• Species: Exohuman
• Born: 2578 on the spaceship Last Frontier
• Affiliation: Last Frontier University
• Place of Residence: New Kourou

Joan Merkenberg is the only child of Martin and Ida Merkenberg, both of whom were teachers at the elementary school on the spaceship Last Frontier. Born and raised in an academic environment, Joan developed a keen interest in geography early on and went on to study at Last Frontier University.

Following her studies, Joan worked as a scientific employee within the university's geography faculty. After the tragic crash-landing of the Last Frontier, which claimed the lives of two of her professors, Joan was unexpectedly appointed as a full professor due to the severe shortage of qualified personnel.

She played a key role in rebuilding the university's academic infrastructure in New Kourou and quickly became a prominent figure in the scientific policy of the Free State of Settlers. Joan is best known for her work on the Twin-Section Hypothesis, which posits that each section of the Habitual Belt has a geographic twin on the opposite side of VOI 700 D.

To validate the theory, she proposed and helped organize the Westward Passage Expedition, which set out in 2626. After three grueling years, the expedition confirmed her hypothesis by discovering and mapping Zilari, the twin section of Asari, thereby transforming the scientific understanding of the planet’s geography.

• Job Title: Professor of Geography, Last Frontier University

Responsibilities:

• Leading geographical research and curriculum development at Last Frontier University
• Advising the Free State of Settlers on expedition policy and territorial planning
• Supervising fieldwork, especially in underexplored regions of the planet

• Traits: Intelligent, determined, and deeply analytical
• Behavior: Joan is a thoughtful and measured academic, often absorbed in research. She’s passionate about geography and exploration but sometimes loses patience with bureaucratic obstacles. She holds a quiet authority and rarely speaks without purpose.
• Values: Joan values empirical evidence, discovery, and the expansion of human knowledge. Her commitment to the scientific method is unwavering, and she sees exploration not just as survival, but as a way for Exohumans to reclaim purpose after the traumatic landing.

• Height: 1.72 meters
• Weight: 64 kg
• Appearance: Joan has short, practical hair and often wears a utility coat over her university uniform, equipped with field tools and datapads. Her face is weathered from long exposure during expeditions, and her eyes are sharp and observant, often scanning her surroundings with silent curiosity.

• Armor Class (AC): 12 (academic field gear offers minimal protection)
• Hit Points (HP): 30

Actions:

• Cartographic Analysis: Joan can analyze terrain quickly, offering a +2 bonus to party navigation rolls or helping locate water sources, shelter, or safe passage.
• Improvised Defense: If forced into combat, Joan uses a collapsible field tool (steel baton) for basic self-defense. | Damage: 1d4 + 1
• Emergency Beacon: Once per session, Joan can activate a distress signal that attracts the attention of local patrols or allied researchers within a 2-day radius.

Special Abilities:

• Geographic Insight: Joan can identify similarities in terrain types, offering a +2 bonus to any Knowledge (Geography) checks when trying to verify the presence of a twin section or establish likely locations of rivers, mountains, or valleys on the opposing side of the planet.

Joan is driven by a desire to uncover the full geographic nature of VOI 700 D and to provide the scientific foundation for sustainable settlement and exploration. Her long-term goal is to create the first comprehensive planetary map of VOI 700 D, proving that the planet can be understood, navigated, and ultimately harmonized with. She sees knowledge as the settlers' greatest tool for survival and legacy.

Joan Merkenberg is best used as a quest-giver or scientific authority figure for exploration-based missions in the Beta Age. Her credibility and leadership in the scientific community allow her to unlock access to restricted information or valuable expedition resources. She’s not a combat asset, but her cartographic and terrain-based abilities can give players strategic advantages when traveling unknown areas. Use her as a neutral, knowledge-driven character—one who might clash with military or political leaders if scientific priorities are overlooked.

• Last Frontier University
• Twin Section Hypothesis
• Westward Passage Expedition
• Zilari
• Asari
• Habitual Belt