Looking for ideas and general discussion on this, since every system is different and narrowly prescriptive rules may not work well (or at all).
The situation - assuming things go the PCs’ way in an upcoming major space battle (Not A Given - the PCs can influence the results either way by their actions), my players may end up in a position of great influence with a local system government. The main world is non-aligned and TL 3 with a decrepit Class D starport (damaged during a recent people’s revolt), has a Pop of 6 (millions) and trade codes of Lo Tech and Agricultural. There is a ready market for ag goods via Jump-2 route in an Imperial system 5 parsecs away (Hi Pop) and a non-Imperial multistellar polity across a small rift at about the same distance. Relations with the Imperium are currently wary neutrality (general dislike of outsiders and mistrust of Imperial motives). With the other polity it will likely be active hostility (see upcoming major space battle).
The rest of the system has two gas giants, two asteroid belts and a pirate free port; other that the free port (Pop 4, TL 8) out system populations are isolated stations or roving belters. The new (post-revolution) main world government knows very little about the outer settlements but will want to do what it can to bring them under its control. They are still getting themselves organized a bit but economic development and defense are already high priorities. (Simply put they don’t like depending on hired outsiders to defend their planet but at TL 3 they don’t have much choice).
The players are largely focused on mercantile and exploration pursuits and realize there are opportunities to do both here. They have already done work for the revolutionary government and enjoy good relations with them. The space battle coming up would give them opportunities to improve those relationships. Assuming their side wins...
What I’m doing right now is gathering up some thoughts on what the players might do if the main world government looks to them for advice on improving the system economy. The main world government is keenly aware that they need to grow their economy to fund a decent system defense - or barter for protection with one of their neighbors, which would go over very badly with their citizens.
I’ve modeled the trade flows based on the system in GURPS Far Trader (which I like). Under those rules, economic development in terms of increasing off world trade would be driven by:
- upgrades to the starport (desired by the new government)
- raising the TL (likely controversial with elements within the current government)
- increasing the population (not on anyone’s radar but the Far Trader rules suggest it could help)
- signing free trade agreements with its neighbors (the players are well-suited to support, but not without challenges given the main world’s attitudes towards outsiders)
So - what other kinds of things could be on their list? All suggestions welcome. Trying to get a variety of thoughts together so as things evolve I can have some idea of what to say if they come up with something (or things that the main world government might think are really good ideas).
Thanks! (In advance)
The situation - assuming things go the PCs’ way in an upcoming major space battle (Not A Given - the PCs can influence the results either way by their actions), my players may end up in a position of great influence with a local system government. The main world is non-aligned and TL 3 with a decrepit Class D starport (damaged during a recent people’s revolt), has a Pop of 6 (millions) and trade codes of Lo Tech and Agricultural. There is a ready market for ag goods via Jump-2 route in an Imperial system 5 parsecs away (Hi Pop) and a non-Imperial multistellar polity across a small rift at about the same distance. Relations with the Imperium are currently wary neutrality (general dislike of outsiders and mistrust of Imperial motives). With the other polity it will likely be active hostility (see upcoming major space battle).
The rest of the system has two gas giants, two asteroid belts and a pirate free port; other that the free port (Pop 4, TL 8) out system populations are isolated stations or roving belters. The new (post-revolution) main world government knows very little about the outer settlements but will want to do what it can to bring them under its control. They are still getting themselves organized a bit but economic development and defense are already high priorities. (Simply put they don’t like depending on hired outsiders to defend their planet but at TL 3 they don’t have much choice).
The players are largely focused on mercantile and exploration pursuits and realize there are opportunities to do both here. They have already done work for the revolutionary government and enjoy good relations with them. The space battle coming up would give them opportunities to improve those relationships. Assuming their side wins...
What I’m doing right now is gathering up some thoughts on what the players might do if the main world government looks to them for advice on improving the system economy. The main world government is keenly aware that they need to grow their economy to fund a decent system defense - or barter for protection with one of their neighbors, which would go over very badly with their citizens.
I’ve modeled the trade flows based on the system in GURPS Far Trader (which I like). Under those rules, economic development in terms of increasing off world trade would be driven by:
- upgrades to the starport (desired by the new government)
- raising the TL (likely controversial with elements within the current government)
- increasing the population (not on anyone’s radar but the Far Trader rules suggest it could help)
- signing free trade agreements with its neighbors (the players are well-suited to support, but not without challenges given the main world’s attitudes towards outsiders)
So - what other kinds of things could be on their list? All suggestions welcome. Trying to get a variety of thoughts together so as things evolve I can have some idea of what to say if they come up with something (or things that the main world government might think are really good ideas).
Thanks! (In advance)