Quick Setting 1: Event and History Generator

A Referee Supplement for the Enigmatic Setting Alternate Universe for the CEPHEUS ENGINE rules

2D6 OGL SCI-FI Enigmatic Quick Setting 1: Events and History Generator A Referee Supplement for the Enigmatic Setting Alternate Universe for the CEPHEUS ENGINE rules by Donavan Lambertus

For Classic Era Science Fiction 2D6-Based Open Gaming Systems Compatible with the Cepheus Engine Rules by Samardan Press

By Donavan Lambertus

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2 Contents Cover 1 Product Information 2 Table of Contents 3 Open Game License 4-5 Introduction & Instructions 6-7 Sidebar - Example: The Town of Robard 7 Table 1: Environmental Events 8-11 Sidebar - Some Thoughts on Scale 11 Table 2: Population, Economic and Social Events 12-16 Sidebar - Personal and Small Groups 16 Table 3: Resources, Accidents, and Conflicts 17 Sidebar - Aliens and Thinking Outside the Box 21 Quick Reference Charts 22 Example 1: The LHS2090 system 23 Example 2: Khonsu 24 Example 3: Magellan Outpost 25

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5 or broken pipe, which could have serious consequences Introduction for that location. This makes it a dramatic event, and useful for the local history, characters, and plot hooks. At some point, every Referee needs some local history, either for flavor, plot points, or to ground a location in Third, Referees will note that the results are deliberately a setting. Often, the players may go astray into new ar- vague to allow to this interpretation and scaling. Ev- eas that aren’t as developed as the main campaign area, ery situation is unique, and an attempt to cover all of and the Referee needs an idea of local history in a short the possibilities with defintive numbers would be next amount of time. to impossible. Use your judgement and what is already known about the campaign world to judge the actual Quick Setting 1: Events and History is designed to effect of the rolled results. meet that need, allowing the Referee to randomly generate a history in as much detail as needed. While not a replacement for full campaign development, this product can provide a helpful springboard to get started. It Instructions is also designed to be fully scalable, allowing the Refer- ee to work with everything from a remote outpost to an 1. Determine Location and Scale entire star system. 2. Determine Time Interval 3. Determine Frequency of Events Overview: 4. Roll 2d6 for each Time Interval The basic system consists of several tables of events, bro- 5. If roll is greater than Frequency, add event. ken down by category. Table 1: Environmental Events, 6. Repeat for each Time Interval until all intervals have covers a range of situations pertaining to the local en- been rolled for. vironment - earthquakes, storms, climate, and the local 7. For each event that occured, determine which table biosphere. Table 2 deals with Population, Ecenomic, and Social events. These can include issues of immigra- will be rolled on (or select randomly) tion, economic boom and busts, crime, technology, and 8. Roll d66 and cross reference the results on the event social trends. Table 3: Resources, Accidents, and Con- table. flicts cover most everything else - civil wars, rebellions, 9. Once all events have been determined, write your space battles, starship crashes, and alien encounters. history! The basic premise is not to generate every single event To begin generating a history, a few decisions need to that occurs, but to generate the important events that be made. They are location and scale, the time interval, change and shape the location. To do so, a period of and the frequency of events. time (in months, years, or even decades) is selected. In addition, the chance of an event occuring is deter- Location and Scale mined. For each time interval, a die is rolled to deter- This determines the scope of the history being creat- mine if a major event occurs. When they do, the Refer- ed, and can range from a small outpost, a town or city, ee determines which table is the most appropriate, rolls or a planet up to an entire star system. Some events d66, and notes the result under the time interval. can be ‘nested’ within events in larger or smaller areas, or can also apply to surrounding areas. An example of When generating these events, the Referee should keep this could be a superstorm (i.e. hurricane, etc) that is a couple of things in mind. First, these results are only recorded on the planetary timeline as well as the time- suggestions, and odd results may be discared and re- lines of several towns directly affected by the storm. rolled. If a result doesn’t fit, or isn’t logically possible, by all means, discard it and reroll. An example of this Time Interval would be a Flooding result on a vacuum world. On the Similar to location and scale, this sets the span of time surface, this is an absurd result and should probably be that is going to be covered. Depending on the location discarded. scale, acceptable intervals could be weeks, months, or years, depending on need and the desired level of detail. Second, most results will need to be interpreted with respect to the scale of the setting. In the example above, Frequency of Events a result of Flooding while generating the history of a How often does something interesting or useful hap- vacuum world probably won’t fit. If the Referee were pen, outside the normal, everyday events? This will help generating the history for a settlement on that vacuum determine when an event occurs randomly. Of course, world, it could still work. A this scale, Flooding in the the Referee is free to simply designate intervals where settlement itself could be due to a ruptured storage tank events need to happen. 6 The frequency will depend on how ‘active’ the area is. If the Referee is detailing an isolated town in a backwater Example 1: The Town of Robard system, the odds may be fairly low. In a bustling port Location/Scale: Town (population 3,450) system, the odds of interesting things happening will Time Interval: Month (for the year 2156) be much better. There are not hard and fast rules on Frequency: 27.77% (9+ on 2d6) the probability of an event; experience has shown that 27.7% produces an interesting number of events with- Year 2156 out becoming excessive. Jan - rolled 9 (event) Feb - rolled 6 To determine the likelyhood an event will occur on a Mar - rolled 7 given time interval, check the chart below, and select a Apr - rolled 6 probability of rolling the indicated number or higher. May - rolled 10 (event) For example, if you wanted a roughly 25% chance of an Jun - rolled 4 event, the appropriate roll would be 9 or more on 2d6. Jul - rolled 11 (event) Aug - rolled 9 (event) Roll (2d6) Probability Sep - rolled 7 2 100 Oct - rolled 9 (event) 3 97.22 Nov - rolled 9 (event) 4 91.66 Dec - rolled 5 5 83.33 6 72.22 Apparently, Robard is an active little place, with 6 7 58.33 events over the course of the year 2156. Now that we 8 41.66 have when the events occured, we can go back and 9 27.77 roll the actual event for each one. We’ll determine the 10 16.66 table randomly on d6, with 1-2 = Table 1, 3-4 Table=2, 11 8.33 5-6=Table 3. We’ll then roll d66 for each event. 12 2.77 January - Table 1, d66 = 2,6 (Earthquake) Once you have determined the starting conditions, May - Table 2, d66 = 1,3 (Tech Reduction) events can be rolled by rolling 2d6 for each time inter- July - Table 3, d66 = 1,5 (Outside Interference) val, and if the roll is greater than the determined fre- August - Table 3, d66 = 2,5 (Outside Intervention) quency, an event occurs. Mark that interval as having October - Table 3, d66 = 4,2 (Resource Shortage) an event, and roll for the next one November - Table 2, ,d66 = 5,4 (Tyranny)

