SpoilerA - Star
A hot white star that provides the majority of light and heat to the binary system. There's not really much to say about it.

Aa - Barren Planet
A star-scorched barren ball of rock. No life-sustaining resources, though high radiation readings mean there might be things worth mining here. No atmosphere, no weather, low gravity. Not a lot to say about this rather dull planet.

Ab - Desert Planet
Bearing little to no signs of water, this planet is wracked by sandstorms that could easily cause heavy damage to any potential inhabitants. The atmosphere is just dense enough to not cause depressurization, but is unbreathable and toxic. Moderately low gravity. It is unclear if there is anything of value here, and further exploration will be required.

Ac - Gas Giant Planet
A huge orange gas giant, which though lacking in life sustaining resources, is likely a good source of most conventional space fuels. Very high gravity, extreme weather, and likely a significant danger to craft that get too close, like most gas giants.

Aci - Lava Moon
A small molten world with moderately low gravity, likely caused to be so by being so close to the gas giant. It is tidally locked, and the surface is subject to near constant burning ash clouds and lightning storms. Surface temperature is very high and the hazardous atmosphere is too hot and thick to go outside without a suit. However, it is likely to have valuable and easily accessible mineral resources.

Acii - Habitable Moon
No doubt the focus of the expedition, this planet has a fully breathable atmosphere, likely caused by a biosphere that matches the same biochemical patterns seen in the development of most life in the galaxy. This also means some of the local flora and fauna are probably edible, for the species that care about such things. The gravity is only just slightly below average, the atmosphere is just slightly less thick than normal, the hydrosphere is very active, and it's not even tidally locked. It appears as if most of the surface is covered in a dense blanket of alien forest – perhaps indicating an aggressively invasive species that has taken over most of the planet. Likely to be rich in a variety of basic and valuable resources. An ideal habitable world, which could be lived on comfortably by most species in the galaxy.

Aciii - Barren Moon
With very low gravity, no atmosphere and little to say for itself, this barren ball of rock is perhaps the least interesting body in the system, though it at least has fascinating geological formations. Basic resources are likely to be found in abundance here, but we are unsure if there's anything of real value. Perhaps it will be useful simply for being easily reachable from its sister moons.

Ad - Ice Planet
The presence of ice on this planet makes it a potential low-grade colonization target, as both water and air could easily be derived from local resources, as well as valuable volatiles. The atmosphere, while thick enough to walk around in, is completely unbreathable. The weather is largely composed of cloudless days interspersed with freezing ice blizzards. The gravity is fairly pleasant, being moderately low.

B - Star
The binary partner of ASTR38-A, ASTR38-B is cooler, dimmer and more red, but still provides a decent amount of light and heat to A's planets and moons. It is surrounded by a dense asteroid field, perhaps having failed to accrue planets of its own. That asteroid field, while distinctly lacking in the volatiles necessary to sustain life, is still probably a decent source of valuable resources. The biggest barrier to its usefulness is how remote it is, as B's orbit places it far from the planets of A.

SpoilerNone yet!

SpoilerMagic vs Technology:
The wizards are here, and they have their own societies that look down on the technological dependency of others. Which isn't super fair, since their own societies use limited technology in combination with magic. Magic can achieve wondrous feats, and a single spell can often bring a highly educated wizard up to par with a powerful technological device, but magic and technology don't mix. When casting magic, spellcasters draw energy from nearby, and this plays havoc with electronics. Magic screws up computers and most digital systems, and even when the electronics are heavily reinforced, continuous exposure to magic will eventually cause them to malfunction, short-circuit and break down.

As a result, most species that are capable of casting magic and structure it into their societies do not use electronic systems at all, instead relying on a mix of older, purely mechanical technology and magic to travel the stars. Some even eschew mechanical technology, delving into purely magical-dependent societies that often seem crude and backwards to more technologically advanced species, but get the job done just as well. Of course, magic is not strictly superior to technology – powerful energy pulses and disruptor weapons coming from both the magical and technological side can disrupt magic just as easily as technology.

This means magic societies tend to appear more historical and old fashioned, making use of old non-electronic systems such as blast furnaces, mechanical combustion engines and bullet-based firearms, and supplanting these with powerful magic, compared to the technological societies that tend to follow the bleeding edge and rely on advanced computer systems, energy blasters and a constant demand for electricity. The magic societies that reject technology entirely often look positively medieval, making use of arcane blacksmiths and artisans who imbue magic into their craft to create magic items. Their idea of a space hardsuit could easily be an enchanted suit of plate armour.

One thing neither magic nor science has ever been able to prove is the existence of a god or gods. Despite this, some magical societies remain convinced that magic itself is proof of divine intervention, referring to their wizards as clerics instead. Honestly, considering that the rules of magic seem almost entirely disconnected from the rest of physics, it is entirely possible that they are right. Others, taking a more scientific mindset, sometimes call magic psionics, and casters psions, as it is willed into being by mental effort. But most just call it magic and wizards.

