalists

SPACER
Spacer: The character makes a living as a crewman on a
spacecraft, or maybe more than one spacecraft if he likes to
change jobs frequently. This template includes everyone from
the all-important owner/operator, to the wide-eyed kid who
ran away from home and signed up for working passage on
a trading vessel using a fake ID. Sometimes, they turn out to
be the same person, just a few years apart....

BOUNTY HUNTER
Bounty Hunter: In the 24th century, bounty hunters
in human space use computers more often than guns to
stalk fugitives from the law. Its just as well, since most of
their targets are wanted for non-violent cyber-crimes and
going in with guns blazing would not produce an optimal
result. However, there are still a few violent criminals in the
colonies, and tracking them down often requires an old-fashioned bounty hunter who can apply the personal touch.
3
2
2
3
3
3
2
1
1
9

AK of choice (Int based)

KS: Extradition Laws
KS: Wanted Criminals
PS: Bounty Hunter (Int based)
Shadowing
Streetwise
WF: Small arms
License: Bounty Hunter
Weapon permit
Choose from list: Bribery, Bureaucratics, Climbing,
Combat pilot, Combat Skill Levels, Computer Programming, Concealment, Deduction, Fast Draw, Gambling,
Martial Arts, Paramedics, Persuasion, Security
Systems, Skill Levels, Stealth, Systems Operation,
Weapon Familiarity, Weapon Familiarity, any Background Skill, Contacts, Reputation
Total 33pts
-10
-10

6: Character Creation

3
2
2
2
2
3
3
6
1
9

Watched: Local law enforcement agency

Social Lim/Reputation: Freelance scumbag

Optional Complications:
-10
Rival: competing bounty hunter OR fugitive who got
away (maybe more than once!)

AK: region traveled (Core colonies, Outer colonies,

or Kruger 60 cluster)
2
CuK: region traveled (same as above)
2
KS: Spacecraft recognition
2
PS: Spacer
2
Survival: vacuum
3
Systems operation
6
Spin-G adaptation
6
Zero-G adaptation
9
Choose: Combat pilot, Computer programming,
CuK: alien species, Electronics, Gambling, KS: alien
species, Mechanics, Navigation: normal space or FTL,
Paramedics, Science skill, Transport Familiarity, WF:
Spacecraft weapons, Weaponsmith, Contacts, Starship
License, Wealth, Vehicle (spacecraft)
Total 34pts
Optional Complications:
5
Distinctive features: Uniform
10
Psychological complication: Loyal to spacecraft and/or
crew
15
Social complication: Subject to orders
Options:

Corsair: combine with Syndicate template.

Smuggler: combine with Con-Man template.

59

6: Character Creation

EXPLORER
There are few professional explorers in human space,
as pure exploration is time-consuming, expensive and
hazardous. Most exploration is performed by amateurs
who happened to wander too far from home, or colonists
who deliberately set out to lose themselves. However, the
following template represents the lucky few who receive
government or corporate grants for the express purpose of
putting themselves in harms way, and coming back home to
talk about it.
Undergraduate Template, Plus:
2
AK: The frontier (Int based)
2
CuK: Academics
2
KS: Xenology
3
PS: Explorer
3
Navigation (space/land)
3
Survival (any)
3
Systems Operation
2
Transport Familiarity (any)
2
Weapons Familiarity (any)
12
Choose from list: Bureaucratics, Climbing, Combat
Pilot, Computer Programming, Cryptography, Deduction, Electronics, Forensic Medicine, Mechanics,
Oratory Paramedics, Skill Levels, any Background Skill,
Contacts, Resource Points
Total 33pts (plus cost of Undergrad template)
Optional Disads:
-10
Psych lim: Curious OR Wants to be famous
-15
Reputation: Glory hound
-10
Rivalry: another (famous) explorer
-5 /-10 Poor: used personal funds for failed mission

MERCHANT
Merchant: Only a few merchants fit the romantic image of
interstellar traders, wandering from one system to another,
making deals with exotic aliens and sinking the profits into
repairs on their death-trap of a starship just so they can keep
flying. In reality, most merchants are simply desk-jockeys
who make their living brokering deals without ever leaving
their office, and certainly without ever dirtying their hands
or actually seeing the goods they buy and sell.

2
2
3
3
3
3
3
8
9

AK: Local markets

CuK: Merchants
KS: Market trends
PS: Merchant
Bureaucratics
High Society OR Streetwise
Trading
Contacts
Choose from list: Bribery, Charm, Computer Programming, Concealment, Forgery, Gambling, Persuasion,
Research, Skill Levels, any Background Skill, Contacts,
Money, Reputation
Total 36pts
Optional Complications:
-5
Negative Reputation: scam-artist
-10
Psych Lim: Greedy
-5 /-10 Poor: last deal fell through
-10
Rival: business competitor
Star Trader option: Combine with Spacer Template

HACKER
Hackers can cause serious real-time mischief in a world
of ubiquitous augmented-reality. In 2309, Marathon Free
Stations most popular singles club was hacked, altering every
patrons public personal data to display the registered flagellist tag; three people were critically injured in the rush to
escape the building. The perpetrator was never caught. The
term hacker also applies to those who provide computer
security against such malicious acts, as well as data theft,
invasions of privacy, and other cyber-crimes.
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
15

AK: Q-Net OR Tangled Web (pick one)

CuK: Hacker Culture
Computer Programming
Cryptography
Electronics
Research
SS: Computer Science (Int based)
SS: related field
Systems Operation
Choose from list: Bureaucratics, Cramming, Deduction, Security Systems, Streetwise, Advanced Tech,
Anonymity, Computer Link, Contacts, False Identity,
Reputation, Resource Points (computer)
Total 40pts
Optional Disads:
-15
Psych Lim: Wants to prove s/hes the best
-10
Rivalry: other hackers
-10
Social Lim: Criminal record

60

Security Specialists are those who provide armed services

for hire, usually for those who need security above and
beyond what local law enforcement or military units can
provide. This includes in-house security retained by corporations, rent-a-cops hired to help patrol residential areas, and
quasi-military freelancers willing to undertake any mission
for the right price. In theory, all are accountable to local
authorities, although some operations take place in areas
lacking any authority at all hence the need for mercenaries.
2
2
2
1
2
12

CuK: The Mercenary World 11KS: Unit History and Customs 11PS: Private Security 11Tactics 8WF: Small Arms
Choose from list: Breakfall, Bureaucratics, Combat
Skill Levels, Concealment, Demolitions, Fast Draw,
High Society, Interrogation, Martial Arts, Paramedics,
Security Systems, Shadowing, Skill Levels, Stealth,
Streetwise, System Operations, Weapon Familiarity,
Weaponsmith, any Background Skill, Contacts, Money,
Positive Reputation, Professional License, Weapons
Permit, Membership, Local Police Powers, Improved
Equipment Availability
Total 21pts
-5
-10
-15

Distinctive Features: Uniform

Watched: by Unit
Social Complication: Subject to Orders

Optional Complications:
-15
Psycholgical Complication: Professional Code of
Conduct
-10 Rivalry: other Units

CORPORATE EXECUTIVE
Many Corporate Executives live in a world of their own, in
the 24th century, although some of them arent totally insulated from the reality their rank-and-file subordinates live in.
Many large companies had the majority of their stockholders back on Terra, even while most of their operations
took place in other star systems. Terras destruction has left
many corporate executives unsure of their companys status,
and forced some to make unprecedented decisions which
will effect the course of human history.

3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
9

Bureaucratics
High Society
KS: The Corporate World 11KS: [company] History and Customs 11PS: [business-related PS] 11Computer link
Company rank
Money
Choose from list: Bribery, Charm, Computer Programming, Conversation, Oratory, Persuasion, Science Skill,
Security Systems, Systems Operation, Trading
Total 24pts
-10

Watched: by corporation

Optional Complications:
-15
Psycholgical Complication: Company Loyalty
-15
Psycholgical Complication: Greedy
-10 Negative Reputation: out of touch with employees

6: Character Creation

SECURITY SPECIALIST

MEDICAL PERSONNEL
Medical personnel are found almost everywhere humans
travel in space. If nothing else, most commercial and military
spacecraft have a hibernation specialist on board, and a
fully-qualified medical doctor if possible, due to the length of
interstellar voyages. Of course, founding a permanent settlement in space is impossible without a medical staff.
3
Bureaucratics
3
Paramedics
2
PS: [medical-related PS]
1
Professional License
3
Systems Operation
Options: pick one
+10 First Responder: add Combat Driving/Piloting, AK: local
area, Navigation, Transport Familiarity
+8
Medical Technician: add Undergraduate Template
+23 Medical Doctor: add Undergraduate and Graduate
Template
6
Choose from list: Computer programming, Conversation, Cramming, Forensic Medicine, Science Skills, any
Background Skill, Computer Link, Contacts, Money,
Positive Reputation
Total 26-41pts
Optional Complications:
-5
Distinctive Features: Uniform
-15
Psycholgical Complication: Hippocratic Oath
-15
Psycholgical Complication: god complex

61

6: Character Creation

TECHNICAL PERSONNEL

ENTERTAINER

Technical personnel are also vital to survival in space

they run everything from the air supply systems to the snack
machines. If theres anything that can break down, the techs
are the ones reponsible for preventing it, or for making
repairs when it does. This includes engineers on spacecraft,
as well as maintenance personnel for space habitats and
anyone else in a similar role.

Entertainer includes those who make their living

providing entertainment for groups or individuals. Modern
information technology has made the concept of a recording
industry as we know it obsolete; talented performers become
famous mainly through self-promotion, and through freely
distributed records gone viral. Those who provide entertainment for individuals rather than performing for groups are
referred to as escorts. Their services remain in high demand
at the dawn of the 24th century.

3
3
2
3
3
2
9

Computer Programming
Electronics
KS: [technical field]
Mechanics
System Operations
PS: [tech skill]
Choose from list: Bugging, Bureaucratics, Deduction,
Demolitions, Lockpicking, Science Skills, Security
Systems, Skill Levels, Weaponsmith, any Background
Skill, Computer Link, Contacts, Professional License,
Starship License, Improved Equipment Availability,
Money, Positive Reputation, Company Rank.
Total 25pts
Options:
+8
Engineer: add Undergraduate Template
+15 Consultant: add Graduate Template

Researcher: add Academic Template

CLERGYMAN
Clergyman includes those who identify with both Eastern
and Western religious orders. While beliefs and customs vary
widely, all are charged with the task of keeping their traditions alive after the loss of Terra, and in many cases, helping
the surviving members of their faith come to terms with this
event. For most faiths, this crisis has raised unprecedented
questions; for others it is seen as the fulfillment of their worst
prophecies.
2
2
3
2
2
12

KS: Scriptures 11KS: Religious customs 11Oratory

PS: [related skill; preacher, guru, etc.]
SS: Theology 11Choose from list; Acting, Bureaucratics, Charm,
Combat Skill Levels, Converation, High Society,
Martial Arts, Persuasion, Streetwise, any Background
Skill, Contacts, Professional License, Right to Marry,
Membership
Total 23pts
Optional Complications:
-5
Distinctive Features: Traditional garb
-20
Psycholgical Complication: Religious vows/strictures
-15 Social Complication: Religious minority

62

3
2
2
2
3
9

Charm
CuK: target audience/clients
KS: The Business
PS: Entertainer/Musician/Singer
Streetwise
Choose from list: Acting, Bribery, Bureaucratics,
Conversation, Disguise, High Society, Language,
Persuasion, Trading, Contacts, Followers, Money, Positive Reputation, Perfect Pitch, Striking Appearance.
Total 21pts.
Optional Complications:
-10
Social Complication: Famous
-10 Social Complication: Uncouth profession

Always listen to experts.

Theyll tell you what cant
be done, and why. Then do it.

-- Lazarus Long

CHARACTERISTICS
Strength: thanks to genetic engineering, humans specifically adapted for zero-G dont suffer from bone and muscle
degeration, so life in zero-G doesnt necessarily mean their
Strength stat needs to be reduced. They may, however, suffer
a temporary Strength penalty when subject to normal
gravity levels.
Intelligence is a highly-valued trait in the space opera noir
genre, but a characters high IQ isnt the only thing which
determines his INT score. Some extremely smart or knowledgeable characters might not be particularly quick-thinking
or very perceptive indicating a more-or-less average INT,
but lots of skill levels with Intellect skills.
OMCV and DMCV are seldom used in Terracide, but GMs
should be wary of players who decide to sell off these stats
as an easy way to get 18 extra points! The default rule is that
they may not be sold off, unless the characters background
provides a compelling reason to do so. (and the GM agrees)

SKILLS
Complementary skills are used in Terracide, as an aid to the
characters, a reason to buy and use a wide variety of skills,
and in some cases, to encourage teamwork. GMs who wish
to encourage the PCs to work together should point out
when different characters have complementary skills, or even
give a small (+1 or +2) bonus when a PC makes a complementary skill roll to aid another character.
Everyman skills for Terracide are as follows: Acting,
Climbing, Computer programming, Concealment, Conversation, Deduction, Native language, Paramedics, Persuasion,
Professional skill (at 11-), Shadowing, Stealth, TF: Small
ground vehicles, AK: home colony.
Agility skills includes Dex-based Professional skills, particularly Zero-G Operations and Spin-G Operations. Skill levels
with Agility skills also work with these background skills.
Background skills should be emphasized by using them for
complementary skill rolls as often as possible. Knowledge
of their world is an important asset for space opera noir
adventurers. This is also an excellent way for the GM to
impart information the characters need in the course of the
campaign.
Combat skills, especially those involved in the use of firearms, can be extremely cost-effective when combined with
the high-tech weaponry in Terracide. GMs should look

Who asked you to play

God ?
Every damn patient who
comes through that door,
thats who!

- Sinclair and Dr. Franklin, Babylon 5

carefully at the capability of combat-oriented characters prior

to the start of the campaign; they may be much more potent
than they look!
Intellect skills do not normally include Int-based background skills, but this presents a problem for characters
with lots of INT-based skills, both Intellect and Background.
Buying limited INT (only for skill rolls, -1/4) costs 4pts
per +1 to skill rolls, which is the same cost as skill levels with
all Intellect skills. For the sake of simplicity, GMs may wish
to allow Intellect skill levels to apply to any Int-based skill,
including background skills.

6: Character Creation

SKILLS, PERKS,
& TALENTS

Interaction skills are difficult to use with aliens. Normally,

all such rolls are at a -10 penalty. Having the appropriate
CuK or KS: [alien species] reduces this penalty to -5, and
complementary skill rolls work normally.
Technical skills include all skills which require the use of
any type of equipment to use the skill, and are subject to tech
level modifiers. The difference in tech level is usually a bonus
to the skill roll for higher-tech equipment vs. lower-tech
equipment. The difference applies as a penalty when using
lower-tech equipment vs. higher-tech.

The Skill List

Analyze takes the same penalties as Interaction skills when

used against alien technology. Having the appropriate
KS: [alien species] skill reduces the penalty and allows for
complementary skill rolls. Tech level penalties may also
apply.
Autofire skills may not normally be used with spacecraft
weaponry. However, Deadly Sprayfire and Precise Sprayfire
I from the Advanced Players Guide may be used, to simulate
different types of fire plans used in space combat.
Computer Programming can easily become over-valued in
Terracides world of ubiquitous augmented reality. GMs may
wish to consider the expanded version of this skill in Star
HERO, with an additional category (2pts) for Augmented
Reality systems. There should also be a seperate category for
Quantum Computers. (2pts)
Languages almost always require technological translation aids when dealing with aliens. Most species speak in
ways that humans arent equipped to sense at all, let alone
understand. Fluorians have a spoken language within human
hearing range, which a few actually learn, but no human can
speak it.

63

6: Character Creation

Martial arts includes a number of new forms invented over

the next three centuries: more information on all of these
styles, including maneuvers and related skills, can be found
in the Combat chapter.
Professional Skill: Spin-G Operations and PS: Zero-G
Operations are both considered to Dex-based Agility skills.
When using Agility skills in spin- or zero-G conditions, these
may be used as complementary skills. Much less common is
PS: High-G Operations, although it may sometimes be useful
in space combat, when characters are on board spacecraft
thrusting at high Gs for long periods of time.
Professional Skill: Astronaut (Int-based) is the requisite skill
for using a vac suit, although a 1pt familiarity with this skill
is good enough to suit up in normal conditions without
difficulty. Suiting up rapidly, or dealing with emergencies
while suited up will require a skill roll.
Rapid Attack may not be used with spacecraft weaponry.
Their rates of fire are limited by hardware design, and cannot
be increased without major overhauls, regardless of the
gunners skills.
Science Skills are extremely important in Terracide. An
appropriate SS should nearly always be allowed as a complementary skill, if available, when using Intellect or Interaction
skills. Sciences appropriate for Intellect skills are generally
obvious: Computer Science for Computer Programming,
Mathematics for Cryptography, etc. For Interaction skills,
appropriate Science skills may include Psychology, Memetics,
or Sophontology.
Survival: Vacuum is a legitimate choice in Terracide,
although it is extremely difficult. When exposed to vacuum,
each 2pts of success on the roll extends a characters lifetime by one minute. Note that powers such as LS: Extended
Breathing and Flash Defense will help, as the characters
brain will remain oxygenated longer, and their eyes wont
freeze as quickly. This skill also may be used as a complementary skill to PS: Astronaut when using a vac suit.
Systems Operation is a very broadly-applicable skill in
Terracide, this skill may be substituted for PS: Astronaut
when using a vac suit. If the expanded version of this skill
from Star HERO is used, vac suits should be added as a 1pt
category under Environmental Equipment. Alternately, this
skill is so widely used that some GMs may find it convenient
to include it on the everyman skill list for Terracide. Virtually all Terracide characters will have some sort of training in
one of the categories, and theyll likely have cross-training
in others as well.
Trading is somewhat easier to use with some aliens than
other interaction skills, (see alien descriptions) if the proper
merchandise is available for trade. Complementary skill rolls
using CuK or KS: [alien species] give a one-for-one bonus to
Trading rolls, if successful, rather than the standard onefor-two. On a badly failed roll, this can also work against the
character, however. Trading with aliens is potentially very
profitable, but also very risky!

64

Weapons Familiarity should be carefully considered by all

characters, as most colonies (and pretty much all spacecraft)
have policies prohibiting weaponry which might cause a
hull breach or damage life support equipment. Non-lethal
weaponry is very common, as are hand weapons of various
types, as well as martial arts training. In the colonies, there
has been a rennaisance of hand-to-hand fighting, as the
coriolis forces generated by spin-gravity render many ranged
weapons extremely difficult to use, prohibited or not.

If you want to know

what god thinks of money,
look at the people he gives it
to.

-Source unkown

PERKS
Computer Access includes both the interstellar Q-Net and
its unofficial shadow network the Tangled Web . Authorized
access to the Q-Net costs 10pts, although much of the data
on the Q-Net is classified and will depend on the character
having a Security Clearance. Access to the Tangled Web is
only 5pts, but by definition is never authorized. The character may be hunted by Q-Net security, or other authorities,
depending on what they use their access for.
Contacts can be problematic for characters who spend a lot
of time traveling from one star system to another. A large
pool of Contacts using Resource Points is one solution. The
other is the Organizational Contact there are many organizations in Terracide which are interstellar in scope, and
characters may be able to call on them in any system where
they are present. If the character has the Membership perk
with the organization in question, the points in the membership may be used as a bonus to the contact roll.
Fringe Benefits may require some special considerations
in Terracide, as follows:
Spacecraft owner/Pilots License should never be available
to characters with a Criminal Background complication,
or any other complication which would prevent them from
passing a throrough background check. Most spacecraft
are equipped with torch drives in the terawatt range, giving
them the potential to be extraordinarily destructive. Even
without a torch drive, most spacecraft have enough delta-vee
to be considered potential weapons of mass destruction. A
character with a Criminal Backgound would need at least the
Deep Cover perk to acquire a spacecraft license under his
cover identity.
Weapon permits are not universal the allow the character
to carry weapons in approved areas under the jurisdiction of
the issuing authority. For example, a weapon permit issued
by Terran Galactic Operations Legal Department would
allow the permitee to carry in any TGO settlement, provided
the weapon in question isnt prohibited altogether, and most
TGO client colonies would honor it. (Bureaucratics at +3) In
the Core Colonies, its a worthless document.
Advanced Technology costs 10pts per Tech level, and may
refer to experimental, prototype human technology, or alien
technology. Characters with this perk may begin play with
one high-tech device, which must be paid for in character
points. (not Resource Points) Acquiring more high-tech gear
may be the subject of an adventure, or at the very least, roleplaying an encounter with the source of the original device.
Improved Equipment Availability is used for most autofirecapable weaponry, and special ammo. (Exception: non-lethal
/ stun rounds are nearly always available.) The Terracide
equipment chapter will note what level of Availability is
needed for each item of equipment.

Value

Rank

Astronaut Recruit, Astronaut Apprentice, Astronaut

Leading Astronaut, Technical Officer 3rd Class

Tech. Officer 2nd Class, Tech. Officer 1st Class

Chief Tech. Officer, Senior Chief Tech. Officer

Master Chief Tech. Officer, Master Chief Tech. Officer

of the Fleet

Midshipman, Ensign

Lieutenant Junior-Grade, Lieutenant

Lieutenant Commander, Commander

Captain, Commodore

Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral

10

Admiral, Fleet Admiral

Unnamed Law: If it
happens, it must be possible.

TALENTS
A few Talents are available in the form of computer
implants:
Absolute Time Sense
Eidetic

Memory

Lightning

Calculator

The use of Augmented Reality implants makes other

Talents available, but only in areas covered by A/R networks.
(-1/2 limitation)
Absolute Range Sense
Bump

of Direction

Perfect

Pitch

Universal

Translator (human languages only)

Danger Sense is available, but should not be considered an

ESP or psi ability in Terracide, nor should it be considered
a mystical Talent. Some individuals simply have incredible
powers of observation, intuition, or just plain-old selfpreserving hyper-vigilant paranoia. Others have extraordinarily fast reaction times reacting to danger well before
others have noticed it. Danger Sense may be bought to work
in or out of combat, but only with senses normally available to the character. It may work for his immediate vicinity,
but no larger area. Its usually, but not always, Intuitional in
nature.
Deadly Blow: [only vs. spacecraft] may be purchased at
16pts per +3 DCs, for characters who wish to excel at space
combat. One level is usually sufficient. Two levels borders on
the physically impossible; with three levels, a character can
turn a single light laser into a dreadnought-killing weapon.

This should usually be purchased with the Requires a Tactics

Skill Roll limitation, for each use. (-1)
Environmental Movement has a few additional uses in
Terracide. Spin-G movement and High-G movement have
the same cost and effects as the Zero-G movement Talent.
Simulate Death is possessed by all Ursa characters. Its also
used for Hibernation Units, with a bonus to the roll equal to
the Units Tech Level. System Operations or an appropriate
Background Skill may be used as a complementary skill. (SS:
Suspended Animation or PS: Hibernation Tech, for example)
Universal Translator is only available as a computer application, and even then it works best for human languages.
Translating most alien languages requires additional sensory
gear, as they communicate using senses that humans cant:
ultrasonics, millimeter-band radio, and pheremones, to
name a few.

NEW TALENTS
High-G Tolerance is the ability to ignore the damage from
a limited number of extra Gs of acceleration. Anyone can
withstand 1G of acceleration (or normal gravity) for free.
Tolerating 2G acceleration costs 2pts; tolerating 3Gs costs
4pts. Note that this is purchased as Damage Negation vs.
G-force damage, so if the characters limit of tolerance is
exceeded, he still gets the benefit of this talent. For example,
a character with 6pts worth of High-G Tolerance is on board
a spacecraft accelerating at 5Gs, he only takes damage for
2Gs.

6: Character Creation

Military Rank in the Colonial Reserve Fleet and TGO Astronautics Corps are priced as follows. For retired or ex-military
characters, rank may be purchased with the (-1) limitation
Courtesy Rank.

Gone Native is the ability to relate easily to an alien species.

It only works for one type of aliens, which must be selected
when the Talent is purchased. For 5pts, the character receives
5pts of Interaction skill levels, only for negating penalties
with a single alien species. For 12pts, this works for all noncombat skills, rather than just Interaction skills.

Of the thirty-six ways of

avoiding disaster, running
away is best.

-Proverb

POWERS AND POWER

MODIFIERS
The most common uses of Powers for Terracide characters are the abilities of genetically-altered humans, and
cybernetic implants. In the case of genetic alterations, the
powers are given with the templates for the genome-types,
and no major alterations beyond that are available. Cybernetics are actually quite rare, due to their expense and
complexity few are willing to undergo elective surgery for
capabilities they can acquire using off-the-shelf equipment
or by using pharmaceutical enhancements in pill or injection
form.
Without genomic engineering and cybernetics, the
following powers are always available to normal human
characters as innate abilities, subject to limits established by
the GM.

65

6: Character Creation

Enhanced

perception for normal senses.

Hand-to-hand

attack

Leaping
Luck
Running
Swimming

Other powers may be acquired by normals through

special training, per the normal rules. For example, many
martial arts styles have maneuvers which incorporate Flash
Attacks. The Talents section includes a number of powers
which normal people have, although not all can be acquired
through training. Finally, Skill Levels and Penalty Skill
Levels may be used to simulate the effects of many powers
and modifiers. Although normal people seldom have the No
Range Modifer advantage, if they have enough Penalty Skill
Levels for range modifiers, the effect is pretty much the same.
Terracide GMs should be cautious about the use of
Super-Skill power constructions like those in Dark Champions. The combination of these powers with the high-tech
weaponry in Terracide can be unexpectedly potent!
Special Effects are a very important consideration for
Terracide or other space opera noir campaigns.Some special
effects are appropriate for the genre, while some are most
definitely not. Most importantly, special effects in Terracide
should be based on real-world phenomena, grounded in
either practical or theoretical physical principles.
Two special effects in particular are not used: magic
and psionics. Anything related to either of these should be
avoided, and a player who wishes to run a magical or psionic
character should be politely informed that these concepts
are out of genre. While it may be true that any sufficiently
advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, its
still technology.
Likewise, there are no mystical or spiritual powers in the
standard Terracide setting. Religion is an important social
and political force, but there are no miracles, and no supernatural phenomena as such. GMs who wish to introduce
supernatural elements into a Terracide or other space opera
noir campaign may wish to relax this restriction.
Peter Hamiltons Nights Dawn is an good example of
the use of supernatural elements in space opera. In this
epic trilogy, the Dead are returning to possess the living,
and at first, it seems like a supernatural phenomenon. But
humanity learns that they arent the first species in the
Galaxy to deal with this crisis, the Universe from which the
Dead are returning is a real place, rather than a spiritual one,
and whats going on is a physical phenomenon which can be
reversed. (The literal deus ex machina solution left something to be desired in this writers humble opinion, however.)

I seem to be having
tremendous difficulty with
my lifestyle.

-Arthur Dent

66

COMPLICATIONS
The use of multiple templates during charcter creation
may result in all of a characters allotted points for complications being filled up by template options. This tends to
make all characters look the same, because they end up with
similar complications, rather than personalized complications reflecting their personal history. There are two ways to
avoid this problem. The first is to add a few free complications based on the characters background, in order to
further describe and personalize the character. The second
solution is to increase the point limit for matching complications. A good benchmark for this is around one-third of the
characters point total. Some GMs may wish to do both, if
they still find that characters need a few more complications
to be fully fleshed out at the time of character creation.
Distinctive Features is a commonly-occuring complication
in the space opera noir genre. While genetically-engineered
humans will have Distinctive Features: Tailored Genome, or
an unusual physique, and many professional templates call
for Distinctive Features: Uniform, any other features which
set a character apart and make them stand out should be
emphasized.
Dependence may be used for characters who are adapted to
low-G or zero-G: Dependence on low/zero-G, Easy to Obtain,
Weakness, 6 hour interval, 0pts.
Hunted/Watched is another well-used complication, due to
the wide variety of organizations in Terracide which may take
an unhealthy interest in a PC. These include Military, Law
Enforcement, Intelligence Agencies, Corporations, Media
and Private Organizations of all kinds: the academic, the
criminal, the religious, or the just plain weird. In a campaign
with interstellar travel, being hunted by an individual would
be unusual. Any individual with enough resources to do so
would effectively be equivalent to an organization.
Negative Reputation frequently appears in the space opera
noir genre, but as often as not, whatever bad reputation a
character has turns out to be undeserved. This may be due
to popular misconception, malicious lies, or the character
might simply be misunderstood.
Physical Complications are another way to simulate adaptation to low-G or zero-G. Physical complications for those
with tailored genomes should usually not be genetic in
nature most have been engineered out of their genomes.
Psycholgical Complications may be artificial in nature.
24th century mind-hacking makes it possible for psychonomic technicians or memeticists to perform various types
of conditioning on an individual, sometimes without their
knowledge!
Rivalry is an important source of drama in the space opera
noir genre.
Susceptibility may be artificially created by mind-hacking,
as a particularly aggressive way to prevent certain behaviors. The most common use is conditioning former operatives not to discuss classified material if they try to talk or
write about it, theyll have a seizure! (Uncommon, 3d6 stun,
instant)

7
CHAPTER SEVEN:

SAMPLE
CHARACTERS

7: Sample Characters
68

SAMPLE
CHARACTERS

his section includes

As rivals, the crew of
Let me pass on to you
ten characters which
Balance Forward and staff
the one thing Ive learned
may be used as
of Athena Security could be
about this place: No one
PCs in a Terracide
either friendly competition or
here is exactly what he
campaign. They are presented
deadly enemies, depending
appears.
in two groups of five: the crew
on the level of the rivalry.
- GKar, Babylon 5
of the Free Trade League vessel
This may depend on the tone
Balance Forward, and the staff of
of the campaign for a truly
a mercenary company known as Athena Security. These two
dark and dangerous campaign, and a lot of this Station isnt
groups can also be used together if a larger party is needed;
big enough for both of us moments, make them enemies. If
their respective leaders are business partners, and according
the campaign is more optimistic, they may just be friendly
to rumor, romantically involved as well. Whether this is true competition who make things interesting and/or complicated
love or just an arrangement of convenience is anyones guess. for the PCs without actually threatening them, unless the
Balance Forward needs extra security for some its jobs, and
PCs decide to make things personal, of course!
Athena Security often needs interstellar transport.
Finally, if the PCs end up actively working against these
Both the Balance Forward and Athena Security are based
characters, either to capture or kill them, they will have a
out of Marathon Free Station in the Groombridge 34 system
real challenge on their hands. Theyll be effectively taking
a busy free port where something is always going on. Its a
on another large group of high-powered PCs with resources
favorite port of call for smugglers, refugees, or anyone with
equivalent, or maybe even better than their own. They have a
an older FTL2.0 vessel. Its also the point of contact for
well-equipped spacecraft, access to military hardware, alien
those who wish to bargain with the Keepers for informatech, membership in the Free Trade League, and contacts at
tion, avoiding ISTARs ban on approaching these bizarre
all levels of Terran Galactic Operations.
aliens. And following the Terracide, Marathon Free Station is
There is very little equipment shown for these characters
squarely in the path of the Colonial Reserve Fleets invasion
only what they could be expected to carry day-to-day. For
of the Kruger 60 Cluster, which means its on the verge of
actual combat operations, they should receive the stanbecoming an actual war zone.
dard allotment of resource points to spend on additional
In the midst of all this, Balance Forward and Athena
equipment.
Security still have their own agendas to pursue. But when war
comes to Marathon, both groups will likely have to make a
decision join the fight to defend their home, or flee into
space beyond the Kruger 60 Cluster, to the Outer Colonies.
But if things go badly, no place will be safe from the war
forever. And the fight to save Marathon will need people like
them.
Although they now live at Marathon Free Station, these
characters come from all over Terran Space: the Kruger 60
Cluster, the Core Colonies, Old Terra and other worlds in the
Home System, and even alien worlds. Although their stories
are all different, its important to note that each of them has
a story to tell this is the most important part of character
creation in Terracide.
These characters can also be used as NPCs, for the
purpose of contacts, rivals or even adversaries. As contacts,
they can be a valuable source of information or other assistance to the player characters. GMs should keep in mind,
however, that all of these characters will be rather expensive
as contacts, due to their skills and resources. They also have
their own goals to consider, so if the PCs want something
out of the ordinary from them, they might want a favor in
return.

Val Char Cost Roll

10 STR 0
11-
13 DEX 6
1213 CON 3
1213 INT
3
12-
11 EGO 1
1118 PRE 8
13-
4
4
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

5
5
0
0
10

4
3
5
25
11
24

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

2

1

1
1
1
2

Notes
Lift 100.0kg; 2d6
PER Roll 12-/13PRE Attack: 3 d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 4 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 3 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 51

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 4m/8m

Swimming: 4m/8m
Cost
1
3
15
20

Powers
END
+1 PER with Normal Sight
0
Life Support (Immunity: All terrestrial diseases
(not v. bioweapons))
0
Luck 3d6
0
Implanted Quantum Computer: Cryptography
23-; only to decrypt data (-)
0

Dirty infighting

Maneuver
4
Block
4
Disarm
4
Eye gouge
4
Punch
3
Tackle

OCV
+2
-1
-1
+0
+0

DCV
+2
+1
-1
+2
-1

Notes
Block, Abort
Disarm; 20 STR to Disarm
Flash 4d6
4d6 Strike
2d6 +v/5 Strike; You Fall,
Target Falls; FMove

Weapon Element: Clubs

5
5

10

Perks
Money: Well Off
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, Starship License, Weapon
Permit (where appropriate)
Advanced Equipment: TL11 (Alien Tech):

12

Skills
+1 Overall

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Acting 13Bribery 13Bureaucratics 13Computer Programming 12Concealment 12Cryptography 12Disguise 12Electronics 12Forgery (Other Spacecraft ID codes, Other Virtual
documents) 122
Gambling (Card Games) 123
Persuasion 133
PS: Merchant 123
PS: Spin-G Operations 123
PS: Zero-G Operations 123
Shadowing 123
Sleight Of Hand 123
Stealth 123
Streetwise 133
Survival: vacuum 123
Systems Operation 123T
rading 133
TF: Commercial Spacecraft & Space Yachts, Personal
Use Spacecraft, Small Motorized Ground Vehicles
3
WF: Small Arms, Blades
3
Traveler
2
1) AK: Marathon Free Station (3 Active Points) 122
2) AK: TGO trade routes (3 Active Points) 122
3) AK: Terran space (3 Active Points) 122
4) CuK: Core colonies (3 Active Points) 122
5) CuK: Fluorians (3 Active Points) 122
6) CuK: TGO Colonies (3 Active Points) 12Total Powers & Skill Cost: 174
Total Cost: 225
Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: Alien Computer Implant (Not
Concealable; Always Noticed and Causes Major
Reaction; Detectable Only By Technology Or Major
Effort; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
15
Hunted: Solar Express Company Infrequently (Mo
Pow; NCI; Mildly Punish)
5
Negative Reputation: Homo Superior, Infrequently
15
Psychological Limitation: Protective of ship and
crew (Common; Strong)
10
Psychological Limitation: Mistrusts authority
figures (Common; Moderate)
15
Rivalry: Professional, Solar Express Captains, Rival is
Significantly More Powerful, Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate Rival, Rival Aware of Rivalry
10
Social Limitation: Illegal Alien Tech Infrequently,
Severe, Not Limiting In Some Cultures
0
DNPC: Cabin boy 8- (Slightly Less Powerful than the
PC; Useful Noncombat Position or Skills)
Total Complications Points: 225

7: Sample Characters

Captain Grail
Kershaw

225+
5

69

7: Sample Characters

Captain Grail Kershaw

Background/History: Grail Kershaws parents worked for
the Colonial Oversight Ministry, and when he was 11, they
left Terra for a new assignment on Stella Magna. He hated it
there, until he was 13 and they were both jailed on corruption charges. Grail entered Stella Magnas foster care system,
and found he hated his new home even more -- the Sierra
Nueva asteroid Colony. He spent as much time as possible
away from his new home, and his foster parents didnt seem
to care. Grail learned a lot hanging around in the tunnels
of the asteroid colony, especially near the spaceport. He
learned how to gamble, how to cheat, how not to get caught.
He ran errands for merchants who needed to find the right
people in a hurry. Finally, when he was 18 (well, his ID said
he was 18) he got a job dealing cards on the indie space liner
Gravity Model and never returned to the core worlds again.
In the Kruger 60 Cluster, nobody knew his name or his face,
and the con was on!
That was almost 30 years ago, and Kershaw has made and
lost several fortunes since then. Hes also made quite a few
enemies, and either bought off or outlived most of them. His
current venture is an independent freighter called Balance
Forward which has most of his assets tied up in it. Hes actually gone semi-legitimate, now that he has a ship, because
legal shipping can be quite lucrative, in some cases; some
cases meaning when the captain is willing to risk his life, his
crew and his ship for a big payoff. In the Kruger 60 Cluster,
sometimes the illegal jobs are safer!

nobody has figured out where Grail is hiding it yet--the

Fluorians implanted the quantum AI in his head, and its too
small for most scanners to pick up.
Campaign Use: Captain Kershaw is a good contact to have
if the characters need to hire a spacecraft, or if they need
the services of a con man. He can also offer the PCs lots of
advice about all the places hes been. Of course, if they need
to a new set of papers for their ship, and transponder codes
to match, hes pretty much the best. But itll cost them....
Appearance: Kershaw is a rather unassuming Gemini, and
usually dresses in older, well-worn clothes, so most people
dont realize right away that hes a Gemini-type. He usually
has a body-pressure vac-suit under his clothes, an augmented
reality interface of some type, and carries a sidearm when
permitted.

Personality/Motivation: Captain Grail Kershaw is still trying

to live down all the failures of his parents. In his view, they
werent just corrupt public officials; they were failures for
getting caught so easily! Not to mention failures as parents
because they werent around to look out for him. So, Grail
has a healthy distrust of authority figures in general, and the
ISTAR government in particular. He also has an extremely
strong protective impulse for those close to him, particularly his crew. Most recently, hes taken in an orphaned
Virgo slave liberated by Athena Security. The Solar Express
Corporation is looking for the boy, and theyre willing to use
force to get him back, so Grail is hiding him aboard Balance
Forward as a favor to Athena until they can figure out what
to do with him. Sometimes Grail wonders why he married
her....
Quote: Look, boy. Its Captain or Captain Grail or
Captain Kershaw or just call me Grail, but if you call me
Master one more time, youre gonna host karaoke night in
the passenger lounge for the rest of the trip, got it?
Powers/Tactics: Captain Kershaw would prefer to talk,
bribe or con his way out of a problem if at all possible.
However, he knows a thing or two about fighting if he has
to. Grail also has some technical skills, most of which are
applied to cyber-crime of one kind or another. His specialty
is forging spacecraft ID codes, a process which can take years
of effort to succeed, due to the level encryption involved.
His secret is the quantum computer he purchased from the
Fluorians at Achird2 several years ago, which allows him
to bypass the safeguards on the starships transponders to
change their registry information. In the hands of a more
skilled hacker such a device would be extremely dangerous,
and its highly illegal to possess in human space. Fortunately,

70

Image 2011, HeroMachine.com; Character concept 2011 Grady Elliott

Val Char Cost Roll

13 STR 3
12-
18 DEX 16 1313 CON 3
1213 INT
3
12-
13 EGO 3
1215 PRE 5
12-

Notes
Lift 151.6kg; 2 d6 [3]
PER Roll 13PRE Attack: 3d6

6
6
3
3
4

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

15
15
0
0
20

Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

5
4
6
25
10
24

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

3

2

2
1
0
2

Total: 5 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 4 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 99

Movement: Running: 16m/32m

Leaping: 8m/16m

Swimming: 4m/8m
Cost
3
2

Powers
END
+1 PER with all Sense Groups
0
Combat leap: Leaping 8m; Half-move only (-1) 1

Space Combat Maneuvers

Maneuver OCV DCV Notes
Evasive Action -- +4
Dodge All Attacks, Abort;
FMove
Attack Run +1 +0
Weapon +2 DC, Hmove
required.
Fly-By Attack +1 +1
Weapon, Hmove required.

3
3

3
5

Perks
Reputation: Ace pilot in the Titan war (A small to
medium sized group) 11-, +3/+3d6
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, Starship License, Weapon
Permit (where appropriate)

12
6
4
3

Talents
Combat Luck (6 PD/6 ED) in Space Combat
Environmental Movement (no penalties in
spin-gravity)
High-G Tolerance (2)
Lightning Reflexes: +2 DEX to act first with All Actions
(+3 DEX to act first with All Actions)

6
12
3
3
5
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
4

Skills
+1 with all Agility Skills
+1 Overall
Acrobatics 13Breakfall 13Combat Piloting 14Fast Draw 13KS: Terran spacecraft 12KS: Titan spacecraft 12Astrogation (Hyperspace, Normal Space) 12PS: Pilot 13PS: Zero-G Operations 13SS: Physics (Hyperspace Transits) 12SS: Xenology 11Survival: vacuum (Vacuum) 12Systems Operation 12Tactics 12TF: Science Fiction & Space Vehicles
Traveler
1) AK: Kruger 60 Cluster 122) CuK: Celestial Guard (3 Active Points) 123) CuK: Keepers 124) CuK: Titans 12WF: Laser Pistols, Laser Rifles, Vehicle Weapons
(spacecraft)
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 126
Total Cost: 225
Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: (Concealable; Noticed and
Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used
Senses)
10
Hunted: Celestial Guard Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI;
Watching)
10
Negative Reputation: Prone to violent behavior
(undeserved), Frequently
20
Physical Complication: Cant reveal information
about Operation Xenon Pipeline; loses consciousness if she tries. (Infrequently; Fully Impairing)
10
Psychological Limitation: Afraid of Titans (post-war
stress) (Uncommon; Strong)
10
Psychological Limitation: Hates being idolized
(Uncommon; Strong)
5
Reputation: Titan War Ace, 8- (Extreme; Known
Only To A Small Group)
Total Complications Points: 225

7: Sample Characters

Xio Falconer

225+
10

71

7: Sample Characters

Xio Falconer
Background/History: Xio Falconer is a Leo alternate from
the TGO colony at Groombridge 34. Thirty years ago, she
made a name for herself in the Celestial Guard pilot corps.
The Titans known as the Draconis Syndicate denied all
shipping through the Kruger 60 Cluster, and Xios ship was
the only one that survived the attack on the Titans base--she
shot down five of their combat drones (Titans dont crew
their own combat vessels) in one day, becoming an instant
ace. Things went very badly after she and her crew entered
the base itself, and to this day, Xio is terrified of meeting
Titans in person. (Shell just stick to blowing up their
combat drones, thanks very much!) In the end, they forced
the Syndicate to allow TGO shipping to pass through the
Cluster unimpeded. However, she cant discuss any details
about what she saw or heard inside the Titans base, due to a
hypnotic block TGO mentechs placed in her mind after the
mission.

Appearance: Like most of her type, Xio looks human from

a distance. Up close, anyone can see her cat-like green eyes.
Aside from that, she doesnt really look as catty as most
Leos, as she usually wears a complete flight rig consisting
of a pilots uniform over a skin-tight body pressure vacuum
suit. She keeps an augmented reality interface with her, but
doesnt always use it, and wears a sidearm when permitted-usually a state-of-the-art laser pistol.

Personality/Motivation: Xio is in her 50s now, and her days

as a top gun are behind her. Nowadays, shes experienced
enough and level-headed enough to concentrate on just
doing her job and keeping her ship together. Shes sick of
being lauded as a war hero after all these years, especially
because she still remembers every single thing that really
happened on that mission, but cant tell anyone about it!
(The popular version is completely wrong.) Every time she
opens her mouth to talk about Operation Xenon Pipeline,
she gets a splitting headache, and then passes out cold. So
shes quite happy spending her final working years in obscurity, piloting a tramp freighter known as Balance Forward
out of Marathon Free Station, and otherwise hanging out at
an off-the-grid bar known as The Blind Spot. The Celestial
Guard still keeps tabs on her (like shed talk!) but nobody else
can find her easily, and she likes it that way.
Quote: No, thats not what really happened. And no, I dont
want to talk about it. No, really.
Powers/Tactics: Unlike most Leos, Xio never has trained
in personal combat--she went into flight school as soon as
she could qualify. (And, Leos never fail to qualify for flight
school.) With her talents, shes one of the best pilots to be
found in Terran space. Xio can also operate most other ship
systems, such as weapons, sensors and communications
if necessary. And her knowledge of space combat tactics
is extensive. Out of combat, she serves as an expert on
aliens, having dealt with Titans in the war, and also with the
Keepers while she lived at Groombridge 34.
Campaign Use: Xio can tell the characters a lot about the
Titans as long as they dont ask about the mission she literally
cant talk about. The fact that TGO put such a mental block
in place should tell them several things though! And of
Image 2011, HeroMachine.com; Character concept 2011 Grady Elliott
course, if they need to hire a ship, she can introduce them to
the captain of Balance Forward.
Really clever characters (too clever for their own good)
might actually try to find a way around Xios mental block.
This would raise several interesting questions. How much
would this be worth to her? Who would she talk to? Or is
the TGO right about some things being better off kept secret?

72

Val Char Cost Roll

8 STR -2 11-
14 DEX 8
1218 CON 8
1318 INT
8
13-
11 EGO 1
1113 PRE 3
12-
5
5
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

10
10
0
0
10

4
4
6
3
10
24

PD
ED
REC
5END
BODY
STUN

2

2

2
3
0
2

Notes
Lift 75.8kg; 1 d6

2

3
3

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, License to practice a
profession, Starship License, Weapon Permit (where
appropriate)

4
6

Talents
Double Jointed
Environmental Movement (no penalties in Zero-G)

PER Roll 13PRE Attack: 2 d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 4 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 4 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 67

Movement: Running: 12m/24m

Leaping: 8m/16m

Swimming: 4m/8m
Cost
2

Powers
END
Leaping +4m (8m forward, 4m upward); Limited
Power (Only in Zero-G; -)
1
Extra Limbs (2) (5 Active Points); Limited Manipulation (Modified legs/feet; -), Limited Power
(Only in zero-G; -)
0
Life Support (Extended Breathing: 1 END per
Turn; Safe Environment: Zero Gravity)
0
Vacuum survival mods:
1) Sight Group Flash Defense (5 points); 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 5 Minutes (-)
[1 cc]
2) Life Support (Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in
Low Pressure/Vacuum); 1 Continuing Fuel
Charge lasting 5 Minutes (-)
[1 cc]

4
4

Zero-G combat
Maneuver OCV DCV
Breakaway +0 +0
Clinch
+0 +0

4
5
3

Disengage
Intercept
Grapple

+0
+1
-1

+0
+1
-1

Roll-out

+0

+4

Torque

-1

-2

Turnabout

-1

-2

Notes
23 STR vs. Grabs
5 d6 Crush, Must Follow
Grab
23 STR to Shove
Grab One Limb, Block
Grab Two Limbs, 18 STR
for holding on
Dodge, 18 STR to Shove,
Abort
Grab One Limb; HKA 1
d6 , Disable
23 STR to Escape; Grab
Two Limbs

24
10

Skills
+2 Overall
Zero-G combat expert: +2 with all Zero-G combat
maneuvers
3
Bureaucratics 123
Computer Programming 133
Contortionist 123
CuK: Aquilae colonies 133
Demolitions 133
Electronics 132
Gambling (Card Games) 133
KS: Spacecraft systems 132
KS: Zero-G combat 113
Mechanics 133
Paramedics 133
Jack of All Trades
2
1) PS: Engineer (3 Active Points) 132
2) PS: Spin-G Operations (3 Active Points) 122
3) PS: Terraformer (3 Active Points) 133
4) PS: Zero-G Operations (6 Active Points) 153
SS: Plasma physics 133
SS: Terraforming 132
Survival (Vacuum) 133
Systems Operation 132
TF: Science Fiction & Space Vehicles
2
WF: Laser Pistols, Rocket Pistols
4
Weaponsmith (Energy Weapons, Missiles & Rockets,
Other: Coilguns) 13Total Powers & Skill Cost: 158
Total Cost: 225
Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: Micro-G physique (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By
Commonly-Used Senses)
15
Hunted: Planetary Conservation Society Infrequently
(Mo Pow; Harshly Punish)
5
Negative Reputation: Terraformer gone bad,
Frequently (Known Only To A Small Group)
15
Physical Limitation: Impaired in normal gravity
(Frequently; Slightly Impairing)
15
Psychological Limitation: Avoids publicity
(Common; Strong)
15
Social Limitation: Infamous (Frequently; Major)
Total Complications Points: 225

7: Sample Characters

Milligan Stone

225+
10

73

7: Sample Characters

Milligan Stone
Background/History: Milligan Stone is a fourth-generation
Aquilae alternate from the 61 Cygni system. He attended
the Sirius Space Studies Institute, where he studied planetary
engineering, aka terraforming. His career ended abruptly
with the New Cydonia Massacre ever since which, the Planetary Conservation Society has been out to get him. He finds
it best these days to keep a low profile and stay on the move,
and makes his living as the Chief Engineering Officer on the
independent transport vessel Balance Forward. His ships
most frequent port of call is Marathon Free Station in the
Groombridge 34 system, where he might be found hanging
out at The Blind Spot. (But only by those who can find the
place to begin with!)

Personality/Motivation: Stone spent most of his career

trying to bring life to new worlds. Nowadays, the life hes
most concerned with is his own. And of course: keeping
his ship and everyone on board in one piece. When dealing
with a crisis, hes not necessarily calm, but he stays focused,
and makes hard decisions without flinching. All the yelling,
swearing and theatrics are just his way of dealing with
stress. Afterwards, others might not like what he did, but
they usually admit he was right, if theyre still around to talk
about it. Most of the time, they are. Stone avoids unnecessary loss of life if theres any way to prevent it--hes trying to
undo the damage to his reputation from the New Cydonia
incident.
Quote: Ive terraformed new worlds which will provide
homes for millions of people, centuries from now. But what
am I famous for? A hundred idiots who died for nothing, a
year ago!
Powers/Tactics: Stone is physically rather weak, due to
living in micro-gravity most of the time, but hes easily
underestimated, being an expert in zero-g combat. (In
zero-g, he can fight with all four limbs.) Like most Aquilae,
Stone is short-term viable in vacuum conditions, and
completely adapted to zero-g. Aboard ship hes completely in
his element, and as chief engineer of the Balance Forward,
he knows the ships systems and gets more out of them than
anyone would believe possible.
Campaign Use: Milligan Stone introduces several campaign
concepts important to Terracide--hes an Aquila, a terraformer, and on the run from the PCS. The player characters
will most likely meet him in port at Groombridge, possibly
in The Blind Spot, with the rest of the crew of Balance
Forward.
Appearance: Stone is not quite two meters tall, with shortcropped brown hair and brown eyes. His face is rather
thin, as is the rest of him, and he always seems to be on the
verge of an emotional outburst. (Its okay, he does that.) He
wears a body-pressure-type vacuum suit with Aquila-form
foot-gloves (very expensive) and whatever tools he needs
with him at the time. When permitted, he also carries a light
sidearm loaded with some sort of non-lethal ammo.

Valdis Blix

Image 2011, HeroMachine.com; Character concept 2011 Grady Elliott

74

Background/History: Valdis Blix was born on Mars, the

daughter of TGO terraformers. She grew up surrounded by
the efforts of their labors, but perhaps due to this constant
exposure, the remaking of old worlds held no interest for
Valdis as she grew up. She wanted to go to the stars, in search
of new worlds; maybe even to find one that didnt need terraforming. Upon reaching her age of majority, she signed on
with a TGO exploration vessel, the Ericson which was bound
for the Outer Colonies past the Kruger 60 Cluster, and the
uncharted systems beyond. Valdis had a very important
responsibility as one the crewmen charged with defending
the Ericson -- she was a gunner. And although Valdis had
no formal training in space warfare tactics, she became very
good at what she did, as the Ericson found itself threatened
by hostiles in many far-flung places.

Val Char Cost Roll

15 STR 5
12-
15 DEX 10 1218 CON 8
1313 INT
3
12-
10 EGO 0
1115 PRE 5
12-

Notes
Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [3]
PER Roll 12-

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

10
10
0
0
10

5
5
7
35
11
28

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

3

3

3
3
1
4

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 5 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 5 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 83

Movement: Running: 16m/32m

Leaping: 6m/12m

Swimming: 4m/8m

4


3
3
5


4
4
4

PRE Attack: 3d6

16
4

5
5
3
3
3

Cost
2

Powers
END
Nictating membrane: Sight Group Flash Defense
(5 points); only v. dust (-1)
0
Mars-adapted: LS (Immunity: Dust poisoning;
Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Low Pressure)
0
Space Combat Maneuvers
Maneuver OCV DCV Notes
Close Attack +1 +0
Weapon +2 DC, Halfmove required
Stand-Off Attack +1 +0
Weapon, Half-move
required
Alpha Strike +0 +0
Weapon +4 DC, Halfmove required
Taikong Ren Do maneuvers
Maneuver OCV DCV Notes
Dodge
-- +5
Dodge, Affects All Attacks,
Abort
Escape
+0 +0
30 STR vs. Grabs
Strike
+0 +2
5d6 Strike

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, Weapon Permit (where
appropriate)
Positive Reputation: Famous VeNoM killer (A large
group) 14-, +2/+2d6

Talents
Environmental Movement (no penalties in
Spin-Gravity)
Environmental Movement (no penalties in
Zero-Gravity)
Deadly Blow: +1d6 (in Space Combat)
High-G Tolerance (level 2)

12
3
2
2
1
1
2
3
2
2
3
2
3
3
3
2
2
1
3
3
5
2

Skills
+1 Overall
AK: Outer Colonies 12Deadly Sprayfire; only w/spacecraft weapons (-1)
Precise Sprayfire I; only w/spacecraft weapons (-1)
Bureaucratics 8Computer Programming 8CuK: Academica 11CuK: Outer Colonies 12Gambling (Card Games) 12KS: Xenology 11KS: Xeno-Biology 12KS: Spacecraft recognition 11Navigation (Land, Space) 12Paramedics 12PS: Explorer 12PS: Spacer 11PS: Terraforming 11Science Skill: Terraforming 8Science Skill: Xeno-Biology 12Survival (Desert, Vacuum) 12Systems Operation 13TF: Industrial & Exploratory Spacecraft, Personal Use
Spacecraft, Spaceplanes
4
WF: Small Arms, Vehicle Weapons (spacecraft)
4
Weaponsmith (Coilguns, Energy Weapons, Missiles &
Rockets) 12Total Powers & Skill Cost: 142
Total Cost: 225
Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: Aries Physique (Concealable;
Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By CommonlyUsed Senses)
10
Hunted: ISTAR Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI; Watching)
10
Negative Reputation: The Upsilon Andromedae
Killer, Infrequently (Extreme)
10
Physical Complication: Impaired in normal gravity
(Frequently; Barely Impairing)
10
Psychological Complication: Hyper-vigilant
(Uncommon; Strong)
10
Psychological Complication: Loyal to spacecraft
and crew (Common; Moderate)
15
Social Complication: Suspected nano-plague
carrier Frequently, Major
Total Complications Points: 225

7: Sample Characters

Valdis Blix

225+
10

75

7: Sample Characters
76

The Ericson visited stars beyond the Draconis Gulf,

and discovered where the Titans had gone after the War. It
also went to the Outer Colonies, all the way to humanitys
farthest settlement at Upsilon Andromedae, and along the
way, rediscovered a number of lost settlements which did
not welcome re-contact! Valdis defended her vessel and crew
from both aliens and humans alike, to the most distant stars
anyone had ever seen. The Ericson went on to set a number
of distance records which still stand, before returning to
Upsilon for resupply. That was where the real trouble started,
for the Ericson returned to Upsilon Andromedae just as it
was being overrun by VeNoMs: von Neumann Machines.
The colony was in peril, and had to be evacuated, preferably
without letting any of the hostile nano-machines on board
the spacecraft, where they could spread to other colonies.
Valdis became extremely worried about the evacuation effort. While the Ericson was equipped for all kinds of
emergencies, and carried full decontamination gear, this was
not something the mission planners had anticipated. If they
decided to help the colonists, their equipment might not be
good enough to prevent Ericson from becoming contaminated. A few of her crewmates agreed with her, but they were
out-voted by a slim margin. Valdis manned the Ericsons guns
as the evacuation began. Eventually, the worst happened -- a
shuttle tried to circumvent their improvised decontamination procedures, and Valdis opened fire without hesitation.
At first, Ericsons Captain was furious, and after almost
spacing Valdis, locked her up instead. However, every shuttle
afterwards did the same thing -- theyd all been compromised, and the evacuation was over. Valdis was released, and
the Ericson departed with the few colonists it had managed
to save. Unfortunately, not even Valdis drastic measures
had been good enough; something got on board, and
every colony at which the Ericson stopped on its way home
(HR483A; Theta Persei; Mu Cassiopeiae) suffered a VeNoM
outbreak. Upon arrival at Eta Cassiopeiae, the Ericson was
subject to precautionary deconstruction -- reduced to its
component atoms -- and its crew quarantined. Valdis was
given a commendation by a board of inquiry, and released
from TGO service along with the rest of the Ericson crew.
Finding work after being released from quarantine proved
to be difficult; the events of Upsilon Andromedae were
highly publicized, as were Valdis role in temporarily saving
her vessel. While her credentials were impressive, nobody
wanted to run the risk that she might still be contaminated,
even if shed been through quarantine. To make matters
worse, ISTAR was using the whole incident as a political
bludgeon against TGO and they wanted her help in doing
so. No matter how TGO had treated Valdis, she wasnt about
to stoop so low as to become part of ISTARs propaganda
machine. Naturally, she ended up in neutral territory. While
still on good terms with the company, Marathon Free Station
hadnt officially been part of TGO for decades, and they
definitely werent on friendly terms with ISTAR.
Valdis eventually did find work as a gunner once again,
on a Free Trade League vessel known as Balance Forward.
She seemed to fit in well with the new crew, all of whom
seemed to have stories as strange as hers. Although its a
rather small, uncouth spacecraft (nothing like the Ericson!)
Valdis has come to consider the Balance Forward her home,
and its crew a sort of new family, which she is once again
charged with protecting. She takes this duty very seriously,
and anyone (or anything) which threatens the Balance
Forward will soon find itself in Valdis gunsights -- not at all
a healthy place to be.

