VoidTrecker Express Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
voidtreckermods) wrote2020-08-30 03:04 pm
voidtreckermods) wrote2020-08-30 03:04 pm
Library
LIBRARY
This a double carriage. On the bottom floor there is a corridor running along one side, with a door to enter the carriage itself in the middle of the corridor. Up the stairs on either end of the carriage, the space is open, relatively.We will not OOCly be tracking books being checked in and out. If a book is not being returned, please reply to that book's comment to let people know that it isn't available.
Downstairs appears similar to a public library. The walls are painted brightly and lined with shelves, most of which are empty. Labels indicate that fiction books should be stored here. The wall facing the door is alternating windows looking out into the Void, and posters that seem to be large, blown-up book covers for the more popular fiction books in the train.
Four tables with linked chairs are spaced throughout the car, each one painted one of the team colours, and beanbag chairs similar to those found in the Games carriage can also be seen scattered in a pile in one corner.
A little wooden train with shelves built into it winds its way through the tables, its shelves filled with all of the previously-purchased Merry Little Void Train literature and the first book of several of the encountered but unpurchased MLVT series, including several colouring books. There's room on its shelves for far more than it currently contains. Kheli the rabbit is painted leaning out of the engine window, waving.
Along the far wall to the right are two scanning machines, which can do the following: register new books - as a helpful tutorial on the screen will inform you; provide summaries of books if given a specific title; or check books out if presented with a valid ticket. Passengers can have up to eight books checked out at a time; if someone walks out of the carriage carrying a book not checked out by them, the ICP speakers in that carriage will beep obnoxiously for ten seconds.
Upstairs resembles an academic library. The wall next to the stairs is a similar bank of windows as downstairs, although lacking the colourful posters, instead dotted with landscape paintings of previously visited worlds and unknown worlds both. Rows of shelves divide the space into six smaller workspaces, each with a single-person desk with lamp and bookstand and another window above, bracketed by shelves on either side. The bookshelves muffle sound, creating semi-private spaces around each desk.
The shelves are empty, with labels on each shelf indicating that non-fiction books belong up here.
Please comment below with any books your character is registering with the library computers, using the following form, to either the fiction or non-fiction top level and under the correct genre or subsection with the book's title as the subject header:
BOOK SEARCHES ~ FICTION ~ NON-FICTION
FICTION: Merry Little Voidtrain ~ Action/Adventure ~ Crime ~ War/Epic ~ Drama/Slice Of Life ~ Horror
NON-FICTION: Void ~ Historical/Travel ~ Educational ~ Entertainment ~ Arts/Sports ~ Philosophy/Religion ~ Health
OTHER: Recipes ~ Passenger Documents
VOID
Creatures of the Void
Description: Is a 'myths and legends' types book. It states that there is no scientific proof of anything living in the void. But despite that as long as void travel has existed travellers have reported seeing things in the colours.
There are many many stories about spirits or ghosts, void treckers unable to get home, wandering lost. Some say that it is their cries that make the music.
Others claim the music is made from a form of void whale.
There are many monsters imagined. The most common being large void worms that eat ships whole. There are stories of void craft going missing.
There are many theories on the music. From shifting void particles to angel choirs and everything in between.
Nothing is known though. According to the science the void is devoid of life but it is, according to the book, fun to theorise.
Voidspace: What You Need to Know
Description: (Link) This is a simple book, written by 'The Ministry of Voidtravel'.
It is a short pamphlet book and is quite dry. It is written for void active worlds and explains that to travel through void space you need to be registered with a Void Travel Company or be part of a Void Mission, you must undertake void training and have a full health screening. Tourists need specific insurance for void travel (there is a whole chapter on insurance forms, 45a for short journeys, 76b if planning to visit more than two worlds, 82x if going to a non void active world).
Most of the book is given over to explaining how to apply for different visas and travel permits. It does mention that those on Void Missions are automatically entitled to a full Void pass.
Communication Points: A Basic Overview
Description: This is a quite dry book about different communication methods that are usable in the void. It seems to be a guide for those choosing on communication methods for void craft. It recommends closed networks within a void craft but lists the pros and cons of a few different makes.
How It Works: Void Engines
Description: This is again for children and is very basic. But it explains that a void engine can phase through a world into the void (which is explained as the space between worlds, out of time and space).
It speaks how a voidcraft is 'solid and yet not' which allows them move through realities. It reassures the reader that nowadays Void travel is safe but young people shouldn't do it for long periods of time without rest.
My thrilling career as a Void Trecker. The Best Seller By Art Divino.
Description: This is half a memoir and half a how to novel about voidtrecking, meeting new cultures and being a hero.
Except it will be clear to anyone who has spent any time in the void, and especially to those who have done missions in the past, that Art Divino has never been a voidtrecker. Has no idea of the void of how the void works and their idea of alien cultures and peoples are strange at best.
