CREDITS

WRITING
Benn Graybeaton, Giles Pritchard, Mitchell German and Jonathan 'Killstring' Herzberger

COVER ART
Bagus Hutomo

INTERIOR ARTWORK
Cameron Ax, Toma Feizo Gas, Aitor Holgado, Bagus Hutomo, Vincent Laik, Andre Meister, Edson Pagola, Reynan Sanchez, Vladimir

ART DIRECTION
Marc Langworthy, Rodrigo Vilanova

LAYOUT INFINITY RPG LOGO LEAD EDITOR

Jen McCleary Michal E. Cross Kimberly Nugent

CARTOGRAPHY SECTORIAL ARMIES LOGOS PROOFREADING

N.R. Bharathae Alberto Abal, Carlos Llauger "Bostria" Marshall Oppel
and Hugo Rodriguez
INFINITY LINE DEVELOPERS ASSISTANT LINE DEVELOPER
Benn Graybeaton, Gutier Lusquiños Rodríguez Marc Langworthy
CORVUS BELLI APPROVALS
Gutier Lusquiños Rodríguez, Alberto Abal, Carlos Torres, and Carlos “Bostria” Llauger

ORIGINAL 2D20 SYSTEM DESIGN

Jay Little

GAME DESIGN
Benn Graybeaton, Nathan Dowdell, Mark Redacted, Justin Alexander, Marc Langworthy

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER MANAGING DIRECTOR

Chris Birch Rita Birch Cameron Dicks

HEAD OF PRODUCT HEAD OF CREATIVE SERVICES FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Sam Webb Jon Webb Luc Woolfenden

LINE MANAGER PRODUCTION AND LOGISTICS VIDEO AND PRODUCTION

James Barry MANAGER MANAGER
Peter Grochulski Stephen Daldry

PHOTOGRAPHY CREATIVE TEAM ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Rocio Martin Perez Kieran Street Benn Greybeaton

WEBSTORE MANAGER CUSTOMER SUPPORT CUSTOMER SUPPORT BOOKKEEPER

Kyle Shephard MANAGER Shaun Hocking Valya Mkrtchyan
Lloyd Gyan

SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to Corvus Belli—Alberto, Gutier, Carlos, and Fernando—for letting us play in your world!

PUBLISHED BY Modiphius Entertainment

Modiphius Entertainment Ltd. Product Number: MUH050220
2nd Floor, 39 Harwood Road ISBN: 978-1-912200-29-0
Fulham, London, SW6 4QP
Artwork & Storyline © Corvus Belli S.L.L. 2019
United Kingdom
INFINITY is © Corvus Belli S.L.L. 2019
The 2d20 System and Modiphius logos are copyright Modiphius Entertainment Ltd 2019. All 2d20 System text is copyright Modiphius Entertainment
Ltd. Any unauthorised use of copyrighted material is illegal. Any trademarked names are used in a fictional manner; no infringement is intended.

This is a work of fiction. Any similarity with actual people and events, past or present, is purely coincidental
and unintentional except for those people and events described in an historical context.


 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

INTRODUCTION

O-12

INTRODUCTION – INTEGRITY, PEACE,

AND SECURITY
“Wherever diplomatic resolution is a feasible outcome, it is undoubtedly the path we will choose to take. A
non-military approach is always our priority, with such measures supporting O-12’s overall mission within the
Human Sphere. Of course, through our policing of criminal factions and enforcement of geopolitical legislation,
there comes a time when the gloves must come off. We trust that every representative gathered here today truly
understands that O-12 will continue to take any, and all, steps necessary to maintain peace and provide security
to those who live and prosper within the borders of the Sphere.”
-Raff Tennon, O-12 spokesperson and diplomatic liaison.

The O-12 is the peacekeeper of the Human Sphere. Born from a coalition of democratic nations and the
remains of the UN, O-12 is a legislative government body with a single aim in mind – security for all who
live within the Human Sphere.
From toppling corrupt corporations and levelling trade monopolies, to providing aid and military enforce-
ment against militia groups, O-12 agents are proficient both in the boardroom and in all known theatres
of war. They are well funded, well equipped, and uniquely positioned, with field offices located on all major
planets within the Sphere. Taking action that doesn’t draw the gaze of O-12 is a skill within itself, and
conducting business without the usual regulation has become the ultimate dream of many hypercorps.
O-12 provides regulation and guidance in everything from agriculture to manufacturing, from policing
to education. Divided up into a number of Bureaus, O-12 takes action against any organisation who does
not uphold the spirit of their all-important ‘Pillars’ by responding with the full weight of their political
influence.

o-12 3
 WHAT’S IN THIS BOOK
This sourcebook serves to provide the reader with everything they need to know about O-12, from the
organisation’s history and structure, right through to its key figures, geographical presence, and even the
equipment and weapons that can be found in the hands of its agents throughout the Human Sphere.
PILLARS OF O-12 This book, however, aims to be more than simply a guide to using O-12 in your games of Infinity: The
Unity, Cooperation, Support, and
Roleplaying Game. Instead, this book’s true purpose it to inspire GMs and players alike to want to delve into
Progress – the very Pillars upon
the world of governmental control and law enforcement, to promote new ideas for storytelling and give
which O-12 was formed. This
foundation shapes the core of the whole experience of playing Infinity a new twist.
O-12’s mission statement and It’s a dangerous and volatile world out there… now’s your chance to make it a better place.
is the message they promote
throughout the Human Sphere.
CHAPTER 1 – THE O-12 CHAPTER 4 – EMBASSIES
FILES OF NOTE
Delve into the foundations of O-12 with an insight O-12’s reach and infrastructure are supported not
to the faction’s military capabilities and structure, only by the wealth of resources on Concilium Prima,
as well as the rules of engagement that they but also throughout its significant network of
adhere to when assessing whether to get involved embassies that can be found scattered throughout
in any potential situation. the Human Sphere. Home to political leaders,
ambassadors, and diplomats, these outposts and
This chapter also probes the identity of O-12
sanctuaries are key in controlling legislation and
members and studies not only the loyalty of its
providing a stable regulatory platform.
agents, but also the corruption and manipulation of
individuals and what impact that can have on the O-12 embassies have an open-door policy, inviting
political landscape that O-12 strives to govern. the concerns of the surrounding nations, where
local ambassadors can tackle issues on a case-by-
Finally, we take a look at Shimmering Sky, the
case basis. This relationship with other nations is
incredible climate control system on Concilium
one of the driving forces behind O-12’s acceptance
Prima and the role it plays, not only in the atmos-
throughout the Sphere and why they are so well
pheric stability of the planet, but also as O-12’s
positioned to take control of rising struggles before
primary controller of communications both on and
they get out of hand.
off world.

CHAPTER 2 – PLANET CHAPTER 5 – FIELD

CONCILIUM PRIMA OFFICES
Concilium Prima is the centre of O-12’s operations While major nations make home for an O-12
– a planet renowned for scientific innovation and embassy, many less significant locations, or those
industrial prowess, but also strangely beautiful and where a political agreement has not been reached,
temperate, thanks to Shimmering Sky. will instead play host to an O-12 field office.
These locations act as front-line contact points for
Discover the geography of the plant, from its
surrounding areas and will often directly support
oceans and economy to the flora and fauna that
embassies by providing more feet on the ground
prop up the stable eco-system. This chapter also
in locations where additional peacekeeping or
gives a whirlwind tour to Concilium Prima’s most
diplomatic presence is required.
notable regions and cities, providing all you need
to know about what these places have to offer. Unlike an embassy, O-12 don’t own the land upon
which the field office is located. Instead, these
CHAPTER 3 – THE outposts are set up in spaceports, marketplaces,
spare floors of office buildings, or at the edge of
CONCILIUM SYSTEM rural lands – anywhere they can get a foothold and
From Asgard and Bifrost to the entertainment start making an impact. This chapter investigates
centre of Cibola, this chapter provides a detailed the purpose and influence of field offices located
snapshot into the Concilium System as a whole, throughout the Sphere as well as touching on what
offering a glimpse into the some of the key loca- it is like to work for O-12 while stationed in one of
tions, orbitals, and asteroid belts. The information these outposts.
afforded here should give GMs enough to plant
seeds for adventures set throughout the system,
while also offering players notable insight to what
life within one of these key locations might be like.

4 Introduction
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

CHAPTER 6 – BUREAU CHAPTER 9 – O-12

AEGIS CHARACTERS
Bureau Aegis is uniquely positioned to uphold and Additional information on creating O-12 characters
investigate anything which may be considered a for use during Infinity: The Roleplaying Game cam-
‘legal issue’, making them the executive arm of the paigns, including rules for allegiances and multiple
government. Bureau Aegis is comprised of three O-12 specific careers, from Cyberghosts to Analysts.
notable sections, each working with significant The information contained here is designed to
autonomy, but together, their focus is to ensure that work in conjunction with the corebook content to
O-12 can always carry out its primary mission and provide players everything they need to get set up
uphold the Pillars through legal, military, or politi- as O-12 agents.
cal means by acting to enforce agreements, treaties,
and partnerships throughout all systems. CHAPTER 10 – O-12 GEAR
The gear chapter delves into the weapons, equip-
CHAPTER 7 – UPHOLDING ment, and technologies of O-12, discussing the
THE PILLARS tools used by peacekeepers, intelligence agents,
Want to run campaigns as agents of Bureau Aegis? soldiers, and bureaucrats. With O-12 having access
Then “Upholding the Pillars” is your exhaustive to some of the most reliable and sought-after
guide to making that happen, from guidance on equipment in the Human Sphere, the information
the expectations of the bureau’s representatives, provided here will give players in the O-12 faction
to the most common tasks, threats, and problems an edge in the line of duty.
those agents can expect to face. Running games
for Bureau Aegis agents poses a number of new CHAPTER 11 – GUARDIANS
challenges, not just for the GM, but also for players, AND ADVERSARIES OF
who must seek to take action within the confines THE SPHERE
of O-12’s expected jurisdiction. With information
regarding personal goals, the rules of engagement, The final chapter provides GMs with a range of NPC
and the power of public reputation, this chapter profiles for use during O-12-related campaigns,
provides everything your field agents need to covering the various units and agents of the
enforce the law. faction as well as common threats and adversaries.
Within these pages, you’ll find the ranks of Kappa
alongside talented diplomats, right through to
CHAPTER 8 – BUREAU turn-coat intelligence moles and mercenary Hyenas
NOIR – everything the GM could possibly need to help or
O-12’s secret service and the Human Sphere’s fore- hinder the agents of O-12.
front intelligence agency, Bureau Noir fills a vital
role from its central office on Concilium Prima. This
chapter allows readers to discover more about the
organisation’s structure, its handlers, agents, and
the process of secondment.
Of all O-12 bureaus, Bureau Noir is the most
resourceful, and arguably, dangerous of all, provid-
ing the rest of O-12 with a constant stream of data
regarding threats and corruption throughout the
Sphere. It is within this chapter that we learn more
about the impact of Bureau Noir’s work and the
true power of knowledge.

o-12 5
 CHAPTER 1

THE O-12 FILES

With jurisdictional power and remit to set and enforce international laws throughout the Human Sphere,
O-12 is the lynchpin that holds the weft of humanity together. A pseudo-nation in its own right, O-12 is
forthright in its independence and has been one of the most powerful and influential forces that endeav-
ours to thwart a slide into total war and anarchy. From the Concilium system and the main planet of
Concilium Prima, the laws, regulations, decisions, and interventions carried out under O-12’s auspices have
had a profound impact on humanity. O-12 provides a stable and visionary goal for what humanity could
and should be as a group of independent nations and dynamic wash of cultural tropes and ideals. O-12 is
the hand on the tiller, the navigator who has managed to weather devastating storms and tempestuous
waters, guiding humanity forward into a better tomorrow.

contempt follow the rulings of O-12, Bureau Aegis

SWORDFOR ensures that these mistakes are not long standing
and that the words of O-12 are followed by action
Whatever regulations and laws introduced through
and implementation.
the Öberhaus and Petite Assemblée, whatever
rulings made by the Courts of Concilium, whatever Bureau Aegis is divided into two sections, each of
cries for help, aid, and assistance that fall at the which plays a vital role in turning the decisions
feet of O-12, it must have a way of responding with of O-12 into action. Section Statera supports
strength when strength is required. Bureau Aegis the Courts of Concilium and is the branch of
is the governmental agency that represents the Bureau Aegis dominated by lawyers and civil
military arm of O-12. It is the sword wielded by servants whose job it is to apply legal pressure
O-12 when words fail. When inaction or downright where required and ensure the compliance of

6 Chapter 1
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

governmental bureaucracies and corporations to served with distinction in the military and have the
the rulings of O-12. Section Spatha, also known depth of skill required to deal with a wide range of
more commonly as SWORDFOR, is responsible for mission types in a variety of circumstances. O-12’s
the physical reinforcement of O-12’s rulings, where SWORDFOR also captures the imagination and
required. In this capacity, SWORDFOR manages admiration of popular culture, with a number of
and deploys O-12 personnel in potential conflict Maya dramas based on their more famous missions,
zones, on peacekeeping missions, as security, and and a wildly popular infotainment sensaseries
into active warzones. Breaches of agreements, called The Line that follows a semi-fictional unit
treaties, and conventions are determined by the of the Special Crimes Squad, the Venatio, on their
courts, which are, in turn, handed over to Bureau operations throughout the Human Sphere.
Aegis. Traditionally, when Bureau Aegis is activated
Although relatively small in comparison to a
by a court ruling or a direct order from the Petite
majority of the standing armies of the Human
Assemblée or Öberhaus, the case is first handled by
Sphere, SWORDFOR has managed to create a name
Section Statera. If legal pressure is found wanting
for itself as a highly effective, militarised police
or a risk analysis deems it will be ineffective,
force. When Bureau Aegis restructured during the
cases are in turn passed on to Section Spatha to
latter stages of the NeoColonial Wars, creating
be physically investigated, executed, or otherwise
SWORDFOR and Starmada, a large quantity of
dealt with. Section Spatha may also be directly
the earmarked money was funnelled off into the
activated by a ruling from the Security Council, and
creation of research and development departments
indeed, while a larger number of cases are referred
operating mainly from Surt. These have paid divi-
through Section Statera, the more significant
dends over the years, redeveloping the technology
operations Section Spatha have been involved with
donated to O-12 into more advanced and highly
have come directly from the Security Council.
effective weapons, armour, and remotes.
The military arm of the O-12, Section Spatha is
Taken as a whole, SWORDFOR is one of the most
made up of two key branches each with their
comprehensively trained forces in the Sphere, and
own roles and jurisdictions. Most commonly seen
little wonder given the range of missions on which
throughout the Human Sphere and able to travel
they have served as investigators, active combat-
freely under the Bureau Aegis badge, the Global
ants, and peacekeepers. SWORDFOR also receives
Police (GloPol) specialise in criminal investigations,
a widely unrecognised and significant level of sup-
forensic and crime scene analysis, financial crimes,
port from ALEPH, who sees the force as operating
and so on. GloPol officers are often employed in
toward broadly the same goals but with a greater
an advisory role to governmental police forces or
remit for action throughout the Human Sphere. As
corporate security.
a result of these factors, any force SWORDFOR is
The second branch of Section Spatha, and often able to bring to bear in a conflict far outstrips its
used in interdiction operations or as tactical numbers and technology both in capability and
assault forces, is the Bureau Aegis Tactical Police intelligence.
Department. SWORDFOR tactical operatives
Specialising in small-scale operations and func-
are often called in to act in response to GloPol
tioning without heavy support, units in SWORDFOR
investigations and may be deployed to deal with
have served throughout the Human Sphere to
a variety of situations. The tactical department of
take down rogue mercenary outfits, criminal
SWORDFOR are, both functionally and in terms of
organisations, pirates, and corporate armies. They
capability, more like a peace keeping force. While
have provided peacekeeping forces on Ariadna,
SWORDFOR remains a police and investigatory
Svarlarheima, Paradiso, and most recently in
body, a majority of its troops can be found in Kappa
support of Greater Japan. SWORDFOR units have
Units including roles in peace keeping and human-
also provided troopers to serve on the front lines
itarian support. SWORDFOR also contains a number
of Paradiso, and now, on Dawn. These forces may
of units that could be described as more militarised
be threaded among those of other nations and are
that are capable of fulfilling a variety of roles
most regularly used for special operations. Officers
professionally, often unconventionally, and almost
and the elite of SWORDFOR are regularly employed
always successfully. Many, including some corpo-
in advisory or training roles with other national
rate and government agencies, have criticised the
armies and have even been known to assist in the
existence of the SWORDFOR as a bait and switch
development and training of mercenary units and
that allows O-12 to deploy highly trained military
corporate security teams, although the application
operatives into a much wider range of deployment
process for such privately funded roles can be so
zones than they would otherwise have the author-
convoluted that the procedure alone dissuades
isations for. There are very few, however, who dare
many companies and corporations from employing
suggest that the SWORDFOR unit is ineffective.
SWORDFOR training.
On the contrary, SWORDFOR operatives are fright-
eningly capable and highly elite. Most members

The o-12 Files 7

 Young hopefuls from all over the Human most well-known ships of Starmada are the famed
Sphere are drawn to the opportunity to enlist in hospital ships. Vast and advanced, they provide
SWORDFOR, many locals to Concilium Prima itself, succour in humanitarian crises and are in continual
and applications are constantly processed. The need on the war front of Paradiso. Many of the mil-
physical and mental requirements for enlistment itary ships Starmada fields are designed for speed
and training are as strenuous and unforgiving as and precision orbital support. They are not so
with any military in the Human Sphere. Training much designed for space combat but for providing
on the surface of Concilium Prima is tough, with surgical and devasting firepower for SWORDFOR
bases across the planet, but especially in the forces on the ground. Many of their military vessels
Antarctic wastelands of Helheim, a place aptly are also used to guard the humanitarian convoys of
named. Training also takes place in a wide range of Bureaus Athena and Lakshmi or the scientific expe-
biomes throughout the Human Sphere, especially ditions of Bureau Tiandi. Most unique to Starmada
on Paradiso. Zero and microgravity training occurs are the Circle Runners, conceived as escorts for the
on specially built orbitals around the planet or Circulars. These are hybrid ships, combining the
in the military base in orbit around the planet capabilities of a gunship with the range and speed
Muspelheim. Training, drill, and simulation are of a patrol boat, and are also used for pirate hunt-
constant, and the demands of making the grade are ing. Beyond whatever ships are stationed in the
severe. But, those who manage to make the cut, and Concilium system, the number of ships O-12 has
stand to attention at their passing out parade, have available and is permitted to put into the field is
been shaped into formidable weapons of war. few. Starmada has the whole of the Human Sphere
in which to make its presence visible, and those
In orbit around Muspelheim, the fifth planet in the
ships assigned to that duty are stretched thin.
Concilium system, is the key military and operations
base of Bureau Aegis and SWORDFOR. Protecting Rumours abound of experimental technologies
this — and the system as a whole — is a formidable drawn from the physics laboratories of Huaquiao
armada of artillery bases and battlestations known and the study of alien technology captured from
as the Surt Defensive System. No mere hand-me- Tohaa and Combined sources alike. Tied up with the
downs from other national navies, the protective general mystique that surrounds SWORDFOR, the
stations of the Surt Defensive System navy are gossip includes some Maya-sci-fi worthy material.
state-of-the-art. No true count of the offensive or Starmada features heavily in many of these
defensive capabilities has ever been successfully rumours, but whatever truth there is to that is
made; the number, class, and armaments of the impossible to draw out from the wild fictions that
stations and platforms is not exactly known. It abound on some Maya platforms.
has been estimated by intelligence agencies, such
as the Hexahedron, that the Concilium system is
capable of weathering an assault from any other IDENTITY AND
national power in the Human Sphere. Where
the funding, technology, or indeed the stations LOYALTY
themselves came from is the subject of much
At its heart, O-12 is a legal framework and the
supposition and guesswork. From an official point
associated structure to enforce that framework,
of view, it is never mentioned, a tacit understanding
embodying a set of ideals about how the various
by all that the fleet exists is as far as enquires into
powers that make up the Human Sphere should
the subject goes. That is not to say, however, that
operate and interact. It is not a universal governing
the Hassassins, Hexahedron, Stavka, and Imperial
system, as many critics would suggest it sets itself
Agents haven’t tried hard to penetrate the veil of
up as being. Rather, it is a scaffold of ideals on how
Muspelheim to find out, but rather, that their efforts
the various power blocs of the collective human
so far have had little result beyond more rumour to
race may maintain independence and autonomy,
add to the mill. The existence of the Surt Defensive
while at the same time treating with each other by
System is an open secret for those with clearance
a universal set of expectations designed to create
enough. The exact makeup of the system is the
an even playing field for competition which main-
detail that everyone else beyond O-12 is desperate
tains a state of relative stability that all may thrive
to find out, but unwilling to ask.
and prosper. This set of ideals is encapsulated in
Starmada has its primary command structure the Pillars of O-12: Unity, Cooperation, Support, and
positioned within the Surt Defensive ring. The Progress, and is enshrined in a set of international
Starmada navy encompasses an eclectic mix of laws, conventions, and legal set of apparatus
ship classes and types to support the flexible roles designed to ensure they are adhered to.
required by SWORDFOR and O-12. Of the largest
With the movement of O-12 to Concilium Prima as
tonnage ships Starmada is able to field, a vast
an independent headquarters, it has slowly grown
majority are troop transports, all of them in contin-
into a quasi-nation in its own right, with a citizenry,
uous use unless docked for repairs and refits. The

8 Chapter 1
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

government, economy, and all the machinery fair and natural expression of nationalistic emotion
of a functional nation state. O-12 straddles an and zeal in others is often regarded as unaccept-
interesting line, its role and function within the able from citizens of O-12. Fair or otherwise, the
Human Sphere is as a mediator, legal contingency, pressure to live up to the neutral level-headedness
and aspirational guide. To maintain these various and impartiality that O-12 is expected to embody
roles it strives above all else for independence and can be burdensome, especially to the younger
impartiality, yet, at the same time it is also a grow- generations of this pseudo-nation.
ing nation with significant economic and political
O-12 and Concilium Prima particularly are cultural
influence. As many analysts of geopolitical history
melting pots. The cities and towns of Concilium
have observed, the next twenty to fifty years will be
Prima are dominated by cultural enclaves, and
defining for O-12. Will it be able to maintain a care-
while the ideals of the Pillars provide a sense of
ful balance in the power structures of the Human
harmony and the cultural zeitgeist of inclusivity
Sphere, or will it slide into a position of being just
and unity are a bonding factor, old loyalties swirl
another national power striving to find its own
beneath the surface. These former allegiances are
path to ascendancy in the Human Sphere?
plucked and played by all manner of manipulators.
Commonly quoted as the mantra of the peoples O-12 sits in a position of political influence and
who call Concilium Prima their home and O-12 power within the Human Sphere, and even the
their nation is the saying La tajdo de unueco nin families who can trace their lineages back to the
kune or “the tide of unity brings us together”. The first settlers of Concilium Prima are young enough
people who make up the citizenry of O-12 are an to still have familial ties in other nations in the
eclectic melange of nationalities and ethnicities. Human Sphere. Much time and energy are spent by
Many of the older generations were attracted the other nations on wooing or coercing citizens,
to O-12 by the promise of what it stood for, by especially those who have relations in other
the opportunity to be a part of the very stitching nations or who may be groomed to have a position
that holds an otherwise conflict-ridden humanity within the bureaus or agencies of O-12.
together and a vision for what humanity can and
should strive for. Nowadays, a majority of the
younger generation is born and bred O-12, but CORRUPTION AND
there are still a significant number of citizens
attracted to join O-12 for the optimism that it MANIPULATION
embodies. Those indigenous to O-12 are, by and
Overseeing a vast portfolio of economic, techno-
large, influenced by the educated idealism of their
logical, social, legal, and military issues, often in a
parents and grandparents. Every year a larger and
managerial or judgemental capacity, places O-12 at
larger portion of those citizens who fill roles within
the beating heart of cooperative and competitive
the bureaus and agencies are native born. A number
negotiation throughout the Human Sphere. From
of citizens have joined the nation because their
aid packages, trade deals, military operations, polit-
families were sent there for work, and within the
ical cooperation, corporate negotiation, and the
household, the O-12 administration is seen not so
settling of high-level legal disputes, O-12 is front
much as a home or the nation to which they belong
and centre, the impartial administrator that ensures
but as a posting, while their personal loyalties
justice is maintained and everyone gets the fairest
still ache for their familial homelands. A sense of
deal given the context of the situation. As with any
national identity is a cultural phenomenon still in
such position, there is never a happy medium. It is
its infancy. Much like that nationhood of O-12 itself,
rare that all parties involved in a deal or dispute
some sense of a unifying cultural distinctiveness is
walk away feeling completely content with the res-
growing and is dominated by the adherence to and
olution, and it is almost always the case that one
idealism of the Pillars of O-12.
or all of the parties involved feel like they received
Being a member of O-12, whether in an official the poorer outcome. As the old saying goes, heavy
capacity or as a civilian, comes with expectations. is the head that wears the crown, something that
There is a pressure to live up to a certain standard is as true of O-12 as it ever was for king or dictator.
in behaviour and temperance that is applied by the Despite its integral role in the Human Sphere, and
social and cultural norms of O-12 and a certain despite the all too often made assertion that O-12
level of expectation in terms of behaviour, attitude, tries to assert itself like a king or ruler, the reality is
and bearing that is applied to members of O-12 far from the truth.
from other nationalities. This burden is felt by all
While O-12 has significant powers in its capacity
at some point or other in their lives, and by those
to mediate solutions, its rulings are sometimes
who travel widely or operate in an official capacity,
treated with little more than lip-service. Nations
it is something that must often be struggled with,
and corporations alike are only too happy to see a
especially when a situation is palpably unfair or
dispute dragged through years of legal wrangling
emotionally charged. What may be written off as a

The o-12 Files 9

 while they do as they please in the meantime. It make donations and gifts to a variety of O-12
is something of a minor miracle that the courts personnel as a form of thanks. This has served to
and bureaus that mediate on legal questions muddy the waters and has made the detection of
in relation to economic or trade issues, military irregular patterns in financial exchanges difficult
actions, breaches of law, and diplomatic quarrels to identify. Typically, the solicitation of support
are able to cut through the walls of red tape that involves a variety of elements rather than a one-off
plaintiffs and defendants are eager to employ to payment. It may be a niece who is offered a well-
delay the processes of resolution. This is partly due paid position within a corporation connected to
to the mechanisms of the O-12 political and legal the one doing the lobbying, as well as a generous
structure that allow the organisation to leverage donation to the charity run by a family member, and
direct legal or military action against those who the opportunity to invest in property developments
are deemed guilty of a crime or those who try to owned by a company connected through financial
muddy the waters of due process. O-12 has the ties, as well as an implied threat of leaking unde-
vested authority to take a determined course of sired information to the media or bureaucracy… The
action through an investigative or advisory panel, network of relationships and deals, of transactions
rather than simply relying on the court systems to and influence, can be next to impossible to track,
eventually resolve a dispute, allowing for direct and a convoluted mess so tangled that the actors at
relatively swift responses to issues it oversees. With the centre may not be aware of who the ultimate
a heritage born from the failure of the old United directors are.
Nations, the capacity to take direct action was
Issues such as Ariadnan trade and sovereignty con-
deliberately built into the O-12 charter.
cerns, the distribution of aid packages to orbitals
A result of its unique capacity and position to medi- holding territorial or mining rights, the phrasing of
ate solutions between powerful entities and its legal codes surrounding the research or application
ability to take direct action when its own investi- of technologies, corporate tenders for multinational
gative processes deem that action is required, O-12 contracts negotiated by O-12, and a million other
maintains a position of control and authority. O-12 agreements and commercial issues are sought
is a balancing factor in the mess of international to be influenced by corruption. Bureau Agni, with
powers striving against one another across a host its management of energy and the Teseum trade.
of domains for influence and supremacy. Given such Bureau Athena with its focus on the abuses of
a position, for O-12, corruption is the biggest threat human rights. Bureau Gaea with a portfolio that
to the impartiality of the processes, and for every- covers the investigation of corporate activities.
one else, an often-used vehicle to tip the scales of Bureau Ganesh with a focus on trade and econom-
balance in their favour. Corruption is something ics. Bureau Hermes, which manages issues surround
that the systems and bureaus of O-12 do their commerce and space flight. Bureau Lakshmi with
best to combat and limit, and strict and severe a focus on regulating medical practice, research,
punishments can be meted out in cases where it and procedures. Bureau Tiandi, which manages the
is uncovered. But O-12 is not so naïve to believe surveying of new territories, and Bureaus Concilium
that its own checks and balances will be enough and Trimurti both for their focus on tackling
to stamp corruption out. It understands that the corruption. All of these core bureaucracies within
organisation and pseudo-nation are made up of a the O-12 structure are the target for influence and
great many peoples, with loyalties and motivations corruption, where stakeholders, nations, and big
that may bias them in one way or another. The so businesses are more than happy to throw signifi-
called Wilderness of Mirrors is not a problem solely cant money at any issue that may benefit them or
for intelligence agencies but also applies more conceal wrongdoings from the courts.
broadly to the entity of O-12 as a whole.
Lobbying, bribery, political and financial pressure,
Gifts, endorsements, donations, benefits, and religious and national loyalties, as well as threats
employment or business opportunities are all and violence are all tools used to coerce the
leveraged by external parties as common methods personnel who work and act on O-12’s behalf. Such
of extorting support from members of O-12. Such undue influences are combated where they are
offers are never direct or easily traceable. They are found and are, to an extent, expected. It is this level
more often made to extended family, as patronage of expectation that allows O-12 some capacity
to charities chaired by or businesses run by to mitigate undue influence. The people who fill
children, wives, husbands, cousins, aunties, uncles, positions on investigative panels, legal teams, and
or close friends. While complex algorithms are within bureaus are carefully selected from within
used to monitor transactions and the movement of O-12, not just for their merit and their loyalty to
monies and goods, the line between an acceptable O-12's processes and ideals, but also to provide
donation and one used to solicit support is a grey a mix of potential influences in order to preserve
area. A growing trend to avoid detection has been some measure of internal balance. All O-12
a general ubiquity when corporations and nations personnel have detailed files maintained on them,

10 Chapter 1
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

which are processed by selection panels assisted propagation of radio waves from the surface. The
by ALEPH Aspects. When a team is assembled for a Shimmering Sky would allow the O-12 organisation
specific task, legal case, or panel, the people who a method to control, in essence, the most used
make it up represent the diverse interests that may communication systems, especially between
seek to influence the processes. It is not a perfect the surface of the planet and orbit. The control
solution to the age-old problem, but by pitting of communication channels provide significant
bias against bias, the influence of corruption is, to benefits for an organisation that sits at the heart of
some extent, mitigated before it has too much of a the conflicts, negotiations, and deals of the power
chance to dominate one side of an issue. brokers of the Human Sphere.
Corruption, old loyalties, and personal biases are all Relay towers for radio wavelengths on the surface,
factors that can lead to a break down in processes, and relay stations floating in the atmosphere,
dysfunction, and the loss of impartiality. Through which bounce microwave transmissions from the
the recognition and manipulation of this, rather surface to their target destination, allow for a
than the blind hope it will never occur, O-12 con- fairly seamless communication system. Of course,
tinues to do its best to maintain at least a veneer these relays are state owned and run as a part of
of impartiality and objectivity in its rulings and the Bureau Gaea portfolio. It is widely understood,
enforcements. especially among the nations and corporations who
deal with O-12, that the relay stations are moni-
tored closely by Bureau Noir. This is especially true
THE SHIMMERING of the floating relays that essentially provide win-
dows through which communications between the
SKY planetary surface and orbit can be made. There are
several thousand of these floating stations across
A constantly moving network of trillions of nano-
Concilium Prima, each one filtering and monitoring
machines, programmed to respond to one another
the myriad of communications beamed from or
like birds in flight and controlled from the Bureau
to the surface. Each one is also, at any point, the
Gaea facility in Bhai, seed the upper atmosphere of
potential target for those who would seek to find
Concilium Prima. From orbit, this blanket of nano-
a way to communicate unmonitored. Such attacks
machines causes the surface of Concilium Prima
come often and may be hacking attempts from the
to seem pixelated, or appear to swim, as if viewed
surface or orbit, or even clandestine assaults on
through water, which is where the system gets its
the relay stations themselves, mercenary strikes
name — the Shimmering Sky.
to install hardware or malware into the relay and
Originally conceived to combat the accelerated allow backchannel communications. Bureau Aegis
greenhouse effect caused by the volcanic activity of and Bureau Noir both are tasked with ensuring the
the Choola region, the nanomachines scrub harmful communications systems maintain their integrity,
gases, predominantly excess carbon dioxide, as but it is a constant battle.
well as particulate from the atmosphere. Despite
One curious effect of the Shimmering Sky has
its distance from the star Concilium, the luminosity
been the use of old-fashioned spying and commu-
of the star, combined with an atmosphere thick
nications technologies on Concilium Prima. With
with greenhouse gases, had put Concilium Prima
communications channels so heavily monitored
in the early stages of a runaway greenhouse effect.
and contact between assets in orbit and the
When the planet was identified and surveyed, the
surface often so integral to the shifting nature of
regulation of the atmosphere was identified as a
deals, court cases, and negotiations, a reversion to
vital component of the terraformation process.
old-fashioned techniques for sneaking intelligence
One of the O-12 teams working for the nascent and communiques between parties has seen some
Bureau Gaea, headed by engineer Nguyễn Thi Lâm, interesting strategies. Implanted data-packets are
realised that the proposed nanomachine network relatively easy to pick up via scans, but the employ-
being developed for use on Concilium Prima could ment of written messages or codes printed onto
have further applications that would suit the needs temporary tattoos, concealed cyphers reassembling
of the organisation once the planet became the messages hidden in blockchains, data smuggled
centre of the O-12 bureaucracy. What was to be in goods, artworks, or codes imprinted into music
solely a method for regulating the atmosphere files and the like have all been techniques used by
became, after some brilliant technical develop- intelligence operatives from other nations attempt-
ment, a method for regulating communications ing to find a way around the Shimmering Sky. One
channels on and from the planetary surface. The thing is certain, if the Shimmering Sky was a stroke
nanomachine network, which became known as of genius, the methods being used to subvert or
the Shimmering Sky, was designed so that, in avoid it do much to demonstrate the endless crea-
addition to stabilising the atmosphere, it would tivity of human ingenuity.
cause microwave beam attenuation and effect the

The o-12 Files 11

 CHAPTER 2

PLANET CONCILIUM PRIMA

CLIMATE AND a runaway greenhouse effect could have had a

significant impact on the long-term viability of hab-
GEOGRAPHY itation on the planet’s surface. Thanks to scientific
intervention these issues have largely been pre-
Concilium Prima represents both a lucky charm, in vented, but it is an ongoing struggle that requires
finding a planet so amenable to settlement and constant study, supervision, and intervention.
habitation, and a work of scientific triumph, in that Concilium Prima’s large moon Unueco has a
a myriad of aspects were manipulated through significant effect on weather patterns and life
terraforming to create and sustain the environment cycles on the planet, with tidal forces that can
that citizens enjoy today. Perhaps the biggest cause extreme swells. Tidal effects are immediately
challenge in the management of Concilium Prima noticeable to anyone visiting a coastal region for
was not the initial carefully planned modifications, the first time. The water surges of the tidal action,
but the ongoing task of maintaining the planet’s combined with the massive swells of the ocean
climate. With the great scars rending Choola irreg- itself have a significant effect on the prevailing
ularly spewing tonnes of greenhouse gases, ash, winds, which in turn create wave crests that can
and particulate into the atmosphere, the continual make some coastal areas dangerous. Significant
manipulation of the Shimmering Sky to maintain a swathes of beach are uncovered during low tide,
stable climate has been masterful. Concilium Prima and the often-violent return of the waters at high
also makes use of massive industrial facilities tide pose a significant risk to anyone unfamiliar
which draw trace elements from the atmosphere to with the patterns. Settlements on the coast for the
process and sequester carbon. The planet was orig- most part have weather monitoring services and
inally identified as sitting on a tipping point, where extensive breakwaters designed to protect ships

12 Chapter 2
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

in harbour and the settlements themselves from drone footage and stories of the splendour of
the potentially damaging waves. While those living the waterfalls and valley systems are something FIRST RESPONSE
along the coast are well versed in the dangers of a legend among the students and lecturers of Bureau Concilium, in conjunction
inherent to the tides, injuries and even fatalities Concilium University. It is the dream of many a with Bureau Gaea and the
remain all too common mostly among tourists and young biology major to take part in one of the few climatologists from the Manaheim
those who ignore the safety warnings to surf or sail funded expeditions to this region of the planet. University, run the largest weather
monitoring alert system on
in dangerous conditions.
The continued manipulation of the weather pat- Concilium Prima. The weather
Emergency responders serve in a multi-role terns and climate of Concilium Prima has allowed station provides weather and
capacity, receiving training to provide support in for human habitation in a way and to an extent that emergency updates across the
emergencies, reducing the dangers, as well as direct would never have been possible otherwise. Despite planet and liaises with emergency
action on the ground, including providing medical this, many leading scientists have voiced concerns services in identifying threats
and the ongoing analysis
support. Emergency responders may even receive about the long-term effects of the process. Not
of emergencies.
basic combat training, and the pathways into and only has the adjustment to the climate made the
from the Bureau Aegis Global Police are strong. planet more amenable to plant and animal life
introduced from other systems, but it has also had
With a slight axial tilt, the variation in seasonal
a significant impact on the natural cycles of the
patterns across the planet surface is not signifi-
native species. This was to be expected, of course,
cantly noticeable. The tropical zone extends well
but the degree to which the changes in the climate
up into Midgard and down into Jaulan, and the
of Concilium Prima have impacted the life cycles
year-round weather is warm and muggy. In the
and breeding habits of the native flora and fauna
northernmost portion of Midgard and the south-
has led some to speculate that the planet could be
ernmost portion of Jaulan, the seasonal changes
approaching a catastrophic collapse in the complex
are more temperate, with cold winters and hot
web of relationships between the living organisms
summers. The most northern and southern regions
on the planet. While these concerns are regularly
of Jotumheim and Helheim respectively sit within
dismissed as unnecessary fearmongering, it has
the polar latitudes. These locations are bitterly cold,
been noted that the algal blooms, which appear to
windswept, and icy all year. Even in the middle of
have thrived on the trace elements deposited in
summer, the sun stays close to the horizon, and
the oceans across the planet from the volcanic rifts
daylight hours are relatively fleeting.
across the Choola region, are diminishing year in,
Along the length of the coastlines, squalls are year out. Given these same algal blooms produce a
common. These storms can form quickly, coming off significant percentage of the oxygen on Concilium
the ocean to wrack the land with rainfall and high Prima and that they are a foundational component
winds. The heaviest rainfall anywhere on Concilium in many food webs for larger organisms the fishing
Prima however, comes to the north and south of the industries of the planet rely on, there is, perhaps,
El-Gebal mountain range that separates Choola and some cause for concern.
Jaulan. To the south, rain falls in monsoonal tor-
rents almost all year, causing the jungles of Jaulan
close to the mountain range to be mired in great FLORA AND
swamps and a myriad of rivers and streams. To the
north of the El-Gebal, the storm cells pushed inland FAUNA
by the mountain range collect sulphur and other Far and away, the largest collective biomes on land
chemicals, which can lead to acid rain, something are the great savannahs that dominate and extend
the Terraforming Institute remains apoplectic about. from Midgard in the north, and south through
Over the area known as Loki’s Land, blankets of fog Maidan and the top of Choola. Punctuated by
are common and, on bad days, can be concentrated broadleaf forests in the north and jungles in the
enough to cause respiratory problems and other south, these grasslands stretch for thousands of
health complications, particularly in the young, kilometres. Genetic studies have shown the grasses
elderly, or those with sensitive or damaged lungs. of Concilium Prima are comprised of massive clonal
Thankfully neither the acid rain nor the fog travels colonies connected by a thick network of stolons (or
inland enough to threaten settled areas, but they runners), some of which may represent the largest
are enough of a concern to complicate scientific living organisms known to the Human Sphere. The
expeditions to the area. In the last few years, there stolons that connect the grasses form an extremely
have been a number of companies interested in dense mat, sometimes 20 centimetres or more
mining Loki’s Land as a source of industrial chemi- in depth, giving the ground a decidedly spongy
cals, and even one company that is developing rain feel. A number of small regional communities use
farms to catch acid rain. cuttings of these mats as a form of insulation, but
The El-Gebal mountain range is the largest and if the climate is particularly dry, they can also pose
highest on Concilium Prima. The foothills facing a significant fire risk. These stolon mats, which sit
the south are steep, a maze of deep valleys full of beneath the visible grass stems, have been argued
jungle and rushing torrents. Only partially explored, to constitute a seperate biome, and a whole web

Planet Concilium Prima 13

 of life exists within it. Some of the creatures which a dozen doses, and the arthrodogs soon have a
rely on the mat are little more than fungi, or tiny comatose target to begin feeding on.
arthropods. Others, however, can grow to be as
Land-dwelling plant and animal life on Concilium
large as a small cat or ferret. Almost all of these
Prima is not as diverse as that on Earth. Most
creatures are arthropods, from herbivores to car-
of the terrestrial biomes tend to have a handful
nivores, and a number can give a nasty bite to the
PHYLUM, FAMILY, of species which dominate their niches. The
poorly dressed or unwary traveller.
CLASS broadleaf forests and jungles contain only a
Life on Concilium Prima evolved The arthropods which make the grass mat their handful of species of trees, and while there are
distinct from that on Earth, from home also pose a continual risk to farm animals hundreds (and likely thousands of undiscovered
the chemical reactions that led allowed to crop the grasses, as the bites can cause and unclassified) species of animals, diversity and
to the first cells to the complex infection and lead to disease. Some effort has variation is less distinct than on Earth. Almost all
animals of today. Despite the been made to eradicate areas of grass to free up the plants on Concilium Prima rely on the wind
differences, the chemical pressures cropland, but because the grass is virulent, the for both pollination and seed dispersal, something
that led to abiogenesis and effort is labour intensive as the ground needs to be that can play havoc with anyone who suffers from
the evolutionary drivers that scarified. While some attempts to create cropland hay-fever. While this seed dispersal method works
influenced the diversity of life
have been undertaken throughout Concilium Prima, for the native plant life, given the windy nature of
from that moment on remain
the same. While many biologists
the most effective method of food production has the planet’s weather systems, it has also meant that
agree that a taxonomic structure undoubtedly been the fish farms and hydroponic introduced species of trees, grasses, and flowers
unique to each instance of life is centres of Kala Pani. have been able to spread. Established through the
a more accurate model for life in terraformation process, plants and animals from
Wandering the savannahs across Concilium Prima
the universe, it has proven easier across Earth have been repeatedly introduced to
are large herbivorous animals known to science
to simply lump new animals into Concilium Prima with a significant impact on the
the familiar taxonomic model. The
as MegaVombatus and locally as ‘giant wombats’
plant and animal life native to the planet. Some
arthropods of Concilium Prima are because of their morphological similarity to the
biologists are concerned that with changes to the
close enough to their Earth-bound wombat of Earth. These creatures can grow to
climate as well as the spread of introduced plant
counterparts that the term was the size of a small car and live by cropping the
and animal life, the biomes native to Concilium
an easy fit; they are a family of grasses as they wander across the savannahs.
Prima may face catastrophic collapse.
animals with segmented bodies MegaVombatus live in herds that can number as
and a chitinous exoskeleton. many as thirty individuals. The adult males tend
Morphologically, they are similar
to the arthropods of Earth, hence
to leave the herds and live more solitary lives and,
much like the bull elephants of Earth, are often
OCEANS
the easy adoption of the term.
aggressive and can be dangerous, particularly Of all the biomes that dominate the planet, the
The same is broadly true for
other forms of life on Concilium
during their mating season, theorised to coincide oceans are the most diverse and rich in life on
Prima and elsewhere in the with every second or third full moon. the planet. The depths of the oceans have been
Human Sphere. partially mapped using sonography, but like 21st
Studies tracking the movements of these great
century Earth, they still represent the least studied
animals have uncovered some curious details
portions of the planet. So far, only a handful of
about their habits. Always on the move, herds of
exploratory scientific missions have gone beyond
MegaVombatus follow distinct migratory paths
the euphotic (or sunlit) zone, and none have
thousands of kilometres in length. These migratory
plumbed the depths of Concilium Prima’s great
paths overlay in a complex web that allow the
oceanic trenches, the greatest of which extend
different herds to meet up regularly in a pattern
east and west of Choola, continuing along the fault
synced with the lunar cycle.
lines beneath the turbulent oceans above. With
Following the herds and eager to break away any of a noticeable drop in the quantity of the sea life
the young, sick, or old, are a vicious little predator that has become a part of the diets of Concilium
known as Alba canis or arthrodogs. This peculiar Prima natives over the last few years, thought in
portmanteau stems from the arthropods’ loping part to be a biproduct of terraforming, a number of
movement along and their pack hunting tech- studies designed to examine the oceans are in the
niques, which are much like those of the wild dogs planning and acquisition phase. It is hoped these
of Africa. Able to run quickly over short bursts and studies will net useful results that will aid in the
capable of sustaining long and steady marathons, maintenance of this vital biome.
these creatures are not so dangerous individually,
Algae dominate the oceans, exist in a wide variety
but as a pack they pose a serious threat to anything
of forms and species. and are believed to be so
they set their minds on. Running on four gangly
widespread due to the minerals and chemicals
legs, they have a pair of forelegs that reach out
introduced to the oceans through volcanic erup-
beyond their mandibles. These are capable of
tions in Choola. Algal blooms can be hundreds
delivering knife-like wounds when punched into
of kilometres across, each glowing a different
a target and deliver a mild tranquilizer. One dose
bioluminescent colour, referred to as ‘Hue Biomes’.
is hardly enough to stop a grown MegaVombatus
These blooms support a wide range of marine
in its tracks, but a dozen knife-like lacerations and
animals that come to feed on them. The largest of

14 Chapter 2
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

these blooms are visible from space and appear as until recently, are gigantic vessels, some the size
slowly moving, fractal-like patterns pockmarking of an office block. Beneath these hulking machines
the surface of the oceans. It is quite the sight – and are networks of great sluices. the aqua-harvesters
quite the tourist attraction. are designed to be piloted through an algal bloom
where the sluices allow the water and algae, and
Another diverse form of life is much like the crus-
any similar small creatures, to float away, but trap
taceans of Earth. These ground-dwelling creatures
the larger ones. This indiscriminate form of inten-
live most of their days on the abyssal plains of the
sive fishing had devastating consequences for life
ocean floor, but when the algae blooms occur, they
in the waters of Earth, and despite the importance
siphon water from a float bladder beneath their
of the fishing industry, there was little outcry as
shell and rise to the surface using their legs (which
it was allowed to go into decline. Nowadays it is
they have up to a dozen pairs) to swim. Their long
much more common for small teams of fishing
hairy protuberances flail around and then draw
boats to selectively fish for specific species of crus-
back and across their mouth parts removing the
tacean or nudibranch, which are in high demand
algae that are trapped in the hairs.
in the restaurants of the planet due to their tender
Feeding on the wide variety of crustaceans are and succulent flesh. For the core food supply, the
creatures much like the sea slugs or nudibranchs of aquafarms provide more than is required.
Earth. These can grow several metres in length and
Like on land, a number of introduced species
are brightly coloured. With four large multifaceted
are finding a growing foothold in the oceans of
eyes on stalks, these creatures tend to hunt from
Concilium Prima. These are mostly fish that have
below, spotting their prey by the pattern of light
escaped aquafarms and include species like salmon,
emitted from the algae the crustaceans are feeding
trout, pollock, and tuna.
on, then rising swiftly to envelop and wrap around
their target, crushing the shell, and pushing their
oral tentacles through the breaks to feed on the
soft flesh within. These creatures have been noted
ECONOMY
to have made a number of recorded attacks against For all the industries and production that form
human divers, most of which have been fatal. an integral part of the economic machinery of
Concilium Prima, politics remains the largest
Undoubtedly the most dangerous animals to make
contributor to the wealth of the planet. With
the waters of Concilium Prima their home are giant
bureaucratic, legal, and judicial centres such as the
creatures much like the jellyfish of Earth. There are
Öberhaus, the Petite Assemblée, and the Courts of
a number of distinct, documented species, and they
Concilium, as well as the myriad of bureaus that
share very similar traits. These creatures can grow
support them, Concilium Prima is a fulcrum around
to be several hundred metres in diameter, while
which legislation and justice is served throughout
the largest ever recorded was close to a kilometre
the Human Sphere. Such functions of universal
across. They are transparent, and often every
importance naturally attract the attentions of gov-
difficult to spot, but produce a spectacular light
ernments, corporations, and individuals who wish
show using bioluminescent algae that live within
to take an active role in or influence the political
their membrane. They rely on ambush techniques,
decisions.
spreading their membrane out just below the
surface and mimicking the colour patterns of an Vast sums of wealth are spent on lobby groups
algal bloom to attract would-be predators. The that represent corporate and government interests,
underside of the membrane reflexively envelops religious and social ideologies, and a variety of
the creatures that brush against it, administering a other agendas. Wealthy stakeholders — whether
powerful toxin. Once enough animals are caught in governments, corporations, or individuals — may
the membrane the creature sinks to a greater depth sponsor or support a range of lobby groups, each of
to slowly absorb its food. which reflects aspects of ideology or policy change
they themselves would like to see passed. These
Much of the marine life of Concilium Prima has,
lobby groups in turn pour vast sums of money into
at one time or another, been employed as a food
summits, meetings, retreats, and a slew of other
source for the growing population. The fishing
events designed to consolidate a supporter base,
industry, until a decade ago, was the key nutritional
refine and reinforce ideological positions, and build
foundation for the citizens of the planet. The
action plans that seek to influence the wheels of
rise and success of intensive aquatic farming
power. Significant sums are also spent creatively
techniques particularly in the Gulf of Choola have
to buy access to representatives, ambassadors,
led to a decline in the fishing industry as a whole.
corporate leaders, high ranking bureau officers,
Many biologists have raised concerns about the
and politicians. Bribery is, of course, illegal, but the
type of fishing that the planet was coming to
boundary between a paid guest or speaking role, a
rely on, so aquafarming received a sizeable seed
gift or endorsement, tickets to a high-end retreat
funding. Aqua-harvesters, which were widely used
or event is blurred and deliberately obfuscated

