Culture Generation System

(RCCGS: The Ridiculously Complex Cultural Generation System)

by Hkan Andersson and Anders Sandberg
Introduction
Our goal is to allow gamemasters to create interesting random societies for their world. Societies are complex systems, with many
interacting factors of history, culture, technology and politics that make them unique and fascinating. This system is intended to allow
the random generation of a society, which can then be interpreted in terms of a number of cultural traits (not unlike character traits).
It is intended for human cultures and does not take magic into account; it also does assume a fairly straightforward system of tech
levels. Feel free to adjust probabilities and outcomes during the creation process: the goal is to create an interesting society that feels
plausible, and this is by necessity an interactive process. Whatever is rolled is merely suggestions for the society you are creating, and
the needs of the setting and story potential come fist. However, even the simplest society has some unusual aspects that are due to
old historical factors, customs or the family structure that makes it feel fresh and original. When we tried out the system for a
campaign we were created we found that even societies originally intended as little more than sources of villainous plots soon
acquired some fascinating and sometimes redeeming quirks.
Our biases
There is a great deal arbitrariness in this system, and many assignations of points likely reflect more our assumptions and prejudices
than any possible reality. In many cases the numbers are entirely taken out of the air. Nobody knows how many matriarchies and
patriarchies would appear if history could be randomly restarted a large number of times. Hence everything should be taken with a
great deal of salt; this is intended more to create interesting societies for roleplaying games than to be good speculative sociology.
Here is a brief author presentation to suggest some of our main biases:
Hkan Andersson is a social-democrat (thats communist to U.S. readers) and a single white academic bookworm. He likes
big government and progressive taxation.
Anders Sandberg is a libertarian (thats liberal to European readers) and a single white academic book-worm. He likes small
government and free markets.
Society Attributes
These attributes start out at 0, and are modified by further events. In most cases the changes are simply given as numbers to add
and subtract. The notation *1 suggests that the attribute should be increased or decreased depending on its current sign: if it is
positive, then it should be increased by one, if it is negative it should be decreased by one.
Cultural attributes:
UA (Uncertainty Avoidance) How
PD (Power Distance)
How
RE (Role Expectations)
How
IC (Individualism-Collectivism) How
LO (Long-Term Orientation) How
SR (Stability rating)
How
EX (Expansiveness)
How
CO (Cohesion)
How

comfortable people are with the uncertain.

large status distances are accepted.
fixed people are in specific roles.
individualistic the society is.
much tradition and the long term is valued.
stable the society is
much the society seeks to expand, progress or grow
well integrated the society is.

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

Two levels behind

One level behind
No change
One level ahead
Two levels ahead

Power
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Human muscle power

Domestic animals such as horses; water wheel
Windmill
Horse with horse-collar
Fossil fuels
Steam engine, electricity
Hydroelectric power, nuclear power
Solar power, OTEC
Beamed solar power from space, fuel cells
Fusion, nanostorage, room temperature superconductors
Fusion batteries, neutrino cooling
Antimatter energy storage, Dyson shells
Matter-energy conversion

Military
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Fists and stone weapons

Spears and arrows, bronze swords, leather armor
Iron swords, shields, scale armor
Steel weapons; lance, flail, crossbow; plate and chainmail, castles
Black-powder musket; cannon
Ironclad warship, dynamite, repeating guns
Battleship, tank, machine-gun, fighter aircraft, fission bomb, flak jacket
Nuclear missile, atomic submarine, jet fighter, Kevlar, spy satellite
Cybertank, advanced bioweapons, drone weapons, infowar
Diamond armor, smart weapons, replicator weapons, khaki goo
Quantum detectors, superintelligent weapons, relativistic projectiles
Strange matter bombs, femtotech infiltrators
Singularity weapons

