Starfall: Vistra
Contents
System Information[edit]
Star: (G) Yellow
- Pathas Class 2, Super-Terran (G3, R1, A2, P4, H3)
- Arma Class 1, Terran (G2, R1, A2, P4, H2)
- Dersol Class 1, Super-Terran (G2, R1, A2, P4, H2)
- Andrea Belt Comet Belt
- Rown Class 2, Sub-Terran (G3, R1, A1, P4, H0)
Civilization[edit]
Arma and Dersol are both heavily populated planets dotted with floating cities that float above the dense atmosphere. The largest population is on Dersol, which also boasts life that resemble terrestrial aquatic life that "swims" through the thick air. Because of the thick cloud cover, Dersol is in a perpetual cycle of night and twilight.
Arma and Pathas also contain life, in both cases the life has yet to advance beyond the single celled level.
People and Culture[edit]
The people of Vistra tend to have lighter skin tones and hair. The population is split between humans and sesheyans. Solar and Seshan are the two most common languages.
The culture here is nearly completely urban. The floating cities are large and over populated in many areas, so the people tend to live in large vertical buildings that stab upward into the night sky. Rainfall is common here and wind is pretty much perpetual so the people tend to dress in long coats and hoods sometimes. Despite the darkness, sunglasses have gained a bizarre degree of popularity, a trend that might have started with the sesheyans because of their sensitivity to light, but spread to the human population.
The people tend to hold somewhat spiritual attitudes about things and have adopted certain ideas from Pharaoh and the Fraal. Because of this the population has a very high number of mind walkers.
The population also has an incredible passion for computers and information. The interest in computers is very rooted in Vista culture as are ideas about free ideas and the exchange of information.
I.C.S. has a strong influence in this system, a fact that many resent. This has resulted in an underground resistance culture that engandges in frequent violent action against I.C.S. and its operatives.
History[edit]
Scientific study was being done in Vistra as early as 2210 because of the abundance of life in the system. In 2249 citizens living in the system petitioned the newly formed Galactic Senate for inclusion as a stellar nation.
Like many new systems after the Stellar War, Vistra became a haven for those who were seeking a new start. Computer programmers were needed here, in order to manage the huge floating cities that were being built to house the growing population. Programmers were granted a salary by the government, which had grown wealthy by exporting its biological resources. Since these programmers were all employed by the government and tasked with solving the same problems, they were encouraged to share their ideas and findings.
This attitude towards sharing information and technology caught on with the population and soon many programmers and computer enthusiast flocked to the system to form a Free Information Culture. This situation prooved quite profitable for the government, who was able to export the more lucrative technologies.
In 2275, a group of fugitives from a corporate war on I.C.S. brought valuable technology with them that they had stolen from a rival company. I.C.S. quickly noticed that Vista was making a profit from this stolen technology and threatened military action unless Vistra payed huge royalties to I.C.S. on all technologies using the stolen data, or derived from it. These terms were unacceptable to Vistra, who petitioned the Galactic Senate for assistance. I.C.S. was under an obligation to pay the Senate back for its war activities, which prompted a majority in the senate to side with I.C.S. in this dispute.
Vistra maintained its resistance to the terms and I.C.S. attacked Vistra and overwhelmed it in a very short war. In addition to the fees that essentially have placed Vistra under control of I.C.S., I.C.S. has set up a number of "Corporate Satellites" in order to monitor and control I.C.S.'s interests in the system. Essentially taking control of many technologies developed in the system.
Because of the heavy handed nature of I.C.S.'s policies a culture of resistance has taken root in Vistra. These resistance groups have engaged in acts of gorilla warfare and terrorism against the I.C.S. holdings. It is widely believed that many members of the Vistra government supports and sponsers these groups.
The Grid[edit]
One of the major innovations of Vistra is the Grid. This is an evolution of other forms of computer networks that have existed since the 20th century. Unlike other computer networks, the Gird is constructed in a parallel dimension that exists on a higher frequency than our own. Grid users are able to enter this dimension by way of a special computer terminal called a Grid Caster. The user does not actually enter the Grid, but rather forms a projection of themselves there. These projection are known as Shadow Forms.
The Gird has been essential in the free flow of ideas in Vistra and an entire culture devoted to it has emerged. It has been theorized that at some point technology will advance to the point were the Grid will extend outside of the Vistra system. Since the other dimension does not seem to be affected by our concept of distance, this would make instantaneous communication between the stars finally possible.
Another theory about the future of Grid technology is that it may be possible to project a shadow form into out own dimension. If this is ever proven true, it could completely change the nature of human society.
Game Information[edit]
In addition to the rules in the PHB Vistrs Citizens also have the following traits:
Psionics: Vistras with psionic abilities gain an additional PEP.
Favored Skill: Computer Science or Technical Science
