Having finished with The Feed, for the moment, my mind turned to the next trio of prompts. Mercy. Resolve. Privilege. The immediate response was something revolving around royalty and a noble or diplomatic representation given difficult tasks to complete in the wider kingdom, but at the same I didn’t want to head down a road into history. I’ve done history.

Nobility in space, though. Well, in that case it could be something similar to the nobility and focus present in the backdrop of the classic Traveller RPG setting, as created by Marc Millar. I’m not a Traveller player, but I think the Solomani culture – those descended from the cultures of Earth – had a strong streak of nobility. But, I don’t want to copy Traveller, obviously. I think Dune also has a strong streak in this respect, and media and games that run along those lines.

Right, nobility in space. And I always liked my mind’s-eye concept of Firefly. I might have always got it wrong, but the space in Firefly always felt both vast and dangerous, and yet small. I want a setting where we’re in space, but the events play out across a system with a few planets or moons with terraformed eco-systems and dozens or hundreds of artificial habitats. There needs to be a lot of potential areas for play without going interstellar. The adventure potential is local, hemmed in by the limits of technology. Interplanetary reach with interplanetary problems.

Sub-note about Mercy

I have long wanted to create a science-fiction game. I have had one bubbling for a while about exploration, colony ships and disaster, called Divided Horizon; there was also the Thruster Gold Genre Setup for Sanction, which embraced the pulp of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, but playing the bad guys. Neither has made it to print, yet.

I would love to create something Traveller-like or Dune-esque, but the other challenge I face is politics and factions—my brain can’t handle it. Here lies the cry for Mercy that means I have doubled down on the theme for the post. I have loved Symbaroum for 10 years or more, but the element I struggle with is the love for faction within the deep campaign. So many names, so many bloodlines. If I hadn’t moved on after university from playing World of Darkness, I suspect I would have reached a point with Vampire or Werewolf where I also cried for Mercy!

Therefore, I will note, if you choose to try out this Genre Setup, feel free to extend, expand and extol upon the factional possibilities of the Mintaka system. I gift you that option, for I do not have the brainspace or labyrinthine thoughtscape to handle it myself. I wish I did.

The Sovereign is Dead

Queen-Mediator Aurelia IX has travelled the range of the Mintaka system for the past twenty years to broker peace between its hereditary Houses. The Accord of Ashes would settle territorial claims, restore trade between the moons and habitats, and place the terraforming engines under neutral control.

Unfortunately, Aurelia died aboard the palace ship before she could formally ratify the Accord, but the myriad citizens of Mintaka, high and low born, cannot be permitted to know.

The next imperial courier is months away. The nearest recognised heir is several systems distant. Should news of the death escape, the Accord becomes worthless. The Houses will mobilise their retainers, the insurgents will abandon the ceasefire and every charter, pardon and territorial settlement issued in Aurelia’s name will be challenged.

The Queen’s inner council has therefore created the Commission of Last Clemency.

Its Commissioners travel aboard a royal cutter carrying warrants, command codes and sealed judgements supposedly issued from the Sovereign’s private chambers. They move between orbital estates, mining fiefs, ancient settlements and terraforming stations, resolving the crises that threaten the peace.

They possess exceptional authority. But, none of it can withstand direct verification.

Feels like a good starting point!

Appointed Commissioners

As Commissioners you must preserve peace inside a civilisation where rank has immediate, material consequences. Common citizens possess rights under the royal Charter, but those rights are interpreted and enforced by the same Houses that control transport, air, water and communications.

You have a part to play, with the Queen’s peace to uphold, and a pressing need for absolute secrecy while upholding the benevolent mandate of the Accord.

This is The Last Clemency. And, tomorrow we’ll consider your Resources as a Commissioner.

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How has your character shown Mercy in play and what came of it? I look forward to reading about it in your RPGaDay post.

#RPGaDAY2026