System: Cassegrain
General Information
| System Name | Cassegrain |
|---|---|
| Sector | Albion |
| Primary Star(s) | A-2121 (G4 IV) |
| Notable Worlds | Cassegrain I |
| Affiliation | Unified Planets of Sol |
| Primary Faction | None |
System Map
System Description
The Cassegrain system orbits the yellow-white star A-2121 and has a unique blend of life-bearing planets, moons, and mineral-rich asteroids. Though Cassegrain I, with its breathable atmosphere and thriving ecosystem, is the only inhabited planet, the system attracts off-worlders due to rumors of advanced pretech artifacts and rare resources. Its untamed, wild beauty and chaotic neutrality make it a popular destination for explorers, traders, and prospectors, but the lack of a major controlling faction also draws unsavory elements, from smugglers to cyber poachers. Many believe that the relics scattered across Cassegrain I and beyond are part of an interconnected ancient network, possibly serving some unknown function in the far past.
Celestial Bodies
| Planet/Moon | Type | Atmosphere | Population | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassegrain I | Planet | Breathable | Hundreds of Thousands | Crashed Pretech O’Neill Cylinder, Cyborg Animals |
| Oswen’s Ring | Asteroid Belt | None | None | Mineral-rich asteroids, magnetized anomalies |
| Auraga | Gas Giant | Hydrogen | None | Massive storms, ideal for fuel scooping |
| Palaustra | Moon of Auraga | Thin | Thousands | Rare metals, Small Mining Colony |
| Viriditas | Moon of Auraga | Thin, Unbreathable | None | Exotic minerals, high demand among tech traders |
Major Factions
| Faction | Goals | Influence Level | Primary Location(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cassegrain Nomads | Finding the crashed O’Neil Cylinder | 2 | The Marker |
| Cyber Poachers | Make the big bucks off of the Cybernetically augmented Animals | 3 | Landing Site, small camps |
| Unified Planets of Sol | Preserving Cassegrain’s Ecology | 2 | Sparsely stationed Ranger Posts on Cassegrain I |
| Gray Exchange | Using Auraga as a turntable for smuggling goods. | 1 | Space Station deep inside Auraga’s Atmosphere |
Points of Interest
| Location | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Markers | Waypoint | The Markers on Cassegrain are part of a larger network that span multiple celestial bodies in the Cassegrain system. Though the ones on Cassegrain are the only ones to have a cohesive system. |
Trade and Resources
| Primary Exports | Cybernetic Implants, Exotic Minerals, Rare Metals |
|---|---|
| Primary Imports | Weapons, Medical Supplies, Advanced Machinery |
| Trade Hub(s) | Haven Station - A small refueling station with a public space on the edge of the system, hosting merchants, travelers, and pirates alike. |
| Resource Rich Areas | Viriditas, Oswen’s Ring, and Palaustra |
System Hazards
| Hazard | Description |
|---|---|
| Poacher |
Notable Events
- The Crash of the O’Neill Cylinder: Several centuries ago, an ancient O’Neill Cylinder crashed on Cassegrain I, triggering waves of off-world settlers who hoped to salvage pretech technology and secrets. This event led to the establishment of Nomadic tribes as the settlers merged with or adapted to the local culture.
- Discovery of the Viriditas Mines: The mineral-rich deposits on Viriditas were uncovered by early explorers, leading to a brief mining boom. The moon is now a guarded site due to high demand for its minerals in cybernetics manufacturing.
Typical Encounters
| Encounter | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nomad Patrols | Social/Combat | Nomadic tribes may approach or defend against outsiders if they stray near sacred sites. |
| Cyber Fauna Attack | Combat/Survival | Hostile encounters with cybernetically enhanced creatures such as Giant Vinesnakes or Gliderspiders. |
| Cyber Poacher Camps | Combat/Stealth | Small poacher camps set up to trap and extract implants from local wildlife; may have valuable tech or intel. |
Adventure Hooks
- The Hidden Markers: The ancient markers scattered across Cassegrain I are found on Palaustra and even certain asteroids in Oswen’s Ring. An expedition is forming to locate and analyze them for hidden messages or coordinates.
- Auraga’s Smugglers: A rumor is circulating about an off-the-books smuggling ring using the dense storms of Auraga to hide illegal goods, primarily rare cybernetic parts. The Nomads want this operation shut down before the smugglers’ presence draws more attention to the system.
Additional Details
Theories about the organically growing cyber ware range from freak natural evolution over undercover science experiments to actual pretech.