Research and Exploration are both fairly confusing departments. They seem pretty clear-cut from the outside - research studies anomalous objects, does experiments and tests, and exploration goes out and finds those things in purple hardsuits. But you'll get stopped pretty short if you don't know what to really do without relying on handwaved science and interpreting the machinery around the lab, so this guide aims to direct you in compelling science and exploration roleplay. Bear in mind that you do not have to follow these resources and you can still have fun without accuracy.
Chances are you researcher will be, if not a civilian contractor, a member of the Naval Development Group, which is comprised of five major directorates. These are different 'departments' of the Naval Development Group which its scientists are sorted into, and a number of them may be employed on the Emissary. Listed below are the two most relevant directorates to the Emissary's mission, but you can view the rest of the operational directorates on the Naval Development Group's page, all of which have a place onboard the Emissary to a degree.
Survey and Analytics Directorate
Survey and Analytics is the youngest operational directorate within the Naval Development Group, having been created in 2113 for what was originally going to be specialized research on Avalon - ground researchers to house the Exploration department - with the directorate forecasted to be dissolved by the end of the Emissary's mission. However, after deliberation the NDG decided to revamp the Survey and Analytics Directorate as a more general extrasolar research branch for all forms of on-the-ground exoplanetary research. While the majority of SAD's concurrent personnel are housed within the Exploration department onboard the Emissary, the NDG seeks to hire and train more personnel into SAD in order to conduct research on colony exoplanets such as Homestead or the planets of the Mariner system in the future.
Survey and Analytics personnel are remarkable for a combination of academic prowess and high-end training - SAD personnel are hired based on specialized academic honours, for instance, the SAD personnel who comprise much of Exploration usually have minors to doctorates in geology or theoretical xenobiology as is relevant to the topics of study on Avalon, and are also combat and survival trained. Survey and Analytics ground personnel are trained under a similar combat and survival regiment to the Naval Special Operations Command, as instructors are outsourced by the NDG from NAVSOC. While they are not necessarily as thoroughly trained or as experienced as NAVSOC personnel, with the training and survival regiment that a recruit into Survey and Analytics usually taking place a little over a month in duration, they still possess a degree of efficiency and specialization due to their training being outsourced from NAVSOC in the first place. Their NAVSOC-outsourced training and their specialized academic fields made Survey and Analytics an incredibly efficient and specialized directorate.
Thaumaturgic and Anomalous Research Group
The Thaumaturgic and Anomalous Research Group makes up a small portion of Survey and Analytics, specialized around studying the anomalous properties of Avalon and possibly, other exoplanets. When the Emissary's research department and SAD discovered Avalon's anomalous density properties, and theorized the Rogue Planet Theory, a small group of Survey and Analytics researchers sought to specialize in the study of Avalon's anomalous properties on a planetary scale, and became an astronomy research based offshoot of Survey and Analytics. Almost the entirety of Thaumaturgic and Anomalous works out of the Emissary, however, they have recently begun recruiting new researchers as they gain notability as a research subdirectory and intend to conduct research on other anomalous exoplanets should they be discovered in the future. Alongside researching planetary anomalies, a number of Thaumaturgic and Anomalous personnel also study smaller-scale anomalies present on Avalon.
Applications Technology Directorate
The Applications Technology Directorate is the third largest directorate within the Naval Development Group and, alongside Public Scientific Research is attributed to the breakthroughs in FTL and Lumicom technology. Whereas Weapons Development focuses primarily on offensive equipment for use by the Sol Defence Corps, Applications Technology focuses on non-combative technology - communications equipment, armour plating, electrical equipment, information technology and interfaces, non-combative utility hardsuits, and other amenities to be used on the ships of the SDC fleet. Many of their communications and information technology application technologies end up at times being permitted public release through Public Scientific Research after a period of bureaucratic processing to ensure that the release of such technologies would be safe and in line with the interests of both the Sol Defence Corps and the United Nations.