For each event that occurs, select the appropriate Event Without a doubt, Robard has had a tough year in Table (or determine one randomly) and roll d66, cross 2156. An earthquake in January damaged the colo- referencing the numbers on that table to find the result ny minifac extensively. They managed to repair it and (which are referenced by reading down, the across the keep the town functioning until May, when it finally table). Record that next to the selected Time Interval, and repeat the process for the next Time Interval. This broke beyond repair (at least for the locals). The town process continues untill all have been rolled for. leadership contacted their sponsor corporation, who sent a group of Administration Specialists (i.e. ‘bean After that, it’s just a matter of weaving the events into counters’) instead of a repair crew or a new minifac. a narrative, tying it into lore of the area and the cam- They arrived in July, and spent most of the month do- paign history. ing a top to bottom audit of the colony. By the middle of August, the Admin Specialists had discovered ‘clear If an event doesn’t fit into the stream of the narrative, evidence of mismanagement’, and fired the colony reroll it, change its position, or get ride of it entirely. manager and his staff, taking over those roles until a With a bit of practice, most Referees will be able to just replacement could be found. Many of the townsfolk notate the event names and follow where the story is objected, and a corporate security team was sent to going. The sidebar example shows the quick and dirty keep things calm. By October, the minifac had been mechanics of the process; the longer examples at the end of the book will demonstrate how to scale the pro- down for 5 months, and parts for everything had be- cess so it works for everything from a town to a star come scarce. When the security team arrived in late system. October, things only got worse as the Admin team, backed by Security, began to make exorbitant demands of the townsfolk... 7 Table 1: Environmental Events (d66) d66 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Biosphere Environmental Invasive Species New Species Pestilence Change Toxin Species Extinction Discovered 2 New Plague Desertification Drought Dust Storm Earthquake Disease 3 Floods Limnic Meteor Oceanic Ozone Superstorm Eruption Impact Anoxia Depletion 4 Tsunami Volcanic Water Global Greenhouse Climate Eruption Pollution Warming Effect Shift 5 Glaciation Polar Cap Sea Level Solar Super Earthquake Shift Change Flare Volcano Swarm 6 Megathrust Geomagnetic Coronal Mass Meteor Methane Geomagnetic Earthquake Storm Ejection Swarm Eruption Reversal

Table 1 Event Descriptions changes or human intervention. While this usually in- 1-1 Biosphere change volves a lengthy timeline, such extinction events may This denotes a change in the biosphere, which affects have serious ramifications for the local economy, food atmospheric composition, the water cycle, and the chain, or biosphere. There are a multitude of examples chemistry of the worlds oceans. The major factor in all in the real world. of these cycles are vegetation and chlorophyll distribution (among algae, etc) in the oceans. Most effects will 1-5 New species discovered occur over the long term to the systems noted above. A new species of plant, animal, insect, or microbe has been discovered. Rather than an outside organism, this 1-2 Environmental toxin is a species that existed in the area but had been un- A toxic substance is introduced into the environment, detected until recently. While this is typically less up- either man-made or natural. Such environmental tox- setting to the ecology than an invasive species, it does ins can affect the atmosphere, water, plants, or food present opportunities for new resources, scientific dis- chain and pose a serious health hazard. This can affect covery, or problems. the entire environment or a localized area. Examples include something as specific as strontium-90 in dairy 1-6 Pestilence milk, discarded pharmaceuticals in the water supply, or Pestilence denotes a deadly, wide-spread plague affect- naturally occurring substances like asbestos. ing a large segment of the population, typically carried by animals or insects. Historically, the Black Plague 1-3 Invasive species is typically a pestilence event. Such a location may be A non-native species of insect, plant, animal or microbe quickly quarantined to contain the outbreak, and such has been introduced to the environment. These species an event will strain medical systems and supplies. may not be a direct nuisance, but may displace native species, destroy their habitat, or cause other problems. 2-1 New disease Real world examples include kudzu, Africanized honey A previously unknown infectious disease of variable bees, zebra mussels. lethality. This can range from localized and mild to widespread and debilitating. The disease may be a new 1-4 Species extinction strain of something previously encountered, imported A native species of plant or animal is in rapid decline from another system, or something completely new. A and headed for extinction, by either environmental major outbreak of a new disease can have serious ram- 8 ifications, ranging from economic decline as traders Floods are usually destructive, and can cause problems stop visiting, or a quarantine or blockade if the disease with water supplies, crops, and destruction of property. is serious enough. 3-2 Limnic eruption 2-2 Plague A limnic eruption is a sudden expulsion of a cloud of An infestation of native pests, typically animals or in- carbon dioxide gas dissolved in deep water. This cloud sects. Rather than spreading disease, plagues typically can harm people or animals in the area by oxygen impact crops, stored resources, or simply become an deprivation. In areas with tainted atmospheres, or areas annoyance. The idea may be extended to plants that where breathing equipment is required, the effect may grow rapidly and overtake other species, such as kudzu. be greatly reduced. This will have the greatest impact on atmosphere types 5, 6, and 8. 2-3 Desertification Desertification is a type of land degradation in which 3-3 Meteor impact relatively dry area of land becomes increasingly arid, This is an impact event involving a meteor or piece of typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation. space debris impacting on a planetary surface. The ef- While normally a long term climatic event, it can hap- fects will vary depending on several factors - size, com- pen rapidly due to deforestation or severe drought. position, speed of impact, and the site of impact. Small meteors will cause localized damage, while larger mete- 2-4 Drought ors may release the energy equivalent to nuclear weap- A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, which ons. Massive meteors may be an extinction level event, can have a severe impact on crops, wildlife, and even wiping out all life on the planet. Meteors that land in human settlements. Water is normally a requirement water are also likely to create tsunami. Direct impact for any kind of sustained colony or ecology, and a lack with populated areas will result in massive loss of life. of it can be devastating. 3-4 Oceanic Anoxia 2-5 Dust storm The levels of dissolved oxygen in ocean water is danger- Dust storms can vary greatly in size, and cause a vari- ously low, making it inhospitable to marine life. Beyond ety of issues. Depending on the size and strength, the the effect on marine life, anoxia can also increase con- effects can range from merely irritating (low visibility, centrations of phosphorus, ammonia, iron and manga- dust in machinery and ventilation systems, etc) to out- nese, all of which can make the water undrinkable and right dangerous (for example, winds strong enough to cause a variety of problems with treating the water. pick up large enough particles to damage buildings and machinery). Dust storms can also change local atmo- 3-5 Ozone Depletion spheric conditions, temporarily making even clear air Ozone in the atmosphere blocks the most harmful ul- tainted with particulates. traviolet radiation from the sun. Typically caused by chemical reactions with pollution, ozone depletion can 2-6 Earthquake cause increased exposure to UV radiation from the A sudden and violent shaking of the ground caused by sun. While not immediately dangerous, over the long plate tectonics or volcanic actions. This can range from term this can cause increased cancer rates and damage a mild tremble to a massively destructive quake. The the DNA of skin cells. area affected can vary as well. This may be a mild, localized quake, or a very destructive quake that affects an 3-6 Superstorm entire region of a planet. Any storm notably stronger than normal, typically af- fecting a larger area and causing more damage than oth- 3-1 Floods er storms. This can range from blizzards and ice storms, Typically caused by heavy rains, flooding can also be due to super hurricanes and giant tornados. The exact type melting snow or ice, storm surges, or tidal effects. Area of storm is left to the referee, and will be dictated by the of effect can vary from local water sources to coastlines. normal environment of the world. 9 4-1 Tsunami may be triggered by variations in solar output, tecton- Tsunami are long, high waves generated in bodies of ic activity, or volcanic eruptions. This can result in the water by storms, earthquakes, meteor impacts in wa- formation of other events as well, such as more super ter, underwater landslides, or abnormal tidal effects. storms, changes to growing seasons, glaciation, and de- These waves are typically very damaging and deadly to sertification. inhabited areas along a coast or shore line. If undetect- ed, they can cause massive loss of life in an unprepared 5-1 Glaciation populace. This is a period marked by colder temperatures and gla- cial advance. While this is a long term effect, the referee 4-2 Volcanic eruption may assume that this result is actually the beginning An eruption of sub-surface magma on a planetary sur- of a civilization feeling the effects of the glaciation for face. While this event may refer to a fairly common the first time. This might be habitable land lost to ad- volcanic eruption, such as the Hawaiian islands, it may vancing glaciers, or temperatures dropping to a degree also refer to catastrophic events such as Mt Vesuvius where it is problematic for colonies or settlements. or Mt St Helens. Long term effects can include water contamination, ash clouds obscuring the sun for an ex- 5-2 Polar cap shift tended period, and nuclear winter. A shift in the location of the polar ice cap. This effect has not been observed on Earth, but postulates that the 4-3 Water pollution position of the polar ice caps may move up to 40 de- A water supply is being contaminated by something grees from current locations. Such an event could have - industrial waste, natural runoff, parasites, animal an enormous impact on local climates. waste, fertilizer, or something else. If the water source in question is the primary source of potable water for a 5-3 Sea level change colony or settlement, this can be a major issue. Sea levels can rise or fall depending on temperature change. Warmer temperatures result in melting ice caps 4-4 Global warming and rising oceans, while cooling temperatures result in Another long-term effect, global warming represents more snowfall and expanding ice caps. This is usually an increase in average temperature over a given period part of a long term effect. of time. Normally, this is a fairly slow process, but in some cases, it may be much more rapid. This tempera- 5-4 Solar flare ture change will eventually cause a variety of problems, Solar flares are sudden bursts of energy emanating from such as changes in crop yields, climate, weather, loss of the surface of a star across a broad spectrum of energy. biodiversity, etc. Such warming may also affect the long On worlds with an atmosphere, the effects are usually term viability of a settlement. little more than increased auroras and communication disruptions. On worlds with thin or no atmosphere, the 4-5 Greenhouse effect flare can also bring increased exposure to dangerous Similar to global warming, the greenhouse effect is the levels of ultraviolet and gamma radiation. runaway train scenario. Various gasses can increase heat retained by the atmosphere, driving the tempera- 5-5 Super volcano ture up drastically. These gasses may be released from A super volcano is defined as volcano capable of pro- volcanoes, industrial pollution, or other phenomena. ducing and eruption with an ejecta mass of greater than In extreme cases, the planet may turn into a world like 1015 kg. Such events are destructive over a large region, Venus, requiring extensive life support to survive. covering areas up to 1000 km away with ash that covers everything and clogs water sources. Long term effects 4-6 Climate shift can include the climate cooling from decreased sun- Climate shift is defined as a change in the statistical dis- light and increased levels of sulfur dioxide. tribution of weather patterns lasting a fairly long period of time (i.e. decades to centuries). This climate shift 10 5-6 Earthquake swarm graphic south remain the same. During this polarity Rather than a single earthquake, a swarm is a series change, the strength of the worlds magnetic field may of multiple quakes over a short time period. Quake drop as much as 95% of normal, leaving the world ex- swarms tend to be more destructive as the multiple posed to solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and geo- tremors exacerbate existing damage. magnetic storms, making the effects of such events much stronger. 6-1 Megathrust earthquake One of the strongest types of earthquakes, megathrust Some thoughts on scale quakes occur when one tectonic plate is forced beneath While many of the events on these tables are geared another. They are typically greater than 9.0 on the Rich- toward larger locations (generally towns or larger), ter scale, and cause large amounts of damage and large they can be used for things such as a corporation, numbers of casualties. small business, or even something as esoteric as a starship or criminal gang. 6-2 Geomagnetic storm For example, consider a group of four events rolled Geomagnetic storms are temporary disturbances of from table 2 and Table 3. Transportation accident, the worlds magnetosphere by caused by a solar wind Labor dispute, Tyranny, and Progressive shift. To shockwave. Typically, this disturbance compresses the show how these can be applied in different ways, see the example below. The tables in the sidebar Personal magnetosphere on the star ward side of the planet, cre- and Small Groups can provide additional details suit- ating aurora, communication disruptions, and disrup- able for more intimate groups. tion of electrical power distribution systems. Example: Starship Crew 6-3 Coronal mass ejection In the context of generating events for a starship, the results could be interpreted as - Coronal mass ejections release huge quantities of matter and electromagnetic radiation into space; in this Transportation accident: A vehicle bringing cargo to case, far enough to reach the main world. CMEs are the port for the ship crashes or breaks down, leading slower than solar flares, and while causing geomagnet- to a delay in departure. ic storms, they are more powerful. In addition to the Labor dispute: This could refer to a labor dispute in effects of a geomagnetic storm, satellites and orbital the port, such as a longshoreman strike, or a dispute stations may be damaged, and humans in orbit are ex- among the crew. Among the crew, perhaps one of posed to higher than normal levels of cosmic radiation. the engineers is concerned about the bonus situation aboard the ship or refuses to do any more work until 6-4 Meteor swarm they get a pay raise. A meteor swarm is a group of meteoric impacts in a Tyranny: This could reference someone the crew has short span of time. Such a swarm is more destructive interacted with, such as a local bureaucrat imposing over a larger area, and the effects on climate and the new tariffs on the ships cargo, or a member of the biosphere may be more pronounced. crew itself (a la Captain Bligh). Progressive Shift: This could be interpreted as a break 6-5 Methane eruption from tradition, a willingness to try new ventures, or a An eruption of methane gas from the sea, due to in- change in the way business is handled aboard the ship. creases in temperature or decrease in sea levels. Meth- ane is a powerful greenhouse gas, which can cause fur- Keep an open mind. Not every event is going to fit ther ocean warming and potentially lead to a feedback with all of the other events generated - feel free to mix, match, and change anything as needed. Change the loop. dates of events to create a better narrative if desired. They are more idea prompts than hard and fast rules. 6-6 Geomagnetic reversal A geomagnetic reversal is a change in a planet’s magnetic field such that the positions of magnetic north and south are flipped, while geographic north and geo- 11 Table 2: Population, Economic and Social Events (d66) d66 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Emigration Gender Immigration Mass Population Low Birth Imbalace Evacuation Boom Rate 2 Civil Conservative Corruption Expansionist Honesty Liberty Unrest Shift 3 New Cultural Outside Progressive Isolationist Corruption Labor Trend Influence Shift Dispute 4 Polarized Protests Religious Ruling Party Tyranny Decadence Society Fervor Ousted 5 Crime Economic Tech Gold Tech Rivalry Wave Boom Breakthrough Rush Reduction 6 Increased Economic Outside Piracy Economic Tech Investment Depression Aid Recession Advance

