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Subject: TML biweekly: Msgs 7696-7706 V45#5
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TML biweekly    Sun May 22 21:00:02 EDT 1994    Volume 45 : Issue 5

Today's topics:

BUN# =AMN= =DATE====== =FROM==========  =SUBJECT/BODY==========================
 612  7696 20-May-1994 PSUAlum@aol.com  ct/mt/tne regency background << RQS
 612  7697 20-May-1994 gerald.s.willia  Re: Deep Space Jumps (not again!) << So
 612  7698 20-May-1994 David Johnson    TNE: Regency Naval Forces << Gentlesoph
 612  7699 20-May-1994 David Johnson    TNE: Regency Border Confusion << Gentle
 613  7700 20-May-1994 KenHagler@aol.c  TCS budget and another High Guard desig
 613  7701 20-May-1994 David Johnson    TNE: Shall Not Perish: Regency Borders 
 613  7702 20-May-1994 David Johnson    TNE: Sword Worlds << Gentlesophonts:
 613  7703 20-May-1994 David Johnson    Alt: Earth Colonies 1, 2, 3 << Gentleso
 613  7704 20-May-1994 Erwin Fritz      Sunbane << Forgive my naivete but what'
 613  7705 20-May-1994 David Johnson    TNE: Sword Worlds Navy 2 << Gentlesopho
 613  7706 20-May-1994 Jeff Zeitlin     *Shall Not Perish* - RICE << Subject: *

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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Bundle: 612
Archive-Message-Number: 7696
From: PSUAlum@aol.com
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 17:41:37 EDT
Subject: ct/mt/tne regency background

RQS

Thank you David Johnson for the kind comments.  You are quite correct
regarding dispatching jump drones.  Initially the procedure was to await
the outcome of hostile actions before launching drones but after the
Rape of Trin RQS Expedition Leader David Johnson brought this matter to
the attention of the RQS command which swiftly altered the procedures to
launch drones if a ship enters within 100 diameters of a fuel source
without acknowledging commo contact or as soon as hostile actions break
out.  Possibly this minor procedural fauz pas is responsible for the
Virus penetration to Trin but if so it has never been made known to the
public.


bonnevil@mermaid.micro.umn.edu (Steven M Bonneville) points out
correctly that the RQS also patrols the Zho & other spinward borders.
This is true but the RQS only maintains light assets (mostly inspection
launches) for inspections while the Navy maintains a strong presence in
these areas.  Naval ships are called upon to enforce the Quarantine
procedures should firepower be required.


L'oeul d'Dieu/Spinward Marches (3010 B98A510-B)
  While not a major world this system became the Patrol's base of ops in
275-1120 and thereby deserves some attention.  When Norris established
the Quarantine (312-1130) the Patrol was combined with part of the
Regency Interstellar Scout Service (Exploration and External Mapping
branches) to form the Regency Quarantine Service (RQS).  The base then
became an important asset of the RQS.


PBJuzyk                             | 'Most plans don't even survive
Reading, PA                         |  contact with Reality'
Terra/Solomani Rim (1827 G867975-8) |   -Hammer Lanthrop, *Smash & Grab*


------------------------------

Bundle: 612
Archive-Message-Number: 7697
From: gsw@aloft.att.com (gerald.s.williams)
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 09:46:35 EDT
Subject: Re: Deep Space Jumps (not again!)

Sorry for all of the bandwidth this is costing:

I think we're all on similar wavelengths regarding deep-space jumps,
although we all have taken different approaches to the seemingly
conflicting data about them.

I think we're agreed on the following "facts":

o Deep-Space Jumps ARE allowed
o Deep-Space refueling stations DO exist
o Deep-Space refueling stations ARE NOT extremely common
o Large distances (eg: Great Rift) DO present an obstacle to travel
o Blockades (eg: Regency) ARE possible
o Stellar and planetary bodies DO affect jump (eg: 100 diameter limit)

If anyone else has any facts to add, please do.  But take note, I
have avoided using obscure references as well as many not-so-obscure
rules references so that I can generalize.

To me, a natural conclusion from all of these facts is that jumps to
deep space are somehow very difficult and/or risky.  This is not the
only conclusion at which you could arrive, but it makes sense to me.

Another suggestion has been that it is simply too expensive to use
multiple jumps (for traders) or to set up deep-space refueling
stations (for the military).  I don't think this reconciles all of
the facts, for reasons I've already stated.

