Propulsion - FTL
QDE

Achieved through quantum drives. QD Engines (QDEs) use specially focused crystals forged under extreme pressures. The ore needed is an alloy of multiple metals (some interchangeable), with the primary ingredient being felderite. Felderite is found rarely terrestrially, and is uncommonly located on asteroids (although seldom in large quantities).

Using felderite crystals and allurnium gas, a plasma is created that can be charged electromagnetically to create a field around a ship that separates it from normal space time. Travel beyond the speed of light is possible, depending upon the strength of the field (maximum speed achieved so far is 250 times the speed of light using precision crystals, a lot of allurnium, and a fusion drive for propulsion). Must be used in tandem with a standard sublight speed drive technology in order to actually move anywhere. 250x the speed of light would allow travel from Earth to Alpha Centauri in approximately seven days. Superluminal speeds are typically referred to as "light factors."

The crystals are needed for their unique ability to shift laser beams into waves that interact with a gas made out of superheating allurnium into a plasma, a naturally occurring mineral in asteroids that either developed out of gas clouds or surround gas giant planets. The melting point of allurnium is -20 Celsius, and the vapor point is twelve degrees C. In vapor form, it is highly explosive if combined with oxygen.

Propulsion - Sublight
Gravity Drive

Gravity drives are cheap propulsion engines that harness sources of gravity throughout a solar system and sail the gravity wells. The stronger the gravity, the faster a gravity drive can travel. Average speed is generally less than any other means of propulsion.

Propulsion - Sublight
Ion Drive

Faster than gravity drives and capable of traveling considerable distances, these are nonetheless propulsion methods typically used by freighters and cruise ships/space yachts. Acceleration and deceleration is often augmented with active drive systems.

Propulsion - Sublight
Active Drive

A chemical based action/reaction engine. Hydrogen fuel is one of the most common, but many others exist. Fuel size/cost is typically the inhibiting factor. These provide one of the faster acceleration and deceleration profiles.

Propulsion - Sublight
Fusion Drive

Strap a fusion reactor to the ass end of a ship and buckle up. Excellent acceleration and an efficient fuel source, but the size of the engine and cost keeps most of these confined to military and/or government vessels. Many private ships exist powered by fusion drives; they're just pricy.

Propulsion - Sublight
EM Drive

Humanity developed this drive to jet around solar systems at high relativistic speeds. Acceleration is slow and steady, but far from amazing. Fuel costs are minimal, but the performance is similar to the gravity drive, leaving it mostly in the hands of humans who have old ships.

Species
Humans

Humans, hailing from Earth (or any of a dozen other planets, not including the United Realms system).

Species
Antarians

A human-like species with slight variations in colors and size. The females are typically taller and larger than the males, leading to a slightly matriarchal society. Gender equality is the official byline, although slight prejudices exist. Antarius is an Earth-like world with .02% higher gravity and .05% more oxygen.

Species
Bellarians

Humanoid and big, roughly 10% - 15% bigger than a human. They come from a world with slightly lower gravity than Earth, but the genetics allowed them to not only adapt to the stronger standard gravity (1% lighter than Earth’s), but to excel from it in the formation of both more and denser muscle fibers.

Species
Mongrellians

Some twisted humanoid decided to get frisky with some feral lupine species they captured. A little bit of science to tweak some genomes and voila, a new species was conceived.

They stand shorter than the average humanoid, around 1.6 meters tall and weigh close to 65kg due to their muscle density. Mongrellians possess upright ears that give them excellent hearing. They likewise have an excellent sense of smell.

Mongrellians can walk on two or four feet, though their legs are like a wolf's, with the feet being humanoid.

Species
Nelanians

Human-like species native to the Nelani system. Most are dark skinned. Historically they are very war-like and aggressive, but they are learning to be be more civil to partake in the galactic community.

Species
Kuroothians

A tall but thin humanoid race (average 1.8 meters tall for males, 1.78 for females) with purple skin and ridges along their brows. They possess long, dark hair that they wear in braids or other styled gatherings.

