Orbis is a deepspace worldship. It consists of several main chambers large enough to have oceans with islands in each. Some are kept wild for passenger recreation. Other islands are domesticated and are used for habitation. Vast engine spaces with cathedral engine stack towers stretch tens of kilometers behind the ship.
Orbis is titanic non-human intelligence. Not a living ship in the biological sense, but still a super-intelligent mind with a hypercomplex body. Orbis could, arguably, transfer ‘his’ consciousness to another machine, such as an orbital habitat, if he so chose.
Aboard Orbis are tens of thousands, perhaps millions – no one counts, of inhabitants. They have ambiguous status as either passengers, pets, parasites, or crew. It is never made clear. They do not have ‘control’ of Orbis. The Captain may negotiate with Orbis about where the ship is headed, but ultimately Orbis is in charge. The role of Captain itself is an elective one and so how it is interpreted is a personal style matter.
The inhabitants of Orbis are from all kinds of different species. Humanoid, Reptillian, Insectoid and Amoeboid predominate, and mixed specis types exist as well. Racism may be present, but is the exception rather than the rule, and may be mentioned only to illustrate its inappropriateness.
Jack and Scarlet are humans aboard Orbis, probably stow aways. We follow their adventrues as they travel through space on this luxury space liner, thwarting the plots and righting wrongs.
Some story ideas:
| 1 | ||
| The plot in brief | Story one liner | Some flavour |
| While Scarlet and Jack are investigating at the shack of a reclusive long term resident hidden somewhere in the hills on Orbis Island, Pratichetti wants to free some slaves. This threatens the safety of a passenger. Pratichetti is assisted by Fuga who wants to construct a time machine – which will probably cause the destruction of the universe. | The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful. | Dangerous attraction |
| The guest stars’ general nature | Guest star species classification | Guest star features |
| Pratichetti is a generous mad scientist’s daughter | Pratichetti is a Radiolarian who has radio hearing. | Radially symetrical (like a starfish) |
| Fuga is a jovial vagrant | Fuga is a Robot who is equipped with cybernetics. | Robotic |
| 2 | ||
| The plot in brief | Story one liner | Some flavour |
| While Scarlet and Jack are investigating in a book in the greatest library in the galaxy, Hook wants to find the last surviving member of a nearly extinct species. This threatens the safety of some natives. Hook is assisted by Duque who wants to create a dangerous work of art. | Harm seek. Harm find. | The sins of the Heifer |
| The guest stars’ general nature | Guest star species classification | Guest star features |
| Hook is a untrained musician | Hook is a Radiolarian who is skilled at survival in alien environments. | Radially symetrical (like a starfish) |
| Duque is a titled old coot | Duque is a Botanic who is phase shifting. | Plant-like |
| 3 | ||
| The plot in brief | Story one liner | Some flavour |
| While Scarlet and Jack are investigating a forest world, Boyet wants to find his missing sweatheart. This threatens the safety of some natives. Boyet is assisted by Hernández who wants to drive a highway through an ecologically sensitive area. | Know that not even the stars need to be relit | The Council of Modena |
| The guest stars’ general nature | Guest star species classification | Guest star features |
| Boyet is a red-necked hotshot pilot | Boyet is an Avatarian who has telekinetic powers. | Humanoid |
| Hernández is a miserable drunken farm boy | Hernández is a Beastial who is skilled at deciphering alien script. | Beast-like (like a Wookie) |
| 4 | ||
| The plot in brief | Story one liner | Some flavour |
| While Scarlet and Jack are investigating the glittering ice cliffs in the frozen wastes of the Ice Planet, Sititi wants to catch the thief that stole something important from him/her. This causes them to become lost. Sititi is assisted by Katalau who wants to dispose of a dangerous occult artefact. | The least outlay is not always the greatest gain. | Frenzied applause |
| The guest stars’ general nature | Guest star species classification | Guest star features |
| Sititi is a clumsy ascetic | Sititi is an Aurahiite who is skilled at deciphering alien script. | Superior hearing, Jumping legs, Undifferentiated tail |
| Katalau is a wicked farmer | Katalau is a Radiolarian who has echo-location. | Radially symetrical (like a starfish) |
Old dog, new dice 
Leave a comment