Rumors of the Astromundi Cluster

Tavern rumors. Roll random 1d100 or pick the one most appropriate.

"The Antilans are requiting Pirates of Gith and arming them weapons and stolen Elven Flitters to combat the Illithids."

True, the Antilans hire the Pirates of Gith as Privateers. If your using psionics in your campaign, allow Pirates of Gith to become psionicists to 15th level, or have wild talents. It is highly unlikely that this alliance will last long considering the participants.
"The Neogi are developing a new dreadnought class ship to patrol their financial interests in the sphere."

False, but the rumor was deliberately planted and propitiated by the Neogi.
"A Firelich is actually an Antilan Sun Mage that has gone insane or botched a magical experiment."

True to some degree. There are other, unknown sources of Fireliches, but in the cluster there seems to be more than in other spheres.
"The Giff have acquired spell-casting abilities and can now become priests, some say they can even be wizards now."

False. Giff can not cast any sort of spells, and none in the cluster have shown any potential for psionics either.
"A colony of Grell has joined forces with the Illithids to attack the Antilans and the elves."

False.
"Heucuva are actually spies of some powerful undead from the Isle of Banshees."

True, their ability to polymorph makes the excellent spies.
"A new breed of Insectare have evolved that can completely resemble an elf so that no one can tell the difference, even under their robes."

False.
"There is a secret cult of beautiful women that can shapechange into birds. They are evil and bent on taking control the entire sphere."

True, Birdmaidens do exist. Treat them as Swanmays, but they may pick any bird species at first level instead of a swan to change into. Among the Thoric, Raven-Birdmaidens are quite common. The second part is false. The Birdmaidens are never evil and usually seek to protect the sphere from great dangers.
"If allowed to mature, Oortlings will develop powerful psionics."

True, but there is only a 1 in 20 chance that the psionic powers will ever develop. The Oortling will then begin to advance as a Psionicist but with a bonus +10 PSP's at first level.
"The Reigar have developed a way to enable their Esthetics to survive and travel the Phlogiston."

Up to the DM, but possible.
"The Arcane are making a deal to sell a large portion of the sphere to the Vodoni."

False.
"There is a tribe of Scro hidden somewhere in the Glacier that wouldn't harm anyone, even an elf if they had the chance."

True, there is a tribe of Scro that was turned to a life of peaceful farmers by the deity Munigur, much the same way Eldath of Realmspace changed the Ondonti Orcs to Lawful Good. See the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three or the Forgotten Realms, Ruins of Zhentil Keep boxed set for more details on the Ondonti Orcs.
"Somewhere in the Fringe is a Thoric burial mound with an ultimate helm hidden inside."

False, but lots of adventurers believe this and keep looking for it.
"The Maw has a vast treasure inside from all the ships it has consumed, if someone could kill it they would be rich beyond their dreams."

False, the Maw has long ago digested any useful magic that it may have consumed with its victims.
"The Antilans are turning over a large asteroid in the Golden Girdle to the Elves for their assistance in the war against the Illithids."

False, the elves see the Antilans as little better than the Illithids due to their slave-trading practices.
"The Beholders of Deyomad have developed a secret weapon that threatens the safety of the entire sphere."

False, although Hive Mother Zuovn'uth'eltszhl of Eyesore (Grrk'eggrrk-Zohr) promotes this rumor from time to time.
"The Antilans use slave Thri-Kreen and Wemics as shock-troops against the Illithids."

True, the Antilans use the Thri-Kreen and Wemics as slave-shocktroops. They are given potions to make them immune to psionics and whipped into a berserker rage, then turned loose on Illithid ships or outposts. Thri-Kreen and Wemic were imported from Realmspace as slaves by the Chainmen (page 91 of the Complete Spacefarer's Handbook) or Neogi and the Antilans have used them every since. There are no free colonies of either Thri-Kreen or Wemics known to exist in the cluster..... yet. I use the information for both races in the Players Option's: Skills & Powers.
"The Antilans have discovered a new form of magic that allows them greater control over the elements."

