Editing Setting:Star*Finder (section)

==The Stellar Nations==

Listed below are the thirteen stellar nations founded by the Golarians.  While each nation typically has one or several predominate races that originate from Golarion, it's important to note that even the smallest stellar nations measure their population in the hundreds of billions.  Individuals of every encountered species can be found in nearly every nation, as all but the most xenophobic nations are aggressively promoting themselves to immigrants (to varying degrees of success).  

'''Ability Adjustments and Racial Traits''': Humans in Star*Finder do not receive the normal human racial traits and ability adjustments.  A human character must select a stellar nation as their ancestry and take the traits and adjustments of that nation.

===Austrin-Ontis Unlimited===

Predominant Species: Human and Dwarf with significant Drow minority

One of several "corporate" stellar nations, Austrin-Ontis is the galaxy's leading arms manufacturer.  Founded on an ethos of rugged individualism, the right to carry weaponry holds an almost spiritual significance to Austrins, as does the concept of personal honor. Subject to strict rules, dueling is a legal and accepted method of resolving disputes in Austrin territory.  

For the purposes of governance, every Austrin citizen holds one voting share of stock in Austrin-Ontis Unlimited and with it the right to vote for the company's leadership.  However for a stellar nation the Austrin state is very small relative to its population, and concerned principally with arms manufacturing and the military.  

For a human and dwarven society, Austrin-Ontis has a surprisingly large population of lowborn drow.  While drow are not normally appreciative of concepts such as "honor", the Austrin axiom that civility grows out of the credible threat of violence has its appeal.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': Austrin humans gain +1 Constitution and +1 Dexterity.

'''Racial Trait''': Austrin humans may cast ''Supercharge Weapon'' once per day as an extraordinary ability.  The target weapon must be a small arm, longarm, or heavy weapon without the analog rule. An attack made when the weapon is supercharged in this way uses double the normal ammo.

===Borealis Republic===

Predominant Species: Overwhelmingly Human with extensive use of cloning, Bleachling Gnome minority

The Borealis colony began as a monarchy built upon widespread use of cloning to create a serf underclass.  However, a revolution led to the abdication of the king and the elevation of everyone to peerage, resulting in a meritocracy where social standing is based on academic achievement.  The conclusion of the revolution coincided with the end of the First Galactic War, and in the following years the Republic attracted significant numbers of bleachling gnome immigrants, drawn by the growth in academics in the new nation.  

The Republic continues to practice the widespread use cloning and it is today the only nation to do so.  The majority of Borealian humans are cloned from one of a few hundred source strains, with new strains being introduced roughly once or twice a decade.  While natural procreation isn't restricted or even taboo, most clones regard it as somewhat uncouth.  This is not helped by the fact that many female strains from the monarchy were extensively genetically engineered to weed out disagreeable traits, a point which still casts a shadow over relationships in the Republic even as the abdication fades into history.

Daily life in the Republic is dominated by the interactions of the philosophical colleges.  Part political party and part informal caste, every adult claims membership in one.   Colleges rise and fall over time, with typically a dozen commanding enough popular support to be significant.  The rising upstart is the College of Justice Ethics, drawing support among the military and in remote settlements. Justice Ethics advocates a simple view of society where the survival of the community takes precedence over other concerns.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': Borelian humans gain +1 Charisma and +1 Intelligence.

'''Racial Trait''': Borelian humans have a higher maximum level for Intelligence.  For any level, their maximum intelligence for that level is increased by 2.

===Hatire Community===

Predominant Species: Elf and Halfling with Human minority; cybernetic species virtually absent

The Hatire Community began as a colony of halflings and elves desiring to escape the march of science that had overtaken Golarion.  Seeking a simpler way of life more in touch with their heritage and free from the taint of technology, they dove deep into the depths and found a new world to call home.  Haven, as they would name it, became the prime destination for elves and halflings expatriating from Gol, and is now the largest concentration of them to be found in space.  

Eventually the Hatire became aware that they were not the first beings to have called Haven home.  Investigating ancient ruins, they learned of the previous inhabitants and their worship of Cosmir.  The teachings they deciphered spread through the community like fire, confirming their convictions that purity of spirit and rejection of the taint of technology was right and just.  

