The reference shelf

The Infinite Diaspora is a hard science fiction game. This shelf lists the real-world numbers behind its physics, its ships and its procedures. It says where each number came from and how strong that source is.

795 numbers, 120 with an outside source

A3 numbers at grade A
B53 numbers at grade B
C19 numbers at grade C
D45 numbers at grade D
E675 numbers at grade E

Every mechanic

APrimary BSecondary CDerived DAnalogy EAuthored

Mechanics and their numbers, counted by grade
Mechanic	Numbers	APrimary	BSecondary	CDerived	DAnalogy	EAuthored	SourcedA to D
Fire and damage control	45	0	3	0	6	36	20%
Armor and the six faces	42	0	6	2	1	33	21%
Heat and radiators	38	0	2	1	3	32	16%
The power model	23	0	1	0	4	18	22%
Fuel and the torch drive	33	0	4	0	2	27	18%
Radiation dose	30	0	15	3	3	9	70%
Running dark	22	0	2	3	2	15	32%
The Newtonian fight	60	0	0	2	1	57	5%
Kinetic guns and point defense	49	0	4	3	2	40	18%
Hold balance and the gimbal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0%
Life support, food and water	26	0	1	0	5	20	23%
Mining the belt	41	1	8	0	3	29	29%
Hull wear and repair	35	2	0	1	2	30	14%
Hailing, boarding and prize law	46	0	0	0	1	45	2%
Salvage and distress	31	0	0	0	0	31	0%
Ship's organization and the Second	35	0	0	0	2	33	6%
Radio voice	16	0	0	0	0	16	0%
The bridge crew and standing orders	21	0	1	0	1	19	10%
Hostile fleets, gun stores and spread	21	0	3	0	1	17	19%
Terrain, cover and harbors	28	0	1	2	0	25	11%
The deck fight	17	0	0	0	0	17	0%
The observer and ship condition	8	0	1	0	0	7	12%
Atmospheric entry and the descent corridor	17	0	0	0	0	17	0%
Contacts in transit	7	0	0	0	0	7	0%
Records, bail and inspection	6	0	0	0	0	6	0%
Production plant condition	9	0	0	0	0	9	0%
Hull classes, sizes and slots	10	0	0	0	0	10	0%
Ship vitals and fight penalties	9	0	0	0	0	9	0%
Range bands and the joust	13	0	1	1	0	11	15%
Fleet action, breaking off and surrender	32	0	0	0	0	32	0%
Wounds, medicine and salvage after a fight	25	0	0	1	6	18	28%
All mechanics	795	3	53	19	45	675	15%

To search every number at once, use all numbers. The sources page lists every cited document and each number that cites it. The source updates page lists each sourcing pass and the numbers it regraded.

How to read the shelf

Each mechanic has one page. A page says what the game does, then lists the numbers the game runs. Each number has a grade, a source and a short reason. The pages also say where the game leaves reality on purpose, and where no source says anything.

The values come from the game code itself on the day the pages were written, so a page cannot show a number the game does not use. A grade tells you how strong the source is. It does not tell you that the game is right.

A long page opens with its sections closed. Select a section heading to open it, or use the button at the top of the page to open all of them.

The grade key

A grade is always printed as a letter. A solid box marks a figure that a source states. A dashed box marks a figure chosen for play. See the grades page for an example of each.

A Primary: A primary source states the figure, and the game uses it as stated.
B Secondary: A secondary source quotes the figure, such as Atomic Rockets quoting NASA.
C Derived: The figure is arithmetic from an A or B figure, and the arithmetic is shown.
D Analogy: A real figure scaled into the setting, with the real figure and the scaling stated.
E Authored: The game chose the figure for play, and the page says where the sources are silent.