True. It is much like the Sha'ir from the Al-Qadim, Arabian Adventures book. Instead of summoning gen however, the Antilan Spellweaver acquires an Elemental Vermin familiar from the Monstrous Compendium Annual, Volume One. Spellweavers deal with general elementals and elemental-kin instead of genie-kind. Since they do not actually learn spells, they have no magical energies to power a spelljammer helm, and thus cannot spelljam.
"There is an asteroid in the Golden Girdle that is inhabited by intelligent plant people."

True. Treat them as Mold Men (Vegepygmies) from the Monstrous Compendium. They use Thornies as guard beasts. The island asteroid they inhabit is about 600 miles long and is covered in thick, damp jungle. Non-plant creatures that visit the asteroid are infected with a deadly lung disease. This disease is actually small, toxic spores produced by an indigenous fungi-tree.
"The Antilans have captured Focoids and are using them in the war against the Illithids."

True. but with no success as of yet.
"Clockwork Horrors are really a gnomish experiment gone disastrously wrong, we should get rid of all the gnomes in the sphere."

False. Clockwork Horrors have nothing to do with gnomes. The Neogi of the shattered sphere hate and fear the Clockwork Horrors greatly.
"Mistreatment of a Chattur will bring bad luck."

False. But a commonly believed rumor.
"The Aperusa have a secret base in the Inner Ring where they gather and trade goods. It is their only permanent community."

True. It is where they construct their Vagabond ships, make repairs, hold festivals and trade goods and information. Non-Aperusa are not allowed or are strongly discouraged.
"The lizard-men of Ssthakal have made a pact with a Stellar Dragon and it now protects that colony from outside harm."

False, unless the DM wishes otherwise.
"The elves of Giltiond have make a pact with a tribe of Aartuk for mutual protection."

False. The elven priests, with their plant-controlling spells, can redirect the Aartuk's aggression elsewhere, but there is no formal alliance of the two races.
"The undead of the Isle of Banshees use Skullsnakes as a means of transport to get about in the sphere."

True. Undead often use undead Sarphardin (SJR1) for transport. The Antlership is their most common used ship, however.
"The elves of Avarien have numerous Spirit Warriors of all three types: Mantis, Katydid, and Butterfly."

True. The elves of the Astromundi have many Spirit Warriors and Bionoids still living among them, unlike most elves of other spheres or the IEN.
"The elves have developed a biological weapon to use against the beholders. It causes instant blindness and renders all eye-stalks powerless."

False. But they have been unsuccessfully experimenting with a improved version of the Blindness spell. A normal Blindness spell might affect the beholders sight, but its eye-stalk powers will still operate. And when another of its kind turns it's Anti-Magic ray on the blinded beholder, the blindness spell is removed.
"A Primary Witchlight Marauder is buried somewhere under the ice in the Glacier."

False. The rumor was started when Scro activity in the area increased for a short time.
"The Varans of Boyarny have fallen back under the mental control of the Illithids."

False. The Varan of Boyarny are free from the political and mental influences of the Illithids and want to keep it that way. Many other colonies of Varans in the Inner Ring are independent of the Illithids also.
"Some Antilans have masks that enhance their spell casting abilities."

True. There is a symbiotic creature that takes the form of the Antilan masks. Treat it as a Vizier's Turban from the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two. These creatures are highly prized by Antilan mages since they grant extra spells and magic resistance.
"The god Yul and the goddess Gelanicus are actually the same deity that has a different identity depending if your in the inner or outer part of sphere."

False. The two death gods are very different. Note that theirs are the only priesthood's native to the sphere that have Major access to Necromantic spells. Beings seeking a Raise Dead or Resurrection must petition these priests for such services.
"The elves have cast ancient magic that prevents anyone else but them from leaving the sphere."

False. Only living ships may exist the sphere and the elves simply have the greatest number of living ships.
"There is a rare mutation among the Giff were the snout is pointed and a great horn grows on top of the nose."

