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Cultural traits
(After Gert Hofstedes cultural dimensions, with some extra added by us)
Uncertainty Avoidance (UC)
How comfortable people are with ambiguity and the unknown. Cultures with high uncertainty avoidance prefer formal rules, and get
anxious in situations where no rules apply. Cultures with low uncertainty avoidance have less problems dealing with the unknown or
uncertain.
Power Distance (PD)
The extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations accept that power is distributed unequally. In low
power distance cultures large differences in status are not acceptable, while they are regarded as natural or necessary in high distance
cultures.
Role expectations (RE)
The expectation of different roles for the genders (or other groups, such as professions and ethnicity). A high expectation culture
assumes fixed roles for different people in society, while a low expectation culture assumes more ambiguity of gender and role.
Individualism-Collectivism (IC)
How much the individual is allowed/assumed to stand out and be himself, versus the emphasis on the group. Collectivist cultures may
value individuals, but mainly as valued members of a group, while individualist cultures value individuals for themselves even when
they have no ties to a group.
Long-Term Orientation (LO)
The degree the society embraces, or does not embrace, long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values. Long-term societies
value respect for tradition and long committments, while short-term societies regard change and new things as interesting and often
better than the old.
Stability Rating SR
The amount of internal tensions and destabilizing factors inside a society. A society with a high stability rating resists challenges, while
a low rating suggests a society where political change, violence or even civil war is likely.
Expansiveness (EX)
How much the society seeks to expand, territorially, socially (by integrating ethnic minorities) and culturally. High expansiveness
societies tend to believe in progress or that they are destinied to rule, low expansiveness societies are isolationist.
Cohesion (CO)
The homogenity and integration of a society. High cohesion societies are united, people have common causes and hold together
against outside threats. Low cohesion societies may be highly diverse, but also tend to consist of different groups that have different
goals and will act differently and with incompatible agendas.
Base Tech Level
(based on the GURPS system below TL 8)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Stone age
Bronze age
Iron age
Medieval
Renaissance: gunpowder, printing
Industrial: mass production, steam power, telegraph
Atomic: Flight, radio, electricity grid, rockets
Information: Computers, laser
Biotech: Genetic modifications, smart materials, bionic implants
Nanotech: Molecular machinery, assemblers, AI
Quantum tech: Quantum computing, nuclear transmutation
Femtotech: Exotic matter, antimatter, computronium
Clarketech: Gravity manipulation, space-time engineering
For each technological area below, roll whether it is ahead or behind the general technology level. Note that some applications require
other technology to be feasible drone weapons require advanced computers and fuel cells, ironclads require steam engines.
1-5
6-15
16-85
86-95
96-100
Power
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Military
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Medicine
0
None
1
Supportive treatments, herbs
2
Bleeding, chemical remedies
3
Amputations, simple prosthetics
4
Anatomy
5
Germ theory of diseases, anesthetics, vaccines, heredity
6
Major surgery, antibiotics
7
Organ transplants, plastic surgery, designer drugs, genetic testing
8
Cloning, bionics, hunter-seeker cells, personalized medicines, germline genetic therapy
9
Longevity, cryonic revival, automedics, nanoimmunity, cellular repair, euthenics
10
Uploading, total cellular repair, mind reconfiguration, chrysalis machine
11
Total morphological freedom, mental engineering
12
Consciousness design
Industry
0
Crafts
1
Crafts
2
Crafts
3
Crafts
4
Manufactures
5
Mass production
6
Assembly-line
7
Simple robotics
8
Biotech plantations, mass customization, industrial ecologies
9
Nanoassembly, von Neumann devices
10
Matter compilers, Santa Machines
11
Matter foundries
12
Planetology
0
Hunting and gathering skills
1
Agriculture, domestication
2
Selective breeding
3
Geography
4
Natural science
5
Evolution theory, geoscience
6
Hybrid species, complete world maps
7
Ecology, genetic engineering, environmental monitoring
8
Ecological engineering, designer species
9
Climate management, ecosystem design
10
Terraforming, artificial life
11
Star lifting, designer evolution
12
Stellification
Information
0
Oral tradition
1
Writing, mathematics
2
Mnemonics
3
Courier networks
4
Printing, calculation tools, semaphores
5
Telegraphy, telephony, mechanical calculators
6
Radio, television, global communications, electromechanical calculators
7
Computers, information networks, strong crypto
8
Semantic networks, quantum crypto, software agents
9
AI, atomic level storage, sentient networks
10
