MT Only: MT Referee's Manual Extended System Generation

[snrdg082102]

Hello all,

From Consolidated MT Errata version 2.21, 02/23/13, page 22 is the following entry:

Page 26, Step 5, Decimal Classification (correction and addition): [FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Replace this entire section with the following:
Determine the specific decimal classification of the star (ranging from 0 to 9).
1. Roll 2D-2 (for a result from 0 to 10); ignore and reroll a result of 10.
2. Add the single digit produced to the star type letter. For example, if the digit produced was 3, and the star type generated was G, the star type becomes G3.
3. Star types K5 to M9 are not available with star size IV; change star size to V.
4. Star types M4V through M9V cannot have habitable worlds: subtract 6 from the decimal classification for primary stars.
5. Star types A, F and G are extremely rare with star sizes II and III: change star size to V.

Line 4 of the errata is puzzling me about why I need to subtract 6 from the decimal classification of the primary star of M4V through M9V which have no habitable worlds without modification.

I will admit that my knowledge is a bit light, but I seem to recall that not all star systems will have habitable planets.

Can someone please get me up to speed of what Line 4 is saying and how to implement the change?


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[EDG]

I think it's there because M5 - M9 V stars only have Outer Zone orbits (their habitable zones are within Orbit 0). If you're doing an extended system generation (i.e. you already have the mainworld) and it's habitable (atm 4-9/D/E/F), and you've rolled up an M5-M9 V star, then then it's saying that you should subtract 6 from the decimal classification.

So:
M9 V becomes M3 V
M8 V --> M2 V
M7 V --> M1 V
M6 V --> M0 V
M5 V --> K9 V

If the mainworld isn't habitable (e.g. if it's a vacuum world or asteroid belt or exotic atm) I guess you can keep the star type as it is - the mainworld will just be in the outer zone wherever it is.

And if you haven't generated the mainworld already then ignore this - whatever mainworld you generate later for your M5-M9 V star will be in the Outer Zone by default.

 

[snrdg082102]

Thanks EDG for the reply

I think it's there because M5 - M9 V stars only have Outer Zone orbits (their habitable zones are within Orbit 0).

Looking at Step 19 Orbit Zones for Star Size V:
The columns for M5 and M9 have no habitable zones.

If you're doing an extended system generation (i.e. you already have the mainworld) and it's habitable (atm 4-9/D/E/F), and you've rolled up an M5-M9 V star, then then it's saying that you should subtract 6 from the decimal classification.

So:
M9 V becomes M3 V
M8 V --> M2 V
M7 V --> M1 V
M6 V --> M0 V
M5 V --> K9 V

I was thinking that the above was how "subtract 6 from the decimal classification" worked at least I was not totally clueless.;-)

So here is what I am getting.

Here is what I am getting from the information provided:

A pre-generated main world that has an atmosphere code between 4 and 9 or a population code of 8+ and Extended System Generation (ESG) Step 4 with the DM applied gives a result for a M5 V through M9 V stars ESG Step 5 applies a -6 to the decimal classification creating a habitable zone in which to place the main world.

Am I on the right track.

If the mainworld isn't habitable (e.g. if it's a vacuum world or asteroid belt or exotic atm) I guess you can keep the star type as it is - the mainworld will just be in the outer zone wherever it is.

I'm thinking that any world that has something that can be exploited can be made habitable by using domes and life support systems. Of course when something goes terribly wrong, like the life support fails, the inhabitants probably won't survive.

And if you haven't generated the mainworld already then ignore this - whatever mainworld you generate later for your M5-M9 V star will be in the Outer Zone by default.

ESG Step 28 Places the Main World.

Where in the Extended System Generation chart was the main world created so I can place the world in the habitable zone?

Do I apply the DMs identified in Steps 30 through 33?

Again thank you for the help.

 

[EDG]

Looking at Step 19 Orbit Zones for Star Size V:
The columns for M5 and M9 have no habitable zones.

Right, that's because MT orbits are 'fixed' and Orbit 0 is 0.2 AU, and the habitable zone for these dim stars would be within that distance.

A pre-generated main world that has an atmosphere code between 4 and 9 or a population code of 8+ and Extended System Generation (ESG) Step 4 with the DM applied gives a result for a M5 V through M9 V stars ESG Step 5 applies a -6 to the decimal classification creating a habitable zone in which to place the main world.

Am I on the right track.

Well, the errata says habitable planet. A world with pop 8+ isn't necessarily habitable, it's just got a lot of people on it (you can have pop 8+ on an airless rockball). To me, a "habitable world" is atm 4-9 only. A world with a breathable atmosphere needs to be in the habitable zone.

So if you have a pregenerated habitable world (atm 4-9) and you roll up an M5-M9 V star for it, then you need to apply the -6 to the decimal classification to turn it into a star that does have a habitable zone (H on the table), and then you put the habitable planet in that habitable orbit.

