When FASA started putting out the Star Trek RPG, there was the original series, the cartoon, two films and a large number of (often contradictory) novels. While most of this material establishes a universe, it does so primarily in single servings that are, for the most part, definitively resolved at the end of the episode. This didn’t leave much of a universe for an RPG to explore, so FASA needed to either resign itself to re-enacting old stories or making up their own universe. They chose the latter (and did a good enough job that when Star Trek said the FASA stuff was out of canon, people flipped their lids). The Triangle (1985) is one of the best parts of the FASA Trek universe and where the RPG really comes into its own.

Its born out of a need for a slice of space where the rules don’t apply. It’s a neutral zone formed by the edges of the Federation, the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Empire. The idea is that players who are part of the Federation (the default for the game) can go there and not worry so much about protocol. It also let players try other crew types, like merchants or pirates, without having to worry about pesky laws. The Star Wars expanded universe would create a similar wild west in the galactic rim, for similar reasons.

This book (sweet cover by David Martin) is basically an atlas of worlds (weirdly illustrated with photos of Earth depicting each planet’s dominant biosphere, but love the silly character portraits too) supplemented but details of the various factions and their military forces in the sector. It’s the perfect amount of details for GMs to set the stage with and for players to get into trouble with.