The Unknown Galaxy

A Cartographers’ Guild would be pretty boring with nothing to map. Here’s how they find that:

“The unforgiving void of space is no match for the beauty in its gaps. If only we could find them.”

— Unknown.

The process of mapping a new star system begins by finding it in the vast expanse of space. Even before the advent of FTL, the Guild had developed several swarms of probes designed to detect minuscule changes in gravitational waves caused by star systems and other large masses. Optimized for range, these probes are also equipped with state-of-the-art telescopes. They are not designed for collecting any data about new systems they might run across, but rather accurately pinpointing the location of nearby systems and possible routes to reach them. As a result, these probes are able to accurately detect faint traces of star systems and space debris long distances from their launch positions.

Using the Guild as a base of operations, the probes then disperse outwards, recording gravitational wave and visual data and transmitting it back to the Guild for further analysis. Still, this technology is far from perfect, and what could appear to be a promising discovery could very well turn out to only be an irregularity with a probe’s sensors or data emitted by a star that has long since died. Additionally, the expenses associated with running such an operation means at most only two or three such missions are ongoing at once.

“Hello, world.”

— Scout B12's first transmission from their maiden voyage.

When a probe's data arrives at the Guild, analysis is conducted to pinpoint the trajectories of these star systems. Given that any light or other data received by the probes was first emitted years ago, this can be an arduous task. Whenever a suitable location and time is found for a potential scouting mission, a report is filed with this analysis of the transmitted data and the most promising routes to reach the system. These reports are publicly available, and any member of the Guild can file a scouting request. It is at this point that a celestial body is formally added to the map, albeit with relatively little accompanying information.

The Guild possesses a fleet of autonomous ships designed specifically to gather data about biomes, resources, life forms, gravitational field strength, topology, and other high-level features of planets, stars, and other interesting celestial bodies. Equipped with cameras, drills, temperature sensors, better thrusters, and more, they are more robust and can capture much more data than their probe counterparts. However, they will not attempt to make contact with any unknown species, making initial data collection sparser on planets with life.

Once a scouting request is approved by the Guild and a trajectory is calculated to reach the approximate target location, an FTL-equipped ship will be deployed, serving as a hangar for multiple scouting ships. Its highest priority is to confirm the orbit of the system and any nearby obstacles so that future expeditions can be planned. In full, one scouting mission takes roughly half a year to complete, after which the ship will return to the Guild.

Pre-FTL, autonomous scouting was not always done, adding decades to an endeavour that could take the better part of a century to complete. As the game goes on, more and more systems may get scouted, making them potential targets for the next part – the survey.

“Who knows what secrets we'll uncover?”

— Brann, famed Cartographer, last known words.

When a scout returns, its information is compiled into a summary for explorers of the Guild to reference. A successful scouting mission is always a major event, as various Guild members vie for a chance to be the first to survey and explore the newly discovered system. Due to the high cost and novelty of FTL technology, a Guild-owned ship is outfitted and prepared for the journey, with modifications made based on the initial scouting of the system. Crew volunteering for an opportunity to survey a new system are never in short supply.

Recklessness has no place in a First Survey. First contact with a new species could permanently affect diplomatic relations with them, leading to strict and enforced guidelines on how it is to be conducted. If a First Survey plans on visiting a planet with suspected life, a species scientist certified by the Guild is required to accompany the Survey. Equipment mishaps are often lethal, with backup light-years away. Carelessness on such an important and dangerous expedition can lead to the end of a Cartographer's career, if not their accidental death. In such an unfamiliar environment, utmost caution is necessary.

As a crewed mission, First Surveys are often the first chance to collect data such as rock or atmosphere samples, biological information about present species and ecosystems, and other concerns for future exploration and research. An important litmus test of the system as a whole, First Surveys play a major role in greenlighting or discouraging future attempts at exploration, research, or colonisation. As work goes on to discover as much about the system as possible, more and more information can be added to its entry on the Guild's maps.

First Surveys are, of course, conducted at one’s own risk.