# Flat Black **URL:** https://discussion.tekeli.li/c/role-playing-games/flat-black/10.md [Latest](https://discussion.tekeli.li/latest.md) · [Categories](https://discussion.tekeli.li/categories.md) · [Tags](https://discussion.tekeli.li/tags.md) --- ## [About the Flat Black category](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/about-the-flat-black-category/115)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [17 June 2020 03:39 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/about-the-flat-black-category/115 "2020-06-17T03:39:34Z")
This category is for discussions of Brett Evill’s science fiction RPG setting, Flat Black. Also, of related science, technological developments, and science fiction. Flat Black is an interstellar SF setting devised by B… --- ## [Stable URLs for Flat Black documents](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/stable-urls-for-flat-black-documents/412)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [9 October 2019 12:28 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/stable-urls-for-flat-black-documents/412 "2019-10-09T12:28:06Z")
I have established a download page for Flat Black documents at http://flatblack.wikidot.com/on-line-texts, where I can update the files whenever I feel compelled, and without changing the URLs as happens with Dropbox. T… --- ## [Ring down the curtain](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/ring-down-the-curtain/6571)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [12 January 2026 03:37 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/ring-down-the-curtain/6571 "2026-01-12T03:37:08Z")
I did have it in mind to finish Forty Exotic Worlds in a form that other GMs could use the worlds out of in other planetary-adventure or space-opera settings, and to write a gear catalogue for Flat Black, and succinct pl… --- ## [Pre-generating a stable of PCs for sci-fi thrillers](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/pre-generating-a-stable-of-pcs-for-sci-fi-thrillers/4650)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [30 January 2023 12:00 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/pre-generating-a-stable-of-pcs-for-sci-fi-thrillers/4650 "2023-01-30T12:00:58Z")
At long last I have faced up to the reality that I can’t run ongoing campaigns in my current circumstances, and I have reconciled (or perhaps resigned) myself to running sporadic one-and-done adventures for scratch group… --- ## [Military spacecraft types](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/military-spacecraft-types/3902)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [6 March 2022 02:26 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/military-spacecraft-types/3902 "2022-03-06T02:26:10Z")
Continuing the discussion from HD 33866 V: "Arcolais": Well, let’s see. Ground to Orbit Vehicles built for orbital launch and re-entry are shuttles if they have wings and ram-rockets, or lighters if they don’t. Lighte… --- ## [HD 33866 V: "Arcolais"](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/hd-33866-v-arcolais/3901)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [21 February 2022 21:52 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/hd-33866-v-arcolais/3901 "2022-02-21T21:52:15Z")
Arcolais Star HD 33866 G3V 135.8 LY from Sol in Orion (Gemini Sector) Planet V Diameter 10 331 km 0.81 D♁ Gravity 8.7 m/s² 0.88 g♁ Day 18.3 hours Year 536.7 local days 1.12 a♁ Atmos… --- ## [HD 205286 IV: "Swanmays"](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/hd-205286-iv-swanmays/3900)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [21 February 2022 13:28 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/hd-205286-iv-swanmays/3900 "2022-02-21T13:28:11Z")
Swanmays Star HD 205286 K2 V 94.0 LY from Sol in Cygnus (Andromeda Sector) Planet IV Diameter 12 092 km 0.95 D♁ Gravity 9.4 m/s² 0.96 g♁ Day 30.1 hours Year 179.0 local days 0.615 a♁ … --- ## [Eight colonies on Tau Ceti III](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/eight-colonies-on-tau-ceti-iii/134)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [21 February 2022 11:04 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/eight-colonies-on-tau-ceti-iii/134 "2022-02-21T11:04:55Z")
To begin with Tau Ceti was scouted in AD 2071, by a robotic probe that belonged to the EU. The probe confirmed telescopic observations that Tau Ceti III is habitable. Its report reached Earth in AD 2083. The governments … --- ## [HD 215812 IV: "New Fujian"](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/hd-215812-iv-new-fujian/3895)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [21 February 2022 01:35 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/hd-215812-iv-new-fujian/3895 "2022-02-21T01:35:57Z")
New Fujian Star HD 215812 G6 V 104.5 LY from Sol in Aquarius (Pisces Austrinus Sector). Planet IV Diameter 8 112 km 0.64 D♁ Gravity 6.0 m/s² 0.61 g♁ Day 22.6 hours Year 664.3 local day… --- ## [Gliese 4291 III "Sparta"](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/gliese-4291-iii-sparta/3899)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [21 February 2022 00:09 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/gliese-4291-iii-sparta/3899 "2022-02-21T00:09:04Z")
Sparta Star Gliese 4291 K3 V 70.2 LY from Sol in Aquarius, (Pisces Austrinus Sector) Planet III Diameter 10 587 km 0.83 D♁ Gravity 9.8 m/s² 1.0 g♁ Day 31.0 hours Year 167.8 local days 0… --- ## [Cover illustration for "Flat Black"?](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/cover-illustration-for-flat-black/525)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [11 January 2022 05:03 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/cover-illustration-for-flat-black/525 "2022-01-11T05:03:16Z")