====================

I am now done talking about the effects of the background, game
mechanics, etc.  The rest of this is merely a suggestion, which
doesn't come from the rule book, so don't start quoting me page
numbers from books I probably don't have. :-)  I'd better give
that a few more smileys: :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

====================

My interpretation has been that gravity plays an integral part in
jumps, such that it is difficult to jump to interstellar space.
I am now inclined to revise this interpretation so that gravity
wells are REQUIRED as destinations of any jump.

There is plenty of interstellar dark matter, so deep-space jumps
would still be possible, although the difficulty of finding such
matter may change throughout the galaxy (eg: there might be less
in the Great Rift, and the Regency might have cleared it out at
the border).  Also, interpretations of how much matter is needed
may vary (eg: do you need something the size of a comet? will a
dust cloud do?).  These two things would affect whether deep-space
jump points are common or are well-guarded secrets at different
places in the galaxy.

This also helps me justify the way mis-jumps work.  I avoided
mentioning this earlier, since it opens up a whole new can of
worms (intentional mis-jumps: JUST SAY NO! :-) :-) :-).

====================

    ,-----------------.
    |Gerald S Williams|
    |gsw@aloft.att.com|
    `-----------------'

      _  |     ____/    _  |
     /   /    /        /   /
    /   /  ____ |     ____/
   /   /        /    /
______/  ______/  __/

 AT&T DSP tools development


------------------------------

Bundle: 612
Archive-Message-Number: 7698
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 18:00:06 CDT
From: djohnson@geds01.jsc.nasa.gov (David Johnson)
Subject: TNE: Regency Naval Forces

Gentlesophonts:

Ed "Caffine Achiever" Fok(?) <fok@scf.usc.edu> writes:

> I would suggest that the 100th, 201 to 204th fleet be either deleted
> (persumed destoryed during the invasion) or reconsolidated into a new
> fleet due to heavy losses. (probably incorporated into the most senior
> of the five fleets)  I don't know if 'displaced' is such a good description
> of what happened to fleets from conqured areas.  It seem unlikely that
> these fleets would withdraw and let their keep be overrunned unless they've
> taken significant losses.

In general, I disagree based upon the Imperial naval tradition discussed
in the *Spinward Marches Campaign*.  It is important to maintain the
tradition of a military unit so I doubt *any* unit would be disbanded
unless it had suffered a *particularly* stunning defeat.  The units
fighting the Aslan *ihatei* most probably were not *destroyed* in a pitched
battle but rather fought a series of engagements from which they were
forced to withdraw.  A similar situation would have occurred on the Vargr
front.

With this in mind I would expect *all* of the fleets to have survived in
some form or another.  This would permit them to be reinforced and rebuilt
by the New Era.  Recall that I mentioned the subesctor associations merely
to indicate the Rebellion-era origins of the fleets.

On another note, this entire issue of Aslan *ihatei*, Vargr and Virus
incursions into the Regency and subsequent borders must be resolved.  I'll
try to start that effort in another post.

> However, If the Aslan Ihati and the Regency are at peace in the New Era,
> these fleets could be re-established with Aslan Ships.

It's my belief (desire?) that many of the *ihatei* have been incorporated
into the Regency in those former regions of the Domain that were occupied/
settled during the Rebellion era.

> Also about 1/2 to 2/3 of Aramis Subsector was overrun by the Vargr
> Invasions.

Remember, I'm the guy who never bought the idea of Vargr incursions into
the Regency in the first place.  It's my view that a clever Regent ought
to have been able to keep the Vargr at bay by fostering their inherent 
instability.  (Some folks have claimed this policy would facilitate the
spread of Virus in the Extents.)  In any event, I would expect the Regency
to have reclaimed any territory lost to the Vargr during the Rebelion era
by TNE.

> The 193rd fleet would be tasked with the job of keeping the Swordworlders
> in line (punitive strikes/aggressive patrols/showing the Regency banner).
> Given the proximity of 43rd fleet to the area of the Aslan conquest, I
> would expect the 18th (Lanth) fleet be re-delopyed to help cover that
> subsector's border with the Swordworlds.

With the *rapproachment* between the Zhodani and the Regency during TNE I
would expect the Sword Worlds to be much less of a threat without the
support of their Zhodani patrons.  (Much like Cuba now.)

> Considering the central location of the 73rd (Mora) and 23rd (Rhylanor)
> Fleets, these would probably be the original core of the Patro.

The relationship between the Rebellion-era Patrol, the Quarantine Service
and the Regency Navy is one still to be discerned.  Wasn't the Patrol
originally staffed by Aslan?  This is why I felt many of the *ihatei* have
been incorporated into the Regency.  Does any TNE material mention the
fate of the Patrol in TNE?