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

Autocracy / Despotism / Dictatorship

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

Different families or clans rule

themselves. (RE: +1, IC: -1, LO: +1,
SR: -1, CO: -2)
Rule by a single leader with absolute
power. (UA: +1, PD: +3, RE: +1,
SR: -1)
Rule by a single leader constrained
by laws (UA: +1, PD:+2, RE: +2,
LO: +1).
Rule by religious (or other
ideological) authority. (UA: +1, PD:
+2, LO: +3, CO: +1)
Rule by military. (UA: +1, PD: +1,
RE: +1, IC: -1, CO: +2).
Rule by a few (PD: +2, IC: +1, SR: 2, CO: -1)
Hierarchical distribution of power.
(PD: +2, RE: +1, LO: +1, SR: -1)
Rule by elected representatives (UA:
-1, PD: -1, IC: +1, SR: +1)
Rule by administration selected for
their skill or achievements. (UA: +1,
RE: -1, IC: +1, LO: +1, SR: +1)
Society run as a company. (RE: -2,
CO: +1)
No central authority (UA: -2, PD: -3,
RE: -2, IC: +3, LO: -2, SR: -2, CO: 3)
Rule by the rich. (PD: +1, RE: -1,
IC: +2, CO: -1)
The state owns and controls most
activities for the equal good of all
people. Official system usually
republic (UA: +2, PD: -1, RE: -2, IC:
-3)
Randomly selected decision makers.
(UA: -2, PD: -2, RE: -2, LO: -1)
Rule by corporations (UA: -1, RE: -1,
IC: +1)
Rule by experts (UA: +1, PD: +1,
IC: -2, CO: +1)
Rule by bureaucrats, lawyers or
other administrators. (UA: +2, PD:
+1, IC: -1, LO: +1)
Rule by outside or unknown rulers,
such as aliens, high tech rulers or

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

Rule by the old.

Rule by the less complex
The society has two forms of
government. One is a front for the
other.
The form of government is hideously
outdated because of technological
or social developments (i.e. the
Roman Senate under its latter years)
so that other interest groups hold
considerable sway.

Paleocracy

secret chiefs. (UA: +1, PD: +3, RE:

+2, SR: -1)
Citizens subordinate to the race or
state. (UA: +1, PD: +2, RE: +2, IC:
-3, CO: +1)
Decisions made by citizens voting
directly. At TL 7 citizens vote
through the Net, at TL 9 citizens
have direct neural implants and AI.
(PD: -2, RE: -1, IC: -1, CO: -1)
Rule by computers or AI; requires TL
7 or more. (IC: -1, LO: +1)
Rule by mob (IC: -3, SR: -2, CO: -2)
Requires at least TL 8 bionics in
humans. (IC: -4, SR: +3, CO: +4)
Roll twice; the political system is a
mixture between the results (RE: -1,
SR: -1)
Roll twice; different classes or
groups follow different systems (CO:
-1)
Composed of several semiindependent groups. Roll 1D4 times
for their systems. (CO: -1)
Coalition by 1D4 systems in the
middle of a transition from one
system to another. (SR: -2, CO: -2)
(PD +1, LO +2)
Roll for both. If you get this result
again, simply add
another layer) (UA -1 SR -1)
Roll for the dominant alternative. If
you get this result again, treat it as
pseudocracy.

Family Structure
Marriage
1-4

Celibacy

New people are recruited or cloned (CO: -1)

5-12

No marriage

No formalized pair structures

13-40

Monogamy

Pairs of husbands and wives. Divorce may or may not be

possible.

41-48

Polygamy

Marriage involves more than two persons. This may be triads or

more complex patterns.

49-56

Polyandry

A woman marries several men. A variant is that a woman is

inherited by the eldest brother of her husband if he dies.

57-68

Polygyny

A man marries several women. The number may be limited by

law (such as four in many Islamic countries) or unlimited. In
some societies many or nearly all women may be married to
leader(s) in a harem system.