Kuroothians also have a superiority complex, possibly because they are taller than most species. They are respectful to their own kind, but all other races are considered beneath them.

Systems
Sol

Earth's solar system—where all humans come from.

Systems
United Realms

A solar system inhabited by colonists sent from Earth's United Kingdom. The UK renamed itself in an attempt to reestablish the British Empire across multiple planets and solar systems. Thus far they've only made it to one system, but the active monarchy has moved to that system while the UK on the Earth is now little more than retirement estates and tourist locations.

Systems
Nelani

Human-like race ruled by a council with a ruler chosen from the eligible members.

Systems
Hewitt

System mid-way between the core and rim systems. Minimal asteroid belt and only two solid planets and 1 gas giant. No intelligent / advanced species native to the system.

Systems
Mabul

Remote system 19 light years from the closest system. Young yellow star and small, warm planets (3 rocky, 2 with water / land, 3 gas giants). The Continuum uses the system for experimentation / scientific research. No large population centers on the planets but one science station (Mabul - Prime) and 2 outer ring military posts (Mabul-Two and Mabul-Three).

Planets
Opdyke

Frozen planet rumored to actually be the eighth plane of Hell. The equatorial region has temperate regions flooded with rain in the summer; the rest of the planet is covered by glaciers. It's in the middle of an ice age caused by natural global warming. No native intelligent races, although the wildlife (see Critters) possesses a high level of cunning.

Planets
Arbados

1.2g Earth-like planet in the Hewitt system. Rich in organic life but left alone until recent years. Local fauna and flora are aggressive. Climate ranges from temperate at the poles to tropical and desert at the equatorial regions.

Planets
Finetta

A moon around Azul. Dry and barren due to lack of magnetosphere but "pirates" are trying to terraform parts of it and have built up shields to allow communities to exist.

Planets
Hades

4th planet from the star in the Mabul system. 1.05g. Primordial and prone to both volcanic and tectonic activities. Some remote research stations with minimal personnel. Primary research is located in a low-fault region and has a crew of over a hundred.

Space Craft
Heracles Transport

Intra-system vessel, no QDE. No weapons and minimal armor. Two-man crew, capable of transporting up to four resource pods internally.

Weapons
Kinetic Weapons

Take your pick! Conventional weapons will never go away. They are arguably more efficient and cost effective than energy weapons.

Weapons
Energy / Blaster Rifles

Capable of firing a focused pulsed laser burst in .005 seconds that can core up to 30cm into soft tissue, if the frequency is dialed in. Limited by temperature buildup to single shot with at least minimal cooling between shots (1 - 2 seconds, can be overridden at the risk of degrading/breaking the rifle). Also limited by the extreme amount of power needed for each shot (averaging 8 - 15 shots, depending on size and cost).

Weapons
Energy / Blaster Rifles

Coranodo LT-7 Compact Laser Rifle. A pulsed burst laser rifle with a short focusing barrel contained within the rifle housing. Measures 32cm long and weighs 1.5 kg with energy cell. Practical range of 125 meters and capable of 50 shots with a full charge.

Weapons
Battlewalker

Battlewalkers, or walkers, are mechanized suits of armor taken to the extreme. A single operator fits inside the suit and pilots it. Styles vary considerably from exoskeletons to fully encased suits that are capable of life support in extreme environments. Weaponry also varies, from fixed weapons to hand-held devices.

Battlewalkers are typically powered by power cells, but variants utilizing chemical fuels or radioactive materials have been created.

Critters
Ferren

Extra fluffy (furry) ice wolf. Large paws for spreading out on ice to distribute weight better (or to dig through snow and ice with their long claws). Large teeth for eating things.

Critters
Ice Dragon

Horse-sized white furry animals. Head shaped like a snake or gator, but covered in fur. Spines along their back offer protection. Strong and thick tail long enough to reach the ground. Used for defense, especially given the spines along the back and tip.


© 2024 - Terminus, by Jason Halstead and John M. Davis