Alastor Series by Jack Vance

Trullion - world 2262 of the Alastor Cluster - is a water-world of fens, mists, and idyllic islands set in clear oceans whose teeming richness provides food for the taking. The Trill are a carefree and easy-living people, but violence enters their lives during raids of the Starmenters, freebooting galactic pirates who live short, perilous lives in pursuit of adventure, rape and pillage... moreTrullion - world 2262 of the Alastor Cluster - is a water-world of fens, mists, and idyllic islands set in clear oceans whose teeming richness provides food for the taking. The Trill are a carefree and easy-living people, but violence enters their lives during raids of the Starmenters, freebooting galactic pirates who live short, perilous lives in pursuit of adventure, rape and pillage. Then there's the planet-wide game of hussade - when the Trill's passion for gambling drives them to risk all - even life itself, on the hazardous water-chessboard gaming fields. Their prize? The beautiful sheirlmaiden.. less

A mysterious amnesiac is found at a distant spaceport. The science of the Alastor Cluster is unable to do anything but determine his home planet and culture: he is a Rhune from the planet Marune - Alastor 933. When he returns home, he learns that he is a powerful landowner whose household is faced with an important alliance. But which of these scheming nobles destroyed his memory?

On Wyst, world 1716 of the Alastor Cluster, millions of people live together in harmony, work only a few hours each week, and share the fruits of their labor equally. Wyst seems a utopia. But the Connatic, mysterious ruler of the Alastor Cluster, knowing better that to take utopia at face value, one day decides to investigate--a decision that may cost him his life.

Three young men in strange worlds face dangers, meet tempting girls, and may be saved by the incognito Connatic, ruler of Alastor trillions. Planets have totally different climates and cultures, but evil humans are always greedy.Trullion: Home of ex-soldier Glinnes, whose brother has sold family island against their late father's wishes. Glinnes plays hussade to raise ozols to buy Ambray back... moreThree young men in strange worlds face dangers, meet tempting girls, and may be saved by the incognito Connatic, ruler of Alastor trillions. Planets have totally different climates and cultures, but evil humans are always greedy.Trullion: Home of ex-soldier Glinnes, whose brother has sold family island against their late father's wishes. Glinnes plays hussade to raise ozols to buy Ambray back. Starmenter pirates attack their big game, and $30M ransom vanishes, sought by all, especially alluring murderous gypsy Duissane.Marune: The home world of amnesiac Pardero. Really prince "Kraike" Efraim, the new heir almost loses his throne to his step-brother Destian. Step-mother Singhalissa plots with neighbor Rianlle. Fiancée Sthelany invites him to her room during the mirk long night of darkest emotions. Wyst: Inspirational planet to artist Jantiff, with egalistic new friends Skorlet and Esteban. Every meal has only gruff baked brown loaf, deedle tart drink, and wobbly custard sweet to fill in the chinks. The Whispers, representatives, invite the Connatic for their planet anniversary celebration, but plotters conspire. less