TNE Only: Reavers' Deep in 1125

[Hyphen]

Dear Folks -

I've uploaded a map of Reavers' Deep (and Daibei) in 1125, snipped out of Survival Margin:
http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Gallery/index.php?n=2139

There is an area coloured in small dots - which represents Frontiers - covering most of the Hryaroaa and half of the Scotian Deep subsectors. This area, according to the various Pilot's Guides and travellermap, is an area between all the polities; they are all independent systems.

Does anyone have a clue as to why they are designated "Frontiers"?

My best guesses to this point, are:

• it is designated incorrectly - it should really have been coloured in sparse dots, because it's really a Wilds area - like that section rimward of the Daibei Federation, between it and Solomani space;
• it's in the wrong spot, an was meant to designate the Principality of Caledon, and should really cover the adjoining halves of the Scotian Deep and Caledon subsectors.

Anyone with HIWG knowledge? Other ideas and suggestions?

 

[GypsyComet]

Some (theoretically) educated guesses here:

They are not Imperial worlds or particularly aligned with Imperial interests, so the dissolution of the Peace of Ftahalr does not affect them. As such, the Aslan are not raiding there.

They are insulated from the Daibei/Solomani unpleasantness by Caledon. Not being former Solomani territory either, they are not being sought after. Caledon secured the spinward edge of the conflict, but got sucked in or involved economically, so they have been subject to depredation.

The next closest Rebellion faction is Dulinor, who already has ways to strike at Daibei if he wants to, and is limited to certain cross-rift paths.

The area hasn't changed. It has always been "Frontier". It is just that now that condition is better than average instead of the other way around.

 

[Sstefan]

.... or the sophont at the ABB didn't get enough coffee prior to getting this data to the publisher...

Lack of :coffeegulp: does strange things to people, but half a cup of it in your hard-drive does wonders! :rofl:

 

[Whipsnade]

Does anyone have a clue as to why they are designated "Frontiers"?

My best guesses to this point, are: (snip of good guesses)

Editing errors are most likely, but why not look for an in-game reason? While I wouldn't exactly call them clues, there are a few hints or plausible excuses.

Did you notice in the earlier 1123 and 1124 SM maps that the region was designated as Wilds? Then, suddenly, in 1125 it's a Frontier. What's the primary difference between the two designations? Shipping safety.

Wilds are said to ... forsaken by all factions... so there is ... no law or protection... apart what from worlds can create themselves.

Frontiers, on the other hand, see a ... level of naval patrolling... which is sufficient to ... encourage moderate interstellar trade and transport.

Could it be that, sometime in late 1124 or early 1125, a force which was able to provide a sufficient level of naval patrolling moved into the region? That some group showed up, ran off enough the raiders and pirates, and ships started flying again?

Where's the group from? You answered that in you original post: The Principality of Caledon. Some naval forces escaped whatever destroyed that polity, eventually gathered in the region you spotted, and now they're trading their military muscle to the local systems in return for supplies and bases. True to their heritage, they're fighting reavers again.

Who knows how long it will last (actually we do know, 1130), but as long as the spare parts and maintenance skills last there's a small part of Reaver's Deep being lit by a flickering candle.

 

[Hyphen]

Dear Folks -

Hi Bill! Thanks for responding.

In 1119, most of the Deep was considered Safe (ponder the irony).

Then, on the 1123 map, most of the Deep was designated Outlands (i.e. one step worse than Frontiers).

Then the 1125 map shows the section I marked above, where things have supposedly improved. (So I obviously have no idea what's going on.) ;-)

I certainly appreciate your suggested solution. Intriguing. I'll pass it on to my GM, who's currently got us digging up a cache on New Covenant in 1201 or so. ;-) I'm playing a remnant who misjumped from Concorde right as the Virus hit. I was researching where my character may have been jumping to, and found this puzzle.

 

[Whipsnade]

Hi Bill! Thanks for responding.

No problem. Hope you can use some of it.

In 1119, most of the Deep was considered Safe (ponder the irony).

It's all relative. The Deep is considered Safe because there isn't an Imperium-spanning war taking place there.

Then, on the 1123 map, most of the Deep was designated Outlands (i.e. one step worse than Frontiers).

Yup, as I noted. Something toppled, damaged, destroyed, whatever all the multi-system polities. Local wars began, interstellar patrolling ceased and/or fell apart, and the number of raiders and pirates exploded.

Then the 1125 map shows the section I marked above, where things have supposedly improved. (So I obviously have no idea what's going on.) ;-)

Enough remnants of the Caledon navy and perhaps others drifted into the region, someone got a Bright Idea, and the patrols began again.

Might work, might not. All depends on your group and your group's decisions.

 

[savage]

The next closest Rebellion faction is Dulinor, who already has ways to strike at Daibei if he wants to, and is limited to certain cross-rift paths.

As a former part of the Domain. Dulinor and Daibei we're not shooting at each other. Daibei took a hands off approach to Dulinor and Margaret. Lucan attacked when Daibei refused to support the campaign vs Dulinor. Daibei had it's hands full with Lucan, the Solomani, and Aslan.