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Theword‘home’meansdifferentthingstodifferentpeople.Thisgraphicistitled“OntheGoldenDistantShore”©uxmal750ad.Seehisworkathttps://www.deviantart.com/art/On-the-Golden-Distant-Shore-446456628

Trogudk Stoksueghaidzok “Nose in front!” UPP8E8CBC,Age38,IrilitokVargrSkills:Mechanical-4,Survival-3,GravVehicle-2,Recon-2,GroundTactics-2,Stealth-2,Navigation-1,Liaison-1,VaccSuit-1,Jack-of-Trades-1,Intrusion-1,Linguistics-1,GravBelt-1,Electronics-1,Computer-0,Biology-0,Zero-G-0,Handgun-0 Languages:Rrakfugk(Native:anIrilitokVargrlanguage),JulianAnglicTools:Onhisperson,there’salwayssomeniceTL-14cybergearthatwillletalow-leveltechielikehimselftapinto,search,andobtaininformationonmostnetworksofTL6-11.Trogudkisn’tmuchofafighter,soheusuallydoesn’tevenhaveaknifeonhisperson:buthedoeshave‘silentwalking’boots,andasetofdisposablelow-powercammosuits:nottruechameleonwear,butgoodenoughformostcasualobserversandlow-techsensors.He’swealthyenoughtohaveagoodsetofcyberneticeyes,ears,andnose.Itlooksandfeelsall-natural,butthedatacanberecorded,quantifiedandtransmitted.Troogudkalsohasanon-boardprocessorinhisskull:“Nothingtoofancy:justenoughtoanalysethedataandpresentthefindingsinmysyntheticirisasaHUD.”Visual:Trogudkisadescendentofthe“FgouthuagruedhlineofVargrFriends”:agenetically-alteredsubsetoftheIrilitokrace,shapedtobespecializedlivingtools(slaves)oftheAsimikigirwithafocusontechnologicalaptitude,curiosity,andahigherlevelofintelligence,coupledwithanevenstrongerintellectualizedandrationalized(asopposedtoscent-derivedandinstinctual)eagernesstoplease,andsogaintheapproval&protectionoftheirmasters.8“BredwithpridebytheMenderesCorporation!”9

8Lotsofsmartiesouttherehaveahorrorofuncontrolledandunpredictablesituations,andarequiteeagertoserve&justifythepowerfulinalltheydo,inreturnforhigh-prestige,highpay,low-risktenuredwork.

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Trogudkhimselfisonly~70%Fgouthuagruedh,buthasthevisualtraitsoftheFgouthuagruedh:adouble-coat(outergrey,innermottledblack/sableorblack/wolfgrey),evenlessstoopthanotherIrilitok,butwithsomewhatsmaller,brownorblacktriangulareyeslikeapitbull.Typically,TrogudkwearshisAsimikigirraiment–atypicallyloudmulti-robe,jacket,scarfandbootensemble.Imperialhumanscan’tbebotheredtotellthedifferencebetweenloudandcolourfulJulianVargrandloudandcolourfulImperialVargrclothing…butthelocalVargrcanspotthedifferenceinstantly.Openingtheme:“FirstSnow”,ClintMansell,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYfdY4Sl-EQ

Variablestars,unstablesunsandagingwhitedwarfsareoftenbeautifultobehold:butifyouaren’t

payingcloseattentiontotheambientradiation,thisbeautywillbethelastthingyouwilleversee!

Thisgraphicistitled“RingsofCreation”©uxmal750ad.Seehisworkathttps://www.deviantart.com/art/Rings-of-Creation-484981181

BackgrounderTrogudk’soriginsareabitofamysterytohimself:evenhistruebirthworldisunknown.HisearliestmemorieswerebeingayoungmemberofthePrenasaghPack,amainlyhumancommunity/religion/corporationofafewhundredresidingonapleasantcampus/gatedcommunity,partofasprawlingvillage-metropolis-arcologynetworkonRaduun/TozusGanok/Mendan3119(UWPin993:D310856-A).AlsoincludedinthePrenasaghPackweresomeyoungVargr:somewhojustwanderedin,andotherswhowerebroughtinastheywereinneedofsupport.