However one thing is clear and that is that Art Divino believes their own hype.
History of the Void
Description: History of the Void is basically another retelling of the story of Bhifve and Pru. It paints Bhifve in a more heroic light than the biography.
Voidtrecker: A Photo Essay
Description: A photo essay of different worlds and differing shots of the Voidtrecker. Some are close up, some are far away. Some seem to be taken from inside the train to the outside (there are no photos of void). There are no people and no words, but each photograph is obviously carefully taken and the book tells a story of a journey, if in a strange medium.
Filling A Void
Description: Is a collection of recruitment posters. Both for the Void Ministry and for various void mission services (it is notable that there is not one for Voidtrecker Express).
They are different in tone and content. Some are 'your world needs you' type and some focus on the skills that an individual can gain.
Void mission recruitment speaks about seeing new worlds, helping people and disaster relief. Some paint it as a big, worthwhile life experience. Others are more blunt and speak about hard work and discipline.
A vast array of people are shown, many different alien species. Sometimes there are no pictures, other times no words. Each have dates and seem to be in chronological order, though it is hard to tell as the dates seem to be the date on their origin world and bare no resemblance to each other.
Be Safe! Safety Control Apparatus
Description: This seems to be a simple pamphlet aimed at tourists. It explains that all Void travellers will have a safety device, most often called Safety Control Apparatus.
It explains that the main purpose is to act as a 'tether' to the void craft and to allow people to survive in places where they would otherwise struggle. It explains that most of SCA's, even those on tourist craft will have an evacuation function.
It goes on to explain about how different worlds have different air and chemical components in the air and the SCA allows survival in not idea atmospheres. They also give some protection against pressure, extreme heat and cold. However there is a warning that such things are still harmful and void explorers should always maintain common sense and be careful.
There are other uses of the SCA depending on what void company is travelled with. Including maps and communications.
Bhifve: A Biography
Description: ~ Bhifve was born on what would become known as System #3. One of the first six void-active worlds.
~ His world knew about the void but no attempts of entering it had been successful.
~ He was the son of two scientists and grew up in a wealthy learning-rich environment.
~ This led to him becoming a scientist himself.
~ When he was seventeen his mother thought she had succeeded in voidtravel. She set off on a journey and though her ship left into the void, her body remained on her world.
~ The loss of his mother hit Bhifve hard and he threw himself into his work. He quickly became known as a mad scientist.
~ It was his life's work and he perused it with very dubious ethics. He often was quoted saying that if he did not achieve void travel then his mother had died in vain.
~ He was 56 years old when he figured he had cracked it. He could find no one to willingly travel in his experimental craft and this led to him bribing a corrupt official to give him a prisoner who was slated for execution.
~ His initial meeting with Pru was a disaster and she told him that if he forced her into the void she would do everything within her power to ruin his experiment.
~ He offered her half his fortune if she survived and a full pardon for her crimes. She agreed and the rest, as they say, is history.
~ His relationship with Pru improved when she returned successful and they worked together for many years.
~ Despite all his work he only voidtravelled himself once- he was one hundred and three years old and bed bound. Pru took him into the void and to her favourite world- one with crystal cliffs that sung with the wind. He died under a rich golden sky and Pru returned back to system #3 to bury him.
Leaving the Void Active Worlds
Description: This is a travel guide, it contains information about travelling to non void-active worlds and is mostly filled with tips about blending in and not mentioning void travel.
It has some suggestions of ways to learn about different cultures, without revealing you are from another world and some other tips and hints about cross world manners and etiquette.
There is also some information on the breach of void secrecy reporting procedure. This mostly seems to involve a lot of paperwork.
Worst Void Criminals
Description: This is a very sensationalist 'true' crime book about the worst five criminals in void history. It is sparse on actual facts but rich in gore and detail.
The Captain of the Voidtrain known only as V
Leader of the scourge of the void. So little is known of this captain. Who they were, where they came from or even if they were the same person for the entirety of the voidtrain's reign of terror.
Tar
A serial killer who left a trail of blood across a series of non void-active worlds before she was finally brought to justice.
J, J & H
The three criminals behind the annihilation of system #901. Con artists who used the void to pull off 'perfect' heists and inadvertently set off a chain of events that led to the destruction of a fifty-planet strong system and the loss of countless lives.
Queen Nvurtsfa of Ghri
A warrior queen who ruled her entire world with an iron fist. When void travel was discovered she sent her armies out into the void and subjugated three hundred worlds before she was finally stopped.
Joi Nurl
A seemingly normal office worker from system #34253 who moved illegal money and was heavily involved behind the scenes of an inter world drug trade. He was responsible for introducing the addictive drug 'Roze' to many worlds. Roze's main problem was though it was a addictive but mostly relaxing drug for those of system #34253 it could cause many medical complications in other worlds.