Planet Concilium Prima 15

 by all parties involved. Of course, the complexity places like the Öberhaus and Courts of Concilium
of the information network made possible by the are well-liked attractions that have grown expo-
quantronic revolution means that ALEPH and nentially in popularity. In short, the economy of
anti-corruption agencies can track the movement Concilium Prima is booming, as varied and colourful
of money with relative ease and accuracy, so as the vibrant mix of peoples and cultures on the
representatives seeking to influence those in power planet. Concilium Prima achieves well above what
through bribery or coercion need to be inventive. might be expected.
There are privacy laws in place that protect an
individual from disclosing financial details without
a legally awarded warrant, and the use of valuable REGIONS AND
gifts, Tunguskan banks, and other forms of payment
are widespread. CITIES
Anti-corruption investigations are a continual part
of the pattern of life in cities like Edda. Bureau BOIS BLEU
Concilium and Bureau Trimurti spend a consider- Bois Bleu is one of the most iconic places people
able amount of time and effort in carrying these throughout the Human Sphere associate with the
out. Charges of corruption rarely stick, however. planet Concilium Prima. Famed for its biolumines-
All too often key players are whisked away out of cent flora, the Blue Wood has become a carefully
the jurisdictional reach of the investigators, or the manicured garden. The illusion of a tumbling
cases are held up in the court systems by repeated natural landscape is meticulously preserved, and
appeal. It is a depressing state of affairs to many of hidden within this natural splendour sit the estates
those who truly wish to see an end to corruption of the wealthy and influential. Originally contained
and the undue influence the wealth holders have to a defined habitation zone encompassing Sainte
over policy and legislation. The silver lining is that, Michelle De Bois Bleu, the houses and estates have,
despite the dangers of corruption and the lobbying little by little, crept further across the main island
of influence peddlers, the wheels of the judiciary itself, the habitation zone redefined and adjusted
and government do manage to pass rulings and incrementally to accommodate this gradual
laws that are genuinely in the best interests of the extension.
Human Sphere.
A NATURAL WONDER
Almost all of the bureaus organised, operated,
Running northwest to southeast across the main
and ostensibly funded by O-12 make a significant
island of Bois Bleu is the Poivré mountain range,
portion, if not more, of their own budgets annually
consisting almost wholly of sedimentary rocks.
through a litany of fees, fines, and taxes related to
Great shale escarpments are surrounded by heavily
their various areas of jurisdiction.
weathered sandstone bluffs and rises. The moun-
The Concilium system also boasts a vibrant tain range gets its name from the myriad of caverns
economy in other ways. Though the political and and cave systems worn into it over the millennia.
legal position of O-12 brings in significant wealth, While the lower slopes are covered by dense
and the bureaus also contribute much, the planet vegetation, the upper slopes are bare sandstones
and system would be self-sufficient, maybe even and shale pitted with thousands of holes. The
wealthy, without these aspects. Mining is a rich mountain tops are snow-capped, and traversing
source of income for the Concilium system, whether them can be extremely dangerous as the ice sheets
rock hoppers or Nomads in the Brísingamen, or beneath the upper layers of snow are as cracked as
the deep-cut mines of Minas Gerais. Aquafarming the mountains below them. Terrifying ravines can
florae in the black waters of Kala Pani creates a swallow a party of climbers in a moment’s thunder-
variety of food stuffs that is exported throughout ous collapse.
the Human Sphere. Education on Concilium is
Within the cave systems of the Poivré mountains
highly regarded and sought after, with international
live a multitude of species of flying arthropods.
students making up more than fifty percent of
Many of these are no larger than a butterfly or
annual enrolments and paying considerably more
moth on Earth, but some, such as the Appius Magno,
for the opportunity. The entertainment industry
are the size of a small bird and can deliver a nasty
on Concilium Prima, and for the many stations in
sting which has euphoric and hallucinogenic
orbit, is well regarded and in much demand by the
properties. These creatures are a vital part of the
wealthy citizens and visitors alike. Lastly, one of
ecosystems of the Bois Bleu islands serving as
the growing industries in the last decade has been
night-time pollinators to the bioluminescent plants.
tourism. Every year, more and more people from
throughout the Human Sphere ride the Circulars The plants that make Bois Bleu so iconic are unique
looking to make Concilium Prima their destination. to the island chain, their famed bioluminescence
The Shimmering Sky, the Blue Woods, the biolu- produced in a symbiotic relationship with a number
minescent light shows, and profoundly important of species of algae much like those that bloom in

16 Chapter 2
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

BUREAU FUNDING
Bureau Aegis is almost wholly funded by O-12 itself, and a portion of the tithes and taxes that go into supporting infrastructure
such as the Circulars also contribute to this budget. The exact amount of money Bureau Aegis receives annually is supposed
to be public domain, but the reality is that O-12 shifts a vast sum of money and materials to Bureau Aegis under the public
radar. Some governments and corporations complain about the money spent on O-12’s ‘private army’, but the roles Bureau Aegis
play in defending the Circulars and in warzones such as Paradiso have meant that public support across the Human Sphere is
broadly in favour.
Bureau Agni receives a significant portion of its annual budget from the fees and fines relating to investigations and breaches
of laws surrounding the development and application of technologies by corporations across the Human Sphere. The process
of applying for approval when dealing with borderline illegal technology (whether genetic, AI, military, or otherwise), can be
an expensive and drawn-out process, but one that is often valuable if the developer ever finds themselves investigated or in
court over a suspected breach.
Bureau Athena is ostensibly funded by O-12; however, the two largest sources of its annual income come from charitable
donations and from the micropayments millions of citizens around the Human Sphere make to access the histories and infor-
mational texts preserved and made available through Section Clio.
Bureau Concilium is funded directly by O-12 and is ostensibly the governing body of the Concilium system. The economy of the
planet and its various outposts, mines, and stations elsewhere in the system pour into the coffers of Bureau Concilium before
they are divided up between the bureaus and organisations that make up O-12.
Bureau Gaea secures a significant portion of its budget directly from Bureau Concilium as payment for ecological management
and managing the Shimmering Sky. They also receive a small percentage of their annual budget in direct donations.
Bureau Ganesh makes more money than is allocated to its own budget and counts toward the domestic product of the planet.
With a range of fines, fees, and taxes relating to trade deals and practices forming the largest part of their income, they also
make significant amounts running summits, seminars, think tanks, and retreats.
Bureau Hermes and its own corporate face, TransEtherea, is, by far and away, the wealthiest Bureau. On its own Bureau Hermes
represents a sizeable portion of Concilium Prima’s GDP. Most of its money comes in the form of licence and registration fees,
but the maintenance of the Circulars, jump gates, and docks around the Human Sphere all contribute a significant amount of
money as well. Financial restrictions on Bureau Hermes were imposed by other powers in the Human Sphere, which is one of
the reasons TransEtherea now runs the business side of the Circulars. But despite this interference, Hermes remains one of the
biggest contributors to the success of the Concilium Prima economy.
Bureau Lakshmi is funded almost exclusively by tithes paid directly from governments and power blocs throughout the Human
Sphere. Run as a not-for-profit, Bureau Lakshmi’s primary concern is for the health and well-being of all the citizens of human-
ity. Whatever grumbling might be heard about money going to Bureau Aegis or Hermes, there are rarely any complaints about
the payments made to Bureau Lakshmi. Everyone might agree that the money spent on Bureau Lakshmi is money well spent,
but that does not mean that everyone is always happy about the bureau’s operations. While the bureau provides guidelines and
hard rules about what is acceptable in terms of technological explorations concerning health and medical experimentation,
many nations and corporations disagree, appeal, or downright ignore their rulings.
Bureau Noir is funded directly by O-12. While a rough estimate of the annual budget may be ascertained by examining other
public financial records of O-12, the exact amount is never disclosed and never truly known.
Bureau Tiandi is directly funded by O-12, but also makes a significant amount of money selling survey data to governments
and corporations. This bureau has found several idiosyncratic locations where unique technologies have been developed or
explored. Rumours suggest that it has on a number of occasions sold surveys of such locations to corporations for a financial
stake in the technologies developed. A number of O-12 member states have made direct contributions to Bureau Tiandi, often
supporting specific projects which meet or align with their own interests.
Bureau Toth receives the lion’s share of funding of all the bureaus — perhaps even more than all the other bureaus combined
— but the amount can only be guessed at. Not even ALEPH is privy to knowledge about the extent, functions, personnel quota,
and budgets of Bureau Toth. Some conspiracy theorists claim that ALEPH uses its processing power to gamble, invest, and,
according to some wild claims, simply create its own fortune. As persistent as these rumours are, little evidence has been found
to suggest that is the case. The Nomads refuse to allow any of the money they contribute to O-12 to go towards support or
funding for Bureau Toth. Part of their membership agreement states that the portion of the Nomad fees that would otherwise
be apportioned to Bureau Toth is divided between Bureaus Athena and Tiandi instead.
Bureau Trimurti is strictly funded by Bureau Concilium and is disallowed to accept any form of donation, contribution, or gift
from any other source.

Planet Concilium Prima 17

 the oceans. The algae live inside the plants, feeding or the gift of a famous singer to perform at their
off the glucose produced, and in turn attract family-owned music hall. It is no coincidence that
pollinators that allow the plants to reproduce. The Bureau Trimurti has offices in the city.
complex web of symbiotic and mutualistic relation-
ships between the plants, algae, and arthropods of MIDGARD
the Bois Bleu islands are a delicate web, and many
Housing the largest population density of anywhere
biologists are increasingly concerned over the
on Concilium Prima, with the planetary capital Edda
potential impact of human habitation in the area,
and the most iconic institutions of O-12, Midgard
not to mention the throngs of tourists attracted to
is undoubtedly the most central and important
this natural wonder each year. Any conservation
region on the planet. The population is centred in
efforts, however, are tough going as the desires to
the great cities of this region. In between, great
push the habitation zones just that little bit further
swathes of grasslands, extensive broadleaf forests,
each year are backed by some of the most influen-
and in the middle and extending south, large
tial and wealthy individuals on the planet.
mountain ranges are all relatively untouched by
Roughly three times a year several plant species human habitation. Some settlers move out of the
on the islands release their seeds in a spectacular cities looking for a quieter life or one closer to
display, their pods erupting, sending the hundreds nature, and some corporations have spent time
of encased seeds into the air, each topped with a surveying the mountains for minerals worth mining,
bundle of nearly weightless filaments that catch but these efforts have been limited in scope.
the wind and allow the seeds to be transported
many hundreds of kilometres. The seeds themselves LORENA
glow gently, and the light display of thousands of Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to Bois Bleu’,
plants launching their seeds into the sky makes Lorena is frequently overlooked as a place worth
the dispersal events prime time for the tourism visiting in its own right. From humble beginnings
and entertainment industries of Sainte Michelle De as a leisure town to a rolling exemplar of living
Bois Bleu. Many seeds are transported far enough city design, however, Lorena is majestic. In the
to make it to the mainland, but whether it is some evening, the glow of Bois Bleu is visible across
quirk of the soil, the complex interdependencies the strait that divides the island chain from the
that allow the plants to thrive, or some other mainland, and Lorena is like a jewel nestled on the
reason, these plants have never managed to find a coast. Coming from the mainland, it is difficult to
foothold anywhere other than the islands. identify where the rolling lands marching to the
coast stop and the city itself begins. Such is the
SAINTE MICHELLE DE BOIS BLEU design of Lorena — that much of the city is merged
Sainte Michelle De Bois Bleu may only be a small with the natural setting, buildings within the
city by comparison with the other civic centres on rolling hills, orchards, gardens, and copses of trees
Concilium Prima, but it is, per capita, the wealthiest. supplanted from Earth. The buildings not crafted
Seen as a playground for the rich and influential, into the landscape are curving structures, walls
those individuals and corporations who own green with plant life, roofed gardens, and terraces.
property in the city number among the richest on Road systems wind throughout, sometimes difficult
the planet. Sainte Michelle De Bois Bleu boasts to manage without the augmentation delivered to
many expensive and exclusive restaurants, galleries, every visitor’s patina through the city network. The
theatres, and music halls, all there to service the city descends from the hills to the coastline, broad
lavish manor houses and apartments of the CEOs, levels undulating to the wide, pale beaches. It truly
moguls, and politicians. is a place designed by masters of their art.
With all the wealth, power, and privilege amassed Great ferries take passengers out on the water to
in Sainte Michelle De Bois Bleu, it is little wonder gently traverse the strait, these evening cruises
that beneath the immaculate surface lies a fester- take advantage of the diffused light show of Bois
ing cesspool of corruption. Sainte Michelle De Bois Bleu and are replete with rooms open to the
Bleu is rife with dirty dealings, political machina- islands containing restaurants, musical entertain-
tions, briberies, blackmail, and laundering. Money ment, and guided shows. Regular passage between
flows like water, and while many of the galleries the mainland and the city of Sainte Michelle De
and entertainment houses appear privately owned, Bois Bleu is available almost all 23 hours a day, and
they have a myriad of well-concealed connections, it is common for tourists to stay in Lorena, making
financially or through family, to corporations and their way to Bois Bleu for a day or a night before
nationalities throughout the Human Sphere. Money returning. There is a constant flow of people and
paid to a politician for support in a legislative traffic, always new arrivals looking to experience
push might come through as donations made the visual delight of the islands off the coast and
to a theatre company they own, the ridiculous usually equally delighted by their experience of
amount of money paid for a piece of art at auction, Lorena itself. During the day, water sports are

18 Chapter 2
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

a common pastime, and the city’s heritage as a Paradiso, and 12 noon for the Circulars plying their
leisure town is far from forgotten. way through deep space.
In the restaurants and hotels, a great many wealthy EDDA
and influential people meet for discussion and Natives like to consider Edda the very centre of the
deal making, though it must be said, the truly Human Sphere, the heart of human civilisation. As
powerful pass through to Sainte Michelle De Bois conceited as this may appear, especially to those
Bleu. Bureau Gaea has its headquarters in Lorena, from elsewhere, there is also a kernel of truth to
although it also operates from other significant the importance of this city. Between the Öberhaus,
stations around Concilium Prima. An old rumour the Petite Assemblée, the Courts of Concilium, the
persists that somewhere beneath one of the many embassies of every major and minor nation in the
hills that conceal the largest buildings of the city is Human Sphere, and a host of corporate centres,
an extensive underground laboratory where Bureau Edda is home to a concentration of wealth, power,
Gaea studies alien lifeforms. and influence unmatched anywhere else. A constant
flow of people and materials from elsewhere on
HUAQIAO
Concilium Prima and the Orbital Asgard positioned
Nestled on the west coast of Midgard is Huaqiao,
above the city makes the city a restless and
Huaquio was originally one of a few key launching
never-sleeping melange of cultures and vested
stations for the great harvesters that ply the
interests. Business is eternal in Edda, and power-
oceans. This industry has died off with the rise of
brokers and peddlers of influence are in a constant
aquafarming, and instead Huaqiao has been trans-
dance, wheels spinning within wheels, plans in
formed into a centre for energy research. As the
motion, and money invested, splashed, and passed
headquarters of Bureau Agni, the focus of Huaqiao’s
under tables. It is a city that is wonderful for all
economy has shifted from food production to sci-
its magnificent variety and idealism, but it is also
ence, education, research, and particularly physics.
dangerous. If the buildings were not constructed
On the bluffs above the city are several plain look- from self-repairing materials, a visitor might be
ing buildings, old hotels for the most part, which shocked by the violence written in pock marks
now house some half-dozen schools focused on the on the walls throughout Edda. With the powerful,
teaching of physics. These are not universities; they the influential, and the wealthy come those who
are educational facilities where qualified and able would turn them, bend them, and break them, and
physicists go to deepen their learning and engage of course, those paid handsomely to ensure these
in collaborative studies. Known locally as the things never happen.
Agora, these schools house a variety of laboratories
Nation states, international corporations, corporate
funded in part by O-12 along with other facilities
fronts for national interests, and lobby groups
in the city below. With a myriad of national and
representing a majority of the biggest and most
corporate sponsors, these laboratories represent
powerful forces in the Human Sphere are con-
some of the most advanced physics facilities in the
stantly waging a war in the board rooms, meeting
Human Sphere. Ostensibly, the research developed
halls, and fine dining tables of Edda. Senators
in Huaqiao is meant to be open, but many of the
and ambassadors, judges and politicians all vie
technological breakthroughs have remained either
for each other’s attentions, looking to make deals
secret or proprietary due to the sponsorships. The
in exchange for favours, goods, or money, or the
constant flow of interns, students, and scientists to
leverage required to force an opponent to concede
and from the city allows agents from national and
a sticking point. This web of interactions, alliances,
corporate intelligence agencies easy access to the
betrayals, and old adversaries is almost impossible
city itself. Access to the Agora and the laboratories
to keep track of, especially since allies pushing one
is another matter, but there are many ways for
piece of policy might well be bitter opponents in
a craft intel operative to gather the information
the resolution of a court case. Bribery, blackmail,
they have been sent to uncover. Espionage is rife,
financial pressure, dishonesty, and even violence
and Bureau Noir have offices in the city to support
are often deployed in the perpetual struggle for
Bureau Agni in ensuring it happens as little
vested interests.
as possible.
Most people of rank and influence live in gated
Back from the city itself, dug into a basalt shelf, is
communities or walled-off houses, and almost
the deepest building on Concilium Prima. Nearly
all employ bodyguards and mercenaries. Edda,
half a kilometre underground, the Master Clock and
when ranked by the number of contracts issued, is
its numerous tangled quantronic systems tick away,
the largest user of the War Market, meaning that
providing Easy Time for the entire Human Sphere.
inhabitants of the city use more mercenaries than
Time in Huaqiao is Easy Time, and more than one
anywhere else in the Sphere. This is true whether
tourist has come to the city to experience standing
one splices the data to look at individually issued
in the place where 12 noon, with the sun overhead,
contracts or contracts issued by entities such as
is 12 noon for the ships in orbit around Bourak or
governments and corporations. A vast majority

Planet Concilium Prima 19

 of these are retained as bodyguards and security the exception of Kala Pani) is still dominated by
details, but some are employed as double agents, indigenous plant life. Great savannahs dominate
spies, or to apply pressure through the use of or the region, with the thick stolon mats forming
threat of violence in the endless political struggles a dense web on top of the ground and the long
that dominate the city. grasses above this coming to the waist and
sometimes higher. In the centre of the region is
Asgard, sitting above Edda, is one of the few
a large jungle. Nestled against the mountains in
gateways to and from the planet. While it is high
the north, this jungle extends down the centre of
in security, it is nonetheless a perpetual target
Maidan until it dwindles toward the south, where
for smugglers, traffickers, spies, and agents from
the high plateau of the region descends into a
around the Human Sphere. Orbitals, shuttles, and
desert near the Gulf of Choola. MegaVombatus and
the space elevators have become conduits for
arthodogs are the largest animals to dominate
low-tech stratagems seeking to convey information
the region, but a host of smaller arthropods make
and exchange messages covertly between the
the savannahs their home, and the jungle is thick
planetary surface and the space above because the
with arboreal life. An insect commonly found in the
Shimmering Sky imposes restrictions on communi-
stolon mats of the region is the Veritas Morsus, an
cations relayed from the surface.
interesting little bug that gives a sting which may
MANAHEIM go unnoticed until it swells into an itchy scarlet
Beyond Edda and the obvious wheels of justice and lump. These bites deliver a small dose of a toxin
politics, one of the biggest sources of controversy that has similar chemical compounds in it to many
from Concilium Prima comes from Manaheim psychoactive drugs used as truth serums. A bite may
University. While widely regarded as one of the make a person feel lightheaded and makes them
premier universities anywhere in the Human suggestible, leading them to say or do things they
Sphere, the socio-political doctrines and theories, wouldn’t normally do. Several bites increase the
the studies and papers on cycles in history and effect, and many more can lead to an overdose that
the geopolitical webs of humanities current great can damage to the brain. These insects are found
empires, attract much attention beyond university throughout the savannahs in the region, and people
walls. Decried on as many fronts as they are lauded, have even reported effects of the bites in Maidan
the simple reality of the matter seems to be that Basha and its nearby towns.
the publications that attract the greatest levels of
MAIDAN BASHA
vitriol from the wealthy and powerful also seem to
For all the wealth, power, and prestige of Edda, it is
hit closest to the truth. Security is high at the uni-
Maidan Basha that is the engine room of Concilium
versity, with intimidations and death threats from
Prima. It serves as the focal point for all imports
powerful or influential factions come hot on the
and exports to and from the planet. The Bifrost
heels of almost every widely acclaimed publication
orbital bridge dominates the centre of the city,
put out from these esteemed halls of learning.
and traffic is constant, bringing cargo to the planet
Adding more controversy to the pile, Bureau Athena and moving vast quantities of resources into orbit.
maintains its headquarters in Manaheim. As a body Almost everything on Concilium Prima that has
dedicated to upholding human rights and exposing been manufactured off world has come through
and punishing human rights abuses, it also earns its the ports at Maidan Basha, and likewise, all trade
share of vitriol and threats. goods and resources that come from the planet are
Manaheim as a city takes it all in stride, its citizens transported to and exported from Maidan Basha.
viewing the controversies as a badge of honour Where Edda receives the laurels and prestige for
that shows not every fight is fought with weapons. all the power of O-12 vested in that city, Maidan
The city is proud of its stature as a centre for Basha keeps the wealth and economic growth of
learning, and while elsewhere the political and Concilium Prima flowing. Bureau Hermes, one of the
media moguls seek influence through the control most powerful of O-12’s bureaus, has its headquar-
of information, selling the lie that the educated are ters in this city, and Bureaus Aegis, Ganesh, and Noir
an out-of-touch elite, the culture of the citizens of also maintain a significant and constant presence,
Manaheim places great stock in learning. safeguarding the flow of wealth and resources and
doing their best to maintain security and crack
down on smuggling.
MAIDAN
A living city, Maidan Basha is situated on the coast,
Maidan is a huge swathe of largely uninhabited
built into and on the steep drop from the plateau
land, what settlements there are crowded against
that dominates the Maidan region and extending
the coast and are all relatively close by to the two
down to the beaches facing the Guanabara Sea.
major cities in the region, Maidan Basha and Kala
Across the Guanabara Sea, the islands of Minas
Pani. Where areas of Midgard and Jaulan have been
Gerais are visible on a clear day. These islands
heavily invested with flora from Earth, Maidan (with
are where massive deposits of mineral wealth

20 Chapter 2
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

are mined and shipped to the seaports of Maidan a population four times the current level of
Basha. These ports are vast and extend far out Concilium Prima before the technology would
into the Guanabara Sea. Ships carrying ore and require significant development. Experts around
minerals from Minas Gerais cannot get too close the planet, however, are concerned about relying
to the coastline due to shallow waters. To combat too heavily on a single location for food production,
this, the ports have been extended and areas one so close to the volatile Choola region and
of the sea floor dredged to allow their passage. ringed with dormant volcanoes. Kala Pani is, for
Built onto the ports is a network of trains which many, one unlucky event away from disaster. A
operate on a winch system. Once full, carriages are number of studies have been done on the sustain-
winched along the tracks through the city and to ability of the aquafarming industry, and all of them
the distribution centres. These distribution centres raise concerns about the potential poisoning of the
are huge warehouses with attached facilities, region from a volcanic event. Some reports worry
built around the base of the Bifrost Orbital lift. that a terrorist attack on Kala Pani could wreak
In the distribution centres forklifts, trucks, and havoc on the planet in the short term. Naturally,
heavy loaders move goods and materials from food security is a key concern, and the area is heav-
arriving carriages into storage or directly to the ily guarded against such a threat by Bureaus Aegis
loading platforms of the orbital lift. Goods arriving and Noir. Viability studies by the larger aquafarming
in Maidan Basha from overland, either from the businesses in Kala Pani have been looking at other
highspeed Maglev from Manaheim or Edda or from areas of the planet to set up sustainable aquafarms,
low-flying transport ships from Kala Pani, also and efforts on this front have been well supported
end up at the distribution centres. Needless to say, by Bureau Concilium.
these warehouses with their constant flow of traffic
and shipments are often the target of smugglers. CHOOLA
These illegal activities differ from most other areas
Choola a highly volcanically active region, a
as the trade is not so much in illicit substances and
by-product of the orogenic belt resulting from the
subversive material, but in unmarked weapons and
subduction of the Jaulan plate in the south beneath
most importantly in people and information. It is a
the Mentor plate to the north. This geological
habit of workers in Maidan Basha to conspicuously
activity has produced the El-Gebal mountain range,
wear their identifying tags in their publically
and the fracturing of the southern edge of the
accessible patinas. The smuggling of people,
Mentor plate has resulted in the blasted lands to
whether informants or spies, political firebrands,
the north of the El-Gebal range, known as Loki’s
corporate hit men, or high-profile political refugees
Land, which covers much of Choola. The major
is common enough to make random security checks
fault lines in the region are known as Laufey and
and searches a part of day-to-day life.
Farbauti respectively, and Choola, with the pent-up
KALA PANI pressures of so much geological force, is a volatile
Kala Pani feels like a city in isolation, on another and unpredictable location. So dangerous and
world almost, from the hustle and bustle, power unstable is the region that there is a blanket ban
and influence, of the rest of the planet. It would be on any settlement there, and even travel to and
easy to underestimate the importance of Kala Pani, within the region requires a special permit.
dismiss it as a regional agricultural town, except
MONTECRISTO
that it is responsible for producing almost all of the
While it is forbidden to settle in Choola, there is
food stuffs consumed on the planet and enough
one infamous place located here — Montecristo.
extra to support a significant export industry.
Montecristo is a maximum-security prison that
Sheltered from the tumultuous conditions of the houses dissidents, terrorists, and some of the worst
Njord Sea and situated in the Gulf of Choola, Kala violent criminals from across the Human Sphere.
Pani is a veritable paradise of lush growth and life.
In Montecristo can be found double agents who
The land is rich in minerals, and supports large
worked in support of the Combined Army on
orchards, extensive grain fields, and further inland,
Paradiso, extremists loyal to some religious or
significant herds of farm animals. The Gulf of
ideological purpose, and dissidents whose knowl-
Choola, with waters enriched by the warm under-
edge, contacts, and intent threaten the safety and
ground springs, abounds with intensive aquafarms,
security of the Human Sphere. There are terrorists
growing algae that is processed into high protein
whose acts were planned to, or did, cause the death
food supplements, as well as specially adapted
of many, and scientists and engineers who went
grains and cereal crops, and of course, fish such as
beyond the law and the bounds of ethics, breaking
salmon, trout, pollock, and tuna. A number of native
the Sole-AI bill or experimenting on unwitting
species have begun to be farmed here as well,
populations. Those confined to Montecristo are the
some proving quite the delicacy.
worst of the worst. Irredeemable, dangerous, and
Projections estimate that the growth of the often insane, they have power and the intent to use
aquafarming industry of Kala Pani could support it and will never be released.

Planet Concilium Prima 21

 With Montecristo defined as a black hole where the of Kala Pani, the food bowl of Concilium Prima,
normal rules and rights governing the treatment of or even a global extinction-level event. Certainly,
prisoners do not exist, these people are kept alive geological studies indicate that this has happened
to uncover their confidants and compatriots, lead- with some regularity in the planet’s deep past.
ing to whatever bigger fish still remain at large.
Escape is nigh impossible, and even if achieved, JAULAN
the location of Montecristo would mean starvation, Jaulan, on the southern side of the El-Gebal
atmospheric poisoning, or worse, crossing the mountain range, is a strange counterpoint to
Badlands of Choola. If, through some miracle, an the unpredictable violence of Choola. While the
escapee managed to avoid all of that, then certainly El-Gebal range on the southern side is occasionally
they would be gunned down at the hands of the rocked by earthquakes, and more commonly
Lawkeepers who patrol the Badlands. by rockslides, the Jaulan region as a whole is
Eruptions are common, sometimes resulting in comparatively stable. To the north of the region,
magma reaching the surface, with pyroclastic flows great jungles dominated by native growth crowd
racing from the El-Gebal range and great clouds of against the mountain range, and a vast number of
gases erupting from geysers and volcanoes. On the rivers and streams pour from the El-Gebal, draining
mountain range’s windward side, clouds are pushed into wide swamp lands or into the Njord and Aegir
back over the region, acid rain is common, and vog Oceans. Extending south and around the edges
often blankets large portions of the Choola. Both of the region are great broadleaf forests, all stock
the acid rain and the vog contain sulphuric acids introduced from Earth by the scientists in charge of
and other sulphates, and while not deadly over the the terraformation process. Great pine, oak, and ash
short term, it can lead to severe respiratory reac- forests are much like the forests of Europe, with
tions. Loki’s Land is dotted with cinder cone and a wide range of introduced animals from bears to
lava dome volcanoes, and the region is fractured, deer, boars, rabbits, foxes, and squirrels.
great plateaus and wide valleys filled with geyser AL BACTRA
fields. There are few locations where such geolog- Regarded as something of a hidden jewel, Al Bactra
ical features are so haphazardly crammed together is not a city that is frequently covered in travel
into one broken mess. Loki’s Land is a wonder to shows or one that appears in the tourists guides,
study. The gargantuan forces of tectonic pressure yet it is nonetheless one of the most beautiful
are on display in great wounds and welts on the cities on Concilium Prima. Perhaps one of the
surface. Satellites in orbit constantly monitor the reasons it is mentioned so little is due to the fact it
region for activity, and every vibration and shudder, has become something of a refuge for the rich and
every hiss and roar, is measured and instantly powerful, those seeking escape from the limelight
communicated with more than a dozen sites across and 24-hour media cycles of Edda and the great
Concilium Prima. This collected data, as well as cities to the north. Constructed by Haqqislamite
continual feeds from hundreds of atmospheric planetologists, Al Bactra is a city that would not
monitoring stations positioned across the region, look out of place on Bourak. Comprised mainly
provide an in-depth and real-time picture of what of single-storey buildings, some vast, it is a city
the region is doing and what effects are likely on that sprawls along the coast, with a multitude of
the atmosphere and climate of the planet. Bureau suburbs, each expansive, and the majority of the
Gaea have extensive offices in Bhai to the very stand-alone homes ringed by gardens. The streets
west of the region, from where complex algorithms of Al Bactra are wide, and most of them are lined
crunch the incoming stream of information. along either side and down the middle by oak, elm,
Planetologists, assisted by ALEPH, make the neces- and ash trees. It is a gentle city, pleasing to the eye
sary alterations to the Shimmering Sky required to and lungs, with a staid pace that gives it an air of
ensure the effects of any eruption are maintained tranquillity.
well within safe limits.
On the surface, the key industry of Al Bactra is med-
A growing number of scientists are raising concerns ical. Home to the headquarters of Bureau Lakshmi,
that the climate change and continual adjustments Al Bactra has well-appointed medical research
wrought by the Shimmering Sky are having a facilities, three of the most advanced hospitals
detrimental effect on the native life on Concilium in the Human Sphere, and a host of specialists
Prima. The algal blooms form such an integral basis housed in expressly designed suites scattered
for the web of life in the oceans and are thought across the city. In addition, there are a number of
to be fed by the constant outpouring of minerals pharmacological research centres, almost the equal
and chemicals from the Choola region. Interference of those found on Bourak. The facilities of Al Bactra
with this system, it is thought, may lead to a cata- diagnose and mend almost any blight, whether it is
strophic collapse. Others still raise serious concerns physical or mental. Of course, beneath the surface
that a single sizeable event could lead to dire sit- there is another great industry. As a refuge for
uations, among these the destruction or poisoning

22 Chapter 2
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

so many bureaucrats and wealthy and influential HELHEIM

people, Al Bactra is the meeting room behind the
Bleak and inhospitable, Helheim is an antarctic
meeting room. Many of the decisions on policy and
continent blanketed by thick sheets of ice. The
business that are discussed, planned, and agreed
coastlines are battered, ancient rock eroded into
upon here end up in Edda requiring only a rubber
a twisted pattern and laid bare by the unceasing
stamp of approval.
pounding of ocean waves. Scouring the continent
Many schemes and plots, business decisions, almost constantly are highspeed, freezing winds.
take-overs, mergers, and take-downs that have Even with appropriate survival gear, when the
dominated news cycles for weeks were planned winds pick up, life hangs in the balance. Seasonal
and put in motion in Al Bactra. The calm of a beau- changes are almost imperceptible elsewhere with
tiful city robed in tranquillity is an illusion. Those the minor axial tilt of the planet, but on Helheim,
seeking a place away from the spotlight are often for around a quarter of the year, the sun creeps
the most dangerous, and many a businessperson above the horizon, and navigating the waters to
has arrived in Al Bactra, heart filled with schemes, and from the mainland becomes dangerous, as
only to disappear. It is not uncommon for bodies icefloes and bergs break away from the sheets
to be found, stripped almost completely of flesh by that extend into the ocean. Once upon a time, this
marine life, bobbing in the waters far off the coast. quarter of a year was when Helheim was at its
Local law enforcement just shrug. Too often wealthy most active. Passage to the continent increased as
know-nothings think they can take a pleasure yacht soldiers and other personnel were transported in
further out than is safe, and the waters of the Aegir low-flying craft to the training centres of Thokk to
are choppy if you don’t know what you’re doing… commence gruelling tests of their endurance and
will. These days Helheim is a hive of activity. With
BHAI the Combined Army having achieved a beachhead
A small city nestled on the coast, Bhai once relied on the continent, a constant and deadly war rages
on the fishing industry to sustain itself. Now the between the forces of the Combined Army and the
city is dominated by two bureaus, one in plain sight, frozen, desperate, and heroic soldiers of the Human
the other something of an open secret. Climate Sphere who fight valiantly to stop their advance.
stations and relays constantly updated by the
seismic and atmospheric monitoring stations set up THOKK
throughout Choola are run and carefully watched Once a small city hosting one of the most gruelling
by Bureau Gaea. Gaea has a significant presence military training bases in the Human Sphere, Thokk
in Bhai, and more than a hundred scientists, from is now the headquarters of another type of test,
climate specialists to geologists, parse and analyse one that holds the Human Sphere in the balance.
the data from Choola in order to provide the meas- Following the disastrous Operation Stake Out,
urements required to manipulate the Shimmering Shasvastii forces managed to infiltrate and pave
Sky. Bureau Toth has a small outpost here as well, the way for a larger Combined Army assault on
and a number of supercomputers house ALEPH Concilium Prima, with their landing point and cur-
Aspects whose duty it is to support Bureau Gaea rent beachhead the hostile continent of Helheim.
scientists in their operations and studies. A number
Thokk is now the headquarters for the Concilium
of research facilities are perpetually at the ready to
Coordinated Command, which coordinates the
send forays and missions out into Choola to repair
international forces deployed to Concilium to
damaged relays, build new ones, or take samples
defend against the rampages of the Combined
from the field.
Army. While the frontline sits miles away, Thokk
The second largest bureau to have a presence in has grown from a small military settlement to an
Bhai, and only superficially a secret, is Bureau Noir. ever-growing city of deployable modules, under-
The agents of Bureau Noir filter and monitor data ground facilities, and barracks. Whatever civilian
from the Shimmering Sky, observing the flow of population once lived in Thokk has been evacuated,
messages and information that passes through the and the city is almost wholly populated by military
communications relays for anything worth further personal drawn from across the Human Sphere. A
investigation. Infiltration attempts are common, desperate hope pervades this desolate and remote
and ALEPH provides support to Bureau Noir in place. The feeling that if the Combined Army can
code breaking, attempting to crack open the mes- extend its beachhead to the mainland, then the
sages sent from the surface to locations in orbit. Human Sphere itself will tremble is a fear that
Diagnostics are regularly run from facilities in Bhai drives the soldiers newly deployed to the frozen
to test whether any relays have been subverted wastes of Helheim to grim determination.
or compromised, and many missions every year to
repair and defend communications stations are MINAS GERAIS
undertaken based on the data collated in Bhai.
Minas Gerais is, to some extent, a region at
odds with itself. On one hand, the main island is

Planet Concilium Prima 23

 dominated by heavy industry, autonomous drones skilled workers, and housing are all a premium,
perform a majority of the manual labour, and the with Cambados rated as the second most expensive
deep-cut mines yield massive amounts of raw location to live on Concilium Prima. Everything has
materials that form one of the key backbones to a price, and big corporations are eternally looking
the economic power of Concilium Prima. On the for ways to squeeze every dollar they can from the
other hand, the smaller islands to the east, and mining boom.
Bianca in particular, are dominated by a thriving
tourism industry drawn to the white beaches and BARONHA
verdant displays of life off the coast. In recent Capital city of Minas Gerais, it is the centre for
years, the tension between these two industries trade, industry, and the hypercorporations that vie
has been palpable, with complaints lodged with for ever greater stakes in the profits. Bureau Ganesh
Bureau Concilium, Bureau Gaea, and Bureau Ganesh has its headquarters here in an interconnected
over the impact the mining industry is having and triple high-rise that also contains outposts and
is projected to have on the naturalistic setting offices for a number of other bureaus and even
upon which the tourism industry depends on. In some minor nations, orbitals, and a Nomad office
almost all cases, the matters have been deferred or representing mining interests in the Brísingamen.
ignored. For now at least, the mining industry feeds Corporate logos, signage, and office blocks domi-
too much wealth into the coffers of the state for nate the centre of the city, and residential housing
such trivialities to be an impediment. surrounds this core. The wealthier tend to live
closer to the beaches, and the poorer, in the foot-
VIANA hills away from the coast. Great reinforced cables
Viana is a city of overseers, project managers, run beneath the waters that separate Minas Gerais
technicians, and mechanics. The centre for the from the mainland that secure the communications
mining operations on Minas Gerais, Viana is where links between Baronha, Edda, and Maidan Basha.
the mined ore is taken, in some cases refined, and
Almost every major corporation in the Human
the ore or end-product shipped to Cambados on
Sphere has an office, if not an entire office block,
the island’s southern point. The mining operations
somewhere in the central business district of
are almost wholly performed by autonomous
Baronha, and trade delegations from off world
drones, although a number of companies have
are so frequent that there has been on and off
petitioned Bureau Concilium to allow them to ship
discussion about building an orbital lift in the city.
in workers from off world. The processing plants
In the last few years, some concerns have been
and storage depots of Viana are on a scale that is
raised about the business strategies of Yu Jing, with
hard to believe without witnessing first-hand. Aside
the explosive Qingdao report released some years
from the myriad of mining drones, everything is
ago. Tenacious reporters and members of anti-cor-
big. From giant diggers, graders, rock breakers, and
ruption watchdogs have been tracking through
dump trucks that can individually haul over 500
the convoluted mess of shell corporations and
tonnes of material, the scale of operations on Minas
ownerships. Their findings, released piecemeal as
Gerais is stunning, and the largest of the massive
official reports or to the media directly, have been
open cuts they work in is visible from space.
damning, uncovering that Yu Jing has deliberately
CAMBADOS pursued a strategy of buying up companies that
Materials not processed in Viana are dealt with have a stake in the mining operations of Minas
in Cambados. The city is perpetually lit with a Gerais. When Bureau Ganesh meets to receive
frenetic dance of intensity. Revolving shifts for the advice from the private sector, a seat at the table is
workers ensure the streets are never empty and the provided on a company-by-company basis. There is
factories and refineries never silent. The layers of some concern that with so many companies poten-
ownership of the big mining corporations that work tially reflecting a singular viewpoint — with Yu Jing
Minas Gerais are on full display in Cambados. Some as the nation behind those companies — that the
own mining drones and have a stake outside of nation is able to unfairly dominate discussions and
Viana. Others purchase unrefined ore and process policy decisions. Yu Jing, of course, makes it plain
it in Cambados, and others still operate refineries that the StateEmpire does not govern from corpo-
used to outsource the processing. A massive and rate boardrooms, and the purchasing decisions of
dense network of factories and plants, Cambados companies that happen to be Yu Jing merely reflect
is dominated on the coast by a huge breakwater sound business decisions.
and port facility. From the port, the refined ore is Baronha is a city of corporate wealth and influence.
shipped throughout Concilium Prima, but in the It is not the concealed politicking of a city like
largest quantities directly to Maidan Basha and the Edda, but the calculated and deliberate stratagems
Bifrost orbital lift. Competition is high, and the cap- of big business, seeking to influence the game
italistic fervour that dominates the frenzied pace to ensure their owners and shareholders are
of the industries of Cambados is so intense that kept happy. Competition is severe, and corporate
most workers here last only a few years. Equipment, espionage, hacking, and spying happen here on a

24 Chapter 2
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

scale only matched in Edda. Naked ambition hides stretched to the limit and snapped. Only the finest
behind a thin veneer, and with the remit of Bureau can make it through into the Psi Units, and only the
Ganesh involving trade regulation and policy of all finest make it through training whole.
sorts throughout the Human Sphere, the scramble Rumour has it there alongside Derr Irrgarten are
to gain influence is often a deadly game. the buildings and offices of the headquarters of
MONTALBAN Bureau Noir. Blanketed in secrecy, the truth will
Self-described as the capital city of Bianca Island, likely never be known. Many have suggested that
as much to avoid connection with the heavy the chances are more than even that Bureau Noir
industry of Minas Gerais as for any other reason, started the rumours, and that if rumour points
a finger at Bergelmir, then it is little more than
Montalban is everything that the cities of Minas
misdirection.
Gerais are not. Extensive reef structures and white
beaches extend almost all the way around Bianca UTGARD
Island, with the inland dominated by broadleaf Utgard is a city built to look natural so carefully
forests and gently rolling terrain. Complaints have that it appears almost preternatural. The sections
been made in the last few years about the impact of the city that are actually lived in and used are
of the nearby mining industries, with evidence of highly regimented, however. Utgard is, after all, the
coral bleaching and photos of the western beaches centre of operations for Bureau Toth, the key nerve
stained dark with sooty powder apparently from centre for ALEPH, and therefore the most strategi-
the refineries of Viana and Cambados. The mining cally important location in the Human Sphere. The
industry claims that the distance is too great for chambers that house the quantronic macro-proces-
the claims of Montalban to be remotely accurate, sors that could be referred to as the brain of ALEPH
while the more paranoid of Montalban believe that are honeycombed into deep chambers driven deep
environmental degradation is a deliberate strategy into the rock beneath the surface. Built to with-
to claim more land to mine or as a ploy to discredit stand orbital bombardment, there is nowhere in the
the practices of some specific companies and make Human Sphere as secure. The city, such as it is, is
them more amenable to takeover. Whatever the riddled with cameras and scanners, and drones and
truth of the matter, it remains a fact that Montalban soldiers are constantly on-duty guarding the mind
is one of the key tourist destinations on Concilium beneath, as well as the hundreds of technicians,
Prima, famed for its water sports and diversions as programmers, and engineers that service it.
well as its beauteous landscape.
Extensive and thorough biosecurity systems are in
place, and moving from one building into the vast
JOTUMHEIM chambers beneath the city can take an hour or
Dark cold forests march their way north, slowly more in processing and security checks alone. Once
decelerating as they hit the treeline and the tundra beneath the city proper, all clothing is removed.
and ice of the arctic take over. Jotumheim is an Chemical showers and more testing are followed
inhospitable place, and transport to and from the by the donning of special biological suits, all of it
continent is strictly prohibited without special a complex web of precautions designed to protect
transfer papers. The entire continent exists under ALEPH from the slightest interference or danger.
martial law, trespassers and illegal visitors can The Shimmering Sky above Jotumheim may be
be shot on sight, and those that live and work directly manipulated from Utgard, and the flow of
here wear their identification tags in plain view at encoded information is constant. Beyond the city
all times. itself, knowledge of Utgard is highly restricted. It
is known publicly, if at all, as nothing more than
BERGELMIR the northernmost fishing town and occasional
Situated on an island chain off the east coast destination for geologists. O-12 and Bureau Toth go
of Jotumheim, Bergelmir comes under the same to great lengths to maintain this public charade.
jurisdiction and restrictions. Windswept and bitter,
it is home to the Derr Irrgarten, the instruction LYNGUI
and training centre for Psi Unit agents. Great
Barren rocks, the islands of Lyngui are the upthrust
concrete edifices show a blank face to the sparse
of a now-dormant volcanic tantrum. The cliff faces
land around them, but within the offices, briefing
are jagged and worn, beaten down and shaped by
rooms, classrooms, meeting halls, and dark rooms
the unceasing battering of the ocean waves. There
are where the minds and willpower of the next
is little of interest in these islands. From the out-
generation of Psi Unit agents are taught, honed,
side they appear nothing more than shattered rocks
broken, and reassembled. In the Bureau Aegis train-
poking from the turbulent ocean. Rumour speaks of
ing camps in Thokk, the physical endurance tests
sightings of what could be an underwater mobile
can break the body, and only the hardiest make
base off the shores of Lyngui, but who or what
it through; in Bergelmir, the Dark Rooms are the
would have the reach and capacity to pull such a
stuff of nightmares, where willpower and nerve are
feat off is something no rumour dares to address.

Planet Concilium Prima 25

 CHAPTER 3

THE CONCILIUM SYSTEM

THE CONCILIUM SYSTEM

This chapter is not intended to be an exhaustive description of the five planets, two asteroid belts, and
multitude of orbitals present in the Concilium system. Instead, it will focus on a number of specific
locations as points of interest. The locations detailed fall into two broad categories. The first are the more
commonly visited and well-known places, orbitals like Asgard or Asaheim, and the second are locations
that may provide interesting seeds for story and adventure.