9SlaveryhasbeenillegalwithintheAsimikigirsincethelate-300s/early-200sImperial,butthetraitsoftheFgouthuagruedhgenelinecontinuedtobepassedforwardtothepresentday,993Imperial.Thepurelineisreasonablyhealthy,numberingatninemillionmembers,withanother80millionIrilitokwithagreaterthan5%inheritedFgouthuagruedhgeneset.Awordofadvice:VargrspecialistsandJulianProtectoratepeoplereallyshouldgetacopyofChallengeMagazine#49tounderstandwhat’sgoingon,availableathttp://www.rpgnow.com/product/87272/CHALLENGE-Magazine-No-49

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SeveraloftheolderVargrmemberswereinaPanetrelationshipwithhumanpartners,includingTrogudkhimselfinhisteens.Heneverreallygotintothetheologyorbusinesssideofthings,buttrulybondedwithhisPanetpartner,andstuckarounduntilhispartnerdied…then,aftergrieving,TrogudkleftthePrenasaghPackwiththeirblessing,andmanagedtogetintoMenderesCorporationasamechanic.Hebecameareallygoodmechanic,andsoeventuallywasplacedinsituationswhereeverysophontcouldbereliedon,earninghisplaceontheteam.Trogudk’slifemadeamajorturnwhenhejoinedtheFathe-KiuGiExpeditionsintotheHegemonyofLorean.TheseVargrexpeditionswereatreatyrequirementfortheHegemonytomaintainAssociateStatuswiththeProtectorate,sotheywerepermittedtoenterandworkwithinHegemonioSpace…butweregiventheveryminimumsupportandassistancepossible.10IfTrogudkcouldn’tmakeitworkwiththematerialsonhand,itwasn’tgoingtohappen:andattheendoftheday,hemadeithappen.Moreover,theIrilitokVargrgotafairbitintothebusinessendoftheexpedition,gettinghimselfintosomediceysituationswithlocalHegemoniomilitaryforces.Oddly,itwastheLoreanRangers11–oneofthefewHegemoniomilitaryunitsthattolerateVargrmembers–whocausedthemostgrief,withweaponsfirebeingexchangedforseveralhoursbeforeamutualstand-downcouldbearranged.

TherewereotherincidentswhichTrogudkwon’ttalkabout.Let’ssaythat1)certainHegemonioofficersandmen,whenfacedwithinquisitiveVargrundertreatyprotection,willknowinglypullthetrigger,treatingtheinevitablecourtmartialandlikelyexecutionas‘thepriceofduty’,and2)AgoodchunkofTrogudk’s(broadlyevasive)GroundTacticsandSurvivalskillsetswereearnedintheFathe-KiuGiExpeditions,‘infriendlyHegemoniospace’.Notbadforahighlyskilled,naturallypacifistmechanic…notbadatall!

Atthemoment…Duetobothhisexperienceandhis15minutesoffameafterreturningwiththeFathe-KiuGiExpeditions,TrogudkwasseenasaprimerecruitfortheRukonrifguag.Moreoftenthannot,heistreatedastheleaderoftheRukonrifguagoperatingwithintheEmptyQuarter,andtheactualleaderoftheVargrcrewofthePlataoPlomo.VargrbeingVargr,thispositionisoccasionallychallenged,butTrogudkisgoodatdeflectingorneuteringchallengesbeforetheygetoutofhand.Hisprovenskillinhandlinghostilehumanshelpsalot,too.LikemostIrilitok,heisn’tawarrior,butfairlyskilledatthesocialsideofthings.UnlikemanyIrilitok,heisabletokill…butalmostalwaysalowprofilekilling,onlywhenit’snecessaryforsurvival,andneverinawaythatattractsattention.It’salwaysasuddenandexceedinglyone-sidedevent,withthetargetnevergiventheoptiontoescapeorfightback.Theideaofkillingforcharisma,publicintimidation,orbuildinghisreputationhorrifiesTrodudk,andactuallyfightingsomeoneturnshisstomach.Inhisheart,everyonereallyshouldbefriends,andthefewsophontshekilledweren’treallyhisenemies…theywerejustmisguided,andsadly,therewasn’tenoughtimetoreachouttothemandbefriendthem,sotheyjusthadtoQuicklyGoAway.12,13

