BARD PAPER: OPAL7017 | Home | Traveller | BARD | OPAL |
BARD PAPER: OPAL7017 | Home | Traveller | BARD | OPAL |
The arrival of Virus in 1131 led to the usual Wilds horror-stories; automated agricultural equipment ran amok, power, communications and transport nets failed, and the starport's small orbital facility was destroyed when the planetary defence computers launched Menaf's entire salvo of PDMs at it. However, rapid action by Governor Revell to protect the downport's vast food-warehouses helped to minimise starvation in the city, and the outlying farms were (as usual) able to feed themselves. Central authority was just beginning to be reestablished when the first refugee ships arrived from Faro. The influx of refugees led to further chaos, and this was heightened when Minister Hoenig (a high-ranking member of the Faronian government) arrived, relieved Revell, and declared himself Dictator. For ten days Menaf tottered on the edge of despotism before the ex-governor, outraged by Hoenig's treatment of the native Menafians and the behaviour of his personal retinue, staged a coup with the local police. Because of this, Revell is remembered as a hero, the date of her coup and (since her death) her birthday being celebrated with local holidays.
The time since the Collapse has been spent on slow rebuilding and increasing local manufacturing capabilities. Despite this, it still has very little industry; thus the listed TL of 8 refers to the highest TL equipment commonly in use and able to be repaired. In reality, there is a great deal of lower-tech equipment in regular use. Land transport is mostly by "Horse" (a native 800kg quadraped grazer) or bicycle, with only a few LHyd-powered vehicles in use. Power is supplied by wind farms supplemented by solar arrays, with many outlying farms posessing their own generators. There is no mass-production, almost everything, from spare engine parts to the farmer's automatic rifles, being handmade, Afghani-gunsmith-style. Electronic equipment is far more troublesome, but the locals are capable of manufacturing limited amounts of TL-6 gear (they can make transistors, but not chips).
What this cottage-industry style of technology translates to is a world which is self-sufficient in many (small) things, but incapable (either technologically or economically) of manufacturing the "big ticket" items which would make the lives of it's inhabitants easier... thus, the world is entirely dependent upon imports if it wishes to expand it's infrastructure by any significant degree. While the government has on occasions been able to arrange limited imports of equipment with passing Free Traders, these opportunities are few and far between. Because of this, Menaf is _desperate_ for trade, and will welcome any passing ship.
About a third of the population lives in Menaf Down (the only city), the rest being farmers or living in small settlements. Population increase since the collapse has led to greater colonisation of the outback, but the vast majority of the population is still clustered near the starport. Government is democratic, with the Governor and nine-member "advisory board" being directly elected by the populace.
Menafian society is tolerant (especially when compared to other Wilds worlds), values independence and individualism, and is not at all xenophobic. The people recognise that interstellar trade is necessary for Menaf's future, and are eager for it. Thus, the world is a perfect prospect for RC membership.
| Corruption | Moderate |
| Talent | Moderate |
| Cruelty | Low |
| Aggression | Low |
| Paranoia/Xenophobia | Low |
Survey: Conduct a detailed study of Menaf's manufacturing base and economy, in order to locate key areas for technological and trading assistance.
Diplomacy: Assist a RC diplomat in negotiating with Menaf for its entry into the RC. Help a Menafian negotiator arrange a trade deal or long-term agreement with Graff.