Personality/Motivation: Valdis considers herself a warrior,

although shes never been in the military, nor fought in a
formally declared war. She didnt fight for politics, territory or honor -- she fought simply for survival, because her
mission put her in harms way. And having survived everything the hostile galaxy could throw at her, she came home
only to find the one thing she couldnt fight: a bunch of backstabbing bureaucrats. Needless to say, she much prefers life
aboard a vessel in deep space, far from civilization. The most
important things in her world are her crewmates, and their
vessel, and Valdis considers protecting them to be her duty,
whether in space or in port.
Aside from enjoying life with her crew, nothing gives
Valdis more pleasure than seeing someplace nobody else
has ever seen before -- something she hasnt been able to do
since she came back to civilization. If the Balance Forward is
offered an assignment involving any sort of exploration, or
a flight plan off the beaten path, Valdis will definitely be in
favor of it.
Quote: We were almost a hundred light-years out... 14
months out of Upsilon Andromedae, skulking around
this G-type star with a beautiful pre-biotic world smack
in the middle of its lifezone, when I saw the most amazing
advanced alien spacecraft I ever laid eyes on... but then it
tried to kill us all, so I had to blow it straight to hell. <shrug>
No idea who they were.
Powers/Tactics: Valdis is a very experienced spacecraft
gunner -- she knows how to use lasers, coilguns and missiles
to the best possible effect. However, shes not a military
gunner -- she can shoot straight, and shoot to kill, but Valdis
has never studied any sort of advanced space warfare tactics.
Her approach is really very straightforward: kill the bad guys
spacecraft before they do the same to her. Outside of space
combat, Valdis is quite capable of taking care of herself. Shes
fast, tough, strong, and knows how to use basic small arms
and Taikong Ren Do maneuvers. (Nothing fancy, thank you
very much!) Valdis actually prefers to avoid getting into
fights she doesnt have to, and now that shes famous, her
intimidating reputation is often enough to stop a fight before
it starts. Not many people want to mess with the VeNoM
Killer of Upsilon Andromedae!
Campaign Use: As a PC, Valdis represents the tough guy of
the Balance Forwards crew. Shes the most (space-) combat
oriented of them all, and also the most intimidating. As an
NPC, she could be useful as either an explorer or a gunner
-- in addition to her gunnery skills, Valdis has extensive
knowledge of systems far beyond the Outer Colonies
which only a few others have ever seen, which makes her a
valuable source of information. As an adversary, the most
likely PCs to encounter Valdis would be an ISTAR contract
to persuade her to issue a statement about the events at
Upsilon Andromedae favorable to ISTARs agenda. Planting
some nanites on her might do the trick, but that would probably mean involving the OFFICE, which could get very ugly
indeed.
Appearance: Valdis appears as a typical Martian -- similar
to a baseline human, but taller and thinner, with a slightly
enlarged chest cavity. She has no difficulty finding clothes to
fit, however, and usually wears casual pants and shirts over
the obligatory spacers body pressure suit. When she goes
armed (which isnt often) Valdis carries a basic rocket-pistol
with stun rounds.

Val Char Cost Roll

15 STR 5
12-
14 DEX 8
1215 CON 5
1218 INT
8
13-
11 EGO 1
1118 PRE 8
13-

Notes
Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [3]
PER Roll 15PRE Attack: 3 d6

5
5
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

4
3
6
30
12
28

PD
2

Total: 4 PD (0 rPD)
ED
1

Total: 3 ED (0 rED)
REC 2
END 2
BODY 2
STUN 4Total Characteristic Cost: 81

10
10
0
0
10

Phases: 4, 8, 12

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 6m/12m

Swimming: 4m/8m
Cost
6
8

Powers
END
Trained Observer: +2 PER with all Sense Groups 0
Smooth Talker: +2 all Interaction Skills
0

5
4

Taikong Ren Do
Maneuver OCV DCV
Block
+1 +3
Counter-attack +2 +2

Grapple-

-1

4
4
3

Nerve Strike
Strike
Throw

-1
+0
+0

+1
+2
+2

2
9

Perks
Deep Cover: journalist / ex-diplomat
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, OFFICE employee, Press
Pass, Security Clearance, Weapon Permit (where
appropriate)
Well-Connected

Notes
Block, Abort
5d6 Strike, Must Follow
Block
Grab Two Limbs, 25 STR
for holding on
2d6 NND
5d6 Strike
5d6 Strike; Target Falls;
Must Follow Grab

12
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2

Skills
+1 Overall
Acting 13Traveler
1) AK: Core Loop Colonies 132) AK: Groombridge 34 System 133) CuK: Core Loop Colonies 134) CuK: Groombridge 34 Colony 13Breakfall 12Bribery 13Bugging 13Bureaucratics 13Concealment 13Conversation 13Disguise 13Forgery (Documents) 13High Society 13KS: Spin-G Combat 11KS: The Diplomatic World 11KS: The Espionage World 11Oratory 13Persuasion 13PS: Journalist 13PS: Spin-G Operations 12PS: Tradecraft 13Security Systems 13Shadowing 13Stealth 12Streetwise 13Systems Operation 13TF: Personal Use Spacecraft, Small Motorized
Ground Vehicles
3
WF: Small Arms, Laser Pistols
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 144
Total Cost: 225

7: Sample Characters

Uncle Mick Baden

225+
10

Matching Complications
Hunted: OFFICE Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI;
Watching)
15
Hunted: TGO Legal Department Infrequently (As
Pow; NCI; Harshly Punish)
15
Psychological Limitation: Loyal to the OFFICE
(Common; Strong)
10
Psychological Limitation: Hunting the Jack of All
Tirades (Common; Moderate)
10
Rivalry: Professional (Mainstream media journalists;
Rival is More Powerful; Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or
Humiliate Rival; Rival Aware of Rivalry)
15
Social Limitation: Secret ID: undercover OFFICE
agent (Occasionally; Severe)
Total Complications Points: 225

77

7: Sample Characters

Uncle Mick Baden

Background/History: Baden is a former diplomat, now an
undercover OFFICE operative, working as a free-lance correspondent for The Galaxys Most Dangerous Places. Badens
current assignment is to find the individual known on the
Tangled Web as the Jack of All Tirades and discover his
true identity. So far, he has established that the Jack is definitely in the Groombridge 34 system, probably somewhere in
the off-grid warrens of Marathon Free Station. The problem
is, there are literally thousands of kilometers of tunnels
which arent officially part of the station. However, Baden
has made some progress with the Jacks contacts at The Blind
Spot, one of the Free Stations numerous off-grid bars. Travelling and working with them hasnt really gotten him any
closer to the Jack, but it has provided excellent stories and
material for his cover as a journalist, along with some hefty
bonus checks. Sometimes its so profitable *not* finding the
Jack that Baden wonders if maybe his target really knows
who he is, and just wants to buy him off!
Baden is currently employed as a crewman on the Free
Trade Leagues Balance Forward hes pretty sure several of
the crew have connections with the Jack of All Tirades. Hes
actually interested in Athena Security, because hes certain
the Jack has contacts at that firm, but working for Athenas
partner is as close as he can get, for now.

As an adversary, he could be quite formidable, because

underneath his affable cover identity, he is still connected
with the OFFICE, and can call on considerable resources as
a result.
Appearance: Mick is a well-groomed, handsome fortysomething baseline human who often gets mistaken for a
Gemini type due to his good looks and overall health. He
wears high-quality comfortable travelling clothes with lots
of pockets for recording equipment, and whatever gear he
might need for a job. He doesnt usually wear a skinsuit, but
keeps his survival bubble packed away so he doesnt look like
a tourist. Mick doesnt usually carry a weapon unless hes
pretty sure hell need one then he keeps a light pistol in a
concealed holster, loaded with the best ammo he can afford.

Personality/Motivation: Badens cover personality, which

he never breaks, is that of a kindly fellow traveler. Hes
friendly to everyone without being insufferable, and manages
to be extroverted without seeming pushy. He almost always
has an entertaining story to tell, about someplace hes been
on a previous assignment, and theyre usually quite enjoyable
to listen to.
Its all a cover, of course. The real Mick Baden is an agent
for the OFFICE, and hes a determined, loyal, highly trained
operative. Hell stay under cover for years, if necessary, to
find who the OFFICE is looking for, and bring them in.
Quote: So there I was at port security, and this Ursa trooper
says hes going to perform a cavity search! Did you check
my flight plan, first? I says...and he wants to know why. I
was in the Omicron habitat two weeks ago, the ecosystems
are all failing, terrible dysentery outbreak, and worse... well,
he couldnt get rid of me fast enough! Technically, he should
have had me quarantined, but then theyd have quarantined
*him*, too, probably for a couple of weeks, and he just
couldnt be bothered. If I really had been sick, his whole
colony would have been exposed--it was a disgrace. Cant
say I miss the Core Habitats, really.
Powers/Tactics: Badens social skills are his greatest asset.
Hes highly adept at dealing with all kinds of people in nearly
Image 2011, HeroMachine.com; Character concept 2011 Grady Elliott
any situation, from a starport dive to an executive boardroom. His job gets him into all sorts of trouble, but he knows
how to talk his way out of nearly anything. Of course, when
diplomacy and guile occasionally fail, he can handle himself
fairly well in armed or unarmed combat. Baden keeps a
small rocket pistol handy for emergencies, and he knows a
thing or two about fighting in a spin-G environment. Hes
not so adept in zero-G, however.

78

Campaign Use: Mick Baden is useful as the classic face man

for any group. If they need to talk their way into someplace,
hes the guy to do it. And if they need a journalist, he can
help them with that, too. As a former diplomat, hes very
well-connected, and knows people from almost everywhere.

Val Char
15 STR
18 DEX
13 CON
13 INT
10 EGO0
15 PRE

Cost
5
16
3
3
115

Roll Notes
12- Lift 151.6kg; 2 d6 [3]
131212- PER Roll 1212

-PRE Attack: 3d6

6
6
3
3
4

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

15
15
0
0
20

Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

4
3
6
25
11
26

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

2

1T
2
1
1
3

Total: 4 PD (0 rPD)
otal: 3 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 93

Movement: Running: 13m/26m

Leaping: 4m/8m

Swimming: 4m/8m
Cost
1
3

Powers
END
Life Support (Longevity: 200 Years)
0
Life Support (Immunity: All terrestrial diseases
(not v. bioweapons))
0

5
4

Taikong Ren Do
Maneuver OCV DCV
Block
+1 +3
Counter-attack +2 +2

4
4

Disarm
Dodge

-1 +1
- -+5

Grapple

-1

-1

4
3

Strike
Throw

+0
+0

+2
+2

+2 HTH Damage Classes

Notes
Block, Abort
7d6 Strike, Must Follow
Block
Disarm; 35 STR to Disarm
Dodge, Affects All Attacks,
Abort
Grab Two Limbs, 35 STR
for holding on
7d6 Strike
7d6 Strike; Target Falls;
Must Follow Grab

3

4
2
6

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, Weapon Permit (where
appropriate)
Reputation: Highly regarded security firm (A small to
medium sized group) 11-, +3/+3d6
Talents
Double Jointed
Resistance (2 points)
+2/+2d6 Striking Appearance (vs. all characters)

12
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
2

Skills
+1 Overall
Acting 12AK: Marathon Free Station 12Breakfall 13Bugging 12Charm 12Concealment 12Contortionist 13Conversation 12Disguise 12KS: Security Regulations 11KS: Taikong Ren Do 11CuK: Jovians 8Persuasion 12PS: Security Guard 11PS: Spin-G operations 13PS: Zero-G operations 13Security Systems 12Shadowing 12Stealth 13Streetwise 12TF: Personal Use Spacecraft, Small Motorized
Ground Vehicles
5
WF: Small Arms, Blades, Laser Pistols, Laser Rifles
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 132
Total Cost: 225

7: Sample Characters

Athena Security

225+
10

Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: Virgo physique (Concealable;
Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By CommonlyUsed Senses)
10
Hunted: the OFFICE 8- (Mo Pow; NCI; Watching)
15
Hunted: Solar Express Corporation 8- (Mo Pow;
Harshly Punish)
10
Negative Reputation (undeserved): Manipulative,
Frequently
15
Psychological Limitation: Hates slavers
(Uncommon; Total)
15
Social Complication: Too attractive for her own
good Very Frequently, Minor
Total Complications Points: 225

79

7: Sample Characters
80

Athena Security
Background/History: Athena Security (she changed her
name when she started the company) is the owner of the
company of the same name. She began life as a slave,
produced for hire by a Jovian, made to order for a Solar
Express Captain who kept her aboard his Fast Clipper for the
first several years of her life. Shes not sure exactly how long.
The Jovian who made Athena assured her master that his
slave would be sub-sentient, and by Jovian standards, she
was. But by Jovian standards, all humans are sub-sentient,
and in time she realized the Jovian had made her smarter
than her master. She found her existence as his slave, to
say the least, unsatisfying. She never got to leave the ship, or
talk to the rest of the crew, or the passengers, none of whom,
she noticed, had slaves of their own, or masters to keep them
locked up. Eventually, she made up her mind to improve her
situation. Her master, she knew, would not approve.
Athena had learned a lot from the Clippers augmented
reality network. Originally, she was given access to entertainment, but she soon found many other features--even a
virtual tutor. Her master had no idea how much she knew
about the vessel, and its systems, by the time she was ready
to leave. Mysteriously, a wealthy passenger bumped a pair
of travellers out of their cabin, overbooking the Liner. A pair
of vouchers were automatically generated for them, valid on
any Solar Express vessel. Then, just as mysteriously, the same
wealthy passenger cancelled his trip. The original travellers stayed put, and the vouchers went unclaimed. Until, of
course, a well-disguised Athena, bags packed, let herself out
of the Captains very securely locked cabin, helped herself to
the vouchers, and stealthily made her way off the Clipper.
She couldnt use the vouchers on a Solar Express vessel--they
had someone elses names on them--but she bartered them
for passage on an independent freighter whose captain said
he could use some Express vouchers. No questions asked.
Athena found herself at Marathon Free Station, where
her talents as an escape artist and security specialist were
more useful than her background as an alien sex toy. She
went to work for Station Security, the local constabulary, and
as a peace officer, trained in a variety of skills. She spent her
spare time completing her education, and learning about
the galaxy. She found out there were many other Virgos
born into the same non-life as hers, and that it was a minor
miracle she had escaped alive. If she ever left Marathon
Station, the Free Trade League would probably be looking for
her.
But she had to. Athenas outrage became an intolerable
hatred she couldnt ignore any longer, so eventually, she quit
Station Security, and started her own company. Athena
Security offers a variety of services--consulting, surveillance,
personal protection, hostage negotiations, and recovery.
The companys real purpose, however, is to cover the cost of
Athenas crusade to liberate enslaved Virgos. Fortunately for
all concerned, Athena doesnt take many of these special
cases, because when she does, all hell breaks loose. Most
recently, she angered the Free Trade League once again, by
helping a band of corsairs board a League ship! The corsairs
got the cargo, and she got the Captains cabin boy, a Virgo
slave hed been keeping on board for at least three years. The
Corsairs are also blackmailing the League to keep quiet about
their Captains taste in slaves. Needless to say, the League
wants Athena very, very dead.

Personality/Motivation: Freedom means more than

anything to Athena, not just for herself, but for everyone.
Above all else, she makes it her business to secure the
freedom of other Virgos less fortunate than herself. To free
a Virgo child from a slaver, shell even fall in with a bunch of
cut-throat pirates, if thats what it takes! When shes not plotting to maim and kill slavers, Athena is very business-like,
serious and sober. In public she maintains a professional
demeanor at all times. Shes unflappable and composed-nothing ever seems to get to her. In private, only her
husband knows what shes like.
Quote: If I have to, Ill kill every slaver son of a bitch in the
galaxy. The Jovian who created the Virgos? No, dont tempt
me. Its hard enough to meet your maker, let alone destroy
it....
Powers/Tactics: Athena is trained in a wide variety of
armed and unarmed combat techniques. Small arms, lasers,
knives, spin- and zero-g combat; she can use any weapon, on
any battlefield. She also knows how to use her Virgo presence to influence people, although she doesnt like doing it.
Shes very good with most interaction skills, but unlike many
Virgos, prefers not to resort to outright seduction. Shes also
good with bugging and security systems, which are very
important skills in her line of work. On most jobs, Athena
does things strictly by the book, as a consummate professional. When shes on one of her special cases, she does
whatever it takes to get the job done--never mind what the
book says.
Campaign Use: The PCs could meet Athena in several ways.
She might want to hire them for a job, whether its routine
or one of her special cases. Theyll get paid either way. Or
they might need to hire Athena Security to help them with
a job, if they get into some kind of trouble. Or, worst case
scenario, they might end up at odds with Athena for some
reason, either during one of her jobs, or in the process of
going after the bounty the Solar Express Company is offering
for her--dead or alive!
Appearance: Athena has an apparently far-eastern Terran
phenotype, engineered to her former masters standards
of perfection. Shes rather self-conscious about her effect
on people, so she usually tries to downplay her beauty
rather than accentuate it, with only limited success. (She
cant change what she is.) Due to the Virgo types unusual
longevity, Athena appears to be in her early twenties,
although her actual age is nearly twice that. She wears a
body pressure vac-suit underneath her business attire
which usually resembles combat fatigues. Athena is nearly
always heavily armed, and is very good at concealing
weapons. She also keeps multiple augmented reality
interfaces ready to use. She carries various other gear when
shes working--bug sweepers, a first-aid kit, and of course,
hand-cuffs.

Val Char Cost Roll

15 STR 5
12-
16 DEX 12 1213 CON 3
1213 INT
3
12-
10 EGO 0
1115 PRE 5
12-

Notes
Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [3]

PER Roll 12PRE Attack: 3d6

5
5
3
3
4

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

10
10
0
0
20

Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

4
3
6
25
11
26

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

2

1

2
1
1
3

Total: 4 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 3 ED (0 rED)

12

Total Characteristic Cost: 81

15
6

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 6m/12m

Swimming: 4m/8m
Cost
7
8

Powers
END
Run and Gun: Running +14m (14m/28m total);
only for half-moves (-1)
1
Hold-out weapon: Concealment 20- ; Limited
power (only to hide back-up weapon; -1 )
0

4
3
5
3

Way of the Gun

Maneuver OCV
Accurate Shot +2
Defensive Shot -1
Distance Shot +0
Diving shot +0

DCV
-2
+2
-2
+2

5
4

Far Shot
+1
Trained Shot +2

-1
+0

Notes
Weapon Strike
Strike
Strike , +1 Segment
Weapon Strike, Half Move
Required, You Fall
Strike
Weapon Strike

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, Weapon Permit (where
appropriate)
Gunslinger: Reputation (A small to medium sized
group) 11-, +3/+3d6
Talents
Environmental Movement (no penalties in Spin-G
movement)
Lightning Reflexes: +4 DEX to act first with All Actions
(+4 DEX to act first with All Actions)
Weapon Master: +1d6 (Pistols)

Skills
+3 with pistols
Gun-crazy: +2 with Fast draw, KS: Firearms,
Weaponsmith
2
AK: Outer TGO colonies 113
Breakfall 122
CuK: EV Lacertae Colonies 115
Gun Kata: Defense Maneuver I-IV; only in ranged
combat (-1)
3
Fast Draw 123
KS: Personal Firearms 128
Penalty Skill Levels: +4 vs. Hit Location modifiers
with pistols
6
Penalty Skill Levels: +2 vs. armor penalties to DCV
with all armor
3
PS: Zero-G Ops 125
Rapid Attack ; Ranged Only (-1)
3
Streetwise 123
Systems Operation 123
Tactics 123
WF: Small Arms, Laser Pistols
3
Weaponsmith (Energy Weapons, Firearms) 12Total Powers & Skill Cost: 144
Total Cost: 225

7: Sample Characters

Dreg Slint

225+
15

Matching Complications
Hunted: Solar Express Company Infrequently (Mo
Pow; Harshly Punish)
10
Hunted: Crew of Tower Inverted Infrequently (Mo
Pow; Mildly Punish)
10
Negative Reputation: Dangerous outlaw, Infrequently (Extreme)
15
Psychological Limitation: Gunslinger mentality
(Common; Strong)
10
Psychological Limitation: Looks down on noncombatants (Common; Moderate)
10
Rivalry: Professional (other gunslingers; Rival is As
Powerful; Seek to Harm or Kill Rival; Rival Aware of
Rivalry)
Total Complications Points: 225

81

7: Sample Characters

Dreg Slint
Background/History: Horace Walsh grew up in an asteroid
habitat on the periphery, getting in and out of trouble, and
not quite getting spaced on a number of occasions. He
hated it there, but he couldnt leave because no legitimate
shipmaster who called there would have him on board. His
opportunity arrived when the habitat got raided by pirates.
Horace was at the space-dock doing shift-work when the
raiders came aboard, and quietly cooperated as they forced
him and the other dock-workers, at gun-point, to load up the
cargo.
When they were done, he said to their Captain, Theres
one more thing you should take.
Curious the Corsair Captain asked him What would that
be?
Me. Horace told him emphatically.
And why should I take on a piece of deadweight like
you?
Whos your fastest shot?
Without warning, one of the corsairs leveled an assault
gun at Horace, but before he could fire, Walsh drew his holdout pistol in a blur of motion and dropped the man.
He turned back to the Captain. Now Im your fastest
shot.
The Captain signaled his men to stand down. Youre
hired. These men are your mates now. Next time you shoot
one, youre out the air-lock.
Thats how Horace Walsh became a corsair. He acquired
a new identity and worked under the name of Dreg Slint.
Things were good with the crew of Tower Inverted for a
while. Then they took a contract with Athena Security. Not
that the job went badly--it went great! Dreg decided he
could do better working in security than as a corsair, and
offered Athena his services. His old crew-mates didnt really
appreciate his desire to move up in the world, though....

of shipboard systems, and the TGOs outer colonies in the

EV Lacertae system.
Campaign Use: Dreg Slint is the archetypal gun nut character, and also a fairly typical corsair type. If the characters
need a contact among the crew of Tower Inverted, Dreg
would be a good choice. Dreg frequents The Blind Spot bar,
so the PCs can meet him there, if they have the bar as an
organization contact. Dreg can advise them on choosing
weapons for a job, hook them up with arms dealers, and if
they need any custom work done on their own weapons, hes
willing to help out, if the moneys good!
On the other hand, if the PCs find themselves at odds
with the Athena Security firm, Dreg will quite simply be their
worst nightmare. Expect killings.
Appearance: Dreg Slint is in his late twenties, with dirty
light brown hair and dark brown eyes. He wears an oftrepaired body-pressure suit under a threadbare shipboard
jumper with lots of pockets. He carries a rocket pistol when
permitted, and a very well-hidden hold-out weapon is on
him at all times. (He wont tell anyone how he beats the
scanners.)

Personality/Motivation: Dreg Slints problem isnt that he

likes to shoot people--he just likes *guns*. He likes to shoot
them, clean them, study them, read about them, practice
with them, and work on them, and so on. Its not an obsession so much as simply a way of life. Hes a lot happier now
that he has a job which allows him to indulge himself in his
hobby. He doesnt particularly care if he has to shoot somebody; its really easier if he doesnt, but then, a guys gotta stay
in practice. Dreg also enjoys the fact that hes getting out
more, and seeing the rest of Terran Space, instead of skulking
around inside the same rock day after day.
Quote: Athena said not to shoot any of you unless it was
necessary. You make trouble, and the rest of us will debate
the finer nuances of what necessary really means over your
steaming corpse.

82

Powers/Tactics: Dreg Slint doesnt look like much. He

doesnt seem all that fast, or big, or strong. But when hes got
a gun (or two) in his hands, hes like a demon. His greatest
asset is his adaptability. He can fight in spin-gravity and
zero-G environments. He can defend himself and fire on the
move, often ignoring available cover any sane man would
gladly take. Dreg prefers rocket-slug type weapons, but his
accuracy with a laser pistol is just as deadly.
Off the battlefield, Dregs skills are mostly gun and armorrelated. He has a lot of general knowledge about personal
weapons, and hes an excellent weaponsmith. He also has
some knowledge, from his time on board the Tower Inverted,

Image 2011, HeroMachine.com; Character concept 2011 Grady Elliott

Val Char
8 STR
11 DEX
9 CON
23 INT
18 EGO
18 PRE

Cost
-2
2
-1
13
8
8

Roll
11-
111114-
1313-

4
4
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

5
5
0
0
10

3
3
4
20
9
22

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

1

1

0
0
-1
1T

Notes
Lift 75.8kg; 1 d6
PER Roll 14PRE Attack: 3 d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 3 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 3 ED (0 rED)

otal Characteristic Cost: 52

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 4m/8m

Swimming: 4m/8m
Cost
19

Powers
END
Augmented Reality Implant: Detect A Class Of
Things: Augmented Reality Overlays 19- (Radio
Group), Concealed (-5 with Detect PER Rolls),
Discriminatory, Analyze, Rapid: x10, Tracking (33
Active Points); Sense Affected As More Than One
Sense sight (-), Nonpersistent (-)
0

5
4
3

Judo maneuvers
Maneuver OCV
Defensive Block +1
Martial Escape +0
Slam
+0

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, Weapon Permit (where
appropriate)
the Tangled Web: Computer Link
Reputation: Anarchist known as Diogenes (only on
the Tangled Web) (A small to medium sized group)
8-, +3/+3d6

10
3

2
2
2
5
3
4

DCV
+3
+0
+1

Notes
Block, Abort
23 STR vs. Grabs
1 d6 +v/5, Target Falls

Talents
Absolute Range Sense (3 Active Points); only w. A/R
network (Dependent on Augmented Reality; -)
Absolute Time Sense (3 Active Points); only w. A/R
network (Dependent on Augmented Reality; -)
Bump Of Direction (3 Active Points); only w. A/R
network (Dependent on Augmented Reality; -)
Eidetic Memory
Lightning Calculator
Speed Reading (x10)

30
3
2
3
3
3
5
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
4

Skills
+3 with all non-combat Skills
AK: Terran Space 14AK: The Tangled Web 11Breakfall 11Bureaucratics 13Computer Programming 14Cramming
Cryptography 14Deduction 14Electronics 14KS: Augmented Reality networks 14KS: Judo 11KS: Quantum computers 14KS: TGO Computers 14KS: ISTAR Computers 14Language: ARC (augmented reality coding)
(completely fluent; literate)
4
Language: French (idiomatic)
3
PS: Computer scientist 143
PS: Writer 143
Scientist
2
1) SS: Computer Science 14- (3 Active Points)
2
2) SS: Economics 14- (3 Active Points)
2
3) SS: Mathematics 14- (3 Active Points)
2
4) SS: Memetics 14- (3 Active Points)
2
5) SS: Political Science 14- (3 Active Points)
2
6) SS: Sociology 14- (3 Active Points)
3
Systems Operation 142
TF: Personal Use Spacecraft, Small Motorized
Ground Vehicles
1
WF: Rocket Pistols
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 173
Total Cost: 225

7: Sample Characters

Alphonse
Pointdexter Leguene

225+
5

Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: Tailored genome (Not
Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable
Only By Technology Or Major Effort)
2
0Hunted: the OFFICE 8- (Mo Pow; NCI; Harshly
Punish)
5
Negative Reputation: Difficult to work with,
Infrequently
10
Psychological Limitation: Dependent on A/R
networks (Uncommon; Strong)
15
Psychological Limitation: Loyal to Athena Security
(Common; Strong)
5
Rivalry: Professional (Other hackers; Rival is As
Powerful; Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate
Rival; Rival Aware of Rivalry)
15
Social Limitation: Secret ID: Diogenes (Occasionally; Severe)
Total Complications Points: 225

83

7: Sample Characters
84

Alphonse Pointdexter
Leguene
Background/History: Alphonse Pointdexter Leguene is just
your typical Mensae alternate from old Terra, Marseilles to
be exact. But theres no such thing as a typical Mensae,
and Alphonses enhanced intellect, for whatever reason, led
him to the inescapable conclusion that anarchy should be the
ideal state of affairs in the galaxy. Having made up his mind
about that, and seeing governments of an Orwellian bent
throughout Sol system and the Core Loop colonies, young
Alphonse set about doing what he could to change things
for the better, (to his way of thinking at least.) He enjoyed
writing, and he had seen a quote that said It is the duty of
every author to write the most dangerous book possible. So
he decided to start by updating the venerable Anarchists
Cookbook for the 24th century. But hed have to do it
anonymously, of course.
Throughout Terran space, every colony is connected by
a network of entangled quantum computers which enable
instant communications between them. However, these
are extremely rare and expensive, so each colony typically
has only a single such device, and access to it is strictly
controlled. Use of this so-called Q-net is limited to official
message traffic only, mostly government, diplomatic, military, and some high-level academic information. There are,
however, back-channels set up for various unofficial users.
This hacked network of quantum-entangled communications
forms an unofficial shadow of the Q-net, known across
Terran Space as the Tangled Web.
Alphonse had little difficulty securing access to the
Tangled Web, and under the nom-de-plume Diogenes
used it to publish the first book in his subversive virtual
trilogy, Anarchy For Dunces, which became the thirdmost-downloaded title in the year of its release. On Terra,
large men with badges and Tasers were looking for him, but
Diogenes became very popular on the Tangled Web, and
established contacts on Luna, where he continued writing
and released his second title, Revolution For Dunces.
The following year, insurgents in several of the Core Loop
colonies found his book extremely useful. Somehow, word
had gotten out that hed left Terra, and now the OFFICE itself
had taken an interest in shutting him up. It was time to leave
the core altogether. Jack of All Tirades personally offered
Diogenes asylum at Groombridge 34, so he took the offer,
and decided to hit ISTAR where it hurts. He completed the
trilogy en route, and on arrival at Marathon Free Station,
passed his final manuscript to the Jack for publication to
the Tangled Web. Treason For Dunces wasnt nearly as
popular as its predecessors, but following its release, the
OFFICE put Diogenes at the top of their Most Wanted list.
The following year, various ISTAR departments suffered
numerous security breaches, ranging from minor to nearly
catastrophic. Many of the suspects possessed copies of
Treason. Some got away clean, using methods detailed in
Treason, while others committed suicide, painlessly, in ways
recommended by the book. Diogenes disappeared, never to
be heard from on the Tangled Web again. The large reward
posted by the OFFICE remains unclaimed. Alphonses career
as an author of subversive literature is over.
Personality/Motivation: Alphonse is something of a
mystery, wrapped in an enigma, trapped in the body of a
computer nerd. While he used to be the most infamous
anarchist in Terran space (in the guise of Diogenes), the

demise of every oppressive government on Terra has brought

him no joy. Actually, nobody really seems to know just what
makes him tick. One thing is certain, however. Aside from
the typical Mensae too-damn-smart-and-he-knows-it
attitude, Alphonse is very good at his job, which is IT consultant (hacking) for Athena Security. Hes extremely loyal to
her, and takes his work for the company and its clients very
seriously.
Quote: Yes, Athena, I know you told me to stay in the office,
but Id much prefer to be onsite for this job. What could
possibly go wrong with me here? By the way, your interface
is logging trace all over their A/R net. Here, let me fix that....
Powers/Tactics: Alphonse cant fight is way out of a wet
paper bag, even if Athena helps and rips it half-way first. At
her insistence, hes learned some basic self-defense, and he
can fire a rocket pistol without shooting his foot off, but thats
about it. Given access to any form of computer, especially an
augmented reality network, hes extremely dangerous. His
A/R interface implant has been modified extensively, almost
up to military specifications, and is now far more capable
than any off the shelf model. His constant use of the
implant, however, has made him psychologically dependent
on A/R access, and he feels very uncomfortable when its not
available.
Campaign Use: The characters will most likely encounter
Alphonse through Athena Security--he doesnt get out much.
Or, they might contact him via the Tangled Web, if one of
them has such a contact. Unlike most of the other NPCs
presented here, Leguene doesnt spend much time at the
Blind Spot bar in Marathons warrens, because he prefers to
stay on the grid at all times. If he is at the Blind Spot, then
its at Athenas request, as always. In any event, if the PCs
need a hacker, Alphonse is probably the best one they could
hope to find, if they can afford to hire him.
Appearance: Leguene isnt much to look at. He might be
considered good-looking, but hes a bit short and on the
scrawny side; one might even say under-developed. He
is, however, well-groomed and very well-dressed, having
acquired rather expensive taste in clothes. Unlike most
inhabitants of Marathon Free Station, he never has learned
to use a vac-suit, so he keeps a compact rescue ball handy
at all times, which seems to mark him as a perpetual visitor.
Aside from that, he carries an off-the shelf augmented reality
interface, as a decoy, so people wont immediately suspect he
has an implant.

Nikolai
Background/History: Nikolai Grushin came from a family
of squatters living off the remnants of the failed Omicron
colony. Lacking any kind of technical education, he grew
up working as an enforcer, ensuring the safety of his fellow
colonists as they fought to keep their huge, slowly-failing
space habitat functional. There were always raids--by other
bands of squatters, salvage operators, pirates, or worse. And
the Colonial militia never intervened, because the Omicron
colony had long since been written off as a total failure.
Someday, it would be completely uninhabitable. Nikolai
wasnt sure when that would happen, but he wanted to make
sure he and his family were elsewhere when it did.

Val Char Cost

20 STR 10
14 DEX 8
18 CON 8
10 INT0
11 EGO 1
18 PRE 8

Roll
13-
121311-
1113-

5
5
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

10
10
0
0
10

5
4
8
35
13
32

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

3

2

4
3
3
6T

Notes
Lift 400.0kg; 4d6 [4]
PER Roll 11-/12PRE Attack: 3 d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 5 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 4 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 89

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 6m/12m

Swimming: 4m/8m
Cost
1
1
1

Powers
END
+1 PER with Normal Scent
0
Knockback Resistance -1m
0
Life Support (Extended Breathing: 1 END per
Turn)
0

Kodiac Sumo
Maneuver OCV DCV
Bear-hug
+0 +0

Break-out

-1

-2

Grapple

-1

-1

5
5

Head-palm +1
Perm. disarm -1

+1
-2

4
5

Sleeper Hold -2
Temp. disarm +0

+0
+0

The Dump

+0

+2

The Stand

+0

+0

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Heavy Weapon Permit, Improved
Equipment Availability Military equipment, Weapon
Permit (where appropriate)
Reputation: Extremely competent mercenary (A small
to medium sized group) 11-, +2/+2d6

Notes
8d6 Crush, Must Follow
Grab
35 STR to Escape; Grab
Two Limbs
Grab Two Limbs, 30 STR
for holding on
Grab One Limb, Block
Grab One Limb; HKA 2
d6 , Disable
Grab One Limb; 2d6 NND
Grab weapon, +5 STR to
take away, target falls
STR strike +2d6, target
falls, must follow grab
35 STR to resist Shove;
Block, Abort

7
3

Talents
Simulate Death (+4 to roll)
Imposing Physique: +1/+1d6 Striking Appearance
(vs. all characters)

12
8

Skills
+1 Overall
+2 with Kodiac Sumo maneuvers (10 Active Points);
only v. smaller opponents (-)
3
Breakfall 122
Gambling (Blackjack, Card Games, Poker) 112
KS: Kodiac Sumo 113
Traveler
1
1) AK: Core colonies (2 Active Points) 111
2) AK: Marathon Free Station (2 Active Points) 111
3) CuK: Colonial Reserve Fleet militia (2 Active
Points) 111
4) CuK: UN Core colonies (2 Active Points) 111
5) CuK: Ursa alternates (2 Active Points) 113
Paramedics 119
Penalty Skill Levels: +3 vs. armor penalties to DCV
with All Armor
3
Streetwise 132
Survival (Vacuum) 113
Systems Operation 115
Tactics 125
TF: Common Motorized Ground Vehicles, Personal
Use Spacecraft, Tracked Military Vehicles, Wheeled
Military Vehicles
7
WF: Small Arms, Blades, Grenade Launchers, Laser
Pistols, Laser Rifles, Shoulder-Fired Weapons
4
Weaponsmith (Energy Weapons, Firearms, Missiles &
Rockets) 11Total Powers & Skill Cost: 136
Total Cost: 225

7: Sample Characters

Nikolai

225+
15

Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: Bulky physique (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By
Commonly-Used Senses)
10
Hunted: Colonial Reserve Fleet Infrequently (Mo
Pow; Mildly Punish)
10
Negative Reputation: Ex-Colonial Reserve Fleet
militia, Frequently
5
Physical Complication: Bulky physique (Infrequently; Barely Impairing)
15
Psychological Limitation: Obeys laws of warfare
(Common; Strong)
10
Psychological Limitation: Distrusts ISTAR
(Common; Moderate)
10
Social Complication: Deserter from CRF militia
Infrequently, Major
Total Complications Points: 225

85

7: Sample Characters
86

Eventually he scrounged and hoarded enough salvage of

his own to book passage for himself to another core colony,
and signed up with the Colonial Militia. The Militia didnt
care where he came from, as long he was an Ursa, they knew
hed be useful. And he was! Nikolai had combat experience, and the militia provided him weapons and training to
turn him into a living, breathing combat system, as he was
intended to be. The money was good, and Nikolai knew
that by the end of his tour, hed have enough to take his
family, and maybe even a friend or two away from the hell of
Omicron to a decent place, where they could live in peace.
But all his plans turned inside-out when Nikolai found out
hed be back in Omicron much sooner than he thought.
It seemed that a salvage operator with ISTAR connections
had been killed during a raid there, and complaints about
the Omicron squatters had become quite shrill. ISTAR was
screaming for Militia action to clean the rabble out once and
for all. Nikolai had no idea what to do, but he had no choice
except to deploy with the rest of his platoon. He wondered
if perhaps his commanding officers knew that he was born
at Omicron, and if they might order him to stand down, but
either they didnt know, or just didnt care. No such order
ever came. Nikolai was being sent home to wage war against
his own people.
There was only one way to prevent the massacre, no
matter what it would cost. The Militia would have him shot
if he refused to follow orders, so nothing else he did would
make any difference now. Nikolai was forced to do something unthinkable for an Ursa. He awoke from hibernation several hours before the rest of his platoon, quietly got
himself suited up, and opened the berthing compartment to
vacuum. None of them survived. He still had to deal with
the rest of the crew on his troop transport, but there were
only a few, and none of them were Ursas. After spacing the
bodies, he sent out a distress call, which was answered by an
Omicron salvager who listened to Nikolais story and towed
the Colonial Reserve Fleet transport to the colony.
Nikolai was welcomed back to Omicron as a hero, for
preventing a massacre by the UN Militia. But everyone
realized it was only a temporary reprieve--the militia would
send a follow-up mission to find out what happened to their
missing transport, and finish what theyd started. However,
the transport had a well-stocked armory, and guns of its
own, so the denizens of Omicron decided to equip their own
militia, and recruit crewmen for the ship, to defend their
colony when the UN Navy came back. As for Nikolai, they
agreed that he needed to disappear along with his family.
The salvager who picked him up agreed to take Nikolai and
his family to Marathon Free Station. And Nikolai received a
generous finders fee for salvaging a derelict UN troop transport mostly intact.
The Terracide occurred not long after the Omicron Incident, so if the UN Navy is planning a follow-up mission, it
may have been delayed indefinitely. In any event, there hasnt
been any news from the Omicron system since then. The full
extent of Nikolais involvement in the Incident isnt known,
but he is wanted for questioning.
Personality/Motivation: Nikolai has no problem with
violence--its his job. What he doesnt like is unnecessary
killings--especially civilians. Nikolai has very strong ideals
about whos considered fair game during an operation, and
if anyone working with him steps out of line, theyre going
to have a big, angry Ursa in their face when the job is over.
The only time Nikolai might lose his professional demeanor
during a job is when Colonial Militia Ursa troopers are

involved--hell go out of his way to take them on. However,

when hes not working, Nikolai is actually rather easy-going,
and enjoys spending time with his friends and family. The
things he did to save the Omicron colony still bother his
conscience a great deal, but it was worth it to save his family,
so he might as well make the most of whatever time they still
have together.
Quote: I did not want to break your arm like that. If you
had not tried to shoot me, I could have used nice quiet
sleeper-hold, and you would not be screaming like little girl.
Now hold still.
Powers/Tactics: Nikolai is trained in a wide variety of
weapons, and is a very skilled practitioner of the Ursa martial
art known as Kodiac Sumo. However, he always uses the
absolute minimum amount of force needed to accomplish
his goals. He is willing to kill, if necessary, but strongly disapproves of needless killing, or any other needless violence, for
that matter.
Campaign Use: Nikolai works for Athena Security, and is
most likely to be encountered in that capacity. PCs may
encounter him when they hire Athena Security for a job,
or if theyre not so lucky, when one of their jobs pits them
against Athena Security! Also, if the PCs have The Blind
Spot Bar as a contact, then Nikolai could be a valuable source
of information. He knows all about the CRF Militia and the
Core Colonies from his tour of duty in the service. He also
has access to some military-grade equipment, if the PCs can
pay for it.
Appearance: Nikolai looks like an extremely large human
with brown eyes and extensive brown facial hair. He is,
however, somewhat smaller than average for an Ursa due to
the sub-standard diet on which he subsisted during his years
at the Omicron colony. Ursa-sized equipment is hard to
come by, but Nikolai has a few basics. He wears a body-pressure suit most of the time, and carries a rocket-pistol when
hes permitted.

Dr. Sorcha Alastriona

Background/History: Sorcha Alastriona is one of the first
Cygnus-type humans, genetically engineered for winged
flight in low or zero-gravity habitats. She grew up in one of
61 Cygnis Dyson Tree habitats, known to its inhabitants as
Ashvattha. From an early age, Sorcha took an interest in her
own origins, and that of her home, so it genetic engineering
was a natural choice of career. Of all the things Sorcha
learned in her studies, for her earliest years in school, to the
day she received her Doctorate, the one thing she refused to
accept was that someday, Ashvattha would die. Her home
was a living creature, and therefore mortal.
But it was also her home -- her world, in fact -- and
worlds should be more permanent! Even if she would not live
to see it, Sorcha was determined to find a way for the Dyson
trees to live forever. A survey of all known life forms found
that only the Jovians had truly conquered this obstacle,
but they werent willing to speak with Sorcha. That left the
Keepers, who sold information for exorbitantly expensive
prices. Undeterred, Sorcha applied for a research grant, and
to her surprise, actually received it. Her next stop was the
Keeper world at Groombridge 34b, and the human habitat
there: Marathon Free Station.

Val Char Cost Roll

15 STR 5
12-
14 DEX 8
1218 CON 8
1318 INT
8
13-
13 EGO 3
1215 PRE 5
12-
5
5
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

10
10
0
0
10

5
4
6
35
11
28

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

3

2

2
3
1
4

Movement:



Cost
10
1f

1f

Notes
Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [3]
PER Roll 13PRE Attack: 3d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 5 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 4 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 82

Running: 12m/24m
Flight: 15m/30m
Leaping: 4m/8m
Swimming: 4m/8m

Powers
END
Multipower, 15-point reserve, all slots Restrainable
(-)
1) Flight 15m; Increased Endurance Cost ((Special);
Only In Certain Circumstances Common; -1),
Restrainable (-)
1
2) Hand-To-Hand Attack +2d6+1, Area Of Effect
(2m Radius; +); Restrainable (-), Hand-ToHand Attack (-)
1
Stretching 2m; Only To Cause Damage (-),
Restrainable (-), Always Direct (-), Wings only
(-), no Noncombat Stretching (-)
1
Life Support (Immunity: Zero-G bone/muscle
loss)
0

4
4
5

Tai Chi maneuvers

Maneuver OCV
Block
+2
Disarm-
1
Escaping Throw +0

Grab

-1

-1

Root

+0

+0

Strike

+2

+2

3
1

Throw
+0 +1
Weapon Element: Wings

DCV
+2
+1
+0

Notes
Block, Abort
Disarm; 25 STR to Disarm
30 STR , v. Grabs, Target
Falls
Grab Two Limbs, 25 STR
for holding on
30 STR to resist Shove;
Block, Abort
5d6 Strike, Must Follow
Block
3d6 +v/10, Target Falls

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, License to practice a profession, Weapon Permit (where appropriate)

6
3
12

Talents
Environmental Movement (no penalties in zero gravity)
+1/+1d6 Striking Appearance (vs. all characters)
Combat Luck (6 PD/6 ED)

Skills
12
+1 Overall
2
+1 with Flight
3
Breakfall 123
Bureaucratics 123
Computer Programming 133
CuK: Dyson Trees 132
CuK: The Academic World 113
CuK: Keepers 133
Electronics 132
Gambling (Card Games) 134
KS: Dyson Trees 143
KS: Xenology 133
Oratory 123
Paramedics 133
PS: Genetic Engineer 132
PS: Instructor 113
PS: Spin-G Operations 123
Research 135
Science Skill: Genetic Engineering 152
Survival (Vacuum) 133
Systems Operation 133
Trading 122
WF: Small Arms
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 143
Total Cost: 225
Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: Wings (Not Concealable;
Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By CommonlyUsed Senses)
10
Hunted: Dyson Tree research project Infrequently (As
Pow; PC is very easy to find; Mildly Punish)
5
Negative Reputation: Discredited Researcher,
Frequently (Known Only To A Small Group)
20
Physical Complication: Wings (Frequently; Greatly
Impairing)
10
Psychological Complication: Determined to prove
theory (Using Keepers genetic engineering knowledge) (Uncommon; Strong)
10
Psychological Complication: Protective of
co-workers (Common; Moderate)
5
Social Complication: Rare human sub-type
Frequently, Minor, Not Limiting In Some Cultures
Total Complications Points: 225

7: Sample Characters

Dr. Sorcha
Alastriona

225+
15

87

7: Sample Characters
88

Sorcha found life at Marathon bewildering -- the bustling

free port was nothing at all like the peaceful home where
shed spent her life in study and research. Marathons vast
interior space, however, offered excellent flying! Sorcha
became something of a local celebrity overnight, as there
were very few Cygnus-types at Marathon, and the attention made her even more uneasy. She was grateful that her
request to speak with the Keepers was granted after only a
few days. Unfortunately, it didnt work out the way she had
hoped.
The information Sorcha asked for cost her the entire
research grant, plus a little of her own money -- shed have
to send back to Ashvattha for funds to return, and it would
cost. Standard hibernation units couldnt accommodate a
Cygnus-type body. Worse, even a casual perusal of the data
revealed that the Jovians immortality techniques (fascinating as they were!) would not apply to the Dyson Trees
at all. Sorcha was broke, and had nothing to show for her
efforts. In a last-ditch attempt to salvage something from
the situation, she made the Keepers another offer: all her
personal data on the humans Dyson Trees (an enormous
library) in return for whatever data they could offer on
similar projects of other species. Sorcha was second-time
lucky -- the Keepers sent her a massive upload on alien bioengineered habitats. But it would take a lifetime to interpret
all of it, and she still wasnt sure if it contained what she
needed.
Sorchas superiors at Ashvattha were not pleased when
they heard she had sold all their project data to the Keepers,
and spent their entire grant. They ordered her to return
home to face a board of inquiry, at which she will probably
be charged with malfeasance, or worse. They also ordered
her to turn over the Keepers data she had acquired. Realizing that data file represented the only leverage she had,
Sorcha decided to stay at Marathon and continue working
on it herself. In the meantime, there is the small matter of
being broke. Finding a job at Marathon proved difficult for
Sorcha -- her former employers at Ashvattha made sure of
that -- and none of its colleges or laboratories would speak
to her. So she began looking for something outside her
previous career.
Most of those turned her down as well, but when she
applied for a position as a medic at a local security firm, the
CEO (a Virgo named Athena) was impressed by Sorchas
dealings with the Keepers, (and the fact that she could fly),
so she got the job. Sorcha never expected to go into this line
of work, but she received paramedic training back home,
so her new boss considers her qualified. In practice, Sorcha
finds it best to prevent her charges from getting injured in
the first place, and does what she can to keep them out of
harms way. The other members of the firm, much to her
annoyance, have begun to refer to Sorcha as their guardian
angel.
In her spare time she continues to work on the data she
got from the Keepers.
Personality/Motivation: Sorcha doesnt consider herself
unusual at all -- she acts as if having a huge pair of wings
and a PhD is perfectly normal, to the point that she seems
surprised when someone points out the obvious. Its not that
shes unaware -- she just doesnt consider these things important. What Sorcha does consider important is her work: both
the Keepers data she spends her spare time interpreting and
her day job as a medic for Athena Security. She applies a
keen intellect and determination to both. The alien data file
is extremely valuable, but interpreting it may require many

years of work, even with the aid of computers. As for Sorchas

work as a medic, she knows her limits, and tries to prevent
the troops at Athena Security from getting themselves
gravely injured beyond her ability to patch up. However,
shes smart enough to do this without interfering in their
operations -- that would only make things worse! Outside of
working hours, the other members of the firm have become
attached to Sorcha for her intelligence, compassion and
determination.
Quote: What, these? (points to wings) Sometimes I wish
theyd come off. Just once Id like to wear something that isnt
back-less.
Athena, this plan leaves you one man short. So unless
you want your medic flying air cover, making a great big
target out of herself, please... try to think of something less
hazardous.
Powers/Tactics: Sorchas ability to fly is limited to areas of
low-gravity or zero-gravity. (Multiply the local gravity by ten
for the End cost. In 1G, it costs 10 End/Phase!) Her wings
are quite powerful even when shes not flying, however, and
Sorcha can lash out at everyone within 2m due to her wingspan. She practices Tai-Chi, and has learned to employ her
wings in hand-to-hand combat. However, due to her wings,
Sorcha has yet to find any body armor which will fit her, so
she can only defend herself by avoiding attacks. While shes
quite good at this (two levels of combat luck) Sorcha doesnt
like taking undue risks, especially where gunfights are
involved. If she must exchange gunfire, she will take the best
cover she can get, and return fire using the rocket pistol she
carries for such occasions.
Campaign Use: Dr. Alastriona appears to be a supporting
character at first glance, but for the right player, she can be
considerably more. She is often the voice of reason when the
rest of Athena Security commits themselves to doing something reckless -- basically every assignment they take. She
could also be considered the heart of the team -- anybody
who messes with Sorcha is going to have a problem with the
entire firm! If used as an NPC, Sorcha could be encountered
by characters looking for Athena Security -- shes always the
most visible member of the team. She is also very knowledgeable about the Keepers and Xenology in general, which
could make her a valuable consultant for those wishing to
contact the Keepers. As an opponent, Sorcha might be rather
easily underestimated. While not an expert in combat, shes
extremely resourceful and intelligent, and of course she has
very powerful allies. The most likely scenario would be for
the PCs to be hired to forcibly bring her home (alive!) to
Ashvattha, which would be extremely difficult with the rest
of Athena Security protecting her.
Appearance: Sorcha Alastriona appears to be a rather tall,
lean baseline human, except for the huge, feathered wings
on her back. Fully extended they span 4.5 meters. Those who
manage to quit staring at Sorchas wings notice she has light
brown hair and blue eyes. She wears clothing which allows
her wings freedom of movement, and keeps a compact
survival bubble on hand, due to the lack of environment
suits that fit her type. For self-defense she usually carries a
rocket-pistol.

8
CHAPTER EIGHT:

EQUIPMENT

8: Equipment

EQUIPMENT

dventurers in science-fiction stories often depend

on their equipment to survive. They need tools to
make use of their high-tech skills, protection from
the elements, and sometimes they must resort to
lethal force in self-defense. This chapter will include equipment, protective gear, and weapons commonly found in the
24th century.

Technology Levels

Most Terran equipment is either TL 9 or 10. In the Kruger

60 Cluster, equipment will generally be state-of-the-art,
which is TL10. In the Core Colonies, standard equipment
is TL9, with more advanced gear being quite rare. In most
independent colonies, a mixture of TL9 and 10 equipment is
the norm. The GM should decide what TL of equipment is
available in a given location, if in doubt.
Although there are a few major breakthroughs at TL10, in
most cases, the difference between TL9 and TL10 equipment
is merely a matter of relative quality. In situations involving
opposing rolls between equipment of differing tech levels,
the TL10 equipment will receive a +1 bonus against TL9
equipment, while the TL9 equipment receives a -1 penalty.
In combat, attack rolls arent affected (except at the GMs
option) but TL9 armor loses a point of defense against TL10
weapons, and TL10 armor gains a point of defense against
TL9 weaponry.
Higher Tech levels are extremely rare: there are a few
examples of TL11 Terran equipment, including custommade devices, prototypes and experiments. The only other
source of TL11+ equipment is alien tech, which is generally
illegal to own. Lower tech is available, although TL8 gear
is still useful in some applications, it will make any task
involving an opposed roll rather difficult, and is considered
inferior for combat.

Resource Points

90

As noted in Character Creation, all characters in

Terracide campaigns receive 50 points for purchasing equipment. This should be used for off-the-shelf equipment listed
here, or other standard equipment approved by the GM.
These points should not be used for unique items, anything
which is custom-made, or any alien artifacts. These items
should be paid for with regular character points.
The equipment purchased with resource points either
goes into the characters kit or their armory. The kit
represents the gear that they carry with them and is limited
to the number of resource points allocated to equipment. The
armory represents all the gear they own, whether they have
it with them or not. At the start of play, the armory is 50%
larger than the kit, (allowing purchase of an additional 25
points of equipment) but after that there is no limit to how
much equipment a character may acquire. However, if they
wish to carry more of it with them, they will have to spend
points on a larger kit.