10WhattheHegemoniomilitaryreallywantedtodowasblowthoseVargrrightoutofspace…butOrdersareOrders.<visual:grittedteeth,clenchedfists>11Lastseenin“DownedonUzola”,StellarReaches#6.12Trogudk’spsycheisalreadyslowlymovingtoblockouteventhememoryofactuallyhurtinganyone.Themusclememoryandcoreinstinctsaregoingtostickaround,though…13IftheRefereedecidedtodefinitelyhaveTrogudkbreakwithhisIrilitokinstincts,hewouldmakeaprettygoodassassin.Especiallywiththat‘memory-delete’function:apsioncouldlookintohismindandgenuinelyfindnoevidenceofmurder.QuitehandyinZhodaniregionsofspace!Now,aboutthetechniqueof‘arranging

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“Traveling–itleavesyouspeechless,thenturnsyouintoastoryteller.”–IbnBattuta

Thisgraphicistitled“GasGiant”©AdrianMarkGillespie.Seehisworkathttps://tk769.deviantart.com/art/Gas-Giant-574078474

Andyou’reherebecauseof…?“Money,dearboy.”TrogudkhasenoughofapensionfromtheFathe-KiuGiExpeditionsthathecouldretirerightnowwithoutworryingmuchaboutfood,clothing,shelterandhealthcare.Buthewantsmorethanthis,andtheVargrbehindtheRukonrifguaggrouphaspromisedhimalargepayoff,agoodcorporate-levelpension,andtheopportunitytoearnmoremoneywithspeakingengagementsandroyaltiesfrombrandingandimages.Yes,TrogudkwillgetgoodCharismaifhedeliversresults,andCharismanaturallyleadstomorefame,whichleadstomoreincomeifyouknowwhatyouaredoing.NoticethattheVargrwilloftenbemotivatedpurelybythepossibilityofgainingCharisma…butTrogudkisreallyinterestedbythemoneyhighCharismawouldbringin,andnottrulyintheCharismaperse,‘likeaproperVargrwouldbe.’

asuicide’,viaHiver-stylepsychologicalmanipulationorbymerelypaintingtheevidenceatthecrimesceneinawaygoodenoughtopassforensicsandgetyourdesiredstoryline…

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Closingtheme:“JourneyThroughtheGalaxy”,AndreasWaldentoft,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhkWX3PwkF8

Thisisthekindofsightthatportraysparadisetomostsophonts.No,notthesunlightglisteningfromtherock,

nottheglowingorbwiththeshimmeringsilverrings.It’stheliquidwater,shirt-sleevetemperatures,and

breathableairthatdoesthetrick.Thisgraphicistitled“HornsoftheKraken”©uxmal750ad.Seehisworkathttps://www.deviantart.com/art/Horns-of-the-Kraken-572784525

Vadzuk Grenh Just a Hired Hand UPP3E5A91,Age29,IrilitokVargrSkills:SensorOps-2,Streetwise-1,Stealth-1,Rifleman-1,Pilot-1,Admin-1,TurretWeapon-1,Persuasion-1,Commo-1,ShipsBoat-1,Electronics-1,ShipTactics-1,Engineering-1,GravVehicle-0,Computer-0,VaccSuit-0 Languages:Ukazk(Native:anIrilitokVargrlanguageofIkon)Note:Vadzukdoesnotshareanylanguagewiththeothercrewmen,andcannotcommunicatewiththemwithoutatranslator.Tools:Atranslator,compromisingofanearpieceandathroatvocalizer.14Ariflewithafewclipsofammoisalsokept,dissembled,inhercabin.Vadzukcanputittogetheratneed…butitwilltakeafewminutes.

