Eras

Eras are unique periods in the galaxy's timeline, in which both the rules of the sandbox and contact motivations all shift as well as a time to tell the special stories of the Star Traders. Currently, the Arbiters story line drives the birth of an Era. While some Story Vignettes only occur or are confined to a specific Era, some will bridge multiple Eras in larger arcs.

Eras are populated with Story Vignettes that give additional perspective on the events, turmoil, or after effects of an Era. One example is the "Rabble Rousers" vignette which is introduced through a Contact known to the player, This type of story line is introduced by matching an Era, Contact and Contact Traits and connecting a relevant Story Vignette. This allows the game to drive story lines through more of the contacts you know and link the story lines, and their associated risks, into your existing network.

## Faen-Char Conflict

During the exodus, the Star Trader fleet was scattered and various fragments of the fleet came to rest in different quadrants, which they colonized and made their homes. In time, Hyperwarp Gates were discovered that linked the lost quadrants together in a vast network. The Gates provide new opportunities and great potential for enterprising Star Traders, but they also bring more and more competing factions back into contact. Tensions flare and the limits of Shalun are put to the test. One great conflict between the Faen and Char families typifies the cycles of violence that threaten the social fabric of the Star Traders Civilization.

* All conflicts and rumors appear at normal rates
* The Compelling Passenger and Arbiter Neutrality Story Missions are available
* The Advocating Amendments Story Missions are available
* The Zette Faen, Erik Faen and Valencia Faen story arcs are all available
* The Political Crusade Story Missions are available
* Blood Feud Story Missions become available later in the Era

## Second Founding

Arbiter Brokstrom is trying to get political support for a coalition of factions/clans before it gets voted on by the leaderships. You can choose to assist her with gaining political support while being introduced to some high level contacts from various factions.

* Cadar Support Mission - Estelle will have you contact (Prince Aiden Cannaught) during the (name of mission [and also needs fleshed out in a separate link for Story Missions])
* Zenrin Support Mission - You will be introduced to (Prince Michael Gunn) during the (name of mission)
* Moklumnue Support Mission - You will be introduced to (Prince Damein lumotte) during the (name of mission)

## Early Coalition Era

The United Coalition, the first central government of the Star Traders, has been founded on Ryeline Ganne after being spearheaded by the Arbiter Estelle Brokstrom. A newly born entity, the Coalition is gathering support, sending out its emissaries and testing the limits of it's new power. While open hostilities are limited, every faction is wrestling to find its footing and gather strength in the new era. The peaceful moment has sparked and economic boom.

* Faction Contacts will increase Diplomatic, Spy and Smuggling missions while reducing overtly violent missions
* Decreased rate of Solar War and Duel of Assassins Conflicts
* Increased rate of Trade Alliances
* Merchant fleet rumors are on the rise
* Reduced rate of Blockade and Civil Unrest rumors
* Increased rate of Mercenary and Tax rumors
* Council Liaisons replace Senate Liaison Faction Contacts.
* New United Council Emissaries and Commanders are being assigned and seated on faction worlds across the galaxy.
* Estelle Brokstrom offers Coalition Foundation Missions to deliver Coalition Emissaries to their new posts.

## 3rd Century

Both economic bonds and feuds between the factions grow as the hyperwarp gates continue to interconnect the many quadrants. The 3rd Century since the end of the Exodus has great changes and perhaps will still see more.

* Surplus rumors are more likely to occur
* Mercenary rumors are more likely to occur
* Xeno fleet and radiation storm rumors are more likely to occur
* Spy Wars and Trade Alliances are more likely to occur
* More United Council Emissaries and Commanders are appearing.
* The Sudden Departure Story Vignette may be encountered.

## Plague Era

Across the galaxy, medical wards and hospitals are inundated with floods of the sick and dying. Those struck by the Crimson Pox are contagious before their symptoms are obvious--before the night sweats and before they cough up blood, before the final, fatal fever.

* First Infections and Outbreak Rumors appear
* Visiting infected landing zones may cause your crew to develop the trait Pox Infected
* Zones producing Basic Medicines and Advanced Medicines are likely suffer Medical Shortage Rumors
* Pirate Fleet Rumors are more likely to occur
* Merchants, Smuggler and Pirates are all more likely to have Basic or Advanced Medicines in their holds
* Heavy Patrol and Plague Blockade Rumors are more likely to occur
* Few Academy Doctor, Chaesin Doctor or Gestalt Technologist Contacts become available in this era
* Trade Ban and Trade War Conflicts are more likely to occur
* Solar Wars will not occur in this era
* The era is introduced by the Sudden Departure and subsequent Mob Attack Story Vignettes.
* Chaesin Doctors will offer missions help find a cure for the plague.