Quantum computers, superintelligent software
11
Femtoscale storage
12
Jupiter brains
Transport
0
Feet, canoes, sledges, skis
1
Horseback, carts, saling rafts and small galleys
2
Horseback with saddle, ocean going galleys
3
Horseback with saddle and stirrups, sailing ships
4
Fully rigged ships, hot air balloons
5
Zeppelin, steamship, railroad
6
Automobile, aircraft, ocean liner, submarine
7
Jet aircraft, space shuttle, maglev monorail, hovercraft
8
Nuclear spacecraft, scramjet, biocar, swimships
9
Orbital tower, aircars, lightships
10
Interstellar craft
11
Relativistic interstellar crafts
12
Wormholes, antigravity propulsion
Materials
0
Stone, wood, fur, bone
1
Bronze, tin, glass, bricks, gold
2
Iron, mortar
3
Steel
4
Chemistry
5
Alloys, chemical synthesis
6
Plastic, organic synthesis, catalysts
7
Composites, semiconductors, memory metals
8
Biomaterials, micromechanical systems, artificial enzymes
9
Programmable matter, nanomechanical systems, diamondoid
10
Utility fog, quantum systems, reconfigurable objects
11
Neutronium, quark matter computronium
12
Exotic matter, gluonic string, black hole atoms
Economy
0
Barter
1
Currency
2
Trade
3
Mercantilism
4
Banking, shares, insurance
5
Corporations, capitalism, Keynesianism
6
Global economy
7
Information economy (services, rather than physical goods become major products)
8
Knowledge economy (organized information as the most valuable goods)
9
Postmaterial economics (material goods are nearly trivial to produce and become very cheap)
10
Postscarcity economics (both material and immaterial goods are trivial to produce; the economy has to deal with total
abundance)
11
Conceptual economy (new ideas and concepts are the most valuable commodities)
12
Posteconomy (there is no scarcities of anything; the challenge is to find a reason to interact with anybody else)
Social Structure
Diversity
At lower tech levels this might reflect ethnicity and race, while at higher technological levels elements of culture, standards and
posthuman clades might be the relevant distinctions.
Single homogeneous ethnicity (CO: +1)
Single diverse ethnicity
Two ethnicities
One main ethnicity, 1D4 additional minorities
Multi-ethnic, 1D6 ethnicities, none dominant (CO: -1)
Melting pot: A large number of ethnicities with no dominant ethnicity
Kaleidoscope : A large number of ethnicities with strong barriers between the ethnicities (CO: -1)
One main ethnicity, otherwise as Kaleidoscope
Form of Government
Roll 1D100:
01-03
Tribalism
04-09
10-12
Monarchy
13-16
Theocracy
17-19
Stratocracy
20-22
Oligarchy/Aristocracy
23-26
Feudalism
27-32
Republic / Democracy
33-36
Meritocracy
37-38
Company state
39-42
Anarchy
43-45
Plutocracy
46-49
Socialism
50
Demarchy
51-54
Syndicracy
55-57
Technocracy
58-61
Bureaucracy / Legalism
62
Xenocracy
63-66
Fascism / Corporativism
67-68
Direct/digital democracy
69
Cybercracy
70
71
Oclocracy
Collective mind
72-81
Mixture
82-91
Combination
92-98
Federation / Confederacy
99-100
Provisional government
Gerontocracy
Pedocracy
Pseudocracy
Paleocracy
Family Structure
Marriage
1-4
Celibacy
5-12
No marriage
13-40
Monogamy
41-48
Polygamy
49-56
Polyandry
57-68
Polygyny
69-72
Line marriage
73-76
Technogamy
77-84
Free
85-100
Family structure
1-20
Single parenting (IC: +1, LO: -1)
21-45
Nuclear family
46-72
Extended family (IC: -1, LO: +1)
73-93
Shared pools regarding dependent care, roll again for base family structure (IC: -1, CO: +1)
94-100 Separate child rearing (IC: -2, RE: +1)
Lineage
1-30
31-70
71-90
91-100
Matrilinear
Patrilinear
Both
None (LO: -1)
Sexual Dominance
(this assumes two sexes)
1-25
Matriarchy (PD: -1, RE: -1)
26-56
Patriarchy (PD: +1, RE: +1)
57-77
Equal (roll 1D100 for level of equality, then roll for dominant dominance pattern)
78-82
No gender dichotomy (RE: -2)
83-100 Mixture (one sex dominant in one group or situation)
View on children
1-13
Romantic notion of childhood (UA: -1, RE: -1, IC: +1, SR: -1)
14-25
Education period (UA: +1, LO: +1, CO: +1)
26-37
Less capable adults (PD: +1)
38-50
Waiting stage
51-63
Object of design (PD: *1, IC: *1, RE: *1, UC: *1, LO: *1, CO: *1)
64-75
Part of parents (IC: -2, RE: +1, LO: +1)
76-88
Investment (RE: +1, LO: +2, SR: +1)
89-100 Continuation of parent (IC: -3, RE: +2, UA: +1, LO: +2)
Background location
Size
1D10*TL
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
100
City-state
Region
Country
Continent
Global
Orbital habitat
Interplanetary
Interstellar
Abnormality
Abundance
Absolutes
Abstraction
Aesthetics
Age
Animals
An individual
An institution
An object
Appearance
Architecture
Art
Asceticism
Astronomy
Atheism
Authority
Automation
Beauty
Behavior
Biology
Body
Books, literature
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
Business
Care
Causes
Censorship
Chance
Change
Chaos
Children
Civilization
Class
Collectivism
Community
Competition
Conflict
Consequences
Conservation
Cosmos
Creation
Crime
Culture
Death
Decay
Democracy
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
Destiny
Description
Determinism
Disease
Drugs
Dualism
Duty
Dynamism
Ecology
Economics
Education
Emotion
Empiricism
The End
Energy
Entertainment
Etiquette
Ethnicity
Evil
Evolution
Existence
Fame
Family
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
123.