Applications Technology was originally part of a singular directive combined with Weapons Development simply referred to as 'research and development', being the only directive alongside Special Projects. While they operated as a singular directive, R&D gave rise to the earliest form of a research group, being the directorate's division into two teams: one which focused on weapons development and the other which handled the development of the Alcubierre Drive and Superluminal Communication - which worked closely with the unaffiliated bureaucratic staff which would go to become the Public Scientific Research Directorate. Over the course of the NDG's early history, the recruits which proto-PSR brought to the NDG caused the two research groups of Research and Development to grow more massive and additionally, more divided in interests. Becoming increasingly more difficult to manage the conflicting interests of the two research groups, Naval Development Group administration elected to form two new directorates: Applications Technology, and Weapons Development.
Relevant Majors
A scientist or an explorer are both academics. Either civilian contractors or naval scientific resources from the Naval Development Group, it'll be unlikely for the Sol Defence Corps to employ a researcher of any sort without a major or degree. Below are a number of in-universe relevant majors you can add to your character.
| Field | Major | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Xenoscience | Xenobiology | Study of the biological attributes of non-Earth organisms. May also include xenobotany. |
| Xenotheoretical Biology | Study of possible xenobiological attributes that betray standard model biology, and the study of known xenobiological attributes that betray standard model biology. | |
| Xenochemistry | Study of chemistry and unknown chemical compounds found in non-Earth organisms. | |
| Analytical Xenochemistry | Study of unknown non-Earth chemical compounds (xenochemicals) and their organization into the Periodic Table. May also be considered Theoretical Chemistry. | |
| Xenogeology | Study of non-Earth geology. | |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | Study of the elements, compounds, properties and so forth of carbon-based compounds. |
| Inorganic Chemistry | Study of the elements, properties and so forth of inorganic compounds such as metals. | |
| Atmospheric Chemistry (Climatology) | Study of chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere of Earth and other planets, and how these atmospheres change. | |
| Environmental Chemistry | Study of chemistry as found in natural environments on Earth and other planets, and their various phenomena. | |
| Biochemistry | Study of the chemistry found in living organisms. | |
| Biology | Biology | Study of living organisms and their various processes. |
| Molecular Biology | Study of molecular behaviour, activity and roles in general biology and biological activity. | |
| Microbiology | Study of the biological processes found in microscopic life. | |
| Photobiology | Study of the effect of light on biological processes and the production of bioluminescence. | |
| Botany | Study of plants, plant habitats and their influence on ecosystems. | |
| Physics | Atomic-Molecular Physics | Study of the behaviour of matter-energy phenomena at the level of atoms and molecules. |
| Elementary Particle Physics | Study of the basic components of sub-atomic matter and energy, the forces governing fundamental processes of the universe. | |
| Physics | General study of matter and energy, formulating and testing of the laws governing the behaviour of the matter-energy continuum. | |
| Plasma-High Temperature Physics | Study of the properties and behaviour of matter at high temperatures. | |
| Theoretical-Mathematical Physics | Study of the theoretical deviances to the laws of physics found in the universe. | |
| Astronomy | Astronomy | Study of planets, stars and all forms of stellar phenomena occurring in space. |
| Astrophysics | Study of theoretical and observational phenomena occurring in stellar objects such as stars and planets. | |
| Planetary Astronomy | A branch of astronomy that specialises in the study of planets, small objects and gravitational behaviours. | |
| Anomalous-Thaumaturgic Astronomy | Study of deviances in the laws of physics and other laws occurring in or on extrasolar objects. | |
| Geology | Geochemistry | Study of the chemical properties and behaviours of silicates and others forming naturally on Earth and other planets. |
| Petrology | Study of igneous, metamorphic and hydrothermal processes within the Earth and other planets, and the results of said processes. | |
| Geology | General study of the geological forces acting on the Earth and other planets; the behaviour of all states of matter comprising a planet. | |
| Oceanography | Study of the chemical components, structure and behaviour of ocean waters and their interaction with the rest of a planet. | |
| Palaeontology | Study of the extinct life forms and associated fossil remains. |
Basic Scientific Method
The Basic Scientific Method is a process that may help scientist roleplayers much like it helps real scientists work their way through an experiment through a process of experimentation, observation, asking questions and answering them. The specific parts of the Basic Scientific Method can be tweaked and changed depending on the nature of the experiment or any other case. This resource should help you with your various experiments.
