Traveller: The New Era
Ariikeshmindin subsector: an alternate setting
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Date: Mon, 28 Aug 1995 19:38:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
Subject: Ariikeshmindin subsector: an alternate setting
Historical flashback: a posting for Ariikeshmundin subsector, a
subsector on the coreward fringe of the First Imperium.
[I'm working with only a limited amount of information on the ancient
Vilani, please post any historical corrections. If anyone want's to
continue to develop this area, feel welcome to: I basically built this on
a lark.
No, I don't have Vilani & Vargr. Sigh....]
First off, dating. According to my information, the Vilani built their
first jump drive in -9235 (3894 PI, 4714 BC), and fought their
thousand-year Consolation Wars from -5400 (1017 PI, 880 BC). The actual
creation of the First Imperium - ie. the first Vilani interstellar state -
was at -5273 (922 PI, 752 BC): however, it wasn't actually considered an
empire at the time, and didn't have any shadow-emperors yet. At -4045 (
1 VI, 476 AD) the war ended, and the current Vilani dating system began.
[At -8900 (3644 PI, 4380 BC) the Vilani sphere was 10pc in size
At -5430 (1040 PI, 910 BC) Jump 2 was discovered. The Vilani sphere was
about 60 parsec's in radius.]
Now, my subsector is set on -4868 Imperial, after the creation of the
First Imperium, but before the end of the Consolation wars. What's my
current dating system? It can't be VI/PI, since the war's haven't ended
yet, but the Imperium does exist. And what's the name of this Imperium?
I don't think it's The Grand Empire of the Stars, as there is no emperor
yet. Moreover, according to the Library Data books, the Vilani contacted
a large number of nearby races in it's initial expansion, without
conflict: there was already a government regulating trade and technology.
Unless someone with Vilani and Vargr knows different, I have elected to
call the current government the Stellar Commonwealth. Vilani
civilization by this time is c.4400 years old, the Imperium/Commonwealth
is about 425 years old. The Consolation Wars are in full swing, being
fought by the aggressive Vilani to incorporate ALL jump-capable peoples
into one united government. (the other governemnts obtained jump-tech
from Vilani traders, etc, although the Genoese to this day claim to have
invented it on their own.) Most fighting/"pro-active diplomacy" is
rimward of Vland, in a massive arc cutting through the following sectors:
Shaakasi (Verge), Illeish, Zarushagar, Masilaa (Massilia), Manadish
Khurem (Delphi), Rishunir (Fornast), Makhuniim (Ley).
Territory actually controlled by the Commonwealth includes Kishadikhu
(The Windhorn), Meshan, Mendan, Amdukan, Vland, Lishun, Mirasirka
(Antares), Sushinar (Reft, on the rimward side), Gushemege, Dagudashaag,
Ukan (Core). Gushgus (The Empty Quarter) is currently uninhabited by any
interstelar civilization: it won't even recieve the name Gushgus for
three centuries.
Five Vilani megacorporations exist at this time: Makhidkarun
(entertainment, communications), Naasirka (information, electronics),
Sharurskid (trade, speculation), Damuumirkhuu (finance, banking), and
Khiimkeshushisaas (starships, heavy equipment).
Interstellar government is by a number of ruling councils, allotted by
the population of a world. Representatives are chosen by the world in
any manner it sees fit. Vilani colonies dominate these councils, and
most follow the lead of Vland. Many of the more powerful non-Vilani
systems have been long-dominated by Vland for millennia, and identify
with her in the same way the ancient Spanish, for example, would be proud to
call themselves Romans during the first Solomani Imperium. (well, OK, the
technology can stand some improvement...)
[As an aside: the Zhodani get jump drive on -5415, The Vargr on -3810,
the K'kree at -4142, Hivers at -4698. The Terrans contact the Vilani at
-2422, soon after getting jump drive.]
The curremt dating system is an ecletic and convoluted one, where you need a
computer to keep track of which day it is. Despite it's clumsiness,
Vilani conservativism insists on using it ("It was good enough for the
ancestors, it's good enough for us!") until the end of the Consolation
wars. Years are denoted by an name/number combo, ie Urursi-Irika 1871.