124.
125.
126.
127.
128.
129.
130.
131.
132.
133.
134.
135.
136.
137.
138.
139.
140.
141.
142.
143.
144.
145.
146.
147.
148.
Flesh
Food and drink
Fortune
Function
Future
Games
Gender
Genetics
Genius
Genocide
Good
Harmony
Health
Hedonism
History
Human Dignity
Humanity
Identity
Idealism
Immortality/Mortality
Images
Independence
Individuality
Insanity
Intelligence
Internationalism
Intuition
Isolation
Justice
Kinship
Language
Law
Leadership
Life
Logic
Love
Luck
Magic
Materialism
Matriarchy
Media
Merit
Migration
Mind
Music
Mysticism
Mythological being
Nature
Nationalism
News
Nihilism
Normality
Nothing
Optimization
Optimism
Order
Parasitism
Parenting
Past
Patriarchy
Peace
Personality
Pluralism
Politics
Pollution
Population
Pornography
Poverty
Power
Planning
Pragmatism
Prejudice
Present
Principles
Privacy
Prohibitions
Progress
Property
Psychology
149.
150.
151.
152.
153.
154.
155.
156.
157.
158.
159.
160.
161.
162.
163.
164.
165.
166.
167.
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
174.
175.
176.
177.
178.
179.
180.
181.
182.
183.
184.
185.
186.
187.
188.
189.
Public opinion
Race
Realism
Reason
Relativism
Religion
Rituals
Sacrifice
Safety
Scarcity
Science
Secrecy
Security
Self control
Self-organization
Sensations
Sex/reproduction
Sin
Skepticism
Solipsism
Space
Spirit
Stasis
Subjectivism
Symbols
Symbiosis
Taxes
Technology
Time
Trade
Transcendentalism
Trust
Truth
Unity
Virtue
War
Wealth
Weapons
Will
Work
Writing
Virtues (1D100)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
Abstinence
Altruism
Ambition
Balance
Caring
Character
Charity
Chasticity
Cohesion
Confidence
Consideration
Contentment
Control
Cooperation
Courage
Dedication
Devotion
Dependability
Dutifulness
Endurance
Enjoyment
Equality
Fear of
God/Government/Nature etc
Femininity
Flexibility
Forethought
Forgiveness
Freedom
Friendliness
Frugalness
Generosity
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
Gratefulness
Happiness
Honesty
Honor
Hope
Hospitality
Humility
Independence
Individuality
Industriousness
Innocence
Intercession
Justice
Knowledge
Learning
Legitimacy
Liberality
Love
Loyalty
Magnificence
Magnanimity
Masculinity
Mercy
Modesty
Nobility
Obedience
Openness
Organization
Orthodoxy
Patience
Perfection
Peace
Perseverance
Piety
Pleasure
67. Politeness
68. Preparedness
69. Prosperity
70. Prudence
71. Refinement
72. Respect
73. Reputation
74. Respectability
75. Responsibility
76. Righteousness
77. Self-control
78. Self-determination
79. Serenity
80. Sensuality
81. Silence
82. Softness
83. Solemnity
84. Spirituality
85. Stoicism
86. Strength
87. Strictness
88. Swiftness
89. Tactfulness
90. Temperance
91. Tolerance
92. Truthfulness
93. Understanding
94. Wholesomeness
95. Willpower
96. Wisdom
97. Wittiness
98-100 Roll on the vice table; treat
the vice as a virtue
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
Heresy
Heterodoxy
Ignorance
Illegitimacy
Imbalance
Immodesty
Imperfection
Impiety
Imprudence
Inchasticity
Incredulity
Inequality
Ingratitude
Insensibility
Intemperance
Intolerance
Irascibility
Irresponsibility
Irrationality
Jealousy
Lack of ambition
Lack of character
Lack of control
Lack of cooperation
uncooperativeness
Lack of culture
Laziness
Licentiousness
Loss of face
Loudness
Lust
Malice
Materialism
Mediocrity
68. Meanness
69. Miserliness
70. Neglect
71. Niggardliness
72. Obsession
73. Obsequiousness
74. Poverty
75. Presumptuousness
76. Pride
77. Profanity
78. Promiscuity
79. Pusillanimity
80. Rashness
81. Rebellion
82. Sacrilege
83. Sadness
84. Self-indulgence
85. Selfishness
86. Shamelessness
87. Shyness
88. Spendthrift
89. Spitefulness
90. Stagnation
91. Stupidity
92. Tastelessness
93. Thoughtlessness
94. Unambitiousness
95. Vanity
96. Vulgarity
