POLARIS equinox

P � L A R I S TM

THE ROLEPL AYIN G GAME

EQUINOX



EQUINOX

CREDITS

AUTHOR INTERIOR ART
PHILIPPE “CYRULL” TESSIER DORIAN COLLET, FRANCK DREVON, SIMON LABROUSSE,
JOËL MOUCLIER, GEOFFROY "DJAHAL" THOORENS, GRÉGOIRE
TRANSLATION VEAULÉGER
JESSICA BANKS, KATHERINE CALMEJANE, YOHANN DELALANDE, ART DIRECTION & GRAPHIC DESIGN
LAURA HOFFMANN
FRANCK “BOOGA” FLORENTIN, LAURENCE GILLESPIE, LESLIE LAYOUT
PIEROBON LAURENT ROYER, LAURA HOFFMANN

COPY-EDITING PUBLISHER/BLACK BOOK EDITIONS CEO
TIMOTHY BRIAN BROWN DAVID BURCKLE
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR BBE
PROOFREADING (ENGLISH EDITION) DAMIEN COLTICE
TIMOTHY BRIAN BROWN, CRAIG HARGRAVES, CHRIS HAMANN,
LAURA HOFFMANN, JENNIFER SCHOONOVER, PHILIPPE TESSIER

COVER ART
STEPHANIE BÖHM, SIMON LABROUSSE

www.polaris-rpg.com
References to Polaris RPG - Core Rulebooks 1&2

are noted as being in CRB1 or CRB2.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRESENTATION 2

CHAPTER 1: EQUINOX STATION 4

Short History 4

Equinox Population and Way of Life 5

Description 10

The Levels of the Station 13

Factions and Important Figures 28

CHAPTER 2: AROUND EQUINOX 32

The Outer Stations 32

The Surrounding Area 33

Ariadne 36

Legends of Equinox 38

CHAPTER 3: THE CULT OF THE TRIDENT 40
The Cult of the Trident 40

ADVENTURE: INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE 40

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PRESENTATION

Relard, a smuggler from the Star Fellowship, put his empty could be extremely dangerous for us and that the Watchers gave
glass down on the bar. Even before he could order another one, up all responsibility for anything that might happen if we continue.
the bartender had served a second round of Ravage. He lost his After we confirmed we wanted to go on, the elevator went back into
gaze momentarily in the brown liquid, then slowly took off his motion and we eventually got to the oppressive and dark streets
jacket to show the people he was talking to the deep scars the of Level -6. The little guy’s meeting was set to take place in a bar
creature had given him. His torso was covered with deep old lines nearby, The Crab—a dodgy bar, but not the worst. My men fixed
as if someone had lashed him with razor blades. He took a deep a few devices to their weapons. They are forbidden on Equinox but
breath and went on. they can really improve your chances of survival in this kind of
place. After doing that, their light weapons looked more like assault
“The contract was simple. An important guy had contacted our rifles than anything else.
fellowship to sneak a Coral Republic messenger out and ensure his
safety until he reached his meeting on Equinox. We specialize in all When we arrived at The Crab, the messenger gave a few Sols to the
kinds of smuggling, so escorting a guy didn’t sound particularly bartender and whispered something in his ear. The bar manager
difficult. The guy came aboard in Corallia. He was a nervous, bald, showed him to a door. Behind this door, a staircase gave access to
round-faced, little man. He was clutching a drone suitcase that private rooms where usually the worst scumbags go about their
was attached to his arm. He didn’t stop asking me questions like: business. We went down with our client who stopped in front of a
When do we arrive? Are you sure we don’t risk anything? You didn’t door. He told us to wait for him here while he delivered his message
mention my trip to anyone? to some mysterious individual. He seemed almost relieved.

I kept reminding him that our fellowship always held true to its We waited there a few seconds, then we heard a scream and that
commitments—that it was a matter of honor to us and that if he had voice, that terrible voice that sounded like metal squeaking: ’Did you
paid us to go to a specific destination on Equinox, we would get him think they were letting you do that?’
there safe and sound. I don’t know what there was in this suitcase,
but I swear to you, the little guy was really terrified. He stayed We rushed into the room. What we saw will be engraved in my
locked in his cabin the whole trip, only ever leaving it to make sure memory forever. There was a man nailed to one of the walls of
everything was okay.” the room, entirely skinned. Our client was in the back of the room
and something was on top of him, slashing him. The arm with the
Relard paused. He drank a sip of Ravage, and after slowly shaking suitcase had been torn off and was lying on the floor a few meters
his head he went on telling his story. away. We could hear the drone counting down before the suitcase
self-destructed, and then the creature was slowly turning to face us.
“The trip went well. We came to the Ariadne Transit Sector and we How can I describe it?
waited for the formation of an access tunnel in the flux surrounding
the city. I suggested to my client that we land on Ariadne to enjoy It must have once been human. Its eyes were human. Eyes filled
some of the distractions offered in the transit area while waiting with hatred—sadistic eyes enjoying the suffering of a poor guy. Its
for the formation of the tunnel, but the little man flatly refused. We body was sturdy, covered with a light layer of white fur. Its face was
waited a few hours for the formation of a passage. These damn flux atrociously deformed by mutations, but the only thing that attracted
variations are really strange. Some days I’ve waited for ten minutes our attention was its maw filled with teeth that had been filed into
tops before gaining access to Equinox, and some other times it can points. When the thing rushed to attack us, we saw its hands. By
take up to an entire day. Anyway, it’s always very impressive. We all the sirens of the seven seas, its hands were made of metal. Its
boarded at Hangar 122. When we landed, the little man was looking fingers looked like long razor blades. With unbelievable speed, the
completely freaked out. He was darting worried looks left, right, and creature threw itself on one of my men. I heard the rattling of its
center, and he was staring at everyone we came across. I had two horrible blades, then the atrocious gurgle of my companion whose
of my fellows with me—badass guys, the kind of warriors you don’t throat had just been mutilated. There was a shot fired, an awful
often come across. scream. I felt the creature’s blades carving into my torso. Then
I remember thrusting my dagger into a soft body before I passed
The bazaar was crammed, we had to push people out of our way out. When I woke up, I was the only one still living in the room. My
to reach the elevators. The messenger was clutching his suitcase comrades were lying by my side. Our client had been eviscerated
and he was sweating with terror. I told him the best way to attract and the suitcase was just a molten piece if metal. The creature must
the attention of thieves on Equinox was to behave as if you were have escaped through the air vent; the grill had been torn off. It was
carrying something valuable. He definitely got what I meant and the bar manager who found me. For a large amount of money, he
made an effort at loosening up a bit. made arrangements to have me taken care of. He also told me I had
met Chantak, the Lurking Death. For those who live in the slums of
He had a meeting on Level -6, one of the dodgiest levels there is, but Equinox, Chantak is a legend, a soulless monster that feeds on the
that kind of place didn’t scare me. I was used to the scum that hung poor and the unwanted. But I know what I heard: that thing had
around there. We took the overground metro and then an elevator been paid to kill our client.”
located in the middle of the bazaar. We halted, following the usual
procedure at Level -4. An artificial voice told us that the lower levels

CHAPTER 1

Equinox station

“You have got to see this city at least once in your lifetime, to be crushed by its majesty. This gigantic structure

seems as if it fills the entire ocean, illuminating the water with its thousands of spotlights. It looks like a golden

beehive with hundreds of ships and majestic mammals buzzing around it. When the currents that surround it

unleash their immeasurable power, it appears as a ghost city adorned with lightning bolts, an underwater city veiled

with mysteries and intrigues.” —Statement from a League diplomat, during his first visit to Equinox

SHORT HISTORY particularly violent and was actively pursued over more
than a year.
The first station on the Rockhall Threshold was built
in the year 127. Neteria was a community belonging to At the end of the year 251, a team of miners made a
a rich Mediterranean Basin quarry, whose bases in the sensational discovery in a very deep Rockhall mineshaft. They
Hellenic Trench number among the most prosperous in neither knew exactly what they had discovered, nor precisely
the undersea world. One also hears tales of Oleross Pagan, where this mysterious site was located, but several days
a rich businessman who was particularly influential at the after the workers climbed out of the mine, the first heat flow
heart of the Azure Alliance and who amassed unimaginable formed in the region and the six communities called off their
riches by selling products of Azurean industries. Several attacks. Some people thought that the miners had discovered
years after the construction of Neteria, they discovered a particularly extensive Genetician depot. In 256, the plateau’s
major, extensive deposits of raw materials in Rockhall population united to form the community of Trident.
Bay. These riches attracted other communities, among the
richest in the era. In the year 136, six communities disputed Until the year 300, the inhabitants of Trident traveled
the operations at the Rockhall Plateau. They lived together throughout all the world’s seas to preach their message of
peacefully until the year 250 but the opposing tensions peace and convince other communities of the all-powerful
could not help but grow. On November 12, 250, after the Polaris Effect. During the course of these voyages, the
Azure Alliance had broken up, Neteria launched a large- idea was hatched for a neutral city where an assembly of
scale attack on its rival communities. The conflict was undersea nations could gather. In the year 340, the Trident
Alliance appeared on the scene. It joined together not only
members of the Trident community, but also researchers,

EQUINOX 1

SHORT HISTORY archaeologists, historians, and rich industrialists, all withdraw their business from the city and a major portion
convinced by the itinerant preachers of the existence of of the population fled the cursed place. It was a dark period.
a power beyond human comprehension. In 348, the first Soon, Equinox resembled little more than a huge ghost town.
incident linked to the Polaris Effect caused the deaths of 112
people in a Rockhall extraction base. No one knew at the time In 373, Simon Arimatti developed the first inhibitor and
that the disaster was provoked by an individual who could created the Cult of the Trident for which he became the first
not control the Polaris Effect. In 349, the Alliance decided to Demeter. With the help of his friend, Admiral Piotr Devrac,
build the Neutral City of Equinox in the Ariadne Trench. The he began a campaign aimed at reassuring the population and
motivation for this choice was, above all, the existence of a attracting investors once more. At the same time, Trident
heat flow that would likely protect the city from any external specialists, charged with discovering all who might possess
aggression, and moreover, the local presence of many the Polaris gift, were dispatched to every community in the
marine mammals that appear to be particularly friendly to undersea world.
the Trident community.
In 374, Equinox began to recover, but it would not be until
Thanks to the enormous resources available to the Trident after the Admirals’ Council of 375, and a demonstration of the
Alliance, work began in the year 350. Materials arrived full power of the Polaris effect by a few chosen ones who had
from all the oceanic communities who rallied to the cause. mastered it, that the neutral city would truly take its shape.
Rich industrialists invested unbelievable sums to create
what seemed to be a utopia, a massive station spanning six The golden age of Equinox would flourish until 440. The
kilometers across, right in the middle of a heat flow. S.M.S.O. was created, Ariadne became a center for genetic
research and a haven for certain fertile people, the Watchers
Until this day, many historians believe that the Trident made their appearance, and the Cult of the Trident established
community had access to Genetician technology that allowed the sol as an international currency unit. The priests also
them to build such a monument. revealed that they had mastered the secret of fabricating
hyperfluid and were capable of creating hybrids. Equinox and
The work would last 15 long years, over the course of which the Cult truly became the center of the undersea world.
the heat flows were strangely calm and never disrupted the
construction of the city. Several incidents tied to the Polaris In 440, things got more complicated. A violent controversy
Effect caused the deaths of 1,200 people during this period. challenged the leadership of the Cult of the Trident. They did
It was only in 352 that a certain Leori Arimatti advanced the not agree with the methods used to lead civilization toward a
hypothesis that, among these people, certain individuals new golden age. Tristan Lesark, leader of the hard branch of
were able to unleash the Polaris Effect without being capable the Cult, slammed the door and left Equinox with about 100
of controlling it. This led to the beginning of advanced of the faithful and several ships (for the most part, warships).
research on this subject. Arimatti refused to stop the rebels for fear of triggering a
conflict, a decision he would come to bitterly regret. In 448,
In 365, Equinox was completed. The base camp situated at the Black Sun made its appearance and attacked several
the bottom of the Ariadne Trench would grow into the transit installations of the Cult of the Trident. The war between
hub of Ariadne, as the flow closed in around the neutral city, these two factions would never cease.
as if to protect it from possible invaders. Two years later, the
power of the flow was such that no ship could navigate there In the year 475, a young novice in the Cult made an incredible
without a guide. demonstration of Polaris Effect mastery for one who had
received no training in the subject. In 512, a man named
The city was an instant success. Ships came from every Jason Helio succeeded a 160-year-old Arimatti (certainly the
horizon to visit this curiosity. The Coral Republic was the first longest-lived man in human history, which proves that the
to propose the installation of an embassy in the city. It also Polaris Effect has a positive impact on longevity).
offered to establish commercial treaties with the Trident. It
seems obvious that this position can be explained by the fact It was in 516 that the Black Sun launched a forceful attack
that numerous members of the Trident Alliance are powerful on several key bases in the undersea world. This powerful
Coralian businessmen. terrorist organization used the Polaris Effect for the first
time in the course of these actions. It was also the first time
In 370, Leori Arimatti listed more than 600 cases throughout that we heard mention of the Other, their mysterious master,
the world of incidents tied to the uncontrolled release of the and his servant, Alemsh Palkrach.
Polaris Effect, all within the span of a century. He developed a
series of tests, the Arimatti Method, to try to discover subjects In 550, the Black Sun used the famous Trident fighter
who are unconsciously disposed to have such potential. These vessels for the first time, as well as new combat devices.
men and women were brought together on Ariadne.
Also in 550, Equinox became the most powerful city in
In 371, Leori was felled by a heart attack just as he finished history. Attracting a population from the whole world,
a prototype for the first Polaris inhibitor. His son Simon it turned out to be the oceans’ largest commercial and
finished his work, but not before the catastrophe in 372 that diplomatic center. But 2 million people could not live together
saw an individual endowed with Polaris effect annihilate an without certain incidents occuring. Thus, the offenses among
entire level of Equinox. This incident prompted investors to rival communities would often settle themselves in the city
passageways and they would have to wait for the Watchers

4

EQUINOX STATION

to put a stop to these fights before the city became a little Behavior: people who go to Equinox usually have only EQUINOX POPULATION...
calmer. The most serious incidents took place in 560 and 564. one thing in mind: relaxation. So they are pretty friendly
for the most part. They are also talkative, telling each other
In February 560, an uncommonly virulent disease, the news from around the entire world, information being little
Scarlet Plague, hit one of Equinox’s quarters. The authorities broadcast in this universe. It’s common to be approached by
decided to hold back the epidemic by isolating the quarter, an individual asking for information from a certain region
using its watertight walls designed for flood prevention, of the ocean, who in return will tell the events from his own
and burning the entire zone. It is believed 27,000 people region. On Equinox it’s certainly the most common way to
had succumbed to the disease; 55,000 died in the fire in the approach someone. Therefore, the atmosphere in public
contaminated zone. spaces is usually very relaxed. It is even said that a vast
majority of ransom victims had their life spared by their
In December 564, a riot triggered one of the greatest panics attacker in exchange for a detailed tale of recent events.
in the history of the city. Two entire levels found themselves On the other hand, as soon as there’s a risk of danger or
plunged into chaos. People were trampled and suffocated. likelihood of any problems, everybody vanishes. Empty bars
Fires started all over the place, and the city’s security was or deserted back alleys can be seen at the first hint of trouble.
gravely threatened. The Watchers’ troops shut down the Many sociologists compare the Equinox crowd to a huge
problem thanks in large part to the first intervention by the school of fish. They say it has all the same characteristics.
Condor Faction. It was estimated that the outbreak of panic Don’t expect any help from anyone if you are being mugged
caused the deaths of 4,000 people. The intervention of the in a back alley, not even the help of the Watchers.
Watchers alone was responsible for more than 8,000 victims.
In the neutral city, you better be careful about how you
From 567 to 568, a terrible war among spies struck Equinox, behave. If you’re a member of the Red League, it is ill-advised
which would profoundly affect the security services of to walk proudly in front of a group of Hegemonians. It
Trident and its director, Sernea. will cost you at best a couple of months in the hospital, or
at worst you’ll end up as fish food. If you own anything of
EQUINOX POPULATION value or a precious object, it is recommended you not say
AND WAY OF LIFE anything about it and maintain a detached and calm attitude.
Individuals carrying riches, sweating, and looking terrified
It is estimated that Equinox is the permanent home of by their surroundings, or those who go around wearing
a civilian population of over three million people. It is luxurious clothes and equipment, take the risk of having
obvious that administering so many individuals in such an their throats cut on a street corner (unless these individuals
enclosed space can prove problematic. But it is one of the are crooks setting a trap for other crooks).
challenges successfully met by the Cult of the Trident. Some
characteristics of life on Equinox are described below. Black Market: trading on the black market is a particularly
common activity on Equinox. Almost all the merchants sell
Architecture: the architecture of Equinox depends on legal as well as illegal goods. For instance, a torpedo seller can
the level you’re on. As a general rule, streets or walkways commonly offer his clients wares other than torpedoes: drugs,
are pretty narrow and have high ceilings. See each level’s military gear, equipment exclusive to the Watchers, maps, etc.
description for further information. The Watchers know pretty well what is happening, but they
are lenient as long as this activity does not threaten them.
Bars: bars and cafeterias on Equinox are the most
frequented public places in the city. Large crowds go Births: there are few births on Equinox—most of the
there to trade information and tales about the oceans. fertile women live on Ariadne. But it can happen and the
It’s pointless to look for a seat—this is only possible in Cult has never forced the citizens of their city to emigrate to
high-end establishments. However, any bar worthy of the Ariadne. It must be said, though, only the most masochistic
name has alcoves or rooms located under the premises would turn down such an opportunity (or maybe the most
to allow traffickers of any kind to quietly discuss their distrustful). As such, there are a few rare clinics (led by the
“business.” A bar with no such installation will very soon firm Cortex) which offer their services for deliveries. The
be going out of business. In these establishments, people mother will spend only one year with her child, in the clinic,
drink, gamble, deal, eat, settle their scores, sign contracts, before the infant is sent to Ariadne. This service is free, but
and sometimes kill each other. These places are actually in exchange the parents have to agree to submit to a series of
true micro-societies. Most of these establishments are tests and volunteer for the repopulating campaigns that are
more or less funded by criminal organizations, nations, regularly set up by the Cult.
the Watchers, and even the Cult of the Trident. Some of
them are even supported by several factions at once. A There are some sordid rumors about women clandestinely
bar is usually considered a neutral place, and to attack the delivering in the city slums. But those stories couldn’t
establishment or its staff is considered a crime to the world possibly be true! Could they?
of the shadows.
Clothes: on Equinox, as everywhere, clothes are primarily
functional. Outfits are usually basic and reflect the professions

5

EQUINOX 1

of their owners. There are certainly differences related There is little space in the buildings and most of the
to nationalities, but they are not really obvious. On the shop sizes do not exceed nine square meters. Likewise,
other hand, dominant classes enjoy wearing lavish clothes. living quarters offered to the population usually have a
Hegemonians stand out with their martial, highly colored, floor size of four to nine square meters. Only the rich or
and diversely decorated attire. Coraleans prefer ample robes the privileged can afford 25, 50, even 100 square-meter
decorated with coral sparkles. Upper-class materials, such cabins. Paradoxically, the levels where you can breathe
as marine silk, perfumes obtained from aquatic plants, and the best, in the public sectors, are the most dangerous.
jewels, pearls, and diamonds, are worn by rich people only. The inferior levels of the bazaar are known for their space
but also for the dangers that await the visitor. It is worth
Communications: it’s very easy to communicate all over noting that the only difference between night and day
the city of Equinox. Free communication booths are available on Equinox is a slight reduction in the street crowds. It’s
to the whole population and a service helping to find people only on the embassy levels that streets are deserted when
is kindly offered to anyone asking for it. Beware, though the “evening” comes. Lighting at these levels is slightly
as every communication is likely to be intercepted by the lowered during that time.
Watchers’ security services, even the ones between personal
radio communicators. The Watchers’ control center contains These conditions make a lot of visitors sleep on their ships or
an amazing wave sensor device, code breakers, and signal- even in their diving armor. It’s free and sometimes much more
searching devices. spacious. See table Residental Prices on next page.

Confinement: without reaching the exiguity of most Corruption: on Equinox, everyone is fairly openly corrupt,
underwater stations, space is not the main characteristic of but there are two notable exceptions.
Equinox. Every public level has been conceived in height and
not in width. So the central level (Level 0) is composed of The Cult of the Trident members are seldom interested
several floors with a total height of 80 meters, but most of its in money or equipment. They are also loyal to their cause
walkways are barely three meters wide. At the central level, and will not betray their organization. On the other hand, if
when raising one’s head, you can see a real entanglement of you can provide them with information about conspirators,
footbridges, aerial metros, and all sorts of cables and tubes. spies, archaeological discoveries, or elements related to
The only exceptions are the marketplaces, which are usually the Polaris Effect, it’s not unlikely they will grant you some
spacious enough, but are constantly filled with impressive special favors.
crowds.
The average Watcher can easily be bribed as long as it
doesn’t harm the city’s interests, or those of the Cult or of

EQUINOX POPULATION... Burrower

6

EQUINOX STATION

RESIDENTIAL ROOM PRICE of gold. Below you’ll find some typical products. Inebriation ...AND WAY OF LIFE
PRICES SURFACE 20 to 40 Sols/night is not considered a crime but a necessary evil allowing the
population to cope. For further information on water, see the
Tubes * Special related paragraph on page 10.

