Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Aslan Non-Naval Bases

I turned in the manuscript for Clans of the Aslan last week. Like The Deep and the Dark, this was a lot of fun to write and I felt like I had a much better handle on the mission this time out. Here’s hoping it will make the Mongoose 2025 release schedule!

I’ve been so heads down for the last seven or eight months I haven’t kept up the blog and need to catch up on a few things. Over on the latest iteration of Andy Slack’s Halfway Station blog, he’s been revisiting his old work on Dark Nebula, which was highly influential on my own development of the sector. Andy really helped me understand the possibilities offered by the Dark Nebula board game, which contains one of the most evocative maps ever developed for the Traveller universe, even if it doesn’t fit easily with existing sector data.

Andy’s constructing a new trading campaign set in the Dark Nebula that I have been following closely over the last couple of months. I’m looking forward to seeing more from the maestro.

Non-Naval Aslan Bases

As I worked on Clans of the Aslan I was looking at the Mongoose rules for Aslan bases, which were first detailed in Gareth Hanrahan’s Aslan alien module for MgT 1e (2009). In addition to the standard clan and Tlaukhu bases, Hanrahan introduced a series of new non-naval base codes for Aslan:

  • Clan Stronghold (ACS): This is a “large clan facility,” and likely the ancestral seat of an important pride or a strategically important world. Although not specified, I assume a large contingent of clan ground forces would be present. Perhaps this is roughly equivalent to a Type M military base?
  • Corporate Facility (ACF): This indicates the presence of a “large factory or corporate headquarters.” This could be a useful code that doesn’t have a close analog to legacy codes.
  • Research Station (ARS): A “clan-funded science facility,” directly analogous to the Imperial research station, which is indicated in Traveller5 not by a base code but a remark like “Rs” or RsA, RsB, etc.
  • Ihatei Camp (AIC): Indicates a band of “landless males looking for retainers or conquests.” Although there’s no direct match in the legacy codes, the remark Px (Prison, Exile Camp) comes pretty close.

Although these non-naval base codes are still used in MgT sector data, the rules for generating these bases are not included in either Pirates of Drinax or Aliens of Charted Space 2. When I developed the MgT sector data for The Deep and the Dark I looked to previously published sectors for guidance, and it appeared that they mostly converted the base codes from Traveller Map data but did not determine new non-naval bases. So I followed that practice for Dark Nebula and Reaver’s Deep.

However, I have been thinking about taking these rules for a test drive through Dark Nebula. One of the first questions that occurred to me was whether or not these non-naval bases applied to exohierate clans living outside the Aslan Hierate. Exohierate clans can and do have strongholds, corporations, and ihatei—and there’s no reason such clans couldn’t have research stations also. The subsector data format used by Mongoose Traveller doesn’t readily identify non-aligned worlds controlled by Aslan, but Traveller Map does via the “NaAs” allegiance code. In the end I decided to apply these non-naval bases to Aslan worlds outside the Hierate.

The Clan Stronghold base is fairly straightforward to apply: worlds are more likely to have a stronghold with better starports and if they are dominated by either a Single World clan, a Major clan, or a Vassal or Major Vassal clan (Government Types J, L, M, and N). Why Multiworld clans (Government Type K) don’t get a bonus to this roll, I really don’t know. Personally, I would be inclined to only give the stronghold bonus to the three Government types indicating control by a sovereign clan—J, K, and L—and not to the vassal clans. For exohierate clans, I gave a +2 bonus to all worlds except Captive (Type 6) or Balkanized (Type 7).

A Corporate Facility base favors Rich, High Tech, and High Pop worlds, though it’s not clear whether these three remarks stack or overlap. Personally I would be inclined to give a single bonus to a world with either High Tech or Industrial trade classifications. The Research Station base only gives a bonus to High Tech worlds; I’d be inclined to add a bonus for worlds with Small Facilities (Government Type G).

The Ihatei Camp base can be a little difficult to implement since one of the bonuses is based on being “within 6 parsecs of a border.” I agree with the basic concept: Ihatei bands are most likely to gather on the fringes of the Hierate, where open territory is most likely to be found. But in application this is tricky because one has to refer outside a spreadsheet to Traveller Map or other source to determine whether or not the bonus applies. For the purpose of my test drive, I assumed that all Aslan worlds inside the Buffer counted as a border world. I would expect a lower Law Level should give a bonus—a gang of ihatei rabble are probably more likely to be driven off from high Law Level worlds.

