So... where are "The Vast" and "Near Space" again?

[JiCi]

Are we talking about different solar system "adjacent" to the Pact Worlds or just some random spots in the galaxy?

EDIT: These terms are used in the Core Rulebook, in the Beyond the Pact Worlds section, page 462.

[The Sideromancer]

Material space distance doesn't matter for whether something is near or vast space. The classification is entirely about how easy it is to get there from the Drift, which is not a linear map.

[johnlocke90]

It depends on how many beacons are in the area. More beacons means its easier to travel to that spot, so near space.

[CeeJay]

JiCi wrote:

Are we talking about

Drift Navigation and these terms are explained on p. 291 of the CRB.

[JiCi]

CeeJay wrote:

JiCi wrote:

Are we talking about

Drift Navigation and these terms are explained on p. 291 of the CRB.

Oh boy, talk about hidden ^^;

Thanks for the info ^_^

[kaid]

They also flesh it out a bit more in the ruined clouds adventure path book and the pactworlds book. The terms near and vast are not really astrographic locations but more of an indication how clear your paths are to get there. Things that are near are basically really well "lit" and easy to navigate to quickly. Things in the vast lack good beacons so it is hard to find the path and has to be traveled slowly.

[VampByDay]

Someone on another thread made a really good analogy. Drift beacons are like paths through the drift. Let’s say your starship is a bycicle, and strong drift beacons are like a paved path. On a bike you can get up to good speed and go pretty fast. Less strong drift beacons (near) are like a game trail (can’t get going as fast) and the vast is like complete offroad. The more drift beacons you have, the easier the trail. Thus it could be faster to go a longer distance on a nice paved path (near space) then to go a shorter distance out in the sticks.(vast)

[FormerFiend]

All that being said, they also point out that the Pact World System & the Veskarium system, along with most "near space" systems, do happen to be relatively close together & near to the galactic center, where as most of the vast represents space further out towards the galactic rim.

Everyone else is right about it not really being a matter of actual physical distance, but coincidentally this is how it worked out. Maybe due to kishalee influence, I don't know.

They also specify that you can place enough drift beacons in a vast system to change it to a near space system, but it takes a lot of them. Presumably you could destroy enough of them to turn a near space system into a vast system, as well.

[Losobal]

Personally I like it. It makes actual distance between planets less a factor, so its harder to keep 'star empire borders' because just because something is physically near you (in terms of light years) doesn't mean its closer for Drift travel, tho you still get incredible FTL speeds even on Vast 'distances'. You can basically be anywhere in (on average) around 2 weeks.