User Guide

all of known space with large enough quantities of Fitz to be profitable for min-
ing. Three of them are owned by the Syndicate, who consumes all they can pro-
duce. Two others are independent. The last is the planet Harmony.
Harmony alone produces three-fifths of all the Fitz in known space. The planet
is almost solid Fitzholnium, and that is its primary defense. Anyone wishing to
take over Harmony would be foolish to fire at the planet, for too large an explo-
sion could set off a chain reaction that would destroy Harmony completely. The
Syndicate knows that to truly control the galaxy, they must control the supply of
Fitzholnium, and to do this they must rule the planet Harmony.
The Syndicate keeps moving onward, and stopping them will be difficult. The
syndicate’s goal of Manifest Destiny is one which will be accomplished, unless
you can do something to stop them.
The Syndicate controls one side of known space, which has three population and
defense heavy planets, one space station and three small Fitzholnium mining
planets. The configuration is such that the three main planets and the space sta-
tion are more or less arranged around the three smaller planets, with a minefield
between the two.
Finding a solution is more complicated than just making money or being a mili-
tary power. Encouraging exploration, investigation and knowledge is equally as
important. Make friends and enemies carefully because you never know what
will come out of relationships made in haste.
Remember, you are Overlord of Harmony, and like any political leader, foreign
affairs are only half the concern. Don’t forget about your own citizens. Check
their opinion of you. Pay them a fair wage or suffer the consequences. Giving
them too much money is just as careless, as it encourages misbehavior and de-
prives the state of needed resources. There is a balance between kindness and
temperance on your part.
Strategy
You must generate revenue for financing your defenses against the encroaching
syndicate, and for financing interstellar exploration and conquest.
Other than cost, there is no downside to research. There are pitfalls, however. If
you are expecting a specific result from the research teams keep in mind that
nothing works all the time. Factors both within and beyond your control can
work to subvert any experiment. As well, project managers have a certain
amount of autonomy with regards to research direction. They may come up with
something similar to what you required, but it will rarely be exactly what you
need.
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The economy cannot run on the sale of Harmony research products alone
What
ever you do to generate revenue, rememer there IS an up and down side to ev
erything. Extortion is quick, and relatively easy but can make enemies III a
hurry. Planning an insurgence campaign is fraught with pitfalls. You can lose
agents and fleets of spacecraft at an unknown planet.
Mining is a safe way to make money, but it is labor intensive and costly.
Keep
one eye open for mines which have ceased to be profitable, as Fitzholnum is
generally found near Harmony’s surface.
You are not operating in a vacuum. While you take care of your own immediate
concerns, bear in mind the larger issues. There are forces at work in the galaxy
and you must be wary of them. The Syndicate is not waiting around until you
are good and ready to tight them. The natural defenses of a high amount of Fitz
in the ground will only hold out for so long. A way might be found to overcome
those defenses, unless you take the proper steps.
Military might is a good deterrent for invaders, but this is also one of the quick-
est ways to spend your money. Choose your weapons and ships with a close eye
on the bottom line. The flashiest option doesn’t always get the job done. The
more officers on board each vessel, the better prepared it is for battle. Moreover,
the more officers you have, the more money goes out the door in wages.
There is no one right way to defeat the Syndicate and make the galaxy safe. This
is the real thing, and your decisions affect other people as much as theirs affect
you. The choices you make can lead to victory, or straight into the hands of
death.
To assist you in making decisions, there are a number of intelligence reports
which you can refer to for information. The Renegades Guide has compiled
these reports on most of the known planets and personalities. These are the most
detailed descriptive accounts available anywhere on the inter-galactic communi-
cations network.
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