Faster Than Light Travel:
Regardless of whether you believe in magic or technology, it's bad. Expensive, slow, unreliable. Ships often arrive early or very late, with little way to predict which, but still take months to travel even short distances. As a result, most of the United Confederation planets more or less run themselves, as even communicating between them can be challenging. Fortunately, cold sleep makes even decade-long journeys bearable, though few people like to travel across the galaxy regularly as you might quickly find yourself in a different century to when you started.

The United Confederation:
More of a union of independent planets than a true united government, the UC is like a space UN, decreeing laws for the good of all that are often ignored when outside observers aren't looking. UC officials have little say in how planets are run or who rules them, but try to make laws governing interstellar trade and peace, doing their best to prevent wars. Not that any but the most foolhardy of belligerent races would attempt an interstellar war anyway; with FTL being as slow and unreliable as it is, waging war from one star system to another is beyond impractical. No, it's the civil wars and wars between different polities on the same planet that concern the UC most of all, so they try to limit expansion and colonization to stop races coming into conflict. Though now, the balance of power in the UC council has shifted to the point where they are opening up huge swathes of space to free for all colonization, so perhaps things are changing.

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SpoilerColony Name: ASTR38 Colonial Frungy Club (Unofficial name: the Carnation Spurs)

Ruler Name: Fod Tuntun

Ruler Info: Captain of the winning Frungy team for the pre-colonization playoff, Fod is a League-born post-human (having elected to undergo cyborgization in zir late teens). Ze originally considered becoming a referee before falling in love with Alan Mors, a teacher and philosopher. Ze is a hard-working and loyal individual, dedicated to the success of the colony and the people involved. Ze also wants to spread Frungy to new planets, and is hopelessly optimistic that new people will want to learn and play the impenetrably-complex game for themselves.

Ze is also secretly involved in a semi-heretical attempt to modernize Frungy and bring it to the rest of the galaxy alongside zir husband Alan. Much of the colony's team agrees with their views, including their referees Misha Long and Kilix (a rare Zerb who isn't too squeamish about fighting). However, there are some among the crew with a much more orthodox view of Frungy, which makes Fod's job a delicate balancing act. So long as their referees remain on-board, they can claim to be canonical, however one misstep could bring the League down on the whole endeavor and trigger a new Frungy game for control of the colony...

Faction Info: The Carnation Spurs' official mission is to spread the reach of Frungy across the galaxy and establish a new colony for the League to enjoy. It uses the Official Rulebook issued upon launch, and endeavors to be a canonical representative of the Sport of Kings. However, a large portion of the colonists, including their official command staff/frungy team are part of a secret movement to revamp the rules of Frungy in order to make it appeal to the galaxy as a whole. So far their efforts have been supported by their referees, however, they must tread carefully in order to not be declared heretics by the League at large.

Faction Colour: Vibrant blue. Emblem


Species Info:

Excerpted from Frungy: The Sacred Game, Sport of Kings! Frungy is more than just a game, it is a way of life. Across the League it is played in almost every day by every citizen. Children learn Frungy in school and then go out and play it on the playground. Court cases are decided through Frungy. Weddings are held at matches. And of course, the League itself is ruled by the Triumvirate, those three holding the sacred positions Z-F-P, who are chosen each Grand Tournament by the ultimate game of Frungy. But if you look at the games the children play and the spectacular Grand Tournament, an outsider would wonder - how are these the same game? Their rules seem so different, the games so distinct. Yet that is the paradox of Frungy... it is a universal sport, one that can be played by anyone at any time and in many ways, yet that is united by a core principle guided by the Triumvirate and set down in the ancient past by ZFP.

Frungy's variants are acknowledged and set down in the Official Rulebook issued by the Triumvirate after every Grand Tournament. This rulebook, by all accounts an impenetrably long and arcane text, describes all of the rules of Frungy in detail, when tournaments can be held and how the winner and prizes are determined (most importantly the fixed date of the next Grand Tournament, as calculated by the formula in the previous edition of the Official Rulebook), as well as allowed (known as Canonical) variant rules of play. These rules must be interpreted by an expert referee trained in the name of the great ZFP, as no layperson can ever hope to understand the full extent of the rules. It is each member of the League's responsibility to play only by Canonical variants and not invent new ones or use older versions of rules if they know new ones are available. This is considered to be a terrible crime by the League, violating the sanctity and integrity of Frungy itself.

Referees are a special caste of citizens, cut off from regular society by their binding to the great Rules of Frungy. In order to be impartial they swear off ever playing the game themselves, which locks them out of the vast majority of regular social activities. The League has two different monastic traditions - one for the players, honed to the heights of physical, mental, and spiritual ability, and a second for the referees, who memorize vast swathes of the rules in order to uphold the sacred tradition of Frungy. A referee is both feared and respected, for though they cannot rule over others, their approval is nevertheless required for any decision made in the Game. They answer ultimately to the Triumvirate, which governs their ranks. Referees often keep to themselves, thus making their ways mysterious to the common folk of the League.

