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5.9: Artifacts and Technology

This final sub-chapter lists a number of objects which can best be described as artifacts. Artifacts in the original games included items that could be found through careful exploration (particularly in SF1), useful items that could be bought (particularly in SF2), and even items whose sole purpose was to be sold off.

In the original games, artifacts were required in order for the player to bring the game to a successful conclusion. GMs may or may not want to continue this tradition in their campaigns. If they do decide to use artifacts, they should carefully select which ones they want to have available and consider what may happen if the characters use an artifact in a way they didn't intend (for example, listening to the Thrynn and running off to go set a Black Egg down on the surface of Elan...).

Artifacts come with the following pieces of information:

• Name: This gives the name of the artifact. This may or may not be very descriptive of the object; if not, the GM is welcome to describe the object however they wish (note that some objects, like the Hot P.Y.T., might require a good deal of imagination).
• Size: This lists the bounding box volume of the object in question, in cubic meters. Unlike trade goods and minerals, artifacts must be sold and bought as whole units (i.e. you could buy one Flux Scan, but not 1.8 cubic meters of a Flux Scan).
• Standard Trade Value: This lists the STV of the artifact in question. Because artifacts must be bought and sold in unit, this is the unit price for the artifact (not per cubic meter, as with other trade items).
• Type: This lists a sub-category under which the artifact falls. There are several different types of sub-categories, as follows:
  • Curio: The artifact is something considered novel, rare, or bizarre. It basically is a special case of an Art Object, and has no game effects. Curios can be found during planetary exploration (see Chapter 8.2).
  • Trade Route: The artifact is a map which gives suggestions for trade. Trade Route maps were introduced in SF2, and so are exclusively from the Delta Sector. They can be purchased during any encounter with a Humna Humna starship, provided the characters have established an excellent rapport with the Humna Humna.
  • Ancient Technology: This artifact is a piece of technology created by the Ancients. These Endurium-based items are rare, priceless, and can only be found through careful planetary exploration.
  • Technology: The artifact is a useful piece of recent technology, generally manufactured for sale or for general use sometime within in the last two or three thousand years. Some pieces of technology have to be found through exploration, while others can be bought at trade centers (provided that the potential purchaser has established a good rapport with the seller).
  • Artifact: Those few artifacts that do not fall into one of the above categories are simply called "artifact", for lack of a better term. Generic artifacts usually have some qualities of more than one category. Their characteristics will be listed in the artifact's notes.
• Notes: This lists any additional information about the artifact in question. This can include game effects (if any) and the location of the item (if it's unique). It should be noted that the listed location for a given artifact is from the original games; GMs may or may not use the same location within their own campaigns, at their discretion.
  