- Ask a question. “The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?” (Steps of the Scientific Method) Asking a question is a crucial part of the scientific method. It is the basis on which your hypothesis and your experiment rely on to exist. An example: “What is the tolerance this unknown unicellular organism has to alkaline substances?”
- Do background research. Use pre-existing studies and sources of information to verify if you’re conducting your experiment in a proper manner , or to see if it has already been conducted. Constructing your plan from scratch may not be a good idea, as you do not have the knowledge of scientists that came before you. Do this by asking your fellow scientists, or coming up with scientific resources yourself.
- Construct a hypothesis. “A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work.” (Steps of the Scientific Method) A good hypothesis is as constructed as follows (some modifications are acceptable): If _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ will happen. An example: “Because of the natural acidity of water on the surface of Avalon, if I introduce the unicellular organism to an alkaline habitat, it will react adversely and possibly to the point of death.”
- Test with an experiment. An experiment should test if your hypothesis was correct. An experiment should be documented so it may be easily reproduced by other scientists, and have conditions that are easy to replicate. Your experiment should be conducted multiple times to make sure the first experiment wasn’t just a lucky result. An example: A trial that increases the pH of the water the unicellular organism resides in by .1 using lemon juice. After conducting your experiments, analyse your data and write out your conclusion. Publish this information.
Expeditionary Protocols
Exploration, research and other personnel are advised to always heed to certain safety protocols at all times during expeditions outside of the Landing Zone. The following are a few that explorers are made aware of in their training and relevant for research on the planet Avalon. Researchers and any armed escorts are are also advised about these protocols.
- DO NOT GO ALONE into wildlife areas. Always stay with a partner or with an escort, and communicate with others why you are leaving, when you are leaving, and when you are expected to return. Failure to notify or go with a partner may increase the risk of you being injured and increase the difficulty of you being recovered.
- ALWAYS STAY ALERT: Explorers will be expected to tread into places without hazard signs or any notable presence of SDC activity. Always evaluate the risk of entering an area. Check for signs of wildlife and other signs of hazards. When heading into a new area, record what you see, and ensure that it is forwarded to Research. If you can, place down hazard warnings that further information to whoever enters in the future, be it by placing down pre-registered ones, or making a new one.
- WATCH YOUR STEP when travelling. Trails and paths may not be safe for travel. Ensure you always check your footing; rocks and debris are expected.
- MAKE A PLAN when entering wilderness areas. Make sure at all times you do not get lost. Once you enter an entrance, make sure to mark where you have been.
- BE CAREFUL when interacting with fauna or flora. Some elements of Avalon may be dangerous to the body. Wear gloves or protection when interacting with items, and be sure to review information on anything you plan on interacting with.
- DRESS ACCORDING to the environment. Wear coats in cold areas, and wear high visibility bands in order for personnel to identify you. Wear helmets when risk is apparent.
Laboratory Equipment
| Name | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Microscope | Large-scale microscopes which depressurise and evacuate all atmospheric content from the interior to suspend the contents in vacuum. Used to observe microorganisms or close-ups of compounds to observe their interactions with vacuum or retain their form if they are damaged by atmospheric pressure. | |
| Fume Hood | A ventilated enclosure where chemical reactions which release toxic fumes can be conducted without threat of gas leaks. Constantly ventilates all fumes out of the enclosure once closed and activated, storing the toxic fumes in a storage tank. | |
| Analysis Chambers | Large chambers which can be used to store and analyse large objects or biological entities. Composed of multiple layers consisting of an outermost hardlight barrier and an interior aluminum oxynitride layer with graphene mesh reinforcement that can be lowered and raised from the floor, making for an extremely durable chamber exterior that can still be seen through.