69-72

Line marriage

An inclusive group marriage designed to continue in perpetuity as

new members may be added by mutual consent of the existing
partners, replacing any who leave or die (CO: +1)

73-76

Technogamy

77-84

Free

Marriage or relationships only with artificial beings (children are

either conceived using artificial means or through separate
procreative unions). Requires TL 8. (CO: -1)
No restrictions on marriage type, only regulated through contract
(IC: +2)

85-100

Mix of two systems, roll twice

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

Powerful ideas, Virtues and Sins

In all cultures there are some ideas that affect them strongly, either valued in themselves, as ideals to strive for, threats to fight or
issues keeping the thinkers busy. In an libertarian anarchy, control might be something that is constantly debated and regarded as
evil, while in a uncertainty avoiding society it might be a virtue. Games may occupy philosophers as not just entertainment but as
analogies for how the universe or society works, and how they could be improved, and so on.
Roll 1D4 times on the table of powerful ideas, virtues and sins:
Powerful Ideas (1D200)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.

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:

There is no past, present or future, all times are one.

Time is seen as cyclic: everything that has happened will happen again, either out
of chance or because history will literally repeat itself exactly. (LO: +1)
Time has a direction from good to worse. There was once a golden and silver
age, now we are at best living in a iron age and the future looks dark. (LO: +1)
Things are improving, and progress is (if not absolutely certain) likely or desirable.
The golden age is now or in the future, the past was the dark ages. (LO: -1)
There are different eras, and soon a new era will begin entirely different from the
current one. May be optimistic millennialism (The singularity is coming!) or a
pessimistic wait for the inevitable doom. (LO: -1)
Time is ever branching, ever changing. The future is indeterminate but will be
determined by our actions. (UA: -1)
Time is repeating itself or certain themes, but is also moving towards or away
from a definite point.
Everybody is experiencing their own time, there does not exist any time without
an observer.
A mixture between two randomly selected time concepts.

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

Syncretism (roll twice and mix

results)

93-96

Combination (roll 1D4 religions)

97-100

Several (1D4) competing religions

Religion is suppressed or viewed

with scorn. Roll for primary
counterdependency, i.e. the
religion(s) that are disbelieved.
Multiple deities, ranging from a spirit
world over pantheons to a handful of
gods. (e.g. animism, Egyptian, Greek
and Mithraist mythology)
Everything is part of the divine, or
the divinity is an impersonal force
everywhere.
God(s) exist, but do not intervene in
the world.
A religion seeking to solve human
issues. (Secular humanism,
Buddhism)
Individual revelation and mystical
insight is revered, either through
organized cults, monastic orders or
individual meditation (e.g.
Gnosticism, Mystery cults, Sufism)
A single god exists (or a single god
should be worshipped). (e.g.
Christianity, Islam)
A social goal or state is believed to
be the highest good, and philosophy
and rituals are built on this. Roll for
ethos on the virtue table.
A mixture of religions, combining
elements in new ways (Vodun,
Manicheism, New age)
Several religions co-exist in an
agreed framework (e.g. Shinto and
Buddhism in Japan)

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

Religion is regarded with scorn.

Religion is regarded as unimportant.
Religion is regarded as a private, somewhat embarrassing matter
Many different levels of religiosity are accepted.
Religiosity is assumed, but varies greatly
Religion is a strong force for practically all people (CO: +1)
Religion is regarded as mandatory, but some are less zealous (UA: +1 CO: +1)
Everybody is a believer (CO: +2)

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

Based on deterrence and revenge. An eye for an eye

Based on the tenets of a certain religion (likely the main religion of the society).
Based on some ethical concept of what is right or wrong.
Legal system based mainly on economic restitution.
The legal system seeks to undo crimes and make sure they do not happen again.
The legal system does what is practical for groups with influence.
The legal system is auxiliary to the political system.
The legal system tends to follow public opinion.
Law is produced by court companies and arbitrators, which are hired by law
consumers. Requires private or polycentric law (or a mixture of one of these with
another system). Different court companies base their laws on different foundations.
Combination of two systems. Roll for both.

