Setting information / Game lore

The Sylonean Federation
In the year 3200, the galaxy witnessed the flourishing alliance known as the Sylonean Federation. Born from the shared vision of prosperity and unity, this loose coalition of star systems, centered around the vibrant planet Sylon, had spent three decades weaving a tapestry of trade agreements and the need for mutual support among diverse planetary societies.

Much like the European Union of the past, the Sylonean Federation faced initial skepticism and resistance. Disparate cultures and histories among member planets presented unique challenges, but the shared commitment to a brighter future and a sound diplomatic strategy prevailed.

Everything started as the economy within the Sylonean Federation boomed when the trade routes expanded, and technological advancements were shared among nearby planets. A common currency, the Sylon Credit, mimicking the credit issued by the Exchange of Light from Before the Silence, facilitated commerce and strengthened economic bonds.

The Sylonean citizens, once divided by the vastness of space, began to see themselves as part of a larger, unified whole. As such, the Galactic Parliament was established, providing a forum for representatives from each system to voice concerns, negotiate agreements, and shape the direction of the Federation.

To ensure the stability and security of the Federation, a joint defense force was also formed, a mutual defense commitment between its member planets. This military alliance not only protected member planets from external threats but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility for the security and well-being of all.

Finally, education and cultural exchange programs flourished, with citizens from different systems studying and working together. The diverse tapestry of Sylonean society became a source of strength, as the unique perspectives and talents of each member planet contributed to the overall success of the Federation.

However, challenges are not absent. The Sylonean Federation grapples with issues of governance, representation, and balancing the needs of individual systems with the greater common good. Tensions arise but compromises are usually made.

The Sylonean Federation Scout Service
A major force in the Federation expansion into interstellar space is the Sylonean Federation Scout Service. The SFSS was established with two main missions: first, the exploration of neighboring regions for the consequent contact or recontact of their inhabitants; and second, the use of advanced technology and market forces to lure these contacted planets into the growing Federation. For a new planet to join the Federation, the first step is one of economic and commercial integration.

Rather than relying solely on political or military means, the Federation embraced a diplomatic approach, showcasing the benefits of collaboration and membership in the growing alliance. The Explorer-merchants inside SFSS are responsible for introducing revolutionary technologies, ranging from sustainable energy sources to medical advancements and educational tools. These offerings are carefully tailored to address the specific needs and aspirations of each contacted civilization and lostworlder culture. The allure of technological progress, coupled with the economic and cultural advantages of Federation membership, becomes a powerful incentive for planets to consider joining the collaborative alliance.

Diplomatic negotiations led by SFSS representatives are then started to strike a balance between respecting the autonomy of contacted civilizations and encouraging their active participation in the Federation. The goal is not assimilation but rather a harmonious coexistence, where the strengths of each society contributes to the collective prosperity of the Sylonean Federation.

Detached duty SFSS ships
An interesting thing in the SFSS is the detached duty pool of ships. One of the most common starships within the Federation is the tested and tried "SFSS Scout/Courier". Originally produced to specification for the SFSS, this sleek and simple frigate class ship was intended for common courier duties within the Federation, and simple survey and exploration duties beyond its borders.

The scout/courier can roam through most areas, refueling itself from gas giants or planetary oceans as necessary, checking up on local conditions, and filing reports when it returns from a mission.

Because the scout/courier is a standard design, the Scout Service has a large quantity of the vessels on hand, with the natural result that some are sold at surplus and find their ways into private or commercial hands, while others are scrapped.

In addition, however, many are diverted to a scout program called "detached duty". Under the direction of the Scout Service's Detached Duty Office, some selected personnel are provided with scout/couriers for their own use. The ships are too small for profitable large-scale commercial operations, but they do serve as a form of reasonable transport for those with wanderlust. In addition, the Scout Service derives a significant intelligence return on its investment through the examination of the ships' logbooks when they are serviced every year, and through routine interviews and debriefings of crews. Finally, such detached duty scout couriers are subject to recall and activation in the event of a war scare or mobilization alert.

Detached duty ships tend to get a lot of abuse, and even with annual refits paid for by the SFSS, they tend to go downhill over the years.

The Stuck'n'a'rut (aka. Scout Ship D0002975)
Originally constructed a couple of decades ago at a shipyard in Gutenberg, Scout/Courier D0002975 boasts an extensive service record across all major branches of the Scout Service—Exploration, Survey, New Markets, and Communications. It has been seconded as a detached-duty vessel multiple times, endured collisions and combat damage, undergone two complete rebuilds, and boldly traversed the challenging Great Rift in both directions. Over the past 22 years, its missions have taken the ship around the sector and just beyond, into the vast reaches of the Great Void and the Ansion Extents. Despite routine refits and occasional comprehensive overhauls, the ship bears the scars of countless adventures, with numerous dents, dings, inexplicable modifications, and a collection of peculiar idiosyncrasies. Such signs of wear are customary for ships of this nature, though there usually comes a point when repairs become impractical.