(Nita was very tempted to sort this and Art Divino's book into 'fiction', but she did not go through with it. :( )
Where It All Began: Voidcraft
Description: This is a children's information book about the first void travel. It does feature a short piece on Jifti and Byin and their doomed voyage but the bulk of it focuses on Bhifve and Pru.
It glosses over a lot of the facts of Bhifve's life and work and indeed many of the parts of Pru's. It does mention that she was in jail and they made a deal that she would work for him.
It has a picture of the two of them - they were blue-skinned humanoids - and a basic sketch of the void-craft.
Destination Voidspace (Magazine)
Description: A glossy travel brochure by the Void Ministry. This issue features System #88888 a world of rugged icy mountains, occupied only by giant flying creatures. The creatures are not a threat, it is quick to reassure readers, and the world is a fascinating nature retreat.
It advertises void-tours. One offers a one week stay in luxury log cabins. Another is for the more adventurous- a mountain trail hike, camping along the way. A third is a quicker tour- part of a five world adventure cruise.
Missing Worlds
Description: A book on various worlds that have gone 'missing' or been destroyed. It is very vague actually because they are 'unexplained' occurrences.
There have been, according to the author an uptick in destroyed worlds in the recent years. Rumours of a mysterious enemy, a world eater. There is a list of worlds that they suspect were destroyed in this way. (The world they evacuated from is not on it).
Frankly it reads like some crazy conspiracy theory book.
List of Worlds
Hub Worlds
Description: A basic book on hub worlds. It has a brief explanation on what they are (unstable worlds where the void practically flows through them). It isn't that informative, it seems Ciyesia is the most famous and it talks a bit about how the effects on the void shaped it to be as it is.
Health In The Void
Description: Health in the Void is a lifestyle and well being book for void travellers. It covers a variety of topics such as healthy eating, regular exercise, the importance of spending time outside on worlds when it is possible, trying to maintain a normal sleeping pattern and other good health tips! It has some recipes, some yoga-esque activities for cramped quarters and ideas for mindful activities.
Voidsickness is mentioned as a risk of void travel but claims that apart from the most dire of cases symptoms can be minimised through lifestyle choices.
Void Missions: Classifications and Examples
Description: It is a theory guide, it states at the beginning that none of the worlds, people or scenarios are real but that they are based on issues from real void missions.
They start off quite simple- there's a problem, what your orders are, what resources you have to hand and then a set of pointed questions about how to deal with the situation.
Sometimes there are multiple problems and priorities. The later scenarios assume you are in a decision making position and you will have groups or teams under you to deploy.
They range from simple problem fixing to large world saving situations.
Each have points assigned depending on your answers and a pass threshold for the mission to be a success, with benchmarks for categories of success (your team survive but the mission fails, the world is doomed, you save the world but your own survival rate is low, etc)
There are sometimes moral or ethical questions thrown in there as well. It's heavy reading, even the easier starter scenarios will take a few hours to get through.
Famous Voidtrains through the Ages
Description: This book showcases 5 different trains that travel through the void.
~ Voidcraft called Destiny. They seem to be a species of large mice and their train looks almost like a model train. Yet they are one of the best crisis team in the multiverse. They are pretty good at subtle work but focus mostly on humanitarian aid rather than fighting. They are often the first at the site of a crisis and focus on helping people until the agents of the specific world are ready and prepared to take over.
There's quite a few pictures and examples of their good deeds. Everything from delivering food to colonists on a barren astroid to maintaining medical supply lines across a mountain range.
~ A train crewed by a pair of detectives who research unsolved crimes from other worlds. They travel in a small train, just big enough for the two of them. They were famous for working with law enforcement in different worlds.
~ A void train called 'Memory'. It is not filled with fighters or even crisis solvers. Instead it travels the worlds, recording history by speaking to the ordinary people they meet.
It is a small craft, holding only twenty travellers at any time but has been operating for three hundred years and holds what is considered the greatest library of the multiverse in it's data bases.
~ An infamous pirate Voidtrain, which caused havoc by exposing the void to non void active worlds, spreading technology and causing two whole civilisation to destroy their planets with war and bloodshed. Known only for the V emblasoned on it's side in red it was the scourge of the void until the- then very newly formed Void Ministry brought it to justice.
~ The Voidtrecker Express the first mission voidtrain to launch in voidspace. Famous for its brightly coloured crew members many worlds and people can claim to have been helped by the Voidtrecker Express, even saved for it was famous for being in the right place at the right time to prevent the worst calamities from happening as well as helping after disasters the crew were not in time to stop.
Of course, it goes on to say. There is no evidence that the Voidtrecker Express ever existed. It is the origin tale of all mission voidcraft and there have been many trains called 'Voidtrecker Express' over the years, some of which organise themselves in teams like in the stories. No one is sure where the tale originated, no origin system has ever been found, tales can be found in many of the void-active worlds such is the far-reach of the legend.
