History
For the first 300 years within the light of Eos, no one dared to brave The Remnants. The Archive had circuvented this dense asteroid belt upon mankind's approch, and no piloet dared to attempt the flight himself. That is, until Jonas III's great Cleansing.
Jonas III was a zealous worshiper of The Archive, and when he discovered a secret sect of people that were still worshiping The Old God, he ordered them all put to death. A small group, merely 300, escaped the slaughter in a ship they named John 3:16, and headed full thrust into The Remnants. Miraculously, they made it through unscathed, and what they found on the other side was a small, temperate planet they named after their leader, Celio Woodbury. This was the first Rim World, and since has become a safe harbor for anyone fleeing the core worlds. Recently, a wave of refugees from the Memnon War have began to call Celio home.
Government
Celio is ruled by a democratic council of elected officials. These officials are replaced every four years, via popular vote. There is no leader figure head; All decisions are made for the people, by the people.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Emathion: The Vacation Desination
History
Soon after Smythe's discoveries on the thick, jungle planet of Memnon, The Empire sent and exploration crew to Phobos's other moon, Emathion. What they found here was sure to surprise; a vast world of mostly blue-green ocean, speckled with tropical island chains that sported glorious vistas of waterfalls and flowering trees. As soon as the new returned to Phaeton, Emathion became THE summer hangout for Imperial nobles and rich businessmen alike.
Its not all flowers and sunshine, however... Its beauty, and the heavy pockets that it drew in, brought the attention of many pirates and thieves as well...
Soon after Smythe's discoveries on the thick, jungle planet of Memnon, The Empire sent and exploration crew to Phobos's other moon, Emathion. What they found here was sure to surprise; a vast world of mostly blue-green ocean, speckled with tropical island chains that sported glorious vistas of waterfalls and flowering trees. As soon as the new returned to Phaeton, Emathion became THE summer hangout for Imperial nobles and rich businessmen alike.
Its not all flowers and sunshine, however... Its beauty, and the heavy pockets that it drew in, brought the attention of many pirates and thieves as well...
Phobos: The Eerie Glow
History
The gas giant Phobos was discovered shortly after Phaeton. It is the second planet from Eos, lying between Phaeton and the asteroid belt known as the Remnants. Phobos is composed almost entirely of xenon and hydrogen gases, making it the prime hub for fuel mining within the system. It is also home to luminids; Jellyfish-like creatures that live within its dangerous atmosphere and feed off its hydrogen. These creatures are bio luminescent, and it is their activity that gives the planet its eerie glow.
Government
Phobos itself has no government, but it is under the jurisdiction of the Empire. All fuel mining here is heavily taxed, and anyone caught stealing from Phobos is sentenced to instant death, delivered by the feared Hand.
Phobos also has two moons; Memnon and Emathion, which are described in their own sections.
Corporations
Any corporation may bid for a place on Phobos, but they are heavily taxed by the Empire.
The gas giant Phobos was discovered shortly after Phaeton. It is the second planet from Eos, lying between Phaeton and the asteroid belt known as the Remnants. Phobos is composed almost entirely of xenon and hydrogen gases, making it the prime hub for fuel mining within the system. It is also home to luminids; Jellyfish-like creatures that live within its dangerous atmosphere and feed off its hydrogen. These creatures are bio luminescent, and it is their activity that gives the planet its eerie glow.
Government
Phobos itself has no government, but it is under the jurisdiction of the Empire. All fuel mining here is heavily taxed, and anyone caught stealing from Phobos is sentenced to instant death, delivered by the feared Hand.
Phobos also has two moons; Memnon and Emathion, which are described in their own sections.
Corporations
Any corporation may bid for a place on Phobos, but they are heavily taxed by the Empire.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Memnon: Smythe's Folly
History
When explorer's first surveyed Phobos, they spent little time inspecting the great planet's moons. So little, in fact, that for many years these small rocks didn't even have names. It wasn't until the creation of the Phaetonian Calender that these celestial bodies were given any thought. They were named after the Titan Eos's two mortal children; Memnon and Emathion. They were named, their cycles were recorded, and little was thought of them again.
That is, until a prospector named Edgar Smythe took a trip to the moon of Memnon in 120 A.E. When the rest of man was still shaping the plentiful Phaeton, Smythe had the foresight to see that an end to the bounty was near, and that people would soon be seeking new sources of ore and lumber.
He quickly found that Memnon was treacherous. "There is not an insect, nor plant, nor beast upon this rock that does not wish to bite, claw, sting, poison, eat, or otherwise maim and destroy man." He claimed in his journal. He lost thirteen men the first year. twenty the second. But, eventually, he and his crew had cleared enough space to build a suitable spaceport. It was then that he began to explore the jungle.
What he found in Memnon's many slag pits was nothing short of amazing. The earth below the crust of Memnon was molten, and rich in a remarkable new ore that, when properly tempered, was both lighter and more durable than any metal known previous. Being a studious, yet fairly simple, man he called this ore Duratite. He called the metal he created Durasteel, and began marketing it to all manner of manufacturers.
Soon questions arose as to the source of this remarkable metal. Wanting to keep this trade secret to himself, Edgar offered to buy the moon of Memnon from the Empire. He told them to name the price. The number? 7.2 million credits- less than two tenths of a credit per acre.
