UNDER

SAFFRON SKIES

AN ADVENTURE SITE
ON A REMOTE MOON
by MICHAEL MASBERG
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS CREDITS

INTRODUCTION 4 WRITING, TRANSLATION & LAYOUT
Michael Masberg
THE MOON RUBAN 5
COVER ART
SAFFRON’S SKY 9 Midjourney AI

PEOPLE OF RUBAN 13 MAP ART

Vincent & Janine Modler
STORY SEEDS 21
INTERIOR ART
Midjourney AI, Sergei Tokmakov

SPECIAL THANKS TO
Ricarda, Tina, Jens and Tony.
This adventure site wouldn‘t exist without you!

MORE THANKS TO
Thomas Römer and Benjamin Voigt

Original material © 2023 by

Pig of Spades, a label of Michael Masberg
www.michael-masberg.de

Buy me a cup of coffee and support the creation of more

RPG books!
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This work contains material that is copyright Fria Ligan

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VERSION 1.01
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

Welcome to the moon Ruban! Almost forgotten, it orbits a gas giant on the edge of a
remote system, far from all significant trade routes. Yet - or perhaps because of this? -
people have settled here. They call their settlement Saffron’s Sky. And it is a place full of
INTRODUCTION

secrets, dangers, and hidden conflicts.

THE MOON RUBAN and the then still nameless settle- The result is a scenario location in the tradition of the
ment were part of our campaign. Integrated into a larger Mahanji Oasis or the Hamurabi portal station. A place
narrative, a scenario location with exciting characters far away from the great centres of the Third Horizon.
rose from the silvery desert sands to keep the player And an example of how much waits beyond the Coriolis
characters (PC) busy for several sessions. space station and the Monolith of Kua.
That was a long time ago. Our crew moved on to explore I wish your crew and you an exciting time under the saf-
the mysteries of the Third Horizon in other systems. But fron skies of Ruban and hope that its inhabitants will be
the memory of Ruban and the people there remained. So as memorable to you as they are to us.
I decided to reprocess the original material and publish
it.
I have changed some details, mainly to make the setting
work outside the larger narrative of our campaign. Some
echoes - which will probably only my group recognise
- can be found in the descriptions of the backgrounds,
locations, and characters.

4
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

Far away from the burning centre of the system, a sulphur-yellow gas giant is ponderously
moving along in its orbit. Its only companion is a habitable moon. There, a saffron-co-
loured sky stretches across a cold desert of grey and black sand. This is Ruban, hardly
THE MOON RUBAN

noticed and yet full of secrets.

THE MOON RUBAN may not play a role in the great in-
trigues and power games of the Third Horizon. Very few
people have ever heard of it. Yet it is important to the
people who have made it their home. And beneath its
surface, it hides lost knowledge that goes back to the
time of the Portal Wars.

WHERE IS RUBAN LOCATED?

You can position the moon Ruban in the orbit of
any gas planet. The Third Horizon knows many
fitting star systems, but it shouldn‘t be close to
heavily frequented trade routes. A suitable op-
tion is Dziban, which is also very isolated due to
the authoritarian rule of the Mematurge. We as-
sume exactly this system for our description but
will only mention it occasionally. How the Coloni-
al Agency managed to get the Mematurge‘s per-
mission for the colony is another story. Perhaps
the mysterious ruler has no interest in the remote
moon. Or he secretly plans to lure new subjects
into his system and under his rule. THE MOON RUBAN

DIAMETER: ca. 7.000 km

GRAVITY: 0,6 G
CHARACTERISTICS
ATMOSPHERE: Respirable
The term “moon” may be misleading. With a diameter
TEMPERATURE: Moderate
of 7,000 km, Ruban dwarfs many planets. (For compari-
son: Lubau in the Kua system measures less than 5,000 GEOSPHERE: Dry world
km in diameter, and even the acid planet Jina is only a POPULATION: Several hundred residents
few hundred kilometres smaller than Ruban). But in the
shadow of the enormous gas giant it orbits, it can only SPACE PORT: Primitive airstrip

be a dwarf.

e LOW GRAVITY
PCs who are not used to a low gravity environment suf-
fer a –2 penalty to all DEXTERITY, FORCE, and MELEE
COMBAT rolls.
e GREY DESERT, YELLOW SKY
Ruban’s rotation is bound, so it always turns the same
side to the neighboring gas giant. All settlements are on
this side. Due to the bound rotation, the colonists do not
know day or night but an eternal planetary day. The twi-
light under which the people live on Ruban is sometimes
brighter and sometimes darker, depending on whether
the gas giant reflects the distant sunlight or filters it
through its gas. The differences are marginal, however.
The colonists follow the usual cycle of work, leisure and
sleep used on space stations. The local nomads use the
four watches, too, but they are shorter by one hour.
The twilight sky of the moon has the color of saffron.
The only settlement owes its name to this fact: Saffron’s
Sky. Ruban’s surface, on the other hand, is characterized
by grey deserts and black rocks, and this interplay of
dark ground and yellow twilight intensifies the surreal
feeling.
The air is breathable but cold and dry and may initial-
ly cause slight respiratory problems for susceptible in-
dividuals. In addition to the vast deserts and ominous
towering rock domes, some lakes exist. Their water is
warm, mineral-rich and is black but drinkable. Neverthe-
less, the settlers of Saffron’s Sky have made it a habit to
purify the water of their lake before using it.

