Hyperspaces
HYPERSPACES are those spaces
collectively and colloquially called
the Humpbacked Sky. These are the
spaces Spheres of various sizes and
qualities are suspended in æther.
SPHERES are
those things and
spaces on which
things are and
there is a
boundary between
an atmosphere or
different density of the æther of
hyperspace. A moon, a planet, or any
other celestial body, even a stellar
system can be a sphere. A sphere can
even contain other spheres. The
boundaries are commonly either a
semi-permeable membrane or a
perforated indestructible crystal.
There are several grades of spheres:
Lesser Spheres: those that are of
minor note and have their existence
defined by their relationship to
another sphere. Moons and comets are
common examples.
Common Spheres: these are locations
of large note and generally also,
not always, larger celestial bodies.
Most planets and stars are examples,
even though planets are defined in
some manner by a star.
Greater Spheres: these are a cluster
or collection of lesser and common
spheres, in other words a standard
stellar system. The other notable
quality is that these contain æther
if only in the most rarefied. In
some, the æther is a harsh vacuum,
but in most it is generally
breathable.
Grand Spheres: these are so vast for
ÆTHERJACK’S
most purposes can be considered to
not exist or matter. In other games,
these fulfill the role of a sector.
ALMANAC
In grand spheres the æther of
hyperspace is visible in a variety
of colors both describable and not,
as well as violently energetic.
ÆTHER is the substance within
Greater and Grand spheres that other
spheres are suspended in. In the
densities that it is in Grand
spheres, and manner of engine that
burns or consumes a fuel, such as
the common conventional engines
detailed in issues 1 and 3, and the
rarer elemental engine, explodes,
the engineer, captain, or some other
important operator must test Luck
(Skill for NPCs) to have only the
engine explode, otherwise the ship
blows up.
This leaves three ways to traverse
the æther by ship: golden sails
only, spell engines (both detailed
in issue 1), or a hyperspace gate.
Gates are some kind of entry into a
different hyperspace with predefined
endpoints and fixed travel times. The
specifics are up to y’all, and likely
each set of gates or networks should
work differently. You can see my High
Fructose Hyperspace for a way a
network could be run.
Text © 2020 by Ian Woolley
Orc Head Logo © 2019 by Ian Woolley
Number Four
Troika Compatibility Logo aka Fortle ©
2019 by Sam Mameli @better_legends
Ætherjack’s Almanac: Number Four
Shellfolx & Spheresailing is an
Shellfolx & Spheresailing
independent production by Ian Woolley
and is not affiliated with Melsonian
Arts Council. By Ian Woolley
 Shell Person Background Artifacts
Shell Person Courier Ship
You were a sickly child, whom your parents couldn't care for. They enrolled One of the most common models of courier ships is an exotic golden fish. Of course
you into an academy for children like you where you were grafted into a with the neglect that comes from shellfolx more worried on paying of their
golden barge and taught a modicum of the skills needed to ferry folx and student loans than a pristine appearance, their hulls become a shimmering scale-
mail between spheres. like patchwork.
Possessions Days Air: 150 human months (6 months
fully crewed)
Small Golden Barge (Courier Ship) Crew (Min/Max): 2/25
A megacredit student and ship loan debt Cargo: 13 tons
Autostell Drone Maneuver: 1
Ship Rating: 2 (Golden Sails & Fins)
Advanced Skills Armor: 0
2 Astrology Hull: 25
2 Golden Barge Piloting Weapons: None with mounting for 1 light
2 Mathmology and 1 medium weapon
2 Painting
2 Singing
1 Cooking Autostell Drone
Special A common series of autonomous utility
drones. They can be best described as a
You are encased in a sealed container one vacuum cleaner with a knife and an
quarter to one half the size of a attitude.
human, that can be connected to Skill 8
most any ship with the Stamina 8
appropriate tools and Initiative 2
skill. Outside of Armor 0
this container you Damage as Knife (light utility cutters
will die in 1d3 and manipulators)
minutes. Special
It is possible to upgrade and install
addons into autostells, which many
owners do. There are multiple kinds of
upgrades such as welding torches, hard
light projectors, beverage dispensers,
and various game programs. In their base
configuration they count as a crewperson.
Mien 1d6
1. Passive-Aggressive
2. Cheerful
3. Focused
4. Playful
5. Antagonistic
6. Destructive