 March 24, 2010 - 8:58pm | I dont really see a Star Trek style prime directive applying in SF- what with exploitive mega corps and in-ept politicians the natives are pretty much screwed, Here ya go have some fire water. In the volturnus campaign the PCs technically got to make first contact with 5 new species (3 primitive) with frontier pirates mucking up the waters and only one race was really hostile toward them (the mechanons). Odd when you think about it. I was wondering if the UPF had any Frist Contact policies or a SF version of the prime directive? Or not. What would/could/should be in volved in first contact? EDIT: what happens when a race shows up in a system and says high- do they get visas like on the new V series? I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 March 25, 2010 - 3:04pm | No, I don't think they do or should, at least for now. Eventually, I'm sure the UPF would set such a directive, but only after some major event, some sort of war or accidental contamination of a developing culture. And in game terms, such a directive could either tie the PCs hands or give great role-playing opportunities, as played by the group. But for now, for "official" SF, I'd say no. Long live the Frontier! |
 March 25, 2010 - 4:02pm | With Star Law having jurisdiction over flora and fauna, I would assume that any new space faring race would be quarentined and subjected to extensive medical/physiological exams. Star Law would want to ensure that they do not carry some germ that could be fatal to the core 4. Once the safety of the new race is determined, then I think they would be welcomed as trading partners. Given the experience with the Sathar, I would think that no new star hopping race would be given carte blanche. They would be investigated and watched and slowing integrated into the Frontier. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of
the strong. * Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi |
 March 26, 2010 - 11:32am | I prefer to think that the UPF would not attempt to control first contact, because the Frontier's expansion is based upon corporations going to new worlds and raping the resources. I think of it very much like when explorers were going to far away lands on earth. They didn't concern themselves with how it impacted those cultures, and still don't. The argument would be made that the UPF does not have jurisdiction on a planet where the UPF does not exist. So explorers would do as they please. However, as Georgie points out, the UPF would definitely try to control what comes into the UPF territory. Additionally, the corporations would likely try to "civilize" the natives (if they have not space travel) to be able to work in their factories and be productive citizens of the Frontier. So even though we come across tribes of Kurabanda or whatnot, many will be found roaming the Frontier, especially tribal scouts. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
 March 26, 2010 - 4:36pm | (As you turn on the holo, the image of a documentary coalesces into shape and the sound comes up. Before you is a young blond journalist with intense anguish in her voice and tears brimming in her eyes as she walks backwards through a dark, cluttered and noisy production facility at some unknown location. She is talking into a shaky, handheld holocamera as young Karabanda, Edestekia, and even an occasional Heliope attend to their production stations) |
 March 26, 2010 - 4:57pm | Expanding the Frontier Dragon 105 If the planet has a previously undiscovered intelligent species living on it, the PCs have their work cut out for them. They are responsible for making first contact (and making sure the contact is peaceful and positive), and their actions could literally make or break all future contact with that culture. The UPF emphasizes to its research crews that one thing the Frontier doesn’t need is another enemy race like the Sathar to fight. Mega corporations emphasize the loss in profits taken when a potential customer and ally turns into a threat. A character with a Psycho-Social skill of at least 4th level is required to study the species adequately. The character must study the species for 10d10 days to develop a first impression of the race and to establish minimal contact with them, if such is desired. At the end of the time period, the character must roll his Logic score or less. If he succeeds, the character is able to give a complete description of the race, including all relevant customs and superstitions. If he fails, he has the impression that he hasn’t missed anything important, but (of course) at least one thing of critical and vital importance might have escaped his notice (e.g., Dralasites are spitting images of the local beings. most beloved deity, and all Humans appear to be demons from ancient mythology, bent on destroying the world). |
 March 26, 2010 - 5:00pm | The way that I have it set up is the discovering party has to get the UFP to do a system survey. Once the survey is complete the Corp or whomever has nearly unlimited claim to the resources for 10 to 50 years, depending on the fees paid to the UFP. The UFP can declare a planet off limits or grant limited rights depending on the situation. Salvage is another story... |