.2

Artifacts and Technology

Name	Size (m3)	Standard Trade Value	Type	Notes
A Mulligan	0.1	1	Curio	None
Adrynna's Gold	0.1	2500	Curio	None
Amazing Artifact	1.0	2500	Curio	None
Armalcolite Relic	0.7	1250	Curio	None
Black Box	0.4	6000	Artifact	Can be bought in any encounter with the Thrynn for 30 cubic meters of Endurium. When offered, the Thrynn will say that the device will make your ship invulnerable. Improves the taste of all food and rations, +2 bonus to all rolls for one hour after eating food processed by the Black Box.
Black Egg	0.1	12500	Artifact	Available at multiple locations (α143x115, p1, 28N X 4E; α234x20, p2, 35S X 99E; α238x189, p3, 52N X 16E). A Black Egg is a planetary bomb. Setting the bomb requires a successful Archaeology Check (DC 30). If successful, the bomb will remote detonate when the ship leaves orbit. Otherwise, the bomb fails to explode and may be picked up by any passerby. The explosion of a Black Egg will utterly destroy any planet upon whose surface it explodes. If detonated on the Crystal Planet's surface at a location other than the control nexus, the planet will merely be damaged; it will take three such Black Egg detonations to finally destroy the planet. Destruction of a planet has no immediate effect on the departing starship but may pose navigational hazards upon subsequent visits to the system (see Chapter 8.3).
Bladed Toy	0.1	250	Curio	None
Blue Bauble	0.1	300	Curio	None
Buttoned Box	0.1	500	Curio	None
Circle Route	0.1	22000	Trade Route	Buy Mip Fur from the Aeoruiiaeo (δ184x148, p3). Sell them to the Nathraach (δ181x197, p3) and Buy Important Secrets. Sell them to the Humna Humna (δ239x216, p3) and buy Data Crystals. Sell them to the Kher (δ214x178, p4) and buy Dreamgrids. Make a final sale to the the Aeoruiiaeo (δ184x148, p3).
Complex Machine	1.8	1600	Curio	None
Cross Cloud Route	0.1	17000	Trade Route	Buy Charm Babies from the Nelsons (δ131x7, p4). Sell them to the Djaboon (δ161x53, p1) and buy Amusoballs. Sell them to the Dweenle (δ91x211, p5) and buy Nutripods. Sell them to the Humna Humna (δ7x151, p1) and buy Data Crystals. Make a final sale to either the Kher or Arla (δ214x178, p4), or the Aeoruiiaeo (δ184x148, p3).
Crystal Cone	0.2	24000	Ancient Technology	Located at α20x198 (p1, 29S X 55W). This device locates the control nexus on the Crystal Planet (at 47N X 45E). It otherwise behaves like a curio.
Crystal Orb	0.2	24000	Ancient Technology	Located on Sphexi (α132,165, p1, 46N X 14E). Any ship carrying the Crystal Orb may orbit and land on the Crystal Planet (α192x152, p1). Without the Crystal Orb, any ship in orbit of the Crystal Planet takes 5% hull damage every minute, and is instantly destroyed if they attempt to land. If a Veloxi ship detects this artifact aboard an alien vessel (any successful Starship Technology Check), they will demand it back and fire upon the vessel if it is not immediately returned.
Crystal Pearl	0.1	15000	Ancient Technology	Located in the City of the Ancients (α56,144, p1, 29N X 13W). An emergency warp device, any ship carrying the Crystal Pearl that takes systems damage in combat is instantly and automatically withdrawn from the encounter, after the damage to the ship is resolved.
Cute Doodad	0.1	100	Curio	None
Dodecahedron	0.4	6000	Technology	Located at α118,146 (p4, 16S X 20W). While carried aboard ship (does not have to be installed), the ship gains a +50 bonus to all Distress and Jam checks, but is inflicted with a -50 penalty to all Stealth checks.
Downspin Route	0.1	15000	Trade Route	Buy Delightful Fungus Chews from the Lieu Vadish (δ1x24 p5). Sell them to the Humna Humna (δ93x37, p5) and buy Data Crystals. Sell them to the G'Nunk (δ159x30, p2) and buy Phase Inductors. Make a final sale to the Humna Humna (at either δ216x45, p3 or δ237x41, p2).
Ellipsoid	0.1	15000	Ancient Technology	Located at Harrison's Base (α81x98, p1, 44S X 137W). This is a Veloxi device, used by Her Grand Lovely to communicate with all Veloxi everywhere. If given to the Veloxi queen, a Veloxi may communicated with any other Veloxi, regardless of where they are. To all other races, the Ellipsoid functions like a curio. If a Veloxi ship detects this artifact aboard an alien vessel (any successful Starship Technology Check), they will demand it back and fire upon the vessel if it is not immediately returned.
Encounter Scan	2.5	19000	Technology	Available from the Humna Humna (δ237x88, p2). Auto-installs. +5 scanner range in hyperspace. Detects all nearby hyperspace encounters, players may choose to avoid any hyperspace encounter regardless of Navigator's Stealth sub-discipline.
Field Stunner	0.7	20000	Technology	Available from the Aeoruiiaeo (δ184x148, p3). Auto-installs aboard terrain vehicle. Uses 10% total fuel reserve when utilized. All living targets in combat (PCs, NPCS, and lifeforms) must make a Reflex Save, regardless of their range. If successful, they become Dazed for 1d5 rounds. Otherwise, they are reduced to zero Non-Lethal Damage.