Table 3 Event Descriptions 1-4 Mass evacuation 1-1 Emigration This event is a rapid, involuntary movement of popu- Although there is always some amount of migration lation from one area to another, typically due to disas- among a populace, this event is a notable exodus of ters or wars. Evacuation differs from normal migration the current population leaving to settle someplace else. by the desire to do so; immigration and emigration are The cause of emigration can be manifold - economic voluntary, while evacuations are usually determined by slumps, environmental problems, crime, changes in government order before or after an event. A common government, better opportunities elsewhere, and war example are the evacuations that occur before most are all prime drivers of emigration. The severity of the major hurricanes. driving factor typically dictates the number of people leaving. 1-5 Population boom Population booms are relatively quick increases in the 1-2 Gender imbalance birth rate (i.e. natural born citizens) as opposed to in- Most populations tend to be fairly balanced between creases due to migration. Typical birth rates in the US the sexes; Earth currently has a ratio of 1.014 men: 1 are around 12 per 1,000 people, but during a popula- woman. This event denotes a significant departure tion boom, the rate can reach as high as 50 or more from that ratio, which can have long term impacts on per 1,000. A sustained population boom can greatly in- society, culture, and population growth. The imbalance crease the population of a world or location, sometimes can be due to economic factors, disease, or just general beyond the resources to support it. migration issues. As an example, the state of California in 1852 (the height of the gold rush) had gender ratios 1-6 Low birth rate as high as 9:1 (nine men per woman). This event signifies a drop in the birth rate from the norm, indicating slowing growth. In extreme cases, the 1-3 Immigration birth rate may drop low enough to causes a population Immigration is the flow of new people into a popula- decrease over time as deaths exceed births. Immigra- tion, in this case larger than the normal levels of migration can offset this, or emigration can exacerbate the tion. Immigration can be the result of almost any factor problem. - economic success, safety and stability, a benevolent (or less tyrannical) government, new work projects, or new resources (i.e. a gold rush). 12 2-1 Civil unrest 2-6 Liberty Civil unrest denotes public disturbance by fairly small Liberty is the expansion of already existing rights, or groups of people causing disruptions to normal activi- the bestowal of new rights to give the citizens more ties - sit-ins, marching, loud noises or shouting, block- freedom. While it may be limited to individual social, ing traffic or access to buildings, etc. This is the lowest legal, or political rights, liberty may be an expression intensity of civil disorder, and usually an indicator that of government releasing the reins of control and giv- some social or economic issue has become a problem. ing people more freedom overall. When coupled with less than benevolent governments, this may represent 2-2 Conservative shift the powers that be giving a specific group/class/entity The society as a whole shifts more towards preserving powers which the general populace doesn’t enjoy (i.e. things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity. favoritism). Alternatively, this could also indicate a more reaction- ary attitude, such as a desire to return things to the way 3-1 New cultural trend they were in the ‘good old days’. Either way, there is an This is a fairly broad category. The group or society overall resistance to change and new ways of thinking. develops a new trend with some cultural significance. Such trends can affect virtually any facet of life - fash- 2-3 Governmental Corruption ion, customs, preference for certain kinds of music The local government becomes notably more corrupt, or entertainment, rituals, etc. Examples from the real becoming more fraudulent and dishonest in their deal- world include the rise of social media, reality TV, gour- ings. Bribery is the most common form of corruption, met fast food, and the rise of body art. but other types include kickbacks, embezzlement, favoritism or nepotism, or abuse of discretion (allowing 3-2 Outside influence contraband items through customs, for example.) An entity outside the government (a corporation, foreign government, special interest group, etc) is using 2-4 Expansionist whatever means are available to influence the direc- The agency or society focuses on rapid expansion of fi- tion of that government for its own ends. This is simple nances, territory or power. This can lead to rivalries, in- influence that falls short of outright interference. For creased competition for resources, and even open con- example, a corporation contributing to the campaign flict. This can be as simple as opening new territory for fund of a representative or multiple representatives to settlement, or as esoteric as a single government agency further its own ends. Alternatively, it could be a foreign engaged in a ‘power grab’ from other groups. government using influence to generate sympathy in the local government. 2-5 Honesty The opposite of corruption, honesty in a society sug- 3-3 Progressive shift gests turning away from abusive policies and cleaning The culture is becoming more dynamic and open to up the system to allow for honest government again. change, and less concerned about the traditions of the A shift toward honesty usually starts with a significant past. People are more open to trying new things and portion of the population demanding a change for the new ways of doing old things, and the culture becomes better, and typically ends with the worst offenders re- more fluid as concepts are explored. Those who cling to moved from power, jailed or exiled. Lesser offenders traditions are often seen as somewhat backwards and are punished accordingly. Removal or punishment, old fashioned. of course, depends on the regime involved; a truly tyrannical government will clamp down on the protests, 3-4 Isolationist then harass, imprison, or kill the dissidents. For whatever reason, the society has decided to limit contact with outside governments, cultures, or corporations. A multitude of reasons for this can exist, such as a desire to not get involved, keeping ‘undesirables’ out, or a society that has become more introspective. 13 3-5 Societal Corruption 4-4 Ruling party ousted Society outside of government generally becomes more This result is removal of one government for another, corrupt and susceptible to illegal or immoral behavior. be it via election, hostile takeover, rebellion, civil war, Honesty and honorable behavior decrease (businesses corporate merger, etc. Regardless of the trigger, the pre- engage in price fixing, over-charging, etc), and the so- vious ruling party is now out, and a new regime is now ciety may earn a reputation as a group of criminals and in charge of the region. Depending on the types of gov- hoodlums. Outside entities, such as businesses, may ernments involved, the effects of this change on society decide not to do business with such scoundrels, which may be profound. can have long term effects on trade and immigration. 4-5 Tyranny 3-6 Labor dispute The government has become cruel, callous, or uncar- One or more industries suffer a labor dispute. These ing toward the populace at large, and is generally mak- incidents are often sparked by differences over wages, ing their lives more difficult. This can take the form benefits, working conditions, or tenure. The end results of corruption/bribery, class or racial purges, excessive are often a decrease in production, work stoppages, regulation and control, intrusive surveillance, etc. The strikes, sabotage, lockouts, or open revolts. Arbitration response to tyranny varies from society to society. Peo- can usually provide a solution acceptable to both em- ple who had once been free will find the yoke of this ployer and employee, but hard feelings often remain. oppression intolerable, while those who have lived with Labor disputes have a negative impact on the economy. it their whole life may be afraid of changing.

