hardbound with 256 pages illustrated in color. It is divided into chapters covering the history of the setting; a description of the conditions, economy, and technology of the 26th century; descriptions of the various stellar nations within a range of over 1,000 light years; a more detailed look at a mysterious distant region known as the Verge, and finally game-specific details covering the player species, careers, employment, skills, equipment, and special game options available for players. The game world includes a variety of standard fare science fiction features. These include psionics, cybernetics, robots, spacecraft, mutants, and advanced medicine. The level of technology is at "Progress Level" 7 (Progress Levels are used in Alternity to describe the technology of a civilization, with present-day Earth described as Progress Level 5, and the Industrial Age described as Progress Level 4). Characters are typically employed and have an allegiance to a company or government. They may also follow one of the future religions described in this book. In addition to humans, players can run a character from one of the handful of alien space-faring races that lie within the known space. The Verge is described, in many cases, planet by planet. The more prominent planet descriptions give a broad overview of the world, the government, and sites of interest. Maps of the main worlds are also show at a high scale. The cover was among artist R. K. Post's first work for TSR. Professions The following careers are available to players: Combat Specs bodyguard, corporate security specialist, gunner, law enforcer, martial artist, alien combat spec, mercenary, soldier, and spacehand. Diplomats ambassador, clergy, Concord administrator, corporate executive, entertainer, first contact consul, free trader, military officer, naval officer, stellar noble, and swindler. Free Agents bounty hunter, corsair, explorer, gambler, guide/scout, investigator, outlaw, reporter, smuggler, spy, and thief. Tech Ops crewman, comptech, gridpilot, doctor, engineer, independent pilot, medtech, scholar, and scientist. Mindwalkers biokineticist, biowarrior, ESPion, mystic, telekineticist, psiguard, telepath, and mind knight. Publications Game books A number of supplements were published in the original (Alternity-based ) Star Drive series. They were: Star Drive Campaign Setting (main book) Arms & Equipment Guide Alien Compendium: Creatures of the Verge Alien Compendium II: The Exploration of 2503 The Externals (Only available as a PDF) Klick Clack The Last Warhulk The Lighthouse Outbound: An Explorer's Guide Planet of Darkness Star Compendium: Systems of the Verge System Guide to Aegis Threats from