Pyramid Review
Terran Empire (for Star Hero)
Published by Hero Games
Written by James Cambias and Steven Long
Art by Nate Barnes, Andrew Cremeans, Storn Cook, Keith Curtis, Albert Deschanes, Nick Ingeneri, Bryce Nakagawa, Brad Nault, Newton Ewell, Klaus Scherwinski, Greg Smith, Chris Stevens, Derek Stevens, and Richard Taylor
208-page softcover; $24.99
Terran Empire is the first of a planned series of settings for Star Hero campaigns, a space opera setting a la Star Wars. While it is linked into the Hero Universe metasetting (described in the "Free Stuff" section of the Hero Games website), it could easily be run outside that setting.
The book opens with an overview of the Empire's nearly three centuries of existence. Admiral Marissa DeValiere's takeover of the Terran Union in 2436 is seen by later historians as the beginning of the Empire, though Marissa herself never claimed the title of Empress. The DeValiere line (and one non-DeValiere regent) would rule the Empire for its entire lifespan. While it had some close calls, it eventually covered approximately one-fifth of the galaxy, and its influence stretched even further. Unfortunately, not all the DeValieres were as competent as Marissa I had been. Under later Emperors, power shifted to the military and the secret police. Planets began to rebel against Imperial tyranny, joined by some sections of the Imperial fleet itself. The rebels also established diplomatic relations with two other governments. . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: March 14, 2003
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