4-1 Polarized society 4-6 Decadence Society is split into two (or more) political or ideolog- Society as a whole, or the elite portions of society, have ical factions over a set of issues. The severity of this become decadent, excessively enjoying luxury or plea- polarization varies, but it can cause deep divides and sure, or are suffering a decline in standards, morals, animosity. This animosity is usually limited to politics, or dignity. Decadence is often a wedge between social but can boil over into actual clashes, armed encounters, classes and may lead to protest from moral authorities and even civil war if both sides feel the issue is import- (such as religions) or the general population. ant enough. Examples include the debate over gun control in the US, the dispute over slavery that led to the 5-1 Crime wave US Civil War, or the recent Brexit vote. This result is an increase in the numbers of crimes committed by portions of the population. This can be 4-2 Protests subjective, depending on local law levels. On a world Demonstrations for or against a particular subject with low law levels, there may be a widespread uptick in begin, with people picketing, staging sit-ins, or oth- the severity of crime to qualify as a ‘wave’. On high law er forms of protests. The citizens may be protesting worlds, a major crime wave may consist of crimes other against government policies, the practices of corpora- places see as relatively minor, such as spitting in public tions, a religious group, or other entity. The response or wearing the wrong clothes. to the protest depends on the severity of the offense, the type of government or corporation, and what that 5-2 Economic boom institution feels it can get away with. The local economy is growing rapidly. The boom could be driven by other factors, such as a gold rush scenar- 4-3 Religious fervor io, de-regulation of trade, a new trade agreement, etc. Preference or practice of a religion becomes popular, Other causes could include new exports to trade, a new creating many new adherents or converts. If the area facility built by corporate or government interests, or is not inherently religious, a new one becomes popular a change in tax policies. The economy is, by nature, and starts growing. This may be in response to disaster, somewhat cyclic, going through boom, recession, and immigration of religious people, the result of traveling depression cycles over time. preachers, etc. 14 5-3 Tech breakthrough support from the parent company or sponsoring gov- A new technology has been discovered or improved, or ernment. This may also represent investment in a local a working prototype of a theoretical design has been business, trade, or resource. Either way, the investment built. Depending on the breakthrough and society, the boosts the local economy significantly. effects may be rather minor, such as something rev- olutionary in the field of entertainment, or it may be 6-2 Economic depression a true game changer, such as the development of the The down side to a cyclic economy, depressions are a first functional artificial intelligence. The scope may be significant slowdown in economic activity. Depressions purely local, global, or even have interplanetary/inter- are longer, more severe versions of a recession and can stellar repercussions. have lasting effects on the economy, including unemployment, decrease in trade or industrial activity, re- 5-4 Gold rush duction of taxes collected, and possible emigration as Word of the discovery of a valuable resource has spread, people leave for better prospects. and people are flocking to the area to get a stake in it. This can be virtually any resource, but typically involve 6-3 Outside aid valuable or rare minerals, a resources that is very scarce Unlike increased investment, outside aid refers to a elsewhere, or even just an abundance of space for peo- short term or one-time contribution from an outside ple to live. Gold rushes can drive immigration to very source. This aid can take any form - additional money, high levels technology, manpower, food, equipment, or infrastructure. There are a variety of reasons this aid may be given 5-5 Tech reduction as well, such as future influence, humanitarian reasons, This result means the loss of access to some technology support from allies, or simple charity. Regardless of the that has been available to this point. Often, this is the form or reasons, the aid is given to help the area im- result of some kind of disaster, such as an earthquake or prove or recover from major disruptions. an industrial accident, although economic changes may be the root cause as well. The loss of this technology 6-4 Piracy/banditry will have some effect on the local economy and possible Piracy in an increase of criminal attacks and robbery quality of life, but the magnitude of the effect will vary on trade, ships, or people using a major transportation with the technology and the level of local integration. route. The point of these attacks is mostly economic, although in some cases in may also indicate a blockade 5-6 Rivalry or siege that is underway to stop the flow of supplies A location, company, or group has developed a rival- and materials to an area. The scale and intensity will ry with a similar entity, leading to increased competi- vary based on local conditions, and the effect on the lo- tion. This may be between towns, cities, corporations, cal economy will vary with them. Decreased trade may or any social group or government. Friendly rivalries lead to an economic downturn, and if severe enough, are often good for businesses, driving innovation and may lead to a full blown recession or depression for the expansion as each tries to outperform the other. Rival- area. ries can sometimes get out of hand and go bad, leading to unethical business practices, sabotage, and even out- 6-5 Economic recession right conflict. These situations may escalate to the point A recession is defined as a temporary economic decline where an outside authority, such as the government, is (i.e. a fall in GDP) for more than 6 months or two con- forced to step in to quash an out of control rivalry be- secutive quarters. This can lead to increased unemploy- fore it does serious economic harm. ment, decreased business profits and tax income, lower industrial production, and decreased sales of goods. 6-1 Increased investment Recessions are a part of any economy, and tend to be An outside benefactor or speculator has increased the relatively short term in duration and effects. amount of funding or support for the location. For corporate or private entities, this may represent greater 15 6-6 Tech advance Romance: A romantic encounter or relationship be- A new technology has been discovered or introduced tween two or more members of the group. Such an to the area. This can be something relatively simple, encounter may be a one time fling, the start of a long such as a new colony finishing construction on its first term relationship, or issues in an existing relationship. power plant, or something more profound, such as the discovery of fusion power. The scale and effect of the Expense: The group suffers a minor setback in the advance will be dictated by local conditions, but these form of an unexpected expense. This may be due to effects will typically bring expanded economic activity, old debts, licensing fees, back taxes, a serious illness, trade, or employment. increased cost of supplies, etc. This can also represent a loss of power or prestige, such as having to call in a favor to resolve a bad situation. Personal and Small Groups Opportunity: An opportunity of some kind comes This table is provided as an additional aid to generate along, such as the chance at a new business venture, events for small groups or locations, such as a starship, a chance to relocate to a new place, or finding a new small business, family, or gang. Choose an appropri- supplier for the groups product. Opportunities are ate time scale and frequency as normal, rolling 2d6 on generally good for the group, and provide a chance at the table below for specific events. expansion, prosperity, or other benefits.

