INTRODUCTION TO THE SPACE OPERA UNIVERSE

The era of the starships depicted in the Space Opera universe occurs about five centuries from the present. The Space Opera universe centers on the four major tech level 5 star-faring powers in the 300 light year sphere of known space centered on Sol system. Two of these, the Humanasol League and the Kruegarian Protectorate, are run by humans. The other two, the Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation and the Klolodian Empire, are run by carbon-based, oxygen breathing aliens. The Ventronians are taller and thinner than humans, with four arms and four legs. The Klolodians are shorter and squatter than humans with three-arms and three-legs.

The Humanasol League is the smallest, poorest and weakest of the major powers. It occupies a 100 light year diameter sphere and consists of Sol system and its first generation colonies. The 1000 warship Humanasol League Fleet is primarily defensive and has the smallest ships of the major powers.

The Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation occupies a 100 light year diameter sphere directly spinward from the Humanasol League. Like the Humanasol League Fleet, the 1200 warship Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation Fleet is primarily defensive with a significant portion devoted to interstellar exploration. The Ventronians posses slightly most advanced star-faring technology than the other major powers.

Bordering the Humanasol League on its coreward and anti-spinward sides is the expansionist Kruegarian Protectorate, consisting of human colonies established by the first generation colonies. These second generation colonies broke away from the Humanasol League about fifty years ago to form their own interstellar government based on the colony world Kruegar. The 2000 warship Kruegarian Protectorate Starfleet is primarily engaged in holding and expanding its territory.

Bordering the Kruegarian Protectorate, Humanasol League, and Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation along their rimward borders is the expansionist Klolodian Empire. The Klolodian Imperial Starfleet boasts almost 4000 warships and is bent on expanding its influence into the territories occupied by Humans and Ventronians.

Basically, the still occasionally antagonistic Kruegarian Protectorate and Humanasol League, along with the neutrality seeking Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation, need to work together to thwart to expansionist ambitions of the Klolodian Empire. The Kruegarian Protectorate Starfleet is powerful and well-equipped but spread out. The Humanasol League Fleet is concentrated but lacking in economic resources. The Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation Fleet has the technological edge but is hesitant to aid the ever-squabbling Humans. Finally, the Klolodian Imperial Starfleet is large with plenty of resources, but may face other foes in parts of space beyond the range of Human exploration. Its ability to maintain an extended campaign against the three other major powers, should they present an united front, is unknown.

FLEETS OF THE MAJOR POWERS OF THE SPACE OPERA UNIVERSE

Humanasol League Fleet - 1000 warships that are smaller than their counterparts due to the Humanasol Leagues limited financial resources. This fleet is primarily defensive with ships mounting lots of favors point defense systems.

Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation Fleet - 1200 warships that are faster and slightly more advanced than their counterparts. This fleet is primarily defensive with a robust exploratory element.

Kruegarian Protectorate Starfleet - 2000 warships that are about average in capabilities in comparison to their counterparts. This fleet is expansionist when the opportunity arises but is mostly occupied with patrolling its already sizable territory.

Klolodian Imperial Starfleet - 4000 warships that have favor some firing arcs over others in contrast to vessels of the other three fleets. This fleet is expansionist to the point of starting border conflicts and even full scale invasions.

DESIGN INFLUENCES

Humanasol Ships – The capital ships seen on both "Battlestar Galactica” TV series, the "Traveller" role-playing game from the early 1980's, the science fantasy films "Wing Commander" and "The Fifth Element," and in concept art from the proposed 1970’s science fiction film “Monument.”

Klolodian Ships - Capital ship designs for miniatures from the 1970’s space combat game “Stardate: 3000” and the “Imperial” starships of the “Star Wars” science-fantasy films.

Kruegarian Ships – “Imperial” starships of the “Star Wars” science-fantasy films and concept art from the proposed 1970’s science fiction film “Monument.”

Ventronian Ships - A spaceship design seen on the late 1970's TV series “Project UFO” and the ships of the computer game “Homeworld.”

DIGITAL RESOURCES

All Space Opera universe designs were modeled using Rhino 4 and rendered using the native Rhino Render program. I created many of the detailing parts from scratch with other supplied by various 3D CGI artists. The textures came from a handful of fellow artisst as well as the Marlin's Amazing SF Textures Collection. Final compositing was done using CorelDRAW X3.