Continuing the discussion from Draft cover for a new players' brief: Professional cover art isn’t cheap, but on the other hand (a) my finances have been pretty robust since I paid off my mortgage and called a halt to re… --- ## [A Discord server for discussing and playing 'Flat Black'](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/a-discord-server-for-discussing-and-playing-flat-black/3582)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [23 December 2021 12:23 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/a-discord-server-for-discussing-and-playing-flat-black/3582 "2021-12-23T12:23:06Z")
I’m going to have a go at using Discord as a platform for playing RPGs over the Internet. To that end I have created a “server” on Discord (it isn’t really a server) called “Flat Black”, where I suppose discussion will a… --- ## [\[Adventure\] Saving Sinjin Edda](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/adventure-saving-sinjin-edda/3027)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [2 August 2021 15:44 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/adventure-saving-sinjin-edda/3027 "2021-08-02T15:44:10Z")
Continuing the discussion from Pre-gen PCs (ForeSight) — a team of three effectives of an unspecified NGO: Last night I wrapped up a three-session adventure for those characters whose sheets are in the thread linked abo… --- ## [Pre-gen PCs (ForeSight) — a team of three effectives of an unspecified NGO](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/pre-gen-pcs-foresight-a-team-of-three-effectives-of-an-unspecified-ngo/2899)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [10 July 2021 08:49 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/pre-gen-pcs-foresight-a-team-of-three-effectives-of-an-unspecified-ngo/2899 "2021-07-10T08:49:52Z")
I have pre-generated a team of three player characters in 1st edition ForeSight with almost no house-rules, hardly any at all. They are effectives for an NGO that need not be specified until necessary. Anton AMEHARA is … --- ## [On a scale from Zorro to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which is the rollickingest, cliffhangeriest, most Saturday-matinée tech level?](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/on-a-scale-from-zorro-to-butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-which-is-the-rollickingest-cliffhangeriest-most-saturday-matinee-tech-level/2928)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [30 June 2021 01:30 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/on-a-scale-from-zorro-to-butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-which-is-the-rollickingest-cliffhangeriest-most-saturday-matinee-tech-level/2928 "2021-06-30T01:30:19Z")
Which is the rollickingest, cliffhangeriest, most Saturday-matinée tech level? poll Eichberger Spaceways refuses to transport weapons or other military equipment with no legitimate civilian use. And they have the monopol… --- ## [High-tech extreme sport: \[Para\] sniper rogaining](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/high-tech-extreme-sport-para-sniper-rogaining/2894)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [20 June 2021 20:46 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/high-tech-extreme-sport-para-sniper-rogaining/2894 "2021-06-20T20:46:33Z")
In an effort to account for a player characters’ possessing a collection of high skills that seem unusual outside a high-tech military, I hypothesised a high-tech extreme sport that I call “parasniper rogaining”. It obvi… --- ## [Low DL Clothing in FB](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/low-dl-clothing-in-fb/549)
**Author:** [@martinl](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/martinl)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [16 December 2020 20:33 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/low-dl-clothing-in-fb/549 "2020-12-16T20:33:05Z")
It recently occurred to me that fabric is probably one of those things that FB colonies just harvest. Sure, there are probably crops for various kinds of fibre and cord, but crops that produce serviceable fabrics are a g… --- ## [More interstellar non-profit NGOs](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/more-interstellar-non-profit-ngos/2202)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [5 February 2021 23:24 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/more-interstellar-non-profit-ngos/2202 "2021-02-05T23:24:35Z")
Continuing the discussion from NGOs for a somewhat "Traveller"-like setting: While I was walking my dog this morning I had thoughts about young volunteers from rich colonies taking a while before they settle down to wor… --- ## [Scope and format of entries in "Forty Exotic Worlds"](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/scope-and-format-of-entries-in-forty-exotic-worlds/1947)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [21 January 2021 00:55 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/scope-and-format-of-entries-in-forty-exotic-worlds/1947 "2021-01-21T00:55:11Z")
I have started work on the first Flat Black gazetteer, under the working title Forty Exotic Worlds. Perhaps it will end up useful to GMs running other settings. So far, I have a draft entry for one world, Tau Ceti. It’s… --- ## [Key to the entries in "Forty Exotic Worlds"](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/key-to-the-entries-in-forty-exotic-worlds/2129)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [14 January 2021 22:33 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/key-to-the-entries-in-forty-exotic-worlds/2129 "2021-01-14T22:33:30Z")