97. Weakness
98-100
Roll on the virtue
table; treat the virtue as a
vice
Vices (1D100)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
Addiction
Adultery
Anxiety
Being a follower
Being unknown
Blasphemy
Boastfulness
Boorishness
Buffoonery
Cantakerousness
Childishness
Closedness
Coercion
Collectivism
Complaining
Conformity
Cowardice
Crudity
Cruelty
Decadence
Dependency
Despair
Discontent
Dishonesty
Dishonor
Disorganization
Disrespect
Disunity
Doubt
Envy
Futility
Gluttony
Greed
Hate
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
Concept of Time
1D100:
01-13
14-27
Mythical/Static
Cyclic
28-41
Linear
42-55
Progressive
56-69
Discontinuous
70-83
Branching
84-89
Spiral
90-95
Subjective
96-100
Mixture:
Religion
Type
01-04
Antireligion
05-12
Animism
Polytheism
13-20
Panteism
21-32
Deism
33-44
Humanism
45-52
Mysticism
53-70
Monotheism
71-83
Socialism
84-92
93-96
97-100
Religiosity
01-04
05-14
15-28
29-52
53-76
77-90
91-98
99-100
Atheism
Secular
Post-religious
Pluralism
Mixed
Devout
Fundamentalism
Zealous
Legal system
Foundations
01-16
17-28
29-44
45-48
49-64
65-72
73-78
78-83
84-88
Retaliative
Religious
Ethical
Economic
Rehabilitative
Pragmatic
Political
Populist
Commercial
89-100
Mixed
Enforcement level
01-06
Private law
07-12
13-18
19-43
44-61
62-73
74-79
Very free
Mild
Normal
Strict
Repressive
Ubiquitous law enforcement
80-85
Polycentric law
86-100
Mixed
Background
1D4 rolls:
Roll 1D100 and then roll on the other tables:
01-12
13-24
25-36
37-48
49-60
61-72
73-84
85-96
97-100
Culture
Events
Politics
People
Environment
Science/Technology
Economics
Philosophy
External relations
Culture
1.
Renaissance:
The culture is currently undergoing a major artistic renewal. (UA: -1, IC: +1)
2.
Cultural nostalgia:
The culture is currently undergoing a previous age is recreated. This could make for
interesting clashes, both between technology and society and for time travelers.
3.
Ancient culture:
politics. (LO: +1)
4.
Young culture:
The society was recently founded in its current form, and lacks history. The lack of history
makes it more dynamic, but also seeks its identity (LO: -1)
5.
Iconoclasm:
For religious, cultural or political reasons (roll on virtue table for what the change is
supposed to embody) the culture is being cleansed. (SR: -1)
6.
7.
The society has a very long past, which is impossible to ignore in art, law, culture and
The writing system is flexible and adapts quickly to changing societal needs. (UA: -1)
8.
Major literature :
A certain work of literature (or other art) has become central to the culture. Everybody is
assumed to be familiar with it, and much intellectual power is directed towards putting it into different contexts,
interpreting it or recreating it. (LO: +1)
9.
Cultural phobia:
The culture suffers from a phobia against something; while individuals may be independent
thinkers, they are still somewhat affected by ingrained tendencies. The most likely phobias are agoraphobia (fear of being
in places where escape might be difficult or embarrassing), social phobias (fear of being embarrassed, being watched,
touching, public speaking etc), phobias against animals (cats, dogs, spiders, snakes etc), the environment (heights,
tunnels, the open sky, lightening etc), injury (blood, needles, disease). For more unusual phobias, select one from
http://www.phobialist.com/
As a legacy from the past or current situation, the society regards itself as a merchant
As a legacy from the past or current situation, the society regards itself as a academic
24. Institutionalized virtues and sins: Certain virtues or sins are mandatory or handled through special institutions (altruism
through taxation, hedonism through carnivals).
