PANDEMONIUM

PANDEMONIUM A

Planetary Setting

This chapter presents a detailed look at one of the planets of the

Pandemonium Traits

Known Worlds — Pandemonium, once a backwater world but now a nexus for important secrets affecting noble houses, Church sects and

Ruler: House Decados (Count Enis Sharn)

League guilds. This chapter is intended for gamemasters only and

Cathedral: Orthodox

should not be read by players — they will only spoil their fun by

Agora: The Bazaar (Scravers)

knowing some of the secrets revealed herein.

Garrison: 4

History

Capitol: The Hub Jumps: 4

Grange was once the breadbasket of the Second Republic. The

Adjacent worlds: Rampart and Apshai (Dayside), Iver

planet was modified by a terraforming genius named Gilgar to yield

(Nightside)

fertile crops year round. Cargo ships constantly plied the jumproads to

Solar System: Barloom (0.465 AU), Sheen (0.801 AU), Luck

and from Grange to bring its bounty to all the worlds of the Republic.

(1.7 AU), Pandemonium (2.78 AU; Flaxom, Floxom, Everlight),

It took more than 25 years for Gilgar to transform the original

Farcry (44.23 AU), Shiver (67.77 AU), Jumpgate-1 (77.3 AU),

environment of Grange from a perpetual sandstorm into a planet with

Jumpgate-2 (123.5 AU)

rich soil and plentiful water. The task was not easy, but Gilgar was a

Of the three small moons around Pandemonium, Flaxom

driven man. Why he chose to transform a desert into a garden para-

and Floxom have irregular orbits and Everlight has a stable or-

dise is unknown, although vanity surely had a lot to do with it. Gilgar

bit. But Everlight’s stable orbit has begun to slowly deteriorate

was the only apprentice to Doramos, the legendary architect of

due to malfunctioning of the terraforming engines.

Pentateuch. Grange was to be his masterpiece. Like many works of

Tech: 5

art, it had to be lost for many years before it could be appreciated.

Human population: 500,000 (estimated)

During the riots of the Fall, disgruntled terrorists managed a never-

Alien population: 100+

before conceived feat: they damaged the main jumpgate leading to

Resources: Ores, Ur artifacts

Grange. Shipments had to reroute through lesser gates, but in the

Exports: Refined ore, Ur artifacts, slaves

confusion of the succession, many of these gates were lost. Fanatics

Landscape: Post-terraforming cataclysms shake the planet,

destroyed computers and jumpkeys, and some planets deliberately

causing a riotous profusion of many biomes. Vast plains of farm-

shut themselves off from the madness going on around them. When

land still exist, but they are mostly deserted. While badlands no-

the dust cleared and the blood spilt by revolution had dried, whole

mads still roam the cataclysmic terrain, most of the populace

worlds were gone, unreachable through the vastness of space, their

huddles around or within the walls of the Hub.

jump coordinates lost in the great data purges. Grange was one such world. One hundred years ago, Grange was rediscovered. Complicated

tainous southern hemisphere long ago. Occasionally, population ex-

diplomatic dealings with the Vau on Apshai involved an exchange of

plosions would lead to conflict and wars, but these would eventually

gifts. The Vau gave Count Vano Juandaastas a jumpkey that would

die out when the population was once again steady. Slowly, however,

open the jumpgate from Apshai to the lost world of Grange. The Vau

technology regressed. The planet had few technicians to begin with,

seemed to have no interest in the world, though they had known for

and those it did have were practical rather than theoretical. But high

centuries how to reach it. The count immediately went to investigate

tech was not missed. The people retained a practical knowledge of

this grand find.

everything they needed, including medicine and crop planting methods.

He discovered a peaceful and stable world. The farmers of Grange continued on after the Fall in a virtual paradise. Famine was a myth,

Count Vano Juandaastas was overjoyed. He believed he had found

and the predatory beasts of the field had been penned in the moun-

a world that would allow his family to once again rise to prominence.

