Cold Storage Game Information

Cold Storage is a 3-hour live-action role-playing game for 13 players. The game is set in the year 2217 and takes place aboard the private transport ship Caledonia, a small passenger/cargo ship that is en route to Delta Station, a major transfer point in orbit around Europa, the largest colony of the Jovian system. Since the trip to Jupiter takes four months, travelers are loaded into a cryostasis tube at a local medical facility, only to be awakened after they'd reached their destination. Under normal circumstances, passengers would never see each other during such a voyage. Unfortunately, that is not to be the case on this trip, as you shall see when the game begins and the passengers are awakened mid-voyage.

Cold Storage takes place in a future where humanity has spread throughout much of the solar system but does not have faster-than-light travel. The big push into space began in the early 21st century after the Europa Orbiter discovered what appeared to be the remains of an alien base on the iced over moon of Jupiter. The knowledge that such technology was waiting for us in the Jovian system caused space race which far surpassed what happened during the cold war. Over the course of the 21st century, research bases that had been built on the Moon, Mars and Europa grew into mostly self-sufficient colonies and mining stations established in the asteroid belt developed into major corporations, all supervised by the United Earth Council (UEC).

As the alien artifacts on Europa were excavated and studied, new technologies led to even greater growth throughout the solar system. Exo-archaeologists eventually determined that the Europan artifacts were the remains of an alien refueling station which some unknown race had used hundreds of thousands of years ago. Further signs of alien life have yet to be found, but the knowledge that we were not alone helped propel man out of the cradle.

Technology in the world of Cold Storage is advanced but not ludicrously so. Computers have been developed with capabilities equal to the human brain, though none of these processing units (colloquially known as Mother Boxes) have advanced to a state of self-awareness. Genetic engineering and cyborg implants are about as common as plastic surgery was in the 1970s (which is to say that it is a novelty for the wealthy). Space travel is mostly accomplished by cold-fusion plasma engines which allow for easy travel at great speeds (experiments in faster than light travel, based on theories developed from the Europan artifacts, have yet to be successful). Thus, travelling from Earth to Jupiter takes about 4 months and is looked at much the same way as ocean voyages were in the early 19th century. Cryostasis, which had been developed in the mid 21st century as a medical emergency procedure, came into vogue as a popular way to cut the cost of space travel.

In addition to the technological advances, there were some biological advances as well, most notably the proof of the existence of telepathy in 2112. Scientists discovered that a long-dormant gene that controlled these advanced brain functions had become more active, perhaps due to the greater exposure to background cosmic radiation that people experienced in space travel. This discovery led to a profusion of riots and witch hunts as many people were convinced that telepaths were agents of the Jovian aliens, sent to spy on "real" humans. The government kept close tabs on all known telepaths and, as time went on, much of the hysteria passed. By the time the game takes place, most telepaths are allowed a "fair amount of freedom."

In 2217, the Jovian colonies are nearing a state of open revolt against what they see to be an oppressive Earth government. Mars has already declared its independence and the UEC, afraid of losing its major economic and technological holdings on Europa, is pushing back with a greater military presence and more restrictive policies. The feelings of the civilians on the Jovian colonies are mixed, but many have never even seen Earth and view the UEC as an intrusive presence in their lives. The situation is rapidly turning into a tinderbox and, as is the case whenever that happens, many people have interests that make them want to be where the action is. The past few months have seen a greater influx of diplomats, reporters, political activists, military personnel, entrepreneurs, smugglers and those with maniacal or obsessive personalities joining the usual assortment of scientists, construction workers, space jockeys and tourists en route to Europa.

Please be aware that Cold Storage is a game about characters that have unexpectedly found themselves in a dangerous, tension-filled situation. It is very likely that one or more characters will die before the end of the game. Whatever reasons your character originally had for going to Europa may not be valid given the circumstances. Because of this, the emphasis of Cold Storage will be on dramatic and/or subtle acting over the accomplishment of character goals (with some exceptions, of course).

Remember, you're expected to be a registered member of Arisia to play in Cold Storage. For more information about Arisia, go to: http://www.arisia.org