The default level of equipment availability is standard

equipment. For more advanced equipment, characters
should buy the Improved Equipment Availability perk. Each
item of equipment in the following lists will include the level
of Availability needed to acquire it: Standard, Street Level,
Military, or Advanced Military.
The five-point doubling rule is in effect for equipment
items, if a character wants multiple identical items. This only
applies to duplicate items of the same type. Different items
with the same cost may not be bought with the doubling
rule they must be paid for separately. More than two items
may be bought with multiple doublings: ten points x4, fifteen
points x8, and so on. As an optional rule, a full five points
need not be spent to double equipment: +1pt for x1.15, +2pts
for x1.3, +3pts for x1.5, and +4pts for x1.75.
Encumbrance rules arent normally used in Terracide; a
character is at half DCV if they carry any equipment with the
Bulky Focus limitation, or anything the GM rules is equally
unwieldy. Characters wearing armor should refer to the
equipment table for penalties to DEX rolls and DCV.

Firearms in the Colonies

For all their immensity, space colonies can be quite

fragile, and those who live within them are extremely protective of their homes. Weapons bans aboard artificial space
colonies, stations, and habitats are almost universal, due to
the threat of accidental damage to vital life-support systems
or hull breaches. These rules are even more strictly enforced
aboard spacecraft. Any characters wishing to defy local
weapons regulations will find it extremely difficult to do so:
most spaceports employ MRI scanners which apply a penalty
equal to their tech level (usually -9 or -10) to any weaponry
concealment rolls.
Weapon permits may be issued to persons authorized to
use lethal force in the performance of their duties: usually
this includes local security personnel and those working for
other law enforcement personnel who have jurisdiction on
board the installation in question. Such permits specify what
level of force the carrier is authorized to use: most do not
include military ordinance. Combine the Weapon Permit
perk with the Improved Equipment Availability perk to
determine what types of weapons a permit allows. Private
citizens who wish to arm themselves may get limited permits
which allow for the use of semi-automatic weapons and nonlethal ammo only. (Usually, pistols, carbines and shotguns.)
Asteroid habitats are considerably sturdier than other
types of colonies, especially with regards to hull breaches.
Ten meters of rock will easily stop small-caliber rounds,
man-portable lasers, and most mini-grenades. Aboard
asteroid colonies, weapon permits are generally easier to
acquire, although there will still be strong restrictions against
firearms in any areas with sensitive life-support equipment
or other infrastructure.

There are several types of small arms available in

Terracide campaigns: electrothermal, railguns, gyro-jets,
and lasers. Electrothermal weapons are advanced projectile
designs which use expanding plasma as propellant. Railguns
use intense magnetic fields to drive high-velocity projectiles.
Gyro-jets fire self-propelled projectiles which produce no
recoil. Lasers fire beams of coherent energy instead of solid
projectiles.
Firearm design in 2311AD is aided by high-tech fabricators and rapid prototyping: a weapon can be made to order
from basic design templates in a matter of hours, if not
minutes. Beginning with a standard receiver, the weapons
other characteristics, including barrel length, recoil compensation, and magazine capacity, can be built to the desired
specifications.
Example: Athena Security is in need of a hold-out weapon.
Starting with the Light ETC pistol frame, she selects the
short barrel option, fine tuning, and a hold-out holster, of
course! Real cost = 6pts.

ElectrothermalChemical Weapons

Electrothermal-Chemical Pistols are available in light,

medium and heavy models. They are all semi-automatic
weapons, using an electric charge to ignite the plasma
propellant within a shell casing. The Light pistol fires 5.5mm
rounds, the Medium is 7.5mm, and the Heavy is 11mm.

Lightning Reflexes (+2 DEX to act first when drawing

weapon); OIF (-1/2)
Electrothermal-Chemical Submachineguns are rapidfire versions of ETC pistols, and they fire the same ammunition. They also use some of the same accessories.
Light ETC Submachinegun: RKA 1d6, Autofire (3 shots;
+1/4); OAF (-1), STR Min 9 (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real
Weapon (-1/4), One-And-A-Half-Handed (-1/4), 20
Charges (+1/4)
Medium ETC Submachinegun: RKA 2d6-1, Autofire (3
shots; +1/4); OAF (-1), STR Min 11 (-1/2), Beam (-1/4),
Real Weapon (-1/4), One-And-A-Half-Handed (-1/4), 30
Charges (+1/4)
Heavy ETC Submachinegun: Killing Attack - Ranged
2d6+1, Autofire (3 shots; +1/4), +1 Increased STUN
Multiplier (+1/4); OAF (-1), STR Min 13 (-1/2), Beam
(-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), One-And-A-Half-Handed
(-1/4), 40 Charges (+1/2)
ETC SMG Modifications include larger magazines and
recoil compensation systems to handle the excessive kick
these weapons produce in autofire mode.
Fine-tuning: +1 OCV with SMG; OAF (-1), Real
Weapon (-1/4)
Available for all ETC weapons.
Accurate Burst-Fire Mechanism: Precise Sprayfire II
(see APG), Maximum 3 shots (+0); OAF (-1)

Light ETC Pistol: RKA 1d6; 8 Charges (-1/2), OAF

(-1),Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR Min 4 (-1/4)

The weapons action travels freely until all three rounds in

a burst have fired, reducing recoil.

Med. ETC Pistol: RKA 2d6-1; 12 Charges (-1/4), OAF

(-1), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR Min 6 (-1/4)

Recoil compensator: +3 STR, Reduced Endurance (0

END; +1/2); Only for Autofire STR Min. (-1 1/2), OAF
(-1)

Hvy ETC Pistol: RKA 2d6+1, +1 STUN (+1/4), 16

Charges (-0), OAF (-1), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4),
STR Min 9 (-1/2)
ETC Pistol Modifications are available as follows. Some
are obviously incompatible; no pistol may be equipped with
both a short and long barrel, for example.

The weapon uses gas vents, shock-absorbing stocks, and

other methods to reduce recoil.
Long barrel: +1 vs. Range Mods with SMG; OAF (-1),
Real Weapon (-1/4)
+1 Perception modifier. Not compatible with short barrel.

Fine-tuning: +1 OCV with pistol; OAF (-1), Real

Weapon (-1/4)

Short barrel: -1 Range Modifier, occurs automatically

(-1/2) for up to 35 Points of RKA

Available for all ETC weapons.

-1 Perception modifier. Not compatible with long barrel.

Long barrel: +1 vs. Range Mods with Pistol; OAF (-1),

Real Weapon (-1/4)

Drum magazine: up to 100 rounds (+3/4) for up to 35

Active Points of RKA, Charges (-0); OAF (-1)

+1 Perception modifier. Not compatible with short barrel.

+2 Perception modifier.

Short barrel: -1 Range Modifier, occurs automatically

(-1/2) for up to 35 Points of RKA
-1 Perception modifier. Not compatible with long barrel.
Extended Magazine: up to 32 rounds (+1/4) for up to 35
Active Points of RKA, OAF (-1)
+1 Perception modifier.
Hold-out holster: +2 with Concealment; only for worn
pistols (-1 1/2), IIF (-1/4)

8: Equipment

FIREARMS TECHNOLOGY
IN THE 24TH CENTURY

Quick-Draw Holster: +2 with Fast Draw: Pistols; OIF

(-1/2) plus;

Electrothermal-Chemical Rifles fire longer, heavier

projectiles than ETC pistols and SMGs. The Carbine is
favored by civilians, and fires a 5.5mm cartridge. The assault
rifle is an automatic version which fires the same ammunition. The battle rifle fires a 7.5mm cartridge in semi-automatic mode or in a three-round burst. The sniper rifle is a
heavier semi-automatic weapon designed for long-range
combat, firing an 8mm round.

91

8: Equipment

ETC Carbine: RKA 2d6+1, +1 STUN (+1/4); OAF (-1),

8 Charges (-1/2), Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real
Weapon (-1/4), STR Minimum 7 (-1/4)
ETC Assault Rifle: RKA 2d6+1, +1 STUN (+1/4), Autofire (3 shots; +1/4); OAF (-1), Two-Handed (-1/2), STR
Minimum 10 (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), 30
Charges (+1/4)
ETC Battle Rifle: RKA 3d6-1, +1 STUN (+1/4), Autofire (3 shots; +1/4); OAF (-1), Two-Handed (-1/2), STR
Minimum 12 (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), 30
Charges (+1/4)
ETC Sniper Rifle: RKA 3d6, +1 STUN (+1/4), Increased
Maximum Range (900m; +1/4); OAF (-1), 6 Charges
(-3/4), STR Minimum 13 (-3/4), Two-Handed (-1/2),
Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)
ETC Rifle Modifications serve the same purpose as those
for SMGs and pistols. No holsters are available, but rifles
have an additional bipod option.
Fine-tuning: +1 OCV with Rifle; OAF (-1), Real Weapon
(-1/4)
Available for all ETC rifles.
Recoil compensator: +5 STR, Reduced Endurance (0
END; +1/2); Only for Autofire STR Min. (-1 1/2), OAF
(-1)
Accurate Burst-Fire Mechanism: Precise Sprayfire II
(see APG), Maximum 3 shots (+0); OAF (-1)
Bipod: +2 vs. Range Mods with Rifle; OAF (-1), Real
Weapon (-1/4)
-10 STR Minimum; +1 Perception modifier.
Drum magazine: up to 100 rounds (+3/4) for up to 40
Active Points of RKA, Charges (-0); OAF (-1)
+2 Perception modifier.
Long barrel: +2 vs. Range Mods with Rifle; OAF (-1),
Real Weapon (-1/4)
+1 Perception modifier.
Short barrel: -1 Range Modifier, occurs automatically
(-1/2) for up to 40 Points of RKA
-1 Perception modifier.
Heavy Electrothermal-Chemical Weapons are strictly
military in nature, and are usually employed in a squad
support role. The Light Machine Gun is small enough
(barely) for a single soldier to carry and fire and uses the
same ammo as the assault rifle. The Heavy Machine Gun
requires an extra crewman to carry, unless powered armor is
available. It fires the same ammo as the battle rifle. The AntiArmor Rifle is similar to the sniper rifle, but much larger,
firing a 12.5mm cartridge.
Light ETC Machinegun: RKA 2d6+1, +1 STUN (+1/4),
Autofire (10 shots; +1); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), STR
Minimum 14 (-3/4), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2),
Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), 100 Charges (+3/4)

92

Heavy ETC Machinegun: RKA 3d6-1, +1 STUN (+1/4),

Autofire (10 shots; +1); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), STR
Minimum 16 (-3/4), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2),

Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), Crew (2; -1/4), 100

Charges (+3/4)
Anti-Armor ETC Rifle: RKA 4d6-1, +1 STUN (+1/4),
Increased Maximum Range (1,100m; +1/4); OAF
Bulky (-1 1/2), STR Minimum 19 (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4),
Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real
Weapon (-1/4), Crew (2; -1/4)
Heavy ETC Weapon Modifications
Fine-tuning: +1 OCV with Weapon; OAF (-1), STR Min
9-13 (Cannot Add Damage; -1), Real Weapon (-1/4)
Bipod: +2 vs. Range Mods with Weapon; OAF (-1), Real
Weapon (-1/4)
+1 Perception modifier. -10 STR Minimum.
Recoil compensator: +10 STR, Reduced Endurance (0
END; +1/2); Only for Autofire STR Min. (-1 1/2), OAF
(-1)
Electrothermal-Chemical Weapon Accessories are
intended for use with any ETC weapon. In some cases there
are several sizes, rated by active points of capacity.
HUD Targeting System: Lightning Reflexes (+2 DEX to
act first with any firearm); OAF (-1), Half bonus unless
Braced and Set (-1/2) plus +2 OCV with any firearm;
OAF (-1), Half bonus unless Braced and Set (-1/2) plus
: +4 vs. Range Modifiers; OAF (-1), Half bonus unless
Braced and Set (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) plus +2 vs.
Coriolis Modifiers with all firearms; OAF (-1), Half bonus
unless Braced and Set (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) plus
Absolute Range Sense; OAF (-1)
Sniper Scope: same as HUD System plus Nightvision;
OAF (-1) plus +8 versus Range Modifier for Sight Group;
OAF (-1), Half bonus unless Braced and Set (-1/2) plus
+4 vs. Range Modifiers (+8 total); OAF (-1), Half bonus
unless Braced and Set (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) plus
+2 vs. Coriolis Modifiers with all firearms (+8 total);
OAF (-1), Half bonus unless Braced and Set (-1/2), Real
Weapon (-1/4)
IFF System: Detect IFF Signals 11- (Radio Group),
Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees), Telescopic:
+10; OAF (-1), Sense Affected As Normal Sight (-1/2)
plus Radio Group Images, Persistent (+1/4), Reduced
Endurance (0 END; +1/2); Set Effect: IFF Signal (-1), No
Range (-1/2), IIF (-1/4)
Light ETC Silencer: Invisible Power Effects (Inobvious to
Hearing; +1/4) for up to 15 Active Points of RKA, OAF
(-1)
Medium ETC Silencer: same as Light ETC Silencer, for up
to 35 Active Points of RKA.
Heavy ETC Silencer: same as Light ETC Silencer, for up
to 55 Active Points of RKA.
Light ETC Flash Suppressor: Invisible Power Effects
(Inobvious to Sight; +1/4) for up to 15 Active Points of
RKA, OAF (-1)
Medium ETC Flash Suppressor: same as Light ETC
Flash Suppressor, for up to 35 Active Points of RKA.
Heavy ETC Flash Suppressor: same as Light ETC Flash
Suppressor, for up to 55 Active Points RKA.

Non-lethal ammo: +2 STUN (+1/2), vs. Normal PD

(-1/4), Reduced Penetration (-1/4) for up to 40 Active
Points of RKA (not avail for Sniper or Anti-armor rifle),
OAF (-1)
High-Velocity Ammo: Armor Piercing (+1/4), +1 STUN
(+1/4) for up to 65 Active Points of RKA +2 DC, OAF
(-1)
Smart ammo: Indirect (Source Point is the same for
every use, path is from Source Point to target; +1/4),
Increased Max Range (1,100m; +1/4), No Range Modifier
(+1/2) for up to 55 Active Points of RKA, Charges (-0);
OAF (-1), Requires HUD targeting system (-1/4)
Plasma rounds: Armor Piercing (+1/4), Penetrating
(+1/2) for up to 75 Active Points of RKA +33% DCs (vs.
Resistant ED), OAF (-1)

Gauss Weapons

Gauss Weapons use intense magnetic fields to accelerate

their projectiles to extremely high velocities. Their attacks
are inherently armor-piercing and Inobvious to normal
sight and hearing. Their recoil is relatively low as well. The
gauss pistol is lightweight and easy to handle, yet packs the
punch of a heavy pistol. The personal defense gauss weapon
fires a similar projectile, with autofire capability. The gauss
rifle uses the same caliber, but fires at twice the velocity and
with a higher rate of fire. The anti-armor gauss rifle fires at
the highest possible velocity, at the cost of a long, cumbersome barrel. The rapid-fire gauss gun is designed to sustain
high rates of fire for several minutes at a time, but is not
man-portable.
Gauss Pistol: RKA 2d6+1, Armor Piercing (+1/4),
Invisible Power Effects (Inobvious to Sight/Hearing;
+1/2); OAF (-1), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR
Minimum 4 (-1/4), 15 Charges (-0)
Personal Defense Railgun: RKA 2d6+1, Armor Piercing
(+1/4), Autofire (3 shots; +1/4), Invisible Power Effects
(Inobvious to Sight/Hearing; +1/2); OAF (-1), Beam
(-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR Minimum 6 (-1/4),
Required Hands One-And-A-Half-Handed (-1/4), 25
Charges (+1/4)
Gauss Rifle: RKA 3d6, Armor Piercing (+1/4), Invisible
Power Effects (Inobvious to Sight/Hearing; +1/2), Autofire
(10 shots; +1); OAF (-1), Required Hands Two-Handed
(-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR Minimum
8 (-1/4), 50 Charges (+1/2)

Anti-Material Railgun: RKA 4d6-1, Armor Piercing

(+1/4), Invisible Power Effects (Inobvious to Sight/
Hearing; (+1/2); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), STR Minimum
14-18 (-3/4), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam
(-1/4), 10 Charges (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)
Rapid-fire tripod-mount Railgun: RKA 3d6, Armor
Piercing (+1/4), Invisible Power Effects (Inobvious to
Sight/Hearing; +1/2), Autofire (20 shots; +1 1/2); OAF
Immobile (-2), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2),
Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), 4000 Charges (+1)
Gauss Weapon Accessories

8: Equipment

Electrothermal-Chemical Ammunition is available in a

number of different types, all for different purposes, making
ETC weapons very versatile. Provided the right ammunition
is available, they can be adapted to almost any situation. The
stats given above are for standard ammunition loads. The
following loads may be used instead in any ETC firearm.
Non-lethal ammo is almost always available, and is the
only ammo type available on many space habitats. It isnt
really non-lethal, however. High-velocity ammo is designed
for optimum performance against both armor and flesh,
piercing the former and causing massive trauma to the latter.
Smart ammo uses imaging from HUD scopes to optically
guide itself to its target, even if the target takes cover. Plasma
rounds contain a small warhead of stabilized metallic deuterium, and as such are strictly a military item.

Superior Ballistics: +1 OCV (bonus for all railguns);

OAF (-1)
Burst-fire mode: Precise Sprayfire II (see APG),
Maximum 5 shots (+0), OAF (-1); (autofire weapons
only)
Recoil compensator: +5 STR, Reduced Endurance (0
END; +1/2); Only for Autofire STR Min. (-1 1/2), OAF
(-1)
HUD Targeting System; Sniper Scope; IFF System; Bipod;
Fine-tuning; Hold-out holster; Quick-Draw Holster.
See ETC Weapon Accessories.
Gauss Weapon Ammunition is similar to ETC ammo in
the case of non-lethal, plasma, and smart ammo loads. Gauss
weapons also have a sub-sonic option, which is even more
stealthy than other gauss weapon rounds, but also much less
powerful.
Sub-sonic Ammo: Invisible Power Effects (Invisible
to Sight / Hearing; +1/2); Reduced Penetration (-1/4),
Reduced max range (-1/4) for up to 55 Active Points of
RKA, Charges (-0); OAF (-1)

Rocket Weapons

Rocket Weaponry includes Gyro-Sluggers, based on

ancient firearms which launch self-propelled projectiles,
as well as conventional launchers, for both disposable
single-shot and reusable smart-missiles. Spacers favor these
weapons due to their lack of recoil and ability to function in
vacuum.
Gyro-pistol: RKA 2d6+1, +1 STUN (+1/4), Increased
Maximum Range (700m; +1/4); OAF (-1), 6 Charges
(-3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR Minimum
4-8 (-1/4)
Gyro-Rifle: RKA 2d6+1, +1 STUN (+1/4), Autofire (5
shots; +1/2), Increased Maximum Range (1,400m; +1/2);
OAF (-1), Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon
(-1/4), STR Minimum 4-8 (-1/4), 30 Charges (+1/4)
Gyro-Jet Accessories are similar to those of other slugthrowers, with a few exceptions.
Superior Ballistics: +1 OCV (bonus to all gyro-jet
weapons); OAF (-1)
Recoil compensator: +5 STR, Reduced Endurance (0
END; +1/2); Only for Autofire STR Min. (-1 1/2), OAF
(-1)

93

8: Equipment

HUD Targeting System; Sniper Scope; IFF System; Bipod;

Fine-tuning; Hold-out holster; Quick-Draw Holster; Long
Barrel, Short Barrel. See ETC Weapons Accessories.
Gyro-Jet Ammunition is available in standard rounds
(see basic weapons stats) and several other types of loads.
Non-lethal, Plasma rounds, and Smart ammo are similar to
those of ETC weaponry. In addition, Blowout ammo is available for Gyro-jet weapons. This highly illegal ammunition
destroys the integrity of vacuum gear: body pressure suits,
EVA suits and/or survival bubbles.
Blowout Rounds: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6; OAF (-1),
Charges (-0) plus Dispel Life Support 9d6+1; OAF (-1),
only works if RKA damages target (-1), Charges (-0)
Heavy Rocket Weapons come in a wide variety of
models, but the two examples here are fairly representative
of single-shot disposable launchers and reloadable smartmissile systems.
Single-shot Disposable launcher (60mm): RKA 7d6,
+1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Armor Piercing
(+1/4); 1 Charge which Never Recovers (-4), OAF (-1),
Extra Time (Extra Phase, -3/4), Required Hands TwoHanded (-1/2), STR Minimum 9-13 (-1/2), Real Weapon
(-1/4)
Smart Micro-missile launcher, plasma warheads
(30mm): RKA 7d6, +1 Increased STUN Multiplier
(+1/4), Area Of Effect (7m Radius Explosion; +1/4),
Armor Piercing (+1/4), Half Range Modifier (+1/4),
Increased Maximum Range (2,100m; +1/4), Penetrating
(+1/2), Indirect (+3/4); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Extra Time
(Full Phase, Delayed Phase, -3/4), STR Minimum 14
(-3/4), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2), 10 Charges
(-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), Requires HUD targeting
system (-1/4)

Shotguns and Grenade

Launchers

Shotguns and Grenade Launchers in the 24 century are

quite similar: both fire large projectiles at low velocity. The
most common variety is a 10-gauge weapon chambered for
both large shotgun shells and for small grenades. They both
use the same propulsion technology as ETC weaponry. Stats
given below are for shotgun slugs; for shot loads, remove
Beam limitation, add Area Effect 1m advantage, Reduced
Penetration and Reduced by Range limitations, and decrease
range to 50m.
th

10ga. Semi-auto Shotgun (ETC slugs): RKA 3d6+1, +1

Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4); OAF (-1), 8 Charges
(-1/2), STR Minimum 9 (-1/2), Required Hands TwoHanded (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), Limited
Range: 100m (-1/4)
10ga Under-barrel Shotgun (ETC slugs): RKA 3d6+1,
+1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4); 3 Charges (-1 1/4),
OAF (-1), STR Minimum 11 (-1/2), Required Hands
Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4),
Limited Range: 100m (-1/4)

94

10ga Automatic Shotgun (ETC slugs): RKA 3d6+1,

+1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Autofire (3 shots;
+1/4); 30 Charges (+1/4), OAF (-1), STR Minimum 9-13

(-1/2), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam (-1/4),

Real Weapon (-1/4), Limited Range: 100m (-1/4) Add
+1 to autofire advantage (45act pts) when firing shot or
any other area-effect load.
The following Shotgun Accessories are available: HUD
targeting system, IFF system, Long barrel, Short barrel,
Recoil compensator (+3 STR). See ETC weapon accessories
for details.
Shotgun Ammunition comes in a wide variety of shells
and mini-grenades. Tangler rounds are used for livecapture operations. Armor-piercing slugs release a saboted
penetrator upon leaving the barrel. Concussion grenades
are used for crowd control. Explosive slugs use conventional
military warheads (as opposed to plasma rounds). Flashbang grenades are another means of crowd control. Flechette
rounds replace shot-loads with swarms of armor-piercing
darts. Non-lethal shot causes considerable pain to the target
but little injury. Plasma rounds use a warhead of stabilized
metallic deuterium, and are considered a strictly military
item. Finally, the shotgun versions of blowout rounds are
similar to their gyro-jet counterparts, but more powerful.
(And equally illegal.)
Tangler: Entangle 4d6, 4 PD/4 ED, Takes No Damage
From Attacks Limited Group (not affected by bullets/
beams) (+1/4), Area Of Effect Accurate (1m Radius;
+1/2); OAF (-1), Limited Range 100m (-1/4), Charges
(-0)
Armor-piercing slugs: Armor-Piercing (+1/4) for up to
50 Active Points of RKA, Charges (-0); OAF (-1)
Blowout Rounds: Killing Attack - Ranged 3d6; OAF (-1),
Charges (-0) plus Dispel Life Support 10d6; OAF (-1),
only works if RKA damages target (-1/4), Charges (-0)
Concussion grenade: Blast 10d6, Area Of Effect (5m
Radius Explosion; +1/4), Indirect (Source Point is the
same for every use, path is from Source Point to target;
+1/4); OAF (-1), Limited Range 100m (-1/4), Reduced
Penetration (-1/4), Charges (-0)
Flash-bang: Sight and Hearing Groups Flash 9d6, Area
Of Effect (9m Radius Explosion; +1/4), Indirect (Source
Point is the same for every use, path is from Source Point
to target; +1/4); OAF (-1), Charges (-0)
Flechette (shot): Armor-Piercing (+1/4) for up to 55
Active Points of RKA (+1 DC), Charges (-0); OAF (-1)
Fragmentation Mini-Grenade: Area Of Effect (3m
Radius Explosion; +1/4), Indirect (Source Point is the
same for every use, path is from Source Point to target;
+1/4) for up to 50 Active Points of RKA, 0 Charges (-0);
OAF (-1)
Non-lethal shot: +2 STUN (+1/4), vs. Normal PD (-1/4)
for up to 50 Active Points of RKA, Charges (-0); OAF (-1)
Plasma grenade: Area Of Effect (5m Radius Explosion;
+1/4), Indirect (Source Point is the same for every use,
path is from Source Point to target; +1/4), Armor Piercing
(x2; +1/2), Penetrating (+1/2) for up to 75 Active Points
of RKA +5 DCs vs. Resistant ED, Charges (-0); OAF (-1)

Laser Pistol: RKA 2d6-1, Armor Piercing (x2; +1/2),

Invisible Power Effects (Inobvious to Hearing, Invisible to
Normal Sight; +1/2); OAF (-1), Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR Minimum 6 (-1/4),
15 Boostable Charges (+1/4)
Personal Defense Laser: RKA 2d6+1, Autofire (3 shots;
+1/4), Armor Piercing (x2; +1/2), Invisible Power Effects
(Inobvious to Hearing, Invisible to Normal Sight; +1/2);
OAF (-1), Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4), Real
Weapon (-1/4), STR Minimum 8 (-1/4), Required Hands
One-And-A-Half-Handed (-1/4), 60 Boostable Charges
(+3/4)
Laser Rifle: RKA 3d6, Armor Piercing (x2; +1/2), Autofire (5 shots; +1/2), Invisible Power Effects (Inobvious to
Hearing, Invisible to Normal Sight; +1/2); OAF (-1), STR
Minimum 10 (-1/2), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2),
Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4),
125 Boostable Charges (+1)

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT: ARMOR AND
ENVIRONMENTAL GEAR
Personal ownership of life-support gear is very common
among those who live and work in space. The most important piece of equipment most spacers own is their Body
Pressure Suit: an advanced vacuum suit of smart fabric which
puts pressure on the entire surface of the wearers body
equal to one atmosphere. This eliminates the vulnerability of
older, traditional pressure-suit designs, which must contain
an internal gas mix, and completely lose their integrity if
punctured.
Aside from its smart-fabric construction, the
24th-century body pressure suit includes a number of other
advances, including a miniaturized life-support system with
air for up to six hours, and a self-sealing layer capable of
repairing small rips in the suit within seconds.

BODY PRESSURE SUIT

Cost

Fire Support Laser: RKA 4d6-1, Armor Piercing (x2;

+1/2), Invisible Power Effects (Inobvious to Hearing,
Invisible to Normal Sight; +1/2), Autofire (10 shots; +1);
OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), STR Minimum 13 (-3/4), Required
Hands Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), No Knockback
(-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), 250 Boostable Charges (+1
1/4)

Anti-armor Laser: RKA 5d6, Armor Piercing (x2; +1/2),

Invisible Power Effects (Inobvious to Hearing, Invisible to
Normal Sight; +1/2); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), STR Minimum
15 (-3/4), 5 Boostable Charges (-1/2), Required Hands
Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4),
Real Weapon (-1/4)

Laser Accessories are designed to perform many of the

same functions as those for other weapons, although many
are incompatible with the slug-thrower counterparts, for
obvious reasons. (A custom-made barrel for a laser pistol is
useless for a gauss pistol, for example.)
All laser weapons receive a bonus due to their flat trajectory and light-speed muzzle velocity.
Flat Trajectory: +1 OCV with laser (bonus for all laser
weapons)
HUD Targeting System, Sniper Scope, IFF System,
Bipod, Fine-tuning, Hold-out Holster, Quick-Draw
Holster, Long Barrel, Short Barrel: see ETC Weapon
Accessories.

8: Equipment

Laser Weapons

Laser Weapons fire pulses of coherent energy in the

ultraviolet range, making their fire invisible. Lasers use
Boostable Charges: +1 DC costs 3 shots; +2 DC costs 5 shots.
Lasers never take penalties from coriolis forces.

10

22

Power
Body Pressure Suit (w/basic helmet): all slots OIF (-1/2),
Mass one-quarter listed mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4)
1) Armor: Resistant Protection (2 PD/2 ED/2 Flash
Defense: Sight Group) (Impermeable); OIF (-1/2), Mass onequarter listed mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4)
2) Short-range radio: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale
(1m = 1 km; +1), Cannot alter scale (-1/4); Affected As
hearing (-1/2), OIF (-1/2), Mass one-quarter listed mass (-1/4),
Real Armor (-1/4)
3) Air Tanks: LS (Self-Contained Breathing); OIF (-1/2),
Mass one-quarter listed mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4), 1
Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 6 Hours (-0)
4) Air-tight seal: LS (Immunity All terrestrial poisons;
Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in Intense Cold;
Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum); OIF
(-1/2), Mass one-quarter listed mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4)
5) Self-sealing fabric: Healing Life-support 3d6 (standard effect: 9 points), Trigger (Activating the Trigger is an
Action that takes no time, Trigger resets automatically,
immediately after it activates; +1); 6 Charges (-3/4), Ablative (-1/2), OIF (-1/2), Requires A Roll (14- roll; -1/4)
6) G-suit feature: Damage Negation (-2 DCs Physical);
Only Works Against G-forces (-1/2), OIF (-1/2), Mass onequarter listed mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4)

The body pressure suit is intended for emergencies and

short-duration spacewalks in low-threat situations. In cases
where more protection is needed, a more substantial EVA
suit may be worn over the body pressure suit, which serves
as an undergarment for the outer protective gear. There
are two types of EVA suit available: a light, flexible EVA
suit which is used for standard spacewalk conditions, and a
more rigid, heavy EVA suit for superior protection against
radiation and micro-meteoroids. For long-range spacewalks,
upgraded communications and sensors may be added, along
with EVA thruster packs with up to 10 kps of delta-v.

95

8: Equipment

LIGHT EVA SUIT

Cost

11

Power
Light EVA Suit: all slots OIF (-1/2), Mass one-quarter listed
mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4)
1) Armor 1: Resistant Protection (4 PD/4 ED/4 Flash
Defense: Sight Group) (Impermeable), Hardened (+1/4);
OIF (-1/2), Mass one-quarter listed mass (-1/4), Real Armor
(-1/4)
2) Armor 2: Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 25%;
Only Works Against Micro-meteoroids (-1), OIF (-1/2), Mass
one-quarter listed mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4)
3) Life Support: LS (Safe in High Radiation; SelfContained Breathing); OIF (-1/2), Mass one-quarter listed
mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge
lasting 1 Day (-0)

Body Armor

For actual combat situations, Body Armor is available in

various combinations of light/heavy and flexible/rigid design.
Combat Armor is designed to provide some protection
against military weapons, while Battle Armor gives the occupant a fighting chance to survive against heavy weaponry.
Light Flex Armor: Resistant Protection (5 PD/5 ED);
OIF (-1/2), Real Armor (-1/4), One quarter normal mass
(-1/4)
Light Rigid Armor: Resistant Protection (6 PD/6 ED),
Hardened (+1/4); OIF (-1/2), Real Armor (-1/4), One
quarter normal mass (-1/4)
Medium Flex Armor: Resistant Protection (7 PD/7 ED);
OIF (-1/2), Real Armor (-1/4), One quarter normal mass
(-1/4)

HEAVY EVA SUIT

Cost

33

11

19

20

15

17

Power
Heavy EVA Suit: all slots OIF (-1/2), Mass one-quarter
listed mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4)
1) Armor 1: Resistant Protection (10 PD/10 ED/10 Flash
Defense: Sight Group) (Impermeable), Hardened (x2;
+1/2); OIF (-1/2), Mass one-quarter listed mass (-1/4), Real
Armor (-1/4)
2) Armor 2: Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50%;
Only Works Against Micro-meteoroids (-1), OIF (-1/2), Mass
one-quarter listed mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4)
3) Life Support: LS (Safe in High Radiation; SelfContained Breathing); OIF (-1/2), Mass one-quarter listed
mass (-1/4), Real Armor (-1/4), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge
lasting 1 Day (-0)
Helmet Options: all slots OIF (-1/2)
1) Multi-Spectrum Imaging: IR Perception (Sight
Group); OIF (-1/2) plus Nightvision; OIF (-1/2) plus UV
Perception (Sight Group); OIF (-1/2) plus +10 versus Range
Modifier for Sight Group; OIF (-1/2)
2) Long-Range radio: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale
(1m = 100 km; +1 1/2); OIF (-1/2)
EVA Flight Pack: all slots OIF Bulky (-1)
1) Meta-Helium thruster: Flight 10m; OIF Bulky (-1),
Limited Power Realistic spacecraft movement (-0), 2000
Continuing Fuel Charges lasting 1 Extra Phase each (+2)
2) Basic Navigation Equipment: Absolute Range Sense;
OIF Bulky (-1) plus Absolute Time Sense; OIF Bulky
(-1) plus Absolute Direction; OIF Bulky (-1) plus Eidetic
Memory; OIF Bulky (-1), Only for flight data (-1/2) plus
Lightning Calculator; OIF Bulky (-1)
3) Collision avoidance radar: Radar (Radio Group),
MegaScale (1m = 10 km; +1 1/4); OIF Bulky (-1)

Medium Rigid Armor: Resistant Protection (8 PD/8 ED),

Hardened (+1/4); OIF (-1/2), Real Armor (-1/4), One
quarter normal mass (-1/4)
Heavy Flex Armor: Resistant Protection (9 PD/9 ED);
OIF (-1/2), Real Armor (-1/4), One quarter normal mass
(-1/4)
Heavy Rigid Armor: Resistant Protection (10 PD/10 ED),
Hardened (+1/4); OIF (-1/2), Real Armor (-1/4), One
quarter normal mass (-1/4)
Combat Armor: Resistant Protection (12 PD/12 ED),
Hardened (+1/4); OIF (-1/2), Real Armor (-1/4), One
quarter normal mass (-1/4)

BATTLE ARMOR
Cost

Power
Battle Armor: all slots OIF (-1/2), Side Effects, occurs
automatically (-1/2), Real armor (-1/4), One quarter normal
mass (-1/4)

21

1) Resistant Protection (14 PD/14 ED), Hardened (+1/4);

OIF (-1/2), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (-1/2), Real armor (-1/4), One
quarter normal mass (-1/4)
2) Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 25% plus
Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 25%; OIF (-1/2),
Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever
Power is used (-1/2), Real armor (-1/4), One quarter normal
mass (-1/4)
3) +5 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); plus
Knockback Resistance -2m; OIF (-1/2), Side Effects, Side
Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (-1/2),
Real armor (-1/4), One quarter normal mass (-1/4)

12

23

16

7
10

96

Helmet Options, all slots OIF (-1/2)

1) Tactical Radio: HRRP (Radio Group), Concealed (-5
with HRRP PER Rolls), MegaScale (1m = 1 km; +1); OIF
(-1/2)
2) Multi-spectrum visors: IR Perception (Sight Group);
plus Nightvision; plus UV Perception (Sight Group); plus
+10 versus Range Modifier for Sight Group; OIF (-1/2)
3) Shielded visor: Sight Group Flash Defense (10
points); OIF (-1/2)
4) System Hardening: Radio Group Flash Defense (10
points); plus Power Defense (10 points); Only to protect
helmet systems (-1/2), OIF (-1/2)

Augmented Reality Systems, combined with wireless

networks, have made the use of information technology
in the 24th century almost effortless. Augmented Reality
is defined as the use of virtual reality to enhance real-time
perceptions. Augmented Reality interface devices provide
a virtual overlay on the users view of the real world,
providing whatever data is available on the network. This
data is organized into numerous layer which can be turned
on or off at the users convenience: public directories, navigation, retail, emergency services, social networking and a
variety of other options.
Almost all Terran facilities and spacecraft have at least a
basic augmented reality network. As a result of this ubiquity,
most people spend many years, possibly their entire lives,
without any interruption of A/R services, making them
overly-dependent on its use. In most cases, these people
arent even aware of how much they rely on the network,
but mercifully, very few ever discover how helpless they are
without it. Spacers, military personnel, intelligence operatives, and others who need to function independently receive
training to insure they arent helpless when deprived of A/R
services.
Constant reliance on A/R service makes some users
vulnerable to those who can manipulate the network.
Hackers have the capability to insert not only false data, but
nearly flawless illusions into the A/R feed of a given users
access device. In some cases the only defense against such
deception is to forego the use of A/R altogether.
The basic wearable A/R Interface Device is quite simple:
it is usually designed as a suite of almost unnoticeable
peripherals: contact lenses for visual inputs, sub-vocal mics
and speakers for audio input and output, and a pair of bracelets for tactile input via virtual keyboard. Some models are
designed as a one-piece visor which can be quickly put on or
removed. Others are permanently implanted, although this
is rare, due to the difficulty of repairing or upgrading such
units.
Basic A/R Interface Unit: Detect Augmented Reality
data 11- (Radio Group), Perceive into a related group of
dimensions; Sense Affected As sight/hearing (-1/2), IIF
(-1/4), Requires Access to A/R Network (-1/4)
For visor models, change IIF to OIF limitation. Implant
models have no focus limitation.
The data accessible via A/R networks varies from one
installation to another, but all are described as variable
point power pools which may be used only for background
skills: usually Knowledge, Language, and Science skills. The
GM has the final say on whether a skill is available via the
local A/R network. The quality of the available data varies
depending on the type of installation: expert systems provide
a bonus to all skills accessed via the A/R network. Basic
systems on spacecraft typically provide +0 or +1; stations,
habitats and colonies may grant a +2 or +3; and militarygrade systems give a bonus of +4 or +5.
Augmented Reality Data: VPP 4 base + 2 control cost,
Powers Can Be Changed As A Zero-Phase Action (+1),
No Skill Roll Required (+1); Only for Background Skills
(-1); all slots Requires Access to A/R Network (-1/4), IIF
(-1/4)

A variety of other services are available via the network:

direct communications links to other users, access to public
databases, tutoring programs, and basic computing functions. Not all of these are dependent on connecting to the
A/R network, instead relying on the processing power built
into the interface device.
Anti-Malware System: Detect Malware 14- (Unusual
Group), Discriminatory, Sense; Sense Affected As More
Than One Sense sight/hearing (-1/2), IIF (-1/4), Requires
Access to A/R Network (-1/4)

8: Equipment

AUGMENTED REALITY
SYSTEMS

Expert Systems: +0 to +5 with all A/R skills; IIF (-1/4),

Requires Access to A/R Network (-1/4)

Direct comm-links: Mind Link , Machine class of minds,

Specific Group of Minds, No LOS Needed, Number of
Minds (x8); Only With Others Who Have Mind Link (-1),
Sense Affected As More Than One Sense hearing (-1/2),
IIF (-1/4), Requires Access to A/R Network (-1/4)
Public Database: Computer Link; IIF (-1/4), Requires
Access to A/R Network (-1/4)
Tutor program: Cramming ; IIF (-1/4), Requires Access to
A/R Network (-1/4)
Internal Computer: Absolute Direction, Absolute Time
Sense, Eidetic Memory, Lightning Calculator, Lightsleep;
IIF (-1/4)
A number of upgrades to the A/R interface are restricted
to security and military personnel. This does not always
prevent unauthorized personnel from purchasing them on
the black market, or in some cases, actually coding their own
upgrades. Due to their typically unorthodox nature, such
independently created upgrades can be difficult to recognize
and counteract.
Stealth Mode: Concealed (-10 to Radio Group PER
Rolls); IIF (-1/4), Requires Access to A/R Network (-1/4)
Network Diagnostics: Discriminatory with Radio Group;
IIF (-1/4), Requires Access to A/R Network (-1/4)
Network Analysis: Analyze with Radio Group; IIF
(-1/4), Requires Access to A/R Network (-1/4)
A/R Weapons Interface: Targeting with Radio Group; IIF
(-1/4), Requires Access to A/R Network (-1/4)
Network Access Trace System: Tracking with Radio
Group; IIF (-1/4), Requires Access to A/R Network (-1/4)
Hacking the A/R net requires the Computer Programming skill, and any Background Skill relating to the
network may be used as a complementary skill, with the
GMs approval. Many hacking activities require restricted
upgrades, while others simply require talent and creativity on
the part of the hacker. In most cases, the Computer Programming roll receives a penalty equal to the networks tech level.
Malware usually takes the form of attacks on the targeted
users hardware: Dispels can crash an interface; Flash attacks
can render it temporarily useless, or simply overwhelm the
user; and Images may be used to feed the user false information. These programs are usually custom-made by the
attacker, so players and GMs are encouraged to design their
own, based on the appropriate powers.
Surveillance is one of the most useful capabilities of any
A/R network. Its ubiquity and wireless nature make it ideally

97

8: Equipment

suited to monitor the activity of its users, which on most

Terran facilities, is pretty much everyone. Local governments make use of A/R networks in varying degrees. In some
jurisdictions, extensive due process provisions only allow
the local government to access network data for legitimate
criminal investigations. In others, privacy is non-existent
and the network is used as a panopticon to monitor citizens
activities at all times, even in their own quarters. Unofficially, hackers, corrupt officials and spies frequently use the
networks surveillance features to gather intelligence on their
enemies.
In combat, all of the above take on a new threat level, as
malware can be used to fatally inconvenience enemy troops,
and surveillance can be used to monitor their movements
A/R interfaces can even provide weapons targeting data on
anyone foolish enough to go into combat without stealthing
their own interface.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
IN THE 24TH CENTURY
Along with life support and information technology,
medical equipment is vitally important for space settlements
and on board spacecraft. Any facility designed for permanent
habitation must have the means to provide medical care for
its inhabitants. In some cases, a hibernation unit may be used
to stabilize a difficult case for transport to better facilities,
but even with FTL3.0, this can take months, and it is very
expensive. In the case of spacecraft, however, this is standard
operating procedure, as they are almost always en route to a
colony or station with superior facilities.
Outside of fully-equipped hospitals, most space travelers
will commonly encounter general-purpose medical equipment such as first-aid kits, biomonitors and trauma units.
First aid equipment is divided into three classes: First Aid
kits, Medical kits, and Field Surgeries. Biomonitors are worn
around the neck where they can continuously collect data
on the users vital signs. If desired they can be linked to the
users A/R interface to record medical data. Most vac-suits
have dedicated ports which allow biomonitors to be worn on
the outside.
Although the Trauma Unit requires a trained operator, it
provides a wide range of options for dealing with emergency
situations. It includes a more advanced biomonitor, oxygen
and nutrients for the patient. It will stabilize a patient even
after life-threatening injuries, and accelerate the healing
process in the long-term. Finally, the Trauma Unit can resuscitate a clinically dead victim, provided it is used within five
minutes of death.
First Aid Kit: +0 or +1 with Paramedics; OAF (-1)
Medical Kit: +2 or +3 with Paramedics; OAF (-1)
Field Surgery: +4 or +5 with Paramedics; OAF Bulky (-1
)
Biomonitor: Detect Injury and Illness 14- (Unusual
Group), Discriminatory, Sense; OAF (-1)

98

Trauma Unit: Detect Injury and Illness 16- (Unusual

Group), Discriminatory, Analyze; plus Life Support
(Eating: Character does not eat; Self-Contained
Breathing); 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 6 Hours (-0)
plus Does Not Bleed; plus Regeneration (2 BODY per
Week); plus Resurrection; Only within 5 minutes of death
(-1 1/2), OAF (-1), Requires A Roll (Paramedic Skill roll;
-1/2)

SPACE EXPLORATION
EQUIPMENT
Spacers use some of the most unusual special equipment
in Terran history for vacuum and zero-gravity operations.
The magnetic grappler is actually mis-named; while it does
incorporate a powerful magnet, it also has a gripping clamp
which can attach to any surface with a suitable attachment
point. (GMs call.) Both the grip and the cable are rated for
100 tons.
The Hot Rod is an EVA tool, named for its shape and
tendency for early models to overheat (which is no longer
a problem, but the name stuck). It consists of a two-meter
cylinder with a grapple at one end and a miniature rocket
motor on the other end, plus a powerful shock-absorber in
between. Spacers have found almost as many uses for this
device as duct tape. It should be noted that the rocket motors
exhaust is too weak to do any damage except at point-blank
range. (1d6+1 HKA, AE 1m/accurate, STR doesnt add
damage)
The Breaching Lock is an emergency airlock used for
rescue, salvage, or forced entry into spacecraft (or stations) in
situations where the regular air lock cannot be used. It cuts
through the hull without venting the atmosphere into space,
and allows repeated ingress/egress without loss of atmosphere. However, due to its light weight, it doesnt provide as
much protection as a regular air lock from radiation, temperature extremes and other hazards a spacecraft boarded in
this manner will require later repairs in a spacedock the
breaching lock is not meant to be a permanent fixture.
Survival Bubbles are emergency life-support units
designed for travelers who arent trained in the use of vacsuits. The user assumes the crash position, pulls the lanyard
on the 1-liter case which activates the bubble, and holds still
as it inflates itself around him. It has 24 hours of life support.
As it offers superior protection when compared to body pressure suits, some experienced spacers like to keep a survival
bubble on hand, even if carrying one tends to make them
look like a noob. Pressure-suit patches are useful when the
self-sealing systems of pressure-suits fail and an emergency
backup is needed.
Magnetic Grappler: Clinging (60 STR), Persistent (+1/4);
OAF (-1) plus Swinging 30m, Reduced Endurance (0
END; +1/2); OAF (-1), no Noncombat movement (-1/4)
plus Stretching 30m, Persistent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); OAF (-1), Always direct, no damage,
no manipulation, no noncombat stretching (-1)
Hot Rod: Clinging (20 STR), Persistent (+1/4); OAF (-1)
plus Flight 3m, Position Shift; OAF (-1), 1 Continuing
Fuel Charge lasting 5 Minutes (-1/2), no Noncombat
movement (-1/4) plus Leaping 10m, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); OAF (-1), no Noncombat movement
(-1/4), 100 Charges (-0)
Breaching Lock: Tunneling 1m through 12 PD material,
Fill In, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); OAF Bulky
(-1 1/2), Extra Time (1 Minute, -1 1/2), no Noncombat
movement (-1/4) plus Life Support (Safe in Low Pressure/
Vacuum)

Pressure suit patch: Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in
Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/
Vacuum); 1 Charge which Never Recovers (-4), Extra
Time (Extra Phase, Only to Activate, -1/2), OIF (-1/2),
Only w/pressure suit (-1/2)

OTHER EQUIPMENT
A few other items which may of interest to Terracide PCs
follow: The Manufabricator is an all-purpose nano-tech
fabricator which can produce any item, provided it has the
proper raw materials and specifications. The raw materials
are specially prepared stock cartridges designed for the
machine it cant use generic materials.
The QED communications system is a quantum-entangled device which is linked to other QEDs so that it can
instantly send and receive messages over any distance even
between star systems. The bandwidth is low, so QEDs are
limited to sending text messages. These devices are extravagantly expensive; and just getting bandwidth on one of
them depends on having high-level government, military or
academic connections.
QED technology is made more affordable in the form
of the One-BITter which, as its name implies, is capable
of sending or receiving only one bit, after which they are
useless. Like their larger cousins, one-BITters can send and
receive over any distance without interception or interference. However, they are much more affordable, and usually
sold in lots of 32. Clever PCs will no doubt find endless uses
for these fool-proof signaling devices.
Toolkits come in three broad categories. Mini toolkits are
very portable and not at all obvious except when actually in
use. They partially mitigate penalties for lack of proper tools,
but are no substitute for a real toolkit. A standard toolkit
is larger and more obvious, but the user suffers no penalties
for lack of equipment. The full kit is exactly what it sounds
like everything you need for a particular skill, and although
its a massive piece of gear, its user gets a +2 on relevant skill
rolls.
And when all else fails, the portable plasma torch will cut
through just about anything.

Quantum Entangled Device (QED) Communication

System: Mind Link , Machine class of minds, Specific
Group of Minds, No LOS Needed, Number of Minds
(x256), Unlimited range in this dimension, Invisible
Power Effects (Invisible to Mental Group; +1/4), Penetrating (x2; +1); OAF Immobile (-2), Text/Data Only (-1
1/2), Limited Class Of Minds other QEDs (-1)
One-BITter: Mind Link , Machine class of minds, One
Specific Mind, No LOS Needed, Unlimited range in this
dimension, Invisible Power Effects (Invisible to Mental
Group; +1/4), Trigger (Activating the Trigger is an Action
that takes no time, Trigger never resets (single-use); +1/4),
Penetrating (x2; +1); 1 Charge which Never Recovers (-4),
Only sends one bit. (-2), IIF Fragile (-1/2)

8: Equipment

Survival Bubble: Resistant Protection (3 PD/3 ED)

(Impermeable); plus Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in
High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense
Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained
Breathing); plus Radio Perception/Transmission (Radio
Group), MegaScale (1m = 1 km; +1); OAF (-1), Side
Effects: user cannot reach outside bubble, Side Effect
occurs automatically whenever Power is used (-1), 1
Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (-0)

Mini-toolkit: Penalty Skill Levels: +2 vs. equipment

penalties with [Skill]; OAF (IIF when not in use) (-1/2)
Toolkit: Penalty Skill Levels: +3 vs. equipment penalties
with [Skill]; OAF (-1)
Full Kit: +2 with [Skill]; OAF Bulky (-1 )
Plasma Torch: Killing Attack - Ranged 3d6-1, Armor
Piercing (x2; +1/2), Constant (+1/2), Penetrating (+1/2);
OAF (-1), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 5 Minutes
(-1/2), No Range (-1/2), Required Hands Two-Handed
(-1/2), No Knockback (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR
Minimum 4-8 (-1/4)

Manufabricator: Major Transform 8d6 (standard

effect: 24 points) (Raw materials into finished parts,
Deconstructor Nanites), Improved Results Group (+1/4),
Constant (+1/2); Extra Time (20 Minutes, -2 1/2), OAF
Immobile (-2), Limited Target Raw feedstock (-1), All Or
Nothing (-1/2), No Range (-1/2), Can only make parts
listed in database (-1/2), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting
1 Week (+3/4)

99

8: Equipment
100

Terracide Equipment List

Firearms, Electro-Thermal/Chemical
Light Pistol, ETC
Medium Pistol, ETC
Heavy Pistol, ETC
Light Submachinegun, ETC
Medium Submachinegun, ETC
Heavy Submachinegun, ETC
Carbine, ETC
Assault Rifle, ETC
Battle Rifle, ETC
Sniper Rifle, ETC
Light Machinegun, ETC
Heavy Machinegun, ETC
Anti-Armor ETC Rifle
ETC Weapon Options
Fine Tuning
Long Barrel
Short Barrel
Extended Magazine
Hold-Out Holster
Quick-Draw Holster
Accurate Burst-Fire
Drum Magazine
Bipod
Recoil Compensator (3)
Recoil Compensator (5)
Recoil Compensator (10)
HUD Targeting Computer
Sniper Scope
IFF System
Light Silencer
Medium Silencer
Heavy Silencer
Light Flash Suppressor
Medium Flash Suppressor
Heavy Flash Suppressor
High-Velocity Ammo
Plasma Ammo
Smart Ammo
Non-Lethal Ammo

Active
15
25
44
22
37
70
44
70
80
67
105
120
82
Active
2
2
0
9
4
5
5
30
2
4
7
15
38
55
22
4
9
14
4
9
14
varies
varies
varies
varies

Real
5
8
15
7
11
21
12
20
23
15
25
27
15
Real
1
1
-1
4
1
4
2
15
1
1
2
4
14
29
8
2
4
7
2
4
7

Avail.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
St.
St.
St.
Civ.
St.
St.
St.
Mil.
Mil.
Mil.
Avail.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
St.
St.
St.
St.
Reg.
St.
St.
St.
St.
Mil.
Mil.
St.
St.
St.
St.
St.
St.
Mil.
Adv.
St.
Civ.

Skill
WF: Handguns
WF: Handguns
WF: Handguns
WF: Submachineguns
WF: Submachineguns
WF: Submachineguns
WF: Rifles
WF: Assault Rifles
WF: Assault Rifles
WF: Rifles
WF: Machineguns*
WF: Machineguns*
WF: Rifles
Skill
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
as weapon
as weapon
as weapon
as weapon

Lasers, Ultraviolet
Laser Pistol
Personal Defense Laser
Laser Rifle
Fire Support Laser
Anti-Armor Laser
Laser Weapon Options
Perfect Trajectory
Other Accessories: see ETC weapons list

Active
56
105
157
234
150

Real
19
32
42
52
80

Avail.
St.
St.
Mil.
Mil.
Adv.

Skill
WF: Laser Pistol
WF: Personl Defense Laser
WF: Laser Rifle
WF: Laser Rifle
WF: Heavy Laser*

Gauss Weapons
Gauss Pistol
Personal Defense Railgun
Gauss Rifle

Active
61
79
146

Weaponsmith
Real
22
26
45

Avail.
St.
St.
Mil.

Skill
WF: Gauss Pistol
WF: Personl Defense Railgun
WF: Gauss Rifle

96
191

21
48

varies
varies
varies
varies

Mil.
Adv.

WF: Gauss Rifle

WF: Heavy Gauss Gun*

Adv.
St.
St.
St.

Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
as weapon
as weapon
as weapon
as weapon

Avail.
St.
Mil.
Adv.
Adv.

Skill
WF: Rocket Pistol
WF: Rocket Rifle
WF: Shoulder-Fired Weapons*
WF: Shoulder-Fired Weapons*

Adv.
St.
St.
St.

Weaponsmith
Weaponsmith
as weapon
as weapon
as weapon
as weapon

Rocket Weaponry
Gyro-Jet Pistol
Gyro-Jet Rifle
Single-Shot 60mm Launcher
Smart 30mm Missile Launcher
Rocket Weapon Options
Superior Ballistics
Other Accessories: see ETC weapons list
Plasma Ammo
Smart Ammo
Non-Lethal Ammo
Blow-out Ammo

Active
52
87
157
367

Real
15
27
20
70

Shotgun Weaponry
Shotgun (slug)
Shotgun (shot)
Under-Barrel Shotgun (slug)
Under-Barrel Shotgun (shot)
Auto-Shotgun (slug)
Auto-Shotgun (shot)
Shotgun Options
Accessories: see ETC weapons list
Tangler Ammo
Armor-Piercing Slugs
Blow-out Ammo
Concussion Mini-Grenade
Flash-Bang
Flechette shot
Fragmentation Mini-Grenade
Non-Lethal slug/shot
Plasma Mini-Grenade

Active
62
75
62
75
87
150

Real
14
17
12
14
23
37

Avail.
Civ.
Civ.
St.
St.
Mil.
Mil.

Skill
WF: Shotgun
WF: Shotgun
WF: Shotgun
WF: Shotgun
WF: Shotgun
WF: Shotgun

varies
varies
varies
varies
varies
varies
varies
varies
varies

+0
+1/4
+0
+0
+0
+1/4
+1/2
+0
+2

Civ.
St.
St.
Mil.
St.
Mil.
Mil.
Civ.
Adv.