> However the Reft fleets
> are probably gone.  Dulinor wouldn't let go of 188 perfectly good fighting
> ships so nearby.

The three Reft fleets on the spinward side of the Great Rift are clearly
safe from any sort of claim by Dulinor.  Their challenge was the *ihatei*
as well.

> p.s. Great listing.

Thanks.  Yours too.

> p.p.s. BTW I beleive the Deneb 212th (Lamas) should be 213th.  Still 
> conflict with the Regina fleet though.

Well, on a whim I've reidentified it as the 211th Group which at least doesn't
conflict with any Regency units.

Happy Travelling,

David Johnson
Houston, Texas, USA

------------------------------

Bundle: 612
Archive-Message-Number: 7699
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 18:22:53 CDT
From: djohnson@geds01.jsc.nasa.gov (David Johnson)
Subject: TNE: Regency Border Confusion

Gentlesophonts:

Rodge Sanger <rodge@cyberspace.com> writes:

> I was looking over some UWP data of the Spinward Marches
> recently, and many of the worlds I thought were part of the
> Regency (Rebellion Era) were marked as being controlled by the
> Aslan.


Ed "Caffine Achiever" Fok(?) <fok@scf.usc.edu> writes:

> Looking back at my MT map of the Spinward Marches.  Isn't all of Glisten
> subsector within the area of Aslan Conquest?  Not to mention about a quarter
> of Trin's Veil Subsector (spin-rim ward)?
> 
> Also about 1/2 to 2/3 of Aramis Subsector was overrun by the Vargr
> Invasions.

These are very important issues for our Regency sourcebook project *Shall
Not Perish*.  These problems with borders in the Domain/Regency actually
pre-date the Rebellion era discrepancies noted above.  (You'll recall my
questions about the discrepancies in the Border Worlds in Sword Worlds
subsector after the 5FW.)

What I'd like to do is to try to identify *all* `official' maps of the Domain
of Deneb (Spinward Marches, Deneb Sector, Trojan Reach and Reft Sector) that
either show borders of world allegiance codes from *Supplement 3: Spinward
Marches* to whatever has appeared for the Regency in TNE.  This would include
everything - like the map of Pax Rulin subsector in *Leviathan*.  I'd like
to identify the source of the map, the `real' date it was published, and
it's supposed date in the campaign.  (And please, let's try to be more
specific than just `Rebellion-era'.)

I'll examine whatever maps I have over the weekend.  Rodge and Ed, will you
give us the appropriate sources of the citations you used above?  Anyone
else, please contribute as you can.

In addition to identifying sources, we need to start to get a handle on the
discrepancies.  If possible, when you post your sources, please try to
identify as many discrepancies as possible.  Give world name and hex location
and whatever border/alignment discrepancy exists.

I'll serve a coordinator of this effort.  It shouldn't take but a few days
if enough folks participate.  Once we've gathered all the data I'll post
a summary and then we'll try to resolve the discrepancies for *Shall Not
Perish*.

Let's get busy!

David Johnson
Houston, Texas, USA

------------------------------

Bundle: 613
Archive-Message-Number: 7700
From: KenHagler@aol.com
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 19:49:45 EDT
Subject: TCS budget and another High Guard design

Here's the TCS budget stuff that Cynthia asked for:

Revenue: B = Cr500 x GM x P

B=budget in credits, GM=government percentage modifier, P=population

    Government Percentage Modifiers

Type 0    1    2    3    4    5    8    9    A    B    C    D
Peace  .50  .80 1.00  .90  .85  .95 1.10 1.15 1.20 1.10 1.20  .75
War   1.50 1.40 1.50 1.20 1.45 1.40 1.20 1.20 1.50 1.20 1.50 1.50

Government type 6 (captive) pays at the rate of its parent state, type 7 
(balkanized) have different rates for each government.

Yard Capacity: C = P x GM / 1000

C=capacity in tons, P and GM are the same as above

And here's the next High Guard design:

    The _Exclesior_ class Battleship
    
BB-1 Excelsior BB-R6357F4-590106-00Q08-0 MCr86,649.2 100,000 tons
batteries bearing   Y 7 1 L  Crew=1070.
batteries     Z A 1 U  TL=12.
Low=535. Cargo=5. Fuel=37,000. EP=7000. Agility=5. Marines=300.
     Y=35, Z=50
Notes: This ship has a frozen watch, fuel scoops, and purification plant.

This is the original version of the _Excelsior_ class. The NFN built 15 
of these ships, most of them named for historical battleships. The 
exception was the lead ship, which was named for a fictitious ship class 
from Star Trek. This version of the ship saw action during the Old 
Islands War and the Topas War--following the Topas War, FAdm Connor 
described it as "the best battleship in the Islands."

