Inside Scoop page 1

THE FED DATASPACE TRAVEL GUIDE: PANTHEON, KAOS SYSTEM

by Trilleth

Continuing my regular feature in the Fed2 Star: a travel guide telling potential visitors what you can expect from the varied worlds in the Galaxy. I'll be alternating my visits between old, long-established worlds, and new ones which have only been linked to the trading routes recently.

I felt rather like a homebody this week, so it was with reluctance that I dragged myself to the LP and vowed to see something worth the cost of gas. Something amazing, impressive... then I had an idea. If I was having problems leaving my home, I should go somewhere with a similar theme. Somewhere based on mythology and exotic creatures... I headed to Pantheon, in the Kaos system, and was immediately gratified to read that it had been populated by the gods and goddesses of ancient Rome. I took my shuttle down to the surface.

I immediately ran into crowds. Lots and lots of crowds, including a crazy old lady selling birdseed and an even crazier person wearing birdseed on their head. Do they not know what happens when birds sit on your head? Protecting my new hat, I moved away, reading graffiti that informed me there was a puzzle on this planet. Interesting!

A fountain dedicated to Neptune is where the puzzle began. I threw a coin over my shoulder, pegging a very angry-looking tourist, then decided it was time to escape... and the adventure began.

I wandered the maze to the south and southeast, coming out covered with bubbles, then started to explore the main Pantheon itself. After a few drinks in Pub Bacchus, I accidentally fell into a hot tub, but no one seemed to mind that I still had my boots on. I lingered for a bit, then wandered on.

A quick trip to the underworld (bring a coin!) had me perspiring delicately before I headed on to explore the rest of the planet. I got very sidetracked when I found the library... books, books everywhere! However, after I knocked over a few piles (more than once), I was politely asked to leave. I didn't even get to check a book out!

Whoops... from the library I somehow found myself in a dance floor... with poles. Poles? Yes, I'd had a drink of ambrosia, but I wasn't /that/ drunk. I hustled out of there double-time, vowing to never return... although the ambrosia was good.

Wandering brought me more hidden areas and interesting tidbits about gods and goddesses of ancient Rome. Sadly, I never found any real shopping, although I am quite certain that I missed something. I also couldn't solve the puzzle, which saddened me no end. Maybe you'll have more luck? All tired out from my travels, I headed home to sleep in my own bed... at least for one night.

RATINGS:
Water feature: 9 A fountain, a large river, several smaller rivers... there was plenty of water to suit me, including a bubble bath and hot tub! See if you can find the hidden reference to Jessecka.
Bed: 9 Plenty of beds to choose from... I did avoid the one dedicated to Faunus, since I wasn't sure he might not think I was a nymph, and the one that belonged to Pluto and Prosperpina in case they thought I meant to stay.
Social scene: 7 People are scattered throughout, either in large crowds, smaller groups, or single people here and there.
Shopping: 3 Shopping? It has to be there, but I missed it somehow. Otherwise, why would I need this coin??
This planet is obviously well-researched. You cannot visit without learning something about Roman mythology unless you try very hard. There is also a puzzle that I wasn't patient enough to solve, although I do plan to go back and try again. Have fun and do as the Romans (or their gods) do!

Fed2 Star index Previous issues Fed 2 home page