| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Surveyor at age 18 |
| 1 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 1 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 1 | Forced to muster out. |
| 2 | Became a Broker at age 22 |
| 2 | Embroiled in legal trouble. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Voluntarily left Broker |
| 3 | Became a Pirate at age 26 |
| 3 | Is now a Lackey |
| 3 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 4 | Became a Barbarian at age 30 |
| 4 | Suffer from a life-threatening illness. |
| 5 | Became a Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 8 | Switched to Scavenger at age 46 |
| 8 | Find valuable salvage. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 9 | Continued as Scavenger at age 50 |
| 9 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. Owe 5,000 for medical bills. |
| 10 | Returned to Barbarian at age 54 |
| 10 | Attacked by enemies that you easily defeat. |
| 10 | Gain Enemy if you don't already have one. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 11 | Continued as Barbarian at age 58 |
| 11 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 12 | Switched to Wanderer at age 62 |
| 12 | Gained a contact. |
| 12 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |