Civilizations in Solar Echoes (part 3)

The easiest type of civilization to identify with is our own, which can be characterized as an industrial society. This classification can cover a vast range of time, from when mass production and technology first begin to emerge all the way to when society is able to regularly travel to space. Typically, technology is prevalent in industrial societies, and long distance communication as well as instant information access is common. Most civilizations in the industrial stage are, unfortunately, plagued by infighting between nation states. Some parts of an industrial civilization even experience pre-industrial living, and poverty is an ongoing problem in both industrialized and under-industrialized areas. When running a mission or campaign in Solar Echoes that takes place in an industrialized civilization, the most common challenge the MC will meet is that of familiarity. Players are most familiar with industrialized civilizations and expect that they would mirror our own, so the MC may find some players struggling to “suspend” their disbelief and immerse themselves in a world that is expected to parallel ours.

Civilizations in Solar Echoes (part 2)

Imagine traveling through space and discovering an alien civilization in a pre-industrial stage of development! We always imagine alien cultures to be more advanced than our own, but consider that an alien civilization may be younger than our own, or may have faced circumstances that prevented advancement at the same rate as ours. A pre-industrial society can encompass a vast range of development, and could involve an agriculturally-focused civilization with the beginnings of cities all the way to a society that has begun to manufacture goods and make technological advances to improve the quality of life. These societies will have a basic understanding of science but are likely to still believe in superstitions. Illiteracy or at least poor education will be prevalent, communication over long distances will be limited, and travel will be reliant upon natural means. Medicine in a pre-industrial society is most likely inadequate to deal with disease and overall poor health, which are common challenges for a society in this state. If players visit a pre-industrial world, it is less likely that they will be viewed as “gods” but may be held in high regard for the knowledge and technology they possess, though they might also be viewed with a great amount of distrust and suspicion.

Civilizations in Solar Echoes (part 1)

Traveling around the vast universe in Solar Echoes can bring players into contact with all kinds of alien civilizations. The Mission Controller's imagination is literally the only limit to what the players might encounter. When we designed Solar Echoes, we considered that not all civilizations will be at the same stage of development as the 7 races in the Union. Imagine journeying to a distant planet and discovering intelligent life, and those beings were only in the early stages of technological development? The first type of society that we discuss in the “Mission Controller's Guide” is Neolithic society, which is very primitive and involves the use of only the most basic tools, where the people are living mainly as hunter/gatherers. What could it mean for players when they arrive on this planet? If they crash-landed, could they find the resources needed to repair their ship or signal for help? And how would the inhabitants of the planet view the players, who possess superior technology that would likely be viewed as “magic” to primitive people? Survival on such a world might become quite a challenge when the players' weapons run out of ammunition, and the players may have to learn to adopt the use of more primitive weapons to defend themselves against hostile lifeforms.

Exploring Alien Culture (part 7)

The humans in Solar Echoes have a similar culture to our own, but their experience in space and the process of colonizing a new planet has changed some aspects of human society. For one thing, the long journey wandering through space in the “Ark” starship convoy has given humans a certain resilience and comfort with space travel that is unmatched by the other races. As a result, humans all have an innate talent for piloting in space. In addition to this, the early struggles of managing colonization on their planet, known as “New Terra,” have allowed humans a versatility and adaptability that gives them an edge over the other races. The initial government in New Terran colonies was a Meritocracy, which developed out of the needs of the early colonies. Responsibilities were assigned to individuals with the appropriate skills needed to keep the colony running. Decisive and intelligent people quickly became the chosen leaders. Eventually, new roles were assigned when people in existing roles were unable to fulfill their duties or perform them sufficiently. The colonies finally divided into states ruled by governors, and appointments were made through the votes of the colonists. Now that the Human population has exploded upon New Terra, countless disputes have arisen over appointments, with arguments ranging beyond merit and skill to now focus on morality and character. Voters have become very influenced by the campaigning of individuals seeking office, and politics have slowed practical development. If this sounds familiar, ask yourself if you think we humans will change much in the future. Hopefully democracy will still be in style, because things certainly could be worse (a dictatorship, for example.)

Exploring Alien Culture (part 6)

Archaeloid society is influenced a great deal by the process their young must endure to survive. Archaeloid young are left on their own in the great oceans until they reach adulthood, if they can survive that long. Once they have matured, these young adults are welcomed into society and a great loyalty exists among Archaeloid people because of the respect they have for each other for surviving the trials of the harsh ocean environment. As a result, their society is structured to award anyone who has developed a strong work ethic, and Archaeloids look down upon anyone with a victim mentality—it is their belief that no one is owed anything. Honesty is another aspect of Archaeloid culture because Archaeloids reflect their emotions through skin coloration involuntarily, which has made it difficult for them to lie effectively. However, they are quite skilled in telling only the truths they want people to know. The other races are quite aware of this, and in some political situations, wild accusations have been thrown at the Archaeloids just to see if they might confess to anything.

Exploring Alien Culture (part 5)

Reln society is focused on education, and those who are awarded places in the government have gained that opportunity through recognition of their many degrees and academic achievements. In Reln culture, education is a life-long pursuit, not something that stops after one or two degrees are earned. The Reln continue their education while maintaining full-time or part-time work, throughout their lives, and it is only when they retire that Reln are legally allowed to have children (Reln are able to bear children throughout their entire life, without age-related risks.) This society has suffered what many now refer to as “educational inflation,” where keeping a job is about staying ahead of others, continually adding on certifications and degrees to remain competitive. Whenever they are not working, Reln are constantly reading or researching, with a tenacity that is driven by an obsessive fear of falling behind. In our own world, we only need to look around us to see the same thing happening. This is especially present in the medical community, but is also becoming more and more apparent in other fields. With less and less time for children because of the demands placed upon us by our jobs, how will the human race cope with this shift in society? We don't have the physiology of the Reln in Solar Echoes, and educational demands push us closer and closer to the dangers of “geriatric pregnancy,” which begins at age 35. Will our society eventually degenerate to the dystopian vision chillingly illustrated in the comedic movie "Idiocracy?"

Exploring Alien Culture (part 4)

The culture of the reptilian aliens, the Krissethi, is highly competitive and very materialistic. Krissethi are all about status, and image is very important in their society. Clothing, jewelry, and other displays of wealth are a measure of one's status in this culture, and Krissethi status is derived from their family name. The Krissethi language itself is designed so that one must use honorifics and speak “up” to those of higher status, which is determined by understanding the complex hierarchy of the clans. Those of higher status may make more demands upon people of lower clans, and though not everyone abuses it, it is common to see people taking full advantage of this system. The capitalistic system of the Krissethi does allow for great shifts in power, however, as clan fame is directly tied to their economic success. When a clan experiences failure in their businesses and suffers financial set-backs, sometimes the very clans that had to talk up to them suddenly find themselves in the position to require the same. If this doesn't remind you of certain cultures in our own world, some aspects of it are clearly here in America, though much stronger examples of it can be seen in some Asian countries. For example, some Asian languages are designed such that younger people must speak up to anyone that is older, in addition to the obligation to unquestioningly serve and obey the elders. The upside is that Asians treat their elders with far more respect and care than most other countries.