Republic Founder 575
Pictures (on site only) by Chris Boudreaux ~ Stats by Ryan Matheny ~ Text by Tim "Nealos" Salam


The Founder 575 was constructed roughly 45 years before  the Empire took control of the galaxy. Previous to Palpatine's reign, the mission of scouts was different. During Republic times, government-sponsored expansion slowed in favor of a better examination of the current territories. Private companies took up the slack for new exploration, often seeking out economically viable systems for themselves, or working on contract with the government to conduct more detailed surveys of fringe regions.

During this time, advances were made in creating scouting vessels that could do more, and do everything better. Scout vessels constructed prior to this era were usually cursory affairs, built more for adventursome expansion than truly scientific examinations.

Republic StarSystems recognized a need in the then current scouting conditions for a multi-purpose scout vessel that was capable of a variety of missions. With that in mind, the Founder was designed and built in reasonable numbers to fit the market. Sales were strong for roughly twenty years, until the political climate began to change, and a slowing in government was detected. Anticipating a slump, Republic StarSystems ceased the Founder line, and themselves eventually went into corporate dissolution several years later.

Part of the Founder's strength is in it's lack of specialization. Despite it's lack of "mission focus," however, it was indeed designed to do two things very well: scout uncharted systems and deploy initial colonization systems on planets deemed important enough.

The Founder's primary mission is scouting. With that in mind, a variety of sensor systems were built into the ship. First, a primary sensor array lances from the center of the top, and can gather immense amounts of data. Also, secondary sensor arrrays can be deployed telescopically from the front and rear portions of the bottom section.

The Founder holds six specialized probe droids.  Upon entering an uncharted system, the Founder makes a cursory sensor examination of the system then deploys all six probes simultaneously. These probes arc out from the ship to envelop the entire system from all sides.

As the Founder passes through the system, making secondary observations, the probes take in immense amounts of measurements on the system and it's contents, then converge again at the other "end" to meet the Founder  preparing to exit the system. The Founder will gather it's probes, examine the data, and continue to another system if that data doesn't reveal anything that would warrant further investigation.

Founders are also outfitted with a small variety of scout vehicles and rovers, droids, equipment, and other pertinent supplies.

The secondary mission of the Founder is to drop and, if necessary, temporarily maintain a small, initial colony. This is done if colonization of a planet is either going to obviously happen (due to mineral wealth or otherwise), or if military strategy dictates it. The Founders are equipped with specialized systems to facilitate colony endeavors without exposing the crew to undue risks. As Founders can be out on missions for many months (or even a year), the crew must be protected as much as possible.

Due to the longevity of the Founder's mission profiles, the carried crew and passenger complement is considerably smaller than would be expected for a ship of almost 200 meters in length. Filling much of that room are databanks, supply and foodstuff storage, medium-duty laboratories, vehicle and light ship bays, and empty compartments intended to accept the future loading of specimens.

The Founder was built with endurance in mind. Not only has it served for years under the often burdensome habits of scouts, but it has survived political turmoil and public inattention long enough to still be useful. Founders are still a favored choice of scouting groups, corporate and private, and can be occasionally seen dipping back into known space to refilled of precious supplies before returning to the void.

Republic Founder 575

Craft: Republic StarSystems Founder 575
Type: Deep space explorer
Scale: Capital
Length: 180 meters
Skill: Capital ship piloting: Founder 575
Crew: 24, gunners: 8, skeleton: 9/+15
Passengers: 24
Cargo Capacity: 850 metric tons
Consumables: 3 years
Cost: Not available for sale
Hyperdrive Multiplier: x3
Hyperdrive Backup: x18
Nav Computer: Yes
Maneuverability: 1D
Space: 5
Atmosphere: 330; 950 kmh
Hull: 3D+2
Shields: 1D+1
Sensors:
 Passive: 50/1D
 Scan: 75/3D
 Search: 145/3D+1
 Focus: 5/4D
Weapons:
4 Blaster Cannons
 Fire Arc: 1 front, 1 back, 2 turret
 Crew: 1
 Scale: Starfighter
 Skill: Starship gunnery
 Fire Control: 2D
 Space Range: 1-2/12/25
 Atmosphere Range: 100-200/1.2/2.5 km
 Damage: 3D
2 Tractor Beam Projectors
 Fire Arc: Turret
 Crew: 2
 Scale: Starfighter
 Skill: Starship gunnery
 Fire Control: 2D+2
 Space Range: 1-5/15/30
 Atmosphere Range: 100-500/1.5/3 km
 Damage: 4D+1


Pictures (on site only) by Chris Boudreaux ~ Stats by Ryan Matheny ~ Text by Tim "Nealos" Salam
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