5
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
THE MOON’S OTHER FACE
Ruban‘s other side never faces the gas giant. It
has actual days illuminated by the distant sun
and bitterly cold nights when the moon enters
the planet‘s shadow – as well as extended peri-
ods of twilight in between. Since Ruban takes ab-
out 15 standard Kuan days to circle the gas giant
once, the phases are very long.
HISTORY
For eons, no human set foot on Ruban. The first settlers
turned to other planets and moons. So, undisturbed and
lonely, Ruban followed the mighty, nameless gas giant
on their shared journey through the night.
e THE ARRIVAL OF THE MUSHARADIN
By the end of the Portal Wars, humans arrived on Ruban
for the first time: the ancestors of today’s nomadic
Musharadin tribe. They were fugitives from the Odacon
system and had left for the unknown in the face of the
devastating last battles. It is unknown how long their od-
yssey lasted, but they finally reached the remote moon
(probably around -95 CZ). Here they vowed to repent
and live a quiet life in the shadows in the name of the
Acquiescent – the only Icon they worshipped from then
on. Ruban and its eternal twilight, must have seemed to
them like a promised land.
The fugitives established a first permanent settlement
on the shores of a lake. But a few years later, a schism
arose between those who wanted to build something
new and those who desired a restless life. The second
group moved into the desert as a nomadic tribe. The
two groups came together rarely to commemorate their
shared past and mourn those who had died. These hap-
penings took place in the Caverns of the Silent Dark-
ness, a predominantly underground place of worship in
a rocky area southwest of the settlement.
The settlement did not last long. Around -80 CZ a plague
broke out and killed many people. The survivors fled to
their nomadic relatives, and the old settlement has been
left behind for decay.
Three decades later, the Caverns of the Silent Darkness
were abandoned at the behest of the Musharadin high
priest of the time. He did so following insights from the
study of ancient lore that it was the tribe’s duty to build
a new temple (as a successor to the old temple left be-
hind by their ancestors in the Odacon system) after a
certain period of repentance. This very temple was to
bring new calamity upon the Musharadin.
6
e THE SACRILEGE OF THE DABBA
In 19 CZ, the missionary ship Dabba of the Order of the
Pariah set out from Zalos to spread the word of the Mar-
tyr along the Sadaal route. After Aiwaz and Errai, the
ship finally reached the Dziban system and was guided
by the will of the supreme icon to a remote moon under
a yellow sky. The faithful were surprised to find signs of
habitation and eventually a temple on the supposedly
uninhabited moon.
The missionaries believed in finding here signs of early,
misguided worship of the Martyr. Especially the relics
kept in the temple, which the ancestors of the Mushara-
din had rescued from the Odacon system, aroused their
desire.
Eventually, a fierce confrontation started, and the
Musharadin had no chance against the well-equipped
Zalosians. The Order’s missionaries “saved” the relics
and “cleansed” the temple. In short, they burned it down
and stole the relics before leaving the moon to continue
their journey.
THE DESTINY OF THE DABBA
This incident never became known outside Ru-
ban. The Dabba left the system through the por-
tal towards Ghodar but never appeared on the
other side. The Dabba has been missing for over
40 cyclades, and its crew has long since beco-
me a footnote in the Order‘s chronicles as nearly
forgotten martyrs. Was it a punishment for the
icons? Or was there a cursed artifact among the
stolen relics? Should the Dabba ever reappear,
perhaps at the other end of the Horizon, what
fate might have befallen the crew?
e NEW ARRIVALS
Four decades after the terrible incident, the Musharadin
are tested by destiny again. After studying the moon, the
Colonial Agency has decided to build a new settlement
to mine the raw materials hidden in the sand. The Ze-
nithian project does not enjoy much support from the
factions. But it is being pushed forward by the ambitious e
Core Rulebook:
colonial agent Jarros Kumbra, who has commissioned Jarros Kumbra,
page 21
his sister Damata to carry it out. His calculation is sim-
ple: because of the remote location, he hopes for little Damata Kumbra,
page 13
interference from other factions while at the same time
creating a shining example that will make other ambi-
tious projects in similarly remote regions of the Third
Horizon more likely.
So far, this vision did not come true for many reasons.
For example, the support from the Colonial Agency af-
ter the first waves of settlement is modest, new trade
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
routes or even contracts with transport ships have hard-
ly been established, and additionly, tensions are grow-
ing within the colony with the poetic name Saffron’s Sky.
The unpleasant climate and the perpetual twilight put
additional strain on the settlers. Recently, a terrible ca-
tastrophe occurred when the spaceship Tahwida, which
was supposed to bring new colonists to the moon, ex-
ploded during the landing approach.
Meanwhile, the Musharadin have gone unnoticed by the
newcomers, even as rumors spread of djinn and other
spirits said to roam the soot-blackened ruins of a for-
gotten culture. Yet, the nomads watch the settlers of
Saffron’s Sky very closely. And among them, voices de-
mand that they abandon the paths of the Acquiescent
and act before new misfortunes befall the tribe.
SIGNIFICANT SITES
Human settlement by Musharadin and colonists is limit-
ed to a comparatively tiny area on the moon. Therefore,
feel free to add more exciting locations as your crew
embarks on voyages of discovery.
e SAFFRON’S SKY
You can find the full description of the Saffron’s Sky
starting on page 9.
e CURSED RUINS
The Dabba raid has left only grime-blackened rocks from
the new temple of the Acquiescent. For the people of
Saffron’s Sky, the grime rocks are both a mystery and a
taboo. Since unexplained incidents have occurred near-
by, the Icon priest Abu Aziz has issued a general ban
on approaching this place of darkness. Even the Dust
THE ACQUIESENT
The Acquiescent is the only Icon the Musharadin
worship. They know of no others, though a faint
echo of the usual Icons reverberates in their
worship of the spirits of wind, sand, and water.
As in many ancient forms of worshipping, the
Acquiescent has two sides: “the Silent Suffe-
rer” (hiding in darkness) and “the World bearing
Shoulders” (on which the community rests). This
worship dates back to the flight of the Mushara-
din ancestors from the Odacon system, which
ultimately stranded the small community on the
moon Ruban. In the process, among other things,
an early interpretation of the Judge mixed with
nomadic mystery worship of the Faceless One
and an identity-forming narrative of their desti-
ny. The more animistic office of the high pries-
tess also shows the nomadic influence.
7
Worms gang does not venture too close to the north-
eastern site on their dares.
From a distance, the rocks do not reveal that they once
concealed a religious site. An experienced person in-
specting the area can see that heavy naval guns caused
the destruction.
Not much of the inner complex remains. Most of the
rooms collapsed, and the bombardment destroyed
most evidence of religious worship. Moreover, the spir-
its of the murdered Musharadin walk around here.
Because of this, the site is considered taboo even
among the nomads. However, not some restless ances-
tors but the nomads are responsible for the incidents
that make the sand runners of the newcomers give the
sooty rocks a wide berth.
THE CAVERNS OF THE SILENT DARKNESS
e
Deep in the desert lies a rock formation, and beneath it,
the sacred site of the Musharadin. The caves date back
to the beginnings of the first settlement. Here, the first
high priests recorded the story of expulsion, flight, and
new beginnings, and the worship of the Acquiescent be-
gan in the lightless caves.
A labyrinth of burial caves surrounds the inner sanc-
tuary. Here rest the dead of the first settlement in the
valley of Saffron’s Sky. Today, the Musharadin still bring
their deceased to the caves.
The deeper you go, the eerier the passages become. In
the very depths, living statues watch over the Chronicles Use the stats of
sentinels for the
of Endurance. Wall paintings and inscriptions in ancient living statues.
Odaci recount the odyssey that led to Ruban, a confes- e
sion of the Acquiescent’s religion. Core Rulebook:
Sentinel, page 332
GETTING THE PCS
INVOLVED
You can find some suggestions here if you don’t know
why the PCs should go to Ruban.
e FOR THE COLONIAL AGENCY
If the players have chosen the ambitious colonial agent e
Jarros Kumbra as their patron, he can send them to Core Rulebook:
Patron and
Ruban to see what’s going on there. The settlement pro- nemesis, page 20
ject is no longer well-liked within the Colonial Agency, so
Jarros will have to exert his resources to make Saffron’s
Sky a success.
e AGAINST THE COLONIAL AGENCY
Saffron’s Sky has caught the interest of another faction.
They want to learn more about it and ask the PCs to
investigate. This angle works fine with an appropriate
UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

patron or if Jarros Kumbra is the crew’s nemesis. Once

landed, they are drawn into the stories of the colony.

e LOOKING FOR SOMEONE

Some colonists have cut ties with their previous life. And
for some, the past catches up with them – this time in
the form of the PCs. Maybe it is a concerned relative
who asks the PCs, or they are looking for a wanted per-
son (rightly or wrongly) among the settlers.
This NPC may even be a relative or have some other per-
sonal relationship with a crew member. Likewise, this
NPC may possess specific information that the crew
needs as part of their quest. Since communication with
Saffron’s Sky is difficult, their only option is to go directly
to Ruban and talk to the person.

e EXPLORER
The story of the Dabba, traces of the Musharadin and
their escape from the Odacon system, their odyssey
through the horizon, or other archaeological clues may
point to Ruban. Of course, the colonial agent Damata
Kumbra won’t allow every crew that comes along to dig
around on “her moon” – not to mention the taboos de-
clared by the Icon priest Aziz Khalaf about some seem-
ingly cursed area near Saffron’s Sky. Damata is pragmat-
ic enough to offer a settlement - if the PCs help her with
one of her problems.

e EMERGENCY LANDING
Dziban’s portals are unstable. Should their spaceship be
damaged after a portal jump, the PCs may not want to
encounter the Mematurge and their mind-wrapping cult.
But there is an entry about an independent colony in the
database …

e COLONISTS
The PCs are colonists and may have come to Ruban
with the last wave. This angle puts Saffron’s Sky at the
center of your campaign. The PCs are introduced to the
issues and conflicts of the setting in a tangible scope
and can make a name for themselves locally. Perhaps
later, they will follow the call for adventure and explore
the Third Horizon.

8
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
Under a yellow twilight sky surrounded by grey deserts, some brave souls try to build a
new existence. For some of them, it is their last hope.
SAFFRON’S SKY
THE COLONY SAFFRON’S SKY is a young foundation
of the Colonial Agency, which hopes to profit from the
hopes or despair of colonists. Far from competing fac-
tions, a prosperous settlement shall relieve the moon
of its valuable raw materials. But the investments are
not yet paying off, and the financiers are losing interest
in the project. More and more, the settlers are on their
own. Saffron’s Sky is at a crossroads: Will the settlement
become a home for the people thrown together, or will
there be nothing more of it than ruins in the sand soon?
OVERVIEW
Saffron’s Sky sits in a sheltered valley that opens to a
black lake to the northeast. High rock walls surround it
on all other sides.
The valley extends over three terraces. The northern-
most level is the lowest and the largest, and the rock
walls rise highest. After some promising analyses by
local prospectors, mine shafts has been dug into the
rocks.
The actual settlement lies on the two southern terraces.
It is obviously only the beginning, and Saffron’s Sky shall
one day fill the entire valley. But the present is far from
such a future.
Almost all the buildings are from prefabricated modules.
These are costumised according to the skills and re-
sources of their inhabitants. Everything is still quite new
but equally provisional and sometimes cheap. It is as
if influential voices in the Colonial Agency do not quite
believe in their narrative of a successful settlement.
Since the wind in this region often blows from the south,
most buildings huddle in the shadows of the southern
cliffs or below the uppermost terraces.
e THE SPACE PORT
The name is a joke people like to tell in Qabel’s cantina.
The primitive airstrip is outside the valley, about a quar-
ter of an hour’s walk away. It is a rocky plateau suitable
for shuttles and up to two Class III starships. But usually,
only the free freighter Kizan lands here.
The landing area offers a tool shed, a generator module,
and a terminal that can contact the settlement.
e 1: THE UNFINISHED GATE
The colonial agents were amazed when they found trac-
es of a previous settlement when they probed the moon.
This fact, too, favoured the approval of the project.
9
SAFFRON’S SKY
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: -55°C to 5° C, depending on
which side of the planet the moon is on.
POPULATION: around 300 colonists
GOVERNANCE: As a foundation of the Colonial Agency,
the administration is the responsibility of the colo-
nial agent Damata Kumbra. However, the priest Aziz
Khalaf disputes her influence.
LAW AND ORDER: So far, no militias have formed. The
colonists look out for each other, maintain peace
and defend the colony.
IMPORTS: Spare parts, medicine, meat, entertain-
ment.
EXPORTS: Copper, nickel, silicon.
One such legacy stands at the only viable access to the
valley. Where the rock walls divide, a large archway rises
up built from the local dark stone. Analyses have shown
that it is over 150 cyclades old and thus must date from
the first decades after the Portal Wars. Unfortunately,
there is no evidence of its builders. The dark grey stone
is smooth and unadorned, and the carved niches are
empty. Some call it the “unfinished gate”. They wonder
what fate befell the builders, since they obviously could
not finish their work.
The more pragmatic natures among the colonists have
installed fluorescent tubes under the arched ceiling
of the gate, their yellowish light glowing ghostly in the
dusty atmosphere.
e 2: THE ADMINISTRATION CENTRE
Directly opposite the gate rises a circular module that
towers above most other modules. This building is the
Damata Kumbra,
bureau of the colonial agent Damata Kumbra. page 13
A circular hall in front occupies the ground floor, which
serves as a community hall during meetings and oth-
er communal occasions. The dome-shaped upper floor
houses Mrs. Damata’s office and private chambers. The
Asifa,
orphan Asifa also lives here. page 13
e 3: SANDRUNNER HALLS
To the left, behind the Unfinished Gate, is a large vehicle
and machine hall built from several connected container
modules. A large roll-up door protects the interior from
Ruban’s weather. The settlement’s sandrunners are
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

