StarForge Lore

- A very special thanks to Tarius who helped revise parts of the StarForge Lore.

Earth - Why We Left

During the years 2073-2253 Humanity enjoyed relative peace on earth and most funds were diverted to deep space exploration and small bases were setup on the Moon and Mars. However a new problem soon emerged. A large increase in earthquakes started to occur, not just on Earth, but on the Moon and Mars as well. As it was soon to be discovered, a rogue black hole had entered into a large decaying orbit with the Sun. The estimates shown that in less than a thousand years, the gravitational tidal forces would become too great for any planet in the solar system to be livable.

To deal with this harsh reality, the nations of Earth created the New Space Initiative. All telescopes available scanned the skies for new worlds while archives of ones currently known were scanned below.

A planet was found and deemed habitable. It came to be known as Atlas, due to our hopes that one day it would carry the Earth on its shoulders. Also at this time, scientists discovered how to make objects travel at almost the speed of light. However, even with the relativistic effects of near light-speed travel and medical advances in longevity, the planet was still too far away for any human to reach in one lifetime.

So, for the next 1000 years, Earth sent resources to this new planet in hopes of one day sending humans there. Every corporation on Earth was required to send massive amounts of equipment and weaponry. They were contained in huge freighters on a one way mission. With the frieghters, the sum total of human knowledge was also included on various data disks so nothing would be forgotten. To help prepare the planet for habitation, robots were also sent to seed the land with common trees, grasses, food, and shrubs.

It was soon determined, via the superlunimal communicators carried by the freighters, that many of the advance supplies which had been sent were disappearing. Details were sparse on what was occuring, but it appeared that they were being taken by creatures that were acting in a seemingly intelligent way; and these were the ones that arrived to begin with, many were lost on the way there due to unknown reasons. Despite this fact, supplies continued to be sent; too much had already been invested to turn back.

It was the dawn of the new millennium. There was a somber tone in the streets of every city on every corner of the Earth. Everyone was under the shadow of death on top of the quaking earth. It would have been better to be maimed and thrown in the depths of the seas then live through these times.

Fortuitously, it then came: The invention of warp drive, allowing man to travel into the depths of space within an instant.

In the year 3085, you have already left Earth, choosen through a lottery system to be part of Humanity's new home. With you aboard the Lifeships, countless others travel in their cryopods, sleeping with the dream that they will be able to wake up and have a second chance. You have been choosen as one of the advance scouts that will prepare the way for the others.

After being sent ahead of the massive Lifeships, contact with them was soon lost and to make matters worse, most of the advance scouts were hit by unexpected atmospheric turbulance on the way in, scattering everyone and everything and wrecking most of what you carried.

After first planet fall on Atlas, your only goal now is to survive the new planet and ensure humanity's survival. Whatever it takes, you must now face the unknown alone...

Atlas - A Planetary Study

Gravity: 0.9468g

Mean Radius: 6584km

Mass: 1.00707Earth

Atmospheric Composition:

97% Earth Density

76.68% Nitrogen

21.25% Oxygen

1.04 Argon

0.023 Carbon Dioxide

~1% Water Vapor (depends on climate)

~.001% Unknown

Atlas is situated at the edge of the Orion Star Cluster. In the life bearing zone of its star, with gravity and atmospheric composition roughly the same as Earth, it was a prime candidate for colonization.

Atlas has one moon which seems to have collided with a very large object in the near past. The effect of this was that large chunks have been sheared off, sending many pieces into unstable orbits around the planet. Many of these are still colliding with the planet to this day. The orbit of the moon itself requires closer long-term observation to determine orbit stability.

The fauna(animals) inhabiting the planet is one of the more interesting topics. There are several numerous and highly viscious species. What we call the Leech is the most common and seems to come in many different forms. In most cases, these creatures make their homes under the planet's surface and are highly territorial. The highest concentrations of these creatures seem to be located around higher density mineral and metal deposites. Little more is known.

Due to the planet seemingly being untouched by resource gathering, and the fact that there is 1000 years of resources from Earth still arriving, everything that is needed to rebuild civilization exists here. Further study will still be required however due to the resources that are constantly being deposited by the moon's pieces. The pieces of moon that land are helping to create near surface mineral and metal deposits. These will be easy to access - provided you can get past the creatures that congregate near them.

Survivor Database - Messages From Atlas.

"Atlas, a place of refuge and a place of horror. If only we knew exactly what was in store for us we may have reconsidered. I am now inclined to believe the rumors that we may have sent ships to other planets - why pick so harsh a place as our best hope for survival..." - Survivor #1185 - Cause of death - Torn to shreds by the Leech.

"If anyone hears this. I built a tower. I built refuge. Come seek me, coordinates, 42,33,535 Zone 853. I will play this message until my generator dies." - Survivor #8233 - Alive

"Today I found a strange artifact and brought it home. It had interesting designs on it and is warm to the touch." - Survivor #3253 - Cause of Death - Unknown.

"It is amazing. My fortress walls extend as far as the eye can see." - Survivor #952 - Alive

"This world is deep. I lost my best friend in a hole yesterday. His screams echoed as he was swallowed whole by some sort of madness beneath the surface." - Survivor #434 - Alive

"Help! I am trapped. I can smell them... If I stay silent they won't hear me." - Survivor #43 - Cause Of Death - Starvation

"Perhaps peace will come. I remain deep in the woods. Their screams are loud but comforting." - Survivor #523 - Alive

"I enjoy the storms. It is time I bathed in nature. Atlas, how I love your beauty and grace." - Survivor #963 - Cause of Death - Torn to shreds by Unknown.