Second-rate hotel 4 m² 40 to 60 Sols/day PRODUCT PRICE
Ordinary hotel 8 m² 80 to 140 Sols/day
Luxurious hotel 16 m² 400 to 800 Sols/day Anemone juice** 2 to 5 Sols per 25 cl
Beer, natural 50 to 200 Sols per liter
Prestigious hotel 40 m² 1,000 to 4,000 Sols/day Beer, synthetic 2 to 6 Sols per 50 cl
Liquor, jellyfish 20 to 60 Sols per 20 cl
Elite hotel 100 m² 10,000 to 50,000 Sols/day Liquor, plankton 15 to 30 Sols per 20 cl

Common room (the 1 bed 20 Sols/night

most frequented)

Stairs survival of 5 Sols/night Liquor, seaweed 10 to 40 Sols per 20 cl

the fittest Milk, otter 8 to 20 Sols per liter

Back alleys survival of Usually free (Watchers’ Milk, whale 10 to 30 Sols per liter

the fittest tax 1 Sol per night) Ravage 10 Sols per 5 cl (universal price)

Individual quarters 4 m² 2,000 to 4,000 Sols/ Water, pure 100 to 2,000 Sols per liter

month Water, recycled* 1 to 3 Sols per liter

Individual quarters 16 m² 8,000 to 16,000 Sols/ Wine, natural 1,000 to 10,000 Sols per liter

month depending on the quality

Individual quarters 30 m² 20,000 to 40,000 Sols/ Wine, synthetic 60 to 160 Sols per liter

month * Recycled water from different sources, left unrevealed so as
not to disgust anyone, tastes revolting and has a slightly green
* Tubes have “basically” been inspired by convoy vessels. color.
The principle applied in those ships has been adapted to ** It’s a rich and thirst-quenching beverage that tastes pretty
accommodate some people. They are 80 cm to 1.2 m in diameter good. It’s most children’s favorite beverage.
and 2.5 m long tubes in which people sleep.

their organization. On the other hand, those who belong Drugs: few drugs are consumed on Equinox. Life conditions
to the elite troops and those who are in charge of watching are indeed not as extreme as in some communities or in
the key Equinox stations are totally INCORRUPTIBLE. Try extraction plants. It’s a minor phenomenon that does
to offer money to a member of the Condor Faction and you not worry the authorities. But this does not mean that
run the risk of being turned into a roast. It is said that half narcofluids, narcomixtures, and other popular drugs are not
of hygiene service members are very connected to criminal going around on Equinox.
organizations and are particularly corruptible.
Education and Children: the education of children is
Cost of Living: on Equinox, prices are definitely average. controlled by the Cult of the Trident. You can hardly say
But of course you can always find prices that can’t be beat there are schools on Equinox. Actually, all the institutes for
and others that are sky-high. The black market, usually children are located on Ariadne. These organizations are in
expensive, is very active on Equinox. charge of educating children until the age of 12. At that age
they are considered to be adults and can go back to Equinox
Crimes and Criminal Organizations: safety in the neutral and start their training, after submitting to a fertility test.
city is entirely dependent on your location and on your look. Education consists first of all learning basic arithmetic and
Thefts are frequent. There are few murders. Shoot-outs the spoken language. They are also taught about hygiene, the
between factions are frequent but limited to well-defined Polaris Effect, and the benefits brought to humanity by the
sectors. Cons are the most common crimes, but in that domain Watchers and the Cult of the Trident.
the population is completely left to its own resources. No
law forbids scams and the Watchers will never intervene in Apprenticeships start at the age of 12. Children must
such matters. The golden rule is: as long as a crime does not enroll in the city Apprenticeship Department. Shopkeepers,
threaten the Equinox leaders or the safety of the station, you community leaders, and heads of human resources from
are on your own. You have to handle things yourselves! firms will come to this service to hire these young people.
It’s very rare a child is not hired at the end of the week. If that
Dozens of criminal organizations specialized in trafficking happens, they are either collected by the Cult of the Trident
of every kind and in smuggling have developed on this services, or left alone in the Equinox streets.
particularly fertile ground. Some have innovated by
specializing in robberies, the setting up of beggar armies, Children are therefore pretty uncommon in the streets
spying, and assassinations. The most “famous” criminal of the neutral city. Those who can be spotted are vagrants.
organizations are mentioned later in the book. Nobody harms a child on Equinox except the flesh-mongers,
but even these fearsome criminals must act with caution
Drinks: beverages are naturally a vital element for the because the vast majority of people consider hurting a child
inhabitants of Equinox. Alcoholic beverages are certainly
the most popular drinks and pure water is worth the price

7

EQUINOX 1

EQUINOX POPULATION... to be the most serious crime of all. No law makes people shows to relax. There are some pastimes that are becoming
protect young people that way, but it’s rather some kind of more popular with the population.
natural reflex that only gets stronger as the sterility virus
becomes more and more virulent. See CRB1 page 76 for more information on Fashion and
Leisure Time Activities in Polaris RPG.
Family: there’s no notion of family for the majority of
the Equinox population. Children leave their families right Mercenaries and Bounty Hunters: many small mercenary
after they’re born and directly enter active life after their and bounty hunter firms have offices on Equinox. Their
stay on Ariadne. activity is perfectly legal. Some companies even work in close
relationship with the Watchers. For instance, Bloodhound
Homelessness and Beggars: hundreds of people live in the and Legion have often taken part in some Watchers
worst conditions on Equinox. They are the castaways, those operations. The main activities of these firms on Equinox are
who have nothing left and hide away in the city’s back alleys searching for contracts and enlisting new recruits.
or in the lowest areas of the Bazaar. They live off petty thefts
and charity. Most of the time you can find them gathered in Mutants: mutants are officially treated the same way as
the dark walkways near the public showers because they know the rest of the population. Off the record, it can be a surprise
very well that, although the authorities do not get rid of them at to see that most of the castaways and beggars are mutants.
present, they wouldn’t hesitate to do so if an epidemic started Although there are some inside the Cult and the Watchers,
due to the poor hygiene of the homeless. In recent years, some a mutant starts his life on Equinox with a serious handicap.
beggars’ groups and several castaway youth gangs have been Those who suffer from minor deformations will have little
forming bands controlled by criminal organizations. problem fitting in. For the others, the only way to escape the
city slums is to be fertile and thus be evacuated to Ariadne.
Beggars are an important source of information for the
Watchers’ services and for any person knowing how to talk Hybrids are admired and Techno-Hybrids feared. In
to them. They observe, spy, and take note of everything that respect, Equinox is much like every other city of the
that can help them survive, and, above all, spare them from underwater world. As for those who show any ability to
the occasional and discreet “purges” set up by the Hygiene master the Polaris Effect, they are immediately enrolled by
Service. Such purges make the Neptune Division leaders and the Cult of the Trident, whatever their deformations.
the Watchers’ investigators very angry because precious
informants vanish (rivalries between services still exist in Nutrition: any kind of food can be found in the neutral city.
the Polaris RPG universe). From natural meat to plankton gruel, from synthetic beef to
fish fibers reclaimed to make them taste and look like meat,
Information: Watchers are usually available for any diversity is the key ingredient of the Equinox diet. A majority
questions asked by tourists. This is almost always the case, of the population eats hydroculture and underwater farming
except after Level -4. Just about everywhere in the back products, but also some synthetic products as well. The rich
alleys of Equinox, it’s possible to use information booths to can, for a lot of money, afford the luxury of eating genuine
find any particular place. These booths no longer work after meat and even dolphin steak (totally forbidden). Food can be
Level -5. bought at stalls in the bazaar, in specialized establishments,
or in bars. The city’s hygiene services freely distribute the
Languages: absolutely all languages are spoken on Equinox. most disgusting fish soup in the seven seas to the poor. It is
Some individuals are even known to express themselves in at least substantial, filled with “hygienic” products. Here are
Arkonian. some examples of dishes that can be found on Equinox, as
well as their prices.
Law and Justice: law and justice are in the hands of the
Watchers and the Cult of the Trident. The laws are simple: Note: all forms of food are treated with hydrating products
everything that does not serve the interests of the city, the because of the global shortage of drinking water. So you can
Cult, or the Watchers is illegal. Justice is dispensed by the usually eat without needing to drink.
Watchers, who don’t usually bother with a trial. Sentences
risked by criminals range from fines to forced labor to Politics and Espionage: if we estimate that roughly 40%
summary execution. of the Equinox population works directly or indirectly for a
nation or an organization, we get a pretty fair overview of
Only light weapons are allowed in the bazaars of Equinox. what espionage is like in Equinox. It is truly a part of the way
They are however forbidden after Level 7 though. of life. Imagine: almost one in two inhabitants is paid to give
information. No wonder nobody can be trusted today!
It is worth noting that if from time to time people get the
impression that the Watchers and the Cult of the Trident In fact, the population is often feeding information to
do not rule their city, it is only an impression. It must be espionage services without realizing it. For most people it is
understood that the Cult only worries about international perfectly natural to do a favor for someone in exchange for
matters and that, if one Equinox faction or another threatens Sols or some gear. These favors are almost always pieces of
the safety of the station or the power of the priests, the information.
Watchers can crush it at any moment.
Others have made a livelihood out of it that allows them
Leisure: in the Polaris RPG universe, not everybody spends to earn a little extra money. A mechanic repairing a vehicle
their time getting high on drugs, drinking, or watching erotic may very well agree to earn a few more Sols by giving this
piece of information to the right person. Most spies are in

8

EQUINOX STATION

PRODUCTS PRICES fact only informants but secret services from ...AND WAY OF LIFE
Abyss mushrooms 300 to 500 Sols per dish (about 100 g) all around the world use their services.

Anemone jams 50 to 90 Sols per 250 g It is in Equinox that the most “all-purpose”
agents, working for more than one nation at
Cereal crisp breads, natural 180 to 600 Sols per 100 g once, are found.

Cereal crisp breads, synthetic 0.5 to 2 Sols per 100 g Prostitution: Prostitutes are usually
respected, educated people and they are
Chocolate, natural 5 to 10 Sols per 100 g sometimes on the payroll of the Watchers
or another faction. If a large part of
Chocolate, synthetic 0.5 to 2 Sols per 100 g the population considers this activity
acceptable, few people openly resort to
Coffee, natural 200 to 500 Sols per 100 g prostitution.

Coffee, synthetic 10 to 30 Sols per kg Religion: although every religion is
tolerated on Equinox, the Cult of the
Crustaceans (crab, shrimp, lobster, 50 to 120 Sols per 200 g Trident is of course the major one. Places
etc.) of worship are forbidden in the neutral city
2,800 Sols per 250 gr steak and worshippers are therefore forced to go
Dolphin fillet (forbidden, the risked underground if they want to have “services.”
sentence is the death penalty) 4,000 Sols each Remember that the Cult of the Trident has no
“sacred” sites, but places of contemplation.
Dolphin liver (forbidden, the risked 30 to 400 Sols depending on the fish These Applied Philosophy Institutes are
sentence is the death penalty) (per 200 g) not considered places of worship by the
authorities. Therefore there are a few in the
Fish fillet 250 to 800 Sols each city.

Fruits, natural Smugglers: if there is one activity that
is particularly blooming on Equinox, it’s
Fruits, synthetic 10 to 40 Sols each smuggling. Sooner or later, everybody
needs to have goods smuggled out of the
Gruel, fish (common food) 6 to 18 Sols per bowl of soup city or a few forbidden goods smuggled in so
they can be sold in the markets. Smugglers
Gruel, plankton (common food) 2 to 8 Sols per bowl of soup are therefore numerous and particularly
popular. Usually their fees are pretty high.
Gruel, seaweed (common food) 5 to 10 Sols per bowl of soup They are based on the market value of said
goods and smugglers demand roughly 10%
Harpoon urchin steak 40 to 90 Sols per 150 g of this estimation. Of course, the price also
depends on the route and the product. A
Meat, natural 800 Sols per 100 g particularly sensitive product, because it’s
hazardous or totally forbidden, will cost a
Meat, reclaimed * 40 to 80 Sols per kg small fortune to whoever wants to have it
illegally shipped in or out of the city.
Meat, synthetic 160 to 280 Sols per 250 g steak
You can usually meet this kind of individual
Molai (stone anemone fluid) 20 to 40 Sols in bars, and the best informants in that
domain are bartenders.
Mollusks (mussel, oyster, sea-slug, 20 to 60 Sols per 100 g
etc.) 90 to 150 Sols per dish (about 180 g) People smugglers are experts in escorting
people. Their fees are completely variable,
Octopus depending on the client and his reputation.

Riftias salad 50 to 70 Sols per salad (about 150 g) State of Emergency: a state of emergency
has only been decreed twice during the
Salt 40 to 50 Sols per 100 g recent Equinox history: during the epidemic
of 560 and the riots of 564. Such a measure
Sea turtle fillet 80 to 140 Sols per 200 g fillet grants absolute power to the Watchers.
Every access to Equinox is closed (except,
Seahorse kebabs 300 to 400 Sols per dish (about 180 g) of course, if it’s an evacuation) and moving
between levels is granted to security services
Shark fins 250 to 600 Sols per dish (about 250 g) only. In such cases, you had better be patient

Sugar, kelp 30 to 80 Sols per kg

Sugar, natural 360 to 500 Sols per 100 g

Sugar, synthetic 1 to 3 Sols per kg

Vegetables, natural 40 to 120 Sols per 250 g

Vegetables, synthetic 10 to 40 Sols per 250 g

* Poison made from fish. This product is forbidden due to the risk of poisoning. The
risked sentence is the seizing of the seller’s inventory.

9

EQUINOX 1

and above all not upset WATER COST/ 10 SIZE WEIGHT RARITY DURATION FIRM
security services, as they FILTRATION PEOPLE
won’t hesitate to shoot you. Aqua Life
Water, recycled 9,000 Sols 2 4 kg 8 6 months Aqua Life
Taxes: permanent citizens Water, pure Neo Life
of Equinox (roughly half the Suit (1 person) 600,000 Sols 4 12 kg 14 12 months Neo Life
population) must pay taxes Filter for suit
calculated every year by 10,000 NA NA 9 10 days

1,000 NA NA 6 NA

the Cult of the Trident administration. These taxes amount even administrative services and luxurious establishments.

to roughly 10% of the income declared by individuals. Since, Ambassadors have often been seen paying their gargantuan

of course, fraud is frequent, special services are in charge of dinner bills with rare products.

monitoring the resources of the citizens. These Cult services The Solaris Firm, which mints Sols, has opened offices on

are assisted by the Watchers and have a very bad reputation, Levels-1, 0, and 1 on Equinox, where it is possible to trade

especially when an individual refuses to cooperate. Sentences equipment for Sols. This trading is largely in favor of the

risked by a citizen caught red-handed evading taxes go from firm, which estimates the value of a product at 30% of its real

fines (totaling the hidden revenue plus 40% of declared value, but it can be helpful when wanting to quickly get a

income) to the seizure of all the citizen’s possessions. Of few Sol tags.

course, such controls depend on the notoriety and influence Water: water is rationed because it’s a rare commodity.

of the person in question. Income is estimated in Sols as well On Equinox, permanent citizens (see Taxes) are allowed one

as in bartered value. So an individual who is paid solely in liter of “pure” water per person, per day, when they show

gear will still have to pay taxes. It is possible to pay with their ID to the Water Distribution Service (a branch of the

equipment but its value will be underestimated. Hygiene Service). This pure water is barely better than

Every individual renting a hotel room (even a tube) or an recycled water, but at least it is drinking water and it is filled

apartment, or even an armor dock for a period of over a month with anti-bacterial agents. The water in the pipes supplying

must leave the city or file a request to become a permanent public showers, for example, is especially recycled to actively

citizen. Usually such requests are accepted. An individual fight infections: IT IS NOT DRINKING WATER. Any poor soul

having stayed several times on Equinox, for at least four who drinks it accepts the risk of rapidly developing serious

months in one year, must also make this request. The goal is to stomach ailments.

avoid crafty people who leave the city after 29 days and come The water filters listed above are the most common in the

back 2 days later. Of course this is negotiable if the individual ocean world. Duration indicates when the system must be

works for a government or an important firm. changed, since it tends to quickly deteriorate.

The city also taxes each product that enters Equinox. The information above is given for ten individuals. You’ll

Shopkeepers must pay between 1 and 5% of the global value have to multiply the price, size, and weight accordingly

of their goods (estimated by an expert mandated by the for each group of ten extra people. A system designed for

Watchers). ten people allows the production of one liter of water per

Finally, every shopkeeper must rent his business premises. person, per day.

EQUINOX POPULATION... Prices depend on the level and the kind of location. Renting

six square meters at Level -5 won’t be too expensive, but a

location on the central square of Level 0 or a shop on the DESCRIPTION
embassy levels can cost a fortune.

BUSINESS PREMISES COST PER DAY* Equinox is a city whose proportions are truly colossal.
The city is 4,000 meters high. It’s a huge octahedron, the
Walkway (in the streets) 10 to 500 Sols/m² central level of which is a square of four kilometers by
four kilometers. The whole structure fluctuates in depth
Square (marketplaces) 20 to 1,000 Sols/m² depending on the variation of the flow. Its base may reach a
depth between -4,200 meters and -6,200 meters, and its top
Interiors (in a “shop”) 15 to 8,000 Sols/m² between -200 meters and -2,200 meters.

* The weekly rate is calculated based on 6 days, the monthly This fluctuation can be felt inside the city through
rate is based on 20 days, and the yearly rate is based on 7 vibrations and the regular buzzing of the huge machinery
months. that moves the city and ensures its stability. The first time
someone comes to Equinox, they need a certain amount of
Trade and Bartering: if the Sol is the international time to get used to the constant background noise.
monetary unit used in every trade between powerful societies
and nations, it is not the currency most acknowledged by Even if we often talk about streets in Equinox, it must be
the population. Bartering on Equinox is 75% of trade. Every remembered that these have nothing to do with the city
indicated price for products is an estimate that may very streets that were once found on the surface. They consist
well be translated into barter items. For instance, you can
pay for a combat fighter with genuine wine bottles (it’s been
known to happen). Absolutely everyone agrees to barter,

10

EQUINOX STATION

mainly of walkways and buildings which are more like big Repair and maintenance hangars: although the public DESCRIPTION
metal structures than actual buildings. landing hangars are usually used for ship repairs and
maintenance, some firms have their own repair stations.
Almost all floors on the levels -8 to 6 are covered with These hangars have the same characteristics as the public
grating located above pipes and cables. hangars but they have better equipment.

THE ELEVATORS Diving exo-armors hangars: they can be found at each level.
These hangars for exo-armors can be found in every hangar
In the city, hundreds of elevators are available to the public. intended for other vehicles, but there are also a large number of
They are mainly located at the center of the levels. Those them all around the city. A diver must present himself before an
which are not located at the center point of a level only airlock. If he doesn’t go to a reserved level or a service airlock,
provide access to the bazaar. Some are available to everyone, he may enter without problem. Otherwise, he must have the
some to certain categories of individuals. right access code. Once in the airlock, a crane takes care of his
armor and will carry the diver to his landing dock. These docks
Elevators on Level 0 for instance are distributed as follows: are located in huge lanes where cranes are operating. These are
80 elevators (carrying up to 40 people each) are located at the small docking areas, the size of which depends on the armor. A
heart of Level 0 in huge molecular-glass columns. Each of the door gives access to the locker room and transit areas.
20 columns holds 4 elevators that give access to every floor
from Level -6 to Level 6. At the center of this circle are ten Small transport ships hangars: most of the hangars are
columns reserved for the elite and access to them is overseen intended for these ships, and they can accommodate vessels
by the Watchers. These columns are equipped with 4 elevators the size of an escort. All vehicles must dock at a docking
that can carry 20 people each. Four of these elevators give station. The crew may then disembark and go to the transit
access to the Cult of the Trident’s area, eight to the embassies, areas. These hangars can receive a few dozen vessels. At the
eight others to the level of the S.M.S.O. and the final twenty back of the hangar, it is possible to see through molecular-
are allocated to the forces of security and maintenance. glass windows into either the transit areas or the peripheral
areas of Equinox. These huge windows are very popular and
It is to be noted that every elevator stops at Level -4 before always attract a large crowd of people who come see the ship
it goes further below. An electronic voice informs the arrivals and departures. In each warehouse, a Watcher control
passengers that Levels -5 and -6 are dangerous areas. The station is in charge of regulating the traffic. Once again,
decision to go further down must then be confirmed. Some transport vessels wishing to land anywhere other than Levels
elevators dedicated to the elite cannot open their doors at a -6 to 6 docks can only do so with an authorization and the
sensitive level without an appropriate code. right access code.

All these devices are equipped with a hatch giving access Frigates hangar: several hangars allow the docking of frigates
to the maintenance pits. The columns are always made of without any problem. These docking stations are identical to the
molecular glass except below Level -4 and above Level 2 others but are much larger. There are none on Levels 11 to 17.
where they are made of plastitane. There are no video
cameras in the elevators. Hangars for cruisers below 160,000 tons: only Levels 0,
-1, and 1 can take charge of cruisers. There are only six such
It takes 6 minutes to go from the top of Equinox to its base huge hangars. Special authorizations are necessary to access
and vice-versa. them. Only merchant vessels and ships in need of repair can
use them.
EVACUATION BARGES
Any other ship can only dock at the docks owned by the
At regular intervals all along the interior walls of each city company Gladius.
level, there are armored hatches that give access to evacuation
barges in case of the evacuation of the city. All these barges Service and Emergency Hangars: these hangars are
together can only evacuate 20% of the population. These reserved for the city maintenance services, Watchers’
hatches are locked and since they have never been used, their vessels, and ships in distress.
maintenance is not really top-notch. Only the maintenance
services and the city control center can open these hatches. Customs can, at any moment, inspect a ship that has just
In case of evacuation, the city control service unlocks them. landed. They usually check the cargo and the weapons
The ejection is then either automatic or manual. In automatic systems of the ship. It is said that this service is performed by
mode, the barge detaches itself 15 minutes after the hatch has people who are very easily corrupted.
been opened. A panel inside the barges, protected by an access
code and an electronic lock, makes a manual evacuation After having landed, visitors must present themselves in
possible. Only the Watchers know the code and possess the the huge transit rooms of Equinox. After showing their ID,
electronic keys. Each barge can carry roughly 100 people. they are given a residence permit for a fixed sum of 10 Sols
per person. If an individual comes to the city for commercial
HANGARS, CUSTOMS, AND TRANSIT STATIONS reasons, he must declare his merchandise. The ID controls
are extremely lax, but the Watchers make sure everyone
When you arrive in Equinox, the first things you see are its does go through the transit areas. They also check that no
gigantic hangars. There are several at each level and they are heavy weapons are brought into Equinox.
all different depending on their use.

11

DESCRIPTION
EQUINOX 1
12

EQUINOX STATION

INTER-LEVELS DOCKING STATIONS * COST IN SOLS DESCRIPTION

Between each city level there are maintenance floors that Exo-A/Exo-0/Exo-1/Exo-2/ 5/15/25/30/40 per hour
house the machinery necessary for the full functioning Exo-3
of the installations (power plants, purification plants,
garbage processing plants, city's stabilizers, carbon dioxide Exo-4/Exo-5/Exo-6/Exo 50/80/100/110 per hour.
collectors, water tanks, etc.).. These inter-levels are 50 to 100 Omega
meters high. Their access is exclusively reserved to security
and maintenance personnel or in case of serious elevator Vessel up to 20 t 125 per hour.
malfunction (this has never happened). The first difficulty is
finding the access panels, after which a security code is needed Vessel up to 40 t 200 per hour.
to unlock them. These are true mazes of walkways, machines,
cables, pipes, wells, etc. that are known to trap poor lost souls Vessel up to 60 t 250 per hour.
and to harbor rather unfriendly creatures. From time to time,
maps of some of these inter-levels are found for sale on the Vessel up to 80 t 300 per hour.
black market.
Vessel up to 120 t 400 per hour.
WATERTIGHT WALLS
Vessel up to 240 t 650 per hour.
Each sector of Equinox can be cut off by huge watertight
bulkheads in case of fires, flooding, or any other major Vessel up to 540 t 1,100 per hour.
catastrophe. These bulkheads mark the limits of 500-meter
per side blocks (the peripheral sectors are smaller on each Vessel up to 800 t 1,500 per hour.
level). These walls are partially encased in the inter-levels
and can slide along easily recognizable structures of the Vessel up to 2,000 t 2,700 per hour.
perimeter of a sector. The first sector of each level is always
the one closest to the center; the other panels are arranged Vessel up to 16,000t 10,800 per hour.
from the first sector. These walls are made of Plastitanium
and are 20 centimeters thick. Vessel up to 50,000 t 23,000 per hour.

Vessel up to 100,000 t 35,000 per hour.

Vessel up to 160,000 t 50,00 per hour.

Tug boats * 5 to 15 Sols per ton
(minimum 3,000 Sols).

* If a vessel needs a tug boat to bring it in to dock (because of a
breakdown or anything else).
A margin of 10% more or less is allowed for the tonnage of the
vehicles.
Note : for the private companies, the cost is calculated fo a day and
it’s generally equal to the hour rate x10 to x30. the monthly rate is
calculated on 18 days. Private hangars are seldom free.

THE LEVELS OF THE
STATION

Watcher control stations: Unless otherwise indicated, they LEVEL 0
are usually discreet and often hidden away behind advertis-
ing billboards.Anti-riot and security forces barracks: Unless This is the largest level in the city with 64 sectors. It is at the
otherwise indicated, each barrack houses four intervention heart of the commercial activity and of life in Equinox. This
squadrons that work on six-hour shifts. level occupies an area of 4 km by 4 km (making it an area of
16 km²). There are over 120 meters between the floor and the
Public showers and bathrooms: Unless otherwise ceiling. Inside this space, the central bazaar stretches up with
indicated, they are regularly checked by the hygiene services anywhere from 3 to 8 floors (including the ground floor; each
and almost all of them are under constant surveillance by the of these upper floors covers about 8 km², while the ground
Watchers. level covers 12 km²) depending on the sector, except for the
center area where the elevators can be found, as well as the
THE GREAT BAZAAR OF EQUINOX main market, which only covers one floor. This is where one
(LEVELS 6 TO -6) can truly get a sense of the immense size of the city, taking in
the sights of a ceiling over 80 meters above and a multitude
Over 70% of the population of Equinox are huddled of walkways that span across various heights.
together in the 13 levels that make up the Great Bazaar. It is
the largest existing market in the world. You can find pretty The streets vary in width from 2 to 8 meters depending
much anything and everything on sale there. on the area. The closer you get to the center, the wider the

13

EQUINOX 1
14
DESCRIPTION

EQUINOX STATION

streets become. As for all the structures of a certain height, of the city, near the frigate hangar A 89. The company is run THE LEVELS OF THE STATION
the walkways do not exceed 2 meters in width and are all by a man named Mole Ker 17 328, a former Hegemonian who
equipped with safety railings to avoid accidental falls. Cables, would prefer not to have to deal with his fellow countrymen
pipes, animated advertising billboards, and the tunnels of (he usually puts them on a waiting list).
the aerial metro are visible everywhere you look. The streets
are constantly packed and lined with a crowd of all sorts of Sea Eagle Clinic: this Coralian clinic offers a wide range of
merchants who set up their stalls wherever they fancy. Every “discreet” medical services as well as coral implants. Their
now and then, a visitor will come across a circular space tariffs are very high, and the vast majority of the population
where merchants set up their stalls to sell their goods. These could not even afford to have the simplest of surgeries there.
are the market squares, and the largest of them all (a circular The clinic is situated on the eastern edge of the city, in one of
space 400 meters in diameter) can be found at the very heart the quietest areas. It is run by Eleanora Lestesius, a stunning
of the central level, around the elevator block. Coralean woman who, according to rumor, also offers her
services for things other than surgery.
There are no less than 429 shops, 85 bars, 36 canteens,
and 78 hotels on Level 0. There are very few permanent Bloodhound: this company of bounty hunters is one of
living quarters on this level and these few are all found the most famous in the world beneath the waves. It works
around the edges. The classiest establishments are all in close collaboration with the Watchers. Its headquarters
found either around the central market square or facing are situated in Sector 12 of Level 0, and it occupies three
the great glass walls with a view of the ocean and the floors. The ground floor is The Bloodhound, a bar frequented
docking hangars. You can find everything on Level 0, from by all the independent bounty hunters in the area, run by
the best to the worst. The black market is very active, and a man named Hector Hound. The second floor contains
prices can be doubled depending on whom you buy from. the company’s offices and the third floor the private living
There are very few beggars and down-and-outs—their quarters of Lana Criss, the young director of the company
presence is not desirable for security reasons. On the who is also a bounty hunter herself.
other hand, the Watchers are heavily present even though
they rarely intervene. There are no sectors reserved for a Scavenger Hangars and Workshops: at the northern
specific nationality on Level 0. end of Level 0, the Scavengers own four hangars and six
workshops. They are particularly popular with people who
The automatic aerial metro lines run about 10 meters want to sell off wrecked ships or obtain cheap secondhand
above the floor. They are free and each train can carry 200 parts. The market near these hangars is mainly occupied by
passengers. The metro runs on a regular basis and there is the Scavengers who sell pretty much everything you could
never more than two minutes to wait between trains. imagine there. It is also one of the most interesting places
if you’re looking for information of all kinds about what’s
IMPORTANT PLACES going on or will soon be happening in the underwater world.

Hermes: one of the offices of the company Hermes Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these
(Mediterranean Union) is situated close to the central square services are provided by eight stations spread out all over
on this level. the Level 0 area.

Hammerdale: Hammerdale has set up a branch of its Watcher control stations: there are 24 of these stations
company on Level 0 of the city. on this level.

The Neptune: this is one of the most popular bars in the Apprenticeship Department: this department is based
city. Its patrons are mainly tourists, Watchers, and novices of near the center of Level 0. It is an enormous, six-floor office
the Cult of the Trident. The prices are high but the food and building. Many of the office workers of the Cult of the Trident
drinks are good quality. can be found there.

The Venus: this is one of the most popular establishments Anti-riot and security forces barracks: there are only
on Level 0. It covers eight floors (including the ground four barracks of this type.
floor) and offers its customers food, drinks, rooms, and
even company for the night. It is a well-kept establishment, Philosophical Institutions of the Cult: there are only two
with prices slightly above the average level. It is run by Karl institutions of the Cult.
Vandboeuf, a man from the Red League who knows how to
keep the kind of company that ensures he can conduct his Public showers and bathrooms: Eighteen bathing
business in peace. The Venus also has a few meeting rooms establishments are spread out over the whole of the level.
for those who want to do “business.”
INFLUENTIAL GROUPS
Prius Workshops: this is a prestigious company specialized
in maintaining and repairing diving armors, small transport The Free Merchants’ Union, the Submarine Miners’ Union,
vessels, and escort vessels. It also provides rental services for the Aquafarmers and Breeders’ Union, the Independent
vehicles or private hangars. Its prices are a little high, but Communities’ Union, and the Transporters’ Union are non-
the work is impeccable. The workshops are at the far north official groups who have a great amount of influence in their
respective areas on all levels of the city. Their offices can be
found on this level. They are well-known and particularly

15

EQUINOX 1

THE LEVELS OF THE STATION active pressure groups, and they are suspected of financing union is run by Natalia Desd from the Rockhall community.
some less reputable activities. The Tornado bar (Level 0) is one of the favorite meeting places
for the members of this union.
The Free Merchants’ Union: run by the six most prosperous
merchants in Equinox (Prospero Verti, Locknar Liam, Seigfrid The Independent Communities’ Union: this small
Valers, Otro Liberski, Ogmer Tren, Syrula Davenroot), this group, run by Omar Bellus, tries to give a voice to the small
union is especially influential among the priests of the Trident. communities who don’t have their own embassies. It is said
The union, for example, negotiates the taxes to be paid by all that Omar is particularly active and that his union could well
merchants. It also defines the space and position allocated to become far more important in the years to come. At present,
each independent merchant. Therefore, it is best to be on the it counts over 990 micro-communities. The contribution
Merchants’ Union’s good side (and slip them a few Sol tabs) if is 100 Sols per year and the only advantage offered is a
you hope to sell your wares on Level 0. The members of the members’ rate at the Crown bar, owned by Bellus.
Merchants’ Union like to meet at the Charlatan bar on Level 0.
For a contribution of at least 5,000 Sols a year, a merchant can The Transporters’ Union: the Transporters’ Union is as
obtain certain advantages: powerful as the Merchants’ Union. Lopmar the Voyager is
the leader of the union, and a friend of Prospero Verti from
• He enjoys the protection of the union’s muscular the Merchants’ Union. The Transporters’ Union’s favorite
flunkies. gathering place is the Radiance on Level 0. For an annual
contribution of 50 Sols per vessel of 100 metric tons, the
• He is insured against a loss of goods. The goods will be union offers several advantages:
refunded at roughly 30% of their raw value.
• The muscular protection of the union’s flunkies.
• He gains access to privileged seller spaces. This • Insurance in case the vessel or cargo transported is
means that the merchant will only rarely need to go
to the slums to sell his wares. lost (roughly 30% of the raw value).
• Access to privileged hangars for their ships.
• HebenefitsfromcertainagreementswiththeWatchers • A more flexible level of customs inspection of the
that allow him to sell sensitive and sometimes even
completely illegal goods. ship and its cargo.
• A 10 to 30% discount on docking fees (rental of
• The merchants get a reduction of 30% on the rent for
their trading area. hangars).

The more money contributed, the more advantages are LEVEL 1
offered.
Level 1 is similar to Level 0: 80 meters high and built over
The Submarine Miners’ Union: run by Francis Drake, a 4 floors. Its floor area is slightly smaller than that of Level 0
solidly built gentleman of 56, the Miners’ Union has been (roughly 14 km²) but it has the same number of sectors
battling for many years to make it easier to register a (64). This level counts no fewer than 229 stores, 80 bars,
concession. The miners like to gather at the Nugget bar on 46 canteens, and 78 hotels. Residential blocks are more
Level 0. For a contribution of 500 Sols per year, the miners abundant here, and they are generally spread around the
can obtain some interesting advantages: outer edges of the level. It is from this level upward that we
find sectors that are more or less reserved for the citizens of
• The support of the union for the registration of a certain nations or organizations. For example, the sectors in
concession. the east are considered to be Hegemonian quarters. Those
in the west are the quarters of the League. The northern
• Priority appointments for registering a concession. sectors are the home of smaller nations and those in the
• The support of other miners in case of security south belong to the Coraleans. The differences are not yet
all that obvious and you are not at risk of being attacked
problems. based on your opinions. There are several aerial metros on
The Aquafarmers and Breeders’ Union: The A.B.U. is an this level.
important pressure group that fights to defend its members’
rights against the Merchants’ Union and the industrial IMPORTANT PLACES
aquafarming and breeding companies. The war that put it in
opposition to the Merchants’ Union is not a recent one. Indeed, The Kryss: this dive bar run by a pro-Hegemonian owner
many merchants buy food products elsewhere at incredibly tends to attract a bad crowd. Although its patrons are quite
low prices and prevent the local farmers from selling their diverse, the young soldiers of the nation of the Patriarchs
goods themselves. The average farmer, therefore, has no like to gather there. The bar is in the east of the level. It is run
choice but to accept a poor return selling his products to the by Olaf Our 27 659, a fat, bearded fellow with a good-natured
merchants or go and risk worse selling it in the slums. For the face, who never misses an occasion to sing the praises of the
moment, the members of the A.B.U. only pay a contribution powerful Hegemony. His prices are low, but what he serves
of 50 Sols per year, but the only advantage they get for it is isn’t worth any more than what he charges. Contrary to what
the help of some muscle in case of a confrontation with one might think, it is whispered that this establishment is
merchants. However, this union is growing in size day after
day and it could well be that, in a few years from now, it will
provide its subscribers with especially precious assistance. The

16

EQUINOX STATION

not the favorite meeting place of the Hegemonian spies, but INFLUENTIAL GROUPS THE LEVELS OF THE STATION
more that of certain smugglers.
The Human Coalition: ruled by Manitia Derling, a rich
The Torpedo: one of the most popular bars among sailors businesswoman from the city, the Human Coalition is openly
around the world, the Torpedo is an establishment with a fighting for every oppressed population’s rights, especially
warm atmosphere that can easily turn stormy depending on the mutants, and for a complete reform of birth policies in
the moods of its customers. It is a bar for hardened sailors the world’s nations. She admits that she profoundly admires
who don’t take kindly to the arrival of young greenhorns. The the Coral’s Republic birth policy, and it is thought that her
patrons tell each other tales of campaigns at sea, of legends organization is funded to a great extent by Coralian interests.
in the deep, and of secrets that can be desirable to many.
The only problem is that these fellows are tremendously The Sailors’ Guild: this guild is only influential on this level.
suspicious and they really have to take a liking to someone It is a group of sailors who are used to travelling to Equinox. It
or it takes a great many diplomatic tricks to get them to talk. came together around Promise and was, to begin with, just a
And if they catch you spying on their conversations... group of people who got on well and enjoyed sharing stories
about the seas. Today, the guild’s aim is to make the life of
The bar is run by a former sailor, Promise (yes, that is his salty seadogs a little more pleasant in Equinox and in all
first name), who is also the boss of the Sailors’ Guild. The the stations that are members of the organization. On Level
prices here are honest and the food and drink of reasonable 1 of the fluctuating city, Promise’s friends can enjoy free
quality. The bar is situated in the east of the city, almost accommodation, very generous prices on the maintenance
directly opposite the docks reserved for commercial vessels. of their vessels, and, most of all, some muscular support in
case of a confrontation with another faction. All the sailors
Cortex: the headquarters of the Cortex company is found from isolated communities that belong to the Guild like to
opposite the central square of this level. Its entrances are gather regularly in Promise’s bar. Several mechanics and
guarded by a squadron of Watchers. The offices span eight electronics engineers specialized in the maritime sector and
floors (ground floor included) and appear fairly modern. who work on the docks on this level also belong to the group.
Some people claim that the Sailors’ Guild is not content with
Gladius: the headquarters of the company Gladius are legal operations and also practices smuggling.
situated opposite that of Cortex, on the other side of the
square. It spans two blocks of buildings and four floors. The LEVEL 2
place is extremely well protected by the Watchers.
Made up of 64 sectors and spread out over roughly 12 km²,
Tri-Pole (Polar Alliance), Neotech (Hegemony), and Level 2 is 60 meters high and includes 3 floors. Although
New Dynamic (Independent): these three companies all commercial activity here is as intense as on the other levels,
have offices near the central square of Level 1. it has certain distinct characteristics. This level is mainly
covered in residential blocks and hotels. This is also where you
The Sphinx: this fancy establishment situated in the south can find most of the rental companies for vehicles and diving
is renowned for its high-society patrons and its steep prices. armors, as well as the offices of many corporations. This level
It is said that the waitresses are absolute gems but their counts 119 stores, 76 bars, 28 canteens, and 78 hotels.
prices are equally as extortionate. The place is run by a rich
Coralean businessman who does not live in Equinox. His The residential blocks are all situated in the eastern and
representative, a mutant with minor deformities, is named northern sectors. The companies and stores are all grouped
Loupar. He is suspected of running a network of spies. around the central marketplace. In the south and the west
you will find the hotels, some more residential blocks, the
The Bulldog: this bar is in fact the office of Legion in canteens, and a few restaurants.
Equinox. Its owner, Vicos the Moray Eel, is a former fighter
pilot who was severely wounded during an operation of the Tensions between the different communities are frequent
mercenary group. He is half-disfigured and his right arm on this level and some sectors are real ghettos into which it is
is a mechanical prosthetic arm. It is at the Bulldog that the dangerous to wander. This is especially true of the residential
members of Legion come to negotiate certain contracts, meet blocks, as some of them are reserved for citizens of a specific
with other groups of mercenaries, and hire new recruits. nation.

Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these The docks are mainly reserved for merchant vessels and
services are provided by six stations spread out all over Level 1. cargo transfer ships. There are several aerial metros on this
level.
Watcher control stations: there are 12 of these stations
on this level. IMPORTANT PLACES

Anti-riot and security forces barracks: there are only Vigilant (independent), Nova (Hegemony), Union
two barracks of this type. Industries (Mediterranean Union), Siranea (Coral Republic),
Deep Star (Red League), Panam (Hegemony), and Poseidon
Philosophical Institutions of the Cult: there are only two (Cult of the Trident) are a few of the companies that have
institutions of the Cult. their offices on this level.

Public showers and bathrooms: twelve bathing
establishments are spread out over the whole of the level.

17

EQUINOX 1

THE LEVELS OF THE STATION The Toothed Whale: if you are not a docker, be on your LEVEL 3
way—this is no place for you. Unless you need some muscle
for a job that isn’t too risky. This is the only condition, Level 3 (60 meters high) is much calmer than Level 2. It
along with a few Sols, under which you can set foot in the is made up of 64 sectors and covers an area of 10 km2. In
Toothed Whale. The prices there are probably the lowest the north, you can find residential areas reserved for the
in the city and the food and drink are of good quality. The Watchers, the Cult novices, and other respectable folks.
establishment is run by Cross Bulldog, a completely hairless, Needless to say that the security forces are especially active
2.9 m tall mutant with a powerful build. He is as friendly as on this level. The rest of the level is occupied by the offices of
a plated shark and solves any problems that should arise large companies, by bars, canteens, private night clubs, and
with a bludgeon that he always has close to hand. This bar is stores. It is one of the safest and most pleasant places to have
suspected of being one of the main meeting places for most a store, but the spaces available are limited. To be allowed
of the criminal organizations in the city. to sell your goods here, bribing the representatives of the
administrative services is mandatory. There are several
Residential block H 56: this block is home to a large aerial metros on this level.
population of totally fanatical Hegemonians. If you are not a
servant of the Patriarchs, you will have trouble walking the IMPORTANT PLACES
streets here. Loscar Flo 17 356 is a kind of half-crazy preacher
who rules the block as a community leader. The many Gladius (Cult of the Trident), Free Star (Red League), New
investigations about him have never managed to prove that Horizon (Hegemony), Polyphemus (Polar Alliance), and
he is a Hegemonian spy. Global Oceanus (Hegemony) have offices on this level.

Rent-Station: this small company situated in the east of The Urchins Club: this respectable establishment is
the city is specialized in renting out vehicles of all kinds. Its reserved for its members only. It offers drinks, games,
tariffs are quite average. The man who runs it is none other and female company. Some malicious gossips claim that
than Crius Bellemort, who is thought to be one of Vurick the it belongs to the famous pirate, Kali. It is true that many
One-Eyed’s lieutenants (see Level -6). pirates have been seen there, which seems rather strange
for a classy joint. The club is run by a certain Kate Paloma, a
Dock 223B: this dock for vessels of over 20,000 metric tons young woman of 32 years whose past seems too good to be
has been closed for years. It is called the “phantom dock.” The true. Although the prices are not the highest in town, they
stories say that a few years ago, a frigate docked there with are still rather extortionate.
nobody on board. Strange happenings have regularly been
noticed there since. After a delegate from the Coral Republic The Excelsior: this bar is the favorite gathering place
died there, it was decided to shut it down. It is said that of the Watchers. There is no point causing trouble there;
several enquiries are still open to find out what is happening it wouldn’t end well. The owner of the bar is called Fellan
there exactly. Several priests of the Trident capable of using the Cat who, although he looks innocent enough, hides a
the Polaris Effect are part of the investigative committee. troubled past. Some don’t hesitate to claim that he is at the
head of a network of assassins and that he negotiates his
Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these contracts in his bar under the very noses of the security
services are provided by six stations spread out all over Level 2. services.