Over the years, ownership of Memnon has been passed down through the Smythe family line. They have maintained sole ownership of the richest duratite mines in the system (though more sources have been discovered) Many pilgrims traveled to Memnon as Phaeton became over crowded, but life in this jungle is harsh and unforgiving. Yet, a steady and substantial population has risen on the emerald moon. These people have been treated as serfs by the Smythe family for centuries.
Recently, these 'serfs' have began to rebel, attempting to overthrow the Smythe family and turn Memnon into a free state. These Freedom Fighters excel at sniping and gaurella combat, but are no match for the armory of the Smythe Company, or the dreaded Imperial Fleet that waits at a moments notice to protect this valuable asset.
Government
The Smythe Family rules over Memnon, under the blessing of the Emperor, in the same way a Baron would rule over their Barony in ancient times. The current ruler is Lord Albrich Von Smythe The Third.
Corperations
The Smythe Company holds sole Imperial Rights to of all of Memnon, and they hold this land with military expertise. The is even more frightening when you consider the fact that the Smythe Company is the primary producer of TCVs, or Terrestrial Combat Vehicles, in the system. They are also one of the foremost manufacturer of conventional and mounted weaponry in the system.
When explorer's first surveyed Phobos, they spent little time inspecting the great planet's moons. So little, in fact, that for many years these small rocks didn't even have names. It wasn't until the creation of the Phaetonian Calender that these celestial bodies were given any thought. They were named after the Titan Eos's two mortal children; Memnon and Emathion. They were named, their cycles were recorded, and little was thought of them again.
That is, until a prospector named Edgar Smythe took a trip to the moon of Memnon in 120 A.E. When the rest of man was still shaping the plentiful Phaeton, Smythe had the foresight to see that an end to the bounty was near, and that people would soon be seeking new sources of ore and lumber.
He quickly found that Memnon was treacherous. "There is not an insect, nor plant, nor beast upon this rock that does not wish to bite, claw, sting, poison, eat, or otherwise maim and destroy man." He claimed in his journal. He lost thirteen men the first year. twenty the second. But, eventually, he and his crew had cleared enough space to build a suitable spaceport. It was then that he began to explore the jungle.
What he found in Memnon's many slag pits was nothing short of amazing. The earth below the crust of Memnon was molten, and rich in a remarkable new ore that, when properly tempered, was both lighter and more durable than any metal known previous. Being a studious, yet fairly simple, man he called this ore Duratite. He called the metal he created Durasteel, and began marketing it to all manner of manufacturers.
Soon questions arose as to the source of this remarkable metal. Wanting to keep this trade secret to himself, Edgar offered to buy the moon of Memnon from the Empire. He told them to name the price. The number? 7.2 million credits- less than two tenths of a credit per acre.
Over the years, ownership of Memnon has been passed down through the Smythe family line. They have maintained sole ownership of the richest duratite mines in the system (though more sources have been discovered) Many pilgrims traveled to Memnon as Phaeton became over crowded, but life in this jungle is harsh and unforgiving. Yet, a steady and substantial population has risen on the emerald moon. These people have been treated as serfs by the Smythe family for centuries.
Recently, these 'serfs' have began to rebel, attempting to overthrow the Smythe family and turn Memnon into a free state. These Freedom Fighters excel at sniping and gaurella combat, but are no match for the armory of the Smythe Company, or the dreaded Imperial Fleet that waits at a moments notice to protect this valuable asset.
Government
The Smythe Family rules over Memnon, under the blessing of the Emperor, in the same way a Baron would rule over their Barony in ancient times. The current ruler is Lord Albrich Von Smythe The Third.
Corperations
The Smythe Company holds sole Imperial Rights to of all of Memnon, and they hold this land with military expertise. The is even more frightening when you consider the fact that the Smythe Company is the primary producer of TCVs, or Terrestrial Combat Vehicles, in the system. They are also one of the foremost manufacturer of conventional and mounted weaponry in the system.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Phaeton: The New Homeworld
When mankind reached the Eos system, they found a wealth of planets capable of supporting life. None were more capable, however, than the shining giant called Phaeton.
With rich soil, a vast temperate zone, and a stable water supply, Phaeton was the perfect target for colonization. Arks took orbit around the massive world, and the landing pods were launched. Mankind, in their true nature, took no delay in bending Phaeton to their will. Large swaths of forest were cleared. Mountains were quickly reduced to husks as they were over mined and cut for stone. Rivers were redirected, as irrigation for the fields, killing entire ecosystems. In just a few centuries, mankind had done more damage to Phaeton than they had ever done to Earth. What began as a giant, emerald world of thriving potential had become a husk world, with few remaining resources and a rapidly growing population. This was the new homeworld; A shining example of the innovation and creativity of the human mind...
Climate & Terrain
Phaeton is vastly temperate. Hardwood forests and grey waters once dominated the landscape- Most have been cleared and replaced by large cities. A massive mountain range, called Titan's Breach, cuts the world in two along the equator. This is perhaps the only frontier left on Phaeton. The only people who brave the Breach are prospectors in search of ore- A scarce commodity on Phaeton due to the planet's low density.