True. The mutation gives the Giff a rhinoceros look instead of the standard hippopotamus appearance. Damage from a headbutt attack is 2d8 instead of 2d6. It only occurs once in 1,000 births, and does not begin to take form until around the 14th year.
"The Great Belt is dangerous due to the number of Gammaroids that live there. Only the Thoric Wise Women know how to sing them to sleep."

False and false.
"All drow that have entered the sphere have turned from the worship of their spider goddess to the worship of Seltain."

True and false. Only some have converted to Seltaine, others have established hidden temples to Lolth, while others still have abandoned the ways of evil altogether. The drow of the shattered sphere are scattered and diverse. The elves of the asteroid city, Sulimi in the Inner Ring have even taken some groups of the non-evil drow under their care and protection, much to the dismay of the IEN. The usual drow encountered in the cluster is a loner, hiring on with captains that don't ask too many questions. Their might be some hidden colonies in the cluster, but there have been no recorded sittings of Jade Spider ships in the sphere.
"There is only one Contemplator in the sphere and he dwells in a mysterious ruined city populated by strange creatures. No one knows its location."

True. Its home is a ruined asteroid city hidden by a vast illusion and guarded by ancient mechanical beings. Use the Shivak from the Legend of Spelljammer boxed set as the cities ancient mechanical guardians. The Contemplator watches and records the history of the shattered sphere as it unfolds. He could be an excellent, but difficult source of information for the players. Inspired by Utu, the Watcher from Marvel Comics.
"The Syllix were once a powerful spacefaring race called the Juna."

False. Although the Syllix were a powerful, advanced race in the distant past.
"The Dwarves of Cerekazadh have learned to create magical creatures of metal that fight for them."

True and false. A clan of tinker gnomes were taken in years ago and some can create quite reliable automatons. Treat them as Clockwork Mages from The Complete Sha'ir's Handbook OR use the Triobrand's Automatons from the Monstrous Compendium Annual, Volume Two. The dwarves motivation for this kindness is to eventually learn to create these devices themselves.
"Grell are actually a mutated from of Illithid. They were an experiment in the war against the Antilans"

False.
"Seltain has his own version of paladins and they are as evil as their deity."

True. Treat as a Lawful Evil Paladin with the special abilities of: Detect Good 60', +2 bonus on all Saving Throws, Immunity to natural disease, Wither Touch (1/day) which causes 2 hp damage per level, Cause Disease 1/week, Aura of Protection from Good, Command Undead (at 3rd level), and the ability to shape change into giant Cobra (Monstrous Compendium: Snake, Giant Poison). This last ability is gained at 4th level instead of gaining a bonded mount. Of course Paladins of Seltaine are NPC's only.
"Q'nidar that have died and crystallized can be carved into a minor spelljamming helm."

True.
"Rakshasa native to the cluster have high magic resistance instead of total immunity to spells."

True. Instead of complete immunity to spells lower than 8th level, Astromundi Rakshasa have 90% magic resistance, 95% for Greater Rakshasa. Do not confuse Rakshasa with Rakasta, the cat-like humanoid race from Mystraspace (Mystara: Red Steel boxed set) who have also migrated to and been trapped in the Astromundi Cluster.
"A Star Selkies brain can be used in the making of a greater helm."

False.
"Skullbirds are a curse upon the sphere, brought on by the priesthood of Seltain."

False. The rumor was started by followers of Seltain who seem to like the foul birds.
"The Neogi have found a way to escape the spheres' shell by using a Kindori and a leech ship."

True. Capturing kindori sometimes brings the Neogi into conflict with the Thoric who hunt the kindori much like real-world 19th century whalers did. A leechship attached to a kindori can exit the sphere shellwall.
"The asteroid nation of Uramatsu will be completing their Tsunami class defense ship within a few months. It is making the other races nervous."

True. The Illithids are concerned that the Tsunami will be used to attack their holdings in the Inner Ring and have unsuccessfully petitioned the Neogi to force economic sanctions against the Uramatsu. The Illithids may take matters into their own hands soon.
"The elves have a strange kind of magic that allow them to create and control Wrinkles as they want."

False. Being a more long-lived race, the elves simply have better star charts and have a greater understanding of wrinkles and their patterns than do other races. Elven PC's will not have access to this knowledge however.
"There is an ice asteroid in the Fringe that is the home of a kingdom of insect people are as good as paladins. But their eggs can increase the power of someone with psionics."

True. These creatures are the Sha'az from the loose-leaf MC8 Forgotten Realms Appendix.
"That brain poison that is so fatal to Illithids was originally created by Pirates of Gith."

False. It was created by Antilan Alchemist mages.
"The Undead of the Isle of Banshees are really good willed guardians of the sphere. They just have a bad reputation 'cause they're undead."

False. They pretend neutrality to avoid being wiped out by a combined fleet from the living races, but they secretly look for a means to control or kill every living creature in the sphere. There are even factions within the free-willed undead who have differing views on the sphere. Most want to control or destroy, others wish to remain a power behind the scenes, feeding of the living. Others still, have a more neutral attitude. Some few Arch-Lich and Baelnorn actually see themselves as guardians of the living. No information on the internal politics of the Isle of Banshees is available to the living, but it is assumed to be a hotbed of political intrigue. Use the Ravenloft: Requiem boxed set rules to generate unique, free-will undead.
"Rock Hoppers carry disease that is dangerous to humans and most other races."

False. Rock Hoppers are harmless and quite resistant to disease. They also domesticate a type of foul used for its feathers and meat. Treat as 'Wari from the Bird entry of the Monstrous Compendium.
"The Gravs are actually an ancient race of dwarves who mutated over the centuries to adapt to life in space."

False. There is no known relation between the Gravs and Dwarves.
"The power it took to hide the moons behind Ushathrandra and hold them stationary was accomplished by dark magic that required the sacrifice of thousands of beings to the Illithid god, Lugribossk."

False. It was accomplished by an ancient Mind Pool that still resides on Talos.
"Their is a wild magic zone in space not far from the Maw."

True. The Maw stays near it waiting for ships to damage themselves in the wild zone. It then moves in and cleans up what's left.
"Firefall has been shrinking over the last few dozen years as a result of the Antilan Sun mages draining its power."

True. The Arcane have been working with the Antilans to increase their power. The Antilans are unaware of the Arcanes true motivation: the Darkgate.
"The Thoric wise women are not human at all, but actually evil hags that are worse than an neogi to deal with."

False. The Thoric Wise Women are merely human mages or specialist wizards.
"Most of the Neogi are part of a group that meets regularly to set prices and work behind the scenes to control the economy of the sphere."

False.
"It is custom to seal a deal with the Neogi by each party getting a body piercing of some sort. The more piercing, the greater respect the neogi have for ya."

True.
"Illithids can use their psionics to control an Umber Hulk and turn it against its Neogi master if they want."

True and false. Illithids (or anyone using the Charm Monster spell) may gain initial control of an Umber Hulks mind, but attacking a Neogi is STRONGLY against its nature, even more so than suicide, granting another saving throw with a +5 bonus. Many Neogi employ various sorts of magical protections on their Umber Hulks to prevent any "disruption in service."
"There is a great political war going on within the Illithid Empire between the priests of Lugribossk and the ancient Mind Pools."

True. The priests of Lugribossk are attempting to isolate and control the mind pools, relegating them to mere breeding tanks for the race as the power of Lugribossk increases. The Illithid Priests and the various Mind Pools are currently engaged in a private, political civil war. Treat the priests as Ulitharid (Noble Illithid) from the Monstrous Compendium Annual, Volume One.
"Illithids have sexes; male and female just like other races."

