donegal
Technology: 2 Environment: -1 Resources: 1
Donegal is the only actively spacefar- ing culture in the cluster. It is also not a hu- man world. Sometime in the past century or so, it became connected to this cluster, and with it re-introduced FTL technology. Its inhabitants are lizards, and the huge planet, riven by fissures that go miles deep, show all the evidence of a barren, dead world. But there is an atmosphere that is breathable about 3km below the surface, and it is in this narrow habitable band that the lizards live, in deep, mined cracks. The life cycle of the lizards (who refer to them- selves simply as “the People”) begins in the dark, and represents a sideways growth, until one reaches the fissures themselves, around which complex cities have devel- oped, built into the walls of the planet. On the surface, there is almost nothing to see— vast windswept rock which can double as landing areas for interface vehicles.
The People of Donegal have sustained their current level of technology for many, many years, and so their military industry has tended towards energy weapons as the waste is reduced and the opportunity for efficiency improvements is greater. The People have not developed a preference for armour usage, however, and so their weapons often reflect this.
aspects
We live in the cracks Space is ours to sell Sentient lizardmen Lizardfolk (the People) The lizards of Donegal stand about five feet high when adults, nine feet from snout to tail. They walk upright with a loping gait, but can drop to all fours naturally, as they often do in their athletic com- petitions. The culture is stratified, with several periods of the life cycle, and an in-built expectation that adults will lay eggs or fertil- ized young. Many ships cabins are left with a clutch of unfertilized eggs to be cleaned away after the lizard has left.
Lizards have the same range of abilities as humans though they tend not to be as physically strong (Stamina often not taken), and have good balance (Agility often is). Most adults have some Brawl- ing Skill (reflecting the successful struggles through childhood). Most lizards will also be taught the cluster’s human language in addition to their own tongue. Since joining the cluster, there has been an impetus to teach all ado- lescents some marketable space skill: there is a strong cultural bias against any who are not willing to work to ensure lizard dominance in space.
ssang
Technology: 0 Environment: 1 Resources: 2
Ssang finds itself shocked by the current state of affairs in the cluster. Recently Ssang developed the technology to properly explore their system. As they ventured out from their homeworld they were shocked to find their system already cluttered with other ships. Ships they didn’t know existed but knew shouldn’t be there. Ssang enjoys an inviting homeworld and about the system are mineral rich moons and planetoids with inhospitable environments. Much of Ssang’s current dilemma stems from trying to figure out a way to protect their rights from the interstellar looters and squatters throughout the system and stake their claim to the slipstream points they can only just reach with great expense and long travel times.
Ssang may be an up-and-coming power in the cluster if it can survive the current painful teething it is experiencing.
The planet currently is in the throes of a potential revolution as the once-unified government splintered with the discovery of their space already being exploited by other worlds. Currently the major groups bicker for power and control of the direction of Ssang.
The Purified Party wants to end the exploration now since pushing into the heav- ens can only bring about a holy wrath.
Branch Sokju currently holds the most power due to its catchy slogan during the last election, “Explore the Lore,” but this is far from absolute. However, it remains to be seen if their scientific ideals can withstand pressure from all sides as their coalition wobbles under various pressures.
Jjan Migukk pushes forward Ssang’s unquestioned right to rule their system and believe in military force to enforce their right to rule. The fact that in order to success- fully impose this belief would require spacecraft from other worlds hasn’t slowed their rhetoric or vitriol at all.
The Nugg Corporation is a mercantile consortium looking for ways to profit from the recent exploration of the venture and sell everything from tea to tectonic resona- tors.
aspects
New to the cluster Dangerous occupation Space is scary
adventure ideas
Stealing Supplies: the outer reaches of the Ssang system are there for the tak- ing, and a few other people are doing just that. Without any real law in the system (since Ssang is incapable of policing its space), the players can make some quick cash by raiding a mining colony of its hoard and selling it out-of-system to the highest bidder.
them set up an interstellar trade agreement which will supply Ssang with space- craft and technology capable of patrolling and protecting the system in return for mineral rights or some other thing of value (referees, get creative!). The players must negotiate within the power structure of Ssang as well as the other systems (Donegal and New Algiers seem likely culprits) to permit Ssang entry into the cluster’s trade channels.