Table 4: Personal and Small Groups (2d6) Windfall: This is an increase in wealth, revenue, or 2 - Bureaucratic entanglement power for the group. Examples include improved sales, tax refunds, an inheritance, or gaining a favor 3 - Betrayal from someone powerful. 4 - Greed 5 - Romance Jealousy: One member of the group becomes jeal- 6 - Expense ous of one or more of the other members. This could 7 - Opportunity be romantic jealousy, or jealousy of anothers power, prestige, or wealth. These situations almost always 8 - Windfall cause hard feelings and rifts in relationships. 9 - Jealousy 10 - Rivalry Rivalry: A group member sees another in the group as 11 - Theft a rival; this may be good natured competitive rivalry, or something darker leading to bitterness, jealously, 12 - Legal entanglement and betrayal. This could be two people both attracted to a third, rivalry between siblings or subordinates, or Bureaucratic entanglement: The group becomes workplace competitiveness. caught up in some type of bureaucratic issue, such as taxes, licensing, starport regulations, etc. Most of Theft: A member of the group takes or destroys some- these issues are fairly straight foward to resolve, either thing from it, such as money or goods. Unlike greed, with the appropriate paperwork or fines. theft is more representative of taking a major asset, such as stealing your siblings inheritance or stealing Betrayal: A member of the group has betrayed others the company car. in the group, or the group as a whole. This may be by small, social issues (gossip, telling another persons Legal Entanglement: The group becomes embroiled in secret, reading their diary, etc) or something much a serious legal issue. This will vary widely by group. A more severe, such as selling out the group to rivals or family, for instance, may be sued because one of their enemies, stealing secrets, or turning informant to law children got into a fight resulting in injury. A criminal enforcement group may get pinched during a job and face jail time. A business or ship crew may run afoul of legal issues Greed: Someone in the group gets greedy and starts requiring significant time and resources to address. stealing funds or goods from the group for their own benefit. This could take the form of embezelment, theft of goods, or taking money from rivals to cause sabotage. Unlike Theft (below) greed usually involves smaller amounts of money or goods over a longer time period. 16 Table 3: Resources, Accidents, and Conflicts (d66) d66 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Crop Food Water Facility Facility Facility Failure Shortage Crisis Constructed Damaged Abandoned 2 Energy New Space Resource Contact Lost Habitat Crisis Resource Achievement Shortage With Facility Accident 3 Industrial Research Space Transportation Haz-Mat Habitat Accident Accident Accident Accident Accident Destroyed 4 Starship Starship Starship Starship Hostage Terrorism Accident Crash Scuttled Vanished Crisis 5 Outside Outside Sabotage Space Coup Civil Interference Intervention Battle d’e t at War 6 Arms Alien Alien Alien Rebellion Attacked or Deal Contact Influence Attack Invaded