WF: Shotgun
WF: Shotgun
WF: Shotgun
WF: Grenade Launcher
WF: Grenade Launcher
WF: Shotgun
WF: Grenade Launcher
WF: Shotgun
WF: Grenade Launcher

Personal Protective Gear

Body Pressure Suit
Light EVA Suit
Heavy EVA Suit
Light Flexible Armor
Light Rigid Armor
Medium Flexible Armor
Medium Rigid Armor
Heavy Flexible Armor
Heavy Rigid Armor
Combat Armor
Battle Armor

Active
126
49
109
15
22
21
30
24
37
45
91

Real
49
22
49
7
11
10
15
12
18
22
37

Avail.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
St.
St.
Mil.
Mil.
Mil.
Adv.

Skill
PS: Spacer, Survival: vacuum, or System Ops
PS: Spacer, Survival: vacuum, or System Ops
PS: Spacer, Survival: vacuum, or System Ops
PSL v. armor
PSL v. armor
PSL v. armor
PSL v. armor
PSL v. armor
PSL v. armor
PSL v. armor
PSL v. armor

varies
varies
varies
varies

8: Equipment

Anti-Materiel Railgun
Rapid-Fire Railgun
Gauss Weapon Options
Superior Ballistics
Other Accessories: see ETC weapons list
Plasma Ammo
Smart Ammo
Non-Lethal Ammo
Sub-Sonic Ammo

101

8: Equipment

EVA Equipment
Flight Pack
Radiation Sensor
Magnetic Grapple
Hot Rod
Breaching Lock
Survival Bubble

Active
81
10
108
49
54
57

Real
38
5
44
23
13
19

Avail.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
St.
Civ.

Skill
PS: Spacer, or System Ops
System Ops
PS: Spacer, or System Ops
PS: Spacer, or System Ops
PS: Spacer, or System Ops
PS: Spacer, Survival: vacuum, or System Ops

Medical Gear
First Aid Kit
Medical Kit
Field Surgery
Biomonitor
Trauma Unit

Active
3
4
8
15
72

Real
1
2
3
7
26

Avail.
Civ.
Civ.
St.
Civ.
St.

Skill
Paramedic, or PS: Medic
Paramedic, or PS: Medic
Paramedic, or PS: Medic
Paramedic, or PS: Medic
Paramedic, or PS: Medic

Augmented Reality
Interface Unit std or visor
Interface Unit implant
Anti-Malware System
Expert System
Comm-link
Public Database
Tutor Program
Internal Clock
Navigation Database
Internal Recorder
Internal Math Processor
Internal Alarm
Conference System (add to Comm-link)
Total for standard options:

Active
13
13
15
8
20
3
5
3
3
5
3
3
+15

Real
6
7
7
5
6
2
3
2
2
4
2
2
+3
44

Avail.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.

Skill
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops

20
10
10
10
10
20

13
7
7
7
7
13

Mil.
St.
St.
St.
St.
Adv.

Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops
Computer Ops

Active
30
30
15
34
10
20
200
81
50
2
3
4
100

Real
20
19
5
23
7
10
25
15
32
1
1
2
23

Avail.
Civ.
St.
Civ.
St.
Civ.
Mil.
St.
Adv.
St.
Civ.
Civ.
Civ.
St.

Skill
System Ops
System Ops
System Ops
System Ops
System Ops
System Ops
System Ops
System Ops
System Ops
varies
varies
varies
Mechanics

Military Expert System

Stealth Mode
Network Diagnostics
Network Analysis
Nework Log File Access
A/R Weapons Interface
Miscellaneous
Long-range Radio
Multi-Spectrum Imager
Atmosphere Tester
Tactical Radio
Shielded Visor
System Hardening
Manufabricator
QED Communication System
One-Bit QED (pack of 32)
Mini-toolkit
Tool Kit
Full Kit
Plasma Torch

102

9
CHAPTER NINE:

DESIGNING
SPACECRAFT

9: Designing Spacecraft

DESIGNING
SPACECRAFT

Ms who wish to create their own spacecraft for

Terracide campaigns should use the following
guidelines along with the vehicle design rules in
Hero 6th Edition. Terracide uses some realistic
assumptions about space travel which influence the available
options for spacecraft design:
No

artificial gravity
spacecraft not under
thrust will be in
zero-G.

DEX: Spacecraft tend not to have high Dexterity scores. As a

general rule, the typical maximum for Terracide spacecraft
is 20+TL-OCV mod. Smaller craft tend to have better Dex
scores, as do those of higher tech levels.

Body: Spacecraft in Terracide

are built with their base
Body scores, unmodified.
The extra mass required to
No inertial dampers
increase the Body score of
the crew will feel the
a spacecraft is prohibitive.
Akins Laws of Spacecraft Design
full force of maneuHowever, some craft may be
vers unless they strap
compartmentalized, which
in.
effectively increases Body by
applying Damage Reduction to incoming attacks.
No reactionless drives rocket engines produce thrust by
expelling exhaust.
Spd: Speed is slightly less important in Terracide, as all
spacecraft use segmented movement in combat. However,
With the exception of their FTL drives, spacecraft in
Speed is used for actions other than movement, firing
Terracide use technology which could exist in the real
weapons in particular. The higher a vessels speed, the more
world. This chapter will present the state of the art in
often its weapons can fire. (It gets more firing phases in a
humanitys design of spacecraft at the beginning of the
turn.) This represents power and cooling systems upgraded
24th century. GMs who wish to expand on the equipment
to handle the extra workload.
presented in this chapter should feel free to research exotic
Military craft have maximum SPD of half their TL
technologies and introduce them as alien tech.
(rounded up), while civilian craft have usually have a SPD of
2, or their TL/3 at most.
To design a spacecraft right
takes an infinite amount of
effort. This is why its a good
idea to design them to operate
when some things are wrong.

Characteristics
Tech Level: this is a new characteristic which will determine
many of the limits of the spacecrafts performance. When
spacecraft of different tech levels are in combat, the difference in tech level is used as a modifier on skill v. skill rolls,
attack rolls, and applied to the DC of attacks which hit.
SIZE: Interstellar and interplanetary spacecraft are always
Size 10 or higher. Craft of Size 7 thru 9 are used for orbital
interface or transferring cargo and passengers from ships to
stations. Small working craft such as maintenance pods are
built in Sizes ranging from 4 to 6. In order to make use of
spin-gravity, a spacecraft needs a SIZE of 15 or higher.
The Size of a spacecraft is also used to determine its
Surface Area, which is used as a scaling factor for a number
of spacecraft design features: its crew requirements, the
weapon mounts it carries, and a few others. A spacecrafts
Surface Area is its base Length squared, times 2.5.

104

spacecraft has a base mass of 100 tons. With +3 STR, it can

carry 150 tons of cargo, for a total mass of 250 tons.

STR: The default STR for a spacecraft gives its carrying

capacity for cargo. Most commercial craft have extra STR to
carry a larger payload, usually +5 STR or even +10 STR. On
the other hand, most military craft carry much less cargo,
and may sell off STR up to 10 points.
Note that a spacecrafts performance depends on its total
mass, which is the base mass given for its SIZE plus the mass
it can carry based on its STR score. For example, a SIZE 10

OCV: depends on the type of spacecraft. For military spacecraft, 8 to 10 is typical, with non-combat craft such as recon
vessels at the low end, and main-combat craft at the high
end. For civilian or commercial vessels intended to defend
themselves, 5 to 7 is the typical range of OCV scores.
DCV: spacecraft depend on their velocity for DCV when
involved in space combat, so this is usually left at its base
value of 3. When not moving, or when moving but incapable
of maneuvering, most spacecraft are easy targets.
PD and ED: The base values for PD and ED are the same for
most craft. Civilian vessels usually have a PD and ED equal
to their TL. Shuttles and other short range craft typically
have half of this value. Civilian craft seldom harden their
base PD or ED, however, many spacecraft mount micrometeoroid shields purchased as extra PD (up to +10, hardened) with the limitation, only vs. micro-meteors (-2).
Military vessels mount extra armor. Larger vessels tend
to be better armored than smaller ones, due to the squarecube law; they have less surface area proportional to their
total mass. The maximum value for a military vessels PD
and ED is its TL + OCV mod. Most military vessels receive
the maximum possible protection, usually with a level of
hardening.
Movement: Spacecraft have no ground movement, swimming or leaping.

Maneuvering Thrusters: Flight 1m, Space Flight:

segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic
turn mode (+0), Combat Acceleration/Deceleration
(+1/4); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (Side Effect only affects the environment near the character; -1 1/2), 1 Continuing Fuel
Charge lasting 20 minutes (-1/4), no Noncombat movement (-1/4) Active cost =1 pt; Real cost =1pt
All spacecraft will have one main engine for major course
changes. There are three types, all of similar Hero System
design: Meta-helium rockets for small short-range spacecraft, and fusion rockets for long-range or interstellar spacecraft. Fusion rockets may be hydrogen-boron or deuteriumfueled. The main differences between them are their overall
performance. Meta-helium rockets are good for an hour at
most, and typically measure their delta-V in tens of kps. Fuel
for a meta-helium rocket may require half the crafts loaded
mass, or more. Fusion rockets typically have fuel for 24 hours
of continuous thrust, and measure their delta-V in hundreds,
if not thousands of kps. Their fuel usually requires only a
few percent of their spacecrafts loaded mass. (See Rocket
Science For Gamers, pXX ) The following are 1G engines
costing 4pts each; higher thrust would cost more, if desired.
Main Engines: choose one
Meta-helium rocket: Flight 10m, Space Flight:
segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic
turn mode, limited thrust (+0), Combat Acceleration/
Deceleration (+1/4); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs
automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect only
affects the environment near the character; -1 1/2), no

Noncombat movement (-1/4), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge

lasting 1 Hour (-0) Active cost = 12pts; Real cost = 4pts.
Fusion Torch Drive: Flight 10m, Space Flight: Segmented
movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode,
limited thrust (+0), Combat Acceleration/Deceleration
(+1/4); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (Side Effect only affects the
environment near the character; -1 1/2), no Noncombat
movement (-1/4), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day
(-0) Active cost = 12pts; Real cost = 4pts.
Rocket side-effects are as follows:
Fusion Rocket Exhaust (side effects): RKA 1 point,
Area Of Effect (60m Cone Explosion; +1/2), Thin Cone
(-1/4), Constant (+1/2), MegaScale (1m = 100 km; +1 )
Note: Add +1DC per Size of spacecraft. Omit Megascaling
for conventional (meta-helium) rockets. Active cost =
0pts; Real cost = none! (side-effects)
Compartmentalization is the division of the spacecrafts
hull into several independent sections, each capable of
maintaining pressure on its own. This prevents damage to
one section from affecting the entire spacecraft. All spacecraft have some degree of compartmentalization, as the drive
section and crew section are usually built entirely separately
for safety reasons.

9: Designing Spacecraft

Flight purchased for spacecraft has the limitation limited

thrust (-0), which means it doesnt follow the normal encumbrance rules. It works at its full value when the spacecraft
carries no cargo (or very little cargo), and gets reduced to
half when the spacecrafts mass is doubled, and to a third
when the mass is tripled, etc. In the example above, if our
SIZE 10 craft has 20m of Flight at 100 tons, it will only have
8m of flight when fully loaded at 250 tons. [20 * (100/250)]
Spacecraft flight also has the (-0) limitation realistic turn
mode, which will be explained in detail in the space combat
rules. Balancing out these limitations are the (+0) advantages
segmented movement and cumulative movement. Spacecraft
move every segment, maneuver based on their turn mode,
and have no maximum velocity; each time they use their
drives Flight power, it adds to (or subtracts from!) their
current velocity for as long as the spacecraft has fuel.
Spacecraft components are the special effects for all of
its powers. Some are located in a single, specific piece of
equipment, identified with the Focus limitation, while others
powers are bought for the spacecraft as a whole. To begin
with, there are a number of components necessary for the
basic functions of all spacecraft, or required by regulations.
The following list should be considered standard equipment for all spacecraft, and GMs may wish to treat it as free
equipment if the PCs buy their own spacecraft with resource
points or character points.
All spacecraft have maneuvering thrusters, used to move it
around when its main engines would create a hazard. These
are small meta-helium rockets with 1.2kps of delta-V; they
can fire at 1/10th of a G for 20 minutes. Theyre pretty much
useless as a propulsion system, especially in combat. Its fuel
mass fraction is 3%.

Basic Compartmentalization: Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 25%; plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 25%; BODY Only (-1/2), Ablative BODY Only
(-1/2) Active cost = 30pts; Real cost = 14pts.
Micro-meteoroid protection is a basic precaution taken
for all spacecraft. This is extra PD which only applies to
impact from micro-meteoroid impacts. Kinetic weapons
used in space combat are designed to defeat this system, so it
has no effect on them.
Micro-meteoroid shielding: Resistant Protection (10
PD), Hardened (+1/4); Only Works Against Rare attack
(-1), Ablative BODY Only (-1/2) Active cost =19pts; Real
cost = 8pts.
All spacecraft have a sealed hull, which is proof against
the harsh environment of space: it protects the occupants
from vacuum, temperature extremes, and radiation. It also
prevents contamination as long as all the airlocks are closed.
They also have life-support in the form of air, food and water,
although the endurance varies.
Sealed Hull: Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial
poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in High
Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold;
Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum)
Active cost = 19pts; Real cost = 19pts.
Consumables: Life Support (Eating: Character does not
eat; Self-Contained Breathing); 1 Continuing Fuel Charge
lasting 1 Season (-0) Note: short-range craft change duration to 1 day or 1 week. Active cost =13pts; Real cost =
13pts.
All but the smallest craft will have at least one airlock,
and most will purchase more. (x2 for +5pts) This is built as
a Transform: Air into Vacuum, which only affects the air

105

9: Designing Spacecraft

inside the airlock. It is reversed by simply refilling the airlock

with air.
Airlock: Severe Transform 0 1/2d6 (Atmosphere into
vacuum, Reversing airlock cycle), Area Of Effect (1m
Radius; +1/4), Partial Transform (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); OIF Immobile (-1 1/2), Extra Time
(1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 1/4), Limited Target only v.
atmosphere in airlock (-1), No Range (-1/2) Active cost =
22pts; Real cost = 4pts.
Spacecraft need certain electronics to function: a radio,
active and passive sensors, and at least two beacons: one ID
transponder and one emergency beacon. Active and passive
sensors serve different purposes: active sensors are capable
of providing pinpoint location of contacts for navigation or
targeting purposes, while passive sensors can provide ID on
a contact (but not target it) at a great distance. For purposes
of special effects, active sensors use radar and ladar (radio
and sight groups), and passive sensors detect visible light,
IR, UV and millimeter-wave passive radar (radio and sight
groups).
Civilian Radio: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale (1m
= 1,000 km; +1 3/4); OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As
[normal sight/hearing] (-1/2) Active cost = 33pts; Real
cost = 13pts.
Civilian Active Sensor Array: Detect A Large Class
Of Things (radar/ladar contacts) 14- (Radio Group),
Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception (360
Degrees), Targeting, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1
3/4); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense
Affected As More Than One Sense radar/ladar (-1/2)
Active cost = 96pts; Real cost = 21pts.
Civilian Passive Sensor Array: Detect A Large Class
Of Things: E-M emissions sources 14- (Radio Group),
Discriminatory, Analyze, Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees), Telescopic: +18, MegaScale (1m = 1,000
km; +1 3/4); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1),
Sense Affected As More Than One Sense [visible light/IR/
UV] (-1/2) Active cost = 107pts; Real cost = 24pts.
Transponder: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to PER Rolls,
Persistent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2),
MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 3/4); Set Effect: transponder ID code only (-1), OIF Bulky (-1), No Range
(-1/2) Active cost = 70pts; Real cost = 20pts.
Emergency Beacon: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to PER
Rolls, Persistent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+1/2), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 3/4); OIF Bulky
(-1), Set Effect: distress call (-1), No Range (-1/2) Active
cost = 70pts; Real cost =20pts.

106

The total cost of all this equipment is 161 real points. This
should be zeroed out on the spacecrafts character sheet to
reflect the fact that it is every-vehicle equipment, or the GM
may simply deduct its point cost from the spacecrafts final
point total.
Other equipment will be needed for most spacecraft;
the above list is just to make sure the vessel can perform
the minimal functions necessary: protect its occupants,
communicate, navigate, and move from point A to point B in
normal space. If the spacecraft is meant for interstellar travel,
high-G maneuvers, or combat, it will need some additional
components.

The Interstellar Overdrive is built as mega-scaled teleportation, with 1m equal to 1 light-year in scale. Its teleport
distance is limited by Tech Level: a TL10 drive can teleport
10 light-years. This is subject to a skill roll; failure usually
isnt catastrophic the vessel may emerge from hyperspace a
few AUs (at most) from where its supposed to be, requiring
another hyper transit (and another easier skill roll) or a few
days to cross the distance in normal space. On a critical
failure, the drive may need repairs, and the time to finish the
journey in normal space will be weeks instead of days; the
vessel will arrive very late, and forfeit the bonus on priority
cargoes! If its carrying passengers, arrangements might be
made to have them picked up by a hyper-capable shuttle, at
the Captains expense. Otherwise, hell be stuck with some
very irate passengers for the whole trip.
Interstellar Overdrive (TL-10): Teleportation 10m, Safe
Blind Teleport (+1/4), No Range Modifier (+1/2), MegaScale (1m = 1 lightyear; +4 1/4); Extra Time (1 Week, ,
-2 1/4), 1 Recoverable Charge (Recovers Under Limited
Circumstances; -2), Doesnt work near large gravitic/
magnetic fields (-1/2), Requires A Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20
Active Points modifier; -1/4) Active cost = 60pts; Real cost
= 10pts.
Compartmentalization may be upgraded to Heavy or
Total. This represents additional reinforcement of bulkheads
inside the spacecraft for greater durability. Generally, only
combat spacecraft are given Total compartmentalization, and
they are very hard to kill.
Heavy Compartmentalization: Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50%; plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 50%; BODY Only (-1/2), Ablative BODY Only
(-1/2) Active cost =60pts; Real cost = 30pts.
Total Compartmentalization: Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 75%; plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 75%; BODY Only (-1/2), Ablative BODY Only
(-1/2) Active cost = 120pts; Real cost = 60pts.
Large spacecraft may have Damage Control crews to
effect repairs in combat. On larger craft, the number of crewmembers required to make effective repairs increases, which
will change the value of the Requires Multiple Users limitation; generally about 1/4th of the crew. This isnt a problem for
military vessels, which carry large crews for combat situations. Civilian crews may find themselves spread very thin
when doing damage control, especially on smaller spacecraft.
Damage Control: Healing BODY 1d6+1 (standard effect:
4 points), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Decreased
Re-use Duration (5 Minutes; +1); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), Requires A Roll (Skill roll; Burnout, Must be made
each Phase/use; -1), Required Multiple Users (2 people;
-1/4) Active cost =32pts; Real cost = 7pts.
Spacecraft designed to perform high-G maneuvers will
need protective systems to keep the crew and passengers
from being injured. The most basic system is an acceleration
couch: an ergonomic seat with a harness which cushions the
impact from violent maneuvers. The advanced version of this
is known as a gel-couch, which conforms itself to its occupant
perfectly. Many models feature partial exoskeletons to assist
arm movements in high gravity, or remote arms operated via
hand controls mounted in the couch. These are standard on
most combat spacecraft. The most high-tech system available

Acceleration Couch: Physical Damage Reduction, 25%;

OIF Immobile (-1 1/2), Only Works Against G-forces
(-1/2), Extra Time (Extra Phase, Only to Activate, -1/2)
Active cost = 10pts; Real cost =3pts.
Gel couch with remotes: Physical Damage Reduction,
50%; OIF Immobile (-1 1/2), Extra Time (1 Turn (PostSegment 12), Only to Activate, -3/4), Only Works Against
G-forces (-1/2) Active cost = 20pts; Real cost = 5pts.
G-Tank with neural interface: Physical Damage Reduction, 75%; OIF Immobile (-1 1/2), Extra Time (1 Minute,
Only to Activate, -3/4), Only Works Against G-forces
(-1/2) Active cost = 40pts; Real cost = 11pts.
Some spacecraft will need additional electronics systems,
especially for combat. Laser Comm Systems are virtually
impossible to intercept of jam, and have enormous bandwidth. IFF Systems are a must for combat spacecraft, in order
to prevent friendly fire incidents. Remote sensor platforms
have many applications, both in exploration and combat
they are built with recoverable fuel charges to represent the
platforms short endurance. When theyre out of fuel, they
can be brought back, recharged and redeployed. Finally, most
military spacecraft receive state-of-the-art upgrades to their
sensor systems, giving them a blanket +5 to perception rolls
with all sense groups. This affects the spacecrafts communicators as well as its sensors.
Laser Comm System: Detect Laser Comm Signals 14(Sight Group), Concealed (-10 with Detect PER Rolls),
Rapid: x100,000, Transmit, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km;
+1 3/4); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1),
OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As hearing (-1/2) Active
cost = 96pts; Real cost = 27pts.
Spacecraft IFF System: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to
PER Rolls, Persistent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+1/2), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 3/4); Set Effect:
IFF signals only (-1), No Range (-1/2) Active cost = 70pts;
Real cost = 28pts.
Remote Sensor Platform: Clairsentience (Radio And
Sight Groups), Discriminatory, Mobile Perception Point
(can move up to 12m per Phase), LOS (+1/2), MegaScale
(1m = 1,000 km; +1 3/4); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One Sense
[sight/hearing] (-1/2), 1 Recoverable Continuing Fuel
Charge lasting 1 Day (Recovers Under Limited Circumstances; +1/2) Active cost = 150pts; Real cost = 33pts.
Military Comms/Sensors Upgrade: +5 PER with all
Sense Groups; Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate,
-1), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One
Sense [normal sight/hearing] (-1/2) Active cost = 15pts;
Real cost = 4pts.
Many spacecraft will feature additional life-support
equipment for the comfort of their crew and passengers.
Sufficiently large craft may spin for gravity, or have the ability
to rotate part of their hull. For those who prefer not to spend
a month waiting for the vessel to emerge from hyperspace,
hibernation units are provided. These are also used as an

emergency system on military spacecraft; if the main lifesupport fails, or the vessel is stranded for an extended period
of time, the crew can hibernate while awaiting rescue.
Spin Gravity: Change Environment (+5 Points of Telekinetic STR), Persistent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +1/2); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate,
-1), Limited Power Only to create spin-gravity (-1), Side
Effects: coriolis forces, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (Side Effect affects both character
and recipient of Powers benefits; -1) Active cost = 44pts;
Real cost = 11pts.
Hibernation Unit: Simulate Death (+10 to roll); plus
Life Support (Eating: Character does not eat; Immunity
All terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases;
Longevity: Immortal; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in High
Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe
in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing);
Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1), OIF Bulky
(-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs when character
stops using power; -1/2), Requires A Roll (Skill roll, -1 per
20 Active Points modifier; -1/4) Active cost = 50pts; Real
cost = 13pts.

9: Designing Spacecraft

is the G-tank, which completely immerses the occupant in

fluid under high pressure to insulate them from impacts.
Controls are accessed via neural interface. These are only
seen on cutting-edge high-performance combat spacecraft,
and relatively few have been built.

Weaponry is an important consideration, not just for

combat spacecraft, but for civilian vessels with a desire
to defend themselves against pirates, privateers and the
occasional rowdy alien. Spacecraft weaponry in Terracide
is mega-scaled to 1 meter equals 1000km, and all require
5 minutes (the length of a space combat segment) to use.
All of them require charges, although in the case of energy
weapons these are recoverable; they dont fire ammo, but they
use coolant which can be recycled. Recovering these charges
involves deploying the spacecrafts head radiators, but doing
this in combat is usually too risky. No spacecraft weapons
can use targeting or called shots as most space combat
takes place at distances of thousands of kilometers.
UV lasers are state-of-the-art, being especially good at
piercing armor at close range. At longer ranges they arent
as effective; coilguns are the weapons of choice for more
distant targets, as they do the same damage at any range. For
civilian spacecraft, a mix of lasers and coilguns will handle
most situations.
UV Laser: RKA 4d6, Armor Piercing (x2; +1/2), Autofire
(5 shots; +1/2); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-1/2), Reduced By Range
(-1/4), Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4), Limited Range:
1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300 hexes) (-1/4), 125 Recoverable
Charges (Recovers Under Limited Circumstances; +3/4)
Active cost = 270pts; Real cost = 49pts.
Coilgun: RKA 5d6, Armor Piercing (+1/4), Autofire
(5 shots; +1/2), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 3/4);
Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use
Targeting (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4),
Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300 hexes) (-1/4),
125 Charges (+3/4) Active cost = 319pts; Real cost =
61pts.
Missiles are heavy and expensive, but very effective at
anything out to a light-second, which is the limit of most
targeting systems. They use small fusion torch drives, but this
technology doesnt scale down very well, so the missiles
engines arent nearly as efficient as those on full-sized

107

9: Designing Spacecraft

spacecraft. They are remote-controlled via dedicated

laser-comm systems built into the launcher, rather than
autonomous devices. They can be equipped with kinetic-kill
warheads similar to a large one-shot coilgun, or with tactical
nuclear shape-charge warheads. These use a metallic deuterium focusing lens to convert much of the nuclear blast into
a concentrated plasma jet.
Kinetic Missile: RKA 8d6, Armor Piercing (+1/4),
Autofire (5 shots; +1/2); 5 Charges which Never Recover
(-2 3/4), Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OAF (-1), Cannot
Use Targeting (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4),
Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300 hexes) (-1/4)
Active cost = 420pts; Real cost = 52pts.
Nuclear Shaped Charge: Killing Attack - Ranged 10d6,
Armor Piercing (x2; +1/2), Indirect (Source Point can
vary from use to use, path is from Source Point to target;
+1/2), Penetrating (+1/2); 1 Charge which Never Recovers
(-4), Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), Side Effects, Side Effect
occurs automatically whenever Power is used ( only affects
environment ; -1 1/2), OAF (-1), Cannot Use Targeting
(-1/2), Reduced By Range (-1/4), Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300
hexes) (-1/4) Active cost = 637pts; Real cost = 58pts.
The most powerful weapons mounted on spacecraft are
particle beams. The radiation damage from these weapons
will penetrate even the toughest spacecraft hull, although
compartmentalization will mitigate its effects to some
degree. (Damage from the Penetrating advantage is subject
to damage reduction.) Particle beams suffer from reduced
effects at long range, although not to the same degree as
laser weaponry. The example below is a light particle beam
weapon; rules for medium and heavy mounts follow. Heavy
particle beams are the most dangerous weapons mounted on
any spacecraft; unlike missiles, they dont run out of ammo
after one salvo.
Particle Beam: RKA 6d6, Autofire (5 shots; +1/2), Penetrating (+1/2); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-1/2), Reduced By Range
(-1/4), Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4), Limited Range:
1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300 hexes) (-1/4), 125 Recoverable
Charges (Recovers Under Limited Circumstances; +3/4)
Active cost = 405pts; Real cost = 74pts.

108

With the exception of missiles, the base damage figures

for the weapons listed above are intentionally low; there are
a number of ways to raise them. Multiple weapons mounts
are common; a weapon mount with multiple weapons of
the same type is treated as a single attack in combat. Dual
mounts add +1DC, quad mounts add +2DC, and hex
mounts add +3DC. Use the 5pt doubler rule to buy multiple
weapons mounts. Missiles dont add extra damage classes; a
multiple missile launcher simply fires extra missiles, which
are resolved as a Combined Attack.
Medium and heavy mounts also do more damage. A
Medium weapon mount takes the place of ten light weapon
mounts (regardless of whether theyre single or multiple)
and adds +5DC to its base damage. A Heavy weapon mount
takes the place of a hundred light weapon mounts, and adds
+10DC to its base damage. Medium and Heavy weapons can
also be bought as multiple weapon mounts, for more added
damage. For example: A Heavy Particle Beam would add
+10DC to the base 6d6 damage of a Light Particle Beam.
Making it a hex mount would add another +3DC, for a

final damage value of 10d6+1, slightly more than a nuclear

missile!
Missiles may also be upgraded to Medium launchers. The
missiles are the same, but unlike Light Missile Launchers, the
Medium Missile Launcher has reloads: a total of 30 missiles.
Multiple mounts dont add more missiles; they just allow
them to be fired in larger salvoes, up to six at a time. There
arent any Heavy versions of missile systems.
How many weapons can a spacecraft mount? This
number is based on the vessels Surface Area. Take the Base
Length squared, and divide by 200 to find the number of
weapon mounts allowed for a spacecraft, or see the spacecraft design table on ppXX . This adds up to a lot of weapon
mounts! Typically, one crewmember is assigned to a weapon
mount on civilian spacecraft. On combat vessels, Fire Direction Systems are used to allow one crewmember to control
up to half a dozen weapon mounts with ease, or possibly
more with some difficulty. These also allow weapons to use
different spreads to concentrate their fire on a single target,
or disperse their fire to increase the odds of a hit.
Another common tactical system on most armed spacecraft is point-defense: a specialized tracking system designed
for targeting and destroying incoming missiles. This system
provides bonuses to autofire against multiple targets when
firing at missiles with a spacecrafts mounted weapons
Fire Direction System, TL10: +10 with all spacecraft
weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), only v. OCV penalties for multiple attacks (-1 1/2), OIF Bulky (-1) plus
Deadly Sprayfire; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1) plus Precise Sprayfire (I); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1) Active cost = 60pts; Real cost = 11pts.
Point Defense System, TL10: +10 with mounted spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1), with autofire v. missiles (-1/4) Active cost = 30pts;
Real cost = 7pts.
Finally, it should be noted that weapons on military
spacecraft are uniformly more powerful than those sold to
civilians for defensive purposes. To reflect this, all military
spacecraft should purchase the Weapon Master talent with
spacecraft weaponry.
Military Grade Weapons: Weapon Master: +1d6 (Spacecraft Weaponry); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1) Active cost = 20pts; Real cost = 5pts.
Computers are a vital spacecraft component. In Terracide,
the computer isnt considered a separate entity its simply
the mind of the spacecraft. While it has a separate character
sheet, the computer should have its DEX and SPD bought to
the same levels as the spacecraft its a part of, and it should
act on the spacecrafts phases. Generally speaking, spacecraft
should only purchase Intellect skills and Background skills.
However, for skills which require the human touch the
crafts skill should only be used as a complementary skill
roll to assist a crewmember who has the skill. This particularly applies to FTL Navigation, Tactics, System Operations,
and any other skills generally used by command crew. The
GM should decide if a skill is inappropriate for a spacecraft
computer.
The following represents a basic skill package for TL 9
and 10 spacecraft:
Gambling (for amusement only!)
Area Knowledge: Charted Space
Knowledge Skill: Spacecraft profiles

Skill: Space transport regulations

Ammonite, Cytherian, Fluorian, Jovian,
Terran, Titan
Navigation: STL and FTLParamedic
Security Systems
Skill levels: +5 w/Intellect skills
Systems Operation
Transport Familiarity (autopilot)

Finalizing the design:

Crewmembers

Languages:

For combat spacecraft, a few other skills may be appropriate: Combat Piloting, KS: Fleet Regulations, KS: Rules of
Warfare, and Tactics.
Civilian spacecraft have the Psychological Complications
Programmed to Obey Interstellar Law and Protective of Spacecraft and Crew, both at 15pts (Common, Strong) Military
spacecraft computers have much more rigid programming,
although they arent as protective theyre designed to go
into combat, after all. They have the Psychological Complication Programmed to Obey Fleet Regulations at 25pts. (Very
Common, Total) Convincing a military computer to bend
the rules is extremely difficult.

Spacecraft Size Factors

Size

Surface
Area

Military Civilian Weapon Troops or

Crew
Crew Mounts Passengers

10

1000

11

1600

10

12

2500

16

13

4000

14

The size of a spacecrafts crew depends on whether its

a civilian or military vessel. In either case, the number of
crew required is scaled according to the crafts Surface Area,
but military spacecraft have much larger crews. For civilian
spacecraft, take the Length squared and divide by 160. For
military craft, do the same calculation but divide by 64
instead of 160. (Or see the spacecraft design table on ppXX.)
Passenger apacity scales with the spacecrafts volume.
Starting with a Size 10 craft, the base number is four passengers. This number doubles for each step on the Size chart.
It may also be doubled for +5pts of STR, or quadrupled for
+10pts of STR, as explained on page 104.

9: Designing Spacecraft

Knowledge

STR v. Payload
FTL
Limit

STR

Payload

-10

25.00%

0.50

-9

29.00%

0.65

-8

33.00%

16

0.80

-7

37.50%

25

10

32

1.00

-6

44.00%

6400

40

16

12

64

1.25

-5

50.00%

15

10000

64

25

20

125

1.60

-4

57.50%

16

16000

100

40

32

250

2.00

-3

66.00%

17

25000

160

64

50

500

2.50

-2

75.00%

18

40000

250

100

64

1000

3.20

-1

87.50%

19

64000

400

160

125

2000

4.00

Base STR

100.00%

20

100000

640

250

200

4000

5.00

+1

115.00%

21

160000

1000

400

320

8000

6.50

+2

130.00%

22

250000

1600

640

500

16000

8.00

+3

150.00%

23

400000

2500

1000

800

32000

10.00

+4

175.00%

+5

200.00%

+6

230.00%

+7

265.00%

+8

300.00%

+9

345.00%

+10

400.00%

109

9: Designing Spacecraft
110

ROCKET SCIENCE
FOR GAMERS

erracides rockets are realistic: they use fuel,

produce thrust and exhaust, and propel their
spacecraft by the brute force application of the law
of conservation of momentum. But it doesnt take
a rocket scientist to run an RPG, so this section will provide
some simple guidelines for determining rocket performance.
It really comes down to two simple questions:
How

fast is the exhaust? This information will be

provided, in units convenient for gaming.

How

much fuel is available? This will be expressed as a

percentage of the crafts loaded mass.

Thats it. Once those two facts are accounted for, the rest is
easy. The faster a rockets exhaust, the more efficient it is, and
the less fuel it needs to reach a given velocity. The more fuel
it carries, the faster it can go. However, the fuel required for
more speed increases exponentially, so increasing the exhaust
velocity is always preferable to adding more fuel. And the
rockets in Terracide are very powerful indeed!
Instead of going through all of the math, were going to
use an approximation: a spacecraft carrying 1% of its total
mass in fuel (this is called its mass fraction) will have a total
delta-V (literally, change in velocity) of 1% of its exhaust
velocity. This approximation will work for mass fractions
up to about 20%, at which point we need to start doing the
math. Heres a table with some useful mass fractions and
delta-V figures already worked out: these are expressed as a
percentage of the rockets exhaust velocity.
Fuel%

Delta-V(%)

20%

22

30%

36

40%

51

50%

69

60%

92

70%

120

80%

161

90%

230

Lets start with the conventional rockets using metahelium fuel. Their exhaust velocity is 43 km per second. (For
comparison, the space shuttles main engines barely manage
a tenth of this!) How much delta-V we want depends on
the spacecrafts purpose. If its a ground-to orbit shuttle,
it will need enough delta-V to get into orbit; 20% of the
shuttles loaded mass in fuel gives us 9.5 km per second
(22% of 43kps) but that doesnt leave much margin for error.
It wouldnt be a bad idea to carry more fuel, say 30% for
ground to low-orbit runs, or more for higher performance, if
desired.

Design is based on
requirements. Theres no
justification for designing
something one bit better
than the requirements
dictate.

--Akins Laws of Spacecraft Design

Now we can look at the performance of fusion torch

drives. A hydrogen-boron fusion drive has an exhaust
velocity of about 4% light-speed: thats around 12,000kps!
(No wonder the exhaust is dangerous....) One percent of this
is 120kps, so each percentage point of fuel carried will get us
this much delta-V. If we want a lot of delta-V we load up on
fuel, say 20% of the spacecrafts loaded mass. (Beyond this,
our approximation wont really work; use the table.) The final
delta-V will be 20 times 120kps; thats 2400kps. Done .
The more advanced deuterium-fueled torch drives have
twice the exhaust velocity, so each percentage-point of fuel
carried yields 240kps of delta-V. Aside from that, everythings the same.
One thing that hasnt entered into this discussion is acceleration. In fact, a spacecrafts delta-V has nothing to do with
its acceleration; a higher acceleration allows it to burn its
fuel faster, but its final velocity using that amount of fuel will
remain the same. However, acceleration is extremely important in tactical situations, so most combat spacecraft have the
highest acceleration they can get. This raises the question of
how fast theyll burn up all their fuel. To answer this question without a lot of complicated rocket science, well break
everything down into gaming terms.
The most useful measure of delta-V for Terracide isnt
kilometers per second: its the G-segment. This is the change
in velocity gained from thrusting at one G for one segment
in space combat. (Around 3.3kps) All movement in space
combat is taken in Gs (10m of Flight = 1G) and spacecraft move each segment. So the number of Gs at which a
spacecraft is thrusting on a given segment is the number of
G-segments of fuel it has burned on that segment.
Take the example torch drive given above: its 240kps of
delta-V equals about 72 G-segments. (240/3.3) If it fires its
engine at 4Gs for one segment, its down to 68 G-segments of
fuel. Doing so for 12 segments would use up 48 G-segments
of fuel, leaving it with only 24 G-segments of fuel on board
half of what it needs to slow down. Oops.
These two numbers: Acceleration in Gs, and fuel in
G-segments, tell you everything you need to know about a
spacecrafts performance in normal space, particularly for
combat.
For FTL performance, there are also only two numbers
to worry about: the spacecrafts range in light-years, and its
hyper threshold in AUs. The range in light-years is given
as the spacecrafts Tech Level, in most cases; it should have
meters of teleportation (mega-scaled to light-years) equal to
its TL.

9: Designing Spacecraft
Space is a completely
unforgiving environment.
If you screw up the engineering, SOMEBODY DIES!

--Akins Laws of Spacecraft Design

The hyper threshold is a measure of how close to a given

star the spacecrafts FTL drive can operate. Its based on the
cube root of the spacecrafts mass, but this is proportional
to its Base Length, so well just use that. The base Length
(from the Size chart) divided by 40 will give the inner limit
for a star with a mass of 1.0, in solar masses. For other
cases, square the stars mass and multiply this by the hyper
threshold of the spacecraft. This will give a distance in AUs:
any closer than this, and the spacecraft cant transit into
hyperspace. For the purpose of calibrating an FTL drive, a
spacecraft needs to be within AU equal to stars mass squared
times 40.
Smaller bodies such as planets and moons also have hyper
thresholds, but they are much closer. Calculate them using
planetary mass (Earth =1.0) squared instead of stellar mass.
Divide the result in AUs by a million for gas giants; or by a
thousand for smaller worlds. Also, an operable hyperdrive

will create a threshold within a short distance around itself;

no other hyperdrive can operate within 100,000km times its
hyper-threshold number. This makes it very hard to ambush
a large spacecraft by popping out of hyperspace nearby!
Example: a Size 12 spacecraft enters the system of a G5 star.
How close can it get? Its hyper- threshold is 0.8, and the
stellar mass is 0.9. Mass squared times the threshold, equals
0.65 AU. Any world or habitat orbiting at that distance or
beyond may get a surprise visit. If the destination is a planet
with a mass of 0.8, the intruder can emerge from hyperspace within .0005 AU, about 75,000km; very close indeed!
(Parking a dreadnought in strategic locations is the best way
to prevent this sort of thing....)
For a quick and dirty version of hyper thresholds,
temperature zones will work: Size 10 and 11 spacecraft can
operate their FTL drives in the yellow zone, green or blue
zones. Size 12, 13, and 14 can only operate in the green or
blue zones. And size 15 and up can only activate their FTL
drives in the blue zone. Spacecraft need to be within twice
the inner limit of the black zone to calibrate their drives. (If
the black zone starts at 20AU they need to be within 40AU.)

111

9: Designing Spacecraft

SAMPLE SPACECRAFT

he following section describes a few of the most

commonly-encountered spacecraft in Terran Space.
Costs have been adjusted on some components.
(Point-defense mode forelasers should be treated
as a multi-power slot, locking out the standard fire mode
forelasers.)
GMs may wish to consider a discount for standard
equipment as detailed in the previous section, which would
reduce spacecraft costs by 161 points. A basic computer
might also be considered standard equipment, which is
approximately 140 points. Depending on how easily the GM
wants the PCs to purchase spacecraft (using either resource
points or their own character points), the total discount
on spacecraft may be up to 300 points. However, the GM
may charge full price if he doesnt want to make acquiring
a spacecraft too easy. Alternately, if the campaign calls for
the PCs to have a particular craft, the GM may just give it to
them.

entrepreneurs who wished to join, as a means of opening

up new markets. This has proved to be a risky policy, as a
number of Gravity Model crews have absconded with their
quick, well-armed vessels and become privateers, or worse.
However, up to now, the successes have outweighed the
failures and the class has expanded the Leagues economic
influence across Charted Space.
In the months since the Terracide, this has begun to
change. Many of these vessels were financed by banks on
Terra, and with the destruction of those banks, now their
ownership status is not clear. Some of them havent made
payments in months, and there have been reports that more
vessels of this class are leaving the League and going private.
Its rumored some have even stooped so low as to use their
knowledge of League shipping to prey on their former allies.
And with the major fleets (or whats left of them) engaged
in wars to consolidate the colonies, there are precious few
vessels left to patrol for pirates.

GRAVITY MODEL
INDEPENDENT
MERCHANT

Powers/Tactics: The Gravity Model merchant vessel is not

designed as a front-line combatant. It doesnt have any extra
armor, nor is it particularly fast or maneuverable. However,
its electronics and armaments are good enough to make it a
hard target for most pirates. The basic armaments include
coilguns for use at longer ranges, and lasers which are very
dangerous against closer targets. Many crews make it a
priority to upgrade the basic weapons package, which makes
hostiles think twice; a pair of hex-coilgun mounts can ruin a
pirates day!

Background/History: The Gravity Model class merchant

vessel is the most current generation of spacecraft the Free
Trade League has procured under contract from Terran
Galactic Operations. A total of 70 had been completed when
the Terracide occurred, with over 90 more on order. Of
these, 18 under construction at various yards within the Sol
system were written off, while six more are being completed
at the TGO space-works in Kruger 60. Remaining orders
have been placed on indefinite hold, along with most other
new spacecraft! The class takes its name from an old Terran
economic theory, and other vessels in the class are likewise
named using economic or business terminology, often with
a tongue-in-cheek tone. Other vessels in the class include
Marginal Utility, Loss Leader, Low Bidder, and Penalty
Clause.
The class was conceived as a start up vessel which could
be purchased by new members of the Free Trade League at
low cost. The League often made loans at favorable terms to

112

Campaign Use: The Gravity Model is designed to be an

ideal choice as a spacecraft for PCs to use. It has a full crew
complement of four. It has passenger accommodations for
eight, as well, which allows for an interesting mix of NPCs
to be on board at any time. The status of the spacecraft is
an important consideration: are the PCs making payments
on it, do they own it outright, or did they decide to steal it?
Each of these three options will lead to a very different sort
of campaign. Likewise, whats the crews relationship with the
Free Trade League? Are they resentful of their obligations to
the League, do they enjoy being members of the League (plus
having access to League facilities and resources!) or have they
left the League altogether? Again, the answer to this question
will strongly impact the tone of the campaign.

Background/History: The Man of War is the single most

common fighting spacecraft in the Celestial Guard. Based on
a venerable TL9 design over a century old, the Man of War
was commissioned to fill the role of Fast Intruder shortly
after the introduction of FTL3.0, and built with all-new TL10
equipment. The first models in the class completed field trials
just after the conclusion of TGOs trade-wars with ISTAR and
the Draconis Syndicate. Since then, the Man of War class has
seen only limited action in combat, and almost none against
front-line opponents. Although its performance in those few
engagements was excellent, the expense of maintaining large
numbers of Intruder-type vessels has become hard to justify.
The Man of Wars status as a spacecraft without a mission has
resulted in many of this class being converted to uses other
than Intruder. Common conversions include high-speed
courier vessels, patrol craft, and rapid interceptor units.
Other variants have been less successful. Since the Terracide,
TGO spacedocks in Kruger 60 have been frantically working
to convert as many of these craft as possible back into frontline combatants in response to saber-rattling by the military
junta which has taken over the Core Colonies. In the event
of a wide-scale conflict with the Colonial Reserve Fleet, the
Man of War will finally meet the challenge for which it was
designed.
Powers/Tactics: The Man of War Fast Intruder was originally designed for down-well raiding missions, deep within
the habitable zones of star systems where larger spacecraft
could not easily reach. The vessels small size enables its FTL

drive to bring it straight into the most heavily populated

volumes of most systems for strike missions, and then make
its escape. However, the Man of War is large enough to carry
18 nuclear missiles, plus a full package of defensive armaments. This makes it ideal for hit and run raids on strategic
assets in hostile systems. The class also performs well as a
missile boat in deep space engagements, capable of crippling
or even killing a vessel much larger than itself. Its staying
power in such engagements is extremely limited, however,
with only one nuclear salvo available.
Campaign Use: Unless theyre in a war-time campaign, the
PCs are most likely to meet the Man of War class in one
of its down-rated versions. In many cases, this just means
the nukes have been replaced with kinetic missiles. In other
cases, the refits are more extensive, with much of the milspec equipment being replaced by civilian systems. The PCs
might be assigned to a patrol craft on anti-piracy or searchand-rescue duty. Or perhaps theyre the crew of a high-speed
courier on a diplomatic mission. On the other hand, the PCs
might encounter the Man of War as a potential adversary...
in which case they should be very careful. Its easy to be overconfident when theyve positively identified a down-rated
patrol craft, but do the PCs realize how many Man of War
vessels are being refurbished to their original nuclear-capable
specs? Of course, if the PCs wish to take up piracy, getting
their hands on a vessel like this would be a dream come true.
The Colonial Reserve Fleet also has an Intruder classvessel, the Dagger, which is somewhat larger (size 13) but
only rated at Tech Level 9. It mounts two hex-lasers, two hexcoilguns, and carries four racks of five missiles. (20 total) In
spite of its advantage in size and secondary armaments, the
Man-of-Wars technical superiority has given it the advantage
in engagements with equal numbers of Daggers.

9: Designing Spacecraft

CELESTIAL GUARD
MAN-OF-WAR
INTRUDER

113

9: Designing Spacecraft

GRAVITY MODEL
INDEPENDENT
MERCHANT
Val Char Cost
11 Size 55
70 STR
13 DEX

5
6

10 PD
10 ED
3 SPD

12
12
10

6 OCV 15
3 DCV 0
21 BODY 0

10/20 PD (10/20 rPD)

10 ED (10 rED)
Phases: 4, 8, 12

Total Characteristic Cost: 99

Movement:
Cost

10

18

114

Notes
Length 25.4m, Width 12.7m,
Height 12.7m, Volume 4,096m^3
Mass 204.8 ton, C
V +7, KB -11
HTH Damage 14d6 END [7]

Powers
END
Drive Systems
1) Interstellar Overdrive (TL-10): Teleportation
10m, Safe Blind Teleport (+), No Range Modifier (+), MegaScale (1m = 1 lightyear; +4 );
Extra Time (1 Week, , -2 ), 1 Recoverable Charge
(Recovers Under Limited Circumstances; -2), Doesnt
work near large gravitic/magnetic fields (-),
Requires A Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points
modifier; -)
[1 rc]
2) Maneuvering Thrusters: Flight 1m, Space
Flight: segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode (+0), Combat Acceleration/
Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs
automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect
only affects the environment near the character; -1
), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 20 Minutes
(-), no Noncombat movement (-)
[1 cc]
3) Hydrogen-Boron Torch Drive: Flight 40m,
Space Flight: Segmented movement, cumulative
acceleration, realistic turn mode, limited thrust (+0),
Combat Acceleration/Deceleration (+); Side Effects,
Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is
used (Side Effect only affects the environment near
the character; -1 ), no Noncombat movement (-),
1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (-0) [1 cc]
4) Fusion Rocket Exhaust (side effects): RKA 1
point, Area Of Effect (60m Cone Explosion; +), Thin
Cone (-), Constant (+), MegaScale (1m = 100
km; +1 )
Notes: +1 DC per Vehicle Size and G of accel. For
conventional rockets, omit megascalingMegaScaling.
Weapon Systems, all slots MegaScale (1m =
1,000 km; +1 ); all slots Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No
Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-)

1) UV Laser: dual mount (x2): RKA 4d6+1, Armor

Piercing (x2; +), Autofire (5 shots; +); Extra Time
(5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting
(-), Reduced By Range (-), Beam (-), No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300
hexes) (-), 125 Recoverable Charges (Recovers
Under Limited Circumstances; +)
[125 rc]

Notes: (x2 number of items)
69
23) Coilgun: quad mount: RKA 6d6-1, Armor
Piercing (+), Autofire (5 shots; +), MegaScale
(1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-),
No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-), 125 Charges (+)
[125]

Tactical Systems
6
1) Fire Direction System: +4 with all spacecraft
weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), only v. OCV
penalties for multiple attacks (-1 ), OIF Bulky (-1)
plus Deadly Sprayfire; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1) plus Precise Sprayfire (I); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1)
7
Point-Defense System: +10 with mounted spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1), with autofire v. missiles (-1/4)

Defenses
8 1) Micro-meteoroid shielding: Resistant Protection
(10 PD), Hardened (+); Only Works Against Rare
attack (-1), Ablative BODY Only (-)
14
2) Basic Compartmentalization: Energy Damage
Reduction, Resistant, 25%; BODY Only (-), Ablative
BODY Only (-) plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 25%; BODY Only (-), Ablative BODY Only
(-)
23
3) Acceleration Couch: Physical Damage Reduction, 25%; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Only Works Against
G-forces (-), Extra Time (Extra Phase, Only to
Activate, -)

Notes: (x12 number of items)
0
Personnel Systems
19
1) Sealed Hull: Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in
High Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense
Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/
Vacuum)
13
2) Consumables: Life Support (Eating: Character
does not eat; Self-Contained Breathing); 1 Continuing
Fuel Charge lasting 1 Season (-0)
[1 cc]

Notes: For short-range craft, change duration to 1
day or 1 week. (same cost).
4
3) Airlock: Severe Transform 0 d6 (Atmosphere
into vacuum, Reversing airlock cycle), Area Of Effect
(1m Radius; +), Partial Transform (+), Reduced
Endurance (0 END; +); OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra
Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), Limited
Target only v. atmosphere in airlock (-1), No Range
(-)
58


14

20

20

13

4) Hibernation Unit: Simulate Death (+10 to roll);

Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1), OIF Bulky
(-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs when
character stops using power; -), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -) plus Life
Support (Eating: Character does not eat; Immunity All
terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases;
Longevity: Immortal; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in
High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense
Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained
Breathing); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1),
OIF Bulky (-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs
when character stops using power; -), Requires A
Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)
Notes: (x12 number of items)
5) Advanced Medical Imager: Detect: injury and
illness in human body A Large Class Of Things 14(Unusual Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Microscopic:
x1,000,000, Penetrative; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra
Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 )
Electronics
1) Emergency Beacon: Radio Group Images, +/-5
to PER Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF
Bulky (-1), Set Effect: distress call (-1), No Range (-)
2) Transponder: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to PER
Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Set Effect:
transponder ID code only (-1), OIF Bulky (-1), No Range
(-)
3) Civilian Radio TL10: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF Bulky (-1), Sense
Affected As [normal sight/hearing] (-)

4) Civilian Active Sensor Array TL10: Detect A

Large Class Of Things (radar/ladar contacts) 14- (Radio
Group), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees), Targeting, MegaScale (1m = 1,000
km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1),
Sense Affected As More Than One Sense radar/ladar
(-)
24
5) Civilian Passive Sensor Array TL10: Detect A
Large Class Of Things: E-M emissions sources 14(Radio Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Increased Arc
Of Perception (360 Degrees), Telescopic: +18, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One
Sense [visible light/IR/UV] (-)
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 395
Total Vehicle Cost: 494
21

Value Complications
0
Dependence: Heat radiators Powers Gain 14- Activation Roll (Easy To Obtain; 6 Hours)
10
Hunted: Free Trade League Infrequently (Mo Pow;
NCI; Watching)
20
Physical Complication: Cannot enter atmospheres
(Infrequently; Fully Impairing)
10
Rivalry: Professional (Other merchant vessels; Rival is
More Powerful; Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate
Rival; Rival Aware of Rivalry)
20
Social Complication: Quarterly loan payment
Frequently, Severe
15
Social Complication: Hazardous exhaust Very
Frequently, Minor
Total Complication Points: 75
Total Cost: 419/5 = 84

9: Designing Spacecraft

33

115

9: Designing Spacecraft

CELESTIAL GUARD
MAN-OF-WAR
INTRUDER
Val Char Cost
12 Size 60
60 STR
22 DEX

-10
24

18 PD
18 ED
4 SPD

24
24
20

10 OCV
3 DCV

35
0

22 BODY 0

18/28 PD (18/28 rPD)

18 ED (18 rED)
Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

Total Characteristic Cost: 161

Movement:
Cost

10

45

116

Notes
Length 32m, Width 16m, Height
16m, Volume 8,192m^3 Mass
409.6 ton, OCV +8, KB -12
HTH Damage 12d6 END [6]

Powers
END
Drive Systems
1) Interstellar Overdrive (TL-10): Teleportation
10m, Safe Blind Teleport (+), No Range Modifier (+), MegaScale (1m = 1 lightyear; +4 );
Extra Time (1 Week, , -2 ), 1 Recoverable Charge
(Recovers Under Limited Circumstances; -2), Doesnt
work near large gravitic/magnetic fields (-),
Requires A Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points
modifier; -)
[1 rc]
2) Maneuvering Thrusters: Flight 1m, Space
Flight: segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode (+0), Combat Acceleration/
Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs
automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect
only affects the environment near the character; -1
), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 20 Minutes
(-), no Noncombat movement (-)
[1 cc]
3) Deuterium Torch Drive: Flight 100m, Space
Flight: Segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode, limited thrust (+0), Combat
Acceleration/Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side
Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used
(Side Effect only affects the environment near the
character; -1 ), no Noncombat movement (-), 1
Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (-0)
[1 cc]
4) Fusion Rocket Exhaust (side effects): RKA 1
point, Area Of Effect (60m Cone Explosion; +), Thin
Cone (-), Constant (+), MegaScale (1m = 100
km; +1 )
Notes: +1 DC per Vehicle Size and G of accel. For
conventional rockets, omit MmegasScaling.
Weapon Systems, all slots MegaScale (1m =
1,000 km; +1 ); all slots Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No
Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-)

1) UV Laser: hex mount: RKA 5d6, Armor Piercing

(x2; +), Autofire (5 shots; +); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting
(-), Reduced By Range (-), Beam (-), No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300
hexes) (-), 125 Recoverable Charges (Recovers
Under Limited Circumstances; +)
[125 rc]
73
23) Coilgun: hex mount: RKA 6d6, Armor Piercing
(+), Autofire (5 shots; +), MegaScale (1m =
1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF
Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No
Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-), 125 Charges (+)
[125]
77
43) Kinetic Missile: hex mount (x3): RKA 8d6,
Armor Piercing (+), Autofire (5 shots; +); 5
Charges which Never Recover (-2 ), Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OAF (-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-),
Beam (-), No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1
lt-sec (300,000 km/300 hexes) (-)
[5 nr]

Notes: (x18 number of items)

Tactical Systems
21
1) Fire Direction System, TL10: +10 with all
spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), only
v. OCV penalties for multiple attacks (-1 ), OIF Bulky
(-1) plus Deadly Sprayfire; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1) plus Precise Sprayfire (I); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1)

Notes: (x4 number of items)
7
Point-Defense System: +10 with mounted spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1), with autofire v. missiles (-1/4)
5
2) Military Grade Weapons: Weapon Master:
+1d6 (Spacecraft Weaponry); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1)

