In place of a star, the Torem system is dominated by a black hole. The warping of spacetime makes bypassing the system via jumpgate infeasible, so ships must traverse traverse the debris field in a relay step between gates -- a hazardous route, even for experienced pilots!
However, despite the risks, Torem offers unique opportunities: a myriad of valuable resources are pulled into the system, creating a brief window where they can be exploited before they are lost forever.
Notable Places
Hotel Eternity: Intended as a luxury resort in a one-of-a-kind location, this partially constructed space station has been abandoned for decades. After brazen violations of safety standards resulted in numerous mass casualty disasters during construction, key investors withdrew funding and the project was abandoned.
The Torment Flag: The battle-damaged flagship of the legendary space pirate Jeronimo Blake was lost somewhere in this system over a century ago. Many treasure hunters have sought to find his final resting place, and the treasures surely hidden within...
Buoy ZZ74: A long-term scientific observation station that provides a steady stream of data about interesting debris drawn towards their final end.
SB-176
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You don't need a planet in order to mine. You don't even need ground. This combination "mining" platform and space colony is responsible for extracting resources from debris in the Torem gravity well. Hundreds of mining and salvage rigs swarm the debris fields to feed this central hub, from which recovered materials are forwarded to systems that can use them.
Rule: Engagement rolls on SB-176 itself are always at -1d due to ever-present station monitoring. Any jobs run against Guilders here are considered to be on hostile turf.
Scenes
The hum of generators in the darkened side passages leading to the lower levels.
Dingy workers shouting in the cramped quarters of the processing bays.
Station enforcers breaking up a picket line while yelling about quotas
Notables
Yast Jor: Guilder head of the outpost. Jor is known for getting things done, even if it means bending the rules. A thrill-seeker, he keeps a Guild-enhanced racing ship for rare days off. (commanding, shrewd, bold)
Kasumi Ortcutt: A mystic who claims to hear the Voice of the Abyss, the spirit of the black hole. Trades information, including esoterica on the Precursors. (passionate, strange, religious)
Espa "Bolt" Wu: Labour organizer for the Guild miners. Rabble-rouser beloved by the workers. Has been incarcerated numerous times for crimes both real and fabricated. (popular, dissident, ambitious)
The Cove
The Maelstrom pirates have made a station out of derelict freighters, cargo containers, and stolen scrap metal. They call this home "the Cove." Enterprising individuals can discover where it is located if they have the tenacity or contacts — though it moves about within the gravity storms of the debris fields. Only the best friends of pirates might be granted Storm Drives to facilitate reliable navigation.
Rule: Conflicts at the Cove are rampant, but by Banshee's decree no murder is allowed. Those needing to settle blood feuds resort to kidnapping and killing folks outside the debris fields.
Scenes
Quick bets taken on an open brawl between two captains over slights.
Blue-white sparks of maintenance workers welding on a new ship.
Fresh water misting over rows of hydroponics.
A station-wide broadcast of the Banshee's latest conquest, followed by cheers throughout the halls.
Notables
Pirate Queen Alanda “the Banshee” Ryle : A larger-than-life figure with a hatred for the Hegemony. Tough and violent, she enforces a pirate code on those who would follow her. Once stranded her first lieutenant on a barren world for mutiny. (proud, demanding, honourable)
Praxis Ivanov: Merchant always willing to make a deal. His tentacles are tattooed with the story of his several-hundred-year life. (xeno, experienced, loves to barter)
Kai Quag: Mid-level Cobalt boss. Arranges protection for Cobalt smuggling runs and meets with potential clients at the Cove. (cautious, charming, confident)