Here are updated base codes for Aslan worlds in Dark Nebula:

Aslan Bases in Dark Nebula
NameLocationBasesProfileAllegiance
A'awiy1716ACS, ACF, ARS, AIC, M, NA959678-C-
Aeia1907-C100756-7-
Aftea1826ARS, AIC, RD20079B-8Hierate
Afteariw0436RB546756-BHierate
Ahaiehea0726ACS, ACF, ARS, RA786846-CHierate
Ahehuikh1124-A998552-B-
Ahiyh0838-E65A7A9-9Hierate
Ahuawiyoi0607-E8C4544-9Hierate
Aiaiso0727RC678747-8Hierate
Aiaokheh0305R, TC434445-9Hierate
Aiearye1428ARSB8C6656-9Hierate
Aiheisaus1637-E100443-7Hierate
Airiyrlyu'eas0931-C538AA9-AHierate
Aiwai1523-E599998-7Hierate
Aiwaosois1821-C100476-BHierate
Akhatoea0622-E300557-7Hierate
Akhearlafei'0828-E86A367-9Hierate
Akhiytle0514-C675444-9Hierate
Alaooh1111-E8A3AD9-8-
Alaoyaah1714ACSB431758-A-
Aleikhes0710ACS, ACF, ARS, TA755657-DHierate
Ao'iyaulra0627TA998547-DHierate
Aoaki0907-D310759-8-
Aoaou0135-C9B6598-9Hierate
Aohitao2126ACF, AIC, RB534843-BHierate
Aohoikiy0207ACF, RA40016B-DHierate
Aokhtiyfti2728AICC100149-9Hierate
Aoliyyaea0233AICD654733-6Hierate
Aotui'asiyr0334ACF, RB300775-CHierate
Aowaelr1529ACS, R, TB562976-BHierate
Aowoiktes1705ACS, ACF, AIC, M, NB433787-A-
Arahao1008-C544733-5-
Arakhal2729AIC, RC5688BB-8Hierate
Asati1912-D727400-9-
Aseahya1611AICC100113-A-
Asefihea1740ACF, RA645477-CHierate
Atayekhe0421ACF, AICB54616A-9Hierate
Atoiloilol1939TB55347A-BHierate
Au'aiyyee0220ACSB100973-DHierate
Auyal0825-C79538B-9Hierate
Ayeiyfua0311-E100643-8Hierate
Bacci1123AICD77AADE-5-
Bathanfel1805AICC788143-4-
Besmam2523M, NB64159B-A-
Brensat1609ACS, ARSA8A3689-8-
Canshar1304ACF, AIC, M, NA696444-C-
Cuoon2105ACS, ARS, MB96A621-7-
E'ioa1505-D686655-6-
Eahaeah0206AICE523498-7Hierate
Eahkihkao2033-E574265-7Hierate
Eaisakh1120-C545102-5-
Eakhoi2123ACS, TC786976-AHierate
Eakhtya'i0402AIC, RD427755-9Hierate
Eakhyehiyye0740-E544643-6Hierate
Ealarl2014-C97A575-A-
Eaoer0336ACS, ARS, RB200369-CHierate
Earle0307R, TC532A79-9Hierate
Earlure1901-C738332-A-
Easouyao1721ACS, AIC, TA100375-CHierate
Eauie1519-E8C3840-9-
Eftaeikui0428-D310897-8Hierate
Eftase1940ACS, TB767636-AHierate
Ehairiwa2131ARS, AIC, TA72657B-AHierate
Eiaohe2039-C100588-AHierate
Eiar2539ARS, RC884788-8Hierate
Eiefei'os1235ACS, ACF, ARS, AIC, RA42648A-CHierate
Eieiau1830ACF, ARS, AIC, RA5436AA-CHierate
Eihkeha1638TB689589-AHierate
Eikhilua1236-D310A99-CHierate
Eikhuihi1303ACSB898347-8-
Eiouktoh2427-C433685-AHierate
Eiyea0128ARS, RB8B3699-9Hierate
Eiyriou1608AICA310877-B-
Ekhiy2023TB627386-BHierate
Ekhiysus2223-E859576-8Hierate
Ekhtekih1518ACSC534577-7-
Elahkilr2203ACSA676757-8-
Eohe0536ACS, ARSB776686-AHierate
Eoyaea0435ARS, R, TB310479-CHierate
Erelefo2335ACS, ACF, TB657836-AHierate
Erloufteaw0725AICC7A267B-8Hierate
Etlaorla0315RCDC5146-AHierate
Euhisai2434RD5678AA-6Hierate
Ewausiaktiy2136-E310988-7Hierate
Ewei0839ACS, ACF, ARSB310444-AHierate