14AbroadassortmentofthemostcommonlanguagesoftheJulianProtectorateareincludedinthesoftware,includingJulianAnglic,Rrakfugk,Ukazk,ModernVilani,OldHighVilani,andseveralofthemorecommonVargrandhumanlanguages.Severalotherlanguagesarealsoincluded,includingImperialAnglic(TransformandCore),ModernGashikan,andeventheexoticAslantongue:theRimAnglicoftheSolomaniConfederationisnotincluded,asit’sjusttoounlikelytobeneededintheProtectorate.

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Visual:Atypicallow-charismaVargr.Vadzukbearsapermanenthangdogexpressionofresignationanddefeat,dressesinanuntidymanner,andisn’tveryvocalorassertive.Whenpossible,she’llsorta-kindahideinmeetingsandsocialsituations.Whileintelligentandobservant,Vadzukkeepitunderwraps,asexpressingherselfismorelikelytogetherintroublethananythingelse.Openingtheme:“GreenintoGold”,DavidLanz,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVDn2IvaNG0NothingspecialWhenamemberoftheoriginalcrewsimplywalkedawayonIkonwhenhissalarydemandsweren’tmet,theremainingmembersofthePlataoPlomohadtoscrambleforareplacement.Therewasagoodselectionofskilledhandsavailable,abletospeakVilaniorAnglic…andallofthemhadbeeninvolvedinpiracyinImperialspace.TheleadersoftheRukonrifguagsteeredclearoftheseVargr,astheywantedtoavoidanyredflagswiththeImperialNavy15...sotheydecidedtohireVadzukGrenh,whohasabroadsetofusefulskills,coupledwithverymodestsalaryexpectations.VadzukisanativeofIkon…anIrilitoknative,aVargrraceofhuman-bredex-slaveswhoareutterlydespisedbytherulingOvaghounVargr(andtheirquietVilaniservants,whoareoftenagooddealmoredangerousthantheirmasters).16Theinsults,thetongue-lashings,themockery,andthebeat-downswouldgettoanyoneafterawhile…nevermindthepro-socialIrilitok,wholongfortheapprovaloftheirleadersandofsocietyingeneral.WorkinguptoaverageWhilebroadlyskilled,Vadzukisn’tastand-outinmanyareas,andthelanguagebarrier,combinedwithherlowcharisma,pushedhertothebackofthepack.Still…shedoesherjobreasonablywell,andunlikeonIkon,thereisfarmorecasualindifferencedirectedtoherthanhardenedhostility.Freeoftheendless,cruelcontemptofherhomeworld,Vadzukdarestodreamofbeingfullyacceptedaspartofthegroup.Shefantasisesofsituationswhereherho-humshiptacticalskill,middlingpilotingability,andunremarkableturrethandlingallcombinewithherprettydecentskillatsensors(hersecretprideandjoy)toturnherintoaheroine,savingtheshipandearningtheloveandrespectofthecrew.Asinconspicuouslyaspossible,VadzukisalsoworkinghardatstudyingtheRrakfugklanguage17:breakingthelanguagebarrierwouldgoalongwaytotrulybecoming‘oneofus’.Asof001-993,sheisbuildingupthecouragetoaskanothercrewmantobeherlanguagestudypartner.Comparedwiththeextraordinarypersonalitiesandunusualskillsofhercrewmates,it’sunlikelythatVadzukwillevergetpastthe‘eh,she’sallright’levelintheeyesofherteammates.But,ifshecangetthebasiclevelofrespectandacceptancesheneeds,she’llbecontent…perhaps,evenhappy.Closingtheme:“DreamboatAnnie”,Heart,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLoMej34zvA