11

8
10
7
6

4
2
1

TO THE SPACE PORT

10
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
parked and maintained here, massive crawlers that sift
through the sand for valuable raw materials.
The people who drive the crawlers also call themselves
sandrunners. They are both hard-boiled and supersti-
tious. Among themselves and in Qabel’s cantina, they
spread stories of the ghostly velvet skulkers and other
sightings on their lonely journeys in the twilight.
The spokesman for the sandrunners and chief techni-
Dalil Rouz,
page 15
cian of Saffron’s Sky is the choleric Dalil Rouz. His out-
bursts of rage are legendary and are directed against
everything and everyone. Sometimes his anger’s target
The Kizan’s crew,
is the inability of the colonial agent or the crew of the Ki-
page 16 zan to get reasonable spare parts for the crawlers, then
Rask Rouz,
it is the machines or at his child Rask.
page 15
e 4: STOREHOUSES
Opposite the sandrunner hall is another complex built
from several container modules. Here are the mined raw
materials stored until they are shipped onto the Kizan
to leave the moon. One might think that they would be
particularly secure because of their valuable content.
The opposite is the case. For whom should thieves sell
their loot?
e 5: QABEL’S CANTINA
The social heart of Saffron’s Sky is Qabel’s Cantina. The
furnishings are as simple as the drinks and food, but the
cantina has no competition. Yet the 40-year-old, beard-
ed Qabel dreams of a more luxurious interior and better
offerings. This dream made him give up his job at Lance
Station in the Zhau system to find happiness in the new
colony.
Ruban’s ubiquitous sand is found everywhere in the
fibres of cheap carpets, in the upholstery of the used
seating units, and not infrequently in the food. Qabel’s
guests - mainly sand runners and fishers who stop here
at evening watch to leave the day’s work behind - don’t
care.
At other hours, the cantina is almost empty. Only the
drunkard Khorim shows up for morning watch. He was a
hard-working, respected sand runner and more popular
than the chief technician Dalil. There were even voices
that would have preferred him as foreman. But when the
colony ship Tahwida crashed, Khorim lost his fiancée
Mayla, who wanted to join him. Khorim never got over
this loss. The once very devout first settler blames the
icons for his misfortune.
Otherwise, the Dust worms are here during the day
watch. They are a gang of Ruban’s youth who kill time
in the cantina and dream of a future that will take them
away from Saffron’s Sky.
11
THE CRASH OF THE TAHWIDA
The colony ship Tahwida brought all the colonists
now living in Saffron’s Sky to Ruban in three wa-
ves, but a fourth arrival ended in disaster. Even
after three segments, it is still unclear what actu-
ally happened. What is certain is that the ship ex-
ploded when it entered the atmosphere. All co-
lonists vividly remember the enormous fireball in
the sky and the desperate search operations of
the following weeks. Not only the worker Khorim
lost an awaited person. It is truly a miracle that
the girl Asifa survived and was found after days,
wandering confused in the desert, even though
she has not spoken a word to this day. The de-
bris of the Tahwida that did not burn up spreads
over a vast area far to the north on Saffron’s Sky.
The emerald disc with the flight data has still not
been found.
e 6: THE HAMMAM
Lady Jasmin Shalhoub’s bathhouse – or hammam –
is another place for settlers looking for diversion or to
get rid of the sand for a few hours. No one knows what
brought Lady Jasmin to Ruban, but she came with mon-
ey. Her hammam is one of the most magnificent build-
ings in Saffron’s Sky on the inside. Mosaic tiles adorn
the floor and columns, and an elaborate projection
paints the starry skies of distant planets on the ceiling.
Because of this splendour alone, the rumour persists
that Lady Jasmin is secretly an agent of Ahlam’s Tem-
ple who is supposed to keep a close eye on the Colonial
Agency’s plans.
e 7: THE ICON TEMPLE
At the beginning of each watch, Abu Aziz’s prayers blast Aziz Khalaf,
page 14
from the loudspeakers placed around the central tower
of the icon temple. The inferior sound quality distorts
his words, which soon overlap with the echoes from the
valley walls. And yet all the colonists who can’t visit the
temple pause and immerse themselves in dialogue with
the icons.
For the evening watch prayer, most people of Saffron’s
Sky come to the temple and kneel on the carpets that
cover the metal floor. Heavy, ornate tapestries from
Mira depict the icons as shepherds of humanity, guiding
them through the darkness. A grey curtain hangs in the
place of the portrait of the Faceless One.
The more arduous life in Saffron’s Sky becomes, the
more Father Aziz gains influence. His sermons of trial,
humility, and reward fill the void left by the unfulfilled
promises of the Colonial Agency.
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
e 8: THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE
At the foot of the artificial ramp that connects the top
terrace in the east with the level below lies the module
Yaver Makal,
page 16
of Doctor Yaver Makal. The colony doctor is an eccen-
tric who, outside of his work, stays away from the other
colonists and keeps windows and doors firmly closed.
However, he his skilled and has often been able to help.
e 9: FISHERY
A fishing facility lies on the shore of the (still nameless)
pitch-black lake. The fishers cast their nets or harvest
the dark brown algae every day. Plans to populate the
lake with other life forms are no longer pursued. Howev-
er, the native catfish are very nutritious and form a pillar
in the colony’s supply.
12
e 10: THE ARBORETUM
A hydroponic system under a misted dome provides a
habitat for plants and animals. The master of the gar-
den is the one-armed first settler Zalika from the Pillar
Quadrant.
e 11: THE MINES
The (potential) wealth of the colony lies in the copper
and nickel deposits. The first mines are at the northern
end of the valley. Many colonists work here. Machines
do most of the work, but they need regular maintenance.
The lack of spare parts makes people inventive. This sit-
uation also causes tensions with the sand runners.
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

Life in and around Saffron’s Sky is shaped by two groups: the newly arrived colonists and
the nomadic tribe, calling the moon of Ruban home for generations.
PEOPLE OF RUBAN

THIS CHAPTER DESCRIBES the most important CHARACTER: Determined to prove herself. Sometimes
NPCs. Please use the generic stats on page 343 in the condescending, but honestly concerned about the col-
Core Rulebook for other NPCs. ony.

IN THE COLONY ATTRIBUTES:

STRENGTH 2, AGILITY 3, WITS 4, EMPATHY 4

HIT POINTS: 5

MIND POINTS: 8

REPUTATION: 4

SKILLS: Command 2, Culture 2, Manipulation 3

TALENTS: Faction Standing (Colonial Agency)

ARMOR: —

WEAPONS: —

GEAR: Communicator, tabula

DAMATA KUMBRA, COLONIAL AGENT

Damata manages the settlement on behalf of the Co-

lonial Agency. She is the sister of colonial agent Jarros
Kumbra. It was mainly due to her brother’s influence that
the Agency entrusted her once again with a colony. Her
last venture – a mining colony on a moon in the Zhau
system – ended in disaster. Out of love for a smuggler,
she got involved with the Syndicate, which de facto took
over the colony.
Damata knows that Saffron’s Sky will not bring her glory,
yet it is her last chance to regain the respect of her fam-
ily. She cares for her colony but struggles with Abu Aziz
Khalaf’s growing influence. Her desire to eradicate the ASIFA, ORPHAN
missteps of the past often makes her seem harsh and
When the colony ship Tahwida exploded, no one expect-
aloof. As a result, she risks to provoke new conflicts.
ed survivors of the disaster. Nevertheless, the colonial
Recently, she has taken on the orphan girl Asifa, who
agent Damata sent out search party after search party.
was miraculously the only person to survive the crash
Finally, among the cooled wreckage, they found a young
of a colony ship. Unable to have children of her own,
girl who miraculously survived without serious injuries.
she sees Asifa as a gift from the Icons and defends her
Damata took care of the orphan, who has not spoken
against the influence of other settlers.
a single word since. Since all records of the new arriv-
als were destroyed in the crash, no one knows the girl’s
APPEARANCE: 41 years, slightly bloated face, examin-
name. Damata calls her Asifa, after her sister, who died
ing, sometimes condescending look
in infancy.

13
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

THE TRUTH: Asifa has never been aboard the Tahwida.

Her real name is Kadima, and she is the daughter of Sha-
rif Fenuku, leader of the Musharadin. The high priestess
of the nomadic tribe foresaw the crash of the spaceship
and convinced Fenuku to let his daughter infiltrate the
colony. Secretly, “Asifa” is supposed to spy on the colo-
nists and prepare an attack. But after living with them,
she sees the strangers with different eyes.