This class also received the Series A refit immediately after the wars.

BB-1 Series A BB-R6357H4-590307-00R09-0 MCr86,286.3 100,000 tons
batteries bearing    Y   7   1 L Crew=1070.
batteries      Z   A   1 U TL=12(14).
Low=535. Cargo=527. Fuel=37,000. EP=7000. Agility=5. Marines=300.
     Y=35, Z=50
Notes: This ship has frozen watch, scoops, plant. The refit cost 
MCr1,887.6 per ship and took 15 weeks.

The Series A _Excelsior_ wasn't a major improvement over the original 
version. The Admiralty felt that upgrading the battleships further would 
delay improvements on other ships unacceptably, so the upgrade was 
postponed.

The battleship _Musashi_ was officially handed over to the Alliance Navy 
in 5629, and served as the flagship of the Alliance for several years. 
The Series A version of the battleship saw action in the Serendip War. 13 
of the ships participated in the defence of Neubayern, and two of them 
were lost or damage beyond repair.

The 13 surviving _Excelsiors_ fled to the safe worlds when the Imperials 
arrived. During the Occupation, the ship received a major refit, 
effectively becoming a new class of ships.

                        Kenneth G. Hagler
 _________________________________________________________________
|            kenhagler@aol.com           |  My insurance company  |
|             (619) 251-0054             |    is Beretta U.S.A.   |
|   PGP 2.3 key available on request     |                        |
|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
|   ...study of the military arts will make one who is naturally  |
|   clever more so and one who is born somewhat dull rather less  |
|   so.     --Daidoji Yuzan Shigesuke, _Budo Shoshinshu_          |
|_________________________________________________________________|


------------------------------

Bundle: 613
Archive-Message-Number: 7701
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 20:03:16 CDT
From: djohnson@geds01.jsc.nasa.gov (David Johnson)
Subject: TNE: Shall Not Perish: Regency Borders

Gentlesophonts:

Okay, here's my first take on a map.  Y'all can use this as a guide for
reporting on your own maps.

Source: *Spinward Marches Campaign* sourcebook
Published: c1985
Game date: c1111

This sourcebook contains two maps of the Spinward Marches: one inside the
front cover (8.5 x 11) and one centerfold (11 x 17) that are essentially
identical.  The borders show every world in Regina, Aramis, Lanth, Rhylanor,
Lunion, Mora, Glisten and Trin's Veil as within the Imperium.  Imperial
borders in Jewell, Vilis and Five Sisters are `consistent' with previously
published works.  Although they conflict with the UWP data that appears
in this sourcebook, the maps do not show the Border Worlds in Sword Worlds
subsector but rather show the united Sword Worlds like previous maps.  Two
worlds in District 268, Mertactor 1537 and Mille Falcs 1637, are shown as
part of the Imperium which matches the UWP data.

The sourcebook includes UWP data for all worlds in the sector.  This data
shows alignment codes for the Border Worlds for the following worlds in
Sword Worlds subsector:

1424 Beater (mentioned as capital of the Border Worlds in text on P17)
1522 Dyrnwyn
1523 Durendal
1524 Hofud
1525 Sting (mentioned as capital of the Border Worlds in text on P19)
1526 Steel
1626 Iron
1627 Bronze
1628 Mithril

Separate text also mentions that there are ten Border Worlds which is
consistent with this list.

Clearly, this source contradicts itself but other than the confusion about
the Border Worlds capital this might be explained by the use of an earlier
map here.

Because there has been some mention of Regency expansion into District 268
in TNE I've included the following list of worlds there shown in the UWP
data as `Client States', presumably of the Imperium.

1132 Bowman
1138 Tarsus
1232 Walston
1237 Collace
1238 Pavabid
1337 Judice
1340 Motmos
1434 Tarkine
1435 Dallia
1532 Elixabeth
1631 Talchek
1632 Milagro

That covers this source.  Let's see the rest of them!

Happy Travelling,

David Johnson
Houston, Texas, USA

------------------------------

Bundle: 613
Archive-Message-Number: 7702
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 20:27:03 CDT
From: djohnson@geds01.jsc.nasa.gov (David Johnson)
Subject: TNE: Sword Worlds

Gentlesophonts:

Cynthia Higginbotham <CHiggin@aol.com> writes:

> I've been watching this discussion for a while, and it has prompted me 
> to post some of my own material on Sacnoth.

Welcome to the Sword Worlds Development League, Cynthia!  Thanks a bunch
for some really great stuff on Sacnoth.  We've only got 22 more worlds
to go.