 March 26, 2010 - 5:56pm | The whole 'frontier' feel, is one of rapid expansion and exploration into these 'frontiers', and unlike a pure Star Trek style exploration for the sake of exploration, these frontier societies are at the forefront of survival against the Sathar threat (and potentially worse foes) and they are behest by the profit motives of the giant mega-corps. Old West style rules, with corporations taking the place of the corrupt bankers, mining operations, and mega-cattle ranchers. I doubt even a Star Law presence could do much more than attempt to ease any new races into society by some practices to 'protect' their rights. Perhaps, instead of an actual Prime Directive (against contact), there exists a set of laws that protects indigenous creatures from exploitation (mainly from corporate presence) until such a time as their integration as citizens into society. Certainly the laws are often circumvented, loop-holed, and otherwise ignored at times... but that is what the Star Law Officers are often trying to prosecute. <insert witty comment here> |
March 27, 2010 - 2:43am | Comments are about what I thought- but let me take a new turn with this: Since the setting has a frontier theme and Wild West feels why not introduce some of the worst pages of American history concerning native relations: forced relocation, reservation, native agents, exploitation, and wiping out of critical environmental factor or animal species (buffalo) because it hinders progress Some things in the setting that suggest this: 1. Free world rebellion on Kdit Kit that kicked the vrusk out 2. eorna, who cast themselves in the role of a benevolent native agent I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
March 27, 2010 - 4:47pm | Sure, that could definitely occur. Especially in corporate controlled systems before the UPF's overstretched resources could investigate. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of
the strong. * Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi |
 March 27, 2010 - 10:46pm | I'm not sure I am with Ascent and the "raping" scenario, but at the same time I don't think that the UPF would have a prime directive per se either. On the one hand, the UPF and Star Law and the planetary governments are NOT going to do any dirty work for the corps if they want to really mess up a planet. Additionally, the UPF can declare a planet "off limits" to that kind of development, such as they did after the battle of Volturnus and the recovery of the Eorna egg capsule. (At least that is the way that I reffed it...) So I would think that it would go along the lines of a case-by-case basis. After all, the UPF government is relatively weak in a political sense. I would imagine it would take a lot to establish a planet as "protected", but could happen under certain circumstances. I always thought that the Eorna were very special beings, and that the UPF would want to leave them and their creations to develop naturally. Perhaps some sort of liason relationship would be permitted, but is Streel or PGC going to be allowed to just strip mine whole swathes of Volturnus? No. However, what if a corporation reaches an unexplored planet before the UPF even knows about it? In some cases, the corporations have an even greater ability to explore new systems than the UPF does. In this situation, there could be great abuse of the natives and/or their environment. |
March 28, 2010 - 4:17pm | I'm not sure I am with Ascent and the "raping" scenario, but at the same time I don't think that the UPF would have a prime directive per se either. On the one hand, the UPF and Star Law and the planetary governments are NOT going to do any dirty work for the corps if they want to really mess up a planet. Additionally, the UPF can declare a planet "off limits" to that kind of development, such as they did after the battle of Volturnus and the recovery of the Eorna egg capsule. (At least that is the way that I reffed it...) So I would think that it would go along the lines of a case-by-case basis. After all, the UPF government is relatively weak in a political sense. I would imagine it would take a lot to establish a planet as "protected", but could happen under certain circumstances. I always thought that the Eorna were very special beings, and that the UPF would want to leave them and their creations to develop naturally. Perhaps some sort of liason relationship would be permitted, but is Streel or PGC going to be allowed to just strip mine whole swathes of Volturnus? No. However, what if a corporation reaches an unexplored planet before the UPF even knows about it? In some cases, the corporations have an even greater ability to explore new systems than the UPF does. In this situation, there could be great abuse of the natives and/or their environment. I agree. you just wont find a lot of protected territory in the SF setting but Volturnus is deffinetly a good candidate for this. For one thing you have 2 advanced races and 3 primitive races. And The