Voluntarily Regressive World

The Voyagers and the Dark Age had a massive psychological impact on the population of the Distant Fringe. The Voyagers consumed all advanced technology they could find and killed countless billions as they did so. Almost all of the worlds that survived the Voyagers did so by abandoning their technology and existing at a lower level of advancement.

Details / Specifications

The Dark Age lasted for around 850 years - more or less 30 generations - and for some worlds what started as a survival tactic became a way of life and a culture. Lower technology became the normal – the only – way to live. When these survivor worlds were recontacted by explorers and scouts during the Renaissance period, many displayed strong technophobia and a reluctance to actively reenter the interstellar community.

More than a millennia later most of those worlds are far less paranoid, but most still choose to remain at a less advanced level of development. They shun advanced equipment and devices, outwardly perhaps as a distain for frivilous gadgets and trinkets or perhaps as a frontiersman bravado, but this is often rooted in a deep-seated fear of the consequences should the Voyagers return and the Distant Fringe be plunged into a new Dark Age.

• Such communities may hold archives of ancient wisdom or caches of advanced items.

Social Considerations

• Locals may be uncomfortable around items of advanced technology. Some may be actively hostile.
  • Locals may be confused by advanced devices, and may risk personal injury through a lack of understanding when manipulating them.
  • Locals may be awed or fascinated by advanced items. They may not be able to distinguish advanced technology from magic or some other supernatural force. Such situations are rare, however - the populations of Voluntarily Regressive Worlds are quite aware of the existence of all kinds of technology and understand what it is capable of doing. They choose not to interact with it.
• Locals may attempt to destroy technology. Occasionally rituals may be involved.
• Locals may display xenophobic behavior, particularly towards non-human sophonts.
• Local technology, though basic, is often ingenious and has proved effective and efficient over thousands of years. Locals will generally place their trust in familiar equipment that has stood the test of time.
• Technological advancement or even change many be actively discouraged. Improvements or modifications to items will often be removed or destroyed.

Legal Considerations

• Items of advanced technology may be seized by authorities upon leaving the starport.
• Those found in possession of advanced technology may face arrest, legal prosecution and imprisonment. Capital punishment may be ordered.
• Individuals accused of transgressions may be subjected to a "show trial" with broad media coverage (appropriate to the local technology) to actively discourage others.

Local Attitudes

The inhabitants of Voluntarily Regressive Worlds generally embrace their low technology, taking pride in the simplicity of their lives and their pithy practicality. Occasionally the degree of advancement may be imposed on the population by a powerful ruling authority. In such circumstances there may be an illicit trade in advanced equipment, with items commanding premium prices.

• Technological limitations may take the form of strict guidelines or decrees enforced by governmental authorities.
• Ancient teachings and wisdom or sacred texts may define technological limitations.

The diverse nature of human psychology means that there are likely to be a few individuals from these worlds who seek to leave their backward homes and find their fates among the stars. Assisting such runaways or refugees may have severe social and legal repercussions. In rare circumstances a time among the stars may be seen as a rite of passage for a young individual from a Voluntarily Regressive World.

Recent Regressionism

On some worlds survivalist and isolationist communities have formed, made up of individuals who choose to live apart from others and embrace what they see as a simpler, easier, or safer way of life. Such communities may operate along quasi-military lines and are often made up of self-reliant individuals who will actively attempt to remove, impound or destroy inappropriate technology.

Ruins and Remains

On some worlds the remains of communities and facilities abandoned millennia ago can still be found. Many of these areas are considered to be taboo or forbidden areas by the locals. Some of these sites may have been destroyed by the Voyagers, others may have been picked over by the Scavengers.

References & Contributors / Sources

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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.

• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus Adie Alegoric Stewart of the IISS
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science