25. Festivals and holidays:
Certain festivals and holidays are accorded great importance in the society. During the
festivals production is at a complete standstill. Much effort is spent preparing for the festivals.
26. Historicism:
The society tends to adapt its historical heritage, in order to fit its current morality and or
policies. Whatever was once done, is always shown to be in accordance with the current view.
27. Gesture language:
Gesture and pose are a very important part of communication, making it more expressive
but also limiting outsiders (they seem uncommunicative, or their gestures are misinterpreted).
28. Artificially exaggerated features:(chinese feet, giraffe necked women, mayan foreheads)
How far back are there records or tales of historical evets?
Who are the heroes and villains of each country's history
What is the system of coinage used, and who mints it?
Which peoples/etc. are considered the most civilized?
What will people swear a binding oath by? What do people use as curse words?
What are the most desired/most valuable things in this society--gold, jewels, drugs, money, furs, reindeer, oranges, etc? Why is it
desired/valued?
What things are considered normal and acceptable in this society that would not be considered normal or acceptable in yours?
(Examples: dueling, drugs, open homosexuality, polygamy, infanticide.)
What things are considered shocking in this society that are not considered shocking in yours? (Examples: showing a woman's
ankles, eating left-handed, reading in public.) What are the reactions of ordinary people when someone does one of these things?
What are the acceptable limits to honor and/or honesty in this society? Is a binding oath unbreakable no matter what, or can you get
out of it if the other party turns out to be evil scum or if you weren't fully informed? Are "white lies" acceptable socially, or is lying in
any form unacceptable?
Are there questions that must be asked or avoided when visiting someone (e.g., how's the family, how's the business, never talk
politics or religion, etc.)? Are there topics that can only be raised by the host? By the guest?
How seriously does the culture take the responsibilities of host and guest? What rules define when someone becomes a host or guest
(e.g., in some mid-easter countries, giving bread and salt to someone makes the person your guest; giving him a 5-course meal
without bread or salt doesn't)?
What things are considered courteous to offer a guest? What is considered a courteous response to a host's offer? Are there things it
is considered rude to accept? Rude to turn down? Rude to ask for? Rude not to ask for?
What are the most controversial subjects in this culture?
What customs surround death and burial? Is there a special class of people (doctors, priests, funeral directors, untouchables) who
deal with dead bodies?
How important are "good manners" in this society?
What are the social taboos--what things are "not done", like wearing a bathing suit to the office? What things are never talked
about?
How much formal spying and intelligence gathering is normally done by governments? By the military? By merchants? Who has the
best information-gathering system? What do people wear? How expensive is it? Can the material be produced locally, or must some
or all of it be imported?
Who decides whats stylish? What is the literacy level in the general population? Is literacy considered a useful/necessary skill for
nobility, or something only scribes/clerks/wimps need?
How much does it cost to get various levels of education?
What are the society's mores regarding courtship, marriage, and family? Is marriage primarily a civil or a religious institution?
What are the standards of beauty for people? For paintings and sculpture? For clothes and furniture? How do they differ from the
standards in your culture (example: a culture which considers fatness a highly desireable beauty trait)?
What kind of ideal life do people aspire to?
Recent Events
1.
Trade collapse:
The market has collapsed in the past, and people are careful to save money and have resources to
survive hard times. (UA: +1)
2.
Barbarian invasion: Another culture of perceived lower standing has raided or even subjugated the society in its past. If
you choose you may roll for this culture as well; its cultural traits are likely regarded with suspicion in this society, and
members are commonly despised even if they form a sizeable ethnic minority (in this case, decrease SR by one) (CO: +1)
3.
Dynasty:
The society has been influenced or ruled by a family (or other group) for a long time. They could be
merchant princes, priest-kings or media personalities.
4.
Alliance:
5.
Dark age:
The culture has in the past had a more complex society, which crashed for one reason or another. An
institution (such as a church or corporation) may have survived through this and now retains its legacy; in this case CO:
+1. (TL: -1)
6.
Invader legacy:
7.
Long peace:
A long period of peace has resulted in a peaceful, non-aggressive society oriented towards trade and
material prosperity (EX: -2, UA: -2, SR: +2)
8.
Enlightenment period: A number of great thinkers has recently appeared, producing radical new visions or strange ideas
that have not yet been assimilated into culture but causes great intellectual dynamism, (SR: -1 UA: -1, LO: -1)
9.
External contact:
The society has recently come into contact with a very different other culture. There is great
fascination with the other culture, be it positive or negative.
An invading culture has left behind high technology, social system, a cultural trait or ethnic group.
10. Pandemic:
The society suffers or has recently suffered from a major epidemic. At higher TLs it can be digital,
nanotechnological or even femtotech and attack not just citizens or livestock but computers, objects or matter itself. (SR: 2, UA: +1)
11. Religious shift:
A major shift in the dominant religion (a reformation, liberalization or inclusion of a new deity) has
occurred. (LO: -1 CO: -1)
12. New religion:
A new religion has recently emerged and is gaining a devout following. This can be especially
troublesome in atheist or fundamentalist cultures. (SR: -1)
13. Natural Disaster:
A recent major disaster has caused great damage (CO: +1, UA: +1, SR: -1)
14. Technological disaster: A recent technological disaster has increased security consciousness in a certain technological field.
Roll for the field, for purposes of workability the TL is considered one lower due to extensive security measures.
15. Past extinction level event: An enormous disaster has occurred, laying waste to the central parts of society and most of its
environment. Survivors consist of scattered outlying habitats and random survivors. (CO: -1, UC: -2, LO: *, SR: -2)
16. Future extinction level event: Somewhere in the foreseeable future (1D100 years) a major disaster is going to happen that
cannot be avoided using foreseeable technology and likely to completely destroy the society. Depending on its culture, the
society might strive to escape, despair, disintegrate in turmoil or enjoy the fun while it lasts.
17. Deurbanisation:
The population of the cities has recently decreased, due to factors such as telecommuting, epidemics
or economic recession. There is a resurgence of small town spirit (IC: -1, RE: +1, LO: +1)
18. Urbanisation:
The population of the cities is increasing, due to factors such as industrialization, economic boom or
safety. Old family patterns are broken up and old values questioned in the melting pot (IC: +1, RE: -1, LO: -1)
19. Person cult:
An important individual (assassinated political leader, scientific genius etc) has sparked a personality
cult seeking to reshape society according to his vision. (SR: -1)
20. Apathy:
Widespread disillusionment has decreased the general motivation of the citizens. (LO: +1, SR: +1)
Politics
1.
Disastrous politics: Due to bad policies the population has lost confidence in the government (SR: -1).
2.
Elitist disdain:
The ruling classes has lost confidence in the population (SR: -1, PD: +1)
3.
Popular support:
4.
Spies:
One or more fractions are employing extensive spy networks keep track of the citizens or other groups. The
paranoia level in the society is high. (UA: +1 CO: -2)
5.
Double standards: The rulers hold themselves to a distinctly different code of conduct among themsevels than they do
towards the public. (PD: +1 CO: -1)
6.
Accountability:
Strong institutions, laws or individuals exercise efficient oversight of the rulers, preventing them from
abusing their power (PD: -1, CO: +1)
7.
Prominent media: Media (or rumor and gossip at lower TLs) affect politics greatly they can make or break individuals or
political factions overnight. The rulers do their best to appease (or entertain) the public.
8.
Party politics:
Political life is dominated by strong organizations; individual politicians are expected to conform to the
party line (PD: +1, IC: -2)
9.
Block politics:
The political situation is polarized between two strong factions/alliances. (CO: *1)
10. One party politics: One political party is so powerful that it can dictate the agenda. Same as party politics (above) but add
PD: +1.
11. Administrative corruption:
Widespread corruption in the administration (PD: +1, SR: -1, CO: -1)
12. Political corruption: Widespread corruption in the political sphere (PD: +1, CO: -1)
13. Judicial corruption: Widespread corruption in the legal system. (PD: +1, SR: -2, CO: -1)
14. Revisionism:
A certain historical event has been subjected to extensive re-editing. It could be a genocide, a military
defeat or an artistic era. Intellectual freedom in this area is limited.
15. Bad conscience:
The society has in the past committed an act contrary to its current ethics. It is trying to atone for or
ameliorate the consequences.
16. Powerful special interest groups:
Certain groups have extra influence with the government, whether through
formalized channels, lobbying or other means. This results in a competition between the special interest groups for political
favor (CO: -1)
17. High trust society: People feel they can trust each other. Institutions are based on the quiet assumption that promises will
be honored (CO: +1).
18. Low trust society: People do not naturally trust each other or their institutions. Trade, politics and social interaction are
hindred by this lack of trust. (CO: -1 SR: -1)
19. Shared vision:
An idea, a story or an individual has become an uniting factor. Nearly everybody rallies behind it and
support policies aiming at this goal. (CO: +1)
20. Pronounced class system:
person is (PD: +1, RE: +1).