Much of the southern hemisphere of Phaeton is dominated by the Great Sea- A body of water that houses untold creatures and treasures in it's depths.
Government
Since 300 AE, The Core Worlds (Phaeton, Phobos, Memnon and Emathion) have been ruled by an Emperor. This emperor is supposedly chosen by The Archive, and his word is law. Many disagree with the Emperor's rule, but these people either keep quiet, flee to the Rim Worlds, or disappear...
Phaeton is the Seat of the Empire. From here the Emperor, Jonas VI, rules the core planets with the aid of his right hand man, Darren White-The Voice Of The Archive.
The Empire church-state regulates all trade within the core rules. This makes it very difficult for products to make it past the Remnants. This is why the majority of the ships within the core worlds are made by Stellar Vox or C3, the only ship manufacturers to call Phaeton home.
Corporations
(I reserve the right to add more to this section in the future...)
Stellar Vox: The largest producer of spaceships, Stellar Vox owns over thirty assembly plants on Phaeton. They also own and operate the Phaeton Orbital Station, which gives them control over the trade that comes in and out of the capital city. Stellar Vox has gone to great extents to keep it's nose clean; They are perhaps the most uncorrupt of all the Corporations. They are, however, well known for overworking and underpaying their employees.
C3: The Capital Caravan Company, or C3, is the second most successful spaceship producer in the system. Their ships are less expensive, and lower quality, than those produced by Stellar Vox. It is a well known fact that C3 utilizes slave labor in their factories. While slavery isn't specifically illegal in the Colonies, it is frowned upon. Everyone knows their ships are cheaper because they don't pay their workforce- Yet, the bottom line speaks louder than morality for most. This is how C3 rose to the power it is today.
Centuri Arms: Centuri arms is the primary producer of all spaceship weaponry used today. Their private military, the Centurians, have ensured this. If any other business rises to challenge Centuri, they are generally destroyed. He with the biggest gun always wins, after all.
(thats it for now. More shall come...)
With rich soil, a vast temperate zone, and a stable water supply, Phaeton was the perfect target for colonization. Arks took orbit around the massive world, and the landing pods were launched. Mankind, in their true nature, took no delay in bending Phaeton to their will. Large swaths of forest were cleared. Mountains were quickly reduced to husks as they were over mined and cut for stone. Rivers were redirected, as irrigation for the fields, killing entire ecosystems. In just a few centuries, mankind had done more damage to Phaeton than they had ever done to Earth. What began as a giant, emerald world of thriving potential had become a husk world, with few remaining resources and a rapidly growing population. This was the new homeworld; A shining example of the innovation and creativity of the human mind...
Climate & Terrain
Phaeton is vastly temperate. Hardwood forests and grey waters once dominated the landscape- Most have been cleared and replaced by large cities. A massive mountain range, called Titan's Breach, cuts the world in two along the equator. This is perhaps the only frontier left on Phaeton. The only people who brave the Breach are prospectors in search of ore- A scarce commodity on Phaeton due to the planet's low density.
Much of the southern hemisphere of Phaeton is dominated by the Great Sea- A body of water that houses untold creatures and treasures in it's depths.
Government
Since 300 AE, The Core Worlds (Phaeton, Phobos, Memnon and Emathion) have been ruled by an Emperor. This emperor is supposedly chosen by The Archive, and his word is law. Many disagree with the Emperor's rule, but these people either keep quiet, flee to the Rim Worlds, or disappear...
Phaeton is the Seat of the Empire. From here the Emperor, Jonas VI, rules the core planets with the aid of his right hand man, Darren White-The Voice Of The Archive.
The Empire church-state regulates all trade within the core rules. This makes it very difficult for products to make it past the Remnants. This is why the majority of the ships within the core worlds are made by Stellar Vox or C3, the only ship manufacturers to call Phaeton home.
Corporations
(I reserve the right to add more to this section in the future...)
Stellar Vox: The largest producer of spaceships, Stellar Vox owns over thirty assembly plants on Phaeton. They also own and operate the Phaeton Orbital Station, which gives them control over the trade that comes in and out of the capital city. Stellar Vox has gone to great extents to keep it's nose clean; They are perhaps the most uncorrupt of all the Corporations. They are, however, well known for overworking and underpaying their employees.
C3: The Capital Caravan Company, or C3, is the second most successful spaceship producer in the system. Their ships are less expensive, and lower quality, than those produced by Stellar Vox. It is a well known fact that C3 utilizes slave labor in their factories. While slavery isn't specifically illegal in the Colonies, it is frowned upon. Everyone knows their ships are cheaper because they don't pay their workforce- Yet, the bottom line speaks louder than morality for most. This is how C3 rose to the power it is today.
Centuri Arms: Centuri arms is the primary producer of all spaceship weaponry used today. Their private military, the Centurians, have ensured this. If any other business rises to challenge Centuri, they are generally destroyed. He with the biggest gun always wins, after all.
DMC: Destiny Motor Company is the premiere producer of automobiles and motorcycles in all the Colonies. Their product line ranges from compact, folding motorcycles for easy storage to massive cargo haulers for long range land travel.