Continuing the discussion from Scope and format of entries in "Forty Exotic Worlds": Here’s the first draft of my explanation of the entries in “Forty Exotic Worlds”. It’s 2,261 words out of a budget of 2,000, but I’d b… --- ## [Autochthones (intelligent aliens) in ‘Flat Black’](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/autochthones-intelligent-aliens-in-flat-black/2132)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [13 January 2021 13:04 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/autochthones-intelligent-aliens-in-flat-black/2132 "2021-01-13T13:04:09Z")
Continuing the discussion from Key to the entries in "Forty Exotic Worlds": Intelligent aliens in Flat Black all happen to be low-tech or pre-tech autochthonous populations, though the Empire does list contact with high… --- ## [Draft introduction for "Forty Exotic Worlds"](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/draft-introduction-for-forty-exotic-worlds/2128)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [12 January 2021 09:39 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/draft-introduction-for-forty-exotic-worlds/2128 "2021-01-12T09:39:13Z")
350 words. It would not kill me to cut 25 words. --- ## [It was raining that afternoon on the Planet of the Hats](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/it-was-raining-that-afternoon-on-the-planet-of-the-hats/1939)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [11 December 2020 20:26 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/it-was-raining-that-afternoon-on-the-planet-of-the-hats/1939 "2020-12-11T20:26:48Z")
No-one uses the term “the planet of the hats” intending a compliment. But what is the complaint, really? Is it that the social and cultural equivalent of “it was raining that afternoon on Mongo”? That is, is the probl… --- ## [Font and layout](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/font-and-layout/1920)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [11 December 2020 11:40 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/font-and-layout/1920 "2020-12-11T11:40:43Z")
I first started producing RPG material for my friends in hand writing (which was slow and not especially legible) and using an electric typewriter, in the 1980s. Then I got access to Macintoshes and a Laserwriter in 1987… --- ## [Extremes and medians of the dimensions of habitability](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/extremes-and-medians-of-the-dimensions-of-habitability/1922)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [5 December 2020 14:25 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/extremes-and-medians-of-the-dimensions-of-habitability/1922 "2020-12-05T14:25:09Z")
Continuing the discussion from Any favourite colonies?: Habitable planets & moons When people from Earth were colonising Space those who were content to live in artificial habitats built them in Earth’s solar system. P… --- ## [Any favourite colonies?](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/any-favourite-colonies/1479)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [3 December 2020 13:42 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/any-favourite-colonies/1479 "2020-12-03T13:42:12Z")
I will soon start work writing a collection of descriptions of colonies. My goal will be to make each one brief enough for players to read one upon being told that their characters will be going there for a one-off adven… --- ## [Feedback before I finalise 'Flat Black 2020'](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/feedback-before-i-finalise-flat-black-2020/1826)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [2 December 2020 19:35 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/feedback-before-i-finalise-flat-black-2020/1826 "2020-12-02T19:35:37Z")
Continuing the discussion from Stable URLs for Flat Black documents: G’day all! I’m feeling a bit better and hoping to be writing again soon. That leaves little time to finalise Flat Black 2020. I’m unlikely to have a … --- ## [Halt! I.C.I.C.L.E.!](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/halt-i-c-i-c-l-e/355)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [27 November 2020 09:15 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/halt-i-c-i-c-l-e/355 "2020-11-27T09:15:10Z")
The very first campaign I ran in Flat Black had the player characters working as a team of criminal investigators for the agency that investigates breaches of the Imperial Crimes Act. It turned out very well, partly beca… --- ## [Standard Value Units](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/standard-value-units/1574)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [21 August 2020 12:34 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/standard-value-units/1574 "2020-08-21T12:34:32Z")
In Flat Black’s native RPG system, ForeSight, the prices in the equipment lists &c. are expressed in “Standard Value Units”. The name is a reference to Jack Vance’s “Oikumene” setting, and in ForeSight’s standard setting… --- ## [Terms for forms of government](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/terms-for-forms-of-government/1571)
**Author:** [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [10 August 2020 16:03 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/terms-for-forms-of-government/1571 "2020-08-10T16:03:23Z")
I like the terms “isocratic” and “ochlocracy”, and intend to use them. Is there a succinct term that might be used e.g. to replace “representative” in such a phrase as “federal representative democracy” to indicate that… [Next page](https://discussion.tekeli.li/c/role-playing-games/flat-black/10.md?page=1)