Found Tools Period
TL-0 or the “Proto-Sophontic Age” is an age of firsts as sophont species emerge from an animal or creature existence, develop higher intelligence, and begin to use found objects as the first tools. It is the Alpha Period of an Alpha-Omega scheme.
- TL-0 tech is commonly known as Proto-Tech.
- TL-0 sophonts are commonly known as Proto-Sophonts or Alpha’s.
Description / Specifications
It is characterized by the use of stone objects, found tools, and fire.
Communications Technology
TL-0 Communications are limited to the physiological abilities of a sophont. Most sophonts tend to communicate on an oral-auditory level although, as the Hivers prove, many other kinds of communication also exist.
Power Generation Technology
TL-0 Power Generation is limited to simple combustion without mechanical aids. Most Proto-sophonts are unable to create power reliably. Fire, for example, may only be acquired after sourcing it from a natural occurrence such as a lightning strike, for most sophonts.
Transportation Technology
TL-0 Transportation is limited to the physiological abilities of a sophont. The locomotor limbs of a species are typically called “peds” although most humans think of them as “legs.”
Manufacturing Technology
TL-0 proto-sophonts do not yet manufacture tools and cannot reliably kindle fire. Hunter-gatherers are learning where richer sources of found tools can be found and the very concepts of manufacturing are being thought up. Band societies may have formed.
Processor Technologies
TL-0 Processor technology doesn’t exist as such. However, most sophonts are beginning to form ideas about the mind and how it works. These later become the foundation of early electronics and processing technologies.
Residential Technologies
TL-0 proto-sophonts are unable to build more than the simplest shelters and typically live in caves or similar found homes whenever possible. Many proto-sophonts live nomadic lives with no set homes or places of residence.
Medical Technologies
TL-0 Biological sciences are extremely simple without a reliable way of building tools. Nevertheless, many very early yet sophisticated societies from extremely complex bodies of knowledge regarding their own biological functioning, local herbs and medicinal plants, and a generalized idea about anatomy, physiology, and psychological health.
Martial Technology
TL-0 weapons and armors are limited, primarily to thrown rocks, sharp piercing objects, and hide armors since tools cannot be reliably made, only found at this level of development.
History & Background / Dossier
Strangely enough, the first found tools form an evidentiary trail of this early stage of sophontic evolution. Most anthropologists and sophontologists do not consider these early objects to be artifacts yet, since most consider that an artifact must be constructed with tools. TL-0 objects are “found objects.” Although some of these found objects show characteristic signs of use or wear by an emerging sophont species.
While many higher technology sophont species may look down on found tools, some such artifacts may be highly sophisticated and advanced in their own regard. Many sophont species continue to use “found tools” for many millennia after the TL-0 period of their development.
Representative Proto-Sophont Species
No information yet available.
References & Contributors / Sources
- Marc Miller. Worlds and Adventures (Game Designers Workshop, 1977), 14-15.Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Worlds and Adventures (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 14-15.
- Marc Miller. Referee's Companion (Game Designers Workshop, 1988), 28-29.
- Geir Lanesskog. World Builder's Handbook (Mongoose Publishing, 2023), .Joe Fugate, J. Andrew Keith, Gary L. Thomas. World Builder's Handbook (Digest Group Publications, 1989), .
- Frank Chadwick, Dave Nilsen. Fire, Fusion, & Steel (Game Designers Workshop, 1994), 7.
- Citation Missing - Traveller D20
- Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 502-507.
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science