## Coalition Consolidation

With the United Coalition having past is [sic] early stages, Arbiter Brokstrom has begun a second major political push to consolidate the union's power as well as to secure a military force and fleet to help enforce and protect Shalun Law.

* The continued stabilizing and lawful force of the United Coalition has increased its standing within the galaxy. While many still view it with skepticism, within the upper echelons of factor power it is gaining traction.
* Both fear and anger are driving an anti-coalition surge and those voices who have long rallied against the union are crying 'Guild' even louder. The disaffected populace of some zones are rising up in violence, looting, and may suffer Anti-Coalition Riots Rumor.
* In order to rapidly grow the battalions of the United Defense Force, the Coalition is urging factions to recruit aggressively which will result in UDF Recruitment Drive Rumors.
* In a time of both growing upheaval and growing prosperity, Mercenaries, Starport Boom, and Tariffs Rumors are also more common.
* The growing influence of the Coalition is driving an increase in Orbital Construction Rumors but Pirate Fleets are also more prevalent, picking off the full shipping lanes.
* New United Council Emissaries, Commanders, and Liaisons are constantly being assigned and seated on faction worlds across the galaxy.
* In the face of a strengthening Coalition, the faction are choosing to keep their battles less overt. Solar Wars are unlikely while Spy Wars, Duel of Assassins and Trade Alliances are far more common.
* Merchants and Smugglers are more likely to have Power Generators and Water Purifiers in their cargo holds while Pirates are more likely to be carrying Weapon Components.

This Era is one of two alternates that can appear from a certain questline involving the Arbiter's past. Depending on the decisions that you have made, Coalition Dissension may appear instead.

## Coalition Dissension

Arbiter Brokstrom's support is crumbling and calls for her resignation, growing due to the leak of evidence of her involvement with the Gux Mastermind Cult. All while bitter discord has arisen between Thulun and De Valtos as to who will take the Coalition's reigns of leadership.

* Great damage has been done to the Coalition's standing within the galaxy. Once seen as a new order and a stabilizing force, it is now seen with suspicion at every turn.
* With their sights set on the position of the Coalition's magnate, the de facto leaders of the great houses and syndicates Thulun and De Valtos are clashing directly in a power struggle across the entire galaxy, At the lead are Councilor Brace Whitclaire of De Valtos and Councilor Brigatta von Sha of Thulun.
* Battling across faction lines for supremacy, all conflicts are Syndicate versus great houses and no Alliance will form between syndicates and great houses.
* As political tension and anti-Coalition sentiment are spiking, the disaffected populace of some zones are rising up in violence, looting and may suffer Anti-Coalition Riots Rumor.
* With conflict and strife spreading between the factions Mercenaries, Tariffs, Shortage and Embargo Rumors are more common during these trying times.
* Sabotage and aggressive trade policies are leading to an increase in Orbital Disaster and Trade Blockades system Rumors, while entire quadrants are likely to fall under Heavy Patrols Rumors
* Merchants, Smugglers and Pirates are all more likely to have Weapon Components and Capital Ship Components in their cargo holds.
* Faction zealotry is at an all time high and more Faction Militant, Naval Recruiters,. Naval Commanders and Judicial Counsel Contacts will become available during this era.

## Jyeeta Brood Awakening

* Interstellar travel to this quadrant through hyperwarp gates may be met with immediate attack from the Jyeeta xeno.

* The Jyeeta brood's awakening puts all deep space and system travel at risk. Jyeeta Xeno are more likely to interrupt space travel or appear during any orbital operation.
* While the sudden and overwhelming awakening of the jyeeta brood is already over, Jyeeta Spore Rumors are common in any wilderness areas and iyeeta are likely to attack while Exploring.
* The constant threat of void-snakes appearing out of the void has made most ships less hostile to other human vessels. However, both Pirates and Smugglers look to profit from the infestation and are more hostile.
* Emanating from this central point, the jyeeta are spreading far and wide during their cycle, and Jyeeta Siege Rumors are common over systems as well as Derelict Space Hiue Rumors.
* Threatened by such an external destroyer, the factions are more likely to band together in Alliances and Trade Alliances and no leader will tolerate a Solar War.
* Such dangerous times weigh heavily on the crews' mind. Any deep space travel Skill failures will be amplified and additional morale lost. The xeno threat has brought the quadrant economy to a halt and Shortage and Civil unrest Rumors are common while any Contacts within this quadrant are sure to lose influence.
* Those madmen who hunt the xeno will find the factions more eager to reward their efforts with Reputation and credits.