ASAHEIM constructed language. The largest of these sections,

Asaheim is the gateway to the Concilium system. the Bonvenon (Welcome), deals with visitors of all
Almost every visitor that arrives in this system does sorts, businesspeople, ambassadors, and tourists.
so at the Asaheim orbital. Built in a great revolving It is expansive, designed in a flowing network of
ring around the Vila Booster through which the hubs referred to as communities that each offer
Circulars arrive, Asaheim is vast, dealing with both accommodation, food, shopping opportunities, and
the incoming and outgoing population of visitors as entertainments. Each community also contains
well as the flow of trade goods and materials to be all the official representatives required to check
imported into or exported out of the system. and supply travel permits and papers, offer official
tours or simple advice about the best places
The gargantuan rotating ring that makes up the to visit on Concilium Prima, and deal with any
orbital is the first port of call for anyone visiting confusion relating to identifications, transfers, and
the system, and for almost everyone who arrives citizenship. Bureaus Athena, Concilium, Ganesh, and
that eventual destination is Concilium Prima. Lakshmi all have important and accessible offices
Asaheim represents a visitor’s first taste of the throughout the communities of the Bonvenon. The
Concilium Prima, and also therefore of O-12. As largest bureau present, and the one that manages
such the orbital is well maintained, and the ring the Asaheim orbital in general, is Bureau Hermes,
is neatly segregated into sections that are all which ensures everything operates as it should.
named using Esperanto, the most widely spoken The bureau is also responsible for maintaining the

26 Chapter 3
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

communications networks and working with the on to their intended in-system destination. Security
myriad of incoming and outgoing ships. is tight, and just like on Concilium Prima, great
efforts have been taken to ensure that the flow
The second largest portion of the Asaheim ring is
of communications are carefully monitored. The
the Merkato (Market) and is devoted to the transfer
beacon network represents the weakest link in
and shipment of trade goods and materials. Vast
the chain, and each beacon is regularly checked,
warehouses receive and store almost everything
rebooted, and replaced. Despite the potential
from mineral shipments to live exports. Bureaus
security threat, their existence is necessary due to
Ganesh and Hermes oversee the operation and
the interference caused to Asaheim when the Vila
maintenance of this section and work closely with
Booster is most active. Multiple attempts over the
traders and ship owners.
years have been made to insert false beacons or to
A third section of the ring called the Milita hack, modify, or reroute their signals. Some serious
(Military) is smaller but no less important and questions have been raised in recent years as to
is devoted purely to military personnel. Arriving the contractors engaged to supply parts for the
Bureau Aegis ships typically have clearance to beacons, and indeed, many of the communications
exit the Vila Booster and travel straight to their technologies utilised throughout the Concilium
destinations, either Concilium Prima or Muspelheim, system. A number of the companies that supply
but a few pause at Asaheim first. This has typically parts have been identified as belonging to Yu
been the case when the soldiers on board require Jingese corporations. As yet, nothing has been done
some form of debrief before entering the system to change the current contractors. Extensive studies
proper, either updating them on some change since and analysis have discovered no signs of tampering,
they left the system or advising them of what they malware, or system redundant pieces that suggest
do and do not have clearance to communicate. The the communications systems have been, or can be
Milita is not typically bustling with activity, and compromised.
most of the facilities, barracks, and briefing rooms
are now used by either the Bureau Aegis Global ASGARD
Police or by Bureau Noir operatives and handlers.
Asgard hangs above Edda like a great jellyfish. The
The last key section is referred to, by those who are upper levels, the Arrivals Area, is also known as
aware of its existence, as the Gvidilo (Guide). While the Topside Docks and is bulbous and extensive.
externally indistinguishable from the outside, the Hanging beneath in a series of concentric rings,
Gvidilo has no hard-line connections with any other each smaller than the last, is the Transfer Area, or
section of Asaheim. It generates all its own power, Lower Bays. The rings of Asgard rotate to provide
has its own internal quantronic network, and does gravity, all of them punctuated by large bay
not communicate with the rest of the station. It windows or transparent wall sections that offer
also maintains its own accommodations, food, and plentiful opportunities to get a glimpse to the left
limited entertainment for the personnel who are and right of the higher rings on one side and the
stationed here. The Gvidilo is run by Bureau Toth shimmering planet below on the other. Asgard is
and ALEPH. Here fundamental updates to ALEPH one of the cleanest and most advanced orbitals
are parsed from external signals and relayed to in the Human Sphere, and for any corporate head,
Concilium Prima. Also signals are received from the diplomat, or delegate, it is typically the first place
communications arrays of Utgard and sent via a they go when leaving Concilium Prima and the last
number of means to the rest of the Human Sphere. they arrive at before descending to the planet itself.
If Utgard can be seen as the home of the brain of
ALEPH, the Gvidilo must therefore be the first link Asgard is the waystation and stop-over for any high
in the chain that makes up its nervous system. profile or powerful person travelling to or from
Heavily guarded, seemingly insignificant, and Edda. As such, it contains multiple corporate offices
known only to a few, the Gvidilo is one of the most and meeting rooms that may be hired, as well as
important locations in the Concilium system. extensive restaurant, relaxation, and bar options,
where the business of corporations, states, and
Due to its position around the Vila Booster, nations can be discussed in furtive engagements or
Asaheim also serves as the relay station, acting large gatherings.
as an intermediary for all signals arriving in or
leaving the Concilium system. Antennae and dishes Asgard is the location where deals and alliances
protruding from the inner portion of the Asaheim begin with the finer details hammered out when
ring are trained on the Vila Booster, straining for parties reach Edda. It is where friendships are
any and every signal that comes through. Further struck and broken, and where information vital to a
out from the Booster are a chain of beacons that cause or nation is carefully smuggled through the
also perform the same task, using tightbeam protected communication systems of the planet.
microwave transmissions to send intercepted Given its position in the travel network, Asgard is
signals back to Asaheim, where they are forwarded often the place where corporate representatives,

The Concilium System 27

 ambassadors, or diplomats will meet those who called for these functions to be broken apart, with
are destined to exchange places with them. Such the tourism portion assigned to a proposed third
transfers often involve a ritualised process, a major orbital, although this is little more than idle
shaking of hands, a dinner or two, a soiree, and off suggestion.
both parties move to their respective destinations.
Bureau Hermes maintains a significant presence
As innocuous as these rituals might appear from
on Bifrost, alongside Bureau Noir and Aegis
the exterior, they are also the opportunity for those
operatives, and they are responsible for preventing
outbound to exchange vital information with those
the smuggling of goods, people, and information.
inbound, important updates on the ever-shifting
In close communication with their headquarters
state of politics and the network of friendships and
in Baronha and their partner offices on Asaheim,
alliances, careful warnings and needed reminders
Bureau Ganesh has key offices here to support and
on the particulars of individuals, policies, and issues
coordinate the flow of trade. Bifrost is a bustling
that need to be passed on. “The walls have ears” is
and never-sleeping hive of movement and activity.
a warning about Asgard, often shared by those who
Both the flow of travellers and the flow of goods is
know and understand the nature of high-stakes
unceasing, and the orbital represents a key compo-
business and politics on Concilium Prima. While the
nent in the economic engine of Concilium Prima.
passing of information on Asgard is vital, it is also a
layered linguistic dance designed to obfuscate and
conceal, a mix of words and expression, gesture and CIBOLA
implication, making it hard for anyone listening to Cibola seems a world apart from the idealism
discern the true nature of what is actually being and preoccupations of Concilium Prima. It is a
communicated. turbulent and exciting place, dominated by leisure,
games, and entertainment. Constructed as a series
BIFROST of connected habitats referred to as beads, it is
surrounded by a torus of radiation shielding, with
Bifrost is the name of both the great orbital ele-
docks in a centre hub connected to the torus by
vator connected to Maidan Basha and the massive
transport shafts. Passengers arrive at Cibola’s hub
orbital that sits atop it. Twin to Asgard, Bifrost is the
and are transported via small maglevs along the
destination for any and every visitor to Concilium
shafts to the torus itself. Wide hallways ring the
Prima who is not on direct business with O-12.
far side of the torus interior, allowing visitors to
Tourists throng the expansive galleries and malls,
move from bead to bead, looking for the pursuits
and in a myriad of corporate offices, corporate rep-
and distractions that best suit their needs and they
resentatives dealing with trade and partnerships
find most stimulating. Each bead is dominated by
meet to make and break deals. The meetings on
a specific entertainment, and throughout are scat-
Asgard discuss policy and agenda, seek to find and
tered hotels, eateries, and shopping opportunities.
extend alliances, and ingratiate corporate heads
Almost every form of legal entertainment can be
and national representatives with one another.
found in one of the beads of Cibola, from Aristeia!
Bifrost, however, is where business is done directly,
to Dog Bowl, live music and edgy theatre, comedy
where money is exchanged, goods and materials
to circus acts, and of course, the opportunity to
purchased, and shipping orders placed.
gamble is everywhere. While alcohol and drugs are
Resources, materials, manufactured components, available to the discreet and gambling is a major
and a host of other goods all make their way to revenue source, Cibola is firm about its dedication
Bifrost, either to be shipped to the surface, or to remaining a family-friendly location. Station
brought from the surface to the orbital for ship- security is quick to respond to any problem, and
ment out of the Concilium system and to elsewhere disorderly or violent behaviour is not tolerated
in the Human Sphere. The volume of trade moving and is something that will earn the perpetrator a
through Bifrost is astounding, and the haphazard shameful trip back to Asgard or Bifrost. Security
expansions of the dockyards and storage facilities is managed by private firms employed by station
over the last decade have extended the orbital on management, and serious breaches of the peace
a scale that was never anticipated and speak to may result in lengthy or even life-long bans.
the resounding good health of Concilium Prima’s
At various times in its history, Cibola has been
economy. Originally intended as the gateway to
the target of Submondo or other criminal groups
Concilium Prima, Bifrost is now a gargantuan tangle
hoping to set up shop quietly under the noses of
of modules extending from the orbital itself. All of
station security. The concentration of sports events
it serves two primary needs. The first is the boom-
and gambling opportunities continues to echo with
ing tourism industry, the constant flow of human
the promise of wealth for many who would seek
traffic from and to the planet, and the second is the
to manipulate, cheat, and downright steal from
import and export trade, the shipment of goods and
visitors. Luckily, Cibola makes it a point of business
resources. Both these functions have grown at a
to employ a number of investigators and security
rate that nobody truly anticipated, and some have

28 Chapter 3
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

advisers, nearly all ex-Bureau Aegis or Bureau Noir, served to muddy the waters and provide a veil of
to help sniff out any illegal operation and send secrecy, allowing the truth to hide, as it were, in
them packing. That it has so successfully managed plain sight. Indeed, there have been a number of
to maintain a relatively crime-free location while serious incidents in Gjǫll, but it has also been the
packing in so many leisure, sporting, and pleasure source of vital intelligence on both the make-up
activities is a tribute to the hard work and dedica- of the Combined Army and Combined operations
tion of the station management and the security on Paradiso.
teams who live and work there. The destination
to visit when looking for entertainment and THE BRÍSINGAMEN
excitement, Cibola is the place almost every young
A wide and extensive asteroid field lies between
person who grows up on Concilium Prima wants
the planets Concilium Secunda and Niflheim
to visit and is a ‘must go’ destination for tourists
known as the Brísingamen. While many of the
coming into the system.
asteroids in the Brísingamen are C-Type, mined
predominantly for the water that is converted
GJǪǪLL into fuel for the barges which transport material
A few years ago, Rumours started spilling from back to Concilium Prima. There are many large
the manufactories of Cambados that O-12 was S-Type and M-Type asteroids that provide minerals
constructing some form of installation on the rocky which are used for a wide variety of purposes from
island of Lyngui on Concilium Prima. A security manufacturing large scale constructions through
incident which was referred to as the ‘Voices in the to delicate quantronic systems. While the Bifrost
Dark’ led to wild speculation about a secret orbital space elevator and orbital make the transportation
somewhere in the Concilium system. The Voices of materials from the planet economically viable,
in the Dark incident involved the public release of
an audio exchange apparently between high-rank-
ing officers in the Bureau Aegis Tactical Police
Department (BATPD) and exobiologists from Bureau
Gaea. This discussion touched on the construction
of an alien studies laboratory on Concilium Prima
and the transfer of viable Combined Army prisoners
from somewhere called Gjǫll. Given the details of
the discussion, it was clear that Gjǫll was an orbital
somewhere in the Concilium system.
Naturally, O-12, Bureau Gaea, and SWORDFOR all
released statements condemning the recording as
a convincing fake, designed to stir trouble and feed
popular conspiracy theories about O-12. While the
incident has largely been forgotten except in a few
corners of Maya where such things are popular, the
existence of Gjǫll has moved into the public psyche
as fact. A few conspiracy theorists have tried to run
voice pattern studies on the recording to identify
the speakers, and others have posited the likely
location of this secret facility as in orbit around the
planet Niflheim. But while the existence of Gjǫll is
popularly regarded as fact, it has never been offi-
cially confirmed, and proof of its existence, whether
real or fake, seems less interesting than the idea
that it does.
The public’s tacit approval of the existence of Gjǫll
has led members of O-12 and Bureau Aegis to
treat it as something of a running joke. A number
of leaked classified operations and incidents have
humorously been described as having happened
in Gjǫll, which has come to serve as a colloquial
reference to somewhere secret. While the pop-
ular attitude toward the rumours of Gjǫll have
been surprising to many within the hierarchies
that know the truth of the matter, it has neatly

The Concilium System 29

 it has also proven to be equally viable to mine SVALINN
resources in-situ on asteroids in the Brísingamen From the outer edge of the Brísingamen, defined
and ship them through low-fuel transfer orbits as about 4.5 AU from the star Concilium, is a
back to Concilium Prima. A healthy mining industry restricted zone that extends all the way to the
exists in the Brísingamen, managed by an eclectic edge of the Concilium system. Only craft with the
mix of operations owned and run by natives of the military clearance or scientific missions approved
Concilium system and miners from the Corregidor by SWORDFOR are permitted to enter this region.
Nomad mothership. A healthy rivalry exists between Of course, policing such a vast area of space is next
the two groups, and while they are competitive in to impossible, but penalties for unauthorised entry
the stakes they claim and the quantity of materials are severe, and there are areas within the restricted
they gather, they both make use of the same trans- zone that are heavily monitored. One such place
portation infrastructure and maintain a very strong is the planet Muspelheim and surrounding space.
sense of camaraderie and mutual support. Claim There are mining facilities in the upper atmosphere
jumping is almost unheard of, and by and large, of Muspelheim. These extract and transport ammo-
what appears to be a competitive rivalry from the nia back to processing facilities around Concilium
outside conceals a more subtle sense of community. Prima. The operations are run by special contractors
The presence of the Nomads in the Concilium selectively approved by SWORDFOR, and the
system who have been given the right to exploit mining facilities and operations carefully tracked.
the mineral wealth of the Brísingamen has been In orbit around Surt, one of the large moons of
a constant source of consternation for many of Muspelheim, is a military installation known as
the member states of O-12 when so many other Svalinn. While the existence of the installation
national corporations have been declined the is widely known, the size, nature, and specifics
rights. The PanOceanian hypercorp Minescorp has are highly classified. It is widely believed that
repeatedly lobbied the Öberhaus and appealed the Svalinn exists to protect the mining operations
exclusivity of the exploitation licence extended to on Muspelheim and to a lesser degree the
the Nomads in the High Court of Concilium, but Brísingamen, but this is a weak cover story. The
as yet it has been to no avail. Given the lurking truth of the matter is that Svalinn is the beating
presence of PanOceanian prospecting ships and the heart of Sword.
disaster of the Cerberus Crisis, Starmada maintains
a constant patrol throughout the Brísingamen to Svalinn is not one single facility but a chain of
both guard against illegal mining operations and installations, orbitals, and shipyards in orbit around
prevent the Combined Army from establishing a and buried beneath the surface of Surt. Here
permanent base in this area. For themselves, the cutting-edge technologies are in constant devel-
Nomads provide more than a means to extract min- opment. The research laboratories of Svalinn rival
eral wealth. Existing on the outside, in many ways, any in the Human Sphere, and some of the best and
of the power structures and information and com- brightest drawn from the universities on Concilium
munications network of the rest of Human Sphere, Prima are hired to develop their theories and tech-
the Nomads provide an opportunity to an influ- nologies under the guidance and support of Bureau
ential cadre of O-12 members, an opportunity to Aegis. Svalinn also houses significant barracks and
access and transfer information, goods, and people training facilities, both beneath the surface of the
outside of the normal systems, unwatched by the moon and in orbit. These can be variously used
usual quantronic eyes and ears, and unmonitored. to simulate a wide range of environments and
The value of this access is more than whatever gravities. There are significant quantronic facilities
minerals can be farmed from the floating rocks of and an entire structure beneath the surface of Surt
the Brísingamen, but it is a double-edged sword. packed with processors dedicated to ALEPH. PsyWar
Many within O-12 do not support this arrange- facilities in Svalinn monitor and parse information
ment, if they are even aware of it, and ALEPH, the and intelligence drawn from all over the Human
greatest ally to O-12 in the Human Sphere, does Sphere, including information passed through the
not approve. It is up to a clique within Bureau Noir relays on Concilium Prima. Bureau Noir operatives
to act on behalf of those within the O-12 upper often receive special training in Svalinn, alongside
echelons that do see the merit in it, and their Aegis soldiers, and the bureau has a significant
actions are undertaken with the understanding that presence and role in the gathering and analysis
not even their greatest ally, ALEPH, can know the of intelligence. Indeed, Svalinn could be regarded
details of their transactions. as much the headquarters of Bureau Noir as any
facility on Concilium Prima.
Shipyards in orbit around Surt are a bustling hive
of activity, maintaining, repairing, and improving the
exhausted ships used by O-12 in support of ALEPH
and specifically for the Bureau Aegis navy, known

30 Chapter 3
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

as the Starmada. The Surt Monitoring System, observation stations in the area, which watch the
stationed so far out in the system and deliberately body for signs of gravitational disturbances and
shielded from the prying eyes of any would-be movement. In past years, Starmada vessels flew
intelligence operatives, is significantly powerful irregular patrols to update and check on their
enough to defend the Concilium system from any observation stations. In more recent times, these
fleet capable of being put in the field by any nation patrols have grown in intensity, and the chain of
in the Human Sphere. That the Surt artillery bases observation stations has been expanded, watching
exist is well known in intelligence circles, and the carefully for any sign that the Combined Army
size, structure, and technology level of this orbital might be operating in the area. Singasteinn station
battle-station network was a closely guarded was originally the nexus and relay station for the
secret before the Cerberus Crisis. Even now, not all roving observation platforms in the Akrarnir, and
its offensive capabilities are well known. What is with the Combined landing on Concilium, this
suspected amongst intelligence circles is that Surt station has been reinforced with significantly more
is one of the most powerful and technologically personnel and resources, including a number of
advanced defensive systems in the Human Sphere. small inter-system patrol craft that are perma-
nently deployed there. Many of the new modules
AKRARNIR and weapons platforms added to the Singasteinn
station have been built with international
Extending from a distance of about 7.5 AU out
cooperation, with both Cosmica Ltd and Duànzào
to the vast distance of about 50 AU is a sparsely
Constructions working to extend the station’s capa-
populated asteroid belt known as Akrarnir which
bilities and defensive powers. Extra security staff at
translates as “The Fields” in Icelandic. Given the
the station have been provided by Corregidor, and
closer proximity of the Brísingamen and the
the StateEmpire Fleet has bolstered Starmada’s
distance between the rocky bodies that make
capacity in this portion of the system with a
up Akrarnir, this area holds little in the way of
dedicated contingent operating from this station.
economic interest but has long been known
Since the Combined Army arrival in the Concilium
as a safe haven for corsair and pirate vessels.
system, Akrarnir and its staff and vessels maintain a
Starmada deployed a number of automated roving
permanent Beta level operative alert.

The Concilium System 31

 CHAPTER 4

EMBASSIES OF NOTE

Despite widespread cynicism about the true

EMBASSIES OF independence, authority, and power of O-12, many
groups and people do approach the embassies with
NOTE their concerns. Many of the matters brought before
the O-12 ambassadors are dubious in nature, a fact
O-12’s embassies around the Human Sphere are hopefully realised by an intern or aide before they
extensions of O-12 itself. While ambassadors, are taken any further. However, there are genuine
politicians, and business leaders are posted to points, and sifting through the pile of cases to find
or regularly make the trip to Concilium Prima to those that both fall within the remit of O-12 to act
lobby O-12 representatives, the Petite Assemblée, upon and that are of a nature whereby O-12 has
courts, or Öberhaus directly, a great many other the capacity to affect some influence or change,
applications, petitions, and claims are made to the is the job of the bureaucracy housed within the
embassies instead. O-12’s embassies are widely embassy. These bureaucrats, or attachés, are almost
seen as the vehicle through which those without exclusively made up of members of Section Statera,
a direct line to the powerbrokers can have their one of the two key branches of Bureau Aegis.
voices heard. As such, a great many of those who Although in some cases, office workers, janitors, and
approach the embassies with concerns, complaints, other specific roles are filled by local contractors.
petitions, and demands represent smaller political, It can be a tedious job, interviewing the claimants
corporate, and religious groups. Quite often, the or applicants, assessing their petition, researching
O-12 embassies are also where those individuals the specifics around the case, and making the
seeking safety and protection go to petition O-12 sometimes-tough call as to whether something is
for asylum. worth supporting or not. It is vital though, not just

32 Chapter 4
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

for those seeking the support of O-12 but to ensure to leave their sovereign nation with explosive
that O-12 is visible and active to the powers and information, it has, more often than reported, been
people of the Human Sphere. the case that the Bureau Aegis soldiers on guard
at the gates have had to watch people arrested,
A great many of the cases brought to the embas-
beaten down, and in some instances shot before
sies are little more than people or ideologically
making it to O-12 soil. Life at an embassy can be
motivated groups venting their frustrations and
full of opportunity and a chance to make important
demanding O-12 take some action to support them.
contacts and business connections, but it can also
But it is equally true that every so often a case
be a dangerous task, one where every minute
comes to an embassy that is important, dangerous,
of every day is recorded by some intelligence
and sometimes even significant enough to trigger
agency, whether familiar or foreign, and carefully
a chain of reactions that reverberate through the
scrutinised.
Human Sphere. One such example was the case
of Wang Zhao, a minor Yu Jing Party member who The ranks within an O-12 Embassy, as a general
sought political asylum at the O-12 Embassy in rule, are consistent throughout the Human Sphere.
Tiān Di Jing. Wang Zhao appeared, at first, to be The head of the embassy is the ambassador.
little more than a minor political figure, claiming Beneath the ambassador are ministers representing
to be in fear of his life for some insult to another their various bureaus. Counsellors sit below the
Party member. In the interview during his process- ambassador and ministers and have a key role in
ing, it turned out that Wang Zhao was, in fact, a assessing serious cases made to the embassy and
whistle-blower making some far-reaching claims liaise with their counterparts from other nations.
about the political use of the ‘private’ Yujingyu Beneath these are a number of secretaries, whose
companies by the Yănjīng. His claims supported an jobs consists largely of managing the bureaucratic
investigation opened by Bureau Hermes in the city processes and staff of the embassy. A majority
of Qingdao, and the resulting Qingdao report made of the workers at an embassy are the attachés,
geopolitical shockwaves around the Human Sphere. bureaucrats predominantly from Section Statera
Sadly, Wang Zhao suffered an allergic reaction who manage and investigate cases and pass them
during further hearings in Edda and died shortly up the chain of command when it is appropriate.
afterwards of complications, but his example is only
one of many occasions where a case made to an PANOCEANIA
O-12 Embassy has had significant consequences.
O-12’s representation in PanOceania is strictly
Each embassy is the territory of O-12, a piece hierarchical. While consulates are present on every
of land and the airspace above it that is legally PanOceanian planet and regional delegations may
regarded as equivalent to the soil of Concilium be present to supplement them, the embassy in San
Prima. Guarding the embassies are soldiers from Pietro on Neoterra sits above them all. San Pietro
Section Spatha, the second key branch of Bureau is home to the ambassador to PanOceania, the
Aegis. Other members from Section Spatha may most senior ranking diplomat representing O-12.
work out of the O-12 embassies, usually teams of The ambassadors-at-large are of similar rank to the
Global Police (GloPol) or the Bureau Aegis Tactical ambassador in San Pietro and are the heads of the
Police Department (BATPD). Bureau Noir handlers consulates on Acontecimento and Varuna and the
also work from each embassy. Often known to local delegations on Earth, Svalarheima, and the Saturn
intelligence agencies, their job is both to liaise with Carvanserai. Nonetheless, it is the ambassador in
resident agencies and manage and support embed- San Pietro who is the face and voice of O-12 to
ded handlers or field operatives working in their PanOceania, and they play a key role in represent-
area of jurisdiction. Each embassy is also meant to ing O-12 in the halls of power of the PanOceanian
house a representative, known as a minister, of the Capitol building.
Bureaus Agni, Athena, Ganesh, Hermes, and Lakshmi,
O-12’s relationship with PanOceania is fraught
representing energy distribution, human rights,
with tension. While PanOceania is self-assured in
trade, the Circulars and ship licencing, and health
its pre-eminence within the Human Sphere, O-12
respectively. In truth, it is often the case that these
is often considered by many within the hyperpower
posts are held in absentia and filled on-site by
as a continual source of frustration rather than a
attachés from Section Statera, but claims can, and
powerful legal and political body that should be
often are, made directly to specific bureaus whose
listened to. O-12 has had a number of drawn-out
remits cover the specifics of the claim.
political conflicts with PanOceania, particularly over
As independent as the embassies are meant to be, the hyperpower’s encouragement of the corporate
they are always under watch by the intelligence exploitation of Ariadna, the continual struggles
agencies of their location. As destinations that on and around Svalarheima, and the management
attract political asylum seekers, dissidents, and of the Paradiso front. PanOceania has delayed the
activists who may, like Wang Zhao, be attempting payment of its membership fees to O-12 several

Embassies of Note 33
 times, a continual issue, despite demanding influ- petitions raised by lobby groups in the past has
ence within O-12 and regularly requesting support. demonstrated that, more often than not, the issues
PanOceania’s parliament makes no apology for brought forward by these supposedly public groups
their belief that O-12 requires PanOceania to func- do, in fact, mirror the desires of the companies that
tion but consider that they deign to acknowledge fund them. Examples have included things like the
O-12 should be regarded as payment enough. The relaxation of weapons regulations in the Concilium
ambassador must, to some extent and for the sake Convention or adjustments to research guidelines
of stability in the Human Sphere, grin and bear it, allowing problematic research subjects to be
though any opportunity the ministers or attachés pursued in specifically made environments. One
have of foiling PanOceania are taken with relish. example of this was the proposal that banned lines
Notable small clawbacks in the last decade include of gene editing could be permitted in specially con-
ensuring that Bureau Aegis commanders manage structed orbitals outside of normal jurisdictional
the battlefront on Paradiso and putting restrictions zones. Another appeal sought the reclassification
in place following the Commercial Conflicts and a relaxation of the laws surrounding the
on Ariadna. protection of alien life forms. Originally, these
laws were used to allow the PanOceanian Military
While the powerbrokers of PanOceania often go
Complex to use specific interrogation methods to
out of their way to make O-12 look deferential and
gain information from Combined prisoners but
weak, the truth of the matter is that PanOceania
was also, post approval, used to sanction reprisal
requires O-12 just as the opposite is accurate. An
actions against the Helots of Varuna. The list of
independent arbiter, free of the desire to expand
examples where seemingly innocuous laws or
its own territory and economic might, is necessary
exceptions have much broader implications, appli-
to fill the space between the other hyperpowers
cations, and intentions is endless. The choppy seas
of the Human Sphere, and as much as this might
of legal and political wrangling to be found in the
rankle with some within PanOceania, it is also
halls of the San Pietro Capitol building are a serene
widely understood to be true. Whatever the public
lake when compared to the mismatch of words and
perception or the attitudes of the rabid nationalists
intentions coming from PanOceanian lobby groups.
within PanOceania, it is a fact that O-12 does have
It is the job of the host of attachés at each embassy,
power and wields it when necessary through policy,
consulate, or delegation to weed out the intention
through the Courts of Concilium, and more subtly
from the presentation, a difficult task often requir-
through access to ALEPH.
ing the most cynical of minds.
The ambassador to O-12, currently Arabella Loft, is
THE SAN PIETRO EMBASSY almost always invited to participate in the cabinet
One of the most time consuming and prominent
meetings and parliamentary sessions in San Pietro.
roles played by staff at the San Pietro Embassy is
Ambassador Loft is well known for being a passion-
participating in the lobbying structure that dom-
ate speaker and comfortable in the ever-shifting
inates the political landscape of PanOceania. The
maze of politics and social tensions that plague
ambassador and ministers are regularly involved
the Capitol building and VR Moots of the powerful
in the VR Moots that have great influence on the
lobby groups.
policies and agendas of the PanOceania govern-
ment. This direct appeal to lobby group members Several units of Global Police are also stationed
has proven to be an important way of keeping O-12 at the embassy in San Pietro. Ostensibly, the
both abreast of social and economic developments Global Police are there to provide an extra layer
and ensuring that O-12 remains visible and of protection for the staff at the embassy, but they
accessible to the people. The powerful lobbies of also serve in an advisory role, offering guidance,
PanOceania regularly make appeals to O-12, and training, and in some cases, on-the-ground support
while many have representatives on Concilium when requested. The Global Police are also some-
Prima, issues relating to local or regional matters times activated to respond to the presence of an
are often brought to the closest embassy. There is individual, gang, or Submondo group that is wanted
a widespread belief that appealing to a represent- internationally but not specifically by PanOceania,
ative embedded in the local area is more likely to the equivalent of saying that this is your mess to
net a positive result for any case put forward. clean up, not ours. The Global Police of the BATPD
are widely regarded as being an elite force and are
Given the fact that the lobby groups usually
regularly, if sometimes with a level of resentment,
represent or are funded by powerful corporations,
called upon by the Block Forces for either high-
they are often used as a form of Trojan horse. An
level support or training.
appeal to O-12 is seemingly made from a public
group, but this appeal represents the desires of Acknowledged, but unspoken, is the presence of
a single corporation or conglomeration of corpo- the Psi Unit, the Bureau Aegis’s intelligence service.
rations seeking the same goal. An analysis of the In the San Pietro Embassy, the Psi Unit command

34 Chapter 4
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

officer is the liaison between Bureau Aegis and the to the rest of PanOceania and elsewhere in the
Hexahedron, occasionally exchanging resources Human Sphere. As a result of Acontecimento’s
or training but more regularly passing on relevant position as one of the largest food producers in the
information between the two agencies on people of Human Sphere, the ambassador-at-large is nearly
interest or cases that have switched jurisdiction. It overshadowed by the importance of the ministers
is widely understood that the command officer also for Bureaus Gaea, Ganesh, and Hermes. All of these
provides a contact point and support for a number ministers are directly involved with trade negotia-
of handlers embedded around Neoterra, whose job tions and do their best to ensure that at least some
it is to support agents in the field. of the massive quantities of food stuffs produced
on the planet go toward ensuring the food security
The presence of Bureau Noir agents is suspected
of other planets, particularly the orbitals in the
but unproven. Such agents are usually assigned
Human Edge.
under a covert ID within the embassy under
another bureau where most of their co-workers
THE VARUNA CONSULATE
have no knowledge of their real identity. It’s not
Most problematic of the diplomatic missions
uncommon for agents to be seated in departments
to PanOceania, the Varuna Consulate has been
responsible for cultural affairs, visa confirmation,
entangled in the mess of policy and governmental
or some similar section. Ideally, the agent will have
action involving the treatment of Helots on Varuna.
a role that allows for them to be unreachable for
Minister for Bureau Athena, Clara Ngor, is a figure
significant parts of their day for any of a multitude
who has attracted much vitriol for her tireless
of understandable reasons.
efforts to support research missions and influence
As a courtesy, the San Pietro Embassy houses an policy around the treatment of Helots. Her actions
Apostolic Nunciature of the Christian Church, an and the actions of Bureau Athena have led to a
opportunity for the church to liaise directly with strained and often bitter relationship between the
the ambassador and ministers of O-12. As often Varuna Consulate and those within the government
as the political will of PanOceania seeks to apply and military of Varuna. Despite hundreds of death
pressure on cases being managed by the embassy threats, media pressure, and continual muckraking,
through pressure from both governmental and Minister Ngor has maintained her staunch support
church sources, it has also been the case that O-12 of the Helot cause.
leverages support for specific issues by manipulat-
ing the same network. DELEGATIONS
The San Pietro Embassy is a beehive of activity, O-12 supports dozens of delegations, usually
with direct links to the lobby groups, the halls of spread around a planet and in support of the
government, and the church, as well as being regu- consulates of Acontecimento and Varuna or the
larly petitioned by smaller groups and individuals. embassy in San Pietro on Neoterra. The three major
Life here is break-neck and high-stakes, and much delegations that operate independently enough
is expected of the staff. It is the largest and most to be considered consulates in their own right are
powerful O-12 Embassy in the Human Sphere, and on Earth, Svalarheima, and the Harafi Caravanserai
staff here are often fast-tracked for promotion into near Saturn. For the delegation to Earth and
positions on Concilium Prima, within the bureaus, Svalarheima, the primary concerns are the main-
Öberhaus, or Petite Assemblée. It is also, conversely, tenance of the fragile peace that exists between
a location that staff are often unwilling to shift the abutting hyperpowers present on each of these
away from; once the glitter and bustle of life in San planets. For the Harafi Caravanserai delegation,
Pietro is savoured, it is hard to give up. more often referred to as the Saturn Delegation,
which is dominated by the enigmatic minister for
Bureau Hermes, Marcus Kibult. The key concerns are
THE ACONTECIMENTO the safety and stability of the Saturn system and
CONSULATE the flow of ships and traffic through the wormholes
Located in Cidade BomJesus, with a number of near Saturn. Bureau Noir and the Global Police both
smaller delegations positioned around the planet, have a sizeable presence at the Saturn Delegation,
the Acontecimento Consulate is a far less hectic the former monitoring the flow of people through
station than San Pietro but is nonetheless a vital the system and the latter operating in support of
one. Not as concerned with political and corporate Bureau Aegis soldiers to provide security on the
machinations, the issues that dominate the Circular docks and to act as fast response units for
Acontecimento Consulate usually revolve around Harafi’s own security forces.
trade, specifically the exportation of foodstuffs

Embassies of Note 35
 ALL THAT GLITTERS
Sins of the Father
Father-Knight Malley of the Order of Santiago has returned from an undercover mission to the Human
Edge, but the news travelling in his wake is troubling indeed. According to rumour, Father-Knight Malley
was involved in a number of violent clashes with the Global Police team on the End of the Line orbital.
His mission may have been church sanctioned, but his actions were not. Since returning to Neoterra,
he has gone into a self-imposed exile, refusing to communicate with members of his Order. His actions
demand his capture, and the Order of Santiago has ruled they will not intervene. Word has been sent to
the embassy in San Pietro. Find Malley and bring him to justice.

A Dangerous Line
A small lobby group called Ruminin have been pushing hard for changes to a small piece of regulation in
the Concilium Convention involving the restriction of biological loads implanted in ballistics. They claim
that a company supporting them have developed a low-powered weapon designed to release a targeted
virus aimed at controlling pests that plague the crop lands on Acontecimento. One of the attachés has
uncovered a financial link between Ruminin and the Albetor Company which is contracted to provide
security on Varuna and has been involved in numerous clashes with Libertos terrorists. The attaché is
concerned the weapon Ruminin claim to be for pest control may have been designed to target Helots.
You have been seconded to the consulate on Varuna to investigate the research of Albetor and uncover
the truth about the intended use of this weapon.

Through Dangers Untold

The minister for Bureau Noir at the San Pietro Embassy has received word from his counterpart at
the Hexahedron that a dangerous Submondo leader, Malik Yuan, is scheduled to arrive at the Harafi
Caravanserai en route to trial on Earth. The Hexahedron believes there is a tangible threat in his arrival.
Members of his Submondo group, the Scars, are preparing for something, and it may well be a rescue. You
are to meet the security team escorting Malik from the Circular to Harafi and ensure that he makes it to
trial on Earth, alive.

A Poor Investment
A lobby group on Svalarheima known as Chukwik has purportedly been raising funds to donate to the
Tatenokai, helping Japanese citizens escape Yujingyu cities on the ‘Snow Train’. While PanOceania rec-
ognises this to be a valiant cause, the revelation that a political body in the hyperpower is directly
supporting the Japanese could destabilise the situation on Svalarheimla. While PanOceania is hesitant
to act against its own people, Bureau Noir or the Global Police could ensure that the planned cash drop
between Chukwick and the Tatenokai never takes place.

YU JING fleeing the StateEmpire could legally seek refuge.

The only territory sovereign to O-12 within the
Located in Tiān Di Jing on Yutang, the O-12
Yu Jing StateEmpire is the embassy building and
Embassy to Yu Jing is the only dedicated embassy in
grounds in Tiān Di Jing, which is heavily monitored
the StateEmpire. For PanOceania, O-12 representa-
by the Yănjīng.
tion is spread across the embassy, consulates, and
delegations; however, the Yu Jing StateEmpire It has long been understood that the StateEmpire
demands a more restricted structure. Outside of carefully monitors the activities of the O-12
Yutang, there are no other embassies or consulates staff at the embassy, with a range of bugging
in the StateEmpire territories as these would, and monitoring devices in place throughout the
under law, be permitted a small allotment of land building. Unusual for an embassy, all maintenance
to occupy that would be regarded as sovereign to to the building and grounds must be performed by
O-12. Rather, O-12 has been allowed to represent StateEmpire companies, and the level of paranoia
itself throughout the StateEmpire through dele- among staff working there is understandably high.
gations. These delegations are invited to occupy Even the sewage produced by the embassy staff
buildings or offices owned by the StateEmpire, is processed and tested, with medical information
and are not, therefore, locations at which a person gained through genetic and chemical analysis used

36 Chapter 4
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

on occasion by Yujingyu diplomats to gain leverage exploits information gained through surveillance
over their O-12 counterparts. With O-12 support techniques.
for the nascent Japanese Empire, the restrictions
In recent times, with the troubles stemming from
on O-12’s representatives to the StateEmpire have
the Japanese Secession, the embassy and its staff
been even more strident. Celestial Guard units have
have found themselves on the outside of many
been posted on the Yu Jingese side of the gates to
of the Court functions and Party meetings that
the O-12 Embassy, purportedly for the embassy’s
they were invited to in years gone by. While the
own protection in these troubling times, and the
delegation to Shentang has been officially asked
delegation to Shentang has been ‘asked’ to leave.
to leave the planet, the Party has quietly forced the
This is not to say that Yu Jing treats O-12 like delegation to stay on, citing unspecified threats as
some sort of embedded enemy. The StateEmpire the reason as to why the delegation can’t comply
has gained much through its connections to O-12, with the official request. All of this is a front, a
especially in the aftermath of the NeoColonial Wars. mask allowing Yu Jing to maintain and use the
Access to the Teseum trade has been secured by delegation at the same time as not appearing to
Bureau Agni through complex deals with Ariadna lose face for inaction in response to O-12’s support
and PanOceania, an extensive military build-up has of the Japanese. The delegation on Shentang has
been encouraged in support of the war on Paradiso, been thoroughly occupied by Yu Jing officials.
and hundreds of other deals and agreements have Despite the request for them to leave, delegates
been struck through and thanks to the work of O-12 have been deeply involved with facilitating and
diplomats in a large part. Yu Jing does, however, run participating in negotiations with the Japanese
its own agenda and is more open about the fact forces on Shentang and in Kuraimori particularly,
than PanOceania, who are happy as often as not to which is currently under martial law.
shake hands on a deal and then do their own thing
regardless.
O-12 DELEGATIONS TO YU JING
Given the structure of the Yu Jing government, the Housed in StateEmpire owned office blocks and
ambassador spends a majority of his attention on complexes, the O-12 delegations to Yu Jing are led
the Imperial Court and the Emperor while the first by ambassadors-at-large, beneath whom the bureau
councillor liaises with the Party, and is, in many ministers most relevant to each regional posting
ways, more directly plugged into the political work in support. The four main delegations outside
machinations of the state than the ambassador. of the Shanxing system can be found in Shidong on
This is a fact not lost upon O-12, and while cos- Svalarheima, Beijing in Chung Kuo, Yínhuo on Mars,
metically the ambassador holds rank over the first and in the Harafi Caravanserai on Iapetus, the moon
councillor, it is understood within O-12’s diplomatic of Saturn.
service that the first councillor is functionally the
Given O-12’s limited access to Yu Jing, it is sur-
leader of the embassy. Beneath the twin ranks of
prising that more of an esprit de corps does not
ambassador and first councillor are the bureau
exist between those delegations that do exist.
ministers, and these too spend a majority of their
However, considerable rivalries and internal politics
time working directly with Party representatives
dominate the relationships between regional del-
who in turn represent the desires and needs of
egations. Due to the seniority of Yutang in terms of
both the StateEmpire and the major Yujingyu
politics for the StateEmpire and the level of influ-
corporations, although these are often one and the
ence the embassy there has with both the Imperial
same. Attachés posted to the embassy in Tiān Di
Court and the Party, the embassy is the de facto
Jing are some of the best and most capable from
manager of the regional delegations. Almost all
Section Statera, and they need to be. The network
communications and decisions are cleared through
of relationships between political objectives and
a chain of command that places the embassy in
private and corporate desires is extremely difficult
Tiān Di Jing at the top of the tree. This suborning
to track. The political objectives of the StateEmpire
of the chain of command is one of the key sources
are, as often as not, presented to the embassy as
of the rivalries between the delegations. On paper,
requests, suggestions, and appeals coming from
the Harafi delegation is meant to manage the
private and corporate sources. Finding direct links
delegation in Beijing, and the O-12 bureaucracy
between an applicant and the Party often involves
in Marsport is meant to manage the delegation in
searching through a maze of familial and personal
Yínhuo, both of which are meant to liaise directly
relationships, business deals, and financial ties. The
with bureaucrats on Concilium Prima. In reality,
StateEmpire is careful and clever about who, what,
neither of these technical truths represents how
and how they attempt to leverage the support
the delegations work with one another. Instead, the
of the O-12 staff at the embassy. In the past, the
embassy on Tiān Di Jing manages all. Naturally, the
StateEmpire has not only utilised applicants
importance of the embassy has become, as a result,
secretly connected to the Party, but also grooms
something of a self-reinforcing cycle. The regional
personal relationships with the embassy staff and

Embassies of Note 37
 delegations are often left feeling like they operate other powers within the Human Sphere, including
as an afterthought or that their issues and the PanOceania. It is through leveraging the rivalries
cases they manage are not deemed important on of the Yănjīng and the Hexahedron that a greater
Concilium Prima due to everything passing through level of internal security is afforded the Harafi
the lens of the Tiān Di Jing Embassy. delegation: as much as both hyperpowers want to
spy on the O-12 delegation, they want the other to
The delegation in the Harafi Caravanserai is the
spy less. By working with both the Yănjīng and the
key link in the chain. Despite being worked around
Hexahedron, the Harafi delegation has managed to
in the command structure of O-12 diplomatic
maintain a strong independence and is relatively
relations with Yu Jing, it is the main vehicle through
secure. Because of this, when O-12 wishes to
which Bureau Aegis and Bureau Noir agents are
plant Bureau Aegis or Noir operatives inside the
able to filter into the O-12 diplomatic network to
diplomatic network within Yu Jing, they are typically
the StateEmpire. It is the least reliably monitored
first sent to Harafi, awaiting a ‘promotion’ to Yutang,
of all the delegations because the delegation in
Shentang, Svalarheima, Mars, or Earth.
Harafi also serves as the delegation to a number of

ALL WARFARE IS BASED ON DECEPTION

A Twisted Arm
One of the junior attachés at the Tiān Di Jingg Embassy managed to accrue a sizeable debt to a gambling
establishment over one alcohol-fuelled evening. While the embassy has, on occasion, stepped in to help
in such situations, this particular case reeks of deliberate interference. Blood results indicate the attaché
may have been drugged. Rather than interfering at this stage, the embassy has asked for a team of agents
to investigate the gambling establishment. The attaché was working on a number of case files belonging
to Triad members who have worked as informants for Bureau Noir. Is there a connection? Who really
runs this gambling establishment? In his addled state, did the attaché unknowingly give away more than
just yuan?

A Mistake and A Kidney

The minister for Bureau Hermes at the Tiān Di Jing Embassy recently attended a party, drank heavily, and
woke the next day with a whopping head-ache and abdominal pains. Sick and sore, he spent the next
week off duty. At some point during the party, drugged and inebriated, the minister was operated on. His
left kidney was removed and replaced with a synthetically manufactured match. Such was the skill of the
surgeon that no-one would have known but for the minister’s unlikely reaction. Embedded in this new
kidney is a monitoring device, linked directly to the minister’s own comlog. Removing this kidney-bug
would be easy, but tampering with it appears like it will release an agent that will kill the minister. Your
team must track down this surgeon — luckily, only a handful of biomedical facilities could have manu-
factured the kidney — and bring him to the embassy to unlock the kidney for its removal. It must be done
silently, and the minister’s life depends on it, and… report for a body scan before you leave the embassy.

Bag Check
At the baggage collection at the Yínghuo Spaceport a bag was left unattended long enough to attract
attention. Inside were the dehydrated remains of a Section Statera attaché identified as Wu Hudong
of the O-12 delegation to Yínghuo. He was supposed to be on a field mission to privately interview a
former Triad member, Shi Wang who was seeking protection after having been involved in some form of
operation with the Yu Jing Interspace Trust Corporation. Now Wu is dead, the recording of that meeting
is missing, and Shi Wang is in the wind. Was it Wang, regretting something said in the interview? Was it
Wang’s Triad seeking reprisal for secrets revealed? Or was it someone from the Yu Jing Interspace Trust
Corporation, wanting to keep any word of their arrangement with the Triad a secret? Find that recording,
if possible, and find Shi Wang as they are key to unravelling the mystery of Wu’s killing.

38 Chapter 4
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

THE JAPANESE EMPIRE the official placement of an O-12 delegation there

Shockwaves reverberated around the Human might hold some influence in stopping the advance
Sphere with the sudden burst of internecine of Yu Jing troops into the area. However, it has had
war and retaliatory violence that came with the little impact on this front, and it has only been
Japanese Uprising. The nascent Japanese Empire through the efforts of the Japanese soldiers that
had been a dream that only through many long have managed to stem the Yujingyu onslaught.
years of painful suffering and careful planning was Another of the key delegations is in place on the
able to catch and, like a grassfire, spread. Yu Jing Kinkakuji space station in the Human Edge. As one
was unable to contain the Uprising. Born, as it was, of the main operation centres for the Tatenokai,
of torturous grief carried in silence, those dreaming having a delegation there with Bureau Aegis mil-
of an independent Japan, when their time came, itary personal has been an important component
stood to the challenge. in O-12’s capacity to stay abreast of developments
O-12 had a choice to make, and one that only within the Uprising as a whole.
became more difficult as time wore on. They The last and, for now, perhaps the most important
could stand by and watch, in full understanding delegation is the one both asked to leave and
that the reprisals would be gratuitous, lengthy, prevented from leaving Shentang. This delegation
and eventually absolute, or stand by their own has been at the forefront of negotiations between
ideology and back a people loudly and desperately the Yujingyu and Japanese forces in and around
clamouring for the recognition that had cost them the city of Kuraimori. This is a key location for
so much blood to be heard. ALEPH had modelled the Japanese and central to the political struggle
the Uprising, not exactly, but had predicted with a between the would-be nation of Japan and its
certain level of certainty that it would occur, and so former master, Yu Jing.
O-12 officials were not without warning. The files
On the two sides of the Uprising, Japan and Yu Jing
containing the plan of action if ‘Rising Sun’ ever
both, there is the feeling that the sudden escalation
occurred were dusted off and long meetings held.
of hostilities and the spread of revolutionary action
Finally, O-12 made the public statement that hit
needs to abate, at least for a time. For Japan, the
Maya like an aftershock — they declared support of
desire for official recognition is key, and a part of
the nascent Japanese Empire.
that is finally forcing Yu Jing to see the Japanese
This declaration of support vindicated PanOceania’s Empire as an independent nation state. The need
delighted backing of Japanese forces and was a to consolidate and create structure in disparity is
slap in the face to the StateEmpire that, doubtless, paramount, and the Japanese are driven not only to
will not go unforgotten. Regardless of the recog- assert themselves as a nation, but to ensure they
nition provided by O-12, the struggle for the unity have the capacity and freedom to move people
of the StateEmpire continues, with the Japanese and resources between their far-flung territories.
Empire unrecognised by Yu Jing and its leaders For Yu Jing, the war against the Japanese has only
and soldiers regarded as dissidents, traitors, and seen a rise in dissident sentimentality and action
terrorists. across the StateEmpire. While Yu Jing still claims
O-12 has no official embassy within the recognised sovereign rights to those territories now defined as
Japanese territories; however, it does have four Japanese, to see the Uprising continue — or worse
official delegations. The most senior delegation is to spread to other ethnic groups within Yu Jing —
in Tokyo on Earth. It is currently under expansion would be disastrous. As desperate as Yu Jing is to
and is planned to become the first official embassy regain its lost territories and bring the Japanese
to the Japanese Empire. to heel, it is also desperate for stability in these
troubling times. Stability means both an end to the
A delegation was deployed to Kokkyō-3 on Paradiso spread of the Uprising and an end to civil unrest. At
and has been leveraged by O-12 to secure some the moment at least, while O-12’s actions in legit-
symbolic support for humanity’s war against the imising the Japanese Empire will not be forgotten,
Combined Army. One of the key reasons the dele- O-12 has a vital role to play in securing the desires
gation was placed in Kokkyō-3 was the hope that of both Yu Jing and the Japanese Empire.

Embassies of Note 39
 THE RISING SUN
Surprise, Surprise
Shortly after the transport left for Kokkyō-3, carrying a new junior attaché to support the ambassa-
dor-at-large leading the delegation there, a body was found in the roof space of the spaceport toilet-block.
It was the body of the attaché, luckily found shortly after it was concealed there by a maintenance worker.
Doubtless, whoever was responsible has since landed in Kokkyō-3, and a communication has been sent
to the delegation, but your team has been assembled to follow, track down, and eliminate whoever was
responsible. After finding out why they were sent of course…

Protect the Envoy

An envoy has been secretly sent from the Japanese space station Kinkakuji on the Human Edge, and your
team has been tasked with guiding her safely to aid in negotiations in Kuraimori on Shentang. The C8
Circular left the Heraclitus system, through the Concilium wormhole to the Concilium system, and from
there on to the Shanxing system. After arriving eventually in Koryō on Shentang, the envoy was knifed
in the spaceport. The suspect escaped. Your team managed to stem the bleeding, but whoever it was, it
wasn’t random, and they weren’t working alone, whatever the local police force says. They will come for
the envoy, and you still need to get her from Koryō to Kuraimori.

THE OUROBOROS attachment points. Access from one to the other,

however, is only possible through a low-tech
Despite their dislike of and antagonistic rela-
access tube, which contains no power cables or
tionship with ALEPH, and against the wishes of a
wiring of any sort. While the Ouroboros is wholly
majority of the nations in the Human Sphere, the
reliant on the Tunguska for power, oxygen, water,
Nomad Nation maintains a relationship with O-12.
food, and waste recycling, all of these transfers
With the Nomad Nation already represented in the
are carefully constructed and managed to disallow
halls of power on Concilium Prima, O-12 has recip-
any access between the electronic systems of the
rocated with a dedicated embassy to the Nomad
Ouroboros and the Tunguska. Power is beamed to
Nation known as the Ouroboros. Given O-12’s close
the Ouroboros via laser, while oxygen is pumped
relationship with, and some would say reliance on,
through ducts, and waste is removed via vacuum
the processing and reasoning powers of ALEPH,
tubes. The communication arrays of the Ouroboros
the relationship between O-12 and the Nomads is
remora craft are low powered and openly readable
fraught with complexity. The Nomads see ALEPH
by almost anyone with the mind and resources to
as a true enemy to the human species, and ALEPH,
do so. Important communications that cannot be
as far as anyone can tell, sees the Nomads as little
trusted to this unsecured network are physically
more than wayward dissidents, who threaten the
delivered to the Ouroboros using lo-fi techniques,
stability of the Human Sphere. However, despite
such as physical databanks and storage devices.
this backdrop of distrust and dislike stands O-12, an
Indeed, the entire electronic systems of the
entity that is not wholly ALEPH and yet that is tied
Ouroboros are maintained within a processing and
into the AI almost completely. An organisation that,
storage limit defined in a number of agreements
irrespective of whatever views and actions have
with the Tunguska. Communications between the
been taken by ALEPH or other nations, has always
Ouroboros remora and the Tunguska are always
stood up and supported the Nomad Nation in their
made in person, and the access tube has fully
pursuit of self-sovereignty and recognised them as
secured airlocks on both sides. As much as is pos-
an individual nation of peoples. The relationship is
sible the Ouroboros exists attached to the Tunguska
complex and multi-layered, and trust does not run
on the other side of a carefully constructed demar-
deep, but regardless, O-12 recognises the Nomads,
cation line, across which communications and
and the Nomads, by and large, understand the value
signals are not permitted to pass.
O-12 provides themselves as a nation and the
Human Sphere as a whole. Yet, despite all of this inbuilt security, born of
the distrust of ALEPH, and the Nomad reliance
The Ouroboros Embassy is, in many ways, symbolic
instead on their own Arachne systems, the
of the complex relationship between the two
relationship between O-12 and the Nomads is
powers. It is a remora craft to the Tunguska mother-
open, refreshingly honest, and something both
ship, connected to and travelling with the Tunguska
sides agree is of vital importance. Negotiation and
wherever it goes, but again, this connection is
discussion between the staff of the Ouroboros and
layered in complexity. The Ouroboros is tethered
the Tunguska is, by the necessities imposed by so
to the Tunguska through a network of permanent

40 Chapter 4
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

many layers of security, slow and procedural, but and specifically for being able to move an operative
it is almost always frank and to the point. This has into cover, has proved especially useful to the point
not stopped various factions within the Tunguska that Bureau Noir has infiltrated the Ouroboros and
from seeking to listen in on the activities of the uses its existing processes to infiltrate its own
Ouroboros, despite the security warnings that they agents in the same way.
should not. Section Spatha staff stationed at the
This agreement does not sit well with a vocal few
remora embassy are required to perform regular
within the hierarchy of Tunguska, who are con-
EVAs to check the hull for magnetic repeaters or
cerned about the use of Psi Unit agents as a Trojan
listening devices.
horse for initiating another Violent Intermission.
Due to the role Tunguska plays within the Nomad However, it is understood by those that do support
Nation, ministers for Bureaus Ganesh and Hermes the agreement, that while ALEPH and O-12 are
are permanently placed at the embassy and are intrinsically linked, and ALEPH might have its own
functionally the most important staff working agenda when it comes to the Nomads, so too does
there. Meetings between Tunguskan companies and O-12, and O-12 has proven repeatedly that they are
representatives are regularly held on the Ouroboros not beholden wholly to the whims of ALEPH. The
or on the mothership itself. In agreement with mining rights to the Brísingamen in the Concilium
the Nomads, a representative for Psi Unit is also system and a host of other forms of recognition and
permanently stationed at the embassy. While not an support for the Nomad Nation stands in evidence
acting minister, they function as a handler, and the of the fact that whatever ALEPH might think about
Tunguska a useful transfer point for Psi Unit agents. the Nomads, O-12 officials are more than willing to
From the Ouroboros to the Tunguska and out into deal with them.
the Human Sphere again, the processes for washing
an agent’s identity and providing them a new one,

THE SERPENT
Revealed
Word has reached the Ouroboros that the identities of three Bureau Noir agents who passed through into the Tunguska in the last two
days have been posted on a dark-site found on Arachne. These agents are currently in the field on board Tunguska, securing passage
off the mothership to take up their operations elsewhere in the Human Sphere. With their false identities listed as known agents for
the bureau, it’s only a matter of time until they are revealed and killed or their information sold on. These agents must be found and
removed to the Ouroboros for debriefing and reassignment, but finding a Bureau Noir agent already working their cover will be neither
easy, nor safe.

