| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Surveyor at age 18 |
| 1 | You survey an alien world. |
| 2 | Continued as Surveyor at age 22 |
| 2 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 3 | Became a Barbarian at age 26 |
| 3 | Scarred. Fully recovered. Owe 5,000 for medical bills. |
| 4 | Became a Scientist at age 30 |
| 4 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. Owe 2,500 for medical bills. |
| 5 | Switched to Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Caught cheating in some fashion, advancing your career and research by stealing another’s work, using an alien device, taking a shortcut and so forth. |
| 6 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 6 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. Owe 2,500 for medical bills. |
| 6 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 6 | Gain an Enemy |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 7 | Scarred. Fully recovered. |
| 7 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working secretely. |
| 8 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 46 |
| 8 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 9 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | Your work is sabotaged by unknown parties. You start again from scratch. |
| 10 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 10 | Voluntarily left Field Researcher |
| 10 | Retired at age 54 |
| 10 | Good fortune |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |