"If one searches far enough, in the dark vastness of space one can find virtually any wonder.
- excerpt from Directions by Lukaas Benden
Overview
The Spectre is a flat disk-world about 100 miles (160 kilometres) in diameter and 10 miles (16 kilometres) thick at the edge. Viewed from above, it is almost perfectly circular. As it orbits around Oerth, it rotates along its horizontal axis, like a tossed coin. This is why it appears to "wink" when viewed from Oerth; when it turns edge-on to the observer, at any distance at all, it appears to disappear. The Spectre also spins around its central axis. One complete rotation takes 35 standard days. This means that the point where the sun rises and sets changes with time.
The Spectre’s atmospheric envelope is elliptical in cross-section. At the center of the planet's disk, the atmosphere extends 30 miles (48 kilometres) above the planet’s surface, while near the edge, it extends only 5 miles (8 kilometres) above the surface. Beyond the planet’s edge, the atmosphere extends perhaps 5 miles (8 kilometres) into space along the plane of the world. This is also the extent of the Spectre's gravitational field. The planet has a gravity plane, just like a spelljamming vessel. Anything or anyone who falls off the edge of the world will drop to the gravity plane, about which they will oscillate for a while. Due to the nature of the gravity plane, the object or person will move slowly toward the periphery of the atmospheric envelope. When it reaches the edge, the object or person will fall free of the planets' gravity, into the vacuum of wildspace.
The Spectre's gravity field varies in strength, but averages a little more than Oerth normal. Near the edge of the world, gravity is about 10% less than Oerth normal. As one moves toward the center of the world, gravity slowly and steadily increases. Twenty-five miles from the edge (or exactly halfway between the edge and the center), gravity is exactly Oerth normal. As one approaches the high ice-capped mountains at the center, gravity increases again, and the rate of increase becomes greater. At the center of the disk, standing on top the highest peaks of the planet, gravity is one and a quarter times Oerth normal.
The disk-worlds' atmosphere is just like that of Oerth. However, at around 4,000 million miles (6,437 million kilometres) from the Sun, the Spectre is a cold, dark and dreary place. The average daytime temperature rarely exceeds 35° F (1.7° C) and drops to 0° F (-18° C) at night. Even at the brightest noon, Liga’s light is no more than that of a new moon on Oerth. Night is only marginally darker than day because of the brilliant light of the stars. Some of the stars are so bright, in fact, that they can be seen in the dark purple skies of day.
The geography of the Spectre is similar to that of Oerth. There are saltwater seas, lakes, plains, rolling hills, and mountains. The largest mountains are located at the center of the disk, on both sides, rising to elevations of well over three miles (4.8 kilometres). The tallest peaks are permanently snow-capped and cloud-covered. Moving outwards from the center, the mighty peaks become low foothills, which are in-turn, surrounded by shallow saltwater seas. Then come the plains, which extend outwards almost to the edge of the world. The edge itself boasts an intermittent rampart of low mountain peaks. These small peaks are no more than 1000 yards (914 meters) or so tall. The Spectre is not volcanically active, although the mountain peaks indicate that it must have had some activity at some point in its history. The Spectre does not have a magnetic field, so navigation by compass is impossible.
In the areas of the plains and the seas, the Spectre’s weather patterns are gentler than on Oerth. Near the edge however, and in the mountains of the center, weather conditions are more extreme than on Oerth. Note that the Spectre is so cold, particularly in the mountains, that precipitation will usually fall as snow, sleet or hail.
Inhabitants
The disk-world has no native lifeforms. Sages have put forward various theories as to why this should be, but no one really knows. However, this does not mean the Spectre is uninhabited. Many spacefaring races have set up outposts, trading centers, even small military bases on the planet. Since it is halfway between Oerth (the geometric and social center of the system) and the crystal sphere, it is often used as a way-station for vessels visiting Greyspace from other spheres.
Currently there are six outposts on the north face of the Spectre, and a further four (or possibly six) on the other. On the north face, there are outposts established by three independent human trading groups, a small Elven Imperial Navy base named Tranmielé; a dwarven mining operation set up in the central mountain range; and a gnomish base near the edge of the north face.
On the south face of the disk-world, near the edge, is an Illithid outpost named "Skulls-in-a-Row". In the central mountain range are two beholder hives, while a third hive is located in the rampart at the disks edge. All three beholder groups belong to different nations, but, although skirmishes occasionally break out, the creatures have yet to go to war with each other.
Recurring yet unsubstantiated rumors claim that the south face supports two other outposts as well. One of these is reputed to be a neogi base, while the other may be the hidden base of the Black Company pirates. Various groups, including the Sentinels have scoured the south face for traces of either of these groups, but without success.
