Sacnoth (world)

Sacnoth/Sword Worlds (Spinward Marches 1325)
Classic Era (1116)	A775956-C Starport A Excellent: Starship Construction, Overhaul, Refined fuel Size 7 Medium (11,200 km, 0.70g - 0.94g) Atmosphere 7 Standard (tainted) Hydrographics 5 Wet World 50% Population 9 High (8 billion) Government 5 Feudal Technocracy Law 6 Moderate Law (no firearms except shotguns) Tech Level C Average Stellar (robots)
See also	UWP
System Details
Primary	F9 V M3 V
Planetoid Belts	0
Gas Giants	1

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Sacnoth is a high-population, industrial world with a billion or more sophonts in population size.

• As an industrial world, this planet has well-developed manufacturing and processing industries. Manufactured goods are a major export item.
• Its economy is rapidly growing and living conditions are expected to rapidly improve barring outside forces.
• It is a member of the Sword Worlds Confederation in the Sword Worlds Subsector of Spinward Marches Sector.

• This is a "high technology" world with technology achievements at, near, or above the standard for Charted Space.
• This world-system has a Sword Worlds Naval Base, usually associated with military starships, which may be located on or off-world.
• It also has a Sword Worlds Military Base, usually associated with military ground forces, which may be located on or off-world.
• Sacnoth is a member of the Spinward Main.

Description (Astrography & Planetology)

Stellar Data

Sacnoth is a binary star system.

• The primary is a white main sequence named Leothic.
• The secondary is a red main sequence named Tharagavverug.

Sacnoth has two stars in the star system.

Leothic
	Type	Category		Mass (Sol)	Temperature (K)	Luminosity
	F9 V	Main Sequence (Dwarf)		1.13	5990 - 6050	1.53382
	Unit	Diameter	Safe Distance	Habitable Zone	Jump Shadow	M-Drive Limit
	AU	0.0109	0.1027	1.16 - 2.03	1.09	10.9
	Orbit #	*	0	4	3	7
	Remarks		None
Tharagavverug
	Type	Category		Mass (Sol)	Temperature (K)	Luminosity
	M3 V	Main Sequence (Dwarf)		0.37	3270 - 3430	0.03081
	Unit	Diameter	Safe Distance	Habitable Zone	Jump Shadow	M-Drive Limit
	AU	0.0034	0.0146	0.18 - 0.35	0.34	3.4
	Orbit #	*	*	0	1	5
	Remarks		None

Allathurion

System Data

The worlds of the system have been surveyed. They consist of:

• The mainworld.
• x5 secondary rocky worlds.
  • Welleran is a cold world occupying the next orbit out from Sacnoth. Assets of the system defense fleet make port at an orbital installation around the world.
• x1 gas giant, named Allathurion, orbiting in the outer system. It has a large moon named Falka.
  • The Sacnoth Fleet of the Sword Worlds Confederation maintains a major facility here.

Mainworld Data

Sacnoth orbits Leothic at a distance of 1.80 AU, within the Habitable Zone.

• It lies slightly within the zone's colder outer H- region.
• It receives relatively low levels of stellar energy.

Mainworld Size (S)

Sacnoth is a Meso World between 10,400km and 12,000km in diameter. The world has a standard gravity between 0.7G and 0.9G. The horizon will appear about 4.7km away.

Mainworld Atmosphere (A)

Sacnoth has a pressure of 0.71 to 1.49 atmospheres. While a Standard Atmosphere does not require survival gear this atmosphere also contains an unusual taint such as disease, a hazardous gas mix, pollutants, or sulfur compounds which requires the use of a Filter Mask. Some taints may require more protective equipment. TL–3 or more advanced survival gear is required to settle this world.

• It experiences relatively low temperatures.
• Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere push up the world's surface temperatures, despite its distance from the star.

Sacnoth has a normal climate and a standard oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere with a taint of supposedly unknown composition. The concentration of this substance, which is thought to cause cancers and other serious ailments in humans and other sophonts, varies in an unpredictable manner that has not yet been matched to any detectable phenomenon.

• Many believe it is a persistent pollutant produced by the world's intensive industry, and also suspect that its true nature is being deliberately concealed.

Mainworld Hydrosphere (H)

Sacnoth has 45-55% of its surface covered by liquid water. Wilderness refueling is possible.

Satellites

Sacnoth retains two large moons.

• They orbit once every few weeks.

Mainworld Topography and Geography

A basic map of Sacnoth principally showing the division between land and water, though some notable mountains are depicted. Other highland regions exist.

• The polar regions are cold and typically covered in frost, ice, and glaciers.

The planet has three continents, all joined by isthmuses.

• The largest continent, Eisufer, covers the north pole and a third of the planet south past the equator to the 30th parallel.
• The continent of Arathrion is approximately half the size of Eisufer, occupying a similar position (along the 30th parallel) in the southern hemisphere.
• The smallest continent, Erl, runs around a third of the planet between the 40th and 60th South latitude.
  • A chain of high rugged mountains marks the divide between Arathrion and Erl.

The eastern coastal region of Erl, known as the Harmeer and characterized by wetlands and lakes, is the most heavily populated area of Sacnoth. It contains Foerstaberg, the capital city.

• Sacnoth's starport, Istrakhan, is located off the western coast of Erl on the Halsband Islands within Das Central Meer.

History & Background (Dossier)

There is evidence to suggest that from around -1500 Sacnoth served as a base for the Terran Itzin Fleet, a large group of exploratory traders and colonists: these traders went on to contact the Daryens around -1511 and some settled on Garoo, where their descendents have become the Garoo, a distinctive human culture. The world was affected by the Maghiz and its after-effects: there are no records of a surviving population by the time the world was settled by Gram.

Sacnoth was originally settled by dissidents from Gram in -294 and has since played an important role in the history of the Sword Worlds, often vying with Gram for leadership. Sacnoth was the capital seat of the Sacnoth Dominate which was founded in -186 and was the first interstellar government among the Sword Worlds. The Sacnoth Dominate disintegrated in -102, a casualty of the War of the First Rebellion, one of several internal conflicts with Gram. The Dominate fractured into several smaller governments, including the Sacnoth Confederacy, though none of these governments lasted long. Within 25 years no interstellar government existed in the Sword Worlds and most trade had ended, not to be resumed for nearly 50 years.

The Gram-Sacnoth War was waged from 98 to 104 and resulted in a stalemate; other Sword Worlds states moved in to balkanize Sacnoth and Gram, which had both been exhausted by the conflict. Sacnoth remained weak and divided until the Federated States of Sacnoth were formed in 364, once again unifying the planet. In 537 the Sacnoth Alliance was formed between Sacnoth and the Double Monarchy. In 604 the Sacnoth Dominate was reestablished as the Second Dominate, which lasted until 698 when it was overthrown by the Gram Coalition. The Gram Coalition ruled until overthrown by the Trilateral Alliance, which included Sacnoth. The Trilateral Alliance ruled from 788-848, and dissolved into another period of interstellar anarchy which persisted until the current Sword Worlds government was founded in 852.

Border Worlds Era

During the Fifth Frontier War Sacnoth raised and commanded one of the four naval fleets controlled by the Sword Worlds. The Sacnoth Fleet was assigned to guard the rim-trailing border of the Confederation, which includes the resource rich and uninhabited Metal Worlds. The Sacnoth Fleet was subsequently destroyed by the Imperial 214th Fleet in a decisive battle at Sting (world) on 016-1110. Following the War, Sacnoth seceded from the Sword Worlds Confederation to join the Imperial Client state known as the Border Worlds Confederation. This was a great loss to the Sword Worlds. After a shaky start, the population settled well under Imperial rule and Sacnoth was the first of the Border Worlds to be granted home rule, in 1114. Defense is handled mainly by local forces, though an Imperial Navy squadron is based on a moon of the gas giant Falka.

Sacnoth had been a severely xenophobic world, even for a Sword World. Visitors to the world were confined to a large reservation around the Downport, and were not permitted to pass beyond its periphery. The Regency unwisely and cavalierly did away with this arrangement after the Landgrab, and the world has been rent with intercommunal violence ever since. Sacnoth had been severely factionalized to begin with, and the Regency's brazen actions (at least in their view) and immigration set off a severe backlash. Several large regions are unsafe even for the Regency military to visit, and are interdicted.

The world houses the main campus of the University of Sacnoth.

Trivia

Sacnoth is the name of the sword constructed by Leothric from the bones of the dragon Tharagavverug, from the story The Fortress Unvanquishable, Save for Sacnoth by Lord Dunsany.

World Starport (St)

Sacnoth has a Class A Starport, an excellent quality installation which includes all the expected amenities including refined fuel for starships, brokerage services for passengers and cargo, and a variety of ship provisions. There is a shipyard capable of doing annual maintenance, overhauls and other kinds of repair, and construction of both starships and non-starships. Most ports of this classification have both a Highport and a Downport.

• The world is host to a Sword Worlds Naval Base.
• The world is host to a Sword Worlds Military Base.