> There are some people of mixed 
> Vilani-Solomani blood, but the cultural heritage is overwhelmingly 
> Solomani Scandinavian-Germanic.

This may be what you've said but I just want to get clear that the *JTAS*
Contact piece says very specifically that this Teutonic heritage is
merely `cultural' and that the Sword Worlds enjoy the full range of
Solomani *ethnic* diversity. 

> The current government of Sacnoth is a feudal monarchy (NOT a 
> constitutional monarchy!); the current King is Harald VII.  He is the 
> same monarch who ruled before the war, though certain of his advisors 
> were ousted in the political re-alignment that resulted in the 
> formation of the Border Worlds.

So your work represents the post-5FW era.  Have you brought Sacnoth up
to TNE?  Where do you stand on the capital of the Sword Worlds in TNE?
Does Sacnoth have a chance?  :-)
 
>   System Fleet - After FFW 
> 
> about 70% of Sacnoth's fleet was destroyed during the Fifth Frontier 
> War.  What remains include 32,000 heavy fighters, approx.  600,000 
> tons Jump-3 capable (avg 50,000 tons?, approx 12 hulls), 4.8 million 
> tons Jump-2 capable, and 7.2 million tons Jump-1 capable (avg 5000 
> tons, 2 biggest 30,000 tons, total approx 1440 hulls).

Is this *TCS* information?  Didn't you say somewhere else (maybe you didn't,
I can't find it now) that Sacnoth's shipyard could only build 5000-ton ships?
If so, where do the larger ships mentioned above get built?
  
Some great work.  And once again, welcome to the `club'.  :-)

Happy Travelling,

David Johnson
Houston, Texas, USA

------------------------------

Bundle: 613
Archive-Message-Number: 7703
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 21:07:02 CDT
From: djohnson@geds01.jsc.nasa.gov (David Johnson)
Subject: Alt: Earth Colonies 1, 2, 3

Gentlesophonts:

Tariq M. Rashid <spstmr@gsusgi2.gsu.edu> writes:

> Could someone post a five point (or more at one line per point) synopsis 
> of the Earth Colonies background.  I mean fundamental things.

Okay, here goes (but no promises of brevity):

Who: The Commonwealth of Earth, an interstellar state headed by Earth.
  Several interstellar entities known as Colonial States headed by worlds
  originally settled in a sub-light diaspora from Earth that began in the
  24th Century AD.  Major Colonial States are:
    Empire of Aztlan
    Abrahamic Synod
    Federation of Nyanza
    Ouroran Community
  Several other minor Colonial States exist.
  A basic premise is that Humans have finally `recognized' Dolphin
  intelligence and most of these Terran states enjoy integrated Dolphin-
  Human societies.
  The two spacefaring extraterrestrial sophont species that have been
  encountered: the Aeroi and the Meren.
What: The Commonwealth of Earth, the major Colonial States and the Aeroi
  and Meren are at TL 13.  Minor Colonial States exist a one or two tech
  levels below this.  Many independent worlds and mini-states exist at
  a variety of tech levels.
  The motivation for the 24th Century diaspora was a severe ecological
  catastrophe.  Coping with this catastrophe on Earth provided time for
  the Colonial States to establish themselves as major interstellar
  players.
  The Earth Colonies campaign uses a 3D campaign area based upon the
  `real' system locations from the 2300AD "Near Star List".
Where: the Colonies Sphere a 30 parsec *sphere* centered on Earth that
  represents the extent of exploration by the Commonwealth Scout Service.
  Other Colonial States have ventured beyond this region.  Both the Aeroi
  and the Meren originate from beyond the Sphere.  (Also known as the
  Earth Colonies sector.)
When: The dawn of the 31st Century AD.

> I would love to join this discussion.

Jump right in!  Keep in mind though that development of the Earth Colonies
campaign is handled by the Earth Colonies Development League (ECDL) off-
line through the newsletter *Melbourne Times*.


Andy Lilly <A.S.Lilly@bnr.co.uk> writes:

> EARTH COLONIES (603/7566, 7567) - More useful background (I don't play 
> anywhere near the Solomani

Keep in mind that the Earth of the Earth Colonies is not the same as the
Terra of the Solomani.  The Earth Colonies campaign is a completely original
campaign background. 

Happy Travelling,

David Johnson
Houston, Texas, USA

------------------------------

Bundle: 613
Archive-Message-Number: 7704
From: erwin@fritz.cuug.ab.ca (Erwin Fritz)
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 06:13:51 -0700
Subject: Sunbane

Forgive my naivete but what's so important about the Sunbane
ftp site?