Ewirarl2021ACS, ACF, RB200448-9Hierate
Ewirle1028-C667832-8Hierate
Ewuia0918-D30089D-7-
Fa'aher2830TC796553-AHierate
Feakh0835ACS, AIC, TA422235-BHierate
Febung2108ACSB572312-9-
Fiyhiyha'0938RB43248A-BHierate
Foiheliy0922ARS, AICC310411-A-
Foiseihyaluh1522-E864347-7Hierate
Ftahalr1208ACS, ARS, MB522853-7-
Ftaikhao0116RB79A38A-AHierate
Ftaosye'1225ACF, AIC, RB431477-DHierate
Fteite0807AICE100576-7-
Ftihahe'1023RD5A1798-8Hierate
Ftyeiyar2017AICD100125-7-
Ftyuealoi0416ACS, ACF, AICAAD5546-EHierate
Fuarl0223-E300344-7Hierate
Fuihafai0834RC547794-8Hierate
Fyawahri2026ACFA100899-D-
Ha'yesfer2321ACSC100743-8Hierate
Hai Ei0836-E665979-8Hierate
Haiaokoa0408ACSC400746-AHierate
Hakekhea0619-E546387-7Hierate
Hakhyas2027ACS, AIC, RB55458B-BHierate
Hasyesya0832-D551268-7Hierate
Hasyesya1108-C000333-A-
Heaeakh1335-E9487AB-6Hierate
Heahelie1629AICE8B3146-8Hierate
Heiaieai'0524-C200886-AHierate
Hfautekaoao0301AICC563269-9Hierate
Hfayulealr0319-C556754-9Hierate
Himitt2206-C764630-3-
Hirliyse0613-B564447-BHierate
Hiwoieikh1832-D894435-6Hierate
Hkahr0533-D555626-6Hierate
Hkayuea2140ACF, AIC, RB10067A-DHierate
Hkiho0140-E553267-7Hierate
Hkitei0634TB75A317-DHierate
Hkyewao0519ACS, RB200585-BHierate
Hkyosali2132-E55669B-6Hierate
Hleahao2018-D310221-7-
Hlitilar1224-E100646-7Hierate
Hloktye1725AICD8A3656-8Hierate
Hlyerl0429AICC000576-9Hierate
Hoireh0523-E100789-8Hierate
Hoirhesyea1223ACS, RC755748-8Hierate
Hrikalr1631-D8A6789-8Hierate
Hriysahoah1039ACSB667942-BHierate
Hroilr1536ACS, ACF, RA556788-CHierate
Hrowele1107-E774220-5-
Htaheatelr0411RC200168-AHierate
Htaka Oea1331ACSC435789-9Hierate
Htakaoea1408-E5598A8-2-
Htao'ewyalr2038ARS, RC423588-7Hierate
Htaweal0817-E310788-8Hierate
Htealyahwa0112ACS, ACF, ARS, AIC, RA585745-CHierate
Hteaokhewi2139RC59A168-9Hierate
Htehekah1127ARSE100545-AHierate
Hteoe0117AIC, RC594778-8Hierate
Huuira'alr0317ARS, AIC, R, TB410474-CHierate
Hwuiwaoh2239-D694774-6Hierate
Hye0809AICB796200-9-
Hyefteite2639-C421796-AHierate
Hyeirih0537RC569787-9Hierate
Hyesiyr1622ACS, ACF, AIC, RA100688-AHierate
I'etle0916ACF, AICB100247-C-
Ihkasya1020ACSB547100-A-
Ihkealresiy0440ACS, ACF, RA310733-DHierate
Ihkeh0629-E310673-7Hierate
Ihtye1731ARSE9A8588-8Hierate
Ikhaeal2111-C653131-8-
Ikhalil2737AICE764786-6Hierate
Ikharistei1620AIC, M, NA20068A-9-
Ikhoalreih1439ACSC100589-9Hierate
Ila'ouh1911ACFB542120-A-
Ilkhah1027RB43438A-9Hierate
Ilriyhya2415AICC624733-8-
Ioa0339-C300657-8Hierate
Iopfen1217AICD310ACC-8-
Iouhtah2128ACSC66A884-AHierate
Irekhal1508AICB7357A6-8-
Irihroalea2432ACS, RB553578-BHierate
Isikhas1232-C100366-7Hierate
Iweakhte2426RC554888-8Hierate
Iweheh1603ACSC310420-8-
Iyaiah1925ACS, ACF, TA100558-CHierate
Iyhahorl2125AICE437366-6Hierate
Iykye0136TC6B6686-9Hierate
Iylhreyu0829-C885643-8Hierate
Iyoao0510-D99A38A-8Hierate
