Trinity (Aeon)
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Trinity is a science fiction roleplaying game published by White Wolf Game Studio in 1998 (and later by the ArtHouse imprint), first in the Trinity Universe series of games (the two others being Aberrant and Adventure!) sharing a common background and developing an alternate history of humanity through two centuries, and allowing players to play almost all genres of science fiction - from comic-book superhero action to cutting edge technothriller, to space opera, to old fashioned pulp standards. The whole game line was discontinued due to low sales in 2002 despite a strong fan support.
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Game Setting
Set in the twenty-second century, Trinity portrays a future Earth slowly recovering from a disastrous war (the origins of which are covered in Aberrant) and expanding in space. Former depressed areas such as Africa, South America and Eastern Asia, which suffered moderate traumas during the Aberrant War are now the leading political forces in the international arena, while Europe is a landscape of ruins and hard struggling survivors, and North America is balkanized in a number of small states. Bio-engineering is the leading technology and psionics are known and studied if not exactly widespread. Alien contact has been made, with mixed results. Characters take the roles of psionic individuals, working for one of the many organizations in the gaming world, and tackling troubles when they arise. The game setting, which is splendidly rendered through a number of high quality supplements, allows for a variety of styles, from cyberpunk-like corporate espionage to Mad Max-style post-holocaust frontier adventure, to space exploration.
Orders
Players have a choice of six "Orders" for their characters to join. Orders each possess a mastery of a specific "Aptitude", a category of psionic powers. As well as covering a specific geographic location which each Order takes their culture & organisation.
The Ĉsculapian Order
Based in Europe, this Order is a global medical clinic first & foremost, its members fufill the roles of combat medics, healers & scientists. They teach the Aptitude of Vitakinesis, the usage of the mind to heal the body.
Interplanetary School for Research and Advancement "ISRA"
Based on the Moon, this Order is a quasi-monastic school of philosophy. Its members learn Clairsentience and use their sensory powers to become scouts & detectives.
The Legions
Based in Australonesia, these are a Starship Troopers-like military corp, using the powers of Psychokinesis to protect humanity from extrasolar threats.
Ministry of Psionic Affairs
(Also the Ministry of Noetic Affairs.) This cloak & dagger spy agency is based out of China & a part of the Chinese government. Members are skilled in Telepathy & are the most secretive and mistrusted of the Orders for their abilities.
Nova Força De Nacionales (The New National Force) "Norça"
This Order takes the form of vigilante militia, based somewhere in the jungles of South America. They wield the powers of Biokinesis, and possess complete biological mastery over their physical forms. They are as widely, if not more, distrusted than the Ministry.
Orgotek
A multinational technology corporation headquartered in North America, its members are all employees in some fashion or another. They can control the electromagnetic spectrum with the Electrokinesis Aptitude. They often take the role of technical experts & engineers.
Upeo wa Macho
The Upeo are an African trade organization with the Teleportation Aptitude. Although they had been missing for six years as of the core rules, they have since returned, although their absence has not altogether been explained to the public. With their return, regular contact with extrasolar colonies is being re-established.
Chitra Bhanu
The Chibs are an Indian physics laboratory with the ability to manipulate the nuclear forces of the universe (Quantakinesis). They were exterminated for an building an alliance with the monstrous Aberrants. The Chitra Bhanu are an unplayable order.
Game System
The game runs on a slightly modified version of the White Wolf "Storyteller System", whose lightweight mechanics allow players to concentrate on roleplaying. A reprint was announced in late 2003 of the three Trinity Universe games using the Open Gaming Licence 3.5 rules.
The Name Issue
Trinity was originally to be known as Aeon (thus leading to all three games in the line having titles starting with an A), and was originally issued under that title in its hardback and deluxe versions. Legal issues arose with the holders of the rights for the animated series "Aeon Flux", which claimed the game challenged their copyrights. The matter was settled by White Wolf choosing to change the name of its game, and leaving "Aeon" as the unofficial name for the whole line.