False. This is nothing more than a rumor the Illithids propitiated to gain sympathy from other races.
"Seltaine ain't such a bad deity, after all his priests fight against the Illithids. So they can't be all bad."

False. They are actually more evil than the Illithids if such a thing is possible. One may encounter the occasional LN Illithid, but ALL priests of Seltain are evil to the core.
"Arm Blades are becoming the favored weapons of the Thoric. And they are quite in fashion with the Varan nobility."

True. See page 30 of The Astrolgator's Guide in the Astromundi Cluster boxed set.
"An Antilan Crystal ship can be destroyed by a simple Shatter spell, if you can get close enough to cast it."

False. The Antilans seem to find great humor and propitiate this story, however.
"The elves use a special crystal lens in their Doombat weapon pods to magnify their spells ranges the way a beholder ship does."

True. This lens allows them to cast their spells at an extended range just as the beholders tyrant ships allow them to use their eye-powers at an extended range. Range equals three hexes on the tactical map. Although the secret was probably stolen from the beholders in the first place, the elves are guarded about the lens and will destroy a Doombat before allowing it to fall into enemy hands.
"Tradifos is actually the god known as Ptah in other crystal spheres."

False.
"The Dwarves of Cerekazdh are at war with a new type of Plasmoid."

True. DelNoric Plasmoids (MC7), using captured ships, have been raiding the near-by mining asteroids that the Dwarves of Cerekazdh have laid claim to. This has lead to fighting between the two races. The full might of the Dwarves has not been brought to bare on the problem yet.
"The Xixchil of Ironport can change a person to have all kinds of useful appendages. Just you have to go through their Neogi business managers first. And that will cost you the arm and leg that you get replaced, right there."

True. The cost is expensive (10,000 gp+) but these Xixchil have a very low chance of some biological mishap or simply making a mistake during the operation. Many Neogi have their Umber Hulk slaves altered to provide a surprise or two against their enemies.
"The Arcane of Highport are selling a new, more powerful type of helm. Few can pay their price, however."

True. A Great Helm has a 1 for 1 level/SR rate up to a maximum SR 12, but it will function in the Phlogiston, unlike a Grand Helm. The Arcane are selling them for a million GP each at the moment. Supply is of course, very limited.
"The Arcane are evil creatures, bent on the destruction of the sphere. That is why the Dizentar were sent by the gods to save us."

Up to the DM.
"A new race of spider-like creatures, with powerful ships, have entered the Cluster and are a danger to all shipping."

True. The K'r'r'r have made excursions into the shattered sphere. Like all other races without living ships they have become trapped and are unsure what move to take next.
"The Arcane have started selling a new design of light scout ship. It is fast and manuverable, but lightly armed.

True. The Arcane have copied the design of the Hummingbird used by the Thesalys of Greatspace. This version however does not come with a Magic Missile device, but instead has the Piercing Ram and a forward mounted Light Ballistae on the main deck. It sells for a mere 10,000 gp. The Arcane feel that since no one is likely to take the Hummingbird outside the shattered sphere, they will not run afoul of the Thesalys for coping their design.
"Astromundi was an ancient world that was destroyed during the second cataclysm."

True.
"There is a wrinkle somewhere outside the Fringe that leads right into the heart of the Antilan Empire, but it is darn hard to find."

True. But the Antilans have located it and keep a patrol of three Warbirds (see my article on More Manageable Foes) nearby at all times.
"Due to their nearness to Firefall, Antilans cannot become Shadow Mages."

False.
"The Astromundi arcane are craftier than other arcane. They have devised a helm that can't be stolen."

False. The Astromundi arcane do however sell helms with a "key". An object that must be inserted into the helm for it to work. The captain or owner of a ship often has possession of the key and command words can be added when purchased to insure only the correct person can insert/remove the key. These helm keys usually come in the form of carved gems shaped like a key.
"Illithids with their powerful mental abilities and magic resistance are immune to the might of the Undead and are never affected by them."