Each day and month are named: however, the names change often to
commemorate new events, major discoveries, etc. (Imagine if a the name of
a month was changes everytime a major news event happened, ie renaming
December Freedom because that's whne the Berlin wall fell, or changing
Wednesday to Sputnik because that's when it made it's first orbit.)
So much for the time period. (Oh, before I forget: the Max TL is B, but it's
available only in Vland sector at this time.) Now to the subsector.
Our subsector is at the coreward rim of Kishadiku sector: it's neighbours
are noted below
Amshagi | Kishadiku | Meshan |
Eneri | Vland | Lishun | Mikasirka |
Ariikeshmindin is at Subsector C: basic UWP information follows.
Date: 16D Urursi-Irika 1871
[128-(-4868) Imperial, 617.514 PI, May 7, 348 BC: about a decade before
Alexander the Great, if memory serves]
1701 Zakigiirkar X737000-0 014 M0V
1702 Kumgedigku X300000-0 004 G8III M9V
1704 Iizikimagii Shi X467000-0 004 F3V
1706 Giilumadgii D673266-5 Vi 321 M1V M8D
1707 Kurshudeliish X8C5656-7 Vi 400 M3V
1709 Durishishiisaakar XABA000-0 Vi 023 M5V
1802 Sudimimendu X434000-0 023 M6V
1804 Gulankiduuliir D485510-0 600 K3V M8D
1806* Magagaziishii C7B4679-8 P T Vi 621 M4V M6D
1807* Arshlekuurpe CACA785-9 P T Vi 120 M5D M8D
1808 Ishakira E445230-5 Vi 102 M4V
1810 Iinimina X879000-0 Vi 013 K7V M4D
1901 Gaakalinkuugan X463000-0 005 K0V
1903 Asakirishiisaakar X310000-0 004 M0II
1904 Nushiimga X000000-0 000 G6V M9D
1906* Shiirushshe E5017CG-9 P Vi 710 K1V M5D
1907 Khuusuramdu X443000-0 Vi 015 K3IV
1908 Kaadlushuur X887000-0 Vi 001 M2V
1909 Kisha Mushgamir C360433-9 Vi 301 G0V M5D
2001 Anraanishashi X424000-0 022 K0V
2002 Shubanarkhashash D56A647-8 In 404 G0III
2003 Riiszashu X230000-0 004 F2V
2005* Uukamidungamir B230411-9 T Vi 404 MiV M5D
2010 Uumshummaselim X573561-3 Vi 304 G0V
2102 Kakhaduud X000000-0 003 M0V
2103 Iidurkhudadiin D920425-9 In 101 M5V
2104 Gakhabalukar B32878C-9 L T In 914 G3V M1D
2106* Giigikakine She D7968A9-1 P T Vi 103 K5V M1D
2107* Nanmaduu E75A4DF-5 Vi 422 M0V M0D
2108* Kiniidamuumi X300000-0 Vi 001 G9D
2109* Arrikeshmundin A79268A-9 B T Vi 305 G0V
2110* Ukiishish B56359C-8 P T Vi 104 G2V M4D
2201 Gumakhimnigip EAD4788-7 703 M4V
2202 Urkigade X8A5000-0 023 K4V
2203 Ushshasasaanur X100000-0 003 M1V
2205 Zulaaganlu X400000-0 Vi 003 K2IV
2206 Shiliniigku X100000-0 Vi 003 G1D M1D
2207 Kengarasha X000675-7 Vi 323 G0V
2208 Ikgikiggi X335110-9 Vi 510 F0D M8D
2209* Giikikasmir A588686-A P T Vi 704 G0V
2210* Ashurgamlii C32559A-7 Vi 912 K1V
2302 Bikuredi E554600-0 In 324 G2V
2305 Dukhikisgar X548675-6 Vi 203 K3III M8D
2306 Isurshurshasduu X89A345-7 Vi 415 K4V M8D
2307 Kamakiku X9B1651-4 Vi 502 M2V
2308 Egshirakhuku X120420-8 Vi 604 M4D M1D
2401 Ashkiigeshkur X5A8000-0 004 K8D
2403 Mamigiidamigam X400000-0 024 K8IV
2405 Mushiisiugi X431000-0 Vi 010 G0V M5D
2406 Dapagiri C77378C-5 Vi 403 M3V M3D
2409 Gugisziishan E100200-9 Vi 700 G5IV
2410 Darudkaarke X551598-5 Vi 820 K3V M1D
P = Kishadikhu Patrol Base (mainly customs, rescue, law enforcement)
B = Vilani Naval Base
T = Megacorp Trade Station
L = Local Naval base
* = Trade route. Starships pratically never leave this route: only the
military and crazy free traders (there about 3 in this subsector) will
ever do so.