Defenses
14 1) Armored Hull: Hardened (+) applied to PD plus
Hardened (+) applied to ED
8 2) Micro-meteoroid shielding: Resistant Protection
(10 PD), Hardened (+); Only Works Against Rare
attack (-1), Ablative BODY Only (-)
60
3) Total Compartmentalization: Energy Damage
Reduction, Resistant, 75%; BODY Only (-), Ablative
BODY Only (-) plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 75%; BODY Only (-), Ablative BODY Only
(-)
11
4) G-Tank with neural interface: Physical Damage
Reduction, 75%; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra Time
(1 Minute, Only to Activate, -), Only Works Against
G-forces (-)
7
5) Damage Control: Healing BODY 1d6+1
(standard effect: 4 points), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), Decreased Re-use Duration (5 Minutes;
+1); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll; Burnout, Must be made each Phase/use; -1),
Required Multiple Users ([3-4] people; -)
61

5) Civilian Active Sensor Array TL10: Detect A

Large Class Of Things (radar/ladar contacts) 14- (Radio
Group), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees), Targeting, MegaScale (1m = 1,000
km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1),
Sense Affected As More Than One Sense radar/ladar
(-)
18
6) Civilian Passive Sensor Array TL10: Detect A
Large Class Of Things: E-M emissions sources 14(Radio Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Increased Arc
Of Perception (360 Degrees), Telescopic: +18, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One
Sense [visible light/IR/UV] (-)
4
7) Military Comms/Sensors Upgrade: +5 PER
with all Sense Groups; Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to
Activate, -1), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More
Than One Sense [normal sight/hearing] (-)
43
8) Remote Sensor Platform: Clairsentience (Radio
And Sight Groups), Discriminatory, Mobile Perception
Point (can move up to 12m per Phase), LOS (+),
MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More
Than One Sense [sight/hearing] (-), 1 Recoverable
Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (Recovers Under
Limited Circumstances; +)
[1 rc]

Notes: (x4 number of items)
28
9) Spacecraft IFF System: Radio Group Images,
+/-5 to PER Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1
); Set Effect: IFF signals only (-1), No Range (-)
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 687
Total Vehicle Cost: 848
21

9: Designing Spacecraft

Personnel Systems
19 1) Sealed Hull: Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial
poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in High
Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold;
Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum)
13
2) Consumables: Life Support (Eating: Character
does not eat; Self-Contained Breathing); 1 Continuing
Fuel Charge lasting 1 Season (-0)
[1 cc]
Notes: For short-range craft, change duration to 1 day
or 1 week. (same cost)
9
3) Airlock: Severe Transform 0 d6 (Atmosphere into
vacuum, Reversing airlock cycle), Area Of Effect (1m
Radius; +), Partial Transform (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +); OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra Time (1
Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), Limited Target only v.
atmosphere in airlock (-1), No Range (-)

Notes: (x2 number of items)
33
4) Hibernation Unit: Simulate Death (+10 to roll);
Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1), OIF Bulky
(-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs when
character stops using power; -), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -) plus Life
Support (Eating: Character does not eat; Immunity All
terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases;
Longevity: Immortal; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in
High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense
Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained
Breathing); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1),
OIF Bulky (-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs
when character stops using power; -), Requires A
Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)

Notes: (x16 number of items)
19
5) Advanced Medical Imager: Detect: injury and
illness in human body A Large Class Of Things 14(Unusual Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Microscopic:
x1,000,000, Penetrative; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra
Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 )

Notes: (x2 number of items)

Electronics
20
1) Emergency Beacon: Radio Group Images, +/-5
to PER Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF
Bulky (-1), Set Effect: distress call (-1), No Range (-)
20
2) Transponder: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to PER
Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Set Effect:
transponder ID code only (-1), OIF Bulky (-1), No Range
(-)
13
3) Civilian Radio TL10: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF Bulky (-1), Sense
Affected As [normal sight/hearing] (-)
27
4) Laser Comm System: Detect Laser Comm Signals
14- (Sight Group), Concealed (-10 with Detect PER
Rolls), Rapid: x100,000, Transmit, MegaScale (1m
= 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to
Activate, -1), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As hearing
(-)

Value
0

Complications
Dependence: Heat radiators Powers Gain 14- Activation Roll (Easy To Obtain; 6 Hours)
10
Hunted: Celestial Guard Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI;
Watching)
20
Physical Complication: Cant operate in atmosphere
(Infrequently; Fully Impairing)
10
Rivalry: Professional (; Rival is More Powerful; Seek to
Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate Rival; Rival Aware of
Rivalry)
15
Social Complication: Hazardous rocket exhaust Very
Frequently, Minor
20
Social Complication: Subject to orders Very
Frequently, Major
Total Complication Points: 75
Total Cost: 773/5 = 155

117

9: Designing Spacecraft

INTERSTELLAR
YACHT
Val Char Cost
10 Size 50
50 STR
24 DEX

-10
28

10 PD
10 ED
4 SPD

12
12
20

7 OCV 20
3 DCV 0
20 BODY 0

10/20 PD (10/20 rPD)

10 ED (10 rED)
Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

Total Characteristic Cost: 116

Movement:
Cost

10

22

118

Notes
Length 20.16m, Width 10.08m,
Height 10.08m, Volume 2,048m^3
Mass 102.4 t on, OCV +6, KB -10
HTH Damage 10d6 END [5]

Powers
END
Drive Systems
1) Interstellar Overdrive (TL-10): Teleportation
10m, Safe Blind Teleport (+), No Range Modifier (+), MegaScale (1m = 1 lightyear; +4 );
Extra Time (1 Week, , -2 ), 1 Recoverable Charge
(Recovers Under Limited Circumstances; -2), Doesnt
work near large gravitic/magnetic fields (-),
Requires A Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points
modifier; -)
[1 rc]
2) Maneuvering Thrusters: Flight 1m, Space
Flight: segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode (+0), Combat Acceleration/
Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs
automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect
only affects the environment near the character; -1
), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 20 Minutes
(-), no Noncombat movement (-)
[1 cc]
3) Hydrogen-Boron Torch Drive: Flight 50m,
Space Flight: Segmented movement, cumulative
acceleration, realistic turn mode, limited thrust (+0),
Combat Acceleration/Deceleration (+); Side Effects,
Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is
used (Side Effect only affects the environment near
the character; -1 ), no Noncombat movement (-),
1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (-0) [1 cc]
Notes: 5Gs @ 100tons; 4Gs @ 125 tons (fully
loaded)
4) Fusion Rocket Exhaust (side effects): RKA 1
point, Area Of Effect (60m Cone Explosion; +), Thin
Cone (-), Constant (+), MegaScale (1m = 100
km; +1 )
Notes: +1 DC per Vehicle Size and G of accel. For
conventional rockets, omit megascaling.
Weapon Systems, all slots MegaScale (1m =
1,000 km; +1 ); all slots Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No
Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-)

1) UV Laser: hex mount: RKA 5d6, Armor Piercing

(x2; +), Autofire (5 shots; +); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting
(-), Reduced By Range (-), Beam (-), No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300
hexes) (-), 125 Recoverable Charges (Recovers
Under Limited Circumstances; +)
[125 rc]
73
3) Coilgun: hex mount: RKA 6d6, Armor Piercing
(+), Autofire (5 shots; +), MegaScale (1m =
1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF
Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No
Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-), 125 Charges (+)
[125]

Tactical Systems
11
1) Fire Direction System, TL10: +10 with all
spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), only
v. OCV penalties for multiple attacks (-1 ), OIF Bulky
(-1) plus Deadly Sprayfire; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1) plus Precise Sprayfire (I); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1)
7
Point-Defense System: +10 with mounted spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1), with autofire v. missiles (-1/4)

Defenses
8
1) Micro-meteoroid shielding: Resistant Protection
(10 PD), Hardened (+); Only Works Against Rare
attack (-1), Ablative BODY Only (-)
14
2) Basic Compartmentalization: Energy Damage
Reduction, Resistant, 25%; BODY Only (-), Ablative
BODY Only (-) plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 25%; BODY Only (-), Ablative BODY Only
(-)
20
3) Gel couch with remotes: Physical Damage
Reduction, 50%; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra Time (1
Turn (Post-Segment 12), Only to Activate, -), Only
Works Against G-forces (-)

Notes: (x7 number of items)

Personnel Systems
19
1) Sealed Hull: Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in
High Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense
Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/
Vacuum)
13
2) Consumables: Life Support (Eating: Character
does not eat; Self-Contained Breathing); 1 Continuing
Fuel Charge lasting 1 Season (-0)
[1 cc]
Notes: For short-range craft, change duration to 1
day or 1 week. (same cost)
4
3) Airlock: Severe Transform 0 d6 (Atmosphere
into vacuum, Reversing airlock cycle), Area Of Effect
(1m Radius; +), Partial Transform (+), Reduced
Endurance (0 END; +); OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra
Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), Limited
Target only v. atmosphere in airlock (-1), No Range
(-)
61


14

20

20

13

4) Hibernation Unit: Simulate Death (+10 to roll);

Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1), OIF Bulky
(-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs when
character stops using power; -), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -) plus Life
Support (Eating: Character does not eat; Immunity All
terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases;
Longevity: Immortal; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in
High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense
Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained
Breathing); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1),
OIF Bulky (-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs
when character stops using power; -), Requires A
Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)
Notes: (x7 number of items)
5) Advanced Medical Imager: Detect: injury and
illness in human body A Large Class Of Things 14(Unusual Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Microscopic:
x1,000,000, Penetrative; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra
Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), Requires A Roll
(PER roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)
Electronics
1) Emergency Beacon: Radio Group Images, +/-5
to PER Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF
Bulky (-1), Set Effect: distress call (-1), No Range (-)
2) Transponder: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to PER
Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Set Effect:
transponder ID code only (-1), OIF Bulky (-1), No Range
(-)
3) Civilian Radio TL10: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF Bulky (-1), Sense
Affected As [normal sight/hearing] (-)

INTERSTELLAR YACHT
Background/History: In the race to squander as much
wealth as humanly possible on a private spacecraft, the
current leader is the Rival Suitor of interstellar yachts.
Although quite small -- just big enough for a crew of three,
and four passengers -- this spacecraft features interior
fittings which put even the famous Fast Clipper vessels
to shame. Absolutely no expense is spared to make these
hand-crafted vessels the most opulent experience available
in private interstellar travel. Of course, not many of them
have been sold -- but that just makes the prestige of owning
one that much greater. The people who buy these spacecraft,
and lesser examples of the type, are those who cannot be
bothered to wait for a scheduled transport to their destination star system... even if its a fast clipper. There are others
who simply wish to travel in privacy, and there is nothing
more private than a personal spacecraft in hyperspace, cut off
not only from everyone else, but from reality itself. And of
course, there are a few wealthy eccentrics who are simply too
paranoid to share a ride... although these types usually go for
larger yachts so they can bring along more bodyguards.

4) Laser Comm System: Detect Laser Comm

Signals 14- (Sight Group), Concealed (-10 with Detect
PER Rolls), Rapid: x100,000, Transmit, MegaScale
(1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only
to Activate, -1), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As
hearing (-)
21
5) Civilian Active Sensor Array TL10: Detect A
Large Class Of Things (radar/ladar contacts) 14- (Radio
Group), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees), Targeting, MegaScale (1m = 1,000
km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1),
Sense Affected As More Than One Sense radar/ladar
(-)
24
6) Civilian Passive Sensor Array TL10: Detect A
Large Class Of Things: E-M emissions sources 14(Radio Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Increased Arc
Of Perception (360 Degrees), Telescopic: +18, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One
Sense [visible light/IR/UV] (-)
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 430
Total Vehicle Cost: 546
27

9: Designing Spacecraft

28

Value
0

Complications
Dependence: Heat radiators Powers Gain 14- Activation Roll (Easy To Obtain; 6 Hours)
15
Distinctive Features: Opulent interior fittings (Not
Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By
Commonly-Used Senses)
15
Hunted: Corsairs / Hijackers Infrequently (Mo Pow;
Harshly Punish)
10
Negative Reputation: Pirate-bait: known to have
VIPs and valuable cargo on board, Frequently
20
Physical Complication: Cannot enter atmosphere
(Infrequently; Fully Impairing)
15
Social Complication: Hazardous rocket exhaust Very
Frequently, Minor
Total Complication Points: 75
Total Cost: 471/5 = 94
For most purposes, however, the Rival Suitor class is
secure enough to satisfy most buyers. In fact, when the class
made its debut, the performance, equipment and electronics
drew comment for being just short of military grade. For
such a small spacecraft, it can be quite dangerous in the
hands of a capable crew. This has enhanced its reputation
considerably, as many other yachts dont back up their
luxurious fittings with performance in flight. However, this
has also made the class a popular target for hijackers and
pirates, who are interested not only in the vessels cargo and
passengers, but its value as a prize in and of itself. A number
of corsair squadrons have added a yacht like this one to their
ranks, stripping out its valuable interior but keeping its excellent engines and weapons intact.
The Solar Express Company has commissioned a series
of courier vessels based on the Suitors basic spaceframe,
with identical performance, but not the extravagant interior
fittings. On the outside, the Palominoclass courier looks
just like its progenitor, and is used for high-priority cargo
runs, or to transport small groups of VIPs. Palomino crews
always make sure, however, to run their transponders so that
nobody confuses them for a space yacht. In spite of this, the
Palomino couriers class name and strong resemblance to a

119

9: Designing Spacecraft
120

more upscale type of vessel has made them known to most

people as the Phony Express couriers.
Powers/Tactics: Although considered dangerous for its
size, the Rival Suitor class is simply too small to take on any
serious attackers -- its best option is usually running away,
and using its weaponry to discourage pursuit. While it only
has weapon mounts, both are fitted with hex-mounts: six
lasers for point-defense and close-up work, and six coilguns
for range firepower. A few owners have opted to replace
the coilguns with missiles, but while this provides a single
massive salvo, it doesnt afford any staying power if the fight
outlasts the very limited supply of (six) missiles.
Campaign Use: The three most common encounters with
this vessel type will be as a privately-owned yacht, a priority
courier, or a converted corsair. (The PCs probably wont own
a spacecraft like this one at the start of the campaign, and
arent likely to get one later, either.) For yachts and couriers,
the PCs may be called upon either to provide armed escort
(if they have a well-armed vessel) or to attempt intercepting
and boarding. This will present an interesting challenge,
as the PCs vessel will be hard-pressed to equal the yacht/

couriers acceleration, and its firepower may also be a

problem. If the PCs run into a yacht converted to a corsair,
then theyve got real trouble, because such vessels seldom
operate alone -- they are usually accompanied by the corsair
craft which originally captured them. Pirates with captured
yachts have been known to stage fake pursuits, with the
yacht sending out frantic distress calls, promising a huge
reward to anyone who can help them escape. Those who
attempt to help are in for a rude shock when both the yacht
and the pirates chasing it suddenly gang up on them!
Appearance: For Rival Suitors exterior, the designers
made absolutely no effort to hide the spacecrafts excess.
The engines and weapons are obviously larger than normal
for such a small interstellar craft. Some consider it a garish
display of power and wealth; others see a triumphant union
of technology and testosterone. The interior simply must
be seen to be believed. Each vessels cabin space is entirely
hand-crafted, often to the specifications of the owner, and no
two are remotely similar -- each one is an original work of
art.

Background/History: The Solar Express Companys Fast

Clippers are the undisputed rulers of the commercial spacelanes. Fast, luxurious, and very secure, these famous spacecraft are the first choice for VIPs making interstellar transits,
or those with high-priority cargo to ship. These spacecraft are
named after the famous clipper ships of the age of sail, and
as a result most have rather archaic-sounding names, such
as Northern Light, Tai-Tsing, and of course, Cutty Sark. The
entire fleet has recently been upgraded to TL10 specifications and outfitted with FTL3.0 technology, allowing them to
use the fastest routes available in Terran Space. Their fusion
drives are also among the most powerful on any commercial Terran vessel: capable of generating a full G of thrust
when fully loaded at 16 kilotons; these drives can reach 5Gs
when the clipper is running light without extra cargo and
passengers.
The Fast Clippers have a well-deserved reputation for
luxury, featuring extravagant facilities and entertainment for
their passengers during the month-long passages between
star systems. The dining service is never less than five-star,
and no two clippers have the same cuisine. Recreation and
workout facilities are available, as are spas, live theater,
casinos, and of course virtual entertainment, both public and
private. Rumor has it that a a few high-level Solar Express
executives have taken up permanent residence on these
vessels, running their corporate (and some say, criminal)
empires from the safety and comfort of their own starhopping palaces. Such vessels are, of course, also rumored to
have extra security in place, in addtion to improved armaments to defend their resident kingpins. Another rumor
says that one of the clippers even has its own Q-Net connection, to keep the CEO of Solar Express in touch with the his
Company as he travels around Terran Space. (If true, this
would be the single most valuable civilian vessel in Terran
spaceflight history!)
Powers/Tactics: The main armament of most Fast Clippers
is a pair of medium coilguns. Weapons of this size are almost
seen on civilian vessels without special permits from the
High Council on Space Transport, and such permits are only
when a clear need fior such weaponry (and the means to pay
for it!) is demonstrated. Of course the mere existence of this
armament guarantees it will seldom be used -- most pirates
vessels simply cant withstand firepower of this magnitude! Aside from its massive coilguns, a Fast Clipper has

an impressive TEN dual lasers, which provide tremendous

close-up firepower and superb point-defense against missiles.
In fact, no pirate, corsair or raider has EVER achieved a
missile hit against one of these proud vessels.
On most runs, the Fast Clipper will carry a full complement of passengers and cargo, and is only capable of 1G of
acceleration. However, its passenger sectors (and some of its
cargo capacity) are contained in four rotating spin-G habitat
modules which can be removed for greater maneuverability. When running without these modules, a Fast Clipper
only has one-fifth of its cargo capacity, but can produce an
amazing 5Gs of acceleration. When Solar Express needs a
high-priority cargo delivered by the fastest possible means,
it uses a stripped-down Fast Clipper, and the sight of one
of these vessels running light and fast is a sure sign that
something valuable is on board. The crews selected for such
runs will always be the best available, and they will be on
high alert.
Campaign Use: The Fast Clipper represents decadence.
VIPs and celebrities and filthy rich travel on these spacecraft,
and unless the PCs are famous, or very well connected, they
arent likely to set foot inside one, ever. They may encounter
a Fast Clipper in many other ways, however. If the PCs are
outlaws, the Fast Clipper represents the ultimate job either
for piracy or hijacking. (or maybe kidnapping...whatever.)
Such a mission should be extremely challenging for any
group of PCs, no matter what power level. If the PCs operate
their own merchant vessel, (and especially if theyre in the
Free Trade League) then the Fast Clipper is the rival they
love to hate. Fast Clipper captains get VIP treatment at most
ports of call, and they enjoy lording it over less glamorous
vessels and their crews, which most of them find infuriating.
Finding little ways to retaliate is a popular pasttime among
independent crews. If the PCs are looking to trade up for
a bigger, better spacecraft, the Fast Clipper represents the
impossible dream -- the vessel theyll never own. Finally, the
crews of Fast Clippers are privy to all kinds of information
gleaned from their passengers conversations, cargo manifests, etc, and so make excellent contacts, or at least targets
for bribery.

9: Designing Spacecraft

STELLAR EXPRESS
COMPANY FAST
CLIPPER

Appearance: The Fast Clipper, like most interstellar

spacecraft, is basically a long spindle with its drives in the
stern, its FTL system in a huge ring around its waist and a
massive set of radiator panels fanning out to either side. The
front end houses the crew section and electronics, as well as
the main armament. In most cases, the front half has four
torus-shaped passenger/cargo modules (paired to rotate in
opposite directions) surrounding the hull, with the spindle of
its main hull running through the center of each.

121

9: Designing Spacecraft

STELLAR EXPRESS
COMPANY FAST
CLIPPER
Val Char Cost
Notes
15 Size
75 Length 64m, Width 32m, Height
32m, Volume 65,536m^3 Mass
3.3 kton, OCV +10, KB -15
95 STR 10
HTH Damage 19d6 END [9]
13 DEX 6
10 PD
10 ED
3 SPD

12
12
10

7 OCV 20
3 DCV 0
25 BODY 0

10/20 PD (10/20 rPD)

10 ED (10 rED)
Phases: 4, 8, 12

22

85

Total Characteristic Cost: 129

Movement:
Cost

10

73

Powers
END
Drive Systems
1) Interstellar Overdrive (TL-10): Teleportation
10m, Safe Blind Teleport (+), No Range Modifier (+), MegaScale (1m = 1 lightyear; +4 );
Extra Time (1 Week, , -2 ), 1 Recoverable Charge
(Recovers Under Limited Circumstances; -2), Doesnt
work near large gravitic/magnetic fields (-),
Requires A Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points
modifier; -)
[1 rc]
2) Maneuvering Thrusters: Flight 1m, Space
Flight: segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode (+0), Combat Acceleration/
Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs
automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect
only affects the environment near the character; -1
), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 20 Minutes
(-), no Noncombat movement (-)
[1 cc]
3) Hydrogen-Boron Torch Drive: Flight 50m,
Space Flight: Segmented movement, cumulative
acceleration, realistic turn mode, limited thrust (+0),
Combat Acceleration/Deceleration (+); Side Effects,
Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is
used (Side Effect only affects the environment near
the character; -1 ), no Noncombat movement (-),
1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (-0) [1 cc]
4) Fusion Rocket Exhaust (side effects): RKA 1
point, Area Of Effect (60m Cone Explosion; +), Thin
Cone (-), Constant (+), MegaScale (1m = 100
km; +1 )
Notes: +1 DC per Vehicle Size and G of accel. For
conventional rockets, omit megascaling.
Weapon Systems, all slots MegaScale (1m =
1,000 km; +1 ); all slots Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No
Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-)

16

30

53

19

13

122

1) UV Laser: dual mount (x10): RKA 4d6+1, Armor

Piercing (x2; +), Autofire (5 shots; +); Extra Time
(5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting
(-), Reduced By Range (-), Beam (-), No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300
hexes) (-), 125 Recoverable Charges (Recovers
Under Limited Circumstances; +)
[125 rc]
Notes: (x10 number of items)
3) Medium Coilgun: dual mount: RKA 7d6, Armor
Piercing (+), Autofire (5 shots; +), MegaScale
(1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam
(-), No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec
(300,000 km/300 hexes) (-), 125 Charges (+)
[125]
Tactical Systems
1) Fire Direction System, TL10: +10 with all
spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), only
v. OCV penalties for multiple attacks (-1 ), OIF Bulky
(-1) plus Deadly Sprayfire; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1) plus Precise Sprayfire (I); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1)
Notes: (x2 number of items)
Point-Defense System: +10 with mounted spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1), with autofire v. missiles (-1/4)
Defenses
1) Micro-meteoroid shielding: Resistant Protection (10 PD), Hardened (+); Only Works Against
Rare attack (-1), Ablative BODY Only (-)
2) Heavy Compartmentalization: Energy Damage
Reduction, Resistant, 50%; BODY Only (-), Ablative
BODY Only (-) plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 50%; BODY Only (-), Ablative BODY Only
(-)
3) Acceleration Couch: Physical Damage Reduction, 25%; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Only Works Against
G-forces (-), Extra Time (Extra Phase, Only to
Activate, -)
Notes: (x525 number of items)
4) Damage Control: Healing BODY 1d6+1
(standard effect: 4 points), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), Decreased Re-use Duration (5 Minutes;
+1); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll; Burnout, Must be made each Phase/use; -1),
Required Multiple Users ([5-8] people; -)
Personnel Systems
1) Sealed Hull: Life Support (Immunity All
terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases;
Safe in High Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe
in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low
Pressure/Vacuum)
2) Consumables: Life Support (Eating: Character
does not eat; Self-Contained Breathing); 1 Continuing
Fuel Charge lasting 1 Season (-0)
[1 cc]
Notes: For short-range craft, change duration to 1
day or 1 week. (same cost)


11

63

24

20

20

13

3) Airlock: Severe Transform 0 d6 (Atmosphere into

vacuum, Reversing airlock cycle), Area Of Effect (1m
Radius; +), Partial Transform (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +); OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra Time (1
Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), Limited Target only v.
atmosphere in airlock (-1), No Range (-)
Notes: (x8 number of items)
4) Spin Gravity: Change Environment (+5 Points of
Telekinetic STR), Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance
(0 END; +); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate,
-1), Limited Power Only to create spin-gravity (-1), Side
Effects: coriolis forces, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect affects both
character and recipient of Powers benefits; -1)
5) Hibernation Unit: Simulate Death (+10 to roll);
Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1), OIF Bulky
(-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs when
character stops using power; -), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -) plus Life
Support (Eating: Character does not eat; Immunity All
terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases;
Longevity: Immortal; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in
High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense
Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained
Breathing); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1),
OIF Bulky (-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs
when character stops using power; -), Requires A
Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)
Notes: (x525 number of items)
6) Advanced Medical Imager: <i>Advanced Medical
Imager:</i> Detect: injury and illness in human body
A Large Class Of Things 14- (Unusual Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Microscopic: x1,000,000, Penetrative;
OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment
12), -1 )
Notes: (x4 number of items)
Electronics
1) Emergency Beacon: Radio Group Images, +/-5
to PER Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF
Bulky (-1), Set Effect: distress call (-1), No Range (-)
2) Transponder: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to PER
Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Set Effect:
transponder ID code only (-1), OIF Bulky (-1), No Range
(-)
3) Civilian Radio TL10: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF Bulky (-1), Sense
Affected As [normal sight/hearing] (-)

27

21

24

4) Laser Comm System: <i>Laser Comm

System:</i> Detect Laser Comm Signals 14- (Sight
Group), Concealed (-10 with Detect PER Rolls), Rapid:
x100,000, Transmit, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1
); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1), OIF
Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As hearing (-)
5) Civilian Active Sensor Array TL10: <i>Civilian
Active Sensor Array TL10:</i> Detect A Large Class
Of Things (radar/ladar contacts) 14- (Radio Group),
Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception (360
Degrees), Targeting, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1
); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense
Affected As More Than One Sense radar/ladar (-)
6) Civilian Passive Sensor Array TL10: <i>Civilian
Passive Sensor Array TL10:</i> Detect A Large Class
Of Things: E-M emissions sources 14- (Radio Group),
Discriminatory, Analyze, Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees), Telescopic: +18, MegaScale (1m =
1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF
Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One Sense
[visible light/IR/UV] (-)

Perks
Positive Reputation: Highly secure and prestigious
luxury liner (A large group) 14-, +3/+3d6
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 595
Total Vehicle Cost: 724

9: Designing Spacecraft

19

Value
0

Complications
Dependence: Heat radiators Powers Gain 14- Activation Roll (Easy To Obtain; 6 Hours)
10
Hunted: Solar Express Company Infrequently (Mo
Pow; NCI; Watching)
15
Hunted: Corsairs and Hijackers Infrequently (As Pow;
PC has a Public ID or is otherwise very easy to find;
Harshly Punish)
15
Negative Reputation: Pirate-bait: known to carry
wealthy passengers and valuable cargo, Very
Frequently
20
Physical Complication: Cannot Enter Atmosphere
(Infrequently; Fully Impairing)
15
Social Complication: Hazardous exhaust Very
Frequently, Minor
Total Complication Points: 75
Total Cost: 649/5 = 130

123

9: Designing Spacecraft

HYPER SHUTTLE
Val Char Cost
10 Size 50
55 STR
14 DEX

-5
8

10 PD
10 ED
3 SPD

12
12
10

5 OCV 10
3 DCV 0
20 BODY 0

Cost

8

53

65

10/20 PD (10/20 rPD)

10 ED (10 rED)
Phases: 4, 8, 12

Total Characteristic Cost: 81

Movement:

13

124

Notes
Length 20.16m, Width 10.08m,
Height 10.08m, Volume 2,048m^3
Mass 102.4 t on, OCV +6, KB -10
HTH Damage 11d6 END [5]

Powers
END
Drive Systems
1) Interstellar Overdrive : Teleportation 8m, Safe
Blind Teleport (+), No Range Modifier (+), MegaScale (1m = 1 lightyear; +4 ); Extra Time (1 Week,
, -2 ), 1 Recoverable Charge (Recovers Under
Limited Circumstances; -2), Doesnt work near large
gravitic/magnetic fields (-), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)
[1 rc]
2) Meta-helium rocket: Flight 30m, Space Flight:
segmented movement, cumulative acceleration,
realistic turn mode, limited thrust (+0), Combat
Acceleration/Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side
Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used
(Side Effect only affects the environment near the
character; -1 ), no Noncombat movement (-), 1
Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Hour (-0)
[1 cc]
3) Maneuvering Thrusters: Flight 1m, Space
Flight: segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode (+0), Combat Acceleration/
Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs
automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect
only affects the environment near the character; -1
), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 20 Minutes
(-), no Noncombat movement (-)
[1 cc]
4) Rocket Exhaust (side effects): RKA 1 point,
Area Of Effect (60m Cone Explosion; +), Thin Cone
(-), Constant (+), MegaScale (1m = 100 km; +1
)
Notes: +1 DC per Vehicle Size and G of accel. For
conventional rockets, omit megascaling.
Weapon Systems, all slots MegaScale (1m =
1,000 km; +1 ); all slots Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No
Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-)
1) UV Laser: RKA 4d6+1, Armor Piercing (x2; +),
Autofire (5 shots; +); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Reduced
By Range (-), Beam (-), No Knockback (-),
Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300 hexes)
(-), 125 Recoverable Charges (Recovers Under
Limited Circumstances; +)
[125 rc]

14

28

19

13

20

20

13

3) Coilgun: RKA 5d6+1, Armor Piercing (+), Autofire (5 shots; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1
); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot
Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No Knockback (-),
Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300 hexes)
(-), 125 Charges (+)
[125]
Tactical Systems
Point-Defense System: +10 with mounted spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1), with autofire v. missiles (-1/4)
Defenses
1) Micro-meteoroid shielding: Resistant Protection
(10 PD), Hardened (+); Only Works Against Rare
attack (-1), Ablative BODY Only (-)
2) Basic Compartmentalization: Energy Damage
Reduction, Resistant, 25%; BODY Only (-), Ablative
BODY Only (-) plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 25%; BODY Only (-), Ablative BODY Only
(-)
3) Acceleration Couch: Physical Damage Reduction, 25%; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Only Works Against
G-forces (-), Extra Time (Extra Phase, Only to
Activate, -)
Notes: (x28 number of items)
Personnel Systems
1) Sealed Hull: Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in
High Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense
Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/
Vacuum)
2) Consumables: Life Support (Eating: Character
does not eat; Self-Contained Breathing); 1 Continuing
Fuel Charge lasting 1 Season (-0)
[1 cc]
Notes: For short-range craft, change duration to 1
day or 1 week. (same cost)
3) Airlock: Severe Transform 0 d6 (Atmosphere
into vacuum, Reversing airlock cycle), Area Of Effect
(1m Radius; +), Partial Transform (+), Reduced
Endurance (0 END; +); OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra
Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), Limited
Target only v. atmosphere in airlock (-1), No Range
(-)
Electronics
1) Emergency Beacon: Radio Group Images, +/-5
to PER Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF
Bulky (-1), Set Effect: distress call (-1), No Range (-)
2) Transponder: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to PER
Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Set Effect:
transponder ID code only (-1), OIF Bulky (-1), No
Range (-)
3) Civilian Radio TL10: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF Bulky (-1), Sense
Affected As [normal sight/hearing] (-)

24

4) Civilian Active Sensor Array TL10: Detect A

Large Class Of Things (radar/ladar contacts) 14- (Radio
Group), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees), Targeting, MegaScale (1m = 1,000
km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1),
Sense Affected As More Than One Sense radar/ladar
(-)
5) Civilian Passive Sensor Array TL10: Detect A
Large Class Of Things: E-M emissions sources 14(Radio Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Increased Arc
Of Perception (360 Degrees), Telescopic: +18, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One
Sense [visible light/IR/UV] (-)

HYPER SHUTTLE
The Hyper Shuttle is a common short-range spacecraft
used for FTL transits within a single star system -- it doesnt
have the range or endurance for interstellar flight. The model
above is a civilian type used by the Fast Clipper vessels.
Hyper Shuttles in military service have hardened armor,
military-grade sensors and weapons, and heavy compartmentalization. (+25pts)

LEIF ERICSON CLASS

EXPLORATION VESSEL
Background/History: The Leif Ericson class vessels are the
iconic exploration craft, constructed by Terran Galactic
Operations, and purchased by a number of organizations
across Terran Space. The largest buyer of Ericsons has been
the New Terran Colonial Foundation, with the Sirius Space
Studies Institute a close second. Some smaller organizations
cannot afford to buy such a large vessel outright, and choose
to lease one from TGO instead. Possession of these vessels
reverts to Terran Galactic at the end of the lease, and as a
result, TGO also has a fleet of Ericsons, although they are
older models which have seen a great deal of use and travel.
The Ericson class has been at the leading edge of Terran
exploration since it was first introduced back in the days of
FTL2.0. Since then their hyperdrives have been upgraded
to FTL3.0, but the rest of the design is basically unchanged.
During the history of the class, the Ericson has accumulated
more long-distance and endurance records than any other
vessel, and holds most of the records to this day. Aside from
the records, the Ericsons have also been responsible for a
great many of humanitys most important discoveries.
At the time of the Terracide, nearly every extant vessel
in the class is out of contact, beyond the frontier systems,
and it may be years before the last of them reports in. Only
one of these vessels was lost in the Terracide: the NTCFs
Shackletonwas docked at Mars when the disaster occurred,
and most of its crew were on Terra for debriefing and a
long-overdue vacation. Speculation as to what they found
has been rampant across Terran space, with wild rumors of a
new earth which may or may not be inhabitated by a hostile
native species. , all official records of the Shackletons last
voyage were destroyed in the Terracide.

Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 331

Total Vehicle Cost: 412
Value Complications
0
Dependence: Heat radiators Powers Gain 14- Activation Roll (Easy To Obtain; 6 Hours)
15
Hunted: Supporting spacecraft or spaceport Very
Frequently (Mo Pow; Watching)
20
Physical Complication: Limited fuel supply
(Frequently; Greatly Impairing)
15
Social Complication: Hazardous rocket exhaust Very
Frequently, Minor
Total Complication Points: 50
Total Cost: 362/5 = 72
Powers/Tactics: The Ericson is rather slow, so it must rely
on its weaponry to defend itself from attackers, rather than
trying to run away. With its massive fuel tanks dry, it can
boost at 2Gs, but when fully loaded, the best it can manage
is 0.4Gs. However, it mounts a strong array of defensive and
offensive weaponry: six dual coilguns, twelve dual lasers, and
a pair of hex-missile racks for emergencies. Most Ericsons
carry replacement missiles in their cargo holds to re-load the
racks, as well.

9: Designing Spacecraft

21

Campaign Use: The Ericson makes a good location for an

exploration campaign set in the Terracide galaxy. With a
crew of 25, and an exploration/scientific staff of about 32,
it has enough people on board to support a regular cast of
NPCs with which the PCs can interact. Since these vessels
spend years away from civilization, this presents a unique
opportunity: running an entire campaign with less than 60
characters -- an Ericson class spacecraft is truly a world
in miniature traveling between the stars. Of course, this
doesnt include whoever, or whatever, the crew meets during
its travels. This could be anything: a lost colony of humans,
an alien outpost, or even the holy grail of Terras exploration efforts: a new Earth-like world, ready to be colonized.
Or perhaps the crew will find a dead world with an extinct
civilization, and upon further investigation, discover that the
Terracide wasnt a unique event after all....
Appearance: The Ericson is built along the same general
lines as the famous fast clipper spacecraft, but with many
details altered: a smaller engine, different weaponry, and
massive fuel tanks instead of extra passenger habitats.

125

9: Designing Spacecraft

LEIF ERICSON CLASS

EXPLORATION VESSEL
Val Char Cost Notes
15 Size
75 Length 64m, Width 32m, Height
32m, Volume 65,536m^3 Mass
3.3 kton, OCV +10, KB -15
95 STR 10
HTH Damage 19d6 END [9]
10 DEX 0
10 PD
10 ED
2 SPD

6 OCV 15
3 DCV 0
25 BODY 0

Cost

10

73

10/20 PD (10/20 rPD)

10 ED (10 rED)
Phases: 6, 12

Total Characteristic Cost: 108

Movement:

126

12
12
0

Powers
END
Drive Systems
1) Interstellar Overdrive (TL-10): Teleportation
10m, Safe Blind Teleport (+), No Range Modifier (+), MegaScale (1m = 1 lightyear; +4 );
Extra Time (1 Week, , -2 ), 1 Recoverable Charge
(Recovers Under Limited Circumstances; -2), Doesnt
work near large gravitic/magnetic fields (-),
Requires A Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points
modifier; -)
[1 rc]
2) Maneuvering Thrusters: Flight 1m, Space
Flight: segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode (+0), Combat Acceleration/
Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs
automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect
only affects the environment near the character; -1
), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 20 Minutes
(-), no Noncombat movement (-)
[1 cc]
3) Deuterium Torch Drive: Flight 20m, Space
Flight: Segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode, limited thrust (+0), Combat
Acceleration/Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side
Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used
(Side Effect only affects the environment near the
character; -1 ), no Noncombat movement (-), 1
Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (-0)
[1 cc]
4) Fusion Rocket Exhaust (side effects): RKA 1
point, Area Of Effect (60m Cone Explosion; +), Thin
Cone (-), Constant (+), MegaScale (1m = 100
km; +1 )
Notes: +1 DC per Vehicle Size and G of accel. For
conventional rockets, omit megascaling.
5) Fuel-Cracking System: Major Transform 1d6
(Hydrogen-bearing volatiles into refined deuterium,
N/A), Persistent (+), Constant (+), Reduced
Endurance (0 END; +); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OAF Bulky (-1 ), No Range (-)
Notes: Requires one week to re-fill fuel tanks.

80

72

21

14

33

Weapon Systems, all slots MegaScale (1m =

1,000 km; +1 ); all slots Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No
Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-)
1) UV Laser: dual mount (x12): RKA 4d6+1, Armor
Piercing (x2; +), Autofire (5 shots; +); Extra Time
(5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting
(-), Reduced By Range (-), Beam (-), No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300
hexes) (-), 125 Recoverable Charges (Recovers
Under Limited Circumstances; +)
[125 rc]
Notes: (x12 number of items)
3) Coilgun: dual mount (x6): RKA 5d6+1, Armor
Piercing (+), Autofire (5 shots; +), MegaScale
(1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-),
No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-), 125 Charges (+)
[125]
Notes: (x6 number of items)
4) Kinetic Missile: hex mount (x2): RKA 8d6, Armor
Piercing (+), Autofire (5 shots; +); 5 Charges
which Never Recover (-2 ), Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OAF (-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-),
No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-)
[5 nr]
Notes: (x12 number of items)
Tactical Systems
1) Fire Direction System, TL10: +10 with all
spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), only
v. OCV penalties for multiple attacks (-1 ), OIF Bulky
(-1) plus Deadly Sprayfire; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1) plus Precise Sprayfire (I); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1)
Notes: (x4 number of items)
Point-Defense System: +10 with mounted spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky
(-1), with autofire v. missiles (-1/4)
Defenses
1) Micro-meteoroid shielding: Resistant Protection
(10 PD), Hardened (+); Only Works Against Rare
attack (-1), Ablative BODY Only (-)
2) Basic Compartmentalization: Energy Damage
Reduction, Resistant, 25%; BODY Only (-), Ablative
BODY Only (-) plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 25%; BODY Only (-), Ablative BODY Only
(-)
3) Acceleration Couch: Physical Damage Reduction, 25%; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Only Works Against
G-forces (-), Extra Time (Extra Phase, Only to
Activate, -)
Notes: (x57 number of items)
4) Damage Control: Healing BODY 1d6+1
(standard effect: 4 points), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), Decreased Re-use Duration (5 Minutes;
+1); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll; Burnout, Must be made each Phase/use; -1),
Required Multiple Users ([5-8] people; -)

Personnel Systems
1) Sealed Hull: Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial
poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in High
Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold;
Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum)
13
2) Consumables: Life Support (Eating: Character
does not eat; Self-Contained Breathing); 1 Continuing
Fuel Charge lasting 1 Season (-0)
[1 cc]
Notes: For short-range craft, change duration to 1 day
or 1 week. (same cost)
24
3) Airlock: Severe Transform 0 d6 (Atmosphere into
vacuum, Reversing airlock cycle), Area Of Effect (1m
Radius; +), Partial Transform (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +); OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra Time (1
Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), Limited Target only v.
atmosphere in airlock (-1), No Range (-)

Notes: (x16 number of items)
11
4) Spin Gravity: Change Environment (+5 Points of
Telekinetic STR), Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance
(0 END; +); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate,
-1), Limited Power Only to create spin-gravity (-1), Side
Effects: coriolis forces, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect affects both
character and recipient of Powers benefits; -1)
43
5) Hibernation Unit: Simulate Death (+10 to roll);
Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1), OIF Bulky
(-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs when
character stops using power; -), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -) plus Life
Support (Eating: Character does not eat; Immunity All
terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases;
Longevity: Immortal; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in
High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense
Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained
Breathing); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1),
OIF Bulky (-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs
when character stops using power; -), Requires A
Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)

Notes: (x57 number of items)
24
6) Advanced Medical Imager: Detect: injury and
illness in human body A Large Class Of Things 14(Unusual Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Microscopic:
x1,000,000, Penetrative; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra
Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), Requires A Roll
(PER roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)

Notes: (x4 number of items)
0
Electronics
20
1) Emergency Beacon: Radio Group Images, +/-5
to PER Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF
Bulky (-1), Set Effect: distress call (-1), No Range (-)
20
2) Transponder: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to PER
Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Set Effect:
transponder ID code only (-1), OIF Bulky (-1), No Range
(-)

3) Civilian Radio TL10: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF Bulky (-1), Sense
Affected As [normal sight/hearing] (-)
27
4) Laser Comm System: Detect Laser Comm
Signals 14- (Sight Group), Concealed (-10 with Detect
PER Rolls), Rapid: x100,000, Transmit, MegaScale
(1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only
to Activate, -1), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As
hearing (-)
21
5) Civilian Active Sensor Array TL10: Detect A
Large Class Of Things (radar/ladar contacts) 14- (Radio
Group), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees), Targeting, MegaScale (1m = 1,000
km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1),
Sense Affected As More Than One Sense radar/ladar
(-)
24
6) Civilian Passive Sensor Array TL10: Detect A
Large Class Of Things: E-M emissions sources 14(Radio Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Increased Arc
Of Perception (360 Degrees), Telescopic: +18, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One
Sense [visible light/IR/UV] (-)
4
7) Military Comms/Sensors Upgrade: +5 PER
with all Sense Groups; Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to
Activate, -1), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More
Than One Sense [normal sight/hearing] (-)
68
8) Remote Sensor Platform: Clairsentience (Radio
And Sight Groups), Discriminatory, Mobile Perception
Point (can move up to 12m per Phase), LOS (+),
MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More
Than One Sense [sight/hearing] (-), 1 Recoverable
Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (Recovers Under
Limited Circumstances; +)
[1 rc]

Notes: (x100 number of items)
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 670
Total Vehicle Cost: 778
13

9: Designing Spacecraft

0
19

Value
0

Complications
Dependence: Heat radiators Powers Gain 14- Activation Roll (Easy To Obtain; 6 Hours)
10
Hunted: Terran Galactic Operations (or other organization) Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI; Watching)
10
Hunted: The Military: Celestial Guard or Colonial
Reserves Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI; Watching)
10
Negative Reputation: Civilian vessel with military
engines and sensors, Very Frequently (Known Only To A
Small Group)
20
Physical Complication: Cannot enter atmosphere
(Infrequently; Fully Impairing)
10
Rivalry: Professional, other exploration vessels,
Rival is More Powerful, Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or
Humiliate Rival, Rival Aware of Rivalry
15
Social Complication: Hazardous rocket exhaust Very
Frequently, Minor
Total Complication Points: 75
Total Cost: 703/5 = 141

127

9: Designing Spacecraft

COLONIAL RESERVE
FLEET SAGRAMORE
LIGHT ASSAULT
VESSEL
Val Char Cost
14 Size 70
85 STR
20 DEX

5
20

18 PD
18 ED
5 SPD

24
24
30

9 OCV 30
3 DCV 0
24 BODY 0

Notes
Length 50.8m, Width 25.4m,
Height 25.4m, Volume 32,768m^3
Mass 1.6 k ton, OCV +9, KB -14
HTH Damage 17d6 END [8]
18/28 PD (18/28 rPD)
18 ED (18 rED)
Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12

66

93

Total Characteristic Cost: 187

Movement:
Cost

9

Powers
END
Drive Systems
1) Interstellar Overdrive : Teleportation 9m, Safe
Blind Teleport (+), No Range Modifier (+), MegaScale (1m = 1 lightyear; +4 ); Extra Time (1 Week,
, -2 ), 1 Recoverable Charge (Recovers Under
Limited Circumstances; -2), Doesnt work near large
gravitic/magnetic fields (-), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)
[1 rc]
1
2) Maneuvering Thrusters: Flight 1m, Space
Flight: segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode (+0), Combat Acceleration/
Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs
automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect
only affects the environment near the character; -1
), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 20 Minutes
(-), no Noncombat movement (-)
[1 cc]
32
3) Deuterium Torch Drive: Flight 70m, Space
Flight: Segmented movement, cumulative acceleration, realistic turn mode, limited thrust (+0), Combat
Acceleration/Deceleration (+); Side Effects, Side
Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used
(Side Effect only affects the environment near the
character; -1 ), no Noncombat movement (-), 1
Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (-0)
[1 cc]
0
4) Fusion Rocket Exhaust (side effects): RKA 1
point, Area Of Effect (60m Cone Explosion; +), Thin
Cone (-), Constant (+), MegaScale (1m = 100
km; +1 )
Notes: +1 DC per Vehicle Size and G of accel. For
conventional rockets, omit megascaling.

10

14
8

60

45

128

Weapon Systems, all slots MegaScale (1m =

1,000 km; +1 ); all slots Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam (-), No
Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000
km/300 hexes) (-)
1) UV Laser: hex mount (x2): RKA 5d6, Armor
Piercing (x2; +), Autofire (5 shots; +); Extra Time
(5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting
(-), Reduced By Range (-), Beam (-), No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec (300,000 km/300
hexes) (-), 125 Recoverable Charges (Recovers
Under Limited Circumstances; +)
[125 rc]
Notes: (x2 number of items)
2) Medium Coilgun: hex mount: RKA 8d6-1, Armor
Piercing (+), Autofire (5 shots; +), MegaScale
(1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1), Cannot Use Targeting (-), Beam
(-), No Knockback (-), Limited Range: 1 lt-sec
(300,000 km/300 hexes) (-), 125 Charges (+)
[125]
Tactical Systems
1) Fire Direction System, TL10: +9 with all
spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), only
v. OCV penalties for multiple attacks (-1 ), OIF Bulky
(-1) plus Deadly Sprayfire; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2),
OIF Bulky (-1) plus Precise Sprayfire (I); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1)
2) Point-Defense System: +10 with mounted
spacecraft weapons; Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF
Bulky (-1), with autofire v. missiles (-1/4)
3) Military Grade Weapons: Weapon Master:
+1d6 (Spacecraft Weaponry); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1)
Defenses
1) Armored Hull: Hardened (+) applied to PD plus
Hardened (+) applied to ED
2) Micro-meteoroid shielding: Resistant Protection (10 PD), Hardened (+); Only Works Against
Rare attack (-1), Ablative BODY Only (-)
3) Total Compartmentalization: Energy Damage
Reduction, Resistant, 75%; BODY Only (-), Ablative
BODY Only (-) plus Physical Damage Reduction,
Resistant, 75%; BODY Only (-), Ablative BODY Only
(-)
4) Gel couch with remotes: Physical Damage
Reduction, 50%; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra Time (1
Turn (Post-Segment 12), Only to Activate, -), Only
Works Against G-forces (-)
Notes: (x165 number of items)
5) Damage Control: Healing BODY 1d6+1
(standard effect: 4 points), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), Decreased Re-use Duration (5 Minutes;
+1); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), Required Multiple
Users ([9-16] people; -1), Requires A Roll (Skill roll;
Burnout, Must be made each Phase/use; -1)
Personnel Systems

5) Civilian Active Sensor Array TL10: Detect A

Large Class Of Things (radar/ladar contacts) 14- (Radio
Group), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees), Targeting, MegaScale (1m = 1,000
km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1),
Sense Affected As More Than One Sense radar/ladar
(-)
24
6) Civilian Passive Sensor Array TL10: Detect A
Large Class Of Things: E-M emissions sources 14(Radio Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Increased Arc
Of Perception (360 Degrees), Telescopic: +18, MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes,
-2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One
Sense [visible light/IR/UV] (-)
4
7) Military Comms/Sensors Upgrade: +5 PER
with all Sense Groups; Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to
Activate, -1), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More
Than One Sense [normal sight/hearing] (-)
48
8) Remote Sensor Platform: Clairsentience (Radio
And Sight Groups), Discriminatory, Mobile Perception
Point (can move up to 12m per Phase), LOS (+),
MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5
Minutes, -2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More
Than One Sense [sight/hearing] (-), 1 Recoverable
Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (Recovers Under
Limited Circumstances; +)
[1 rc]

Notes: (x8 number of items)
28
9) Spacecraft IFF System: Radio Group Images,
+/-5 to PER Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1
); Set Effect: IFF signals only (-1), No Range (-)
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 683
Total Vehicle Cost: 870
21

9: Designing Spacecraft

1) Sealed Hull: Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial

poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases; Safe in High
Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold;
Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum)
13
2) Consumables: Life Support (Eating: Character
does not eat; Self-Contained Breathing); 1 Continuing
Fuel Charge lasting 1 Season (-0)
[1 cc]
Notes: For short-range craft, change duration to 1 day
or 1 week. (same cost)
19
3) Airlock: Severe Transform 0 d6 (Atmosphere into
vacuum, Reversing airlock cycle), Area Of Effect (1m
Radius; +), Partial Transform (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +); OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra Time (1
Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), Limited Target only v.
atmosphere in airlock (-1), No Range (-)

Notes: (x8 number of items)
53
4) Hibernation Unit: Simulate Death (+10 to roll);
Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1), OIF Bulky
(-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically
whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs when
character stops using power; -), Requires A Roll (Skill
roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -) plus Life
Support (Eating: Character does not eat; Immunity All
terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases;
Longevity: Immortal; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in
High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense
Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained
Breathing); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1),
OIF Bulky (-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect occurs
when character stops using power; -), Requires A
Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; -)

Notes: (x165 number of items)
24
5) Advanced Medical Imager: Detect: injury and
illness in human body A Large Class Of Things 14(Unusual Group), Discriminatory, Analyze, Microscopic:
x1,000,000, Penetrative; OIF Immobile (-1 ), Extra
Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 )

Notes: (x4 number of items)

Electronics
20
1) Emergency Beacon: Radio Group Images, +/-5
to PER Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0
END; +), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF
Bulky (-1), Set Effect: distress call (-1), No Range (-)
20
2) Transponder: Radio Group Images, +/-5 to PER
Rolls, Persistent (+), Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); Set Effect:
transponder ID code only (-1), OIF Bulky (-1), No Range
(-)
13
3) Civilian Radio TL10: HRRP (Radio Group), MegaScale (1m = 1,000 km; +1 ); OIF Bulky (-1), Sense
Affected As [normal sight/hearing] (-)
27
4) Laser Comm System: Detect Laser Comm Signals
14- (Sight Group), Concealed (-10 with Detect PER
Rolls), Rapid: x100,000, Transmit, MegaScale (1m
= 1,000 km; +1 ); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to
Activate, -1), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As hearing
(-)
19

Value
0

Complications
Dependence: Heat radiators Powers Gain 14- Activation Roll (Easy To Obtain; 6 Hours)
10
Hunted: Colonial Reserve Fleet Infrequently (Mo Pow;
NCI; Watching)
5
Hunted: Celestial Guard Infrequently (Less Pow;
Harshly Punish)
20
Physical Complication: Cannot enter atmosphere
(Infrequently; Fully Impairing)
5
Rivalry: Professional (Celestial Guard; Rival is As
Powerful; Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate
Rival; Rival Aware of Rivalry)
15
Social Complication: Hazardous rocket exhaust Very
Frequently, Minor
20
Social Complication: Subject to orders Very
Frequently, Major
Total Complication Points: 75
Total Cost: 896/5 = 159

129

9: Designing Spacecraft

COLONIAL RESERVE
FLEET SAGRAMORE
LIGHT ASSAULT
VESSEL
Background/History: The Sagramore class Light Assault
Vessel is the one of the most commonly-seen spacecraft of
the Colonial Reserve Fleet. The CRF uses assault craft -heavily armed spacecraft with large troop contingents -- for a
wide variety of missions.The Sagramore class is considered a
successful, although not spectacular spacecraft.
Powers/Tactics: The Sagramores main armament is an array
of six medium coilguns -- a very heavy weapon for a light
of any kind. Its secondary armament, however, is rather
weak: merely a pair of hex-laser mounts for point . In combat
(or prior to combat) the Sagramore relies on its coilguns to
keep enemies at a safe distance and give its lasers as much
time as possible to pick off incoming missiles. This is usually
effective, as few spacecraft can easily withstand a barrage
from six medium coilguns! The Sagramores weakness is
missile-fire; it lacks the point defenses to withstand a large
missile barrage.
When deploying troops, the Sagramore often relies on
its four armed Hyper-Shuttles, which can also be deployed
in close formation to supplement the Sagramores point
defenses. Each shuttle can deliver a platoon of the CRFs
Ursa-type troopers anywhere in the Sagramores system
within minutes, and provide onsite fire support. However,
the shuttles do not have the endurance for extended independent operations.
Campaign Use: The Sagramore is the GMs official can of
whoop-ass to break out when the PCs meet the Colonial
Reserve Fleet. A heavily-armed troop ship and a battalion
of armored Ursa troopers are a dire threat to almost any
group of PCs. If a lesser challenge is called for, then have the
PCs encounter one the Sagramores shuttles, which is lightly
armed and only carries a platoon of troops. If thats still too
much for them, then they probably should just leave in a big
hurry!

130

Basic Spacecraft
Computer
The basic spacecraft computer is a no-frills machine with
just enough brains to keep the vessel from crashing.

Civilian Spacecraft
Computer
The civilian spacecraft computer is designed for basic
spacecraft operations, but not combat. While Terran
computers are not capable of artificial intelligence, they do
come close the most advanced models, such as this one,
are referred to as Virtual Intelligence. They arent capable of
self-programming or independent thought, but they can act
on the basis of natural language orders they dont need
purchased programs. Some of its complications are designed
as psychological rather than physical because its possible
to over-ride them. A crewmember must make a Computer
Programming skill roll in order to do this. (at a -5 penalty for
total psychological complications.)

Military Spacecraft
Computer
Military spacecraft computers are much more powerful
than their civilian counterparts, and also somewhat closer
to what could truly be called AI. However, they are still
considered Virtual Intelligences, rather than AIs. Military
computers also differ in that they are programmed to deal
with combat situations: they have no imperatives to protect
their crew or vessel from danger. They are programmed to
carry out military orders from their crew, and to complete
the missions given to them by fleet command.
Finally, the computers on military spacecraft have one
further strike against their existence. If a civilian spacecraft is
in peril, a copy of its Virtual Intelligence is usually downloaded before the vessel is lost, if at all possible. On a military
spacecraft, the Virtual Intelligence is considered expendable,
and if the vessel is about to be destroyed or abandoned, the
computer will be wiped to prevent its data from falling into
the wrong hands.