APPEARANCE: 10 years, pale, skinny, green eyes

CHARACTER: Withdrawn, does not speak. Secretly, she

is torn between her mission and the feelings she has
developed for the colonists.

ATTRIBUTES:
STRENGTH 1, AGILITY 3, WITS 3, EMPATHY 3

HIT POINTS: 4

MIND POINTS: 6

REPUTATION: 1 (4 for Musharadin) ATTRIBUTES:

STRENGTH 3, AGILITY 2, WITS 3, EMPATHY 4
SKILLS: Dexterity 2, Infiltration 1, Observation 2,
Survival 1 HIT POINTS: 5

TALENTS: Rugged, The Dancer’s Talent MIND POINTS: 7

ARMOR: — REPUTATION: 5

WEAPONS: — SKILLS: Command 1, Culture 2, Manipulation 4

GEAR: Faceless’ talisman (INFILTRATION +1) TALENTS: Blessing, Faction Standing (Curch of the
Icons)

AZIZ KHALAF, MISSIONARY OF THE ICONS ARMOR: —

Abu Aziz is one of the first colonists. He sees it as his WEAPONS: —

destiny to be a shepherd to the people of Saffron’s Sky GEAR: Tabula with religious texts, Merchant’s talis-
– much to the displeasure of the colonial agent Damata man (MANIPULATION +1)
Kumbra.
In his view, everything in life is a test of the Icons. Bad MADAME LAREZA, SPOKESPERSON
things happen to those who do not follow their rules.
No one knows why Lareza set out at an advanced age
And those who experiences bad things, did not follow
to join the colonisation of a remote moon – and what in-
their rules. Either way, they deserve it. Therefore, the
fluence she must have possessed to be allowed aboard
crash of the colony ship Tahwida is an immediate inter-
the first colony ship. She doesn’t talk about it, and no
vention of the Icons that saved the young colony from
one else knows her from her previous life.
sinful people.
However, Madame Lareza, with her understanding na-
Given the life full of deprivation on the moon Ruban, his
ture, quickly became a spokesperson for the settlers,
teachings find great appeal, especially among the sand
representing the interests of ordinary people against
runners.
Lady Damata and others in power. Even the influential
people of Saffron’s Sky turn to the old woman for advice
APPEARANCE: around 50 years, shaved head, close-
when they need it. She seems to care only the commu-
set eyes under merged brows
nity’s welfare.
CHARACTER: Domineering, fanatical and demanding.
APPEARANCE: 72 years, small, almost blind, needs a
Perceives life as a test, in which only the teachings of
cane to get around
the Church of the Icons are meaningful.