False. Illithids are quite vulnerable to the touch-delivered powers of undead (which bypass their magic resistance). The undead (which are immune to mind-affecting magic AND psionics) actually have the advantage. As a result there are Alhoon (Illithilich from the Monstrous Compendium Annual, Volume Three) among the intelligent free-willed undead of the cluster. Rumors of Illithid-Vampires have also been reported.
"The Antilans have actually gained magical powers to control time itself, and can see into the future"

True to some degree. Antilan mages have discovered Chronolilies (Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two) on the Ethereal Plane and have been going there to study the plant. Its powers to reveal the past, present, and future are poorly understood at this time, but potentially could shift the balance of power in the sphere even further in the Antilans favor. The Chronomancer Guardians (from the Chronomancer book) are concerned about this and may assemble agents (the player characters?) to stop or interrupt the Antilans study program.

"We may have a lot of other nasties 'bout the sphere, but at least we don't have to deal with those groundling dragons I hear travelers always whining 'bout."

False. Aside from the many Moon Dragons, a couple of Radiant Dragons, Sun Dragons (on both Firefall and Denaeb), and the Stellar Dragons there are several species of groundling dragon that have migrated to and been trapped in the Astromundi Cluster. Solitary Steel Dragons inhabit some of the larger asteroid cities in the guise of a native race of that city. Deep Dragons seem to have accompanied some Drow or Illithids at one time and many have made lairs in larger asteroids that support a Underdark-like tunnel network. All dragon types are very rare and avoid contact (at least open contact) with the human/humanoid/demi-human races.
"Damn those Xixchil! Their mad experimentation have unleashed a new kind of scavver that has claws. If the space lanes weren't dangerous enough already!"

True. The Clawed Scavver exists, although it is unknown if they are a result of Xixchil experimentation, some other races biological accident, or just a new species that has just now been discovered (the cluster is a very big sphere). Treat them as Night Scavvers but with a bite that does 1d12 points of damage and the front two fins are replaced with crab-like claws that can do 1d6 points of damage each. The Clawed Scavver uses these claws to hold its prey (if both claws hit) so that it can get an automatic bite the next round. They are also slower than a Night Scavver, moving only at 15 instead of 18.
"The Antilans have created yet another monstrous weapon in their war against the Illithids that the rest of us have to deal with, some sort of sickly looking giant ant that spits acid."

True. Abyss Ants (from the Monstrous Compendium Annual, Volume One) were summoned and inflicted on Illithid asteroid holdings to try to drive them out of their underground strongholds. It worked to some degree, but backfired in that the Abyss Ant requires very little air and have spread throughout the sphere like fire ants. Their ability to survive great heat allowed them to infest the Isles of the Sun, which greatly annoys the Antilans.
"Using firearms and magic together is a very dangerous gamble."

True. Smokepowder in the Cluster has a tendency to react to a "magical" spark. There is a 1% chance per spell level that a cast spell (magical or clerical) will set off any smokepowder on the casters person, even if contained in a loaded Arquebus or other firearm. The energies involved in psionics cause a similar reaction (1% chance per every 10 PSP's expended). As a result, races that are known more for their fighters than their magical abilities are the usual wielders of firearms: Dwarves, Giff, Scro, and Thoric humans. Arquebus are also favored by Antilan fighters. It is believed by sages that this is another unique property of the Astromundi crystal sphere.
"Individual Dohwar have been spotted in areas around the Great Ring and the Fringe. I thought those little pests always came in pairs."

True. When a Dohwar has been "fired" from its clan or has lost it's life-mate, it is known as a "Free Agent". To put them more in line with player characters, I have them become either thieves (with psionic wild talents) or psionicists of various levels. They may or may not still have their own ships and guards such as space swine or giff bodyguards. They are sort of like a (Star Trek) Feragni that has lost his trading license.
"If you can grab a Reigar's shakti before they can activate it, you've got yourself a nice little figurine of wondrous power."

