Nagoya Subsector

Previously, I posted the complete sector map of my recent Traveller campaign. This post presents in greater detail subsector G, known locally as the Nagoya subsector, after the Empire of Nagoya, which is centered here. The descriptions below do not detail the entirety of the subsector. That's because, in general, I only fleshed out worlds that the player characters visited. Consequently, if you read the entries below, you can get some sense of where they went and what they did there.

The Nagoya subsector contains 36 worlds with a population of 7.7 billion. The highest population is 5 billion, at Nagoya. The highest tech level is D at Ginnungagap, Ausar and Ka’a.

Bajy (Riphaeus 1711)

Until thirty years ago, Bajy was a subject world of the Triarchy of Endu. However, during a revolt known locally as the Blue Phoenix Rebellion (named after its leader, Sankh Uru, whose name can be loosely translated as Blue Phoenix), Bajy achieved independence, which it has retained to the present day. Of course, its continued autonomy is largely the result of disinterest on the part of the King-Emperor of Endu, who could probably crush Bajy if he were determined to do so.

Presently, Bajy is renowned as an open port of call, where almost any good or service can be acquired for the right price. Despite this, the local law level is high, though, as with most things on the planet, money talks. Indeed, it is enshrined in local law, where “a better kind of justice” is readily available to those who can afford it. Given its status as a free port, Bajy is a hotbed of intrigue.

Ciméria (Riphaeus 1919)

A heavily populated world along the coreward edge of the Empire of Nagoya, Ciméria is notable for having been home to humans since before the foundation of the First Federation of Suns. A colony ship intended for a destination farther spinward crash landed on Ciméria, where life proved extremely difficult owing to the planet’s trace atmosphere and non-existent surface water.

Through a combination of luck, determination, and advanced technology, the Cimérians survived and even prospered until the arrival of the Federation, incorporation into which they resisted. When the Federation withdrew, Ciméria was independent for a few decades before the newly-established Empire of Nagoya appeared, offering protection and trade. Reluctantly, the Cimérians swore fealty to the Throne of Paulo, though a vocal minority remained restive and continues to be a source of unrest even today.

Ginnungagap (Riphaeus 1815)

Technically non-aligned, this water world is nevertheless closely associated with the Triarchy of Endu, one of whose corporations, Tiagi Atah, exploits its resources for the benefit of the ruling House of Anputelep. To that end, Tiagi Atah has expended considerable resources to establish three automated undersea settlements, as well as an orbital facility (where the system’s Class B starport is located, portions of which are leased to the Scouts).

Körmt (Riphaeus 1915)

An asteroid belt overseen and mined by the Endu crown corporation known as Tiagi Atah. Nevertheless, the system is open to exploitation by anyone, including foreigners who are not subjects of the Triarchy. Of course, Tiagi Atah has laid down some very strict rules and regulations governing the behavior of independents working in the belt, most notably a complete ban on any weapon outside one’s home. This ban does not extend to Tiagi Atah’s own security forces, but it does include non-corporate vessels, which are legally required take offline all weapons systems while visiting Körmt.

Nocki (Riphaeus 2017)

While listed as a Red Zone, Nocki is in fact quarantined; travel from the world is prohibited by Imperial Nagoyan law. This is due to a virulent airborne contaminant in the atmosphere, whose origins are uncertain. It is clear the contaminant is not natural in origin, but whether it was purposefully or accidentally released into the air remains a mystery. Within the Empire of Nagoya, the most common belief is that the First Federation released it during the same withdrawal (circa 715 New Calendar) that destroyed the planet’s starport.

Regardless of the truth, the contaminant has neurological effects on the human brain, ranging from permanent memory damage to loss of motor functions to death. The native population, divided into several dozen states, has developed an immunity to the contaminant but carry it within their own bodies. Standard filter masks are capable of protecting visitors from its immediate effects. However, strict decontamination afterward is required.

Shun (Riphaeus 2118)

This world was a rich, vital world during the rule of the First Federation of Suns. After the rapid withdrawal of the Federation military from the sector following the Skorth Incident (714 New Calendar), panic spread on Shun (or Arcadius as the natives call it), resulting in the collapse of the local government. Several factions contended to take its place, supported by elements of the native army. Within a few years, the planet was divided into five powerful states and a half-dozen lesser ones.

In the centuries since, Shun has prospered after a fashion, but its inhabitants are deeply xenophobic. The world’s former starport was deliberately destroyed and every attempt at re-contact or interstellar trade since have been rebuffed, sometimes violently. In the absence of such contact, the world has regressed to Tech Level 5.

Vimur (Riphaeus 1717)

The Vimur system includes two human-inhabited worlds. Vimur possesses a TL6 culture just recovering from a planet-wide war. The system’s innermost world, Élivágar, is a cold, tidal-locked planet with a scrap of habitable land in the twilight zone between glaciers. Its inhabitants possess a TL3-4 culture.

Vimur is within the sphere of influence of the Empire of Nagoya, but it is too technologically backward to be seen as a true client state.

Xi’an (Riphaeus 2016)

A lightly populated, non-aligned world that enjoys regular contact with the Empire of Nagoya – in large part because its approximately 700 permanent inhabitants are former Nagoyan military personnel (and their families) who have embraced Concordianism. Concordianism is a dualist religion that preaches complete pacifism. Xi’an’s inhabitants have renounced all violence and, as such, no longer feel they can live within the Empire’s borders. Due to the influence of Concordianism, the world has no formal government or laws, as neither as necessary.

Physically, Xi’an’s most notable feature is the high quantity of methane in its atmosphere. Oxygen tanks are thus required outside of the planet’s domed settlements, but further protection is not required. Methane and similar natural gases can also be found beneath Xi’an’s surface; extracting them forms a large part of the planetary economy.