Social class is regarded as important and a determining factor of what kind of person a
The citizens are interested and if possible involved in politics (PD: -1, CO: +1)
Subcultures: Subcultures play an important role. Members can expect respect, protection, identity or other social goods from
being members. (CO: -1)
2.
Homogeneous: Whether ethical or ethnical, the people feel they have a common ground or uniting identity (CO: +1)
3.
Multiple languages: the society has multiple languages. Members tend to learn several of them, and bilinguality is common (UA:
-1).
4.
Language conflict: the society is struggling with several languages and ethnicities, causing internal conflicts (SR: -1, CO: -1)
5.
High population density: A high population density has favored collectivism, small personal spaces, restrained gestures and an
emphasis on politeness. (IC: -1)
6.
Low population density: A low population density has favored individualism, large personal spaces, broad gestures and a loud
voice. (IC: +1)
7.
8.
Seafaring:
9.
Skyfarer:
Flying, whether through balloons, hangliders of powered flight became important early on.
10. Semi-nomadic: People often travel or are predominantly nomadic. Homes may be mobile (house boats, motorhomes, antigravity
buildings) (EX: +1)
11. Inbred:
A low genetic diversity makes people vulnerable to disease, birth defects etc. The traits related to this genetic
identity might be regarded as especially beautiful (a variant of this on high technology levels is a society where cloning is the
most common form of reproduction)
12. Travelling restrictions: For some reason, possibly political or economical, travel is restricted to certain professions, classes or
those with valid reasons.
13. Mass immigation: One or more ethnicities has immigrated recently, due to war, social oppression, employment or other factors.
Roll for one extra idea.
14. Mass emigration: Due to social, economic or religious factors a sizeable part of the population has emigrated elsewhere. This
causes stronger connections with the destination region. Roll once on the external relations table.
15. Baby boom: A temporary increase in births in the recent past has caused the appearance of many young, and as they grow up
and age various social changes occur (EX: +1)
16. Old population: The number of young is low or declining, making the average age higher and requiring workers to work more to
support the elderly (LO: +1, EX: -1)
17. Young population: the number of young is high, the average income is very low as careers have yet to take off, the
expectations of members in the society are dynamic (RE:-1, LO: -1, EX: +1)
18. Caste system: people are divided into strict classes due to their birth (or circumstances of their birth, astrology or random
factors). This may or may not affect social standing, profession or estates that depends more on the form of government
(RE: +2, SR: +1, EX: -1)
19. Population by indenture: The society began as a penal colony or other form of bonded labor.
20. Physically active: People are in general physically active, even when they do not have to. Sports and hiking are popular. At
higher TLs, this may be mostly a design issue.
Environment
1.
2.
Scarce resource:
3.
Resouce crisis:
4.
Demand discovery
5.
6.
Drug problems: Drug use is very widespread and causes social problems
7.
War on drugs: A major initiative to stop drug use is going on. Like the coffee bans, prohibition and the war on drugs this causes
huge profits for criminal networks and an environment rife with corruption and paranoia.
8.
Hot climate: A hot climate has promoted a mode of dress suited to warmth, siestas and a relaxed mode of behavior.
Architecture is open.
9.
Cold climate:
A resource (such as iron, wood or plastic) has been scarce, making it expensive and valued.
Fear of disease
Crowded
Spacious
Disease resistance
Climate influence
Material influence
Biological influence
Symbiote
Domestic animal
Noise problems
Silent culture
Science/Technology
1.
Technological restrictions:
Due to cultural, economic or social factors one technology area is frozen at its
current level and new research is discouraged, uncommon or forbidden.
2.
Technological breakthrough: The culture has achieved a breakthrough in one area enabling it to develop a technology
normally belonging to the next TL. Roll randomly for which area and select a suitable application. Note that it has to be
feasible given the other technology; a renaissance society could develop evolution theory but not telegraphy (since it lacks
electricity).
3.
Technological miss: Due to lack of interest, a philosophical misconception or bad luck the culture has missed an important
application of technology. Select a random technology area and remove an application that otherwise belongs to the
current tech level. For example, an information age society might lack jet planes.
4.
Taboo technology: Select one application or group of applications that are taboo or forbidden in the culture (e.g. cloning
in early 21st western culture or satellite television in fundamentalist regimes).
5.
Net-backlash. Widespread use of infowar and other offensive communicative measures have taken their toll on the society.
For purposes of security, + 1 TL. For purposes of general functionality, - 2 TL
6.
Phlogistonics. One field of the societys technology has been consistently riddled with non-functional crack-pot theories. - 1
TL in random tech field.
7.
8.
Standardization problems:
9.