World Population (P)

Sacnoth has a population of 8,000,000,000 sophonts (billions).

• High Population Worlds like this tend to have huge consumer markets.
• The population are descended from Terrans who fled the Old Earth Union during the Long Night.

Linguistic Topography

The following languages are most commonly heard:

• Sagamaal: The common tongue of the Sword Worlds Confederation. Its name references the intent that it evoke the language of ancient sagas of northern Terra -- or at least an idealised understanding of those cultures.

World Technology Level (T)

Sacnoth possesses a Technology Level of TL–12 or TL-C in Hexadecimal Notation.

• Common Communication technologies for this TL include: Holovision, Personal Global Communications, and advanced Translators.
• Common Power Generation technologies for this TL include: Increasingly advanced fusion plants and advanced fuel cells.
• Common Transportation technologies for this TL include:
  • Land, Water & Air: Personal G-Tubes and advanced gravcraft.
  • Space: Advanced interplanetary spacecraft (System Craft).
  • FTL: Jump Drive-3.

World Government (G)

Sacnoth is governed by a Feudal Technocracy. Society divides itself based on the technical requirements of the society. Each of these functions are granted as a fief to an individual or group. Leadership of these fiefs determines the head of the government.

World Law (L)

Sacnoth has a moderate level with laws covering many areas of government and interaction. These laws are simple enough that most people can act as their own advocate, though for serious issues a professional is recommended. Law enforcement officials will be present, but not in great numbers. All firearms except shotguns, and anything more destructive, are typically regulated or prohibited.

Trade Data

• Importance: 5 (important)

World Economy

• Resources: C (very abundant)
• Labor: 8 (hundreds of millions)
• Infrastructure: G (very comprehensive)
• Efficiency: +4 (advanced)

World Culture

• Heterogenity: 8 (discordant)
• Acceptance: E (extremely xenophilic)
• Strangeness: 4 (somewhat distinct)
• Symbols: B (abstract)

World Timeline

Major events that have affected this world and the wider region that it lies within:

• -420: Terran-descended humans flee the Old Earth Union through the Aslan Hierate.
• -399: The fleeing humans found the first settlement within the Sword Worlds region.
• -187: Establishment of the Sacnoth Dominate within the Sword Worlds, after a two-year conflict between Sacnoth and Gram.
• -104: Renewed tensions between Sacnoth and Gram escalate into the War of the First Rebellion.
• -102: The Sacnoth Dominate breaks up into the Gram Confederation, the Sacnoth Confederacy, and the Hofud Alliance.
• -88 to --11: The Fimbulwinter (Sagamaal: Fimbulvinter); the period between the end of the War of the First Rebellion and the re-establishment of interstellar contact among the Sword Worlds.
• The Year 0: the Third Imperium is founded.
• 300-420: the Imperial First Survey charts the system.
• 589-604: First Frontier War.
• 604-622: the Imperial Civil War.
• 615-620: Second Frontier War.
• 624: the Imperial Express Boat Network is established.
• 852: the modern Sword Worlds Confederation is formed.
• 979-986: Third Frontier War.
• 995-1065: the Imperial Second Survey charts the system.
• 1065: the Second Survey is published. Information about the system becomes widely available.
• 1082-1084: Fourth Frontier War, also known as the False War.
• 1107-1110: Fifth Frontier War.

References & Contributors (Sources)

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.

• Marc Miller. The Spinward Marches (Game Designers Workshop, 1979), 16-17.
• Marc Miller. The Spinward Marches Campaign (Game Designers Workshop, 1985), 18-19.
• Marc Miller. Imperial Encyclopedia (Game Designers Workshop, 1987), 94-100. (UWP only)
• Rob Caswell. "Domain of Deneb: Sector Data." MegaTraveller Journal 3 (1992): 47-58. (UWP only)
• Dave Nilsen. The Regency Sourcebook (Game Designers Workshop, 1995), 44-45. (UWP only)
• Martin Dougherty, Neil Frier. Behind the Claw (Steve Jackson Games, 1998), 70.
• Paul Drye, Hans Rancke-Madsen, Robert Prior. Sword Worlds (Steve Jackson Games, 2004), 55-57.
• Mike West. The Spinward States (Avenger Enterprises, 2008), 109. (UWP only)
• Martin Dougherty. The Spinward Marches (Mongoose Publishing, 2008), .
• Martin Dougherty. Behind the Claw (Mongoose Publishing, 2019), 89-92,96-97. (UWP only)
• Martin Dougherty. Sword Worlds (Mongoose Publishing, 2020), .
• External Link: GURPS Traveller News Service SJG