This work presents a fully-developed sub-sector in a travelogue style, providing plenty of places for the party to visit in pursuit of adventure, profit or whatever it is that they are after. Franklin is designed as a sub-sector of the Clement Sector, the 'home' of Gypsy Knights Games's product line, their alternate Traveller universe, but it's possible to place it wherever you want it in your Traveller universe instead. Some of the inhabited planets originally appeared in their 'Quick Worlds' series, but have been subsequently modified here, others are brand new.

First up is a sub-sector map accompanied by each system's UWP in a table and an overview of the sub-sector as a whole, followed by a detailed system-by-system description of what you'll find here. The inhabited systems in this sub-sector are quite scattered and operate as independent rather than belonging to any wider association.

Each system is presented in a standard format, beginning with an overview of the system, in words and pictorially, before moving on to physical data of the inhabited world that is probably of most interest. Size, atmosphere, hydrography, geography... then moving on to population, government, law (look out for ways to trap unwary characters!) and cultural details. Grey boxes are scattered everywhere with 'behind the curtain' comments about design or straight-out adventure ideas you can use on that particular planet. There's a map of the world showing major features, notes on the main settlements, even details of calendars, festivals and port facilities - everything, in short, that a visitor might need to know.

The inhabited worlds are quite varied in nature and most sound like they'd be interesting to visit. Some have exotic wildlife, spectacular scenery or unusual customs which might prove an attraction, as well as trading opportunities or potential contracts for mercenary groups. Perhaps you'd like to visit a desert world with a participatory democracy that can have everyone at the polls several times a day, or a world of great cliffs with jungles below in which dinosaur-like creatures are to be found.

Overall, the Franklin sub-sector is a fascinating place to visit replete with opportunities for adventure, adventures that are embedded in the very nature of the worlds on which they take place. Well worth a visit...

Return to Subsector Sourcebook 2: Franklin page.

Reviewed: 13 November 2014