Run-Away
A junior Section Statera attaché to the Bureau Hermes minister, who has been on-station for only a few months, appears to have fallen in
love with a Tunguskan local and has absconded from their post to start a new life. All of this could be forgiven — it’s hardly the first time
something like this has happened — if the attaché had not taken a bunch of blank ship registry files, which can fetch a high price on the
black market. Perhaps the attaché intends to sell them to start their new life, but perhaps the new love they have found is not all they
seem to be. Either way the attaché must be found and the documents recovered before they make their way to the black market.

Arrr They Pirates?

Your team has been selected to go undercover and secure a place on the Ram’s Horn, a ship suspected of engaging in illegal attack and
salvage operations against private merchant vessels. Once a berth has been secured, you are to accompany the Ram’s Horn and gather
evidence as to whether their activities do indeed match up to rumour. However, one of the Tunguskan officials who approved the opera-
tion is not known for being the most honest of coves, which begs the question, will you be on board the Ram’s Horn hunting for pirates
or will pirates be hunting you?

Fight Club
Internal Tunguskan security operatives have become aware that a remora craft attached to the Tunguska has been hosting gladiatorial
matches. While not strictly illegal, the latest news includes reports of a number of Shrike Tardigrades smuggled in to be used in the
fighting pit. These formidable beasts could pose a threat should they get loose. The remora is owned and run by a Submondo group
with financial ties to a number of important Tunguskan businesses, so acting directly against them would be imprudent, to say the least.
Instead, security have dutifully passed the information on to the Ouroboros and hope that O-12 will intervene in their place. You are that
intervention. Get into the remora and ensure these beasts are executed, and please, make it back…

Embassies of Note 41
 BOURAK even high-ranking members of the Qapu Khalqi and
Of all the nations in the Human Sphere, Haqqislam Funduq governing body. It is broadly understood,
perhaps has the warmest relationship with although never voiced, that the Haqqislam govern-
O-12. This relationship, which has involved close ment is often the source of these leaks, targeting
inter-bureaucracy cooperation for many years, people and organisations that the government
became particularly close when the planetary would not countenance investigating either offi-
engineers of Bourak’s Terraformation Institute cially or unofficially for political reasons.
worked alongside scientists with Bureau Gaea to In the chambered basements of the delegation
design and shape the environment and climate of building on Nawal Island, there are a connected
Concilium Prima. Close ties also exist between the series of levels and rooms that are only accessible
many biomedical research faculties of Bourak’s uni- under the highest of O-12 security clearances. O-12
versities and bimaristans and Bureau Lakshmi. More maintains the line that the reason these rooms
than that, the Pillars of O-12 — Unity, Cooperation, have such a high security clearance is due to the
Support, and Progress — resonate with the twin tra- fact that the delegation shares the building, and
ditions of the Haqqislamite Search for Knowledge. that they need somewhere ‘off-limits’ for data stor-
Though complicated, as all relationships between age related to the delegation and its operations.
powers are, the Haqqislamite nation is more open, Public knowledge of a secured bunker beneath the
friendly, and willing to engage with O-12 than any delegation is a constant source of rumour and con-
other of the major powers in the Human Sphere. spiracy theory. Some suggest that it is the location
Based on Nawal Island and in facilities supplied of an ALEPH node which tells the delegation what
and paid for through a special fund from the Majlis to do and how to respond to issues. Some say that
al-Bourak, O-12’s representation to Bourak is a it is a facility used to store advanced Lhosts as
delegation rather than a full embassy. In addition backups for the delegation staff. Others believe it
to the delegation, a number of the bureaus of O-12 is a secured seed vault, located on Bourak because
have representatives and field offices working it is the only location in the Human Sphere where
with their counterpart Haqqislamite Diwâns across Nassait is able to be cultivated. Particular ideas
Bourak, including staff from Bureau Hermes work- are even crazier: that is the location of an ALEPH-
ing with the Diwân al Mazalim (the Trade Office) designed Recreation of an alien ruler taken from
and Bureau Toth members working with the Diwân Paradiso; that the brood-queen responsible for
al Rasa’il (the Communications Office). producing Silk is kept in a cage there, controlled by
ALEPH; that ALEPH uses the facility to manufacture
The lack of a full embassy has occasionally been Recreations of leading Haqqislam political figures
touted as some sort of sign that O-12 deems their controlled by the AI and intended to replace the
relationship with Haqqislam to be of a lesser real versions; that there are tunnels leading from
importance to their relationships with the other the delegation to all manner of other locations,
hyperpowers, but it is far from the truth. Such including the palace of the Hachib; and many other
propaganda can usually be tracked back to rumour fringe beliefs. Needless to say the delegation is a
mills funded by Silk Lords or sources in the Funduq constant and popular source of fiction and conspir-
Sultanate who are happy to apply a level of social acy, despite the fact that the number of people who
pressure on the Majlis al-Bourak and Hachib to actually believe such things is minimal.
maintain a distance from O-12. Legislation and
commerce negotiations related to the Silk trade Head of the O-12 delegation on Bourak is
and proprietary technology connected to Silk and Ambassador Lucian Trang, and he’s held the
reincarnations are thought to be the main issues position for close to fifteen years. Beneath him are
that drive these moguls to fund such rumour mills. ministers representing Bureaus Agni, Concilium, and
In truth though, the powerful financial backers Gaea, all of whom have close working relationships
keep their propaganda machines oiled well enough with members of the Terraformation Institute. It is
to be connected to the news cycles and social notable that Bourak is the only place in the Human
networks but quiet enough to avoid any significant Sphere outside of Concilium Prima and the End
backlash. The relationship between O-12 and the of the Line Orbital that maintains a minister from
Haqqislamite government is just one of a number Bureau Concilium, representing the governing
of the conspiracy theories pushed. Rumours related body of O-12’s home planet. A minister from
to ALEPH and other hyperpowers are given a Bureau Lakshmi has an office at the delegation, but
broadly equal amount of air-time. traditionally spends a majority of their time split
between the duties of minister and functioning as
Very occasionally, the delegation in Nawal Island a guest lecturer and advisor in Medina. In recent
will be leaked information related to improprieties years, with the recognition of the Non-Aligned
and implied criminal activities of powerful people Nations and the Japanese Empire, a representative
and groups on Bourak. In recent years, such leaks from Bureau Athena has joined the O-12 delegation
have involved a number of Silk Consortiums and at the request of the Majlis al-Bourak. Bureau

42 Chapter 4
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

Athena agents are fundamentally involved in Embassy is a complicated mess of arguments, mis-
issues of human rights and ethical and religious understandings, and contradictory claims. Morale
issues and having a representative to take part in at the embassy is low, and the posting is seen
negotiations hosted by the delegation was seen as anywhere between a baptism of fire and a walking
an important reminder to all those attending that nightmare. Turnover is greater in the Mat’ Embassy
their larger duty was to the species, as opposed than at any other O-12 posting in the Human
to more parochial concerns. Bureaus Ganesh and Sphere, including Paradiso. All of this chaos is not
Hermes, tied to trade and shipping, share offices just due to the fractious climate. The rate of turno-
and staff on Nawal Island, but spend an equal ver is also a contributor, with leadership roles and
amount of time between Nawal Island, Medina, ministerial postings often short-lived or left empty
and Dar el Funduq. Bureau Noir is assumed to have for extended periods. There are heavy restrictions
an unspoken presence within the delegation, and on the movements and clearances of embassy staff,
while attempts have been made to work alongside who often have to navigate byzantine layers of
the Hassassins on a number of occasions, such bureaucracy to get the reports they require, only
overtures have led nowhere. Lastly, Bureau Aegis, to find that the case has changed, been dropped,
while represented in the largest numbers through or shifted to another department. The technolog-
Section Metis, also has minister recently posted to ical backwater of Ariadna requires a significant
the delegation. Alongside the minister for Athena, adjustment for arriving staff and is something
the minister for Aegis, a general with Section that most of them never really adapt to. Strict
Spatha, has been heavily involved in negotiations. regulation requires that staff must be paid in sol,
but they are required to exchange it for rubles to
The delegation on Nawal Island is a busy hive of
actually use it for anything, and the exchange rate
activity that is plugged directly into many of the
is often set unfairly or subject to a litany of small
economic and technological drivers of Bourak
fees. For a vast majority of cases, embassy staff
and the Haqqislamite nation. Recent years have
must work through contacts within the Rodinan
also seen Nawal Island host an ongoing series of
Federal Service, who appear to go out of their
negotiations between a number of the hyperpow-
way to makes things move slowly, are riddled with
ers. These negotiations have been fundamental to
mistakes, or are missing vital details, and the whole
some of the processes and tensions surrounding
experience of life at the Mat’ Embassy is unlike any
the Japanese Uprising, the employment of
other posting O-12 offers. All of that is not even
Non-Aligned Nations forces on Paradiso, the man-
counting the fights. Those few staff members who
agement of the Paradiso war effort, and the recent
manage to finish a tour of duty, as they call it, will
developments on Ariadna. How exactly Bourak, and
listen to staff from other embassies talk about their
Nawal Island specifically, became part-time host
trials and tribulations like grizzled vets listening to
to these talks appears to be a matter of fortune,
casual paintballers talk about the stress of combat.
but the delegation has been forced to expand and
accommodate the changing needs quickly and effi- One of the bitterest points of argument and tension
ciently. To date and under the careful leadership of comes from trade negotiations. These are almost
Ambassador Trang, they have risen to the challenge. universally seen as being unfair and borderline
criminal in their disregard for Ariadnan sovereignty.
ARIADNA Echoes of the Commercial Conflicts dominate
discussion — who owns what scraps of land and to
From settlement through internecine war, the
what depth, and the continual meddling of hyper-
Commercial Conflicts and to the current socio-po-
corps whose annual profits outstrip Ariadna’s gross
litical climate, Ariadna has had to fight tooth and
domestic product by several fold. An ongoing point
nail for every scrap of recognition and sovereignty
of contention is the unwillingness to share technol-
that it holds. Ariadna is officially supportive of O-12,
ogy. While Ariadna is able to trade for manufactured
but a litany of bad deals, even if they were the best
items, the processes and knowledge required to
of the worst scenarios, has led to a culture of mis-
manufacture similar items for themselves is hidden
trust between the Ariadnan Council and the O-12
behind a wall of a proprietary ownerships. Ariadna
Embassy in Mat’. Not that O-12 isn’t seen as impor-
has had some successes in more recent years
tant or useful, but rather that it is not Ariadnan, and
through painful reverse engineering processes,
O-12 doesn’t always ensure that trade deals and
although these are heavily at risk of being locked
the sharing of information, power, and technologies
up in court battles on Concilium Prima. Unofficially,
are in the best interests of Ariadna.
many within O-12 would like to see Ariadna freed
With four local factions striving to each have their of the constraints their technology places on them,
voice heard as a part of the general clamour from but officially they must appear, at least, to uphold
the Ariadnan Council, with Yu Jing and PanOceania the law, however constructing and unfair it might
both making territorial claims often on behalf feel. Whatever O-12 might secretly wish for, and
of and backed by powerful hypercorps, the O-12 whatever the staff at the Mat’ Embassy sympathetic

Embassies of Note 43
 1001 NIGHTS
Shimmering Sky
Shaima AlHassan is a prominent planetary engineer with Bureau Gaea. For the last month, she has been working
closely with Terraformation Institute experts in Maracanda. Two days ago, she was abducted. Normal protocol
would stipulate that the investigation should be handled by local law-enforcement, but Shaima AlHassan
was no ordinary planetary engineer. She was lead collaborator on the current state of the Shimmering Sky on
Concilium Prima and has in-depth knowledge of its systems, processes, functions, and access pathways. As soon
as the news broke of her abduction, codes and passwords were changed, and keys were broken and remade, but
her intimate knowledge of the system may still yield damaging results if she is subjected to interrogation and
breaks. She must be found, and given the sensitivity of the mission, the Haqqislam government has agreed to
allow O-12 to place agents in the field. That is where you come in: find Shaima AlHassan’s last location, liaise
with local law-enforcement on any leads, and follow them, wherever they may take you. Find her, bring her
home alive if possible, her cube if not, or ensure both are destroyed as a last resort.

An Orchid in the Wind

Qing Wen, daughter of a Yujingyu Imperial noble, has been kidnapped. The Haqqislam government has extended
its regret and offered to put its intelligence services to task of retrieving her. Given that Haqqislam has recently
show military support for the Japanese Uprising on Paradiso, the Yujingyu have rejected all such offers, insisting
instead that O-12 be allowed to place agents in the field. Haqqislam has acquiesced to this request, and you
have been seconded to the operation. Questions abound though: why was a minor noblewoman from Yu Jing,
on holiday papers, in the Gabqar Khanate, and why in the mercenary markets of Kum-Dag? What could a Kum
biker gang want with a Yujingyu noblewoman, and why has there been no ransom demand?

The Contract
You and your fellow operatives have been given new identities as a small but highly successful mercenary
outfit called Luchnik, and a suitable electronic trail has been created to support your cover. Arriving on a small
private craft, outfitted to suit your new identities, you are scheduled to attend an event on Zumorroda, a private
island run by Qaid Fahesh who is the leader of the Dahshat Mercenary Company. Every year, Qaid Fahesh holds
an event designed to identify and recruit promising small mercenary outfits that can be subcontracted by the
Dahshat and may even earn themselves a more permanent role. Little more than rumour is known of how the
event is run, but stories of games, drills, live fire exercises, and bloody competitions run rampant. It is even
said that the event is little more than a cover for Qaid to make a small fortune through the gambling of the
high-powered and shady people invited to watch. Dahshat and Qaid Fahesh have come under international
investigation for a number of reasons, and some idea of the layout of his island, its inner-workings, and the
sorts of people he rubs shoulders with may be vital to future operations. As Luchnik, you will strive in the
activities and games, seeking to make a name for yourselves in the eyes of Qaid. Be wary though. He is shrewd
and intelligent and according to rumour the deaths and ‘accidents’ at these events are not insignificant!

Rogue
A woman sits in a cell in a high security prison in Khadijah on Nawal Island. Her cell is designed for sensory
deprivation, the walls layered with counter-intrusion measures creating a Faraday cage within. She is fed
through a slot in the door, and multiple guards are posted outside 24 hours a day. She has been there for eight
days. She has not spoken. She has no identity on record. She may be Hassassin, she may be Al Hawwa’, she
may be an agent of another nation, or she may be something else entirely. Eight days ago, she attacked the
PanOceanian Embassy, killing twelve guards and three embassy staff before a lucky ricochet blinded her, and
she was arrested. PanOceania is demanding a full investigation be undertaken by Hexhedron agents, while the
Majlis al-Bourak have offered their own intelligence services. For reasons as yet unknown, neither side trusts
the other to pursue this case without concealing something. It has fallen to O-12 to break the deadlock. You
are a part of that team. You will be watched, be sure, by Haqqislamite and PanOceanian agents equally. You are
not permitted to interview the woman. You have limited access to the footage and associated files. Somehow,
you are expected to crack the case and manage it in a way that satisfies both parties. Why did she attack the
PanOceanian Embassy? Was she hoping to stir trouble between the two powers? Was she acting alone? Was it
a reprisal for something? Who is she? What is she? And why won’t either nation agree to allow you to interview
her or access the official files?

44 Chapter 4
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

to the Ariadnan cause might think, the embassy and With the discovery that the Combined Army has
its staff are caught in the unenviable position of formed a beachhead of sorts on Dawn, the entire
being between a rock and a hard place. The other well-practiced dance that represents the rela-
G5 nations are happy to see Ariadna in a weak tionship between O-12 and Ariadna has changed.
and exploitable position and apply pressure on Proof of the Combined presence on Dawn caused
almost every conceivable front to ensure that stays the Ariadnan Council to wake with the sudden
the case, all the while Ariadna chafes under the and gut-wrenching realisation that a warfront on
bonds imposed on it. O-12 and the staff at the Mat’ Dawn does nothing for Ariadna but allow other
Embassy are in the middle, doing what they can to G-5 Nations, particularly Yu Jing and PanOceania,
keep the peace. to push forward with their own territorial claims
under the guise of fighting the enemy. News that
Another constant source of frustration that has
the Combined forces had slipped the heavy cordon
done much to drive a wedge between the Ariadnan
in the Paradiso system and made it through to
Council and O-12 is the Ariadnan Exclusion Zone
Dawn is highly classified information, but it is infor-
(AEZ), governed by a team known as the Ariadnan
mation that has rocked the political stability and
Development Council and led by the minister
ambitions of all the G-5 Nations. Understanding
for Bureau Ganesh, another position within the
that any attempts to push for overall command of
embassy that has operated with a revolving door
the military operation under claim of sovereignty
of ministers. While the institution of the AEZ was
are likely to be as ignored as any previous attempts
an important step at the time of its creation, the
to assert authority in the face of corporate land-
changing circumstances, fortunes, and socio-po-
grabs, the Ariadnan Council have suddenly found
litical climate of both Ariadna and the rest of the
that they need O-12 in a way that was previously
Human Sphere has pushed the need for the AEZ
unpalatable to consider. The Ariadnan Council have
from a necessity to a contentious and arguably
pushed hard on every lever they can grasp to assert
unnecessary imposition. The Ariadnan Development
that the right to manage a multinational response
Council is meant to delineate swathes of land
on Dawn must, like on Paradiso, be managed by
to allow each of the Ariadnan nations room to
O-12. They knew that wasting time to push for
expand, but the process has been complicated by
their own authority was likely to allow the other
the high turnover of key staff. The Ariadnan Council
nations to land forces on Dawn and begin the
has the power to rubber stamp new settlements
process of land-grabbing under the pretence of a
within the AEZ as long as they can demonstrate the
united defence of the planet, so Ariadna took the
necessity of doing so, and without bothering with
unexpected step of demanding O-12 be given the
the justification, this is exactly what the Ariadnan
lead. While not fully supported by PanOceania and
Council have started to do. There is some concern
Yu Jing, any argument to the contrary looked lost
that this will lead to competing claims between
before it could be started, and O-12 was quick to
the Ariadnan powers, again pushing an already
assume overall command. Legally, O-12 will coordi-
fractious alliance into civil war, but as many point
nate the military responses to the new front against
out, Ariadna as a whole have enough common
the Combined enemy, and the Ariadnan Council
enemies to keep them fighting side-by-side, and
hope that this way will help prevent other nations
the thinking that dominated the establishment of
from simply landing troops and claiming territory
the AEZ has become redundant given the current
for themselves. This singular change in dynamics
situation. Of course, the reality of this changing
between Ariadna and O-12 has been a paradigm
climate does nothing to stop the occasional fresh-
shift, with Ariadna suddenly more cooperative,
faced bureaucrat arriving from Concilium Prima
supportive, and willing to engage with O-12, and
intent on making some point or investigation into
O-12 investing significant resources and personnel
infringements of the AEZ, but the Ariadnan Council
into their operations on Ariadna. Of course, the
is as skilled at stone-walling as any other power
Stavka have also stepped up their investment into
in the Sphere, and such new arrivals usually don’t
the infiltration of O-12 on Dawn. What use is it to
last long.
pass authority on to someone else if you can’t keep
a close eye on them?

Embassies of Note 45
 A NEW DAWN
Do Two Wrongs Make A Right?
A stanitsa in the foothills of the Tartary mountain range lodged a series of complaints with the Ariadnan Council and the O-12
Embassy in Mat’ over the illegal and aggressive expansion of a Yu Jingese mining site on their western border. They reported a
series of atrocities including outlying farming families butchered. The acting minister for Bureau Athena called for an investigation,
which is why you are here. You must travel to the foothills of the Rodina mountain range and uncover the truth of these claims.
But unbeknownst to O-12, the Ariadnan Council have already acted. What atrocities did the mining company commit, and can they
be brought to justice for their crimes? Or was the reprisal so brutal that any investigation could end up seeing Ariadnan officers in
court for their punitive actions? Everyone has a different story to tell, and weeding the truth from the cover-ups is going to be tough,
especially with the Stavka watching. Will the actions of the company be such that the response was justified?

Uncovering the Future

A research laboratory in Mariannebourg inadvertently triggered a silent alarm in a weapons system it appears they were attempting
to reverse engineer. With little alternative, Moto.Tronica alerted O-12 to the breach along with the demand that the people involved
be investigated and brought to justice. In the course of investigation, you learn that the Ariadnan mining company that trades with
Moto.Tronica for their technology has been manipulated to trade at a significant disadvantage, that they were promised access to
technological processes but given prefabricated tech instead. Moto.Tronica assumed the people they were dealing with lacked the
technological capacity to surreptitiously record their meetings and thought that the signed paperwork would exonerate their actions.
It turns out that those assumptions were wrong. When Moto.Tronica learn of this however, they will hire people to ensure any records
are destroyed, even if those records are in the hands of the investigators they called upon.

Sight-Seeing
A new minister for Bureau Agni has been posted to the Mat’ Embassy to replace the last, who went on leave a year ago. In traditional
fashion, the Ariadnan Council has thrown out the welcome mat and have invited the new minister on a tour of the countryside.
Innocent and all too trusting, the minister agreed. The Ariadnan Council are well known, among those who have served with the
embassy for long enough, for their capacity to concoct strange, demanding, and sometimes downright dangerous hazing rituals.
Whatever the new minister for Agni expressed to them in his initial meetings, it impressed them enough to get creative. The ‘tour’
will be guided by officers from the Spetsnaz and a number of staff from the Rodinan Federal Service, all of whom find the entire thing
hilarious. Two weeks in driving sleet, snow, cold, and hunting for their own food. It’s not a tour; it’s a survival course. You have been
assigned to protect the minister and ensure he survives. Will encounters with Dogfaces shake his bull-headed determination to ‘see
it through’, or will the biting hunger, cold, and suffering be enough?

Battle of Five Armies

A unit of Fusiliers, a unit of Zanshi, a unit of Kazaks, and your O-12 team walk into a Combined ambush… There are a lot of punchlines.
Not only have the Combined managed to ambush this small multinational scouting force you are part of, but however they managed
it, Yu Jing and PanOceania both just happen to be carrying survey equipment that identified the area you have stopped in, in the AEZ,
to be the potential site of a Teseum vein. Tensions were already high, and radio calls already being made in hurried voices, when the
Combined descended. Chaos reigns. Can the force be pulled together to fight off the Combined? Will they just turn on each other? Is
it everyone for themselves? What happens when the O-12 staff break through the Combined cordon with the only surviving survey
results, and make their way into the wilderness of the AEZ, hunted by friend and foe alike…

FREE ISLAND OF have seen an explosive change in the dynamics

SÁLVORA of relationships and deal making. The Japanese
Uprising, with all of the changes to the political
Unique and hardly deserving of the title of mere landscape that wrought, has been the paradigm
embassy, the Free Island of Sálvora is home to around which everything has shifted, and the
the busiest and most influential O-12 Embassy in implications and shockwaves of the Uprising are
the Human Sphere. Liaising between the Paradiso still causing significant waves.
Coordinated Command, who manage the warfront
against the Combined in the Paradiso system, the While the Paradiso Coordinated Command manage
expanded Tohaa Embassy, the governing bodies the military campaign against the Combined Army,
of the territories on Paradiso, and dealing directly the involvement of the embassy has stepped up.
with envoys representing the hyperpowers, there The relationships between the various factions
is nowhere O-12 holds such influence and power of the Human Sphere have always been fractious,
outside of the Concilium system. The last few years but since the Uprising, trying to coordinate a

46 Chapter 4
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

multinational war effort has required more diplo- highly, but the current volatility of state interac-
macy, bombast, and threats of sanctions or other tions has pushed it into one of the most highly
punitive actions than ever before. The Combined rated Maya streams available. Screaming matches,
Army have leapt on this disunity and are pushing, arguments, thrown cups, and even a number of fist
not only on Paradiso, but have stepped up attacks fights have all been documented by cameras that
on the Acheron Blockade and threaten to breach hang from the chamber roof. The public seem hor-
human space with the beachhead established on rified and fascinated in equal measure by the sight
Dawn. Now is not the time for the petty squabbling of their representatives tearing at the foundation
of nation states to distract from the greatest of cooperation that keeps the Human Sphere safe
common enemy humanity has ever faced, and the from the Combined Army onslaught.
O-12 Embassy has worked tirelessly to remind the
Beyond the public debate hall of the Hall of the
envoys and representatives they are dealing with of
Assembly, and on the higher levels of the embassy
this exact point.
building, are where the real deals and discussions
The embassy on the Free Island of Sálvora is take place. Here a legion of bureaucrats from
housed in a number of high-rise buildings in the Section Statera work in support of the ambassador
centre of Sálvora City, with the most important and ministers and synchronise with the Paradiso
called The Assembly Building. The Hall of the Coordinated Command. Here too is where the
Assembly, an expansive and vaulted meeting envoys and diplomats gather around smaller tables
room with a number of attached chambers for in meeting rooms, have their grievances aired, and
hearings and special cases, is a debate and meeting make demands and concessions both to keep the
chamber where generals, envoys, and diplomats rub veneer of unity intact, and as the embassy staff
shoulders with members of the press, bureaucrats, and O-12 hope — work towards a more cooperative
and other officials. Perpetually streamed on Maya, tomorrow.
The Hall of Assembly was in years past rarely rated

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL

With Friends Like These
Military surveillance footage retrieved from a PanOceanian Fusilier’s headset contains a clear video and
audio recording of an event on the Norstralian front showing a Tohaa Makaul executing members of the
Fusiliers, including the soldier from whom the footage was recovered. Politically explosive, the footage
was passed to the Paradiso Coordinated Command and from there to the O-12 Embassy on Sálvora Island.
In secret, diplomats have already secured an assurance from the Tohaa that the soldiers in question will
be punished severely according to Tohaa law, alongside an apology to both the PanOceanian Military
Complex and the families of the affected soldiers. The apologies to the families will never be passed on.
The official record has already been altered to list the Fusiliers as victims of a friendly fire tragedy. How
Anthony Rogers, a young diplomat for PanOceania who has political ambitions, managed to get hold
of copies of the apologies to the families is unknown. But Hexahedron operatives managed to identify
the data breach, and you, representing the Bureau Noir, are being mobilised to ensure that the press
conference Anthony is planning never takes place and the files are deleted forever. If the Tohaa apologies
got out onto Maya, the political repercussions and social backlash could threaten an important alliance.

In the Wind
Lucy Obasanjo was a Section Statera bureaucrat working under the minister for Bureau Hermes. Shortly
after being questioned about some irregularities in shipping manifests, she took leave and using passes
she issued to herself took off. It was a number of days before her absence raised any alarm bells, and the
investigation that followed was startling. For a number of months, and perhaps longer, Lucy had been
using her position within the bureaucracy of Bureau Hermes to issue ship licences and shipping passes to
a number of private contacts. The investigation discovered that these contacts are likely to be connected
to an unknown Submondo group, but who are likely to be the same group that has been investigated
for the last eighteen months for the smuggling Voodoo tech off Paradiso. Obasanjo was transferred
to Section Statera from Section Spatha after a serious injury sustained on Paradiso. She has detailed
knowledge of a number of investigations undertaken by Hermes, as well as an unknown data taken from
the databases of the Sálvora Embassy. She must be tracked down and brought in for interrogation, but no
doubt her new friends will keen to hide and protect her.

Embassies of Note 47
 CHAPTER 5

FIELD OFFICES

the bureaucratic machinery of O-12. Documentation

FIELD OFFICES that must be lodged through official channels may
require an in-person meeting or verification and
Embassies are the result of a significant investment is the simple, necessary process that dominates
by O-12 and the host nation. They require detailed a majority of the time of those working in field
agreements and come at a substantial ongoing offices. It is an unglamorous job and broadly
cost in terms of both maintenance and personnel. unpopular as postings. Most field offices therefore
A field office is a convenient workaround when a are filled by local citizens, either trained through
political solution has not been found to allow the the field office itself or a nearby embassy, virtually,
placement of an embassy or where the situation — or are bureaucrats who are university trained
the political, geographical, or economic significance on Concilium Prima taking a position close to
— is not rated as high enough for an embassy. O-12 family or home.
has a number of field offices in place around the Field offices may be rural and quiet, urban and
Human Sphere, in addition to, and often in support posh, or may be positioned in a caravanserai or
of, their embassies. These field offices, theoretically spaceport and hectically busy. Irrespective of the
at least, represent easy-to-reach contact points for quantity of cases and amount of documentation
individuals, companies, and government officials to they process, the structure of a field office is

48 Chapter 5
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

significantly different to that of an embassy. Most of as the powder-keg that would initiate the next big
the time a field office will be led by a junior consul, war, but it never happened. As the crisis wound
counsellor, or ministerial liaison; the number of down, O-12 established a presence in the system
these positions of rank depends on the workflow that allowed them a frontline role in mediating
of the field office. Beneath these ranked positions disputes, and while the Human Edge remains a
are the bureaucrats, members of Section Statera, fractious and close to lawless frontier, the larger
and all-important cogs in the machinery of O-12. clashes and general chaos of the crisis period is
All field offices also have a posted security team, well behind them.
usually a number of individuals or a small unit from
Originally, O-12 located themselves in an orbital
Section Spatha, who might be Global Police. If a
purchased from the Yan Wei Corporation. It was
field office is close enough to a hot-spot or opera-
small and barely functional but served for five years
tional theatre, members from Bureau Noir or Aegis
while the first stages of the End of the Line Free
may use it as a staging base for their operation or
Orbital were constructed in orbit around Heroclitus.
as a rallying point afterwards.
Built in toroid-shaped zones that revolve around
A field office occupies a different legal position to a central axle, it was designed to be expandable
an embassy. Where an embassy is O-12 territory, a while leveraging the simplicity of a Bernal sphere
field office is technically not. While O-12 officials to provide gravity for the inhabitants. O-12 first
at a field office may declare a person or persons moved into the End of the Line Free Orbital when
within the offices have been granted asylum, those the second of the toroid zones was completed, and
individuals do not have the same protections since then, a further five have been added.
offered by an embassy. This is often compounded
End of the Line is the default destination for new
by the fact that field offices regularly share a floor
arrivals to the Human Edge. Here, any required
or building with another organisation or business.
documentation can be verified and processed, and
In the past, accepted asylum seekers have been
there are extensive programmes to allow new
taken into custody within field offices while O-12
arrivals to adjust to life on the frontier of human
staff have been able to do little more than watch
space. Named originally as a tribute to the fact that
and later lodge a complaint. There are a number of
the Human Edge represented the farthest flung
field offices designed to work in a roving capacity,
location of human expansion, the title has grown
housed within a small frigate that is relocatable
to carry a dark, satirical tone. A great many new
depending on the need.
arrivals to the Human Edge come as prospectors
Given their unassuming nature, the prevailing or refugees, people wanting to find a new life or
attitude is that field offices are O-12 embassies escaping the old one, and unfortunately too many
with no teeth. Bureaus Noir and Aegis both have of those that arrive at the End of the Line find it
used this to their advantage. More often than difficult or impossible to move on. There are many
many might care to note, the bored Section Statera reasons for this, and a majority of them boil down
bureaucrat who spends their day lodging documen- to assets. Often new arrivals lack the connections,
tation related to ship licences and shipping permits resources, skills, or wealth to secure a position or
is also a handler for Bureau Noir agents in the find a home elsewhere in the system. There are
field or gathers intel for a Global Police operation also those who have made the first steps toward a
in the area. new life, but falter, facing and unable to make that
final jump, not quite willing to return to whatever
The field offices detailed in this chapter are not
they left and not quite willing to commit to the
an exhaustive list but represent instead some of
uncertainty of life in the Human Edge.
the more important or unique field offices oper-
ated by O-12. End of the Line is a vibrant place, a place where
the diaspora of humanity rubs shoulders with
one another regardless of creed, nationality, or

END OF THE LINE religion. It is also an energetic job market, with

corporations running mining operations throughout

FREE ORBITAL the Astraea system looking for skilled workers,

linguists, scientists, medics, and teachers. A thriving
Established at the end of the Corporate Crisis, the mercenary industry on the Human Edge also shops
End of the Line Free Orbital was originally built at the End of the Line for promising new recruits.
as a way O-12 could monitor the Astraea system Small intra-system ships come and go in an endless
and ensure the brittle peace held. Corporate and stream, and the shipping and docking facilities
national powers made extensive use of mercenary have had to be expanded multiple times with the
forces to seize claims, hold them, claim jump, and growth of the station itself.
subdue rivals into selling out, joining up, or simply End of the Line is a protectorate of O-12, ostensibly
leaving. Many believed the Human Edge was poised it is governed by Bureau Concilium, the same

Field Offices 49
 governing body that rules the Concilium system, a roving field office are often structured with a
and recognised citizens of the End of the Line defined chain-of-command and, in this sense,
are permitted to vote in the Bureau Concilium borrow some of the structure and bureaucratic
elections. While officially operated as a field office network of a military vessel. The staff members
for O-12, the End of the Line Free Orbital is more aboard a roving field office are usually small in
of a territory, and ministerial representatives for number and highly skilled. Staff are also chosen for
a number of bureaus work here, liaising with their experience, level headedness, and, of course,
corporations and the other orbitals of the system. skill set, and most usually function as project, relief,
Several consuls have residence at the End of the or event managers dealing with crisis situations.
Line, and their job is both to manage negotiations Roving field offices can even provide engineering
that do not fall under the direct remit of the bureau advice and management and can respond to prob-
ministers, arbitrate disputes, which usually revolve lems associated with energy and food distribution
around mining claims, and to keep an eye on pirate in trying circumstances, such as in the aftermath of
activity and mercenary operations in the system. natural calamities. In a very real sense, they operate
Bureaus Aegis and Noir have permanent ministerial as a disaster relief team, able to provide the analy-
positions at the End of the Line, alongside handlers, sis, processing, and support to assist in response to
operatives, and soldiers familiar with the various a wide range of crises.
orbitals, corporations, nations, and operations in the
This may seem beyond the remit of a run-of-the-
system. Both Bureaus Aegis and Noir use the End
mill field office or embassy, but the capacity for
of the Line as a ‘washing machine’, a place where
a roving field office to support a situation comes
agents often arrive with one identification and
not just in its ability to provide direct assistance,
move back into circulation with another.
but its ability to serve as the vital and immediate
interface between O-12 and a multitude of other
ROVING FIELD support agencies within the host nation or around
the Human Sphere as required by the circum-
OFFICES stances it faces.

A majority of the roving field offices, as they are O-12S MALASPINA

called, are repurposed escort class ships, solidly
Able to relocate to wherever it is needed, capable
constructed but with the weapon systems removed,
of operating on its own, or in support of another
usually excepting the point defence systems.
field office or embassy, the Malaspina is one of a
They can link to larger vessels and space stations,
number of roving field offices operated by O-12.
provide the services of a field office, and deliver
Throughout its history, the O-12S Malaspina has
other practical forms of support. It is rare for a
spent a majority of its operational life working in
roving field office to be capable of using the jump
the Human Edge, stationed for many years with
gates on their own. They rely on the Circulars to
the Boushra Caravanserai in the Orthys Belt. For
move around the Human Sphere and have priority
the last three years, the O-12S Malaspina has been
docking rights in the event of their need to do so.
relocated to the Kinkakuji station in orbit around
Several such vessels are stationed at various orbit- Heraclitus. With the Japanese Uprising and the
als in the Paradiso system to help process refugees official recognition of the Japanese Empire, the
seeking to move out of the system. Many of the O-12S Malaspina has served in a vital position as a
roving field offices still in service had previously bridge between the nascent Japanese government
been stationed at hot spots throughout the Human (as relayed from Tokyo through the Kinkakuji) and
Sphere like Svarlarheima during the later stages of the O-12 on Concilium Prima. Given its current role,
the NeoColonial Wars and around Dawn during the a number of Bureau Noir operatives and Bureau
Commercial Conflicts. Aegis units are positioned on the Malaspina, the
former to manage intelligence operations around
It is the capacity to provide on-the-spot crisis
Japanese activities in the Human Edge and the
support that makes the roving field offices most
latter for protection.
valuable. The members of staff that operate on

50 Chapter 5
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

THE NEW WILD WEST

Drug Bust
Algae farms are a vital source of food in the Human Edge. Relatively easy to cultivate in a variety of gravities, they form
a bland but important function in keeping many mining facilities and orbitals fed. With the right mix of chemicals added
to the algal soup however, algae farms can also be encouraged to produce a variety of other things from medication to
construction material. Recently, a new drug has surfaced at a number of the orbitals around the Human Edge and has
been popular in more isolated mining stations. Looking very much like traditional protein tablets from algae farms and
going by a number of names, most notably Green, this drug is a mild hallucinogen that provides a euphoric high. It has
also been shown to affect depth perception and has been linked to several recent tragedies and accidents. Chemical
analysis of acquired samples suggests that Green comes from a single source, likely to be an asteroid mine converted to
algal farm. The composition of Green has indicated key ingredients that must be added to a standard algal farm set-up,
which are not easy to get in the Human Edge. You are to go undercover to work your way up the supply chain, from street
dealer to smuggler, with the aim of conducting a sting operation on the manufactory, once located. Did we mention
there appear to be links to the Struktura presence in the Human Edge? Those people are nasty.

Keep It in the Family

A bloody dispute has shattered a small mining community in the Socratic Trojans. A hard-working family has torn itself
apart over the rights to an asteroid that they have been working for close to a decade. People are dead, and the violence
looks to spread into the local community as friends support friends while family strikes family. It wouldn’t normally be
an O-12 issue, but the families involved, despite working in the Human Edge for a generation, have no documentation
at all. They may have arrived as stowaways, which is unlikely, may be criminals, escaped prisoners, or even ex-military or
some branch thereof high enough to secure a life in hiding. Whatever the truth of the matter, no one is owning this, and
something must be done before it spirals any further.

It’s So Crazy It Just Might…

The Human Edge is home to many and varied people and, broadly speaking, is probably one of the most multicultural
and accepting locations in the Human Sphere. But even by the zany standards of the Human Edge, the Summoners are
just too much. The Summoners are a religious cult who believe the Combined Army is the angelic army of the Lord
and that it is their job to communicate with them through the planet Socrates, which will tell them how to access the
Human Sphere so that all of humanity may be saved. For a number of years, they have been largely ignored as harmless
lunatics, even as they built a network of small settlements on a number of the smaller moons and plutoids in orbit
around the gas giant. Each small settlement builds shelters, algal farms, and a radio dish. It was thought that the radio
dishes were nothing more than the Summoners’ basic communications network, and that they might one day be used
to commune with the strange radio signals coming from Socrates. However, a young analyst ran a study through the
computer systems on End of the Line, for a laugh initially. What would happen if the network of radio dishes were used
to simultaneously blast radio waves at the Xenophon military base? Using their highest wavelength setting, it turns out,
the radio dishes could be devastating to the PanOceanian base’s quantronic systems and the perhaps even the ships in
orbit. Stunned more than amused, the analyst spent time digging into the Summoners and found that one of their key
benefactors was Mei Shi, daughter to one of the owners of Gāng Tie Industries, a Party faithful and previously accused
of using corporate assets to further the goals of the StateEmpire. A coincidence? Before PanOceania catch wind of the
possibility, or the radio dishes are used for that dangerous purpose, the minister for Bureau Aegis thinks it might be a
good idea to shut down a few of the dishes before an ‘accident’ has the chance to happen.

Fallen Star
Former Aristeia! champion Marlo ‘The Cleaver’ Handburg is on the run. Marlo’s life as a mega-wealthy Maya-star has
come crashing down around his ears. A playboy, part-time Aristeia! star, and full-time drug addict, Marlo had a penchant
for the high life and the fast lane. He even used his wealth to build his own personal zoo. Highly illegal given its location
within an orbital above Varuna, he had the animals smuggled in. Harmless enough, until his pair of Shrike Tardigrades
escaped, killing dozens of innocents in the process. Marlo fled as his careless, and even worse, remorseless, response
to the tragedy spread like fire around Maya. Soon enough, reports of fixed matches and other criminal activities saw
his accounts locked and Marlo himself degraded from star to murdering criminal. He fled, using whatever contacts he
had made throughout his long experience of misdemeanour and self-interest. He fled, what’s more, to the Human Edge.
Sure, the Human Edge is home to 100 million souls, but it can’t be hard to find a former superstar who likes the lavish
things in life, surely. You’ll need to get hold of him before his enemies or the bounty hunters do; he must face trial for
what he did over Varuna.

Field Offices 51
 GM TIP: READY FOR ANYTHING
Running a campaign centred around a team on a roving field office could present a multitude of opportunities for daring acts,
careful diplomacy, and political wrangling. Roving field offices typically consist of a small staff of capable professionals who are
relocated to assist in situations where things have gone horribly wrong for one reason or another.

Roving field offices may be sent on mission as a secondment to Bureau Athena to scrutinise or support an investigation into
human rights abuses or to negotiate in a diplomatic mission to a Tohaa outpost. They may be seconded to Bureau Ganesh as a
part of the Concilium Disaster Fund to ensure the distribution of food, energy, or medical supplies is professionally managed and
not funnelled off by greedy middlemen. They may be seconded to Bureau Aegis to uncover evidence and serve court summons to
the Courts of Concilium in the event of breaches of the Concilium Convention, illegal research, the smuggling of VoodooTech, or
other corporate crimes. The possibilities are endless and have the opportunity to take the characters across the vast territories
and nations of the Human Sphere, doing what they can to protect and uplift those suffering and unshackle the downtrodden.

In many ways, the mission briefings for a roving field office are similar in outline to those that a Bureau Noir team might under-
take. The key differences are that field officers serve in direct and overt ways and their mission parameters rarely justify getting
involved in combat unless in it is direct support of their mission goals. Missions in this sense are diplomatic, science based, and
investigatory. Players will need to use a wide range of skills to deal with problems that arise by primarily relying on the Psywar
and Infowar Battlefields and resorting to Warfare only when their hands are forced. Players in a roving field office campaign are
likely to represent the key staff, and a number of Troop-level NPCs will live on-board to support the characters, without getting
directly involved. These represent the bureaucrats and office workers of Section Statera who perform a vital, if less interesting,
function of ensuring the documentation is drawn up and the players have a way to access the supports they require.

52 Chapter 5
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

tried slowly expanding into PanOceanian or

EARTH Yujingyu territory, seeking a stake in the rich lands
they see as abandoned by the great powers. Such
Positioned in a chain of interlinked offices in the
efforts may go un-noted or ignored for a time, but
orbital at the top of the Lagos space elevator, the
on a number of occasions have led to brutal push-
O-12 to Earth Field Office is primarily concerned
backs by the hyperpowers, something of concern to
with monitoring human rights abuses, liaising
investigators from Bureau Athena.
with and providing support to the Climate Control
Agency, and protecting heritage sites around the The Earth Field Office is managed by an ambassa-
world from ongoing conflicts and acts of terror. dor-at-large who answers to the Saturn Delegation.
While the Saturn Delegation is the primary contact Beneath the ambassador-at-large are ministers
point for the major political entities in the Sol representing almost every bureau from O-12. One
system, the Earth Field Office plays a close role in of the most active bureaus representatives in the
monitoring activities on Earth and is often the O-12 Earth Field Office is the minister for Bureau Noir,
contact point for the smaller political entities such who liaises with handlers positioned around the
as Nigeria, Russia, the USA, and others. planet and a number buried in deep cover in the
Free City of Tycho on Luna. Bureau Noir has a
Continual clashes between the smaller nations of
singularly important role to play on Earth, with the
Earth, looking to expand in a world fenced off by
squabbling of so many minor powers, the general
major political entities they cannot hope to match,
lack of interest from the great powers, and the rise
are common. In the quieter and less well-populated
of terrorist organisations such as Eco-Aktion.
areas, some of these smaller nation-states have

WHERE OUR ANCESTORS ROAMED

Grey Ghosts
A growing Nigeria has managed to find stability and even a level of prosperity in the new world order.
With expanded borders encompassing several old neighbours and a promising economic base, it has
engaged in a number of environmental preservation projects. One of these was undertaken with the
support of Bureau Gaea, a Regeneration Project aimed at restoring the old Réserve Naturelle de Ngiri,
with a particular focus on providing environmental stability for the restoration of the nearly extinct forest
elephant. A little over a week ago, a warlord from south of the old Republic of Congo moved troops in the
reserve and has threatened to wantonly kill the elephants en masse unless a ransom is paid. Your team of
Bureau Noir agents have been seconded to infiltrate the area and assassinate the warlord while Nigerian
Special Forces secure the safety of the elephants.

All in the Family

In a deep cave system in the mountains along the Russian and Yu Jingese border, a burial site has excited
anthropologists. In the upper caves are the remains of a number of Denisovans in what may well be rit-
ualised burials. Even more exciting, in a deeper series of chambers, the remains of a previously unknown
hominid have been uncovered, one that has only been hinted at through traces of DNA. The find has made
headlines in Russia, even if it has hardly gone noticed on the broader Maya networks. A fundamentalist
religious group, known for terrorist acts seeking to destroy important ancient archaeological sites, has
declared this new discovery must be scourged from the Earth lest deception blind humanity from the
truth. Normally, such claims are little more than rabid threats, but in this case, the group has a worrying
history of carrying through. Your team of operatives have been dispatched to the location to provide
security and threat analysis. If an attack comes, the cave systems must go undamaged!