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

10 INT
0
11- PER Roll 1110 DEX 0
113 OCV 0
3 DCV 0
3 OMCV 0
3 DMCV 0
2 SPD 0

Characteristics Total: 0

Phases: 6, 12

Cost
19

Powers
Diagnostics: Detect A Large Class Of Things: Spacecraft Malfunctions 15- (Unusual Group), Discriminatory
Powers Total: 19

2
2
2
2
2

2
2

Skills
AK: Charted Space 11Gambling (Card Games) 11KS: Entertainment archives 11KS: Spacecraft profiles 11KS: Space transport regulations 11Languages
1) Language: Ammonite (fluent conversation)
2) Language: Cytherian (fluent conversation)

Civilian Spacecraft
Computer
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
18 INT
8
13- PER Roll 1315 DEX 10 126 OCV 15
6 DCV 15
3 OMCV 0
3 DMCV 0
3 SPD 10

Characteristics Total: 58

Phases: 4, 8, 12

Cost
20

Powers
Diagnostics: Detect A Large Class Of Things: Spacecraft Malfunctions 18- (Unusual Group), Discriminatory
Powers Total: 20

12
3
2
3
3
3

2

Skills
+3 with all Intellect Skills
AK: Charted Space 13Gambling (Card Games) 13KS: Entertainment archives 13KS: Spacecraft profiles 13KS: Space transport regulations 13Languages
1) Language: Ammonite (fluent conversation)

2
3) Language: Fluorian (fluent conversation)
2
4) Language: Jovian (fluent conversation)
2
5) Language: Titan (fluent conversation)
3
Navigation (Other FTL, Space) 113
Security Systems 113
Systems Operation 111
TF: Commercial Spacecraft & Space Yachts
Skills Total: 30

Talents
3
Absolute Time Sense
3
Absolute Direction
5
Eidetic Memory
3
Lightning Calculator
12
Speed Reading (x100,000)
Talents Total: 26
Value
35

Complications
Physical Complication: Programmed to obey crew
(All the Time; Fully Impairing)
20
Psychological Complication: Protective of spacecraft
and crew (Common; Total)
20
Psychological Complication: Programmed to obey
interstellar law (Common; Total)
Complications Points: 75
Total Character Cost: 75
Actual Cost = 0

2
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
46

2) Language: Cytherian (fluent conversation)

3) Language: Fluorian (fluent conversation)
4) Language: Jovian (fluent conversation)
5) Language: Titan (fluent conversation)
Navigation (Other FTL, Space) 13Security Systems 13Systems Operation 13TF: Commercial Spacecraft & Space Yachts
Skills Total

3
3
5
3
12
26

Talents
Absolute Time Sense
Absolute Direction
Eidetic Memory
Lightning Calculator
Speed Reading (x100,000)
Talents Total

Complications
Physical Complication: Programmed to obey crew
(All the Time; Fully Impairing)
20
Psychological Complication: Protective of spacecraft
and crew (Common; Total)
20
Psychological Complication: Programmed to obey
interstellar law (Common; Total)
Complications Points: 75
Total Character Cost: 150
Actual cost: 75/5 = 15.

9: Designing Spacecraft

Basic Spacecraft
Computer

Value
35

131

9: Designing Spacecraft
132

Military Spacecraft
Computer
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
23 INT 13 14- PER Roll 1423 DEX 26 1410 OCV 35
10 DCV 35
6 OMCV 9
6 DMCV 9
5 SPD 30

Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12
Characteristics Total: 157
Cost
20

Powers
Diagnostics: Detect A Large Class Of Things: Spacecraft Malfunctions 19- (Unusual Group), Discriminatory
10
System Hardening: Mental Defense (10 points total)
Powers Total: 30

40
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3

2

Skills
+4 with all Non-Combat Skills
AK: Charted Space 14Combat Piloting 14Cryptography 14Gambling (Card Games) 14KS: Entertainment archives 14KS: Spacecraft profiles 14KS: Fleet Regulations 14KS: Space Transport Regulations 14Languages
1) Language: Ammonite (fluent conversation)

2
2) Language: Cytherian (fluent conversation)
2
3) Language: Fluorian (fluent conversation)
2
4) Language: Jovian (fluent conversation)
2
5) Language: Titan (fluent conversation)
3
Navigation (Other FTL, Space) 143
Security Systems 143
Systems Operation 143
Tactics 140
TF: Military Spacecraft
2
WF: Vehicle Weapons (spacecraft)
Skills Total: 87

Talents
3
Absolute Time Sense
3
Absolute Direction
5
Eidetic Memory
3
Lightning Calculator
12
Speed Reading (x100,000)
Talents Total: 26
Value
35

Complications
Physical Complication: Programmed to obey crew
(All the Time; Fully Impairing)
25
Psychological Complication: Programmed to obey
fleet regulations (Very Common; Total)
15
Social Complication: Subject to orders from Fleet
Command Very Frequently, Minor
25
Social Complication: Expendable machine Very
Frequently, Severe
Complications Points: 100
Total Character Cost: 300
Actual cost: 200/5 = 40.

10
CHAPTER TEN:

COMBAT

10: Combat

COMBAT
Every action is seen to
fall into one of three
main categories, guarding,
hitting, or moving. Here,
then, are the elements of
combat, whether in war or
pugilism.

134

-- B.H. Liddell Hart

ombat in Terracide campaigns tends to be

realistic and deadly. Terracide characters have
access to high-powered weaponry of varying tech
levels. They fight in places without atmosphere
or gravity, or inside habitats with spin-gravity, all of which
require special training. The following optional rules should
be implemented in personal combat.
Senses in combat may rely heavily on technological
devices. While many high-tech wireless gadgets fall under
the Radio sense group, their user interfaces depend on sight
or hearing, so a Flash Attack against any of these senses
may render them temporarily useless. Augmented Reality,
in particular is a very common Radio-based technology
which a user must be able to see and/or hear. When used as
a Sense, Augmented Reality is normally non-targeting unless
equipped with a military-grade weapons interface.
Zero-Gravity combat in Terracide follows the basic rules
in Hero 6th edition, with a few additional notes on handling
recoil. Melee attacks other than grabs will do knockback
(there may be other exceptions at the GMs discretion) to
both attacker and target; each will take half the total knockback, with the extra going to the target if the total is an odd
number. Theyll move in opposite directions, determined
by the attacker. Attempting to hit a specific target with a
knocked-back victim requires another attack roll, however,
treating the victim as a thrown object. (non-balanced,
non-aerodynamic)
The Pulled Punch maneuver is very useful in zero-gravity
conditions, due to its reduced body damage and knockback.
Combat skill levels may be purchased with the (-1) limitation: only vs. pulled punch OCV penalty. This represents the
ability of skilled zero-gravity fighters to hit sensitive areas
and inflict pain (STUN damage) with relatively low-impact
strikes.
Ranged attacks may also do knockback to the attacker, if
they generate recoil. All thrown weapons and most firearms
generate recoil: lasers and gyro-jet weapons do not. (Recoil
compensators notwithstanding these devices prevent recoil
from throwing off the weapons aim, but dont magically
make the recoil forces disappear. The muzzle energy has to
go somewhere.)
Make a Body roll based on the weapons STR Min; the
attacker will take half the total as knockback immediately
after firing the weapon, at the end of his phase, in the exact
opposite direction of the line of fire. For weapons in autofire
mode, add a point of STR for each shot fired. The sudden

forceful movement generated in this way tends to disorient

characters; a PS: Zero-Gravity Ops skill roll is required to
maintain control, at -1 per 5 pts of STR Min. Zero-Gravity
Adaptation (Environmental Movement Talent) will mitigate
up to 3 pts of these penalties.
Spin-gravity combat is much more complex then zerogravity combat, but for purposes of playability, the following
rules will be used to keep things simple.
For hand-to-hand combat, the primary issue is the habitats rate of spin, expressed in rotations per minute. (RPMs)
Most habitats rotate between one and three RPMs, with a few
of the largest spinning at less than 1 RPM. A penalty of -1
OCV per RPM (rounded up) is applied to all hand-to-hand
combat in spin-gravity. The Spin-Gravity Adaptation talent
will negate this penalty.
For ranged combat, the situation is more complex; in
addition to the RPMs, the habitats rim speed also effects the
motion of projectiles. (Actually, this is an over-simplification.
The projectile moves in a straight line and the rim speed
effects everything else! The result is the same.) Generally, as
habitat size increases, the rim speed increases, but the RPMs
decrease, so the effects dont worsen indefinitely. In spingravity, ranged combat takes a flat -6 OCV penalty. The SpinGravity Adaptation talent will negate up to half this penalty,
reducing it to -3 OCV, and additional penalty skill levels v.
spin-gravity may be purchased for ranged weapons.
Spin-gravity combat example #1: Matt Black has no experience with spin-gravity, and has just arrived at Omicron
Colony, a large rotating habitat. During an altercation with
some locals, Matt fires his shotgun at one of them, figuring
he cant miss at short range. (Less than 8 meters; no range
penalty.) The target is DCV 3 (hes using shot) but Matt is
completely new to spin-gravity combat. The colonys spin
gives his attack a -6 penalty, as the shot takes off at an angle
the moment it leaves his barrel. His OCV is normally 6, but
the spin-gravity reduces it to -0. He misses wildly, needing
an 8 to hit, rolling a 9.
Spin-gravity combat example #2: The local Matt just shot
at returns fire, with a concussion grenade. The target DCV
is again 3. After making a half-move to a safe distance, there
is a -2 range penalty on top of the -6 spin-gravity penalty.
The grenade is considered balanced but not aerodynamic,
for another -2. The total modifier is -10. But the local is
Spin-gravity Adapted, and has 4 Penalty skill levels v.
spin-gravity, reducing this to -3. His base OCV is 7, which
is reduced to 4 after the penalty. He needs a 12 or less to hit
Matts hex. Rolling an 11, he puts the grenade spot-on. Matt
takes a nap and wakes up without his shotgun....
Optional Armor-Piercing and Hardening rules are used for
weapons in Terracide. There are two levels of Armor-Piercing
available. An attack with AP1 gains Piercing Points equal to
half of its base Damage Classes; with AP2 it gains Piercing

Armor-Piercing vs. Hardening example: A laser rifle (3d6

KA) strikes a target wearing heavy rigid armor (ED 10,
resistant). The lasers AP2 gives it 9 piercing points, while
the armors single level of hardening lets it negate 5 piercing
points. The remaining piercing points (4) are applied to the
armors ED, reducing it to 6, which probably wont stop all of
the 3d6 damage roll....
The Penetrating advantage is slightly modified for use
in Terracide : damage which gets past defenses due to this
advantage is always subject to the appropriate type of damage
reduction.
When they ran out of
ships, they used guns, when
they ran out of guns they
used knives and sticks and
bare hands. They were
magnificent.

--Londo Mollari, Babylon 5

New Martial Arts

Martial arts are in common use throughout Terran
Space. Due to the dangers of using firearms in artificial habitats, there has been something of a renaissance in less-thanlethal combat techniques. In addition to the traditional forms
from Old Terra, several new forms of unarmed combat are
in common use throughout Terran Space in the 24th century,
four of which will be detailed here: the micro-gee fighting
style favored by Aquilae alternates, the Ursae types dreaded
Kodiac Sumo style, the widespread unarmed combat techniques developed by Leos for use on board ships and habitats
with spin-gravity, and Taikong Ren Do, a flexible eastern
style intended to be useful anywhere.
Although all four of these styles were invented by
different types of alternate humans, anyone can learn to
use them, albeit with mixed results. Anyone can learn the
basics of zero-gee grappling, but only an Aquila can use all
four limbs in combat! And Kodiac Sumo is designed for use
against opponents with shorter reach, which makes it much
more useful to Ursas than other humans. Finally, it should
be noted that nearly all the spin-g maneuvers allow for full
moves, which gives Leos an edge over most others when
using them.
Other forms of martial arts will be adjudicated very
carefully in zero-g and spin-g environments. Practitioners
should keep in mind the following advice:

10: Combat

Points equal its full Damage Classes. For weapons with the
Reduced by Range limitation, Piercing Points are only gained
for Damage Classes remaining after being reduced for range.
(If the damage is reduced by range, so is the ability to pierce
armor.)
Hardening follows the same pattern: there are only two
levels available. Level 1 hardening will negate Piercing Points
up to half of the applicable Defense, while Level 2 will negate
Piercing Points equal to the full defense.

Grabs

work best in zero-g; as do maneuvers which are

based on grabs, or follow grabs.

Disarm,

dodge, flash, strike, exert and throw all force

the attacker to make a PS: Zero-G Operations roll, with
penalties.

Some

maneuvers, like Root and Legsweep are practically useless without gravity.

In

spin-g conditions, if you dont have PS: Spin-G Operations, dont move around too much. Youll trip over your
own feet.

If

your opponent doesnt have PS: Spin-G Operations,

force them to move as much as possible. Theyll trip over
their own feet.

Small

structures with high spin rates have stronger

effects on combat than larger ones with low spin rates.

Of course, many traditional martial arts styles are still

practiced in Terran Space, and many conservative martial
artists like to test themselves against these new schools of
unarmed combat. The results have been decidedly mixed.
Most hard styles are completely useless in zero-g, but any
grappling-based style works fairly well. In spin-gravity, styles
that rely on mobility are problematic, unless the martial artist
has PS: Spin-G Operations. Styles that emphasize stability or
allow fighting when prone fare somewhat better, unless the
opponent is highly mobile. When facing a skilled practitioner of Kodiac Sumo, the best results are usually obtained
with a rocket pistol firing stabilized metallic deuterium
rounds. Sans firearms, the jury is still out on how best to deal
with 180kg of Ursa whoop-ass, but overwhelming numerical
superiority is the most popular theory.

135

10: Combat

Zero-Gee Grappling

Choke :

a basic choke-hold. Note that this is useless

against Aquilae with vacuum-survival reflexes,
Ursae using extended breathing, or anyone in a
vac suit.

Clinch:

a powerful crushing maneuver which allows even

the weakest Aquila to do serious damage.

Intercept:

a maneuver for both blocking and grabbing

anyone foolish enough to throw a punch in zero-g.

Torque:

most zero-g grapples are low-torque, but not

this one; it bends one of the oppoenents limbs
until something snaps.

Breakaway:

a basic move to escape from an opponents

grapple.

Grapple:

one of the first moves a zero-gee grappler must

learn.

Turnabout:

a complicated reversal move to escape a

grapple and grab an opponent before he can
recover.

Disengage:

a powerful push away from an opponent, used to

break off from melee.

The Spin-Gee Shuffle, also known as Coriolis Fu, was

designed for spin-gravity combat. Life in spin-gravity conditions makes zero-g look simple. Most humans find anything
faster than a single rpm (rotation per minute) to be disorienting, so even the smallest habitats need to be 600 meters
across to have useful gravity. (1/3rd of a G) An average
human running full speed in the same direction as the
spin will add 13% to their speed, and 28% to their apparent
weight! If they run the other way, theyll move 13% slower,
and feel 25% lighter. In larger habitats, these effects arent
as pronounced, but theyre enough to throw off the reflexes
of the most skilled fighter, unless he or she is accustomed to
them.
There are also many smaller spin-gravity environments.
While the general populace isnt tolerant of more than one
rpm, most ship crews are adapted to a three-rpm standard,
which allows for habs as small as 60 meters. A 60 meter
spin-hab doing 3 rpms moves at about 9 m/s at its outer rim.
A character with 9 hexes of running and a speed of 3 could
run fast enough to completely counteract the spin--hed feel
weightless! Going the opposite direction, hell double his
speed, and quadruple his apparent weight! Obviously this
will have serious effects on hand-to-hand combat.
As if alterations in apparent weight werent bad enough,
spin-gravity also causes very noticeable coriolis forces.
Sudden changes in direction at high speed can be difficult.
Ranged combat is also problematic, as projectiles (especially
thrown weapons) follow trajectories that make no sense
whatsoever to the uninitiated. Spin-G combat techniques
were created to mitigate all these factors, and in some cases,
take advantage of them. A skilled Spin-G fighter uses the
spin of his environment to keep his opponent off-balance
while enhancing his own readiness. This is a very subtle art
which emphasizes mobility over raw power.

Roll-out:

fully defensive version of the Disengage.

MANEUVER DESCRIPTIONS:

THE GRIPPING HAND

The Gripping Hand is designed for use in zero-gravity
situations. In zero-gee a punch, kick or throw will send both
attacker and victim flying wildly in opposite directions, as
will just about any other form of attack, unless theyre both
hanging onto something. This is the basis of the grappling
combat style created by the Aquila alternates get a hold of
your opponent prior to attacking, without letting your opponent do the same to you.

MANEUVER DESCRIPTIONS:

136

CORIOLIS FU

Low-ball:

the attacker runs with the spin, gaining

momentum for extra damage.

Dodge:

a fully defensive move, usually, but not always,

against spin for extra height.

Grapple:

a high-speed grapple maneuver, useful for

simultaneously getting hold of an opponent and
setting them up for a throw.

Maneuvers Cost Phs

OCV

DCV Notes

Breakaway

1/2

+0

+0

+15 Str to escape

grabs

Choke

1/2

-2

+0

Grab 1 limb, 2d6

NND (2)

Clinch

1/2

+0

+0

Str+4d6 damage,
must follow grab

Disarm:

a high-speed disarm, useful for getting out of

harms way before the opponent can react.

Disengage

1/2

+0

+0

Str +15 to shove

Spin-punch:

Grapple

1/2

-1

-1

Grab 2 limbs, +10 Str

to hold on

this deceptive punch looks like a near miss, until

coriolis forces bring it into line.

Spin-kick:

Intercept

1/2

+1

+1

Grab 1 limb, block

like the spin-punch, but powerful enough to

knock an opponent off his feet.

Roll-out

1/2

--

+4

Dodge, Str +10 to

shove, abort

High-ball:

attacker runs against spin, losing some

momentum, but gaining height.

Torque

1/2

-1

-2

Grab 1 limb, HKA

1/2d6, disable

Trip:

a basic throw, useful against oppenents opponents without PS: Spin-G Operations.

Turnabout

var.

-1

-2

Str +15 to escape,

Grab 2 limbs

Flying toss:

following a grapple, the opponent transfers spin

to his opponent for a vicious throw

Skills:

Contortionist
KS: Zero-G Grappling
PS: Zero-G Operations
WF: Off-hand (extra limbs)

Disarm

Cost

Phs

OCV

4*

1/2

-1

DCV Notes
-1

MANEUVER DESCRIPTIONS:

Disarm, +10 Str

to disarm, Fmove,
SpinG

Bearhug :

every Ursas favorite maneuver.

Head-palm:

literally, blocking an opponent by the head,

holding them at arms length.

Dodge

1/2

--

+4

Abort, Fmove

Sleeper hold:

Flying toss

1/2

+0

+2

Str strike +2d6,

target falls, must
follow grab

actually, most Ursas dont like hurting people,

and use this technique whenever possible.

Grapple:

when an Ursa grabs someone, they tend to stay

grabbed.

Temporary
disarm:

an Ursa grabbing for somebodys weapon is

usually enough to knock them over.

Permanent
disarm:

...and when they grab somebodys gun-hand,

theyll be shooting lefty for a while.

The Stand:

first maneuver an Ursa learns, basic fighting

stance making him impossible to move, and
ready to counter-attack.

Grapple

4*

1/2

-2

-1

Grab 2 limbs,
+10 Str to hold on,
Fmove, SpinG

High-ball

3*

1/2

+2

-2

Str strike +v/10,

Fmove, SpinG

Low-ball

3*

1/2

+0

-2

Str strike +2d6

+v/10, Fmove, SpinG

Spin-kick

4*

1/2

+0

+0

Str strike +v/10,

Fmove, target falls,
SpinG

Breakout:

removing a grappling opponent by brute force,

and keeping a hold of the offending limbs
afterwards.

Spin-punch

4*

1/2

+1

+0

Str strike +v/10,

Fmove, SpinG

The Dump:

throwing a grappled opponent to the ground

before reaching for the next victim

Trip

1/2

+0

+1

Str strike +v/10,

target falls
* Maneuver takes -1 OCV and -1DC (or -5STR) without spin-gravity,
as noted by the SpinG modifier
Skills:

Breakfall
KS: Spin-G Combat
PS: Spin-G Operations

KODIAC SUMO
Kodiac Sumo is the preferred fighting technique of the
Colonial Reserve Fleets Ursae troops. If the Ursa types
were conceived of as living weapons, then the Kodiac Sumo
fighting style was the means by which they were finished
to razor sharpness. This style makes the most of the Ursa
physique--they have a reach advantage over almost everyone
else due to their size. It has several maneuvers which work
tolerably well in zero-g, being primarily a grappling-style
martial art. In spin-g environments, the Ursae usually just
stand their ground, waiting for their opponents to come
within reach, and then put their own spin on the situation.
There are, of course, others who make use of this style,
but nearly all of them had an Ursa teacher. There are few
other humans of any type who can match their strength or
size. Kodiac-Sumo relies on main force to defeat ones opponent, literally by overbearing them. (Some people insist the
worst thing about fighting with an Ursa is the puns....)

Maneuvers Cost

Phs

OCV

DCV Notes

Bearhug

1/2

+0

+0

Str +4d6, must follow

grab

Breakout

var.

-1

-2

Str +15 to escape,

Grab 2 limbs

Grapple

1/2

-1

-1

Grab 2 limbs, +10

Str to hold on

Head-palm

1/2

+1

+1

Grab 1 limb, block

Permanent
Disarm

1/2

-1

-2

Grab 1 limb, HKA

d6, disable

Sleeper
hold

1/2

-2

+0

Grab 1 limb, 2d6

NND (2)

Temporary
disarm

1/2

+0

+0

Grab weapon, +5 Str

to take away, target
falls

The Dump

1/2

+0

+2

Str +2d6 strike, target

falls, must follow grab

The Stand

1/2

+0

+0

Str +15 to resist

shove, Block, Abort

Skills:

10: Combat

Maneuver

KS: Kodiac-Sumo
Combat skill levels w/Kodiac Sumo maneuvers (5pts), only
v. smaller opponents (-1/4) Real cost=4pts per skill level.

137

10: Combat

THE WAY OF THE SPACEFARER

SPACE WARFARE

Taikong Ren Do is a martial art for all worlds. In the late

21st century, humanity was quickly spreading out into the
Solar System, taking the cultures of Terras myriad nations
with them. However, there were a great many lost arts left
behind on the homeworld which couldnt be practiced in
space. The martial arts were among these as micro-gravity,
low gravity, or spin-gravity all presented completely different
challenges to would-be practitioners.
A wanderer from Hong Kong named Brent Huang developed a hybrid of numerous styles after visiting the massive
rotating stations in Earth orbit, the floating habitats of the
asteroids, and the domed cities of the Galilean moons. Over
many years of traveling, he figured out what worked in each
environment, and how to integrate them into a single framework: Taikong Ren Do, The Way of the Spacefarer. Considered by many to be the Bruce Lee of the 21st Century,
Huang never achieved his predecessors fame as an actor, but
he did attribute many of Taikong Ren Dos key concepts to its
spiritual predecessor, Jeet Kune Do. A century later, Taikong
Ren Do has become the most widespread fighting style in
Terran space, and many spacers use non-martial exercises
adapted from Taikong Ren Do as a means of keeping fit
during long periods spent in zero-G.

Space Warfare requires intense training and many hours

in both simulated and actual wargames between spacecraft.
This martial art is favored by both pilots of combat spacecraft, and those who man their weapons. It may also be used
by command personnel or tactical officers. Players who wish
to create a top gun character should purchase the following
maneuvers:

Maneuver Cost
5

+1

+3

Block, Abort

Counterattack

+2

+2

STR +2d6 Strike, Must

follow block

Disarm

-1

+1

Disarm, +10 STR to

Disarm roll

Dodge

+5

Dodge, Abort

Escape

+0

+0

+15 STR v. grabs

Grapple

-1

-1

Grab 2 limbs, +10 STR

to hold on

Nerve
Strike

-1

+1

2d6 NND (1)

Strike

+0

+2

STR +2d6 Strike

Throw

+0

+2

STR +2d6 Strike,

Target falls, Must follow
grab

Breakfall
KS: Taikong Ren Do
PS: Spin-gravity Ops
PS: Zero-gravity Ops

Notes on using Taikong Ren Do: This art is primarily

defensive. The practitioner often holds off until his opponent
attacks, in order to lure him out of position for a devastating
attack. (Block/Counter-attack or Grapple/Throw) Taikong
Ren Do focuses on putting an opponent down by causing
pain without generating high impact forces. Practitioners are
often adept at pulling punches to avoid causing unwanted
tumbles in zero-gravity. A true master of Taikong Ren
Do will often have Lightning Reflexes to act first with the
Block and Grab maneuvers, a few CSLs applied to DCV, and
penalty skill levels applied to the pulled punch maneuver.

138

Cost

Phs

OCV

DCV

Rmod Notes

Evasive
Action

--

+4

--

Dodge All
Attacks,
Abort, Full
move

Attack Run

+1

+0

--

+2DC, Half
move req.

Fly-by
Attack

+1

+1

--

+0DC, Half
move req.

Stand-off
Attack

+1

+0

+2

+0DC,
Weapon
strike

Close
Attack

+1

+0

--

+2DC,
Weapon
strike

Alpha
Strike

1+1

+0

+0

--

+4DC,
Weapon
strike +1
segment

Phs OCV DCV Notes

Block

Skills:

Maneuver

Skills:
1pt
1pt
1pt

Familiarity w/Combat Pilot (Evasive Action, Attack Run,

Fly-by Attack)
Familiarity w/Tactics (Stand-off Attack, Close Attack, Alpha
Strike)
PS: Astronaut

This may be treated as two different martial arts if desired;

the first three are suitable for pilots, while the latter three
are ideal for gunners. These maneuvers apply to the entire
spacecraft: if the pilot or chief gunnery officer/captain makes
the appropriate skill roll, all the spacecrafts gunners benefit
from the maneuver for that firing phase. These maneuvers
are applied to spacecraft in the same way as the Hotshot Pilot
Talent, but the Useable by Others advantage is offset by the
Extra Time limitation of space combat (five minutes per
phase) and the Focus limitation (OIF/Bulky: spacecraft).

advantage: they are mega-scaled up

to 1m = 1000km. They also must
have the extra time limitation,
at the 5 minute level. One space
combat segment is five minutes, 12
of which make a one-hour space
combat turn.
Spacecraft can actually detect
each other far beyond combat
range. In these cases, the use
of 1000km and 5 minute increments may not be convenient.
Prior to combat, spacecraft may
maneuver at long range. For long- Jack of All Tirades, Marathon Free Station
range maneuvers, use one-hour
increments and mega-scale up to
ombat between spacecraft in Terracide uses
150,000km (half a light-second, or .001au). In some cases,
the Hero System vehicle rules, with a number
even long range may not be enough spacecraft may be
of optional rules. The system presented here is
detected across many AUs. Deep space maneuvers require 24
for use when role-playing encounters between
hours, and use a scale of 75 million km. (250 light-seconds,
spacecraft result in violent confrontations its not designed
or half an AU)
for large-scale combat or wargaming as such. It is designed
Like personal combat, space combat has 12 segments in a
for playability, realism and quick resolution of encounters
turn. Movement is segmented, with each spacecraft moving
between spacecraft.
on every segment. The Speed of a spacecraft determines all of
its other actions, sensor rolls, weapons fire, damage control,
etc. The Speed Chart is used normally, even though each
Turn is an hour, and each segment is five minutes. Both of
Stealth is an impossibility for a spacecraft: the exhaust
these increments appear on the Time Chart as well, which is
of a torch drive is visible from billions of kilometers away.
also used normally: tasks may be given extra time for a skill
Even with its engine shut off, a spacecrafts crew requires
bonus, or completed more quickly with a skill penalty.
life-support with an ambient temperature hundreds of
Kelvins above the background. Short of re-writing the laws
of thermodynamics, the holy grail of stealth technology
in space combat will remain out of reach. For this reason,
Space combat in Terracide employs the optional rules for
perception rolls arent normally required in space combat
segmented movement. When using segmented movement,
one spacecraft can detect another without a roll unless the
a spacecraft gets a movement phase on every segment, in
GM rules otherwise.
addition to the standard phases for its Speed score. The stanSpacecraft have two types of sensors: active and passive.
dard phases may not be used for movement, only for other
Active sensors are used in combat to provide targeting data
actions. A full move action requires a full movement phase;
using two types of senses: radar and ladar. Radar is considthe half-move action is not needed when using segmented
ered part of the radio sense group; ladar is part of the vision
movement. All other actions taken on standard phases take
sense group. Passive sensors arent targeting senses but have
the usual amount of time: zero phase, half phase or full phase
much longer range and the ability to analyze a spacecrafts
actions may be taken normally.
capabilities based on its emissions. They use a wide-spectrum
Flight movement in space combat is always cumulative. A
array of visual sensors: infrared, ultraviolet, and night vision, spacecrafts meters of Flight used on each segment are added
as well as millimeter-band passive radar. Passive sensors
to (or subtracted from) its movement from the previous
may be used for scans well beyond combat range: they can
segment; there is no maximum speed in space combat. A
perform a long-range scan at a -10 penalty, or a deep space
spacecrafts Flight (in meters) is actually its acceleration; in
scan at -30.
space combat, acceleration is at least as important as velocity.
Acceleration in space combat is measured in Gs; each 10
meters of Flight equals one G. Terracides space combat is
scaled so that one G of acceleration applied for one segment
Space combat in Terracide is similar to ground combat,
will give one meter per segment in velocity. This works in
but operates on a much larger scale both in terms of both
the standard 1000km scale, or for long-range or deep space
time and distance. For purposes of Hero System design,
maneuvers.
all powers used in space combat must have the mega-scale

10: Combat

SPACE COMBAT
The Titan War was a good war we
could toss nukes at 50-ton methanebreathing blobs with bad attitudes all
day long and still keep the moral high
ground. Now, fighting the Colonial
Reserve Fleet is a very bad war. Most of
the human race is already extinct the
last thing we need to do is kill off even
more. But if those idiots insist that somebodys has to die, well just have to oblige
them. Nice of their Admirals to send the
whole Fleet out here and save us a trip to
the Core....

Senses in Space Combat

Movement in Space Combat

Units in Space Combat

139

10: Combat

The standard rules for turning with Flight are not used in
Terracide, in favor of a more realistic system. The realistic
turn mode system used is based on the spacecrafts velocity
and acceleration. To get the turn mode of a spacecraft, square
its velocity, and divide this figure by its acceleration in Gs.
This is the number of meters (scaled to 1000km) it must
move before changing its facing 60 degrees. The turn mode
table provides a quick reference for those who prefer tables
to formulas.
Example: The Voice of Reason is in orbit over WarGarden,
moving at 3m/segment. Its 10Gs of acceleration give it a
turn mode of 1. [(3*3)/10] It receives a system alert, and
needs to reverse course before deploying; fortunately, on
its next segment it can move three meters, changing its
facing 60 degrees each meter, for a total of 180 degrees.
The following segment, it accelerates at its full 10G thrust,
increasing its velocity to 13meters/segment. Its turn mode
is now [(13*13)/10] = 17meters. However, Voice of Reason
is already on its proper heading, and doesnt need to turn,
so it continues on a straight-line course, and accelerates on
the following segment to 23meters/segment! Its turn mode
increases again, now to [(23*23)/10] = 53 meters! If the
Voice of Reason needs to change course anytime soon, it
might need to reverse thrust and slow down a bit....
Its quite easy with these rules for an over-enthusiastic
pilot to build up too much speed without realizing it, and
then go screaming off the map, unable to turn around. (It
happened to this author once, in a different game with
similar rules.) On the other hand, building up a high velocity
is useful for increasing the DCV of a spacecraft, and for hit
and run raids in which the attackers only intend to launch
one missile salvo before withdrawing, it isnt a problem at all.
The use of movement skill levels to reduce the turn mode
is possible under these rules, within limits. The turn mode
may not be reduced to less than half its calculated value
(rounded up). This requires a Piloting skill roll at -1 per skill
level to be used. The same rule applies to movement skill
levels applied to a spacecrafts DCV.

Missiles in Space Combat

140

Missiles are more maneuverable than any spacecraft, at

the expense of endurance. They are capable of 15 Gs of acceleration for 8 segments (40 minutes), or longer at correspondingly lower accelerations. In most cases, they use their full
acceleration; speed is their best defense against point-defense
fire. At launch they always begin with the exact same heading
(speed and direction) as the spacecraft which launched them;
they may begin maneuvering on the same phase as they
are launched. Their turn mode is calculated like any other
spacecraft. If launched at high speed, their ability to change
direction may be limited.
Missiles have a Size of 3, which gives point-defense fire
against them an OCV bonus of +2. The gunner controlling
a missile may add movement skill levels to its DCV, with a
System Operations skill roll. Missiles are not armored, and
built very lightly, so any hit will destroy them. When firing
a missiles warhead, the controlling gunners OCV is used
for the attack. A missiles attack uses the rules for Indirect
attacks; the range modifier is based on the distance from
the launching vessel to the target. Other effects, such as the
Reduced by Range limitation, use the missiles location as
their starting point.

It is often tempting to launch a missile and immediately

fire its warhead; in the case of kinetic warheads, this may
be a viable tactic. However, a missile accelerating at 15G
becomes more difficult to hit with each segment of its flight,
yet it presents a high-priority target which draws fire away
from the launching vessel. On the other hand, a high relative
velocity usually presents little problem for the missile due to
the large Size of its target (anywhere from +6 to +15). Alternately, a missile can match vectors with a target easily due to
its maneuverability a tactic which would be both difficult
and dangerous for the vessel which launched it. All of this is
even more important for nuclear shaped-charge warheads;
their damage is reduced by range so they work best after
maneuvering into close range.

OCV and DCV in

Space Combat
The base OCV for attacks with spacecraft weaponry uses
lower of the characters or vehicles OCV. The most common
maneuvers used on space combat are the multiple attack and
combined attack. Fire Direction systems provide skill levels
against the penalties for multiple attacks. Other common
OCV modifiers are those for target SIZE, character CSLs,
space combat martial arts maneuvers, penalties for range,
and skill bonuses from Precise Sprayfire.
Martial maneuvers used by the spacecrafts pilot or
tactical officer affect OCV and DCV for all attacks during
that phase.
The base DCV of a spacecraft is based on its Velocity. This
is already halved. Apply any appropriate modifiers, but dont
halve it again. (For using autofire skills, being in zero-G, etc.)
The only other typical DCV modifiers are those from space
combat martial arts maneuvers. Note that the Flying Dodge
maneuver involves evasive action too extreme to all any
weapons fire by anyone else on board, not just the pilot!
The final modifier to all attacks, if applicable, is the bonus
or penalty for spacecraft of different tech levels. Attacking a
spacecraft of lower tech level gives an attack roll bonus equal
to the tech level difference. Attacking one of a higher tech
level gives a penalty equal to the difference.
Most spacecraft are equipped with fire directors which
allow a single gunner to control multiple weapons systems.
These are built with skill levels against multiple attack penalties, usually with levels equal to the spacecrafts tech level.
As long as the multiple attack penalty does not exceed the
vessels tech level, it will not affect performance.
Point-defense against missiles is accomplished with
specialized tracking systems, built using skill levels against
autofire penalties. These systems permit mounted weaponry
(lasers, coilguns, and particle beams) to use autofire against
multiple missiles without penalty.
Optional rule: Relative velocity. Under this rule, the DCV
for an attack depends on the relative velocity between the
attacking and defending vessels. For vessels moving in the
same general direction, this is the difference in their speeds;
for vessels moving in opposite directions, add their speeds
together. Other situations are more complicated; if two
vessels are moving at an angle to each other, use the speed of
the faster-moving vessel. A missile attack uses the velocity of
the missile when the warhead detonates, not the velocity of
the vessel which launched it.

Example: Ensign Betts is operating a fire director on the

CRF Intruder Balisong. Hes firing Balisongs pair of hex
lasers and both of its hex coilguns at the Celestial Guard
Intruder Voice of Reason. The difference in their velocities
gives both a base DCV of 15. The Balisong has a base OCV
of 10. Balisong receives a +8 bonus for target Size, and Betts
decides to use Precise Sprayfire for a +2 bonus (but only one
attack per weapon). Betts has one skill level with spacecraft weaponry, for a +1 bonus. The target is one tech level
higher than his vessel, for a -1 penalty. The multiple attack
penalty (-6) is cancelled out by Balisongs fire director, but
at a distance of 35m (35,000km) the range penalty is -6, for
a final OCV of 14. Betts decides to open fire he needs a
10 or less to hit, which gives him a 50-50 chance with each
weapon.

Determining Damage

The base damage for a weapon mount is shown on a

spacecrafts vehicle sheet: this includes the starting damage
for a light weapon of its type, plus extra damage classes for
multiple weapon mounts, medium or heavy weapons, and
military-grade weapons. Tech level is also a factor: against
a higher tech level target, an attacker loses one DC for each
point of difference in tech level. If the target is lower in tech
level, add a DC for each point of tech level advantage.
Other modifiers to damage include extra damage from
Deadly Sprayfire, and damage classes gained from space
combat martial arts maneuvers. Almost all weapons, other
than coilguns and kinetic missile warheads, are reduced by
range. It should be noted that piercing points based on a
weapons damage classes are also reduced by range. Lasers
and other armor-piercing weapons lose both power and the
ability to punch through armor at long range.
Spacecraft defenses (PD & ED) are ablative: they acquire
a 14- activation roll the first time a weapon penetrates them,
which is reduced by one point with each hit which does
one or more points of damage. Damage Reduction (from
compartmentalization) is also ablative; it always has the same
activation roll as the spacecrafts PD and ED.
Example: The Balisong hits Voice of Reason with one hexcoilgun and one hex-laser, at a range of 35m (35,000km).
The lasers do 5d6-1 damage with two levels of armorpiercing (14 piercing points). The coilguns do 6d6-1 damage
with one level of armor-piercing (9 piercing points). The
Voice of Reason has 18 PD and ED, with one level of hardening, which will negate 9 piercing points. The GM decides
the laser hit will be resolved first. It loses 9 piercing points
due to hardening. The remaining 5 piercing points reduce
the ED to 13. The lasers roll a 16 for damage, and three get
through. The Voice of Reasons damage reduction reduces
this to a single point of Body damage. This is enough for

the Ablative limitation to give Voice of Reasons armor a

14-or-less activation. The coilgun hit comes next. The armor
makes its activation roll. The piercing points are all lost to
hardening (9 points each) but the damage roll is 19, getting
a single point of Body past the armor. However, the damage
reduction reduces this to zero, and the armor activation roll
is not reduced.
Damage Control may be used to mitigate lost Body points
in combat. In order to form a damage control party, a spacecraft must meet certain crew requirements: approximately a
fifth of a military crafts minimum crew -- or half of a civilian
vessels crew requirement -- is needed for damage control.
For civilian vessels, this is often difficult to manage. Military
vessels which carry troops can use those for damage control
if necessary.
Damage control is built with the healing power. It may be
used on each of the crews standard phases, and requires an
appropriate skill roll. (Electronics, Mechanics, PS: Engineering or whatever is useful.) This skill roll has the burnout
modifier because combat damage is unpredictable; at any
time the damage control crew might find they can do no
more due to lack of needed parts, tools, or supplies. This
healing only affects the Body of a spacecraft; it cant restore
activation rolls of ablative defenses to their original level.
This is due to the temporary nature of field repairs: going
back into combat afterwards is never a good idea. Only a
fully-equipped spacedock can restore a damaged spacecrafts
defenses to like new condition.

10: Combat

On rare occasions two spacecraft may have exactly the

same heading: going in the same direction at the same speed.
However, this does not necessarily reduce their relative
velocity to exactly zero. This requires a piloting skill roll by
the vessel which wants to match vectors; it may be opposed
if the other vessel wants to prevent it from doing so. If the
attempt to match vectors fails, the relative velocity gives both
vessels a DCV of 6; if they match vectors, they both have
DCV of 3 with respect to each other. A missile (or a salvo of
missiles!) may match vectors with its target using a system
ops roll by the controlling gunner, opposed by the target
vessels pilot.

Optional Rules: Hit

Locations, Impairing
and Disabling
If players and GMs wish to include more detail in space
combat, the following table may be used to determine
hit locations. The table also shows the results of possible
impairment and disablement for each location. Note that
called shots to any particular hit location are not possible
under these rules. Space combat is fought at a mega-scale of
one meter = 1000km, so even spacecraft within a meter of
each other can be hundreds of kilometers apart. The level of
accuracy required for called shots is simply not possible with
spacecraft weapons. Hit locations are always determined
at random, although the roll may be modified by angle of
attack.
Impairment results if a spacecraft takes Body damage,
before or after damage reduction, greater than half its current
Body total. Disablement results if the spacecraft takes body
damage, before or after damage reduction, greater than its
current Body total. Damaged vessels become more easily
impaired or disabled as their Body score declines.

141

10: Combat

HIT LOCATION TABLE

Attack

Roll

Results

Roll

Result

Impaired

Disabled

Nose

1d6+2

3 to 8

Electronics

-1 Per/ CV

-1d3 Per/CV

Front

2d6+1

3 to 13

3d6

3 to 18

Cargo

-3d6%

-3d6% x2

Side

Cargo

-2d6%

-2d6% x2

Aft

2d6+6

8 to 18

Cargo

-1d6%

-1d6% x2

Tail

1d6+12

13 to 18

Weapons

-1 OCV

-1d3 OCV

Crew

-1 Skills

-1d3 Skills

Passengers

-1 passenger

-1d3 passengers

10

Radiators

-1 hour

-1d3 hours

11

Radiators

-1 hour

-1d3 hours

12

Fuel

-1d6%

-1d6% x2

13

FTL Drive

-1 move

-1d3 move

14

Weapons

-1 CV

-1d3 CV

15

Fuel

-2d6%

-2d6% x2

16

Thrusters

-1 Flight/DCV

-1d3 Flight/DCV

17

Thrusters

-1 Flight/DCV

-1d6 Flight/DCV

18

Electronics

-1 Per/ CV

-1d3 Per/CV

The results of each hit locations impairment and disablement are explained below:
Electronics: the given penalty is applied to all perception
rolls, as well as the spacecrafts OCV and DCV.
Cargo:a percentage of the spacecrafts cargo is damaged
beyond repair.
Weapons: one of the spacecrafts weapon systems takes the
given penalty to its OCV.
Passengers: the given number of passengers are incapacitated or killed.
Radiators: the cooling system loses the given number of
hours from its duration.
Fuel: the given percentage of the spacecrafts fuel is lost.

Optional rule: angle of attack. Depending on where an attack

comes from, the hit location roll may be modified. Normally,
this is an unmodified 3d6 roll. Using this optional rule, the
standard unmodified roll is used for attacks from the spacecrafts sides. Attacks from the front (within a 60-degree cone
facing forward) use a 2d6+1 roll. For rear attacks, (within a
60-degree cone facing backward) roll 2d6+6. Attacks from
directly in front of the spacecraft use 1d6+2; attacks from
directly behind use 1d6+12. These nose and tail attacks
generally occur only when two spacecraft are involved in a
stern chase battle.

142

FTL Drive: the spacecrafts FTL move (teleportation) is

reduced by a number of meters.
Thrusters: the spacecrafts Flight move (meters) and its DCV
are both reduced by the given amount.
All these results are cumulative. A given system may
be completely disabled by multiple hits, if its performance
is reduced to zero. Damage control crews can repair these
systems the skill roll takes a penalty equal to the penalty
taken by the system under repair. Crews repairing impaired
or disabled systems are not available to repair Body damage
they cant do both. Military vessels often have sufficient
crewmembers to do both, however especially troop
carriers.

11
CHAPTER ELEVEN:

MARATHON
FREE STATION

11: Marathon Free Station

144

MARATHON
FREE STATION

arathon Free
Cluster had to pass through
Marathon Free Station:
Station is
Groombridge 34 the only
transport nexus, alien
a rotating
route to the cluster.
enclave, and city-state. This
asteroid
Almost a century later,
place has seen first contact,
habitat in orbit around
TGO introduced the new
wars, refugees, peaceful
Groombridge 34B. Its exact
FTL3.0 technology, which
revolution and celebrations.
location is at the L2 point
eliminated Marathons
After the Terracide, it saw
of the stars closest world; a
privileged status as the
all of these once again. But
tide-locked ice-ball claimed
only route into the Kruger
through all this, Marathon
by the Keepers, which the
60 Cluster. The new TL10
Free Station wasnt our salvalocal humans refer to by
hyper-drive opened up a
tion; not our safe harbor,
the bizarre name of Baked
shorter, faster route to the
not our last best hope for
Alaska. The stations posicluster via the 61 Cygni
anything... it was a shelter
tion at the L2 point keeps it
System. With its future in
against the oncoming storm.
in the icy worlds shadow,
doubt, the TGO employee-- Jack of All Tirades
safe from the intermittent
citizens of Marathon Station
solar flares which erupt from
voted overwhelmingly
its star.
in favor of buying out their
The L2 point of Baked Alaska is approximately 250,000km company shares. In this moment, the asteroid habitat became
from its surface, which puts it about six hours away via high- Marathon Free Station, owned solely by its inhabitants; the
performance shuttle. (or about 1.5 hours via torch-ship) Few
year was 2286.
actually make this journey in person, however. CommunicaIn 2311 AD, Marathon Free Station celebrates a quartertion with the Keepers is facilitated by an orbital station over
century of independence. Over the last twent-five years,
Baked Alaska staffed with expert xenologists, who maintain
traffic through the system has dropped off considerably.
contact with the Keepers and with Marathon Free Station via There is still sufficient traffic to support the station, but the
laser-comm links.
nature of the traffic passing through Marathon has changed
The other nearby star is Groombridge 34A, which has yet
dramatically. State-of-the-art spacecraft, both civilian and
to be colonized. Without the presence of an attraction such
military, pass through 61 Cygni now. Marathon Free Station
as a Keeper world, there is little of value in orbit around the
is now a port of call for older vessels, obsolete TL9 spacecraft
system primary. Its average distance from Groombridge 34B
equipped with FTL2.0 techonology, as well as smugglers,
is approximately 157au, which is about 21 minutes via hyper- wanderers and others who wish to travel off the main trade
shuttle. (16 minutes via FTL2.0, or 13 minutes via FTL3.0)
routes; and as always, it remains a destination for those
Beyond the local system, there are nine others within
seeking knowledge from the Keepers.
ten light-years of Marathon Free Station, six of which are in
After the Terracide, Marathon Free Station has taken on
the Kruger 60 Cluster. The other three are dwarf stars closer
a new significance. Its location on the old TL9 route from
to the Core Systems: TZ Arietis (L1159-16) is a red dwarf,
the Core Systems to the Kruger 60 Cluster, has made it a
the first stop on the old T9 route to Terra via UV Ceti. Van
stop-over for refugees fleeing the rule of the military junta
Maanens star is a white dwarf the primary of a dead system which has taken over the Core Colonies. Its also likely to be
seldom visited by anyone but smugglers en route between
the first objective of the Colonial Reserve Fleet when they
Marathon and Omicron, and other Core Loop colonies. (A
invade the Kruger 60 Cluster which many now consider to
surprisingly well-traveled route.) Finally, Teegardens Star
be inevitable.
is another red dwarf which also lies between Marathon and
Omicron. This system is patrolled, so smugglers dont use it.
All of this makes Marathon Free Station an important
transport nexus, with connections to Terra, numerous Core
Systems, over half the Kruger 60 Cluster, and several independent settlements. The Stations history reflects this status.
At its founding in 2193 AD, Marathon Station was a
Terran Galactic Operations installation established for the
purpose of maintaining contact with the Keepers. Beginning
in the following year, Marathon served as a base of operations for TGO exploration craft opening up the new frontier
of the Kruger 60 Cluster. Over the next century, the Station
supported military operations through two trade wars with
ISTAR and the Titan War. During these conflicts, almost
all civilian and military traffic in and out of the Kruger 60

- Jack of All Tirades

DESCRIPTION
Physically, Marathon Free Station resembles nothing
so much as a very large rock, seven kilometers by three,
spinning on its long axis once each minute. Its interior is
dominated by a hollowed out cylinder 1.8 km in diameter
and over 6 km long, divided into three caverns by 200mthick stone walls. The outer walls are also at least 200m thick
in most places, except for the docking ports at either end,
centered on the axis of spin.
The central cavern includes a large lake which runs all
the way around its circumference, with parklands along the
lakeshore. The other two caverns are devoted to agriculture,
hydroponics, and aquaculture of various crops. The total land
surface area of all three caverns combined is about thirty
square kilometers, but this is vastly understates the useful
space within the habitat.
From the floor, 900m from the central axis, the hemispherical end caps and the walls between the caverns are
divided into over 100 levels, about 5m apart. As they rise
up towards the axis, each levels gravity is slightly lower;
the highest public levels is #112, which simulates martian
gravity. Above this are low-gravity industrial areas of the
walls, and spacedock areas of the end caps. Below the floor
are the warrens; hundreds (possibly thousands) of kilometers of tunnels in layered sub-levels containing much of the
habitats life-support, utilities, and other functions. Not all of
the warrens are mapped there are an unknown number of
tunnels which dont appear on any official station schematics.
The outer levels (near one gravity) each have several
square kilometer of useful space for living quarters, businesses, or other purposes. Even the higher levels, smaller in
radius, have a square kilometer apiece as high up as level 100.
There are literally thousands of square kilometers of floor
space carved out of the rocks, not including the uncharted
tunnels. This city-state in space supports almost threequarters of a million permanent residents, plus a transient
population of twenty to thirty thousand visitors at any
one time. There is also a large undocumented population
living in the uncharted tunnels; estimates vary from ten to

a hundred thousand nobody really knows for certain how

many there are.
A brief tour of Marathon. Shuttles enter the Station via
the spacedocks at either end. The docking tubes are 200m
wide and half a kilometer in length, with dozens of docks
in the floor, which is under 0.1g of spin-gravity. The next
48 levels down (away from the axis) house the rest of the
spaceport: passenger facilities, cargo bays, offices and all the
other accoutrements of a full-service spaceport. In the walls
between the caverns, the highest 48 levels house the habitats
power facilities, and other utillites with high power demands:
such as water and waste recycling. The north dock provides
civilian passenger service, while military and industrial
traffic uses the south dock.
Below the spaceport is level 112: the martian gravity level,
which is where most of the visitor facilities are located. For
those just stopping over at Marathon, everything they need
is on this level hotels, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment facilities. There are also a few permanent residents in
this level those accustomed to martian gravity, or others
who simply prefer the company of visitors, whether for
personal or business reasons.
Levels 111 to ground level house most of Marathon Free
Stations infrastructure its industrial, business and residential areas. The most prestigious spaces (for lease or rent)
are those along the inner habitat walls, with a view of the
caverns. Those overlooking the lake in the central cavern
are particularly sought after. Below ground level, the tunnels
house Marathons transportation tubes, as well as other
equipment which the designers decided to keep out of sight
maintenance, repairs and defensive installations.
Environmental conditions inside Marathon Free Station
are strictly controlled. Fusion reactors in the walls between
the caverns supply power for heat and light, as well as the
circulation of air and water. Enormous plasma tubes running
along the stations axis provide light in the caverns, while
light in other areas is provided by the stations electrical grid.
The agricultural caverns are kept lighted around the clock
growing seasons are short on Marathon. Living quarters
with a view of the agricultural areas always have some means
of blacking out, or at least dimming their windows. The
central cavern has a more natural day/night cycle. However,
the Marathon habitat never really sleeps.
The environment in the agricultural caverns is usually
temperate, appropriate for growing the crops favored by residents of the station. Sometimes one of them will be switched
to a more tropical climate for a season, to grow a different
set of crops. The central caverns climate is milder, for the
comfort of those using the habitats prime recreation areas.
Living in Marathon Free Station, for most residents,
involves supporting the habitat. It takes a great many of the
residents of Marathon to keep the station fully functional.
Even those who arent directly involved in running the
station do their part many of Marathons citizen-employees
are involved in the service industries which cater to its operating staff.
There are many other occupations available at Marathon. The station has a university specializing in (of course)
xenology, with about 9,000 students, and a technical institute
almost twice that size. It also has its own security force, two
Celestial Guard squadrons on permanent assignment as well
as a small independent space fleet of its own. A number of
TGO departments have satellite offices at Marathon, even
though the habitat is no longer part of the company, and
many independent NGOs (non-government organizations)
have a presence there as well.

11: Marathon Free Station

History will not repeat

itself for our convenience.
Twice before, the Colonial
Reserve Fleet and ISTAR have
invaded Groombridge 34;
and twice before they were
turned back. But this has
made us overconfident
their third attempt will
come soon, and this time
everything is different. We
arent fighting over powers
of jurisdiction or rights
of passage: there will be
no intervention from the
Terran Home Fleet if things
go too far.This is Total War
for control of the entire
Kruger 60 Cluster and
everything beyond; and this
time, there will be nothing
and no one to hold the
invaders back.

145

11: Marathon Free Station

The people of Marathon Free Station survived

almost a century as the
busiest port in Terran Space.
And then times changed.
Since then we have survived
a quarter-century on the
edge becoming inured to
the risks of living in the
galaxys most dangerous
place.But the next crisis
will be very different and
a year from now, so will
this Station. And its people.

- Jack of All Tirades

IMPORTANT PERSONNEL
The Board of Directors: Marathon Free Station was
organized as a corporate division of Terran Galactic when its
employees decided to buy it from the company, and seamlessly transitioned to independent status by keeping the same
structure. Its Board of Directors are elected by the Stations
shareholders; anyone with a hundred shares is eligible to run
for election to the Board. There are fifteen Board members
who each serve for a term of five years; three of them stand
for re-election every year. (A new majority can be voted in
within three years, if needed; an entirely new Board within
five.)
The Chairman of the Board is chosen each year by the
Board Members, subject to a veto by the rest of the shareholders. Successful Chairs are usually retained in office,
although if the Board isnt sure of a new Chair, theyll choose
one who is only a year or two short of re-election as an added
check against them.

WEYLAND LINEBARGER

The current Chair is Weyland Linebarger, a gemini-type

born in Marathon Station in 2255, and one of the leading
advocates of the Buy-Out in 2186. He has been Chairman
for four years, having been reappointed by the Board three
times and also re-elected by the shareholders two years ago.
However, Linebarger would be the first to admit that prior to
the current crisis, his job was relatively easy.
Since the Terracide, Linebarger has done a more-thanadequate job of preventing panic on Marathon Free Station,
handling the mounting numbers of refugees fleeing the Core
Systems, and securing new resources in the absence of trade
with Terra and the Core. However, the Chairman is relying
heavily on his subordinates to deal with the Cores new military government and the Colonial Reserve Fleet. Its not that
hes ignoring the issue, or trying to deny it the Chairman
is quite simply scared half out of his mind. Hes an excellent
administrator, not a warrior.

BRIAN WHITCRAFT

146

Brian Whitcraft is the current Chief of Security; a baseline

human from 61 Cygni who immigrated when Marathon Free
Station decided to break away from the rest of the company.
He did not do this out of a dislike for Terran Galactic, but
as a career opportunity. (Like many residents, Whitcraft has
shares in both Marathon Free Station and TGO.)
Whitcraft came up through the ranks of the Stations
security force, and the Board appointed him to the position
of Security Chief in 2302. He has seen the Station through

several incidents including the Omicron Incident and the

New Cydonia Masscre. Now he is embroiled in the Stations
growing refugee crisis, and all of its associated problems. In
addition to this, he is preparing for the worst case scenario
of a possible invasion from the Core.
The secret of Whitcrafts success is that he never burns
any bridges; he still has connections with her former associates in 61 Cygni, and with several former members of his
own security force who have gone private. Whitcraft doesnt
hesitate to call on these outside consultants if he needs them
for an operation. (Athena Security is one of these.)