Vi = First Imperium alliegance. In = Independent
[Note: the above is for referee use only: there is no such thing as "UWP
listings" for the First Imperium. The players will have to discover this
information themselves, and try to remember it without recourse to UWP
codes of any form.]
Trade:
Pratically all trade within the First Imperium is by convoy, from small,
5-ship affairs to massive, thousand-ship trader fleets. This is for a
variety of reasons: the preference in safety in numbers (Solomani
individualism is nearly unheard of), insurance costs, and the fact that
very few ship have built-in fuel purifiers, forcing them to stick to the
chain of trader bases and starports. (Obtaining a licence for a fuel
purifier is nearly impossible for civilians)
Because this subsector is so thinly settled (it will only have 2 hi-pop
systems by -2219, when the First Imperium falls, 2649 years from now),
there are only about 200 jump-capable merchantmen, almost all built at
TL 9, on a basic 200-ton frame. The Commonweath Navy has about 20
combatants, built on a similar frame, but with a few lasers added. It
also has 2 600-ton SDB, both on Ariikeshmundin/2109.
Politics
Subsectors governments varies widely within the Commonwealth, the most
common forms being 1 world = 1 vote democracy, established bureaucracies,
ruling families, appointed govenours, martial law or megacorporate rule,
a la the British East Indian Company.
Ariikeshmundin subsector is currently rules by an appointed civilian
governour, a retired naval captain. Most of his duties revolve around
mediating disputes between the three Iklikha worlds (Magagaziishii/1806,
Arshlekuurpe/1807, Shiirushshe/1906); promoting trade and settlement of
the Shuu Miradis group (Arrikeshmundin, Ukiishish, Giikikasmir,
Ashurgamlii); keeping an eye on non-Vilani space, esp. Gakhabalukar;
insure that the Liipukurkhulii convoys (from 1807 to 2110) run smoothly; and
(unofficaly) skim a little off the top for himself.
There is a major war on one of his worlds, Magagaziishii/1806. However,
he has resoutely avoided getting involved, as it would be extremely
expensive. Moreover, neither of the combatents pose a threat to the
Commonwealth. However, public opinion, which long supported him, is now
urging an intervention: letting this war fester is becoming a liability
to the system's self-image, and the sector government might blackball
this subsector as "Too barbarian", locking out the subsector from a host
of goodies like easy terms on loand, or additional funds for developemnt
projects.
*The Liipukurkhulii route (to save time, only hex numbers are used)*
The Shuu Miradis worlds
2109 - Capital of the subsector, real ship yards, naval base. Centre of
trade for the subsector
2209 - TL A -- best TL for the entire coreward half of the sector.
Rapidly growing colony, heavy into architecture. One of the top two
shipyards in the sector, but only a handful of ships are made per year.
Wealthest world in the subsector
2110 - Young (founded 40 years ago), growing colony. Founded as a
trader's stopover, it's economy centres around it's ship yard, but is
starting to diversify. Often prone to boom-bust cycles.
2210 - Ho-hum port. A run-dwn, economically deprived world.
Absolutely dependent on it's port for all income: a very bad place to be
during a downturn.
En route to the Iklikha worlds
2107 - A hard religious dictatorship. Little to trade, just a stopover.
A waterworld, it's orbiting port is owned by the subsector, rahter than a
corp, line or megacorp.
2108 - A stripped-down refuel depot: barely a port at all!
2106 - Worldwide, TL 1 empire run by massive Brontosaouri
(well, to Solomani eyes, anyways) About 30m. long, head raised up to
18m high, weight about 30 meteric tonnes.