Iyohkeih1427-E543687-5Hierate
Iyokh1430ACS, ACF, RA300449-CHierate
Iytaow0432RC432447-9Hierate
Iyuasea0724-E541646-6Hierate
Iywaiwofu0337ACF, ARS, AIC, RA654349-CHierate
Iyyoiy0321ACF, AIC, RA6A3479-BHierate
Jardeng1604AIC, M, NB424676-A-
Kahkeheas0520ACS, ACF, AIC, RA777547-BHierate
Kakhisil1915ACSB6A1444-B-
Kemsung2202-E678100-5-
Khaiai0425AICC556269-7Hierate
Khaolao2635ACS, AIC, TA310478-AHierate
Kheiei1034TC100447-CHierate
Khiiyw1715-C553457-8-
Khlyuhakh1919ARSB88A459-CHierate
Khoakta1918ACS, M, NB200211-A-
Khohoa0733ACF, ARS, RB310246-DHierate
Khteau0628AIC, RC9A4435-AHierate
Khtektawoa2122ACF, AIC, RB100599-CHierate
Khtyasitrao2322ACF, RB436448-DHierate
Khtyu0239ACS, TA310697-BHierate
Khtyu0827ACS, ACF, ARSA310A96-EHierate
Kihahouwu2028-C200688-AHierate
Kihaikhir2739ACS, ACF, ARS, AIC, R, TA896476-DHierate
Kikeasa0314AIC, TC40015A-7Hierate
Kofyoha1440RB696269-BHierate
Kofyoha1405ACFA599758-9-
Ktaherl0837ACF, RA583675-CHierate
Ktaol0327ACF, AIC, RB8C5977-DHierate
Ktarua0614ACS, AICC563646-8Hierate
Kteaesyah0527-E547888-6Hierate
Kteatau0130-E998123-7Hierate
Ktiyrhaniy0214-E648446-6Hierate
Kusyu1226ACS, ACF, ARS, AIC, R, TA876976-EHierate
Lahaih1627ACFB200599-DHierate
Leftearl0615ACS, ACF, RB200787-DHierate
Leihkyeau1025-C310631-8-
Loihuawaw1634ACS, RB798367-AHierate
Loyse2113-C545687-6-
Mihraga1621-B638752-A-
Monlin1617ACF, ARSB100444-C-
Naco1321AICA310557-B-
Nihoipo1504-E649236-5-
O'awiy2525AICE849857-8Hierate
Oakheiye2031ACF, RB56379A-AHierate
Oakhiyye1240ACS, ACF, ARSB310558-DHierate
Oarua1121ACS, AICB579510-7-
Obalsa2106ACF, AICB5858C8-6-
Oeafowyahlulr2537-E6A2945-9Hierate
Oekhaihikh0507AICB575447-BHierate
Oheou1501ACSB898326-6-
Ohkiylyo2734ACS, ACF, AICA310846-EHierate
Oiaous2020RC651899-8Hierate
Oifalrouw0109ACF, RA646215-9Hierate
Oihaiyo1434-C433788-9Hierate
Oiirl2430ACS, ACF, RA553AAB-EHierate
Oiwohas0707ACS, TA100686-BHierate
Olruiwos2838-BBA5786-AHierate
Oskvo2422-X31038D-7-
Osuilyuh1110ACSBA79413-7-
Ouifauhai0940ACS, ACF, RB77A546-DHierate
Oukheayekh0107-C10068A-8Hierate
Ouleawos0114-C556348-8Hierate
Oyuyes0316-D799336-7Hierate
Pannusgario1003ACS, ACF, AICA5839DB-A-
Qyarn1420-D5219BB-8-
Reawaiy1402AICC647234-8-
Reierekh2438ARSE88A7AB-7Hierate
Relkema2008-C542586-6-
Riyai2040-E7526AC-6Hierate
Riyikahail1628ACS, RA7A2112-AHierate
Rosal0720-E66788C-2-
Ruiloih0328ACS, RB100123-AHierate
Saftahfeal2221ACS, ACF, TB883658-BHierate
Samarorn1906AICC775410-6-
Seilrye0227RC100458-8Hierate
Seiyasar0939RB410687-AHierate
Sewalair2121RC54359A-9Hierate
Siniob0819ARS, AICA200223-C-
Sordno2010-E422899-7-
Soukhi'0934-E100246-AHierate
Sowhkeiy0407-E300886-8Hierate
Steahryoha2540-E863855-7Hierate
Steiaseah1927-E100445-AHierate
Steisua1135-C684AA7-BHierate
Stofakhail0630ARSD20025A-7Hierate
Stui0721-D562477-7Hierate
