The SpaceRail
The SpaceRail, also referred to as the Solar-Rail or Star Rail, represents a paradigm shift in interplanetary transportation, rendering conventional starships obsolete for civilian travel. This revolutionary system operates through a network of planetary Terminals interconnected via Star-Gates, facilitating seamless travel between different celestial bodies without ever departing the planetary surface.
✦
Star-Gates are the core components of the SpaceRail system, serving as portals that connect one planetary Terminal to another across vast distances. Each Star-Gate is equipped with advanced technology capable of generating stable wormholes, allowing instantaneous transit between connected Terminals. These wormholes are sustained by exotic and magical energy sources, ensuring reliable and continuous operation without the need for manual intervention.
✦
Every planet and Realm within the multiverse is assigned a unique Runic Identification Sequence (RIS) upon the development of a SpaceRail connection. The RIS serves as a digital signature for each Terminal, facilitating secure and accurate routing of passengers, cargo, and resources through the SpaceRail network. Terminals are categorized based on their capacity to handle RIS, with Small, Medium, and Large Terminals accommodating varying numbers of interconnected destinations.
✦
Terminals are equipped with sophisticated infrastructure tailored to the size and demand of the connected SpaceRail network. Small Terminals cater to local travel and handle approximately 20+ RIS, providing essential connectivity within planetary regions. Medium Terminals serve as intermediate hubs, accommodating around 50+ RIS and facilitating transit between multiple planetary systems. Large Terminals, capable of handling upwards of 100+ RIS, function as major transportation hubs for extensive voyages across the multiverse.
✦
The SpaceRail system comprises physical rails that connect Terminals within planetary surfaces, enabling seamless transportation without the need for space travel. Rail sizes vary based on Terminal capacity and demand, with larger rails supporting higher passenger and cargo volumes. These rails incorporate advanced propulsion technology, such as magnetic levitation or anti-gravity systems, to facilitate swift and efficient transit between Terminals.
✦
SpaceRails offer unparalleled safety compared to traditional starships, as they bypass the hazards of space travel, including space raiders and pirates. With private portals directly linking Terminals, passengers and cargo transit swiftly and securely without exposure to external threats. The SpaceRail system boasts exceptional speed, completing journeys that would typically take months via starships in a fraction of the time, typically reducing travel durations by at least half. Furthermore, SpaceRails require minimal maintenance and upkeep, significantly reducing operational costs compared to conventional starships, making them a cost-effective and reliable mode of interplanetary transportation.Social Impact
The SpaceRail killed the civilian starship industry once implemented across the cosmos and beyond. Before that, if Jon Doe wanted to visit his sister Jane in a different galaxy, he would need to get passage on a Civilian Grade Starships - CIV, possibly a 24+ month voyage, remaining inside the ship the entire time, and praying to the gods above that their vessel is not raided by pirates, the engine doesn't malfunction, or they crash into a star. And that is to say nothing of the return voyage, another 24+ months.
✦
But with SpaceRail, Jon needs only purchase a ticket with a Rail company and board at the local Terminal. The trip will be less than half the 24+ months, and the Rail is likely to stop at other Terminals along the way, allowing Jon to visit exotic worlds and experience new cultures. And that is to say nothing of the absolute safety of the SpaceRail when compared to a starship. It is night and day.
✦
More than the civilian industry, it killed the pirate business as well. In the modern age, SpaceRails are ubiquitous, so the vast majority of civilians primarily only use them as opposed to starships. Civilian starship companies have been rendered obsolete, unable to compete with the speed, safety, and affordability of SpaceRails. This shift has led to the decline of the starship industry, with many former starship operators transitioning to other sectors or seeking employment within the burgeoning Rail economy. As a result, the only players active in the starship business are the mega-corporation shipping business which can move enough cargo to pacify entire planets, something SpaceRails cannot do. Most of these companies hire their security, so if pirates were still a major factor, they would now be contending with heavily armed and well-prepared mercenaries instead of civilians.
Access & Availability
The planetary government is typically responsible for building the SpaceRail of a planet and might operate their state-owned line or two while allowing private companies to also use their lines granted that they build and maintain their Railcars and pay the state for the usage of their rails. As far as Line usage goes, if there are 5 Lines, 1 is reserved for the state-owned and operated public line, 1 is reserved for the military/state officials, and the last 3 are typically loaned out to companies, planets try to loan them to local companies to keep business and wealth within the world. Of these three Lines, 1 might be reserved by a cargo or shipping Rail company. The other two will likely be higher-quality civilian Lines to compete with the state-owned line.
How many Terminals and which size a planet has depends on the people, the economy, and many other factors, but it is best to maintain at least 1 Large (100+ Lines), 2 Medium (50+ Lines), and 3 Small (20+ Lines). At a minimum, this gives a world 260 Lines to operate with. 60% (156) are normally dominated by civilian travel, 30% (78) are used for industry such as the shipment of goods and services, and 10% (26) can be anything from military lines to more industry or civilian, depending on the market. Most worlds or Realms will try or should try, to keep 60% of their total Lines locally owned and operated. It is a less-than-ideal situation to be in where more than half of a planet's rails are owned and/ or operated by foreign powers.
SpaceRails are ubiquitous in the modern age and even the most run-down back-water worlds have at least 1 Terminal of varying sizes. Access to them is as easy as buying a ticket and boarding the railcar itself. This is how SpaceRails are normally built and operated but it varies wildly from planet to planet so do not hold this too tightly.
Creative Sources
Compiled list of (free) sites, tools, and links I use for various assets or art in SEVEN SEALS
- Article, World, & Icons made with Bannersnack (FREE)
- Character Portraits & Landscapes made with ArtBreeder (FREE)
- External Family Tree Tool is FamilyEcho (FREE)
- Unique Symbols & Signs from Cool Symbols (FREE)
- Various Fantasy Names generated from Fantasy Name Generator (FREE)
- Sci-Fi inspired names & Generators via Donjon (FREE)
- Flags & Shields made with Armoria
Comments