Star*Drive

Star*Drive is a science fiction campaign setting that was published in 1998 by TSR, Inc. for the Alternity role-playing game. It was written by David Eckelberry and Richard Baker. This setting book also requires the Player's Handbook and Gamemaster Guide for the Alternity game system. Much of the material created for this campaign setting was later reused in the d20 Future supplement of the d20 Modern role-playing game.

Background
This campaign is set in the 26th century, starting in the year 2501. Mankind has gained access to faster-than-light technology called the stardrive, a merger of technology between humans and the alien Fraal. A period of stellar colonization of habitable worlds ensues, led by six wealthy power blocs. New powers emerged, forming the Terran Empire in 2250. Tensions between the colonies led to the first galactic war in 2299, finally ending in 2312 with the emergence of 26 stellar nations.

A second, even nastier war began in 2346, sparked by a rebellion of mutants. This led to a pullback of the humans from their maximum expansion, isolating many colonies. The war continued for over 100 years, leaving worlds devastated and nations and alliances in difficult financial straits. The war ended in 2472 with the signing of the Galactic Concord. This agreement has held the peace, barely, for the last three decades.

In the course of the past five centuries, humans have contacted several alien races. This began with first contact with the Fraal in the Sol system, followed by the brutish Weren, cyber-oriented Mechalus, reptilian T'sa,  and gliding Sesheyan. A total of 50 sentient species in all have been contacted, with each being rated at various levels of development. (Some are considered borderline sentient.)

At the beginning of the twenty-sixth century, Humanity political and social structure is divided into Stellar Nations (once countries), rich corporations or federations, most trying to collect their former colonies. These are : Austrin-Ontis Unlimited, Borealis Republic, Hatire Communauty, Insight, Nariac Domain, Orion League, Orlamu Theocracy, Rigunmor Star Consortium, Thuldan Empire, Union of Sol, Voidcorp...

Stardrive
The "stardrive" is a type of hyperdrive that operates on the principles of gravity induction. By combining two pieces of technology, the induction engine and the mass reactor, it allows travel at FTL speeds through the extra-dimensional medium of "Drivespace". Depending on the engine power of a stardrive, it could travel anywhere from 20 to 50 lightyears in a single trip, but due to the spatial physics of Drivespace, any and all travel between two points takes exactly 121 hours (approx. 5 days), no matter how far apart or how close the two points are.

Contents
The book is hardbound with 256 pages illustrated in color. It is divided into chapters covering the history of the setting; a description of the conditions, economy, and technology of the 26th century; descriptions of the various stellar nations within a range of over 1,000 light years; a more detailed look at a mysterious distant region known as the Verge, and finally game-specific details covering the player species, careers, employment, skills, equipment, and special game options available for players.

The game world includes a variety of standard fare science fiction features. These include psionics, cybernetics, robots, spacecraft, mutants, and advanced medicine. The level of technology is at "Progress Level" 7.) Characters are typically employed and have an allegiance to a company or government. They may also follow one of the future religions described in this book.

In addition to humans, players can run a character from one of the handful of alien space-faring races that lie within the known space.

The Verge is described, in many cases, planet by planet. The more prominent planet descriptions give a broad overview of the world, the government, and sites of interest. Maps of the main worlds are also show at a high scale.

Professions
The following careers are available to players:
 * Combat Specs: bodyguard, corporate security specialist, gunner, law enforcer, martial artist, alien combat spec, mercenary, soldier, and spacehand.
 * Diplomats: ambassador, clergy, Concord administrator, corporate executive, entertainer, first contact consul, free trader, military officer, naval officer, stellar noble, and swindler.
 * Free Agents: bounty hunter, corsair, explorer, gambler, guide/scout, investigator, outlaw, reporter, smuggler, spy, and thief.
 * Tech Ops: crewman, comptech, gridpilot, doctor, engineer, independent pilot, medtech, scholar, and scientist.
 * Mindwalkers: biokineticist, biowarrior, ESPion, mystic, telekineticist, psiguard, telepath, and mind knight.

Novels
Various authors have written novels set in this universe, including Diane Duane. There are seven novels and one anthology written for the setting. In order of release the books are:

1. Starrise at Corrivale (Harbinger Trilogy: Book One), by Diane Duane

2. On the Verge, by Roland Green

3. Storm at Eldala (Harbinger Trilogy: Book Two), by Diane Duane

4. Starfall (short story collection), edited by Martin H. Greenberg

5. Zero Point, by Richard Baker

6. Two of Minds, by William H. Keith

7. Nightfall at Algemron (Harbinger Trilogy: Book Three), by Diane Duane

8. Gridrunner, by Thomas M. Reid