Styaroir2325AICC100878-9Hierate
Sualriyw0636-C68A857-BHierate
Suikhiyeisela1337-C200987-CHierate
Syailei1724ACS, ACF, ARS, TA435787-EHierate
Syasaral0909-DCA5499-8-
Syeaa'isiy0612ACF, AICB636777-BHierate
Syerakhir0222TB774875-AHierate
Tahetlo0609-D8A3897-8Hierate
Tahetlo1406-C977853-5-
Tahwyafe0717-E3108CB-7-
Taiea1535RC547579-9Hierate
Taikheia'io0926ACF, AIC, M, NA77A777-A-
Taleiw1037ACS, RC10056A-7Hierate
Tauoilais2109AICC799111-8-
Teaiyre0427ACS, RB423448-DHierate
Teaoiyekh2839ARSE5628B8-6Hierate
Teayokhtae1238ACS, TA310676-EHierate
Teioyukh1310-B310530-A-
Tenarna1825AIC, M, NB436233-B-
Tiylewoiw1930ACS, AICC9C6887-9Hierate
Tlaea'yeryel1640-D422589-9Hierate
Tloueaeiei2037ACS, ACF, AIC, RB310879-CHierate
Traihoa0437ACF, RB98A434-CHierate
Trienamm1203-C200262-7-
Troi'1923-E787978-8Hierate
Troti'ih1221-B000526-9-
Troutiyka2230RB000277-EHierate
Tua'aiou2936ACS, ACF, RB787449-BHierate
Tyakhyo0115RD100389-AHierate
Uahke0530ACSC553346-9Hierate
Ualaohei1934-B578887-AHierate
Uaoya1305ACS, ACF, ARS, AIC, M, NA422556-E-
Uaweisa1205ACS, ACF, AICB7B2676-A-
Uiaio0224ACF, AICB777448-BHierate
Uiftaoa2536-E564644-6Hierate
Uileawi0210-C66A885-AHierate
Uioirli0811-E100342-7-
Uiwe0106RD100389-AHierate
Uiwealirlao2435-D424445-9Hierate
Uryarlil0937AICD200899-8Hierate
Usiyao1418ACS, ARS, AICA666623-7-
Waeorsya0120-E100276-7Hierate
Walryaei1004AICC436541-7-
Waohar0738ACS, TB100488-9Hierate
Weaiyiy1320ACF, AIC, M, NA646497-B-
Weisaow1327R, TB656677-AHierate
Wiykhearl0335AICE100646-7Hierate
Woira0439RD668789-6Hierate
Wuarloikh0338ACSB554522-BHierate
Wuhtiaweh0329ARSB623389-CHierate
Wusihahai2327-C879447-6-
Wyuyetro1032-E645788-6Hierate
Yasai0722-EA76312-6Hierate
Ye1813-D423547-7-
Ye'aeaoafokh0330RD400A85-CHierate
Yeasea0201-E58436A-7Hierate
Yehta0226AIC, TC10087B-AHierate
Yelrailr1829-C10026A-BHierate
Yetiuaya2340-X768448-3Hierate
Yeyofui'1708ACS, ARS, AIC, M, NA548344-B-
Yoaieal1104-E9A897A-8-
Yohkui2138ARS, RA000978-EHierate
Yokiyheir0423RC310786-AHierate
Yoreah1431-D310112-9Hierate

A few hot takes on the results. First, this procedure generates a lot of additional data, but I’m not sure it’s worthwhile to grind this out for each and every Aslan sector. For an individual world or subsector? The new codes could certainly be helpful for a referee.

I think the modifiers can and should probably be reviewed and potentially rebalanced—they’re in the zone but could probably be dialed in for better results. For The Deep and the Dark and Clans of the Aslan I identified several clan capitals using Traveller5’s Importance stat. A clan capital roughly fits the description of a Clan Stronghold, and the randomly generated strongholds more-or-less matched up with the capitals I had selected by hand.

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