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

No government enforcement beyond legitimacy of verdict. It is up

to people to enforce it themselves (CO: -2)

Maximal amount of law enforcement technically and economically

possible (CO: +1)
Enforcement by independent organizations; roll again for
enforcement level. (CO: -1)
Enforcement is different for different groups of people. GMs
discretion. Roll for general level and for major social classes,
ethnicities etc. (CO: -1)

Who judges? Who executes the verdict?

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.

Inflexible writing system:

The writing system is complex and requires long training and memorization. This reduces
literacy and promotes cultural conservatism (LO: +2).

7.

Flexible writing system:

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/

10. Frontier mentality:

The culture either is located at a frontier or regards itself as embodying frontier values. It
values territorial expansion and whatever virtues are regarded as suitable for the frontier. (EX: +2, CO: -1)
11. Conflict adverse:
Direct confrontation on the individual and collective planes is avoided. Disagreements should
either be resolved amiably or handled through proper channels. (UC: +1, SR: +1, EX: -1)
12. Enigmatic:
The culture values mystical expression and metaphor rather than clarity. Outsiders have a
hard time understanding the culture.
13. Major Cultural taboo:
Some object, idea or situation is taboo. It is avoided, it is not discussed and people that has
to be involved in it are shunned. This goes beyond the normal taboos of a society. (UA: +1).
14. Insular professional culture: As a leftover from earlier ages or part of the current system, certain professions (warriors,
doctors, programmers, prostitutes, etc) have a special place in society and their own internal culture that is regarded as
noble or important. (CO: -1)
15. Ritualistic:
The society considers rituals and ceremonies to be important and attack great social
significance to them. (LO: +1)
16. Private/Public:
Something often considered public in our culture is regarded as private (for example eating),
or something private is regarded as public (for example sex).
17. High status creative professions: Creative professions enjoy high status and have more freedom than average citizens (UA:
-1).
18. Low status creative professions: Creative professions have low status and have less freedom than average citizens. (RE:
+1)
19. Dethroning:
A major illusion or paradigm has been shattered the earth is not the centre of the cosmos,
humans are descended from apes or the atom is divisble. Many people feel a great need for certainty, resulting in a
polarization as some seek out traditionalistic views and other embrace the new (LO: -1)
20. Limited literacy:
Literacy is not as widespread as it would normally be, usually concentrated to certain social
or professional groups. In technologically advanced societies this would correspond to a concentration of technological
literacy. (PD: +1)
21. Warrior culture:
As a legacy from the past or due to current events, the society regards itself as a warrior
society. It does not have to be particularly violent, but anything associated with martial matters has higher status.
22. Trader culture:
society.

As a legacy from the past or current situation, the society regards itself as a merchant

23. Academic society:

society.

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.

The society has formed an alliance with another culture.

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)

21. External threat as unifying factor (UA: +1, CO: +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:

The government has strong popular support (SR: +1)

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

21. Baroque political system:

The political system is overly complicated, ritualistic or contains elements inherited from
earlier regimes. Decisions are made slowly (if at all), routine matters are handled relatively efficiently but unusual issues
immediately causes trouble (PD: +1, UA: +1, LO: +1).
22. Political involvement:

The citizens are interested and if possible involved in politics (PD: -1, CO: +1)