Watcher control stations: there are 18 of these stations Straight Kill: this small repairs workshop is run by a man
on this level. whom some consider to be a true genius when it comes to
torpedoes. He has a reputation for making the best weapons of
Anti-riot and security forces barracks: there are only destruction in the whole of Equinox. This seems to be backed
two barracks of this type. up by the interest that several weapons companies have in
him, including Gladius, which would very much like to get
Public showers and bathrooms: ten bathing establishments their hands on some plans for a revolutionary torpedo. The
are spread out over the whole of the level. name of this sought-after individual is Kromen, and he can
offer you the best secondhand torpedoes in the whole of the
INFLUENTIAL GROUPS seven seas. He can repair those that are damaged and improve
on most models. The only downside is that his services are
Equinox Dockers’ Union: this powerful group is a real expensive and his waiting list never-ending. A word of advice:
thorn in the side of the administrative services of Equinox Kromen worships technology of all kinds—this may be good to
and especially that of the Watchers. Not only does it control know if you want to make friends with him.
all the cargo transfer operations on Level 2, but what’s more,
its members are also very popular as henchmen for criminal Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these
organizations. The union is known for its black market services are provided by four stations spread out all over
activities, its smuggling, and most importantly all the “taxes” Level 3.
it applies to the merchant ships. The leader of the Dockers’
Union is a man named Caliano, a powerful businessman who Watcher control stations: there are eight of these stations
lives a quiet life on Level 7. He is also one of the most active on this level.
traffickers in Equinox.

18

EQUINOX STATION

THE LEVELS OF THE STATION

Anti-riot and security forces barracks: there are only IMPORTANT PLACES
two barracks of this type.
The Forbidden Alleyway: this side street in the northern
Public showers and bathrooms: ten bathing establishments part of this level is known and avoided by every inhabitant in
are spread out over the whole of the level. Equinox. In the past, the body of a young woman was found
there, and the mystery of her death was never solved. The
LEVEL 4 problem is that every year since then, a new body has been
found in the exact same place, though never at the same time
This level is divided into 36 sectors and covers an area of year. There is a feeling of dread that seems to hang over
of 9 km2. The ceiling is at a height of about 20 meters and this alleyway, one that even a newcomer who knows nothing
the buildings are on two to five floors. There are no aerial of the place’s history will feel to the very depths of his soul.
metros on this level. The walkways of Level 4 are much
narrower than elsewhere. There is a constant feeling of The Scythe: this well-known and popular bar is frequented
being in an enclosed space, far more so than anywhere by everyone. The food and drinks are of good quality and the
else in the city. The streets are dark and there are many atmosphere is pleasant. Even so, some say that patrons have
beggars. Although this level is fairly calm, its shadows have disappeared there and that the boss of the establishment
the reputation of being a hiding place for creatures escaped has no qualms supplying the laboratories with these missing
from the pharmaceutical and genetic laboratories that can people. Others say that, under the bar, an illegal clinic offers its
be found all over the level. Commerce is active on this level, services to all the adventurers and smugglers of Equinox. The
but much of what is for sale is illegal—especially drugs and man—Lomac as they call him—is a very tall and skinny fellow.
human organs. For some unknown reason, the Watchers are
particularly discreet here and avoid having to interfere as Cortex and Hellion: these two companies both own
often as possible. The prices for hotel rooms and personal research laboratories near the center of this level.
accommodation are the lowest in Equinox after Levels -4, -5,
and -6. There are many mysteries that surround this level, Orga: it is rumored that this independent laboratory belongs
and in the bars here, many tales are told of mysterious deaths to Voghn the Renegade and is at the center of the human-
and disappearances, as well as terrible shadows glimpsed at trafficking activity in Equinox. There are a multitude of stories
the back of alleyways. One needs to be especially cautious about the terrible experiments carried out in this place.
here. A human body has certain value and is easy to sell off
to the laboratories. Shadow: this is a bar run by a former Watcher who is now
suspected of having converted to smuggling. Some say that
Lerd Benton is trafficking with pirates. His establishment is
quite reputable and the prices are decent.

19

EQUINOX 1

THE LEVELS OF THE STATION Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Department: these
services are provided by two stations spread out around the services are provided by the main building of the Hygiene
edges of Level 4. Department.

Watcher control stations: there are four of these stations Watcher control stations: there are six of these stations,
on this level. situated around the Aeris offices.

Philosophical Institutions of the Cult: there is only one Public showers and bathrooms: six bathing establishments
institution of the Cult. are spread out over the whole of the level.

Public showers and bathrooms: Six bathing INFLUENTIAL GROUPS
establishments are spread out over the whole of the level.
The Coraleans: although it doesn’t have a direct influence
INFLUENTIAL GROUPS on the lives of the other citizens, the Coraleans have
developed very strong connections with one another. They
The Body Snatchers: this group is said to specialize in the have created a real network of solidarity in absolutely every
kidnapping and sale of human beings. They provide goods domain. Could this be a front for other, less noble, activities?
for the stalls of the organ sellers and are rumored to be
especially active in the smuggling of that kind of product. LEVEL 6
Who is hiding behind this group? Nobody knows, but it is a
fair guess that Voghn the Renegade isn’t all that far away. This level (20 meters high) is almost as large as Level 5 and
covers almost 6 km2 divided up into 36 sectors. It is mainly
Boman: Boman is the name of one of the biggest narcotics visited by the operators of the independent stations. The
dealers in Equinox. Nobody knows his true identity, but one markets are all focused on the sale of maintenance equipment
thing is for sure: he is very influential on this level. for stations and the Concession Registration Office of the
S.M.S.O. can be found in the center, around the elevators.
LEVEL 5 There are many very cheap hotels here (dormitories, tubes,
and mediocre rooms for the most part), private and public
This level (20 meters high) is slightly smaller than Level 4, canteens (such as the Triangle’s canteens), prostitution
spanning an area of just over 7 km2 divided up into the same services, etc. It is a level that is constantly packed with
number of sectors. However, the atmosphere here is radically people and crawling with activity. With the embassies just
different. The residential areas are home to a large amount of above it, the presence of the Watchers is very active here.
Coralian and Polarian settlers. There are a number of private
clinics here, and the most impressive building of the Hygiene IMPORTANT PLACES
Department stands proudly near the central marketplace.
Most of the commercial activity is focused around selling The companies Telemachus (Hegemony), Odysseus (Coral
pharmaceutical and hygiene-related products, fluids, and Republic), C.T.C. (Coral Republic), Explora (Coral Republic),
mixtures. and Pacific Transport (Coral Republic) have their offices on
this level.
IMPORTANT PLACES
The Triangle’s canteens: This network of canteens
Aeris: several sectors in the northern zone of this level are found all over Equinox belong to a private organization, the
occupied by the company Aeris, which produces hyperfluids. Triangle. Under contract with the Watchers, they offer very
It is an area under strict surveillance. cheap meals. These are real food distribution chains where
you can just come and get a bowl of gruel and listen to the
Coral Bar: this establishment is most popular with the latest news broadcast through the speakers before you head
citizens of the Coral Republic, but everybody is welcome back to work. Many rumors are spread about the directors of
there without any problem. It is a rather pleasant place, very this company, especially about the contents of the gruel and
nicely decorated, and it is said that one can meet the most the effects it has on the human body. For it is worth noting,
beautiful women of Equinox there. The boss is a Coralean the Triangle is most of all a company that is focused on food
named Glessial who is particularly courteous to his patrons. research, and 50% of its shares belong to Cortex. The cost of
The Neptune Intelligence Services have noticed a significant a meal in these “canteens” is 5 Sols.
increase in its customers over the last few weeks and,
more importantly, a significant increase in the number of Pandora: this company specializes in the sale and repair
employees (all hired among Coraleans). of station modules. It owns a large repair hangar on
this level and several branches in the main ports of the
The Tomb: this bar is famous all over Equinox for its oceans. Its teams of deep-water workers are capable of
interior design. Indeed, Ochloss, the boss, is a former explorer assembling installations down to depths of 15,000 meters.
who has brought back a number of relics of ancient times. The company’s boss is a 38-year old Natural Hydrid named
The Tomb’s patrons are adventurers, raiders, explorers, and Patrick Petrovnick.
smugglers of all kinds. It is also a favorite haunt of pirates, in
particular the members of the Mermaid Fellowship. The Gorgon: this fairly popular bar is run by a man named
Ronaldo. It is situated on the docks on the edge of this level.

20

EQUINOX STATION

The Nautilus: this is a luxury hotel that is, unofficially, those who appreciate who owns them. It is in fact Malgo THE LEVELS OF THE STATION
reserved for Hegemonians only. It is said to belong to a Eight-Legs, the famous pirate, who runs this establishment
powerful family of aristocrats from Keryss. under the name of Arthur P. Carridge. Although he puts
himself in danger every time he sets foot in Equinox, he can’t
The Black Cetacean: this bar is the favorite gathering point help but offer his services for fixing absolutely anything and
of the underwater miners. Bar brawls are frequent there, but everything. He is also a very efficient fence and he can get
the atmosphere is mostly welcoming. The establishment’s you anything you happen to be looking for. His activities
boss is suspected of being a drug runner on the payroll of cover absolutely every type of vehicle and diving armor.
Vurick the One-Eyed. The waiting lists to hire his services are near-infinite. He
has many bodyguards who are always very discreet. It goes
The Plankton Dream: this is an establishment popular among without saying that the members of the Spider Fellowship do
the hydro-farmers. The food is especially tasty and the prices their very best to protect their leader.
are reasonable. The establishment is run by an androgynous
mutant named Lepto who has no remarkable history. Lipus Repair Service: Lipus is a very talented small
electronics engineer, mechanic, and computer technician.
Concession Registration Office: this office complex, built His specialty is not repairing vehicles, but repairing the
around the elevators at the center of the level, is constantly city’s installations. His knowledge of Equinox is invaluable
full of people. The miners of the whole world come here to and he is simultaneously closely watched and protected by
have their concessions registered. To make an appointment the Watchers, but also by several criminal organizations. As
with an agent from the C.R.O., you will need to wait in line it happens, good old Lipus likes to sell some of the blueprints
for several hours at the number-assignment window. The of the city’s inter-levels or machinery to the highest bidder.
average waiting time to make an appointment is from 3 to 6 His prices are astronomical but the information is fairly
days and as, generally speaking, the administration workers precise.
are always late, you will also need to wait for a few hours past
the given time. Those who don’t go the distance will have to The Molecular Bar: this is a bar that is popular among a
come back and make another appointment. large number of mechanics and electronics engineers from
this level. The owner, Milus Farmo, is a handyman himself
Complaint Registration Desk: the C.R.D. is just as popular and is well known for the fair quality of his work.
as the C.R.O. This is where the many sub-marine communities
can come to register their complaints and, in some cases, The Sway: this is a bar whose patrons are often pirates and
establish the amount of compensation that is to be paid. adventurers. There is no specific dominant faction here. The
It takes 6 to 18 days to obtain an appointment and only by establishment is run by a man named Philar One-Leg who
practically laying siege on the number-application windows. earned his nickname after losing an arm and a leg during a
ship-boarding. He is a former pirate who was part of a now
Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these long-gone group, the Chimera.
services are provided by the main building of the Hygiene
Department on Level 5. The Kraken: this bar is not one that sees a lot of dodgy
customers. In fact, it is almost always full of tourists. It is a
Watcher control stations: there are eight of these stations, well-respected and reputed establishment. The food and
and they are very discreet. drinks are fairly expensive. It is run by a woman named Ilva
the Eel. She is a former prostitute of the Cult of the Trident.
Public showers and bathrooms: six bathing establishments
are spread out over the whole of the level. Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Department: these
services are provided by six stations spread out all over Level -1.
LEVEL -1
Watcher control stations: there are 12 of these stations
Level -1 is the carbon copy of Level 1. Its population, however, on this level.
is slightly different. There are almost no residential areas
here. It is a huge commercial sector where you can find the Anti-riot and security forces barracks: there are only
largest number of bars in the city (roughly 110). The markets two barracks of this type. E
are mainly focused on selling equipment for sea vessels.
Huge hangars have been built all around the level’s edge. The Philosophical Institutions of the Cult: there are only two
repairs and maintenance workshops are many and are among institutions of the Cult.
the best in the city. This is also the area where you will find the
highest concentration of mechanics, electronics engineers, Public showers and bathrooms: twelve bathing
and computer technicians. The narrow back alleys are packed establishments are spread out over the whole of the level.
with pirates, smugglers, adventurers, and explorers of all
kinds. Beggars are numerous throughout the sectors. LEVEL -2

IMPORTANT PLACES The level is similar to Level -1 but slightly smaller in size.
It is 60 meters high, built over 4 floors, and divided into
Equinox Workshops: these discreet workshops are little 64 sectors. The markets are specialized in small pieces of
known to the general public but extremely popular with

21

EQUINOX 1

THE LEVELS OF THE STATION equipment and especially survival equipment. There are control the various networks. The hangars are mainly used
also a number of workshops here. The residential blocks are to store industrial goods and toxic products. There is a fair
clustered around the central square. There is a particularly number of private workshops and a few good repairmen and
dense population of pirates, beggars, adventurers, and technicians. However, there are also a lot of pirates on this
scoundrels of all sorts. level.

IMPORTANT PLACES IMPORTANT PLACES

Titan Transport (Titan), Red League Transport (Red League), The Conger: this bar is not under the control of any of
Unified Oceans Company (Red League), and Electrotech the criminal factions on this level. Actually, it is a watering
(Hegemony) all have offices on this level. hole for pirates from all fellowships, and they are ready to
defend the establishment’s boss against any form of attack.
The Harpoon: this formerly dodgy dive bar was recently The bar is run by a man named Vralack the Indomitable. He
“cleaned up” by the Watchers. A fence who went by the is a former pirate.
name of Brodvitk, formerly in charge of the trafficking in the
area, was found murdered in this bar. This gave the security The Trade Winds: this is the home of the Red Cutlasses,
services an excuse to clean up this establishment that used a criminal organization with a lot of influence on this level.
to be a real lair for criminals. Velorg, the man who runs it, This bar is run by a man named Poli who is none other
has cleaned up his act too, and is staying on the straight and than one of the organization’s lieutenants. The place is
narrow. His former pirate patrons are less and less inclined disreputable and not very pleasant.
to visit his bar.
Arsenal Hotel: this hotel only offers tube accommodation,
The Seahorse: this is the favorite watering hole for the Orca but it guarantees its guests complete protection once they
Fellowship. Bar fights are frequent here and some consider have checked in. As the Arsenal is financed by Vurick the
this dive bar to be a real death-trap. It is also the meeting One-Eyed, it is understandable that other clans hesitate to
place for several organizations of fences and smugglers. attack it. The security team is impressive. The room rates are
slightly above average.
Trident Oceanographic Institution: this institute provides
the general public with detailed maps of the undersea Hunt: this is the office for a group of very well-known
regions. Some sectors are not accessible and visitors need an bounty hunters. A woman named Denea Cillio is the director.
authorization from the S.M.S.O. to be able to study them. The She employs about 30 bounty hunters who practice rather
institute is open to all for the price of 10 Sols per hour of radical methods.
consultation.
Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these
Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these services are provided by six stations spread out all over
services are provided by six stations spread out all over Level -3.
Level -2.
Watcher control stations: there are four of these stations
Watcher control stations: there are eight of these stations on this level.
on this level.
Public showers and bathrooms: six bathing
Anti-riot and security forces barracks: there are only establishments are spread out over the whole of the level.
two barracks.
INFLUENTIAL GROUPS
Public showers and bathrooms: fourteen bathing
establishments are spread out over the whole of the level. The Red Cutlasses: this criminal organization is involved
in trafficking weapons, drugs, and forbidden materials. It is
INFLUENTIAL GROUPS run by Mad Leoni, an elusive sadist that the Watchers would
love to interrogate. The Cutlasses control the eastern sectors
The groups of smugglers and the criminal organizations are of this level.
beginning to have quite an influence from this level down.
They are generally in control of certain sectors and of bars Lupir the Snake’s beggars’ network: Lupir is a
or canteens. despicable human organ trafficker who has gathered a
network of dozens of beggars who serve as spies, thieves,
LEVEL -3 and murderers. He is careful to never take sides for one
or the other of this level’s organizations. He is said to be
The slums of Equinox really begin on this level. From about completely schizophrenic and a lover of certain disgusting
20 meters above the floor, the ceiling gets lost in a jungle of practices.
cables and pipes 40 meters thick. The walkways are narrow
and dark. There is still one tiny aerial metro that only works The Blue Coats: this organization controls the western
intermittently and doesn’t connect all the sectors. Everything sectors of this level. Its primary concerns are focused on
is on the ground floor. The area of 9 km2 is divided into 36 smuggling. Its services are often required to get people
sectors and is home to a large number of residential blocks, out of Equinox or get illegal immigrants into the city.
bars, and bazaars. The black market is everywhere on this The organization is run by Ivana Blue Coat, who owes her
level. Four criminal organizations are constantly battling to

22

EQUINOX STATION

nickname to her former role as an administrative agent for of the level and most of the products on sale are illegal. The THE LEVELS OF THE STATION
the Cult of the Trident. merchants who haven’t found a space higher up to sell their
goods are forced to set up stalls here where space is never
The Leoren Faction: Leoren is a hermaphrodite capable scarce. Many prefer to leave the city instead. This level has
of self-fertilization. He has given birth to so many children a ceiling about 5 meters above the street at the highest. The
that he is wanted by the Watchers. His children, along layers of cables often limit the height to less than 3 meters.
with the ones he gathers from the streets, form his own Several sectors are cloaked in mystery and nobody really
private army. He is specialized in weapons smuggling and knows what goes on in them.
assassinations of all kinds. This faction controls the north
of this level. IMPORTANT PLACES

Galanea: now relegated to the southern sectors, this The Purple Area: this sector of Level -5 is completely
organization once controlled all of Level -3. The death of its deserted. Everyone prefers to avoid it, but some claim to
leader, Iran Leigh, was the last gasp of its omnipotence. have seen Watcher agents there.

LEVEL -4 The Urchin: this is one of the best bars in all of Equinox.
The quality of the food and the drinks is quite remarkable. It
Divided into 36 sectors, Level -4 (40 meters high) is counts a large number of pirates among its patrons, but also
worse than Level -3, except that here none of the criminal “normal” people. It is said that this bar more or less belongs
organizations rule the nest. The beggars, however, are to Ashaana Solomon, the famous pirate.
everywhere and have come together to form several groups.
Over half of this level is dedicated to residential blocks. Deep Strike: this is a company of mercenaries trained in
People here live in terrible conditions. The small network of commando operations. The group is made up of 30 members
aerial metros is now completely out of order. or so, led by a former Watcher, Marcus Strike.

IMPORTANT PLACES Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these
The Pit: this bar is one you should not set foot in unless you services are provided by one station in the middle of the level.
are heavily armed. It is a hive of killers, bandits, and pirates.
It is a place where illegal contracts are openly discussed. Watcher control stations: there are two of these stations
Assassination, theft, piracy, organ trafficking, etc.; all these at the center of this level.
activities are tolerated in this establishment run by Agatha, a
young woman said to be connected to Voghn the Renegade. Public showers and bathrooms: four bathing
Hygiene, Water, and Maintenance Departments: these establishments are spread out over the whole of the level.
services are provided by one station in the middle of the
level. INFLUENTIAL GROUPS
Watcher control stations: there are four of these stations
on this level. Feodrom: this organization is made up of smugglers who
Public showers and bathrooms: Six bathing own most of the hangars on this level. It doesn’t cause the
establishments are spread out over the whole of the level. general population much inconvenience. In fact, it’s quite
the opposite—its members would probably prefer to live in
INFLUENTIAL GROUPS a quieter area. Therefore, they do occasionally “clean up”
Plycer Darken: this sinister individual is a skinny man their sectors to remove any unwanted individuals.
who is 2.4 meters tall. He is always dressed in a classy suit
and dark glasses. He smiles all the time so that people can see The Enlightened: these fanatics are constantly high on
his teeth, each one filed to a point. Plycer lives like a prince drugs. They live only to kill targets and to worship their
at the heart of his criminal organization, the main activity master, Lomnor Ka. This mysterious individual provides
of which is human slavery and human organ trafficking. It them with drugs in exchange for their total obedience. Not
is rumored that he is in contact with certain representatives much is known about him, only that he is a particularly
among the Watchers to provide them with a rather special handsome young man and that he doesn’t come from
form of labor. Equinox or its surrounding region.

LEVEL -5 LEVEL -6

The 36 sectors of this antechamber of hell are mainly This level only has 16 sectors over 4 km2, almost all of them
occupied by residential blocks and repairs workshops. continually cast in darkness. The ceilings are a maximum of
The customers of these repairs workshops are pirates and 5 meters high, but in certain side streets it is impossible for
outlaws from around the world. The lighting fixtures on this anyone over 2 meters tall to walk without having to stoop.
level are almost all out of order and the atmosphere here is This is mainly due to the fact that the inter-level is extended
heavy. The markets are grouped together near the center especially low at this level. Vurick the One-Eyed, one of the
most important traffickers in Equinox, rules over this level.
However, it is difficult to completely dominate such a diverse
fauna, and many uncontrollable groups haunt the dark back
alleys of Level -6. Some companies still dare to rent out
residential blocks in this hellhole. There are a few people

23

EQUINOX 1

THE LEVELS OF THE STATION who are forced to live here, but they never stay for very long. city can be found here. There are no more “canteens”
In any case, most of the residential blocks are squatted by the in the embassies, but “restaurants” that serve the finest
local fauna. It is possible to pay Vurick a tax to ensure your foods that can be found beneath the sea. Security here is
protection. This usually works fairly well. extremely tight and access to the level is limited. You will
need special authorizations awarded by the Watchers, the
IMPORTANT PLACES Cult of the Trident, the embassies, or a few of the criminal
organizations. The periphery of this level is occupied by
The Rattlesnake: this bar is protected by Vurick, just like huge relaxation rooms, installed at the foot of gigantic glass
95% of the other establishments still open on this level. If walls that allow people to gaze out into the ocean. The most
you put it into context in its surrounding environment, this important embassies are found on the lower levels as they
dive bar could almost seem to be quite a pleasant place. At have more space there.
least its customers are relatively safe no matter where they
come from. A lot of pirates visit the Rattlesnake, especially These levels are reserved for the elite. These are the
the buccaneers. battlefields of all the diplomatic struggles, all the political
skullduggery of the underwater world. The negotiations, the
The Abyss of the Damned: these gigantic holes can be betrayals, the assassinations, the espionage, and sometimes
found dotted around this level and delve deep into the heart even the wars are all decided in the shadowy alcoves of the
of the machinery of Equinox. A 400-meter drop is waiting for luxurious establishments of Equinox.
anyone who might dare to dive into one. It is possible to gain
access to the machinery through these wells, but the noise is The embassies are in the safest and best kept districts in
almost unbearable after a few meters of descent, the stench Equinox. There are plenty of Watcher control stations,
is horrendous, and the only handholds available to the maintenance buildings, and public bathrooms.
plucky are greasy cables and pipes from which formidable
rats or the dreaded gliders are waiting to pounce on you. The LEVEL 7
Dagger Children often use these wells to run away.
Level 7 covers 5.5 km2 and is divided into 36 sectors. It
Public showers and bathrooms: two bathing is occupied by the embassies of the Hegemony (northern
establishments are found in the center of the level. sectors), the Polar Alliance (southern sectors), the
Mediterranean Union (eastern sectors) and the Rift States
INFLUENTIAL GROUPS (western sectors). The walkways are wide and pleasant.