- -- 
erwin@fritz.cuug.ab.ca

------------------------------

Bundle: 613
Archive-Message-Number: 7705
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 22:11:12 CDT
From: djohnson@geds01.jsc.nasa.gov (David Johnson)
Subject: TNE: Sword Worlds Navy 2

Gentlesophonts:

Steven M Bonneville <bonnevil@mermaid.micro.umn.edu> writes:

> TCS shipyard capacity was 0.001 * population, in d-tons, roughly.
> 
> Agreed.  The Sword World fleets (two of which were in _5FW_) seemed
> similarly small, but I forget the figures offhand.


Kenneth G. Hagler <KenHagler@aol.com> writes:

> Here's the TCS budget stuff that Cynthia asked for:
> 
> Revenue: B = Cr500 x GM x P
> 
> B=budget in credits, GM=government percentage modifier, P=population
> 
>     Government Percentage Modifiers
> 
> Type     0    1    2    3    4    5    8    9    A    B    C    D
> Peace  .50  .80 1.00  .90  .85  .95 1.10 1.15 1.20 1.10 1.20  .75
> War   1.50 1.40 1.50 1.20 1.45 1.40 1.20 1.20 1.50 1.20 1.50 1.50
> 
> Government type 6 (captive) pays at the rate of its parent state, type 7 
> (balkanized) have different rates for each government.
> 
> Yard Capacity: C = P x GM / 1000
> 
> C=capacity in tons, P and GM are the same as above

Okay, let's look at the Sword Worlds Navy again.  I know these rules are
for individual worlds but let's try looking at the Sword Worlds as a whole
first.  Let's assume a `subsector government' of 5 (feudal technocracy).
The Sword Worlds population (c1120) is approximately 30 billion.  These
parameters give:

Budget: cr500 x .95 x 30,000,000,000 = 14,240 Gcr
Capacity: (30,000,000,000 x .95)/1000 = 28.5 Mt

Now I don't have much idea how to convert this to ships and squadrons but
just using the tonnage figure and an estimate of 50,000 tons per `capital'
ship gives 570 ships!  No wonder the Imperium hasn't conducted a pacification
campaign against the Sword Worlds!

Either you *TCS* wonks have to help me out here or we need to begin to
accept that the *TCS* rules just aren't compatible with the naval forces
that appeared in *5FW*.  (And start arguing about which to throw out?  :-)

Peace,

David Johnson
Houston, Texas, USA

------------------------------

Bundle: 613
Archive-Message-Number: 7706
Subject: *Shall Not Perish* - RICE
From: jeff.zeitlin@execnet.com (Jeff Zeitlin)
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 17:49:00 -0500

Subject: *Shall Not Perish* - RICE Papers

I've been watching the growing information about the "Regency
Sourcebook" (Working title, which I _like_, "Shall Not Perish") and 
decided to explore some aspects of the Regency that were never 
really explored even when the Third Imperium Chamber of Commerce 
published little black books.  The occasional Contact article in 
JTAS was good, but insufficient.  So, I decided to pursue the 
_cultural_ aspects of the Regency.  What my research revealed is 
introduced in the following document, RICE Paper #0000.
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RICE Paper #0: Introduction


1.  What is RICE?

RICE, the Regency Institute for Cultural Education, is a
non-governmental organization dedicated to increasing the level
of knowledge and understanding of the various cultures that the
traveller may encounter within the Regency and in its immediate
neighbor stellar states.  This mission is carried out through
our efforts to keep the Regency Library Data network as
up-to-date as possible, and our distribution of information
directly to travellers on request, through such publications as
this series of RICE Papers, and our representatives at traveller
assistance centers, including, but not limited to, facilities
operated by the Travellers' Aid Society.  We are funded by a
combination of tourism corporations, the Travellers' Aid Society
and similar extra-Regency organizations, and private donations.


2.  The History of RICE.

When the borders of the Domain of Deneb were sealed late in
1129, the resulting panic caused an upsurge in isolationism, and
a general decrease in economic activity on the interstellar
level.  The Domain government, in an effort to prevent the
fragmentation of the Domain, instituted massive efforts to
promote interstellar tourism and commerce, and to publicize the
successful efforts of the Patrol (later the Regency Quarantine
Service) in preventing the infiltration of Virus into the
Domain.  One of these efforts was the Deneb Cultural Exchange
(DCE), which had much the same mission as RICE today.  However,
as a governmental agency, the information available was limited
to that which the various worlds of the Domain chose to make
available.  Simultaneously, the Travellers' Aid Society created
the parallel Deneb Travellers' Exchange (DTE), which made an
effort to get accurate information from field researchers, but
which was drastically underfunded, due to a dropoff in the level
of utilization of TAS facilities.  In 1145, after the
liberalization of the Domain government, and the subsequent
reorganization into the Regency, and rapprochement with the
Zhodani, Vargr, and Aslan, the DCE was privatized and operated
by a consortium of megacorporate tourism subsidiaries.  Shortly
thereafter, an agreement with the Travellers' Aid Society
allowed the DCE and the DTE to share information and facilities.
In 1160, the arrangement was formalized, and RICE was created.
Now, we have been asked by various planetary and interstellar
governments to expand our target audience, from those who have
already decided that travelling is what they'd like to do, to
the general public.  Thus, the RICE Papers, of which this is the
first.


