Timeline Project

Document container for project design documents.

Alpha Dawn Basic Game Rules "History"

Alpha Dawn Basic Game Rules (Inside Cover)

History

Near the center of a great spiral galaxy, where stars are much closer together than Earth's sun and its neighbors, a Human race developed. They were not identical to the Humans of Earth, but they were not very different, either. When these Humans discovered that waves of subspace pi-tachyon particles could cross interstellar space faster than light, they realized they had found a link to the star. A radio message that would have taken years to travel between stars could be sent with subspace communicators in months or even weeks. The Humans started broadcasting news of themselves to the neighboring stars, and found they were not alone.

The Humans made contact with an inventive race of insect like creatures called Vrusk, who had developed limited space travel decades earlier. One of the Vrusks' mining colonies had already contacted another race, the shape changing Dralasites. The two races had been exchanging information for several years.The Vrusk and Dralasites were pleased to learn of another race. They sent a wealth of scientific information to the Humans. Using this new knowledge, the industrious Humans quickly developed interstellar spaceships.

The three races met in a large area of space known as the Frontier. There they also discovered the Yazirians, a race of tall, maned humanoids. Soon, settled worlds in the Frontier became melting pots for the four race, with dazzling mixtures of architecture and alien cultures.

To supply the needs of these worlds, the first interstellar company, the Pan-Galactic Corporation, was formed. It developed interests everywhere, from scientific research to farming to spaceship building. PGC even created its own language, Pan-Galactic, which soon became the most common language of all races on the Frontier worlds. Many large companies which started later were modeled on PGC but none approach the size or power of the Pan-Galactic Corporation.

Then, the Sathar appeared. No one knows where they came from or why. They attacked and destroyed lonely systems on the edges of explored space, moving slowly inward. Survivors described Sathars as wormlike creatures 3 to 4 meters long. That was all that was known about them, because they would rather kill themselves than be captured. As the danger increased, the Humans, Dralasites, Vrusk, and Yazirians formed the United Planetary Federation (UPF) to defend their worlds. The mysterious Sathar were forced back, but before long they returned in a more sinister form.

The Sathar had learned that they could not beat the UPF in battle. Instead, they began hiring Yazirian, Human, Dralasite and Vrusk agents to sabotage interstellar trade and interfere with local governments. The UPF created the Star Law Rangers, and interstellar police force, to track the Sathar's agents from planet to planet and fight them on their own terms. But despite the efforts of the Rangers, the sly Sathar agents have become the most dangerous threat ever to face the United Planetary Federation and the frontier corporations.

AD Basic Game "Glossary" (back cover)

Selected Entries

Dralasites- One of four space faring races. Dralasites are blobbish creatures that can change their shape. They are stronger than Humans, but also slower. They love philosophy, debate and weird humor.

Humans- One of the four space faring races. They are identical to the Humans from Earth, but originated on a different planet.

Pan-Galactic Corporation- The oldest and largest interstellar compnay. PGC is one of the most powerful organizaitons in the Frontier.

Sathar- A race of aggressive, worm-like creatures that have attacked and destroyed Frontier outposts and colonies. Very Little is known about them because no Sathar has ever been captured alive.

Star Law Rangers- A branch of the UPF that operates as a sort of interstellar police force. It concentrates on finding Sathar agents, but it also fights space pirates and other interstellar criminals.

Trivid- Three dimensional (holographic) television.

United Planetary Federation- A loose alliance formed between many planetary governments after the first Sathar attacks. The UPF is not an interstellar government; it is a defense organization devoted to protecting member planets from Sathar takeover or destruction. The UPF also has its own police force, the Star Law Rangers. The Rangers track down and capture Sathar undercover agents. However, their authority is not recognized on all planets.

Vrusk -One of the four space faring races. Vrusk resemble large insects, and sometimes are called "bugs" by the other races. Their society is organized around large companies. They love beauty and order. Vrusk are quicker than humans, but not as strong.

Yazirians- One of the four space faring races. Yazirians are tall humanoids with manes, nicknamed "monkeys" by other races. They are generally smarter and quicker than the other races, but are not as strong. Other races consider them aggressive and pushy.