Vondera (0501, D6679DE-1)
When the first Dominion ships arrived at Vondera some four hundred years ago, they found a placid—if backward—world, unified by a religion of humility and obedience. Servant Mother Clementia XIII, leader of the church-state of Vondera, upholds the ancient tenets: simplicity in all things, the righteousness of suffering, the evil of presumption. As such, they have staunchly resisted all but the most basic of new technologies; most notably, a class-D starport to allow for supplicants and converts to arrive from off-world, and for missionaries to set forth to new worlds. Otherwise, domesticated animals pull plows through ample arable land, and fishermen throw nets from wooden boats. The only weapons hang from the belts of Vonderan Guardsmen, the sacred police force. All crimes are punishable by holy execution.
Fully self-sufficient (not least because of a low standard of living), Vondera has no exports and accepts very little by way of imports. The needs of the Vonderan people are, in every way that matters to the religious establishment, entirely met. Each district (the size of a small country) has its own temple to Vondera in full splendor, gilded stone and marble, where penitents make their pilgrimage every six years. Locals wear sackcloth and smear ashes across their arms and faces in repentance. They have no alcohol or drugs, and medicine is limited to herbs and prayer. Despite their morose demeanor, the populace insist that they are content and happy to live here, so near to Vondera's light.
Patrons
- Fenrir Barlow, farrier.
An aging man of nearly 40 years, he is happy to allow you to stay in his home for a number of nights (his family will sleep in the hayloft). His middle son, Edgar, has recently been passed over for missionary work, and is eager to hear any and all tales from off-world. Edgar is nineteen, handsome and capable, with a strong back and a sharp jawline.
In confidence, Fenrir asks you to take his son away from this place. "He is not happy living on Vondera," he explains. "He's loyal and very smart, he can take care of himself. I just don't want to see him waste away in his misery here. I want him to be happy." Edgar is willing to work for his passage. Fenrir has nothing to offer but gratitude.
The Guardsmen at the starport will want papers Edgar doesn't have. None of the Barlows have considered this might be the case.
- Ava Moody, district chaplain.
Shaved head and stern demeanor, Chaplain Moody has eight assistants and she needs at least four more to handle the logistical issues of her district. She quickly explains the situation she would like you to handle: two farmers in the nearby hills are in dispute. Godric Holt claims that Alvis Leroy's animals are eating his crops, Leroy claims that Holt is growing crops in his grazing fields. Moody explains that it's a simple bureaucratic matter: Holt is incorrect about the boundaries of the land he has been granted. She'd prefer if an agreement could be brokered between the men that wouldn't involve either of them being declared at-fault.
She offers you 3,000 credits to convince Leroy not to press charges, and Holt to respect the actual boundary between their land grants. "That's the money we'll have to spend executing Holt if Leroy won't back down," she explains.