Rayne Chemical Co. :Eric Rayne was a DMC chemist that discovered the formula to producing Ember Fuel; A substance that burns slowly for high power but low release (not very effective as an explosive but great for fueling travel.) This was quickly promoted as a safer alternative to the methane fuel cells that most vehicles were using at the time. Eric Rayne formed a partnership with DMC and started his own company to focus exclusively on the production of Ember Fuel.
All modern vehicles, especially expensive ones, run on Ember Fuel now- And Rayne Chem reaps the rewards of being the only provider.
(thats it for now. More shall come...)
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Technology
Because mankind forgot everything in the travel from Earth to the Eos system, they have had to relearn and reinvent basic and advanced technologies. Due to different needs, different supplies of resources, and a little bit of political or religious control, technology evolved differently here than it did on Earth:
The Technology of Eos
Fine Points
1) No computers or other digital technology
2) Technology should be durable, bulky, elaborate and ornate
3) Technology powerful enough to support space travel and an advanced civilization
Rules
1. Technology: Advanced methods/devices can increase the capabilities of any existing technology but development and construction is exponentially difficult and expensive
I. Scientific geniuses are sought after for custom technological solutions to problems. Great thinkers are often “sponsored” by government or industrial concerns.
II. Technological advancement is kept to a limited pace rather than rushing ahead due to the small number of “mad scientists” and geniuses, the jealous guarding of advanced techniques and capabilities, and the cost of developing and building advanced devices.
III. Industrial as well as governmental espionage is popular. Because unique knowledge is guarded and breakthroughs are rare it is often just as easy, or more so, to steal someone else's knowledge.
(Spying is an industry and counter espionage is big business.)
IV. If you're making something expensive and unique you might as well make it good looking.
2. Materials: Metals, ceramics and plant materials are plentiful while petroleum is not
I. Metal is durable and plentiful.
(Asteroid and moon mining.)
II. Advanced metallurgy/ceramics can be light and very durable.
(Weapons, armor, hull plating, miniaturized cogs and motors, & other devices are made from advanced ceramics. In addition advanced materials combined with advanced tank and valve designs allow for the safe storage of extremely high pressure gasses.)
III. Wood and bamboo like grasses are easy to form, reasonably durable, and renewable. Thus its a common construction material. Similarly plants are used to produce many chemical products such as grease & oil, rubber, cellulose based plastics, etc.
(Lots of wooden walls, furniture, fixtures, etc. Farming is important & crops are often raised to support industry.)
IV. Plant based plastics are light and inexpensive but not durable and biodegrade, lasting only weeks on average before starting to break down.
(Light materials used for disposable products but not very useful for construction.)
V. Chemistry and chemical production is somewhat advanced but controlled and develops slowly. Groups jealously guard their formulas and processes to gain advantage. Industrial espionage is popular.
VI. There is no petroleun and there are no petroleum based products.
(No gasoline or deisel fuel, no petroleum oils, etc.)
3. Energy: The primary source of stored energy is via chemical reaction
I. There are plentiful sources of cheap hydrocarbon gasses which can be gathered from gas giants and frozen moons.
(Atmo scooping for quick, easy fuel production. Possible surface mining under very difficult conditions for high quality/concentrated fuels. Surface approaches are controlled by fuel consortiums so ships interested in a free top-off need to run a blockade or find a secret route. Fuel mines maybe manned by indentured workers similar to the old time mining towns.)
II. There might be a unique element/compound to allow even higher energy output to really fuel space travel. An element with high energy content but slow combustion to inhibit it's use for explosives.
III. Combustion engines are common, cheap and relatively clean.
(Ceramic metals allow for miniaturized rotary engines, maybe the size of hot wheels cars, which can be built into devices replacing the use of electric motors to some extent.)
IV. Electricity can be generated through direct mechanical conversion (burning) for inexpensive, relatively low power requirements. Higher efficiency is achieved through the use of of more expensive fuels cells.
(Small power needs are fed by a motor and generator component. Electric motors are reserved for high torque needs. Devices requiring a lot of electrical power use fuel cells which convert the same gas fuels directly into electricity but are more expensive due to the rare elements required for their catalysts. Space ships use huge fuel cells to generate the power for their ion drive engines.)
V. Disposable batteries are common. Rechargeable batteries are somewhat rarer and often produced under industrial secrecy. It is often just as easy to use a miniturized generator or fuel cell which can be re-filled and reused. Only very tiny electronic devices commonly use batteries over other power sources.
(Small electronics can be powered either by replacable batteries or via refillable fuel cell. Tiny electrical devices use button cells.)
VI. Power can be stored in large banks of chemical batteries or high efficiency capacitors. This is often done to slowly store power and then release it in a large discharge or to handle lapses in other generation methods.
(Electrically powered, high output devices such as long range radio or radar. Space ships often have battery banks to run large systems and to function for extended periods without burning fuel.)
VII. Solar power is rare and relies upon heat generation converted into mechanical motion rather than direct electrical generation. Other forms of alternative production also rely on physical motion, thermal generation/conversion, or direct chemical conversion.
