"Pssst! Psssssssstt!"
The Yazirian walking through the Minzii marketplace slowed when he heard the
hissing and glanced around. He was a dangerous-looking type, possibly one of the
newly arrived mercenaries brought in to settle a mega-corp dispute on the other
side of Bizarre. He located the source of the third "pssst" and stooped down
next to the stall selling Grothian crystals.
Standing underneath the crystal-laden table was an Ifshnit, black body hair
carefully braided in the manner of a roving Capellan merchant. His tiny stature
was emphasized by the gun case he was leaning on; compared to his own diminutive
height it looked like a huge suitcase.
"Greeted well, simian warrior."
The enforcer had no liking for word games but knew Ifshnit customs demanded
that the potential customer recognize the merchant as an honorable
tradesman.
Searching his mind for the correct phrasing, the Yazirian stammered, "Uh,
recognized with respect and delight, esteemed shopkeeper. What might you have in
the way of special items for a needy enforcer."
The little face grinned, huge eyes glistening with delight. "Oh nothing,
surely, that a traveled, experienced personage such as yourself has not seen in
his past wanderings. Only some trinkets and unusual weapons."
The last remark was meant to tantalize. It did.
The warrior, feeling a fool for kneeling in the marketplace's dirt street and
appearing as if he was talking to a table, began growling with
irritation.
"Show me anyway, distinguished barterer, that I may broaden my
experience."
The Ifshnit waved his ringed hand in the air. "No, no, I could not humiliate
myself by revealing to your seasoned eyes my meager wares no matter how rare
they may be."
"All right you little pirate," the Yazirian snapped, temper flaring and teeth
bared. "I have a few precious minutes before I 'bap' to another part of your
soggy planet. Do you have something to sell or not?"
Though ruffled by the Yazirian's impatience, the Ifshnit felt confident of a
sale. Smiling enigmatically, he flipped open the weapon case and turned it
toward the monkeyish face. Inside, the strangely shaped weapon gleamed, even in
the shade of the table. Its muzzle was still sealed by the manufacturer's stamp,
proving the weapon had never been used.
The Yazirian's eyes narrowed. ''Is this authentic?" A slight nod from the
merchant sent the warrior's eyes back to the beckoning weapon.
Small, jeweled hands snapped open compartments and removed insulating panels.
''A WarTech Omega Bolt with tooled krickhide holster. The belt holds six
powerclips."
The Yazirian smiled slowly, licking his lips. ''I think we can do business,
esteemed one."
Welcome to Zebulon's Guide to Frontier Space. This book is your
introduction to the of ficial, updated, streamlined version of the STAR
FRONTIERS® Alpha Dawn roleplaying game.
Within this book you will find new player character and non-player character
races, and an optional STAR FRONTIERS character, the mentalist. A set of rules
for skills that incorporates over 100 skills and allows much more freedom in
character development is introduced, along with a new set of combat rules that
speeds up and simplifies game play.
The second part of this book gives you more background on the Frontier than
was ever available before. It describes the current limits of the Frontier,
complete with expanded planet descriptions, a map of known Frontier systems, a
brief history of the Frontier sector, background on the megacorporations,
cadres, and cults that control the UPF, and a large section on new equipment:
weapons, defenses, security devices, body computers, and more.
This book is designed for use with the STAR FRONTIERS Alpha Dawn role-playing
game and cannot be properly used without it. It builds upon that game's
foundation, but does not completely replace it. The referee should have a
working knowledge of the STAR FRONTIERS game before using this product.
Climb aboard, but be prepared to enter a new Frontier full of wonders that
you never dared dream of.
A WORD ABOUT THE NEW RACES
The Osakar, Ifshnits, and Humma have inhabited the Rim System worlds for
centuries. They were incorporated into Frontier society during the Second Sathar
War (SWII) when their help was desperately needed.
While they are legally entitled to all the rights and privileges of UPF
members, antiRim prejudice is common on worlds that are several jumps away from
the Sathar border. Inhabitants of these protected worlds view the Rim as a
collection of "Znoggy Come Latelies" (a PanGal term for anyone who arrives after
the rough work is done, supposedly inspired by Captain Znogg whose forgotten
warship never fired a shot and was never hit by one). This prejudice is never
found on those planets that were directly involved in the Second Sathar
War.
The fourth race, the Mechanons is included because its presence on the
Frontier has had increasing impact in the last few decades. The Mechanons should
be used only as non-player characters, like the Sathar. They are not, however,
an evil race. It just so happens that most Mechanon interests conflict with the
interests of the Frontier and the UPF.