Date: Mon, 28 Aug 1995 19:38:08 -0400 (EDT) From: Alvin Plummer 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alvin Plummer "Preserve what we created, Norris, and remember what we stood for." - Strephon, 179-1126 Reply to: alvin.plummer@SHERIDANC.ON.CA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------