(Space stations and ships can take advantage of the thermoelectric effect, via the heat difference between their sunny and shadowed side, to generate limited amounts of electricity able to run low power systems. Rural/agricultral areas may use wind and water generators. Hydrogen & oxygen generated via electralysis become secondary forms of stored, combustible gasses. Ethanol is a popular liquid fuel used mainly for heat production or where waste vegetable material is especially prevalent.)
VIII. Nuclear power is non-existant and radioactive materials are considered too dangerous to work with by society
IX. Most weapons utilize either chemical reaction or muscle power. Rarer forms of power are pressurized tanks, springs, or fly wheels and other uses of motors. Electro-magnetic based power is reserved for very large installations with massive power storage batteries.
4. Power: There is a trade off between power, control and speed
I. Mechanical power can be precise and powerful but will also be slow.
(Low gear ratios move slowly and distance travelled can be judged carefully.)
II. Mechanical power can be fast, but is then less powerful and more imprecise.
(High gear ratios move fast but have a harder time pushing/slowing great weight and travel distance can be hard to judge, often leading to over travel.)
III. Stressed mechanical parts break
(Can be enhanced for cinematic effect as springs and cogs fly everywhere.)
5. Electronics: Circuits are analog only
I. Circuits are made up of analog devices with vacuum tubes in the place of transistors.
(Picture eerily glowing little globs of glass coated with mysterious substances which brighten and dim as they function. Larger tubes meant to carry high current are hot, touchy and possible fragile or burn out. This forces techs to often replace them. Thus you socket large tubes rather than solder them in and they may sometimes also need re-seating if they loosen. Banging on a device can often re-seat an errant large tube, making the device work... at least for a while.)
II. Vacuum tube technology has been advanced to allow small, stable vacuum tubes for low power devices while the addition of a semi-solid insulating gel with electrical qualities similar to vacuum (phlogiston) stabilizes the internal structures of larger tubes which are needed to handle high amounts of power/current.
(The smallest tube the size of a grain of rice, the average tube the size of a pencil eraser, but larger units can be the size of fish tanks or refrigerators with multiple protruding electrical connections poking randomly out of the their surfaces. Maybe Phlogiston is a guarded trade secret, or made from rare or hard to retrieve/process materials. Think semi-rigid, cloudy gello of alien chemistry that glows slightly phosphorescent when electrons flow through it.)
III. Most circuits are highly resistant to EMP but suffer from distortion of function during the event, the exception being EMP events powerful enough to generate enough heat in circuits to melt wire.
IV. Vacuum tube technology has permitted the development of advanced CRT tubes and various other forms of radiation emitters.
(An advanced “flat panel” is made up of many smaller CRT tubes in a matrix. Otherwise inexpensive displays are large CRT tubes or tubes with linear filaments like old calculators.)
V. Electromagnetic waves are commonly used but data transmitted via them is easily distorted by interference since the signal is not binary and has no error correction.
(Messages can get through but still be mysteriously garbled and hard to understand.)
6. Glass: Due to the requirements of vacuum tube technology, glass material technology is also highly advanced
I. Glass casting or blowing is a noble trade and a high art.
II. Glass materials (silicon, soda, lime and any doping materials) are highly valued.
III. With easy access to high quality glass, optics is an advanced science.
7. Records: Data stored physically is durable but not compact, data stored electronically is compact but not durable
I. Data stored physically is limited by a person's/device's ability to detect and interperate the physical markings or changes. Durable materials and high quality optics make physical record storage useful for written/drawn storage. Phonograph technology makes it useable for audio storage as well. Crystal matrix physical storage is likely out of reach or rare but possible with thin storage media, but data interpretion would be limited to a machine reading analog data.)
II. Data stored eletronically is stored either as a magnetic charge on a physical medium or in very short time lapse circuit loops (milliseconds loops at most).
III. Electronic data is stored in such a way that it will eventually be lost through natural degradation. Most often a magnetizable material is used, often coating a wire or ribbon of some flexible substance.
(Data on an old/damaged electronic spool may be read, but only vague parts of the data are readable.)
IV. Data storage is transitory and can be fragile. Physical storage media can be broken. Electronic storage media is also vulnerable to magnetic fields and heat.
V. Data duplication is time consuming and long term storage is expensive. True electronic long term storage requires the regular duplication of data onto new media.
(Think rows and rows of monks duplicating racks and racks of magnetic wire/tape to save their archives for another generation.)
VI. Kodachrome photography with chemical film exists.
(It's fun.)
8. Information:Electronic storage media is limited and slow
I. Information needs to be analyzed in real time.
II. Data can be stored and read back but may only be searched through in a linear fashion which makes search times longer. Data must be read as the spool is wound forward or back. Multiple tracks can be used on ribbons to speed seek time by reading all of the tracks at once but then it slows down linear data reading across multiple tracks since you must rewind to reach the start of the next track.
III. Detection devices can give readings on what they are currently pointed at but cannot be used to display or analyze data collected earlier to view the “whole picture”
(Radar displays where something is but not the path it took or will take. A device that can scan through materials lke an X-Ray will show what is directly under the sensor in a limited arc, probably the size of its sensor/screen maybe 4” x 4”, but cannot be swept over a device to remember and display an image of the whole.)
IV. Most devices utilize analog meters, filiment tubes, or CRT screens to display electronically generated information.
V. For the most part machines possess little analytic power. They can tell you what you are looking at, it's size, shape, distance from you, composition, etc., but not what it does or how it functions. Interpretation of any data shown is up to the person using the device. Some limited analysis may be possible through limited pattern matching using recorded media but even that is slow as data is spooled from a reel.
Examples of Technology
• Cerametal blades sharper than razors
• Gatling pistols run by methane powered rotory motors with a hi optic sights
• N-Ray penetrating variable depth materials detection scanners
• Electronic music recreation systems with micro-hetrodyne tube amplifiers for that mellow sound
• A magenetic data storage recorder utilizing expensive spooled cerametal wire for durable data storage (fed at 1” of cord per second)
• Remote vision radio communicators with true color CRT screens
• Photonic cascade circuit video recreation cameras with magnetic wire spool storage
• The Boson-Higgs magento-containment ionic particle drives (The Helio Drive)
• Automatic navigation recorders for the controlled playback and piloting of auto-piloted vehicles (Follows the exact route recorder on the system. Often used on long haul automated vehicles. The vessel is launched and landed by a live crew but piloted via wire between. Also useful on crewed ships when making the same voyage repeatedly.)
Social Intrigues:
suppression of nuclear technology and high energy physics by the Empire to limit destructive power. Computers are also verboten to limit the scientific capabilities and precision needed to develop and deliver said technologies. There are often "mysterious" disappearance of geniuses and mad scientists who stray into paths that are too dangerous for humanity. The man fuel source are Rubak Pellets; A solid state fuel that burns slowly for high power but low release (not very effective as an explosive but great for fueling travel and technology) There is the occasional appearance of a mysteriously powerful artifact or a mad genius who manages to survive long enough to have to be branded an enemy to humanity and hunted down by everyone. There are lots of other factions and secret societies similar to romanticized Victorian London: a secret cabal of scientists trying to develop forbidden technology, a society of nobles trying to create more and more powerful weapons , a society of wealthy trying to corner the market on new and existing technologies and manufacturing, groups of church zealots who hate any new technology, secret cabals of mad scientists and world ruler wannabes, treasure hunters of old technology, gentlemen clubs, competing criminal organizations, etc.
The Technology of Eos
Fine Points
1) No computers or other digital technology
2) Technology should be durable, bulky, elaborate and ornate
3) Technology powerful enough to support space travel and an advanced civilization
Rules
1. Technology: Advanced methods/devices can increase the capabilities of any existing technology but development and construction is exponentially difficult and expensive
I. Scientific geniuses are sought after for custom technological solutions to problems. Great thinkers are often “sponsored” by government or industrial concerns.
II. Technological advancement is kept to a limited pace rather than rushing ahead due to the small number of “mad scientists” and geniuses, the jealous guarding of advanced techniques and capabilities, and the cost of developing and building advanced devices.
III. Industrial as well as governmental espionage is popular. Because unique knowledge is guarded and breakthroughs are rare it is often just as easy, or more so, to steal someone else's knowledge.
(Spying is an industry and counter espionage is big business.)
IV. If you're making something expensive and unique you might as well make it good looking.
2. Materials: Metals, ceramics and plant materials are plentiful while petroleum is not
I. Metal is durable and plentiful.
(Asteroid and moon mining.)
II. Advanced metallurgy/ceramics can be light and very durable.
(Weapons, armor, hull plating, miniaturized cogs and motors, & other devices are made from advanced ceramics. In addition advanced materials combined with advanced tank and valve designs allow for the safe storage of extremely high pressure gasses.)
III. Wood and bamboo like grasses are easy to form, reasonably durable, and renewable. Thus its a common construction material. Similarly plants are used to produce many chemical products such as grease & oil, rubber, cellulose based plastics, etc.
(Lots of wooden walls, furniture, fixtures, etc. Farming is important & crops are often raised to support industry.)
IV. Plant based plastics are light and inexpensive but not durable and biodegrade, lasting only weeks on average before starting to break down.
(Light materials used for disposable products but not very useful for construction.)
V. Chemistry and chemical production is somewhat advanced but controlled and develops slowly. Groups jealously guard their formulas and processes to gain advantage. Industrial espionage is popular.
VI. There is no petroleun and there are no petroleum based products.
(No gasoline or deisel fuel, no petroleum oils, etc.)
3. Energy: The primary source of stored energy is via chemical reaction
I. There are plentiful sources of cheap hydrocarbon gasses which can be gathered from gas giants and frozen moons.
(Atmo scooping for quick, easy fuel production. Possible surface mining under very difficult conditions for high quality/concentrated fuels. Surface approaches are controlled by fuel consortiums so ships interested in a free top-off need to run a blockade or find a secret route. Fuel mines maybe manned by indentured workers similar to the old time mining towns.)
II. There might be a unique element/compound to allow even higher energy output to really fuel space travel. An element with high energy content but slow combustion to inhibit it's use for explosives.
III. Combustion engines are common, cheap and relatively clean.
(Ceramic metals allow for miniaturized rotary engines, maybe the size of hot wheels cars, which can be built into devices replacing the use of electric motors to some extent.)