However, hard circumstances required compromises.  The outbreak of the Second Galactic War necessitated the creation of a modern elite fighting force.  And worse, no defense could be expected to hold back the might of the Thuldan Empire.  With no alternative, the Hatire were quick to become a client state of the Thuldans.

'''Ability Adjustments''': Hatire humans gain +1 Constitution and +1 Wisdom.

'''Racial Trait''': Hatire humans may cast ''Divine Aspect'' once per day as a supernatural ability, using their character level as their caster level.

===Insight===

Predominant Species: Human and Android plurality

Insight was born in the waning days of the second galactic war, when a division of Voidcorp went rogue and declared independence, taking with them most of their parent nation's computing talent.  While a very small nation with a weak military, Insight's expertise in digital attack is unparalleled.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': Inseer humans gain +1 Dexterity and +1 Intelligence.

'''Racial Trait''': Inseer humans may cast ''Delay Countermeasures'' once per day as an extraordinary ability, using their character level as their caster level.

===Nariac Domain===

Predominant Species: Human and Dwarf, most citizens have augmentations

The Nariac Domain began as a colony founded on a marginally habitable planet.  With little reserve for waste or error they were forced by circumstances to create a collectivist technocracy and a spartan lifestyle with no tolerance for dissent or corruption.  To make the most of their scarce manpower they embraced cybernetic augmentation, while those able to manifest powers were inducted into civil service or placed under observation if they refused.  

During the Second Galactic War, the Domain became a client state of Voidcorp and faced off against their Austrin neighbors.  The Austrin-Nariac front was by far the most brutal theater of the conflict.  While the Austrins remain bitterly angry with the Nariacs over the war, the Nariacs themselves reserve their wrath for Voidcorp.

For a variety of reasons, the Nariacs have a dim view of magic users, particularly Mystics.  Their nation has always had a disproportionately low number of magically gifted individuals, making it harder to get the few they do have to accept the collectivist lifestyle of the Domain.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': Nariac humans gain +1 Intelligence and +1 Strength.

'''Racial Trait''': Nariac humans gain one free augmentation of level 3 or less.

===Orion League===

Predominant Species: Elf and Fraal; overall the most diverse nation by far.

The Orion League formed out of an alliance of several smaller colonies seeking to protect their trading fleets from harassment.  The resulting nation is a prosperous and cosmopolitan society that is unusually accepting of new members as long as they subscribe to its core beliefs of liberalism and autonomy.  Because of their openness, Orions boast the highest percentage of non-humans among their numbers, and in particular the most Fraal.  

The Orion League was instrumental in negotiating the Concord Treaty, and are by far the most consistent supporter of Concord.  Their idealism frequently puts them at odds with not only the members of the Expansion Pentad, but also the more mercantilistic states of the Profit Confederation

'''Ability Adjustments''': Orion humans gain +1 Charisma and +1 Wisdom.

'''Racial Trait''': Orion humans may cast ''Comprehend Customs'' once per day as an extraordinary ability, using their character level as their caster level.

===Orlamu Theocracy===

Predominant Species: Human majority, significant Weren and Driftborn Gnome minority

Founded by the first human test pilot to enter the Drift, the Orlamu are a liberal theocracy which reveres Triune and Drift travel.  More than any other stellar nation, they invest enormous effort into studying the Drift, and produce the best Drift engines money can buy.  

The Theocracy's crowning achievement to date is the ''Lighthouse of Faith'', the largest drift-capable vessel ever constructed.  Badly damaged in the Second War, the Lighthouse was refitted and gifted to the Concord as a mobile space station, now serving as the headquarters of Concord activity in the Verge region.

Although a small minority, Weren form the fastest growing share of the Orlamu population.  Their zeal and martial prowess serve them well both in the Orlamu military and in the priesthood.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': Orlamu humans gain +1 Intelligence and +1 Wisdom.

'''Racial Trait''': Orlamu humans may cast ''Pinpoint Navigation'' once per day as a supernatural ability, using their character level as their caster level.