The Interstellar Frungy League is a multi-species organization, though it predominantly consists of humans, post-humans, and Zerbs. Zerbs are a fast and powerful insectoid species with six legs and a stinger they propel from their jaws. They are, however, strict pacifists, and worship the original ZFP as their creators. Zerbs are careful and studious, and take Frugny with much seriousness. They seem to believe that proper study of the game will lead to the return of ZFP and the ushering in of a new age. Humans joined into the league due to their obsession with sport, and because of the friendly nature of the Zerbs they quickly moved into positions of power.

Spoiler
Colony Name: The Verdant Expanse

Ruler Name: The name of the leader of your faction.

Ruler Info: Some background information on your leader, who they are, where they came from, how they became faction leader.

Faction Info: Background information on your faction – who is in your faction, what their society is like, any unusual goals they have, etc. Though they are likely to be similar, your faction society does not necessarily have to be the same as your homeworld society – the latter is where you're coming from, the former is what you intend to create. You could easily be exiles, pilgrims or criminals, coming to set up a new civilization out of the reach of your former overlords, just as you could be a state-sanctioned colonial expedition seeking to establish a new vassal colony under the flag of your homeworld.

Faction Colour: A flowery pink

Species Info: A collective society united under the banner of the '

Species Info:Quin'Greach
Formerly non-native residents of the Colux Unity, the Quin'Greach are pale, densely white-haired entities. Muscular, bulky. Four arms, and a natural talent for mechanics. Omnivorous, with a substantial preference for meat. Bright red eyes, and powerful lungs used to inhale the thin atmosphere of their homeworld. Large mouth with two sets of sharp teeth. Hands are oft mistaken for leather gloves, and seeing their hairless face move for the first time has startled many a foreigner. They are not native to the Colux Unity, but rather were colonists and their descendants. Of the four species residing on Colux Unity, the Quin'Greach were the first foreign colonists, and the second residents of the Colux Unity. They were the first to suggest a new colony, and leveraged their industrial capabilities to develop the colony ship ahead of schedule. They also extended the offer of citizenship in the new colony to the other major populations of the Colux Unity, of which the crax have accepted, and two others have declined.

Species Info:Crax
Formerly native-residents of the Colux Unity, the crax are tetrapodal entities consisting of a flexible pole-like spine with a singular eyestalk located at the highest point, two limbs ending in three suction-cup tipped 'fingers', and at the base splitting into four lower limbs ending in two additional suction cups, one mouth, and one multipurpose. These colonists are highly intelligent, and swiftly took to technology previously thought beyond them. Were offered a position on the colony as a courtesy, and were neither expected to accept or be the only ones to do so. This is primarily due to the crax previously opting for an isolated life, living in pre-industrial conditions despite the advancements of others, and were demonstrably content to continue doing so. Their participation is appreciated somewhat due to their surprising technological proficiency, but mostly due to the hope the crax will continue interactions with non-crax in the years to come.

Species Info: Lezhiser
(sing. Lezhis; pl. Lezhiser)
The lezhiser are orange reptilian creatures. They have roughly the body shape of a raptor, but a more humanoid and straight posture, and have muscular bodies. Their bones are very strong and hard to break, but does not give much flexibility. Parallel blue stripes cover their arms, legs, and backs. A head crest of red feathers grow at the back of their heads. They are armed with sharp teeth and wicked claws. Two pairs of whisker-like antennae stick out their forehead. Lezhiser rarely grow taller than six feet.

The Lezhiser are highly technologically inclined. Most of their technologies are digital and electronic. Magic is only known by specialists, with the population at large mostly unknowing. They are averse to violence, despite their physicality designed for violence. They have an extremely systematic culture which names almost everything of their make with serial names, even their children, they do get more "traditional" first names that supplement their serial last names.

All of them also possess a weak form of telepathy. It was once used to communicate among themselves, but was sorely limiting on vocabulary, and eventually got replaced when vocal and written language was invented to describe the more delicate parts of mathematics and science. It didn't disappear, and lingered even after it was completely replaced by language, making the collective subconscious. All lezhiser are connected into the collective subconscious of the group they currently are in. Common behaviors are taken on, while bad behaviors are often subconsciously discouraged by the belief and philosophy of the collective, and eventually removed. It's a reason why crime and rebelliousness are always at low in Tamilir. It has gone unresearched for a long time, and it only has been recently that it has gained some scientific attention and discovered to be magical in nature.

SpoilerFor those not familiar, if you post any in-character messages in the thread, they are usually meant to be broadcast so everyone else can receive them. That's how you communicate with all the other players IC at once. If you want to message someone privately, PM them, and make sure you CC or forward it to me so I get a copy of the message. I need to see all IC messages!

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