Tech Levels Overview.

The concept of Tech Levels (or TL) runs through most of the area known as charted space. Tech Levels measure the scientific capacity of a world and the complexity and effectiveness of a piece of equipement. The Tech Level scale starts at 0. In the Charted Space universe, the most advanced scientists are probing the upper boundaries of TL 15 or higher. Most core worlds range between TL 10 and TL 13. Out on the fringes of the Imperium is sectors like the Spinward Marches or Trojan Reach, Tech Levels vary wildly. Isolated systems visited only once or twice a generation might have slipped back into the darkness, losing technology to war or disaster. On other worlds, secret research bases, isolationist colonies or relics of the Ancients hold scientific secrets of vast worth.
Even on a less advanced world, there might be examples of higher technology. A warlord on a primitive planet might enforce their rule with advanced weapons imported from off world; colony worlds are often dependent on their sponsor civilization for supplies and support. Some low-technology worlds are aware of the larger universe and have consciously decided to reject advanced technology. Technology is the ability to use tools to make other tools. Technology Level, or Tech Level and commonly abbreviated TL, is a measure of technological capability and sophistication. Technology Level is a rating of several interconnected ideas regarding the understanding and use of technology by a species, population, or government.
Not all technological societies continue to advance. There are a number of reasons why this occurs. Scientific: The core of a technological advance requires an understanding of the science underlying the technology. This in turn requires research into these understandings, the ability to communicate the research to others, and education of the next generation. Lacking the ability to do research and blocking communication of ideas will stagnate the advance of technology.
Cultural: A society may adopt only enough technology to meet its needs and then content itself with a static stability. Some cultures value social stability: technology that disrupts society may be banned or suppressed. An oppressive society may depend on technology to maintain its domination of the population. It may embrace cultural restrictions that prevent technological advancement.
Resources: Technological advancement requires access different kinds of resources. Food to supply an increasing population required for maintaining a technological society. Access to metals and other minerals for construction of devices. Sources of energy, especially an low and mid technology levels to power the technology. Lacking the access to these critical resources will block advancement of the society.

Access & Availability

A world which has developed an independent technology maintains its common tech level for the majority of its territory. Some regions (typically near the starport) may have slightly higher tech levels based on the availability of imported goods. The Tech Level for an interstellar society is based on the TLs of its significant worlds. Determinations are made for defined regions (usually a subsector). If the interstellar society is larger than a subsector, it is divided into subsector-sized regions, with higher tech subsectors dominating their lower tech subsector neighbors. The TL of the subsector is determined by the highest TL for an Industrial World within the subsector. This TL governs the construction of the military and naval forces of the society. The highest generally available TL within a society equals the highest TL for its most important world.

Complexity

Technology Level measures the degree of technological expertise, and thus the capabilities of local industry to manufacture and repair or maintain items. It serves as an overall economic indicator of the society to produce goods. A Technology Level is roughly an order of magnitude increase in capability across the three measures of technology: labor enhancement, quality improvement, and achievement of impossibilities. Worlds (societies, cultures, civilizations, stellar federations, interstellar empires) are classified by their available technology. Each is evaluated on the available technology and assigned a Technology Level, indicating the common capabilities of the world in the creation of and use of technology. While many technologies have the capacity to bring great prosperity and economic wealth to planet, technology also has the capacity to be tremendously disruptive of local cultures, societies, and peoples.