False. You've bought yourself an early grave. A Reigar is permanently linked with their shakti and can control it from a distance. No one else, including another Reigar can control the shakti.
"Dwarves never let their females travel, that's why you see mostly males in port cities and mercenary troops."

False. The male to female ratio in Astromundi dwarves is about 2 to 1. Thus most married dwarven females are busy having and raising children. The few that do travel are constantly pestered by male dwarven suitors for their hand in marriage. The custom of dwarven males dueling for rights to woe a maiden is common. Astromundi dwarven females never have beards.
"You can always spot an Allura by their red eyes."

False. An Allura's shapechanging ability is limited to only humanoid forms (they specialize in beautiful human or demi-human females), but the eyes do NOT give them away. Their true form is unknown, but believed to be similar to a tailless lizard man with a short snout and gray-green scales.
"The elves of Giltiond have developed a new kind of light carrier class living ship that is devastating in combat."

True. Although the elves did not actually develop the design themselves. The elves of Avarien purchased the secrets of building the Thri-Kreen Leafships from the Arcane and are now producing/growing their own slightly modified version of the Leaf Ship that uses a standard helm. They cast the Create Minor Helm spell or use flitter helms to power the Thorn Ship fighters. Since the only Thri-Kreen in the Astromundi Cluster are slave troops of the Antilans, no one disputes their use of this design. The other elven communities are waiting to see if the new design works before utilizing it themselves. The IEN look on this development with distain.
"The beholders have a major city that floats in the purplish-green clouds of Deyomad. It is vast; much larger than any other city in the sphere."

False. The gases of Deyomad are poisonous and there are no beholder settlements on or in the Gas Giant itself. The beholders populate the asteroid ring that surrounds Deyomad. Many of the asteroids are the size of small moons and their is no shortage of real estate for the beholders.
"The Aparusa make the best ropes in the sphere. It is almost impossible to break them."

True. They hunt and harvest Asteroid Fishers (Cave Fishers adapted of wildspace life) and the filaments make a rope as light as silk rope, but stronger than a normal hemp rope. A fair price for a 50' coil is 20 gp, but they always start much higher when bartering. Rock Hoppers share this practice of making filament ropes from Asteroid Fishers, but are less social and sell their wares less often.
"Lizard men of the cluster are sometimes afflicted with a strange and dangerous form of lycanthropy. Fortunently it does not infect non-reptilian races.

True. Were-raptors are like any other form of Lycanthropy except that it only affects reptilian races such as Lizard men. Use the statistics for the Deinonychus in the Dinosaur entry of the Monstrous Compendium for the were-form. The Dwarves of the Astromundi Cluster suffer the occasional were-badger also.
"There's a strange beast that's popping up out in the Fringe allot now. They are some sort of space bat that engulfs their victims. They seem to shy away from strong light, however."

True. They are actually a species of Cloaker that has adapted to life in wildspace. They conform to the description of the Cloaker in the Monstrous Compendium, except that they can survive in fouled or poisonous air or even up to three weeks with no air at all, if need be. They prefer to remain in an atmosphere of some sort however, since their moaning ability does not function in wildspace.
"The Hadozee of the shattered sphere are more savage and dangerous than those of others spheres."

False, sort of. It is not uncommon for fighter Hadozee of the Astromundi to be of the Berserker kit (Complete Fighters Handbook). As a result, the race as a whole has gotten something of a wild and dangerous reputation. The elves of Giltiond have many of these "wild hadozee" as crew aboard their ships.
"The Illithids have been using the Squidship design for so long now that they consider it an Illithids ship design in the cluster. This often causes disastrous encounters with travelers from outside the sphere that happen to be on a Squidship."