Table 3 Event Descriptions 1-3 Water crisis 1-1 Crop failure A water crisis refers to a shortage of potable water for A crop failure may refer to an individual crop (wheat, human consumption. This can quickly turn into a dan- for example) or to a more generalized failure of many or gerous situation, as humans without water can die in all crops. Typically, this is caused by some environmen- just a few days. The lack of water may be due to climate tal factor, but can also occur due to man-made disasters change, pollution, lack of access, or deliberate sabotage. such as pollution. The scale will be subject to the size While humans can and do live in areas with very little of the location, but will have several ramifications over water, care must be taken to ensure the supply is stable both the long and short term. Short term effects will in- enough to support the local population. Recycling and clude an increase in prices, food shortages or rationing, treatment can definitely help in many cases, as will im- and economic disruption. These may progress into the porting water from areas with a sufficient supply. long term, leading to starvation, population migration, and economic disruption. 1-4 Facility constructed A new facility, notable in some way, is constructed. 1-2 Food shortage This is not just normal infrastructure construction, but Simply put, the location lacks the food supplies to sup- often the first construction of something that hadn’t ex- port the local population. For a short term effect, this isted previously and has significant impact on the local may be the result of other events - crop failure, natu- population, economy, or technology. An example of ral disaster, overpopulation or a blockade/siege. Food this might be a worlds first starport, a nations first deep shortages may be offset by rationing or outside aid, sea habitat, or the first maglev train station in a city. but the situation can become dire if it continues for an extended period of time. If the shortage continues for 1-5 Facility damaged more than a month or two, starvation may begin to set A facility or building important to the local economy or in, decreasing productivity and overall health, which population is damaged and becomes inoperable or pro- may lead to disease outbreaks, economic recession, and duction decreases. The how and why of such damage is emigration as people move to a more sustainable area. left to the referee, and will depend on the location. The If left unchecked, the situation may spiral out of control damage may come from natural disasters, sabotage, ac- and result in death or displacement of the local popu- cidents, etc. The loss of productivity due to repairs, etc lace. can be significant, slowing trade and employment,. 17 1-6 Facility abandoned thing specific. Depending on the resource, such short- Once important to the local people, a major facility has ages can have significant impacts on the local economy been abandoned due to local economics, advancing by causing secondary shortages of goods and resources technology, lack of workers, or a variety of other rea- that depend on the missing ingredient. For instance, sons. It may have been properly decommissioned and phosphorus is a widely used industrial and commercial preserved for future use, or simply abandoned with no raw material used in fertilizer, metallurgy, and essential preparation. The effect on the location will vary by fa- for life. A lack of phosphorus may cause shortages of cility and circumstance. fertilizer, phosphorus compounds used commercially, and even simple things like baking powder. Problems 2-1 Energy crisis of availability can arise as a result of armed conflicts, Like air, food, and water, energy is a requirement for political upheaval, trade disputes, animal diseases, deg- most civilizations. An energy crisis denotes a lack of radation or contamination during transport, climate or available resources for heat, electricity, fuel, or other other environmental conditions, or a decreased crop uses. In a space habitat, or on the surface of a relatively yield of plants that are a source of raw materials hostile world, a lack of energy means eventual death as the settlement is unable to produce air, recycle resourc- 2-5 Contact lost with facility es, provide lighting and heat, etc. Alternatively, the The location has lost contact with a facility somewhere problem may not be a lack of resources, but damaged beyond its borders, off-world, or in a remote location. or destroyed power generation facilities. This loss of contact may be due to many circumstanc- es, such as a malfunctioning transmitter, rebellion at 2-2 New resource the facility, or other events. The effects of this will vary The discovery of a new resource increases economic ac- widely with the type of facility. tivity, potentially bringing wealth and investment into a location. Such resources can be literally anything peo- 2-6 Habitat accident ple are willing to pay for - food, minerals, plants, ex- An artificial habitat in space or in a hostile environ- otic animals, tourism, local crafts, energy, fuels, etc. A ment has had an accident that compromises the safety sudden abundance of this new resource may eventually of the occupants. Examples can include space habitats lead to a gold rush as word of the discovery spreads. being struck by a micrometer, an underwater dome de- New resources will also tend to bring in new businesses veloping a structural problem, or contaminants getting to exploit the resource, unless the location has a mo- released into the atmosphere of a closed habitat. The nopoly on it and is unwilling to share. difference between a facility and a habitat is the number of people involved; habitats are typically homes and 2-3 Space achievement businesses, while facilities are industrial or scientific A space achievement is an event that occurs in a solar operations with few people. system (off-planet) that previously had not been done before. Depending on the tech level of the society, this 3-1 Industrial accident may include events such as the first manned spaceflight, This may demonstrate any kind of large scale accident the first orbital tower, or the construction of a new type involving heavy industry, and they may be accidental, of space habitat. Space achievements typically pave the negligent, or intentional. Examples include pipeline way for future improvements and infrastructure for life leaks, train derailments, factory explosions, mine fires, off-planet. Alternatively, this could demonstrate some- dam collapses and floods, nuclear power plant melt- thing more negative, such as steering an asteroid to im- downs, etc. pact on a world at war or the development of a new type of space weapon. 3-2 Research accident Similar to industrial accidents, a research accident 2-4 Resource shortage occurs in labs, testing facilities, etc. While industrial Rather than a shortage of something general, such as accidents may be devastating, they generally involve energy or food, a resource shortage is a lack of some- well known situations, such as fires and explosions. 18 Research accidents can be more esoteric, given the fact 4-1 Starship accident that the materials involved are volatile, unknown, or This is an accident involving one or more starships un- experimental. Depending on the type of lab, the acci- derway. Typical accidents can include drive malfunc- dent may release diseases or alien creatures, contam- tions, power plant explosions, life support failure, col- inate the area with strange or unknown chemicals, or lisions during docking, or similar mishaps. This event create strange environmental effects. exceeds the normal, everyday accidents that occur in any space faring society; these are the equivalents of the 3-3 Space accident Titanic or the Hindenburg in scope and impact. An accident in space has occurred, resulting in significant damage and a number of casualties. Locations for 4-2 Starship crash such accidents can include virtually any ship or facility A starship or small craft has crashed on a planetary sur- in space. Depending on the scenario, this can have long face, a moon, or a large asteroid. Damage to the ship term economic effects, a loss of productivity, or even and loss of life will depend on the type of ship. The the abandonment of a badly damaged facility. Space event could involve a rescue or recovery mission. travel may be impacted as well (for example, the only highport may be damaged, disrupting traffic in and out 4-3 Starship scuttled of the system. A starship in the system is intentionally destroyed, by overloading the power plant, intentionally detonat- 3-4 Transportation accident ing ordinance carried aboard the ship, or some other Standard transportation, such as maglev trains, trucks, means. There are many reasons a ship could be scuttled ocean-going ships, and aircraft all transport cargo and - ship wide contamination of alien microbes or organ- people on a planetary surface. This result indicates a se- isms, irradiation to expensive to mitigate, failure of the rious accident involving one of these methods of trans- drive systems, insurance fraud, pirates seeking to cover port, causing serious damage to infrastructure, loss of their tracks, or an uncontrolled ship that may become a life, or economic disruption. navigation hazard.