Vurick the One-Eyed: Vurick rules over the area, as IMPORTANT PLACES
detailed below.
The Mermaid: this is a very luxurious establishment
Lasia: this charming female rival of Vurick has recently reserved for a certain elite, in general the members of the
settled on Level -6. She has an impressive amount of diplomatic personnel of the various nations. The Mermaid is
equipment and an army of amazons whose charm is only visited by people from every nation. There are a great many
rivaled by their fierceness. Vurick hasn’t taken any actions forbidden products served here, but the establishment is
against her for the moment; he is waiting to find out what mainly renowned for its prostitution services. It is said that
she wants. For the moment, it is not all that clear. the manager, Lestern Kar, works for Vurick the One-Eyed.

The Dagger Children: these children, aged between 6 and Ellipse Restaurant: This restaurant is one of the most
14 years old, are the most violent beings in Equinox. They beautiful and most expensive in Equinox. It is situated
are nothing more than half-cannibalistic animals that track opposite the magnificent glass wall in the northern sectors
their prey in packs. They use primitive weapons like shards of the city. Here you can come across the ambassadors of
of metal or knives, which explains their nickname. They are every nation who all like to eat in public. The security here
completely out of control and, according to the authorities, is particularly tight. The manager of the establishment,
beyond help. Authorities are wrong about that last detail. Valendro Veet, has his own security service.
These children are living in an environment where their
only food is a strange hallucinogenic mushroom that grows The Procession: situated right in the center of the level,
on the pipes of the city and that is the main cause of their the Procession is a luxury bar belonging to the Cult of the
condition. Away from this environment and fed under normal Trident. Its patrons are mostly Watchers, Cult novices, and
conditions, they can be saved. This is, at least, what Manitia the administrative workers from the embassies.
Derling claims. She is the leader of the Human Coalition, a
group promoting the protection of oppressed populations.” The artificial parks: in some sectors you can find small
artificial parks where you can go for a walk among artificial
LEVELS 7 TO 10: THE EMBASSIES or natural vegetation. These parks are closely watched, as
the ambassadors like to stretch their legs there.
Levels 7 to 10 are dedicated to the embassies of the various
important countries of the sub-marine world. They are INFLUENTIAL FIGURES
vast sectors with a ceiling height of 40 meters. The most
luxurious and the most expensive establishments of the Ambassador Ovar Godter: the ambassador for the
Hegemony is a 58-year-old man (it is commonly said that he

24

EQUINOX STATION

is actually over 90 years old). He is especially popular because Leiya Davenport: the beautiful ambassador of the THE LEVELS OF THE STATION
of his pacifist policies. He is always dressed in a superb Mediterranean Union is without a doubt one of the most
Hegemonic uniform, rich in colors and decorations, and he active representatives in Equinox. She is constantly
loves rare and luxurious things. His residence is one of the organizing meetings with the delegates of all the nations
most closely watched buildings on this level. He rarely leaves of the world under the oceans. Her actions are more to
his residence and prefers to invite people to visit him. He do with economics than politics. She is rumored to be
usually has an excellent relationship with Demeter, although very endearing and full of life. At 39 years old, she is often
recently it has been a little deteriorated after the events that seen in the bars of the Great Bazaar of Equinox where her
took place in Fuego Liberdad. presence rarely goes unnoticed. Needless to say that the
Union’s security service does not always appreciate her
He is known to be a moderate and a great lover of peace, little escapades, and they use all their available resources
but some people claim that this is just a front. His adopted to ensure Leiya is kept safe.
daughter, Ina Godter, is a beautiful creature of 28 years
(genetically modified to be perfect), who is said to be none Ibraham Levisk: this small gent of 1.56 m with a notably
other than the leader of the Hegemonic Intelligence Service big round head is the ambassador for the Rift States. He
in Equinox. is said to be especially cunning and devious. He is a born
diplomat who lives for his work.
Ovar is very close to his spouse, Landa, who often counsels
him on choices he has to make. LEVEL 8

The Ebraer family: the Ebraers are a very influential Level 8, which covers 4.5 km2 and is divided into 36 sectors,
Hegemonian family. Therefore, they have a status almost is the home of the embassies of the Red League (northern
equivalent to that of an embassy. They are represented in sectors), the Coral Republic (southern sectors), New Lemuria
Equinox by the Count Paul Ebraer, the son of Prince Vaughn, (eastern sectors), and the Kingdom of the Indus (western
and the family is said to be almost as influential as the official sectors).
ambassador of the Hegemony. It is strange to notice that
Paul Ebraer and Ovar Godter do not get along well at all,
despite their officially similar points of view. In fact, some
people suspect Paul Ebraer to only be motivated by a thirst
for power, willing to do anything to get what he wants. Paul
is a man of 36 years (officially), who has a particular taste
for certain deviant practices. It is whispered in certain
establishments that he has had people kidnapped so he could
inflict terrible torture techniques on them. Others have even
accused Paul Ebraer of being directly involved in the murder
of several young people whose horribly mutilated corpses
were discovered in the great bazaar.

The Terrastet family: the economic power of the Terrastet
family, who are the owners of the company Nova, is great
enough for them to have the benefit of private apartments
near the embassies. The Terrastets are more interested in
commercial business than they are in politics, unless politics
can help them make even more money. This family is very
influential on the markets of Equinox and it is said that they
are at the head of a number of gangs specialized in smuggling,
industrial espionage, and the trafficking of forbidden goods.

Paolus: the mysterious ambassador of the Polar Alliance
is an especially enigmatic individual. He is only very
rarely seen in public and he is always surrounded by his
bodyguards who are as warm and welcoming as a tombstone.
Paolus never expresses any form of emotion and some have
begun to wonder if he is actually human. He seems to be
about 40 years old. He is a very thin man, 1.96 m tall, with a
steely blue stare that is said to be as penetrating as a pair of
shield-piercing torpedoes. Over the past few months, he is
rumored to have organized several secret meetings with the
ambassador of the Hegemony.

25

EQUINOX 1

THE LEVELS OF THE STATION IMPORTANT PLACES Polaris Effect. His voice is particularly soothing and almost
hypnotic. He never needs to raise his voice, and every time
The Cobalt: this establishment is not open to Hegemonians he speaks, his audience eventually listens to him. He is also
(unofficially speaking, of course). It is quite common to see said to be able to distinguish truth from lies in speech, which
Veliador Viper eating there. It is quite a luxurious restaurant, is especially interesting for a diplomat. He is a good man who
situated right in the heart of the Red League’s quarter. works for peace, but not at any price. He is said to be close to
Coralia Deventris and to Demeter.
The Blue Tavern: This Coralian establishment is fairly
cheap. It’s characterized by walls made of synthetic coral. Note: Olaf has had suspicions for the last few months that
The most delicious drinks in the whole of Equinox are served Lameas Plis is hiding a terrible secret, but he has never been
here. The Blue Tavern is mainly populated with Coraleans, able to obtain proof of it—she is an empath and neutralizes
but everyone is welcome there. This is a spacious place with his ability to detect the truth. If any of the PCs can find out
many aquariums that some people spend hours gazing at. what Lameas’s true motivations are, Olaf can become an
It is true that the spectacle of the multicolored fish species extremely valuable ally.
zooming in and out of the fragments of living coral is
especially magnificent. The tavern is run by a man named Coralia Deventris: Coralia is the ambassador for the Coral
Lavertis Neljack, a 42-year-old Coralean who is also a friend Republic, and one of the most well-respected and well-loved
of the ambassador of the Republic. people in Equinox. She is a lovely woman of 28 years whose
beauty is only equaled by her talent for diplomacy. She is
The Regent: the Regent is the name of a workshop that entirely dedicated to peace. She looks after humanitarian
specializes in the maintenance of the vessels belonging to causes and she is always ready to help any enterprise that
the embassies. This workshop is under contract with the aims to improve the conditions of human existence or the
Watchers and every single one of its employees is thoroughly good relationships between nations. She is very close to
vetted. Not just anyone can gain access to the Regent’s the people and never looks down on anyone. If there is one
services; you must be recommended by an embassy. All the person in this world who can be considered as honest and
same, it is rumored that Krullick, the chief mechanic, is a good, she is the one.
friend of Malgo Eight-Legs, and that he is willing to fix the
vessels of those who are sent by the famous pirate. Coralia can prove to be a very interesting figure to know for
a group of adventurers.
The artificial parks: In some sectors you can find
small artificial parks where you can go for a walk among Lameas Plis: she is one of Coralia Deventris’ counselors.
artificial vegetation. These parks are closely watched, as the However, this 28-year-old empath does not share the
ambassadors like to stretch their legs there. ambassador’s pacifist ideals.

INFLUENTIAL FIGURES Nelzaret Zoctan: he is the ambassador for New Lemuria.
This 56-year-old man is not particularly influential. He is
Alma Terrack: as the president of Cliastro, the largest essentially preoccupied with economic contracts and adding
extraction company of the Red League, Alma Terrack isolated communities to the territory of Lemuria.
received authorization from the Cult of the Trident to settle
in the same quarter as the ambassadors in Equinox. This Vrama Loch: the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Indus
60-year-old woman is especially close to the pirates who she is a close friend of the Ebraer family from the Hegemony.
unofficially supports. It is said that they often visit her at her He is an especially arrogant 33-year-old man. He is said to
residence and that she finances a great number of bars in secretly be a member of the sinister cult of Ashnir. He is
Equinox where the members of the fellowships like to meet. also suspected of financing groups of assassins and drug
traffickers in Equinox.
Veliador Viper: he is a member of the Cult of the Trident
(novice) and a possible successor to Urik. Veliador lives in LEVEL 9
the League’s sector. He is an unstable person and he dreams
of crushing the Hegemony. He cannot stand the presence of Covering 4 km2, Level 9 is divided into 16 sectors and is
a single member of the Patriarchs’ “lackeys.” He seems to be the home of the embassies of the Enderby Confederation,
a megalomaniac of the worst kind, and he is watched closely the Cape Federation, Fuego Liberdad, Tyr, Rogue, Luan,
by the Cult who would rather keep him close than see him Helen, Cerberea, and Amazonia. The embassy of Tyr is right
threaten the world’s peace. The leaders of the Trident still at the northern end of the level, the Luan embassy is in the
haven’t decided what they would do if this man were to be south, and the embassy of Helen is in the east. As these three
called upon to replace Urik at the head of the Red League. For nations are at war, it is best that their citizens’ paths do not
the moment, they tolerate his scenes in the establishments cross. Several sectors are not yet assigned to a nation. They
that accept Hegemonian patrons. have been set aside to welcome the future states that are yet
to arise in the ocean world.
Olaf Faltor: the ambassador of the Red League is a mutant
who has certain powers that make him a very interesting IMPORTANT PLACES
figure. Although he is blind, he has been compelled to
develop abilities that some consider manifestations of the Daedalus: this establishment situated in the center of
the level belongs to Cerberea and therefore to Legion. It

26

EQUINOX STATION

is a leisure complex where one can eat, drink, play, and is the only delegate of this community. He does not say much THE LEVELS OF THE STATION
enjoy prostitution services. The delegates from Legion sign and will never give any information about his nation. He
contracts there with the greater nations. This establishment always tries to avoid having to meet the priests of the Trident.
is constantly packed and has a great deal of success with the He often gives relics from the ancient world to his future
members of all the embassies. It is good form to show one’s customers or to people that he is especially friendly with.
face there from time to time.
Elian Cap: the ambassador of the Enderby Confederation
The Prelate: this is one of the most popular places on spends most of his time meeting with his counterpart from
this level. Right in the center, it welcomes the delegates New Lemuria. The two nations are said to be about to sign
of many different nations who come here to drink and an alliance to merge into one large State. Elian is not very
watch the rather “steamy” shows. It is even said that the influential on Equinox.
manager organizes particularly bloody gladiator fights.
Unfortunately, it is also the favorite fighting grounds for Calomar Craniende: the ambassador for the Cape
the citizens of Luan, Tyr, and Helen. The security service is Federation is one of the main intermediaries between his
therefore particularly muscular to avoid the verbal disputes counterparts from Helen, Tyr, and Luan. He is doing his best
becoming more... intense. to obtain a cease-fire between the three nations as quickly
as possible. The rest of his time is spent signing economic
The Amazon: this strange establishment is mainly an treaties with the greater powers.
attraction for the curious who want to know more about the
enigmatic community of Amazonia. Apart from them, it is Plymouth Levrue: he is the ambassador for Rogue, the
popular with the people working for the embassy of the nation neighboring nation to Fuego Liberdad. He is a particularly
and for the offices of its pharmaceutical company, Clystra. arrogant 39-year-old man who refuses to discuss peace with
It is worth noting that nobody who works for Amazonia in the ambassador of Fuego Liberdad. The tension is continually
Equinox has ever set foot in the actual community. They are escalating between the two communities, despite the
only paid to look after its business. Only the ambassador is mediation attempts by the S.M.S.O. There have already been
from Amazonia. several incidents between the two embassies. Plymouth
Levrue is suspected of mostly being on the payroll of the
INFLUENTIAL FIGURES Hegemony’s Prism.

Lopir Corr: the ambassador for Tyr is an arrogant man Karl Glitter: the ambassador of Cerberea is probably
who likes to provoke the people he speaks to. He is a stocky one of the happiest in Equinox. He doesn’t have much to
giant with a powerful build—at 1.96 m tall, he is particularly do apart from spend his time in the bars and restaurants
impressive. His diplomatic actions are limited to finding with the customers of Legion. He rarely gets involved with
allies to crush his nation’s rivals: Helen and Luan. politics and watches the various struggles between the other
embassies from a distance. He often visits the other levels
Uma Lesarch: the ambassador for Helen is assuredly more of Equinox, especially the mercenary bars. It is said that this
diplomatic than her counterpart from Tyr, but her goals 38-year-old man likes to go on an adventure from time to
are the same. She is always stunningly dressed in black and time, to remember the good old days.
gold dresses that are, as rumor would have it, Genetician
garments as effective as bulletproof vests. LEVEL 10

It is said that in spite of the war that divides the two nations, Level 10 is divided into 16 sectors covering roughly 3 km2,
Uma is in love with the ambassador of Luan. and is home to the embassies of all the other small nations
of the undersea world. It also contains the residences of the
Iclan Deleber-Luan: Luan’s delegate on Equinox is a much employees of the S.M.S.O., of the company Solaris, of certain
more discreet character than his counterparts from Tyr and Watcher officers, and of members of the Cult. It is the most
Helen. He is said to be more moderate and more inclined luxurious level of the city, probably due to the fact that the
to negotiate. As Luan is linked to Kilian Enterprises, the members of the Cult and the Watchers like their comfort.
organization has probably put pressure on the nation to try to This level is a lot like the levels of the Great Bazaar, and
end this ridiculous war. Iclan is a quiet man in his forties. He is some of the smaller nations’ embassies (in the southern and
said to be secretly in love with Ambassador Lesarch of Helen. eastern sectors) are true markets.

Vincent Plixen: the main concerns of the ambassador of IMPORTANT PLACES
Fuego Liberdad are claiming massive compensations for
the temporary annexion of his nation by the Hegemony, Solaris: the main office building of Solaris is built on
countering the expansionist policies of Rogue, and, most of this level. It is a gigantic complex, constantly watched by
all, recovering his nation’s rights over the depot that they the Watchers and by security drones. This is where all the
have recently discovered and that has been seized by the transactions between the nations of the world that are paid
hegemonians in Sols take place. This is where the money tags are minted.
It is a kind of international stock exchange.
Lavara Teknacos: although his main activities in Equinox
are to sell the products of the Amazonian pharmaceutical
company, Lavara also serves as a diplomat. This discreet man

27

EQUINOX 1

THE LEVELS OF THE STATION Cult and Watcher residential areas: in the north of great lounges where they meet with the ambassadors of the
the level, these sectors are reserved for officers and the greater nations. Security here is provided by the Ordainers.
important members of the Fellowship as well as certain
members of the Cult. This is the most secure place in the city. The level at the very top of the city (20 meters high) has
The walkways are wide and the apartments are spacious. two floors. The first one is entirely dedicated to Demeter's
Artificial “parks” provide space to relax among synthetic or private quarters and the second (the tip of the city), is a
natural vegetation. structure made of ACS in wich Demeter likes to meditate

LEVELS 11, 12, AND -8: THE WATCHERS LEVEL -7: MACHINE ROOMS

Levels 11 and 12 are occupied by the Watchers’ surveillance This gigantic 700-meter high complex is the heart of the
centers. These levels are not divided into sectors; they are city. In the center is the huge 200-meter high fusion reactor
instead gigantic complexes of corridors that provide access that provides power for the whole of Equinox. Around it is
to the multiple control rooms, residential quarters, and a veritable labyrinth of walkways, cables, pipes, air ducts,
offices. evacuation ducts, etc. Without a detailed map, it is impossible
to find one’s way out of this complex maze. It is also said that
Level 11 (40 meters high) is six floors high (ground floor defense drones are always on the lookout for intruders and
included) and houses the computer centers of the city, the that terrible creatures haunt its darkest recesses. Only the
archive rooms, and most of the control stations. The hangars city’s technical services (on Level -8) have a detailed map of
are reserved for Watcher vessels. The prisons are also this level. Occasionally, some sellers on the black market will
situated on this level. offer partial maps for sale. However, not many people are
interested in this kind of information as there is nothing to
Level 12 is mainly occupied by residential quarters and be found in the various machine rooms apart from monsters
administrative centers. The level is 20 meters high and all and maintenance teams.
buildings have one to five floors.
FACTIONS AND
Level -8 is the defense station of Equinox. This is where the IMPORTANT FIGURES
crews of the combat vessels docked at the base of the city are
housed. Gigantic sonar stations and machinery control rooms THE WATCHERS AND THE CULT OF THE TRIDENT
are installed around the central well, which is 300 meters It is only natural that these two groups are the most
high (330m with the lower tip of the city). In the center of influential ones in the city, even if, sometimes, it’s not all that
the well, the elevator columns that connect the 20 floors of simple. You have to imagine these organizations as a kind of
this level can be accessed by walkways that span across the referee in a gigantic arena, a huge crab pot inside of which
void. The heart of the flux variation detection system is at all the groups who have any influence at all in the world of
the lowest level, an ultramodern room fixed to the base of Polaris RPG coexist and conspire against each other. The slums
the city. The hangars always hold 40 combat fighter vessels, of Equinox, for example, are the realm of the crime lords, but
80 commando diving armors, 10 escort vessels, and 2 light if one day the Watchers should decide to intervene, nothing
frigates. could prevent them from cleaning the place out from top to
bottom. However, that sort of action would be a disastrous
LEVELS 13 AND 14: THE S.M.S.O. move for the Cult; the criminal organizations would just
set up shop elsewhere. Equinox would then no longer be at
These two levels (20 meters high each) are completely the heart of all the intrigues and the Trident would lose the
occupied by the S.M.S.O., Solaris and the Genetic High considerable advantage that it has of being able to influence
Council. Their employees are housed on the highest level of that “heart” at every level.
the embassies. Most of the rooms are gigantic and extremely
luxurious meeting rooms. THE AMBASSADORS
The ambassadors of the entire world have an enormous
LEVELS 15 TO 17: THE CULT OF THE TRIDENT amount of influence over every aspect of life in Equinox.
Although this influence is not all that obvious below Level 7,
The distinctive feature of all of these levels (20 meters high you must not forget that an ambassador is the delegate of
each) is that they are equipped with great glass tunnels that a nation. He represents the political power of a nation.
are built into the walls to allow the dolphins from outside to Therefore, the amount of influence he has over all the groups,
move around inside the sectors. merchants, smugglers, and adventurers who identify with

Level 15 is home to the Cult’s administrative services,
but also to the Neptune Division and to the data treatment
services (Neptune’s information service). Cameras and spy
drones watch every corridor. The place is always swarming
with activity.

Levels 16 and 17 are occupied by the high dignitaries of
the Cult of the Trident. Here, you can find meeting rooms,
the apartments of the leaders of the organization, and the

28

EQUINOX STATION

the ideals of his nation is enormous. It is equally obvious that Behind the backs of the Watchers and the Cult of the Trident, FACTIONS AND IMPORTANT FIGURES
the embassies finance some of the organizations, companies, it finances kidnapping, organ trafficking, and several groups
and merchants who live in the Great Bazaar. of buccaneers. The company is a formidable adversary with
considerable resources at its disposal and the PCs will often
It is said that the embassy of the Hegemony, for example, come across its agents. The slums of Equinox are Cortex’s
indirectly supports several buccaneers who provide stock favorite laboratories and one can often come across its
for their revolting body banks. Although it is extremely rare special troops there, hidden behind a Watcher uniform or a
that an ambassador leaves his place of residence, they all beggar’s rags.
have agents all over Equinox.