Flat Device	0.3	15000	Technology	Available at Starport Central (α125x100, p2). A ship's Engineer can install this device aboard an ITV with a successful Mechanics Check (DC 30). If successful, the ITV gains 100 SHP against all lifeform attacks only. Otherwise, the ITV takes 5% hull damage and the Engineer must wait 24 hours before trying again.
Flux Scan	2	20000	Technology	Available from the Humna Humna (δ216x45, p3). Auto-installs. The ship's Science Officer receives a +25 bonus to all Astronomy checks made to detect fluxes.
Frightening Apparatus	1.2	1300	Curio	None
Gas Slug	0.1	800	Artifact	Lifeform (see Chapter 5.7). Available from the Nelsons (δ131x7, p4). Heals all crew members at ten times the normal rate, and prevents new crew damage in the process. For each hour a Gas Slug remains on board a ship, a DC 10 Leadership Check must be made in order to get the crew to follow orders, with the DC increasing by 10 per subsequent hour. Moreover, a successful DC 10 Willpower Save must be made completed by the ship's Captain before the Leadership Check may be made, with the DC increasing by 10 per subsequent hour. If either Check fails, any character on the ship must make a DC 100 Willpower Save before they may perform any action, Check or Save.
Glowing Disk	0.2	500	Curio	None
Golden Globe	0.2	900	Curio	None
Guardian Transmitter Key	0.1	0	Technology	Located at δ106x14 (p1, 0 x 0). Allows the carrying ship to orbit and land upon the world of the Halls of Memory (δ131x219, p2) without being fired upon by the Guardian Transmitter.
Hot P.Y.T.	0.1	2500	Curio	None
Hypercube	0.4	15000	Artifact	Located on Earth (α215x86, p3, 11N X 104W). When used, roll 1d10. If the result of the roll plus the character's learning rate is 15 or higher, the character gains +1 to either their Knowledge, Concentration or Resourcefulness skills (at the GM's discretion). May only be used for the bonus once per week.
Interesting Item	205.5	22300	Curio	None
Humming Gizzy	0.2	500	Curio	None
Leghk Battle Jumper	0.1	19500	Technology	Available from the Halls of Memory (δ131x219, p1, 26S X 135E). When a ship with a battle jumper is subject to an attack, a Use Artifact/Technology action may be made to activate the Jumper. Upon activation, roll 2d10 and multiply the result by five. The resultant amount is added to the ship’s HD for that round. If movement is allowed under the current campaign rules, move the targeted ship 1d5 spaces in a random direction.
Metal Ball	0.1	100	Curio	None
Mineral Drone	0.1	21000	Technology	Vehicle (see Chapter 6.3). Available at Hooplah (δ101x85, p1, 49S X 25E). Deploys from terrain vehicle (can be stowed without parent vehicle having a Hangar Bay Module or Vehicle Rack; folds down to 0.1 cubic meters while stowed). Operates autonomously. Can be programmed to pick up particular minerals or to pick up all minerals it comes across. To determine what is picked up, the GM rolls d% four times, multiplying the results by 0.1. The largest result is the amount of the most abundant mineral collected, the next largest amount for the second most abundant mineral, and the third largest amount for the third most abundant mineral. For the lowest amount, roll d% on the mineral table (see Chapter 5.8); the mineral indicated is collected (if it is a repeat occurrence, the drone picks up fuel instead). When recalled, will dump the minerals it has collected near its parent vehicle for collection.
Mobius Device	0.3	350	Curio	None
Most Valuable Thing	0.1	150	Artifact	Located on G'Aeresch (δ159x30, p2, 2N X 107W). If a Tandelou ship (either Eshvey or Eshvara) detects this artifact aboard an alien vessel (any successful Starship Technology Check), they will demand it back and fire upon the vessel if it is not immediately returned. In all other respects, this is a curio.
Nga-Seng Route	0.1	19000	Trade Route	Buy Mip Fur from the Aeoruiiaeo (δ184x148, p3). Sell them to the Nga-Seng-Kler (δ201x105, p4) and buy Blue Ale. Sell that to the the Nga-Seng-Diul (δ203x106, p3) and buy Grow Goo. Make a final sale to the Draffa Bastii (δ241x164, p1).
Nice Thing	0.2	150	Curio	None
Octagonal Lens	0.1	300	Curio	None
Oval Object	0.1	200	Curio	None
Pink Tube-A-Tron	1.0	2500	Curio	None
Planetary Teleporter	1.2	15000	Technology	Available from the Draffa Bastii (δ241x164, p1). Auto-installs aboard terrain vehicle. Engineer may make a DC 30 Quantum Mechanics Check to attempt to teleport the terrain vehicle back to the ship, regardless of its fuel status. May make one attempt every ten minutes.
Plastic Thing-A-Ma-Jig	0.2	300	Curio	None
Portazilla	47	50	Curio	None
Precious Doodad	430	35500	Curio	None
Pretty Picture	0.1	200	Curio	None
Psychic Probe	0.3	20500	Technology	Available from the Kher (δ214x178, p4). Auto-installs on both ship and terrain vehicle. During trade negotiations, the players may ask for the "color status" of the trader at any time during the trading process.
Pyramid Device	0.3	1150	Curio	None