3-5 Haz-Mat accident 4-4 Starship vanished Hazardous materials have been released into the bio- A ship of some type has vanished while enroute to sphere or habitat, causing significant damage and re- somewhere in the system. It may have been hijacked, quiring extensive cleanup. Potential materials include suffered a malfunction that destroyed the ship, the crew radioactive, flammable, explosive, corrosive, oxidizing, may have stolen it, or if may have slipped through a asphyxiating, biohazardous, toxic, pathogenic, or al- spatial anomaly. These events are often the basis for lergenic materials. In a closed environment, these ac- stories about ghost ships, and occasionally, some of cidents are very dangerous. In a planetary biosphere, them are found, years or decades later. All will have an they can be devastating to local wildlife, crops, and the interesting story to tell , even if the crew is missing. public at large. 4-5 Hostage crisis 3-6 Habitat destroyed An armed group has taken control of an area and a An artificial habitat in space or on the surface of an keeping the people there hostage. The perpetrators inhospitable planet has been destroyed by accident, could be criminals, rebels, political activists, striking natural disaster, or hostile action. The loss of life will workers, or former employees with a grudge. Typical- depend on the population, the environment, and the ly, hostage situations are accompanied by demands to potential for quick rescue. The habitat may be a total ensure the safety of the hostages - transport to some- loss, and require replacement rather than repair. If it is where else, money, freeing political prisoners, or to list not a total loss, the cost to repair it will likely be large. grievances against the target. Resolution of the crisis is left to the referee, but many such events end with a significant number of casualties on all sides. 19 4-6 Terrorism conflict. This event may be unrelated to local events, A terror attack is the use of violence in the pursuit of part of a larger conflict that is ongoing, or an isolated political aims. Unlike wars, the most common targets battle. If the battle takes place near a world, port, or are ‘soft’ targets, such as civilians. This can cover the station, the collateral damage may range from minor to spectrum from lone-wolf random sniper attacks up to catastrophic. attacks using weapons of mass destruction against cities or habitats. Examples can include the DC Beltway 5-5 Coup d’etat shooter, the destruction of the Marine barracks in Be- An illegal seizure of the government by the military or ruit, and the 9-11 attacks in the US. other elites within the state, a coup d’etat is an inter- nal revolt. Such a coup may be fairly peaceful, with the 5-1 Outside interference rebels merely arresting the sitting officials and taking An outside group, such as a rival government or cor- power, or more violent, such as the rebels executing the poration, is interfering with normal operations in an rightful rulers and their supporters. This result may attempt to disrupt the status quo. Stopping short of full also indicate a failed coup attempt; the response and blown forcible intervention, interference is most subtle subsequent events are up to the referee. and insidious. This can range from planting spies to foment unhappiness to bribing officials to cause prob- 5-6 Civil war lems within their own government. This influence is Two or more groups in a location are at odds, to the indirect and usually subtle and secret. point that it evolves into open, high intensity conflict involving regular armed forces. Civil wars are sustained 5-2 Outside intervention and large scale conflicts, potentially resulting in large Intervention is the act of putting oneself between oth- numbers of casualties and utilizing significant resourc- ers, in an effort to help or hinder an ongoing situation es on both sides. Prolonged, brutal conflicts may see overtly. In this case, the intervention comes from an intervention by an outside government or force in an outside entity not previoiusly involved in the situation. effort to bring peace. Death and forced displacement An example would be an outside government sup- of civilians is common, and economic collapse can be porting one side in a civil war with equipment, mon- nearly inevitable if the situation is not contained. ey, troops, etc. Another example would be an activist group getting involved in an ongoing dispute between 6-1 Arms deal workers and the company. The government has made a deal for the acquisition of military grade weapons and equipment with another 5-3 Sabotage entity (government, corporation, etc). The extent of Sabotage is the deliberate destruction or obstruction of the deal depends on the size of the polity, ranging from something for political or military advantage. This tac- purchasing new small arms for the local police force to tic is a favorite among corporations and bitter business the acquisition of a dozen destroyers for an interstellar rivals, and is commonly used during the preparation navy. If the world currently has a rebellion, fomenting phase before a military invasion or intervention. The coup d’etat, or other adversarial group, this result may results of sabotage can include loss of production capa- apply to an arms deal for them. An example of this bility, unemployment, and decreased revenue while the would be an off world group supplying arms to the reb- damage is fixed. els hiding in the mountains, or a criminal group making a sizable weapons purchase from another group. 5-4 Space battle Arms deals have the potential to lead to an escalation A noteworthy battle has been fought in space between in any given stuation. two or more ships, possibly involving governments, corporations, mercenaries, or pirates. Losses are left 6-2 Alien contact to the referee to determine, but will depend largely on Alien, in this context, means something belonging to the number of ships involved and the seriousness of the a foreign country, nation, planet, or species that hasn’t 20 been encountered before. Such events are the typical civilians unless the attacking force takes specific mea- ‘First Contact’ scenarios prevalent in science fiction. sures to avoid them. Depending on the location and Examples can range from full blown first contact with defending forces, the time span for the attack may be aliens scenarios, the first encounter with a new or iso- days for small outposts or single cities, up to months for lated tribe, or contact with a previously unknown na- conquest of a large nation or planet. tion (depending on the size and scope of your setting). Aliens and Thinking Outside the Box 6-3 Alien influence A previously unknown or unmet country, nation, plan- Several of the results on Table 3 refer to aliens. While et, or species is exerting influence on the target society. a typical sci-fi setting may very well feature aliens, some settings may may not have ‘little green men’. In The type of influence can vary from subtle, behind-the- this case, it may be beneficial for the referee to ap- scenes manipulation of government policy to bribery, proach the issue from a different angle. Alien in this infiltration, or even cultural influences. The use of case can refer to any unknown group, such as a new influence is typically subtle, but can be very open and or ‘lost’ tribe of humans or a previously unknown na- heavy handed, back with threats and violence. tion. This could also be taken to mean more exotic creatures, such as artificial intelligence, uplifted animals, gene-modded humans, inter-dimensional be- 6-4 Alien attack ings, the Old Ones, or forgotten gods. As with most A previously unknown or unmet country, nation, plan- everything in this supplement, it is acceptable, even et, or species attacks the target society militarily as the expected, to look past the actual wording of an event start of a full blown conflict. The reasons for this attack to find something that fits with the given setting. are usually built on history between the two groups, but it can also be the result of a first encounter with a war- like or xenophobic race. An attack will involve military units on both sides, and tend to produce a number of casualties and refugees, and potentially cause a significant amount of damage to infrastructure.

6-5 Rebellion Somewhere between civil unrest and civil war, rebellion is the refusal of some to obey the established authority. As with most events, there is a range of ways this can manifest. Relatively peaceful expressions of rebellion could include a refusal to pay taxes or civil disobedi- ence, while violent rebellion may spawn terrorism, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare. The difference between rebellion and revolt are the aims of the oppressed - the goal of rebellion is resistance, while a revolt is aimed at revolution and regime change.

6-6 Attacked or invaded An outside entity (government, corporation, etc) attacks the location with military force in an effort to take control of the location. This may be the endgame of long running rivalries, corporate warfare, an attempt to stop a rebellion, or simply control of the resource control. An attack is typically executed by standing military units or mercenaries, characterized by intense combat. Casualties are typically high, especially among 21 Table 1: Environmental Events (d66) d66 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Biosphere Environmental Invasive Species New Species Pestilence Change Toxin Species Extinction Discovered 2 New Plague Desertification Drought Dust Storm Earthquake Disease 3 Floods Limnic Meteor Oceanic Ozone Superstorm Eruption Impact Anoxia Depletion 4 Tsunami Volcanic Water Global Greenhouse Climate Eruption Pollution Warming Effect Shift 5 Glaciation Polar Cap Sea Level Solar Super Earthquake Shift Change Flare Volcano Swarm 6 Megathrust Geomagnetic Coronal Mass Meteor Methane Geomagnetic Earthquake Storm Ejection Swarm Eruption Reversal

Table 2: Population, Economic and Social Events (d66) d66 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Emigration Gender Immigration Mass Population Low Birth Imbalace Evacuation Boom Rate 2 Civil Conservative Corruption Expansionist Honesty Liberty Unrest Shift 3 New Cultural Outside Progressive Isolationist Corruption Labor Trend Influence Shift Dispute 4 Polarized Protests Religious Ruling Party Tyranny Decadence Society Fervor Ousted 5 Crime Economic Tech Gold Tech Rivalry Wave Boom Breakthrough Rush Reduction 6 Increased Economic Outside Piracy Economic Tech Investment Depression Aid Recession Advance

Table 3: Resources, Accidents, and Conflicts (d66) d66 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Crop Food Water Facility Facility Facility Failure Shortage Crisis Constructed Damaged Abandoned 2 Energy New Space Resource Contact Lost Habitat Crisis Resource Achievement Shortage With Facility Accident 3 Industrial Research Space Transportation Haz-Mat Habitat Accident Accident Accident Accident Accident Destroyed 4 Starship Starship Starship Starship Hostage Terrorism Accident Crash Scuttled Vanished Crisis 5 Outside Outside Sabotage Space Coup Civil Interference Intervention Battle d’e t at War 6 Arms Alien Alien Alien Rebellion Attacked or Deal Contact Influence Attack Invaded 22 Example 1: The LHS2090 system To start off, this first example will take a look at a star Once the events have been rolled, add some detail to system. Most of the events will affect the primary world, shape the system history. It often helps to list the events although they may certainly affect other planets, colo- and make notes to help organize the interpretation. De- nies, etc. in the system. To demonstrate how events in- pending on the referee requirements, this may be all of teract at various scales, the examples used will all focus the detail required at this point. It is advised to keep in on one system, the LHS2090 system, over a period this timeline handy when generating subordinate loca- of 40 years. The system was colonized in 2080, so the tions. Some events, like the coronal mass ejection and examples will look at the period from 2080 to 2120. the population boom, will have ripple effects through- out the system. The LHS2090 system consists of a M6 V class red dwarf, with one asteroid belt, one Neptune-sized gas giant, and • 2083 - Tech advance. Starport on the main 9 other planets. The main world of Khonsu sits com- world of Khonsu constructed. Class D port. fortably in the habitable zone of the star. The asteroid • 2086 - Starship vanished. Corporate resupply belt and two planets occupy the space between Khonsu ship disappeared enroute to Khonsu, presumed lost and the star; the gas giant and remaining 6 planets lie and/or destroyed. outward from the main world. • 2105 - Coronal mass ejection. Caused lengthy comms blackout, and damaged communication and We’ve already decided the Location (LHS2090 system) weather satellites. and Scale (star system). For a time interval, let’s use one • 2112 - Space achievement. Construction of an year, starting in 2080 when the world was colonized. orbital interface terminal to speed transfer of cargo and Finally, for a Frequency of Events, let’s use 16.66% (10+ passengers from orbit to the surface of Khonsu. on 2d6). Since this is a new colony, things are going to • 2114 - Alien contact. Outpost recovered a take some time to start happening. crashed alien ship with crew still alive in stasis.