14
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
CHARACTER: Emphatic listener and intelligent advisor
with a lot of life experience.
ATTRIBUTES:
STRENGTH 1, AGILITY 2, WITS 4, EMPATHY 5
HIT POINTS: 3
MIND POINTS: 9
REPUTATION: 6
SKILLS: Culture 1, Manipulation 4, Observation 3
TALENTS: Judge of Character
ARMOR: —
WEAPONS: —
GEAR: Cane
DALIL ROUZ, CHIEF TECHNICIAN
The colony’s chief technician is also the akbar of the
sand runners. And even these hardboiled natures prefer
to avoid Dalil when he throws one of his infamous tan-
trums. However, he also knows his profession. The fact
that the sand runners can do their job is due to Dalil’s
talent for improvisation.
Unfortunately, he lacks the same skill in dealing with
people. This inability is especially noticeable to his only
child Rask, with whom he is often at odds. Perhaps also
because Rask is all he has left.
Before coming to Ruban with the second wave, Dalil
worked at the Hamurabi portal station. Three years ago,
he lost his wife in an accident, and since then, he has
increasingly lost control of his mind. After an incident at
Brahani’s Cantina, he had to leave the station. He hopes
15
to build a new existence on Ruban and offer Rask a bet-
ter perspective.
APPEARANCE: 37 years, strong, bull-necked, broken
nose
CHARACTER: Choleric and distrustful.
ATTRIBUTES:
STRENGTH 5, AGILITY 2, WITS 3, EMPATHY 2
HIT POINTS: 7
MIND POINTS: 5
REPUTATION: 3
SKILLS: Force 3, Melee Combat 3, Technology 4
TALENTS: Gearhead
ARMOR: —
WEAPONS: Baton (+2, damage 1, CRIT 3)
GEAR: Advanced tools (TECHNOLOGY +1)
RASK ROUZ, REBELLIOUS TEEN
Rask merely wants to leave. They never wanted to come
here in the first place. They only knew life on the Hamu-
rabi portal station and dreamed of distant star systems.
Now they live on a rock in one of the most remote cor-
ners of the Horizon. Their life couldn’t be worse.
And their father, Dalil,, is solely responsible for this sit-
uation. The fact that they have inherited from him the
choleric temper does not make their relationship any
easy.
Together with their peers, they founded the Dust Worms
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
gang with them as the leader. The youngsters engage in
daredevil races with self-tuned grav bikes and care little
for the rules of the adults.
APPEARANCE: 17 years, dark curls, big nose
CHARACTER: Short-tempered and impatient. Wants
nothing more than leaving the moon.
ATTRIBUTES:
STRENGTH 3, AGILITY 3, WITS 3, EMPATHY 2
HIT POINTS: 6
MIND POINTS: 5
REPUTATION: 2
SKILLS: Dexterity 2, Pilot 2, Technology 1
TALENTS: The Gambler’s Talent
ARMOR: —
WEAPONS: —
GEAR: Tuned grav bike (PILOT +2)
YAVER MAKAL, COLONY DOCTOR
Yaver is the doctor of the colony. However, he was not
recruited through the Colonial Agency but came to Saf-
fron’s Sky aboard the Kizan. He rarely talks about his
past, but few settlers do.
Yaver’s secret is that he escaped the Mematurge of Dzi-
ban. The tyranny he has experienced all his life, right into
his subconscious, made him nearly mad. The fact that
no one in the colony suspects this is due to the fact that
he has likewise learned all his life to maintain a facade.
16
He fears nothing more than the day when the
Mematurge’s hirelings catch up with him. Whether the
latter will even happen to Doctor Yaver is a different
question.
APPEARANCE: 34 years, bald, glasses, exhausted
CHARACTER: Calm and friendly towards patients. Be-
hind the facade highly paranoid. Tendency to have night-
mares.
ATTRIBUTES:
STRENGTH 2, AGILITY 3, WITS 5, EMPATHY 3
HIT POINTS: 5
MIND POINTS: 3 (reduced due to past experiences)
REPUTATION: 5
SKILLS: Infiltration 2, Manipulation 2, Medicurgy 4
TALENTS: Soothing
ARMOR: —
WEAPONS: Scalpel (INIT +1, damage 2, CRIT 1)
GEAR: Doctor’s bag with herbal remedies for 15
treatments
THE KIZAN’S CREW
Ships of the Consortium rarely come around. Even the
Colonial Agency sometimes seems to forget about its
colony. An important reason for the survival of Saffron’s
Sky is Captain Fekhda Samm and his space freighter Ki-
zan. He regularly flies to the moon, bringing spare parts,
data disks with proxy dramas, and other goods that the
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
settlement needs. In return, the ship picks up raw mate-
rials and sells them in neighboring systems.
FEKHDA SAMM, AKBAR OF THE KIZAN
Captain Fekhda is a deeply religious man who rarely
decides without first having an inner dialogue with the
icons. He feels responsible for the colony, just as he
feels obligated to his crew. However, he is not someone
who shows feelings openly.
The colonial agent Damata would like to break away
from her dependence on the Kizan, as Fekhda gets
along too well with Abu Aziz for her taste. Fekhda gladly
chooses sides with the missionary and refuses to de-
liver goods that Abu Aziz declares to him are a moral
danger to the settlement.
APPEARANCE: 52 years, thin moustache and goatee,
religious tattoos
CHARACTER: Deeply religious. Taciturn. Fearless.
ATTRIBUTES:
STRENGTH 2, AGILITY 4, WITS 3, EMPATHY 4
HIT POINTS: 6
MIND POINTS: 7
REPUTATION: 4
SKILLS: Command 3, Culture 2, Ranged Combat 3
TALENTS: Executioner
ARMOR: 1 (Flightsuit)
WEAPONS: Vulcan pistol (+1, INIT +1, damage 2, CRIT 2)
17
GEAR: Personal communicator, Judge’s talisman
(COMMAND or RANGED COMBAT +1), Tag with 2,500 birr
HAMIT YRDAS, PILOT OF THE KIZAN
The bulky pilot of the Kizan comes from Algol and is loy-
al to his Akbar. He is the opposite of Fekhda: big, loud,
and careless. However, both men share a deep faith in
the Icons and an aversion to narcotics. In Hamit’s case,
the latter has its origins in his past. Before finding peace
in his faith, he was addicted to drugs, which he now calls
“temptations of the darkness”.
APPEARANCE: 48 years, bulky, graying beard, wide grin
CHARACTER: Loud and rumbling. Makes inappropriate,
crude jokes.
ATTRIBUTES:
STRENGTH 4, AGILITY 3, WITS 3, EMPATHY 3
HIT POINTS: 7
MIND POINTS: 6
REPUTATION: 3
SKILLS: Force 3, Melee Combat 2, Pilot 4, Ranged
Combat 2, Technology 1
TALENTS: Intimidating
ARMOR: 1 (Flightsuit)
WEAPONS: Vulcan carbine (+1, damage 3, CRIT 2),
Mace (damage 3, CRIT 3)
GEAR: Personal communicator, Tag with 1,500 birr
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
BINAYLA NOOK, MACHINIST OF THE KIZAN
Binayla has been aboard the Kizan for only a few seg-
ments. The young woman originally came from Sadaal
and fled from there after she experienced strange pre-
monitions. She was shocked to discover that she was
afflicted with the mystic disease. Of course, she hides
it from Fekhda. She knows he will throw her off the ship
as soon as he finds out. At the same time, she feels safe
on the Kizan: Fekhda treats her respectfully, and Hamit
(some inappropriate jokes aside) watches over her like
a big brother. She felt never so welcomed. Neither with
her family nor during her work on the docks. And yet, the
fear remains that her cursed gift will undo all that.
APPEARANCE: 21 years, long hair, black eyes
CHARACTER: Quiet and insecure.
ATTRIBUTES:
STRENGTH 3, AGILITY 4, WITS 4, EMPATHY 4
HIT POINTS: 7
MIND POINTS: 8
REPUTATION: 2
SKILLS: Dexterity 2, Infiltration 2, Manipulation 1, Mystic
Powers 1, Technology 3
TALENTS: Defensive, Premonition
ARMOR: 1 (Flightsuit)
WEAPONS: Vulcan pistol (+1, INIT +1, damage 2, CRIT 2)
GEAR: Personal communicator, advanced tools
(TECHNOLOGY +1)
18
THE KIZAN
The Kizan is a well-maintained, albeit older, freighter
model, which is no longer built like this today. The front
resembles a cross between a visor helmet and a flat
waterfowl beak. The boxy midsection tapers aft to the
propulsion system, which makes up nearly a third of the
design. Although this gives the Kizan a rather unconven-
tional appearance, it can accelerate considerably. That
– combined with the flying skills of the pilot Hamit – has
saved the freighter and its crew from corsairs and other
dangers more often than the modest armament.
CLASS: III
ENERGY POINTS: 5
HULL POINTS: 6
MANEUVERABILITY: +2
SIGNATURE: 0
ARMOR: 5
SPEED: 3
MODULS: Docking station, cabins, cargo hold (3x),
chapel, stasis hold, workshop
FEATURES: Atmospheric entry, sensitive sensors, turbo
projector
EXTRA GEAR: Accelerator cannon, countermeasure
dispenser
THE MUSHARADIN
The Musharadin live such a secluded life that the colo-
nists are not known of their existence. Conversely, the
desert nomads have the newcomers very well in mind.
KHEPRI, HIGH PRIESTESS
The duty of the High Priest of the Acquiescent has long
been in Khepri’s family. Her father also served. Growing
up, he witnessed the desecration of the temple and the
murder of his father by the Dabba crew. Never forgetting
this experience, he passed on his hatred of everything
foreign to his daughter. The arrival of the colonists
strengthened this hatred, and she sees it as her destiny
to destroy the strangers.
This view is contrary to the actual beliefs of the Musha-
radin, who worship the Acquiescent as their only Icon.
Their highest principles are silent suffering and accept-
ing fate. Therefore, the Sharif is still hesitant to comply
with the demands of the high priestess.
Khepri descends deeper and deeper into the darkness
of her soul. Recently, she has taken back the oldest and
original place of worship of the Musharadin and stud-
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

ied the ancient inscriptions. She believes the period of

FENUKU, SHARIF OF THE MUSHARADIN
penance once imposed on her ancestors is now nearing
its end. The sharif of the Musharadin has deeply internalized the
The white helmet She also found a white helmet in the old temple, hidden Acquiescent’s principles: The tribe suffers for the acts
is a symmetry
by her ancestors. She soon discovered that the helmet of their ancestors and accepts the privations of life on
helmet, as decri-
bed in Artifacts &
enhances her innate abilities to gain insight into the fu- the desert moon quietly and without complaint. There-
Technology.
The built-in ture. With its help, she predicted the Tahwida catastro- fore, the arrival of the colonists is another test for him
mystical power is
phe. However, she does not realize that the darkness in – and the Musharadin will bear on their shoulders.
Prediction.
her heart distorts her predictions and shows her only But the high priestess Khepri succeeded in sowing
what feeds her hatred. doubts about the secluded, peaceful way. So he was
persuaded to place a spy in the colony: his daughter
APPEARANCE: 23 years, ritual scars all over the face, Kadima. Secretly, he hopes to find a way out without
golden glow in brown eyes bloodshed, without losing the blessing of the ancestors
and those Musharadin who listen to Khepri’s incitement.
CHARACTER: Manipulative and hateful.
APPEARANCE: 37 years, tall, skinny, booming voice

ATTRIBUTES:
STRENGTH 3, AGILITY 2, WITS 4, EMPATHY 4
CHARACTER: Thoughtful. Speaks rather rarely.