Now designated as Stuck'n'a'rut, this relatively standard Scout vessel possesses all the customary features alongside its unique characteristics. Despite functioning within normal tolerances, certain quirks have emerged—sluggish responsiveness when turning to port, air scrubbers with efficiency issues, and a galley sink prone to unexplained backups. Nevertheless, Stuck'n'a'rut remains a reliable means of traversing the stars and reaching destinations safely, albeit with the occasional hiccup.

Stuck'n'a'rut has served within the Scout Service's 'detached duty pool' for a decade. Predictably, detached duty ships often endure substantial wear and tear and Stuck'n'a'rut is no exception. Tattered upholstery, worn corners, and decades-old fibers from the crew's clothes clinging to sharp table edges are testament to the ship's well-traveled and well-used history.

However, a few months ago, Stuck'n'a'rut faced a significant setback when a critical failure in her control electronics left her drives useless. Stranded on the planet Watson, the crew's attempts to restore functionality proved futile. Abandoning ship, they left the vessel in hopes of obtaining the necessary repairs from the scout base at Satton V.

Upon arrival at Satton, the crew encountered an unexpected hurdle. Rather than a straightforward repair, they found themselves accused of neglecting their vessel, possibly running a scam during the last refit. The ship's records indicated a pattern of fraudulent practices, including the installation of scavenged parts and the sale of components provided by the SFSS for personal profit. Such actions not only constituted fraud but also posed a danger to subsequent users and the SFSS, potentially rendering the vessel unavailable for reactivation orders. So, the crew found themselves in the slammer and the ship stayed where it was until someone could be assigned to pick it up and return it to Satton for a proper repair.

While Stuck'n'a'rut's major systems such as the power plant and gravitics remain functional, the control electronics demand a major repair for long-term operations. In the interim, the most critical systems could be bypassed or replaced with just a couple of crates full of equipment. A rather basic control software package could be installed to run the resulting Frankensteinian mess. It will not be pretty but it will get the ship to the dockyard at Satton… probably.

Ship stats
Hull Type: SFSS Scout/Courier
Maintenance cost: 52,500 credits every six months. Once in a year, the maintance is done and paid by the Scouts detached duty program, so the owners just pay for the other maintenance.
Maintance skipped: Twice. -2 to all skill checks and hit rolls related to the ship until its returned to a dockyard and maintenance is done.
Speed: 3
Armor: 2
HP: 16 of 20 = 4,000 credits to repair.
Crew: 1 (min) / 6 (max)
AC: 14
Life support: Capacity for 720 man-days before refurbish and resuply. Supplies (including food) cost 20 credits per person, per day.
Fuel: Capacity for 2 jumps (up to 2 hexes each)
Ship fittings:
- Atmospheric Configuration (2 mass)
- Fuel scoops (2 power, 2 mass)
- Shiptender mount (1 power, 1 mass)
- Survey sensor array (2 power, 1 mass)
- Extended stores (2 mass)
- Fuel bunkers (1 mass)
- Drive-2 upgrade (2 power, 2 mass)
- Cargo holds (4 mass, 80 tons of cargo space)

Total fittings:7/10 power, 15/15 mass, 0/1 hardpoint.

Megacorporations
A megacorp, short for "megacorporation," is a term used in the science fiction and speculative fiction genre to describe a highly influential, powerful, and often transnational or interstellar corporation. In our setting megacorps wield immense economic, political, and technological influence, transcending the scale and scope of contemporary multinational corporations.

They also dominate various aspects of society, including the economy, politics, and even culture. They are known for their vast resources, advanced technologies, and a level of corporate control that extends beyond traditional boundaries. Megacorps often have their own agendas, which may involve the pursuit of profit, expansion into new frontiers, or the manipulation of societal and political systems to further their interests.

While a few megacorps are massive and diversified, the majority tend to specialize in particular industries. This specialization leads to a complex network of partnerships for the development, production, and marketing of products and services. It also encourages extensive contracting of specialized services from other megacorps. Additionally, many megacorps pool their resources and expertise into cooperative research initiatives, project centers, or shared space stations.

Smart contracts
In the Sylonean Federation, smart contracts were a technological marvel enabled by the Sylon digital credits. These contracts were self-executing agreements with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. Operated on a decentralized network composed by the Central Banks of those planets, smart contracts eliminated the need for intermediaries, ensuring transparency and efficiency in various transactions.

Individuals or entities could engage in agreements ranging from trade deals to resource allocations, and the smart contract would automatically enforce the terms once predefined conditions were met. It was possible, for example, to pay an information broker with a finder's fee only if you are hired for the job. As soon as the money from the job entered your account, the fee was automatically transferred from your account to the finder by the Central Bank, running the code in the smart contract.

As such, Sylonean smart contracts not only streamlined business processes but also enhanced trust among people and even member planets, as the execution of agreements became tamper-proof and verifiable.