Most of these outposts and bases are relatively small, and all are separated by as much distance as the geography of the Spectre allows. There is a great deal of rivalry between outposts, whether based on racial, philosophical, or business differences. The human trading posts are intent on destroying the competitive capabilities of their rivals. The elves would like to see the dwarven miners vacate their holdings and vice versa. And the pirates, the neogi, and perhaps the illithid are constantly making life difficult for everyone else on the planet. Raids and sabotage are the order of the day, along with the occasional assassination.
Trade
Trade is definitely the lifeblood of the Spectre, without which it would probably remain largely deserted. The Spectre possibly has some natural resources, minerals or gems, but only the dwarves seem interested in looking.
Humans
The human trading outposts on the north face are maintained by three independent merchant groups: the Free Traders Group from Oerth, and two trading costers from Realmspace; the Lacross Brothers and Anything Inc. All three have elaborate port facilities for both water- and ground-based vessels. All are welcome, as long as they have trade goods or money, or preferably both. The outposts serve as clearinghouses for trade goods of all types. Depending on what ships have passed through, it is possible to pick up silk from Shou Lung, bronzewood from the Flaeness, silversteel swords from Wayspace, and gnomish gizmos from Krynn, all at the same place.
Elves
Tranmielé is a small military outpost, apparently established as an observation post to keep an eye on goings-on in Greyspace. Presumably the Imperial Navy has an interest in keeping Greyspace peaceful because of the military value of the Greela shipyards. The outpost has a base population of about 50; one man-o’-war and three flitters are always ready to launch at a moments notice. From time to time larger vessels, including the occasional armada, will put in at the outpost. The base is considered restricted territory. Only authorized personnel can come within a mile of it, and only authorized ships may land or even pass overhead. The base is so well defended by both mundane and magical weapons that it would require a major assault to overwhelm the defenders.
Dwarves
The dwarven miners have apparently found something of value in the central mountains of the north face. The taciturn dwarves will not discuss with anyone what they have found there, and any attempt to trade with them is rudely rebuffed. Whatever the dwarves are mining is shipped offworld on dwarven cargo vessels which put into the mine on a regular basis. The dwarves restrict access to their mining camp. Any visitors approaching by land are chased off by ax-wielding warriors, while ships attempting to land may find themselves under attack. The dwarves have purchased three huge bombards from the giff, and have positioned them around the minehead to engage any unauthorized vessels. (Certain spacefarers report that several months ago, an elven flitter passed too low over the mine area and was destroyed by a bombard shot. Both the dwarves and the elves deny the occurrence, but it certainly appears that tensions between the two races have escalated.)
Gnomes
"To see a gnomish air-town is to gain a renewed appreciation for solid ground underfoot."
- excerpt from Memoirs of a Far-Ranger by Justin Moot
When the gnomish base was initially established half a decade ago, it sported a floating shipyard supported by an elaborate arrangement of hot-air balloons, and a giant hamster ranch. Unfortunately, much of the original outpost was destroyed when the hamsters escaped and went on a rampage. They destroyed many of the outposts buildings and the floating shipyard was wrecked when the balloons burst. The hamsters then thundered off into the darkness, One fell over the edge of the planet and is believed lost; one drowned in the ocean; two were killed by human traders, fearful of costly damage to their trading concerns; and one is still thought to be loose, although what it can be eating on a lifeless world is something of a mystery.
The current gnomish outpost, named “What-Is-Left-After-The-Tragic-Events–of-Several-Years-Ago", is now home to about 100 gnomes. When the floating dock fell, the outpost’s sidewheeler was destroyed. Since then, the gnomes have been trying to rebuild the ship (if it were not for their love for innovation, the gnomes could have finished the job at least two years ago. As it is the vessel is only half complete, and several designers are lobbying to strip it down and start from scratch.) Outsiders are welcome at What-Is-Left-etc… , but must expect to have gnomes swarming over their ship looking for interesting design decisions that can be incorporated in to the new sidewheeler.
Illithid
The Illithid operate what they describe as a free trading station, named "Skulls-in-a-Row". Merchants of all races are welcome to put in at "Skulls-in-a-Row", and buy and sell trade goods. Generally, prices are lower than at the human outposts, but the selection is nowhere as good. Also the illithid appear to have little interest in the concept of 'rightful ownership', and will gladly buy and sell stolen goods. Part of the outpost is closed off, forbidden to unauthorized personnel (meaning to anyone but the illithid.) Many people suspect that humans and other races are kept here as “cattle” for the mind flayers. Unsubstantiated reports also claim that neogi vessels have been seen approaching Skulls-in-a-Row, suggesting that illithid are involved in the slave trade.
Satellites
The Spectre has a single moon named Olarius.
Olarius
Olarius is a tiny barren moonlet covered in permafrost.
Appendix
See also
- Vorith Axelhode, the merchant in charge of the Free Traders outpost on the north face of the Spectre.
- Meriado, a senior administrator at the gnomish outpost on the Spectre.
External Links
- Oerth article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
- Greyspace at Beyond the Moons (the official Spelljammer website)