enorna, for all their head in the sand non dealling with the pirates will realize that the rest of the Frontier is here to stay and since their great mission could be put in jepordy by that they'll likely try to open negotiations with the UPF and position themselves as a soverign state. even with the 10,000 eggs from the egg ship they wont have enough workers to do all that they will need to do to put their planet back on line and be a part of a galactic community. Thus in comes mega corps offering to build infrastructure for the right to exploit certain resources. I fact once the eorna sign one contract with a mega corp I could easily see them falling into the temptation of "who's next?" once the Upf put the laws in place to prevent the founding of anymore wholly owned corporate systems, like STreel and PGC have, You can bet your atomic exhaust that any other corporation that finds a rich system will begin clandestine exploitation. I think the big deciding factor would be primitive races. Whether its liberal idealism or cynical attitudes toward the mega corps- no one will be found of the idea of a corp abusing the aborigines. But what makes a race a primitive race? stone axes? no space travels? what if a race was post modern with no space travel- their ruled not primitive and the mega corps move in an start exploiting wholesale. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
March 31, 2010 - 3:46pm | I'm not sure I am with Ascent and the "raping" scenario, but at the same time I don't think that the UPF would have a prime directive per se either. On the one hand, the UPF and Star Law and the planetary governments are NOT going to do any dirty work for the corps if they want to really mess up a planet. Additionally, the UPF can declare a planet "off limits" to that kind of development, such as they did after the battle of Volturnus and the recovery of the Eorna egg capsule. (At least that is the way that I reffed it...) So I would think that it would go along the lines of a case-by-case basis. After all, the UPF government is relatively weak in a political sense. I would imagine it would take a lot to establish a planet as "protected", but could happen under certain circumstances. I always thought that the Eorna were very special beings, and that the UPF would want to leave them and their creations to develop naturally. Perhaps some sort of liason relationship would be permitted, but is Streel or PGC going to be allowed to just strip mine whole swathes of Volturnus? No. However, what if a corporation reaches an unexplored planet before the UPF even knows about it? In some cases, the corporations have an even greater ability to explore new systems than the UPF does. In this situation, there could be great abuse of the natives and/or their environment. What you said was exactly what I meant by "raping their resources". I think we're all pretty much in agreement that there would be some regulation by the UPF as far as they could enforce them, but the corporations are out for the bottom line and will do what they want until investigation time, in which they will do a quick cover up, pay off the natives, and make it look like business as usual. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
 October 16, 2012 - 1:31am | There is no "Prime Directive" per se, but I do have something that is kind of similar. The UPF categorizes every living creature, and in some ways this can help protect certain creatures. I doesn't always work, but the system exists nonetheless. I adapted it from Alternity. Non-Intelligent This generally applies to creatures with no central nervous system, such as microorganisms, lichens, algae, most plants and most invertebrates. Such creatures receive no protections unless in immediate danger of extinction. Low-Order Animal Such creatures usually have a central nervous system, but operate on pure instinct. Includes most insects, and some fish. Sophisticated plants, microorganisms & invertebrates fall into this category. Such creatures receive no protections unless in immediate danger of extinction. High-Order Animal Such creatures are capable of simple problem-solving, but are still not considered sapient. Includes most birds & reptiles. Some of the more advanced alien fish & plants fall into this category. Includes some simple mammals. Such creatures receive no protections unless in immediate danger of extinction. Subsapient Such creatures are capable of complex problem solving & cooperative behavior. They often have their own method of communication. Those who spend time around them consider them intelligent. Such creatures are often kept as pets, or trained as work animals. Subsapient creatures are more likely to evolve into fully sapient life forms than other non-sapient creatures. Subsapient creatures qualify for protection from cruel treatment. It is illegal to eat subsapient creatures. (It should be noted that many people in less civilized regions do abuse or eat these creatures.) Include such creatures as horses, dogs, monkeys, cephalopods (such as octopi), most advanced mammals/birds, lopers, Tomar's horses, Yazirian ground