Idella Rift

The Idella Rift is a large astrographic feature lying across multiple sectors towards the spinward edge of Charted Space.

• It is a rift area of very low stellar density.
• It is a significant barrier to interstellar travel.

Details / Specifications

The Idella Rift is the name given to a series of contiguous rifts and voids lying adjacent to the Great Rift. It is also the name of the largest of these rifts.

Locally at least, a rift is an astrographic concept based on Jump Drive performance.

The highest tech level commonly encountered this far to spinward of the Third Imperium is TL–12, though a few worlds may be more advanced.

• This level of technology allows the routine use of up to Jump-3 drives.
• Areas that cannot be crossed by Jump-3-capable vessels are denoted as rifts.

Rift Regions.
The star Theta Borealis is marked in red.

A basic map showing the Idella Rift and its environs.

• Top Row: Fulani Sector, Vanguard Reaches.
• Bottom Row: Theron Sector, Iphigenaia Sector.

(Chart sourced from Traveller Map)

Rift Regions

The Idella Rift is considered to consist of five distinct regions:

• The Helix Rift and the Diadem Rift, covering more than 160 map hexes between them.
• The Idella Rift proper, covering more than 270 map hexes.
• The Hunter Divide, covering approximately 170 map hexes.
• The Gulfs, a complex of minor rifts and voids lying to spinward. These include:
  • The Astron Voids.
  • The Heart of Encha.
  • The Thetan Void.
• The Outer Voids, a series of isolated rift areas lying far to spinward, primarily within Astron and Theta Borealis sectors. These include:
  • The Hudson Expanse.
  • The Longer Void.
  • The Thetan Rift.

Helix Nebula

The Idella Rift contains the Helix Nebula, a vast cloud of gas (molecular hydrogen and helium) and dust (a term meaning elements heavier than helium, such as nitrogen, oxygen, or ethane). The nebula is centered on a white dwarf stellar remnant.

The nebula is sometimes referred to as "The Eye of God".

Travel

Because of its size, the Idella Rift prevents easy travel by vessels with less than Jump-6 drives. There are a few narrow corridors of stars that allow ships with a lower jump capability to cross it: these corridors also serve to carve the greater rift into smaller named regions.

• The rift forms a significant obstacle to travel and commerce.

History & Background (Dossier)

The Idella Rift is a desolate and lonely place, its empty heart fringed by unpopulated, untamed wilderness systems.

• A few deep-frozen rogue worlds may lie within its boundaries.

Historical Eras: 1105

The first explorers within the region were almost certainly far-flung Zhodani, though they left few tangible traces of their presence.

The first recorded explorations occurred thousands of years later, when humans of the Rule of Man, using new Terran J-3 drives, were able to cross the rift with relative ease and enter the empty sectors that lay spinward of it.

The first Terran human in the area whose name is known with certainty was the colorful Eniri Hudson, a retired bureaucrat turned frontiersman and explorer. Hudson was active within the region ca -1800, kept scrupulous records, and wrote extensively about his travels.

The Rift was first fully charted during the 400s, during the Imperial First Survey.

Historical Events Timeline: 1105

• -5415: The Zhodani discover jump drive technology.
• -2431: Terrans discover jump drive technology.
• ca -1900: The first known human explorers are active in the region (Terrans of the Rule of Man).
• 300-420: The Imperial First Survey charts the region.
• 420: The region is officially named.
• 995-1065: The Second Survey charts the region.

Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)

This astrographic feature is primarily found in the following areas:

• Fulani Sector
• Iphigenaia Sector
• Theron Sector
• Vanguard Reaches Sector

World Listing

The systems and worlds associated with this astrographic feature are:

27 of 27 World articles in Idella Rift

Ansachor  •  Chith  •  Chtezhzienz  •  Clemmon  •  Copalibo  •  Eloccor  •  Evvori  •  Ferilin  •  Haralo  •  Hesha  •  Idella  •  Jarisk  •  Lemabur  •  Marastin  •  Menseso  •  Mihuatalu  •  Miweri  •  Ozhev  •  Plrprveje  •  Rendin  •  Shajura  •  Sifi  •  Tulu Pazin  •  Waranask  •  Xaro Mal  •  Yero Gara  •  Yusto  •  

startbacknext(27 listed)

References & Contributors (Sources)

This article is missing content for one or more detailed sections. Additional details are required to complete the article. You can help the Traveller Wiki by expanding it.

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Paranoia Press: Vanguard Reaches, 1981, plus 1991 Online Updates by Chuck Kallenbach
• MegaTraveller Alien - Solomani & Aslan (sector dot maps provided, locating the Rift)
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus Adie Alegoric Stewart of the IISS