IV. Electricity can be generated through direct mechanical conversion (burning) for inexpensive, relatively low power requirements. Higher efficiency is achieved through the use of of more expensive fuels cells.
(Small power needs are fed by a motor and generator component. Electric motors are reserved for high torque needs. Devices requiring a lot of electrical power use fuel cells which convert the same gas fuels directly into electricity but are more expensive due to the rare elements required for their catalysts. Space ships use huge fuel cells to generate the power for their ion drive engines.)
V. Disposable batteries are common. Rechargeable batteries are somewhat rarer and often produced under industrial secrecy. It is often just as easy to use a miniturized generator or fuel cell which can be re-filled and reused. Only very tiny electronic devices commonly use batteries over other power sources.
(Small electronics can be powered either by replacable batteries or via refillable fuel cell. Tiny electrical devices use button cells.)
VI. Power can be stored in large banks of chemical batteries or high efficiency capacitors. This is often done to slowly store power and then release it in a large discharge or to handle lapses in other generation methods.
(Electrically powered, high output devices such as long range radio or radar. Space ships often have battery banks to run large systems and to function for extended periods without burning fuel.)
VII. Solar power is rare and relies upon heat generation converted into mechanical motion rather than direct electrical generation. Other forms of alternative production also rely on physical motion, thermal generation/conversion, or direct chemical conversion.
(Space stations and ships can take advantage of the thermoelectric effect, via the heat difference between their sunny and shadowed side, to generate limited amounts of electricity able to run low power systems. Rural/agricultral areas may use wind and water generators. Hydrogen & oxygen generated via electralysis become secondary forms of stored, combustible gasses. Ethanol is a popular liquid fuel used mainly for heat production or where waste vegetable material is especially prevalent.)
VIII. Nuclear power is non-existant and radioactive materials are considered too dangerous to work with by society
IX. Most weapons utilize either chemical reaction or muscle power. Rarer forms of power are pressurized tanks, springs, or fly wheels and other uses of motors. Electro-magnetic based power is reserved for very large installations with massive power storage batteries.
4. Power: There is a trade off between power, control and speed
I. Mechanical power can be precise and powerful but will also be slow.
(Low gear ratios move slowly and distance travelled can be judged carefully.)
II. Mechanical power can be fast, but is then less powerful and more imprecise.
(High gear ratios move fast but have a harder time pushing/slowing great weight and travel distance can be hard to judge, often leading to over travel.)
III. Stressed mechanical parts break
(Can be enhanced for cinematic effect as springs and cogs fly everywhere.)
5. Electronics: Circuits are analog only
I. Circuits are made up of analog devices with vacuum tubes in the place of transistors.
(Picture eerily glowing little globs of glass coated with mysterious substances which brighten and dim as they function. Larger tubes meant to carry high current are hot, touchy and possible fragile or burn out. This forces techs to often replace them. Thus you socket large tubes rather than solder them in and they may sometimes also need re-seating if they loosen. Banging on a device can often re-seat an errant large tube, making the device work... at least for a while.)
II. Vacuum tube technology has been advanced to allow small, stable vacuum tubes for low power devices while the addition of a semi-solid insulating gel with electrical qualities similar to vacuum (phlogiston) stabilizes the internal structures of larger tubes which are needed to handle high amounts of power/current.
(The smallest tube the size of a grain of rice, the average tube the size of a pencil eraser, but larger units can be the size of fish tanks or refrigerators with multiple protruding electrical connections poking randomly out of the their surfaces. Maybe Phlogiston is a guarded trade secret, or made from rare or hard to retrieve/process materials. Think semi-rigid, cloudy gello of alien chemistry that glows slightly phosphorescent when electrons flow through it.)
III. Most circuits are highly resistant to EMP but suffer from distortion of function during the event, the exception being EMP events powerful enough to generate enough heat in circuits to melt wire.
IV. Vacuum tube technology has permitted the development of advanced CRT tubes and various other forms of radiation emitters.
(An advanced “flat panel” is made up of many smaller CRT tubes in a matrix. Otherwise inexpensive displays are large CRT tubes or tubes with linear filaments like old calculators.)
V. Electromagnetic waves are commonly used but data transmitted via them is easily distorted by interference since the signal is not binary and has no error correction.
(Messages can get through but still be mysteriously garbled and hard to understand.)
6. Glass: Due to the requirements of vacuum tube technology, glass material technology is also highly advanced
I. Glass casting or blowing is a noble trade and a high art.
II. Glass materials (silicon, soda, lime and any doping materials) are highly valued.
III. With easy access to high quality glass, optics is an advanced science.
7. Records: Data stored physically is durable but not compact, data stored electronically is compact but not durable
I. Data stored physically is limited by a person's/device's ability to detect and interperate the physical markings or changes. Durable materials and high quality optics make physical record storage useful for written/drawn storage. Phonograph technology makes it useable for audio storage as well. Crystal matrix physical storage is likely out of reach or rare but possible with thin storage media, but data interpretion would be limited to a machine reading analog data.)
II. Data stored eletronically is stored either as a magnetic charge on a physical medium or in very short time lapse circuit loops (milliseconds loops at most).
III. Electronic data is stored in such a way that it will eventually be lost through natural degradation. Most often a magnetizable material is used, often coating a wire or ribbon of some flexible substance.
