Agent of the Imperium, page 34
(Alliana-5 [F7 V] AA86831-C)
The Geonee, a minor branch of Humanity, are one of the oldest human interstellar cultures in charted space (behind only the Suerrat and Vilani).
The Vargr of Lair
(Kneng-3 [G5 V] A8859B9-F)
The Vargr live generally coreward of the Imperium: upright bipeds with a humanoid body plan, the result of some obscure Ancient genetic manipulations (of the canids of Terra).
The Zhodani of Zhdant
(Pliebr-2 [K0 V] A6549C8-F)
The Zhodani, a branch of Humanity, live spinward of the Imperium; their evolutionary path diverged long ago as they embraced psionics as an integral part of their society.
The Aslan of Kusyu
(Tyeyo-3 [G4 V] A876986-E)
The Aslan (in their language: Fteirle) are the dominant sophonts in regions spinward of Terra: four-limbed, upright, bipedal, carnivore/pouncer felinoids.
The Hivers of Guaran
(Primary-2 [K1 V] A667800-F)
Hivers are best described as strange, giant, intelligent land-dwelling starfish. They are silent (they speak in a gesture language) geniuses with obscure motives.
The K’kree of Kirur
(Gzang-5 [F1 V] B863A03-F)
The K’kree are herd-oriented, aggressive vegetarians. The apostrophe in their name is a glottal stop: to many listeners, their name is a strange choking sound.
The Droyne of Droynia
(original location unknown)
The Droyne are six-limbed (two are wings), upright, bipedal omnivore/ gatherers, and who occupy a variety of pastoral worlds in and around the Imperium. They are the scattered remnants of the fantastic Ancients who swept through this spiral arm 300,000 years ago.
The Bwaps of Maharaban
(Glowl-2 [G4 V]) A4698AB-B)
The Bwaps world-view is that everyone has a place in the greater structure of the universe. Uncomfortable in less than 90% humidity; they adapt with special wetted clothing and headband
The Llellewyloly of Junidy
(Vlov-4 [F7 V] B434ABD-B)
The Llellewyloly have five multi-jointed limbs which function as hands and feet and senses interchangeably; the spherical central body is covered with long, coarse hair. They thrive in a thin atmosphere where Humans cannot.
The Threep of Othsekuu
(Toll-1 [M1 V] B789856-C)
The Threep are radially symmetrical 3-peds in a roughly human pattern. They have deficient hearing and resultingly booming voices. Their sensory palps express their perception sense.
The Virushi of Virshash
(Thintle-6 [F9 V] DA86954-6)
The Virushi are eight-limbed horn-nosed gentle giants. The Virushi are among the largest intelligent races encountered by Humaniti. Formidable in appearance, the truth is that they are confirmed pacifists with great abilities in the medical (or perhaps the veterinary) field.
TRAVELLER5
This novel is set in the Traveller universe, governed by the events (the canon) of the background and history that has been chronicled since the role-playing game was first published in 1977.
To a different extent, activity is governed by the game rules (which have varied by edition over time). Nevertheless, the game rules envision a specific universe where interstellar travel is accomplished by jump (which takes the same 168 hours plus or minus a tenth) regardless of distance (ranging from 1 to 6 parsecs), and where communication is restricted to the same limit.
The current edition of Traveller is:
5 Traveller5 (T5). The fifth of the direct line of editions of the Traveller game system, ambitiously intended as the ultimate science-fiction role-playing system covering near everything in role-playing, and capable of managing situations across a variety of eras and technology levels.
The previous editions are:
1 Classic Traveller (CT). The original edition of Traveller published by GDW Game Designers’ Workshop 1977. The intention was a generic science-fiction system, but it quickly concentrated on the Third Imperium as a setting supported with adventures and supplements.
2 MegaTraveller (MT). The second edition of Traveller published by GDW 1987, introduced a unified task game mechanic supported by a fully developed skill system; it advanced the Traveller universe history and setting into the Rebellion era.
3 Traveller: The New Era (TNE). The third edition of Traveller, the last to be published by GDW 1993, adopted GDW’s RPG House System rules (also used for its Twilight: 2000 and Dark Conspiracy role-playing games). Adventures chronicled the aftermath of a widespread collapse of interstellar civilization.
4 Marc Miller’s Traveller (T4). The fourth edition of Traveller, published by Imperium Games 1996 (after GDW closed its doors). Its adventures and supplements chronicle the founding years (beginning in Year Zero) of the Third Imperium.
5 GURPS Traveller (GT). A truly parallel edition (published by Steve Jackson Games 1998) chronicling an alternate universe in which Emperor Strephon was not assassinated (in 1116) and the MegaTraveller Rebellion did not happen. This edition adapted the setting to the Steve Jackson Games GURPS rules set.
6 Mongoose Traveller (MgT). Produced as a universal science-fiction role-playing rules set (published by Mongoose Games 2007), this edition again emphasized the Spinward Marches and its surrounding sectors.
Recognitions
The Traveller role-playing game and its primary designer Marc Miller have been individually inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Academy of Adventure Gaming in recognition of their contributions to adventure gaming.
EMPERORS AND EMPRESSES
OF THE THIRD IMPERIUM
Acknowledgments
I am indebted to a close circle of writers and critics who have advised me in ways that I can never fully acknowledge.
Don McKinney, whose wise counsel has helped me
avoid problems more than once.
Robert Eaglestone, whose fountain of imagination constantly challenges me to make my work better.
Greg Lee, whose writing skill gives me a standard
to which I can aspire.
Charles Gannon, whose supportive encouragement
he may not fully realize.
Matt Adcock, whose musical insights have helped me
see greater depth in these stories.
and finally,
Darlene Miller, my wife and best friend,
who supports me in everything I do.
About the Author
Marc Miller started out as a classically trained science fiction reader, raised on Campbell’s Astounding and Analog, reading all the greats: Smith, Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, Norton, and all the rest.
Miller became an award-winning game designer with more than 70 titles across historical and SF genres, and was recognized with multiple awards for game-design excellence. His military and SF experiences shaped the Traveller universe he created for role-playing gamers, and now he chronicles that universe in the traditional form that so influenced him.
He lives in Bloomington, Illinois, with his wife, Darlene.
This is Miller’s first novel.
Marc Miller, Agent of the Imperium