===Rigunmor Star Consortium===

Predominant Species: Human and Mechalus  

Wealth is everything.  There is no vice in the pursuit of money for money is simply an expression of man's productivity and ingenuity.  Let the richest lead, for they have proven their worth.  

True everywhere, says the Rigunmor Star Consortium; and the results are hard to argue with.  While the Consortium is neither the largest stellar nation, nor the most powerful, it is by far the richest.  The Consortium is exactly that, a consortium.  Composed of and controlled by the largest business interests in its territory.  Constantly jockeying for wealth and power, it would seem inevitable that the Consortium would be short lived and succumb to outside interference.  But they are united with one common ideology. and that is the rejection of any ideology above the pursuit of wealth.   

Contributing to their fortunes is their discovery and subsequent deal with the Mechalus.  The undisputed masters of cyberorganic technology, the Mechalus were to thank for protecting the Consortium from electronic attack during the Second War.  While few Mechalus share the acquisitive nature of the Rigunmor society, their home planet Aleer grows rich leasing their expertise to the Consortium.

The flagship of the Consortium is the fortress ship ''Oneagle'', which simultaneously serves as the seat of government. 

'''Ability Adjustments''': Rigunmor humans gain +1 Charisma and +1 Dexterity.

'''Racial Trait''': Rigunmor humans may cast ''Charm Person'' once per day as an extraordinary ability, using their character level as their caster level.

===StarMech Collective===

Predominant Species: Overwhelming SRO majority, Human and Feychild Gnome minority

Equal parts famous and infamous, the engineers of the StarMech Collective are some of the most talented starship designers alive, while simultaneously known throughout space as the galaxy's foremost hedonists.  The collective owes its existence to a diplomatic coup during the negotiation of the treaty that concluded the first galactic war, by means of the most debauched party ever held at a peace summit.  When sun arose the next morning, the StarMechs had secured enough support to ensure themselves control over a sparsely populated region of space by literally drinking the delegates under the table.

In order to support their libertine lifestyle with a comparatively small population, the StarMechs rely heavily on robots.  While free androids do exist, the overwhelming majority of synthetics in the collective are lawfully indentured SROs, having been built specifically to work.  Most serve in the Collective's vast starship yards, and no expense is spared to keep them operating at their peak.  Overall while the StarMech view on synthetics is far from egalitarian, they do not view them as expendable but rather as a prized asset.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': StarMech humans gain +1 Constitution and +1 Intelligence.

'''Racial Trait''': StarMech humans may cast ''Patch Tech'' once per day as an extraordinary ability using their character level as their caster level.

===Thuldan Empire===

Predominant Species: Overwhelming Human majority; widespread use of genetic manipulation including Half-Elf and Half-Orc minorities

The Thuldan Empire was the creation of mogul Gregor Kent, to realize his vision of a manifest destiny for Golarians in the stars.  However what they consider patriotic zeal is regarded by most other nations as brazen imperialism.  The Thuldans make no effort to conceal or moderate their desire to unite space under one rule, and most historians blame them for instigating the Tau Ceti riots which initiated the Second Galactic War.  

Despite their belligerent tendencies, the Thuldan Empire is by far the most tolerant nation with regards to human mutants and half-human hybrids.  Half-elves and half-orcs face no discrimination in the empire, and there are no taboos about biotech.  Imperial geneticists are the undisputed masters of biological manipulation, and this is reflected in the strong, healthy Thuldan populace.  

Thuldan society is direct and unsophisticated.  Their education is militarized, and their culture favors contests of physical prowess over more enlightening forms of entertainment.  Many Thuldans are irreligious, although roughly a quarter follow the Hatire faith and their numbers continue to grow.  Hatire missionaries have carefully preached an interpretation of their faith that emphasizes the virtues of effort and rejecting decadence, while minimizing any criticisms of genetic manipulation.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': Thuldan humans gain +1 Constitution and +1 Strength.

'''Racial Trait''': Thuldan humans gain one free biotech of level 3 or less.

===Union of Gol===

Predominant Species: Human plurality, almost as cosmopolitian as the Orion League.