Field Offices 53
 CHAPTER 6

BUREAU AEGIS

If the words, writs, and laws passed in the into an abyss from which it would never recover.
Öberhaus, Petite Asemblée, and the Courts of Humanity, as varied, beautiful, and bright as it
Concilium are not enough to induce action from the has ever been is also fractious and fragmented,
nation states of the Human Sphere, there stands minded to parochial sentimentality and divisive
Bureau Aegis, the hands that carry out the will nationalism, prone to acrimonious squabbling and
of O-12. Of all the bureaus, Aegis is second only narcissistic self-aggrandisement. After all, compe-
to Bureau Toth in funding, and for good reason. tition has often been the spur to advancement. But
Divided into two vitally important sections, Bureau now, with an alien foe slavering for total domina-
Aegis ensures that O-12 can carry forward its tion clawing its way, part by part, into the bastion
mission, whether that be through legal, political, of the Human Sphere, a united front is required.
or military means. Bureau Aegis stands firm in Order and organisation need leaders, those with
upholding the framework of laws and agreements the foresight to see the bigger picture, and the
that keep the Human Sphere from slipping off will to forge a path into a hopeful future. It also
the knife’s edge of stability, without them, as any requires enforcers, shepherds, and taskmasters who
O-12 citizen will gladly relate, humanity would will carry out the will of those great minds. In O-12,
doubtless fall. humanity has both the leaders and the enforcers.
If the political mechanisms of O-12 represent the
Now, more than ever before in history, humanity
former, then Bureau Aegis stands as the latter. It is
stands on the brink. Self-governance, perhaps even
Bureau Aegis that sees the agreements made are
the preservation of human life itself, could tip

54 Chapter 6
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

carried out, that the law is upheld, justice meted, alongside legal and paralegal assistants, attorneys,
and that the great enemy, wherever they turn, finds cybercrimes technicians, and investigators from
not a haphazard and fragmented defence, but a Section Spatha, as the needs of the bureau they
united front intent on absolute defiance. have been assigned to dictate. Experts are regu-
larly seconded to a satellite to serve a particular
Section Statera and Section Spatha are the two
function in relation to specific cases, but the
vast divisions that make up Bureau Aegis and are
general expectation is that a satellite assigned to
often referred to offhandedly as ‘the Scale’ and
a bureau will include all the relevant expertise
‘the Sword’ respectively. Section Statera is a huge
to pursue and execute any cases or investigations
corps of lawyers, aides, bureaucrats, accountants,
their assigned bureau might require. Satellites
and other experts who ensure justice stands and
typically work on site at the headquarters of the
rulings, regulations, and restrictions are upheld.
relevant bureau, where they have close and easy
Section Spatha is a gendarmerie, a militarised
access to personnel, the knowledge base, records,
police force with legal roles and responsibilities.
and research. Section Statera Satellites are also
Section Spatha is not shy of participating in front-
assigned to key apparatus within the government
line action, often employed as military support
and legal systems of O-12, including and most
and ever called upon to pursue investigations and
obviously to the Courts of Concilium, but also to
criminal activities that fall across multiple national
the Öberhaus, the Petite Assembleé, and even the
legal jurisdictions. While both sections sit beneath
Security Council.
the Bureau Aegis directorship, both are also highly
independent, pursuing their different responsibili- Sitting outside the usual division, branch, and
ties with skill, tenacity, and professionalism. Bureau satellite structure of the rest of Section Statera is
Aegis is, in short, a vital tool in the arsenal of O-12, the Internal Affairs Division. As often as it has been
which is itself, a vital asset working tirelessly to suggested that Section Statera and Section Spatha
maintain peace, stability, and a united defence of be divided and made into two distinct bureaus,
the Human Sphere. so too has the separation of the Internal Affairs
Division into a distinct and independent body been
a regular topic of discussion and debate. For now,
SECTION STATERA and the foreseeable future however, the position
of the division within Section Statera is ensured.
Without doubt and beyond comparison, Statera
While every bureau has its own form of an Internal
is the largest section in O-12. By number of
Affairs Division, and Bureau Trimurti manage a
employees, it outstrips most other entire bureaus
large Internal Affairs Division responsible for inves-
by a significant margin. This vast section has its
tigating and holding other bureaus to the standards
own director and managerial board but is also
expected, the Section Statera Internal Affairs
split into a number of divisions, each tasked with
Division has a clear mandate to investigate and
dealing with aspects of Section Statera’s remit.
prosecute actions that relate to security and mili-
Each division has a director (or directors) who takes
tary matters. This includes investigations into the
their place on the section board. Divisions exist for
actions and operations of Bureau Aegis itself and
a range of specialised areas including Legal, Human
also the O-12 Security Council and Bureau Noir. In
Resources, Recruitment, Cybercrimes, Finance,
fact, any matter that is deemed to relate to defence
Administration, and Internal Affairs. Each division
and security is within the remit of Section Statera’s
is subsequently split into a range of relevant
Internal Affairs Division. Distinct from Bureau
branches. For Finance, these departments consist of
Trimurti, whose primary focus is on corruption
Fraud, Taxation, and Forensic Accounting.
and the mishandling of funding, Section Statera’s
Divisions most often function in teams called Internal Affairs is focused specifically on military
‘satellites’. These satellites may be as few as a and security. While they regularly liaise with Bureau
dozen members, with a satellite manager and Trimurti, the division regularly deals with highly
leadership team of one or two, or may be several classified and sensitive actions and operations.
hundred members strong. Satellites are designed
The Internal Affairs Division’s broad ranging
to work with and within other bureaus across O-12,
jurisdiction as it relates to security matters also
following up legal concerns relevant to the bureaus
happens to incorporate sitting members of the
they have been allocated to, thereby enabling them
Security Council belonging to other nation states,
to outsource important research and support work
and officers belonging to other national militaries
to relevant experts in their fields.
that have participated in operations led by O-12.
Each bureau within O-12 usually has at least There are few that are wholly happy with the
one Section Statera Satellite that liaises with wide-ranging investigative powers of Section
and follows up on issues relevant to that bureau. Statera’s Internal Affairs Division, but there are
To confuse matters more, satellites are often fewer who are willing to lend their voice to an
cross-divisional, with forensic accountants working argument for curbing their reach. As much as

Bureau Aegis 55
 other nations don’t like the idea of their soldiers Three of the five major departments have grown in
or officers falling under threat of investigation, importance, size, and independence.
they don’t like the prospect of their rivals avoiding
Procurement is the logistics and supplies depart-
scrutiny even more. The risk is part and parcel
ment and has grown to assume a key role on a
of electing O-12 to manage or coordinate an
broader stage. Because the Concilium Conventions
operation.
regulate military hardware that is legal and illegal,
Due to the sensitive nature of the cases Internal Procurement has striven to become the standard for
Affairs manages, a vast majority of their investi- the Human Sphere, leading the way by modelling
gations and findings are made to closed courts of the types of gear and equipment law enforcement
‘cleared’ individuals, and the punitive measures and security personal should have access to, and
undertaken as a result are kept just as quiet. An just as importantly, what is not appropriate for a
uneasy acceptance surrounds the Internal Affairs security force. They maintain guidelines that, tacitly
Division. On one hand it has an extremely powerful at least, are expected to be adhered to by corporate
reach; on the other, it has shown time and time security and policing forces around the Human
again that it has the courage and fortitude to delve Sphere. Most national police forces pay lip service
into some of the murkier corners of O-12’s joint to the guidelines, but Procurement agents have
operations carrying the light of justice in hand. a key role in setting a standard, testing and field
testing newly developed technology for suitability,
as well as making recommendations as to what
SECTION SPATHA should be added or removed from the Concilium
Conventions.
Section Spatha is the will of O-12 manifested.
Structured as a gendarmerie, Section Spatha has The Bureau Aegis Psi Unit, the military intelligence
responsibilities that would be deemed by any wing of Bureau Aegis, has grown to a size and
other state as military, but also includes roles more specificity of training that candidates now rarely
typically executed by law enforcement and policing come through the bureau’s usual recruitment pool.
services. Section Spatha troops may be found on Currently, new rekruts (recruits) for the Psi Unit are
Concilium directing traffic and providing security. often tapped on the shoulder rather than gathered
They may be found in hot spots around the Human from the general rekruts into Spatha. While Psi
Sphere coordinating joint military operations, pro- Unit members were once all soldiers or ex-soldiers,
viding training, serving on the front line, and they nowadays, the department includes a more diver-
may also be found throughout the Human Sphere sified pool of talent drawn from multiple bureaus
investigating and pursuing criminals whose crimes across O-12 and who are there at invite more often
cross national boundaries and jurisdictions. They than by application.
are a multi-purpose force, well trained in soldiering,
Starmada has been a part of Bureau Aegis since the
but capable of so much more.
bureau’s founding, and while new members of this
Section Spatha maintains the hierarchical structure force often are transfers from other departments
common to military forces. The secretary general is of the Section Spatha and even Bureau Tiandi,
ostensibly the leader of Section Spatha. They are a many join by invite. Most newly inducted members
sitting member on the Security Council of O-12, and are experienced SWORDFOR personnel who have
it is they and their team of generals and advisers proven their ability, bravery, and most importantly,
who make up ‘Command’ and allocate forces around their loyalty. While the ships of the Starmada fleet
the Human Sphere, initiate operations, and appoint are well recognised throughout the Human Sphere,
Section Spatha leaders to the O-12 commissions especially the Circle Runners and hospital ships,
operating around the Human Sphere. Starmada’s headquarters and the Surt Defensive
Ring that it is based in are highly classified and
Section Spatha, also known as SWORDFOR, is
shrouded in secrecy.
divided into a number of departments: the Psi Unit,
Starmada, Procurement, the Bureau Aegis Tactical Top ranking officers in each of the departments
Police Department (BATPD), and the Bureau Aegis are members in Section Spatha Command. The
Investigations Police Department, also known overall bureaucratic structure places the secretary
as GloPol (or the Global Police). Each of these is general at the top of the hierarchy. The secretary
structured slightly differently, and it is common for general is a position held for a three-year period
individuals to shift between these departments (though recurrent appointments are possible) and
for specific operations or throughout their career. has traditionally been the highest-ranking officer
While the differences are, by necessity, blurred, the in the Tactical Police Department. Even though
importance of the delineation is in their specific they are ostensibly commander in chief, the sec-
roles and responsibilities. In the last decade, a shift retary general’s role (and the structure of Section
has slowly been taking place within Section Spatha. Spatha) has evolved to treat the commanders of

56 Chapter 6
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

the Psi Unit and Starmada as equals rather than Advertising and recruitment of potential soldiers
sub-ordinate positions. This evolution has been a from outside of O-12 space is a trickier process, due
process driven by necessity as the size, importance, in part to an unwillingness of nation states to allow
and resulting independence of these departments O-12 to openly recruit and in part to perceptions
has been a response to the changing state of affairs regarding O-12 that exist in the media and are
across the Human Sphere. There may well be a day pushed by certain national interest groups. Of
soon coming where the Psi Unit and Starmada are course, walk-ups do happen, and O-12 recruitment
reshuffled as distinct sections within Bureau Aegis, agencies are ready for anyone who actively wants
but so far this step has been held back by the fear to join (provided they pass stringent vetting pro-
that it would look externally like O-12 was moving cesses), but to broaden their reach and to attempt
to establish a fully-fledged military force. to break down barriers and perceptions, Bureau
Aegis takes a slow and considered response using
BASIC targeted advertising based on Maya behavioural
patterns.
Section Spatha's budget invests heavily in recruit-
ment. Throughout Concilium, there are augmented Much time and money has been invested in
reality displays and advertising prompting passers developing tools designed to look for candidates
by to consider joining SWORDFOR. There is a social who have a tendency to display an interest in inter-
and cultural weight to signing up. If you are an national affairs, lack strong nationalistic tendencies,
O-12 citizen, that is not often matched elsewhere, have connections to a range of fitness applications
and tried and tested recruitment and advertising and services, and a range of other key tags in their
methodology is relatively cheap and effective. online and real-life behaviour. Candidates filtered
through this complicated data farming process, who
seem to match the social, political, and psycholog-
THE LINE ical profiles that Bureau Aegis are looking for, will
Section Spatha, SWORDFOR, Bureau Aegis be slowly exposed to advertising and propaganda
Tactical Police Department, Bureau Aegis through augmented reality and their various online
Investigations Police Department, GloPol… interactions. The algorithms will monitor a target’s
These are all names that, for the general response, and if this response isn’t overtly negative,
public, are often used interchangeably. While the engagement is slowly stepped up. The object
SWORDFOR and Section Spatha are two names of this highly developed process of slow exposure
for the same thing, which includes the Tactical to carefully selected targets is to break down the
Police Department and the GloPol Department social and cultural assumptions held about O-12
(technically the Bureau Aegis Investigations elsewhere in the Sphere and make the idea of
Police Department), the names are not often
joining a force built on the principles of peace and
accurately applied in the media or by the people
in general. justice sound like something that a certain type
of young person would benefit from. After the first
SWORDFOR has a high level of public visibility, steps have been taken, more blatant and suggestive
largely due to a wildly popular sensaseries advertising is used to prompt potential candidates
called The Line. The Line has been lauded for to sign up. The following stages involve interviews,
its realistic portrayal of SWORDFOR operations online tests, and if all those are passed, tickets to
and is purported to be supported by Bureau the closest O-12 office, almost all of which employ
Aegis advisers. It has been recently approved for staff capable of running the interview and recruit-
an eighth season. The Line follows a fictional ment process.
Special Crimes Squad called the Venatio.
New members recruited into Section Spatha are
The show’s name was selected both for its trained broadly with the intention that they will be
history (coming from a much older ‘Thin Blue able to serve in any of the departments. More often
Line’ colloquialism applied to a police force) and than not, a rekrut’s successes and abilities will
for its regular use in slogans and recruitment have them earmarked by their trainers for specific
banners for police across the Human Sphere.
departmental roles or units. Whether a rekrut has
The Line between justice and anarchy. The Line
between peace and chaos. The Line between their eyes set on the Tactical Police Department
good and evil. The Line between humanity or GloPol, the first introduction to service is Basic
and destruction. Training. For all candidates, regardless of where
they are in the Sphere, Basic Training takes place
on Concilium Prima in training centres in the city of
Edda and in the orbital Asgard high above.
Basic Training is a tough three-month experience
designed to test and build a new rekrut’s strength,
endurance, and mental acuity. Not only does Basic

Bureau Aegis 57
 deal with rebuilding the body, but much time are a one-month embedded course held with
is also spent on developing the mind. In fact, a the unit, before a rekrut is officially passed and
significant weight is placed on a rekrut’s academic awarded their ‘deputy gendarme’ epaulettes and
progress, as academics are a vital component of a their blue caps.
typical SWORDFOR officer’s regular duties. Training
courses on laws, psychology, de-escalation strate- JOINING THE GLOPOL
gies, negotiation, psyops, investigation techniques, DEPARTMENT
and counterinsurgency strategies, as well as many
more, are all part and parcel of the experience. Those rekruts who have applied to GloPol tend
The object of Basic is not to produce a finished to have a more academic bent. As well as rekruts
SWORDFOR officer, but to prepare a candidate for coming through Basic, many GloPol officers enter
the next stages of their training. the force through invitation while undertaking
a university education in forensics, cybersecurity,
Basic is a process that is designed to instil a accounting, and the like. For those who do enter
standard set of skills in all SWORDFOR officers, but GloPol from Basic, there are multiple opportunities
it also includes a process which will help direct a for further education, including university courses
rekrut to an avenue of further training that most in return for terms of service, which are typically
ideally suits their interests and abilities. The final four years.
two weeks of Basic includes a significant focus
on where a rekrut will go next. Based on their Many rekruts to GloPol undertake training in
progress, tests scores, aptitude ratings, and a range policework, following which they will serve as
of other data sets, each rekrut will be given a list of general duties police officers working throughout
options for further training. It is in this stage that the towns, cities, orbitals, and settlements of O-12.
rekruts are shifted into departments and earmarked Later in their careers, many general duties police
for specific units that will manage the next steps in officers ‘train up’, completing specialist courses that
their training. will see them gain the rank of agent and provide
them the opportunities to work forensics, as detec-
Options to sign up for Procurement, the Psi Unit, tives, and so on.
and Starmada are not open to just anybody. While
recruitment drives may occasionally take place, While many specialist agents will end up serving in
they are carefully targeted, either within existing O-12 territory, a majority will find service through-
SWORDFOR ranks or in universities around out the Human Sphere, by assisting national police
Concilium. The training and vetting processes are forces, in training, or in pursuit of criminals whose
lengthy, and the requirements of entry are high and actions breach the laws of multiple national
often extremely specific. jurisdictions. These agents are not heavy armed
tactical police — that is what the Tactical Police
Department is for — they are investigators and
JOINING THE TACTICAL detectives, forensics and fraud experts, people
POLICE DEPARTMENT with specific skill sets to trace and track criminal
Rekruts who have made it through Basic and opt activities across national boundaries and bring the
for entrance into the SWORDFOR Department are perpetrators to justice.
shuffled into groups, sometimes called batches,
or teams. These are usually between twenty and
forty individuals who are then relocated to camps THE TACTICAL
around Concilium Prima for Induction. Induction
is really another word for a series of specialised,
POLICE
extended courses: weapons drills and training, laws DEPARTMENT
and regulations, teamwork and riot control, counter-
insurgency, and so on. Always with a strong physical As innocuous as the name might sound, the Bureau
and mental fitness component, these courses take Aegis Tactical Police Department is, and without
place at specialised facilities built for purpose, and a doubt, the most well-armed and armoured
teams are revolved through these facilities over organisation in O-12. The banal name is deliberate,
the two months of their Induction. Throughout and O-12 continues to employ significant amounts
Induction, rekruts are encouraged to apply for of propaganda to convince people that the Tactical
entry into the specialist honing courses which will Police Department is not a military force. It is
follow, each of these specifically drilling the rekrut impossible not to agree that the last twenty years
in the skills and requirements of a specific unit in have seen a substantial militarisation of O-12’s
SWORDFOR. tactical force, but this has also coincided with a
rise in corporate military might, larger and more
Induction ends with a passing out parade, a short capable mercenary forces, an increase in tension
leave period, and the beginning of the honing within the Human Sphere, and a much larger
course they successfully applied to. Honing courses

58 Chapter 6
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

role for O-12 in coordinating and supporting the with their prospective units and upskilled in the
defence against the Combined Army. Nonetheless, specific roles and responsibilities of that unit. For
many detractors throughout the Human Sphere most units, like the largest general unit the Kappas,
decry the increased militarisation of O-12 assets, this training is an intensive one-month process,
suggesting it was never the role O-12 was meant but for more specialised units, like the Omega or
to assume and implying O-12 has imperialistic Gamma Units, this process is both longer and far
designs. Tough times call for tough measures, and a more gruelling.
growing capacity to meet greater threats is needed
Training camps for the Tactical Police Department
if there is to be any hope in carrying out O-12’s
are scattered throughout Concilium Prima. High
mandate to provide enforcement for the rules and
intensity physical training takes place in facilities
uphold international justice. The debate, however,
in the El-Gebal mountain range, the Kappa unit
is the key reason O-12 is very careful with the
training bases are in the lowlands of Maidan,
language it uses to describe its people. It does not
north of Kala Pani, while the best of the best
have divisions and soldiers — it has departments
are relocated to the remote city of Thokk in the
and agents. And while the ranks of the Tactical
arctic continent of Helheim. Here, far from prying
Police Department mirror those of many militaries
eyes in the harshest of conditions, Tactical Police
throughout history, they are never officially referred
Department agents are put through batteries of
to as soldiers.
tests and training programmes designed to break
However careful O-12 is in the use of its language, them down and rebuild them. In separate camps
it is agents and members of the Tactical Police beyond the grey buildings of Thokk itself can be
Department are still taking on front-line duties found the training bases of the Lynx, Delta, Omega,
around the Human Sphere. Through their Basic Gamma, and Razor Units, not that a prying eye
Training, they are well versed in the essentials of would make that far.
local laws, but once they have been passed Basic
Once a rekrut has made the grade, passed their
and entered Induction, training brings the focus on
Basic, Induction, and Honing Training Courses they
military interventions, tactics, and strategies to the
will enter service as a deputy gendarme (the equiv-
forefront. Honing courses see rekruts embedded
alent of a private or constable) in their unit.

RANKS IN THE TACTICAL POLICE DEPARTMENT*

Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs): Commissioned Officers (COs):
Rekrut (Recruit) Aspirant (Officer Cadet)
Deputita Ĝendarmaro (Private) Sub-Leŭtenanto (Sub-Lieutenant/ Ensign)
Sub Korpa (Lance Corporal) Leŭtenanto (Lieutenant)
Korpa (Corporal) Kapitano (Captain)
Gendarme (Sergeant) Grava (Major)
Serĝenta Majstro (Sergeant Major or Leŭtenanta Kolonelo (Lieutenant Colonel)
Warrant Officer)
Kolonelo (Colonel)
Brigado (Brigadier)
Plej Granda Generalo (Major General)
Ĝenerala Leŭtenanto (Lieutenant General)
Generalo (General)

* While the autotranslation systems of the TPD commonly default to the English language titles rather
than Esperanto, it is one of the common ways that newly recruited or liaison forces are recognised. Few
if any members of the TPD use these terms except when speaking with outsiders.

Bureau Aegis 59
 Environmental training takes place in the specially regarded as volatile and likely to change swiftly,
built orbitals in Concilium Nova and at the Bureau an O-12 commission may be dispatched alongside
Aegis training facilities on Surt, the moon of the peacekeeping force with the authority to make
Muspelheim. The wide array of training camps on-the-spot decisions about the suspension of
and facilities is designed to provide SWORDFOR rules as the situation evolves.
agents with the familiarity and training required
to best support them whatever situation they are
thrown into. THE GLOBAL
Serving throughout the Human Sphere, Tactical POLICE
Police Department units are highly trained and
effective. When a geopolitical tension, corporate DEPARTMENT
disagreement, or potential flashpoint is identified GloPol, or the Global Police Department, is
as likely to deteriorate, the O-12 Security Council, also known by its full name, the Bureau Aegis
on advisement from the Psi Unit, can authorise Investigations Police Department. Unlike the
Bureau Aegis to step into the gap as mediators. Tactical, or Tactical Police Department, officers in
Authorisation requires a majority vote by the GloPol are not heavily armed and armoured; they
Security Council and gives Bureau Aegis the legal are not front-line troops expecting or capable of
right to intervene and mediate with very specific dealing with entrenched or heavy resistance. GloPol
boundaries. Such mediations involve high-level is an international police department that special-
negotiation, deals, embargos, or concessions, ises in investigating crimes and pursuing justice
though on a number of occasions in recent years across national boundaries throughout the Human
the Tactical Police Department has been forced to Sphere. GloPol also have responsibilities that
take a more direct approach and settle the matter extend to general police work within the Concilium
themselves. system, and on a number of Orbitals in the Human
Nations may invite O-12 to support or coordinate Edge. GloPol is divided into two large departments,
actions within their territories. Such invitations each with quite different roles and responsibilities.
typically come with a defined remit, though this is
often negotiated given the needs of the situation. THE GENERAL POLICE
Bureau Aegis Tactical Police Department units DEPARTMENT
may provide training, logistics, front-line support,
The General Police Department has duties that
or defence and security. Nation states often make
extend to essential police work and includes things
use of O-12 resources in this fashion, and some,
like dealing with anti-social behaviour, community
like PanOceania, regard access to Tactical Police
safety, attending accidents, enforcing traffic laws,
Department agents and units for training and coor-
dealing with breaches of law and peace that relate
dination as their due right, since, they argue, they
to drugs and alcohol, and attending emergencies.
pay for O-12 in the first place. It is only a matter
The General Police Department itself is divided
of diplomacy that Tactical Police Department staff
into a number of smaller departments, each taking
are explicitly ordered not to remind PanOceanian
a focus on specific responsibilities or aspects of the
officials just how many years the nation is behind
duty. It is most widely described as there to keep
in their payments to O-12.
the peace and ensure that there are trained people
Tactical Police Department units like the Kappas present to deal with dangerous or illegal activities.
are trained to specialise in peacekeeping opera- Officers of the General Police Department can be
tions. Petitions may be made to the Öberhaus and found throughout the Concilium system, on the
passed onto the Security Council by organisations, Circulars, in the End of the Line free orbital, and
representatives, or charities. Most often however, a number of other smaller orbitals and colonies
cases are brought before the Security Council around the Human Sphere who have applied to
directly by Bureau Athena. If the Security Council O-12 for support, most of these are too small or
votes to support a case, it is turned over to disparate to manage a law enforcement or security
SWORDFOR Command. Tactical Police Department force of their own.
units, most regularly the Kappas, who may be
Members of the General Police Department are
supported by other units at the advice of the Psi
expected to perform their duties to the highest of
Unit General-on-Command, will be deployed to a
standards. Training courses and refresher courses
location to provide security and peacekeeping. In
take place on a regular basis and are designed
peacekeeping operations, units must abide by the
to reinforce or develop officers beyond their
Peacekeeping Rules of Engagement. However, for
Basic Training.
any individual operation, SWORDFOR Command
may suspend specific articles within those rules
depending on the situation. If circumstances are

60 Chapter 6
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

synchronised robotic partners, they are mostly ana-

RANKS WITH THE lysts. The Investigations Department is split into a
number of sections and subsections, each specialis-
GENERAL ing in analysing and investigating particular types
POLICE of criminal activity.
DEPARTMENT* Sections include:
Probable Konsistulo (Probationary Constable) • Intelligence Support, which includes subsections
focused on crime and narcotics, counterintel-
Kontestanto (Constable)
ligence, policy support, terrorism, cybercrimes,
Anltrangulo Konstruisto (Senior Constable) forensics, forensic accounting, specific nations
Gvidanta Altranga Konstruisto (Leading Senior (PanOceania, Yu Jing, etc.), the Tohaa, the
Constable) Combined Army, and so on.
• Clandestine Support, which is the subsection
Serĝento (Sergeant) responsible for training all active field agents
Plej Granda Serĝento (Senior Sergeant) and carries out physical operations around the
Human Sphere.
Inspektisto (Inspector) • And Logistics Support, which includes procure-
Ĝenerala Inspektisto (Chief Inspector) ment and distribution of equipment and services
for the department.
Superintendento (Superintendent)
GloPol’s Investigations Department has no rank
Ĉefa Superintendento (Chief Superintendent) structure. While there are positions in authority,
Asista Komisaro (Assistant Commissioner) including the Direktoro (director), Vikdirektoro
(deputy director), Ŝtatestro (chief of staff) and so on,
Vikomisaro (Deputy Commissioner)
the internal structure resembles a corporation more
Komisaro (Commissioner) than it does a military or police force.
Investigations analysts and agents are regularly
Investigations department have the prefix
employed throughout the Human Sphere to inves-
Detektivo (Detective) before their rank (which is
tigate and pursue criminal activity and criminals
usually shortened). All Kontestanto are referred
that operate across national boundaries or in
to as just Detektivo, all Serĝento are referred to
locations or situations where a national jurisdiction
as Detektivo Serĝento, and all Inspectors are
is unclear. GloPol liaises with intelligence and
referred to as Detektivo Inspektisto.
law enforcement organisations throughout the
Human Sphere, and analysists and agents are
* While the autotranslation systems of the
often seconded to national police or investigations
TPD & GPD commonly default to the English
departments to support or coordinate investi-
language titles rather than Esperanto, it is
gations and pursuits, to provide guidance, or to
one of the common ways that newly recruited
offering training and development. GloPol has
or liaison forces are recognised. Few if any
extremely close ties both to the Section Spatha
members of the TPD & GPD use these terms
Psi Unit and to Bureau Noir. Regularly, operations
except when speaking with outsiders.
launched by Bureau Noir come from intelligence,
investigations, and information gathered by GloPol’s
Investigations Department.
THE INVESTIGATIONS
DEPARTMENT
Alongside the General Police Department, less STARMADA
seen in Concilium space but more commonly seen
Closely tied to the Tactical Police Department,
outside it, is the Investigations Department. The
Starmada is a relative newcomer to Bureau Aegis,
Investigations Department is the largest, most
though in reality has operated in one form or
influential, and most well-known part of GloPol,
another since the NeoColonial Wars. Starmada is
so much so that if a person anywhere in the
the wing of SWORDFOR responsible for patrols,
Human Sphere is asked to describe GloPol, they
operational support, transport, and logistics, and
will describe what they know of the Investigations
the insertion and extraction of SWORDFOR assets.
Department. In essence, GloPol is the Investigations
A part of Starmada, though wholly shrouded in
Department.
secrecy, is the Surt Defensive Ring. While word
While the Investigations Department does of the ring slowly leaked into intelligence circles
have general field agents and specially trained nearly a decade ago, it is surprising that such a pur-
agents, like the Team Sirius operatives who have portedly large infrastructure project has managed

Bureau Aegis 61
 to keep under a cloud of rumour and secrecy that Ranks within Starmada are the same as those of
no power has yet been able to pierce. the Tactical Police Department. This is a hangover
from the fleet being a disparate collection of ves-
Much has been made in the confidential halls of
sels belonging to a range of bureaus and sections
power about the existence of the Surt Defensive
before being reorganised under Starmada. Soldiers,
Ring. The Security Council, as well as the Secretary
pilots, engineers, technicians, chefs — all manner
General of Bureau Aegis have been recently ques-
of personnel serve in Starmada Department. New
tioned about the nature and purpose of the ring, as
members of Starmada do not usually come from
well as roundly criticised for not answering ques-
volunteer recruits. Instead, they are most often
tions with any clarity or specificity. There is a tacit
offered positions and are routinely promoted to
understanding that the Surt Defensive Ring exists
Starmada from other Bureau Aegis departments.
for system defence, should it ever be required, but
questions still loom about the force projection it is
capable of. While intelligence services throughout
the Sphere have been unable to crack the high
PSI UNIT
levels of secrecy and security around Muspelheim Every power requires up-to-date and fine-grained
and the Starmada shipyards in orbit there and on information in order to take effective and impactful
the moon of Surt, all reasonable estimates suggest action, even when that information is often
the ring represents a significant defensive capacity. something others don’t want them to have. Bureau
O-12 have long operated a fleet, but it has only Aegis’s Psi Unit is the intelligence department of
been within the last decade that this fleet has been SWORDFOR. They employ the analysts and agents
reorganised into a specialised wing of SWORDFOR responsible for combing every scrap of available
and named Starmada. Starmada vessels are a mix, data that can be found, drawn, pulled, or beaten out
donated, bought, and built to support the wide of the Human Sphere, the Tohaa, and the Combined
range of roles O-12 requires. Some larger ships are Army. While a vital part of Bureau Aegis, and funda-
used to defend and support O-12 conclaves and the mental to the effective utilisation of Tactical Police
scientific and humanitarian missions of the other Department, GloPol, and Starmada assets, they
bureaus. Smaller craft, including the flexible Circle also liaise closely with the O-12 Security Council
Runners, are used to defend the Circulars and are and Bureau Noir. A majority of the members of the
often deployed as system patrol craft and special- Psi Unit are data analysis experts across a swathe
ised pirate hunters. The largest of Starmada’s ships of fields, but there are times when cracking data
are undoubtedly the troop transports, in regular packets and putting together the pieces is just not
use by all powers in the Human Sphere, and the enough. These occasions require an agent in the
vast hospital ships, which are in constant rotation. field, and Psi Unit field agents are called COps, or
O-12’s needs are many, and the Starmada fleet, Covert Operatives. Trained in the mind-breaking
while it performs above and beyond all expectation, Der Irrgarten facility in Bergelmir, a secretive little
is stretched thin. As much as O-12 would like to settlement in Concilium’s arctic region, agents are
be able to dedicate more resources to expanding drilled, lectured, quizzed, interrogated, and trained
and developing its fleet, many of the powers in the to the point that most break. Those that make it
Human Sphere, most notably PanOceania and Yu through are all-purpose field agents capable of
Jing, have been resistant to this move. They argue finding the torn pieces of a scribbled note, tracking
that it is not within the needs or remit of O-12 to and observing a mark unseen, and, if necessary,
have a larger or more militarised fleet and have getting information from those less than willing
used their positions in the Öberhaus and Security to share it. Psi Unit teams can be found supplying
Council to limit 'needless' spending on Starmada information to the Security Council and working
vessels. Despite their objections, it is becoming alongside almost every Section Spatha operation in
clear that Starmada is being stretched thin, and the field and with O-12 conventions. The Director
some level of expansion will be required in the of the Psi Unit is a member of Section Spatha
near future. Command, and the department is vital to the main-
tenance and success of O-12’s vision.

62 Chapter 6
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

GLOVES AND GAUNTLETS

Like all big organisations, Bureau Aegis is filled with a range of factions, often with varying and some-
times conflicting ideologies. Within Bureau Aegis, and most prominently with the upper echelons of
Section Spatha, there are two broad factions, internally referred to (and never in the open) as the Gloves
and the Gauntlets. The Gloves are the dominant faction and have been since O-12 was first founded, but
in the last decade, the Gauntlets faction has been growing in numbers, in support, and in openness.
These two factions differ in how they view O-12 should carry out its mandate to keep the peace in
the Human Sphere. The vehicle through which the will of O-12 is carried out is predominantly Section
Spatha, and how Section Spatha should plan and execute their support of O-12 is the contention.
The Gloves have always followed a quiet approach, supporting O-12, the Courts of Concilium, the
Öberhaus, and the Security Council through mediation, peacekeeping, and careful management. They
believe a soft touch is what is required, and that if O-12 were to try and stamp their authority with too
much force, the nations of the Human Sphere would rebel. O-12 would become a faction in its own
right, and Code Infinity would spiral into deadly internecine wars leaving humanity wide open to the
depredations of the Combined Army.
The Gauntlets take the opposite view. Long have they watched the petty squabbling of the nations of the
Human Sphere, witnessed an inability or unwillingness to put aside parochial differences for the sake of
humanity, and seen the ineffectiveness of the Gloves’ approach over such a long period. Too many empty
seats in the ships returning to Concilium from Paradiso or any number of other flashpoints around the
Human Sphere and for what gain? Humanity is closer to the brink of self-destruction than ever before,
and there is a hostile alien force raging to enslave all. The Gauntlets take the view that in order for O-12
to govern the rudderless ship of the Human Sphere they need to stand firm, be unrelenting, brook no
opposition, and make its statements declarative, with bullets for exclamation points if words are not
sufficient.
For a long time, the number of agents and officers who shared in the ideology of the Gauntlets remained
few, but the events of the last decade have seen a sharp rise in the number of Gauntlets throughout
Section Spatha. More vocal now than ever before, if a Gauntlet should ever be made secretary general
and end up advising the O-12 Security Council, who knows what the result would be. The Gloves would
say it would be disastrous; the Gauntlets would say that it would finally see O-12 take the effective and
prominent role it was always meant to. For now, the Gloves have the numbers and the positions, but never
have the Gauntlets been more numerous…

Bureau Aegis 63
 CHAPTER 7

UPHOLDING THE PILLARS

“Upholding the Pillars” introduces new mechanics Agents work openly across the Human Sphere,
“Unity, cooperation, support, and
connected to running campaigns as a part of and as such they must live up to its ideals and
progress. You know what O-12
stands for. You’ve seen those Bureau Aegis. aspirations. More often than not, this is a significant
words dance in your patinas so challenge. Representing justice in the face of injus-
As a large bureau with many responsibilities, the
often you don’t even see them tice, clemency in the face of brutality, unity in the
scope and range of campaign styles can alter dra-
anymore. I’m not here to talk face of division, it is no easy path to walk.
matically — from internal affairs field investigations,
about what the Pillars stand for;
paramilitary ops, undercover police stings, through This chapter focuses on how to bring the feeling of
I’m here to tell you that in order
to uphold them, in order to carry to gangbuster teams working with Starmada to working for Bureau Aegis into the game mechan-
them forward, you’re going to come break up pirate operations on the Human Edge. ically and does so through the systems of Ideals,
face to face with their opposites: Bureau Aegis is a multi-layered source of pos- Goals, Splashback, and Reputation.
division, interference, sabotage, and sibilities for action, adventure, and intrigue. The
decay. The General Department possibilities of working across departments and
is the force behind the words of secondment to other bureaus allows for a huge IDEALS, GOALS,
O-12. As that force, we don’t fight range of possible campaigns, whether investigating
on behalf of O-12, we fight for claims of human rights violations on behalf of SPLASHBACK,
humanity. Those opposites would
tear us down, have us at each
other’s throats, let the great enemy
Bureau Athena, safeguarding a shipment of aide
and medicines to a war-torn city on Paradiso for AND REPUTATION
ravage and enslave us. We stand in Bureau Gaea, to infiltrating and busting open a To reflect the difficulties faced by agents of Bureau
defiance of that future. We oppose smuggling ring for Bureau Ganesh. Aegis in balancing the execution of their duties and
it utterly.” At the end of the day, while the agents for Bureau the symbolic creed of O-12, the organisation that
Aegis deal with some of the worst the Human they represent, there are mechanics for both Goals
–Plej Granda Generalo Piotr Simkin, and Ideals.
Sphere has to offer and tangle regularly with the
in his speech at the passing
out parade of Group 7-9 of the great enemy of the Combined Army, each agent is In Infinity the Roleplaying Game, the Wilderness of
General Department. expected to operate to the highest of principles. Mirrors is a system that may be leveraged by play-
Bureau Aegis is the most visible symbol of O-12. ers and GMs alike to create interesting narrative

64 Chapter 7
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

tension between members of the clandestine or whether they believe that the end goals of a
Bureau Noir (see Infinity Corebook, p. 14). While mission are more important than following every
the Wilderness of Mirrors may be utilised in a letter of every article. Broadly, these two ideological
Bureau Aegis campaign, members of this bureau factions within Bureau Aegis are often called the
are continually drilled to work and fight as a team. Gloves and the Gauntlets, and where each character
GMs and/or players who still wish to incorporate sits in relation to these is something each player
the divided loyalties of the Human Sphere in their should define for their character. A player may wish
campaigns should feel empowered to continue to to simply identify which of the two internal factions
use the Wilderness of Mirrors rules. However, we of Bureau Aegis (Glove or Gauntlet) they belong
suggest toning down the factional interplay of to, or they may want to provide a more varied or
different nations and utilising Goals and Ideals as detailed description.
an alternative driver for narrative tension in your
games either as an addition or an alternative.
GM NOTE
In essence, Goals and Ideals are two themes to
Personal Ideals can be utilised as Traits in a
every adventure or campaign that regularly come game session. See Infinity Corebook, p. 35 for
into conflict with one another. Goals represent the more on how Traits may be invoked or triggered.
mission objectives, in other words, getting the job It is worth spending some time during character
done. Ideals represent the pressures of living up to creation to flesh out what they are for each
a symbolic standard of behaviour and composure. character. It may be as simple as a single word.
Conflict and narrative tension within a game ses- Glove or Gauntlet would be appropriate, but
sion come from when one of these gets in the way Idealist and Cynic are terms that may be used
of the other. Where the actions required to get the to have a similar meaning. Traits may also be
job done directly contravene the ideologies or laws a short statement of belief, something like:
“Andros believes that the ends can never be
of O-12. Where the question of the ends justifying
used to justify the means.” or “Lucy believes that
the means is called into play. Where the agents are sometimes hard choices are required for long
put in a position from which they can follow orders term success.” Some suggested personal Ideals
and not intervene, knowing something terrible will are listed below:
happen once no one is watching, or they can bend
or break orders and intercede. Characters may be • Idealist/Glove
• Cynic/Gauntlet
placed in a position in which they can follow the
• Rash
legal or directed path, and know it will take longer • Cautious
and lead to more carnage, or take some short-cuts • Humanitarian
and hope their superiors don’t notice, and thereby, • Jaded
maybe, avoid so much collateral damage. • Empathetic
• Unemotional
• X believes that they must reflect the standards
GM NOTE O-12 represents.
Narrative conflict may come from situations in • X believes in achieving mission objectives at
the game where the players must make a choice any cost.
of how to react. (Will we physically intervene and • X questions their orders.
release these hostages, even though we have • X joined up for what service represents.
been directed to remain hands off observers?) Or, • X joined up because it was a job.
it may be imposed from above, by directives or
orders given that go against the standards and
expectations of service to which Bureau Aegis
is held. (Our superior has ordered or implied NOTE
that they want us to eliminate a dissident, and Mental health and PTSD significantly impact
we know they are asking us to break the Rules the real-life of many who have experienced
of Engagement.) trauma. The rules detailed for Splashback on
p. 66 abstract the effects that service and
trauma can have on an individual. They are rules
IDEALS in a game, and ultimately, if the GM or players
feel they do not want this to be a part of their
Ideals fall into two categories, Personal and games, then they should be discarded. A game
Professional, and both are outlined in more is played for enjoyment, and while the struggles
detail below. of dealing with conflicting beliefs and orders
PERSONAL IDEALS can be an interesting story element for a service
like Bureau Aegis, nothing is interesting enough
Personal Ideals are where the character stands as
to include if it means someone at the table
an individual on the role and responsibilities of is uncomfortable.
O-12 and whether they should lead by example

Upholding the Pillars 65

 PROFESSIONAL IDEALS RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Professional Ideals are defined by the GM and SWORDFOR’s Rules of Engagement is a lengthy
are likely known to the characters, but this is not piece of documentation containing many clauses,
always the case. Professional Ideals can reflect sub-clauses, conditions, and exceptions. In its sim-
the type of operation or beliefs of the characters’ plest form it can be defined as the following:
superiors and the directives they are given. It may • A SWORDFOR agent should only use force when
be that a character who believes in upholding the it is deemed necessary in self-defence, when the
very best of standards is ordered to undertake a proportional use of force would prevent greater
mission they know is in violation of the Rules of harm from taking place, or in defence of an
Engagement. Or it may be that a character who operational mandate.
believes that cutting corners is ok as long as the • A SWORDFOR agent is impartial to the politics
mission is successful is working underneath a of the Human Sphere.
superior who believes everything must be done by • A SWORDFOR agent operates at the consent of
the book. These don’t need to be factors in every the parties involved, unless that party is deemed
game session but can be utilised by the GM to an enemy of the Human Sphere or ruled as an
create interesting story moments within a game. If ‘illegal actor’ by an approved court.
they are defined by the players and the GM prior to
In reality, every mission will have its own specific
the beginning of a session or campaign, they can
Rules of Engagement. These typically include
provide a useful source of narrative tension and
directions on:
lead to interesting developments in the story.
• Operational Zone. Where are the agents allowed
to perform their duties and where are they not
GM NOTE permitted jurisdiction.
A good way of varying and bringing in • Operational Jurisdictions. Who else has authority
professional goals is through NPCs such as within the Operational Zone.
the superiors who provide the characters with • Operational Parameters. What level of force is
their missions. It may be that the characters permitted, from nonlethal to lethal use of force,
have an Operations Director who is a pure
as well as what weapons, equipment, armours,
idealist, and any hint of actions that are in the
grey area or outside the Rules of Engagement etc. are allowed to be deployed.
result in references to internal affairs, threats • Operational Restrictions. Anything the agents
of demotion, or other consequences. It may be are specifically barred from doing that they
that the characters have an Operations Director might otherwise consider a reasonable course
who regularly implies that the characters can of action like not harming a target, not entering
or should push the boundaries, or even directly certain spaces, or not coordinating with allies
order them to take actions they know are illegal they might otherwise coordinate with on other
or against the Rules of Engagement. operations.
How these play out need not be defining
components of every single adventure but can GM NOTE
add pressure and nuance to a story, a little like
the voice of good conscience and temptation It’s not necessary to create a detailed set of
on the characters’ shoulders as they face some Rules of Engagement for every adventure or
tough decision point in a game. mission the characters undertake. But they can
be a useful way of restricting the characters’
choices, making them think outside the box, and
GOALS most importantly, as a source of conflict with
their Ideals.
Goals will vary with every operation or mission that
is undertaken whether it is pursuing a hardened
criminal and bringing them back to face justice,
protecting a settlement from the machinations SPLASHBACK
of a powerful corporation that wants to mine Actions and choices have consequences. These
where they live, or a straight up military op against consequences can be personal, professional, and
entrenched Combined forces on the surface of given the nature of some of the work that Bureau
Paradiso. Every mission will come with its own Aegis undertake, even public. Splashback is per-
parameters and objectives. Unlike many of the sonal. It is the effects of a character’s actions and
police and military forces in the Human Sphere choices on how they perceive themself and the
though, Bureau Aegis is under constant and signif- impact of their experiences on their mental health.
icant external pressure to maintain high standards, Splashback can be negative, and it can be positive.
which is why they have Rules of Engagement. Some suggestions for how to handle Splashback
are detailed below.

66 Chapter 7
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

AN EXAMPLE SET GM NOTE

Just by jotting down a few notes, the players
OF RULES OF have plenty of background to work with, and
ENGAGEMENT: the GM has plenty of opportunities to introduce
complications. What if Tanaka crosses the border
Operation Description: You have been ordered to into the PanOceanian region of Syldavia? What
find Riku Tanaka, an illegal actor wanted for the if the characters uncover some greater crime
trafficking of arms in breach of the Concilium Tanaka is involved with, and Imperial agents
Convention and return him to Concilium for trial. turn up demanding to take him before he can be
returned to Concilium or interrogated further?
Operational Zone: Yingxian and Quibilah
Regions on Paradiso, and any of the orbitals of These can be further compounded by the
this planet. Ideals of the characters (personal) or the Ideals
of the Operations Director (professional). For
Operational Jurisdictions: The Imperial Service example, the characters are idealistic, while
has requested and received equal jurisdiction their Operations Director is a cynic. They have
in this operation for its agents of the Pheasant discovered that Tanaka is rumoured to be
rank and higher. This jurisdiction only applies involved with helping plan a terror attack in
within the Yingxian region. PanOceanian territory. When Imperial agents
turn up asking for Tanaka, the characters suspect
Operational Parameters: Nonlethal use of force Tanaka will ‘escape’ and carry out the attack.
strongly preferred. If this not possible, Cube Their Operations Director brushes them off
recovery is a requirement. Collateral damage and just wants the operation done. As a result,
will be the subject of investigation. they get permission for the handover. Can the
characters get Tanaka the few miles to the
Operational Restrictions: Riku Tanaka is not to be
border and into Quibilah where the Imperial
rendered to the Imperial Service without direct agents will have no authority? Is that the right
permission from the Operations Director. thing to do? Perhaps a cynical Operations
Director will suggest everything would be
Negative personal Splashback often results from easier if Tanaka was dead, then the characters
the characters making choices, taking part in could just take the Cube. What if the Rules of
Engagement demand the return of Tanaka and
actions, or even simply choosing not to intervene in
the nonlethal use of force, and the characters
situations that conflict with their personal Ideals. know that if they hand Tanaka to the Imperial
If a character is idealistic, or sees themselves as agents, he will be killed? If the characters within
good actors upholding the mandate of O-12, and is a group have a mix of Ideals, or their Ideals differ
about to do something that the character believes to that of their Operations Director, the interplay
is wrong, the GM might invoke their Personal Ideal in this decision making can be a fun source of
narrative tension.
as a Trait, warning them there could be a longer-
term consequence. Such consequences can be
things like:
• The character might heal 1 or 2 points of Mental
• Suffer the Fatigued condition. Stress.
• In the case of a serious incident, it might mean • In the case of a serious or significant tough
the character suffers 1 point of Mental Stress. choice that poses personal or professional risk
• Changing their invoked Trait to become less the character might heal 1 point of Trauma.
idealistic or embittered. • The character might gain a bonus experience
If the character is more cynical, and they are forced point or three.
to risk themselves or the mission for the sake of
following the rules, orders, or due to some higher GM NOTE:
ideal, the GM might invoke their Personal Ideal as a Like the Wilderness of Mirrors, Ideals, Goals, and
Trait and warn them of a longer-term consequence. Splashback are elements that are best used
Such consequences can be things like: sparingly, with good narrative reason, and to add
• Suffer the Fatigued condition. interest and conflict to an ongoing story. They
• In the case of a serious incident, it might mean are not tools designed to be used to punish a
character or a player, but to add nuance to the
the character suffers 1 point of Mental Stress.
stories they are part of. Representing O-12 is not
• Changing their invoked Trait to become more an easy job, and personal setbacks can result
idealistic or more embittered. from the tough knife’s edge the characters will
Splashback can also have a positive effect if char- often be required to walk. These systems are
acters make hard choices in a game that conform designed to aid the story and should only be
used when they add something that the GM and
to their personal Ideals. Such consequences can be
players alike feel adds depth and interest.
things like:

Upholding the Pillars 67

 REPUTATION should feel free to ignore Public Reputation in this
Where Splashback is the impact the lives the context. However, if the characters are entering
characters lead on their own wellbeing, Reputation into an adventure or campaign with reoccurring
is how others perceive them. Reputation is a factor opponents or will be operating in a specific area for
that will typically apply to some, but not all, of the a length of time, then Public Reputation can be a
roles that may be assumed within Bureau Aegis. If fun element to track. Public Reputation may benefit
running a campaign centred around internal inves- the characters in terms of the support they receive
tigation or clandestine work, where the actions from locals, how they are received or what sort of
and exploits of the characters take place behind a reaction they get, or how afraid a particular group
veil of secrecy, then reverting to the Wilderness of is of them and how that might impact interactions.
Mirrors is likely to be the most useful vehicle for
tension. If the characters have roles that fit within EARNING REPUTATION:
the General Department, operating in the field as Any starting group of characters will have
police, bounty hunters, pirate hunters, or as paramil- Professional and Public reputations of 0. As they
itary units, then Reputation (and the above systems execute missions, carry out their duties, and begin
of Ideals, Goals, and Splashback) may be a better fit. to have an impact on the universe around them,
their Reputation will grow and develop.
Reputation is how well known a group of characters
is. It is the degree to which their names and deeds Over the course of their actions and travails, the
proceed them, are recognised, and evoke some characters as a group will earn Reputation. Below
reaction in those they encounter. Like experience, are some guidelines for how Reputation may be
Reputation is earned through action and adventure. gained and how Reputation can be brought into
Unlike experience, Reputation is a rating that the game as a system that impacts the actions and
belongs to the group as a whole. While Reputation interactions of the characters.
is a recorded as a number, the GM should feel Reputation is earned through action. Whether it
free to add nuance, remembering that famous is because the characters successfully completed
and infamous are two sides to the same coin. In a mission, dealt with an adversary, successfully
this section, two types of Reputation are detailed, resolved a dangerous situation through negotia-
with some recommendations and advice for how it tion, or rescued a group of people from a deadly
may be accrued and what game effect it will have. scenario. Below are some guidelines on how
Reputation comes in many forms, for the purposes Reputation may be awarded.
of Bureau Aegis agents the two types of Reputation
are Professional and Public. PROFESSIONAL
REPUTATION
PROFESSIONAL REPUTATION
Professional Reputation is the result of how the
Professional Reputation represents how well
characters' superiors and their fellow agents view
known, trusted, and well regarded the group of
the actions and outcomes of the characters.
characters is. It may benefit them in terms of how
autonomously they are permitted to operate, how • 1 point for the successful completion of a mis-
people within the bureau may support them, and sion. Add an additional point if, in successfully
how much they can push the boundaries without completing the mission, the characters out-
repercussion. competed or were more successful than a rival
group in an allied nation. (For example, getting
PUBLIC REPUTATION a mission done before or better than a group of
In a setting that spans multiple star systems and Hexahedron agents.)
is home to trillions of souls, gaining public recog- • 1 point if the individual characters in the group
nition is a matter of specifics. Public Reputation average around 3000 experience, and +1 for
in Infinity is linked to groups and locations. When every further 3000 experience (on average)
a GM is developing their plan for an adventure earned.
or campaign, and using or creating organisations, • 1 point for going above or beyond the objectives
gangs, settlements, or cities as the backdrop to of the mission.
those adventures, Public Reputation can be used as • 1 point for rescuing, saving, or vitally supporting
a way of tracking how well known the characters a different group of Bureau Aegis agents.
are within one of those specific contexts. In other
Actions or choices that go against the mandate of
words, Public Reputation is linked directly to a
O-12, are illegal, are against orders will equally
group of people or a location. If the characters are
have an impact on the Reputation of the characters.
playing an adventure and dealing with a gang they
In narrative terms, these types of actions can result
will never encounter again, or a small settlement
in internal investigation, loss of rank or privilege,
somewhere they may never return to, then the GM
reduction of income, or some mundane duty. In

68 Chapter 7
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

• 1 point for successfully rescuing, protecting, or

GM NOTE: extracting a party of NPCs connected with the
Sophie is creating a campaign for her players location or group (a party being at least as many
set in the Septentria continent on Paradiso. The as the PC group). Add an additional point if the
adventures she is developing centre around group rescued, protected, or extracted is large
a number of cities and settlements in that (approximately 20 or more).
continent, particularly in the PanOceanian held • 1 point for the characters’ actions in any of the
territory of Gāytarī. She decides that for her above being witnessed by Warcors or otherwise
group she will track Public Reputation with two covered by the media.
key factions: • Add an addition 1 to 5 points to any of the
above if the location or group is small or tightly
• Datrani Corporation in Rilaspur. Rilaspur is
where the characters will be based and where connected.
they will be involved in investigating the Actions that harm, belittle, abandon, are to the
Datrani Corporation. detriment of a group of civilians, or that are illegal
will result in negative Public Reputation. This can
• The city of Aritya, a city under gratuitous siege.
manifest as a narrative element but should only be
This is where the characters will be trying to
extract dozens of ex-employees of Datrani, applied sparingly. In this situation, the characters or
abandoned by the corporation when it left their actions are called into question by the media,
the city, and who are struggling to survive in a by an external court, or within a social group. This
hidden grotto well behind Combined lines. sort of situation can be used as a narrative element
in a larger adventure (for example, the characters
The characters’ Public Reputation with the have to clear their names), or it just be a minor
Datrini Corporation may be leveraged when the detail to add to their ongoing exploits.
characters carry out their investigations. Sophie
imagines games later in the campaign where • Negative actions like those described above
the Reputation of the characters strikes fear will result in the loss of 10 or more Public
into the corporate board who so callously and Reputation points, depending on the severity of
deliberately left their people behind. the characters’ actions and choices.

The characters’ Public Reputation within Aritya

may be leveraged when the characters need GM NOTE:
some kind of backup or support, perhaps the In all of the above descriptions what exactly is
surviving civilians come to their aid or soldiers meant by terms like ‘successfully’ or ‘deal with’
come to hear of them and pressure their are left deliberately vague. It may be that many
commanders to help in a final effort to extract situations are resolved through martial action,
the civilians under heavy fire. but they might equally be resolved through
negotiation, trickery, or some other creative
means. Whatever the solution, if it was successful
serious cases, it could involve being discharge from
the characters have earned their point/s
duty, but this would only result from significant or of Reputation.
repeated breaches.
• Negative actions or choices as described above
will result in the loss of 5 or more Professional GM NOTE:
Reputation, depending on the severity of the It should be noted that the actions of the
breach. characters may earn them Reputation in multiple
ways at the same time. Successfully completing
PUBLIC REPUTATION a mission might score the characters 1
professional Reputation and 1 Public Reputation
Public Reputation is how well known and regarded at the same time.
the characters are within a location or to a group
of people.
• 1 point for the successful completion of a GM NOTE:
mission in or around the location or that is You will have noticed that if the characters
connected to the group. lose Reputation, they lose a significant amount
• 1 point for successfully dealing with a group of (starting at 5, and potentially higher depending
Elite NPCs (a group being at least as many as the on the severity). Bureau Aegis does not suffer
PC group) in the location or that is connected to mistakes or missteps lightly; they cannot
the group. afford to.
• 1 point for successfully dealing with a known
Nemesis NPC in the location or that is connected
to the group.

Upholding the Pillars 69

 REPUTATION EFFECTS through the non-commissioned officer ranks.
As the Reputation of the characters grows, it can Depending on their role, having a unit of all
begin to affect the sorts of opportunities they have Korpa ranked members (Corporal) or Gendarme
access to and influence their interactions with (Sergeant) is not unknown or unusual.
those who have heard of them. Below are some • A higher ranking (than the PCs) commissioned
guidelines for how this can be manifested in the officer or member of the department becomes
game, though of course, the GM should feel free to an ally and advocate for the PCs. The PCs may
alter, remove, or add elements as suits their style reach out to this person for aid, assistance, and
and the style of the campaign they are running. information, and depending on the context, this
person will try and support them.
Whether Professional or Public Reputation, a new • The characters gain +1 Asset.
benefit should be conferred for every 10 Reputation • The characters gain +1 Earnings.
the characters earn. Similarly, a reduction in • The characters have earned some leeway in
Reputation that takes them below a 10 (or multiple terms of the equipment they are permitted to
thereof) should result in the loss of a benefit. The take on a mission. This allows the characters to
GM may decide to confer the benefit themselves or take their own or more personalised equipment,
may decide in concert with the players. It should be as long as the equipment taken fits within the
noted that while Reputation is earned and lost as Rules of Engagement.
a group, each character will gain a benefit. It may • The characters have earned an ally, perhaps a
be the same benefit applied to every character, or Maya-reporter, hacker, government official, and
different benefits for different characters. so on, outside Bureau Aegis. The characters can
call upon this person for a favour (support or
GM NOTE: information). This person will try to provide what
the characters want, but the characters will then
When the characters gain 10 Reputation, they
will earn a benefit, when their Reputation hits owe them a favour in return.
20, they will gain another benefit, and so on. • The characters have earned some trust in terms
If the characters lose Reputation, and they are of their ability and integrity, a minor misdemean-
taken beneath a threshold (for example, losing our such as stretching the interpretation of or
5 Reputation and going from 31 to 26), they will stepping beyond their orders will be overlooked
lose a benefit that they had previously earned once in the future.
but not necessarily the same one earned for • The characters have earned significant trust in
originally crossing that threshold. terms of their ability and integrity, minor misde-
meanours such as stretching the interpretation
PROFESSIONAL REPUTATION of or stepping beyond their orders are regularly
As the characters complete missions and grow overlooked and unpunished.
in experience their ongoing efforts will be • The characters have earned significant loyalty,
recognised by those around them. Depending on whether officially sanctioned or not. They may
which Bureau Aegis section and department the call upon another group of agents within their
characters belong to that they are doing most of department for support or information any time
their work for, the effects of Reputation will vary. If they require it (and may be called upon equally
the characters belong to the General Department, by the group of agents).
then starting the characters at the Deputita
Ĝendarmaro (private) rank might be a good place
to begin. In this instance, having the opportunity GM NOTE:
to rise in rank is a suitable reward for a character’s Any benefits gained through increases to
growing Reputation. If the party belongs to GloPol’s Reputation are given as well as any additional
Investigations Department, then ranks have little rewards the GM might provide the PCs for
meaning, and other rewards are more suitable. their exploits. If you are using the Infinity
Gamemaster’s Guide, “Assets and Other Rewards”
Below is a list of suggested benefits gained from starting on page 25 provides a thorough
growing Reputation. The GM should decide which description of rewards a group of PCs might gain
are most appropriate given the characters' position through their adventures. The benefits gained
within Bureau Aegis and the actions that have from Reputation are provided as an addition
earned them their Reputation. A unit of characters to these.
may get the same benefit a number of times over
their career. The GM might also decide that when In addition to the above benefits, as a team of
the characters’ party crosses a threshold, that differ- PCs grow in Reputation, so too will they be more
ent benefits are meted out to different characters. recognisable by people within their department,
• An increase in rank. Within the General section, and bureau. Below is a rough guideline for
Department the characters might rise up what Reputation means in that context. Of course,

70 Chapter 7
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

significant events and heroic actions can also grab • Assets. +1 Asset, given in thanks.
attention, and the GM should feel free to override • Contact. A contact who has access to a particular
the meaning of a Reputation value if the PCs have set of skills the characters may call upon for
achieved something amazing. support at a later date (for example, a doctor or
mechanic). If they are called on too often, they
0-20 Reputation — The people who know of the will stop providing this support.
characters are those they directly interact with. • Ally. An ally who has access to a particular set of
21-30 Reputation — The characters may be known skills the characters may call upon for support.
to people within their own division, unit, depart- An ally will expect to be able to access and gain
mental area. some level of mutual support from the charac-
ters as well. This option is usually only available
31-40 Reputation — The characters and their after gaining a contact (above).
exploits are well known within their division, unit, • Access to Service. They gain access to a service
or departmental area and may be known to people for no cost like accommodation, medical care,
in their department. information gathering, specific resources, and so
41-50 Reputation – The characters and their on. This may be used 3-5 times before they stop.
exploits are part of the body of stories told across • Regular Services. Access to a service for no cost
their department. They may be known by members (as above), but the service provided on a more
of a different department. permanent basis. (This option is usually only
taken after gaining an ally or access to service
51-60 Reputation - The characters and their (above)).
exploits are part of the body of stories told across
their department. Many others will have heard of It may well be that the PCs have a Reputation
them from other departments in the bureau. within a location or group that is adversarial to
the characters. In this case, the list of benefits
61-70 Reputation – The characters and their suggested below are more suitable. This list is
exploits are part of the body of stories told across designed as a ladder, with the PCs beginning with
the bureau. The characters are highly likely to be the first level, and gaining each level in order as
known to anyone in their section, and likely to be the grow in Reputation.
known by anyone in the bureau.
1. The characters are recognised as adversaries.
71-80 Reputation – The characters and their Members of the location/group may act in
exploits are part of the body of stories told when an observably different way around them (-1
stories of Section Spatha’s exploits are discussed. Difficulty to any test where the PCs attempt to
The characters are highly likely to be known to spot the NPC/s as a member of the location/
anyone with the bureau and may be recognised by group).
anyone in the bureau. 2. The PCs’ presence makes any NPC from the
81-90 Reputation – The characters are regarded location or group suffer the Fatigued condition
as heroes of the bureau, people who have worked during the next encounter.
tirelessly to uphold the Pillars. 3. The PCs gain the Fear 1 Special Ability when
they next interact with an NPC from the
91-100 Reputation – The characters are regarded
location or group. The PCs gain level 1 with
as living legends within the bureau.
any location or group linked to this location or
group.
PUBLIC REPUTATION
4. The PCs gain the Fear 1 Special Ability
Public Reputation is a more amorphous concept. It
whenever they interact with an NPC from the
is typically applied to a specific location or group,
location or group (can only be taken after the
though if the characters grow in Reputation their
above option has been taken).
names may well become known outside these
5. The PCs gain the Fear 2 Special Ability when
staid circles.
they next interact with an NPC from the loca-
Below is a list of suggested benefits gained from tion or group. Once this is used, the previous
growing Reputation within a location or group level effect applies.
who the characters are working for or with. The GM 6. The PCs gain the Fear 2 Special Ability
should decide which are most appropriate given whenever they interact with an NPC from the
the characters’ actions and interactions within location or group (can only be taken after the
the context of the location or group. A unit of above option has been taken). The PCs also gain
characters may get the same benefit a number of level 4 with any location or group linked to this
times over their career. The GM might also decide location and group.
that when the character party crosses a threshold,
The list of benefits for adversarial locations and
that different benefits are meted out to different
groups also gives an indication of how well known
characters.
the PCs are to the people of that location or group.

Upholding the Pillars 71

 CHAPTER 8

BUREAU NOIR

O-12 isn’t blind to the plethora of intelligence networks that operate within the Human Sphere and its
many nations. Since the inception of O-12 and the establishment of the interstellar political scene, each
nation has worked to leverage an advantage through subterfuge and espionage.
These machinations couldn’t be entirely matched by the newly assembled O-12, despite valiant efforts
from the young organisation. Issues of clarity and inter-organisational jurisdiction made retaliation and
investigation sloppy. The establishment of the bureaus aimed to alleviate the issue, dedicating resources
to investigate the trespasses of the nations who thought themselves above their stellar neighbours.
The acquisition of restricted knowledge was considered mandatory in this endeavour, leading to the
formation of O-12’s secret service, Bureau Noir. Whilst the other bureaus act in the open, Bureau Noir is
the agency that works quietly to acquire the secrets the other agencies need to pursue their respective
missions. Bureau Noir is a dedicated agency with one central purpose, to protect the O-12 from the threats
within the Human Sphere.
Bureau Noir works across all of the nations of the Human Sphere, from Earth to the Human Edge, main-
taining a watchful eye on any criminal and political movements before reporting back to Concilium if
anything untoward takes place. In addition, the bureau works closely with its fellow bureaus, supplying
them with vital information and services.

72 Chapter 8
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

BUREAU ORGANISATIONAL
OPERATIONS STRUCTURE
Bureau Noir represents a dedicated arm of O-12’s Bureau Noir demands an operational structure that
covert operations, a sister agency to Bureau Aegis’s is different to the other bureaus of O-12. Bureau
Psi Unit. The entire organisation is dedicated to all Noir must maintain locations across the Human
forms of intelligence work, including reconnais- Sphere and beyond to continue their work, each
sance, information documentation and study, Maya carefully hidden from sight and quantronic trails. In
observation, surveillance of high-priority individ- addition, more than half of the bureau’s personnel
uals and locations, espionage, and off-the-books are spread across the Human Sphere at any given
operations against criminal elements. time, making a standard chain of command ineffi-
cient and unwieldy, the anathema to an interstellar
The operational duties of Bureau Noir require
intelligence organisation. To maintain effective
them to maintain a presence across the Human
response times and rapid dissemination of informa-
Sphere, both official and clandestine. Bureau Noir
tion, Bureau Noir operates in two separate spheres
agents and handlers can be found (with difficulty)
of command.
across every city and nation in the most unlikely of
places. A nice old lady down the hall could actually Regional command is comprised of the bureau’s
be leading a deep-cover corruption investigation officers, each maintaining a designated jurisdiction.
into a local lobbyist. The local librarian could be a These locations include cities, planets, and even
bureau hacker, monitoring the outbound traffic of a entire systems. These officers are tasked with the
local terrorist. These false identities and covers are maintenance of bureau facilities and resources
paramount to the investigative work of the bureau, as well as the outsourcing of local, unassigned
to ensure their operations continue uninterrupted personnel to inter-bureau operations. Whilst the
and undiscovered. The identities of the bureau’s agents of the bureau commonly operate inde-
agents are so heavily classified that even ALEPH is pendently, these commanding officers ensure there
unaware of the totality of the organisation. are ports of safety and security for these agents to
rest, deliver reports, and resupply.
Although the bureau operates as an individual
entity, it is common for it to assist other O-12 In addition, these officers serve as the link between
bureaus in their own work. This assistance is vital the field agents of the bureau and its main offices
support to the bureaus, who rely on Bureau Noir on Concilium. They also coordinate action between
to provide vital information. Aegis requires infor- local agents and any foreign agents brought in
mation out of their usual reach in areas outside to assist on assignments. As agents rarely directly
the jurisdiction of O-12, and Tiandi often taps into report to the core organisational command, this
this external information in their tracking missions. connection is incredibly important, and there is
Agni requires close eyes on the energy barons of a heavy responsibility placed on the officers to
the Human Sphere, and a closer eye on their com- ensure each report is verified and confirmed before
munications. Athena needs operatives to insert into submission. Besides field agents, the officers also
undercover operations to ensure the fair treatment have direct command over an internal staff that
of ethnic groups. Gaea needs planted agents to handles the more mundane aspects of intelligence
monitor the black markets for any poaching of work, namely analysis and projection of informa-
endangered species. Ganesh requires a similar tion. These teams assist the officer with ensuring
service, with Noir agents monitoring illegal trade to their jurisdiction is running efficiently.
help trace back to the source in addition to illegal
As Bureau Noir requires its agents and command to
Resurrection facilities. Toth maintains a number
be flexible and multi-talented, each bureau agent
of Noir operatives to scour illegal AI development
receives training to ensure they can successfully
circles on Maya and Arachne. Trimurti especially
manage their own network of informants and
requires wet work assistance in the recovery of
agents. Those that excel commonly find their way
classified bureau information, and the two organi-
into advanced training programmes that lead to
sations work closely together.
regional command positions. Thanks to this merit
system, most regional officers have experience in
wet work, despite their position usually keeping
them away from active field work. Several agents
jokingly refer to this as being benched, a term
quietly shared by commanding officers as well.

Bureau Noir 73
 The second command sphere is the individual field observe other officials. Handlers are encouraged
agents themselves, the handlers. Each handler to use whoever and whatever necessary to achieve
operates across various jurisdictions, deploying into their goals.
them on the request of a regional officer or central
It is rare for these individuals to be informed of
command. Whilst in a jurisdiction, the handler com-
their employer’s identity. Only the most trusted
municates directly with the regional commander to
individuals ever discover that they are working for
organise resources and funding but maintains their
a Bureau Noir agent. The exceptions to this are
own network of agents and informants drawn from
bureau-sanctioned agents operating under the han-
the populace or from previous assignments. Each
dler, who are trusted with the more vital objectives
agent is expected to keep their network reimbursed,
of each assignment. These agents form teams that
well equipped, and most importantly, quiet. This
undertake infiltration missions, espionage actions,
portfolio of assets is referred to as the agent’s
or any other tasks that couldn’t be trusted in the
black book and is only available to the handler in
hands of ordinary civilians.
the interest of secrecy and operational security.
Handlers use their own black books and discretion
to run operations, allowing them to operate off the
books if necessary. ASSETS AND
Upon assignment to a region, a bureau handler fol- ARMAMENTS
lows a fairly standard procedure. First is integration
Acting under O-12, Bureau Noir field agents are
into the populace, coordinating with jurisdictional
rarely hurt for basic assets. Inter-bureau funding
command and the local government (when possi-
allows plenty of room for equipment of all varieties,
ble) to establish a primary cover identity as well
so long as it observes the laws of the Concilium
as a couple of easily burnable secondary identities.
Accordance. Vehicles, armaments, protective gear,
This is to ensure that whilst they orchestrate their
identification, and technology dedicated to uncov-
assignment in the region, they can act with impu-
ering hidden information are accounted for by the
nity and a measure of safety. O-12’s mandate often
budget. Direct funding lines are rarely used. Instead,
grants the handler the power to officially establish
funding is channelled through shell corporations
identities and create falsified histories that can
and dummy holdings to make it difficult to track
hold up to the deepest probe, but occasionally they
the digital trail to the bureau and its agents. This
will have to fabricate identities with their own
use of clandestine funding means that discretion is
skills or by calling on outside help.
the rule. Capital is often easily available, but agents
After fabricating their new identities, handlers find it more efficient to use back channels to obtain
integrate themselves into their new home, using equipment than wait for an official request.
their own judgement on how best to do so. Some
When confronted by the weapons of the lawless
handlers prefer to be gregarious members of the
and criminal elements they seek to defeat, some
community, developing their false life into an inte-
veteran agents flirt with the use of illegal equip-
gral pillar of their operational zone. Others prefer
ment. As is unfortunately common in intelligence
to become a quiet observer, posing as shut-ins and
organisations across the Human Sphere, the legal
private citizens. Some agents strike the middle
restrictions on this equipment hasn’t stopped its
ground, carefully curating a selection of ‘friends’
use in off-the-books operations. Younger O-12
and potential allies but remaining private enough
agents rarely stoop to these measures, their faith
as to avoid scrutiny. There are even some agents
in the four Pillars trumping their need to use out-
that scrap integration completely, preferring to
lawed weapons and technology.
operate from a distance through the use of ghost-
ing technology and carefully directed agents. In any case, the primary concern of Bureau Noir is
accessibility of equipment in the field. Exchange of
No matter the development of their presence, it
tactical resources, including portable quantronics,
is inevitably used to discover points of interest,
surveillance equipment, weapons, ammunition, and
people, and assets that the handler can use to
basic rations for prolonged operations are easily
build their local network or even fold into their
traced by the enemies of the bureau. This has led
black book. Once these assets are discovered and
to entire covert operations dedicated to the estab-
investigated, the agent begins the careful work of
lishment of safe houses and supply drops for field
constructing their web of influence. Common exam-
agents, usually led by regional commanders. These
ples include hiring private security teams to protect
locations are leased to a handler’s operational
safe houses and storage facilities, hackers to allow
parameters packet when they are deploying into
access to a target’s personal files, trusted members
a region.
of local law enforcement to keep the handler
informed on the movements of the police and other These supply points are bolstered by drawing on
investigative bodies, and even politicians to closely local resources. This is preferable to tapping into

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the mission’s OPP, as it restricts the amount of of a jurisdiction. This local equipment can improve
evidence that can be traced back to the bureau. The the chances of success for bureau teams by making
origin of a money trail can easily be manipulated their trail read more like a disgruntled citizen or
by the bureau’s hackers and financial managers, local criminal rather than a member of an interna-
but an advanced firearm or comlog can draw the tional force of spies.
suspicions of a variety of enemies, especially if the
handler is using a particular cover.
It is common for a handler to prioritise securing CONFLICTING
money and resources upon their deployment to
a region. Whilst regional commanders can direct
INTERESTS
them to previously used sources, it is entirely up to Due to the divided nature of handlers and regional
the handler to secure them for their own use. The commanders, it’s surprisingly common for bureau
bureau’s code of conduct in field operations cover teams to cross paths in the field. For example, one
interaction with local criminal elements, allowing team may be assisting a Bureau Aegis task force
legal security to the operatives when they choose in the apprehension of a terrorist agent, only to
to purchase and use unlicensed equipment. Use discover that the agent in question is an informant
of this equipment benefits the bureau agents by for another bureau handler. In situations like these,
eliminating a degree of culpability and can even the fluid nature of the bureau command structure
serve to assist local law enforcement upon com- can cause issues to transpire. Communication and
pletion of the mission. Many black marketeers have compromise are vital in these situations to reach a
been exposed by Bureau Noir agents turning in the desirable outcome for all parties.
illegal technology they utilised after they complete
In situations where a compromise cannot be
their assignment in a jurisdiction.
reached, intervention by higher ranking officers may
Ownership of bureau property can become an be required to resolve the conflict of jurisdiction. In
issue due to the compartmentalisation of the these cases, it falls to the officer to make a judge-
organisation’s operatives. The secretive nature of ment call on which operation takes priority. These
each handler’s black book, as well as the lack of situations however are undesirable to the bureau as
shared intelligence between teams, can lead to a whole as they demand that the involved handlers
several squads having to draw on the same safe turn over classified information that proves why
houses and supply drops during their respective their operation demands greater attention. To the
missions. Ordinarily, this situation won’t escalate paranoid minds of bureau handlers, these scenarios
beyond stern words or bickering, as there are very can cause unfortunate information and resource
few situations that would require the emptying of leaks that could jeopardise their mission.
an OPP. But in the rare case of a conflict of requi-
Although direct conflict is an incredibly rare
sition, regional commanders are drawn in to settle
scenario in the bureau, accidental incidents and
the issue.
friendly fire between unaware teams are dangers
The acquisition and possession of illegal and that persists. Most teams operate undercover at
foreign technology is another murky area in bureau all times and rarely have identification connecting
operational policy. Typically, such equipment is them to the bureau on person. Compounded with
turned in after the resolution of the mission. Bureau the classified nature of each handler’s operations,
policy demands either surrendering the equipment it is easy for teams to step on each other’s toes by
to local law enforcement before departure from accident. Most regional commanders ensure that
the region or at the very least destruction of the handlers are aware of each other when operating
equipment to eliminate any possible traces to the under the same jurisdiction and encourage touch-
bureau’s work. This hasn’t stopped several agents ing base with each other. It isn’t mandatory for
keeping small mementoes from their work abroad. handlers to share any important information, but
In the case of legal acquisitions, many items includ- the mere acknowledgement of the others’ presence
ing rations, devices, or even weapons find their can do wonders for saving lives and time, some-
way back into the safehouses and supply stores of thing every bureau agent can acquiesce to.
the bureau after being scrubbed of any evidence. Sometimes however, this protocol is abandoned
The clandestine nature of Bureau Noir operations altogether, an unfortunate eventuality in the field
means that budgets must often be constrained in of espionage. A handler may consider their task
the field. Frugal use of assets is not only one of the too important or their quarry too perceptive to
most important principals of espionage, it is a merit risk exposing their operation. This is particularly
treasured by the bureau, and waste features nega- common during internal investigations into
tively on after-action reports. Such resources can be corruption or embezzlement or if the quarry is an
of immense use in future missions, especially with experienced intelligence operative themselves.
assets that are ordinarily hard to come by outside Other times, rival agents could be chasing the

Bureau Noir 75
 same lead and will resort to underhanded tactics
to ensure they come out on top out of a sense INTER-BUREAU
of unnecessary competition. Agents of opposing
homelands may attempt to undercut and sabotage POLITICS
the other to ensure their nation receives the upper Whilst the other bureaus of O-12 are formed on
hand in a matter of international espionage. Or strong foundations and strict chains of command,
worse, an agent could intentionally cause harm Bureau Noir is the outlier. The directive of the
to another, as is occasionally the risk for agents bureau demands a dedication to individual
directly facing the horrors of the Combined Army empowerment, a dedication to commit sometimes
and its sepsitorizaton processes. While this is quite unforgivable acts in the name of international
rare, it remains a possibility as Bureau Noir agents peace and prosperity. Perhaps it is no surprise then
are considered quite the catch by the EI. that, in the freeform web of Bureau Noir’s structure,
The influx of new bureau recruits from the Amikeco factions dedicated to differing ideals have naturally
Initiative has caused growing pains. As more formed. These factions are simply known as cabals
agents enter the service with lowered standards of and are unofficial groups comprised of agents that
skill and talent, agents find themselves engaging have drifted together under a shared ideology or
each other as the bureau struggles to keep track modus operandi.
of them all. Although Bureau Noir is improving its Although these cabals tend to be aligned to the
infrastructure and resourcing to account for the four Pillars of O-12 and humanity as a whole, it is
influx of agents, gaps continue to form in the short their disparate beliefs that separate them. Each
term, and it’s more common than ever that bureau hold differing points of view on how the work of
teams may clash in the field. Bureau Noir should be pursued, what ends it should
achieve, and even if the bureau itself should take
an active role in shaping the political landscape
of the Human Sphere. Some are harmless, merely
nudging and prodding outside of their mandate in
service of a secondary goal. Others are genuinely
dangerous for the Human Sphere, possessed of
ideologies that threaten to destabilise humanity,
and driven by beliefs that are born out of years
of bitter clandestine work rather than healthy
engagement with their fellow man. It is perhaps
unfortunate that these cabals are hidden away in
one of the hardest organisations to scrutinize in
the Human Sphere.
From a roleplay standpoint, these cabals allow
players to delve into the murky water of one of
the Human Sphere’s foremost intelligence organ-
isations. It allows the players, or the characters
that surround them, to pursue varying agendas
and goals.

BUREAU CABALS AND

AGENDAS
Bureau Noir’s agendas are as numerous and diverse
as the agents that populate it. Many operatives
find their views influenced by the nation they came
from, experiences in the field, education, political
stances, and the influence of other members of the
bureau. The most popular agendas can be divided
into the following cabals.

SAVE THE SPHERE

The most commonly held belief amongst agents
of the bureau is a simple one — the gathering of
information is vital for the protection of the Human
Sphere, and there are few prices not worth paying
for it. Most agents are inducted into the bureau

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THE NEUTRAL GROUND

The Save the Sphere philosophy should be the default position of any Bureau Noir NPC agents introduced
into a story. It is rare that a Bureau Noir agent diverges from this philosophy, and most will only slightly
deviate from it in their time with the organisation. Some agents may find themselves going to lengths
other agents wouldn’t dare, breaking moral codes and laws to achieve their goal, but ultimately remain-
ing true to the ultimate goal of protecting the Human Sphere. Other agents may become even more
dedicated to the idealistic end of the philosophy, willing to sacrifice themselves for their cause. Though
their methods vary, the agents ultimately want the same thing.
Players belonging to this ideology represent the vast majority of Bureau Noir agents. Dedicated, skilled,
and ruthless, these are the tenants a character should aspire for when standing in the middle ground.
Unlike other cabals, they won’t have any additional agendas beyond O-12’s core objectives.
The neutral position that the faction grants allows all manner of stories to grow from players interacting
with agents, especially if the players themselves are agents. In addition, saving the Human Sphere is far
from a radical concept and will grant players an ideal to follow they can all agree on. In low paranoia
campaigns, this allows the party to truly connect on what matters, allowing their characters to bond
despite previous allegiances.

with this mindset, and it remains the neutral worlds that accepted its influence. Infrastructure
ground of the more elaborate agendas. and bureaucracy were greatly accelerated under
the AI’s watchful eye, leading to a faster and more
Due to the agenda holding the most ideological
efficient society. Restrictions placed on the AI
ground amongst the bureau, its followers are rarely
ensure that it doesn’t assume total control of polit-
hard pressed gaining the aid of fellow bureau
ical freedoms, and that the AI remains humanity’s
members. Collaboration and teamwork come easily
helper rather than its overlord.
to agents who put aside their differences with the
intent of defeating internal and external threats to Some in Bureau Noir think this is a poor use of
the Human Sphere. the AI’s capabilities. They believe that the various
governments of the Human Sphere have failed
BUILDING A CENTRAL humanity as a whole, squabbling over resources
GOVERNMENT that are plentiful and territory that should be used
The introduction of ALEPH to the Human Sphere to benefit all of mankind, instead of a single sect
allowed significant advancements across the of it. These members of the bureau work in the

A SINGLE RULER
Agents that belong to this agenda are similar to the Save the Sphere members. Their goal is the protec-
tion and preservation of the Human Sphere’s people, and they will go to great lengths to achieve it. In this
regard, players can usually trust members of this agenda. Unlike the Save the Sphere agenda members
however, they are more prone to having ulterior motives. They may seek to undermine corrupt and inept
politicians to set examples of incompetency, pushing public opinion towards adopting ALEPH as the
core political entity of the Human Sphere. More radical members may even go out of their way to plant
evidence to achieve this goal or even ‘remove’ roadblocks to ALEPH’s ascendency.
Players that join this agenda can come from anywhere but may be more commonly aligned with the
ALEPH faction (Recreations and Posthumans, especially) or be the victims of uncaring and inept govern-
ments. This agenda is good in low paranoia campaigns, as it doesn’t directly require players to clash, but
in higher paranoia campaigns Wilderness of Mirrors objectives could involve eliminating corrupt threats
and the ‘unworthy’, whilst working to increase the bureaucratic reach of ALEPH. This can include black-
mailing or threatening politicians to grant ALEPH greater administrative powers, exposing corruption to
turn the public against the current political heads, or even ensuring pro-ALEPH politicians and lobbyists
receive preferential treatment.
Campaigns involving this faction should involve themes concerning conspiracies, AI-human relations,
and Posthuman ideas of leadership roles. When players are confronted with a group attempting to hand
more power to ALEPH, it should be up to them to decide whether the true AI deserves the position of
humanity’s ruler or if it is simply too dangerous to hand all executive power to a machine.

Bureau Noir 77
 background with the intent of taking power away that can shake one’s convictions to the core. Some
from the corrupt and incompetent and delivering it bureau agents lose their moral bearings after being
to ALEPH, who by its very nature will use it wisely, exposed to these situations for too long. They are
at least in their eyes. exposed to too much tragedy, misery, and despair
for an ordinary human to handle. Some find their
Initially, this faction was very minute, as it was rare
actions becoming more extreme, their empathy
to find individuals that were willing to act against
worn away. Other agents are already radicalised to
their homelands and betray their old governments.
this line of thinking through ideological indoctrina-
It was far more common for citizens of O-12 who
tion or misanthropy.
joined the bureau to hold these beliefs, as they had
grown up around an organisation that worked as a This faction emerged from the joining of these
single governing body. The recent war with the Ur individuals into one of the most dangerous cabals
Hegemony has changed this. The Hegemony stands in Bureau Noir. Over time, these individuals began
chillingly united, its armies and population incredi- to see conflict as the crucible that shapes humanity.
bly efficient under the influence of the EI. More and War encourages growth, violence eradicates the
more bureau members find themselves thinking weak. The faction has come to believe that induc-
the only way to match such a force is to emulate it, ing calamity in the form of Infinity Codes will allow
to remove the bickering many and replace it with the Human Sphere to become stronger from the
a united front. Although this faction’s membership resultant arms and technology races. Human history
is still small compared to others, it grows larger has justified this method in their eyes. For the
every day. worst of them, however, they just want to see the
Human Sphere shatter.
LET GOD SORT THEM OUT
Agents within Bureau Noir often times stumble Other factions in the bureau relentlessly hunt these
upon truly horrific discoveries in their line of work. individuals with as much dedication as they would
Though other bureaus handle the prosecution and hunt terrorists and war criminals, leading them to
incarceration of international criminals, it is Bureau act in utmost secrecy. Internal commissions have
Noir that must search for the evidence of their been launched to root out and arrest these radicals
crimes. War crimes, interstellar human trafficking before they can cause international turmoil.
rings, and the ruthless activities of crime syndicates These hunts have become even more important
are but a few of the many crimes the bureau agents in recent years, as the Human Sphere battles the
investigate in conjunction with other bureaus. Ur Hegemony, and instability becomes an even
deadlier proposition.
Behind every breech of the Human Sphere’s
international conventions is violence and hatred

BURN IT ALL DOWN

Agents that belong to this agenda are villainous in the extreme. Their ultimate goal is the complete
collapse of cooperation and peace in the Human Sphere and inducing Infinity Codes. In their minds, this
will cause a survival of the fittest situation that will advance humanity’s technology and power, as well
as purge the ‘undesirable’ elements. They seek to achieve this by staging international incidents, assassi-
nating figureheads of peace and cooperation, as well as stealing and exposing the secrets of each nation
to pit them against each other. Mercifully, this faction is also the smallest of the cabals within Bureau
Noir, and as such these characters should serve as major antagonists, or even as the primary villains, of
each story.
Players that want to represent this faction must be warned that they are choosing to represent a force
with very few allies. There aren’t many individuals who want all out conflict to erupt in the Human
Sphere, and there are plenty who will arrest or kill individuals with such ideals. More often than not, it
will be their task to work against the entirety of their team, sabotaging them at every turn and working
towards causing inter-party conflict and suspicion. Encourage players that want to undertake this role to
be as secretive as possible, in line with the values of the faction.
This faction can serve as a powerful enemy within a campaign. The idea of a group attempting to bring
chaos and destruction on the Human Sphere is an excellent way to unite a team of players representing
the Human Sphere’s many opposing nations. Campaigns involving this faction should tend to be on the
low paranoia side, as it plays easily into a ‘save the world’ type of story. That being said, if a player amongst
the party wishes to do so, a high paranoia campaign can be crafted by having a traitor amongst the party.
The team will struggle to decide who to trust as they attempt to thwart the villainous cabal.

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NEED TO KNOW In recent years however, one faction has emerged

The repository of classified knowledge held by that believes that the edge Bureau Noir fights
Bureau Noir is a dangerous resource. Within its to maintain should be guarded at all costs.
halls and servers dwell the efforts of thousands of Transparency of information can lead to the
investigations and commissions and the informa- bureau’s more intelligent enemies to catch wind
tion they obtained. It’s no surprise then that some of their operations and grant them insight to
of this information is sensitive enough to cause all the methods the bureau may employ. To this
kinds of problems for the Human Sphere, incrim- end, the cabal fights to suppress any and all
inating everyone and everything from powerful information they deem unessential for the citizens
individuals to entire organisations. of the Human Sphere. Unsurprisingly, the list of
information they have deemed necessary is exceed-
Although the bureau is dedicated to rooting out
ingly small.
the truth wherever they operate, publishing the
information to the masses has always been a point The faction has been likened to dragons in
of contention amongst the many internal factions this regard, jealously guarding their horde of
of the bureau. Some believe it is vital that the information. Due to their objective technically
information be made public to ensure transparency not breeching any O-12 operational laws, they
and encourage trust between O-12 and the major- ironically operate openly within the bureau to
ity of humanity. Other factions are aware that such campaign for the suppression of information. They
information could cause unnecessary damage if invoke rules and regulations to attempt to tie up
revealed without censorship. Most factions strike information releases in bureaucratic red tape or
the middle ground between these points, carefully lock it behind layers of mandatory security. More
handling their findings to maintain the advantage nefarious members will even taint information to
it provides, whilst ensuring the masses know of any force it to be held back.
important developments they discover.

BUREAU EYES ONLY

Agents that belong to this agenda aren’t as secretive as others and are very open (to other bureau
members) about their desire to withhold information from the public. Many members have learnt to voice
their views on information redaction very concisely, arguing that revealing any sensitive information only
causes the bureau to expose its methods and ongoing investigations. In addition, they prefer to ensure
the stability of the Human Sphere by suppressing any dangerous discoveries and may come into conflict
with the party in this regard. That being said, they might also endeavour to help the party on the proviso
that the party keep quiet about any information they turn up during their operations.
Players that belong to this faction can rest easier than others, as their mission will rarely bring them
into violent conflict with others (assuming their work doesn’t harm or endanger others). They will almost
certainly earn distrust and ire from their fellow players for their goals of information suppression, but it
is easy enough to justify it to their teammates. In high paranoia campaigns, players in this cabal might
want to achieve their goals with more subversive methods — tainting discoveries to ensure they can’t be
used, stealing evidence from other players, and using any and all methods to secure information before
it can be leaked.
Campaigns involving this section of the bureau should be steeped in mystery. The secrecy of Bureau Noir
aside, this faction’s predilection for cover-ups and information fabrication could form the bedrock of an
intense conspiracy story. For example, the party could be a group of civilians trying to expose a major
secret that has affected them greatly, and they must match wits against an enemy that specialises in
erasing information and constructing new narratives.

Bureau Noir 79
 DEATH TO SPIES A bureau agent, even an unfaithful one, is a potent
As can be expected, Bureau Noir is incredibly force. They are individuals recruited for the strength
careful in regard to the individuals it recruits into of their character, but also for their resourcefulness,
the core organisation. Potential agents are thor- dedication, and raw talent. Directly investigating an
oughly screened to ensure they will serve humanity agent can lead to them leaking their knowledge of
first and foremost, rather than compromise the the bureau’s operations, however compartmental-
operations of the bureau in the name of misguided ised it is, to the public or their master in question.
loyalty to their former homelands. Despite the This is an unacceptable outcome, leading to the
efforts of the bureau however, corrupt agents, spies, natural formation of a collection of like-minded
and stringent nationalists worm their way into the agents who believe that spies and traitors need to
organisation from time to time, an inevitable even- be eliminated with high prejudice.
tuality, considering the nature of the intelligence
Normally operating in groups, these teams gather
profession.
together in secret when presented with proof of
Most of the time, these traitors are caught as they a fellow agent’s corruption or national preference.
pursue their agenda, overplaying their authority After confirming their suspicions with interviews
when attempting to win favour and power for their and subterfuge, they will hunt down the agent in
nation. Once suspicion is drawn, formal investiga- question and ensure they are ‘handled’ before they
tions are launched to confirm any wrongdoings. can give away any secrets to their masters. More
These investigations are heavily regulated but often than not, this leads to unofficial incarceration,
transparent, with the agent in question being given but these teams aren’t afraid to kill in the name of
a chance to defend themselves lawfully. Often international security. Sometimes these teams will
these investigations are handled by an empowered even ‘burn’ the agents in question, leaking their
commissioner and a team of dedicated agents. identity if they are undercover or cutting them off
from their resources to ensure their demise.
One faction of Bureau Noir personnel doesn’t
agree with this slow and clean-handed approach.

ALWAYS WATCHING
Of all the bureau factions, this faction is the one most likely to take aim at the players. The very purpose
of the Wilderness of Mirrors is to encourage players to act against the interests of the team and serve
another faction, something that will draw the ire of this cabal. NPCs belonging to the cabal should
rarely interact with the players they hunt, waiting for the perfect moment to confront the players on
their suspicions. These moments are deadly affairs, as the agent will have planned out the confrontation
thoroughly. Teams of mercenaries will be in place to capture the players if they flee or intervene if they
try to fight their way out. Killing the agent will only lead to more consequences, as their fellow cabal
members home in on the guilty party. Due to this, the cabal is an ideal foe if you want to add an element
of danger for the team, as the scrutiny will lend a weight and difficulty to their efforts in completing
Wilderness of Mirrors objectives.
Players who serve this faction have a tough but rewarding job ahead of them. Their objective should be
to discover the objectives of their fellow teammates and make every effort to sabotage them, as well
as collect evidence to eventually act on. This task is ideal for a high paranoia campaign, but even low
paranoia campaigns can benefit from an element of internal division. These players will have a difficult
time keeping allies within the team, so ensure the player in question is prepared for the trials associated
with the ‘job’.
Campaigns structured around this cabal could be built on the players being ‘burned’. A member of the
team, or even their handlers, has been discovered to have ties to a nefarious element or international
power. Even if most of the team is innocent, the cabal is dedicated to ensuring the guilty one can’t
leak information, which means tying all loose ends. A campaign can be fostered by locking players in a
location such as a city or other urban locale, where any person or location could be turned against them
and be focused on the team surviving invisible threats and clearing their name before the cabal captures
or kills them.

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THE PRAGMATISTS the means. Murder, use of illegal equipment, torture,

Bureau Noir pursues an important objective in the even working with the very enemy they hunt, any
scheme of the Human Sphere’s stability. It is their and all methods of acquiring information and
work that shines a light in the darkest places, to silencing ‘troublesome’ elements of the Human
bring corruption and danger to light so that the Sphere are game to these agents.
bureaus of O-12 might take action before they
Unfortunately for the few bureau members who
harm humanity as a whole. All agents in the bureau
know enough of the cabal’s crimes to try to
understand the weight of their charge, the impor-
stop them, this willingness to break the rules to
tance of their work. It isn’t uncommon for agents to
achieve their goals extends to their fellow agents.
be faced with tough decisions. Choices they make
Investigators might be framed for crimes they
every day can cost lives, and most agents try to
didn’t commit or be caught up in an unfortunate
make the best decision for all involved.
‘accident’ such as a shuttle crash or a mugging.
Some use this important charge as a licence to Anything to ensure that they can operate another
justify an operational method beyond extreme. Not day and make the hard choices that they believe
necessarily a faction, but instead a small number of their fellow operatives could never make. Despite
individuals spread across the bureau, these agents the ethical nightmare they pose, nobody can argue
are willing to commit inhuman acts to ensure they with the effectiveness of their methods. Crime lords
succeed. These agents hide in the shadows and who could just buy their way out of imprisonment,
spend the lives of others in pursuit of their work, CEOs who stand above the law, and many more
because in their eyes the ends will always justify have fallen to these cold-hearted agents.

AT ANY COST
Whilst other parts of Bureau Noir aren’t opposed to performing questionable actions in the name of the
Human Sphere’s safety, these agents are fanatics that don’t care about the cost so long as their objective
is completed. Murder, theft, extortion and blackmail, hostage taking, and even torture are considered
acceptable measures by these individuals. NPCs that belong to the faction are cold blooded and eerily
focused, but also deceptively charming. They have learnt how to convince others to commit the unspeak-
able and have turned this charisma to protecting themselves from suspicion. Hint to the underhanded
and devious nature of these NPCs through their actions. They will constantly take their work too far, which
should be the red light the players need.
Player characters that belong to this faction are a simple affair. They should play characters willing to
bend and break the rules so long as it means success. They should be willing to sell the lives of those
around them or treat others as resources to be used and discarded in pursuit of the endgame. Take note
that this type of character is easily abused by the wrong players, who may take it as a licence to commit
crimes and cause grief for their fellow players in the name of their mission. Be sure to enforce conse-
quences for their actions if this is the case, to ensure they understand that the role they have accepted is
a dangerous one, without many friends to bail them out if they overstep.
If a player wishes to align themselves with this cabal, make sure they are able to do so constructively. A
good player in this role can be an excellent measuring stick, forcing other players to question just how
far they should go to achieve their goals. In reverse, the character in question might just be convinced by
other, more empathetic characters to pull back on their methods, leading to interesting character beats
and developments.
Alongside the cabal focused on causing Infinity Codes, this faction plays into a very clear heroes versus
villains campaign. It won’t be hard to convince your players that the villains of this campaign are just that
— violent extremists bent on achieving their goal at any cost. The tricky part will be their end game. This
cabal, whilst remorseless and dangerous, still serve the ‘good’ of the Human Sphere. Their actions should
be in line with what the party wishes to achieve, but at a greater cost than the players are willing to make.

Bureau Noir 81
 THE EYES OF THE Intricate intelligence networks fostered by Bureau
Noir exist across the Human Sphere, constantly
LAW feeding information to both bureaus. Officially,
when a threat is determined, a meeting between
Although Bureau Noir lends its services to many of the region’s operatives takes place to determine
O-12’s organisations, it is Bureau Aegis that has the how to handle the threat.
most dynamic relationship with the intelligence Bureau Noir makes resources available to their
organisation. While Bureau Aegis has its own allies in the form of evidence, testimonies from
Psi Unit, every day this is supported by reports their field agents, undercover access for Bureau
dispensed by Bureau Noir, from accounts on inter- Aegis officers, and even equipment from their
national crime and gangs to military reports from stashes if the need is dire enough. Bureau Aegis
the front lines of Paradiso. brings manpower and authority in this arrange-
ment, granting trained officers and specialists that
COPS AND SPIES Bureau Noir couldn’t mobilise on its own, spread
At a cursory glance, the relationship between the thin as it is. These agents ensure that criminals
two bureaus would be rife with competition. Both marked by Bureau Noir can be overwhelmed and
organisations are dedicated to the acquisition arrested with minimal fuss; few criminals organi-
and use of information and evidence to bring sations would dare face down the full might of a
the enemies of humankind down. Add to this the Bureau Aegis force.
vast difference in operational standards: Bureau
Noir's focus on espionage and off-the-books FRONT LINES
investigations versus Bureau Aegis’s focus on public By the time Psi Unit has deployed and Section
campaigns and by-the-book operations, and it is a Spatha has moved into conflict zones, Bureau Noir
miracle that the groups would even work with each will often have been on the ground for some time.
other. Indeed, it is a common trope in the Human It’s common for such agents to brief Psi Unit prior
Sphere’s entertainment circles that the two organ- to the reconnaissance phase of an intervention,
isations oppose each other at every turn, bickering giving them much-needed personal intel and pro-
over jurisdiction and rules. The truth is that the viding real insights that make for a fast effective
two organisations enjoy a series of relationships action. Whether peacekeeping or providing human-
with the other. Information has semi-public and itarian aid, this information is vital for the most
completely covert channels with senior members effective deployment of resources and assets.
very aware of the advantages to utilising local or
external assets on any particular task. It’s entirely Whilst Bureau Noir will rarely take direct action
possible that even while the two agencies are in any active conflicts, either war or rebellion, on
facing off against each other in secure committee occasion, a field agent will be assigned to Section
chambers, over coffee, the same impassioned Spatha units in war zones to provide logistical
directors are bargaining and trading opportunities support. Normally, these agents have become
for each agency. integrated with the local population and have
scouted the terrain for any positions insurgents
Those in the know often attribute this to the or enemy combatants could be entrenched in.
common guidance of the four Pillars of O-12, and This liaison ensures that O-12’s military units can
that a shared dedication to the goal of law and remain briefed on any potential threats amongst
safety grants agents from both groups a common the populace of their targeted zone, as well as
ground to work together on. Regardless of whether have a specialist familiar in the region’s culture
this is true, each agency values the support of the and language.
other and recognises their unique talents, tools,
and tactics. As the war with the Ur Hegemony progresses, more
and more Bureau Noir agents have been recruited
and deployed to the front lines in active and
HOME GROUND preventative measures. Speculo Killers and other
In matters of international crime (or crime based on Combined Army specialists demand an ever-grow-
Concilium and other O-12 jurisdictions), the order ing dedication to internal security, and task forces
of operations for the two organisations is clear. built from Bureau Noir ‘sniffers’ and Section Spatha
While there is some overlap and Bureau Aegis has ‘wolves’ work to hunt down and eliminate the alien
some very capable investigators, Bureau Noir finds presence in the human command structure.
them, and Bureau Aegis catches them.

82 Chapter 8
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

CHAPTER 9

O-12 CHARACTERS

Blessed are the peacemakers? Perhaps. But messy indeed is the peace-making. O-12 finds itself in the
unenviable position of playing mediator between a hurricane and an earthquake with an ice storm on the
horizon. Between the powers of the Human Sphere’s constant squabbles, the invasion of Paradiso — and
beyond — by the Combined Army, and the enigmatic agenda of the Tohaa, it’s a miracle that the Human
Sphere hasn’t torn itself to pieces.
Actually, scratch that. It’s a series of miracles, wrought by the blood, sweat, and tears of O-12. To grow up
on Concilium is to feel the weight of this burden every second of every day. To know that it’s your birth
right to inherit this impossible task. And to rise to the occasion, performing miracles to keep the whole
thing together, just to do it all again tomorrow.

O-12 LIFEPATH DECISIONS

DECISION TWO — FACTION AND HERITAGE
Characters with O-12 as both Faction and Heritage roll again on the Faction Table (see Infinity Corebook,
p. 41) to determine their family’s Historical Ties.

DECISION SEVEN — ADOLESCENT EVENT

Characters in the O-12 Faction roll on the O-12 Faction Adolescent Event Tables (p. 84-85).

DECISION EIGHT — CAREERS

Instead of rolling on their respective Faction Career Table, O-12 characters roll on the O-12 Careers Table
(p. 86-87). Similarly, when working a career, they roll on the O-12 Career Events Tables (p. 86-87), other-
wise proceeding normally.

DECISION NINE – FINAL CUSTOMIZATION

Immediately following Decision Eight, O-12 characters roll on the Pillars Table (p. 92), otherwise
proceeding normally.

O-12 CHARACTERS 83
 DECISION SEVEN: O-12
“Six months of intel fed back
to the Nomads. Just as many
ALLEGIANCE ADOLESCENT EVENT
shuffling critical data to Xperides Anyone is welcome to join O-12, regardless of their Characters in the O-12 Faction roll on the O-12
Omni-National. And over the past nation of origin. That doesn’t mean it’s done lightly Faction Adolescent Event Tables. If the character’s
week, you slipped sensitive data — new members must renounce their prior national heritage and faction are different, then they may
to Haqqislam. Now, I don’t know if allegiance(s), pledge their loyalty to O-12, and vow choose to roll on either faction’s unique table on a
your loyalty’s really that cheap, or if
to uphold its Pillars. Ostensibly, this ensures that roll of 1-3.
you’re just bad at saying no — but
I have to think that this coming O-12 operatives act impartially, showing no favour
out would mean more than just to their former homelands, and arbitrating the O-12 FACTION
the end of your career in Bureau affairs of the Human Sphere without bias. ADOLESCENT EVENT
Ganesh. But don’t worry – your Of course, things are rarely that simple.
TABLES
secrets are safe with me. For now. D6 CAREER
Just need you to do me a teensy
little favour.” DIVIDED LOYALTIES AND 1-3 O-12 Adolescent Event Table
HISTORICAL TIES 4 Adolescent Event Table A1
–Jherek Argent, Bureau Noir. Off-
The vagaries of loyalty are a constant source of 5 Adolescent Event Table B1
the-record conversation, Concilium.
intrigue in the Human Sphere, and for all its high-
minded talk of Unity, Cooperation, Support, and 6 Adolescent Event Table C1
Progress, O-12 is just as susceptible to betrayal 1 — Infinity Corebook, p. 49-52
as any of the other great powers. Whether they’ve
joined under false pretences, succumbed to
blackmail — emotional or otherwise — or simply
harbour a lingering sense of fealty to their nation
of origin, the possibility of split loyalties lurks like
a spectre in the shadows, sowing doubt across the
organisation.
While not exactly common, these historical ties
do occasionally lead to double agents working
undercover in O-12. Bureau Noir has an unofficial
policy of attempting to create triple agents out of
these assets when possible. While the true loyalties
of such compromised assets remain suspect, O-12
knows how to turn the screws when it needs to.

O-12 CHARACTERS
The ranks of O-12 are filled with recruits from
every corner of the Human Sphere. Some are born
and raised on Concilium, while others choose to
join the organisation on their own terms. However
they make their way to Concilium, those historical
ties continue to shape events around them, whether
they realise it or not.
The rules presented here replace their counterparts
from the Infinity Corebook.