15Yes,theImperialNavycanbetoughonVargrvisitors:butunliketheprofoundlyhostilelocalnavies,theImperialNavyispredictable,atleasttriestobefairandimpartial,andreallydohaverulestheystickto.VisitingVargrcivilianshipswouldbewisetostayontheImperium’sgoodside…16EverytimetheOvaghounlookattheIrilitok,theyseeaninferiorandderisiveversionofthemselves…an‘alternatereality’theynaturallywanttoripapartintobloodychunks.Incontrast,theVilaniseecompetition,athreattobeneutralizedinasorganized,asrational,andasthoroughamanneraspossible.17AsanIrilitoktongue,it’sdefinitelyeasierforVadzuktostudyandpracticethananyofthehumanlanguages.

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Powerfulculturesandgloriousempiresleavebehindtoweringmonumentstotheirgreatness.

ButIbettheywouldhavefarpreferredtohaveleftbehindlivingfamiliesinstead,

sharingtheirgods,theirspirit,theirblood,theirhopes,theirlanguage,theirland,theirstories.

“ThereisnosubstituteforthesurvivaloftheRace!”–SolomaniIdeology101.

Thisgraphicistitled“lostcivilization”©IgorTovstogan.Seehisworkathttps://igortovstogan.deviantart.com/art/lost-civilization-671685587

Captain Alokhos Grankdziz (Ret.) One Chance UPP7C49E8,Age44,OvaghounVargr(“IkonazVargr”)Skills:LaserWeapon-2,Infighting-2,CombatRifleman-1,TurretWeapon-1,ATV-1,Medical-1,Survival-1,Scrounge-1,Streetwise-1,Bribery-1,GravVehicle-1,Computer-0,VaccSuit–0Languages:JulianAnglic,IkonazVilani18Tools:Asetofdiamond-edgedtitaniumNavyClaws–theequivalentofahumanNavalSword–ishisprizepossession.Otherwise,notmuch,really:justadatapad–mainlyloadedwithcontentandelectronicmemorabiliafromhisyearsofservicewiththeJulianStarLegion19–andwhat’sinsidehishead.Visual:CaptainGrankdzizwearstheundressuniformofaStarLegioncaptain,withmarkingsandinsigniathatdenotehisstatusas“honourable/longservice/retired”.HiscivilianoutfitsretaintheformalfitandcutofVargrmilitaryuniforms,ashe’sonlyateasewearingsuchclothing.Openingtheme:“More”,NilsFrahm,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH2IVFKAx9MAfterglow…andthen,theBlastwaveThegoodcaptainhadonlyrecentlyretiredfromhisserviceintheStarLegion:aservicethatwasfarmoreaboutpoliticalmanoeuvresandnetworkingthanactuallyfighting.20Forhim,itwasagood25years,withapensionto

18“Whyno,thisVargriscompletelyuninterestedinlearninganyVargrlanguageotherthantheVargrformsofIkonazVilani.Whypretendthattheyhaveanythingsignificanttosay?”19Someofthatcontentisreal…andsomeisphotoshopped.20Despitethetitleandthebigtalk(pepperedwithoutrightlies),CaptainGrandkzizneveractuallyservedonastarship,nevermindledashipintobattle.Hehasactuallyfiredalaserrifleinanger,though…morethanonce,even!

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matchandacomfortableretirementonhishomewordofIkontolookforwardto,withrichlyrewarding‘consultancies’and‘advisorypositions’alllinedup.

WhiletheJulianProtectorateisnotaswealthyorquiteastechnologicallyadvancedastheImperium,

itdoeshaveamarketofhundredsofbillionsofsophonts…andthatmeansmassivestarfreighters.Thisgraphicistitled“CrossingtheRustRuins”©AdrianoPortugal.