Sitting at the heart of known space, the Union of Gol was born out of the treaty that concluded the First Galactic War.  The Union today is a densely populated cluster of systems featuring some of the largest cities in known space.  Centuries of development have left it starved for resources but its location makes it a natural hub of commerce.  The Union maintains a healthy rivalry with the Rigunmor Star Consortium as the financial capital of the stellar nations.  

Over the centuries billions have emigrated from the Union, but billions more from newly discovered races have immigrated for the opportunities to be found there.  Only the Orion League can boast a diaspora to match the Union.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': Union humans gain +1 to any 2 different abilities

'''Racial Trait''': Union humans gain the skill focus feat.

===VoidCorp===

Predominant Species: Human and Drow, significant Sesheyan minority

Step up or be stepped on.  So goes the saying in VoidCorp.  Universally reviled even by its supposed allies, no nation more perfectly embodies the extremes of unbridled socio-economic Darwinism.  Founded as the space development division of a large Golarian multinational, VoidCorp severed its ties to its parent in the first war and never looked back. 

Life in VoidCorp is ruthless and competitive.  Citizens of VoidCorp are employees of VoidCorp, and are organized into a social rank system that denotes job role, achievement, and thus, seniority, reduced to a two letter code AA to ZZ (CEO).  Employees of M rank and higher are typically managers and experts, while the Z rank consists of the executive leadership.  Employees of lower rank jockey for favor and promotion, while those above have no regard for those below.  

Cruel and exploitative though it may be, it works, and it works well.  VoidCorp is not the strongest nation in terms of wealth, military strength, economic output, or technological prowess, but there is no single nation that outperforms them across all these metrics.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': VoidCorp humans gain +1 Dexterity and +1 Wisdom.

'''Racial Trait''': VoidCorp humans gain an additional skill rank at the 1st level and every level thereafter.

===Galactic Concord===

Predominant Species: Human and T'sa plurality, although no species exceeds 10% of population.

The Galactic Concord was established by treaty at the conclusion of the second war.  It consists of three regions (Concord Prime, Concord Taurus, Concord Sagittarius) which encompassed the bulk of the contested battlegrounds of the war.  Blasted by decades of fighting, these regions would require complete recolonization to become economically useful.  Concord serves a dual purpose of acting as a neutral stellar nation and peacekeeping force, while directing the reconstruction efforts.  To achieve this goal, each nation was obliged to tithe a portion of their naval forces to Concord, immediately making Concord one of the most militarily powerful stellar nations, while billions of colonists were recruited from all nations to resettle Concord space.  Many of those recruited were anti-war dissidents in their former nations, or refugees from nations which were destroyed entirely such as the Dreth Commonwealth or the Leodal States.  What unites them is the hard work they see ahead; more than any other nation, the people of the Concord have a shared sense of purpose and duty, to rebuild and preserve the peace. 

In addition Concord encompasses the T'sa cluster.  Since first contact the T'sa have steadfastly refused to align themselves with any power or recognize any claims of sovereignty over their space.  By remaining neutral and building an intimidating defensive force they were able to hold their own in the second war even while colonizing the rest of the nearby systems in their dense, compact cluster. T'sa territory has grown to encompass almost thirty systems, and is essentially a self-governing island within the larger Concord.  Relations between the T'sa and Concord are cool but not confrontational, and many individual T'sa have accepted Concord's offer of dual citizenship.  

As part of its duties, Concord was accepted as a neutral mediator to settle territorial disputes in the frontier regions.  The agency tasked with this duty came to known as the Administrators.  Part diplomatic service, part intelligence agency, the Administrators quickly proved to be the most irksome consequence of the Concord treaty.  As the stellar nations restored contact with their furthest colonies, not all were receptive to distant rule after a century of autonomy.  The Administrators' stance of defending colonial self-determination has frequently put them at odds with every stellar nation.  The other nations all work around the margins of the treaty to advance their own agendas but none are willing to resort to military confrontation; any nation openly challenging Concord would draw retaliation from all others.  



'''Ability Adjustments''': Concord humans gain +1 Strength and +1 Wisdom.

'''Racial Trait''': Concord humans gain the Toughness feat.