Just like we did for Star Trek Adventures 1E, Continuing Mission is creating a living setting similar to our 1E shared region of space (Sargon And Beyond), we’re creating resources for our new shared region of space: the Taurus Reach (see the map we previously added).
Our personal take on the Taurus Reach will be under the branding Reach Any Star, and the landing page for all resources related to this living setting is at Reach Any Star: 2E Living Setting. We’ll endeavour to add canon and novel materials where possible, but also unique takes on the region from the imagination of our writers.
Next Section Is For GMs Only!
Today we present 20 notable aliens found in our version of the Taurus Reach. We’ve chosen these based on a few criteria: 1) some are species established by canon in this region; 2) some are alien species the CM writers find interesting and would like to work more with in our upcoming resources; and 2) all are species who can be used in any era from 2256 onward. Feel free to use them to populate your version of the Taurus Reach. They can also be used in other regions, or their stats used for other aliens that your crew may encounter.
Each alien species has a Notable NPC stats card, presented in a slideshow format below. There is also a PDF download available.
The Notable Aliens are:
- Arkarian Mercenary
- Boslic Freighter Officer
- Caitian Rogue
- Cardassian Oppressor
- Gorn Enforcer
- Illyrian Colonist
- Klingon Agitator
- Kzinti Privateer
- Lethean Killer-For-Hire
- Na’khul Agent
- Oran’taku Spy
- Orion Pirate
- Phylosian Scientist
- Sheliak Representative
- Suliban Augment
- Talarian Soldier
- Tholian Commander
- Xyrillian Explorer
- Yridian Free Agent
- Zibalian Collector
You can roll a d20 to choose one of these Notable aliens as a Threat of the Week or to inspire you to further missions. They serve as the default Notable NPC foes or allies your crew might encounter.
We summarize each species below, along with links to further inspiration (from our previous articles to off-site articles). In some cases, the stats are updates on our 1E materials.
1. Arkarian Mercenary
Arkaria is on the map, towards the Galactic North. Arkarian Mercenaries operate throughout the region. You can read more about these Mercenaries in a previous CM article.
2. Boslic Freighter Officer
Boslic Freighter Officers are often seen operating merchant ships, including in the Taurus Reach. Here is two previous CM articles about them: the species and the Boslic Freighter Officer.
3. Caitian Rogue
The Federation member, Cait, is in the midst of the Taurus Reach, and are a major presence here. We present the Caitian Rogue as possible encounters. One past CM article details the Caitians. They are also discussed in the Star Trek: The Animated Series Supplemental Guide from Modiphius.
4. Cardassian Oppressor
A portion of Cardassia is visible at the top of the Taurus Reach map, and includes parts of the Demilitarized Zone. Though most likely encountered there, they might also range farther. See our CM article on Cardassian Campaigns for some inspiration.
5. Gorn Enforcer
A portion of Gorn space is towards the bottom of the Taurus Reach map, and it is here that the Gorn are most often found. Here are CM articles on the species, scenarios with the Gorn, and Generating Threat: Gorn.
6. Illyrian Colonist
Illyria is near Tholian space on the map. Illyrians were in Enterprise and more recently in Strange New Worlds, with a philosophy of genetic engineering to adapt to their worlds, rather than changing the world to suit them. Read more about them off-site at Memory Alpha.
7. Klingon Agitator
The Klingon Empire is prominent to the right of the Taurus Reach map, and you are likely to encounter them no matter the era. Plenty has been written about the Klingons on CM, but start with the species and campaign options for ideas.
8. Kzinti Privateer
The Kzinti are detailed in the Star Trek: The Animated Series Supplemental Guide from Modiphius. While Kzin is not on the map, the Kzinti are known to operate in this part of space (some were lost in the Delta Triangle). Read about them at CM and Memory Alpha.
9. Lethean Killer-For-Hire
Letheans are a telepathic species. CM articles have discussed the species and the Lethean Killer-For-Hire NPC. While not canonically in this region, we include them as a potential telepathic threat.
10. Na’khul Agent
Na’khul Agents are operatives in the Time Wars, and as a time-travelling threat, they can appear in any era, trying to change history to advantage their faction. Though not specific to the Taurus Reach region canonically, they could be a potent temporal antagonist anywhere, anytime. Previous CM articles address the agents and a Na’khul mastermind, which could inspire your use of them in your campaign.
11. Oran’taku Spy
Oran’taku is a planet in the former Delphic Expanse region. There isn’t much information on Oran’taku, so you can extrapolate their society as you wish. This CM article discusses the Oran’taku.
12. Orion Pirate
Orion Pirates are common troublemakers, and undoubtedly found throughout the Taurus Reach in all eras. More can be found in this article.
13. Phylosian Scientist
The Phylosians are discussed in the Star Trek: The Animated Series Supplemental Guide from Modiphius. A sentient plant species, more can be found on the Phylosians on Memory Beta.
14. Sheliak Representative
The Sheliak Corporate has territory between the Tholian Assembly and the Talarian Republic. They are non-human lifeforms with little understanding of humanoid ways, but are experts in laws and treaties. The massive Treaty of Armens settled any potential disputes between the Sheliak and Federation. Misunderstandings between the Sheliak and the Federation (or other powers) might lead to interesting encounters. They are described in this CM article, and at Memory Alpha.
15. Suliban Augment
The Suliban first appeared in Enterprise, and their subsequent fate is unknown. However, there are likely Suliban nomads throughout this part of space. Suliban Augments had been genetically-altered to have special abilities by a future-aware Cabal, and they likely passed down those traits to their descendants. See our articles on the Suliban here: Generating Threat: Enterprise Enemies; the Suliban Player Species; Ten Forward Fridays: Suliban; and The Suliban: Revisited.
16. Talarian Soldier
The Talarian Republic is a major power on our map. A xenophobic and militaristic patriarchal society, they are described here and here. More information is also found at Memory Alpha.
17. Tholian Commander
The Tholian Assembly is also a major power in this region. Read about them in Generating Threat: Tholians, and Ten Forward Fridays: Tholians.
18. Xyrillian Explorer
The Xyrillians appeared in only one episode of Enterprise, but are an interesting species. It gives the GM free reign to use this species as they wish in a variety of eras. See this article for more information on Xyrillians, as well as Memory Alpha.
19. Yridian Free Agent
The Yridians are often found as information brokers and smugglers, and these Yridian Free Agents are often untrustworthy and devious. See the Memory Alpha article as well as our CM write-ups for the Yridian species, and the Free Agent.
20. Zibalian Collector
Zibalians appeared in one TNG episode. Their homeworld is either Zibal or Zibalia, towards the top of our map (two stars were both called Zibal, but we renamed one Zibalia). They are known to be collectors of rare things, and some are obsessed with their collections and aquiring more. See this article on Memory Alpha for some information on this species, but for the most part, a GM can add details of their own for the Zibalian culture.