HOME | DD
WorldBuildersInc β New GDF Star Map
Published: 2018-02-01 05:44:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 901; Favourites: 7; Downloads: 7
Redirect to original
Description
The newest overhaul of the modern Arcverse map. New additions include:> An updated cartographic coordinate system , with 24 sectors rather than 16 and consistent ring width
> Both of the Magellanic Clouds (to scale)
> 48 new locations, most of which are inhabited star systems
> Improved location ping legend
All in all, the modern Arcverse now has a grand total of 112 marked locations, and I can guarantee you that number will inevitably rise.
Feel free to ask questions!
Related content
Comments: 10
I see the Arcverse has become geograhpically extensive not only in terms of distances involved, but in terms of the number of locations as well
A pity that there's no explanation on the color code, I feel like we're missing a substantial amount of information about the setting.
While reading the wiki article I've got confused over one thing. Correct me if I'm wrong: you say that spinward (the direction of the rotation of the galaxy) is counterclockwise, and antispinward is clockwise. But isn't the galaxy shown on the picture rotating clockwise?
Also, I suppose Orranysi is the official name of the Milky Way in Arcverse?
π: 0 β©: 1
It's good to hear from you again! 
Yep, I just keep adding things, heh! I'm sure there are yet more locations to be added in the future as well. 
The color code for star systems essentially follows the Hertzsprung-Russel diagram of stellar spectral class. In addition, the multi-star markers are two colors: the core is the major star, the ring is the companion.
Thank you so much for pointing out my error! You're indeed right, I mixed up the directions of spinward and antispinward. I'll fix that ASAP. 
And yes, the galaxy is named Orranysi in an ancient Aehr tongue.
π: 0 β©: 1
Well, a star's position on the main sequence is certainly something I didn't expect
May I ask what kind of system is Xalnr? How can it be so close to supermassive black hole and at the same time inhabited?
π: 0 β©: 1
Main sequence is an important factor when considering the habitability and biospheres of orbiting worlds, after all.
Well, Xalnr is still about 3600 lightyears from Sagittarius A*, so there's no gravitational danger. However, it is the only sophont-bearing world in the galactic core for a very good reason. The center of any galaxy or star cluster is a veritable soup of radiation, both low-energy and ionizing. Xalnr's biosphere gets around this in a very simple manner: using lead as its elemental base! Any Xalnr-native organism, including the Xalnrite sophonts, is unaffected by ionizing radiation simply due to their chemical makeup. Lead is not usually a viable biochemical base because it's a heavy metal, making it not nearly as common as carbon is (at least, not out here in the midrim of the galaxy). But in the core, where billions of supernovas have left heavy metals just floating in atomic clouds all over the place, planets there would have an abundance of heavy metals like lead and uranium. Which leads me to the other remarkable thing about Xalnr's biosphere: their cellular energy mechanism. The biosphere of Xalnr revolves around a process I've dubbed nucleosynthesis: utilizing unstable uranium to produce energy in microscopic, cellular-level nuclear fission reactions!
All in all, Xalnr is one of my favorite Arcverse worlds, and I'm very glad you asked about it!
π: 0 β©: 1
That's certainly one of the most unusual types of biochemistry I've ever read about, and it's easy to understand why it is one of your favourite worlds
So just how thoroughly is this concept elaborated? For example, as far as I know, carbon and silicon are considered most sutable base elements for living organisms not because of their abundancy, but because of their ability to form a great number of compounds. How much of a proper substitute lead can be? Then, what about other atoms in lead-based molecules β wouldn't they be affected by radiation?
But what I'm most curious about is Xalnrites themselves. What do they look like? What kind of culture do they have? What is their political status in GDF, how actively do they interact with other sophonts?
π: 0 β©: 1
I'm still working out the details of their biochemistry, although I fear that some aspects of it may be best left untouched to prevent a collapse of the idea's realism. 
However, in my researches I've discovered that lead can form complex molecules and chains like carbon and silicon, though to a lesser extent than its lighter counterparts.
As for the ionization of other atoms in the molecules, well, that's an excellent point that to be honest I hadn't considered yet. I may simply chalk it up to protective layers of highly lead-based heavy polymers.
I've yet to come up with a proper design for the Xalnrites, but I suspect they may be gastropod-like in appearance. No real notion of culture yet either.
I have determined that they essentially own the galactic core due to the fact that they are the only sophonts which can feasibly inhabit that region, which makes them quite major players on the galactic stage (especially in terms of economics). They also serve as excellent engineering grunts, thanks to their immunity (and affinity) to ionizing radiation and overall study composure.
π: 0 β©: 1
I see.
Protective layer is probably a useful feature even if there are other ways of mitigating ionization effects. Say, if the Xalnrites are gastropod-like, they can use lead as main component of their shells, while limbs and sensory organs outside the shell may have enhanced cellular regeneration capabilities. That, in turn, would likely mean that their sensory organs are quite simple and less sensitive than average, which kind of balances their overall physical superiority (in addition, I guess, they may have evolved the ability to sense radioactivity to avoid the most dangerous areas on their homeworld).
Another interesting subject is development of computer science on Xalnr. As far as I know, our current computer technology is quite sensitive to ionizing radiation, especially to the small but dangerous faction of particles heavier than helium which comes from solar wind and cosmic rays. I wonder if the Xalnrites solved this particular problem somehow, or relied on some unconventional types of computer technology, or used a completely different approach to computation during their history?
π: 0 β©: 0
I thought βTerminusβ was going to be your name for Planet9, not some other random rim world ?? Lol π
π: 0 β©: 1
Ahh shit, didn't even notice that. Well, there's always convergent development to blame.
π: 0 β©: 1
Nawwww mang- I think it works better as a rim-world. Youβre witty, you can find something else for P9 π
π: 0 β©: 0