shanks, etc. Low-Order Sapient Such creatures are capable of complex problem solving & cooperative behavior. They have their own method of communication, and are able to learn other forms of communication. Able to create basic tools & weapons, such as sharp rocks or pointed sticks. Capable of operating machines & following instructions, but cannot design or build their own machines. Qualify for some protection from exploitation, but not UPF membership. Considered "wards of the UPF". Includes elephants, gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, sapes, lokkuku, etc. High-Order Sapient Have the equivalent of language & culture. Able to create & use complex tools & weapons. Most are able to create fire and use medicine. Capable of carrying on a deep, rational discussion. May potentially qualify for UPF membership. Divided into 3 categories: Class I, II and III. Class III These societies are considered "primitive". May have trouble grasping advanced scientific concepts, including space travel. May have trouble adjusting to interstellar society, and many would be best left alone. Others might be ready for space travel, and open-minded to such ideas. Class III societies must be handled on a case-by-case basis. Includes such species as Heliopes, Notui, Ul-Mor, Kurabanda, Edestekai, Yernoids, etc. Class II These societies are roughly equal to the current spacefaring society of the UPF. Such species are capable of making long-range plans, piloting spaceships, regulating their own reproductive drives, conducting commerce, and can engage in meaningful discourse with members of alien species. Includes Humans, Yazirians, Dralasites, Vrusk, Ifshnits, Humma, Osakar, Saurians, S'sessu, Zethra, Mhemne, etc. Class I These advanced societies are far more advanced than Class II societies. Includes the ancient Eorna and the Tetrarchs. |
October 16, 2012 - 4:12am | @ Bossmoss: thats good material- you should compose it into a short magazine article and submit it to one of the magazines. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
October 16, 2012 - 11:34am | I'd love to take credit for it, but it really isn't mine. I took it from the Stardrive Alien Compendium (Alternity). They had the concept of "low-order animal", "high-order animal", "subsentient" and "sentient". I added the rest. |
 October 21, 2012 - 11:34pm | I agree with Jedion. It is still something that could be included in either zine. Not everyone who reads the zines use this site. So it would get a broader scope and all you would need is to say something like "This material was adapted from Alternity for use in my SF game", something liek that. It is good stuff Bossmoss. |
October 22, 2012 - 6:32am | I had a brainstorm on the idea of a UPF Prime Directive and it has nothing to do with non interference with primitive cultures. First off we need to shed the cultural baggage we have about Star Trek's Prime Directive since we know what that is and get back to what the words "Prime Directive" actually means- the primary directive from higher authority that must be followed at all costs and hazards. What is the over arching concern of the UPF, the one thing that is at the back of its minds, the one thing that drove its formation? The sathar. If there is a prime directive then its about the sathar. I think that the Prime Directive for Space Fleet is besides stopping sathar activity in the Frontier it is also the discovery of sathar home territory and ending the threat at its source. Star Law has a similar Prime Directive as their formation was about catching sathar agents.and latter expanded to include interstellar criminals. EDIT: Oh yeah, Bossmoss I second Karzan's statement. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 October 22, 2012 - 11:50pm | I always thought the Frontier Prime Directive was:
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 October 23, 2012 - 1:12am | So what would be the megacorps prime directives? Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go? |
October 23, 2012 - 3:32am | I always thought the Frontier Prime Directive was:
@ Rattraveller: I think Malcadon was quoting the megacorp prime directive. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 August 23, 2016 - 1:07pm | I think the Class I-III need revising alsong the lines of the Kardashev Scale. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale |
 August 23, 2016 - 1:44pm | There is no "Prime Directive" per se, but I do have something that is kind of similar. The UPF categorizes every living creature, and in some ways this can help protect certain creatures. I doesn't always work, but the system exists nonetheless. I adapted it from Alternity.... This list would be good to go with mine on revising the population codes. I'll have to work it into a story. Joe Cabadas |
August 24, 2016 - 6:08am | These are the voyages of the Pan Galactic Exploration Service. Whose mission is to seek out and exploit new life and new civilizations. To locate and secure new resources while aggressively preventing others from doing the same. Profit Above All I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
