Of all the stellar nations, only the Thuldans, the Borealins, the Solars, and the Hatires have anything resembling a titled aristocracy. In other nations, the ‘nobility’ may consist of families commanding unusual wealth, prestige, or political power. These oligarchs, merchant princes, and corporate directors pass their fortunes and interests to their descendants, just as the land-holding lords of old passed their fiefs to their children. A stellar noble hero is a scion of one of these families, born to wealth and power beyond the dreams of most people.

Stellar nobles adventure for a variety of reasons. Some are philanthropists, dedicated to using their position and fortune to bettering the world around them. Others are merchant-lords charting the course of a powerful privately held company in a universe of monolithic corporations. Still others are simply bored dilettantes looking for thrills.

Many of the noble families of Old Space sent out favored relatives to the Verge when it was first colonized. The Verge nobles spent a great deal of their wealth settling into their new homes, virtually eliminating their ties with Old Space altogether. When the war cut the Verge off from Old Space, the new nobles of the Verge found themselves stranded. Many of the Verge noble houses dissolved,» others were destroyed in riots. Those that survived held little love for their Old Space founders.

In the Verge: There are more than thirty noble houses in the Verge. Some of these are survivors of the original nobles. Others are houses that have emerged as the Verge has grown in power and prestige. The houses detailed below are some of the more prominent in the Verge.

House Kaitors: Kaitors Industries is the leading producer of electronic components in the Verge. With its supply of high-technology parts from Did Space reestablished, Marilyn Kaitors will most likely capture more of the technology market from her home planet of Leen in the Oberon system.

House Maritec: Thomas Maritec, the patron of the House, is a retired admiral from the Borealis military. Upon his retirement, he received an area in the Argos star system to oversee for the Borealins. With the return of the stellar nations to the Verge, Admiral Maritec is aiding the Galactic Concord, as directed by his government.

House Hale: Christopher Hale led his fleet of renegade ships to Aegis and proclaimed himself the Regent of Bluefall. Despite an earlier attempt by the Thuldans to remove him from power, Hale has remained the undisputed ruler of Bluefall.

Members of the noble class use their intelligence and natural charisma to make their way in the Stellar Nations. From true royalty to elected officials, military commanders to crime lords, traders, merchants, ambassadors, holovid stars, and influential corporate magnates, character types who appear in the noble class are varied and numerous. Some bring honor to the name. Others are sly, treacherous, and dishonorable to the core. With a winning smile, a golden tongue, a powerful message, or a knack for making compromises, the noble commands respect, makes friends, and inevitably influences people.

Most nobles wind up in dangerous situations because of something they believe in or because their job calls for it. Others hope to use their negotiating talents to navigate a course through the troubles around them, or seek to find profit in the troubles of others. Whatever their initial motivations, nobles usually wind up taking to a cause and a goal that sustains them through the roughest missions. An adventuring noble might be an aide, a free trader, a diplomat, a true prince or princess, or an outlaw’s lieutenant. Nobles often feel responsible for others, though some consider themselves to be better than those around them.

The noble fosters feelings of good will and honesty, or at least the illusion of such, to succeed. Where as some other classes shoot first, the noble starts out asking questions and hopes to finish by negotiating a deal. The noble believes she can be more effective with words and deeds than with violence, though some draw a blaster when push comes to shove. The noble is more comfortable in civilized regions of space, where law and order have some meaning. Of all the classes, nobles have the best diplomatic and bargaining skills. They’re good talkers, negotiators, and bluffers. They have a knack for inspiring others, and they make good leaders.

Altruistic nobles believe it is their duty and responsibility to serve and lead. More selfish nobles seek the fame, wealth, and power often associated with the positions they aspire to. Power-hungry nobles take advantage of the system and wind up helping others only to help themselves. The halls of power are calling. How the noble answers can make all the difference.

To qualify to become a Stellar Noble, a character must fulfill the following criteria.

Feats:

Skills:

The following information pertains to the Stellar Noble advanced class.

Hit Die: 1d

Action Points: + one-half character level, rounded down, every time the Stellar Noble attains a new level in this class.

The ’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are:

Appraise (Int), Autohypnosis (Wis), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Computer Use (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Craft (Biological) (Int), Craft (Chemical) (Int), Craft (Electronic) (Int), Craft (Mechanical) (Int), Craft (Pharmaceutical) (Int), Craft (Software) (Int), Craft (Structural) (Int), Craft (Visual Art) (Int), Craft (Writing) (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Demolitions (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Drive (Dex), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gamble (Wis), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Investigate (Int), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Int), Knowledge (Administration) (Int), Knowledge (Construction) (Int), Knowledge (Criminal) (Int), Knowledge (Current Events) (Int), Knowledge (Economics) (Int), Knowledge (Humanities) (Int), Knowledge (Life Sciences) (Int), Knowledge (Locations) (Int), Knowledge (Military) (Int), Knowledge (Physical Science) (Int), Knowledge (Religion) (Int), Knowledge (Social Sciences) (Int), Knowledge (Technology) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Navigation (Int), Perform (Cha), Perform (Acting) (Cha), Perform (Music) (Cha), Perform (Physical Movement) (Cha), Perform (Vocal) (Cha), Pilot (Dex), Profession (Wis), Read & Write Language, Repair (Int), Research (Int), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language, Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Treat Injury (Wis), Tumble (Dex)

Skill Points at Each Level: + Int modifier.

The following features pertain to the Stellar Noble advanced class.