DECISION TWO: O-12

FACTION AND HERITAGE
If the Lifepath reveals your heritage is something
other than O-12, then simply proceed normally. If,
however, your Faction and Heritage are both O-12,
roll on the Faction Table (see Infinity Corebook, p.
41) until you get a result other than 18. On a roll
of 20, simply roll again once to determine your
family’s historical ties, but note that the parting
was unlikely to be amicable; gain a trait describing
an old family nemesis carrying a grudge against
your bloodline.

84 Chapter 9
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

O-12 ADOLESCENT EVENT TABLES

SUGGESTED
D20 ADOLESCENT EVENT CHARACTER OPTIONAL EFFECT
TRAIT
Your friends all thought that the senate was boring. You, however, were Gain 1 rank in Analysis. You can freely select Senatorial Support
1 Policy Wonk
enthralled. Staff as your first career.
You're caught committing a minor crime, and in response, your family Reduce Personality by 1. Increase Brawn by 1. Likely gain both a
2 Sticky Fingers
sends you to a “reform school” in frozen Thokk. tolerance for and extreme dislike of cold weather.
You are infected with a symbiotic parasite. It's mostly benign, but
Good news, you found a new type of bioluminescent moss while
Luminous it does lend a slight glow to your saliva, tears, and other bodily
3 exploring the Blue Wood. Bad news, it seems to be an infectious
Biochemistry fluids. A cure exists, but will ravage your nerves, removing 1
parasite that's crawled into your nervous system.
point of Agility.
Hopeless
You have a whirlwind romance, though your family strongly Romantic Gain 1 rank of Resolve for defiance or 1 rank of Discipline if you
4
disapproves. Do you defy them or break it off? or Conflict acquiesce. Gain your paramour as a contact either way.
Avoidant
Your sibling disappeared without a trace. What's worse, there's no
5 Suspicious Gain 1 rank of Observation.
record of them ever having existed.
As they say, La tajdo de unueco nin kune, or “the tide of unity brings
6 us together.” You never expected to cross paths with someone so Star-Crossed Gain a contact from another faction.
different, but since that fateful day, you've been inseparable.
Full of youthful vigour, you head off to explore the isle of Choola —
7 Rasping Wheeze Reduce Vigour by 1 point.
and suffer horrific chemical burns for your trouble.
Lost in a sailing accident, you nearly drown before washing up on
8 Hydrophobic Reduce Resolve by 1 point.
shore.
So what if you stowed away on a Circular to Ariadna? You finally got to
9 Reckless Gain 1 rank in Stealth.
see the Newport Krakens in person!
Your parent got a massive influx of cash. A bonus at work, they said — Gain 5 Assets and a contact in the Submondo faction, whether
10 Criminal Ties
though their guilty eyes told a different story. you want one or not.
An off-world ambassador enrolled their child at your school. The other
Easily Tugged
11 kids picked on them, but you hit it off with the young Tohaa almost Gain a contact in the Tohaa faction.
Heartstrings
immediately.
Add 2 ranks to your geist's Intelligence, as it rapidly
During a school trip, a Bureau Toth agent seems to take an interest in
self-improves. Whether the risk is genuine or not, Bureau Toth is
12 you. You see them around now and again, and eventually it dawns on On the Watchlist
monitoring it as a potential emergent AI. Gain a nemesis in the
you — it's not you they're monitoring. It's your geist!
Bureau.
Turns out, the agents watching you weren't suspicious. They were Roll on the O-12 Faction Career Table for your first career. This
13 Rising Star
recruiting. does not cost a Life Point.
Gain 1 rank in Animal Handling. The way bugs react to you
Your friends were terrified by the strange arthropod, but it seemed to Critter
14 increases the complication range of Persuasion-based tests by
take a liking to you. Whisperer
+2.
A stranger visited your home in the dead of night, speaking in slow,
15 serious whispers with a family member. What did you overhear that Troubling Secret Gain 1 rank in Observation.
you shouldn't have?
Accepted into the University of Manaheim, you pursued a second
16 Tunnel Vision Add 1d6 years to your age, and gain 1 rank in Education.
degree.
While attending a concert in Manaheim, you suffered a nasty head Ringing in Your Increase the complication range of sound-based Observation
17
injury. That, or you stood much too close to the speakers. Ears tests by +1. Treatment is available, but will cost 3+3§ Assets.
Politically Increase the difficulty of Lifestyle tests by +1 until you buy off
18 Your family is at the heart of a scandal.
Notorious the trait.
Growing up on Concilium was almost a little too idyllic. So, when an You defect to a new faction, determined by your heritage or
19 “old friend of your family's” showed up with an offer, you at least heard Rogue Asset historical ties. On a roll of 11-20, you haven’t actually defected;
them out. you’re a double agent (see p. 86).
You and your friends decided it'd be fun to start a Mayacast. The last
Mysterious Your character died and was resurrected. See the rules for
20 thing you remember is a dark-eyed man hastily exiting an embassy.
Secrets Resurrection in the Infinity Corebook, p. 54.
Then? Darkness.

O-12 CHARACTERS 85
 “Word of advice, kid: once things
get hot, the Pillars don’t mean jack.
DOUBLE (AND TRIPLE) AGENTS
Unity and Cooperation are all well
In the espionage-rich world of Infinity, double (and even triple) agents are still rare, but they’re hardly
and good, but when you and Mr.
unheard of. Whether a character is sent to infiltrate, or develops divided loyalties, double agents have a
Neoterra here are under fire, you
really think he’s going to trust your lot to keep track of.
Shentang accent? Old habits die Primarily, they have two factions: their current faction, and their “true faction” where their loyalties actu-
hard. Try not to die with ‘em.” ally lie. By default, double agents use their current faction when determining careers, restriction, tariffs,
etc. If they wish, they can use their true faction in its place, though this is risky; any rolls involving your
–Jherek Argent, Bureau Noir.
true faction double their complication range (so a complication range of 1 becomes 2, a range of 3
Informal aside during Bureau Aegis
training manoeuvres. becomes 6, and so on).
In a Wilderness of Mirrors campaign, double agents have two different handlers, one each for their cur-
rent and true factions. When giving out covert objectives, the true faction handler will be cognisant of
the double agent’s need to protect their cover. This may require altering covert objectives, and GMs are
encouraged to use their discretion.
If a double agent’s current faction becomes suspicious, it will take steps to ascertain the character’s true
loyalties. And of course, if their cover is ever blown, a double agent can no longer use their current faction
when making rolls — though that’s likely the least of their concerns.
A triple agent functions exactly the same as a double agent, the difference is one of allegiance. In order
to preserve the agent’s cover, O-12 remains largely unaware of the deception — being caught in the act by
fellow O-12 members is unlikely to go any better for the triple agent than it is the double. Such are the
risks in the world of high-stakes espionage.

DECISION EIGHT: CAREERS

When creating a O-12 character, use the options presented here in place of their counterparts in the
Infinity Corebook Lifepath.

O-12 FACTION
CAREER TABLE
D6 CAREER
1 Special Forces1
2 Intelligence Operative1
3 Politician1
4 Diplomat1
5-6 Bureau Toth Agent1,2
7 Gangbuster2
8 Psi Unit2
9 Field Scientist1
10 Cyberghost2
11-13 Senatorial Support Staff
14-16 Bureau Analyst2
17-19 Bureau Aegis Specialist2
20 Roll on Faction Table of Your Choice
1 — Career from Infinity Corebook.

86 Chapter 9
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

O-12 CAREER EVENT TABLES

D20 CAREER EVENT GAME EFFECT
You saw something that you weren't supposed to and were offered a
1 Gain 5 Assets or a nemesis from a random faction.
substantial sum to keep quiet. Did you?
Working on Concilium is deeply political. What did you do to make
2 Gain a rival in a random faction.
enemies this time?
A prominent politician decides that you're the reason things aren't You must pass a Challenging (D2) hazard test for your current career.
3
going their way. Otherwise, you are Fired (see Infinity Corebook, p. 54).
If you intervene, gain a contact in one random faction and a rival in
A disagreement between factions breaks out in front of you. Do you
4 another as, intentional or not, you tip the scales. If you let them go at it,
intervene before it turns violent or let it run its course?
instead gain 1 rank in Discipline.
Everybody has their secrets, and someone has yours. What did they find
5 Gain the Trait Blackmailed.
out?
6 You're damn good at your job. And someone up top finally noticed. Gain a bonus worth 3 Assets.
An old “friend of the family” contacts you out of the blue, desperate for Either gain a debt worth 2+6 Assets, or 1 rank in Discipline and the Trait
7
your help. What do you do? Stone Cold.
While walking around Edda, you helped a hopelessly lost diplomat make
8 Gain a contact in another faction.
it to their meeting.
You must pass a Challenging (D2) hazard test for your current career.
Politics aren't always clean. Willing or not, you got mixed up in
9 Otherwise, you are Fired, and gain a Criminal Record (see Infinity
something dirty.
Corebook, p. 54)
You get dragged into a debate between two factions. Miraculously, you
10 Gain the Trait Mediator.
resolve the issue.
You are approached by a Nomad mining crew working the Brisingamen. If you elect to help them, gain a group of contacts from Corregidor,
Having partied a bit too hard, they've lost their credentials, but if you as well as 1 Asset for your trouble. If you go to the authorities, gain a
11
can just get them back to Bifrost orbital, they can get this whole mess contact in Bureau Aegis or Hermes, depending on how truthful their
sorted out. What do you do? claim actually was.
On your way back to Concilium Prima, your ship malfunctions. The
Gain the Trait Void Terror. While the trait remains, add +1 complication
12 matter is resolved, but not before your escape pod is jettisoned with you
range to all Extraplanetary tests.
in it. It takes a week to find you.
An acquaintance suddenly dies, leaving you certain effects... and and a Gain a heavily encrypted comlog, an onyx ring engraved with characters
13
note claiming there was no one else they could trust. you can't read, and a dose of Extra-Strength Painkillers.
Gain 5 Assets or a rival in a random faction. Either way, describe the
You're offered a bribe to grant access to secure sectors of Edda. Do you
14 kidnapping, assassination, heist, and/or hack that took place, and the
take it? Either way, how do things go wrong?
role that your actions played in it.
If you pass a Daunting (D3) Resistance test, your character suffers no
Your drink order is mistakenly switched with a prominent politician's. permanent effects. Otherwise, your character dies and is resurrected
15
Unfortunately, their drink was laced with a deadly, fast-acting poison. in your choice of a Standard, Orlando, or Siren Lhost. Gain an ally in a
random faction either way.
You and a co-worker are up for the same promotion, but their political
16 Gain a rival within O-12.
contacts ensure it's never actually a fair contest.
If you turn in the evidence, gain a nemesis in a random faction, and
You are the only witness to a major crime, but no one realises it. What generate 1 additional Momentum on Personality-based tests with law
17
do you do? enforcement. If you inform the guilty party, gain a trait describing your
blackmail. If you do nothing, gain 1 rank in Discipline.
It was nothing personal, just business. Their goals in the Öberhaus just You are Fired (see Infinity Corebook, p. 54). Gain the Trait Definitely Hard
18
needed you out of the way. No hard feelings, right? Feelings.
Concilium is typically a peaceful place, but that peace was literally
Your character died and was Resurrected (see Infinity Corebook, p. 54).
19 shattered in smoke and fire. Awakening in your new body, you find an AR
Gain a contact from your heritage or historical ties.
tag, simply stating “Consider my debt to your family paid.”
Roll again three times on the Career Event Table for this career phase.
The Music of the Spheres is supposed to be a beautiful, harmonious When spending a Life Point to choose a specific event, you may not
20 thing. Maybe you'll hear it in time, but for now it's hard to sort anything choose this result. If you roll duplicate events, it means some similar
out through the cacophonous racket. event has occurred. If you roll Music of the Spheres again, add additional
rolls.

O-12 CHARACTERS 87
 BUREAU ANALYST BUREAU ANALYST
From optimising trade deals with Bureau Hermes, ATTRIBUTES
to assessing potential human rights violations AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
with Bureau Athena, or even conducting planetary +1 +3 +0 +1 +2 +1 +1
surveys under Bureau Tiandi’s auspices, O-12 runs
on information, and much of that information MANDATORY SKILLS: Analysis, Education, Observation
comes through analysts. While experiences vary ELECTIVE SKILLS: See Determining Your Bureau
widely from bureau to bureau, each analyst brings EARNINGS RATING: 2+1§
a keen eye and tactical mind to bear on the Human GEAR: Analysis Suite, Negotiator's Suite (7 days credit),
Psychoanalysis Suite.
Sphere’s problems. And as there are plenty of
SPECIAL: When taking this career for the first time, roll on the
those to go around, O-12 never quite has enough Bureau Analyst Table to determine your Role. Once you’ve determined
analysts on hand. your bureau, you no longer roll upon taking this career, but if desired,
you can attempt an Average (D1) hazard test to repeat this career in
the Role of your choice. In any case, you can instead spend 1 Life Point
to simply choose your bureau.

DETERMINING YOUR BUREAU

Each bureau has a distinct set of Elective Skills that members pick up on the job. When working the career,
roll on the Bureau Aegis Units Table below, or spend 1 Life Point to select a Squad, then use its Electives.
At your GM’s discretion, you may also use your bureau’s Elective Skills in place of the standard for other
careers on a case-by-case basis.

BUREAU ANALYST TABLE

D20 BUREAU ELECTIVE SKILLS
1 Aegis Athletics, Hacking, Resistance,
2 Agni Hacking, Science, Tech
3 Athena Lifestyle, Persuade, Psychology
4 Concilium Discipline, Lifestyle, Persuade
5-6 Gaea Extraplanetary, Science, Survival
7 Ganesh Analysis, Hacking, Lifestyle,
8 Hermes Lifestyle, Pilot, Spacecraft
9 Lakshmi Medical, Psychology, Science
10 Noir Discipline, Stealth, Thievery
11-13 Tiandi Extraplanetary, Spacecraft, Tech
14-16 Toth Command, Hacking, Tech
17-19 Trimurti Command, Persuade, Psychology
20 Choose Your Bureau

88 Chapter 9
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

CYBERGHOST PSI UNIT LINKSWORD

Between keeping Maya safe, Arachne in line, and The political climate of the Human Sphere is not Developed specifically for Bureau
an eye on local dataspheres, the quantronic side of unlike the void between its planets: harsh, lethal, Aegis’ Cyberghost Quantronic
the Human Sphere is even more sprawling, layered, and completely unsurvivable without the proper Intervention Units, these circuited
and dangerous than the physical side. Hoping that tools. For space, that’s exosuits and ships. For blades come alive in the hands of
hackers will stick to the rules is dangerously naïve. politics, it’s spies. Sure, the nice folks from the Psi a skilled user. (See p. 98 for a
Policing cybercrime requires operatives who are Unit will tell you that they’re “military intelligence,” detailed entry.)
the equal — or superior — of their quarry in every but they’ll also tell you that they’re part of Bureau
meaningful way. Aegis’s Section Spatha. While both are technically
true, the reality is that O-12’s Psi Unit has been
Enter the Cyberghosts. Bureau Aegis’s Quantronic
essentially autonomous for a long time now, with
Intervention Unit, ‘ghosts are door kickers in the
an independent chain of command and a hazi-
physical world as well as the virtual one, providing
ly-defined mission statement. Psi Unit is seen as a
quantronic support to O-12 agents, hunting enemy
larger, more aggressive agency than Bureau Noir.
hackers, and generally diving face-first into the
Responsible for the majority of intelligence gath-
ugliest, roughest quantronic zones in the Human
ering and counterespionage activities, its public
Sphere, slinging their quantronic SWORDs with the
budget is much, much greater than Bureau Noir’s.
same lethal precision as their physical counterparts.
So, when Psi Unit assets are assigned to a Bureau
CYBERGHOST Noir task force, it often comes as a small shock
exactly how much more latitude Bureau Noir has in
ATTRIBUTES allocating its substantial resources.
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
+1 +1 +1 +1 +3 — +1 PSI UNIT
ATTRIBUTES
MANDATORY SKILLS: Close Combat, Hacking, Stealth
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
ELECTIVE SKILLS: Hacking, Observation, Tech
EARNINGS RATING: 1+3§ +2 +2 +1 +1 +2 +1 +1
GEAR: Armoured Clothing (casual), Assault Hacking Device or
White Hacking Device, LinkSWORD MANDATORY SKILLS: Hacking, Observation, Stealth
ELECTIVE SKILLS: Close Combat, Discipline, Thievery
EARNINGS RATING: 2+2§
GANGBUSTER GEAR: Armoured Clothing (business), Hacking Device, Nanopulser

Whoever said “crime doesn’t pay” has never seen

a Submondo boss’s bank account. O-12’s Special SENATORIAL SUPPORT
Crime Squad (SCS) exists to ensure that it’s every STAFF
bit as costly. From busting up illegal Teseum smug-
The Öberhaus is a busy place on an off day. During
gling rings with Bureau Agni, to cracking down
heated legislative discourse, it’s a battleground in
on illegal AI research alongside Bureau Toth, to
its own right. Among the 200-odd sitting senators
infiltrating Submondo trafficking rings with Bureau
who make up the assembly at any given time, there
Lakshmi, SCS agents — affectionately nicknamed
are thousands more who make the gears turn.
“Gangbusters” — are among the most-seconded
Policy specialists, lawyers, financial analysts, and
units in all of O-12. Their ability to seamlessly infil-
bodyguards make up the essential core of any given
trate criminal organisations makes them invaluable
senator’s retinue. And anyone who’s been in those
in O-12’s multifaceted mission. It also routinely
political trenches can tell you that it doesn’t take
puts them in the line of fire, often in a quite literal
long for one role to bleed into the other. At the
sense. If and when your cover is blown, you’ve got
end of the day — if and when it finally comes — it’s
to be tough to make it out alive. Through means
about making sure that the senator is able to repre-
clandestine or violent, Gangbusters show that while
sent their constituents. Whatever it takes.
crime might pay, it also invites payback.

GANGBUSTER SENATORIAL SUPPORT STAFF

ATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
+1 +1 +2 +2 — +2 +2 +1 +2 +1 +1 +2 +1 +2

MANDATORY SKILLS: Ballistics, Discipline, Lifestyle MANDATORY SKILLS: Education, Lifestyle, Observation
ELECTIVE SKILLS: Resistance, Tech, Thievery ELECTIVE SKILLS: Close Combat, Hacking, Persuade
EARNINGS RATING: 1+3§ EARNINGS RATING: 1+3§
GEAR: Armoured Clothing, Boarding Shotgun, Multispectral Visor 1 GEAR: Nav Suite (Edda), Painkillers (3 doses), Sensor Suite, Stims
(2 doses)

O-12 CHARACTERS 89
 BUREAU AEGIS BUREAU AEGIS SPECIALIST
SPECIALIST ATTRIBUTES
Balance is a tricky thing. As the executive branch AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
of O-12, Bureau Aegis fields a robust tactical police +1 +1 +2 +2 +1 +1 +2
branch, something resembling an army if you
squint, and a legitimately impressive navy — all part MANDATORY SKILLS: Ballistics, Discipline, Resistance
of its mission to protect the whole of the Human ELECTIVE SKILLS: See Aegis Units
EARNINGS RATING: 1+4§
Sphere. Of course, that frequently means protecting
GEAR: See Aegis Unit Table
the Human Sphere from itself, a thankless task in SPECIAL: When taking this career for the first time, roll on the
the best of times. Aegis Unit Table to determine your Role. Once you’ve determined your
These are not the best of times. Unit, you no longer roll upon taking this career, but if desired, you can
attempt an Average (D1) hazard test to repeat this career in the Role
Every military prides itself on the need to be the of your choice. In any case, you can instead spend 1 Life Point to simply
best. But balanced upon a razor-thin margin, it is choose your Unit. Characters with a Criminal Record are automatically
not enough for Bureau Aegis’s forces to be the best. assigned to Beta Unit and cannot spend a Life Point or attempt a
They have to be just a little bit better. hazard test to change their unit. After completing the career phase, the
Beta Unit character's Criminal Record is removed.

AEGIS UNITS
Alpha Unit: After suffering a series of devastating
losses during the NeoColonial Wars, SWORDFOR
needed a string of victories in the worst way.
Formed from the few survivors of Phi Unit and
a handful of volunteers, Bureau Aegis forged a
counter-intelligence outfit who could legitimately
keep O-12’s enemies away from its plethora of
dangerous secrets. On top of that, they also had to
restore the prestige of Bureau Aegis. They needed
to make the Human Sphere take O-12 seriously, or
things would only get worse.
Thankfully, the Alphas proved to be all this and
more. Expert mediators, skilled investigators, and
stalwart fighters, Alphas are the gold standard for
Bureau Aegis’s troops, the north star lighting the
way even in the darkest of nights.
Beta Unit: As an international law enforcement
agency, Bureau Aegis also maintains its own
correctional facilities. And unlike many prisons
unworthy of the name, O-12 possesses a genuine
interest in reform. Beta Unit offers a second
chance to convicts who show the potential to
re-join society, or at least wish to atone for their
past misdeeds. And while such individuals could
never be seen sporting the Bureau Aegis badge in
public, the Betatrooper programme pairs talented
individuals with remote presence bodies, tasked
with extremely dangerous and difficult tasks.
Some never make it out of the programme, suffer-
ing from metabolic collapse or lethal amounts of
neural feedback. But those who do receive a clean
slate, acknowledgement of their heroic deeds, and
full membership as an O-12 citizen.
The Betatrooper programme exemplifies O-12’s
belief that everyone deserves a second chance —
or at the very least, in not letting prime talent go
to waste.

90 Chapter 9
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

DETERMINING AEGIS UNITS

Each Unit has a distinct set of Elective Skills that members pick up on the job. When working the career,
roll on the Bureau Aegis Units Table below, or spend 1 Life Point to select a Unit, then use its Electives. At
your GM’s discretion, you may also use your Unit’s Elective Skills in place of the standard for other careers
on a case-by-case basis.

AEGIS UNIT TABLE

D20 UNIT ELECTIVE SKILLS GEAR
Armoured Clothing, Heavy Combat Armour, MULTI
1-2 Alpha Command, Education, Persuade,
Rifle, Negotiation Suite (1 Week Rental Credit)
3-4 Beta Hacking, Pilot, Tech D-Charges (2), Nanopulser, Remote Presence Gear
5-6 Delta Observation, Stealth, Survival Combi Rifle, D-Charge, Hacking Device, Pistol, Knife
7-8 Epsilon Discipline, Persuade, Psychology Medium Combat Armour, MULTI Sniper Rifle,
Panzerfaust (with 2 Needle Reloads), Powered
9-10 Gamma Ballistics, Resistance, Tech
Armour
11-12 Kappa Athletics, Observation, Persuade Combi Rifle, Light Combat Armour
Combi Rifle, Light Combat Armour, Medikit,
13-15 Lambda Athletics, Medical, Tech
Powered Multitool
16-17 Omega Ballistics, Close Combat, Resistance Heavy Machine Gun, Powered Armour, Knife
Armoured Clothing (Uniform), Inlaid Palm Circuitry,
18-19 Zeta Ballistics, Discipline, Pilot
Pistol (with 4 Reloads)
20 Choose Your Unit

Delta Unit: Honouring the special ops units that But if it serves their agenda to be seen as unfeeling
carried the moniker before them, Delta Unit machines, then machines they shall be. The impor-
contains O-12’s commandos. Trained to head into tance of their work demands no less.
sensitive situations with no backup, little intel, and
Gamma Unit: One of the major issues facing an
no margin for error, Deltas handle counterterrorism,
international body like O-12 is the impact of
hostage rescue, and sudden strikes. It takes a spe-
authorisation and approval from different parties.
cial sort of person to become a Delta, adrenaline
By the time that Bureau Aegis is authorised to
junkies with hearts of gold, thrill-seekers with
intervene in a situation, things have usually gone
political savvy. A rare breed indeed — Deltas are
from bad to worse, if not beyond. Sometimes the
notorious for treating their operations as one big
parties in question are simply uninterested in
game. Because to them, it is, the most extreme of
de-escalation.
all extreme sports. The pinnacle of risk-taking.
That’s when the Gammas show up.
Epsilon Unit: Members of Epsilon Unit undergo bio-
genic treatment, altering their body chemistry and O-12’s sledgehammer, these heavy assault units are
allowing them to approach a state of near-absolute a blunt — yet somehow still precise — instrument
rationality. Political liaisons to the military high of unrelenting violence. Fast and overwhelming,
commands of every nation, expert investigators, Gammas attack the enemy physically and psy-
tactical advisers to the whole of O-12, and – when chologically in equal measure, thundering across
the need arises – stone-cold operatives who kill the battlefield while somehow keeping collateral
without hesitation. What some call a hyper-rational damage to a whisper. In the chaos of war, they
state, others consider the death of human empathy, represent the arrival of unsympathetic order, here
with even ALEPH showing more emotion than the to make things right, whether anyone likes it or not.
average Epsilon. Kappa Unit: The core of Bureau Aegis’s para-
The truth however is that the ability to ignore one’s military force, Kappa Units are O-12’s primary
emotions doesn’t make them go away. Epsilons feel international peacekeepers. Ostensibly part of
just as deeply as the next human, if not more so Section Spatha’s police force, they embody the
for keeping their emotions bottled up all the time. Escalation Section nickname through and through.

O-12 CHARACTERS 91
 Whether via dialogue, mediation, search and Zeta Unit: The ultimate expression of O-12’s
rescue, or full-fledged combat, Kappa Units are the authority, Bureau Aegis’s Zeta Units represent an
standard-bearers for security and stability in the immediate and forceful solution. Piloting a unique
Human Sphere. evolution of the latest PanOceanian TAGs, these
remote presence operators routinely spend double
Kappas operate on a thin margin of error. Their
shifts in the cockpit. Graduates of Concilium’s
role as front line responders makes them a sort of
Mechanised Pilot Academy, the screening process
ambassador for O-12. Kappas not only have to get
is so brutal that other units frequently fight over
the job done, they have to keep their hands clean
the washouts, such is the honour of even being
while doing it, setting an example for the rest of
considered for the post.
the Human Sphere. For their part, Kappas pride
themselves on being “untouchables,” and proudly The result of this programme is the absolute
set the bar for the rules of engagement. cream of the crop. Ace piloting skills are a given.
What truly sets the Zeta apart is their unbreakable
Lambda Unit: Bureau Aegis’s technical and medical
spirit, tireless focus, and ruthless efficiency. The
specialists, Lambdas quickly gain familiarity with
latter in particular is unusual for O-12, sparking
the wide array of cutting-edge technology that
an interested concern in the various powers of the
the Human Sphere has to offer. Often working
Human Sphere.
alongside military liaisons, observers, and advisers,
Lambda techs need to be able to repair the servos
on a PanOceanian TAG one minute, then ensure a DECISION
Haqqislamite field surgery station is up and run-
ning the next, with little to no warning about what
NINE: FINAL
critical issue is about to become their problem. CUSTOMIZATION
Equally as skilled, the Lambda Battalion of Field The four Pillars of O-12 — Unity, Cooperation,
Doctors operates Bureau Aegis’s field hospitals Support, and Progress — are more than just a
and can be found in the midst of practically every slogan inside O-12. They’re the moral compass, the
humanitarian mission occurring in the Human foundation upon which society is built. As such, it’s
Sphere. From disaster relief to field surgery, common for citizens to identify more strongly with
Lambdas receive similar combat training to their one Pillar or another, or at least be seen to do so
peers in Kappa Unit. In order to do their job, they’re by society.
likely to need something with more kick than a
MediKit or a wrench before the day is through. Before continuing through decision nine, roll on the
Pillars Table below, and add the associated effect to
Omega Unit: O-12 is built upon the Pillars of Unity, your sheet. Whether or not your character identifies
Cooperation, Support, and Progress. More than one with the Pillar (or lack thereof), that’s how O-12
observer has pointed out the organisation’s hypoc- society views them.
risy in this regard, and while there’s often more
nuance at play the people realise, the Omegas are a
PILLARS TABLE
favourite target. Where’s the cooperation in sending
a lone soldier in servo-powered armour into the D20 PILLAR EFFECT
fray? What these critics don’t see are the countless Gain a contact outside
souls providing tactical data, making sure their 1-4 Unity
your faction.
armour functions perfectly, and otherwise setting
the Omegas up for success. 5-8 Cooperation Gain a contact inside your faction.
9-12 Support Increase Social Status by 1.
What they do see, however, are the results. One
problem, one Omega — and that typically means a Gain a contact in the Tohaa
13-16 Progress
problem that’s as good as solved. faction.
17-20 None Decrease Social Status by 1.

92 Chapter 9
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

CHAPTER 10

O-12 GEAR

The O-12 fulfils a unique role in the Human Sphere, not only as an administrative and legislative body,
but as a super-national enforcement agency. While the majority of its time is spent in an advisory capacity, WHAT YOU’LL FIND
there comes a point when putting boots on the ground is the only solution. Most of the time, this is all in IN THIS CHAPTER
the open with maximum transparency for the rights of all involved. Occasionally though, investigators get
• Rules for additional Nonlethal
overly enthusiastic in pursuing their prey, and niche tools are developed that while not illegal are certainly
equipment including its use
questionable. and misuse.
Policing has come a long way from the dark days of sjambok confessions, but there’s always a risk when • A catalogue of police equipment
stress defeats judgement that even the best and brightest of the Human Sphere can turn ugly. both physical and quantronic.

O-12 GEAR 93
 on common armoured clothing, the Bond suit
GEAR CATALOGUE shares one notable weakness with its forebear.
Until the trilby comes into vogue again, few such
ANGEL DRONE suits offer any head protection.

This small, baseball-sized quadrotor is programmed

to immediately launch when an officer draws their BUREAU AEGIS CORDON
sidearm. Completely outside the control of the CONTROL VEHICLE
officer once launched, these units relay the video Ground, High Performance, Wheeled
and audio feed of the situation. Recognised as
Based off the chassis of the discontinued Moto.
reducing officer-involved shootings by 15%, many
Tronica Livewire street bike, the Cordon Control
officers object to its presence, right up until their
Vehicle is as much a pseudo-AI managed remote
first hearing, when they discover the fairly open
as it is motorcycle. Deployed when civil emergency
secret that even within their storage holster Angel
requires a location to be ring-fenced at particular
Drones are always listening. Once an Angel Drone
speed or a vehicle has become out of control and is
has been active for five minutes it calls for an
in need of direct intervention, the CCV carries up to
Overwatch remote to attend the scene.
two riders who with magnetic armour contacts and
TROOPER
without the need to directly control the bike can
act independently of it and take whatever actions
ANGEL DRONE are needed to confront the moment.
ATTRIBUTES TROOPER
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
BUREAU AEGIS CCV
6 9(1) 4 6 8 6 8

FIELDS OF EXPERTISE ATTRIBUTES

AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
Combat — — Movement +1 1 Social — —
10 10 9(+1) 10 10 5 10
Fortitude — — Senses +1 1 Technical — —

DEFENCES FIELDS OF EXPERTISE

Combat — — Movement +3 +3 Social — —
Firewall 8 Resolve 8 Structure 2
Fortitude +1 — Senses — — Technical — —
Security 2 Morale — Armour —
SPECIAL ABILITIES DEFENCES
• Common Special Abilities: Inured to Disease, Poison, and Vacuum, Firewall 5 Resolve 5 Structure 6
Superhuman Awareness 2 Security 3 Morale 3 Armour 2
• Mayfly: The Angel Drone is ill-suited to long standoffs. It can
fly continuously for approximately 15 minutes before needing a ATTACKS: Ground Spike Launcher, Cordon Rope
recharge. GEAR: Pitcher
• Always listening: The remote can reduce the difficulty of Observation SPECIAL ABILITIES
tests within Medium range by 1. • Common Special Abilities: Inured to Disease, Poison, and Vacuum
• Vehicle (See below)
GEAR: Recorder
ATTRIBUTES
Scale 1 Speed 4 Brawn 9(+1)

BOND SUIT DETAILS

Many operatives are required to attend formal, Max Passengers 2 Impact 1+3§ (Knockdown)
social, and undercover occasions where obvious
body armour would stand out and impede the
valuable work being done. To facilitate this, Bureau
Aegis maintains contracts with many common
BUREAU AEGIS
clothing manufacturers so that operatives can dress INTERCEPTOR PATROL
as needed without being unprotected. By utilising VEHICLE
next generation strengthened polymers, the Bond This six-seater, mid-engine patrol vehicle
suit, named after Earth’s iconic spy, grants the offers top-of-the-line pursuit capabilities
outfit the protection of Light to Medium Combat while maintaining two dedicated rear prisoner
Armour depending on the number of layers worn. compartments and a front-mounted armoured
In addition to this, concealed pockets throughout storage space.
the garment allow the operative to carry whatever
Additional variants exist substituting the prisoner
small pieces of equipment they might need without
compartments and rear seating, including a mass
drawing undue suspicion. A marked improvement
transport variant with capacity for 2+8 tightly

94 Chapter 10
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

packed officers or secured prisoners and a first of less-lethal weapons designed to cow all but the
responder vehicle that trades the regular seating most intransigent of rioters.
for a dedicated emergency response unit with two
Designed with Gamma Units in mind, the primary
beds and tools for all manner of emergencies.
module of the RDV is suitable only for passengers
Likewise, the top turret is configured as needed. in Heavy or Powered Armour. The accommodations
Riot control vehicles trade a tear gas grenade are so spartan that even the seats have been
launcher for the standard adhesive launcher, removed. Each passenger is connected to the
and first responder vehicles often mount a foam module via a shoulder harness which holds them
launcher to aid in resolving fires. tethered till they make ground fall. When the con-
ENCLOSED, GROUND, WHEELED
vertiplane is over the deployment zone, the riders
are lowered in place inside the lower half of the
BUREAU AEGIS INTERCEPTOR module, which has an inner segment that provides
PATROL VEHICLE cover for the descending troops’ rears and flanks.
ATTRIBUTES The secondary module is much the same as the
Scale 2 Speed 4 Brawn 16(+1) primary, though the harness also contains support
for the additional weight of three cordon control
DETAILS vehicles. These motorcycles are spaced with a yoke
Max Passengers 7 Impact
of semi-collapsible foam that upon landing can
2+6§ (Knockdown)
simply be kicked away.
HARDPOINTS The tertiary module is designed to carry a fully
1 External, 0 Internal (seating configuration), 1 Weapon loaded interceptor with passengers. While ideally
MOUNTED WEAPON: Adhesive Launcher the passengers will be in suitable armour for
SPECIAL ABILITIES transit, so long as the passengers are using the
• I Rule the Road. When involved in a chase on ALEPH-controlled roads, interceptor’s seatbelts and heating system, there
the pilot gains 2 bonus Momentum on any Piloting test so long as the shouldn’t be any ill effects of not being so pro-
interceptor can contact Maya. tected. This module is often used for the movement
GEAR: 3x metal front plates (see Tactical Magnetic Harness), 2x of high-priority prisoners once they have been
pistols with 1 Reload in magnetic pouches, 1x boarding shotgun with
stowed in an interceptor.
1 Reload, 1x collapsible exoskeleton, 1x cordon rope, 4x road spikes, 1x
MediKit, 1x repair kit, road cones, quantronic paint, and signal flares
AIRCRAFT, ENCLOSED

NEW OPTION BUREAU AEGIS RAPID

Prisoner Habitation (1 Internal) DEPLOYMENT VEHICLE
This module takes a normal bench seat found ATTRIBUTES
in the back of many vehicles and secures it for Scale 3 Speed 4/2 Brawn 18(+1)
prisoner habitation. Each unit holds 2 prisoners in
complete isolation from each other. The module DETAILS
denies access to door handles, has a faraday cage Max Passengers 2+module Impact 3+6§ (Knockdown)
to prevent quantronic communication, and is signif-
icantly reinforced to prevent physical breach. HARDPOINTS
The habitation has Armour and Security 6 and can 1 External (plus module), Internal 2, Weapon 1
be sealed in the event of a chemical or biological SPECIAL ABILITIES
attack. Rumours that officers have sealed prisoners • Ground Suppression. The RDV has a series of approximately twenty
in habitation units after they have been exposed to single-use grenade launchers lining the undercarriage which can
gas are just that, rumours. be fired as a single bombardment. Usually, these are loaded with a
combination of flashbang grenades and tear gas. Any character within 1
zone of the craft will be automatically hit by 1+2§ grenades of a type
BUREAU AEGIS RAPID determined by the GM.
DEPLOYMENT VEHICLE • Cover Plating. (Primary module only.) Troops landed in the primary
When interceptors aren’t enough, Bureau Aegis module gain 4§ Cover from the rear and the flanks and 2§ Cover
from the front.
calls in an RDV. These convertiplanes are the
ultimate in no-frills transport. Designed with three
modular storage containers, the RDV can deploy
individual police, motorcycle responders, or even
a fully loaded interceptor without particularly
straining the engines. To support deployment, the
RDV is armed with a dramatic, saturation-based set

O-12 GEAR 95
 CALM CORDON ROPE
Provided to help forestall PTSD in Bureau Aegis Cordon rope is a length of self-repairing cord that
agents. Calm is a mild muscle relaxant and mood is designed to deter movement past it. Working like
stabiliser. Agents who routinely investigate particu- a series of rechargeable single-use stun batons,
larly horrible cases rave about it, albeit in a quiet when impacted by a vehicle, multiple individual
and even manner. While not physically addictive, capacitors will make contact across the chassis
concerns about long-term psychological depend- of the vehicle and send electricity through the
ency mean that it is restricted to those under active vehicle’s power plant causing inbuilt safety features
psychological direction. This has led to several to kick in and stop the vehicle.
Submondo organisations attempting to corner the
While a lifesaver in the right hands, cordon
market with knock-off antidepressants repackaged
rope has a mixed history and has been linked
to look like the real deal.
to a high-profile police corruption scandal in
Calm Ingested, Instant, 1 day, 1+2§ Acontecimento where it was used to solicit at least
mental damage two forced confessions and has been linked to a
series of expensive vehicular thefts across Neoterra
Addiction 1 / 2 doses, Compulsion 2*, Withdrawal
connected to the Comuna.
1, 1+3 mental damage
When a vehicle impacts cordon rope, it suffers
Harm effect: Causes depression increasing the
damage as per its Scale below. Non-Vehicular
characters complication range by 1. Every time
targets are considered Scale 0. Cordon rope can be
DISPROPORTIONATE harm effects are rolled when taking Calm, that
placed like a mine, though with its bright colours
FAILURE character considers this narcotics Compulsion
and obvious placements, most victims deliberately
A disproportionate number of Cryo- to be 1 higher than normal. If the character can
drive through. Often their internal monologue
Pod failures impact terrorists and resist Calm for a week this will reduce by 1.
starts with, “How bad can it be?” and concludes
violent criminals. While some of
this is down to the fact that these with, “Oh, that bad.”
make up the bulk of occupants, CAPTURE BAG
Bureau Aegis is concerned that Controversial to say the least, capture bags are now 1+3§ Grievous, Knockdown, Piercing 3, Stun,
Scale 0-1
someone is engaging in non- more a historic fascination than an active tool. Only Munition
judicial executions. Whether this ever used against criminals considered the worst 2+6§ Grievous, Knockdown, Piercing 3, Stun,
is a lone vigilante, Submondo Scale 2
of the worst, these bags use nanotech to seal the Munition
organisation, the Hassassins,
captive from the neck down within a stab-proof 2+8§ Grievous, Knockdown, Piercing 3, Stun,
Bureau Noir, or some other
bag. These bags are specifically designed to cover Scale 3+
organization is unknown, but Munition
investigations are ongoing. In the a suspect all the way into and out of a cryotube if
meantime, checks on prisoners need be and, as such, provide little to no protection
have been doubled even as from the environment.
critics argue that this makes CRYO-POD
Placing a suspect in a capture bag is not an
escape much easier and transport Carrying the stigma of the Nomad’s Red Auction,
more expensive. easy task. Unless the subject is unconscious or
otherwise compliant, they will have to be wrestled Cryo-Pods are a political hot potato. While inval-
into the bag. uable in transporting prisoners securely, multiple
human rights watch organisations have raised
Standard operating procedure during peak use of concerns that this is an inhumane punishment
these bags involved stunning the suspect with gas levied against people before they have been given
or electricity, rolling them up into the bag, sealing a hearing. The O-12 is sympathetic to these views
them in, and finally carrying them into the back of a and thus only uses Cryo-Pods for the transportation
waiting vehicle. of particularly unpleasant career criminals. While
Cryo-Pods have been in use since the early days of
COLLAPSIBLE wormhole exploration, there are occasional failings
EXOSKELETON in occupant preparation, which leads to the occu-
pant being flash frozen and unrevivable. In some
A streamlined gruntsuit with few BTS protections,
cases, the occupant’s Cube is destroyed as well.
these units are often used by emergency services
when dealing with significant issues such as Many vehicles with a passenger compartment can
tectonic quakes and large fires. When not in be fitted with a Cryo-Pod. Cryo-Pods take up 1
service, they fold down to the size of folding chairs. Internal hardpoint for every occupant.
Opening up a collapsible exoskeleton requires 5
minutes and an Average (D1) Tech test.

96 Chapter 10
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

DISASTER RECOVERY FIRST RESPONDER IT’S TOO HOT!

SUIT UNIFORM (FRU) While the FRU is popular enough
When TAGs reach the end of their operational When on open duty, most operatives tend to wear on Neoterra and Svalarheima,
life, they are stripped of their expensive armour, an issued uniform that is designed to operate in officers in warmer climes find
propulsion units, and weapons, leaving little more a variety of civilian emergencies. This uniform it to be stuffy, and operatives
than a pilot’s compartment and a set of powerful has brightly coloured panels for night duty which in the jungles of Paradiso find
limbs. For the military, they are all but useless, can be revealed/concealed as necessary by both it to be insufficient protection.
The police of Varuna’s Akuna Bay
but for budget-constrained first responders, these physical action and quantronic command. A stab-
district are already piloting a next
repurposed frames are a godsend. The exact proof lining and a hood that when combined with a generation FRU, which trades
capability of a DR Suit varies from suit to suit, but respirator mask will protect the wearer from most some of its BTS for a more climate-
one thing remains the same. They are so close to hazards in the short term. appropriate design.
falling apart and have such a risk of catastrophic
FRUs come with an inbuilt locational beacon, tacti-
failure that they are only brought out for the worst
cal magnetic harness as well as numerous pockets
emergencies.
filled with EMT equipment, a holster for their side-
First responders say that you have to be nuts arm, and a shoulder mount for an Angel Drone.
to wear one, but DR Suits have been known to
perform rescues that would have been otherwise GAMMA ARMOUR
impossible. With the massive strength of a TAG and
Gamma Armour was purpose designed and built to
a variety of custom-designed emergency tools, they
support the Gamma Unit’s role in quick and total
can cut civilians out of pretty much any ruin. While
domination during strike operations. The Gamma
DR Suits have been a feature of Neoterran disaster
Units mean business, and they mean to end it
recovery since the roll out of 2nd generation TAGs,
quickly and efficiently. Using the mobility suit,
they have only recently begun to be found in
designed and built by PanOceania’s Omnia Research
other parts of PanOceania. The O-12 has begun to
Corp and worn by select Father Knights, as a basis,
investigate their use, but other than a small pilot
the Gamma Suit was made sturdier, with heavier
programme, this is liable to be tied up in committee
armoured plates that offer increased protection. In
for many years to come.
addition to these alterations, O-12 engineers com-
pletely overhauled the auto-medical system, adding
EMT EQUIPMENT a number of injectors to deliver carefully measured
While not as immediately useful as a MediKit, many doses of adrenaline and other chemicals designed
operatives like to carry EMT equipment. These to allow a soldier to continue fighting at peak effi-
pockets of bandages, ointments, plasters, small ciency, even if they have suffered significant trauma.
splints, and of course EMT shears are very useful Well-protected compartments in the backpack
in the times of crisis when Serum is needed for store hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and the
critical cases and medics are short on the ground. auto-feed is capable of ramping up into suppres-
When used in concert with a MediKit, they provide sion mode, increasing the rate of fire of the heavy
no bonus, but used on their own, they allow for machine gun or Feuerbach the soldier is wielding.
Medicine tests against injuries of D2 or less at no The end result is a servo-powered armoured suit
additional penalty for a lack of equipment. Most that offers substantial physical protection and can
operatives carry EMT equipment as a backup option keep a soldier in fighting condition through injuries
even when carrying better medical technology. that would cripple even the fittest. As strike units,
this armour offers the Gammas a significant advan-
FEUERBACH tage over the enemy, allowing them to deliver
shock and overwhelming firepower and withstand a
The Feuerbach, roughly translated as “river of
substantial onslaught while doing so.
fire” from German, certainly lives up to its name,
unleashing a relentless volley of auto-propelled
rounds from its oversized barrel. Typically loaded GAMMA ARMOUR
with AP rounds, this heavy support weapon can
HEAD TORSO ARM LEG BTS
quickly redefine how the opposition feels about
4 5 3 4 4
suppressive fire, reducing sturdy cover to flying
shards in the blink of an eye. (Range L, 2+5§ Qualities: Exoskeleton 3, Bioscanner
damage, Burst 2, Unbalanced, Piercing 1, Salvo
(Anti-Materiel 2))

O-12 GEAR 97
 Using jaws of life in melee as
GROUND SPIKES JAWS OF LIFE
anything more than a club is very Ground spikes or portable bollards as they are The most common emergency cutter, these heavy
difficult, increasing attack difficulty known in some jurisdictions are plastic and steel industrial cutters tend to eschew hydraulic strength
by 2 steps. columns filled with nanoparticles. Upon hard con- for modern artificial muscles. While impossible to
tact with the ground, the plastic ruptures allowing use in the frenzy of a melee, more than a few crim-
the nanoparticles to spill out. As the particles come inals have found their incredible cutting power a
into contact with air, they expand and harden into a quick and simple way to break through restraints of
toughened barrier approximately 20 centimetres in all sorts. The biggest limitation on the jaws of life
diameter. Used in close proximity with each other, is that they can only cut what they can fit between
ground spikes form an obstacle with Armour 3 and their jaws. While this varies most models extend to
Structure 5 that inflicts 2+4§ damage if rammed. approximately 15 cm.
When combined with cordon rope, this can easily
disable a vehicle that impacts it. In these situations, Jaws of Life, 3+5§ damage, Grievous, Piercing
the cordon rope rolls its damage independently of 2, Vicious 2
the ground spikes.

IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE LINKSWORD

DEVICE (IED) The preferred weapon for Cyberghosts from
A staple of terrorists for over 400 years, the IED Bureau Aegis’s Quantronic Intervention Unit, the
takes any explosive material the creator can lay LinkSWORD’s damage increases with the skill of the
TAKE NO CHANCES! their hands on and packs it with frangible materi- hacker. For every rank of Hacking Focus the char-
IEDs have been known to be acter possesses, they deal 1§ quantronic damage
als. While modern body armour is usually sufficient
used by earthbound guerrilla on a successful melee attack. Additionally, for every
to protect officers and soldiers from harm, this
movements in concert with snipers rank of Close Combat Focus they possess, they can
to draw out local PanOceanic simply means that softer targets such as civilians
or transit control hubs are now at risk. IEDs are reroll 1§ when using a SWORD program.
forces and ambush them. Yu Jing
steadfastly denies training or banned by the Concilium Convention and its pre-
arming these insurgents. As these cursor Ottawa Treaty. OVERWATCH REMOTE
IEDs have a surprisingly effective The Overwatch remote is essentially a combination
kill rate, including at least one Small IED [ Ammo Type] Mine, 0+6§ Disposable, of microblimp and quadrotor fitted with top-of-
Cutter TAG, they may be less Indiscriminate (Close), Unsubtle
improvised than they initially seem.
the-line cameras and integrated into the local
Restriction 3, 1+cost of Reload +T1 police recorder network. These larger versions of
Large IED [Ammo Type] Mine, 0+7§ Disposable, the Aerocam allow for silent, continual bird’s eye
Indiscriminate (Medium), Unsubtle surveillance for weeks at a time, providing 3D
Restriction 3, 1+cost of Reload +T1 imaging of all places where there is a recorder
network in place.
Usually floated for festivals and large gatherings,
INTERROGATION CELL these remotes come in such a variety of styles that
A specialized holding location, these cells are they are easily disguised as advertising placements.
designed to inflict psychological stress over time to Some jurisdictions sell the advertising space so
facilitate in interrogation. Utilising domotic tech- that they can take advantage of loopholes created
nology, room features automatically change so that by this combination of policing and commercial
rest is nigh impossible. Chairs angle subtly. Tables activity.
reduce to make the seating cramped and lights
adjust to just outside comfortable brightness. While there is absolutely no evidence to suggest
that these remotes have been weaponised, this
When a suspect has been in the cell for an hour, the hasn’t stopped several Maya shows featuring the
combined effects grants Vicious 2 to any Psywar Overwatch remote as the police force’s secret
attempt made upon the suspect. Should a suspect assassin. Serious conspiracy theorists have however
be left within a cell for much longer, the cell will noted that if the police did want such an assassin,
start to take a toll upon them. Once a suspect has they probably wouldn’t use such an obvious vector.
been in a cell for Willpower x 10 minutes, they will Indeed, it has been suggested that by saying that
take 4§ Mental damage. If the suspect is being the remotes are evil assassins, the public are more
interrogated at the time, then this is added to likely to look up at the remote, thus enabling facial
the bonus damage of the interrogator. There is of recognition to function better and ensuring that
course a downside to this as it opens the door to they can claim more revenue for displaying the ads.
later lawsuits for police misconduct, not to mention
appeals should a confession be obtained.