True. Some time back, the Illithids make deals with the Neogi to buy out most of the Squidships in the sphere (and secretly had many that the owners would not sell, destroyed). One of the Mind Pools took a strong liking to the design and thought it would fit in well with the Nautiloid and Octopus classes. As a result, today the following ship classes are considered "standard" ships for the Illithids (and their Varan henchmen) in the Astromundi Cluster: Illithid Dreadnought, Cuttle Command, Octopus, Nautiloid (ship of the line), Squidship, and Lamprey. Other races may use them, but having to avoid BOTH the Illithids and Antilans (who target these ships) makes their use very dangerous. Elves and Pirates of Gith also pray upon them, adding to the problem.
"I hear that in other uncivilized spheres, most potions found are unlabeled. And when you buy or "find" one, you never know what it might be."

True. Since the Neogi sell many of the potions in the shattered sphere, they standardly label their potions as a selling feature to jack up the prices. The name of a potion is etched in the Neogi language on the flask or veil when the potion is created. Certain Neogi make a thriving trade by requiring this "safety" law, then selling the containers to Arcane, wizards, and priests who actually make the potions. They get a further cut when they distribute the finished product. Of course the Neogi are not too concerned with quality control and there is about a 5% chance a potion will be mislabeled. Some nations such as Avarien elves and the Antilans produce their own potions, but do not normally label nor sell them.
"There seems to be a temple or shrine to Tradifos in every port. There most be more priests of Tradifos in the cluster than all the other priesthood's put together."

False. It just seems that way since priests of Tradifos are required to travel. They build and maintain shrines and hostels in many ports or asteroid communities since they know either they or one of their faith will need one in the future. Because they also provide healing (for a price) and other priestly services, including spelljamming for hire, their property is usually respected when there is not one in residence. Priests that stay in one place are either raising a family or retired. Although priests of Tradifos provide a lot of healing, they do not have major access to Necromantic spells and only priests of Gelanicus (who only perform this service for citizens of the Antilan Empire) and Yul (who will cast spells for almost anyone, for the right price) have access to Raise Dead or Resurrection.
"The Scro in the Grim Reaches have some sort of dreadnought ship that is dangerous to all races. An Illithid ship reported that it is a larger version of the Turtleship used by the Lizard men."

False. It is actually a Gammaroid carcass that a band of Scro chanced upon. They have finished removing all the flesh and installed a major helm. It appears to have been a young Gammaroid that died of mysterious causes, since it is under 100 tons when the Scro finished outfitting the shell. It is heavily armed and accompanied by two Mantis escort ships.

"The golden eyed mages of the Thoric make a special magic item unique to them. It summons animals native to the colder regions."

True. Most mages among the Thoric have golden eyes and some high level ones know the secret to produce an arctic version of the Bag of Tricks.

1d8   Animal          AC  HD  HP      Move                  Damage
  1   White Weasel     6 1/2   3        12                     1-3
  2   Snowy Owl        7   1   6  3, fl 18                 1-4/1-4
  3   Arctic Badger    5   2  10   9, bw 3             1-3/1-3/1-4
  4   Timber Wolf      7 2+2  12        18                     2-7
  5   Giant Lynx       6 3+3  18        15     1-4/1-4/1-6/1-3/1-3
  6   Giant Wolverine  5   5  25         9      1-6/1-6/2-8 + musk
  7   Polar Bear       5   6  30 15, sw 12 1-8/1-8/1-10/2-12 (hug)
  8   Snow Tiger       6   8  40        15    2-7/2-7/1-12/2-8/2-8

"I hear that we're blessed with many more livable asteroids here in the cluster than in other spheres."

True. With so many spacefaring races and so few larger worlds, asteroids are make livable from many different sources. First, there are the naturally occurring larger asteroids (size B, C or D) that retained atmosphere from one of the two cataclysms. Then there are wizards, priests of Tradifos and other priesthood's that can cast Create Atmosphere (w8, p7, Lost Ships book). The elves and lizard men cultivate certain plants that can survive in a marginal atmosphere and eventually turn it into a breathable one. The Antilans have also experimented with opening gateways to the Elemental Planes to bring in more air, water, and earth. All in all, a ship is much more likely to find an inhabitable asteroid in the cluster than in most other spheres.
No rumors of interest or make something outlandish up.