I'm thinking that any world that has something that can be exploited can be made habitable by using domes and life support systems. Of course when something goes terribly wrong, like the life support fails, the inhabitants probably won't survive.

Sure, but the issue here is that all orbits for M5 - M9 V stars are Outer Zone. A planet in the Outer Zone can still have people living on it, but they'll be in sealed habitats, domes, underground, etc.

ESG Step 28 Places the Main World.

Where in the Extended System Generation chart was the main world created so I can place the world in the habitable zone?

Do I apply the DMs identified in Steps 30 through 33?

Again thank you for the help.

It's called Extended System Generation, but it isn't really. It CAN be used if you go through Basic System Generation on p24-25 (which just makes the mainworld only), but it can also be used to make the mainworld from scratch. you'll get different results with the two systems though, because the Basic SG assumes the mainworld is in the Habitable Zone, and in the Extended SG the mainworld could be anywhere (e.g. the HZ may be an empty orbit).

So if you've already made the mainworld with the Basic SG, follow the instructions in step 28 of the Extended SG. (it says "randomly place the mainworld" there but on page 20 it specifies that the mainworld is the world with the highest population in the system). If you make the mainworld using the Extended SG then you should apply the DMs in Step 30-33 depending on its zone/orbit.

 

[snrdg082102]

Howdy again EDG,

Originally Posted by snrdg082102
Looking at Step 19 Orbit Zones for Star Size V: The columns for M5 and M9 have no habitable zones.

Right, that's because MT orbits are 'fixed' and Orbit 0 is 0.2 AU, and the habitable zone for these dim stars would be within that distance.

Now I'm loosing my warm fuzzy feeling. Wouldn't the habitable zone for M5 through M9 stars, if they existed be less than 0.2 AU.

In the story "Night of Masks" by Andre Norton the main character finds himself on a world orbiting an infrared sun. Apparently the sun had gone nova and scorched the world with out completely wrecking the ecosystem. Of course I'm not sure how plausible the world is, but the story is pretty good in my opinion.

A pre-generated main world that has an atmosphere code between 4 and 9 or a population code of 8+ and Extended System Generation (ESG) Step 4 with the DM applied gives a result for a M5 V through M9 V stars ESG Step 5 applies a -6 to the decimal classification creating a habitable zone in which to place the main world.

Am I on the right track.

Well, the errata says habitable planet. A world with pop 8+ isn't necessarily habitable, it's just got a lot of people on it (you can have pop 8+ on an airless rockball). To me, a "habitable world" is atm 4-9 only. A world with a breathable atmosphere needs to be in the habitable zone

So if you have a pregenerated habitable world (atm 4-9) and you roll up an M5-M9 V star for it, then you need to apply the -6 to the decimal classification to turn it into a star that does have a habitable zone (H on the table), and then you put the habitable planet in that habitable orbit.

The errata for Step 4only changed the DM+4 to DM+5 the criteria is still Atmosphere 4-9 or Population 8+.

Would the population requirement make more sense by changing "or" to "and"?

By upping the DM to +5 there in one chance to get a Type M star instead of two. The errata also upped the chances of getting a Type G from one to two.

I'm thinking that any world that has something that can be exploited can be made habitable by using domes and life support systems. Of course when something goes terribly wrong, like the life support fails, the inhabitants probably won't survive.

Sure, but the issue here is that all orbits for M5 - M9 V stars are Outer Zone. A planet in the Outer Zone can still have people living on it, but they'll be in sealed habitats, domes, underground, etc.

You stated what I met better, thanks for cleaning up my fuzzy writing.

ESG Step 28 Places the Main World.

Where in the Extended System Generation chart was the main world created so I can place the world in the habitable zone?

Do I apply the DMs identified in Steps 30 through 33?

It's called Extended System Generation, but it isn't really. It CAN be used if you go through Basic System Generation on p24-25 (which just makes the mainworld only), but it can also be used to make the mainworld from scratch. you'll get different results with the two systems though, because the Basic SG assumes the mainworld is in the Habitable Zone, and in the Extended SG the mainworld could be anywhere (e.g. the HZ may be an empty orbit).

So if you've already made the mainworld with the Basic SG, follow the instructions in step 28 of the Extended SG. (it says "randomly place the mainworld" there but on page 20 it specifies that the mainworld is the world with the highest population in the system). If you make the mainworld using the Extended SG then you should apply the DMs in Step 30-33 depending on its zone/orbit.

Looks like I may be on the same page here.

If a main world has been generated using the Basic Main World Generation charts apply the DMs in Step 4 and Step 5 then place the world per Step 28.

If a main world was not generated when getting to Step 28 you generate the main world using the Basic generation system applying the DMs listed in Steps 30 to 33 from the Extended Generation system.

I think I may be getting the big picture. Thanks for the help.