23. Past government:

Another political system has been influential in the past, and some groups either cling to it
or try to bring it back. Roll for which political system it is.
24. Overspecialization: The political system is highly specialized, with departments handling narrow issues.
25. Redundancy:
Several different functions of government are responsible for the same tasks. This causes
intragovernmental conflicts
26. Pharmocracy:
The rulers spread or support the spread of drugs in order to keep the citizens in line. At lower
technology levels this is merely passivating, at higher levels this can affect reality perception and direct thoughts in suitable
directions. If you also roll war on drugs, it means there is a competing interest (SR: +2)
27. Utopia pretensions: The society claims to be utopia or that it is close to utopia. Questioning this is often taboo, disliked or
even prohibited (LO: +2, EX: -1)
28. Dystopian government: Members of the leadership really hate their citizens. An interest among rulers is to worsen the
conditions for the citizens (although they might not see it that way), perhaps due to an ascetic ideology, religious ideals or
in acquiring wealth for themselves.
29. Split government: Two parts of the same same political system are in feud with each other, for example president and
parliament or state and church. They may at times act independently of each other, essentially constituting two
overlapping systems. (SR: -1 CO: -1)
What kinds of people are the rebels and outcasts of this society? How does society deal with them--prison, exile, decapitation,
reformation, etc?
Who are the arbiters of ethics (as opposed to law)? How did they get to be arbiters? Who are the arbiters of the social milieu? Ditto,
ditto.
What political positions are considered conservative? Liberal? Unthinkable?
Does it require a license to be something?
Which occupations are most respected? Which are most looked down on? Why?
Which peoples/countries/races have been in conflict in the recent past? Why? When and why was the most recent war? Who won?
Who is still mad about that?
People
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.

Virtual arena of interaction:

Face to face meetings are less important; letter writing, semaphores, phones or the
Internet. Note that this increases the societys resistance to pandemics somewhat, while making it more vulnerable to infowar.

8.

Seafaring:

The society has a long maritime tradition.

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.

Abundant natural resource:

A resource such as oil, fissible material or ivory has been so abundant that it has stimulated
wasteful overuse of it, and the establishment of this use as a part of culture.

2.

Scarce resource:

3.

Resouce crisis:

4.

Demand discovery

5.

Clothin dep on climate

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.

A cold climate has promoted an indoors society. Architecture tends to be enclosed.

10. Ecological disaster

11. Pets:

Pets are very popular and common

12. Past Pandemic:

13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.

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.

Inventive. + 1 TL + modifier for researchers and technicians as appropriate.

8.

Standardization problems:

9.

Golden age of engineering:

Due to recent technological advances scientists and engineers enjoy increased social status
and their views on everything (including culture and society) are given greater weight.

Lack of standards make use of technology less efficient and somewhat risky (EX: -1)

10. Technological backlash:

Either due to a change in philosophy or some spectacular disasters, there is a widespread
skepticism towards technology and its practitioners.
11. Commercial limits: Due to the lack of a strategic resource such as uranium or lack of investment capital, technological
development has been curtailed in one or more fields.
12. Commercial bubble: A hype surrounds a certain field of technology, making it extremely attractive to investors regardless
of real potential.
13. Technological access limitations:
technologies.

Certain groups of people (women, priests, lower classes) may not use certain

14. Great tool:

A certain general tool (knife, computer, nanoassembler) has been perfected and refined under long
time, not just becoming efficient but also acquiring great cultural significance.
15. Information disaster:
A large chunk of knowledge has been wiped out due to library fires, internet corruption or
by being lost in the indexing systems.
16. Centralized power distribution:
energy monopolist(s) (PD: +1)

The power distribution system is highly centralized, giving significant power to the

17. Limited eugenic policy:

A policy (either governmental or cultural) seeks to increase or decrease the incidence of a
certain trait in one group (an ethnic minority, criminals, nobility) and marriage and reproduction is monitored. At higher
TLs this may involve genetic engineering or nanodesign. (IC: -1, RE: +2)
18. General eugenic policy:
A policy (either governmental or cultural) seeks to increase or decrease the incidence of a
certain trait in the population and marriage and reproduction is monitored. At higher TLs this may involve genetic
engineering or nanodesign (IC: -1, RE: +1)
19. Researcher scarcity: For one reason or another, there is a huge shortage of skilled researchers or engineers.
20. Bad maths:
Mathematics has not developed to the same extent as the technology, resulting in a more fractured
view of human knowledge. Inventions are made using craft or skilled experimentation, but there are no general theories.
21. Mathematically advanced: Mathematics has advanced broadly (possibly for non-technological reasons such as philosophy,
religion or entertainment), making science and technological development advanced. (TL +1)
22. Automated defense systems: Defense is largely or wholly handled by automatic processes. The defense systems may have
their own agenda or vested interests, depending on who built them (if so, roll on the ideas table to see what guides the
ADS).
Economics
1.

