Quadrant Rumors

Quadrant Rumors span vast areas of space, impacting an area larger than any other force in the game. These rumors can have wide ranging effects on many worlds and dozens of zones.

Radiation Storm

 * Interstellar travel through a radiation storm is dangerous and sets the crew on edge. The risk of loss of morale, life and ship damage is greatly increased.
 * All Hyperwarp jumps leaving this quadrant will be fraught with additional danger as the gates are unstable.
 * Trying to sail with low fuel during a radiation storm is even more dangerous than usual.
 * Contacts in this quadrant may lose Influence as the storm hinders all operations.
 * Specialists among my crew can learn Talents to protect against the worst ravages of radiation and ion storms.

Pirate Fleet

 * Pirates are much more likely to interrupt space travel or appear during Patrolling or Blockade.
 * Emboldened by their band of privateers, pirates are more hostile across the entire quadrant.
 * Local Factions will be more thankful if we drive off pirates during Patrol and increase Reputation bonuses.
 * Contacts relying on this quadrant's economic operations may lose Influence.
 * Due to the squeeze on legal trading, there is an increased chance to gain Influence for a Contact when trading in the Black Markets.

Heavy Patrols

 * Military vessels are much more likely to interrupt space travel and demand to search your vessel.
 * Determined to lock down any threat, military officers are more hostile across the entire quadrant.
 * Ever watchful, military officers are more likely to interrupt Blockading or Spying.
 * Contacts relying on legal operations within this quadrant may gain Influence.
 * Those relying on illegal operations my lose Influence.

Xeno Fleet

 * Interstellar travel through a xeno-infested space is dangerous and sets the crew on edge. The risk of loss of morale is greatly increased.
 * The terror of the xeno has crawled out of deep space and strikes in the shipping lanes.
 * Xeno are more likely to interrupt space travel or appear during Patrol or Blockade.
 * As if awoken by their kind's activity in the void above, xeno are more likely to attack during Exploring.
 * Contacts in this quadrant may lose Influence as the xeno damage or interrupt all operations.
 * Those madmen who hunt the xeno will find the Factions more eager to reward their efforts with Reputation and credits.

Specifically, the reputation gain is +3 to 6 faction reputation per Xeno kill and salvage, 25% bonus profits and 50% bonus experience. There is also a rare chance for a positive Trait mutation specific to fighting Xeno such as the _Fearless_ trait.

Merchant Fleet

 * We are more likely to encounter merchants during space travel or during Patrolling or Blockade.
 * Wary of those who will try to take advantage of them, merchants are more hostile and willing to fight to protect their cargo.
 * Merchants are more likely to be traveling with cargo holds packed with valuable resources.
 * Contacts relying on this quadrant's economic operations may gain Influence.
 * The increased economic buzz within the quadrant is more likely to leave traces of valuable Intel to be found during Black Market access or Exploring.

Merchant Fleet rumors decrease the Trade Law of all zones by 1 point, which often opens up significant new trading opportunities.

Artifact Find

 * As treasure hunters, adventurers and smugglers flood into the quadrant, we are more likely to encounter smugglers, merchants, spies and explorers during space travel.
 * Increased illegal activity brings out the military, and there is an increased chance of encountering military officers during space travel.
 * Grasping at riches, smugglers are more hostile and willing to fight to protect the illegal goods they are transporting.
 * Smugglers are more likely to be traveling with valuable cargo hidden in their holds.
 * Contacts relying on this quadrant's economic operations may gain Influence.
 * Many smugglers running illegal goods rely on stashes to temporarily hide cargo. The chance of discovering large finds of refined resources is increased while Exploring.
 * With the eagerness for illegal trading, there is an increased chance to gain Influence for a Contact when trading in the Black Markets.

Artifact Find rumors in particular make disabling and looting Smugglers extremely profitable as they frequently contain Xeno Artifacts.