Lack of standards make use of technology less efficient and somewhat risky (EX: -1)
Certain groups of people (women, priests, lower classes) may not use certain
The power distribution system is highly centralized, giving significant power to the
Propaganda:
The media lends themselves for propaganda, either govermental, corporate or other institutions.
2.
3.
Transport problems: The transport system is not up to the economical demands, limiting the size of projects, cities or the
entire economy.
4.
Colonial economy: The societys economy is tied to another, more complex economy that exerts influence over the
societys internal affairs, be they political or economical.
The public has a distrust of the media, and inform themselves from several sources.
5.
Imperialistic economy:
Production of raw material and basic refining is done in less complex colonies dependent (or
made dependent) on the main political power. (EX: +1)
6.
Protectionism:
goods.
7.
Insular economy: The economy is very isolated from other natural trading partners. It therefore needs to be selfsufficient in a variety of fields. It also isolates the society from the outside world, at the expense of living standard. (SR:
+1, EX: -1)
8.
9.
The society favors the internal production of goods and services, and imposes high customs on foreign
10. Illegalization:
The government or market has banned a common feature of the economic system (such as inflation or
private property). This leads to a situation where the official economy diverges from the real economy (SR: -1).
11. Black market:
Through illegalization or restriction certain commodities are sold only on the black market. Profits are
high and risks are great.
12. Free Market:
The market has been given greater freedom than normal in the political system. (IC: +1 UA: -1)
Goods are owned not by individuals, but by families, clans or communities. (IC: -2)
Criminal organizations wield great power, possibly undermining the political or legal system
The society has a long history of trade, with skilled merchants, bankers and stockbrokers (depending
The society has been located along an ancient trade route, being a crossroad for cultures and ideas.
21. Cartels:
Certain fields of the economy are dominated by powerful cartels, stifling competition.
22. Resource scarcity: A general or specific lack of resources exists. Prices are high, substitutes are sought, recycling
programs underway.
Philosophy
1.
2.
3.
Dominant paradigm:
A certain philosophy has become highly dominant, making most other philosophies or ways
of thought irrelvant, obsolete or even banned.
4.
Bad epistemology: Due to lack of standards of proof, peer review, experimentation and other ways of testing the truth of
facts, scientific research and many other fields are a hopeless mess. Instead rhetoric, tradition, intuition and opinion are
prioritized. (TL: -1)
5.
Progressive ethos: The idea of moral as well as scientific progress is important, producing a society seeking to expand
and develop (TL: +1, EX: +1).
6.
Theological connection:
truths, and vice versa.
7.
Teleology:
One of the central ideas or virtues (or even sins) of the society is regarded as the goal society,
humans or the universe is moving towards. Deviations from this are regarded as impossible or inherently evil.
8.
Rejection of narrative:
The society has abandoned the attempt to create an unified description of the world,
allowing a pluralism of contradictory or complementary partial views. This increases tolerance, but limits criticism. (UA: -1)
9.
Philosophical conflict:
Two different schools of thought, possibly based on minor differences in philosophy,
academic background or founders, are battling in the halls of academia. While the issue may not have immediate relevance
to the rest of society, potentially it will have long-term consequences.
There is no difference between philosophy and religion; philosophical truths are religious
10. Grand unification: A central idea, philosophy or standard model has successfully unified all known knowledge into a
single grand system. The society feels that it understands what there is to understand (or will, once all the consequences
are worked out).
11. Social philosophy: Much thought is spent on the issue of how society should be organised. Society and the collective is
viewed as more important than the individual. (IC: -1)
12. Humanist philosophy:
Humans and their individual lives are of central philosophical interest. Individuality is
regarded as more important than the collective (IC: +1)
13. Traditionalism:
Traditional ideas and values are regarded as safe, valuable and the natural basis for thinking or the
society was in the past far better than it is now. In education learning the classics and analysing the great thinkers is
regarded as important (LO: +1)
14. Manifest Destiny:
The society regards itself as having a manifest destiny it is its duty to civilize the nomads,
conquer the world or construct the total welfare state (EX: +1)
15. Dogmatic:
16. Inconsistencies:
There are serious inconsistencies in the official philosophy. Whether these are questioned depends on
the openness of society.
17. Human potential:
Humans are regarded as free and able to become anything they want. (RE: -1 UA: -1)
The societys main ideas, virtues and vices all emanate from a single concept or thesis. Roll once on
External Relations
Descended from other culture:
influences the society.
Isolationist:
Expansive:
Xenophobia:
Xenophilia:
The society is derived from an older culture (e.g. Byzantium from Rome), and this legacy
Other
http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/Book/contents.html
http://www.guildcompanion.com/scrolls/2000/may/landtosubsistance.html