Seehisworkathttps://danarogon-ap.deviantart.com/art/Crossing-The-Rust-Ruins-714482451Andthen,itwasallblastedtodust,justlikethat.Thecorruptioneruptionswerebadenough,drivingmanyofhismostpowerfulfriends,alliesandprotectorsintobankruptcy,maulingsandamputations,pennilessexile,personalityerasuresandrewrites,andevenexecutions.21Buttherealsmash-upwasthesexscandals,wheretheIkonazVargrmaleswerecaughtwithinferiorIrilitokVargrfemales.ThedisgustofthegeneralIkonazmasses–OvaghounandVilanialike22–leddirectlytothecollapseoftheplanetarygovernment,the“IkonCollectiveofProgress”,andtheriseofanewgovernment,the“IkonokLlirrusukh”.23Remarkably,CaptainGrankdzizwasonlysomewhatsmearedbythispoliticalfiasco,primarilybecausehewasnevermorethanaminorcronyandglad-handler,ratherthanabigwheelinthevariousscamsandescapades.Hismatelefthimofcourse–thelossofcharismalossalonewouldseetothat–buthegotofflightly.HewillalwaysbegratefultoIllounvraroeskfikhforrefusingtoslanderhisnameinpublic24…ANewHopeAsthewaveofdamagesubsided,CaptainGrankdzizmanagedtogetsomeissuestobreakhisway.First,hewasabletowinahonourabledischarge,andkeephisStarLegionpension:nomeanfeat,giventheattitudeofthe

21Notetheabsenceofprisons.ThecurrentIkonazleadershipseesnoreasonwhytheyshouldhavetopaytokeepacriminalhoused,fed…andpayforhismedicaltreatmenttoo!22TheopinionsoftheIrilitokmassesdon’tcount.23SeeStellarReaches#8,page3324Intruth,CaptainGrandzizneverdidcheatonher,andwasareasonablydecentfatherandmate:soIllounvraroeskfikh’spunishmentforhisfailurewasonthelightside,gearedtoprotectherselfandherpupsratherthantoharmGrandziz.

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massesandthecollapseofboththeplanetarygovernmentandhispersonalnavalnetworks.25Hissuccesshereplacedaflooronhowlowhischarismacouldcollapse:acriticalvictoryinVargrculture,wherecharismaisall.

Journeyingacrossthestars,tohikeacrossaforest…

Thisgraphicistitled“WindingPathsII”©AndreasRocha.Seehisworkathttps://www.deviantart.com/art/Winding-Paths-II-685218140

Then,cameachancetomakearealrecovery.AsaStarLegionofficer,CaptainGrankdzizneverreallylikedtheImperium,themostpowerfulpotentialthreattotheProtectorate.Eveninthesetimesofpeace–somethingtheCaptainisthankfulfor,especiallyassporadicbutgrim(andsometimesblood-curdling)reportsfromthedistantSolomaniRimWardriftin–theCaptainresentsImperialhostilitytohisrace,ahostilitymosteasilyuncoveredintheEmptyQuarter.26OneofhisfewcontactsuntouchedbythepurgesbroughtuptheRukonrifguag:theywerelookingforanexperiencedhand–someonewithmilitaryordiplomaticexperience–tooverseetheirpro-VargroperationsintheEmptyQuarter.TheCaptainjumpedatthechanceand,evenwithagreatlyweakenednetworkofconnectionsandfavourstocallon,hewaseasilyabletopersuade(bamboozle)thecrewofthePlataoPlomotosignhimon.Surprisingly,CaptainGrankdzizdecidedtoactuallyputhisteethintothework.He’sstillthewrongVargrforthejob:buthe’susingpartsofhisbrain(andhisspine)thathasn’tbeenactivatedforages.Yes,heseeshispositionintheRukonrifguagashistickettoregainingandevensurpassingtherespect,honour,publicesteem,andcharismahehaslost..buthelpinghispeople,hisraceisn’tmerelyameanstoanend.WhileeveryoneonthePlataoPlomosupportsthecausetotheextentofactuallyworkingforit–andevenriskingtheir