100 Best Voidcraft
Description: It is the award book for the festival. There are pictures of children of many species with their designs. Some are very basic made of wood or even card. Others are actual working models in miniature.
Each has a small paragraph saying their name, age, a little about what makes their craft so great and their wishes for the future.
Since of the earlier entries are a bit random (void craft with all you can eat ice cream machines) but the later entries and slightly older entrants are more serious with some innovative ideas for safety and comfort.
(Nita labels this one 'Children's competition', though it's not precisely a category)
The Void Ministry: A Photo Essay
Description: The photo essay is quite simple. It shows a large silver building on the outside, clearly from a very futuristic world.
There's a picture of a room full of people, hunched over what seem to be tablet screens on tables, working hard. The picture is from behind, no faces are shown.
A picture of a large round meeting hall. There is a stage in the centre and comfortable chairs all around.
A picture of some kind of festival, it is taken from above so it shows the top of the heads of the crowd.
A couple of other shots of the building, it's all very arty. When people are in them they are of a variety of alien species, some seem human, others not. Their clothes vary, but seem futuristic in style.
Diary of a Voidtrecker
Description: A travel journal. It is typed but uses a font designed to make it look old fashioned, as if it were a diary from years long past.
It is written by a wealthy young woman who has set out on a journey to travel through the worlds. She has a great interest in botany. It is clear pretty quickly that though this woman is indeed trecking through the void she is not doing so on the Voidtrecker Express. Instead she seems to be on some kind of tourist cruise train. Expansive ballrooms, fine dining, her own personal carriage.
There are many notes on various worlds, all different and strange. If Lightning reads through it she will find a whole five chapters on Ciyesia and the healing flowers. The Weary Wanderer is mentioned but there is no mention of Albany or the children, indeed the proprietor of the inn is called Mehdi and is a grizzled farmer who grumbles good naturedly but is happy to share his knowledge of the mountain with the author.
There are other worlds and places mentioned, most of her stories are about flowers and plants and biology. It is a fascinating read if that is what you are interested in.
The History of the Void Ministry
Description: This is a basic history book and is a little dry but gives a basic overview of the formation of the Void Ministry.
~ It sprung from the first Void Treaty, which was the first formal agreement between the first six void-active systems to not interfere with each others worlds or hinder each others progress through the void.
~ As more worlds began gaining void-active status conflicts sprung up once more and it soon became obvious that a more formal organisation was needed to keep the peace.
~ Each of the first six systems had their own void travel organisations on their world and each designated a department to inter-world diplomacy. As worlds discovered the void and became able to travel within it representatives would travel there and bring them into the ever growing void network.
~ They also helped many worlds understand void travel better, helping them achieve void travel without the tragic trial and error that their own worlds had gone through. Allowing worlds to create robust, safe voidcraft and saving many lives.
~ It took a good few hundred years for them to become the interworld peace keeping force they are today.
~ Though they are mostly focused on diplomatic work they have been known to bring military might to solve problems.
~ When system #392 joined the network they were keen on having a more physical presence in the void, to protect people from void criminals as their own world had been plagued with them in the past. They built the Inspection arm of the void-minstry.
~ The ministry have been criticised in the past for how they treat worlds that do not wish to join the void-ministry controlled network but for the most part they now allow such worlds to travel the void without hindered unless they interfere in a void-ministry controlled world.
~ The organisation is now led by a council, consisting of two delegates from every void-active world. They have a void-hub headquarters in the void itself but for the most part people deal with the void ministry on their own worlds.
To the Future! Issue One (Magazine)
Description: A magazine written by a junior void minister, working in the void offices of System #1. It has information on a couple of newly discovered worlds (one is occupied by a whole range of people, the other seems barren) and news of the Void Annual Ball happening in the void embassy. Much of the magazine is focused on that- who will be there, etc.
Issue 2
Issue Three
Issue Four
Issue Five (CW: Bugs)
Issue Six
Issue Seven
Great Trains of the Void: Issue One (Magazine)
Issue Two
Issue Three
Issue Four
Issue Five (Final)
Voidcraft Through the Ages: Issue One (Magazine)
Issue Two
Issue Three
Issue Four
Issue Five
Issue Six (Final)
Build Your Own Voidcraft: Issue One (Magazine)
Issue Two
Issue Three
Issue Four
Issue Five
Issue Six
Issue Seven
Issue Eight
Issue Nine
Issue Ten
Issue Eleven
Time Travel and the Void?
Dying in the Void
Numbering the Void
The Founding Six
A Void Military
Missing in the Void
The Ameqran Void Treaties
Mercy. The Voidtrain Hospital
The Place Between: Philosophies and Belief Systems of the Void
Soul Trecking
Travelling by the Heart