Antichrist
SOC-8
"The Eternity Artifact" by R.L. Modesitt is a pretty good book for a GM to base an adventure on, if he's willing to read a rather voluminous tome that will take a week or so to finish.
TEA is set in a far future where humans are the only known sentients in the galaxy, and having no one else to fight they've split into little groups and fight among each other. There are numerous factions, but only 3 play a role in the novel. 2 are theocratic dictatorships, one ran by mulsims and one ran by christians who apparently treat women as property. The third is a secular power that is apparently a democracy.
Some may complain that religious states are portrayed badly in the book. Others may feel as I do that there is no such thing as a 'good' theocracy.
The story is told from various first person perspectives, so we often see the same events from multiple perspectives. As to the story itself, a 'rogue planet' is discovered at the edge of the galaxy, and has obviously artificial structures on it. A force is quickly and in some cases involuntarily assembled to go explore this unique sign of alien intelligence, which may be over a billion years old. Some factions manafe to get spies and saboteurs onbards despite the best efforts of security, and an intelligent, well written if somewhat long story unfolds.
The ending does not disapoint, as it is a 'hard science' climax that few will see coming.
The story does vaguely remind me of some Traveller storylines and adventures, and I will say no more lest I spoil a surprising ending. With a little tinkering and thought this book could provide some fine adventures for a traveller group.
If you have the stomach for a long read, The eternity artifact may reward your patience.
TEA is set in a far future where humans are the only known sentients in the galaxy, and having no one else to fight they've split into little groups and fight among each other. There are numerous factions, but only 3 play a role in the novel. 2 are theocratic dictatorships, one ran by mulsims and one ran by christians who apparently treat women as property. The third is a secular power that is apparently a democracy.
Some may complain that religious states are portrayed badly in the book. Others may feel as I do that there is no such thing as a 'good' theocracy.
The story is told from various first person perspectives, so we often see the same events from multiple perspectives. As to the story itself, a 'rogue planet' is discovered at the edge of the galaxy, and has obviously artificial structures on it. A force is quickly and in some cases involuntarily assembled to go explore this unique sign of alien intelligence, which may be over a billion years old. Some factions manafe to get spies and saboteurs onbards despite the best efforts of security, and an intelligent, well written if somewhat long story unfolds.
The ending does not disapoint, as it is a 'hard science' climax that few will see coming.
The story does vaguely remind me of some Traveller storylines and adventures, and I will say no more lest I spoil a surprising ending. With a little tinkering and thought this book could provide some fine adventures for a traveller group.
If you have the stomach for a long read, The eternity artifact may reward your patience.