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PANDEMONIUM But among the Grange populace was a small but respected family proud

Three small outposts, with populations of only a few hundred

of its Second Republic heritage and its family name: al-Malik.

each, were destroyed as the ground heaved beneath them. The people

Over the next decades, Grange was torn by conflict as Juandaastas

in the area were never found, but the remains of the various outposts

fought with al-Malik over rulership of Grange. By the year 4951, the

can still be seen, poking out from a vast sandy plain, or resting atop a

al-Malik won and forced all Juandaastas off the planet. Baron Afil al-

newly formed mountain. Before long, another of the great engines

Malik rushed to Grange with a boon from the family head to rule the

stopped functioning, and hundreds of people were forced to leave the

planet. He had an ulterior motive in mind. A psychic he encountered

settlements their ancestors had built as violent storms and savage

in a brothel on Istakhr swore to him that there was something impor-

earthquakes brought their communities to ruin.

tant on Grange, but could not say what. Afil meant to find that some-

Count Enis Sharn immediately sent for qualified technicians to

thing. He spent a substantial amount of his money searching for hid-

ensure that the engines beneath the Hub continued to function prop-

den treasures on every continent of Grange and on the surrounding

erly, and sent messengers to all of the outposts he could locate, warn-

worlds. Years went by, and finally he had to admit that he’d been had.

ing that only the capitol was safe from the massive devastation. In

Nearly destitute and embarrassed in the eyes of his family, Afil turned

less than a year’s time, the Hub was overflowing with immigrants

to an old friend and business associate for help.

from all points on the globe, and the ravaging storms had claimed

Count Enis Sharn of House Decados was willing to aid his old

most of the world. Despite Sharn’s warnings, many stayed in their

friend, even though both families where embroiled in the Emperor

settlements. They have not been heard from since.

Wars’ bitter give and take of land and power. Secret negotiations with

True to the count’s warnings, only the Hub remained stable. If

Duke Hakim al-Malik put the world in Decados hands without any

not for the ruler of the planet, many of the citizens would surely have

bloodshed. Although the amount Sharn paid for the rights to the world

perished. Many feared that even the capitol would fall, but the Su-

and the system was not quite as much as Afil might have wished, the

preme Order of Engineers have managed to keep the area stable, and

transaction did manage to save him from financial ruin.

the dread felt by most of the refugees has calmed. News of the planet’s

Historians and pundits to this day wonder what was exchanged

troubles spread far and wide, and universally, Grange earned a new

in secret, what powerful favor or relic could possibly be worth owner-

name: Pandemonium.

ship of an entire world. Certainly, Pandemonium would have been

Since then, new jumpgate coordinates have been gleaned from

very hard to maintain for the al-Malik, for it lies three jumps from

the dysfunctional gate, allowing a jumproad to be opened from the

their closest world. But why sell to the Decados? Why not award the

working jumpgate to the long lost world of Iver. This world is un-

planet to the Emperor, who the duke was even then allying with?

equivocally claimed by the Decados, since it can only be opened through

Some who claim to know state that the exchange was a preventative

their jumpgate. However, the bounty of this new world is the source

measure: Pandemonium was given in return for the Decados giving

of dangerous conflicts — the rulers of Iver are descendants of House

up all claim to the legendary lost world of Yathrib, which, once found,

Chauki, once overthrown and eliminated by the Hazat. Their very ex-

would mean immeasurable wealth to the al-Malik for its pilgrimage

istence threatens the Hazat’s legitimate ownership of Chauki lands,

value alone — Yathrib is the world where the Prophet received his

should they try to make a claim upon them. Hazat now crawl the

vision of the Holy Flame.

spaceways and streets of Pandemonium, seeking to prevent any Chauki

Regardless the reason for the planet’s new ownership, in 4981

from leaving Iver for the Known Worlds.

Count Sharn set about trying to glean any possible truth about the

Pandemonium has an embarrassment of new discoveries and

wealth hidden on the planet. But the League beat him to it. Entirely by

conflicts, leading many to coin the adage: “Beware a Vau bearing gifts.”

Present Conflicts

accident, a second jumpgate was discovered beyond the fringe of the solar system by the Charioteers. Never before had two jumpgates been discovered in the same system. However, the new jumpgate was not

The recent discovery of Iver has caused a substantial increase in

operational, and in fact seemed incomplete, as if work on it had been

the population of the already overcrowded planet. Other noble houses

abandoned before it was finished. The League had hit the jackpot —

have made their presence known on Pandemonium, and the Church

this incomplete gate could tell them more about the workings of exist-

has nearly tripled its representatives here. The Charioteers are staying

ing jumpgates than any before. The problem, of course, came down to

busy, as fortune seekers and others pay for passage to Pandemonium

ownership. The Decados claim it, because it is near Grange, but the

in search of wealth, power or simple confirmation of their faith. The

League say it is theirs because it sits outside the system and is thus

rumors of lost Ur artifacts have only increased the influx of newcom-

covered under the ancient laws of salvage discovery (laws lobbied

ers. It is not at all uncommon for a group of treasure hunters to come

long and hard for by Scravers). Both parties have taken their claim to

from a dozen different planets, each seeking to make a fortune.