THE POLAR ALLIANCE THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE DEEP

The presence of the Polar Alliance’s intelligence services This group of fanatics is mainly active in the slums

is particularly discreet. The agents are primarily stationed of Equinox, where its members attempt to recruit new

in the embassies and the companies belonging to the followers among the poor and the needy. The most fanatical

Alliance. To this day, the Neptune Division has not managed of its members are often conspiring against the city, as they

to uncover a single operation ordered by the Alliance. The dream of annihilating it completely. Luckily, until now, the

Polarians seem to be content various intelligence services of the

with observing. There are also no world’s nations and the Watchers

companies or establishments that have always managed to foil their

are known to be manipulated by plans.

the Primarch’s men. GELLOR THE CRIPPLE
There is, however, a rumor

about the presence of cyborgs and This infamous pirate is a

androids in the slums of the city. prisoner in the Watchers’ prison

THE SHADOW AMBASSADOR on Level 11 of the city. He is a
real living legend who has a great

If there is one influential and many supporters in the city. He is

mysterious figure in Equinox, it is well respected by all, and it is easy

indeed the Shadow Ambassador. enough to find daredevils all over

Nobody knows who he is, or Equinox who would be willing to

what his motivations are. Yet try and bust him out of prison.

his influence is considerable. He HEGEMONY
usually appears in the city’s slums

to deliver a message or to give The Hegemony is quite certainly

adventurers a hint about certain the most enthusiastic nation when

leads. He is completely elusive it comes to intelligence activity.

and the few who have tried to It is estimated that one in every

get their hands on him have been The Watchers two agents is on the payroll of the
left grasping at shadows. This powerful Hegemony. Their spies
character is the ideal way for a have infiltrated everywhere and

GM to help her adventurers or get they are incredibly active. The

them back on track. He will never act against the interests of Coral bar (Level 4), the Platinum hotel (Level 0), the Aremis

Ashaana Solomon or of Meslar Red-Hand. Workshops (Level 0), Katine’s Bar (Level -4), and many

ASHAANA SOLOMON more are all favorite lairs among Hegemonic spies. All the
Hegemonic companies that have offices on Equinox, as well

Although she has no direct influence on the city itself, as those who claim to be independent, harbor agents of the

Ashaana controls a number of establishments in Equinox. Patriarchs.

The Tiger Fellowship is the power behind: the Liparkis The Prism has even put in place several networks of

Workshops (Level -3), the Mermaid bar (Level -4), Dawn’s smugglers, traffickers, buccaneers, and drug dealers that

Canteen (Level 0), and the Chasm bar (Level 0). The Assessors, it controls directly. For example, Mala and the Pulsors,

a well-known group of smugglers, are directly linked to the two famous groups of drug dealers, are in fact nothing but

Tiger Fellowship. fronts for the Prism. Lesaretick, a particularly revolting

CORTEX buccaneer, is actually on the Prism’s payroll as well. It is also
important to bear in mind that the Hegemonic intelligence

The company Cortex is extremely active on Equinox. services have two priorities secondary to the main activity of

Its directors are willing to do anything for their research.

29

EQUINOX 1

gathering information—obtaining human supplies for their woman on Level 0), and the Butterfly restaurant (Level 8) are

body banks and fertile specimens for their breeding centers. some of the establishments that belong to the League. These

LESTANI agents can become valuable allies for adventurers who are
able to locate them.

He is a celebrity in Equinox and he is behind a large number MALGO EIGHT-LEGS
of workshops, bars, and groups of smugglers. His influence

in the neutral city is considerable and he is at the head of This pirate is a celebrity in Equinox. He is the main

the Informants, a group of smugglers specialized in the influence behind several smuggler organizations, such as the

trafficking of secret information. The Seaspray bar (Level -5), Equinox Squids, and also behind several repairs workshops.

the Anemone (a club on Level 8), the Orca (a famous bar on He is constantly under the protection of several of his men.

Level 0), the Bertrand Workshops (Level -1), and the Miracle MESLAR
Workshops (Level -3) are all run by his people.

LESVRICK Meslar doesn’t have any particular influence in Equinox.
His fellowship runs the Scarlet bar (Level -1) and the Oriental

Lesvrick lives hidden on Level -5 of the city of Equinox, Transporters (a cargo shipping company on Level -2), but

under the false identity of Rob Necklen. He is intent on that is pretty much all he controls. However, this pirate will

getting revenge on Voghn the Renegade. He is therefore in play a major role in a campaign that will be developed in an

contact with a large number of pirate groups and fellowships upcoming supplement. So you will have the opportunity to

aiming to organize a vast operation against the infamous find out a lot more about him later on.

buccaneer. He and his band also attack all of Voghn’s interests MOLOCH KRULL
all over the city. He can become an especially valuable ally

for those who wish to fight against buccaneering. However, This powerful character is one of the crime lords of Equinox.

be warned: he will do whatever it takes to get his vengeance. He lives on Level 9 of the city and rules over several networks

You can find him in the Shark bar (Level -4), the Filament of traffickers, racketeers, smugglers, and buccaneers. He is

FACTIONS AND IMPORTANT FIGURES (Level -5), or at the Perkins Workshops (Level -4). an individual whose importance almost equals that of the

LIEBUR high society of the Cult of the Trident. He runs over 80 bars
in Equinox, including the Sunken Club (Level 9) and the Fin

Liebur does not have a great deal of influence in Equinox. Tavern (Level 0), and the vehicle rental company, Fluxia.

However, his people run a network of buccaneers, the There are many groups who serve his interests. Among these

Python Network, which provides fresh meat for the genetic groups are, for example, the drugs traffickers of the Black

research centers and the agents of the Hegemony. Liebur Gloves Gang, a group of specialists in intelligence activities

has never set foot in the city of Equinox. The Python and all kinds of blackmail called the Spiders, and the Surf, an

Network mainly conducts its activities on Levels -2 and -3 organization specialized in smuggling.

of the city. The Stars bar (Level -3) is said to be a regular THE CORAL REPUBLIC
haunt for Liebur’s people.

RED LEAGUE The presence of the Coral Republic is far from discreet, but
it is, in appearance at least, very passive. Everybody knows

It would appear that the League’s that the many prostitution services, clinics,

intelligence services are completely and bars that are financed by the Republic

nonexistent in Equinox. However, as the are extremely efficient information-

agents of the Red League have very little gathering cells. There does not seem to

in terms of resources, they are especially be any covert operations division active

good at being discreet. Therefore, even in Equinox, although there have recently

though every other nation on the planet been a number of new agents detected by

thinks that the League has the least Neptune who don’t really match the profile

efficient intelligence services in all the of the previously known agents. The Cape

seven seas, the number of sympathizers bar (Level 8), the Palia bar (Level 0), and the

who give information to its perfectly Omicron bar (Level -3) are all regular haunts

infiltrated agents easily rivals the for Coralian spies.

numbers of the Neptune Division. Their ROBERT DE SAUL
role is mainly a passive one, and in

general they only act if it goes directly He is at the head of several powerful

against the interests of the Red League. networks of smugglers on Equinox. He has

The League bar (Level 4), the Fire bar Red League men infiltrated into almost every single
(Level 6), the Amazon hangar (run by a union of merchants, sailors, dockers, etc.

30

EQUINOX STATION

He mainly focuses industries and with Cortex in particular. The Clinic of the FACTIONS AND IMPORTANT FIGURES
Equinox (Level 2), the Belloma Clinic (Level 9), and the
his activities on the Second Life Clinic (Level -3) all belong to him. He gets along
very well with the agents of the Prism and with Vurick the
surveillance of the One-Eyed. The Chimera bar, on Level -4, is one of his favorite
establishments, and he can be seen there every now and
pirate fellowships again.

and the actions of the VURICK THE ONE-EYED

Hegemonic spies. He Vurick is one of the most influential people in the neutral
city. He reigns over the slums and runs a great number of
is a fierce opponent of criminal organizations He is also at the head of a network of

Vurick the One-Eyed informants and assassins who are particularly efficient.
There is no telling how many establishments are
and there are regular under his protection or how many beggars’
guilds he finances. It is said that he knows
shoot-outs between so many secrets that nobody can touch
him. His relationships with the intelligence
the two gangs. His services from all over the world are
excellent. He cannot stand people who get
main smuggling him mixed up with Vulrick the One-
Eyed. It literally drives him crazy.
organization is called

the Vector. His men

C o r a l R e p u bl i c are in charge of
the Kitai (Level

-6), the Minsk

(Level -5),

the Gladiator (Level 0), and the Hurricane (Level

-2) bars, as well as the Islands restaurant (Level 7).

They also control a number of workshops, such as

the Bounty (Level 2) and the Abyss Department

(Level 1).

THE BLACK SUN

The presence of the Black Sun in Equinox
is a very discreet one, and in general its
spies have mostly just infiltrated the
administrative services of the Cult of the
Trident. It does not directly finance any
organizations, as it prefers to infiltrate the
existing ones. For example, one of Vurick
the One-Eyed’s counselors is an agent of
the Black Sun. All the same, it seems that
the Black Sun has set up a base on Level
-4.

TELKRAN RALJIK

This famous pirate has

spies who have all

infiltrated existing

organizations. He indirectly

controls a few organizations and groups,

but none of them are particularly

influential. His agents’ only task is

gathering intelligence, and they

perform this task with great talent.

VOGHN THE RENEGADE The Black Sun

This powerful pirate is particularly M e mb e r o f t h e
influential in Equinox. He is in control Black Sun
of a number of companies and groups
of traffickers and smugglers there. His men
are also in business with the genetic research

31

CHAPTER 2

around Equinox

“We felt a certain discomfort as we sailed forward between the Rockhall Mountain Ranges; they look just like a pair of
jaws. In the distance loomed Mount Olympus, and all around it, far above our heads, the powerful red flows were forming
and where they came together blue lightning bolts appeared. On the ocean floor, dozens of stations lit up the sea. Some
ships were leaving the channel; others were following us towards Equinox. We could see a gigantic Watcher cruiser
that was on its way to intercept a suspicious vessel. At that moment, our captain announced that we were about to dive
down to 6,900 meters to approach Ariadne. We stared, mouths agape, out of the portholes in the ceiling of our cabin at
the incredible spectacle of the flows mingling and twisting around each other just a few meters away from us. And then,
Ariadne came into view, a white pearl in the darkness of the oceans.”

—Extract of the audio journal of a tourist found dead in Equinox.

THE OUTER STATIONS A protection squadron and one of the Watchers’ combat
groups provide the base’s security.
The Watchers and the Cult of the Trident are present in a
number of bases situated far and wide under the seven seas. CRESCIA
The most important ones are listed below.
Over the last few months, this research station’s budget
CARION has seen a considerable increase. Furthermore, some units
from the Watchers’ Hybrids and deep-water intervention
Carion has become a true laboratory for genetic research commandos have been assigned to the station. Could it be
and is constantly under surveillance by the Watchers. This that the archeologists and scientists of Crescia have made
station is a home for the victims of contagious illnesses, and some interesting discoveries in the caves of the area? Both
is therefore a restricted area to which only the scientists of the leaders of the Cult of the Trident and the delegates from
the Cult of the Trident have access. In early 567, a second the Coral Republic have declined to comment on the subject.
permanent station was built next to Carion. This base houses
a large number of research laboratories working on genetics, CROSS
viral research, and pharmaceuticals. Doctor Relevik has been
appointed as head of this center. It is estimated that there It would seem that the tensions between Cross and its two
are approximately 800 sick patients living in Carion at the rival stations, Hell and Litua, have lessened a little recently.
moment. The research center is home to about 20 scientists. Over the last few months, there have been no reports of any

AROUND EQUINOX

form of conflict among these three communities. It is rumored Bay, and in the middle of the bay is Mount Olympus. This THE SURROUNDING AREA
that Milus Trend, the leader of this community, has put aside whole area covers a surface about 900 kilometers long and
his fierce hatred to focus his energy instead entirely on the 400 kilometers wide.
Cult of the Trident. The Ordainers have established their main
training base there, and their influence on Milus Trend grows The plain and the tips of the mountain ranges span depths
on a daily basis. Among other things, he has agreed to the of 400 to 1,000 meters below sea level, which thus provide an
construction of a gigantic base for the Cult on his territory, efficient base for surveillance of this region. The currents in
and the build will be finished by the end of the year. the area are particularly strong. In fact, it is via Rockhall Bay
that one usually gains access to Equinox. In some areas, the bay
MERROX reaches down to depths of 6,000 meters. Equinox is situated
just above the Ariadne Trench, which is the deepest in the
The agricultural techniques used on Merrox are attracting area at a depth of 6,900 meters. At the entrance to Rockhall
an increasing amount of interest. This station, under pressure Bay is a gigantic underwater lighthouse that operates night
from the Cult of the Trident, has been classified as a “Sensitive and day in order to guide ships in toward Equinox.
Area” by the S.M.S.O. It is, therefore, now under the full-time
protection of the Watchers. The mercenaries who used to be FLORA AND FAUNA
in charge of its defense were let go and replaced by a Watcher
combat group. Some would dare to claim that the Cult of Both plant and animal life spring abundant in the threshold
the Trident is in the process of annexing Merrox without area and in Rockhall Bay. The main hydroculture fields are
bothering a second to consider what its population may think. spread out over the great plain* around Equinox. Down
there, you can find fields of crops reaching out as far as the
PENDEVEN eye can see and impressive fields of livestock.

Pendeven has recently come under attack from an The fauna is mainly made up of crustaceans, common
unknown assailant. The damage is said to be considerable fish, and marine mammals. There are practically no major
and a monastery vessel is rumored to have suffered serious predators in this area. The main exceptions are the few
damage during the attack. The Watchers have not made any moray eels that stay hidden in the two Rockhall ridges,
declarations about the combat that has taken place in the one or two wandering titan crabs, the infamous chameleon
region. Some claim that the Black Sun has led a major attack sharks, and the equally feared killer congers.
against what appears to be one of the most closely guarded
secret centers of the Cult of the Trident. * The flows only become dangerous about 10 meters above the
surface of the plain, and the currents remain dangerous to 200 meters
VALADES below the ocean’s surface. When the flows are particularly violent,
travelers can witness the grandiose spectacle of what the local
This center for research on the conditions of the outside inhabitants call the “sky of the deep.” Divers can see the gigantic
world has not seen any major changes since the year 566. layers of flows form above their heads and fill with lightning bolts
that look like a stormy sky. On the days when Equinox rises up above
XAL the plain during this kind of disturbance, it’s like a star rising over
the horizon. Not only is such a sight absolutely breathtaking, but it
Xal has officially been bought up by Cortex Industries. This is also said that it’s a good omen to see Equinox sparkling away in
does not seem to have changed anything for the moment the sky of the deep.
and the treaties signed with the Polar Alliance have been
maintained. The presence of the Watchers has been reinforced. MAMMALS

THE SURROUNDING There are 50 or so species of mammals that live in the
AREA waters around Equinox. Whales, rorquals, dolphins, porpoises,
toothed whales, narwhals, orcas (the rarest of all), and so on
THE ROCKHALL THRESHOLD seem to be irresistibly attracted to the region. This could be
rather worrying, as pretty much all of these races are capable
Equinox is situated above the Rockhall Threshold, which of using the Polaris Effect. However, it’s quite the contrary.
offers several interesting particularities. The threshold is There are many people who think that this peaceful spot
made up of a great plain that extends out to two underwater where Equinox moves around in the middle of these powerful
mountain ranges. Between these two ranges spans Rockhall flows is, in fact, generated by these mammals. These noble
creatures never behave with any hostility and even the whales,
who usually couldn’t care less if a vessel is in their way, seem
to pay great attention to not cause the destruction of any of
the human ships in the area. It is not uncommon to see divers
surrounded by a few curious mammals or even playing with
some young dolphins. However, the creatures will respond
with a great deal of violence if they are ever attacked.

33

EQUINOX 2

THE SURROUNDING AREA It is rare to see the leviathan whales in the area around THE WATCHER STATIONS
Equinox, although it has sometimes happened in the past.
There are Watcher stations dotted all over the Rockhall
NOTE ABOUT MARINE MAMMALS Threshold. Most of them are only surveillance or emergency
stations, but some of them are veritable fortresses. At the
It is important to remember that most of the marine moment, there are six defense stations known to the general
mammals have adapted and that most of them now get their public and three fluctuating defense stations.
oxygen from the water, like fish do, since the air on the
surface is no longer breathable. There are, however, a few The static defense stations are military bases built into
species that have adapted to the poisoned atmosphere on the mountains around the Rockhall Threshold. They are all
the surface. Others cannot survive without exo-respirators. connected to one another and also to Mount Olympus and to
These are generally farmed mammals that have evolved very Ariadne by a vast network of fiber optic cables. This network
little over the centuries. also connects to all the automated detection stations and the
many communication beacons that are situated in this area.
THE FLOWS The military bases are equipped with a great deal of weaponry,
several combat units, such as fighters, marine commandos,
Rockhall feels the impact of very violent currents to a and vehicles that can travel on the ocean floors, such as mobile
depth of roughly 200 meters below the surface. But the torpedo launch platforms and underwater jeeps.
most remarkable thing about this region is, of course, the
strange heat flow that surrounds Equinox. Studies have The fluctuating defense stations protect the area around
shown it is the convergence of several flows that forms a real the Rockhall Threshold. They can vary in depth depending
and gigantic protective shield around the city. The precise on their requirements. These fortresses are sometimes
nature of this phenomenon remains a complete mystery that hidden in the heat flows and deploy fleets of sonar drones
nobody has yet managed to truly understand. The flows form that can be sent out of the disturbance field.
at a depth between 1,000 and 2,000 meters, in the region
around Mount Olympus, and they come together in the area Last, but not least, the First Fleet of the Watchers guarantees
around Equinox. At that point, it looks as if their flow (to the the Threshold’s security.
northwest) hits a kind of wall. They open up, therefore, and
wrap themselves around Equinox before joining again and OLYMPUS TRANSIT STATION
spreading out as a blanket to cover the Rockhall Threshold.
The flows are not dangerous individually speaking, before This station is, above all, a military base built into the flanks
they come together, although it is wise to avoid them all the of Mount Olympus. But it is also an important transit station
same. The Watchers keep them under constant surveillance that takes some of the traffic flow from Ariadne when it is
and inform vessels of their position whenever possible. It particularly heavy. The summit of Mount Olympus is home
is usually enough to avoid depths between 1,000 and 2,000 to several dozen docking stations and relaxation areas for
meters to keep out of their way. However, it has been known passengers. The visitors only have access to the top four
for these flows to form at other depths. levels of the military base and have to strictly obey the
law of the Watchers, who will not tolerate even the tiniest
When a vessel arrives in the area around Equinox, it is amount of misbehavior. Weapons are strictly forbidden
directed toward the many waiting areas that are situated at and particularly sensitive detectors are installed in all the
a range of depths around Ariadne on the gentler slopes of docking areas. Ships do not have to stop at Olympus, unless
the trench. These stations are, in general, areas that offer the Watchers require them to. Generally speaking, any
shelter from the disturbances of the flows. Vessels can wait vessel headed toward this military station when the traffic
there for a passage to open. These tunnels are detected by to Ariadne is not particularly heavy will be inspected from
the surveillance stations in Ariadne and Equinox. As soon as top to bottom by the security services. This is, in a way, a
they give a green light, a Watcher escort brings the waiting kind of border crossing.
vessels into the neutral bubble that surrounds Equinox.
This bubble can be several dozens of kilometers wide. The The underground tunnel that connects Ourgor to Equinox
waiting time is variable. It can range from tens of minutes leads below Mount Olympus into the Hermes Transit Station.
to several hours and, sometimes, even several days. GMS
are encouraged to define the waiting time depending on the Olympus is home to a garrison of 4,000 men, under the
needs of the scenario. The marine mammals seem to be able command of Governor Palial. It has an impressive amount of
to naturally detect these breaches in the flows and are able firepower and two interception squadrons.
to enter them without any problems.
COMMUNITIES ON THE ROCKHALL
It is worth noting that, when the flows combine, they THRESHOLD
become visible to the naked eye.
To date, 56 communities have been established on the
Rockhall Threshold. A vast majority of these communities
are dedicated to hydroculture and livestock farming. The
mining activities in the area are in the hands of just four
of these communities. A dozen others are dedicated to

34

AROUND EQUINOX

is estimated at 650 individuals and it employs THE SURROUNDING AREA
1,200 agricultural workers full time. This
community is led by a 48-year-old woman
named Natalia Desd, who is also the president
of the Aquafarmers and Breeders’ Union.

CALYMEDE

Calymede works the few veins of Cylast and
other strategically important minerals that
can be found in the two underwater mountain
ranges of the Rockhall area. Its economic
importance is fairly low and the community is
completely under the control of the company
Gladius. The workers of this industrial company
are extremely well paid (double the usual
salaries that can be found elsewhere) because
of the risks they undertake while mining these
resources. Indeed, in this region, the veins are
found deep down in the rock and it has been
known for mining tunnels to collapse on the
workers. Furthermore, the nooks and crannies
of the Rockhall Mountain Ranges are home
to predators that have no problem attacking
humans.

Calymede is run by Veston Prinst, a member
of the Gladius board of directors. He is 48 years
old. This community’s population is estimated
at 250 permanent residents and it employs 90
specialized workers.

providing services to the public, such as transportation, SYNISTAR
tourism, accommodation, etc.
This community, situated on the Rockhall
Out of these 56 communities, 18 are on the Rockhall Plain Plain, specializes in livestock farming. It is
and the others are in the shelter of the bay. Their huge present in Equinox through the company Synistar, which
advantage is that they benefit from both the protection of provides probably the finest food supplies available in the
the Watchers and the enormous economic importance of city. They are also the most expensive. The community is
Equinox. In return, the inhabitants of these stations pay a run by a 34-year-old Natural Hybrid named Lem Farens. It
tax of 20% on all of their income to the Watchers. It is very is home to a population of 150 residents and doesn’t employ
rare for new communities to be authorized to settle in this any external workers.
area. To do so, one would require the authorization of the
Watchers, the Cult of the Trident, and of the S.M.S.O. DELEBIA

The largest communities in the Rockhall area are the Delebia is the most recently created community in
following: the Rockhall area. It was created in 556 by the Cult of the
Trident, and it was offered as a gift to a tiny community lost
ROCKHALL in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Its entire population
was transferred to the new station. The members of this
Rockhall was the first community to settle on the Rockhall community are said to have risked their lives to do an
Plain after the construction of Equinox, and it is now enormous favor for Demeter himself. This agricultural
the largest of all the hydroculture and livestock farming community is exempted from all taxes, and its patriarch, a
communities in the area. It is independent. Its population 56-year-old man named Malo, is often invited to the private
quarters of the Cult of the Trident. This community’s
population is estimated at 67 residents.

35

EQUINOX 2

POLYMA Equinox to see other people and relax a little. Christa is run
by a 47-year-old man named Dan Relkajik. It is home to a
Polyma is a small but prosperous community that population of 228 permanent residents and 89 employees.
specializes in the rental of small transport vehicles, and it
offers everything from diving armors to underwater Jeeps PHALANX
or small transport vessels. This community was created by
a former adventurer, Leobner, who is now 56 years old. He is Phalanx is specialized in making Phalanx torpedoes, and it
said to be very friendly and welcoming. He is always willing actually belongs to the company Gladius. This community is
to give a helping hand to any adventurers who come to see used as a research laboratory for weaponry and an assembly
him and especially likes to share his experiences with them. factory for the explosive warheads of the Phalanx torpedoes.
His community has 98 permanent residents. The community is under constant protection. It is run by
a 47-year-old woman named Vilma Terpine. Phalanx has
QUERELL a population of 117 permanent residents, but it employs
450 individuals.
This little community is specialized in tourism, and offers
guided tours of Equinox and the surrounding area. The TITAN
excursions take place onboard small transport vessels that
can hold up to 30 passengers and enjoy the protection of As the headquarters of the Titan Freighter Company, this
two of the Trident’s fighter vessels. Querell is a very small is one of the most prosperous communities in the area. This
station on which only 20 or so people live. The chief of the station is home to the company’s administrative center and
community is called Daedus, a young fertile man of 28 years, to the families of all its employees. Its population is estimated
who definitely hopes to contribute to increasing the number at 450 residents. The leader of the community is the creator
of his fellow citizens. of the Titan company, Jusack Leodor, a 76-year-old man who
is unusual in that he has fathered a great number of children,
CHRISTA all of whom are fertile. Jusack and his children have agreed
to undergo numerous tests and regularly visit Ariadne.
This community is dedicated to making pharmaceutical
products that it then sells to the company Cortex. It is, in TRIDENT
fact, a medical research laboratory. The station is off limits
to the general public; members of the community often visit This is the community from which the Cult of the Trident
and Equinox originated. Today, it has become a veritable
monastery entirely consecrated to the adoration of the
Polaris Effect and to meditation. The high dignitaries of the
Cult often travel there to rest. A part of the community is
open to the general public. The security of the community is
managed by the Ordainers. It is estimated that approximately
80 people live permanently on this station.

GLADIUS

The company Gladius controls, directly or indirectly, 25%
of the agricultural communities in the area. It also owns
gigantic naval shipyards that extend for over 20 kilometers
along one of the cliffs of Rockhall Bay. These shipyards
are visible from a great distance by any ships travelling to
Equinox, and they offer repair and maintenance services to
any ship that requests them. Its tariffs are quite average.

ARIADNE ARIADNE

Ariadne is one of the most beautiful underwater stations
ever built. It is made up of two completely separate sectors:
the underwater city and the underground city. The station

36

AROUND EQUINOX

was built at a depth of 6,900 meters, at a distance of at least Levels 1 and 2 are also leisure areas, and these sections are LEGENDS OF EQUINOX
700 meters and at most 2,700 meters away from Equinox connected to the domes around the base of the station. These
(above it, depth-wise). Several annex installations can be are the most popular levels in Ariadne. The central area is
found at various depths, down to 4,200 meters. The flows home to the elevators that give access to the underground
can have an effect at depths between 1,000 meters and city and they are therefore off-limits. Several squadrons of
6,200 meters. Some transit stations can be inaccessible, and Watchers stand guard over these elevators around the clock.
therefore vessels need to travel under the affected depths Even if, by some great fluke, an individual was to gain access
in order to remain safe. The Watchers’ surveillance stations to these elevators in spite of all the security, he would still
contact all ships entering Rockhall Bay to give them the safe not be able to get it to work without the correct code, which
depths they should use. No weapons are allowed on Ariadne is changed every three days.
and each boarding room is equipped with very efficient
detectors. The Watchers never take this rule lightly. The eight domes around the pyramid only have three levels
each. They are made of ACS, and are therefore transparent.
THE UNDERWATER CITY The upper level is reserved for people boarding from the
ships docked at the towers. The central level is a leisure
Ariadne is a gigantic pyramid surrounded by eight sparkling center with splendid lounges where people can peacefully
domes, the base of which is said to have been buried. The gaze out of the glass surfaces at the never-ending ballet
pyramid culminates at a height of 100 meters above the of vessels coming and going around Ariadne. The bottom
ground and the domes are all less than 50 meters high. The level is partly made up of hangars for ocean-floor transport
station has a diameter of roughly 1,000 meters. vehicles, small transport vessels, and diving armors. The rest
of this floor is dedicated to Ariadne’s security services and
Each dome is equipped with docking tunnels that reach up the city’s maintenance services.
above them like gigantic antennas. Vessels come and dock at
these towers. Any vessel that is larger than the size of a frigate The prices of the services available in Ariadne are about
(20,000 tons) is not authorized to dock at the docking tunnels. 10% cheaper than the same ones in Equinox. It is, however,
They must travel to Ariadne in their own shuttlecraft or hire forbidden for individual citizens to stay more than a day in
the services of a transporter with clearance from the Watchers the transit station without a good reason.
(on average the fee is 5 Sols per passenger transported from
the vessel to Ariadne). The smaller transport vessels, fighter THE UNDERGROUND CITY
vessels, and divers in armor can all go directly to the docks
that are situated at the tip of the pyramid. As for vessels that The underground part of the city descends to 150 meters
move on the ocean floor, they can access Ariadne via one of below the ocean floor. It is made up of 14 floors, exclusively
the many hangars available at the bases of the domes. reserved for the Watchers and the Cult of the Trident. It
is only accessible via the elevators that are found in the
Six of the seven levels of the pyramid are open to the general center of the pyramid or through access tunnels reserved
public. The tip of the structure is occupied by the command for authorized vessels. The entrances to these tunnels are
and surveillance center of Ariadne. It is out of bounds to the situated several kilometers from the city and are protected
public. The center not only looks after the movements of the by small defense stations. The tunnels provide access to
vessels in the sector and the variations in the flows, but also the underground hangars of Ariadne. Only small transport
the surveillance of all the public areas of Ariadne. There are vessels, diving armors, and ocean-floor vehicles can enter
cameras and spy drones deployed throughout the station. A them. There are four tunnels of this kind.
team of 80 Watchers mans this center around the clock.
Level -1 of the underground city includes four hangars,
The two levels below the command center are the docking the cabins of the surveillance teams, and the advanced
hangars for small underwater vessels and divers in armor. security station of Ariadne. This station is in charge of the
The central sections of each side of the pyramid are equipped surveillance of the part of the city open to the public and, of
with a vehicle hangar and a diving armor hangar. The center course, of the lower levels.
of these two levels makes up the transit zone and elevators
are available here to take visitors down to the lower levels. In Levels -2 to -14 are entirely dedicated to genetic and medical
Ariadne, docking stations can be rented for 10 Sols per hour research. They are equipped with laboratories, delivery
for a small transport vessel and 5 Sols per hour for a suit of rooms, and the living quarters of the whole of the fertile
diving armor. population of Ariadne. This population lives in the most
comfortable conditions that can be imagined in the world of
Levels 3 and 4 of the station are gigantic leisure areas that the Polaris RPG. Level -10 is even said to be entirely made up
offer the visitors all the attractions of a pleasure port: casinos, of a forest, complete with fauna (only creatures that do not
restaurants, hotels, prostitution services, sanitation services, represent any danger, of course). The fertile population of
ship maintenance services, etc. Only service activities are Ariadne is currently estimated at roughly 40,000 people.
accepted in Ariadne. Any sale of goods, except for spare parts
for vessel repairs, is forbidden. A few years ago, it was revealed that the fertile people who are
sent to Ariadne do not spend their whole lives in this station.
The Cult mentions several secondary stations spread out in

37

EQUINOX - CHAPTER 2

LEGENDS OF EQUINOX the oceans around the globe, but it remains extremely discreet immaterial beings haunt every single level of the city and are
about the way it manages such a precious part of the population. said to feed on the vital energy of the living.

There is one more level that serves as a seismic surveillance The Ghost Legion: the Ghost Legion is said to be the crew
center. It is not only charged with predicting any possible of a vessel that was eliminated by the first rulers of Equinox
earthquakes in the area, but it also watches out for any intrusion because the sailors onboard were ill. Since then, they are
of the Burrowers in the sector. This level is situated 800 meters supposed to haunt Level -2 of the city and massacre anyone
below the ocean floor; it can only be reached via a dedicated who crosses their path.
elevator. Although it has not been confirmed, the Watchers are
said to have installed a very deep underground base and have The sailor who won’t die: a sailor is said to have been
equipped themselves with drilling ships. They are rumored killed on Level -4 of Equinox, murdered by a gang while
to have called upon the services of Hegemonian specialists in he was on his way to deliver a very important message to
particular. If this rumor is confirmed, it could mean that the the Cult of the Trident. Since then, he is said to haunt the
Burrowers are coming close to Equinox for the first time ever. walkways of that level, still trying to get information across
in spite of the tragedy.
LEGENDS OF EQUINOX
The death dealers: down in the slums of Equinox,
In every bar in Equinox, the patrons tell each other humanoid creatures are rumored to be able to cause their
strange stories about the world beneath the waves, but also victims to die after a single touch. They are said to be the
about the neutral city itself. Some of the stories have a part avenging angels of all those who have been left to live in
of truth to them, others are completely made up. Here are a poverty.
few examples of these tales.
The Devourer: this legendary creature is supposed to
The flame that speaks (for those nostalgic about The live in the air ducts of Equinox. It is said that it looks like
Neptune Factor and the submarine Seaview): the story a gigantic protoplasm that feeds off all the living creatures
goes that somewhere in the slums of Equinox there exists that come too close to the air vents. In Equinox, you will find
a flame that has the gift of precognition and can speak. that many citizens habitually give air vents a wide berth.
Its motivations are obscure, but it is said to be capable of
hypnotizing the people it meets and is thus taking over The slum dog: the story says that this legendary dog is
control of Equinox little by little. the master of a pack of Kraal Hounds. It is said that it’s as
intelligent as a man and that its powers are unimaginable.
The Chantak: a terrifying creature is said to haunt the It is rumored to live in the sordid back streets of the slums.
slums where it feeds on the poor and the mutants. This
indestructible, immortal creature is said to be the guardian The slum mermaids: this legend tells the tale of
of fabulous treasures buried under the Ariadne Passage. The creatures that take on female appearances and attract poor
construction of the city awoke the beast and today it reaps its unfortunates down to the slums where they reveal their true
revenge on the poor unfortunates of the city. nature before devouring their victims.

Arimatti’s ghost: there are many who claim to have seen The memory drinker: some say that there is a strange
the ghost of a priest of the Trident in the upper levels of character in the slums of Equinox who feeds on the memories
Equinox who is none other than Arimatti himself. This ghost of the people he comes across. The only drawback is that his
only appears to warn and protect certain people. It is said poor victims lose their minds afterward.
that Arimatti was so closely linked to the Polaris Effect that
his soul survived after his death. The Medusa of Equinox: this female-looking creature,
described by the patrons of every bar, is said to haunt the
The shades: some tell the tale of the unfortunate ones inter-levels and the dark walkways of the city. They say
who have been tracked down and sucked completely dry she lures her lovers back to her lair and feeds on their vital
by shades that glide along on the walls of Equinox. These energy, which has the effect of turning them into a very
crumbly kind of chalk.

38

CHAPTER 3

The Cult of the
Trident

“The Watchers? I trust them about as far as I can throw them... They may pretend to be guardian angels, walking
around in their fancy uniforms, but they’re real fanatics who despise the rest of the population. They are the damned
souls of the Cult of the Trident. All you need is to see the Condor Faction in operation once in your life to understand
that. As for the priests, their masters, their only ambition is to reign supreme over the whole of the world under the
oceans.”

—Statement from a barman in Equinox

It is impossible to talk about the neutral city without without its demonstration of force in the year 375, humanity
immediately thinking about the Watchers and the Cult of would have quite a different face today. Maybe the Hegemony
the Trident. These two organizations play a fundamental would rule the seven seas, but, then again, maybe there would
role in the world beneath the waves. Some even claim that be no humans left! The Cult is present, directly or indirectly,
they are at the heart of every plot that comes together or in every sea in the world and in every single community. Its
falls apart in the troubled world of the Polaris RPG. The official role is to keep the various nations in a state of peace,
following information is only based on generalizations, as whatever the cost. The Watchers, the S.M.S.O., the neutral
it is extremely difficult to obtain even the tiniest piece of city, and Ariadne are a few examples of this will to unify
information on these so-called neutral powers. humanity by establishing a new order that will, at last, brush
away the rivalries between the states. Equinox was built with
THE CULT OF THE the purpose of becoming the central point of all humanity,
TRIDENT a place where everyone can live in peace in the same
community, and also to be a referee in the conflicts between
The Cult of the Trident is certainly, at the moment, the most communities. The official appearance of the Cult is, therefore,
influential group in the underwater world. Claiming the role that of an organization completely dedicated to the cause of
of the one true guardian of humanity, it has managed to use peace and the progress of humanity.
the incredible power of the Polaris Effect to establish a kind
of relative peace over the past two centuries. It is certain that In practice, things are not always that simple. First of all,
it seems that the Trident will stop at nothing to impose its
own vision of the world. Whether it is by the intervention of
international troops, the Watchers (who are supposed to be a

EQUINOX 3

neutral force), or by using the Polaris Effect, the Cult has proved theActionDepartmentoftheTrident.Althoughtheyareofficially

over and over again that it is capable of using force to get any only in charge of the security of the priests, they work directly

rebellious organization back on the true path. Well, perhaps with the field agents of the Neptune Division and they command

radical methods are actually necessary, to resolve extreme the mysterious Ordainers, the monk-soldiers.

problems in a particularly cruel world? However, the fact that Some rumors claim that a traitor on the payroll of the

such a small organization holds such power in its hands is, of Hegemony or the Black Sun has managed to infiltrate the

course, a sizeable problem. As long as Demeter is working for ranks of the chosen ones. The Neptune Division has not, so

the good of humanity, it is possible that the Cult won’t stray too far, been able to find any proof to confirm this accusation.

far from its role as an arbiter. But what will happen if the master

of the Trident should change his mind, or if he is replaced by a JASON HELIO (DEMETER)
more extremist figure? What would happen if the Black Sun had

as much power as the Trident? Many powerful figures around At 113 years old, Jason is an enigma, even to his own

the world have wondered about these questions, and most of entourage. Appearing to be entirely devoid of human

them are convinced that such a risk is intolerable. Therefore, it feeling, it is said that he is haunted by an unknown past and

is hardly surprising that, in the intelligence services around the by his ambiguous relations with the Other, the master of

world, people are crafting dark plots to take down this cult that the Black Sun. He has perfect control over the Polaris Effect

scares even the heads of state, once and for all. in all manifestations, and has experimented with talents

THE CHOSEN ONES unknown until now, like Foresight and Mind Control. His
detractors accuse him of using the latter of these abilities

The Cult of the Trident is ruled by 31 to manipulate people he meets. He is always seen

chosen ones who are the real masters of wearing his inhibitor, even if he has no real need for it.

the organization. The chosen ones are The wildest rumors surround him. Some tell that he

all capable of using the Polaris Effect, has attained such a degree of Polaris mastery that the

and most of them have mastered its Other is merely a manifestation of his subconscious,

powers. The most powerful of the dark side of his personality. It is also said that

them is, of course, Demeter Jason is in fact the person behind the enigmatic

(Jason Helio). He possesses Shadow Ambassador or even that he may

full authority. He controls be a Genetician. No one reliably knows his

the Watchers (off the deeper motives, except perhaps Sernea, the

record, as the Watchers director of the Neptune Division, who is said

are officially run by to be very close to him. It is unknown whether

the S.M.S.O.), Equinox, Jason is sterile or if he has any descendants.

Ariadne, and the Trident.

He could appear as some LIAM VENGARD (PROMETHEUS)
kind of absolute ruler, but,

in practice, he is assisted by Ambitious and impatient, Liam is the

six Prometheus with whom personification of the “hard branch” of

he shares the power. The the cult. He does not hide his sympathy for

Prometheus are his private certain methods used by the Black Sun and

counselors and one of them frequently recommends to Demeter that

will be called upon in the they should have recourse to more radical

future to replace Jason ways to manage certain problems. At 67

Helio. years old, he is the youngest Prometheus.

Below them come the Janus His control of the Polaris Effect is

and the Nemesis. The former imperfect. He is the representative of the

are specialized in intelligence Nemesis and carries out his duty with all

operations, the latter in due seriousness. He is sterile.

the Cult’s “actions.” Each

group is made up of twelve KATYA DELERIK (PROMETHEUS)
individuals. The Janus inform

Demeter of everything that is The representative of the Janus,

going on in the world. They Katya is a close friend of Demeter. This

work in close collaboration woman of 72 years barely appears

with the Neptune Division to be 40, thanks to her use of the

and the administrative agents Polaris Effect, which she mastered for

of the Cult. The Nemesis control Jason Helio
40 (Demeter)

THE CULT OF THE TRIDENT

a thoroughly unusual purpose: Cellular Regeneration. She LOPTEROS (PROMETHEUS) THE CULT OF THE TRIDENT
cannot control any other part of her power and therefore
wears an inhibitor at all times. Katya is a gentle woman Head of the neutral city of Equinox, Lopteros is a
who is officially dedicated to assuaging the sufferings of the remarkable administrator who only thinks of the city’s
poorest souls. She is the spokesperson for the “soft branch” survival and the largest part of its population. Thus, he
of the cult. However, it is said, in the shadows, that she is regularly brought in to make difficult decisions, which
has performed certain inadvisable activities. Some rumors contributes to his image as a bloodthirsty monster. The
suggest fairly benign endeavors, such as that of receiving order to incinerate a quarter with its whole population
robust young men in her living quarters, but others after the breakout of an epidemic in 560 and the bloody
speak of real crimes. More to the point, the mystery that suppression of the panic in 564 are two examples of how
surrounds Katya might, in fact, indicate that she is fertile he earned among some the nickname “the Butcher of
and as a recipient of the Polaris Effect, this may turn out to Equinox.” Despite this, Lopteros remains unflappable and,
be problematic. when asked if he regrets any of his actions, he responds
that, if one day the management of the city would leave
him enough time to ponder it, he would be overjoyed to
give an answer on the subject. He is sterile, at age 92.

KRELLAR VORHN (PROMETHEUS)

An expert in biology, surgery, and molecular and
genetic medicine, Krellar Vorhn is the official responsible
for Ariadne and, naturally, its research. He is a brilliant

scientist whose sole preoccupation is to discover
a cure for sterility. He is rarely present in the
neutral city, preferring to spend his time in the
restricted sector of Ariadne. As a result, very
little is known about him. He is 78 years old,
and it is said that he is sterile.

NATAHLIOS (PROMETHEUS)

Natahlios is in charge of relations with the
Watchers, as well as with the orbital stations.
In fact, he spends most of his time aboard one
of these stations. Many suspect the Cult of
the Trident of wanting to take control of all
space-based industry and to settle among the
stars, abandoning humanity to its sad end. It is
improbable that this is true since all who use the
Polaris Effect seem to lose their gift outside the
“terrestrial atmosphere.” Natahlios is 74 years
old. He is sterile and has fairly good control
over the Polaris Effect.

Katya Delerik Lopteros PELEN RAGEN (PROMETHEUS)
(Prometheus) (Prometheus)
In charge of international relations and
the Orpheus (diplomats) of the Cult, Pelen
is one of the most important people in the
organization. Backed up by Marcus Delvion,
one of the oceans’ finest negotiators, he has
the heavy task of ensuring peace and harmony
among the nations. He spends the majority of
his time aboard the monastery ships, traveling
from one capital to another and attempting, one way
or another, to ease diplomatic tensions. Pelen is

41

EQUINOX 3

K r e ll a r V o r h n M a r c u l s D e lv i o n Pelen Ragen
(Prometheus) (Orpheus) (Prometheus)

THE CULT OF THE TRIDENT said to be very cultured and generous, but also extremely The Orpheus are specialized in diplomacy. They look after the
wily. He has proven his absolute cold-bloodedness. He has ambassadors who are present in Equinox and take care of all the
mastered the Polaris Effect almost as perfectly as Demeter administrative tasks that concern the relationships between the
but he always wears his inhibitor to reassure the other nations. Marculs Delvion is the manager of the Orpheus.
nations’ diplomats. The latter don’t fear that he would
misguidedly unleash his power, but that he might be able to The Lares manage the economic and social affairs of the Cult
influence their decisions through Mind Control. Pelen has of the Trident. They are the largest of these groups and they can
often assured them that this power is nothing but a legend, often be seen in the streets of Equinox going about their business.
but he does not seem to have convinced them. Pelen is 97
years old. He is sterile. The Vejovis make up the scientific teams of the Cult. They
can just as easily be found in Ariadne as they can in the many
THE ORDAINERS ship building docks of Equinox. They are also in charge of
public hygiene and medicine in general.
These monk-soldiers from the Cult of the Trident were
thought to only be a legend until Demeter himself admitted The Hermes are the Cult’s missionaries. They travel on
that they were real. The Ordainers are a group of individuals board the monastery ships and go from station to station to
trained in Pendeven and charged with ensuring the security spread the doctrine of the Trident.
of the Priests of the Trident, both in Equinox and on the
monastery ships. According to certain witness reports, they THE NOVICES
are fanatics who are completely dedicated to the cause of
the Cult and who, for the most part, are capable of mastering These are all the individuals who want to join the ranks of
the Polaris Effect. It isn’t hard to imagine the meaning of the the Trident. There are about 10,000 of them in Equinox. During
forming of a militia of mutants capable of using such a great their training period, they assist their superiors in various
power. Fortunately, there only seem to be a few dozen of tasks. After two years, a novice is appointed to one of the
them. These agents are also said to be used for assassinations, administrative roles or, if he is not deemed competent, he will
infiltrations, and all kinds of sabotage. At least, that’s what be excluded from the Cult. They have very little influence.
the rumors say. Although they are trained to use any type of
weapon, they prefer combat staffs (modified, of course) and THE NEPTUNE DIVISION
bladed weapons. They are always dressed lightly and they are
completely imperturbable. Often, they are blindfolded but The secret services of the Cult of the Trident are grouped
it doesn't seem to impede them. . It has never been proved together in the Neptune Division. This group is run by
by anyone that the Ordainers have participated in a single Sernea, one of Demeter’s faithful followers. It is particularly
confrontation. feared in Equinox but not very influential in the rest of the
world. Its specialty is counter-espionage. As it happens,
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS Equinox is most probably the place where you can find the
most spies in the whole world, who come from all over the
The vast majority of the members of the Cult are in this planet. Attempts to infiltrate the Cult of the Trident are
category. In Equinox alone, it is estimated that there are commonplace and the main concern of the Neptune Division
about 20,000 Orpheus, Lares, Vejovis, and Hermes. Most of is to detect the presence of traitors inside the organization.
these members are perfectly normal individuals who have Every single novice is interrogated by this division before
embraced the ideals of the Cult. being accepted as a member of the Trident.

The agents of this division work very closely with the
Watchers and the Janus. The Neptune unites a certain number
of departments that are specialized in a specific area.

42

THE CULT OF THE TRIDENT

INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT Each vessel carries over 5,000 people, medical equipment, THE CULT OF THE TRIDENT
transport and maintenance vehicles, supplies, and survival
The “Trailfinders” are agents specialized in the search for equipment. Several smaller ships specially designed to reach
individuals in Equinox. They know every nook and cranny of unfathomable depths are also carried in the cargo holds.
the city like the backs of their hands and maintain excellent
relationships with as many organizations as possible (many GENETIC RESEARCH
of them criminal). They are not fighters but snoops, true
human bloodhounds. The manager of this department is a If there is one research area that the Cult of the Trident
man named Learet Pala. holds above all others, it is genetics. The gigantic company
Cortex is entirely funded by the Trident. Its activities range
SURVEILLANCE DEPARTMENT from the pharmaceutical industry to the latest in genetic
treatments. For example, Cortex produces the most efficient
This is probably the most important department of the medical intraprobes on the market. The genetics research
Neptune Division. It employs a thousand people directly and laboratories are located in Ariadne. The main concerns of the
several thousand indirectly. The “controllers” are infiltrated research scientists are, of course, genetic degeneration and
among the general population in almost every sort of activity sterility. The Cult of the Trident does not cut corners when
(prostitution, commerce, trafficking, etc.). They are the eyes it comes to the resources made available to its scientists.
and ears of the Neptune Division. Anyone in Equinox could be These studies are considered to be an absolute priority by
part of this department and, sometimes, they may not even the leaders of the Cult.
know that they are. Indeed, it is rumored that the Neptune
Division doesn’t hesitate to implant ocular cameras or bugs Some malicious gossips claim that Cortex would stoop
into people who are admitted to the surgery services. The as low as to use the dregs of humanity, of which there are
manager of this department is a woman named Gilea Trevors. plenty to be found in Equinox, as human guinea pigs for their
many experiments.
EMBASSY DEPARTMENT
TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMICS
This department is specialized in one of the most sensitive
areas of the Neptune Division: the protection of ambassadors; The Cult of the Trident also has its hands in several
not only of the Cult, but more importantly the protection of companies, the importance of which is quite considerable.
the foreign ambassadors present in Equinox. These agents Hellion Laboratories are the only ones able to “make” Geno-
are among the best trained and the best equipped. They Hybrids. This kind of operation costs a lot of money and,
go by the adorable name of “Cerberus.” This department is in general, is reserved for the agents of the Cult. However,
managed by Marcus Lenag. for quite a hefty sum of several hundreds of thousands
of Sols, and a few months in a hospital, any citizen can be
ACTION DEPARTMENT transformed.

The Action Department is made up of the assassins on The Aeris Firms own the secret for the production of
the Cult’s payroll and the special intervention groups. The hyperfluids. They also offer a range of mixtures and fluids.
keyword of this department is “discretion.” Their actions are NeoStar fluid is one of their greatest commercial successes
always off the record. They are known as the “Mambas.” This and a very popular product among divers. The company
department is under the management of Piot Molag. also controls the company Cultura, which is specialized in
hydroculture, livestock farming, and synthetic food.
ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT
When it comes to weaponry and heavy industry, the
The agents of this department, known as the “spotters,” company Gladius is a huge corporation that produces,
spend their time analyzing any information that they can get among other things, the gear for the Watchers, their vessels,
their hands on. The information can come from transmissions and the famous monastery ships. But it is also a company
intercepted by listening beacons, images filmed in the walkways that builds modules for stations and civilian transport
of Equinox, confidential documents, etc. Their role is to provide vessels. Its research centers are among the most efficient.
all the data that the other departments require in order to take Their most secret project is probably the Reality Vortex, a
action. This department is managed by Milo Pendev. terrifying Genetician weapon of which not much is known
at the moment.
THE MONASTERY SHIPS
When it comes to space exploration, although it is not the
These huge cruisers are the mobile embassies of the Cult largest, the Trident Space Agency builds various pieces of
of the Trident. The gigantic vessels are 304 meters long equipment for the orbital stations, satellites, and satellite
and weigh 220,000 tons. Officially, they don’t carry any weapons.
weapons, but they are always escorted by Watcher vessels.
The Cult of the Trident owns 12 of these vessels that roam Finally, the most important company belonging to the Cult
the seas of the world, going from station to station to assist in the domain of economics is Solaris, the company that
the more isolated communities and spread the good word. produces the Sol tags and controls the distribution of this
currency.

43

EQUINOX 3

The Cult of the Trident is obviously a considerable economic methods and their interpretations are radically different.
player, and it has at its disposal resources comparable to As far as they are concerned, only those who are chosen
those of a powerful nation. receive the ability to manipulate the Polaris Effect, and for
the sole aim of leading humanity to its salvation. They refute
THE RELIGION the idea that any common mortal can learn to manipulate
such a power (unofficially, many of the Priests of the Trident
Regardless of the rest, the Cult of the Trident is, above share this point of view). As for the methods to be used, they
all, dedicated to a religion, the Polaris Effect. This very must be firm and efficient. If humans behave like animals,
particular religion is based on a way of life, a rather special then they should be treated as such. Therefore, the priests of
perception of reality and the environment, and, above the Black Sun consider themselves to be shepherds guarding
all, a power that can manifest itself and is tangible. The their flocks.
Priests of the Trident believe that everything that is alive
(including the earth and the oceans) is united by an energy This organization is led by the Other, a mysterious character
that acts as a sort of cement that allows everything to exist. that nobody has ever seen and whose power is at least
The aim of this religion is to be able to control this energy equal to that of Demeter. His spokesman, Alemsh Palkrach,
by reaching a higher level of consciousness. Therefore, is a former counselor of Jason Helio. There are many who
the priests of the Trident officially refuse the theory that believe that the thing that puts these two organizations in
states that those who are able to control the Polaris Effect opposition is a simple thirst for power.
are mutants. The Cult’s believers like to meditate for
long hours in states close to a trance. This allows them to THE HYBRIDS
“bathe” in the energy. There are no places of worship in
Equinox, as meditation is considered a personal activity. Both the Natural Hybrids and those who were created by
However, aboard the monastery ships and in a number of the Cult’s surgical techniques are strangely attracted to the
isolated communities, there are meditation rooms that are priests of the Cult of the Trident. Some say that this is due
very close to what could be called temples. There are many to the fact that the Hybrids are more sensitive to the Polaris
who claim to have been able to manipulate the Polaris Effect. Whether or not this is true, a Hybrid will always
Effect during one of these sessions. The leaders of the Cult hesitate to attack a priest and will feel reassured if he is face
maintain a rather embarrassed silence about this. to face with one of them.

THE BLACK SUN

The members of the Black Sun are the sworn enemies of
the Cult of the Trident. They share the same belief, but their

44

INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE

ADVENTURE

Industrial
Espionage

This scenario is a basic investigation set in Equinox, which can either serve as a good introduction to the world of
the Polaris RPG or allow the Players to explore the city, its atmosphere, and its dangers. It can be played best by a
group who can balance action and reflection. Reading the chapter about Equinox is obviously necessary.

Note: everything that follows is for the GM’s eyes only.

THE PLOT

Kora Company, a subsidiary of the powerful Gladius and
based in Equinox, specializes in the resale of used weapons.
This company collects obsolete or faulty weapons from the
Watchers, military organizations, or allied stations. They
recycle and recondition them in order to resell them on
the secondhand market. While generating some significant
benefits, Kora is also a means for the authorities to control a
part of the arms market.

The story starts with Winston Shanter, a greedy executive
at Kora, hitting rock-bottom. For some time, and for his
own benefit, he had been embezzling a portion of the
spare part inventory to sell to various gangs of smugglers
and traffickers. One day, he was contacted by a new gang
eager to acquire some gear. They are actually mercenaries
specialized in industrial espionage and the resale of sensitive
technologies. Depending on your needs, they could be
freelance mercenaries or directly connected to one of the
big factions of the underwater world (which will make them
even more dangerous and may also lead you to build on other
plots). On the lookout for any smuggling activities and any
other shady gangs, the gang could have approached Shanter
through these other factions.

Discovering a new lucrative market, the executive then
lured in an engineer from Gladius: Arber Valendo. Gambler,
depressed, and alcoholic, this engineer crippled with debts
was willing to sell a few technologies on minor weapon
systems. Several exchanges were made for substantial
amounts of money, thanks to Valendo’s access to several
laboratories and Shanter’s illegal schemes. The intelligence
being exchanged was becoming increasingly interesting
for the spies, who always wanted more. In the beginning,
Valendo and Shanter were quite glad about the situation: the
former desperately needed money and the latter was greedy
and had a grudge against some of his superiors.

Things changed, however, when the two men were asked to
deliver some highly sensitive technologies that are at the very
core of Gladius vital interests. The two men hesitated, then

45

ADVENTURE

INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE refused in the end. Still undercover and having considerable AT THE CRIME SCENE
means at their disposal, the mercenaries reacted very rapidly:
they forced both men to carry on, threatening to reveal Shanter was taken out in a relatively roomy hotel on Level
their betrayal, and using verbal and physical intimidation. 0 in Equinox. This is actually where the scenario begins. If
Under duress, Shanter and Valendo had no other choice but the PCs have official credentials, they can have direct access
to agree to deliver some important technical information to the scene. If not, they will have to call on some contacts or
concerning prototypes of certain supercavitation weapons. their employers. The leads are rather thin:
The mercenaries felt they didn’t get enough, however; their
threats were not apparently taken seriously. The first to • The man was chased inside the hotel by a group of
break down was Shanter, the more clear-headed of the two— masked killers who pulled their machine guns out of
while Valendo sank into alcoholism and drug use. Shanter their bags and seemed to have no qualms shooting at
threatened to expose them at all cost as “agents from foreign him in front of many witnesses. The man was eventually
powers.” Worried, the group of spies took care of him. executed in the bar lounge.

Shanter was killed in a hotel in the city while waiting for • According to the hotel managers, the victim had been
a gang of smugglers from whom he wanted to ask for help staying there for the last three days. Registered under a
sneaking out of Equinox (for a good deal of money). At the false identity (they are not being very vigilant here), he
same time, Valendo was kidnapped: the spies still needed paid cash and never left the hotel.
him to decipher several stolen digital files that contain some
very valuable technical blueprints. In order to force his • In his tiny room, the PCs can discover some personal
cooperation, his sister was taken as well. effects in a large travel bag: a medium-caliber gun,
a bulletproof vest, and a huge amount of money in a
And this is when the PCs come in... briefcase locked with a key code. There is no trace of any
identity papers.
INTRODUCING THE
CHARACTERS • After the identification, the body is recognized as
Winston Shanter, executive at Kora.
There are several ways for the PCs to become involved in
this scenario: • The killers arrived as quickly as they left (they seem
to know the city pretty well and they started a fire in a
They may belong to the authorities (the Watchers) and passageway nearby in order to cover their operation). The
will thus be officially entrusted with the investigation of bullet holes show that they used heavy-caliber weapons
Shanter’s death. In this case, they will start at the crime with armor-piercing rounds. Because of this, the damage
scene. looks considerable.

They may work for Kora or Gladius, or be acquainted with AT WINSTON SHANTER’S PERSONAL ROOMS
these companies regarding other cases. Their employer
assigns them to a discreet investigation concerning Shanter’s living quarters are located on the city’s upper
the sudden disappearance of one of Kora’s executives, levels. They are roomy and very comfortable. The place has
suspected of embezzlement. Thanks to the ties between obviously already been searched, as everything has been
Gladius and the Watchers, the characters will learn about turned upside-down. The executive’s personal computer has
the death of their target and then be able to go to the been destroyed. The neighbors did see three “shifty” men
crime scene soon after the official investigators “turn their hanging around and they heard some noise. By the time
backs.” they called security, the intruders had already disappeared.
However, although the burglars did manage to disable
They may be some of Shanter’s contacts, who have the security system in the flat, they did not have the time
been expecting a “delivery” for several days... under the to break the office safe open. Upon opening it, various
surveillance of the Watchers or Kora/Gladius’s agents. documents and contracts will be found, as well as a simple
They will be contacted and offered to give Shanter away numbered magnetic key.
by accepting, for example, to wear a wire in order to
spy the transaction in exchange for a reward (after all, Here are some leads that can be followed at this point:
the PCs are not a direct nuisance). Then, after Shanter’s • The documents reveal only one important clue: a
death, they will be asked to lead an unofficial, parallel
investigation in order to take advantage of their contacts. property deed regarding the acquisition from a small
security company of a warehouse in the city’s lower
Depending on the selected introduction, some adjustments levels. The company itself does not exist: it was a dummy
may be necessary, but on the whole the rest of the events created by Shanter.
should not change. • The magnetic key opens a luggage locker located in
a Level 0 storage facility that offers individual (and
anonymous) safes to anyone willing to pay. Inside the
safe, the PCs find a data-chip containing some bad quality
pictures apparently taken in a bar, showing a sunken-
cheeked, unkempt, and distraught man in the company

46

INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE

of another man. The former is Valendo—who is difficult It could be interesting to have a few Watcher assault squads THE CULT OF THE TRIDENT
to recognize—and the latter is a well-known petty drug show up during the discussion. Alerted by the shooting, it
dealer who will be easy to trace down but has nothing took them a bit of time to prepare, but now are ready
to do with the current case. Shanter believed that this to eliminate any threat in the warehouse—some of the
clumsily built “compromising file” could implicate smugglers (or the PCs!) who are a bit nervous and forget to
Valendo instead of him in case something went wrong. drop their weapons might well try their susceptibility and
marksmanship first hand...
THE WAREHOUSE
SMUGGLERS (3)
The warehouse is located in a seedy, dirty, and dark level of
Equinox. From the outside, the place looks deserted. The area STR CON COO ADA PER INT WIL PRE
is actually eerily quiet. On a closer look, the doors appear to 10
have been forced open. Inside, there are signs of a recent Base 15 15 12 13 12 10 14
shooting: the stale smell of pepper gas, bullet marks, bodies 12
lying of the floor and still holding weapons... The caliber SECONDARY ATTRIBUTES -3
is similar to the one used for Shanter’s murder. Only an
experienced tactician can figure out what actually happened Luck - Reaction 24
here: some armed assailants broke into the building while
other people took refuge inside and defended themselves. Melee Damage Mod. +2 Damage
Resistance
When the PCs figure this out, they hear some noise in
the large dark building filled with containers and handling Stun threshold 14 Knockout
equipment. They are suddenly attacked in an ambush. threshold
Their attackers empty their clips a bit randomly and shout
that they will not be taken alive, while insulting the PCs Skills: Armed combat 12, Handgun 12, Shoulder-fired
abundantly. The characters should quickly understand that weapons/Rifles 10.
they are being mistaken for the first group of assailants.
Gear: dagger, Kevlar vest, medium handgun, submachine
A good deal of diplomacy—or more likely when their gun.
opponents are out of ammo—will allow the PCs to capture
a group of frightened smugglers who surrender without ARBER VALENDO
any resistance once they understand they are facing the
authorities and not special forces who want to kill them all... When investigating Valendo’s dealer, the PCs can learn the
man’s address or the places where he can usually be found.
Here is what they have to say: If the PCs go to his quarters (he too lives in the upper levels),
• They were indeed in business with a man matching they will not discover anything particularly interesting.
Valendo seems to have disappeared without a trace: he did
Shanter’s description from whom they would buy not go to work this morning. If they ask his neighbors about
weapons and military supplies. him, they will reveal that his only family is his sister, Janessa.
• They recently put Shanter in contact with a group of She is a technical agent at Equinox’s docks, but needless to
buyers who were not from Equinox—their appearance, say that she did not go to work either, as well as one of her
accent, and behavior marked them as soldiers or co-workers, her boyfriend, Daven.
mercenaries. As those people belong to the huge
network of acquaintances found in the underworld, these Although Janessa is nowhere to be found, Daven can be
smugglers are uncertain (or unwilling to admit) whether found hiding at his place—a tiny cell. This morning he
they would be able to recognize the attackers’ faces. witnessed the abduction of his girlfriend and now he does
• They have just suffered an all-out attack, aimed at killing not dare go out. The kidnappers shot at him and, scared
them or getting rid of as many of them as possible. The to death, he will not hesitate to empty the clip of his black
smugglers do not really understand what just happened market-bought weapon if anybody knocks on his door. Once
to them as they do not have really have any enemies at he calms down, he will give all the necessary information he
the moment—except the authorities, obviously... Despite can provide (few elements that are directly usable actually,
their assailants’ efficiency, they somehow managed to except that he was attacked by hooded armed men...).
keep them at bay, thanks to their stocks of weapons and However, he does remember that Janessa and he were
ammo. approached several times during the previous two evenings,
• Some crates do indeed contain weapons and spare when they were in a well-known bar. The men looked shady
parts that were ready to be resold. Obviously, the and asked the girl some personal questions. Fortunately,
smugglers filed off the serial numbers of the equipment both evenings, they were with friends and this seemed keep
with a laser in order to make them untraceable. A deeper those men away. Daven will then insist on being escorted to
investigation at Kora will allow them to discover the the nearest Watcher station in order to lodge a complaint.
equipment embezzlement orchestrated by Shanter.

47

ADVENTURE

DIZLO’S GANG also find some computer equipment and the files stolen
from Gladius, which might not actually be about any ultra-
Some searching around, accompanied by either Daven or sensitive projects but are valuable nevertheless.
one the other friends that had been present during one of
those evenings will be enough to expose one or two petty MERCENARIES*
criminals known to belong to a gang run by Dizlo, who is
a far more dangerous person. This criminal is one of the STR CON COO ADA PER INT WIL PRE
mercenaries’ contacts in Equinox. After the abduction of 8
Valendo and his sister, Dizlo was ordered to guard Janessa Base 15 15 15 16 13 12 17
while her brother was taken somewhere else. The gangster 14
does not know what to do with the girl, whom he actually SECONDARY ATTRIBUTES -3
considers a poisoned gift. He is thinking of asking for a
ransom as soon as possible, although he does not really know Luck - Reaction 25
to whom... The PCs will need to call some of their contacts
to locate Dizlo and his gang’s hideout—in the lower levels— Melee Damage Mod. +2 Damage
which he will defend like a madman before surrendering. Resistance
He will even negotiate for freedom by releasing the girl
and revealing the mercenaries’ hideout. In any case, once Stun threshold 15 Knockout
captured or wounded, he will be eager to reveal everything threshold
as a form of revenge: his former “associates”—whose origins
also elude him—hide even deeper into the lower levels, a *Number to change depending on the PC’s power.
rather dangerous area.
Skills: Armed combat 13, Handgun 13, Shoulder-fired
Stats for Dizlo and his men: use the stats for the smugglers weapons/Rifles 14.
above, and add as many foes as there are PCs.
Gear: dagger, heavy handgun, light machine gun,
THE MERCENARIES’ HIDEOUT polytitanium fibers protection (full).

The PCs will need to go a bit deeper in Equinox to find the CONCLUSION
mercenaries. If they do not know the area, they will need to
find a guide—and they may well find a crook who will drop All of this may lead the PCs to other adventures. Keep in
them in a particularly dangerous area. Keep in mind that mind that the mercenaries present in Equinox can actually
criminals are not the only things that hide here and that the be only a fraction of a bigger group. They could even be
lower levels accommodate a whole wildlife of their own. Feel connected to one of the factions of the underwater world.
free to change this descent into an exploration, and to put These people will probably seek revenge, whereas the PCs’
a few Kraal hounds (CRB2 page 166) or any other creatures employers may want to know more about this group’s
that come from the slums, in addition to some red-herring actions.
individuals that live here.
INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE
In any case, the mercenaries are hiding there and will
not be taken out easily. The best option would be to end up
with a difficult encounter set within the dark, disturbing
passageways in Equinox’s lower levels. The mercenaries are
experienced enough to have booby-trapped the area and to
have put in some motion detectors. They will ambush and
fight the PCs in an environment they know all too well.
Therefore, launching an attack will be no pleasure cruise.
Please note that depending on their status, the PCs can call in
the Watchers, or a gang of hired muscle paid for by Gladius.

Once the mercenaries have been taken out, it will be
possible to search their hideout. The PCs will find Valendo’s
body, shot down at the beginning of the fight. They will

48