HIT POINTS: 5
ATTRIBUTES:
MIND POINTS: 8 STRENGTH 4, AGILITY 3, WITS 3, EMPATHY 4

REPUTATION: 5 HIT POINTS: 7

SKILLS: Culture 2, Manipulation 4, Mystic Powers 3, MIND POINTS: 7

Survival 2
REPUTATION: 5
TALENTS: Malicious, Prediction, Rugged
SKILLS: Command 3, Melee Combat 3, Ranged Com-
ARMOR: — bat 4, Survival 4

WEAPONS: Ritual knife (INIT +1, damage 2, CRIT 2) TALENTS: Combat Veteran, Rugged

GEAR: Symmetry helmet ARMOR: 2 (light primitive armor)

WEAPONS: Sword (+1, damage 2, CRIT 2), throwing

spear (+1, INIT +1, damage 1, CRIT 2)

GEAR: Compass (SURVIVAL +1), water bottle

19
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

MUSHARADIN WARRIOR ATTRIBUTES:

STRENGTH 4, AGILITY 4, WITS 3, EMPATHY 2
The warriors of the Musharadin are used to a life full of
privation in the desert. They usually avoid confrontation HIT POINTS: 10

and know how to move so skillfully that their existence MIND POINTS: 5
has been a secret until now.
REPUTATION: 3
The Musharadin have only a few firearms with a limited
amount of ammunition. These are for the best warriors, SKILLS: Infiltration 3, Melee Combat 3, Ranged Com-
and the sharif decides their use. The weapons are old bat 3/4, Survival 3
long rifles. NPCs equipped with these weapons have the TALENTS: Rugged, Tough
skill RANGED COMBAT 4.
ARMOR: –

NAMES: (f) Nabirye, Shukura / (m) Patah, Usi / (d) Jen- WEAPONS: Sword (+1, damage 2, CRIT 2), throwing
spear (+1, INIT +1, damage 1, CRIT 2), long rifle (damage
dayi, Malam
2, CRIT 2, single-shot)

GEAR: Water bottle, blanket

20
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES
Saffron’s Sky is insignificant for the major factions and power centres of the Third Hori-
zon. For the people, who want to build a future here, it is everything they have.
STORY SEEDS
THE PCS HAVE have many opportunities to influence
the fate of the colony. Ruban is far away from the polit-
ical and mercantile centres. And this means that their
actions have an even hugher influence on the develop-
ments. At the same time, the moon of Ruban offers the
possibility to experience the conflicts of the Horizon on
a small scale.
COLONY STORIES
The colonists of Saffron’s Sky come from all corners of
the horizon. They are Firstcomes as well as Zenithians.
Believers meet pragmatic natures, and secret or shady
biographies nurture further conflicts. Amid this tense
atmosphere of a more or less voluntary community that
has yet to find itself as such, the PCs enter the scene.
e THE SABOTAGED FREIGHTER
Someone sabotages the Kizan. A few hours before the
freighter leaves the moon with containers full of raw ma-
terials, an explosion happens in the cargo hold, tearing a
hole in the outer hull. The repairs are costly, and limited
materials make them difficult.
This event can happen just before the PCs arrive. They
land their ship next to the damaged Kizan and meet its
troubled crew.
Stories soon spread in the colony that there may be a
connection with the Tahwida crash (there isn’t). These
rumours cause trouble for Abu Aziz, who preaches that
the catastrophe was a judgement of the icons to save
the settlement from impure souls. Captain Fekhda, on
the other hand, is always held up as a shining example
by Abu Aziz.
An investigation reveals that an improvised (amateur-
ish) explosive device hidden in one of the cargo contain-
ers was responsible for the blast. Chief technician Dalil
is quickly the main suspect because he recently clashed
with Fekhda over not delivered but urgently needed
spare parts. But does a planned ambush suit the noto-
rious choleric?
In truth, Dalil’s child Rask is behind the attack. However,
they only planned to teach Fekhda a lesson, as the cap-
tain does not want them to join the crew. Yet Rask wants
nothing more than to leave Ruban. They are ashamed
but do not dare to turn themselves in.
The deeper truth is even more complicated because
Rask is only a tool. Lady Damata has persuaded the teen
that Fekhda has rejected him. She wants to get rid of
Fekhda (in business terms) because his friendship with
21
Abu Aziz weakens her position. Unfortunately, the con-
tract binds her. And Fekhda threatens to stop flying to
the moon if he is not wanted.
e THE PARANOID DOCTOR
Is Doctor Yaver’s paranoia perhaps justified after all? Yaver Makal,
page 16
Anyhow, it is triggered by all visitors of Saffron’s Sky, in-
cluding the PCs. His fear may provoke the doctor to do
dangerous acts.
However, it could also be that the insidious program-
ming of the Mematurge lies dormant in Yaver’s subcon-
scious - a kind of prepared revenge against dissidents.
This mind mem can manifest itself in any way that fits
your narrative. Perhaps a murderous mind takes over
when Yaver sleeps, spreading fear and terror through
the colony. As the only medicurg, Yaver will naturally as-
sist the PCs in the investigation, unaware that he is hunt-
ing himself. The other self will naturally take advantage
of this and sabotage the group if possible. The Kizan,
page 18
e SHADOWS FROM THE PAST
Most colonists have left behind a past they prefer to
keep quiet about. But for some, the past catches up with
them. Every secret revealed endangers the solidarity of
the young community. Not all are willing to allow others
the new beginning they seek for themselves or even to
forgive them.
e THOSE WHO DIED HERE BEFORE US
Aziz Khalaf,
page 14
Decades ago, people settled on Ruban already but left Fekhda Samm,
page 17
hardly anything behind. Who were they, and what hap-
pened to them? Is the Unfinished Gate the memorial to a
fate that awaits Saffron’s Sky?
A plague killed the people who built the gate. If it breaks
out again, it will threaten the colony, which has only Dalil Rouz,
page 15
modest medical resources. The nearest developed plan-
et is far away, and only a fast ship can reach it in time.
The origin of such a plague need not be on Ruban (but
the water of the lake or certain animals that live in it
could cause it). Likewise, a new colonist may have Rask Rouz,
page 15
brought a contagious disease to the moon.
e DARKNESS AMONG US
The so-called mystic disease spread fear in this far cor-
ner of the horizon. This fear can lead to a veritable witch
Damata Kumbra,
hunt for many reasons, especially if someone discovers page 13
the mystical powers of the machinist Binayla or a PC. Binayla Nook,
Abu Aziz will fuel the anger with his sermons. page 18
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

OLD HATE e ASIFA AND THE CREW

When the crew enters the settlement, Asifa will watch
The Musharadin and the plan of their high priestess
Khepri, them secretly. Eventually, the PCs should notice her.
Khepri are perhaps the biggest threat to the small colo-
page 18
Since she does not speak, she will not answer any ques-
ny. At the same time, it is a danger the colonists are not
tions and will run away at the first opportunity.
even aware of. And even less do they suspect that there
The PCs can learn Asifa’s story from the people of Saf-
is a spy in their community.
fron’s Sky. And they can meet her again at Lady Dama-
e THE PLAN OF THE HIGH PRIESTESS ta’s office.