3.  What Are the RICE Papers?

The RICE Papers were originally conceived of as a set of
pamphlets focussing on a single aspect of a culture that a
traveller should be aware of.  When we submitted several drafts
to various governments, we were advised that our original format
was indeed useful, but that we should also provide broad
overviews of the various planetary cultures, preferably in a
format that could give the reader an idea of what would
typically be encountered in the course of a visit to the culture
in question.  Thus, there will be two series of RICE Papers.
Numbered RICE Papers will provide the broad overview, while
lettered RICE Papers will cover one specific topic in somewhat
greater depth.  The lettered RICE Papers are actually associated
with a particular numbered RICE Paper, and the letter will be
prefixed by the number of the corresponding numbered RICE
Paper.  Thus, if RICE Paper #1643 is on the planet Ruie, then a
RICE Paper focussing specifically on the legal system on Ruie
might be RICE Paper #1643-A, and a RICE Paper focussing on local
cuisine might be RICE Paper #1643-B.


4.  How Do I Read a RICE Paper?

RICE Papers are mostly ordinary text narratives.  However, as a
convenience, we are also providing extended UWP data, in a
DGP-based format.  These should be interpreted as described
in Appendix A to this RICE Paper, and the text considered in
that light.  At the end of this document, we have appended a
sample extended UWP, with brief annotations.  Also, be aware
that information provided by a RICE Paper is correct according
to the best information available to us at the time of
publication.  Governments change, and information may be
misinterpreted by our field researchers.  It is recommended that
you verify any information that you feel may affect you both
before embarking on your trip, and before leaving the starport
extraterritoriality zone on your destination world.  While we
encourage people to leave the extraterritoriality zone and
immerse themselves in the local culture, we recognize that under
some circumstances it may be inadvisable to do so, and
acknowledge that one can get a taste of the local culture, and
have an enjoyable trip, without leaving the zone.


5.  How Do I Get the RICE Papers?

RICE Papers are placed on the Library Data network as they are
ready, and copies of the text can be retrieved from the network
databases as required.  There are future plans for making
hardcopy available, but these plans have not been finalized yet.


6.  When Will the RICE Paper for <insert chosen planet here> Be
    Available?

In order to get the highest quality reports from the field, we
have chosen not to require that a particular planet be done at a
particular time.  We do record requests, and, when demand
warrants, add requested planets to a list of the "Ten Most
Desired Destinations" distributed to all RICE Liaison Offices.
As field researchers choose to go to one of these planets, they
are removed from this list.  However, we do not require that a
researcher choose a planet from this list, and in fact, many of
our researchers will deliberately avoid any planet on the list,
preferring to search out that one particular undiscovered gem
that is well off the major trade routes.  We believe, as
indicated, that we will get better reports from this policy, and
that this will better serve those who are looking for a pleasant
and interesting trip.


Appendix A:  The Extended UWP

The extended UWP appears as follows:

Regina (Regina:Spinward Marches/1910)
A788999-D A Hi Cp 103Re F7V M8D M6V
g=0.6340 day=22:43:52.5; year=683d 10:03:45.36/721d 12:49:51.6
atmo=1.8, natural weather
temp=-12 (6/lat +6 to -54) (season -32 to +19, 16 deg lat)
daily temp range 9
Agri, Ore, Compounds; AgriProd, NonMet; Parts, Dur, Cons; Rec, S/W, Doc
Prog/Adv; Comp/Peace; Har/Friend
Legal 9-A7A96, Tech DC-CDDCC-DDDE-DD-E

Line 1:  Name of planet, followed by subsector name, sector name,
         and sector coordinates, in parentheses

Line 2:  TAS Standard World Profile: starport, size, atmosphere,
         hydrosphere, population, government, law level, tech
         level, followed by types of military facilities on the
         world, trade classifications, population magnitude,
         number of planetoid belts (exclusive of the main
         world, if it is a belt), number of gas giants,
         allegiance, and the standard Hertzsprung-Russel
         stellar classifications for each star in the system.
         Use the standard interpretations for these figures.