Once the events are rolled, there are events in 2083, If a full write-up is desired, the timeline of major events 2086, 2105, 2112, and 2114. If more detail is desired, above gives a great summary to start from. the referee can either alter the time interval, the frequency, or both.

The specific events can now be rolled and noted. By caveat, the specific tables will be determined randomly, weighted for fewer environmental events with more social and resource events. Roll a d6; on a 1, use Table 1: Environmental Events. On 2 or 3, use Table 2: Pop- ulation, Economic, and Social Events. On a 4,5, or 6, use Table 3: Resources, Accidents, and Conflicts. Then roll d66 for each individual event. Once everything has been rolled, the timeline for the system looks like this -

• 2083 - Tech advance • 2086 - Starship vanished • 2105 - Coronal mass ejection • 2112 - Space achievement • 2114 - Alien contact 23 Example 2: Khonsu For the second example, lets take a look at the main on strike for better wages. world of Khonsu. In this case, the Scale is Planetary. •2087 - Water pollution. Colony water treatment sys- Assume the time interval of one year is kept, and let’s tem damaged. change the frequency of events to 27% (9+ on 2d). For •2101 - Floods. Caused by higher than expected rain- table selection, since the scale is planetary, let’s make fall. it an even distribution (on d6, 1-2 = Table One, 3-4 = •2105 - Coronal mass ejection (from system). Colonies Table 2, 5-6 = Table 3). As with the example above, the and outposts isolated by comm blackout. time period we’re interested in is 2080 to 2120. •2106 - Facility abandoned. A research station under construction abandoned due to The relevant event dates rolled are 2081, 2082, 2085, •2107 - Religious fervor. Newly arrived colonists spread 2087, 2101, 2106, 2107, 2109, 2112, and 2116. A d6 is religion. rolled for each to determine which Event Table is used, •2109 - Transportation accident. Cargo flight from and a d66 rolled to determine the actual event. The remain colony site to Magellan Outpost crashes. sults are as follows - •2112 - Gold rush. Discovery of several rich mineral deposits trigger influx of miners. •2081 - Corruption •2114 - Alien contact (from system). Alien craft crashes •2082 - Facility constructed near Magellan Outpost and is recovered. •2083 - Tech advance (from system) •2116 - Contact lost with facility. Contact with mining •2085 - Labor dispute camp lost for several days due to transmitter failure. •2087 - Water pollution •2101 - Floods It should be noted that the events of 2112 coincide •2105 - Coronal mass ejection (from system) nicely. On the system timeline, the orbital terminal is •2106 - Facility abandoned being constructed, while on the planet itself, a ‘gold •2107 - Religious fervor rush’ of off world miners is arriving. Also, the system •2109 - Transportation accident events note that in 2086 a corporate resupply ship went •2112 - Gold rush missing; the problems with the water treatment plant in •2114 - Alien contact (from system) 2087 may have been caused or exacerbated by a lack of •2116 - Contact lost with facility replacement parts.

Looking at our timeline from the previous example, the coronal mass ejection in 2105 should be added to this list. We’ll also add the tech advance in 2083 (the starport, because that was constructed on the main world) and the alien contact in 2114, because the main world is the most likely place for that to occur. As before, add notes and details to flesh out the timeline.

•2081 - Corruption. Colony manager and two staff members fired for starting a black market for luxury goods. •2082 - Facility constructed. Magellan Outpost, for geological surveys for mineral deposits. •2083 - Tech advance (from system). Starport, class D begins construction. •2085 - Labor dispute. Workers on the port project go 24 Example 3: Magellan Outpost For the final example, lets take all of the above details and failure to follow company protocols. Two mechan- and drill down to a specific outpost, Magellan. From ics and a supervisor are fired and sent back to Earth. the planet notes, we can see Magellan Outpost was con- 2099 -New resource. Geologists discover multiple de- structed in 2082 for geological surveys. As with the pre- posits of minerals and radioactives. vious examples, the time interval will remain one year, 2100 -Increased investment. Word of the newly dis- the frquency of events will remain the same (9+ on 2d), covered resources leads to increased investment plans and the table selection will be split between Table 2 (1-3 from the corporation in charge of the colony. In an ef- on d6) and Table 3 (4-6 on d6). For environmental effort to keep the information to themselves, the report fects, there are already two in place - the coronal ejec- is buried. tion in 2105, and the flooding in 2101. To keep every- 2101 - Flooding (from world). Unexpectedly heavy thing with the same end date, the years 2082 to 2120 rains cause severe flooding around the main colony, but will be generated. Rolling produces events in the fol- Magellan Outpost (situated in the mountains) is rela- lowing years - 2084, 2086, 2087, 2099,2100, 2105, 2112, tively unaffected, although it does hamper flight opera- 2116, and 2119. After adding in the relevant world and tions and slow surveying. system events, the timeline looks like this. 2105 -Coronal mass ejection (from system). Event causes disruption of communications, flight operations, etc. 2084 -Corruption Outpost is cut off for three weeks. 2086 -Progressive shift 2105 - Food shortage. A clerical error shorts the food 2087 -Transportation accident delivered on a supply run a week before the CME. 2099 -New resource When the CME disrupts communications, the outpost 2100 -Increased investment runs critically short on food. 2101 - Flooding (from world) 2109 - Transportation accident (from world). A cargo 2105 -Food shortage flight from main colony to Magellan Outpost crashes, 2105 - Coronal mass ejection (from system) cause unknown. 2109 - Transportation accident (from world) 2112 -Gold rush (from world) - Word of the rich de- 2112 -Crime wave posits of minerals and radioactives leak, bringing a 2112 - Gold rush (from world) rush of incoming workers and wildcat miners. Small 2114 - Alien contact (from system) boom towns spring up in multiple locations. 2116 -Industrial accident 2112 - Crime wave - The sudden influx of off-worlders 2119 - Facility constructed catches corporate security by surprise, resulting in a lack of law enforcement personel and a sharp rise in From here, add notes and tie up the loose ends to form crime, especially in the largely unpatrolled boom towns. a cohesive background. 2114 - Alien contact (from system) - A survey team finds a crashed alien ship in a range of nearby moun- 2084 -Corruption. A member of the corporate manage- tains. The ship is mostly destroyed, but three aliens of ment team, once part of the black market at the main an unknown type are found in the wreckage, still alive colony, sets up operations at Magellan as well. He is able in cryostasis. Corporate management sends a recovery to get away with it for nearly two years before auditors team, and the cryotubes are moved to an unknown lo- catch him cation. 2086 -Progressive shift. Given the distance from the 2116 -Industrial accident - A mine collapse near the main colony, the culture at Magellan Outpost becomes Magellan outpost kills seventeen miners. Corporate in- more fluid and relaxed. vestigators attribute the accident to human error. 2087 -Transportation accident. An aircraft transporting 2119 - Facility constructed - Construction begins on a a team of geologists to a survey site crashes. Investiga- processing facility for transshipment of chemicals and tion reveals the crash was due to negligent maintenance minerals mined near the outpost. 25 Enigmatic Event Generation Sheet

Location:______Scale:______Frequency of Events: ______Time Interval: ______

Date Event Notes