Khepri is full of a deep hatred of everything foreign. She e PLANS AND REALITY
wants to ignite a bloody conflict in which the Mushara-
Asifa is behind schedule with her task - the murder of
din destroy the alien settlement down to the last person.
Damata. Therefore, Khepri sends a nomad warrior to the
Khepir had a vi- She foresaw the Tahwida crash and convinced Sharif
sion of the crash, settlement to remind the girl of it. Asifa wants to take
but she did not Fenuku of the plan to infiltrate his daughter Kadima into
cause it. action during the following night watch. She succeeds
The true reason the colony as a supposed survivor of the catastrophe.
in knocking Damata down from behind without being
might never be The mission the girl has received from Khepri is unmis-
uncovered and is seen. But as she raises her dagger, doubts overcome
up to you. takable: she is to spy on the colony in preparation for
her. She flees into the night and leaves the blade next to
Fenuku, an attack and eventually weaken it by killing the Sharif
the unconscious colonial agent.
page 19 or Sharifa. Khepri suspects that such an act of blood
Shortly afterward, Damata is found (by the PCs?). It
For Kadima, see provokes actions by the foreigners. In her darkness-fed
Asifa, page 13 seems that unknown attackers have struck her down
view of the world, this will ignite the desired conflict in
and kidnapped Asifa. Another mystery is the dagger,
which the Musharadin will get rid of the then leaderless
which does not belong to anyone in Saffron’s Sky and
colonists.
resembles a nomad weapon (CULTURE). Is there more
e THE SILENT GIRL to the legends about the velvet skulkers in the desert?
Damata tasks the crew to find the girl and her kidnap-
So far, Khepri’s plan is working. The settlement assumes pers. You can stage a nerve-wracking search in the twi-
that the girl they found at a crash site and named As- light desert. Perhaps Asifa has even lost her way in her
ifa is the only survivor of the accident. They think that confusion and made a misstep so that she needs rescue
Like all Mushara- the girl does not speak because of her trauma. “Asifa” from a threatening situation (which would, of course, fa-
din, „Asifa“ speaks
a difficult-to- quickly identified Damata as the leader of the foreigners vour a later encounter with her father). An ambush by
understand
nomadic dialect and sought her company. Damata - whose own desire to the Musharadin is also an option.
that evolved from have children remained unfulfilled - was only too happy
Odaci without
outside influence to take care of the supposed orphan. e RESOLUTION
over the past 120
cyclades. If she But then something happened that the high priestess
The end of this conflict is entirely in the hands of the
ever spoke, her did not foresee: Asifa did not get to know the people of
cover is blown PCs. Can they mediate between the Musharadin and the
immediately. Saffron’s Sky as enemies. She was lovingly welcomed
colonists, or will misunderstandings and prejudices lead
and cared for. Although she does not understand the
to a bloody clash? The most dangerous opponent of a
language of the strangers, she sees that they are no
peaceful solution is the High Priestess Khepri, whose
better or worse than the Musharadin. This experience
authority even Sharif Fenuku finds hard to resist. But
caused an inner conflict that tears the girl apart: the
Abu Aziz can also add fuel to the fire. Anything is pos-
word of the high priestess is her law; moreover, she
sible, from a confrontation in which everyone loses to a
knows about the responsibility she bears for the tribe as
peaceful coexistence of colonists and nomads.
the eldest daughter of the Sharif. At the same time, she
suspects that the Khepris’ plan will bring suffering to all
those she cares about.

22
 UNDER SAFFRON SKIES

SECRETS OF THE MOON e SONGS OF THE SPHERES

Mystics sometimes develop a strange affinity with the
Even beyond Saffron’s Sky and the conflict with the
gas giant that Ruban orbits. As if lured by a distant siren
Musharadin, the moon Ruban carries the seeds of ex-
song, they wander out into the desert and often to their
citing stories.
doom. They swear to hear a distant song of the spheres
e THE FORGOTTEN WRECK that echoes from the swirling gas layers of the neigh-
bouring planet.
At the twilight border lies a long valley. Rusty ribs pro- The Musharadin have known about this (rare) phenom-
trude from the sand at its bottom. Here landed the enon since their arrival. They leave the called ones to
spaceship that brought the Musharadin ancestors to themselves. When they return, they are considered
Ruban a century and a half ago. Everything recycla- equally blessed and cursed and often assume the dig-
ble was removed. Over the decades, the ship skeleton nity of the high priest. The colonists have not yet expe-
became more and more covered by the sand that the rienced it, but it is only a matter of time as the song has
winds blew into the valley. recently gained strength.
That is why the probes of the Colonial Office did not
discover the wreck when they scanned the moon. But
perhaps the PCs will find it. The valley is off-limits to the
Musharadin, as is the other side of the moon. They have
long forgotten what lies in the valley.
The discovery of the wreck can put the PCs on the track
of the Musharadin, if they do not yet know that the col-
onists are not the only human inhabitants of the moon.
Likewise, the wreck can be the key to understanding
the origin of the Musharadin. And perhaps there is still
something valuable (or dangerous) hidden there.

23
 CONTINUE THE ADVENTURE!
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HYAENAS OF ODACON
AN INTRODUCTORY ADVENTURE FOR CORIOLIS

The Odacon system, where some of the most terrible battles of the
Portal Wars took place. An ancient treasure awaits the crew, which
could solve all their problems – or seal their doom.
HYAENAS OF ODACON is a short, action-packed introductory adven-
ture for CORIOLIS – THE THIRD HORIZON. It takes you to one of the
darkest corners of the known universe: the doomed system of Odacon.
You and your crew will enter the cursed ash belt to salvage a long-for-
gotten relict. But this is only the beginning of a dark tale. What begins
as a mysterious treasure hunt turns into survival horror.

The PDF comes with five brand new pre-generated characters!

ETERNAL LURKS THE DARKNESS

UNDERSTANDING DARKNESS POINTS

Written with years of experience in GMing CORIOLIS – THE THIRD

HORIZON, this supplement will help you get more out of Darkness
Points. It deepens your understanding of this unique Year Zero meach-
nic and shows you how to use them without it being arbitrary.
You will also find over 70 new possible uses for Darkness Point, clearly
sorted according to different situations. Also, there are more general
tips and tricks, a new talent as well as three brand new creatures of the
Darkness just waiting to haunt your crew.

The Revised Electrum Edition improved and extended the content of

this highly recommend supplement for CORIOLIS – THE THIRD HO-
RIZON.