Aslan in the Gateway sector?

[stofsk]

I've been reading through my copy of GtD recently and I noticed there was no mention of the Aslan and their presence in the sector. Just to clarify: I didn't read back to back, just the chapter about alien races. Anyway, I was wondering what their presence in the sector is? If there is an official view on the matter.

I only ask because they're a major race, so I thought it would be interesting to know.

 

[tjoneslo]

Considering the Aslan Hireate is on the far side of the Imperium and more than 6 sectors away, I'd say there would be few Aslan, and no signficant presence in Gateway.

There is a specific treaty between the Aslan and the Imperium which sets up a border between the two across the Reaver's Deep, Dark Nebula, Ustral Quadrant sectors. And the great rift is another strong barrier. So while there may be individual Aslan within gateway, there is no Ihatei invasions of worlds there

 

[Black Globe Generator]

In my Judges Guild (the original!) Gateway, you find a few Aslan traders roaming about, a lone merc company, and a handful of Aslan in Imperial service, primarily in the IN.

In other words, running into Aslan in my Gateway is a noteworthy event.

Vargr, on the other hand...well, you can't walk five meters without stepping on a Vargr's tail, as they say.

 

[Psion]

I was just wondering on this myself. I'm running a game at GenCon set in GtD, and one of my players has expressed a fondness of Aslan. I would introduce an Aslan PC, but I'm the sort of referee that likes a little backstory to explain such a misplaced individual.

I was in a similar situation back when I ran a game in my spin on the Reaver's Deep. I wanted a place for Vargr. What I did then was had a rare Vargr noble granted a fief world, placed purposefully away from the Vargr border so as to minimize the likelihood that the Vargr fall in with corsair bands.

I suppose I could do something similar with Aslan... a rare Aslan ihatei mercenary band settling on a world after participating in a backwater war.

 

[Kilgs]

The Gateway book mentions them and simply indicates that they are extremely rare. There are no Aslan settlements in Ley or Glimmerdrift. It leaves the possibility open for some random ihatei to exist on a planet in the further sectors but makes it clear that they are just too rare to merit mention.

As you indicated, a mercenary unit or individual may be present but considering the distances involved between the Hierate and Gateway, it is unlikely that the Aslan would have made that long trip knowing that there wasn't a whole lot of land to be conquered.