Equipped with a high-power multipurpose scanner, the chamber can be additionally filled with stasis fluid. Collects an extremely high volume of data which is stored in it's own server rack. | |
| ChemMaster Station | A multipurpose chemistry station. Filled with repositories of various usable chemicals, which can be then mixed and synthesised in the interior of the ChemMaster and dispensed either into the enclosed fume chamber or out into a beaker. | |
| Reagent Containment | A hardlight containment chamber which contains a similar programmable biofluid that solidifies into an inert, viscous substance and surrounds any reagents inserted into the chamber. The hardlight barrier allows researchers to easily take syringe samples of the reagents inside simply by inserting syringes through the hardlight barrier. | |
| Density Scanner | A hardlight chamber with an integrated scanner which thoroughly analyses and maps the density, interior composition and structure of any object placed inside. |
Expeditionary Equipment
Explorers and researchers are equipped with a myriad of different equipment resources to bring on expeditions in order to conduct on-the-ground research to their fullest effect.
Scientific Equipment
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Omnimetre | A device that combines the functions of a rangefinder and a clinometer at once. Can measure horizontal distance traditionally and also measure vertically between two pinged locations. |
| Weather Metre | A device that measures the local weather around itself. Displays temperature, humidity, chemical makeup, and more. |
| Total Station | A tripod-bound box that uses rangefinder technology to map out the total area of a room or cave. |
| Turbidity Gauge | A device that, when inserted in a liquid, measures its turbidity (clarity) which can be used to further measure its cleanliness and concentration of life. |
| Reagent Scanner | A device used to scan liquids to discern its chemical makeup. |
| Geiger Counter | A device used for detecting and measuring ionising radiation. |
| Soil Sampler, Auger | A device used to sample soil similarly to a syringe. Also functions as an auger for putting holes in the ground. |
| Rock Pick | For breaking open rocks and geodes. |
| Protokinetic Accelerator | A large, firearm-like handheld device that fires bursts of condensed kinetic energy. Can be fired at stones to break them apart so that they can be separated further with hands-on equipment. Can also be used as a makeshift weapon. Has a limited number of 15 uses before the internal battery must recharge. |
| Material Analyser | A device that can be used to scan rocks and detect their properties. Often used to find geodes. |
| Resonator | A device that, when implanted in stone, resonates the area around it with fields of energy until they explode, destroying and clearing rock. Practically a reusable detonation charge. Must be recharged after use. |
| Corrosive-resistant bottles | A selection of bottles that can be used to sample anything that can fit inside of them, including the majority of corrosive compounds. |
| Bug Box | A box for luring and trapping insects. Comes equipped with a magnifying glass. |
Wilderness Survival Equipment
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| First Aid Kit | All explorers are equipped with a basic first aid kit for treating themselves and other personnel in the event of an accident while on an expedition.
Contents of a First Aid Kit include:
|
| Emergency Whistle | A small emergency whistle used by both Explorers and Researchers in the event they get lost during an expedition. |
| Hiking Poles | Reinforced trekking poles for scaling elevations. |
| Tactical Flashlight | A large, robust metal flashlight. Dual-powered by rechargeable batteries and a kinetic generator. Shines at 1600 lumens at a range of 283 metres (928 feet). Comes with spare batteries, also rechargeable. |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) | A device connected to the Emissary’s Global Positioning System over Avalon (GPS-A). Used to navigate around the coordinate grid of Avalon. Also doubles as a compass. |
| Water Filter Bag | A large, robust water filter bag. Water filter bags are extremely important on Avalon since all unfiltered water is extremely toxic. Also comes with purification tablets. |
| Water Flask | A flask filled with water. |
| Meal Ready-to-Eat | An MRE pack. |
| Swiss Army Knife | A multipurpose knife. |
| Survival Blade | A large, stainless steel blade for cutting ropes, wood or wildlife. |
| Paracord | 200 feet of sturdy paracord. Also comes equipped with carabiners. |
| Tarp | A tarp. Comes equipped with poles which allow you to make a rudimentary tent. |