Line 3:  Surface gravity, in standard g, followed by local day
         in hours:minutes:seconds, and local year in standard
         days, hours:minutes:seconds/local days,
         hours:minutes:seconds.  Normally, starships will
         gradually adjust their internal gravity and light/dark
         cycles to match the destination planet.  However, some
         people require more than the week of jump travel to
         adjust.  This information is provided to allow
         travellers to begin the adjustment process before
         embarking.

Line 4:  Atmospheric density in standard pressures, weather is
         either "natural" or "controlled"  This information is
         provided to allow adjustment prior and during travel.
         Note that atmospheric density significantly different
         from that which a traveller is used to may require the
         traveller to use assisted breathing apparatus.

Line 5:  Basic temperature, degrees Celsius, 35 degrees
         latitude, followed by the range in basic temperatures,
         expressed as (degrees per ~8 degrees latitude, followed
         by equatorial temp to polar temp), followed by the
         maximum change in temperature in the polar regions
         (maximum summer increase to maximum winter decrease,
         followed by latitude where seasonal temperature changes
         become noticeable).  Use this information and that in
         the next line when selecting clothes to pack.  On most
         worlds of technical level 8 or higher, indoor
         temperature is normally controlled to be within the
         range of 10 to 20 degrees.

Line 6:  The size of the daily variation in temperature.  This
         is the difference between the high and low for the day.

Line 7:  Classifications of products widely available for
         export.  These are listed in the order natural
         products; processed products; manufactured products;
         information.  Within a classification, products are
         separated by commas.  These are GENERAL CLASSES ONLY,
         representing the kinds of goods that the planet excels
         in producing, causing an export market.  Consult trade
         representatives to determine the availability and
         market for specific products.

Line 8:  Social classification.  There are three entries for
         this line.  First is progressiveness indicators,
         attitude/activity, then the aggressiveness indicators,
         attitude/activity, then the extensiveness indicators,
         global/interstellar.

Line 9:  The legal and technical profiles.  The legal profile
         consists of six entries, in the following order:
         overall law level, representing the likelihood of the
         traveller being required to experience one or more
         portions of the legal process; weapons law level,
         representing the restrictions on type, availability,
         and "carryability" of personal weapons by individuals
         not part of the planetary law enforcement agencies;
         trade law level, representing the level of restrictions
         placed on the exchange of property; commercial law
         level, representing the level of restrictions on doing
         business in general, including labor laws, zoning,
         permits, and so on; civil law level, representing the
         level of enforcement of restrictions on personal
         activity, and personal freedom level, representing the
         types and severity of restrictions on personal
         activity.  The technical profile consists of 14 entries, 
         as follows:  First, the range (high and low) of technology 
         commonly available on the planet.  Next, the technology 
         levels for Quality of Life: Energy production, computers 
         and robotics, Communications, Medicine, and Environment.  
         Next, the technology levels for transportation: Land, 
         Water, Air, and In-System Space.  Next, the _acknowledged_ 
         level of common military technology: personal and heavy, 
         and finally, the novelty tech level.  Items can be found 
         of the novelty tech level, but, as the name implies, they 
         are novelties, and not to be expected to be generally 
         available.  They are typically demonstration or 
         experimental models, or imported.

We believe that this is the minimum set of information needed to
alert the traveller to any general conditions that he needs to
be aware of.  Following this extended profile will be the text
of the RICE Paper, calling out the general characteristics of
the culture, and any noteworthy conditions or habits that can
help the traveller to understand the culture better, or to avoid
making mistakes that will insult the local population or involve
the traveller in legal action.
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I'm open to comments and questions on RICE Papers, and suggestions 
as to which planets to tackle.  At this point, I am using as a 
baseline the MegaTraveller UWP for the Spinward Marches, except for 
Regina Subsector (from TNE), and as I find MT-era or later docs for 
other sectors/subsectors of any of the Spinward States, I'll use 
them as baseline material.  For the record, if nobody has guessed, 
I am using DGP's World Builder's Handbook to flesh out the XUWP, 
and applying liberal amounts of imagination to convert the result 
into a RICE Paper.  Comments, as I said, are welcome, including 
even those comments that tell me to shut the hell up.  RICE Paper 
#0001 will be coming soon.
==========================================================================
Jeff Zeitlin                                      jeff.zeitlin@execnet.com
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 ~ QMPro 1.52 ~ How many wings does a cow have? -Tacky the Penguin

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