Propaganda:

The media lends themselves for propaganda, either govermental, corporate or other institutions.

2.

Mature media consumers:

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.

Bad economic policy:

The government or market has instituted a policy, while reasonable on paper in practice
turns out to produce negative effects.

9.

Strange economic policy:

An economic policy is shaping the economy in an unexpected strange direction. For
example, floating cities are being built for tax reasons.

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)

13. Communal ownership:

Goods are owned not by individuals, but by families, clans or communities. (IC: -2)

14. Ownership bans:

Certain groups (women, slaves, monks, philosopher-kings) are banned from owning either
certain goods or anything at all, and must subsist on other institutions.
15. Organized crime:
(SR: -1).

Criminal organizations wield great power, possibly undermining the political or legal system

16. Destruction ban:

Destruction of property is banned, and handled only through certain institutions.

17. Gift economy:

People give each other gifts and help to the extent that mutual gifts provide a sizeable or majority of
the income (IC: -1, LO: +1, SR: +1).
18. Slavery: Bonded labor or the commodization of human life is a common feature of the economic system. It increases
social stratification and stifles technical growth. (PD: +2, RE: +2)
19. Trade culture:
on TL).

The society has a long history of trade, with skilled merchants, bankers and stockbrokers (depending

20. Trading route:

(UA: -2)

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.

Optimistic outlook on life:

The local philosophy has an optimistic outlook (UA: -1)

2.

Pessimistic outlook on life:

The local philosophy has a pessimistic outlook (UA: +1)

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:

Agreeing with the official view is important. (PD: +1)

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)

18. Human nature is good:

Humans, when left to themselves, will in general do the right thing. Hence they can be
trusted and imposing an outside will on them is in general not necessary (PD: -1)
19. Human nature is evil:
Humans are untrustworthy or easily seduced by evil. Hence their actions must be guided by
an enlightened despot, philosophers, priests or a strong governnent (PD: +1)
20. Conflict seeking:
Conflicts are the foundation of progress. Social darwinism, market competition, hot debates
or even physical conflicts are promoted as ways of improving things (UA: -2, SR: -1)
21. Paranoia: Suspicion is strong and common; people tend to imagine there is someone behind everything and that secret
groups control most major events (UA: +1)
22. Providentialism:
People feel secure, since there is something looking out for them be it the government, deities or
just good luck (UA: -1).
23. Underlying value:
the idea table.

The societys main ideas, virtues and vices all emanate from a single concept or thesis. Roll once on

24. Webers folly:

Categorization runs amok: everything is categorized into classes, categories and sets and of course
into subcategories and subsubcategories.

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

The society seeks to avoid outside contact (EX: -2)

The society seeks to expand and embraces foreign contacts (EX: +2)
Suspicious of outsiders
Facinated with outsiders

Resilient colonial bureaucracy

Brewing war:
Current war
Cultural war
Cold war
Economic war
Infowar
Recent war
Subjugated
Ally
Dominant power
One of two powers in bipolar order
Insignificant
Trading ties
Sanctions
Lax exit/entry controls
Harsh exit/entry control
Meddelsome security service / services
Target for covert operations
Neutral ground (serves as meeting place for other cultures)
Krleksaffr annan kultur
conventions, ceremonies of war

Non-military means of defence (economic)

As above (diaspora)
As above (infowar)
As above (M.A.D.)
Diaspora

Other
http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/Book/contents.html
http://www.guildcompanion.com/scrolls/2000/may/landtosubsistance.html