Hits - 100, Hooves - 5, Tail - 4, Stomp 15
Armour 3, Initiative 1. To hit: 8. 9A, 7F, 29S
2105 - An expensive overhaul and transshipping point. Ships which have
emptied a LOT of their cargo for fuel and/or loaded up on fuel pods can
try to make the journey to Gakhabalukar/2104, the most powerful non-Vilani
system in the subsector. No Gakhabalukar jumpships visit: the
Vilani is extremely jealous of jump technology, and forced the
Gakhablukar to give up building or maintaining any jumpships.
The Iklikha Worlds
1906 - A highly interesting world. Rigid, but popular laws. One of the
few Vilani colonies where science and research is actually tolerated.
1806 - Hot sopt of the subsector: currently in the throes of a on-again,
off-again world war. The few nuclear warheads the world could afford
have already been used, and they are continually trying to save enough
money to buy more, while fending off the enemy in the meantime.
They are avid buyers of conventional military equipment, too. Traders can
often be seen in orbit, waiting for a truce so they can land in neutral
territory.
As the two fractions improvish each other, a steady stream of refugees
is emigrating from the system, and the subsector governour is starting to
feel pressure from Upstairs to solve the situation: rather difficult,
given the limited amount of force he can bring to bear against the two
fractions, but becoming more viable as the world ruin's it's capasity to
fight off even a shoestring invasion.
1807 - A highly alien and dangerous enviroment: ships must plot their
decent carefully, or be suddenly ripped apart/broiled alive in atmosphere.
Sole source of a variety of rare ores and alloys for the sector quadrant
(subsector's C,D,G,H) Wealthiest of the Iklikha worlds now that
Magagaziishii/1806 has ruined itself.
Outside of the Liipukhulii route: trailing
- a region of general poverty, and few ports. Home of the stagnating
Kidu Shazahud region.
The Kidu Shazahud region proper
2207 - No port: balklanized in very small settlements of 1,000 - 10,000.
Loathe's visitors. Endless skirmishing.
2305 - Four large nationsn c.110 small nations. No port: has little of
value to trade
2306 - No port: home of a small,struggling colony. Grim prospects.
2307 - Once a massive Vilani naval base, built 500 years ago as a staging
areafor a stillborn attempt to expand coreward of Kishadiku sector. Now,
theorbiting portion has long crashed, while the ground portion has
suffered major technological regression.
2308 - Originally a scientific research station, now a rarely-visited
philosophical monastery. No port.
2406 - Gateway to Sudarri subsector (Kishadikhu-D) (a very sparcely settled
area: c. 24 million total popualtion). Cultural, economic links are to that
subsector, not here.
Outside of the Kidu Shazakud region:
2409 - A provately owned port (and system!) of a system-wide corporation.
2410 - No port. Economically bankrupt, but politically stable.
Outside of the Liipukurkulii route: Spinward
1706 - A simple but efficent port. A small surveying settlement, run by
the subsector government.
1808 - A "flat pavement" port. With a fuel farm.
1909 - a Health retreat, with an oversized port to handle the additional
passanger traffic. Many subsector-wide sporting events are held here.
2010 - No port: for centuries (up to today) a favourate exile world for
political dissidents. Directly controlled by the subsector.
[Note: 1908 is a system which is uninhabitable despite it's breathable
air and biosphere, due to subvocal soundwaves that render the non-deaf
insane over one to two weeks.]
Outside the Liipukurkulii route: Coreward
1804 - The masters of this decrepid port have manages to organize the
original, now TL 0 settlers as "employees".
2002 - With a small but viable port, this habitable world is the most
sfaest, pleasent place in the subsector.
2103 - Just another orbiting refuel centre.
2104 - A very fine port: no new jumpship construction ability, due to a
treaty with the Commonwealth. Wealthy, old, well defended - but
emasculated, unable to expand across the stars due to the shadow of
Commonwealth fleets. Can't seem to decide to hate or emulate the Vilani.
2201 - A poor port, maintained for prestige rather than use. A
poor, but comapatively pleasent, culture.
2302 - Formerly a large Gakhabalukar colony. Brutally nuked by the Vilani
to "persuade" Gakhabalukar/2104 to give up interstellar expansion or
exploration.
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Alvin Plummer
"Preserve what we created, Norris, and remember what we stood for."
- Strephon, 179-1126
Reply to: alvin.plummer@SHERIDANC.ON.CA
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