98 Chapter 10
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

TROOPER broadcast privately, later changed, or even moved

by quantronic command. Quantronic paints don’t SUSPECT TAGGING
OVERWATCH REMOTE It is well known that almost every
have to have an active pigmentation and are gen-
police organisation maintains
ATTRIBUTES erally non-toxic, which has led to it being used on an internal social network for
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL rioters so that they can later be identified. collaborative working. These
8 11(2) 8 9 11 6 8 networks and their chatter are
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE SENSE LINK often called upon in litigation and
as a part of the defence discovery.
Combat — — Movement +1 1 Social — — Popular with live streamers across the Human What is not known is that on a
Fortitude — — Senses +3 2 Technical — — Sphere and operatives of all stripes, the sense link lower level, many departments
is a small implant that sits in parallel with the have their own such networks that
DEFENCES user’s Cube. Disinterested with emotion, memories, are not subject to such scrutiny.
Firewall 11 Resolve 8 Structure 8 or intuitions, it copies all objective sensory infor- It is on these networks that
Security 2 Morale — Armour 2 mation across all nine senses to a backup location. quasi-legal quantronic markers are
For most undercover agents, external connections given to citizens so that individual
GEAR: 360˚ Visor + Recorder police are able to benefit from
SPECIAL ABILITIES are left off in favour of utilising an internal storage
medium, but for everyone else, this is usually some their colleagues’ impressions.
• Common Special Abilities: Inured to Disease, Poison, and Vacuum
These networks invite corrupt
• Eye in the Sky: The Overwatch remote can fly continuous flight for form of cloud storage. Cheaper implants are availa-
dealings, whether it’s in how much
weeks at a time and move vertically without reduction in speed. ble, but these tend to only record one or two senses an investigating officer listens to
• Always Watching: The remote can reduce the difficulty of Observation making them of limited use. the tagged civilian, the civilian is
tests within Medium range by 1.
marked for harassment, or indeed,
• Maintain Coverage: The remote can travel at vehicle speeds of 4.
STATEMENT TAKER deciding that a suspect is guilty
before investigation. When used
In addition to the usual audio-video recordings well, suspect tagging has led to the
QUANTRONIC PAINTS that most officers are able to take through their uncovering of Submondo families
With multiple programmable nanites embedded in own sense links, each unit carries a small box and the prevention of numerous
the mix, this paint can be applied to any dry surface, called a statement taker. On the top is a single data crimes, but it’s uncertain if the
often as warning symbols or tags, and presents port, though the majority of its function happens benefit outweighs the cost and
a quantronic message to all individuals with an quantronically, well within the arms of ALEPH and indeed what can be done to stop it.
active connection to the city’s public network. Most the Cube backup system. The box is simply there to
brands require the user to program their message assist in the backup process.
into the spray unit prior to spraying the paint, but When a Cube-enabled witness voluntarily connects
specialty brands exist where the message can be NINE SENSES?
to a statement taker, they are asked by the device While the basic five, hearing,
sight, smell, taste, and touch, have
been understood since Aristotle,
neurologists are currently debating
whether there are many more senses
than this. At present, four have been
generally accepted as senses, though
some researchers make arguments
for many, many more than that. The
four other senses are:
• Equilibrioception (balance)
• Nociception (pain)
• Proprioception (self position)
• Thermoception (heat)

NEIGHBOURHOOD
WATCH
Some communities have a standard
agreement to provide data to
police anonymously through an
ALEPH Aspect, judging what is in
the police’s interests to see. These
neighbourhood watch agreements
have been ruled as circumstantial
evidence in most jurisdictions as
they, allegedly, can’t be tied to the
producing witness.

O-12 GEAR 99
 to stipulate the duration of their memory that they 12+) will require a second or even a third layer.
The term Social Care Kit became
are willing to grant the operatives as evidence. Striptape is porous enough that the skin beneath it
popularised after a Yu Jingese
police officer was live recorded Once they state this timeframe with a positive, can breathe and is not suitable for environmental
offering a child a G-Pal after a un-coerced mental state, ALEPH will initiate a suit repairs. Removing striptape from naked skin
terror attack during the Japanese backup and copy the portion of memory assigned to without a suitable chemical agent is momentarily
Uprising. When asked why he had the investigation over to the investigating officers. painful but not considered dangerous. Most brands
a child’s toy in his squad car, he If ALEPH detects coercion, it will instead send a of striptape include quantronic tags similar to
responded embarrassedly, “All report to the officers’ commanding officers. quantronic paint to announce that the wearer is
officers have a duty of care for the in custody.
public. I maintain a Social Care Kit Evidence gathered by a statement taker is consid-
for times of emergency.” ered subjective but equal to that of the recorded
testimony of a dead witness. Because of this, it is SUBDUAL BATON
common for witnesses who subject themselves The Bureau Aegis Type 3 Stun Baton is becoming
to this process to be called to give in-person the most common police baton in the Human
testimony. During such testimony, any criminality or Sphere. A combination flashlight, defence weapon,
flaws of character recorded by the statement taker and striptape deployer, this baton is routinely sold
are often brought up by defence attorneys to the to any law enforcement body willing to purchase
detriment of the witness. Suffice to say, granting it. Enhanced quality control ensures that the risk of
access to a statement taker is very unpopular with permanent injury is negligible so long as the baton
anyone remotely aware of criminal proceedings. is not misused.

SOCIAL CARE KIT Subdual Baton (Melee 1+4§, Non-Hackable,

Knockdown)
While the popular opinion of modern police is that
• Correct mode (Primary) Subtle 1, Stun
of stern bad-asses who get into shootouts on a
• Misused (Secondary) Vicious 1
daily basis, a disproportionate amount of time is
spent dealing with the fallout of crime, particularly
where vulnerable persons are involved. The Social
Care Kit is a bag of various items that are useful TACTICAL MAGNETIC
in calming distressed witnesses, lost children, or HARNESS
neurologically distinct members of the community. The TMH is a proprietary harness that can be worn
Nobody distributes these kits from a centralised over or under most types of clothing or armour.
source, but you won’t find an experienced police Consisting of an assortment of electromagnetic
officer that doesn’t have their own. Social Care Kits couplings and metal-backed pouches, it enables
often include toys, candy, cans of coffee, and similar an operative to go from civilian dress to tactical in
single serving food items. mere moments. Many operatives choose to wear
On a successful recovery test, a Social Care Kit their TMH even when off duty so that they can
allows the recovering character to restore 1 more reinforce active units with the support gear found
Resolve than normal. in an interceptor.
The most common piece of equipment worn with a
STRIPTAPE TMH is a metal front plate. This provides 4§ Cover
Striptape, or Tactical Enforcement Tape, is a stopgap on any shot that hits the operative’s torso. While
measure used to restrain a suspect for short peri- this can be worn with a Bond suit without penalty,
ods of time while Securi-cuffs or similar restraints wearing it with any armour will cause the character
are being obtained. Striptape can reliably restrain to be encumbered by it, suffering a difficulty pen-
most suspects though stronger hosts (Brawn alty of 1 stage on all physical tests.

100 Chapter 10
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

ARMOUR TABLE
ARMOUR SOAK RESTRIC-
ARMOUR BTS QUALITIES COST TARIFF MAINTENANCE
HEAD TORSO ARM LEG TION
Bond Suit
0 2 1 1 1 Hidden2 2 6+3§ T2 –
(Summer)
Bond Suit
0 3 2 1 1 Hidden 2 2 7+3§ T2 –
(Heavy)
Collapsible
0 2 1 1 0 Exoskeleton 1 2 8+5§ T2 2
Exoskeleton
First
Responder 1 2 1 1 3 2 6+3§ T2 1
Uniform
Gamma Exoskeleton 3,
4 5 3 4 4 5 (O-12 4) 15+5§ T2 2
Armour Bioscanner
Tactical
Magnetic 0 4§ 0 0 0 2 6+3§ T4 1
Harness
1
See entry for details. 2
No tariff for O-12.

AUGMENTATIONS TABLE
AUGMENTATION CATEGORY TYPE QUALITIES RESTRICTION COST TARIFF MAINTENANCE
Sense Link Cybernetic Implant Concealed 1 1 7+2 – –

DRUGS TABLE
DRUG RESTRICTION COST TARIFF
Calm 4 3+1 T4

EXPLOSIVES TABLE
COST
EXPLOSIVE CATEGORY DAMAGE 1 SIZE QUALITIES RESTRICTION TARIFF
( PER 3)
Disposable,
Small Improvised 3 (2 for 1+cost of
Mine 0+6 1H Indiscriminate T1
Explosive Device Submondo) reload
(Close), Unsubtle1

Disposable,
Large Improvised 3 (2 for 2+cost of
Mine 0+7 2H Indiscriminate T1
Explosive Device Submondo) 2 reloads
(Medium), Unsubtle1
1
Do not add bonus damage from attributes to explosive devices.

MELEE WEAPONS TABLE

WEAPON DAMAGE SIZE QUALITIES RESTRICTION COST TARIFF

LinkSWORD 1+4§ 3 1H Unbalanced, Parry 2, Vicious 13 3 3+3 T22

Jaws of Life 3+5§ 3 2H Grevious, Piercing 2, Vicious 2 1 2+4 T1

Subdual Baton 1+4§ 1H Non-Hackable, Knockdown 2 4+1§ T2

2
No Tariff for O-12 3
See entry for details.

O-12 GEAR 101

 RANGED WEAPONS TABLE
RESTRIC-
WEAPON RANGE DAMAGE BURST SIZE AMMO QUALITIES COST TARIFF
TION
Piercing 1, Salvo
Feuerbach L 2+5§ 2 Unb Standard 3 10+3§ T2
(Anti-Material 2)

REMOTES TABLE
ITEM RESTRICTION COST TARIFF 1 MAINTENANCE
Angel Drone 0 5+2§ T1
Overwatch Remote 3 9+3§ T1
1
No Tariff for O-12

TOOLS & OTHER ITEMS TABLE

ITEM QUALITIES RESTRICTION COST TARIFF MAINTENANCE
Armoured 2, Self
Capture Bag 4 4+2§ T3 1
Repairing
Cordon Rope – 2 4+1§ T1 –
Cryo-Pod Armoured 3 2 6+3§ – 2
EMT Equipment – 1 4+3§ – –
Interrogation Cell Armoured 6 3 10+4§ T21 –
Quantronic Paints – – 1+2§ – –
Statement Taker Comms 1 1+3§ – –
Social Care Kit – – 2+1§ T1 1
Striptape Armoured 1 1
1 1+2§ – –
1
See entry for additional abilities. 2
No Tariff for O-12

VEHICLE COSTS TABLE

RESTRIC-
VEHICLE SCALE SPEED STRENGTH ARMOUR BTS IMPACT COST TARIFF
TION
Bureau Aegis
Cordon Control 1 4 9(+1) 2 – 1+3§ 2 12+2§ T21
Vehicle
Bureau Aegis
Interceptor 2 4 16(+1) 4 4 2+6§ 3 10+2§ T21
Patrol Vehicle
Bureau
Aegis Rapid
3 4/2 18(+1) 4 4 3+6§ 4 6+5§ T21
Deployment
Vehicle
Disaster
* * * 1 1 -1§* *–1 *-2+2§ T1
Recovery Suit
1
No Tariff for O-12 *Disaster recovery Suits have attributes equal to the TAG the suit is based off of.

102 Chapter 10
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

CHAPTER 11

GUARDIANS AND ADVERSARIES

OF THE SPHERE

O-12 sits in an unenviable position. As an organisation, O-12 strives to uphold the Pillars of Unity and
works towards a better future. It encourages the nations of the Human Sphere to set aside their differ-
ences and parochial loyalties and see a bigger picture, one in which humanity as a whole can advance
into a brighter tomorrow. It is an adjudicator and serves a vital role in maintaining the Human Sphere on a
knife’s edge of stability. It is a role, however, that is far too often overlooked, underappreciated, unwanted,
and derided. There is truth to the cynical adage that a compromise leaves everyone unhappy, and O-12 is
the ultimate compromise.
Many pundits believed that contact with an alien species would be a watershed moment, a moment in
history in which humanity would pause for introspection and move forward unified in a recognition that
the greatest we can aspire to be is human. That nationalism and self-interest would fade under the bright
light of a new fire, which burned with an understanding that the nation state to which we owe our great-
est loyalty is humanity itself. The arrival of an enemy beyond the stars many thought would also stimulate
a paradigm shift… But old loyalties and modes of thought die hard, and tribalism and self-interest are
habits that run deep. While cooperation is key to the defeat of the greatest enemy humanity has ever faced,
it has not softened the tendency toward self-service, petty jealousies, and a hunger for wealth and power.
O-12 stands in defiance of these basest of tendencies. It represents a hope in a future in which humanity
stands united, both eyes on the future. But the reality is that the various nation states that make up the
Human Sphere have always maintained at least one eye on their own advancement. Tension, war, and
conflict have resulted. O-12 remains committed, regardless, to the idealistic role of playing adjudicator,
judge, and teacher in these troubling times. It is not a role that is easy, and O-12 can never be the answer
to every ill that afflicts the Human Sphere, but the people who serve the Pillars do so in the hope that
through their actions, the Human Sphere can be made a better and safer place for all of humanity.

Guardians and Adversaries of the Sphere 103

 O-12 is unique. Every adversary from every book in the Infinity the Roleplaying Game line is fair game
when it comes to opponents a group of characters might have the opportunity to interact with or face
off against. A great many of those are equally likely to be allies. More often than not, a friend one day
might well be the enemy you face off against on another day. O-12 carries out operations and missions,
whether law enforcement, military, diplomatic, or trade, throughout the Human Sphere. It is the business
of members, representatives, and agents of the many bureaus that make up O-12 to regularly interact with
the various nation states that make up the wash of humanity, and equally, with the allies of humanity in
the Tohaa, and the enemies, the Combined Armies. This chapter is divided into two broad sections, giving
a brief cross section of adversaries that characters may interact with as allies or opponents. The first of
these sections deals with a sample of the guardians of O-12, while the second seeks to provide examples
of the types of adversaries that may be faced by agents of Bureau Aegis and its various departments.

GUARDIANS
In this section are detailed the stat blocks for five Bureau Aegis agents that characters who belong to O-12
might have cause to interact with. For those outside of the Concilium system, three of these represent the
most recognisable faces of O-12, the diplomat, peacekeeper, and detective. Wherever they go in the Human
Sphere, representatives of O-12 strive to uphold the Pillars of Unity, Cooperation, Support, and Progress. It
is not an easy task and is often a thankless one. For every citizen protected from harm who has cause to
see O-12 as a saviour, there are many more who espouse the view that O-12 is a pointless organisation,
a meddler in the affairs of nations, and a power in its own right wrapped in a holier-than-thou attitude.
Irrespective of the views of those they interact with, agents of O-12 carry out their duties with profession-
alism and hold themselves to a high standard.

KAPPA TROOPER

Largest of SWORDFOR’s units, the Kappas are also KAPPA

the most visible, the most well recognised, and
the most commonly deployed agents of any O-12 ATTRIBUTES
bureau. With their distinctive blue and gold combat AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
armour, the Kappas are iconic, and for many citizens 7 8 9 9 7 8 8
throughout the Human Sphere, when thinking of
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE
O-12, they conjure mental images of the Kappas.
The Kappa Unit exists to protect the citizens of the Combat +2 1 Movement +1 — Social +1 —
Human Sphere, and as such, have seen deployment Fortitude +1 — Senses — — Technical — —
to the frontlines in the fight against the Combined DEFENCES
Army, but are also used on a regular basis as peace-
Firewall 4 Resolve 4 Vigour 5
keeping troops. As peacekeepers, they have seen
Security 0 Morale 0 Armour 1
the worst humanity is capable of when unleashed
upon itself and have fought steadfastly to protect ATTACKS: Combi Rifle: Range: C/M, 1+5§, Burst 2, 2H, Expert
and guard the vulnerable, oppressed, and abused. 1, MULTI Light Mod, Vicious 1
GEAR: Light Combat Armour
SPECIAL ABILITIES
• Peacekeeper: As peacekeepers, Kappas are specially trained to
provide a knockout blow without killing. Any attack made by a Kappa
automatically gains the Non-Lethal and Stun qualities. A Kappa may
spend 1 Heat to elect to turn this Special Ability ‘off’. This is usually
only done when their mission parameters dictate, if the enemy they
are facing is violently aggressive towards the Kappa or those they are
protecting, or if the enemy is an Enemy of the Human Sphere.

104 Chapter 11
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

INVESTIGATOR CYBERGHOST
Whether from GloPol’s Investigations Department, A vast majority of the crimes committed in the
Section Stratera’s Internal Affairs, or Psi Unit’s Human Sphere are carried out in the quantronic
Covert Operatives, Bureau Aegis makes extensive world. An effusive layer of data that extends
use of field agents charged with detective work, across human space like another dimension, the
undercover investigations, and forensics. Many quantronic networks, of which Maya and Arachne
of these agents are seconded to other bureaus are only the most visible parts, hold side alleys
within O-12 to work with small teams, investi- where deals are done and doors that lead to the
gating crimes that fall within that bureau’s remit. most sensitive personal and national secrets in the
Investigators work both in the Concilium system Sphere. All of this needs protection of course, but
and throughout the Human Sphere, either actively more than being simple guardians, Cyberghosts
pursuing cases or supporting local law enforcement are expert hunters, prowling quantronic space
agencies by following leads and putting the puzzle with ruthless efficiency for illegal activity and the
pieces together. Often carrying little more than hackers who try to pull it off. Whether tracking the
a sidearm, these agents are experts in their field, transfer of wealth, peeling back layer upon layer
employed by O-12, and carry a mandate that allows of shell corporations to find the faces behind the
them access to doors few other agencies can open. masks, or pinpointing and attacking hackers trying
to crack and steal state secrets, Cyberghosts are
O-12’s weapon of choice in this dizzying theatre of
operation.

ELITE ELITE

INVESTIGATOR CYBERGHOST
ATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
9 11 8 9 9 8 9 8 10 8 9 11 8 9

FIELDS OF EXPERTISE FIELDS OF EXPERTISE

Combat +2 — Movement +2 — Social +2 1 Combat +1 — Movement +1 — Social +1 —
Fortitude — — Senses +3 2 Technical +2 — Fortitude +1 — Senses +2 2 Technical +3 2

DEFENCES DEFENCES
Firewall 9 Resolve 9 Vigour 8 Firewall 11 Resolve 9 Vigour 8
Security 3 Morale 0 Armour 1 Security 3 Morale 0 Armour 1
ATTACKS: Knife: 1+3§, 1H, Concealed 1, Non-Hackable, ATTACKS: Pistol: Range: R/C, 1+4§, Burst 1, 1H, Vicious 1
Subtle 2, Thrown, Unforgiving 1 GEAR: Armoured Clothing (Hidden Armour 2), Assault Hacking
Heavy Pistol: Range: R/C, 2+4§, Burst 1, Unbalanced, Unforgiving 1, Device or White Hacking Device, LinkSWORD
Vicious 1 SPECIAL ABILITIES
GEAR: Armoured Clothing (Hidden Armour 2) • Ghost: A Cyberghost may re-roll 1d20 on any technical skill test.
SPECIAL ABILITIES • Personal Encryption: Given the nature of their work, Cyberghosts
• Keen Eye: May re-roll 1d20 on any senses skill test. must ensure the integrity of their personal networks at all times. Each
• Personal Encryption: Given the nature of their work, investigators agent is issued with a buzzer, a small device that encrypts their patina
must ensure the integrity of their personal networks at all times. Each and personal network, making it more time consuming and difficult to
agent is issued with a buzzer, a small device that encrypts their patina crack. This provides agents with a Security Soak of 3.
and personal network, making it more time consuming and difficult to
crack. This provides agents with a Security Soak of 3.

Guardians and Adversaries of the Sphere 105

 OPERATIONS DIRECTOR DIPLOMAT
Any time a Bureau Aegis agent is placed in the Words of wisdom, encouragement, peace, and
field, they are handled by an Operations Director friendship are all part and parcel of any deal meted
until the mission is closed. Operations managers out between the powers of the Human Sphere. Just
exist across all of the sections and departments as often these words can turn to rebuking, critical,
of Bureau Aegis. They may be GloPol officers devastating, and threatening… A good diplomat
responsible for investigatory teams working knows when to switch from one to the other and
within Yu Jingese territory, they may be Starmada has the skill and presence to manage it effortlessly.
officers liaising with a ship’s crew on a pirate O-12’s Diplomats are some of the most able, skilled,
hunting op, or they may be managing an armed and careful in the Human Sphere, and they need
contingency deployed to the jungles of Paradiso. to be. Dealing regularly with high tensions, high
O-12 actively works to avoid the use of overtly stakes, and high-risk negotiations, O-12 Diplomats
military terminology in an attempt to maintain a develop a sixth sense for the most minor of signals
clear-cut distinction between their own agents in tone, inflection, and body-language and are mas-
and the armed forces of other nation states. This is ters at taking advantage of any weakness, any chink
why the term Operations Director is so widespread. in the armour of their adversaries. There have been
Operations Directors are usually high-ranking countless occasions on which O-12 Diplomats have
officers within a department with years of expe- managed to get unwilling parties to compromise
rience under their belts. A majority of them were on issues regarded as unbroachable, and more
once field agents, and they are masters of manag- often than not, those parties walk away feeling like
ing their people, resources, and support structures the deal reached was their great idea.
to see a mission to a successful end.

ELITE NEMESIS

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR O-12 DIPLOMAT

ATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
8 10 8 8 10 10 9 9 10 8 10 12 12 11

FIELDS OF EXPERTISE FIELDS OF EXPERTISE

Combat +2 — Movement — — Social +3 2 Combat +1 1 Movement +1 1 Social +4 2
Fortitude +2 1 Senses +2 1 Technical +1 — Fortitude +2 1 Senses +3 2 Technical +2 1

DEFENCES DEFENCES
Firewall 10 Resolve 9 Vigour 8 Firewall 14 Resolve 13 Vigour 10
Security 0 Morale 4 Armour 1 Security 3 Morale 4 Armour 1
ATTACKS: Heavy Pistol: Range: R/C, 2+4§, Burst 1, ATTACKS: Pistol: Range: R/C, 1+4§, Burst 1, Unbalanced,
Unbalanced, Unforgiving 1, Vicious 1 Grievous, Vicious 2
GEAR: Armoured Clothing (Hidden Armour 2) GEAR: Armoured Clothing (Hidden Armour 2)
SPECIAL ABILITIES SPECIAL ABILITIES
• Hardened: With years of experience, Operations Managers are • Personal Encryption: Given the sensitive nature of their work,
psychologically tough as old boot leather, they gain a Morale Soak Diplomats must ensure the integrity of their personal networks at
of 4. all times. Each Diplomat is issued with a buzzer, a small device that
• Inspiring Commander: Players may elect to add 1 Heat to the GM’s encrypts their patina and personal network, making it more time
pool to re-roll 1d20 for any skill test undertaken in the current Scene. consuming and difficult to crack. This provides diplomats with a
OR players may elect to add 1 Heat to the GM’s pool, gaining +2§ Security Soak of 3.
Morale Soak for the remainder of the current Scene. Each character • Heard It All: Diplomats have a Morale Soak of 4.
may activate Inspiring Commander once per adventure. • Masterful: When a Diplomat uses the Coax, Intimidate, or Negotiate
Psy War techniques (see Infinity Corebook, p. 129), they roll +2§
damage.

106 Chapter 11
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

ADVERSARIES
In this section are presented a sample of the adversaries that any of the Bureau Aegis departments might
typically engage with. Given O-12’s role and presence within the Human Sphere, any adversary from any
of the books in the Infinity line are reasonable inclusions in a game, many of them as both allies and ene-
mies, depending on the day. This section divides the listed adversaries into typical opponents of the five
key departments detailed in Chapter 7 of this book (see p. 64). These departments are Section Statera’s
Internal Affairs, SWORDFOR (aka Bureau’s Aegis Tactical Police Department), GloPol’s Investigations
Department, Starmada, and the Psi Unit.
How an agent of O-12 may engage with an adversary is generally defined by the Rules of Engagement that
govern their mission. Typically, adversaries fall under two broad legal terms, Illegal Actors and Enemies of
Human Sphere.
Illegal Actors is a legalese term used to describe an individual or group of individuals who have broken
one or more national laws and have been declared international criminals in a Concilium Court. These are
criminals who have been deemed viable targets for investigation and persecution by O-12 agents.
An Enemy of the Human Sphere is a term applied to any member of the Combined Army and criminals who
have committed particularly egregious acts of violence or destruction. Like ‘Illegal Actor’, the term ‘Enemy
of the Human Sphere’ is applied as a result of a Concilium Court ruling. Being declared an Enemy of the
Human Sphere is a terrifying prospect for any citizen, as it is a legal appellation that means the Rules of
Engagement do not apply to them.
All the adversaries in this section have names that reflect departmental slang. They are sobriquets used
extensively throughout Bureau Aegis to describe a certain type of criminal or criminal behaviour.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Dealing with the criminal elements of the Human ELITE
Sphere brings an agent face to face with some of
the worst humanity has to offer. Somehow though, TAKER
nothing is more bitter than betrayal.
ATTRIBUTES
TAKER AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
There are good agents, who strive to better the 9 10 9 9 9 10 7
Human Sphere every day through action and deed.
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE
There are neutral agents, who are there because it
is a job. They may have lost their sense of idealism, Combat +2 1 Movement +1 1 Social +3 2
or always been more cynical, but their role does Fortitude +1 1 Senses +2 1 Technical +1 1
not carry any high idealism, and while they may DEFENCES
excel at their job, they continue to do it because Firewall 9 Resolve 7 Vigour 9
it’s work. Then there are bad agents, agents who
Security 0 Morale 0 Armour 1
use the position of O-12 and their position within
O-12 to make money illegally. Maybe they get slid ATTACKS: Assault Pistol: Range: R/C, 1+4§, Burst 2,
a few extra sol to look the other way, maybe they Unbalanced, Vicious 1
are happy to receive gifts and bribes in exchange GEAR: Armoured Clothing (Hidden Armour 2)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
for just a little information. Maybe they are neck
• Dirt: For 1 Heat, the Taker may recall/uncover one story about a
deep, actively working with smugglers pulling character they are interacting with that may be used for blackmail
VoodooTech from battle sites on Paradiso, running or leverage. This may be something from the character’s past, it may
drugs in a few spare compartments in their convoy, be some action that character has taken in a previous game, but
or making vital paperwork on important cases whatever it is, it has some emotional or professional implications
disappear. However deep they are, these corrupt should the secret get out. This may be used for narrative purposes
agents are universally called Takers. This term has or may be used to give a +2§ bonus to one Psywar attack on that
an obvious heritage in the idea of taking a bribe, character. Dirt may only be used by the Taker once per game session.
but has some nuance within O-12, whose idealistic
rhetoric talks so much of giving. These people are
the antithesis of that vaunted ideal.

Guardians and Adversaries of the Sphere 107

 MOLE SWORDFOR
Intelligence gathering is a dirty game, and one of Agents of SWORDFOR, also known as the Bureau
the best ways to gather the richest intel is to have Aegis Tactical Police Department, are deployed
a person on the inside. O-12 actively recruits from throughout the Human Sphere. They run peace-
around the Human Sphere, and while their vetting keeping operations, investigations, aggressive
processes are extensive, there is always someone actions against dangerous criminal and terrorist
who is a little more clever or careful than normal organisations, and serve alongside military personal
and manages to slip through. Moles are people from other nations in the ongoing conflict against
working as agents within O-12 but whose loyalties the Combined Army. They are professionals, and
lie with another power. More than harbouring a while they are called agents, “soldier” is often a more
mere personal belief, a Mole actively works for the appropriate term.
power they are loyal to. Passing on information,
clearances, names, times, dates, and all manner of HYENAS
valuable intelligence, perhaps even leaving the odd Mercenaries, also known as soldiers of fortune, private
door unlocked (physical or quantronic), or worse, military companies (PMCs), and dogs of war, often skirt
a Mole can be a nightmare for security and safety. the line of what is acceptable or legal. Many operate
Moles work hard and diligently for O-12 and are in a grey zone, and this is, for better or for worse, part
and parcel of the job. There are those who go beyond
careful and discreet. They seek to be hired into
the boundaries, far beyond. Those who interpret and
positions that give them access to data, people, or execute the mission objectives in ways that carelessly
places that are targets for whatever intelligence or deliberately lead to needless loss of life and
agency they actually work for. Moles are elusive. property, who regularly flaunt the laws, who go in
They have managed to convince those around intending to leave no witnesses to the atrocities they
them they are just another body in the office, all commit. These dogs of war are known within Bureau
the while stealing and passing on information to a Aegis as Hyenas. Mad, savage, and baying for blood,
potential enemy. Catching one is no mean feat. they often take a gratuitous pleasure in the wonton
destruction and death they inflict. Sadly, the war
ELITE market is such that companies who engage in this
type of ‘problem solving’ still frequently manage to
MOLE get contracts, especially from the Lists. Operating, as
many PMCs do, across multiple national jurisdictions,
ATTRIBUTES these types of mercs too regularly fall into the “too
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL hard” basket for many national law enforcement agen-
cies. This is where SWORDFOR shines. Once a PMC
9 10 8 9 10 9 8
has been declared illegal, it is the department’s job to
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE send in teams to ensure these hyenas are disbanded.
Combat +1 1 Movement – – Social +2 2 Permanently.
Fortitude +2 1 Senses +2 1 Technical +2 1 TROOPER

DEFENCES HYENA
Firewall 10 Resolve 8 Vigour 8
Security 2 Morale 0 Armour 1 ATTRIBUTES
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
ATTACKS: Pistol: Range: R/C, 1+4§, Burst 1, Unbalanced,
Vicious 1 9 8 9 9 7 7 7
GEAR: Armoured Clothing (Hidden Armour 2) FIELDS OF EXPERTISE
SPECIAL ABILITIES
• Gaslight: A Mole is a master manipulator. They have the uncanny Combat +2 1 Movement +1 – Social – –
ability to have the people they are talking to question their own Fortitude +2 – Senses – – Technical – –
reality, to ask themselves whether they really did see or hear the
DEFENCES
things they saw and heard. For 1 Heat, the GM may add 2d20 to any
skill test made to deceive a character. This may be used once per Firewall 4 Resolve 4 Vigour 5
character per scene, and the normal limit of no more than +3d20 to Security 0 Morale 0 Armour 2
any skill test applies.
ATTACKS: Heavy Pistol: Range: R/C, 1+5§, Burst 1,
• Evidence?: Moles are careful, and cover their tracks. For 4 Heat, the
Unbalanced, Unforgiving 1, Vicious 1
Mole may destroy or invalidate one piece of quantronic or physical
evidence that shows or implies they are a Mole. Evidence? may only Combi Rifle: Range: C/M, 1+5§, Burst 2, 2H, Expert 1, MULTI Light
be used once per game session. Mod, Vicious 1
GEAR: Light Combat Armour
SPECIAL ABILITIES
• Shoot First: Hyenas are highly aggressive and almost universally
have a shoot first ask questions later mentality. Even though they
are Troopers, Hyenas may use the Return Fire Reaction as per the
normal rules.

108 Chapter 11
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

CORPSEC KINGPIN
It’s been a slow slide over decades, but the gradual From the shady heads of Submondo groups to
weakening of oversight laws, the increased levels the leaders of terrorist organisations, Kingpin is
of tension and sectarian violence, and the war with Bureau Aegis departmental slang for any boss,
the Combined Army have all eroded the limits on chief, or commander of a criminal organisation
what a corporation can do to protect its personnel with significant power and influence. Every now
and its interests. The rise of corporate armies has and then, a brutish thug manages to beat their way
been frightening. Some of these are mercenary to the top of the ladder, but they rarely manage
companies ‘retained’ on permanent contracts, to stay there. It takes cunning and intelligence, it
some are private security firms usually owned by takes connections and an ability to manipulate
the corporation that hires them, and some are them, it takes an understanding of how to allocate
laughably referred to as corporate security and and commit resources, and it takes a willingness to
employed directly. Whatever their origins and break the law in just the right ways and places to
arrangements, one thing is common, CorpSec forces, make it difficult to ever pin back. Kingpins are not
as they are widely known, have become much more typically the best fighters; they are the brains of an
seriously armed, armoured, and more deeply trained operation. They get to the top because they have
in combat skills than they are in security. It is not foresight and cunning and because they are willing
unusual now to have CorpSec teams supported and capable of doing what it takes to achieve their
by a TAG, and many of the largest hypercorps also goals, even if it means breaking laws, conventions,
maintain a standing, albeit small, fleet of space and tradition — whatever that is. Kingpins regularly
craft capable of providing defence to their shipping fall under the purview of Bureau Aegis as they tend
and transfer fleets. CorpSec are known to push the to operate across multiple national boundaries and
boundaries of what is acceptable and do so under manage to do what they do without ever having the
the protection of national provisions that allow law land on them. Universally, they are dangerous
and encourage companies the right to aggressively and never to be underestimated.
defend their interests, however that is defined.

ELITE NEMESIS

CORPSEC KINGPIN

ATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
9 9 10 10 8 8 9 9 11 10 10 12 9 11

FIELDS OF EXPERTISE FIELDS OF EXPERTISE

Combat +2 1 Movement +2 +1 Social +1 1 Combat +2 – Movement +1 – Social +4 2
Fortitude +1 1 Senses +2 +1 Technical +1 1 Fortitude +3 1 Senses +3 1 Technical +2 1

DEFENCES DEFENCES
Firewall 8 Resolve 9 Vigour 10 Firewall 14 Resolve 14 Vigour 13
Security 1 Morale 0 Armour 2 Security 1 Morale 3 Armour 1
ATTACKS: Combi Rifle: Range: C/M, 1+5§, Burst 2, 2H, Expert ATTACKS: Pistol: Range: R/C, 1+4§, Burst 1, 1H, Vicious 1
1, MULTI Light Mod, Vicious 1 Nanopulser: Range: C, 1+5§, Burst 1, 1H, Biotech, Subtle 3, Torrent,
GEAR: Light Combat Armour Vicious 2
SPECIAL ABILITIES GEAR: Armoured Clothing (Hidden Armour 2)
• Well Resourced: CorpSec are not just corporate goons protecting their SPECIAL ABILITIES
employer’s property, they are well resourced and well maintained. • Confident: Kingpins aren’t cocky, self-assured, and arrogant; they are
They are after all, walking resources for the company. If the GM confident. They know who and what they are, and more importantly,
uses Heat to summon reinforcements (see Infinity Corebook, p. 34), they know the laws. They know what they can push and bend, what
summoning a CorpSec costs 1 Heat each, even though they are Elite. not to say. Kingpins gain a +3 Morale Soak for their confidence; they
know they have planned well.
• Minions: One of the reasons that Kingpins so regularly manage to
escape the legal repercussions of their actions is that they have
others who get their hands dirty. Every Kingpin has an organisation of
minions. If the GM uses Heat to summon reinforcements (see Infinity
Corebook, p. 34), double the number of reinforcements that arrive as
the normal amount for no increased Heat cost. (For example, 1 Heat
will summon 2 Troopers rather than one.)

Guardians and Adversaries of the Sphere 109

 INVESTIGATIONS SCALPER
Whether working for GloPol’s Investigations There are multiple accounts of legally sanctioned
Department or pursuing a lead as a tactical oper- bounty hunters or law enforcement officers step-
ation, Section Spatha agents regularly undertake ping beyond their legal remit. Usually, one would
investigations and often on secondment to other hope, that the system catches up with them, but
bureaus. These investigations take Bureau Aegis sometimes these things are swept under the carpet,
agents to every corner of the Human Sphere. ignored, rubbed out, or their operation parameters
are ‘updated’ retrospectively. Scalper is a term used
HARDBALLERS by Section Spatha to talk about law enforcement
They know what law enforcement is capable of, agents or bounty hunters who break the law and
they know the law, hell, they’ve been arrested and get away with it, and it usually implies that they
served time often enough to know the system are killers. These cases are rare, not because they
inside out, warts and all. Hardballers, as Section are uncommon, but because they usually come
Spatha agents call them, are serial criminals. Not through an appeals process undertaken by civilians,
the sort of serial criminals who fall into crime on often family members of the victims. The appeals
a regular basis because of circumstance or desper- process is not easy to access, and the process can
ation, but those who have taken a measured look be lengthy. More often than not, Section Spatha
at their options and decided that a life of crime Agents tapped to chase up a Scalper will find a
sounds like an appropriate career choice. These are long history of just the sort of behaviour that led
the ones that plan and execute corporate robberies, their name being subjected to the O-12 appeals
hit and run ops on high-valued targets, kidnap- process. There are times when Scalpers are left
pings, and blackmail. They plot things out, know to deal with their mess on their own, but many
exactly what they’re about, and have been around Section Spatha agents will relate that Scalpers are
long enough to spot the law enforcement agent regularly protected by a system that doesn’t want
lurking on the corner in civilian clothes trying to word leaking out. They can be difficult cases to
look nonchalant from a mile away. Hardballers work, but they are important for all the reasons that
professionally break the law and are unafraid of make them difficult.
breaking a few bystanders in the process.

ELITE ELITE

HARDBALLER SCALPER

ATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
9 12 8 9 10 7 9 10 9 11 10 8 7 8

FIELDS OF EXPERTISE FIELDS OF EXPERTISE

Combat +2 1 Movement +2 1 Social +2 1 Combat +3 2 Movement +2 +1 Social – –
Fortitude +2 1 Senses +2 1 Technical +3 1 Fortitude +2 – Senses +2 – Technical – –

DEFENCES DEFENCES
Firewall 10 Resolve 9 Vigour 8 Firewall 8 Resolve 8 Vigour 11
Security 0 Morale 2 Armour 1 Security 0 Morale 0 Armour 2
ATTACKS: Assault Pistol: Range: R/C, 1+4§, Burst 2, ATTACKS: Heavy Pistol: Range: R/C, 2+4§, Burst 1,
Unbalanced, Vicious 1 Unbalanced, Unforgiving 1, Vicious 1
GEAR: Armoured Clothing (Hidden Armour 2) Combi Rifle: Range: C/M, 1+5§, Burst 2, 2H, Expert 1, MULTI Light
SPECIAL ABILITIES Mod, Vicious 1
• Cocky: Hardballers have a Morale Soak of +2. GEAR: Light Combat Armour
• Step Back: A Hardballer has everything under control. A Hardballer SPECIAL ABILITIES
can make the Withdraw Action as a Free Action once per Scene. • Contacts: A Scalper usually has some level of support from their
• Plan B: Never walk into a place you can’t walk out of. Hardballers contacts, whether unspoken or known. This can make dealing with
have been around long enough to understand how important it is to them tricky. When a Scalper enters a scene, the GM immediately
have a Plan B! For 2 Heat, a Hardballer can ‘find’ a hatch, ventilation adds 2 points to the Heat pool.
shaft, hidden door, window, or some reasonable means to move from
one zone to an adjacent zone through any intervening blocking
terrain (like a wall). This ability is not intended to be used magically.
The GM should provide a reasonable explanation, and naturally, the
characters should be able to follow (after any required skill checks to
find it, open it, or whatever is appropriate).

110 Chapter 11
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

STONE COLDS STARMADA

Brutish thugs and violent drunks are one thing and It has been a long time since Starmada ships made
murders of passion and random killings happen their presence felt in the Human Sphere. More
for a whole range of reasons. These are universally often than not, they provide protection, whether for
abhorrent acts committed by broken people. The a small network of settlements or minor colonies,
acts committed by Stone Colds are something else a shipping lane, or space facility. Their duties are
entirely. Officially, these criminals are called serial many and varied, but one of the most common pre-
killers, mass murderers, or terrorists, but there is occupations of Starmada patrol craft is the hunting
something about the Stone Cold sobriquet used of pirates.
by Bureau Aegis that implies a level of demented
joy and exaltation that is derived from the act of PATCH
killing. These are not mere thugs and gangers, Pirate crews are famous for their many and varied
Stone Colds are calculating and efficient, they are methods of ship-to-ship assaults. A quick burn from
careful and selective. They plan their killings from their attached ship to get both vessels spinning
selecting the target to disposing of the pieces, from can sow chaos and disorientate the opposing crew,
cleaning up to getting away. They are brutal and venting portions of the atmosphere to confuse and
deadly dangerous. The Stone Colds that Bureau terrify, and a range of other tactics. Pirate crews
Aegis agents are called upon to deal with move often train for specific tactics, sometimes called
across national boundaries to avoid the law and plays, and are therefore prepared to deal with
hide their actions. They change identities like sudden and specific changes in conditions. Very few
clothes and lie as easily as they breathe. They are pirate crews have their own uniforms, and in the
psychopaths, regarding themselves as apart from confusion of a close fight (if and when it comes to
humanity and not bounded by its moral structures. that), telling friend from foe can be problematic.
They are master manipulators, able to feign emo- Instead, most crews don marks or badges which
tion and read their opponents. However, a society are worn prominently and make telling allies from
defines good and bad, right and wrong. There is no enemies all the easier. It is this habit that has given
doubt in any society how a Stone Cold is defined — rise to the nickname pirates are given in Starmada
they are evil. ranks, Patches. This jargon is a nod to the badges
worn by pirates, and a nod to the stereotypical
NEMESIS pirates of ages gone by, with their eye patch and
STONE COLD parrot. Pirate crews are many and varied. Some
have chosen this life; others have fallen into it.
ATTRIBUTES Mostly they target supply ships, small outposts, and
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
facilities.
10 12 10 10 12 10 10
TROOPER
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE
Combat +2 2 Movement +1 1 Social +4 2
PATCH
Fortitude +2 1 Senses +3 1 Technical +2 1
ATTRIBUTES
DEFENCES AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
Firewall 14 Resolve 12 Vigour 12 8 9 9 9 7 7 7
Security 0 Morale 5 Armour 1
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE
ATTACKS: Pistol: Range: R/C, 1+4§, Burst 1, 1H, Vicious 1 Combat +2 1 Movement +1 – Social – –
Nanopulser: Range: C, 1+5§, Burst 1, 1H, Biotech, Subtle 3, Torrent, Fortitude +1 – Senses – – Technical 1 –
Vicious 2
GEAR: Armoured Clothing (Hidden Armour 2) DEFENCES
SPECIAL ABILITIES Firewall 4 Resolve 4 Vigour 5
• Unempathetic: A Stone Cold has no regrets, no loyalties, no illusions, Security 0 Morale 0 Armour 2
no conscience. They have a Morale Soak of +5.
• Fear 2: Whenever a Stone Cold attempts a Psywar attack based on ATTACKS: Axe: 1+5§, Unbalanced, Non-Hackable, Thrown,
fear, they gain 2 bonus Momentum. Vicious 1
• Threatening 2: When they want to, Stone Colds exude a powerful Boarding Shotgun: Range: C, 1+5§, Burst 1, 2H, Knockdown, Medium
sense of danger and threat. When a Stone Cold enters a scene, they MULTI
begin with 2 Heat that may be used only to benefit themselves. GEAR: Light Combat Armour
SPECIAL ABILITIES
• Space Legs: When on a ship or in zero-g, a Patch moving into a zone
that requires a terrain test reduces the Difficulty of that test by 1. If
the Difficulty is reduced to zero, no test is required.

Guardians and Adversaries of the Sphere 111

 SEAL BUSTER (SEALY) MORGAN
While most pirates are experienced in boarding Morgan is a slang name used broadly within
actions, a Sealy raises the bar to the next level. Starmada to mean the captain of a pirate vessel.
These are the hardened dogs with many actions The term has a curious origin, being both a refer-
under their belts. They are tough, experienced, ence to the pirate Captain Morgan of old and as
highly capable, and mad. Called Seal Busters, or a name that has long been associated with rum.
Sealys, as they are the first through any breach. (While the brand whose name is now associated
They seise the bulkhead (adapted from beachhead) with rum no longer exists, the term retains that
and allow the rest of the crew relative safety as relationship, and rum, of course, is also linked
they come aboard and prepare for the main action. to pirates.) For these reasons, the name Morgan
Being first through the breach is deadly dangerous, was selected as the title for the first independent
and these pirates process massive amounts of operation carried out by Starmada as a department
miniscule cues to judge and adapt to the ship they in its own right, an operation dedicated to reducing
are moving into. Sometimes the airlocks they enter pirate activity around the End of the Line orbital
have been vented and jammed open, sometimes in the Human Edge. It stuck, and now Morgan is
the gravity has been manipulated, and sometimes universally used within Starmada as a stand-in for
an electric current is surging through particle captain. A Morgan tends to be wily and intelligent,
charged air. Sealys have seen it all and then some. knowing when to push and when to back off. Those
It takes years to develop the knack of Seal Busting, that manage to survive more than a couple of
and those that master it describe it as if it’s another assaults are capable of identifying a ripe target,
sense, and the risks are extreme. Many Sealys and often utilise unique and novel tactics to make
survive on a mix of adrenaline shots and narcotics, the initial assault disorientating and chaotic for
for best be sure, those first into an enemy ship are the defenders of the target vessel. Often capable
the first to meet any bullets if the enemy plans on fighters, the real strength of a Morgan is in their
defending themselves. ability to lead their crews and to continue to make
good choices about what to target.

ELITE NEMESIS

SEAL BUSTER (SEALY) MORGAN

ATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
10 10 10 10 8 7 8 9 10 9 10 11 11 10

FIELDS OF EXPERTISE FIELDS OF EXPERTISE

Combat +3 1 Movement +2 1 Social – – Combat +2 1 Movement +2 1 Social +4 2
Fortitude +2 1 Senses +1 – Technical +1 – Fortitude +2 1 Senses +2 1 Technical +2 1

DEFENCES DEFENCES
Firewall 8 Resolve 8 Vigour 10 Firewall 13 Resolve 12 Vigour 11
Security 0 Morale 1 Armour 3 Security 0 Morale 2 Armour 3
ATTACKS: Axe: 1+5§, Unbalanced, Non-Hackable, Thrown, ATTACKS: Stun Baton: 1+4§, 1H, Non-Hackable, Knockdown,
Vicious 1 Subtle 1, Stun
Chain Rifle: Range: C, 1+6§, Burst 1, 2H, Spread 1, Torrent, Vicious 1 Heavy Pistols: Range: R/C, 2+4§, Burst 1, Unbalanced, Unforgiving 1,
GEAR: Medium Combat Armour Vicious 1
SPECIAL ABILITIES GEAR: Medium Combat Armour
• Space Legs: When on a ship or in zero-g, a Sealy moving into a zone SPECIAL ABILITIES
that requires a terrain test reduces the Difficulty of that test by 1. If • Space Legs: When on a ship or in zero-g, a Morgan moving into a zone
the Difficulty is reduced to zero, no test is required. that requires a terrain test reduces the Difficulty of that test by 1. If
• Hypervigilant: Whether it’s the adrenaline or the drugs, Sealys are the Difficulty is reduced to zero, no test is required.
hypervigilant, with reflexes wired to the slightest of triggers. A Sealy • Cunning: Morgans are known for their use of unique, and sometimes
may make 1 Retaliate or Return Fire Reaction for free per scene. downright strange, tactical plays. When on a ship, once per scene, a
Morgan can cause the environmental conditions to change for a zone.
This might include making a regular zone difficult terrain, a zone that
is difficult terrain into hazardous, reducing or increasing the gravity,
or creating obstacles. Aside from introducing a new terrain effect, in
the first turn after the change has taken place, anyone in the zone
that is part of the Morgan’s crew gains Surprise on anyone who is not
a part of the crew (see Infinity Corebook, p. 105).

112 Chapter 11
 THE ROLEPLAYING GAME

PSI UNIT COIN

Gathering intelligence typically means data analy- A coin has two sides, when you look at it, one of
sis, but the Psi Unit does have covert agents whose those sides is visible, but the other is still there…
job it is to gather intel the old-fashioned way, by This sobriquet, taught at the Der Irrgarten facility
hand. Covert operatives regularly engage with on Concilium to all Psi Unit Covert Ops agents,
agents from other international agencies as the has a double meaning. On one hand it refers to
secretive dance for intel plays out in the shadows the person themselves — the Coin, a person who
and alley ways of the Human Sphere. appears to be played by an agent, but who is in
fact playing the agent. On the other hand, it refers
SEAM to the intelligence the Coin passes on, on the face
Within the mysterious world of covert operations, of it, useful and accurate intel, while in reality
the Psi Unit agents trained in the maze-like warren misleading and potentially dangerous. Many Coins
known as Der Irrgarten are taught that some of appear to be Seams, and the intel they feed an
the richest intel can be leeched directly from unsuspecting agent can negatively impact tactical
opposing agencies. A rich source of information, and strategic decision making, policy choice, and
they are taught, is called a Seam. Seams are a endanger lives. A Coin might be an enemy agent,
treasure, usually easily manipulated and regularly but equally might be a highly intelligent civilian
in a position that gives access to intelligence they who has managed to see through an agent’s
should not typically be sharing. A Seam to the Psi attempts to manipulate them and turned the tables.
Unit, is what other agencies call unwitting assets.
It may be within a governmental department, a
corporation, a military command, or a ship’s bridge,
but whatever the location, a Seam is not usually ELITE
a head honcho, but rather someone underneath, COIN
someone in the background, like an aid or a clerk,
a personal assistant, or a lover. A vast number of ATTRIBUTES
state and corporate secrets have been uncovered by
AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL
manipulating someone who happens to work in the
8 10 8 8 10 10 9
office of the someone the Psi Unit is interested in.
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE
Combat – – Movement +1 – Social +3 1
TROOPER
Fortitude +2 – Senses +2 1 Technical +2 –
SEAM
DEFENCES
ATTRIBUTES Firewall 10 Resolve 10 Vigour 8

AGI AWA BRW COO INT PER WIL Security 0 Morale 2 Armour 1

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 ATTACKS: Pistol: Range: R/C, 1+4§, Burst 1, Unbalanced,

Vicious 1
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE GEAR: Medium Combat Armour
Combat – – Movement +1 – Social +1 – SPECIAL ABILITIES
Fortitude – – Senses +1 – Technical +2 1 • Resistant: A Coin is intelligent enough to be resistant to manipulation
and coercion; they have a Morale Soak of 2.
DEFENCES • Friend: A Coin is capable of countering any attempt at manipulation
Firewall 4 Resolve 4 Vigour 4 by leaning into it and making the enemy agent believe their attempts
are successful. They appear, in other words, to think of the agent as a
Security 0 Morale 0 Armour 0
friend. Any Psywar attack on a Coin is at +1 Difficulty, which the GM
ATTACKS: As per occupation and background. can explain as being due to the difficulty the Coin will have in gaining
GEAR: As per occupation and background. access to the intel they are after or the importance (and implicit risk)
SPECIAL ABILITIES the Coin is undertaking in sharing the intel.
• Seam: A Seam is a rich source of intel. The players may opt to pay • Liar: Almost every piece of intel shared by a Coin will be misleading
the GM 1 Heat to gain a piece of useful intel on one location or one or false but appear on the surface to be accurate and true. Spotting
person the Seam works for or has a relationship with. If this ability is the intel is bad will require inflicting a Metanoia effect on the Coin or
used twice in an adventure, the Seam becomes suspicious, will cut passing a Daunting (D3) Analysis, Observation, or Psychology skill
contact with the characters, and may report them. test.

Guardians and Adversaries of the Sphere 113