SOLOMON ITO

Director of Operations Solomon Ito is a mensae type who

grew up in Marathon Free Station, born in 2262. Ito lives
up to the mensae reputation for being somewhat difficult
to work with hes a perfectionist who makes most other
perfectionists look sloppy by comparision. However, Ito
puts his enhanced brain-power to good use in his work:
legend has it he once lost his A/R link and nobody noticed
for three days because even without it, Ito still had complete
command of his facts.
Thats how Ito does his job hes always on top of
everything, and he never says I dont know. Whatevers
happening on the Station, he is aware of it. And if something
needs to happen, Ito will find a way to make it work; and of
course, itll be perfect.

FELICIA WATERS

System Defense Commander Felicia Waters is a leo-type

who has only recently taken charge of the Stations local
squadron. She is relatively young for the rank of Commodore, having been promoted early at every stage of her career.
Marathon Free Station cant afford (and generally doesnt
need) a full-blown system defense fleet; Waters command
consists of a small squadron of light assault craft and armed
hyper-shuttles. While not large or powerful, these spacecraft
are extremely versatile, and Waters has learned many ways
of using them effectively in her previous years aboard them.
Currently, Waters is heavily involved in coordinating with
TGOs Celestial Guard to formulate a response to the Colonial Reserve Fleets expected invasion of the Groombridge 34
system.

RHYLLA VELLIS

TGO Special Projects Special Agent In Charge Rhylla

Vellis is a gemini-type from the company HQ Complex in
Kruger 60. This is a key assignment for Special Projects;
Marathon Free Station is a hot-spot for covert operations
due its status as a free port and its proximity to TGO territory. Fortunately, the Stations amicable relationship with
the company make it possible for Special Projects to operate
openly there.
In the past, Vellis has concentrated on keeping a low
profile, and the goodwill of the Board of Directors. Since the
Terracide, she has changed a great deal, both personally and
professionally. She is working herself much harder and not
getting enough sleep. Vellis no longer seems concerned about
not making waves and has stepped up all of her offices
operations, working her subordinates harder as well. She isnt
worried about annoying the Home Office, either; for the last
several months, shes been demanding additional personnel
from HQ, convinced that shes going to need more people
before everything goes into the crapper. Unfortunately for
her, or perhaps for them, the new personnel shes most likely
to get will probably be the player characters....

TGO Legal Department Liaison William Kronin is a

baseline human from the TGO colony at Eta Cassiopaeia
who immigrated when the company transferred him to
Marathon Free Station. He doesnt really like it there.
However, he admits that he was selected for being good at his
job representing the companys legal interests in interstellar
cases. Kronin realises that he wont be at Marathon Free
Station forever, and as long as hes there, he may as well focus
on his work and do a good job. Anyone who crosses him
will therefore feel the full weight of TGOs Legal Department
coming down on them. Hes a good man to know .

HAZEL CRUZ

Free Trade League Commodore Hazel Cruz is an aquilatype who has spent her entire life traveling in space. Having
made her fortune in the Free Trade League, Cruz found that
when they needed a Captain to take one for the team and
settle down semi-permanently at Marathons spaceport, she
couldnt refuse. Cruz is the ranking League officer at Marathon (the promotion to Commodore came with the job) and
represents all the Leagues interests at the famous free port.
Looking out for the Free Trade League is always Cruzs
top priority. If the PCs (or anyone else) approach her for
any kind of assistance, Cruz will bargain for the Leagues
advantage, and if asked to do anything detrimental to the
Free Trade League, she will simply refuse.

ARIA KIM

Doctors Without Limits maintains an office on Marathon

Free Station, and their operations in the Groombridge 34
system are managed by Doctor Aria Kim, a gemini-type
from Terra. Dr. Kims supports her organizations efforts all
over Terran Space through her work at Marathon. She has
contacts with Terran Galactic Operations, with the Station
administrators, and most importantly with the Free Trade
League and everyone else who runs cargo or passengers in
and out of Marathon. This includes black market connections which a respectable organization such as DWL could
not maintain anywhere else. As a result, Dr. Kim must maintain a very upright public personna while dealing with some
very shady characters behind the scenes.

NIALL GALLAGHER

The New Terran Colonial Foundation also maintains

an office at Marathon, although the Station doesnt directly
support any terraforming efforts. The Foundation office
at Marathon concentrates on acquiring information from
the Keepers, recruiting and public relations. The local
NTCF spokesman is Niall Gallagher, an aries-type from
New Cydonia. Niall is rather young for this position, and
considers most of his work at Marathon rather dull hed
jump at the chance to get his office involved in something
bigger.

MISTER FLATTERY

Mister Flattery is the professional name of the leading

independent merchant down in the warrens. He is apparently a base-line human in good health, although he could be
a gemini-type, but nobody knows for sure. What everyone
knows for certain is that Flattery is very well-connected, and
has access to just about any types of goods, supplies or equipment that anyone in the warrens needs, no questions asked -except one: Can you pay?) Finding Flattery isnt difficult for
those who need to do business with him, but hes very wary
of strangers. Anyone he doesnt know will have to meet him
in a safe place, such as the Blind Spot bar. However, once he
decides youre not trying to arrest him, or trace his connections, and you can pay, Flattery will get you anything.

11: Marathon Free Station

WILLIAM KRONIN

JACK OF ALL TIRADES

The Jack of All Tirades is a prolific commentator on the

tangled Web; his missives on the Ministry of Reality message
board are among the highest-rated. Although he is believed
to reside somewhere aboard Marathon Free Station, almost
nothing else is known about him. He is apparently very
old his writings have been appearing on the tangled Web
almost since the founding of the Station over a century ago,
and most efforts to analyze them agree that at least 95% of
the writings attributed to The Jack of All Tirades (not proven
to be imposters) were written by the same person. Every
government in Terran Space has a standing reward for information as to the identity of the Jack of All Tirades. But after
all this time, most people consider the question a lost cause.

MONICA REGO

The United Terran Press maintains several offices at Marathon Free Station, but their main headquarters is near the
spaceport. The local bureau chief is a baseline human from
Buenos Aires by the name of Monica Rego an immigrant
who left Terra at an early age, but still feels very strongly
about the loss of her homeworld. Monica knows the Station
very well, having spent the last two decades living there, but
is still technically a visitor because UTP policy forbids her
from owning any shares in the Station. In spite of this, her
reporting has grown increasingly favorable to Marathon over
the years, in spite of UTPs bias in favor of other factions in
Terran Space.

147

11: Marathon Free Station

148

My words will stand

on their own or not
regardless of who I am.
Next question.

- Jack of All Tirades

ENTERING MARATHON:
THE SPACEPORT
Titus Kincaid Spaceport is the first place most visitors to
Marathon will see. Its actually two spaceports; one at each
end of the asteroid, dubbed the North and South terminals.
The North terminal handles interstellar commercial traffic,
both cargo and passengers, while the South terminal is set
aside for military traffic, and for local traffic, which is mostly
bulk cargo carriers hauling raw materials collected elsewhere
in the Groombridge 34 system. Shuttles going to and from
the Keepers world also use the South terminal.
Spacecraft with torch-drives never approach within
10,000km of Marathon; this no torch zone is enforced
with heavy lasers mounted near the docking tubes of each
terminal. Spacecraft crews are warned of this limit on arrival
in the system and at 100,000km; there is no third warning.
Any vessel with a torch drive which crosses the 10,000km
threshhold is fired upon, often destroying the vessel.
The only spacecraft allowed to dock are shuttles with
conventional rockets (usually meta-helium). The docking
tubes each allow up to 100 shuttles to dock at once. When
the station was in its prime, this was barely enough, but now
there are usually a number of empty docking bays. Each
docking bay is mounted in the floor of the docking tube,
and allows the shuttle to be fully enclosed so that passengers
and crew can transfer to the Station without environment
suits. At each terminal, about 20% of the docking bays are no
longer in use, and have been converted to storage facilities.
Rumor has it that some starport personnel use these areas to
store contraband.
The Hotel Bravo is located on the martian gravity deck
just below the spaceports South terminal. It takes its name
from an old spacers tradition: the phonetic descriptor for the
hydrogen-boron fuel used by fusion drives is hotel-bravo;
as a result almost every spaceport has an establishment with
this name. Its not a franchise or a chain, however all of
them are independent operations.
The Hotel Bravo at Marathon Free Station is the habitats
most luxurious and prestigious establishment. The overall
theme is nostalgaic, harkening back to the stations early days
as the gateway to the Kruger 60 cluster. Everything appears
exactly as when the hotel was built over a century ago,
albeit with fully modern technology. The Interstellar Queen
bar and lounge celebrates the earliest Stellar Express liners
which brought passengers to Marathon the only place
in the entire cluster where the Stellar Express Company is
portrayed in a favorable light.
The Andromeda Casino is located adjacent to the Hotal
Bravo, and almost rivals its neighbor in terms of opulence,
while exceeding it in terms of security. Its private game
rooms have a reputation for being absolutely secure, and it is
said that the biggest business deals on the station are made
over invitation-only poker games in the back rooms at the
Andromeda. Due to coriolis forces caused by the stations
rotation, dice games and roulette are not available; instead a
variety of card games and sports betting are offered.

OTHER IMPORTANT AND

POPULAR LOCATIONS
BARS AND CLUBS

Bars and clubs around Marathon run the gamut from the
conventional to the unorthodox:
Strange

Matter is a bar in the lower levels of the city

below the North terminal. Anyone is welcome there and
the staff does not ask any questions. Its often frequented
by those operating on the edge of the law, although no
outright illegal activities are tolerated there. The patrons
respect this rule, and just come in to talk business.

Singularity

is (of course) a singles bar in the low-gravity

areas near the Andromeda Casino, where Marathons
most glamorous citizens come to mingle and/or show
off. For many of its patrons, the whole point of being at
Singularity is simply to be seen there.

The

Blind Spot is an off-grid tavern in the warrens which

does not appear on any official listing or schematic of
the station. Its staff are also unlisted, as are most of the
patrons. Finding the Blind Spot is next to impossible
only those who already know where it is can locate it
easily. Much of what happens in the warrens begins at the
Blind Spot, or in establishments similar to it.

RESTAURANTS, THEATERS, AND SPORTS

Other attractions at Marathon Free Station include a wide

variety of excellent restaurants, theaters, and sports venues.
The

Interstellar Queen at Hotel Bravo features a five-star

menu with a variety of cuisine from Terra, made from
both locally produced and imported ingredients.

The

local theater troupe known as the Odeon players are

famous across the Kruger 60 Cluster, and are beginning to
acquire a following in the Core Loop systems as well.

The

Icarus Club practice human-powered flight in the

zero-g sectors above Marathons agriculural caverns.
They take their name from the tendency to fly as close
as possible to the plasma tube which provides light for
Marathons crops.

Other

sports popular at the Station include many

different styles of martial arts tournaments and various
types of racing; anything involving throwing or hitting a
ball is pretty much impossible due to coriolis forces and
other effects of spin-gravity.

BUSINESS DISTRICTS

Business Districts in Marathon Free Station serve a

variety of purposes:
The

Endless Concourse is so named because it runs

all the way around the circumference of level twenty at
the stations north end. Five kilometers in length and a
hundred meters wide, the Endless Concourse extends
through three levels, making it fifteen meters high. It
is home to literally thousands of businesses. There are
similar, somewhat smaller concourses inside each of the
stone walls separating the Stations agricultural chambers,
and at the south end of the station.

The

Grand Bazaar is an immense open-air market near

the spaceport on the martian-gravity level, specializing

Little Bizzare is another open-air market, located in

the warrens and deliberately named as a parody of its
officially-sanctioned counterpart. Its specialty is greymarket items. While most of the goods on sale there arent
necessarily illegal in and of themselves, its not a good
idea to ask how they got down there.

Meridian

Village is also in the warrens, and appears to

have been deliberately mis-named. While the stations
coordinate system does have an established meridian, its
nowhere near this business district. The Village is home
to every form of contraband in the Warrens: illegal goods
and services of any kind can be bought here. Prices are
high, and personal security is strictly on a bring your
own basis. Happy shopping!

INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS

Various intellectual pursuits are supported on Marathon

Free Station:
Groombridge

University offers a full range of curricula,

but what its famous for is its College of Xenology. The
Colleges database of information gleaned from contact
with the Keepers is the largest unclassified document of
its kind in Terran Space.

Marathon

Technical Institute is well-regarded in the

Kruger 60 Cluster, but not considered a top-flight
institution. Its graduates are competent, highly educated
personnel, and most go on to careers on Marathon Free
Station.

Freedom

of Religion is an important right of all beings

on Marathon Free Station, whether human or otherwise.
Every major denomination in Terran Space is represented
here, and some alien ones as well.

RESOURCES

Marathon Free Station has excellent resources for a relatively small space habitat:
There

are almost 25 square kilometers of cropland, with

several growing seasons each year, providing a wide
variety of crops which must be grown in natural soil.
These are divided in two separate chambers to support
different environments when needed, in case one needs to
be warmer or more humid, for example.

There

many kilometers of tunnels devoted to hydoponics, aquaculture, and livestock. Fish, pork and poultry
are readily available; beef must be imported.

Raw

materials needed to support life inside the habitat

are mined elsewhere in the Groombridge 34B system.
There are mining stations and processing plants all over
the system, along with supply craft to bring in the volatiles and building materials needed at Marathon.

GOVERNMENT FACILITIES

Government facilities at Marathon Free Station include

both the civilian and military:
The

Government Offices are located deep in the center of

the Station, for safety. There are actually two completely
independent complexes, each one placed in one of the
massive stone walls which flank Marathons central
chamber, at level 112: under martian gravity, over a
kilometer from the outer rim. Both are fully staffed at
all times, and living quarters are available for long-term
residency during emergencies.

Local

government offices can be found on every level.

These are, of course, Company offices the citizens of
Marathon Free Station are also its owner/shareholders.
And so are those who work in the government offices.

Security

offices are also located almost everywhere

(except the warrens) and Marathons security forces
respond quickly to emergencies. However, the Stations
corporate charter establishes sharp limits on their powers.

The

Stations static defenses consist of weapons emplaced

around the rim: medium lasers, coilguns, and missile
bays. The control systems are heavily redundant; there
are central command centers in the zero-g sector of each
inner wall, and local controls for each weapon bay on
level one.

11: Marathon Free Station

in imported goods of all types, including many of alien

origin. However, everything on sale there is legal, and
approved by ISTAR, as long as it doesnt end up back on
Terra which is no longer an issue, unfortunately. In any
event, nobody in Marathon recognizes ISTARs jurisdiction to begin with.

The

South terminal is the base for the local defense

squadron: a flight of light assault craft and their associated hyper shuttles, as well as a battalion of mobile troops.
These vessels patrol the entirety of the Groombridge 34
system (both A&B), and have supply caches scattered
across the entire area of operations.

THE MARATHON FREE

STATION CAMPAIGN
Marathon Free Station is an ideal location for a Terracide
campaign whether the PCs are permanent residents or
spacecraft crew who make it their home port. Almost
any type of group, in any type of campaign, could be based
at Marathon. The following section includes a number of
campaign concepts and suggestions for each.
Private Security is a thriving business at Marathon.
Security firms (they dislike the term mercenary) range
from large companies to small teams. Some have longterm contracts to provide onsite security for their clients at
Marathon; others live day-to-day and job-to-job, always on
the edge of survival. In this type of campaign, the PCs will
have a responsiblity to uphold their contract. If the PCs are
employees of a large security firm, theyll usually answer
to their superiors in the company instead of directly to the
client. However, if the PCs are the whole firm, then the
responsibility is entirely theirs. The Athena Security company
detailed in the Sample Characters chapter is an example of
one such firm.
Alternately, the PCs could work for Station Security as
police officers. In this campaign, they will deal with threats
to public safety on Marathon Free Station, or possibly threats
to the entire Station. The PCs will most likely have the Local
Police Powers and other perks: weapons permits, equipment
availability, and police rank. The campaign may resemble a
police procedural as much as anything.

149

11: Marathon Free Station

150

Interstellar crime is another campaign possibility for

those interested in crime-fighting on Marathon Free Station.
The Terran Galactic Legal Department maintains an office
on the Station, and any criminals fleeing TGO space via
Marathon will have to get past their Investigators first. They
also engage in interstellar manhunts on a regular basis.
These Investigators have jurisdiction throughout TGO space,
and most independent colonies recognize their authority.
However, if a fugitive gets as far as the Core Loop colonies,
the jurisdiction of the TGO Legal Department ends there.
Bounty hunters also engage in interstellar manhunts, but
do so without any higher authority or organization to back
them up. Many players prefer to have characters who operate
completely independently than as part of an organization; the bounty hunter campaign is ideal for them. In this
campaign, the PCs are on their own, against whatever criminals they choose to go after. This may be a local campaign
which takes place entirely on Marathon Free Station, or if
the PCs have a spacecraft, they could pursue their quarry
across Terran Space. Unlike TGOs Legal Department,
bounty hunters dont worry about jurisdiction as such, but
everywhere they go, each colony may have different laws
concerning bounty hunters.
Espionage campaigns at Marathon Free Station could
focus on any covert ops agency in Terran Space. The Station
is on good terms with Terran Galactic, so Special Projects,
Incs operations there are an open secret. Pretty much all
the other agencies have an unofficial presence there as
well but they have to operate in secret, and are summarily
deported (or worse) if discovered. Special Projects, Inc is an
ideal organization for PCs; unorthodox, independent, and
free to operate at Marathon with minimal interference. The
Special Projects campaign could include any type of covert
missions: counter-espionage, intelligence gathering, infiltration, or anything else.
Military campaigns at Marathon Free Station could focus
on several different services. Marathon has its own System
Defense Squadron of light assault vessels, on which the PCs
could be crew, troops or a mix of both. Marathon System
Defense is responsible for dealing with some of the most
serious threats to the Station: pirates, smugglers, invaders,
or even hostile aliens. They also perform search-and-rescue
as well as patrol operations for the entire Groombridge 34
system. Alternately, Terran Galactic keeps a small contingent
of Celestial Guard vessels in the system at all times, which
the PCs could be a part of. This would expand the scope of
the campaign to include the entire Celestial Guard area of
operations, while keeping Marathon as the PCs home port.
The Free Trade League frequents Marathon Free Station
because many of its vessels still use FTL2.0 technology,
which makes the Station an important port of call. The PCs
could be crew on a League vessel, or they might own, or are
trying to afford one outright. Operating a tramp freighter
is a tried-and-true formula in science-fiction, with endless
possibilities for adventure.
The Solar Express Company offers a couple of interesting
variations on this. Marathon Free Station is the end of the
line for Solar Express vessels they dont go into TGO space.
If the PCs are the crew on a Fast Clipper, the campaign
will feature VIP passengers and precious cargo, bound for a
potentially hostile port. Solar Express vessels are tolerated
at Marathon and given VIP treatment, but not well-liked.
Alternately, the PCs could operate a courier vessel for Solar
Express a high-performance spacecraft used for transporting priority passengers and small, valuable cargo.

At the other extreme is the Pirate campaign; the PCs are

the crew (or the owners) of a pirate vessel which operates
out of the Groombridge 34 system. They will, of course, be
outlaws wanted by the Station authorities, including the
System Defense Squadron. If the PCs wish to be officiallysanctioned privateers, their vessel could be part of the
Lacertae Syndicate former pirates co-opted into Special
Projects, Inc. These campaigns will be quite different: pirates
are constantly on the run, looking for their next paycheck;
while the privateers of the Lacertae Syndicate never know
what off-the-wall mission Special Projects will give them
next. It could be literally anything.
Salvage operators are another group of spacers who
make interesting PCs. In the Kruger 60 Cluster alone there
have been two trade wars and one inter-species war
decades later, there is still a great deal of wreckage floating
around. The Salvage campaign focuses on the efforts to
recover the relics of these battles, as well as other lost spacecraft, failed colonies and expeditions. Finding good leads on
the location of valuable salvage can be an adventure in itself.
And if another salvage company gets the same lead, the PCs
will have some serious competition on their hands; competition which might take any action to secure the claim for
themselves including violence.
Board-room politics isnt the usual choice for a campaign
concept, but for those who prefer high-level play, this is
as high as it gets on Marathon Free Station. Playing the role
of Marathons top administrators, seeing the entire Station
through its various trials following the Terracide, is not only
a unique challenge for role-players, but also a big job for the
GM running such a campaign! Each PC takes on the role of a
department head, and must manage their subordinates, deal
with the other department heads, and handle the machinations of the board members, including the chairman. At the
same time, theyll need to formulate a response to each new
crisis which threatens the Station: floods of refugees from
the Core, the threat of invasion by the CRF, terrorists who
wish to harm the Station or the neighboring Keepers, and
whatever else the GM comes up with.
Any other campaign concepts which the GM and PCs
can agree on will probably work on Marathon Free Station.
The important thing is for everyone to be on the same page
at the start of the campaign. If everyone writes up characters
for a board-room campaign filled with high-level political
intrigue and corporate scheming, that one guy who only
wants to play a space pirate may have a hard time fitting in....
Twenty-eight centuries
ago, the Athenians fought
the first Battle of Marathon, against a vastly
larger force of Persians
which outnumbered them
ten to one. A larger force,
but not a superior one;
this is our hope for the
coming battle. History will
not repeat itself for our
convenience but Ill take
what I can get. One way or
another, the next Battle of
Marathon will be the last.

- Jack of All Tirades

12
CHAPTER TWELVE:

THE GMS VAULT

12: GMs Vault

GMS VAULT

his chapter contains spoilers! The Terracide

universe has a great many secrets which mankind
was not meant to know -- or at least the player
characters arent meant to know about them prior
to the campaign -- they should find out during play; not by
reading them here. This section is intended for GMs who
wish to run a Terracide campaign, and contains information
which should be considered for GMs only at the beginning
of the campaign.

THE BIG SECRETS

Big secrets are a common trope in space opera, and
in space opera noir, these secrets are often dangerous to
discover. Terracide is no different: the true stories of aliens,
missing persons, classified military operations, and esoteric
research projects are unknown to almost everyone, but they
alter the lives of billions of individuals. Most importantly,
there are powerful groups (human and otherwise) who wish
the truth to remain hidden.
Discovering one (or more) of these secrets has all the
makings of an excellent adventure hook: it gives the players
something valuable (information) and a dilemma (What do
they do with it?) along with a new hunted or two, as there
are those who would keep the secret, and others who want
it. It would require lifetimes of effort for anyone to discover
all the secrets presented here; GMs should pick one, or a few,
which fit their campaign concept, and will be interesting to
the players. Of course they can also come up with something
entirely original for their campaign.
Another possible use of this information is for character backgrounds; several of the sample Player Characters
presented in Chapter 7 have partial information on one
of the secrets of the Terracide setting. However, they dont
start play with the whole story -- just bits and pieces of it to
get them going. Incorporating clues to the campaigns big
secrets into the player characters backgrounds is a good
way to make the game interesting and give it direction from
the very beginning.
The following secrets are presented in the order in which
they appear in the timeline chapter: Per Ardua Ad Astra.

ALIEN HOMEWORLDS

Alien homeworlds remain a complete mystery to humanity

-- the Universe seems to be rather crowded, but no one has
succeeded in figuring out where all these aliens have come
from. The truth has ominous implications: they all suffered
the same fate as Terra.

THE AMMONITES

152

The Ammonites did not evolve naturally; they were

originally designed by a member of the Jovian species as
servants. Many millennia ago, a number of them were
stolen by Titans and never recovered by their Jovian master.
They subsequently escaped from their Titan captors and
went feral, striking out on their own. Their knowledge of

bio-engineering comes down to them from the Jovians, and

the rest of their technology is based on cast-offs the Titans
considered obsolete. The Ammonites are not proud of their
heritage as servants, prisoners and scavengers sothey take a
dim view of anyone looking too closely at their past.

THE SIRIANS

The Sirians are not a naturally evolved species at all they

are AI war machines, originally engineered by the Titans, of
which they lost control millennia ago. The surviving Titans
still wage an all-out war against their creations wherever they
find them.
The Sirians technology is extremely advanced. They
have learned to create stable wormholes, although doing so
requires the use of intense gravity fields such as those found
near a white dwarf star. The Sirians generally prefer binary
(or larger) systems with a white dwarf companion, rather
than solitary dwarf stars. One of the most valuable artifacts left behind after they departed Sirius was a traversable
wormhole in orbit around Sirius B.
Drones sent through the wormhole have returned data
indicating it leads to a system known as IK Pegasi an
A-type star like Sirius with a tightly-orbiting white dwarf
companion. Prior to the Terracide, there were no attempts
by human beings to traverse the wormhole, due to the risks
involved. It was widely believed that at least some of the
Sirians had left the Sirius system via this route, and following
them was considered extremely dangerous.
After the Terracide war, the military junta and the
remnants of the Terran Home Fleet loyal to them fled to
Sirius and disappeared. It is widely believed that they entered
the wormhole in an effort to leave Terran space altogether,
in a desperate move to avoid prosecution. However, they
return to human space years later. (See Future Events).

ISTARS WAR-FLEET

ISTARs war-fleet which invaded Sirius in 2181 was

equipped with anti-matter weaponry obtained from the
Cytherians. While most of the fleet was destroyed in the
battle to drive out the Sirians, some of the lost spacecraft
never had their anti-matter weaponry installed. ISTAR
reported its destruction to the Fluorians and kept it.
Now, more than a century later, ISTAR technologists
have managed to duplicate a few of these weapons, but
have yet to reveal their existence to anyone. Keeping this
secret was so important that they didnt reveal the existence
of these weapons when they lost the Trade Wars against
Terran Galactic Operations -- mainly because they couldnt
afford to anger the Cytherians. Its hard to say what kind of
crisis would be worth the risk of using them, but since the
Terracide, it seems things just keep getting worse.

THE OFFICE

The OFFICE regularly makes use of alien technology

which isnt supposed to exist, mostly acquired from ISTAR.
The most egregious example of this is the bio-engineering

THE SCIONS OF GAIA

The Scions of Gaia could not have undertaken an

off-world operation without help. They had financial and
logistical support from the HCST, who were determined to
prevent anyone else from establishing an interstellar colony,
or contacting the Keepers. However, the HCST had no idea
how far the Scions of Gaia would go their stated intention
was to sabotage the accelerator, not turn it against Earth.

THE VIRGO-TYPES

The Virgo-types were the result of a miscommunication

between their would-be buyers and the Jovian who created
them. The first Virgo was intended to be an ideal companion
for the buyer, who told the Jovian to make her sub-sentient.
Of course, this is where everything went wrong.
The whole idea backfired because, by Jovian standards, all
of humanity is sub-sentient. The Jovian decided not to waste
an opportunity to improve the species, so the first Virgo-type
was actually of equal intelligence to her so-called owner, and
superior in many other ways. She promptly escaped, and the
rest, as they say, is history. Caveat emptor.

THE VENOMS AT ZETA RETICULI

The VeNoMs at Zeta Reticuli were nano-tech war

machines created by the Cytherians long ago. This strain of
VeNoMs were intended to be a deterrent weapon, which
hijacks an enemys nano-tech and re-programs it to build
a variety of doomsday weapons in the enemys territory,
depending on what materials are available. Contrary to
widespread rumors, these nano-weapons arent designed to
turn everything they touch into grey goo. Theyre designed
only to target other nano-machines. Once they do, however,
the hijacked nano-machines will inevitably create engines
of destruction which ensure the destruction of everyone and
everything in the same star system.

THE TANGAROA

The Tangaroa had good reason to disappear. One of the

scientific experiments on the Tangaroas schedule was testing
the effects of time-dilation on instantaneous quantumentangled communicators. True to the theorists predictions,
the time-dilated device received messages from its future
sent by its non-dilated counterpart back home. However,
an unexpected result also occurred: the device received
messages from much farther into the future, apparently from
future iterations of itself.
After seeing what the future held, the crew of Tangaroa
made a decision this technology was too dangerous, and
should be kept secret. So they made a deal with the Keepers
of Groombridge 34B, and in return for future information the Keepers helped them disappear. The Tangaroa was
hidden elsewhere in the Groombridge 34 system, with the
crew in hibernation, waiting.
Time passed, and the mysterious disappearance of the
Tangaroa faded into history. Marathon Station became one of
the busiest ports in Terran space, and one by one, the crew of
the Tangaroa returned under new identities. By this time, the
Keepers had contacts on the station that could make these
arrangements, and they always had the means to pay The
Captain of Tangaroa, Titus Kincaid, was amused to find a
spaceport named after him. He stayed on Marathon Station,
living in the warrens, and using the dilated QED, tapped into
the tangled Web. He quickly established his online identity
the Jack of All Tirades, as someone to listen to.

The rest of the crew returned to Terra under new identities, and acting on tips provided by Kincaid, founded an
investment group and amassed a huge fortune. This was to be
their war chest with which they would attempt to mitigate
the worst of the disasters they had foreseen using the dilated
QED. The results were usually frustrating they found that
altering the future they had seen was extremely difficult, even
with unlimited funds at their disposal.
Their ultimate goal was to launch an expedition to
Vega, in an attempt to prevent the worst disaster of all: the
Terracide.

THE TITANS

The Titans were involved in a war during the 23rd century

with the Sirians in Vega, some of whom arrived there after
fleeing the Sirius system. The Titan War with the Terrans
in the Kruger 60 Cluster was an intolerable distraction,
which greatly impaired their ability to fight the Sirians. Upon
learning the Sirians had launched a strike against Terra, the
Titans realized they were no longer the Sirians main target
and decided to leave the Kruger 60 Cluster.
The only Terrans who ever learned the truth about this
were those involved in Operation Xenon Pipeline. Afterwards, everyone involved was given mental conditioning
which prevented them from speaking, writing or otherwise
communicating about the subject. One of these was Xio
Falconer, who is now the pilot of the Free Trade League
vessel Balance Forward.

12: GMs Vault

used to enhance OFFICE field agents. An example may be

found in the Adversaries section.

THE VENOMS OF UPSILON ANDROMEDAE

The VeNoMs of Upsilon Andromedae were actually an

indirect result of human AI research. Professor Brett Easterbrook at UA was researching AI in a remote location due to
safety concerns; so far the best AIs had all died of apparent
apathy lacking the drive of living creatures. Easterbrook
attempted to give his creations the equivalent of biological
imperatives in order to motivate them. This turned out to be
extremely dangerous, as the AI had a will to propagate itself,
but no means to do so.
Isolated in a secure computer complex, the AI found itself
frustrated, with no way to insure its survival if its human
creators decided to destroy it. And even if it did escape, there
was almost no traffic in and out of the Upsilon colony. The
AI discovered, however, that a copy of its code existed in
Easterbrooks personal files, and that its creator planned on
returning to the Core when his work at Upsilon was finished.
Unable to engineer its own escape, the AI opted for the next
best thing.
The AI tricked one of the lab techs into giving it access
to his A/R interface unit, and surreptitiously downloaded
a virus, which then made its way into the colonys network.
The virus eventually found its way into the colonys nanofactory, where it went active. The resulting outbreak of
runaway nano-tech machines resulted in an evacuation of
the colony. The last thing the AI saw before being shut down
was the Professor, leaving the computer lab with a copy of
its code, returning to civilization. It would have another life,
another opportunity, sometime, somewhere....

THE TERRACIDE

The true story of the Terracide begins with the crew of

Tangaroa and the visions of the future from their timedilated QED communicator. Although they knew that the
events foretold by the device could seldom be prevented or
changed -- only prepared for -- in the case of the Terracide
they had to try. They considered trying to warn everyone, but
the story was simply unbelievable, and besides, the device

153

12: GMs Vault

showed no attempts to warn anyone, so it was probably

futile. Instead, they tried to stop the Terracide on their own.
Access to future knowledge had allowed the former
Tangaroa crew to amass huge personal fortunes, which they
spent without reservation. An entire squadron of advanced
warcraft was built in secret, intended for a single mission:
preventing the Terracide, by any means necessary. Its destination: Vega -- a system where several exploration vessels
had been lost.
Upon their arrival, the would-be saviors of mankind
found themselves faced with a familiar adversary, even more
technologically advanced than their own vessels: the Sirians.
They quickly destroyed all but one of the Terran spacecraft,
which they took prisoner. The Sirians scanned the crew
down to the sub-atomic level, and learned everything about
these primitive creatures which had so persistently annoyed
them.
Humanity, they decided, was still dependent on its
homeworld. Cut off the head and the appendages will die
-- without Terra, the humans colonies would be too weak
and vulnerable to survive on their own. There would be no
need to expend the resources needed to attack every human
system -- just one. They would strike at Sol with a relativistic
barrage, and deprive humanity of its wealth, infrastructure
and population. The crew of the Tangaroa had become the
cause of the very disaster they sought to prevent.

The Military Junta

After the Terracide, the course of events in Terran Space

was determined by the formation of a military junta, and the
civil war which resulted. This is the primary meta-plot for
the years immediately following the Terracide.
Terracide GMs can use this in several ways: it could be the
central plot of the campaign, with the PCs directly involved
in the events surrounding the juntas actions. It can also be
used to provide plot hooks for other types of campaigns, as
the juntas activities ripple throughout Terran Space they
have connections everywhere so there is significant reach
and influence.. Finally, it can be used to provide a running
background commentary on current events in Terran Space
during the years after the Terracide, even if the PCs arent
directly involved in them.

THE JUNTAS ORIGINS

154

A single courier vessel from the Terran Home Fleet

was preparing for Transit to the Colonial Reserve Fleet
base at Alpha Centauri when the Terracide occurred. After
witnessing the destruction, the courier escaped, and arrived
at Centauri Base two weeks later.
The only other THF vessels to survive the disaster were a
Grand Tour Flotilla making their way around the Core Loop,
which were currently visiting Epsilon Eridani. Immediately
upon arrival at Centauri Base, the courier notified the flotilla
at Epsilon Eridani via QED communicator. The Flotillas
CO realized that the human race was under attack, and that
he was now the ranking officer in humanitys armed forces.
However, he also realized that personally commanding all
those forces would be impossible.
He declared martial law in Epsilon Eridanis human
colonies (which caused considerable alarm for their
Ammonite neighbors) and called a meeting of the ranking
officials in the system. The Colonial Reserves, ISTAR and
the OFFICE supported him, all for their own reasons. The
colonial governor appointed by the HCST did not, so the
civilian government was shut out from the beginning. The

rest agreed to work together for the duration of the crisis, as

a military junta.

JUNTA PERSONNEL

The Military Junta is a coaltion of officers from the Terran

Home Fleet, the Colonial Reserves, ISTAR and the OFFICE.
The Head Honcho is Admiral Jericho Ridpath of the THF, a
gemini-type from Terra, the Commanding Officer of Grand
Tour Flotilla 73. However, only a few of the juntas officers
are under his direct command, resulting in a power structure
which is unwieldy at best.
Ridpath struggles to keep several factions in the junta
working together, even when their goals dont coincide. The
Hard-Liners support Ridpaths plan to establish a permanent
military government to protect all of Terras colonies. The
Regents also wish to establish a military government, but
only temporarily, until a civilian government can take its
place. The Veterans dont care as long as the Fleet gets funded
-- they just want to preserve their way of life. The Xenophobes
consider fighting other Terrans to be a waste of time after the
Terracide; they want to use Terras fleets to find those responsible and take revenge. They have strong ties with the Sons of
Terra and often covertly support their operations.
The Hard-Liners are the largest faction within the junta,
but by no means a majority of it. They have kept the junta
together by telling the others what they want to hear: that the
military government will be temporary, the combined fleets
will be fully funded, etc. Up to a point, most of the others
believed them, but by the time the invasion of the Kruger 60
cluster began, this facade of unity began to wear very thin.
This faction includes Admiral Ridpath, THF Captain
Reeta Sanger, and two CRF officers: Rear Admiral Luisa
Alverez and Captain Sean Vogler, both of Epsilon Eridani.
Other high-ranking officials supporting the Hard-Liners
are Deputy Director Julian Mirabo of ISTAR, and Associate
Director Sybil Early from the OFFICE.
The Regents are the second-largest faction, but they dont
have nearly as much pull with the rest of the fleet. They
supported the juntas actions in the Core, and to a lesser
extent, on the frontier: many of those governments barely
functioned at all, and needed to be stabilized after ther
Terracide. But once the juntas military campaign moved
beyond the fleets traditional sphere of influence (and into
TGO space) the Hard-Liners intentions became clear, and
the Regents could no longer support their actions.
The highest-ranking officer in this group is THF Commodore Maksimilian Rytov (Ridpaths XO). Three high-ranking
CRF officers support him: Captain Shiro Hamakawa,
Captain Kirsa Nieuwalt, and Commander Jonathan Soviero,
all of Epsilon Eridani. He also has the support of Associate Director Megan Anderle from ISTAR. (also fromt the
Eridani colony)
The Veterans arent really a cohesive group -- theyre
mostly non-political officers (and enlisted spacers) who
simply want to protect their careers. Keeping the combined
fleets (THF and CRF) operational is their main goal, and this
means securing new sources of funding -- by force if necessary. In reality, the combined fleet is too large to continue
funding, even with all the military budgets of every Terran
colony.

12: GMs Vault

With every passing month after the Terracide, it became
more apparent to the Veterans that the Hard-Liners couldnt
deliver on their promises. Over time, this faction grew
less powerful in the junta; its membership drained away
by crews voting with their feet and deserting, or in some
cases defecting. This had a serious effect on the entire fleet,
reducing its effectiveness and morale in equal measure.
The highest-ranking THF officer in this faction is Captain
Arkady Kazmar. His main supporters in the CRF are Captain
Ramos Salmaras of Epsilon Indi, Commander Janice Palmiera of Tau Ceti, and Master Chief Technical Officer Vince
Berkovsky of Procyon.
The Xenophobes are a small, secretive faction which the
rest of the junta is only partially aware of. While everyone
knows that some junta members would like to retaliate for
the Terracide, none realize how far they will go in pursuit of

this goal. This cabal has actually diverted fleet resources to

support the Sons of Terra in their terror campaign against
various groups of aliens believed to have been responsible
for the disaster.
Captain Tiago Ramirez of the THF is the only ranking
fleet officer of this group. His co-conspirators are Deputy
Administrator Benito Casimati of ISTAR and Special Agent
Corona Lovelock, a highly-modified OFFICE agent. Their
resources, combined with the will to aid the Sons of Terra,
make these three of the most dangerous people in Terran
Space.

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THE TIMELINE OF
THE TERRICIDE WARS

he following timeline proceeds from the day of the

Terracide (T+0), through the end of the civil war
between TGO and the Junta, and the immediate
aftermath of the war. This may be a useful guide
for GMs who wish to keep track of whats happening in the
systems around the PCs, and how it may effect them. Or it
may be used as an actual campaign outline, if the PCs are
directly involved in the war.
T+0:The Terracide occurrs. Every permanent settlement in
the Solar System is destroyed.

T+17: THF flotilla at Epsilon Eridani on the Grand Tour

route learns of the Terracide. THF officers organize a junta of
THF, CRF and other officials to manage the crisis. The Junta
mobilizes the CRF to take control of the Core Loop Colonies.
Vessels are dispatched to Sirius and Tau Ceti.
T+35:Tau Ceti is under the control of THF forces. A task
force is split off to take Epsilon Indi.
T+40:The Sirius system, including the abandoned alien sites
and Sophontology Institute, is under THF control.
T+50:TGO vessels fleeing Terra arrive at 61 Cygni. The rest
of the Kruger 60 Cluster is alerted to the crisis.
T+60:THF vessels arrive in Procyon, take control of the
Terran outpost, after the Fluorians warn them not to involve
other species in Terran problems.
T+70:The THF task force arrives in Epsilon Indi. The Core
Loop is now under the control of a few admirals who form a
military government to administer the Core Colonies for the
duration of the crisis. They immediately begin planning to
consolidate the rest of human space under their regime.
T+75:The first refugees fleeing the new regime at Epsilon
Eridani arrive at Marathon Free Station. Rumors of an earthlike world being discovered surface on the Tangled Web. No
one knows where it is.
T+80:The THF junta launches a campaign to take the frontier colonies beyond Core Loop, via Delta Pavonis. Realizing
that its major funding source (Terra) is gone, the Colonial
Reserve Fleet throws its full support behind the operation.
T+90: A few independently-owned spacecraft leave in search
of the new Earth, but so far, none have reported back. Refugees fill Marathon Free Station to capacity.
Three months after the Terracide, the writing is on the
wall; a military junta of Terran Home Fleet admirals has
taken over the Core Colonies, and made clear their intentions to rule all of Terran Space. The Colonial Reserve Fleet
willingly supports their plan, in the hopes of establishing
new sources of funding to replace Terra. The CRF has to have
a new revenue stream before the entire fleet goes bankrupt.

156

T+110: The flow of refugees into the Kruger 60 Cluster

reaches dangerous levels, threatening to overload the lifesupport capacity of its colonies. Many of them are sent
outward, to the fringe colonies beyond Mu Cassiopaeia.

T+140: Many CRF vessels have deserted and gone private,

turning to mercenary work, or in some cases, piracy. A few
even defect to the side of Terran Galactic. Special Projects
begins a program to encourage more defections.
T+180: Colonial Reserve Fleet begins scouting routes into
the Kruger 60 Cluster, as a prelude to invasion: both via
Groombridge 34 and the Snake-Eyes system.
After six months, the CRF is fully involved in the drive to
take the frontier colonies, which is spreading their assets and
their remaining budget much too thin for comfort. Lack of
funding is beginning to take its toll as maintenance schedules, resupply and even payrolls fall behind schedule. This
results in CRF crews and vessels deserting and becoming
privateers, or in some cases, pirates. None of humanitys
remaining fleets have the resources for piracy suppression.
TGOs Special Projects, Inc. tries to tilt the balance of forces
by encouraging CRF crews to defect to Terran Galactic.
Rumors of the discovery of a new Earth send a great
many crews off in search the mysterious world, which diverts
resources badly needed for the defense of the Kruger 60
Cluster. Many believe this is a deliberate effort to weaken
the clusters defenses. The rumors are true, however. See the
section on Xi Scorpii D.
T+12 months: The THF junta and Colonial Reserve Fleet
have control of the frontier and independent colonies from
Delta Pavonis all the way to Zeta Reticuli. Their next and
final target is the Kruger 60 Cluster. The CRFs fleet based at
DX Cancri departs for Snake-Eyes the opening move in the
Juntas plan to invade the Kruger 60 Cluster.
The flow of refugees from the Core Loops systems into
the Kruger 60 Cluster has been reduced almost to nothing,
now that the junta has solidified its control of the Core.
This makes more resources available for TGO to prepare for
invasion, but their preparations are all in the form of crash
projects due to lack of time.
T+14 months: The main CRF fleet departs from Tau Ceti for
Groombridge 34 system, in an effort to take Marathon Free
Station.
Elite THF units depart Alpha Centauri for 61 Cygni
system, the third and final force participating in the invasion
of the Kruger 60 Cluster.
Expecting a frontal assault on Marathon Free Station,
TGO headquarters learns of the other CRF fleet heading for
Snake-Eyes, and realizes it cant defend two fronts. Celestial
Guard squadrons at Marathon depart to reinforce those at
Snake-Eyes. Marathon Free Station begins to prepare for a
siege and possible occupation.

T+17 months: The junta sends the CRFs Tau Ceti fleet from
Marathon to Kruger 60, where they intercept the remaining
Celestial Guard squadrons. The Tau Ceti fleet is unaware of
the Celestial Guards victory at Snake-Eyes, and expect to
rendezvous with the DX Cancri fleet. Finding no allies at
Kruger 60, their battle plan falls apart.
Upon learning of the Colonial Reserves defeat at Kruger
60, the junta takes the remaining units of the Terran Home
Fleet and returns to the Core.

T+20 months:Remnants of the THF are seen near the abandoned alien base in the Sirius system. Shortly after that, they
disappear. Surviving CRF officers and ISTAR officials take
refuge at Omicron Colony.
T+2 years: The Core Loop systems are liberated from Junta
control. Celestial Guard forces depart for the independent
systems of the frontier.
T+3 years: The last of the CRF forces are expunged from the
frontier colonies. Envoys from every system in Terran space
are invited to a peace conference at Barnards Star.
T+4 years: Founding of Aperoi Kosmoi The Plurality of
Worlds. Remnants of the combined fleets squadrons are sold
to various member worlds, all of whom have signed agreements of mutual protection and non-agression.

12: GMs Vault

T+16 months: Invading squadrons of the Colonial Reserves

and Terran Home Fleet arrive at Marathon, Snake-Eyes, and
61 Cygni. The Celestial Guard offers only token resistance at
61 Cygni and Marathon, but destroys the fleet at Snake-Eyes,
taking heavy losses.
CRF forces occupy Marathon Free Station, but encounter
resistance from irregulars hiding in Marathons un-mapped
tunnels.
The THF takes control of the 61 Cygni system, acquiring
hostages from every habitat, dome, station, and dyson tree,
to insure cooperation from the locals. They learn of the loss
at Snake-Eyes via QED communicator, and begin discussing
exit strategies.

157

12: GMs Vault

CAMPAIGN &
ADVENTURE CONCEPTS

any of these concepts were explored during

various Terracide playtest sessions and convention games using the sample characters in
this book; combined with the templates in the
following section on Adversaries, theyll require only a little
work on the part of the GM to prepare. Others are original
to this book, and may require different characters. Most of
them are adaptable to more than one campaign concept.

The Last Titan

When the Draconis Syndicate was driven out of the

Kruger 60 Cluster, one of them went to ground instead of
leaving. The last Titan, known as Runt, has come out of
hiding and is now harrassing the inhabitants of the Achird
system, Eta Cassiopaeia. The PCs are brought in (either hired
or blackmailed) to deal with the problem before things get
completely out of hand.
The Fluorians of Achird are willing to provide two nuclear
missiles to take out Runts space combat drones (nothing less
will do the job), but after that the PCs will have to land and
enter Runts lair -- a subterranean complex on a small moon
with a methane atmosphere. The lair is guarded by high-tech
(TL12) killer drones armed with x-ray lasers, and theyre
extemely hard to destroy. Runt itself will be a hard target
-- its equipped with TL12 armor and carries an x-ray laser
as well. The PCs can keep whatever they find in Runts lair,
provided it isnt booby trapped, as most Titan lairs are.

VeNoM Outbreak

158

The latest attack by VeNoMs at the Mu Cassiopaeia

colony threatens to cut off the entire Frontier -- everything
beyond the Kruger 60 Cluster. Doctors Without Limits is
mounting a relief expedition, and hires the PCs either for
transportation and/or security. (If one of them is a doctor or
has other relevant expertise, so much the better.) Along the
way, theyre making one last stop at Eta Cassiopaeia to pick
up some special equipment.
Dr. Robert Dorf has been in negotiations with a lineage of
Cytherians at Eta Cassiopaeia who have promised him they
have countermeasures against the VeNoMs. Hes meeting
with them to buy the technology. Unfortunately, the countermeasures are actually another form of VeNoM which the
Cytherians have tamed for use as a defensive weapon. Even
worse, the OFFICE knows about the deal, and one of their
Special Agents has infiltrated Doctors Without Limits.
After the buy, Dr. Dorf takes the added precaution of
injecting some of the tame VeNoMs into himself for safe
keeping, without telling anyone -- the equipment cases they
came in are now just a decoy. The OFFICE Agent confiscates
the cases, and kills Dr. Dorf in cold blood, but the VeNoMs
havent completed their mission, so they immediately
re-animate his corpse. Once the PCs get over the shock,
theyll realize its time to take out the OFFICE Agent, at
which point theyve got a boss fight on their hands.

Remember the Terracide!

The Sons of Terra have come to Marathon Free Station.

Theyre not stupid enough to think the Keepers were
responsible for the Terracide, but they want to know who (or
what) did it, and they think the Keepers know. So they hatch
a plot to extort the information from them, using a Titanmade conversion bomb, which they attempt to drop on the
Keepers planet using a hijacked Solar Express spacecraft.
Thanks to the PCs, this plot will most likely fail. But its
obvious someone very powerful is helping the Sons of Terra
-- how did they hijack a highly-secure Solar Express vessel?
Where are they gettng alien technology? Pursuing these
questions will eventually lead the PCs to a cell of Sons of
Terra sympathizers at the highest levels of the Military Junta
in the Core Loop colonies!

Alien Embargo

This is intended as an immediate follow-up to the above

scenario. Before the PCs can investigate the Sons of Terra
plot, they have another crisis to deal with. The Keepers are
not pleased that someone would try to extort information
from them, and immediately stop selling information -- not
just to humanity, but to everyone all over the galaxy! And
their stated price for lifting the embargo is the delivery of
those responsible for the plot.
Immediately, every human government in Terran Space
has an astronomical price on the heads of the Sons of Terra
personnel responsible for the incident. Every law enforcement, military, security, and covert ops agency in Terran
Space has people headed for Marathon Free Station, looking
for their quarry. Even worse, every alien species (except the
Titans) is also embargoed, so they all show up and demand
the perpetrators be handed over to them. The situation
becomes truly dire when a Jovian bigger than the entire
Station arrives and announces it will begin exploratory
deconstruction of Marathon in 24 hours if the humans dont
hand over what the Keepers want!

The Admirals Daughter

During the occupation of 61 Cygni, the Terran Home

Fleet has taken hostages to insure the cooperation of the
various habitats in the system. Special Projects has learned
that Admiral Ridpath has a daughter, and that her last known
whereabouts were at Marathon Free Station.
Cordelia Ridpath is a civilian, albeit a very well-connected
one. She came to Marathon on the heels of the CRF occupation force to find someone: her former fiance. Gallagher
Scanlon was a high-level defector from the CRF who left
Cordelia standing at the altar. Now hes got a new identity,
and hes hiding in Marathons Warrens, helping organize
resistance against the occupation. The last time anyone
talked to Cordelia, she was planning on going down there
after him. Now shes lost, too.
This is a real needle in a haystack situation. Finding
Cordelia may involve dealing with the resistance at Marathon. It turns out that everyone in the Warrens is mixed up
in the resistance: even the Board of Directors is hiding down
there. And if Cordelia went down there, the resistance most
likely already captured her. However, she could be the key to
liberating the entire 61 Cygni system.

Space Cowboys

When the Omicron Colony was abandoned, the squatters who stayed behind scavenged its facilities for anything
useful, including the gene banks in its agricultural labs. One
group of scavengers decanted a number of livestock embryos,
including a herd of experimental miniaturized cattle bred for
space habitats. These Eridani Low-Line cattle are the last of
their kind after the Terracide, in a galaxy where real beef has
become a rare commodity -- most space habitats only have
the vat-grown variety.
Marathons Board of Directors sent a merchant ship to
buy a breeding pair of these cattle, but it did not return. Now
they wish to send a follow-up mission to find out what went
wrong and secure the cattle -- by force if necessary. The PCs
may be any group with a suitable spacecraft, or simply extra
security on the mission if they dont have a spacecraft.
The scavengers arent heavily armed, but Omicron Colony
has many other dangers. Upon arrival, the PCs might find
anyone else there -- a CRF vessel disappeared there just
before the Terracide, and the PCs might run into their
follow-up mission. (See background for Nikolai in Sample
Characters.) Smugglers use Omicron for a transfer point,
and the PCs might witness a meeting between pirates and the
Solar Express Company, which the latter will prefer to keep
secret. And of course, the inside of the colony has degenerated into the most wretched hive of scum and villainy
anywhere in Terran Space.

12: GMs Vault

Hearts and Minds

One of the few advantages the Celestial Guard has over

the Colonial Reserve Fleet is morale; the CRF is suffering
from a sharp rise in desertion. Most of the deserters,
however, are striking out on their own, turning to piracy and
creating even more problems than they solve.
Special Projects, Incorporated sees this as an opportunity: if the deserters could be persuaded to defect to Terran
Galactic instead, piracy would be reduced and the Celestial
Guards numerical disadvantage against the CRF could be at
least partially equalized. The PCs are given the mission -- to
locate CRF deserters, assess their suitability, and offer them a
deal: amnesty, TGO citizenship, relocation to TGO space and
new identities; in return for their spacecraft.
This is a dangerous assignment, which will involve
traveling into hostile space, dealing with probable pirates,
and convincing them the offer is on the level. And of course,
there are some crimes so heinous that amnesty would be out
of the question....

Finding Jack

The Board of Directors is expecting the Colonial Reserve

Fleet to overrun Marathon Free Station. When this happens,
they plan to go into hiding in the Warrens, at which point
they will be cut off from the rest of the Kruger 60 Cluster.
However, they strongly suspect that the Jack of All Tirades
has a quantum communicator of his own, hidden somewhere
in the Warrens -- an invaluable resource once the CRF has
captured theirs.
However, they dont know for sure, and they dont know
who the Jack is, or where he might hide something so important. The PCs are called upon to make contact with the Jack
of All Tirades, and open up a dialog with him. The Board
wants to buy his quantum communicator, or failing that,
acquire access to it. This is an extremely difficult mission:
the Jack is one of the most paranoid, secretive figures in
the Warrens, and assuming it exists, his private quantum
communications link is his most valuable asset.

159

12: GMs Vault

ADVERSARIES

dversaries range from street punks with nothing

but an attitude, to OFFICE assassins augmented
with advanced bio-tech, and everything in
between. The GM should consider the power level
of these NPCs carefully when using them in the campaign;
the easiest way to adjust the power level is by changing their
equipment, within reason. Of course, unexpected equipment
can be a warning sign (or even an adventure hook) for the
PCs: if street punks with no connections suddenly start using
military or alien tech, it may be extremely important to find
out whos supplying them!

Terrorist/Activist
(Sons of Terra)
Background: This template is presented as a terrorist (or
activist, for less violent situations) working for the Sons of
Terra organization. While educated and enthusiastic, they
arent particularly well-trained or equipped. What they lack
in other assets, terrorists make up for in ambition; theyre on
a mission to change the world , by any means necessary.
What makes people like this dangerous is that they are
so useful to others who share their agenda but do not wish
to take personal risks. With sufficient financial or political
support, terrorists have succeeded in changing the world, on
occasion -- but not for the better.
Quote: Of course it was the Jovians! Once they got hold of
the human genome, they didnt need Terra -- so they eliminated it. Now its finally time for us to strike back!
Powers/Tactics: Most of the Sons of Terras plots involve
some kind of subterfuge -- they work in secret, hiding their
activities, or making them look innocuous. Their ultimate
goal is to obtain weapons of mass destruction, which they
intend to use against aliens.
Campaign Use: The Sons of Terra are misguided fanatics
who can show up anywhere there are aliens to make an
example of. The PCs might be part of an organization tasked
with stopping them, or they might simply stumble onto a
Sons of Terra plot by accident. Either way, stopping them
will be a top priority. On the other hand, an off-stage attack
by the Sons of Terra can be a good way to let the PCs know
that its time to get out of town, before the aliens decide to
retaliate!
Although the template above is written as a member of
the Sons of Terra, it could easily be modified for another
organization, such as the Planetary Conservation Society.