(Data on an old/damaged electronic spool may be read, but only vague parts of the data are readable.)
IV. Data storage is transitory and can be fragile. Physical storage media can be broken. Electronic storage media is also vulnerable to magnetic fields and heat.
V. Data duplication is time consuming and long term storage is expensive. True electronic long term storage requires the regular duplication of data onto new media.
(Think rows and rows of monks duplicating racks and racks of magnetic wire/tape to save their archives for another generation.)
VI. Kodachrome photography with chemical film exists.
(It's fun.)
8. Information:Electronic storage media is limited and slow
I. Information needs to be analyzed in real time.
II. Data can be stored and read back but may only be searched through in a linear fashion which makes search times longer. Data must be read as the spool is wound forward or back. Multiple tracks can be used on ribbons to speed seek time by reading all of the tracks at once but then it slows down linear data reading across multiple tracks since you must rewind to reach the start of the next track.
III. Detection devices can give readings on what they are currently pointed at but cannot be used to display or analyze data collected earlier to view the “whole picture”
(Radar displays where something is but not the path it took or will take. A device that can scan through materials lke an X-Ray will show what is directly under the sensor in a limited arc, probably the size of its sensor/screen maybe 4” x 4”, but cannot be swept over a device to remember and display an image of the whole.)
IV. Most devices utilize analog meters, filiment tubes, or CRT screens to display electronically generated information.
V. For the most part machines possess little analytic power. They can tell you what you are looking at, it's size, shape, distance from you, composition, etc., but not what it does or how it functions. Interpretation of any data shown is up to the person using the device. Some limited analysis may be possible through limited pattern matching using recorded media but even that is slow as data is spooled from a reel.
Examples of Technology
• Cerametal blades sharper than razors
• Gatling pistols run by methane powered rotory motors with a hi optic sights
• N-Ray penetrating variable depth materials detection scanners
• Electronic music recreation systems with micro-hetrodyne tube amplifiers for that mellow sound
• A magenetic data storage recorder utilizing expensive spooled cerametal wire for durable data storage (fed at 1” of cord per second)
• Remote vision radio communicators with true color CRT screens
• Photonic cascade circuit video recreation cameras with magnetic wire spool storage
• The Boson-Higgs magento-containment ionic particle drives (The Helio Drive)
• Automatic navigation recorders for the controlled playback and piloting of auto-piloted vehicles (Follows the exact route recorder on the system. Often used on long haul automated vehicles. The vessel is launched and landed by a live crew but piloted via wire between. Also useful on crewed ships when making the same voyage repeatedly.)
Social Intrigues:
suppression of nuclear technology and high energy physics by the Empire to limit destructive power. Computers are also verboten to limit the scientific capabilities and precision needed to develop and deliver said technologies. There are often "mysterious" disappearance of geniuses and mad scientists who stray into paths that are too dangerous for humanity. The man fuel source are Rubak Pellets; A solid state fuel that burns slowly for high power but low release (not very effective as an explosive but great for fueling travel and technology) There is the occasional appearance of a mysteriously powerful artifact or a mad genius who manages to survive long enough to have to be branded an enemy to humanity and hunted down by everyone. There are lots of other factions and secret societies similar to romanticized Victorian London: a secret cabal of scientists trying to develop forbidden technology, a society of nobles trying to create more and more powerful weapons , a society of wealthy trying to corner the market on new and existing technologies and manufacturing, groups of church zealots who hate any new technology, secret cabals of mad scientists and world ruler wannabes, treasure hunters of old technology, gentlemen clubs, competing criminal organizations, etc.
The Unwritten History
Long ago, mankind was one with it's Mother, the Earth. It reveled in her bounty; It drank from her rivers and ate from her fields. Yet, as it grew, mankind became restless. It sought control over it's Mother. It twisted her, perverted her. It shaped her and changed her. And, through their innovation and intrigue, it poisoned her. It seemed that mankind would slay it's provider. Yet, in the end, it was the mighty Sol that would consume the Earth, and cause mankind to flee into the stars.
Those chosen few aboard the mighty Arks traveled for untold ages. Generation after generation preserved the species, in hopes of one day reaching a new place to call home. In these ages, they forgot everything. All the old ways disappeared into unwritten history. Only the Archive knows these secrets now.
In time, they did find their new home: In the light of a star called Eos. Here they found a new bounty. Here, they would craft their new destiny.
Eos: A New Dawn is "dark space opera" set in the distant future. With a general feel similar to Firefly, Eos is a game of political intrigue, space pirates, frontier planets and exploration. The great black is out there, waiting for you. Get to it.
Those chosen few aboard the mighty Arks traveled for untold ages. Generation after generation preserved the species, in hopes of one day reaching a new place to call home. In these ages, they forgot everything. All the old ways disappeared into unwritten history. Only the Archive knows these secrets now.
In time, they did find their new home: In the light of a star called Eos. Here they found a new bounty. Here, they would craft their new destiny.
Eos: A New Dawn is "dark space opera" set in the distant future. With a general feel similar to Firefly, Eos is a game of political intrigue, space pirates, frontier planets and exploration. The great black is out there, waiting for you. Get to it.
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