25IshouldnoteherethattheStarLegionispartoftheJulianProtectorate’sarmedforces:whileIkonprovidesanimportantcontributiontotheRukadukazRepublic’smilitary–andso,indirectlytotheLegion–thecollapseofthegovernmentofIkondidnotthreatentheRepublic,northeProtectorate,northeintegrity,organization,oroperationsoftheStarLegion.26Tobefair,theCaptain(andotherVargrracialpatriots)tendstobeuninterestedinunderstandinghowthelonghabitofVargrraidingshapeImperialattitudestotheVargr.Andreally:‘uncovering’hostilitytotheVargrintheEmptyQuarter?It’sfarmorelikehavingthathostilityeitherquietlyfillingtheroom,leavingacertainchillintheair(Vilani)ordrivenintotheirsnoutsandshoveddowntheirthroats(Solomani).

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livesforit–onlyCaptainGrankdzizreallybelievesintheneedtogiveahandtotheweakestVargrpacksintheImperialEmptyQuarter.Afterdecadesofsocialclimbingandsycophancy,theCaptainisfinallygoingtoearnhisrank.“AsCaptainGrankdzizisanIkonazVargr,whydoesn'thetakeeveryopportunitytohazeandharasstheIrilitokVargr,VadzukGrenh?”First,VadzukisfarfromtheonlyIrilitokVargrontheship:theothershaveagooddealmorepower,confidence,andaggressionthanshedoes…andarewillingtouseitonherbehalf.“Itjustisn’tworththehassle.”Moreover,CaptainGrankdzizhasjustseenmanypowerfulIkonazVargrmales–some,goodfriendsofhis–loseeverything,preciselybecausetheyweremessingwithIrilitokfemales.“Bestlearnfromthepainofothers.”Finally…inhiseyes,theIrilitokVargrarenottheenemy.Theyaren'tthethreat.Imperialhumansarethetheat.“Don’tgetside-tracked:keepthemainthingthemainthing!”

Closingtheme:“WheelswithinWheels”,PenguinCafe,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fB9W12z0uU

Researchisformalizedcuriosity.

Itispokingandpryingwithapurpose.

–ZoraNealeHurtson

Investigator Mgutho’vgroevros Give Me the Numbers UPP8A4757,Age30,Ovaghoun-IrilitokVargrSkills:Math(Statistics)-3,Jack-o-Trades-2,SensorOps-1,Computer-1,Liaison-1,Linguistics-1,Admin-1,Electronics-1,Instruction-1,Mechanical-0,GravVehicle-0,Handgun-0,Survival-0Languages:JulianAnglic,ModernVilaniTools:Justadatapad,acommlink/PDA/portabrain,andapairofHUDglasses.Noguns,nobodyarmour,nonothing.Visual:AmixofIrilitokandOvaghounparentage,Mgutho’vgroevrosshowstraitsfrombothVargrraces/cultures.HerstoopandgaitislesspronouncedthanmostVargr,andhersnoutislesspronounced:inthisway,sheshowsherIrilitokinfluence.However,hereyesaren’tnearlyaslargeandendearingaspurebredIrilitokwouldbe.HermannerofdressisbasicallyofaminorVilaniprofessional,adaptedfortheVargranatomy.Openingtheme:“Ventriloquist”,WayneGratz,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbhGU5hQnY4Home…Bashkari/Naem/Mendan3032(UWPin993:A5459B9-A)isanimportanttradenexus27,situatedbetweenthreeJulianProtectoratememberstates:thepowerfulRukadukazRepublic,theevenmorepowerfulAsimikigirConfederation,andtheminor-leagueUkhanziCoordinate.ItwasonthisnotablewateringholethatMgutho’vgroevros–henceforthshortenedto“Mgutho”–wasborn.

27“Importanttradenexus”asof993.By1105,thestarporthasfallenfromAtoB,theculturehasgrownhostileenoughfortheworldtogetAmberZoned,thetraderoutesshifttomorefriendlysystems,andthetimesofeasymoneyandrichlivinghadfallentolegend.“Sictransitgloriamundi.”