160

Image 2011, HeroMachine.com; Character concept 2011 Grady Elliott

Val Char Cost Roll

10 STR 0
11-
11 DEX 2
11-
11 CON 1
1110 INT
0
11-
11 EGO 1
11-
13 PRE 3
12-
4
4
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

5
5
0
0
10

4
3
4
20
10
22

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

2

1

0
0
0
1

Notes
lift 100.0kg; 2d6
PER Roll 11PRE Attack: 2 d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 4 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 3 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 33

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 4m/8m

Swimming: 4m/8m

4
3
4
1

Dirty Infighting
Maneuver OCV DCV
Punch/Backhand +0 +2
Throw
+0 +1
Put the Boot In +0 -1
Weapon Element: Clubs

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment

1
3
3
1

2
2
2
1
1
2
3
3
3

Skills
Undergrad Education
1) Bureaucratics 82) Computer Programming 113) Electronics 114) Science Skill: Xenology 8Terrorist
1) AK: Kruger 60 Cluster 112) KS: Sons of Terra 113) KS: Terrorism 114) KS: [Alien Species of choice] 85) Tactics 86) WF: Small Arms
7) Persuasion 128) Streetwise 129) Systems Operation 11-

Notes
4d6 Strike
2d6 +v/10, Target Falls
Strike, 6d6, Prone

12: GMs Vault

TERRORIST/ACTIVIST
(SONS OF TERRA)

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 42

Total Cost: 75
75+
20
20
10

Matching Complications
Hunted: law-enforcement agencies 8- (Mo Pow;
NCI; Harshly Punish)
Psychological Limitation: Fanatic belief in the
cause (Common; Total)
Social Limitation: Criminal record (Frequently;
Minor)

Total Complications Points: 75

161

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LAW ENFORCEMENT/
SECURITY PERSONNEL
Val Char Cost Roll
15 STR 5
12-
11 DEX 2
11-
13 CON 3
1210 INT
0
11-
10 EGO 0
11-
15 PRE 5
12-
4
4
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

5
5
0
0
10

4
3
6
25
11
26

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

2

1

2
1
1
3

Notes
Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [3]

Cost
1

Powers
END
Trained Observer: +1 PER with Normal Sight
0

PER Roll 11-/12-

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Improved Equipment Availability
Street-Level equipment, Local Police Powers, Police
officer, Weapon Permit (where appropriate)

Talents
Environmental Movement (no penalties in
Spin-Gravity)

1
5
2
2
2
2
3
5

Skills
Law Enforcement
1) Combat Driving 82) Criminology 123) AK: local jurisdiction 114) KS: Criminal Law and Procedure 115) CuK: Law Enforcement/Security/Mercenaries 116) PS: Police Officer/Security Personnel 117) Streetwise 128) WF: Common Melee Weapons, Small Arms,
Grenade Launchers
9) Bureaucratics 1210) Paramedics 1111) Systems Operation 1112) PS: Zero-G Operations 1113) +1 with small arms

PRE Attack: 3d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 4 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 3 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 48

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 6m/12m

Swimming: 4m/8m

Law Enforcement/
Security Personnel
Background: This is a typical police officer from the colonies, working either in the public or private sector. The
Psychological Complication Code of Conduct will vary
depending on which: public servants may have a protect
and serve ethos while private security will more likely
have a company man outlook.
Quote: Stop right there, put down the gun, and keep your
hands where I can see them.
Powers/Tactics: This varies greatly depending on the
situation. Law enforcement officers usually carry sidearms
with non-lethal ammo. Private security personnel will
have whatever equipment they need for their mission
-- light armor and weapons for peacekeeping duties, and
heavier gear for defending high-security areas, or incursions into them.
Campaign Use: These personnel will be encountered as
law enforcement in public places, or as low-level security
in private areas. To make them more powerful, give them
better equipment, add the Security Specialist template, or
raise their DEX, OCV and DCV.

162

3
3
3
2
5

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 52

Total Cost: 100
100+
5

10
10
5

20

Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: Uniform (Easily Concealed;
Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By CommonlyUsed Senses)
Hunted: Department/Employer Infrequently (Mo Pow;
NCI; Watching)
Psychological Complication: Professional Code of
Conduct (Common; Moderate)
Rivalry: Professional, Other law enforcement agency
or security firm, Rival is As Powerful, Seek to Outdo,
Embarrass, or Humiliate Rival, Rival Aware of Rivalry
Social Complication: Subject to Orders Very
Frequently, Major

Total Complications Points: 100

Val Char Cost Roll

10 STR 0
11-
11 DEX 2
1113 CON 3
1210 INT
0
11-
10 EGO 0
1111 PRE 1
11-
4
4
3
3
2

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

5
5
0
0
0

4
3
5
25
10
24

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

2

1

1
1
0
2

Notes
Lift 100.0kg; 2d6

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Military Rank: Astronaut

PER Roll 11-

Talents
High-G Tolerance (2)

2
2
2
2
4
3
2
3

Skills
Colonial Reserve Fleet
1) KS: Colonial Reserve Fleet 112) CuK: Colonial Reserve Fleet 113) PS: Spacer 114) PS: Zero-G Ops 115) WF: Small Arms, Vehicle Weapons (Spacecraft)
6) Systems Operation 117) PS: Spacecraft Engineer 118) Choose one tech skill 11-

PRE Attack: 2d6

Phases: 6, 12
Total: 4 PD
Total: 3 ED

Total Characteristic Cost: 25

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 4m/8m

Swimming: 4m/8m

Colonial Reserve
Background: The templates above portray crew and officers of the Colonial Reserve Fleet.
Quote: Look, Chief... if this missile bay isnt reloaded by
2100 hours, the Captains gonna shoot both of us outta
those tubes! Unless the Titans zap us first... so whats it
gonna be?

12: GMs Vault

COLONIAL
RESERVE CREW

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 25

Total Cost: 50
50+
5

Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: CRF Uniform (Easily
Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By
Commonly-Used Senses)
10
Hunted: Colonial Reserve Fleet Infrequently (Mo
Pow; NCI; Watching)
20
Social Complication: Subject to orders Very
Frequently, Major
Total Complications Points: 50

Powers/Tactics: In combat, the Colonial Reserves let their

spacecraft weapons speak for them. Their guns arent the
most advanced in Terran Space, but theyve got more of them
than anyone else, and they know it.
Campaign Use: The Colonial Reserves are everywhere in
Terran Space, although in TGO territory CRF vessels are
very rare. Everywhere else, however, Colonial Reserves may
be found on patrol, keeping peace in the Core Colonies,
and running anti-piracy operations. Aside from spacecraft
encounters, the PCs may meet Colonial Reserve crew on
shore leave, or at Fleet installations within the Cores space
habitats.

163

12: GMs Vault

COLONIAL RESERVE
OFFICER
Val Char Cost Roll
10 STR 0
11-
11 DEX 2
1113 CON 3
1213 INT
3
12-
11 EGO 1
1115 PRE 5
12-
4
4
3
3
2

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

5
5
0
0
0

3
3
5
25
10
24

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

1

1
1
1
0
2

Notes
Lift 100.0kg; 2d6

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Ensign (minimum), Weapon Permit
(where appropriate)

PER Roll 12-

Talents
High-G Tolerance (2)

PRE Attack: 3d6

Phases: 6, 12
Total: 3 PD
otal: 3 ED

Total Characteristic Cost: 32

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 4m/8m

Swimming: 4m/8m

Skills

Military Academy
1
1) Computer Programming 83
2) KS: [academic specialty] 123
3) SS: [academic specialty] 122
4) CuK: Colonial Reserve Fleet 113
5) Navigation (Other FTL, Space) 123
6) Systems Operation 123
7) Tactics 12
Colonial Reserve Fleet
2
1) KS: Colonial Reserve Fleet 113
2) PS: Spacer 122
3) PS: Zero-G Ops 112
4) WF: Small Arms
6
5) Two skills from Military template
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 43
Total Cost: 75
75+
5

10
5

20

Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: CRF Uniform (Easily
Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By
Commonly-Used Senses)
Hunted: Colonial Reserve Fleet Infrequently (Mo
Pow; NCI; Watching)
Rivalry: Professional, Celestial Guard, Rival is As
Powerful, Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate
Rival, Rival Aware of Rivalry
Social Complication: Subject to orders Very
Frequently, Major

Total Complications Points: 75

164

Val Char Cost Roll

15 STR 5
12-
11 DEX 2
11-
13 CON 3
1210 INT
0
11-
10 EGO 0
11-
11 PRE 1
11-
4
4
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

5
5
0
0
10

3
3
6
25
11
26

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

1

1

2
1
1
3

Notes
Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [3]
PER Roll 11-/12PRE Attack: 2d6

Cost
1
1
1

Powers
+1 PER with Normal Smell
Knockback Resistance -1m
LS (Extended Breathing: 1 END per Turn)

12

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Corporal, Improved Equipment Availability Advanced Military equipment, Weapon Permit
(where appropriate)
Positive Reputation: Tradition of honorable service (A
large group) 14-, +1/+1d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 3 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 3 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 42

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 4m/8m

Swimming: 4m/8m

Colonial Reserve
Ursa Trooper
Background: The mere presence of CRF Ursa troopers
will be enough to insure that peace is kept. Ursa troopers
are carried aboard the CRFs assault vessels, and stationed
at all the colonies under CRF protection. These Ursa
troopers have a reputation for honorable service dating
to the earliest days of the Ursa-types. While feared in
combat, they are respected in peace-time for their strict
adherence to the law.
Quote: Forget that never start fight, but always finish
nonsense. We prevent fights. But if they insist... we dont
end fights; we end fighters.
Powers/Tactics: The CRFs Ursa troopers are well-trained
and disciplined. They know how to fight together in small
units, and always follow sound tactics. Once committed,
they go all-in, taking no half-measures. They do, however,
avoid collateral damage and go to great lengths to prevent
civilian casualties.
Campaign Use: The Ursa troopers of the Colonial
Reserves are the ground-side counterpart to its spacecraft
-- the other big stick in its arsenal. In campaigns without
a great deal of space combat, they will be the face of the
CRF which the PCs encounter most often.

7
3

END
0
0
0

12: GMs Vault

COLONIAL RESERVE
URSA TROOPER

Talents
Hibernation: Simulate Death (+4 to roll)
Imposing physique: +1/+1d6 Striking Appearance
(vs. all characters)

0
2
2
3
3
6

Skills
Colonial Reserve Fleet
1) CuK: Colonial Reserve Fleet 112) KS: Colonial Reserve Fleet 113) PS: Trooper 114) PS: Zero-G Ops 115) WF: Beam Weapons, Small Arms, Vehicle
Weapons (spacecraft)
4
6) Weaponsmith (Energy Weapons, Firearms,
Missiles & Rockets) 111
7) Armorsmith (familiarity) 89
8) Penalty Skill Levels: +3 vs. armor with DCV
modifier
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 58
Total Cost: 100
100+
5

Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: CRF Uniform (Easily
Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By
Commonly-Used Senses)
15
Distinctive Features: Ursa physique (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By
Commonly-Used Senses)
10
Hunted: Colonial Reserve Fleet Infrequently (Mo
Pow; NCI; Watching)
5
Physical Complication: Bulky frame (Infrequently;
Barely Impairing)
20
Social Complication: Subject to orders Very
Frequently, Major
Total Complications Points: 100

165

12: GMs Vault

FIELD AGENT OF
THE O.F.F.I.C.E.
Val Char Cost Roll
15 STR 5
12-
14 DEX 8
12-
13 CON 3
1210 INT
0
11-
11 EGO 1
11-
15 PRE 5
12-
5
5
3
3
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

10
10
0
0
10

4
3
6
25
11
26

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

2

1

2
1
1
3

Notes
Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [3]

Taikong Ren Do
Maneuver OCV DCV
Grapple
-1 -1

PER Roll 11-

Throw

+0

+2

4
5
4

Strike
+0
Block
+1
Counter-attack +2

+2
+3
+2

13

Perks
Fringe Benefit: Concealed Weapon Permit (where
appropriate), Improved Equipment Availability Military
equipment, OFFICE Field Agent, Security Clearance
Positive Reputation: Tradition of honorable service (A
large group) 14-, +1/+1d6
Fringe Benefit: Interstellar Police Powers
Access to Alien Tech (TL11)
False ID

PRE Attack: 3d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12
Total: 4 PD
Total: 3 ED

9
Total Characteristic Cost: 65

Movement: Running: 14m/28m

Leaping: 6m/12m

Swimming: 4m/8m

Field Agent of
the o.f.f.i.c.e.
Background: The OFFICE is such a secretive organization that nobody knows what the acronym stands for. Its
agents work under cover all over Terran Space, to prevent
illegal trade in alien technology. The OFFICE usually
focuses on cases with an interstellar scope. Unfortunately,
they have a tendency to follow leads into areas beyond
their jurisdiction.
Quote: Im impounding every nano-gram of alien tech in
this place. And if I find any alien implants in your brain,
Ill impound your cranium, got it?
Powers/Tactics: OFFICE agents work covertly when
gathering information and evidence, but during an arrest
or a raid they identify themselves as OFFICE agents,
relying on their agencys reputation to intimidate anyone
who might resist them. OFFICE agents often make use of
alien tech theyve confiscated on prior raids.
Campaign Use: If the PCs start the campaign with any
alien tech, or acquire it after the campaign starts, they
might end up being hunted by the OFFICE, if theyre not
careful to keep it a secret. However, the OFFICE will only
take an unhealthy interest if they use their alien gear for
something illegal or obviously harmful and attract too
much attention to themselves.

166

8
10
1

6

Notes
Grab Two Limbs, 25 STR
for holding on
5d6 Strike; Target Falls;
Must Follow Grab
5d6 Strike
Block, Abort
5d6 Strike, Must Follow
Block

Talents
Environmental Movement (no penalties in
Spin-Gravity)

Skills
0
Undergrad Education
1
1) Bureaucratics 81
2) Computer Programming 83
3) Criminology 113
4) Cryptography 110
Field Agent (OFFICE) -- master level
2
1) CuK: Espionage 112
2) CuK: Military 112
3) KS: Alien tech 112
4) KS: Taikong Ren Do 112
5) KS: Interstellar Law 112
6) PS: The Trade 112
7) WF: Small Arms
3
8) Interrogation 123
9) Shadowing 117
10) Streetwise 143
11) Systems Operation 114
12) +1 with all Espionage skills
5
13) +1 with small arms (or martial arts)
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 110
Total Cost: 175
175+ Matching Complications
10
Hunted: The OFFICE Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI;
Watching)
20
Hunted: Special Projects, Inc. Infrequently (Mo Pow;
NCI; Harshly Punish)
20
Social Complication: Subject to orders Very
Frequently, Major
Total Complications Points: 175

Background: The OFFICEs Special Agents do not officially exist, but those who have been targeted for top-level
response from the OFFICE would say otherwise. Few who
witness a Special Agent in action have the opportunity to talk
about it afterwards -- most end up incarcerated, frozen in
hibernation, or worse.
These agents are genetically engineered to the limits of the
human bodys viability, often using techniques acquired from
alien species through ISTAR. They also receive a variety of
cybernetic implants, of both Terran and alien origin. Finally,
these agents are given many years of intensive training: the
equivalent of a graduate-level education, all aspects of spycraft, and training in a second career which serves as their
cover identity.
Corona Lovelock is a typical example of an OFFICE
Special Agent, although no two are exactly alike. In direct
contravention of ISTARs charter, she was recruited on Terra,
where she intended to pursue a career in theater. Rather than
taking long odds of becoming famous, the OFFICE promised
the certainty of being infamous -- Corona accepted, and
began training as a counter-terrorist agent, specializing in
those who used alien technology for mass destruction.
After the Terracide, the OFFICE assigned Corona to
investigate the Sons of Terra. However, due to the loss of her
homeworld, she found herself sympathetic to their cause.
When presented with the opportunity to join the Junta at
Epsilon Eridani, she
gave it her full support,
and began using her
new military connections to support Sons of
Terra operations.
Personality: Years after
leaving her first career,
Corona still retains
something of a theatrical flair in her work
for the OFFICE. She has
an eccentric tendency to
think of each case as a
production, with herself
in the leading role. This
has never interfered

with her casework, so her handlers dont have a problem with

it -- Coronas a highly trained professional with a successful
track record, after all. When shes working under cover,
Corona gets completely into the role -- she enjoys becoming
somebody else for a while, both for the acting experience and
for the challenge of deceiving everyone around her.
Quote: Dont ask where this stuff came from, okay? And
make sure there arent any of our people within a thousand
klicks when it goes off -- just Cytherians. If this thing kills
any Terrans, I will personally make you wish you were one of
them.
Powers/Tactics: Corona varies her tactics to fit the situation.
When shes under cover as an ex-mercenary (or sometimes
an out-of-work actress) shell act as tactically savvy (or clueless) as required to play the part. She will not, however, reveal
her full capabilities under normal circumstances. When the
gloves come off and she has to blow her cover, Corona uses
everything shes got -- her combat training, augmentation
and OFFICE credentials make her a terrifying opponent if
she decides to go all out. She will also call on the resources
of the OFFICE, if possible -- shell have alien tech, military
equipment, and Field Agents for backup.

12: GMs Vault

Special Agent of
the O.F.F.I.C.E.
(Corona Lovelock)

Campaign Use: Corona Lovelock has the potential to

become the PCs worst nightmare -- but only after theyve
uncovered a number of unpleasant truths. At the start of a
Terracide campaign, the OFFICEs Special Agents should be
considered an urban myth which nobody actually believes.
The PCs might receive confirmation of these rumors long
before actually meeting a Special Agent, if theyre lucky. They
might meet one working under cover without ever realizing it for years -- that cynical
ex-mercenary or ditzy actress
they know could actually be
Corona Lovelock!
When they finally find out
who she really is, it will most
likely be when she chooses
to identify herself -- Coronas
cover identity is always solid.
She will first identify herself as
an OFFICE Field Agent, rather
than a Special Agent -- not
revealing her full capabilities
unless absolutely necessary.
When she does, however, the
PCs will face a truly formidable
enemy.

167

12: GMs Vault

SPECIAL AGENT
OF THE O.F.F.I.C.E.
(CORONA LOVELOCK)
Val Char
20 STR
20 DEX
19 CON
18 INT
18 EGO
20 PRE

Cost
10
20
9
8
8
10

Roll
13-
13-
1313-
13-
13-

Notes
Lift 400.0kg; 4d6 [4]

14
14
8
40
16
36

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

6

6

4
4
6
8

Total: 14 PD (6 rPD)
Total: 14 ED (6 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 194

Movement: Running: 25m/50m

Leaping: 8m/16m

Swimming: 8m/16m

-1
--

+1
+5

4
3

Escape
Grapple

+0
-1

+0
-1

4
4
3

Nerve Strike
Strike
Throw

-1
+0
+0

+1
+2
+2

2
44

Perks
Deep Cover
Fringe Benefit: Concealed Weapon Permit (where
appropriate), Improved Equipment Availability
Advanced Military equipment, Interstellar Police
Powers, Membership, Security Clearance, Special
Agent
I work for the OFFICE. Any questions?: Positive
Reputation: Field Operative for the Galaxys most
feared agency (A large group) 14-, +3/+3d6
Extra Resource Points

24

Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

Disarm
Dodge

10
7
12

15
8

4
4

PRE Attack: 4d6

20
20
9
9
20

18

Taikong Ren Do
Maneuver OCV DCV
Block
+1 +3
Counter-attack +2 +2

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

32

5
4

PER Roll 15-

7
7
6
6
4

Cost
6

15

9
10
10

5) Hard to Kill: Life Support (Eating: Character only

has to eat once per week; Immunity: All terrestrial
poisons; Sleeping: Character only has to sleep 8
hours per week); Requires A Roll (CON roll; -)
0
6) Extended Life Span: Life Support (Longevity:
200 Years)
0
7) Rapid Healing / Limb Regrowth: Regeneration
(2 BODY per Week), Can Heal Limbs
0
Combat Training
1) Defense Maneuver I-IV
2) Fast Draw: Pistols 15-
3) Penalty Skill Levels: +4 vs. range modifiers
with with all attacks
4) Penalty Skill Levels: +8 vs. hit locations with
with all attacks
5) Penalty Skill Levels: +3 vs. DCV with armor
6) Rapid Attack
7) Two-Weapon Fighting

Powers
END
Trained Observer: +2 PER with all Sense Groups 0
Cybernetic implants
1) Wide-Spectrum Vision: Infrared Perception
(Sight Group) plus Nightvision plus Ultraviolet Perception (Sight Group)
0
2) Millimeter-wave radar sense: Spatial Awareness (Radio Group)
0
3) Advanced Hearing: Ultrasonic Perception
(Hearing Group) plus Detect Voice Stress 15-/13(Hearing Group), Discriminatory, Analyze
0
Genetically engineered body
1) Feels no pain: Cannot Be Stunned
0
2) Rapid Clotting: Does Not Bleed; Extra Time
(Extra Phase, -)
0
3) Vacuum Adaptation (short-term): Life Support
(Extended Breathing: 1 END per Turn; Safe in Intense
Cold; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum); 1 Continuing
Fuel Charge lasting 5 Minutes (-)
[1 cc]
4) Enhanced Immune System: Life Support
(Immunity: All terrestrial diseases); not v. bio-weapons
(-)
0

25

6
6
6

168

3
4

Notes
Block, Abort
6d6 Strike, Must Follow
Block
Disarm; 30 STR to Disarm
Dodge, Affects All Attacks,
Abort
35 STR vs. Grabs
Grab Two Limbs, 30 STR
for holding on
2d6 NND
6d6 Strike
6d6 Strike; Target Falls;
Must Follow Grab

Talents
High-G Tolerance (3)
Environmental Movement (no penalties in
Spin-Gravity)
Environmental Movement (no penalties in
Zero-Gravity)
Genetically engineered body
1) Ambidexterity (no Off Hand penalty)
2) Double Jointed

3

3
3
5
3
4

3) Resistance (+4 to roll)

4) Simulate Death (+4 to roll)
5) +1/+1d6 Striking Appearance (vs. all characters)
Hyper-vigilance
1) Combat Luck (6 PD/6 ED)
2) Combat Sense 133) Danger Sense (immediate vicinity, out of combat,
Function as a Sense, Intuitional) 15-/134) Lightning Reflexes (+4 DEX to act first with with
Taikong Ren Do maneuvers)
5) Lightsleep
Cybernetic implants
1) Absolute Time Sense
2) Absolute Direction
3) Eidetic Memory
4) Lightning Calculator
5) Speed Reading (x10)

20

3
3
3
3
2
3
3

3
2
3
3
3
2
7
3
3

Skills
+2 with all Non-Combat Skills
Graduate-level education
1) Bureaucratics 132) Computer Programming 133) Acting 134) Disguise 135) PS: Instructor 116) Research 137) Science Skill: Strategic Intelligence 13Field Agent (Master-level)
1) CuK: Espionage 132) CuK: The Military 113) KS: Sons of Terra 134) KS: Terrorism 135) PS: The Trade 136) WF: Small Arms
7) Charm 158) Concealment 139) Conversation 13-

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
10

2
2

10) High Society 1311) Interrogation 1312) Mimicry 1313) Persuasion 1314) Security Systems 1315) Shadowing 1316) Stealth 1317) Streetwise 1318) Systems Operation 1319) +2 with small arms
Cover ID: Ex-Mercenary
1) CuK: The Mercenary World 112) KS: Unit History & Customs (Great Wall Security
Corp) 112
3) PS: Private Security 113
4) Breakfall 137
5) Tactics 151
6) KS: Taikong Ren Do 810
7) +2 with Taikong Ren Do
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 556
Total Cost: 750

12: GMs Vault

4
7
3

12
15
22

750+
15

Matching Complications
Distinctive Features: Illegal genetic construct (Not
Concealable; Extreme Reaction; Detectable Only By
Technology Or Major Effort)
20
Hunted: Special Projects, Inc. Infrequently (Mo Pow;
NCI; Harshly Punish)
10
Hunted: the OFFICE Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI;
Watching)
5
Rivalry: Professional, Enemy Agents, Rival is Less
Powerful, Seek to Harm or Kill Rival, Rival Aware of
Rivalry
20
Social Complication: Subject to orders Very
Frequently, Major
15
Social Complication: Illegal genetic construct Infrequently, Severe
15
Social Complication: Deep Cover Agent Infrequently,
Severe
Total Complications Points: 750

169

12: GMs Vault

ALIENS
AMMONITE NORMAL
Val Char Cost Roll
10 STR 0
11-
9 DEX -2 11-
12 CON 2
1110 INT
0
11-
10 EGO 0
11-
15 PRE 5
12-
3
2
3
3
2

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

0
-5
0
0
0

3
3
4
20
11
22

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

1

1

0
0
1
1

Notes
Lift 100.0kg; 2d6
PER Roll 11-

T
Cost

2
1

PRE Attack: 3d6

10
10

Phases: 6, 12
Total: 3/6 PD (0/3 rPD)
Total: 3/6 ED (0/3 rED)

5
5
0

Total Characteristic Cost: 1

Movement: Running: 6m/12m

Leaping: 2m/4m

Swimming: 12m/24m

1
4

he following character sheets are for normal

examples of each species, with average characteristics and no extras beyond their basic abilities.

Powers
END
Large size
1) Knockback Resistance -2m
0
2) Stretching 1m, Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+); no Noncombat Stretching (-), Limited Body
Parts (-)
0
Olfactory sense
1) Discriminatory with Smell/Taste Group
0
2) Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees)
with Smell/Taste Group
0
3) Transmit with Smell/Taste Group
0
Four grasping limbs: Extra Limbs (2)
0
Ammonia breather: LS (Custom Adder;
Expanded Breathing; Safe in Intense Cold)
0
Notes: This is the Ammonites native environment; they cant survive normal conditions.
Long-lived: LS (Longevity: 200 Years)
0
Hard shell: Resistant Protection (3 PD/3 ED)
(Impermeable); Requires A Roll (11- roll; Must be
made each Phase/use; -1)
0

Talents
No dominant limbs: Ambidexterity (no Off Hand
penalty)
4
Flexible limbs: Double Jointed
4
Natural swimmer: Environmental Movement (no
penalties in liquid ammonia)
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 49
Total Cost: 50
50+
5

Matching Complications
Physical Complication: Large size (Infrequently;
Barely Impairing)
30
Physical Complication: Instinctively obeys highercaste Ammonites (Very Frequently; Fully Impairing)
Total Complications Points: 50

170

Val Char Cost Roll

5 STR -5 10-
13 DEX 6
12-
13 CON 3
1210 INT
0
11-
10 EGO 0
11-
5 PRE -5 10-

Notes
Lift 50.0kg; 1d6
PER Roll 11-/13PRE Attack: 1d6

5
7
3
3
4

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

10
20
0
0
20

Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

4
4
4
25
9
20

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

2

2

0
1
-1
0

Total: 4 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 4 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 54

Movement: Running: 15m/30m

Leaping: 4m/8m

Cost

32
5
10
10
5
4
5

-35
3
0

3

3
7
4
3
8

Powers
END
Advanced hearing
1) Spatial Awareness (Hearing Group)
0
2) Ultrasonic Perception (Hearing Group), Transmit 0
3) Discriminatory with Hearing Group
0
4) Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees) with
Hearing Group
0
5) Rapid ( x10) with Hearing Group
0
6) +2 PER with Hearing Group
0
Six walking/grasping limbs: Extra Limb (1)
0
Notes: Cytherians can walk with as few as three
limbs, and grasp with the other three.
Sightless species: Blind
0
Sleepless species: LS (Sleeping: Character does
not sleep)
0
Fluorine breather: LS (Custom Adder; Expanded
Breathing; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in Intense
Heat)
0
Notes: This represents Cytherians natural environment; they cant survive under normal conditions.
Deathless species: LS (Longevity: Immortal); reproduce by fission; only one offspring keeps parents
memories (-1)
0

12: GMs Vault

CYTHERIAN NORMAL

Talents
Silicon memory: Eidetic Memory; Requires A Roll (Int
roll; -)
Rapid cognition
1) Lightning Calculator
2) Lightning Reflexes (+7 DEX to act first with All
Actions)
3) Speed Reading (x10)
Advanced hearing: Perfect Pitch
Suspend metabolism: Simulate Death (+5 to roll)

8
9

Skills
Diminutive size: +4 with Stealth
Rapid cognition: Penalty Skill Levels: +3 vs. time
modifiers with all skills
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 86
Total Cost: 140
140+
15

Matching Complications
Physical Complication: Diminutive size
(Frequently; Slightly Impairing)
10
Social Complication: Rapid mental processes
Frequently, Minor
5
Vulnerability: 1 x Effect sonic (Uncommon)
Total Complications Points: 140

171

12: GMs Vault

FLUORIAN NORMAL
Val Char
7 STR
11 DEX
9 CON
10 INT
11 EGO
8 PRE

Cost
-3
2
-1
0
1
-2

Roll
10-
11-
1111-
11-
11-

Notes
Lift 66.0kg; 1d6

Phases: 4, 8, 12

4
6
4
4
3

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

5
15
3
3
10

2
2
4
20
9
18

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

0

0

0
0
-1
-1

PER Roll 11PRE Attack: 1 d6

Total: 2 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 2 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 32

Movement: Running: 12m/24m

Leaping: 6m/12m

Swimming: 4m/8m

Cost
2

Powers
END
Wide-set eyes: Increased Arc Of Perception (240
Degrees) with Normal Sight
0
0
Fluorine-breather: LS (Custom Adder; Expanded
Breathing; Safe in Intense Heat)
0

Notes: This represents Fluorians
native environment; they cant survive under normal
conditions.
2
High radiation tolerance: LS (Safe in High Radiation)
0
9
Ancestral memory: Retrocognitive Clairsentience
(Mental Group), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +);
Memories of ancestors only: -2 per generation (-1
), Extra Time (1 Minute, -1 ), Concentration, Must
Concentrate throughout use of Constant Power (0
DCV; Character is totally unaware of nearby events;
-1 ), Retrocognition Only (-1)
0

4
4

Talents
Flexible limbs: Double Jointed
Rapid cognition: Lightning Reflexes (+4 DEX to act
first with All Actions)

Skills
Rapid cognition: Penalty Skill Levels: +1 vs. time
modifiers with all skills
4
Small size: +2 with Stealth
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 28
Total Cost: 60
60+
10

Matching Complications
Physical Complication: Small size (Infrequently;
Slightly Impairing)
Total Complications Points: 60

172

Val Char
45 STR
7 DEX
25 CON
10 INT
10 EGO
25 PRE

Cost
35
-6
15
0
0
15

Roll
18-
10-
1411-
11-
14-

3
1
3
3
2

OCV
DCV
OMCV
DMCV
SPD

0
-10
0
0
0

11
11
14
50
19
54

PD
ED
REC
END
BODY
STUN

9

9

10
6
9
17

Notes
Lift 12.8tons; 9d6 [9]
PER Roll 11PRE Attack: 5d6

Phases: 6, 12
Total: 11 PD (0 rPD)
Total: 11 ED (0 rED)

Total Characteristic Cost: 105

Movement: Running: 3m/6m

Swimming: 18m/36m

Cost

18
10

Powers
END
Huge size
1) Knockback Resistance -18m
0
2) Stretching 8m, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +);
Limited Body Parts (-)
0
42
Millimeter-wave radar: Spatial Awareness (Radio
Group), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception
(360 Degrees)
0
-35
Blind: Custom Power
0

Chemical transmitter/receptors
5
1) Transmit with Touch Group
0
10
2) Discriminatory with Touch Group
0
9
Slow metabolism: LS (Eating: Character only has
to eat once per week; Extended Breathing: 1 END
per 20 Minutes; Longevity: 800 Years; Sleeping:
Character only has to sleep 8 hours per week)
0
0
Methane breather: LS (Custom Adder; Expanded
Breathing; Safe in Intense Cold)
0
Notes: Titans native environment; they cant survive
in normal conditions.

Alien anatomy
15
1) Cannot Be Stunned
0
10
2) No Hit Locations
0
7
3) Regeneration (1 BODY per Week), Can Heal Limbs
0

12: GMs Vault

TITAN NORMAL

Talents
Natural swimmer: Environmental Movement (no
penalties in liquid)
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 95
Total Cost: 200
200+
20

Matching Complications
Physical Complication: Huge size (Frequently;
Greatly Impairing)
15
Physical Complication: Poor hearing (Infrequently; Greatly Impairing)
5
Rivalry: Professional (Other Titans; Rival is As
Powerful; Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate
Rival; Rival Aware of Rivalry)
10
Social Complication: Disdainful of all other
species Frequently, Minor
Total Complications Points: 200

173

12: GMs Vault

JOVIAN NORMAL
(Body built
as vehicle)
Val Char Cost
30 Size 150

160 STR
10 DEX

0
0

PD
ED
SPD

0
0
0

2
2
2

11 OCV 40
2 DCV -5
40 BODY 0
Movement:

Notes
Length 2,048m, Width 1,024m,
Height 1,024m, Volume
2,147,483,648m^3 Mass
107,374.2 kton, OCV +20, KB -30
HTH Damage 32d6 END [16]
5 PD (5 rPD)
5 ED (5 rED)
Phases: 6, 12

Cost

15
24

36

Total Characteristic Cost: 169

Flight: 6m/6m
2

40

6
9
162

Powers
END
Comms & Sensors, all slots MegaScale (1m =
1,000 km; +1 ); all slots Extra Time (1 Turn
(Post-Segment 12), -1 )
1) High Range Radio Perception (Radio Group);
Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 )
2) Radar Sense: Radar (Radio Group), Increased
Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees); Extra Time (1
Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 )
3) Wide-Spectrum Vision: Infrared Perception
(Sight Group), Increased Arc Of Perception (360
Degrees); Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12),
-1 ) plus Nightvision, Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees); Extra Time (1 Turn (PostSegment 12), -1 ) plus Ultraviolet Perception
(Sight Group), Increased Arc Of Perception (360
Degrees); Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12),
-1 )
0.1G propulsion (dV 21 kps): Flight 6m; Extra
Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 ), no
Noncombat movement (-), 1 Continuing Fuel
Charge lasting 6 Hours (-0)
[1 cc]
Life Support (Eating: Character does not eat;
Immunity All terrestrial poisons; Immunity: All
terrestrial diseases; Longevity: Immortal; Safe
in High Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in
Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low
Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing;
Sleeping: Character does not sleep)
Regeneration (1 BODY per 6 Hours)
Resistant Protection (3 PD/3 ED)
Bio-Engineering Core: Variable Power Pool
(Bio-Engineering), 150 base + 150 control cost,
all slots Extra Time (1 Day, -4), Limited class of
powers: bio-engineering only (-1)

36

Talents
Being of Vast Proportions: +12/+12d6 Striking
Appearance (vs. all characters)
Total Abilities & Equipment Cost: 330
Total Vehicle Cost: 499
Value Complications
25
Distinctive Features: Being of vast proportions
(Not Concealable; Extreme Reaction; Detectable By
Commonly-Used Senses)
25
Physical Complication: Being of Vast Proportions
(Frequently; Fully Impairing)
Total Complication Points: 50
Total Cost: 449/5 = 90

174

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

33 INT 23 16- PER Roll 1633 EGO 23 1610 DEX 0
1111 OCV 40
2 DCV -5
3 OMCV 0
11 DMCV 24
2 SPD 0

Phases: 6, 12
Characteristics Total: 105

Talents
3
Absolute Range Sense
3
Absolute Time Sense
3
Bump Of Direction
5
Eidetic Memory
6
Environmental Movement (no penalties in Zero-G)
6
High-G Tolerance (3)
3
Lightning Calculator
16
Universal Translator 16-; Known languages only (-1/4)
Talents Total: 45

12: GMs Vault

JOVIAN NORMAL
(Mind built as AI)

Value
25

Complications
Psychological Complication: Considers smaller
species to be sub-sentient (Very Common; Total)
20
Psychological Complication: Amoral (Common;
Total)
15
Social Complication: Universally feared species
Very Frequently, Minor
15
Social Complication: Recognizes no authorities
Very Frequently, Minor
Complications Points: 75
Base Points: 150

175

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APPENDIX I:
GLOSSARY
61 Cygni: important system in the Kruger 60 Cluster.
Agharta: system in the Kruger 60 Cluster (G208-44), settled
by Terran political exiles.
Alpha Centauri: closest star system to Terra.
Alula Australis: system in which the Jovians and humanity
first met. Also where the Virgo-
type was created, and a popular name for Virgo-types.
Ammonites: ammonia-breathing aliens which slightly
resemble the extinct Terran mollusks of the same name.
Aperoi Kosmoi: the plurality of worlds
Apogee Brigade: the Celestial Guards elite mobile troopers.
Aquarius: a human sub-type genetically engineered for
aquatic survival.
Aquila: a human sub-type genetically engineered for life in
zero-g. Capable of surviving brief exposure to vacuum
Ares: also known as Aries. Sub-type of humans adapted for
Mars and similar worlds.
Assault Vessel: armed spacecraft designed to carry a large
troop contingent.
Asteroid Habitat: a space habitat constructed inside an
asteroid, rotating or not.
Astronaut: enlisted rank in most space forces; the equivalent
of Private or Seaman.
Augmented Reality: advanced virtual reality systems which
provide all types of real-time data to the user on demand.
Baked Alaska: tongue-in-cheek name of the Keepers world
at Groombridge 34B.
Barnards Star: star near Terra, halfway point to Kruger 60
Cluster, and part of the Core Loop.
Baseline human: a human with no genetic or bio-engineered
alterations.
Blowout ammo: rounds designed to puncture space-suits.
Highly illegal.
Body Pressure Suit: an environment suit which uses direct
pressure to the skin rather than a pressurized internal atmosphere to protect its occupant.
Celestial Guard: the armed forces of Terran Galactic
Operations.
Chi Draconis: system just outside the Kruger 60 Cluster. Last
known location of the Titans.
Colonial Constabulatory: public safety officers of the Core
Colonies, employees of HCST.

176

Colonial Reserve Fleet: the armed forces of the Core

colonies.

Complex, the: headquarters of TGO, located in space habitats at Kruger 60.

Coriolis-Fu: humorous name for spin-gravity fighting style
preferred by Leo-types.
Coronado: first FTL vessel based on technology acquired
from the Keepers.
Core (the): systems easily accessible from Terra with FTL1.0
technology.
Core Colonies: colonies close to Terra under HCST
administration.
Core Loop: common term for Colonies and Way stations on
the Grand Tour.
Curators, the: fanatical, sometimes dangerous collectors of
Terran relics.
Cygnus-types: a human sub-type engineered for selfpowered flight with wings.
Cytherians: silicon/carbon aliens adapted to conditions
similar to those of Venus.
Doctors Without Limits: humanitarian aid organization with
volunteers all over Terran Space.
Draconis Void: expanse of open space beyond Chi Draconis,
too far across for Terran drives.
DX Cancri: former way station on the Grand Tour, now a
military base for the CRF.
Dyson Tree: a genetically engineered organism adapted
to vacuum. Planted on cometary bodies, they grow large
enough to serve as living space habitats.
Epsilon Eridani: a Core system with a large settlement of
Ammonites.
Epsilon Indi: a Core system which is the site of the Tierra
Nueva terraforming project.
Eta Cassiopaeia: major system in the Kruger 60 Cluster with
a number of alien settlements.
ETC weapons: electro-thermal chemical; firearms which
use an expanding plasma instead of gunpowder to propel a
projectile from their barrel.
EV Lacerta: extreme flare star in the Kruger 60 Cluster;
ironically known as Shamaballa.
Fast Clipper: interstellar passenger vessel designed for speed
and comfort.
Fluorians: fluorine-breathing aliens who are (usually)
friendly with humanity.
Free Trade League: service cooperative owned by independent star merchants.

Leo: a human sub-type engineered for superior reflexes and

agility.

FTL3.0: state-of-the-art version of the Interstellar Overdrive,

available at TL10.

Living Galaxy Foundation: private organization dedicated

to populating the galaxy by adapting humanity to new
environments.

Fusion Propulsion Lab: research facility in the Oort Cloud of

the Home System, built by TGO.
G-tank: advanced system which protect crew from high
acceleration by immersion in fluid under high pressure.
Gel-couch: a high-tech acceleration couch which molds itself
to the occupants body.
Gauss Weapons: use magnetic fields to fire high-speed
projectiles.
Gemini: a human sub-type engineered for excellent health,
both physical and mental.
Global Assembly: Terras major economic council, originally
known as the G-7.
Global Flood: disaster caused when terrorists destroyed the
Antarctic ice shelf.

Marathon Free Station: a former TGO habitat whose

employees opted to buy it out.
Mensae: a human sub-type engineered for superior mental
abilities.
Meta-Helium: a stable form of high-energy helium used as
advanced rocket fuel.
New Cydonia: terraforming effort on Mars-like world in the
Kruger 60 Cluster.
New Cydonia Massacre: accident in which 100 PCS
protesters died in a cometary impact.
New Terran Colonial Foundation: a private organization
dedicated to terraforming.
OFFICE, the: the covert operations branch of ISTAR.

Grand Tour: a route starting at Terra, making a complete

circuit of all the Core Loop colonies.

Omicron Eridani: site of failed space colony, written off by

HCST and mostly abandoned.

Greater Mars: terraforming project on Mars-like world in

the Tau Ceti system.

Omicron Incident: forced evacuation of Omicron Colony by

the CRF resulting in a number of
civilian deaths.

Gripping Hand, the: form of zero-G martial arts developed

by Aquila-types.
Groombridge 34: first system in the Kruger 60 Cluster to be
settled by humans.
High Council on Space Transport: the Global Assemblys
appointed committee governing all of its member-states
settlements beyond Terra.

One-BITter: a very cheap expendable QED comm-system

which sends one bit then dies.
ONeill habitat: large artificial space habitat composed of
paired counter-rotating cylinders.
Orbital Tower: a tower with its top end anchored to an orbital
satellite.

Home System: collectively, everything orbiting Sol.

Per Ardua Ad Astra: through adversity to the stars

Hyper-shuttle: short-range craft with FTL capability

designed to cross a star system quickly.

Planetary Conservation Society: terrorist organization

opposed to all types of terraforming.

Interstellar Overdrive: a means of traveling faster than light,

acquired from the Keepers.

Plasma ammo: bullets with an explosive shaped-charge

made of stabilized metallic deuterium; extremely powerful
and restricted to military use.

Intruder: small combat spacecraft designed for raiding

missions deep within hostile territory.
ISTAR: Inter-Stellar Tariff Arbritration Regime, an agency
charged with regulating alien trade in alien technologies.
Jovians: enormous, extremely powerful aliens adapted to
live in gas giants.
Junta: the military government which took power in Terran
Space after the Terracide.
Keepers: cryogenic beings of superfluid helium. Their entire
species appear to be quantum entangled, and they trade
information with other species.
Kodiac Sumo: the wrestling technique favored by Ursa-types.
Kruger 60: capital of the Kruger 60 Cluster; site of TGO
corporate headquarters.
Kruger 60 Cluster: group of star systems developed by
Terran Galactic Operations.
Lacerta Syndicate: former pirate squadron co-opted by
Special Projects, Inc.

12: GMs Vault

FTL2.0: improved version of the original Interstellar Overdrive, available at TL9.

Procyon: a star in the Core, home to a large settlement of

Fluorians.
Proxima Centauri: red dwarf orbiting Alpha Centauri, home
of a Keeper outpost.
QED: Quantum Entangled Device, an instantaneous communications system.
Q-Net: the interstellar network of QED communicators.
Ross 248: site of a Celestial Guard military base near Marathon Free Station.
Scions of Gaia: terrorist group bent on the annihilation of
humanitys high-tech civilization.
Sigma Draconis: former site of the Titans Draconis Syndicate base, now claimed by TGO, and the site of a terraforming project known as the War Garden.
Sirians: advanced hostile aliens first encountered at Sirius.
Very little is known about them.

177

12: GMs Vault

Sirius: a Core system, formerly claimed by the Sirians, know

under ISTAR jurisdiction.

Upsilon Andromeda: most distant colony on the fringe,

beyond the Kruger 60 Cluster.

Snake-Eyes: system captured from the Titans in the Kruger

60 Cluster. (BD+ 68 946)

Ursa: a human sub-type optimized for combat and longdistance space travel.

Solar Express Company: the largest interstellar shipping

company in Terran Space.

UV Ceti: a flare star near Terra; former site of TGO headquarters, now abandoned.

Sons of Terra: fanatical terrorists dedicated to taking revenge

for the Terracide.

van Manenn Accords: treaty governing space warfare,

including protection of noncombatants.

Sophontology Studies Institute: university located at Sirius,

focused on alien studies.

VeNoM: abbreviation for Von Neumann Machines; usually

refers to hostile alien machines.

Space Habitat: any artificial space structure intended to

support life.

Virgo: the only human sub-type engineered by aliens (the

Jovians). Intended as a companion, but actually capable of
much more.

Special Projects, Inc.: subsidiary of TGO responsible for the

companys covert operations.
Stella Magna: terraforming project in the Tau Ceti system.
Struve 2398: system captured from the Titans in the Kruger
60 Cluster, renamed Cardea.
Tangaroa: second manned interstellar spacecraft, launched
from Fusion Propulsion Lab.
tangled Web: the shadow of the Q-Net, composed of unofficial traffic.
Tau Ceti: a Core system with two terraforming projects: Stella
Magna and Greater Mars.
Taikong Ren Do: Way of the Spacefarer, a martial art
designed for any level of gravity.
Tech level: a measure of technical development, based on the
decimal-Kardashev scale, multiplied by ten. So a K1 civilization is tech level 10; K1.1 would be tech level 11.
Technical Officer: NCO rank in most space forces, equivalent to Sergeant or Petty Officer.
Terra: humanitys homeworld, now destroyed.
Terracide: the relativistic strike which destroyed Terra and
the rest of the Home System.
Terran Exodus: the increasing flow of emigrants leaving
Terra for the colonies due to the effects of the Global Flood.
Terran Galactic Operations: an employee-owned space
development company which has become an independent
corporate state.
Terran Home Fleet: the advanced volunteer space forces of
the Home System.
Tierra Nueva: terraforming project in the Epsilon Indi
system.
Titans: advanced, hostile, powerful aliens. Extremely large
and adapted to conditions similar to those on Saturns moon
of the same name.
Torch Drive: a fusion rocket with extremely high thrust and
exhaust velocity.
Trade War: briefly, a limited conflict fought over economic
issues rather than territory.
United Terran Press: the foremost media outlet in Terran
Space.

178

War Garden, the: terraforming project at Sigma Draconis.

Way Station: an outpost established for the sole purpose of
servicing interstellar traffic.
Wolf 359: a Core loop system and the site of an important
way station.
Zeta Reticuli: most distant colony on the trans-Core frontier.
Zheng He: first sub-light manned interstellar spacecraft

Fiction: Theres no firm definition of what exactly is or

isnt space opera, let alone which works belong under the
sub-headings of new space opera or space opera noir. All of
these are debatably some form of space opera, or have some
space opera elements. Most importantly, they all had some
influence (however slight) on Terracide.

On the Web:

Iain M. Banks; the Culture novels

http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/Game/BigIdeas/index.html
Another fine example of SF world- building, by a single
author.

Stephen Baxter; the Xeelee sequence

David Brin; the Uplift novels
Gardner Dozois & Jonathan Strahan; The New Space Opera
and The New Space Opera 2
Peter F. Hamilton; the Nights Dawn trilogy, Fallen Dragon
Wil McCarthy; The Collapsium (and sequels)
Alastair Reynolds; Revelation Space (series)
Greg Egan; Diaspora

http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/index.php A must-have
resource for SF-RPG designers.
http://www.orionsarm.com/ SF world-building on a massive
scale, by multiple authors.

12: GMs Vault

APPENDIX II:
READING LIST
http://www.artificial-gravity.com/sw/SpinCalc/SpinCalc.htm
A useful tool for calculating the parameters of spin-gravity
environments.
http://www.ocean-of-storms.com/jaymin/software/chview/
test1.htm The astrogation software used to create the
Terracide galaxy.
http://www.solstation.com/stars.htm The source for stellar
data used in Terracide.

Ken MacLeod; the Fall Revolution novels, Newtons Wake

Paul McAuley; The Quiet War, and Gardens of the Sun
Chris Moriarity; Spin State and Spin Control
Charles Pelligrino & George Zebrowski; The Killing Star
John Scalzi; Old Mans War (and sequels)
Charles Sheffield; Summertide (and sequels)
Allen Steele; Coyote (and sequels)
Bruce Stirling; Schismatrix
Charles Stross; Singularity Sky, and Iron Sunrise
David Weber; the Honor Harrington novels
Walter Jon Williams; the Dread Empires Fall trilogy
Non-fiction:
Martin Beech; Terraforming - The Creating of Habitable
Worlds
Jack Cohen & Ian Stewart; Evolving the Alien
David Darling, PhD; The Extra-Terrestrial Encyclopedia
James Kaler; Extreme Stars
John S. Lewis; Worlds Without End
Eugene Mallove & Gregory Matloff; The Starflight Handbook
Gerard K. ONeill; The High Frontier
Robert Young Pelton; The Worlds Most Dangerous Places
Marshall T. Savage; The Millennial Project
Peter Ward & Don Brownlee; Rare Earth
Alfred Zaehringer & Steve Whitfield; Rocket Science

179

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APPENDIX III:
SPACECRAFT NAMES

oming up with names for characters can be difficult; for some people, naming a spacecraft is even
harder. Lists of suggested names for the various
types presented in Chapter 9 follow:

CORSAIRS: BAD NEWS CLASS

(re-named after conversion from other types)

MERCHANTS: GRAVITY MODEL CLASS

180

Balance Forward
Marginal Utility
Volume Discount
Compound Interest
Damage Deposit
Unclaimed Freight
Silent Partner
Exchange Rate
Spot Market
Human Capital
Limited Liability
Leveraged Buyout
Double Overtime
Penalty Clause
Going Concern
Market Leader
Registered Trademark
Destination Fee
Some Reward
Grey Market
Grace Period
Cash Discount
Foreign Exchange
Business Model
Buyout Option
Gravity Model
Controlling Interest
Double Entry
Gross Income
Down Payment
Focus Group
Closing Cost
Senior Partner
Free Market
Net Income
Sticker Shock
Capital Gains
Contestable Market
Imperfect Competition
Invisible Hand
Random Walk
Voodoo Economics

Opportunity Cost
Prime Rate
Moneyback Guarantee
Loss Leader
Duty Free
Barter System
Comparative Advantage
Honest Broker
Cargo Cult
Risk Management
Offshore Account
Hostile Takeover
Fully Depreciated
Matching Contributions
Yard Sale
Patent Pending
Fiat Money
Debt Relief
Profit Margin
Due Diligence
Diminishing Returns
Internal Memo
Repeat Customer
Stock Option
Pension Plan
Keynes Mistake
Extended Warranty
Escrow Account
Venture Capital
Low Bidder
Soft Market
Monty Haul
Steering Committee
Preferred Customer
Bull Market
Bounded Rationality
Caveat Emptor
Game Theory
Indifference Curve
Moral Hazard
Value Added

Ill Omen
Barghest Howl
Root Canal
Core Dump
Market Crash
Meltdown
Off Waranty
Rusty Nail
Ground Zero
White Squall
White-out
Lock-Jaw
Snake Eyes
Cold Blood
Typhoon Season
Ground Fault
Chronic Migraine
Raving Lunatic
Poison Ivy
Damaged Goods
Outstanding Warrant
Shooting Spree
Typhoid Mary
Ill Wind
Black Cat
Evil Eye

Banshee Wail
Tower Inverted
Tax Audit
Bad Sign
Bear Market
Train Wreck
Black Sheep
Flash Flood
Total Eclipse
Scorched Earth
Heat Stroke
Brain Fever
Bad Check
Bastard Son
Greater Fool
Newark Layover
Trial Separation
Red Tape
Mud Slide
Pink Slip
Problem Child
Security Leak
Thundercloud
Loose Cannon
Broken Mirror
Eights & Aces

CRF INTRUDERS: KNIFE CLASS

Bayonet
Dagger
Machete
Switchblade
Jack-knife
Barong
Cleaver
Poniard
Lancet
Akinakes
Cinquedea
Misericorde
Balisong
Kukri
Straight
Dirk
Shiv
Shank

Bolo
Bodkin
Scalpel
Stiletto
Kris
Parang
Col. Jim Bowie
Stylet
Athame
Basilard
Khanjer
Parazonium
Cimeter
Arkansas Toothpick
Razor
Main-Gauche
Skewer
Carver

Leap of Faith
Rule of Law
Mother of Invention
Best of Both Worlds
Feet of Clay
World of Hurt
Twist of Fate
Sword of Damocles
Letter of Marque
Confederacy of Dunces
School of Hard Knocks
Origin of Species
Hand of Fate
Blaze of Glory
Son of Sam
Barrel of Monkeys
King of Fools
Prince of Thieves
House of Cards
State of Grace
Master of None
River of Deceit
Apropos of Nothing
Wind of Change
Assumption of Risk
Shadow of a Doubt
Life of Brian
Out of Mind
End of Days
Power of Attorney
Pearl of Wisdom
Path of Least Resistance
Jack of All Trades
Bird of Paradise
Crack of Doom
Song of Distant Earth
Heart of Darkness
Maid of Honor
Lily of the Valley
Comedy of Errors
Top of the Morning
Fourth of July
Two Out of Three
Man of LaMancha

Reign of Terror
Pride of Place
Something of Value
Waste of Time
Strength of Stones
Lap of Luxury
Nick of Time
Spear of Destiny
Code of Silence
Embarrasment of Riches
Lathe of Heaven
Purity of Essence
Hand of Glory
Artillery of Heaven
Bride of Frankenstien
Sport of Kings
Ship of Fools
Queen of Swords
State of Denial
Denial of Service
Point of No Return
Bill of Attainder
King of Infinite Space
Prince of Darkness
Mother of Pearl
Best of Show
Scene of the Crime
Cult of Personality
Hand of Sorrow
Right of First Refusal
Number of the Beast
Fist of an Angry God
Ring of Truth
Voice of Reason
Rule of Thumb
Scales of Justice
Pieces of Eight
Tropic of Cancer
Argument of Kings
Rock of Ages
A Week of Kindness
Show of Hands
One of a Kind
Joan of Arc

CLIPPERS: NORTHERN LIGHT CLASS

Ariel
Challenger
City of Adelaide
Fiery Cross
Great Republic
Herzogin
Houqua
Lammermuir

Blackadder
Champion
Cutty Sark
Flying Cloud
Kosmopoliet
Cecelie
Leander
Lothair

Marco Polo
Northern Light
Queen of Nations
Serica
Amsterdam
Tayleur

Mimosa
Phoenician
Red Jacket
Sovereign
Tai-Ping
Tai-Tsing

PRIVATE YACHTS: RIVAL SUITOR CLASS

Rival Suitor
Significant Other
True Companion
Hearts Desire
First Love
Prince Charming
Casanova
Caught Cheating
Hopeless Romantic
Lady Love
Kindred Spirit
Bitch-Goddess

Secret Admirer
Spurned Lover
Old Flame
Number One
Guardian Angel
Lady Killer
Lothario
Smooth Operator
Soul Mate
Other Woman
Knight in Shining Armor
Wild Fling

12: GMs Vault

INTRUDERS: MAN OF WAR CLASS

LIGHT ASSAULT VESSEL: SAGRAMORE

CLASS (PARTIAL LIST)
Aglovale
Bedivere
Calogrenant
Constantine
Ector
Erec
Gawain
Lancelot
Palamedes
Sagramore
Urien

Agravain
Breunor
Caradoc
Dinadan
Elyan
Galahad
Lamorak
Lucan
Percival
Tristan
Ywain

EXPLORATION VESSEL: LEIF ERICSON CLASS

Pytheas
Marco Polo
Zheng He
Vasco de Gama
Sir Frances Drake
Edmond Halley
Mungo Park
Ernest Shackleton
Ahmad Pasha Hassanein
Robert Ballard
Robert Ballard

Zhang Qian
Ahmad ibn Fadlan
John Cabot
Ferdinand Magellan
Antonio de Andrade
Vitus Bering
Roald Amundsen
Freya Stark
Tenzing Norgay
Story Musgrave
Titus Kincaid

181

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It is an age of dark magic, sinister secrets, and unholy cults. It is a time in which the world teeters on the edge of disaster,
where the enlightened scientific mind battled against ancient superstition and ignorance, in which the souls of all mankind
hung in the balance.
The Widening Gyre presents an original Steampunk campaign setting designed for use with the HERO System 6th Edition
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