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[[Image:JovianChronicles2Cover.gif|thumb|right|Cover of the ''[[Jovian Chronicles]]'' core book as of 2005]]
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'''Jovian Chronicles''' is a [[science fiction]] [[game]] setting published by [[Dream Pod 9]] since 1992. It introduces a complete universe for [[role-playing]] and [[wargaming]] space combat, featuring [[mecha]], giant [[spacecraft]] and epic space battles.
The setting was originally published as a pair of licensed supplements for the ''[[Mekton]]'' [[role-playing game]]; IANVS Games released the two volumes (''Jovian Chronicles'' and ''Europa Incident'') in 1992. This first edition is known amongst fans as the "Green Edition" because of the color scheme of its cover design.
The game was re-published as a full-fledged game line in 1997 by [[Dream Pod 9]], this time using their own in-house rule system. This edition, and all subsequent ones, are known as the "White Editions," though several of the supplemental books feature a dark blue starfield cover.
==The Setting==
The game world shows one possible future, a time in which Mankind has expanded and settled the [[solar system]], going as far as [[terraforming]] [[Venus]] and [[Mars]]. The colonists living around [[Jupiter]] are at odds with the government of [[Earth]], driving much of the series' intrigue. The [[game]] features a blend of action/adventure and hard-science space colonization facts. The books are based on plausible technical details to maintain a realistic [[hard science fiction]] setting.
'''Mercury''': a small settlement, whose main exports are high quality electronics and [[metal]]s. [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] is the headquarters of the powerful Merchant Guild, an association of companies which provide most of the transportation throughout the system.
'''Venus''': [[terraformed]] by a consortium of corporations, Venus is now a marginally [[habitable planet]]. The Venusian upper class and their workers live in polar [[arcologies]], surrounded by terraforming processors.
'''Earth''': damaged by centuries of [[overpopulation]] and [[civil wars]], the motherworld is home to the Central Earth Government and Administration (CEGA), a [[bureaucratic]] planetary government that believes the [[Earth]] should lead the solar system.
'''Orbital Colonies''': the salvation of many who fled [[Earth]], these are huge [[O'Neill Cylinder|O'Neill]] stations parked at the [[Lagrange points]]. Orbitals are peaceful people who follow CEGA's lead for protection.
'''United Solar Nations''': evolved from the old [[United Nations]] to provide a neutral arbiter between the various settlements. It has a private peace-keeping army, the USN Guard, and an interplanetary law enforcement agency, the Solar Police (SolaPol).
'''The Moon''': CEGA's industrial center, its inhabitants are living in huge complexes buried beneath the soil. Many of Earth's heavy industries were moved there long ago.
'''Mars:''' a divided planet, home to the Martian Free Republic and the Martian Federation. Border clashes between the two are frequent.
'''The Belt''': the [[asteroids]] are populated by mobile nomad communities, each a micro-society of its own.
'''Jupiter''': home to refugees from Earth. The enormous [[space stations]] of the Jovian Confederacy were the first to develop and field exo-armors. Thanks to the resources of the Jovian sub-system, the Confederacy is the richest nation in the solar system.
'''Titan''': the largest moon of [[Saturn]] is the farthest human settlement. It is the main source for complex [[hydrocarbon]] compounds and plays an important role in the industries of the solar system.
==Anime Inspirations==
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[[Image:Pathfinder mecha.gif|thumb|right|The iconic ''Pathfinder'' Exo-Armor from ''[[Jovian Chronicles]]'']]
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Many recent Western cartoon shows and games have anime styling. ''Jovian Chronicles'' also features anime-inspired artwork, though most of the technical elements (ships, stations, equipment, etc.) are illustrated with computer art.
Exo-armors are one of the main hooks of the series. They are personal [[mecha]], big armored space suits with weapons. The main source of inspiration for the game was [[Gundam]], but also included [[Robotech]]. ''Jovian Chronicles'' would be placed in the [[Real Robot]] anime genre.
The series used the art of [[Ghislain Barbe]] who was also responsible for the designs of ''[[Heavy Gear]]'', another of Dream Pod 9's lines with similar inspirations.
==Game Rules==
''Jovian Chronicles'' is currently based on the ''Silhouette'' game engine, a streamlined set of rules that is already described in ''[[Heavy Gear]]'', [[Dream Pod 9]]'s other successful [[science fiction]] game. It can be played as either a [[role-playing]] [[game]], a tactical [[wargame]], or a hybrid integration of both.
The latest edition of the ''Silhouette'' rules is sold separately as a book titled ''Silhouette CORE Rulebook'', which is needed to play the ''Jovian Chronicles'' role-playing game. The wargame uses the ''Lightning Strike II Miniature Rules'', also available separately. The latter is played using miniatures and tabletop terrain, although some players prefer to use hex maps and paper counters.
Both the RPG and miniature games are built on the same basic rule mechanics. ''Silhouette'' is a realistic system that defines characters in terms of 10 base attributes (agility, knowledge, etc.), 5 derived attributes (health, etc), and a variety of skills. Skill rolls make up the backbone of the system, which focuses on effect-based speed of play over grainy detail. The core mechanic involves rolling a number of 6-sided dice, taking the highest result, adding in modifiers for attributes and/or situation, and then comparing it to a set threshold number. If the result is higher than the threshold the test is a success; if it is lower the test is a failure. The margin by which the test succeeded (Margin of Success, MoS) or failed (Margin of Failure, MoF) helps to determine the final outcome. Combat is handled by the same system, with characters taking penalty-inflicting wounds rather than depleting a set number of health points. As a result, the system can be lethal, especially on inexperienced characters.
==External links==
* [http://www.dp9.com/Worlds/jc.htm Official Site]
* [http://www.dp9.com/ Dream Pod 9 (Publisher)]
* [http://www.vectorsphere.com/ Marc A. Vezina (Original Designer; Line Editor 1992-2003)]
* [http://www.qosmiq.com/cdiadrone/ghis/ Ghislain Barbe (Lead Conceptual Artist 1993-1999)]
[[Category:Science fiction role-playing games]]
[[Category:Miniatures games]]
[[Category:Solar System in fiction]]
[[fr:Jovian Chronicles]]
