Exotic (A) Atmosphere and Trade Codes

[FallingPhoenix]

As of now, and atmosphere of 10 and any hydro above zero gives the trade code Fluid Oceans (Fl), meaning that the oceans are something other than water.

It seems that a world resembling earth before life existed would best fit Atmosphere code 10, which would mean water oceans, not fluid oceans.

On the other hand, would something like Titan (Saturn's moon) be Atmosphere code 10 also, or are the hydrocarbons more dangerous and thus better fit B? Maybe the trade codes should have a note about temperature?

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Yes to both questions. The problem is that the rules once you get away from breathable atmospheres have always been vague.

Fluid Oceans HAS to be general. It shouldn't ALWAYS mean non-water oceans (ala Titan) but it could. It should also be used to represent Primordial Earth.

Fluid Ocean is a designator for a world "Non-breathable atmosphere with liquid on the surface" Depending on Temperature, it could be water(ish), liquid methane or liquid sodium.

 

[FallingPhoenix]

Fluid Ocean is a designator for a world "Non-breathable atmosphere with liquid on the surface" Depending on Temperature, it could be water(ish), liquid methane or liquid sodium.

If this is so, then the description of Fluid Oceans needs to change as it currently reads: "Worlds where the surface liquid is something other than water, and so are incompatible with Earth-derived life."

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Yes, that is what I believe should happen. Even non-sciency people with a decent High School education will know that Earth had an Exotic Atmosphere early in its history, but had liquid water oceans... Heck that is where life developed!

Per Traveller, you cannot have a Primordial Earth because you cannot have liquid water oceans with a non-oxygen atmosphere.