Quivering Lump	0.1	125	Curio	None
Red Cylinder	0.3	30000	Technology	Located on Koann 3 (α112x200, p3, 59N X 64W). A ship's Engineer can install this device with a successful Electromagnetism Check (DC 50). If successful, the ship's Science Officer may make Archaeology checks from planetary orbit in order to detect ruins (DC 100). Otherwise, the ship takes 5% sensor damage and the Engineer must wait 24 hours before trying again.
Red Herring	50.1	32750	Curio	None
Ring Device	0.2	12000	Technology	Located on Mars (α215x86, p4, 90N X 0). A ship's Engineer can install this device with a successful Electromagnetism Check (DC 50). If successful, the ship's Science Officer receives a +10 bonus to all Astronomy checks made to detect fluxes. Otherwise, the ship takes 5% sensor damage and the Engineer must wait 24 hours before trying again.
Rod Device	0.3	18000	Technology	Located on New Scotland (α180x124, p2, 59N X 22E). A ship's Engineer can install this device with a successful Applied Relativity Check (DC 50). If successful, the ship gains three levels of Laser Resistance (without increasing the cost of any of the ship's equipment bought or sold). Otherwise, the ship takes 10% shield systems damage and the Engineer must wait 24 hours before trying again.
Rubber Widget	0.1	100	Curio	None
Shield Nullifier	4	21000	Technology	Available from the G'Nunk (must destroy 20 of their warships and accept a G'Nunk crewmember before this good will be installed). Default model requires the presence of a G'Nunk crewmember and 15 cubic meters of Cobalt per use. Activated with a Use Artifact/Technology action, drops the shields of all enemy combatants for a period of exactly one round (shields come back on in the same action phase on the ship's next round).
Shimmering Ball	0.3	24000	Technology	Located at α68x66 (p1, 12N X 32E). A ship's Engineer can install this device with a successful Applied Relativity Check (DC 50). If successful, the ship will automatically cloak in combat (+25 HD/FHD). Otherwise, the ship takes 5% shield systems damage and the Engineer must wait 24 hours before trying again.
Short Route	0.1	20000	Trade Route	Buy Charm Babies from the Nelsons (δ131x7, p4). Sell them to the Djaboon (δ161x53, p1) and buy Firejems. Make a final sale to the Humna Humna (δ237x88, p2).
Silver Gadget	0.1	650	Curio	None
Small Obelisk	0.1	550	Curio	None
System Scanner	1.5	18000	Technology	Available from the Tandelou Eshvey (δ29x74, p1). Auto-installs. Detects in-system encounters. +50 to all Stealth Checks inside planetary systems. +2 scanner range inside planetary systems.
Spiral Tube	0.2	375	Curio	None
Strange Cloth	0.1	200	Curio	None
Surprising Utensil	0.1	175	Curio	None
T.V. Lifeform Shield	0.3	20000	Technology	Available from Starport Outpost One (δ35x73, p1). A ship's Engineer can install this device aboard an ITV with a successful Mechanics Check (DC 30). If successful, the ITV gains 100 SHP against all lifeform attacks only.
Terrain Vehicle Debris	200	0	Artifact	Auto-generated anytime a terrain vehicle is destroyed or runs out of fuel on a planetary surface. Its composition is made up of the elements and fuel of whatever vehicle was destroyed. These minerals can be harvested by any craft with an Industrial Manipulator Module. After harvesting, the debris contains nothing else of value.
Tesseract	0.5	30000	Technology	Located at α18x50 (p5, 15N X 44W). A ship's Engineer can install this device in the engine with a successful Nuclear Physics Check (DC 50). If successful, the efficiency of the ship's engines are doubled (max 100%, see Chapter 8.1 for further details). Otherwise, the ship takes 5% engine damage and the Engineer must wait 24 hours before trying again.
Throbbing Mass	0.1	125	Curio	None
Ticking Sphere	0.3	2250	Curio	None
Translucent Cube	0.2	500	Curio	None
Two-Headed Route	0.1	21000	Trade Route	Begin by buying either Tandelouvian Happy Juice from the Tandelou Eshvara (δ35x69, p2) -OR- Shimmer Cloth from the Ch-Q-Tss-T (δ199x82, p2). Sell whatever you bought to the Teeelveee (δ125x95, p1) and buy Singing Beetles. Sell them to the Tarn (δ54x104 , p1) and buy Screech Harps. Make a final sale to the Mbe (δ64x6, p2).
Uhl Weapon	0.1	0	Technology	Available from the Halls of Memory (δ131x219, p1, 26S X 135E). Will join with Gorzek (δ28x79, p4) upon confirmation of request. Auto-installs. When deployed on the Uhl, enables the Uhl to be destroyed.
Wee Green Blobbie	0.1	150	Curio	None
Whining Orb	0
6000	Technology	Available at Starport Central (α125x100, p2). A ship's Engineer can install this device with a successful Electromagnetism Check (DC 30). If successful, the ship's Communications Officer automatically successfully translates all messages received from a Spemin starship, regardless of the result of their Alpha-Sector Languages Check. Otherwise, the ship takes 5% communications damage and the Engineer must wait 24 hours before trying again.

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