the Emperor and await his decision. As of 4999, Alexius has still

With so many new people mixing into the chaos of so many relo-

avoided ruling on the issue.

cated natives, the Hub has become an almost lawless arena. Rules

But just as this wondrous Ur-artifact was discovered, disaster

and regulations once held immutable are now ignored with no fear of

struck on Grange. The great terraforming engines that maintained the

retaliation. The town guards are as corrupt as anyone else on Pande-

nearly perfect atmosphere began to malfunction. On the other side of

monium. Although a few will still take the time to arrest anyone they

the planet — far away from the safe haven of the Hub, the capitol city

actually see committing a crime (especially if that crime is in the north-

and by far the most technologically advanced location on the planet —

western wealthy district), most will look the other way in exchange

the first signs of the cataclysms appeared.

for financial compensation. There is little the Decados can do about

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PANDEMONIUM the matter. Despite their willingness to stay and fight for a profitable

of the Hub used to come to contemplate life or to picnic with loved

resolution of the jumpgate argument, their finances are not infinite.

ones, the scavengers of Pandemonium now gather to sell their wares

Most of the assets available to Count Enis Sharn are tied up in a dozen

to anyone who can afford their price. The Bazaar is run by the Scravers,

expensive programs, and what little remains in addition is used to

but many independent operators move about the area, selling food

make sure that Manse Sharn remains inviolate.

and stolen goods, or simply seeking prey weak enough to kill for a

The new money flowing into Pandemonium’s economy has not

meal.

helped matters. In an area where money can purchase almost any-

With the terraforming in most parts of the world gone, many

thing, including temporary loyalty, whoever spends the most, rules.

have come to take advantage of the rich metals that are easily claimed

Despite the legal claims of the Decados, several other houses are in

from the ruined land. Heavy industry has taken away even the last

the process of moving into the area, seeking news of Iver or the mys-

vestiges of the parks, replacing the lush greenery with massive facto-

terious second jumpgate, plundering the planet’s natural resources or

ries for refining the ores and smelting them into ingots easily trans-

establishing connections to use later, when the matter of who owns

ported off-planet. Even as the citizens of Pandemonium try to cope

the second jumpgate is resolved.

with the changes in their life, the Decados and others are making the

There are also numerous small-time operators in the Hub. These

most of the situation. Many of the guilds building new factories in the

individuals and organizations are unscrupulous and hungry. Several

Hub employ armed security forces to evict anyone who tries to find

roving groups make their living by assaulting those foolish enough to

shelter within their buildings. Few in Pandemonium are happy about

walk alone. Once they have taken everything of value from their vic-

the new industrial age that the cataclysms have brought.

tim, they turn him over to the Chainers in exchange for a few firebirds.

Even as the world falls apart, strange life forms, unseen for al-

Gambling outfits and prostitution rings are abundant, as are those

most a thousand years, are returning to the turbulence beyond the

dealing in stolen weapons and contraband of every imaginable sort. A

Hub. The preserves where these creatures were held are gone. Odd

dozen fences work the Bazaar, dealing in both properties and secrets.

creatures that do not fit into the world Gilgar envisioned have seem-

While it is often hard to know whose information is accurate, these

ingly returned from the grave, and even in the Hub native plants that

rumor brokers tend to be fairly honest: Those who cheat their cus-

were once deemed harmless have begun to grow with almost virulent

tomers usually do not live long. Possibly the heaviest trade in the

speed. Swarms of violent creatures roam the Badlands, often stalking

Bazaar comes in the form of mercenary work for hire. In the teeming

into the capital city in search of food or shelter from the unpredictable

chaos of the Hub, a person who knows how to kill is a valuable com-

tremors that rock the planet.

modity.

For 25 miles in any direction from the center of the Hub (where

The Hub

the starport is located), the air is normally calm and life goes on. Be-

The Hub once housed some 100,000 people. These days, virtu-

once suburbs of the Hub are now outside the area of protection. While

ally the entire remaining population of Pandemonium calls the capitol

the cataclysms have not destroyed these suburbs, they are in constant

home. While others are rumored to still survive in the Badlands, no

danger. Harsh storms blow through the area, and poison gasses waft

one has heard from them. Half a million people have been forced to

across the land, causing violent coughing fits and occasionally even

move from everything they once called their own. The people have to

killing the weak. Once-sturdy buildings are now crumbling into ruin,

take meager comfort in the only remaining city the planet can provide.

and the roads are cracked and blistered. Only the most destitute souls

Many claim that House Decados is responsible for the cataclysms,

live in these suburbs, and there is little they will not do for a chance to

that the constant scouring for hidden treasures caused the destruction

move into “the Circle,” where the solitary terraforming engine guar-

of the great engines buried far beneath the ground — or that they

antees safety from the rapidly encroaching Badlands. Violence and

attempted to activate the second jumpgate, causing a magnetic distur-

murder are commonplace in the area, and few dare walk past the vis-

bance that effects celestial phenomena the system over. The count

ible line of demarcation. There are rumors that the Chainers are using

does not acknowledge this rumor. Instead, the ruler of Pandemonium

the areas just outside the Circle as a fresh source of new slaves. The

does his best to accommodate a population that far exceeds the avail-

desperate and often half-starved people in the area are easy pickings

able resources.

for the Muster, and few except their families notice when refugees are

yond this distance, the world lies in ruin. Large parts of what were

taken.

The once-tranquil Hub has expanded into a miasmic pool of chaos.

Graaf, “King of Thieves”

All along the edges of the long-established homes and buildings of the city, small collections of people have built their own, crude struc-

The small operators in the Bazaar — indeed, in all of the Hub —

tures. These hovels are seldom strong enough to actually be called

must answer to one man when it comes to their conflicts. That man is

buildings, but they are all that most can afford. The prosperous farm-

Graaf, a secretive figure, often heard of and seldom seen. Some claim

ing communities are gone, destroyed by the violent weather and dan-

that Graaf is actually an alien, one with powerful connections on sev-

gerous upheavals that have devoured most of Pandemonium. Instead,

eral planets. Most scoff at the notion, feeling that an alien could not

small farms have been set up within the city, walled off and guarded

hope to hold the sort of power that Graaf maintains. Despite his title

from starving peasants.

as the “king of thieves” Graaf tends to act as the unofficial mayor of

The once-proud memorial gardens dedicated to Gilgar have been

the Hub. It is said that everyone of import in the Bazaar owes their

replaced by a massive collection of tents and lean-tos. Where the people

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PANDEMONIUM status to Graaf. An equally strong statement is that everyone answers

is still with them, offering his aid in their time of greatest need. While

to Graaf for the crimes they commit. Some whisper that Graaf is actu-

incomplete, the cathedral stands as a testament to the Church’s dedi-

ally a member of the Imperial Eye, the Emperor’s intelligence agency.

cation to life. The cathedral is an inspiration to many, and it is not

All that is really certain about the mysterious figure behind the crimi-

uncommon for pilgrimages to leave the Hub and wander across a sub-

nal activities in the Hub is that those who cross him seldom live long

stantial part of the Badlands in order to reach the site where surely

enough to brag about their deeds.

the Pancreator’s miracles can be seen. Despite the tumultuous up-

The Cathedral in the Badlands

heavals and violent storms, the cathedral still stands unharmed. Surely this is evidence of the Pancreator’s will for all to survive. Others point to the recent surge in artifacts appearing in the Hub since cathedral construction began. They whisper that the cathedral construction may

The Orthodox Church has recently come to Pandemonium, offer-

hide a Church archaeological dig for Ur or Second Republic artifacts

ing guidance to the people of a world in turmoil. A great cathedral is

thrust up from the ground by the cataclysms.

under construction in the Badlands. The purpose of this structure is simple enough: The people of Pandemonium realize that the Pancreator

The adventure continues in Complete Pandemonium, a booklet providing more detail on Pandemonium and three beginning adventures. (Available in a bundle with the Fading Suns Gamemasters Screen, Second Edition.)

Ask for it from your local retailer or order online at www.holistic-design.com

Holistic Design Inc. 5295 Hwy 78, D-337 Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Written by: Bill Bridges ©2001 by Holistic Design Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permision of the publisher is expressly denied, except for the purpose of reviews. Fading Suns and Pandemonium are trademarks and copyrights of Holistic Design Inc. The mention of or reference to any companies or products in these pages is not a challenge to the trademarks or copyrights concerned. Printed in the US of A

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